PMID- 24209964
TI  - The AALAS journals: 2012 in review.

PMID- 24209965
TI  - Trichodina xenopodus, a ciliated protozoan, in a laboratory-maintained Xenopus
      laevis.
AB  - A postmortem evaluation of a domestically bred, adult, female Xenopus laevis
      revealed the presence of a urinary bladder protozoan consistent with Trichodina
      xenopodus. T. xenopodus is considered an incidental finding, as its presence in
      the urinary bladder in frogs has not been correlated with disease or with urinary
      bladder epithelial lesions. Trichodina spp. are ciliated protozoa known to
      colonize many species of amphibians and fish. These protozoa frequently inhabit
      the skin and gills, but may also be present in the urinary bladder of infected
      animals. Their presence on the skin and gills in low numbers is not related to
      disease; however, large numbers may indicate poor water quality and overcrowding.

PMID- 24209966
TI  - Predictive observation-based endpoint criteria for mice receiving total body
      irradiation.
AB  - Total body irradiation of mice is a commonly used research technique; however,
      humane endpoints have not been clearly identified. This situation has led to the
      inconsistent use of various endpoints, including death. To address this issue, we
      refined a cageside observation-based scoring system specifically for mice
      receiving total body irradiated. Male and female C57BL/6 mice (age, 8 wk)
      received 1 of 3 doses of radiation from 1 of 2 different radiation sources and
      were observed for progression of clinical signs. All mice were scored
      individually by using cageside observations of their body posture (score, 0 to
      3), eye appearance (0 to 3), and activity level (0 to 3). Retrospective analysis
      of the observation score data indicated that death could be predicted accurately
      with total scores of 7 or greater, and observation scores were consistent between
      observers. This scoring system can be used to increase the consistent use of
      endpoint criteria in total body murine irradiation studies and ultimately to
      improve animal welfare. 

PMID- 24209967
TI  - Failure-to-thrive syndrome associated with tumor formation by Madin-Darby canine
      kidney cells in newborn nude mice.
AB  - Tumors that formed in newborn nude mice that were inoculated with 10(7) Madin
      Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were associated with a failure-to-thrive (FTT)
      syndrome consisting of growth retardation, lethargy, weakness, and dehydration.
      Scoliosis developed in 41% of affected pups. Pups were symptomatic by week 2;
      severely affected pups became moribund and required euthanasia within 3 to 4 wk.
      Mice with FTT were classified into categories of mild, moderate, and severe
      disease by comparing their weight with that of age-matched normal nude mice. The
      MDCK-induced tumors were adenocarcinomas that invaded adjacent muscle, connective
      tissue, and bone; 6 of the 26 pups examined had lung metastases. The induction of
      FTT did not correlate with cell-line aggressiveness as estimated by
      histopathology or the efficiency of tumor formation (tumor-forming dose 50%
      endpoint range = 10(2.8) to 10(7.5)); however, tumor invasion of the
      paravertebral muscles likely contributed to the scoliosis noted. In contrast to
      the effect of MDCK cells, tumor formation observed in newborn mice inoculated
      with highly tumorigenic, human-tumor-derived cell lines was not associated with
      FTT development. We suggest that tumor formation and FTT are characteristics of
      these MDCK cell inocula and that FTT represents a new syndrome that may be
      similar to the cachexia that develops in humans with cancer or other diseases. 

PMID- 24209968
TI  - Leukotoxin kills rodent WBC by targeting leukocyte function associated antigen 1.
AB  - Leukotoxin is a protein that is secreted by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
      and that primarily targets the active form of leukocyte function associated
      antigen 1 (LFA1) on WBC. Because of its specificity for WBC, leukotoxin is being
      developed as a novel biologic treatment for hematologic malignancies and
      autoimmune-inflammatory diseases. Early studies indicated that leukotoxin is
      specific for WBC from humans and Old World primates. In the current study, we
      used in vivo and in vitro assays to show that leukotoxin has a wider host range
      than previously believed and can kill rodent WBC. Administration of leukotoxin to
      rats and mice resulted in a rapid drop in WBC number but had no effect on RBC or
      platelet counts. Using LFA1-knockout mice, we showed that leukotoxin-mediated
      depletion of WBC is dependent on LFA1. In addition, similar to its effect on
      human monocytes, leukotoxin kills murine myeloid leukemia via a lysosome-mediated
      pathway that is dependent on cathepsin D. This newly described broader host range
      of leukotoxin enables the biology of the protein to be studied in rodent species
      and offers the possibility of using rodent models for evaluating the therapeutic
      efficacy of leukotoxin in various diseases. 

PMID- 24209969
TI  - Anaplastic renal carcinoma expressing SV40 T antigen in a female TRAMP mouse.
AB  - An 8-mo-old female transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (C57BL/6
      Tg(TRAMP)8247Ng/J) mouse presented with abdominal distention, lethargy, and
      serosanguineous vaginal discharge. A large primary renal tumor with metastases to
      lung and liver was present at necropsy. The tumor was composed of poorly
      differentiated and crowded epithelial cells forming ducts, acini, and cribriform
      patterns, with comedonecrosis and frequent bizarre mitoses. Immunohistochemistry
      revealed that neoplastic cells expressed nuclear SV40 T antigen, confirming
      aberrant expression of the transgene. In addition, cells were positive for
      pancytokeratin and negative for synaptophysin and estrogen and progesterone
      receptors. This report details the first transgene-induced tumor in a female
      TRAMP mouse. 

PMID- 24209970
TI  - Multiple complex congenital malformations in a rabbit kit (Oryctolagus cuniculi).
AB  - Congenital malformations may occur during early embryogenesis in cases of genetic
      abnormalities or various environmental factors. Affected subjects most often have
      only one or 2 abnormalities; subjects rarely have several unrelated congenital
      defects. Here we describe a case of a stillborn New Zealand white rabbit with
      multiple complex congenital malformations, including synophthalmia,
      holoprosencephaly, gastroschisis, and a supernumerary hindlimb, among other
      anomalies. There was no historical exposure to teratogens or other known
      environmental causes. Although not confirmed, this case was most likely a rare
      spontaneous genetic event. 

PMID- 24209971
TI  - Polymorphisms in canine platelet glycoproteins identify potential platelet
      antigens.
AB  - Human alloimmune thrombocytopenic conditions caused by exposure to a platelet
      specific alloantigen include neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia,
      posttransfusion purpura, and platelet transfusion refractoriness. More than 30
      platelet-specific alloantigens have been defined in the human platelet antigen
      (HPA) system; however, there is no previous information on canine platelet
      specific alloantigens. Using the HPA system as a model, we evaluated the canine
      ITGB3, ITGA2B, and GP1BB genes encoding GPIIIa (beta3), GPIIb (alphaIIb), and
      GPIbbeta, respectively, which account for 21 of 27 HPA, to determine whether
      amino acid polymorphisms are present in the orthologous canine genes. A secondary
      objective was to perform a pilot study to assess possible association between
      specific alleles of these proteins and a diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic
      purpura (ITP) in dogs. By using genomic DNA from dogs of various breeds with and
      without ITP, sequencing of PCR products encompassing all coding regions and exon
      intron boundaries for these 3 genes revealed 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in
      ITGA2B resulting in amino acid polymorphisms in the canine genome, 3 previously
      reported and 1 newly identified (Gly[GGG]/Arg[AGG] at amino acid position 576 of
      ITGA2B. Of 16 possible ITGA2B protein alleles resulting from unique combinations
      of the 4 polymorphic amino acids, 5 different protein isoforms were present in
      homozygous dogs and explain all of the genotype combinations in heterozygous
      dogs. There was no amino acid polymorphism or protein isoform that was specific
      for a particular breed or for the diagnosis of ITP. 

PMID- 24209972
TI  - Model for concomitant microdialysis sampling of the pons and cerebral cortex in
      rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
AB  - Pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas are aggressive brainstem tumors that
      fail to respond to treatment. We hypothesize that the protective features of the
      pons may hinder chemotherapeutic agents from entering pontine tissue compared
      with cortical brain tissue. To test this hypothesis, we developed a unique
      nonhuman primate model using microdialysis, a continuous in vivo extracellular
      sampling technique, to compare drug exposure concurrently in pontine tissue,
      cortical tissue, CSF, and plasma after intravenous administration of
      chemotherapeutic agents. The surgical coordinates and approach for microdialysis
      cannula-probe placement were determined in 5 adult male rhesus monkeys (Macaca
      mulatta) by using MRI. Microdialysis cannulas-probes were implanted
      stereotactically in the brain, retrodialysis was performed to measure relative
      recovery, and a 1-h intravenous infusion of temozolomide was administered.
      Continuous microdialysis samples were collected from the pons and cortex over 4 h
      with concurrent serial plasma and CSF samples. Postsurgical verification of
      microdialysis cannula-probe placement was obtained via MRI in 3 macaques and by
      gross pathology in all 5 animals. The MRI-determined coordinates and surgical
      methodologies resulted in accurate microdialysis probe placement in the pons and
      cortex in 4 of the 5 macaques. Histologic examination from these 4 animals
      revealed negligible tissue damage to the pontine and cortical tissue from
      microdialysis. One macaque was maintained for 8 wk and had no deficits attributed
      to the procedure. This animal model allows for the determination of differences
      in CNS penetration of chemotherapeutic agents in the pons, cortex, and CSF after
      systemic drug administration. 

PMID- 24209973
TI  - Adenocarcinoma of the ileocolic junction and multifocal hepatic sarcomas in an
      aged rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta).
AB  - An aged male rhesus macaque in our colony had decreased appetite and a loss of
      interest in behavioral testing. CBC analysis revealed a regenerative, microcytic,
      hypochromic anemia with thrombocytosis, consistent with iron deficiency. A fecal
      occult blood test was positive. Ultrasound imaging revealed numerous,
      vascularized focal liver lesions that suggested metastases. The macaque's
      appetite continued to decrease, and he became more lethargic. At this point, the
      investigator elected to euthanize the macaque. At necropsy, the ileocolic
      junction was white and abnormally thickened, and the liver was pale tan with
      approximately 18 discrete white masses randomly scattered throughout the hepatic
      parenchyma. Histologically, the mass at the ileocolic junction was identified as
      an intestinal adenocarcinoma, whereas the liver masses were confirmed to be
      undifferentiated hepatic sarcomas. This case report describes a rhesus macaque
      that had 2 unrelated primary neoplasms. A review of the literature indicates that
      this rhesus macaque is the first reported to have an adenocarcinoma of the
      ileocolic junction and multiple hepatic sarcomas simultaneously. 

PMID- 24209974
TI  - Brain abscess in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) with a cephalic implant.
AB  - We report a case of brain abscess after craniotomy and the placement of a
      recording chamber for electrophysiologic records in an adult rhesus macaque
      (Macaca mulatta) enrolled in visual research. Approximately 2 wk after surgery,
      the macaque presented with nonspecific gastrointestinal signs and showed no
      evidence of fever, neurologic deficits, increased intracranial pressure,
      suggestive alterations in the CBC, or abnormal changes in the recording chamber.
      The macaque responded to symptomatic and antibiotic treatment and showed no
      behavioral or abnormal clinical signs for 3 wk before collapsing suddenly. The
      macaque was euthanized, and pathologic evaluation revealed a large brain abscess
      immediately under the original craniotomy. 

PMID- 24209975
TI  - Are genetic variations in OXTR, AVPR1A, and CD38 genes important to social
      integration? Results from two large U.S. cohorts.
AB  - Some evidence suggests that genetic polymorphisms in oxytocin pathway genes
      influence various social behaviors, but findings thus far have been mixed. Many
      studies have been based in small samples and there is possibility of publication
      bias. Using data from 2 large U.S. prospective cohorts with over 11,000
      individuals, we investigated 88 SNPs in OXTR, AVPR1A, and CD38, in relation to
      social integration (measured as social connectedness in both binary and
      continuous forms and being continuously married). After correction for multiple
      testing only one SNP in CD38 (rs12644506) was significantly associated with
      social integration and that SNP predicted when using a dichotomized indicator of
      social connectedness (adjusted p=0.02), but not a continuous measure of social
      connectedness or the continuously married outcome. A significant gender
      heterogeneous effect was identified in one OXTR SNP on dichotomized social
      connectedness; specifically, rs4686302 T allele was nominally associated with
      social connectedness in men, whereas the association direction was opposite in
      women (adjusted gender heterogeneity p=0.02). Furthermore, the rs53576 A allele
      was significantly associated with social connectedness only in women, and the
      effect magnitude was stronger in a dominant genetic model (adjusted p=0.003). In
      summary, our findings suggested that common genetic variants of OXTR, CD38, and
      AVPR1A are not associated with social integration as measured in this study using
      the simplified Berkman-Syme Social Network Index, but these findings and other
      work hint that effects may be modified by gender or other social experiences.
      Further work considering genetic pathways in relation to social integration may
      be more fruitful if these additional factors can be more comprehensively
      evaluated. 

PMID- 24209976
TI  - Exposure to Brefeldin A promotes initiation of meiosis in murine female germ
      cells.
AB  - In mammals, ontogenesis starts from a fusion of spermatozoon and oocyte, which
      are produced by reductive nuclear division of a diploid germ cell in a
      specialised but complex biological process known as meiosis. However, little is
      known about the mechanism of meiotic initiation in germ cells, although many
      factors may be responsible for meiosis both in male and female gonads. In this
      study, 11.5 days post coitum (dpc) female fetal mouse genital ridges were
      cultured in vitro with exposure to Brefeldin A (BFA) for 6h, and the changes in
      meiosis were detected. Synaptonemal-complex analysis implied that BFA played a
      positive role in meiosis initiation and this hypothesis was confirmed by
      quantitative PCR of meiosis-specific genes: stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8
      (Stra8) and deleted in a zoospermia-like (DAZL). At the same time, mRNA
      expression of retinoic acid synthetase (Raldh2) and retinoic acid (RA) receptors
      increased in female gonads with in vitro exposure to BFA. Transplanting genital
      ridges treated with BFA into the kidney capsule of immunodeficient mice
      demonstrated that the development capacity of female germ cells was normal, while
      formation of primordial follicles was seen to be a result of accelerated meiosis
      after exposure to BFA. In conclusion, the study indicated that BFA stimulated
      meiosis initiation partly by RA signalling and then promoted the development of
      follicles. 

PMID- 24209977
TI  - Sofosbuvir and ledipasvir fixed-dose combination with and without ribavirin in
      treatment-naive and previously treated patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus
      infection (LONESTAR): an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interferon-based treatment is not suitable for many patients with
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection because of contraindications such as
      psychiatric illness, and a high burden of adverse events. We assessed the
      efficacy and safety of an interferon-free regimen--a fixed-dose combination of
      the nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir (400 mg) and the HCV NS5A
      inhibitor ledipasvir (90 mg), with and without ribavirin--in patients with
      genotype-1 hepatitis C infection who were treatment-naive or previously treated
      with a protease-inhibitor regimen. METHODS: For this open-label study, we
      enrolled 100 adult patients (>18 years) with HCV infection at a centre in the USA
      between Nov 2, 2012, and Dec 21, 2012. In cohort A, we used a computer-generated
      sequence to randomly assign (1:1:1; stratified by HCV genotype [1a vs 1b]) 60 non
      cirrhotic, treatment-naive patients to receive sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir for 8
      weeks (group 1), sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir and ribavirin for 8 weeks (group 2),
      or sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir for 12 weeks (group 3). In cohort B, we randomly
      allocated (1:1; stratified by genotype and presence or absence of cirrhosis) 40
      patients who previously had virological failure after receiving a protease
      inhibitor regimen to receive sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir for 12 weeks (group 4) or
      sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir and ribavirin for 12 weeks (group 5). 22 (55%) of 40
      patients in cohort B had compensated cirrhosis. The primary endpoint was
      sustained virological response 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12), analysed by
      intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number
      NCT01329978. FINDINGS: In cohort A, SVR12 was achieved by 19 (95%) of 20 patients
      (95% CI 75-100) in group 1, by 21 (100%) of 21 patients (84-100) in group 2, and
      by 18 (95%) of 19 patients (74-100) in group 3. In cohort B, SVR12 was achieved
      by 18 (95%) of 19 patients (74-100) in group 4 and by all 21 (100%) of 21
      patients (84-100) in group 5. Two patients had viral relapse; one patient was
      lost to follow-up after achieving sustained virological response 8 weeks after
      treatment. The most common adverse events were nausea, anaemia, upper respiratory
      tract infection, and headache. One patient in group five had a serious adverse
      event of anaemia, thought to be related to ribavirin treatment. INTERPRETATION:
      These findings suggest that the fixed-dose combination of sofosbuvir-ledipasvir
      alone or with ribavirin has the potential to cure most patients with genotype-1
      HCV, irrespective of treatment history or the presence of compensated cirrhosis.
      Further clinical trials are needed to establish the best treatment duration and
      to further assess the contribution of ribavirin. FUNDING: Gilead Sciences.

PMID- 24209978
TI  - Interferon-free hepatitis C treatment: one pill to fit all?

PMID- 24209979
TI  - Exploring productivity and collaboration in Australian Indigenous health
      research, 1995-2008.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Building research capacity in Indigenous health has been recognised
      as integral in efforts to reduce the significant health disparities between
      Indigenous and other Australian populations. The past few decades have seen
      substantial changes in funding policy for Australian Indigenous health research,
      including increases in overall expenditure and a greater focus on collaborative
      and priority-driven research. However, whether these policy shifts have resulted
      in any change to the structure of the research workforce in this field is
      unclear. We examine research publications in Australian Indigenous health from
      1995-2008 to explore trends in publication output, key themes investigated, and
      research collaborations. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was
      undertaken to identify research publications about Australian Indigenous health
      from 1995-2008. Abstracts of all publications identified were reviewed by two
      investigators for relevance. Eligible publications were classified according to
      key themes. Social network analyses of co-authorship patterns were used to
      examine collaboration in the periods 1995-1999, 2000-2004 and 2005-2008. RESULTS:
      Nine hundred and fifty three publications were identified. Over time, the number
      of publications per year increased, particularly after 2005, and there was a
      substantial increase in assessment of health service-related issues. Network
      analyses revealed a highly collaborative core group of authors responsible for
      the majority of outputs, in addition to a series of smaller separate groups. In
      the first two periods there was a small increase in the overall network size
      (from n = 583 to n = 642 authors) due to growth in collaborations around the
      core. In the last period, the network size increased considerably (n = 1,083),
      largely due to an increase in the number and size of separate groups. The general
      size of collaborations also increased in this period. CONCLUSIONS: In the past
      few decades there has been substantial development of the research workforce in
      Indigenous health, characterised by an increase in authors and outputs, a greater
      focus on some identified priority areas and sustained growth in collaborations.
      This has occurred in conjunction with significant changes to funding policy for
      Indigenous health research, suggesting that both productivity and collaboration
      may be sensitive to reform, including the provision of dedicated funding.

PMID- 24209980
TI  - Obsessive compulsive symptoms in patients with Schizophrenia on Clozapine and
      with Obsessive Compulsive disorder: a comparison study.
AB  - Obsessive compulsive symptoms are commonly reported in those with schizophrenia.
      Clozapine has previously been reported to induce, aggravate and alleviate these
      symptoms. It is unclear if these are similar to the symptoms experienced by those
      with obsessive compulsive disorder. This study describes the obsessive compulsive
      symptom profile of a population of patients with schizophrenia treated with
      clozapine (n = 62) and compares this with patients with Obsessive Compulsive
      Disorder (n = 35). All participants were attending an outpatient community mental
      health service. The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (which measures the frequency
      and associated distress of a range of "behavioural" and "cognitive" symptoms),
      the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a demographic questionnaire were
      completed. In addition the schizophrenia group treated with clozapine completed
      the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. The OCD group reported significantly more
      symptoms for all OCI subscales compared to the clozapine group. Overall fourteen
      (22%) of the schizophrenia treated with clozapine group had clinically
      significant total OCI scores. Two (3%) had documented OCS pre clozapine. De novo
      OCS was reported in twelve (19%) cases. Nine (11%) had documented OC symptoms pre
      clozapine while only two (3%) had symptoms after clozapine was initiated. In
      terms of OC symptom profile, the clozapine group scored highest on the Doubting
      scale, a cognitive symptom whereas the OCD group scored highest on Washing, a
      behavioural symptom. Both groups reported greater distress with cognitive rather
      than behavioural symptoms. Medication including clozapine dose was not correlated
      with symptom severity. Anxiety correlated highly with obsessive compulsive
      symptoms in the Clozapine group but not the OCD group. Within the Clozapine
      group, Obsessing correlated highly with Unusual Thought Content. Findings suggest
      that obsessive compulsive symptoms in the Clozapine group may reflect a subtype
      of 'schizo-obsessive' disorder.

PMID- 24209981
TI  - An objective auditory measure to assess speech recognition in adult cochlear
      implant users.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To verify if a mismatch negativity (MMN) paradigm based on speech
      syllables can differentiate between good and poorer cochlear implant (CI) users
      on a speech recognition task. METHODS: Twenty adults with a CI and 11 normal
      hearing adults participated in the study. Based on a speech recognition test, ten
      CI users were classified as good performers and ten as poor performers. We
      measured the MMN with /da/ as the standard stimulus and /ba/ and /ga/ as the
      deviants. Separate analyses were conducted on the amplitude and latency of the
      MMN. RESULTS: A MMN was evoked by both deviant stimuli in all normal hearing
      participants and in well performing CI users, with similar amplitudes for both
      groups. However, the amplitude of the MMN was significantly reduced for the
      poorer CI users compared to the normal hearing group and the good CI users. The
      latency was longer for both groups of cochlear implant users. A bivariate
      correlation showed a significant positive correlation between the speech
      recognition score and the amplitude of the MMN. CONCLUSIONS: The MMN can
      distinguish between CI users who have good versus poor speech recognition as
      assessed with conventional tasks. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings suggest that the MMN
      can be use to assess speech recognition proficiency in CI users who cannot be
      tested with regular speech recognition tasks, like infants and other non-verbal
      populations.

PMID- 24209982
TI  - [Winged scapula caused by a long thoracic nerve lesion].

PMID- 24209983
TI  - [Calcinosis cutis in adult patient with dermatomyositis].

PMID- 24209984
TI  - Re-evaluation of glycerol utilization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae:
      characterization of an isolate that grows on glycerol without supporting
      supplements.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glycerol has attracted attention as a carbon source for microbial
      production processes due to the large amounts of crude glycerol waste resulting
      from biodiesel production. The current knowledge about the genetics and
      physiology of glycerol uptake and catabolism in the versatile industrial
      biotechnology production host Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been mainly based on
      auxotrophic laboratory strains, and carried out in the presence of growth
      supporting supplements such as amino acids and nucleic bases. The latter may have
      resulted in ambiguous conclusions concerning glycerol growth in this species. The
      purpose of this study was to re-evaluate growth of S. cerevisiae in synthetic
      glycerol medium without the addition of supplements. RESULTS: Initial experiments
      showed that prototrophic versions of the laboratory strains CEN.PK, W303, and
      S288c did not exhibit any growth in synthetic glycerol medium without supporting
      supplements. However, a screening of 52 S. cerevisiae isolates for growth in the
      same medium revealed a high intraspecies diversity. Within this group significant
      variation with respect to the lag phase and maximum specific growth rate was
      observed. A haploid segregant of one good glycerol grower (CBS 6412-13A) was
      selected for detailed analysis. Single deletions of the genes encoding for the
      glycerol/H+ symporter (STL1), the glycerol kinase (GUT1), and the mitochondrial
      FAD+-dependent glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GUT2) abolished glycerol
      growth in this strain, implying that it uses the same glycerol utilization
      pathway as previously identified in auxotrophic laboratory strains. Segregant
      analysis of a cross between CBS 6412-13A and CEN.PK113-1A revealed that the
      glycerol growth phenotype is a quantitative trait. Genetic linkage and reciprocal
      hemizygosity analysis demonstrated that GUT1CBS 6412-13A is one of the multiple
      genetic loci contributing to the glycerol growth phenotype. CONCLUSION: The S.
      cerevisiae intraspecies diversity with regard to glycerol growth is a valuable
      starting point to identify the genetic and molecular basis of this phenotype.
      This knowledge can be applied for further rational strain improvement with the
      goal of using glycerol as a carbon source in industrial biotechnology processes
      based on S. cerevisiae as a production organism.

PMID- 24209985
TI  - Medium-sized tandem repeats represent an abundant component of the Drosophila
      virilis genome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previously, we developed a simple method for carrying out a
      restriction enzyme analysis of eukaryotic DNA in silico, based on the known DNA
      sequences of the genomes. This method allows the user to calculate lengths of all
      DNA fragments that are formed after a whole genome is digested at the theoretical
      recognition sites of a given restriction enzyme. A comparison of the observed
      peaks in distribution diagrams with the results from DNA cleavage using several
      restriction enzymes performed in vitro have shown good correspondence between the
      theoretical and experimental data in several cases. Here, we applied this
      approach to the annotated genome of Drosophila virilis which is extremely rich in
      various repeats. RESULTS: Here we explored the combined approach to perform the
      restriction analysis of D. virilis DNA. This approach enabled to reveal three
      abundant medium-sized tandem repeats within the D. virilis genome. While the 225
      bp repeats were revealed previously in intergenic non-transcribed spacers between
      ribosomal genes of D. virilis, two other families comprised of 154 bp and 172 bp
      repeats were not described. Tandem Repeats Finder search demonstrated that 154 bp
      and 172 bp units are organized in multiple clusters in the genome of D. virilis.
      Characteristically, only 154 bp repeats derived from Helitron transposon are
      transcribed. CONCLUSION: Using in silico digestion in combination with
      conventional restriction analysis and sequencing of repeated DNA fragments
      enabled us to isolate and characterize three highly abundant families of medium
      sized repeats present in the D. virilis genome. These repeats comprise a
      significant portion of the genome and may have important roles in genome function
      and structural integrity. Therefore, we demonstrated an approach which makes
      possible to investigate in detail the gross arrangement and expression of medium
      sized repeats basing on sequencing data even in the case of incompletely
      assembled and/or annotated genomes.

PMID- 24209986
TI  - [Interest of the cholinesterase assay during organophosphate poisonings].
AB  - Cholinesterases are the main targets of organophosphorus compounds. The two
      enzymes present in the blood (butyrylcholinesterase, BChE; acetylcholinesterase,
      AChE) are biomarkers of their systemic toxicity. Activity of the plasma BChE is
      very often determined as it allows a rapid diagnostic of poisoning and is a
      marker of the persistence of the toxicant in the blood. The activity of the red
      blood cell AChE gives a better picture of the synaptic inhibition in the nervous
      system but the assay is less commonly available in routine laboratories. Better
      biomarker of the exposure, it allows a diagnosis of the severity of the poisoning
      and helps to assess the efficacy of oxime therapy. Besides the practical aspects
      of blood collection and sample processing, and the interpretation of the assays,
      this review stresses the complementarity of both enzyme assays and recalls their
      crucial interest for the confirmation of poisoning with an organophosphorus in a
      situation of war or terrorist attack and for the monitoring of occupational
      exposures. 

PMID- 24209987
TI  - [A French regional network for management of severe trauma patients: the pelvic
      ring injury model].

PMID- 24209988
TI  - Maintenance of unconsciousness with low plasma propofol concentrations in the
      neohepatic phase of liver transplantation using bispectral index-guided propofol
      anesthesia: a case report.
AB  - The authors present a case where a drug-effect parameter, the bispectral index,
      was used to guide propofol infusion when propofol-remifentanil anesthesia was
      used for liver transplantation. The target concentration of remifentanil was kept
      constant throughout the operation, and the bispectral index indicated that
      propofol infusion was not required during the anhepatic and neohepatic phases of
      the operation. The measured plasma propofol concentrations during the neohepatic
      phase were far below the usual values that are used to maintain anesthesia.
      However, the bispectral index indicated a state of unconsciousness. The patient
      regained consciousness rapidly several minutes after administration of
      neostigmine and cessation of remifentanil infusion. The measured plasma propofol
      concentrations were similar before and after recovery of consciousness. The
      possible mechanisms for the maintenance of anesthesia at reduced propofol
      concentrations are multifactorial and may be related to reduced liver function as
      well as an interaction between propofol and remifentanil or the use of a
      neuromuscular relaxant to suppress somatic afferent activity.

PMID- 24209989
TI  - [Anesthesia in spontaneous ventilation for difficult intubation].
AB  - Difficult intubation in children is rare and often predictable during anesthesia
      consultation. This allows to establish a strategy to provide fiberoptic guided
      tracheal intubation with spontaneous ventilation in function of age and children
      pathology. A good knowledge of physiologic and anatomic children particularities,
      of fiberoptic technique and the respect for some principles lead to ensure the
      security of this procedure. First principle is to use only one anesthetic inhaled
      or intravenous agent in order to limit an important decrease of ventilation. The
      anesthetic technique recommended for pediatric fiberoptic guided intubation is
      inhaled anesthesia with sevoflurane. But it is possible to use an intravenous
      agent, like propofol, with a continuous infusion (bolus of 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg then
      0.1-0.3mg/kg per hour for maintenance) or with target controlled infusion
      (Schnider model, initial concentration 2.5 MUg/mL, then increase by 0.5 MUg/mL
      steps) particularly in children older than 5 years with an anesthetic depth
      control. Whatever the agent, the dose must to be titrated to maintain spontaneous
      ventilation. Second principle is to combine an airway local anesthesia with
      general anesthesia to limit airway reactivity. First, a nose topical anesthesia
      is administered with lidocaine plus naphazoline in children older than 2 years.
      Then, a laryngeal topical anesthesia is realized with lidocaine 1% (1-2 mL,
      2mg/kg) through operating channel of fiberoptic bronchoscope. Finally, third
      principle is to ensure patient oxygenation with several techniques like use of
      endoscopic facial mask or nasopharyngeal tube. The use of laryngeal mask is a
      rescue technique in case of spontaneous ventilation lost. In conclusion, each
      institution has to establish an algorithm with his own knowledge, constantly
      feasible and regularly taught.

PMID- 24209990
TI  - [Ambulatory surgery in France: practical and medicolegal considerations].
AB  - In France, ambulatory anaesthesia and surgery seem to be well codified. Many
      recommendations have been published by the Health Authority and the professional
      associations: they are summarized in this review. However, numerous practical
      problems persist: for example, two situations specific to paediatric practice are
      problematic parental comprehension and application of the information provided
      and poor access to strong analgesics outside the hospital. Despite this, the
      paediatric population is an ideal target for ambulatory care because of its usual
      good health and quicker recovery after minor injury as proven by the small
      percentage of failure and readmission. 

PMID- 24209991
TI  - [The choice of a pediatric anesthesia ventilator].
AB  - The technology of anesthesia ventilators has substantially progressed during last
      years. The choice of a pediatric anesthesia ventilator needs to be led by
      multiple parameters: requirement, technical (pneumatic performance, velocity of
      halogenated or oxygen delivery), cost (purchase, in operation, preventive and
      curative maintenance), reliability, ergonomy, upgradability, and compatibility.
      The demonstration of the interest of pressure support mode during maintenance of
      spontaneous ventilation anesthesia makes this mode essential in pediatrics. In
      contrast, the financial impact of target controlled inhalation of halogenated has
      not be studied in pediatrics. Paradoxically, complex and various available
      technologies had not been much prospectively studied. Anesthesia ventilators
      performances in pediatrics need to be clarified in further clinical and bench
      test studies. 

PMID- 24209993
TI  - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the sinonasal tract: analysis of survival in 852
      cases.
AB  - PURPOSE: Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are rare tumors of the head and
      neck that often have non-specific presentations and significant morbidity and
      mortality. In this analysis we use a large cohort to compare the demographic and
      disease-specific parameters affecting survival and incidence of DLBCLs. METHODS:
      The United States National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End
      Results (SEER) registry was utilized to extract data regarding sinonasal diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma between 1973 and 2009. A total of 852 cases of sinonasal
      DLBCLs were found. Presenting symptoms, demographics, disease specific survival,
      relative survival and survival by treatment modality were described for this rare
      tumor. RESULTS: Overall disease specific survival (DSS) at 1-year was 84.7% and
      at 5 years was 68.0%. DSS was significantly lower for those not treated with
      radiation therapy, with 1- and 5-year survival rates of 77.3% and 62.5%, versus
      those treated with radiation therapy, with 1- and 5-year rates of 89.2% and 71.5%
      (p<0.05). Prognosis was significantly better for patients treated with radiation
      therapy (HR 0.6, p<0.05) while it was poorer for patients with involvement of
      multiple sinuses (HR 1.5, 1.8, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DLBCLs of the sinonasal
      tract are rare tumors of the head and neck. Survival is significantly improved
      for those treated with radiation therapy while the involvement of multiple
      sinuses is a negative prognostic indicator.

PMID- 24209992
TI  - Racial disparities in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) associated head and neck cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Poorer survival from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in
      African Americans (AA) may be due to disparity in the prevalence of Human
      Papillomavirus (HPV) but earlier studies often failed to control other
      etiological factors. We aimed to elucidate whether racial disparities in HPV
      prevalence and overall survival were due to confounding from smoking or alcohol
      use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 385 patients with SCC of the mouth, pharynx, nose, or
      larynx who had surgical resection at Wayne State University affiliated hospitals
      were identified through a population-based cancer registry. Formalin fixed
      paraffin embedded tissue blocks were used to determine the presence of HPV DNA
      and its genotype using a sensitive broad-spectrum PCR technique. Patients'
      demographics, tumor characteristics and vital status were obtained through record
      linkage with the registry data and smoking and alcohol information was abstracted
      from medical record. Cox's proportional hazard model and unconditional logistic
      regression models were employed to analyze the overall survival and tumor HPV
      positivity, respectively. RESULTS: HPV positivity in oropharyngeal cancer was
      substantially lower in AA than in other racial groups (odds ratio 0.14, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 0.05-0.37) and adjustment for smoking or alcohol did not
      change this association. However, a significantly increased hazard ratio of death
      in AA oropharyngeal cancer patients (univariable hazard ratio (HR) 2.55, 95% CI
      1.42-4.59) decreased to almost unity (HR 1.49, 95% CI 0.75-2.93) after adjustment
      for HPV and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Lower HPV prevalence in AA largely accounts for
      their poorer survival from oropharyngeal cancer, but not other HNSSC.

PMID- 24209994
TI  - Does previous pelvic surgery hasten the onset of clinically bothersome urodynamic
      stress incontinence?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of previous pelvic surgery on the onset of
      clinically bothersome urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). STUDY DESIGN:
      Retrospective case-cohort study at a District General Hospital of 305 women
      undergoing surgery for urodynamic stress incontinence: case note and computer
      records review of patients undergoing USI surgery. The main outcome measures were
      age at index USI surgery, and duration from previous pelvic surgery to index
      surgery. RESULTS: 305 women were included, of whom 118 had previous pelvic
      surgery including abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) (n=74), vaginal hysterectomy
      (n=23), anterior colporrhaphy (n=27) and posterior colporrhaphy (n=25). The mean
      age in the previous surgery group was 62.4 years (95% CI 60.2-64.6, range 32-87)
      and 53.2 years in the no previous surgery group (95% CI 51.4-55, range 30-88).
      There were no differences in the mean BMI (28.4 vs. 27.5), or mean parity (2.4
      vs. 2.5). The median duration from previous surgery to the index USI surgery was
      222 months (abdominal hysterectomy), 96 months (vaginal hysterectomy), 78 months
      (anterior colporrhaphy), and 72 months (posterior colporrhaphy). CONCLUSION:
      Previous pelvic surgery does not seem to accelerate the onset of USI, as women
      without previous pelvic surgery presented at a significantly earlier age (53.2
      years) with clinically bothersome USI than those who had previous surgery (62.4
      years). Posterior colporrhaphy had the shortest interval to index USI surgery
      amongst previous operations.

PMID- 24209996
TI  - "Mustache sign" due to Stensen duct dilation.
AB  - An 80-year-old woman presented with a 5-year history of painless swellings of the
      left and right cheeks. The degree of swelling did not change with mastication. On
      palpation, the cheeks were soft, well defined, and movable. Compression and
      massage of the swollen areas caused increased salivary discharge from the
      orifices of the Stensen ducts. Three-dimensional computed tomography showed well
      bordered, 15- to 20-mm wide, bilateral, tube-like dilatations of the ducts. The
      ductal origin of the swellings was explained to the patient, but she refused
      invasive procedures, thus no sialogram or surgical procedure was performed. We
      describe the clinical and radiographic features of a case of bilateral,
      congenital Stensen duct dilatation with bilateral swelling of the cheeks. 

PMID- 24209995
TI  - Quantitative diagnosis of salivary gland tumors with contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      -a preliminary study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively analyze the value of qualitative diagnosis of
      salivary gland masses with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). STUDY DESIGN: The
      enhanced sonographic features of 68 salivary gland masses were analyzed to
      differentiate them. The final diagnoses were confirmed by biopsy pathology.
      RESULTS: We observed from the perfusion kinetics of CEUS that most pleomorphic
      adenomas manifested lower enhancement and well-defined margins; most Warthin
      tumors presented with higher enhancement and well-defined margins; and most
      malignant tumors had higher enhancement and poorly defined margins. Their time
      intensity curves showed pleomorphic adenomas were hypovascularized with a poor
      perfusion, whereas Warthin tumors and malignant tumors were hypervascularized
      with a rich perfusion. Additionally, malignant tumors showed significantly
      shortened time to peak and richer maximum signal intensity compared with Warthin
      tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The features of salivary gland masses identified with CEUS
      were helpful in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland masses.

PMID- 24209997
TI  - Identification of peripheral vessels in oral and maxillofacial regions on
      magnetic resonance angiography obtained using a balanced steady-state free
      precession sequence with a time-spatial labeling inversion pulse and using fresh
      blood imaging.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the characteristics of visualizing thin main peripheral
      vessels in oral and maxillofacial regions of 3-dimensional magnetic resonance
      angiography (MRA) using a balanced steady-state free-precession (SSFP) sequence
      with a time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (time-SLIP) and using fresh blood
      imaging (FBI). STUDY DESIGN: The conspicuity of blood vessels and the
      characteristics on MRA using SSFP with a time-SLIP was compared with those on MRA
      using FBI in 20 healthy participants. RESULTS: The conspicuity of the main
      peripheral arteries was significantly higher on MRA using SSFP with a time-SLIP
      than on MRA using FBI. MRA scans using SSFP were obtained in all participants,
      and scans using FBI were obtained in 16 of 20 participants. An electrocardiogram
      was unnecessary when using SSFP but was necessary when using FBI. CONCLUSIONS:
      MRA obtained using SSFP with a time-SLIP is a useful technique to visualize thin
      main peripheral arteries in the oral and maxillofacial regions without contrast
      medium.

PMID- 24209998
TI  - Wnt signaling in triple negative breast cancer is associated with metastasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Triple Negative subset of (TN) Breast Cancers (BC), a close associate
      of the basal-like subtype (with limited discordance) is an aggressive form of the
      disease which convey unpredictable, and poor prognosis due to limited treatment
      options and lack of proven effective targeted therapies. METHODS: We conducted an
      expression study of 240 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) primary biopsies
      from two cohorts, including 130 TN tumors, to identify molecular mechanisms of TN
      disease. RESULTS: The annotation of differentially expressed genes in TN tumors
      contained an overrepresentation of canonical Wnt signaling components in our
      cohort and others. These observations were supported by upregulation of
      experimentally induced oncogenic Wnt/beta-catenin genes in TN tumors,
      recapitulated using targets induced by Wnt3A. A functional blockade of Wnt/beta
      catenin pathway by either a pharmacological Wnt-antagonist, WntC59, sulidac
      sulfide, or beta-catenin (functional read out of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway) SiRNA
      mediated genetic manipulation demonstrated that a functional perturbation of the
      pathway is causal to the metastasis- associated phenotypes including fibronectin
      directed migration, F-actin organization, and invasion in TNBC cells. A
      classifier, trained on microarray data from beta-catenin transfected mammary
      cells, identified a disproportionate number of TNBC breast tumors as compared to
      other breast cancer subtypes in a meta-analysis of 11 studies and 1,878 breast
      cancer patients, including the two cohorts published here. Patients identified by
      the Wnt/beta-catenin classifier had a greater risk of lung and brain, but not
      bone metastases. CONCLUSION: These data implicate transcriptional Wnt signaling
      as a hallmark of TNBC disease associated with specific metastatic pathways.

PMID- 24209999
TI  - Antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid is associated with the modulation of
      mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.
AB  - The present study investigated the involvement of the PI3K, GSK-3beta, heme
      oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and mTOR in the antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid in
      the tail suspension test (TST). Male Swiss mice were pretreated with ascorbic
      acid (1 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle and 45 min after, LY294002 (10 MUg/site, i.c.v.,
      reversible PI3K inhibitor), rapamycin (0.2 nmol/site, i.c.v., selective mTOR
      inhibitor), zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP - 10 ng/site, i.c.v., HO-1 inhibitor) or
      vehicle was administered. We also investigated the synergistic effect of ascorbic
      acid (0.1 mg/kg, p.o., sub-effective dose in the TST) with lithium chloride (10
      mg/kg, p.o., non-selective GSK-3beta inhibitor), AR-A014418 (0.01 MUg/site,
      i.c.v., selective GSK-3beta inhibitor) or cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP - 0.01
      MUg/site, i.c.v., HO-1 inducer) in the TST. The antidepressant-like effect of
      ascorbic acid (1 mg/kg, p.o.) was prevented by the treatment of mice with
      LY294002, rapamycin or ZnPP. In addition, sub-effective doses of lithium
      chloride, AR-A014418 or CoPP, combined with a sub-effective dose of ascorbic acid
      produced a synergistic antidepressant-like effect. We also demonstrated that 1 h
      after its administration, ascorbic acid increased the phosphorylation of p70S6K
      and the immunocontent of PSD-95 in the hippocampus of mice. These results
      indicate that the antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid in the TST might be
      dependent on the activation of PI3K and mTOR, inhibition of GSK-3beta as well as
      induction of HO-1, reinforcing the notion that these are important targets for
      antidepressant activity and contributing to better elucidate the mechanisms
      underlying the antidepressant-like effect of ascorbic acid.

PMID- 24210000
TI  - Is copper chelation an effective anti-angiogenic strategy for cancer treatment?
AB  - Angiogenesis and the acquisition of an angiogenic phenotype is important for
      cancer cell proliferation. Copper in an essential trace element that participates
      in many enzymatic complexes like the cytochrome c, superoxide dismutase and lysyl
      oxidase and it is involved in processes, like embryogenesis, growth, angiogenesis
      and carcinogenesis. In particular, its involvement in carcinogenesis was
      described for the first time in oral submucous fibrosis, where fibroblasts
      produce large amounts of collagen in the presence of copper. Copper's action in
      carcinogenesis is two-fold: (1) it participates in reactions with an increased
      redox potential that result in the production of oxidative products and oxidative
      stress. Through this mechanism, copper may cause DNA mutations in the nucleus and
      mitochondria or alterations to membrane phospholipids, (2) it participates in
      angiogenesis even in the absence of angiogenic molecules, as it was reported for
      the first time in rabbit cornea models with copolymer pellets charged with PGE1.
      Copper chelation regimens like penicillamine and tetrathiomolybdate are being
      described in the literature as having anti-angiogenic, anti-fibrotic and anti
      inflammatory actions. Animal models of brain cancer that evaluated the anti
      angiogenic properties of copper, have proven evidence of the reduction of tumor's
      microvascular supply, tumor volume and vascular permeability after plasma copper
      levels reduction. Interestingly, plasma copper levels reduction was shown to
      suppress micrometastases generation in mice models of breast cancer. We
      hypothesize that copper chelation therapy: increases oxidative stress in cancer
      cells to a level that does not allow survival because of the reduction of anti
      oxidative enzymes production. It may also result in inhibition of angiogenesis
      and of the initiation of the angiogenic switch, because copper normally enhances
      endothelial cell migration and proliferation, improves binding of growth factors
      to endothelial cells and enhances the expression of angiogenic molecules. Copper
      chelation may also reduce extracellular matrix degradation and cancer spread,
      through reduction of MMP-9 production and probably of other collagenases and may
      inhibit propagation of micrometastases. However, copper chelation therapy may
      enhance angiogenesis through reduction of thrombospondin-1, that results into an
      increase in VEGF-VEGFR2 complexes and a high level of active MMP-9. These
      hypotheses help in understanding of the anti-angiogenic action of copper
      chelation therapies and of the complex network of interactions between copper and
      other molecules involved in angiogenesis. It may also stimulate further research
      regarding differences in copper metabolism, the effects of anti-copper regimens
      on organs, the development of resistance, and their possible angiogenic action
      through thrombospondin expression reduction. 

PMID- 24210001
TI  - Curing baldness activates antibiotic production.
AB  - Kalan and colleagues describe an unusual way of activating a "silent" gene
      cluster for the biosynthesis of a new antibiotic by analyzing and curing the
      aerial growth defect of an old Streptomyces isolate, Streptomyces calvus. This
      commentary addresses the broad scientific and historical context and practical
      and biological significance of this finding. 

PMID- 24210002
TI  - Urea transporter inhibitors: en route to new diuretics.
AB  - A selective urea transporter UT-A1 inhibitor would be a novel type of diuretic,
      likely with less undesirable side effects than conventional diuretics, because it
      acts on the last portion of the nephron. In this issue of Chemistry & Biology,
      Esteva-Font and colleagues develop such an inhibitor by using a clever high
      throughput screening assay and document its selectivity. 

PMID- 24210003
TI  - A jack of all trades to combat drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
AB  - In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Jahnsen and colleagues describe a
      multimodal mechanism of action of an unusual peptide-peptoid hybrid with broad
      spectrum antibacterial activity. They demonstrate that the molecule has effects
      on many aspects of bacterial metabolism and also modulates host immune responses.

PMID- 24210004
TI  - Bridging the spectral gap in fluorescent proteins through directed evolution.
AB  - Fluorescent proteins are used as noninvasive tags for protein trafficking,
      structure, and action. In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Hoi and colleagues
      present a new optimized zFP538 yellow fluorescent protein called mPapaya1 that is
      bright, monomeric, and an excellent fusion partner for cellular proteins. 

PMID- 24210005
TI  - Finding epitopes with computers.
AB  - The goal of structural vaccinology is to enable the design and engineering of
      improved antigens. In a recent issue of Chemistry & Biology, Gourlay and
      colleagues provided evidence that structure-based computational methods allow
      prediction of B cell epitopes, a crucial step for antigen selection and
      optimization in vaccine development. 

PMID- 24210006
TI  - Site-specific differences in proteasome-dependent degradation of
      monoubiquitinated alpha-synuclein.
AB  - The formation of toxic aggregates composed largely of the protein alpha-synuclein
      are a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. Evidence from both early-onset forms of
      the disease in humans and animal models has shown that the progression of the
      disease is correlated with the expression levels of alpha-synuclein, suggesting
      that cellular mechanisms that degrade excess alpha-synuclein are key. We and
      others have shown that monoubiquitinated alpha-synuclein can be degraded by the
      26S proteasome; however, the contributions of each of the nine known individual
      monoubiquitination sites were unknown. Herein, we determined the consequences of
      each of the modification sites using homogenous, semisynthetic proteins in
      combination with an in vitro proteasome turnover assay. The data suggest that the
      site-specific effects of monoubiquitination support different levels of alpha
      synuclein degradation.

PMID- 24210008
TI  - Biogeochemical characterization of MC252 oil:sand aggregates on a coastal
      headland beach.
AB  - MC252 oil:sand aggregates, termed surface residue balls (SRBs), were sampled for
      physical, chemical and microbial characteristics from different tidal zones on a
      coastal headland beach in Louisiana, USA. Supratidal SRBs were smaller, had low
      moisture content, and salinities that were <2 ppt. Intertidal SRBs were
      hypersaline and had higher N and sulfate concentrations, consistent with regular
      tidal inundation. Crude oil components were highest in the intertidal "oil mat"
      SRBs with C1- and C2-phenanthrenes, C2- and C3-dibenzothiophenes comprising the
      majority of the PAH concentrations. In the other SRB categories, PAHs and alkanes
      were depleted and profiles were skewed toward higher molecular weight compounds.
      Oxygen microelectrode measurements demonstrated that saturated O2 is present
      immediately after wetting, but O2 consumption in the interior of the aggregate
      occurs after a few days. Microbial populations varied with position on the beach
      but sequences similar to known PAH-degrading taxa (Mycobacterium sp. and
      Stenotrophomonas sp.) were observed.

PMID- 24210009
TI  - Natural antifouling compounds produced by a novel fungus Aureobasidium pullulans
      HN isolated from marine biofilm.
AB  - A fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans, was isolated from marine biofilm and
      identified. A bioassay-guided fractionation procedure was developed to isolate
      and purify antifouling compounds from A. pullulans HN. The procedure was:
      fermentation broth-aeration and addition of sodium thiosulfate-graduated pH and
      liquid-liquid extraction-SPE purification-GC-MS analysis. Firstly, the
      fermentation broth was tested for its toxicity. Then it was treated with aeration
      and addition of sodium thiosulfate, and its toxicity was almost not changed.
      Lastly, antifouling compounds were extracted at different pH, the extract had
      high toxicity at pH 2 but almost no toxicity at pH 10, which suggested the
      toxicants should be fatty acids. The EC50 of the extract against Skeletonema
      costatum was 90.9 MUg ml(-1), and its LC50 against Balanus amphitrete larvae was
      22.2 MUg ml(-1). After purified by HLB SPE column, the EC50 of the extract
      against S. costatum was 49.4 MUg ml(-1). The myristic and palmitic acids were
      found as the main toxicants by GC-MS.

PMID- 24210010
TI  - Merchant ships discharging unwanted marine species in close proximity of a French
      aquaculture area: risks involved.
AB  - The most important oyster farming area in Europe is in a close proximity of two
      medium size merchant ports. Cargo ships deballast in this area before loading,
      releasing unwanted or noxious marine species. During a sampling campaign aboard
      these arriving ships, we found in some ballast water samples a huge number of
      potentially toxic dinoflagellates and some potentially pathogenic bacteria. A
      model was applied to find the potential geographical spread of the discharged
      ballast water. This model predicts the water to reach highly vulnerable shellfish
      farmed areas in six to eight days. 

PMID- 24210011
TI  - Bioavailability of trace elements in surface sediments from Kongsfjorden,
      Svalbard.
AB  - The bioavailability of trace elements in marine sediments from Kongsfjorden
      (Svalbard Islands, Norwegian Arctic) was assessed and discussed. Total
      concentrations of several elements were determined in two granulometric fractions
      and their bioavailability evaluated by both applying a sequential-selective
      extraction procedure and using a biomimetic approach based on proteolytic
      enzymes. Total concentration values and solid speciation patterns indicated
      overall that the anthropogenic impact of trace elements in the investigated area
      is negligible, although a minor enrichment with respect to crustal values was
      found for As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and V. Enrichment of trace elements in the <63-MUm
      fraction compared to the coarser one was evident for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni. The
      evaluation of the bioavailable fractions showed that a large part of the total
      content of trace elements cannot enter the aquatic food chain and emphasised the
      risk of overestimating the environmental impact of heavy metals if the assessment
      is only based on total concentrations. 

PMID- 24210012
TI  - Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease, Ontario, Canada, 1998-2010.
AB  - We measured the prevalence and temporal trends of pulmonary nontuberculous
      mycobacterial disease among residents of Ontario, Canada, during 1998-2010. Five
      year prevalence increased from 29.3 cases/100,000 persons in 1998-2002 to
      41.3/100,000 in 2006-2010 (p<0.0001). Improved laboratory methods did not explain
      this increase, suggesting a surge in disease prevalence. 

PMID- 24210013
TI  - Theory-based training strategies for modifying practitioner concerns about
      exposure therapy.
AB  - Despite the well-established efficacy of exposure therapy in the treatment of
      pathological anxiety, many therapists believe this treatment carries an
      unacceptably high risk for harm, is intolerable for patients, and poses a number
      of ethical quandaries. These beliefs have been shown to account for two related
      problems: (a) underutilization of exposure therapy, and (b) overly cautious and
      suboptimal delivery the treatment, which likely attenuates treatment outcomes. At
      present, there is little guidance for those who train exposure therapists to
      address these concerns. This article reviews therapist negative beliefs about
      exposure therapy and discusses their modification based on findings from social
      and cognitive psychology pertinent to belief change, including dual-processing in
      reasoning, the need for cognition and affect, and attitude inoculation. A number
      of strategies are offered for augmenting training in exposure therapy in order to
      promote positive beliefs about the treatment. These strategies involve: (a)
      therapists engaging in simulated exposure therapy exercises and presenting
      arguments in defense of exposure's safety, tolerability, and ethicality, and (b)
      training therapists using emotion-based appeals (e.g., case examples) to
      supplement research findings. Directions for future research on practitioner
      concerns about exposure therapy are discussed. 

PMID- 24210014
TI  - The hidden cost of housing practices: using noninvasive imaging to quantify the
      metabolic demands of chronic cold stress of laboratory mice.
AB  - Laboratory mice routinely are housed at 20 to 22  degrees C-well below the murine
      thermoneutral zone of 29 to 34  degrees C. Chronic cold stress requires greater
      energy expenditure to maintain core body temperature and can lead to the failure
      of mouse models to emulate human physiology. We hypothesized that mice housed at
      ambient temperatures of 20 to 22  degrees C are chronically cold-stressed, have
      greater energy expenditure, and have high glucose utilization in brown adipose
      tissue. To test our hypotheses, we used indirect calorimetry to measure energy
      expenditure and substrate utilization in C57BL/6J and Crl:NU-Foxn1(nu) nude mice
      at routine vivarium (21  degrees C), intermediate (26  degrees C), and heated (31
      degrees C) housing temperatures. We also examined the activation of
      interscapular brown adipose tissue, the primary site of nonshivering
      thermogenesis, via thermography and glucose uptake in this region by using
      positron emission tomography. Energy expenditure of mice was significantly higher
      at routine vivarium temperatures compared with intermediate and heated
      temperatures and was associated with a shift in metabolism toward glucose
      utilization. Brown adipose tissue showed significant activation at routine
      vivarium and intermediate temperatures in both hirsuite and nude mice. Crl:NU
      Foxn1(nu) mice experienced greater cold stress than did C57BL/6J mice. Our data
      indicate mice housed under routine vivarium conditions are chronically cold
      stress. This novel use of thermography can measure cold stress in laboratory mice
      housed in vivaria, a key advantage over classic metabolic measurement tools.
      Therefore, thermography is an ideal tool to evaluate novel husbandry practices
      designed to alleviate murine cold stress. 

PMID- 24210015
TI  - Surgical methods for full-thickness skin grafts to induce alopecia areata in
      C3H/HeJ mice.
AB  - Alopecia areata is a cell-mediated autoimmune disease of humans and many domestic
      and laboratory animal species. C3H/HeJ inbred mice spontaneously develop alopecia
      areata at a low frequency (approximately 20% by 12 mo of age). Transferring full
      thickness skin grafts from affected, older mice to young mice of the same strain
      reliably reproduces alopecia areata, thus enabling investigators to study disease
      pathogenesis or intervention with a variety of therapeutic approaches. We here
      describe in detail how to perform full-thickness skin grafts and the follow-up
      procedures necessary to consistently generate mice with alopecia areata. These
      engrafted mice can be used to study the pathogenesis of cell-mediated autoimmune
      disease and for drug-efficacy trials. This standard protocol can be used for many
      other purposes when studying abnormal skin phenotypes in laboratory mice. 

PMID- 24210016
TI  - Development of a murine model of blunt hepatic trauma.
AB  - Despite the prevalence of blunt hepatic trauma in humans, there are few rodent
      models of blunt trauma that can be used to study the associated inflammatory
      responses. We present a mouse model of blunt hepatic trauma that was created by
      using a cortical contusion device. Male mice were anesthetized with ketamine
      xylazine-buprenorphine and placed in left lateral recumbency. A position of 2 mm
      ventral to the posterior axillary line and 5 mm caudal to the costal margin on
      the right side was targeted for impact. An impact velocity of 6 m/s and a piston
      depth of 12 mm produced a consistent pattern of hepatic injury with low
      mortality. All mice that recovered from anesthesia survived without complication
      for the length of the study. Mice were euthanized at various time points (n = 5
      per group) until 7 d after injury for gross examination and collection of blood
      and peritoneal lavage fluids. Some mice were reanesthetized for serial monitoring
      of hepatic lesions via MRI. At 2 h after trauma, mice consistently displayed
      laceration, hematoma, and discoloration of the right lateral and caudate liver
      lobes, with intraabdominal hemorrhage but no other gross injuries. Blood and
      peritoneal lavage fluid were collected from all mice for cytokine analysis. At 2
      h after trauma, there were significant increases in plasma IL10 as well as
      peritoneal lavage fluid IL6 and CXCL1/KC; however, these levels decreased within
      24 h. At 7 d after trauma, the mice had regained body weight, and the hepatic
      lesions, which initially had increased in size during the first 48 h, had
      returned to their original size. In summary, this technique produced a reliable,
      low mortality, murine model that recreates features of blunt abdominal liver
      injury in human subjects with similar acute inflammatory response. 

PMID- 24210017
TI  - Surgical anatomy, transperitoneal approach, and early postoperative complications
      of a ventral lumbar spine surgical model in Lewis rats.
AB  - Surgical models in animals are used extensively to study small molecules and
      devices for lumbar intervertebral disc repair, replacement, and fusion. Although
      the ventral lumbar animal models themselves are well described, critical
      assessment of morbidity and mortality avoidance when using the models have not
      been reported. Hypothesizing that technique modifications and the relative
      prevalence and severity of complications would be correlated, we collected and
      examined peri- and postoperative data stratified by surgical technique. We here
      report complications associated with the transperitoneal approach to the lumbar
      spine in 268 Lewis rats and offer data-driven suggestions regarding complication
      avoidance through technique modification. Compared with wider exposure, limiting
      the width of exposure to a maximum of 3 mm resulted in fewer neurologic
      complications in the lower limbs. In addition, avoiding extracorporeal reflection
      of the small intestine during the exposure was associated with lower incidence of
      postoperative gastrointestinal distress and fewer situations requiring
      euthanasia. These findings underscore the importance of detailed approaches in
      minimizing postoperative morbidity and attrition in surgical models. 

PMID- 24210018
TI  - Stage of the estrous cycle does not influence myocardial ischemia-reperfusion
      injury in rats (Rattus norvegicus).
AB  - Even though cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men and
      women, the vast majority of animal studies use male animals. Because female
      reproductive hormones have been associated with cardioprotective states, many
      investigators avoid using female animals because these hormones are cyclical and
      may introduce experimental variability. In addition, no studies have investigated
      the specific effects of the estrous cycle on cardiac ischemic injury. This study
      was conducted to determine whether the estrous cycle stage influences the
      susceptibility to ischemic injury in rat hearts. Estrous cycle stage was
      determined by using vaginal smear cytology, after which hearts underwent either
      in vivo (surgical) or ex vivo (isolated) ischemia-reperfusion injury. For in vivo
      studies, the left anterior coronary artery was ligated for 25 min of ischemia and
      subsequently released for 120 min of reperfusion. Infarct sizes were 42% +/- 6%;
      49% +/- 4%; 40% +/- 9%; 47% +/- 9% of the zone-at-risk for rats in proestrus,
      estrus, metestrus, and diestrus, respectively. For ex vivo studies, isolated,
      perfused hearts underwent global ischemia and reperfusion for 25 and 120 min,
      respectively. Similar to our in vivo studies, the ex vivo rat model showed no
      significant differences in susceptibility to infarction or extent of cardiac
      arrhythmia according to estrous stage. To our knowledge, these studies provide
      the first direct evidence that the stage of estrous cycle does not significantly
      alter cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. 

PMID- 24210019
TI  - Experimental infection of New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi) with
      Leporid herpesvirus 4.
AB  - Leporid herpesvirus 4 (LHV4) is a novel alphaherpesvirus recently identified in
      domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi). Little is known about the pathogenesis
      or time course of disease induced by this virus. We therefore intranasally
      inoculated 22 female New Zealand white rabbits with 8.4 * 10(4) CCID50 of a
      clinical viral isolate. Rabbits were monitored for clinical signs, viral shedding
      in oculonasal secretions, and development and persistence of serum antibodies.
      Rabbits were euthanized at 3, 5, 7, 14, and 22 d postinfection (dpi) to evaluate
      gross and microscopic changes. Clinical signs were apparent between 3 to 8 dpi,
      and included oculonasal discharge, respiratory distress, and reduced appetite,
      and viral shedding occurred between 2 and 8 dpi. Seroconversion was seen at 11
      dpi and persisted to the end of the study (day 22). Severe necrohemorrhagic
      bronchopneumonia and marked pulmonary edema were noted by 5 dpi and were most
      severe at 7 dpi. Pulmonary changes largely resolved by 22 dpi. In addition,
      multifocal splenic necrosis was present at 5 dpi and progressed to submassive
      necrosis by 7 dpi. Eosinophilic herpesviral intranuclear inclusion bodies were
      detected in the nasal mucosa, skin, spleen, and lung between 3 to 14 dpi. LHV4 is
      a pathogen that should be considered for rabbits that present with acute
      respiratory disease. LHV4 infection can be diagnosed based on characteristic
      microscopic changes in the lungs and spleen and by virus isolation. Serum
      antibody levels may be used to monitor viral prevalence in colonies. 

PMID- 24210020
TI  - Assessing the pulsatility of luteinizing hormone in female vervet monkeys
      (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus).
AB  - Specific alterations in the pulsatility of luteinizing hormone (LH) are linked to
      obesity-related subfertility in ovulatory women. Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus
      aethiops sabaeus) are an Old World nonhuman primate that develops obesity and has
      a menstrual cycle similar to humans. We evaluated follicular-phase LH pulses in
      12 adult normal-weight female vervets. Serum was collected every 10 min for 4 h
      by using a tether device in conscious, freely moving monkeys on menstrual cycle
      days 2 through 5. Serum estradiol was collected daily during the follicular phase
      to identify the luteal-follicular transition. For comparison, we used data from
      12 ovulatory normal-weight women who had undergone frequent blood sampling of
      early-follicular LH. LH pulse frequency was similar, with 2.8 +/- 0.7 LH pulses
      during 4 h in vervets compared with 2.3 +/- 0.7 LH pulses during 4 h in women.
      The LH pulse mass (percentage change in the pulse peak over the preceding nadir)
      was 123.2% +/- 27.4% in vervets and 60.9% +/- 14.9% in humans. The first day of
      low serum estradiol after the follicular-phase peak was denoted as the day of the
      luteal-follicular transition. Luteectomy was performed on luteal days 7 through
      9, and corpora lutea were confirmed by histology. We demonstrate that follicular
      LH patterns in vervets are similar to those in humans and that the luteal phase
      is easily identified by monitoring daily serum estradiol. These findings
      demonstrate that vervet monkeys are a suitable animal model for evaluating LH
      pulse dynamics longitudinally in studies of diet-induced obesity. 

PMID- 24210021
TI  - An outbreak of Yersinia enterocolitica in a captive colony of African green
      monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) in the Caribbean.
AB  - Yersinia enterocolitica is a zoonotic gram-negative pathogen that causes
      mesenteric lymphadenitis, terminal ileitis, acute gastroenteritis, and septicemia
      in domestic animals and primates. In 2012, 46 captive African green monkeys
      (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) died during an outbreak of acutely fatal enteric
      disease over a period of 1 mo on the island of St Kitts. The affected monkeys
      presented with a history of mucohemorrhagic diarrhea, marked dehydration, and
      depression. Fifteen bacterial isolates were recovered from the spleen, liver, and
      lungs of affected monkeys. All isolates were identified as Y. enterocolitica by
      biochemical analysis and sequence comparison of the 16S rRNA gene. Phenotypic and
      genotypic analysis of the recovered isolates revealed homogeneity among the
      recovered bacteria, and all isolates gave a random amplified polymorphic DNA
      pattern resembling that given by genotype D under serotypes O:7,8. This outbreak
      represents the first isolation and characterization of Y. enterocolitica as the
      causative agent of fatal enteric disease in primates in the Caribbean. 

PMID- 24210022
TI  - Generalized seizure activity in an adult rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) during
      ketamine anesthesia and urodynamic studies.
AB  - We report a case of a generalized seizure in an adult female rhesus macaque (
      Macaca mulatta) undergoing a urodynamic evaluation while she was anesthetized
      with continuous-infusion ketamine. The seizure presented with generalized tonic
      clonic activity during bladder infusion with saline. The tonic-clonic phase was
      self-limited and was followed by focal facial twitching, which was interrupted by
      bolus administration of intravenous diazepam. The ictal event was documented as
      pressure oscillations during cystometrogram recordings and a period of external
      urethral sphincter muscle activation, which was detectable by electromyography.
      An acute decrease in urethral pressure was demonstrated at the end of the
      generalized seizures. Ketamine anesthesia combined with relatively rapid infusion
      of saline into the bladder may have contributed to the onset of seizures. In
      addition, this case highlights the value of having a fast-acting benzodiazepine
      agent available to stop continuous or residual seizure activity during diagnostic
      or experimental procedures in anesthetized nonhuman primates. 

PMID- 24210023
TI  - Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in a juvenile rhesus macaque (Macaca
      mulatta).
AB  - Neoplasia in juvenile (younger than 5 y) rhesus macaques has been estimated to
      represent only approximately 1.4% of all occurrences of spontaneous neoplasia.
      Here we report an unusual case of a 3.75-y-old primiparous female rhesus macaque
      that was euthanized due to poor prognosis associated with progressive anemia,
      marked hepatomegaly, and radiographic evidence of meta- static neoplasia.
      Postmortem examination revealed an invasive, hemorrhagic hepatic mass that
      effaced approximately 70% of the liver parenchyma and had evidence of metastatic
      spread to multiple abdominal organs, the lungs, and the pituitary gland.
      Neoplastic polygonal cells lined large necrohemorrhagic cavities and exhibited
      marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, with frequent multinucleate cells. There
      was no desmoplasia associated with the primary neoplasm or metastases.
      Immunohistochemical studies revealed the neoplastic cells to be diffusely
      reactive with pancytokeratin, cytokeratin 7, and cytokeratin 8/18 antibodies and
      rarely reactive with carcinoembryonic antigen antibodies. The cells did not react
      with vimentin, S100, CD31, or factor VIII antibodies. Tumor morphology and
      immunophenotype led to the diagnosis of anaplastic hepatocellular carcinoma. This
      report represents the first known case of metastatic liver neoplasia in a rhesus
      macaque. The young age of this animal and the aggressive nature of the neoplasm
      are highly unusual and reminiscent of adolescent onset hepatocellular carcinoma
      in humans. 

PMID- 24210024
TI  - The detection of T-wave variation linked to arrhythmic risk: an industry
      perspective.
AB  - Although the scientific literature contains ample descriptions of peculiar
      patterns of repolarization linked to arrhythmic risk, the objective
      quantification and classification of these patterns continues to be a challenge
      that impacts their widespread adoption in clinical practice. To advance the
      science, computerized algorithms spawned in the academic environment have been
      essential in order to find, extract and measure these patterns. However, outside
      the strict control of a core lab, these algorithms are exposed to poor quality
      signals and need to be effective in the presence of different forms of noise that
      can either obscure or mimic the T-wave variation (TWV) of interest. To provide a
      practical solution that can be verified and validated for the market, important
      tradeoffs need to be made that are based on an intimate understanding of the end
      user as well as the key characteristics of either the signal or the noise that
      can be used by the signal processing engineer to best differentiate them. To
      illustrate this, two contemporary medical devices used for quantifying T-wave
      variation are presented, including the modified moving average (MMA) for the
      detection of T-wave Alternans (TWA) and the quantification of T-wave shape as
      inputs to the Morphology Combination Score (MCS) for the trending of drug-induced
      repolarization abnormalities. 

PMID- 24210050
TI  - "Who'll be the next in line?" The lung allocation score in patients with
      pulmonary arterial hypertension.

PMID- 24210051
TI  - In vivo hepatocyte MR imaging using lactose functionalized magnetoliposomes.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess a novel lactose functionalized
      magnetoliposomes (MLs) as an MR contrast agent to target hepatocytes as well as
      to evaluate the targeting ability of MLs for in vivo applications. In the present
      work, 17 nm sized iron oxide cores functionalized with anionic MLs bearing
      lactose moieties were used for targeting the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP
      r), which is highly expressed in hepatocytes. Non-functionalized anionic MLs were
      tested as negative controls. The size distribution of lactose and anionic MLs was
      determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering
      (DLS). After intravenous administration of both MLs, contrast enhancement in the
      liver was observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Label retention was
      monitored non-invasively by MRI and validated with Prussian blue staining and TEM
      for up to eight days post MLs administration. Although the MRI signal intensity
      did not show significant differences between functionalized and non
      functionalized particles, iron-specific Prussian blue staining and TEM analysis
      confirmed the uptake of lactose MLs mainly in hepatocytes. In contrast, non
      functionalized anionic MLs were mainly taken up by Kupffer and sinusoidal cells.
      Target specificity was further confirmed by high-resolution MR imaging of
      phantoms containing isolated hepatocytes, Kupffer cell (KCs) and hepatic stellate
      cells (HSCs) fractions. Hypointense signal was observed for hepatocytes isolated
      from animals which received lactose MLs but not from animals which received
      anionic MLs. These data demonstrate that galactose-functionalized MLs can be used
      as a hepatocyte targeting MR contrast agent to potentially aid in the diagnosis
      of hepatic diseases if the non-specific uptake by KCs is taken into account.

PMID- 24210052
TI  - Mitochondrial metabolism and stress response of yeast: Applications in
      fermentation technologies.
AB  - Mitochondria are sites of oxidative respiration. During sake brewing, sake yeasts
      are exposed to long periods of hypoxia; the structure, role, and metabolism of
      mitochondria of sake yeasts have not been studied in detail. It was first
      elucidated that the mitochondrial structure of sake yeast transforms from
      filamentous to dotted structure during sake brewing, which affects malate
      metabolism. Based on the information of yeast mitochondria during sake brewing,
      practical technologies have been developed; (i) breeding pyruvate-underproducing
      sake yeast by the isolation of a mutant resistant to an inhibitor of
      mitochondrial pyruvate transport; and (ii) modifying malate and succinate
      production by manipulating mitochondrial activity. During the bread-making
      process, baker's yeast cells are exposed to a variety of baking-associated
      stresses, such as freeze-thaw, air-drying, and high sucrose concentrations. These
      treatments induce oxidative stress generating reactive oxygen species due to
      mitochondrial damage. A novel metabolism of proline and arginine catalyzed by N
      acetyltransferase Mpr1 in the mitochondria eventually leads to synthesis of
      nitric oxide, which confers oxidative stress tolerance on yeast cells. The
      enhancement of proline and arginine metabolism could be promising for breeding
      novel baker's yeast strains that are tolerant to multiple baking-associated
      stresses. These new and practical methods provide approaches to improve the
      processes in the field of industrial fermentation technologies.

PMID- 24210053
TI  - Energy profiling of demersal fish: a case-study in wind farm artificial reefs.
AB  - The construction of wind farms introduces artificial hard substrates in sandy
      sediments. As Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and pouting (Trisopterus luscus) tend
      to aggregate in order to feed around these reefs, energy profiling and trophic
      markers were applied to study their feeding ecology in a wind farm in the Belgian
      part of the North Sea. The proximate composition (carbohydrates, proteins and
      lipids) differed significantly between liver and muscle tissue but not between
      fish species or between their potential prey species. Atlantic cod showed to
      consume more energy than pouting. The latter had a higher overall energy reserve
      and can theoretically survive twice as long on the available energy than cod. In
      autumn, both fish species could survive longer on their energy than in spring.
      Polyunsaturated fatty acids were found in high concentrations in fish liver. The
      prey species Jassa and Pisidia were both rich in EPA while Jassa had a higher DHA
      content than Pisidia. Energy profiling supported the statement that wind farm
      artificial reefs are suitable feeding ground for both fish species. Sufficient
      energy levels were recorded and there is no indication of competition.

PMID- 24210054
TI  - Shell formation in cultivated bivalves cannot be part of carbon  trading systems:
      a study case with Mytilus galloprovincialis.
AB  - Respiration and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) production by the farmed Mediterranean
      mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were calculated to assess their importance as
      carbon dioxide (CO2) sink/source in the Sacca di Scardovari (Po Delta River,
      Italy). The ratio of CO2 released to CaCO3 precipitated was calculated as a
      function of the near-bottom temperature. From our estimates, M. galloprovincialis
      sequestered 136.6 mol(CO2) m(-2) year(-1) for shell formation, but the CO2 fluxes
      due to respiration and calcification resulted 187.8 and 86.8 mol(CO2) m(-2) year(
      1) respectively. Mussel farming seems therefore to be a significant additional
      source of CO2 to seawater. For this reason shell formation in cultivated
      shellfish cannot be part of carbon trading systems.

PMID- 24210055
TI  - Studies on lung cancer management in routine practice.

PMID- 24210056
TI  - PSI, CURB-65, SMART-COP or SCAP? And the winner is... SMART DOCTORS.

PMID- 24210057
TI  - Tailored surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy due to temporal pole encephalocele
      and microdysgenesis.

PMID- 24210059
TI  - Effect of CYP3A5 genotypes on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine when used as
      monotherapy or co-administered with phenytoin, phenobarbital or valproic acid in
      Thai patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the effects of CYP3A5 polymorphisms on carbamazepine (CBZ)
      pharmacokinetic parameters when CBZ is used either as monotherapy or co
      administered with phenytoin (PHT), phenobarbital (PB) or valproic acid (VPA).
      METHODS: Retrospective data were collected from an electronic database and
      medical records. Blood samples were obtained and drug concentrations analyzed as
      a part of routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Screening for wild-type
      CYP3A5*1 and CYP3A5*3 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs776746) by allelic
      discrimination assay using real-time polymerase chain reaction technique (real
      time PCR) was performed. Pharmacokinetic parameters of CBZ; clearance and dose
      adjusted CBZ levels in patients with different genotypes were calculated and
      compared. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients assessed, 8 (11%) patients were homozygous
      CYP3A5*1/*1, 28 (40%) patients were heterozygous CYP3A5*1/*3, and 34 (49%)
      patients were homozygous CYP3A5*3/*3. The CBZ clearance and dose-adjusted CBZ
      levels did not significantly differ between patients with CYP3A5*1 and CYP3A5*3
      alleles when CBZ was used as monotherapy. For patients who used CBZ in
      combination with an enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drug (AED: PHT or PB),
      individuals carrying the CYP3A5*1 allele (CYP3A5 expressers) showed a trend of
      having higher CBZ clearance and lower dose-adjusted CBZ level as compared to
      individuals carrying the CYP3A5*3 allele, even though no statistical significance
      was recorded. Nevertheless, it was observed that AEDs significantly increased CBZ
      clearance only in patients carrying the active CYP3A5*1 allele. CONCLUSIONS: When
      CBZ was used in combination with enzyme-inducing AED, CYP3A5 expressers yielded a
      trend toward greater susceptibility to change in CBZ clearance and showed lower
      dose-adjusted CBZ levels compared to CYP3A5 non-expressers. The dosage regimen
      should be adjusted accordingly to gain a better clinical outcome.This article is
      open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may
      comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

PMID- 24210058
TI  - Protecting child health and nutrition status with ready-to-use food in addition
      to food assistance in urban Chad: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite growing interest in use of lipid nutrient supplements for
      preventing child malnutrition and morbidity, there is inconclusive evidence on
      the effectiveness, and no evidence on the cost-effectiveness of this strategy.
      METHODS: A cost effectiveness analysis was conducted comparing costs and outcomes
      of two arms of a cluster randomized controlled trial implemented in eastern Chad
      during the 2010 hunger gap by Action contre la Faim France and Ghent University.
      This trial assessed the effect on child malnutrition and morbidity of a 5-month
      general distribution of staple rations, or staple rations plus a ready-to-use
      supplementary food (RUSF). RUSF was distributed to households with a child aged 6
      36 months who was not acutely malnourished (weight-for-height > = 80% of the NCHS
      reference median, and absence of bilateral pitting edema), to prevent acute
      malnutrition in these children. While the addition of RUSF to a staple ration did
      not result in significant reduction in wasting rates, cost-effectiveness was
      assessed using successful secondary outcomes of cases of diarrhea and anemia
      (hemoglobin <110 g/L) averted among children receiving RUSF.Total costs of the
      program and incremental costs of RUSF and related management and logistics were
      estimated using accounting records and key informant interviews, and include
      costs to institutions and communities. An activity-based costing methodology was
      applied and incremental costs were calculated per episode of diarrhea and case of
      anemia averted. RESULTS: Adding RUSF to a general food distribution increased
      total costs by 23%, resulting in an additional cost per child of 374 EUR, and an
      incremental cost per episode of diarrhea averted of 1,083 EUR and per case of
      anemia averted of 3,627 EUR. CONCLUSIONS: Adding RUSF to a staple ration was less
      cost-effective than other standard intervention options for averting diarrhea and
      anemia. This strategy holds potential to address a broad array of health and
      nutrition outcomes in emergency settings where infrastructure is weak and other
      intervention options are infeasible in the short-term. However, further research
      is needed to establish the contexts in which RUSF is most effective and cost
      effective in preventing acute malnutrition and morbidity among vulnerable
      children, compared to other options.

PMID- 24210060
TI  - Effectiveness of academic detailing to optimize medication prescribing behaviour
      of family physicians.
AB  - PURPOSE: To synthesize current knowledge about the effectiveness and the
      magnitude of the effect, of Academic Detailing (AD), as a stand-alone
      intervention, at modifying drug prescription behavior of Family Physicians (FPs)
      in primary care settings. METHODS: A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web
      of Science databases of all English language articles between January 1983 and
      July 2010 was conducted. We hand-searched the bibliographies of articles
      retrieved from the electronic search to identify additional studies. Inclusion
      criteria were: full-length articles describing original research; randomized
      controlled trial (RCT), or observational study design with a control group;
      studies of AD delivered to FPs; AD as a stand-alone intervention; drug
      prescription as the target behavior. Data extraction was done independently by
      two reviewers. Outcomes evaluated were: the difference in relative change in
      prescription rate between the intervention and control groups; the difference in
      absolute change in prescription rate between the intervention and control groups;
      and effect size, calculated as the standardized mean difference. RESULTS: 11 RCTs
      and 4 observational studies were included. Five RCTS described results showing
      effectiveness, while 2 RCTs reported a positive effect on some of the target
      drugs. Two observational studies found AD to be effective, while 2 did not. The
      median difference in relative change among the studies reviewed was 21%
      (interquartile range 43.75%) for RCTs, and 9% (interquartile range 8.5%) for
      observational studies. The median effect size among the studies reviewed was -
      0.09 (interquartile range 2.73). CONCLUSION: This systematic review demonstrates
      that AD can be effective at optimizing prescription of medications by FPs.
      Although variable, the magnitude of the effect is moderate in the majority of
      studies. This systematic review also provides evidence supportive of the use of
      AD as a strategy to promote evidence based prescription of medications or
      incorporation of clinical guidelines into clinical practice. This article is open
      to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by
      clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

PMID- 24210061
TI  - Glycogen phosphorylase-a is a common target for anti-diabetic effect of iridoid
      and secoiridoid glycosides.
AB  - PURPOSE: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from
      defects in insulin secretion, action or both. The use of medicinal plants for the
      treatment of diabetes mellitus dates back from the Ebers papyrus of about 1550
      B.C. One of the major problems with herbal drugs is that the active ingredients
      are not well defined. It is important to know the active components and their
      molecular interactions which will help to analyze their therapeutic efficacy and
      also to standardize the product. There are a number of medicinal plants known for
      their anti-diabetic effect that possess similarities in their active chemical
      components, e.g. iridoid and secoiridoid glycosides. METHODS: In this study, we
      have compared the structure of various iridoid and secoiridoid glycosides to
      design a novel pharmacophore. We further developed a structure-activity
      relationship for the inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase-a. CONCLUSION: By using
      docking studies, we are proposing, for the first time, that inhibition of
      glycogen phosphorylase-a activity is a common target for iridoids and
      secoiridoids to elicit anti-diabetic effects. This article is open to POST
      PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by
      clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

PMID- 24210062
TI  - Transferrin receptor mediated brain uptake during ischemia and reperfusion.
AB  - PURPOSE: Drug delivery by transferrin receptor-mediated transport at the blood
      brain barrier has shown beneficial effects in animal models of stroke, but it is
      unclear whether receptor mediated uptake remains functional in the ischemic
      tissue. The present study addressed that question in a mouse model of brain focal
      ischemia, permanent or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).
      METHODS: Brain accumulation of 125I-labeled 8D3, a mouse-specific transferrin
      receptor antibody, or of the isotype control UPC-10 used as vascular marker, was
      measured autoradiographically by phosphorimaging in the core ischemic region on
      cryostat brain sections up to 24h after ischemia or reperfusion. Cerebral blood
      flow was quantitatively determined in the same animals after administration of
      99mTc-ECD (Neurolite). RESULTS: Apparent volume of distribution obtained with UPC
      10 indicated no significant nonspecific leakage of the blood-brain barrier at any
      time point. Although brain uptake of 8D3 gradually declined compared to healthy
      tissue under MCAO, VD remained significantly higher than VD of UPC-10 up to 5h.
      In transient MCAO the brain uptake recovered to levels as in healthy tissue
      immediately after reperfusion. CONCLUSION: Transferrin receptor-mediated brain
      uptake, which is an energy dependent vesicular transport process, is sensitive to
      reduction in blood supply but remains partially functional for several hours
      after onset of ischemia. The uptake shows complete recovery after reperfusion.
      These results support the use of transferrin receptor-mediated brain drug
      delivery in the early phase of ischemia and in the phase when blood flow is
      restored. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers
      (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents
      page.

PMID- 24210063
TI  - Effect of terpenes on the skin permeation of lomerizine dihydrochloride.
AB  - PURPOSE: Lomerizine dihydrochloride (LOM) is a Ca2+ channel blocker used as an
      antimigraine drug, which is currently administered orally in Japan. We therefore
      investigated the effect of terpenes in propylene glycol (PG) solvent on the
      percutaneous absorption of LOM by hairless mouse skin. METHODS: Attenuated total
      reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), confocal laser
      scanning microscopy (CLSM), and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were carried
      out to analyze the effects of terpene enhancers on the biophysical properties of
      the stratum corneum (SC) of the skin. RESULTS: Of the terpenes tested, the
      highest permeation rate of LOM (28.8 mg/cm2/h) was observed with 1,8-cineole,
      while nerolidol conferred the lowest enhancement of LOM flux (14.2 mg/cm2/h). ATR
      FTIR studies revealed that terpenes/PG induced higher CH2 stretching frequencies
      of SC lipids than PG alone. The extent of penetration of the lipophilic
      fluorescence probes Nile Red and DiI was measured by CLSM in in vitro skin
      permeation studies, using either PG or terpenes/PG as skin permeation enhancers.
      With PG alone, both fluorescence dyes were undetectable in the skin. In contrast,
      when co-administered with terpenes/PG, both probes were distributed into the
      intercellular space between corneocytes and detected in the deeper layers of the
      skin. SAXS measurements showed that in SC treated with a combination of 1,8
      cineole and PG, the scattering peak of the SC was broad and very weak in
      intensity compared to untreated SC, whereas pretreatment with PG alone did not
      alter the peak profile. CONCLUSION: A combination of terpenes and PG enhance the
      skin permeation of LOM. Our findings suggest that the mechanism for this effect
      involves the ability of terpenes to increase the fluidity of SC lipids, thus
      enhancing the distribution of LOM into the intercellular region of the SC. This
      article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For
      Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

PMID- 24210064
TI  - Innovations in epilepsy management - an overview.
AB  - In the past twenty years, thirteen new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been
      introduced, each differing in their efficacy spectrum, mechanism of action,
      pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability profiles. These newer AEDs symbolize a
      welcoming future in the management of epilepsy because they are able to produce a
      remarkable reduction in seizure frequency in up to 40% to 50% of the patients who
      had been refractory to old generation drugs. Despite the current availability of
      these new drugs, only a few patients with truly refractory seizures can be made
      seizure free. Although the newer agents are not superior to that of the older
      drugs, some have been shown to be non-inferior in terms of their efficacy. They
      offer additional advantages like better tolerability, ease of use, reduced
      interaction profile. Even though in most situations the older generation drugs
      still represent the best choice, advancing studies show that in many conditions,
      new generation drugs may be entirely vindicated for initial therapy. This urges a
      need for the search of novel and more efficacious new antiepileptic drugs in the
      management of uncontrollable seizures. More direct comparisons of newer versus
      newer and newer versus older drugs in clinical trials, both for monotherapy and
      adjunctive therapy must be conducted. More than 20 compounds with promising
      antiepileptic and neuroprotective properties have been discovered and are under
      various stages of drug development. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION
      REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on
      ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

PMID- 24210065
TI  - Coamorphous atorvastatin calcium to improve its physicochemical and
      pharmacokinetic properties.
AB  - PURPOSE: Atorvastatin calcium (ATC) is classified as class II (low solubility and
      high permeability) compound according to the biopharmaceutical classification
      system. The amorphous form of ATC possesses higher solubility, dissolution rate,
      and bioavailability than its crystalline form. Coamorphous drug system is a new
      and emerging method to prepare stable amorphous forms, in this case leading to
      the improved stability of ATC in dissolution medium. METHODS: In this study,
      coamorphous form of ATC and nicotinamide (ATC-NIC) was prepared from solvent
      evaporation method and characterized using differential scanning calorimetry
      (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and powder X-ray
      diffraction (PXRD). The intrinsic dissolution rate and solubility of ATC-NIC were
      determined along with plasma concentrations of ATC using HPLC after oral dosing
      in rats. RESULTS: The crystalline ATC was converted to coamorphous form revealing
      a molecular interaction between ATC and NIC. The intrinsic dissolution rate,
      solubility and plasma concentration of coamorphous ATC-NIC are higher than those
      of crystalline ATC. ATC-NIC coamorphous system showed greater solution stability
      than those reported in the literature for amorphous ATC. CONCLUSIONS: Coamorphous
      ATC-NIC has improved physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties as compared
      to ATC. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see
      "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

PMID- 24210066
TI  - Statins against drug-induced nephrotoxicity.
AB  - Drug-induced nephrotoxicity (DIN) accounts for up to 60% of hospital acquired
      acute kidney injury with considerable morbidity and mortality. Several efforts
      have been made to reduce drug-induced nephrotoxicity; however, DIN remains a
      matter of concern. Statins with their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti
      apoptotic effects may have the potential to protect kidney against DIN. The
      present review evaluated all of the available in vitro and in vivo studies that
      examined the use of statins as renoprotective agents against nephrotoxic drugs.
      Materials for this review were obtained by searching Medline, PubMed, Scopus,
      Cochrane central register of controlled trials, and Cochrane database of
      systematic reviews. Key words used as search terms included "statin", "3-hydroxy
      3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, "HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors",
      "nephroprotective", "renoprotective", "drug-induced renal diseases", "drug
      induced nephrotoxicity", "drug-induced renal toxicity", "drug-induced
      nephropathy", "drug-induced renal side effects", and "contrast-induced
      nephropathy". This search was performed without time limitation. Only English
      language articles were included in this review. This review concluded that
      chronic statin user may be less prone to contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN)
      compared with statin non-users. Short-term high dose statin administration may
      also reduce the incidence of CIN in statin naive patients. This renoprotective
      effect of statins against CIN is seen in low risk patients with normal kidney
      function or mild kidney dysfunction, but probably not in patients with moderate
      to severe renal dysfunction. Based on available animal data, statins may protect
      kidney against gentamicin-, cisplatin- and cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity,
      however, theses animal results have not yet been confirmed by human data. This
      article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For
      Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

PMID- 24210067
TI  - Enhanced prokaryotic expression of dengue virus envelope protein.
AB  - PURPOSE: To highlight the expression and purification of the recombinant dengue
      virus type-1 antigen exploiting the codon optimized full length envelope for
      increased yield in E. coli. METHODS: A 6x His tag was inserted at the C terminus
      to facilitate purification. The purified protein was recognized in Western blot
      by Monoclonal antibody specific for the tag. The in vitro refolded recombinant
      protein was used to immunize mice for the development of hybridomas and also
      analyzed for its biological functionality with heparan sulfate binding assay.
      RESULTS: The polyclonal anti-sera from the immunized mice were found to recognize
      the envelope protein thereby establishing the immunogenicity of the protein.
      CONCLUSION: The purified envelope protein could potentially be used towards
      dengue diagnostics and vaccine development efforts. This article is open to POST
      PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by
      clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

PMID- 24210068
TI  - Partial least square and hierarchical clustering in ADMET modeling: prediction of
      blood-brain barrier permeation of alpha-adrenergic and imidazoline receptor
      ligands.
AB  - PURPOSE. Rate of brain penetration (logPS), brain/plasma equilibration rate
      (logPS-brain), and extent of blood-brain barrier permeation (logBB) of 29 alpha
      adrenergic and imidazoline-receptors ligands were examined in Quantitative
      Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) study. METHODS. Experimentally determined
      chromatographic retention data (logKw at pH 4.4, slope (S) at pH 4.4, logKw at pH
      7.4, slope (S) at pH 7.4, logKw at pH 9.1, and slope (S) at pH 9.1) and capillary
      electrophoresis migration parameters (MUeff at pH 4.4, MUeff at pH 7.4, and MUeff
      at pH 9.1), together with calculated molecular descriptors, were used as
      independent variables in the QSPR study by use of partial least square (PLS)
      methodology. RESULTS. Predictive potential of the formed QSPR models,
      QSPR(logPS), QSPR(logPS-brain), QSPR(logBB), was confirmed by cross- and external
      validation. Hydrophilicity (Hy) and H-indices (H7m) were selected as significant
      parameters negatively correlated with both logPS and logPS-brain, while
      topological polar surface area (TPSA(NO)) was chosen as molecular descriptor
      negatively correlated with both logPS and logBB. The principal component analysis
      (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) were applied to cluster examined
      drugs based on their chromatographic, electrophoretic and molecular properties.
      Significant positive correlations were obtained between the slope (S) at pH 7.4
      and logBB in A/B cluster and between the logKw at pH 9.1 and logPS in C/D
      cluster. CONCLUSIONS. Results of the QSPR, clustering and correlation studies
      could be used as novel tool for evaluation of blood-brain barrier permeation of
      related alpha-adrenergic/imidazoline receptor ligands.This article is open to
      POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by
      clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.PURPOSE. Rate of brain
      penetration (logPS), brain/plasma equilibration rate (logPS-brain), and extent of
      blood-brain barrier permeation (logBB) of 29 alpha-adrenergic and imidazoline
      receptors ligands were examined in Quantitative-Structure-Property Relationship
      (QSPR) study. METHODS. Experimentally determined chromatographic retention data
      (logKw at pH 4.4, slope (S) at pH 4.4, logKw at pH 7.4, slope (S) at pH 7.4,
      logKw at pH 9.1, and slope (S) at pH 9.1) and capillary electrophoresis migration
      parameters (MUeff at pH 4.4, MUeff at pH 7.4, and MUeff at pH 9.1), together with
      calculated molecular descriptors, were used as independent variables in the QSPR
      study by use of partial least square (PLS) methodology. RESULTS. Predictive
      potential of the formed QSPR models, QSPR(logPS), QSPR(logPS-brain), QSPR(logBB),
      was confirmed by cross- and external validation. Hydrophilicity (Hy) and H
      indices (H7m) were selected as significant parameters negatively correlated with
      both logPS and logPS-brain, while topological polar surface area (TPSA(NO)) was
      chosen as molecular descriptor negatively correlated with both logPS and logBB.
      The principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA)
      were applied to cluster examined drugs based on their chromatographic,
      electrophoretic and molecular properties. Significant positive correlations were
      obtained between the slope (S) at pH 7.4 and logBB in A/B cluster and between the
      logKw at pH 9.1 and logPS in C/D cluster. CONCLUSIONS. Results of the QSPR,
      clustering and correlation studies could be used as novel tool for evaluation of
      blood-brain barrier permeation of related alpha-adrenergic/imidazoline receptor
      ligands. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see
      "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

PMID- 24210069
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of a cytochrome P450 2E1 probe, chlorzoxazone, and its 6-hydroxy
      metabolite in poloxamer 407-induced hyperlipidemic rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the possible changes in CYP2E1 expression and activity in
      hyperlipidemia (HL), we evaluated the pharmacokinetics of chlorzoxazone (CZX) as
      a CYP2E1 probe in rats with HL induced by poloxamer 407 (HL rats). METHODS: The
      pharmacokinetics of CZX and its 6-hydroxy metabolite (OH-CZX) were evaluated
      after intravenous administration of 20 mg/kg CZX to both control and HL rats. We
      also examined changes in the expression of CYP2E1 and its in vitro metabolic
      activity in hepatic microsomal fractions from HL rats. RESULTS: The total area
      under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of CZX in the HL rats after its
      intravenous administration was comparable with that in the controls due to
      unchanged non-renal clearance (CLNR). The AUC of OH-CZX and AUCOH-CZX/AUCCZX
      ratios in HL rats also remained unchanged. This was primarily due to the
      comparable hepatic CLint for metabolism of CZX to OH-CZX via CYP2E1 between the
      control and HL rats as a result of unchanged expression of CYP2E1 in HL rats.
      CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate CYP2E1 expression and activity
      in HL rats and their effects on the pharmacokinetics of a CYP2E1 probe drug.
      These findings have potential therapeutic implications assuming that the HL rat
      model qualitatively reflects similar changes in patients with HL.

PMID- 24210070
TI  - A randomised trial of electro-acupuncture for arthralgia related to aromatase
      inhibitor use.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arthralgia is a common and debilitating side-effect experienced by
      breast cancer patients receiving aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and often results in
      premature drug discontinuation. METHODS: We conducted a randomised controlled
      trial of electro-acupuncture (EA) as compared to waitlist control (WLC) and sham
      acupuncture (SA) in postmenopausal women with breast cancer who self-reported
      arthralgia attributable to AIs. Acupuncturists performed 10 EA/SA treatments over
      8 weeks using a manualised protocol with 2 Hz electro-stimulation delivered by a
      TENS unit. Acupuncturists administered SA using Streitberger (non-penetrating)
      needles at non-traditional acupuncture points without electro-stimulation. The
      primary end-point was pain severity by Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) between EA and
      WLC at Week 8; durability of response at Week 12 and comparison of EA to SA were
      secondary aims. FINDINGS: Of the 67 randomly assigned patients, mean reduction in
      pain severity was greater in the EA group than in the WLC group at Week 8 (-2.2
      versus -0.2, p=0.0004) and at Week 12 (-2.4 versus -0.2, p<0.0001). Pain-related
      interference measured by BPI also improved in the EA group compared to the WLC
      group at both Week 8 (-2.0 versus 0.2, p=0.0006) and Week 12 (-2.1 versus -0.1,
      p=0.0034). SA produced a magnitude of change in pain severity and pain-related
      interference at Week 8 (-2.3, -1.5 respectively) and Week 12 (-1.7, -1.3
      respectively) similar to that of EA. Participants in both EA and SA groups
      reported few minor adverse events. INTERPRETATIONS: Compared to usual care, EA
      produced clinically important and durable improvement in arthralgia related to
      AIs in breast cancer patients, and SA had a similar effect. Both EA and SA were
      safe.

PMID- 24210071
TI  - Morphine improved the antitumor effects on MCF-7 cells in combination with 5
      Fluorouracil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The most frequently used opioid in cancer pain management is morphine
      which remains a cornerstone for the management of cancer pain, due to the largest
      experience existing among physicians and widely availability in a variety of
      formulation. Considering that analgesics on cancer pain is often under the
      condition of chemotherapy and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used today as a
      potent drug for the treatment of advanced cancers, whether analgesics such as
      morphine, interferes the chemotherapy such as 5-FU, arose as a considerable
      problem. METHODS: In this study, the MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used to
      determine the antitumor effects of the 5-FU in combination with morphine. The
      cell proliferation was determined by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the apoptosis was determined by the
      Annexin V/PI staining and flow cytometry. The immunocytochemistry and western
      blot was used to determine the Bcl-2 and Bax expression. RESULTS: It was shown
      that in MCF-7 cells, the proliferation was inhibited, the apoptosis was promoted,
      the Bcl-2 expression was suppressed and the Bax expression was promoted by both 5
      FU alone and morphine alone, while the superior effects were achieved in
      combination with the two drugs. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the
      morphine may have the beneficial effects on the antitumor chemotherapy with 5-FU,
      in stead of interferential effects.

PMID- 24210072
TI  - MicroRNA-29a upregulates MMP2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma to promote cancer
      invasion and anti-apoptosis.
AB  - Abnormal microRNA expression is a common and important feature of human
      malignancies. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), which has been reported in
      several cancers, plays important roles in cancer progression. However, the
      microRNA regulatory mechanism on MMP2 expression remains unclear. In this study,
      we first detected MMP2 and microRNA-29a (miR-29a) expression in oral squamous
      carcinoma (OSCC) specimens, which showed that MMP2 was higher in OSCC cancer
      tissues than adjacent tissues but that miR-29a was lower in OSCC cancer tissues
      than adjacent tissues. Then, we confirmed that miR-29a, which directly targeted
      3'-UTR of MMP2 gene, negatively regulated MMP2 expression by miR-29a transfection
      and luciferase reporter assay. Exogenous overexpression of miR-29a inhibited OSCC
      cell invasion and anti-apoptosis significantly in vitro. Whereas, knockdown of
      miR-29a promoted OSCC cell invasion and induced drug-resistance in vitro. This
      study suggests that miR-29a plays an inhibiting role in the progression of OSCC,
      which may be a potentially therapeutic approach in the future. 

PMID- 24210073
TI  - Sphingosine-1-phosphate in chronic intestinal inflammation and cancer.
AB  - Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a pleiotropic bioactive lipid mediator, and the
      kinase that produces it have now emerged as key regulators of numerous cellular
      processes involved in inflammation and cancer. Here, we review the importance of
      S1P in colitis and colitis-associated cancer (CAC) and discuss our recent work
      demonstrating that S1P produced by upregulation of SphK1 during colitis and
      associated cancer is essential for production of the multifunctional NF-kappaB
      regulated cytokine IL-6, persistent activation of the transcription factor Stat3,
      and consequent upregulation of the S1P receptor, S1PR1. The effectiveness of the
      pro-drug FTY720 (known as fingolimod), approved for the treatment of multiple
      sclerosis, has become the gold standard for S1P-centric drugs, and will be used
      to illustrate the therapeutic value of modulating SphK1 and S1P receptor
      functions. We will discuss our recent results showing that FTY720/fingolimod
      administration interferes with the SphK1/S1P/S1PR1 axis and suppresses the NF
      kappaB/IL-6/Stat3 malicious amplification loop and CAC. These preclinical studies
      suggest that FTY720/fingolimod may be useful in treating colon cancer in
      individuals with ulcerative colitis. 

PMID- 24210074
TI  - Thalamic cramplike pain.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: We describe a case of cramplike pain after a left thalamic ischemic
      stroke, a neglected type of central post-stroke pain and we describe its
      neuroanatomical correlates. OBSERVATIONS: A 68-year-old right-handed man
      presented with right arm, leg, and flank cramplike pain noted upon awakening.
      Neurological examination was normal, with no evidence of objective sensory
      abnormalities. Because of the nature of the pain and the preserved sensory
      function, we first did not consider stroke as a potential cause, and suspected
      that pain was related to the combined effect of intense physical exercising on
      the right side and the use of statins. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance
      imaging showed an acute ischemic infarction within the left thalamus. By
      registering high-resolution 3 T T1-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance
      images to the Talairach atlas, we showed the infarction is within the border
      between the pulvinar and the ventral posterior medial nuclei. Brodmann's areas 3,
      1, 2, 4 and 6 were identified as the cortical correlates of the ischemic lesion
      by diffusion tensor tractography. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Thalamic cramplike
      pain should be recognized as a type of central post-stroke pain, probably
      produced by lesions localized to the border between the ventral posterior and
      pulvinar nuclei and connected to the ipsilateral primary somatosensory cortex and
      primary and secondary motor cortices.

PMID- 24210075
TI  - Hemispheric lateralization of microstructural white matter abnormalities in
      children with active benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
      (BECTS): a preliminary DTI study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The deficit of white matter is reported to be involved during the
      disease progression in patients with benign childhood epilepsy with
      centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). The aim of this study is to investigate patterns
      of white matter damage in children with BECTS with left- or right-hemispheric
      focus by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and its relationship with the
      cofactors such duration, seizure frequency and handedness. METHODS: Diffusion
      tensor imaging (DTI) was performed in twenty-eight children with BECTS and
      eighteen healthy controls. The data were analyzed using both tract-based spatial
      statistics (TBSS) and region of interest (ROI) analyses. Correlations were
      investigated between the fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the identified
      altered regions and clinical features such as age, age of onset and seizure
      frequency. RESULTS: The TBSS analysis revealed that white matter impairment in
      children with rolandic spikes on the ipsilateral hemisphere was much wider. The
      FA value was significantly lower in the body of the corpus callosum and forceps
      minor in BECTS patients with spikes on the ipsilateral hemisphere. The seizure
      frequency correlated positively with the FA values of body of corpus callosum
      (CC), bilateral cingulate gyrus and left uncinate fasciculi (UA). CONCLUSION: The
      impaired WM integrity in patients with BECTS was greater in patients with spikes
      on the dominant hemisphere, possibly due to the greater vulnerability of the left
      hemisphere and excitotoxic effects of seizures.

PMID- 24210076
TI  - Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis presenting with total insomnia--a case report.
AB  - Fatal insomnia (FI) is the first diagnosis to be considered by most neurologists
      when approaching a patient presenting with total insomnia followed by personality
      and cognitive changes, disturbance of alertness, autonomic hyperactivation and
      movement abnormalities. We report the case of a 30 year-old male patient who
      presented with total insomnia followed by episodes of psychomotor restlessness
      resembling anxiety attacks. Twenty days later, he developed refractory convulsive
      status epilepticus with admission to Intensive Care Unit. He progressed to a
      state of reduced alertness and responsiveness, presenting periods of agitation
      with abnormal dyskinetic movements, periods of autonomic instability and central
      hypoventilation. Workup revealed antibodies against N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor
      (NMDAR). Immunotherapy treatment led to a very significant improvement with the
      patient presenting only slight frontal lobe dysfunction after one year of
      recovery. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a patient with
      anti-NMDAR encephalitis first presenting with total insomnia. Our aim is to alert
      that anti-NMDAR encephalitis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of
      FI, especially in sporadic cases. Distinguishing the two conditions is very
      important as, contrarily to the fatal disclosure of FI, anti-NMDAR encephalitis
      is potentially reversible with adequate treatment even after severe and prolonged
      disease.

PMID- 24210077
TI  - Detection of serious complications by MR imaging in asymptomatic young adults
      with repaired coarctation of the aorta.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite early repair, patients with aortic coarctation (CoA) continue
      to have a reduced life expectancy due to the development of late complications.
      We sought to define the rate of aortic abnormalities in patients with previous
      CoA repair, referred for surveillance magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. METHODS:
      We evaluated 59 asymptomatic adults consecutively for repaired CoA with MR
      imaging between 2008 and 2012. RESULTS: Patients were aged 29 +/- 8 (16-49)
      years; 34 males (58%) and 34 with bicuspid aortic valve (58%). Median age at the
      time of initial repair was two years. Surveillance MR imaging was performed 23 +/
      8 years post-procedure. The three most common interventions performed were
      subclavian-flap repair (25%), end-to-end repair (33%) and patch aortoplasty
      (33%). Re-intervention with balloon angioplasty or repeat surgery had been
      performed in 22% of subjects. There were 28 cases of recoarctation (48%), of
      which seven were at least moderate in severity. Repair site and ascending aortic
      aneurysm occurred in eight (14%) and four (7%) subjects, respectively. Freedom
      from any degree of recoarctation and other aortic complications was observed in
      eight subjects (14%). CONCLUSION: MR imaging detected a high rate of aortic
      abnormalities in asymptomatic adults after CoA repair, including 27% with
      clinically significant recoarctation and/or local aneurysm formation.

PMID- 24210078
TI  - Preoperative chemoradiation therapy with capecitabine/oxaliplatin and cetuximab
      in rectal cancer: long-term results of a prospective phase 1/2 study.
AB  - PURPOSE: We have previously shown that the addition of cetuximab to
      chemoradiation therapy failed to improve complete response rates (pCR) in rectal
      cancer. Here we report the long-term results of the cetuximab added to
      preoperative radiation therapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CET-CAPOX-RT)
      phase 1/2 study that evaluated preoperative chemoradiation with cetuximab,
      capecitabine, and oxaliplatin in patients with rectal cancer. METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: The median follow-up was 63 months (range, 5-73 months). Sixty
      patients were enrolled; 3 patients were excluded due to protocol violation, and 4
      died before surgery. Total mesorectal excision was performed in 53 patients, in
      85% (n=45) with curative intention (M0-status). Secondary end points including
      overall survival (OS) disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival
      (CSS) were calculated. The prognostic value of KRAS mutation status was also
      assessed. RESULTS: Histopathological examination confirmed ypUICC stages 0 (n=4;
      pCR), I (n=17), II (n=10), III (n=14), and IV (n=8). For patients who underwent
      surgery (n=53), OS at 1, 3, and 5 years was 88.7%, 83%, and 75.5%, respectively,
      whereas CSS rates were 94.1%, 88.1%, and 78.1%, respectively. In the 45 patients
      who were treated with curative intent (M0), the OS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years
      were 91.1%, 88.9%, and 86.7%, respectively; whereas CSS rates were 97.6%, 95.2%,
      and 90.3%, respectively; and DFS rates were 90.7%, 88.3%, and 88.3%,
      respectively. We did not find any locoregional failure in patients with M0-status
      (n=45). Chronic toxicity was rare. KRAS mutations, as detected in 33.3%, showed
      no correlation with the clinicopathological parameters nor significance for
      either OS (P=.112), CSS (P=.264), or DFS (P=.565). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together,
      chemoradiation therapy combined with cetuximab is safe, feasible, and offers
      excellent survival rates. KRAS mutation status was not a predictive factor.
      Importantly, lack of improvement in pCR rate did not translate to poor survival
      in our clinical trial.

PMID- 24210079
TI  - Temporal nodal regression and regional control after primary radiation therapy
      for N2-N3 head-and-neck cancer stratified by HPV status.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the temporal lymph node (LN) regression and regional control
      (RC) after primary chemoradiation therapy/radiation therapy in human
      papillomavirus-related [HPV(+)] versus human papillomavirus-unrelated [HPV(-)]
      head-and-neck cancer (HNC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: All cases of N2-N3 HNC treated
      with radiation therapy/chemoradiation therapy between 2003 and 2009 were
      reviewed. Human papillomavirus status was ascertained by p16 staining on all
      available oropharyngeal cancers. Larynx/hypopharynx cancers were considered HPV(
      ). Initial radiologic complete nodal response (CR) (<=1.0 cm 8-12 weeks after
      treatment), ultimate LN resolution, and RC were compared between HPV(+) and HPV(
      ) HNC. Multivariate analysis identified outcome predictors. RESULTS: A total of
      257 HPV(+) and 236 HPV(-) HNCs were identified. The initial LN size was larger
      (mean, 2.9 cm vs 2.5 cm; P<.01) with a higher proportion of cystic LNs (38% vs
      6%, P<.01) in HPV(+) versus HPV(-) HNC. CR was achieved is 125 HPV(+) HNCs (49%)
      and 129 HPV(-) HNCs (55%) (P=.18). The mean post treatment largest LN was 36% of
      the original size in the HPV(+) group and 41% in the HPV(-) group (P<.01). The
      actuarial LN resolution was similar in the HPV(+) and HPV(-) groups at 12 weeks
      (42% and 43%, respectively), but it was higher in the HPV(+) group than in the
      HPV(-) group at 36 weeks (90% vs 77%, P<.01). The median follow-up period was 3.6
      years. The 3-year RC rate was higher in the HPV(-) CR cases versus non-CR cases
      (92% vs 63%, P<.01) but was not different in the HPV(+) CR cases versus non-CR
      cases (98% vs 92%, P=.14). On multivariate analysis, HPV(+) status predicted
      ultimate LN resolution (odds ratio, 1.4 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.7];
      P<.01) and RC (hazard ratio, 0.3 [95% confidence interval 0.2-0.6]; P<.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: HPV(+) LNs involute more quickly than HPV(-) LNs but undergo a more
      prolonged process to eventual CR beyond the time of initial assessment at 8 to 12
      weeks after treatment. Post radiation neck dissection is advisable for all non-CR
      HPV(-)/non-CR N3 HPV(+) cases, but it may be avoided for selected non-CR N2
      HPV(+) cases with a significant LN involution if they can undergo continued
      imaging surveillance. The role of positron emission tomography for response
      assessment should be investigated.

PMID- 24210080
TI  - Radioprotection and cell cycle arrest of intestinal epithelial cells by
      darinaparsin, a tumor radiosensitizer.
AB  - PURPOSE: It was recently reported that the organic arsenic compound darinaparsin
      (DPS) is a cytotoxin and radiosensitizer of tumor cells in vitro and in
      subcutaneous xenograft tumors. Surprisingly, it was also found that DPS protects
      normal intestinal crypt epithelial cells (CECs) from clonogenic death after
      ionizing radiation (IR). Here we tested the DPS radiosensitizing effect in a
      clinically relevant model of prostate cancer and explored the radioprotective
      effect and mechanism of DPS on CECs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The radiation
      modification effect of DPS was tested in a mouse model of orthotopic xenograft
      prostate cancer and of IR-induced acute gastrointestinal syndrome. The effect of
      DPS on CEC DNA damage and DNA damage responses was determined by
      immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the mouse model of IR-induced gastrointestinal
      syndrome, DPS treatment before IR accelerated recovery from body weight loss and
      increased animal survival. DPS decreased post-IR DNA damage and cell death,
      suggesting that the radioprotective effect was mediated by enhanced DNA damage
      repair. Shortly after DPS injection, significant cell cycle arrest was observed
      in CECs at both G1/S and G2/M checkpoints, which was accompanied by the
      activation of cell cycle inhibitors p21 and growth arrest and DNA-damage
      inducible protein 45 alpha (GADD45A). Further investigation revealed that DPS
      activated ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), an important inducer of DNA damage
      repair and cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSIONS: DPS selectively radioprotected normal
      intestinal CECs and sensitized prostate cancer cells in a clinically relevant
      model. This effect may be, at least in part, mediated by DNA damage response
      activation and has the potential to significantly increase the therapeutic index
      of radiation therapy.

PMID- 24210081
TI  - An assessment of the current US radiation oncology workforce: methodology and
      global results of the American Society for Radiation Oncology 2012 Workforce
      Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the characteristics, needs, and concerns of the current
      radiation oncology workforce, evaluate best practices and opportunities for
      improving quality and safety, and assess what we can predict about the future
      workforce. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An online survey was distributed to 35,204
      respondents from all segments of the radiation oncology workforce, including
      radiation oncologists, residents, medical dosimetrists, radiation therapists,
      medical physicists, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, and
      practice managers/administrators. The survey was disseminated by the American
      Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) together with specialty societies
      representing other workforce segments. An overview of the methods and global
      results is presented in this paper. RESULTS: A total of 6765 completed surveys
      were received, a response rate of 19%, and the final analysis included 5257
      respondents. Three-quarters of the radiation oncologists, residents, and
      physicists who responded were male, in contrast to the other segments in which
      two-thirds or more were female. The majority of respondents (58%) indicated they
      were hospital-based, whereas 40% practiced in a free-standing/satellite clinic
      and 2% in another setting. Among the practices represented in the survey, 21.5%
      were academic, 25.2% were hospital, and 53.3% were private. A perceived
      oversupply of professionals relative to demand was reported by the physicist,
      dosimetrist, and radiation therapist segments. An undersupply was perceived by
      physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses. The supply of radiation
      oncologists and residents was considered balanced. CONCLUSIONS: This survey was
      unique as it attempted to comprehensively assess the radiation oncology workforce
      by directly surveying each segment. The results suggest there is potential to
      improve the diversity of the workforce and optimize the supply of the workforce
      segments. The survey also provides a benchmark for future studies, as many
      changes in the healthcare field exert pressure on the workforce.

PMID- 24210082
TI  - The impact of tumor size on outcomes after stereotactic body radiation therapy
      for medically inoperable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiation therapy for medically inoperable early-stage
      non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) offers excellent control rates. Most published
      series deal mainly with small (usually <4 cm), peripheral, solitary tumors.
      Larger tumors are associated with poorer outcomes (ie, lower control rates,
      higher toxicity) when treated with conventional RT. It is unclear whether SBRT is
      sufficiently potent to control these larger tumors. We therefore evaluated and
      examined the influence of tumor size on treatment outcomes after SBRT. METHODS
      AND MATERIALS: Between October 2004 and October 2010, 185 medically inoperable
      patients with early (T1-T2N0M0) NSCLC were treated on a prospective research
      ethics board-approved single-institution protocol. Prescription doses were risk
      adapted based on tumor size and location. Follow-up included prospective
      assessment of toxicity (as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events,
      version 3.0) and serial computed tomography scans. Patterns of failure, toxicity,
      and survival outcomes were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method, and the
      significance of tumor size (diameter, volume) with respect to patient, treatment,
      and tumor factors was tested. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 15.2 months. Tumor
      size was not associated with local failure but was associated with regional
      failure (P=.011) and distant failure (P=.021). Poorer overall survival (P=.001),
      disease-free survival (P=.001), and cause-specific survival (P=.005) were also
      significantly associated with tumor size (with tumor volume more significant than
      diameter). Gross tumor volume and planning target volume were significantly
      associated with grade 2 or worse radiation pneumonitis. However, overall rates of
      grade >=3 pneumonitis were low and not significantly affected by tumor or target
      size. CONCLUSIONS: Currently employed stereotactic body radiation therapy dose
      regimens can provide safe effective local therapy even for larger solitary NSCLC
      tumors (up to 5.7 cm in tumor diameter or 100 cm(3) in tumor volume) but are
      associated with more nonlocal failures as well as poorer survival. These
      observations suggest these patients may benefit from more extensive staging or
      consideration of adjuvant therapy.

PMID- 24210083
TI  - Segmental ureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: two procedures with
      different indications.

PMID- 24210084
TI  - Commentary on "Androgen-deprivation therapy alone or with docetaxel in non
      castrate metastatic prostate cancer (GETUG-AFU 15): a randomised, open-label,
      phase 3 trial." Gravis G, Fizazi K, Joly F, Oudard S, Priou F, Esterni B,
      Latorzeff I, Delva R, Krakowski I, Laguerre B, Rolland F, Theodore C, Deplanque
      G, Ferrero JM, Pouessel D, Mourey L, Beuzeboc P, Zanetta S, Habibian M, Berdah
      JF, Dauba J, Baciuchka M, Platini C, Linassier C, Labourey JL, Machiels JP, El
      Kouri C, Ravaud A, Suc E, Eymard JC, Hasbini A, Bousquet G, Soulie M, Medical
      Oncology and Biostatistics, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France. Lancet
      Oncol 2013;14(2):149-58 [Epub 2013 Jan 8].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early chemotherapy might improve the overall outcomes of patients
      with metastatic non-castrate (i.e., hormone-sensitive) prostate cancer. We
      investigated the effects of the addition of docetaxel to androgen-deprivation
      therapy (ADT) for patients with metastatic non-castrate prostate cancer. METHODS:
      In this randomised, open-label, phase 3 study, we enrolled patients in 29 centres
      in France and one in Belgium. Eligible patients were older than 18 years and had
      histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate and radiologically proven
      metastatic disease; a Karnofsky score of at least 70%; a life expectancy of at
      least 3 months; and adequate hepatic, haematological, and renal function. They
      were randomly assigned to receive to ADT (orchiectomy or luteinising hormone
      releasing hormone agonists, alone or combined with non-steroidal antiandrogens)
      alone or in combination with docetaxel (75 mg/m(2) intravenously on the first day
      of each 21-day cycle; up to nine cycles). Patients were randomised in a 1:1
      ratio, with dynamic minimisation to minimise imbalances in previous systemic
      treatment with ADT, chemotherapy for local disease or isolated rising
      concentration of serum prostate-specific antigen, and Glass risk groups.
      Patients, physicians, and data analysts were not masked to treatment allocation.
      The primary endpoint was overall survival. Efficacy analyses were done by
      intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number
      NCT00104715. FINDINGS: Between Oct 18, 2004, and Dec 31, 2008, 192 patients were
      randomly allocated to receive ADT plus docetaxel and 193 to receive ADT alone.
      Median follow-up was 50 months (IQR 39-63). Median overall survival was 58 9
      months (95% CI 50 8-69 1) in the group given ADT plus docetaxel and 54 2 months
      (42 2-not reached) in that given ADT alone (hazard ratio 1 01, 95% CI 0 75-1 36).
      72 serious adverse events were reported in the group given ADT plus docetaxel, of
      which the most frequent were neutropenia (40 [21%]), febrile neutropenia (six
      [3%]), abnormal liver function tests (three [2%]), and neutropenia with infection
      (two [1%]). Four treatment-related deaths occurred in the ADT plus docetaxel
      group (two of which were neutropenia-related), after which the data monitoring
      committee recommended treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. After
      this recommendation, no further treatment-related deaths occurred. No serious
      adverse events were reported in the ADT alone group. INTERPRETATION: Docetaxel
      should not be used as part of first-line treatment for patients with non-castrate
      metastatic prostate cancer.

PMID- 24210085
TI  - Commentary on "Abiraterone in metastatic prostate cancer without previous
      chemotherapy." Ryan CJ, Smith MR, de Bono JS, Molina A, Logothetis CJ, de Souza
      P, Fizazi K, Mainwaring P, Piulats JM, Ng S, Carles J, Mulders PF, Basch E, Small
      EJ, Saad F, Schrijvers D, Van Poppel H, Mukherjee SD, Suttmann H, Gerritsen WR,
      Flaig TW, George DJ, Yu EY, Efstathiou E, Pantuck A, Winquist E, Higano CS,
      Taplin ME, Park Y, Kheoh T, Griffin T, Scher HI, Rathkopf DE; COU-AA-302
      Investigators, Genitourinary Medical Oncology Program, Helen Diller Family
      Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA. N Engl
      J Med 2013;368(2):138-48 [Epub 2012 Dec 10]; N Engl J Med 2013;368(6):584.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abiraterone acetate, an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor, improves
      overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
      after chemotherapy. We evaluated this agent in patients who had not received
      previous chemotherapy. METHODS: In this double-blind study, we randomly assigned
      1088 patients to receive abiraterone acetate (1000 mg) plus prednisone (5mg twice
      daily) or placebo plus prednisone. The coprimary end points were radiographic
      progression-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: The study was unblinded
      after a planned interim analysis that was performed after 43% of the expected
      deaths had occurred. The median radiographic progression-free survival was 16.5
      months with abiraterone-prednisone and 8.3 months with prednisone alone (hazard
      ratio for abiraterone-prednisone vs. prednisone alone, 0.53; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.62; P<0.001). Over a median follow-up period of 22.2
      months, overall survival was improved with abiraterone-prednisone (median not
      reached, vs. 27.2 months for prednisone alone; hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61
      to 0.93; P = 0.01) but did not cross the efficacy boundary. Abiraterone
      prednisone showed superiority over prednisone alone with respect to time to
      initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, opiate use for cancer-related pain,
      prostate-specific antigen progression, and decline in performance status. Grade 3
      or 4 mineralocorticoid-related adverse events and abnormalities on liver-function
      testing were more common with abiraterone-prednisone. CONCLUSIONS: Abiraterone
      improved radiographic progression-free survival, showed a trend toward improved
      overall survival, and significantly delayed clinical decline and initiation of
      chemotherapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

PMID- 24210086
TI  - Commentary on "Intermittent versus continuous androgen deprivation in prostate
      cancer." Hussain M, Tangen CM, Berry DL, Higano CS, Crawford ED, Liu G, Wilding
      G, Prescott S, Kanaga Sundaram S, Small EJ, Dawson NA, Donnelly BJ, Venner PM,
      Vaishampayan UN, Schellhammer PF, Quinn DI, Raghavan D, Ely B, Moinpour CM,
      Vogelzang NJ, Thompson IM Jr., University of Michigan, Division of
      Hematology/Oncology, 1500 E Medical Center Dr., 7314 CC, Ann Arbor, MI. N Engl J
      Med 2013;368(14):1314-25.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Castration resistance occurs in most patients with metastatic hormone
      sensitive prostate cancer who are receiving androgen-deprivation therapy.
      Replacing androgens before progression of the disease is hypothesized to prolong
      androgen dependence. METHODS: Men with newly diagnosed, metastatic, hormone
      sensitive prostate cancer, a performance status of 0 to 2, and a prostate
      specific antigen (PSA) level of 5 ng per milliliter or higher received a
      luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue and an antiandrogen agent for 7
      months. We then randomly assigned patients in whom the PSA level fell to 4 ng per
      milliliter or lower to continuous or intermittent androgen deprivation, with
      patients stratified according to prior or no prior hormonal therapy, performance
      status, and extent of disease (minimal or extensive). The coprimary objectives
      were to assess whether intermittent therapy was noninferior to continuous therapy
      with respect to survival, with a one-sided test with an upper boundary of the
      hazard ratio of 1.20, and whether quality of life differed between the groups 3
      months after randomization. RESULTS: A total of 3040 patients were enrolled, of
      whom 1535 were included in the analysis: 765 randomly assigned to continuous
      androgen deprivation and 770 assigned to intermittent androgen deprivation. The
      median follow-up period was 9.8 years. Median survival was 5.8 years in the
      continuous-therapy group and 5.1 years in the intermittent-therapy group (hazard
      ratio for death with intermittent therapy, 1.10; 90% confidence interval, 0.99 to
      1.23). Intermittent therapy was associated with better erectile function and
      mental health (P<0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively) at month 3 but not
      thereafter. There were no significant differences between the groups in the
      number of treatment-related high-grade adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      were statistically inconclusive. In patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive
      prostate cancer, the confidence interval for survival exceeded the upper boundary
      for noninferiority, suggesting that we cannot rule out a 20% greater risk of
      death with intermittent therapy than with continuous therapy, but too few events
      occurred to rule out significant inferiority of intermittent therapy.
      Intermittent therapy resulted in small improvements in quality of life.

PMID- 24210087
TI  - Commentary on "Cabozantinib in patients with advanced prostate cancer: results of
      a phase II randomized discontinuation trial." Smith DC, Smith MR, Sweeney C,
      Elfiky AA, Logothetis C, Corn PG, Vogelzang NJ, Small EJ, Harzstark AL, Gordon
      MS, Vaishampayan UN, Haas NB, Spira AI, Lara PN Jr, Lin CC, Srinivas S, Sella A,
      SchoffskiSchoffski P, Scheffold C, Weitzman AL, Hussain M, University of
      Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. J Clin Oncol 2013;31(4):412-9. doi:
      10.1200/JCO.2012.45.0494. Epub 2012 Nov 19.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cabozantinib (XL184) is an orally bioavailable tyrosine kinase inhibitor
      with activity against MET and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. We
      evaluated the activity of cabozantinib in patients with castration-resistant
      prostate cancer (CRPC) in a phase II randomized discontinuation trial with an
      expansion cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received 100mg of cabozantinib
      daily. Those with stable disease per RECIST at 12 weeks were randomly assigned to
      cabozantinib or placebo. Primary end points were objective response rate at 12
      weeks and progression-free survival (PFS) after random assignment. RESULTS: One
      hundred seventy-one men with CRPC were enrolled. Random assignment was halted
      early based on the observed activity of cabozantinib. Seventy-two percent of
      patients had regression in soft tissue lesions, whereas 68% of evaluable patients
      had improvement on bone scan, including complete resolution in 12%. The objective
      response rate at 12 weeks was 5%, with stable disease in 75% of patients. Thirty
      one patients with stable disease at week 12 were randomly assigned. Median PFS
      was 23.9 weeks (95% CI, 10.7 to 62.4 weeks) with cabozantinib and 5.9 weeks (95%
      CI, 5.4 to 6.6 weeks) with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.12; P<.001). Serum total
      alkaline phosphatase and plasma cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type I
      collagen were reduced by >= 50% in 57% of evaluable patients. On retrospective
      review, bone pain improved in 67% of evaluable patients, with a decrease in
      narcotic use in 56%. The most common grade 3 adverse events were fatigue (16%),
      hypertension (12%), and hand-foot syndrome (8%). CONCLUSION: Cabozantinib has
      clinical activity in men with CRPC, including reduction of soft tissue lesions,
      improvement in PFS, resolution of bone scans, and reductions in bone turnover
      markers, pain, and narcotic use.

PMID- 24210088
TI  - 'Are we there yet?' - operationalizing the concept of Integrated Public Health
      Policies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although 'integrated' public health policies are assumed to be the
      ideal way to optimize public health, it remains hard to determine how far removed
      we are from this ideal, since clear operational criteria and defining
      characteristics are lacking. METHODS: A literature review identified gaps in
      previous operationalizations of integrated public health policies. We searched
      for an approach that could fill these gaps. RESULTS: We propose the following
      defining characteristics of an integrated policy: (1) the combination of policies
      includes an appropriate mix of interventions that optimizes the functioning of
      the behavioral system, thus ensuring that motivation, capability and opportunity
      interact in such a way that they promote the preferred (health-promoting)
      behavior of the target population, and (2) the policies are implemented by the
      relevant policy sectors from different policy domains. CONCLUSION: Our criteria
      should offer added value since they describe pathways in the process towards
      formulating integrated policy. The aim of introducing our operationalization is
      to assist policy makers and researchers in identifying truly integrated cases.
      The Behavior Change Wheel proved to be a useful framework to develop operational
      criteria to assess the current state of integrated public health policies in
      practice.

PMID- 24210089
TI  - West Nile virus, Texas, USA, 2012.
AB  - During the 2012 West Nile virus outbreak in Texas, USA, 1,868 cases were
      reported. Male patients, persons >65 years of age, and minorities were at highest
      risk for neuroinvasive disease. Fifty-three percent of counties reported a case;
      48% of case-patients resided in 4 counties around Dallas/Fort Worth. The economic
      cost was >$47.6 million. 

PMID- 24210090
TI  - Cardiovascular morbidity associated with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists
      and an antagonist.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with increased
      cardiovascular morbidity. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cardiovascular
      morbidity differs following initiation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
      agonists compared with an antagonist. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Pooled
      data from six phase 3 prospective randomized trials that recruited 2328 men
      between 2005 and 2012 to compare the efficacy of GnRH agonists against an
      antagonist. Men recruited had pathologically confirmed prostate cancer, an
      Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score <2, a minimum life expectancy of 12 mo,
      and were naive to ADT. Men were excluded if they had a prolonged baseline
      QT/corrected QT interval, other risk factors for heart failure, hypokalemia or a
      family history of long QT syndrome, or had another cancer diagnosed within 5 yr.
      INTERVENTION: Men were randomized to receive a GnRH agonist or an antagonist for
      either 3-7 mo (n=642) or 12 mo (n=1686). Treatment groups were balanced for
      common baseline characteristics. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:
      Event analysis was based on death from any cause or cardiac events. Data
      documenting adverse experiences were classified based on the Medical Dictionary
      for Regulatory Activities. The following conditions defined a cardiac event:
      arterial embolic or thrombotic events, hemorrhagic or ischemic cerebrovascular
      conditions, myocardial infarction, and other ischemic heart disease. Kaplan-Meier
      curves and log-rank tests were used to compare time to a cardiovascular event or
      death. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among men with preexisting cardiovascular
      disease, the risk of cardiac events within 1 yr of initiating therapy was
      significantly lower among men treated with a GnRH antagonist compared with GnRH
      agonists (hazard ratio: 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.74; p=0.002). Since
      our analysis is post hoc, our findings should only be interpreted as hypothesis
      generating. CONCLUSIONS: GnRH antagonists appear to halve the number of cardiac
      events experienced by men with preexisting cardiovascular disease during the
      first year of ADT when compared to GnRH agonists.

PMID- 24210091
TI  - Patient-reported outcomes in randomised controlled trials of prostate cancer:
      methodological quality and impact on clinical decision making.
AB  - CONTEXT: Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data from randomised controlled trials
      (RCTs) are increasingly used to inform patient-centred care as well as clinical
      and health policy decisions. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to
      investigate the methodological quality of PRO assessment in RCTs of prostate
      cancer (PCa) and to estimate the likely impact of these studies on clinical
      decision making. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic literature search of studies
      was undertaken on main electronic databases to retrieve articles published
      between January 2004 and March 2012. RCTs were evaluated on a predetermined
      extraction form, including (1) basic trial demographics and clinical and PRO
      characteristics; (2) level of PRO reporting based on the recently published
      recommendations by the International Society for Quality of Life Research; and
      (3) bias, assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Studies were
      systematically analysed to evaluate their relevance for supporting clinical
      decision making. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Sixty-five RCTs enrolling a total of 22 071
      patients were evaluated, with 31 (48%) in patients with nonmetastatic disease.
      When a PRO difference between treatments was found, it related in most cases to
      symptoms only (n=29, 58%). Although the extent of missing data was generally
      documented (72% of RCTs), few reported details on statistical handling of this
      data (18%) and reasons for dropout (35%). Improvements in key methodological
      aspects over time were found. Thirteen (20%) RCTs were judged as likely to be
      robust in informing clinical decision making. Higher-quality PRO studies were
      generally associated with those RCTs that had higher internal validity.
      CONCLUSIONS: Including PRO in RCTs of PCa patients is critical for better
      evaluating the treatment effectiveness of new therapeutic approaches. Marked
      improvements in PRO quality reporting over time were found, and it is estimated
      that at least one-fifth of PRO RCTs have provided sufficient details to allow
      health policy makers and physicians to make critical appraisals of results.
      PATIENT SUMMARY: In this report, we have investigated the methodological quality
      of PCa trials that have included a PRO assessment. We conclude that including PRO
      is critical to better evaluating the treatment effectiveness of new therapeutic
      approaches from the patient's perspective. Also, at least one-fifth of PRO RCTs
      in PCa have provided sufficient details to allow health policy makers and
      physicians to make a critical appraisal of results.

PMID- 24210092
TI  - Flavanone glycosides from Bidens gardneri Bak. (Asteraceae).
AB  - LC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of the Brazilian medicinal plant Bidens gardneri Bak.
      (Asteraceae) results in identification of eleven phenolic compounds. HRESIMS,
      MS/MS and UV data analyses, with phytochemicals isolation guided by MS data,
      results in flavanones-(-)-4'-methoxy-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-8,3'
      dihydroxyflavanone; (-)-7-O-(6"-E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-8,3',4'
      trihydroxyflavanone; and (-)-4'-methoxy-7-O-(6"-acetyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl
      8,3'-dihydroxyflavanone being identified-together with four known compounds. The
      absolute configurations of two of the flavanones were determined as 2S via
      circular dichroism.

PMID- 24210093
TI  - Evidence of massive global synchronization and the consciousness: comment on
      "Consciousness in the universe: a review of the 'Orch OR' theory" by Hameroff and
      Penrose.

PMID- 24210094
TI  - The multifaceted effect of PB1-F2 specific antibodies on influenza A virus
      infection.
AB  - PB1-F2 is a small influenza A virus (IAV) protein encoded by an alternative
      reading frame of the PB1 gene. During IAV infection, antibodies to PB1-F2
      proteins are induced. To determine their function and contribution to virus
      infection, three distinct approaches were employed: passive transfer of anti-PB1
      F2 MAbs and polyclonal antibodies, active immunization with PB1-F2 peptides and
      DNA vaccination with plasmids expressing various parts of PB1-F2. Mostly N
      terminal specific antibodies were detected in polyclonal sera raised to complete
      PB1-F2. Passive and active immunization revealed that antibodies recognizing the
      N-terminal part of the PB1-F2 molecule have no remarkable effect on the course of
      IAV infection. Interestingly antibodies against the C-terminal region of PB1-F2,
      obtained by immunization with KLH-PB1-F2 C-terminal peptide or DNA immunization
      with pC-ter.PB1-F2 plasmid, partially protected mice against virus infection. To
      our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the biological relevance of
      humoral immunity against PB1-F2 protein in vivo. 

PMID- 24210095
TI  - Treg depletion attenuates the severity of skin disease from ganglionic spread
      after HSV-2 flank infection.
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Tregs) attenuate lesion severity and disease after HSV ocular
      or genital infection, but their role in cutaneous infection remains unclear. Treg
      depletion (anti-CD25 mAb in C57BL/6 mice or diphtheria toxin (DT) in DEREG mice)
      prior to tk-deficient HSV-2 flank infection significantly decreased skin lesion
      severity, granulocyte receptor-1(Gr-1(+)) cell number, and chemokine (KC)
      expression in the secondary skin, but significantly increased immune effectors
      and chemokine expression (MCP-1, KC, VEGF-A) in the draining LN, and activated,
      interferon-gamma producing CD8(+)T cells in the ganglia. Treg depletion also
      significantly reduced HSV-2 DNA in the ganglia. Thus, Tregs increase the severity
      of recurrent skin lesions, and differentially alter chemokine expression and
      immune effector homing in the skin and LN after cutaneous infection, and limit
      CD8(+) T cell responses in the ganglia. Our data suggests that effects of Treg
      manipulation on recurrent herpes lesions should be considered when developing
      Treg mediated therapeutics. 

PMID- 24210096
TI  - Tombusvirus replication depends on Sec39p endoplasmic reticulum-associated
      transport protein.
AB  - Positive-stranded RNA viruses subvert subcellular membranes to built viral
      replicases complexes (VRCs) in infected cells. Tombusviruses use peroxisomal
      membranes for the assembly of their VRCs and they can efficiently switch to the
      endoplasmic reticulum membrane in the absence of peroxisomes. In this paper, we
      show that the ER-resident Sec39p vesicular transport protein is critical for the
      formation of active VRCs in yeast model host. Repression of Sec39p expression in
      yeast or in plants resulted in greatly reduced tombusvirus accumulation.
      Moreover, the purified tombusvirus replicase from Sec39p-depleted yeast cells
      showed low in vitro activity. Also, tombusvirus RNA replication was poor in cell
      free extracts or in isolated ER membranes from yeast with repressed Sec39p
      expression. The tombusvirus p33 replication protein was mislocalized to the ER
      when Sec39p was depleted in yeast. Overall, Sec39p is the first peroxisomal
      biogenesis protein characterized that is critical for tombusvirus replication in
      yeast and plants. 

PMID- 24210097
TI  - Evolutionarily conserved residues at an oligomerization interface of the
      influenza A virus neuraminidase are essential for viral survival.
AB  - Neuraminidase (NA) is a homotetramer viral surface glycoprotein that is essential
      for virus release during influenza virus infections. Previous studies have not
      explored why influenza NA forms a tetramer when the bacterial monomer NA already
      exhibits excellent NA enzymatic activity levels. In this study, we focused on 28
      highly conserved residues among all NA subtypes, identifying 21 of 28 positions
      as crucial residues for viral survival by using reverse genetics. Maintaining NA
      enzymatic activity levels is critical and numerous conserved residues were
      located at the oligomerization interface; however, these mutations did not affect
      NA enzymatic activity levels or NA cellular localization, but rather affected the
      stability of NA oligomerization, suggesting that the oligomerization of NA is
      essential for viral viability. An increased understanding of the biological
      functions of NA, in particular NA oligomerization, could facilitate an
      alternative design for antivirals to combat influenza virus infections. 

PMID- 24210099
TI  - Hsp70 positively regulates porcine circovirus type 2 replication in vitro.
AB  - The Hsp70 chaperone plays a central role in multiple processes within cells.
      Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the essential causal agent of post-weaning
      multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), which has spread worldwide. But the
      mechanism of PCV2 replication remains poorly understood. In this study, we
      firstly found the positive effect of heat stress on the replication of PCV2 in
      the continuous porcine monocytic cell line 3D4/31. Downregulation of Hsp70 by the
      specific chaperone inhibitor Quercetin or RNA interference and upregulation of
      Hsp70 by expression from a recombinant adenovirus showed that Hsp70 enhanced PCV2
      genome replication and virion production. A specific interaction between Hsp70
      and PCV2 Cap was confirmed by colocalization by confocal microscopy and co
      immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, the NF-kappaB pathway was activated and caspase
      3 activity was reduced when Hsp70 was overexpressed in PCV2-infected 3D4/31
      cells. These data suggested that Hsp70 positively regulated PCV2 replication,
      which being helpful for understanding the molecular mechanism of PCV2 infection. 

PMID- 24210098
TI  - Metadata-driven comparative analysis tool for sequences (meta-CATS): an automated
      process for identifying significant sequence variations that correlate with virus
      attributes.
AB  - The Virus Pathogen Resource (ViPR; www.viprbrc.org) and Influenza Research
      Database (IRD; www.fludb.org) have developed a metadata-driven Comparative
      Analysis Tool for Sequences (meta-CATS), which performs statistical comparative
      analyses of nucleotide and amino acid sequence data to identify correlations
      between sequence variations and virus attributes (metadata). Meta-CATS guides
      users through: selecting a set of nucleotide or protein sequences; dividing them
      into multiple groups based on any associated metadata attribute (e.g. isolation
      location, host species); performing a statistical test at each aligned position;
      and identifying all residues that significantly differ between the groups. As
      proofs of concept, we have used meta-CATS to identify sequence biomarkers
      associated with dengue viruses isolated from different hemispheres, and to
      identify variations in the NS1 protein that are unique to each of the 4 dengue
      serotypes. Meta-CATS is made freely available to virology researchers to identify
      genotype-phenotype correlations for development of improved vaccines,
      diagnostics, and therapeutics. 

PMID- 24210100
TI  - TGF-beta regulation of gene expression at early and late stages of HPV16-mediated
      transformation of human keratinocytes.
AB  - In our in vitro model for HPV16-mediated transformation, HPV16-immortalized human
      keratinocytes (HKc/HPV16) give rise to differentiation resistant, premalignant
      cells (HKc/DR). HKc/DR, but not HKc/HPV16, are resistant to growth inhibition by
      transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), due to a partial loss of TGF-beta
      receptor type I. We show that TGF-beta activates a Smad-responsive reporter
      construct in HKc/DR to about 50% of the maximum levels of activation observed in
      HKc/HPV16. To investigate the functional significance of residual TGF-beta
      signaling in HKc/DR, we compared gene expression profiles elicited by TGF-beta
      treatment of HKc/HPV16 and HKc/DR on Agilent 44k human whole genome microarrays.
      TGF-beta altered the expression of cell cycle and MAP kinase pathway genes in
      HKc/HPV16, but not in HKc/DR. However, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
      responses to TGF-beta were comparable in HKc/HPV16 and HKc/DR, indicating that
      the signaling pathways through which TGF-beta elicits growth inhibition diverge
      from those that induce EMT in HPV16-transformed cells. 

PMID- 24210101
TI  - Adenovirus serotype 11 causes less long-term intraperitoneal inflammation than
      serotype 5: implications for ovarian cancer therapy.
AB  - In a phase II/III clinical trial intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of a group
      C adenovirus vector (Ad5) caused bowel adhesion formation, perforation and
      obstruction. However, we had found that i.p. group B, in contrast to group C
      adenoviruses, did not cause adhesions in nude BALB/c ovarian cancer models,
      prompting further investigation. Ex vivo, group B Ad11 caused lower inflammatory
      responses than Ad5 on BALB/c peritoneal macrophages. In vivo, i.p. Ad11 triggered
      short-term cytokine and cellular responses equal to Ad5 in both human CD46
      positive and -negative mice. In contrast, in a long-term study of repeated i.p.
      administration, Ad11 caused no/mild, whereas Ad5 induced moderate/severe
      adhesions and substantial liver toxicity accompanied by elevated levels of
      IFNgamma and VEGF and loss of i.p. macrophages, regardless of CD46 expression. It
      appears that, although i.p. Ad11 evokes immediate inflammation similar to Ad5,
      repeated administration of Ad11 is better tolerated and long-term fibrotic tissue
      remodelling is reduced. 

PMID- 24210102
TI  - Expression of non-structural-1A binding protein in lung epithelial cells is
      modulated by miRNA-548an on exposure to influenza A virus.
AB  - Understanding the host response to influenza A virus infection is essential for
      developing intervention approaches. We show that infection of human alveolar
      epithelial cells and human bronchial epithelial cells with influenza A for 3h
      resulted in down-regulation of host hsa-miRNA-548an (miRNA-548an) which triggered
      the overexpression of influenza non-structural-1A binding protein (IVNS1ABP,
      herein referred to as NS1ABP). Reduced NS1ABP mRNA and NS1ABP protein expression
      after transfection of miRNA-548an mimic or increased NS1ABP mRNA and NS1ABP
      protein expression after transfection of miRNA-548an inhibitor provided evidence
      that miRNA-548an is involved in the regulation of NS1ABP. Transfection of cells
      with inhibitor led to reduced apoptosis of infected cells while transfection of
      mimic led to increased apoptosis and reduced influenza copy number suggesting
      that NS1ABP has a role in viral maintenance. Thus, miRNA-548an may be an
      important target in controlling the early stage infection of influenza A. 

PMID- 24210103
TI  - Second site reversion of a mutation near the amino terminus of the HIV-1 capsid
      protein.
AB  - During HIV-1 morphogenesis, the precursor Gag protein is processed to release
      capsid (CA) proteins that form the mature virus core. In this process, the CA
      proteins assemble a lattice in which N-terminal domain (NTD) helices 1-3 are
      critical for multimer formation. Mature core assembly requires refolding of the N
      terminus of CA into a beta-hairpin, but the precise contribution of the hairpin
      core morphogenesis is unclear. We found that mutations at isoleucine 15 (I15),
      between the beta-hairpin and NTD helix 1 are incompatible with proper mature core
      assembly. However, a compensatory mutation of histidine 12 in the beta-hairpin to
      a tyrosine was selected by long term passage of an I15 mutant virus in T cells.
      The tyrosine does not interact directly with residue 15, but with NTD helix 3,
      supporting a model in which beta-hairpin folding serves to align helix 3 for
      mature NTD multimerization. 

PMID- 24210104
TI  - Post translational modifications in adenovirus type 2.
AB  - We have combined 2-D SDS-PAGE with liquid chromatography-high resolving mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS) to explore the proteome of the adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) at
      the level of post translational modifications (PTMs). The experimental design
      included in-solution digestion, followed by titanium dioxide enrichment, as well
      as in-gel digestion of polypeptides after separation of Ad2 capsid proteins by 1
      D and 2-D SDS-PAGE. All samples were analyzed using LC-MS with subsequent manual
      verification of PTM positions. The results revealed new phosphorylation sites
      that can explain the observed trains of protein spots observed for the pIII,
      pIIIa and pIV proteins. The pIIIa protein was found to be the most highly
      modified protein with now 18 verified sites of phosphorylation, three sites of
      nitrated tyrosine and one sulfated tyrosine. Nitrated tyrosines were also
      identified in pII. Lysine acetylations were detected in pII and pVI. The findings
      make the Ad2 virion much more complex than hitherto believed. 

PMID- 24210105
TI  - Role of CD25(+) CD4(+) T cells in acute and persistent coronavirus infection of
      the central nervous system.
AB  - The influence of CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) on acute and chronic
      viral infection of the central nervous system (CNS) was examined using a glial
      tropic murine coronavirus. Treg in the CNS were highest during initial T cell
      mediated virus control, decreased and then remained relatively stable during
      persistence. Anti-CD25 treatment did not affect CNS recruitment of inflammatory
      cells. Viral control was initially delayed; however, neither the kinetics of
      viral control nor viral persistence were affected. By contrast, the absence of
      Treg during the acute phase resulted in increased demyelination during viral
      persistence. These data suggest that CNS inflammation, progression of viral
      control and viral persistence are relatively independent of CD25(+)CD4(+) Treg.
      However, their absence during acute infection alters the ability of the host to
      limit tissue damage. 

PMID- 24210106
TI  - The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Citrus tristeza virus forms oligomers.
AB  - The RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp) from Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) were
      tagged with HA and FLAG epitopes. Differentially tagged proteins were expressed
      either individually or concomitantly in Escherichia coli. Immunoprecipitation of
      the expressed proteins with anti-FLAG antibody followed by Western blot with anti
      HA antibody demonstrated that molecules of RdRp from CTV interact to form
      oligomers. Yeast two-hybrid assays showed that molecules of RdRp interact in
      eukaryotic cells. Co-immunoprecipitation with anti-FLAG antibody of truncated HA
      tagged RdRps (RdRpDelta1-166-HA, RdRpDelta1-390-HA, RdRp1-169-HA) co-expressed
      with full-length RdRp-FLAG showed that only RdRp1-169-HA interacted with the full
      length FLAG-RdRp. Yeast two-hybrid assays with truncated RdRp constructs
      confirmed that the oligomerization site resides in the N-terminal region and that
      the first 169 aa of CTV RdRp are necessary and sufficient for oligomerization
      both in bacterial and yeast cells. Development of control strategies targeting
      viral RdRp oligomer formation may inhibit virus replication and prove useful in
      control of CTV. 

PMID- 24210107
TI  - Rice black-streaked dwarf virus P10 induces membranous structures at the ER and
      elicits the unfolded protein response in Nicotiana benthamiana.
AB  - Endoplasmic reticular (ER) membrane modifications play an important role in viral
      RNA replication and virion assembly but little is known about the involvement of
      ER-membrane remodeling in the infection cycle of fijiviruses in plant cells. The
      subcellular localization of Rice black-streaked dwarf virus outer capsid P10 was
      therefore examined using live-cell imaging. P10 fused to eGFP formed vesicular
      structures associated with ER membranes in Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells
      and in rice protoplasts. Subcellular fractionation experiments confirmed that P10
      is an integral membrane protein. Three predicted transmembrane domains and two
      less-well-defined domains were each able to target eGFP to the ER. Disruption of
      the actin cytoskeleton with LatB, indicated that the maintenance of P10-induced
      membrane structures required the intact actin cytoskeleton. P10 induced the
      expression of ER stress marker genes, including ER stress-related chaperones and
      transcription factor, indicating that RBSDV P10 triggers ER stress and the
      unfolded protein response. 

PMID- 24210108
TI  - Persistently adenovirus-infected lymphoid cells express microRNAs derived from
      the viral VAI and especially VAII RNA.
AB  - Human adenovirus can establish latent infections in lymphoid tissues in vivo and
      persistent, infections in cultured lymphoid cell lines. During lytic infection,
      adenovirus expresses microRNAs (miRNAs) derived from the viral non-coding RNAs
      VAI and, especially, VAII. Here, we demonstrate that persistently adenovirus
      infected human BJAB cells also produce adenovirus-derived miRNAs primarily
      derived from the viral VAII RNA, which contributes ~2.7% of all RNA-induced
      silencing complex (RISC)-associated RNAs. However, our data indicate that the 5'
      end of the predominant VAII-derived viral RNA, and hence its seed sequence,
      differs from what has been previously reported. Our data demonstrate that
      adenovirus expresses viral miRNAs in chronically infected lymphoid cells and
      raise the possibility that these may contribute to the maintenance of the
      latently adenovirus-infected lymphoid cells previously observed in mucosal
      associated lymphoid tissues in vivo. 

PMID- 24210109
TI  - The spread of type 2 Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV)
      in North America: a phylogeographic approach.
AB  - The emergence and spread of Type 2 Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
      virus (Type 2 PRRSV) in North America is heavily influenced by the multiple site
      production system used in the hog industry. However, it is unclear how
      anthropogenic factors such has this have shaped the current spatial distribution
      of PRRSV genotypes. We employed Bayesian phylogeographic analyses of 7040 ORF5
      sequences to reveal the recent geographical spread of Type 2 PRRSV in North
      America. The directions and intensities in our inferred virus traffic network
      closely mirror the hog transportation. Most notably, we reveal multiple viral
      introductions from Canada into the United States causing a major shift in virus
      genetic composition in the Midwest USA that went unnoticed by the regular
      surveillance and field epidemiological studies. Overall, these findings provide
      important insights into the dynamics of Type 2 PRRSV evolution and spread that
      will facilitate programs for control and prevention. 

PMID- 24210111
TI  - AAVPG: a vigilant vector where transgene expression is induced by p53.
AB  - Using p53 to drive transgene expression from viral vectors may provide on demand
      expression in response to physiologic stress, such as hypoxia or DNA damage. Here
      we introduce AAVPG, an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector where a p53-responsive
      promoter, termed PG, is used to control transgene expression. In vitro assays
      show that expression from the AAVPG-luc vector was induced specifically in the
      presence of functional p53 (1038+/-202 fold increase, p<0.001). The AAVPG-luc
      vector was an effective biosensor of p53 activation in response to hypoxia
      (4.48+/-0.6 fold increase in the presence of 250uM CoCl2, p<0.001) and
      biomechanical stress (2.53+/-0.4 fold increase with stretching, p<0.05). In vivo,
      the vigilant nature of the AAVPG-luc vector was revealed after treatment of tumor
      bearing mice with doxorubicin (pre-treatment, 3.4*10(5)+/-0.43*10(5)photons/s;
      post-treatment, 6.6*10(5)+/-2.1*10(5)photons/s, p<0.05). These results indicate
      that the AAVPG vector is an interesting option for detecting p53 activity both in
      vitro and in vivo. 

PMID- 24210110
TI  - Gene expression profile regulated by the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein and estradiol in
      cervical tissue.
AB  - The HPV16 E7 oncoprotein and 17beta-estradiol are important factors for the
      induction of premalignant lesions and cervical cancer. The study of these factors
      is crucial for a better understanding of cervical tumorigenesis. Here, we
      assessed the global gene expression profiles induced by the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein
      and/or 17beta-estradiol in cervical tissue of FvB and K14E7 transgenic mice. We
      found that the most dramatic changes in gene expression occurred in K14E7 and FvB
      groups treated with 17beta-estradiol. A large number of differentially expressed
      genes involved in the immune response were observed in 17beta-estradiol treated
      groups. The E7 oncoprotein mainly affected the expression of genes involved in
      cellular metabolism. Our microarray data also identified differentially expressed
      genes that have not previously been reported in cervical cancer. The
      identification of genes regulated by E7 and 17beta-estradiol, provides the basis
      for further studies on their role in cervical carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 24210112
TI  - Characterization of a chimeric foot-and-mouth disease virus bearing a bovine
      rhinitis B virus leader proteinase.
AB  - Bovine rhinitis B virus (BRBV) shares many motifs and sequence similarities with
      foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). This study examined if the BRBV leader
      proteinase (L(pro) ) could functionally replace that of FMDV. A mutant
      A24LBRV3DYR FMDV engineered with the BRBV L(pro) and an antigenic marker in the
      3D polymerase exhibited growth properties and eIF4G cleavage similar to parental
      A24WT virus. The A24LBRV3DYR type I interferon activity in infected bovine cells
      resembled that of A24LL virus that lacks L(pro), but this effect was less
      pronounced for A24LBRV3DYR infected porcine cells. In vivo studies showed that
      the A24LBRV3DYR virus was attenuated in cattle, and exhibited low virulence in
      pigs exposed by direct contact. The mutant virus induced protective immunity in
      cattle against challenge with parental A24WT. These results provide evidence that
      L(pro) of different Aphthoviruses are not fully functionally interchangeable and
      have roles that may depend on the nature of the infected host. 

PMID- 24210113
TI  - Characterizing monkeypox virus specific CD8+ T cell epitopes in rhesus macaques.
AB  - To characterize T cell epitopes in monkeypox virus (MPXV) infected rhesus
      macaques, we utilized IFNgamma Elispot assay to screen 400 predicted peptides
      from 20MPXV proteins. Two peptides from the F8L protein, an analog of E9L protein
      in vaccinia, were found to elicit CD8+ T cell responses. Prediction and in vitro
      MHC binding analyses suggest that one is restricted by Mamu-A1(*)001 and another
      by Mamu-A1(*)002. The Mamu-A1(*)002 epitope is completely identical in all
      reported sequences for variola, vaccinia, cowpox and MPXV. The Mamu-A1(*)001
      epitope is conserved in MPXV and vaccinia, and has one residue substitution
      (V6>I) in some cowpox sequences and all variola sequences. Given CD8+ T-cell
      epitopes from E9L were also identified in humans and mice, our data suggested
      that F8L/E9L may be a dominant pox viral protein for CD8+ T cell responses, and
      may be considered as a target when designing vaccines that target pox-specific T
      cell responses. 

PMID- 24210115
TI  - The baculovirus sulfhydryl oxidase Ac92 (P33) interacts with the Spodoptera
      frugiperda P53 protein and oxidizes it in vitro.
AB  - The Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) sulfhydryl oxidase
      Ac92 is essential for production of infectious virions. Ac92 also interacts with
      human p53 and enhances human p53-induced apoptosis in insect cells, but it is not
      known whether any relationship exists between Ac92 and native p53 homologs from
      insect hosts of AcMNPV. We found that Ac92 interacted with SfP53 from Spodoptera
      frugiperda in infected cells and oxidized SfP53 in vitro. However, Ac92 did not
      interact with or oxidize a mutant of SfP53 predicted to lack DNA binding.
      Silencing Sfp53 expression did not rescue the ability of an ac92-knockout virus
      to produce infectious virus. Similarly, ac92 expression did not affect SfP53
      stimulated caspase activity or the localization of SfP53. Thus, although Ac92
      binds to SfP53 during AcMNPV replication and oxidizes SfP53 in vitro, we could
      not detect any effects of this interaction on AcMNPV replication in cultured
      cells. 

PMID- 24210114
TI  - Dynamic changes in viral population structure and compartmentalization during
      chronic hepatitis C virus infection in children.
AB  - Classic phylogenetic and modern population-based clustering methods were used to
      analyze hepatitis C virus (HCV) evolution in plasma and to assess viral
      compartmentalization within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 6
      children during 3.2-9.6yr of follow-up. Population structure analysis of cloned
      amplicons encompassing hypervariable region 1 led to the distinction of two
      evolutionary patterns, one highly divergent and another one genetically
      homogeneous. Viral adaptability was reflected by co-evolution of viral
      communities switching rapidly from one to another in the context of divergence
      and stability associated with highly homogeneous communities which were replaced
      by new ones after long periods. Additionally, viral compartmentalization of HCV
      in PBMCs was statistically demonstrated, suggesting their role as a pool of
      genetic variability. Our results support the idea of a community-based structure
      of HCV viral populations during chronic infection and highlight a role of the
      PBMC compartment in the persistence of such structure. 

PMID- 24210116
TI  - Coding potential of UL/b' from the initial source of rhesus cytomegalovirus
      Strain 68-1.
AB  - Rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) 68-1 is the prototypic strain of RhCMV that has
      been used for pathogenesis and vaccine development. We determined the complete
      sequence of the RhCMV 68-1 UL/b' region directly from the original urine from
      which RhCMV 68-1 was isolated in 1968, and compared it to other RhCMVs. The
      laboratory passaged RhCMV 68-1 has inversions, deletions, and stop codons in
      UL/b' that are absent in the original isolate and other low passage RhCMV
      isolates. Fourteen of the 17 open reading frames (ORFs) in 68-1 UL/b' in the
      original isolate share >95% amino acid identity with low passage RhCMV. The
      original isolate retains 6 ORFs that encode alpha-chemokine-like proteins,
      including RhUL146 and RhUL146b that share only 92% and 81% amino acid identity,
      respectively, with a contemporary low passage RhCMV isolate. Identification of
      the original RhCMV 68-1 UL/b' sequence is important for using RhCMV 68-1 in
      pathogenesis and vaccine studies. 

PMID- 24210117
TI  - Cascade regulation of vaccinia virus gene expression is modulated by multistage
      promoters.
AB  - Vaccinia virus contains ~200 genes classified temporally as early, intermediate
      or late. We analyzed 53 intermediate promoters to determine whether any have dual
      late promoter activity. Our strategy involved (i) construction of a cell line
      that stably expressed the three late transcription factors, (ii) infection with a
      vaccinia virus mutant that expresses RNA polymerase but neither intermediate nor
      late transcription factors, and (iii) transfection with plasmids containing a
      luciferase reporter regulated by an intermediate promoter. After confirming the
      specificity of the system for late promoters, we found that many intermediate
      promoters had late promoter activity, the strength of which correlated with a
      TAAAT at the initiator site and T-content from positions -12 to -8 of the coding
      strand. In contrast, intermediate promoter activity correlated with the A-content
      from positions -22 to -14. The sequence correlations were confirmed by altering
      the specificities of strict intermediate and late promoters. 

PMID- 24210118
TI  - Capacity of wild-type and chemokine-armed parvovirus H-1PV for inhibiting neo
      angiogenesis.
AB  - Anti-angiogenic therapy has been recognized as a powerful potential strategy for
      impeding the growth of various tumors. However no major therapeutic effects have
      been observed to date, mainly because of the emergence of several resistance
      mechanisms. Among novel strategies to target tumor vasculature, some oncolytic
      viruses open up new prospects. In this context, we addressed the question whether
      the rodent parvovirus H-1PV can target endothelial cells. We show that cultures
      of human normal (HUVEC) and immortalized (KS-IMM) endothelial cells sustain an
      abortive viral cycle upon infection with H-1PV and are sensitive to H-1PV
      cytotoxicity. H-1PV significantly inhibits infected KS-IMM tumor growth. This
      effect may be traced back by the virus ability to both kill proliferating
      endothelial cells and inhibit VEGF production Recombinant H-1PV vectors can also
      transduce tumor cells with chemokines endowed with anti-angiogenesis properties,
      and warrant further validation for the treatment of highly vascularized tumors. 

PMID- 24210119
TI  - Pleiotropic effects of hemagglutinin amino acid substitutions of H5 influenza
      escape mutants.
AB  - In the present study we assessed pleiotropic characteristics of the antibody
      selected mutations. We examined pH optimum of fusion, temperatures of HA heat
      inactivation, and in vitro and in vivo replication kinetics of the previously
      obtained influenza H5 escape mutants. Our results showed that HA1 N142K mutation
      significantly lowered the pH of fusion optimum. Mutations of the escape mutants
      located in the HA lateral loop significantly affected H5 HA thermostability
      (P<0.05). HA changes at positions 131, 144, 145, and 156 and substitutions at
      positions 131, 142, 145, and 156 affected the replicative ability of H5 escape
      mutants in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Overall, a co-variation between
      antigenic specificity and different HA phenotypic properties has been
      demonstrated. We believe that the monitoring of pleiotropic effects of the HA
      mutations found in H5 escape mutants is essential for accurate prediction of
      mutants with pandemic potential. 

PMID- 24210120
TI  - Mitigation of variation observed in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)
      based HIV-1 neutralization assay by donor cell pooling.
AB  - Cultured primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) represent a
      potentially physiologic in vitro model of HIV-1 infection, but assessment of
      antibody-mediated HIV-1 neutralization using PBMC has been hindered by donor
      variability and lack of a sustainable individual PBMC source. To advance this
      model for HIV vaccine evaluation, intra- and inter-assay variability were
      assessed using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and PBMC targets from
      multiple HIV-seronegative donors. Inter-assay variability was introduced by using
      different PBMC for virus propagation, and more substantially, for assay targets.
      Neutralization titers varied by as much as 4 logs when using different individual
      donor PBMC as targets; variability was antibody-specific, with the greatest
      variation observed using an individual polyclonal plasma. Pooling of multiple
      PBMC donors significantly reduced median inter-assay variation to the level of
      intra-assay variation, suggesting a pathway forward for establishing a uniform,
      sustainable and standardized approach to the assessment of antibody function
      using a PBMC model. 

PMID- 24210121
TI  - The product of SPO1 gene 56 inhibits host cell division during infection of
      Bacillus subtilis by bacteriophage SPO1.
AB  - Although cells of Bacillus subtilis continue to grow after being infected by
      bacteriophage SPO1, they do not undergo cell division. The product of SPO1 gene
      56 is necessary and sufficient for this inhibition of cell division. GP56
      inhibits cell division when expressed in uninfected B. subtilis, without
      preventing cell growth, DNA synthesis or chromosome segregation, ultimately
      causing filamentation and loss of viability. During infection, a gene 56 mutation
      prevents the inhibition of cell division that occurs in wild-type infection.
      Under the laboratory conditions used, the gene 56 mutation did not affect burst
      size, latent period, or other components of the host-takeover process. 

PMID- 24210122
TI  - Engineered alphavirus replicon vaccines based on known attenuated viral mutants
      show limited effects on immunogenicity.
AB  - The immunogenicity of alphavirus replicon vaccines is determined by many factors
      including the level of antigen expression and induction of innate immune
      responses. Characterized attenuated alphavirus mutants contain changes to the
      genomic 5' UTR and mutations that result in altered non-structural protein
      cleavage timing leading to altered levels of antigen expression and interferon
      (IFN) induction. In an attempt to create more potent replicon vaccines, we
      engineered a panel of Venezuelan equine encephalitis-Sindbis virus chimeric
      replicons that contained these attenuating mutations. Modified replicons were
      ranked for antigen expression and IFN induction levels in cell culture and then
      evaluated in mice. The results of these studies showed that differences in
      antigen production and IFN induction in vitro did not correlate with large
      changes in immunogenicity in vivo. These findings indicate that the complex
      interactions between innate immune response and the replicon's ability to express
      antigen complicate rational design of more potent alphavirus replicons. 

PMID- 24210123
TI  - Simian adenovirus type 35 has a recombinant genome comprising human and simian
      adenovirus sequences, which predicts its potential emergence as a human
      respiratory pathogen.
AB  - Emergent human and simian adenoviruses (HAdVs) may arise from genome
      recombination. Computational analysis of SAdV type 35 reveals a genome comprising
      a chassis with elements mostly from two simian adenoviruses, SAdV-B21 and -B27,
      and regions of high sequence similarity shared with HAdV-B21 and HAdV-B16.
      Although recombination direction cannot be determined, the presence of these
      regions suggests prior infections of humans by an ancestor of SAdV-B35, and/or
      vice versa. Absence of this virus in humans may reflect non-optimal conditions
      for zoonosis or incomplete typing, e.g., limited epitope-based. The presence of
      both a critical viral replication element found in HAdV genomes and genes that
      are highly similar to ones in HAdVs suggest the potential to establish in a human
      host. This allows a prediction that this virus may be a nascent human respiratory
      pathogen. The recombination potential of human and simian adenovirus genomes
      should be considered in the use of SAdVs as vectors for gene delivery in humans. 

PMID- 24210125
TI  - Regulatory role of ASK1 in porcine circovirus type 2-induced apoptosis.
AB  - Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), a major causative agent of postweaning
      multisystemic wasting syndrome which is an emerging and important swine disease,
      can induce apoptotic responses in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular
      mechanism of PCV2-induced apoptosis is not well understood. Apoptosis signal
      regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), serves as an upstream enzyme that activates the JNK
      and p38 MAPK pathways, has been shown to play a target role in the regulation of
      apoptosis. Here, we showed that PCV2 infection induced ASK1 phosphorylation which
      preceded activation of JNK1/2 and p38 signaling in the cultured cells, and that
      the phosphatidylinostol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling triggered by PCV2 infection
      limited the extent of JNK1/2 and p38 activation and thereby apoptotic cell death.
      Furthermore, inhibition of JNK and p38 activation is associated with PI3K
      dependent negative-regulation of ASK1 in the PCV2-infected cells. These results
      indicate an important regulatory role of ASK1 in PCV2-induced apoptotic
      responses. 

PMID- 24210124
TI  - Immune targeting of PD-1(hi) expressing cells during and after antiretroviral
      therapy in SIV-infected rhesus macaques.
AB  - High-level T cell expression of PD-1 during SIV infection is correlated with
      impaired proliferation and function. We evaluated the phenotype and distribution
      of T cells and Tregs during antiretroviral therapy plus PD-1 modulation (using a
      B7-DC-Ig fusion protein) and post-ART. Chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques
      received: 11 weeks of ART (Group A); 11 weeks of ART plus B7-DC-Ig (Group B); 11
      weeks of ART plus B7-DC-Ig, then 12 weeks of B7-DC-Ig alone (Group C). Continuous
      B7-DC-Ig treatment (Group C) decreased rebound viremia post-ART compared to pre
      ART levels, associated with decreased PD-1(hi) expressing T cells and Tregs in
      PBMCs, and PD-1(hi) Tregs in lymph nodes. It transiently decreased expression of
      Ki67 and alpha4beta7 in PBMC CD4(+) and CD8(+) Tregs for up to 8 weeks post-ART
      and maintained Ag-specific T-cell responses at low levels. Continued immune
      modulation targeting PD-1(hi) cells during and post-ART helps maintain lower
      viremia, keeps a favorable T cell/Treg repertoire and modulates antigen-specific
      responses. 

PMID- 24210126
TI  - A putative Rab-GTPase activation protein from Nicotiana benthamiana is important
      for Bamboo mosaic virus intercellular movement.
AB  - The cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism technique was applied to isolate
      the differentially expressed genes during Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) infection on
      Nicotiana benthamiana plants. One of the upregulated genes was cloned and
      predicted to contain a TBC domain designated as NbRabGAP1 (Rab GTPase activation
      protein 1). No significant difference was observed in BaMV accumulation in the
      NbRabGAP1-knockdown and the control protoplasts. However, BaMV accumulation was
      50% and 2% in the inoculated and systemic leaves, respectively, of the knockdown
      plants to those of the control plants. By measuring the spreading area of BaMV
      infection foci in the inoculated leaves, we found that BaMV moved less
      efficiently in the NbRabGAP1-knockdown plants than in the control plants.
      Transient expression of the wild type NbRabGAP1 significantly increases BaMV
      accumulation in N. benthamiana. These results suggest that NbRabGAP1 with a
      functional Rab-GAP activity is involved in virus movement. 

PMID- 24210127
TI  - Diversity of human papillomaviruses in skin lesions.
AB  - Pools of frozen biopsies from patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n=29)
      actinic keratosis (AK) (n=31), keratoacanthoma (n=91) and swab samples from 84
      SCCs and 91 AKs were analysed with an extended HPV general primer PCR and high
      throughput sequencing of amplimers. We found 273 different HPV isolates (87 known
      HPV types, 139 previously known HPV sequences (putative types) and 47 sequences
      from novel putative HPV types). Among the new sequences, five clustered in genus
      Betapapillomavirus and 42 in genus Gammapapillomavirus. Resequencing of the three
      pools between 21 to 70 times resulted in the detection of 283 different known or
      putative HPV types, with 156 different sequences found in only one of the pools.
      Type-specific PCRs for 37 putative types from an additional 296 patients found
      only two of these putative types. In conclusion, skin lesions contain a large
      diversity of HPV types, but most appeared to be rare infections. 

PMID- 24210128
TI  - Retargeting of gene expression using endothelium specific hexon modified
      adenoviral vector.
AB  - Adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vectors are well suited for gene therapy. However,
      tissue-selective transduction by systemically administered Ad5-based vectors is
      confounded by viral particle sequestration in the liver. Hexon-modified Ad5
      expressing reporter gene under transcriptional control by the immediate/early
      cytomegalovirus (CMV) or the Roundabout 4 receptor (Robo4) enhancer/promoter was
      characterized by growth in cell culture, stability in vitro, gene transfer in the
      presence of human coagulation factor X, and biodistribution in mice. The obtained
      data demonstrate the utility of the Robo4 promoter in an Ad5 vector context.
      Substitution of the hypervariable region 7 (HVR7) of the Ad5 hexon with HVR7 from
      Ad serotype 3 resulted in decreased liver tropism and dramatically altered
      biodistribution of gene expression. The results of these studies suggest that the
      combination of liver detargeting using a genetic modification of hexon with an
      endothelium-specific transcriptional control element produces an additive effect
      in the improvement of Ad5 biodistribution. 

PMID- 24210131
TI  - Exposure to pyrethroids insecticides and serum levels of thyroid-related measures
      in pregnant women.
AB  - Possible association between environmental exposure to pyrethroid insecticides
      and serum thyroid-related measures was explored in 231 pregnant women of 10-12
      gestational weeks recruited at a university hospital in Tokyo during 2009-2011.
      Serum levels of free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and
      thyroid biding globulin (TBG) and urinary pyrethroid insecticide metabolite (3
      phenoxybenzoic acid, 3-PBA) were measured. Obstetrical information was obtained
      from medical records and dietary and lifestyle information was collected by self
      administered questionnaire. Geometric mean concentration of creatinine-adjusted
      urinary 3-PBA was 0.363 (geometric standard deviation: 3.06) MUg/g cre, which was
      consistent with the previously reported levels for non-exposed Japanese adult
      females. The range of serum fT4, TSH and TBG level was 0.83-3.41 ng/dL, 0.01-27.4
      MUIU/mL and 16.4-54.4 MUg/mL, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was
      carried out by using either one of serum levels of thyroid-related measures as a
      dependent variable and urinary 3-PBA as well as other potential covariates (age,
      pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, urinary iodine, smoking and drinking status) as
      independent variables: 3-PBA was not found as a significant predictor of serum
      level of thyroid-related measures. Lack of association may be due to lower
      pyrethroid insecticide exposure level of the present subjects. Taking the ability
      of pyrethroid insecticides and their metabolite to bind to nuclear thyroid
      hormone (TH) receptor, as well as their ability of placental transfer, into
      consideration, it is warranted to investigate if pyrethroid pesticides do not
      have any effect on TH actions in fetus brain even though maternal circulating TH
      level is not affected.

PMID- 24210132
TI  - The genomics generation: heroes vs villains?

PMID- 24210133
TI  - It takes two: a brief report examining mutual support between parents and teens
      learning to drive.
AB  - Parental supervision of teen drivers has been identified as a way to mitigate
      teen crash risk. However, we know little about what motivates parents to be
      engaged supervisors throughout all phases of the learning-to-drive process. As a
      result, we are just beginning to understand what factors might motivate parents
      to actively supervise pre-license practice. In the current study, we examine how
      the provision of social support between parent and teen dyads might relate to
      parents' intention to remain engaged supervisors for the entire learner phase.
      Participants were a national sample of 309 teens with learner permits (age range
      15-17 years, M (SD) 16.1 (0.8)) and a parent practice supervisor in the United
      States. Results indicated that parents in mutually supportive dyads reported
      stronger intentions to be engaged in their teens' practice driving over the
      course of the permit phase as compared to dyads where both members reported
      receiving low support: (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]:
      2.02 [1.04, 3.94]; p=0.038). No benefit was observed for only having one member
      of the dyad provide support, irrespective of it being the parent or the teen.
      Future research on this topic should consider reciprocal parent-teen interactions
      as potential determinates of parent driving supervision behaviors. 

PMID- 24210134
TI  - More than a decade of debates in the preeclampsia (island) workshops: a
      (personally biased) evolutionary perspective.
AB  - In this short remembrance paper, I survey (what I believe are) key events in the
      evolution of the concepts of preeclampsia from the first workshop in 1998 to the
      2012 one, and from Tahiti to Reunion island, via Mauritius and Tioman Island. 

PMID- 24210135
TI  - New insights into the role of perinatal HPA-axis dysregulation in postpartum
      depression.
AB  - Postpartum depression affects 10-20% of women following birth and exerts
      persisting adverse consequences on both mother and child. An incomplete
      understanding of its etiology constitutes a barrier to early identification and
      treatment. It is likely that prenatal hormone trajectories represent both markers
      of risk and also causal factors in the development of postpartum depression.
      During pregnancy the maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis undergoes
      dramatic alterations, due in large part, to the introduction of the placenta, a
      transient endocrine organ of fetal origin. We suggest that prenatal placental and
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation is predictive of risk for
      postpartum depression. In this model the positive feedback loop involving the
      systems regulating the products of the HPA axis results in higher prenatal levels
      of cortisol and placental corticotropin-releasing hormone. Greater elevations in
      placental corticotropin-releasing hormone are related to a disturbance in the
      sensitivity of the anterior pituitary to cortisol and also perhaps to decreased
      central corticotropin-releasing hormone secretion. Secondary or tertiary adrenal
      insufficiencies of a more extreme nature, which emerge during the prenatal
      period, may be predictive of an extended or more pronounced postpartum
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal refractory period, which in turn represents a risk
      factor for development of postpartum depression. In addition to reviewing the
      relevant existing literature, new data are presented in support of this model
      which link elevated placental corticotropin-releasing hormone with low levels of
      ACTH at 3-months postpartum. Future research will further elucidate the role of
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation in postpartum depression and
      also whether prenatal placental and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal profiles might
      prove useful in the early identification of mothers at risk for postpartum mood
      dysregulation. 

PMID- 24210137
TI  - Neuropeptides in learning and memory.
AB  - Dementia conditions and memory deficits of different origins (vascular, metabolic
      and primary neurodegenerative such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) are
      getting more common and greater clinical problems recently in the aging
      population. Since the presently available cognitive enhancers have very limited
      therapeutical applications, there is an emerging need to elucidate the complex
      pathophysiological mechanisms, identify key mediators and novel targets for
      future drug development. Neuropeptides are widely distributed in brain regions
      responsible for learning and memory processes with special emphasis on the
      hippocampus, amygdala and the basal forebrain. They form networks with each
      other, and also have complex interactions with the cholinergic, glutamatergic,
      dopaminergic and GABA-ergic pathways. This review summarizes the extensive
      experimental data in the well-established rat and mouse models, as well as the
      few clinical results regarding the expression and the roles of the tachykinin
      system, somatostatin and the closely related cortistatin, vasoactive intestinal
      polypeptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP),
      calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), opioid peptides and
      galanin. Furthermore, the main receptorial targets, mechanisms and interactions
      are described in order to highlight the possible therapeutical potentials. Agents
      not only symptomatically improving the functional impairments, but also
      inhibiting the progression of the neurodegenerative processes would be
      breakthroughs in this area. The most promising mechanisms determined at the level
      of exploratory investigations in animal models of cognitive disfunctions are
      somatostatin sst4, NPY Y2, PACAP-VIP VPAC1, tachykinin NK3 and galanin GALR2
      receptor agonisms, as well as delta opioid receptor antagonism. Potent and
      selective non-peptide ligands with good CNS penetration are needed for further
      characterization of these molecular pathways to complete the preclinical studies
      and decide if any of the above described targets could be appropriate for
      clinical investigations. 

PMID- 24210138
TI  - Role of neuropeptides in anxiety, stress, and depression: from animals to humans.
AB  - Major depression, with its strikingly high prevalence, is the most common cause
      of disability in communities of Western type, according to data of the World
      Health Organization. Stress-related mood disorders, besides their deleterious
      effects on the patient itself, also challenge the healthcare systems with their
      great social and economic impact. Our knowledge on the neurobiology of these
      conditions is less than sufficient as exemplified by the high proportion of
      patients who do not respond to currently available medications targeting
      monoaminergic systems. The search for new therapeutical strategies became
      therefore a "hot topic" in neuroscience, and there is a large body of evidence
      suggesting that brain neuropeptides not only participate is stress physiology,
      but they may also have clinical relevance. Based on data obtained in animal
      studies, neuropeptides and their receptors might be targeted by new candidate
      neuropharmacons with the hope that they will become important and effective tools
      in the management of stress related mood disorders. In this review, we attempt to
      summarize the latest evidence obtained using animal models for mood disorders,
      genetically modified rodent models for anxiety and depression, and we will pay
      some attention to previously published clinical data on corticotropin releasing
      factor, urocortin 1, urocortin 2, urocortin 3, arginine-vasopressin, neuropeptide
      Y, pituitary adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide, neuropeptide S, oxytocin,
      substance P and galanin fields of stress research. 

PMID- 24210136
TI  - CGRP and migraine: could PACAP play a role too?
AB  - Migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder that affects about 12% of the
      population. In the past decade, the role of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene
      related peptide (CGRP) in migraine has been firmly established by clinical
      studies. CGRP administration can trigger migraines, and CGRP receptor antagonists
      ameliorate migraine. In this review, we will describe multifunctional activities
      of CGRP that could potentially contribute to migraine. These include roles in
      light aversion, neurogenic inflammation, peripheral and central sensitization of
      nociceptive pathways, cortical spreading depression, and regulation of nitric
      oxide production. Yet clearly there will be many other contributing genes that
      could act in concert with CGRP. One candidate is pituitary adenylate cyclase
      activating peptide (PACAP), which shares some of the same actions as CGRP,
      including the ability to induce migraine in migraineurs and light aversive
      behavior in rodents. Interestingly, both CGRP and PACAP act on receptors that
      share an accessory subunit called receptor activity modifying protein-1 (RAMP1).
      Thus, comparisons between the actions of these two migraine-inducing
      neuropeptides, CGRP and PACAP, may provide new insights into migraine
      pathophysiology. 

PMID- 24210139
TI  - Microtubule-stabilizing peptides and small molecules protecting axonal transport
      and brain function: focus on davunetide (NAP).
AB  - This review focuses on the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of NAP
      (davunetide), an eight amino acid snippet derived from activity-dependent
      neuroprotective protein (ADNP) which was discovered in our laboratory. We have
      recently described the effects of NAP in neurodegenerative disorders, and we now
      review the beneficial effects of NAP and other microtubule-stabilizing agents on
      impairments in axonal transport. Experiments in animal models of microtubule
      deficiency including tauopathy (spanning from drosophila to mammals) showed
      protection of axonal transport by microtubule-stabilizers and NAP, which was
      coupled to motor and cognitive protection. Clinical trials with NAP (davunetide)
      are reviewed paving the path to future developments. 

PMID- 24210140
TI  - Polymorphic variation as a driver of differential neuropeptide gene expression.
AB  - The regulation of neuropeptide gene expression and their receptors in a tissue
      specific and stimulus inducible manner will determine in part behaviour and
      physiology. This can be a dynamic process resulting from short term changes in
      response to the environment or long term modulation imposed by epigenetically
      determined mechanisms established during life experiences. The latter underpins
      what is termed 'nature and nurture, or 'gene*environment interactions'. Dynamic
      gene expression of neuropeptides or their receptors is a key component of
      signalling in the CNS and their inappropriate regulation is therefore a predicted
      target underpinning psychiatric disorders and neuropathological processes.
      Finding the regulatory domains within our genome which have the potential to
      direct gene expression is a difficult challenge as 98% of our genome is non
      coding and, with the exception of proximal promoter regions, such elements can be
      quite distant from the gene that they regulate. This review will deal with how we
      can find such domains by addressing both the most conserved non-exonic regions in
      the genome using comparative genomics and the most recent or constantly evolving
      DNA such as repetitive DNA or retrotransposons. We shall also explore how
      polymorphic changes in such domains can be associated with CNS disorders by
      altering the appropriate gene expression patterns which maintain normal
      physiology. 

PMID- 24210141
TI  - Neuropeptides in epilepsy.
AB  - Neuropeptides play an important role in modulating seizures and epilepsy. Unlike
      neurotransmitters which operate on a millisecond time-scale, neuropeptides have
      longer half lives; this leads to modulation of neuronal and network activity over
      prolonged periods, so contributing to setting the seizure threshold. Most
      neuropeptides are stored in large dense vesicles and co-localize with inhibitory
      interneurons. They are released upon high frequency stimulation making them
      attractive targets for modulation of seizures, during which high frequency
      discharges occur. Numerous neuropeptides have been implicated in epilepsy; one,
      ACTH, is already used in clinical practice to suppress seizures. Here, we
      concentrate on neuropeptides that have a direct effect on seizures, and for which
      therapeutic interventions are being developed. We have thus reviewed the abundant
      reports that support a role for neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin, ghrelin,
      somatostatin and dynorphin in suppressing seizures and epileptogenesis, and for
      tachykinins having pro-epileptic effects. Most in vitro and in vivo studies are
      performed in hippocampal tissue in which receptor expression is usually high,
      making translation to other brain areas less clear. We highlight recent
      therapeutic strategies to treat epilepsy with neuropeptides, which are based on
      viral vector technology, and outline how such interventions need to be refined in
      order to address human disease. 

PMID- 24210143
TI  - Comparison of whole-body MRI and skeletal scintigraphy for detection of bone
      metastatic tumors: a meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: We performed a meta-analysis to investigate and compare diagnostic
      performance of whole-body MRI and skeletal scintigraphy for detection of bone
      metastatic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched for
      relevant articles. We calculated sensitivities, specificities, diagnostic odds
      ratios (DOR), positive likelihood ratios (PLR), negative likelihood ratios (NLR),
      and constructed summary receiver operating characteristic curves using bivariate
      models for whole-body MRI and skeletal scintigraphy, respectively. RESULTS:
      Across 7 studies (332 patients), whole-body MRI have similar patient-based
      sensitivity (0.84 vs 0.83), specificity (0.96 vs 0.94), DOR (137.0 vs 70.2), PLR
      (23.3 vs 13.0) and NLR (0.17 vs 0.19) with skeletal scintigraphy. Area under
      curves for whole-body MRI and skeletal scintigraphy was 0.94 and 0.89,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Both whole-body MRI and skeletal scintigraphy have good
      diagnostic performance for detecting bone metastatic tumors. It remains
      inconclusive whether whole-body MRI or bone scintigraphy is superior in detecting
      bone metastatic tumors.

PMID- 24210144
TI  - Secretome of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in regenerative medicine.

PMID- 24210142
TI  - Non-viral DNA delivery from porous hyaluronic acid hydrogels in mice.
AB  - The lack of vascularization within tissue-engineered constructs remains the
      primary cause of construct failure following implantation. Porous constructs have
      been successful in allowing for vessel infiltration without requiring extensive
      matrix degradation. We hypothesized that the rate and maturity of infiltrating
      vessels could be enhanced by complementing the open pore structure with the added
      delivery of DNA encoding for angiogenic growth factors. Both 100 and 60 MUm
      porous and non-porous hyaluronic acid hydrogels loaded with pro-angiogenic
      (pVEGF) or reporter (pGFPluc) plasmid nanoparticles were used to study the
      effects of pore size and DNA delivery on angiogenesis in a mouse subcutaneous
      implant model. GFP-expressing transfected cells were found inside all control
      hydrogels over the course of the study, although transfection levels peaked by
      week 3 for 100 and 60 MUm porous hydrogels. Transfection in non-porous hydrogels
      continued to increase over time corresponding with continued surface degradation.
      pVEGF transfection levels were not high enough to enhance angiogenesis by
      increasing vessel density, maturity, or size, although by 6 weeks for all pore
      size hydrogels more hydrogel implants were positive for vascularization when
      pVEGF polyplexes were incorporated compared to control hydrogels. Pore size was
      found to be the dominant factor in determining the angiogenic response with 60
      MUm porous hydrogels having more vessels/area present than 100 MUm porous
      hydrogels at the initial onset of angiogenesis at 3 weeks. The results of this
      study show promise for the use of polyplex loaded porous hydrogels to transfect
      infiltrating cells in vivo and guide tissue regeneration and repair.

PMID- 24210145
TI  - Specialization and the current practices of general surgeons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The impact of specialization on the practice of general surgery has
      not been characterized. Our goal was to assess general surgeons' operative
      practices to inform surgical education and workforce planning. STUDY DESIGN: We
      examined the practices of general surgeons identified in the 2008 State Inpatient
      and Ambulatory Surgery Databases of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project
      for 3 US states. Operations were identified using ICD-9 and CPT codes linked to
      encrypted physician identifiers. For each surgeon, total operative volume and
      percentage of practice that made up their most common operation were calculated.
      Correlation was measured between general surgeons' case volume and the number of
      other specialists in a health service area. RESULTS: There were 1,075 general
      surgeons who performed 240,510 operations in 2008. The mean operative volume for
      each surgeon was 224 annual procedures. General surgeons performed an average of
      23 different types of operations. For the majority of general surgeons, their
      most common procedure constituted no more than 30% of total practice. The most
      common operations, ranked by the frequency they appeared as general surgeons' top
      procedure, included cholecystectomy, colonoscopy, endoscopy, and skin excision.
      The proportion of general surgery practice composed of endoscopic procedures
      inversely correlated with the number of gastroenterologists in the health service
      area (rho = -0.50; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Despite trends toward specialization,
      the current practices of general surgeons remain heterogeneous. This indicates a
      continued demand for broad-based surgical education to allow future surgeons to
      tailor their practices to their environment.

PMID- 24210146
TI  - In situ hypothermic perfusion with retrograde outflow during right
      hemihepatectomy: first experiences with a new technique.

PMID- 24210147
TI  - Cost effectiveness of mesh prophylaxis to prevent parastomal hernia in patients
      undergoing permanent colostomy for rectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parastomal hernia (PSH) is common after stoma formation. Studies have
      reported that mesh prophylaxis reduces PSH, but there are no cost-effectiveness
      data. Our objective was to determine the cost effectiveness of mesh prophylaxis
      vs no prophylaxis to prevent PSH in patients undergoing abdominoperineal
      resection with permanent colostomy for rectal cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Using a
      cohort Markov model, we modeled the costs and effectiveness of mesh prophylaxis
      vs no prophylaxis at the index operation in a cohort of 60-year-old patients
      undergoing abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer during a time horizon of
      5 years. Costs were expressed in 2012 Canadian dollars (CAD$) and effectiveness
      in quality-adjusted life years. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity
      analyses were performed. RESULTS: In patients with stage I to III rectal cancer,
      prophylactic mesh was dominant (less costly and more effective) compared with no
      mesh. In patients with stage IV disease, mesh prophylaxis was associated with
      higher cost (CAD$495 more) and minimally increased effectiveness (0.05 additional
      quality-adjusted life years), resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness
      ratio of CAD$10,818 per quality-adjusted life year. On sensitivity analyses, the
      decision was sensitive to the probability of mesh infection and the cost of the
      mesh, and method of diagnosing PSH. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing
      abdominoperineal resection with permanent colostomy for rectal cancer, mesh
      prophylaxis might be the less costly and more effective strategy compared with no
      mesh to prevent PSH in patients with stage I to III disease, and might be cost
      effective in patients with stage IV disease.

PMID- 24210148
TI  - Operative report teaching and synoptic operative reports: a national survey of
      surgical program directors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although operative report documentation (ORD) is an essential skill
      for surgeons and is evolving with electronic health records (EHRs), little is
      known about current ORD teaching in surgical training. STUDY DESIGN: An
      electronic survey was sent out in January 2012 to all 1,096 ACGME surgical
      program directors that assessed characteristics of training programs, EHR
      adoption, ORD education, synoptic or templated report usage for ORD, and
      attitudes and opinions about ORD education and electronic tools for ORD. Content
      thematic analysis of qualitative responses was performed iteratively until
      reaching saturation. RESULTS: Overall, 441 program directors (40%; 17.9 +/- 8.8
      years in practice) responded from university-affiliated (383 [87%]),
      community/private (44 [10%]), and military (14 [3%]) programs. Although most (n =
      295 [67%]) consider ORD teaching a priority, only 76 (17%) programs provide ORD
      instruction. Program directors formally trained in ORD were more likely to offer
      ORD instruction (61% vs 11%; p < 0.0001), as were obstetrics/gynecology programs
      (obstetrics/gynecology 35% vs surgery 18%, neurosurgery 16%, ophthalmology 14%,
      orthopaedics 14%; p < 0.05 each). Although EHR adoption and electronically
      available operative reports were common (91%), besides ophthalmology (31%) and
      obstetrics/gynecology (30%) programs, ORD with synoptic reporting was used in
      only 18% of programs overall. Program directors perceived major barriers to ORD
      instruction and synoptic reporting for ORD. CONCLUSIONS: Although most program
      directors consider ORD teaching an educational priority, incongruence exists
      between its perceived value and its adoption into surgical training. Operative
      report documentation with synoptic reporting is currently not common in most
      surgical subspecialties.

PMID- 24210149
TI  - Reduced postoperative chronic pain after tension-free inguinal hernia repair
      using absorbable sutures: a single-blind randomized clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair occurs in 16% to 62% of
      patients. The underlying mechanism probably involves sensory nerve damage and
      abnormal healing that might be influenced by the materials chosen for the
      procedure. We hypothesize that nonabsorbable sutures used for mesh fixation to
      the surrounding tissues are associated with higher rates of chronic groin pain
      after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a single-blind randomized clinical
      trial to compare the effect of absorbable braided sutures (Vycril; Ethicon) and
      nonabsorbable monofilament sutures (Prolene; Ethicon) used in inguinal hernia
      repair on the rate of chronic pain. We assessed chronic pain using a 4-point
      verbal-rank scale during a 1-year postoperative follow-up period. RESULTS: Study
      groups included 100 patients in each group. No age, sex, or hernia-side
      differences were observed between the study groups. Chronic pain rate after
      surgery was higher in the nonabsorbable monofilament suture group compared with
      the absorbable braided suture group (37 vs 26 patients; p = 0.056). Time to pain
      disappearance was longer in the nonabsorbable monofilament suture vs the
      absorbable braided suture group (115.3 days; 95% CI, 88-142.7 vs 77.4 days; 95%
      CI, 54.3-100.3; p = 0.038, respectively). A 1-year age increment reduces the risk
      for chronic pain occurrence by 2.2% (odds ratio = 0.978%; 95% CI, 0.961-0.995; p
      = 0.013). The use of nonabsorbable sutures increases the risk for chronic pain in
      94.9% compared with absorbable sutures (odds ratio = 1.949; 95% CI, 1.039-3.658;
      p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Nonabsorbable suture use in inguinal hernia repair is
      associated with a higher rate of chronic pain and a longer time to pain
      disappearance as compared with absorbable sutures.

PMID- 24210150
TI  - [Focus on mediastinal Castleman disease].
AB  - Castleman disease is a rare lymph nodes disease whose name covers different
      clinical presentations. The most frequent histology is the hyaline vascular
      localized form. In this case, Castleman disease occurs in young adults, and is
      localized to the mediastinum in one third of the cases. The disease is often
      asymptomatic, but paraneoplasic pemphigus has been described. The management of
      this form of Castleman disease is based on complete surgical resection.
      Perioperative immunomodulating treatments may be discussed in case of
      paraneoplasic pemphigus, mostly when affecting the bronchial tree. 

PMID- 24210151
TI  - [Spontaneous bilateral chylothorax revealing a mediastinal and abdominal lymph
      node tuberculosis].
AB  - Spontaneous chylothorax is a rare condition, lymph node tuberculosis is an
      exceptional etiology of chylothorax, we report an exceptional case of a patient
      with mediastinal and abdominal lymph node tuberculosis presenting with
      spontaneous bilateral chylothorax treated successfully by symptomatic medical
      treatment and antibacillary. 

PMID- 24210152
TI  - [Role of pulmonary resections in management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
      A monocentric series of 29 patients].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a worldwide health
      problem. Surgery is often used as an adjuvent therapy with anti-tuberculosis
      agents. The aim of this study is to present our results of pulmonary resections
      in the treatment of MDR-TB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] This is a
      retrospective monocentric study of 29 patients operated on between 1995 and 2010
      for MDR-TB. RESULTS: Tuberculosis was evolving from 9 to 108 months with a median
      of 34.77+/-19.88 months. The average number of tuberculosis relapses was 2.73 per
      patient. All patients had a destroyed and/or cavitary parenchyma and 17 had
      bacilli in sputum at the time of surgery. Lobectomy (51.17%) and pneumonectomy
      (41.37%) were the main interventions carried out. The operative mortality was
      3.44%. Complications such prolonged air leaking and empyema had occurred in 9
      patients. The rate of postoperative microbiological conversion was 88.23%. One
      patient had a relapse 5 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgery associated with
      medical treatment provides a high cure rate to the detriment of an acceptable
      morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 24210153
TI  - [First epidemiologic data on pneumonia in Cambodia].
AB  - About 15% of deaths in adults are related to lung infections in Cambodia. Some
      knowledge on microbial epidemiology is crucial for deciding first-line antibiotic
      treatment. However, to date, these data are not available in Cambodia.
      Consequently, antibiotic prescription relies on French or neighborhood's
      countries guidelines, which are possibly not suitable. This cases-series aimed to
      provide data on microbial ecology in pneumonia. Medical charts of patients newly
      admitted for lung infection in the pulmonology unit of Preah Kossamak Hospital
      were retrospectively reviewed. Ninety-four patients were included and 29% had a
      complete microbiological diagnosis. Main germs isolated were: Gram-negative
      bacilli (n=20; 70.4%) and M. tuberculosis infections (n=7; 25.9%). There was one
      case of myeloidosis. No S. pneumonia was isolated, possibly due to sample
      shipping tropical conditions. Antibiograms showed high resistance profiles.
      Although this study bring new data in the field, it also showed that European
      guidelines for antibiotic are not relevant in such countries and stress the need
      for further dedicated and prospective studies. 

PMID- 24210154
TI  - [Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome. A case report].

PMID- 24210155
TI  - [Pleural lymphatics and pleural diseases related to fibres].
AB  - It is now well established that some pleural diseases, pleural plaques and
      malignant mesothelioma are related to asbestos fibre exposure although the
      mechanism of action of asbestos fibres is not fully understood. The development
      of artificial mineral fibres and carbon nanotubes, which share some morphological
      characteristics similar to asbestos fibres, is a present concern in the context
      of pleural diseases. Pleural plaques develop only in the parietal pleura, and in
      the 1990s, clinical observations have shown that the early development of
      mesothelioma also occurred on the parietal pleura. The peculiarity of the
      parietal pleura in contrast to the visceral pleura is the presence of "stomas"
      which are communication holes between the pleural cavity and the parietal pleura
      lymphatics. Morphological observations by thoracoscopy and experimental studies
      have shown that inhaled fibres translocate to the pleural space and, in human,
      are present in the parietal pleura at specific anthracotic areas (blackspots).
      Fibres accumulate on the stomas, up to block and locally induce an inflammatory
      reaction with cytokines release, that can be the bed of mesothelioma. However,
      despite the experimental data and observations in human pathology, the mechanisms
      of fibre translocation into the pleura is not yet clearly established. 

PMID- 24210156
TI  - [Catamenial pneumothorax: easy to see, difficult to manage].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Catamenial pneumothorax (PNO) is a real clinical occurrence.
      Several cases are reported in the literature as a spontaneous PNO occurring
      during the catamenial period among women in their thirties. There is no consensus
      about management and the recurrence rate is very high whatever the initial
      treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 310 cases of spontaneous PNO operated in
      our institution in 10 years, we identified five cases of catamenial PNO. A
      retrospective study of these cases was used to study the initial operating data,
      including the existence of intrathoracic lesions and the choice of technique of
      pleurodesis. Patient follow-up was clinically and radiologically. Adjuvant
      hormonal therapies, recurrence of PNO and treatment modalities have been studied.
      RESULTS: These five patients of average age 37.6 years (37,38) who had 2.6 (2.3)
      episodes of right catamenial PNO before hospitalization in surgery department. No
      patient was smoker. Two of them had a known thoracic or pelvic endometriosis. The
      initial surgery was video assisted thoracic surgery with a parietal pleurectomy
      and twice a mesh upon the diaphragm. There were no immediate postoperative
      complications, and the average length of stay was 6.6 days (5.9). Two patients
      had adjuvant hormonal therapy. All patients had at least one recurrence and three
      of them had redo surgery. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of catamenial PNO must be
      mentioned in any woman who has a spontaneous pneumothorax right in catamenial
      period. Endometriosis should be systematically sought. A standardized therapeutic
      approach to establish the role of surgery and the most appropriate technique as
      well as the appropriateness and duration of peroperative hormonal therapy remains
      to be defined.

PMID- 24210157
TI  - [Cryptococcal infection and sarcoidosis: a coincidence?].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We report a case of cryptococcal infection that underwent in a
      patient with a medical history of asymptomatic sarcoidosis. This finding seems to
      be not incidental. CASE REPORT: A 35-years-old female was referred to hospital
      for a community-acquired pneumonia with pleural involvement. A physical
      examination showed a pleural syndrome. Chest imaging showed a parenchymal
      involvement with pleural effusion and numerous mediastinal nodes. Fiberoptic
      bronchoscopy revealed an obstruction of the right apical bronchus of the lower
      lobe. Biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed a cryptococcal infection. The
      disease was considered as disseminated with a urinary and neurologic involvement.
      The outcome was fair under prolonged antifungal therapy. CONCLUSIONS:
      Cryptococcal infection is generally associated with immunosuppression. We suggest
      that sarcoidosis, although non symptomatic, may be a condition that promote the
      onset of cryptococcal infection. Even rare, cryptococcal infection is the most
      frequent opportunistic infection recorded with sarcoidosis patients. Histologic
      similarities between sarcoidosis and cryptococcal infection and the role of the
      macrophages which phagocyte the Cryptococcus neoformans are one of the hypothesis
      to assess these pathologic findings. A register is warranted to recover all
      opportunistic infection related to sarcoidosis in order to better understand the
      pathogeny.

PMID- 24210158
TI  - [Interest of collapse therapy in pulmonary extensively drug-resistant
      tuberculosis].
AB  - Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis is rare in France. Treatment of XDR
      tuberculosis is difficult and therapeutic failures are frequent. Surgery is
      considered as one of the therapeutic options, but is of little use regarding its
      high morbi-mortality. We report successful treatment of a XDR tuberculosis case
      with a 21-month antibiotic regimen followed by a surgical collapse therapy
      because of persistence of a large cavity. No relapse was observed after five
      years. Surgery in the XDR tuberculosis treatment is discussed. 

PMID- 24210159
TI  - [Metastatic thoracic lymph node carcinoma from extra-thoracic malignancy or from
      unknown primary site].
AB  - Malignant mediastinal lymph nodes without pulmonary disease may be lymphomatous
      or the metastases from thoracic or extrathoracic malignancy. More rarely,
      metastatic lymph nodes are without primary site. Surgery is generally diagnostic,
      restricted to confirming the metastatic process, because of too numerous and
      disseminated or unresectable lymph nodes. Radical surgery consisting in
      lymphadenectomy can be effective in case of mediastinal lymph node malignancy
      without other extra- and intrathoracic disease. We observed in our experience and
      in several case reports long-term good results in such cases. We suggest that
      including surgery in the multimodality treatment of mediastinal metastatic lymph
      nodes may be advisable in selected patients. 

PMID- 24210160
TI  - [Intrathoracic giant peripheral nerve sheath tumor during Von Recklinghausen
      disease].
AB  - We report the case of a patient aged 23, admitted for bilateral intrathoracic
      tumor, including a giant right. Surgery was performed by right sternothoracotomy.
      After 7 days, she presented an irreversible cardiac arrest. The malignant
      peripheral nerve sheath tumors are rare and aggressive. Their incidence is 0.001%
      in the general population and 0.16% in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.
      These tumors are characterized by their risk of recurrence and poor prognosis.
      The treatment is the surgical resection. We analyze incidence, diagnosis and
      prognosis of these tumors. 

PMID- 24210161
TI  - Juvenile exposure to ketamine causes delayed emergence of EEG abnormalities
      during adulthood in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased susceptibility to cognitive impairment or psychosis in
      adulthood is associated with adolescent drug abuse. Studies in adults have
      identified impairments in attention and memory, and changes in EEG, as common
      consequences of ketamine abuse. In contrast, the effects of ketamine on the
      juvenile brain have not been extensively tested. This is a significant omission,
      since abuse of ketamine is often observed within this age group. OBJECTIVES:
      Juvenile mice (4-6 weeks of age) were administered ketamine (20mg/kg) for 14
      days. EEG was assessed in response to auditory stimulation both at one week
      following ketamine exposure at 7 weeks of age (juvenile) and again at 12 weeks of
      age (adult). EEG was analyzed for baseline activity, event-related power and
      event-related potentials (ERPs). RESULTS: While no effects of ketamine exposure
      were observed during the juvenile period, significant reductions in amplitude of
      the P20 ERP component and event-related gamma power were seen following ketamine
      when re-tested as adults. In contrast, reductions in event-related theta were
      seen in ketamine-exposed mice at both time points. CONCLUSIONS: Age related
      deficits in electrophysiological components such as P20 or event-related gamma
      may be due to an interruption of normal neural maturation. Reduction of NMDAR
      signaling during adolescence leads to delayed-onset disruption of gamma
      oscillations and the P20 component of the ERP. Further, delayed onset of
      impairment following adolescent ketamine abuse suggests that methods could be
      developed to detect and treat the early effects of drug exposure prior to the
      onset of disability.

PMID- 24210162
TI  - Substance use and substance use disorders in recently deployed and never deployed
      soldiers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Military studies investigating the prevalence of substance use (SU)
      and substance use disorders (SUD) and the relation between SU and mental
      disorders often lack a comprehensive assessment of SU, SUD and mental disorders
      and comparable groups of deployed and non-deployed personnel. There is also
      limited data regarding SU and SUD in the German military to date. METHODS: Cross
      sectional examination of n=1483 soldiers recently deployed in Afghanistan and 889
      never deployed soldiers using a fully-standardized diagnostic interview (MI-CIDI)
      including a comprehensive substance section. RESULTS: Across both groups, 12
      months prevalence of DSM-IV alcohol use disorders was 3.1%, 36.9% reported binge
      drinking, 13.9% heavy drinking, 1.3% illegal drug use. 55.1% were regular
      smokers, 10.9% nicotine dependent. Although recently deployed soldiers revealed
      slightly higher rates in some measures, there were no significant differences to
      the never deployed regarding SU und SUD except that recently deployed soldiers
      smoked more cigarettes per day. The association of SU with mental mental
      disorders was substantially different though, revealing significant associations
      between SU and mental disorders only among recently deployed soldiers.
      CONCLUSIONS: We do not find remarkable differences in the prevalence of SU and
      SUD between recently deployed and never deployed soldiers. Especially binge
      drinking and regular smoking were prevalent across both samples indicating needs
      for improved interventions. The finding that SU and mental disorders are only
      associated in recently deployed soldiers might have implications for improved
      screening and prevention and suggests that deployment might promote different
      pathways and mechanisms involved in the evolution of SU and mental disorders.

PMID- 24210163
TI  - Tolerance and exhaustion: defining mechanisms of T cell dysfunction.
AB  - CD8 T cell activation and differentiation are tightly controlled, and dependent
      on the context in which naive T cells encounter antigen, can either result in
      functional memory or T cell dysfunction, including exhaustion, tolerance, anergy,
      or senescence. With the identification of phenotypic and functional traits shared
      in different settings of T cell dysfunction, distinctions between such
      dysfunctional states have become blurred. Here, we discuss distinct states of CD8
      T cell dysfunction, with an emphasis on: (i) T cell tolerance to self-antigens
      (self-tolerance); (ii) T cell exhaustion during chronic infections; and (iii)
      tumor-induced T cell dysfunction. We highlight recent findings on cellular and
      molecular characteristics defining these states, cell-intrinsic regulatory
      mechanisms that induce and maintain them, and strategies that can lead to their
      reversal. 

PMID- 24210164
TI  - Regulation of hematopoietic stem cells by bone marrow stromal cells.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in specialized microenvironments (niches)
      in the bone marrow. The stem cell niche is thought to provide signals that
      support key HSC properties, including self-renewal capacity and long-term
      multilineage repopulation ability. The stromal cells that comprise the stem cell
      niche and the signals that they generate that support HSC function are the
      subjects of intense investigation. Here, we review the complex and diverse
      stromal cell populations that reside in the bone marrow and examine their
      contribution to HSC maintenance. We highlight recent data suggesting that
      perivascular chemokine CXC ligand (CXCL)12-expressing mesenchymal progenitors and
      endothelial cells are key cellular components of the stem cell niche in the bone
      marrow. 

PMID- 24210165
TI  - Mayaro virus infection, Amazon Basin region, Peru, 2010-2013.
AB  - During 2010-2013, we recruited 16 persons with confirmed Mayaro virus infection
      in the Peruvian Amazon to prospectively follow clinical symptoms and serologic
      response over a 12-month period. Mayaro virus infection caused long-term
      arthralgia in more than half, similar to reports of other arthritogenic
      alphaviruses. 

PMID- 24210166
TI  - The relationship between access to and use of dental services following expansion
      of a primary care service to embrace dental team training.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate changes in the patient population and treatment case
      mix within an expanded primary care dental training facility in Southern England.
      STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of patient management system data. METHOD:
      Electronic data for patients with a closed/completed treatment plan in the 12
      month period prior to, and following, dental service expansion were extracted for
      analysis (n = 4343). Descriptive analysis involved age, sex, payment status,
      deprivation status and treatment activity. Logistic regression was used to model
      the likelihood of treatment involving laboratory constructed devices (crowns,
      bridges, dentures), in relation to demography and deprivation in each time
      period. RESULTS: The volume of patients using the service increased by 48.3%
      (1749 cf 2594). The average age increased from 31.97 (95%CI: 30.8, 32.5) to 36.4
      years (95%CI: 35.6, 37.1); greatest increase was in the over 75 years age-group
      (96%). The patient base became less deprived: patients exempt from payment
      reduced from 43.2% (n = 755) to 28.6% (n = 741) (P = 0.001) and the mean
      population deprivation score (IMD) reduced from 24.5 (95%CI: 23.8, 25.2) to 22.3
      (95%CI: 21.7, 22.8). The volume and proportion of care involving laboratory
      constructed devices increased from 8.3% (n = 145) to 15.8% (n = 411) whilst
      assessments without interventive care decreased (34.5%-26.3%). On a logistic
      regression, the odds of having treatment involving laboratory constructed
      devices, increased with increasing age in both time periods 7% (95% CI: 1.06
      1.08) and 6% (95% CI: 1.05-1.07) respectively. Furthermore, the odds increased by
      38% OR: 1.38 (95% CI: 1.01-1.89) in period 2, for white patients. After adjusting
      for these effects, the odds of having care that involved laboratory constructed
      devices were less in period 2 than period 1 (100% cf 43%) for those who were
      technically exempt from payment (OR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.34 to 2.90 cf, OR = 1.43; 95%
      CI 1.13-1.81). CONCLUSION: The patient population altered in relation to age and
      socio-economic status. The expanded service had greater uptake by older people
      while users were less likely to be deprived. The expanded service, free at the
      point of delivery, attracted a higher proportion of patients who would normally
      have to pay health service charges. The service also showed an increase in
      treatment case-mix that involved laboratory constructed dental devices.

PMID- 24210167
TI  - Supervised hybrid feature selection based on PSO and rough sets for medical
      diagnosis.
AB  - Medical datasets are often classified by a large number of disease measurements
      and a relatively small number of patient records. All these measurements
      (features) are not important or irrelevant/noisy. These features may be
      especially harmful in the case of relatively small training sets, where this
      irrelevancy and redundancy is harder to evaluate. On the other hand, this extreme
      number of features carries the problem of memory usage in order to represent the
      dataset. Feature Selection (FS) is a solution that involves finding a subset of
      prominent features to improve predictive accuracy and to remove the redundant
      features. Thus, the learning model receives a concise structure without
      forfeiting the predictive accuracy built by using only the selected prominent
      features. Therefore, nowadays, FS is an essential part of knowledge discovery. In
      this study, new supervised feature selection methods based on hybridization of
      Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), PSO based Relative Reduct (PSO-RR) and PSO
      based Quick Reduct (PSO-QR) are presented for the diseases diagnosis. The
      experimental result on several standard medical datasets proves the efficiency of
      the proposed technique as well as enhancements over the existing feature
      selection techniques. 

PMID- 24210168
TI  - Raw data extraction from electrocardiograms with Portable Document Format.
AB  - During the last two decades there has been a thorough research and development of
      standards and protocols in order to cope with different electrocardiogram formats
      from heterogeneous acquisition systems. Despite the efforts of public and private
      consortiums on creating a standardized electrocardiogram (ECG) storage format,
      there is still not a single one. Indeed, there is also the necessity of access to
      raw data of the ECGs previously acquired. Most of these documents have been saved
      as Adobe PDF files, since for medical staff it is an easy format for later
      visualization. However, this format presents difficulties when trying to access
      original raw data for subsequent studies and signal analysis. In this manner,
      this paper presents an application that obtains plain numerical data from ECG
      files stored with PDF format. Data can also be exported to one of the most common
      file formats in existence, to be easily accessed thereafter. 

PMID- 24210170
TI  - Aggravated neuromuscular symptoms of mercury exposure from dental amalgam
      fillings.
AB  - Dental amalgam fillings are widely used all over the world. However, their
      mercury content can lead to various side effects and clinical problems. Acute or
      chronic mercury exposure can cause several side effects on the central nerve
      system, renal and hepatic functions, immune system, fetal development and it can
      play a role on exacerbation of neuromuscular diseases. In this case, we will
      present a patient with vacuolar myopathy whose symptoms were started and
      aggravated with her dental amalgam fillings. 

PMID- 24210169
TI  - Behavioral effects of developmental methylmercury drinking water exposure in
      rodents.
AB  - Early methylmercury (MeHg) exposure can have long-lasting consequences likely
      arising from impaired developmental processes, the outcome of which has been
      exposed in several longitudinal studies of affected populations. Given the large
      number of newborns at an increased risk of learning disabilities associated with
      in utero MeHg exposure, it is important to study neurobehavioral alterations
      using ecologically valid and physiologically relevant models. This review
      highlights the benefits of using the MeHg drinking water exposure paradigm and
      outlines behavioral outcomes arising from this procedure in rodents. Combination
      treatments that exacerbate or ameliorate MeHg-induced effects, and possible
      molecular mechanisms underlying behavioral impairment are also discussed. 

PMID- 24210171
TI  - Toxic and essential elements in children's blood (<6 years) from Kinshasa, DRC
      (the Democratic Republic of Congo).
AB  - In this study we determined the concentration of 9 trace elements (As, Cd, Cu,
      Hg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se and Zn) in whole blood of children (n=100, 64 girls, 36 boys
      and median age: 36 months) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
      (ICP-MS). The proportion of children potentially deficient in essential elements
      or poisoned by toxic elements was evaluated. The aging effects on the
      concentration of these elements were also investigated. The median values were
      3.17MUg/L (As), 0.15MUg/L (Cd), 1.1mg/L (Cu), 2.1MUg/L (Hg), 10.4MUg/L (Mn),
      17.7MUg/L (Mo), 8.7MUg/dL (Pb), 10.7MUg/L (Se) and 5.0mg/L (Zn). The
      concentration of many elements (As, Cd, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) showed significant age
      variations but not sex influence. Regarding levels of the essential elements (Cu,
      Mn, Mo, Se and Zn), B-Cu, B-Mn, B-Se and B-Zn were in the normal range, whereas
      exceeded levels were observed for B-Mo. None of these children was deficient in
      essential elements. Except B-Cd, all toxic elements showed exceeded blood levels.
      The proportion of children potentially poisoned by toxic elements varies from 10%
      (n=10) to 95% (n=95) and depends on toxic element: 95% for As, 10% for Hg and 35%
      for Pb. The main health concerns emerging from this study are the high As, Hg and
      Pb exposures of the Kinshasan children requiring further documentation,
      corrective actions and the implementation of appropriate regulations. 

PMID- 24210172
TI  - Braking BRAF: AMPK leaves ERK stranded in the desert.
AB  - In this issue, Shen et al. (2013) show that BRAF phosphorylation by AMPK
      attenuates BRAF signaling and inhibits cell proliferation. This identifies BRAF
      as a novel AMPK substrate and further reveals how these pathways interact. 

PMID- 24210173
TI  - PAF makes it EZ(H2) for beta-catenin transactivation.
AB  - In this issue of Molecular Cell, Park and colleagues (Jung et al., 2013) show
      that PAF (PCNA-associated factor) binds to and hyperactivates transcriptional
      function of beta-catenin in colon cancer cells by recruiting EZH2 to the
      coactivator complex. PAF-beta-catenin and PAF-PCNA interactions are competitive,
      raising the question of whether beta-catenin might regulate PCNA-dependent DNA
      replication and repair. 

PMID- 24210174
TI  - Linking the Enzymes that Unlink DNA.
AB  - Two papers in this issue, Castor et al. (2013) and Wyatt et al. (2013), and a
      third in Cell Reports, Garner et al. (2013), demonstrate that the scaffold
      protein SLX4 coordinates multiple nucleases in order to effectively resolve
      Holliday junctions and repair interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) in mammalian cells. 

PMID- 24210175
TI  - Reality and practical aspects of healthcare to patients with inherited metabolic
      diseases in an adult nutrition unit.

PMID- 24210176
TI  - Are there healthy obese?
AB  - It is currently postulated that not all obese individuals have to be considered
      as pathological subjects. From 10% to 20% of obese people studied do not show the
      metabolic changes common in obese patients. The term "healthy obese" has been
      coined to refer to these patients and differentiate them from the larger and more
      common group of pathological obese subjects. However, the definition of "healthy
      obese" is not clear. Use of "healthy obese" as a synonym for obese without
      metabolic complications is risky. Clinical markers such as insulin resistance are
      used to identify this pathology. It is not clear that healthy obese subjects have
      lower morbidity and mortality than pathologically obese patients. According to
      some authors, healthy obese would represent an early stage in evolution towards
      pathological obesity. There is no agreement as to the need to treat healthy obese
      subjects.

PMID- 24210177
TI  - Lantibiotics: promising candidates for future applications in health care.
AB  - The immense potential of bacteria for production of antimicrobials represents an
      inexhaustible source of new antibiotics. An emerging class of natural products is
      constituted by ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides
      (RiPPs). "Lantibiotics" (lanthionine and/or methyl-lanthionine containing
      antibiotics) belong to the earliest members of this class. The characteristic
      thioether amino acids are introduced into the precursor peptides by enzyme
      mediated posttranslational modifications. The encouraging antimicrobial activity
      of lantibiotics against multiresistant clinical pathogens, their stability
      against proteases, heat and oxidation make lantibiotics interesting candidates
      for novel antimicrobial applications in many areas of the healthcare sector and
      associated industries. In addition to applications as alternatives to classical
      antibiotics, lantibiotics can be used as probiotics, prophylactics or additives.
      Furthermore, the in vitro activity of the lantibiotic modification machinery
      opens the possibility to generate either improved synthetic lantibiotic peptides
      or to introduce thioether cross-links into existing therapeutics. 

PMID- 24210178
TI  - [Bologna: a lost opportunity. The heterogeneity of Medical education in Spain].

PMID- 24210180
TI  - Perception of acoustically presented time series with varied intervals.
AB  - Data from three experiments on serial perception of temporal intervals in the
      supra-second domain are reported. Sequences of short acoustic signals ("pips")
      separated by periods of silence were presented to the observers. Two types of
      time series, geometric or alternating, were used, where the modulus 1+delta of
      the inter-pip series and the base duration Tb (range from 1.1 to 6s) were varied
      as independent parameters. The observers had to judge whether the series were
      accelerating, decelerating, or uniform (3 paradigm), or to distinguish regular
      from irregular sequences (2 paradigm). "Intervals of subjective uniformity"
      (isus) were obtained by fitting Gaussian psychometric functions to individual
      subjects' responses. Progression towards longer base durations (Tb=4.4 or 6s)
      shifts the isus towards negative deltas, i.e., accelerating series. This finding
      is compatible with the phenomenon of "subjective shortening" of past temporal
      intervals, which is naturally accounted for by the lossy integration model of
      internal time representation. The opposite effect observed for short durations
      (Tb=1.1 or 1.5s) remains unexplained by the lossy integration model, and presents
      a challenge for further research.

PMID- 24210181
TI  - The occurrence of the filled duration illusion: a comparison of the method of
      adjustment with the method of magnitude estimation.
AB  - A time interval between the onset and the offset of a continuous sound (filled
      interval) is often perceived to be longer than a time interval between two
      successive brief sounds (empty interval) of the same physical duration. The
      present study examined whether and how this phenomenon, sometimes called the
      filled duration illusion (FDI), occurs for short time intervals (40-520 ms). The
      investigation was conducted with the method of adjustment (Experiment 1) and the
      method of magnitude estimation (Experiment 2). When the method of adjustment was
      used, the FDI did not appear for the majority of the participants, but it
      appeared clearly for some participants. In the latter case, the amount of the FDI
      increased as the interval duration lengthened. The FDI was more likely to occur
      with magnitude estimation than with the method of adjustment. The participants
      who showed clear FDI with one method did not necessarily show such clear FDI with
      the other method.

PMID- 24210182
TI  - The assessment of interpersonal pleasure: introduction of the Anticipatory and
      Consummatory Interpersonal Pleasure Scale (ACIPS) and preliminary findings.
AB  - Although several valid measures of pleasure and anhedonia exist, there is a
      relative paucity of measures that adequately assess pleasure for social
      interactions. The Anticipatory and Consummatory Interpersonal Pleasure Scale
      (ACIPS) is a measure specifically designed to assess hedonic capacity for social
      and interpersonal pleasure. Various aspects of the validity and reliability of
      the ACIPS were examined in several ways. First, we assessed the factor structure
      as well as the internal consistency, convergent, and discriminant validity of the
      ACIPS in 496 young adults recruited from undergraduate classes. Second, we
      investigated the temporal stability of the measure by having a subset of the
      group return for retesting. Results from the factor analysis suggested a three
      factor model. The ACIPS was found to be highly reliable in terms of internal
      consistency and test-retest stability. Further, the ACIPS correlated in a
      theoretically meaningful way with other measures of pleasure and affect. The
      current research indicates that the ACIPS is a reliable and valid questionnaire
      to assess hedonic capacity for social and interpersonal pleasure in nonclinical
      samples. Suggestions for further clinical and research applications using the
      ACIPS are offered. 

PMID- 24210183
TI  - Surgical complications after immediate nephrectomy versus preoperative
      chemotherapy in non-metastatic Wilms' tumour: findings from the 1991-2001 United
      Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group UKW3 Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare surgical complication rates after immediate nephrectomy
      versus delayed nephrectomy following preoperative chemotherapy in children with
      non-metastatic Wilms' tumour enrolled in UKW3, both in randomised patients and in
      those for whom the treatment approach was defined by parental or physician
      choice. METHODS: Records for all patients enrolled into UKW3 were reviewed. Any
      record of tumour rupture or surgical complication was extracted and comparisons
      made between the two treatment strategies in both populations of randomised and
      non-randomised patients. RESULTS: Of 525 children enrolled, 205 patients were
      randomised to either immediate nephrectomy (n=103) or pre-operative chemotherapy
      followed by delayed nephrectomy (n=102). Of the 320 children not randomised, data
      were available on 189 cases treated with immediate nephrectomy and 103 treated
      with pre-operative chemotherapy. There were significantly fewer surgical
      complications in randomised children given pre-operative chemotherapy before
      surgery compared to children undergoing immediate nephrectomy (1% vs. 20.4%,
      P<0.001); this difference was most marked for tumour rupture (0% vs. 14.6%,
      P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed nephrectomy for Wilms' tumour, preceded by pre
      operative chemotherapy was associated with fewer surgical complications compared
      with immediate nephrectomy.

PMID- 24210184
TI  - Association of E2F3 expression with clinicopathological features of Wilms'
      tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: The transcription factor E2F3 plays an important role in controlling
      cell cycle progression and proliferation, and is overexpressed in various human
      cancers. The present study was undertaken to examine the expression of E2F3 and
      investigate its relevance in clinical and pathological features of pediatric
      Wilms' tumors. METHODS: Twenty-six Wilms' tumor samples collected at the First
      Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University underwent immunohistochemical
      staining for E2F3 protein expression by measuring the percentage of E2F3-positive
      cells and integrated optical density (IOD), and quantitative real-time polymerase
      chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for E2F3 mRNA expression. RESULTS: The expression of
      E2F3 protein and mRNA was detectable in all the Wilms' tumor samples with big
      variations (The average percentage of positive cells was 30.2%+/-23.5%, range
      0.3%-75.6%; average IOD was 6.61*10(4)+/-3.92*10(4), range 2.32*10(4)
      13.84*10(4); average relative mRNA unit was 0.54+/-0.38, range 0.03-1.31), but
      not in fetal kidney tissues. Wilms' tumors with aggressive features, such as
      higher stage, unfavorable histology and higher risk level, expressed higher
      levels of E2F3 protein and mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary data indicate that
      E2F3 is frequently expressed in pediatric Wilms' tumors examined in the present
      study. E2F3 expression may be associated with Wilms' tumors, particularly those
      that have more aggressive features. However, further studies are needed to
      validate these pilot observations and to clarify the functional and mechanistic
      significance of this association.

PMID- 24210185
TI  - Hepatocellular carcinoma in children: epidemiology and the impact of regional
      lymphadenectomy on surgical outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Factors influencing survival in children with HCC have not been
      studied. The objective of this study was to identify prognostic factors in
      pediatric HCC, and to determine whether regional lymphadenectomy is associated
      with improved survival. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using
      the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry. All patients <20
      years old diagnosed with HCC from 1973-2009 were included. Disease-specific
      survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier statistics and Cox proportional-hazards
      regression. RESULTS: We identified 238 patients (139 Male: 99 Female). Overall,
      112 (47%) received an operation (resection/transplantation). Observed mortality
      and adjusted hazard of disease-specific death was greater for females (HR=2.07,
      p=0.013) and older children. Among operative patients, 44% were documented to
      have a regional lymphadenectomy. Although demographic factors did not differ
      between lymphadenectomy and non-lymphadenectomy groups, patients who underwent
      lymphadenectomy had a greater proportion of metastatic disease (24% vs. 15%) and
      fibrolamellar HCC (53% vs. 31%). Five-year survival for lymphadenectomy patients
      was superior to non-lymphadenectomy (70% vs. 57%). Adjusted mortality for
      lymphadenectomy was also improved relative to non-lymphadenectomy (HR=0.26,
      p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: HCC in children is associated with poor survival,
      especially among children older than 4 years and girls. In surgical candidates,
      regional lymphadenectomy may be associated with improved survival.

PMID- 24210186
TI  - Treatment of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in children--single
      center experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) represents
      less than 5% of all malignant hepatic tumors in childhood. It is considered an
      aggressive neoplasm with an unfavorable prognosis. The aim of this paper is to
      present a single center experience in the treatment of children with UESL.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten children with UESL were treated between 1981 and 2012.
      Age at diagnosis ranged from 4 months to 17 years (median age, 6 years and 9
      months). Surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CHT) was performed in 7
      patients, and in 3 patients primary surgery was done. Adjuvant chemotherapy was
      administered in all 10 patients (CYVADIC, CAV, CAV/ETIF/IF+ADM, CDDP/PLADO).
      Right hemihepatectomy was performed in 1 patient, extended right hemihepatectomy
      in 6, and partial resection of the right lobe (segments V-VI, segment V) in 2
      patients. One patient with unresectable tumor affecting both lobes was listed for
      liver transplantation (LTx). RESULTS: Follow-up from diagnosis ranged from 50 to
      222 months (mean 138 months). Among 9 patients treated with partial liver
      resection, distant metastases/local recurrence was not observed in any, and
      disease-free survival in this group is 100% (9 patients alive). The patient that
      underwent liver transplantation died of multiorgan failure 4 months
      postoperatively. However, this patient was misdiagnosed as having hepatoblastoma
      (HBL) and received PLADO chemotherapy. The overall survival rate is 90%.
      CONCLUSION: Excellent results with long-term survival can be achieved in children
      with UESL with conventional therapy, including a combination of neoadjuvant and
      adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery, even in large extensively growing tumors.

PMID- 24210187
TI  - Melanoma incidence rises for children and adolescents: an epidemiologic review of
      pediatric melanoma in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the influence of age on
      disease presentation and evaluate the change in pediatric melanoma incidence
      between 1998 and 2007. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all
      children <=18 years with cutaneous melanoma who were included in the 2007
      National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)
      database between 1988 and 2007. RESULTS: We identified a total of 1447 patients
      with cutaneous melanoma. The overall average annual melanoma incidence was 5.4
      per 1 million children and adolescents in the U.S., which increased throughout
      the study period. Most patients (89%) were at least 10 years of age (average age
      15 years). Melanoma in situ (21%), thin (<1 mm) lesions (37%), stage I disease
      (46%), and superficial spreading histology (25%) were common at presentation.
      Only 1% of patients presented with distant metastases. Preadolescents younger
      than age 10 were ethnically more diverse and more likely to present with non
      truncal primaries and advanced disease (P<.01) compared to adolescents.
      CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pediatric melanoma in the U.S. is increasing. There
      are significant differences between children and adolescents which suggest age
      based inherent differences in the biology of the disease may exist.

PMID- 24210188
TI  - First 24-h SNAP-II score and highest PaCO2 predict the need for ECMO in
      congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Early clinical predictors for the use of ECMO in patients
      with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are lacking. We sought to evaluate the
      first 24-h SNAP-II score and highest PaCO2 as predictors of ECMO support and in
      hospital mortality in neonates with CDH. METHODS: Retrospective review of 47
      consecutive neonates with CDH admitted to our institution from January 2007 to
      December 2010 was performed. Covariates of ECMO use including SNAP-II score and
      highest PaCO2 within the first 24 h of NICU admission were evaluated. RESULTS: Of
      the 47 infants in this study, 24 patients were supported with ECMO. The ECMO
      group had a higher incidence of pulmonary hypertension, higher PaCO2, and higher
      24-h SNAP-II scores. Only the SNAP-II score and not highest PaCO2 predicted
      mortality following multivariate adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: The first 24-h SNAP-II
      score and highest PaCO2 may provide some prognostic value in identifying neonates
      who undergo ECMO support; however neither measure was independently associated
      with the use of therapy. Only the SNAP-II score was associated with in-hospital
      mortality following multivariate adjustment. Additional study is needed to
      validate these results in a larger data set.

PMID- 24210189
TI  - Spatiotemporal alterations in Sprouty-2 expression and tyrosine phosphorylation
      in nitrofen-induced pulmonary hypoplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) is a life-threatening condition of
      newborns presenting with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Sprouty-2
      functions as a key regulator of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)
      signalling in developing foetal lungs. It has been reported that FGFR-mediated
      alveolarization is disrupted in nitrofen-induced PH. Sprouty-2 knockouts show
      severe defects in lung morphogenesis similar to nitrofen-induced PH. Upon FGFR
      stimulation, Sprouty-2 is tyrosine-phosphorylated, which is essential for its
      physiological function during foetal lung development. We hypothesized that
      Sprouty-2 expression and tyrosine phosphorylation are altered in nitrofen-induced
      PH. METHODS: Time-pregnant rats received either nitrofen or vehicle on gestation
      day 9 (D9). Foetal lungs were dissected on D18 and D21. Pulmonary Sprouty-2 gene
      and protein expression levels were analyzed by qRT-PCR, Western blotting and
      immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Relative mRNA expression of Sprouty-2 was
      significantly decreased in hypoplastic lungs without CDH (0.1050+/-0.01 vs.
      0.3125+/-0.01; P<.0001) and with CDH (0.1671+/-0.01 vs. 0.3125+/-0.01; P<.0001)
      compared to controls on D18. Protein levels of Sprouty-2 were markedly decreased
      in hypoplastic lungs on D18 with decreased tyrosine phosphorylation levels on D18
      and D21 detected at the molecular weight of Sprouty-2 consistent with Sprouty-2
      tyrosine phosphorylation. Sprouty-2 immunoreactivity was markedly decreased in
      hypoplastic lungs on D18 and D21. CONCLUSION: Spatiotemporal alterations in
      pulmonary Sprouty-2 expression and tyrosine phosphorylation during the late
      stages of foetal lung development may interfere with FGFR-mediated
      alveolarization in nitrofen-induced PH.

PMID- 24210190
TI  - Octreotide for chylous effusions in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Chylothorax is a frequent complication in congenital
      diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) infants and is associated with significant morbidity.
      The optimal treatment strategy remains unclear. We hypothesize that octreotide
      decreases chylous effusions in infants with CDH. METHODS: This is a retrospective
      study of all infants with CDH admitted to our institution from October 2006 to
      October 2011. RESULTS: Eleven (12%) infants developed a chylothorax. Five infants
      were managed conservatively with thoracostomy and total parenteral nutrition. Six
      infants were started on octreotide therapy. None of the infants required surgical
      intervention to stop the effusion. There was no significant difference in
      survival to discharge, length of stay, or average daily chest tube output between
      groups. There appeared to be a temporally associated drop in chest tube output
      upon initiation of octreotide in two infants; however, the overall rate of
      decline in chest tube drainage was unchanged. In addition, there were infants in
      the conservative group who demonstrated a similar drop in daily chest tube output
      despite the absence of octreotide. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the
      majority of chylous effusions in CDH infants resolve with conservative therapy
      alone.

PMID- 24210191
TI  - Fluoroscopic balloon dilatation for caustic esophageal stricture in children: an
      8-year experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: Esophageal balloon dilatation (EBD), when performed early and correctly,
      can efficiently treat caustic esophageal stricture (ES). Herein, we present 8
      years of experience treating caustic ES, and discuss the technique as well as the
      complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 38
      children in whom we performed fluoroscopic EBD under general anesthesia for
      caustic ES between November 2004 and November 2012 in our hospitals. The patients
      were grouped into the early dilatation group, who began EBD earlier (mean, 15
      days) after caustic ingestion, and the late dilatation group who was referred
      later (mean, 34 days) for EBD by other centers. The ESs were classified into
      short and long strictures. Balloon size was increased gradually to a sufficient
      diameter over consecutive sessions. Characteristics of patients and ES, details
      of the EBD, and treatment results were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 369 EBD
      sessions were successfully performed in 38 children (aged 14 months to 14 years,
      median 3.5 years). In six patients, EBD treatments are continuing, one patient
      was lost to follow up, one patient who received a stent was excluded, and three
      returned to their previous centers. The remaining 27 patients were treated
      successfully by repeated EBD treatments. Nevertheless, in the early dilatation
      group (n=16), EBD treatment was significantly faster and shorter than that in the
      late dilatation group (n=11). In addition, the short stricture treatment was also
      of significantly shorter duration than the long stricture treatment. Six (1.6%)
      esophageal perforations occurred in five patients (13.2%); all were treated
      conservatively. There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: For treatment of caustic ES,
      fluoroscopically guided EBD is safe and has a low rate of complications as well
      as a 100% success rate. However, it should be begun earlier, and in children,
      should be performed gently with balloons of gradually increasing appropriate
      diameters over consecutive sessions.

PMID- 24210192
TI  - The use of retrievable fully covered self-expanding metal stent in refractory
      postoperative restenosis of benign esophageal stricture in children.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study analyzes the efficacy and safety of a retrievable, fully
      covered self-expanding metal stent (cSEMS) in the treatment of refractory benign
      esophageal restenosis in children. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of
      the application of a newly designed cSEMS in treating refractory benign
      postoperative restenosis in five children with ages ranging from 16 months to 8
      years. Efficacy and safety were evaluated during the follow-up period. RESULTS:
      cSEMS with or without an antireflux valve at the distal end were successfully
      placed and removed in five children. These five patients were followed up for 4
      12 months after stent removal. Among the five patients, ulcerative stricture was
      observed in two patients because of reflux esophagitis, while three patients
      showed no signs of stricture recurrence. Stent migration was observed in three
      patients, two of which required the stent to be reset. The narrow esophagus was
      successfully expended to a diameter of 12-13 mm. Besides the observation of mild
      granulation tissue growth in one case, no severe complications were observed
      during surgery and after stent placement. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that a
      retrievable, fully covered SEMS is safe and partially effective for treating
      refractory benign postoperative esophageal restenosis in children during short
      term observation.

PMID- 24210193
TI  - A standardised investigative strategy prior to revisional oesophageal surgery in
      children: High incidence of unexpected findings.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Revisional oesophageal reconstructive surgery carries
      uncommon and unusual risks related to previous surgery. To provide maximum
      anatomical detail and facilitate successful outcome, we report a standardised pre
      operative investigative strategy for all such patients. METHODS: Prospective 8
      month cohort study following the introduction of this strategy. All patients
      underwent high resolution thoracic contrast CT scan and micro-laryngo
      bronchoscopy by a paediatric ENT surgeon in addition to upper gastrointestinal
      contrast study, oesophagoscopy, and echocardiogram. RESULTS: Seven children
      (median age 5.6 months [range 2.2-60]) completed the pathway. Four were referred
      with recurrence of a previously divided tracheo-oesophageal fistula (3
      congenital, 1 acquired) and 3 (all with oesophagostomy) for oesophageal
      replacement for congenital isolated oesophageal atresia (OA, n=1) and failed
      repair of OA with distal TOF with wide gap (n=2). Overall, unanticipated findings
      were demonstrated in 6/7 children and comprised severe tracheomalacia and right
      main bronchus stenosis requiring aortopexy (n=1), vocal cord palsy (n=2),
      extensive mediastinal rotation (n=1), proximal tracheal diverticulum (n=1),
      severe subglottic stenosis requiring airway reconstruction (n=1), proximal
      tracheal diverticulum (n=1), right sided aortic arch (n=1) and left sided aortic
      arch (previously reported to be right sided, n=1). CONCLUSIONS: This standardised
      approach for this complex group of patients reveals a high incidence of
      unexpected anatomical and functional anomalies with significant surgical and
      possible medico-legal implications. We recommend these investigations during the
      pre-operative work-up prior to all revisional oesophageal surgery.

PMID- 24210194
TI  - Pepsin levels and oxidative stress markers in exhaled breath condensate of
      patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the pepsin and oxidative stress markers in exhaled breath
      condensate (EBC) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
      PATIENTS AND METHOD: Patients with a presumptive diagnosis of GERD with recurrent
      respiratory and gastrointestinal problems aged between 2 and 14 years were
      included in the study. All patients underwent pH monitoring. Patients with a
      reflux index (RI) >=4 were assessed as the reflux group, and those with an RO <4
      were assessed as the non-reflux group. Pepsin levels and oxidative stress markers
      [NO metabolites (NOX) and total sulphydrile (TSH) levels] were measured in the
      EBC. RESULTS: There were 24 patients in the reflux group [RI 17.6 (6.6-46.4)]
      [median, interquartile range] and 23 in the non-reflux group [RI 0.8 (0.5-1.9)
      (p<0.001). Pepsin levels in the EBC were below the level of detection. The median
      levels of NOx in the EBC of children with reflux [13.7 MUmol/L (7.3-24.5)] were
      lower in than non-reflux group [21.0 MUmol/L (14.0-25.2)] (p=0.034). There was a
      negative correlation between reflux index and NOX levels in EBC (rs: -0.331,
      p=0.023). In contrast, there was no difference in TSH levels between the reflux
      and non-reflux groups [37.4 MUmol/L (30.2-44.6) vs 40.1 MUmol/L (37.4-44.9),
      respectively, (p>0.05)]. CONCLUSION: Decreased levels of NOX in patients with GER
      disease suggest increased oxidative stress in airways of these patients.

PMID- 24210195
TI  - Effect of delivery approach on outcomes in fetuses with gastroschisis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: There is considerable controversy regarding optimal mode and
      timing of delivery for fetuses with gastroschisis. Our objectives were to
      describe the variation in institutional approach regarding these factors, and to
      evaluate the effect of timing of delivery on outcomes in fetuses with
      gastroschesis. METHODS: Members of the maternal-fetal medicine community across
      Canada were surveyed regarding their personal and institutional approach of
      delivery. Data from the Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network (CAPSnet) were
      analyzed. RESULTS: The survey showed significant variability in delivery approach
      between institutions, although no center routinely performs cesarean section.
      Infants delivered vaginally (VD) were categorized into three groups: Group 1, VD
      <36 weeks (n=114); Group 2, VD 36-37 weeks (n=218); and Group 3, VD >=38 weeks
      (n=75). Score of Neonatal Acute Physiology, complication rates, length of time on
      total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and length of hospital stay (LOS) were higher
      in Group 1; bowel matting was greater in Group 3. There were no differences
      between the groups regarding other complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest
      that preterm delivery was associated with more complications, longer time on TPN,
      and longer LOS; delivery >=38 weeks was associated with increased bowel matting.
      These outcomes should be considered when determining institutional protocol.

PMID- 24210196
TI  - Intracranial anomalies and cloacal exstrophy--is there a role for screening?
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Cloacal exstrophy (CE) is a severe multi-system congenital
      defect. While spina bifida is a defining feature of cloacal exstrophy, patients
      are not routinely screened for intracranial anomalies (ICAs). We sought to better
      characterize this risk of ICA in the CE patient. METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed the medical records of 81 children with CE treated at our institution,
      identifying intracranial pathology, including hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation
      and craniosynostosis. Data points included ICA, neural tube defect, surgical
      procedures, and ambulatory status. RESULTS: Of the 39 patients with cranial
      imaging, 31% had an ICA: 6 hydrocephalus, 3 Chiari malformation, 1
      craniosynostosis, 1 hydrocephalus and craniosynostosis, and 1 Chiari malformation
      and craniosynostosis. All patients with ICAs had spina bifida. Patients with ICAs
      underwent more neurosurgical procedures, including more spinal procedures.
      Patients with ICAs were much more likely to be wheelchair-bound or ambulate
      minimally when compared to patients without anomalies. CONCLUSION: In our
      population of CE patients with available head imaging, 31% had an ICA, thus
      screening would seem prudent. As all patients with ICAs had spina bifida, it may
      be less important to screen those rare CE patients without spinal pathology.
      Patients with ICAs were more likely to be wheelchair-bound, suggesting worse
      neurologic outcomes.

PMID- 24210197
TI  - Median arcuate ligament syndrome in the pediatric population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a vascular compression
      syndrome with symptoms that overlap chronic functional abdominal pain (CFAP). We
      report our experience treating MALS in a pediatric cohort previously diagnosed
      with CFAP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 46 pediatric
      (<21years of age) patients diagnosed with MALS at a tertiary care referral center
      from 2008 to 2012. All patients had previously been diagnosed with CFAP. Patients
      were evaluated for celiac artery compression by duplex ultrasound and diagnosis
      was confirmed by computed tomography. Quality of life (QOL) was determined by pre
      and postsurgical administration of PedsQLTM questionnaire. The patients
      underwent laparoscopic release of the median arcuate ligament overlying the
      celiac artery which included surgical neurolysis. We examined the hemodynamic
      changes in parameters of the celiac artery and perioperative QOL outcomes to
      determine correlation. RESULTS: All patients had studies suggestive of MALS on
      duplex and computed tomography; 91% (n=42) positive for MALS were females. All
      patients underwent a technically satisfactory laparoscopic surgical release
      resulting in a significant improvement in blood flow through the celiac artery.
      There were no deaths and a total of 9 complications, 8 requiring a secondary
      procedure; 33 patients were administered QOL surveys. 18 patients completed the
      survey with 15 (83%) patients reporting overall improvement in the QOL. Overall,
      31/46 patients (67%) reported improvement of symptoms since the time of surgery.
      CONCLUSIONS: MALS was found to be more common in pediatric females than males.
      Laparoscopic release of the celiac artery can be performed safely in the
      pediatric population. Surgical release of the artery and resultant neurolysis
      resulted in significant improvement in the blood flow, symptoms, and overall QOL
      in this cohort. The overall improvement in QOL outcome measures after surgery
      leads us to conclude that MALS might be earlier diagnosed and possibly treated in
      patients with CFAP. We recommend a multidisciplinary team approach to care for
      these complex patients.

PMID- 24210198
TI  - Modified Puestow procedure for the management of chronic pancreatitis in
      children.
AB  - PURPOSE: To present our experience with the modified Puestow procedure in the
      management of children with chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Retrospective chart
      review of patients treated between 2003 and 2012. RESULTS: Six patients underwent
      a modified Puestow procedure (lateral pancreaticojejunostomy) for the management
      of chronic pancreatitis, three females and three males. Four patients had
      hereditary pancreatitis (three with confirmed N34S mutation in the SPINK1 gene),
      one patient had chronic pancreatitis of unknown etiology, and one patient with
      annular pancreas developed obstructive chronic pancreatitis. The pancreatic duct
      was dilated in all cases, with a maximum diameter of 5 to 10mm. Median time
      between onset of pain and surgery was 4 years (range: 1-9). Median age at surgery
      was 7.5 years (range: 5-15). Median hospital stay was 12 days (range: 9-28).
      Median follow up was 4.5 years (range: 5 months to 9 years). All patients had
      temporary postoperative improvement of their abdominal pain. In two patients the
      pain recurred at 6 months and 2 years postoperatively and eventually required
      total pancreatectomy to treat intractable pain, 3 and 8 years after surgery. Two
      patients were pain free for two years and subsequently developed occasional
      episodes of pain. The two most recent patients are pain free at 1 year
      (obstructive chronic pancreatitis) and 5 months (hereditary pancreatitis) follow
      up. Two patients developed type I diabetes mellitus 10 and 12 months
      postoperatively (one with hereditary and one with idiopathic chronic
      pancreatitis). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the modified Puestow procedure in
      children is feasible and safe. It seems to provide definitive pain control and
      prevent further damage to the pancreas in patients with obstructive chronic
      pancreatitis. However, in patients with hereditary pancreatitis, pain control
      outcomes are variable and the operation may not abrogate the progression of
      disease to pancreatic insufficiency.

PMID- 24210199
TI  - Implementation of laparoscopic splenectomy in children and the incidence of
      portal vein thrombosis diagnosed by ultrasonography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate if symptomatic or asymptomatic
      PVT, as diagnosed with ultrasonography (US), occurs more often in children after
      the introduction and implementation of LS compared to open splenectomy. METHODS:
      A retrospective cohort of 76 splenectomized patients for benign hematological
      disease were analyzed, 24 after open splenectomy (OS) and 52 after LS. RESULTS:
      In six of the OS and 40 after LS a postoperative US was obtained. In two patients
      after LS, a PVT was seen on US. Both patients were symptomatic and also underwent
      a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The length of stay in the hospital was
      significantly shorter for LS (median 4.5 days, range 2-12) compared to OS (median
      7 days, range 5-12), (P=.00). Median operation time of OS was 65 min (range 35
      130 min) and of LS 170 min (range 85-275 min) (P=.00). There was no difference in
      postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The risk of developing a PVT after
      laparoscopic splenectomy seems low, and thus LS is not contraindicated in
      patients with benign hematological disease. When combining LS and laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy, prophylactic heparin might be considered.

PMID- 24210200
TI  - The research on screening differentially expressed genes in Hirschsprung's
      disease by using Microarray.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the differential expression of genes between Hirschsprung's
      disease (HSCR) and normal tissue by using microarray for exploring the mechanism
      of HSCR development and establishing the gene expression profiles of HSCR.
      METHODS: Colon tissues (aganglionic and normal segments) of 4 patients with HSCR
      were detected by the Agilent SurePrint G3 Human GE 8x60K Microarrays. RT-PCR was
      used to verify the results of Microarray test. Then, immunohistochemistry was
      used to demonstrate the expression of HAND2 in the myenteric plexus of the colon
      from 46 patients with HSCR to further explore the relationship between HAND2 and
      development of HSCR. RESULTS: A total of 12,125 meaningful expressed genes were
      screened out. 4 pairs of specimens had 622 differentially expressed genes, 584
      (93.89%) of which were up-regulated while 38(6.11%) were down-regulated. 6 of the
      622 genes were tested by RT-PCR, which were consistent with the results detected
      by Microarray. The average optical density of positive expression of HAND2 in
      myenteric plexus was compared between the aganglionic, transitional, dilated,
      normal segments and control group. The average optical density in the aganglionic
      segments was obviously reduced. Statistical analyzed data showed that it has
      significant deviation (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: 1. A set of differentially expressed
      genes between aganglionic and normal segments of HSCR was obtained. Our data may
      provide significant information to research the pathogenesis of HSCR. 2. Reduced
      protein expression of HAND2 in the myenteric plexus of the aganglionic would
      suggest that HAND2 was involved in the pathogenesis of HSCR.

PMID- 24210201
TI  - Transanal, full-thickness, Swenson-like approach for Hirschsprung disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: Swenson's procedure for Hirschsprung disease (HD) was thought to disturb
      fecal, urinary, and ejaculatory functions leading to other approaches including
      the Soave and Duhamel techniques. Given our Center's experience with a full
      thickness rectal dissection for anorectal malformations, and using the new
      transanal concept, we chose to apply these ideas to the primary treatment of HD,
      and describe technical aspects and impact on fecal, urinary, and sexual function.
      METHODS: We reviewed our series of HD patients who underwent a transanal, Swenson
      like rectosigmoid dissection, assessing for postoperative stricture, anastomotic
      leak, enterocolitis, and long-term results for bowel, urinary, and sexual
      function. RESULTS: Of 67 patients, 28 had a transanal resection, 5 had transanal
      plus laparoscopy, and 34 had transanal plus laparotomy, of those, 28 patients had
      a leveling colostomy prior to referral. The average length of resection was 27 cm
      +/- 12.7 cm. Mean follow-up was 17.2 months (range 1-96 months). 44 patients were
      at least three years old at follow-up and were assessed for urinary and fecal
      continence; all (100%) had voluntary bowel movements and urinary continence.
      Enterocolitis occurred in 9 patients (14%) and constipation (requiring laxatives)
      occurred in 21 (32%). Of 24 male patients, 21 (88%) reported the occurrence of
      spontaneous erections post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Our data support the fact
      that a modification of Swenson's original transabdominal dissection concept using
      the recently described transanal approach is an excellent technique for
      Hirschsprung, and produces excellent long-term outcomes for fecal and urinary
      continence, and seems to preserve erectile function.

PMID- 24210202
TI  - The role of a colon resection in combination with a Malone appendicostomy as part
      of a bowel management program for the treatment of fecal incontinence.
AB  - PURPOSE: Surgical options previously described by us as part of a bowel
      management program for the treatment of soiling and fecal incontinence include
      (1) resection of a megarectosigmoid to reduce a patient's laxative requirement or
      (2) a Malone appendicostomy in patients who require enemas. We have found that
      some patients may benefit from both procedures. METHODS: We reviewed 18 fecally
      incontinent patients with structural or functional disorders of the
      anorectosigmoid (16 ARM, 1 spina bifida, and 1 SCT) who underwent both
      procedures. RESULTS: Of 18 patients, the enema regimen prior to resection had an
      average volume of 681 ml of saline (Range 400-1000 ml) and 60 ml (Range 48-117
      ml) of additives (glycerine, castile soap and/or phosphate). Following the colon
      resection, the average volume of saline and additives was 335 ml (Range 130-650
      ml) and 25 ml (Range 0-60 ml), respectively, a 50% reduction for both (P<0.01).
      The time for enema administration and evacuation was reduced by 25%, and the
      enemas were more effective, rendering the patients clean in 18 of 18 cases
      (follow-up was 3 months to 21 years). 2 patients later demonstrated that they
      could be managed with laxatives alone. CONCLUSION: In patients with poor
      continence potential and a megarectosigmoid, combining a colon resection with a
      Malone appendicostomy can make the enema more effective. In some rare cases we
      found the resection may allow for a better response to laxatives.

PMID- 24210203
TI  - Mucosal loss with increased expression of IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2 in a formula
      feeding only neonatal rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study is to establish a reliable neonatal rat model
      by formula feeding only for evaluation of early surgical intervention on the
      course of experimental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 50 breast-fed (group 1) and 38
      formula fed (Similac/Esbilac, group 2) animals. The pups were sacrificed on the
      4th, 5th, and 6th day of life and the terminal intestine examined for macroscopic
      and histologic changes as well as cytokine expression. RESULTS: The histological
      mucosal damage was significantly higher of group 2 compared to group 1. The area
      of the vital mucosa of group 2 was significantly (58.57%, p<0.001) lower compared
      to group 1 (75.12%). The mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8
      and COX-2 was significantly 2-, 5- and 10-fold increased in group 2 compared to
      group 1. DISCUSSION: Formula fed newborn rats displayed an inflammatory
      enterocolitis similar to human NEC. Our study demonstrates a significant loss of
      mucosa in animals with NEC having increased expression levels of IL-6, IL-8 and
      COX-2. Mucosal loss appears to be a distinct feature of experimental NEC and has
      to be correlated with the human disease.

PMID- 24210204
TI  - Genes regulating tight junctions and cell adhesion are altered in early
      experimental necrotizing enterocolitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) represents one of the gravest
      complications in preterm infants and carries significant morbidity and mortality.
      Increased intestinal permeability may play an important role in the pathogenesis
      of NEC. In this study we investigated the genes regulating structural proteins
      such as tight junctions (TJ) and cell adhesion in a neonatal rat model of early
      NEC. METHODS: The studies were performed on Sprague-Dawley rat pups. Experimental
      NEC was induced using hypoxia/re-oxygenation treatment on day 1 after birth.
      Intestinal specimens from the ileum were obtained, mRNA was purified, and the
      transcriptome was analyzed using microarray. RESULTS: We found several TJ genes
      such as claudins 1, 8, 14, 15, and gap junction protein to be affected.
      Alterations in genes involved in the inflammatory response was confirmed, along
      with several genes regulating proteins used as biomarkers for NEC. CONCLUSION:
      This study indicates that tight junctions and cell adhesion may play a critical
      role in the pathogenesis of early experimental NEC. Better understanding of the
      pathogenesis of NEC may lead to novel strategies for the prevention and treatment
      of NEC.

PMID- 24210205
TI  - Assessing quality in pediatric surgery--the limited role of appendectomy as the
      optimal target.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Appendectomy is one of the highest volume procedures in children
      performed across a variety of hospital types in the U.S. potentially making it
      the ideal procedure to target when assessing hospital and surgeon quality. Though
      appendiceal perforation rate has been identified as a potential quality target
      reflecting primary care access, perforation rates have little association with
      hospital or surgeon quality. The utility and reliability of appendectomy as a
      target procedure to judge hospital quality based on outcomes beyond perforation
      rates are unknown. METHODS: Using the 2008 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, hospital
      pediatric appendectomy volumes were determined. Based on literature review, a
      variety of complication rate thresholds to identify hospital outlier status were
      determined using sample size calculations. The percent of U.S. hospitals that
      could exceed volume thresholds in order to be reliably compared was determined.
      RESULTS: Several complication rates of interest were identified ranging from
      mortality at 0.19% to a composite overall morbidity at 6.44%. Minimum hospital
      caseloads required to detect a doubling of complication rates included 127 cases
      for a composite overall morbidity, 276 cases for wound infection, 285 cases for
      negative appendectomy, 335 cases for intra-abdominal abscess, 438 cases for
      postoperative ileus, and 4,729 cases for mortality. Based on annual volumes, only
      22% of hospitals met the minimum volume thresholds for a composite overall
      morbidity. In order to use other outcomes to assess quality, multiple year
      aggregate data are needed in order to generate volumes sufficient for comparison.
      Even with 5 year aggregate data less than 2% of hospitals could be compared based
      on mortality. CONCLUSIONS: For the vast majority of complications very few
      hospitals accrue enough procedure specific volume with appendectomy to judge
      quality even with multiple years of data collection. In order to best assess
      hospital quality in children's surgery alternate targets beyond procedure
      specific traditional outcomes warrant exploration.

PMID- 24210206
TI  - Characteristics of hospitals with lowest costs in management of pediatric
      appendicitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A primary determinant of value in treating appendicitis is inpatient
      cost. The purpose of this study was to identify hospital-level factors that drive
      costs associated with the treatment of appendicitis. METHODS: Cost-to-charge
      ratios from the 2009 Kids' Inpatient Database gave average all-payer costs by
      hospital for uncomplicated appendicitis (without peritonitis, ICD-9-CM 540.9) and
      complicated appendicitis (generalized peritonitis, 540.0; peritoneal abscess,
      540.1). The 10% of hospitals with the lowest costs were defined as low cost; the
      remaining 90% were defined non-low cost. Bivariate and multivariate analyses
      compared hospital characteristics between the two groups. RESULTS: Threshold cost
      dividing low cost from non-low cost for uncomplicated appendicitis was $4626; for
      complicated appendicitis, it was $6,026. For both conditions teaching status,
      lower percentage of pediatric discharges, and fewer registered nurses (RN) per
      1000 adjusted patient-days predicted a hospital to be low cost. A cost benefit
      for medium and large hospitals and higher inpatient volume was found only for
      uncomplicated appendicitis. Regional effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The
      findings show the high-cost structure of hospitals that care for high volumes of
      children, emphasizing the need to constrain cost. There is some benefit of
      economies of scale, and careful attention to the numbers of nursing personnel.

PMID- 24210207
TI  - A longitudinal cohort study of incidence rates of inguinal hernia repair in 0- to
      6-year-old children.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This study provides epidemiologic data on the incidence of
      inguinal hernia repair in preschool children using the Taiwan National Health
      Insurance Research Database. We believe that the data on hernia repair in said
      database provide a close approximation of the true incidence of inguinal hernia
      in young children. METHOD: A cohort of 1,073,891 deidentified individuals was
      randomly selected from an insured population of 23 million. Subjects born during
      the period 1997-2004 were followed from birth to 6 years. The chi-square test and
      logistic regression modeling were used for statistical analyses. RESULT: A total
      of 92,308 individuals were born during the study period. Of these individuals,
      3881 underwent hernia repairs. The cumulative incidence of hernia repair in
      children aged 0 to 6 years was 4.20%/7 years. The boy/girl ratio was 4.27:1 and
      the unilateral/bilateral ratio was 3.77:1. The incidence of hernia repair among
      boys was highest during the first year of life, but then decreased with age. In
      contrast, the incidence among girls remained stable during the first 6 years of
      life. Boys younger than 1 year had more bilateral repairs than boys in other age
      groups (p<0.0001) and girls had significantly more bilateral repairs than boys
      (p<0.0001). Subjects with a history of preterm birth also had a higher incidence
      of hernia repair than subjects who were born at full term (odds ratio=2.34,
      p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Yearly incidence of hernia repair was obtained from a
      nationwide database. Some of the observations have not been reported elsewhere.

PMID- 24210208
TI  - Using the parents' video camera for the follow-up of children who have undergone
      hypospadias surgery decreases hospital anxiety of children.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the benefits of using the parents' video camera records
      for the follow-up of children who had undergone hypospadias surgery in terms of
      reducing fear and hospital anxiety of the children and the time spent in the
      waiting room. METHODS: This prospective study was performed on children with
      proximal hypospadias. The patients were called for the follow-up appointment on
      the 7th postoperative day and were divided into 3 groups. The first group was the
      control group where parents were not given any follow-up visit direction. The
      parents of the second group were told to have their child drink enough fluids and
      come with a full bladder, while the third group of parents recorded their child's
      micturition using a video camera. The fear and anxiety of children at the
      postoperative visit were evaluated and recorded using a scoring system between 0
      and 4 using the Children's Fear Scale (CFS) brochure. The time elapsed from the
      arrival of the parents in the outpatient clinic to their departure was also
      recorded for comparison of the total time spent during the follow-up visit among
      the groups. RESULTS: Thirty boys who underwent hypospadias repair were enrolled
      in this study. The median CFS scores at the postoperative follow-up visit were
      2.99+/-0.99 (range: 1-4) in the first group, 2.90+/-0.87 (range: 1-4) in the
      second group, and 0.00 (range 0-0) in the third group. The median total time
      spent during the follow-up visit in the 3 groups was 61.50+/-17.08 (range 35-88),
      18.1+/-13.01 (range 4-45), and 4.0+/-0.81 (3-5) minutes, respectively. Both CFS
      and total time spent were significantly lower in the third group (p<0.01).
      CONCLUSION: Imaging of micturition at home by using a video camera for outpatient
      visits following hypospadias surgery will decrease the fear and anxiety of
      children and the time that the family spends at the hospital.

PMID- 24210209
TI  - Hepaticoduodenostomy versus hepaticojejunostomy after resection of choledochal
      cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Excision has been established as a standard management practice for
      choledochal cysts in the last few decades. The two most commonly performed
      methods of reconstruction after excision are hepaticoduodenostomy (HD) and Roux
      en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ), of which the HJ is favored by most surgeons.
      Evidence concerning the optimal method of reconstruction is, however, sparse.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies comparing outcomes from HD and HJ after
      choledochal cyst excision were identified by searching Medline, Ovid, Search
      Medica, Elsevier Clinicalkey, Google Scholar and Cochrane library. Suitable
      studies were chosen and data extracted for meta-analysis. Outcomes evaluated
      included operative time, hospital stay and incidence of postoperative bile leak,
      cholangitis, reflux/gastritis, anastomotic stricture, bleeding, intestinal
      obstruction and re-operative rate. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated for
      dichotomous variables; pooled mean differences (MD) were measured for continuous
      variables. RESULTS: Six retrospective studies were included in this meta
      analysis, comprising a total of 679 patients, 412 of whom (60.7%) underwent HD,
      and the remainder, 267 (39.3%) underwent HJ. Although, HD group had slightly
      shorter hospital stay (MD: 0.30; 95% CI: -0.22-0.39; P < 0.00001) it showed a
      higher incidence of postoperative reflux/gastritis (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: -0.02-0.39;
      P = 0.002). However, the other outcomes such as bile leak, cholangitis,
      anastomotic stricture, bleeding, operative time, reoperation rate and adhesive
      intestinal obstruction did not differ between HD and HJ groups. CONCLUSIONS: HD
      shows higher postoperative reflux/gastritis than HJ but a shorter hospital stay.
      There are few good-quality studies that compare the outcomes from HD and HJ,
      meaning that caution should be exercised in the generalization of the results of
      this meta-analysis, which suggests HD to be comparable with HJ in terms of other
      complications, operative benefits and outcomes.

PMID- 24210210
TI  - Long-term follow-up of functional outcome in patients with a cloacal
      malformation: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reconstructive surgery is performed in patients with cloacal
      malformations to achieve anorectal, urological, and gynecological function. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of cloacal malformation
      repair as reported in literature. METHODS: A systematic literature search was
      conducted according to PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, EMbase, and Web-of
      Science. Records were assessed for the reporting of functional outcomes, which
      was divided into anorectal, urological, or gynecological function. Studies were
      used in qualitative (Rangel score) and quantitative syntheses. RESULTS: Twelve
      publications were eligible for inclusion. Voluntary bowel movements were reported
      in 108 of 188 (57%), soiling in 146 of 205 (71%), and constipation in 31 of 61
      patients (51%). Spontaneous voiding was reported for 138 of 299 patients (46%).
      141 of 332 patients (42%) used intermittent catheterization, and 53 of 237
      patients (22%) had a urinary diversion. Normal menstruations were reported for 25
      of 71 patients (35%). Centers with limited experience reported similar outcome
      compared to centers with more experience (>=1 patients/year). CONCLUSION: In this
      review we present functional outcome of the largest pooled cohort of patients
      with cloacal malformations as reported from 1993 to 2012. Functional disturbances
      are frequently encountered in anorectal, urological, as well as gynecological
      systems. Reporting of functional outcome in these patients should improve to
      increase knowledge about long-term results in patients with this rare
      malformation and to reach higher study quality. Especially, sacral and spinal
      anomalies should always be reported given their impact on functional outcome.
      Specialized care centers may be of great importance for patients with rare and
      complex conditions.

PMID- 24210211
TI  - Modified Scharli technique for the very long gap esophageal atresia.
AB  - This modification of the Scharli technique which creates an isoperistaltic tube
      to overcome very long gap esophageal atresia involves retention of the short
      distal esophageal segment and creation of a neo-esophagus of tubularized gastric
      fundus of even calibre, similar to that of the upper esophageal segment. It has
      proved simple and effective in establishing esophageal continuity. 

PMID- 24210212
TI  - [Reply to the letter on the article "PENTAX-AWS video laryngoscope, an
      alternative to intubation with fibrobronchoscopy in the awake patient with known
      difficult airway"].

PMID- 24210213
TI  - [Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block at wrist level for the treatment of
      idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of pain and degree of satisfaction in patients undergoing
      ultrasound-assisted peripheral regional block for the treatment of idiopathic
      palmar hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive,
      observational study of patients with palmar hyperhidrosis treated with botulinum
      toxin A, who underwent ultrasound-guided peripheral regional block of the median
      and ulnar nerves with 3 ml of mepivacaine 1% in each one. The radial nerve block
      was injected in the anatomical snuffbox. After establishing blocking, the
      dermatologist performed a mapping and injected around 100 IU of botulinum toxin
      across the whole palm. The pain experienced during the injection of botulinum
      toxin was evaluated by verbal numerical scale (from 0 to 10), along with the
      degree of satisfaction with the anesthetic technique, and the post-anesthetic
      complications. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study, 11 men
      and 29 women with no significant differences. The pain intensity assessed with
      verbal numerical scale was 1.03 (standard deviation of 1.37). No patients had a
      value greater than 5. The degree of patient satisfaction with the anesthetic
      technique was very good for 85% of the patients, and good for 7.5%. There were no
      complications related to type of anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound-assisted
      peripheral regional block could be a simple, effective and safe technique for
      patients undergoing palmar injection of botulinum toxin. Pain intensity was very
      low, and it provided a very good level of satisfaction in most patients.

PMID- 24210214
TI  - [Comments to article "Video laryngoscope Pentax-AWS, an alternative to intubation
      with fiber bronchoscope in awake patient with foreseen difficult airway"].

PMID- 24210215
TI  - [Reply to 'Intervention of clinical management units of physical medicine and
      rehabilitation in cerebrovascular disease'].

PMID- 24210216
TI  - [Intervention by physical medicine and rehabilitation management units in cases
      of cerebrovascular disease].

PMID- 24210217
TI  - Global real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
      detecting proto-oncogenes associated with 14q32 chromosomal translocation as a
      valuable marker for predicting survival in multiple myeloma.
AB  - CCND1, FGFR3 and c-MAF mRNA expression of tumor samples from 123 multiple myeloma
      patients were analyzed by global RQ/RT-PCR. CCND1, FGFR3 and c-MAF were positive
      in 44 (36%), 28 (23%) and 16 (13%) of patients, respectively. In 7 patients, both
      FGFR3 and c-MAF were positive. The expression of c-MAF was independent
      unfavorable prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Autologous stem cell
      transplantation improved progression-free survival of CCND1-positive patients.
      Bortezomib, thalidomide or lenalidomide extended OS of FGFR3 and/or c-MAF
      positive patients. Thus, CCND1, FGFR3 and c-MAF mRNA expression can predict
      survival and is useful for planning stratified treatment strategies for myeloma
      patients. 

PMID- 24210218
TI  - Autophosphorylation activity of a soluble hexameric histidine kinase correlates
      with the shift in protein conformational equilibrium.
AB  - In a commonly accepted model, in response to stimuli, bacterial histidine kinases
      undergo a conformational transition between an active and inactive form.
      Structural information on histidine kinases is limited. By using ion mobility
      mass spectrometry (IM-MS), we demonstrate an exchange between two conformational
      populations of histidine kinase ExsG that are linked to different levels of
      kinase activity. ExsG is an atypical signaling protein that incorporates an
      uncommon histidine kinase catalytic core at the C terminus preceded by an N
      terminal "receiver domain" that is normally associated with the response
      regulator proteins in two-component signal transduction systems. IM-MS analysis
      and enzymatic assays indicate that phosphorylation of the ExsG receiver domain
      stabilizes the "compact" form of the protein and inhibits kinase core activity;
      in contrast, nucleotide binding required for kinase activity is associated with
      the more open conformation of ExsG. 

PMID- 24210219
TI  - Biochemical and structural studies of conserved Maf proteins revealed nucleotide
      pyrophosphatases with a preference for modified nucleotides.
AB  - Maf (for multicopy associated filamentation) proteins represent a large family of
      conserved proteins implicated in cell division arrest but whose biochemical
      activity remains unknown. Here, we show that the prokaryotic and eukaryotic Maf
      proteins exhibit nucleotide pyrophosphatase activity against 5-methyl-UTP, pseudo
      UTP, 5-methyl-CTP, and 7-methyl-GTP, which represent the most abundant modified
      bases in all organisms, as well as against canonical nucleotides dTTP, UTP, and
      CTP. Overexpression of the Maf protein YhdE in E. coli cells increased
      intracellular levels of dTMP and UMP, confirming that dTTP and UTP are the in
      vivo substrates of this protein. Crystal structures and site-directed mutagenesis
      of Maf proteins revealed the determinants of their activity and substrate
      specificity. Thus, pyrophosphatase activity of Maf proteins toward canonical and
      modified nucleotides might provide the molecular mechanism for a dual role of
      these proteins in cell division arrest and house cleaning. 

PMID- 24210221
TI  - Non-invasive monitoring during cardiac arrest: NIRS has potential but data remain
      limited.

PMID- 24210220
TI  - Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of an allosteric inhibitor of HSET
      that targets cancer cells with supernumerary centrosomes.
AB  - Centrosomes associate with spindle poles; thus, the presence of two centrosomes
      promotes bipolar spindle assembly in normal cells. Cancer cells often contain
      supernumerary centrosomes, and to avoid multipolar mitosis and cell death, these
      are clustered into two poles by the microtubule motor protein HSET. We report the
      discovery of an allosteric inhibitor of HSET, CW069, which we designed using a
      methodology on an interface of chemistry and biology. Using this approach, we
      explored millions of compounds in silico and utilized convergent syntheses. Only
      compound CW069 showed marked activity against HSET in vitro. The inhibitor
      induced multipolar mitoses only in cells containing supernumerary centrosomes.
      CW069 therefore constitutes a valuable tool for probing HSET function and, by
      reducing the growth of cells containing supernumerary centrosomes, paves the way
      for new cancer therapeutics. 

PMID- 24210222
TI  - Historical changes in trace metals and hydrocarbons in nearshore sediments,
      Alaskan Beaufort Sea, prior and subsequent to petroleum-related industrial
      development: part II. Hydrocarbons.
AB  - Composition and concentration of hydrocarbons (normal and isoprenoid alkanes,
      triterpenoids, steranes, and PAHs) in nearshore surface sediments from Elson
      Lagoon (EL), Colville Delta-Prudhoe Bay (CDPB) and Beaufort Lagoon (BL), Alaskan
      Beaufort Sea, were assessed for spatio-temporal variability. Principal component
      analysis of the molecules/biomarkers concentrations delineated CDPB and BL
      samples into two groups, and cluster analysis identified three station groups in
      CDPB. Overall there was no geographic distribution pattern in the groups. The
      diversities between groups and individual samples are attributed to differences
      in n-alkanes and PAHs contents, which are influenced predominantly by sediment
      granulometry and sitespecific fluvial input. The predominant hydrocarbon source
      is biogenic, mainly terrigenous, with hardly any contribution from natural oil
      seeps, oil drill effluents and/or refined crude. The terrigenous source is
      corroborated by delta(13)C, delta(15)N, and OC/N of sediment organic matter. Time
      interval (1976-1977, 1984 and 1997) changes in hydrocarbon compositions and
      concentrations in CDPB are not significant. 

PMID- 24210223
TI  - Spatial budgetary evaluation of organochlorine contaminants in the sediments of
      Cochin Estuary, India.
AB  - This paper presents the first detailed investigation on the residual levels of
      organochlorine insecticide (OCI) concentrations in the Cochin estuarine sediment.
      It aims in elucidate their distribution and ecological impact on the aquatic
      system. Concentrations of persistent organochlorine compound (OC) were determined
      for 17 surface sediment samples which were collected from specific sites of
      Cochin Estuarine System (CES) over a period of November 2009 and November 2011.
      The contaminant levels in the CES were compared with other worldwide ecosystems.
      The sites bearing high concentration of organochlorine compounds are well
      associated with the complexities and low energy environment. Evaluation of
      ecotoxicological factors suggests that adverse biological effects are expected in
      certain areas of CES. 

PMID- 24210224
TI  - Falling down: landscape and kinetics of one-dimensional protein folding.
AB  - In this issue of Structure, Tsytlonok and colleagues describe the folding
      landscape of the giant HEAT-repeat protein PR65/A (a molecular adaptor of protein
      phosphatase 2A) by using experimental and theoretical methods. Both approaches
      agree in suggesting the presence of parallel folding pathways with several
      intermediates. 

PMID- 24210225
TI  - Surmounting an impasse of FcRn structure.
AB  - FcRn, resembling a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule with a
      closed peptide cleft, is an intracellular molecule that binds endocytosed albumin
      and IgG by a pH-dependent mechanism, diverting them from degradative fates and
      moving them out of the cell. The turnover of both of these important plasma
      proteins is thus regulated, as discussed by Schmidt and colleagues in this issue
      of Structure. 

PMID- 24210226
TI  - A different look for AB5 toxins.
AB  - Metzincins are a distinct clan of metallopeptidases encompassing several
      families. In this issue of Structure, Ng and colleagues describe the results of
      the structural analysis of the toxilysins, a novel family of metzincins employed
      by gastroinfective bacteria as intracellular virulence factors following host
      cell invasion. 

PMID- 24210227
TI  - Myosin structure, allostery, and mechano-chemistry.
AB  - Aberrant actomyosin interactions contribute to a wide range of pathophysiological
      conditions including heart failure, neurodegenerative disorders, and tumor
      growth. Despite surgical, interventional, and pharmacological advances, the
      burden and economic impact of these diseases remains immense. The initiation and
      progression of these disorders is frequently found to be a direct consequence of
      aberrant motile activity, which makes the in-depth investigation of the molecular
      mechanisms underlying actomyosin-dependent motility a prerequisite for the
      development of innovative treatment strategies. The present review describes key
      structural features of the actomyosin system, the basis of chemo-mechanical and
      allosteric coupling in the myosin motor domain, and molecular engineering and
      small molecule-based approaches to alter myosin function. 

PMID- 24210228
TI  - Is diabetes mellitus a negative prognostic factor for the treatment of advanced
      non-small-cell lung cancer?
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that there are a lot of different prognostic
      factors which are worthy of consideration whereas diabetes mellitus (DM) has not
      been clearly or consistently identified as a prognostic value in advanced non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to investigate the
      prognostic significance of the characteristics of patients in advanced NSCLC.
      Specifically, we investigated the impact of DM for progression-free survival
      (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients receiving first-line platinum-based
      doublets chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 442 patients with
      advanced NSCLC. DM and other potential prognostic variables were chosen for
      analysis in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to
      identify prognostic factors associated with survival. RESULT: The results of
      univariate analysis for OS were identified as having prognostic significance:
      performance status (p<0.001), stage (p<0.001), DM (p<0.001), liver metastasis
      (p=0.02) and brain metastasis (p<0.001). Stage, diabetes mellitus, and liver
      metastasis were identified as having prognostic significance for PFS.
      Multivariate analysis showed that poor performance status, presence of DM and
      advanced stage were considered independent negative prognostic factors for OS (p
      0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). Furthermore, DM and stage were
      considered independent negative prognostic factors for PFS (p 0.005 and p 0.001
      respectively). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, DM at the time of diagnosis was
      associated with the negative prognostic importance for PFS and OS in the advanced
      stage patients who were receiving first-line platinum-based doublets
      chemotherapy. In addition poor performance status and advanced stage were
      identified as negative prognostic factors.

PMID- 24210229
TI  - Elevated expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in placental villi and
      tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in decidua are associated with prolonged
      bleeding after mifepristone-misoprostol medical abortion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the expression levels of matrix
      metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and -9) and tissue inhibitors of
      metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and -2) in the villi and the decidua are
      associated with prolonged bleeding after medical abortion. DESIGN: Case
      controlled study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Mifepristone
      misoprostol medical abortion patients were divided into two groups (20 women
      each) based on the length of time (>14 or <=14 days) of bleeding after the
      abortion. INTERVENTION(S): Discharged villi and deciduas were collected. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The expression levels of MMP-2 and -9 and TIMP-1 and -2 in
      the villi and deciduas were assessed with semiquantitative immunohistochemistry.
      RESULT(S): The median semiquantitative immunohistochemistry staining index (SI)
      scores for MMP-9 expression in the villi were elevated in the bleeding group
      compared with the control group (median SI scores 0.31 and 0.03, respectively).
      TIMP-2 expression was elevated in the decidua in the bleeding group compared with
      the control group (median SI scores 1.00 and 0.20, respectively). No significant
      differences were observed between the two groups in the expression levels of MMP
      2 in the villi or of MMP-2, MMP-9, or TIMP-1 or of the ratios of MMP-9/TIMP-1 or
      MMP-2/TIMP-2 in the decidua. CONCLUSION(S): Elevated expression levels of MMP-9
      in the villi and of TIMP-2 in the decidua were associated with prolonged bleeding
      after medical abortion.

PMID- 24210230
TI  - Influence of vitamin D levels on in vitro fertilization outcomes in donor
      recipient cycles.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of vitamin D in reproduction by examining the
      relationship between recipient vitamin D levels and pregnancy rates in donor
      recipient IVF cycles. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic
      tertiary care center. PATIENT(S): Ninety-nine recipients of egg donation at
      University of Southern California Fertility. INTERVENTION(S): Serum was collected
      from egg donor recipients before ET and was tested for vitamin D levels
      [25(OH)D]. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy as defined by sonographic
      presence of a heartbeat at 7-8 weeks of gestation. RESULT(S): In a diverse
      population of 99 recipients (53% Caucasian, 20% Asian, 16% Hispanic, 7% African
      American), adjusted clinical pregnancy rates were lower among vitamin D-deficient
      recipients than among vitamin D-replete recipients (37% vs. 78%). Live-birth
      rates were 31% among vitamin D-deficient recipients, compared with 59% among
      vitamin D-replete recipients. There were no differences in adjusted clinical
      pregnancy and live-birth rates among recipients who were vitamin D deficient
      [25(OH)D<20 ng/mL] vs. among those who were vitamin D insufficient [20 ng/mL <=
      25(OH)D<30 ng/mL]. CONCLUSION(S): Nonreplete vitamin D status [25(OH)D<30 ng/mL]
      was associated with lower pregnancy rates in recipients of egg donation. Since
      the oocyte donor-recipient model is able to separate the impact of vitamin D on
      oocyte vs. endometrium, these data suggest that the effects of vitamin D may be
      mediated through the endometrium.

PMID- 24210231
TI  - [Surgical treatments of presumed benign ovarian tumors].
AB  - The surgical management of presumed benign ovarian tumors (PBOT) must ensure
      complete removal of the cyst, reduce the risk of recurrence (especially in case
      of endometrioma), prevent any risk of tumor dissemination, and must preserve
      healthy ovarian tissue. Asymptomatic PBOT should not be punctured. Expectation is
      preferable to puncture. Laparoscopy is the gold standard for surgical treatment.
      Single-port laparoscopy is feasible and being evaluated. Peritoneal exploration
      and peritoneal cytology are conventionally performed. Ovarian cystectomy,
      oophorectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy are the standard techniques. Suture after
      cystectomy is not recommended. The extraction of the cyst using an endoscopic bag
      is recommended. Peritoneal washing after surgery is recommended. The use of anti
      adhesions barriers is not recommended routinely. In case of dermoid cyst,
      cystectomy by mesial incision may decrease the risk of intraoperative rupture. In
      case of endometrioma, the intraperitoneal cystectomy is recommended as first-line
      surgery. Exclusive bipolar coagulation should be avoided because of increased
      risk of recurrence and lower pregnancy rates. There is no argument to support the
      use of plasma energy and CO2 laser in the treatment of endometriomas. Ethanol
      sclerotherapy may be proposed in patients with recurrent endometriomas after
      surgery and referred to medically assisted procreation, although there is no
      comparative trial with cystectomy. 

PMID- 24210232
TI  - [Clinical practice guidelines: Presumed benign ovarian tumors--aims, methods, and
      organization].

PMID- 24210233
TI  - [Presumed ovarian benign tumors and fertility].
AB  - We reviewed the studies about fertility-sparing in young patient presenting a
      benign ovarian tumor. It appears that more than the histologic nature of the
      ovarian cysts, it is the surgical treatment of the cyst which may decrease
      fertility. Some good practice of surgical procedures must be kept in mind when
      one manages a benign ovarian tumor in a young patient wishing to preserve her
      fertility: surgery should be avoided as much as possible; kystectomy is better
      than oophorectomy; no radical surgery should be done without pathological
      certitudes; electrocoagulation must be avoided on the cyst walls. In some
      situations, fertility is specially endangered: bilateral ovarian cysts,
      recurrence or strong probability of recurrence (endometriomas), poor ovarian
      reserve (previous chemo- or radiotherapy, age>35, premature ovarian failure). In
      these situations, a pre-operative assessment of the ovarian reserve could be
      useful. Beside the surgical 'good procedures', gamete cryopreservation procedures
      could be used. Cryopreservation of mature oocytes (after ovarian
      hyperstimulation) or in vitro mature oocytes (after antral follicle retrieval)
      can be proposed. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is another option. Oocyte (or
      embryos) cryopreservation can be proposed before or after the surgery. The global
      management of benign ovarian tumors in young patients should be decided between
      surgeons and specialists in reproductive biology. 

PMID- 24210234
TI  - [Prevention of the complications related to hysteroscopy: guidelines for clinical
      practice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To provide clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) from the French college
      of obstetrics and gynecology (CNGOF), based on the best evidence available,
      concerning the adverse events related to hysteroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Review of literature using following Keywords: hysteroscopy; vaginoscopy;
      infection; perforation; intrauterine adhesions RESULTS: Vaginoscopy should be the
      standard technique for outpatient hysteroscopy (grade A) using a miniature (<=
      3.5mm sheath) (grade A) rigid hysteroscope (grade C), using normal saline
      solution distension medium (grade C), without any anesthesia (conscious sedation
      should not be routinely used), without cervical preparation (grade B), without
      vaginal disinfection and without antibiotic prophylaxy (grade B). Misoprostol
      (grade A), vaginal estrogens (grade C), or GnRH agonist routine administration is
      not recommended before operative hysteroscopy. Before performing hysteroscopy, it
      is important to purge the air out of the system (grade A). The uterine cavity
      distention pressure should be maintained below the mean arterial pressure and
      below 120 mmHg. The maximum fluid deficit of 2000 mL is suggested when using
      normal saline solution and 1000 mL is suggested when using hypotonic solution.
      When uterine perforation is recognized during operative hysteroscopy using
      monopolar or bipolar loop, the procedure should be stopped and a laparoscopy
      should be performed in order to eliminate a bowel injury. Diagnostic or operative
      hysteroscopy is allowed when an endometrial cancer is suspected (grade B).
      CONCLUSION: Implementation of this guideline should decrease the prevalence of
      complications related to office and operative hysteroscopy.

PMID- 24210235
TI  - [Epidemiology of presumed benign ovarian tumors].
AB  - Ovarian cysts presumed benign can be organic or functional. Their prevalence is
      estimated between 14 and 18% in postmenopausal women and around 7% in
      asymptomatic women of childbearing age. Their incidence during pregnancy is
      between 0.2 and 5% and varies within the term of pregnancy. Ovarian cysts
      presumed benign have caused nearly 45,000 hospitalizations in France in 2012,
      bringing the annual risk of hospitalization for a woman residing in France to
      1.30/00. Among the risk factors studied in the literature, tamoxifen increases
      the incidence of ovarian cysts in premenopausal patients and immunosuppressive
      treatments are associated with a high prevalence of benign ovarian cysts while
      estrogen contraception reduces the risk of developing functional cysts.

PMID- 24210236
TI  - [MRI and CT-scan in presumed benign ovarian tumors].
AB  - Radiological examinations are required for the assessment of complex or
      indeterminate ovarian masses, mainly using MRI and CT-scan. MRI provides better
      tissue characterization than Doppler ultrasound or CT-scan (LE2). Pelvic MRI is
      recommended in case of an indeterminate or complex ovarian ultrasonographic mass
      (grade B). The protocol of a pelvic MRI should include morphological T1 and T2
      sequences (grade B). In case of solid portion, perfusion and diffusion sequences
      are recommended (grade C). In case of doubt about the diagnosis of ovarian
      origin, pelvic MRI is preferred over the CT-scan (grade C). MRI is the technique
      of choice for the difference between functional and organic ovarian lesion
      diagnosis (grade C). It can be useful in case of clinical diagnostic uncertainty
      between polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian hyperstimulation and multilocular
      ovarian tumor syndrome (grade C). No MRI classification for ovarian masses is
      currently validated. The establishment of a presumption of risk of malignancy is
      required in a MRI report of adnexal mass with if possible a guidance on the
      histological diagnosis. In the absence of clinical or sonographic diagnosis,
      pelvic CT-scan is recommended in the context of acute painful pelvic mass in non
      pregnant patients (grade C). It specifies the anomalies and allows the
      differential diagnosis with digestive and urinary diseases (LE4). Given the lack
      of data in the literature, the precautionary principle must be applied to the
      realization of a pelvic MRI in a pregnant patient. A risk-benefit balance should
      be evaluated case by case by the clinician and the radiologist and information
      should be given to the patient. In an emergency situation during pregnancy,
      pelvic MRI is an alternative to CT-scan for the exploration of acute pelvic pain
      in case of uncertain sonographic diagnosis (grade C). 

PMID- 24210237
TI  - [Methods used to provide guidelines for clinical practice concerning the
      prevention of the complications related to hysteroscopy].

PMID- 24210238
TI  - [Presumed benign ovarian tumors of childhood and adolescent].
AB  - Ovarian tumors in childhood are rare, often organic with 10% of malignant cases.
      Functional pathology dominates in adolescence and its management is the same as
      the adult. The clinical symptoms of PBOT (presumed benign ovarian tumor) are non
      specific. The main clinical signs are acute pain, associated with peritoneal
      irritation syndrome, which can suggest an ovarian torsion, a mass or the
      development of secondary sexual characters. Hyperestrogenemia suggests a McCune
      Albright syndrome or a granulosa tumor. Hyperandrogenism evokes a malignant
      tumor. Pelvic ultrasound is the main examination. Pure liquid cysts are benign
      but could be organic if persisting beyond 6 months. MRI and tumor markers are
      needed for heterogeneous cyst diagnosis. The protected extraction of a cyst is
      recommended during the laparoscopic cystectomy. If case of doubt of malignancy,
      laparoscopy allows the peritoneal cavity exploration. In case of torsion, ovarian
      untwisting must be performed. After untwisting, the ovary must be preserved
      because macroscopic aspect is not predictive of the ovarian function recovery. No
      medical treatment is effective. After resection, US follow up is required for
      five years.

PMID- 24210239
TI  - [Diagnosis of presumed benign ovarian tumors].
AB  - Symptoms of presumed benign ovarian tumors (PBOT) are not specific (LE4).
      Personal or family history of gynecological cancers can guide the diagnostic
      strategy. Clinical examination is ineffective for positive, topographic and
      etiologic diagnosis of PBOT (LE4). Signs of hormonal impregnation may refer to
      certain types of tumors (LE4). For any patient presenting with a pelvic mass,
      pelvic ultrasound is in the first-line exam (grade A); it can classify most
      ovarian tumors. In case of pure liquid unilocular mass smaller than 7 cm,
      ultrasound is sufficient to characterize the mass (grade A). In case of
      indeterminate or complex ovarian mass on ultrasound, MRI is useful to
      characterize the mass (LE2). Beyond 7 cm, the diagnostic performance of
      ultrasound decreases (LE2). When a non-unilocular liquid ovarian formation is
      characterized using ultrasound as determinate mass, ultrasound scan is the only
      exam recommended (grade B). MRI is indicated as a second-line scan for
      indeterminate masses or greater than 7 cm (grade B). Cyst puncture for diagnostic
      purposes has no place in the diagnostic strategy of ovarian cysts (grade C). In
      case of PBOT in pre-pubertal period, dosing biomarkers is useful but should not
      delay care. In adult women with PBOT, the measurement of CA125 is not recommended
      for first-line diagnosis (grade C). Current literature data are not sufficient to
      specify the diagnostic strategy for an ovarian tumor discovered incidentally
      during laparoscopy. In case of discovery of a high CA125 value, pelvic ultrasound
      is the first-line examination. The literature data are still limited to define a
      CA125 threshold value requiring further exploration or special monitoring, in
      case of normal pelvic ultrasound.

PMID- 24210240
TI  - [Complications of presumed benign ovarian tumors].
AB  - The main risk factor of adnexal torsion is a previous adnexal torsion (LE3).
      There is no clinical, biological or radiological sign that may exclude the
      diagnosis of adnexal torsion (LE3). The presence of flow at color Doppler imaging
      does not allow exclusion of the diagnosis (LE2). An emergent laparoscopy is
      recommended for adnexal untwisting (Grade B), except in postmenopausal women
      where oophorectomy is recommended (grade C). A persistent black color of the
      adnexa after untwisting is not an indication for systematic oophorectomy (grade
      C), since a functional recovery is possible (LE3). Ovariopexy is not routinely
      recommended following adnexal untwisting (grade C). The clinical signs of intra
      cystic hemorrhage and those of rupture of the corpus luteum are not specific
      (LE4). MRI is not recommended to confirm the diagnosis of intra-cystic hemorrhage
      (grade C). Malignant transformation of an ovarian cyst is very rare. The presence
      of a benign ovarian cyst is not associated with an increased risk of ovarian
      cancer at long-term follow-up (LE2). For these women, an ultrasound follow-up is
      not recommended (grade C). Dermoid ovarian cyst containing nerve tissue can
      trigger the production of pathogenic auto-antibody-anti-NMDA, leading to
      encephalitis. A high proportion of thyroid tissue in a mature teratoma (struma
      ovarii) may cause hyperthyroidism.

PMID- 24210241
TI  - [Medical treatments of presumed benign ovarian tumors].
AB  - Medical treatment of functional cysts and endometriomas, and the risk of
      developing functional ovarian cysts in different therapeutic situations are
      assessed. The available literature regarding the treatment of functional cysts is
      limited both by the number of studies and the variability of criteria used to
      define cysts. There is no evidence to support any efficiency of a medical
      treatment (LE1). However, oral contraceptive use reduces the risk of development
      of functional cysts (LE2). Using a second generation combination is recommended
      as a first-line option in order to reduce thromboembolic risk (LE1). Tamoxifen is
      significantly associated with an increased risk of developing unilocular cysts
      before menopause (LE2). For endometriomas, GnRH-agonists are not recommended
      before cystectomy in order to facilitate surgery (grade C) or to prevent
      recurrence (grade B). After surgery of endometriomas, the use of an intrauterine
      device with levonorgestrel or oral contraceptives significantly reduces the
      volume of the cyst in case of recurrence (LE3); oral contraceptives reduce the
      recurrence rate of endometriomas (LE2); the use of a low-dose oral contraceptive
      decreases the frequency and severity of long-term dysmenorrhea (LE1).

PMID- 24210242
TI  - [Presumed benign ovarian tumors during pregnancy].
AB  - The incidence of ovarian tumors diagnosed during pregnancy is between 0.3 and
      5.4% (LE2). The most common ovarian tumors diagnosed during pregnancy are
      functional cysts diagnosed incidentally during the first trimester ultrasound
      (LE2) and spontaneous regression is often observed. Dermoid cysts and cystadenoma
      are the most frequent organic benign ovarian tumors diagnosed during pregnancy
      (LE2). The main complication of presumed benign ovarian tumor (PBOT) during
      pregnancy is adnexal torsion and is estimated at around 8% (LE2), especially at
      the end of the first trimester and during the second trimester (LE4). Tumor
      markers are not reliable during pregnancy to assess the risk of malignancy of
      ovarian tumor (LE2). Ultrasound remains the gold standard for characterizing an
      ovarian tumor during pregnancy (LE3), but with a lower specificity for the
      diagnosis of malignancy. Pelvic MRI is accurate in the diagnosis of ovarian
      tumors during pregnancy and brings additional information to ultrasound (LE4).
      Ultrasound-guided aspiration of ovarian tumors is not recommended during
      pregnancy (grade C). Expectation is recommended in cases of PBOT during
      pregnancy, which does not enlarge (grade C). Whatever the gestational age,
      surgery is recommended in patients with symptoms suggesting an adnexal torsion
      (grade C). Laparoscopy is possible during the first and second trimester of
      pregnancy for the management of symptomatic PBOT (LE3). The risk of miscarriage
      following surgery (laparoscopy and laparotomy) for ovarian tumor during pregnancy
      is estimated at 2.8% (LE3). The route of delivery should not be modified by the
      ovarian tumour, except in case of praevia cyst requiring a cesarean section, a
      complication or suspicion of malignancy (grade C). Surgical treatment of PBOT may
      be performed during a cesarean section indicated for another reason. The risk of
      torsion is increased during the postpartum period (LE4).

PMID- 24210243
TI  - [Ovarian tumor markers of presumed benign ovarian tumors].
AB  - Cancer Antigen 125 (CA125) and Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4) are the most
      studied ovarian tumor markers. Their diagnostic performance for identification of
      ovarian cancer are superior to CA19-9, CA72-4, and carcinoembryonic antigen,
      which are no more recommended for the diagnosis of presumed benign ovarian tumor.
      HE4 (>140 pmol/L) is superior to CA125 (>30 U/mL) in terms of specificity and
      positive likelihood ratio. CA125 and HE4 can be combined into an algorithm ROMA,
      or associated to clinical information (composite index), biological data (OVA1)
      or imaging (Risk for Malignancy Index (RMI), LR2). ROMA algorithm is an
      exponential equation combining plasmatic concentrations of HE4 and CA125. ROMA is
      more sensitive and less specific than HE4 in predicting epithelial ovarian
      cancer. ROMA is more accurate in post-menopausal women. The performance of ROMA
      is lower than the ultrasound model LR2 in differentiating malignant from benign
      ovarian tumors, whatever the hormonal status. The composite index combining CA125
      with a symptoms index (pain, abdominal distension, bloating, difficulty eating)
      has a good sensitivity in a screening program, but because of a 12% false
      positive rate, ultrasound is required before management. The RMI algorithm is
      based on serum CA125, ultrasound findings (septation, solid zones, metastases,
      ascite, bilaterality) and menopausal status. RMI is less sensitive, but more
      specific than ROMA or OVA1 for the classification of ovarian masses. The addition
      of HE4 to RMI seems to be the most accurate. The subjective evaluation of ovarian
      cysts by sonography and color Doppler is better than ROMA and RMI algorithms, and
      not affected by the hormonal status.

PMID- 24210244
TI  - Dermatobia hominis (Diptera: Cuterebridae) in Africa and the need for caution in
      its taxonomy.

PMID- 24210245
TI  - Factors associated with dengue fever IgG sero-prevalence in South Kordofan State,
      Sudan, in 2012: Reporting prevalence ratios.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dengue fever (DF) is a vector-borne virus transmitted to humans by
      infected Aedes mosquitoes. In this study, we identified the most important
      factors associated with the prevalence of IgG antibodies in a border state
      between Sudan and the new republic of South Sudan. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the
      association of specific factors with the prevalence of DF IgG antibodies in
      Lagawa among subjects aged 16-60 years in 2012. METHODOLOGY: Analytical cross
      sectional community-based study conducted in Lagawa in 2012. RESULTS: Indoor
      mosquito breeding was the most significant predictor affecting DF IgG serology.
      Household water storage was also strongly associated with the presence of IgG
      antibodies. Residence in urban areas, younger age and a history of travel to the
      Red Sea State were significant predictors of DF IgG seroprevalence in South
      Kordofan state. CONCLUSION: Indoor (household) behaviors associated with DF
      infection should be modified to mitigate the infection risk in the study area.
      Awareness should be raised regarding DF in Lagawa to ensure community
      participation in all control measures, and the surveillance system at the border
      between Sudan and the republic of South Sudan should be strengthened.

PMID- 24210246
TI  - Evaluation of the potential impact of a carbapenem de-escalation program in an
      academic healthcare system.
AB  - The primary objective of this analysis was to evaluate group 2 carbapenem usage
      and to model the impact that a formalized de-escalation protocol to ertapenem
      could potentially have on group 2 carbapenem usage in the hope of alleviating the
      selective pressure on Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas. This analysis was conducted
      in three hospitals within the Detroit Medical Center in 2009. Patients were
      considered candidates for de-escalation of carbapenem therapy when a group 2
      carbapenem was utilized to treat Enterobacteriaceae, such as extended spectrum
      beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms, or if cultures were negative in non
      intensive care unit (ICU) patients. In total, 179 patients (28%) and 1074 patient
      days (29%) were deemed eligible for de-escalation according to our pre-defined
      criteria. We concluded that preferential utilization of ertapenem in appropriate
      patients warranting carbapenem therapy has the potential to significantly
      decrease group 2 carbapenem usage at our institution.

PMID- 24210247
TI  - Catalytic degradation of organic dyes using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles.
AB  - The green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles paved the way to improve and
      protect the environment by decreasing the use of toxic chemicals and eliminating
      biological risks in biomedical applications. Plant mediated synthesis of metal
      nanoparticles is gaining more importance owing to its simplicity, rapid rate of
      synthesis of nanoparticles and eco-friendliness. The present article reports an
      environmentally benign and unexploited method for the synthesis of silver
      nanocatalysts using Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds, which is a potential source
      of phytochemicals. The UV-visible absorption spectra of the silver samples
      exhibited distinct band centered around 400-440 nm. The major phytochemicals
      present in the seed extract responsible for the formation of silver nanocatalysts
      are identified using FTIR spectroscopy. The report emphasizes the effect of the
      size of silver nanoparticles on the degradation rate of hazardous dyes, methyl
      orange, methylene blue and eosin Y by NaBH4. The efficiency of silver
      nanoparticles as a promising candidate for the catalysis of organic dyes by NaBH4
      through the electron transfer process is established in the present study.

PMID- 24210248
TI  - Micromorphology of cactus-pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill) cladodes based on
      scanning microscopies.
AB  - Cladode ultrastructural features of two prickly and two spineless Opuntia ficus
      indica cultivars were examined using environmental scanning electron and atomic
      force microscopies. Observations focused on cladode as well as spine and glochid
      surface micromorphologies. Prickly cultivars were characterized by abundant
      cracked epicuticular wax deposits covering the cladode surface, with an amorphous
      structure as observed by AFM, while less abundant waxy plates were observed by
      ESEM on spineless cultivar cladodes. Further AFM observations allowed a rough
      granular and crystalloid epicuticular wax structure to be distinguished in
      spineless cultivars. Regarding spine micromorphology, prickly cultivars had
      strong persistent spines, observed by ESEM as a compact arrangement of oblong
      epidermal cells with a rough granular structure. However, deciduous spines in
      spineless cultivars had a broken transversely fissured epidermis covering a
      parallel arrangement of fibres. Through AFM, the deciduous spine surface
      presented an irregular hilly and smooth microrelief while persistent spines
      exhibited rough helical filamentous prints. ESEM and AFM studies of cladode
      surfaces from prickly and spineless cactus pear cultivars revealed valuable micro
      morphological details that ought to be extended to a large number of O. ficus
      indica cultivars. 

PMID- 24210249
TI  - Evaluation of the respiratory elimination kinetics of selenate and Se
      methylselenocysteine after oral administration in lambs.
AB  - Sheep can be acutely poisoned by selenium (Se) accumulating forages which often
      contain selenate or Se-methylselenocysteine as their predominant forms. Excess Se
      can be eliminated via respiration. Sheep were given a single oral dose of 0, 1,
      2, 3, 4, or 6 mg Se/kg BW as sodium selenate and Se-methylselenocysteine or 6 mg
      Se/kg BW as sodium selenite or selenomethionine. Expired air samples were
      collected and analyzed for Se. The Se concentration of the expired air reflected
      a dose-dependent increase at individual time points for both Se
      methylselenocysteine and sodium selenate, however, Se content was greater and
      eliminated more rapidly from sheep receiving Se-methylselenocysteine. The mean Se
      concentration in respired air from sheep administered 6 mg Se/kg BW of different
      selenocompounds was greatest in sheep dosed Se-methylselenocysteine >
      selenomethionine > sodium selenate > sodium selenite. The Se concentration in
      respired air of acutely poisoned sheep is significantly different for different
      chemical forms of Se.

PMID- 24210250
TI  - Early MRI in term infants with perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury:
      interobserver agreement and MRI predictors of outcome at 2 years.
AB  - AIM: To compare diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and non-DWI magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI), proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS), and clinical biomarkers for
      prediction of 2 year developmental outcome in term infants with perinatal hypoxic
      ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen infants >=36
      weeks gestation with HIE were recruited and MRI performed day 3-7 (mean = 5). MRI
      was scored independently by three radiologists using a standardized scoring
      system. Lactate-to-N-acetylaspartate ratio (Lac:NAA) in the lentiform nucleus was
      calculated. Developmental assessment was performed at 2 years using the Bayley
      Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III). Interobserver agreement
      about abnormality in 10 brain regions was measured. Univariate analysis was
      performed to determine variables associated with adverse outcome (i.e., death or
      Bayley score for any domain <70). RESULTS: Good interobserver agreement (kappa =
      0.61-0.69) on scores for DWI was obtained for the cortex, putamen, and brainstem,
      but not for any region on non-DWI. A significant association was found between
      outcome and Lac:NAA (p < 0.003) and DWI scores for lentiform nucleus, thalamus,
      cortex, posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC), and paracentral white
      matter (p = 0.001-0.013), but for non-DWI score only in the vermis or brainstem.
      A combination of Lac:NAA >=0.25 or DWI/apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)
      signal abnormality in the PLIC had 100% specificity and sensitivity for poor
      outcome. CONCLUSION: Interobserver agreement for non-DWI performed during the
      first week is poor. Agreement by three radiologists about the presence of
      abnormal signal within the PLIC on ADC/DWI images or elevation of Lac:NAA above
      0.25 improved sensitivity without reducing the prognostic specificity of MRS in
      the 19 patients, but this requires validation in a larger group of infants with
      HIE who have been treated with hypothermia.

PMID- 24210251
TI  - Beyond GWASs: illuminating the dark road from association to function.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have enabled the discovery of common
      genetic variation contributing to normal and pathological traits and clinical
      drug responses, but recognizing the precise targets of these associations is now
      the major challenge. Here, we review recent approaches to the functional follow
      up of GWAS loci, including fine mapping of GWAS signal(s), prioritization of
      putative functional SNPs by the integration of genetic epidemiological and
      bioinformatic methods, and in vitro and in vivo experimental verification of
      predicted molecular mechanisms for identifying the targeted genes. The majority
      of GWAS-identified variants fall in noncoding regions of the genome. Therefore,
      this review focuses on strategies for assessing likely mechanisms affected by
      noncoding variants; such mechanisms include transcriptional regulation, noncoding
      RNA function, and epigenetic regulation. These approaches have already
      accelerated progress from genetic studies to biological knowledge and might
      ultimately guide the development of prognostic, preventive, and therapeutic
      measures. 

PMID- 24210252
TI  - Accurate local-ancestry inference in exome-sequenced admixed individuals via off
      target sequence reads.
AB  - Estimates of the ancestry of specific chromosomal regions in admixed individuals
      are useful for studies of human evolutionary history and for genetic association
      studies. Previously, this ancestry inference relied on high-quality genotypes
      from genome-wide association study (GWAS) arrays. These high-quality genotypes
      are not always available when samples are exome sequenced, and exome sequencing
      is the strategy of choice for many ongoing genetic studies. Here we show that off
      target reads generated during exome-sequencing experiments can be combined with
      on-target reads to accurately estimate the ancestry of each chromosomal segment
      in an admixed individual. To reconstruct local ancestry, our method SEQMIX models
      aligned bases directly instead of relying on hard genotype calls. We evaluate the
      accuracy of our method through simulations and analysis of samples sequenced by
      the 1000 Genomes Project and the NHLBI Grand Opportunity Exome Sequencing
      Project. In African Americans, we show that local-ancestry estimates derived by
      our method are very similar to those derived with Illumina's Omni 2.5M genotyping
      array and much improved in relation to estimates that use only exome genotypes
      and ignore off-target sequencing reads. Software implementing this method,
      SEQMIX, can be applied to analysis of human population history or used for
      genetic association studies in admixed individuals. 

PMID- 24210253
TI  - Multinutrient diets improve cerebral perfusion and neuroprotection in a murine
      model of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Nutritional intervention may retard the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
      In this study we tested the effects of 2 multi-nutrient diets in an AD mouse
      model (APPswe/PS1dE9). One diet contained membrane precursors such as omega-3
      fatty acids and uridine monophosphate (DEU), whereas another diet contained
      cofactors for membrane synthesis as well (Fortasyn); the diets were developed to
      enhance synaptic membranes synthesis, and contain components that may improve
      vascular health. We measured cerebral blood flow (CBF) and water diffusivity with
      ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging, as alterations in these parameters
      correlate with clinical symptoms of the disease. APPswe/PS1dE9 mice on control
      diet showed decreased CBF and changes in brain water diffusion, in accordance
      with findings of hypoperfusion, axonal disconnection and neuronal loss in
      patients with AD. Both multinutrient diets were able to increase cortical CBF in
      APPswe/PS1dE9 mice and Fortasyn reduced water diffusivity, particularly in the
      dentate gyrus and in cortical regions. We suggest that a specific diet
      intervention has the potential to slow AD progression, by simultaneously
      improving cerebrovascular health and enhancing neuroprotective mechanisms. 

PMID- 24210254
TI  - Overexpression of survival motor neuron improves neuromuscular function and motor
      neuron survival in mutant SOD1 mice.
AB  - Spinal muscular atrophy results from diminished levels of survival motor neuron
      (SMN) protein in spinal motor neurons. Low levels of SMN also occur in models of
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutant superoxide dismutase 1
      (SOD1) and genetic reduction of SMN levels exacerbates the phenotype of
      transgenic SOD1(G93A) mice. Here, we demonstrate that SMN protein is
      significantly reduced in the spinal cords of patients with sporadic ALS. To test
      the potential of SMN as a modifier of ALS, we overexpressed SMN in 2 different
      strains of SOD1(G93A) mice. Neuronal overexpression of SMN significantly
      preserved locomotor function, rescued motor neurons, and attenuated astrogliosis
      in spinal cords of SOD1(G93A) mice. Despite this, survival was not prolonged,
      most likely resulting from SMN mislocalization and depletion of gems in motor
      neurons of symptomatic mice. Our results reveal that SMN upregulation slows
      locomotor deficit onset and motor neuron loss in this mouse model of ALS.
      However, disruption of SMN nuclear complexes by high levels of mutant SOD1, even
      in the presence of SMN overexpression, might limit its survival promoting effects
      in this specific mouse model. Studies in emerging mouse models of ALS are
      therefore warranted to further explore the potential of SMN as a modifier of ALS.

PMID- 24210255
TI  - Commensal microbiota and NKT cells in the control of inflammatory diseases at
      mucosal surfaces.
AB  - Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are a phenotypically and functionally diverse subset
      of T cells, which recognizes self- and microbial lipids in the context of the
      atypical MHC class I molecule CD1d. NKT cells exhibit potent effector functions
      and play critical roles in antimicrobial defense, cancer immunosurveillance and
      the modulation of immune-mediated disorders. Recent evidence has revealed
      extensive cross-regulation between the mucosal microbiota and CD1d as well as NKT
      cells. Microbial exposure at mucosal surfaces, particularly during early
      postnatal development, regulates NKT cell trafficking and function in the
      intestine and the lung and determines the susceptibility to NKT cell-mediated
      inflammatory disorders. Conversely, CD1d controls the composition of the
      intestinal microbiota; perhaps through the regulation of Paneth cell function.
      Here, we provide an overview of recent findings on the crosstalk between the
      microbiota and NKT cells and discuss the implication for mucosal homeostasis and
      its dysregulation in inflammatory disorders. 

PMID- 24210256
TI  - Stuck in a rut? Reconsidering the role of parasite sequestration in severe
      malaria syndromes.
AB  - Severe malaria defines individuals at increased risk of death from their
      infection. Proposed pathogenic mechanisms include parasite sequestration,
      inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Severe malaria is not a single entity,
      manifesting with distinct syndromes such as severe anemia, severe respiratory
      distress or coma, each characterized by differences in epidemiology, underlying
      biology, and risk of death. The relative contribution of the various pathogenic
      mechanisms may differ between syndromes, and this is supported by accumulating
      evidence, which challenges sequestration as the initiating event. Here we propose
      that high parasite biomass is the common initiating feature, but subtle
      variations in the interaction between the host and parasite exist, and
      understanding these differences may be crucial to improve outcomes in patients
      with severe malaria. 

PMID- 24210264
TI  - [Pathophysiology of Behcet's disease].
AB  - Although the precise pathogenesis and etiology of Behcet's disease (BD) still
      remains unknown, current evidence suggests that inflammatory reaction in BD
      arises from disruption of homeostasis in genetically susceptible individuals,
      resulting in altered innate and adaptive immunity responses, pathogenic T cell
      activation in the peripheral blood, and in inflammatory sites. Association with
      HLA-B51 is known as the strongest genetic susceptibility factor for BD. Recent
      GWAS (genome-wide association studies) have confirmed this relationship, and
      reported new susceptibility genes (IL-10, IL-23R, IL-12RB2) for the disease. A
      triggering infectious agent could operate through molecular mimicry, and the
      disease could subsequently be perpetuated by an abnormal immune response to an
      auto-antigen in the absence of ongoing infection. Several potential bacteria have
      been investigated but the most commonly implicated microorganism is Streptococcus
      sanguis. Recent data have showed that the T cell homeostasis perturbation
      consisted mainly of Th1 and Th17 expansions, while regulatory T cell response was
      suppressed. Cytokine such as IL-17, IL-23 and IL-21 play a significant role in
      the pathogenesis of BD. Inflammatory cells within BD inflammatory lesions include
      mostly neutrophils, CD4(+) T cells, and cytotoxic cells. Lastly, endothelium
      dysfunction has been clearly established. This improved understanding of the
      pathophysiology of BD will certainly lead to the development of new therapeutic
      agents, potentially more effective than current therapy. In this review, we have
      studied the etiopathogenesis of BD in the light of recent advances. 

PMID- 24210257
TI  - Effects of air pollution on exhaled nitric oxide in children: results from the
      GINIplus and LISAplus studies.
AB  - Most previous studies which have investigated the short-term effects of air
      pollution on airway inflammation, assessed by an increase of exhaled nitric oxide
      (eNO), have been conducted among asthmatic children. Few studies have considered
      this potential association among non-asthmatics. Furthermore, although both short
      and long-term effects of air pollution on eNO had been reported separately,
      studies which include both are scarce. We explored associations between 24h NO2
      and PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameters below 10MUm) mass with eNO in 1985
      children (192 asthmatics and 1793 non-asthmatics) aged 10 years and accounted for
      the long-term effects of air pollution by adjusting for annual averages of NO2,
      PM10 mass, PM2.5 mass (particles with aerodynamic diameters below 2.5MUm) and
      PM2.5 absorbance, using data from two German birth cohorts in Munich and Wesel.
      In total, robust associations between 24h NO2 and eNO were observed in both
      single-pollutant (percentage change: 18.30%, 95% confidence interval: 11.63
      25.37) and two-pollutant models (14.62%, 6.71-23.11). The association between 24h
      PM10 mass and eNO was only significant in the single-pollutant model (9.59%, 4.80
      14.61). The same significant associations were also observed in non-asthmatic
      children, while they did not reach significant levels in asthmatic children.
      Associations between annual averages of ambient air pollution (NO2, PM10 mass,
      PM2.5 mass and PM2.5 absorbance) and eNO were consistently null. In conclusion,
      significantly positive associations were observed between short-term ambient air
      pollution and eNO. No long-term effects of air pollution on eNO were found in
      this study. 

PMID- 24210265
TI  - [Pediatric Behcet's disease].
AB  - Behcet's disease is a chronic multisystem vasculitis of unknown etiology. The
      disease is commonly described in young adults but can occur in childhood.
      Diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations since there are no pathognomonic
      laboratory findings. Early diagnosis in children is challenging due to the
      insidious nature of the disease and the low sensitivity of adult criteria in the
      pediatric population. The purpose of this review is to describe the demographic
      and clinical features of Behcet's disease in childhood, its complications and
      recent advances in therapeutics highlighting differences with the adult onset
      disease. 

PMID- 24210266
TI  - [Scleritis, clinical features, etiologies and treatment: a case series of 32
      patients].
AB  - PURPOSE: To report on the various clinical presentations, etiological diagnosis,
      prognosis and treatment of patients with scleritis evaluated at a tertiary care
      eye center. METHODS: Retrospective, monocentric study on a series of 32 patients
      in a tertiary center. RESULTS: The mean age of included patients with scleritis
      was 46.8 years (range, 22 to 77 years). Nineteen patients were women and 13 were
      men. Twenty-six patients (81%) had anterior scleritis (15 nodular, 8 diffuse and
      3 necrotizing), six (19%) had posterior scleritis. Unilateral inflammation was
      present in 24 patients (75%). Twelve out of the 32 patients (37.5%) had an
      underlying systemic disease: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (n=3), Behcet's
      disease (n=2), unspecified inflammatory arthritis (n=2), psoriatic arthritis
      (n=1), ankylosing spondylitis (n=1), sarcoidosis (n=1), Cogan's syndrome (n=1)
      and ulcerative colitis (n=1). Six patients (18.8%) were suspected of having
      infectious disease with herpes virus: clinical context and positive treatment
      response with oral valacyclovir. Systemic agents and topical agents were required
      in 28 patients (87.5%). The first line therapy was mainly oral non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs in 15 patients (47%) and oral corticosteroids in 8 (25%).
      Immunosuppressive drugs were required in 6 patients. The mean follow-up was 16.3
      months. Six patients (19%) had a decrease in visual acuity. CONCLUSION: The
      number of systemic disease in our series is similar to the main series in the
      literature. Treatment with valaciclovir might be effective in patients with
      suspected herpes simplex scleritis.

PMID- 24210267
TI  - Anomalous ophthalmic artery arising from middle meningeal artery: potential risk
      of visual complication in frontotemporal craniotomy.

PMID- 24210268
TI  - Whole brain CT perfusion combined with CT angiography in patients with
      subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral vasospasm.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and monitor cerebral
      microcirculatory changes in patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) via
      CT angiography (CTA) combined with whole-brain CT perfusion (CTP) techniques.
      METHODS: Sixty patients with SAH (SAH group) and 10 patients without SAH (control
      group) were selected for a prospective study. CTP combined with CTA and digital
      subtraction angiography (DSA) studies were performed on patients with initial
      onset of SAH less than three days. CTA and DSA as well as the CTP parameters such
      as cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), mean transit time
      (MTT), and time-to-peak (TTP) were acquired and analyzed. The relationship of CTA
      and CTP measurements was assessed in these acute SAH patients. RESULTS: CTP
      techniques were used to achieve the perfusion maps of the whole brain in patients
      with acute SAH. Compared to the control group, mean CBF value was significantly
      lower while both MTT and TTP values were significantly higher in SAH group (all
      p<0.05). Further analysis revealed that mean CBF in patients with CVS, sCVS,
      Fisher III-IV and Hunt-Hess III-V significantly decreased when compared to
      patients with nCVS, asCVS, Fisher I-II and Hunt-Hess I-II (p<0.05). Furthermore
      both MTT and TTP values were also significantly reduced in patient with CVS,
      sCVS, Fisher III-IV and Hunt-Hess III-V (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study
      demonstrated that changes of microcirculation in patients with SAH could be
      assessed by whole-brain CTP. CTP combined with CTA could detect both macroscopic
      evident vasospasm on CTA and alterations of microcirculation on CTP. Mean CBF was
      significantly lower in patients with SAH.

PMID- 24210269
TI  - Safety and long-term efficacy of endovascular treatment of small posterior
      communicating artery aneurysms by coiling with or without stent: a single center
      retrospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Endovascular stents have been widely used in intracranial aneurysm
      embolization. In this work, we compared the safety and long-term efficacy of
      stent-assisted coiling with those of conventional coiling for small posterior
      communicating artery aneurysms, aiming at a better understanding of the related
      safety and efficacy profiles. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2011,
      114 small PcomA aneurysms (defined as 3mm<=maximum diameter<10mm in this study)
      in 108 patients were treated by endovascular treatment in our department. Patient
      demographics, aneurysm characteristics, angiographic results (initial and follow
      up), and procedural complications were assessed. RESULTS: Embolization was
      successfully performed in all the patients. Complications occurred in 7.4% of
      patients in both groups. There was no associated mortality. Based on initial post
      procedural angiography, the rate of complete aneurysm occlusion, neck remnant and
      residual sac in the stented group were 37.9%, 24.1%, and 37.9%, while in the
      conventional group the figures were 42.9%, 48.2%, and 8.9%, respectively. The
      initial angiographic results were significantly better in the conventional group,
      compared with the stented group (P=0.038). The follow-up results showed that the
      rate of improvement in the stented group was significantly higher (53.3% vs.
      14.0%; P<0.001) and the recurrence rate was significantly lower than that in the
      conventional group (4.4% vs. 3.02%; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with
      conventional coiling, stent-assisted coiling of the small posterior communicating
      artery aneurysms does not increase the risk. Stents bear an advantage in reducing
      the recurrence rate, increasing progressive occlusion rate, and improving long
      term prognosis in endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

PMID- 24210270
TI  - Childhood sexual experiences with an older partner among men who have sex with
      men in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
AB  - This study sought to describe childhood sexual experiences with older partners
      (CSEOP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. MSM
      were recruited through respondent driven sampling. They responded to a computer
      administered self-interview with questions on CSEOP, operationalized as manual,
      oral, genital, or anal contact prior to age 13 with a partner at least 4 years
      older. Of the 500 respondents, only 25% identified as gay. Eighteen percent of
      the respondents reported CSEOP, the majority of whom did not feel they were hurt
      by the experience and did not consider it to be childhood sexual abuse (CSA).
      Over two-thirds of MSM who reported CSEOP said that their older partner was a
      female. Only 4% of those with a female partner felt their experience was CSA
      compared to 44% of those who had a male partner. Among all men reporting CSEOP,
      those who felt sexually abused were more likely to have been physically forced or
      threatened, physically hurt, and emotionally hurt than those who did not feel
      sexually abused. Having CSEOP, being hurt by the experiences, and perceiving the
      experiences as sexual abuse were not associated with current HIV sexual risk or
      substance use behavior. In this sample of MSM in Argentina, a substantial
      minority reported CSEOP. Those who felt they had been sexually abused were much
      more likely to have had an older male partner than an older female partner, and
      were more likely to report having been physically forced and threatened by their
      older partner. 

PMID- 24210271
TI  - Cumulative childhood trauma and psychological maladjustment of sexually abused
      children in Korea: mediating effects of emotion regulation.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to identify the mediating effects of emotion
      regulation on the association between cumulative childhood trauma and behavior
      problems in sexually abused children in Korea, using structural equation modeling
      (SEM). Data were collected on 171 children (ages 6-13 years) referred to a public
      counseling center for sexual abuse in Seoul, Korea. Cumulative childhood traumas
      were defined on the basis of number of traumas (physical abuse, witnessing
      domestic violence, neglect, traumatic separation from parent, and sexual abuse)
      and the severity and duration of traumas. Children were evaluated by their
      parents on emotion regulation using the Emotion Regulation Checklist and
      internalizing and externalizing behavior problems using the Korean-Child Behavior
      Checklist. SEM analyses confirmed the complete mediation model, in which emotion
      dysregulation fully mediates the relationship between cumulative childhood
      traumas and internalizing/externalizing behavior problems. These findings
      indicate that emotion regulation is an important mechanism that can explain the
      negative effects of cumulative childhood traumas and that there is a need to
      focus on emotion regulation in sexually abused children exposed to cumulative
      trauma. 

PMID- 24210272
TI  - Does a paradox exist in child well-being risks among foreign-born Latinos, U.S.
      born Latinos, and Whites? Findings from 50 California cities.
AB  - Past research has identified "paradoxes" in infant health and child welfare
      services involvement, whereby children of Latinos and immigrants often
      demonstrate better health and decreased risk for child protective services
      involvement when compared to whites of similar socioeconomic position. This
      population-based study examined whether a paradox exists among immigrant and U.S.
      born Latino caregivers in the prevalence and magnitude of risks to child well
      being when compared to whites of similar socioeconomic position. Data were drawn
      from a random, general population telephone survey of parenting practices in 50
      California cities (n=2,259), which was administered in English and Spanish. The
      sample included 1,625 U.S.-born whites (72.0%), 351 U.S.-born Latinos (15.5%) and
      283 foreign-born Latino respondents (12.5%). After adjusting for covariates in
      logistic regression models stratified by household income, immigrant caregivers
      in lower income households reported odds of insufficient food for the child that
      were 12 times as large as those for whites (OR 11.97, 95% CI 2.87, 49.86); odds
      of reported inability to take the child to the doctor and leaving a child in a
      place of questionable safety were nearly eight times as large (OR 7.92, 95% CI
      2.38, 26.36 and OR 7.93, 95% CI 1.73, 36.46 respectively). These relationships
      were attenuated or insignificant for immigrant caregivers in households with
      greater resources. Therefore, a paradoxical relationship between socioeconomic
      position and risks to child well-being was not identified. Further research is
      needed to better understand the complex relationships between such risks, child
      health, and child protective services involvement. 

PMID- 24210273
TI  - A finite volume method and experimental study of a stator of a piezoelectric
      traveling wave rotary ultrasonic motor.
AB  - Piezoelectric traveling wave rotary ultrasonic motors are motors that generate
      torque by using the friction force between a piezoelectric composite ring (or
      disk-shaped stator) and a metallic ring (or disk-shaped rotor) when a traveling
      wave is excited in the stator. The motor speed is proportional to the amplitude
      of the traveling wave and, in order to obtain large amplitudes, the stator is
      excited at frequencies close to its resonance frequency. This paper presents a
      non-empirical partial differential equations model for the stator, which is
      discretized using the finite volume method. The fundamental frequency of the
      discretized model is computed and compared to the experimentally-measured
      operating frequency of the stator of Shinsei USR60 piezoelectric motor. 

PMID- 24210275
TI  - Bortezomib: a therapeutic resource for the veterinary oncologist?

PMID- 24210274
TI  - DNA methylation profiles in type 1 diabetes twins point to strong epigenetic
      effects on etiology.
AB  - Type 1 diabetes (T1D) shows ~40% concordance rate in monozygotic twins (MZ)
      suggesting a role for environmental factors and/or epigenetic modifications in
      the etiology of the disease. The aim of our study was to dissect the contribution
      of epigenetic factors, particularly, DNA methylation (DNAm), to the incomplete
      penetrance of T1D. We performed DNAm profiling in lymphocyte cell lines from 3
      monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs discordant for T1D and 6 MZ twin pairs concordant for
      the disease using HumanMethylation27 BeadChip. This assay assesses the
      methylation state of 27,578 CpG sites, mostly located within proximal promoter
      regions. We identified 88 CpG sites displaying significant methylation changes in
      all T1D-discordant MZ twin pairs. Functional annotation of the genes with
      distinct CpG methylation profiles in T1D samples showed differential DNAm of
      immune response and defense response pathways between affected and unaffected
      twins. Integration of DNAm data with GWAS data mapped several known T1D
      associated genes, HLA, INS, IL-2RB, CD226, which showed significant differences
      in DNAm between affected and unaffected of twins. Our findings suggest that
      abnormalities of DNA methylation patterns, known to regulate gene transcription,
      may be involved in the pathogenesis of T1D. 

PMID- 24210276
TI  - Ketone bodies upregulate endothelial connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junctions.
AB  - Ketosis occurs as a metabolic consequence of negative energy balance in post
      calving lactating dairy cows. Metabolism of free fatty acids, released from
      adipose tissue, generates excessive amounts of acetoacetate (AcAc), beta
      hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and acetone (Ac) in the liver, which are released into the
      blood. The effects of ketone bodies on endothelial cells include increased rates
      of portal vein and liver blood flow and decreased cytokine secretion in response
      to both bacterial and viral infections. The aim of the current study was to
      understand the effects of AcAc, BHB and Ac, on expression of connexin 43 (Cx43)
      and gap junctional intercellular coupling (GJIC) in bovine aortic endothelial
      cells (BAECs). Confocal microscopy, Western blotting, and real-time quantitative
      RT-PCR indicated that Cx43 mRNA and protein expression increased after
      endothelial cell exposure to ketone bodies and that this was accompanied by
      upregulation of GJIC and cell migration. These effects were most obvious when
      BAECs were treated with a combination of the three ketones. Ketone bodies were
      shown to activate ERK and p38 MAPK as early as 3h after treatment and an ERK
      inhibitor (PD98059) or p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) were found to antagonise the
      ketone-induced increase in Cx43 protein expression. Thus, ketone bodies up
      regulate Cx43 expression and GJIC in BAECs via activation of ERK and p38 MAPK. 

PMID- 24210277
TI  - "Food safety on the go": a course for home-delivered meal programs.

PMID- 24210278
TI  - Accessibility of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in Federally
      Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
AB  - OBJECTIVE(S): This study examines the on-site availability of long-acting
      reversible contraception (LARC) methods, defined here as intrauterine devices and
      contraceptive implants, at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). We also
      describe factors associated with on-site availability and specific challenges and
      barriers to providing on-site access to LARC as reported by FQHCs. STUDY DESIGN:
      An original survey of 423 FQHC organizations was fielded in 2011. RESULTS: Over
      two thirds of FQHCs offer on-site availability of intrauterine devices yet only
      36% of FQHCs report that they offer on-site contraceptive implants. Larger FQHCs
      and FQHCs receiving Title X Family Planning program funding are more likely to
      provide on-site access to LARC methods. Other organizational and patient
      characteristics are associated with the on-site availability of LARC methods,
      though this relationship varies by the type of method. The most commonly reported
      barriers to providing on-site access to LARC methods are related to the cost of
      stocking or supplying the drug and/or device, the perceived lack of staffing and
      training, and the unique needs of special populations. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      indicate that patients seeking care in small FQHC organizations, FQHCs with
      limited dedicated family planning funding and FQHCs located in rural areas may
      have fewer choices and limited access to LARC methods on-site. IMPLICATIONS:
      Despite the presumed widespread coverage of contraceptives for women as a result
      of provisions in the Affordable Care Act, there is a limited understanding of how
      FQHCs may redesign their practices to provide on-site availability of LARC
      methods. This study sheds light on the current state of practice and challenges
      related to providing LARC methods in FQHC settings.

PMID- 24210279
TI  - Putting the man in contraceptive mandate.

PMID- 24210280
TI  - [Gonococcal conjunctivitis in a young woman].
AB  - We describe the management of a female patient who developed an uncomplicated
      unilateral purulent conjunctivitis with no other clinical signs. The typical
      clinical presentation and Gram stain of the discharge suggested gonococcal
      conjunctivitis, allowing treatment to be initiated. Indeed, a strain of Neisseria
      gonorrhoeae resistant to penicillin and tetracycline was isolated. In
      collaboration with the patient's primary care physician, management included
      lavage of the infected eye, systemic antibiotic treatment with erythromycin and
      topical antibiotic treatment with azithromycin, followed by local steroid
      treatment in response to persistent hyperemia, which was discontinued and
      replaced by azithromycin again because of recurrent discharge. Eleven days after
      the first consultation, a complete cure was achieved without sequelae, and a
      final check to rule out a residual gonococcal carrier state is planned.
      Gonococcal conjunctivitis, a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency, is a
      potentially blinding sexually transmitted disease with which general
      practitioners and ophthalmologists are not well aquainted. Although rare in
      developed countries, its incidence is rising in parallel with the global
      recrudescence of gonococcal infections. This case of gonococcal conjunctivitis is
      discussed as a review of the clinical and biological elements necessary for
      diagnosis and therapeutic management, which must occur as early as possible,
      taking into account rapidly increasing gonococcal resistance to antimicrobial
      therapies, so as to interrupt spread of the disease. 

PMID- 24210281
TI  - [Intraocular foreign body presenting as pseudo-uveitis].

PMID- 24210282
TI  - [High-resolution spectral domain OCT images of a corneal epithelial inclusion
      cyst after amniotic membrane transplantation].

PMID- 24210283
TI  - Physical and sexual abuse in orphaned compared to non-orphaned children in sub
      Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - This systematic review assessed the quantitative literature to determine whether
      orphans are more likely to experience physical and/or sexual abuse compared to
      non-orphans in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It also evaluated the quality of
      evidence and identified research gaps. Our search identified 10 studies, all
      published after 2005, from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. The studies
      consisted of a total 17,336 participants (51% female and 58% non-orphans). Of
      those classified as orphans (n=7,315), 73% were single orphans, and 27% were
      double orphans. The majority of single orphans were paternal orphans (74%).
      Quality assessment revealed significant variability in the quality of the
      studies, although most scored higher for general design than dimensions specific
      to the domain of orphans and abuse. Combined estimates of data suggested that,
      compared to non-orphans, orphans are not more likely to experience physical abuse
      (combined OR=0.96, 95% CI [0.79, 1.16]) or sexual abuse (combined OR=1.25, 95% CI
      [0.88, 1.78]). These data suggest that orphans are not systematically at higher
      risk of experiencing physical or sexual abuse compared to non-orphans in sub
      Saharan Africa. However, because of inconsistent quality of data and reporting,
      these findings should be interpreted with caution. Several recommendations are
      made for improving data quality and reporting consistency on this important
      issue. 

PMID- 24210284
TI  - Evaluation of 18F-labeled BODIPY dye as potential PET agents for myocardial
      perfusion imaging.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite the great potential of positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in cardiovascular disease imaging, one of
      the major limitations is the availability of PET probes with desirable half-lives
      and reasonable cost. In this report, we hypothesized that lipophilic cationic
      BODIPY dye could be selectively accumulated in cardiac muscle, possibly for the
      development of novel PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) probes. METHODS: A
      (18)F-labeled BODIPY dye ([(18)F]1) was synthesized efficiently through a
      fluoride exchange reaction catalyzed by the Lewis acid tin chloride (SnCl4). The
      compound was first evaluated by a cellular uptake assay in vitro, followed by
      biodistribution and microPET imaging studies in vivo. RESULTS: [(18)F]1 was
      obtained in more than 90% labeling yield, with >98% radiochemical purity. The HEK
      293 cellular uptake assay showed that the preferential uptake of [(18)F]1 could
      be related to the cell membrane potential. The biodistribution data demonstrated
      high levels of [(18)F]1 accumulation in the heart. In the biodistribution study
      in mice, the radioactivity uptake in the heart, blood, liver and lung was 3.01 +/
      0.44, 0.39 +/- 0.09, 0.69 +/- 0.07, 1.71 +/- 0.27%ID/g, respectively, at 3h post
      injection (p.i.). The heart-to-lung and heart-to-liver ratios are 1.76 +/- 0.14
      and 4.37 +/- 0.51 at 3h p.i., respectively. Volume-of-interest analysis of the
      microPET images correlated well with the biodistribution studies in mice. The
      heart was clearly visualized in normal rats, with 0.72 +/- 0.18, 0.69 +/- 0.18,
      0.67 +/- 0.20 and 0.59 +/- 0.17%ID/g uptake at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4h p.i.,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-labeled BODIPY dye showed good heart uptake and
      heart-to-blood and heart-to-lung contrast. A (18)F-labeled BODIPY dyes may
      represent a new category of cationic PET agents for myocardial perfusion imaging.

PMID- 24210285
TI  - In vivo PET quantification of the dopamine transporter in rat brain with [18F]LBT
      999.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We examined whether [(18)F]LBT-999 ((E)-N-(4-fluorobut-2-enyl)2beta
      carbomethoxy-3beta-(4'-tolyl)nortropane) is an efficient positron emission
      tomography (PET) tracer for the quantification of the dopamine transporter (DAT)
      in the healthy rat brain. METHODS: PET studies were performed using several
      experimental designs, i.e. test-retest, co-injection with different doses of
      unlabelled LBT, displacement with GBR12909 and pre-injection of amphetamine.
      RESULTS: The uptake of [(18)F]LBT-999 confirmed its specific binding to the DAT.
      The non-displaceable uptake (BP(ND)) in the striatum, between 5.37 and 4.39, was
      highly reproducible and reliable, and was decreased by 90% by acute injection of
      GBR12909. In the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA), the
      variability was higher and the reliability was lower. Pre-injection of
      amphetamine induced decrease of [(18)F]LBT-999 BP(ND) of 50% in the striatum.
      CONCLUSIONS: [(18)F]LBT-999 allows the quantification of the DAT in living rat
      brain with high reproducibility, sensitivity and specificity. It could be used to
      quantify the DAT in rodent models, thereby allowing to study neurodegenerative
      and neuropsychiatric diseases.

PMID- 24210286
TI  - Comparison between two labeled agents in mice using a coinjection-ratio approach
      in contrast to a conventional group approach.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The differences between two agents often need to be accurately
      defined in vivo. Usually they are injected respectively into two groups of
      subjects. However, if the two agents do not interact with each other in vivo, a
      coinjection would serve the same purpose. We believe some individual differences
      in biodistribution may be circumvented through this approach by calculating organ
      level ratios. METHODS: A model system of MORF/cMORF pretargeting (MORF/cMORF is a
      complementary pair of DNA analogues) was employed in connection with an on-going
      tumor therapeutic project. Human LS174T cells were implanted into the flank of
      severely immuno-compromised NOD-scid IL2rg(null) mice. The tumor was confirmed to
      express TAG-72 antigens. At 16 days post tumor inoculation, mice received IV 60
      MUg of MORF-conjugated CC49 (an antiTAG-72 antibody), followed 2 days later by a
      low-mass-dose IV coinjection containing 2.5 MUg of (90)Y-cMORF and 2.5 MUg of
      (99m)Tc-cMORF. At 3 h post radioactivity injection, the distribution of (99m)Tc
      was imaged on a SPECT/CT camera and then organs were excised and counted for
      (90)Y and (99m)Tc. Because the two labeled cMORFs do not react or interact with
      each other in vivo, the two groups of (90)Y and (99m)Tc data enabled a
      conventional group comparison. In a new effort, (90)Y/(99m)Tc ratios were
      calculated. Student's t-test and retrospective power analysis were performed for
      both approaches. In the new approach, the ratios were set at 1 as the null
      hypothesis. RESULTS: The Student's t-test in the conventional group approach
      indicated that the two labeled cMORFs distributed similarly, but significant
      differences were observed in salivary gland and large intestines. The coinjection
      ratio approach certainly did not subvert the results of the conventional approach
      but revealed subtler differences. The P values were reduced, the powers were
      increased in most organs, and more significant differences were observed. The
      increased sensitivity was due to the reduced CV%s (SD/average*100%) of the
      (90)Y/(99m)Tc ratios. Therefore, some individual differences were circumvented
      and notably the ratio approach differentiated individual differences into ratio
      correctable and ratio-uncorrectable. CONCLUSIONS: Although the conventional
      approach is reliable, the coinjection-ratio approach using organ level ratios is
      more sensitive and therefore is recommended whenever possible. In addition, it
      differentiates individual differences into "coinjection correctable" and
      "coinjection uncorrectable".

PMID- 24210287
TI  - Adult symptomatic and growing arachnoid cyst successfully treated by
      ventriculocystostomy: a new insight on adult arachnoid cyst history.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adult arachnoid cysts are known to be stable and asymptomatic but
      their history remains undefined. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors report the case of
      an 81-year-old woman with progressive hemiplegia and aphasia. CT scan revealed a
      voluminous left frontotemporal arachnoid cyst with a major mass effect on the
      midline and contralateral blocked hydrocephalus. Endoscopic ventriculocystostomy
      was performed with a spectacular neurological improvement. DISCUSSION AND
      CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic adult arachnoid cysts are extremely rare. To our
      knowledge, no similar clinical case of a growing arachnoid cyst in elderly
      patients has yet been reported in the literature. The mechanisms of cyst
      enlargement and decompensation still remain undefined and debated. The
      possibility of adult arachnoid cyst growth has to be considered in clinical
      practice. Endoscopic ventriculocystostomy is as effective as in paediatric cases.

PMID- 24210288
TI  - [Focused ultrasound therapy: current status and potential applications in
      neurosurgery].
AB  - High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy is an innovative approach for
      tissue ablation, based on high intensity focused ultrasound beams. At the focus,
      HIFU induces a temperature elevation and the tissue can be thermally destroyed.
      In fact, this approach has been tested in a number of clinical studies for the
      treatment of several tumors, primarily the prostate, uterine, breast, bone,
      liver, kidney and pancreas. For transcranial brain therapy, the skull bone is a
      major limitation, however, new adaptive techniques of phase correction for
      focusing ultrasound through the skull have recently been implemented by research
      systems, paving the way for HIFU therapy to become an interesting alternative to
      brain surgery and radiotherapy. 

PMID- 24210289
TI  - Giant intracranial aneurysms in the paediatric population: Suggested management
      and a review of the literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Intracranial aneurysms are rare in children although giant aneurysms
      more commonly occur in adolescence. The aims of our study were to perform an
      extensive review of the literature over the past two decades and assess
      intracranial aneurysm management. METHODS: Based on a Pubmed search, we carried
      out a review of the literature from 1990 to 2012 regarding giant intracranial
      aneurysms diagnosed in the paediatric population. This descriptive study
      concerned clinical presentation, cerebral aneurysm characteristics, therapeutic
      management procedures and outcome. RESULTS: Forty-six cases were reported in 31
      papers. The male/female sex ratio was 1.15, the clinical presentation was a
      tumour mass syndrome in 56.6%, followed by rupture in 30.4%. The aneurysm
      location was the posterior circulation in 41.3%, and microsurgical treatment
      (52.2%) predominated over endovascular coiling (28.3%). CONCLUSION: To date, no
      evidence-based medicine recommendation has been accepted for the management of
      rare intracranial aneurysms. Each reported patient was the object of a
      multidisciplinary clinical decision. Management of this challenging pathology
      should be performed on a case-to-case basis.

PMID- 24210290
TI  - Statistical process control using optimized neural networks: a case study.
AB  - The most common statistical process control (SPC) tools employed for monitoring
      process changes are control charts. A control chart demonstrates that the process
      has altered by generating an out-of-control signal. This study investigates the
      design of an accurate system for the control chart patterns (CCPs) recognition in
      two aspects. First, an efficient system is introduced that includes two main
      modules: feature extraction module and classifier module. In the feature
      extraction module, a proper set of shape features and statistical feature are
      proposed as the efficient characteristics of the patterns. In the classifier
      module, several neural networks, such as multilayer perceptron, probabilistic
      neural network and radial basis function are investigated. Based on an
      experimental study, the best classifier is chosen in order to recognize the CCPs.
      Second, a hybrid heuristic recognition system is introduced based on cuckoo
      optimization algorithm (COA) algorithm to improve the generalization performance
      of the classifier. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has
      high recognition accuracy. 

PMID- 24210291
TI  - Acupuncture instead of codeine for tonsillectomy pain in children.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Severe throat pain can result from tonsillectomy and last up to 10
      days in children. Codeine elixir has long been used for pain relief, but has
      recently been banned by the Food and Drug Administration due to a recently
      recognized risk of death. We explored acupuncture as an alternative means of pain
      relief for children and adolescents after tonsillectomy. METHODS: This was a
      retrospective review of children and adolescents who underwent tonsillectomy over
      a three-month period. No narcotics were prescribed after surgery. Patients who
      wanted help with pain relief were offered acupuncture. Perceived pain level was
      assessed before and after the acupuncture treatment. Following the 10-day
      recovery for tonsillectomy, patients or their parents were queried as to how long
      the pain relief from acupuncture intervention was perceived to last. RESULTS: 56
      children and adolescents underwent tonsillectomy in the three-month window
      selected for the retrospective review. 31 of these patients (ranging from 2 to 17
      years in age) received an acupuncture intervention for postoperative pain. The
      mean reported pain level before acupuncture was 5.52 (SD = 2.28) out of 10. This
      fell to 1.92 (SD = 2.43) after acupuncture. Statistical analysis supported the
      general conclusion that pain reports decline after acupuncture in the sampled
      population. However, the limitations of the methodology and the sample suggest
      that this generalization should be treated as preliminary. 17 patients or their
      parents provided a post-recovery report for how long they believed the
      acupuncture intervention lasted. The mean duration of perceived acupuncture
      benefit was 61.24 h, though the standard deviation was large (64.58 h) with about
      30% of patients reporting less than three hours of benefit and about 30%
      reporting more than 60 h. No adverse effects were observed as a result of
      acupuncture treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The data tentatively suggest that
      acupuncture decreases perceived pain in children and adolescents after
      tonsillectomy. These data - combined with the cost effectiveness, safety and ease
      of administering acupuncture - suggest that further studies exploring the
      effectiveness of acupuncture in juveniles after tonsillectomy are merited.

PMID- 24210292
TI  - Determination of hearing levels in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean Fever is the most common congenital, periodic
      fever condition that affects over 100,000 people worldwide. In the literature,
      there is limited number of studies about hearing levels in children with Familial
      Mediterranean Fever. In the present study, we aimed to investigate hearing levels
      and cochlear functions by using Distortion product Otoacoustic Emission and High
      Frequency Audiometry (250-20,000 Hz) in pediatric patients with Familial
      Mediterranean Fever. METHODS: The study included 62 children with Familial
      Mediterranean Fever and 27 healthy children with similar age and gender. After
      otoscopic examination, both groups underwent audiological evaluation including
      High Frequency Audiometry (250-20,000 Hz) and Distortion product Otoacoustic
      Emissions. The results obtained were assessed among groups. In addition, these
      results were compared regarding colchicine use, age at the onset of disease and
      duration of the diseases in the Familial Mediterranean Fever group. RESULTS: Of
      the Familial Mediterranean Fever patients, 93.5% were on colchicine therapy and
      mean duration of colchicine use was 19.9 +/- 13.9 months. The mean age at
      diagnosis was 6.57 +/- 2.86 years (min-max: 2-14) and mean duration of disease
      was 23 +/- 17 months (min-max: 6-84). Pure tone audiometry values, and hearing
      levels between 9000 and 20,000 Hz were similar and within normal range in both
      groups. The Distortion product Otoacoustic Emissions responses at the frequencies
      of 1020, 2040, 3000, 4080 and 5040 Hz were similar for both groups. CONCLUSION:
      To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating hearing levels
      at the frequencies of 18k Hz and 20k Hz in children with Familial Mediterranean
      Fever in the literature. In children with Familial Mediterranean Fever, Pure tone
      audiometry values, hearing values obtained at all frequencies from 250 to 20,000
      Hz, and Distortion product Otoacoustic Emissions levels were within normal range.
      Furthermore, hearing levels were found to be similar to those in healthy
      children.

PMID- 24210293
TI  - Muenster Parental Programme empowers parents in communicating with their infant
      with hearing loss.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: With the implementation of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
      (UNHS), the age of diagnosis of children with hearing loss (HL) has been steadily
      declining in the past years. Consequently, there is a need for early educational
      intervention methods that are suitable for infants at the preverbal level. To
      meet this need we have developed and evaluated the Muenster Parental Programme
      (MPP), a responsive parenting programme for parents of children with HL aged 3-18
      months. It aims at enhancing the parents' communicative skills towards their
      child. METHODS: The MPP is introduced following confirmation of a HL. Flanked by
      two individual counselling sessions, the programme comprises six group sessions
      and two single training sessions with video feedback. The focus of the programme
      lies in enhancing parents' responsive behaviour and in reducing inappropriate
      initiative behaviour. The present study involved 29 parents of 24 children aged
      6.6 (mean, range: 3-12) months at the outset of the MPP. The children's degree of
      HL ranged from moderate to profound. Parents of children with unilateral HL
      and/or risk for an additional developmental delay were included. The prospective
      study compared parent communication skills of a trained (N = 15) versus a control
      group (N = 14) before and after the MPP. For this purpose, instances of
      responsive behaviour to the signals of the child and total time of initiative
      behaviour within a 4-min video-sample were measured before and after completion
      of the study in both groups. RESULTS: Trained parents could enhance their
      responsiveness to vocal and preverbal signals of the child (Wilcoxon test, p =
      .002) and also their responsiveness to non-verbal signals (Wilcoxon test, p <
      .001). Moreover, parents reduced their inappropriate initiative behaviour
      (related t-test, p < .001). Pre-post comparisons in the control group were non
      significant. CONCLUSIONS: The increased parental responsiveness to infants with
      HL is of great importance as these early behaviours underlie later acquisition of
      speech, language, hearing and social communication skills. The MPP constitutes
      the first evaluated group concept for parents of infants with HL in the German
      speaking countries and equally meets the needs of parents and professionals.

PMID- 24210294
TI  - Spinal cord compression due to undiagnosed thoracic meningioma following lumbar
      surgery in an elderly patient: a case report.
AB  - As spinal surgery in elderly patients is becoming increasingly frequent,
      comorbidities likely to be decompensated after such procedures must be kept in
      mind. We report here the case of an 82-year-old woman who presented rapidly
      progressive spinal cord compression following lumbar surgery for radiculopathy.
      Investigations showed a thoracic intradural extramedullary compressive lesion,
      which after removal turned out to be a meningioma. We suggest that radiculopathy
      and non-specific degenerative modifications partially masked this lesion, and
      that lumbar surgery caused this acute neurological deterioration. Therefore, we
      advice caution in older patients among whom such ambiguous clinical presentation
      is frequent. 

PMID- 24210295
TI  - Lessons from Tanzania on the integration of HIV and tuberculosis treatments into
      methadone assisted treatment.
AB  - To successfully address HIV and TB in the world, we must address the healthcare
      needs of key populations, such as drug users, and we must do this urgently.
      Currently in Tanzania, as in many countries, the care for these medical disorders
      is separated into disease specific clinical environments. Our consortium began
      working to integrate HIV and TB clinical services into the methadone program in
      Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We present the key lessons learned in this process of
      integration and the importance of integrating HIV/TB into the methadone program,
      which serves as a critical anchor for adherence to clinical services. Integrated
      healthcare for people who use drugs is clearly a long-term goal and different
      health systems will progress upon this continuum at different rates. What is
      clear is that every health system that interacts with drug users must aspire to
      achieve some level of integrated healthcare if the incidence rates of HIV and TB
      are to decline. 

PMID- 24210296
TI  - Prevalence of IGRA-positivity and risk factors for tuberculosis among injecting
      drug users in Estonia and Latvia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Illegal drug use and HIV are independent risk factors for
      tuberculosis (TB) among injecting drug users (IDU). Estonia and Latvia have
      experienced high rates of TB as well as IDU and HIV outbreaks. There is a lack of
      knowledge about TB among IDUs in these countries. The purpose of the current
      study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis (MTB) infection among IDUs in Estonia and Latvia. METHODS:
      Participants for this cross-sectional study were recruited from syringe exchange
      programmes using respondent-driven sampling. For assessing infection with MTB
      interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) was used. RESULTS: The study included 375
      participants from Estonia and 313 from Latvia. The prevalence of IGRA-positivity
      among IDUs was 7.7% in Estonia and 25.6% in Latvia. HIV-prevalence was 62% in
      Estonia and 23% in Latvia. In both countries, IGRA-positivity rates did not
      differ between HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants. IGRA-positivity was
      independently associated with a prior diagnosis of TB in Estonia and with
      imprisonment (ever within a lifetime) and preceding contact with a TB patient in
      Latvia. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate there is an urgent need for a more
      vigorous approach in providing IDUs with TB screening services.

PMID- 24210297
TI  - Nanoporous array anodic titanium-supported co-polymeric ionic liquids as high
      performance solid-phase microextraction sorbents for hydrogen bonding compounds.
AB  - A nanoporous array anodic titanium-supported co-polymeric ionic liquids
      (NAAT/PILs) solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber was prepared in situ on the
      titanium wire. NAAT was selected as the substrate, in view of its high surface-to
      volume ratio, easy preparation, mechanical stability, and rich titanol groups on
      its surface which can anchor silica coupling agent containing vinyl and then
      introduce ionic liquid copolymers as sorbents. In this work, 1-vinyl-3-nonanol
      imidazolium bromide ([C9OHVIm]Br) and 1,4-di(3-vinylimidazolium) butane dibromide
      ([(VIM)2C4]2[Br]) were synthesized and used as monomer and crosslinker,
      respectively. Extraction properties of the NAAT/PILs fiber for polar alcohols and
      volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in aqueous matrix were examined using gaseous
      sampling-SPME (GS-SPME) and headspace SPME (HS-SPME) mode, respectively.
      Combining the superior properties of NAAT substrate and the strong hydrogen bond
      interaction of PILs to polar compounds, the NAAT/PILs SPME fiber showed much
      higher adsorption affinity to aliphatic alcohols than bare NAAT and pure PILs
      fibers. The detection limits (LOD) of established GS-SPME-GC-FID method are in
      the range of 0.35-17.30ngL(-1) with a linear range from 0.01 to 500ngmL(-1).
      Also, it showed high extraction performance toward volatile fatty acids (VFAs)
      compounds from aqueous matrix. Under the optimized SPME conditions, wide linear
      ranges were obtained with correlation coefficients (R(2)) greater than 0.99 and
      limits of detection were in the range of 0.85-8.74ngL(-1). Moreover, real-world
      samples were analyzed and good results were obtained. 

PMID- 24210298
TI  - A novel method for the determination of black liquor viscosity by multiple
      headspace extraction gas chromatography.
AB  - This work demonstrates a novel method for the determination of viscosity in the
      concentrated black liquors from pulp mill recovery process. The method is based
      on the kinetic release of methanol (a vapor tracer) to the headspace in a sample
      closed vial by a multiple headspace extraction gas chromatographic technique.
      Both theoretical and empirical models were proposed for establishing the
      correlation with the reference method. The results showed that the correlation
      using either of the models is excellent for the tested black liquor samples (at
      110 degrees C). The presented method is simple and practical and can be a
      valuable tool for black liquor viscosity related research and applications. 

PMID- 24210299
TI  - Large-scaled human serum sphingolipid profiling by using reversed-phase liquid
      chromatography coupled with dynamic multiple reaction monitoring of mass
      spectrometry: method development and application in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Sphingolipids are a family of bioactive molecules with high structural diversity
      and complexity. They not only serve as integral components of cellular membrane,
      but also play pivotal roles in signaling and other cellular events. It is
      desirable for the development of sensitive, robust and structural-specific
      analytical approaches enabling rapid determination of as many sphingolipid
      species as possible. Herein we present an analytical method for large-scaled
      profiling of sphigolipids in human serum, which consisted of an improved
      extraction protocol using tert-butyl methyl ether combined with mild alkaline
      hydrolysis, and an ultra high performance reversed-phase liquid chromatography
      dynamic multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometric (RPLC-dynamic MRM-MS)
      method. In total 84 endogenous sphingolipid species covering six subcategories
      (i.e. free sphingoid base, dihydroceramide, ceramide, hexosylceramide,
      lactosylceramide, and sphingomyelin), were separated and quantified in a single
      run within 10min. A broad linear range over 2.5-4 orders of magnitude
      (r(2)>0.99), a limit of detection of 0.01-0.17pmol/mL, and a limit of
      quantitation of 0.02-0.42pmol/mL were obtained for each subcategory. Average
      recovery of each subcategory was within 85.6-95.6%. Median values of coefficient
      of variation (CV) of all detected 84 sphingolipids were 3.9% and 6.8% for
      intraday and interday precision, respectively. This method was exemplarily
      applied in a study regarding dysregulated sphingolipid homeostasis in
      hepatocellular carcinoma. The establishment of this method provides a useful tool
      for serum-based high throughput screening of sphingolipid biomarkers and
      mechanism investigation of sphingolipid metabolic regulation in human disease. 

PMID- 24210300
TI  - Recent applications of on-line sample preconcentration techniques in capillary
      electrophoresis.
AB  - This review highlights recent developments and applications of on-line sample
      preconcentration techniques in capillary electrophoresis (CE) from 2010 to April
      2013. Various preconcentration techniques based on the analyte velocity change in
      two or three discontinuous solutions system including field-amplified stacking,
      transient isotachophoresis, pH-mediated stacking, sweeping, and their modified
      and combined techniques have been employed to enrich and separate biological,
      environmental, food, toxicological, forensic and nanoparticle samples in CE. More
      than 170 published research articles collected from Scopus databases from the
      year 2010 described the on-line sample preconcentration techniques. This review
      provides comprehensive tables listing the applications of the on-line sample
      preconcentration techniques with categorizing by the fundamental preconcentration
      mechanism and application area. 

PMID- 24210301
TI  - Magnetic nanoparticles solid phase extraction for determination of ochratoxin A
      in cereals using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence
      detection.
AB  - A new, simple, fast, and environmental friendly sample preconcentration technique
      based on the modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles has been developed for extraction, and
      determination of ochratoxin A (OTA). Magnetic nanoparticles were coated with 3
      (trimethoxysilyl)-1-propanethiol and modified by ethylene glycol bis
      mercaptoacetate. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier
      transform infrared spectrometry were used to characterize the adsorbents and the
      main parameters affecting the extraction and desorption efficiencies, such as pH
      of sample solution, sample volume, desorption conditions, extraction and
      desorption times, salt addition, and co-existing interferences have been
      investigated and established. Under optimal conditions, OTA was extracted and
      analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence
      detection. The mobile phase consists of acetonitrile:water:acetic acid (99:99:2,
      v/v/v) and fluorescence detection was performed with excitation and emission
      wavelengths at 333 and 477nm, respectively. An enrichment factor of 24 was
      achieved for OTA with relative standard deviation of <7%. The proposed method was
      applied to twenty samples of cereals (rice, wheat, and corn). The limits of
      detection of 0.06, 0.03, and 0.05ngmL(-1) and limits of quantitation of 0.19,
      0.11, and 0.15ngmL(-1), were found for rice, wheat, and corn samples,
      respectively. The recoveries of OTA for spiked samples were ranged from 87 to
      93%. 

PMID- 24210302
TI  - Liquid chromatography-full scan-high resolution mass spectrometry-based method
      towards the comprehensive analysis of migration of primary aromatic amines from
      food packaging.
AB  - European Union legislation has established that plastic food contact materials
      shall not release primary aromatic amines (PAAs), which are toxic compounds and
      suspected human carcinogens. As valid alternative to existing methods for PAA
      determination, which are based on spectrophotometric test or targeted liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approaches, in this study a LC
      Orbitrap-full scan-high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) method was devised
      and validated for the determination of migration levels of 22 PAAs from food
      contact materials, thus exploiting the specificity of accurate mass measurement.
      Direct injection of the simulant (acetic acid 3%, w/v) into the LC-MS system
      after migration, without any pre-treatment step, makes the developed method of
      great value for rapid screening analysis of a large number of amines. A very fast
      and efficient separation (<11min) of PAAs was achieved. Detection limits in the
      0.06-0.7MUgkg(-1) range were calculated for 17 out of 22 of the investigated
      PAAs, however obtaining values within 5.3MUgkg(-1) for the other 5 amines. Good
      dynamic linear ranges from two to four orders of magnitude (r(2)>=0.990) were
      obtained and satisfying results were achieved in terms of intra-day (RSDs<10%)
      and inter-day repeatability (RSDs<17%). Trueness values in the 70+/-1-131+/-5%
      range proved reliability of the developed method for PAAs quantification also at
      very low concentration levels. Finally, the method was successfully applied to a
      range of different real plastic multilayer food packaging materials, noticing in
      all cases levels below the established limits of detection. 

PMID- 24210303
TI  - Purification of human papillomavirus 16 E6/E7 plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid-based
      vaccine using an arginine modified monolithic support.
AB  - The development of efficient plasmid DNA (pDNA) purification processes has
      fostered therapeutic applications like gene therapy and DNA vaccination. In fact,
      monolithic supports have emerged as interesting approaches to purify pDNA due to
      their excellent mass transfer properties and high binding capacity for large
      biomolecules. The present study describes a method that combines the high
      selectivity of arginine affinity ligands with the versatility of monoliths to
      efficiently purify the supercoiled (sc) plasmid HPV-16 E6/E7. Quality control
      tests indicated that the level of impurities (proteins, endotoxins, gDNA and RNA)
      in the final plasmid sample was in accordance with the guidelines proposed by
      regulatory agencies. Breakthrough experiments were designed to compare the
      dynamic binding capacity of pDNA in the conventional arginine-agarose matrix with
      the modified monolithic support. The arginine monolith capacity was substantially
      higher than the conventional arginine-agarose matrix at 10% of breakthrough under
      the flow rate and pDNA concentration used. Overall, given that the pDNA final
      product complies with regulatory specifications, this combined support can be the
      key to obtain an adequate non-viral vaccine against a HPV infection. 

PMID- 24210304
TI  - Possibilities of new generation columns packed with 1.3MUm core-shell particles
      in gradient elution mode.
AB  - The aim of this work was to evaluate the practical possibilities in gradient
      elution mode of a column packed with 1.3MUm core-shell particles recently
      released on the market. For this purpose, two types of analytes possessing
      different diffusion coefficients were selected (small molecule and peptide). It
      appears that the new 1.3MUm material was particularly well suited for fast
      separations, compared to other existing core-shell particle dimensions in
      gradient mode. The new material systematically outperforms the other existing
      ones for peak capacity up to 300 for small molecules and 700 (corresponding to
      t0=15min) for peptides. Based on these cut-off values, the advantage of column
      packed with 1.3MUm was much more obvious for peptides vs. small molecules
      analysis. Further improvements in terms of column mechanical stability and system
      upper pressure capability could expand the limits of separation speed and
      efficiency to a different level. Again, because of the current pressure
      limitation and low permeability, a column length of more than 5-8cm is never
      desired for small molecules analysis in gradient elution. On the contrary, longer
      columns were useful for peptide analysis. As example, a column of 28cm packed
      with 1.3MUm particles provides a peak capacity of 1000 in the case of peptides
      analysis. All the predicted values were experimentally confirmed using a
      standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba and a tryptic digest of a monoclonal
      antibody (Panitumumab). For the plant extract, the better performance was always
      achieved with a 5cm long column (P=267 and 268 for the 5 and 15cm, respectively,
      using a gradient time of 10 and 40min, respectively). Finally, in the case of
      peptide mapping, a 15cm long column packed with 1.3MUm particles was the best
      choice (P=176 and 311 for the 5 and 15cm, respectively, using a gradient time of
      10 and 40min, respectively). 

PMID- 24210305
TI  - Determination of artificial sweeteners in sewage sludge samples using pressurised
      liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - An analytical method for the determination of six artificial sweeteners in sewage
      sludge has been developed. The procedure is based on pressurised liquid
      extraction (PLE) with water followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and
      subsequent liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. After
      optimisation of the different PLE parameters, extraction with aqueous 500mM
      formate buffer (pH 3.5) at 80 degrees C during a single static cycle of 21min
      proved to be best conditions. After a subsequent SPE, quantification limits,
      referred to dry weight (dw) of sewage sludge, ranged from 0.3ng/g for acesulfame
      (ACE) to 16ng/g for saccharin (SAC) and neohespiridine dihydrochalcone. The
      trueness, expressed as recovery, ranged between 72% and 105% and the precision,
      expressed as relative standard deviation, was lower than 16%. Moreover, the
      method proved its linearity up to the 2MUg/g range. Finally, the described method
      was applied to the determination of the artificial sweeteners in primary and
      secondary sewage sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants. Four of the six
      studied artificial sweeteners (ACE, cyclamate, SAC and sucralose) were found in
      the samples at concentrations ranging from 17 to 628ng/g dw. 

PMID- 24210306
TI  - [Celiac disease in children from the northwest of Mexico: clinical
      characteristics of 24 cases].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy induced by dietary
      wheat gluten that can have serious consequences if not diagnosed and treated
      early. It is important to be familiar with other alterations associated with
      gluten ingestion due to the multiplicity of clinical presentations. OBJECTIVES:
      To describe the most common CD presentation patterns and alterations associated
      with gluten in children from the northwest region of Mexico, with an incipient
      knowledge of its prevalence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Age, sex, family history, and
      gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms were recorded in 24 patients within
      the time frame of 2006 to 2010. Biochemical and hematologic data were collected.
      Anti-gliadin and anti-transglutaminase antibodies were analyzed in all the cases,
      and haplotypes (HLA-DQ2/DQ8) and duodenal biopsy were evaluated in some of the
      cases. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients (14 girls and 10 boys), 13 presented with
      typical CD with symptoms of poor gastrointestinal absorption; 7 patients with a
      mean age of 5 years presented with atypical CD; 2 had disease onset with
      gastrointestinal and extraintestinal (neurologic) problems; and 2 with other
      gluten-related disorders. All of the patients had positive serology; 11/15
      presented with HLA-DQ2/DQ8 and 4 with at least one allele; damaged mucosa was
      observed in the 6 biopsies taken. A third of the patients were anemic, 6
      presented with an albumin value of<3.5g/dL, and 4 with mineral deficiencies. A
      total of 83% of the patients improved with a gluten-free diet. CONCLUSIONS: The
      presentation patterns were: 1) typical CD, 2) atypical CD, 3) CD with
      gastrointestinal and extraintestinal (neurologic) symptoms, and 4) gluten-related
      disorders other than CD.

PMID- 24210307
TI  - Greater trochanteric pain syndrome negatively affects work, physical activity and
      quality of life: a case control study.
AB  - Musculoskeletal injury causes pain and when chronic can affect mental health,
      employment and quality of life. This study examined work participation, function
      and quality of life in people with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS,
      n=42), severe hip osteoarthritis (OA, n=20) and an asymptomatic group (ASC,
      n=23). No differences were found between the symptomatic groups on key measures,
      both were more affected than the ASC group, they had lower quality of life score
      (p<0.001), Harris Hip Score (p<0.001) and higher Oswestry Disability Index
      (p<0.001). Participants with GTPS were the least likely to be in fulltime work
      (prob. GTPS=0.29; OA=0.52; and ASC=0.68). GTPS appears to confer levels of
      disability and quality of life similar to levels associated with end stage hip
      OA. 

PMID- 24210308
TI  - Acetabular cup revision combined with tensor facia lata reconstruction for
      management of massive abductor avulsion after failed total hip arthroplasty.
AB  - We report on 17 patients with massive abductor avulsions after total hip
      arthroplasty (THA) treated with medialization of the acetabular component and
      tensor fascia lata (TFL) reconstruction. All patients had severe limp, positive
      Trendelenburg sign, and avulsion of the abductor insertion confirmed on MRI. Mean
      age was 69 years (range, 50-83 years), and mean follow-up period was 36 months
      (range, 18-78 months). After surgery, 9 patients had no limp (47%), 8 patients
      had a mild limp, and abductor power improved from mean 2.5/5 to mean 3.8 (P <
      0.0001). At latest follow-up, the Harris Hip Score was excellent in 6 hips (37%),
      good in 7 (43%) hips, and fair or poor in 3 (23%). Two patients with mild limp
      were not satisfied with their procedure.

PMID- 24210309
TI  - Anatomic considerations, nomenclature, and advanced cross-sectional imaging
      techniques for visualization of the cranial nerve segments by MR imaging.
AB  - Various methods of cross-sectional imaging are used for visualization of the
      cranial nerves, relying heavily on MR imaging. The success of the MR imaging
      sequences for visualization of cranial nerves depends on their anatomic context
      at the point of evaluation. The heterogeneity of opinion regarding optimal
      evaluation of the cranial nerves is partly a function of the complexity of
      cranial nerve anatomy. A variety of approaches are advocated and variations in
      equipment and terminology cloud the field. This article proposes a segmental
      classification and corresponding nomenclature for imaging evaluation of the
      cranial nerves and reviews technical considerations and applicable literature. 

PMID- 24210310
TI  - High-resolution CISS MR imaging with and without contrast for evaluation of the
      upper cranial nerves: segmental anatomy and selected pathologic conditions of the
      cisternal through extraforaminal segments.
AB  - The authors review the course and appearance of the major segments of the upper
      cranial nerves from their apparent origin at the brainstem through the proximal
      extraforaminal region, focusing on the imaging and anatomic features of
      particular relevance to high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging evaluation.
      Selected pathologic entities are included in the discussion of the corresponding
      cranial nerve segments for illustrative purposes. 

PMID- 24210311
TI  - Lower cranial nerves.
AB  - Imaging evaluation of cranial neuropathies requires thorough knowledge of the
      anatomic, physiologic, and pathologic features of the cranial nerves, as well as
      detailed clinical information, which is necessary for tailoring the examinations,
      locating the abnormalities, and interpreting the imaging findings. This article
      provides clinical, anatomic, and radiological information on lower (7th to 12th)
      cranial nerves, along with high-resolution magnetic resonance images as a guide
      for optimal imaging technique, so as to improve the diagnosis of cranial
      neuropathy. 

PMID- 24210312
TI  - Peripheral neuropathy: clinical and electrophysiological considerations.
AB  - This article is a primer on the pathophysiology and clinical evaluation of
      peripheral neuropathy for the radiologist. Magnetic resonance neurography has
      utility in the diagnosis of many focal peripheral nerve lesions. When combined
      with history, examination, electrophysiology, and laboratory data, future
      advancements in high-field magnetic resonance neurography may play an
      increasingly important role in the evaluation of patients with peripheral
      neuropathy. 

PMID- 24210313
TI  - Magnetic resonance neurography: technical considerations.
AB  - Proper performance of magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is essential not only
      to make the examination easier to interpret but also for its accurate evaluation.
      This article outlines the technical considerations of MRN, various imaging pulse
      sequences available on current scanners, as well as their relative advantages and
      disadvantages. In addition, a guide to the optimal use of high-resolution and
      high-contrast MRN technique is provided, which will aid clinicians in attaining a
      good-quality examination. 

PMID- 24210314
TI  - Peripheral MR neurography: approach to interpretation.
AB  - The magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) examination is rapidly becoming a part
      of the diagnostic algorithm of patients with peripheral neuropathy; however,
      because of the technical demands and the lack of required reading skills, the
      examination is relatively underutilized and is currently limited to a few
      tertiary care centers. The radiologists with interest in peripheral nerve imaging
      should be able to perform and interpret this examination to exploit its potential
      for widespread use. This article outlines the systematic, stepwise approach to
      its interpretation and a brief discussion of the imaging pitfalls. 

PMID- 24210315
TI  - MR imaging of the brachial plexus.
AB  - Continuous improvements in magnetic resonance scanner, coil, and pulse sequence
      technology have resulted in the ability to perform routine, high-quality imaging
      of the brachial plexus. With knowledge of the anatomy of the plexus, and a
      familiarity with common pathologic conditions affecting this area, radiologists
      can provide valuable imaging evaluation of patients with brachial plexus
      pathologies. 

PMID- 24210316
TI  - High-resolution magnetic resonance neurography in upper extremity neuropathy.
AB  - The most common sites of nerve entrapment are in the upper extremity, commonly
      diagnosed based on clinical findings and electrophysiologic studies. Cross
      sectional imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance (MR)
      imaging, have been used to enhance diagnostic accuracy and provide anatomic
      mapping of abnormalities. MR neurography offers multiplanar high-resolution
      imaging of upper extremity nerves as well as adjacent soft tissues, and provides
      an objective assessment of the neuromuscular anatomy and related abnormalities.
      This article reviews the normal 3-T MR neurographic appearance of the upper
      extremity nerves, and abnormal findings related to injury, entrapment, and other
      pathologic conditions. 

PMID- 24210317
TI  - Magnetic resonance neurography of the pelvis and lumbosacral plexus.
AB  - Recent advances in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have revolutionized peripheral
      nerve imaging and made high-resolution acquisitions a clinical reality. High
      resolution dedicated MR neurography techniques can show pathologic changes within
      the peripheral nerves as well as elucidate the underlying disorder or cause.
      Neurogenic pain arising from the nerves of the pelvis and lumbosacral plexus
      poses a particular diagnostic challenge for the clinician and radiologist alike.
      This article reviews the advances in MR imaging that have allowed state-of-the
      art high-resolution imaging to become a reality in clinical practice. 

PMID- 24210318
TI  - High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the lower extremity nerves.
AB  - Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the nerves, commonly known as MR neurography
      is increasingly being used as noninvasive means of diagnosing peripheral nerve
      disease. High-resolution imaging protocols aimed at imaging the nerves of the
      hip, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, and foot can demonstrate traumatic or iatrogenic
      injury, tumorlike lesions, or entrapment of the nerves, causing a potential loss
      of motor and sensory function in the affected area. A thorough understanding of
      normal MR imaging and gross anatomy, as well as MR findings in the presence of
      peripheral neuropathies will aid in accurate diagnosis and ultimately help guide
      clinical management. 

PMID- 24210319
TI  - Magnetic resonance neurography of peripheral nerve tumors and tumorlike
      conditions.
AB  - Peripheral nerve enlargement may be seen in multiple conditions including
      hereditary or inflammatory neuropathies, sporadic or syndromic peripheral nerve
      sheath tumors, perineurioma, posttraumatic neuroma, and intraneural ganglion.
      Malignancies such as neurolymphoma, intraneural metastases, or sarcomas may also
      affect the peripheral nervous system and result in nerve enlargement. The imaging
      appearance and differentiating factors become especially relevant in the setting
      of tumor syndromes such as neurofibromatosis type 1, neurofibromatosis type 2,
      and schwannomatosis. This article reviews the typical magnetic resonance
      neurography imaging appearances of neurogenic as well as nonneurogenic neoplasms
      and tumorlike lesions of peripheral nerves, with emphasis on distinguishing
      factors. 

PMID- 24210320
TI  - Peripheral nerve surgery: primer for the imagers.
AB  - Peripheral nerve surgery represents a broad field of pathologic conditions,
      medical specialties, and anatomic regions of the body. Anatomic understanding of
      hierarchical nerve structure and the peripheral nervous system aids diagnosis and
      management of nerve lesions. Many peripheral nerves coalesce into organized
      arrays, including the cervical, brachial, and lumbosacral plexuses, controlling
      motor and sensory functions of the trunk and extremities. Individual or groups of
      nerves may be affected by various pathologic conditions, including trauma,
      entrapment, tumor, or iatrogenic damage. Current research efforts focus on
      enhancing the peripheral nerve regenerative process by targeting Schwann cells,
      nerve growth factors, and nerve allografts. 

PMID- 24210321
TI  - Magnetic resonance neurography-guided nerve blocks for the diagnosis and
      treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
AB  - Magnetic resonance (MR) neurography - guided nerve blocks and injections describe
      a techniques for selective percutaneous drug delivery, in which limited MR
      neurography and interventional MR imaging are used jointly to map and target
      specific pelvic nerves or muscles, navigate needles to the target, visualize the
      injected drug and detect spread to confounding structures. The procedures
      described, specifically include nerve blocks of the obturator nerve, lateral
      femoral cutaneous nerve, pudendal nerve, posterior femoral cutaneous nerve,
      sciatic nerve, ganglion impar, sacral spinal nerve, and injection into the
      piriformis muscle. 

PMID- 24210322
TI  - The role of magnetic resonance neurography in the postoperative management of
      peripheral nerve injuries.
AB  - Diagnostic limitations exist in the assessment of postoperative nerve
      regeneration. This article describes the role of available methods, such as
      clinical assessment, electrophysiologic studies, and magnetic resonance
      neurography in the postoperative evaluation of peripheral nerve repairs. 

PMID- 24210323
TI  - Magnetic resonance neurography: diffusion tensor imaging and future directions.
AB  - Magnetic resonance (MR) neurography has progressed in the past 2 decades because
      of rapid technological developments in both hardware and software. In addition to
      improvements in high-resolution anatomic pulse sequences, functional techniques
      are becoming feasible. This article presents the current state-of-the-art three
      dimensional anatomic techniques, discusses the advantages of functional
      techniques being exploited, and portrays novel contrast types and molecular
      techniques that are under development and promise a bright future for this
      rapidly evolving technique. 

PMID- 24210324
TI  - Magnetic resonance neurography research: evaluation of its effectiveness.
AB  - Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is a specialized technique that is rapidly
      becoming part of the diagnostic algorithm of peripheral nerve pathology. However,
      in order for this modality to be considered appropriate, its value compared with
      current methods of diagnosis should be established. Therefore, radiologists
      involved in MRN research should use appropriate methodology to evaluate MRN's
      effectiveness with a multidisciplinary approach. This article reviews the various
      tiers of research available to assess the clinical value of a diagnostic modality
      with an emphasis on how to evaluate the impact of MRN on diagnostic thinking and
      therapeutic decisions. 

PMID- 24210325
TI  - MR neurography.

PMID- 24210326
TI  - MR neurography.

PMID- 24210327
TI  - Caspase-cleaved fragments of cytokeratin-18 as a marker of inflammatory activity
      in chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis between inactive carrier and active
      hepatitis is important in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus
      infection. Serum cytokeratin (CK)-18 fragments (M30-antigen) are proposed as
      biomarkers of apoptosis. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether serum M30-antigen
      levels might help to characterize the various phases of CHB and predict the state
      of significant inflammation in patients with CHB. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 339
      CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy, were included. Serum M30-antigen levels
      were compared between inactive carriers (n=21), patients with HBeAg-negative
      hepatitis (n=95), HBeAg-positive hepatitis (n=141) and liver cirrhosis (n=82).
      RESULTS: Serum M30-antigen levels were correlated significantly not only with AST
      (r=0.544, p<0.001) and ALT (r=0.315, p<0.001) and but also inflammatory grading
      score on liver biopsy (r=0.240, p<0.001). Serum M30-antigen level in HBeAg
      negative CHB was significantly higher than that of inactive HBV carrier (399.78
      U/L vs 148.90 U/L, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that AST (p<0.001),
      albumin (p=0.009) and M30-antigen (p=0.020) were the independent predictors of
      significant inflammation. Combined serum M30-antigen level (>344 U/L) and AST
      (>78 IU/L) measurement provided the most accurate identification of significant
      inflammation, showing 38.2% sensitivity, 96.1% specificity, 91.0% positive
      predictive value and 56.1% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Serum M30
      antigen can be a predictive marker for distinguishing between inactive carrier
      and HBeAg-negative CHB. Serum M30 levels are associated with the presence of
      significant inflammation, especially in patients with normal or minimally
      elevated ALT in CHB patients.

PMID- 24210328
TI  - Designation of human adenovirus types based on sequence data: an unfinished
      debate.

PMID- 24210329
TI  - Human papillomavirus type 56 polymorphism in Canadian women with and without
      cervical lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The genomic diversity of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) has
      been associated with viral persistence and HPV-induced lesions. Studies on HPV56
      persistence are still pending. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between HPV56
      polymorphism and HPV56 persistence and presence of high-grade cervical
      intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2,3) or cancer. STUDY DESIGN: HPV56-positive
      cervical specimens from 204 women selected from a total of 4669 participants
      recruited in 5 epidemiological studies (parent studies) were further analyzed by
      PCR-sequencing of the long control region (LCR). RESULTS: Of the 81 women
      followed prospectively in cohort studies who could be classified, 34 had
      persistent and 47 had transient HPV56 infections. Variant HPV56-LCR-MTL-21 was
      detected more frequently in persistent infections (52.9%, 95% CI: 36.7-68.6%)
      than in transient infections (25.5%, 95% CI: 15.1-39.4). Considering only women
      recruited in a cohort of women infected or at high risk for HIV infection,
      infection with variant HPV56-LCR-MTL-21 (OR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.3-14.5) was
      significantly associated with HPV56 persistence controlling in multivariate
      analysis for high risk HPV detection and HIV infection. A variation at nucleotide
      7800 in HPV56-LCR-MTL-21 resulted in the loss of a binding site for Elf-1
      embedded in one of the E2 binding sites, a potential activator or repressor of
      expression of the HPV genome. HPV56 polymorphism was not associated with CIN2,3
      or cancer in women enrolled in cross-sectional and case-control studies.
      CONCLUSION: Polymorphism in HPV56 may influence the risk that infections with
      this type will persist.

PMID- 24210331
TI  - Immune response of heifers against a Staphylococcus aureus CP5 whole cell and
      lysate vaccine formulated with ISCOM Matrix adjuvant.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequently isolated pathogen from bovine
      intramammary infections worldwide. Commercially available vaccines for mastitis
      control are composed either of S. aureus lysates or whole-cells formulated with
      traditional adjuvants. We recently showed the ability of a S. aureus CP5 whole
      cell vaccine adjuvanted with ISCOM Matrix to increase specific antibodies
      production in blood and milk, improving opsonic capacity, compared with the same
      vaccine formulated with Al(OH)3. However, there is no information about the use
      of ISCOM Matrix for the formulation of bacterial lysates. The aim of this study
      was to characterize the innate and humoral immune responses induced by a S.
      aureus CP5 whole-cell or lysate vaccine, formulated with ISCOM Matrix after
      immunization of pregnant heifers. Both immunogens stimulated strong humoral
      immune responses in blood and milk, raising antibodies that increased opsonic
      capacity. Lysate formulation generated a higher and longer lasting antibody titer
      and stimulated a higher expression of regulatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines
      compared with the whole-cell vaccine. 

PMID- 24210330
TI  - Influence of HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 infection and CD4 count on cervical HPV DNA
      detection in women from Senegal, West Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV infection is associated with greater risk of precancerous lesions
      and cervical cancer in women. However, several factors remain unclarified
      regarding the association between HIV infection and HPV detection, especially
      among those with HIV type 2 versus type 1 infection and severely
      immunocompromised persons. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate HPV overall and type-specific
      detection among HIV-infected and uninfected women in Senegal. STUDY DESIGN:
      Detection of HPV DNA for 38 genotypes in cervical swabs using PCR-based methods
      was evaluated in HIV-positive (n=467) and HIV-negative (n=2139) women
      participating in studies in Senegal. Among HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 positive women, CD4
      counts were assessed. Adjusted multivariable prevalence ratios (PR) were
      calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of any HPV DNA and multiple HPV types was
      greater among HIV-infected individuals (78.2% and 62.3%, respectively) compared
      with HIV-negative women (27.1% and 11.6%). This trend was also seen for HPV types
      16 and 18 (13.1% and 10.9%) compared to HIV-negative women (2.2% and 1.7%). HIV
      infected women with CD4 cell counts less than 200 cells/MUl had a higher
      likelihood of any HPV detection (PRa 1.30; 95% CI 1.07-1.59), multiple HPV types
      (PRa 1.52; 95% CI 1.14-2.01), and HPV-16 (PRa 9.00; 95% CI 1.66-48.67), but not
      HPV-18 (PRa 1.20, 95% CI 0.45-3.24) compared to those with CD4 counts 500
      cells/MUl or above. CONCLUSION: HIV-infected women, especially those most
      severely immunocompromised, are more likely to harbor HPV. Measures to prevent
      initial HPV infection and subsequent development of cervical cancer through
      focused screening efforts should be implemented in these high risk populations.

PMID- 24210332
TI  - Laparoscopic greater curvature plication: surgical techniques and early outcomes
      of a Chinese experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is a novel
      restrictive bariatric procedure that can reduce the gastric volume by infolding
      the gastric greater curvature without gastrectomy. The objective of this study
      was to describe the surgical technique of LGCP and validate the efficacy and
      safety of LGCP for the treatment of obesity in obese Chinese patients with a
      relatively low body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Twenty-two obese patients (mean
      age 33.8+/-6.0 years; mean BMI 37.0+/-7.0 kg/m(2)) underwent LGCP between
      September 2011 and September 2012. After dissecting the greater omentum and short
      gastric vessels, the gastric greater curvature plication with 2 rows of
      nonabsorbable suture was performed under the guidance of a 32-F bougie. The data
      were collected during follow-up examinations performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months
      postoperatively. RESULTS: All procedures were performed laparoscopically. The
      mean operative time was 84.1 minutes (50-120 min), and the mean length of
      hospital stay was 3.8 days (2-10 d). There were no deaths or postoperative major
      complications that needed reoperation. The mean percentage of excess weight loss
      (%EWL) was 22.9%+/-6.9%, 38.6%+/-9.8%, 51.5%+/-13.5%, and 61.1%+/-15.9% at 1, 3,
      6, and 12 months postoperatively. At 6 months, type 2 diabetes was in remission
      in 2 (50%) patients, hypertension in 1 (33.3%) patient, and dyslipidemia in 11
      (78.6%) patients. Decreases in the index for homeostasis model assessment of
      insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and in insulin and glucose concentrations were
      observed. CONCLUSIONS: The early outcomes of LGCP as a novel treatment for obese
      Chinese with a relatively low BMI are satisfactory with respect to the
      effectiveness and low incidence of major complications. Additional long-term
      follow-up and prospective, comparative trials are still needed.

PMID- 24210334
TI  - Hemodynamic impact and outcome of permanent pacemaker implantation following
      transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
AB  - Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) frequently requires postprocedural
      permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. We evaluated clinical and hemodynamic
      impact of PPM after TAVI. Clinical and echocardiographic data were
      retrospectively analyzed in 230 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI and
      echocardiography at baseline and after 6 months. Echocardiographic parameters
      included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular (LV) stroke
      volume, early mitral velocity/annulus velocity ratio (E/e'), right ventricular
      index of myocardial performance, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), and
      aortic, mitral, and tricuspid regurgitation grades. Clinical outcomes included 2
      year survival and cardiovascular and PPM-related event-free survival. The
      Medtronic CoreValve and Edwards Sapien prosthesis were used in 201 and 29
      patients, respectively. PPM was required in 58 patients (25.4%). Two-year and
      event-free survival rates were similar between patients with and without PPM. At
      6 months, patients with PPM demonstrated attenuated improvement in LVEF (-0.9 +/-
      8.7% vs 2.3 +/- 10.8%, respectively, p = 0.03) and LV stroke volume (-2 +/- 16 vs
      4 +/- 10 ml/m(2), respectively, p = 0.015), a trend toward smaller reduction in
      systolic pulmonary artery pressure (-1 +/- 12 vs -6 +/- 10 mm Hg, respectively, p
      = 0.09), and deterioration of right ventricular index of myocardial performance (
      3 +/- 17% vs 5 +/- 26%, respectively, p = 0.05). The differences in post-TAVI
      aortic, mitral, and tricuspid regurgitation grades were insignificant. In
      conclusion, PPM implantation after TAVI is associated with reduced LVEF and
      impaired LV unloading. However, this unfavorable hemodynamic response does not
      affect the 2-year clinical outcome. The maintenance of clinical benefit appears
      to be driven by TAVI-related recovery of LV and right ventricular performance
      that mitigates unfavorable impact of PPM.

PMID- 24210333
TI  - Left ventricular hypertrophy patterns and incidence of heart failure with
      preserved versus reduced ejection fraction.
AB  - Higher left ventricular (LV) mass, wall thickness, and internal dimension are
      associated with increased heart failure (HF) risk. Whether different LV
      hypertrophy patterns vary with respect to rates and types of HF incidence is
      unclear. In this study, 4,768 Framingham Heart Study participants (mean age 50
      years, 56% women) were classified into 4 mutually exclusive LV hypertrophy
      pattern groups (normal, concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy, and
      eccentric hypertrophy) using American Society of Echocardiography-recommended
      thresholds of echocardiographic LV mass indexed to body surface area and relative
      wall thickness, and these groups were related to HF incidence. Whether risk for
      HF types (HF with reduced ejection fraction [<45%] vs preserved ejection fraction
      [>=45%]) varied by hypertrophy pattern was then evaluated. On follow-up (mean 21
      years), 458 participants (9.6%, 250 women) developed new-onset HF. The age- and
      gender-adjusted 20-year HF incidence increased from 6.96% in the normal left
      ventricle group to 8.67%, 13.38%, and 15.27% in the concentric remodeling,
      concentric hypertrophy, and eccentric hypertrophy groups, respectively. After
      adjustment for co-morbidities and incident myocardial infarction, LV hypertrophy
      patterns were associated with higher HF incidence relative to the normal left
      ventricle group (p = 0.0002); eccentric hypertrophy carried the greatest risk
      (hazard ratio [HR] 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41 to 2.54), followed by
      concentric hypertrophy (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.87). Participants with
      eccentric hypertrophy had a higher propensity for HF with reduced ejection
      fraction (HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.48 to 3.37), whereas those with concentric
      hypertrophy were more prone to HF with preserved ejection fraction (HR 1.66, 95%
      CI 1.09 to 2.51). In conclusion, in this large community-based sample, HF risk
      varied by LV hypertrophy pattern, with eccentric and concentric hypertrophy
      predisposing to HF with reduced and preserved ejection fraction, respectively.

PMID- 24210335
TI  - Outcome of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with low-gradient
      severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.
AB  - We aimed to evaluate the clinical and hemodynamic impact of transcatheter aortic
      valve implantation in patients with typical low-gradient severe aortic stenosis
      (LGSAS) and at high operative risk for surgical valve replacement. Prospectively
      collected clinical and echo Doppler data were retrospectively analyzed in 112 and
      86 patients, respectively. Follow-up period was 31 months (21 to 38). Thirty
      eight patients died; combined long-term cardiovascular events were identified in
      68 patients. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.4% in patients with typical severe
      aortic stenosis (AS) and 3.3% in patients with LGSAS (p = 1.0). Two-year survival
      rate was 77 +/- 5% for the former (n = 82) and 68 +/- 8% for the latter (n = 30;
      hazard ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 0.7 to 2.7 for LGSAS; p = 0.3). Two
      year cardiovascular event-free survival rates were 56.5 +/- 5.0% and 48.4 +/-
      9.0%, respectively, (hazard ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 0.78 to 2.3 for
      LGSAS; p = 0.25). Patients with typical severe AS (n = 64) and those with LGSAS
      (n = 23) demonstrated similar increases in left ventricular ejection fraction and
      stroke volume (7 +/- 10% vs 6 +/- 6% and p = 0.67; 12 +/- 22% vs 12 +/- 16%, p =
      0.88, respectively) and reduction in systolic pulmonary artery pressure (5 +/- 14
      vs 5 +/- 9 mm Hg, respectively, p = 0.83). In conclusion, transcatheter aortic
      valve implantation appears to result in similar hemodynamic and long-term
      clinical outcomes for high-risk surgical patients with LGSAS as those with
      typical severe AS.

PMID- 24210336
TI  - Corneal enlargement without optic disk cupping in children with recessive CYP1B1
      mutations.
AB  - Corneal enlargement during the first 3 years of life can be a sign of early
      childhood glaucoma and optic nerve head cupping is a useful confirmatory finding.
      We report 3 children with corneal enlargement without optic nerve head cupping
      who had recessive CYP1B1 mutations, the most common identifiable cause of primary
      congenital glaucoma. One child later developed unilateral Haab striae, still in
      the absence of optic disk cupping. These cases illustrate that CYP1B1-related
      corneal changes can occur in young children without visible optic nerve head
      damage. 

PMID- 24210337
TI  - The importance of electrophysiology in revealing a complete homozygous deletion
      of KCNV2.
AB  - Visual electrophysiology is an important ancillary investigation in children with
      poor vision and nystagmus. Cone dystrophy with supranormal rod electroretinogram
      (KCNV2 retinopathy) has pathognomonic electrophysiology findings that, if
      identified, direct molecular genetic testing. We report the case of a 6-year-old
      boy with typical electrophysiology findings of KCNV2 retinopathy but with
      abnormal cone dysfunction compared to other patients with mutations in KCNV2.
      Molecular genetic testing revealed complete homozygous deletion of KCNV2. To our
      knowledge, this is the first such report. The greater cone dysfunction seen in
      this case suggests a phenotypic link to the genetic changes. 

PMID- 24210338
TI  - Accuracy of vision screening.

PMID- 24210339
TI  - Visual outcome after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in
      an 8-month-old with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy.
AB  - Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) has rapidly
      become the standard of care for endothelial dysfunction of the cornea in adults.
      There are few reports of DSAEK in children and infants, mainly because most
      pediatric corneal opacities are full-thickness and therefore not amenable to
      lamellar procedures but also because of the unique difficulties of performing
      this procedure in the youngest patients. We report the case of an 8-month-old
      girl who underwent DSAEK for congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy. At 24
      months' follow-up, her visual acuity was 20/40 in the operated eye. To our
      knowledge, this is the first report of an objective visual outcome in a child
      with DSAEK performed in infancy. 

PMID- 24210340
TI  - Inadvertent intrastromal injection of ophthalmic viscoelastic.
AB  - Viscoelastic is an ophthalmic viscosurgical device used to protect ocular tissue
      and maintain intraocular space during surgical procedures such as cataract
      removal. To date, the only cases published regarding inadvertent viscosurgical
      device injection have caused Descemet's membrane detachments. We report the case
      of a 4-year-old girl who underwent complicated lensectomy with prior history of
      uveitis and posterior synechia in which intrastromal ophthalmic viscoelastic was
      inadvertently injected into the stroma, leaving an off-centered opacity. At the
      time of surgery, no Descemet's membrane detachment was seen. The lensectomy and
      planned anterior vitrectomy were performed without complication and visual acuity
      has improved from 20/200 preoperatively to 20/70 at 3 months' follow-up. The
      corneal opacity resolved within 1 week of surgery, with no evidence of residual
      visual impairment. 

PMID- 24210341
TI  - A case report of torpedo maculopathy in an African boy.
AB  - We describe a case report of torpedo maculopathy in a young African boy.
      Ophthalmic examination revealed normal visual acuity and a characteristic
      unilateral retinal lesion with the typical appearance on ocular coherence
      tomographic imaging, fluorescein angiography, and visual fields testing. 

PMID- 24210342
TI  - Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy in a child caused by an internal carotid
      aneurysm.
AB  - Common causes for acquired isolated oculomotor nerve palsy in children are
      trauma, inflammation, and neoplasia. We report a case of isolated oculomotor
      nerve palsy in a 13-year-old boy secondary to intracranial carotid aneurysm. 

PMID- 24210343
TI  - Scedosporium prolificans endogenous endophthalmitis.
AB  - Scedosporium prolificans is an opportunistic fungus with a predilection for
      sepsis and endophthalmitis in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of
      endogenous S. prolificans endophthalmitis in a 9-year-old girl following
      chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia. She achieved an excellent visual outcome
      following intensive antifungal therapy. 

PMID- 24210344
TI  - Transient leopard spot corneal endothelial staining with trypan blue during
      cataract surgery in a child with congenital rubella syndrome.
AB  - We report the complication of corneal endothelial staining with trypan blue that
      limited the surgical view during cataract extraction in a 10-month-old boy. The
      boy had presented with a pigmentary retinopathy, microphthalmia, and a dense,
      white, unilateral congenital cataract. He was suspected of having, and was later
      diagnosed with, congenital rubella syndrome. We hypothesize that the corneal
      staining may have resulted from virally induced corneal endothelial damage. To
      our knowledge, this is the first reported case of trypan blue adversely affecting
      congenital cataract surgery. 

PMID- 24210345
TI  - Unilateral recalcitrant glaucoma associated with cytomegalovirus in an
      immunocompromised child with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
AB  - We report a case of anterior uveitis and unilateral recalcitrant glaucoma in an
      immunocompromised 6-year-old boy diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome who
      presented with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), mild anterior uveitis, and
      unilateral acute glaucoma. Polymerase chain reaction from the aqueous was
      positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV). After initially responding to ganciclovir,
      the IOP rose again. With worsening optic nerve status, the patient underwent
      glaucoma filtration surgery with mitomycin C, and a postoperative regimen for CMV
      retinitis was initiated. 

PMID- 24210346
TI  - Incidence of amblyopia risk factors in children with nasolacrimal duct
      obstruction.
AB  - Previously published research suggested that children with nasolacrimal duct
      obstruction and amblyopia risk factors on initial examination often develop
      clinical amblyopia. The present study reports the incidence of clinical amblyopia
      in children presenting with nasolacrimal duct obstruction but no amblyopia risk
      factors. 

PMID- 24210347
TI  - Using autofluorescence to detect optic nerve head drusen in children.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of using autofluorescence to identify optic nerve
      head drusen (ONHD) in children. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional,
      descriptive study of subjects <18 years of age with possible pseudopapilledema
      due to ONHD. B-scan ultrasonography was considered the gold standard diagnostic
      technique. All participants underwent an extensive ophthalmic examination that
      included fundus color photography, autofluorescence analysis, and B-scan
      echography. ONHD were classified as visible or hidden. Autofluorescence images
      were analyzed by three observers who were masked to the results of B-scan
      ultrasonography. RESULTS: A total of 24 children with pseudopapilledema were
      included. B-scan ultrasonography confirmed ONHD in 32 eyes of 18 patients (9
      boys). Mean patient age was 12 years (range, 7-17 years). ONHD was bilateral in
      14 patients; unilateral in 4. The majority of the drusen were hidden (26 of 32
      eyes). Analysis of autofluorescence patterns identified the drusen in 94% of
      cases (30 of 32 eyes): visible, 100%; hidden, 92%. Interobserver agreement was
      high (kappa = 0.91, kappa = 0.96, kappa = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: In this study
      cohort, autofluorescence proved a safe, fast, and reliable technique for
      identifying ONHD in children.

PMID- 24210348
TI  - Three-muscle surgery for very large-angle constant exotropia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of surgery on three horizontal muscles for very
      large-angle constant exotropia. METHODS: In this prospective case series,
      consecutive adult patients with primary constant exotropia with angles
      >=120(Delta) underwent strabismus surgery on three horizontal muscles. Surgery
      consisted of lateral rectus recession of 10-15 mm on the fixing eye in addition
      to lateral rectus recession of 9-13 mm and medial rectus resection of 6.5-9 mm on
      the nonfixing eye. The mean follow-up period was >6 months. Success was defined
      as horizontal eso- or exodeviations of <=10(Delta). RESULTS: A total of 23
      patients were included. The mean age at surgery was 30.4 +/- 9.3 years (range, 16
      52). The mean preoperative near exodeviation was 128(Delta) +/- 9.8(Delta); the
      mean preoperative distance exodeviation, 130(Delta) +/- 10.4(Delta). The mean
      follow-up period was 8.1 +/- 1.4 months. At the last follow-up, 19 of the 23
      cases (83%) were successfully aligned. At final follow-up examination, the mean
      postoperative exodeviation was 5(Delta) +/- 4.2(Delta) (near) and 5(Delta) +/-
      4.3(Delta) (distance); no patient had diplopia on lateral gazes. CONCLUSIONS: In
      this patient cohort, surgery on three-muscle surgery for very large-angle
      exotropia successfully restored alignment in primary gaze in over 80% of cases
      without inducing symptomatic abduction deficits.

PMID- 24210349
TI  - Phytotoxkit/Phytotestkit and Microtox(r) as tools for toxicity assessment of
      sediments.
AB  - The aim of the study was to use bioassays to evaluate the toxicity of pore water,
      sediments and sediments elutriates. Furthermore, a possible relationship between
      observed toxicity and results of chemical analysis was examined. Sediment (0-10
      cm) samples were collected from 21 locations in Zeslawice reservoir, Southern
      Poland using an Ekman sampler. Toxicity assessment of the sediment and pore water
      samples was performed using direct-contact tests Phytotoxkit/Phytotestkit and
      Microtox(r). Inhibition of seed germination in the test plants was from -25 to 38
      percent for sediment and from 0 to 50 percent for pore water, whereas inhibition
      of root growth was within a range from -42 to 37 percent for sediment and from 
      49 to 37 percent for pore water. Depending on the sediments, Vibrio fischeri
      luminescence inhibition was from -18 to 40 percent for sediments elutriates and
      from -12 to 28 percent for pore water. The toxicity tests showed a positive
      correlation between metals and the root growth inhibition in Lepidium sativum and
      Sinapis alba as well as the luminescence inhibition in V. fischeri. No
      significant correlations were found between the inhibition of luminescence and
      the phytotoxicity assays, so these analyses do not show a similar sensitivity to
      toxicants in the sediments. While estimating the sensitivity of the performed
      biotests, the highest number of toxic responses was recorded in the Microtox(r)
      test towards V. fischeri. Among the plant species, Sorghum saccharatum appears to
      be the most sensitive plant species. Most of the examined sediment samples (67
      percent) were classified as class II (low-toxic samples, low acute hazard) and 33
      percent of the examined samples were class I (no essential toxic effect, non
      toxic sample, no acute hazard) in terms of toxicity. Most of the pore water
      samples (71 percent) were also classified as class II.

PMID- 24210350
TI  - Toxic effects of three strobilurins (trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin and kresoxim
      methyl) on mRNA expression and antioxidant enzymes in grass carp
      (Ctenopharyngodon idella) juveniles.
AB  - The strobilurins are used widely in the world as effective fungicidal agents to
      control Asian soybean rust. In this study, the early life stage of grass carp
      (Ctenopharyngodon idella), which is one of the most important aquaculture species
      in China, was chosen to measure the acute toxicity of three common strobilurin
      derived fungicides (trifloxystrobin (TFS), azoxystrobin (AZ) and kresoxim-methyl
      (KM)). As endpoints, normal developmental parameters (lethal concentration (LC50)
      and average heart rate), expression of relative genes, and three antioxidant
      enzyme activities in the developing juveniles were recorded during a 48 h
      exposure. The results revealed that values of LC50 were TFS 0.051 (0.046-0.058)
      mg L-1, AZ 0.549 (0.419-0.771) mg L-1 and KM 0.338 (0.284-0.407) mg L-1 for
      juveniles. For the potential toxicity mechanisms, these three fungicides
      increased catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity and decreased superoxide
      dismutase (SOD) activity, significantly inhibited expressions of three growth
      related genes (IGF-1, IGF-2 and GHR) and two energy-related-genes (CCK and PYY),
      and caused pronounced up-regulation a stress-gene (HSP70). The present study
      demonstrated potential toxic effects of TFS, AZ and KM on the early development
      of C. idella. Overall, three strobilurins (TFS, AZ and KM) might cause serious
      damages to the aquatic species; therefore, their pollution supervision in water
      ecological environment should be strengthened.

PMID- 24210351
TI  - Accumulation and health risk of heavy metals in a plot-scale vegetable production
      system in a peri-urban vegetable farm near Nanjing, China.
AB  - Accumulation and potential health risk of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu),
      and zinc (Zn) in a plot-scale vegetable production peri-urban area near Nanjing
      city, China was investigated through element balance method, model simulation and
      dietary risk assessment. The heavy metals accumulated in the surface soils were
      due to long-term and heavy application of organic fertilizers, among which the
      accumulation of Cu and Zn were greater than those of Cd and Pb. The result of a
      mass balance model simulation indicated that intensive vegetable production would
      result in accumulation of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in soils exceeding the target values
      in 55, 36, 34 and 71 years, respectively. The estimated dietary intakes of Cd,
      Pb, Cu, and Zn were far below the tolerable limits and the hazard quotient values
      were below one for both children and adults. Although there is no imminent health
      risk from heavy metals through vegetable consumption, more attention should be
      paid to the long-term accumulation and risk, especially for children.

PMID- 24210352
TI  - A beneficial role for immunoglobulin E in host defense against honeybee venom.
AB  - Allergies are widely considered to be misdirected type 2 immune responses, in
      which immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are produced against any of a broad range
      of seemingly harmless antigens. However, components of insect venoms also can
      sensitize individuals to develop severe IgE-associated allergic reactions,
      including fatal anaphylaxis, upon subsequent venom exposure. We found that mice
      injected with amounts of honeybee venom similar to that which could be delivered
      in one or two stings developed a specific type 2 immune response that increased
      their resistance to subsequent challenge with potentially lethal amounts of the
      venom. Our data indicate that IgE antibodies and the high affinity IgE receptor,
      FcepsilonRI, were essential for such acquired resistance to honeybee venom. The
      evidence that IgE-dependent immune responses against venom can enhance survival
      in mice supports the hypothesis that IgE, which also contributes to allergic
      disorders, has an important function in protection of the host against noxious
      substances. 

PMID- 24210354
TI  - Antecedent events as predictive variables for behavioral function.
AB  - Challenging behavior is one of the largest barriers to ensuring that people with
      intellectual disabilities (ID) are able to participate in the community. These
      difficulties have become one of the main causes of social exclusion. The research
      into and treatment of challenging behavior has usually involved the
      identification of its function and the manipulation of the events or
      environmental conditions that influence its occurrence (antecedent variables).
      The present research explores the relationship between antecedents and behavioral
      function and the extent to which antecedent variables may act as predictors of
      behavioral function. This relationship is explored using two standardized
      instruments: Questions About Behavioral Function and Contextual Assessment
      Inventory. Data from the validation of these instruments for the Spanish
      population involved 300 participants with ID and 328 challenging behaviors. The
      results suggest that social/cultural variables are most related to challenging
      behavior, whereas biological variables seem to only be related to physically
      maintained behavior. 

PMID- 24210353
TI  - Bee venom phospholipase A2 induces a primary type 2 response that is dependent on
      the receptor ST2 and confers protective immunity.
AB  - Venoms consist of toxic components that are delivered to their victims via bites
      or stings. Venoms also represent a major class of allergens in humans.
      Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a conserved component of venoms from multiple species
      and is the major allergen in bee venom. Here we examined how bee venom PLA2 is
      sensed by the innate immune system and induces a type 2 immune response in mice.
      We found that bee venom PLA2 induced a T helper type 2 (Th2) cell-type response
      and group 2 innate lymphoid cell activation via the enzymatic cleavage of
      membrane phospholipids and release of interleukin-33. Furthermore, we showed that
      the IgE response to PLA2 could protect mice from future challenge with a near
      lethal dose of PLA2. These data suggest that the innate immune system can detect
      the activity of a conserved component of venoms and induce a protective immune
      response against a venom toxin. 

PMID- 24210355
TI  - Linking social behaviour and anxiety to attention to emotional faces in Williams
      syndrome.
AB  - The neurodevelopmental disorder Williams syndrome (WS) has been associated with a
      social phenotype of hypersociability, non-social anxiety and an unusual
      attraction to faces. The current study uses eye tracking to explore attention
      allocation to emotionally expressive faces. Eye gaze and behavioural measures of
      anxiety and social reciprocity were investigated in adolescents and adults with
      WS when compared to typically developing individuals of comparable verbal mental
      age (VMA) and chronological age (CA). Results showed significant associations
      between high levels of behavioural anxiety and attention allocation away from the
      eye regions of threatening facial expressions in WS. The results challenge early
      claims of a unique attraction to the eyes in WS and suggest that individual
      differences in anxiety may mediate the allocation of attention to faces in WS. 

PMID- 24210356
TI  - The identification and measurement of autistic features in children with septo
      optic dysplasia, optic nerve hypoplasia and isolated hypopituitarism.
AB  - This study aimed to highlight the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
      in children with septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) and optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH). A
      cross-sectional study was designed, including 28 children with SOD and 14
      children with ONH. Clinician diagnosis of ASD was reported in 14 children. The
      Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) reported that 23 children met the cut
      off point for ASD, and 9 children met the cut-off point for autism. Greater
      levels of intellectual disability and visual loss were reported in children with
      ASD in comparison to those without ASD, but, of the two, intellectual disability
      was a better predictor for ASD. The SCQ lost its sensitivity and specificity in
      children who had greater visual loss which highlights a requirement for a measure
      that is sensitive to visual loss. It is also recommended that children with
      SOD/ONH would benefit from routine screening for ASDs. 

PMID- 24210357
TI  - "Piece" of mind: end of life in the intensive care unit statement of the Belgian
      Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

PMID- 24210358
TI  - Using biofilm as a novel approach to assess stormwater treatment efficacy.
AB  - Contaminants associated with stormwater are among the leading causes of water
      quality impairment in urban streams. Multiple device treatment systems are
      commonly installed with the aim of reducing contaminant loads within stormwater
      discharge. However, the in situ performance of such systems remains poorly
      understood. We investigated the efficacy of an advanced stormwater treatment
      system by monitoring biofilm associated metals and biofilm bacterial community
      composition at multiple locations through the treatment system (which included
      rain gardens, grassy swales, a stormwater filter and a wetland) and in the
      receiving stream above and below the stormwater discharge. Changes in bacterial
      community composition were assessed by Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer
      Analysis (ARISA) and concentrations of biofilm associated metals monitored by
      Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Significant differences in
      bacterial community composition were detected throughout the stormwater network.
      Bacterial communities gradually changed towards a community more similar to that
      within the receiving stream and the discharge of treated stormwater had little
      effect on the composition of bacterial communities in the receiving stream,
      suggesting the effective conditioning of water quality by the treatment system.
      Concentrations of some biofilm-associated metals declined following sequential
      treatment, for example copper (73% reduction), zinc (48% reduction) and lead (46%
      reduction). In contrast, levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium and nickel were not
      reduced by the treatment system. We demonstrate that biofilm bacterial community
      composition is a sensitive indicator of environmental changes within freshwater
      ecosystems and an efficient indicator to monitor water quality in enclosed
      stormwater networks where traditional biological indicators are not available. 

PMID- 24210359
TI  - Increased nitrous oxide accumulation by bioelectrochemical denitrification under
      autotrophic conditions: kinetics and expression of denitrification pathway genes.
AB  - Under autotrophic conditions, we investigated the effects of different current
      densities on bioelectrochemical denitrification (BED). In this study, nitrate
      consumption and nitrous oxide (N2O) production, microbial diversity and
      population dynamics, and denitrification pathway gene expressions were explored
      in continuous flow BED reactors at different current densities (0.2, 1, 5, 10 and
      20 A/m(2)). We found that, under the autotrophic conditions, N2O accumulation was
      increased with increase in current density. The maximum rate of denitrification
      was 1.65 NO3(-)-N (g/NCCm(3).h), and approximately 70% of the reduced N was
      accumulated as N2O. After each current density was applied, pyrosequencing of the
      expressed 16S rRNA genes amplified from the cathodic biofilms revealed that that
      16 genera were active and in common at all currents, and that eight of those
      showed a statistically significant correlation with particular current densities.
      The relative expression of napA and narG was highest, whereas nosZ was low
      relative to its level in the inoculum suggesting that this could have contributed
      the high N2O accumulation. Kinetic analysis of nitrate reduction and N2O
      accumulation followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The Vmax for nitrate consumption
      and N2O accumulation were similar, however the Km values determined as A/m(2)
      were not. This study provides better understanding of the community and kinetics
      of a current-fed, autotrophic, cathodic biofilm for evaluating its potential for
      scale-up and for N2O recovery.

PMID- 24210361
TI  - The impact of assessment and reassessment documentation on the trajectory of
      postoperative pain severity: a pilot study.
AB  - Comparing organizational approaches to pain management is warranted to understand
      best practices and provide decision makers with evidence on which to base
      resource intensive documentation policy decisions. To provide this evidence, a
      multilevel modeling (MLM) approach is required to accommodate the
      interrelatedness and nested nature of pain management factors affecting outcomes.
      Along with MLM, the widespread adoption of the electronic record provides an
      ability to capitalize on the repeated measurement benefit of the current pain
      management documentation output by using pain severity trajectory (PST) as a
      precise and clinically relevant outcome of interest. Therefore, the purpose of
      this pilot study was to examine the methodological issues that arise when
      conducting MLM research aimed to answer the question: what is the impact of
      assessment and reassessment documentation routines on postoperative pain severity
      trajectory? Researchers used timed pain management documentation data output to
      construct a growth model of a patient's PST and performed a two-level analysis
      from a convenience sample of 3 hospitals and 146 patients. Analyses revealed that
      the hospital where care occurred, the type of surgical procedure, and the
      presence of reassessment documentation within one hour of intervention affected
      the PST. Pilot work showed that pain management documentation output could be
      reformulated into research variables for hypothesis testing. The presentation of
      the reassessment data output posed a measurement limitation. An interdisciplinary
      research team is needed to adequately compare organizational practices. Basing
      policies on evidence has the potential to improve pain management care. 

PMID- 24210360
TI  - Prevalence of synchronous second primary malignancy: identification using whole
      body PET/CT imaging.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of synchronous second primary malignancy
      detected by PET/ CT in our clinical practice and its differentiating features
      from metastatic lesion. METHODS: All PET/CT scans from 1st October 2009 to 30th
      September 2010 were reviewed. The suspected cases of synchronous second primary
      malignancy detected by PET/CT were selected, and the histologically confirmed
      ones were being illustrated. Metachronous second primary cases were excluded.
      RESULTS: A total of 1522 scans were reviewed. sixty-eight cases were suspected to
      have a synchronous second primary while 8 were histologically confirmed. Seven
      (0.4%) of them were malignant and 1 was a benign tumor. These 7 cases were
      illustrated, and we found a significant difference in SUV(max) values and site of
      occurrence unusual to metastasis that were the two main radiological features
      differentiating them from metastatic lesion. CONCLUSION: Synchronous second
      primary malignancy could be missed without the use of whole body imaging. Its
      diagnosis is of utmost importance to prevent erroneous upstaging of disease and
      subsequent palliative treatment instead of curative surgery.

PMID- 24210362
TI  - The dynamic process of adherence to a renal therapeutic regimen: perspectives of
      patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The nature of end-stage renal disease and the need for continuous
      ambulatory peritoneal dialysis require patients to manage various aspects of the
      disease, its symptoms and treatment. After attending a training programme,
      patients are expected to adhere to the renal therapeutic regimen and manage their
      disease with the knowledge and skills learned. While patients are the
      stakeholders of their health and related behaviour, their perceptions of
      adherence and how they adhere to their renal therapeutic regimen remains
      unexplored. AIMS: To understand adherence from patients' perspectives and to
      describe changes in adherence to a therapeutic regimen among patients undergoing
      continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. DESIGN: This study used a mixed
      methods design with two phases - a survey in phase I and semi-structured
      interviews in phase II. This paper presents phase II of the study. SETTINGS: The
      study was conducted at a renal unit of an acute hospital in Hong Kong.
      PARTICIPANTS: Based on the phase I survey results, maximum variation sampling was
      employed to purposively recruit 36 participants of different genders (18 males,
      18 females), ages (35-76 years), and lengths of dialysis experience (11-103
      months) for the phase II interviews. METHODS: Data were collected by tape
      recorded semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was employed to analyse the
      transcribed data. Data collection and analysis were conducted simultaneously.
      FINDINGS: Adherence was a dynamic process with three stages. At the stage of
      initial adherence, participants attempted to follow instructions but found that
      strict persistent adherence was impossible. After the first 2-6 months of
      dialysis, participants entered the stage of subsequent adherence, when they
      adopted selective adherence through experimenting, monitoring and making
      continuous adjustments. The stage of long-term adherence commenced after 3-5
      years of dialysis, when participants were able to assimilate the modified
      therapeutic regimen into everyday life. CONCLUSIONS: The process of adherence was
      dynamic as there were fluctuations at each stage of the participants' adherence.
      With reference to each stage identified, nursing interventions can be developed
      to help patients achieve smooth transition throughout all the stages.

PMID- 24210363
TI  - Environmental circumstances influencing tic expression in children.
AB  - AIM: To assess the clinical features and severity of tics and environmental
      factors influencing tic expression in a cohort of children with tic disorders.
      METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of children and
      adolescents (N = 92) with tic disorders referred to the outpatient clinic of a
      tertiary-level paediatric centre in Barcelona. The severity of tics was evaluated
      using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS). A questionnaire including a
      list of environmental factors and common daily activities that might influence
      tic occurrence was completed for patients greater than 5 years old. RESULTS:
      Children were classified as having Tourette syndrome (TS) (52 patients), chronic
      motor or phonic tics (22 patients) and tics of less than 12 months' duration (18
      patients). Tics worsened with stressful situations, activities related to school,
      playing video games and watching TV. A significant proportion of children
      reported a reduction in tics while they were concentrating on artistic or
      creative activities or when playing sports and participating in outdoor
      activities. The YGTSS scores were higher for TS patients (P < .001) and
      correlated positively with the time of evolution of tics (r = .273, P = .026).
      Poor school performance was associated with TS (p = .043) and higher scores on
      the YGTSS (P = .018), as well as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (P =
      .007). CONCLUSIONS: Several activities of daily living were identified as
      modifying tic severity in children and may be important clues for tic management.
      In a subgroup of children with TS, tics were associated with significant
      morbidity and poor academic performance. Our results emphasise the importance of
      developing specific school programmes and tailored recommendations in patients
      with TS.

PMID- 24210364
TI  - A brief overview of the potential environmental hazards of ionic liquids.
AB  - Over past decades ionic liquids, a promising alternative to traditional organic
      solvents, have been dramatically expanding in popularity as a new generation of
      chemicals with potential uses in various areas in industry. In the literature
      these compounds have often been referred to as environmentally friendly; however,
      in recent years the perception of their greenness dramatically changed as the
      scientific community began to proactively assess the risk of their application
      based on the entire life-cycle. This review gives a brief overview of the current
      knowledge regarding the potential risks linked to the application of ionic
      liquids - from preparation to their disposal, with special emphasis on their
      potential environmental impacts and future directions in designing inherently
      safer ionic liquids. 

PMID- 24210365
TI  - Arsenic accumulation by edible aquatic macrophytes.
AB  - Edible aquatic macrophytes grown in arsenic (As)-contaminated soil and sediment
      were investigated to determine the extent of As accumulation and potential risk
      to humans when consumed. Nasturtium officinale (watercress) and Diplazium
      esculentum (warabi) are two aquatic macrophytes grown and consumed in Hawaii.
      Neither has been assessed for potential to accumulate As when grown in As
      contaminated soil. Some former sugarcane plantation soils in eastern Hawaii have
      been shown to have concentrations of total As over 500 mg kg(-1). It was
      hypothesized that both species will accumulate more As in contaminated soils than
      in non-contaminated soils. N. officinale and D. esculentum were collected in
      areas with and without As-contaminated soil and sediment. High soil As
      concentrations averaged 356 mg kg(-1), while low soil As concentrations were 0.75
      mg kg(-1). Average N. officinale and D. esculentum total As concentrations were
      0.572 mg kg(-1) and 0.075 mg kg(-1), respectively, corresponding to hazard
      indices of 0.12 and 0.03 for adults. Unlike previous studies where watercress was
      grown in As-contaminated water, N. officinale did not show properties of a
      hyperaccumulator, yet plant concentrations in high As areas were more than double
      those in low As areas. There was a slight correlation between high total As in
      sediment and soil and total As concentrations in watercress leaves and stems,
      resulting in a plant uptake factor of 0.010, an order of magnitude higher than
      previous studies. D. esculentum did not show signs of accumulating As in the
      edible fiddleheads. Hawaii is unique in having volcanic ash soils with extremely
      high sorption characteristics of As and P that limit release into groundwater.
      This study presents a case where soils and sediments were significantly enriched
      in total As concentration, but the water As concentration was below detection
      limits.

PMID- 24210366
TI  - Donation after circulatory determination of death: time for transparency.

PMID- 24210367
TI  - Does initial hydromorphone relieve pain best if dosing is fixed or weight based?
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: It remains unknown whether initial opioid dosing should
      optimally be fixed or weight-based. We wish to determine whether pain response
      after an initial fixed dose of intravenous hydromorphone varied by total body
      weight. METHODS: We enrolled a convenience sample of emergency department adults
      aged 18 to 65 years with acute pain requiring intravenous opioids and
      administered 1 mg of hydromorphone. Our primary outcome was the correlation of
      total body weight with the reduction in pain at 30 minutes, as measured with a
      numeric rating scale. Our secondary outcomes contrasted total body weight by
      other measures of efficacy (numeric rating scale <3, pain relief, satisfaction,
      and desire for more analgesics) and adverse events (nausea, vomiting, and
      pruritus). We also performed a multivariate analysis to control for variables
      that might affect the relationship of pain response to total body weight.
      RESULTS: We enrolled 163 subjects with a range of weights from 45 to 157 kg, and
      their mean numeric rating scale pain reduction at 30 minutes was 5.3. Pain
      reduction did not correlate with weight in either univariate or multivariable
      models. Secondary outcomes were also similar, except greater pruritus in lower
      weight subjects. CONCLUSION: Pain response to a fixed 1 mg intravenous dose of
      hydromorphone did not vary by total body weight in this sample of adults aged 18
      to 65 years, suggesting no advantage to weight-based over fixed opioid dosing.

PMID- 24210368
TI  - Topical lidocaine to improve oral intake in children with painful infectious
      mouth ulcers: a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: We establish the efficacy of 2% viscous lidocaine in increasing
      oral intake in children with painful infectious mouth conditions compared with
      placebo. METHODS: This was a randomized placebo-controlled trial of viscous
      lidocaine versus placebo at a single pediatric emergency department. Study staff,
      clinicians, nurses, caregivers, and participants were blinded to the group
      assignment. Children with acute infectious ulcerative mouth conditions
      (gingivostomatitis, ulcerative pharyngitis, or hand, foot, and mouth disease) and
      poor oral fluid intake were randomized to receive 0.15 mL/kg of either 2% viscous
      lidocaine or placebo with identical appearance and flavor. The primary outcome
      was the amount of fluid ingested in the 60 minutes after administration of the
      intervention, with a difference in intake of 4 mL/kg considered clinically
      important. Secondary outcomes were specific milliliter per kilogram fluid targets
      and incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: One hundred participants were recruited
      (50 per treatment group), all of whom completed the 60-minute fluid trial period.
      Oral intake 1 hour after drug administration was similar in both groups:
      lidocaine median 8.49 mL/kg (interquartile range 4.07, 13.84 mL/kg) versus
      placebo 9.31 mL/kg (interquartile range 3.06, 15.18 mL/kg); difference in medians
      0.82 mL/kg (95% confidence interval -2.52 to 3.26); Mann-Whitney P=.90. Likewise,
      short-term secondary outcomes were similar between the groups and there were no
      adverse events in either group. CONCLUSION: Viscous lidocaine is not superior to
      a flavored gel placebo in improving oral intake in children with painful
      infectious mouth ulcers.

PMID- 24210369
TI  - Primary percutaneous coronary intervention for refractory cardiac arrest.
AB  - The identification and treatment of reversible causes is paramount to the success
      of resuscitation in cardiac arrest, particularly when standard therapy has
      failed. Acute coronary occlusion is one such cause, and the introduction of
      primary percutaneous coronary intervention services may provide an opportunity
      for emergency revascularization in this setting. This article describes 2
      patients with cardiac arrest as a result of coronary occlusion, in which standard
      therapeutic measures proved futile. The first patient had refractory ventricular
      fibrillation, and the second had an episode of ventricular fibrillation followed
      by true pulseless electrical activity: total cessation of ventricular activity.
      In both examples, external mechanical compression and primary percutaneous
      coronary intervention facilitated coronary revascularization and achieved return
      of spontaneous circulation, leading to survival to hospital discharge. 

PMID- 24210370
TI  - Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas of the lower extremity: a distinct subset of
      squamous cell carcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some patients develop a disproportionate number of cutaneous squamous
      cell carcinomas (SCCs) on their lower extremity (LE). OBJECTIVE: We sought to
      characterize the clinical features, treatment, and outcome in patients who
      develop multiple LE SCCs. METHODS: We identified 22 patients with 4 or more
      biopsy-diagnosed LE SCCs during a 4.5-year study period. The location, size,
      treatment, and clinical outcome of each LE SCC were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 22
      patients studied, 18 were female. Of the 360 SCCs our patients developed, 260
      (72.2%) were on the LE. The incidence of SCCs in these patients was nearly 7
      times greater than the incidence of basal cell carcinoma in the same patients.
      LIMITATIONS: The number of patients is small and limits definitive conclusions
      about prevalence of SCCs on the LE in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: LE
      SCCs are a distinct subset of cutaneous SCCs and may have distinctive clinical
      features and biologic behavior requiring additional study.

PMID- 24210371
TI  - Synthesis, photostability and bioactivity of 2,3-cyclopropanated abscisic acid.
AB  - The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a central role in the regulation of
      plant development and adaptation to environmental stress. The isomerization of
      ABA to the biologically inactive 2E-isomer by light considerably limits its
      applications in agricultural fields. To overcome this shortcoming, an ABA
      analogue, cis-2,3-cyclopropanated ABA, was synthesized, and its photostability
      and biological activities were investigated. This compound showed high
      photostability under UV light exposure, which was 4-fold higher than that of (+/
      )-ABA. cis-2,3-cyclopropanated ABA exhibited high ABA-like activity, including
      the ability to effectively inhibit seed germination, seedling growth and stomatal
      movements of Arabidopsis. In some cases, its bioactivity approaches that of (+/-)
      ABA. trans-2,3-cyclopropanated abscisic acid was also prepared, an isomer that
      was more photostable but which showed weak ABA-like activity. 

PMID- 24210372
TI  - Anti-HIV active daphnane diterpenoids from Trigonostemon thyrsoideum.
AB  - Sixteen daphnane diterpenoids, trigothysoids A-P, along with 15 known ones, were
      isolated from the methanol extract of the twigs and leaves of Trigonostemon
      thyrsoideum. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic
      techniques, including 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The anti-HIV-1
      activity of the compounds was also evaluated in vitro, and five compounds
      demonstrated potent anti-HIV-1 activity, with EC50 values of 0.015-0.001 nM and
      TI values of 1618-17,619.

PMID- 24210373
TI  - Influence of lake trophic structure on iodine-131 accumulation and subsequent
      cumulative radiation dose to trout thyroids.
AB  - Iodine-131 is a major component of the atmospheric releases following reactor
      accidents, and the passage of (131)I through food chains from grass to human
      thyroids has been extensively studied. By comparison, the fate and effects of
      (131)I deposition onto lakes and other aquatic systems have been less studied. In
      this study we: (1) reanalyze 1960s data from experimental releases of (131)I into
      two small lakes; (2) compare the effects of differences in lake trophic
      structures on the accumulation of (131)I by fish; (3) relate concentrations in
      fish and fish tissues to that in the water column using empirically estimated
      uptake (L kg(-1) d(-1)) and loss (d(-1)) parameters; and (4) show that the
      largest concentrations in the thyroids of trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) may occur
      from 8 to 32 days after initial release. Iodine-131 concentration in trout
      thyroids at 30-days post release may be >1000 times that in the water. Estimates
      of cumulative radiation dose (mGy) to thyroids computed using an anatomically
      appropriate model of trout thyroid structure within the Monte Carlo N-particle
      modeling software predicted cumulative thyroid doses that increased approximately
      linearly after the first 8 days and resulted in 32-day cumulative thyroid doses
      that ranged from 6 mGy g(-1) to 18 mGy g(-1) per 1 Bq mL(-1) of initial (131)I in
      the water depending upon fish size. The majority of this dose is due to beta
      emissions, and the dose varies with positions in the thyroid tissue. 

PMID- 24210413
TI  - Interaction of low-frequency axisymmetric ultrasonic guided waves with bends in
      pipes of arbitrary bend angle and general bend radius.
AB  - The use of ultrasonic guided waves for the inspection of pipes with elbow and U
      type bends has received much attention in recent years, but studies for more
      general bend angles which may also occur commonly, for example in cross-country
      pipes, are limited. Here, we address this topic considering a general bend angle
      phi, a more general mean bend radius R in terms of the wavelength of the mode
      studied and pipe thickness b. We use 3D Finite Element (FE) simulation to
      understand the propagation of fundamental axisymmetric L(0,2) mode across bends
      of different angles phi. The effect of the ratio of the mean bend radius to the
      wavelength of the mode studied, on the transmission and reflection of incident
      wave is also considered. The studies show that as the bend angle is reduced, a
      progressively larger extent of mode-conversion affects the transmission and
      velocity characteristics of the L(0,2) mode. However the overall message on the
      potential of guided waves for inspection and monitoring of bent pipes remains
      positive, as bends seem to impact mode transmission only to the extent of 20%
      even at low bend angles. The conclusions seem to be valid for different typical
      pipe thicknesses b and bend radii. The modeling approach is validated by
      experiments and discussed in light of physics of guided waves. 

PMID- 24210414
TI  - Nondestructive evaluation of helicopter rotor blades using guided Lamb modes.
AB  - This paper presents an application for turning and direct modes in a complex
      composite laminate structure. The propagation and interaction of turning modes
      and fundamental Lamb modes are investigated in the skin, spar and web sections of
      a helicopter rotor blade. Finite element models were used to understand the
      various mode conversions at geometric discontinuities such as web-spar joints.
      Experimental investigation was carried out with the help of air coupled
      ultrasonic transducers. The turning and direct modes were confirmed with the help
      of particle displacements and velocities. Experimental B-Scans were performed on
      damaged and undamaged samples for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the
      structure. A strong correlation between the numerical and experimental results
      was observed and reported. 

PMID- 24210415
TI  - Dynamic ultrasonic contact detection using acoustic emissions.
AB  - For a non-contact ultrasonic material removal process, the control of the
      standoff position can be crucial to process performance; particularly where the
      requirement is for a standoff of the order of <20 MUm. The standoff distance
      relative to the surface to be machined can be set by first contacting the
      ultrasonic tool tip with the surface and then withdrawing the tool to the
      required position. Determination of this contact point in a dynamic system at
      ultrasonic frequencies (>20 kHz) is achieved by force measurement or by detection
      of acoustic emissions (AE). However, where detection of distance from a surface
      must be determined without contact taking place, an alternative method must be
      sought. In this paper, the effect of distance from contact of an ultrasonic tool
      is measured by detection of AE through the workpiece. At the point of contact,
      the amplitude of the signal at the fundamental frequency increases significantly,
      but the strength of the 2nd and 3rd harmonic signals increases more markedly.
      Closer examination of these harmonics shows that an increase in their intensities
      can be observed in the 10 MUm prior to contact, providing a mechanism to detect
      near contact (<10 MUm) without the need to first contact the surface in order to
      set a standoff.

PMID- 24210416
TI  - Preoperative fasting: sugary drinks for women behind 'two in the queue' for
      caesarean section.

PMID- 24210417
TI  - The 2013 Gerard W. Ostheimer Lecture: What's New in Obstetric Anesthesia?
AB  - The "What's New in Obstetric Anesthesia?" lecture is delivered annually in honor
      of the eminent obstetric anesthesiologist Gerard. W. Ostheimer. This lecture
      summarizes topics of importance and clinical relevance published in the fields of
      obstetric anesthesia, obstetrics, and perinatology in the preceding year. The
      review is a redacted version of the lecture delivered at the Society for
      Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology's Annual Meeting in April 2013. Special
      emphasis is placed on non-invasive technologies and biomarkers that have the
      potential to improve clinical care of the pregnant woman. Furthermore, sufficient
      attention is focused on medical diseases that have their onset or are worsened
      during pregnancy. 

PMID- 24210418
TI  - Initial experience of percutaneous coronary intervention in bifurcations with
      bioresorbable vascular scaffolds using different techniques--insights from
      optical coherence tomography.

PMID- 24210419
TI  - Trends in abdominal aortic aneurysm prevalence and mortality in non-European
      countries.

PMID- 24210420
TI  - Patterns of cardiac dysfunction coinciding with exertional breathlessness in
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The commonest cause of breathlessness in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
      (HCM) is left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction which improves with
      its removal. However, in the absence of outflow tract obstruction, as in dilated
      cardiomyopathy, patients may be limited by similar symptoms, thus suggesting a
      potential common mechanism for the two conditions. We aimed to assess cardiac
      function at the time of symptoms in a group of unselected patients with HCM to
      identify other patterns of cardiac dysfunction which coincide with their
      breathlessness. METHODS: We studied 37 HCM patients (aged 55 +/- 15 years, 13
      female) with septal thickness >15 mm and 17 controls (aged 58 +/- 12 years, 12
      female) using Doppler echocardiography, at rest and at peak dobutamine stress.
      Stress end points were symptoms, >20 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure,
      arrhythmia, or maximum dobutamine dosage of 40 MUg/kg/min. RESULTS: At rest: LV
      systolic function was maintained (EF 68 +/- 7 v 76 +/- 12%, respectively), LVOT
      velocity raised (p<0.005), lateral and septal long axis amplitude reduced (p<0.05
      and p<0.005, respectively) and dyssynchronous and QRS duration was also broader
      (p<0.005) in patients compared to controls. At peak stress: Overall LVOT
      velocities were higher in patients than controls (4.3 +/- 1.7 v 1.7 +/- 1.0m/s,
      p<0.005, respectively) due to systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve and
      mitral regurgitation developing. In the 15 patients who did not develop
      significant LVOT obstruction (velocity <4m/s), LV ejection time increased and
      peak systolic amplitude did not increase. In the 10 patients with neither LVOT
      obstruction nor restrictive filling, QRS duration prolonged by 12 ms (p <0.05),
      post-ejection shortening worsened and peak systolic amplitude fell (p<0.005).
      Also, LV ejection time prolonged by 5s/min (p<0.05), filling time failed to
      increase as it did in controls (p<0.005) and Tei index was higher than controls
      (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Exertional breathlessness in HCM is associated with LV
      outflow tract obstruction and functional mitral regurgitation in almost two
      thirds of patients. The remaining one third have either resistant restrictive
      physiology or dyssynchronous cavity at fast heart rate. Despite similar exercise
      limiting breathlessness in the three groups, means of management should be quite
      different.

PMID- 24210421
TI  - Heart rate control in chronic heart failure: resting versus mean heart rate with
      prolonged ambulatory ECG recording.

PMID- 24210422
TI  - Discrepancies in prevalence estimates in two national surveys for nonmedical use
      of a specific opioid product versus any prescription pain reliever.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a growing need to understand trends in nonmedical use of
      prescription pain relievers as a class, as well as specific opioid products.
      Surveys such as monitoring the future (MTF) and the National Survey on Drug Use
      and Health (NSDUH) are important tools for understanding trends in abuse of
      prescription and illegal drugs. This report compares discrepancies in prevalence
      between these surveys for a specific opioid product (oxycodone) relative to other
      drugs. METHODS: Trends in past-year use of marijuana, cocaine, and nonmedical use
      of oxycodone and any prescription pain reliever were estimated for each survey
      for a five year period (2005-2010) for adolescents in 12th grade. The proportion
      of nonmedical pain reliever users who abused oxycodone was estimated for each
      survey. RESULTS: Prevalence of past-year oxycodone nonmedical use was steady over
      time for both surveys, but 2.5-3 times higher in the MTF compared to the NSDUH.
      Trends in prevalence of marijuana and cocaine use were similar across surveys,
      although prevalence estimates for each were on average 18% higher in the MTF. In
      contrast, prevalence estimates for any nonmedical prescription pain reliever use
      were on average 15% lower in MTF. The proportion of nonmedical prescription pain
      reliever users who used oxycodone was 42% in the MTF versus 19% in the NSDUH.
      CONCLUSION: The discrepancy between surveys in prevalence estimates for
      nonmedical use of oxycodone exceed those for other drugs, pointing to the
      importance of visual aids and items used to measure the nonmedical use of
      specific products.

PMID- 24210424
TI  - Association between depression and non-fatal overdoses among drug users: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessing factors associated with non-fatal overdose is important as
      these could be useful to identify individuals with substance use disorders at
      high risk of adverse outcomes and consequences. Depression may play an important
      role in terms of overdose risk. We aimed to test if drug users suffering from a
      depressive disorder might have significantly higher risk of non-fatal overdose as
      compared with drug users without depression. METHODS: We conducted a systematic
      review and meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase and Web of Knowledge were searched. The
      pooled analyses were based on prevalence rates, risk difference (RD) and odds
      ratio (OR), reporting 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The combined estimates were
      obtained weighting each study according to random effects model for meta
      analysis. RESULTS: Seven articles, involving 12,019 individuals, and run in the
      US, Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Australia, were included. Pooled analyses
      comparing depressed with not depressed individuals highlighted a RD (95% CIs) for
      non-fatal overdose of 7.3% (4.8-9.7%) and an OR (95% CIs) of 1.45 (1.17-1.79).
      The subgroups analyses based on specific characteristics of included studies
      confirmed the association between depression and overdose. CONCLUSIONS:
      Depressive disorders seem to be important factors associated to the risk of non
      fatal overdose. Longitudinal studies might appropriately clarify causal inference
      issues. Future research should address the role of depressive disorders as
      predictors of subsequent non-fatal overdoses.

PMID- 24210423
TI  - Default mode network activity in male adolescents with conduct and substance use
      disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) and substance use disorders
      (SUD) experience difficulty evaluating and regulating their behavior in
      anticipation of future consequences. Given the role of the brain's default mode
      network (DMN) in self-reflection and future thought, this study investigates
      whether DMN is altered in adolescents with CD and SUD, relative to controls.
      METHODS: Twenty adolescent males with CD and SUD and 20 male controls of similar
      ages underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging as they completed a risk
      taking decision task. We used independent component analysis as a data-driven
      approach to identify the DMN spatial component in individual subjects. DMN
      activity was then compared between groups. RESULTS: Compared to controls,
      patients showed reduced activity in superior, medial and middle frontal gyrus
      (Brodmann area (BA) 10), retrosplenial cortex (BA 30) and lingual gyrus (BA 18),
      and bilateral middle temporal gryus (BA 21/22) - DMN regions thought to support
      self-referential evaluation, memory, foresight, and perspective taking.
      Furthermore, this pattern of reduced activity in patients remained robust after
      adjusting for the effects of depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity
      disorder (ADHD). Conversely, when not adjusting for effects of depression and
      ADHD, patients demonstrated greater DMN activity than controls solely in the
      cuneus (BA 19). CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results suggest that comorbid CD
      and SUD in adolescents is characterized by atypical activity in brain regions
      thought to play an important role in introspective processing. These functional
      imbalances in brain networks may provide further insight into the neural
      underpinnings of conduct and substance use disorders.

PMID- 24210425
TI  - Can a redesign of emergency pharmacist roles improve medication management? A
      prospective study in three Australian hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emergency departments (EDs) face increasing service demands and the
      imposition of treatment targets which has led to continual process redesign and
      changes in staff skill mix and functions. OBJECTIVE: To identify extended ED
      pharmacist roles that could improve medication management and to implement and
      evaluate one such role change. METHODS: A focus group of clinicians sought to
      redesign processes around ED medication management. Preparation of medication
      charts for patients admitted from ED was selected. Baseline data were obtained to
      define elements of existing medication charting processes. Suitably trained ED
      pharmacists' trialled the effectiveness of making therapeutic suggestions on a
      medication chart 'sticker' or by direct 'consultation' with medical staff. At the
      conclusion of the study focus groups at each site evaluated clinical staff
      perceptions of the change. RESULTS: Focus group participants thought that ED
      pharmacists could undertake extended roles in analgesia, nausea control,
      antibiotic cover, addiction management and preparation of medication charts for
      admitted patients. In the pre-intervention audit (n = 140), 74% required at least
      one intervention by the ward pharmacists to address medication discrepancies.
      Ward pharmacists detected 292 medication discrepancies (median 1, IQR 0-3). In
      the 'sticker' intervention the ED pharmacist made 84 therapeutic suggestions of
      which 66 (78.6%) were accepted by medical staff. In the 'consultation'
      intervention 230 therapeutic suggestions were made of which 219 (95.2%) were
      accepted. The qualitative evaluation found that pharmacist-prepared medication
      charts within the processes established were deemed safe, timely, accurate,
      complete and legible. CONCLUSION: Support exists for ED pharmacists to expand
      their medication-related roles. ED pharmacists can safely prepare medication
      charts in a timely fashion and their therapeutic suggestions within a
      'consultative' framework are more beneficial than written advice. However, issues
      relating to resourcing, hours of service, service focus, statutory restrictions
      and training support for extended roles require resolution.

PMID- 24210426
TI  - Spectrin- and ankyrin-based membrane domains and the evolution of vertebrates.
AB  - Spectrin and ankyrin are membrane skeletal proteins that contribute to mechanical
      support of plasma membranes and micron-scale organization of diverse membrane
      spanning proteins. This chapter provides a plausible scenario for the evolution
      of ankyrin- and spectrin-based membrane domains with a focus on vertebrates. The
      analysis integrates recent phylogenetic information with functional analyses of
      spectrin and ankyrin in erythrocytes, axon initial segments and nodes of Ranvier
      in neurons, T-tubules and intercalated disks of cardiomyocytes, lateral membrane
      domains of epithelial cells, and costameres of striated muscle. A core spectrin
      ankyrin mechanism for coordinating membrane-spanning proteins and mechanically
      stabilizing membrane bilayers was expanded in vertebrates by gene duplication
      events, insertion of giant alternately spliced exons of axonal ankyrins, and a
      versatile peptide-binding fold of ANK repeats that facilitated acquisition of new
      protein partners. Cell adhesion molecules (CAM), including dystroglycan, L1 CAM
      family members, and cadherins, are the earliest examples of membrane-spanning
      proteins with ankyrin-binding motifs and were all present in urochordates. In
      contrast, ion channels have continued to evolve ankyrin-binding sites in
      vertebrates. These considerations suggest a model where proto-domains formed
      through interaction of ankyrin and spectrin with CAMs. These proto-domains then
      became populated with ion channels that developed ankyrin-binding activity with
      selective pressure provided by optimization of physiological function. The best
      example is the axon initial segment where ankyrin-binding activity evolved
      sequentially and independently first in L1 CAMs, then in voltage-gated sodium
      channels, and finally in KCNQ2/3 channels, with the selective advantage of fast
      and precisely regulated signaling. 

PMID- 24210427
TI  - The human erythrocyte plasma membrane: a Rosetta Stone for decoding membrane
      cytoskeleton structure.
AB  - The mammalian erythrocyte, or red blood cell (RBC), is a unique experiment of
      nature: a cell with no intracellular organelles, nucleus or transcellular
      cytoskeleton, and a plasma membrane with uniform structure across its entire
      surface. By virtue of these specialized properties, the RBC membrane has provided
      a template for discovery of the fundamental actin filament network machine of the
      membrane skeleton, now known to confer mechanical resilience, anchor membrane
      proteins, and organize membrane domains in all cells. This chapter provides a
      historical perspective and critical analysis of the biochemistry, structure, and
      physiological functions of this actin filament network in RBCs. The core units of
      this network are nodes of ~35-37 nm-long actin filaments, interconnected by long
      strands of (alpha1beta1)2-spectrin tetramers, forming a 2D isotropic lattice with
      quasi-hexagonal symmetry. Actin filament length and stability is critical for
      network formation, relying upon filament capping at both ends: tropomodulin-1 at
      pointed ends and alphabeta-adducin at barbed ends. Tropomodulin-1 capping is
      essential for precise filament lengths, and is enhanced by tropomyosin, which
      binds along the short actin filaments. alphabeta-adducin capping recruits
      spectrins to sites near barbed ends, promoting network formation. Accessory
      proteins, 4.1R and dematin, also promote spectrin binding to actin and, with
      alphabeta-adducin, link to membrane proteins, targeting actin nodes to the
      membrane. Dissection of the molecular organization within the RBC membrane
      skeleton is one of the paramount achievements of cell biological research in the
      past century. Future studies will reveal the structure and dynamics of actin
      filament capping, mechanisms of precise length regulation, and spectrin-actin
      lattice symmetry.

PMID- 24210429
TI  - Evolving form to fit function: cardiomyocyte intercalated disc and transverse
      tubule membranes.
AB  - The vertebrate cardiac myocyte has evolved a highly organized cellular membrane
      architecture and cell-cell contacts in order to effectively transmit precisely
      timed and homogeneous depolarizing waves without failure (>2 billion times/human
      life span). Two unique specialized membrane domains, the intercalated disc and
      the transverse tubule (T-tubule), function to ensure the rapid and coordinated
      propagation of the action potential throughout the heart. Based on their critical
      roles in structure, signaling, and electric inter- and intracellular
      communication, it is not surprising that dysfunction in these membrane structures
      is associated with aberrant vertebrate physiology, resulting in potentially fatal
      congenital and acquired disease. This chapter will review the fundamental
      components of cardiomyocyte intercalated disc and transverse-tubule membranes
      with a focus on linking dysfunction in these membranes with human cardiovascular
      disease. 

PMID- 24210428
TI  - Membrane protein dynamics and functional implications in mammalian cells.
AB  - The organization of the plasma membrane is both highly complex and highly
      dynamic. One manifestation of this dynamic complexity is the lateral mobility of
      proteins within the plane of the membrane, which is often an important
      determinant of intermolecular protein-binding interactions, downstream signal
      transduction, and local membrane mechanics. The mode of membrane protein mobility
      can range from random Brownian motion to immobility and from confined or
      restricted motion to actively directed motion. Several methods can be used to
      distinguish among the various modes of protein mobility, including fluorescence
      recovery after photobleaching, single-particle tracking, fluorescence correlation
      spectroscopy, and variations of these techniques. Here, we present both a brief
      overview of these methods and examples of their use to elucidate the dynamics of
      membrane proteins in mammalian cells-first in erythrocytes, then in erythroblasts
      and other cells in the hematopoietic lineage, and finally in non-hematopoietic
      cells. This multisystem analysis shows that the cytoskeleton frequently governs
      modes of membrane protein motion by stably anchoring the proteins through direct
      binding interactions, by restricting protein diffusion through steric
      interactions, or by facilitating directed protein motion. Together, these studies
      have begun to delineate mechanisms by which membrane protein dynamics influence
      signaling sequelae and membrane mechanical properties, which, in turn, govern
      cell function. 

PMID- 24210430
TI  - Excitable domains of myelinated nerves: axon initial segments and nodes of
      Ranvier.
AB  - Neurons are highly polarized cells. They can be subdivided into at least two
      structurally and functionally distinct domains: somatodendritic and axonal
      domains. The somatodendritic domain receives and integrates upstream input
      signals, and the axonal domain generates and relays outputs in the form of action
      potentials to the downstream target. Demand for quick response to the harsh
      surroundings prompted evolution to equip vertebrates' neurons with a remarkable
      glia-derived structure called myelin. Not only Insulating the axon, myelinating
      glia also rearrange the axonal components and elaborate functional subdomains
      along the axon. Proper functioning of all theses domains and subdomains is vital
      for a normal, efficient nervous system. 

PMID- 24210431
TI  - Microdomains of SNARE proteins in the plasma membrane.
AB  - Exocytosis is catalyzed by the engagement of SNARE proteins embedded in the
      plasma membrane with complementary SNAREs in the membrane of trafficking vesicles
      undergoing exocytosis. In most cells studied so far, SNAREs are not randomly
      distributed across the plasma membrane but are clustered and segregated in
      discrete membrane domains of defined size, composition, and stability. SNARE
      clusters have been intensively studied for more than a decade. Different
      mechanisms have been proposed to be responsible for SNARE clustering such as
      partitioning into cholesterol-enriched lipid rafts, hydrophobic mismatch,
      posttranslational modifications of the SNAREs including phosphorylation and
      palmitoylation, electrostatic protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions,
      homotypic and heterotypic protein interactions, and anchoring to the cortical
      cytoskeleton. Although several of these proposed mechanisms are still
      controversially discussed, it is becoming apparent that independent
      physicochemical principles must cooperate in a synergistic manner to yield SNARE
      microdomains. Here, we discuss the architecture and function of SNARE domains. We
      also discuss the various factors influencing SNARE clustering, resulting in a
      model that we believe may be of general use to explain domain formation of
      proteins in the plasma membrane. 

PMID- 24210432
TI  - Photoreceptor inner and outer segments.
AB  - Photoreceptors are exquisitely adapted to transform light stimuli into electrical
      signals that modulate neurotransmitter release. These cells are organized into
      several compartments including the unique outer segment (OS). Its whole function
      is to absorb light and transduce this signal into a change of membrane potential.
      Another compartment is the inner segment where much of metabolism and regulation
      of membrane potential takes place and that connects the OS and synapse. The
      synapse is the compartment where changes in membrane potentials are relayed to
      other neurons in the retina via release of neurotransmitter. The composition of
      the plasma membrane surrounding these compartments varies to accommodate their
      specific functions. In this chapter, we discuss the organization of the plasma
      membrane emphasizing the protein composition of each region as it relates to
      visual signaling. We also point out examples where mutations in these proteins
      cause visual impairment. 

PMID- 24210436
TI  - [Advanced practice in nursing in the intensive care units of Spain].

PMID- 24210433
TI  - The evolutionary origin of epithelial cell-cell adhesion mechanisms.
AB  - A simple epithelium forms a barrier between the outside and the inside of an
      organism, and is the first organized multicellular tissue found in evolution. We
      examine the relationship between the evolution of epithelia and specialized cell
      cell adhesion proteins comprising the classical cadherin/beta-catenin/alpha
      catenin complex (CCC). A review of the divergent functional properties of the CCC
      in metazoans and non-metazoans, and an updated phylogenetic coverage of the CCC
      using recent genomic data reveal: (1) The core CCC likely originated before the
      last common ancestor of unikonts and their closest bikont sister taxa. (2)
      Formation of the CCC may have constrained sequence evolution of the classical
      cadherin cytoplasmic domain and beta-catenin in metazoa. (3) The alpha-catenin
      binding domain in beta-catenin appears to be the favored mutation site for
      disrupting beta-catenin function in the CCC. (4) The ancestral function of the
      alpha/beta-catenin heterodimer appears to be an actin-binding module. In some
      metazoan groups, more complex functions of alpha-catenin were gained by sequence
      divergence in the non-actin-binding (N-, M-) domains. (5) Allosteric regulation
      of alpha-catenin may have evolved for more complex regulation of the actin
      cytoskeleton. 

PMID- 24210434
TI  - "Cell biology meets physiology: functional organization of vertebrate plasma
      membranes"--the immunological synapse.
AB  - The immunological synapse (IS) is an excellent example of cell-cell
      communication, where signals are exchanged between two cells, resulting in a well
      structured line of defense during adaptive immune response. This process has been
      the focus of several studies that aimed at understanding its formation and
      subsequent events and has led to the realization that it relies on a well
      orchestrated molecular program that only occurs when specific requirements are
      met. The development of more precise and controllable T cell activation systems
      has led to new insights including the role of mechanotransduction in the process
      of formation of the IS and T cell activation. Continuous advances in our
      understanding of the IS formation, particularly in the context of T cell
      activation and differentiation, as well the development of new T cell activation
      systems are being applied to the establishment and improvement of immune
      therapeutical approaches. 

PMID- 24210438
TI  - Placental evaluation with magnetic resonance.
AB  - Because of the high maternal morbidity and mortality of undiagnosed placental
      abnormalities, there is a need for accurate antenatal diagnosis. Important
      placental features amenable to investigation with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging
      include variant placental location and morphology, and abnormal implantation or
      invasion of placenta into the myometrium. MR imaging features permit the
      diagnosis of abnormal placentation include placental lobulation with uterine
      contour deformity, interruption of the inner low signal-intensity myometrial
      layer, and placental heterogeneity resulting from dark intraplacental bands and
      abnormal vascularity. 

PMID- 24210437
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging of female urethral and periurethral disorders.
AB  - This article reviews the normal anatomy of the female urethra, magnetic resonance
      (MR) imaging techniques, and the role of MR imaging in the evaluation of diverse
      urethral and periurethral diseases. Salient MR imaging findings of common and
      uncommon cystic urethral lesions (urethral diverticulum, Skene cyst, and vaginal
      cysts), and masses (urethral carcinoma, leiomyoma, melanoma, fibroepithelial
      polyp, caruncle, and mucosal prolapse) are presented. The evolving role of
      dynamic MR in the evaluation of stress urinary incontinence is reviewed. 

PMID- 24210439
TI  - Imaging of female infertility: a pictorial guide to the hysterosalpingography,
      ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of the congenital and
      acquired causes of female infertility.
AB  - Hysterosalpingography is the gold standard in assessing the patency of the
      fallopian tubes, which is among the most common causes of female factor
      infertility, making this technique the most frequent first-choice imaging
      modality in the assessment of female infertility. Ultrasonography and magnetic
      resonance imaging are typically used for evaluation of indeterminate or
      complicated cases of female infertility and presurgical planning. Imaging also
      plays a role in the detection of the secondary causes of ovarian factor
      infertility, including endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome. 

PMID- 24210440
TI  - Obstetric (nonfetal) complications.
AB  - Pregnancy predisposes women to a wide array of obstetric and gynecological
      complications which are often complex, challenging and sometimes life
      threatening. While some of these are unique to pregnancy, a few that occur in
      nonpregnant women are more common during pregnancy. Imaging plays a crucial role
      in the diagnosis and management of pregnancy-related obstetric and gynecologic
      complications. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging confer the least
      risk to the fetus and should be the preferred examinations for evaluating these
      complications. Multidetector computed tomography should be used after carefully
      weighing the risk-benefit ratio based on the clinical condition in question.
      Interventional radiology is emerging as a preferred, noninvasive or minimally
      invasive treatment option that can obviate surgery and its antecedent short term
      and long term complications. Knowledge of appropriateness of imaging and image
      guided intervention is necessary for accurate patient management. 

PMID- 24210441
TI  - Imaging of acute abdomen in pregnancy.
AB  - The approach to imaging in pregnancy is unique, as it is essential to minimize
      radiation exposure to the fetus. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging
      are the chief modalities for evaluation of the pregnant patient with abdominal
      pain. Use of computed tomography should not be delayed when there is a need for
      early diagnosis. This article discusses test selection and underlying reasoning,
      with a description of common imaging features of different causes of acute
      abdominal pain in pregnancy. Also discussed are current evidence-based
      recommendations for the use of iodinated and gadolinium-based contrast agents and
      the importance of patient counseling. 

PMID- 24210442
TI  - Gestational trophoblastic disease.
AB  - Imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosis and management of gestational
      trophoblastic disease. Ultrasonography is the initial investigation of choice for
      the diagnosis. Pelvic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is used as a problem
      solving tool for assessment of degree of local invasion. Chest radiography is the
      recommended initial radiographic staging modality, and chest computed tomography
      is performed if the radiograph is negative. (18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron
      emission tomography has been shown to be useful in assessing the active or viable
      sites of metastases, thereby determining the need for tumor resectability in
      chemoresistant disease. 

PMID- 24210443
TI  - Three-dimensional volumetric sonography in gynecology: an overview of clinical
      applications.
AB  - Three-dimensional (3D) sonography can significantly improve on the diagnostic
      ability of two-dimensional sonography of the pelvic organs. 3D sonography has
      become a problem-solving technique in the evaluation of a variety of gynecologic
      disorders involving the uterus, adnexa, and pelvic floor. It allows an accurate
      depiction of the uterine cavity and outline of the uterus in the coronal plane.
      3D sonography is less expensive than other modalities, is convenient, and does
      not have the risk of radiation or potential nephrotoxicity from contrast that
      other imaging modalities have. It is a cost-effective tool to assess the pelvic
      organs. 

PMID- 24210444
TI  - Role of interventional procedures in obstetrics/gynecology.
AB  - In uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), knowledge of the potential ovarian-uterine
      anastomoses is important because they provide collateral blood flow that may
      result in the failure of the UFE or ovarian nontarget embolization. Uterine
      artery embolization is an alternative treatment of postpartum hemorrhage with 80%
      to 90% bleeding control and in which fertility can be preserved. Diagnosis of
      pelvic congestion syndrome on routine sonographic or computed tomography/magnetic
      resonance imaging is often missed. Fallopian tube recanalization allows couples
      to have unlimited attempts to conceive naturally and avoids the risks (multiple
      pregnancies, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), and high cost of in vitro
      fertilization. 

PMID- 24210445
TI  - Ovarian cystic lesions: a current approach to diagnosis and management.
AB  - The primary imaging modality for evaluation of ovarian cystic lesions is pelvic
      ultrasonography. Most ovarian cysts are benign and demonstrate typical
      sonographic features that support benignity. However, some ovarian cystic lesions
      have indeterminate imaging features, and the approach to management varies. This
      article discusses how to recognize and diagnose different types of ovarian cystic
      lesions, including an approach to management. The learning objective is to
      recognize imaging features of ovarian cystic lesions. 

PMID- 24210446
TI  - Current concepts in the diagnosis and management of endometrial and cervical
      carcinomas.
AB  - Cross-sectional imaging modalities play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and
      multidisciplinary management of patients with endometrial and cervical
      carcinomas. Ultrasonography, including sonohysterography, permits evaluation of
      endometrial abnormalities and characterization of adnexal masses. Computed
      tomography, particularly in conjunction with (18)(F)-fluorodeoxyglucose positron
      emission tomography, is increasingly used to stage the cancers and to detect
      disease recurrence. Magnetic resonance imaging plays a major role in accurate
      locoregional staging of these cancers, and significantly influences treatment
      decisions and outcomes. This article discusses the role of imaging modalities in
      the diagnosis, management, and surveillance of these cancers. 

PMID- 24210447
TI  - Positron emission tomography-computed tomography imaging for malignancies in
      women.
AB  - The role of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in the
      evaluation of various gynecologic malignancies in light of current available data
      is presented and illustrated with imaging examples, pearls, and common pitfalls.
      18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT is being increasingly used in management of
      gynecologic malignancy and has useful applications in cervical, ovarian, and
      endometrial carcinoma. Sensitivity and specificity are superior compared with
      conventional imaging. However, there are limitations of which the reporting
      physician should be aware. This article introduces the available evidence and
      discusses the role of PET/CT in various gynecologic malignancies and highlights
      imaging pearls and potential pitfalls. 

PMID- 24210448
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging of pelvic floor dysfunction.
AB  - Pelvic floor dysfunction is largely a complex problem of multiparous and
      postmenopausal women and is associated with pelvic floor or organ descent.
      Physical examination can underestimate the extent of the dysfunction and
      misdiagnose the disorders. Functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is emerging
      as a promising tool to evaluate the dynamics of the pelvic floor and use for
      surgical triage and operative planning. This article reviews the anatomy and
      pathology of pelvic floor dysfunction, typical imaging findings, and the current
      role of functional MR imaging. 

PMID- 24210449
TI  - The role of a modern radiologist in diagnosing female pelvic pathologies.

PMID- 24210450
TI  - Forensic psychiatry and the birth of the criminal insane asylum in modern Italy.
AB  - This paper focuses on the creation of the criminal insane asylum in Italy between
      unification in 1861 and World War I. The establishment of criminal insane asylums
      was a triumph of the positivist criminology of Cesare Lombroso, who advocated for
      an institution to intern insane criminals in his classic work, Criminal Man
      (1876). As a context for the analysis of the birth of the criminal insane asylum
      in Italy, this essay also outlines the history of the insanity plea in Italian
      criminal law and the young discipline of psychiatry during the fifty years after
      Italian unification.

PMID- 24210451
TI  - Assessing the quality of care for dying patients from the bereaved relatives'
      perspective: further validation of "Evaluating care and health outcomes--for the
      dying".
AB  - CONTEXT: Evaluating Care and Health Outcomes-for the Dying (ECHO-D) is a post
      bereavement questionnaire that assesses quality of care for the dying and is
      linked with the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP). OBJECTIVES:
      To further assess the validity and reliability of the ECHO-D, namely the
      construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of key
      composite scales. METHODS: Self-completion questionnaires were mailed to 778 next
      of-kin of consecutive deceased patients who had died an "expected" cancer death
      in a hospice or acute tertiary hospital. For those willing to complete ECHO-D for
      a second time, another copy was sent a month later. Maximum likelihood factor
      analysis and Cronbach's alpha test were conducted for four key composite scales.
      Test-retest reliability was assessed using percentage agreement, Kappa statistic,
      and Spearman's correlation coefficient (ordinal data). Comparisons between
      hospice and hospital groups were conducted using one-way between-groups analysis
      of variance. RESULTS: Following exclusions (n = 52), 255 of 726 next-of-kin
      agreed to participate (35.2% response rate). Maximum likelihood factor analysis
      showed a single factor for three of the scales, and all had good internal
      consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.78). Barring two questions, all showed good or
      moderate stability over time. Overall, hospice participants reported the best
      quality of care, and hospital participants, where care was not supported by the
      LCP, reported the worst quality of care. CONCLUSION: These findings support ECHO
      D as a valid and reliable instrument to assess quality of care for the dying and
      assess the effectiveness of interventions such as the LCP.

PMID- 24210452
TI  - PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs and OCPs in sediments from selected areas in the Slovak
      Republic.
AB  - Within our research project, 34 river bottom sediments were collected in 2006
      2007 at five areas across Slovakia with industrial sources of persistent organic
      pollutants (Kosice, Krompachy, Nemecka, Sala, Novaky) and one background area
      (Starina). Sediments were analyzed for seven 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated
      dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and 10 dibenzofurans (PCDFs), 12 dioxin-like and 6
      indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and 1,1,1,
      trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT) with 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p
      chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE). Analytical procedure based on accelerated
      solvent extraction followed by a semi-automated clean-up and fractionation was
      used. Determination of target compounds was performed by HRGC-HRMS analysis.
      Total WHO toxic equivalent WHO1998-PCDD/F/dl-PCB-TEQ concentrations ranged from
      0.26 to 559 pg TEQ g(-1) dry matter (dm), with a median 2.2 pg TEQ g(-1) dm. The
      sums of six indicator PCBs were in the range 0.56-1014 ng g(-1) dm, with a median
      11.8 ng g(-1) dm. The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides HCB and p,p'
      DDE/DDT varied from 0.15 to 34.8 ng g(-1) dm, with a median 0.91 ng g(-1) dm and
      0.46-34.1 ng g(-1)dm, with a median 6.7 ng g(-1)dm, respectively. The most
      abundant congeners in all sediment samples among dioxins, furans and PCBs were
      OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, PCB-118 and PCB-153.

PMID- 24210453
TI  - Efficacy and safety of a diode laser in second-stage implant surgery: a
      comparative study.
AB  - For more than a decade, peri-implant tissues have been treated with soft tissue
      lasers to create a bloodless flap for implant placement and to uncover implants
      with minimal bleeding, trauma, and anaesthesia. This study was designed to assess
      if dental implant uncovering is possible with a diode laser without anaesthesia,
      and to compare its performance with traditional cold scalpel surgery. Thirty
      patients with a total of 45 completely osseointegrated implants participated in
      this study. Patients were divided into two groups. For the study group, second
      stage implant surgery was done with a 970nm diode laser. For the control group,
      the implants were exposed with a surgical blade. Certain parameters were used for
      evaluation of the two techniques. The use of the diode laser obviated the need
      for local anaesthesia; there was a significant difference between the two groups
      regarding the need for anaesthesia (P<0.0001). However, there were no significant
      differences between the two techniques regarding duration of surgery,
      postoperative pain, time for healing, and success of the implants. The diode
      laser can be used effectively for second-stage implant surgery, providing both
      the dentist and the patient with additional advantages over the conventional
      methods used for implant exposure.

PMID- 24210454
TI  - Global proteomic characterization of uterine histotroph recovered from beef
      heifers yielding good quality and degenerate day 7 embryos.
AB  - The objective was to analyze the proteomic composition of uterine flushes
      collected from beef heifers on day 7 after insemination. Estrus was synchronized
      in crossbred beef heifers by using a protocol with a controlled intravaginal drug
      releasing device. Heifers detected in standing estrus (within 24-48 h after
      removal of controlled intravaginal drug releasing device) were inseminated
      (estrus = day 0) with frozen-thawed semen from a single ejaculate of a bull with
      proven fertility. Heifers from which an embryo was recovered (after slaughter on
      day 7) were classified as either having a viable embryo (morula/blastocyst stage)
      or a degenerate embryo (arrested at the 2- to 16-cell stage). The overall
      recovery rate (viable and degenerate combined) was 64%. Global liquid
      chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry proteomic analysis of the
      histotroph collected identified 40 high-confidence proteins present on day 7; 26
      proteins in the viable group, 10 in the degenerate group, and 4 shared between
      both groups. Five proteins (platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB subunit
      gamma [PAFAH1B3], tubulin alpha-1D chain, tubulin beta-4A chain, cytochrome C,
      and dihydropyrimidinase-related protein-2) were unique or more abundant in the
      histotroph collected from animals with a viable embryo, and 1 protein (S100-A4)
      was more abundant in the histotroph collected from animals with a degenerate
      embryo. Of interest, PAFAH1B3, detected only in histotroph from the group
      yielding viable embryos, belongs to the group of platelet-activating factors that
      are known to be important for the development of the pre-implantation embryo in
      other species. To our knowledge this is the first report of PAFAH1B3 in relation
      to bovine early embryonic development. 

PMID- 24210455
TI  - Hypothyroidism after radiotherapy of head and neck cancer.
AB  - AIM: Hypothyroidism is not commonly considered as a complication of radiotherapy
      to the head and neck region. The purpose of this retrospective study was to
      determine the frequency of thyroid dysfunction in patients after radiotherapy, to
      compare thyroid hormone levels in irradiated patients with Control group and to
      predict development of thyroid hypofunction in time. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thyroid
      function was measured by means of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free
      thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodthyronine (FT3) in 43 patients who had nonthyroid
      head-neck carcinomas treated by radiotherapy or radiotherapy in combination with
      other modalities. These data were compared with hormone levels of 40 Control
      group patients treated solely by surgery. RESULTS: Hypothyroidism was found in
      35% of irradiated patients. In comparison with Control group there were
      significant differences between TSH and FT4 levels, difference between FT3 levels
      was insignificant. A correlation between hormone levels and follow-up was
      detected. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that hypothyroidism is a frequent late
      side effect of radiotherapy to head and neck. Lifelong monitoring of thyroid
      function appears to be justified when radiotherapy is a part of treatment
      protocol.

PMID- 24210456
TI  - Using multivariate data reduction to predict postsurgery memory decline in
      patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.
AB  - Predicting postsurgery memory decline is crucial to clinical decision-making for
      individuals with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) who are candidates for
      temporal lobe excisions. Extensive neuropsychological testing is critical to
      assess risk, but the numerous test scores it produces can make deriving a formal
      prediction of cognitive change quite complex. In order to benefit from the
      information contained in comprehensive memory assessment, we used principal
      component analysis (PCA) to simplify neuropsychological test scores (presurgical
      and pre- to postsurgical change) obtained from a cohort of 56 patients with mTLE
      into a few easily interpretable latent components. We next performed discriminant
      analyses using presurgery latent components to categorize seizure laterality and
      then regression analyses to assess how well presurgery latent components could
      predict postsurgery memory decline. Finally, we validated the predictive power of
      these regression models in an independent sample of 18 patients with mTLE.
      Principal component analysis identified three significant latent components that
      reflected IQ, verbal memory, and visuospatial memory, respectively. Together, the
      presurgery verbal and visuospatial memory components classified 80% of patients
      with mTLE correctly according to their seizure laterality. Furthermore, the
      presurgery verbal memory component predicted postsurgery verbal memory decline,
      while the presurgery visuospatial memory component predicted visuospatial memory
      decline. These regression models also predicted postsurgery memory decline
      successfully in the independent cohort of patients with mTLE. Our results
      demonstrate the value of data reduction techniques in identifying cognitive
      metrics that can characterize laterality of damage and risk of postoperative
      decline. 

PMID- 24210457
TI  - Lesion side matters - an fMRI study on the association between neural correlates
      of watching dynamic fearful faces and their evaluation in patients with temporal
      lobe epilepsy.
AB  - Most studies assessing facial affect recognition in patients with TLE reported
      emotional disturbances in patients with TLE. Results from the few fMRI studies
      assessing neural correlates of affective face processing in patients with TLE are
      divergent. Some, but not all, found asymmetrical mesiotemporal activations, i.e.,
      stronger activations within the hemisphere contralateral to seizure onset. Little
      is known about the association between neural correlates of affect processing and
      subjective evaluation of the stimuli presented. Therefore, we investigated the
      neural correlates of processing dynamic fearful faces in 37 patients with mesial
      temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE; 18 with left-sided TLE (lTLE), 19 with right-sided
      TLE (rTLE)) and 20 healthy subjects. We additionally assessed individual ratings
      of the fear intensity and arousal perception of the fMRI stimuli and correlated
      these data with the activations induced by the fearful face paradigm and
      activation lateralization within the mesiotemporal structures (in terms of
      individual lateralization indices, LIs). In healthy subjects, whole-brain
      analysis showed bilateral activations within a widespread network of mesial and
      lateral temporal, occipital, and frontal areas. The patient groups activated
      different parts of this network. In patients with lTLE, we found predominantly
      right-sided activations within the mesial and lateral temporal cortices and the
      superior frontal gyrus. In patients with rTLE, we observed bilateral activations
      in the posterior regions of the lateral temporal lobe and within the occipital
      cortex. Mesiotemporal region-of-interest analysis showed bilateral symmetric
      activations associated with watching fearful faces in healthy subjects. According
      to the region of interest and LI analyses, in the patients with lTLE,
      mesiotemporal activations were lateralized to the right hemisphere. In the
      patients with rTLE, we found left-sided mesiotemporal activations. In patients
      with lTLE, fear ratings were comparable to those of healthy subjects and were
      correlated with relatively stronger activations in the right compared to the left
      amygdala. Patients with rTLE showed significantly reduced fear ratings compared
      to healthy subjects, and we did not find associations with amygdala
      lateralization. Although we found stronger activations within the contralateral
      mesial temporal lobe in the majority of all patients, our results suggest that
      only in the event of left-sided mesiotemporal damage is the right mesial temporal
      lobe able to preserve intact facial fear recognition. In the event of right-sided
      mesiotemporal damage, fear recognition is disturbed. This underlines the
      hypothesis that the right amygdala is biologically predisposed to processing
      fear, and its function cannot be fully compensated in the event of right-sided
      mesiotemporal damage. 

PMID- 24210458
TI  - Healthcare utilization of patients with epilepsy in Yuma County, Arizona: do
      disparities exist?
AB  - The aim of this study was to describe the disparities in healthcare utilization
      and costs between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients with seizures or epilepsy.
      We reviewed the insurance status and healthcare resource utilization data from
      2005 to 2008 for all patients with seizures and epilepsy seen at the Yuma
      Regional Medical Center (YRMC). Charges for medical services provided to Hispanic
      patients with epilepsy between the ages of 18 and 49 were significantly less than
      those for non-Hispanic patients with epilepsy (Hispanic: $3167.63 versus non
      Hispanic: $5154.36, P<0.001). Taking into account the differences in insurance
      status, setting of care, and total number of procedures, we still saw a
      significant difference in charges between the two groups at the outpatient
      settings. These data differ from currently available data on national and Eastern
      US Hispanic patients with epilepsy, suggesting that patients in this border
      community are somehow different from Hispanics elsewhere in the US. 

PMID- 24210459
TI  - Neural generators of psychogenic seizures: evidence from intracranial and
      extracranial brain recordings.
AB  - Psychogenic seizures (PSs) convincingly mimic seizure phenomena but with no
      underlying epileptic activity. However, not much is known about their
      neurophysiological basis. We had the rare opportunity to analyze intracranial
      brain recordings of PSs occurring besides epileptic seizures (ESs), which
      identified distinct frequency changes over the parietal cortex. For further
      validation, we applied topographic frequency analysis to two other patients who
      presented PSs and ESs during long-term monitoring. The analysis revealed a power
      decrease in the theta band at the posterior parietal cortex in all three patients
      during PSs but not during ESs. These changes may reflect disturbed self
      referential processing associated with some PSs. 

PMID- 24210460
TI  - Pregnancy-related knowledge and information needs of women with epilepsy: a
      systematic review.
AB  - For women with epilepsy (WWE), pregnancy is complicated by considerations such as
      the potential teratogenicity of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) versus the risks of
      having seizures during pregnancy. However, qualitative research suggests that
      many WWE remain uninformed about the risks associated with epilepsy and pregnancy
      and may, therefore, be making uninformed decisions about their families. The
      objectives of this review were to determine the level of patient knowledge, their
      informational needs, and whether these needs concerning pregnancy and childbirth
      issues are met among WWE. Electronic databases searched were PsycINFO, MEDLINE,
      Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Studies were included if they used
      quantitative methods to survey WWE aged 16years or older about their knowledge,
      access to information, or informational needs specifically regarding epilepsy and
      pregnancy. Twelve studies were identified and assessed for research standards
      using the Quality Index. Overall Quality Index score was only 7.1 out of 14,
      indicating significant design limitations of many included studies, including
      highly selective sampling methods and the use of unvalidated outcome measures.
      There was a paucity of studies investigating specific areas of women's knowledge
      and information needs. Overall, WWE reported adequate awareness, but limited
      knowledge, of key issues regarding pregnancy and childbirth. Across studies, many
      women reported not receiving information about these issues. Evidence suggested
      that many WWE wanted to receive more information - particularly about the risks
      of AEDs for their offspring - well in advance of choosing an AED or planning
      pregnancy. Women aged under 35years wanted the most information. Preconception
      counseling received by many WWE appears insufficient, risking uninformed decision
      making about pregnancy. Further research is needed to investigate the barriers
      that WWE face in accessing, receiving, and retaining appropriate information. 

PMID- 24210461
TI  - Patient satisfaction with temporal lobectomy/selective amygdalohippocampectomy
      for temporal lobe epilepsy and its relationship with Engel classification and the
      side of lobectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate not only the effectiveness of
      epilepsy surgery in improving seizure control but also patient satisfaction with
      the result of the procedure in a sample of patients operated on at a specialized
      epilepsy unit. METHODS: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who had undergone
      epilepsy surgery (temporal lobectomy/amygdalohippocampectomy) were interviewed in
      a standardized telephone survey about their satisfaction with the results of the
      surgery. The morbidity of the surgery was also analyzed retrospectively. The
      initial study population consisted of 6 amygdalohippocampectomy and 102 temporal
      lobectomy patients and was reduced to a final sample consisting of 4
      amygdalohippocampectomy and 67 lobectomy patients, as the other patients were not
      available for interview. Surgical results were based on the Engel classification,
      and satisfaction with the surgery was assessed by asking patients to rate their
      result and state whether they would make the same decision (to be operated on)
      again. RESULTS: A significant number of patients classified as Engel I or II, who
      considered the surgical outcome good or excellent, said they would have the
      surgery again (p<0.001). Left temporal lobectomy patients whose results fell in
      the Engel III/IV bracket were less satisfied (p=0.001) than right temporal
      lobectomy patients with the same Engel classifications (0.048). Left temporal
      lobectomy patients who were classified as Engel class III and IV were less likely
      to have the surgery again if they had the choice (p=0.016). DISCUSSION: Patient
      satisfaction with the results of epilepsy surgery may depend not only on
      achieving seizure control but also on the temporal lobe resected. Since worse
      results were associated with lower satisfaction rates only for left temporal
      resection patients, it is possible that the cognitive consequences of this
      procedure compound the worse surgical result, leading to decreased satisfaction.

PMID- 24210462
TI  - Australia's seizure divide - indigenous versus non-indigenous seizure
      hospitalization.
AB  - Indigenous Australians suffer the highest mortality and morbidity rates of any
      ethnic minority in the developed world. To determine if the health outcome gulf
      between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians also applied to seizures, we
      conducted a retrospective analysis of seizure hospitalization (1998-2004) based
      on ethnicity (indigenous (I) and non-indigenous (NI)) for four Australian
      jurisdictions - Northern Territory (NT), Queensland (Qld), South Australia (SA),
      and Western Australia (WA). Total admissions were converted to age-standardized
      rates (ASR) and I/NI ASR ratios (I/NIRR) and compared across multiple variables.
      The summed admission (combined jurisdictions over six years) was 71,185 (I=11,593
      and NI=59,592). Seizure hospitalization rate was always higher in the indigenous
      population (six-year I/NIRR - NT=5.6, Qld=4.0, SA=6.4, and WA=10.9; combined
      jurisdictions=5.6). Disparity was greatest for ages 40-64years (13.8) and 15
      39years (7.0) and for indigenous males (7.4). As socioeconomic status rose, non
      indigenous admission rates fell (ASR=1.7 to 1.1), yet indigenous admission rates
      rose (ASR=7.9 to 14.0). Indigenous emergency to elective admission ratios were
      higher (I=27 and NI=8), as were readmissions (1.5-2 fold), self-discharge
      separations (I=9.4% and NI=1.4%), bed days (I/NIRR=5.1), and admissions with an
      additional diagnosis (I/NIRR=3.3) or procedure (I/NIRR=3.4). Indigenous
      Australians maintained disproportionately high rates of emergency seizure
      hospitalization; from 1998 to 2004, the combined jurisdiction rate was more than
      five times the mean non-indigenous rate. Indigenous males aged 15-64years were
      overrepresented. Indigenous patients had lengthier admissions but higher self
      discharge and readmission rates. The socioeconomic data raise the concern that
      social disadvantage restricts access to hospital-based seizure care for
      indigenous patients. 

PMID- 24210463
TI  - Vagus nerve stimulation in pediatric patients: Is it really worthwhile?
AB  - Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) seems to be effective in the management of selected
      cases of pharmacoresistant epilepsy in children. This was a case-control
      prospective study of children with refractory epilepsy submitted to vagal nerve
      stimulator implantation and a control group with epilepsy treated with
      antiepileptic drugs. Patients under 18years of age who underwent clinical or
      surgical treatment because of pharmacoresistant epilepsy from January 2009 to
      January 2012 were followed and compared with an age-matched control group at
      final evaluation. Statistically significant differences were observed considering
      age at epilepsy onset (VNS group - 1.33+/-1.45years; controls - 3.23+/-3.11;
      p=0.0001), abnormal findings in neurological examination (p=0.01), history of
      previous ineffective epilepsy surgery (p=0.03), and baseline seizure frequency
      (p=0.0001). At long-term follow-up, 55.4% of the patients in the VNS group had at
      least 50% reduction of seizure frequency, with 11.1% of the patients presenting
      95% reduction on seizure frequency. Also, a decrease in traumas and
      hospitalization due to seizures and a subjective improvement in mood and
      alertness were observed. The control group did not show a significant
      modification in seizure frequency during the study. In this series, VNS patients
      evolved with a statistically significant reduction of the number of seizures, a
      decreased morbidity of the seizures, and the number of days in inpatient care. In
      accordance with the current literature, VNS has been proven to be an effective
      alternative in the treatment of pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. 

PMID- 24210464
TI  - Research on psychosocial aspects of epilepsy in Arab countries: a review of
      literature.
AB  - This study reviewed research conducted on the psychological aspects of epilepsy
      in Arab countries. Several databases (Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer
      Link, and PsycInfo) were searched using the following two sets of search words:
      (1) Arab, Jordan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait,
      Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Algiers,
      Palestine, Mauritania, Djibouti, Sudan, Comoros, and Somalia; and (2) epilepsy,
      seizure disorders, and convulsive disorders. Fifty-one studies were conducted in
      12 Arab states. Social/emotional, employment, and other problems; knowledge and
      attitudes; and quality of life (QOL) were the most commonly measured parameters
      of psychosocial aspects of epilepsy in Arab countries. Results revealed elevated
      levels of depression and anxiety, a decline in cognitive function, various
      behavioral problems, sexual dysfunction, and underemployment among persons with
      epilepsy (PWE). Misconceptions about epilepsy were found to be prevalent. While
      many studies reported limited knowledge of epilepsy, some studies found an
      average knowledge. Negative attitudes toward epilepsy were reported in most
      studies, and moderately positive attitudes were reported in some studies.
      Finally, PWE showed low overall QOL scores in the majority of studies. 

PMID- 24210465
TI  - Paranoid psychosis and cognitive impairment associated with hepatitis C antiviral
      therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report a case of paranoid psychosis and cognitive impairment
      associated with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antiviral therapy. METHODS: Case report.
      RESULTS: A 55-year-old male presented with paranoid psychosis and cognitive
      impairment, 4 months after initiating interferon-based HCV antiviral therapy. His
      psychosis resolved with discontinuation of therapy and initiation of risperidone,
      but his cognitive impairment persisted. His psychosis also re-emerged months
      later when attempting to titrate down his risperidone. Brain MRI demonstrated
      bilateral asymmetric subcortical and deep white matter changes, which were non
      specific but may have rendered him susceptible to neuropsychiatric sequelae of
      antiviral therapy. CONCLUSION: This case emphasizes the importance of
      neuropsychiatric screening and monitoring of patients being treated with
      interferon-based therapy for HCV, particularly if there is evidence of previous
      neurologic disease.

PMID- 24210466
TI  - Concordance of out-of-hospital and emergency department cardiac arrest
      resuscitation with documented end-of-life choices in Oregon.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Resuscitation measures should be guided by previous patient
      choices about end-of-life care, when they exist; however, documentation of these
      choices can be unclear or difficult to access. We evaluate the concordance of a
      statewide registry of actionable resuscitation orders unique to Oregon with out
      of-hospital and emergency department (ED) care provided for patients found by
      emergency medical services (EMS) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: This
      was a retrospective cohort study of patients found by EMS providers in out-of
      hospital cardiac arrest in 5 counties in 2010. We used probabilistic linkage to
      match patients found in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with previously signed
      documentation of end-of-life decisions in the Oregon Physician Orders for Life
      Sustaining Treatment (POLST) registry. We evaluated resuscitation interventions
      in the field and ED. RESULTS: There were 1,577 patients found in out-of-hospital
      cardiac arrest, of whom 82 had a previously signed POLST form. Patients with
      POLST do-not-resuscitate orders for whom EMS was called had resuscitation
      withheld or ceased before hospital admission in 94% of cases (95% confidence
      interval [CI] 83% to 99%). Compared with patients with no POLST or known do-not
      resuscitate orders, more patients with attempt resuscitation POLST orders had
      field resuscitation attempted (84% versus 60%; difference 25%; 95% CI 12% to 37%)
      and were admitted to hospitals (38% versus 17%; difference 20%; 95% CI 3% to
      37%), with no documented misinterpretations of the form once CPR was initiated.
      CONCLUSION: In this sample of patients in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, out-of
      hospital and ED care was generally concordant with previously documented end-of
      life orders in the setting of critical illness. Further research is needed to
      compare the effectiveness of Oregon's POLST system to other methods of end-of
      life order documentation.

PMID- 24210467
TI  - Risk factors for multidrug-resistant bacteremia in hospitalized cancer patients
      with febrile neutropenia: a cohort study.
AB  - We conducted a prospective cohort study in a single tertiary hospital with the
      aim of assessing predictors of multidrug-resistant bacteremia in 307 cases of
      febrile neutropenia in adult patients with cancer. On multivariate analysis using
      stepwise logistic regression, age (P = .009), duration of neutropenia (P = .022),
      and presence of an indwelling central venous catheter (P = .022) were associated
      with bloodstream infection by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

PMID- 24210468
TI  - Emerging methods for the fabrication of polymer capsules.
AB  - Hollow polymer capsules are attracting increasing research interest due to their
      potential application as drug delivery vectors, sensors, biomimetic nano- or
      multi-compartment reactors and catalysts. Thus, significant effort has been
      directed toward tuning their size, composition, morphology, and functionality to
      further their application. In this review, we provide an overview of emerging
      techniques for the fabrication of polymer capsules, encompassing: self-assembly,
      layer-by-layer assembly, single-step polymer adsorption, bio-inspired assembly,
      surface polymerization, and ultrasound assembly. These techniques can be applied
      to prepare polymer capsules with diverse functionality and physicochemical
      properties, which may fulfill specific requirements in various areas. In
      addition, we critically evaluate the challenges associated with the application
      of polymer capsules in drug delivery systems. 

PMID- 24210469
TI  - How self-care education in ventricular assist device programs is organized and
      provided: a national study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the care delivery structure and elements used for patient
      self-care education in ventricular assist device (VAD) programs. BACKGROUND: Use
      of VADs as destination therapy and to sustain organ function until cardiac
      transplantation has increased 517% since 2007. Elements of VAD-specific self-care
      education have not been described. METHODS: A 26-item survey measuring VAD self
      care education resource use, organizational, employment, behavioral and labor
      variables was sent to VAD coordinators at all US VAD centers (N = 111) in 2011.
      Two subsequent mailings yielded a 63% (n = 71) return rate. Analysis included
      descriptive statistics and cluster analysis. RESULTS: Element use varied across
      programs. Reliance on single educational and evaluation methods, and lack of
      return demonstration were noted. VAD coordinators reported extensive caregiver,
      hospital provider, and community educational responsibilities in addition to
      patient self-care education. CONCLUSIONS: VAD self-care education programs varied
      by hospital. Future research is needed to determine if specific care delivery
      structures or elements used in self-care education improve VAD patient outcomes.

PMID- 24210470
TI  - Numerical modelling of mass transport in an arterial wall with anisotropic
      transport properties.
AB  - Coronary artery disease results in blockages or narrowing of the artery lumen.
      Drug eluting stents (DES) were developed to replace bare metal stents in an
      effort to combat re-blocking of the diseased artery following treatment. The
      numerical models developed within this study focus on representing the changing
      trends of drug delivery from an idealised DES in an arterial wall with an
      anisotropic ultra-structure. To reduce the computational burden of solving
      coupled physics problems, a model reduction strategy was adopted. Particular
      focus has been placed upon adequately modelling the influence of strut
      compression as there is a paucity of numerical studies that account for changes
      in transport properties in compressed regions of the arterial wall due to stent
      deployment. This study developed an idealised numerical modelling framework to
      account for the changes in the directionally dependent porosity and tortuosities
      of the arterial wall as a result of radial strut compression. The results show
      that depending on the degree of strut compression, trends in therapeutic drug
      delivery within the arterial wall can be either increased or decreased. The study
      highlights the importance of incorporating compression into numerical models to
      better represent transport within the arterial wall and suggests an appropriate
      numerical modelling framework that could be utilised in more realistic patient
      specific arterial geometries. 

PMID- 24210471
TI  - Enhanced boundary lubrication properties of engineered menisci by lubricin
      localization with insulin-like growth factor I treatment.
AB  - In this study we analyzed the effects of IGF-I on the boundary lubricating
      ability of engineered meniscal tissue using a high density collagen gel seeded
      with meniscal fibrochondrocytes. Biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical,
      and tribological analyses were carried out to determine a construct's ability to
      functionally localize lubricin. Our study revealed that supplementation with IGF
      I enhanced both the proliferation of cells within the construct as well as
      enhanced the anabolic activity of the seeded cells. Growth factor supplementation
      also facilitated the localization of ECM constituents (i.e. fibronectin and type
      II collagen) near the tissue surface that are important for the localization of
      lubricin, a boundary lubricant. Consequently, we found localized lubricin in the
      constructs supplemented with IGF-I. Tribologically, we demonstrated that lubricin
      serves as a boundary lubricant adsorbed to native meniscal surfaces. Lubricin
      removal from the native meniscus surface increased boundary friction coefficient
      by 40%. For the engineered constructs, the lubricin localization facilitated by
      growth factor supplementation also reduced friction coefficient by a similar
      margin, but similar results were not evident in control constructs. This study
      demonstrates that the use of growth factors in meniscal tissue engineering can
      enhance tribological properties by facilitating the localization of boundary
      lubricants at the surface of engineered tissue. 

PMID- 24210472
TI  - Numerical investigation of mass transport through patient-specific deformed
      aortae.
AB  - Blood flow in human arteries has been investigated using computational fluid
      dynamics tools. This paper considers flow modeling through three aorta models
      reconstructed from cross-sectional magnetic resonance scans of female patients.
      One has the normal control configuration, the second has elongation of the
      transverse aorta, and the third has tortuosity of the aorta with stenosis. The
      objective of this study is to determine the impact of aortic abnormal geometries
      on the wall shear stress (WSS), luminal surface low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
      concentration, and oxygen flux along the arterial wall. The results show that the
      curvature of the aortic arch and the stenosis have significant effects on the
      blood flow, and in turn, the mass transport. The location of hypoxia areas can be
      predicted well by ignoring the effect of hemoglobin on the oxygen transport.
      However, this simplification indeed alters the absolute value of Sherwood number
      on the wall. 

PMID- 24210473
TI  - The effects of femoral graft placement on cartilage thickness after anterior
      cruciate ligament reconstruction.
AB  - Altered joint motion has been thought to be a contributing factor in the long
      term development of osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction. While many studies
      have quantified knee kinematics after ACL injury and reconstruction, there is
      limited in vivo data characterizing the effects of altered knee motion on
      cartilage thickness distributions. Thus, the objective of this study was to
      compare cartilage thickness distributions in two groups of patients with ACL
      reconstruction: one group in which subjects received a non-anatomic
      reconstruction that resulted in abnormal joint motion and another group in which
      subjects received an anatomically placed graft that more closely restored normal
      knee motion. Ten patients with anatomic graft placement (mean follow-up: 20
      months) and 12 patients with non-anatomic graft placement (mean follow-up: 18
      months) were scanned using high-resolution MR imaging. These images were used to
      generate 3D mesh models of both knees of each patient. The operative and
      contralateral knee models were registered to each other and a grid sampling
      system was used to make site-specific comparisons of cartilage thickness.
      Patients in the non-anatomic graft placement group demonstrated a significant
      decrease in cartilage thickness along the medial intercondylar notch in the
      operative knee relative to the intact knee (8%). In the anatomic graft placement
      group, no significant changes were observed. These findings suggest that
      restoring normal knee motion after ACL injury may help to slow the progression of
      degeneration. Therefore, graft placement may have important implications on the
      development of osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction. 

PMID- 24210475
TI  - A 3D lower limb musculoskeletal model for simultaneous estimation of musculo
      tendon, joint contact, ligament and bone forces during gait.
AB  - Musculo-tendon forces and joint reaction forces are typically estimated using a
      two-step method, computing first the musculo-tendon forces by a static
      optimization procedure and then deducing the joint reaction forces from the force
      equilibrium. However, this method does not allow studying the interactions
      between musculo-tendon forces and joint reaction forces in establishing this
      equilibrium and the joint reaction forces are usually overestimated. This study
      introduces a new 3D lower limb musculoskeletal model based on a one-step static
      optimization procedure allowing simultaneous musculo-tendon, joint contact,
      ligament and bone forces estimation during gait. It is postulated that this
      approach, by giving access to the forces transmitted by these musculoskeletal
      structures at hip, tibiofemoral, patellofemoral and ankle joints, modeled using
      anatomically consistent kinematic models, should ease the validation of the model
      using joint contact forces measured with instrumented prostheses. A blinded
      validation based on four datasets was made under two different minimization
      conditions (i.e., C1 - only musculo-tendon forces are minimized, and C2 - musculo
      tendon, joint contact, ligament and bone forces are minimized while focusing more
      specifically on tibiofemoral joint contacts). The results show that the model is
      able to estimate in most cases the correct timing of musculo-tendon forces during
      normal gait (i.e., the mean coefficient of active/inactive state concordance
      between estimated musculo-tendon force and measured EMG envelopes was C1: 65.87%
      and C2: 60.46%). The results also showed that the model is potentially able to
      well estimate joint contact, ligament and bone forces and more specifically
      medial (i.e., the mean RMSE between estimated joint contact force and in vivo
      measurement was C1: 1.14BW and C2: 0.39BW) and lateral (i.e., C1: 0.65BW and C2:
      0.28BW) tibiofemoral contact forces during normal gait. However, the results
      remain highly influenced by the optimization weights that can bring to somewhat
      aphysiological musculo-tendon forces. 

PMID- 24210474
TI  - Computational model of the in vivo development of a tissue engineered vein from
      an implanted polymeric construct.
AB  - Advances in vascular tissue engineering have been tremendous over the past 15
      years, yet there remains a need to optimize current constructs to achieve vessels
      having true growth potential. Toward this end, it has been suggested that
      computational models may help hasten this process by enabling time-efficient
      parametric studies that can reduce the experimental search space. In this paper,
      we present a first generation computational model for describing the in vivo
      development of a tissue engineered vein from an implanted polymeric scaffold. The
      model was motivated by our recent data on the evolution of mechanical properties
      and microstructural composition over 24 weeks in a mouse inferior vena cava
      interposition graft. It is shown that these data can be captured well by
      including both an early inflammatory-mediated and a subsequent mechano-mediated
      production of extracellular matrix. There remains a pressing need, however, for
      more data to inform the development of next generation models, particularly the
      precise transition from the inflammatory to the mechanobiological dominated
      production of matrix having functional capability. 

PMID- 24210476
TI  - Resonance-based oscillations could describe human gait mechanics under various
      loading conditions.
AB  - The oscillatory behavior of the center of mass (CoM) and the corresponding ground
      reaction force (GRF) of human gait for various gait speeds can be accurately
      described in terms of resonance using a spring-mass bipedal model. Resonance is a
      mechanical phenomenon that reflects the maximum responsiveness and energetic
      efficiency of a system. To use resonance to describe human gait, we need to
      investigate whether resonant mechanics is a common property under multiple
      walking conditions. Body mass and leg stiffness are determinants of resonance;
      thus, in this study, we investigated the following questions: (1) whether the
      estimated leg stiffness increased with inertia, (2) whether a resonance-based CoM
      oscillation could be sustained during a change in the stiffness, and (3) whether
      these relationships were consistently observed for different walking speeds.
      Seven healthy young subjects participated in over-ground walking trials at three
      different gait speeds with and without a 25-kg backpack. We measured the GRFs and
      the joint kinematics using three force platforms and a motion capture system. The
      leg stiffness was incorporated using a stiffness parameter in a compliant bipedal
      model that best fitted the empirical GRF data. The results showed that the leg
      stiffness increased with the load such that the resonance-based oscillatory
      behavior of the CoM was maintained for a given gait speed. The results imply that
      the resonance-based oscillation of the CoM is a consistent gait property and that
      resonant mechanics may be useful for modeling human gait. 

PMID- 24210477
TI  - Intervertebral disc creep behavior assessment through an open source finite
      element solver.
AB  - Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is one of the largest health problems faced
      worldwide, based on lost working time and associated costs. By means of this
      motivation, this work aims to evaluate a biomimetic Finite Element (FE) model of
      the Intervertebral Disc (IVD). Recent studies have emphasized the importance of
      an accurate biomechanical modeling of the IVD, as it is a highly complex
      multiphasic medium. Poroelastic models of the disc are mostly implemented in
      commercial finite element packages with limited access to the algorithms.
      Therefore, a novel poroelastic formulation implemented on a home-developed open
      source FE solver is briefly addressed throughout this paper. The combination of
      this formulation with biphasic osmotic swelling behavior is also taken into
      account. Numerical simulations were devoted to the analysis of the non
      degenerated human lumbar IVD time-dependent behavior. The results of the tests
      performed for creep assessment were inside the scope of the experimental data,
      with a remarkable improvement of the numerical accuracy when compared with
      previously published results obtained with ABAQUS((r)). In brief, this in
      development open-source FE solver was validated with literature experimental data
      and aims to be a valuable tool to study the IVD biomechanics and DDD mechanisms. 

PMID- 24210478
TI  - Head impact exposure in male and female collegiate ice hockey players.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to quantify head impact exposure (frequency,
      location and magnitude of head impacts) for individual male and female collegiate
      ice hockey players and to investigate differences in exposure by sex, player
      position, session type, and team. Ninety-nine (41 male, 58 female) players were
      enrolled and 37,411 impacts were recorded over three seasons. Frequency of
      impacts varied significantly by sex (males: 287 per season, females: 170,
      p<0.001) and helmet impact location (p<0.001), but not by player position
      (p=0.088). Head impact frequency also varied by session type; both male and
      female players sustained more impacts in games than in practices (p<0.001),
      however the magnitude of impacts did not differ between session types. There was
      no difference in 95th percentile peak linear acceleration between sexes (males:
      41.6 g, females: 40.8 g), but 95th percentile peak rotational acceleration and
      HITsp (a composite severity measure) were greater for males than females (4424,
      3409 rad/s(2), and 25.6, 22.3, respectively). Impacts to the back of the helmet
      resulted in the greatest 95th percentile peak linear accelerations for males
      (45.2 g) and females (50.4 g), while impacts to the side and back of the head
      were associated with the greatest 95th percentile peak rotational accelerations
      (males: 4719, 4256 rad/sec(2), females: 3567, 3784 rad/sec(2) respectively). It
      has been proposed that reducing an individual's head impact exposure is a
      practical approach for reducing the risk of brain injuries. Strategies to
      decrease an individual athlete's exposure need to be sport and gender specific,
      with considerations for team and session type.

PMID- 24210479
TI  - The effects of forage particle length and exogenous phytase inclusion on
      phosphorus digestion and absorption in lactating cows.
AB  - Accurate estimates of phosphorus (P) availability from feed are needed to allow P
      requirements to be met with reduced P intake, thus reducing P excretion by
      livestock. Exogenous phytase supplementation in poultry and swine diets improves
      bioavailability of P, and limited research suggests that this strategy may have
      some application in dairy cattle rations. The effects of exogenous phytase and
      forage particle length on site and extent of P digestion were evaluated with 5
      ruminally and ileally cannulated lactating cows (188 +/- 35 d in milk). Cows were
      assigned in a 2 * 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in 2 incomplete Latin
      squares with four 21-d periods. Diets contained P slightly in excess of National
      Research Council requirements with all P from feed sources. During the last 4d of
      each period, total mixed ration, refusals, omasal, ileal, and fecal samples were
      collected and analyzed for total P, inorganic P (Pi), and phytate (Pp). Total P
      intake was not influenced by dietary treatments but Pp intake decreased and Pi
      intake increased with supplemental phytase, suggesting rapid action of the enzyme
      in the total mixed ration after mixing. Omasal flow of Pi decreased with phytase
      supplementation, but we observed no effect of diet in ileal flow or small
      intestinal digestibility of any P fraction. Fecal excretion of total P was
      slightly higher and Pp excretion was lower for cows receiving diets supplemented
      with phytase. Milk yield and composition were unaffected by diets. When phytase
      was added to the mixed ration, dietary Pp was rapidly degraded before intake and
      total-tract Pp digestion was increased. The lack of effect of phytase
      supplementation on dietary P utilization was probably because these late
      lactation cows had a low P requirement and were fed P-adequate diets.

PMID- 24210480
TI  - Effects of level of nutrient intake and age on mammalian target of rapamycin,
      insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 gene network expression in skeletal
      muscle of young Holstein calves.
AB  - The molecular mechanisms by which level of nutrient intake enhances skeletal
      muscle growth in young ruminants are not fully understood. We examined mammalian
      target of rapamycin (mTOR), insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)
      gene network expression in semitendinosus muscle tissue of young male Holstein
      calves fed a conventional milk replacer plus conventional starter (CON) or an
      enhanced milk replacer plus high-protein starter (ENH) for 5 wk followed by a
      conventional starter or a high-protein starter until 10 wk of age. Feeding ENH
      led to greater concentration of plasma IGF-1 and leptin and greater carcass
      protein and fat mass throughout the study. Despite the greater plasma IGF-1 and
      protein mass at wk 5, calves fed ENH had lower expression of IGF1R, INSR, and
      RPS6KB1 but greater expression of IRS1 and PDPK1 in muscle tissue. Except for
      IGF1R expression, which did not differ at wk 10, these differences persisted at
      wk 10, suggesting a long-term effect of greater nutrient intake on physiological
      and molecular mechanisms. Components of mTOR complex (mTORC)1 and mTORC2 (RICTOR
      and RPTOR) and FOXO1 expression decreased by wk 10 regardless of diet. Overall,
      the present data revealed that greater nutrient intake throughout the milk-fed
      and early postweaning phase alters body mass composition partly by altering
      hormonal and molecular profiles of genes associated with glucose and amino acid
      signaling. Those networks may play a crucial role in coordinating neonatal muscle
      growth and metabolism in response to level of nutrient intake. 

PMID- 24210481
TI  - Noninferiority trial on the efficacy of premilking teat disinfectant against
      naturally occurring new intramammary infections using a novel 2-step diagnostic
      process.
AB  - The objective of the study was to evaluate premilking teat disinfectant efficacy
      with the use of a novel diagnostic protocol against a positive control. The
      evaluation of efficacy was based on establishing noninferiority of a new
      premilking teat disinfectant compared with an existing premilking teat
      disinfectant. Approximately 200 cows were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups.
      Study personnel were blinded as to cow allocation and identification of the
      premilking disinfectants. Quarters were disinfected using a dip cup before
      milking with either the control or experimental product. The disinfectant was
      left on the teat for approximately 30s before being wiped off in preparation for
      milking. Quarter-level bacteriological infection status was established at the
      beginning of the study and quarter milk samples were collected biweekly
      thereafter. Bacteriological analyses were performed only when somatic cell counts
      in milk samples crossed a parity-specific threshold. Poisson regression models
      were used to analyze data. The difference in the rate of new intramammary
      infections was small and the upper bound of the 95% confidence interval of the
      rate difference was smaller than a predefined noninferiority limit. Based on the
      observed difference in new intramammary infections rate between the experimental
      and control product, it was concluded that the experimental disinfectant was not
      inferior compared with the positive control. The protocol used in this study
      proposes a valid and economically attractive methodology to evaluate the efficacy
      of teat disinfectants relative to a positive control. 

PMID- 24210482
TI  - Effects of feed additives on rumen and blood profiles during a starch and
      fructose challenge.
AB  - We evaluated the effect of feed additives on the risk of ruminal acidosis in
      Holstein heifers (n = 40) fed starch and fructose in a challenge study. Heifers
      were randomly allocated to feed additive groups (n = 8 heifers/group): (1)
      control (no additives); (2) virginiamycin (VM); (3) monensin + tylosin (MT); (4)
      monensin + live yeast (MLY); and (5) sodium bicarbonate + magnesium oxide (BUF).
      Heifers were fed 2.5% of body weight (BW) dry matter intake (DMI) per day of a
      total mixed ration (62:38 forage:concentrate) and feed additives for a 20-d
      adaptation period. Fructose (0.1% of BW/d) was included for the last 10d of the
      adaptation period. On d 21, heifers were fed to target a DMI of 1.0% of BW of
      wheat, fructose at 0.2% of BW, and their feed additives. Rumen fluid samples
      obtained by stomach tube and blood samples were collected weekly as well as
      during a 3.6-h period on challenge day (d 21). Virginiamycin and BUF groups
      maintained a consistently high DMI across the 20-d adaptation period. The MLY
      heifers had low DMI of the challenge ration. Average daily gain and feed
      conversion ratio were not affected by feed additives. All rumen and plasma
      measures changed weekly over adaptation and over the challenge sampling period
      with the exception of rumen total lactate and histamine concentrations, plasma
      oxidative stress index, and ceruloplasmin. Substantial within- and between-group
      variation was observed in rumen and plasma profiles at challenge sampling. No
      significant group changes were observed in rumen total volatile fatty acids,
      propionate, acetate-to-propionate ratio, isobutyrate, caproate, isovalerate,
      total lactate, d- and l-lactate, and pH measures on challenge day. Acetate
      concentration was increased in the BUF and control groups on challenge day.
      Butyrate concentration was lower in the MLY and MT groups compared with other
      groups at challenge. Valerate concentrations were lowest in the control, VM, and
      BUF groups and lactate concentrations were numerically lower in the MLY, VM, and
      BUF groups. Total lactate concentrations were >10mM for each group throughout the
      challenge. Ammonia concentrations were lower in the MLY and MT groups. Histamine
      concentrations were decreased in MLY and increased in the VM and BUF groups.
      Plasma oxidative stress measures were not influenced by feed additives weekly or
      on challenge day, except for an increase in biological antioxidant potential in
      the control, VM, and MT groups on challenge day. Despite the large within-animal
      variation, all feed additives modified rumen function and may influence the risk
      of acidosis by different mechanisms; however, none stabilized the rumen in all
      heifers.

PMID- 24210483
TI  - Effects of time and sampling location on concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyric
      acid in dairy cows.
AB  - Two trials were conducted to examine factors potentially influencing the
      measurement of blood beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) in dairy cows. The objective
      of the first trial was to study effects of sampling time on BHBA concentration in
      continuously fed dairy cows. Furthermore, we determined test characteristics of a
      single BHBA measurement at a random time of the day to diagnose subclinical
      ketosis considering commonly used cut-points (1.2 and 1.4 mmol/L). Finally, we
      set out to evaluate if test characteristics could be enhanced by repeating
      measurements after different time intervals. During 4 herd visits, a total of 128
      cows (8 to 28 d in milk) fed 10 times daily were screened at 0900 h and
      preselected by BHBA concentration. Blood samples were drawn from the tail vessels
      and BHBA concentrations were measured using an electronic BHBA meter (Precision
      Xceed, Abbott Diabetes Care Ltd., Witney, UK). Cows with BHBA concentrations
      >=0.8 mmol/L at this time were enrolled in the trial (n=92). Subsequent BHBA
      measurements took place every 3h for a total of 8 measurements during 24 h. The
      effect of sampling time on BHBA concentrations was tested in a repeated-measures
      ANOVA repeating sampling time. Sampling time did not affect BHBA concentrations
      in continuously fed dairy cows. Defining the average daily BHBA concentration
      calculated from the 8 measurements as the gold standard, a single measurement at
      a random time of the day to diagnose subclinical ketosis had a sensitivity of
      0.90 or 0.89 at the 2 BHBA cut-points (1.2 and 1.4 mmol/L). Specificity was 0.88
      or 0.90 using the same cut-points. Repeating measurements after different time
      intervals improved test characteristics only slightly. In the second experiment,
      we compared BHBA concentrations of samples drawn from 3 different blood sampling
      locations (tail vessels, jugular vein, and mammary vein) of 116 lactating dairy
      cows. Concentrations of BHBA differed in samples from the 3 sampling locations.
      Mean BHBA concentration was 0.3 mmol/L lower when measured in the mammary vein
      compared with the jugular vein and 0.4 mmol/L lower in the mammary vein compared
      with the tail vessels. We conclude that to measure BHBA, blood samples of
      continuously fed dairy cows can be drawn at any time of the day. A single
      measurement provides very good test characteristics for on-farm conditions. Blood
      samples for BHBA measurement should be drawn from the jugular vein or tail
      vessels; the mammary vein should not be used for this purpose.

PMID- 24210484
TI  - Effect of Sicilian pasture feeding management on content of alpha-tocopherol and
      beta-carotene in cow milk.
AB  - This study was performed to evaluate alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene contents
      of pasture milk under ordinary Sicilian farming conditions. Fourteen dairy farms
      were allocated into 2 balanced groups on the basis of cultivated (CULT) or
      spontaneous (SPO) pasture type feeding. Bulk milk per farm was collected 4 times
      from February through April at 3-wk intervals. Pasture botanical and diet
      composition, diet nutritional quality, milk yield and composition were estimated
      each time. Pasture intake levels were calculated based on feed analyses, hay and
      concentrate amounts fed, and milk yield and chemical composition. According to
      pasture intake, the farms were split into low pasture intake (LPI; <29.5% of dry
      matter) and high pasture intake (HPI; >29.5% of dry matter) groups. Milk samples
      per farm were analyzed for alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene contents by HPLC.
      The SPO group had higher levels of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene in milk
      (0.7 and 0.3 mg/L, respectively) and milk fat (19.0 and 7.5 mg/kg fat,
      respectively) compared with the CULT group in milk (0.5 and 0.2 mg/L,
      respectively) and milk fat (14.6 and 4.9 mg/kg, respectively). High pasture
      intake compared with LPI increased alpha-tocopherol in milk fat (18.0 and 16.0
      mg/kg of fat, respectively). However, only in the SPO (not in CULT), HPI compared
      with LPI increased milk alpha-tocopherol (0.8 vs. 0.6 mg/L, respectively), milk
      beta-carotene (0.3 vs. 0.2 mg/L, respectively), and milk fat beta-carotene (8.4
      vs. 6.6 mg/kg, respectively). Results may be related to the different botanical
      composition of the respective pasture types and pasture intake. Spontaneous
      pasture compared with CULT contained a higher mass proportion of Asteraceae,
      Fabaceae, Cruciferae, Euphorbiaceae, and Malvaceae plants. Milk and milk fat
      alpha-tocopherol levels were higher on test-days (TD)-1, TD-2, and TD-4 compared
      with TD-3. For HPI farms, milk fat beta-carotene content was higher on the first
      2 TD compared with the last 2 TD. These differences could be related to plant
      biological stage. On Sicilian dairy farms, the highest milk alpha-tocopherol and
      beta-carotene contents may be obtained feeding high levels of SPO pasture in the
      spring.

PMID- 24210486
TI  - Yield, changes in proteolysis, and sensory quality of Prato cheese produced with
      different coagulants.
AB  - The objective of this research was to compare the effect of 2 fungal proteases,
      one that is already commercially established as a milk-clotting agent and another
      produced at the laboratory scale, on Prato cheese composition, protein and fat
      recovery, yield, and sensory characteristics. Cheeses were produced according to
      the traditional protocol, using protease from the fungus Thermomucor indicae
      seudaticae N31 and commercial coagulant from Rhizomucor spp. as clotting agents.
      A 2*6 factorial design with 3 replications was performed: 2 levels of coagulants
      and 6 levels of storage time. After 5, 12, 19, 33, 43, and 53d of refrigerated
      storage (12 degrees C), cheeses were monitored for proteolysis, firmness, and
      casein degradation by capillary electrophoresis. Sensory acceptance was evaluated
      after 29d of manufacturing. The different coagulants did not statistically affect
      Prato cheese composition, protein and fat recovery, and yield. Both cheeses
      presented good sensory acceptance. Proteolysis increased and firmness decreased
      for both cheeses during the storage time, as expected for Prato cheese. Caseins
      were well separated by capillary electrophoresis and the results showed, with
      good resolution, that the cheeses exhibited similar protein hydrolysis profile.
      Both cheeses presented good sensory acceptance. The gathered data showed that the
      protease from T. indicae-seudaticae N31 presented similar action compared with
      the commercial enzyme, indicating its efficiency as clotting agent for Prato
      cheese manufacture. 

PMID- 24210485
TI  - Short communication: the pharmacological peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor alpha agonist WY-14,643 increases expression of novel organic cation
      transporter 2 and carnitine uptake in bovine kidney cells.
AB  - Recent studies in rodents demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor alpha (PPARalpha), a central regulator of energy homeostasis, is an
      important transcriptional regulator of the gene encoding the carnitine
      transporter novel organic cation transporter 2 (OCTN2). Less is known with regard
      to the regulation of OCTN2 by PPARalpha and its role for carnitine transport in
      cattle, even though PPARalpha activation physiologically occurs in the liver of
      high-producing cows during early lactation. To explore the role of PPARalpha for
      OCTN2 expression and carnitine transport in cattle, we studied the effect of the
      PPARalpha activator WY-14,643 on the expression of OCTN2 in the presence and
      absence of PPARalpha antagonists and on OCTN2-mediated carnitine transport in the
      Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell line. The results show that WY-14,643
      increases mRNA and protein levels of OCTN2, whereas co-treatment of MDBK cells
      with WY-14,643 and the PPARalpha antagonist GW6471 blocks the WY-14,643-induced
      increase in mRNA and protein levels of OCTN2 in bovine cells. In addition,
      treatment of MDBK cells with WY-14,643 stimulates specifically Na(+)-dependent
      carnitine uptake in MDBK cells, which is likely the consequence of the increased
      carnitine transport capacity of cells due to the elevated expression of OCTN2. In
      conclusion, our results indicate that OCTN2 expression and carnitine transport in
      cattle, as in rodents, are regulated by PPARalpha. 

PMID- 24210487
TI  - Epilactose production by 2 cellobiose 2-epimerases in natural milk.
AB  - It was reported recently that cellobiose 2-epimerases (CE) from various aerobic
      microorganisms convert lactose to epilactose in defined buffer systems. In this
      study, we showed that CE from 2 mesophilic microorganisms, Flavobacterium
      johnsoniae and Pedobacter heparinus, were capable of converting lactose to
      prebiotic epilactose not only in buffer but also in a complex milk system. First,
      the 2 enzymes were separately cloned, recombinantly expressed in Escherichia
      coli, and purified by column chromatography. The production of F. johnsoniae CE
      was carried out in a stirred-tank reactor, indicating that future upscaling is
      possible. The bioconversions of milk lactose were carried out at an industrially
      relevant low temperature of 8 degrees C to avoid undesired microbial
      contaminations or chemical side reactions. Both enzymes were reasonably active at
      this low temperature, because of their origin from mesophilic organisms. The
      enzymes showed different operational stabilities over a 24-h time-course. A
      conversion yield of about 30 to 33% epilactose was achieved with both enzymes. No
      side products were detected other than epilactose. Therefore, CE may introduce an
      added value for particular dairy products by in situ production of the prebiotic
      sugar epilactose. 

PMID- 24210488
TI  - The effect of relocation of whole-crop wheat and corn silages on their quality.
AB  - Whole-crop wheat and corn silages in 1.5-L anaerobic jars were exposed to air for
      0 up to 48 h during their anaerobic storage period to simulate relocation of
      silages. Ensiling treatments included control (no additives) and either Koffosil
      T (Koffolk Inc., Petah Tikva, Israel) comprising a mixture of organic acids or
      Lactobacillus plantarum MTD1 (Ecosyl Products Ltd., Stokesley, UK). In the first
      set of experiments, the duration of exposure to air had little effect on ensiling
      parameters or on the aerobic stability of the final silages. In the second set of
      experiments, both the inoculant and duration of exposure to air had an effect on
      various fermentation parameters and on the aerobic stability of the final
      silages. We concluded that if the silages are of good quality, the duration of
      the relocation process has little effect on silage quality or its aerobic
      stability. However, if the silage contains any factor that may affect its aerobic
      stability, it is more sensitive to the time it takes to re-ensile the forage.

PMID- 24210489
TI  - Accuracy and precision of total mixed rations fed on commercial dairy farms.
AB  - Despite the significant time and effort spent formulating total mixed rations
      (TMR), it is evident that the ration delivered by the producer and that consumed
      by the cow may not accurately reflect that originally formulated. The objectives
      of this study were to (1) determine how TMR fed agrees with or differs from TMR
      formulation (accuracy), (2) determine daily variability in physical and chemical
      characteristics of TMR delivered (precision), and (3) investigate the
      relationship between daily variability in ration characteristics and group
      average measures of productivity [dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk
      components, efficiency, and feed sorting] on commercial dairy farms. Twenty-two
      commercial freestall herds were visited for 7 consecutive days in both summer and
      winter months. Fresh and refusal feed samples were collected daily to assess
      particle size distribution, dry matter, and chemical composition. Milk test data,
      including yield, fat, and protein were collected from a coinciding Dairy Herd
      Improvement test. Multivariable mixed-effect regression models were used to
      analyze associations between productivity measures and daily ration variability,
      measured as coefficient of variation (CV) over 7d. The average TMR [crude
      protein=16.5%, net energy for lactation (NEL) = 1.7 Mcal/kg, nonfiber
      carbohydrates = 41.3%, total digestible nutrients = 73.3%, neutral detergent
      fiber=31.3%, acid detergent fiber=20.5%, Ca = 0.92%, p=0.42%, Mg = 0.35%, K =
      1.45%, Na = 0.41%] delivered exceeded TMR formulation for NEL (+0.05 Mcal/kg),
      nonfiber carbohydrates (+1.2%), acid detergent fiber (+0.7%), Ca (+0.08%), P
      (+0.02%), Mg (+0.02%), and K (+0.04%) and underfed crude protein (-0.4%), neutral
      detergent fiber (-0.6%), and Na (-0.1%). Dietary measures with high day-to-day CV
      were average feed refusal rate (CV = 74%), percent long particles (CV = 16%),
      percent medium particles (CV = 7.7%), percent short particles (CV = 6.1%),
      percent fine particles (CV = 13%), Ca (CV = 7.7%), Mg (CV = 5.2%), and Na (CV =
      10%). Every 0.5-percentage-point decrease in daily NEL (CV = 1.2 +/- 0.4%) was
      associated with 3.2 kg/d greater milk yield, 1.0 kg/d greater DMI, and 4.3%
      greater efficiency of production. Every 5-percentage-point decrease in
      variability in percent long particles (average percent long = 19.8 +/- 6.5; CV =
      16.1 +/- 6.9%) in the TMR was associated with 1.2 kg/d greater milk yield and a
      2.6% increase in efficiency of milk production. These results demonstrate the
      importance of ensuring TMR consistency to maximize DMI, production, and
      efficiency.

PMID- 24210490
TI  - Analysis of milking characteristics in New Zealand dairy cows.
AB  - The objective of this study was to describe the variation in milking
      characteristics, and factors associated with these traits, in grazing dairy cows
      milked without premilking stimulation. Milk yield, duration, and average and
      maximum milk flow rate data were collected from 38 farms in New Zealand at 2 time
      points (spring and autumn) during the 2010 to 2011 season. Subsequently, a second
      data set, allowing the generation of daily milk flow profiles, was collected from
      2 farms in the 2011 to 2012 season. Corresponding animal data, such as breed,
      date of birth, and ancestry information, were extracted from the New Zealand
      Dairy Industry Good Animal Database (New Zealand Animal Evaluation Ltd.,
      Hamilton, New Zealand). Residual milking duration (deviation from the regression
      line of milk yield on milking duration) was calculated, allowing the
      identification of fast-milking cows independent of milk yield. Variance
      components for the milking characteristics traits were estimated using an animal
      linear mixed model. The average milk yield was 10 kg/milking and the average
      milking duration was 360 s. The average milk flow rate was 1.8 kg/min and maximum
      milk flow 3.3 kg/min, with 44% of milk flow curves being classified as bimodal.
      Primiparous animals exhibited different milk flow profiles, with a lower maximum
      flow, than multiparous animals, possibly due to differences in cisternal
      capacity. Residual milking duration was shortest (-10s) in mid-lactation (121-180
      d) and was 13s longer for Jersey compared with Friesian cows; however, it was 19s
      shorter when adjusted for energy content. Residual milking duration had a
      negligible genetic correlation (-0.07) with milk yield, indicating that selection
      for cows with shorter residual milking duration should have a negligible effect
      on milk yield. A heritability of 0.27 indicated that residual milking duration
      could be valuable as part of a breeding program. Knowledge of the distribution of
      milking durations for a given milk yield allows farmers to choose appropriate
      cluster-on time when using a maximum milking time strategy to improve milking
      efficiency.

PMID- 24210491
TI  - On the limited increase in validation reliability using high-density genotypes in
      genomic best linear unbiased prediction: observations from Fleckvieh cattle.
AB  - This study investigated reliability of genomic predictions using medium-density
      (40,089; 50K) or high-density (HD; 388,951) marker sets. We developed an
      approximate method to test differences in validation reliability for
      significance. Model-based reliability and the effect of HD genotypes on inflation
      of predictions were analyzed additionally. Genomic breeding values were predicted
      for at least 1,321 validation bulls based on phenotypes and genotypes of at least
      5,324 calibration bulls by means of a linear model in milk, fat, and protein
      yield; somatic cell score; milkability; muscling; udder, feet, and legs score as
      well as stature. In total, 1,485 bulls were actually HD genotyped and HD
      genotypes of the other animals were imputed from 50K genotypes using FImpute
      software. Validation reliability was measured as the coefficient of determination
      of the weighted regression of daughter yield deviations on predicted breeding
      values divided by the reliability of daughter yield deviations and inflation was
      evaluated by the slope of this regression. Model-based reliability was calculated
      from the model. Distributions for validation reliability of 50K markers were
      derived by repeated sampling of 50,000-marker samples from HD to test differences
      in validation reliability statistically. Additionally, the benefit of HD
      genotypes in validation reliability was tested by repeated sampling of validation
      groups and calculation of the difference in validation reliability between HD and
      50K genotypes for the sampled groups of bulls. The mean benefit in validation
      reliability of HD genotypes was 0.015 compared with real 50K genotypes and 0.028
      compared with 50K samples from HD affected by imputation error and was
      significant for all traits. The model-based reliability was, on average, 0.036
      lower and the regression coefficient was 0.036 closer to the expected value with
      HD genotypes. The observed gain in validation reliability with HD genotypes was
      similar to expectations based on the number of markers and the effective number
      of segregating chromosome segments. Sampling error in the marker-based
      relationship coefficients causing overestimation of the model-based reliability
      was smaller with HD genotypes. Inflation of the genomic predictions was reduced
      with HD genotypes, accordingly. Similar effects on model-based reliability and
      inflation, but not on the validation reliability, were obtained by shrinkage
      estimation of the realized relationship matrix from 50K genotypes. 

PMID- 24210492
TI  - Distribution and identification of culturable airborne microorganisms in a Swiss
      milk processing facility.
AB  - Airborne communities (mainly bacteria) were sampled and characterized
      (concentration levels and diversity) at 1 outdoor and 6 indoor sites within a
      Swiss dairy production facility. Air samples were collected on 2 sampling dates
      in different seasons, one in February and one in July 2012 using impaction
      bioaerosol samplers. After cultivation, isolates were identified by mass
      spectrometry (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight) and
      molecular (sequencing of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes) methods. In general, total
      airborne particle loads and total bacterial counts were higher in winter than in
      summer, but remained constant within each indoor sampling site at both sampling
      times (February and July). Bacterial numbers were generally very low (<100
      cfu/m(3) of air) during the different steps of milk powder production. Elevated
      bacterial concentrations (with mean values of 391 +/- 142 and 179 +/- 33 cfu/m(3)
      of air during winter and summer sampling, respectively; n=15) occurred mainly in
      the "logistics area," where products in closed tins are packed in secondary
      packaging material and prepared for shipping. However, total bacterial counts at
      the outdoor site varied, with a 5- to 6-fold higher concentration observed in
      winter compared with summer. Twenty-five gram-positive and gram-negative genera
      were identified as part of the airborne microflora, with Bacillus and
      Staphylococcus being the most frequent genera identified. Overall, the culturable
      microflora community showed a composition typical and representative for the
      specific location. Bacterial counts were highly correlated with total airborne
      particles in the size range 1 to 5 um, indicating that a simple surveillance
      system based upon counting of airborne particles could be implemented. The data
      generated in this study could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the dairy
      plant's sanitation program and to identify potential sources of airborne
      contamination, resulting in increased food safety.

PMID- 24210493
TI  - Microarray-based gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells
      in dairy cows with experimental hypocalcemia and milk fever.
AB  - Although a molecular diagnostic assay using clinically accessible tissue, such as
      blood, would facilitate evaluation of disease conditions in humans and animals,
      little information exists on microarray-based gene expression profiling of
      circulating leukocytes from clinically hypocalcemic cows. Therefore, peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells from dairy cows with experimentally induced hypocalcemia
      or spontaneous milk fever were subjected to oligo-microarray analysis to identify
      specific biomarker genes. In experimental hypocalcemia induced by a 4-h infusion
      of 10% disodium EDTA (n=4), 32 genes were significantly up- or downregulated
      compared with control treatment (4-h infusion of 11% calcium EDTA; n=4). In cows
      with milk fever (n=8), 98 genes were expressed differentially (either up- or
      downregulated) compared with healthy parturient cows (n=5). From these data, the
      following 5 genes were selected as being strongly related to both experimental
      hypocalcemia and milk fever: protein kinase (cAMP-dependent, catalytic) inhibitor
      beta (PKIB); DNA-damage-inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4); period homolog 1 (PER1);
      NUAK family, SNF1-like kinase, 1 (NUAK1); and expressed sequence tag (BI537947).
      Another gene (neuroendocrine secretory protein 55, NESP55) was also determined to
      be specific for milk fever, independently of hypocalcemia. The mRNA expression of
      these 6 genes in milk fever cases was verified by quantitative real-time reverse
      transcription PCR and was significantly different compared with their expression
      in healthy parturient cows. In the present study, the selected genes appeared to
      be candidate biomarkers of milk fever because the continuous interactions between
      blood cells and the entire body suggest that subtle intracellular changes occur
      in association with disease. However, before any genomic biomarkers are
      incorporated into clinical evaluation of the disease, the effect of hypocalcemia
      on the mRNA expression of these genes in the tissues that regulate calcium
      homeostasis in dairy cows should be determined. 

PMID- 24210494
TI  - The effects of heat stress in Italian Holstein dairy cattle.
AB  - The data set for this study comprised 1,488,474 test-day records for milk, fat,
      and protein yields and fat and protein percentages from 191,012 first-, second-,
      and third-parity Holstein cows from 484 farms. Data were collected from 2001
      through 2007 and merged with meteorological data from 35 weather stations. A
      linear model (M1) was used to estimate the effects of the temperature-humidity
      index (THI) on production traits. Least squares means from M1 were used to detect
      the THI thresholds for milk production in all parities by using a 2-phase linear
      regression procedure (M2). A multiple-trait repeatability test-model (M3) was
      used to estimate variance components for all traits and a dummy regression
      variable (t) was defined to estimate the production decline caused by heat
      stress. Additionally, the estimated variance components and M3 were used to
      estimate traditional and heat-tolerance breeding values (estimated breeding
      values, EBV) for milk yield and protein percentages at parity 1. An analysis of
      data (M2) indicated that the daily THI at which milk production started to
      decline for the 3 parities and traits ranged from 65 to 76. These THI values can
      be achieved with different temperature/humidity combinations with a range of
      temperatures from 21 to 36 degrees C and relative humidity values from 5 to 95%.
      The highest negative effect of THI was observed 4 d before test day over the 3
      parities for all traits. The negative effect of THI on production traits
      indicates that first-parity cows are less sensitive to heat stress than
      multiparous cows. Over the parities, the general additive genetic variance
      decreased for protein content and increased for milk yield and fat and protein
      yield. Additive genetic variance for heat tolerance showed an increase from the
      first to third parity for milk, protein, and fat yield, and for protein
      percentage. Genetic correlations between general and heat stress effects were all
      unfavorable (from -0.24 to -0.56). Three EBV per trait were calculated for each
      cow and bull (traditional EBV, traditional EBV estimated with the inclusion of
      THI covariate effect, and heat tolerance EBV) and the rankings of EBV for 283
      bulls born after 1985 with at least 50 daughters were compared. When THI was
      included in the model, the ranking for 17 and 32 bulls changed for milk yield and
      protein percentage, respectively. The heat tolerance genetic component is not
      negligible, suggesting that heat tolerance selection should be included in the
      selection objectives. 

PMID- 24210495
TI  - Consequences of transfer of an in vitro-produced embryo for the dam and resultant
      calf.
AB  - No reports exist on consequences of in vitro production (IVP) of embryos for the
      postnatal development of the calf or on postparturient function of the dam of the
      calf. Three hypotheses were evaluated: calves born as a result of transfer of an
      IVP embryo have reduced neonatal survival and altered postnatal growth,
      fertility, and milk yield compared with artificial insemination (AI) calves; cows
      giving birth to IVP calves have lower milk yield and fertility and higher
      incidence of postparturient disease than cows giving birth to AI calves; and the
      medium used for IVP affects the incidence of developmental abnormalities. In the
      first experiment, calves were produced by AI using conventional semen or by
      embryo transfer (ET) using a fresh or vitrified embryo produced in vitro with X
      sorted semen. Gestation length was longer for cows receiving a vitrified embryo
      than for cows receiving a fresh embryo or AI. The percentage of dams experiencing
      calving difficulty was higher for ET than AI. We observed a tendency for
      incidence of retained placenta to be higher for ET than AI but found no
      significant effect of treatment on incidence of prolapse or metritis, pregnancy
      rate at first service, services per conception, or any measured characteristic of
      milk production in the subsequent lactation. Among Holstein heifers produced by
      AI or ET, treatment had no effect on birth weight but the variance tended to be
      greater in the ET groups. More Holstein heifer calves tended to be born dead,
      died, or were euthanized within the first 20d of life for the ET groups than for
      AI. Similarly, the proportion of Holstein heifer calves that either died or were
      culled for poor health after 20d of age was greater for the ET groups than for
      AI. We observed no effect of ET compared with AI on age at first service or on
      the percentage of heifers pregnant at first service, calf growth, or milk yield
      or composition in the first 120d in milk of the first lactation. In a second
      experiment, embryos were produced using 1 of 2 culture media: synthetic oviductal
      fluid-bovine embryo 1 (SOF-BE1) or Block-Bonilla-Hansen 7 (BBH7). We detected no
      difference between cows receiving an SOF-BE1 or BBH7 embryo in gestation length,
      the percentage of cows in which parturition was induced, or the percentage of
      cows that experienced calving difficulty, retained placenta, prolapse, or
      metritis. Among Holstein heifers, birth weight was higher for BBH7 calves than
      for SOF-BE1 calves. Treatment had no significant effect on calf death. Results
      indicate that calves born as a result of IVP-ET are more likely to experience
      alterations in birth weight and increased death in early life but that there were
      few consequences to the dam of carrying a fetus derived by IVP-ET. 

PMID- 24210496
TI  - Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of the use of triclosan-coated sutures in the
      prevention of surgical-site infections.

PMID- 24210497
TI  - Cross-calibration of a GE iDXA and Prodigy for total and regional body bone
      parameters: the importance of using cross-calibration equations for longitudinal
      monitoring after a system upgrade.
AB  - We aimed to determine if cross-calibration equations could be applied to convert
      GE Lunar Prodigy total and regional bone measurements to the GE iDXA model to
      support longitudinal monitoring of subjects. The cross-calibration group
      comprised 63 adults (age 45.1 [12.8] yr; body mass index: 25.6 [3.7] kg/m(2)) and
      the validation group comprised 25 adults (age 40.5 [11.5] yr; body mass index:
      25.7 [3.5] kg/m(2)). The parameters reported were total and regional bone mineral
      density (BMD), bone mineral content, and bone area. There were significant
      differences between densitometers for all anatomical regions and reported bone
      parameters (p < 0.0001); iDXA reported lower BMD than the Prodigy apart from the
      ribs. Linear regression indicated good agreement for all measurements. Bland
      Altman analyses indicated significant bias for all measurements and that cross
      calibration equations were required. The derived cross-calibration equations were
      effective in reducing differences between predicted and measured results for each
      parameter and at each region apart from leg BMD, where the difference remained
      significant (0.013 g/cm(2); p < 0.05). Our results indicate that cross
      calibration is important to maintain comparability of total body-derived regional
      bone measurements between the Lunar Prodigy and iDXA.

PMID- 24210498
TI  - Ligand-targeted liposome design: challenges and fundamental considerations.
AB  - Nanomedicine, particularly liposomal drug delivery, has expanded considerably
      over the past few decades, and several liposomal drugs are already providing
      improved clinical outcomes. Liposomes have now progressed beyond simple, inert
      drug carriers and can be designed to be highly responsive in vivo, with active
      targeting, increased stealth, and controlled drug-release properties. Ligand
      targeted liposomes (LTLs) have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of
      cancer. However, these highly engineered liposomes generate new problems, such as
      accelerated clearance from circulation, compromised targeting owing to non
      specific serum protein binding, and hindered tumor penetration. This article
      highlights recent challenges facing LTL strategies and describes the advanced
      design elements used to circumvent them. 

PMID- 24210499
TI  - Cytotoxic compounds from invasive giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) against human
      tumor cells.
AB  - Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) is one of the most noxious invasive species in
      the world. Our bioactivity-guided fractionation of ethanol extract of giant
      salvinia led to the isolation of 50 compounds. Of the six new compounds (1-6),
      salviniol (1) is a rare abietane diterpene with a new ferruginol-menthol coupled
      skeleton and both salviniside I (2) and salviniside II (3) are novel benzofuran
      glucose conjugates with unique 10-membered macrodiolide structures. Sixteen
      abietane diterpenes (1, 7-17, and 19-22) demonstrated in vitro activities against
      human tumor cells, and 7 and 8 showed selective cytotoxicity to tumor cells over
      normal cells. 

PMID- 24210500
TI  - Anion inhibition studies of a beta-carbonic anhydrase from Clostridium
      perfringens.
AB  - A beta-carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) was recently cloned, purified and
      characterized kinetically in the pathogen Clostridium perfringens. We report here
      the first inhibition study of this enzyme (CpeCA). CpeCA was poorly inhibited by
      iodide and bromide, and was inhibited with KIs in the range of 1-10mM by a range
      of anions such as (thio)cyanate, azide, bicarbonate, nitrate, nitrite,
      hydrogensulfite, hydrogensulfide, stannate, tellurate, pyrophosphate, divanadate,
      tetraborate, peroxydisulfate, sulfate, iminodisulfonate and fluorosulfonate.
      Better inhibitory power, with K(I)s of 0.36-1.0 mM, was observed for cyanide,
      carbonate, selenate, selenocyanide, trithiocarbonate and diethyldithiocarbamate,
      whereas the best CpeCA inhibitors were sulfamate, sulfamide, phenylboronic acid
      and phenylarsonic acid, which had KIs in the range of 7-75 MUM. This study thus
      provides the basis for developing better clostridial enzyme inhibitors with
      potential as antiinfectives with a new mechanism of action.

PMID- 24210502
TI  - Synthesis and methemoglobinemia-inducing properties of analogues of para
      aminopropiophenone designed as humane rodenticides.
AB  - A number of structural analogues of the known toxicant para-aminopropiophenone
      (PAPP) have been prepared and evaluated for their capacity to induce
      methemoglobinemia--with a view to their possible application as humane pest
      control agents. It was found that an optimal lipophilicity for the formation of
      methemoglobin (metHb) in vitro existed for alkyl analogues of PAPP (aminophenones
      1-20; compound 6 metHb% = 74.1 +/- 2). Besides lipophilicity, this structural sub
      class suggested there were certain structural requirements for activity, with
      both branched (10-16) and cyclic (17-20) alkyl analogues exhibiting inferior in
      vitro metHb induction. Of the four candidates (compounds 4, 6, 13 and 23)
      evaluated in vivo, 4 exhibited the greatest toxicity. In parallel, aminophenone
      bioisosteres, including oximes 30-32, sulfoxide 33, sulfone 34 and sulfonamides
      35-36, were found to be inferior metHb inducers to lead ketone 4. Closer
      examination of Hammett substituent constants suggests that a particular
      combination of the field and resonance parameters may be significant with respect
      to the redox mechanisms behind PAPPs metHb toxicity.

PMID- 24210501
TI  - Radionuclide labeling and evaluation of candidate radioligands for PET imaging of
      histone deacetylase in the brain.
AB  - Histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate gene expression by inducing conformational
      changes in chromatin. Ever since the discovery of a naturally occurring HDAC
      inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA) stimulated the recent development of
      suberoylanilide (SAHA, Zolinza(r)), HDAC has become an important molecular target
      for drug development. This has created the need to develop specific in vivo
      radioligands to study epigenetic regulation and HDAC engagement for drug
      development for diseases including cancer and psychiatric disorders. 6
      ([(18)F]Fluoroacetamido)-1-hexanoicanilide ([(18)F]FAHA) was recently developed
      as a HDAC substrate and shows moderate blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and
      specific signal (by metabolic trapping/or deacetylation) but rapid metabolism.
      Here, we report the radiosynthesis of two carbon-11 labeled candidate
      radiotracers (substrate- and inhibitor-based radioligand) for HDAC and their
      evaluation in non-human primate brain. PET studies showed very low brain uptake
      and rapid metabolism of both labeled compounds but revealed a surprising
      enhancement of brain penetration by F for H substitution when comparing one of
      these to [(18)F]FAHA. Further structural refinement is needed for the development
      of brain-penetrant, metabolically stable HDAC radiotracers and to understand the
      role of fluorine substitution on brain penetration. 

PMID- 24210503
TI  - New cytotoxic benzosuberene analogs. Synthesis, molecular modeling and biological
      evaluation.
AB  - In this Letter we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of new
      benzosuberene analogs with structural modifications on the B-ring. The focus was
      initially to probe the chemical space around the B-ring C-8 position. This
      position was readily available for derivatization chemistry using our recently
      developed new synthesis for this compound class. Furthermore, we describe two new
      B-ring analogs, one containing a diene and the other a cyclic ether group. Both
      new analogs show excellent potencies in tumor cell proliferation assays. In
      addition, we describe molecular modeling studies that provide a binding rationale
      for reference compound 8 in the colchicine binding site using the known
      colchicine crystal structure. We also examine whether the cell based potency data
      obtained with selected new analogs are supported by modeling results. 

PMID- 24210504
TI  - Design and synthesis of novel 3-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-5-(1-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H
      pyrazol-4-yl)pyridin-2-amine derivatives as selective G-protein-coupled receptor
      kinase-2 and -5 inhibitors.
AB  - G-protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-2 and -5 are emerging therapeutic targets
      for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In our efforts to discover novel
      small molecules to inhibit GRK-2 and -5, a class of compound based on 3
      (benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-5-(1-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridin-2-amine was
      identified as a novel hit by high throughput screening campaign. Structural
      modification of parent benzoxazole scaffolds by introducing substituents on
      phenyl displayed potent inhibitory activities toward GRK-2 and -5. 

PMID- 24210505
TI  - Bacterial response to a continuous long-term exposure of silver nanoparticles at
      sub-ppm silver concentrations in a membrane bioreactor activated sludge system.
AB  - Silver nanoparticles (nanosilver or AgNPs) have excellent antimicrobial
      properties. Because of their increasing use, there is a concern about the
      potential impact of AgNPs in wastewater treatment systems. This study
      investigated the long-term effects of AgNPs (continuous loading for more than 60
      days) on membrane bioreactor (MBR) activated sludge performance. At the influent
      AgNP concentration of 0.10 mg Ag/L, there was no significant difference in
      effluent water quality or bacterial activities before and after AgNP exposure.
      Nitrifying bacterial community structure was relatively stable before and after
      the long-term AgNP loading. Both ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) Nitrosomonas
      spp. and Nitrosospira spp. were present while Nitrospira spp. was the dominant
      nitrite-oxidizing bacterial species throughout this study. Abundance of silver
      resistance gene silE in the MBR, however, increased by 50-fold 41 days after the
      AgNP exposure, and then decreased with continuous AgNP exposure. The long-term
      nanosilver exposure did not change the membrane fouling rate although
      extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) concentration increased significantly
      after nanosilver dosing. The results suggest that AgNPs at the influent
      concentrations of 0.10 mg/L and below have almost no impact on activated sludge
      wastewater treatment performance, as activated sludge can effectively reduce
      nanosilver toxicity by adsorbing or precipitating AgNPs and silver ions (Ag(+))
      released from the dissolution of AgNPs. 

PMID- 24210506
TI  - Towards sustainable urban water management: a critical reassessment.
AB  - Within the literature, concerns have been raised that centralised urban water
      systems are maladapted to challenges associated with climate change, population
      growth and other socio-economic and environmental strains. This paper provides a
      critical assessment of the discourse that surrounds emerging approaches to urban
      water management and infrastructure provision. As such, 'sustainable urban water
      management' (SUWM) concepts are scrutinized to highlight the limitations and
      strengths in the current lines of argument and point towards unaddressed
      complexities in the transformational agendas advocated by SUWM proponents. Taking
      an explicit infrastructure view, it is shown that the specific context of the
      urban water sector means that changes to infrastructure systems occur as an
      incremental hybridisation process. This process is driven by a range of factors
      including lock-in effects of legacy solutions, normative values and vested
      interests of agents, cost and performance certainty and perceptions of risk.
      Different views of these factors help explain why transformational agendas have
      not achieved the change SUWM proponents call for and point to the need for a
      critical reassessment of the system effects and economics of alternative service
      provision models. 

PMID- 24210507
TI  - Microfiltration of different surface waters with/without coagulation: clear
      correlations between membrane fouling and hydrophilic biopolymers.
AB  - Although low-pressure membranes (microfiltration (MF) or ultrafiltration (UF))
      have become viable options for drinking water treatment, problems caused by
      membrane fouling must still be addressed. The objective of this study was to
      compare five different surface waters and to identify a relevant index of water
      quality that can be used for prediction of the fouling potential of the water.
      Bench-scale filtration tests were carried out with commercially available hollow
      fiber MF membranes. Fairly long-term (a few days) filtrations in the constant
      flow mode were carried out with automatic backwash. Membrane fouling in this
      study was shown to be irreversible as a result of the periodic backwash carried
      out throughout of the operation. Easily accessible indexes of water quality
      including dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV absorbance, Ca concentration and
      turbidity could not explain the degree of fouling encountered in the filtration
      tests. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) could provide information on
      the presence of protein-like substances in water, and peaks for protein showed
      some correlation with the membrane fouling. Biopolymer (characterized by high
      molecular weights and insensitivity to UV light absorption) concentrations in the
      five waters determined by liquid chromatography with organic carbon detection (LC
      OCD) exhibited an excellent correlation with the fouling rates. Coagulation with
      polyaluminum chloride could mitigate membrane fouling in all cases. The extent of
      fouling seen with coagulated waters was also correlated with biopolymer
      concentrations. The relationship between biopolymer concentrations and the
      fouling rates established for the raw waters could also be applied to the
      coagulated waters. These results suggested that the contribution of biopolymers
      to membrane fouling in the present study was significant, an observation that was
      supported by the analysis of foulants extracted at the termination of each test.
      Biopolymer concentrations determined by LC-OCD might be used as a key indicator
      of fouling potential of water for low-pressure membranes. 

PMID- 24210509
TI  - A planning-oriented sustainability assessment framework for peri-urban water
      management in developing countries.
AB  - DPSIR and the three-pillar model are well-established frameworks for
      sustainability assessment. This paper proposes a planning-oriented sustainability
      assessment framework (POSAF). It is informed by those frameworks but differs
      insofar as it puts more emphasis on a constructivist conception which recognises
      that sustainability needs to be defined anew for each planning problem. In
      finding such a consensus definition, POSAF uses participatory scenario analysis
      and participatory planning, technical feasibility study, participatory
      assessment, analysis of trade-offs and social networks in an unusual combination
      and for goals that differ from the original conceptions of these methods. POSAF
      was applied in a peri-urban area of Mexico City for the design of improved water
      service provision, integrating solid waste management. It supported consensus
      amongst users about the importance of environmental issues, informed planners
      about the values of stakeholders and users, detected local differences, and
      identified possible conflicts at an early stage of decision-making. 

PMID- 24210508
TI  - Assessing the impact of transitions from centralised to decentralised water
      solutions on existing infrastructures--integrated city-scale analysis with VIBe.
AB  - Traditional urban water management relies on central organised infrastructure,
      the most important being the drainage network and the water distribution network.
      To meet upcoming challenges such as climate change, the rapid growth and
      shrinking of cities and water scarcity, water infrastructure needs to be more
      flexible, adaptable and sustainable (e.g., sustainable urban drainage systems,
      SUDS; water sensitive urban design, WSUD; low impact development, LID; best
      management practice, BMP). The common feature of all solutions is the push from a
      central solution to a decentralised solution in urban water management. This
      approach opens up a variety of technical and socio-economic issues, but until
      now, a comprehensive assessment of the impact has not been made. This absence is
      most likely attributable to the lack of case studies, and the availability of
      adequate models is usually limited because of the time- and cost-intensive
      preparation phase. Thus, the results of the analysis are based on a few cases and
      can hardly be transferred to other boundary conditions. VIBe (Virtual
      Infrastructure Benchmarking) is a tool for the stochastic generation of urban
      water systems at the city scale for case study research. With the generated data
      sets, an integrated city-scale analysis can be performed. With this approach, we
      are able to draw conclusions regarding the technical effect of the transition
      from existing central to decentralised urban water systems. In addition, it is
      shown how virtual data sets can assist with the model building process. A simple
      model to predict the shear stress performance due to changes in dry weather flow
      production is developed and tested. 

PMID- 24210510
TI  - Biodegradation and detoxification potential of rotating biological contactor
      (RBC) with Irpex lacteus for remediation of dye-containing wastewater.
AB  - Use of fungal organisms in rotating biological contactors (RBC) for
      bioremediation of liquid industrial wastes has so far been limited in spite of
      their significant biodegradation potential. The purpose was to investigate the
      power of RBC using Irpex lacteus for decolorization and detoxification of
      industrial dyes and dyeing textile liquors. Recalcitrant dye Methylene Blue (150
      mg L(-1)) was decolorized within 70 days, its mutagenicity removed, and the
      biological toxicity decreased more than 10-fold. I. lacteus biofilm in the RBC
      completely decolorized within 26 and 47 days dyeing liquors containing disperse
      or reactive dyes adjusted to pH4.5 and 5-fold diluted with the growth medium,
      respectively. Their respective biological toxicity values were reduced 10- to
      10(4)-fold in dependence of the test used. A battery of toxicity tests comprising
      Vibrio fisheri, Lemna minor and Sinapis alba was efficient to monitor the
      toxicity of textile dyes and wastewaters. Strong decolorization and
      detoxification power of RBC using I. lacteus biofilms was demonstrated.

PMID- 24210511
TI  - Assessment of wastewater and recycled water quality: a comparison of lines of
      evidence from in vitro, in vivo and chemical analyses.
AB  - We investigated water quality at an advanced water reclamation plant and three
      conventional wastewater treatment plants using an "ecotoxicity toolbox"
      consisting of three complementary analyses (chemical analysis, in vitro
      bioanalysis and in situ biological monitoring), with a focus on endocrine
      disruption. The in vitro bioassays were chosen to provide an appropriately wide
      coverage of biological effects relevant to managed aquifer recharge and
      environmental discharge of treated wastewater, and included bioassays for
      bacterial toxicity (Microtox), genotoxicity (umuC), photosynthesis inhibition
      (Max-I-PAM) and endocrine effects (E-SCREEN and AR-CALUX). Chemical analysis of
      hormones and pesticides using LCMSMS was performed in parallel to correlate
      standard analytical methods with the in vitro assessment. For two plants with
      surface water discharge into open drains, further field work was carried out to
      examine in situ effects using mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) as a bioindicator
      species for possible endocrine effects. The results show considerable
      cytotoxicity, phytotoxicity, estrogenicity and androgenicity in raw sewage, all
      of which were significantly reduced by conventional wastewater treatment. No
      biological response was detected to RO water, suggesting that reverse osmosis is
      a significant barrier to biologically active compounds. Chemical analysis and in
      situ monitoring revealed trends consistent with the in vitro results: chemical
      analysis confirmed the removal trends observed by the bioanalytical tools, and in
      situ sampling did not reveal any evidence of endocrine disruption specifically
      due to discharge of treated wastewater (although other sources may be present).
      Biomarkers of exposure (in vitro) and effect (in vivo or in situ) are
      complementary and together provide information with a high level of ecological
      relevance. This study illustrates the utility of combining multiple lines of
      evidence in the assessment of water quality. 

PMID- 24210513
TI  - Reliability of MEG source imaging of anterior temporal spikes: analysis of an
      intracranially characterized spike focus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of MEG source imaging (MSI) of anterior
      temporal spikes through detailed analysis of the localization and orientation of
      source solutions obtained for a large number of spikes that were separately
      confirmed by intracranial EEG to be focally generated within a single, well
      characterized spike focus. METHODS: MSI was performed on 64 identical right
      anterior temporal spikes from an anterolateral temporal neocortical spike focus.
      The effects of different volume conductors (sphere and realistic head model),
      removal of noise with low frequency filters (LFFs) and averaging multiple spikes
      were assessed in terms of the reliability of the source solutions. RESULTS: MSI
      of single spikes resulted in scattered dipole source solutions that showed
      reasonable reliability for localization at the lobar level, but only for
      solutions with a goodness-of-fit exceeding 80% using a LFF of 3 Hz. Reliability
      at a finer level of intralobar localization was limited. Spike averaging
      significantly improved the reliability of source solutions and averaging 8 or
      more spikes reduced dependency on goodness-of-fit and data filtering.
      CONCLUSIONS: MSI performed on topographically identical individual spikes from an
      intracranially defined classical anterior temporal lobe spike focus was limited
      by low reliability (i.e., scattered source solutions) in terms of fine, sublobar
      localization within the ipsilateral temporal lobe. Spike averaging significantly
      improved reliability. SIGNIFICANCE: MSI performed on individual anterior temporal
      spikes is limited by low reliability. Reduction of background noise through spike
      averaging significantly improves the reliability of MSI solutions.

PMID- 24210512
TI  - Variability of peak shoulder force during wheelchair propulsion in manual
      wheelchair users with and without shoulder pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Manual wheelchair users report a high prevalence of shoulder pain.
      Growing evidence shows that variability in forces applied to biological tissue is
      related to musculoskeletal pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the
      variability of forces acting on the shoulder during wheelchair propulsion as a
      function of shoulder pain. METHODS: Twenty-four manual wheelchair users (13 with
      pain, 11 without pain) participated in the investigation. Kinetic and kinematic
      data of wheelchair propulsion were recorded for 3 min maintaining a constant
      speed at three distinct propulsion speeds (fast speed of 1.1 m/s, a self-selected
      speed, and a slow speed of 0.7 m/s). Peak resultant shoulder forces in the push
      phase were calculated using inverse dynamics. Within individual variability was
      quantified as the coefficient of variation of cycle to cycle peak resultant
      forces. FINDINGS: There was no difference in mean peak shoulder resultant force
      between groups. The pain group had significantly smaller variability of peak
      resultant force than the no pain group (P<0.01, eta2=0.18). INTERPRETATION: The
      observations raise the possibility that propulsion variability could be a novel
      marker of upper limb pain in manual wheelchair users.

PMID- 24210514
TI  - Transcranial pulsed current stimulation: a new way forward?

PMID- 24210515
TI  - Reply to "Using relative frequency estimation of transcranial magnetic
      stimulation motor threshold does not allow to draw any conclusions about true
      threshold".

PMID- 24210516
TI  - EEG source imaging of anterior temporal lobe spikes: validity and reliability.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability and validity of EEG source localization of
      anterior temporal lobe spikes through direct comparison with simultaneously
      recorded intracranial spike fields. METHODS: We recently showed that classical
      anterior temporal spikes recorded in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) are non
      propagated potentials generated in the anterolateral temporal neocortex (Wennberg
      et al., 2011). In this study EEG source imaging (ESI) was performed on 64
      identical right anterior temporal spikes (and 48 homologous left anterior
      temporal spikes) in a patient with MTLE investigated with simultaneous depth and
      subdural intracranial EEG and 27 channel scalp EEG. The effects of different
      realistic forward models, low frequency filters (LFFs) and spike averaging were
      assessed in terms of the reliability and physiologic validity of the source
      solutions. RESULTS: Dipole mapping and distributed source modeling solutions for
      the grand average of all spikes were accurately localized to the superficial
      anterolateral temporal neocortex within 1cm of the intracranially defined spike
      generator, irrespective of forward model or LFF. ESI of single spikes, however,
      showed poor reliability (i.e., dissimilar localization results for intracranially
      identical spikes). Even with an optimal combination of individualized volume
      conductor and 3Hz LFF more than one third of single spike source solutions were
      physiologically invalid. Spike averaging, especially of 8 or more spikes,
      significantly increased the proportion of valid source solutions. CONCLUSIONS:
      ESI of individual anterior temporal spikes was limited by low reliability and a
      high likelihood of physiologically invalid source solutions. Spike averaging of 8
      or more identical spikes prior to ESI, however, reliably produced accurate source
      solutions localized to the anterolateral temporal neocortex. SIGNIFICANCE: ESI
      performed on averages of identical spikes can provide highly accurate noninvasive
      source localization of the anterolateral temporal neocortical region responsible
      for generating classical anterior temporal lobe spikes. The reliability and
      validity of ESI performed on individual spikes, however, is relatively limited.

PMID- 24210517
TI  - Agreement in participant-coded and investigator-coded food-record analysis in
      overweight research participants: an examination of interpretation bias.
AB  - Validation studies support the use of self-administered computerized methods for
      reporting energy intake; however, the degree of interpretation bias with these
      methods is unknown. This research compared nutrient intake for food records that
      were both participant coded (using the National Cancer Institute's Automated Self
      Administered 24-hour recall [ASA24] online program) and investigator-coded (a
      single investigator coded all food records using the ESHA Food Processor diet
      analysis program). Participants (n=28; mean age=41+/-11 years; mean body mass
      index=31+/-6) were participants in an 8-week trial (conducted between March 2011
      and June 2011 in Phoenix, AZ) investigating the impact of meal preloads on
      satiety. Food records were collected on four occasions during the trial and, of
      the food records available for this investigation (n=161), 88% were completed on
      a weekday. Intra-class correlation coefficients were computed for selected
      nutrients and ranged from 0.65 to 0.81 for the macronutrients and from 0.50 to
      0.66 for the micronutrients (overall mean=0.67). Overall mean coefficient
      improved to 0.77 when the data from three or more food records per participant
      were averaged, as is commonly done in nutrition research. All intra-class
      correlation coefficients were significant (P<0.020) and were not impacted by the
      day of week that food was recorded. For energy, macronutrients, and minerals, the
      percent median differences between coders were <+/-17%; however, percent median
      differences were large for vitamin C (+27%) and beta carotene (+294%). Findings
      from this study suggest that self-administered dietary assessment has merit as a
      research tool. Pretrial training for research participants is suggested to reduce
      interpretation bias. 

PMID- 24210518
TI  - [Contribution of family physicians in the development of clinical practice
      guidelines].

PMID- 24210519
TI  - [Perceived satisfaction and usefulness of suicide prevention information for
      patients and relatives].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the satisfaction of persons with suicidal behaviour and
      their relatives using patient information material included in the Clinical
      Practice Guidelines on Prevention and Treatment of Suicidal Behaviour. METHOD:
      The sample was made up of 57 patients with suicidal ideation or behaviour, and 52
      relatives. The participants were recruited through a suicide prevention programme
      (Programa de intervencion intensiva en conducta suicida [PII] - Suicidal
      Behaviour Intensive Intervention Programme) and a family association (Federacion
      de Asociaciones de Familiares y Personas con enfermedad mental de Galicia
      [FEAFES] - Galician Federation of Associations of Relatives and Persons with
      mental diseases). An ad-hoc questionnaire was designed to ascertain the degree of
      perceived satisfaction and usefulness of using the information included in the
      guidelines. RESULTS: The descriptive data of the sample is presented, along with
      an exploratory factorial analysis of the questionnaire that yielded two
      dimensions, i.e., format and usefulness. Patients scored significantly lower than
      the relatives in two dimensions; nevertheless, no significant differences were
      found between the two groups in the level of general satisfaction. The socio
      demographic variables did not influence the results. Similarly, no differences
      were observed between patients with and without history of suicidal behaviour.
      Participants stressed that Primary Care was the setting best suited for
      dissemination of this type of information. CONCLUSIONS: In general, both patients
      and relatives displayed a high level of satisfaction with the patient information
      material assessed. Furnishing information of this type to patients with suicidal
      ideation and/or behaviour could act as a preventive-educational tool.

PMID- 24210520
TI  - [Easily implemented cognitive behaviour techniques in primary care (part 2)].
AB  - Cognitive behavioural therapy has shown to be very effective for treating the
      vast majority of mental health disorders. In this second part of the article, we
      continue commenting on those techniques that can be easily used in the Primary
      Care setting. 

PMID- 24210521
TI  - [Use of glucose-lowering drugs in a primary care setting in Malaga during the
      years 2008-2012].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to describe the pattern of use of
      hypoglycemic agents in a primary health care district of Malaga between the years
      2008-2012. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Malaga health
      district. Population of 609,781 inhabitants; 42,060 people in the diabetes
      process. Therapeutic sub-group A10 (drugs used in diabetes). Data is presented as
      defined daily dose (DDD). Years 2008-2012. Measures of frequency. RESULTS: The
      population grew by 0.4% and the people included in the diabetes process, by 19%.
      The hypoglycemic agents have increased from 12,453,443 to 14,144,817 DDD (13.5%).
      Oral antidiabetics increased by 13.8% and insulin by 9.7%. Metformin is the most
      used oral antidiabetic (6,655,923 DDD) and the iDDP4 was the one that had
      increased more (from 63,882 DDD to 1,482,574). The growth in insulin use was
      mainly due to the long-acting (38%) and the shorter-acting one (40%). The most
      used insulin doses are the long-acting ones, followed by the pre-mixed. The
      proportion of insulin use as regards the use of ADOs has remained stable (31%).,
      Long-acting (36%) insulin has become the most used, followed by pre-mixed (34%),
      shorter-acting (16%), and the intermediate-acting (12%). CONCLUSIONS: There is an
      increase in the use of hypoglycemic agents., Metformin and iDPP4 are the
      antidiabetics oral with the greatest growth., There is an increase in shorter
      acting and long-acting insulins with a decrease in intermediate-acting and pre
      mixed., The proportion of oral antidiabetics/insulins has remained stable.

PMID- 24210522
TI  - [Comorbidity of migraine and psychiatric disorders].

PMID- 24210523
TI  - [Is chest pain a rare manifestation of Brugada syndrome?].

PMID- 24210524
TI  - Improving results of autologous stem cell transplantation for Philadelphia
      positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors:
      a report from the Acute Leukaemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood
      and Marrow Transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Outcome of Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+
      ALL) improved significantly with the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors
      (TKIs). Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has never been considered a
      standard of care in this setting. The aim of our study was to analyse if results
      of ASCT improved in the era of TKIs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One-hundred and
      seventy-seven adults with Ph+ ALL treated with ASCT in first complete remission
      were analysed for the impact of year of transplantation on outcome. Additional
      analysis was performed including 32 patients for whom detailed data on the use of
      TKIs and the status of minimal residual disease were collected. RESULTS: The
      probability of the overall survival (OS) at 3 years increased from 16% for
      transplants performed between 1996 and 2001 to 48% between 2002 and 2006 and 57%
      between 2007 and 2010 (P<.0001). Leukaemia-free survival (LFS) was 11%, 39% and
      52%, respectively (P<.0001). Relapse incidence decreased from 70% to 45% and 45%
      (P=.01), respectively, while non-relapse mortality was 19%, 15% and 3% (P=.08).
      In a multivariate analysis, year of ASCT was the only independent factor
      influencing the risk of treatment failure (hazard ratio (HR)=0.37; P<.001). In a
      subgroup of 22 patients actually treated with TKIs and being in complete
      molecular remission at the time of ASCT, the LFS rate at 3 years was 65%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Results of ASCT for Ph+ ALL improved significantly over time.
      Prospective, innovative studies are needed to verify the role of ASCT in this
      patient setting.

PMID- 24210525
TI  - Blood-feeding patterns of horse flies in the French Pyrenees.
AB  - Horse flies can mechanically transmit Besnoitia besnoiti, the agent of bovine
      besnoitiosis. Although previously limited to enzootic areas, especially the
      French Pyrenees Mountains, bovine besnoitiosis is now considered a re-emerging
      disease in western Europe. To improve understanding of the role of horse flies as
      mechanical vectors, this study investigated their blood-feeding ecology in the
      eastern French Pyrenees, in two high-altitude summer pastures whose main domestic
      ungulates were cattle, and in a wildlife park with native fauna. Species-specific
      PCR assays were conducted to identify the sources of blood meals: wild boar,
      horse, cattle (or bison), sheep (or mouflon), goat, red deer, roe deer and izard
      (or Pyrenean chamois). In La Mouline pasture, tabanids (N=20) fed on red deer
      (70%) and cattle (30%). In Mantet pasture, tabanids (N=24) fed on cattle (52%),
      red deer (20%), wild boar (16%), horse (8%) and sheep (4%). In the wildlife park,
      Tabanus bromius (N=32), the most abundant species collected, fed on red deer
      (85%), bison (9%) and wild boar (6%). Despite relatively high densities in both
      the pastures and in the wildlife park, small wild ungulates (izard, mouflon and
      roe deer) were not detected as a source of blood meals. Only two mixed blood
      meals were identified in two specimens of T. bromius: cattle/horse for the
      specimen collected in the pastures, and bison/wild boar for the specimen
      collected in the wildlife park. Our findings showed that tabanids display a level
      of opportunistic feeding behaviour, in addition to a preference for red deer, the
      latter being particularly true for Philipomyia aprica, the most abundant species
      collected in the pastures.

PMID- 24210526
TI  - Regional atrophy is associated with impairment in distinct cognitive domains in
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Alzheimer's disease (AD), some patients present with cognitive
      impairment other than episodic memory disturbances. We evaluated whether
      occurrence of posterior atrophy (PA) and medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) could
      account for differences in cognitive domains affected. METHODS: In 329 patients
      with AD, we assessed five cognitive domains: memory, language, visuospatial
      functioning, executive functioning, and attention. Magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) was rated visually for the presence of MTA and PA. Two-way analyses of
      variance were performed with MTA and PA as independent variables, and cognitive
      domains as dependent variables. Gender, age, and education were covariates. As PA
      is often encountered in younger patients, analyses were repeated after
      stratification for age of onset (early onset, <=65 years). RESULTS: The mean age
      of the participants was 67 years, 175 (53%) were female, and the mean Mini-Mental
      State Examination (score+/-standard deviation) was 20+/-5 points. Based on
      dichotomized magnetic resonance imaging ratings, 84 patients (26%) had MTA and
      PA, 98 (30%) had MTA, 57 (17%) had PA, and 90 (27%) had neither. MTA was
      associated with worse performance on memory, language, and attention (all,
      P<.05), and PA was associated with worse performance on visuospatial and
      executive functioning (both, P<.05). Stratification for age showed in patients
      with late-onset AD (n=173) associations between MTA and impairment on memory,
      language, visuospatial functioning, and attention (all, P<.05); in early-onset AD
      (n=156), patients with PA tended to perform worse on visuospatial functioning.
      CONCLUSIONS: Regional atrophy is related to impairment in specific cognitive
      domains in AD. The prevalence of PA in a large set of patients with AD and its
      association with cognitive functioning provides support for the usefulness of
      this visual rating scale in the diagnostic evaluation of AD.

PMID- 24210527
TI  - Aging children of long-lived parents experience slower cognitive decline.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parental longevity confers lower risks for some age-related diseases
      in offspring. We tested the association between parental longevity and late-life
      cognitive decline or dementia. METHODS: Data were from the Health and Retirement
      Study (HRS), a US national sample. Biennial cognitive assessment (Telephone
      Interview of Cognitive Status-Modified [TICS-m]) occurred for ages 64 years or
      older in 1996 through 2008 (maximum, 79 years), including physician-diagnosed
      memory disorder. Offspring were categorized into parental longevity groups based
      on gender-specific distributional cut points. Model covariates included race,
      respondents' education, and income status during childhood and adulthood.
      RESULTS: Offspring groups did not differ on TICS-m scores at baseline. During
      follow-up, offspring of two long-lived parents experienced 40% slower rates of
      TICS-m decline than those with no long-lived parents (95% confidence interval, 12
      72; P=.003; n=4731). Increased parental longevity was also associated with lower
      risk of physician-diagnosed memory disorder. Estimates did not change after
      controlling for environmental variables. CONCLUSIONS: Parental longevity is
      associated inversely with cognitive decline and self-reported diagnosed memory
      disorders in aging offspring. Parental longevity may be a valuable trait for
      identifying early biomarkers for resistance to cognitive decline in aging.

PMID- 24210528
TI  - Verbal communication disorders in brain damaged post-stroke patients in Benin.
AB  - In Western countries, progress has lessened the severity of numerous sequels of
      verbal communication disorders (VCD). For Africa and more particularly Benin, few
      data on the subject are presently available. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the occurrence
      and development of post-stroke VCD in Benin. METHOD: A retrospective, descriptive
      and analytical study focused on 563 post-stroke patients treated in
      rehabilitation department of the National university hospital of Cotonou (CNHU)
      from January 2006 through December 2010. RESULTS: VCD prevalence was 42.10%.
      Average age was 57.17 +/- 12.62 years, sex ratio was 1.75, and 74.69% were right
      handed. VCD affected oral expression (95.78%), written expression (2.11%), oral
      comprehension (13.08%) and written comprehension or reading (0.84%). Type of
      stroke, sex and age had no impact on VCD occurrence following stroke. Only 5.91%
      of the patients underwent speech therapy. Progression was favorable in 21.09% of
      the cases studied. CONCLUSION: In Benin, post-stroke VCD is exceedingly common
      and occasions major social difficulties. Prevalence of VCD in a predominantly
      oral culture underscores the need for speech therapists to develop a more broadly
      ecological approach toward treatment.

PMID- 24210529
TI  - Premorbid teacher-rated social functioning predicts adult schizophrenia-spectrum
      disorder: a high-risk prospective investigation.
AB  - Social functioning deficits are a core component of schizophrenia spectrum
      disorders, and may emerge years prior to the onset of diagnosable illness. The
      current study prospectively examines the relation between teacher-rated childhood
      social dysfunction and later mental illness among participants who were at
      genetic high-risk for schizophrenia and controls (n=244). The teacher-rated
      social functioning scale significantly predicted psychiatric outcomes
      (schizophrenia-spectrum vs. other psychiatric disorder vs. no mental illness).
      Poor premorbid social functioning appears to constitute a marker of illness
      vulnerability and may also function as a chronic stressor potentially
      exacerbating risk for illness. 

PMID- 24210530
TI  - Using negative feedback to guide behavior: impairments on the first 4 cards of
      the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test predict negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
AB  - Research has demonstrated that individuals with schizophrenia fail to
      appropriately use negative feedback to guide learning. These learning deficits
      are thought to arise from abnormalities in midbrain dopamine activity. Primary
      and enduring negative symptoms are also associated with abnormal dopamine
      activity and are expected to produce more severe deficits in learning when they
      present in individuals with schizophrenia. The current study examines this matter
      by comparing individuals with deficit syndrome schizophrenia, which is
      characterized by primary and enduring negative symptoms, to individuals with
      nondeficit syndrome schizophrenia and to normal controls in their use of positive
      feedback and negative feedback to guide learning on the first four cards of the
      WCST. Participants included 67 individuals with schizophrenia (15 deficit; 52
      nondeficit syndrome) and 51 healthy controls. Accuracy data from the first 4
      cards of the WCST and measures of global test performance were examined.
      Individuals with schizophrenia were significantly less accurate than controls in
      their performance on early (pre-shift) WCST trials, and this impairment was
      significantly greater in patients with deficit than nondeficit schizophrenia.
      Additionally, accuracy across the first 4 WCST cards significantly predicted the
      number of categories completed and percentage of perseverative errors across the
      entire test. These findings suggest that negative symptoms of schizophrenia are
      associated with difficulty using negative feedback to adaptively guide behavior,
      and are consistent with the notion that abnormal DA signaling contributes to the
      higher-order executive functioning impairments seen in schizophrenia with severe
      negative symptoms. 

PMID- 24210531
TI  - Differential regulation of schizophrenia-associated microRNA gene function by
      variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism.

PMID- 24210532
TI  - From methadone to buprenorphine: changes during a 10 year period within a
      national opioid maintenance treatment programme.
AB  - Opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) is the most widely used treatment for opioid
      dependence. Maintenance programmes differ in various aspects and may also change
      over time. This paper investigates the changes in treatment practices within a
      national OMT programme during a 10 year period (2002-2011), especially with
      regard to the prescribing of methadone and buprenorphine. Data (n=34,001) were
      collected by annual assessments questionnaires. In 2002, only 16% of the OMT
      patients received buprenorphine as their maintenance medication. By 2011 this
      percentage had increased significantly (p<.001) to 50.3%. In the same period the
      number of patients more than tripled (from 1,984 to 6,640, p<.001), and programme
      attrition rates decreased (p=.020). This relatively rapid shift is a part of the
      increasing reliance of addiction medicine upon a range of medications
      administered by different routes which has not been previously charted within a
      national treatment programme.

PMID- 24210533
TI  - Motivational interviewing versus brief advice for cigarette smokers in
      residential alcohol treatment.
AB  - Residential treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) provides opportunity for
      smoking intervention. A randomized controlled trial compared: (1) motivational
      interviewing (MI) to brief advice (BA), (2) in one session or with two booster
      sessions, for 165 alcoholics in SUD treatment. All received nicotine replacement
      (NRT). MI and BA produced equivalent confirmed abstinence, averaging 10% at 1
      month, and 2% at 3, 6 and 12 months. However, patients with more drug use
      pretreatment (>22 days in 6 months) given BA had more abstinence at 12 months
      (7%) than patients in MI or with less drug use (all 0%). Boosters produced 16-31%
      fewer cigarettes per day after BA than MI. Substance use was unaffected by
      treatment condition or smoking cessation. Motivation to quit was higher after BA
      than MI. Thus, BA plus NRT may be a cost-effective way to reduce smoking for
      alcoholics with comorbid substance use who are not seeking smoking cessation.

PMID- 24210534
TI  - Randomized controlled trial of MICBT for co-existing alcohol misuse and
      depression: outcomes to 36-months.
AB  - Integrated psychological treatment addressing co-existing alcohol misuse and
      depression has not been compared with single-focused treatment. This trial
      evaluates changes over 36 months following randomization of 284 outpatients to
      one of four motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavior therapy (MICBT)
      based interventions: (1) brief integrated intervention (BI); or BI plus 9 further
      sessions with (2) an integrated-, (3) alcohol-, or (4) depression-focus. Outcome
      measures included changes in alcohol consumption, depression (BDI-II: Beck
      Depression Inventory) and functioning (GAF: Global Assessment of Functioning),
      with average improvements from baseline of 21.8 drinks per week, 12.6 BDI-II
      units and 8.2 GAF units. Longer interventions tended to be more effective in
      reducing depression and improving functioning in the long-term, and in improving
      alcohol consumption in the short-term. Integrated treatment was at least as good
      as single-focused MICBT. Alcohol-focused treatment was as effective as depression
      focused treatment at reducing depression and more effective in reducing alcohol
      misuse. The best approach seems to be an initial focus on both conditions
      followed by additional integrated- or alcohol-focused sessions.

PMID- 24210535
TI  - Left nutcracker syndrome and right ureteropelvic junction obstruction.
AB  - We report a rare case of left nutcracker syndrome and right ureteropelvic
      junction obstruction in a young woman who suffered flank pain and hematuria. The
      diagnosis was confirmed with the help of Doppler ultrasonography, retrograde
      pyelography, magnetic resonance angiography, and magnetic resonance urography. A
      surgery that involves left renal vein decompression and dismembered Anderson
      Hynes pelvioplasty was performed. The patient was followed up for 23 months, and
      her symptoms were relieved. 

PMID- 24210536
TI  - Robotic single port cholecystectomy (R-LESS-C): experience in 36 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) has emerged as a result
      of a search for "pain-less" and "scar-less" surgery. Laparoendoscopic single-site
      cholecystectomy (LESS-C) is probably the most common application in general
      surgery, although it harbors certain limitations. It was proposed that the da
      Vinci Single-Site (Si) robotic system may overcome some of the difficulties
      experienced during LESS, providing three dimensional views and the ability to
      work in a right-handed fashion. Thirty-six robotic single port cholecystectomies
      (R-LESS-C) performed with the da Vinci Si robotic system are evaluated in this
      paper MATERIALS AND METHODS: R-LESS-C performed in 36 patients were reviewed. The
      data related to the perioperative period (i.e., anesthesia time, operation time,
      docking time, and console time) was recorded prospectively, whereas the
      hospitalization period, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores
      were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: A total number of 36 patients, with a
      mean age of 40.1 years (21-64 years), underwent R-LESS-C. There were five men and
      31 women. The mean anesthesia and operation times were 79.3 minutes (45-130
      minutes) and 61.8 minutes (34-110 minutes), respectively. The mean docking time
      was 9.8 minutes (4-30 minutes) and the mean console time was 24.9 minutes (7-60
      minutes). The mean hospital stay was 1.05 days (1-2 days) and the mean pain score
      (VAS) was 3.6 (2-8) in the first 24 hours. Incisional hernia was recorded in one
      patient. CONCLUSION: R-LESS-C can be performed reliably with acceptable operative
      times and safety. The da Vinci Si robotic system may ease LESS-C. Two issues
      should be considered for routine use: expensive resources are needed and the
      incidence of incisional hernia may increase.

PMID- 24210537
TI  - Challenges in the management of massive intraorbital and hemifacial arteriovenous
      malformation as causing life-threatening epistaxis.
AB  - Arteriovenous malformations are congenital lesions that may evolve with time and
      manifest in a plethora of presentations. They can occur as torrential epistaxis
      when it extensively involves the facial region. Multi-imaging modalities are
      available to assist in characterizing the structure of the lesion as well as its
      location and extent. This complex disease requires a multidisciplinary team
      approach with preoperative embolization and surgery. We present a rare cause of
      life-threatening epistaxis in a gentleman with a longstanding orbital and
      hemifacial arteriovenous malformation and discuss the complexities involved in
      its management.

PMID- 24210538
TI  - Antegrade repositioning of Memokath stent in malignant ureteroileal anastomotic
      stricture.
AB  - Ureteric strictures are common and can be due to benign or malignant causes.
      Various surgical treatments can be used from minimally invasive endoscopic
      retrograde JJ stent insertion, balloon dilatation, ureterolithotomy, to open
      surgical exploration and repair. Memokath 051 stent is a metallic stent designed
      for long-term ureteral stenting in the management of ureteral strictures. The
      insertion of this device is usually a straightforward procedure performed
      endoscopically in a retrograde fashion via cystoscopy. However, this procedure
      can be difficult in complicated scenarios when the bladder has been removed with
      neoureteral reimplantations or high-grade strictures. Here, we report a case of
      Memokath stent insertion complicated by placement difficulties in a lady with
      ileal conduit due to previous ovarian cancer complicated by vesicovaginal
      fistula, who presented with malignant stricture of the ureteroileal anastomosis.
      We describe a simple yet effective antegrade technique to precisely reposition
      the malpositioned Memokath stent, along with illustrations.

PMID- 24210539
TI  - Surgical treatment of catamenial pneumothorax: Report of three cases.
AB  - Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is a rare entity of spontaneous, recurring
      pneumothorax in females. Although it has been known to be associated with
      thoracic endometriosis, varying clinical course and the lack of consistent
      intraoperative findings have led to conflicting etiological theories. We herein
      discuss the etiology, clinical course, and surgical treatment of three patients
      with CP. Three females (aged 40 years, 28 years, and 34 years) had recurrent
      right-sided spontaneous pneumothoraces that coincided with their menses. They had
      undergone video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) previously. Blueberry spots
      in the right diaphragm were detected in all three cases. Two patients had
      recurrence, postoperatively. The other patient, who received luteinizing hormone
      releasing hormone analog therapy for an abdominal endometriosis in the
      perioperative period and postoperative chemical pleurodesis to prevent
      recurrence, has been free of recurrence for 15 months, postoperatively. However,
      pelvic endometriosis was detected in this patient only. Therefore, CP should be
      suspected in ovulating females with spontaneous pneumothorax, even in the absence
      of any symptoms associated with pelvic endometriosis. In addition, while
      performing VATS, careful inspection of the diaphragmatic surface is important. In
      complicated cases, hormonal suppression therapy and chemical pleurodesis might
      also be helpful adjunct modalities. 

PMID- 24210540
TI  - Morbidity- and mortality-related prognostic factors of nontraumatic
      splenectomies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Splenectomy is a common surgical procedure, but few reports focus on
      nontraumatic splenectomies. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors
      of morbidity and mortality of patients submitted to elective nontraumatic
      splenectomy. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 152 consecutive,
      nonselected, nontraumatic patients operated on by splenectomy between 1996 and
      2010 was carried out. Clinical, laboratory, and surgical data, histological
      findings, perioperative mortality, and postoperative complications according to
      Clavien-Dindo classification, were recorded. Factors related to morbidity and
      mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 152 patients (89 male and 63 female;
      mean age 49.8 +/- 17.8 years), 74 (48.7%) were operated on for malignant
      hematologic disorders, 44 for benign hematologic process, and 34 for other
      nonhematologic disorders. The spleen was enlarged in 95 patients (62.5%) and 78
      patients (51.3%) had hypersplenism. The overall complications rate was 40.1%:
      Grades I and II in 27 cases (17.7%), and Grades III and IV in 23 patients
      (15.1%). Perioperative mortality was 7.2% (11 patients). In univariate analysis,
      significant negative predictors for morbidity were age (p = 0.004), anemia (p =
      0.03), leukocytosis (p = 0.016), and blood transfusions (p < 0.001). In the
      multivariate analysis, only the need for blood transfusion remained as an
      independent prognostic factor (p = 0.001). Related to mortality, negative
      prognostic factors were age (p = 0.003), leukocytosis (p = 0.048), American
      Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (p < 0.001), blood transfusion (p <
      0.001), pleural effusion (p = 0.031), and pneumonia (p = 0.001). Pneumonia
      remained an independent prognostic factor of mortality (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION:
      Blood loss is the most important prognostic factor for postoperative
      complications after nontraumatic splenectomies. Pneumonia is the main prognosis
      factor for perioperative mortality.

PMID- 24210541
TI  - Incretin levels 1 month after laparoscopic single anastomosis gastric bypass
      surgery in non-morbid obese type 2 diabetes patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery is an efficient procedure for the remission of type 2
      diabetes (T2DM) from morbid obesity. However, in Asian countries, the mean body
      mass index (BMI) of T2DM patients is about 25 kg/m(2). Various data on patients
      undergoing gastric bypass surgery suggest that the control of T2DM after surgery
      occurs rapidly. We hypothesized that even in nonobese patients with T2DM, the
      levels of incretin and insulin changed along with the improvement of T2DM as a
      consequence of the gastric bypass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March to December
      2011, 12 nonobese patients (mean BMI; 26.2 kg/m(2)) with poorly-controlled [mean
      glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C); 9.5%] diabetes underwent gastric bypass surgery.
      Values related to diabetes, including incretin [gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP)
      and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)] levels were measured before and 1 month
      after surgery. All values were measured in response to a 75 g oral glucose
      tolerance test (OGTT). RESULTS: On average, the BMI decreased by 2.1 +/- 0.7
      kg/m(2). Mean HbA1C level decreased by 1.6 +/- 2%. Oral glucose-stimulated
      insulin levels increased and GLP-1 levels also increased significantly. Oral
      glucose-stimulated GIP levels decreased sharply. CONCLUSION: Soon after gastric
      bypass in nonobese T2DM patients, control of T2DM is achieved. The incretin
      release after oral glucose is improved. This could be a consequence of changes of
      the enteroinsular axis, particularly in the incretins.

PMID- 24210542
TI  - Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors of the duodenum.
AB  - Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare soft-tissue tumors that can
      occur at virtually any anatomical site. We report the case of a 58-year-old male
      with an IMT of the fourth part of the duodenum who presented with signs and
      symptoms of high intestinal obstruction and bilious vomiting. The patient
      underwent a surgical resection of the fourth part of the duodenum with end-to-end
      duodenojejunal anastomosis. The follow-up period of 6 months was uneventful with
      no evidence of recurrence. According to our knowledge, only six cases of duodenal
      IMTs have been reported in the literature thus far, and this is the first report
      of a duodenal IMT sited at the fourth part of the duodenum. The duodenum is among
      the rarest sites of IMTs. Signs and symptoms resulting from diagnostic imaging
      investigations are nonspecific and inadequate to obtain diagnosis accurately. In
      most cases, surgical treatment is considered a cure for IMTs. There is no
      evidence of deaths caused by duodenal IMT. IMT of the duodenum is a possible
      diagnosis in differential diagnosis of tumor-like lesions of the duodenum. 

PMID- 24210543
TI  - High coexpression of both EGFR and IGF1R correlates with poor patient prognosis
      in resected non-small-cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent experimental and biomarker evidence indicates that the
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin-like growth factor receptor 1
      (IGF1R) interact in the pathogenesis of malignant epithelial tumors, including
      lung cancer. This study examines the expression of both receptors and their
      prognostic significance in surgically resected non-small-cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC). METHODS: EGFR and IGF1R expression were evaluated in 184 patients with
      NSCLC (83 squamous cell carcinomas [SCCs], 83 adenocarcinomas [ADCs], and 18
      other types) using immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Expression of both
      receptors was examined in matched fresh frozen normal and tumor tissues from 40
      patients with NSCLC (20 SCCs and 20 ADCs) by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: High
      EGFR expression was detected in 51% of patients, and SCCs had higher EGFR
      expression than did non-SCCs (57.4% vs. 42.5%; P = .028). High IGF1R expression
      was observed in 53.8% of patients, with SCC having higher expression than non-SCC
      (62.6% vs. 37.3%; P = .0004). A significant association was shown between EGFR
      and IGF1R protein overexpression (P < .005). Patients with high expression of
      both receptors had a poorer overall survival (OS) (P = .04). Higher EGFR and
      IGF1R expression was detected in resected tumors relative to matched normal
      tissues (P = .0004 and P = .0009), with SCC having higher expression levels than
      ADC. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate a close interrelationship between EGFR and
      IGF1R. Coexpression of both receptors correlates with poor survival. This subset
      of patients may benefit from treatments cotargeting EGFR and IGF1R.

PMID- 24210544
TI  - Anti-estrogenic activity formation potential assessment and precursor analysis in
      reclaimed water during chlorination.
AB  - Chlorination was reported to increase the anti-estrogenic activity in reclaimed
      water from domestic wastewater treatment plants, which may add to the risk of
      reclaimed water reuse. In order to assess the anti-estrogenic disinfection by
      product (DBP) precursors, the anti-estrogenic activity formation potential
      (AEAFP) during chlorination was studied. Firstly, the conditions for the
      experimental measurement of AEAFP were determined. A 24-h chlorination experiment
      was applied for AEAFP measurement. After chlorination, dechlorination using
      reductive reagents led to significant loss of anti-estrogenic activity formation.
      In addition, as the presence of ammonia nitrogen and other major chlorine
      consumers would result in lower anti-estrogenic activity formation, a basic
      chlorine dose of 3* DOC (mg-Cl2 L(-1)) was adequate for completely transforming
      the anti-estrogenic DBP precursors while an extra chlorine dose of 8* ammonia
      nitrogen + 5* nitrite-nitrogen (mg-Cl2 L(-1)) should be added when there was a
      high level of ammonia nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen in the reclaimed water.
      Therefore, 24-h chlorination without dechlorination or using only non-reductive
      quenching reagents (e.g. ammonium) for dechlorination and a total chlorine dose
      of 3* DOC + 8* ammonia nitrogen + 5* nitrite nitrogen (mg-Cl2 L(-1)) should be
      fulfilled for the AEAFP measurement. Moreover, the AEAFP (0.2-2.1 mg-TAM L(-1))
      of the reclaimed water samples (n = 20) were further analyzed. The AEAFP was
      highly correlated to UV254 and the fluorescence volume in excitation emission
      matrix fluorescence spectrum which can be used as surrogates to indicate the
      level of the AEAFP and assess the precursors in reclaimed water.

PMID- 24210545
TI  - Assessment of pH shock as a method for controlling sulfide and methane formation
      in pressure main sewer systems.
AB  - Caustic dosing to raise pH above 10.0 for short periods (hours) is often used by
      water utilities for controlling sulfide formation in sewers. However the
      effectiveness of this strategy is rarely reported and the impact of pH level and
      exposure time on the effectiveness is largely unknown. The effectiveness of this
      strategy under various pH levels (10.5-12.5) and exposure time (0.5-6.0 h) in
      controlling sulfide and methane production was evaluated in laboratory scale
      anaerobic sewer reactors and then in a real sewer system. Laboratory studies
      showed that the sulfide production rate of the laboratory sewer biofilm was
      reduced by 70-90% upon the completion of the pH shock, while the methane
      production rate decreased by 95-100%. It took approximately one week for the
      sulfate-reducing activity to recover to normal levels. In comparison, the
      methanogenic activities recovered to only about 10% in 4 weeks. The slow recovery
      is explained by the substantially loss of cell viability upon pH shocks, which
      recovered slowly after the shocks. Laboratory studies further revealed that a pH
      level of 10.5 for 1-2 h represent cost-effective conditions for the pH shock
      treatment. However, field trials showed a higher pH (11.5) and larger dosing
      times are needed due to the pH decreases along the sewer line and at the two ends
      of the caustic-receiving wastewater slugs due to dilution. To have effective
      sulfide and methane control, it is important to ensure effective conditions (pH >
      10.5 and duration >1-2 h) for the entire sewer line.

PMID- 24210546
TI  - Identification and characterization of metabolic properties of bacterial
      populations recovered from arsenic contaminated ground water of North East India
      (Assam).
AB  - Diversity of culturable bacterial populations within the Arsenic (As)
      contaminated groundwater of North Eastern state (Assam) of India is studied. From
      nine As contaminated samples 89 bacterial strains are isolated. 16S rRNA gene
      sequence analysis reveals predominance of Brevundimonas (35%) and Acidovorax
      (23%) along with Acinetobacter (10%), Pseudomonas (9%) and relatively less
      abundant (<5%) Undibacterium, Herbaspirillum, Rhodococcus, Staphylococcus, Bosea,
      Bacillus, Ralstonia, Caulobacter and Rhizobiales members. High As(III) resistance
      (MTC 10-50 mM) is observed for the isolates obtained from As(III) enrichment,
      particularly for 3 isolates of genus Brevundimonas (MTC 50 mM). In contrast, high
      resistance to As(V) (MTC as high as 550 mM) is present as a ubiquitous property,
      irrespective of isolates' enrichment condition. Bacterial genera affiliated to
      other groups showed relatively lower degree of As resistance [MTCs of 15-20 mM
      As(III) and 250-350 mM As(V)]. As(V) reductase activity is detected in strains
      with high As(V) as well as As(III) resistance. A strong correlation could be
      established among isolates capable of reductase activity and siderophore
      production as well as As(III) tolerance. A large number of isolates (nearly 50%)
      is capable of anaerobic respiration using alternate inorganic electron acceptors
      [As(V), Se(VI), Fe(III), [NO(3)(2), SO(4)(2), S(2)O(3)(2). Ability to utilize
      different carbon sources ranging from C2-C6 compounds along with some complex
      sugars is also observed. Particularly, a number of strains is found to possess
      ability to grow chemolithotrophically using As(III) as the electron donor. The
      study reports for the first time the identity and metabolic abilities of bacteria
      in As contaminated ground water of North East India, useful to elucidate the
      microbial role in influencing mobilization of As in the region.

PMID- 24210547
TI  - Metabolic versatility in full-scale wastewater treatment plants performing
      enhanced biological phosphorus removal.
AB  - This study analysed the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) microbial
      community and metabolic performance of five full-scale EBPR systems by using
      fluorescence in situ hybridisation combined with off-line batch tests fed with
      acetate under anaerobic-aerobic conditions. The phosphorus accumulating organisms
      (PAOs) in all systems were stable and showed little variability between each
      plant, while glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) were present in two of the
      plants. The metabolic activity of each sludge showed the frequent involvement of
      the anaerobic tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) in PAO metabolism for the anaerobic
      generation of reducing equivalents, in addition to the more frequently reported
      glycolysis pathway. Metabolic variability in the use of the two pathways was also
      observed, between different systems and in the same system over time. The
      metabolic dynamics was linked to the availability of glycogen, where a higher
      utilisation of the glycolysis pathway was observed in the two systems employing
      side-stream hydrolysis, and the TCA cycle was more active in the A(2)O systems.
      Full-scale plants that showed higher glycolysis activity also exhibited superior
      P removal performance, suggesting that promotion of the glycolysis pathway over
      the TCA cycle could be beneficial towards the optimisation of EBPR systems. 

PMID- 24210548
TI  - Trends in hospital admissions for burns in England, 1991-2010: a descriptive
      population-based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe trends in admissions to English hospitals and 30-day in
      hospital mortality associated with a primary diagnosis of burns. DESIGN:
      Descriptive population-based study. SETTING: England. PARTICIPANTS: Patients
      admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of burns between 1991 and 2010.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age-specific and age-standardised admission rates, and 30
      day in-hospital mortality percentages. RESULTS: During 1991-2010, there were
      188,597 admissions to hospitals in England with a primary diagnosis of burns.
      Annual numbers of admissions decreased between 1991 and 2002, followed by a
      steeper increase up to 2010. Rates were higher in males, in the age groups 0-4
      and >=85 years, and in persons from deprived areas of residence, most ethnic
      minorities, and urban areas. There were 3196 in-hospital deaths within 30 days of
      admission for burns between 1991 and 2010. Between 2000 and 2010, this mortality
      decreased from 1.99% to 0.91%. The highest rates of 30-day in-hospital deaths
      occurred in the elderly and the lowest in children. CONCLUSION: Although in
      hospital mortality from burns has decreased in recent years, if the recent upward
      trend in hospital admissions is genuine, it will have resource implications for
      regional burns units, and also suggests the need for a renewed emphasis on
      primary prevention. Observed inequalities with respect to age, gender,
      deprivation, ethnicity, and urban-rural status provide a rational basis for
      targeting primary prevention initiatives.

PMID- 24210549
TI  - Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes in treatment-resistant hypertension in
      patients with coronary disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasingly, apparent treatment-resistant hypertension has been
      recognized. However, much of the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes are largely
      unknown, especially in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: We
      evaluated 10,001 patients with coronary artery disease who were enrolled in the
      Treating to New Targets trial. Apparent treatment-resistant hypertension was
      defined as blood pressure >= 140 mm Hg despite 3 antihypertensive agents or <140
      mm Hg with >= 4 antihypertensive agents. The primary outcome was major
      cardiovascular events (composite of fatal coronary heart disease, nonfatal
      myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest, and stroke). RESULTS: Among
      the 10,001 patients in the trial, 1112 (11.1%) had apparent treatment-resistant
      hypertension. In a multivariable model adjusting for baseline differences, the
      treatment-resistant hypertension group had a 64% increase in primary outcome
      (hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-1.94; P < .001),
      driven by a 69% increase in coronary heart disease death (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.22,
      2.34; P = .001) and 73% increase in nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR, 1.73; 95%
      CI, 1.39-2.16, P < .0001) when compared with the no apparent treatment-resistant
      hypertension group. In addition, patients with apparent treatment-resistant
      hypertension had a 71% increase in major coronary event (P < .0001), 45% increase
      in death (P = .001), 33% increase in heart failure (P = .05), 53% increase in any
      cardiovascular event (P < .0001), 60% increase in any coronary event (P < .0001),
      68% increase in angina (P < .0001), and 51% increase in coronary
      revascularization (P < .0001) when compared with the no apparent treatment
      resistant hypertension group. Results were largely similar whether the definition
      of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension was based on a blood pressure >= 140
      mm Hg despite 3 agents or a blood pressure <140 mm Hg with >= 4 agents.
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients with coronary artery disease, apparent treatment
      resistant hypertension is associated with a marked increase in the risk of
      cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, including an increase in all-cause death.

PMID- 24210550
TI  - Potential of aeration flow rate and bio-char addition to reduce greenhouse gas
      and ammonia emissions during manure composting.
AB  - Aeration is an important factor influencing CO2, CH4, N2O and NH3 emissions from
      the composting process. Both CH4 and N2O are potent greenhouse gases (GHG) of
      high importance. Here, we examined the effects of high and low aeration rates
      together with addition of barley straw with and without bio-char on GHG and NH3
      emissions from composting cattle slurry and hen manure in small-scale laboratory
      composters. Depending on treatment, cumulative C losses via CO2 and CH4 emissions
      accounted for 11.4-22.5% and 0.004-0.2% of initial total carbon, while N losses
      as N2O and NH3 emissions comprised 0.05-0.1% and 0.8-26.5% of initial total
      nitrogen, respectively. Decreasing the flow rate reduced cumulative NH3 losses
      non-significantly (by 88%) but significantly increased CH4 losses (by 51%) from
      composting of cattle slurry with barley straw. Among the hen manure treatments
      evaluated, bio-char addition to composting hen manure and barley straw at low
      flow rates proved most effective in reducing cumulative NH3 and CH4 losses.
      Addition of bio-char in combination with barley straw to hen manure at both high
      and low flow rates reduced total GHG emissions (as CO2-equivalents) by 27-32%
      compared with barley straw addition alone. Comparisons of flow rates showed that
      low flow could be an alternative strategy for reducing NH3 losses without any
      significant change in N2O emissions, pointing to the need for well-controlled
      composting conditions if gaseous emissions are to be minimised. 

PMID- 24210551
TI  - Heterogeneous reactions of particulate benzo[b]fluoranthene and
      benzo[k]fluoranthene with NO(3) radicals.
AB  - Benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F) and benzo[k]fluoranthene (B[k]F) are widespread
      priority pollutants of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can react
      with atmospheric oxidants during transport in the troposphere and lead to the
      formation of more toxic compounds. At present, the rates of heterogeneous
      reactions of B[b]F and B[k]F aerosols with NO3 radicals, an important atmospheric
      oxidant, are not fully understood. Thus, this study investigated the products and
      kinetics of heterogeneous reactions of suspended B[b]F and B[k]F particles with
      NO3 radicals in an aerosol reaction chamber at room temperature (293+/-2K) under
      atmospheric pressure. The reactions are monitored online using a vacuum
      ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS)
      and an atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer. The mono-nitro-, di-nitro-,
      tri-nitro-products, and those products containing both nitro and ketone groups
      are observed with VUV-ATOFMS. The effective rate constants for heterogeneous
      reactions of particulate B[b]F and B[k]F with NO3 radicals under the experimental
      conditions are respectively estimated to (1.2+/-0.1)*10(-12)cm(3)molecule(-1)s(
      1) and (5.8+/-0.3)*10(-13)cm(3)molecule(-1)s(-1) using a mixed-phase relative
      rate method, and the corresponding effective uptake coefficients are respectively
      estimated to 0.22 and 0.65. The lifetimes of particulate B[b]F and B[k]F at a
      typical concentration of NO3 radicals (5*10(8)moleculecm(-3)) in the lower
      troposphere during the night are estimated to 3.0 and 3.9h, respectively. The
      experimental results of these heterogeneous reactions in the aerosol state
      provide supplementary knowledge for kinetic behaviors of airborne PAHs particles.

PMID- 24210552
TI  - Bioconcentration, metabolism, and biomarker responses in freshwater fish
      Carassius auratus exposed to roxithromycin.
AB  - To investigate the distribution, bioconcentration, metabolism, and biomarker
      responses of macrolide antibiotic roxithromycin (ROX) in fish, crucian carp
      (Carassius auratus) were exposed to various concentrations of ROX (4, 20, and
      100MUgL(-1)) for 20d. The ROX content in different tissues was quantified using
      UPLC/MS/MS. The liver exhibited the highest ROX concentration followed by the
      bile, gills, and muscle tissues. After 15d of exposure to different
      concentrations of ROX, the bioconcentration factors were 2.15-38.0 in the liver,
      0.950-20.7 in the bile, 0.0506-19.7 in the gill, and 0.0439-13.8 in the muscle;
      these results were comparable to the estimated BCF values. The metabolites formed
      in the bile were identified based on metabolic identification in human bile.
      Additionally, the biomarkers, including acetylcholinesterase in the brain, as
      well as 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and superoxide dismutase in the liver
      changed significantly after 5, 10, 15, and 20d of exposure (P<0.05). Our results
      suggest that ROX can accumulate and be metabolized in fish; therefore,
      interactions between ROX or its metabolites and the biological systems may induce
      biochemical disturbances in fish. 

PMID- 24210553
TI  - Development and mapping of seleniferous soils in northwestern India.
AB  - Periodic surveys were undertaken to identify and characterize Se-contaminated
      soils in northwestern India. Total Se content varied from 0.023 to 4.91mgkg(-1)
      in 0-15cm surface soil and 0.64-515.0mgkg(-1) in samples of vegetation. Selenium
      contaminated land occupying an area of 865ha was classified into different
      categories based on total Se content of soils as moderately contaminated (0.5
      2.0mg Sekg(-1)) and highly contaminated (>2.0mg Sekg(-1)). The normal soils
      contained <0.5mg Sekg(-1). The soil map was prepared using village level
      cadastral maps. Se-contaminated soils were silty loam to silty clay loam in
      texture and tested pH 7.9-8.8, electrical conductivity 0.3-0.7dSm(-1), calcium
      carbonate 0.1-4.1% and organic carbon 0.4-1.0%. Selenium was present throughout
      the soil profile up to 2m depth; 0-15cm surface soil layer contained 1.5 to 6.0
      times more Se than in subsurface layers. Selenium content in rock samples
      collected from lower and upper Shiwalik sub-Himalayan ranges varied from 1864 to
      2754 and 11 to 847MUgkg(-1), respectively. The sediments transported through
      seasonal rivulets linking the Shiwalik ranges to affected sites contained 0.57
      2.89mg Sekg(-1). The underground water containing 2.5-69.5MUg SeL(-1) used for
      irrigating transplanted rice grown in Se-contaminated area resulted in a net Se
      addition in soil up to 881gha(-1)y(-1); possibly further aggravating the Se
      toxicity problem. Presence of substantial amount of Se in rock samples and
      sediments of seasonal rivulets suggests that Se-rich materials are being
      transported from Shiwalik hills and deposited in regions where seasonal rivulets
      end up. 

PMID- 24210554
TI  - Anaerobic reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzofuran in
      polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin- and dibenzofuran-contaminated sediments of the
      Kymijoki River, Finland.
AB  - Sediments of the Kymijoki River are highly contaminated with polychlorinated
      dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). These persistent PCDD/Fs resist
      biotic degradation and therefore the potential for microbial reductive
      dechlorination was assessed to determine how microbes impact the fate of these
      compounds. Anaerobic sediment microcosms of five different sites in the river
      were spiked with 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (1,2,3,4-TeCDF) as a model
      compound to determine the dechlorination potential in the sediments.
      Dechlorinating bacteria were active in all the study sites of the river. The
      extent of dechlorination over 10 and 29 months corresponded to the levels of aged
      PCDD/Fs, with sediments of the most contaminated site at Kuusankoski being the
      most active for reductive dechlorination. The dechlorination activity and levels
      of aged PCDD/Fs were correlated within the sediment cores at the all sites. The
      pathway of 1,2,3,4-TeCDF dechlorination was mainly via 1,3,4
      trichlorodibenzofuran (TrCDF) to 1,3-dichlorodibenzofuran (DiCDF). Dechlorination
      via 1,2,4-TrCDF to further dechlorination products was also detected. Lateral
      reductive dechlorination would decrease the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-substituted
      PCDD/Fs. Our data suggest that sediments of the Kymijoki River contain indigenous
      microorganisms that are responsible for dechlorination of PCDD/Fs, especially at
      the most contaminated site.

PMID- 24210555
TI  - Production of an aminoterminally truncated, stable type of bioactive mouse
      fibroblast growth factor 4 in Escherichia coli.
AB  - In mice, fibroblast growth factor 4 (Fgf4) is a crucial gene for the generation
      of trophectoderm, progenitor cells of the placenta. Therefore, exogenous FGF4
      promotes the isolation and maintenance of trophoblast stem cells from
      preimplantation embryos. We previously produced a 6* histidine (His)-tagged,
      mouse FGF4 (Pro(31)-Leu(202)) without a secretory signal peptide at the amino
      terminus, referred to as HismFGF4, in Escherichia coli. Here, we found that
      HismFGF4 was unstable, such as in phosphate-buffered saline. In these conditions,
      site-specific cleavage between Ser(50) and Leu(51) was identified. In order to
      generate stable mouse FGF4 derivatives, a 6* His-tagged mouse FGF4 (Leu(51)
      Leu(202)), termed HismFGF4L, was expressed in E. coli. HismFGF4L could be
      purified from the supernatant of cell lysates by heparin column chromatography.
      In phosphate-buffered saline, HismFGF4L was relatively stable. HismFGF4L exerted
      significant mitogenic activities at concentrations as low as 0.01 nM (P < 0.01)
      in mouse embryonic fibroblast Balb/c 3T3 cells expressing FGF receptor 2. In the
      presence of PD173074, an FGF receptor inhibitor, the growth-promoting activity of
      HismFGF4L was abolished. Taken together, we suggest that aminoterminally
      truncated HismFGF4L is capable of promoting the proliferation of mouse-derived
      cells via an authentic FGF signaling pathway. We consider that HismFGF4L is
      useful as a derivative of mouse FGF4 protein for analyzing the effects of mouse
      FGF4 and for stimulating cell growth of mouse-derived cells, such as trophoblast
      stem cells. Our study provides a simple method for the production of a bioactive,
      stable mouse FGF4 derivative in E. coli.

PMID- 24210556
TI  - One of these things is not like the other: distinctiveness and executive function
      in preschoolers.
AB  - There is scant evidence that children younger than 7 years show a memory
      advantage for distinct information, a memory phenomenon termed the isolation
      effect (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition,
      2001, Vol. 27, pp. 1359-1366). We investigated whether 4-, 5-, and 6-year-olds'
      developing organizational processing and executive function contributed to the
      isolation effect, demonstrated when recall was better for a semantically unique
      target (e.g., sheep, pig, watermelon, duck) rather than a semantically common
      target (e.g., apple, banana, watermelon, strawberry). To encourage organizational
      processing, children were asked to categorize each item presented. Children also
      completed working memory and cognitive flexibility tasks, and only children who
      scored high in cognitive flexibility demonstrated the isolation effect.

PMID- 24210557
TI  - Determination of non-ionic and anionic surfactants in industrial products by
      separation on a weak ion-exchanger, derivatization and liquid chromatography.
AB  - A method for the determination of priority surfactants, including fatty alcohol
      ethoxylates (FAE), alkylether sulfates (AES) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonates
      (LAS) is described. The samples were diluted with 50% methanol at pH 4 prior to
      solid-phase extraction on a weak anionic exchanger (WAX). The AES and LAS
      surfactant classes were retained, whereas the non-ionic components, including
      most FAE oligomers were eluted. After washing the WAX cartridge to remove
      cations, the remaining hydrophobic FAE oligomers were eluted using hot 80%
      methanol at pH 4 (at ca. 50 degrees C). These two eluates were combined to
      constitute the non-ionic fraction. Then, AES and LAS were eluted using 80% MeOH
      with 3M NH3 followed by 95% methanol with 0.75M NH3. The two eluates obtained in
      basic media were combined to constitute the anionic fraction. The solvents were
      evaporated, the residues were dissolved in 1,4-dioxane, and esterification of the
      alcohols and transesterification of AES with phthalic anhydride was performed.
      Separation of the derivatized oligomers was achieved by gradient elution on a C8
      column with acetonitrile/water in the presence of 0.1% acetic acid and 0.1M
      NaClO4. The chromatogram of the non-ionic fraction showed the peaks of the
      resolved FAE oligomers. The chromatogram of the anionic fraction showed the peaks
      of the LAS homologues well resolved from those of the AES oligomers. The method
      was applied to laundry and industrial cleaners, shampoos and a shower gel. 

PMID- 24210558
TI  - Accurate on-line mass flow measurements in supercritical fluid chromatography.
AB  - This work demonstrates the possible advantages and the challenges of accurate on
      line measurements of the CO2 mass flow rate during supercritical fluid
      chromatography (SFC) operations. Only the mass flow rate is constant along the
      column in SFC. The volume flow rate is not. The critical importance of accurate
      measurements of mass flow rates for the achievement of reproducible data and the
      serious difficulties encountered in supercritical fluid chromatography for its
      assessment were discussed earlier based on the physical properties of carbon
      dioxide. In this report, we experimentally demonstrate the problems encountered
      when performing mass flow rate measurements and the gain that can possibly be
      achieved by acquiring reproducible data using a Coriolis flow meter. The results
      obtained show how the use of a highly accurate mass flow meter permits, besides
      the determination of accurate values of the mass flow rate, a systematic,
      constant diagnosis of the correct operation of the instrument and the monitoring
      of the condition of the carbon dioxide pump. 

PMID- 24210559
TI  - Ventral inlay labia minora graft urethroplasty for the management of female
      urethral strictures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcomes of ventral inlay labia minora
      graft urethroplasty (VILGU) for the management of female urethral strictures.
      METHODS: Data of 7 consecutive women treated with VILGU between 2011 and 2013
      were reviewed. Two patients had cystostomy tubes at repair, and 5 had undergone
      previous urethral dilations and urethrotomies. Clinical evaluation included
      assessment of the effect of voiding symptoms with American Urological Association
      (AUA) symptom score, uroflowmetry, voiding cystourethrography, and intraoperative
      urethrocystoscopy using a 6.5F pediatric ureterorenoscope. Preoperative AUA
      symptom score and peak urinary flow rate were compared with postoperative values.
      Cure was defined as the absence of any restenosis requiring additional
      intervention with subjective patient satisfaction at the last follow-up. RESULTS:
      Mean stricture length was 1.5 cm (range, 1-2.5), and mean operative time was 95
      minutes (range, 70-110). With a mean follow-up of 18.2 months (range, 3-30), cure
      was achieved in 6 (86%) women. At the last follow-up, mean maximum urine flow
      (mL/s) increased from 3.9 +/- 3.1 preoperatively to 22.7 +/- 8.3 postoperatively
      (P <.001), and mean AUA symptom score decreased from 25.3 +/- 5.2 preoperatively
      to 6.9 +/- 3.7 postoperatively (P = .001). No fistulae developed after surgery.
      "De-novo" stress urinary incontinence was not evident in any case. CONCLUSION:
      VILGU effectively provides better urinary flow and significantly improves patient
      satisfaction in patients with female urethral stricture disease.

PMID- 24210560
TI  - Vasectomy reversal outcomes among patients with vasal obstructive intervals
      greater than 10 years.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the vasectomy reversal (VR) outcomes specifically among
      patients with vasal obstructive intervals (VOIs) of >10 years. The VOI has been
      shown to be a significant predictor of outcome after VR. Although no strict
      cutoff exists, couples have frequently been discouraged from considering a VR
      strictly according to the interval from vasectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From
      2006 to 2011, all consecutive VRs performed by 2 fellowship-trained microsurgeons
      were analyzed. The patients were stratified into 4 categories according to the
      duration of the VOI: <10, 10-15, >15-20, and >20 years. The postoperative semen
      parameters, patency rates, and pregnancy outcomes were compared among the 4
      groups. RESULTS: Of 535 consecutive VRs, 177 patients (33%) had a VOI of >10
      years. The couple characteristics, type of VR required, postoperative semen
      quality, and patency and pregnancy rates among the 4 groups were analyzed. The
      men with longer VOIs were older (P <.001) and had older female partners (P =
      .006). Although the VOI influenced the type of reversal performed, favorable
      semen concentrations (average >20 million/mL in all groups) and patency (average
      >90%) and pregnancy rates (range 24%-39%) were achieved in men with a VOI >10
      years. CONCLUSION: Although the interval since vasectomy has a significant effect
      on the type of VR required, provided a surgeon is proficient in both
      microsurgical vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy, favorable semen parameters
      and patency and pregnancy rates can be achieved in men with a VOI >10 years.
      Couples should not be discouraged from considering VR simply according to the
      VOI.

PMID- 24210561
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24210564
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24210565
TI  - Comparison of sperm retrieval and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome in
      patients with and without Klinefelter syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) and
      intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment in patients with non-mosaic
      Klinefelter syndrome (KS). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the micro
      TESE/ICSI performance in 134 patients with classic KS and 537 men with
      nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and normal karyotype referred to Royan Institute
      between 2009 and 2011. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to micro
      TESE outcome. Several factors, including patients' age, level of follicle
      stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone, were
      compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Sperm retrieval rate by micro-TESE in the
      KS and control groups were 28.4% (38/134) and 22.2% (119/537), respectively. In
      the KS group, the mean age of patients with successful sperm retrieval of
      spermatozoa was significantly lower than those with negative results (30.0 +/-
      0.65 vs 33.68 +/- 0.6 year, P = .001) and comparison of laboratory parameters
      between the 2 groups showed that the level of testosterone was significantly
      higher in patients with successful sperm retrieval (3.4 +/- 0.48 vs 2.33 +/- 0.23
      ng/mL, P <.001). The fertilization rate was significantly higher in the KS group
      than the control group (28% vs 21%, P = .038). Also, live birth rate per embryo
      transfer was higher in the KS group, but it was not significant (13% vs 3%, P =
      .05). CONCLUSION: This study of sperm recovery and ICSI outcome in men with and
      without KS shows that micro-TESE/ICSI is a successful intervention for the
      majority of men with KS.

PMID- 24210566
TI  - Bladder function evaluation before renal transplantation in nonurologic disease:
      is it necessary?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether preoperative cystometry and a pressure flow study
      (PFS) are necessary in patients with end-stage renal disease from nonurologic
      causes who will undergo renal transplantation. METHODS: From April 2009 to June
      2010, 30 patients scheduled to undergo renal transplantation were prospectively
      evaluated with cystometry and PFS. The evaluation was performed immediately
      before and 6 months after renal transplantation. The inclusion criteria were age
      >18 years and end-stage renal disease secondary to nonurologic disease. RESULTS:
      Improvement in the cystometry and PFS parameters was observed after the return of
      diuresis at 6 months after transplantation. The parameter changes from baseline
      to the 6-month evaluation were as follows: first sensation of bladder filling,
      88.8-168.7 mL (P = .0005); first desire to void, 137.2-251.1 mL (P <.0001);
      maximal cystometric capacity, 221.2-428.7 mL (P <.0001); bladder compliance, 73.9
      138.6 mL/cm H2O (P = .03); and maximal flow rate, 8.1-15.8 mL/s (P <.0001). The
      Abrams-Griffiths number in the men decreased from 31.8 to 15.2 (P = .002). No
      significant changes were observed in the detrusor pressure at the maximal flow
      rate or the postvoid residual urine volume. Patients with a 24-hour urine output
      <200 mL tended to have had significantly worse parameters before transplantation.
      CONCLUSION: Significant improvement in the cystometry and PFS parameters was
      observed in patients with end-stage renal disease, without urologic disease, 6
      months after transplantation, and was associated with recovery of the glomerular
      filtration rate and urine output by the renal graft.

PMID- 24210567
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24210568
TI  - External validation of a preoperative renal stone grading system: reproducibility
      and inter-rater concordance of the Guy's stone score using preoperative computed
      tomography and rigorous postoperative stone-free criteria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To validate the Guy's stone score (GSS) using preoperative computed
      tomography (CT) and to assess its inter-rater concordance and association with
      rigorous definitions of stone clearance. METHODS: The preoperative CT scans of
      166 consecutive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) patients treated by a single
      surgeon were independently reviewed by 2 urology residents and graded according
      to GSS. Concordance was calculated using Cohen's kappa score. Residual fragments
      (RFs) were evaluated on CT or plain radiography on postoperative day 1. GSS was
      correlated with 3 different outcomes; RFs <4 mm, RFs <2 mm, or no RFs. RESULTS:
      Higher GSS was associated with decreased stone clearance by any metric on a CT
      scan: RFs <4 mm (P = .03), RFs <2 mm (P = .02), or no RFs (P = .02). On plain
      radiography, higher GSS was only associated with lower likelihood of no RFs (P
      <.005). Inter-rater concordance was good (kappa = 0.72), with 78% of cases
      categorized the same by both raters. Twelve of 36 cases (33%) of disagreement
      were between categories II and III and 20 of 36 cases (56%) pertained to unclear
      definitions of "partial staghorn stone" and "abnormal anatomy." CONCLUSION: The
      GSS is a straightforward grading system of the complexity of renal stones. When
      applied to preoperative CT scans, it offers good inter-rater concordance and is
      associated with rigorous endpoints of stone clearance. The inter-rater
      concordance could be further improved by explicit definitions of abnormal
      anatomy, partial vs complete staghorn stones, and the size of a calculus that
      constitutes a separate stone.

PMID- 24210569
TI  - Spinal anesthesia is an efficient and safe anesthetic method for percutaneous
      nephrolithotomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of spinal anesthesia (SA) vs general
      anesthesia (GA) administration on the safety and efficiency of percutaneous
      nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 1478 patients who
      underwent PCNL in our clinic between 2004 and 2011. We excluded the patients with
      bilateral PCNL, renal abnormality, or solitary kidney. The remaining 1004 adult
      patients were divided into 2 groups according to anesthesia administration as GA
      (n = 564) or SA (n = 440). The groups were compared according to operative and
      postoperative properties. Complications of PCNL were evaluated according to the
      modified Clavien classification. Independent t test, chi-square test, and
      analysis of covariance were used for the comparison of groups. RESULTS: The
      durations of hospitalization, operation, and fluoroscopy of patients in the SA
      group were significantly shorter than that of the patients in the GA group (P
      <.01). The number of patients with postoperative requirement of narcotic
      analgesic and blood transfusion was significantly higher in the GA group (P
      <.01). The GA group had more grades 2, 3a, 3b, and 4b complications according to
      modified Clavien classification (P <.05). The significant differences in
      postoperative analgesic requirement and hospitalization duration between the
      groups did not affect postoperative urinary drainage (P <.01; adjusted r(2) =
      0.064). CONCLUSION: PCNL with SA demonstrated shorter hospitalization, operation,
      and fluoroscopy durations. GA has some disadvantages as a greater requirement of
      narcotic analgesic and greater frequency of major complications. SA
      administration is a safe and effective method in appropriately selected patients
      with PCNL.

PMID- 24210570
TI  - Role of alpha-blockers in the treatment of stent-related symptoms: a prospective
      randomized control study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To properly use the Ureteric Symptom Score Questionnaire (USSQ) to
      evaluate, in a randomized control study, the effect of 2 different alpha-blockers
      in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with indwelling ureteral
      stents. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, 150 consecutive
      patients with a double-J ureteral stent inserted after extracorporeal shockwave
      lithotripsy (ESWL) or ureteroscopic stone treatment were randomly assigned to
      receive tamsulosin 0.4 mg, alfuzosin 10 mg, or placebo. The validated USSQ was
      completed 1 and 4 weeks after stent insertion and 4 weeks after stent removal.
      The Kruskal-Wallis test for independent samples for non-normally distributed
      ordinal variables, chi-square to compare proportions or differences, and 1-way
      analysis of variance (ANOVA) for independent samples to compare for differences
      in case of continuous variables were used for statistical analysis of the
      results. RESULTS: Patients receiving alpha-blockers expressed an overall
      statistically significant lower urinary (P <.001), pain (P <.001 with stent in
      situ), and general health index (P <.002) scores. Sexual life and quality of life
      were also positively influenced. Quality of work was not influenced. No patients
      had to discontinue medication because of side effects or underwent stent removal
      before the due date. There was no difference in various outcomes between the 2
      alpha-blockers. CONCLUSION: Stent-related morbidity is a reality in the majority
      of patients. Simple medication, such as alpha-blockers, reduce stent-related
      symptoms and the negative impact on quality of life. It seems that stent-related
      symptom improvement is independent to the type of alpha-blocker.

PMID- 24210571
TI  - Comparison of pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and
      laparoendoscopic single-site nephroureterectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes between pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic
      nephroureterectomy (RALNU) and laparoendoscopic single-site nephroureterectomy
      (LESSNU). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of all patients who
      underwent RALNU and LESSNU at a single pediatric institution from April 2009 to
      April 2013. Patient demographics, perioperative details, and outcomes were
      reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (20 men, 12 women) were identified. Twenty
      four patients underwent RALNU and 8 patients underwent LESSNU. There was no
      significant blood loss, intraoperative complication, or conversion to open or
      standard laparoscopy for either procedure. Median age was 55.1 months (range 4.5
      171.8 months) for RALNU and 51.6 months (range 16.3-144.9 months) for LESSNU (P =
      .695). Median weight was 19.1 kg (range 7-55 kg) for RALNU and 16.9 kg (range 11
      41 kg) for LESSNU (P = .727). Median operative time was 227 minutes (range 112
      362 minutes) for RALNU and 174 minutes (range 74-288 minutes) for LESSNU (P =
      .028). Median length of hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-4 days) for RALNU and 1
      day (range 0-6 days) for LESSNU (P = .134). Median in-patient postoperative
      narcotic use of morphine-equivalent was 0.03 mg/kg/day (range 0-0.2) for RALNU
      and <0.01 mg/kg/day (range 0-0.2) for LESSNU (P = .134). Median in-patient
      postoperative Ketorolac use was <0.01 mg/kg/day (range 0-0.8) for RALNU and <0.01
      mg/kg/day (range 0-0.5) for LESSNU (P = .784). Median follow-up was 22 months
      (range 0.8-48.4 months) for RALNU and 18.8 months (range 0.3-29.4 months) for
      LESSNU (P = .361). We observed 2 complications (8.3%) in RALNU and 1 in LESSNU (P
      = 1). CONCLUSION: LESSNU has a significantly shorter operative time with
      comparable in-patient postoperative narcotics use as compared to RALNU.

PMID- 24210572
TI  - Clinical outcome in women with HER2-positive de novo or recurring stage IV breast
      cancer receiving trastuzumab-based therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Five to 10% of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer have
      synchronous metastases (de novo stage IV). A further 20% will develop metastases
      during follow-up (recurring stage IV). We compared the clinical outcomes of women
      with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receiving first-line
      trastuzumab-based therapy according to type of metastatic presentation. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 331 MBC patients receiving first-line
      trastuzumab-based treatment. Response rates (RR) were compared by the chi-square
      test. Time-to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) curves were compared by
      the log-rank test. Cox-proportional hazards models were used to study predictors
      of PFS and OS, including the type of metastatic presentation. RESULTS: Seventy
      seven patients (23%) had de novo stage IV disease. Forty-six of these patients
      underwent surgery of the primary ("de novo/surgery"). Response rates to first
      line trastuzumab-based therapy and median progression-free survival did not
      differ in patients with "recurring", "de novo/surgery" and "de novo" without
      surgery ("de novo/no surgery) stage IV breast cancer. However, women with "de
      novo/surgery" stage IV breast cancer had the longest median OS (60 months), and
      those with "de novo/no surgery" stage IV breast cancer the shortest (26 months).
      For women with recurring metastatic breast cancer median OS was 40 months
      (overall log-rank test, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis confirmed these
      findings. CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows that response rates and PFS to first
      line trastuzumab-based therapy do not differ significantly between de novo and
      recurring stage IV, HER2 positive breast cancer. The observed difference in OS
      favoring women with de novo stage IV disease submitted to surgery of the primary
      tumor could be the result of a selection bias.

PMID- 24210573
TI  - [Dyspepsia with alarm symptoms: endoscopy yes, but ultrasound as well].

PMID- 24210575
TI  - Tembusu virus infection in Cherry Valley ducks: the effect of age at infection.
AB  - Three groups of Cherry Valley ducks at 5 day, 2 week and 5 week of age were
      intranasally infected with the WFCL strain of Tembusu virus (TMUV) to investigate
      the effect of host age on the outcome of TMUV infection. For each age group,
      clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions, viral copy numbers in tissues and
      serum neutralizing antibody titers were recorded. Age-related differences in the
      resistance to TMUV infection were observed with younger ducks being more
      susceptible. Some ducks infected at 5 day and 2 week of age developed severe
      clinical signs, including severe neurological dysfunction and death. However,
      subclinical signs and no mortality were observed in ducks infected at 5 week of
      age. A decline in the severity of gross and microscopic lesions was observed as
      ducks mature. Systemic infections were established in the three age groups post
      challenge. Higher viral copy numbers in the tissues, especially in vital organs
      such as the brain and the heart, were developed in the ducks infected at 5 day of
      age than older ducks, correlating with the severity of clinical signs and lesions
      in the tissues. Furthermore, ducks infected at 5 week of age developed
      significantly higher serum neutralizing antibody titers than ducks infected at 5
      day of age as determined by serum neutralization test. Therefore, age-related
      differences in the resistance to TMUV infection should be considered when
      studying the pathogenicity, pathogenesis, formulation of the vaccination and
      therapy strategies of TMUV infection in ducks.

PMID- 24210576
TI  - Equine infectious diseases.

PMID- 24210574
TI  - Movement variability near goal equivalent manifolds: fluctuations, control, and
      model-based analysis.
AB  - Fluctuations in the repeated performance of human movements have been the subject
      of intense scrutiny because they are generally believed to contain important
      information about the function and health of the neuromotor system. A variety of
      approaches has been brought to bear to study these fluctuations. However it is
      frequently difficult to understand how to synthesize different perspectives to
      give a coherent picture. Here, we describe a conceptual framework for the
      experimental study of motor variability that helps to unify geometrical methods,
      which focus on the role of motor redundancy, with dynamical methods that
      characterize the error-correcting processes regulating the performance of skilled
      tasks. We describe how goal functions, which mathematically specify the task
      strategy being employed, together with ideas from the control of redundant
      systems, allow one to formulate simple, experimentally testable dynamical models
      of inter-trial fluctuations. After reviewing the basic theory, we present a list
      of five general hypotheses on the structure of fluctuations that can be expected
      in repeated trials of goal-directed tasks. We review recent experimental
      applications of this general approach, and show how it can be used to precisely
      characterize the error-correcting control used by human subjects. 

PMID- 24210577
TI  - [Severe shock after protamine infusion in a neonate undergoing cardio pulmonary
      bypass].
AB  - Shock after protamine infusion are rare. We report here the case of a 6-day-old
      boy having presented severe and recurring hypotensions after protamine infusions
      during cardiac surgery under cardio pulmonary bypass. The physiopathology of
      these reactions is complex and, in the presented case, involved mechanism may not
      be anaphylactic. 

PMID- 24210578
TI  - How do coverage policies influence practice patterns, safety, and cost of initial
      lumbar fusion surgery? A population-based comparison of workers' compensation
      systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: In response to increasing use of lumbar fusion for improving
      back pain, despite unclear efficacy, particularly among injured workers, some
      insurers have developed limited coverage policies. Washington State's workers'
      compensation (WC) program requires imaging confirmation of instability and limits
      initial fusions to a single level. In contrast, California requires coverage if a
      second opinion supports surgery, allows initial multilevel fusion, and provides
      additional reimbursement for surgical implants. There are no studies that compare
      population-level effects of these policy differences on utilization, costs, and
      safety of lumbar fusion. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare
      population-level data on the use of complex fusion techniques, adverse outcomes
      within 3 months, and costs for two states with contrasting coverage policies.
      STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The study design was an analysis of WC patients in
      California and Washington using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's
      State Inpatient Databases, 2008-2009. PATIENT SAMPLE: All patients undergoing an
      inpatient lumbar fusion for degenerative disease (n=4,628) were included the
      patient sample. OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Outcome measures included repeat lumbar spine
      surgery, all-cause readmission, life-threatening complications, wound problems,
      device complications, and costs. METHODS: Log-binomial regressions compared 3
      month complications and costs between states, adjusting for patient
      characteristics. RESULTS: Overall rate of lumbar fusion operations through WC
      programs was 47% higher in California than in Washington. California WC patients
      were more likely than those in Washington to undergo fusion for controversial
      indications, such as nonspecific back pain (28% versus 21%) and disc herniation
      (37% versus 21%), as opposed to spinal stenosis (6% versus 15%), and
      spondylolisthesis (25% versus 41%). A higher percentage of patients in California
      received circumferential procedures (26% versus 5%), fusion of three or more
      levels (10% versus 5%), and bone morphogenetic protein (50% versus 31%).
      California had higher adjusted risk for reoperation (relative risk [RR] 2.28; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 2.27-2.29), wound problems (RR 2.64; 95% CI, 2.62
      2.65), device complications (RR 2.49; 95% CI, 2.38-2.61), and life-threatening
      complications (RR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.31-1.31). Hospital costs for the index
      procedure were greater in California ($49,430) than in Washington ($40,114).
      CONCLUSIONS: Broader lumbar fusion coverage policy was associated with greater
      use of lumbar fusion, use of more invasive operations, more reoperations, higher
      rates of complications, and greater inpatient costs.

PMID- 24210579
TI  - Continuous cervical spine kinematics during in vivo dynamic flexion-extension.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: A precise and comprehensive definition of "normal" in vivo
      cervical kinematics does not exist due to high intersubject variability and the
      absence of midrange kinematic data. In vitro test protocols and finite element
      models that are validated using only end range of motion data may not accurately
      reproduce continuous in vivo motion. PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study
      was to precisely quantify cervical spine intervertebral kinematics during
      continuous, functional flexion-extension in asymptomatic subjects. The advantages
      of assessing continuous intervertebral kinematics were demonstrated by comparing
      asymptomatic controls with patients with single-level anterior arthrodesis. STUDY
      DESIGN: Cervical spine kinematics were determined during continuous in vivo
      flexion-extension in a clinically relevant age group of asymptomatic controls and
      a group of patients with C5-C6 arthrodesis. PATIENT SAMPLE: The patient sample
      consisted of 6 patients with single-level (C5-C6) anterior arthrodesis (average
      age: 48.8+/-6.9 years; 1 male, 5 female; 7.6+/-1.2 months postsurgery) and 18
      asymptomatic control subjects of similar age (average age: 45.6+/-5.8 years; 5
      male, 13 female). OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures included the physiologic
      measure of continuous kinematic motion paths at each cervical motion segment (C2
      C7) during flexion-extension. METHODS: Participants performed flexion-extension
      while biplane radiographs were collected at 30 images per second. A previously
      validated tracking process determined three-dimensional vertebral positions with
      submillimeter accuracy. Continuous flexion-extension rotation and anterior
      posterior translation motion paths were adjusted for disc height and static
      orientation of each corresponding motion segment. RESULTS: Intersubject
      variability in flexion-extension angle was decreased 15% to 46% and intersubject
      variability in anterior-posterior translation was reduced 14% to 33% after
      adjusting for disc height and static orientation angle. Average intersubject
      variability in continuous motion paths was 1.9 degrees  in flexion-extension and
      0.6 mm in translation. Third-order polynomial equations were determined to
      precisely describe the continuous flexion-extension and anterior-posterior
      translation motion path at each motion segment (all R2>0.99). CONCLUSIONS: A
      significant portion of the intersubject variability in cervical kinematics can be
      explained by the disc height and the static orientation of each motion segment.
      Clinically relevant information may be gained by assessing intervertebral
      kinematics during continuous functional movement rather than at static, end range
      of motion positions. The fidelity of in vitro cervical spine mechanical testing
      protocols may be evaluated by comparing in vitro kinematics to the continuous
      motion paths presented.

PMID- 24210580
TI  - Defining age-related differences in outcome after traumatic spinal cord injury:
      analysis of a combined, multicenter dataset.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The existing evidence suggests that, although older spinal
      cord injury (SCI) patients experience a similar degree of neurologic recovery to
      younger patients, older patients experience diminished functional outcomes at
      follow-up. However, all studies have assumed that the impact of age on functional
      outcome is the same across the spectrum of injury severity. PURPOSE: To test this
      assumption, we evaluated age as a potential effect moderator governing the
      relationship between acute neurologic status and long-term functional outcome.
      STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Combined analysis of two prospective SCI datasets enrolling
      patients from North American trauma centers over the last decade. PATIENT SAMPLE:
      Adult patients (>=16 years old) with traumatic SCI and a standardized American
      Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) neurologic examination performed within 3 days
      of injury. OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional independence measure (FIM) motor score at
      the 1-year follow-up was the primary outcome of interest. METHODS: To define
      older and younger age groups, age was dichotomized at a threshold of 65 years
      old. A sensitivity analysis was also performed by dichotomizing age at 60 years.
      Multivariable linear regression was used to investigate the moderating effects of
      age on the relationship between acute ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade and
      follow-up FIM motor score. An interaction plot was generated to understand how
      the effect of age on functional outcome changed depending on the acute AIS grade.
      A second linear regression model investigating the moderating effects of age was
      produced that adjusted for additional relevant predictor variables. RESULTS: Of
      729 patients, 376 met the eligibility criteria. The mean age was 43.2 (+/-16.9),
      with a total of 41 patients (10.9%) older than 65 years. In the univariable
      analysis there was no age-related difference in motor recovery or AIS grade
      conversion at follow-up; however, there was a significantly lower mean FIM motor
      score observed among the older group at 1 year (p=.03). In the multivariable
      analysis, age was found to have a significant moderating effect on the
      relationship between acute AIS grade and future functional status (p<.05). The
      interaction plot revealed that, although older patients had decreased follow-up
      FIM motor scores overall, this effect was greatest for AIS B and AIS C patients
      and lesser for AIS A and AIS D patients. After adjustment for additional
      covariates in the second linear model, these results remained unchanged.
      CONCLUSIONS: Overall, advanced age is associated with worse functional outcome
      after SCI; however, this effect varies across the spectrum of injury severity.
      These results will help to facilitate enhanced clinical communication as well as
      potentially aid in the development of customized treatment and rehabilitation
      protocols.

PMID- 24210581
TI  - Interreader and intermodality reliability of standard anteroposterior radiograph
      and magnetic resonance imaging in detection and classification of lumbosacral
      transitional vertebra.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Different types of lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV)
      are classified based on the relationship of the transverse process of the last
      lumbar vertebra to the sacrum. The Ferguson view (30 degrees  angled
      anteroposterior [AP] radiograph) is supposed to have a sufficient interreader
      reliability in classification of LSTV, but is not routinely available. Standard
      AP radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are often available, but
      their reliability in detection and classification of LSTV is unknown. PURPOSE:
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interreader reliability of
      detection and classification of LSTV with standard AP radiographs and report its
      accuracy by use of intermodality statistics compared with MRI as the gold
      standard. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective case control study. PATIENT SAMPLE:
      A total of 155 subjects (93 cases: LSTV type 2 or higher; 62 controls). OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Interreader reliability in detection and classification of LSTV using
      standard AP radiographs and coronal MRI as well as accuracy of radiographs
      compared with MRI. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, coronal
      MRI scans and conventional AP radiographs of 155 subjects (93 LSTV type 2 or
      higher and 62 controls) were retrospectively reviewed by two independent, blinded
      readers and classified according to the Castellvi classification. Interreader
      reliability was assessed using kappa statistics for detection of an LSTV and
      identification of all subtypes (six variants; 1: no LSTV or type I, 2: LSTV type
      2a, 3: LSTV type 2b, 4: LSTV type 3a, 5: LSTV type 3b, 6: LSTV type 4) for MRI
      scans and standard AP radiographs. Further, accuracy and positive and negative
      predictive values were calculated for standard AP radiographs to detect and
      classify LSTV using MRI as the gold standard. RESULTS: The interreader
      reliability was at most moderate for the detection (k=0.53) and fair for
      classification (wk=0.39) of LSTV in standard AP radiograph. However, the
      interreader reliability was very good for detection (k=0.93) and classification
      (wk=0.83) of LSTV in MRI. The accuracy and positive and negative predictive
      values of standard AP radiograph were 76% to 84%, 72% to 86%, and 79% to 81% for
      the detection and 53% to 58%, 51% to 76%, and 49% to 55% for the classification
      of LSTV, respectively. CONCLUSION: Standard AP radiographs are insufficient to
      detect or classify LSTV. Coronal MRI scans, however, are highly reliable for
      classification of LSTV.

PMID- 24210582
TI  - Prostatic and renal aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus in a patient
      receiving alemtuzumab for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is rapidly evolving,
      with emerging new drugs. Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody recognizing CD52
      antigen approved in the treatment of relapsing-refractory CLL. A frequent side
      effect is the immunosuppression and patients treated with alemtuzumab risk to
      develop fungal infections such as aspergillosis. PATIENT AND METHODS: This case
      report is about a patient who developed an uncommon localization of
      aspergillosis: prostatic and renal, after a treatment by alemtuzumab monotherapy.
      During the week 8 of alemtuzumab, the patient presented fever, urinary frequency
      and urologic symptoms. Persistance of fever with common antibiotherapy led to
      realize a tomography that showed prostatic and renal abscess (70mm and 29mm). It
      was decided to realize a prostatic biopsy. RESULTS: Histological findings showed
      suppurative abscess with ischemic necrosis and fungal proliferation, with
      branched fungal hyphae. Direct examination was negative. Culture on Sabouraud's
      agar revealed a mould identified as Aspergillus fumigatus. The organism was
      susceptible to voriconazole (MIC: voriconazole 0,25ug/mL). CONCLUSION: Because of
      the main side effect of alemtuzumab is immunosuppression, we have to research
      fungal infections such as Aspergillosis, particularly in patients with fever
      resistant to common antibiotherapy.

PMID- 24210583
TI  - Chorioamnionitis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in evolution.

PMID- 24210584
TI  - Human papillomavirus genotype distribution in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
      grades 1 or worse among 4215 Chinese women in a population-based study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To estimate the burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and
      cervical disease among sexually active women in a sample of Chinese women.
      METHODS: A multicenter, population-based study was conducted between May 2006 and
      April 2007. A total of 4215 sexually active women aged 17-54 years were surveyed
      from five geographical sites representing both urban and rural areas: Beijing,
      Shanghai, Shanxi, Henan and Xinjiang. Women were referred for colposcopy on the
      basis of results of Pap testing and HPV screening. HPV genotyping of the CIN1+
      specimens was performed with INNO-LiPA. Attribution of HPV types to lesions was
      estimated using a fractional contribution approach. RESULTS: 13.3% of the women
      (559/4215) were referred for colposcopy; 4.3% (183/4215) of these were diagnosed
      with CIN1+. Of the latter, 88.5% (162/183) were typed and 94.4% (153/162) were
      HPV-positive. HPV16 was the most prevalent type in lesions in both urban and
      rural settings. Combined, HPV16 and 18 were attributable to 71.4% of HPV-positive
      CIN2+ lesions. In addition, HPV31, 33, 52 and 58 were prevalent in CIN1+ lesions,
      with HPV33, 52, and 58 combined accounting for 24.1% CIN2+ lesions. Though
      prevalent, HPV31 always occurred as a co-infection with another HPV type and
      therefore was attributed minimal causality. CONCLUSIONS: HPV16 and 18 are
      associated with the majority of cervical lesions in Chinese women from which this
      population-based sample was drawn. In addition, other HPV types, such as 33, 52,
      and 58, also play an important role in cervical disease.

PMID- 24210585
TI  - Challenges of population-based colorectal cancer screening and the importance of
      time-trend analysis when evaluating system change.

PMID- 24210586
TI  - Glyoxal leads to defective keratinocyte migration and down-regulation of Snai2.

PMID- 24210587
TI  - Analysis and in vitro anti-Candida antifungal activity of Cuminum cyminum and
      Salvadora persica herbs extracts against pathogenic Candida strains.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The in vitro antifungal activities of essential oil from Cuminum
      cyminum (C. cyminum) and alcoholic extract from Salvadora persica (S. persica)
      were investigated in order to evaluate their efficacy against C. albicans ATCC
      14053, C. dubliniensis ATCC CD60, C. glabrata ATCC 90030, C. krusei ATCC 6258 and
      C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019. METHODS: The essential oil was obtained by
      hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas
      chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The disc diffusion and broth
      macrodilution methods were used as antifungal susceptibility tests. RESULTS: The
      GC/MS analysis allowed 17 components to be determined; the main constituents of
      C. cyminum essential oil were alpha-pinene (30%), limonene (21%) and 1,8-cineole
      (18.5%). C. cyminum oil had a broad-spectrum antifungal activity against
      different pathogenic Candida species. Inhibition zone values ranged from 7 to
      50mm for C. cyminum and 0 to 10mm for S. persica against the organisms tested.
      The best minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. cyminum oil was associated
      with C. albicans and C. dubliniensis (289 mg/L) and the MICs of S. persica
      extract were 4.9 mg/mL and 20mg/mL against C. albicans and C. dubliniensis,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The results suggested the potential substitution of the
      antifungal chemicals by C. cyminum essential oil and S. persica alcoholic extract
      as natural inhibitors to control the growth of the most important pathogenic
      Candida species and alternative therapies for candidiasis.

PMID- 24210588
TI  - Relative energy balance, CKD, and risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mortality risk for people with chronic kidney disease is
      substantially greater than that for the general population, increasing to a 7
      fold greater risk for those on dialysis therapy. Higher body mass index,
      generally due to higher energy intake, appears protective for people on dialysis
      therapy, but the relationship between energy intake and survival in those with
      reduced kidney function is unknown. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with a
      median follow-up of 14.5 (IQR, 11.2-15.2) years. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Blue
      Mountains Area, west of Sydney, Australia. Participants in the general community
      enrolled in the Blue Mountains Eye Study (n = 2,664) who underwent a detailed
      interview, food frequency questionnaire, and physical examination including body
      weight, height, blood pressure, and laboratory tests. PREDICTORS: Relative energy
      intake, food components (carbohydrates, total sugars, fat, protein, and water),
      and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Relative energy intake was
      dichotomized at 100%, and eGFR, at 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). OUTCOMES: All-cause and
      cardiovascular mortality. MEASUREMENTS: All-cause and cardiovascular mortality
      using unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional regression models. RESULTS: 949
      people died during follow-up, 318 of cardiovascular events. In people with
      eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (n = 852), there was an increased risk of all-cause
      mortality (HR, 1.48; P = 0.03), but no increased risk of cardiovascular mortality
      (HR, 1.59; P = 0.1) among those with higher relative energy intake compared with
      those with lower relative energy intake. Increasing intake of carbohydrates (HR
      per 100g/d, 1.50; P = 0.04) and total sugars (HR per 100g/d, 1.62; P = 0.03) was
      associated significantly with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality.
      LIMITATIONS: Under-reporting of energy intake, baseline laboratory and food
      intake values only, white population. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing relative energy
      intake was associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients with eGFR<60
      mL/min/1.73 m(2). This effect may be mediated by increasing total sugars intake
      on subsequent cardiovascular events.

PMID- 24210589
TI  - Adult-onset eculizumab-resistant hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with
      cobalamin C deficiency.
AB  - A 20-year-old man was hospitalized for malignant hypertension, mechanical
      hemolysis, and kidney failure. Kidney biopsy confirmed glomerular and arteriolar
      thrombotic microangiopathy. Etiologic analyses, which included ADAMTS13 activity,
      stool culture, complement factor proteins (C3, C4, factor H, factor I, and MCP
      [membrane cofactor protein]), anti-factor H antibodies, HIV (human
      immunodeficiency virus) serology, and antinuclear and antiphospholipid
      antibodies, returned normal results. Malignant hypertension was diagnosed. Ten
      months later, we observed a relapse of acute kidney injury and mechanical
      hemolysis. Considering a diagnosis of complement dysregulation-related atypical
      hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), we began treatment with eculizumab. Despite the
      efficient complement blockade, the patient's kidney function continued to
      decline. We performed additional analyses and found that the patient's
      homocysteine levels were dramatically increased, with no vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
      or folate deficiencies. We observed very low plasma methionine levels associated
      with methylmalonic aciduria, which suggested cobalamin C disease. We stopped the
      eculizumab infusions and initiated specific treatment, which resulted in complete
      cessation of hemolysis. MMACHC (methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type C
      protein) sequencing revealed compound heterozygosity for 2 causative mutations.
      To our knowledge, this is the first report of adult-onset cobalamin C-related
      HUS. Considering the wide availability and low cost of the homocysteine assay, we
      suggest that it be included in the diagnostic algorithm for adult patients who
      present with HUS. 

PMID- 24210590
TI  - Estimated GFR decline as a surrogate end point for kidney failure: a post hoc
      analysis from the Reduction of End Points in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes With
      the Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (RENAAL) study and Irbesartan Diabetic
      Nephropathy Trial (IDNT).
AB  - BACKGROUND: A doubling of serum creatinine value, corresponding to a 57% decline
      in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), is used frequently as a component
      of a composite kidney end point in clinical trials in type 2 diabetes. The aim of
      this study was to determine whether alternative end points defined by smaller
      declines in eGFR would improve the statistical power of these clinical trials.
      STUDY DESIGN: Post hoc analyses of 2 multinational randomized controlled trials
      (Reduction of End Points in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes With the Angiotensin
      II Antagonist Losartan [RENAAL] and Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial [IDNT])
      that assessed the treatment effect of the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
      losartan and irbesartan. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 1,513 (RENAAL) and 1,715 (IDNT)
      adult patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy. PREDICTOR: Established
      versus alternative end points defined as a confirmed doubling of serum creatinine
      level versus confirmed eGFR decline of 57%, 40%, 30%, or 20% as a component of a
      composite end point of end-stage renal disease or eGFR < 15mL/min/1.73m(2).
      OUTCOMES: Numbers of patients reaching end points, precision (standard error),
      and significance (z score) of ARB treatment effect (HR) during follow-up.
      RESULTS: Lesser eGFR declines resulted in a greater number of patients reaching
      end points in both treatment groups and lower standard error of the HR, but the
      effect on z score was counterbalanced by attenuation of the HR. When calculating
      the eGFR decline from month 3, attenuation of the HR was less pronounced.
      LIMITATIONS: Post hoc analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increases in precision of
      the treatment effect, eGFR declines less than a doubling of serum creatinine
      value did not consistently improve statistical power of the clinical trials due
      to attenuation of the treatment effect. Attenuation of the treatment effect
      appears to be due in part to acute effects of ARBs on eGFR. These findings should
      be taken into account when using lesser eGFR declines as alternative end points
      for clinical trials.

PMID- 24210591
TI  - Survival trends in ESRD patients compared with the general population in the
      United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health care resources expended on patients with end-stage renal
      disease (ESRD) have increased extensively, with uncertain changes in outcomes. In
      this study, we examined survival trends in the United States in patients with
      ESRD receiving renal replacement therapy with long-term dialysis or
      transplantation relative to the general population. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary
      analysis of records from the US Renal Data System. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS:
      American adults receiving renal replacement therapy in 1977, 1987, 1997, and
      2007. PREDICTOR: Year. OUTCOME: 1-year survival. MEASUREMENTS: Abridged period
      life tables were created for each cross-sectional patient group and were compared
      with general US population life tables to measure relative survival, calculated
      as differences in average survival between the general US and the ESRD
      populations. RESULTS: From 1977 to 2007, ESRD patient groups became significantly
      older (mean age increased from 47 to 58 years) and sicker (ESRD due to diabetes
      increased from 9.1% to 38.2%; patients with a high death risk increased from
      36.8% to 50.7%). Unadjusted age-specific survival improved (for 50-year-olds,
      average life expectancy increased 8% from 7.3 years in 1977 to 7.9 years in
      2007), but age-specific survival increased more extensively in the general US
      population (from 27.5 years in 1977 to 30.9 years in 2007; 12% improvement).
      Accounting for this, age-specific relative survival in patients with ESRD
      decreased (for 50-year-olds, 20.2 life-years lost in 1977 vs 23.0 life-years lost
      in 2007). LIMITATIONS: Our analysis controlled for neither patient comorbid
      conditions nor initial glomerular filtration rate at the start of renal
      replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past 4 decades, age-specific survival
      in patients with ESRD has improved, but has not kept pace with that of the
      general US population. To be complete, future survival studies in patients with
      ESRD should focus on both temporal changes in survival within this group and
      changes relative to the general population.

PMID- 24210592
TI  - Surgical Oncology. Editorial.

PMID- 24210593
TI  - Why Alzheimer trials fail: removing soluble oligomeric beta amyloid is essential,
      inconsistent, and difficult.
AB  - Before amyloid formation, peptides cleaved from the amyloid precursor protein
      (APP) exist as soluble oligomers. These are extremely neurotoxic. Their
      concentration is strongly correlated with synaptic impairment in animals and
      parallel cognitive decline in animals and humans. Clinical trials have largely
      been aimed at removing insoluble beta amyloid in senile plaques and have not
      reduced soluble load. Even treatment that should remove soluble oligomers has not
      consistently reduced the load. Failure to significantly improve cognition has
      frequently been attributed to failure of the amyloid hypothesis or to
      irreversible alteration in the brain. Instead, trial failures may be because of
      failure to significantly reduce load of toxic Abeta oligomers. Moreover,
      targeting only synthesis of Abeta peptides, only the oligomers themselves, or
      only the final insoluble amyloid may fail to significantly reduce soluble load
      because of the interrelationship between these 3 points in the amyloid cascade.
      Thus, treatments may fail unless trials target simultaneously all 3 points in the
      equation-"triple therapy". Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and other monitoring
      tools may in the future provide reliable measurement of soluble load. But
      currently, only analysis of autopsied brains can provide this data and thus
      enable proper evaluation and explanation of the outcome of clinical trials. These
      data are essential before attributing trial failures to the advanced nature of
      the disease or asserting that failures prove that the theory linking Alzheimer's
      disease to products of amyloid precursor protein is incorrect. 

PMID- 24210594
TI  - Development of a model for predicting hydroxyl radical reaction rate constants of
      organic chemicals at different temperatures.
AB  - The reaction rate constants of hydroxyl radicals with organic chemicals (kOH) are
      of great importance for assessing the persistence and fate of organic pollutants
      in the atmosphere. However, experimental determination of kOH seems fairly
      unrealistic, due to the soaring number of the emerging chemicals additional to
      the large number of existing chemicals. Quantitative structure-activity
      relationship (QSAR) models are excellent choices for evaluating and predicting
      kOH values. In this study, a QSAR model that can predict kOH at different
      temperatures was developed by employing quantum chemical descriptors and DRAGON
      descriptors. The adjusted determination coefficient Radj(2) of the model is
      0.873, and the external validation coefficient Qext(2) is 0.835, implying that
      the model has satisfactory robustness and good predictability. Additionally, a
      QSAR model was also built for kOH prediction at room-temperature (298 K). The
      development of the two models followed the guidelines for development and
      validation of QSAR models proposed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation
      and Development (OECD). The applicability domains of the current models were
      extended to several classes of compounds including long-chain alkenes (C8-C13),
      organophosphates, dimethylnaphthalenes, organic selenium and organic mercury
      compounds that have not been covered in the previous studies.

PMID- 24210595
TI  - Fe(III) reduction-mediated phosphate removal as vivianite (Fe3(PO4)2?8H2O) in
      septic system wastewater.
AB  - Phosphate is a water contaminant from fertilizers, soaps, and detergents that
      enters municipal and onsite wastewater from households, businesses, and other
      commercial operations. Phosphate is a limiting nutrient for algae, and is one of
      the molecules that promotes eutrophication of water bodies. Phosphate is
      especially problematic in onsite wastewater because there are few removal
      mechanisms under normal operating conditions; a system must be amended
      specifically with compounds to bond to or adsorb phosphate in the septic tank or
      within the leach field. Vivianite (Fe3(PO4)2?8H2O) is a stable mineral formed
      from ferrous iron and phosphate, often as the result of Fe(III) reducing
      microbial activity. What was unknown was the concentration of phosphate that
      could be removed by this process, and whether it was relevant to mixed microbial
      systems like septic tank wastewater. Data presented here demonstrate that
      significant concentrations of phosphate (12-14mM) were removed as vivianite in
      growing cultures of Geobacter metallireducens strain GS-15. Vivianite
      precipitates were identified on the cell surfaces and within multi cell clusters
      using TEM-EDX; the mineral phases were directly characterized using XRD.
      Phosphate was also removed in dilute and raw (undiluted) septic wastewater
      amended with different forms of Fe(III) including solid phase and soluble
      Fe(III). Vivianite precipitates were recovered and identified using XRD, along
      with siderite (ferrous carbonate), which was expected given that the systems were
      likely bicarbonate buffered. These data demonstrate that ferric iron amendments
      in septic wastewater increase phosphate removal as the mineral vivianite, and
      this may be a good strategy for phosphate attenuation in the septic tank portion
      of onsite wastewater systems. 

PMID- 24210596
TI  - Atmospheric burden of organochlorine pesticides in Ghana.
AB  - Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are subject to the Stockholm Convention on POPs
      and have been banned or restricted globally. In Ghana, concerns of illicit
      applications of some OCPs have been raised in recent times. Applying polyurethane
      foam (PUF) disk passive air samplers (PAS), the levels of OCPs in the atmosphere
      and their spatial resolution were investigated. It was the first nationwide
      coverage of OCPs monitoring in Ghana. ?DDTs and endusulfans constituted the
      highest burden of atmospheric OCPs in Ghana, at average concentrations of 156+/
      36 and 153+/-28 pg m(-3), respectively. Mirex had the lowest concentration (0.2+/
      0.01 pg m(-3)). From the chemical signatures of the various OCPs, we deduced that
      DDT, endosulfans and heptachlor were freshly applied at certain sites, which were
      all agricultural sites. The OCPs were spatially resolved as a function of the
      types of crops cultivated in different areas, legacy issues and recent
      applications.

PMID- 24210597
TI  - Dynamics of transformation of the veterinary antibiotic sulfadiazine in two
      soils.
AB  - Veterinary antibiotics administered to livestock can be unintentionally released
      into the environment, for example by the application of manure to soils. The fate
      of such antibiotics in soils is mostly determined by sorption and degradation
      processes, including transformation. There is a need to further examine the
      combined transformation and sorption behavior of these emerging pollutants in
      soils. Long-term batch sorption experiments with the (14)C-radiolabeled
      antibiotic sulfadiazine enabled us to simultaneously trace the sorption and
      transformation dynamics of sulfadiazine. The parent compound and the
      transformation products were analyzed in the liquid phase and in the extracts
      from the solid phase after a sequential extraction. We found that of up to six
      transformation products were formed during degradation and that these products
      exhibited quite different dynamics in the two soils. Transformation products were
      formed rapidly and were extractable from the solid phase. We observed identical
      sets of the transformation products in both phases. The input concentration
      influenced the course of transformation of the parent substance. We present a
      detailed analysis including a mathematical description and derive regulatory
      kinetic endpoints for predicting environmental concentrations. 

PMID- 24210598
TI  - Sediment baseline study of levels and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      and heavy metals in Lake Nicaragua.
AB  - Selected metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in
      sediment samples from 24 sites in Lake Nicaragua sampled May 2010 to provide a
      baseline of pollution levels. Cu exceeded the Consensus-Based Sediment Quality
      Guideline (CBSQG) Threshold Effect Concentrations (TECs) at 21 sites while Ni
      exceeded the value at one site. Comparison of the sampling sites showed that the
      south-eastern shore and a central part of the lake contained the highest levels
      of As, Cd, Cr, and Ni, while the western part of the lake contained the highest
      levels of Cu, Pb, and Zn. Analysis of PAH levels showed that the CBSQG TECs were
      exceeded by naphthalene at five sites. The sum concentrations of the 16 US EPA
      priority PAHs (?PAH16) ranged from 0.01 mg kg(-1) dw to 0.64 mg kg(-1) dw. The
      highest ?PAH16 concentration was found upstream in River Mayales and the PAH
      composition revealed a heavy PAH fraction (e.g., creosote). The main sources of
      PAHs in Lake Nicaragua were determined as of diffuse petrogenic and pyrogenic
      origin as well as diagenetic produced perylene. The relative importance of these
      PAH sources was determined by interpretation of loading and score plots from a
      principal component analysis. This study concluded that areas of Lake Nicaragua
      represent an important pollution baseline for future studies in this lake and
      other tropical lakes.

PMID- 24210599
TI  - Dasatinib, large granular lymphocytosis, and pleural effusion: useful or adverse
      effect?
AB  - Dasatinib is a second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for clinical
      use in first line and imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia and
      Philadelphia positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In addition to BCR
      ABL1, dasatinib inhibits TEC kinases and SRC family kinases and is more potent
      than imatinib in the treatment of Ph+ leukemias. In the last 3 years, increases
      in cytotoxic T and natural-killer cells in peripheral blood samples have been
      reported in cases treated by dasatinib. The awareness of the clonal expansion of
      large granular lymphocytes and beneficial effect of these clonal cells increased
      the interest to dasatinib in cases receiving this drug. Clonal expansion of large
      granular lymphocytes is an important effect of dasatinib therapy, shown to be an
      off-target phenomenon associated with pleural effusion and better clinical
      response. The benefit of dasatinib-induced lymphocytosis and its underlying
      mechanism of this are important points for clinicians working in hematology and
      oncology. 

PMID- 24210600
TI  - The effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on arterial stiffness
      and endothelial function in obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled
      trial in patients without cardiovascular disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased
      cardiovascular morbidity and mortality which may be mediated by increased
      arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction. Continuous positive airway
      pressure (CPAP) therapy improves excessive daytime somnolence (EDS), but its
      effect on vascular function in patients without preexisting cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) is unclear. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with OSA defined as an
      apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of ?15 and without CVD were recruited into a double
      blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of 12weeks of CPAP
      therapy, of whom 43 participants completed the study protocol. Arterial stiffness
      was assessed by measuring the augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity
      (PWV) by applanation tonometry and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to
      determine aortic distensibility. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring
      vascular reactivity after administration of salbutamol and glyceryl trinitrate.
      RESULTS: CPAP therapy lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP) (126mmHg [standard
      deviation {SD}, 12] vs 129mmHg [SD, 14]; P=.03), with a trend towards reduced AIx
      (15.5 [SD, 11.9] vs 16.6 [SD, 11.7]%; P=.08) but did not modify endothelial
      function. When subjects with (n=24) and without (n=19) EDS were separately
      examined, no effect of CPAP therapy on vascular function was seen. CONCLUSIONS:
      In patients without overt CVD, CPAP therapy had a nonsignificant effect on AIx
      and did not modify endothelial function.

PMID- 24210601
TI  - Restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients: an epidemiologic survey in
      Greece.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder characterized
      by an uncontrolled need to move extremities accompanied by unpleasant sensations,
      which frequently leads to sleep disturbances. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, the
      previously reported RLS prevalence varied enormously, between 6% and 60%. In our
      study, we investigated the RLS prevalence in HD patients for the first time in
      Greece. METHODS: A continuous sample of HD patients was studied between January
      and September of 2010 in six dialysis units in Greece. RLS diagnosis was based on
      the essential clinical criteria of the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG).
      The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for RLS in HD patients was calculated in
      comparison to data from a recent survey of the general population in Greece.
      RESULTS: In our study of 579 HD patients in Greece (236 women; mean age, 65+/
      13years), the prevalence of RLS was elevated in comparison to the general
      population (26.6% vs 3.9%), with an SIR of 5.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6
      6.3). In the fully adjusted model, the risk for RLS in HD patients was reduced in
      older age (odds ratio [OR], 0.98 [95% CI, 0.96-0.99]) and increased in women (OR,
      1.60 [95% CI, 1.05-2.43]) in cases with elevated levels of beta2 microglobulin
      (OR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.01-1.32]) and intact parathormone (iPTH) (OR, 1.30 [95% CI,
      1.08-1.56]). CONCLUSION: A high RLS prevalence was recorded in a large HD
      population in Greece, clearly suggesting the need for enhanced awareness of RLS
      in nephrology. The RLS risk was increased in women and in younger HD patients as
      well as in those with elevated beta2 microglobulin and iPTH levels.

PMID- 24210602
TI  - Sertraline and periodic limb movements during sleep: an 8-week open-label study
      in depressed patients with insomnia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that selective serotonin reuptake
      inhibitors (SSRIs) might induce or exacerbate periodic limb movements during
      sleep (PLMS). However, most of these studies were retrospective and cross
      sectional studies with small sample sizes on a selective SSRI, fluoxetine.
      Because different SSRIs have different pharmacologic profiles, it was not certain
      if other SSRIs also might lead to PLMS. METHODS: Data were taken from an open
      label 8-week trial of sertraline in depressive patients with insomnia (n=31).
      Depressed patients were administered sertraline 50mg at 8:00am on the first day,
      and the dosage was subsequently titrated up to a maximum of 200mg daily during
      the 8-week trial. All participants were tested by repeated polysomnography (PSG)
      (baseline, first day, 14th day, 28th day, and 56th day). Periodic leg movements
      (PLM) were visually counted and the PLM index (PLMI) was calculated. PLMS was
      defined as PLMI ?5, and significant PLMS was defined as PLMI ?15. RESULTS:
      Compared with baseline (PLMI, 3.6+/-1.5), all PLMI indices increased on the
      immediate administration of sertraline on the first day (PLMI, 5.1+/-3.9). From
      the 14th day onward, PLMI became stable and significantly higher than baseline
      and the first day (8.7+/-3.1 on the 14th day, 8.3+/-3.7 on the 28th day, and
      8.5+/-3.6 on the 56th day; F[11.81]; P=.003). The clinical responses and PSG
      characteristics continuously improved during the 8-week trial. The PLMS group
      (PLMI ?5) had a higher arousal index (AI) than the non-PLMS group on the 14th day
      (9.4+/-5.5 vs 5.2+/-3.7; t test, 4.22; P=.03) and the 56th day (8.1+/-5.5 vs
      4.3+/-3.7; z score, 3.11; P=.04); albeit, there was no significant clinical
      disturbances in the PLMS group. CONCLUSIONS: PLMS were increased during
      sertraline treatment, but only a few of the PLMS reached the significant level.
      This effect of sertraline on PLMS might be dosage dependent. Although the
      sertraline-induced PLMS did not seem to cause significant clinical disturbance,
      the PLMS group (PLMI ?5) had a higher AI than the non-PLMS group. Thus clinicians
      should pay more attention to PLMS during SSRI antidepressant treatment.

PMID- 24210603
TI  - Prevalence and clinical characteristics of restless legs syndrome in diabetic
      peripheral neuropathy: comparison with chronic osteoarthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with
      peripheral neuropathy has been reported to be higher than that of the general
      population in some studies, which suggests an association between neuropathy and
      RLS, but not all studies show increased RLS with neuropathy. These differences
      may reflect adequacy of the diagnosis, effects of chronic pain complicating the
      diagnosis, or population differences. Moreover, if there is increased risk for
      RLS with neuropathy, it may reflect consequences of the chronic pain rather than
      other aspects of diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, we investigated the effects
      of diagnosis rigor on the estimated prevalence of RLS in patients with diabetic
      peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and those with chronic leg pain from osteoarthritis
      (OA), and then we compared the RLS prevalence in these two populations with each
      other and with population prevalence for Korea. METHODS: Our study is a
      prospective case-control study of 199 patients with DPN and 220 patients with OA.
      After evaluating the presence of RLS in these subjects using the diagnostic
      criteria of the International RLS Study Group, we confirmed the diagnosis of RLS
      through face-to-face interviews using the 18-item Hopkins Diagnostic
      Questionnaire, which removes RLS mimics; and through independent examinations by
      two neurologists. RESULTS: Of the 199 subjects with DPN, 44 (22%) appeared to
      have RLS from their answers on the 4-item RLS diagnostic questionnaire compared
      to 8 (3.6%) of 220 subjects with OA. However, the prevalence of RLS in the DPN
      group dropped to 16 (8%) subjects but stayed at 8 (3.6%) OA subjects when using
      the Hopkins Telephone Diagnostic Interview (HTDI) adapted for clinical interview.
      The RLS prevalence determined by HTDI remained significantly higher (P=.042) in
      the DPN group compared to the OA group and was twice that reported for the
      general Korean population (8% vs 3.9%). Among subjects with DPN, those with RLS
      were older (68.06+/-8.43years vs 62.46+/-11.05years; P=.049) and had higher pain
      scores (visual analog scale [VAS], 4.69+/-2.52 vs 2.72+/-2.12; P=.002). The
      quality of sleep (MOS [Medical Outcomes Study] sleep scale) and health-related
      quality of life (QoL) (total score on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF
      36]) showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The
      prevalence of RLS in patients with DPN cannot be accurately assessed with only
      the four diagnostic criteria interview, but the prevalence was higher than
      expected for Koreans from the general population prevalence and also was higher
      than occurred with OA patients with chronic leg pains when accurately assessed
      with a structured interview. Chronic leg pain from OA does not significantly
      complicate RLS diagnosis, and chronic pain itself does not explain the increased
      RLS prevalence in diabetic neuropathy.

PMID- 24210604
TI  - Insomnia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: breathless and sleepless.

PMID- 24210605
TI  - Psychopathologic correlates of adult sleepwalking.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sleepwalking (SW) often has been associated with psychopathology, but
      the nature and magnitude of this relation remains unclear. The aim of our study
      was to investigate the presence of psychopathology in a large cohort of
      sleepwalkers and to determine if levels of psychopathology showed differential
      relations to specific characteristics of the disorder, including clinical
      history. METHODS: One-hundred and five sleepwalkers (39 men, 66 women; mean age,
      32.4+/-9.5years) referred to our sleep disorders clinic for chronic SW underwent
      a comprehensive clinical investigation that included an overnight polysomnography
      (PSG) assessment in 90% of cases. All participants also completed a series of
      questionnaires, including the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Revision (BDI
      II), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL
      90-R). RESULTS: The proportion of sleepwalkers who scored above the minimal
      clinical threshold on the BDI-II, BAI, and SCL-90-R was 27%, 40%, and 28%,
      respectively. Only 15% of sleepwalkers showed moderate to severe symptoms on the
      BDI-II and 19% on the BAI. Taken as a whole, these profiles are similar to those
      observed in the general adult population. The presence of psychopathology in
      sleepwalkers was associated with a negative family history for SW, a higher
      frequency of nightmares, and with potentially injurious behaviors enacted during
      somnambulistic episodes. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of adult sleepwalkers consulting
      for the disorder do not report clinically significant levels of depression or
      anxiety. Overall, sleepwalkers with and without psychopathology appear more
      similar than dissimilar.

PMID- 24210606
TI  - The effect of childhood obstructive sleep apnea on ambulatory blood pressure is
      modulated by the distribution of respiratory events during rapid eye movement and
      nonrapid eye movement sleep.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate if different childhood obstructive sleep apnea
      (OSA) subtypes, namely rapid eye movement (REM)-related, nonrapid eye movement
      (NREM)-related and stage-independent OSA would exert different effects on
      ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). METHODS: Data from our previous school-based
      cross-sectional study were reanalyzed. Subjects who had an obstructive apnea
      hypopnea index (OAHI) between 1 and 10 events per hour and a total REM sleep
      duration of >30min were included in our analysis. REM-related and NREM-related
      OSA were defined as a ratio of OAHI in REM sleep (OAHIREM) to OAHI in NREM sleep
      (OAHINREM) of >2 and <0.5, respectively. The others were classified as stage
      independent OSA. RESULTS: A total of 162 subjects were included in the analysis.
      In the mild OSA (OAHI, 1-5events/h) subgroup, no significant differences in any
      ABP parameters were found between OSA subtypes. On the other hand, in subjects
      with moderate OSA (OAHI, 5-10events/h), the REM-related OSA subtype had a
      significantly lower daytime systolic blood pressure (SBP) z score (-0.13+/-0.90
      cf 1.15+/-0.67; P=.012) and nighttime SBP z score (0.29+/-1.06 cf 1.48+/-0.88,
      P=.039) than the stage-independent OSA subtype. Linear regression analyses
      revealed that OAHINREM but not OAHIREM was significantly associated with both
      daytime (P=.008) and nighttime SBP (P=.042) after controlling for age, gender,
      and body size. CONCLUSION: Children with obstructive events mainly in REM sleep
      may have less cardiovascular complications than those with stage-independent OSA.

PMID- 24210607
TI  - Let there be no light: the effect of bedside light on sleep quality and
      background electroencephalographic rhythms.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Artificial lighting has been beneficial to society, but unnecessary
      light exposure at night may cause various health problems. We aimed to
      investigate how whole-night bedside light can affect sleep quality and brain
      activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten healthy sleepers underwent two
      polysomnography (PSG) sessions, one with the lights off and one with the lights
      on. PSG variables related to sleep quality were extracted and compared between
      lights-off and lights-on sleep. Spectral analysis was performed to rapid eye
      movement (REM) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep epochs to reveal any light-induced
      differences in background brain rhythms. RESULTS: Lights-on sleep was associated
      with increased stage 1 sleep (N1), decreased slow-wave sleep (SWS), and increased
      arousal index. Spectral analysis revealed that theta power (4-8Hz) during REM
      sleep and slow oscillation (0.5-1Hz), delta (1-4Hz), and spindle (10-16Hz) power
      during NREM sleep were decreased in lights-on sleep conditions. CONCLUSIONS:
      Sleeping with the light on not only causes shallow sleep and frequent arousals
      but also has a persistent effect on brain oscillations, especially those
      implicated in sleep depth and stability. Our study demonstrates additional
      hazardous effect of light pollution on health.

PMID- 24210608
TI  - Oculomasticatory myorhythmia and agrypnia excitata guide the diagnosis of Whipple
      disease.

PMID- 24210609
TI  - The effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on vascular function in
      obstructive sleep apnea: how much is enough?

PMID- 24210611
TI  - A series of Mousterian occupations in a new type of site: the Nesher Ramla karst
      depression, Israel.
AB  - We report the discovery of a new type of hominin site in the Levant, inhabited
      during MIS 6-5. The site, found within a karst depression at Nesher Ramla,
      Israel, provides novel evidence for Middle Paleolithic lifeways in an
      environmental and depositional setting that is previously undocumented in the
      southern Levant. The carbonate bedrock in the area is characterized by surface
      depressions formed by gravitational sagging of the rock into underlying karst
      voids. In one such depression, an 8 m thick sequence comprising rich and well
      preserved lithic and faunal assemblages, combustion features, hundreds of
      manuports and ochre was discovered. Here we focus on the geological and
      environmental setting and present optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages
      for the 8 m sequence, aiming to place the site within a firm chronological
      framework and determine its significance for a more complete reconstruction of
      cultural developments in the Levantine Middle Paleolithic. To that end,
      preliminary results of the lithic and faunal studies are also presented. 

PMID- 24210610
TI  - Nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumors measuring more than 7 cm: morbidity, and
      functional and oncological outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate morbidity, functional, and
      oncological outcomes after NSS in renal tumors > 7 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively analyzed data from 168 patients with tumors > 7 cm who were
      treated using NSS between 1998 and 2012. RESULTS: Imperative and elective
      indications accounted for 76 (45.2%) and 92 (54.8%) patients, respectively. Major
      perioperative complications and renal function deterioration occurred in 33
      (19.6%) and 51 patients (30.4%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, age
      older than 60 years (P = .001; hazard ratio [HR], 5) and tumor malignancy (P =
      .014; HR, 6.7) were prognostic factors for renal function deterioration whereas
      imperative indication was a risk factor for major postoperative complications (P
      = .0019; HR, 2.7). In 126 (75%) patients with malignant tumors, after a median
      follow-up of 30 months (range, 1-254 months), 25 patients (20.2%) died. In
      multivariate analysis, imperative indication (P = .023; HR, 4.2), positive
      surgical margin (P = .021; HR, 3.3), and Fuhrman grade > II (P = .013; HR, 3.7)
      were prognostic indicators for cancer-free survival (CFS). Imperative indication
      (P = .04; HR, 8.5) and Fuhrman grade > II (P = .04; HR, 3.9) were predictive
      factors of cancer-specific survival (CSS). In case of elective indication,
      positive surgical margin, local recurrence, and cancer-related death occurred in
      4 (7.6%), 1 (1.1%), and 1 (1.1%) cases, respectively. For elective indication, 5
      year estimates of CFS, CSS, and overall survival rates were: 85.7%, 98%, and
      93.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this selected population, imperative vs.
      elective indication status seems to play a critical role in oncologic outcomes.
      Oncologic results for elective indications are close to those reported with
      radical nephrectomy.

PMID- 24210612
TI  - Mutation, condition, and the maintenance of extended lifespan in Drosophila.
AB  - The evolutionary theory of aging predicts that longevity will decline via drift
      or age-specific tradeoffs when selection favors early life fitness. Many
      Drosophila melanogaster populations continually terminated at young adult ages
      retain surprisingly long postselection lifespans. We compiled three decades of
      longevity data from the Ives population, demonstrating that postselective
      longevity was both substantial (30 days) and temporally stable over this period.
      Recently, alleles with positive pleiotropic effects between adjacent ages,
      particularly those affecting overall condition, have been integrated into the
      theory and may explain the extended longevity observed. We experimentally tested
      this hypothesis by isolating 20 hemiclones from Ives and allowing spontaneous
      mutations to accumulate (MA) for 35 generations. Fitness and longevity were
      positively genetically correlated in control females, and both traits declined
      due to MA. Crucially, MA induced a strong positive genetic correlation between
      the traits in both sexes, implying that mutations with early-life impacts also
      reduce late-life survival. Our results suggest that extended postreproductive
      longevity is actively maintained by selection for early-life fitness via positive
      pleiotropy and is not a merely a byproduct of exhaustion of genetic variation or
      weak drift. Thus mutation-selection balance for early fitness may govern variance
      in longevity in this system: a balance struck remarkably long after selection for
      continued survival ceases.

PMID- 24210613
TI  - A conserved Oct4/POUV-dependent network links adhesion and migration to
      progenitor maintenance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The class V POU domain transcription factor Oct4 (Pou5f1) is a
      pivotal regulator of embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and reprogramming of
      somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Oct4 is also an important
      evolutionarily conserved regulator of progenitor cell differentiation during
      embryonic development. RESULTS: Here we examine the function of Oct4 homologs in
      Xenopus embryos and compare this to the role of Oct4 in maintaining mammalian
      embryo-derived stem cells. Based on a combination of expression profiling of
      Oct4/POUV-depleted Xenopus embryos and in silico analysis of existing mammalian
      Oct4 target data sets, we defined a set of evolutionary-conserved Oct4/POUV
      targets. Most of these targets were regulators of cell adhesion. This is
      consistent with Oct4/POUV phenotypes observed in the adherens junctions in
      Xenopus ectoderm, mouse embryonic, and epiblast stem cells. A number of these
      targets could rescue both Oct4/POUV phenotypes in cellular adhesion and
      multipotent progenitor cell maintenance, whereas expression of cadherins on their
      own could only transiently support adhesion and block differentiation in both ESC
      and Xenopus embryos. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, the list of Oct4 transcriptional
      targets contains thousands of genes. Using evolutionary conservation, we
      identified a core set of functionally relevant factors that linked the
      maintenance of adhesion to Oct4/POUV. We found that the regulation of adhesion by
      the Oct4/POUV network occurred at both transcriptional and posttranslational
      levels and was required for pluripotency.

PMID- 24210614
TI  - The mechanism of kindlin-mediated activation of integrin alphaIIbbeta3.
AB  - Increased ligand binding to cellular integrins ("activation") plays important
      roles in processes such as development, cell migration, extracellular matrix
      assembly, tumor metastasis, hemostasis, and thrombosis. Integrin activation
      encompasses both increased integrin monomer affinity and increased receptor
      clustering and depends on integrin-talin interactions. Loss of kindlins results
      in reduced activation of integrins. Kindlins might promote talin binding to
      integrins through a cooperative mechanism; however, kindlins do not increase
      talin association with integrins. Here, we report that, unlike talin head domain
      (THD), kindlin-3 has little effect on the affinity of purified monomeric
      alphaIIbbeta3, and it does not enhance activation by THD. Furthermore, studies
      with ligands of varying valency show that kindlins primarily increase cellular
      alphaIIbbeta3 avidity rather than monomer affinity. In platelets or nucleated
      cells, loss of kindlins markedly reduces alphaIIbbeta3 binding to multivalent but
      not monovalent ligands. Finally, silencing of kindlins reduces the clustering of
      ligand-occupied alphaIIbbeta3 as revealed by total internal reflection
      fluorescence and electron microscopy. Thus, in contrast to talins, kindlins have
      little primary effect on integrin alphaIIbbeta3 affinity for monovalent ligands
      and increase multivalent ligand binding by promoting the clustering of talin
      activated integrins.

PMID- 24210615
TI  - Msn2 coordinates a stoichiometric gene expression program.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many cellular processes operate in an "analog" regime in which the
      magnitude of the response is precisely tailored to the intensity of the stimulus.
      In order to maintain the coherence of such responses, the cell must provide for
      proportional expression of multiple target genes across a wide dynamic range of
      induction states. Our understanding of the strategies used to achieve graded gene
      regulation is limited. RESULTS: In this work, we document a relationship between
      stress-responsive gene expression and the transcription factor Msn2 that is
      graded over a large range of Msn2 concentrations. We use computational modeling
      and in vivo and in vitro analyses to dissect the roots of this relationship. Our
      studies reveal a simple and general strategy based on noncooperative low-affinity
      interactions between Msn2 and its cognate binding sites as well as competition
      over a large number of Msn2 binding sites in the genome relative to the number of
      Msn2 molecules. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to enabling precise tuning of gene
      expression to the state of the environment, this strategy ensures colinear
      activation of target genes, allowing for stoichiometric expression of large
      groups of genes without extensive promoter tuning. Furthermore, such a strategy
      enables precise modulation of the activity of any given promoter by addition of
      binding sites without altering the qualitative relationship between different
      genes in a regulon. This feature renders a given regulon highly "evolvable."

PMID- 24210616
TI  - A glutamate-dependent redox system in blood cells is integral for phagocytosis in
      Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - Glutamate transport is highly regulated as glutamate directly acts as a
      neurotransmitter and indirectly regulates the synthesis of antioxidants. Although
      glutamate deregulation has been repeatedly linked to serious human diseases such
      as HIV infection and Alzheimer's, glutamate's role in the immune system is still
      poorly understood. We find that a putative glutamate transporter in Drosophila
      melanogaster, polyphemus (polyph), plays an integral part in the fly's immune
      response. Flies with a disrupted polyph gene exhibit decreased phagocytosis of
      microbial-derived bioparticles. When infected with S. aureus, polyph flies show
      an increase in both susceptibility and bacterial growth. Additionally, the
      expression of two known glutamate transporters, genderblind and excitatory amino
      acid transporter 1, in blood cells affects the flies' ability to phagocytose and
      survive after an infection. Consistent with previous data showing a regulatory
      role for glutamate transport in the synthesis of the major antioxidant
      glutathione, polyph flies produce more reactive oxygen species (ROS) as compared
      to wild-type flies when exposed to S. aureus. In conclusion, we demonstrate that
      a polyph-dependent redox system in blood cells is necessary to maintain the
      cells' immune-related functions. Furthermore, our model provides insight into how
      deregulation of glutamate transport may play a role in disease.

PMID- 24210618
TI  - Compartmentalized calcium signaling in cilia regulates intraflagellar transport.
AB  - Intraflagellar transport (IFT) underpins many of the important cellular roles of
      cilia and flagella in signaling and motility. The microtubule motors kinesin-2
      and cytoplasmic dynein 1b drive IFT particles (protein complexes carrying ciliary
      component proteins) along the axoneme to facilitate the assembly and maintenance
      of cilia. IFT is regulated primarily by cargo loading onto the IFT particles,
      although evidence suggests that IFT particles also exhibit differential rates of
      movement. Here we demonstrate that intraflagellar Ca(2+) elevations act to
      directly regulate the movement of IFT particles. IFT-driven movement of adherent
      flagella membrane glycoproteins in the model alga Chlamydomonas enables flagella
      mediated gliding motility. We find that surface contact promotes the localized
      accumulation of IFT particles in Chlamydomonas flagella. Highly compartmentalized
      intraflagellar Ca(2+) elevations initiate retrograde transport of paused IFT
      particles to modulate their accumulation. Gliding motility induces
      mechanosensitive intraflagellar Ca(2+) elevations in trailing (dragging) flagella
      only, acting to specifically clear the accumulated microtubule motors from
      individual flagella and prevent a futile tug-of-war. Our results demonstrate that
      compartmentalized intraciliary Ca(2+) signaling can regulate the movement of IFT
      particles and is therefore likely to play a central role in directing the
      movement and distribution of many ciliary proteins.

PMID- 24210619
TI  - Trends in applications for thoracic fellowship in comparison with other
      subspecialties.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Length of training (LOT), lifestyle, and decreasing reimbursement
      have been credited with contributing to the decline in applications to thoracic
      surgery (TS). Other surgical specialties share similarities in LOT and lifestyle;
      however, trends in applications for these specialties have not been compared. One
      cannot look at applications to TS without examining concurrent changes in the
      pool of residents finishing general surgery. To clarify the relative impact of
      LOT, lifestyle, applicant pool, and reimbursement on applications to TS, we
      analyzed these trends concurrently. METHODS: National Resident Matching Program
      residency and fellowship match placement data (1997 to 2012) for general, TS,
      pediatric, transplant, and vascular surgery, including integrated TS and vascular
      surgery, were analyzed. Corresponding trends in reimbursement were analyzed from
      Medical Group Management Association data (1996 to 2010). RESULTS: During the
      study period, percentage of medical students matching into general surgery has
      remained relatively constant (4.9% to 5.5%). Applications for TS have declined
      since 1997. Applications for pediatric and transplant surgery have increased.
      Vascular surgery has remained relatively constant, with an applicant to position
      ratio approximately 1:1. Integrated programs (thoracic and vascular) have been
      popular; 3 to 7.4 applicants per position and 2 to 3.47 applicants per position,
      respectively. Cardiovascular surgery median salaries have remained largely the
      same; salaries for general thoracic, pediatric, transplant, and vascular surgery
      have increased (1.95% to 7.13% per year) although cardiovascular surgeons
      continue to have the highest median salary. CONCLUSIONS: Given the above data, it
      does not appear that LOT is the critical issue associated with the decline in
      fellowship applications for TS. The increased demand for integrated training
      programs may be reflective of other factors rather than LOT. The success of
      abbreviated programs in training competent thoracic surgeons has not yet been
      determined. Given that LOT does not appear to affect applications to surgical
      specialty, we may be able to maintain applications to the specialty without
      compromising LOT.

PMID- 24210617
TI  - Circadian yin-yang regulation and its manipulation to globally reprogram gene
      expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cyanobacterial circadian program exerts genome-wide control of
      gene expression. KaiC undergoes rhythms of phosphorylation that are regulated by
      interactions with KaiA and KaiB. The phosphorylation status of KaiC is thought to
      mediate global transcription via output factors SasA, CikA, LabA, RpaA, and RpaB.
      Overexpression of kaiC has been reported to globally repress gene expression.
      RESULTS: Here, we show that the positive circadian component KaiA upregulates
      "subjective dusk" genes and that its overexpression deactivates rhythmic gene
      expression without significantly affecting growth rates in constant light. We
      analyze the global patterns of expression that are regulated by KaiA versus KaiC
      and find in contrast to the previous report of KaiC repression that there is a
      "yin-yang" regulation of gene expression whereby kaiA overexpression activates
      "dusk genes" and represses "dawn genes," whereas kaiC overexpression
      complementarily activates dawn genes and represses dusk genes. Moreover,
      continuous induction of kaiA latched KaiABC-regulated gene expression to provide
      constitutively increased transcript levels of diverse endogenous and heterologous
      genes that are expressed in the predominant subjective dusk phase. In addition to
      analyzing KaiA regulation of endogenous gene expression, we apply these insights
      to the expression of heterologous proteins whose products are of potential value,
      namely human proinsulin, foreign luciferase, and exogenous hydrogenase.
      CONCLUSIONS: Both KaiC and KaiA complementarily contribute to the regulation of
      circadian gene expression via yin-yang switching. Circadian patterns can be
      reprogrammed by overexpression of kaiA or kaiC to constitutively enhance gene
      expression, and this reprogramming can improve 24/7 production of heterologous
      proteins that are useful as pharmaceuticals or biofuels.

PMID- 24210620
TI  - Stented elephant trunk technique for retrograde type A aortic dissection after
      endovascular stent graft repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retrograde type A aortic dissection is a rare but deadly complication
      after thoracic endovascular aortic repair of type B aortic dissection. Total arch
      replacement combined with a modified stented elephant trunk technique (SET), was
      performed for these complicated dissections. We reviewed our results of the
      procedure for this serious complication, aiming to evaluate the feasibility of
      the technique. METHODS: Between April 2005 and September 2012, 24 patients with
      retrograde type A aortic dissection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair
      underwent the SET procedure in our center. The mean age at operation was 44.1+/
      8.8 years old. Postoperative mortality and morbidity were analyzed to evaluate
      the immediate and mid-term results. RESULTS: Death at 30 days was 4.2% (1 of 24
      patients). No patient suffered paraplegia or stroke after operation. Follow-up
      was completed with 23 survivors. The mean follow-up period was 32.2+/-13.1 months
      (range, 12 to 49 months). No late deaths occurred during follow-up. One patient
      underwent reoperation for replacement of the thoracoabdominal aorta and enjoyed
      an uneventful survival. CONCLUSIONS: The stented elephant trunk technique could
      be an alternative for treatment of retrograde type A aortic dissection with
      acceptable surgical risks and satisfactory results.

PMID- 24210621
TI  - Complications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treatment of cardiogenic
      shock and cardiac arrest: a meta-analysis of 1,866 adult patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used
      successfully for treatment of cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. The exact
      complication rate is not well understood, in part because of small study sizes.
      In the absence of large clinical trials, performance of pooled analysis
      represents the best method for ascertaining complication rates for ECMO. METHODS:
      A systematic PubMed search was conducted on ECMO for treatment of cardiogenic
      shock or cardiac arrest in adult patients only, updated to November 2012. Studies
      with more than 10 patients published in the year 2000 or later that reported
      complication rates for ECMO were included. Specific complications analyzed
      included lower extremity ischemia, fasciotomy or compartment syndrome,
      amputation, stroke, neurologic complications, acute kidney injury, renal
      replacement therapy, major or significant bleeding, rethoracotomy for bleeding or
      tamponade, and significant infection. For studies that included overlapping
      patients, the largest study was included and the others excluded. Cochran's Q and
      I-squared were calculated. A more conservative random-effects model was chosen
      for all analyses. RESULTS: Twenty studies were included in the analyses
      encompassing 1,866 patients. Seventeen studies reported survival to hospital
      discharge, with a cumulative survival rate of 534 of 1,529, and a range of 20.8%
      to 65.4%. Analyses encompassed 192 to 1,452 patients depending on the specific
      complication analyzed. The pooled estimate rates of complications with 95%
      confidence intervals were as follows: lower extremity ischemia, 16.9% (12.5% to
      22.6%); fasciotomy or compartment syndrome, 10.3% (7.3% to 14.5%); lower
      extremity amputation, 4.7% (2.3% to 9.3%); stroke, 5.9% (4.2% to 8.3%);
      neurologic complications, 13.3% (9.9% to 17.7%); acute kidney injury, 55.6%
      (35.5% to 74.0%); renal replacement therapy, 46.0% (36.7% to 55.5%); major or
      significant bleeding, 40.8% (26.8% to 56.6%); rethoracotomy for bleeding or
      tamponade in postcardiotomy patients, 41.9% (24.3% to 61.8%); and significant
      infection, 30.4% (19.5% to 44.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Although ECMO can improve
      survival of patients with advanced heart disease, there is significant associated
      morbidity with performance of this intervention. These findings should be
      incorporated in the risk-benefit analysis when initiation of ECMO for cardiogenic
      shock is being considered.

PMID- 24210622
TI  - Posterior restoration of left ventricle and mitral valve repair in patients with
      muscular dystrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is major risk factor for survival
      among patients with muscular dystrophy (MD). The degenerative postero-lateral
      wall of the left ventricle (LV), which results in systolic dysfunction and
      functional mitral regurgitation (MR) at the time of CHF, is not well described in
      MD. METHODS: We restored the LV and repaired the mitral valves of 6 patients
      (mean age, 43 +/- 9 years) during emergency and elective procedures. Two and 4
      patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classes III and IV,
      respectively. One patient required emergency preoperative intraaortic balloon
      pump support. Before operation, speckle-tracking echocardiography was applied to
      detect the myocardial lesion. The postero-lateral LV wall that is critically
      affected in MD was excluded during posterior restoration. Functional MR was
      repaired using a combination of ring annuloplasty, papillary muscle
      approximation, and chordal cutting. The LV myocardium between the end of the LV
      incision line and the mitral annulus was cryoablated to prevent late ventricular
      arrhythmia. RESULTS: All patients survived (100%) for a mean follow-up of 59+/-39
      (range; 5 to 101) months. The NYHA functional classes improved to I and II (n=3
      each). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter significantly decreased from 77+/
      13 to 59+/-4 mm (p=0.0088), whereas ejection fraction did not significantly
      improve (0.24+/-0.1 vs 0.29+/-0.11, p=0.2451), although MR severity was
      significantly eliminated (3.5+/-0.5 vs 0.5+/-0.6, p=0.0003). No cardiac events
      were associated with CHF or arrhythmia during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior
      restoration of the LV and mitral repair are useful for treating CHF in patients
      with MD, and improve survival.

PMID- 24210623
TI  - Lifetime major depression and comorbid disorders among current-era women
      veterans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most research on women veterans' mental health has focused on
      postraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or reactions to military sexual trauma.
      Although depression is also a frequent diagnosis among women veterans, little is
      known about its characteristics, including comorbid conditions and patterns of
      disorder onset. We investigated lifetime diagnoses of major depressive disorder
      (MDD) and comorbid conditions in a primarily treatment-seeking research sample of
      male and female veterans to determine frequency of lifetime MDD, comorbid
      disorders and their temporal onset. METHOD: The 1700 veterans (346 women; 1354
      men) completed diagnostic interviews as participants in a research registry.
      Rates of and gender differences in lifetime MDD and comorbid conditions (PTSD,
      other anxiety disorders, substance use and eating disorders) were calculated. We
      assessed the percentage of cases in which MDD preceded the comorbid condition
      (primary onset MDD). RESULTS: Lifetime MDD was frequent in this sample, and
      significantly more common in women (46.5%) than in men (36.3%). Gender
      differences in comorbidity were found for anxiety and eating disorders (more
      common in women); and for alcohol and nicotine use disorders (more common in
      men). However, primary onset MDD was no more common among women than among men,
      and was in neither case the predominant pattern of comorbid lifetime disorder
      onset. LIMITATIONS: The sample is not representative of all veterans, and
      lifetime diagnoses were based on retrospective recall. CONCLUSIONS: MDD usually
      follows the onset of other comorbid disorders among women veterans, indicating
      the need to assess for earlier lifetime disorders in veterans with MDD.

PMID- 24210624
TI  - The prospective long-term course of adult depression in general practice and the
      community. A systematic literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Findings about the prospective long-term course of depression are
      usually derived from clinical populations while knowledge about the course in
      community and primary care samples is rarer. As depressive disorders are highly
      prevalent and associated with considerable disability and costs, this information
      is needed to identify the percentages of subjects with a favorable or unfavorable
      prognosis. Therefore our aim was to summarize the available evidence on the
      prospective longitudinal course of depression in both general practice and the
      community. METHODS: We conducted a systematic, computerized search of Medline and
      PsycINFO. Main selection criteria were (a) adults with observer assessed
      depressive disorder recruited in the community or in general practice and (b)
      naturalistic study with follow-up length of at least three years. As primary
      outcome the percentages of stable recovery, recovery during or at follow-up,
      recurrence and chronic course were used. RESULTS: We identified 12 cohorts, with
      4009 followed-up individuals. Follow-up intervals ranged between three and 49
      years. Between 35% and 60% of participants experienced a stable recovery with no
      (further) recurrences, while 70-85% recovered at least once during follow-up. A
      consistent percentage of 10-17% had a chronic course. Recurrence rates varied
      considerably ranging between 7% and 65%. Significant predictors of an unfavorable
      course appear to be mainly those variables that lie within the course of
      depression itself, i.e. history of depression, baseline severity, and
      comorbidity. LIMITATIONS: Use of broad inclusion criteria heightened study
      heterogeneity and hampered comparability. CONCLUSION: Regarding stable recovery,
      the long-term course within general practice and community samples seems more
      favorable than within clinical samples. Further research applying a standardized
      methodology is required.

PMID- 24210626
TI  - Does obesity predict bipolarity in major depressive patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Differential association of obesity in bipolar and unipolar Major
      Depressive Episode (MDE) has not been systematically studied. We explore the
      relationships between obesity and history of manic and hypomanic symptoms in a
      large national clinical sample of MDE patients. METHOD: The sample comprised 571
      consecutive patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of MDE enrolled in a 7 months
      period. The study involved 30 psychiatric facilities for outpatients, distributed
      throughout Italy. Diagnosis was formulated by psychiatrists with extensive
      clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders. In all
      patients height (meters) and weight (kilograms) were systematically measured at
      the moment of the clinical evaluation. The severity of depressive and anxious
      symptomatology was self-evaluated by the means of Zung's questionnaires for
      depression and anxiety. For the evaluation of lifetime manic or hypomanic
      features, Hypomania Check List-32 was also administered. Obese and Non-Obese
      subgroups were identified on the basis of a >30 BMI cut off point. RESULTS: BMI
      <=30 was observed in 86 (15.1%) of our MDE patients. The Obese and Non-Obese
      subgroups did not report differences as regards to age and gender distribution.
      Obese patients reported a lower number of years of education in comparison with
      Non-Obese patients. As regards to marital status, Obese patients were more
      frequently married in comparison with the Non-Obese patients. Obese patients were
      more frequently belonging to the bipolar group than Non-Obese patients. Obese
      subjects also reported more frequently than Non-Obese an HCL total score >14. The
      effect of educational level, marital status and bipolar-unipolar distinction on
      the probability of Obese group membership was analyzed by stepwise logistic
      regression. Bipolar subtype resulted to be the strongest predictor of Obesity.
      LIMITATIONS: Pharmacological treatments and co-morbidity with other psychiatric
      disorders are not explored and accounted for in our analyses. CONCLUSIONS:
      Obesity in our national sample of patients with MDE is associated with bipolar
      subtype and (hypo)manic symptoms. These findings suggest the possibility that the
      presence of obesity in patients with MDE might be related to bipolarity. A common
      impulsive-addictive diathesis is proposed as mediating mechanism. Further
      longitudinal studies in clinical and non-clinical populations are necessary to
      better define the burden and the role of the association between obesity and
      bipolarity.

PMID- 24210625
TI  - Improving the psychometric utility of the hypomania checklist (HCL-32): a Rasch
      analysis approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The HCL-32 is a widely-used screening questionnaire for hypomania. We
      aimed to use a Rasch analysis approach to (i) evaluate the measurement
      properties, principally unidimensionality, of the HCL-32, and (ii) generate a
      score table to allow researchers to convert raw HCL-32 scores into an interval
      level measurement which will be more appropriate for statistical analyses.
      METHODS: Subjects were part of the Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN) study
      with DSM-IV bipolar disorder (n=389). Multidimensionality was assessed using the
      Rasch fit statistics and principle components analysis of the residuals (PCA).
      Item invariance (differential item functioning, DIF) was tested for gender,
      bipolar diagnosis and current mental state. Item estimates and reliabilities were
      calculated. RESULTS: Three items (29, 30, 32) had unacceptable fit to the Rasch
      unidimensional model. Item 14 displayed significant DIF for gender and items 8
      and 17 for current mental state. Item estimates confirmed that not all items
      measure hypomania equally. LIMITATIONS: This sample was recruited as part of a
      large ongoing genetic epidemiology study of bipolar disorder and may not be fully
      representative of the broader clinical population of individuals with bipolar
      disorder. CONCLUSION: The HCL-32 is unidimensional in practice, but measurements
      may be further strengthened by the removal of four items. Re-scored linear
      measurements may be more appropriate for clinical research.

PMID- 24210627
TI  - Psychological coping in depressed outpatients: association with cortisol response
      to the combined dexamethasone/CRH test.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is associated with dysfunctional coping styles and
      dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Studies have
      shown that maladaptive coping strategies relate to abnormal HPA axis function;
      however, such a relationship has been under-studied in patients with depression.
      We aimed to examine whether dysfunctional coping styles in depression would be
      associated with abnormal cortisol reactivity. METHODS: Seventy-four outpatients
      with major depressive disorder and 133 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals
      were recruited. Coping was assessed by the Ways of Coping Checklist.
      Psychological distress was assessed by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Cortisol
      reactivity was measured by the combined dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing
      hormone test. RESULTS: Compared to healthy individuals, depressed patients
      demonstrated significantly less use of problem-solving, positive reappraisal and
      social support coping styles and more use of self-blame and wishful thinking
      styles. Such a pattern of coping styles was significantly associated with
      patients' greater distress. Partial correlation analysis in patients, controlling
      for age and sex, revealed a significant correlation between more use of escape
      avoidance coping and lower levels of reactive cortisol measures. A stepwise
      multiple regression analysis predicting cortisol reactivity from age, sex,
      distress, symptom severity and coping styles revealed that escape-avoidance
      coping was a significant predictor. LIMITATIONS: The neuroendocrine challenge
      test was administered only once, based on a simple test protocol. CONCLUSIONS:
      More use of escape-avoidance coping in depressed patients was associated with
      less cortisol reactivity. Our findings shed light on the heterogeneity of
      depression in terms of low and high levels of avoidance associated with
      exaggerated and blunted HPA axis reactivity, respectively.

PMID- 24210629
TI  - Unipolar mania: a distinct entity?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether or not unipolar mania is a separate nosological entity
      remains a subject of dispute. This review discusses that question in light of
      recent data. METHODS: Unipolar mania studies in the PUBMED database and relevant
      publications and cross-references were searched. RESULTS: There seems to be a
      bipolar subgroup with a stable, unipolar recurrent manic course, and that 15-20%
      of bipolar patients may be unipolar manic. Unipolar mania may be more common in
      females. It seems to have a slightly earlier age of illness onset, more
      grandiosity, psychotic symptoms, hyperthymic temperament, but less rapid-cycling,
      suicidality and comorbid anxiety disorders. It seems to have a better course of
      illness with better social and professional adjustment. However, its response to
      lithium prophylaxis seems to be worse, although its response to valproate is the
      same when compared to that of classical bipolar. LIMITATIONS: The few studies on
      the subject are mainly retrospective, and the primary methodological criticism is
      the uncertainty of the diagnostic criteria for unipolar mania. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results indicate that unipolar mania displays some different clinical
      characteristics from those of classical bipolar disorder. However, whether or not
      it is a separate nosological entity has not been determined due to the
      insufficiency of relevant data. Further studies with standardized diagnostic
      criteria are needed. Considering unipolar mania as a course specifier of bipolar
      disorder could be an important step in this respect.

PMID- 24210628
TI  - Dimensions in major depressive disorder and their relevance for treatment
      outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous disease. More
      homogeneous psycho(patho)logical dimensions would facilitate MDD research as well
      as clinical practice. The first aim of this study was to find potential
      dimensions within a broad psychopathological assessment in depressed patients.
      Second, we aimed at examining how these dimensions predicted course in MDD.
      METHODS: Ten psychopathological variables were assessed in 75 MDD inpatients.
      Factor and regression analyses assessed putative relations between
      psychopathological factors and depression severity and outcome after 8 weeks of
      treatment. RESULTS: A 3-factor model (eigenvalue: 54.4%) was found, representing
      a psychomotor change, anhedonia and negative affect factor. Anhedonia and
      negative affect predicted depression severity (R(2)=0.37, F=20.86, p<0.0001).
      Anhedonia predicted non-response (OR 6.00, CI 1.46-24.59) and both negative
      affect (OR 5.69, CI 1.19-27.20) and anhedonia predicted non-remission (OR 9.28,
      CI 1.85-46.51). LIMITATIONS: The sample size of the study was relatively modest,
      limiting the number of variables included in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Results
      confirm that psychomotor change, anhedonia and negative affect are key MDD
      dimensions, two of which are related to treatment outcome.

PMID- 24210630
TI  - Cortical thickness, cortical and subcortical volume, and white matter integrity
      in patients with their first episode of major depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The uncertainty over the true morphological changes in brains with
      major depressive disorder (MDD) underlines the necessity of comprehensive studies
      with multimodal structural brain imaging analyses. This study aimed to evaluate
      the differences in cortical thickness, cortical and subcortical volume, and white
      matter integrity between first episode, medication-naive MDD patients and healthy
      controls. METHODS: Subjects with their first episode of MDD whose illness
      duration had not exceeded 6 months (n=20) were enrolled in this study and were
      compared to age-, sex-, and education level-matched healthy controls (n=22). All
      participants were subjected to T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI). We used an automated procedure of FreeSurfer and Tract-based spatial
      statistics (TBSS) to analyze differences in cortical thickness, cortical and
      subcortical volume, and white matter integrity between two groups. RESULTS: The
      patients with first episode MDD exhibited significantly reduced cortical volume
      in the caudal anterior cingulate gyrus (P<0.0015) compared to healthy controls.
      We also observed altered white matter integrity in the body of the corpus
      callosum (P<0.01), reduced cortical volume of the caudal middle frontal gyrus and
      medial orbitofrontal gyrus, and enlarged hippocampal volume in the first episode
      MDD patients. LIMITATIONS: We relied on a relatively small sample size and
      cortical volume reduction in several brain regions was not replicated in the
      analysis of cortical thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Using multimodal imaging analyses on
      medication-naive first episode MDD patients, we demonstrated fundamental
      structural alteration of brain gray and white matter, such as reduced cortical
      volume of the caudal ACC and white matter integrity in the body of the corpus
      callosum.

PMID- 24210631
TI  - Radiolabeled nanoceria probes may reduce oxidative damages and risk of cancer: a
      hypothesis for radioisotope-based imaging procedures.
AB  - Low-dose ionizing radiations are commonly utilized in medical centers for
      diagnostic imaging procedures. Unfortunately, the absorption of ionizing
      radiation generates reactive chemical species that could damage cells. In
      diagnostic radioisotope-based imaging procedures, the radiological exposures by
      gamma emitter imaging probes such as radioactive technetium ((99m)Tc) could
      express low risk of cancer. Recently, many studies have documented cell
      protective, neuro-protective, anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective properties
      of cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) as a result of their antioxidant and
      free radical scavenger properties. Since there is no safe level of ionizing
      radiations, then we hypothesize that radiolabeled nanoceria might be an
      interesting probe to reduce cancer risk and other related oxidative stresses. We
      also provide a synthetic scheme of nanoceria functionalization with fluorine
      radiolabeled ligands as an exemplary approach. In conclusion, using nanoceria to
      combine radioisotope-based imaging probes with antioxidant activity might open
      new way to protect patient against radioactive emission of radioisotopes and
      ionizing radiations in several radioisotope-based imaging applications, in
      particular for patients who need frequent imaging procedures and children who are
      more susceptible to radiation. 

PMID- 24210632
TI  - FOLICation: engineering approved drugs as potential p53-MDM2 interaction
      inhibitors for cancer therapy.
AB  - Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells leading to the
      formation of tumors. Normally, the pro-apoptotic p53 protein plays a central role
      in protecting cells against carcinogenesis. In almost 50% human tumor cells,
      however, the p53 protein is dysregulated by direct interaction with its negative
      regulator, the Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) protein. Therefore, blocking the p53
      binding pocket on MDM2, leading to the activation of tumor suppressor p53
      presents a novel therapeutic strategy against several types of cancers. The
      published crystal structure of MDM2 bound with the p53 binding domain has
      revealed that three key hydrophobic residues of p53 are buried deep into the
      binding cavity of MDM2 and thus are central to p53-MDM2 binding. Accordingly,
      several low-molecular-weight compounds have been developed that mimic these three
      hydrophobic residues and thus bind to the MDM2 pocket, leading in turn to
      inhibition of the deleterious p53-MDM2 interaction. It is noteworthy that these
      inhibitors also possess an additional hydrophilic group that is shown to be
      necessary as a "cover" protecting the hydrophobic interaction surface between
      inhibitor and MDM2 from surrounding solvent. In comparison, several FDA-approved
      drugs possess the three key hydrophobic features necessary for binding to MDM2,
      but lack the fourth hydrophilic moiety, thus possibly hindering their ability as
      potential p53-MDM2 interaction inhibitors. Therefore, we hypothesize that
      conjugation of hydrophilic vitamin folic acid or its analogs to these drugs
      (termed "FOLICation") may provide them with the much-needed hydrophilic cover and
      make them suitable for investigation as potentially novel p53-MDM2 inhibitors. We
      also anticipate that FOLICation of these drugs may further lead to their enhanced
      and selective uptake by cancer cells, owing to the significantly higher
      expression of folic acid receptors on cancer cells compared to normal cells. 

PMID- 24210633
TI  - Calcium risk-benefit updated--new WHI analyses.

PMID- 24210634
TI  - Scientific principles of regenerative medicine and their application in the
      female reproductive system.
AB  - The goal of regenerative medicine is to repair, replace, or regenerate diseased
      tissues/organs in order to restore normal function. In this paper we will first
      discuss the general principle of regenerative medicine and the various techniques
      and approaches that have been used to replace or regenerate cells in diseased
      tissues and organs. Then, we will review different regenerative medicine
      approaches that have been used to treat specific diseased tissues and organs of
      the reproductive system in both animal and human experiments. It is clear from
      this article that regenerative medicine holds significant promise, and we hope
      that the review will serve as a platform for further development of regenerative
      medicine technologies for the treatment of inadequacies of the reproductive
      system. 

PMID- 24210635
TI  - Circulating uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein, a marker of vitamin K status, as a
      risk factor of cardiovascular disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Vitamin K plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of Matrix Gla protein
      (MGP), a calcification inhibitor in vascular tissue. Vascular calcification has
      become an important predictor of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the current
      study was to examine the potential association of circulating desphospho
      carboxylated and -uncarboxylated MGP (dp-cMGP and dp-ucMGP), reflecting vitamin K
      status, with the incidence of cardiovascular events and disease (CVD) in older
      individuals. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted in 577 community-dwelling
      older men and women of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), aged >55
      year, who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Multivariate Cox
      proportional hazards models were used to analyze the data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Incidence of CVD. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 5.6+/-1.2 year, we
      identified 40 incident cases of CVD. After adjustment for classical confounders
      and vitamin D status, we observed a more than 2-fold significantly higher risk of
      CVD for the highest tertile of dp-ucMGP with a HR of 2.69 (95% CI, 1.09-6.62) as
      compared with the lowest tertile. Plasma dp-cMGP was not associated with the risk
      of CVD. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin K insufficiency, as assessed by high plasma dp-ucMGP
      concentrations is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease
      independent of classical risk factors and vitamin D status. Larger
      epidemiological studies on dp-ucMGP and CVD incidence are needed followed by
      clinical trials to test whether vitamin K-rich diets will lead to a decreased
      risk for cardiovascular events.

PMID- 24210636
TI  - Longevity and diet. Myth or pragmatism?
AB  - Longevity is a very complex phenomenon, because many environmental, behavioral,
      socio-demographic and dietary factors influence the physiological pathways of
      aging and life-expectancy. Nutrition has been recognized to have an important
      impact on overall mortality and morbidity; and its role in extending life
      expectancy has been the object of extensive scientific research. This paper
      reviews the pathophysiological mechanisms that potentially link aging with diet
      and the scientific evidence supporting the anti-aging effect of the traditional
      Mediterranean diet, as well as of some specific foods. The diet and several of
      its components have additionally been shown to have beneficial effects on the co
      morbidities typical of elderly populations. Furthermore, the epigenetic effects
      of diet on the aging process - through calorie restriction and the consumption of
      foods like red wine, orange juice, probiotics and prebiotics - have attracted
      scientific interest. Some, such as dark chocolate, red wine, nuts, beans,
      avocados are being promoted as anti-aging foods, due to their anti-oxidative and
      anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, an important moderator in the relationship
      between diet, longevity and human health remains the socio-economic status of
      individual, as a healthy diet, due to its higher cost, is closely related to
      higher financial and educational status. 

PMID- 24210637
TI  - [Results after internal fixation of humerus distal fractures in patients over
      than 65 years old].
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Distal humerus fractures in the elderly frequently
      associated with poor bone quality and comminution, making it harder to achieve
      proper osteosynthesis. Our aim is to evaluate the radiological and functional
      results of open reduction and internal fixation of these fractures. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Retrospective study of 26 patients treated by open reduction and
      internal fixation between the years 2005-2010. Mean follow-up was 42 months. At
      final follow-up, a radiography evaluation (Knirk and Jupiter score) and clinical
      examination using Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Quick-Disabilities of the Arm,
      Shoulder and Hand Score was performed. Mean age of the group was 76.8 years (65
      89), with 83% of the patients being female. Sixteen patients suffered type C
      fractures and 8 type A by AO classification. All underwent posterior surgical
      approach. RESULTS: Mean elbow flexion reached 118.86 degrees , with a mean
      extension deficit of 25 degrees . More than 3-quarters (79.1%) of the patients
      showed 0-1 grade degenerative changes on the X-ray films at final follow-up.
      Functional results reached an average 19.87 points on Quick-Disabilities of the
      Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score, and 85 points on Mayo Elbow Performance Score
      scores. Non-union occurred in 2 cases: distal humerus in one patient and
      olecranon osteotomy in another. Ulnar nerve neuropraxia was recorded in 2 cases,
      and radial nerve in one. All 3 recovered uneventfully. Revision surgery was
      required, with 2 patients needing hardware removal and one a new fixation.
      DISCUSSION: Treatment by open reduction and internal fixation with plating in
      elderly people for type A and C distal humerus fractures gives good functional
      results regarding this population, and thus scarcely disturbs their quality of
      life.

PMID- 24210638
TI  - Stability of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the setting of retained
      facets and posterior fixation using transfacet or standard pedicle screws.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) technique
      supplements posterior instrumented lumbar spine fusion and has been tested with
      different types of screw fixation for stabilization. Transforaminal lumbar
      interbody fusion is usually placed through a unilateral foraminal approach after
      unilateral facetectomy, although extraforaminal entry allows the facet to be
      spared. PURPOSE: To characterize the biomechanics of L4-L5 lumbar motion segments
      instrumented with bilateral transfacet pedicle screw (TFPS) fixation versus
      bilateral pedicle screw-rod (PSR) fixation in the setting of intact facets and
      native disc or after discectomy and extraforaminal placement of a TLIF technology
      graft. STUDY DESIGN: Human cadaveric lumbar spine segments were biomechanically
      tested in vitro to provide a nonpaired comparison of four configurations of
      posterior and interbody instrumentation. METHODS: Fourteen human cadaveric spine
      specimens (T12-S1) underwent standard pure moment flexibility tests with intact
      L4-L5 disc and facets. Seven were studied with intact discs, after TFPS fixation,
      and then with TLIF and TFPS fixation. The others were studied with intact discs,
      after PSR fixation, and then combined with extraforaminally placed TLIF. Loads
      were applied about anatomic axes to induce flexion-extension, lateral bending,
      and axial rotation. Three-dimensional specimen motion in response to applied
      loads during flexibility tests was determined. A nonpaired comparison of the four
      configurations of posterior and interbody instrumentation was made. RESULTS:
      Transfacet pedicle screw and PSR, with or without TLIF, significantly reduced
      range of motion during all directions of loading. Transfacet pedicle screw
      provided greater stability than PSR in all directions of motion except lateral
      bending. In flexion, TFPS was more stable than PSR (p=.042). A TLIF device
      provided less stability than the intact disc in constructs with TFPS and PSR.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that fixation at L4-L5 with TFPS is a
      promising alternative to PSR, with or without TLIF. A TLIF device was less stable
      than the native disc with both methods of instrumentation presumably because of a
      fulcrum effect from a relatively small footplate. Additional interbody support
      may be considered for improved biomechanics with TLIF.

PMID- 24210639
TI  - Genome-wide association studies of lumbar disc degeneration--are we there yet?

PMID- 24210640
TI  - New intervertebral device? No, just a bullet inside the L3-L4 disc.

PMID- 24210641
TI  - [Interest of emergency dermatological consultation in a regional hospital].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Dermatologists, both as hospital and as resident practitioners, are
      often requested to see emergencies of their discipline, although appointment
      planning are already fully booked months in advance. Orleans Regional Hospital
      (ORH) has opened a department of dermatological emergency consultation to try to
      help with this issue. A prospective, descriptive and consecutive study on patient
      characteristics was conducted during its first year operating. METHOD: In
      September 2011, we opened a department of dermatological emergency consultation.
      Reception is skin disorders evaluated by physicians or nurses as "emergencies",
      according to predefined criteria. Follow-up visits are performed in the
      afternoon. RESULTS: Within one year, 2209 medical visits were conducted, with an
      average of 8,7 emergency visits per day. The maximum numbers of patients treated
      by our dermatological emergency unit in one single morning was 19. Mondays were
      the busiest day of the week. The average age of a patient attending the
      department was 33 years, with 29% of pediatric patients (under 15 years old). The
      majority of patients presented spontaneously (43%), or were referred by general
      practitioners (25%). Adult and pediatric emergency departments sent 8% of
      patients. The two main reasons for consultation were rash (48%) and pruritus
      (16%). Diagnoses observed were mainly infections (24%) and eczema (14%). Scabies
      accounted for 9% of all diagnoses. In the aftermath of an emergency
      dermatological consultation, 84 patients were hospitalized, including 74 in the
      dermatology department of Orleans hospital totalling 505 days of hospitalization.
      CONCLUSION: The value of a dermatological emergency consultation is well
      demonstrated in areas where more medical services are available (such as cities
      with University hospitals available). It is even more justified in areas with a
      deficit of healthcare service availability such as Central France.

PMID- 24210642
TI  - [Still a place for hormone replacement therapy?].
AB  - Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the most efficient treatment to
      alleviate climacteric symptoms. The drastic decline in their prescription
      following the WHI is not fully justified. Benefits might be more important than
      harm in women 50-60 years. French way of treatment does not increase the risk in
      thrombosis nor stroke and breast cancer risk is less important than with other
      regimen. One of the major benefits of HRT is the decrease in type 2 diabetes with
      all the treatments including the French ones. The results of the American
      randomized trials cannot be fully extrapolated to young postmenopausal women with
      less cardiovascular risk factors.

PMID- 24210643
TI  - CpG oligonucleotides protect against Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus
      infection in a route-dependent manner.

PMID- 24210644
TI  - The intra- and inter-rater reliability of component analysis of rise from supine
      in the children with typical development and developmental delay.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability
      of classifying the movement patterns of rising from supine to stand in the
      children with typical development (TD) and mild to moderate developmental delay
      (DD). Sixty-eight children with TD and 20 children with DD aged 2 through 6 years
      were videotaped during rising. Two trained pediatric physical therapists
      independently viewed each videotape and classified the movement patterns of upper
      extremities (UE), trunk/axial (AX) and lower extremities (LE) regions using
      descriptive categories developed by previous researchers. Kappa statistic and
      average percentage of agreement were calculated to determine reliability. The
      average agreement rate of intra-rater ranged from 90% to 97% in TD group for
      three regions, and 79% to 89% in DD group; the agreement rate between raters
      ranged from 82% to 95% in TD group for three regions, and 71% to 87% in DD group.
      Using kappa statistic guidelines, high intra- and inter-rater reliabilities
      (k>0.81) were found in TD group, except inter-rater reliability for LE.
      Substantial intra- and inter-reliabilities (0.61<k<0.81) were found in DD group.
      As comparing the reliabilities of three regions, the lowest intra- and inter
      rater reliabilities were found at the LE region in both groups. As taking age
      into consideration and dividing each group into subgroups by 2-year interval, in
      DD group, the intra-rater reliabilities were higher in younger participants (aged
      2-4 years), except for the LE region, but the results of inter-rater
      reliabilities were variable. For the children with TD, the levels of inter-rater
      reliability increased for the UE region and decreased for LE region in older age,
      but the results for these two regions were reverse for the children with DD. The
      findings of this study suggested that the complexities and difficulties affecting
      reliabilities in classifying the movement patterns of rising were related to
      developmental capability, age and body region. In order to improve intra- and
      inter-rater reliabilities, extra training is needed in examining the children
      with DD, particularly for the UE and LE regions. 

PMID- 24210645
TI  - Seronegative syphilis: another case for the great imitator.

PMID- 24210646
TI  - Lipid sensing in the brain and regulation of energy balance.
AB  - Nutrient-sensitive neurons [to glucose and fatty acids (FAs)] are present at many
      sites throughout the brain, including the hypothalamus and brain stem, and play a
      key role in the neural control of energy and glucose homoeostasis. Through their
      neuronal output, FAs can modulate feeding behaviour as well as insulin secretion
      and activity. Central administration of oleate, for example, inhibits food intake
      and glucose production in rats. This suggests that daily variations in plasma FA
      concentrations could be detected by the central nervous system as a signal that
      contributes to regulation of energy balance. At the cellular level,
      subpopulations of neurons in the ventromedial and arcuate hypothalamic nuclei are
      selectively either inhibited or activated by FAs. Possible molecular effectors of
      these FA effects most likely include the chloride and potassium ion channels.
      While intracellular metabolism and activation of the ATP-sensitive K(+) channels
      appear to be necessary for some signalling effects of FAs, at least half the FA
      responses in ventromedial hypothalamic neurons are mediated by interaction with
      fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36, an FA transporter/receptor that does not
      require intracellular metabolism to activate downstream signalling. Thus, FAs and
      their metabolites can modulate neuronal activity by directly monitoring the
      ongoing fuel availability for brain nutrient-sensing neurons involved in the
      regulation of energy and glucose homoeostasis. Besides these physiological
      effects, FA overload or metabolic dysfunction may also impair neural control of
      energy homoeostasis and contribute to obesity and/or type 2 diabetes in
      predisposed subjects. 

PMID- 24210647
TI  - Soil carbon sequestration in rainfed production systems in the semiarid tropics
      of India.
AB  - Severe soil organic carbon (SOC) depletion is a major constraint in rainfed
      agroecosystems in India because it directly influences soil quality, crop
      productivity and sustainability. The magnitude of soil organic, inorganic and
      total carbon stocks in the semi-arid bioclimate is estimated at 2.9, 1.9 and 4.8
      Pg respectively. Sorghum, finger millet, pearl millet, maize, rice, groundnut,
      soybean, cotton, food legumes etc. are predominant crop production systems with a
      little, if any, recycling of organic matter. Data from the long term experiments
      on major rainfed production systems in India show that higher amount of crop
      residue C input (Mg/ha/y) return back to soil in soybean-safflower (3.37) system
      practiced in Vertisol region of central India. Long term addition of chemical
      fertilizer and organic amendments improved the SOC stock. For every Mg/ha
      increase in SOC stock in the root zone, there occurs an increase in grain yield
      (kg/ha) of 13, 101, 90, 170, 145, 18 and 160 for groundnut, finger millet,
      sorghum, pearl millet, soybean and rice, respectively. Long-term cropping without
      using any organic amendment and/or mineral fertilizers can severely deplete the
      SOC stock which is the highest in groundnut-finger millet system (0.92 Mg C/ha/y)
      in Alfisols. Some agroforestry systems also have a huge potential of C
      sequestration to the extent of 10Mg/ha/y in short rotation eucalyptus and
      Leucaena plantations. The critical level of C input requirements for maintaining
      SOC at the antecedent level ranges from 1.1 to 3.5 Mg C/ha/y and differs among
      soil type and production systems. National level policy interventions needed to
      promote sustainable use of soil and water resources include prohibiting residue
      burning, reducing deforestation, promoting integrated farming systems and
      facilitating payments for ecosystem services. A wide spread adoption of these
      measures can improve soil quality through increase in SOC sequestration and
      improvement in agronomic productivity of rainfed agroecosystems.

PMID- 24210648
TI  - Patterns of optimization in single- and inter-leg gait dynamics.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We examined the influence of walking speed on the fluctuation and
      synchronization dynamics of stride intervals and ground reaction force (GRF)
      profiles. Our aim was to identify patterns of optimization in the single-leg and
      inter-leg dynamics at preferred walking speed (PWS). PWS is thought to bring
      about the most stable walking pattern in terms of the attractor dynamics of the
      locomotion system. METHODS: Twenty healthy subjects (29.1 +/- 1.8 years; 10
      women) walked on a treadmill for 5-min periods at their PWS and at 20, 40, 70,
      and 80% of maximal walking speed. The coefficient of variation (CV) and long
      range correlations alpha of GRF profile and stride time fluctuations as well as
      the phase synchronization rho of inter-leg stride timing were analyzed. RESULTS:
      GRF profile alpha increased with increasing walking speed (p < 0.001). In
      contrast, stride time CV and alpha showed a U-shaped speed-dependency with lowest
      values at PWS (p < 0.05). The speed-dependency of single-leg stride time
      fluctuations was mirror-inverted in the speed-dependency of inter-leg stride
      timing rho; its highest values occurred at PWS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Fluctuations in GRF profiles become more consistent with increasing walking
      speed. In contrast, the dynamics of single-leg and inter-leg timing show a
      collective pattern of optimization at PWS. Less correlated noise in single-leg
      timing at PWS, imposed on the two coupled oscillating legs, increases the phase
      synchronization of bilateral timing, thereby enhancing gait stability at the
      attractor of self-paced walking. Thus, the attractor dynamics of locomotion
      appear to rely on the interaction of single- and inter-leg timing.

PMID- 24210649
TI  - Characterization of milled solid residue from cypress liquefaction in sub- and
      super ethanol.
AB  - Cypress liquefaction in sub- and super ethanol was carried out in an autoclave at
      various temperatures. Milled solid residue (MSR) was isolated from solid residue
      remaining from the liquefaction process, and its chemical characteristics was
      comparatively investigated with milled wood lignin (MWL) of cypress by sugar
      analysis, elemental analysis, FT-IR analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and
      NMR analysis. Results showed that there were two reactions (de-polymerization and
      re-polymerization) during the cypress liquefaction in sub- and super ethanol and
      the re-polymerization reactions were the main reaction at 220-260 degrees C.
      Considering the stability of side-chain, the stability of lignin side-chain in
      cypress during liquefaction process in ethanol could be sequenced as follows:
      beta-5>beta-beta'>beta-O-4'. The MSR were mainly from the decomposition and re
      polymerization of lignin. This study suggests that characterization of MSR
      provides a promising method to investigate the mechanisms of cypress liquefaction
      in ethanol. 

PMID- 24210650
TI  - Impact of an external electron acceptor on phosphorus mobility between water and
      sediments.
AB  - The present work assessed the impact of an external electron acceptor on
      phosphorus fluxes between water and sediment interface. Microcosm experiments
      simulating a sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) were carried out and phosphorus
      was extracted by an optimized combination of three methods. Despite the low
      voltage recorded, ~96 mV (SMFC with carbon paper anode) and ~146 mV (SMFC with
      stainless steel scourer anode), corresponding to a power density of 1.15 and 0.13
      mW/m(2), it was enough to produce an increase in the amounts of metal bound
      phosphorus (14% vs 11%), Ca-bound phosphorus (26% vs 23%), and refractory
      phosphorus (33% vs 28%). These results indicate an important role of
      electroactive bacteria in the phosphorus cycling and open a new perspective for
      preventing metal bound phosphorus dissolution from sediments.

PMID- 24210651
TI  - Calcitriol decreases TGF-beta1 and angiotensin II production and protects against
      chlorhexide digluconate-induced liver peritoneal fibrosis in rats.
AB  - Peritoneal fibrosis is a major complication of peritoneal dialysis that can lead
      to ultrafiltration failure. This study investigates the protective effects of
      calcitriol on chlorhexidine digluconate-induced peritoneal fibrosis in rats.
      Peritoneal fibrosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by daily administration of
      0.5mL 0.1% chlorhexidine digluconate in normal saline via peritoneal dialysis for
      1week. Rats received daily intravenous injections of calcitriol (low-dose,
      10ng/kg; or high-dose, 100ng/kg) for 1week. After 7days, conventional 4.25%
      Dianeal (30mL) was administered via peritoneal dialysis over 4h. Peritoneal
      solute transport was calculated from the dialysate concentration relative to its
      concentration in the initial infused dialysis solution (D4/D0 glucose) for
      glucose, and the dialysate-to-plasma concentration ratio (D4/P4 urea) at 4h for
      urea. Rats were then sacrificed and the liver peritoneum was harvested for
      immunohistochemical analysis via microscopy. After dialysis, the D4/P4 Urea level
      was reduced; increases were observed in the D4/D0 glucose level and the levels of
      active transforming growth factor-beta1 and angiotensin II in serum and
      dialysate; the liver peritoneum and muscle peritoneum was markedly thickened, and
      the expression of alpha-SMA, fibronectin, collagen, vascular endothelial growth
      factor, angiotensin II, transforming growth factor-beta1, and phosphorylated
      Smad2/3 (P-Smad2/3)-positive cells in the liver peritoneum was elevated in the
      peritoneal fibrosis group compared with the vehicle group. Calcitriol decreased
      the serum and dialysate active transforming growth factor-beta1 and angiotensin
      II level, decreased the thickness of the liver peritoneum and muscle peritoneum,
      and decreased the expression of alpha-SMA, fibronectin, collagen, vascular
      endothelial growth factor, angiotensin II, transforming growth factor-beta1, and
      P-Smad2/3-positive cells in liver peritoneum cells. High-dose calcitriol
      exhibited better protective effects against peritoneal fibrosis than did the
      lower dose. Calcitriol protected against chlorhexidine digluconate-induced
      peritoneal fibrosis in rats by decreasing transforming growth factor-beta1 and
      angiotensin II production. 

PMID- 24210652
TI  - Response to Baker, J., Mitchell, R., Pell, J., Cross-sectional study of ethnic
      differences in the utility of area deprivation measures to target
      socioeconomically deprived individuals, Social Science & Medicine 85 (2013) 27
      31.

PMID- 24210653
TI  - Cap-assisted gastroscope versus cap-assisted colonoscope for examination of
      difficult sigmoid colons in a nonsedated Asian population: a randomized study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have estimated that cecal intubation failure occurs with
      conventional colonoscopy in about 10% of cases. Various methods have been adopted
      to improve the cecal intubation rate, including a transparent cap and special
      colonoscopes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of using a cap-assisted
      gastroscope (E-cap) compared with a cap-assisted colonoscope (C-cap) for the
      complete examination of the colon in nonsedated patients with technically
      difficult sigmoid colons. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Tertiary
      care referral center. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-nine patients with technically
      difficult sigmoid colons were studied. INTERVENTION: Colonoscopy with either an E
      cap (n = 69) or a C-cap (n = 70). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Cecal intubation
      rate, cecal intubation time, patient-assessed pain score, and endoscopist
      assessed pain score. RESULTS: The cecal intubation rate was significantly higher
      in the E-cap (65/69, 94.2%) than in the C-cap group (50/70, 71.4%; P < .0001).
      Patient-assessed pain (moderate to severe) was more frequently reported in the C
      cap (14/70, 20.0%) than in the E-cap group (5/69, 7.2%; P = .029). Endoscopist
      assessed pain (moderate to severe) was more frequently reported in the C-cap
      (13/70, 18.6%) than in the E-cap group (3/69, 7.2%; P = .009). For patients with
      a low body mass index (<= 22 kg/m(2)), the cecal intubation rate was
      significantly higher in the E-cap (37/38, 97.4%) than in the C-cap group (15/29,
      51.7%; P < .0001). LIMITATIONS: Single-center experience, lack of a gastroscope
      control group without a cap. CONCLUSION: The cap-assisted gastroscope is more
      tolerable and effective than cap-assisted colonoscope for the complete
      examination of the colon in patients with technically difficult sigmoid colons. (
      CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: KCT0000744.).

PMID- 24210654
TI  - Predictors of incomplete resection and perforation associated with endoscopic
      submucosal dissection for colorectal tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is
      technically challenging. Our aim was to identify predictors of incomplete
      resection and perforation in colorectal ESD. DESIGN: Retrospective study.
      SETTING: Academic Japanese endoscopy unit. PATIENTS AND MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS: A total of 267 consecutive cases of colorectal tumors treated by
      ESD from May 2010 to February 2013 were analyzed. Predictors of incomplete
      resection and perforation, including lesion size, growth type, pathological
      diagnosis, use of hemostatic forceps, degree of fibrosis, history of biopsy,
      history of local endoscopic treatment, and endoscopic operability. RESULTS: The
      incomplete resection rate was 4.1%. The perforation rate was 5.6%. Univariate
      analysis identified severe fibrosis (P = .032), submucosal (SM) deep (>1000 MUm)
      invasion (P = .033) and poor endoscopic operability (P = .030) as predictors of
      incomplete resection, and severe fibrosis (P = .038), postendoscopic treatment (P
      = .016), and poor endoscopic operability (P = .012) as predictors of perforation.
      Multivariate analysis identified poor endoscopic operability and SM deep invasion
      as independent predictors of incomplete resection, and poor endoscopic
      operability and severe fibrosis as independent predictors of perforation. There
      was no adjustment of P values for multiple testing. LIMITATION: A single-center
      study by a single colonoscopist. All statistical results should be taken as
      descriptive only. CONCLUSIONS: Poor endoscopic operability and SM deep invasion
      were significant independent predictors of incomplete resections. Poor endoscopic
      operability and severe fibrosis were significant independent predictors of
      perforation. These features may provide helpful information when planning
      colorectal ESD.

PMID- 24210655
TI  - The Welsh Institute for Minimal Access Therapy colonoscopy suitcase has construct
      and concurrent validity for colonoscopic polypectomy skills training: a
      prospective, cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Welsh Institute for Minimal Access Therapy (WIMAT) colonoscopy
      suitcase is an ex vivo porcine simulator for polypectomy training. OBJECTIVE: To
      establish whether this model has construct and concurrent validity. DESIGN:
      Prospective, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Endoscopic training center.
      PARTICIPANTS: Twenty novice (N), 20 intermediate (I), 20 advanced (Ad), and 20
      expert (E) colonoscopists. INTERVENTION: A simulated polypectomy task aimed at
      removing 2 polyps; A (simple), B (complex). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Two
      accredited colonoscopists, blinded to group allocation, scored performances
      according to Direct Observation of Polypectomy Skills (DOPyS) assessment
      parameters. Group performances were compared. Real-life DOPyS scores were
      correlated to simulator DOPyS results. RESULTS: Median overall DOPyS scores for
      novices were 1.00 (1.00-1.87) for A and 0.50 (0.00-1.00) for B (A vs B; P < .01).
      Intermediates scored 2.50 (2.00-2.88) for A and 2.00 (1.13-2.50) for B (A vs B; P
      = .03). The advanced group scored 3.00 (2.50-3.50) for A and 2.50 (2.00-3.00) for
      B (A vs B; P = .01). Experts scored 3.00 (3.00-3.88) for A and 3.00 (2.50-3.50)
      for B (A vs B; P = .47). Intergroup comparisons for A were, N vs I; P < .01, N vs
      Ad; P < .01, N vs E; P < .01, I vs Ad; P < .01, I vs E; P < .01, and Ad vs E; P =
      .46. Intergroup comparisons for B were, N vs I; P < .01, N vs Ad; P < .01, N vs
      E; P < .01, I vs Ad; P = .03, I vs E; P <.01, and Ad vs E; P = .06. There was no
      difference between real-life DOPyS scores and simulator scores (0.07).
      LIMITATIONS: The model does not have inbuilt assessment parameters. CONCLUSION:
      This simulator demonstrates construct and concurrent validity for colon
      polypectomy training.

PMID- 24210656
TI  - The production process of "Etude sur le Rein des Urinaires", doctoral thesis of
      Joaquin Maria Albarran at the Faculty of Medicine in Paris.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The manuscript of the Doctoral Thesis of Joaquin Albarran in the
      Faculty of Medicine in Paris "Etudesur le Rein des Urinaires" has been donated to
      Asociacion Espanola de Urologia. Direct comparison of the original and printed
      material gives information of the production process of this master work.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Direct comparison between the original hand-written work, a
      single hard bound volume covered with loin cloth and water paper composed of 145
      numbered pages plus 206 newly numbered pages of clinico-pathological (37
      subjects) and experimental (19 assays in 20 rabbits) data, and the printed work
      edited by Georges Steinheil in 1889. Prints included 4 plates with 14 figures, 9
      temperature charts and 5 tables describing urine examinations. Figures were
      trichromic and charts and tables black & white. Chromolithographs were produced
      by Mr. Leuba in the printing owned by Lemercier et Cie, Paris. RESULTS: The
      original work was completed in 1887 without any correction or deletion.
      Differences are noticeable between the text in the master and printed works:
      rearrangement of data and inclusion of a new clinical observation, 5 new
      experiments, summary and dedications. Changes in iconography are noticeable. The
      masterwork included 24 plates (numbered from 1 to 22, 13bis, 16bis) with 46
      figures (44 colored) integrated within the text and 26 double-page temperature
      registries that accompany clinical observations. Anatomical, histological and
      microbiological illustrations, including culture media, microbiological stains
      and histobacteriological preparations were depicted as watercolors (44%),
      watercolors mixed with pencil or ink (52%) or pencil drawings (4%). Four (9%)
      were signed by the author, 5 (11%) had numerical annotations and only 14 (30%)
      were definitely printed with loss of the black component and redrawn of 4/14
      (29%) images. The largest images were not printed. CONCLUSIONS: Joaquin Albarran
      described and beautifully illustrated himself the role "pyogenic bacillus" (E.
      coli) played in renal infection, bacteriemia, renal failure sepsis and patient
      death. The evolution of pyelonephritis to perinephritis and perinephric abscess
      was masterly interpreted, with new description of ascending infection and
      lymphatic peritubular dissemination of bacteria. The differences detected between
      written and printed work are numerous and can be explained by the corrections of
      Prof. Guyon before definite presentation and the technical process to perform the
      lithographs.

PMID- 24210657
TI  - First discovery of Pleistocene orangutan (Pongo sp.) fossils in Peninsular
      Malaysia: biogeographic and paleoenvironmental implications.
AB  - Nine isolated fossil Pongo teeth from two cave sites in Peninsular Malaysia are
      reported. These are the first fossil Pongo specimens recorded in Peninsular
      Malaysia and represent significant southward extensions of the ancient Southeast
      Asian continental range of fossil Pongo during two key periods of the Quaternary.
      These new records from Peninsular Malaysia show that ancestral Pongo successfully
      passed the major biogeographical divide between mainland continental Southeast
      Asia and the Sunda subregion before 500 ka (thousand years ago). If the presence
      of Pongo remains in fossil assemblages indicates prevailing forest habitat, then
      the persistence of Pongo at Batu Caves until 60 ka implies that during the Last
      Glacial Phase sufficient forest cover persisted in the west coast plain of what
      is now Peninsular Malaysia at least ten millennia after a presumed corridor of
      desiccation had extended to central and east Java. Ultimately, environmental
      conditions of the peninsula during the Last Glacial Maximum evidently became
      inhospitable for Pongo, causing local extinction. Following post-glacial climatic
      amelioration and reforestation, a renewed sea barrier prevented re-colonization
      from the rainforest refugium in Sumatra, accounting for the present day absence
      of Pongo in apparently hospitable lowland evergreen rainforest of Peninsular
      Malaysia. The new teeth provide further evidence that Pongo did not undergo a
      consistent trend toward dental size reduction over time. 

PMID- 24210658
TI  - Continuous dental eruption identifies Sts 5 as the developmentally oldest fossil
      hominin and informs the taxonomy of Australopithecus africanus.
AB  - The relatively small Australopithecus africanus specimen Sts 5 has figured
      prominently in taxonomic debates, and the determination of this specimen as a
      young male or an elderly female has the potential to offer a great deal of
      resolution on this question. Sts 5 has been argued to be either a small, immature
      male or a mature female based on a variety of characters. A proposed model of
      continuous root remodeling and angular change for heavily worn dentition may
      account for the extremely short tooth roots, particularly for the anterior
      dentition, that Sts 5 demonstrates. The anterior tooth roots of Sts 5 are
      oriented vertically (relative to the alveolar plane), unlike those found in most
      other apes, humans, and fossil specimens, in which the tooth roots are roughly
      parallel with the plane of the nasoalveolar clivus. Computed tomography (CT) data
      of adult apes were examined and a relationship between the angle of the anterior
      tooth roots and their length was discovered, caused by heavily worn anterior
      dentition continuing to erupt to maintain occlusion. The extremely short and
      vertically oriented anterior roots observed in Sts 5 thus suggest that the
      specimen represents an aged female specimen with extremely worn dentition.
      Interestingly, this reorientation of anterior tooth roots helps account for the
      unusual nasoalveolar contour of Sts 5. The remodeling associated with the heavily
      worn teeth and reoriented roots thus resolves the taxonomic question raised by
      analyses identifying unusual prognathism of this small specimen. 

PMID- 24210659
TI  - [Brain metastases from breast cancer].
AB  - Breast cancer is the second leading cause of brain metastases and account for 15
      % of metastatic breast cancer patients. Several patient- and tumor-related
      characteristics have been identified as risk factors for developing brain
      metastases. Treatment is based on local and/or systemic therapies, tailored to
      breast cancer brain metastases-specific prognostic factors. This article is an
      update on the current knowledge of the incidence, prognosis and prognostic
      factors, treatment and perspectives in brain metastases from breast cancer. 

PMID- 24210660
TI  - Self-assembly of VPS41 promotes sorting required for biogenesis of the regulated
      secretory pathway.
AB  - The regulated release of polypeptides has a central role in physiology, behavior,
      and development, but the mechanisms responsible for production of the large dense
      core vesicles (LDCVs) capable of regulated release have remained poorly
      understood. Recent work has implicated cytosolic adaptor protein AP-3 in the
      recruitment of LDCV membrane proteins that confer regulated release. However, AP
      3 in mammals has been considered to function in the endolysosomal pathway and in
      the biosynthetic pathway only in yeast. We now find that the mammalian homolog of
      yeast VPS41, a member of the homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS)
      complex that delivers biosynthetic cargo to the endocytic pathway in yeast,
      promotes LDCV formation through a common mechanism with AP-3, indicating a
      conserved role for these proteins in the biosynthetic pathway. VPS41 also self
      assembles into a lattice, suggesting that it acts as a coat protein for AP-3 in
      formation of the regulated secretory pathway. 

PMID- 24210662
TI  - Inverse association between 18-carbon trans fatty acids and intelligence
      quotients in smoking schizophrenia patients.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate polyunsaturated (PUFA) and trans isomeric fatty
      acid status in schizophrenia patients. Fatty acid composition of plasma
      phospholipids (PL) and triacylglycerols (TG) was analyzed by gas chromatography
      in 29 schizophrenia patients and 15 healthy controls. We found no difference in
      PL n-3 fatty acid status between the two groups, while the values of 22:5n-6 were
      significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in controls. In TG,
      values of docosatrienoic acid (20:3n-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) were
      significantly higher in schizophrenia patients than in controls. We found no
      difference in the trans fatty acid status between patients and controls. In
      smoking schizophrenia patients significant negative correlations were detected
      between Wechsler adult full-scale intelligence quotients and values of total
      trans fatty acids in PL lipids, whereas no such correlation was seen either in
      non-smoking schizophrenia patients, or in healthy controls. While data obtained
      in the present study fail to furnish evidence for n-3 PUFA supplementation to the
      diet of patients with schizophrenia, they indicate that in smoking schizophrenia
      patients high dietary exposure to trans fatty acids is associated with lower
      intelligence quotients. 

PMID- 24210661
TI  - Rbx2 regulates neuronal migration through different cullin 5-RING ligase
      adaptors.
AB  - Morphogenesis requires the proper migration and positioning of different cell
      types in the embryo. Much more is known about how cells start and guide their
      migrations than about how they stop when they reach their destinations. Here we
      provide evidence that Rbx2, a subunit of the Cullin 5-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase
      (CRL5) complex, stops neocortical projection neurons at their target layers. Rbx2
      mutation causes neocortical and cerebellar ectopias dependent on Dab1, a key
      signaling protein in the Reelin pathway. SOCS7, a CRL5 substrate adaptor protein,
      is also required for neocortical layering. SOCS7-CRL5 complexes stimulate the
      ubiquitylation and turnover of Dab1. SOCS7 is upregulated during projection
      neuron migration, and unscheduled SOCS7 expression stops migration prematurely.
      Cerebellar development requires Rbx2 but not SOCS7, pointing to the importance of
      other CRL5 adaptors. Our results suggest that CRL5 adaptor expression is
      spatiotemporally regulated to modulate Reelin signaling and ensure normal neuron
      positioning in the developing brain. 

PMID- 24210663
TI  - Clonidine in Tourette syndrome and sensorimotor gating.

PMID- 24210664
TI  - Evaluative beliefs as mediators of the relationship between parental bonding and
      symptoms of paranoia and depression.
AB  - This study was aimed to explore the distinct pathways that lead to depression and
      paranoia. We first examined the association of dysfunctional parenting
      experiences and negative self-evaluations in depression and paranoia.
      Furthermore, we also examined whether different self-evaluative beliefs could
      mediate the relationships between dysfunctional parenting experiences (i.e.
      parental overprotection or lack of care) and the development of depression and
      paranoia. A sample composed of 55 paranoid patients, 38 depressed patients and 44
      healthy controls completed the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), the Evaluative
      Beliefs Scale (EBS) and some clinical scales. Our analyses revealed that lack of
      parental care and negative self-self evaluations were associated with depression
      symptoms. Analyses also revealed that parental overprotection and negative other
      self evaluations were associated with paranoid symptoms. Furthermore, negative
      self-self and other-self evaluations fully mediated the relationship of parental
      overprotection and paranoia, whereas negative self-self evaluations partially
      mediated the relationship between lack of parental care and depression. These
      findings suggest that distinct patterns of parental practices may contribute to
      the development of different dysfunctional schemas which in turn may lead to
      either depression or paranoia. 

PMID- 24210665
TI  - Absence of low frequency variants associated with schizophrenia at the
      ultraconserved non-coding region of TCF4.

PMID- 24210666
TI  - EQ-5D as a measure of programme outcome: results from the Singapore early
      psychosis intervention programme.
AB  - The current study aimed to establish the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
      among participants with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) in Singapore, to elucidate
      the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of HRQoL, and ascertain the change
      after 1-year of treatment. Two hundred and forty one patients accepted into an
      Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) from April 2009 to June 2011 and
      who had completed baseline EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) assessments were included in this
      analysis. The mean (S.D.) EQ-5D index at baseline was 0.788 (0.258). One hundred
      thirty five (56.0%) patients who completed the EQ-5D assessment at the 12-month
      follow-up had a significantly higher EQ-5D index as compared to baseline. EQ-5D
      index was significantly higher among those patients who met criteria for
      remission at the 12-month interval than those who were not in remission. Our
      results suggest that the EQ-5D is responsive to improvement as it corresponded
      well to objective ratings of remission in our patients with FEP. 

PMID- 24210667
TI  - Clinical specificity of acute versus chronic self-injury: measurement and
      evaluation of repetitive non-suicidal self-injury.
AB  - Overall, previous studies on the prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)
      behaviors in the general population have stressed the importance of
      differentiating between occasional and repetitive NSSI, examining different
      severity levels (e.g., frequency and variety of methods), as well as
      investigating the diverse psychopathological correlates of NSSI. However,
      existing NSSI measures have not been explicitly developed by to comply with the
      NSSI diagnostic criteria proposed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
      Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The purpose of this study is to develop a measure of
      repetitive NSSI by considering its essential features, as described in the
      proposed DSM-5 as well as in other clinically relevant aspects emerging from case
      reports. Two independent samples of participants (N1=383 young adults and 251
      adolescents; N2=953 adolescents) belonging to the general population were
      involved in the present study. The questionnaire showed satisfactory fit
      statistics and reliably discriminated between occasional and repetitive self
      injurers (Area Under Curve, AUC=0.755). The pattern of correlations with
      psychopathological measures confirmed a more clinically-compromised profile for
      repetitive rather than occasional self-injurers. 

PMID- 24210668
TI  - Intraoperative validation of navigated limb measurements in THA using a pinless
      femoral array.
AB  - Appropriate limb length (LL) and femoral offset (OS) after total hip arthroplasty
      (THA) are crucial for a successful and lasting outcome. However, intraoperative
      assessment is difficult. Computed navigation is effective but the use of
      radiation and of invasive bone references is cause of concern. Imageless, pinless
      navigation systems have been shown to be accurate in experimental studies.
      However, almost no clinical validation has been performed. We used a minimally
      invasive computer-navigated system (MICNS) in conjunction with an imageless
      measurement technique for implanting 60 consecutive THAs. Head/neck trial
      components of different size were applied, and the differences in LL and femoral
      OS measurements were recorded and compared to the implant manufacturer's
      specifications, corrected for the anatomical variations of each patient. The
      imageless MICNS revealed a valid and accurate intra-operative tool for measuring
      LL and femoral OS in vivo. 

PMID- 24210669
TI  - Expression of PLIN2 and PLIN3 during oocyte maturation and early embryo
      development in cattle.
AB  - In vitro-produced embryos store high lipid content in cytoplasmic lipid droplets
      (LD), and reduction or removal of LD has been demonstrated to improve freeze-thaw
      viability. The Perilipin Adipophilin Tail-interacting Protein of 47 kD (PAT)
      family of proteins is involved in the formation and regulation of LD in many cell
      types, but their presence has not been addressed either in cattle oocytes or
      preimplantation embryos. Therefore, this study aimed to detect the expression of
      PAT family transcripts (Perilipin-2 [PLIN2] and Perilipin-3 [PLIN3]) in immature
      and in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes, and in in vitro-produced embryos at the
      stages of two to four cells, eight to 16 cells, morulae (MO), and blastocyst
      (BL). The expression of PLIN3 was downregulated in response to IVM, and PLIN2 was
      comparatively more expressed than PLIN3 in IVM oocytes (P < 0.001). During the
      early stages of embryo development, PLIN2 expression reached its peak at the MO
      stage (P < 0.001) and decreased again at the BL stage. In contrast, PLIN3 was
      expressed in low levels during the earliest stages of development, slightly
      upregulated at the MO stage (P < 0.05), and greatly increased its expression at
      the BL stage (15-fold; P < 0.001). PLIN3 was comparatively more expressed than
      PLIN2 during embryo culture in most stages analyzed (P < 0.05), except in eight-
      to 16-cell embryos. These results indicate that PLIN2 might be involved in the
      maintenance of lipid stocks necessary to support embryo development after
      fertilization of IVM oocytes. Also, we hypothesize that PLIN3 is the main PAT
      protein responsible for stabilization of LD formed in consequence of the acute
      lipid load seen during embryo development. We confirmed the presence of both
      PLIN2 and PLIN3 proteins in BL at Day 7 using immunocytochemistry: these PAT
      proteins colocalized with LD stained with BODIPY. PLIN3 seemed to be more
      ubiquitously spread out in the cytoplasm than PLIN2, consistent with the pattern
      seen in adipocytes. These findings suggest that both elderly (bigger) and newly
      formed (smaller) LD, positive for PLIN2 and PLIN3 respectively, coexist in
      blastocysts. To our knowledge this is the first report showing that transcripts
      of the PAT family are present in cattle oocytes and embryos.

PMID- 24210670
TI  - Standing on the shoulders of giants: results from the Radiation Oncology Academic
      Development and Mentorship Assessment Project (ROADMAP).
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze survey information regarding mentorship practices and cross
      correlate the results with objective metrics of academic productivity among
      academic radiation oncologists at US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
      Education (ACGME)-accredited residency training programs. METHODS AND MATERIALS:
      An institutional review board-approved survey for the Radiation Oncology Academic
      Development and Mentorship Assessment Project (ROADMAP) was sent to 1031
      radiation oncologists employed at an ACGME-accredited residency training program
      and administered using an international secure web application designed
      exclusively to support data capture for research studies. Data collected included
      demographics, presence of mentorship, and the nature of specific mentoring
      activities. Productivity metrics, including number of publications, number of
      citations, h-index, and date of first publication, were collected for each survey
      respondent from a commercially available online database, and m-index was
      calculated. RESULTS: A total of 158 academic radiation oncologists completed the
      survey, 96 of whom reported having an academic/scientific mentor. Faculty with a
      mentor had higher numbers of publications, citations, and h- and m-indices.
      Differences in gender and race/ethnicity were not associated with significant
      differences in mentorship rates, but those with a mentor were more likely to have
      a PhD degree and were more likely to have more time protected for research.
      Bivariate fit regression modeling showed a positive correlation between a
      mentor's h-index and their mentee's h-index (R2=0.16; P<.001). Linear regression
      also showed significant correlates of higher h-index, in addition to having a
      mentor (P=.001), included a longer career duration (P<.001) and fewer patients in
      treatment (P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Mentorship is widely believed to be important to
      career development and academic productivity. These results emphasize the
      importance of identifying and striving to overcome potential barriers to
      effective mentorship.

PMID- 24210671
TI  - Initial clinical experience performing patient treatment verification with an
      electronic portal imaging device transit dosimeter.
AB  - PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate a 2-dimensional transit dosimetry algorithm's
      performance on a patient population and to analyze the issues that would arise in
      a widespread clinical adoption of transit electronic portal imaging device (EPID)
      dosimetry. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eleven patients were enrolled on the protocol;
      9 completed and were analyzed. Pretreatment intensity modulated radiation therapy
      (IMRT) patient-specific quality assurance was performed using a stringent local
      3%, 3-mm gamma criterion to verify that the planned fluence had been
      appropriately transferred to and delivered by the linear accelerator. Transit
      dosimetric EPID images were then acquired during treatment and compared offline
      with predicted transit images using a global 5%, 3-mm gamma criterion. RESULTS:
      There were 288 transit images analyzed. The overall gamma pass rate was 89.1%+/
      9.8% (average+/-1 SD). For the subset of images for which the linear accelerator
      couch did not interfere with the measurement, the gamma pass rate was 95.7%+/
      2.4%. A case study is presented in which the transit dosimetry algorithm was able
      to identify that a lung patient's bilateral pleural effusion had resolved in the
      time between the planning CT scan and the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The EPID
      transit dosimetry algorithm under consideration, previously described and
      verified in a phantom study, is feasible for use in treatment delivery
      verification for real patients. Two-dimensional EPID transit dosimetry can play
      an important role in indicating when a treatment delivery is inconsistent with
      the original plan.

PMID- 24210672
TI  - What roles do team climate, roster control, and work life conflict play in
      shiftworkers' fatigue longitudinally?
AB  - The study aimed to examine shiftworkers fatigue and the longitudinal
      relationships that impact on fatigue such as team climate, work life conflict,
      control of shifts and shift type in shift working nurses. We used a quantitative
      survey methodology and analysed data with a moderated hierarchical multiple
      regression. After matching across two time periods 18 months apart, the sample
      consisted of 166 nurses from one Australian hospital. Of these nurses, 61 worked
      two rotating day shifts (morning & afternoon/evening) and 105 were rotating
      shiftworkers who worked three shifts (morning afternoon/evening and nights). The
      findings suggest that control over shift scheduling can have significant effects
      on fatigue for both two-shift and three-shift workers. A significant negative
      relationship between positive team climate and fatigue was moderated by shift
      type. At both Time 1 and Time 2, work life conflict was the strongest predictor
      of concurrent fatigue, but over time it was not. 

PMID- 24210673
TI  - The effect of a diabetes education programme (PRIMAS) for people with type 1
      diabetes: results of a randomized trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In a randomized, multi-centre trial, the efficacy of a self-management
      oriented education programme (PRIMAS) for people with type 1 diabetes was
      compared with an established education programme as control group (CG). Primary
      outcome was the effect on glycaemic control in a 6-month follow-up. Secondary
      outcomes were the impact on emotional aspects, self-management related aspects
      and hypoglycaemia problems. METHODS: The study was conducted in an outpatient
      setting. 160 participants were randomized. Baseline characteristics in PRIMAS and
      CG were similar (age 45.1+/-13.5 vs. 45.9+/-13.1 years, p=.716; diabetes duration
      18.8+/-12.3 vs. 19.8+/-13.4 years, p=.615; BMI 26.5+/-4.6 vs. 27.5+/-5.0kg/m(2),
      p=.236; HbA1c 8.3+/-1.1 vs. 8.1+/-1.0%, p=.236). RESULTS: At follow-up there was
      a significant 0.4 percentage points greater reduction of HbA1c in PRIMAS compared
      to CG (Delta -0.4+/-1.0% vs. Delta 0.0+/-0.6%; p=.012). Also, diabetes-related
      distress (Delta -0.3+/-0.7 vs. -0.1+/-0.4, p=.032) and dissatisfaction with
      diabetes treatment (Delta -3.3+/-6.9 vs. -1.9+/-5.6, p=.024) decreased more in
      PRIMAS. Diabetes empowerment (Delta 2.6+/-5.9 vs. 0.8+/-5.1, p=.037) and diabetes
      self-efficacy (Delta 1.4+/-3.6 vs. 0.2+/-4.0, p=.013) increased in PRIMAS.
      Incidence of severe hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia awareness, diabetes knowledge, and
      self-care behaviour improved in both groups with no significant differences
      between groups. CONCLUSION: PRIMAS is more effective in lowering HbA1c than a
      previously established education programmes and also showed superiority in
      reducing diabetes-related distress and increasing diabetes empowerment, diabetes
      self-efficacy and satisfaction with insulin therapy.

PMID- 24210675
TI  - Comparison of outcomes in patients <=85 versus >85 years of age undergoing
      transcatheter aortic-valve implantation.
AB  - The impact of age on baseline characteristics and outcomes in patients with
      severe aortic stenosis who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
      has not been thoroughly investigated. To describe the baseline clinical profile
      of TAVI patients aged >85 and <=85 years and to evaluate the influence of age
      differences on outcomes, we evaluated a consecutive cohort of 293 patients who
      underwent transfemoral TAVI at the Tel Aviv Medical Center. The cohort was
      divided into 2 groups: patients aged >85 years (n = 93) and patients aged <=85
      years (n = 200). Mean age was 83 +/- 5.3 years (range 63 to 98) for the entire
      cohort. Women comprised 70% of the older group and 57.5% of the younger age group
      (p = 0.043). Baseline clinical profile, including EuroSCORE index and
      preprocedural aortic valve area were similar in both age groups. Thirty-day
      mortality, major vascular complications, need for permanent pacemaker
      implantation, length of hospital stay, and improvement in functional class after
      the procedure showed no differences between the 2 groups. Adjustment for baseline
      clinical differences between groups did not change the results. In conclusion,
      among patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI, older patients (>85 years)
      experience similar benefits and outcomes regarding functional status,
      complication rates, and 30-day mortality.

PMID- 24210674
TI  - Relation of thoracic aortic distensibility to left ventricular area (from the
      Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis [MESA]).
AB  - Decreased arterial compliance is an early manifestation of adverse structural and
      functional changes within the vessel wall. Its correlation with left ventricular
      (LV) area on computed tomography, a marker of LV remodeling, has not been well
      demonstrated. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that decreasing
      aortic compliance and increasing arterial stiffness are independently associated
      with increased LV area. The study population consisted of 3,540 patients (mean
      age 61 +/- 10 years, 46% men) from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
      (MESA) who underwent aortic distensibility (AD) assessment on magnetic resonance
      imaging and LV area measurement on computed tomography (adjusted to body surface
      area). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association
      between body surface area-normalized LV area >75th percentile and AD after
      adjusting for baseline clinical, historical, and imaging covariates. Mean LV area
      index was 2,153 cm(2), and mean AD was 1.84 * 10(3) mm Hg(-1). Subjects in the
      lowest AD quartile were older, with higher prevalence rates of hypertension,
      diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia (p <0.05 for all comparisons). Using
      multivariate linear regression adjusting for demographics, traditional risk
      factors, coronary artery calcium, and C-reactive protein, each SD decrease was
      associated with an 18-cm(2) increase in LV area. In addition, decreasing AD
      quartiles were independently associated with increasing LV area index, defined as
      >75th percentile. In conclusion, in this multiethnic cohort, reduced AD was
      associated with increased LV area. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine
      if decreased distensibility precedes and directly influences increased LV area.

PMID- 24210676
TI  - Age-specific analyses of breast cancer versus heart disease mortality in women.

PMID- 24210677
TI  - Frequency of radial artery occlusion after transradial access in patients
      receiving warfarin therapy and undergoing coronary angiography.
AB  - The efficacy of warfarin-induced anticoagulation in reducing radial artery
      occlusion (RAO) after transradial access is not known. The present case-control
      study compared the incidence of early (24 hours) and late (30 days) RAO in
      patients undergoing transradial diagnostic coronary angiography during
      therapeutic warfarin anticoagulation (group 1) with that of a matched (3:1)
      cohort of patients not receiving warfarin and receiving intraprocedural heparin
      (group 2). All patients underwent transradial diagnostic coronary angiography
      using a 5F hydrophilic introducer sheath. The patients in group 2 received an
      intravenous heparin bolus (50 IU/kg) immediately after sheath insertion. After
      sheath removal, hemostasis was obtained using the TR-band (Terumo Interventional
      Systems, Terumo Medical, Tokyo, Japan) and a plethysmography-guided patent
      hemostasis technique. We included 86 patients receiving warfarin with an
      international normalized ratio of 2 to 4 in group 1 and 250 matched patients in
      group 2. No significant differences were present in the demographic and
      procedural variables between the 2 groups. Early RAO occurred in 18.6% of the
      patients in group 1 compared with 9.6% of patients in group 2 (p = 0.024). The
      incidence of late RAO remained significantly higher in group 1 compared with
      group 2 (13.9% vs 5.2%, p = 0.01). All patients with RAO remained asymptomatic.
      In conclusion, patients receiving chronic oral anticoagulation with warfarin and
      undergoing transradial coronary angiography without parenteral anticoagulation
      had a higher incidence of early and late RAO compared with patients receiving
      standard intravenous heparin therapy.

PMID- 24210679
TI  - High-density lipoprotein mediated cellular cholesterol efflux in acute coronary
      syndromes.
AB  - Systemic inflammation at the development of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
      might alter the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) components and function. One of
      the major functions of HDL particles is their ability to remove cellular
      cholesterol from macrophages. The aim of the present study was to characterize
      the HDL efflux capacity in patients with ACS. We analyzed the cholesterol efflux
      in those ACS (within 72 hours of symptoms [ACS1]) and, again, 3 months later
      (ACS2). As controls, we used normal subjects without coronary artery disease
      (CAD) and patients with chronic, stable CAD. The 4 groups were matched for age
      and HDL cholesterol levels. We used a cell-based efflux system in (3)[H]
      cholesterol-labeled J774 macrophages to measure cholesterol efflux from
      apolipoprotein B-depleted plasma. The present study included 20 patients with
      ACS. Their mean age was 58 +/- 9 years, and the mean HDL cholesterol level was
      1.06 +/- 0.22 mmol/L (41 +/- 9 mg/dl). The ACS1 group showed a marked increase in
      high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A, reflecting systemic
      inflammation. The HDL cholesterol efflux capacity was reduced in ACS1 subjects
      and remained reduced 12 weeks later and in those with stable CAD. These results
      suggest that the acute presence of serum amyloid A does not account for the
      impairment of HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity in the ACS1 group. Little
      correlation was found between HDL cholesterol and HDL efflux capacity (r = 0.233;
      p = 0.049), suggesting that HDL cholesterol is a poor marker of HDL function in
      inflammatory states and CAD. In conclusion, our data support the concept that
      atherogenic HDL dysfunction and impaired efflux occur in ACS, independent of
      changes in plasma HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels.

PMID- 24210678
TI  - Renal artery calcium, cardiovascular risk factors, and indexes of renal function.
AB  - Vascular calcium is well studied in the coronary and peripheral arteries,
      although there are limited data focusing on calcium deposits specific to renal
      arteries. The associations among renal artery calcium (RAC), cardiovascular
      disease risk factors, and indexes of renal function are unknown. We examined
      2,699 Framingham Heart Study participants who were part of a multidetector
      computed tomography substudy from 2008 to 2011. RAC was measured as a calcified
      plaque of >130 HU and an area of >3 contiguous pixels. Detectable RAC was defined
      as an Agatston score >0. Chronic kidney disease was defined as an estimated
      glomerular filtration rate of <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Microalbuminuria was defined
      as an albumin/creatinine ratio of >=17 mg/g for men and >=25 mg/g for women.
      Multivariable adjusted logistic regression models were used to evaluate the
      associations between RAC, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and renal
      function. The associations were secondarily adjusted for coronary artery calcium
      (CAC) that was used as a marker of nonrenal systemic vascular calcium. The
      prevalence of RAC was 28.2%; this was similar in women (28.8%) and men (27.5%).
      Patients with RAC had a higher odds of microalbuminuria (odds ratio [OR] 1.79,
      95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22 to 2.61, p = 0.003), hypertension (OR 2.11, 95%
      CI 1.69 to 2.64, p <0.001), and diabetes (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.24, p = 0.01)
      but not chronic kidney disease (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.32). After adjustment
      for CAC, the association with microalbuminuria and hypertension persisted, but
      the association with diabetes became nonsignificant. In conclusion, RAC is common
      and independently associated with microalbuminuria and hypertension after
      adjustment for nonrenal vascular calcium. RAC may be uniquely associated with
      these markers of renal end-organ damage.

PMID- 24210680
TI  - Fatty acids and recovery during first hours of acute myocardial ischemia.

PMID- 24210681
TI  - gamma375W fibrinogen-synthesizing CHO cells indicate the accumulation of variant
      fibrinogen within endoplasmic reticulum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) storage disease (HERSD) associated
      with hypofibrinogenemia has been reported in patients with four types of
      heterozygous gamma-chain variant fibrinogen in the C terminal region. Of
      interest, substitution of gammaR375W induced hypofibrinogenemia and HERSD,
      whereas gammaR375G induced dysfibrinogenemia. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the
      synthesis of variant fibrinogen and morphological characteristics, we established
      variant fibrinogen-producing cells and compared them with wild-type fibrinogen
      synthesizing cells. METHODS: The fibrinogen gamma-chain expression vectors coding
      gamma375W and gamma375G were altered by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and
      transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Synthesis of fibrinogen
      (media and cell lysates) was measured by ELISA for each cloned cell line and
      morphological characteristics were observed by immunofluorescence and
      transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The medium/cell lysate fibrinogen
      ratio of gamma375W-CHO cells was markedly lower than that of the normal cells and
      gamma375G-CHO cells. Immunostaining with anti-fibrinogen antibody showed only
      gamma375W-CHO cells, but revealed two types of cells containing cytoplasmic
      inclusion bodies, scattered large-granular bodies and fibrous forms. Observation
      by confocal microscopy indicated that both inclusion bodies were colocalized with
      fibrinogen and ER-membrane protein; furthermore, transmission electron
      microscopic observation demonstrated dilatation of the ER by large-granular
      inclusion bodies and fibrous forms filled with regularly structured fibular
      materials within the dilated ER. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that
      assembled and non-secreted gamma375W fibrinogen was accumulated in the dilated ER
      and aggregated variant fibrinogen was seen as regularly structured fibular
      materials, which was similar to the fingerprint-like pattern observed at
      inclusion bodies in patients' hepatocytes affected with HERSD.

PMID- 24210682
TI  - The cannabinoid CB2 receptor-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts
      analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
AB  - The widespread plant volatile beta-caryophyllene (BCP) was recently identified as
      a natural selective agonist of the peripherally expressed cannabinoid receptor 2
      (CB2). It is found in relatively high concentrations in many spices and food
      plants. A number of studies have shown that CB2 is critically involved in the
      modulation of inflammatory and neuropathic pain responses. In this study, we have
      investigated the analgesic effects of BCP in animal models of inflammatory and
      neuropathic pain. We demonstrate that orally administered BCP reduced
      inflammatory (late phase) pain responses in the formalin test in a CB2 receptor
      dependent manner, while it had no effect on acute (early phase) responses. In a
      neuropathic pain model the chronic oral administration of BCP attenuated thermal
      hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, and reduced spinal neuroinflammation.
      Importantly, we found no signs of tolerance to the anti-hyperalgesic effects of
      BCP after prolonged treatment. Oral BCP was more effective than the
      subcutaneously injected synthetic CB2 agonist JWH-133. Thus, the natural plant
      product BCP may be highly effective in the treatment of long lasting,
      debilitating pain states. Our results have important implications for the role of
      dietary factors in the development and modulation of chronic pain conditions.

PMID- 24210683
TI  - Caffeinated alcohol consumption profiles and associations with use severity and
      outcome expectancies.
AB  - Growing evidence suggests that the consumption of caffeinated alcoholic beverages
      (CAB) may be riskier than alcohol alone. Efforts to identify patterns of CAB use
      and the correlates of such drinking patterns could further our conceptualization
      of and intervention for this health issue. Consequently, the current study aimed
      to (1) identify distinct classes of CAB users, (2) examine differences between
      classes on measures of alcohol and caffeine problems, and (3) compare distinct
      classes of CAB users on caffeine and alcohol outcome expectancies. Participants
      were 583 (31% men) undergraduate students from a psychology research pool. Latent
      profile analysis models were derived using four indicators: CAB use quantity, CAB
      use frequency, alcohol use quantity, and alcohol use frequency. Finding revealed
      four classes of drinkers: High Alcohol/High CAB (6.00%), High Alcohol/Moderate
      CAB (5.15%), High Alcohol/Low CAB (22.99%), and Low Alcohol/Low CAB (65.87%). The
      Low Alcohol/Low CAB class reported the lowest relative levels of caffeine
      dependence symptoms, caffeine withdrawal, alcohol use problems, and heavy
      episodic drinking frequency. Further, results indicated differential expectancy
      endorsement based on use profiles. CAB users in the High Alcohol/Low CAB class
      endorsed more positive alcohol expectancies than the Low Alcohol/Low CAB group.
      Those in the High Alcohol/High CAB class endorsed stronger withdrawal symptom
      caffeine expectancies than all other classes. Inclusion of substance-specific
      expectancies into larger theoretical frameworks in future work of CAB use may be
      beneficial. Findings may inform intervention efforts for those at greatest risk
      related to CAB consumption. 

PMID- 24210684
TI  - Ultrasound evaluation of synovitis in RA: correlation with clinical disease
      activity and sensitivity to change in an observational cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between clinical measures of disease
      activity and a ultrasound (US) scoring system for synovitis applied by many
      different ultrasonographers in a daily routine care setting within the Swiss
      registry for RA (SCQM) and further to determine the sensitivity to change of this
      US Score. METHODS: One hundred and eight Swiss rheumatologists were trained in
      performing the Swiss Sonography in Arthritis and Rheumatism (SONAR) score. US B
      mode and Power Doppler (PwD) scores were correlated with DAS28 and compared
      between the clinical categories in a cross-sectional cohort of patients. In
      patients with a second US (longitudinal cohort), we investigated if change in US
      score correlated with change in DAS and evaluated the responsiveness of both
      methods. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional cohort with 536 patients, correlation
      between the B-mode score and DAS28 was significant but modest (Pearson
      coefficient r = 0.41, P < 0.0001). The same was true for the PwD score (r = 0.41,
      P < 0.0001). In the longitudinal cohort with 183 patients we also found a
      significant correlation between change in B-mode and in PwD score with change in
      DAS28 (r = 0.54, P < 0.0001 and r = 0.46, P < 0.0001, respectively). Both methods
      of evaluation (DAS and US) showed similar responsiveness according to
      standardized response mean (SRM). CONCLUSIONS: The SONAR Score is practicable and
      was applied by many rheumatologists in daily routine care after initial training.
      It demonstrates significant correlations with the degree of as well as change in
      disease activity as measured by DAS. On the level of the individual, the US score
      shows many discrepancies and overlapping results exist.

PMID- 24210685
TI  - PSORS1C1/CDSN is associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

PMID- 24210686
TI  - Spontaneous atlantoaxial dislocation in ankylosing spondylitis.

PMID- 24210687
TI  - Dynamic changes of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells in spleen and brain of canine
      distemper virus-infected dogs.
AB  - Canine distemper virus (CDV) infection causes immunosuppression and demyelinating
      leukoencephalitis in dogs. In viral diseases, an ambiguous function of regulatory
      T cells (Treg), with both beneficial effects by reducing immunopathology and
      detrimental effects by inhibiting antiviral immunity, has been described.
      However, the role of Treg in the pathogenesis of canine distemper remains
      unknown. In order to determine the effect of CDV upon immune homeostasis, the
      amount of Foxp3(+) Treg in spleen and brain of naturally infected dogs has been
      determined by immunohistochemistry. In addition, splenic cytokine expression has
      been quantified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Splenic
      depletion of Foxp3(+) Treg was associated with an increased mRNA-expression of
      tumor necrosis factor and decreased transcription of interleukin-2 in the acute
      disease phase, indicative of disturbed immunological counter regulation in
      peripheral lymphoid organs. In the brain, a lack of Foxp3(+) Treg in
      predemyelinating and early demyelinating lesions and significantly increased
      infiltrations of Foxp3(+) Treg in chronic demyelinating lesions were observed. In
      conclusion, disturbed peripheral and CNS immune regulation associated with a
      reduction of Treg represents a potential prerequisite for excessive
      neuroinflammation and early lesion development in canine distemper
      leukoencephalitis.

PMID- 24210688
TI  - The role of the VEGF-C signaling pathway in preeclampsia?

PMID- 24210689
TI  - Further results on delay-range-dependent stability with additive time-varying
      delay systems.
AB  - In this paper, new conditions for the delay-range-dependent stability analysis of
      time-varying delay systems are proposed in a Lyapunov-Krasovskii framework. Time
      delay is considered to be time-varying and has lower and upper bounds. A new
      method is first presented for a system with two time delays, integral inequality
      approach (IIA) used to express relationships among terms of Leibniz-Newton
      formula. Constructing a novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional includes information
      belonging to a given range; new delay-range-dependent criterion is established in
      term of linear matrix inequality (LMI). The advantage of that criterion lies in
      its simplicity and less conservative. This paper also presents a new result of
      stability analysis for continuous systems with two additive time-variant
      components representing a general class of delay with strong application
      background in network-based control systems. Resulting criteria are then
      expressed in terms of convex optimization with LMI constraints, allowing for use
      of efficient solvers. Finally, three numerical examples show these methods
      reducing conservatism and improving maximal allowable delay. 

PMID- 24210690
TI  - [Analysis of medications dispensed to control the main cardiovascular risks in
      the Murcia Region: are there gender differences?].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the use of cardiovascular medicines and its distribution
      by age and sex. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Region of Murcia. MAIN
      MEASUREMENTS: Daily doses of cardiovascular drugs prescribed and dispensed in all
      the pharmacies of the Region per 1,000 inhabitants-day (DHD). A comparison was
      made of consumption rates (DHD) by age and sex. RESULTS: The probability of
      receiving antiplatelet drugs increases with age, with the proportion of men being
      higher. The use of beta-blockers and angiotensin II increases with age up to 79
      years, with an increased consumption in men up to 65 years. The probability of
      receiving treatment with calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, or statins,
      linearly increases with age, and the proportion of men under treatment exceeds
      that of women in the early ages, tending to equalize beyond 80 years.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the cardiovascular disease prevention focuses
      on people aged 40 to 74 years. Access by women to cardiovascular therapy occurs
      with a delay of 3-5 years, depending on the treatment subgroup. Changes should be
      promoted to encourage rational and equitable access and use of the drugs.

PMID- 24210691
TI  - VACTERL (vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula with
      esophageal atresia, cardiac defects, renal and limb anomalies) association:
      disease spectrum in 25 patients ascertained for their upper limb involvement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical characteristics in a series of 25 patients with
      VACTERL (vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula with
      esophageal atresia, cardiac defects, renal and limb anomalies) association who
      were ascertained for upper limb involvement. STUDY DESIGN: The study involved a
      review of clinical and radiologic data from patients with VACTERL association
      collected by a hand surgery clinic between 2004 and 2013. RESULTS: Radial axis
      involvement was found in all 25 patients (100%), with severe thumb function
      impairment in 79% and complete absence of the radius in roughly 33%.
      Costovertebral anomalies were the most frequent feature, found in 23 patients
      (92%). All 3 core features (anal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula with
      esophageal atresia, and costovertebral anomalies) were present in only 12% of the
      patients. Twelve patients (48%) had abnormalities not part of the VACTERL
      spectrum, showing a specific pattern of non-VACTERL-type malformations, including
      genitourinary abnormalities (12%), single umbilical artery (8%), and tethered
      cord (8%). Previously unreported clinical findings were concurrent hypoplasia of
      both the odontoid process and the coccyx in 2 patients and an isolated sacral
      dimple in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Upper limb involvement in VACTERL association
      is a specific feature of the radial axis that occurs in monolateral form in
      approximately 75% of cases and, when bilateral, always occurs in a nonsymmetrical
      fashion. Odontoid and coccygeal hypoplasia and sacral dimple are newly reported
      malformations of the VACTERL phenotype.

PMID- 24210692
TI  - The ameliorating effects of 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone on scopolamine
      induced memory impairment in mice and its neuroprotective activity.
AB  - We isolated 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone, a neuroprotective compound from
      Cynenchum paniculatum in our previous study. The present study was conducted to
      investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of 2,3-dihydroxy-4
      methoxyacetophenone that has been previously isolated from Cynenchum paniculatum
      on hippocampal neuronal cell line, HT22 cells and its possible cognitive
      enhancing effect on scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. Neuroprotective effect
      against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in HT22 cells was evaluated by MTT assay.
      Also, cognitive enhancing effect against scopolamine (1mg/kg, ip) induced
      learning and memory deficit was measured by Morris water maze test. Oral
      administered of 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone (1, 10, 20, 40 and 50mg/kg)
      to amnesic mice induced by scopolamine. In Morris water maze test, 2,3-dihydroxy
      4-methoxyacetophenone (50mg/kg) improved the impairment of spatial memory induced
      by scopolamine. 2,3-Dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone protect HT22 cells on
      glutamate induced cell-death in a dose-dependent manner (EC50 value: 10.94MUM).
      Furthermore, 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone was found to inhibit [Ca(2+)]
      accumulation in HT22 cells and had antioxidantive activity. The results showed
      that 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone exert neuroprotective and cognitive
      enhancing activities through its antioxidant activity. We suggest that 2,3
      dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone improves cognitive function and may be helpful
      for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. 

PMID- 24210693
TI  - Relationship between metabolic cost and muscular coactivation across running
      speeds.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Muscular coactivation can help stabilise a joint, but contrasting
      results in previous gait studies highlight that it is not clear whether this is
      metabolically beneficial. The aim was to assess the relationship between the
      metabolic cost of running and muscular coactivation across different running
      speeds, in addition to assessing the reliability and precision of lower limb
      muscular coactivation. DESIGN: Eleven female recreational runners visited the
      laboratory on two separate occasions. On both occasions subjects ran at three
      speeds (9.1, 11 and 12 km h(-1)) for six minutes each. METHODS: Oxygen
      consumption and electromyographic data were simultaneously recorded during the
      final two minutes of each speed. Temporal coactivations of lower limb muscles
      during the stance phase were calculated. Five muscles were assessed: rectus
      femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius
      lateralis. RESULTS: Nonparametric correlations revealed at least one significant,
      positive association between lower limb muscular coactivation and the metabolic
      cost of running for each speed. The length of tibialis anterior activation and
      muscular coactivation of the biceps femoris-tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius
      lateralis-tibialis anterior decreased with speed. CONCLUSIONS: These results show
      that longer coactivations of the proximal (rectus femoris-biceps femoris and
      vastus lateralis-biceps femoris) and leg extensor (rectus femoris-gastrocnemius
      lateralis) muscles were related to a greater metabolic cost of running, which
      could be detrimental to performance. The decrease in coactivation in the flexor
      and distal muscles at faster speeds occurs due to the shorter duration of
      tibialis anterior activation as speed increases, yet stability may be maintained.

PMID- 24210694
TI  - [It's time to take a firm step forward].

PMID- 24210695
TI  - Ultrasonic assisted arsenate adsorption on solvothermally synthesized calcite
      modified by goethite, alpha-MnO2 and goethite/alpha-MnO2.
AB  - A highly porous calcium carbonate (calcite; sorbent 1) was used as a support for
      modification with alpha-FeOOH (calcite/goethite; sorbent 2), alpha-MnO2
      (calcite/alpha-MnO2; sorbent 3) and alpha-FeOOH/alpha-MnO2
      (calcite/goethite/alpha-MnO2; sorbent 4) in order to obtain a cheap hybrid
      materials for simple and effective arsenate removal from aqueous solutions. The
      adsorption ability of synthesized adsorbents was studied as a function of
      functionalization methods, pH, contact time, temperature and ultrasonic
      treatment. Comparison of the adsorptive effectiveness of synthesized adsorbents
      for arsenate removal, under ultrasound treatment and classical stirring method,
      has shown better performance of the former one reaching maximum adsorption
      capacities of 1.73, 21.00, 10.36 and 41.94 mg g(-1), for sorbents 1-4,
      respectively. Visual MINTEQ equilibrium speciation modeling was used for
      prediction of pH and interfering ion influences on arsenate adsorption.

PMID- 24210696
TI  - Medullary hemangioblastoma: 34 patients at a single institution.
AB  - This study aimed to elucidate the surgical experience of medullary
      hemangioblastoma (MH) at a single institution. We reviewed 34 consecutive
      patients with MH operated on between January 2005 and June 2012 in the
      neurosurgery department of the Beijing Tiantan Hospital. There were 14 men and 20
      women. The patients were aged from 17 to 60 years with an average age of 38
      years. Tumors were cystic in 12 patients (Type A), and solid in 22 patients. The
      solid tumors were of a small size in six patients (<3 cm, Type B), large in 12
      (3.1-5 cm, Type C), and giant in four (>5 cm, Type D). Radical tumor removal was
      achieved in all patients. Tracheotomy was performed in 10 patients (one Type B
      patient, seven Type C, two Type D) postoperatively. Pneumonia secondary to lower
      cranial nerve palsy occurred in six patients (all Type C). Complications
      including intracranial infection (n=5), gastrointestinal bleeding (n=2), and
      intracranial hematoma (n=1) also occurred in this group. Follow-up (range, 2-82
      months; mean, 30 months) was available in all patients. At follow-up, 29 patients
      (85.3%) had a good outcome. Twenty-eight of these (82.4%) had an excellent
      outcome postoperatively (Karnofsky Performance Status ? 80). Although transient
      surgical complications are possible especially for large solid tumors, total
      surgical resection can be performed with favorable long-term outcomes with
      meticulous microsurgical technique and understanding of the vascular pattern of
      the tumor. Postoperative management of MH is as important as the operation.

PMID- 24210697
TI  - Decline in acute urinary toxicity: a long-term study in 2011 patients with
      prostate brachytherapy within a provincial institution.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether acute urinary toxicity rates improve with the
      overall experience of a large prostate brachytherapy program. METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: From 1998 to 2009, 2937 patients were treated with prostate
      brachytherapy at the British Columbia Cancer Agency. Baseline patient, treatment,
      and implant factors were recorded prospectively. Acute urinary toxicity data were
      prospectively recorded at baseline and each follow-up visit. Patients with >=2
      years of follow-up data were grouped into cohorts of 500 for analysis. RESULTS:
      Two thousand eleven patients met the above criteria. Acute urinary retention
      (AUR) in the acute period (within 6 months of implant) occurred in 9.1% of
      patients overall and was prolonged (catheterization >20 days) in 3.4%. Both
      overall AUR and prolonged AUR decreased across implant cohorts (p <= 0.001 in
      both cases). Overall acute Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Grades 0 and 1
      urinary toxicity rate was 57.5% and RTOG Grades 2 and 3 urinary toxicity rates
      were 34.3% and 8.1%, respectively. Acute toxicity improved over time for both
      RTOG Grades >=2 and >=3 toxicity (p < 0.0001). International prostate symptom
      score resolution to baseline was achieved in 80.5% of patients with a median time
      of 12.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Acute AUR and RTOG urinary toxicity rates continue
      to decline with the increasing experience of our provincial prostate
      brachytherapy program, despite its expansion to new centers and addition of
      members. This is likely due to better patient selection, refinement in treatment
      planning and implantation technique, and mentorship and training process.

PMID- 24210698
TI  - Perioperative image-adapted brachytherapy for the treatment of paranasal sinus
      and nasal cavity malignancies.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sinonasal malignancies are a rare group of cancers often associated with
      late presentation and poor prognosis. In the past, there was little progress
      regarding survival rate, and often, multimodal treatment regimens are required.
      The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of perioperative image
      adapted brachytherapy (IABT) as part of a multidisciplinary treatment regimen for
      the therapy of sinonasal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Since 2006, patients with
      sinonasal cancer at the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein Campus Luebeck,
      Germany, were offered a multimodal treatment concept including head and neck
      surgery, perioperative IABT with or without external beam radiation therapy, and
      chemotherapy. In a retrospective study, such patients were analyzed for survival
      rate, tumor control, and toxicity of the interdisciplinary treatment. RESULTS:
      Thirty-five consecutive patients were analyzed. The majority of patients (63%)
      were treated for a primary tumor and 62% presented with tumor Stages III-IV. The
      mean follow-up time with IABT was 28 months. Overall survival estimate was 72%
      after 3 years. Disease-specific survival, disease-free survival, and local
      control rates were 83%, 63%, and 67%, respectively. On univariate analysis, a
      significant better disease-free survival rate was found in patients treated for
      primary, but not recurrent, sinonasal cancer (p = 0.006). The overall treatment
      toxicities were mainly classified Grade I. CONCLUSIONS: Interdisciplinary
      perioperative IABT is associated with excellent locoregional control and survival
      rates. IABT is well tolerated and shows low toxicity. Furthermore, visual acuity
      can be preserved in advanced cases. The implementation of perioperative IABT into
      multimodal treatment regimens improves the oncologic outcome.

PMID- 24210699
TI  - The absence of Ku but not defects in classical non-homologous end-joining is
      required to trigger PARP1-dependent end-joining.
AB  - Classical-non-homologous end-joining (C-NHEJ) is considered the main pathway for
      repairing DNA double strand breaks (DSB) in mammalian cells. When C-NHEJ is
      defective, cells may switch DSB repair to an alternative-end-joining, which
      depends on PARP1 and is more erroneous. This PARP1-EJ is suggested to be active
      especially in tumor cells contributing to their genomic instability. Here, we
      define conditions under which cells would switch the repair to PARP1-EJ. Using
      the end jining repair substrate pEJ, we revealed that PARP1-EJ is solely used
      when Ku is deficient but not when either DNA-PKcs or Xrcc4 is lacking. In the
      latter case, DSB repair, however, could be shuttled to PARP1-EJ after additional
      Ku80 down-regulation, which partly rescued the DSB repair in these mutants. We
      demonstrate here that PARP-EJ may work on DSB ends at high fidelity manner, as
      evident from the unchanged efficiency upon blocking end resection by either
      roscovitin or mirin. Furthermore, we demonstrate for that PARP-EJ is likewise
      involved in the repair of multiple DSBs (I-PpoI- and IR-induced). Importantly, we
      identified a chromatin signature associated with the switch to PARP1-EJ which is
      characterized by a strong enrichment of both PARP1 and LigIII at damaged
      chromatin. Together, these data indicate that Ku is the main regulator for the
      hierarchal organization between C-NHEJ and PARP1-EJ. 

PMID- 24210700
TI  - Endogenous levels of Rad51 and Brca2 are required for homologous recombination
      and regulated by homeostatic re-balancing.
AB  - Stable expression of Rad51 siRNA was used to generate mouse hybridoma cell lines
      in which endogenous Rad51 levels were depleted by as much as 60%. Stable Rad51
      knockdowns feature reduced homologous recombination responses. The relative ease
      with which stable Rad51 knockdowns were recovered was surprising, given the
      embryonic lethality of Rad51 ablation. Interestingly, Rad51-depleted hybridoma
      cell lines are characterized by reduced levels of p53 protein. Completely
      unexpected, was the finding that Rad51-depleted hybridoma cell lines are also
      reduced for the breast cancer susceptibility 2 (Brca2) protein. Additionally,
      hybridoma cell lines that are siRNA depleted for mouse Brca2 show a corresponding
      reduction in Rad51 and p53 proteins. Furthermore, cellular levels of Rad51, Brca2
      and p53 can be elevated in these cell lines by ectopic expression of wild-type
      human Rad51 and wild-type human BRCA2. In marked contrast, hybridoma cell lines
      that are siRNA depleted for mouse p53 feature relatively normal Rad51 and Brca2
      levels. These results suggest that cellular levels of Brca2 and Rad51 are
      mutually dependent on each other, and that low levels of these proteins provide
      selective pressure for reduction of p53, which permits cell growth. 

PMID- 24210701
TI  - Lung transplantation: SEPAR year 2013.

PMID- 24210703
TI  - A single institution's effort to translate codeine knowledge into specific
      clinical practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Codeine is an unpredictable analgesic because of its variable
      pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenetic properties. This
      variability may lead to ineffective analgesia in some and respiratory depression
      in others. Despite this, codeine is still widely used. At a pediatric tertiary
      medical institution, codeine was prescribed despite efforts to inform prescribers
      of the potentially unpredictable analgesia and serious side effects. MEASURES: A
      retrospective/prospective metric was introduced to determine the frequency of
      codeine orders as compared with similar institutions using Pediatric Health
      Information Systems data. INTERVENTION: Interventions included formal and
      informal education to prescribers, and replacing codeine with oxycodone for
      patients aged older than six months and an age-appropriate medication for those
      patients younger than six months within ordersets. Identifying and addressing the
      major barriers to change also was a key part of the process. OUTCOMES: Codeine
      use was reduced by 97% from the first quarter of 2008 through the third quarter
      of 2012. This was accomplished through orderset changes and education. Codeine
      was completely eliminated from the hospital formulary in January 2013.
      CONCLUSIONS/LESSONS LEARNED: This quality improvement initiative was successful
      in eliminating codeine from the hospital formulary. Although education decreased
      codeine orders, understanding and addressing the barriers to change and directly
      changing the ordersets were the most effective and efficient for knowledge
      translation.

PMID- 24210702
TI  - Supportive cryotherapy: a review from head to toe.
AB  - CONTEXT: Conventional chemotherapy leads to multiple adverse mucocutaneous
      complications such as oral mucositis, alopecia, ocular toxicity, and onycholysis.
      Limited pharmacologic interventions are available for preventing these clinical
      problems. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to critically review the role of
      cryotherapy (regional hypothermia) for alleviating these adverse symptoms.
      METHODS: A narrative review was performed, with an emphasis on randomized
      controlled trials. A comprehensive search using PubMed, Ovid, Embase, and
      MEDLINE((r)) was completed. References of all cited articles also were reviewed.
      Data from the review were composed of articles published between 1970 and May
      2013. RESULTS: Available evidence suggests that regional hypothermia decreases
      the burden of chemotherapy-related oral mucositis, alopecia, ocular toxicity, and
      onycholysis. The major limitations of studies include the absence of blinded
      control groups and variable clinical end points. CONCLUSION: Regional hypothermia
      decreases the burden of these four chemotherapy-induced complications and is well
      tolerated. More research is needed to determine what subgroups of cancer patients
      are most likely to respond to different types of regional hypothermia, the ideal
      duration of cooling needed, and further improve the ease of use of the cooling
      devices.

PMID- 24210704
TI  - Factors associated with survival after opioid rotation in cancer patients
      presenting to an outpatient supportive care center.
AB  - CONTEXT: Data on cancer outpatients undergoing opioid rotation (OR) are limited.
      Understanding the characteristics of patients who do not follow up after OR could
      facilitate optimization of OR. OBJECTIVES: To compare the characteristics and
      overall survival of patients with and without follow-up after OR. METHODS: In
      this preliminary ad hoc analysis, we reviewed consecutive patients who presented
      to our supportive care center in 2008 for OR. Data about demographics, scores on
      the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale
      (MDAS), opioid use, and indications for OR were collected. Univariate logistic
      regression models were used to determine the factors associated with follow-up.
      Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate survival. RESULTS: Of the 190 patients
      who underwent OR, 120 (63%) had a follow-up visit. Follow-up visits occurred more
      frequently in patients with localized disease (89%; 24/27; P = 0.0023), history
      of substance abuse (100%; 12/12; P = 0.0085), performance status <= 2 (66%;
      97/146; P = 0.0002), no delirium (67%; 118/177; P = 0.002), and uncontrolled pain
      as reason for OR (66%; 97/146; P = 0.036). Patients who underwent OR for opioid
      induced neurotoxicity (44%; 15/34; P = 0.01) and had higher MDAS scores (P =
      0.0009) were less likely to follow up. Both follow-up after OR (P < 0.001) and
      successful OR (P = 0.012) were associated with longer overall survival, with a
      difference in median survival of 4.3 and 3 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our
      preliminary study suggests that patients with advanced cancer, poorer performance
      status, opioid-induced neurotoxicity, and higher MDAS scores are less likely to
      follow up after OR and may have shorter overall survival and, therefore, require
      closer follow-up. Patients with unsuccessful OR also may have a shorter overall
      survival. Further studies are warranted.

PMID- 24210706
TI  - Serial prognostication: a new look at an old tool.

PMID- 24210705
TI  - A randomized trial of weekly symptom telemonitoring in advanced lung cancer.
AB  - CONTEXT: Lung cancer patients experience multiple, simultaneous symptoms related
      to their disease and treatment that impair functioning and health-related quality
      of life (HRQL). Computer technology can reduce barriers to nonsystematic,
      infrequent symptom assessment and potentially contribute to improved patient
      care. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of technology-based symptom monitoring
      and reporting in reducing symptom burden in patients with advanced lung cancer.
      METHODS: This was a prospective, multisite, randomized controlled trial. Two
      hundred fifty-three patients were enrolled at three sites and randomized to
      monitoring and reporting (MR) or monitoring alone (MA). Patients completed
      questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks and symptom surveys via
      interactive voice response weekly for 12 weeks. MR patients' clinically
      significant symptom scores generated an e-mail alert to the site nurse for
      management. The primary endpoint was overall symptom burden; secondary endpoints
      included HRQL, treatment satisfaction, symptom management barriers, and self
      efficacy. RESULTS: This randomized controlled trial failed to demonstrate
      efficacy of symptom monitoring and reporting in reducing symptom burden compared
      with monitoring alone in lung cancer. HRQL declined over 12 weeks in both groups
      (P < 0.006 to P < 0.025); at week 12, treatment satisfaction was higher in MA
      than MR patients (P < 0.012, P < 0.027). Adherence to weekly calls was good (82%)
      and patient satisfaction was high. CONCLUSION: Feasibility of using a technology
      based system for systematic symptom monitoring in advanced lung cancer patients
      was demonstrated. Future research should focus on identifying patients most
      likely to benefit and other patient, provider, and health system factors likely
      to contribute to the system's success.

PMID- 24210707
TI  - Prevalence and incidence of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic literature review on incidence and prevalence
      of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and to estimate these figures in Europe for
      2010. METHODS: Articles on incidence or prevalence of juvenile idiopathic
      arthritis were searched in Medline. Pooled incidence and prevalence were
      calculated overall, by gender, age, classification and arthritis categories. We
      used the available age and gender pooled rates to standardize the incidence and
      prevalence on the 2010 European population and estimate the number of cases in
      Europe in 2010. RESULTS: Forty-three articles (33 on incidence, 29 on prevalence)
      were included. Incidence rates varied from 1.6 to 23 and prevalence from 3.8 to
      400/100,000. Pooled incidence and prevalence were higher for girls (10.0 [9.4
      10.7] and 19.4 [18.3-20.6]/100,000) than boys (5.7 [5.3-6.2] and 11.0 [10.2
      11.9]/100,000). Oligoarthritis was the most frequent form (pooled incidence rate
      3.7 [3.5-3.9] and prevalence 16.8 [15.9-17.7]/100,000). The direct standardized
      incidence rate was 8.2 [7.5-9.0] and prevalence 70.2 [62.9-78.1]/100,000. In
      Europe in 2010, the estimated number of incident cases was 6896 [5481-8578] and
      59,175 [44,256-76,983] prevalent cases. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence and prevalence
      varied greatly among published reports of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which
      may be explained by methodological issues, classification used, and time.
      Estimating the number of affected children can be useful, especially with the new
      treatment possibilities.

PMID- 24210708
TI  - Missing data in longitudinal studies: cross-sectional multiple imputation
      provides similar estimates to full-information maximum likelihood.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to examine, in an exploratory manner,
      whether cross-sectional multiple imputation generates valid parameter estimates
      for a latent growth curve model in a longitudinal data set with nonmonotone
      missingness. METHODS: A simulated longitudinal data set of N = 5000 was generated
      and consisted of a continuous dependent variable, assessed at three measurement
      occasions and a categorical time-invariant independent variable. Missing data had
      a nonmonotone pattern and the proportion of missingness increased from the
      initial to the final measurement occasion (5%-20%). Three methods were considered
      to deal with missing data: listwise deletion, full-information maximum
      likelihood, and multiple imputation. A latent growth curve model was specified
      and analysis of variance was used to compare parameter estimates between the full
      data set and missing data approaches. RESULTS: Multiple imputation resulted in
      significantly lower slope variance compared with the full data set. There were no
      differences in any parameter estimates between the multiple imputation and full
      information maximum likelihood approaches. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that
      in longitudinal studies with nonmonotone missingness, cross-sectional imputation
      at each time point may be viable and produces estimates comparable with those
      obtained with full-information maximum likelihood. Future research pursuing the
      validity of this method is warranted.

PMID- 24210709
TI  - [Screening and diagnosis of small for gestational age fetuses].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Define the mode of screening and diagnosis of fetal small for
      gestational age (SGA). METHODS: Bibliographic research by consulting Pubmed
      database and guidelines of the international professional societies. Keywords
      used: Intra uterine growth retardation or restriction, small for gestational age,
      curve, chart, fetal biometry, screening, velocity, fundal height measurement.
      RESULTS: The performance of ultrasound to detect SGA is low. The mode of
      screening and diagnosis of SGA must be well defined to be consensual. The fundal
      height measurement keeps its place in the screening from 22SA (grade C). The
      criteria for measuring ultrasound parameters defined by the comite technique
      d'echographie are recommended (professional agreement). They allow the
      calculation of the estimated fetal weight (EFW). That must be transferred to the
      reference curve adopted (professional agreement). The introduction of audit on
      techniques for measuring ultrasound parameters should be encouraged (grade B).
      CONCLUSION: Fetal biometry must be interpreted according to the clinical context
      and ultrasound including Doppler (grade C). To improve the performance of
      ultrasound, there is no need to another ultrasound examination in late pregnancy
      (grade A) except after a clinical suspicion (grade C). The minimum interval
      between two biometric tests is 3 weeks (grade B). This interval may be lower if
      the EFW is important in the decision of any fetal extraction (professional
      consensus).

PMID- 24210710
TI  - [Recommendations for clinical practice: Presumed benign ovarian tumors--short
      text].
AB  - These guidelines from the French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians on
      the diagnosis and treatment of presumed benign ovarian tumors (PBOT) concern
      physicians whether gynecologists, obstetricians, surgeons, radiologists,
      pediatricians, and general practitioners. Vaginal pelvic ultrasound is the first
      line imaging examination in case of PBOT in adult women (grade A). In case of
      pure fluid unilocular mass less than 7 cm size, ultrasound is sufficient to
      characterize the mass (grade A). MRI is recommended as second-line to explore
      indeterminate masses or masses greater than 7 cm (grade B). Serum CA125 assay is
      not recommended as first-line diagnostic in adult women (grade C). Among women
      with a pure unilocular liquid cyst, hormonal therapy is ineffective (LE1) and is
      not recommended (grade A). Ultrasound-guided puncture is not recommended (grade
      B). In adult women without history of cancer, abstention is possible in case of
      asymptomatic pure unilocular cyst less than 10 cm (grade B). If symptoms develop,
      laparoscopy is the reference approach for PBOT surgical treatment (grade A). A
      conservative surgical treatment (cystectomy) should be preferred to oophorectomy
      in non-menopausal women without previous history of cancer (grade C). In cases of
      suspected adnexal torsion, laparoscopic surgical exploration is recommended
      (grade B). Conservative treatment, untwisting without oophorectomy, is
      recommended for non-menopausal women whatever the estimated duration of the twist
      and the macroscopic appearance of the ovary (grade B). During pregnancy,
      expectation is recommended for asymptomatic unilocular liquid masses less than 6
      cm (grade C).

PMID- 24210711
TI  - [Intra uterine growth retardation: guidelines for clinical practice--Method and
      organization].

PMID- 24210712
TI  - [Intra uterine growth retardation: guidelines for clinical practice-
      Introduction].

PMID- 24210713
TI  - [Prevention of the complications related to hysteroscopy: text of guidelines for
      clinical practice--Synthesis].

PMID- 24210714
TI  - [Definitions: small for gestational age and intrauterine growth retardation].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Screening for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a major
      component of antenatal care, but the debate about the choice of birthweight
      standards is longstanding. The objective of this first chapter is to provide
      guidelines about optimal definition of IUGR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature
      review about available birthweight curves to define IUGR, including the analysis
      of their diagnosis accuracy and their relevance to identify babies at risk of
      poor perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: Intrauterine growth curves are more suitable
      for "normal" growth modeling than birth weight curves, and fetal growth is
      influenced by individual characteristics, fetal gender being the most important
      among them (EL2). Infants with a low birth weight are either constitutionally
      small babies or babies with pathological fetal growth failure. Use of "SGA" for
      all Small for Gestational Age infants is now recommended, "IUGR" being
      appropriate only for infants with pathological growth restriction (Professional
      consensus). Depending on reference curves, identified SGA babies and pregnancy
      outcomes may be different. Customized birth weight standards are based on an
      intrauterine growth modeling adjusted for fetal gender, maternal height, weight
      and parity, and appear to be the most accurate to identify SGA births at risk
      (EL3). However, their benefit on perinatal morbidity and mortality has not been
      demonstrated by prospective studies. CONCLUSION: Benefits and drawbacks of
      customized birth weight curves seem in favor of their use. Their application in
      ante and postnatal investigations is a real opportunity to standardize clinical
      practice and make information provided to parents more consistent.

PMID- 24210715
TI  - [Short-term outcome and small for gestational age newborn management].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe early complications and management of the small for
      gestational age (SGA) neonate. METHODS: This systematic evidence review is based
      on Pubmed search, Cochrane library and experts recommendations. Words included in
      the search mainly were: small for gestational age, intrauterine growth
      restriction, fetal growth restriction, very low birth weight infants, neonatal
      management, neonatal outcome, neonatal morbidity, neonatal mortality RESULTS:
      Neonatal mortality relative risk among SGA infants is 2-4 times higher than
      adapted for gestational age (AGA) newborn infants, at any gestational age. SGA
      infants had an increased risk for perinatal asphyxia, hypothermia and
      hypoglycaemia during their first days of life. In the SGA preterm population,
      bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension and necrotising enterocolitis
      are significantly more frequent as compared with AGA population. Periventricular
      leukomalacia is not significantly different between SGA and AGA infants whereas
      intraventricular hemorrhage and retinopathy risks are discussed. Adaptive
      problems require paediatric contact before birth. Early management of the small
      for gestational age includes intervention to prevent hypothermia, the use of
      pressure controlled ventilator if needed, and close blood glucose monitoring.
      CONCLUSIONS: SGA infants had excess neonatal mortality and morbidity in
      comparison with adapted ones for gestational age (AGA) infants, especially for
      preterm infants.

PMID- 24210716
TI  - [Managing and identifying the causes of IUGR].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The management and identification of the causes for a small for
      gestational age (SGA) and/or an intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) fetus is a
      common but complex problem in Obstetrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Medline,
      Embase and the Cochrane Library databases were examined over the last 15 years,
      with no language restrictions, using a combination of the words PAG (SGA), IUGR
      (IUGR), fetal weight (Fetal weight), sonography (ultrasound), management, cause
      (etiology), examinations (examinations). Some references not selected by this
      strategy, but associated with these publications or suggested by members of the
      working group were also added. The relevant articles were used to establish the
      text of recommendation following discussion between experts of the working group.
      RESULTS: Once the diagnosis of SGA is raised (whether on clinical,
      echocardiographic or Doppler), a management strategy to look for potential causes
      must be proposed and discussed with parents (Expert reviews). The extent of
      additional explorations varies depending on the exact presentation of the case
      (term at diagnosis, severity of anomalies). Additional explorations only make
      sense if they are likely to change the management of the current pregnancy and
      particularly to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. Explorations have two
      main objectives: (i) assess fetal vitality and possibilities for continuing the
      pregnancy in terms of safety for the mother and the foetus; (ii) establish the
      origin of SGA. The latter is detailed in this chapter recommendation. The earlier
      and the more severe the biometric anomalies, the more comprehensive the
      investigations. Maternal symptoms or fetal Doppler anomalies also require urgent
      management. CONCLUSION: Explorations to establish the origin of SGA and/or IUGR
      must follow a rigorous and systematic approach. In all cases, the practitioner
      will provide clear information to parents and collect information including
      detailed clinical and ultrasound examinations. Additional tests and in particular
      fetal invasive testing must be performed in some cases after parental consent and
      according to clinical and sonographic guidance elements.

PMID- 24210717
TI  - [Treatment strategies in presumed benign ovarian tumors].
AB  - Benign ovarian tumors can be separated in three groups: teratoma, unilocular cyst
      and endometrioma. Laparoscopy should always be preferred for the surgical
      approach. Before menopause, conservative treatment should be preferred apart from
      previous oncologic history (breast and ovary). After menopause, the surgical
      approach (conservative or radical) should be discussed on case-by-case basis.
      Concerning teratoma, follow-up is one of the options for small cyst (less than 4
      to 6 cm). For larger cyst, surgery seems to be justified but there is no
      definitive argument for this attitude. Concerning unilocular cyst, hormonal
      treatment or ultrasound-guided puncture are not recommended. For symptomatic
      patient, laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard. For asymptomatic patient,
      there is no definitive argument for systematic surgery. There is no justification
      for systematic ultrasound follow-up. For cyst larger than 10 cm, the data in the
      literature are very poor and surgery can be proposed. Concerning endometrioma,
      there isn't strong data that allows preferring one treatment (surgical, medical,
      follow-up) over another. Preoperative medical treatment is not recommended.
      Stripping technique is the gold standard. Hormonal postoperative treatment is
      recommended (if there is no desire for pregnancy).

PMID- 24210718
TI  - [Placental features in intrauterine growth retardation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the placental pathological patterns in intrauterine growth
      restriction (IUGR) in order to determinate which placental lesions are linked to
      clinically significant anomalies and to predict the child outcome and the mother
      risk of recurrence. METHODS: Bibliographic review using the Medline and PubMed
      databases. RESULTS: Placental studies designed in order to provide macroscopic
      and microscopic information about the mechanism of IUGR are not numerous and
      retrospective; files are most of the time very small. Meta-analyses are an
      exception. Maternal vascular underperfusion is admitted to be the most frequent
      etiology of IUGR. None of the associated placental lesions is pathognomonic but
      the combination of a number of placental changes is. Low placental weight and
      microscopic lesions are more frequent than gross anomalies. Other
      pathophysiological groups of placental pathologies are reported to be linked to
      fetal growth restriction: umbilical cord anomalies, fetal thrombotic
      vasculopathy, chronic villitis of unknown etiology and chronic histiocytic
      intervillositis. Some placental lesions have been reported associated with
      infants with neurologic impairment and can be as different as vascular lesions,
      villitis of unknown origin with stem villi vasculopathy, fetal thrombotic
      vasculopathy or umbilical cord anomalies. However, there is no direct link
      between a type of placental pathology and the infant's adverse outcome or his
      neurological risk. The maternal risk of recurrence is not easily predictable
      except for the chronic histiocytic intervillositis in which the estimated
      recurrence rate is very high. CONCLUSION: Placental morphological findings can
      play a critical role in explaining the IUGR. They always need to be correlated
      with clinical findings.

PMID- 24210719
TI  - [Delivery of the IUGR fetus].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to review available data regarding the
      management of delivery in intra uterine growth retarded fetuses and try to get
      recommendations for clinical obstetrical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Bibliographic research performed by consulting PubMed database and
      recommendations from scientific societies with the following words: small for
      gestational age, intra-uterine growth restriction, fetal growth restriction, very
      low birth weight infants, as well as mode of delivery, induction of labor,
      cesarean section and operative delivery. RESULTS: The diagnosis of severe IUGR
      justifies the orientation of the patient to a referral centre with all necessary
      resources for very low birth weight or premature infants Administration of
      corticosteroids for fetal maturation (before 34 WG) and a possible
      neuroprotective treatment by with magnesium sulphate (before 32-33 WG) should be
      discussed. Although elective caesarean section is common, there is no current
      evidence supporting the use of systematic cesarean section, especially when the
      woman is in labor. Induction of labor, even with unfavorable cervix is possible
      under continuous FHR monitoring, in favorable obstetric situations and in the
      absence of severe fetal hemodynamic disturbances. Instrumental delivery and
      routine episiotomy are not recommended. For caesarean section under spinal
      anesthesia, an adequate anesthetic management must ensure the maintenance of
      basal blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Compared with appropriate for gestational age
      fetus, IUGR fetus is at increased risk of metabolic acidosis or perinatal
      asphyxia during delivery.

PMID- 24210720
TI  - Free function muscle transfers for upper extremity reconstruction: a review of
      indications, techniques, and outcomes.
AB  - Free functional muscle transfer (FFMT) replaces destroyed, denervated, or
      resected skeletal muscle units in the upper extremity with functioning skeletal
      muscle from other locations in the body. Common indications for FFMT include
      brachial plexus injuries, ischemic contracture, tumor resection, and extensive
      direct muscle trauma. Recent studies have focused on improving patient outcomes
      through refinements in muscle flap harvest and inset, donor nerve selection, and
      postoperative management. In this review, we assess and summarize the current
      literature on FFMT, with emphasis on etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment,
      postoperative management, and clinical outcomes. 

PMID- 24210721
TI  - Prevention and treatment of elbow stiffness: a 5-year update.
AB  - Elbow stiffness is a challenging and common problem faced by upper extremity
      surgeons. Although functional improvements can be made with both nonsurgical and
      surgical management strategies, physicians must remain vigilant with efforts to
      prevent stiffness before it starts. Recent advancements in the biology and
      pathology of elbow contracture have led to improved understanding of this
      difficult problem, and they may lead to future breakthroughs in the prevention
      and treatment of elbow stiffness. This article serves as an update to our
      previous review of elbow stiffness, focusing on recent advancements in the past 5
      years, as well as updating our current algorithm for treatment. 

PMID- 24210722
TI  - Spindle cell carcinoma of the larynx presenting as a vocal fold cyst.
AB  - Spindle cell carcinoma (SPCC) is a rare, malignant variant of squamous cell
      carcinoma (SCC), which shows biphasic proliferation of the conventional SCC
      component and malignant spindle shape cells with sarcomatous appearance. We
      present two cases of SPCC of the true vocal fold that presented as a benign
      appearing subepithelial mass. We discuss the patient presentation, voice
      assessment, surgical treatment, and a review of the literature. 

PMID- 24210723
TI  - [Middle-term results of a Silastic prosthesis used as a temporary spacer for
      unreconstructable radial head fractures].
AB  - This study reports the use of silicone prosthesis as a temporary spacer for
      comminuted fracture of the radial head. Twelve men and eight women with a mean
      age of 42 years (17-54) were operated on in an average of five days following a
      comminuted fracture of the radial head. Silicone radial head prosthesis was
      implanted with a mean duration of eight months (3-18) between implantation and
      removal. At a mean period of five years after initial surgery, the mean DASH
      score was 40 (24-82), the mean MEPS score was 86 (60-100) giving ten excellent
      results, five good and five means. At the last clinical follow-up, the average
      flexion was 127 degrees  (90-140) and 152 degrees  (50-180) for pronation
      supination. Regarding our results, early removal of the Silastic implant
      prevented possible synovitis and failure of silicone implant. The stability of
      the elbow was obtained in all cases with association of a medial collateral
      ligament repair in case of instability. The use of a silicone radial head implant
      as a temporary spacer in case of radial head fracture type Mason III or IV seems
      to be a possible alternative to metal prostheses, whose implantation technique is
      demanding and sometimes not recommendable in young patients.

PMID- 24210724
TI  - Low uptake of upfront autologous transplantation for myeloma in a jurisdiction
      with universal health care coverage: a population-based patterns of care study in
      Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Guidelines for the management of symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM)
      recommend upfront autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for transplant
      eligible patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using population-based data, we examined
      the characteristics of transplant-eligible patients who do not undergo upfront
      ASCT. Altogether, 686 newly diagnosed MM cases were identified through the
      population-based central cancer registry in Victoria, Australia from 2008 to
      2009. We performed a detailed review of clinical notes and follow-up for at least
      12 months after diagnosis for a subset of 225 patients who were aged < 70 years
      at diagnosis and had symptomatic MM. RESULTS: Of these 225 patients, 123 (55%)
      proceeded to receive upfront ASCT. Patient and disease factors associated with
      not receiving upfront ASCT were the presence of severe medical comorbidities, MM
      associated renal impairment, and initial referral to a medical oncologist rather
      than a hematologist. Place of residence (rural vs. metropolitan) was not
      significant. Of 121 patients aged < 65 years at diagnosis who had minor or no
      comorbidities, only 75 (62%) proceeded to upfront ASCT. CONCLUSION: A substantial
      percentage of apparently transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed MM do
      not proceed to upfront ASCT. Community practice appears to diverge from clinical
      guidelines. The reasons for this divergence require further study but reasons may
      include perceptions of toxicity vs. benefits of upfront ASCT.

PMID- 24210725
TI  - Life is lived forwards and understood backwards-experiences of being affected by
      acute coronary syndrome: commentary on Fors et al. (2013).

PMID- 24210726
TI  - A fortunate survival following a severe penetrating chest trauma.

PMID- 24210727
TI  - The effect of tai chi on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot
      randomised study of lung function, exercise capacity and diaphragm strength.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the benefits of exercise on the health of patients with
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been widely reported, the
      effect of Tai Chi as an alternative exercise has not been thoroughly evaluated in
      patients with COPD. This study reported a randomised controlled trial, which
      investigated the effects of Tai Chi on lung function, exercise capacity, and
      diaphragm strength in patients with COPD. TRIAL DESIGN: Single blind randomised
      controlled study. SETTING: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital,
      Central South University. METHODS: Forty patients with COPD were randomised into
      either a control group or Tai Chi intervention group. Participants in the control
      group received only routine care, while participants in the Tai Chi group
      received routine care and completed a six-month Tai Chi exercise program.
      OUTCOMES: Lung function parameters, blood gas parameters, 6-min walking distance
      (6MWD), and diaphragm strength parameters. RESULTS: Lung function parameters
      (FEV1: 1.43 +/- 0.08 and FEV1 (%) predicted: 47.6 +/- 4.76), 6MWD (476 +/- 15)
      and diaphragm strength parameters (TwPes: 1.17 +/- 0.07, TwPga: -1.12 +/- 0.06,
      and TwPdi: 1.81 +/- 0.09) were found to be significantly increased in
      participants who successfully completed the six-month Tai Chi program compared to
      participants in the control group who only received routine care (p<0.05). These
      parameters were also found to be significantly increased in participants who
      completed the Tai Chi exercise program compared to the baseline (p<0.05). In
      contrast, no significant differences in PaO2 and PaCO2 were observed in
      participants before or after completing a Tai Chi program or between Tai Chi
      group and control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tai Chi enhances lung function,
      exercise capacity, and diaphragm strength. However, this is only preliminary
      research data and a larger trial is needed for more detailed results.

PMID- 24210728
TI  - Amelogenesis imperfecta with multiple impacted teeth and skeletal class III
      malocclusion: complete mouth rehabilitation of a young adult.
AB  - Amelogenesis imperfecta is an autosomal dominant disorder. It is a group of
      hereditary diseases showing abnormal enamel density and crown malformation. This
      clinical report describes the oral rehabilitation of a young adult diagnosed with
      a variant of hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta with multiple impacted teeth and
      skeletal class III malocclusion. The treatment procedures of teeth extractions,
      endodontic treatment of remaining teeth followed by post and core restorations,
      esthetic and functional crown lengthening, and metal ceramic fixed dental
      prostheses were performed sequentially in the maxillary arch. The mandibular arch
      was restored with an overdenture. One-year follow-up revealed satisfactory
      results.

PMID- 24210729
TI  - Color match of machinable lithium disilicate ceramics: Effects of cement color
      and thickness.
AB  - STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The effects of cement color and thickness on the color of
      machinable lithium disilicate (MLD) ceramic luted on metal foundation
      restorations is unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
      effects of cement color and thickness on the shade matching of MLD restorations
      luted on silver-palladium (Ag-Pd) foundations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen 1.5
      mm-thick ceramic specimens were made from shade A1 LT lithium disilicate blocks.
      Five resin cements with different colors and opacities (Multilink Automix white
      opaque, Multilink Automix yellow, Nexus3 white opaque, Nexus3 white, Nexus3
      yellow) of 3 thicknesses (300 MUm, 100 MUm, 50 MUm) were sequentially luted to a
      roughened Ag-Pd alloy foundation restoration block. Five shade measurements were
      made with a portable spectrophotometer after optically connecting the ceramic
      specimen to each cement foundation block. The color differences (DeltaE) between
      each specimen assembly and the target block (a 14*14*12-mm shade A1 LT
      crystalized e.max block) were recorded with the CIE (Commission internationale de
      l'eclairage) L*a*b* system. Clinical significance was determined by comparing
      color differences to perceptibility and acceptability thresholds with the 1
      sample t test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: Both cement color and cement thickness
      significantly affected the mean values of the color difference (DeltaE) of
      lithium disilicate ceramic assemblies to the target block (P<.001). Among the 5
      cements tested, the lowest mean DeltaE was observed for Nexus3 white opaque
      cement. Overall, the combination of Nexus3 white opaque cement and 100-MUm
      thickness led to the lowest mean DeltaE. The means of DeltaE were below the
      clinically perceptible level (DeltaE<2.6) for combinations of Nexus3 white opaque
      of 100-MUm and 300-MUm cement thicknesses (P<.001 and P=.022, respectively). The
      means of DeltaE were below the clinically acceptable level (DeltaE<5.5) for the
      following combinations: Nexus3 white opaque of 50-MUm thickness, Nexus3 white,
      and Nexus3 yellow for all tested cement thicknesses and Multilink white opaque or
      Multilink yellow of either 50-MUm or 100-MUm cement thickness (P<.001). The means
      of DeltaE were above the clinically acceptable level (DeltaE>5.5) for Multilink
      white opaque and Multilink yellow of 300-MUm cement thickness. CONCLUSIONS: The
      colors of machinable lithium disilicate ceramic restorations placed on Ag-Pd
      foundation were affected by both the color and thickness of cements. Among the 5
      cements tested in this study, Nexus3 white opaque cement of 100 MUm or 300 MUm
      yielded shade matches below the clinical perceptible threshold (DeltaE<2.6)
      relative to the target block.

PMID- 24210730
TI  - Clinical performance and satisfaction of removable prostheses with self-adjusting
      magnetic attachments.
AB  - STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Conventional magnetic attachments have rigid assemblies and
      are unable to compensate for the movement of the prosthesis under function, which
      may result in the deepening of periodontal pockets and an increase in the
      mobility of abutment teeth. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate
      the clinical performance and satisfaction of participants with removable
      prostheses with self-adjusting magnetic attachments that allow vertical and
      rotational movement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical performance of 17
      prostheses with 22 self-adjusting magnetic attachments in 16 participants was
      analyzed for a mean of 3.1 years. Periodontal indices, including probing pocket
      depth and tooth mobility, were measured at denture placement (baseline) and from
      0.5 to 5 years after insertion. Control data were obtained from the remaining
      teeth, which were restored by resin or metal coping. Prosthetic parameters,
      including the reduction of retention in self-adjusting magnetic attachments,
      reline, or fracture of dentures, were also recorded. A visual analog scale
      questionnaire on participant satisfaction with stability, comfort, and cleaning
      of the prostheses was completed. The Wilcoxon signed rank test and 1-way analysis
      of variance (alpha=.05) were performed on data collected at the time of
      prostheses placement and final follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: No significant
      differences were found in terms of probing pocket depth and tooth mobility
      between the baseline and postinsertion data for self-adjusting magnetic
      attachments and control teeth. Retention in all prostheses was stable, without
      reduction. Higher visual analog scale scores for "easy cleaning" were noted.
      CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference between baseline and postinsertion was
      noted regarding the periodontal condition of self-adjusting magnetic attachments
      and control teeth with resin or metal coping materials.

PMID- 24210731
TI  - A simplified technique for recording an implant-supported ovate pontic site in
      the esthetic zone.
AB  - Implant-supported fixed dental prostheses present an esthetic challenge,
      especially when an ovate pontic site has been progressively developed during the
      guided soft-tissue healing process with an interim restoration. This article
      describes a technique for an accurate capturing of the molded ovate pontic site
      of an implant-supported fixed dental prostheses and for transferring it to the
      definitive cast, which facilitates the dental ceramist's ability to design and
      fabricate an ovate pontic with adequate intaglio contours. 

PMID- 24210732
TI  - Applicability and accuracy of an intraoral scanner for scanning multiple implants
      in edentulous mandibles: a pilot study.
AB  - STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: In the past 5 years, the use of intraoral digitizers has
      increased. However, data are lacking on the accuracy of scanning implant
      restorative platforms for prosthodontics with intraoral digitizers. PURPOSE: The
      purpose of this clinical pilot study was to assess the applicability and accuracy
      of intraoral scans by using abutments designed for scanning (scan abutments) in
      edentulous mandibles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five participants with
      complete mandibular overdentures retained by 2 implants and frameworks were
      included in this study. Scan abutments were placed on the implants intraorally
      and scanned with the iTero intraoral scanner. Also, scan abutments were placed on
      the implant analogs of the definitive casts and scanned with an extraoral
      laboratory scanner (Lava Scan ST scanner). Two 3-dimensional computer-aided
      design models of the scan abutments with predetermined center lines were
      subsequently imported and registered, together with each of the scanned
      equivalents. The distance between the centers of the top of the scan abutments
      and the angulations between the scan abutments was assessed. These values were
      compared with the measurements made on the 3-dimensional scans of the definitive
      casts, which were the participants' original definitive casts used for
      fabrication of soldered bars. The threshold for distance error was established to
      be 100 MUm. RESULTS: Four of the 25 intraoral scans were not suitable for
      research because the intraoral scanner was not able to stitch the separate scans
      together. Five of the 21 suitable scans demonstrated an interimplant distance
      error >100 MUm. Three of the 25 intraoral scans showed interimplant angulation
      errors >0.4 degrees. Only 1 scan showed both an acceptable interimplant distance
      (<100 MUm) and an acceptable angulation error (<0.4 degrees). CONCLUSIONS: Based
      on the intraoral scans obtained in this study, distance and angulation errors
      were too large to fabricate well-fitting frameworks on implants in edentulous
      mandibles. The main reason for the unreliable scans seemed to be the lack of
      anatomic landmarks for scanning.

PMID- 24210733
TI  - SIU/ICUD Consultation On Urethral Strictures: Epidemiology, etiology, anatomy,
      and nomenclature of urethral stenoses, strictures, and pelvic fracture urethral
      disruption injuries.
AB  - This committee reviewed and evaluated published data, and recommended
      standardized terminology relating to the epidemiology, etiology, anatomy, and
      nomenclature of urethral stenoses, urethral strictures, and pelvic fracture
      urethral disruption injuries, as well as their surgical management. A literature
      search using Medline, PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National
      Institutes of Health), Embase, online acronym databases, and abstracts from
      scientific meetings was performed from 1980-2010. Articles were evaluated using
      the Levels of Evidence adapted by the International Consultation on Urological
      Diseases (ICUD) from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.
      Recommendations were based on the level of evidence and discussed among the
      committee to reach a consensus. There is expert opinion to support standards
      regarding the epidemiology, anatomy, and nomenclature of urethral stenoses,
      urethral strictures, and pelvic fracture urethral disruption injuries. There is
      level 3 evidence regarding the epidemiology and etiology of urethral stenoses,
      urethral strictures, and pelvic fracture urethral injuries. The literature
      regarding the epidemiology, anatomy, and nomenclature of urethral stenoses,
      urethral strictures, and pelvic fracture urethral disruption injuries are sparse
      and generally of a low level of evidence. The proposed ICUD system does not
      readily apply to these areas. Further research is needed so that stronger levels
      of evidence can be developed leading to recommendations regarding the accuracy of
      the data. To improve future research and promote effective scientific progress
      and communication, a standardized nomenclature and anatomy regarding the urethra
      and urethral surgery is detailed herein. 

PMID- 24210734
TI  - SIU/ICUD Consultation on Urethral Strictures: Pelvic fracture urethral injuries.
AB  - The posterior urethra pierces the perineal diaphragm in close relationship to the
      pubic arc elements of the bony pelvis to which it is tethered by attachments to
      the puboprostatic ligaments and the perineal membrane. Because of these
      relationships, it is not surprising that fracture disruptions of the pelvic ring
      can be associated with injuries to the urethra at this level. Although the
      relationship between pelvic fracture and posterior urethral injury has been
      recognized for >1 century, considerable controversy exists on almost any aspect
      of these injuries, from the anatomy and classification of the injuries to the
      strategies for acute management, reconstruction, and treatment of complications,
      to mention just a few. What it is not controversial and well known is that these
      injuries can result in significant morbidity in the long run--mainly strictures,
      erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence--which can cause lifelong
      disability. It also well known that, just as in many other areas of trauma, the
      severity and duration of the complications can be reduced considerably if the
      injury is diagnosed and treated promptly and efficiently. This chapter summarizes
      the most relevant published evidence about the management of pelvic fracture
      urethral injuries. This comprehensive review, performed by an international panel
      of experts, will provide valuable information and recommendations to help
      urologists worldwide improve the treatment and outcomes of their injured
      patients.

PMID- 24210735
TI  - Bridging efforts to longitudinally improve and evaluate VEnous thromboembolism
      prophylaxis uptake in hospitalized cancer patients through Interprofessional
      Teamwork (BELIEVE IT): a study by Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite demonstrable risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE),
      thromboprophylaxis continues to be underutilized in hospitalized cancer patients.
      Our study evaluated institutional VTE prophylaxis rates after devising a series
      of strategic interventions to longitudinally improve adherence rates over a
      period of eight years. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 2004 and 2012, a series of
      interventions were implemented to improve the thromboprophylaxis rate among
      patients with solid tumours hospitalized at our institution using quality
      improvement methodology. Interventions included development of guidelines and
      institutional policies coupled with educational in-services for physicians,
      nurses and pharmacists and engagement of the Cancer Quality Committee.
      Thromboprophylaxis rates were monitored to assess response to interventions.
      RESULTS: At the outset in 2004, 11 of 57 (19.3%) eligible patients received
      appropriate pharmacological prophylaxis and formed the baseline of our analysis.
      Post-2009 policy implementation and educational sessions, 46.5% of an eligible
      185 inpatients were administered thromboprophylaxis. Following a two-year grace
      period to allow for policy acceptance, three audits were conducted in 2011 for
      which an average prophylaxis rate of 62.3% resulted. In 2012, following another
      round of educational sessions, a 96.7% rate was achieved and maintained ten weeks
      later. Minimal bleeding risk was observed during this eight year initiative.
      CONCLUSION: A reproducible 96.7% prophylaxis uptake rate was the result of our
      perseverance and persistence in believing that culture change was inevitable
      through continuously collaborating with stakeholders at all levels.

PMID- 24210736
TI  - Risk reducing mastectomy, breast reconstruction and patient satisfaction in
      Norwegian BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of risk-reducing mastectomy in
      BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with and without breast cancer. Uptake, methods of
      operation and reconstruction, complications, patient satisfaction and
      histopathological findings were registered at all five departments of genetics in
      Norway. Data from 267 affected and unaffected BRCA1/2 mutation carriers were
      analyzed, including a study-specific questionnaire returned by 178 mutation
      carriers. There was a steady increase in the uptake of risk-reducing mastectomies
      during the study period. Complications were observed in 106/266 (39.7%) women.
      Patient satisfaction was high. The majority of women expressed great relief after
      risk-reducing mastectomy and would have chosen the same option again. 

PMID- 24210737
TI  - [Frequency of fluoroquinolone resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in
      Southeast Spain].

PMID- 24210738
TI  - [Re-emergence of measles in the province of Guadalajara, Spain. Is it time to
      establish new strategies for its elimination?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measles is a viral infection that was almost eradicated, but it is re
      emerging in Spain and Europe in recent years. The aim of this study was to
      describe the microbiological, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a
      measles outbreak that occurred in Guadalajara (Spain) from June to August 2012.
      METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted. A total of 117
      samples (including serum, urine and pharyngeal swabs) from 52 patients were
      analyzed for measles. RESULTS: Measles was diagnosed in 50 patients, 41 of them
      by microbiological diagnosis, and 9 by epidemiological link. The patients were
      grouped in four community outbreaks. No imported cases were observed. Positive
      IgM and positive CRP were detected in 25 patients, positive CRP only in 11 and
      positive IgM only in 5. The genotype D4 was identified in 13 patients and the
      genotype A in a post-vaccine case. The age groups most affected were adults
      between 20-34 years of age (38%) and younger than 15 months (26%). The large
      majority (86%) of patients were unvaccinated (44% Roma population, 27% younger
      than 15 months, 11% ideological reasons), 6% had one vaccine dose. The
      signs/symptoms were: rash and fever, 100%, cough, 82%, and conjunctivitis 50%.
      Almost one-third (32%) of patients were hospitalized, and 28% had complications.
      CONCLUSIONS: It is very important to intensify the epidemiological surveillance
      of infections in the elimination phase. The increased incidence of measles was
      associated to unvaccinated pockets, presenting a challenge for Public Health
      Centers. These agencies should prepare strategies to obtain a higher vaccine
      coverage for the eradication of measles.

PMID- 24210739
TI  - Tracing the primordial Chlamydiae: extinct parasites of plants?
AB  - Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria found as symbionts and pathogens
      in a wide range of eukaryotes, including protists, invertebrates, and
      vertebrates. It was recently proposed that an ancient chlamydial symbiont
      facilitated the establishment of primary plastids in a tripartite symbiosis with
      cyanobacteria and early eukaryotes. In this review, we summarize recent advances
      in understanding of the lifestyle and the evolutionary history of extant
      Chlamydiae. We reconstruct and describe key features of the ancient chlamydial
      symbiont. We propose that it was already adapted to an intracellular lifestyle
      before the emergence of Archaeplastida, and that several observations are
      compatible with an essential contribution of Chlamydiae to the evolution of algae
      and plants. 

PMID- 24210740
TI  - Perceived coercion in voluntary hospital admission.
AB  - The legal status of service users admitted to psychiatric wards is not synonymous
      with the level of coercion that they can perceive during the admission. This
      study aimed to identify and describe the proportion of individuals who were
      admitted voluntarily but experienced levels of perceived coercion comparable to
      those admitted involuntarily. Individuals admitted voluntarily and involuntarily
      to three psychiatric hospitals were interviewed using the MacArthur Admission
      Experience Interview and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV diagnoses.
      One hundered sixty-one individuals were interviewed and 22% of the voluntarily
      admitted service users had levels of perceived coercion similar to that of the
      majority of involuntarily admitted service users. Voluntarily admitted service
      users who experienced high levels of perceived coercion were more likely to have
      more severe psychotic symptoms, have experienced more negative pressures and less
      procedural justices on admission. Individuals brought to hospital under mental
      health legislation but who subsequently agreed to be admitted voluntarily and
      those treated on a secure ward also reported higher levels of perceived coercion.
      It needs to be ensured that if any service user, whether voluntary or
      involuntary, experiences treatment pressures or coercion that there is sufficient
      oversight of the practice, to ensure that individual's rights are respected. 

PMID- 24210741
TI  - Nocebo in clinical trials for depression: a meta-analysis.
AB  - Nocebo refers to adverse events (AEs) related to negative expectations that
      medical treatment will likely harm instead of heal and can be assessed in placebo
      controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We sought to examine the AEs
      following placebo administration in RCTs for depression (D). After a systematic
      Medline search for RCTs in depression published in the last decade we assessed
      percentages of placebo-treated patients reporting at least one AE or
      discontinuing due to placebo intolerance and searched for factors influencing
      nocebo's extent. Data were extracted from 21 RCTs fulfilling search criteria. Of
      3255 placebo-treated patients, 44.7% (95% CI: 22.3-68.3%) reported at least one
      AE, and 4.5% (95% CI: 3.4-5.8%) discontinued placebo treatment due to
      intolerance. AE rates in placebo and active drug treated patients were correlated
      quantitatively (r=0.915, p<0.001) and qualitatively, but not dropout rates
      (r=0.047). We conclude that almost one out of 20 placebo treated patients
      discontinued treatment due to AEs, indicating a significant nocebo in trials for
      depression treatment adversely affecting adherence and efficacy of current
      treatments in clinical practice, with additional implications for trial
      designing. 

PMID- 24210742
TI  - Association between the polymorphisms of the selected genes encoding dopaminergic
      system with ADHD and autism.

PMID- 24210743
TI  - Distress in primary caregivers and patients listed for liver transplantation.
AB  - Orthotopic liver transplantation (LTx) has become a routine procedure in the
      treatment of end-stage liver disease. During the waiting period for
      transplantation, the patient's family members are also highly affected. We
      examined the course of distress and quality of life (QOL) in 47 patients awaiting
      LTx and distress in 24 caregivers at baseline and in intervals of 4-6 weeks,
      using The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the European
      Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire
      (EORTC QLQ-C30). All subscales of the EORTC QLQ-C30, except emotional
      functioning, were lower than normal at baseline. Little change in patients' QOL
      was observed during the waiting period. In the HADS, there were significantly
      higher anxiety scores in caregivers than in patients both at baseline and after 1
      2 months and the third assessment, with the difference after 3-5 months reaching
      almost significance. Caregivers' anxiety levels increased significantly.
      Relatives showed more depression than patients only at month 1-2 and a
      significant increase in depression from baseline to month 1-2. In patients,
      depression scores remained relatively stable throughout all visits. Our results
      emphasize the importance of evaluation of psychic stress especially in relatives
      during the waiting period for LTx. 

PMID- 24210744
TI  - Quality of life instruments used in mental health research: properties and
      utilization.
AB  - Quality of life (QoL) assessment is increasingly used in mental health. Multiple
      instruments exist, but the conditions for choosing one instrument over another
      for purposes of a specific study are not clear. We performed a systematic review
      to identify the QoL instruments used in mental health. The instruments were
      systematically described regarding their intrinsic properties (e.g., generic v.
      disease-specific) and their characteristics of utilization in studies (e.g.,
      study objectives). Using cluster analyses, we investigated the existence of
      similar instruments with respect to each of these sets of characteristics and
      studied potential links between instruments' intrinsic properties and their
      characteristics of utilization. We included 149 studies in which 56 distinct
      instruments were used. Similarities were found among instruments in terms of
      their intrinsic properties as well as their characteristics of utilization,
      leading to the construction of four clusters of instruments in each case.
      However, no relevant links were identified between instruments' intrinsic
      properties and their characteristics of utilization, suggesting that the choice
      of QoL instruments did not depend on their properties. A consensus about common
      QoL instruments must be reached to facilitate the choice of instruments, the
      comparison of results and thus to have an impact on clinical and policy decision
      making. 

PMID- 24210745
TI  - Influence of violent video gaming on determinants of the acquired capability for
      suicide.
AB  - The interpersonal theory of suicidal behavior proposes that fearlessness of death
      and physical pain insensitivity is a necessary requisite for self-inflicted
      lethal self-harm. Repeated experiences with painful and provocative events are
      supposed to cause an incremental increase in acquired capability. The present
      study examined whether playing a first-person shooter-game in contrast to a first
      person racing game increases pain tolerance, a dimension of the acquired
      capability construct, and risk-taking behavior, a risk factor for developing
      acquired capability. N=81 male participants were randomly assigned to either play
      an action-shooter or a racing game before engaging in a game on risk-taking
      behavior and performing a cold pressor task (CPT). Participants exhibited higher
      pain tolerance after playing an action shooter game than after playing a racing
      game. Furthermore, playing an action shooter was generally associated with
      heightened risk-taking behavior. Group-differences were not attributable to the
      effects of the different types of games on self-reported mood and arousal.
      Overall these results indicate that action-shooter gaming alters pain tolerance
      and risk-taking behavior. Therefore, it may well be that long-term consumption of
      violent video games increases a person's capability to enact lethal self-harm. 

PMID- 24210746
TI  - Transarterial endovascular treatment in the management of life-threatening
      carotid blowout syndrome in head and neck cancer patients: review of the
      literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Carotid blowout syndrome is a rare but devastating complication in
      patients with head and neck malignancy, and is associated with high morbidity and
      mortality. Bleeding from the carotid artery or its branches is a well-recognized
      complication following treatment or recurrence of head and neck cancer. It is an
      emergency situation, and the classical approach to save the patient's life is to
      ligate the carotid artery. But the surgical treatment is often technically
      difficult. Endovascular therapies were recently reported as good alternatives to
      surgical ligation. METHODS: Retrospective review of three cases of acute or
      threatened carotid hemorrhage managed by endovascular therapies. RESULTS: Two
      patients presented with acute carotid blowout, and one patient with a sentinel
      bleed. Two patients had previously been treated with surgery and chemo radiation.
      One patient was treated by chemo radiation. Two had developed pharyngocutaneous
      fistulas, and one had an open necrosis filled wound that surrounded the carotid
      artery. In two patients, stent placement resolved the acute hemorrhage. In one
      patient, superselective embolization was done. Mean duration follow-up was 10.2
      months. No patient had residual sequelae of stenting or embolization. CONCLUSION:
      Management of carotid blow syndrome is very critical and difficult. A
      multidisciplinary approach is very important in the management of carotid blow
      syndrome. Correct and suitable management can be life saving. An endovascular
      technique is a good and effective alternative with much lower morbidity rates
      than surgical repair or ligation.

PMID- 24210747
TI  - [Acute rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm revealing Takayasu arteritis].
AB  - Arterial aneurysms are most commonly (60% of cases) located in the infrarenal
      abdominal aorta. An inflammatory mechanism is involved in only 10% of cases.
      Infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms revealing Takayasu's disease is unusual.
      Takayasu's disease is a rare vasculitis affecting large arteries in young people.
      It is 10 times more common in women. We report the case of an acute rupture of an
      abdominal aortic aneurysm revealing Takayasu arteritis in a 39-year-old man with
      an uneventful medical history. 

PMID- 24210748
TI  - [Contrast enhanced ultrasound can show symptomatic carotid lesions not visualized
      with magnetic resonance angiography].
AB  - We report the cases of two patients who presented symptoms focused on a wall of
      the common carotid: carotidodynia in one patient and a transient ischemic attack
      in the other. The B-mode ultrasound showed an enlarged thickened medio
      adventitial echostructure with a slightly heterogeneous and iso or hypoechoic
      appearance. There was no narrowing. Injection of ultrasound contrast led to
      significant enhancement in the wall reflecting neovascularization secondary to
      inflammation. Other imaging methods (MR and CT angiography) found no abnormality.
      At the 3-month follow-up visit, the surface area of the lesions was greatly
      decreased and the ultrasound contrast enhancement had disappeared. These two
      cases illustrate how focal lesions of the carotid wall missed on MR and CT
      angiography can be detected and visualized with B-mode ultrasound contrast
      enhancement. Contrast enhanced ultrasound leads to the concept of "active
      lesions" resulting from inflammatory processes that can be readily monitored
      without radiation. 

PMID- 24210749
TI  - [Secretan's syndrome: myth or pathomimia?].
AB  - Secretan's syndrome is a rare condition involving generally trauma-induced hard
      edema of the dorsal aspect of the hand. The cause is poorly understood but
      factitious trauma is often suspected. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old woman presented
      with a fortuitous edema on the back of the right hand. The minimally depressible
      edema was associated with moderately intense mechanical pain. Routine laboratory
      tests were normal. An extensive imaging work-up (bone x-ray of the hand and
      wrist, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography phlebography, lymphoscintigraphy,
      magnetic resonance imaging) was equally non-contributive. The diagnosis of self
      inflected trauma was suggested by the atypical nature of the edema, the absence
      of any organic disorder on the tests performed, and the patient's attitude
      concerning her disease. In this clinical context, the diagnosis of Secretan's
      syndrome was retained. Outcome was compatible, with secondary development of
      complex regional pain syndrome. DISCUSSION: Three forms of Secretan's syndrome
      have been recently described: benign; hyperplastic; and mixed. The cause remains
      poorly defined. Certain authors report that it is most likely related to
      pathomimia. Treatment can combine physiotherapy and psychological counseling.
      CONCLUSION: Secretan's syndrome is a poorly-understood and rarely-described
      condition that may be underdiagnosed. Physicians specialized in vascular medicine
      should be aware of this syndrome and its difficult diagnosis by elimination.

PMID- 24210750
TI  - [Posterior cerebral artery infarctions with possible interaction between
      hypoperfusion and embolism].
AB  - Although embolism and hypoperfusion may well occur concurrently in a non
      negligible proportion of cerebral infarction patients, there is currently lack of
      proof, especially in the posterior circulation. Here, we are reporting on a case
      of multiple cerebral infarctions in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1,
      multiple vascular abnormalities of the posterior cerebral circulation and
      intracranial artery occlusion. We hypothesize that cerebral blood flow impairment
      may have affected the clearance and destination of embolic particles. 

PMID- 24210754
TI  - Do we need a radiology zoo?

PMID- 24210756
TI  - The role of a sodium ion binding site in the allosteric modulation of the A(2A)
      adenosine G protein-coupled receptor.
AB  - The function of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can be modulated by a number
      of endogenous allosteric molecules. In this study, we used molecular dynamics,
      radioligand binding, and thermostability experiments to elucidate the role of the
      recently discovered sodium ion binding site in the allosteric modulation of the
      human A(2A) adenosine receptor, conserved among class A GPCRs. While the binding
      of antagonists and sodium ions to the receptor was noncompetitive in nature, the
      binding of agonists and sodium ions appears to require mutually exclusive
      conformational states of the receptor. Amiloride analogs can also bind to the
      sodium binding pocket, showing distinct patterns of agonist and antagonist
      modulation. These findings suggest that physiological concentrations of sodium
      ions affect functionally relevant conformational states of GPCRs and can help to
      design novel synthetic allosteric modulators or bitopic ligands exploiting the
      sodium ion binding pocket.

PMID- 24210757
TI  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis dihydrofolate reductase reveals two conformational
      states and a possible low affinity mechanism to antifolate drugs.
AB  - Inhibition of the biosynthesis of tetrahydrofolate (THF) has long been a focus in
      the treatment of both cancer and infectious diseases. Dihydrofolate reductase
      (DHFR), which catalyzes the last step, is one of the most thoroughly explored
      targets of this pathway, but there are no DHFR inhibitors used for tuberculosis
      treatment. Here, we report a structural, site-directed mutagenesis and
      calorimetric analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DHFR (MtDHFR) in complex with
      classical DHFR inhibitors. Our study provides insights into the weak inhibition
      of MtDHFR by trimethoprim and other antifolate drugs, such as pyrimethamine and
      cycloguanil. The construction of the mutant Y100F, together with calorimetric
      studies, gives insights into low affinity of MtDHFR for classical DHFR
      inhibitors. Finally, the structures of MtDHFR in complex with pyrimethamine and
      cycloguanil define important interactions in the active site and provide clues to
      the more effective design of antibiotics targeted against MtDHFR. 

PMID- 24210755
TI  - ALDH-1 expression levels predict response or resistance to preoperative
      chemoradiation in resectable esophageal cancer patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Operable thoracic esophageal/gastroesophageal junction carcinoma (EC) is
      often treated with chemoradiation and surgery but tumor responses are
      unpredictable and heterogeneous. We hypothesized that aldehyde dehydrogenase-1
      (ALDH-1) could be associated with response. METHODS: The labeling indices (LIs)
      of ALDH-1 by immunohistochemistry in untreated tumor specimens were established
      in EC patients who had chemoradiation and surgery. Univariate logistic regression
      and 3-fold cross validation were carried out for the training (67% of patients)
      and validation (33%) sets. Non-clinical experiments in EC cells were performed to
      generate complimentary data. RESULTS: Of 167 EC patients analyzed, 40 (24%) had a
      pathologic complete response (pathCR) and 27 (16%) had an extremely resistant
      (exCRTR) cancer. The median ALDH-1 LI was 0.2 (range, 0.01-0.85). There was a
      significant association between pathCR and low ALDH-1 LI (p <= 0.001; odds-ratio
      [OR] = 0.432). The 3-fold cross validation led to a concordance index (C-index)
      of 0.798 for the fitted model. There was a significant association between exCRTR
      and high ALDH-1 LI (p <= 0.001; OR = 3.782). The 3-fold cross validation led to
      the C-index of 0.960 for the fitted model. In several cell lines, higher ALDH-1
      LIs correlated with resistant/aggressive phenotype. Cells with induced
      chemotherapy resistance upregulated ALDH-1 and resistance conferring genes (SOX9
      and YAP1). Sorted ALDH-1+ cells were more resistant and had an aggressive
      phenotype in tumor spheres than ALDH-1- cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical and non
      clinical data demonstrate that ALDH-1 LIs are predictive of response to therapy
      and further research could lead to individualized therapeutic strategies and
      novel therapeutic targets for EC patients.

PMID- 24210758
TI  - Stereochemical preferences modulate affinity and selectivity among five PDZ
      domains that bind CFTR: comparative structural and sequence analyses.
AB  - PDZ domain interactions are involved in signaling and trafficking pathways that
      coordinate crucial cellular processes. Alignment-based PDZ binding motifs
      identify the few most favorable residues at certain positions along the peptide
      backbone. However, sequences that bind the CAL (CFTR-associated ligand) PDZ
      domain reveal only a degenerate motif that overpredicts the true number of high
      affinity interactors. Here, we combine extended peptide-array motif analysis with
      biochemical techniques to show that non-motif "modulator" residues influence CAL
      binding. The crystallographic structures of 13 CAL:peptide complexes reveal
      defined, but accommodating stereochemical environments at non-motif positions,
      which are reflected in modulator preferences uncovered by multisequence
      substitutional arrays. These preferences facilitate the identification of high
      affinity CAL binding sequences and differentially affect CAL and NHERF PDZ
      binding. As a result, they also help determine the specificity of a PDZ domain
      network that regulates the trafficking of CFTR at the apical membrane. 

PMID- 24210760
TI  - Dorsal scapholunate stabilization using Viegas' capsulodesis: 25 cases with 26
      months-follow-up.
AB  - Intercarpal instability is often secondary to a scapholunate interosseous (SLIO)
      ligament lesion. Its reconstruction is thus essential. Classical capsulodesis
      techniques fix the scaphoid in extension and do not reproduce the physiologic
      ligamentous isometry of the wrist. The authors use the technique of Viegas, which
      seems to respect this isometry: the dorsal intercarpal ligament is re-inserted
      dorsally to reattach the capsule on the dorsal SLIO and to reinforce it. Between
      2006 and 2010, 25 wrists were operated on in 12 men and 12 women of mean age 38
      years. All patients presented with pain often associated with loss of power,
      decreased mobility or a debilitating click. The mean follow-up was 26 months.
      Postoperative and preoperative data were compared. Flexion/extension range
      increased by 2.6 degrees , radioulnar deviation increased by 21.1 degrees . Grip
      strength increased by 8.7 kgf. Pain decreased by 3 points on the VAS and the PRWE
      improved by 59 points. We observed four CRPS, one EPL lesion and one case of
      superficial track pin infection. We got eleven excellent results, nine good, two
      moderate and three bad, two of which were re-operated. Viegas' capsulodesis does
      not present major technical difficulty. The results show no stiffness in
      flexion/extension. There was evident improvement in radioulnar deviation, grip
      strength, pain and PRWE scores. This technique provides effective treatment for a
      difficult or irreparable lesion of the SLIO ligament, without fixed carpal
      instability corresponding to Geissler arthroscopic stages 2 to 4 and Garcia-Elias
      stages 3 and 4. The capsulodesis produces an effective stabilization without
      stiffness. Precautions should be undertaken to avoid CRPS and pin complications.

PMID- 24210761
TI  - New editor--new enforcement of ethical standards?

PMID- 24210759
TI  - Structural interactions between inhibitor and substrate docking sites give
      insight into mechanisms of human PS1 complexes.
AB  - Presenilin-mediated endoproteolysis of transmembrane proteins plays a key role in
      physiological signaling and in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and some
      cancers. Numerous inhibitors have been found via library screens, but their
      structural mechanisms remain unknown. We used several biophysical techniques to
      investigate the structure of human presenilin complexes and the effects of
      peptidomimetic gamma-secretase inhibitors. The complexes are bilobed. The head
      contains nicastrin ectodomain. The membrane-embedded base has a central channel
      and a lateral cleft, which may represent the initial substrate docking site.
      Inhibitor binding induces widespread structural changes, including rotation of
      the head and closure of the lateral cleft. These changes block substrate access
      to the catalytic pocket and inhibit the enzyme. Intriguingly, peptide substrate
      docking has reciprocal effects on the inhibitor binding site. Similar reciprocal
      shifts may underlie the mechanisms of other inhibitors and of the "lateral gate"
      through which substrates access to the catalytic site. 

PMID- 24210762
TI  - Catastrophic healthcare expenditure - drivers and protection: the Portuguese
      case.
AB  - The objective of this paper is to assess the extent of catastrophic healthcare
      expenditure, which can lead to impoverishment, even in a country with a National
      Health Service, such as Portugal. The level of catastrophic healthcare
      expenditure will be identified before the determinants of these catastrophic
      payments are analyzed. Afterwards, the effects of existing exemptions to
      copayments in health care use will be tested and the relationship between
      catastrophe and impoverishment will be discussed. Catastrophe is calculated from
      the Portuguese Household Budget Surveys of 2000 and 2005, and then analyzed using
      logistic regression models. The results show that catastrophe due to healthcare
      out-of-pocket payments are a sizeable issue in Portugal. Exemptions from out-of
      pocket expenses for medical care should be created to prevent vulnerable groups
      from facing catastrophic healthcare spending. These vulnerable groups include
      children, people with disabilities and individuals suffering from chronic
      conditions. Disability proxies offer straightforward policy options for an
      exemption for the elderly with recognized disabilities. An exemption of retired
      people with disabilities is therefore recommended to policymakers as it targets a
      vulnerable group with high risk of facing catastrophic healthcare expenditure.

PMID- 24210763
TI  - Risk selection and cost shifting in a prospective physician payment system:
      evidence from Ontario.
AB  - We study the risk-selection and cost-shifting behavior of physicians in a unique
      capitation payment model in Ontario, using the incentive to enroll and care for
      complex and vulnerable patients as a case study. This incentive, which is
      incremental to the regular capitation payment, ceases after the first year of
      patient enrollment and may therefore impact on the physician's decision to
      continue to enroll the patient. Furthermore, because the enrolled patients in
      Ontario can seek care from any provider, the enrolling physician may shift some
      treatment costs to other providers. Using longitudinal administrative data and a
      control group of physicians in the fee-for-service model who were eligible for
      the same incentive, we find no evidence of either patient 'dumping' or cost
      shifting. These results highlight the need to re-examine the conventional wisdom
      about risk selection for physician payment models that significantly deviate from
      the stylized capitation model. 

PMID- 24210764
TI  - Impact of crystalline lens opacification on effective phacoemulsification time in
      femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare effective phacoemulsification time in cataract surgery
      performed by manual phacoemulsification vs femtosecond laser-assisted lens
      fragmentation. DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive, nonrandomized, comparative
      case series. METHODS: The setting was the Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe
      University, Frankfurt, Germany. The study population included 150 eyes of 86
      patients with senile cataract. In the intervention, 88 eyes (group 1) underwent
      femtosecond laser-assisted surgery (corneal incisions, capsulotomy, lens
      fragmentation) using the LenSx platform (Alcon) and residual lens work-up with
      pulsed ultrasound energy (Infiniti Vision System; Alcon). In 62 eyes (group 2),
      complete cataract removal was performed with phacoemulsification only, using
      pulsed ultrasound energy with the same device (Infiniti). Nucleus staging
      (Pentacam nucleus staging; PNS) was evaluated using Pentacam HR (Oculus);
      endothelial cell density was measured using specular microscopy (NonCon Robo).
      The main outcome measures were as follows. Mean preoperative PNS staging was
      assessed using an automatic ordinal scaling (PNS-O, grades 0-5) and a manually
      defined density grid derived from Scheimpflug imaging (PNS-P [%]). Effective
      phacoemulsification time and endothelial cell loss were evaluated in both groups.
      RESULTS: Preoperative PNS-O and PNS-P showed no significant difference between
      groups (P = 0.267). Overall mean effective phacoemulsification time was
      significantly lower in group 1 (1.58 +/- 1.02 seconds) compared to 4.17 +/- 2.06
      seconds in group 2 (P = 0.001). Effective phacoemulsification time was
      significantly lower in group 1 for all PNS-O stages (P < 0.001). With increasing
      preoperative PNS-P, effective phacoemulsification time increased in both groups;
      however, this gain was noticeably, but not significantly, lower in group 2.
      Endothelial cell loss was significantly lower in group 1 (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS:
      Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery allows a significant reduction in
      effective phacoemulsification time, which correlates positively with the
      preoperative lens opacity.

PMID- 24210765
TI  - Randomized, prospective, comparative trial of EX-PRESS glaucoma filtration device
      versus trabeculectomy (XVT study).
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of the EX-PRESS glaucoma filtration
      device placed under a partial-thickness scleral flap with trabeculectomy. DESIGN:
      Randomized, prospective, multicenter trial. METHODS: A total of 120 eyes in 120
      subjects were analyzed, including 59 eyes treated with EX-PRESS and 61 eyes
      treated with trabeculectomy. Both the EX-PRESS and the trabeculectomy groups were
      treated intraoperatively with mitomycin C and followed postoperatively for 2
      years. Surgical success was defined as 5 mm Hg <= intraocular pressure <= 18 mm
      Hg, with or without medications, without further glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: Mean
      intraocular pressure was significantly reduced compared with baseline in both
      groups (P < 0.001). Average intraocular pressure and number of medications were
      similar in both groups during follow-up, with mean intraocular pressure at 2
      years after surgery of 14.7 +/- 4.6 mm Hg and 14.6 +/- 7.1 mm Hg in the EX-PRESS
      and trabeculectomy groups, respectively (P = 0.927). At 2 years after surgery,
      the success rate was 83% and 79% in the EX-PRESS and trabeculectomy groups,
      respectively (P = 0.563). Although visual acuity (logMAR) was significantly
      decreased on day 1 in both groups, the vision was not significantly different
      compared with baseline at 1 month after EX-PRESS implant (P = 0.285) and 3 months
      after trabeculectomy (P = 0.255). The variance of early postoperative intraocular
      pressure values was similar between groups on the first postoperative day but
      higher after trabeculectomy compared with EX-PRESS implant on day 7 (P = 0.003).
      The total number of postoperative complications was higher after trabeculectomy
      than after EX-PRESS implantation (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Mean intraocular
      pressures, medication use, and surgical success were similar at 2 years after
      treatment with the EX-PRESS device and trabeculectomy. Vision recovery between
      groups was also similar throughout the study, although return to baseline vision
      was more rapid in the EX-PRESS group. Intraocular pressure variation was lower
      during the early postoperative period, and postoperative complications were less
      common after EX-PRESS implantation compared with trabeculectomy.

PMID- 24210766
TI  - Clinical outcomes in descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty with
      internationally shipped precut donor corneas.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the endothelial cell loss and clinical outcomes in Descemet
      stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with internationally
      shipped, precut donor corneas. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a noncomparative
      case series. METHODS: The setting was a single hospital. The clinical results of
      134 eyes of 128 patients who underwent DSAEK in Kyoto, Japan, with
      internationally shipped precut donor corneas from Portland, Oregon, or Seattle,
      Washington, were evaluated. In addition, 40 precut donor corneas from Seattle
      were evaluated in respect to the postprecut international shipment-related loss
      of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD). Observation procedures were noncontact
      specular microscopy. The main outcome measures were the evaluation of
      international shipment-related ECD loss, postoperative ECD, visual recovery, and
      complications. RESULTS: The mean postprecut ECD loss in 40 donor corneas during
      international shipment was 2.3%. The mean elapsed time from cut to surgery was
      63.2 +/- 31.1 hours. At 6, 12, 24, and 36 months postoperatively, the mean ECD of
      the internationally shipped donor corneas was 2038, 1933, 1670, and 1431
      cells/mm(2), respectively. The mean ECD loss at 6, 12, 24, 36 months after DSAEK
      was 30%, 34%, 44%, and 51%, respectively. Preoperative logarithm of the minimum
      angle of resolution (logMAR) best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 1.40 +/-
      0.55, and at 12 months after DSAEK was 0.22 +/- 0.19. Complications included
      graft dislocation in 12 eyes (8.9%) and graft rejection in 3 eyes (2.2%).
      CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the outcomes of DSAEK with
      internationally shipped precut donor corneas were acceptable and that the
      additional endothelial cell loss associated with international shipment was
      minimal and did not affect the clinical results.

PMID- 24210767
TI  - Ophthalmic randomized controlled trials reports: the statement of the hypothesis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the ophthalmic randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
      were designed properly, their hypotheses stated clearly, and their conclusions
      drawn correctly. DESIGN: A systematic review of 206 ophthalmic RCTs. METHODS: The
      objective statement, methods, and results sections and the conclusions of RCTs
      published in 4 major general clinical ophthalmology journals from 2009 through
      2011 were assessed. The clinical objective and specific hypothesis were the main
      outcome measures. RESULTS: The clinical objective of the trial was presented in
      199 (96.6%) studies and the hypothesis was specified explicitly in 56 (27.2%)
      studies. One hundred ninety (92.2%) studies tested superiority. Among them, 17
      (8.3%) studies comparing 2 or more active treatments concluded equal or similar
      effectiveness between the 2 arms after obtaining insignificant results. There
      were 5 noninferiority studies and 4 equivalence studies. How the treatments were
      compared was not mentioned in 1 of the noninferiority studies. Two of the
      equivalence studies did not specify the equivalence margin and used tests for
      detecting difference rather than confirming equivalence. CONCLUSIONS: The
      clinical objective commonly was stated, but the prospectively defined hypothesis
      tended to be understated in ophthalmic RCTs. Superiority was the most common type
      of comparison. Conclusions made in some of them with negative results were not
      consistent with the hypothesis, indicating that noninferiority or equivalence may
      be a more appropriate design. Flaws were common in the noninferiority and
      equivalence studies. Future ophthalmic researchers should choose the type of
      comparison carefully, specify the hypothesis clearly, and draw conclusions that
      are consistent with the hypothesis.

PMID- 24210768
TI  - Development of a score and probability estimate for detecting angle closure based
      on anterior segment optical coherence tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a score along with an estimated probability of disease for
      detecting angle closure based on anterior segment optical coherence tomography
      (AS OCT) imaging. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 2047
      subjects 50 years of age and older were recruited from a community polyclinic in
      Singapore. All subjects underwent standardized ocular examination including
      gonioscopy and imaging by AS OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec). Customized software
      (Zhongshan Angle Assessment Program) was used to measure AS OCT parameters.
      Complete data were available for 1368 subjects. Data from the right eyes were
      used for analysis. A stepwise logistic regression model with Akaike information
      criterion was used to generate a score that then was converted to an estimated
      probability of the presence of gonioscopic angle closure, defined as the
      inability to visualize the posterior trabecular meshwork for at least 180 degrees
      on nonindentation gonioscopy. RESULTS: Of the 1368 subjects, 295 (21.6%) had
      gonioscopic angle closure. The angle closure score was calculated from the
      shifted linear combination of the AS OCT parameters. The score can be converted
      to an estimated probability of having angle closure using the relationship:
      estimated probability = e(score)/(1 + e(score)), where e is the natural
      exponential. The score performed well in a second independent sample of 178 angle
      closure subjects and 301 normal controls, with an area under the receiver
      operating characteristic curve of 0.94. CONCLUSIONS: A score derived from a
      single AS OCT image, coupled with an estimated probability, provides an objective
      platform for detection of angle closure.

PMID- 24210769
TI  - Post-weaning cranial ontogeny in two bandicoots (Mammalia, Peramelomorphia,
      Peramelidae) and comparison with carnivorous marsupials.
AB  - The ontogeny of the skull has been studied in several marsupial groups such as
      didelphids, microbiotheriids, and dasyurids. Here, we describe and compare the
      post-weaning ontogeny of the skull in two species of bandicoots, Echymipera
      kalubu (Echymiperinae) and Isoodon macrourus (Peramelinae), analyzing specific
      allometric trends in both groups, describing common (and specific) patterns, and
      discussing them on functional and phylogenetic grounds. Growth patterns were
      analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, including bivariate and
      multivariate analyses of allometry. We also evaluated character transformation
      and phylogenetic signals of the allometric patterns in several groups of
      marsupials and some placentals. We identified morphological changes between
      juvenile and adult stages in both species of peramelids, many related to the
      development of the trophic apparatus. Notable differences were detected in the
      patterns of growth, suggesting divergences in ontogenetic trajectories between
      both species. Both bivariate and multivariate methods indicate that positive
      allometries in E. kalubu apply to longitudinal dimensions, whereas in I.
      macrourus, positive allometries are restricted to vertical dimensions of the
      skull. The comparison of the allometric trends of two bandicoots with previously
      studied taxa reveals that although peramelids exhibit a particularly short
      gestation period and divergent morphology compared to other marsupials, their
      pattern does not show any particular trend. Some allometric trends seem to be
      highly conserved among the species studied, showing weak phylogenetic signal.
      Marsupials in general do not show particular patterns of post-weaning skull
      growth compared with placentals. 

PMID- 24210770
TI  - An examination of associations between social norms and risky alcohol use among
      African American men who have sex with men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research has indicated associations between risky alcohol consumption
      and sexual risk behavior, which may in turn present risk of HIV acquisition or
      transmission. Little is known about social determinants of problematic alcohol
      use among African American MSM (AA MSM), a risk group disproportionately affected
      by HIV. The present study sought to explore associations between risky alcohol
      use and perceived peer norms of alcohol use among a sample of urban African
      American men who have sex with men (AA MSM). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey
      was administered to 142 AA MSM in Baltimore, Maryland, recruited using active and
      passive methods. Risky and hazardous alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol
      Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and participants self-reported
      descriptive and injunctive peer norms regarding frequency and quantity of alcohol
      consumption. RESULTS: Nearly half reported hazardous or high risk consumption of
      alcohol. Perceived peer alcohol norms, both descriptive and injunctive, were
      associated with alcohol use, including hazardous use. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      highlight the role of social factors on problematic alcohol use among AA MSM.
      Results indicate that AA MSM's use of alcohol is associated with their
      perceptions of peer alcohol use. Potential interventions could include norms
      based campaigns that seek to reduce risky alcohol consumption among AA MSM as
      well as programs to screen and identify individuals with problematic alcohol use.

PMID- 24210771
TI  - Alcohol and substance screening and brief intervention for detainees kept in
      police custody. A feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Screening and brief intervention programs related to addictive
      disorders have proven effective in a variety of environments. Both the
      feasibility and outcome of brief interventions performed in police custody by
      forensic physicians are unknown. Our objectives were to characterize addictive
      behaviors in detainees and to evaluate the feasibility of a brief intervention at
      the time of the medical examination in police custody. METHODS: This prospective
      study included 1000 detainees in police custody who were examined by a physician
      for the assessment of fitness for detention. We used a standardized questionnaire
      and collected data concerning individual characteristics, addictive disorders,
      and reported assaults or observed injuries. RESULTS: 944 men and 56 women (94-6%)
      were studied. We found an addictive disorder in 708 of 1000 cases (71%), with the
      use of tobacco (62%), alcohol (36%), cannabis (35%), opiates (5%), and cocaine
      (4%) being the most common. A brief intervention was performed in 544 of these
      708 cases (77%). A total of 139 of the 708 individuals (20%) expressed a
      willingness to change and 14 of 708 (2%) requested some information on treatment
      options. The main reasons why brief interventions were not performed were
      aggressive behaviors, drowsiness, or fanciful statements by the detainee.
      CONCLUSION: Brief interventions and screening for addictive behaviors in police
      custody are feasible in the majority of cases. The frequent link between
      addictive behaviors and the suspected crimes highlights the value of such
      interventions, which could be incorporated into the public health mission of the
      physician in police custody.

PMID- 24210773
TI  - Effectiveness of CT-guided sclerotherapy with estimated ethanol concentration for
      treatment of symptomatic simple hepatic cysts.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The mean Hounsfield value of 99.9% ethanol did get down
      to -190 Hounsfield units (HU), there was a linear correlation between ethanol
      concentration and Hounsfield values. We aimed to evaluate whether sclerotherapy
      with estimated ethanol concentration was helpful in improving the success rate
      for treatment of symptomatic simple hepatic cysts. METHODS: Forty-five patients
      with 52 symptomatic simple hepatic cysts were enrolled in this study. Twenty-one
      patients (24 cysts, group A) were treated by sclerotherapy without estimated
      ethanol concentration and 24 patients (28 cysts, group B) with estimated ethanol
      concentration. The Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare
      the difference in characteristics and treatment outcomes of the subjects between
      these two groups. RESULTS: The mean cyst size before and after treatment were
      8.4cm and 2.3cm, respectively, in group A, and 8.2cm and 0.8cm, respectively, in
      group B. There was no significant difference in the initial size of hepatic cysts
      between the groups. However, the final size was significantly smaller in group B
      (P=0.022). The mean ethanol exposure time was 18.3minutes in group B, which was
      less than that in group A (P<0.001). The success rate was significantly higher in
      group B (96.4%) than in group A (70.8%) (P=0.03). There were no major
      complications in either group. CONCLUSION: CT-guided sclerotherapy with estimated
      ethanol concentration yields better results than those without estimated ethanol
      concentration in the treatment of symptomatic simple hepatic cysts.

PMID- 24210774
TI  - Daytime leg pain after overnight continuous positive airway pressure titration.
AB  - We report a case that showed transitional, severe emergent periodic limb
      movements during sleep (PLMS) in the first continuous positive airway pressure
      (CPAP) titration night and mild PLMS in the 3rd and 20th nights of CPAP titration
      in a 56-year-old woman after she was found to have severe obstructive sleep apnea
      (OSA). Severe PLMS in the initial CPAP night unexpectedly resulted in acute leg
      muscle soreness in the second morning. The case suggests that CPAP therapy in
      patients who suffer from severe OSA may provide a unique opportunity to look into
      the pathological mechanism of PLMS. 

PMID- 24210772
TI  - Latent class analysis of non-opioid dependent illegal pharmaceutical opioid users
      in Ohio.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increases in non-medical use of pharmaceutical opioids in the U.S.
      have resulted in increases in opioid dependence and unintentional overdose
      deaths. We characterize heterogeneity in opioid use patterns among a community
      based sample of 18-23 year-olds who use non-medical pharmaceutical opioids, yet
      are not opioid dependent. METHODS: Respondent-driven sampling recruited 390
      participants. Latent class analysis stratified by racial/ethnic group identified
      subgroups of non-medical opioid users based on: six-month frequency of use;
      number of opioid disorder criteria; oral vs. non-oral administration; number of
      types of opioids used; use of CNS depressants while under using opioids; and
      reason for opioid use. Multinomial logistic regression estimated the significance
      of covariates in predicting class membership. RESULTS: Within whites and non
      white groups, three classes emerged that were, generally, hierarchically ordered
      with respect to negative characteristics associated with non-medical opioid use.
      Within each group, the class with the least negative characteristics also had the
      highest proportion of individuals who use opioids only to self-medicate a health
      problem. Within each group's three classes, a larger proportion who had >= 2
      opioid abuse and dependence disorder criteria always coincided with a larger
      proportion who use opioids >= 3 days per week, a larger proportion who used CNS
      depressants while under the influence of opioids, and a smaller proportion who
      used opioids only to self-medicate. CONCLUSION: Differences in patterns of opioid
      use within each racial/ethnic group of young people who are not opioid dependent
      suggest the need for tailored interventions designed to reduce the risk of
      transition to opioid dependence.

PMID- 24210775
TI  - [Should we remove the tubes during surgery for benign diseases?].

PMID- 24210776
TI  - [Factors linked to late diagnosis in breast cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: case of
      Cote d'Ivoire].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify in Ivorian environment, reasons involved in late diagnosis
      of breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study over 4 years (January
      2008 to December 2011) including 350 patients with breast adenocarcinoma. A
      questionnaire was created and filled according to the medical files of the
      patients. Linear regression analysis applied to the data showed concordance
      between the factors and the delay before diagnosis. RESULTS: Thus 78.9% of the
      patients sought for care above 10 months with inflammatory cancers (54%) and
      necrotic ulcerations (18%). Factors found during interview were the lack of
      financial means (36%), cultural habits with first intent traditional treatment
      (41.1%), misdiagnosis (7.1%) and lack of therapeutic care. Yet, when comparing
      each of these factors to the delay, no significant link was found. Chemotherapy
      was the first therapeutic method. CONCLUSION: In our context, the conjunction of
      ignorance, poverty and socio-cultural habits were the key factors in late
      diagnosis of breast cancers in Cote d'Ivoire.

PMID- 24210777
TI  - Comparisons of colorectal cancer mortality between screening participants and the
      general population are strongly biased unless an incidence-based mortality
      approach is used.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A common approach in the evaluation of screening for colorectal
      cancer (CRC) is comparing observed numbers of CRC deaths in screening
      participants with expected numbers derived from CRC mortality in the general
      population. We aimed to illustrate and quantify an often-overlooked bias that may
      occur in such studies if CRC mortality in the general population is not
      restricted by the date of diagnosis (whereas screening participants by definition
      do not have a prior CRC diagnosis). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We illustrate and
      quantify the expected bias using cancer registry data from the United States.
      RESULTS: Unless an incidence-based mortality approach is used, expected numbers
      of CRC deaths in screening cohorts (and hence estimated screening effects) are
      substantially overestimated. Overestimation of expected CRC deaths is most severe
      (more than fivefold) during the first year of follow-up and rapidly decreases in
      the subsequent years. Nevertheless, overestimation of 5- and 10-year cumulative
      numbers of expected CRC deaths is still as high as 60-70% and 20-30%,
      respectively. Substantial bias even persists if the initial years of follow-up
      are excluded from the analyses. CONCLUSION: Careful restriction of expected CRC
      deaths by an incidence-based mortality approach is indispensable for deriving
      valid screening effect estimates.

PMID- 24210778
TI  - Resistant hypertension and renal denervation: 3 years on.

PMID- 24210779
TI  - Percutaneous renal denervation in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension:
      final 3-year report of the Symplicity HTN-1 study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Renal denervation (RDN) with radiofrequency ablation substantially
      reduces blood pressure in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension. We
      assessed the long-term antihypertensive effects and safety. METHODS: Symplicity
      HTN-1 is an open-label study that enrolled 153 patients, of whom 111 consented to
      follow-up for 36 months. Eligible patients had a systolic blood pressure of at
      least 160 mm Hg and were taking at least three antihypertensive drugs, including
      a diuretic, at the optimum doses. Changes in office systolic blood pressure and
      safety were assessed every 6 months and reported every 12 months. This study is
      registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT00483808, NCT00664638, and
      NCT00753285. FINDINGS: 88 patients had complete data at 36 months. At baseline
      the mean age was 57 (SD 11) years, 37 (42%) patients were women, 25 (28%) had
      type 2 diabetes mellitus, the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 85
      (SD 19) mL/min per 1.73 m(2), and mean blood pressure was 175/98 (SD 16/14) mm
      Hg. At 36 months significant changes were seen in systolic (-32.0 mm Hg, 95% CI 
      35.7 to -28.2) and diastolic blood pressure (-14.4 mm Hg, -16.9 to -11.9). Drops
      of 10 mm Hg or more in systolic blood pressure were seen in 69% of patients at 1
      month, 81% at 6 months, 85% at 12 months, 83% at 24 months, and 93% at 36 months.
      One new renal artery stenosis requiring stenting and three deaths unrelated to
      RDN occurred during follow-up. INTERPRETATION: Changes in blood pressure after
      RDN persist long term in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension, with
      good safety. FUNDING: Ardian LLC/Medtronic Inc.

PMID- 24210780
TI  - Papillary carcinoma within a thyroglossal duct cyst: significance of a central
      solid component on ultrasound imaging.
AB  - Malignancy within a thyroglossal duct cyst is rare (1.5% of cases), and most
      diagnoses are made postoperatively as clinically they are difficult to
      distinguish from benign neoplasms. We present a case in which a preoperative
      ultrasound scan showed the presence of a central solid component in a
      thyroglossal duct cyst, which contained papillary thyroid carcinoma. 

PMID- 24210781
TI  - Coculture of peripheral blood CD34+ cell and mesenchymal stem cell sheets
      increase the formation of bone in calvarial critical-size defects in rabbits.
AB  - The reconstruction of large bony defects remains a clinical challenge, and
      angiogenesis and neovascularisation are being given more attention in bone tissue
      engineering. In this study we cocultured peripheral blood CD34+ cells (PB-CD34+
      cells), an endothelial progenitor cell/haematopoietic stem cell-enriched
      population, with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to investigate
      their potential for bony regeneration. Cocultured cells showed better osteogenic
      differentiation than MSC alone in vitro. The cocultured cells and MSC sheets were
      also composited with hydroxyapatite and implanted in calvarial critical-size
      defects in rabbits. The rabbits were killed before microcomputed tomographic
      (MicroCT) and histological analysis. The results showed that cocultured cell
      composites had promoted bony regeneration more efficiently by 8 weeks after
      implantation. Our results indicate that the coculture of PB-CD34+ cells and MSC
      increases bony regeneration in calvarial critical-size defects in rabbits, and
      provide a new promising therapeutic strategy to aid skeletal healing. 

PMID- 24210782
TI  - Inhibitory and bactericidal action of the biocorrosion agents "INCORGAS" and
      "AMDOR".
AB  - Inhibiting action of A, B and M-X compositions against hydrosulfide corrosion of
      carbon steel, hydrogen diffusion through the steel membrane has been studied
      along with their bactericidal effect with respect to sulfate-reducing bacteria of
      Desulfomicrobium type. Bactericidal properties of the compositions have been
      studied in the Postgate medium. Corrosion tests have been made in the NACE medium
      saturated by hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide separately and together by
      methods of gravimetrical measurements and linear polarization resistance (LRP).
      Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical diffusion method have been used.
      Steel protection is determined in the inhibited solutions by combined action of
      corrosion products film and inhibitor. Presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria in
      medium increases hydrogen diffusion flux through the steel membrane by 2-3 times
      and essentially stimulates effect of the inhibitors. The inhibiting compositions
      decrease quantity of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) by 95-98%. The obtained
      results testify about predominately bacteriostatic action of the inhibiting
      compositions, which has influence on the enzymatic systems of SRB cells
      responsible directly for the sulfate reduction because of substantially
      decreasing the biogenic hydrogen sulfide concentration in the system. 

PMID- 24210783
TI  - A novel three-dimensional adipose-derived stem cell cluster for vascular
      regeneration in ischemic tissue.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Stem cells are one of the most powerful tools in regeneration
      medicine. However, many limitations remain regarding the use of adult stem cells
      in clinical applications, including poor cell survival and low treatment
      efficiency. We describe an innovative three-dimensional cell mass (3DCM) culture
      that is based on cell adhesion (basic fibroblast growth factor-immobilized
      substrate) and assess the therapeutic potential of 3DCMs composed of human
      adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hASCs). METHODS: For formation of a 3DCM,
      hASCs were cultured on a substrate with immobilized fibroblast growth factor-2.
      The angiogenic potential of 3DCMs was determined by immunostaining, fluorescence
      activated cell sorting and protein analysis. To evaluate the vasculature ability
      and improved treatment efficacy of 3DCMs, the 3DCMs were intramuscularly injected
      into the ischemic limbs of mice. RESULTS: The 3DCMs released various angiogenic
      factors (eg, vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8) and
      differentiated into vascular cells within 3 days in normal medium. Blood vessel
      and tissue regeneration was clearly observed through visual inspection in the
      3DCM-injected group. hASC injection slowed limb necrosis after treatment, but 50%
      of the mice ultimately had limb loss within 28 days. Most mice receiving 3DCMs
      had limb salvage (89%) or mild limb necrosis (11%). CONCLUSIONS: 3DCM culture
      promotes the efficient vascular differentiation of stem cells, and 3DCM
      transplantation results in the direct vascular regeneration of the injected cells
      and an improved therapeutic efficacy.

PMID- 24210785
TI  - Validation of an automated blood culture system for sterility testing of cell
      therapy products.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Automated blood culture systems are widely used for the
      detection of microorganisms in cell therapy products. However, they are not
      validated by the manufacturers for this purpose. The aim of this study was to
      assess the ability of the Bactec system (Becton-Dickinson, Le Pont-De-Claix,
      France) to detect the microorganisms that could contaminate cell therapy
      products. METHODS: Three types of vials and conditions were tested: Plus
      Aerobic/F and Anaerobic/F media incubated at 35 degrees C and Mycosis IC/F medium
      incubated at 30 degrees C. All vials were incubated 10 days. We tested 18
      microorganisms, including slow growers and some with fastidious nutritional
      requirements (10 bacteria, four yeasts, four filamentous fungi), each with four
      inocula (10-10(4) colony-forming units) performed in quintuplicate. RESULTS: The
      combination of Plus Aerobic/F and Plus Anaerobic/F vials detected all the tested
      pathogenic bacteria, all the tested Gram-positive skin commensal or environmental
      bacteria, all the tested yeasts, and three of four tested filamentous fungi. The
      addition of the Mycosis IC/F vial extended the range of detected microorganisms
      to one fungal environmental contaminant. Two bacterial environmental contaminants
      were not detected by our method. Low inocula of the skin contaminant
      Propionibacterium acnes were detected only after 7 days of incubation.
      CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that (i) the prolongation of the incubation time
      of Plus Aerobic/F and Plus Anaerobic/F vials from 7 to 10 days and (ii) the use
      of Mycosis IC/F medium make minor contributions in the sterility testing of cell
      therapy products. We have validated the Bactec method using aerobic and anaerobic
      vials incubated 7 days at 35 degrees C.

PMID- 24210784
TI  - Amniotic fluid stem cells prevent beta-cell injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: The contribution of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC) to tissue
      protection and regeneration in models of acute and chronic kidney injuries and
      lung failure has been shown in recent years. In the present study, we used a
      chemically induced mouse model of type 1 diabetes to determine whether AFSC could
      play a role in modulating beta-cell injury and restoring beta-cell function.
      METHODS: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were given intracardial injection
      of AFSC; morphological and physiological parameters and gene expression profile
      for the insulin pathway were evaluated after cell transplantation. RESULTS: AFSC
      injection resulted in protection from beta-cell damage and increased beta-cell
      regeneration in a subset of mice as indicated by glucose and insulin levels,
      increased islet mass and preservation of islet structure. Moreover, beta-cell
      preservation/regeneration correlated with activation of the insulin
      receptor/Pi3K/Akt signaling pathway and vascular endothelial growth factor-A
      expression involved in maintaining beta-cell mass and function. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results suggest a therapeutic role for AFSC in preserving and promoting
      endogenous beta-cell functionality and proliferation. The protective role of AFSC
      is evident when stem cell transplantation is performed before severe
      hyperglycemia occurs, which suggests the importance of early intervention. The
      present study demonstrates the possible benefits of the application of a non
      genetically engineered stem cell population derived from amniotic fluid for the
      treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus and gives new insight on the mechanism by
      which the beneficial effect is achieved.

PMID- 24210786
TI  - Inhibition of non-muscle myosin II leads to G0/G1 arrest of Wharton's jelly
      derived mesenchymal stromal cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have remarkable clinical
      potential for cell-based therapy. Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal
      cells (WJ-MSCs) from umbilical cord share unique properties with both embryonic
      and adult stem cells. MSCs are found at low frequency in vivo, and their
      successful therapeutic application depends on rapid and efficient large-scale
      expansion in vitro. Non-muscle myosin II (NMII) has pivotal roles in different
      cellular activities, such as cell division, migration and differentiation. We
      performed this study to understand the role of NMII in proliferation and cell
      cycle progression in WJ-MSCs. METHODS: WJ-MSCs were cultured in the presence of
      blebbistatin, and cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry,
      proliferation kinetics, senescence assay and gene expression profile using
      polymerase chain reaction array. RESULTS: When cultured in the presence of
      blebbistatin, an inhibitor of NMII adenosine triphosphatase activity, WJ-MSCs
      exhibited dose-dependent reduction in proliferative potential along with increase
      in cell size and induction of early senescence. Inhibition of NMII activity also
      affected cell cycle progression in WJ-MSCs and led to an increase in the
      percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase with a corresponding reduction in the
      percentage of cells in G2/M phase. Blebbistatin-induced G0/G1 arrest of WJ-MSCs
      was further associated with up-regulation of cell cycle inhibitory genes CDKN1A,
      CDKN2A and CDKN2B and down-regulation of numerous genes related to progression
      through S and M phases of the cell cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates
      that inhibition of NMII activity in WJ-MSCs leads to G0/G1 arrest and alteration
      in the expression levels of certain key cell cycle-related genes.

PMID- 24210787
TI  - [Internet and video games among students of Reunion Island in 2010: uses,
      misuses, perceptions and associated factors].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Describe the uses of Internet and video games and quantify associated
      problematic uses. METHODS: Information on student practices concerning the use of
      the Internet and video games was collected with a self-administered
      questionnaire. Problematic uses were identified with specific tools (Young
      criteria and Tejeiro criteria) and with self-evaluative questions. Information on
      life events with traumatic potential and use of psychoactive substances was also
      collected. Logistic regression models were applied to identify possible
      associated factors. RESULTS: Based on a sample of 1119 subjects, this study
      showed that students in Reunion Island are very concerned by the uses of the
      Internet and video games (98% and 46% of respondents). The prevalence of
      problematic use of the Internet accounted for 6% of respondents. Problematic uses
      of video games involved 8% of students (18% of gamers). Young people seemed
      unaware of their problematic practices and were seeking informations. The public
      respondent was also characterized by vulnerable situations (traumatic events
      induring their lives, consumption of psychoactive substances). Significant
      associations (with no identified causality) were examined, in particular between
      problematic uses of Internet and video games, and life events with traumatic
      potential. CONCLUSION: These first estimates of the prevalence of problematic use
      of Internet and video games on Reunion Island are important to promote locally
      collective awareness about these modern addictions. These results will be used to
      guide local actions of prevention and care, especially among younger generations.
      But it is necessary to conduct further work to better identify the factors
      associated with these problematic uses (determinants, comorbidities
      addictive...).

PMID- 24210788
TI  - How to interpret and choose a Bayesian spatial model and a Poisson regression
      model in the context of describing small area cancer risks variations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The statistical Bayesian approach is widely used in disease mapping
      and Poisson regression. Results differ depending on the underlying hypothesis.
      Our objective is to give a comprehensive presentation of the tools that can be
      used to interpret results and choose between the different hypotheses. Data from
      the Isere cancer registry (France) illustrate this presentation. METHOD: We
      consider, first, Bayesian models for disease mapping. Classic heterogeneity
      (Potthoff-Whithinghill statistic) and spatial autocorrelation tests (Moran
      statistic) of the SIRs, the DIC criteria of the different Bayesian models and
      finally the comparison of the empirical variance of the unstructured and
      structured heterogeneity components of the BYM model are considered. The last two
      criteria are considered for Bayesian Poisson regression including a covariate.
      Mapping the components of the BYM model with a covariate is also considered.
      RESULTS: Four cancer sites (prostate, lung, colon-rectum and bladder) in men
      diagnosed during the 1998-2007 period are used to illustrate our presentation. We
      show that the different criteria used to interpret and to choose a model give
      coherent results. CONCLUSION: A relevant interpretation of results is a necessary
      step in choosing the best-adapted Bayesian model. This choice is easy to make
      with criteria such as the DIC. The comparison of the empirical variance of the
      unstructured and structured heterogeneity components of the BYM model is also
      informative.

PMID- 24210789
TI  - Effect of treatment of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency during pregnancy on
      fetal growth indices and maternal weight gain: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment of low serum vitamin D in pregnant
      women improves fetal growth indices. STUDY DESIGN: In this open-label randomized
      clinical trial, 130 Iranian pregnant women (24-26 weeks of gestation) with
      vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency [25(OH)D <30ng/ml] were divided at random
      into an intervention group and a control group. The control group received 200mg
      calcium plus a multivitamin (containing vitamin D3 400U) each day, and the
      intervention group received 200mg calcium plus a multivitamin (containing vitamin
      D3 400U) each day, plus vitamin D3 (50,000U) each week for 8 weeks. At delivery,
      maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D levels, maternal weight gain, neonatal length,
      neonatal weight and neonatal head circumference were compared between two groups.
      Serum vitamin D was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A
      multivariate regression analysis was performed to examine the independent effect
      of maternal vitamin D level on fetal growth indices. RESULTS: Mean (+/-standard
      deviation) length (intervention group: 49+/-1.6cm; control group: 48.2+/-1.7cm;
      p=0.001), head circumference (intervention group: 35.9+/-0.7cm; control group:
      35.3+/-1.0cm; p=0.001) and weight (intervention group: 3429+/-351.9g; control
      group: 3258.8+/-328.2g; p=0.01) were higher in the intervention group compared
      with the control group. Mean maternal weight gain was higher in the intervention
      group compared with the control group (13.3+/-2.4kg vs 11.7+/-2.7kg; p=0.006).
      Multivariate regression analysis for maternal weight gain, neonatal length,
      neonatal weight and neonatal head circumference showed an independent correlation
      with maternal vitamin D level. CONCLUSION: Treatment of low serum vitamin D
      during pregnancy improves fetal growth indices and maternal weight gain.

PMID- 24210790
TI  - Evaluation of serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels to assess the ovarian reserve
      in women with severe endometriosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)
      serum levels in women with severe endometriosis, in order to demonstrate the
      effect of the disease on ovarian reserve. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case-control
      study. One hundred and ninety-five patients were enrolled: 130 fertile patients
      (group A) and 65 patients with stage III and IV endometriosis, diagnosed by
      laparoscopy and histological examination (group B). AMH serum levels were
      measured in both groups and were compared using Student's t-test. RESULTS: The
      two groups were homogenous for main demographic data. Group B had statistically
      significantly lower mean AMH serum levels (0.97+/-0.59ng/ml) than group A (1.72+/
      0.63ng/ml) (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study is a demonstration of the damage of
      endometriosis on ovarian reserve, leading to a form of incipient ovarian failure,
      which is considered as an early sign of advanced ovarian depletion in young
      women. These findings suggest that AMH could be used in the follow-up of patients
      with endometriosis, in order to assess promptly the decrease of ovarian reserve.

PMID- 24210791
TI  - Anterior needle-guided mesh in advanced pelvic organ prolapse: apical fixation on
      sacrospinous ligaments.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether anterior-apical compartment mesh implants for
      pelvic floor reconstruction might be safely and effectively anchored to the sacro
      spinous (SS) ligaments instead of the arcus tendineus fascia pelvis (ATFP). The
      SS ligaments as anchoring structures for centro-apical support mesh fixation are
      thought to be stronger than the ATFP and we presumed that anterior mesh fixation
      to the SS ligament might be feasible, safe and effective. STUDY DESIGN: Patients
      with advanced anterior-apical pelvic floor prolapse, referred for mesh
      reconstruction and having poor ATFP were enrolled to this study. For these
      patients the posterior arms of the anterior mesh were fixed to the SS ligaments.
      Data regarding cure, complications and patient's satisfaction were collected
      prospectively: patients were interviewed and examined at the end of the first and
      third post-operative months, and interviewed again at the study conclusion.
      RESULTS: Of 72 patients who were asked to participate in this study, 44 had
      rather un-palpable ATFP, and SS ligament fixation was performed. The mean follow
      up duration was 12 months (range: 10-43). No significant intra- or post-operative
      complications were recorded. The POP-Q points measurements showed marked
      improvements: the average delta for the Ba point was 7.4cm, for the Bp point
      4.7cm, and for the C point 7.9cm. These differences were all statistically
      significant. Bladder overactivity symptoms, namely urgency, frequency and
      nocturia, were all found to be reduced significantly, and so was the sexual
      discomfort rate. Fecal incontinence, pelvic pain and constipation rates were
      reduced as well, but these did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS:
      This rather small study suggests that anterior pelvic floor meshes might be
      anchored safely and successfully to the SS ligament, aiming to achieve improved
      centro-apical support of the vaginal apex and the anterior wall by an anterior
      pelvic floor approach.

PMID- 24210792
TI  - Spatial organization of xylem cell walls by ROP GTPases and microtubule
      associated proteins.
AB  - Proper patterning of cellulosic cell walls is critical for cell shaping and
      differentiation of plant cells. Cortical microtubule arrays regulate the
      deposition patterns of cellulose microfibrils by controlling the targeting and
      trajectory of cellulose synthase complexes. Although some microtubule-associated
      proteins (MAPs) regulate the arrangement of cortical microtubules, knowledge
      about the overall mechanism governing the spacing of cortical microtubules is
      still limited. Recent studies reveal that ROP GTPases and MAPs spatially regulate
      the assembly and disassembly of cortical microtubules in developing xylem cells,
      in which localized secondary cell walls are deposited. Here, we review recent
      insights into the regulation of xylem cell wall patterning by cortical
      microtubules, ROP GTPases, and MAPs. 

PMID- 24210794
TI  - Muscular responses to handle perturbation with different glove condition.
AB  - Effect of wearing gloves on timely muscle reaction to stabilize handle
      perturbation was investigated. Thirteen adults gripped a horizontal overhead
      handle to which an upward force was applied at a random time. Muscle reaction
      time, integrated EMGs for eight muscles, and handle displacement were compared
      among three glove conditions affecting the coefficient of friction (COF=0.32,
      0.50, and 0.74 for the polyester glove, bare hand, and latex glove,
      respectively). Lower COF increased the integrated EMGs and handle displacement
      until stabilization of the perturbed handle. The low-friction glove resulted in
      16% (p=.01) greater muscular effort and 20% (p=.002) greater handle displacement,
      compared to the high-friction glove. Muscle reaction time was not influenced by
      glove condition. Cutaneous sensation and reflex eliciting forearm muscle activity
      appear to play an important role in detecting and responding to the perturbation
      initially, while the forearm and latissimus dorsi muscles primarily contribute to
      stabilizing the perturbed handle compared to other shoulder and upper arm
      muscles. Therefore, low-friction gloves, cutaneous sensory dysfunction, and
      weakened forearm and latissimus dorsi muscles may jeopardize persons' ability to
      stabilize a grip of a handle after perturbation. 

PMID- 24210793
TI  - GM-CSF induces neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory responses in 1-methyl-4
      phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine intoxicated mice.
AB  - Innate and adaptive immune responses can speed nigrostriatal neurodegeneration in
      Parkinson's disease (PD). We posit that GM-CSF can attenuate such responses. In 1
      methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) intoxicated mice, GM-CSF given
      prior to MPTP protected nigral dopaminergic neurons coincident with altered
      microglial morphologies and regulatory T cell (Treg) induction. Adoptive transfer
      of GM-CSF-induced Treg to MPTP mice protected nigral neurons. Gene expression
      analyses revealed novel immune-based neuronal protection pathways linked to the
      upregulation of IL-27. The results provide evidence that GM-CSF modulation of
      immunity could be of clinical benefit for PD. 

PMID- 24210795
TI  - Loading and knee flexion after stroke: Less does not equal more.
AB  - It is believed that force feedback can modulate lower extremity extensor activity
      during gait. The purpose of this research was to determine the role of limb
      loading on knee extensor excitability during the late stance/early swing phase of
      gait in persons post-stroke. Ten subjects with chronic hemiparesis post-stroke
      participated in (1) seated isolated quadriceps reflex testing with ankle loads of
      0-0.4Nm/kg and (2) gait analysis on a treadmill with 0%, 20% or 40% body weight
      support. Muscle reflex responses were recorded from vastus lateralis (VL), rectus
      femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM) during seated testing. Knee kinematics and
      quadriceps activity during late stance/early swing phase of gait were compared
      across loading conditions. Although isolated loading of the ankle plantarflexors
      at 0.2Nm/kg reduced VM prolonged response (p=0.04), loading did not alter any
      other measure of quadriceps excitability (all p>0.08). During gait, the use of
      BWS did not influence knee kinematics (p=0.18) or muscle activity (all p>0.17)
      during late stance/early swing phase. This information suggests that load sensed
      at the ankle has minimal effect on the ipsilateral quadriceps of individuals post
      stroke during late stance. It appears that adjusting limb loading during
      rehabilitation may not be an effective tool to address stiff-knee gait following
      stroke. 

PMID- 24210796
TI  - Slow expiration reduces sternocleidomastoid activity and increases transversus
      abdominis and internal oblique muscle activity during abdominal curl-up.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of quiet inspiration versus
      slow expiration on sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and abdominal muscle activity during
      abdominal curl-up in healthy subjects. Twelve healthy subjects participated in
      this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to collect activity of
      bilateral SCM, rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and transversus
      abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO) muscles. A paired t-test was used to
      determine significant differences in the bilateral SCM, RF, EO, and TrA/IO
      muscles between abdominal curl-up with quiet inspiration and slow expiration.
      There were significantly lower EMG activity of both SCMs and greater EMG activity
      of both IOs during abdominal curl-up with slow expiration, compared with the EMG
      activity of both SCMs and IOs during abdominal curl-up with quiet inspiration
      (p<.05). The results of this study suggest that slow expiration would be
      recommended during abdominal curl-up for reduced SCM activation and selective
      activation of TrA/IO in healthy subjects compared with those in abdominal curl up
      with quiet inspiration. 

PMID- 24210797
TI  - The latest evidence on target selection in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the most promising neuromodulatory
      techniques to gain momentum over the last 20years, with significant evidence
      showing the benefit of DBS for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, many questions
      still exist pertaining to the optimal placement of stimulation contacts. This
      paper aims to review the latest and most relevant studies evaluating subthalamic
      nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus interna (GPi) stimulation. Additionally, it
      aims to shine a light on several of the lesser-known targets with mounting
      evidence of efficacy. Referenced literature for the main body of the article was
      gathered from Medline and PubMed databases. Results were limited to "full text",
      "English language" and publications from 1999 onwards. Case reports were
      excluded. The current evidence irrefutably demonstrates the benefits of both STN
      and GPi DBS on Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III motor scores,
      with very similar outcomes seen after 1-2years. Currently, it appears the
      greatest differences lie in the associated adverse effects. STN DBS was
      associated with a greater reduction in dopamine replacement therapy, but also
      appeared to have more negative effects on speech and mood. Meanwhile, in regards
      to alternative targets, the pedunculopontine nucleus has shown promising
      improvement in axial symptoms, while the ventral intermediate nucleus has
      demonstrated significant efficacy at suppressing tremor, and the caudal zona
      incerta may be superior to the STN and GPi in improving UPDRS-III scores. Due to
      the complexity of Parkinson's disease, an individual disease profile must be
      determined in a patient-by-patient fashion such that appropriate targets can be
      selected accordingly. 

PMID- 24210798
TI  - Changes in serum interleukin-33 levels in patients with acute cerebral
      infarction.
AB  - Inflammation is widely considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral
      ischemic injury. The balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors
      significantly affects the prognosis of patients with cerebral infarction.
      Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a newly identified member of the interkeukin-1
      superfamily, has been found to play very important roles in the inflammation of
      several human diseases including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and central
      nervous system inflammation. To our knowledge its role in the pathology of acute
      cerebral infarction has not yet been reported. In this study, we demonstrated
      that serum IL-33 levels were significantly increased in patients with acute
      cerebral infarction compared to control patients without acute cerebral
      infarction. Furthermore, serum IL-33 levels increased with the infarction volume.
      Our study suggests that IL-33 may be involved in the pathogenesis and/or
      progression of acute cerebral infarction. 

PMID- 24210799
TI  - Spontaneous cervical intradural disc herniation.
AB  - Cervical intradural disc herniation (IDH) is a rare condition with very few case
      reports in the literature. We report a 64-year-old man who presented with sudden
      onset neck pain and rapidly progressing weakness in the left upper and lower
      limb. There was no history of trauma. MRI of the cervical spine showed a C6-C7
      disc prolapse, for which he underwent a C6-C7 discectomy and fusion with bone
      graft through an anterior cervical approach. To our knowledge, all patients with
      a cervical IDH reported in the literature have a traumatic etiology. To the best
      of our knowledge, we report the first patient with a spontaneous cervical IDH.

PMID- 24210800
TI  - Brainstem encephalitis caused by Coxiella burnetii.
AB  - Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, which rarely causes
      neurologic symptoms. We describe a patient who presented with progressive sensory
      changes, dizziness, and motor weakness. The cerebrospinal fluid revealed
      pleocytosis, and MRI indicated the presence of a diffuse brain stem lesion. An
      indirect immunofluorescence test revealed antibodies against C. burnetii. The
      symptoms improved with antibiotics against C. burnetii. Q fever should be
      considered as a possible etiology of brainstem encephalitis. 

PMID- 24210801
TI  - Panophthalmoplegia and vision loss after cosmetic nasal dorsum injection.
AB  - We report a case of unilateral blindness and panophthalmoplegia after hyaluronic
      acid injection into the dorsum of the nose in a healthy young woman. Microspheres
      of hyaluronic acid are popular fillers for facial rejuvenation. While ocular side
      effects from injections in the nose and face have been reported following
      turbinate injection, rhinoplasty and infraorbital nerve block, ocular side
      effects from injection into the dorsum of the nose are extremely rare. We presume
      that the symptoms were due to obstruction of the branches of the ophthalmic
      artery. Under high injection pressure, the microspheres travelled to the
      ophthalmic artery and were propelled by the blood flow to the central retinal
      artery and the anterior and posterior long ciliary arteries, leading to her
      symptoms. Alternatively, there are several arterio-venous anastomotic channels in
      the nasal mucosa that aid heat exchange. These may have been the conduit for
      reflux of the filler into the arterial side of the regional circulation.
      Physicians must remain aware of serious complications during cosmetic injections
      to this region. 

PMID- 24210802
TI  - Deep brain stimulator-induced diaphoresis in Parkinson's disease patients.
AB  - We report an unusual finding of bilateral facial and corporeal diaphoresis and
      sensation of heat during deep brain stimulation in two patients. Stimulation of
      the hypothalamospinal tract located medial to the subthalamic nucleus is likely
      to be responsible for this side effect. 

PMID- 24210803
TI  - Acute inferior homonymous quandrantanopia in a 71-year-old woman.
AB  - A 71-year-old woman presented with acute inferior homonymous quadrantanopia
      initially mimicking acute ischemic stroke. As clinical signs and symptoms
      progressed to akinetic mutism with myoclonus the diagnosis of the Heidenhain
      variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was made. Brain MRI 4 days after symptom
      onset revealed ribbon-like high signal intensity in the medial occipital cortex.

PMID- 24210804
TI  - Successful resection of anterior and anterolateral lesions at the craniovertebral
      junction using a simple posterolateral approach.
AB  - Tumors at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) often present a challenge due to
      proximity to vital neurovascular structures. In the last few decades, many
      authors have proposed complex surgical approaches to access pathologies located
      anterior or anterolateral to the CVJ with the hopes of reducing morbidity. We
      propose that the simple posterolateral approach in a semi-sitting position can be
      used to resect most anterior and anterolateral CVJ tumors safely and effectively.
      We retrospectively reviewed the clinical series of 10 patients treated by the
      senior author using the posterolateral suboccipital approach to treat anterior or
      anterolateral CVJ pathologies. We describe our surgical techniques, outcomes, and
      present illustrative patients. Gross total resection was achieved in eight
      patients (80%). Good functional outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale 4-5) was obtained
      in all patients. Preoperative symptoms and deficits were improved (78%) or stable
      (22%) in all patients. There was one (10%) surgical complication that was
      cerebrospinal fluid leak requiring reoperation. There was no permanent morbidity
      or mortality in this series. There were two (20%) medical complications including
      deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus. There were three (30%) transient
      neurologic complications, dysphagia in two and dysarthria in one, all of which
      resolved completely in early follow-up. The majority of anterior or anterolateral
      CVJ lesions can be successfully removed using the simple posterolateral approach.

PMID- 24210805
TI  - Post-surgical thoracic pseudomeningocele causing spinal cord compression.
AB  - Pseudomeningoceles are extradural cerebrospinal fluid collections categorized
      into three groups: traumatic, congenital, and iatrogenic. Iatrogenic
      pseudomeningoceles occur after durotomy, usually after cervical or lumbar spine
      surgery. Although many remain asymptomatic, pseudomeningoceles can compress or
      herniate the spinal cord and nerve roots. We present a 57-year-old woman who had
      a thoracic laminectomy and discectomy. Two weeks after surgery, she presented
      with lower extremity weakness and gait difficulty. Physical examination revealed
      hyperreflexia and a T11 sensory level. MRI revealed a pseudomeningocele
      compressing the thoracic spinal cord. The patient underwent surgical drainage of
      the cyst. On follow-up, she had complete resolution of her symptoms, and MRI did
      not show a residual lesion. To our knowledge, this is the second documented post
      operative pseudomeningocele causing symptomatic spinal cord compression of the
      thoracic spine. In this article, a review of the literature is presented,
      including four reported patients with post-traumatic pseudomeningocele causing
      myelopathic symptoms and 20 patients with iatrogenic pseudomeningocele that
      resulted in neurological decline due to herniation or compression of neural
      tissue. Treatment options for these lesions include conservative management,
      epidural blood patch, lumbar subarachnoid drainage, and lumbo-peritoneal shunt
      placement. Surgical repair, usually by primary dural closure, remains the
      definitive treatment modality for iatrogenic symptomatic pseudomeningoceles. 

PMID- 24210806
TI  - Brain metastasis from extramammary Paget's disease of the scrotum.
AB  - We present to our knowledge the first patient with histopathologically proven
      brain metastasis from extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) and discuss the effect
      of brain radiation therapy for this condition. A 68-year-old man presented to our
      hospital with headache and gait disturbance. Brain MRI showed multiple enhancing
      mass lesions, and two large cystic lesions in the left cerebellum. The patient
      had been diagnosed with scrotal Paget's disease 3 months previously but no
      further management had been performed due to his refusal. The patient underwent
      stereotactic aspiration and biopsy of the two large cystic lesions. A
      histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was a metastatic
      adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the tumor cells were
      strongly positive for cytokeratin 7 and moderately positive for carcinoembryonic
      antigen and gross cystic disease fluid protein 15. These findings were similar to
      those of his scrotal skin lesions and were consistent with metastatic EMPD. The
      patient underwent brain radiation therapy with a total radiation dose of 30 Gy in
      10 fractions. The patient improved neurologically so as to be self-ambulatory,
      and a mild improvement in the metastatic tumors was found on follow-up MRI. We
      had planned systemic chemotherapy, but the patient died of acute respiratory
      failure 2 months after radiation therapy.

PMID- 24210807
TI  - Endoscopic transnasal resection of ameloblastoma with intracranial extension.
AB  - Ameloblastoma is a rare odontogenic tumor with characteristics of epithelial
      tissue that produces enamel for the developing tooth. This lesion is generally
      considered benign, but has malignant forms that invade locally and metastasize.
      We present a 60-year-old man with maxillary ameloblastoma that after multiple
      recurrences developed intracranial extension with dural involvement of the middle
      cranial fossa and was treated by endoscopic transnasal resection followed by
      radiation therapy. Our technique and intraoperative findings are described with a
      review of the literature on intracranial ameloblastoma. This patient represents a
      unique account of endoscopic transnasal resection being utilized in the treatment
      of intracranial extension of ameloblastoma and demonstrates potential for
      application in similar cases.

PMID- 24210808
TI  - 213Bi-anti-EGFR radioimmunoconjugates and X-ray irradiation trigger different
      cell death pathways in squamous cell carcinoma cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
      is hampered by resistance of tumor cells to irradiation. Additional therapies
      enhancing the effect of X-ray irradiation may be beneficial. Antibodies targeting
      EGFR have been shown to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy. Therefore, we
      analyzed cytotoxicity of (213)Bi-anti-EGFR immunoconjugates in combination with X
      ray irradiation. METHODS: The monoclonal anti-EGFR antibody matuzumab was coupled
      to CHX-A"-DTPA forming stable complexes with (213)Bi. Cytotoxicity of X-ray
      radiation, of treatment with (213)Bi-anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (MAb) or of
      a combined treatment regimen was assayed using cell proliferation and colony
      formation assays in UD-SCC5 cells. Key proteins of cell-cycle arrest and cell
      death were examined by Western blot analysis. Cell cycle analysis was performed
      by flow cytometry. DNA double-strand breaks were detected via gammaH2AX and
      quantified using DefiniensTM software. RESULTS: Irradiation with X-rays or
      treatment with (213)Bi-anti-EGFR-MAb resulted in median lethal dose (LD50) values
      of 12 Gy or 130 kBq/mL, respectively. Treatment with 37 kBq/mL of (213)Bi-anti
      EGFR-MAb or 2 Gy of X-rays had only little effect on colony formation of UD-SCC5
      cells. In contrast, a combined treatment regimen (37 kBq/mL plus 2 Gy)
      significantly decreased colony formation and enhanced the formation of DNA double
      strand breaks. As revealed by flow cytometry, radiation treatments caused
      accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase. Both treatment with (213)Bi-anti-EGFR
      immunoconjugates and application of the combined treatment regimen triggered
      activation of genes of signaling pathways involved in cell-cycle arrest and
      induction of apoptosis like p21/Waf, GADD45, Puma and Bax, which were only
      marginally modulated by X-ray irradiation of cells. CONCLUSIONS: (213)Bi-anti
      EGFR-MAb enhances cytotoxicity of X-ray irradiation in UD-SCC5 cells most
      probably due to effective induction of DNA double-strand breaks. Induction of
      genes involved in cell-cycle arrest and cell death is almost exclusively due to
      (213)Bi-anti-EGFR-MAb and seems to be independent of p53 function.

PMID- 24210809
TI  - [The role of multimodality imaging in the diagnosis of constrictive
      pericarditis].
AB  - Constrictive pericarditis is a rare heart disease. The diagnosis remains a
      challenge. In fact, this illness can mimic restrictive cardiomyopathy. Echo
      Doppler evaluation helps to establish the diagnosis of constriction; however,
      this technique is limited in its ability to image the entire pericardium because
      of its limited acoustic windows by air or bone of thorax. In addition, it is an
      operator-dependent exploration. Scanner and magnetic resonance imaging provide a
      large field of view and excellent images, showing the increased pericardial
      thickness and septal motion abnormalities. This review will consider the emerging
      role of these imaging modalities in the constrictive pericarditis diagnosis.

PMID- 24210810
TI  - Reversible overexpression of bace1-cleaved neuregulin-1 N-terminal fragment
      induces schizophrenia-like phenotypes in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuregulin-1 (Nrg1) is a pleiotropic signaling molecule that
      regulates neural development, and mutation of Nrg1 is a risk factor for
      schizophrenia. Cleavage of type I beta1 Nrg1 isoform by Bace1 releases a secreted
      N-terminal fragment (Nrg1-ntfbeta), which can bind to a cognate ErbB receptor to
      activate the specific signaling cascade. This study aimed to determine whether
      increased expression of Nrg1 is beneficial for brain development and functions.
      METHODS: We generated transgenic mice overexpressing this fragment under the
      control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter and examined functional and
      behavioral changes in mice upon reversible expression of the transgene. RESULTS:
      Increased expression of full-length Nrg1 in mouse neurons has been previously
      shown to enhance myelination in the central nervous system. Overexpressing Nrg1
      ntfbeta enhanced the expression of myelin proteins, consistent with the expected
      activation of the Nrg1 signaling pathway by Nrg1-ntfbeta. Contrary to
      expectations, overexpressing Nrg1-ntfbeta transgene caused schizophrenia-like
      behaviors in transgenic mice, and these abnormal behaviors were reversible if the
      expression of the Nrg1-ntfbeta transgene was turned off. Our molecular assay
      suggests that protein levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors are reduced in
      this transgenic mouse model, which might underlie the observed social and
      cognitive behavioral impairments. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that
      overexpressing the secreted form of Nrg1 is sufficient to cause schizophrenia
      like behaviors in a mouse model, meaning the effect is independent of the
      transmembrane and C-terminal domains of Nrg1. Hence, genetic gain-of-function
      mutations of Nrg1 are also risk factors for schizophrenia.

PMID- 24210811
TI  - Characterization of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BetB) as an essential
      virulence factor of Brucella abortus.
AB  - The pathogenic mechanisms of Brucellosis used to adapt to the harsh intracellular
      environment of the host cell are not fully understood. The present study
      investigated the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of B. abortus betaine
      aldehyde dehydrogenase (BetB) (Gene Bank ID: 006932) using a betB deletion mutant
      constructed from virulent B. abortus 544. In test under stress conditions,
      including osmotic- and acid stress-resistance, the betB mutant had a lower
      osmotic-resistance than B. abortus wild-type. In addition, the betB mutant showed
      higher internalization rates compared to the wild-type strain; however, it also
      displayed replication failures in HeLa cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. During
      internalization, compared to the wild-type strain, the betB mutant was more
      adherent to the host surface and showed enhanced phosphorylation of protein
      kinases, two processes that promote phagocytic activity, in host cells. During
      intracellular trafficking, colocalization of B. abortus-containing phagosomes
      with LAMP-1 was elevated in betB mutant-infected cells compared to the wild-type
      cells. In mice, the betB mutant was predominantly cleared from spleens compared
      to the wild-type strain after 2 weeks post-infection, and the vaccination test
      with the live betB mutant showed effective protection against challenge infection
      with the virulent wild-type strain. These findings suggested that the B. abortus
      betB gene substantially affects the phagocytic pathway in human phagocytes and in
      host cells in mice. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential use of the
      B. abortus betB mutant as a live vaccine for the control of brucellosis.

PMID- 24210812
TI  - Genotypes and antibiotic resistance of canine Campylobacter jejuni isolates.
AB  - Campylobacter jejuni is the most important cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in
      humans. It is a commensal in many wild and domestic animals, including dogs.
      Whereas genotypes of human and chicken C. jejuni isolates have been described in
      some detail, only little information on canine C. jejuni genotypes is available.
      To gain more information on genotypes of canine C. jejuni and their zoonotic
      potential, isolates from routine diagnostics of diarrheic dogs as well as
      isolates of a prevalence study in non-diarrheic dogs were analyzed. Prevalence of
      thermophilic Campylobacter among non-diarrheic dogs was 6.3% for C. jejuni, 5.9%
      for Campylobacter upsaliensis and 0.7% for Campylobacter coli. The C. jejuni
      isolates were genotyped by multi locus sequence typing (MLST) and flaB typing.
      Resistance to macrolides and quinolones was genetically determined in parallel.
      Within the 134 genotyped C. jejuni isolates 57 different sequence types (ST) were
      found. Five STs were previously unrecognized. The most common STs were ST-48
      (11.2%), ST-45 (10.5%) and ST-21 (6.0%). Whereas no macrolide resistance was
      found, 28 isolates (20.9%) were resistant to quinolones. ST-45 was significantly
      more prevalent in diarrheic than in non-diarrheic dogs. Within the common time
      frame of isolation 94% of the canine isolates had a ST that was also found in
      human clinical isolates. In conclusion, prevalence of C. jejuni in Swiss dogs is
      low but there is a large genetic overlap between dog and human isolates. Given
      the close contact between human and dogs, the latter should not be ignored as a
      potential source of human campylobacteriosis. 

PMID- 24210813
TI  - Ultrasonic enhancement of battery diffusion.
AB  - It has been demonstrated that sonic energy can be harnessed to enhance convection
      in Galvanic cells during cyclic voltammetry; however, the practical value of this
      approach is limited due to the lack of open volumes for convection patterns to
      develop in most batteries. This study evaluates the ability of ultrasonic waves
      to enhance diffusion in membrane separators commonly used in sandwich
      architecture batteries. Studies include the measuring of open-circuit performance
      curves to interpret performances in terms of reductions in concentration
      overpotentials. The use of a 40 kHz sonicator bath can consistently increase the
      voltage of the battery and reduce overpotential losses up to 30%. This work
      demonstrates and quantifies battery enhancement due to enhanced diffusion made
      possible with ultrasonic energy.

PMID- 24210814
TI  - Sonication assisted assemblage of exotic polymer supported nanostructured bio
      hybrid system and prospective application.
AB  - This work was focused on sonication mediated immobilization of porcine pancreatic
      lipase (PPL) onto poly(ethylene glycol) supported silver-iron oxide hybrid
      nanoparticles (PEG-Ag/IONPs). Selected process parameters of sonication were
      optimized using response surface methodology. Sonication assisted assemblage of
      spherical PEG-Ag/IONPs and consequent evolution of nanorods post PPL
      immobilization were documented. The efficacy of the reported immobilization
      strategy was attested by the increased thermostability, storage stability and
      enhanced activity of the biocatalyst, suggestive of plausible structural
      modulations post immobilization. The commercial prospect of the antibacterial and
      magnetically recyclable system was vouched by its excellent compatibility with
      some commercial detergents for oil de-staining. 

PMID- 24210815
TI  - Local functional overconnectivity in posterior brain regions is associated with
      symptom severity in autism spectrum disorders.
AB  - Although growing evidence indicates atypical long-distance connectivity in autism
      spectrum disorder (ASD), much less is known about local connectivity, despite
      conjectures that local overconnectivity may be causally involved in the disorder.
      Using functional connectivity MRI and graph theory, we found that local
      functional connectivity was atypically increased in adolescents with ASD in
      temporo-occipital regions bilaterally. Posterior overconnectivity was found to be
      associated with higher ASD symptom severity, whereas an ASD subsample with low
      severity showed frontal underconnectivity. The findings suggest links between
      symptomatology and local connectivity, which vary within the autism spectrum. 

PMID- 24210816
TI  - Autoregulation of connexin43 gap junction formation by internally translated
      isoforms.
AB  - During each heartbeat, intercellular electrical coupling via connexin43 (Cx43)
      gap junctions enables synchronous cardiac contraction. In failing hearts,
      impaired Cx43 trafficking reduces gap junction coupling, resulting in
      arrhythmias. Here we report that internal translation within Cx43 (GJA1) mRNA
      occurs, resulting in truncated isoforms that autoregulate Cx43 trafficking. We
      find that at least four truncated Cx43 isoforms occur in the human heart, with a
      20 kDa isoform predominating. In-frame AUG codons within GJA1 mRNA are the
      translation initiation sites and their ablation arrests trafficking of full
      length Cx43. The 20 kDa isoform is sufficient to rescue this trafficking defect
      in trans, suggesting it as a trafficking chaperone for Cx43. Limiting cap
      dependent translation through inhibition of mTOR enhances truncated isoform
      expression, increasing Cx43 gap junction size. The results suggest that internal
      translation is a mechanism of membrane protein autoregulation and a potent target
      for therapies aimed at restoring normal electrical coupling in diseased hearts. 

PMID- 24210817
TI  - SHARPIN regulates uropod detachment in migrating lymphocytes.
AB  - SHARPIN-deficient mice display a multiorgan chronic inflammatory phenotype
      suggestive of altered leukocyte migration. We therefore studied the role of
      SHARPIN in lymphocyte adhesion, polarization, and migration. We found that
      SHARPIN localizes to the trailing edges (uropods) of both mouse and human
      chemokine-activated lymphocytes migrating on intercellular adhesion molecule-1
      (ICAM-1), which is one of the major endothelial ligands for migrating leukocytes.
      SHARPIN-deficient cells adhere better to ICAM-1 and show highly elongated tails
      when migrating. The increased tail lifetime in SHARPIN-deficient lymphocytes
      decreases the migration velocity. The adhesion, migration, and uropod defects in
      SHARPIN-deficient lymphocytes were rescued by reintroducing SHARPIN into the
      cells. Mechanistically, we show that SHARPIN interacts directly with lymphocyte
      function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), a leukocyte counterreceptor for ICAM-1,
      and inhibits the expression of intermediate and high-affinity forms of LFA-1.
      Thus, SHARPIN controls lymphocyte migration by endogenously maintaining LFA-1
      inactive to allow adjustable detachment of the uropods in polarized cells. 

PMID- 24210818
TI  - 27-Hydroxycholesterol promotes cell-autonomous, ER-positive breast cancer growth.
AB  - To date, estrogen is the only known endogenous estrogen receptor (ER) ligand that
      promotes ER+ breast tumor growth. We report that the cholesterol metabolite 27
      hydroxycholesterol (27HC) stimulates MCF-7 cell xenograft growth in mice. More
      importantly, in ER+ breast cancer patients, 27HC content in normal breast tissue
      is increased compared to that in cancer-free controls, and tumor 27HC content is
      further elevated. Increased tumor 27HC is correlated with diminished expression
      of CYP7B1, the 27HC metabolizing enzyme, and reduced expression of CYP7B1 in
      tumors is associated with poorer patient survival. Moreover, 27HC is produced by
      MCF-7 cells, and it stimulates cell-autonomous, ER-dependent, and GDNF-RET
      dependent cell proliferation. Thus, 27HC is a locally modulated, nonaromatized ER
      ligand that promotes ER+ breast tumor growth. 

PMID- 24210819
TI  - Real-time in vivo imaging reveals the ability of monocytes to clear vascular
      amyloid beta.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta
      (Abeta) that is assumed to result from impaired elimination of this neurotoxic
      peptide. Most patients with AD also exhibit cerebral amyloid angiopathy, which
      consists of Abeta deposition within the cerebral vasculature. The contribution of
      monocytes in AD has so far been limited to macrophage precursors. In this study,
      we aimed to investigate whether circulating monocytes could play a role in the
      elimination of Abeta. With live intravital two-photon microscopy, we demonstrate
      that patrolling monocytes are attracted to and crawl onto the luminal walls of
      Abeta-positive veins, but not on Abeta-positive arteries or Abeta-free blood
      vessels. Additionally, we report the presence of crawling monocytes carrying
      Abeta in veins and their ability to circulate back into the bloodstream.
      Selective removal of Ly6C(lo) monocytes in APP/PS1 mice induced a significant
      increase of Abeta load in the cortex and hippocampus. These data uncover the
      ability of Ly6C(lo) monocytes to naturally target and eliminate Abeta within the
      lumen of veins and constitute a potential therapeutic target in AD. 

PMID- 24210820
TI  - SIRT7 represses Myc activity to suppress ER stress and prevent fatty liver
      disease.
AB  - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disorder in
      developed countries. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood, and therapeutic
      options are limited. Here, we show that SIRT7, an NAD(+)-dependent H3K18Ac
      deacetylase, functions at chromatin to suppress ER stress and prevent the
      development of fatty liver disease. SIRT7 is induced upon ER stress and is
      stabilized at the promoters of ribosomal proteins through its interaction with
      the transcription factor Myc to silence gene expression and to relieve ER stress.
      SIRT7-deficient mice develop chronic hepatosteatosis resembling human fatty liver
      disease. Myc inactivation or pharmacological suppression of ER stress alleviates
      fatty liver caused by SIRT7 deficiency. Importantly, SIRT7 suppresses ER stress
      and reverts the fatty liver disease in diet-induced obese mice. Our study
      identifies SIRT7 as a cofactor of Myc for transcriptional repression and
      delineates a druggable regulatory branch of the ER stress response that prevents
      and reverts fatty liver disease. 

PMID- 24210821
TI  - Brain hyperconnectivity in children with autism and its links to social deficits.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting nearly 1
      in 88 children, is thought to result from aberrant brain connectivity.
      Remarkably, there have been no systematic attempts to characterize whole-brain
      connectivity in children with ASD. Here, we use neuroimaging to show that there
      are more instances of greater functional connectivity in the brains of children
      with ASD in comparison to those of typically developing children.
      Hyperconnectivity in ASD was observed at the whole-brain and subsystems levels,
      across long- and short-range connections, and was associated with higher levels
      of fluctuations in regional brain signals. Brain hyperconnectivity predicted
      symptom severity in ASD, such that children with greater functional connectivity
      exhibited more severe social deficits. We replicated these findings in two
      additional independent cohorts, demonstrating again that at earlier ages, the
      brain of children with ASD is largely functionally hyperconnected in ways that
      contribute to social dysfunction. Our findings provide unique insights into brain
      mechanisms underlying childhood autism. 

PMID- 24210822
TI  - Specificity of monosynaptic sensory-motor connections imposed by repellent Sema3E
      PlexinD1 signaling.
AB  - In mammalian spinal cord, group Ia proprioceptive afferents form selective
      monosynaptic connections with a select group of motor pool targets. The extent to
      which sensory recognition of motor neurons contributes to the selectivity of
      sensory-motor connections remains unclear. We show here that proprioceptive
      sensory afferents that express PlexinD1 avoid forming monosynaptic connections
      with neurons in Sema3E(+) motor pools yet are able to form direct connections
      with neurons in Sema3E(off) motor pools. Anatomical and electrophysiological
      analysis of mice in which Sema3E-PlexinD1 signaling has been deregulated or
      inactivated genetically reveals that repellent signaling underlies aspects of the
      specificity of monosynaptic sensory-motor connectivity in these reflex arcs. A
      semaphorin-based system of motor neuron recognition and repulsion therefore
      contributes to the formation of specific sensory-motor connections in mammalian
      spinal cord. 

PMID- 24210823
TI  - DUB-resistant ubiquitin to survey ubiquitination switches in mammalian cells.
AB  - The ubiquitin-modification status of proteins in cells is highly dynamic and
      maintained by specific ligation machineries (E3 ligases) that tag proteins with
      ubiquitin or by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that remove the ubiquitin tag.
      The development of tools that offset this balance is critical in characterizing
      signaling pathways that utilize such ubiquitination switches. Herein, we
      generated a DUB-resistant ubiquitin mutant that is recalcitrant to cleavage by
      various families of DUBs both in vitro and in mammalian cells. As a proof-of
      principle experiment, ectopic expression of the uncleavable ubiquitin stabilized
      monoubiquitinated PCNA in the absence of DNA damage and also revealed a defect in
      the clearance of the DNA damage response at unprotected telomeres. Importantly, a
      proteomic survey using the uncleavable ubiquitin identified ubiquitinated
      substrates, validating the DUB-resistant ubiquitin expression system as a
      valuable tool for interrogating cell signaling pathways. 

PMID- 24210824
TI  - Changes in cellular mRNA stability, splicing, and polyadenylation through HuR
      protein sequestration by a cytoplasmic RNA virus.
AB  - The impact of RNA viruses on the posttranscriptional regulation of cellular gene
      expression is unclear. Sindbis virus causes a dramatic relocalization of the
      cellular HuR protein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in infected cells. This is
      to the result of the expression of large amounts of viral RNAs that contain high
      affinity HuR binding sites in their 3' UTRs effectively serving as a sponge for
      the HuR protein. Sequestration of HuR by Sindbis virus is associated with
      destabilization of cellular mRNAs that normally bind HuR and rely on it to
      regulate their expression. Furthermore, significant changes can be observed in
      nuclear alternative polyadenylation and splicing events on cellular pre-mRNAs as
      a result of sequestration of HuR protein by the 3' UTR of transcripts of this
      cytoplasmic RNA virus. These studies suggest a molecular mechanism of virus-host
      interaction that probably has a significant impact on virus replication,
      cytopathology, and pathogenesis. 

PMID- 24210825
TI  - High-resolution replication profiles define the stochastic nature of genome
      replication initiation and termination.
AB  - Eukaryotic genome replication is stochastic, and each cell uses a different
      cohort of replication origins. We demonstrate that interpreting high-resolution
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome replication data with a mathematical model allows
      quantification of the stochastic nature of genome replication, including the
      efficiency of each origin and the distribution of termination events. Single-cell
      measurements support the inferred values for stochastic origin activation time. A
      strain, in which three origins were inactivated, confirmed that the distribution
      of termination events is primarily dictated by the stochastic activation time of
      origins. Cell-to-cell variability in origin activity ensures that termination
      events are widely distributed across virtually the whole genome. We propose that
      the heterogeneity in origin usage contributes to genome stability by limiting
      potentially deleterious events from accumulating at particular loci.

PMID- 24210826
TI  - High-frequency promoter firing links THO complex function to heavy chromatin
      formation.
AB  - The THO complex is involved in transcription, genome stability, and messenger
      ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) formation, but its precise molecular function remains
      enigmatic. Under heat shock conditions, THO mutants accumulate large protein-DNA
      complexes that alter the chromatin density of target genes (heavy chromatin),
      defining a specific biochemical facet of THO function and a powerful tool of
      analysis. Here, we show that heavy chromatin distribution is dictated by gene
      boundaries and that the gene promoter is necessary and sufficient to convey THO
      sensitivity in these conditions. Single-molecule fluorescence in situ
      hybridization measurements show that heavy chromatin formation correlates with an
      unusually high firing pace of the promoter with more than 20 transcription events
      per minute. Heavy chromatin formation closely follows the modulation of promoter
      firing and strongly correlates with polymerase occupancy genome wide. We propose
      that the THO complex is required for tuning the dynamic of gene-nuclear pore
      association and mRNP release to the same high pace of transcription initiation.

PMID- 24210827
TI  - Roles of exonucleases and translesion synthesis DNA polymerases during mitotic
      gap repair in yeast.
AB  - Transformation-based gap-repair assays have long been used to model the repair of
      mitotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination in yeast. In the
      current study, we examine genetic requirements of two key processes involved in
      DSB repair: (1) the processive 5'-end resection that is required to efficiently
      engage a repair template and (2) the filling of resected ends by DNA polymerases.
      The specific gap-repair assay used allows repair events resolved as crossover
      versus noncrossover products to be distinguished, as well as the extent of
      heteroduplex DNA formed during recombination to be measured. To examine end
      resection, the efficiency and outcome of gap repair were monitored in the absence
      of the Exo1 exonuclease and the Sgs1 helicase. We found that either Exo1 or Sgs1
      presence is sufficient to inhibit gap-repair efficiency over 10-fold, consistent
      with resection-mediated destruction of the introduced plasmid. In terms of DNA
      polymerase requirements for gap repair, we focused specifically on potential
      roles of the Pol zeta and Pol eta translesion synthesis DNA polymerases. We found
      that both Pol zeta and Pol eta are necessary for efficient gap repair and that
      each functions independently of the other. These polymerases may be involved
      either in the initiation of DNA synthesis from the an invading end, or in a gap
      filling process that is required to complete recombination. 

PMID- 24210828
TI  - The effects of long-term therapy with proton pump inhibitors on meal stimulated
      gastrin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dyspepsia develops in healthy volunteers after withdrawal of proton
      pump inhibitors. This phenomenon, attributed to rebound acid hypersecretion, is
      thought to be mediated by reflex hypergastrinemia. AIMS: To measure fasting and
      postprandial gastrin in patients on long-term proton-pump inhibitor treatment and
      correlate gastrin levels with the duration of treatment and other potential
      predictors. METHODS: In this cross sectional study patients, with erosive
      esophagitis, on long-term proton-pump inhibitor treatment and healthy controls
      underwent gastrin measurements at baseline and four times following a meal and
      Helicobacter pylori status was determined. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients and
      50 controls were studied. Pre- and postprandial gastrin levels were higher in
      patients (p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between the area under
      the gastrin-curve and the treatment duration. Female patients had significantly
      higher gastrin levels than males pre- and postprandial, whereas such differences
      was not found in the control group. Female gender was the only independent
      predictor of s-gastrin levels (OR 2.50 compared to males, 95% CI: 1.08-5.76,
      p=0.032) in the patient group. CONCLUSION: Gastrin values were higher in patients
      compared to controls. There was no correlation between gastrin levels and
      treatment duration. Female patients had significantly higher gastrin values than
      males.

PMID- 24210829
TI  - Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of penile cancer treated at
      tertiary care centers in the Western United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This article reports on the experience with penile squamous cell
      carcinoma (PSCC) in a unique multiethnic patient population from Los Angeles,
      California, with regard to treatments rendered and clinical outcomes. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Available clinical, pathologic, and treatment information for PSCC
      patients treated at 3 hospitals associated with the University of Southern
      California from 1991 to 2011 was retrospectively reviewed. Associations of
      patient variables with prognosis were assessed using univariable and
      multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Of the 95 PSCC patients identified,
      clinicopathologic and outcome information was available on 89 men (median age, 53
      years; median follow-up, 23 months). National minorities comprised 76.4% of the
      cohort with 57.3% Hispanics accounting for all patients. Presence of poorly
      differentiated tumors was associated with higher tumor stage (P = .020), nodal
      metastasis (P = .016), distant metastasis (P = .004), and advanced AJCC disease
      stage (P = .001). Univariate analysis showed that tumor (P = .008), nodal (P =
      .033), and metastasis (P < .001) stage, and tumor differentiation (P = .010) were
      associated with survival. When categorized according to the AJCC classification,
      patients with >= stage III disease had worse outcomes (P = .006). Type of primary
      therapy delivered did not affect outcomes. AJCC disease stage was independently
      prognostic in multivariable analysis (P = .035). CONCLUSION: These results
      confirm associations of several clinicopathologic factors with PSCC outcomes,
      although the presented population differs from others previously described from
      the United States with a relatively higher proportion of Hispanic men. This
      highlights the need for studies on the effects of race, cultural, health, and
      behavioral patterns on PSCC outcomes in multiethnic populations.

PMID- 24210830
TI  - Repair of posterior mitral valve prolapse with a novel leaflet plication clip in
      an animal model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recently, there has been increased interest in minimally invasive
      mitral valve prolapse repair techniques; however, these techniques have
      limitations. A new technique was developed for treating mitral valve prolapse
      that uses a novel leaflet plication clip to selectively plicate the prolapsed
      leaflet segment. The clip's efficacy was tested in an animal model. METHODS:
      Yorkshire pigs (n = 7) were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and mitral
      valve prolapse was created by cutting chordae supporting the P2 segment of the
      posterior leaflet. Animals were weaned off CPB and mitral regurgitation (MR) was
      assessed echocardiographically. CPB was reinitiated and the plication clip was
      applied under direct vision to the P2 segment to eliminate the prolapse. The
      animals survived for 2 hours. Epicardial echocardiography was obtained before and
      after prolapse creation and 2 hours after clip placement to quantify MR grade and
      vena contracta area. Posterior leaflet mobility and coaptation height were
      analyzed before and after clip placement. RESULTS: There were no cases of clip
      embolization. Median MR grade increased from trivial (0-1.5) to moderate-severe
      after MR creation (2.5-4+) (P < .05), and decreased to mild after clip placement
      (0-3+) (P < .05). Vena contracta area tended to increase after cutting the
      chordae and decrease after clip placement: 0.08 +/- 0.10 cm(2) versus 0.21 +/-
      0.15 cm(2) versus 0.16 +/- 0.16 cm(2) (P = .21). The plication clip did not
      impair leaflet mobility. Coaptation height was restored to baseline: 0.51 +/-
      0.07 cm versus 0.44 +/- 0.18 cm (P = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: The leaflet plication
      clip can treat mitral valve prolapse in an animal model, restoring coaptation
      height without affecting leaflet mobility. This approach is a simple technique
      that may improve the effectiveness of beating-heart and minimally invasive valve
      surgery.

PMID- 24210831
TI  - Dexamethasone levels predict cortisol response after infant cardiopulmonary
      bypass.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate whether there is variability in blood
      dexamethasone levels after a standard 1 mg/kg dose of dexamethasone administered
      before infant cardiopulmonary bypass. We hypothesized that postoperative
      dexamethasone drug levels are highly variable, and that the infant stress
      response is related inversely to the amount of dexamethasone measured in the
      blood. METHODS: Thirty-two infants (age, <=365 days) received 1 mg/kg of
      dexamethasone before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) initiation. Blood was analyzed
      for cortisol, adrenocorticotropin, and interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels
      after anesthesia induction, after CPB, after intensive care unit (ICU) arrival,
      and 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. Patients were grouped as high
      dexamethasone (>=15 MUg/dL) or low dexamethasone (<15 MUg/dL) based on their
      level at ICU arrival. RESULTS: Dexamethasone levels varied significantly between
      the high (n = 22) and low (n = 10) dexamethasone groups throughout the entire
      postoperative course and were correlated highly with cortisol response. Patients
      with high dexamethasone levels had postoperative cortisol levels that were lower
      than their pre-CPB baseline cortisol levels. Cortisol levels remained low
      throughout the first 24 postoperative hours even after dexamethasone levels
      neared zero. There were no significant differences between groups in the duration
      of mechanical ventilation or ICU length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone
      levels are highly variable at ICU arrival, despite standardized 1 mg/kg dosing
      before CPB initiation.

PMID- 24210832
TI  - Discussion.

PMID- 24210834
TI  - Comparing robot-assisted thoracic surgical lobectomy with conventional video
      assisted thoracic surgical lobectomy and wedge resection: results from a
      multihospital database (Premier).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracic surgical (VATS) lobectomies and wedge
      resections result in less morbidity and shorter length of stay than resections
      via thoracotomy. The impact of robot-assisted thoracic surgical (RATS) lobectomy
      on clinical and economic outcomes has not been examined. This study compared
      hospital costs and clinical outcomes for VATS lobectomies and wedge resections
      versus RATS. METHODS: Using the Premier hospital database, patients aged >=18
      years with a record of thoracoscopic lobectomy, segmental resection, or excision
      of a lesion or tissue from the lung between 2009 and 2011 were identified.
      Procedures using robotic technology were identified if 1 of 2 conditions were
      met: (1) a robotic International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision
      procedure code or (2) the text fields in the hospital record indicated that the
      robot was used. Using a propensity score and based on severity and comorbidities,
      certain demographics and hospital characteristics were matched. The association
      between VATS or RATS and adverse events, hospital costs, surgery time, and length
      of stay was examined. RESULTS: Of 15,502 patient records analyzed, 96% (n =
      14,837) were performed without robotic assistance. Using robotic assistance was
      associated with higher average hospital costs per patient. The average cost of
      inpatient procedures with RATS was $25,040.70 versus $20,476.60 for VATS (P =
      .0001) for lobectomies and $19,592.40 versus $16,600.10 (P = .0001) for wedge
      resections, respectively. Inpatient operating times were longer for RATS
      lobectomy than VATS lobectomy (4.49 hours vs 4.23 hours; P = .0959) and wedge
      resection (3.26 vs 2.86 hours; P = .0003). Length of stay was similar with no
      differences in adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: RATS lobectomy and wedge resection
      seem to have higher hospital costs and longer operating times, without any
      differences in adverse events.

PMID- 24210835
TI  - Genotype-oropharyngeal phenotype correlation in Mexican patients with dystrophic
      epidermolysis bullosa.
AB  - Previous investigations have attempted to correlate the genotype with the
      cutaneous phenotype in patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), but never with
      the oropharyngeal phenotype. Seventeen dystrophic EB (DEB) patients were
      genotyped for COL7A1 gene mutations and divided into five distinct groups.
      Oropharyngeal disease severity was assessed with the Epidermolysis Bullosa
      Oropharyngeal Severity (EBOS) score by an oral medicine specialist. The genotype
      phenotype correlation was calculated by Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance using
      the Mann-Whitney test, applying the Bonferroni correction. The most severe
      oropharyngeal phenotype was found in the group with the 2470insG/3948insT
      mutation, with a mean disease severity score of 18.50 +/- 2.12; the mildest was
      found in the 6862del16 mutation group, with a mean disease severity score of 0.57
      +/- 1.13. The most significant difference in median score was found in the total
      score (P = 0.009), followed by tongue (P = 0.02) and upper lip (P = 0.021), but
      no correlation was found between disease severity and the groups (P>0.005, after
      Bonferroni correction). Multiple comparisons among the five different genotypic
      groups revealed no statistically significant genotype-oropharyngeal phenotype
      correlation; it was not possible to establish which group was more severe, or to
      associate a specific mutation to a specific oropharyngeal phenotype.

PMID- 24210836
TI  - Does acute passive stretching increase muscle length in children with cerebral
      palsy?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children with spastic cerebral palsy experience increased muscle
      stiffness and reduced muscle length, which may prevent elongation of the muscle
      during stretch. Stretching performed either by the clinician, or children
      themselves is used as a treatment modality to increase/maintain joint range of
      motion. It is not clear whether the associated increases in muscle-tendon unit
      length are due to increases in muscle or tendon length. The purpose was to
      determine whether alterations in ankle range of motion in response to acute
      stretching were accompanied by increases in muscle length, and whether any
      effects would be dependent upon stretch technique. METHODS: Eight children (6-14
      y) with cerebral palsy received a passive dorsiflexion stretch for 5 * 20 s to
      each leg, which was applied by a physiotherapist or the children themselves.
      Maximum dorsiflexion angle, medial gastrocnemius muscle and fascicle lengths, and
      Achilles tendon length were calculated at a reference angle of 10  degrees 
      plantarflexion, and at maximum dorsiflexion in the pre- and post-stretch trials.
      FINDINGS: All variables were significantly greater during pre- and post-stretch
      trials compared to the resting angle, and were independent of stretch technique.
      There was an approximate 10  degrees  increase in maximum dorsiflexion post
      stretch, and this was accounted for by elongation of both muscle (0.8 cm) and
      tendon (1.0 cm). Muscle fascicle length increased significantly (0.6 cm) from pre
      to post-stretch. INTERPRETATION: The results provide evidence that commonly used
      stretching techniques can increase overall muscle, and fascicle lengths
      immediately post-stretch in children with cerebral palsy.

PMID- 24210838
TI  - What is the value of historical fidelity in restoration?
AB  - The following considers the role of historical fidelity in habitat reconstruction
      efforts. To what extent should habitat reconstruction be guided by the goal of
      recreating some past state of a damaged ecosystem? I consider Sarkar's
      "replacement argument," which holds that, in most habitat reconstruction efforts,
      there is little justification for appealing to historical fidelity. I argue that
      Sarkar does not provide adequate grounds for deprecating historical fidelity
      relative to other natural values such as biodiversity or wild nature. 

PMID- 24210837
TI  - Relationship of plasma cytokines and clinical biomarkers to memory performance in
      HIV.
AB  - Chronic systemic immune activation and inflammatory processes have been linked to
      brain dysfunction in medically stable HIV-infected people. We investigated the
      association between verbal memory performance and plasma concentrations of 13
      cytokines measured using multiplexed bead array immunoassay in 74 HIV
      seropositive individuals and 50 HIV-seronegative controls. Memory performance was
      positively related to levels of IL-8 and IFN-gamma, and negatively related to IL
      10 and IL-18 and to hepatitis C infection. Memory performance was not
      significantly related to HIV disease markers. The results indicate the importance
      of systemic immune and inflammatory markers to neurocognitive function in chronic
      and stable HIV disease. 

PMID- 24210839
TI  - Effects of albumin and synthetic polypeptide-coated oxygenators on IL-1, IL-2, IL
      6, and IL-10 in open heart surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we have tried to demonstrate the effects of coating
      style used in oxygenators on various hematologic and clinical parameters.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were included in the study, who had
      undergone operations because of elective coronary artery disease. Albumin-coated
      oxygenator was used in Group I. In Group II, a synthetic polypeptide-coated
      oxygenator was used. C1-inhib (complement), C3c, C4, interleukins (IL-1beta, IL2,
      IL-6, IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were examined at
      four different time intervals. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte and platelet
      counts, drainage, and transfused blood volumes were analyzed. RESULTS: Albumin
      levels were significantly lower in Group I than those in Group II 5 minutes after
      the removal of the cross-clamp. Twenty-four hours after the surgery, Group I
      patients also had a significantly higher white blood cell count compared to Group
      II patients. TNF-alpha levels in Group I were always expressed in considerably
      higher amounts than those in Group II. IL-6 levels were significantly higher in
      Group I, but IL-10 levels were observed to be higher in Group II (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Synthetic polypeptide-coated advanced technology, which employed
      oxygenators, had an important attenuator effect on acute phase reactants and also
      on the inflammatory response.

PMID- 24210840
TI  - Behavioral compliance for dynamic versus static signs in an immersive virtual
      environment.
AB  - This study used an immersive virtual environment (IVE) to examine how dynamic
      features in signage affect behavioral compliance during a work-related task and
      an emergency egress. Ninety participants performed a work-related task followed
      by an emergency egress. Compliance with uncued and cued safety signs was assessed
      prior to an explosion/fire involving egress with exit signs. Although dynamic
      presentation produced the highest compliance, the difference between dynamic and
      static presentation was only statistically significant for uncued signs. Uncued
      signs, both static and dynamic, were effective in changing behavior compared to
      no/minimal signs. Findings are explained based on sign salience and on task
      differences. If signs must capture attention while individuals are attending to
      other tasks, salient (e.g., dynamic) signs are useful in benefiting compliance.
      This study demonstrates the potential for IVEs to serve as a useful tool in
      behavioral compliance research. 

PMID- 24210841
TI  - Prostaglandin D2 regulates human type 2 innate lymphoid cell chemotaxis.

PMID- 24210842
TI  - A study to promote breast feeding in the Helsinki Metropolitan area in Finland.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to assess the impact of providing
      intensified support for breast feeding during the perinatal period. DESIGN: a
      quasi-experimental design with non-equivalent control group. SETTING: three
      public maternity hospitals (two study, one control) in the Helsinki Metropolitan
      area in Finland. PARTICIPANTS: a convenience sample of 705 mothers (431 in the
      intervention group, 274 in the control group). METHODS AND INTERVENTION: in this
      study, families in the intervention group had access to intensified breast
      feeding support from midpregnancy, whereas those in the control group had access
      to normal care. Intensified support included lectures and workshops to health
      professionals, and families in the intervention group had access to more
      intensive support and counselling for breast feeding and a breast feeding
      outpatient clinic. Additionally, an internet-based intervention was only used in
      the intervention group, but not in the control group. Mothers in the control
      group received normal care from the midwifery and nursing professionals who were
      to continue their work normally. The data were analysed statistically. FINDINGS:
      altogether 705 women participated in the study. In the intervention group
      (n=431), 76% of the women breast fed exclusively throughout the hospital stay,
      compared to 66% of the mothers in the control group (n=274). In multivariate
      analysis, the likelihood of exclusive breast feeding at the time of responding
      (at hospital discharge or after that at home) was increased by the mother not
      being treated for an underlying illness or medical problem during pregnancy,
      being in the intervention group, having normal vaginal childbirth, high breast
      feeding confidence, positive attitude towards breast feeding, good coping with
      breast feeding, and 24-hour presence of the infant's father in the ward. KEY
      CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the low exclusive breast feeding rates
      of newborns could be increased by using intensified breast feeding support.
      Mothers' health problems during pregnancy can decrease exclusive breast feeding.
      Mothers with health problems or other than normal childbirth should receive extra
      breast feeding support, and the presence of fathers in the ward should be
      encouraged. Intensified breast feeding counselling and support helps mothers to
      breast feed exclusively. This support should be available in a variety of forms,
      so that mothers can choose the type of support they need. As breast feeding
      counselling and support is intensified, more mothers succeed with exclusive
      breast feeding.

PMID- 24210843
TI  - Computer-assisted training of phoneme-grapheme correspondence for children who
      are deaf and hard of hearing: effects on phonological processing skills.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Examine deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children's phonological
      processing skills in relation to a reference group of children with normal
      hearing (NH) at two baselines pre intervention. Study the effects of computer
      assisted phoneme-grapheme correspondence training in the children. Specifically
      analyze possible effects on DHH children's phonological processing skills.
      METHODS: The study included 48 children who participated in a computer-assisted
      intervention study, which focuses on phoneme-grapheme correspondence. Children
      were 5, 6, and 7 years of age. There were 32 DHH children using cochlear implants
      (CI) or hearing aids (HA), or both in combination, and 16 children with NH. The
      study had a quasi-experimental design with three test occasions separated in time
      by four weeks; baseline 1 and 2 pre intervention, and 3 post intervention.
      Children performed tasks measuring lexical access, phonological processing, and
      letter knowledge. All children were asked to practice ten minutes per day at home
      supported by their parents. RESULTS: NH children outperformed DHH children on the
      majority of tasks. All children improved their accuracy in phoneme-grapheme
      correspondence and output phonology as a function of the computer-assisted
      intervention. For the whole group of children, and specifically for children with
      CI, a lower initial phonological composite score was associated with a larger
      phonological change between baseline 2 and post intervention. Finally, 18 DHH
      children, whereof 11 children with CI, showed specific intervention effects on
      their phonological processing skills, and strong effect sizes for their improved
      accuracy of phoneme-grapheme correspondence. CONCLUSION: For some DHH children
      phonological processing skills are boosted relatively more by phoneme-grapheme
      correspondence training. This reflects the reciprocal relationship between
      phonological change and exposure to and manipulations of letters.

PMID- 24210844
TI  - A new device for treatment of persistent otitis media with effusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Most children suffer from otitis media with effusion (OME) before
      starting school. Insertion of grommets into the eardrum for treatment of OME is
      one of the most common operations performed in childhood. The efficiency and
      compliance of treatment with a new non-invasive device was evaluated in children
      with bilateral OME with disease duration of at least 3 months. METHODS: A device
      for autoinflation was developed to enable a combined modified Valsalva and
      Politzer maneuver. Ten children, aged 3-8 years (mean: 5 years and 2 months) with
      OME tested the device for estimation of its ability to ventilate the middle ear.
      Another thirty-one children, with persistent bilateral OME for at least three
      months, were divided into a treatment and a control group. Twenty-one children
      (42 ears), aged 2-7 year (mean: 4 years and 6 months), participated as the
      treatment group and ten patients (20 ears), aged 3-7 years (mean: 4 years and 5
      months), were included as controls. Tympanometry and otomicroscopy were performed
      at inclusion and at the end of the study. RESULTS: In the treatment group the
      middle ear pressure was normalized in 52% and improved in 31% of the ears with 7
      children (33%) achieving bilateral and 8 (38%) unilateral normalization. In the
      control group the middle ear pressure was normalized in 15%, improved in 15% and
      deteriorated in 10% of the ears with one child (10%) achieving bilateral and one
      child (10%) unilateral normalization. Statistically significant differences (p <
      0.001) were observed in the pressure difference and the tympanometry type changes
      between the treatment and the control group. Otomicroscopic examination revealed
      that the number of ears judged as OME was reduced by 62% in the treatment group
      in comparison with 20% in the control group. All children managed to perform the
      maneuver and no side effects were neither reported nor detected. CONCLUSIONS: The
      device was efficient in ventilation of the middle ear with normalization or
      improvement of the negative middle ear pressure and otomicroscopic findings in
      young children with persistent OME.

PMID- 24210845
TI  - Streptococcal superantigens: categorization and clinical associations.
AB  - Superantigens are key virulence factors in the immunopathogenesis of invasive
      disease caused by group A streptococcus. These protein exotoxins have also been
      associated with severe group C and group G streptococcal infections. A number of
      novel streptococcal superantigens have recently been described with some
      resulting confusion in their classification. In addition to clarifying the
      nomenclature of streptococcal superantigens and proposing guidelines for their
      categorization, this review summarizes the evidence supporting their involvement
      in various clinical diseases including acute rheumatic fever. 

PMID- 24210846
TI  - Number needed to treat from absolute risk and incidence rate: how to make apples
      and oranges comparable?

PMID- 24210847
TI  - Stump infections after major lower-limb amputation: a 10-year retrospective
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is little published data on the diagnostic and
      therapeutic management of lower-limb stump infections (excluding toe and forefoot
      amputations). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a retrospective observational study
      of 72 patients having undergone a major lower-limb amputation for a vascular or
      traumatic reason, complicated by post-surgical stump infection, between January
      1, 2000 and December 31, 2009. RESULTS: Stump infection was diagnosed more than
      6weeks after amputation in half of the patients. Staphylococcus was the most
      frequently isolated bacterium. Ultrasonography and CT scan combined with
      fistulography were useful to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the extension
      of infection. Thirty-two patients (44%) needed surgical revision in addition to
      antibiotic treatment. Patients diagnosed with bone infection more frequently
      required complementary surgery than those with soft tissue infection (P<0.001).
      CONCLUSION: The optimal management of this type of infection requires obtaining
      reliable bacteriological documentation (abscess aspiration in case of soft tissue
      infection or bone biopsy in case of osteomyelitis) to adapt to the antibiotic
      treatment. The management should be multidisciplinary (orthopedic or vascular
      surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and infectious diseases physicians). Most
      patients may use prosthesis once the infection is treated.

PMID- 24210848
TI  - Evaluation of a subject-specific finite-element model of the equine
      metacarpophalangeal joint under physiological load.
AB  - The equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is frequently injured, especially by
      racehorses in training. Most injuries result from repetitive loading of the
      subchondral bone and articular cartilage rather than from acute events. The
      likelihood of injury is multi-factorial but the magnitude of mechanical loading
      and the number of loading cycles are believed to play an important role.
      Therefore, an important step in understanding injury is to determine the
      distribution of load across the articular surface during normal locomotion. A
      subject-specific finite-element model of the MCP joint was developed (including
      deformable cartilage, elastic ligaments, muscle forces and rigid representations
      of bone), evaluated against measurements obtained from cadaver experiments, and
      then loaded using data from gait experiments. The sensitivity of the model to
      force inputs, cartilage stiffness, and cartilage geometry was studied. The FE
      model predicted MCP joint torque and sesamoid bone flexion angles within 5% of
      experimental measurements. Muscle-tendon forces, joint loads and cartilage
      stresses all increased as locomotion speed increased from walking to trotting and
      finally cantering. Perturbations to muscle-tendon forces resulted in small
      changes in articular cartilage stresses, whereas variations in joint torque,
      cartilage geometry and stiffness produced much larger effects. Non-subject
      specific cartilage geometry changed the magnitude and distribution of pressure
      and the von Mises stress markedly. The mean and peak cartilage stresses generally
      increased with an increase in cartilage stiffness. Areas of peak stress
      correlated qualitatively with sites of common injury, suggesting that further
      modelling work may elucidate the types of loading that precede joint injury and
      may assist in the development of techniques for injury mitigation. 

PMID- 24210850
TI  - Walking at the preferred stride frequency maximizes local dynamic stability of
      knee motion.
AB  - Healthy humans display a preference for walking at a stride frequency dependent
      on the inertial properties of their legs. Walking at preferred stride frequency
      (PSF) is predicted to maximize local dynamic stability, whereby sensitivity to
      intrinsic perturbations arising from natural variability inherent in biological
      motion is minimized. Previous studies testing this prediction have employed
      different variability measures, but none have directly quantified local dynamic
      stability by computing maximum finite-time Lyapunov exponent (lambda(Max)), which
      quantifies the rate of divergence of nearby trajectories in state space. Here,
      ten healthy adults walked 45 m overground while sagittal motion of both knees was
      recorded via electrogoniometers. An auditory metronome prescribed 7 different
      frequencies relative to each individual's PSF (PSF; +/-5, +/-10, +/-15
      strides/min). Stride frequencies were performed under both freely adopted speed
      (FS) and controlled speed (CS: set at the speed of PSF trials) conditions. Local
      dynamic stability was maximal (lambda(Max) was minimal) at the PSF, becoming less
      stable for higher and lower stride frequencies. This occurred under both FS and
      CS conditions, although controlling speed further reduced local dynamic stability
      at non-preferred stride frequencies. In contrast, measures of variability
      revealed effects of stride frequency and speed conditions that were distinct from
      lambda(Max). In particular, movement regularity computed by approximate entropy
      (ApEn) increased for slower walking speeds, appearing to depend on speed rather
      than stride frequency. The cadence freely adopted by humans has the benefit of
      maximizing local dynamic stability, which can be interpreted as humans tuning to
      their resonant frequency of walking.

PMID- 24210849
TI  - Murine patellar tendon biomechanical properties and regional strain patterns
      during natural tendon-to-bone healing after acute injury.
AB  - Tendon-to-bone healing following acute injury is generally poor and often fails
      to restore normal tendon biomechanical properties. In recent years, the murine
      patellar tendon (PT) has become an important model system for studying tendon
      healing and repair due to its genetic tractability and accessible location within
      the knee. However, the mechanical properties of native murine PT, specifically
      the regional differences in tissue strains during loading, and the biomechanical
      outcomes of natural PT-to-bone healing have not been well characterized. Thus, in
      this study, we analyzed the global biomechanical properties and regional strain
      patterns of both normal and naturally healing murine PT at three time points (2,
      5, and 8 weeks) following acute surgical rupture of the tibial enthesis. Normal
      murine PT exhibited distinct regional variations in tissue strain, with the
      insertion region experiencing approximately 2.5 times greater strain than the
      midsubstance at failure (10.80+/-2.52% vs. 4.11+/-1.40%; mean+/-SEM). Injured
      tendons showed reduced structural (ultimate load and linear stiffness) and
      material (ultimate stress and linear modulus) properties compared to both normal
      and contralateral sham-operated tendons at all healing time points. Injured
      tendons also displayed increased local strain in the insertion region compared to
      contralateral shams at both physiologic and failure load levels. 93.3% of injured
      tendons failed at the tibial insertion, compared to only 60% and 66.7% of normal
      and sham tendons, respectively. These results indicate that 8 weeks of natural
      tendon-to-bone healing does not restore normal biomechanical function to the
      murine PT following injury.

PMID- 24210851
TI  - Pediatric bed fall computer simulation model: parametric sensitivity analysis.
AB  - Falls from beds and other household furniture are common scenarios that may
      result in injury and may also be stated to conceal child abuse. Knowledge of the
      biomechanics associated with short-distance falls may aid clinicians in
      distinguishing between abusive and accidental injuries. In this study, a
      validated bed fall computer simulation model of an anthropomorphic test device
      representing a 12-month-old child was used to investigate the effect of altering
      fall environment parameters (fall height, impact surface stiffness, initial force
      used to initiate the fall) and child surrogate parameters (overall mass, head
      stiffness, neck stiffness, stiffness for other body segments) on fall dynamics
      and outcomes related to injury potential. The sensitivity of head and neck injury
      outcome measures to model parameters was determined. Parameters associated with
      the greatest sensitivity values (fall height, initiating force, and surrogate
      mass) altered fall dynamics and impact orientation. This suggests that fall
      dynamics and impact orientation play a key role in head and neck injury
      potential. With the exception of surrogate mass, injury outcome measures tended
      to be more sensitive to changes in environmental parameters (bed height, impact
      surface stiffness, initiating force) than surrogate parameters (head stiffness,
      neck stiffness, body segment stiffness). 

PMID- 24210852
TI  - Quantification of finger joint loadings using musculoskeletal modelling clarifies
      mechanical risk factors of hand osteoarthritis.
AB  - Owing to limited quantitative data related to the loadings (forces and pressures)
      acting upon finger joints, several clinical observations regarding mechanical
      risk factors of hand osteoarthritis remain misunderstood. To improve the
      knowledge of this pathology, the present study used musculoskeletal modelling to
      quantify the forces and pressures acting upon hand joints during two grasping
      tasks. Kinematic and grip force data were recorded during both a pinch and a
      power grip tasks. Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging measurements were
      conducted to quantify joint contact areas. Using these datasets as input, a
      musculoskeletal model of the hand and wrist, including twenty-three degrees of
      freedom and forty-two muscles, has been developed to estimate joint forces and
      joint pressures. When compared with the power grip task, the pinch grip task
      resulted in two to eight times higher joint loadings whereas the grip forces
      exerted on each finger were twice lower. For both tasks, joint forces and
      pressures increased along a disto-proximal direction for each finger. The
      quantitative dataset provided by the present hand model clarified two clinical
      observations about osteoarthritis development which were not fully understood,
      i.e., the strong risk associated to pinch grip tasks and the high frequency of
      thumb-base osteoarthritis. 

PMID- 24210853
TI  - Molecular markers of programmed cell death in donor hearts before
      transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study we investigate whether pro-apoptotic, pro-inflammatory
      and other early signaling markers indicative of increased propensity for cell
      death processes were evident in human donor heart allografts immediately before
      transplantation, and whether there is an association with primary graft failure.
      METHODS: A prospective study was performed utilizing donor left atrial myocardium
      collected at the time of implantation of hearts from brain-dead donors (BDD, n =
      29). In addition, to explore the potential of donor hearts from donation after
      circulatory death (DCD), myocardial samples were obtained during transplantation
      of lungs from DCD donors (n = 6). A comparator reference group (n = 7) consisted
      of left atrial specimens from patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. RESULTS:
      Significantly raised levels of caspase-3 specific activity, activated hypoxia
      inducible factor-1 (HIF-1alpha) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine were evident in
      the transplanted hearts (from BDD) that developed primary graft failure (n = 11).
      DCD hearts did not differ from BDD with regard to mRNA expression levels of FAS,
      Bax, IL-6 and caspase-3. Although DCD hearts exhibited lower caspase-3 specific
      activity and activated hypoxia-inducible factor-1 protein, they had higher levels
      of mRNA for NF-kappaB, Bnip3 and caspase-1 mRNA. Increased 8-hydroxy-2'
      deoxyguanosine levels reflected greater oxidative stress and reactive oxygen
      species-related DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate a significant
      role of pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory activity in allografts that
      subsequently exhibit primary graft failure. The relatively lower levels of
      apoptotic and inflammatory activity in DCD hearts suggest they may represent a
      potentially usable donor cardiac allograft pool. This possibility requires
      further detailed molecular and clinical research.

PMID- 24210854
TI  - Effect of swirling inlet condition on the flow field in a stenosed arterial
      vessel model.
AB  - Blood flow in an artery is closely related to atherosclerosis progression.
      Hemodynamic environments influence platelet activation, aggregation, and rupture
      of atherosclerotic plaque. The existence of swirling flow components in an artery
      is frequently observed under in vivo conditions. However, the fluid-dynamic roles
      of spiral flow are not fully understood to date. In this study, the spiral blood
      flow effect in an axisymmetric stenosis model was experimentally investigated
      using particle image velocimetry velocity field measurement technique and
      streakline flow visualization. Spiral inserts with two different helical pitches
      (10D and 10/3D) were installed upstream of the stenosis to induce swirling flows.
      Results show that the spiral flow significantly reduces the length of
      recirculation flow and provokes early breakout of turbulent transition, but
      variation of swirling intensity does not induce significant changes of turbulence
      intensity. The present results about the spiral flow effects through the stenosis
      will contribute in achieving better understanding of the hemodynamic
      characteristics of atherosclerosis and in discovering better diagnosis procedures
      and clinical treatments. 

PMID- 24210855
TI  - Bile and liver metallothionein behavior in copper-exposed fish.
AB  - The present study analyzed metallothionein (MT) excretion from liver to bile in
      Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to sub-lethal copper concentrations
      (2mgL(-1)) in a laboratory setting. MTs in liver and bile were quantified by
      spectrophotometry after thermal incubation and MT metal-binding profiles were
      characterized by size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography coupled to
      ICP-MS (SEC-HPLC-ICP-MS). Results show that liver MT is present in approximately
      250-fold higher concentrations than bile MT in non-exposed fish. Differences
      between the MT profiles from the control and exposed group were observed for both
      matrices, indicating differential metal-binding behavior when comparing liver and
      bile MT. This is novel data regarding intra-organ MT comparisons, since
      differences between organs are usually present only with regard to
      quantification, not metal-binding behavior. Bile MT showed statistically
      significant differences between the control and exposed group, while the same did
      not occur with liver MT. This indicates that MTs synthesized in the liver
      accumulate more slowly than MTs excreted from liver to bile, since the same fish
      presented significantly higher MT levels in liver when compared to bile. We
      postulate that bile, although excreted in the intestine and partially reabsorbed
      by the same returning to the liver, may also release MT-bound metals more rapidly
      and efficiently, which may indicate an efficient detoxification route. Thus, we
      propose that the analysis of bile MTs to observe recent metal exposure may be
      more adequate than the analysis of liver MTs, since organism responses to metals
      are more quickly observed in bile, although further studies are necessary. 

PMID- 24210856
TI  - Ultrasound thermal mapping based on a hybrid method combining physical and
      statistical models.
AB  - Non-invasive temperature measurement of tissues deep inside the body has great
      potential for clinical applications, such as temperature monitoring during
      thermal therapy and early diagnosis of diseases. We developed a novel method for
      both temperature estimation and thermal mapping that uses ultrasound B-mode
      radiofrequency data. The proposed method is a hybrid that combines elements of
      physical and statistical models to achieve higher precision and resolution of
      temperature variations and distribution. We propose a dimensionless combined
      index (CI) that combines the echo shift differential and signal intensity
      difference with a weighting factor relative to the distance from the heat source.
      In vitro experiments verified that the combined index has a strong linear
      relationship with temperature variation and can be used to effectively estimate
      temperature with an average relative error <5%. This algorithm provides an
      alternative for imaging guidance-based techniques during thermal therapy and
      could easily be integrated into existing ultrasound systems. 

PMID- 24210857
TI  - 3-D high-frequency ultrasound backscatter analysis of human articular cartilage.
AB  - High-frequency ultrasound is a promising method for non-invasive characterization
      of cartilage degeneration. Surface reflection and integrated spectral parameters
      are often used. In the work described here, human cartilage samples with varying
      degrees of degeneration were measured using a 40-MHz transducer. Backscatter
      signals originating from the superficial and transitional zones of cartilage were
      analyzed using amplitude, spectral and envelope statistical parameters and
      related to degenerative changes of the matrix given by the Mankin score. The
      results indicate an increased sensitivity of spectral slope and envelope
      statistical parameters to early matrix degeneration compared with conventional
      amplitude parameters. Furthermore, moderate correlations of chondrocyte number
      with backscatter amplitude and envelope statistics were observed, suggesting that
      at high frequencies, cells are one important scattering source in cartilage. An
      application of spectral and envelope statistical parameters to intra-articular
      ultrasound arthroscopy is conceivable and could improve the diagnostic potential
      of these examinations. Future studies are necessary to clarify the contributions
      of chondrocytes, extracellular matrix and collagen content to ultrasound
      backscatter to further improve the diagnostic potential of ultrasound for
      cartilage assessment. 

PMID- 24210858
TI  - Muscle ultrasound quantifies segmental neuromuscular outcome in pediatric
      myelomeningocele.
AB  - In pediatric spina bifida aperta (SBA), non-invasive assessment of neuromuscular
      integrity by muscle ultrasound density (MUD) could provide important information
      about the clinical condition. We therefore aimed to determine the association
      between pediatric SBA MUD and segmental neurologic function. We included 23
      children (age range: 1-18 y) with SBA with L4-5 lesions, and we associated SBA
      MUD with control values and segmental neuromuscular function. Results revealed
      that MUD outcomes in the lower extremities: (i) are independent of age, (ii)
      exceed control values, (iii) differ intra-individually (i.e., between the left
      and right sides in the same individual) in association with segmental
      neuromuscular function. We concluded that SBA leg MUD can quantify the segmental
      neuromuscular condition throughout childhood. 

PMID- 24210859
TI  - Ultra-high frame rate tissue Doppler imaging.
AB  - We describe a new tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) method, ultra-high frame rate
      tissue Doppler imaging (UFR-TDI). With two broad transmit beams covering only the
      ventricular walls, we achieve 1200 frames/s in a four-chamber apical view. We
      examined 10 healthy volunteers to study the feasibility of this method. Ultra
      high-frame-rate TDI provided peak annular velocities and time to peak S'
      intervals in good agreement with those measured with conventional TDI. Moreover,
      UFR-TDI provided additional information in early and late systole: In all
      subjects, the method was able to separate the timing of electrical activation,
      start of mechanical contraction, mitral valve closure and start of ejection. The
      earliest mechanical activation was seen before mitral valve closure. The method
      was also able to measure the propagation speed of the mechanical wave created by
      aortic valve closure. 

PMID- 24210860
TI  - Comparison of diffuse optical tomography, ultrasound elastography and mammography
      in the diagnosis of breast tumors.
AB  - Previous studies have reported the usefulness of diffuse optical tomography
      (DOT), ultrasound elastography (UE) and mammography in differentiating breast
      tumors. This study was aimed at evaluating and comparing DOT, UE and mammography
      with respect to their diagnostic performance in differentiating benign and
      malignant breast tumors. Of the 67 tumors, 45 were histopathologically benign,
      and 22 were malignant. UE was the most specific (93.33%) of the three diagnostics
      modalities. DOT and UE were both more accurate (80.60% and 89.55%, respectively)
      than mammography (63.08%). UE + mammography (93.33% and 91.04%) and DOT +
      mammography (77.78% and 82.09%) exhibited higher specificity and accuracy,
      respectively, than mammography alone (57.78% and 63.08%). Receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess the performance of the
      modalities. In conclusion, UE and DOT were superior to conventional mammography
      in terms of both specificity and accuracy. DOT and UE improve the specificity and
      accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis, and combining the two modalities improves
      the diagnostic value. 

PMID- 24210861
TI  - Shear wave elastography assessment of carotid plaque stiffness: in vitro
      reproducibility study.
AB  - This study assessed inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of shear wave
      elastography (SWE) measurements in vessel phantoms simulating soft and hard
      carotid plaque under steady and pulsatile flow conditions. Supersonic SWE was
      used to acquire cine-loop data and quantify Young's modulus in cryogel vessel
      phantoms. Data were acquired by two observers, each performing three repeat
      measurements. Mean Young's modulus was quantified within 2-mm regions of interest
      averaged across five frames and, depending on vessel model and observer, ranged
      from 28 to 240 kPa. The mean inter-frame coefficient of variation (CV) was 0.13
      (range: 0.07-0.18) for observer 1 and 0.14 (range: 0.12-0.16) for observer 2,
      with mean intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.84 and 0.83,
      respectively. The mean inter-operator CV was 0.13 (range: 0.08-0.20), with a mean
      ICC of 0.76 (range: 0.69-0.82). Our findings indicate that SWE can quantify
      Young's modulus of carotid plaque phantoms with good reproducibility, even in the
      presence of pulsatile flow. 

PMID- 24210862
TI  - Transverse ultrasound assessment of median nerve deformation and displacement in
      the human carpal tunnel during wrist movements.
AB  - The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, a compression neuropathy of the median
      nerve at the wrist, are aggravated by wrist motion, but the effect of these
      motions on median nerve motion are unknown. To better understand the biomechanics
      of the abnormal nerve, it is first necessary to understand normal nerve movement.
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate the deformation and displacement of the
      normal median nerve at the proximal carpal tunnel level on transverse ultrasound
      images during different wrist movements, to have a baseline for comparison with
      abnormal movements. Dynamic ultrasound images of both wrists of 10 asymptomatic
      volunteers were obtained during wrist maximal flexion, extension and ulnar
      deviation. To simplify the analysis, the initial and final shape and position of
      the median nerve were measured and analyzed. The circularity of the median nerve
      was significantly increased and the aspect ratio and perimeter were significantly
      decreased in the final image compared with the first image during wrist flexion
      with finger extension, wrist flexion with finger flexion and wrist ulnar
      deviation with finger extension (p < 0.01). There were significant differences in
      median nerve displacement vector between finger flexion, wrist flexion with
      finger extension and wrist ulnar deviation with finger extension (all p's <
      0.001). The mean amplitudes of median nerve motion in wrist flexion with finger
      extension (2.36 +/- 0.79 normalized units [NU]), wrist flexion with finger
      flexion (2.46 +/- 0.84 NU) and wrist ulnar deviation with finger extension (2.86
      +/- 0.51 NU) were higher than those in finger flexion (0.82 +/- 0.33 NU), wrist
      extension with finger extension (0.77 +/- 0.46 NU) and wrist extension with
      finger flexion (0.81 +/- 0.58 NU) (p < 0.0001). In the normal carpal tunnel,
      wrist flexion and ulnar deviation could induce significant transverse
      displacement and deformation of the median nerve. 

PMID- 24210863
TI  - Visualizing tendon elasticity in an ex vivo partial tear model.
AB  - Supersonic shear imaging (SSI) is evaluated as a means of visualizing changes in
      regional tendon elasticity caused by partial tears in a porcine model. Thirty
      digital flexor tendons were cut to 25% (n = 10), 50% (n = 10) and 75% (n = 10) of
      the tendon thickness along the deep surface. Tendon elasticity was mapped left
      of, centered on and right of the tear site before and after tearing from 0% to 2%
      strain. Shear wave speed increased at 1% (p < 0.05) and 2% (p < 0.001) strain for
      all regions. Deep surface shear wave speed decreased in the 25%, 50% and 75%
      tears (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). Computational tendon tear models were also
      created to investigate regional changes in strain resulting from a tear. In the
      computational models, strain on the deep surface decreased progressively with
      increasing tear size. Visualization of tendon shear wave speed was achieved in
      normal and partially torn tendons, indicating the potential of SSI to add tendon
      shear wave speed to traditional morphologic assessment of partial tears, which
      may improve assessment of tendon health. 

PMID- 24210864
TI  - A novel microfluidic chip for assessing dynamic adhesion behavior of cell
      targeting microbubbles.
AB  - The primary aim of this study was to develop a microfluidic chip to study the
      dynamic adhesion behavior of cell-targeted microbubbles. The microfluidic device
      is composed of polydimethylsiloxane and is fabricated using the soft lithography
      technique. Each chamber of the microfluidic chip comprises eight U-shaped
      microsieves, by which various flow velocity distributions are generated. LyP-1
      conjugated microbubbles were prepared by coating the surface of the phospholipid
      shell of microbubbles with LyP-1 peptides via biotin-avidin linkage. Under static
      conditions, the resulting targeted microbubbles are able to bind onto the surface
      of cells on incubation with breast cancer cells. Under dynamic fluid conditions,
      the cell targeting efficiency of the microbubbles was assessed at various flow
      velocity distributions in a chamber. Accumulation of targeted microbubbles was
      strongly influenced by flow velocity. Better retention of targeted microbubbles
      on cell surfaces was achieved at low mean flow velocities (<0.03 cm/s), in
      agreement with our computer simulation results. In conclusion, our results
      indicate that the microfluidic system is a useful platform for studying the
      microbubble-cell adhesive interaction. 

PMID- 24210865
TI  - Doppler vortography: a color Doppler approach to quantification of
      intraventricular blood flow vortices.
AB  - We propose a new approach to quantification of intracardiac vorticity based on
      conventional color Doppler images -Doppler vortography. Doppler vortography
      relies on the centrosymmetric properties of the vortices. Such properties induce
      particular symmetries in the Doppler flow data that can be exploited to describe
      the vortices quantitatively. For this purpose, a kernel filter was developed to
      derive a parameter, the blood vortex signature (BVS), that allows detection of
      the main intracardiac vortices and estimation of their core vorticities. The
      reliability of Doppler vortography was assessed in mock Doppler fields issued
      from simulations and in vitro data. Doppler vortography was also tested in
      patients and compared with vector flow mapping by echocardiography. Strong
      correlations were obtained between Doppler vortography-derived and ground-truth
      vorticities (in silico: r2 = 0.98, in vitro: r2 = 0.86, in vivo: r2 = 0.89). Our
      results indicate that Doppler vortography is a potentially promising
      echocardiographic tool for quantification of vortex flow in the left ventricle.

PMID- 24210866
TI  - Correlation of virulence genes to clinical manifestations and outcome in patients
      with Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis bacteremia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is
      increasingly recognized as a human pathogen responsible for invasive infection
      and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). The pathogen possesses virulence
      genes that resemble those found in Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS). We analyzed the
      association between these specific toxic genes, clinical presentations, and
      outcome in patients with SDSE infections. METHODS: Patients (older than 18 years)
      with community-acquired invasive bacteremia caused by SDSE bacteremia who were
      undergoing treatment at China Medical University Hospital from June 2007 to
      December 2010 were included in this study. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction
      was performed to identify virulence genes of the SDSE isolates. Demographic data,
      clinical presentations, and outcome in patients with SDSE infections were
      reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty patients with 41 episodes of SDSE
      bacteremia were reviewed. The median age of the patients with SDSE infection was
      69.7 years; 55% were female and 78% had underlying diseases. Malignancy (13, 33%)
      and diabetes mellitus (13, 33%) were the most common comorbidities. The 30-day
      mortality rate was 12%. Compared with the survivors, the non-survivors had a
      higher rate of diabetes mellitus (80% vs. 26%), liver cirrhosis (60% vs.11%),
      shock (60% vs.17%), STSS (60% vs. 8%), and a high Pittsburgh bacteremia score >4
      (40% vs. 6%). Most isolates had scpA, ska, saga, and slo genes, whereas speC,
      speG, speH, speI, speK, smez, and ssa genes were not detected. speA gene was
      identified only in one patient with STSS (1/6, 17%). All isolates were
      susceptible to penicillin, cefotaxime, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, vancomycin,
      and linezolid. CONCLUSION: In invasive SDSE infections, most isolates carry
      putative virulence genes, such as scpA, ska, saga, and slo. Clinical SDSE
      isolates in Taiwan remain susceptible to penicillin cefotaxime, and levofloxacin.

PMID- 24210867
TI  - Effectiveness of montelukast in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis.
AB  - Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood
      and carries significant morbidity as well as physical and psychosocial
      consequences. Therapy aims to alleviate clinical symptoms, prevent complications
      and improve psychosocial consequences. Leukotrienes which are amongst the main
      mediators in pathogenesis of AR have chemotactic properties and lead to increased
      vascular permeability. Thus, leukotriene antagonism may be an effective
      therapeutic option in treatment of allergic diseases, specifically AR.
      Montelukast which is a leukotriene receptor type I inhibitor has variable
      efficacy in children with AR and the guidelines recommend its use in children
      with seasonal AR aged six years and above. Although its efficacy is inferior to
      anti-histamines and intranasal corticosteroids, combination treatment may warrant
      clinical efficacy. Therefore, montelukast may be considered to be a well
      tolerated therapeutic option for children with AR with minor side effects though
      long term results need to be assessed. In conclusion, larger scale research
      enrolling pediatric cases with seasonal and persistent AR are required before
      concise recommendations about montelukast use in pediatric AR can be made. 

PMID- 24210868
TI  - A usability evaluation of medical software at an expert conference setting.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A usability test was employed to evaluate two medical software
      applications at an expert conference setting. One software application is a
      medical diagnostic tool (electrocardiogram [ECG] viewer) and the other is a
      medical research tool (electrode misplacement simulator [EMS]). These novel
      applications have yet to be adopted by the healthcare domain, thus, (1) we wanted
      to determine the potential user acceptance of these applications and (2) we
      wanted to determine the feasibility of evaluating medical diagnostic and medical
      research software at a conference setting as opposed to the conventional
      laboratory setting. METHODS: The medical diagnostic tool (ECG viewer) was
      evaluated using seven delegates and the medical research tool (EMS) was evaluated
      using 17 delegates that were recruited at the 2010 International Conference on
      Computing in Cardiology. Each delegate/participant was required to use the
      software and undertake a set of predefined tasks during the session breaks at the
      conference. User interactions with the software were recorded using screen
      recording software. The 'think-aloud' protocol was also used to elicit verbal
      feedback from the participants whilst they attempted the pre-defined tasks.
      Before and after each session, participants completed a pre-test and a post-test
      questionnaire respectively. RESULTS: The average duration of a usability session
      at the conference was 34.69 min (SD=10.28). However, taking into account that 10
      min was dedicated to the pre-test and post-test questionnaires, the average time
      dedication to user interaction of the medical software was 24.69 min (SD=10.28).
      Given we have shown that usability data can be collected at conferences, this
      paper details the advantages of conference-based usability studies over the
      laboratory-based approach. For example, given delegates gather at one
      geographical location, a conference-based usability evaluation facilitates
      recruitment of a convenient sample of international subject experts. This would
      otherwise be very expensive to arrange. A conference-based approach also allows
      for data to be collected over a few days as opposed to months by avoiding
      administration duties normally involved in laboratory based approach, e.g.
      mailing invitation letters as part of a recruitment campaign. Following analysis
      of the user video recordings, 41 (previously unknown) use errors were identified
      in the advanced ECG viewer and 29 were identified in the EMS application. All use
      errors were given a consensus severity rating from two independent usability
      experts. Out of a rating scale of 4 (where 1=cosmetic and 4=critical), the
      average severity rating for the ECG viewer was 2.24 (SD=1.09) and the average
      severity rating for the EMS application was 2.34 (SD=0.97). We were also able to
      extract task completion rates and times from the video recordings to determine
      the effectiveness of the software applications. For example, six out of seven
      tasks were completed by all participants when using both applications. This
      statistic alone suggests both applications already have a high degree of
      usability. As well as extracting data from the video recordings, we were also
      able to extract data from the questionnaires. Using a semantic differential scale
      (where 1=poor and 5=excellent), delegates highly rated the 'responsiveness',
      'usefulness', 'learnability' and the 'look and feel' of both applications.
      CONCLUSION: This study has shown the potential user acceptance and user
      friendliness of the novel EMS and the ECG viewer applications within the
      healthcare domain. It has also shown that both medical diagnostic software and
      medical research software can be evaluated for their usability at an expert
      conference setting. The primary advantage of a conference-based usability
      evaluation over a laboratory-based evaluation is the high concentration of
      experts at one location, which is convenient, less time consuming and less
      expensive.

PMID- 24210869
TI  - A haptic pedal for surgery assistance.
AB  - The research and development of mechatronic aids for surgery is a persistent
      challenge in the field of robotic surgery. This paper presents a new haptic pedal
      conceived to assist surgeons in the operating room by transmitting real-time
      surgical information through the foot. An effective human-robot interaction
      system for medical practice must exchange appropriate information with the
      operator as quickly and accurately as possible. Moreover, information must flow
      through the appropriate sensory modalities for a natural and simple interaction.
      However, users of current robotic systems might experience cognitive overload and
      be increasingly overwhelmed by data streams from multiple modalities. A new
      haptic channel is thus explored to complement and improve existing systems. A
      preliminary set of experiments has been carried out to evaluate the performance
      of the proposed system in a virtual surgical drilling task. The results of the
      experiments show the effectiveness of the haptic pedal in providing surgical
      information through the foot. 

PMID- 24210870
TI  - Differential correlations between inflammatory cytokines and psychopathology in
      veterans with schizophrenia: potential role for IL-17 pathway.
AB  - Pro-inflammatory cytokines have been consistently reported to be elevated in
      schizophrenia patients. However, it is not known whether cytokines influence the
      presentation of psychotic symptoms. To address this issue, we evaluated the
      relationship between levels of inflammatory molecules and psychopathological
      parameters in patients with schizophrenia. We hypothesized that severity of
      symptoms would correlate with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. Serum
      samples from 47 veterans with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and 20 healthy
      controls were tested for levels of 38 cytokines/chemokines involved in regulation
      of immune/inflammatory reactions using a Millipore multiplex bead array in a
      Luminex 100 system. We found significantly increased levels of GRO, MCP-1, MDC,
      and sCD40L, and significantly decreased levels of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-12p70, and
      IL-17, in schizophrenia patients compared to controls. In addition, we observed
      positive correlations between levels of cytokines and the Positive and Negative
      Symptoms Scale (PANSS) scores in subjects with schizophrenia for G-CSF, IL-1beta,
      IL1ra, IL-3, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, sCD40L and TNF-beta. Pathway analyses showed
      these cytokines to be part of the IL17 pathway. Using principal component
      analyses, we found the factor that included these cytokines and IL-17 to be
      associated with positive, general and total PANSS scores. These results suggest
      that alterations in this pathway may play a role in development of psychotic
      symptoms in schizophrenia.

PMID- 24210871
TI  - Can P300 distinguish among schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar I
      disorders? An ERP study of response inhibition.
AB  - Research utilizing visual event-related brain potentials (ERPs) has demonstrated
      that reduced P300 amplitude and prolonged latency may qualify as a biological
      marker (biomarker) for schizophrenia (SZ). We examined P300 characteristics in
      response inhibition among three putatively distinct psychopathology groups
      including schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar I disorder (BD) and schizoaffective
      disorder (SA) in comparison with healthy controls (CT) to determine their
      electrophysiological distinctiveness. In two separate studies, deficits in
      response inhibition indexed by the P300 component were investigated using a
      lateralized Go/NoGo task. We hypothesized that deficits in response inhibition
      would be present and distinctive among the groups. In both studies, SZ showed
      response inhibition deficits as measured by P300 when stimuli were presented to
      the right visual field. In Study 2, delayed cognitive stimulus evaluation was
      observed in BD as indexed by prolonged P300 latency for NoGo trials. Six selected
      NoGo P300 variables out of thirty six NoGo P300 variables (18 amplitude, 18
      latency) correctly classified SZ (79%), SA (64%) in Study 1 and seven variables
      selected in Study 2 classified CT (80%), and SZ (61%), BD (67%) and CT (68%) with
      the accuracy higher than chance level (33%). The findings suggest that distinct
      P300 features in response inhibition may be biomarkers with the capacity to
      distinguish BD and SZ, although SA was not clearly distinguishable from SZ and
      CT.

PMID- 24210872
TI  - A review of ligand tethered surface engineered carbon nanotubes.
AB  - Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as fascinating materials, exhibiting
      promising potential in receptor based targeting owing to their unique
      physicochemical properties (cell membrane penetration, high surface area and drug
      payload, biocompatibility, easy surface modification, photoluminescence property,
      and non-immunogenicity etc). The hydrophilicity, a major constrain associated
      with the first generation of CNTs i.e. pristine CNTs, could be overcome using
      functionalization techniques. In the last two decades variety of functionalized
      CNTs (f-CNTs) i.e. oxidized, amidated, acylated, surfactant and biopolymer
      assisted, and biomolecules modified have been developed and utilized as
      effective, safe, nano sized, and smart systems to deliver a wide range of
      bioactives in the biological system. The purpose of this review is to examine the
      various aspects of conjugation and associated conjugation chemistry of various
      targeting ligands to CNTs for their respective biomedical applications. The
      various biomolecules have been easily tethered to CNTs surfaces including
      proteins and amino acid, enzymes, nucleic acid (DNA and siRNA), aptamers,
      vitamins, monoclonal antibodies, peptides (NGR, RGD and Aniopep-2) and so on, for
      targeting purposes. 

PMID- 24210873
TI  - Mechanoregulation of valvular interstitial cell phenotype in the third dimension.
AB  - A quantitative understanding of the complex interactions between cells, soluble
      factors, and the biological and mechanical properties of biomaterials is required
      to guide cell remodeling toward regeneration of healthy tissue rather than
      fibrocontractive tissue. In the present study, we characterized the combined
      effects of boundary stiffness and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) on
      cell-generated forces and collagen accumulation. We first generated a
      quantitative map of cell-generated tension in response to these factors by
      culturing valvular interstitial cells (VICs) within micro-scale fibrin gels
      between compliant posts (0.15-1.05 nN/nm) in chemically-defined media with TGF
      beta1 (0-5 ng/mL). The VICs generated 100-3000 nN/cell after one week of culture,
      and multiple regression modeling demonstrated, for the first time, quantitative
      interaction (synergy) between these factors in a three-dimensional culture
      system. We then isolated passive and active components of tension within the
      micro-tissues and found that cells cultured with high levels of stiffness and TGF
      beta1 expressed myofibroblast markers and generated substantial residual tension
      in the matrix yet, surprisingly, were not able to generate additional tension in
      response to membrane depolarization signifying a state of continual maximal
      contraction. In contrast, negligible residual tension was stored in the low
      stiffness and TGF-beta1 groups indicating a lower potential for shrinkage upon
      release. We then studied if ECM could be generated under the low tension
      environment and found that TGF-beta1, but not EGF, increased de novo collagen
      accumulation in both low and high tension environments roughly equally. Combined,
      these findings suggest that isometric cell force, passive retraction, and
      collagen production can be tuned by independently altering boundary stiffness and
      TGF-beta1 concentration. The ability to stimulate matrix production without
      inducing high active tension will aid in the development of robust tissue
      engineered heart valves and other connective tissue replacements where minimizing
      tissue shrinkage upon implantation is critical. 

PMID- 24210874
TI  - Control of angiogenesis by VEGF and endostatin-encapsulated protein microcrystals
      and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.
AB  - Encapsulation of cytokines within protein microcrystals (polyhedra) is a
      promising approach for the stabilization and delivery of therapeutic proteins.
      Here, we investigate the influence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
      microcrystals and endostatin microcrystals on angiogenesis. VEGF was successfully
      encapsulated into microcrystals derived from insect cypovirus with overexpression
      of protein disulfide bond isomerase. VEGF microcrystals were observed to increase
      the phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAP kinase and to stimulate the proliferation,
      migration, and network and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial
      cells (HUVECs). Endostatin was also successfully encapsulated into microcrystals.
      Endostatin microcrystals showed antiangiogenesis activities and inhibited the
      migration, and network and tube formation of HUVECs. Local administration of
      endostatin microcrystals in mice inhibited both angiogenesis and tumor growth
      with clear significant differences between treatment and control groups.
      Endostatin microcrystals only affected angiogenesis, but had no significant
      effect on lymphangiogenesis compared to controls. Local therapy using endostatin
      microcrystals offers a potential approach to achieve sustained therapeutic
      release of antiangiogenic molecules for cancer treatment. 

PMID- 24210875
TI  - Nanoparticle-directed sub-cellular localization of doxorubicin and the
      sensitization breast cancer cells by circumventing GST-mediated drug resistance.
AB  - Resistance to single or multiple chemotherapeutic drugs is a major complication
      in clinical oncology and is one of the most common treatment limitations in
      patients with reoccurring cancers. Nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems
      (DDS's) have been shown to overcome drug resistance in cancer cells mainly by
      avoiding the activation of efflux pumps in these cells. We demonstrate in this
      work that polyester-based hyperbranched dendritic-linear (HBDL)-based NPs
      carrying doxorubicin (Dox) can effectively overcome microsomal glutathione
      transferase 1 (MGST1)-mediated drug resistance in breast cancer cells. Our DDS
      was much more effective at considerably lower intracellular Dox concentrations
      (IC50 6.3 MUm vs. 36.3 MUm) and achieved significantly greater reductions in
      viability and induced higher degrees of apoptosis (31% vs. 14%) compared to the
      free drug in the resistant cells. Dox-loaded HBDL NPs were found to translocate
      across the membranes of resistant cells via active endocytic pathways and to be
      transported to lysosomes, mitochondria, and the endoplasmic reticulum. A
      significantly lower amount of Dox accumulated in these cytoplasmic compartments
      in resistant cells treated with free Dox. Moreover, we found that Dox-HBDL
      significantly decreased the expression of MGST1 and enhanced mitochondria
      mediated apoptotic cell death compared to free Dox. Dox-HBDL also markedly
      activated the JNK pathway that contributes to the apoptosis of drug-resistant
      cells. These results suggest that HBDL NPs can modulate subcellular drug
      distribution by specific endocytic and trafficking pathways and that this results
      in drug delivery that alters enzyme levels and cellular signaling pathways and,
      most importantly, increases the induction of apoptosis. Our findings suggest that
      by exploiting the cell transport machinery we can optimize the polymeric vehicles
      for controlled drug release to overcome drug resistance combat drug resistance
      with much higher efficacy. 

PMID- 24210876
TI  - Relationship between conventional semen characteristics, sperm motility patterns
      and fertility of Andalusian donkeys (Equus asinus).
AB  - Sperm quality has an important role in determining fertility. The aims of this
      study were to compare the conventional sperm parameters, plus the characteristics
      of the motility patterns of the different sperm subpopulations, of donkey donors
      with different fertility level, and to determine their relationships to
      fertility. Thirty ejaculates from 6 Andalusian donkeys were assessed for gel-free
      volume, pH, sperm concentration, motility and morphology. The fertility of
      donkeys was classified on the basis of pregnancy rates per cycle, where donkeys
      with a per cycle pregnancy rate >=60% were considered to be "fertile" (n=3) and
      those with a per cycle pregnancy rate <40% were categorized to be "sub-fertile"
      (n=3). Significant differences (P<0.001) between the "fertile" and the "sub
      fertile" group were found for total and progressive motility, and for straight
      line velocity. Sperm variables associated (P<0.05) with an increase in percent
      pregnant per cycle included total motility (r=0.37), progressive motility
      (r=0.53), curvilinear velocity (r=0.44), straightness (r=0.39), beat cross
      frequency (r=0.44), and gel-free volume (r=0.53). Four sperm subpopulations (sP)
      were identified in fresh semen: sP1 (slow and non-progressive spermatozoa, 20%),
      sP2 (moderately slow but progressive spermatozoa, 71.2%), sP3 (highly active but
      non-progressive spermatozoa, 2.9%), and sP4 (highly active and progressive
      spermatozoa, 5.9%). The lowest percentage (3.1%; P<0.001) of sP4 spermatozoa was
      observed in the "sub-fertile" group. Three of the sperm subpopulations were
      related (P<0.05) to fertility (sP2, r=0.54; sP3, r=0.45; sP4, r=0.56). In
      conclusion, we were able to relate the fertility of donkeys with in vitro
      measures of sperm motility using computer-assisted sperm analysis techniques. 

PMID- 24210877
TI  - The research of nanoparticles as gene vector for tumor gene therapy.
AB  - With the development of molecular biology, the application of the gene therapy
      becomes a tendency in the development of oncotherapy. The gene therapy has been
      acknowledged as the major progress of modern medicine, also a focus in the
      oncotherapy research. Commonly vectors of the gene therapy mainly include two
      categories, namely, viral vectors and nonviral vectors. Nanoparticles gene vector
      of various different kinds of materials, which belong to non-viral carriers. It
      presents excellent abilities of adsorption, concentration and protection of DNA,
      which can be attributed as a main reason of the adsorption and operation of nano
      gene vector on exogenous genes. In this article, we mainly reviewed the recent
      studies of the characteristics of nanoparticles, characteristics and transport
      mechanism of nanoparticles as gene vector, the progress on nanoparticles as gene
      vector in tumor gene therapy. Nano-gene vectors, as new drug and gene carriers,
      present characteristics such as the controlled-release, targeting, and the
      improvement of bioavailability. Nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy have
      evolved rapidly during the last decade and it is expected that more and more will
      become clinical practise. In the near future, as a new nanometer gene delivery
      vector will be in medical research and treatment play a bigger role. 

PMID- 24210878
TI  - The positive effects of the revised milk and cheese allowances in the special
      supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
AB  - In 2009, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
      Children (WIC) implemented revisions to the WIC food packages. Milk and cheese
      allowances were reduced, and whole milk was disallowed for participants older
      than 23 months. Using a pre-post research design and scanner data from a New
      England supermarket chain on purchases of WIC households, this article assesses
      how the new WIC packages affected milk and cheese purchases and saturated fat
      intake among WIC households in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Milk and cheese
      volume purchased by 515 WIC households in Connecticut was compared before and
      after the WIC revisions (2009-2010) using generalized estimating equation models.
      Analysis for Massachusetts was descriptive. After implementation of the new WIC
      packages in Connecticut, whole-milk share declined from about 60% to 25% in WIC
      milk purchases, but remained flat at about 50% for purchases with non-WIC funds.
      Total milk volume fell by 14.2% (P<0.001), whole milk by half (P<0.001), and WIC
      eligible cheese by 37.2% (P<0.001). Restrictions on whole milk shifted WIC
      purchases to reduced-fat milk in Connecticut and low-fat milk in Massachusetts,
      where reduced-fat milk is not permitted by WIC. The amounts of saturated fat from
      purchased milk and cheese declined by 85 g/month per WIC household in Connecticut
      and 107 g/month in Massachusetts. The 2009 WIC revisions led to a substantial
      decrease in purchases of whole milk and cheese among WIC families in New England.
      The related reduction in saturated fat intake could have important public health
      implications. 

PMID- 24210880
TI  - Physical fitness in pre-registration nursing students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nurses are ideally placed to deliver health promotion interventions,
      including physical fitness, however evidence suggests that nurses themselves are
      failing to engage in healthy lifestyles; this in turn making them less likely to
      promote health. It would appear that some nurses are allowing their own values,
      beliefs and behaviours to hinder this role. We propose these nurses are in breach
      of the Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) code. Currently nurses self declare their
      fitness to practice through the NMC, however self-monitoring has been criticized
      for its lack of reliability. Recruitment of student nurses in the UK does not
      currently assess physical fitness levels in line with other professionals such as
      the armed forces, police or fire service. Over half the nursing workforce is now
      overweight or obese, with alarming levels of inactivity. Physical activity
      positively correlates with motivation, wellbeing, coping and positive attitude.
      These attributes in turn impact on employability, retention and absence. This
      article explores promoting health, focussing on physical activity and discusses
      innovative ideas to promote physical activity within the nursing Curricula.

PMID- 24210879
TI  - 320-Row wide volume CT significantly reduces density heterogeneity observed in
      the descending aorta: comparisons with 64-row helical CT.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare density heterogeneity on wide volume (WV)
      scans with that on helical CT scans. 22 subjects underwent chest CT using 320-WV
      and 64-helical modes. Density heterogeneity of the descending aorta was evaluated
      quantitatively and qualitatively. At qualitative assessment, the heterogeneity
      was judged to be smaller on WV scans than on helical scans (p<0.0001). Mean
      changes in aortic density between two contiguous slices were 1.64 HU (3.40%) on
      WV scans and 2.29 HU (5.19%) on helical scans (p<0.0001). CT density of thoracic
      organs is more homogeneous and reliable on WV scans than on helical scans.

PMID- 24210881
TI  - Experiencing everyday ethics in context: frontline data collectors perspectives
      and practices of bioethics.
AB  - Data collectors play a vital role in producing scientific knowledge. They are
      also an important component in understanding the practice of bioethics. Yet, very
      little attention has been given to their everyday experiences or the context in
      which they are expected to undertake these tasks. This paper argues that while
      there has been extensive philosophical attention given to 'the what' and 'the
      why' in bioethics - what action is taken place and why - these should be
      considered along 'the who' - who are the individuals tasked with bioethics and
      what can their insights bring to macro-level and abstract discussions of
      bioethics. This paper will draw on the philosophical theories of Paul Ricoeur
      which compliments a sociological examination of data collectors experiences and
      use of their agency coupled with a concern for contextual and institutional
      factors in which they worked. In emphasising everyday experiences and contexts, I
      will argue that data collectors' practice of bioethics was shaped by their
      position at the frontline of face-to-face interactions with medical research
      participants and community members, alongside their own personal ethical values
      and motivations. Institutional interpretations of bioethics also imposed certain
      parameters on their bioethical practice but these were generally peripheral to
      their sense of obligation and the expectations conferred in witnessing the needs
      and suffering of those they encountered during their quotidian research duties.
      This paper will demonstrate that although the principle of autonomy has dominated
      discussions of bioethics and gaining informed consent seen as a central facet of
      ethical research by many research institutions, for data collectors this
      principle was seldom the most important marker of their ethical practice.
      Instead, data collectors were concerned with remedying the dilemmas they
      encountered through enacting their own interpretations of justice and beneficence
      and imposing their own agency on the circumstances they experienced. Their
      practice of bioethics demonstrates their contribution to the conduct of research
      and the shortcomings of an over-emphasis on autonomy. 

PMID- 24210882
TI  - Challenging resistance mechanisms to therapies for metastatic melanoma.
AB  - Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and, if spread outside the
      epidermis, has a dismal prognosis. Before the approval of the anti-cytotoxic T
      lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibody ipilimumab and the
      BRAF inhibitors vemurafenib and dabrafenib, no other agents had demonstrated
      better results in terms of overall survival than the DNA-methylating compound
      dacarbazine (or its oral analog temozolomide). However, most patients with
      metastatic melanoma do not obtain long-lasting clinical benefit from ipilimumab
      and responses to BRAF inhibitors are short lived. Thus, combination therapies
      with inhibitors of DNA repair (e.g., poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase [PARP]
      inhibitors), novel immunomodulators (monoclonal antibodies against programmed
      death-1 [PD-1] or its ligand PD-L1), targeted therapies (mitogen-activated
      protein kinase [MAPK]/extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK] kinase [MEK] or
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K]/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR]
      inhibitors) or antiangiogenic agents are currently being investigated to improve
      the efficacy of antimelanoma therapies. This review discusses the implications of
      simultaneously targeting key regulators of melanoma cell proliferation/survival
      and immune responses to counteract resistance. 

PMID- 24210883
TI  - Dendritic cell immunoreceptor: a novel receptor for intravenous immunoglobulin
      mediates induction of regulatory T cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a polyclonal IgG preparation
      with potent immunomodulating properties. Our laboratory demonstrated that IVIg
      significantly increases numbers of forkhead box protein 3-positive regulatory T
      (Treg) cells through generation of tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) in an
      allergic airways disease model. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate potential
      receptors on DCs mediating these events. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were either
      sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneally or through adoptive transfer of
      OVA-primed DCs and then challenged with intranasal OVA. IVIg was fractionated
      into sialic acid-enriched IVIg (SA-IVIg) and sialic acid-depleted IVIg (non-SA
      IVIg). Dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) constructs in CHO cells or on DCs
      were examined by using fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS:
      Administration of SA-IVIg, but not non-SA-IVIg, to OVA-sensitized and OVA
      challenged mice induced Treg cells and attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness
      (AHR) and inflammation comparably with IVIg. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells
      cultured with SA-IVIg or IVIg adoptively transferred to mice before OVA challenge
      induced Treg cells and inhibited AHR. IVIg-treated bone marrow-derived dendritic
      cells from Fcgamma receptor knockout mice inhibited AHR, suggesting IVIg's action
      was not caused by Fcgamma receptor-mediated events. Fluorescently labeled IVIg or
      SA-IVIg bound DCs and colocalized specifically to the C-type lectin DCIR. IVIg
      binding to DCIR induced phosphorylation of Src homology domain 2-containing
      protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP) 2 and Src homology domain 2-containing
      inositol phosphatase 1 (SHIP-1) and internalization of IVIg into DCs. Inhibition
      of IVIg binding to DCIR by small interfering RNA completely blocked induction of
      Treg cells. Inhibition of SHP-2 or abrogation of IgG internalization through
      clatherin inhibitors rendered IVIg ineffective. CONCLUSIONS: IVIg alleviates
      allergic airways disease through interaction of SA-IgG with DCIR. DCIR is a novel
      receptor for IVIg, mediating interaction of innate and adaptive immunity in
      tolerogenic responses.

PMID- 24210884
TI  - Increased expression of bronchial epithelial transient receptor potential
      vanilloid 1 channels in patients with severe asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The airway epithelium is exposed to a range of physical and chemical
      irritants in the environment that are known to trigger asthma. Transient receptor
      potential (TRP) cation channels play a central role in sensory responses to
      noxious physical and chemical stimuli. Recent genetic evidence suggests an
      involvement of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), one member of
      the vanilloid subfamily of TRP channels, in the pathophysiology of asthma. The
      functional expression of TRPV1 on airway epithelium has yet to be elucidated.
      OBJECTIVE: In this study we examined the molecular, functional, and
      immunohistochemical expression of TRPV1 in asthmatic and healthy airways.
      METHODS: Bronchial biopsy specimens and bronchial brushings were obtained from
      healthy volunteers (n = 18), patients with mild-to-moderate asthma (n = 24), and
      patients with refractory asthma (n = 22). Cultured primary bronchial epithelial
      cells from patients with mild asthma (n = 4), nonasthmatic coughers (n = 4), and
      healthy subjects (n = 4) were studied to investigate the functional role of
      TRPV1. RESULTS: Quantitative immunohistochemistry revealed significantly more
      TRPV1 expression in asthmatic patients compared with healthy subjects, with the
      greatest expression in patients with refractory asthma (P = .001). PCR and
      Western blotting analysis confirmed gene and protein expression of TRPV1 in
      cultured primary bronchial epithelial cells. Patch-clamp electrophysiology
      directly confirmed functional TRPV1 expression in all 3 groups. In functional
      assays the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin induced dose-dependent IL-8 release, which
      could be blocked by the antagonist capsazepine. Reduction of external pH from 7.4
      to 6.4 activated a capsazepine-sensitive outwardly rectifying membrane current.
      CONCLUSIONS: Functional TRPV1 channels are present in the human airway epithelium
      and overexpressed in the airways of patients with refractory asthma. These
      channels might represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of
      uncontrolled asthma.

PMID- 24210885
TI  - Molecular and phenotypic abnormalities of B lymphocytes in patients with Wiskott
      Aldrich syndrome.

PMID- 24210886
TI  - Brain natriuretic peptide at discharge as a predictor of 6-month mortality in
      acute decompensated heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is well established in detecting
      acute decompensation of heart failure (ADHF). The role of BNP at discharge in
      predicting mortality is less established. Accumulating evidence suggests that
      inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the development of heart
      failure. We aimed to examine the contribution of BNP, interleukin 6, and
      procalcitonin to mortality in ADHF. METHODS: A cohort of 33 patients with ADHF
      was identified between March 2009 and June 2010 at Rambam Health Care Campus,
      Haifa, Israel. The cohort was followed up for all-cause mortality during 6 months
      after hospital discharge. Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the
      association between BNP, interleukin-6 and procalcitonin and all-cause mortality.
      RESULTS: As compared to BNP at admission, BNP at discharge was more predictive
      for all-cause mortality. The area under the curve for BNP at admission and
      discharge was 0.810 (P=.004) and 0.864 (P=.001) respectively. Eleven patients
      (33.3%) patients who died during the follow-up period had higher BNP levels,
      median 2031.4 (IQR, 1173.4-2707.2), than those who survived; median 692.5 (IQR,
      309.9-1159.9), (P = .001). On multivariate analysis, BNP remained an independent
      predictor for 6 month all-cause mortality HR 9.58 (95% CI, 2.0-45.89) for levels
      above the median compared to lower levels, (P=.005). Albumin, procalcitonin and
      interleukin 6 were not associated with all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: BNP at
      discharge is an independent predictor for all-cause mortality in patients with
      ADHF. Compared with BNP at admission, BNP at discharge has slightly higher
      predictive accuracy with regard to 6-month all-cause mortality.

PMID- 24210887
TI  - Association between mean arterial blood gas tension and outcome in cardiac arrest
      patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the relationship between blood gas tension and
      outcome in cardiac arrest survivors have reported conflicting results. This might
      have resulted from the use of a blood gas value at a single time point and the
      difference in the proportion of patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia
      (TH). We investigated the association of the mean blood gas tensions calculated
      from blood gas values obtained between restoration of spontaneous circulation and
      end of TH with the outcome in cardiac arrest patients treated with TH. METHODS:
      This was a retrospective observational study including 213 adult cardiac arrest
      patients. The cohort was divided into four categories based on the distribution
      of the mean Pao2 data using quartiles as cut-off values between categories.
      According to the mean Paco2, the cohort was divided into hypocarbia, normocarbia,
      and hypercarbia. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In
      multivariate analysis, the mean Pao2 quartile was not associated with in-hospital
      mortality, but hypocarbia was significantly associated with increased risk of in
      hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.522; 95% confidence interval 1.184-5.372; P =
      .016). We found a V-shaped independent association between the mean Pao2 and poor
      neurologic outcome at hospital discharge, with the risk of poor neurologic
      outcome increasing with a descending and ascending Pao2 ranges. CONCLUSION: Mean
      Pao2 had no independent association with in-hospital mortality whereas hypocarbia
      was independently associated with in-hospital mortality. We also found a V-shaped
      independent association between the mean Pao2 and poor neurologic outcome at
      hospital discharge.

PMID- 24210888
TI  - Stress-related cardiomyopathy, ventricular dysfunction, artery thrombosis: a
      hidden pheochromocytoma.
AB  - Clinical presentation of pheochromocytoma can vary, and it can sometimes mimic
      other diseases. Some patients with pheochromocytoma may have atypical
      presentations, such as clinical features consistent with an acute coronary
      syndrome, that only later suggest a classical picture of stress-related
      cardiomyopathy. To our best knowledge, pheochromocytoma has been incidentally
      revealed in a few cases of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy and in only 1
      case of peripheral arterial thrombosis. This is the first case of
      pheochromocytoma revealed after left ventricular dysfunction caused by stress
      related cardiomyopathy associated with inferior limb artery thrombosis in a
      patient with a complex cardiovascular history.

PMID- 24210889
TI  - Quality of chest compressions during compression-only CPR: a comparative analysis
      following the 2005 and 2010 American Heart Association guidelines.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The latest guidelines both increased the requirements of chest
      compression rate and depth during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which may
      make it more difficult for the rescuer to provide high-quality chest compression.
      In this study, we investigated the quality of chest compressions during
      compression-only CPR under the latest 2010 American Heart Association (AHA)
      guidelines (AHA 2010) and its effect on rescuer fatigue. METHODS: Eighty-six
      undergraduate volunteers were randomly assigned to perform CPR according to the
      2005 AHA guidelines (AHA 2005) or AHA 2010. After the training course and
      theoretical examination of basic life support, eight min of compression-only CPR
      performance was assessed. The quality of chest compressions including rate and
      depth of compression was analyzed. The rescuer fatigue was evaluated by the
      changes of heart rate and blood lactate, and rating of perceived exertion.
      RESULTS: Thirty-nine participants in the AHA 2005 group and 42 participants in
      the AHA 2010 group completed the study. Significantly greater mean chest
      compression depth and compression rate were both achieved in the AHA 2010 group
      than in the AHA 2005 group. And significantly greater rescuer fatigue was
      observed in the AHA 2010 group. In addition, the female in the AHA 2010 group
      could perform the compression rate required by the guidelines, however,
      significantly shallower compression depth and greater rescuer fatigue were
      observed when compared to the male. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of chest
      compressions was significantly improved following the 2010 AHA guidelines,
      however, it's more difficult for the rescuer to meet the guidelines due to the
      increased fatigue of rescuer.

PMID- 24210890
TI  - Halogenated phenolic compound determination in plasma and serum by solid phase
      extraction, dansylation derivatization and liquid chromatography-positive
      electrospray ionization-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry.
AB  - A robust, sensitive and accurate method was developed for the simultaneous
      determination in plasma and serum of suite a halogenated phenolic compounds
      (HPCs) for which several are known to persist in the environment and analytically
      pure standards are available. Namely, 14 congeners of hydroxylated polybrominated
      diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs), six congeners of hydroxylated polychlorinated
      biphenyls (OH-PCBs), pentachlorophenol, pentabromophenol and the flame retardant
      tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). Solid phase extraction (SPE) enriched the target
      compounds and cleaned up the samples as a result of efficient adsorption on a
      strong anion-exchange solid phase SPE cartridge (Oasis MAX). After final clean-up
      the HPCs were derivatized with dansyl chloride and analyzed by liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in positive
      mode (ESI(+)). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Luna PFP(2) column
      (2mm*100mm, 3MUm particle size) with mobile phases of water and acetonitrile
      (both containing 0.1% formic acid). The addition of the dansyl moiety to the HPCs
      greatly improved analyte sensitivity as the electrospray ionization efficiency
      was enhanced. Instrument limits of detection (ILODs) for LC-ESI(+)-MS/MS analysis
      of the HPCs were in the range of 0.01-0.07ng/mL and the method limits of
      quantification (MLOQs) were in the range of 0.02-0.15ng/g. Recovery efficiencies
      of the suite of HPCs ranged from 64% to 118% with relative standard deviations
      from 2% to 12% from fortified bovine serum samples. The method was successfully
      applied for HPC determination in representative polar bear and snapping turtle
      plasma samples. 

PMID- 24210891
TI  - High performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering
      detection for the characterisation of a vesicular delivery system during
      stability studies.
AB  - A normal phase high performance liquid chromatography method with evaporative
      light scattering detection was developed for the simultaneous quantification of
      the lipid constituents of a non-ionic surfactant vesicle (NIV) delivery system
      consisting of tetra-ethylene glycol mono n-hexadecyl ether, cholesterol and
      dicetyl phosphate. An accelerated stability study performed at 25 degrees C/60%
      relative humidity (RH) and 40 degrees C/75% RH indicated that the NIV were
      chemically stable. Similar results were observed when stored at 4 degrees C for
      469 days. This chromatographic method developed is a sensitive, robust and high
      throughput analytical technique that offers the potential for rapid
      quantification of lipids in liposomal and vesicular systems. The results of the
      chromatographic studies were supported by parallel size and zeta potential
      measurements. 

PMID- 24210892
TI  - Monolithic graphene fibers for solid-phase microextraction.
AB  - Monolithic graphene fibers for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) were fabricated
      through a dimensionally confined hydrothermal strategy and their extraction
      performance was evaluated. For the fiber fabrication, a glass pipeline was
      innovatively used as a hydrothermal reactor instead of a Teflon-lined autoclave.
      Compared with conventional methods for SPME fibers, the proposed strategy can
      fabricate a uniform graphene fiber as long as several meters or more at a time.
      Coupled to capillary gas chromatography (GC), the monolithic graphene fibers in a
      direct-immersion (DI) mode achieved higher extraction efficiencies for aromatics
      than those for n-alkanes, especially for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
      thanks to pi-pi stacking interaction and hydrophobic effect. Additionally, the
      fibers exhibited excellent durability and can be repetitively used more than 160
      times without significant loss of extraction performance. As a result, an optimum
      extraction condition of 40 degrees C for 50min with 20% NaCl (w/w) was finally
      used for SPME of PAHs in aqueous samples. For the determination of PAHs in water
      samples, the proposed DI-SPME-GC method exhibited linear range of 0.05-200MUg/L,
      limits of detection (LOD) of 4.0-50ng/L, relative standard deviation (RSD) less
      than 9.4% and 12.1% for one fiber and different fibers, respectively, and
      recoveries of 78.9-115.9%. The proposed method can be used for analysis of PAHs
      in environmental water samples. 

PMID- 24210893
TI  - Telepulmonology: effect on quality and efficiency of care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interpreting spirometry results has proven challenging in primary
      care practice, among others potentially leading to under- and misdiagnosis of
      COPD. In telepulmonology a general practitioner (GP) digitally consults a
      pulmonologist to support the interpretation of spirometry results. This study
      assessed the effect of telepulmonology on quality and efficiency of care.
      METHODS: Quality of care was measured by five indicators, among others the
      percentage of TelePulmonology Consultations (TPCs) sent by GPs for advice,
      percentage of those TPCs resulting in a physical referral, and educational effect
      of telepulmonology as experienced by GPs. Efficiency was defined as the
      percentage of prevented unnecessary physical referrals of patients to the
      pulmonologist. RESULTS: Between April 2009 and November 2012 1.958 TPCs were sent
      by 158 GPs to 32 pulmonologists. Sixty-nine percent of the TPCs were sent for
      advice. Based on the advice of the pulmonologist 18% of these TPCs led to a
      physical referral of patients who would not have been referred without
      telepulmonology. Thirty-one percent of the TPCs were intended to prevent a
      physical referral, 68% of these actually prevented a physical referral to a
      pulmonologist. CONCLUSION: The results show telepulmonology can contribute to
      quality of care by supporting GPs and can additionally prevent unnecessary
      physical referrals.

PMID- 24210894
TI  - Targeting and mimicking collagens via triple helical peptide assembly.
AB  - As the major structural component of the extracellular matrix, collagen plays a
      crucial role in tissue development and regeneration. Since structural and
      metabolic abnormalities of collagen are associated with numerous debilitating
      diseases and pathologic conditions, the ability to target collagens of diseased
      tissues could lead to new diagnostics and therapeutics. Collagen is also a
      natural biomaterial widely used in drug delivery and tissue engineering, and
      construction of synthetic collagen-like materials is gaining interests in the
      biomaterials community. The unique triple helical structure of collagen has been
      explored for targeting collagen strands, and for engineering collagen-like
      functional assemblies and conjugates. This review focuses on the forefront of
      research activities in the use of the collagen mimetic peptide for both targeting
      and mimicking collagens via its triple helix mediated strand hybridization and
      higher order assembly. 

PMID- 24210895
TI  - Mass spectrometric quantification of L-arginine and its pathway related
      substances in biofluids: the road to maturity.
AB  - The amino acid L-arginine together with its metabolites and related substances is
      in the center of many biologically important pathways, especially the urea cycle
      and the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Therefore, the concentrations of these
      substances in various biological fluids are of great interest as predictive
      markers for health and disease. Yet, they provide major analytical difficulties
      as they are very polar in nature and therefore not easily to be separated on
      standard reversed phase HPLC stationary phases. Furthermore, as endogenous
      substances, no analyte-free matrix is available, a fact that results in
      complicated calibration procedures. This review evaluates the analytical
      literature for the determination of L-arginine, symmetric dimethylarginine,
      asymmetric dimethylarginine, monomethylarginine, L-citrulline, L-ornithine, L
      homoarginine, agmatine and dimethylguanidinovaleric acid in biological fluids.
      Papers are discussed, which were published since 2007 and describe methods
      applying capillary electrophoresis (CE), gas chromatography (GC), reversed phase
      HPLC or polar phase HPLC, coupled to mass spectrometric quantification. Nowadays,
      many carefully developed and validated methods for L-arginine and its related
      substances are available to the scientific community. The use of stable isotope
      labeled internal standards enables high precision and accuracy in mass
      spectrometry-based quantitative analysis. 

PMID- 24210896
TI  - Skeletal stability of bioresorbable fixation in orthognathic surgery: a systemic
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the past 20 years, there has been an increase in the use of
      bioresorbable fixation system in orthognathic surgery, but concerns remain about
      the stability of fixation. This review is to seek evidence for the effectiveness
      of bioresorbable fixation systems compared to titanium systems used for
      orthognathic surgery. METHODS: A systematic review of the scientific literature
      listed on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Systemic Reviews and
      Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed, up to December
      2012. RESULTS: Twenty articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion
      criteria: five RCTs and fifteen prospective. We compared these studies, published
      between 1997 and 2012 and involving 1092 participants examining skeletal
      stability of bioresorbable fixation in orthognathic surgery. CONCLUSION: This
      review found that the published data have shown that bioresorbable fixation
      systems produce reliable skeletal stability.

PMID- 24210897
TI  - The prevalence of chronic health conditions impacting on daily functioning and
      the association with emotional well-being among a national sample of high school
      students.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aims to describe the prevalence of self-reported chronic
      health conditions among high school students in New Zealand, the extent to which
      the condition impacts on their activities and socialization, and to explore the
      association between the level of impact of the illness or disability and the
      emotional well-being of students with chronic health conditions. METHODS: A two
      stage cluster sample of 9,107 students (Years 9-13) from 96 New Zealand high
      schools participated in a 2007 health survey using internet tablets. Students
      were asked about any chronic illness or disabilities lasting more than 6 months,
      the impact of the illness or disabilities on their daily activities and
      socialization, and their depressive symptoms (RADS-SF) and emotional well-being
      (WHO-5). RESULTS: Almost one in five students (18%) reported a chronic health
      condition. Among them, 28% reported an impact of their illness or disability on
      their activities, and 8% reported an impact on their ability to socialize. High
      levels of depressive symptoms were found among students with chronic health
      conditions reporting that their illness or disability impacts their activities
      (18%) or their ability to socialize (40%), and this was significantly higher than
      among students without chronic health conditions (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      suggest that there is a large group of adolescents with chronic health conditions
      for whom their illness or disability has an impact on their daily activities and
      ability to socialize with their peers. These students are more likely to
      experience emotional distress and require support and opportunities for healthy
      youth development.

PMID- 24210898
TI  - Preventing adolescent alcohol use: effects of a two-year quasi-experimental
      community intervention intensifying formal and informal control.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the effect on adolescent alcohol use of a community
      intervention combining intensified formal control (restricting retail supply) and
      informal control (restricting social supply). Intervention effects on
      intermediate intervention goals were investigated. Analyses for different age
      groups were performed. METHODS: A longitudinal quasi-experimental design
      (baseline at 2008, plus two yearly post-measurements) was used, including one
      intervention and one matched-comparison community in The Netherlands. We assessed
      outcomes by observing 1,368 Dutch adolescents aged 13-15 years at baseline. Main
      dependent variables were weekly drinking status and progression into drunkenness
      among weekly drinkers. Additional dependent variables were formal control
      intermediate intervention goals (frequency of alcohol purchases and perceived
      ease of purchasing alcohol) and informal control intermediate intervention goals
      (frequency of alcohol-specific rules and parental alcohol supply). RESULTS:
      Survival analyses showed no significant reduction in the risk of drinking weekly
      for adolescents in the intervention region; however, the risk of progressing into
      drunkenness was reduced by 15% (p = .04) for adolescents drinking weekly. No
      intervention effects on the intermediate intervention goals were found among 14-
      and 15-year-olds. The intervention had a positive effect on two of four
      intermediate intervention goals (i.e., parental alcohol supply and alcohol
      specific rules) among 13-year-olds. CONCLUSIONS: A combined formal and informal
      community intervention package is associated with a reduced risk of progressing
      into drunkenness among drinking adolescents. Interventions focusing on
      discouraging drinking below a certain age might cause a greater increase in the
      frequency of purchasing alcohol once reaching this age.

PMID- 24210899
TI  - Adolescent use of the emergency department instead of the primary care provider:
      who, why, and how urgent?
AB  - PURPOSE: Adolescents frequently rely on emergency medical care, rather than using
      primary care providers (PCPs). Our objectives were to characterize a population
      of adolescents presenting to a large, urban emergency department (ED) and to
      examine the reasons why they present to the ED, rather than to their PCP's
      office. METHODS: Adolescents ages 12 to 21 years and their parents/guardians were
      invited to participate and asked to complete a brief online survey. Demographic
      data and triage information were collected from electronic medical records.
      RESULTS: Of 203 participants, 66% (n = 134) had public insurance, and 40% (n =
      82) were triaged as nonurgent. Nearly all (93%, n = 189) reported having a PCP or
      primary clinic. The most common reasons given for presenting to the ED were
      participant perception of illness requiring immediate care (34%), followed by PCP
      referral to the ED (21%). Those with public insurance (odds ratio = 4.44; 95% CI
      2.01 to 9.81) or no insurance/unknown insurance status (odds ratio = 4.77; 95% CI
      1.34 to 17.01) were more likely to be triaged as nonurgent than those with
      private insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Many adolescents in this study were triaged as
      nonurgent, with several participants perceiving they were acutely ill requiring
      immediate physician care. Further analyses revealed that private insurance was
      significantly associated with urgent triage status. Future studies could educate
      adolescents and families about appropriate use of the ED or examine PCP offices
      directly to determine practices for phone triage and ED referrals of adolescents.

PMID- 24210900
TI  - Sinonasal manifestations of cystic fibrosis: a correlation between genotype and
      phenotype?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with Cystic Fibrosis are prone to develop sinonasal disease.
      Studies in genotype-phenotype correlations for sinonasal disease are scarce and
      inconclusive. METHODS: In this observational study several aspects of sinonasal
      disease were investigated in 104 adult patients with CF. In each patient a
      disease specific quality of life questionnaire (RSOM-31), nasal endoscopy and a
      CT scan of the paranasal sinuses were performed. Patients were divided into two
      groups, class I-III mutations and class IV-V mutations, based on their CFTR
      mutations. RESULTS: The prevalence of rhinosinusitis in adult patients with CF
      was 63% and the prevalence of nasal polyps 25%. Patients with class I-III
      mutations had significantly smaller frontal sinuses, sphenoid sinuses, more
      opacification in the sinonasal area and more often osteitis/neoosteogenesis of
      the maxillary sinus wall compared to patients with class IV and V mutations.
      CONCLUSION: These data suggest more severe sinonasal disease in patients with
      class I-III mutations compared to patients with class IV-V mutations.

PMID- 24210901
TI  - Manipulating sleep spindles--expanding views on sleep, memory, and disease.
AB  - Sleep spindles are distinctive electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillations
      emerging during non-rapid-eye-movement sleep (NREMS) that have been implicated in
      multiple brain functions, including sleep quality, sensory gating, learning, and
      memory. Despite considerable knowledge about the mechanisms underlying these
      neuronal rhythms, their function remains poorly understood and current views are
      largely based on correlational evidence. Here, we review recent studies in humans
      and rodents that have begun to broaden our understanding of the role of spindles
      in the normal and disordered brain. We show that newly identified molecular
      substrates of spindle oscillations, in combination with evolving technological
      progress, offer novel targets and tools to selectively manipulate spindles and
      dissect their role in sleep-dependent processes. 

PMID- 24210902
TI  - Role of adipokines and cytokines in obesity-associated breast cancer: therapeutic
      targets.
AB  - Obesity is the cause of a large proportion of breast cancer incidences and
      mortality in post-menopausal women. In obese people, elevated levels of various
      growth factors such as insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are found.
      Elevated insulin level leads to increased secretion of estrogen by binding to the
      circulating sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). The increased estrogen-mediated
      downstream signaling favors breast carcinogenesis. Obesity leads to altered
      expression profiles of various adipokines and cytokines including leptin,
      adiponectin, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. The increased levels of leptin and
      decreased adiponectin secretion are directly associated with breast cancer
      development. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines within the tumor
      microenvironment promote tumor development. Efficacy of available breast cancer
      drugs against obesity-associated breast cancer is yet to be confirmed. In this
      review, we will discuss different adipokine- and cytokine-mediated molecular
      signaling pathways involved in obesity-associated breast cancer, available
      therapeutic strategies and potential therapeutic targets for obesity-associated
      breast cancer. 

PMID- 24210903
TI  - Non-invasive prenatal testing for Down syndrome.
AB  - Prenatal screening and diagnosis of Down syndrome and other major aneuploidies
      may be transformed following the identification of cell-free fetal DNA in
      maternal plasma at the end of the last millennium. Next generation sequencing has
      enabled the development of tests that accurately predict the presence of fetal
      trisomies by analysis of cell-free DNA in maternal blood from as early as 10
      weeks of gestation. These tests are now widely available in the commercial sector
      but are yet to be implemented in publicly led health services. In this article we
      discuss the technical, social, and ethical challenges that these new tests bring.

PMID- 24210905
TI  - Encoding of mixtures in a simple olfactory system.
AB  - Natural odors are usually mixtures; yet, humans and animals can experience them
      as unitary percepts. Olfaction also enables stimulus categorization and
      generalization. We studied how these computations are performed with the
      responses of 168 locust antennal lobe projection neurons (PNs) to varying
      mixtures of two monomolecular odors, and of 174 PNs and 209 mushroom body Kenyon
      cells (KCs) to mixtures of up to eight monomolecular odors. Single-PN responses
      showed strong hypoadditivity and population trajectories clustered by odor
      concentration and mixture similarity. KC responses were much sparser on average
      than those of PNs and often signaled the presence of single components in
      mixtures. Linear classifiers could read out the responses of both populations in
      single time bins to perform odor identification, categorization, and
      generalization. Our results suggest that odor representations in the mushroom
      body may result from competing optimization constraints to facilitate
      memorization (sparseness) while enabling identification, classification, and
      generalization. 

PMID- 24210904
TI  - Reelin mobilizes a VAMP7-dependent synaptic vesicle pool and selectively augments
      spontaneous neurotransmission.
AB  - Reelin is a glycoprotein that is critical for proper layering of neocortex during
      development as well as dynamic regulation of glutamatergic postsynaptic signaling
      in mature synapses. Here, we show that Reelin also acts presynaptically,
      resulting in robust rapid enhancement of spontaneous neurotransmitter release
      without affecting properties of evoked neurotransmission. This effect of Reelin
      requires a modest but significant increase in presynaptic Ca(2+) initiated via
      ApoER2 signaling. The specificity of Reelin action on spontaneous
      neurotransmitter release is encoded at the level of vesicular SNARE machinery as
      it requires VAMP7 and SNAP-25 but not synaptobrevin2, VAMP4, or vti1a. These
      results uncover a presynaptic regulatory pathway that utilizes the heterogeneity
      of synaptic vesicle-associated SNAREs and selectively augments action potential
      independent neurotransmission. 

PMID- 24210906
TI  - Regulation of axon degeneration after injury and in development by the endogenous
      calpain inhibitor calpastatin.
AB  - Axon degeneration is widespread both in neurodegenerative disease and in normal
      neural development, but the molecular pathways regulating these degenerative
      processes and the extent to which they are distinct or overlapping remain
      incompletely understood. We report that calpastatin, an inhibitor of calcium
      activated proteases of the calpain family, functions as a key endogenous
      regulator of axon degeneration. Calpastatin depletion was observed in
      degenerating axons after physical injury, and maintaining calpastatin inhibited
      degeneration of transected axons in vitro and in the optic nerve in vivo.
      Calpastatin depletion also occurred in a caspase-dependent manner in trophic
      factor-deprived sensory axons and was required for this in vitro model of
      developmental degeneration. In vivo, calpastatin regulated the normal pruning of
      retinal ganglion cell axons in their target field. These findings identify
      calpastatin as a key checkpoint for axonal survival after injury and during
      development, and demonstrate downstream convergence of these distinct pathways of
      axon degeneration. 

PMID- 24210907
TI  - Spike-timing-dependent plasticity in primate corticospinal connections induced
      during free behavior.
AB  - Motor learning and functional recovery from brain damage involve changes in the
      strength of synaptic connections between neurons. Relevant in vivo evidence on
      the underlying cellular mechanisms remains limited and indirect. We found that
      the strength of neural connections between motor cortex and spinal cord in
      monkeys can be modified with an autonomous recurrent neural interface that
      delivers electrical stimuli in the spinal cord triggered by action potentials of
      corticospinal cells during free behavior. The activity-dependent stimulation
      modified the strength of the terminal connections of single corticomotoneuronal
      cells, consistent with a bidirectional spike-timing-dependent plasticity rule
      previously derived from in vitro experiments. For some cells, the changes lasted
      for days after the end of conditioning, but most effects eventually reverted to
      preconditioning levels. These results provide direct evidence of corticospinal
      synaptic plasticity in vivo at the level of single neurons induced by normal
      firing patterns during free behavior. 

PMID- 24210909
TI  - Effects in cattle of genetic variation within the IGF1R gene on the
      superovulation performance and pregnancy rates after embryo transfer.
AB  - The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) is a membrane glycoprotein
      mediating most biological actions of IGF1 and IGF2, and has an important effect
      on ovulation, pre-implantation embryo development and pregnancy rate. The
      objectives of this study were to detect IGF1R gene polymorphisms of cattle and
      analyze the relationship with superovulation performance and pregnancy rates
      after embryo transfer (ET), as well as the hormone concentrations at the day of
      ET. One reported SNP of IGF1R G404T and a novel SNP of IGF1R G399A were analyzed
      in 170 Chinese Holstein donor cows and 118 Luxi recipients cattle. Statistical
      analysis revealed that the G404T mutation was associated (p=0.019) with increased
      ovulation rate and females with this mutation had enhanced performance in
      producing transferable embryos. For the polymorphic locus G399A, recipients with
      g.399 GG and g.399 GA genotypes had greater pregnancy rates after ET than that of
      g.399 AA genotype. Furthermore, the same tendency was observed that the genotype
      groups with greater pregnancy rates had greater progesterone and lesser estrogen
      concentrations, but these did not reach statistical significance. Results of the
      present study showed, for the first time, that the polymorphism in IGF1R is
      associated with superovulation traits, and indicated that the IGFIR gene can be
      used as a potential marker for donor selection. 

PMID- 24210908
TI  - Noncanonical FK506-binding protein BDBT binds DBT to enhance its circadian
      function and forms foci at night.
AB  - The kinase DOUBLETIME is a master regulator of the Drosophila circadian clock,
      yet the mechanisms regulating its activity remain unclear. A proteomic analysis
      of DOUBLETIME interactors led to the identification of an unstudied protein
      designated CG17282. RNAi-mediated knockdown of CG17282 produced behavioral
      arrhythmicity and long periods and high levels of hypophosphorylated nuclear
      PERIOD and phosphorylated DOUBLETIME. Overexpression of DOUBLETIME in flies
      suppresses these phenotypes and overexpression of CG17282 in S2 cells enhances
      DOUBLETIME-dependent PERIOD degradation, indicating that CG17282 stimulates
      DOUBLETIME's circadian function. In photoreceptors, CG17282 accumulates
      rhythmically in PERIOD- and DOUBLETIME-dependent cytosolic foci. Finally,
      structural analyses demonstrated CG17282 is a noncanonical FK506-binding protein
      with an inactive peptide prolyl-isomerase domain that binds DOUBLETIME and
      tetratricopeptide repeats that may promote assembly of larger protein complexes.
      We have named CG17282 BRIDE OF DOUBLETIME and established it as a mediator of
      DOUBLETIME's effects on PERIOD, most likely in cytosolic foci that regulate
      PERIOD nuclear accumulation.

PMID- 24210910
TI  - Effect of cryopreservation and single layer centrifugation on canine sperm DNA
      fragmentation assessed by the sperm chromatin dispersion test.
AB  - The aims of this study were: 1) to assess the effect of freezing and thawing on
      dog sperm DNA fragmentation index (sDFI) using the sperm chromatin dispersion
      test (SCDt); and 2) to determine whether or not the sperm selection by single
      layer centrifugation (SLC) using Androcoll-C improves sperm DNA longevity in SLC
      selected frozen-thawed dog semen samples. Semen samples were collected from 4
      dogs using digital manipulation. After collection, ejaculates were pooled and
      cryopreserved following a standard protocol. Sperm motility and morphology were
      assessed before freezing and after thawing as a control for the cryopreservation
      method used. In experiment 1, sDFI was analyzed immediately before freezing and
      after thawing (baseline values), showing no significant differences between fresh
      and frozen-thawed semen samples. In experiment 2, frozen-thawed semen samples
      were processed or not by SLC using Androcoll-C and longevity of DNA were assessed
      in terms of sDFI after 24h of in vitro incubation at physiological temperature
      (38 degrees C). The results showed low values of sDFI in SLC-selected semen in
      comparison to unselected samples. In conclusion, no effect of cryopreservation
      was observed on baseline values of dog sperm DNA fragmentation. Additionally, SLC
      selection using Androcoll-C improved longevity of frozen-thawed sperm DNA
      assessed by the SCDt. 

PMID- 24210911
TI  - Evaluation of prostate-specific antigen response following cessation of
      abiraterone acetate: is there evidence for a withdrawal syndrome?

PMID- 24210912
TI  - Comparative study of AdVance and AdVanceXP male slings in a tertiary reference
      center.

PMID- 24210913
TI  - Re: Christoph A. Von Klot, Markus A. Kuczyk, Axel S. Merseburger. No androgen
      withdrawal syndrome for enzalutamide: a report of disease dynamics in the
      postchemotherapy setting. Eur Urol 2014;65:258-9: Enzalutamide withdrawal
      syndrome: fact or fiction?

PMID- 24210914
TI  - Rapid construction of sigmoid bladder augmentation using absorbable staples: long
      term results and comparison to standard colocystoplasty in children with
      neurogenic bladder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Absorbable staples facilitate detubularization and reconfiguration of
      the bowel when performing augmentation colocystoplasty. We compared the outcomes
      of stapled sigmoid augmentation with standard sutured colocystoplasty. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2011, 108 children underwent bladder augmentation
      at our institution. Colocystoplasty was used in 30 patients (27.8%). Medical
      charts of children who underwent stapled (n = 8) or sutured (n = 22) sigmoid
      augmentation were compared with regard to patient demographics and surgical
      complications, including anastomotic leak and urolithiasis. RESULTS: Eight
      children with underwent stapled sigmoid colocystoplasty. Average age at surgery
      was 8 years (range 4-17 years). Time to detubularize and refashion the bowel
      segment prior to augmentation was consistently under 5 min. Average length of
      follow-up was 44 months (range 12-80 months). One patient experienced anastomotic
      leak. Two of eight children (25%) in the stapled anastomosis cohort developed
      bladder stones. Twenty-two patients underwent standard sigmoid augmentation
      during the same time period (average age 8.2 years; range 4-16 years). One of 22
      (4.5%) experienced anastomotic leak. Seven of 22 (31.8%) developed
      cystolithiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Complications from stapled sigmoid anastomosis are
      similar to those from standard colocystoplasty. Use of absorbable staples
      decreases operating time by avoiding bowel spatulation and suturing, and should
      be considered in pediatric patients undergoing colocystoplasty.

PMID- 24210915
TI  - Protective effect of esterified glucomannan on aflatoxin-induced changes in
      testicular function, sperm quality, and seminal plasma biochemistry in rams.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aflatoxin (AF) on
      spermatologic, biochemical, and testis parameters in rams, and the protective
      efficiency of esterified glucomannan (EG) co-administered with AF. Thirty-two
      Merino rams (12-14 months old) were used. The experimental design consisted of
      four dietary treatments. The control group was fed commercial feed. The AF group
      was fed with commercial feed plus 250 MUg/d of total AF. The EG group received
      commercial feed plus 2 g/d of EG. The AF + EG group was given commercial feed
      plus 250 MUg/d of total AF and 2 g/d of EG. There were treatment, time, and
      treatment-by-time interaction effects on sperm motility, abnormal spermatozoa,
      damaged acrosome, and dead spermatozoa (P < 0.01). The percentage of motile sperm
      was lower and the percentages of abnormal sperm, sperm with damaged acrosomes,
      and dead sperm were greater in the AF group than in the control, AF+EG, and EG
      groups, as from week 3 until the end of week 12 (P < 0.05). As from week 3,
      hyaluronidase activity in the seminal plasma increased significantly in the AF
      group, compared with the control. The co-administration of AF+EG was found to be
      effective in preventing the increase in hyaluronidase activity. As week 4,
      malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly higher in the AF group compared
      with the control. The combined administration of AF+EG was found to be effective
      in lowering the MDA levels, increased by AF, to the levels measured in the
      control (P < 0.05). Although glutathione (GSH) levels were determined to have
      significantly decreased in the AF group in comparison to the control, it was
      observed that, in the group co-administered with AF and EG, particularly after
      week 7, the GSH levels, which had decreased owing to AF, were largely ameliorated
      (P < 0.05). In conclusion, AF adversely affected spermatologic, biochemical, and
      testis parameters, and the combined administration of EG with AF reversibly
      eliminated these adverse effects in rams. 

PMID- 24210916
TI  - Cryogenic changes in proteases and antiprotease activities of buffalo (Bubalus
      bubalis) and cattle (Bos taurus) semen.
AB  - The postthaw motility and fertility of buffalo and cattle semen is reduced when
      they are cryopreserved for artificial insemination. In the present study, an
      attempt was made to characterize the cryogenic changes in proteases and
      antiprotease activities (APA) of buffalo and cattle semen because these
      proteolysis regulators have been reported to be associated with sperm motility
      and fertility. Buffalo sperm demonstrated at least two major proteases of 45 and
      42 kDa and three minor proteases of 95, 52, and 33 kDa. Similarly, cattle sperm
      demonstrated three major proteases of 62, 45, and 42 kDa and two minor proteases
      of 85 and 78 kDa. Buffalo seminal plasma demonstrated at least three major
      proteases of 78, 68, and 62 kDa and one minor protease of 98 kDa and cattle
      seminal plasma demonstrated one major protease of 68 kDa and two minor proteases
      of 78 and 75 kDa. Except for the 45 kDa protease, most of the previously
      mentioned proteases were found to be metalloproteinases. Compared with fresh
      sperm, cryopreserved buffalo and cattle sperm demonstrated a major protease band
      of 52/49 kDa and the activity of this protease reduced progressively with the
      duration of cryopreservation. On the contrary, compared with the fresh seminal
      plasma, cryopreserved buffalo and cattle semen extenders displayed the presence
      of a new protease band of 45 kDa and demonstrated that this protease activity was
      leaked from buffalo and cattle cryopreserved spermatozoa. Buffalo and cattle
      seminal plasmas displayed at least two major APA of 86 and 26 kDa. Compared with
      buffalo, cattle seminal plasma demonstrated significantly greater APA. Thus, the
      present study demonstrated the presence of an array of proteases and APA in
      buffalo and cattle semen and the activities of which changed during
      cryopreservation. The leakage of the specific protease activity and changes in
      the proteases and APA might be attributed to reduced motility and fertility of
      cryopreserved semen in these species. 

PMID- 24210917
TI  - Risky sexual behaviors: The role of ethnic identity in HIV risk in migrant
      workers.
AB  - Migrant workers have been shown to be at a heightened level of risk for HIV, and
      ethnic identity has been posited to have an impact on engagement in risky sexual
      behaviors. Our longitudinal study examined associations between baseline and
      short-term changes in ethnic identity and high-risk sexual behaviors. Baseline (n
      = 431) and 6-month assessment (n = 270) data were obtained from a larger HIV
      prevention study conducted among African American and Hispanic migrant workers.
      Repeated-measures multivariate analysis of covariance and multiple linear
      regressions were used. Ethnic identity explore, a subscale of ethnic identity,
      was a significant predictor of overall sexual risk [F(8, 422) = 6.953, p < .001]
      and unprotected vaginal acts [F(8, 422) = 8.444, p < .001] at baseline. However,
      ethnic identity had no bearing on changes in risky sexual behaviors. Ethnic
      identity explore was associated with safer sexual behaviors.

PMID- 24210918
TI  - Transcriptome surveillance by selective termination of noncoding RNA synthesis.
AB  - Pervasive transcription of eukaryotic genomes stems to a large extent from
      bidirectional promoters that synthesize mRNA and divergent noncoding RNA (ncRNA).
      Here, we show that ncRNA transcription in the yeast S. cerevisiae is globally
      restricted by early termination that relies on the essential RNA-binding factor
      Nrd1. Depletion of Nrd1 from the nucleus results in 1,526 Nrd1-unterminated
      transcripts (NUTs) that originate from nucleosome-depleted regions (NDRs) and can
      deregulate mRNA synthesis by antisense repression and transcription interference.
      Transcriptome-wide Nrd1-binding maps reveal divergent NUTs at most promoters and
      antisense NUTs in most 3' regions of genes. Nrd1 and its partner Nab3
      preferentially bind RNA motifs that are depleted in mRNAs and enriched in ncRNAs
      and some mRNAs whose synthesis is controlled by transcription attenuation. These
      results define a global mechanism for transcriptome surveillance that selectively
      terminates ncRNA synthesis to provide promoter directionality and to suppress
      antisense transcription. 

PMID- 24210919
TI  - Mtr4-like protein coordinates nuclear RNA processing for heterochromatin assembly
      and for telomere maintenance.
AB  - The regulation of protein-coding and noncoding RNAs is linked to nuclear
      processes, including chromatin modifications and gene silencing. However, the
      mechanisms that distinguish RNAs and mediate their functions are poorly
      understood. We describe a nuclear RNA-processing network in fission yeast with a
      core module comprising the Mtr4-like protein, Mtl1, and the zinc-finger protein,
      Red1. The Mtl1-Red1 core promotes degradation of mRNAs and noncoding RNAs and
      associates with different proteins to assemble heterochromatin via distinct
      mechanisms. Mtl1 also forms Red1-independent interactions with evolutionarily
      conserved proteins named Nrl1 and Ctr1, which associate with splicing factors.
      Whereas Nrl1 targets transcripts with cryptic introns to form heterochromatin at
      developmental genes and retrotransposons, Ctr1 functions in processing intron
      containing telomerase RNA. Together with our discovery of widespread cryptic
      introns, including in noncoding RNAs, these findings reveal unique cellular
      strategies for recognizing regulatory RNAs and coordinating their functions in
      response to developmental and environmental cues. 

PMID- 24210920
TI  - Merits of usability testing for PACS selection.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the usability of different Picture Archiving and
      Communication System (PACS) workstations, determine whether a usability test has
      added value with respect to the traditional way of comparing PACSs based on
      functional requirements, and to evaluate the appropriateness of a task-based
      methodology for a PACS usability test. METHODS: A task-based usability test of
      four PACS workstations was performed. Radiologists' subjective responses to the
      PACSs and their performance on the tasks were measured. To mimic the traditional
      PACS selection process, two functional requirements were defined which the PACSs
      met in varying degrees. The focus of the usability test was on the aspects of the
      PACS related to these requirements. The usability results were compared to the
      PACSs' ability to meet the functional requirements. RESULTS: One PACS
      outperformed the other PACSs both in terms of subjective preference and task
      performance, indicating its superior usability. There were differences in
      usability between PACSs with identical functionality. Also, a PACS with
      theoretically advantageous functionality for a given task did not necessarily
      have better usability for this task than a PACS without this functionality. There
      was a discrepancy between participants' subjective preferences and their task
      performance, which indicates that it is vital to include performance measures in
      the usability assessment so that it accurately reflects the efficiency of
      interaction. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in usability between PACSs with
      identical functionality indicate that functional requirements alone are
      insufficient to determine a PACS's overall quality. A usability test should
      therefore be used in addition to a functional requirement list in a PACS
      selection process to ensure that a hospital buys the PACS with the highest
      quality. A task-based usability evaluation methodology, which yields both
      subjective preference data and objective performance data of radiologists
      interacting with the PACS, is very suitable for such a usability test.

PMID- 24210921
TI  - Thermal and electron stimulated luminescence of natural bones, commercial
      hydroxyapatite and collagen.
AB  - The luminescence (cathodoluminescence and thermoluminescence) properties of
      natural bones (Siberian mammoth and adult elephant), commercial hydroxyapatite
      and collagen were analyzed. Chemical analyses of the natural bones were
      determined using by Electron Probe Micro-Analysis (EMPA). Structural, molecular
      and thermal characteristics were determined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman
      spectroscopy and Differential Thermal and Thermogravimetric analysis (DTA-TG).
      Cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra of natural bones and collagen showed similar
      intense broad bands at 440 and 490 nm related to luminescence of the tetrahedral
      anion [Formula: see text] or structural defects. A weaker luminescence exhibited
      at 310 nm could be attributed to small amount of rare earth elements (REEs). Four
      luminescent bands at 378, 424, 468 and 576 nm were observed in the commercial
      hydroxyapatite (HAP). Both natural bones and collagen samples exhibited natural
      thermoluminescence (NTL) with well-defined glow curves whereas that the induced
      thermoluminescence (ITL) only appears in the samples of commercial hydroxyapatite
      and collagen. Additional explanations for the TL anomalous fading of apatite, as
      a crucial difficulty performing dosimetry and dating, are also considered.

PMID- 24210922
TI  - The burden of childhood asthma and late preterm and early term births.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between gestational age at birth and the
      risk of subsequent development of asthma. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a
      retrospective observational hospital-based birth case-control study in a
      university-based obstetrics and gynecology department in Finland. A total of
      44,173 women delivering between 1989 and 2008 were linked with the social
      insurance register to identify asthma reimbursements for their offspring (n =
      2661). Pregnancy factors were recorded during pregnancy. Infants were categorized
      as moderately preterm (<= 32 weeks), late preterm (33-36 weeks), early term (37
      38 weeks), term (39-40 weeks), or late term and postterm (>= 41 weeks). The main
      outcome measure was asthma among the infants. RESULTS: Children born moderately
      preterm (<= 32 weeks gestation) had a significantly increased risk of asthma
      (aOR, 3.9; 95% CI, 3.2-4.8). The risk of asthma was also increased in those born
      late preterm (aOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4-2.0) and early term (aOR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1
      1.4). In contrast, delivery at 41 weeks or later seemed to decrease the risk of
      asthma (aOR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.8-1.0). The burden of asthma associated with preterm
      birth was associated mainly with early term infants, in whom 108 extra cases of
      asthma were observed. CONCLUSION: Even though the individual risk of asthma was
      inversely correlated with gestational age at birth, the overall burden brought
      about by delivery before term was associated with late preterm and early term
      deliveries. Furthermore, delivery after term was protective against asthma.

PMID- 24210924
TI  - Improving recognition of cardiovascular risk in children.

PMID- 24210926
TI  - Cutaneous clues: a genetic disorder diagnosed by dermatologic findings.

PMID- 24210925
TI  - Hypothermia and early neonatal mortality in preterm infants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate intervention practices associated with hypothermia at both
      5 minutes after birth and at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and to
      determine whether hypothermia at NICU admission is associated with early neonatal
      death in preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort included 1764
      inborn neonates of 22-33 weeks without malformations admitted to 9 university
      NICUs from August 2010 through April 2012. All centers followed neonatal
      International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation recommendations for the
      stabilization and resuscitation in the delivery room (DR). Variables associated
      with hypothermia (axillary temperature <36.0  degrees C) 5 minutes after birth
      and at NICU admission, as well as those associated with early death, were
      analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Hypothermia 5 minutes after birth and
      at NICU admission was noted in 44% and 51%, respectively, with 6% of early
      neonatal deaths. Adjusted for confounding variables, practices associated with
      hypothermia at 5 minutes after birth were DR temperature <25  degrees C (OR 2.13,
      95% CI 1.67-2.28), maternal temperature at delivery <36.0  degrees C (OR 1.93,
      95% CI 1.49-2.51), and use of plastic bag/wrap (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.40-0.70). The
      variables associated with hypothermia at NICU admission were DR temperature <25 
      degrees C (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.10-1.88), respiratory support with cold air in the
      DR (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.03-1.88) and during transport to NICU (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08
      2.13), and cap use (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.39-0.78). Hypothermia at NICU admission
      increased the chance of early neonatal death by 1.64-fold (95% CI 1.03-2.61).
      CONCLUSION: Simple interventions, such as maintaining DR temperature >25  degrees
      C, reducing maternal hypothermia prior to delivery, providing plastic bags/wraps
      and caps for the newly born infants, and using warm resuscitation gases, may
      decrease hypothermia at NICU admission and improve early neonatal survival.

PMID- 24210927
TI  - Brain magnetic resonance imaging in infants with surgical necrotizing
      enterocolitis or spontaneous intestinal perforation versus medical necrotizing
      enterocolitis.
AB  - Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed in 26 preterm infants with
      necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or spontaneous intestinal perforation at term
      equivalent age. Infants with surgical NEC or spontaneous intestinal perforation
      had significantly more brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging compared with
      infants with medical NEC, even after adjustment for confounders. 

PMID- 24210928
TI  - Light sleep versus slow wave sleep in memory consolidation: a question of global
      versus local processes?
AB  - Sleep is strongly involved in memory consolidation, but its role remains unclear.
      'Sleep replay', the active potentiation of relevant synaptic connections via
      reactivation of patterns of network activity that occurred during previous
      experience, has received considerable attention. Alternatively, sleep has been
      suggested to regulate synaptic weights homeostatically and nonspecifically,
      thereby improving the signal:noise ratio of memory traces. Here, we reconcile
      these theories by highlighting the distinction between light and deep nonrapid
      eye movement (NREM) sleep. Specifically, we draw on recent studies to suggest a
      link between light NREM and active potentiation, and between deep NREM and
      homeostatic regulation. This framework could serve as a key for interpreting the
      physiology of sleep stages and reconciling inconsistencies in terminology in this
      field. 

PMID- 24210923
TI  - Variation in feeding practices following the Norwood procedure.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess variation in feeding practice at hospital discharge after
      the Norwood procedure, factors associated with tube feeding, and associations
      among site, feeding mode, and growth before stage II. STUDY DESIGN: From May 2005
      to July 2008, 555 subjects from 15 centers were enrolled in the Pediatric Heart
      Network Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial; 432 survivors with feeding data at
      hospital discharge after the Norwood procedure were analyzed. RESULTS:
      Demographic and clinical variables were compared among 4 feeding modes: oral only
      (n = 140), oral/tube (n = 195), nasogastric tube (N-tube) only (n = 40), and
      gastrostomy tube (G-tube) only (n = 57). There was significant variation in
      feeding mode among sites (oral only 0%-81% and G-tube only 0%-56%, P < .01).
      After adjusting for site, multivariable modeling showed G-tube feeding at
      discharge was associated with longer hospitalization, and N-tube feeding was
      associated with greater number of discharge medications (R(2) = 0.65, P < .01).
      After adjusting for site, mean pre-stage II weight-for-age z-score was
      significantly higher in the oral-only group (-1.4) vs the N-tube-only (-2.2) and
      G-tube-only (-2.1) groups (P = .04 and .02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Feeding
      mode at hospital discharge after the Norwood procedure varied among sites.
      Prolonged hospitalization and greater number of medications at the time of
      discharge were associated with tube feeding. Infants exclusively fed orally had a
      higher weight-for-age z score pre-stage II than those fed exclusively by tube.
      Exploring strategies to prevent morbidities and promote oral feeding in this
      highest risk population is warranted.

PMID- 24210929
TI  - Office-based endovascular suite is safe for most procedures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to identify the safety of endovascular
      procedures in the office endovascular suite and to assess patient satisfaction in
      this setting. METHODS: Between May 22, 2007, and December 31, 2012, 2822 patients
      underwent 6458 percutaneous procedures in an office-based endovascular suite.
      Demographics of the patients, complications, hospital transfers, and 30-day
      mortality were documented in a prospective manner. Follow-up calls were made, and
      a satisfaction survey was conducted. Almost all dialysis procedures were done
      under local anesthesia and peripheral arterial procedures under conscious
      sedation. All patients, except those undergoing catheter removals, received
      hydrocodone and acetaminophen (5/325 mg), diazepam (5-10 mg), and one dose of an
      oral antibiotic preprocedure and three doses postprocedure. Patients who required
      conscious sedation received fentanyl and midazolam. Conscious sedation was used
      almost exclusively in patients having an arterial procedure. Measurements of
      blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, international normalized ratio, and partial
      thromboplastin time were performed before peripheral arteriograms. All other
      patients had no preoperative laboratory tests. Patients considered high risk
      (American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification 4), those
      who could not tolerate the procedure with mild to moderate conscious sedation,
      patients with a previous bad experience, or patients who weighed >400 pounds were
      not candidates for office based procedures. RESULTS: There were 54 total
      complications (0.8%): venous, 2.2%; aortogram without interventions, 1%;
      aortogram with interventions, 2.7%; fistulogram, 0.5%; catheters, 0.3%; and
      venous filter-related, 2%. Twenty-six patients required hospital transfer from
      the office. Ten patients needed an operative intervention because of a
      complication. No procedure-related deaths occurred. There were 18 deaths in a 30
      day period. Of patients surveyed, 99% indicated that they would come back to the
      office for needed procedures. CONCLUSIONS: When appropriately screened, almost
      all peripheral interventions can be performed in the office with minimal
      complications. For dialysis patients, outpatient intervention has a very low
      complication rate and is the mainstay of treatment to keep the dialysis access
      patent. Venous insufficiency, when managed in the office setting, also has a low
      complication rate. Office-based procedural settings should be seriously
      considered for percutaneous interventions for arterial, venous, and dialysis
      related procedures.

PMID- 24210930
TI  - Inflammation is more distinct in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis compared
      to the knee joint.
AB  - PURPOSE: Most of the current understanding of articular cartilage maintenance and
      degradation is derived from large load-bearing synovial joints, in particular the
      knee joint. The aim of this study was to identify valuable degradation markers
      for cartilage degradation in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by comparing the
      relative concentrations of carboxyterminal telopeptides of collagen types I and
      II (CTX-I and CTX-II), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and
      prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in synovial fluid (SF) of TMJ and knee joints with
      cartilage degradation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional comparative
      study, participants were recruited from the University Medical Center Groningen,
      The Netherlands. Patients with TMJ osteoarthritis were compared with patients
      with knee osteoarthritis. The outcome variables were the relative SF
      concentrations of CTX-I, CTX-II, COMP, and PGE2. An independent samples Mann
      Whitney U test was used to compare the relative concentrations. RESULTS: Thirty
      consecutive patients (9 male, 21 female; mean age, 40.1 yr; standard deviation,
      15.3 yr) with TMJ osteoarthritis and 31 consecutive patients (20 male, 11 female;
      mean age, 37.4 yr; standard deviation, 13.7 yr) who were scheduled for
      arthroscopy of the knee joint participated in this study. Significant differences
      were found between relative concentrations of COMP (P = .000) and PGE2 (P =
      .005), and no significant differences were found between relative concentrations
      of CTX-I (P = .720) and CTX-II (P = .242). CONCLUSIONS: Relative SF
      concentrations of COMP and PGE2 showed significant differences between the TMJ
      and the knee joint, suggesting that there are differences in pathophysiology and
      that the inflammatory component may be more distinct in the TMJ.

PMID- 24210932
TI  - [Cicatricial lesions in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome].

PMID- 24210931
TI  - [Treatment of high myopic choroidal neovascularisation with intravitreal
      bevacizumab].
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in
      the treatment of high myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Retrospective study of 16 eyes of 16 patients with high myopic choroidal
      neovascularization treated with first-line IVB (1.25mg/0.05mL) with a one-year
      follow-up. All patients underwent a complete baseline (M0) ophthalmologic
      examination, including the measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),
      biomicroscopic and fundus examination, fluorescein and indocyanine green
      angiography, and optical coherence tomography. Patients were followed monthly.
      Additional IVB was administered when persistent or additional retinal exudation
      was observed. The main study parameters were visual acuity at 1, 6 and 12 months
      and the progression of exudation on OCT and angiography. RESULTS: Mean age was
      63+/-14 years and spherical equivalent was -15.4+/-7.4 diopters. Baseline BCVA
      was 0.75+/-0.5 logMAR. Mean follow-up was 15+/-2 months. The average number of
      IVB was 2.4+/-1.2 injections. Metamorphopsia decreased in all patients and
      completely disappeared in fourteen eyes. Mean BCVA was 0.5+/-0.3 logMAR at M1 and
      0.6+/-0.5 logMAR at M6 and M12. No adverse events related to the intravitreal
      injections were observed. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that IVB (Avastin((r))) is
      effective in the treatment of high myopic CNV. Moreover, only a small number of
      intravitreal injections were required to treat this condition.

PMID- 24210933
TI  - [Post-traumatic retinal pigment epithelial detachment].

PMID- 24210934
TI  - [Anatomical and functional prognosis of secondary retinal detachments after
      sutureless macular surgery].
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence, characteristics and risk factors for
      rhegmatogenous complications of transconjunctival sutureless 23-gauge vitrectomy
      (TSV) in macular surgery. The results were correlated with those reported in the
      literature. METHODS: Multicentric retrospective study of a cohort of patients
      undergoing macular surgery by 23-gauge TSV between January 2009 and June 2010.
      RESULTS: Four hundred and seventy-four patients divided into: epiretinal membrane
      (MEM) (n=279), vitreomacular traction (n=65) and idiopathic macular hole n=130.
      Forty-three percent of patients were pseudophakic. Posterior vitreous detachment
      (PVD) was absent in 60% of cases and was therefore systematically performed
      intraoperatively. It was seen that 1.7% of patients developed retinal tears and
      2.7% retinal detachment with a higher incidence in the vitreomacular traction
      (VMT) group and the group in which the PVD was performed intraoperatively.
      Rhegmatogenous lesions were localized mainly in the inferior retina in the
      macular hole group. DISCUSSION: Results are consistent with the TSV literature.
      Their location does not appear to be related to the sclerotomies or handedness as
      in 20-gauge surgery, probably due to sclerotomy trocars. Localization of
      rhegmatogenous lesions in the inferior retina in macular hole surgery suggests a
      role of gas in this subgroup. In addition to instrument-retinal touch, the
      performance of a surgical PVD represents a major independent risk factor for
      retinal detachment (RD). CONCLUSION: Even with limited macular surgery, it is
      essential to check the retinal periphery for 360 degrees, especially for VMT and
      intraoperative PVD, and especially inferiorly in the case of gas tamponnade.

PMID- 24210935
TI  - [Optical quality after 2.2mm microincisional cataract surgery with bimanual I/A
      in 154 eyes].
AB  - PURPOSE: A prospective study to analyze the effects of 2.2mm microincisional
      coaxial phacoemulsification with bimanual irrigation/aspiration on the optical
      quality of the cornea and whole eye. METHODS: We compare two groups. Group A: 102
      consecutive eyes undergoing this three-incision procedure and implanted with an
      Alcon(r) SN60WF IQ aspheric intraocular lens. Astigmatism, corneal and total
      asphericity, as well as H/B ratio were measured by OPD scann II, Nidek(r), Japan,
      preoperatively (Day 0), 15 days postoperatively (Day 15) and 1 month
      postoperatively (M1). Group B: 52 eyes with corneal astigmatism greater than
      1.25D, undergoing the same procedure but implanted with a Toric IOL (Alcon(r)
      Toric IQ SN6AT), followed in the same manner but with additional follow-up at 1
      year. RESULTS: Corneal surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was essentially
      neutral: 0.065D +/- 0.86 at Day 30 in group A, and 0.06D +/- 0.34 at 1 month and 
      0.008D +/- 0.4 at 12 months in group B. Corneal topographic astigmatism underwent
      a mean axis shift of 29.95 degrees  +/- 27.6 in group A compared to 5.3 degrees 
      +/- 3.7 in Group B, and remained stable at 1 year. Corneal asphericity did not
      change significantly between Day 0 and 30 in either group. H/B ratio increased
      significantly in both groups, with a gain of 22 % to 24 % after surgery.
      CONCLUSIONS: This three-incision procedure does not degrade the optical quality
      of the cornea. Postoperative shift in the axis of astigmatism is only an issue in
      cases of low or asymmetric astigmatism and must be kept in mind for low-power
      toric IOL implantation.

PMID- 24210936
TI  - [Results of natural hydroxyapatite implants covered with Vicryl(r) mesh in a
      series of 704 enucleations].
AB  - PURPOSE: Retrospective study of local tolerability of a natural hydroxyapatite
      orbital implant wrapped with Vicryl((r)) (polyglactin) mesh in patients
      undergoing enucleation. METHOD: Complications were classified into four types
      according to their management: type 1 if no reoperation was required, type 2 if
      additional surgery without grafting was required, type 3 if an oral mucosal graft
      was performed (major dehiscence) and type 4 if the complication required removal
      of the implant. RESULTS: Seven hundred and four patients with a median follow-up
      of 44 months. Five hundred and three patients were enucleated as a primary
      procedure and 201 after failure of conservative management. The overall
      complication rate was 12.07% (85 patients) with 68 type 1 complications, nine
      type 2 complications, three type 3 complications and five type 4 complications
      (0.71%). A total of 17 patients (2.42%) required additional surgery. The use of
      chemotherapy or radiotherapy before or after surgery did not influence the
      results. In univariate analysis, the tolerability was better in children than in
      adults. With multivariate analysis, only the diameter of the implant was an
      independent risk factor for complications (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Use of a
      Vicryl((r)) mesh-wrapped natural hydroxyapatite orbital implant after enucleation
      is particularly well tolerated including the pediatric population. A compromise
      should be sought with an implant large enough for good cosmetic results but small
      enough to avoid complications.

PMID- 24210937
TI  - [Unpigmented conjunctival melanoma].

PMID- 24210938
TI  - [An atypical case of cat scratch disease (Bartonellosis)].

PMID- 24210939
TI  - [Central retinal artery occlusion by fat embolism in a young male].

PMID- 24210940
TI  - [Superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy with melphalan for retinoblastoma].

PMID- 24210941
TI  - Chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry for the determination
      of organic acids in the study of autism.
AB  - Chromatographic methods find application in the diagnostics and prognosis of
      diseases. They are used in finding new biomarkers, which may result in early
      medical intervention. Early diagnosis and intervention are especially important
      in the case of diseases of unknown etiology. One of these is autism. Autism is a
      neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe impairment in reciprocal
      social interaction and communication and a pattern of repetitive or stereotyped
      behavior. Organic acids are intermediate metabolites of all major groups of
      organic cellular components and can play a role in the pathogenesis of autism.
      This review presents information about abnormal levels of some organic acids
      observed in the urine of children with autism and determination of acids with the
      use of chromatographic techniques. 342 literature sources on frequency (2005
      2012) of the use of chromatographic methods in the determination of organic
      compounds in various body fluids were searched. 

PMID- 24210942
TI  - The social brain: neurobiological basis of affiliative behaviours and
      psychological well-being.
AB  - The social brain hypothesis proposes that the demands of the social environment
      provided the evolutionary pressure that led to the expansion of the primate
      brain. Consistent with this notion, that functioning in the social world is
      crucial to our survival, while close supportive relationships are known to
      enhance well-being, a range of social stressors such as abuse, discrimination and
      dysfunctional relationships can increase the risk of psychiatric disorders. The
      centrality of the social world to our everyday lives is further exemplified by
      the fact that abnormality in social behaviour is a salient feature of a range of
      neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. This paper aims to provide a
      selective overview of current knowledge of the neurobiological basis of our
      ability to form and maintain close personal relationships, and of the benefits
      these relationships confer on our health. Focusing on neurochemical and
      neuroendocrine interactions within affective and motivational neural circuits, it
      highlights the specific importance of cutaneous somatosensation in affiliative
      behaviours and psychological well-being and reviews evidence, in support of the
      hypothesis, that a class of cutaneous unmyelinated, low threshold
      mechanosensitive nerves, named c-tactile afferents, have a direct and specific
      role in processing affiliative tactile stimuli. 

PMID- 24210944
TI  - Ecology of the ciguatera causing dinoflagellates from the Northern Great Barrier
      Reef: changes in community distribution and coastal eutrophication.
AB  - Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is known to be caused by the ciguatoxins from the
      dinoflagellate genus Gambierdiscus, however, there is the potential for other
      toxins such as okadaic acid and dinophysistoxins from the genus Prorocentrum, and
      palytoxin from the genus Ostreopsis, to contaminate seafood. These genera may
      also be indicators of ecosystem health and potentially impact on coral reef
      ecosystems and the role they may play in the succession of coral to macroalgae
      dominated reefs has not been researched. Sixteen GBR field sites spanning
      inshore, mid-lagoon and outer lagoon (offshore) regions were studied. Samples
      were collected from September 2006 to December 2007 and abundance of benthic
      dinoflagellates on different host macroalgae and concentration of nutrients
      present in the water column were determined. The maximum abundance of
      Prorocentrum, Ostreopsis and Gambierdiscus found was 112, 793 and 50 cells per
      gram wet weight of host macroalgae, respectively. The average level of Dissolved
      Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) in the water column across all sites (0.03 mg/L) was
      found to be more than double the threshold critical value (0.013 mg/L) for
      healthy coral reefs. Compared to a previous study 1984, there is evidence of a
      major shift in the distribution and abundance of these dinoflagellates. Inshore
      reefs have either of Prorocentrum (as at Green Island) or Ostreopsis (as at
      Magnetic Island) dominating the macroalgal surface niche which was once dominated
      by Gambierdiscus, whilst at offshore regions Gambierdiscus is still dominant.
      This succession may be linked to the ongoing eutrophication of the GBR lagoon and
      have consequences for the sources of toxins for ongoing cases of ciguatera.

PMID- 24210943
TI  - The role of maternal care in shaping CNS function.
AB  - Maternal care involves the consistent and coordinated expression of a variety of
      behaviours over an extended period of time, and adverse changes in maternal care
      can have profound impacts on the CNS and behaviour of offspring. This complex
      behavioural pattern depends on a number of integrated neuroendocrine mechanisms.
      This review will discuss the use of animal models in the study of the role of
      maternal care in shaping CNS function, the contributions of corticosteroid
      releasing hormone, vasopressin, oxytocin, and prolactin in this process, the
      molecular mechanisms involved, and the translational relevance of this research. 

PMID- 24210945
TI  - Sublethal effects of a chlorinated and heated effluent on the physiology of the
      mussel, Mytilus edulis L.: a reduction in fitness for survival?
AB  - Coastal power stations entrain large volumes of cooling water, requiring biocidal
      treatment to prevent biological fouling. Discharged effluent is both heated and
      contaminated with residual traces of biocide and so it is necessary to quantify
      the impacts of this discharge. Cooling water from Heysham 2 nuclear power
      station, NW England, UK, is discharged to the intertidal area, via a culvert (to
      minimise erosion and maximise dilution and dispersion by directing the effluent
      into the receiving water at all states of the tide) within which the effluent is
      contained at low water. The culvert and surrounding coastal area support a
      population of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). Mussel health was determined along a
      gradient of exposure, using three physiological indices: Scope for Growth, Gonad
      Mantle Index and Somatic Condition Index (K Factor). The Mussels within the
      culvert exhibited reduced physiological index values compared to an external
      site. A trend was identified down the length of the culvert, representing a
      gradient of exposure and indicating a potential negative effect on growth and
      reproductive output. 

PMID- 24210946
TI  - Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene by marine bacteria from pelagic
      waters, Arabian Sea, India.
AB  - Sixty marine bacteria isolated from pelagic waters were screened for their
      ability to degrade low-density polyethylene; among them, three were positive and
      able to grow in a medium containing polythene as the sole carbon source. The
      positive isolates were identified as Kocuria palustris M16, Bacillus pumilus M27
      and Bacillus subtilis H1584 based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence homology. The
      weight loss of polyethylene was 1%, 1.5% and 1.75% after 30 days of incubation
      with the M16, M27 and H1584 isolates, respectively. The maximum (32%) cell
      surface hydrophobicity was observed in M16, followed by the H1584 and M27
      isolates. The viability of the isolates growing on the polyethylene surface was
      confirmed using a triphenyltetrazolium chloride reduction test. The viability was
      also correlated with a concomitant increase in the protein density of the
      biomass. Polyethylene biodegradation was further confirmed by an increase in the
      Keto Carbonyl Bond Index, the Ester Carbonyl Bond Index and the Vinyl Bond Index,
      which were calculated from FT-IR spectra.

PMID- 24210947
TI  - Quantitative analysis of plastic debris on recreational beaches in Mumbai, India.
AB  - Plastic litter was quantified on four sandy beaches in Mumbai. The mean abundance
      of 7.49 g and 68.83 items per square metre was recorded. The abundance of
      plastics significantly varied among the beaches showing an increasing trend in
      the southern part. The abundance of plastics by weight in Dadar was significantly
      higher than that in Aksa. The size fractionation of plastics proved that small
      particles (1-20 mm) are predominant with 41.85% microplastics (1-5 mm) which
      emphasizes the high risk to marine organisms due to possible ingestion. The
      highest quantity of microplastics was seen in Juhu beach (55.33%) followed by
      Versova, Aksa and Dadar. The major contributing factors for the abundance are
      beach usage for different activities such as recreational, religious and fishing
      which suggest that the land-based sources provide major inputs to plastic
      pollution in these beaches.

PMID- 24210949
TI  - The impact of timing of cholecystectomy following gallstone pancreatitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Current guidelines for the management of acute gallstone
      pancreatitis recommend cholecystectomy as definitive treatment during primary
      admission or within 2 weeks of discharge, with the aim of preventing recurrent
      pancreatitis. However, cholecystectomy during the inflammatory phase may increase
      surgical complication rates. This study aimed to determine whether adherence to
      the guidelines prevents recurrent pancreatitis while minimising surgical
      complications. METHODS: Multi-centre review of seven UK hospitals, indentifying
      patients presenting with their first episode of gallstone pancreatitis between
      2006 and 2008. RESULTS: A total of 523 patients with gallstone pancreatitis were
      identified, of which 363 (69%) underwent cholecystectomy (72 during the primary
      admission or within 2 weeks of discharge; 291 following this). Overall, 7% of
      patients had a complication related to cholecystectomy of which a greater
      proportion occurred when cholecystectomy was performed within guideline
      parameters (13% vs 6%; p = 0.07). 11% of patients were readmitted with recurrent
      pancreatitis prior to surgery, with those undergoing cholecystectomy outside
      guideline parameters being most at risk (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: This study
      suggests cholecystectomy within guideline parameters significantly reduces
      recurrence of pancreatitis but may increase the risk of surgical complications. A
      prospective randomised study to assess the associated morbidity is required to
      inform future guidelines.

PMID- 24210948
TI  - Basal ganglia volume in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia is associated
      with treatment response to antipsychotic medication.
AB  - We investigated the relationship between basal ganglia volume and treatment
      response to the atypical antipsychotic medication risperidone in unmedicated
      patients with schizophrenia. Basal ganglia volumes included the bilateral
      caudate, putamen, and pallidum and were measured using the Freesurfer automated
      segmentation pipeline in 23 subjects. Also, baseline symptom severity, duration
      of illness, age, gender, time off medication, and exposure to previous
      antipsychotic were measured. Treatment response was significantly correlated with
      all three regions of the bilateral basal ganglia (caudate, putamen, and
      pallidum), baseline symptom severity, duration of illness, and age but not
      gender, time off antipsychotic medication, or exposure to previous antipsychotic
      medication. The caudate volume was the basal ganglia region that demonstrated the
      strongest correlation with treatment response and was significantly negatively
      correlated with patient age. Caudate volume was not significantly correlated with
      any other measure. We demonstrated a novel finding that the caudate volume
      explains a significant amount of the variance in treatment response over the
      course of 6 weeks of risperidone pharmacotherapy even when controlling for
      baseline symptom severity and duration of illness. 

PMID- 24210951
TI  - The regulation of proteolysis around the world.

PMID- 24210950
TI  - Environmental concentrations of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
      fluoxetine impact specific behaviors involved in reproduction, feeding and
      predator avoidance in the fish Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow).
AB  - Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been found in surface
      waters worldwide, but little is understood of their effects on the wildlife that
      inhabit these waters. Fluoxetine (Prozac; Eli Lilly), a highly prescribed
      selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is a commonly found PPCP in
      surface water. The purpose of this project was to determine if environmentally
      relevant concentrations of fluoxetine impact behavior that is important for
      population survival in native fish species, including reproduction, feeding and
      predator avoidance. Chronic 4-week exposures were conducted with doses ranging
      from 100 ng/L to 100 MUg/L to cover a range of environmentally relevant
      concentrations up to higher concentrations comparable to other published studies
      with the same drug that have documented various physiological impacts. Pimephales
      promelas (fathead minnow), a species native to North America, was used as it
      conducts a range of specific mating behaviors and therefore serves as an
      excellent model of specific impacts on brain function. Fluoxetine concentrations
      as low as 1 MUg/L, a concentration that has been found in many freshwater
      environments, were found to significantly impact mating behavior, specifically
      nest building and defending in male fish. Males were also found to display
      aggression, isolation, and repetitive behaviors at higher concentrations. Female
      mating behavior was largely unaffected. In addition, predator avoidance behaviors
      in males and females were also impacted at 1 MUg/L. Feeding was impacted at 10
      MUg/L and in the highest exposure (100 MUg/L), egg production was limited by
      deaths of females due to significant male aggressive behaviors in the first two
      weeks of exposure. Specific behavioral changes occurred at each concentration
      (most noticeably 1 MUg/L and 100 MUg/L) indicating a dose dependent effect that
      triggered different responses at lower exposures versus higher exposures or
      differential impacts of dose depending on brain region. Length of exposure also
      had an impact on aggressive behavior. Changes in hormone levels, indicating
      significant neuroendocrine changes, suggested as a mechanism of response in
      higher dose and acute studies, were not linked to changes in behaviors at the
      doses used in this study. This research provides detailed data on how exposures
      to fluoxetine impact specific fish behaviors and reproduction and that the
      effects are dose dependent.

PMID- 24210952
TI  - A closer look at the relationship between the subdomains of social functioning,
      social cognition and symptomatology in clinically stable patients with
      schizophrenia.
AB  - Impairments in social functioning commonly seen in schizophrenia are thought to
      be mediated by deficits in the domains of social cognition. Some previous
      research has explored how social cognitive skills and psychotic symptoms are
      associated with social functioning, however these associations are still under
      debate. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between
      different domains of social cognition and psychotic symptomatology, and also to
      look at the relationships with individual subdomains of social functioning within
      a clinically stable schizophrenia population. 45 outpatients were recruited and
      symptoms were assessed with the PANSS, and measures of emotion processing,
      affective and cognitive theory of mind (ToM), mental state reasoning
      attributional biases, and social functioning were taken. A correlational analysis
      was performed with the data. Following this, a regression analysis was used to
      reveal which domains of social cognition best predicted psychotic symptoms. In
      this stable group of patients, our results support the suggestion of a likely
      distinction between affective and cognitive components of ToM. The study also
      demonstrated that ToM and mental state reasoning were the best predictors of
      psychotic symptoms. Here we reveal that cognitive ToM had the most widespread
      relationship with social functioning, across multiple subdomains, while only some
      specific subdomains of social functioning correlated with other domains of social
      cognition and symptomatology. Further to this, positive symptoms were associated
      with much fewer subdomains of social functioning than negative and general
      symptoms. These findings imply that different aspects of social functioning may
      be served by different domains of social cognition and symptomatology. 

PMID- 24210953
TI  - The effect of a rapid rehydration guideline on Emergency Department management of
      gastroenteritis in children.
AB  - This study evaluated the use and effect of a rapid rehydration guideline for the
      management of gastroenteritis in children 6months to 4years of age in an
      Emergency Department (ED). The guideline aims to facilitate rehydration within 4h
      of arrival to the ED, using oral or nasogastric fluids. Primary outcome measures
      were ED Length of Stay (LOS) and hospital admission rates. Documentation of
      physiological recovery and consistency of re-hydration regimes used were examined
      as secondary outcomes. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design using the medical
      records of 235 children pre and post intervention was used. Descriptive
      statistics (frequencies, medians, interquartile ranges) were used to summarize
      the data. The pre and post-test groups were compared using Chi Square and the
      Mann Whitney U Test. RESULTS: There was an increase in the ED LOS and in hospital
      admission rates post implementation of the rapid rehydration guideline in the ED.
      However, the time frame for initiation of rehydration therapy using oral or
      nasogastric routes improved post guideline implementation. CONCLUSION: The need
      for improvements in the ED management of dehydration secondary to gastroenteritis
      has been highlighted providing potential benefits to patient care and outcomes.

PMID- 24210954
TI  - The desired competence of the Swedish ambulance nurse according to the
      professionals - a Delphi study.
AB  - Nursing is evolving into new fields of health care including ambulance care,
      where a branch of specialist nursing is growing. Various views exist on the
      desired competence for the ambulance nurse and valid guidelines are lacking in
      Sweden. To increase knowledge of the field, professionals were asked to describe
      what competences an ambulance nurse should possess. The aim of this study was
      therefore to elucidate the desired professional competence of the specialist
      ambulance nurse, according to the professionals. A modified Delphi technique was
      used, where a panel of professional experts expressed their views on the desired
      competence of the ambulance nurse. This study reports, at a high level of
      agreement among the panel experts, that the desired competence of the specialist
      ambulance nurse consist of forty-four separate competences creating ten areas of
      competences: execute leadership, generic abilities, interpersonal communication,
      institutional collaboration, pedagogic skills, possession of relevant knowledge,
      professional judgement, professional skills, research activities, and technical
      skills. The high level of agreement among the professionals as well as the large
      number of competences reflects the high demands placed on the ambulance nurse by
      the professionals themselves. 

PMID- 24210955
TI  - Impacts of the introduction of a triage system in Japan: a time series study.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to measure and compare the effectiveness of
      nursing triage before and after introduction of the Japanese Triage and Acuity
      Scale (JTAS), the Japanese version of the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale
      (CTAS), during emergency treatment. Surveys of triage nurses and emergency
      physicians were conducted before and after JTAS introduction. Respondents were
      triage nurses (before 112 cases, after 94 cases), emergency physicians (before
      50, after 41), and triaged patients (before 1057, after 1025) from seven separate
      emergency medical facilities. The results showed that nursing triage using the
      JTAS shortened "time from registration to triage" by 3.8min, "triage duration" by
      1min, "time from registration to physician" by 11.2min, and "waiting time
      perceived by patients to see a physician" by 18.6min (p<0.001). The difference in
      assigned level of urgency between triage nurses and emergency physicians
      decreased from 34.2% to 12.2% (p<0.001), over-triage decreased from 24.7% to 8.6%
      (p<0.001), and under-triage decreased from 9.5% to 3.6% (p<0.001). Furthermore,
      assessment agreement between triage nurses and emergency physicians increased
      significantly, from weighted kappa=0.486 to weighted kappa=0.820. These findings
      suggest that the introduction of the JTAS promoted more effective nursing triage
      and medical care. 

PMID- 24210956
TI  - Perpetuating proficiency in donor right hepatectomy for living donor liver
      transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Donor right hepatectomy (DRH) was developed by master liver
      surgeons and has been applied in many liver transplant centers as the mainstay
      for adult living donor liver transplantation. It is a major and complex surgical
      operation performed on living liver donors for the benefit of liver recipients.
      The donors deserve the lowest though inevitable morbidity and mortality. In this
      study, the surgical outcomes of DRH performed by newer surgeons at an established
      center were studied to assess the transferability of the techniques of this
      standardized procedure. METHODS: We studied 450 consecutive DRHs performed by 11
      surgeons. Three surgeons initiated and developed the transplant program and
      performed the first 200 DRHs (Era I). The role of chief surgeon in the following
      250 DRHs (Era II) was gradually taken up by four newer surgeons with close
      guidance initially. RESULTS: Blood loss and operation time at the end of Era I
      versus the beginning of Era II were 251 vs. 341 mL and 391 vs. 497 minutes. The
      learning curve effect in Era I did not occur in Era II. The complication rates of
      the last 50 cases in Era I and Era II were 16% and 24%, respectively. Era I had
      one donor death whereas Era II had no donor death. CONCLUSION: At an established
      center, DRH can be carried out safely by newer surgeons with good outcomes.

PMID- 24210957
TI  - CD8 TCR beta chain repertoire expansions and deletions are related with
      immunologic markers in HIV-1-infected patients during treatment interruption.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV-1-infected individuals progressively loss CD4(+) T cells leading
      to immunosuppression and raising the risk of opportunistic infections. CD8(+) T
      cells play an important role in the immune response against virus infections
      through their TCR. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the CD8-TCR repertoire and immunologic
      markers in HIV-1-infected patients. STUDY DESIGN: Ten chronic HIV-1-infected
      individuals on prolonged effective antiretroviral treatment (ART) were analyzed
      at baseline (before treatment interruption), after at least one year of treatment
      interruption (TI) and after at least one year from ART resume (TR). Twenty-four
      TCR-Vbeta gene families were analyzed by a modified CDR3 spectratyping method in
      isolated CD8(+) T-cells. Immune activation, exhaustion and subpopulation markers
      were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Expansion of Vbeta10, Vbeta14 and
      Vbeta15 families, associated with low cell activation and stable exhaustion
      markers, were found at TI. Moreover, an increment of effector memory cells was
      found. Besides, depletion of Vbeta20, Vbeta28, and Vbeta29 families, associated
      with an increase in cell activation and exhaustion markers, at TI were also
      found. These alterations seemed to be more pronounced in patients who had longer
      time from diagnosis. ART seemed to restore altered CD8(+) T-cell repertoire and
      most of the immunologic markers. CONCLUSIONS: During TI (that was more pronounced
      in patients with longer HIV-1 infection) it was observed the expansion of Vbeta
      families correlated with decreased cell activation, while Vbeta families
      correlated with cell activation and exhaustion were depleted. These specific
      repertoire alterations reverted after ART resume.

PMID- 24210959
TI  - Comment on: Fulminant myocarditis and viral infection.

PMID- 24210958
TI  - Diagnostic performance of selected commercial HEV IgM and IgG ELISAs for
      immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is recognised as an emerging
      pathogen in industrialised countries. The currently commercially available HEV
      specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are primarily designed for
      the detection of antibodies against genotypes 1 (Burma) and 2 (Mexico) and may
      not sensitively detect HEV genotypes 3 or 4. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to
      evaluate the analytical and clinical performances of eight commercially available
      HEV serum antibody immunoglobulin M (IgM)- and immunoglobulin G (IgG)-specific
      ELISAs for genotype 1 and 3 HEV infections in a clinical setting and to study the
      antibody responses against HEV of immunocompromised versus immunocompetent
      patient groups. STUDY DESIGN: Analytical performance and diagnostic sensitivity
      and specificity were assessed using well-defined reference samples and samples
      from patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed HEV infection (n=88)
      and a specificity panel (n=98). RESULTS: Limiting dilutions indicated that the
      highest analytical sensitivity in head-to-head comparison was measured for the
      Mikrogen_new IgG assay. Taking the serum working dilutions of each assay into
      account, the Wantai IgG assay was the most sensitive assay. Receiver operator
      curve (ROC) analysis showed area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.943, 0.964,
      0.969, 0.971, 0.974 and 0.994 for the DSI, Mikrogen_old, MP Diagnostics,
      Mikrogen_new, Wantai and DiaPro anti-HEV IgM assays, respectively. The highest
      specificity of currently available assays was found for the IgM Wantai assay
      (>99%). If anti-HEV IgM and IgG results from each supplier were combined, DSI and
      Wantai assays were able to detect the highest number of (passed) HEV infections.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that current commercial HEV ELISAs could be used to
      diagnose HEV genotype 3 infection adequately in a clinical setting.

PMID- 24210961
TI  - Regional brain activity change predicts responsiveness to treatment for
      stuttering in adults.
AB  - Developmental stuttering is known to be associated with aberrant brain activity,
      but there is no evidence that this knowledge has benefited stuttering treatment.
      This study investigated whether brain activity could predict progress during
      stuttering treatment for 21 dextral adults who stutter (AWS). They received one
      of two treatment programs that included periodic H2(15)O PET scanning (during
      oral reading, monologue, and eyes-closed rest conditions). All participants
      successfully completed an initial treatment phase and then entered a phase
      designed to transfer treatment gains; 9/21 failed to complete this latter phase.
      The 12 pass and 9 fail participants were similar on speech and neural system
      variables before treatment, and similar in speech performance after the initial
      phase of their treatment. At the end of the initial treatment phase, however,
      decreased activation within a single region, L. putamen, in all 3 scanning
      conditions was highly predictive of successful treatment progress. 

PMID- 24210960
TI  - Aberrant functional connectivity between motor and language networks in rolandic
      epilepsy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Rolandic epilepsy (RE) is an idiopathic focal childhood epilepsy
      with a well-established neuropsychological profile of language impairment. The
      aim of this study is to provide a functional correlate that links rolandic
      (sensorimotor) pathology to language problems using functional MRI. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Twenty-three children with RE (8-14 years old) and 21 matched controls
      underwent extensive language assessment (Clinical Evaluation of Language
      Fundamentals). fMRI was performed at rest and using word generation, reading, and
      finger tapping paradigms. Since no activation group differences were found,
      regions of interest (ROIs) were defined at pooled (patients and controls
      combined) activation maxima and in contralateral homotopic cortex, and used to
      assess language lateralization as well as for a resting-state connectivity
      analysis. Furthermore, the association between connection strength and language
      performance was investigated. RESULTS: Reduced language performance was found in
      the children with RE. Bilateral activation was found for both language tasks with
      some predominance of the left hemisphere in both groups. Compared to controls,
      patient connectivity was decreased between the left sensorimotor area and right
      inferior frontal gyrus (p<0.01). For this connection, lower connectivity was
      associated with lower language scores in the patient group (r=0.49, p=0.02), but
      not in the controls. CONCLUSION: Language laterality analysis revealed bilateral
      language representation in the age range under study (8-14 years). As a
      consequence, the connection of reduced functional connectivity we found
      represents an impaired interplay between motor and language networks, and
      aberrant functional connectivity associated with poorer language performance.
      These findings provide a first neuronal correlate in terms of aberrant resting
      state functional connectivity for language impairment in RE.

PMID- 24210963
TI  - The evolution of distributed association networks in the human brain.
AB  - The human cerebral cortex is vastly expanded relative to other primates and
      disproportionately occupied by distributed association regions. Here we offer a
      hypothesis about how association networks evolved their prominence and came to
      possess circuit properties vital to human cognition. The rapid expansion of the
      cortical mantle may have untethered large portions of the cortex from strong
      constraints of molecular gradients and early activity cascades that lead to
      sensory hierarchies. What fill the gaps between these hierarchies are densely
      interconnected networks that widely span the cortex and mature late into
      development. Limitations of the tethering hypothesis are discussed as well as its
      broad implications for understanding critical features of the human brain as a
      byproduct of size scaling. 

PMID- 24210962
TI  - Cognitive aging: is there a dark side to environmental support?
AB  - It has been known for some time that memory deficits among older adults increase
      when self-initiated processing is required and decrease when the environment
      provides task-appropriate cues. We propose that this observation is not confined
      to memory but can be subsumed under a more general developmental trend. In
      perception, learning or memory, and action management, older adults often rely
      more on external information than younger adults do, probably both as a direct
      reflection and indirect adaptation to difficulties in internally triggering and
      maintaining cognitive representations. This age-graded shift from internal
      towards environmental control is often associated with compromised performance.
      Cognitive aging research and the design of aging-friendly environments can
      benefit from paying closer attention to the developmental dynamics and
      implications of this shift. 

PMID- 24210964
TI  - Light microscopy mapping of connections in the intact brain.
AB  - Mapping of neural connectivity across the mammalian brain is a daunting and
      exciting prospect. Current approaches can be divided into three classes:
      macroscale, focusing on coarse inter-regional connectivity; mesoscale, involving
      a finer focus on neurons and projections; and microscale, reconstructing full
      details of all synaptic contacts. It remains to be determined how to bridge the
      datasets or insights from the different levels of study. Here we review recent
      light-microscopy-based approaches that may help in integration across scales. 

PMID- 24210965
TI  - Mediastinal abscess and esophageal stricture following voice prosthesis
      insertion.
AB  - The use of a tracheo-esophageal voice prosthesis is a well-established procedure
      to restore the voice in total laryngectomees. The insertion of the prosthesis is
      not a risk-free procedure, various complications having been reported especially
      in irradiated patients. Here described is a case of an esophageal rupture after
      secondary tracheo-esophageal puncture with mediastinal abscess in a patient
      previously treated with pharyngo-laryngectomy and subsequent radiotherapy for a
      left pyriform sinus carcinoma, which required immediate surgical drainage through
      a left cervical approach. Few weeks after surgical drainage an esophageal
      stricture at the site of the rupture developed, which was only temporarily
      resolved after the insertion of biodegradable esophageal stents, followed by re
      stenosis once the reabsorption of the stent took place.

PMID- 24210966
TI  - In vitro development of goat-sheep and goat-goat zona-free cloned embryos in
      different culture media.
AB  - The gradual decline in the genetic diversity of farm animals has threatened their
      survival and risk of their extinction has increased many fold in the recent past.
      Endangered species could be rescued using interspecies embryo production. The
      objective of this study was to investigate the effect of three different culture
      media on the development of Handmade cloned intraspecies (goat-goat) and
      interspecies (goat-sheep) embryo reconstructs. Research vitro cleave media (RVCL)
      yielded higher cleavage and morula-blastocyst development in intraspecies and
      interspecies nuclear transfer groups compared with G1.G2 and modified synthetic
      oviductal fluid (mSOFaaci). Cleavage frequency of intraspecies cloned embryos in
      RVCL, mSOFaaci, and G1.G2 did not differ significantly (87.12%, 82.45%, and
      92.52%, respectively). However, the morula/blastocyst frequency in RVCL was
      greater in mSOFaaci and G1.G2 (51.18% vs. 38.28% vs. 36.50%, respectively).
      Cleavage and morula/blastocyst frequency in interspecies cloned embryos was
      greater in RVCL than in mSOFaaci and G1.G2 (76.14% and 42.3% vs. 65.9% and 38.3%
      vs. 58.56% and 33.1%, respectively). Goat oocytes were parthenogenetically
      activated and cultured in RVCL, mSOFaaci, and G1.G2 and kept as control. Cleavage
      and morula/blastocyst frequency in this group was greater in RVCL than in
      mSOFaaci and G1.G2 (89.66% and 65.26% vs. 85.44% and 48.05% vs. 86.58% and
      42.06%, respectively). Conclusively, the results suggest that not only can the
      interspecies embryos of goat be produced using sheep oocytes as donor cytoplast
      but also the percentages can be improved by using RVCL media for culturing of the
      embryos. 

PMID- 24210968
TI  - [A surgical follow-up platform to reduce complications in free flap surgery].
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: In 2007, the WHO adopted surgical safety as the theme for the
      2nd global patient safety challenge. Measurement of surgical services was
      identified as a surgical care area in need of major improvements. Aware of this
      recommendation, a preliminary study was conducted in our hospital and showed that
      the incidence of complete necrosis in free flap surgery was 10.0 %, a rate among
      the highest found in medical literature. In that context, an interactive surgical
      follow-up platform (PICS) was implemented to monitor outcomes in free flap
      surgery. The hypothesis was to reduce the short-term failure of microsurgical
      reconstructions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In Summer 2010, the tool for capturing and
      analyzing data (PICS) was implemented. All patients who underwent free flap
      reconstruction were prospectively registered in the platform. The primary
      endpoints to evaluate the effectiveness of the tool are the rates of surgical re
      exploration and complete necrosis of the flap. RESULTS: From May 2010 to December
      2011, 129 cases of free flap reconstruction were recorded. The rate of total flap
      necrosis was 10.0 % before database introduction and declined to 3.1 % afterwards
      (P<0.05). Take-backs occurred in 27.0 % of free flap reconstructions at baseline
      and in 10.1 % after implementation (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The implementation of
      PICS is associated with a significant improvement of postoperative short-term
      outcomes in free flap surgery. This tool is effective to evaluate care services
      and provides an increased surgical safety for patients. Surgical teams are
      encouraged to implement a data collection tool in order evaluate operative care
      on a routine basis.

PMID- 24210969
TI  - Intractable vomiting: a case of severe gastroparesis after Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

PMID- 24210970
TI  - Cutaneous human papillomavirus types detected on the surface of male external
      genital lesions: a case series within the HPV Infection in Men Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPVs) may be associated with
      cutaneous epithelial lesions and non-melanoma skin cancers. No study has
      systematically evaluated the presence of genus beta [beta]-HPV in male genital
      skin or external genital lesions (EGLs) OBJECTIVES: To examine cutaneous beta-HPV
      types detected on the surface of EGLs in men and describe their presence prior to
      EGL development. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series was conducted among 69
      men with pathologically confirmed EGLs (n=72) who participated in the HPV
      Infection in Men Study. Archived exfoliated cells collected from the surface of
      each EGL and normal genital skin specimens 6-12 months preceding EGL development
      were tested for beta-HPV DNA using a type-specific multiplex genotyping assay.
      RESULTS: beta-HPV DNA was detected on 61.1% of all EGLs, with types 38 (16.7%), 5
      (15.3%), and 12 (12.5%) most commonly identified. HPV prevalence differed across
      pathological diagnoses, with the largest number of beta-HPV types detected on
      condylomas. Most beta-HPV types were detected on normal genital skin prior to EGL
      development, though the prevalence was lower on EGLs compared to preceding normal
      genital skin. CONCLUSIONS: EGLs and the normal genital skin of men harbor a large
      number of beta-HPV types; however, it appears that beta-HPVs are unrelated to EGL
      development in men. Despite evidence to support a causal role in skin
      carcinogenesis at UVR-exposed sites, cutaneous HPV appears unlikely to cause
      disease at the UVR-unexposed genitals.

PMID- 24210971
TI  - A novel core biopsy technique for anterior cruciate ligament preserves ligament
      structural integrity: a porcine study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to validate a new technique to safely
      obtain core biopsy specimens of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) without
      jeopardizing the ACL's biomechanical properties. METHODS: Eleven pairs of fresh
      porcine femur-ACL-tibia complexes were tested in a loading frame. The ACL of one
      knee was biopsied using a spring-loaded core biopsy device, whereas the
      contralateral ACL was tested as the control. Biomechanical properties of the
      biopsied and control ACLs were compared. RESULTS: The ultimate load to failure
      was 1,202 N +/- 171.1 N and 1,193 N +/- 228.7 N (P = .8984) for biopsied and non
      biopsied ACLs, respectively. No significant differences were noted for maximal
      elongation at failure, maximal strain, absorbed energy, and stiffness between
      biopsied and non-biopsied ACLs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate
      that a new ACL core biopsy technique can be performed while preserving the
      ligament's structural integrity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The presented core biopsy
      technique could be regarded as a dedicated tool to elucidate the poorly
      understood (patho)biological processes occurring in both the native and
      reconstructed ACLs.

PMID- 24210972
TI  - Hydropneumomediastinum secondary to gastric volvulus perforation in a patient
      with giant hiatal hernia.

PMID- 24210973
TI  - A content analysis of food references in television programming specifically
      targeting viewing audiences aged 11 to 14 years.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Examine food in cable television programming specifically targeting 11
      to 14-year-olds ("tweens"). DESIGN: Content analysis of food-related scenes
      (FRS)-in which food was shown, mentioned, and/or consumed-in 880 minutes of
      programming was conducted. SETTING: Five days of afternoon/early evening
      television programs on the Disney Channel. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND ANALYSIS:
      Food references were compared with USDA MyPlate and classified according to
      modified Ratio of Recommended to Restricted Food Components. RESULTS: The authors
      found 331 FRS, averaging 16.6 scenes/h. Preponderance of FRS was physiological
      needs (40.7%), followed by display (10%), party (8.5%), social event (8%), and
      retail store (6.6%). Snacks dominated 41% of FRS, and breakfast, lunch, and
      dinner were much lower in frequency. Half of FRS was visual only, followed by
      verbal only. Food references were not congruent with MyPlate recommendations; 42%
      of food items did not fit into MyPlate food groups. Only 24% of food items were
      fruit or vegetables, which is considerably less than recommended by MyPlate
      guidelines. Using modified Ratio of Recommended to Restricted Food Components,
      66% of food items scored < 1.0, signifying less nutritious. CONCLUSIONS AND
      IMPLICATIONS: Tween television programming regularly includes non-nutritious
      food, which likely influences tweens' attitudes and behaviors. Television
      programming may consider past approaches to tobacco smoking and health messages
      on television. More attention is warranted regarding television programming by
      nutrition educators, researchers, health professionals, and industry specialists.

PMID- 24210974
TI  - Assessment of cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties of four antidepressants
      on primary cultures of abalone hemocytes (Haliotis tuberculata).
AB  - Pharmaceutical compounds like antidepressants found in surface waters raise
      concerns due to their potential toxicity on non-target aquatic organisms. This
      study aimed at investigating the in vitro cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory
      properties of four common antidepressants, namely Amitriptyline, Clomipramine,
      Citalopram and Paroxetine, on primary cultures of abalone hemocytes (Haliotis
      tuberculata), after 48 h-exposure. Effects on immunocompetence (phagocytosis,
      levels of reactive oxygen species, esterase activity and lysosomal membrane
      destabilization) were assessed. Results obtained by MTT assays revealed that
      acute toxicity is unlikely to occur in the environment since the LC50s of the
      four antidepressants are at the mg/L level. The different immunological endpoints
      displayed a biphasic response, with an increase at the lowest concentration (i.e.
      1 MUg/L) followed by a decrease at higher concentrations. Overall, Amitriptyline
      and Clomipramine, the two tricyclic antidepressants, had higher immunomodulatory
      capacities than the two selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Citalopram and
      Paroxetine. Amitriptyline was the most potent and Citalopram the least potent
      drug in altering immune function in H. tuberculata.

PMID- 24210975
TI  - [Impact factor and h index of Spanish biomedical journals].

PMID- 24210976
TI  - [Linear lichen planus].

PMID- 24210977
TI  - [A 24-year old man with fever and pulmonary infiltrates].

PMID- 24210978
TI  - [Diagnostic ability of Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration and
      Modification of Diet in Renal Disease-4 equations to estimate glomerular
      filtration rate in with multimorbidity patients].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD)
      equation is recommended by most scientific societies to calculate the estimated
      glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Recently the group Chronic Kidney Disease
      Epidemiology Collaboration (CKP-EPI) has published a new, more precise and
      accurate equation. We have analyzed its behavior in a group of polypathological
      patients (PP) and compared it with the classic MDRD-4.version PATIENTS AND
      METHOD: Multicenter, observational, descriptive and transversal study. We
      calculated GFR by MDRD-4 and CKD-EPI in 425 PP. Each stage was assigned according
      to the GFR: 1:>90; 2: 60-89; 3: 30-59; 4: 15-29; and 5 < 15 ml/min/1.73m(2). We
      analyzed the correlation between both and the patients reclassified by CKD-EPI.
      RESULTS: Mean age was (mean [SD]) 81.7 (7.9) years. 55.3% were women. The mean
      estimated GFR was 58.6 (26.3) ml/min/1,73m(2) by MDRD-4 and 52.7 (23.0)
      ml/min/1.73m(2) by CKD-EPI (P<.001; Spearman's Rho correlation and Lin
      concordance coefficients: 0.993 and 0.948). The Bland-Altman plots reflected
      lower values for GFR for CKD-EPI equation. In the stage 2, 21.2% were
      reclassified by CKD-EPI to the stage 3, with women older than 83 years being the
      more disadvantaged subgroup with 27.3% or reclassification. CONCLUSION: CKD-EPI
      equation applied to PP worsens the results of MDRD-4. In general, it originates
      low values of GFR and increases the degree of renal insufficiency, especially in
      older women.

PMID- 24210980
TI  - [Screening of intraepithelial anal neoplasm].

PMID- 24210979
TI  - [Dermoscopy in cutaneous parasitosis].

PMID- 24210981
TI  - [Opportunities for improvement in the management of osteoporosis. Time to tackle
      the essential].

PMID- 24210982
TI  - [Usefulness of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test in
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with severe airflow limitation].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between Chronic
      Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT questionnaire) and chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity assessed by the multidimensional
      BODE index in patients with severe airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume
      in one second [FEV1] post-bronchodilator<50%) in a stable state. MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: Prospective observational study (2012). We classified the severity of
      COPD according to the BODE index in 3 subgroups: mild to moderate COPD (BODE<5
      points), severe COPD (BODE 5-6 points) and very severe COPD (BODE >= 7 points).
      RESULTS: We included 97 patients with a mean age of 67 (8) years, 96% were men.
      The mean FEV1 was 34.3% (9.8%) and mean BODE index was 4.8 (1.4). The mean CAT
      score was 20 (7.7). We found no significant differences in CAT score (total or by
      items) between the 3 groups of BODE assessed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COPD
      and severe airflow obstruction, the CAT score reflects a moderate to severe
      impact of illness and does not allow to predict COPD severity assessed by the
      BODE index.

PMID- 24210983
TI  - [Results of an early intervention program for patients with bacteremia discharged
      from the Emergency Department].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Occult bacteremia represents 3% of blood cultures drawn
      in the Emergency Department. In most cases, the evolution is unknown. The aim of
      the study is to analyze the results obtained after implementation of an
      intervention program for these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe the
      results of an early intervention program for patients with bacteremia in the
      Emergency Department discharged at home, which was implemented in daily clinical
      activity in Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella (Malaga). We analyze the
      epidemiological, microbiological, Charlson comorbidity index, Pitt bacteremia
      index and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: During 15 months, 90 patients were located.
      The median age was 67 years. There was a predominance of males with 54 of cases
      (60%). The acquisition place was predominantly the community with 51 cases
      (56.6%), being the most frequent microorganism Escherichia coli with 31 cases
      (34.4%). The median Charlson index and the bacteremia Pitt index were 1. Thirty
      eight of the cases required hospitalization (42.2%). Pitt bacteremia index>1 and
      exchange antibiotic treatment were the related variables with need for admission.
      One patient died (1.2%) and 6 patients could not be located (6.6%). CONCLUSIONS:
      The implementation of programs of early identification and management of patients
      with bacteremia in Emergency Department discharged al home allows early recovery
      of patients who require hospital admission and antibiotic treatment optimization.
      In our series, mortality after early intervention was low (1.2%).

PMID- 24210984
TI  - [Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis as a paraneoplastic syndrome of lung
      adenocarcinoma].

PMID- 24210985
TI  - [Aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma in children with cystic fibrosis].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma (APK) is a cutaneous phenomenon
      marked by the formation of edematous, translucent papules and plaques on the
      palms after water immersion. It can be observed in healthy subjects, but while
      this dermatosis is little known by practitioners treating these patients, most
      cases of APK have been described in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The
      primary objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of APK in a
      population of children with CF. In addition, the relationship between APK and
      sex, genotype, pancreatic and pulmonary function, body mass index, and sweat
      chloride levels was analyzed. METHODS: This study was conducted in 60 children,
      27 girls and 33 boys, aged 4 months to 18 years, followed at the CF care center
      at Angers (France) University Hospital, in whom CF had been confirmed by a
      positive sweat chloride level greater than 60 mmol. APK was determined by
      questioning searching for modifications of the palms noticed by the patient or
      his/her family after immersion in water and a clinical examination searching for
      the same signs before and after immersion of the right hand in a bucket of
      lukewarm water for 3 minutes (bucket sign). RESULTS: Forty-seven out of 60
      children (78%) had a positive bucket sign. Thirty-eight upon these 47 children
      had already noticed modifications of the skin on their palms, appearing quickly
      during the bath and 6 had an edema and an increase in skin folds on the palms of
      the hands even before immersion of their hand in water. No genotype-phenotype
      correlations were detected in patients with APK, nor were there associations of
      APK with other phenotypic features of CF. CONCLUSION: APK is very frequent in
      patients with CF. It is most probably a consequence of the dysfunction of the
      CFTR protein. It should be systematically sought in all patients with CF. Its
      discovery in another context should suggest the diagnosis of CF or a carriage to
      the heterozygous state of a mutation involved in the disease.

PMID- 24210986
TI  - [Trisomy 21 in visual art].
AB  - In 1866, J. Langdon Down published a paper on "an ethnic classification of
      idiots" and noted their facial resemblance with individuals of the Mongolian
      people. In 1959, J. Lejeune, M. Gautier, and R. Turpin demonstrated that the
      children with Down syndrome had an extra copy of chromosome 21. There is now a
      debate within the medical literature on the age of trisomy 21 as a disease
      affecting mankind. Since it was not described before 1866, some authors
      questioned whether this disease is an old or new condition in humans. Three
      methods of investigation are useful for demonstrating that trisomy 21 has been
      present in humans for a long time: the figuration of this condition in historical
      paintings, figurines, and pottery; its presence in old skeletal remains; and the
      origin of human chromosome 21 during primate phylogeny. Figurines strongly
      suggestive of trisomy 21 have been found in the Greco-Roman world, in many
      Central and South American pre-Columbian cultures, and in Khmer temples. In
      Europe, during the Renaissance, Italian and Flemish artists represented trisomy
      21 in paintings of religious inspiration. Studies on the origin and pathology of
      chromosome 21 have shown that the ancestral human chromosome 21 arose 30-50
      million years ago and that trisomy 21 has existed since time immemorial.

PMID- 24210987
TI  - Prevalence, predictors and evolution of echocardiographically defined cardiac
      abnormalities in adults with type 1 diabetes: an observational cohort study.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aims of this observational study were to determine the
      prevalence and predictors of an abnormal echocardiogram in adults with type 1
      diabetes, and to assess the evolution of changes in a subset of subjects.
      METHODS: Cardiac function and structure were prospectively investigated by
      comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic techniques in asymptomatic adults
      with type 1 diabetes seen in the ambulatory care setting. RESULTS: We recruited
      136 subjects (mean age 39 years, SD 14 years) with a median diabetes duration of
      21 years [25(th), 75(th) interquartile range; 11, 29]. An abnormal echocardiogram
      was present in 29% of subjects; diastolic dysfunction in 69%, left ventricular
      hypertrophy in 38% and systolic dysfunction in 10%. The independent predictors of
      an abnormal echocardiogram were age, with a 9-fold increase in those >=40 years
      (OR 9.40 [95% CI 2.68-33.04], P <0.0001), and increased body mass index (BMI),
      with a 17% increase in risk (P=0.04). A second echocardiogram was available in 65
      subjects (3.8+/-1.7 years later). The results showed that one in five with a
      normal first study had developed an abnormal second study, mainly diastolic
      dysfunction, with age being the only independent predictor of progression
      (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Subclinical echocardiographic
      abnormalities are common in asymptomatic type 1 diabetes adults, and changes are
      progressive. The addition of an echocardiogram to complication surveillance
      programs in those with type 1 diabetes aged >=40 years may represent a cost
      effective way to screen for, and aggressively treat, occult cardiac disease.

PMID- 24210990
TI  - Giant anorectal mucosal melanoma.

PMID- 24210991
TI  - Endoscopic treatment of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations: an overview.
AB  - In the past, the treatment of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations was
      limited to surgical management or to medical observation. Natural Orifice
      Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) has paved the way towards the development
      of reliable endoscopic closure techniques, which can be applicable in accidental
      perforations of the gastrointestinal tract. When endoscopic treatment is
      feasible, hemoclips are preferred in smaller perforations, while over-the-scope
      clips or a combination of hemoclips, endoloops, and glue are used in larger ones.
      Endoscopic stitching is rarely utilized, and endoscopic stapling has been
      practically abandoned. The use of self-expandable covered stents can be
      considered in the esophagus and duodenum. Broad spectrum antibiotics are
      recommended in most cases. Clinical follow-up in a medico-surgical unit is
      mandatory and surgical intervention should not be delayed more than 24h if
      clinical or biological worsening occurs. Imaging with oral contrast medium is
      advisable before resumption of oral feeding in the case of large perforations. 

PMID- 24210992
TI  - Analysis of interobserver variability for endomicroscopy of the gastrointestinal
      tract.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endomicroscopy allows in vivo microscopic investigation of enteral
      mucosa during endoscopic examinations. The aim of this study was to determine
      interobserver variability in the evaluation of endomicroscopic pictures of
      several organs by groups of investigators composed of confocal experts,
      pathologists and students. METHODS: Twenty-five selected representative
      endomicroscopic pictures of the colon, stomach and oesophagus (total number, 75)
      were evaluated based on tissue, inflammatory and neoplastic changes (secondary
      endpoints). The endomicroscopic presence of neoplastic features was the primary
      endpoint and correlated with the final histological diagnosis. RESULTS: The kappa
      values for experts examining colon, stomach, and oesophagus pictures were 0.80,
      0.91, and 0.488, respectively; for students 0.74, 0.684, and 0.527 and for
      pathologists 0.749, 0.633, and 0.346, respectively. Neoplasia was accurately
      diagnosed in 67-97% of patients with no significant differences between the 3
      groups. Tissue differentiation was determined best by pathologists, whereas the
      degree of inflammation was better diagnosed by experts and students. In all 3
      groups the diagnosis of oesophageal diseases was the most difficult. CONCLUSIONS:
      Endomicroscopic images can be interpreted with high concordance. In our study,
      the diagnostic reliability was not different between students, endomicroscopic
      experts, and pathologists. Thus, endomicroscopy could be an additional and
      reliable imaging modality for diagnosing mucosal neoplasia of the gut.

PMID- 24210993
TI  - Phosphorylated Crkl reduction levels are associated with the lowest P
      glycoprotein activity levels in cells from chronic myeloid leukemia patients.
AB  - ABCB1/P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and ABCG2/BCRP overexpression have been described as
      related to imatinib resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We showed in
      CML cells from 55 patients that Pgp activity was more frequently detected than
      BCRP activity (p=0.0074). Imatinib-induced Crkl phosphorylated protein (pCrkl)
      reduction was more pronounced in K562 (Pgp-negative) than in K562-Lucena (Pgp
      positive) CML cell line. Expressive pCrkl reduction levels after in vitro
      imatinib treatment was observed in samples from patients exhibiting lower Pgp
      activity levels compared with patients exhibiting higher Pgp activity levels
      (p=0.0045). Pgp activity in association with pCrkl reduction levels might help to
      distinguish between imatinib-resistant and imatinib-sensitive CML cells. 

PMID- 24210994
TI  - Global complexity and cognitive reserve in MCI.

PMID- 24210995
TI  - How task specific is task specific dystonia?

PMID- 24210996
TI  - Psychophysiological correlates of coping and quality of life in patients with
      ALS.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Self-regulation models of coping suggest that patients with chronic
      diseases reporting low quality of life (QoL), an indicator of failed coping
      efforts, should show facilitated access to disease related words. Here we
      investigated whether a reduced N400 amplitude within an incongruent, i.e.
      unpredictable disease-related context would be a correlate of this facilitated
      access. METHODS: ERPs were recorded in N=18 patients with amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis (ALS) and N=20 age-matched healthy controls during reading of
      sentences, ending either with congruent or incongruent words. Incongruent and
      congruent words were disease related or disease unrelated. Mean N400 amplitudes
      were analyzed with mixed models. RESULTS: Generally, incongruent words elicited a
      more negative N400 amplitude than congruent words in all groups and conditions,
      i.e. an N400 effect. In patients with high QoL this N400 effect did not differ
      between disease related and unrelated words. In patients with low QoL, however,
      the N400 effect was significantly smaller for disease related than for disease
      unrelated words. In healthy controls N400 amplitudes showed no such interaction
      between congruence, disease relatedness and QoL. Results remained stable when
      controlling for disease severity, duration and depression. CONCLUSION: The N400
      indicates increased accessibility to disease related information in ALS patients
      with low QoL. The increased access may imply a constantly activated disease
      related context which is linked to low QoL. SIGNIFICANCE: N400 modulation by
      disease related information may serve as a psychophysiological correlate of
      coping and the patient's QoL.

PMID- 24210998
TI  - We were blind, so now we can see: the EP/ERP story in migraine.

PMID- 24210997
TI  - Brain activity during complex imagined gait tasks in Parkinson disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Motor imagery during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
      allows assessment of brain activity during tasks, like walking, that cannot be
      completed in an MRI scanner. We used gait imagery to assess the neural
      pathophysiology of locomotion in Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS: Brain activity
      was measured in five locomotor regions (supplementary motor area (SMA), globus
      pallidus (GP), putamen, mesencephalic locomotor region, cerebellar locomotor
      region) during simple (forward) and complex (backward, turning) gait imagery.
      Brain activity was correlated to overground walking velocity. RESULTS: Across
      tasks, PD exhibited reduced activity in the globus pallidus compared to controls.
      People with PD, but not controls, exhibited more activity in the SMA during
      imagined turning compared to forward or backward walking. In PD, walking speed
      was correlated to brain activity in several regions. CONCLUSIONS: Altered SMA
      activity in PD during imagined turning may represent compensatory neural
      adaptations during complex gait. The lowered activity and positive correlation to
      locomotor function in GP suggests reduced activity in this region may relate to
      locomotor dysfunction. SIGNIFICANCE: This study elucidates changes in neural
      activity during gait in PD, underscoring the importance of testing simple and
      complex tasks. Results support a positive relationship between activity in
      locomotor regions and walking ability.

PMID- 24210999
TI  - New SSU-rDNA sequences for eleven colpodeans (Ciliophora, Colpodea) and
      description of Apocyrtolophosis nov. gen.
AB  - Using 11 new SSU-rDNA sequences, we analyze relationships within the class
      Colpodea, especially of some uncommon taxa, such as Kalometopia duplicata,
      Cyrtolophosis minor, and Jaroschia sumptuosa. The sequences do not change the
      basic structure of the molecular Colpodea tree, i.e., all belong to one of the
      four molecular clades recognized by Foissner et al. (2011): Colpodida,
      Cyrtolophosidida, Bursariomorphida, and Platyophryida. The addition of three
      Colpoda sequences strengthens the observation that species of this genus are
      distributed over the whole molecular Colpodea tree. Very likely, this is caused
      by a fast radiation of Colpoda, several species of which then evolved
      independently, forming new genera and families. Cyrtolophosis minor, which
      belongs to the molecular Pseudocyrtolophosis clade, is referred to a new genus,
      Apocyrtolophosis nov. gen., characterized by a comparably large, deltoid oral
      opening, an unciliated posterior region, and the absence of an oblique kinety in
      the left oral polykinetid. Bryometopus triquetrus does not erase the paraphyly of
      its genus. Platyophrya vorax, P. spumacola, and P. bromelicola form a highly
      supported clade in the order Platyophryida. Platyophryides and Ottowphrya are
      close genetically but differ in the silverline pattern (colpodid vs.
      platyophryid).

PMID- 24211000
TI  - Effect of patient-controlled sedation with propofol on patient satisfaction: a
      randomized study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this trial we sought to determine whether propofol-based patient
      controlled sedation (PCS) during diagnostic cerebral angiography would result in
      improved patient satisfaction compared to placebo-based PCS. METHODS: We randomly
      assigned 61 patients to receive propofol-based PCS (n=33, 15mg bolus in 9 s) or
      placebo-based PCS (n=28, bolus of 1.5mL of a 20% lipid emulsion in 9 s). We
      recorded the number of PCS bolus requirements, the need for rescue sedative
      drugs, and physiological variables. Prior to the procedure, the anxiety level of
      each patient was evaluated using the Anxiety State Traits Assessment (STAI) and
      the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS). The quality of
      patient conditioning was quoted by both the anesthetist and neuroradiologist
      using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The day following the procedure, patients were
      given the EVAN questionnaire, a validated tool for assessing patient
      satisfaction. RESULTS: Both groups were similar in term of demographics, American
      Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status scores, STAI and APAIS scores,
      and procedure lengths. There were no differences between groups in EVAN scores
      76.9+/-16.1 vs. 75.7+/-12.8; P=0.78. The number of PCS bolus requirements was
      significantly higher in the placebo group 3.96+/-9.5 vs. 3.13+/-3.1 (P=0.02). No
      adverse event was recorded. CONCLUSION: This prospective, double-blind,
      randomized study showed that sedation using propofol PCS did not improve
      patients' satisfaction during diagnostic cerebral angiography. Therefore, an
      anesthetist should be rapidly available on request but not necessarily present
      during the whole procedure.

PMID- 24211001
TI  - [Necrotizing pneumonia due to Enterococcus faecalis in an immunocompromised
      patient of 67 years].

PMID- 24211002
TI  - [History of pediatric anesthesia: from the beginnings to the end of the 19th
      century].
AB  - The first intuitions and descriptions of anesthesia can be found in the antique
      civilizations. In the 19th century, the invention of anesthesia took place in
      Boston, and quickly spread to Europe. In France, regulations and structures were
      created before the beginning of the 20th century to organize this new profession,
      for children as well as for adults. 

PMID- 24211006
TI  - Anti-NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis.
AB  - The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is involved in normal physiological and
      pathological states in the brain. Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is characterized by
      memory deficits, seizures, confusion, and psychological disturbances in males and
      females of all ages. This type of encephalitis is often associated with ovarian
      teratoma in young women, but children are less likely to have tumors. Anti-NMDAR
      encephalitis is a neuroimmune syndrome in patients with autoantibodies
      recognizing extracellular epitopes of NMDAR, and the autoantibodies attenuate
      NMDAR function through the internalization of NMDAR. Following the initial
      symptoms of inflammation, the patients show the various symptoms such as memory
      loss, confusion, emotional disturbances, psychosis, dyskinesis, decrease in
      speech intelligibility, and seizures. About half of these patients improved with
      immunotherapy including high-dose intravenous corticosteroids and intravenous
      immunoglobulins is administrated to these patients, but the patients who had no
      improvement with these therapy require further treatments with rituximab or
      cyclophosphamide. It is necessary to detect anti-NMDAR antibodies at early
      stages, because the prognosis of these patients may be improved by early
      treatment. Recovery is slow, and the patients may have some disturbances in their
      motor function and cognition. The pathologic mechanism underlying the development
      of anti-NMDAR encephalitis has been elucidated gradually, but the optimal
      treatment has not yet been clarified. Further studies are required to clarify in
      detail the mechanism underlying anti-NMDA encephalitis and to develop effective
      treatments.

PMID- 24211003
TI  - Dissociation of preparatory attention and response monitoring maturation during
      adolescence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Substantial brain development occurs during adolescence providing the
      foundation for functional advancement from stimulus-bound "bottom-up" to more
      mature executive-driven "top-down" processing strategies. The objective was to
      assess development of EEG markers of these strategies and their role in both
      preparatory attention (contingent negative variation, CNV) and response
      monitoring (Error Related Negativity, ERN, and Correct Related Negativity, CRN).
      METHODS: CNV, ERN and CRN were assessed in 38 adolescents (18 girls), age 11-18
      years, using a variation of a letter discrimination task. RESULTS: Accuracy
      increased with age and developmental stage. Younger adolescents used a posterior
      attention network involved in inhibiting irrelevant information. Activity in this
      juvenile network, as indexed by a posteriorly-biased CNV and CRN decreased with
      age and advancing pubertal development. Although enhanced frontal CNV, known to
      be predictive of accuracy in adults, was not detected even in the older
      adolescents, top-down medial frontal response monitoring processes (ERN) showed
      evidence of development within the age-range studied. CONCLUSIONS: The data
      revealed a dissociation of developmental progress, marked by relatively delayed
      onset of frontal preparatory attention relative to error monitoring.
      SIGNIFICANCE: This dissociation may render adolescents vulnerable to excessive
      risk-taking and disinhibited behavior imposed by asynchronous development of
      component cognitive control processes.

PMID- 24211007
TI  - Resting state functional connectivity alterations in primary lateral sclerosis.
AB  - Resting state functional connectivity of the sensorimotor and extramotor brain
      networks was studied in 24 patients with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) relative
      to 26 healthy controls. The relationships of RS functional connectivity with
      patient clinical and cognitive status and white matter tract damage (i.e.,
      corticospinal tracts, corpus callosum, and superior longitudinal fasciculus) were
      investigated. Compared with controls, PLS patients showed an increased functional
      connectivity within the sensorimotor, frontal, and left frontoparietal networks
      spanning the pre- and postcentral, medial and dorsal frontal, insular, and
      superior temporal regions. Patients with more severe physical disability and a
      more rapid rate of disease progression had increased sensorimotor connectivity
      values. The increased functional connectivity within the frontal network was
      associated with executive dysfunction. In addition, higher functional
      connectivity correlated with greater structural damage to network-specific white
      matter tracts. This study shows clinically meaningful increased resting state
      functional connectivity in PLS. 

PMID- 24211008
TI  - Operationalizing hippocampal volume as an enrichment biomarker for amnestic mild
      cognitive impairment trials: effect of algorithm, test-retest variability, and
      cut point on trial cost, duration, and sample size.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of computational
      algorithm, measurement variability, and cut point on hippocampal volume (HCV)
      based patient selection for clinical trials in mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
      We used normal control and amnestic MCI subjects from the Alzheimer's Disease
      Neuroimaging Initiative 1 (ADNI-1) as normative reference and screening cohorts.
      We evaluated the enrichment performance of 4 widely used hippocampal segmentation
      algorithms (FreeSurfer, Hippocampus Multi-Atlas Propagation and Segmentation
      (HMAPS), Learning Embeddings Atlas Propagation (LEAP), and NeuroQuant) in terms
      of 2-year changes in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease
      Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), and Clinical Dementia Rating Sum
      of Boxes (CDR-SB). We modeled the implications for sample size, screen fail
      rates, and trial cost and duration. HCV based patient selection yielded reduced
      sample sizes (by ~40%-60%) and lower trial costs (by ~30%-40%) across a wide
      range of cut points. These results provide a guide to the choice of HCV cut point
      for amnestic MCI clinical trials, allowing an informed tradeoff between
      statistical and practical considerations.

PMID- 24211009
TI  - Role for the neurexin-neuroligin complex in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Synaptic damage is a critical hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and the best
      correlate with cognitive impairment ante mortem. Synapses, the loci of
      communication between neurons, are characterized by signature protein
      combinations arrayed at tightly apposed pre- and post-synaptic sites. The most
      widely studied trans-synaptic junctional complexes, which direct synaptogenesis
      and foster the maintenance and stability of the mature terminal, are conjunctions
      of presynaptic neurexins and postsynaptic neuroligins. Fluctuations in the levels
      of neuroligins and neurexins can sway the balance between excitatory and
      inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain, and could lead to damage of synapses
      and dendrites. This review summarizes current understanding of the roles of
      neurexins and neuroligins proteolytic processing in synaptic plasticity in the
      human brain, and outlines their possible roles in beta-amyloid metabolism and
      function, which are central pathogenic events in Alzheimer's disease progression.

PMID- 24211010
TI  - Aging is associated with changes in the neural circuits underlying empathy.
AB  - Although the neurodevelopment of empathy from childhood to adolescence has been
      documented, no study has yet examined it across a life span aging perspective.
      Sixty-five healthy participants from 3 age groups (young, middle-aged, old)
      underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while presented with visual
      stimuli depicting body parts being injured, either accidentally by oneself or
      intentionally by another, thus isolating pain and agency as 2 variables of
      interest. Older adults reported less dispositional emotional empathy as assessed
      by the interpersonal reactivity index, and their unpleasantness ratings were more
      sensitive to intentional harm. The response in anterior insula and anterior mid
      cingulate cortex to others' pain, indicative of emotional empathy, showed an age
      related decline, whereas the response in medial prefrontal cortex and posterior
      superior temporal sulcus to perceived agency did not change with age. Dynamic
      causal modeling demonstrated that their effective connectivity remained stable.
      The pattern of hemodynamic response was not related to regional gray matter
      volume loss. These findings suggest that the neural response associated with
      emotional empathy lessened with age, whereas the response to perceived agency is
      preserved. 

PMID- 24211011
TI  - Prevalence, use and sale of contact lenses in Saudi Arabia: survey on university
      women and non-ophthalmic stores.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence and general knowledge of contact lens (CL) wear
      among women users and to examine the practice of CL dispensation by non
      ophthalmic stores. METHOD: One thousand four hundred and sixty-six female
      university students, between 16 and 31 years of age, and 1766 registered beauty
      stores in the region were randomly interviewed using self-administered
      questionnaires. The questions addressed general care/handling of CLs, CL case and
      solution hygiene practices by patients, the CL selection available in the shops,
      the type of instructions given to consumers, and who gives these instructions.
      RESULTS: The prevalence of CL use was 70.2% (1029/1466). Fifty percent were part
      time users of CLs, and cosmetic reasons were the major reason (63.3%) for CL use.
      Approximately 38.7% of the respondents used CL without consultation with an eye
      care practitioner. The main purchasing locations were optical shops (51%), beauty
      salons (38%), and pharmacies (11%). Concerning contact lens care, 89.4% of the
      respondents adequately washed their hands before handling CLs and 72.7% changed
      their solutions daily, while 7.7% admitted to occasional overnight wear of their
      CL and 27.6% sometimes shared their CLs with friends. Interestingly, 80.3% of the
      1327 shops sold CLs with no prescription, and 61.4% gave no instructions to the
      patients during purchase. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of CL use by
      female university students in Saudi Arabia, especially for cosmetic purposes.
      Although, there was good awareness with regard to general lens care practices,
      some users shared their lenses with friends, and the rate of sale of CLs without
      prescriptions in ordinary shops was high.

PMID- 24211012
TI  - References from Brazilian medical journals in national publications.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there is a preference for international journal
      citation to the detriment of national ones in ten Brazilian medical journals, in
      two different periods. METHODS: All references in the articles published in
      Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia, Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia
      Cardiovascular, Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira, Sao Paulo Medical
      Journal, Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Clinics, Jornal
      Brasileiro de Pneumologia, Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical,
      Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria e Acta Ortopedica Brasileira in the years 2011
      and 2007 were analyzed, assessing the number of articles published in national
      and international journals. RESULTS: A total of 36,125 references from 1,462
      articles published in the 10 aforementioned journals were analyzed. Of the total
      number, 4.242 (11.74%) were from Brazilian journals. There was no significant
      difference between the two analyzed periods. A total of 453 (30,98%) of the
      articles studied non-cited brazilian papers,and 81 (5.54%) articles had more
      Brazilian than international references. CONCLUSION: Of total references
      analyzed, 11.74% were related to articles published in Brazilian journals. This
      number, when compared to the percentage of Brazilian articles published in the
      medical area, demonstrates a good number of citations of national articles.

PMID- 24211013
TI  - Rebound effect of modern drugs: serious adverse event unknown by health
      professionals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Supported in the Hippocratic aphorism primum non nocere, the
      bioethical principle of non-maleficence pray that the medical act cause the least
      damage or injury to the health of the patient, leaving it to the doctor to assess
      the risks of a particular therapy through knowledge of possible adverse events of
      drugs. Among these, the rebound effect represents a common side effect to
      numerous classes of modern drugs, may cause serious and fatal disorders in
      patients. This review aims to clarify the health professionals on clinical and
      epidemiological aspects of rebound phenomenon. METHODS: A qualitative,
      exploratory and bibliographic review was held in the PubMed database using the
      keywords 'rebound', 'withdrawal', 'paradoxical', 'acetylsalicylic acid', 'anti
      inflammatory', 'bronchodilator', 'antidepressant', 'statin', 'proton pump
      inhibitor' and 'bisphosphonate'. RESULTS: The rebound effect occurs after
      discontinuation of numerous classes of drugs that act contrary to the disease
      disorders, exacerbating them at levels above those prior to treatment. Regardless
      of the disease, the drug and duration of treatment, the phenomenon manifests
      itself in a small proportion of susceptible individuals. However, it may cause
      serious and fatal adverse events should be considered a public health problem in
      view of the enormous consumption of drugs by population. CONCLUSION: Bringing
      together a growing and unquestionable body of evidence, the physician needs to
      have knowledge of the consequences of the rebound effect and how to minimize it,
      increasing safety in the management of modern drugs. On the other hand, this
      rebound can be used in a curative way, broadening the spectrum of the modern
      therapeutics.

PMID- 24211014
TI  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women exposed to wood stove smoke.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify respiratory symptoms and COPD (forced vital capacity and
      forced expiratory volume in one second ratio < 0.70 and below the lower limit of
      normal) in non-smoking women with history of exposure to wood smoke of at least
      80 hours-years. METHODS: One hundred sixty nonsmoking women were included.
      Demographic data and information about symptoms and other environmental exposures
      were collected. All women underwent spirometry and those with COPD also had their
      lung volumes measured. RESULTS: The COPD group had greater exposure in years to
      wood smoke (p = 0.043), greater length of rural residence (p = 0.042) and the
      same length of passive smoking (p = 0.297) and farm work (p = 0.985). Cough
      (69.8%), sputum (55.8%) and wheezing (67.4%) predominated in the COPD group (p <
      0.001) compared to those without COPD (40.2%, 27.4%, 33, 3%, respectively). The
      COPD patients had mild to moderate obstructive disturbance and normal lung
      volumes, except that the residual volume and total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC) >
      0.40 in 45%, which correlated negatively with forced expiratory volume in one
      second (FEV1) and FEV1/vital forced capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC). CONCLUSION: Women
      with prolonged exposure to wood smoke had predominantly mild to moderate COPD.
      Those without COPD had a high prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms,
      justifying clinical and spirometric monitoring.

PMID- 24211015
TI  - Arteriographic findings in diabetic and non-diabetic with critical limb ischemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare angiographic findings of diabetic and non-diabetic patients
      with critical limb ischemia. METHODS: We included 161 patients with infrainguinal
      critical limb ischemia (CLI). We evaluated the clinical and arteriographic
      (number and presence of opacification of leg arteries) of the two groups of
      patients. Statistical analysis was performed using EPI-INFO. RESULTS: Most
      patients were category 5 of Rutherford's Classification and had femoropopliteal
      disease. Seventy-two percent of non-diabetic and 67% of diabetic had
      opacification of the fibular artery (p = 0.25), this is the most present artery
      in both groups. Diabetic patients had less opacification of the posterior tibial
      artery in the univariate analysis (29% vs. 47%, p = 0.008). But only female sex
      showed a significant risk for the absence of the posterior tibial artery in
      logistic regression (OR = 2.6; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The peroneal artery was the
      most frequently artery in angiograms of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with
      CLI. Diabetic and non-diabetic patients did not differ in angiographic findings
      of the leg.

PMID- 24211016
TI  - Defining the anti-inflammatory activity of a potent myxomaviral chemokine
      modulating protein, M-T7, through site directed mutagenesis.
AB  - Viral chemokine modulating proteins provide new and extensive sources for
      therapeutics. Purified M-T7, a poxvirus-derived secreted immunomodulatory
      protein, reduces mononuclear cell invasion and atheroma in rodent models of
      angioplasty injury as well as aortic and renal transplant, improving renal
      allograft survival. M-T7 is a rabbit species-specific interferon gamma receptor
      (IFNgammaR) homolog, but also inhibits chemokine/glycosaminoglycan (GAG)
      interactions for C, CC and CXC chemokines, with cross-species specific inhibitory
      activity. M-T7 anti-atheroma activity is blunted in GAG deficient mouse aortic
      transplants, but not in CC chemokine receptor deficient transplants, supporting M
      T7 interference in chemokine/GAG interactions as the basis of the atheroma
      inhibitory activity. We have assessed point mutants of M-T7 both in vivo in a
      mouse angioplasty model and in vitro in tissue culture and binding assays, in
      order to better define the primary mechanism of anti-atheroma activity. Of these
      M-T7 mutants, the R(171)E and E(209)I M-T7 mutants lost inhibitory activity for
      plaque growth in hyperlipidemic ApoE(-/-) mice after angioplasty injury and
      R(171)E, moreover, greatly exacerbated plaque growth and inflammation. F(137)D
      retained some inhibitory activity for plaque growth. In contrast, for cell
      migration assays, M-T7-His6X, F(137)D, R(171)E, and E(209)I all inhibited CC
      chemokine (RANTES) mediated cell migration. For the ligand binding assays,
      R(171)E and E(209)I had significantly reduced binding to RANTES and IFNgamma,
      whereas F(137)D retained wild-type binding activity. Heparin treatment further
      reduced RANTES binding of all three M-T7 mutants. In summary, point mutations of
      M-T7, R(171)E and E(209)I, exhibited reduced anti-inflammatory properties in vivo
      after mouse angioplasty with a loss of in vitro binding to RANTES and IFNgamma,
      indicating these point mutations partially disrupt M-T7 ligand-binding
      activities. Unexpectedly, the M-T7 mutants all retained inhibitory activity for
      human monocyte THP-1 cell migration ex vivo, suggesting additional inhibitory
      properties against human monocyte THP-1 cells that are independent of chemokine
      inhibition. 

PMID- 24211018
TI  - Suggestions for a Web based universal exchange and inference language for
      medicine.
AB  - Mining biomedical and pharmaceutical data generates huge numbers of interacting
      probabilistic statements for inference, which can be supported by mining Web text
      sources. This latter can also be probabilistic, in a sense described in this
      report. However, the diversity of tools for probabilistic inference is
      troublesome, suggesting a need for a unifying best practice. Physicists often
      claim that quantum mechanics is the universal best practice for probabilistic
      reasoning. We discuss how the Dirac notation and algebra suggest the form and
      algebraic and semantic meaning of XML-like Web tags for a clinical and biomedical
      universal exchange language formulated to make sense directly to the eye of the
      physician and biomedical researcher. 

PMID- 24211017
TI  - Detailed assessments of childhood adversity enhance prediction of central obesity
      independent of gender, race, adult psychosocial risk and health behaviors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether a novel indicator of overall childhood
      adversity, incorporating number of adversities, severity, and chronicity,
      predicted central obesity beyond contributions of "modifiable" risk factors
      including psychosocial characteristics and health behaviors in a diverse sample
      of midlife adults. The study also examined whether the overall adversity score
      (number of adversities * severity * chronicity) better predicted obesity compared
      to cumulative adversity (number of adversities), a more traditional assessment of
      childhood adversity. MATERIALS/METHODS: 210 Black/African Americans and
      White/European Americans, mean age=45.8; +/-3.3 years, were studied cross
      sectionally. Regression analysis examined overall childhood adversity as a
      direct, non-modifiable risk factor for central obesity (waist-hip ratio) and body
      mass index (BMI), with and without adjustment for established adult psychosocial
      risk factors (education, employment, social functioning) and heath behavior risk
      factors (smoking, drinking, diet, exercise). RESULTS: Overall childhood adversity
      was an independent significant predictor of central obesity, and the relations
      between psychosocial and health risk factors and central obesity were not
      significant when overall adversity was in the model. Overall adversity was not a
      statistically significant predictor of BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Overall childhood
      adversity, incorporating severity and chronicity and cumulative scores, predicts
      central obesity beyond more contemporaneous risk factors often considered
      modifiable. This is consistent with early dysregulation of metabolic functioning.
      Findings can inform practitioners interested in the impact of childhood adversity
      and personalizing treatment approaches of obesity within high-risk populations.
      Prevention/intervention research is necessary to discover and address the
      underlying causes and impact of childhood adversity on metabolic functioning.

PMID- 24211019
TI  - Truncated and constrained helical analogs of antimicrobial esculentin-2EM.
AB  - Esculentin-2EM is a 37-residue, cationic, amphipathic, alpha-helical
      antimicrobial peptide isolated from a Korean frog, Glandirama emeljanovi. Many
      studies revealed that truncation of this peptide results in substantial decreases
      in its antimicrobial activity. Lee and his colleagues have recently reported that
      a 23-residue esculentin-2EM analog containing a tryptophanyl substitution at
      position 16 showed a significant recovery of the antimicrobial activity of the
      parent peptide. Here we report a new series of 15-residue esculentin-2EM analogs
      which are constrained into an alpha-helical conformation via an oct-4-enyl cross
      link. The resulting 'stapled' derivatives displayed remarkable increases not only
      in antimicrobial activity but also in helical content and protease resistance
      compared to Lee's original 23-residue esculentin-2EM analog. The preliminary data
      obtained in this work strongly supports the potential of our strategy for the
      development of a new class of peptide antibiotics. 

PMID- 24211020
TI  - Chlorophenylpiperazine analogues as high affinity dopamine transporter ligands.
AB  - Selective sigma2 ligands continue to be an active target for medications to
      attenuate the effects of psychostimulants. In the course of our studies to
      determine the optimal substituents in the sigma2-selective phenyl piperazines
      analogues with reduced activity at other neurotransmitter systems, we discovered
      that 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-phenethylpiperazine actually had preferentially
      increased affinity for dopamine transporters (DAT), yielding a highly selective
      DAT ligand. 

PMID- 24211021
TI  - Synthesis and antitumor activity evaluation of maleopimaric acid N-aryl imide
      atropisomers.
AB  - Maleopimaric acid N-aryl imides (2) and methyl maleopimaric acid N-aryl imides
      (3) were designed and synthesized. Their atropisomers (A and B) were separated
      into their enantiomeric pure forms and the anti-proliferative activity was tested
      against NCI, A549, Hep G-2, MGC-803 and Hct-116 cell lines, respectively. A
      significant difference in the level of cytotoxicity was observed between R and S
      conformers. Atropisomers A with an R configuration exhibited significant toxicity
      (the IC50 values ranging from 7.51 to 32.1 MUM). Further experiments proved that
      antitumor activity of 2A was achieved through the induction of cell apoptosis by
      G1 cell-cycle arrest.

PMID- 24211022
TI  - Discovery of a potent respiratory syncytial virus RNA polymerase inhibitor.
AB  - Targeting viral polymerases has been a proven and attractive strategy for
      antiviral drug discovery. Herein we describe our effort in improving the
      antiviral activity and physical properties of a series of benzothienoazepine
      compounds as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RNA polymerase inhibitors. The
      antiviral activity and spectrum of this class was significantly improved by
      exploring the amino substitution of the pyridine ring, resulting in the discovery
      of the most potent RSV A polymerase inhibitors reported to date. 

PMID- 24211023
TI  - Development and preliminary validation of a new scale to assess functional
      ability of older population in India.
AB  - Identifying the decline in functional ability and preventing disability is the
      critical element of the quality of life of an old age. However, the lack of
      contextual scale to assess the decline in functional capacity is a major issue.
      Objective of this study is to design the functional ability assessment scale for
      elderly people in India and test its psychometric properties. Random sample of
      659 individuals above 60 years of age from western part of India was recruited.
      This paper outlines the construction, reliability and validity of a newly
      developed 14 item scale named as Pune-Functional Ability Assessment Tool (Pune
      FAAT). The factors were extracted using the principal component analysis. Two
      factor-structure of scale was accepted after applying the K1 rule, scree plot and
      parallel analysis method. The two factor structure yielded variance of 64.4%. The
      psychometric properties of the scale were examined using confirmatory factor
      analysis. The scale has an excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.928) and
      very good test-retest reliability (r=0.884). Each subscale demonstrated good
      internal consistency (Subscale I - Cronbach's alpha 0.938 and Subscale II -
      Cronbach's alpha 0.762). Excellent convergent validity with Standford's health
      assessment questionnaire (r=0.959). Discriminant validity was very good as FAAT
      index showed significant difference in young adults (mean+/-SD 1.11+/-0.24) and
      older adults (mean+/-SD 1.69+/-0.70). This new measure is a potentially valuable
      research tool for investigating older adult's functional ability to perform basic
      and complex daily activities. 

PMID- 24211024
TI  - Older person behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPS) and functional
      limitations mediate the association between older person cognitive impairment and
      depressive symptoms in the caregiver.
AB  - We assess for the mediation of the association between older person cognitive
      impairment and caregiver depressive symptoms through older person BPS and
      functional limitations, and whether the mediation varies by caregiver-older
      person relationship (spouse/adult child). Data for 1111 older person (aged 75+
      with activity of daily living (ADL) limitation)-caregiver dyads from Singapore
      were used. The outcome variable was dichotomous (caregiver clinically significant
      depressive symptoms [CSDS]: yes/no) in the primary analysis and continuous
      (caregiver depressive symptoms score) in the sensitivity analysis. The causal
      steps approach assessed for the mediation of the association between older person
      cognitive impairment (yes/no) and the outcome variable through the two potential
      mediators. A bootstrapping approach calculated point estimates and confidence
      intervals (CIs) of the indirect (~mediated) effects. Variation of the indirect
      effects by caregiver-older person relationship was also assessed. In the primary
      analysis, the causal steps approach supported older person BPS and functional
      limitations as mediators. The bootstrapping approach confirmed both as
      significant mediators, though BPS (indirect effect odds ratio (OR) 1.32 [95%
      bootstrap CI 1.19,1.48]; %mediation: 70.6%) was a stronger mediator than
      functional limitations (1.04 [1.01,1.11]; %mediation: 11.5%). Variation of the
      indirect effects by caregiver-older person relationship was not supported.
      Results of the sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. We conclude that
      while caring for an older person with cognitive impairment is detrimental for the
      caregiver's mood, management of associated BPS and functional limitations,
      especially the former, among such older persons may reduce depressive symptoms
      among their caregivers. Spouse as well as adult child caregivers benefit. 

PMID- 24211025
TI  - Reduction of cognitive concerns of anxiety sensitivity is uniquely associated
      with reduction of PTSD and depressive symptoms: a comparison of civilians and
      veterans.
AB  - PTSD and comorbid depression are common among civilians and veterans, resulting
      in substantial impairment. Anxiety sensitivity (AS) may be a common malleable
      vulnerability factor for PTSD and depression. The AS cognitive concerns subscale
      is most strongly related to symptoms of PTSD and depression, and thus, may be an
      efficient route to reduce these symptoms. The current study evaluated a brief
      computerized intervention targeting AS cognitive concerns. Specifically, we
      evaluated whether reduction in AS cognitive concerns was associated with
      reduction in symptoms of PTSD and depression. Also, we evaluated whether there
      was a significant difference between civilians and veterans in response to the
      intervention. The single session intervention utilized psychoeducation and
      interoceptive exposure to target AS cognitive concerns. This intervention was
      compared to a health information condition among a sex-matched sample of
      civilians and veterans with elevated AS cognitive concerns (N = 56). Reduction in
      AS cognitive concerns over one month was uniquely associated with reduction in
      PTSD and depressive symptoms in the same time frame. There were no significant
      differences between civilians and veterans in response to the intervention
      suggesting the intervention has efficacy for both groups. Treatment implications
      are discussed.

PMID- 24211026
TI  - The use of antidepressant medication in pregnancy.
AB  - The use of antidepressant medications during pregnancy has stimulated much
      professional and public debate. As a consequence, considerable data on the
      reproductive safety of antidepressants has been generated that exceeds the
      available information for most, if not all, other classes of medications that may
      be used in the perinatal period. Despite progress to date, definitive conclusions
      are limited by the methodological issues inherent to clinical research involving
      illness versus treatment effects in pregnancy. A notable shortcoming is the
      limited discussion of statistically significant (a mathematical determination)
      versus clinically significant (incorporation of incidence and effect sizes into
      practical relevance). Research emphasises completing an individualised 'risk
      benefit' assessment, which is a laudable goal but falls short in providing
      succinct practical guidelines that includes the key educational points for
      patients. In this chapter, we focus on areas in which the preponderance of data
      are consistent, and there is concordance with the preclinical literature to
      generate a practical approach for antidepressant use in pregnancy. 

PMID- 24211027
TI  - Longitudinal study of remission among older adults with schizophrenia spectrum
      disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although studies have found that as many as half of older community
      dwelling adults with schizophrenia were in symptomatic remission, these findings
      had been based on cross-sectional data. This study examines longitudinal changes
      in symptom remission rates and predictors of remission. METHODS: The original
      sample consisted of 250 persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders aged 55 and
      over living in New York City who developed the disorder before age 45. Data on
      104 follow-up interviews are presented. Mean follow-up was 54 months (range: 12
      116 months); mean age was 61 years, 55% were male, and 55% were white. A modified
      version of the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group criteria was used for
      determining remission status. RESULTS: There was a nonsignificant decline in the
      percentage attaining remission (49% baseline, 40% follow-up); 25% were in
      remission at both assessments, 35% were not in remission at either assessment,
      25% went from remission to nonremission, and 16% went from nonremission to
      remission. Four significant baseline predictors of remission were found at follow
      up: higher community integration, greater number of entitlements, fewer
      psychotropic medications, and lower frequency of psychiatric services. Baseline
      remission status predicted having more total contacts at follow-up. CONCLUSION:
      Older adulthood is not necessarily a quiescent period, and there is considerable
      fluctuation in remission status. Two social variables-community integration and
      entitlements-predicted remission on follow-up, thus suggesting social
      interventions may be especially useful strategies for this population.

PMID- 24211029
TI  - Increased risk among older veterans of prescribing psychotropic medication in the
      absence of psychiatric diagnoses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study uses Veterans Health Administration (VHA) pharmacy and
      encounter claims to evaluate the use of psychotropic medications without a
      psychiatric diagnosis across age groups. METHODS: National VHA administrative
      data for fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) were used to identify all veterans who filled
      a prescription for at least one psychotropic medication from VHA (N = 1.85
      million). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the proportion
      of these veterans without any psychiatric diagnosis, across age groups, adjusting
      for possible medical indications. Analyses were repeated for six different
      classes of psychotropic medications and comparing mental health utilizers and non
      mental health utilizers. Comparisons were made to prescribing of HIV and diabetes
      medications without an indicated diagnosis. RESULTS: Of all VHA patients
      prescribed a psychotropic medication in FY2010, 30% had no psychiatric diagnosis,
      with highest proportions among veterans ages 65-85. This practice was most
      frequent among nonmental health utilizers and far more prevalent for psychotropic
      medications than for HIV or diabetes medications. Logistic regression analysis
      found that age greater than 65 was the strongest predictor of being prescribed a
      psychotropic without a psychiatric diagnosis. Adjustment for possible medical use
      of psychotropics and overall medical comorbidity did not substantially alter
      these trends. CONCLUSION: Older veterans, especially those not using specialty
      mental healthcare, are more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications in
      the absence of a psychiatric diagnosis, perhaps representing unnecessary use,
      under-diagnosis of mental illness, or incomplete documentation.

PMID- 24211028
TI  - Depressive symptoms, symptom dimensions, and white matter lesion volume in older
      adults: a longitudinal study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: White matter lesions (WMLs) are associated with depressive symptoms in
      older adults. However, it is not clear whether different symptom dimensions of
      depression have distinct associations with WMLs. The authors assessed the
      longitudinal relationships of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression
      Scale (CES-D) total score and subscale scores with WML volume in the Baltimore
      Longitudinal Study of Aging. METHODS: Using a prospective observational design,
      the authors examined WML volume and depressive symptoms at 1- to 2-year intervals
      for up to 9 years in 116 dementia-free participants (mean age: 68.78 +/- 7.68).
      At each visit, depressive symptoms were measured with the CES-D and WML volumes
      were quantified from structural magnetic resonance imaging scans. RESULTS: Higher
      CES-D full-scale scores were associated with greater WML volume and with a faster
      rate of volume increases over time in women, especially at older ages. Higher
      depressed mood and somatic symptoms subscale scores were associated with greater
      increases in WML volume over time at older ages. In men, depressed mood and
      somatic symptoms were associated with larger WML volume at baseline. CONCLUSION:
      Findings confirm an association between WMLs and depressive symptoms and suggest
      that depressed mood and somatic symptoms may be stronger predictors of depression
      related brain changes than lack of well-being. Age and sex may moderate the
      relationships between depressive symptoms and WMLs. Understanding particular
      symptom dimensions of depressive symptoms has implications for treatment and may
      lead to targeted interventions and more precise knowledge of mechanisms
      underlying depression.

PMID- 24211030
TI  - Enantioseletive bioaccumulation and metabolization of diniconazole in earthworms
      (Eiseniafetida) in an artificial soil.
AB  - Degradation and enantioselective bioaccumulation of diniconazole in earthworms
      (Eiseniafetida) in artificial soil was investigated using liquid chromatography
      tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method under laboratory condition. Three
      exposure concentrations (1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg) of diniconazole in soil
      (dry weight) to earthworms were used. The uptake kinetics fitted the first-order
      kinetics well. The bioaccumulation factors (BAF) of R, S isomers were 6.6046 and
      8.5115 in 25 mg/kg dose exposure, 2.6409 and 2.9835 in 10mg/kg dose exposure,
      1.7784 and 2.0437 in 1 mg/kg dose exposure, respectively. Bioaccumulation of
      diniconazole in earthworm tissues was enantioselective with a preferential
      accumulation of S-diniconazole and the enantiomer fractions were about 0.45-0.50
      in all three level dose exposures. In addition, it was obvious that both R
      diniconazole and S-diniconazole had bioaccumulation effect in earthworm.
      Diniconazole was metabolized to 1,2,4-triazole, (E)-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)
      acrylaldehyde, (E, S)-4-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-2, 2-dimethyl-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1
      yl)pent-4-ene-1,3-diol, and (E)-4-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-5
      (1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) pent-4-enoic acid in earthworms; the metabolites of 1,2,4
      triazole and (E)-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)acrylaldehyde could be detected in soil
      as well.

PMID- 24211031
TI  - [Choice of career by French medical students after the national ranking exam in
      2012].
AB  - PURPOSE: Since 2011, the French medical students ranked after a national ranking
      exam (NRE) are making their career choice among 11 disciplines detailing the
      chosen one. Before 2011, this precise choice was unknown. Our work is the first
      descriptive study of French medical students choice of career after the NRE,
      precising the medical specialty chosen and the city of practical formation.
      METHODS: We analyzed the Excel((r)) file transmitted by the 'Agence regionale de
      sante d'Aquitaine' once students choice done after the 2012 NRE. A median range
      analysis was made for disciplines and city formation choices. For medical and
      surgery specialties, the analysis was compared to regional medical densities.
      RESULTS: According to the median national choice, the first sixth disciplines
      chosen are ophthalmology, nephrology, internal medicine, radiology, cardiology
      and dermatology. Women are more attracted by medical gynecology, obstetrics,
      pediatrics, or dermatology; men mostly by neurosurgery, general surgery, nuclear
      medicine or cardiology. The most rated cities of formation according to their
      national median range of choice are Lyon, Montpellier and Paris. A majority of
      students (59 %) moved to another city to obtain the desired specialty. Among
      general practitioners, 56 % of students stayed in the city where they had been
      trained. PERSPECTIVES: Our study may provide concrete objectives for French
      medical students accomplishing their second cycle of medical studies, as well as
      supplemental data for French medical demographic management.

PMID- 24211032
TI  - Building a picture: Prioritisation of exotic diseases for the pig industry in
      Australia using multi-criteria decision analysis.
AB  - Diseases that are exotic to the pig industry in Australia were prioritised using
      a multi-criteria decision analysis framework that incorporated weights of
      importance for a range of criteria important to industry stakeholders.
      Measurements were collected for each disease for nine criteria that described
      potential disease impacts. A total score was calculated for each disease using a
      weighted sum value function that aggregated the nine disease criterion
      measurements and weights of importance for the criteria that were previously
      elicited from two groups of industry stakeholders. One stakeholder group placed
      most value on the impacts of disease on livestock, and one group placed more
      value on the zoonotic impacts of diseases. Prioritisation lists ordered by
      disease score were produced for both of these groups. Vesicular diseases were
      found to have the highest priority for the group valuing disease impacts on
      livestock, followed by acute forms of African and classical swine fever, then
      highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. The group who
      valued zoonotic disease impacts prioritised rabies, followed by Japanese
      encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis and Nipah virus, interspersed with
      vesicular diseases. The multi-criteria framework used in this study
      systematically prioritised diseases using a multi-attribute theory based
      technique that provided transparency and repeatability in the process.
      Flexibility of the framework was demonstrated by aggregating the criterion
      weights from more than one stakeholder group with the disease measurements for
      the criteria. This technique allowed industry stakeholders to be active in
      resource allocation for their industry without the need to be disease experts. We
      believe it is the first prioritisation of livestock diseases using values
      provided by industry stakeholders. The prioritisation lists will be used by
      industry stakeholders to identify diseases for further risk analysis and disease
      spread modelling to understand biosecurity risks to this industry.

PMID- 24211033
TI  - The National Prostate Cancer Audit - introducing a new generation of cancer
      audit.

PMID- 24211034
TI  - Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in patients with chronic pain in Maputo,
      Mozambique.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Because there is only one study to our knowledge on the prevalence of
      restless legs syndrome (RLS) in sub-Saharan Africa and RLS is more common in
      patients with some pain syndromes, we aimed to determine the prevalence of RLS in
      a population with chronic pain in Maputo, Mozambique. METHODS: Our study was
      conducted in the Pain Unit of the Central Hospital of Maputo, Mozambique.
      Patients were individually interviewed by a neurologist, and only those
      fulfilling the criteria were included. After collection of demographic data and
      pain features, the patients answered the screening questions regarding RLS.
      RESULTS: A total of 123 patients with pain were interviewed. Five individuals
      were excluded. RLS was found in eight (6.77%) of 118 patients. The mean age of
      the eight patients with RLS was 54.6years. Five patients (62.5%) were women and
      six (75%) were black individuals. Seven (87.5%) patients were diagnosed with
      neuropathic pain; one of them had AIDS and another one (12.5%) had orthopedic
      pain. The presence of hypertension and neuropathies was more frequent in the RLS
      group. CONCLUSION: Despite the secondary causes involved, we believe that it is
      relevant to report the RLS prevalence detected in our study.

PMID- 24211035
TI  - Screening for sleep dysfunction after traumatic brain injury.
AB  - Numerous studies on the high prevalence of sleep disorders in individuals with
      traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been conducted in the past few decades. These
      disorders can accentuate other consequences of TBI, negatively impacting mood,
      exacerbating pain, heightening irritability, and diminishing cognitive abilities
      and the potential for recovery. Nevertheless, sleep is not routinely assessed in
      this population. In our review, we examined the selective screening criteria and
      the scientific evidence regarding screening for post-TBI sleep disorders to
      identify gaps in our knowledge that are in need of resolution. We retrieved
      papers written in the English-language literature before June 2012 pertinent to
      the discussion on sleep after TBI found through a PubMed search. Within our
      research, we found that sleep dysfunction is highly burdensome after TBI,
      treatment interventions for some sleep disorders result in favorable outcomes,
      sensitive and specific tests to detect sleep disorders are available, and the
      cost-effectiveness and sustainability of screening have been determined from
      other populations. The evidence we reviewed supports screening for post-TBI sleep
      dysfunction. This approach could improve the outcomes and reduce the risks for
      post-TBI adverse health and nonhealth effects (e.g., secondary injuries). A joint
      sleep and brain injury collaboration focusing on outcomes is needed to improve
      our knowledge. 

PMID- 24211036
TI  - Whole-body MRI vs. CT for staging lymphoma: patient experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare patient experience of whole-body magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) to that of computed tomography (CT) for staging newly
      diagnosed lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 patients with newly
      diagnosed lymphoma prospectively underwent whole-body MRI and CT for staging
      purposes. Patients were asked to fill in a short questionnaire with regard to the
      burden and experience of the examination on a Likert scale (range 1-4). Wilcoxon
      signed rank tests were used to determine statistically significant differences in
      patient (dis)comfort between the two examinations. RESULTS: Patients reported to
      be significantly (P=0.007) less worried before undergoing whole-body MRI compared
      to CT. Patients also experienced whole-body MRI as significantly (P=0.010) less
      unpleasant and felt significantly (P=0.003) better shortly after the scan. The
      necessary preparations before CT scanning (i.e. insertion of intravenous line,
      drinking of contrast fluid), which are not required for whole-body MRI, were
      reported to be a considerable burden. CONCLUSION: In this study in patients with
      newly diagnosed lymphoma, whole-body MRI was experienced as a more patient
      friendly technique than CT.

PMID- 24211037
TI  - Advanced computed tomographic anatomical and morphometric plaque analysis for
      prediction of fractional flow reserve in intermediate coronary lesions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the application of advanced coronary computed tomography
      angiography (CCTA) plaque analysis for predicting invasive fractional flow
      reserve (FFR) in intermediate coronary lesions. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with
      71 single intermediate coronary lesions (>= 50-80% stenosis) on CCTA
      prospectively underwent coronary angiography and FFR. Advanced anatomical and
      morphometric plaque analysis was performed based on CCTA data set to determine
      optimal criteria for significant flow impairment. A significant stenosis was
      defined as FFR <= 0.80. RESULTS: FFR averaged 0.85 +/- 0.09, and 19 lesions (27%)
      were functionally significant. FFR correlated with minimum lumen area (MLA)
      (r=0.456, p<0.001), minimum lumen diameter (MLD) (r=0.326, p=0.006), reference
      lumen diameter (RLD) (r=0.245, p=0.039), plaque burden (r=-0.313, p=0.008), lumen
      area stenosis (r=-0.305, p=0.01), lesion length (r=-0.692, p<0.001), and plaque
      volume (r=-0.668, p<0.001). There was no relationship between FFR and CCTA
      morphometric plaque parameters. By multivariate analysis the independent
      predictors of FFR were lesion length (beta=-0.581, p<0.001), MLA (beta=0.360,
      p=0.041), and RLD (beta=-0.255, p=0.036). The optimal cutoffs for lesion length,
      MLA, MLD, RLD, and lumen area stenosis were >18.5mm, <= 3.0mm(2), <= 2.1mm, <=
      3.2mm, and >69%, respectively (max. sensitivity: 100% for MLA, max. specificity:
      79% for lumen area stenosis). CONCLUSIONS: CCTA predictors for FFR support the
      mathematical relationship between stenosis pressure drop and coronary flow. CCTA
      could prove to be a useful rule-out test for significant hemodynamic effects of
      intermediate coronary stenoses.

PMID- 24211038
TI  - Purification, characterization, molecular cloning, and extracellular production
      of a novel bacterial glycerophosphocholine cholinephosphodiesterase from
      Streptomyces sanglieri.
AB  - A novel metal ion-independent glycerophosphocholine cholinephosphodiesterase (GPC
      CP) of Streptomyces sanglieri was purified 53-fold from culture supernatant with
      1.1% recovery (583 U/mg-protein). The enzyme functions as a monomer with a
      molecular mass of 66 kDa. The gene encoding the enzyme consists of a 1941-bp ORF
      that produces a signal peptide of 38 amino acids for secretion and a 646 amino
      acid mature protein with a calculated molecular mass of 70,447 Da. The maximum
      activity was found at pH 7.2 and 40 degrees C. The enzyme hydrolyzed glycerol-3
      phosphocholine (GPC) over a broad temperature range (37-60 degrees C) and within
      a narrow pH range near pH 7. The enzyme was stable at 50 degrees C for 30 min and
      between pH 5-10.5. The enzyme exhibited specificity toward GPC and glycerol-3
      phosphoethanolamine and hydrolyzed glycerol-3-phosphate and
      lysophosphatidylcholine. However, the enzyme showed no activity toward any
      diacylglycerophospholipids and little activity toward other glycerol-3
      phosphodiesters and lysophospholipids. The enzyme was not inhibited in the
      presence of 2 mM SDS and Mg(2+); however, Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Co(2+) remarkably
      inhibited activity. Enzyme activity was also slightly enhanced by Ca(2+), Na(+),
      EDTA, DTT, and 2-mercaptoethanol. During the hydrolysis of GPC at 37 degrees C
      and pH 7.2, apparent Vmax and turnover number (kcat) were determined to be 24.7
      MUmol min(-1) mg-protein(-1) and 29.0 s(-1), respectively. The apparent Km and
      kcat/Km values were 1.41 mM and 20.6 mM(-1) s(-1), respectively. GPC hydrolysis
      by GPC-CP might represent a new metabolic pathway for acquisition of a phosphorus
      source in actinomycetes.

PMID- 24211040
TI  - Reasons for rarity of Th17 cells in inflammatory sites of human disorders.
AB  - T helper 17 (Th17) cells have been reported to be responsible for several chronic
      inflammatory diseases. However, a peculiar feature of human Th17 cells is that
      they are very rare in the inflammatory sites in comparison with Th1 cells. The
      first reason for this rarity is the existence of some self-regulatory mechanisms
      that limit their expansion. The limited expansion of human Th17 cells is related
      to the retinoic acid orphan (ROR)C-dependent up-regulation of the interleukin
      (IL)-4 induced gene 1 (IL4I1), which encodes for a l-phenylalanine oxidase, that
      has been shown to down-regulate CD3zeta expression in T cells. This results in
      abnormalities of the molecular pathway which is responsible for the impairment of
      IL-2 production and therefore for the lack of cell proliferation in response to T
      cell receptor (TCR) signalling. IL4I1 up-regulation also associates with the
      increased expression of Tob1, a member of the Tob/BTG anti-proliferative protein
      family, which is involved in cell cycle arrest. A second reason for the rarity of
      human Th17 cells in the inflammatory sites is their rapid shifting into the Th1
      phenotype, which is mainly related to the activity of IL-12 and TNF-alpha. We
      have named these Th17-derived Th1 cells as non-classic because they differ from
      classic Th1 cells for the expression of molecules specific for Th17 cells, such
      as RORC, CD161, CCR6, IL4I1, and IL-17 receptor E. This distinction may be
      important for defining the respective pathogenic role of Th17, non-classic Th1
      and classic Th1 cells in many human inflammatory disorders. 

PMID- 24211039
TI  - The plasticity of human Treg and Th17 cells and its role in autoimmunity.
AB  - CD4(+) T helper cells are a central element of the adaptive immune system. They
      protect the organism against a wide range of pathogens and are able to initiate
      and control many immune reactions in combination with other cells of the adaptive
      and the innate immune system. Starting from a naive cell, CD4(+) T cells can
      differentiate into various effector cell populations with specialized function.
      This subset specific differentiation depends on numerous signals and the strength
      of stimulation. However, recent data have shown that differentiated CD4(+) T cell
      subpopulations display a high grade of plasticity and that their initial
      differentiation is not an endpoint of T cell development. In particular, FoxP3(+)
      regulatory T cells (Treg) and Th17 effector T cells demonstrate a high grade of
      plasticity, which allow a functional adaptation to various physiological
      situations during an immune response. However, the plasticity of Treg and Th17
      cells might also be a critical factor for autoimmune disease. Here we discuss the
      recent developments in CD4(+) T cell plasticity with a focus on Treg and Th17
      cells and its role in human autoimmune disease, in particular multiple sclerosis
      (MS). 

PMID- 24211042
TI  - Delayed presentation of acute aortic syndrome.

PMID- 24211041
TI  - Induction and stability of the anergic phenotype in T cells.
AB  - One of the mechanisms that are in place to control the activation of mature T
      cells that bear self-reactive antigen receptors is anergy, a long-term state of
      hyporesponsiveness that is established in T cells in response to suboptimal
      stimulation. T cells receive signals that result not only from antigen
      recognition and costimulation but also from other sources, including cytokine
      receptors, inhibitory receptors or metabolic sensors. Integration of those
      signals will determine T cell fate. Under conditions that induce anergy, T cells
      activate a program of gene expression that leads to the production of proteins
      that block T cell receptor signaling and inhibit cytokine gene expression. In
      this review we will examine those signals that determine functional outcome
      following antigen encounter, review current knowledge of the factors that ensure
      signaling inhibition and epigenetic gene silencing in anergic cells and explore
      the mechanisms that lead to the reversal of anergy and the reacquisition of
      effector functions. 

PMID- 24211043
TI  - Polio emergence in Syria and Israel endangers Europe.

PMID- 24211044
TI  - Responding to the Syrian crisis: the needs of women and girls.

PMID- 24211046
TI  - Detection of anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies in sylvatic lagomorphs from an
      epidemic area of Madrid using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test.
AB  - An outbreak of human leishmaniasis was confirmed in the southwest of the province
      of Madrid, Spain, between July 2009 and December 2012. Incidence of Leishmania
      infection in dogs was unchanged in this period, prompting a search for
      alternative sylvatic infection reservoirs. We evaluated exposure to Leishmania in
      serum samples from animals in the area with an indirect immunofluorescence test
      (IFAT). Using promastigotes from six culture passages and a 1/25 threshold titer,
      we found anti-Leishmania infantum seroreactivity in 9.3% of cats (4 of 43), 45.7%
      of rabbits (16/35) and 74.1% of hares (63/85). Use of promastigotes from >10 in
      vitro passages resulted in a notably IFAT lower titer, suggesting antigenic
      changes during extended culture. Postmortem inspection of seropositive animals
      showed no clinical signs of infection. The results clearly suggest that
      asymptomatic hares were the main reservoir in the outbreak, and corroborate IFAT
      as a sensitive serological surveillance method to detect such cryptic Leishmania
      infections.

PMID- 24211045
TI  - Coincidental vascular anomalies at the foramen magnum: dural arteriovenous
      fistula and high flow aneurysm on perimedullary fistula.
AB  - We report the case of a 59-year-old woman admitted for a sudden headache due to a
      subarachnoid haemorrhage. On CT scan, the clots predominated into the posterior
      fossa without high-density in the sylvian or interhemispheric fissures. The
      vertebral angiography revealed a dural arteriovenous fistula at the foramen
      magnum associated to an aneurysm of the cervical anterior spinal artery. Due to
      the high rebleeding risk of a dural shunt, we proposed curative treatment using
      microsurgical interruption of the intradural draining vein. On the postoperative
      angiography at 15-day follow-up, the 2 malformations were corrected and the
      outcome at 6 months was excellent. Based on the literature, we assess this
      exceptional association and suggest its possible management. 

PMID- 24211047
TI  - Factors affecting stress experienced by surrogate decision makers for critically
      ill patients: implications for nursing practice.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study explores surrogate decision-makers' (SDMs) challenges
      making decisions related to the care of patients in critical care, to (1)
      characterise the SDM stress, (2) identify personal, social, care-related factors
      influencing stress and (3) consider implications of findings to improving
      critical care practice. METHODOLOGY: Semi-structured interviews were conducted
      with SDMs of critically ill patients receiving care in two tertiary care
      institutions. Transcripts were analysed using a grounded theory approach. Domains
      explored were: stress characteristics, stress mitigators, coping strategies,
      social networks, SDM decision-making role, decision-making concordance, knowledge
      of patient's preferences, experience with provider team, SDM-provider
      communication, patient outcome certainty. MAIN OUTCOMES: We interviewed 34 SDMs.
      Most were female and described long-term relationships with patients. SDMs
      described the strain of uncertain outcomes and decision-making without clear,
      consistent information from providers. Decision-making anxiety was buffered by
      SDMs' active engagement of social networks, faith and access to clear
      communication from providers. CONCLUSION: Stress is a very real factor
      influencing SDMs confidence and comfort making decisions. These findings suggest
      that stress can be minimised by improving communication between SDMs and medical
      providers. Nurses' central role in the ICU makes them uniquely poised to
      spearhead interventions to improve provider-SDM communication and reduce SDM
      decision-making anxiety.

PMID- 24211048
TI  - Providing critical care patients with a personalised discharge summary: a
      questionnaire survey and retrospective analysis exploring feasibility and
      effectiveness.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This paper reports on the potential value and feasibility of
      providing patients with a personalised discharge summary of their critical care
      stay. DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifty-one patient discharge summaries, written by
      nurses during a randomised controlled trial, were retrospectively analysed for
      readability, structure and quality. A questionnaire survey completed by trial
      patients (n=42), their relatives (n=21) and nurses (n=170) explored user
      experience and feasibility. Quantitative questionnaire data were analysed
      descriptively and inferentially; qualitative data were subjected to content
      analysis. RESULTS: Most completed summaries achieved at least an average
      readability score and were of an acceptable quality. Motivation, time constraints
      and competing priorities were identified as key barriers to writing an effective
      summary; however, in the majority of cases, writing them had taken less than 15
      minutes. Questionnaire data support that patient discharge summaries can help
      patients, relatives and ward nurses better understand and patients accept, what
      happened in critical care. CONCLUSION: Patient discharge summaries are likely to
      be a useful adjunct to existing discharge information, but further work is
      required to determine when and how they should be provided. With appropriate
      training and support, it is feasible for nurses to write discharge summaries in a
      busy critical care environment.

PMID- 24211049
TI  - Attitudes of legal guardians in the ICU - a qualitative report.
AB  - Decision-making in intensive care units (ICUs) is often made by surrogates, since
      patients are unconscious or incompetent. In Israel, Legal Guardians (LGs),
      appointed by the court, are required to make these decisions. OBJECTIVE: To
      qualitatively assess the attitudes of LGs required to make decisions on behalf of
      their relatives. RESEARCH DESIGN: Demographic and semi-structured questionnaires
      were used to assess the attitudes of LGs regarding difficulties, positive aspects
      and areas for improvement with regard to surrogate decision-making. The study
      sampled sixty-four LGs in two large Israeli hospitals. After reading and
      analysing the responses provided by the LGs, the authors categorised the
      pertinent topics raised using a thematic analysis. RESULTS: Themes were:
      bureaucratic and legal issues, unclear or unknown patient preferences and fear of
      outcomes. Family and medical staff support was stated as the most beneficial.
      Suggestions for improvement included alleviation of bureaucracy and improved
      communication with the medical staff. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of
      communication and bureaucratic difficulties, making the best decision for the
      patient and uncertainty regarding decision outcomes were found to be important
      issue for the LGs. The healthcare team should try and alleviate some of these
      burdens, mostly by improving communication with relatives, stressing and
      educating the importance of advance directives. Reporting the problems found in
      the decision making process of LGs to the legislators in order to revise and
      simplify the current legal requirements is advised.

PMID- 24211051
TI  - Gastrocnaemius-propeller extended miocutanous flap: a new chimaeric flap for soft
      tissue reconstruction of the knee.
AB  - PURPOSE: Soft tissue defects involving the anterior aspect of the knee are a
      frequent finding in a number of pathological conditions. The aim of this article
      is to describe a new pedicled flap consisting of a conventional medial
      gastrocnaemius muscle flap associated with a propeller flap based on a perforator
      of the medial sural artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five males ranging in age
      between 26 and 72 years underwent a reconstruction of the soft tissue of the knee
      by means of the described procedure. Three patients sustained complex tissue loss
      subsequent to high-energy trauma; two losses were due to septic complications
      after elective knee surgery. RESULTS: Four flaps survived allowing adequate
      proximal tibial metaphysis and patella coverage. One patient underwent early
      above-the-knee amputation due to life-threatening septicaemia. DISCUSSION: The
      described chimaera flap consists of a medial gastrocnaemius flap with a skin
      paddle that is elevated on a perforator of the medial sural artery and then
      rotated according to the propeller flaps' principles. It provides effective
      coverage of large soft tissue defects of the knee. In the authors' experience,
      the propeller flap portion proved to be particularly useful to cover the patella,
      while the muscle flap was used to cover the proximal metaphysis of the tibia and
      fill the dead space if present.

PMID- 24211052
TI  - Aspirin resistant patients with recent ischemic stroke.
AB  - Some patients with a recent ischemic stroke who are being treated with aspirin as
      an antiaggregant suffer a new ischemic stroke. These patients (15-25%) have been
      called unresponsive to aspirin or aspirin resistant. The aspirin-resistant
      patients have a four-time greater risk of suffering a stroke. Furthermore, these
      strokes are generally more severe, with increased infarct volume and greater risk
      of recurrence. There is currently no ideal laboratory test to detect the
      resistance to the antiaggregant effect of aspirin. The study of resistance to
      aspirin would only be indicated in selected cases. In these patients, one should
      first rule out any "pseudo-resistance" to aspirin (lack of compliance,
      concomitant treatments that interfere with the action of the aspirin).

PMID- 24211053
TI  - A simple method minimizes chylothorax after minimally invasive esophagectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative chylothorax is a rare, but potentially fatal
      complication after esophagectomy. Preventive measures aimed at decreasing the
      incidence of chyle leakage after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) could
      potentially reduce the high postoperative mortality associated with this
      complication. However, previous techniques are traumatic and time consuming. We
      present a simple method in the prophylaxis of chylothorax after MIE. STUDY
      DESIGN: A total of 344 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who underwent 3
      stage MIE between June 2006 and July 2012 were included. Of these, 178 patients
      were given preoperative milk orally 6 hours before surgery (Group M+), and 166
      underwent MIE without preoperative milk and served as controls (Group M-).
      Patient demographics were retrospectively collected. The incidences of
      intraoperative thoracic duct identification and postoperative chylothorax were
      recorded and statistically compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In this
      cohort, the 2 groups were comparable in clinical features including age, sex,
      tumor location, histologic type, and TNM stage. No patient was converted to open
      thoracotomy. During the thoracoscopic stage, a higher incidence of duct
      identification (95.5% vs 12.7%, p < 0.001) and a lower incidence of duct ligation
      (6.74% vs 13.25%, p = 0.039) were recorded in Group M+. Postoperatively, a total
      of 10 cases of chylothorax (2.91%) were observed. The incidence of chylothorax
      was significantly lower in Group M+ than in Group M- (0.56% vs 5.42%, p = 0.018).
      CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative oral administration of milk facilitates visualization
      of the thoracic duct and minimizes the risk of iatrogenic injury to the thoracic
      duct during thoracoscopic esophagectomy. It is a simple and safe method for
      preventing chyle leakage after MIE. A randomized and controlled trial is required
      to confirm these findings.

PMID- 24211055
TI  - Surgical simulation in 2013: why is it still not the standard in surgical
      training?

PMID- 24211056
TI  - Impact of medical malpractice environment on surgical quality and outcomes.

PMID- 24211057
TI  - Total joint arthroplasty and preoperative low back pain.
AB  - Lower extremity osteoarthritis with concomitant low-back pain (LBP) may obscure a
      clinician's ability to properly evaluate the status of hip or knee osteoarthritis
      and subsequent total joint arthroplasty (TJA) candidacy. A prospective cohort
      study was conducted to determine prevalence and severity of preoperative LBP
      among TJA patients, and the effect of TJA on alleviating LBP. Preoperative
      moderate to worst imaginable LBP pain on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was
      significantly higher among hips compared to knees (28.8% vs. 16.1%, P < 0.0001).
      Compared to knees, hips also saw significant ODI improvement from preoperative to
      one-year postoperative. TJA candidates with considerable preoperative LBP should
      be counselled that TJA outcome may be impaired by the coexistence of spine
      disease, and that residual spine pain may continue following otherwise successful
      TJA.

PMID- 24211054
TI  - Effect of preoperative renal insufficiency on postoperative outcomes after
      pancreatic resection: a single institution experience of 1,061 consecutive
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to adversely affect cardiac and
      vascular surgery outcomes. We examined the effect of preoperative renal
      insufficiency on postoperative outcomes after pancreatic resection. STUDY DESIGN:
      All patients who underwent pancreatic resection between January 2005 and July
      2012 were identified. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated by the
      Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Severe CKD (stages 4-5) was
      defined as eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Renal function also was analyzed using
      serum creatinine (sCr) dichotomized at 1.8 mg/dL. Primary outcomes were any
      complication, major complications, and respiratory failure. Multivariate models
      for each endpoint were constructed by including all variables with p value <=
      0.10 on univariate analysis. RESULTS: There were 1,061 patients identified; 709
      underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 307 distal pancreatectomy, and 45 central or
      total pancreatectomy. Median sCr value was 0.86 mg/dL (range 0.30 to 14.1 mg/dL).
      Eighteen patients (1.7%) had severe CKD and 31 (2.9%) had sCr >= 1.8 mg/dL.
      Complications occurred in 622 patients (58.6%), major complications in 198
      (18.7%), and respiratory failure in 48 (4.5%). Both severe CKD and sCr >= 1.8
      mg/dL were associated with any complication, major complications, and respiratory
      failure on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, severe CKD was
      associated with increased complications (odds ratio [OR] 5.5; 95% CI 1.3 to 25.5;
      p = 0.02) and respiratory failure (OR 6.1; 95% CI 1.8 to 20.5; p = 0.03), but not
      major complications. Using sCr >= 1.8 mg/dL as a surrogate marker for renal
      insufficiency, patients with sCr >= 1.8 mg/dL had increased risk of any
      complication (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.3 to 9.3; p = 0.01), major complications (OR 2.2;
      95% CI 1.04 to 4.8; p = 0.04), and respiratory failure (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.8 to
      12.6; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Few patients with significant renal insufficiency
      are candidates for pancreatic resection. Severe CKD (stages 4-5) is associated
      with increased risk of complication and respiratory failure. Serum creatinine >=
      1.8 mg/dL may serve as a useful marker of renal insufficiency and identifies
      patients at significantly increased risk of any complication, major complication,
      and respiratory failure after pancreatic resection.

PMID- 24211058
TI  - Concomitant therapy in people with epilepsy: potential drug-drug interactions and
      patient awareness.
AB  - People with epilepsy (PWE) may use prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
      for the treatment of concomitant diseases. Combinations of these drugs, as well
      as dietary supplements, with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may lead to reduced
      control of seizures and of coexisting medical conditions and increased risk of
      adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The aims of this study were to obtain
      comprehensive lists of medications, dietary supplements, botanicals, and specific
      food components used by adult PWE and to evaluate the potential for interactions
      involving AEDs and patients' awareness of such potential interactions. We
      conducted a prospective, questionnaire-based study of PWE attending the Hadassah
      Hebrew University Epilepsy Clinic over a period of 7months. The questionnaire
      interview included the listing of medications, medicinal herbs, dietary
      supplements, and specific food components consumed and the knowledge of potential
      drug-drug interactions (DDIs), and it was conducted by a pharmacist. Drug-drug
      interactions were analyzed via the Micromedex online database. Out of 179
      patients who attended the clinic over the study period, we interviewed 73 PWE, of
      which 71 were included in our final analysis. The mean number of AEDs consumed
      per subject was 1.7 (SD: 0.8, range: 1-4). Forty (56%) subjects were also treated
      with other prescription and/or OTC medications, and thirty-four (48%) took
      dietary supplements. Drug families most prone to DDIs involving AEDs included
      antipsychotic agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and statins. Two
      thirds of study participants (67%) knew that DDIs may lead to ADRs, but only half
      (56%) were aware of the potential for reduced seizure control. Only 44% always
      reported treatment with AEDs to medical professionals. This study provides for
      the first time a comprehensive picture of prescription and OTC drugs and food
      supplements used by PWE. Despite a considerable potential for DDIs involving
      AEDs, patient awareness is limited, highlighting the importance of patient and
      caregiver education. 

PMID- 24211060
TI  - CYP2D6 phenotypes and Parkinson's disease risk: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: CYP2D6 polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with
      Parkinson's disease (PD) susceptibility, but the results of these previous
      studies were inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: To explore whether PD patients with CYP2D6
      gene variation have different risk to PD to those with normal function of CYP2D6.
      METHODS: Systematic review with meta-analysis of case-controlled studies on the
      association between CYP2D6 and PD risk was conducted. Studies published up to
      August 1, 2013 were identified by searching electronic databases PubMed and
      Embase. Odds ratios (ORs) together with their corresponding 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) were used to estimated the association between CYP2D6
      polymorphisms and PD risk in different phenotype models. Meta-regression,
      subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were also performed.
      RESULTS: A total of 3521 PD Patients and 4476 controls from 29 case-control
      studies were identified. Overall, a borderline significant influence of the
      CYP2D6 polymorphisms on PD risk was observed (OR: 1.07, 95%CI: 0.99-1.16,
      p=0.106). Significant association was found when comparisons were performed in
      different phenotypes in PM versus EM (OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.01-1.74, p=0.044) and PM
      versus IM+EM (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.11-1.56, p=0.002). In subgroup analysis
      stratified by country, significant association was demonstrated in British but
      not in other white subjects. No significant association was detected in subgroup
      analysis according to the age of onset and the source of patients. CONCLUSION:
      The present meta-analysis demonstrated that the poor metabolizer phenotype of
      CYP2D6 confers a significant genetic susceptibility to PD in Caucasians,
      especially in British white subjects.

PMID- 24211059
TI  - Effect of cilostazol in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Previous studies with small sample size have shown that cilostazol can reduce the
      risk of cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
      (SAH). The purpose of this study was to determine whether cilostazol is effective
      in patients with aneurysmal SAH. Studies investigating the effect of cilostazol
      in patients with aneurysmal SAH were identified using Embase.com without language
      or publication-type restrictions. We used the random-effect model to combine
      data. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
      Two randomized controlled trials and two quasi-randomized controlled trials with
      a total of 340 patients were included. The incidence of symptomatic vasospasm
      (RR=0.47; 95% CI, 0.31-0.72; p<0.001), severe vasospasm (RR=0.48; 95% CI, 0.28
      0.82; p=0.007), vasospasm-related new cerebral infarctions (RR=0.38; 95% CI, 0.22
      0.67; p=0.001), and poor outcome (RR=0.57; 95% CI, 0.37-0.88; p=0.011) were
      significantly lower in the cilostazol group. The numbers needed to treat for
      these outcomes were 6.4, 6.3, 5.7, and 5.4, respectively. Mortality rate
      differences between the two groups were insignificant. No statistical
      heterogeneity was found for all outcomes. These results show that cilostazol can
      decrease the incidence of symptomatic vasospasm, severe vasospasm, vasospasm
      related new cerebral infarctions, and poor outcome in patients with aneurysmal
      SAH. 

PMID- 24211061
TI  - Central nervous system vasculitis associated with hepatitis C virus infection: a
      brain MRI-supported diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with various
      extrahepatic manifestations, being the Central Nervous System (CNS) rarely
      involved. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 54 year-old black man with arterial
      hypertension who presented with progressively worsening headaches, apathy,
      somnolence and left hemiparesis. Brain MRI showed an acute ischemic lesion in the
      left anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and an old ischemic infarct in the right ACA
      territory. Brain MRI with gadolinium revealed mural thickening and contrast
      enhancement of the A1 and A2 segments of the ACAs, of the middle and distal
      basilar artery and of the P1 segment of the left posterior cerebral artery,
      suggesting active vasculitis. Digital angiography confirmed those irregularities
      and stenosis. Laboratory evaluation revealed ESR (73 mm/h), transaminase
      elevation, elevated HCV viral load genotype 2, positive IGRA, negative
      cryoglobulins, CSF protein elevation with oligoclonal bands (mirror pattern) and
      no pleocytosis; investigation excluded other infectious causes. Pegylated
      interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin, corticotherapy and tuberculosis prophylaxis
      were started with clinical and imagiological improvement. CONCLUSION: The typical
      inflammation signs of the vascular wall demonstrated by the gadolinium-enhanced
      MRI strengthened the hypothesis of CNS vasculitis. The association with HCV
      infection is rare but should be investigated once specific therapeutic is
      required.

PMID- 24211062
TI  - Chronic migraine does not increase posterior circulation territory (PCT) infarct
      like lesions.
AB  - Two population-based studies have found an increased prevalence of posterior
      circulation territory (PCT) infarct-like lesions in migraine, which seemed to
      increase with attack frequency. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether chronic migraine
      (CM) patients are at increased risk of PCT infarct-like lesions. METHODS: We
      prospectively obtained brain MRIs from adult women fulfilling CM criteria. To
      keep radiologists blinded we also obtained brain MRIs in 15 episodic migraine
      (EM) patients. MRIs were acquired on a 1.5 T unit. Protocol included whole brain
      weighted images in sagittal T1 (5 mm slices), axial FLAIR T2 (3 mm) and combined
      proton density and T2 fast spin echo (3 mm). Two independent neuroradiologists
      carefully analyzed all the images. RESULTS: One hundred women with CM
      participated. Their ages ranged from 18 to 68 years (mean 43.7) and the length of
      CM ranged from 0.5 to 38 years (mean 9.8). Sixty-three patients (63%) had at
      least one vascular risk factor. Thirty-three met analgesic overuse criteria.
      Fifty-one had a history of migraine with aura attacks, though aura frequency was
      below one per month in all patients except one. Eleven were not on preventatives.
      We found PCT infarct-like lesions in only 6 CM patients aged 42-64 years (mean
      age 54 years) who had at least two vascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: As
      frequency of PCT infarct-like lesions in our CM patients was in the low range
      than that found for EM in general population studies, we conclude that frequency
      of migraine attacks itself is not a factor increasing PCT infarct-like lesion
      risk.

PMID- 24211063
TI  - Relationships between ophthalmic artery flow direction and cognitive performance
      in patients with unilateral carotid artery stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cerebral hypoperfusion is responsible for cognitive impairment in
      patients with severe carotid artery stenosis (CAS). The manifestation of reversed
      ophthalmic artery flow (ROAF) is not uncommon in patients with CAS, suggesting a
      state of intensified cerebral hypoperfusion. This study aimed to examine whether
      the presence of ROAF can exacerbate cognitive impairment in patients with severe
      unilateral CAS. METHODS: One-hundred-and-two patients with CAS and 37 age-matched
      volunteers participated in this case-control study. Depending on the side of CAS
      and occurrences of ROAF, the patients were allocated to four groups: left CAS
      groups with ROAF (n=28) or without ROAF (n=22), and right CAS groups with ROAF
      (n=26) or without ROAF (n=26). All subjects underwent a battery of
      neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: All patients performed worse than the control
      group on most tests. No significant differences were observed between patient
      groups (ps>0.05), except for inferior performance on psychomotor speed and
      visuospatial tests in the right ROAF group (ps<0.03). Hierarchical regression
      analyses indicated strong contributions of estimated premorbid intelligence to
      performance on most tests (ps<0.05). The severity of left and right CAS was
      distinctively associated with different functions. To a lesser extent, the
      severity of infarcts was also associated with impairment of psychomotor speed and
      some executive functions (ps<0.05). The contributions of ROAF to performance on
      most tests were negligible. CONCLUSION: Patients with unilateral CAS may present
      with specific cognitive impairment relevant to the ipsilateral hemispheric
      functions. However, the manifestation of ROAF does not necessarily imply more
      extensive or severe cognitive impairment.

PMID- 24211064
TI  - High risks of all-cause and cardiovascular deaths in apparently healthy middle
      aged people with preserved glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria: A
      prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The reason why coexistence of preserved estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria contributes to a high risk of death and
      which cause of death increases all-cause mortality have not been elucidated.
      METHODS: A total of 16,759 participants aged 40 to 69 years with normal or mildly
      reduced eGFR (45-119 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) were enrolled and divided into six groups
      (group 1, eGFR: 90-119 without albuminuria; group 2, eGFR: 90-119 with
      albuminuria; group 3, eGFR: 60-89 without albuminuria (reference); group 4, eGFR:
      60-89 with albuminuria; group 5, eGFR: 45-59 without albuminuria; group 6, eGFR:
      45-59 with albuminuria) based on GFR estimated by using the CKD-EPI study
      equation modified by a Japanese coefficient and albuminuria (urine albumin
      creatinine ratio >= 30 mg/g). Outcomes included all-cause death (ACD),
      cardiovascular death (CVD) and neoplasm-related death (NPD). Multivariable
      adjusted mortality rate ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in
      the groups were estimated by Poisson's regression analysis. RESULTS: The highest
      risk of ACD (RR (95% CIs): 3.95 (2.08-7.52)), CVD (7.15 (2.25-22.7)) and NPB
      (3.25 (1.26-8.38)) was observed in group 2. Subjects in group 2 were relatively
      young and had the highest levels of body mass index, blood pressure and HbA1c and
      the highest prevalence of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION:
      Coexistence of preserved eGFR and albuminuria increases risks for ACD, CVD and
      NPD. Relatively young metabolic persons having both preserved eGFR and
      albuminuria should be considered as a very high-risk population.

PMID- 24211065
TI  - Proximal coronary artery intervention: stent thrombosis, restenosis and death.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of lesions in the proximal
      left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) may confer a worse prognosis
      compared with the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) and left circumflex
      coronary artery (LCX). METHODS: From May 2005, to May 2011 we identified all PCIs
      for proximal, one-vessel coronary artery disease in the Swedish Coronary
      Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR). We evaluated restenosis, stent
      thrombosis (ST) and mortality in the LAD as compared to the RCA and LCX according
      to stent type, bare metal (BMS) or drug-eluting stents (DES). RESULTS: 7840
      single vessel proximal PCI procedures were identified. Mean follow-up time was
      792 days. No differences in restenosis or ST were seen between the LAD and the
      RCA. The frequency of restenosis and ST was higher in the proximal LAD compared
      to the proximal LCX (restenosis: hazard ratio (HR) 2.28, confidence interval (CI)
      1.56-3.34 p<0.001; ST: HR 2.32, CI 1.11-4.85 p=0.024). We found no difference in
      mortality related to coronary artery. In the proximal LAD, DES implantation was
      associated with a lower restenosis rate (HR 0.39, CI 0.27-0.55 p<0.001) and
      mortality (HR 0.58, CI 0.41-0.82 p=0.002) compared with BMS. In the proximal RCA
      and LCX, DES use was not associated with lower frequency of clinical restenosis
      or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Following proximal coronary artery intervention
      restenosis was more frequent in the LAD than in the LCX. Solely in the proximal
      LAD we found DES use to be associated with a lower risk of restenosis and death
      weighted against BMS.

PMID- 24211066
TI  - Autotransplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells from bone-marrow to heart in
      patients with severe stable coronary artery disease and refractory angina--final
      3-year follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study assessed long-term safety and efficacy of intramyocardial
      injection of autologous bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMMSCs) in
      patients with severe stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and refractory angina.
      METHODS: Thirty-one patients with severe stable CAD and refractory angina were
      included. Patients had reversible myocardial ischemia and no further
      revascularization options. Autologous BMMSCs were isolated, culture expanded and
      stimulated with vascular endothelial growth-factor to facilitate endothelial
      differentiation. BMMSCs were injected into an ischemic, viable region of the
      myocardium. Patients were followed for 3 years. RESULTS: We found significant
      clinical improvements in exercise time (p=0.0016), angina class (CCS) (p<0.0001),
      weekly number of angina attacks (p<0.0001) and use of nitroglycerine from
      (p=0.0017). In the Seattle Angina Questionnaire there were significant
      improvements in physical limitation score, angina stability score, angina
      frequency score and quality of life score (all p<0.0001). When comparing all
      hospital admissions from 3 years before to 3 years after treatment, we observed
      highly reduced admission rates for stable angina (p<0.0001), revascularization
      (p=0.003) and overall cardiovascular disease (p<0.0001). No early or late side
      effects of the treatment were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The final 3-year follow-up
      data after intramyocardial injection of autologous BMMSCs, in patients with
      severe CAD and refractory angina, demonstrated sustained clinical effects,
      reduced hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease and excellent long-term
      safety. The results indicate that autotransplantation of BMMSCs to the heart does
      not only improve symptoms but also slows down disease progression.

PMID- 24211068
TI  - [Scales to evaluate pain in elderly patients suffering from dementia. Help-tools
      for the physiotherapist, doctor, nurse and occupational therapist].
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine which scales are being used to
      evaluate pain in old people suffering from dementia. A search strategy was
      developed to retrieve all articles (randomized controlled trials and clinical
      trials without randomization) published in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library Plus, PEDro
      and Dialnet and BMC Geriatrics from January 2000 to January 2012. Exclusion
      criteria were articles that did not use scales for evaluating pain in elderly
      patients suffering from dementia, and other type of articles (case studies,
      reviews...). Finally, 13 studies were included in this review. From the results
      obtained it appears that more studies are needed to confirm the pain scales used
      for the elderly suffering from dementia. Observational scales may be useful to
      evaluate pain in these patients.

PMID- 24211067
TI  - Do our children lose vagus activity? Potential time trends of children's
      autonomic nervous system activity.

PMID- 24211069
TI  - Gene expression patterns in wheat coleorhiza under cold- and biological
      stratification.
AB  - This study assessed germination of wheat seeds under cold and biological
      stratification and determined the expression level of gibberellins (GA) and
      abscisic acid (ABA) genes in coleorhiza. Both cold and biological stratification
      significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the rate and efficacy of germination. The spatial
      distance between the fungal endophyte and the seed can be a determining factor of
      biological stratification as seeds in direct contact with fungal endophyte showed
      the highest rate and efficacy of germination. Consistently high expression of
      GA3ox2 gene was found in wheat coleorhiza throughout the tested period of
      germination. The expression of ABA biosynthesis gene, TaNCED, was substantially
      higher in cold stratification seeds, reflecting the role of abscisic acid in
      stress-adaptation. Overall, this study provides molecular evidence of the
      importance of coleorhiza in germinating wheat seeds, in addition to reporting
      that the spatial distance between symbiotic partners may be a critical factor
      driving mycovitality. 

PMID- 24211070
TI  - Influence of population versus convenience sampling on sample characteristics in
      studies of cognitive aging.
AB  - PURPOSE: We examined whether differences in findings of studies examining mild
      cognitive impairment (MCI) were associated with recruitment methods by comparing
      sample characteristics in two contemporaneous Australian studies, using
      population-based and convenience sampling. METHOD: The Sydney Memory and Aging
      Study invited participants randomly from the electoral roll in defined geographic
      areas in Sydney. The Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of Ageing
      recruited cognitively normal (CN) individuals via media appeals and MCI
      participants via referrals from clinicians in Melbourne and Perth. Demographic
      and cognitive variables were harmonized, and similar diagnostic criteria were
      applied to both samples retrospectively. RESULTS: CN participants recruited via
      convenience sampling were younger, better educated, more likely to be married and
      have a family history of dementia, and performed better cognitively than those
      recruited via population-based sampling. MCI participants recruited via
      population-based sampling had better memory performance and were less likely to
      carry the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele than clinically referred participants
      but did not differ on other demographic variables. CONCLUSION: A convenience
      sample of normal controls is likely to be younger and better functioning and that
      of an MCI group likely to perform worse than a purportedly random sample.
      Sampling bias should be considered when interpreting findings.

PMID- 24211071
TI  - Reference values for respiratory events in overnight polygraphy from infants aged
      1 and 3months.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine reference values for respiratory indices in
      polygraphies (PGs) performed in infants aged 1 and 3months. METHODS: Healthy full
      term neonates were recruited on the maternity ward. They were followed up by
      overnight PG at the age of 1month and again at the age of 3months. Indices of
      respiratory events, such as apneas, hypopneas, and percentage of periodic
      breathing were determined in each PG. Interpretation of PGs was performed blinded
      to the subject's data and the time of measurement. PG indices at 1 and 3months of
      age were compared. RESULTS: PG recordings were obtained for 37 healthy infants
      (22 boys). At the age of 1month, the median (minimum-maximum) central,
      obstructive, and mixed apnea index was 5.5 (0.9-44.3), 0.8 (0.1-6.7), and 0.3 (0
      1.2), respectively. The same figures at the age of 3months were 4.1 (1.2-27.3),
      0.8 (0-2.3), and 0.1 (0-0.8), respectively. Mixed obstructive apnea-hypopnea
      index (MOAHI) was 1.5 (0.2-7.0) and 0.9 (0.2-4.4) at the first and second
      measurements, respectively (P=.017). Only 1.2% of central apneas lasted longer
      than 20s. Periodic breathing was present in more than 90% of subjects studied.
      CONCLUSIONS: The infants in our study aged ?3months had respiratory event indices
      that were different from older children or adults. MOAHI showed a significant
      decrease during the first 3months after birth. We recommend that scoring of PG in
      infants of 3months or younger should consider age-specific reference values.

PMID- 24211072
TI  - Nonapnea sleep disorders are associated with subsequent ischemic stroke risk: a
      nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to an
      increased risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease. However, studies
      investigating the relationship between nonapnea sleep disorders (NSD) and the
      risk for subsequent ischemic stroke are scant. The objective of our study was to
      assess the association between NSD and the risk for acute ischemic stroke among
      patients in Taiwan. METHODS: We conducted our longitudinal nationwide, population
      based, retrospective study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research
      Database (NHIRD) from January 1997 to December 2001. All study participants were
      followed until the incidence of ischemic stroke, or until censoring due to death;
      until withdrawal from the insurance program; or until they were lost to follow-up
      by the end of 2010. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to
      assess the association between NSD and subsequent ischemic stroke risk. RESULTS:
      We analyzed the data collected from 94,160 participants as a comparison cohort
      and 47,080 participants as a NSD cohort with the diagnosis date as the index
      date. The age range of cohorts was 20.0-101.7years and 64% were women. The
      average follow-up duration was 9.61years for the NSD cohort and 9.42years for the
      reference cohort. Overall, the ischemic stroke incidence was 1.48-fold higher in
      the NSD cohort than in the reference cohort (8.87 vs 6.00/1000 individual-years),
      with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.19 after controlling for age, sex, and
      comorbidities. Our study also showed a 1.35-fold significantly higher risk for
      developing ischemic stroke in men compared to women. The adjusted HR was 31.2 for
      elderly patients compared with participants aged ?35years. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study provides evidence that
      patients with NSD were at increased risk for developing ischemic stroke compared
      to patients without diagnosed sleep disorder, with men and the elderly being at
      greatest risk.

PMID- 24211073
TI  - Determination of anti-Mullerian hormone at estrus during a synchronized and a
      natural bovine estrous cycle.
AB  - Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) has been correlated with phenotypic indicators of
      fertility. However, the effects of exogenous hormones used during estrus
      synchronization on AMH have not been evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this
      experiment was to determine whether concentrations of AMH at estrus are similar
      between a synchronized compared with a natural estrous cycle. Nulliparous dairy
      and beef heifers (n = 68) were synchronized with the Select Synch + controlled
      internal drug release (CIDR) protocol (GnRH + CIDR-7 d-CIDR removal + PG).
      Heifers were observed for expression of estrus every 6 h until 84 h after the
      injection of PG. Visual detection of the subsequent estrus, considered natural
      estrus, occurred every 6 h from day 16 to 24 after synchronized estrus. At the
      time of standing estrus, ovarian structures in heifers were evaluated by
      transrectal ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected at estrus for analysis
      of concentrations of AMH during the synchronized and natural estrous cycles. The
      GLM and CORR procedures of SAS were used to analyze data. Concentrations of AMH
      between natural and synchronized estrus were positively correlated (r = 0.67; P <
      0.001). Mean concentration of AMH did not differ (P > 0.05) between the natural
      (0.0543 +/- 0.0076 ng/mL) or synchronized (0.0428 +/- 0.0076 ng/mL) estrous
      cycles. In conclusion, concentrations of AMH were similar between natural and
      synchronized estrous cycles. Concentrations of AMH in natural and synchronized
      estrous cycles were highly correlated within individual heifers and varied among
      heifers with beef heifers having increased (P < 0.05) concentrations of AMH
      compared with dairy heifers (0.0638 +/- 0.01 and 0.0402 +/- 0.01 ng/mL,
      respectively). 

PMID- 24211074
TI  - Particle retention in suspension-feeding fish after removal of filtration
      structures.
AB  - The suspension-feeding cichlids Oreochromis aureus (blue tilapia) and Oreochromis
      esculentus (ngege tilapia) are able to selectively retain small food particles.
      The gill rakers and microbranchiospines of these species have been assumed to
      function as filters. However, surgical removal of these oral structures, which
      also removed associated mucus, did not significantly affect the total number of
      11-200 MUm particles ingested by the fish. This result supports the hypothesis
      that the branchial arch surfaces themselves play an important role in crossflow
      filtration. Both species selectively retained microspheres greater than 50 MUm
      with gill rakers and microbranchiospines intact as well as removed, demonstrating
      that neither these structures nor mucus are necessary for size selectivity to
      occur during biological crossflow filtration. After removal of the gill rakers
      and microbranchiospines, O. esculentus retained significantly more microspheres
      51-70 MUm in diameter and fewer 91-130 MUm microspheres compared to retention
      with intact structures, but the particle size selectivity of O. aureus was not
      affected significantly. These results support conclusions from previous
      computational fluid dynamics simulations indicating that particle size can have
      marked effects on particle trajectory and retention inside the fish oropharyngeal
      cavity during crossflow filtration. The substantial inter-individual variability
      in particle retention by suspension-feeding fish is an unexplored area of
      research with the potential to increase our understanding of the factors
      influencing particle retention during biological filtration.

PMID- 24211075
TI  - A cationic cholesterol based nanocarrier for the delivery of p53-EGFP-C3 plasmid
      to cancer cells.
AB  - The p53 protein mediated anti-tumor strategy is limited due to the lack of
      suitable delivery agent with insignificant immunogenic response, serum
      compatibility, and early and easy detection of the transfected cell population.
      To overcome these problems, we generated a p53-EGFP-C3 fusion construct which
      expressed easily detectable green fluorescence protein (GFP) and allowed an
      estimation of p53 mediated anti-tumor activity. A mixture of cationic cholesterol
      gemini (Chol-5L) with natural lipid, DOPE (molar ratio 1:4), acronymed as Chol
      5LD, formed a nano-liposome as characterized by various physical methods. The
      prepared clone was evaluated for the expression of GFP and functional p53 in HeLa
      and two additional cell lines with varied p53 status namely, H1299 (p53(-/-)) and
      HEK293T (p53(+/+)). Transfected cells were screened using RT-PCR, Western
      blotting, FACS analysis, MTT, Trypan blue assay and visualized under a
      fluorescence microscope. The p53-EGFP-C3 fusion protein induced apoptosis in
      cancer cells as evident from DNA fragmentation, cell cycle analysis, Annexin-V
      staining and PARP cleavage assays. The transfection and apoptosis induction
      efficiency of Chol-5LD was significantly higher than commercial reagents
      Lipofectamine2000 and Effectene irrespective of the cell lines examined. Further
      it significantly decreases the xenograft tumor volume in nude mice tumors via
      apoptosis as observed in H&E staining. 

PMID- 24211076
TI  - Controlling stem cell-mediated bone regeneration through tailored mechanical
      properties of collagen scaffolds.
AB  - Mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play an essential role in
      cell fate determination. To study the role of mechanical properties of ECM in
      stem cell-mediated bone regeneration, we used a 3D in vivo ossicle model that
      recapitulates endochondral bone formation. Three-dimensional gelatin scaffolds
      with distinct stiffness were developed using 1-Ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]
      carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) mediated zero-length crosslinking. The
      mechanical strength of the scaffolds was significantly increased by EDC
      treatment, while the microstructure of the scaffold was preserved. Cell behavior
      on the scaffolds with different mechanical properties was evaluated in vitro and
      in vivo. EDC-treated scaffolds promoted early chondrogenic differentiation, while
      it promoted both chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation at later time
      points. Both micro-computed tomography and histologic data demonstrated that EDC
      treatment significantly increased trabecular bone formation by transplanted cells
      transduced with AdBMP. Moreover, significantly increased chondrogenesis was
      observed in the EDC-treated scaffolds. Based on both in vitro and in vivo data,
      we conclude that the high mechanical strength of 3D scaffolds promoted stem cell
      mediated bone regeneration by promoting endochondral ossification. These data
      suggest a new method for harnessing stem cells for bone regeneration in vivo by
      tailoring the mechanical properties of 3D scaffolds. 

PMID- 24211077
TI  - A review of polypeptide-based polymersomes.
AB  - Self-assembled systems from biodegradable amphiphilic polymers at the nanometer
      scale, such as nanotubes, nanoparticles, polymer micelles, nanogels, and
      polymersomes, have attracted much attention especially in biomedical fields.
      Among these nano-aggregates, polymersomes have attracted tremendous interests as
      versatile carriers due to their colloidal stability, tunable membrane properties
      and ability of encapsulating or integrating a broad range of drugs and molecules.
      Biodegradable block polymers, especially aliphatic polyesters such as
      polylactide, polyglycolide and poly (epsilon-caprolactone) have been widely used
      as biomedical materials for a long time to well fit the requirement of biomedical
      drug carriers. To have a precise control of the aggregation behavior of nano
      aggregates, the more ordered polypeptide has been used to self-assemble into the
      drug carriers. In this review we focus on the study of polymersomes which also
      named pepsomes formed by polypeptide-based copolymers and attempt to clarify the
      polypeptide-based polymersomes from following aspects: synthesis and
      characterization of the polypeptide-based copolymers, preparation, multifunction
      and application of polypeptide-based polymersomes. 

PMID- 24211078
TI  - A systems toxicology approach to the surface functionality control of graphene
      cell interactions.
AB  - The raised considerable concerns about the possible environmental health and
      safety impacts of graphene nanomaterials and their derivatives originated from
      their potential widespread applications. We performed a comprehensive study about
      biological interaction of grapheme nanomaterials, specifically in regard to its
      differential surface functionalization (oxidation status), by using OMICS in
      graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) treated HepG2 cells.
      Differential surface chemistry (particularly, oxidation - O/C ratio) modulates
      hydrophobicity/philicity of GO/rGO which in turn governs their biological
      interaction potentiality. Similar toxic responses (cytotoxicity, DNA damage,
      oxidative stress) with differential dose dependency were observed for both GO and
      rGO but they exhibited distinct mechanism, such as, hydrophilic GO showed
      cellular uptake, NADPH oxidase dependent ROS formation, high deregulation of
      antioxidant/DNA repair/apoptosis related genes, conversely, hydrophobic rGO was
      found to mostly adsorbed at cell surface without internalization, ROS generation
      by physical interaction, poor gene regulation etc. Global gene expression and
      pathway analysis displayed that TGFbeta1 mediated signaling played the central
      role in GO induced biological/toxicological effect whereas rGO might elicited
      host-pathogen (viral) interaction and innate immune response through TLR4-NFkB
      pathway. In brief, the distinct biological and molecular mechanisms of GO/rGO
      were attributed to their differential surface oxidation status. 

PMID- 24211079
TI  - Fibrin-binding, peptide amphiphile micelles for targeting glioblastoma.
AB  - Glioblastoma-targeted drug delivery systems facilitate efficient delivery of
      chemotherapeutic agents to malignant gliomas, while minimizing systemic toxicity
      and side effects. Taking advantage of the fibrin deposition that is
      characteristic of tumors, we constructed spherical, Cy7-labeled, targeting
      micelles to glioblastoma through the addition of the fibrin-binding pentapeptide,
      cysteine-arginine-glutamic acid-lysine-alanine, or CREKA. Conjugation of the
      CREKA peptide to Cy7-micelles increased the average particle size and zeta
      potential. Upon intravenous administration to GL261 glioma bearing mice, Cy7
      micelles passively accumulated at the brain tumor site via the enhanced
      permeability and retention (EPR) effect, and Cy7-CREKA-micelles displayed
      enhanced tumor homing via active targeting as early as 1 h after administration,
      as confirmed via in vivo and ex vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry.
      Biodistribution of micelles showed an accumulation within the liver and kidneys,
      leading to micelle elimination via renal clearance and the reticuloendothelial
      system (RES). Histological evaluation showed no signs of cytotoxicity or tissue
      damage, confirming the safety and utility of this nanoparticle system for
      delivery to glioblastoma. Our findings offer strong evidence for the glioblastoma
      targeting potential of CREKA-micelles and provide the foundation for CREKA
      mediated, targeted therapy of glioma. 

PMID- 24211081
TI  - Effect of stereochemistry, chain length and sequence pattern on antimicrobial
      properties of short synthetic beta-sheet forming peptide amphiphiles.
AB  - In the face of mounting global antibiotics resistance, the identification and
      development of membrane-active antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as an alternative
      class of antimicrobial agent have gained significant attention. The physical
      perturbation and disruption of microbial membranes by the AMPs have been proposed
      to be an effective means to overcome conventional mechanisms of drug resistance.
      Recently, we have reported the design of a series of short synthetic beta-sheet
      folding peptide amphiphiles comprised of recurring (X1Y1X2Y2)n-NH2 sequences
      where X: hydrophobic amino acids, Y: cationic amino acids and n: number of repeat
      units. In efforts to investigate the effects of key parameters including
      stereochemistry, chain length and sequence pattern on antimicrobial effects,
      systematic d-amino acid substitutions of the lead peptides (IRIK)2-NH2 (IK8-all
      L) and (IRVK)3-NH2 (IK12-all L) were performed. It was found that the
      corresponding D-enantiomers exhibited stronger antimicrobial activities with
      minimal or no change in hemolytic activities, hence translating very high
      selectivity indices of 407.0 and >>9.8 for IK8-all D and IK12-all D respectively.
      IK8-all D was also demonstrated to be stable to degradation by broad spectrum
      proteases trypsin and proteinase K. The membrane disrupting bactericidal
      properties of IK8-all D effectively prevented drug resistance development and
      inhibited the growth of various clinically isolated MRSA, VRE, Acinetobacter
      baumanni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cryptococcus. neoformans and Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis. Significant reduction in intracellular bacteria counts was also
      observed following treatment with IK8-all D in the Staphylococcus. aureus
      infected mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 (P < 0.01). These results suggest
      that the d-amino acids substituted beta-sheet forming peptide IK8-all D with its
      enhanced antimicrobial activities and improved protease stability, is a promising
      therapeutic candidate with potential to combat antibiotics resistance in various
      clinical applications. 

PMID- 24211080
TI  - Maximizing gene delivery efficiencies of cationic helical polypeptides via
      balanced membrane penetration and cellular targeting.
AB  - The application of non-viral gene delivery vectors is often accompanied with the
      poor correlation between transfection efficiency and the safety profiles of
      vectors. Vectors with high transfection efficiencies often suffer from high
      toxicities, making it unlikely to improve their efficiencies by increasing the
      DNA dosage. In the current study, we developed a ternary complex system which
      consisted of a highly membrane-active cationic helical polypeptide (PVBLG-8), a
      low-toxic, membrane-inactive cationic helical polypeptide (PVBLG-7) capable of
      mediating mannose receptor targeting, and DNA. The PVBLG-7 moiety notably
      enhanced the cellular uptake and transfection efficiency of PVBLG-8 in a variety
      of mannose receptor-expressing cell types (HeLa, COS-7, and Raw 264.7), while it
      did not compromise the membrane permeability of PVBLG-8 or bring additional
      cytotoxicities. Because of the simplicity and adjustability of the self-assembly
      approach, optimal formulations of the ternary complexes with a proper balance
      between membrane activity and targeting capability were easily identified in each
      specific cell type. The optimal ternary complexes displayed desired cell
      tolerability and markedly outperformed the PVBLG-8/DNA binary complexes as well
      as commercial reagent LipofectamineTM 2000 in terms of transfection efficiency.
      This study therefore provides an effective and facile strategy to overcome the
      efficiency-toxicity poor correlation of non-viral vectors, which contributes
      insights into the design strategy of effective and safe non-viral gene delivery
      vectors. 

PMID- 24211082
TI  - Copper-free azide-alkyne cycloaddition of targeting peptides to porous silicon
      nanoparticles for intracellular drug uptake.
AB  - Porous silicon (PSi) has been demonstrated as a promising drug delivery vector
      for poorly water-soluble drugs. Here, a simple and efficient method based on
      copper-free click chemistry was used to introduce targeting moieties to PSi
      nanoparticles in order to enhance the intracellular uptake and tumor specific
      targeting hydrophobic drug delivery. Two RGD derivatives (RGDS and iRGD) with
      azide-terminated groups were conjugated to bicyclononyne-functionalized PSi
      nanoparticles via copper-free azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The surface
      functionalization was performed in aqueous solution at 37  degrees C for 30 min
      resulting in conjugation efficiencies of 15.2 and 3.4% (molar ratios) and the
      nanoparticle size increased from 165.6 nm to 179.6 and 188.8 nm for RGDS and
      iRGD, respectively. The peptides modification enhanced the cell uptake efficiency
      of PSi nanoparticles in EA.hy926 cells. PSi-RGDS and PSi-iRGD nanoparticles
      loaded with sorafenib showed a similar trend for the in vitro antiproliferation
      activity compared to sorafenib dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. Furthermore,
      sorafenib-loaded PSi-RGDS deliver the drug intracellulary efficiently due to the
      higher surface conjugation ratio, resulting in enhanced in vitro
      antiproliferation effect. Our results highlight the surface functionalization
      methodology for PSi nanoparticles applied here as a universal method to introduce
      functional moieties onto the surface of PSi nanoparticles and demonstrate their
      potential active targeting properties for anticancer drug delivery. 

PMID- 24211083
TI  - Air-bone gap in ears with a well-repaired tympanic membrane after Type III and
      Type IV tympanoplasty.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the air-bone conduction hearing gap (A-B gap) after
      Type III and Type IV stapes columella tympanoplasty in ears with mobile stapes
      and a well repaired tympanic membrane (TM). METHODS: Those patients who underwent
      tympanoplasty in our hospital between 2003 and 2009 and satisfied the following
      criteria were eligible: (1) good stapes mobility, confirmed intraoperatively; (2)
      postoperative TM and/or computed tomography (CT) findings that showed a well
      aerated tympanic cavity without TM perforation, otorrhea, or middle ear effusion;
      and (3) measurable air and bone conduction hearing thresholds 1 year
      postoperatively at all test frequencies (250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4
      kHz). RESULTS: Hearing results were better after Type III tympanoplasty than
      after Type IV tympanoplasty. After Type III (n=70) and Type IV (n=24)
      tympanoplasty, the respective mean A-B gaps were 16.4 +/- 7.2 dB and 20.1 +/- 5.6
      dB, respectively. The mean A-B gap was significantly smaller after Type III
      tympanoplasty than after Type IV tympanoplasty (p<0.05). Regardless of the type
      of tympanoplasty, the postoperative A-B gap was greatest at 4 kHz. CONCLUSION:
      The mean A-B gap was smaller after Type III tympanoplasty than after Type IV
      tympanoplasty. The magnitude of the A-B gap was greatest at 4 kHz in both
      procedures.

PMID- 24211084
TI  - Distant metastasis in p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a
      critical analysis of patterns and outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: With good loco-regional control, disease failure in p16-positive
      oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) mainly results from distant
      metastasis (DM). Our objective was to characterize the patterns and clinical
      outcomes of DM in p16-positive OPSCC and compare these to patients with p16
      negative disease. METHODS: Primary OPSCC patients who developed DM after
      completing surgical or non-surgical treatment were identified and p16 status was
      evaluated. Patterns of DM and post-DM progression-free (PFS) and disease-specific
      survival (DSS) were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-one of the 66 (62%) patients with DM
      were p16-positive. DM patterns were not statistically different by p16 status.
      However, p16-positive patients developed DM later in their course and had longer
      survival. All p16-negative patients either had progression or died within 24
      months of DM detection whereas the 2-year post-DM PFS in the p16-positive group
      was 20% (95% CI: 8-32.5%, p=0.003). The 3-year post-DM disease-specific survival
      (DSS) estimate in the p16-positive patients was 16% (95% CI: 7-18%) while all p16
      negative patients died within 34 months (p<0.001). p16-negativity, loco-regional
      disease, and no/palliative versus curative intent treatment were all associated
      with reduced post-DM DSS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The DM pattern
      did not differ remarkably between p16-positive and negative OPSCC patients in our
      practice. In p16-positive OPSCC with pulmonary oligometastatic disease, curative
      intent treatment and optimized locoregional control for the index primary
      prolonged survival.

PMID- 24211085
TI  - Hyperactivity and impulsivity in children with untreated allergic rhinitis:
      corroborated by rating scale and continuous performance test.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common chronic allergic disease in
      school-age children. An increased prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity
      disorder (ADHD) in AR patients has been reported; however, inattention and
      hyperactivity in AR children have not been investigated using objective and
      scientific measurements. METHODS: We used AR symptom score, ADHD symptom scale,
      and computerized continuous performance test (CPT) to study the attention and
      impulsivity in AR children, age-matched controls, and ADHD children (aged 6-15
      years). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were applied to
      identify risk factors for impulsivity and inattention in AR children. RESULTS:
      Twenty-nine controls, 10 ADHD, and 105 AR children were enrolled. There were no
      differences in age and sex among the three groups. The scores of
      Hyperactivity/Impulsivity subscales of ADHD symptoms from both parents and
      teachers were significantly higher in the AR children. The CPT in AR children
      revealed higher commission errors, shorter reaction times, and more
      perseveration. Risk factors for inattention and impulsivity in AR children
      included younger age, male sex, higher AR symptom scores, persistent AR,
      moderate/severe AR, multiple atopic diseases, family history of atopy, and
      possible comorbidity with ADHD. CONCLUSION: Care for AR children should not only
      involve treating their allergy, but also monitoring the possible comorbidities of
      impulsivity and inattention. In children with impulsivity, AR should be
      considered in addition to ADHD.

PMID- 24211086
TI  - Asthma exacerbation in children: a practical review.
AB  - Asthma is the most common chronic lower respiratory tract disease in childhood
      throughout the world. Despite advances in asthma management, acute exacerbations
      continue to be a major problem in patients and they result in a considerable
      burden on direct/indirect health care providers. A severe exacerbation occurring
      within 1 year is an independent risk factor. Respiratory tract viruses have
      emerged as the most frequent triggers of exacerbations in children. It is
      becoming increasingly clear that interactions may exist between viruses and other
      triggers, increasing the likelihood of an exacerbation. In this study, we provide
      an overview of current knowledge about asthma exacerbations, including its
      definition, impact on health care providers, and associated factors. Prevention
      management in intermittent asthma as well as intermittent wheeze in pre-school
      children and those with persistent asthma are discussed. Our review findings
      support the importance of controlling persistent asthma, as indicated in current
      guidelines. In addition, we found that early episodic intervention appeared to be
      crucial in preventing severe attacks and future exacerbations. Besides the use of
      medication, timely education after an exacerbation along with a comprehensive
      plan in follow up is also vitally important. 

PMID- 24211087
TI  - Medical student manikins - free plastic surgery training for super models.

PMID- 24211088
TI  - Characterisation of SCCmec elements in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus isolated from burn patients.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen, especially in burn units all
      around the world. Because of the emergence of the beta-lactam antibiotic
      resistant strains since 1961, concern about the prevalence of methicillin
      resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has increased in these units. Resistance to
      methicillin is mediated by penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) that have enough
      affinity for binding to the beta-lactam ring, but another kind of protein
      (PBP2alpha), which is encoded by the mecA gene, has a lower affinity for binding
      to these antibiotics. The mecA gene is transferred by SCCmec (staphylococcal
      cassette chromosome mec) as a mobile genetic element, exclusively found in the
      Staphylococcus genus. Identification of the frequency of the mecA gene, different
      SCCmec types and also its incidence may have benefit in surveillance prevention
      and control of MRSA strains in burn units. In this study, 40 S. aureus isolates
      were collected from patients hospitalised in Motahari burn center of Tehran,
      during 2012-2013. Conventional microbiological methods were applied and the
      confirmed isolates were stored at -20 degrees C for molecular polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) tests. The antibiotic resistance pattern was performed by disc
      diffusion method and finally the different SCCmec types were determined by
      specific primers. During this research, 40 isolates of S. aureus were collected
      from burn patients, of which (37.5%) of the specimens belonged to female patients
      and 62.5% to male patients. The aetiology of the burn was classified as follows:
      open flame (35%), liquid (32.5%), chemical (5%) and other (27.5%). By a disc
      diffusion method, no resistance pattern was observed to vancomycin and
      fosfomycin. Based on a multiplex PCR assay, the five different SCCmec types were
      detected as: 47.5% type III, 25% type IV, 10% type V, 10% type II and 7.5% type
      I. 

PMID- 24211089
TI  - Loads on a vertebral body replacement during locomotion measured in vivo.
AB  - Walking is one of the most important activities in daily life, and walking
      exposes the spine to a high number of loading cycles. Little is known about the
      spinal loads during walking. Telemeterized spinal implants can provide data about
      their loading during different activities. The aim of this study was to measure
      the loads on a vertebral body replacement (VBR) during level and staircase
      walking and to determine the effects of walking speed and using walking aids.
      Telemeterized VBRs were implanted in five patients suffering from compression
      fractures of the L1 or L3 lumbar vertebral body. The implant allows measurements
      of three force and three moment components. The resultant force on the VBR was
      measured during level and staircase walking, when walking on a treadmill at
      different speeds, and when using a wheeled invalid walker or crutches. On
      average, the resultant force on the VBR for level walking was 171% of the value
      for standing. This force value increased to 265% of the standing force when
      ascending stairs and to 225% when descending stairs. Walking speed had a strong
      effect on the implant force. Using a walker during ambulation on level ground
      reduced the force on the implant to 62% of standing forces, whereas using two
      crutches had only a minor effect. Walking causes much higher forces on the VBR
      than standing. A strong force reduction can be achieved by using a walker. 

PMID- 24211090
TI  - The relative associations of beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity with
      glycemic status and incident glycemic progression in migrant Asian Indians in the
      United States: the MASALA study.
AB  - AIMS: We assessed the relative associations of beta-cell dysfunction and insulin
      sensitivity with baseline glycemic status and incident glycemic progression among
      Asian Indians in the United States. METHODS: A 5-sample oral glucose tolerance
      test was obtained at baseline. Normoglycemia, impaired fasting glucose (IFG),
      impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were defined by ADA
      criteria. The Matsuda Index (ISIM) estimated insulin sensitivity, and the
      Disposition Index (DIo) estimated beta-cell function. Visceral fat was measured
      by abdominal CT. After 2.5years, participants underwent a 2-sample oral glucose
      tolerance test. Standardized polytomous logistic regression was used to examine
      associations with prevalent and incident glycemia. RESULTS: Mean age was 57+/
      8years and BMI 26.1+/-4.6kg/m(2). Log ISIM and log DIo were associated with
      prediabetes and T2DM after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, family history of
      diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. After adjusting for visceral fat, only DIo
      remained associated with prediabetes (OR per SD 0.17, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.41) and
      T2DM (OR 0.003, 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.03). Incidence rates (per 1,000 person-years)
      were: normoglycemia to IGT: 82.0, 95% CI (40, 150); to IFG: 8.4, 95% CI (0, 41);
      to T2DM: 8.6, 95% CI (0, 42); IGT to T2DM: 55.0, 95% CI (17, 132); IFG to T2DM:
      64.0, 95% CI (3, 316). The interaction between sex and the change in waist
      circumference (OR 1.8, per SD 95% CI: 1.22, 2.70) and the change in log HOMA-beta
      (OR 0.37, per SD 95% CI: 0.17, 0.81) were associated with glycemic progression.
      CONCLUSIONS: The association of DIo with baseline glycemia after accounting for
      visceral fat as well as the association of the change in log HOMA-beta with
      incident glycemic progression implies innate beta-cell susceptibility in Asian
      Indians for glucose intolerance or dysglycemia.

PMID- 24211091
TI  - The economic burden of progressive chronic kidney disease among patients with
      type 2 diabetes.
AB  - AIMS: To estimate the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among
      patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and calculate medical costs associated with
      progression. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 25,576 members
      at Kaiser Permanente who had T2D and at least one serum creatinine measurement in
      2005. Using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), we assigned patients to
      baseline stages of kidney function (stage 0-2, >60ml/min/1.73m(2), n=21,008;
      stage 3, 30-59, n=3,885; stage 4, 15-29, n=683). We examined all subsequent eGFRs
      through 2010 to assess progression of kidney disease. Medical costs at baseline
      and incremental costs during follow-up were assessed. RESULTS: Mean age of
      patients was 60.6years, 51% were men, and mean diabetes duration was 5.3years. At
      baseline, 17.9% of patients with T2D also had stage 3 or 4 CKD. Incremental
      adjusted costs that occurred over follow-up (from baseline) was on average $4569,
      $12,617, and $33,162 per patient per year higher among patients who progressed
      from baseline stage 0-2, stage 3, and stage 4 CKD, respectively, compared to
      those who did not progress. Across all stages of CKD, those who progressed to a
      higher stage of CKD from baseline had follow-up costs that ranged from 2 to 4
      times higher than those who did not progress. CONCLUSIONS: Progression of CKD in
      T2D drives substantial medical care costs. Interventions designed to minimize
      decline in progressive kidney function, particularly among patients with stage 3
      or 4 CKD, may reduce the economic burden of CKD in T2D.

PMID- 24211092
TI  - [Medical students and drug marketing].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the exposure of medical students to the marketing
      activities of the pharmaceutical industry, and identify their opinions and
      attitudes, and also the possible effects this exposure on their training and
      future professional practice. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional. SETTING:
      University of Zaragoza Faculty of Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: Third, fourth, fifth
      and sixth year medical students. METHODS: The information was obtained using a
      previously adapted, self-report questionnaire on the exposure, attitudes and
      perceived suitability of drug marketing activities. Percentages were calculated
      for the categorical variables, applying the chi squared test for the comparison
      between the groups. A logistic regression was performed to determine the factors
      associated with their attitudes towards these activities. RESULTS: A total of 369
      questionnaires were returned (93% of those attending classes). The exposure to
      marketing activities is high, particularly in the clinical stage (78.6% said to
      have received a gift non-educational gift). The students recognised the possible
      biases and repercussions in professional practice, although with ambiguity and
      contradictions. The most accepted activities are those associated with training,
      and the most critical attitudes appear in the clinical stage, particularly in the
      sixth year. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to drug marketing by medical students and its
      possible training and professional effects is frequent and significant. The
      training environment is particularly open to promotional activities. The
      differences observed in the later years suggest the need for a specific
      curriculum subject and development of reflective attitudes by the students
      themselves.

PMID- 24211093
TI  - Comment on "Postpartum testing rates among women with a history of gestational
      diabetes" by Carson et al.

PMID- 24211094
TI  - WT1 isoform expression pattern in acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - WT1 plays a dual role in leukemia development, probably due to an imbalance in
      the expression of the 4 main WT1 isoforms. We quantify their expression and
      evaluate them in a series of AML patients. Our data showed a predominant
      expression of isoform D in AML, although in a lower quantity than in normal CD34+
      cells. We found a positive correlation between the total WT1 expression and A, B
      and C isoforms. The overexpression of WT1 in AML might be due to a relative
      increase in A, B and C isoforms, together with a relative decrease in isoform D
      expression. 

PMID- 24211095
TI  - Arsenic trioxide induces apoptosis in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemic cells
      through down-regulation of survivin via the p53-dependent signaling pathway.
AB  - Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) can induce apoptosis in many tumors. However, the
      associated mechanisms are not clearly understood. We found that As2O3
      significantly inhibited the proliferation of WSU-CLL cells and induced apoptosis
      in dose- and time-dependent manners. WSU-CLL cells treated with 2MUM As2O3 showed
      survivin down-regulation and p53 up-regulation. Survivin siRNA combined with
      As2O3 further inhibited the proliferation of WSU-CLL cells. p53 inhibition by
      siRNA prevented the down-regulation of survivin by As2O3 and prevented the As2O3
      induced cytotoxicity of WSU-CLL cells. These results suggest that As2O3 may be of
      therapeutic value for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. 

PMID- 24211097
TI  - A predictive model of complications after spine surgery: the National Surgical
      Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) 2005-2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: There is increasing scrutiny by several regulatory bodies
      regarding the complications of spine surgery. Precise delineation of the risks
      contributing to those complications remains a topic of debate. PURPOSE: We
      attempted to create a predictive model of complications in patients undergoing
      spine surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE:
      A total of 13,660 patients registered in the American College of Surgeons
      National Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) database. OUTCOME MEASURES: Thirty
      day postoperative risks of stroke, myocardial infarction, death, infection,
      urinary tract infection (UTI), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism
      (PE), and return to the operating room. METHODS: We performed a retrospective
      cohort study involving patients who underwent spine surgery between 2005 and 2010
      and were registered in NSQIP. A model for outcome prediction based on individual
      patient characteristics was developed. RESULTS: Of the 13,660 patients, 2,719
      underwent anterior approaches (19.9%), 565 corpectomies (4.1%), and 1,757 fusions
      (12.9%). The respective 30-day postoperative risks were 0.05% for stroke, 0.2%
      for MI, 0.25% for death, 0.3% for infection, 1.37% for UTI, 0.6% for DVT, 0.29%
      for PE, and 3.15% for return to the operating room. Multivariate analysis
      demonstrated that increasing age, more extensive operations (fusion, corpectomy),
      medical deconditioning (weight loss, dialysis, peripheral vascular disease,
      coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes),
      increasing body mass index, non-independent mobilization (preoperative neurologic
      deficit), and bleeding disorders were independently associated with a more than 3
      days' length of stay. A validated model for outcome prediction based on
      individual patient characteristics was developed. The accuracy of the model was
      estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, which
      was 0.95, 0.82, 0.87, 0.75, 0.74, 0.78, 0.76, 0.74, and 0.65 for postoperative
      risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, death, infection, DVT, PE, UTI, length of
      stay of 3 days or longer, and return to the operating room, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our model can provide individualized estimates of the risks of
      postoperative complications based on preoperative conditions, and can potentially
      be used as an adjunct in decision-making for spine surgery.

PMID- 24211096
TI  - Investigating the role of DNA damage in tobacco smoking-induced spine
      degeneration.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Tobacco smoking is a key risk factor for spine degeneration.
      However, the underlying mechanism by which smoking induces degeneration is not
      known. Recent studies implicate DNA damage as a cause of spine and intervertebral
      disc degeneration. Because tobacco smoke contains many genotoxins, we
      hypothesized that tobacco smoking promotes spine degeneration by inducing
      cellular DNA damage. PURPOSE: To determine if DNA damage plays a causal role in
      smoking-induced spine degeneration. STUDY DESIGN: To compare the effect of
      chronic tobacco smoke inhalation on intervertebral disc and vertebral bone in
      normal and DNA repair-deficient mice to determine the contribution of DNA damage
      to degenerative changes. METHODS: Two-month-old wild-type (C57BL/6) and DNA
      repair-deficient Ercc1(-/Delta) mice were exposed to tobacco smoke by direct
      inhalation (4 cigarettes/day, 5 days/week for 7 weeks) to model first-hand
      smoking in humans. Total disc proteoglycan (PG) content (1,9-dimethylmethylene
      blue assay), PG synthesis ((35)S-sulfate incorporation assay), aggrecan
      proteolysis (immunoblotting analysis), and vertebral bone morphology
      (microcomputed tomography) were measured. RESULTS: Exposure of wild-type mice to
      tobacco smoke led to a 19% increase in vertebral porosity and a 61% decrease in
      trabecular bone volume. Intervertebral discs of smoke-exposed animals also showed
      a 2.6-fold decrease in GAG content and an 8.1-fold decrease in new PG synthesis.
      These smoking-induced degenerative changes were similar but not worse in Ercc1(
      /Delta) mice. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term exposure to high levels of primary tobacco
      smoke inhalation promotes degeneration of vertebral bone and discs. Disc
      degeneration is primarily driven by reduced synthesis of proteoglycans needed for
      vertebral cushioning. Degeneration was not exacerbated in congenic DNA repair
      deficient mice, indicating that DNA damage per se does not have a significant
      causal role in driving smoke-induced spine degeneration.

PMID- 24211098
TI  - Adult thoracolumbar and lumbar scoliosis treated with long vertebral fusion to
      the sacropelvis: a comparison between new hybrid selective spinal fusion versus
      anterior-posterior spinal instrumentation.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Combined anteroposterior spinal fusion with instrumentation
      has been used for many years to treat adult thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis. This
      surgery remains a technical challenge to spine surgeons, and current literature
      reports high complication rates. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to
      validate a new hybrid technique (a combination of single-rod anterior
      instrumentation and a shorter posterior instrumentation to the sacrum) to treat
      adult thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a retrospective
      consecutive case series of surgically treated patients with adult lumbar or
      thoracolumbar scoliosis. PATIENT SAMPLE: This is a retrospective study of 33
      matched pairs of patients with adult scoliosis who underwent two different
      surgical procedures: a new hybrid technique versus a third-generation
      anteroposterior spinal fusion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative
      outcome measures include self-report measures, physiological measures, and
      functional measures. METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study, 33 patients
      treated with the hybrid technique were matched with 33 patients treated with
      traditional anteroposterior fusion based on preoperative radiographic parameters.
      Mean follow-up in the hybrid group was 5.3 years (range, 2-11 years), compared
      with 4.6 years (range, 2-10 years) in the control group. Operating room (OR)
      time, estimated blood loss, and levels fused were collected as surrogates for
      surgical morbidity. Radiographic parameters were collected preoperatively,
      postoperatively, and at final follow-up. The Scoliosis Research Society Patient
      Questionnaire (SRS-22r) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were collected
      for clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Operating room time, EBL, and levels fused were
      significantly less in the hybrid group compared with the control group (p<.0001).
      The postoperative thoracic Cobb angle was similar between the hybrid and control
      techniques (p=.24); however, the hybrid technique showed significant improvement
      in the thoracolumbar/lumbar curves (p=.004) and the lumbosacral fractional curve
      (p<.0001). The major complication rate was less in the hybrid group compared with
      the control group (18% vs. 39%, p=.01). Clinical outcomes at final follow-up were
      not significantly different based on overall SRS-22r scores and ODI scores.
      CONCLUSION: The new hybrid technique demonstrates good long-term results, with
      less morbidity and fewer complications than traditional anteroposterior surgery
      select patients with thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis. This study received no
      funding. No potential conflict of interest-associated bias existed.

PMID- 24211099
TI  - Early postoperative fear of movement predicts pain, disability, and physical
      health six months after spinal surgery for degenerative conditions.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The fear-avoidance model offers a promising framework for
      understanding the development of chronic postoperative pain and disability.
      However, limited research has examined this model in patients undergoing spinal
      surgery. PURPOSE: To determine whether preoperative and early postoperative fear
      of movement predicts pain, disability, and physical health at 6 months following
      spinal surgery for degenerative conditions, after controlling for depressive
      symptoms and other potential confounding variables. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A
      prospective cohort study conducted at an academic outpatient clinic. PATIENT
      SAMPLE: One hundred forty-one patients undergoing surgery for lumbar or cervical
      degenerative conditions. OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported pain and disability were
      measured with the Brief Pain Inventory and the Oswestry Disability Index/Neck
      Disability Index, respectively. The physical composite scale of the 12-Item Short
      Form Health Survey (SF-12) measured physical health. METHODS: Data collection
      occurred preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 6 months following surgery. Fear of
      movement was measured with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and depression with
      the Prime-MD PHQ-9. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients (85% follow-up)
      completed the 6-month postoperative assessment. Multivariable mixed-method linear
      regression analyses found that early postoperative fear of movement (6 weeks)
      predicted pain intensity, pain interference, disability, and physical health at 6
      month follow-up (p<.05). Preoperative and early postoperative depression
      predicted pain interference, disability, and physical health. CONCLUSION: Results
      provide support for the fear-avoidance model in a postsurgical spine population.
      Early postoperative screening for fear of movement and depressive symptoms that
      do not acutely improve following surgical intervention appears warranted.
      Cognitive and behavioral strategies may be beneficial for postsurgical patients
      with high fear of movement and/or depressive symptoms.

PMID- 24211100
TI  - Changes in metal contamination levels in estuarine sediments around India--an
      assessment.
AB  - This review is the first attempt to comprehend the changes in metal contamination
      levels in surface estuarine sediments with changing time around India.
      Contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, pollution load index, effects range
      low and effects range median analysis were used to evaluate the quality of the
      estuarine sediments (by using the available literature data). This study suggests
      that estuarine sediments from the east coast of India were comparatively less
      contaminated by metals than the west coast. Sediments from those estuaries were
      found to be more contaminated by metals on which major cities are located. An
      improvement in estuarine sediment quality (in terms of metal contamination) over
      time around India was noticed. This study provides managers and decision-makers
      of environmental protection agency with a better scientific understanding for
      decision-making in controlling metal pollution in estuarine sediments around
      India. 

PMID- 24211101
TI  - Impact of environmental pollution on caged mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis
      using NMR-based metabolomics.
AB  - Metabolic responses to environmental pollution, mainly related to Hg and PAHs,
      were investigated in mussels. Specimens of Mytilus galloprovincialis, sedentary
      filter-feeders, were caged in anthropogenic-impacted and reference sites along
      the Augusta coastline (Sicily, Italy). The gills, mainly involved in nutrient
      uptake, digestion and gas exchange, were selected as target organ being the first
      organ to be affected by pollutants. Severe alterations in gill tissue were
      observed in mussels from the industrial area compared with control, while gill
      metabolic profiles, obtained by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and analyzed by
      multivariate statistics, exhibited significant changes in amino acids, energy
      metabolites, osmolytes and neurotransmitters. Overall, the morphological changes
      and metabolic disturbance detected in gill tissues may suggest that the mussels
      transplanted to the contaminated field site were suffering from adverse
      environmental condition. The concurrent morphological and metabolomic
      investigations as applied here result effective in assessing the environmental
      influences on health status of aquatic organisms. 

PMID- 24211102
TI  - Neurovascular quantitative study of the uterosacral ligament related to nerve
      sparing radical hysterectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution of autonomic nerves and blood and
      lymphatic vessels in the uterosacral ligament, elucidate detailed anatomy at a
      surgical level and provide pathobiological evidence for improvement of nerve
      sparing radical hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Surgical samples were collected from
      15 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy for early stage cervical cancer
      (FIGO Ib1-IIa). Twenty-nine fresh specimens were divided into cervical,
      intermediate and sacral sections, and then subdivided into superficial and deep
      portions from the middle: the medial surface and lateral surface were also
      subdivided in order to analyze lymphatic vessels. The numbers of nerve branches
      in each section or portion of the section were analyzed. The lengths of the
      uterosacral ligaments were measured and immunohistochemistry staining was
      studied. Autonomic nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels were
      quantitatively analyzed using image analysis software and biological stereology.
      RESULTS: The volume density of sympathetic nerves in the deep portion was
      significantly higher than in the superficial portion (p<0.05), and the number of
      nerves was greatest in the cervical section (p<0.05). The volume density of blood
      vessels was not significantly different between the two portions (p>0.05) or
      among the three sections (p>0.05), and the volume density of the lymphatic
      vessels was greater in the medial surface (p<0.05), with most of them in the
      cervical section (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides systematic mapping of
      the location and distribution of autonomic nerve branches, blood vessels and
      lymphatic vessels in the uterosacral ligament.

PMID- 24211103
TI  - Effects of monitoring strategies on seizures in pregnant women on lamotrigine: a
      meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Pregnant women with epilepsy have a significantly increased risk of
      mortality and morbidity compared to non-pregnant women. At least one in 250
      pregnancies is exposed to anti-epileptic drugs (AED). Seizure deterioration
      occurs in up to a third of pregnant women. AED levels fall in most pregnant
      women, although it is uncertain that this is responsible for seizure
      deterioration rather than a hormonal effect. Current practice of AED monitoring
      is either therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) or clinical features monitoring (CFM)
      to adjust the AED dose. We have systematically reviewed the effectiveness of the
      two monitoring regimens for AEDs, especially lamotrigine, the most commonly used
      AED in pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We searched
      MEDLINE (1966-2012), EMBASE (1980-2012) and Cochrane, for relevant citations on
      the effectiveness of different monitoring strategies on seizure deterioration in
      pregnant women with epilepsy on lamotrigine. Study selection, quality assessment
      and data extraction were carried out by two independent reviewers. We calculated
      the rates of deterioration in seizures with the two strategies and pooled the
      estimates with random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Six observational studies
      (n=132) evaluated the effectiveness of the two monitoring strategies on pregnant
      women with epilepsy on lamotrigine. There were no randomised controlled trials.
      The rate of seizure deterioration was 0.30 (95% CI 0.21-0.41) in women monitored
      by therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) compared to 0.73 (95% CI 0.56-0.86) in those
      receiving clinical feature monitoring (CFM) alone. CONCLUSION: Evidence based on
      observational data suggests that monitoring of AED levels in pregnancy reduces
      seizure deterioration, although the included studies have numerous sources of
      bias. There is paucity of evidence to make firm recommendations on optimal
      monitoring of AED drugs in pregnancy. Further research is needed to advise on the
      best clinical practice in managing AED in pregnancy.

PMID- 24211104
TI  - Observed changes in first metatarsal and medial cuneiform positions after first
      metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis.
AB  - The first intermetatarsal angle (IMA) is known to decrease after first
      metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis, although the exact mechanism by which this
      decrease occurs is not known. We measured the first IMA and obliquity of the
      medial cuneiform on anteroposterior weightbearing preoperative and postoperative
      radiographs in 86 feet and analyzed the statistical correlation between the IMA
      and the medial cuneiform angle. A change in the first IMA after first
      metatarsophalangeal joint fusion showed a strong positive correlation with a
      change in cuneiform obliquity (p < .0001). This finding was consistent in the
      direction and magnitude in each of 3 clinical subgroups: normal, p = .087;
      moderate deformity, p = .011; and severe deformity, p = .10. A comparison of the
      preoperative IMA and cuneiform obliquity revealed a trend toward a positive
      relationship but did not reach statistical significance (p = .08). The
      preoperative association between the IMA and medial cuneiform obliquity was not
      significant in any clinical subgroup, and the postoperative association between
      the IMA and cuneiform obliquity was not significant (p = .65). Clinical subgroup
      analysis showed no significant association between the IMA and the normal (p =
      .73) and moderately (p = .69) deformed feet, although the postoperative
      association between the IMA and cuneiform obliquity in the severely deformed
      group was significantly (p = .034) positive. A linear relationship between the
      reduction of the first IMA and medial cuneiform obliquity after
      metatarsophalangeal joint fusion was observed. Our findings suggest that frontal
      plane rotation influences cuneiform obliquity. 

PMID- 24211105
TI  - Evaluation of the benefit of emergency vaccination in a foot-and-mouth disease
      free country with low livestock density.
AB  - Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is highly contagious and one of the most
      economically devastating diseases of cloven-hoofed animals. Scientific-based
      preparedness about how to best control the disease in a previously FMD-free
      country is therefore essential for veterinary services. The present study used a
      spatial, stochastic epidemic simulation model to compare the effectiveness of
      emergency vaccination with conventional (non-vaccination) control measures in
      Switzerland, a low-livestock density country. Model results revealed that
      emergency vaccination with a radius of 3 km or 10 km around infected premises
      (IP) did not significantly reduce either the cumulative herd incidence or
      epidemic duration if started in a small epidemic situation where the number of
      IPs is still low. However, in a situation where the epidemic has become
      extensive, both the cumulative herd incidence and epidemic duration are reduced
      significantly if vaccination were implemented with a radius of 10 km around IPs.
      The effect of different levels of conventional strategy measures was also
      explored for the non-vaccination strategy. It was found that a lower compliance
      level of farmers for movement restrictions and delayed culling of IPs
      significantly increased both the cumulative IP incidence and epidemic duration.
      Contingency management should therefore focus mainly on improving conventional
      strategies, by increasing disease awareness and communication with stakeholders
      and preparedness of culling teams in countries with a livestock structure similar
      to Switzerland; however, emergency vaccination should be considered if there are
      reasons to believe that the epidemic may become extensive, such as when disease
      detection has been delayed and many IPs are discovered at the beginning of the
      epidemic.

PMID- 24211106
TI  - Identifying and measuring stakeholder preferences for disease prioritisation: A
      case study of the pig industry in Australia.
AB  - We describe stakeholder preference modelling using a combination of new and
      recently developed techniques to elicit criterion weights to incorporate into a
      multi-criteria decision analysis framework to prioritise exotic diseases for the
      pig industry in Australia. Australian pig producers were requested to rank
      disease scenarios comprising nine criteria in an online questionnaire. Parallel
      coordinate plots were used to visualise stakeholder preferences, which aided
      identification of two diverse groups of stakeholders - one group prioritised
      diseases with impacts on livestock, and the other group placed more importance on
      diseases with zoonotic impacts. Probabilistic inversion was used to derive
      weights for the criteria to reflect the values of each of these groups, modelling
      their choice using a weighted sum value function. Validation of weights against
      stakeholders' rankings for scenarios based on real diseases showed that the
      elicited criterion weights for the group who prioritised diseases with livestock
      impacts were a good reflection of their values, indicating that the producers
      were able to consistently infer impacts from the disease information in the
      scenarios presented to them. The highest weighted criteria for this group were
      attack rate and length of clinical disease in pigs, and market loss to the pig
      industry. The values of the stakeholders who prioritised zoonotic diseases were
      less well reflected by validation, indicating either that the criteria were
      inadequate to consistently describe zoonotic impacts, the weighted sum model did
      not describe stakeholder choice, or that preference modelling for zoonotic
      diseases should be undertaken separately from livestock diseases. Limitations of
      this study included sampling bias, as the group participating were not
      necessarily representative of all pig producers in Australia, and response bias
      within this group. The method used to elicit criterion weights in this study
      ensured value trade-offs between a range of potential impacts, and that the
      weights were implicitly related to the scale of measurement of disease criteria.
      Validation of the results of the criterion weights against real diseases - a step
      rarely used in MCDA - added scientific rigour to the process. The study
      demonstrated that these are useful techniques for elicitation of criterion
      weights for disease prioritisation by stakeholders who are not disease experts.
      Preference modelling for zoonotic diseases needs further characterisation in this
      context.

PMID- 24211107
TI  - Toxicity of the micropollutants Bisphenol A, Ciprofloxacin, Metoprolol and
      Sulfamethoxazole in water samples before and after the oxidative treatment.
AB  - The amount of organic micropollutants detected in surface waters increases
      steadily. Common waste water treatment plants are not built to remove these
      substances. Thus there is a need for new technologies. A promising technology is
      the use of advanced oxidation processes through which organic micropollutants can
      be removed from waste water. However, the formation of oxidation by-products is
      likely and needs to be investigated since the by-products not only differ from
      their parent compounds in regard to their chemical and physical properties but
      they can also differ in toxicity. Therefore this study was designed to combine
      chemical and toxicological analyses of the advanced oxidation (O3 [5mg/L] or
      UV/H2O2 [Hg-LP lamp; 15W; 1g/L H2O2]) of waste water treatment plant effluents
      and pure water. Effluent samples from conventional activated sludge waste water
      treatment (mechanical treatment, activated sludge basin, and primary as well as
      secondary treatment steps) and high-purity deionized water (pure water) were
      spiked with Bisphenol A, Ciprofloxacin, Metoprolol or Sulfamethoxazole and
      treated with O3 or UV/H2O2. For the toxicological analyses mammalian cells (CHO
      9, T47D) were exposed to the water samples for 24h and were tested for
      cytotoxicity (MTT Test), genotoxicity (Alkaline Comet Assay) and estrogenicity
      (ER Calux((r))). The results indicate that the oxidative treatment (O3 or
      UV/H2O2) of Bisphenol A, Metoprolol, Sulfamethoxazole or Ciprofloxacin in waste
      water did not result in toxic oxidation by-products, whereas the UV/H2O2
      treatment of Bisphenol A and Ciprofloxacin in pure water resulted in by-products
      with cytotoxic but no estrogenic effects after 60min. 

PMID- 24211108
TI  - [Is a patient's knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors better after the
      occurrence of a major ischemic event? Survey of 135 cases and 260 controls].
AB  - AIM: We hypothezised that patients (cases) who are hospitalized for a major
      ischemic event--myocardial infarction, stroke, decompensation of peripheral
      arterial disease--acquire better knowledge than a control population-
      atheromatous patients without a major ischemic event, patients consulting for a
      vein disease or a diabetes evaluation, and accompanists--about cardiovascular
      risk factors (smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity) and have a
      better understanding of the usefulness of making changes in their lifestyle (quit
      smoking, regular exercise, Mediterranean diet, low salt diet, weight control,
      diabetes care). METHODS: A questionnaire was proposed at vascular surgery
      consultations and vascular and cardiac functional explorations, at the M Pavillon
      of the Edouard-Herriot hospital, Lyon, France. In five months, 395 questionnaires
      (135 cases and 260 controls) were analyzed. RESULTS: The global knowledge score
      was statistically higher for cases than for controls (cases 3.23+/-1.81; controls
      2.77+/-2.03; P=0.037). Cases did not abide by monitoring and dietary rules
      better, except as regards the management of diabetes. Regular physical activity
      was statistically more prevalent among controls than among cases. Cases mainly
      received their information from their doctors (general practitioner for 59% of
      controls and 78% of cases, cardiologist for 25% of controls and 57% of cases)
      while controls got their information more through magazines or advertising.
      CONCLUSION: Our results show that after a major ischemic event, cases' knowledge
      of risk factors is better than the rest of the population without improved rules
      lifestyle changes. This suggests the usefulness of evaluating a therapeutic
      education program for atheromatous disease.

PMID- 24211109
TI  - Mutation in the first Ig-like domain of Kit leads to JAK2 activation and
      myeloproliferation in mice.
AB  - Myeloproliferative neoplasms constitute a group of hematopoietic neoplasms at the
      myeloid stem cell level. Although mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT
      have been identified in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm, the functional
      causality is unknown because of a lack of animal models. Here, we describe a
      mouse strain harboring a point mutation in the first Ig-like domain of Kit.
      Intriguingly, the mutant mice develop a myeloproliferative disorder with typical
      loss-of-function phenotypes in other tissues. The mutant Kit is incompletely N
      glycosylated, shows compromised receptor dimerization, and down-regulates Akt and
      extracellular signal-regulating kinase 1/2 signaling. However, the mutation
      increases the association of Kit to Janus kinase (JAK)2 and hence the activation
      of JAK2. The beta common receptor of the gp140 family interacts and synergizes
      with Kit to promote JAK2 phosphorylation, which is further enhanced by the Kit
      mutation. Inhibition of JAK2 suppresses the proliferation of hematopoietic
      progenitors in vitro and partially rescues myeloproliferation in mice. Our data
      suggest that overactivation of JAK2 leads to myeloproliferation in Kit mutant
      mice and provide mechanistic insights for the diagnosis and treatment of
      myeloproliferative neoplasms in humans. 

PMID- 24211110
TI  - Ras-Mek-Erk signaling regulates Nf1 heterozygous neointima formation.
AB  - Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) results from mutations in the NF1 tumor-suppressor
      gene, which encodes neurofibromin, a negative regulator of diverse Ras signaling
      cascades. Arterial stenosis is a nonneoplastic manifestation of NF1 that
      predisposes some patients to debilitating morbidity and sudden death. Recent
      murine studies demonstrate that Nf1 heterozygosity (Nf1(+/-)) in
      monocytes/macrophages significantly enhances intimal proliferation after arterial
      injury. However, the downstream Ras effector pathway responsible for this
      phenotype is unknown. Based on in vitro assays demonstrating enhanced
      extracellular signal-related kinase (Erk) signaling in Nf1(+/-) macrophages and
      vascular smooth muscle cells and in vivo evidence of Erk amplification without
      alteration of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling in Nf1(+/-) neointimas, we
      tested the hypothesis that Ras-Erk signaling regulates intimal proliferation in a
      murine model of NF1 arterial stenosis. By using a well-established in vivo model
      of inflammatory cell migration and standard cell culture, neurofibromin-deficient
      macrophages demonstrate enhanced sensitivity to growth factor stimulation in vivo
      and in vitro, which is significantly diminished in the presence of PD0325901, a
      specific inhibitor of Ras-Erk signaling in phase 2 clinical trials for cancer.
      After carotid artery injury, Nf1(+/-) mice demonstrated increased intimal
      proliferation compared with wild-type mice. Daily administration of PD0325901
      significantly reduced Nf1(+/-) neointima formation to levels of wild-type mice.
      These studies identify the Ras-Erk pathway in neurofibromin-deficient macrophages
      as the aberrant pathway responsible for enhanced neointima formation. 

PMID- 24211111
TI  - Pulmonary endothelial protein kinase C-delta (PKCdelta) regulates neutrophil
      migration in acute lung inflammation.
AB  - Excessive neutrophil migration across the pulmonary endothelium into the lung and
      release of oxidants and proteases are key elements in pathogenesis of acute lung
      injury. Previously, we identified protein kinase C-delta (PKCdelta) as an
      important regulator of proinflammatory signaling in human neutrophils and
      demonstrated that intratracheal instillation of a TAT-conjugated PKCdelta
      inhibitory peptide (PKCdelta-TAT) is lung protective in a rat model of sepsis
      induced indirect pulmonary injury (cecal ligation and puncture). In the present
      study, intratracheal instillation of this PKCdelta inhibitor resulted in peptide
      distribution throughout the lung parenchyma and pulmonary endothelium and
      decreased neutrophil influx, with concomitant attenuation of sepsis-induced
      endothelial ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in this model. To further delineate the
      role of PKCdelta in regulating neutrophil migration, we used an in vitro
      transmigration model with human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells
      (PMVECs). Consistent with in vivo findings, inhibition of PMVEC PKCdelta
      decreased IL-1beta-mediated neutrophil transmigration. PKCdelta regulation was
      stimulus-dependent; PKCdelta was required for transmigration mediated by IL-1beta
      and fMLP (integrin-dependent), but not IL-8 (integrin-independent). PKCdelta was
      essential for IL-1beta-mediated neutrophil adherence and NF-kappaB-dependent
      expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. In PMVECs, IL-1beta-mediated production of ROS
      and activation of redox-sensitive NF-kappaB were PKCdelta dependent, suggesting
      an upstream signaling role. Thus, PKCdelta has an important role in regulating
      neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions and recruitment to the inflamed lung. 

PMID- 24211113
TI  - Postoperative patency of the retrograde internal mammary vein anastomosis in free
      flap transfer.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: A caudal limb of the internal mammary vein (IMV) can be used
      as an additional venous drainage route in free flap transfer. However, there
      remains the possibility that unrecognised occlusion of the retrograde IMV occurs
      in the early postoperative period due to non-physiologic flow, thus affecting
      venous drainage. There are no reports regarding the postoperative patency rates
      of the anastomosed retrograde IMV. This study aimed to clarify the efficacy of
      the retrograde IMV as an additional venous drainage route in the case of two-vein
      anastomosis in free flap transfer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a hospital
      based prospective case series study to clarify the patency rates of retrograde
      IMV anastomoses as an additional venous drainage route in cases of two-vein
      anastomosis in free flap transfer. Both antegrade and retrograde IMV anastomoses
      were performed in patients who underwent free flap transfer using the IMV as a
      recipient vein. The postoperative flow vector and peak blood velocity of the
      retrograde IMV anastomosis were examined using two-dimensional phase contrast
      magnetic resonance imaging (2D PC-MRI) and colour Doppler imaging. RESULT: A
      total of five retrograde IMV anastomoses in five patients were performed in the
      study period. The postoperative patency rate of the retrograde IMV was 60%. In
      the patent group, the postoperative peak venous blood velocity of the retrograde
      IMV was significantly slower than that of the antegrade IMV (4.6 +/- 0.5 vs 7.2
      +/- 0.8 cm s(-1), P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We described the postoperative patency
      rate of retrograde IMV anastomosis in cases of two-vein anastomosis in free flap
      transfer. Further study is needed to evaluate the reliability of the retrograde
      IMV as an additional venous drainage route.

PMID- 24211112
TI  - A pilot test of an integrated self-care intervention for persons with heart
      failure and concomitant diabetes.
AB  - Studies show 30% to 47% of people with heart failure (HF) have concomitant
      diabetes mellitus (DM). Self-care for persons with both of these chronic
      conditions is conflicting, complex, and often inadequate. This pilot study tested
      an integrated self-care program for its effects on HF and DM knowledge, self-care
      efficacy, self-care behaviors, and quality of life (QOL). Hospitalized HF-DM
      participants (N = 71) were randomized to usual care or intervention using a 1:2
      allocation and followed at 30 and 90 days after intervention. Intervention was an
      integrated education and counseling program focused on HF-DM self-care. Variables
      included demographic and clinical data, knowledge about HF and DM, HF- and DM
      specific self-efficacy, standard HF and DM QOL scales, and HF and DM self-care
      behaviors. Analysis included descriptive statistics, multilevel longitudinal
      models for group and time effects, post hoc testing, and effect size
      calculations. Sidak adjustments were used to control for type 1 error inflation.
      The integrated HF-DM self-care intervention conferred effects on improved HF
      knowledge (30 days, p = .05), HF self-care maintenance (30 and 90 days, p <
      .001), HF self-care management (90 days, p = .05), DM self-efficacy (30 days, p =
      .03; 90 days, p = .004), general diet (30 days, p = .05), HF physical QOL (p =
      .04), and emotional QOL scores (p = .05) at 90 days within the intervention
      group. The participants in the usual care group also reported increased total and
      physical QOL. Greater percentages of participants in the intervention group
      improved self reported exercise between 0 and 30 days (p = .005 and moderate
      effect size ES = .47) and foot care between 0 and 90 days (p = .03, small ES =
      .36). No group differences or improvements in DM-specific QOL were observed. An
      integrated HF-DM self-care intervention was effective in improving essential
      components of self-care and had sustained (90 day) effects on selected self-care
      behaviors. Future studies testing HF-DM integrated self-care interventions in
      larger samples with longer follow-up and on other outcomes such as
      hospitalization and clinical markers are warranted.

PMID- 24211114
TI  - Nasalance scores for normal Korean-speaking adults and children.
AB  - There are numerous nasometric studies to date, including normative nasalance
      scores for various languages as well as nasometric differences in age, gender,
      race and region except the Korean language. In this regard, we sought to
      establish normative nasalance scores for Koreans. We created speech samples based
      on the everyday use of phonemes in the Korean language which were syntactically
      simple for children. In addition, we analysed nasometric features based on age
      and gender and confirmed test-retest reliability. The study included 108 children
      (54 girls and 54 boys, aged 7-11 years) and 108 adults (54 women and 54 men, aged
      18-29 years) with normal articulation, resonance, voice and hearing. Nasometer II
      6400 was used to measure the nasalance scores. The subjects read or repeated
      three speech stimuli, each consisting of 33, 36 and 24 syllables: (1) an oral
      passage devoid of nasal consonants, (2) an oro-nasal passage and (3) nasal
      sentences. For each stimulus, mean nasalance scores were obtained and gender or
      age dependence was analysed, using two-way analyses of variance. The mean
      nasalance scores for the oral passage, oro-nasal passage and nasal sentences were
      11.69% (standard deviation (SD) 3.68), 34.04% (SD 4.88) and 63.72% (SD 6.07),
      respectively. Female speakers exhibited significantly higher nasalance scores
      than male speakers on the oro-nasal passage (p = 0.000) and nasal sentences (p =
      0.004). Children exhibited significantly higher nasalance scores than adults on
      nasal sentences (p = 0.000). The nasalance scores in children and females were a
      little higher. Korean normative data will provide reference information in the
      evaluation and treatment of resonance problems.

PMID- 24211115
TI  - The use of a microscope with near-infrared imaging function in indocyanine green
      lymphography and lymphaticovenous anastomosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography has become an important
      investigation in lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA). Near-infrared (NIR) imaging
      systems are available in the market for the production of ICG lymphography. These
      machines, however, may be difficult to obtain owing to their costs. In our
      institute, these NIR imaging devices are not available. Alternatively, microscopy
      with NIR imaging function was used for LVA. The experiences of the production of
      ICG lymphography with an NIR microscope are described. METHODS: For the
      production of preoperative ICG lymphography, ICG solution was injected
      subdermally to the web spaces of the lymphoedema limb. The NIR mode of the
      microscope was used for the lymphatic mapping. Black and white images and videos
      of the ICG lymphography were then produced. Intra-operatively, the NIR function
      was used for the localisation of lymphatic vessels and confirmation of the
      patency of the LVA. RESULTS: Between February 2013 and May 2013, 24 ICG
      lymphographies were performed in 20 female patients as a preoperative
      investigation for LVA. All four ICG lymphography patterns (linear, splash,
      stardust and diffuse patterns) were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: In institutes
      where NIR imaging devices are not available, we believe that a microscope with an
      NIR imaging function is a reasonable alternative for the production of ICG
      lymphography.

PMID- 24211116
TI  - Shoulder silhouette and axilla reconstruction with free composite elbow tissue
      transfer following interscapulothoracic amputation.
AB  - Interscapulothoracic amputation (ISTA) encompasses the removal of the upper limb,
      scapula and clavicle. As the reconstructive and oncologic limb-saving techniques
      improved, the indications for this formidable procedure decreased. However, it is
      still the appropriate procedure in cases with extensive oncologic or traumatic
      involvement of the shoulder girdle. Following ISTA, the surgeon is not only faced
      with a large defect but also with severe functional and aesthetic impairments. A
      solution to these problems is the immediate reconstruction with a free composite
      transfer from the amputated extremity. We successfully treated three oncologic
      cases and one traumatic case using this technique. The recipient vessels included
      the subclavian artery and vein in three cases and the internal thoracic vessels
      in one case. After a mean follow-up time of 4.5 years, two of the three tumour
      patients were free of recurrent disease. In all cases stable wound closure was
      achieved. Three out of four patients would opt for surgery again, in spite of the
      high occurrence of complications. One patient died after a 14-year event-free
      postoperative course. We conclude that the defect following ISTA can be
      successfully covered using a free composite tissue transfer of the amputated
      disease-free elbow and forearm, while simultaneously reconstructing the shoulder
      silhouette and axilla. This procedure reduces functional and aesthetic
      impairments and improves the quality of life. 

PMID- 24211117
TI  - Multiple-digit resurfacing using a thin latissimus dorsi perforator flap.
AB  - Traumatic digit defects of high complexity and with inadequate local tissue
      represent challenging surgical problems. Recently, perforator flaps have been
      proposed for reconstructing large defects of the hand because of their thinness
      and pliability and minimal donor site morbidity. Here, we illustrate the use of
      thin latissimus dorsi perforator flaps for resurfacing multiple defects of distal
      digits. We describe the cases of seven patients with large defects, including
      digits, circumferential defects and multiple-digit defects, who underwent
      reconstruction with thin latissimus dorsi perforator flaps between January 2008
      and March 2012. Single-digit resurfacing procedures were excluded. The mean age
      was 56.3 years and the mean flap size was 160.4 cm(2). All the flaps survived
      completely. Two patients had minor complications including partial flap loss and
      scar contracture. The mean follow-up period was 11.7 months. The ideal flap for
      digit resurfacing should be thin and amenable to moulding, have a long pedicle
      for microanastomosis and have minimal donor site morbidity. Thin flaps can be
      harvested by excluding the deep adipose layer, and their high pliability enables
      resurfacing without multiple debulking procedures. The latissimus dorsi
      perforator flap may be the best flap for reconstructing complex defects of the
      digits, such as large, multiple-digit or circumferential defects, which require
      complete wrapping of volar and dorsal surfaces.

PMID- 24211118
TI  - Complications following body contouring surgery after massive weight loss: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is a way to achieve lasting weight loss in the
      obese. Body contouring surgery seeks to alleviate some of the discomfort caused
      by the excessive loose skin following massive weight loss. Higher complication
      rates are described in this type of surgery when done post-bariatric. The purpose
      of this article is to compare complication rates of body contouring surgery when
      performed on patients with weight loss due to bariatric surgery compared to
      patients who lost weight due to dietary changes and/or exercise. METHODS: A total
      of 253 studies were identified by searches in PubMed/Medline databases as well as
      two hand-search strategies. Three levels of screening resulted in seven studies
      being considered suitable for inclusion in the meta-analysis. All statistical
      calculations were performed with Review Manager (RevMan) Version 5.2.3. RESULTS:
      The fixed-effects pooled risk ratio (RR) of developing complications after body
      contouring surgery when comparing post-bariatric and non-bariatric patients is
      1.60 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-1.96; P < 0.00001; I(2) = 48%) showing
      that there is a 60% increase in the risk of developing complications if the
      patient lost weight due to surgery. A subgroup analysis of studies with patients
      only having one body contouring procedure shows an 87% higher increase in the
      risk of developing a complication when being post-bariatric (RR = 1.87; 95% CI
      1.46-2.40; P < 0.00001; I(2) = 0%). If we exclusively look at the studies with a
      less uniform patient population that included patients who had one procedure
      performed as well as patients who had several procedures performed, there seems
      to be a non-significant 4% lower risk of developing a complication in the case of
      post-bariatric patients compared to the non-bariatric patients (RR = 0.96; 95% CI
      0.65-1.42; P = 0.84; I(2) = 0%). CONCLUSION: The analysis shows a 60-87%
      increased risk of complications in the post-bariatric group compared to the non
      bariatric group with statistical significance.

PMID- 24211119
TI  - Emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the palliative care setting-how
      to strike the right balance in infection control measures?

PMID- 24211120
TI  - The mechanics behind cell division.
AB  - It is now well established that the orientation of the plane of cell division
      highly depends on cell geometry in plants. However, the related molecular
      mechanism remains largely unknown. Recent data in animal systems highlight the
      role of the cytoskeleton response to mechanical stress in this process.
      Interestingly, these results are consistent with some data obtained in parallel
      in plants. Here we review and confront these studies, across kingdoms, and we
      explore the possibility that the intrinsic mechanical properties of the
      cytoskeleton play a key role in the nexus between cell division and mechanical
      stress. This opens many avenues for future research that are also discussed in
      this review. 

PMID- 24211121
TI  - Radiation pneumonitis after breast-conserving surgery for cancer.

PMID- 24211122
TI  - Dosimetric and clinical outcome in image-based high-dose-rate interstitial
      brachytherapy for anal cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate dosimetric and clinical outcome in patients of anal cancer
      treated with image-based interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy following
      chemoradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixteen patients with anal cancer were
      treated with chemoradiation followed by brachytherapy boost with image-based high
      dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy from January 2007 to June 2011. Two
      brachytherapy dose schedules were used: 21 Gy in seven fractions and 18 Gy in six
      fractions depending on response to chemoradiation. CT scan was done after
      placement of needles for confirmation of placement and treatment planning. Target
      volume was contoured on CT scans. Volumetric quality indices and dose parameters
      were calculated. RESULTS: The mean clinical target volume was 17.7 +/- 4.98
      cm(3), and the median overall tumor size was 4.2cm (3.4-5cm). The mean values of
      coverage index, dose homogeneity index, overdose volume index, dose non
      uniformity ratio, and conformal index were 0.94, 0.83, 0.21, 0.37, and 0.88,
      respectively. With a median followup of 41 months (range, 20-67.2 months),
      preservation of the anal sphincter was achieved in 14 patients. The 1- and 2-year
      local control rates were 93.8% and 87.5%, respectively. Treatment was well
      tolerated and none of the patients developed Grade 3 or higher late toxicity.
      CONCLUSIONS: The combination of external beam radiotherapy with interstitial
      brachytherapy increases the dose to the tumor volume and limits the volume of
      irradiated normal tissue, thereby decreasing late toxicity. The use of image
      based treatment planning provides better dose conformality with reduced toxicity
      and helps to prevent a geographic miss.

PMID- 24211123
TI  - Re-irradiation with interstitial pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy for unresectable
      recurrent head and neck carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the long-term results of protocol-based interstitial pulsed
      dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy combined with simultaneous chemotherapy in selected
      patients with recurrent head and neck tumors not amenable to salvage surgery.
      METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 51 patients with recurrent head and neck cancer
      were treated with interstitial PDR brachytherapy. Forty patients (78%) had
      salvage brachytherapy alone using a median total dose of 60 Gy. Salvage
      brachytherapy in combination with external beam therapy was performed in 11
      patients (22%) using a median total dose of DREF=27 Gy. Simultaneously with the
      PDR brachytherapy, a concomitant chemotherapy was administered in 35/51 (69%) of
      patients. The analysis was performed after a median followup of 58 months.
      RESULTS: Local control rates calculated according to Kaplan-Meier after 2 and 5
      years were 71% and 57%, respectively. Comparing results of salvage PDR
      brachytherapy with or without simultaneous chemotherapy, the 5-year local
      recurrence-free survival rates were 78.9% vs. 38.5% (p=0.01), respectively. No
      other patient or treatment-related parameters had a significant influence on
      treatment results. A total of 9/51 (17.7%) and 6/51 (11.8%) patients developed
      soft-tissue necrosis or bone necrosis, respectively, but only 2% of patients
      required surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PDR interstitial brachytherapy with
      pulse doses between 0.4 and 0.7 Gy/h/24 h with simultaneous chemotherapy is an
      effective and safe option for curative therapy in selected patients with head and
      neck cancer in previously irradiated areas, which are not suitable for salvage
      surgery.

PMID- 24211124
TI  - Correlates of emotional congruence with children in sexual offenders against
      children: a test of theoretical models in an incarcerated sample.
AB  - Emotional congruence with children is a psychological construct theoretically
      involved in the etiology and maintenance of sexual offending against children.
      Research conducted to date has not examined the relationship between emotional
      congruence with children and other psychological meaningful risk factors for
      sexual offending against children. The current study derived potential correlates
      of emotional congruence with children from the published literature and proposed
      three models of emotional congruence with children that contain relatively unique
      sets of correlates: the blockage, sexual deviance, and psychological immaturity
      models. Using Area under the Curve analysis, we assessed the relationship between
      emotional congruence with children and offense characteristics, victim
      demographics, and psychologically meaningful risk factors in a sample of
      incarcerated sexual offenders against children (n=221). The sexual deviance model
      received the most support: emotional congruence with children was significantly
      associated with deviant sexual interests, sexual self-regulation problems, and
      cognition that condones and supports child molestation. The blockage model
      received partial support, and the immaturity model received the least support.
      Based on the results, we propose a set of further predictions regarding the
      relationships between emotional congruence with children and other
      psychologically meaningful risk factors to be examined in future research. 

PMID- 24211125
TI  - Histological characteristics of induced membranes in subcutaneous, intramuscular
      sites and bone defect.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The induced membrane technique was proposed as a treatment of large
      segmental bone defects. The influence of the surrounding tissues on its
      characteristics remains unknown. It is therefore not known which kind of plastic
      surgery procedure (muscular or facio-cutaneous flap) would optimize bone
      osteointegration within a bone defect reconstructed using the induced-membrane
      technique. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that membrane characteristics could be
      influenced by the soft-tissue environment either subcutaneous or muscular.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the histological characteristics of poly
      methylmethacrylate (PMMA) induced membranes in intramuscular, subcutaneous and
      bony environment (radius defects) at 2 steps: spacer implantation; secondary bone
      graft and its subsequent osteintegration after spacer removal. METHODS: PMMA
      induced membranes were obtained in the three sites of 15 rabbits. Subsequent new
      bone formation was studied in the same environments in 24 other rabbits. Six
      weeks after the initial implantation, PMMA spacers were replaced with iliac
      autografts. Animals were euthanized at 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively. Tissue
      samples were harvested and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The histological
      characteristics of the membrane (thickness and microvessel density) and the newly
      formed bone (cortical thickness) were quantitatively analyzed. RESULTS: The
      membranes in the subcutaneous sites developed quicker, were thicker and had the
      lowest microvessel density (P<0.01). The membranes in the intramuscular sites
      developed later and were thinner (P<0.01). The membranes in the osseous defects
      had the greatest microvessel density (P<0.01). After bone grafting, induced
      membranes became thinner and their microvessel density decreased substantially,
      but maintained better in osseous site. The newly-formed bone that developed in
      the radius defects, had the thickest cortices (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The
      evolution of membranes induced in the intramuscular and subcutaneous environments
      was close to that of the bone defect model, although bone formation appeared
      weaker.

PMID- 24211126
TI  - Isolated anterior interosseous nerve deficit due to a false aneurysm of the
      humeral artery: an unusual complication of penetrating arm injury. Case report
      and literature review.
AB  - Anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) injuries account for only 1% of all the nerve
      injuries at the upper limb. We report the case of a 22-year-old male who
      sustained a penetrating injury to the arm. No neurological deficit was found at
      the initial evaluation. However, 6 weeks later, he had a motor deficit confined
      to the territory of the AIN with weakness of the flexor pollicis longus and
      flexor digitorum longus to the index. He also reported paraesthesia. Tinel's test
      was positive over the pinpoint wound in the arm, where a painful swelling was
      felt. Electroneurophysiological testing indicated a deficit of the AIN. Surgical
      exploration identified a thrombosed false aneurysm of the humeral artery
      responsible for compression of the median nerve. One month later, the patient had
      achieved a full recovery. Immediate routine exploration of deep penetrating
      wounds, although mandatory, may fail to detect any lesions. Close monitoring must
      be provided subsequently, as gradual nerve compression can result in delayed
      neurological deficits.

PMID- 24211127
TI  - High rate of fracture in the cementless modular ExtremeTM (Mark I) femoral
      prosthesis in revision total hip arthroplasty: 33 cases at more than 5 years'
      follow-up.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The modular concept has been recommended in femoral revision
      surgery with extensive bone loss, but entails mechanical complications:
      disassembly and fracture. The present retrospective study assessed the Mark I
      ExtremeTM modular prosthesis at a minimum 5 years' follow-up. HYPOTHESIS: A
      cementless modular femoral stem facilitates revision in case of extensive bone
      loss, providing satisfactory results without risk of junction failure. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Thirty-three prostheses presenting aseptic loosening, including 3
      with periprosthetic fracture, in 23 female and 9 male patients, with a mean age
      of 65 years (range, 49-83 years), were reviewed at a mean 6.3 years' follow-up
      (range, 5-9 years). Bone loss was assessed on the SOFCOT (17/33 grade 3 or 4) and
      Paprosky classifications (19/33 grade III or IV). One patient died; another was
      lost to follow-up, leaving 31 hips for analysis. Clinical assessment comprised
      Postel Merle d'Aubigne (PMA) and Harris Hip scores (HHS); radiological assessment
      used the Engh score and corticomedullary index (CMI). RESULTS: There were 15
      complications requiring surgery: 9 (27%) unrelated to the implant (1 hematoma, 2
      infections, 2 dislocations, 1 femoral non-union, 3 asymptomatic trochanteric non
      unions) and 6 (18%) implant-related (four 3-level fractures and 2 epiphyseal
      metaphyseal disassemblies, requiring 3 total exchanges and 3 proximal component
      replacements). PMA and HHS scores showed significant improvement, PMA rising from
      10.4 (6-18) to 14.4 (11-18) and HHS from 50 (19-88) to 80.9 (52-100). Bone
      regrowth was "certain" on the Engh classification in 11 cases (44%). There was no
      diaphyseal component subsidence, even in case of fracture or dissociation. CMI at
      the 3 junctions between the 4 quarters of the stem showed no significant change:
      32.9 and 32.7, 41.2 and 38.7, and 41.6 and 39.9 respectively. Six-year
      survivorship was 81% (95% CI: 68-94%). DISCUSSION: In other series for the same
      type of implant, the rates of fracture (always metaphyseal-diaphyseal) were much
      lower: 0.8-3.8%. This stem ensures diaphyseal fixation in case of extensive bone
      loss, but incurs excessive risk of disassembly and fracture.

PMID- 24211128
TI  - Rotator cuff tears after 70 years of age: a prospective, randomized, comparative
      study between decompression and arthroscopic repair in 154 patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears leads to better clinical
      outcomes than subacromial decompression alone; however the former is rarely
      proposed to patients above 70 years of age. Our hypothesis was that arthroscopic
      repair would be superior to decompression in patient 70 years or older. The
      primary goal was to compare the clinical results obtained with each technique.
      The secondary goal was to analyze the effects of age, tendon retraction and fatty
      infiltration on the outcome. METHODS: This was a prospective, comparative,
      randomized, multicenter study where 154 patients were included who were at least
      70 years of age. Of the included patients, 143 (70 repair and 73 decompression)
      were seen at one-year follow-up; these patients had an average age of 74.6 years.
      Shoulders had a complete supraspinatus tear with extension limited to the upper
      third of the infraspinatus and Patte stage 1 or 2 retraction. Clinical outcomes
      were evaluated with the Constant, ASES and SST scores. RESULTS: All scores
      improved significantly with both techniques: Constant +33.81 (P<0.001), ASES
      +52.1 (P<0.001), SST +5.86 (P<0.001). However, repair led to even better results
      than decompression: Constant (+35.85 vs. +31.8, P<0.05), ASES (+56.09 vs. +48.17,
      P=0.01), SST (+6.33 vs. +5.38, P=0.02). The difference between repair and
      decompression was not correlated with age; arthroscopic repair was also better in
      patients above 75 years of age (Constant, ASES and SST scores P<0.01). There was
      no significant correlation between the final outcomes and initial retraction:
      Constant (P=0.14), ASES (P=0.92), SST (P=0.47). The difference between repair and
      decompression was greater in patients with stages 0 and 1 fatty infiltration
      (Constant P<0.02) than in patients with stages 2 and 3 fatty infiltration
      (Constant P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a significant improvement in all
      clinical scores for both techniques 1 year after surgery. Repair was
      significantly better than decompression for all clinical outcomes, even in
      patients above 75 years of age. The difference observed between repair and
      decompression was greater in patients with more retracted tears and lesser in
      patients with more severe fatty infiltration.

PMID- 24211129
TI  - Rotator cuff tear imaging in patients over 70 years: specific MRI findings?
AB  - BACKGROUND: During the symposium held by the French Arthroscopy Society on
      rotator cuff tears in patients over 70 years of age, the absence of studies into
      potential specific pathological features in this age group was pointed out. Here,
      our main objective was to describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in
      this patient population. HYPOTHESIS: Tendons and muscles are smaller, lamellar
      dissection more prominent, and dystrophic changes more marked in patients over 70
      years of age. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively studied 50 patients with
      isolated supraspinatus tears, including 25 younger than 50 and 25 older than 70
      years of age. Tear size and retraction were evaluated according to Patte; tendon
      thickness, lamellar dissection, and fatty infiltration according to Goutallier;
      muscle size according to Thomazeau; and the tangent sign according to Zanetti.
      RESULTS: In contradiction to our study hypothesis, lateral tendon thickness was
      similar in the two age groups. Medial thickness of the tendon-muscle junction,
      however, was greater in the younger group. Lamellar dissection was more marked
      and fatty infiltration more severe in the older group. As expected, marked muscle
      wasting and a positive tangent sign were noted in over two-thirds of patients in
      the older group. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study in a small number of patients
      identified specific MRI features of supraspinatus tears in patients older than 70
      years compared to younger patients. A larger study would be useful to confirm
      these findings.

PMID- 24211130
TI  - Spinal-epidural hematoma presenting as paraplegia following mitral valve surgery:
      a case report.

PMID- 24211131
TI  - Frequency of acute worsening events in fibrotic pulmonary sarcoidosis patients.
AB  - Patients with fibrotic sarcoidosis can develop worsening of pulmonary symptoms
      for various reasons. We studied acute worsening events defined as episodes
      treated with limited courses of either antibiotics and or increased
      corticosteroid doses which resolved within four weeks. The prevalence of acute
      worsening events in patients with fibrotic sarcoidosis was investigated. Of 740
      sarcoidosis patients seen in our clinic over a four month period, 129 (17%) had
      fibrotic sarcoidosis. We noted the age, race, gender, computer tomography (CT)
      results, and pulmonary function as measured by forced vital capacity (FVC),
      forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and the FEV1/FVC ratio. In a
      retrospective manner, the fibrotic sarcoidosis patients reported a median of
      three acute worsening events (range zero to eight) in the prior year.
      Bronchiectasis was noted on CT imaging in 63 of 129 (49%) of the fibrotic
      sarcoidosis patients. Fibrotic sarcoidosis patients reported a higher frequency
      of acute worsening events (3 (0-6)) than those without bronchiectasis (2 (0-8), p
      = 0.0001). Sixteen patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies
      reported a higher frequency of acute worsening events compared to those not
      receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies (p = 0.0297). There was no
      relationship between the number of acute worsening events and race, gender,
      smoking history, or FVC, FEV1, or FEV1/FVC ratio. We conclude that acute
      worsening events are frequent in patients with fibrotic sarcoidosis patients and
      are more common in patients with bronchiectasis and those receiving anti-tumor
      necrosis factor antibody therapies.

PMID- 24211132
TI  - Chenopodolans A-C: phytotoxic furopyrans produced by Phoma chenopodiicola, a
      fungal pathogen of Chenopodium album.
AB  - Three tetrasubstituted furopyrans, named chenopodolans A-C, were isolated
      together with the well known fungal metabolite (-)-(R)-6-hydroxymellein from the
      liquid culture of Phoma chenopodiicola, a fungal pathogen proposed for the
      biological control of Chenopodium album, a common worldwide weed of arable crops.
      The structures of chenopodolans A-C were established by spectroscopic and
      chemical methods as 2-(3-methoxy-2,6-dimethyl-7aH-furo[2,3-b]pyran-4-yl)-butane
      2,3-diol, 1-(3-methoxy-2,6-dimethyl-7aH-furo[2,3-b]pyran-4-yl)ethanol and 3
      methoxy-2,6-dimethyl-4-(1-methylpropenyl)-7aH-furo[2,3-b]pyran, respectively. The
      absolute configuration R to the hydroxylated secondary carbon (C-11) of the side
      chain at C-4 of chenopodolan A was determined by applying an advanced Mosher's
      method. Assayed by leaf puncture on host and non-host weeds chenopodolans A and
      B, and the 11-O-acetylchenopodolan A showed a strong phytotoxicity. These results
      showed that the nature of the side chain attached to C-4 is an important feature
      for the phytotoxicity. A weak zootoxic activity was only showed by chenopodolan
      B. 

PMID- 24211133
TI  - Interrater reliability assessment using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim was to examine interrater reliability of the object control
      subtest from the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 by live observation in a
      school field setting. DESIGN: Reliability Study--cross sectional. METHODS: Raters
      were rated on their ability to agree on (1) the raw total for the six object
      control skills; (2) each skill performance and (3) the skill components.
      Agreement for the object control subtest and the individual skills was assessed
      by an intraclass correlation (ICC) and a kappa statistic assessed for skill
      component agreement. RESULTS: A total of 37 children (65% girls) aged 4-8 years
      (M = 6.2, SD = 0.8) were assessed in six skills by two raters; equating to 222
      skill tests. Interrater reliability was excellent for the object control subset
      (ICC = 0.93), and for individual skills, highest for the dribble (ICC = 0.94)
      followed by strike (ICC = 0.85), overhand throw (ICC = 0.84), underhand roll (ICC
      = 0.82), kick (ICC = 0.80) and the catch (ICC = 0.71). The strike and the throw
      had more components with less agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the overall
      subtest score and individual skill agreement was good, some skill components had
      lower agreement, suggesting these may be more problematic to assess. This may
      mean some skill components need to be specified differently in order to improve
      component reliability.

PMID- 24211134
TI  - [Recognition of excretory/secretory antigens of Anisakis type I and evolution of
      IgE in experimentally infected rats].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Anisakis spp., during parasitism, release excretory-secretory
      antigens that, in contact with the human immune system, can trigger a
      hypersensitivity response mediated by IgE, causing various allergic symptoms.
      OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the IgE response in Wistar rats after infection with L3
      larvae of the parasite Anisakis spp. METHODS: Some determining factors involved
      in the technique have been improved in this work, such as: the concentration of
      polyacrylamide used in the preparation of the gels, the antigen concentration
      used, and the temperature required for denaturation of proteins. RESULTS: Immune
      responses (Ag-Ab) observed by the immunoblotting technique showed a greater
      intensity with serum obtained after reinfection, which have recognized proteins
      that may correspond to the major antigen Ani s 1 and other polypeptides of
      interest in the diagnosis of human anisakiasis. CONCLUSION: This paper concludes
      that immunoblotting is a useful technique to detect IgE antibodies against
      Anisakis proteins.

PMID- 24211135
TI  - SAHA enhances Proteostasis of epilepsy-associated alpha1(A322D)beta2gamma2
      GABA(A) receptors.
AB  - GABA(A) receptors are the primary inhibitory ion channels in the mammalian
      central nervous system. The A322D mutation in the alpha1 subunit of GABA(A)
      receptors is known to result in its degradation and reduce its cell surface
      expression, leading to loss of GABAA receptor function in autosomal dominant
      juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Here, we show that SAHA, a FDA-approved drug,
      increases the transcription of the alpha1(A322D) subunit, enhances its folding
      and trafficking posttranslationally, increases its cell surface level, and
      restores the GABA-induced maximal current in HEK293 cells expressing
      alpha1(A322D)beta2gamma2 receptors to 10% of that for wild-type receptors. To
      enhance the trafficking efficiency of the alpha1(A322D) subunit, SAHA increases
      the BiP protein level and the interaction between the alpha1(A322D) subunit and
      calnexin. SAHA is a drug that enhances epilepsy-associated GABAA receptor
      proteostasis.

PMID- 24211136
TI  - PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma inhibition by IPI-145 abrogates immune responses and
      suppresses activity in autoimmune and inflammatory disease models.
AB  - Phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)-delta and PI3K-gamma are preferentially
      expressed in immune cells, and inhibitors targeting these isoforms are
      hypothesized to have anti-inflammatory activity by affecting the adaptive and
      innate immune response. We report on a potent oral PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma
      inhibitor (IPI-145) and characterize this compound in biochemical, cellular, and
      in vivo assays. These studies demonstrate that IPI-145 exerts profound effects on
      adaptive and innate immunity by inhibiting B and T cell proliferation, blocking
      neutrophil migration, and inhibiting basophil activation. We explored the
      therapeutic value of combined PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma blockade, and IPI-145
      showed potent activity in collagen-induced arthritis, ovalbumin-induced asthma,
      and systemic lupus erythematosus rodent models. These findings support the
      hypothesis that inhibition of immune function can be achieved through PI3K-delta
      and PI3K-gamma blockade, potentially leading to significant therapeutic effects
      in multiple inflammatory, autoimmune, and hematologic diseases. 

PMID- 24211137
TI  - Crystal structures of Sirt3 complexes with 4'-bromo-resveratrol reveal binding
      sites and inhibition mechanism.
AB  - Sirtuins are protein deacetylases regulating aging processes and various
      physiological functions. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red wine, activates
      human Sirt1 and inhibits Sirt3, and it can mimic calorie restriction effects,
      such as lifespan extension in lower organisms. The mechanism of Sirtuin
      modulation by resveratrol is not well understood. We used 4'-bromo-resveratrol (5
      (2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)vinyl)-1,3-benzenediol) to study Sirt1 and Sirt3 modulation.
      Despite its similarity to the Sirt1 activator resveratrol, the compound potently
      inhibited both, Sirt1 and Sirt3. Crystal structures of Sirt3 in complex with a
      fluorophore-labeled and with a native substrate peptide, respectively, in
      presence of 4'-bromo-resveratrol reveal two compound binding sites. Biochemical
      studies identify the internal site and substrate competition as the mechanism for
      inhibition, providing a drug target site, and homology modeling suggests that the
      second, allosteric site might indicate the site for Sirt1 activation. 

PMID- 24211139
TI  - Poor survival in prostate cancer patients with primary refractoriness to
      docetaxel.

PMID- 24211140
TI  - Pituitary macroadenoma causing symptomatic internal carotid artery compression:
      surgical treatment through transsphenoidal tumor resection.
AB  - Pituitary macroadenomas can invade the cavernous sinus and rarely cause occlusion
      of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Most patients with symptomatic obstruction
      of the ICA by a pituitary tumor have been reported as a result of apoplexy. The
      authors review the literature about this condition and report a 48-year-old man
      who presented with transient ischemic attacks leading to a stroke. Imaging
      studies demonstrated complete occlusion of the left ICA and critical narrowing of
      the right ICA at the level of the clinoid processes, most likely due to
      macroadenoma mass effect. There was no radiologic evidence of apoplexy. Surgical
      resection of the tumor and ICA decompression via the transsphenoidal route
      resulted in prevention of further symptoms. Histopathologic analysis confirmed a
      nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma without evidence of hemorrhage or intratumoral
      infarction. This patient, to the authors' knowledge, is the first documented
      patient with symptomatic carotid compression by a pituitary adenoma without
      evidence of apoplexy. 

PMID- 24211141
TI  - Giant axonal neuropathy diagnosed on skin biopsy.
AB  - Evaluation of hereditary axonal neuropathy in childhood is complex. Often, the
      child has to be subjected to general anaesthesia for a nerve biopsy to guide
      further genetic testing, which may or may not be readily available. We describe a
      toddler with clinical features suggesting giant axonal neuropathy (GAN), whose
      diagnosis was confirmed by minimally invasive skin biopsy and corroborated by the
      finding of compound heterozygous mutations involving the GAN gene, including a
      novel interstitial microdeletion at 16q23.2 detected by microarray and a point
      mutation detected by direct sequencing.

PMID- 24211138
TI  - Tracking brain palmitoylation change: predominance of glial change in a mouse
      model of Huntington's disease.
AB  - Protein palmitoylation, a reversible lipid modification of proteins, is widely
      used in the nervous system, with dysregulated palmitoylation being implicated in
      a variety of neurological disorders. Described below is ABE/SILAM, a proteomic
      strategy that couples acyl-biotinyl exchange (ABE) purification of palmitoyl
      proteins to whole animal stable isotope labeling (SILAM) to provide an accurate
      tracking of palmitoylation change within rodent disease models. As a first
      application, we have used ABE/SILAM to look at Huntington's disease (HD),
      profiling palmitoylation change in two HD-relevant mouse mutants: the transgenic
      HD model mouse YAC128 and the hypomorphic Hip14-gt mouse, which has sharply
      reduced expression for HIP14 (Zdhhc17), a palmitoyl-transferase implicated in the
      HD disease process. Rather than mapping to the degenerating neurons themselves,
      the biggest disease changes instead map to astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (i.e.,
      the supporting glial cells). 

PMID- 24211142
TI  - Short-term outcome for saccular cerebral aneurysms treated with the Orbit Galaxy
      Detachable Coil System.
AB  - Technological advancement within the field of neuroendovascular therapy may lead
      to safer and more robust treatment options for patients with lesions
      traditionally not favorable to coil occlusion. We analyze and report our outcomes
      with the Orbit Galaxy Detachable Coil System (DePuy Synthes, West Chester, PA,
      USA) for the treatment of anterior and posterior circulation saccular cerebral
      aneurysms. Patients treated with Orbit Galaxy coils for primary or recurrent
      saccular cerebral aneurysms from October 2010 to July 2012 were retrospectively
      reviewed using medical records, operative reports, and radiographs. Ninety-three
      patients, 69% unruptured and 31% ruptured, were treated with Orbit Galaxy coils
      for their anterior (80%) or posterior (20%) circulation saccular cerebral
      aneurysm. Primary treatment with Orbit Galaxy coils occurred in 84% of patients
      with an initial 100% occlusion rate of 65% while 16% had Galaxy coils placed into
      a "secondary" recurrent lesion. The overall incidence of recurrence was 26% with
      a mean interval of 7 months. Retreatment for recurrence was needed in 20 patients
      (22%). The mortality rate was 0%. A 2% incidence of rebleed was observed; each
      was after a secondary treatment. The morbidity of the treatment was low with 1%
      having a modified Rankin score greater than 3. Primary endovascular treatment of
      saccular cerebral aneurysms of the anterior and posterior circulation with the
      Orbit Galaxy Detachable Coil System is safe and effective in the short term.

PMID- 24211143
TI  - Psychosis with obsessive-compulsive symptoms in tuberous sclerosis.
AB  - We present a case of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) diagnosed in adulthood in a
      man initially referred for specialist neuropsychiatric assessment with psychosis
      and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) on a background of epilepsy and
      intellectual disability. To our knowledge, this is the first reported patient
      with TSC featuring both psychosis and OCS. This patient highlights the importance
      of comprehensive re-evaluation of atypical presentations of intellectual
      disability, epilepsy and associated neuropsychiatric symptoms, even in adulthood.
      This is particularly relevant in the context of significant advances in genetics,
      neuroscience, imaging and treatments for heritable neurogenetic disorders.

PMID- 24211145
TI  - Estrogen-dependent changes in serum iron levels as a translator of the adverse
      effects of estrogen during infection: a conceptual framework.
AB  - Elevated levels of estrogen often associate with increased susceptibility to
      infection. This has been attributed to the ability of estrogen to concomitantly
      enhance the growth and virulence of pathogens and suppress host immunity. But the
      exact mechanism of how estrogen mediates such effects, especially in cases where
      the pathogen and/or the immune components in question do not express estrogen
      receptors, has yet to be elucidated. Here we propose that translating the adverse
      effects of estrogen during infection is dependent to a significant degree upon
      its ability to manipulate iron homeostasis. For elevated levels of estrogen alter
      the synthesis and/or activity of several factors involved in iron metabolism
      including hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and hepcidin among others.
      This leads to the inhibition of hepcidin synthesis in hepatocytes and the
      maintenance of ferroportin (FPN) integrity on the surface of iron-releasing
      duodenal enterocytes, hepatocytes, and macrophages. Intact FPN permits the
      continuous efflux of dietary and stored iron into the circulation, which further
      enhances pathogen growth and virulence on the one hand and suppresses host
      immunity on the other. This new conceptual framework may help explain a multitude
      of disparate clinical and experimental observations pertinent to the relationship
      between estrogen and infection. 

PMID- 24211144
TI  - C-reactive protein and long-term ischemic stroke prognosis.
AB  - C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory biomarker of inflammation and may
      reflect progression of vascular disease. Conflicting evidence suggests CRP may be
      a prognostic biomarker of ischemic stroke outcome. Most studies that have
      examined the relationship between CRP and ischemic stroke outcome have used
      mortality or subsequent vascular event as the primary outcome measure. Given that
      nearly half of stroke patients experience moderate to severe functional
      impairments, using a biomarker like CRP to predict functional recovery rather
      than mortality may have clinical utility for guiding acute stroke treatments. The
      primary aim of this study was to systematically and critically review the
      relationship between CRP and long-term functional outcome in ischemic stroke
      patients to evaluate the current state of the literature. PubMed and MEDLINE
      databases were searched for original studies which assessed the relationship
      between acute CRP levels measured within 24 hours of symptom onset and long-term
      functional outcome. The search yielded articles published between 1989 and 2012.
      Included studies used neuroimaging to confirm ischemic stroke diagnosis, high
      sensitivity CRP assay, and a functional outcome scale to assess prognosis beyond
      30 days after stroke. Study quality was assessed using the REMARK
      recommendations. Five studies met all inclusion criteria. Results indicate a
      significant association between elevated baseline high sensitivity CRP and
      unfavorable long-term functional outcome. Our results emphasize the need for
      additional research to characterize the relationship between acute inflammatory
      markers and long-term functional outcome using well-defined diagnostic criteria.
      Additional studies are warranted to prospectively examine the relationship
      between high sensitivity CRP measures and long-term outcome.

PMID- 24211146
TI  - A bioenergetic assessment of mitral regurgitation: a new tool to assess severity?
AB  - Mitral regurgitation is frequently classified as mild, moderate or severe based
      on echocardiography. Patients with mild mitral regurgitation are usually managed
      medically. We hypothesise that mild mitral regurgitation as assessed
      volumetrically can in fact be severe when analysed from a bioenergetics point of
      view. The conservation of energy predicts that any regurgitant volume will
      require the heart to provide more work energy to support the circulation. Mitral
      regurgitation involves the left ventricle imparting potential energy, via blood
      pressure, and kinetic energy, via regurgitant velocity, to the regurgitant blood
      volume. This implies that regurgitant volume, regurgitant velocity, systolic
      blood pressure, heart rate, regurgitant orifice area and cardiac output are all
      important factors. We present limited data to demonstrate our hypothesis. A
      bioenergetic analysis of mitral regurgitation, may identify patients whose mitral
      regurgitation, assessed via echocardiography as mild, is actually clinically
      significant. In addition we identify the importance of blood pressure and heart
      rate control in patients with mitral regurgitation. The concept that a bit of
      mitral regurgitation in patients with poor left ventricles is a good thing, as it
      helps offload the left ventricle is from an engineering point fundamentally
      flawed. 

PMID- 24211147
TI  - Attention Bias Modification Treatment for children with anxiety disorders who do
      not respond to cognitive behavioral therapy: a case series.
AB  - Evidence is emerging to support the promise of Attention Bias Modification
      Treatment (ABMT), a computer-based attention training program, in reducing
      anxiety in children. ABMT has not been tested as an adjuvant for children with
      anxiety disorders who do not respond to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This
      case series presents findings from an open trial of ABMT among six children (four
      girls; M age = 11.2 years) who completed a CBT protocol and continued to meet
      diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. All children completed the ABMT
      protocol with no canceled or missed sessions. Child self-ratings on anxiety
      symptoms and depressive symptoms significantly decreased from pretreatment to
      posttreatment, as did parent ratings on child anxiety-related impairment. Parent
      ratings on child anxiety and internalizing symptoms displayed non-significant
      decreases from pretreatment to posttreatment. These findings support the
      potential promise of ABMT as a feasible adjuvant treatment that reduces anxiety
      and impairment among child anxiety CBT nonresponders.

PMID- 24211149
TI  - [Generic substitution in primary care in 2011: differences according to
      pharmacological classes?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Generic substitution has been permitted for several years in France
      and is promoted in order to reduce health expenditures. However, reluctance
      concerning use of generic drugs exists for different reasons: suspicions about
      their efficacy and/or safety, differences in content (excipients) and discussions
      about bioequivalency. The aim of our study was to determine whether or not the
      substitution ratio differs according to pharmacological classes used in primary
      care. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study in the French Health Insurance
      Database using reimbursement data on drugs prescribed and delivered in the Midi
      Pyrenees administrative district between March 2010 and March 2011. We selected
      different pharmacological classes largely used in primary care. For each class, a
      substitution ratio was calculated (DDD of generics delivered/DDD of brand name
      plus generics). A Chi(2) test was used in order to detect a difference between
      these substitution ratios. RESULTS: The global substitution ratio was 72.32%.
      Values varied from 28.36% for thyroid hormones to 90.39% for antibiotics, with
      significant statistical difference (P<0.001). The substitution ratio was less
      than 50% for thyroid hormones (28.36%) and antiepileptics (45.28%). Higher
      substitution ratios were observed for protein pump inhibitors (88.81%), statins
      (87.81%), antidepressors (87.37%) and diuretics (86.1%). CONCLUSION: This study
      highlights major differences in terms of the generic substitution ratio between
      different pharmacological classes. This difference can be explained in part by
      published guidelines. Further studies are needed to ascertain the precise point
      of view of patients, general practitioners and pharmacists concerning this issue.

PMID- 24211148
TI  - Personality disorders and the persistence of anxiety disorders: evidence of a
      time-of-measurement effect in NESARC.
AB  - Recent studies using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and
      Related Conditions (NESARC) have found that some personality disorders (PDs)
      increase the persistence of several Axis I disorders. However, these effects are
      potentially confounded with the data collection wave in which PDs were assessed.
      Our aim was to extend published analyses to the case of anxiety disorders and to
      determine the robustness of the associations to analyses examining time-of
      measurement effects. Persistence of anxiety disorders was defined either as
      follow-up diagnosis among participants diagnosed at baseline ("prediction") or
      baseline diagnosis among participants diagnosed at follow-up ("post-diction").
      Results revealed a robust pattern of higher odds ratios for post-diction among
      PDs assessed at baseline, and lower odds ratios for post-diction among PDs
      assessed at follow-up, suggesting a time of measurement artifact. Although only
      4% of associations were robust to both predictive and post-dictive analyses,
      these were consistent with previous research. 

PMID- 24211150
TI  - Screen time, cardiorespiratory fitness and adiposity among school-age children
      from Monteria, Colombia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between electronic media exposure
      (television viewing time, personal computer/video game use, total screen time),
      and waist circumference and body mass index, and study whether this association
      is independent of cardiorespiratory fitness, in a representative sample of
      adolescents from Monteria, Colombia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study analyzing data
      from 546 students aged 11-18 years, from fourteen randomly selected schools. Z
      scores for WC and BMI were calculated. METHODS: The physical activity module of
      the Global School Health Survey 2007 was used to determine EME, and the shuttle
      run test was used to assess CRF. Linear regression models adjusted by age, school
      location, physical activity level, type of institution (public or private),
      consumption of sweetened beverages, fast food, and fried food were used. RESULTS:
      Among boys, independently of cardiorespiratory fitness, high television viewing
      time (>= 2 h/day) (beta=+0.22; p<0.02), was positively associated with waist
      circumference. High total screen time (>3h/day) was positively associated with
      waist circumference (beta=+0.34; p<0.01), and body mass index (beta=+0.39;
      p<0.01). Among girls, sedentary behavior was not associated with adiposity, but
      cardiorespiratory fitness (beta=-0.04; p<0.02) was negatively associated with
      body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the evidence on the negative
      impact of excessive electronic media exposure and low cardiorespiratory fitness,
      and highlight the need for interventions and prevention strategies.

PMID- 24211151
TI  - Socioeconomic deprivation independently predicts symptomatic painful diabetic
      neuropathy in type 1 diabetes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Painful peripheral neuropathy in people with type 1 diabetes is a
      disabling and costly complication. A greater understanding of predisposing
      factors and prescribing may facilitate more effective resource allocation.
      METHODS: The Townsend index of deprivation (numerically higher for greater
      disadvantage) was examined in the pseudonymised records of 1621 (684 females)
      individuals with type 1 diabetes and related to prevalence of drug treated severe
      diabetes related neuropathic pain. RESULTS: Treatment for neuropathic pain was
      initiated in 280 patients, who were older at 57.1 vs 45.6 years and had greater
      BMI (29.8 vs 27.8kg/m(2); p<0.0001). HbA1C was similar between groups, whilst
      eGFR was lower in the neuropathic pain group. Amitriptyline was the most commonly
      prescribed agent (46.8% of total prescriptions). Duloxetine (60mg daily) was
      prescribed in 9.3% of cases. There were significant differences between the
      groups for the Townsend index, with a greater proportion (34.3% vs 21.7%) of
      patients with treated neuropathic pain having a score of >=1 (X(2)=19.9,
      p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that each unit
      increment in Townsend index was associated with a 11% increased odds of requiring
      neuropathic pain treatment [odds ratio (95% CI) 1.11 (1.05-1.17), p<0.001]. This
      was independent of age: 1.04 (1.02-1.05), BMI: 1.03 (1.01-1.05), HbA1C: 1.15
      (1.05-1.24), male gender: 0.74 (0.55-0.98), systolic BP and eGFR. Inclusion of
      depression and mixed anxiety/depressive disorder did not change the risk
      estimates. CONCLUSION: Amitriptyline was the most commonly used agent for
      treatment of diabetes related neuropathic pain with Duloxetine much less used. A
      higher level of socioeconomic deprivation may predispose to severe neuropathic
      pain in diabetes. Differential allocation of resources may benefit this group.

PMID- 24211152
TI  - Childhood cancer in Aden, Yemen.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer in children is increasingly recognized as a major and growing
      health problem in different developed and developing countries. In Yemen, it is
      still difficult to know the extent of cancer and its determinants among children.
      This study was conducted to determine the magnitude of childhood cancer in Aden
      and provide the preliminary baseline data by age and sex. METHODS: Basic
      epidemiologic data was retrieved from all paediatric cancer <15 years age
      registered in Aden Caner Registry (ACR), Yemen, from 1997 to 2006. RESULTS: The
      results showed a total of 483 childhood cancers <15 years age comprising 12.7% of
      all registered malignancies with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The predominant
      age affected was 5-9 years in (38.3%) children. The most frequent cancer among
      Yemeni children was leukaemia 160 (33.1%) followed by lymphoma 152 (31.5%), CNS
      tumors 35 (7.2%) and bone tumours 25 (5.2%). An interesting and unusual finding
      was the frequency of acute myeloid leukaemia twice more common in female (66.7%)
      than male (33.3%). Lymphoma was the most common cancer in children >5 years. An
      interesting comparison was the preponderance of non-Hodgkins's lymphoma over
      Hodgkin's disease (1.6:1) stronger in female (3:1) than male (1.25:1).
      Medulloblastoma was the most common CNS tumour followed by astrocytoma, an
      infrequent finding in childhood cancer. Osteosarcoma was the most frequent bone
      tumour (male:female ratio of 1.8:1). A female preponderance was noticed in
      chondrosarcoma that was not yet documented. The blastoma group was common in
      younger age group. Retinoblastoma and nephroblastoma predominated in female while
      neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma and soft tissue sarcomas in male. CONCLUSION: It is
      concluded that there is a lower frequency of childhood cancer in Aden when
      compared with developed countries. It may explained by the fact that a large
      number of childhood cancers remain undiagnosed due to limitations of diagnostic
      facilities or under registration. Central paediatric hospitals should be provided
      with essential diagnostic and therapeutic services that should be freely
      available to all children with cancer.

PMID- 24211153
TI  - Patient navigation pathway and barriers to treatment seeking in cancer in India:
      a qualitative inquiry.
AB  - Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis and treatment
      of cancer may curb the growing burden of the disease. Understanding cancer
      patients' navigation pathways for seeking treatment is important in order to
      facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. With this background we conducted a
      hospital-based cross-sectional study comprising 68 randomly selected cancer
      inpatients in a tertiary cancer specialty hospital in Odisha, India, to explore
      the treatment-seeking pathways of the cancer patients and the barriers and
      enablers in seeking treatment. Financial constraint is one of the major reasons
      for the delay in accessing treatment, even when patients are suspected of or
      diagnosed with cancer. Low awareness of the presenting signs and symptoms of
      cancer and limited knowledge of the availability of cancer diagnosis and
      treatment facilities are major factors contributing to delay. Family and friends'
      support is found to be the major enabling factor toward seeking treatment.
      Generation of awareness of cancer among the general population and primary-care
      practitioners - including those in alternative systems of medicine - is
      important. Information on diagnostic and treatment services appears to be a felt
      need. 

PMID- 24211154
TI  - Efficacy of a static progressive stretch device as an adjunct to physical therapy
      in treating adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a prospective, randomised study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stress relaxation and static progressive stretch are techniques used
      for non-surgical restoration of shoulder range of motion for patients with
      adhesive capsulitis. OBJECTIVES: To compare a static progressive stretch device
      plus traditional therapy with traditional therapy alone for the treatment of
      adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised controlled
      trial. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder were
      assigned at random to an experimental group or a control group. INTERVENTIONS:
      Both groups received three traditional therapy sessions per week for 4 weeks. In
      addition, the experimental group used a static progressive stretch device for 4
      weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was shoulder range of
      motion (active and passive shoulder abduction, and passive shoulder external
      rotation). The secondary outcome measures were function [measured by the
      Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire] and pain
      [measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS)]. RESULTS: At baseline, there were
      no differences between the two groups. However, after the intervention, there
      were significant (P<0.05) differences between the groups for all outcome
      parameters: 0.3 for mean VAS scores [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.6 to 1.1], 
      10.1 for DASH scores (95% CI -21.0 to 0.9), 21.2 degrees  for shoulder passive
      external rotation (95% CI 16.8 to 25.7), 26.4 degrees  for shoulder passive
      abduction (95% CI 17.4 to 35.3), and 27.7 degrees  for shoulder active abduction
      (95% CI 20.3 to 35.0). At 12-month follow-up, the differences between the groups
      were maintained and even increased for mean shoulder range of motion, VAS scores
      and DASH scores, with significant differences (P<0.001) between the groups: -2.0
      for VAS scores (95% CI -2.9 to -1.2), -53.8 for DASH scores (95% CI -64.7 to 
      42.9), 47.9 degrees  for shoulder passive external rotation (95% CI 43.5 to
      52.3), 44.9 degrees  for shoulder passive abduction (95% CI 36.0 to 53.8), and
      94.3 degrees  for shoulder active abduction (95% CI 87.0 to 101.7). CONCLUSION:
      Use of a static progressive stretch device in combination with traditional
      therapy appears to have beneficial long-term effects on shoulder range of motion,
      pain and functional outcomes in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the
      shoulder. At 12-month follow-up, the experimental group had continued to improve,
      while the control group had relapsed.

PMID- 24211155
TI  - The entry of Colombian-sourced heroin into the US market: the relationship
      between competition, price, and purity.
AB  - There have been large structural changes in the US heroin market over the past 20
      years. Colombian-sourced heroin entered the market in the mid-1990s, followed by
      a large fall in the price per pure gram and the exit of Asian heroin. By the
      2000s, Colombian-sourced heroin had become a monopoly on the east coast and
      Mexican-sourced heroin a monopoly on the west coast with competition between the
      two in the middle. We estimate the relationship between these changes in
      competitive market structure on retail-level heroin price and purity. We find
      that the entry of Colombian-sourced heroin is associated with less competition
      and a lower price per pure gram of heroin at the national level. However, there
      is wide variation in changes in market concentration across the US. Controlling
      for the national fall in the heroin price, more competition in a region or city
      is associated with a lower price per pure gram. 

PMID- 24211157
TI  - The missing 'P' in pain management: how the current opioid epidemic highlights
      the need for psychiatric services in chronic pain care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain has
      increased dramatically in recent years, with a parallel increase in opioid abuse,
      misuse and deaths from accidental overdose. We review epidemiological and
      clinical data that point to the important roles psychiatric disorders have in the
      use and abuse of opioids in patients with chronic pain. METHOD: We conducted
      literature searches on the PubMed with the key phrases "chronic pain" and "opioid
      therapy" and selected those articles on the epidemiology of comorbidity between
      chronic pain and psychiatric disorders, the trends in long-term opioid therapy
      and the clinical trials that involved using opioid therapy for chronic pain or
      for mental health disorders. We then thoroughly reviewed the bibliography of all
      relevant articles to identify additional papers to be included in the present
      review. RESULTS: Chronic pain is highly comorbid with common psychiatric
      disorders. Patients with mental health and substance abuse disorders are more
      likely to receive long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain and more likely to
      have adverse outcomes from this therapy. Although opioids may exert brief
      antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in some patients with depression or
      anxiety, there is scant evidence for long-term benefit from opioid treatment of
      psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Opioids may be used in current clinical
      practice as the de facto and only psychiatric treatment for patients with chronic
      pain, despite little evidence for sustained benefit. The opioid epidemic thus
      reflects a serious unmet need for better recognition and treatment of common
      mental health problems in patients with chronic pain. Psychiatry is the missing P
      in chronic pain care.

PMID- 24211158
TI  - The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in patients with euthyroid
      Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a comparative study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the current prevalence of major
      depression and anxiety disorders in patients with euthyroid Hashimoto's
      thyroiditis (HT) and euthyroid goiter. METHOD: The study sample was formed by
      consecutive 51 and 45 patients who were admitted to the endocrinology outpatient
      clinic and diagnosed with euthyroid HT and endemic/nonendemic goiter,
      respectively, and 68 healthy controls. Current diagnoses of psychiatric disorders
      were determined using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Beck
      Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were applied to the participants.
      RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference among the three groups
      in terms of major depression (P=.001), any mood or anxiety disorder (P=.000), any
      depressive disorder (P=.020), any anxiety disorder (P=.016) and obsessive
      compulsive disorder (OCD) (P=.013). In the HT group, the prevalence of depression
      (P=.000), OCD (P=.005) and panic disorder (P=.041) was significantly higher than
      that in the control group. In the goiter group, depression (P=.006), any
      depressive disorder (P=.03), and any mood or anxiety disorder (P=.000) were
      significantly common in comparison to the control group. No significant
      difference was found between the HT and goiter groups. CONCLUSIONS: Euthyroid HT
      and euthyroid goiter increase predisposition to major depression and anxiety
      disorders, and thyroid autoimmunity and other thyroid pathologies should be
      investigated in euthyroid patients with chronic and treatment-resistant
      complaints.

PMID- 24211156
TI  - Holding back sharing concerns, dispositional emotional expressivity, perceived
      unsupportive responses and distress among women newly diagnosed with
      gynecological cancers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little attention has been paid to the role of holding back sharing
      concerns in the psychological adaptation of women newly diagnosed with
      gynecological cancers. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the role of
      holding back concerns in psychosocial adjustment and quality of life, as well as
      a possible moderating role for emotional expressivity and perceived unsupportive
      responses from family and friends. METHOD: Two hundred forty-four women diagnosed
      with gynecological cancer in the past 8 months completed measures of holding
      back, dispositional emotional expressivity, perceived unsupportive responses from
      family and friends, cancer-specific distress, depressive symptoms and quality of
      life. RESULTS: Emotional expressivity moderated the association between holding
      back and cancer-specific distress and quality of life, but not depressive
      symptoms. Greater holding back was more strongly associated with higher levels of
      cancer-related distress among women who were more emotionally expressive than
      among women who were less expressive. Perceived unsupportive responses did not
      moderate the associations between holding back and psychosocial outcomes.
      CONCLUSION: Holding back sharing concerns was more common in this patient
      population than other cancer populations. Dispositional expressivity played a
      role in how harmful holding back concerns was for women, while unsupportive
      responses from family and friends did not.

PMID- 24211159
TI  - Inhalation and dietary exposure to Dechlorane Plus and polybrominated diphenyl
      ethers in Osaka, Japan.
AB  - This study estimated daily exposure to Dechlorane Plus (DP) and polybrominated
      diphenyl ethers (PBDE) via inhalation and diet. Samples of atmospheric particles
      and food (obtained by market basket method) from Osaka, Japan were analyzed for
      DP (syn-, anti-) and PBDE using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. DP was
      detected in both atmospheric particles and food samples. Among the atmospheric
      particles, DP was detected in all samples. SigmaDP concentration was 7.1-15.4 pg
      m(-3) and anti-DP was the dominant residue among DP isomers. PBDE was also
      detected in all the atmospheric particles. SigmaPBDE concentration was 9.9-23.3
      pg m(-3). In the market basket study, DP was detected in Groups SH (sugar and
      confectionary), V (legumes and their products), X (fish, shellfish, and their
      products), and XI (meat and eggs) at concentrations of 3.3, 2.8, 1.9, and 1.5 pg
      g(-1) wet wt, respectively. PBDE was detected in Groups SH, IV (oils and fats),
      V, X, XI, and XSH (seasonings and other processed foods) at concentrations of
      153, 79.1, 74.6, 308, 94.8, and 186 pg g(-1) wet wt, respectively. The daily
      intake of SigmaDP (750 pg day(-1)) via inhalation and diet was approximately one
      percent of that for SigmaPBDE (62 ng day(-1)).

PMID- 24211160
TI  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in oysters and sediments from the Yatsushiro
      Sea, Japan: comparison of potential risks among PAHs, dioxins and dioxin-like
      compounds in benthic organisms.
AB  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in oysters collected from
      18 stations in the Yatsushiro Sea, western Japan. PAHs were detected in all
      samples analyzed, and the highest concentration (mean 230 ng/g wet weight) was
      found in oysters from Tanoura Bay. The high molecular weight PAHs to low
      molecular weight PAHs ratios in oysters from Tanoura Bay were higher than at
      other stations. Sediment samples collected from 42 stations in Tanoura Bay were
      analyzed for PAHs to understand their concentrations and distribution. Higher
      concentrations were found in sediment samples at two stations in the southern
      inner bay (mean 30,200 ng/g dry weight), which were approximately two orders of
      magnitude higher than at a reference site. These observations strongly suggest
      severe contamination and significant sources of PAHs in Tanoura Bay. Dioxins and
      dioxin-like compounds (PCDFs, and non- and mono-ortho coplanar PCBs) were
      analyzed in sediments from eight stations in Tanoura Bay. The concentrations were
      comparable to, or lower than, at the reference sites, suggesting that there are
      no specific sources of these compounds in this bay. PAH, dioxins and dioxin-like
      compounds DR-CALUX relative potencies (REP) were applied to the sediment
      concentrations to evaluate the potential for toxicological effects on benthic
      organisms. PAHs made the highest contribution to the total REP concentration,
      supplying 99% of the total REP, followed by PCDDs (0.18%), PCDFs (0.04%), and
      PCBs (<0.001%). In this area, PAHs appear to be the most important Ah receptor
      binding chemicals for potential toxicity to benthic species.

PMID- 24211161
TI  - Impact of the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification in pN0 pulmonary adenocarcinomas: a
      study with radiological-pathological comparisons and survival analyses.
AB  - The aim of this study was: (1) to compare the new pathological findings as
      detected by the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification with the traditional radiological
      features in pulmonary pN0 adenocarcinomas, (2) to evaluate their prognostic
      significance on overall survival (OS). A total of 42 surgically resected pN0
      pulmonary adenocarcinomas were analyzed. On CT scans, the following radiological
      data were recorded: sphericity, predominant margins, cavitation and bronchogram,
      attenuation and percentage of ground glass opacity (GGO). On pathological
      examination, tumors were categorized according to the IASLC/ATS/ERS
      classification; Sica score and grade, pathological stage, tumor major axis,
      pleural invasion, vascular and lymphatic invasion, peritumoral lymphoid
      infiltration, and cytological features were also determined. Clinical follow up
      was available in 37 cases (range 1-117 months). Radiologically, 31 solid and 11
      semisolid tumors were found. Morphologically, 2 minimally invasive and 40
      invasive adenocarcinomas were diagnosed. In radiological-pathological
      comparisons, (1) the acinar pattern was higher in tumors with solid attenuation
      and low GGO (p=0.018); (2) the lepidic pattern was more elevated in tumors with
      high GGO (p=0.012). In multivariate survival analyses with stage, predominant
      margins on CT scans (p=0.036) and Sica score (p=0.028) significantly affected OS.
      This study confirms the validity of the new classification of pulmonary
      adenocarcinomas in radiological-pathological comparisons and underlines the
      importance of both radiological and pathological findings in correctly
      identifying their prognostic features. 

PMID- 24211162
TI  - Discovery of XEN445: a potent and selective endothelial lipase inhibitor raises
      plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration in mice.
AB  - Endothelial lipase (EL) activity has been implicated in HDL metabolism and in
      atherosclerotic plaque development; inhibitors are proposed to be efficacious in
      the treatment of dyslipidemia related cardiovascular disease. We describe here
      the discovery of a novel class of anthranilic acids EL inhibitors. XEN445
      (compound 13) was identified as a potent and selective EL inhibitor, that showed
      good ADME and PK properties, and demonstrated in vivo efficacy in raising plasma
      HDLc concentrations in mice. 

PMID- 24211164
TI  - Dasatinib and docetaxel in advanced prostate cancer.

PMID- 24211163
TI  - Docetaxel and dasatinib or placebo in men with metastatic castration-resistant
      prostate cancer (READY): a randomised, double-blind phase 3 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Src kinase-mediated interactions between prostate cancer cells and
      osteoclasts might promote bone metastasis. Dasatinib inhibits tyrosine kinases,
      including Src kinases. Data suggests that dasatinib kinase inhibition leads to
      antitumour activity, affects osteoclasts, and has synergy with docetaxel, a first
      line chemotherapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. We
      assessed whether dasatinib plus docetaxel in chemotherapy-naive men with
      metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer led to greater efficacy than with
      docetaxel alone. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled
      phase 3 study, we enrolled men of 18 years or older with chemotherapy-naive,
      metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer, and adequate organ function
      from 186 centres across 25 countries. Eligible patients were randomly assigned
      (1:1) via an interactive voice response system to receive docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)
      intravenously every 3 weeks, plus oral prednisone 5 mg twice daily), plus either
      dasatinib (100 mg orally once daily) or placebo until disease progression or
      unacceptable toxicity. Randomisation was stratified by Eastern Cooperative
      Oncology Group performance status (0-1 vs 2), bisphosphonate use (yes vs no), and
      urinary N-telopeptide (uNTx) value (<60 MUmol/mol creatinine vs >=60 MUmol/mol
      creatinine). All patients, investigators, and personnel involved in study conduct
      and data analyses were blinded to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was
      overall survival, analysed by intention to treat. The trial is registered with
      ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00744497. FINDINGS: Between Oct 30, 2008, and April
      11, 2011, 1522 eligible patients were randomly assigned to treatment; 762
      patients were assigned to dasatinib and 760 to placebo. At final analysis, median
      follow-up was 19.0 months (IQR 11.2-25.1) and 914 patients had died. Median
      overall survival was 21.5 months (95% CI 20.3-22.8) in the dasatinib group and
      21.2 months (20.0-23.4) in the placebo group (stratified hazard ratio [HR] 0.99,
      95.5% CI 0.87-1.13; p=0.90). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events included
      diarrhoea (58 [8%] patients in the dasatinib group vs 27 [4%] patients in the
      placebo group), fatigue (62 [8%] vs 42 [6%]), and asthenia (40 [5%] vs 23 [3%]);
      grade 3-4 pleural effusions were uncommon (ten [1%] vs three [<1%]).
      INTERPRETATION: The addition of dasatinib to docetaxel did not improve overall
      survival for chemotherapy-naive men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate
      cancer. This study does not support the combination of dasatinib and docetaxel in
      this population of patients. FUNDING: Bristol-Myers Squibb.

PMID- 24211165
TI  - Rectal injury following delivery as a possible consequence of endometriosis of
      the rectovaginal septum.

PMID- 24211166
TI  - Reduction in HPV 16/18 prevalence in sexually active young women following the
      introduction of HPV immunisation in England.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reduction in the prevalence of vaccine type HPV infection in young
      women is an early indication of the impact of the HPV immunisation programme and
      a necessary outcome if the subsequent impact on cervical cancer is to be
      realised. METHODS: Residual vulva-vaginal swab (VVS) specimens from young women
      aged 16-24 years undergoing chlamydia screening in community sexual health
      services (formerly known as family planning clinics), general practice (GP), and
      youth clinics in 2010-2012 were submitted from 10 laboratories in seven regions
      around England. These specimens were linked to demographic and sexual behaviour
      data reported with the chlamydia test, anonymised, and tested for type-specific
      HPV DNA using a multiplex PCR and Luminex-based genotyping test. Estimated
      immunisation coverage was calculated and findings were compared to a baseline
      survey conducted prior to the introduction of HPV immunisation in 2008. RESULTS:
      A total of 4664 eligible specimens were collected and 4178 had a valid test
      result. The post-immunisation prevalence of HPV 16/18 infection was lowest in
      this youngest age group (16-18 years) and increased with age. This increase with
      age was a reversal of the pattern seen prior to immunisation and was inversely
      associated with estimates of age-specific immunisation coverage (65% for 16-18
      year olds). The prevalence of HPV 16/18 infection in the post-immunisation survey
      was 6.5% amongst 16-18 year olds, compared to 19.1% in the similar survey
      conducted prior to the introduction of HPV immunisation. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings are the first indication that the national HPV immunisation programme is
      successfully preventing HPV 16/18 infection in sexually active young women in
      England. The reductions seen suggest, for the estimated coverage, high vaccine
      effectiveness and some herd-protection benefits. Continued surveillance is needed
      to determine the effects of immunisation on non-vaccine HPV types.

PMID- 24211167
TI  - Evaluating the efficacy of rBmHATalphac as a multivalent vaccine against
      lymphatic filariasis in experimental animals and optimizing the adjuvant
      formulation.
AB  - Developing an effective vaccine against lymphatic filariasis will complement the
      WHO's effort to eradicate the infection from endemic areas. Currently 83
      different countries are endemic for this infection and over 1 billion people are
      at risk. An effective vaccine coupled with mass drug administration will reduce
      the morbidity and social stigma associated with this gruesome disease. Several
      potential vaccine candidates that can confer partial protection in experimental
      animals have been reported from different laboratories. However, no licensed
      vaccines are currently available for this disease. Among the several vaccine
      antigens identified from our laboratory, three most promising antigens;
      rBmHSPalphac (alpha crystalline domain and c-terminal extension of Heat Shock
      Protein 12.6), rBmALT-2 (Abundant larval transcript) and rBmTSP LEL (Tetraspanin
      large extracellular loop) was further developed as a recombinant fusion protein
      vaccine (rBmHATalphac). In a mouse model this fusion protein vaccine gave close
      to 68% protection following a challenge infection. To improve the vaccine
      efficiency of rBmHATalphac, in this study we evaluated various preparations of
      alum (AL007, AL019, Alhydrogel and Imject(r) Alum) as adjuvants. Our results show
      that mice immunized with rBmHATalphac formulated in AL007 (alum from IDRI) and/or
      AL019 (alum plus TLR-4 agonist from IDRI) gave the highest IgG antibody titer
      compared to other groups. Subsequent in vivo challenge experiments confirmed that
      >95% protection can be achieved when AL007 or AL019 was used as the adjuvant.
      However, when Imject(r) Alum or alhydrogel was used as the adjuvant only 76% and
      72% protection respectively could be achieved. These results show that AL007 or
      AL019 (IDRI) is an excellent choice of adjuvant for the rBmHATalphac vaccine
      against B. malayi L3 in mice. 

PMID- 24211168
TI  - Computational designing of a poly-epitope fecundity vaccine for multiple species
      of livestock.
AB  - Inhibin and follistatin are known to reduce fecundity by inhibiting the actions
      of activin and FSH. Thus, the immunoneutralization of these hormones is a
      rational proposal for augmenting reproductive performance. The present study
      describes a comprehensive computational methodology comprising of a consensus
      approach of several B- and Th-cell epitope prediction tools for the
      identification of epitopic regions within the structure of these hormones that
      can be incorporated into a poly-epitope fecundity vaccine. The proposed peptide
      (RGD-WSPAALRLLQRPPEEPA-KK-YSFPISSILE) should be effective in multiple animal
      species, generating good immunological memory. 

PMID- 24211170
TI  - Human papillomavirus vaccination and Pap testing profile in Manitoba, Canada.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Females who receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may
      believe they are protected from developing cervical cancer and no longer require
      screening. Concern has also been expressed that vaccinated females are those that
      would be screened regularly. This study assesses the Pap testing behavior of
      vaccinated and non-vaccinated females. METHODS: For this population-based
      retrospective cohort study, vaccination and screening registries were linked for
      3540 vaccinated females aged 15 years and over and 9592 matched non-vaccinated
      females. Conditional logistic regression, the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox
      regression were used to examine the association between vaccination and Pap
      testing. RESULTS: Vaccinated females were more likely to have had a Pap test
      within the year prior to the index date than non-vaccinated females (15-19 years
      old: OR=1.38, 95% CI 1.20-1.59; 20+ years old: OR=2.34, 95% CI 1.98-2.76). In the
      three-year period after the index date, vaccinated females had a significantly
      higher cumulative probability of having a Pap test (83.3%) than non-vaccinated
      females (66.1%). Females who had a Pap test within three years prior to the index
      date were more likely to have a Pap test after the index date (vaccinated:
      HR=5.03, 95% CI 4.65-5.45; non-vaccinated HR=3.97, 95% CI 3.70-4.24). Being
      vaccinated had a significant effect on Pap testing (15-19 years old: HR=1.54, 95%
      CI 1.39-1.69; 20+ years old: HR=1.87, 95% CI 1.52-2.31). 80.1% of vaccinated
      females who had a Pap test prior to the index date also had one subsequent to it,
      compared to 70.1% for non-vaccinated females. 41.1% of females had not been
      vaccinated nor had a Pap test. CONCLUSION: The majority of vaccinated females
      continue to participate in screening, and do so at a higher rate than non
      vaccinated females. Renewed efforts need to be made to include the large
      proportion of non-vaccinated, non-screened females in vaccination and/or
      screening.

PMID- 24211169
TI  - A modified surface killing assay (MSKA) as a functional in vitro assay for
      identifying protective antibodies against pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA).
AB  - Streptococcus pneumoniae causes otitis media, meningitis and pneumonia in
      patients worldwide; predominantly affecting young children, the elderly, and the
      immune compromised. Current vaccines against invasive pneumococcal disease are
      based on the polysaccharide capsules of the most clinically relevant serotypes.
      Due to serotype replacement, non-vaccine serotypes of S. pneumoniae have become
      more clinically relevant and as a result pneumococcal vaccines are becoming
      increasingly complex. These events emphasize the need to evaluate the potential
      for pneumococcal cross-reactive proteins to contribute to future vaccines.
      Antibody elicited by the immunization of humans with pneumococcal surface protein
      A (PspA) can passively protect mice from infection. However, robust in vitro
      functional assays for antibody to PspA are not available to predict the
      protective capacity of immune serum. For polysaccharide based vaccines, a
      standardized opsonophagocytosis killing assay (OPKA) is used. Antibody to PspA,
      however, does not work well in the standard OPKA. The present studies take
      advantage of past observations that phagocytosis is more efficient on tissue
      surfaces than in solution. In a modified surface killing assay (MSKA), monoclonal
      antibody to PspA, in the presence of complement, opsonized pneumococci for
      killing by phagocytes on an agar surface. Five monoclonal antibodies to PspA were
      tested; three demonstrated increased amounts of killing compared to the diluent
      control and protected mice by passive protection against type 3 pneumococci. The
      two antibodies that were not functional in the MSKA also failed to protect mice.
      Thus, an MSKA might be useful as a functional assay for immunity to PspA. 

PMID- 24211171
TI  - [Prevalence and functions of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in a sample of
      Spanish adolescents assessed in mental health outpatient departments].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Suicidal and self-injurious behaviors in adolescents are a major
      public health concern. However, the prevalence of self-injurious thoughts and
      behaviors in Spanish outpatient adolescents is unknown. METHODS: A total of 267
      adolescents between 11 and 18 year old were recruited from the Child and
      Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatric Services, Jimenez Diaz Foundation (Madrid,
      Spain) from November 1st 2011 to October 31st 2012. All participants were
      administered the Spanish version of the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors
      Inventory, which is a structured interview that assesses the presence, frequency,
      and characteristics of suicidal ideation, suicide plans, suicide gestures,
      suicide attempts, and non-suicidal self-injury. RESULTS: One-fifth (20.6%) of
      adolescents reported having had suicidal ideation at least once during their
      lifetime. Similarly, 2.2% reported suicide plans, 9.4% reported suicide gesture,
      4.5% attempted suicide, and 21.7% reported non-suicidal self-injury, at least
      once during their lifetime. Of the whole sample, 47.6% of adolescents reported at
      least one of the studied thoughts or behaviors in their lifetime. Among them,
      47.2% reported 2 or more of these thoughts or behaviors. Regarding the reported
      function of each type of thoughts and behaviors examined, most were performed for
      emotional regulation purposes, except in the case of suicide gestures (performed
      for the purposes of social reinforcement). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence and
      high comorbidity of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, together with the
      known risk of transition among them, underline the need of a systematic and
      routine assessment of these thoughts and behaviors in adolescents assessed in
      mental health departments.

PMID- 24211172
TI  - Randomized trial of a home monitoring system for early detection of choroidal
      neovascularization home monitoring of the Eye (HOME) study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether home monitoring with the ForeseeHome device
      (Notal Vision Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel), using macular visual field testing with
      hyperacuity techniques and telemonitoring, results in earlier detection of age
      related macular degeneration-associated choroidal neovascularization (CNV),
      reflected in better visual acuity, when compared with standard care. The main
      predictor of treatment outcome from anti-vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) agents is the visual acuity at the time of CNV treatment. DESIGN:
      Unmasked, controlled, randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand nine
      hundred and seventy participants 53 to 90 years of age at high risk of CNV
      developing were screened. Of these, 1520 participants with a mean age of 72.5
      years were enrolled in the Home Monitoring of the Eye study at 44 Age-Related Eye
      Disease Study 2 clinical centers. INTERVENTIONS: In the standard care and device
      arms arm, investigator-specific instructions were provided for self-monitoring
      vision at home followed by report of new symptoms to the clinic. In the device
      arm, the device was provided with recommendations for daily testing. The device
      monitoring center received test results and reported changes to the clinical
      centers, which contacted participants for examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The
      main outcome measure was the difference in best-corrected visual acuity scores
      between baseline and detection of CNV. The event was determined by investigators
      based on clinical examination, color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography,
      and optical coherence tomography findings. Masked graders at a central reading
      center evaluated the images using standardized protocols. RESULTS: Seven hundred
      sixty-three participants were randomized to device monitoring and 757
      participants were randomized to standard care and were followed up for a mean of
      1.4 years between July 2010 and April 2013. At the prespecified interim analysis,
      82 participants progressed to CNV, 51 in the device arm and 31 in the standard
      care arm. The primary analysis achieved statistical significance, with the
      participants in the device arm demonstrating a smaller decline in visual acuity
      with fewer letters lost from baseline to CNV detection (median, -4 letters;
      interquartile range [IQR], -11.0 to -1.0 letters) compared with standard care
      (median, -9 letters; IQR, -14.0 to -4.0 letters; P = 0.021), resulting in better
      visual acuity at CNV detection in the device arm. The Data and Safety Monitoring
      Committee recommended early study termination for efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Persons
      at high risk for CNV developing benefit from the home monitoring strategy for
      earlier detection of CNV development, which increases the likelihood of better
      visual acuity results after intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy.

PMID- 24211173
TI  - Trans- and cis-stilbene isolated in cryogenic argon and xenon matrices.
AB  - Monomers of trans- (TS) and cis-stilbene (CS) were isolated in cryogenic argon
      and xenon matrices, and their infrared (IR) spectra were fully assigned and
      interpreted. The interpretation of the vibrational spectra received support from
      theoretical calculations undertaken at the DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(d,p) level of
      theory. In situ broadband UV irradiation of the matrix-isolated CS led to its
      isomerization to TS, which appeared in the photolysed matrices in both non-planar
      and planar configurations. The non-planar species was found to convert into the
      more stable planar form upon subsequent annealing of the matrices at higher
      temperature. TS was found to be photostable under the used experimental
      conditions. The structure of the non-planar TS form was assigned based on the
      comparison of its observed IR spectrum with those theoretically predicted for
      different conformations of TS. Chemometrics was used to make this assignment.
      Additional reasoning on the structure of the studied stilbenes is presented
      taking as basis results of the Natural Bond Orbital analysis. 

PMID- 24211174
TI  - Osteochondral autograft transplantation in the elbow.

PMID- 24211175
TI  - Stability of acute dorsal fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal
      joint: a biomechanical study.
AB  - PURPOSE: We performed a cadaveric biomechanical study to characterize proximal
      interphalangeal joint stability after an injury to different amounts of the volar
      articular base of the middle phalanx (intact, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% volar
      defects). METHODS: Eighteen digits on 6 hands were tested through full proximal
      interphalangeal joint range of motion using computer-controlled flexion and
      extension via the digital tendons. We collected proximal interphalangeal joint
      kinematic cine data in a true lateral projection with mini-fluoroscopy. We
      measured the amount of dorsal middle phalanx translation in full proximal
      interphalangeal joint extension. As we cycled the joint from full flexion into
      extension, we recorded the angle at which subluxation occurred. RESULTS: No
      specimens with 20% volar bony defect subluxated. All specimens in the 60% and 80%
      groups subluxated at an average flexion angle of 67 degrees  (range, 10 degrees 
      to 90 degrees ) in the 60% group and at all degrees of flexion in the 80% group.
      In the 40% group, 28% of specimens demonstrated subluxation at an average flexion
      angle of 14 degrees  (range, 4 degrees  to 40 degrees ). Mean dorsal translation
      of the middle phalanx in relation to the proximal phalanx at full digital
      extension was 0.2 mm in the 20% group, 0.8 mm in the 40% group, 3.2 mm in the 60%
      group, and 3.1 mm in the 80% group. CONCLUSIONS: Simulated volar articular bony
      defects of 20% were stable, whereas those with 60% and 80% defects were unstable
      during digital motion. Stability in the 40% group was variable and appeared to be
      the threshold for stability. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Knowledge of the typical amount
      of middle phalanx defect and degree of proximal interphalangeal joint extension
      that can lead to joint instability may improve management of mechanically
      important proximal interphalangeal joint fracture dislocations.

PMID- 24211176
TI  - Raynaud disease.

PMID- 24211177
TI  - Pediatric replantation.

PMID- 24211178
TI  - Facial emotion recognition and its correlation with executive functions in
      bipolar I patients and healthy controls.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The ability to recognize facial emotions is altered in patients
      with Bipolar Disorder (BD) during mood episodes and even in euthymia, while
      cognitive functioning is similarly impaired. This recognition is considered a
      fundamental skill for successful social interaction. However, it is unclear
      whether the ability to recognize facial emotions is correlated with the cognitive
      deficits observed in BD. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate
      Facial Emotion Recognition (FER) and its correlation with executive function (EF)
      in BD I patients during mania, depression and euthymia compared to healthy
      controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 110 patients with BD I, 18-40 years
      old were included (41 in manic episode; 31 in depressive episode and 38
      euthymic). Patients were assessed for FER and EF (Wisconsin card sorting test -
      WCST), along with 96 healthy volunteers (18-40 years old) recruited from the
      University of Sao Paulo. RESULTS: The results showed that BD I patients had lower
      FER performance compared to controls on fear subtests, happiness, the surprise
      test, and FER total scores. Moreover, BD I manic patients showed poorer
      performance for EF compared to controls. Six out of the seven variables of the
      WCST correlated with FER in both healthy controls and BD euthymic subjects but
      not in BD patients during mood episodes. CONCLUSION: Cognitive deficits and
      difficulties recognizing facial emotions are present in all mood episodes in BD I
      patients, even during remission. Although FER is not considered a cognitive
      domain, these results suggest that, along with EF, it has a complementary
      function. Hence, further studies should investigate this issue in larger samples
      and verify whether these similarities also occur at a neurobiological level.

PMID- 24211179
TI  - Biological sulfate removal from construction and demolition debris leachate:
      effect of bioreactor configuration.
AB  - Due to the contamination of construction and demolition debris (CDD) by gypsum
      drywall, especially, its sand fraction (CDD sand, CDDS), the sulfate content in
      CDDS exceeds the posed limit of the maximum amount of sulfate present in building
      sand (1.73 g sulfate per kg of sand for the Netherlands). Therefore, the CDDS
      cannot be reused for construction. The CDDS has to be washed in order to remove
      most of the impurities and to obtain the right sulfate content, thus generating a
      leachate, containing high sulfate and calcium concentrations. This study aimed at
      developing a biological sulfate reduction system for CDDS leachate treatment and
      compared three different reactor configurations for the sulfate reduction step:
      the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, inverse fluidized bed (IFB)
      reactor and gas lift anaerobic membrane bioreactor (GL-AnMBR). This investigation
      demonstrated that all three systems can be applied for the treatment of CDDS
      leachate. The highest sulfate removal efficiency of 75-85% was achieved at a
      hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 15.5h. A high calcium concentration up to 1,000
      mg L(-1) did not give any adverse effect on the sulfate removal efficiency of the
      IFB and GL-AnMBR systems.

PMID- 24211180
TI  - Evaluation of the phototransformation of the antiviral zanamivir in surface
      waters through identification of transformation products.
AB  - The antiviral zanamivir has been recently reported to occur in surface waters
      where its presence may lead to the selection of resistant strains of virus in
      aquatic fauna. In order to evaluate the fate of zanamivir in surface waters, its
      susceptibility to phototransformation was evaluated using simulated and natural
      sunlight. Upon exposure of aqueous solutions (20MUgL(-1)) to simulated sunlight,
      zanamivir in surface water degraded at t1/23.6h. Under natural sunlight in
      surface water about 30% of the initial concentration of the antiviral disappeared
      within 18 days. The experiments with surface water showed similar effect as humic
      acid addition with expected decreasing effect on degradation while nitrate
      addition showed increasing effect. In the experiments with artificial sunlight at
      high concentrations of zanamivir, four photoproducts were tentatively identified
      by hydrophilic interaction chromatography-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, showing [M+H](+) ions
      at m/z 112 (TP111), m/z 275 (TP274), m/z 323 (TP322), and m/z 333 (TP332).
      However at 20MUgL(-1) only the formation of the recalcitrant TP111 was observed.
      The proposed structures were rationalized by photolysis mechanisms. Photoproduct
      TP111 was confirmed with a commercially available standard (isocytosine). In
      summary, the findings suggest that the photodegradation of zanamivir in surface
      waters proceeds with slow kinetics. 

PMID- 24211181
TI  - Blood disorders after kidney transplantation.
AB  - Post transplant anemia (PTA) is a common issue in kidney transplant recipients.
      Most importantly it is associated with an impaired allograft function. Other
      important factors associated with PTA are immunosuppressive drugs (MPA, AZA and
      SRL), iron deficiency, infections (Parvo B19), older donor age, rejection
      episodes, an increased inflammatory state, and erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness.
      As there are no adequately powered RCTs in the kidney transplant population on
      anemia treatment with ESA, we have to rely on what we know from the large RCTs in
      the CKD population. The recently published KDIGO guidelines do not recommend
      treatment with ESA if Hb is >10 g/dl. Repletion of iron stores is emphasized.
      Post transplant leukopenia (PTL) and thrombocytopenia (PTT) are frequent
      complications especially in the first six months after kidney transplantation.
      Myelosuppression caused by immunosuppressive agents (MPA, AZA, SRL, rATG),
      antimicrobial drugs (VGCV), and CMV infection is the predominant cause. There are
      no widely accepted guidelines on treatment strategies, but most often dose
      reduction or discontinuation of causative medication is done. Most clinicians
      tend to decrease MPA dose, but this is eventually associated with an increase in
      acute rejection episodes. VGCV dose reduction (preemptive treatment instead of
      CMV prophylaxis) may be a successful strategy. In severe cases G-CSF treatment is
      an important management option and seems to be safe.

PMID- 24211182
TI  - Gating pluripotency via nuclear pores.
AB  - In recent years, growing evidence has pointed to the interesting idea that
      pluripotency might be regulated by a nuclear-pore-coordinated network that
      controls the level of pluripotency factors in the nucleus. A thorough
      understanding of this process might improve our comprehension of cell
      pluripotency and differentiation during embryogenesis, as well as aiding the
      development of novel models for studying human diseases. 

PMID- 24211183
TI  - Tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling in keratinocytes triggers interleukin-24
      dependent psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice.
AB  - Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with a prevalence of
      about 2% in the Caucasian population. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays an
      essential role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, but its mechanism of action
      remains poorly understood. Here we report that the development of psoriasis-like
      skin inflammation in mice with epidermis-specific inhibition of the transcription
      factor NF-kappaB was triggered by TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1)-dependent upregulation
      of interleukin-24 (IL-24) and activation of signal transducer and activator of
      transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling in keratinocytes. IL-24 was strongly expressed
      in human psoriatic epidermis, and pharmacological inhibition of NF-kappaB
      increased IL-24 expression in TNF-stimulated human primary keratinocytes,
      suggesting that this mechanism is relevant for human psoriasis. Therefore, our
      results expand current views on psoriasis pathogenesis by revealing a new
      keratinocyte-intrinsic mechanism that links TNFR1, NF-kappaB, ERK, IL-24, IL
      22R1, and STAT3 signaling to disease initiation. 

PMID- 24211185
TI  - The haplosporidian Bonamia exitiosa is present in Australia, but the identity of
      the parasite described as Bonamia (formerly Mikrocytos) roughleyi is uncertain.
AB  - Protistan oyster parasites in the genus Bonamia have been observed in recent
      years infecting new hosts on five continents, with most of these parasites
      genetically similar to austral species Bonamia exitiosa and Bonamia roughleyi.
      Identification of the newly observed parasites as one or another of these
      described species has been complicated by the fact that B. exitiosa and B.
      roughleyi are phylogenetically indistinguishable at the small-subunit ribosomal
      DNA (SSU rDNA) level, with samples of B. roughleyi type material no longer
      available for genetic re-analyses using more informative internal transcribed
      spacer (ITS) region DNA sequences. To resolve this issue, we evaluated B.
      roughleyi in field collections of hosts Saccostrea glomerata and Ostrea angasi
      (as well as Crassostrea gigas) in New South Wales, Australia in 2006 and 2007,
      and re-analyzed histological samples from the original description of this
      parasite species using in situ hybridization. Despite (1) reports of the oyster
      disease putatively caused by B. roughleyi during the time of collections, (2) the
      observation of gross lesions characteristic of the disease, and (3) the
      observation of B. roughleyi cells in association with the lesions, we detected a
      Bonamia sp. by PCR in just 1/42 O. angasi (2.4%), and 1/608 S. glomerata (0.2%),
      the latter oyster of which is the type host. SSU rDNA sequences of the amplicons
      were nearly identical to those of B. exitiosa and B. roughleyi, and phylogenetic
      analysis of ITS region sequences placed them on a B. exitiosa clade. A
      Haplosporidium sp. sequence similar to that of H. costale was PCR-amplified from
      nearly half the S. glomerata and O. angasi, but no Haplosporidium sp. was
      observed histologically. Our inability to identify a Bonamia sp. sequence in
      association with the B. roughleyi observed histologically suggests that this
      parasite is not a Bonamia sp. at all, and should be regarded as B. roughleyi
      nomen dubium. We conclude that the Bonamia sp. that we and other investigators
      detected in southeastern Australian S. glomerata and O. angasi was B. exitiosa. 

PMID- 24211184
TI  - Interferon regulatory factor 4 sustains CD8(+) T cell expansion and effector
      differentiation.
AB  - Upon infection, CD8(+) T cells undergo a stepwise process of early activation,
      expansion, and differentiation into effector cells. How these phases are
      transcriptionally regulated is incompletely defined. Here, we report that
      interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), dispensable for early CD8(+) T cell
      activation, was vital for sustaining the expansion and effector differentiation
      of CD8(+) T cells. Mechanistically, IRF4 promoted the expression and function of
      Blimp1 and T-bet, two transcription factors required for CD8(+) T cell effector
      differentiation, and simultaneously repressed genes that mediate cell cycle
      arrest and apoptosis. Selective ablation of Irf4 in peripheral CD8(+) T cells
      impaired antiviral CD8(+) T cell responses, viral clearance, and CD8(+) T cell
      mediated host recovery from influenza infection. IRF4 expression was regulated by
      T cell receptor (TCR) signaling strength via mammalian target of rapamycin
      (mTOR). Our data reveal that IRF4 translates differential strength of TCR
      signaling into different quantitative and qualitative CD8(+) T cell responses. 

PMID- 24211186
TI  - Advantages of QBI in TBSS analyses.
AB  - Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI) is used to study white
      matter (WM) in normal and clinical populations. In DWMRI studies, diffusion
      tensor imaging (DTI) models the WM anisotropy with one dominant direction,
      detecting possible pathway abnormalities only in large and highly coherent fiber
      tracts. However, more general anisotropy models like Q-ball imaging (QBI) may
      provide more sensitive WM descriptors in single patients. The present study aimed
      to compare DTI and QBI models in a group-level population analysis, using
      Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) as a pathological case model of WM tract
      degeneration. DWMRI was performed in 19 ALS patients and 19 age and sex-matched
      healthy controls. DTI and QBI estimates were compared in whole-brain tract-based
      spatial statistics (TBSS) and volume of interest (VOI) analyses, and correlated
      with ALS clinical scores of disability. A significant decrease of the QBI-derived
      generalized fractional anisotropy (GFA) was observed in both motor and extramotor
      fibers of ALS patients compared to controls. Homologue DTI-derived FA maps were
      only partially overlapping with GFA maps. Particularly, the left corticospinal
      tracts resulted more markedly depicted by the QBI than by the DTI model, with GFA
      predicting ALS disability better than FA. The present findings demonstrate that
      QBI model is suitable for studying WM tract degeneration in population-level
      clinical studies. Particularly, group-level studies of fiber integrity may
      benefit from QBI when DTI is biased towards low values, such as in cases of fiber
      degeneration, and in regions with more than one dominant fiber direction. 

PMID- 24211187
TI  - Effects of RF profile on precision of quantitative T2 mapping using dual-echo
      steady-state acquisition.
AB  - The dual echo steady-state (DESS) sequence has been shown successful in achieving
      fast T2 mapping with good precision. Under-estimation of T2, however, becomes
      increasingly prominent as the flip angle decreases. In 3D DESS imaging,
      therefore, the derived T2 values would become a function of the slice location in
      the presence of non-ideal slice profile of the excitation RF pulse. Furthermore,
      the pattern of slice-dependent variation in T2 estimates is dependent on the RF
      pulse waveform. Multi-slice 2D DESS imaging provides better inter-slice
      consistency, but the signal intensity is subject to integrated effects of within
      slice distribution of the actual flip angle. Consequently, T2 measured using 2D
      DESS is prone to inaccuracy even at the designated flip angle of 90 degrees . In
      this study, both phantom and human experiments demonstrate the above phenomena in
      good agreement with model prediction.

PMID- 24211188
TI  - Robust GRAPPA reconstruction using sparse multi-kernel learning with least
      squares support vector regression.
AB  - Accuracy of interpolation coefficients fitting to the auto-calibrating signal
      data is crucial for k-space-based parallel reconstruction. Both conventional
      generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA)
      reconstruction that utilizes linear interpolation function and nonlinear GRAPPA
      (NLGRAPPA) reconstruction with polynomial kernel function are sensitive to
      interpolation window and often cannot consistently produce good results for
      overall acceleration factors. In this study, sparse multi-kernel learning is
      conducted within the framework of least squares support vector regression to fit
      interpolation coefficients as well as to reconstruct images robustly under
      different subsampling patterns and coil datasets. The kernel combination weights
      and interpolation coefficients are adaptively determined by efficient semi
      infinite linear programming techniques. Experimental results on phantom and in
      vivo data indicate that the proposed method can automatically achieve an
      optimized compromise between noise suppression and residual artifacts for various
      sampling schemes. Compared with NLGRAPPA, our method is significantly less
      sensitive to the interpolation window and kernel parameters.

PMID- 24211190
TI  - Family-wide expression characterization of Arabidopsis beta-carbonic anhydrase
      genes using qRT-PCR and Promoter::GUS fusions.
AB  - Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are metalloenzymes found throughout the
      phylogenetic tree. The beta-class carbonic anhydrases (beta-CAs) are the
      predominating class of CAs in plants. Growing evidence underscores the importance
      of beta-CAs in plant immunity and environmental adaptation in addition to their
      roles in photosynthesis. However, many fundamental problems in Arabidopsis
      betaCAs expression remain unsolved. Here we examined the transcript abundance of
      AtbetaCAs in different tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana, and the accumulation of
      mRNA in response to CO2 and darkness. Histochemical analysis was performed to
      study the promoter activity of AtbetaCAs during post-germination seedling growth
      and in mature plants. All six members of the AtbetaCA subfamily showed a response
      to changed CO2 level and darkness, but each member showed a specific dynamic
      pattern. Although expression of each AtbetaCA was unique, in general most
      AtbetaCAs were synchronously expressed in green leaves since 5 days after
      germination until flowering. AtbetaCA1 and AtbetaCA2 were most highly expressed
      in leaves but AtbetaCA2 displayed weaker expression in roots. The level of
      AtbetaCA3 transcripts was highest in flowers, while AtbetaCA5 was most widely
      expressed and might be involved in more processes than other members. AtbetaCA6
      was unique for increased expression in darkness and no expression in either the
      anther or pistil. The present study provides useful information for further
      functional investigation. 

PMID- 24211189
TI  - CP12-mediated protection of Calvin-Benson cycle enzymes from oxidative stress.
AB  - Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and phosphoribulokinase (PRK)
      are two energy-consuming enzymes of the Calvin-Benson cycle, whose regulation is
      crucial for the global balance of the photosynthetic process under different
      environmental conditions. In oxygen phototrophs, GAPDH and PRK regulation
      involves the redox-sensitive protein CP12. In the dark, oxidized chloroplast
      thioredoxins trigger the formation of a GAPDH/CP12/PRK complex in which both
      enzyme activities are down-regulated. In this report, we show that free GAPDH (A4
      isoform) and PRK are also inhibited by oxidants like H2O2, GSSG and GSNO. Both in
      the land plant Arabidopsis thaliana and in the green microalga Chlamydomonas
      reinhardtii, both enzymes can be glutathionylated as shown by biotinylated-GSSG
      assay and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. CP12 is not glutathionylated but
      homodisulfides are formed upon oxidant treatments. In Arabidopsis but not in
      Chlamydomonas, the interaction between oxidized CP12 and GAPDH provides full
      protection from oxidative damage. In both organisms, preformed GAPDH/CP12/PRK
      complexes are protected from GSSG or GSNO oxidation, and in Arabidopsis also from
      H2O2 treatment. Overall, the results suggest that the role of CP12 in oxygen
      phototrophs needs to be extended beyond light/dark regulation, and include
      protection of enzymes belonging to Calvin-Benson cycle from oxidative stress. 

PMID- 24211191
TI  - CARM1 and PRMT1 are dysregulated in lung cancer without hierarchical features.
AB  - CARM1 and PRMT1 are 2 Protein Arginine Methyl Transferases (PRMT) dysregulated in
      cancer. CARM1 function is contradictory and depicted as facilitating
      proliferation or differentiation. PRMT1 is required for cell proliferation. CARM1
      and PRMT1 cooperate for gene regulation. We report that CARM1 and PRMT1 are
      significantly overexpressed in 60 patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas
      (NSCLC). CARM1 and PRMT1 correlated in healthy but not tumor tissue. Their levels
      of expression in tumor tissue were proportional to their levels of expression in
      the counterpart healthy tissue. Only CARM1 expression was found to be correlated
      with tumor differentiation and neither CARM1 nor PRMT1 expression was correlated
      with survival. Accordingly, CARM1 and PRMT1 are overexpressed in 2 NSCLC cell
      lines, A549 and H1299. Targeting PRMT1 with siRNA reduced proliferation, by
      decreasing cell growth and inhibiting soft agar colony formation, and promoted
      differentiation, by increasing the epithelial markers cytokeratin 7 and 8 and
      decreasing Neuromedin B receptor, which binds a mitogenic factor. siCARM1 yielded
      similar consequences but the conditions with siCARM1 reflected inhibition of both
      CARM1 and PRMT1. Together these results suggest that CARM1 and PRMT1 are involved
      in proliferation in lung cancer with no hierarchy of one protein over the other.
      The fact that CARM1 targeting suppresses PRMT1 in addition to CARM1 reinforces
      the functional importance of CARM1/PRMT1 interaction. 

PMID- 24211192
TI  - The effect of a telephone follow-up intervention on illness perception and
      lifestyle after myocardial infarction in China: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lifestyle modification is an integral component of cardiac secondary
      prevention, while it has been confirmed that myocardial infarction (MI) patients'
      health-related behaviors are heavily influenced by their illness perception.
      OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a telephone follow-up intervention for
      improving MI patients' illness perception and lifestyle. DESIGN: A randomized
      controlled trial, longitudinal research design was employed. SETTINGS: Cardiac
      care units in four major general hospitals in Guangzhou, China. PARTICIPANTS:
      Inclusion criteria were being diagnosed with an initial acute MI, being able to
      communicate orally in Mandarin or Cantonese and read in Chinese, and living in
      Guangzhou. Exclusion criteria were with continuing uncontrolled arrhythmias or
      heart failure, being illiteracy, or with a history of major psychiatric illness,
      exercise-induced asthma, uncontrolled diabetes, or evidence of dementia. METHOD:
      124 patients admitted with the first acute MI were randomized to receive either
      routine care or routine care plus a telephone follow-up intervention, which
      consist of a pre-discharge education and three telephone follow-up instructions.
      Data were collected before discharge, at the 6th and the 12th week after
      discharge from hospital, respectively. RESULTS: At the 6th and the 12th week
      after discharge, patients in the intervention group had significantly positive
      perceptions about symptoms of MI (mean difference 3.27, 95% confidence interval
      2.48-4.07, p<.001; mean difference 2.12, 95% confidence interval 1.34-2.89,
      p<.001 respectively) and how long their illness would last (mean difference 
      0.69, 95% confidence interval -0.91 to -0.47, p<.001; mean difference -0.74, 95%
      confidence interval -0.96 to -0.51, p<.001 respectively) compared with the
      control group. The intervention group also had more positive beliefs about the
      controllability (F=4.23, p=.04) and more improved beliefs about the causes of MI
      than the control group. Moreover, the intervention improved the patients'
      nutrition (F=5.16, p=.03) and physical activity at the 12-week follow-up (mean
      difference 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.58, p<.001). CONCLUSION: This
      telephone follow-up intervention can result in improved illness perception and
      lifestyle after MI. It could be incorporated into current hospital treatment
      regimens for MI to improve patients' quality of life.

PMID- 24211193
TI  - New Caledonian lineages of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) reveal different evolutionary
      histories and the largest documented plant radiation for the archipelago.
AB  - New Caledonia is a remote archipelago of the South-West Pacific, whose flora is
      rich, distinctive, and disharmonic. The interest of botanists has long been
      attracted by the spatio-temporal origin of this flora, but little attention has
      been paid to the modes of colonization and the diversification processes that
      have led to the archipelago's modern flora. To date, no explosive plant radiation
      has yet been highlighted for New Caledonia. A dated phylogenetic framework on the
      second richest New Caledonian genus--Psychotria s.l. and its allied genera
      (tribes Psychotrieae and Palicoureeae, Rubiaceae; ca. 85 species)--is provided in
      this study to explore its patterns of colonization and diversification in the
      archipelago. This study is based on a comprehensive species sampling, two nuclear
      and four plastid loci. Results show that New Caledonia was colonized four times
      by Psychotria and its allied genera during the Neogene long after its mid-Eocene
      re-emergence from the sea. The Pacific clade of Psychotrieae, one of the largest
      plant diversifications in the Pacific islands and the Indo-Pacific region, is
      absent from New Caledonia, possibly due to niche competition. Although the four
      lineages colonized New Caledonia relatively simultaneously during the Neogene,
      they express different evolutionary histories, as revealed by unevenness in
      species richness and net diversification rates. The genus Geophila has not
      diversified on New Caledonia, as a non-endemic single species has been documented
      in the archipelago. The genus Margaritopsis had a moderate level of
      diversification (four species) similar to that on other Pacific islands. The
      Psychotria clade NC1 appears to be a relictual lineage, which probably underwent
      a drastic extinction, with a narrow ecological habitat and dispersal limitations.
      The Psychotria clade NC2 is the largest and youngest New Caledonian plant
      radiation, and has undergone the fastest recorded diversification of any endemic
      lineage in the archipelago, and could be the result of a 'non-adaptive
      radiation', originating from Australian rainforests.

PMID- 24211194
TI  - Entrance skin dosimetry and size-specific dose estimate from pediatric chest CTA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Size-specific dose estimate (SSDE), which corrects CT dose index
      (CTDI) for body diameter and is a better measure of organ dose than is CTDI, has
      not yet been validated in vivo. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to determine the
      correlation between SSDE and measured breast entrance skin dose (ESD) for
      pediatric chest CT angiography across a variety of techniques, scanner models,
      and patient sizes. METHODS: During 42 examinations done on 4 different scanners
      over 7 years, we measured mid-sternal ESD as an approximation of breast dose with
      skin dosimeters. We recorded age, weight, effective tube current, kilovoltage
      potential, console CTDI, and dose-length product, from which we calculated
      effective dose. We measured effective chest diameter to convert CTDI to SSDE, and
      we correlated SSDE with measured ESD, using linear regression. We evaluated image
      quality to answer the clinical question. RESULTS: Patient mean (+/-SD) age was
      8.4 +/- 6.1 years (median, 7.9 years; range, 0.02-19.5 years); mean weight was 35
      +/- 27 kg (median, 26 kg; range, 3.5-115 kg); effective chest diameter was 20 +/-
      7 cm (median, 19 cm; range, 10-35 cm). Mean effective dose was 2.9 +/- 2.8 mSv
      (median, 2.2 mSv; range, 0.1-14.4 mSv). We observed a linear correlation (R(2) =
      0.98, P < .005) between SSDE (mean, 11 +/- 11mGy; median, 7 mGy; range, 0.5-40
      mGy) and breast ESD (mean, 12 +/- 11 mGy; median, 7 mGy; range, 0.3-44 mGy). Our
      doses, which compared favorably with those previously reported, decreased
      significantly (P < .05) during the course of our study, because of the
      introduction of automatic exposure control, low kilovoltage, and high pitch
      techniques. All studies were of diagnostic quality. CONCLUSION: SSDE is a valid
      dose measure in children undergoing chest CT angiography over a wide range of
      scanner platforms, techniques, and patient sizes, and it may be used to model
      breast dose and to document the results of dose reduction strategies.

PMID- 24211195
TI  - [Diagnostic reference levels in interventional radiology].
AB  - This article discusses the diagnostic reference levels for radiation exposure
      proposed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) to
      facilitate the application of the optimization criteria in diagnostic imaging and
      interventional procedures. These levels are normally established as the third
      quartile of the dose distributions to patients in an ample sample of centers and
      are supposed to be representative of good practice regarding patient exposure. In
      determining these levels, it is important to evaluate image quality as well to
      ensure that it is sufficient for diagnostic purposes. When the values for the
      dose received by patients are systematically higher or much lower than the
      reference levels, an investigation should determine whether corrective measures
      need to be applied. The European and Spanish regulations require the use of these
      reference values in quality assurance programs. For interventional procedures,
      the dose area product (or kerma area product) values are usually used as
      reference values together with the time under fluoroscopy and the total number of
      images acquired. The most modern imaging devices allow the value of the
      accumulated dose at the entrance to the patient to be calculated to optimize the
      distribution of the dose on the skin. The ICRP recommends that the complexity of
      interventional procedures be taken into account when establishing reference
      levels. In the future, diagnostic imaging departments will have automatic systems
      to manage patient dosimetric data; these systems will enable continuous dosage
      auditing and alerts about individual procedures that might involve doses several
      times above the reference values. This article also discusses aspects that need
      to be clarified to take better advantage of the reference levels in
      interventional procedures. 

PMID- 24211196
TI  - [State of the art and future trends in technology for computed tomography dose
      reduction].
AB  - The introduction of helical and multislice acquisitions in CT scanners together
      with decreased image reconstruction times has had a tremendous impact on
      radiological practice. Technological developments in the last 10 to 12 years have
      enabled very high quality images to be obtained in a very short time. Improved
      image quality has led to an increase in the number of indications for CT. In
      parallel to this development, radiation exposure in patients has increased
      considerably. Concern about the potential health risks posed by CT imaging,
      reflected in diverse initiatives and actions by official organs and scientific
      societies, has prompted the search for ways to reduce radiation exposure in
      patients without compromising diagnostic efficacy. To this end, good practice
      guidelines have been established, special applications have been developed for
      scanners, and research has been undertaken to optimize the clinical use of CT.
      Noteworthy technical developments incorporated in scanners include the different
      modes of X-ray tube current modulation, automatic selection of voltage settings,
      selective organ protection, adaptive collimation, and iterative reconstruction.
      The appropriate use of these tools to reduce radiation doses requires thorough
      knowledge of how they work. 

PMID- 24211197
TI  - Detecting ligand interactions with G protein-coupled receptors in real-time on
      living cells.
AB  - G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large group of receptors of great
      biological and clinical relevance. Despite this, the tools for a detailed
      analysis of ligand-GPCR interactions are limited. The aim of this paper was to
      demonstrate how ligand binding to GPCRs can be followed in real-time on living
      cells. This was conducted using two model systems, the radiolabeled porcine
      peptide YY (pPYY) interacting with transfected human Y2 receptor (hY2R) and the
      bombesin antagonist RM26 binding to the naturally expressed gastrin-releasing
      peptide receptor (GRPR). By following the interaction over time, the affinity and
      kinetic properties such as association and dissociation rate were obtained.
      Additionally, data were analyzed using the Interaction Map method, which can
      evaluate a real-time binding curve and present the number of parallel
      interactions contributing to the curve. It was found that pPYY binds very slowly
      with an estimated time to equilibrium of approximately 12h. This may be
      problematic in standard end-point assays where equilibrium is required. The RM26
      binding showed signs of heterogeneity, observed as two parallel interactions with
      unique kinetic properties. In conclusion, measuring binding in real-time using
      living cells opens up for a better understanding of ligand interactions with
      GPCRs. 

PMID- 24211198
TI  - Farnesoid X receptor up-regulates expression of lipid transfer inhibitor protein
      in liver cells and mice.
AB  - Apolipoprotein F is a component protein mainly secreted by liver and resides on
      several lipoprotein classes. It can inhibit lipids transfer between different
      lipoproteins. FXR is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily which is also
      highly expressed in the liver. It modulates bile acids synthesis and lipids
      metabolism by transcriptional regulation. We aimed to determine whether apoF can
      be regulated by FXR. The FXR agonist Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and GW4064 both
      can activate the expression of apoF in liver cell lines and in C57/BL6 mouse
      liver. This is dependent on the binding of FXR to the FXR element ER1 (-2904 to 
      2892 bp) in the apoF gene promoter. Taken together, we have identified apoF as
      likely another target gene of FXR.

PMID- 24211200
TI  - Sirt2 suppresses inflammatory responses in collagen-induced arthritis.
AB  - Arthritis is a common autoimmune disease that is associated with progressive
      disability, systemic complications and early death. However, the underling
      mechanisms of arthritis are still unclear. Sirtuins are a NAD(+)-dependent class
      III deacetylase family, and regulate cellular stress, inflammation, genomic
      stability, carcinogenesis, and energy metabolism. Among the sirtuin family
      members, Sirt1 and Sirt6 are critically involved in the development of arthritis.
      It remains unknown whether other sirtuin family members participate in arthritis.
      Here in this study, we demonstrate that Sirt2 inhibits collagen-induced arthritis
      (CIA) using in vivo and in vitro evidence. The protein and mRNA levels of Sirt2
      significantly decreased in joint tissues of mice with CIA. When immunized with
      collagen, Sirt2-KO mice showed aggravated severity of arthritis based on clinical
      scores, hind paw thickness, and radiological and molecular findings.
      Mechanically, Sirt2 deacetylated p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF
      kappaB) at lysine 310, resulting in reduced expression of NF-kappaB-dependent
      genes, including interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant
      protein 1(MCP-1), RANTES, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and MMP-13.
      Importantly, our rescue experiment showed that Sirt2 re-expression abated the
      severity of arthritis in Sirt2-KO mice. Those findings strongly indicate Sirt2 as
      a considerably inhibitor of the development of arthritis. 

PMID- 24211199
TI  - Pathogenic Parkinson's disease mutations across the functional domains of LRRK2
      alter the autophagic/lysosomal response to starvation.
AB  - LRRK2 is one of the most important genetic contributors to Parkinson's disease
      (PD). Point mutations in this gene cause an autosomal dominant form of PD, but to
      date no cellular phenotype has been consistently linked with mutations in each of
      the functional domains (ROC, COR and Kinase) of the protein product of this gene.
      In this study, primary fibroblasts from individuals carrying pathogenic mutations
      in the three central domains of LRRK2 were assessed for alterations in the
      autophagy/lysosomal pathway using a combination of biochemical and cellular
      approaches. Mutations in all three domains resulted in alterations in markers for
      autophagy/lysosomal function compared to wild type cells. These data highlight
      the autophagy and lysosomal pathways as read outs for pathogenic LRRK2 function
      and as a marker for disease, and provide insight into the mechanisms linking
      LRRK2 function and mutations. 

PMID- 24211201
TI  - Crystal structure of (R)-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase PhaB from Ralstonia
      eutropha.
AB  - (R)-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase PhaB from Ralstonia eutropha H16 (RePhaB)
      is an enzyme that catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of acetoacetyl-CoA, an
      intermediate of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) synthetic pathways. Polymeric PHA is
      used to make bioplastics, implant biomaterials, and biofuels. Here, we report the
      crystal structures of RePhaB apoenzyme and in complex with either NADP(+) or
      acetoacetyl-CoA, which provide the catalytic mechanism of the protein. RePhaB
      contains a Rossmann fold and a Clamp domain for binding of NADP(+) and
      acetoacetyl-CoA, respectively. The NADP(+)-bound form of RePhaB structure reveals
      that the protein has a unique cofactor binding mode. Interestingly, in the RePhaB
      structure in complex with acetoacetyl-CoA, the conformation of the Clamp domain,
      especially the Clamp-lid, undergoes a large structural change about 4.6 A leading
      to formation of the substrate pocket. These structural observations, along with
      the biochemical experiments, suggest that movement of the Clamp-lid enables the
      substrate binding and ensures the acetoacetyl moiety is located near to the
      nicotinamide ring of NADP(+).

PMID- 24211202
TI  - miR-138 protects cardiomyocytes from hypoxia-induced apoptosis via MLK3/JNK/c-jun
      pathway.
AB  - Cardiomyocytes experience a series of complex endogenous regulatory mechanisms
      against apoptosis induced by chronic hypoxia. MicroRNAs are a class of endogenous
      small non-coding RNAs that regulate cellular pathophysiological processes.
      Recently, microRNA-138 (miR-138) has been found related to hypoxia, and
      beneficial for cell proliferation. Therefore, we intend to study the role of miR
      138 in hypoxic cardiomyocytes and the main mechanism. Myocardial samples of
      patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) were collected to test miR-138
      expression. Agomir or antagomir of miR-138 was transfected into H9C2 cells to
      investigate its effect on cell apoptosis. Higher miR-138 expression was observed
      in patients with cyanotic CHD, and its expression gradually increased with
      prolonged hypoxia time in H9C2 cells. Using MTT and LDH assays, cell growth was
      significantly greater in the agomir group than in the negative control (NC)
      group, while antagomir decreased cell survival. Dual luciferase reporter gene and
      Western-blot results confirmed MLK3 was a direct target of miR-138. It was found
      that miR-138 attenuated hypoxia-induced apoptosis using TUNEL, Hoechst staining
      and Annexin V-PE/7-AAD flow cytometry analysis. We further detected expression of
      apoptosis-related proteins. In the agomir group, the level of pro-apoptotic
      proteins such as cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-PARP and Bad significantly reduced,
      while Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax ratio increased. Opposite changes were observed in the
      antagomir group. Downstream targets of MLK3, JNK and c-jun, were also suppressed
      by miR-138. Our study demonstrates that up-regulation of miR-138 plays a
      protective role in myocardial adaptation to chronic hypoxia, which is mediated
      mainly by MLK3/JNK/c-jun signaling pathway. 

PMID- 24211203
TI  - Anti-colorectal cancer activity of macrostemonoside A mediated by reactive oxygen
      species.
AB  - Macrostemonoside A (MSS.A), an active steroidal saponin from Allium macrostemon
      Bung has been shown to possess anti-coagulation and anti-obesity effects.
      However, the functional role of MSS.A on tumor growth has not been elucidated. We
      found that MSS.A significantly inhibited human colorectal cancer cell growth in
      Caco2 and SW480 cells. Incubation of SW480 cells with MSS.A for 48 h resulted in
      cell cycle arrest. Moreover, MSS.A dose-dependently induced apoptosis in SW480
      cells as shown by increased AnnexinV positively stained cell population, caspase
      activation, increased pro-apoptotic and reduced anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family
      protein levels. Treatment of SW480 cells with MSS.A resulted in increased
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, pre-incubation of SW480 cells
      with antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) attenuated the ROS generation and anti
      colorectal cancer activities of MSS.A. Lastly, intra-peritoneal injections of
      MSS.A significantly inhibited tumor formation in BALB/c nude mice carcinogenesis
      xenograft model by reduced tumor volume and tumor weight when treated at dosages
      of 10, 50 or 100mg/kg daily for 35 days compared with PBS control. Taken
      together, our results indicate that MSS.A suppressed colorectal cancer growth and
      induced cell apoptosis by inducing ROS production, and that MSS.A may have
      therapeutic relevance in the treatment of human colorectal cancer.

PMID- 24211204
TI  - Coxsackievirus A16 infection triggers apoptosis in RD cells by inducing ER
      stress.
AB  - Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) infection, which is responsible for hand, foot and
      mouth disease (HFMD), has become a common health problem in Asia due to the
      prevalence of the virus. Thus, it is important to understand the pathogenesis of
      CA16 infection. Viruses that induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are
      confronted with the unfolded protein response (UPR), which may lead to apoptotic
      cell death and influence viral replication. In this study, we found that CA16
      infection could induce apoptosis and ER stress in RD cells. Interestingly,
      apoptosis via the activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9 in the extrinsic or
      intrinsic apoptotic pathways in RD cells was inhibited by 4-phenyl butyric acid
      (4PBA), a chemical chaperone that reduces ER stress. These results suggest that
      CA16 infection leads to ER stress, which in turn results in prolonged ER stress
      induced apoptosis. This study provides a new basis for understanding CA16
      infection and host responses. 

PMID- 24211205
TI  - MicroRNA-124 suppresses growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting
      STAT3.
AB  - The aberrant expression of microRNAs is associated with development and
      progression of cancers. Down-regulation of miR-124 has been demonstrated in the
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the underlying mechanism by which miR-124
      suppresses tumorigenesis in HCC remains elusive. In this study, we found that miR
      124 suppresses the tumor growth of HCC through targeting the signal transducers
      and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3). Overexpression of miR-124 suppressed
      proliferation and induced apoptosis in HepG-2 cells. Luciferase assay confirmed
      that miR-124 binding to the 3'-UTR region of STAT3 inhibited the expression of
      STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 proteins in HepG-2 cells. Knockdown of STAT3 by
      siRNA in HepG-2 cells mimicked the effect induced by miR-124. Overexpression of
      STAT3 in miR-124-transfected HepG-2 cells effectively rescued the inhibition of
      cell proliferation caused by miR-124. Furthermore, miR-124 suppressed xenograft
      tumor growth in nude mice implanted with HepG-2 cells by reducing STAT3
      expression. Taken together, our findings show that miR-124 functions as tumor
      suppressor in HCC by targeting STAT3, and miR-124 may therefore serve as a
      biomarker for diagnosis and therapeutics in HCC. 

PMID- 24211206
TI  - Discovery of a disused desaturase gene from the pheromone gland of the moth
      Ascotis selenaria, which secretes an epoxyalkenyl sex pheromone.
AB  - Female Ascotis selenaria (Geometridae) moths use 3,4-epoxy-(Z,Z)-6,9
      nonadecadiene, which is synthesized from linolenic acid, as the main component of
      their sex pheromone. While the use of dietary linolenic or linoleic fatty acid
      derivatives as sex pheromone components has been observed in moth species
      belonging to a few families including Geometridae, the majority of moths use
      derivatives of a common saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid, as their sex
      pheromone components. We attempted to gain insight into the differentiation of
      pheromone biosynthetic pathways in geometrids by analyzing the desaturase genes
      expressed in the pheromone gland of A. selenaria. We demonstrated that a Delta11
      desaturase-like gene (Asdesat1) was specifically expressed in the pheromone gland
      of A. selenaria in spite of the absence of a desaturation step in the pheromone
      biosynthetic pathway in this species. Further analysis revealed that the presumed
      transmembrane domains were degenerated in Asdesat1. Phylogenetic analysis
      demonstrated that Asdesat1 anciently diverged from the lineage of Delta11
      desaturases, which are currently widely used in the biosynthesis of sex
      pheromones by moths. These results suggest that an ancestral Delta11-desaturase
      became dysfunctional in A. selenaria after a shift in pheromone biosynthetic
      pathways. 

PMID- 24211207
TI  - Sclerostin deficient mice rapidly heal bone defects by activating beta-catenin
      and increasing intramembranous ossification.
AB  - We investigated the influence of the osteocyte protein, sclerostin, on fracture
      healing by examining the dynamics and mechanisms of repair of single-cortex,
      stabilized femoral defects in sclerostin knockout (Sost(-/-); KO) and sclerostin
      wild-type (Sost(+/+); WT) mice. Fourteen days following generation of bone
      defects, Sost KO mice had significantly more bone in the healing defect than WT
      mice. The increase in regenerating bone was due to an increase in the thickness
      of trabecularized spicules, osteoblast numbers and surfaces within the defect.
      Enhanced healing of bone defects in Sost KO mice was associated with
      significantly more activated beta-catenin expression than observed in WT mice.
      The findings were similar to those observed in Axin2(-/-) mice, in which beta
      catenin signaling is known to be enhanced to facilitate bone regeneration. Taken
      together, these data indicate that enhanced beta-catenin signaling is present in
      Sost(-/-) mice that demonstrate accelerated healing of bone defects, suggesting
      that modulation of beta-catenin signaling in bone could be used to promote
      fracture repair. 

PMID- 24211208
TI  - Cholesterol glucosylation is catalyzed by transglucosylation reaction of beta
      glucosidase 1.
AB  - Cholesteryl glucoside (beta-ChlGlc), a monoglucosylated derivative of
      cholesterol, is involved in the regulation of heat shock responses. beta-ChlGlc,
      which is rapidly induced in response to heat shock, activates heat shock
      transcription factor 1 (HSF1) leading to the expression of heat shock protein 70
      (HSP70) in human fibroblasts. Identification and biochemical characterization of
      the enzyme responsible for beta-ChlGlc formation is important for a complete
      understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to HSP70-induction following
      heat shock. Recently, we demonstrated that beta-ChlGlc synthesis is not dependent
      on UDP-Glucose but glucosylceramide (GlcCer) in animal tissue and human
      fibroblasts. In this study, we examined the possibility of glucocerebrosidase, a
      GlcCer-degrading glycosidase, acting as beta-ChlGlc-synthesizing enzyme.
      Overexpression of beta-glucosidase 1 (GBA1, lysosomal acid beta
      glucocerebrosidase) led to an increase in cholesterol glucosylation activity in
      human fibroblasts. Using a cell line generated from type 2 Gaucher disease
      patients with severe defects in GBA1 activity, we found that cholesterol
      glucosylation activity was very low in the cells and the overexpression of GBA1
      rescued the activity. In addition, purified recombinant GBA1 exhibits conduritol
      B-epoxide-sensitive cholesterol glucosylation activity. The optimum pH and
      temperature for cholesterol glucosylation by GBA1 were at about 5.3 and 43 
      degrees C, respectively. Short chain C8:0-GlcCer was the most effective donor for
      cholesterol glucosylation activity among GlcCer containing saturated fatty acid
      (C8:0 to C18:0) tested. GlcCer containing mono-unsaturated fatty acid was more
      preferred substrate for cholesterol glucosylation when compared with GlcCer
      containing same chain length of saturated fatty acid. These results demonstrate,
      for the first time, a novel function of GBA1 as a beta-ChlGlc-synthesizing
      enzyme. Therefore, our results also reveal a new pathway for glycolipid
      metabolism in mammals.

PMID- 24211209
TI  - SIRT1 suppresses cellular accumulation of beta-TrCP E3 ligase via protein
      degradation.
AB  - beta-Transducin repeat-containing protein (beta-TrCP), an E3 ligase, promotes the
      degradation of substrate proteins in response to various stimuli. Even though
      several beta-TrCP substrates have been identified to date, limited information of
      its upstream regulators is available. Here, we showed that SIRT1 suppresses beta
      TrCP protein synthesis via post-translational degradation. SIRT1 depletion led to
      a significant increase in the beta-TrCP accumulation without affecting the mRNA
      level. Consistently, beta-TrCP protein accumulation induced by resveratrol was
      further enhanced upon SIRT1 depletion. Rescue of SIRT1 reversed the effect of
      resveratrol, leading to reduced beta-TrCP protein levels. Proteasomal inhibition
      led to recovery of beta-TrCP in cells with SIRT1 overexpression. Notably, the
      recovered beta-TrCP colocalized mostly with SIRT1. Thus, SIRT1 acts as a negative
      regulator of beta-TrCP synthesis via promoting protein degradation. 

PMID- 24211210
TI  - Autocrine galectin-1 promotes collective cell migration of squamous cell
      carcinoma cells through up-regulation of distinct integrins.
AB  - We found that high galectin-1 (Gal-1) mRNA levels were associated with invasive
      squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells that expressed Snail, an epithelial-to
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulator. Both Gal-1 overexpression and soluble Gal
      1 treatment accelerated invasion and collective cell migration, along with
      activation of cdc42 and Rac. Soluble Gal-1 activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase to
      increase expression levels of integrins alpha2 and beta5, which were essential
      for Gal-1 dependent collective cell migration and invasiveness. Soluble Gal-1
      also increased the incidence of EMT in Snail-expressing SCC cells; these were a
      minor population with an EMT phenotype under growing conditions. Our findings
      indicate that soluble Gal-1 promotes invasiveness through enhancing collective
      cell migration and increasing the incidence of EMT. 

PMID- 24211211
TI  - The small GTPase Rab5 homologue Ypt5 regulates cell morphology, sexual
      development, ion-stress response and vacuolar formation in fission yeast.
AB  - Inner-membrane transport is critical to cell function. Rab family GTPases play an
      important role in vesicle transport. In mammalian cells, Rab5 is reported to be
      involved in the regulation of endosome formation, phagocytosis and chromosome
      alignment. Here, we examined the role of the fission yeast Rab5 homologue Ypt5
      using a point mutant allele. Mutant cells displayed abnormal cell morphology,
      mating, sporulation, endocytosis, vacuole fusion and responses to ion stress. Our
      data strongly suggest that fission yeast Rab5 is involved in the regulation of
      various types of cellular functions. 

PMID- 24211212
TI  - AT1 receptor blocker potentiates shear-stress induced nitric oxide production via
      modulation of eNOS phosphorylation of residues Thr(495) and Ser(1177.).
AB  - We tested the hypothesis that AT1R blockade modulates the shear stress-induced
      (SS) synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in endothelial cells (EC). The AT1R blocker
      Candesartan in the absence of the ligand angiotensin II (ang II) potentiated SS
      induced NO synthesis accompanied by increased p-eNOS(Ser1177) and decreased p
      eNOS(Thr495). Candesartan also inhibited SS-induced ERK activation and increased
      intracellular calcium transient in a time-dependent manner. To confirm the role
      of ERK to modulate p-eNOS(Thr495) and calcium to modulate p-eNOS(Ser1177), the
      MEK inhibitor U0126 and the calcium chelator BAPTA-AM were used, respectively.
      Pre-treatment of EC with U0126 completed abrogated basal and SS-induced ERK
      activation, inhibited p-eNOS(Thr495) and increased NO production by SS. On the
      other hand, pre-treatment of EC with BAPTA-AM decreased the effects of SS alone
      or in combination with Candesartan to induce p-eNOS(Ser1177) and partially
      inhibited the effects of Candesartan to potentiate NO release by SS. The AT1R
      blockers Losartan and Telmisartan were also tested but only Telmisartan
      potentiated NO synthesis and blocked SS-induced AT1R activation. Altogether, we
      provide evidence that Candesartan and Telmisartan potentiate SS-induced NO
      production even in the absence of the ligand ang II. This response requires both
      the inhibition of eNOS phosphorylation at its inhibitory residue Thr(495) as well
      as the increase of eNOS phosphorylation at its excitatory residue Ser(1177). In
      addition, the response is associated with inhibition of SS-induced ERK activation
      as well as increasing intracellular calcium transient. One may speculate that
      these yet undescribed events may contribute to the benefits of ARBs in
      cardiovascular diseases. 

PMID- 24211213
TI  - Bulkiness or aromatic nature of tyrosine-143 of actin is important for the weak
      binding between F-actin and myosin-ADP-phosphate.
AB  - Actin filaments (F-actin) interact with myosin and activate its ATPase to support
      force generation. By comparing crystal structures of G-actin and the quasi-atomic
      model of F-actin based on high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy, the tyrosine
      143 was found to be exposed more than 60A(2) to the solvent in F-actin. Because
      tyrosine-143 flanks the hydrophobic cleft near the hydrophobic helix that binds
      to myosin, the mutant actins, of which the tyrosine-143 was replaced with
      tryptophan, phenylalanine, or isoleucine, were generated using the Dictyostelium
      expression system. It polymerized significantly poorly when induced by NaCl, but
      almost normally by KCl. In the presence of phalloidin and KCl, the extents of the
      polymerization of all the mutant actins were comparable to that of the wild-type
      actin so that the actin-activated myosin ATPase activity could be reliably
      compared. The affinity of skeletal heavy meromyosin to F-actin and the maximum
      ATPase activity (Vmax) were estimated by a double reciprocal plot. The Tyr143Trp
      actin showed the higher affinity (smaller Kapp) than that of the wild-type actin,
      with the Vmax being almost unchanged. The Kapp and Vmax of the Tyr143Phe-actin
      were similar to those of the wild-type actin. However, the activation by
      Tyr143Ile-actin was much smaller than the wild-type actin and the accurate
      determination of Kapp was difficult. Comparison of the myosin ATPase activated by
      the various mutant actins at the same concentration of F-actin showed that the
      extent of activation correlates well with the solvent-accessible surface areas
      (ASA) of the replaced amino acid molecule. Because 1/Kapp reflects the affinity
      of F-actin for the myosin-ADP-phosphate intermediate (M.ADP.Pi) through the weak
      binding, these data suggest that the bulkiness or the aromatic nature of the
      tyrosin-143 is important for the initial binding of the M.ADP.Pi intermediate
      with F-actin but not for later processes such as the phosphate release. 

PMID- 24211214
TI  - Let's not forget the thinkers.
AB  - As 'omics' technologies become more accessible, enormous quantities of data are
      being generated about the genomes, proteomes, metabolomes, etc. of an increasing
      number of parasites. We therefore need to think very carefully about how these
      resources will contribute to our basic understanding of parasitism, and beyond
      the 'knee-jerk' outcomes of new vaccines and therapeutics. The lasting legacy of
      the 'omics' era may lie in addressing the fundamental biological hypotheses
      generated by parasitologists 40-50 years ago when direct observational studies
      were a feature of parasitological research. We illustrate this with reference to
      the cestode parasite Echinococcus and the far-reaching questions posed by Desmond
      Smyth. 

PMID- 24211215
TI  - Ways and entanglements of the waste hierarchy.

PMID- 24211216
TI  - Heterosandwich immunoswab assay for dengue virus Ns1 antigen detection.
AB  - Dengue and the more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever have been a very critical
      public health problem globally. Millions of people especially in the tropical
      areas get infected with dengue. An efficient diagnostic is very important for
      early screening of dengue infection. In dengue-infected patients, the
      nonstructural protein NS1 is present on the surface of infected cells and
      secreted in plasma. The NS1 antigen is an important target for developing a quick
      diagnostic largely due to its long presence in the blood. We have developed a
      simple-to-use immunoswab-based diagnostic procedure employing monoclonal
      antibodies and the second-generation quadromas. The detection limit for NS1 has
      been established to be in the subnanogram range. The assay is very sensitive, has
      a visual end point, and also being extremely inexpensive. With this assay,
      screening time for a dengue-infected person would be very rapid. 

PMID- 24211217
TI  - Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene carriage among Staphylococcus aureus
      strains with SCCmec types I, III, IV, and V recovered from cystic fibrosis
      pediatric patients in Brazil.
AB  - The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is
      increasing in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We report a molecular
      characterization, antimicrobial resistance, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)
      toxin gene detection of MRSA strains from 28 Brazilian pediatric CF patients (1
      strain per patient). A significant proportion (50%) of MRSA SCCmec IV isolates
      was observed. Nearly half of MRSA strains harboring the PVL genes distributed in
      all SCCmec types detected. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analyses showed
      majority (57.1%) of the isolates belonged to known epidemic lineages, such as
      UK/EMRSA-3, Pediatric/USA 800, Southwest Pacific clone, and Brazilian/Hungarian
      clone. To our knowledge, this is the first Brazilian study of molecular
      epidemiology based on MLST and SCCmec typing and the first description of PVL
      genes in MRSA from CF patients. 

PMID- 24211218
TI  - Molecular characteristics of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in China
      from 2008 to 2011: predominance of KPC-2 enzyme.
AB  - Among 228 carbapenem-nonsusceptible Enterobacteriaceae isolated in China, 65 were
      carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). Among them, 41, 22, 1, and 1
      produced KPC-2, IMP-4, IMP-8, and IMP-1, respectively. KPC-2-producing CPE showed
      higher resistance than IMP-4-producing ones. Furthermore, the first outbreak of
      ST11 KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Beijing second-degree hospital
      was identified. 

PMID- 24211219
TI  - Feedback during CPR in younger children: will it help us do the right thing?

PMID- 24211220
TI  - Association of umbilical cord plasma acid-labile subunit of the insulin-like
      growth factor ternary complex with anthropometry in term newborns.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Birth size can affect neonatal morbidity and mortality. The insulin
      like growth factor (IGF) system is the most important endocrine factor
      influencing fetal growth. In the circulation, IGFs (mostly IGF-I) are bound to
      IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and an acid-labile subunit (ALS) to form a
      ternary complex. The ALS protects IGFs from decay and facilitates their endocrine
      activity. However, the function of ALS in fetal growth has not yet been fully
      determined. METHODS: Venous umbilical plasma samples were obtained from 98 term
      neonates and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The ALS, IGF-I,
      and IGFBP-3 umbilical cord plasma levels were analyzed for their association with
      anthropometric measurements of the neonates. RESULTS: The ALS, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3
      cord plasma levels were positively correlated with birth weight (r = 0.42, p <
      0.001; r = 0.43, p < 0.001; and r = 0.27, p < 0.01, respectively) and placental
      weight (r = 0.37, p < 0.001; r = 0.31, p < 0.01; and r = 0.30, p < 0.01,
      respectively). In addition, the ALS cord plasma levels were also positively
      correlated with head circumference (r = 0.29, p < 0.01). Multiple linear
      regression analyses showed that both ALS and IGF-I cord plasma levels were
      independent predictive variables for birth weight (p < 0.01 and p < 0.005,
      respectively). The ALS cord plasma levels were the only independent predictive
      variables, however, for head circumference and placental weight (p < 0.01 and p <
      0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The ALS umbilical cord plasma levels are one
      important factor, in addition to IGF-I, in the IGF system for predicting birth
      anthropometry, at least for near-term gestation. Our results suggest that the
      influence of ALS on the IGF system may develop prior to birth and affect fetal
      growth.

PMID- 24211221
TI  - Statistical method for prediction of gait kinematics with Gaussian process
      regression.
AB  - We propose a novel methodology for predicting human gait pattern kinematics based
      on a statistical and stochastic approach using a method called Gaussian process
      regression (GPR). We selected 14 body parameters that significantly affect the
      gait pattern and 14 joint motions that represent gait kinematics. The body
      parameter and gait kinematics data were recorded from 113 subjects by
      anthropometric measurements and a motion capture system. We generated a
      regression model with GPR for gait pattern prediction and built a stochastic
      function mapping from body parameters to gait kinematics based on the database
      and GPR, and validated the model with a cross validation method. The function can
      not only produce trajectories for the joint motions associated with gait
      kinematics, but can also estimate the associated uncertainties. Our approach
      results in a novel, low-cost and subject-specific method for predicting gait
      kinematics with only the subject's body parameters as the necessary input, and
      also enables a comprehensive understanding of the correlation and uncertainty
      between body parameters and gait kinematics. 

PMID- 24211222
TI  - Interictal serum S-100B protein levels in intractable epilepsy: a case-control
      study.
AB  - Epilepsy is the most common neurologic disorder of childhood. In approximately 6
      14% of all patients with epilepsy, complete seizure control is difficult to
      achieve with current antiepileptic treatments. Several current studies have shown
      in both animals and people that the lengthening of epileptic seizures and
      frequent recurrence increases the likelihood of neuronal damage. S-100B protein
      is the most analyzed brain derived peripheral biochemical marker in brain damage.
      This study aimed to evaluate interictal serum S-100B protein levels in children
      diagnosed with intractable epilepsy. A group of 32 patients with intractable
      epilepsy and 25 healthy controls were recruited. Serum S-100B protein levels were
      measured using a commercially available electrochemiluminescence immunoassay
      (ECLIA kit, as supplied and according to the manufacturer's standards. The serum
      S-100B protein levels of the patient group in the study were found to be 0.094+/
      0.011 MUm/L, and 0.083+/-0.014 MUm/L in the age-matched control group. The
      difference between the groups was determined to be statistically significant
      (P=0.004). In conclusions, it can be said that as the serum S-100B protein levels
      of the patients with focal epilepsy were high compared to those of the control
      group, this can be reliable peripheral biomarker for neuronal damage in patients
      with focal intractable epilepsy.

PMID- 24211223
TI  - Using fMRI virtual-reality technology to predict driving ability after brain
      damage: a preliminary report.
AB  - The cerebellum, which is important for movement control and planning, is often
      affected by many neurological conditions. Until now there has been limited
      information regarding how the function of the cerebellum impacts driving ability.
      This study used fMRI with an integrated virtual reality driving simulator to
      determine which aspects of driving performance are related to the cerebellum in
      healthy drivers (Experiment 1). It also investigated drivers with focal
      cerebellar lesions to identify how damage to this brain region impairs driving
      abilities. The results showed that cerebellar functioning is responsible for
      motor-speed coordination and complex temporal-motor integration necessary to
      execute driving behaviours. As predicted, drivers with cerebellar damage, showed
      significantly compromised speed control during basic driving conditions, whereas
      their ability to perform during interactive driving situations was preserved. New
      insights into neural mechanisms and brain plasticity regarding driving behaviour
      are discussed. Strategies in assessing and rehabilitating drivers with related
      neurological conditions are provided. 

PMID- 24211224
TI  - S100B as a glial cell marker in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
AB  - Evidence suggests that acute and chronic hyperglycemia can cause oxidative stress
      in the peripheral nervous system which, in turn, can promote the development of
      diabetic neuropathy. Recent studies have found increased expression of glial
      fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B, both of which are indicators of glial
      reactivity, in the neural and retinal tissues of diabetic rats. For the first
      time in the literature, the serum levels of GFAP and S100B were assessed in
      patients with diabetes to evaluate the potential of these factors to serve as
      peripheral glial biomarkers of diabetes and to investigate their relationship to
      diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This prospective clinical study included 72
      patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 50 age- and sex-matched control
      subjects. All diabetic patients were assessed with respect to diabetes-related
      microvascular complications, such as peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and
      nephropathy. Serum samples were analyzed for human GFAP and S100B using a
      commercially available Enzyme-linked Immuno Sorbent Assay kit. GFAP was not
      detected in the serum samples of either diabetic or control patients (p>0.05).
      However, we found a statistically significant decrease in S100B serum levels in
      patients with diabetes compared with control participants (p<0.001). No
      associations between serum S100B levels and the presence of diabetic peripheral
      neuropathy or other microvascular complications were observed (p>0.05). The
      findings of markedly decreased serum levels of S100B may possibly indicate a
      neuroprotective effect of S100B, whereas GFAP may be of no diagnostic value in
      human patients with diabetes. 

PMID- 24211225
TI  - Subepithelial corneal immunoglobulin deposition as a manifestation of multiple
      myeloma: a case report and literature review.

PMID- 24211226
TI  - Imported strongyloidiasis in Spain.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiological,
      laboratory, and clinical features of imported strongyloidiasis in a tropical
      medicine referral unit in Madrid, Spain. METHODS: This was a retrospective study
      based on a review of medical records. A patient was diagnosed with
      strongyloidiasis when the infection could be detected by conventional stool
      analysis and/or serology against Strongyloides stercoralis, regardless of the
      presence of symptoms. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-eight cases of
      strongyloidiasis were included in the study. Stool tests were performed in all
      patients, and serology in 160 patients (89.9%). The diagnosis of strongyloidiasis
      was based on serology only in four patients; 21 patients only had positive stool
      tests. A third of the total strongyloidiasis cases in this study were travel
      related, mainly associated with short trips (<2 months). Only 47.8% of total
      cases were symptomatic. We found no differences in clinical presentation between
      immigrants and travelers with strongyloidiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Not only should
      strongyloidiasis be suspected in symptomatic travelers and immigrants, but it
      should also be ruled out when elevated IgE levels or eosinophilia are present.
      Strongyloidiasis can be asymptomatic in HIV patients, but it should be diagnosed
      and treated before a possible hyperinfection develops.

PMID- 24211228
TI  - Bilharzia in the Philippines: past, present, and future.
AB  - Schistosomiasis japonica has a long history in the Philippines. In 1975, 24
      endemic provinces were identified in the northern, central, and southern islands
      of the Philippines. More than five million people were at risk, with
      approximately one million infected. In 2003, new foci of infection were found in
      two provinces in the north and central areas. For the past 30 years, human mass
      drug administration (MDA), utilizing the drug praziquantel, has been the mainstay
      of control in the country. Recent studies have shown that the schistosomiasis
      prevalence ranges from 1% to 50% within different endemic zones. Severe end-organ
      morbidity is still present in many endemic areas, particularly in remote villages
      with poor treatment coverage. Moreover, subtle morbidities such as growth
      retardation, malnutrition, anemia, and poor cognitive function in infected
      children persist. There is now strong evidence that large mammals (e.g. water
      buffaloes, cattle) contribute significantly to disease transmission, complicating
      control efforts. Given the zoonotic nature of schistosomiasis in the Philippines,
      it is evident that the incidence, prevalence, and morbidity of the disease will
      not be controlled by MDA alone. There is a need for innovative cost-effective
      strategies to control schistosomiasis in the long term. 

PMID- 24211227
TI  - Mortality indicators in pneumococcal meningitis: therapeutic implications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to delineate mortality indicators in
      pneumococcal meningitis with special emphasis on therapeutic implications.
      METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study involved a 15-year period
      (1998-2012). Culture-positive cases (n=306) were included solely from 38 centers.
      RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients received ceftriaxone plus vancomycin empirically.
      The rest were given a third-generation cephalosporin alone. Overall, 246 (79.1%)
      isolates were found to be penicillin-susceptible, 38 (12.2%) strains were
      penicillin-resistant, and 22 (7.1%) were oxacillin-resistant (without further
      minimum inhibitory concentration testing for penicillin). Being a critical case
      (odds ratio (OR) 7.089, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.230-15.557) and age over
      50 years (OR 3.908, 95% CI 1.820-8.390) were independent predictors of mortality,
      while infection with a penicillin-susceptible isolate (OR 0.441, 95% CI 0.195
      0.996) was found to be protective. Empirical vancomycin use did not provide
      significant benefit (OR 2.159, 95% CI 0.949-4.912). CONCLUSIONS: Ceftriaxone
      alone is not adequate in the management of pneumococcal meningitis due to
      penicillin-resistant pneumococci, which is a major concern worldwide. Although
      vancomycin showed a trend towards improving the prognosis of pneumococcal
      meningitis, significant correlation in statistical terms could not be established
      in this study. Thus, further studies are needed for the optimization of
      pneumococcal meningitis treatment.

PMID- 24211229
TI  - Classification of incidence and prevalence of certain sexually transmitted
      infections by world regions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess if there is a meaningful way in which
      variations in sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence can be classified
      at the level of world regions. METHODS: Linear regression was performed to assess
      if the incidence and prevalence of six STIs (HIV, herpes simplex virus type 2,
      chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) by world region was
      positively correlated. Partitioning around medoids (PAM) was then used to assess
      if the regions of the world can be classified according to the incidence and
      prevalence of these STIs. RESULTS: We found evidence that STI
      incidence/prevalence varies considerably in different regions around the world.
      Linear regression revealed that the incidence and prevalence of certain STIs by
      world region was positively correlated (Pearson's correlation coefficient varied
      from 0.664 to 0.985). PAM provided support for dividing the world regions into
      two, three, or four STI incidence/prevalence categories, but it provided most
      support for the two-category system. In each of these systems the East
      Asia/Pacific and North Africa/Middle East regions were in the lowest STI category
      and Sub-Saharan Africa was the only region in the high STI category. CONCLUSIONS:
      The incidence and prevalence of certain STIs by world region are positively
      correlated. The world regions can be meaningfully classified according to STI
      incidence/prevalence.

PMID- 24211230
TI  - Community-acquired pneumonia and tuberculosis: differential diagnosis and the use
      of fluoroquinolones.
AB  - The respiratory fluoroquinolones moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin, and high-dose
      levofloxacin are recommended in guidelines for effective empirical antimicrobial
      therapy of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The use of these antibiotics for
      this indication in areas with a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) has been
      questioned due to the perception that they contribute both to delays in the
      diagnosis of pulmonary TB and to the emergence of fluoroquinolone-resistant
      strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In this review, we consider some of the
      important questions regarding the potential use of fluoroquinolones for the
      treatment of CAP where the burden of TB is high. The evidence suggests that the
      use of fluoroquinolones as recommended for 5-10 days as empirical treatment for
      CAP, according to current clinical management guidelines, is appropriate even in
      TB-endemic regions. It is critical to quickly exclude M. tuberculosis as a cause
      of CAP using the most rapid relevant diagnostic investigations in the management
      of all patients with CAP. 

PMID- 24211231
TI  - Treatment experiences of pelvic bone hydatidosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hydatid diseases of the pelvic bone are rare, generally incurable,
      and have high rates of recurrence. METHODS: We report nine cases of osseous
      hydatidosis involving the pelvis. Patients were treated through different
      surgical options, including simple debridement, bone cement filling with or
      without internal fixation, reconstruction using a pedicle screw-rod system, and
      hemipelvic replantation after liquid nitrogen devitalization combined with
      femoral prosthesis replacement. The therapy was completed by medical treatment or
      radiotherapy. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 7.3 years (range 2-19 years).
      Whilst five patients were symptom-free at the last follow-up, the remaining
      patients suffered from hip pain or productive sinuses. CONCLUSIONS: Patients must
      be treated at the early stages of the disease. Total exeresis and individual
      reconstruction is necessary when osseous and soft tissue involvement is not
      extensive. Internal fixation should not be used when surgical eradication is
      uncertain.

PMID- 24211232
TI  - Fluorescence in situ hybridization panel for monitoring of minimal residual
      disease in patients with double minute chromosomes.
AB  - A double minute chromosome (dmin) is a small fragment of extrachromosomal DNA
      bearing amplified genes observed in malignancies. We investigated the incidence
      and characteristics of dmins in hematologic malignancies, and the quantitative
      changes during the treatment follow-up. Once a dmin was observed in conventional
      G-banding, it was characterized using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
      with the panel of MYC, NMYC, and MLL probes. Quantitative changes of malignant
      cells were measured using G-banding and FISH during the follow up. Dmins were
      observed in 1.23% of patients (6/489) at the initial diagnosis including 4 with
      MYC amplification, 1 with MLL and 1 with NMYC. All 6 had complex karyotypes and
      showed short overall survival (7.7 months). In follow-up specimens, FISH detected
      dmins in 11 cases out of which G-banding detected dmins in 9 cases. The number of
      dmins detected by FISH and G-banding did not correlate well. Amplification of
      NMYC in dmins is reported for the first time. A FISH panel composed of frequently
      amplified oncogenes (MYC, NMYC, and MLL) in dmins is useful for characterization
      of dmins. FISH is a sensitive method in detecting dmins and will be useful in
      monitoring of the minimal residual disease.

PMID- 24211233
TI  - Cannabinoid WIN-55,212-2 mesylate inhibits interleukin-1beta induced matrix
      metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase expression in
      human chondrocytes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is involved in the up-regulation of
      matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) leading to cartilage degradation. Cannabinoids
      are anti-inflammatory and reduce joint damage in animal models of arthritis. This
      study aimed to determine a mechanism whereby the synthetic cannabinoid WIN-55,212
      2 mesylate (WIN-55) may inhibit cartilage degradation. METHODS: Effects of WIN-55
      were studied on IL-1beta stimulated production of MMP-3 and -13 and their
      inhibitors TIMP-1 and -2 in human chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were obtained from
      articular cartilage of patients undergoing total knee replacement. Chondrocytes
      were grown in monolayer and 3D alginate bead cultures. Real-time polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) was used to determine the gene expression of MMP-3, -13, TIMP-1
      and -2 and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to measure the amount of MMP
      3 and MMP-13 protein released into media. Immunocytochemistry was used to
      investigate the expression of cannabinoid receptors in chondrocyte cultures.
      RESULTS: Treatment with WIN-55 alone or in combination with IL-1beta, decreased
      or abolished MMP-3, -13, TIMP-1 and -2 gene expression in human chondrocyte
      monolayer and alginate bead cultures in both a concentration and time dependent
      manner. WIN-55 treatment alone, and in combination with IL-1beta, reduced MMP-3
      and -13 protein production by chondrocytes cultured in alginate beads.
      Immunocytochemistry demonstrated the expression of cannabinoid receptors in
      chondrocyte cultures. CONCLUSION: Cannabinoid WIN-55 can reduce both basal and IL
      1beta stimulated gene and protein expression of MMP-3 and -13. However WIN-55
      also decreased basal levels of TIMP-1 and -2 mRNA. These actions of WIN-55
      suggest a mechanism by which cannabinoids may act to prevent cartilage breakdown
      in arthritis.

PMID- 24211235
TI  - Altered expression of 5-HT1A receptors in adult rats induced by neonatal
      treatment with clomipramine.
AB  - Chronic administration of clomipramine (CMI) to neonatal rats produces behaviors
      that resemble a depressive state in adulthood. Dysfunctions in the activity of
      the central nervous system's serotonergic function are important in understanding
      the pathophysiology of depression. The serotonin system is implicated in major
      depression and suicide and is negatively regulated by somatodendritic 5-HT1A
      autoreceptors. Desensitization of 5-HT1A autoreceptors is implicated in the long
      latency of some antidepressant treatments. Alterations in 5-HT1A receptor levels
      are reported in depression and suicide. In this study, we analyzed the effect of
      neonatal administration of CMI on the activity of 5-HT1A receptors, both pre- and
      post-synaptically, by administering an agonist of 5-HT1A receptors, 8-OH-DPAT,
      and then subjecting the rats to the forced swimming test (FST) a common procedure
      used to detect signs of depression in rats. Also measured were levels of the mRNA
      expression of 5-HT1A receptors in the dorsal raphe (DR), the hypothalamus and the
      hippocampus. Wistar rats were injected twice daily with CMI at doses of 15mgkg(
      1) or saline as vehicle (CON) via s.c. from postnatal day 8 for 14days. At 3
      4months of age, one set of rats from each group (CON, CMI) was evaluated for the
      effect of a selective agonist to the 5-HT1A receptor subtype, 8-OH-DPAT, by
      testing in the FST. Also determined was the participation of the pre- or post
      synaptic 5-HT1A receptor in the antidepressant-like action of 8-OH-DPAT. This
      involved administering an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase,
      parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA), and pretreatment with 8-OH-DPAT before the FST
      test and to evaluate the rectal temperature and locomotor activity. The
      expression of the mRNA of the 5-HT1A receptors was examined in the dorsal raphe
      nucleus, the hypothalamus and the hippocampus using the semi-quantitative RT-PCR
      method. The results from this study corroborate that neonatal treatment with
      clomipramine induces a pronounced immobility in the FST when animals reach
      adulthood, manifested by a significant decrease in swimming behavior, though
      counts of climbing behavior were not modified. This effect was similar in
      magnitude when 8-OH-DPAT was administered to CON group. Furthermore, the
      administration of 8-OH-DPAT induces a significant and similar increase in rectal
      temperature and locomotor activity in both the CON as in the CMI group. Neonatal
      treatment with CMI resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of the
      mRNA of the 5-HT1A receptors in the DR (% more than vehicle) in adulthood. In the
      case of the postsynaptic receptors located in the hypothalamus and hippocampus,
      neonatal treatment with CMI induced a significant increase in the mRNA expression
      of the 5-HT1A receptors. These data suggest that neonatal treatment with CMI
      induces a downregulation of the mRNA of the 5-HT1A autoreceptors in the DR, and
      an increment in the expression of the postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors. The results
      after the administration of PCPA and 8-OH-DPAT on FST, rectal temperature and
      locomotor activity for both groups suggest that the function of postsynaptic
      receptors remains unchanged. All together these data show that the depressive
      behavior observed in adulthood in this animal model may be associated with long
      term alterations in the expression of the mRNA of the 5-HT1A receptors. 

PMID- 24211236
TI  - Impaired inhibition after total sleep deprivation using an antisaccade task when
      controlling for circadian modulation of performance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Sleep deprivation affects several cognitive functions subserved by the
      prefrontal cortex. Conflicting results have, nonetheless, been reported for
      inhibitory function, which could be explained by methodological bias. The present
      study aimed to assess the effects of sleep deprivation on response inhibition
      using a particularly suitable inhibition test, the antisaccade, while controlling
      for circadian influences on performance. For this purpose, testing was conducted
      at: (1) the same time of day in both the control and sleep deprivation
      conditions; and (2) at a time of day when inhibitory performance has been found
      not to be at its lowest level. Two other neuropsychological tasks (go no-go and
      incompatibility) were used for comparison. METHODS: Twelve healthy young
      participants performed the three tasks in the early afternoon after a normal
      night and after a total sleep deprivation (TSD) night in a study with a balanced,
      crossover design. RESULTS: TSD significantly impaired the error rate, the
      latency, and the intra-individual coefficient of variation of latency in the
      antisaccade task. None of these parameters were affected in the two
      neuropsychological tasks. CONCLUSIONS: When circadian modulation of performance
      is controlled, TSD impairs inhibition assessed by an antisaccade test. This
      result emphasizes that it is crucial to control for circadian effects when
      assessing cognitive performance in TSD studies since the time of testing may
      reveal or mask cognitive and behavioral impairments. The discrepant findings
      obtained with the go no-go and incompatibility tests are probably explained by
      the specific task demands and differences in recruitment of prefrontal regions.

PMID- 24211234
TI  - Structural determinants of unique properties of human IgG4-Fc.
AB  - Human IgG4, normally the least abundant of the four subclasses of IgG in serum,
      displays a number of unique biological properties. It can undergo heavy-chain
      exchange, also known as Fab-arm exchange, leading to the formation of monovalent
      but bispecific antibodies, and it interacts poorly with FcgammaRII and
      FcgammaRIII, and complement. These properties render IgG4 relatively "non
      inflammatory" and have made it a suitable format for therapeutic monoclonal
      antibody production. However, IgG4 is also known to undergo Fc-mediated
      aggregation and has been implicated in auto-immune disease pathology. We report
      here the high-resolution crystal structures, at 1.9 and 2.35 A, respectively, of
      human recombinant and serum-derived IgG4-Fc. These structures reveal
      conformational variability at the CH3-CH3 interface that may promote Fab-arm
      exchange, and a unique conformation for the FG loop in the CH2 domain that would
      explain the poor FcgammaRII, FcgammaRIII and C1q binding properties of IgG4
      compared with IgG1 and -3. In contrast to other IgG subclasses, this unique
      conformation folds the FG loop away from the CH2 domain, precluding any
      interaction with the lower hinge region, which may further facilitate Fab-arm
      exchange by destabilisation of the hinge. The crystals of IgG4-Fc also display Fc
      Fc packing contacts with very extensive interaction surfaces, involving both a
      consensus binding site in IgG-Fc at the CH2-CH3 interface and known hydrophobic
      aggregation motifs. These Fc-Fc interactions are compatible with intact IgG4
      molecules and may provide a model for the formation of aggregates of IgG4 that
      can cause disease pathology in the absence of antigen.

PMID- 24211238
TI  - Intradermal pre-exposure rabies vaccination. Promises and pitfalls.

PMID- 24211237
TI  - Effect of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonism in the lateral hypothalamus on
      the expression and acquisition of fructose-conditioned flavor preference in rats.
AB  - The attraction to sugar-rich foods is influenced by conditioned flavor
      preferences (CFP) produced by the sweet taste of sugar (flavor-flavor learning)
      and the sugar's post-oral actions (flavor-nutrient) learning. Brain dopamine (DA)
      circuits are involved in both types of flavor learning, but to different degrees.
      This study investigated the role of DA receptors in the lateral hypothalamus (LH)
      on the flavor-flavor learning produced the sweet taste of fructose. In an
      acquisition study, food-restricted rats received bilateral LH injections of a DA
      D1 receptor antagonist (SCH23390), a D2 antagonist (RAC, raclopride) or vehicle
      prior to 1-bottle training sessions with a flavored 8% fructose+0.2% saccharin
      solution (CS+/F) and a less-preferred flavored 0.2% saccharin solution (CS-).
      Drug-free 2-bottle tests were then conducted with the CS+ and CS- flavors
      presented in saccharin. The fructose-CFP did not differ among groups given
      vehicle (76%), 12 nmol SCH (78%), 24 nmol (82%) or 24 nmol RAC (90%) during
      training. In an expression study with rats trained drug-free, LH injections of 12
      or 24 nmol SCH or 12-48 nmol RAC prior to 2-bottle tests did not alter CS+
      preferences (77-90%) relative to vehicle injection (86%). Only a 48 nmol SCH dose
      suppressed the CS+ preference (61%). The minimal effect of LH DA receptor
      antagonism upon fructose flavor-flavor conditioning differs with the ability of
      LH SCH injections to block the acquisition of glucose flavor-nutrient learning.

PMID- 24211239
TI  - Travel and non-travel associated rabies post exposure treatment in New South
      Wales residents, Australia, 2007-2011: a cross-sectional analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Australian Bat Lyssavirus is endemic in Australian bats. More
      Australians are travelling to rabies (Lyssavirus 1) endemic countries. The nature
      and frequency of lyssavirus exposures and characteristics of New South Wales
      (NSW) residents exposed have not previously been described. METHOD: Access to
      free rabies post-exposure treatment (PET) can only be arranged through Public
      Health Units in NSW. Details of people receiving PET after potential exposures to
      rabies or ABLV from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2011 were extracted from an NSW
      Ministry of Health web-based database and analysed to better understand
      lyssavirus exposure epidemiology. RESULTS: Of 1195 people receiving PET, 415
      exposures were in Australia and 780 abroad; 78.3% occurring in Southeast Asia,
      mainly Indonesia (47.6%) where most were on the island of Bali (95.2%). PET use
      increased substantially for domestic and international exposures. In Australia,
      most bat exposures were to members of the public (76.0%), rather than to people
      who work with bats professionally or as volunteers, with 54.1% due to bat rescue
      attempts. Injuries abroad were mainly from monkeys (49.4%) and from dogs (35.8%).
      Only 4.0% of international travellers were vaccinated prior to their exposure.
      CONCLUSIONS: Increasing rates of PET in travelling and non-travelling Australians
      emphasise the need for more effective communication about appropriate animal
      avoidance and the measures required if exposed. Opportunities for increasing pre
      exposure treatment amongst individuals likely to be exposed should be promoted.

PMID- 24211240
TI  - Tungiasis - A Janus-faced parasitic skin disease.
AB  - Tungiasis is a parasitic skin disease caused by the penetration of female sand
      fleas (Tunga penetrans). It is acquired when people walk barefoot or rest on
      soil, where sand fleas have completed the off-host cycle. Tungiasis is a classic
      poverty-associated disease which belongs to the family of neglected tropical
      diseases (NTD). It has a Janus-face: while in travellers tungiasis usually is a
      benign self-limiting skin disease, inhabitants of endemic areas suffer from heavy
      infestations and severe, frequently debilitating and incapacitating morbidity. We
      describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of travel-associated
      tungiasis and compare these features to the situation in resource-poor
      communities in South America and sub-Saharan Africa. 

PMID- 24211241
TI  - Imported Armillifer pentastomiasis: report of a symptomatic infection in The
      Netherlands and mini-review.
AB  - We report a case of symptomatic visceral Armillifer pentastomiasis in a 23-year
      old female Liberian immigrant to The Netherlands. The patient was referred to the
      gynecologist because of lower abdominal pain. During laparotomy, multiple
      adhesions were seen in the lower pelvis and a hydrosalpinx with an encapsulated
      Armillifer nymph, most likely Armillifer armillatus, was found. Key features of
      the parasite's cuticle which facilitate the diagnosis of pentastomiasis, are
      presented. Symptomatic pentastomiasis is uncommon, and most cases are diagnosed
      incidentally during surgery for other reasons, or at autopsy. With regard to
      increasing international migration, other imported pentastomiasis cases to Europe
      and North America are reviewed, and more cases are likely to be seen in the
      future. 

PMID- 24211242
TI  - Sun and skin - is travel health advice needed?

PMID- 24211243
TI  - Transitory dasatinib-resistant states in KIT(mut) t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia
      cells correlate with altered KIT expression.
AB  - KIT inhibition with dasatinib represents a promising approach to targeted therapy
      in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and clinical trials are currently
      evaluating its clinical relevance. However, data on continuous long-term
      dasatinib exposure of AML cells are limited and the potential effects on KIT
      inhibition and dasatinib sensitivity are unexplored. Treatment-related resistance
      ultimately limits clinical efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), which
      could similarly apply to dasatinib in t(8;21) AML. In this study, we used the
      dasatinib-sensitive KIT(mut) t(8;21) AML cell line Kasumi-1 to model, in a
      confined and controllable way, molecular effects upon continuous dasatinib
      treatment. Long-term dasatinib exposure at clinically relevant levels resulted in
      markedly decreased drug-sensitivity of KIT(mut) t(8;21) AML cells. Notably, all
      dasatinib-resistant clones lacked secondary KIT-mutations. Instead, persistent
      growth correlated with alterations in KIT expression levels-that is, either KIT
      overexpression with maintained downstream signaling or KIT downregulation with
      concomitant activation of alternate pathways. Although KIT overexpression was
      associated with retained receptor activity and STAT3 activation, KIT
      downregulation correlated with decreased STAT3 levels and increased ERK
      signaling. Importantly, brief discontinuation of dasatinib restored dasatinib
      sensitivity associated with reversal of signaling signatures similar to treatment
      naive, dasatinib-sensitive cells. The observed desensitization of KIT(mut)
      t(8;21) AML cells upon continuous dasatinib exposure suggests that therapy
      related acquisition of resistance could pose significant limitations on
      therapeutic efficiency. Notably, we identified TKI-resistant states of transient
      nature that correlate with alterations in KIT expression and can be reversed upon
      brief inhibitor withdrawal. These findings indicate that discontinuing treatment
      maintains dasatinib sensitivity in KIT(mut) AML cells.

PMID- 24211244
TI  - Time-course and accumulation of triclabendazole and its metabolites in bile,
      liver tissues and flukes collected from treated sheep.
AB  - The flukicidal compound triclabendazole (TCBZ) has a complex metabolic pattern
      that includes the systemic presence of its sulphoxide (TCBZ.SO) and sulphone
      (TCBZ.SO2) metabolites, usually recovered from the bile of treated animals. The
      aim of the current work was to evaluate the time-course and pattern of in vivo
      accumulation of TCBZ/metabolites into adult Fasciola hepatica specimens recovered
      from infected sheep. Twelve (12) healthy Corriedale sheep were orally infected
      with one hundred (100) metacercariae of the TCBZ-susceptible Cullomptom isolate
      of F. hepatica. Sixteen weeks after infection, animals were intraruminally
      treated with TCBZ (10mg/kg). At 3, 24, 48 and 60h post-treatment (pt), animals
      were sacrificed (n=3/time period) and samples of blood, bile, liver tissue and
      adult F. hepatica specimens were collected. The concentrations of
      TCBZ/metabolites were measured by HPLC. TCBZ.SO and TCBZ.SO2 were the only
      molecules recovered in the bloodstream, with peak plasma concentrations of
      10.8MUg/mL (TCBZ.SO) and 12.6MUg/mL (TCBZ.SO2). The same metabolites were also
      the main analytes accumulated within the adult flukes, reaching peak
      concentrations between 6.35MUg/g (TCBZ.SO) and 13.9MUg/g (TCBZ.SO2) at 24h pt,
      which was coincident with the time when the maximum plasma concentration was
      attained. Low levels of TCBZ parent drug (0.14MUg/g at 24h pt) were measured
      within collected flukes. TCBZ parent drug and its sulpho- and hydroxy-derivatives
      were recovered in bile collected from treated sheep between 3 and 60h pt.
      Although relatively high concentrations of hydroxy-TCBZ (ranging from 0.86 to
      10.1MUg/mL) were measured in bile, this metabolite was not recovered within the
      flukes at any time pt. Finally, TCBZ parent drug was the main compound
      accumulated in liver tissue over the 60h pt period. The time-course and drug
      concentration patterns within the adult liver fluke after TCBZ treatment followed
      a similar trend to those observed in plasma. Overall, the data reported here
      confirm that oral ingestion is a main route of drug entry into the trematode in
      vivo exposed to TCBZ/metabolites. However, the presence of TCBZ within the adult
      fluke (despite being absent in the systemic circulation) may be related to some
      degree of trans-tegumental diffusion from bile or by a direct oral ingestion from
      portal blood. 

PMID- 24211245
TI  - Progress on retinal image analysis for age related macular degeneration.
AB  - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in
      those over the age of 50 years in the developed countries. The number is expected
      to increase by ~1.5 fold over the next ten years due to an increase in aging
      population. One of the main measures of AMD severity is the analysis of drusen,
      pigmentary abnormalities, geographic atrophy (GA) and choroidal
      neovascularization (CNV) from imaging based on color fundus photograph, optical
      coherence tomography (OCT) and other imaging modalities. Each of these imaging
      modalities has strengths and weaknesses for extracting individual AMD pathology
      and different imaging techniques are used in combination for capturing and/or
      quantification of different pathologies. Current dry AMD treatments cannot cure
      or reverse vision loss. However, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed
      that specific anti-oxidant vitamin supplementation reduces the risk of
      progression from intermediate stages (defined as the presence of either many
      medium-sized drusen or one or more large drusen) to late AMD which allows for
      preventative strategies in properly identified patients. Thus identification of
      people with early stage AMD is important to design and implement preventative
      strategies for late AMD, and determine their cost-effectiveness. A mass screening
      facility with teleophthalmology or telemedicine in combination with computer
      aided analysis for large rural-based communities may identify more individuals
      suitable for early stage AMD prevention. In this review, we discuss different
      imaging modalities that are currently being considered or used for screening AMD.
      In addition, we look into various automated and semi-automated computer-aided
      grading systems and related retinal image analysis techniques for drusen,
      geographic atrophy and choroidal neovascularization detection and/or
      quantification for measurement of AMD severity using these imaging modalities. We
      also review the existing telemedicine studies which include diagnosis and
      management of AMD, and how automated disease grading could benefit telemedicine.
      As there is no treatment for dry AMD and only early intervention can prevent the
      late AMD, we emphasize mass screening through a telemedicine platform to enable
      early detection of AMD. We also provide a comparative study between the imaging
      modalities and identify potential study areas for further improvement and future
      research direction in automated AMD grading and screening. 

PMID- 24211246
TI  - Nature-via-nurture and unravelling causality in evolutionary genetics.
AB  - Quantitative geneticists traditionally attribute phenotypic variation to genetic
      or environmental sources. New findings with near-clonal mice raised in a single
      enriched environment demonstrated significant developmental and behavioural
      divergence. This suggests intriguing possibilities for how (epi)genomes and
      environments might interact to drive phenotypic individuality, thus shaping
      evolutionary pathways. 

PMID- 24211247
TI  - On current utility and adaptive significance: a response to Nesse.

PMID- 24211248
TI  - Influence of glenoid component design and humeral component retroversion on
      internal and external rotation in reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a cadaver study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A common disadvantage of reverse shoulder arthroplasty is limitation
      of the range of arm rotation. Several changes to the prosthesis design and
      implantation technique have been suggested to improve rotation range of motion
      (ROM). HYPOTHESIS: Glenoid component design and degree of humeral component
      retroversion influence rotation ROM after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: The Aequalis ReversedTM shoulder prosthesis (Tornier Inc., Edina,
      MN, USA) was implanted into 40 cadaver shoulders. Eight glenoid component
      combinations were tested, five with the 36-mm sphere (centred seating, eccentric
      seating, inferior tilt, centred with a 5-mm thick lateralised spacer, and centred
      with a 7-mm thick lateralised spacer) and three with the 42-mm sphere (centred
      with no spacer or with a 7-mm or 10-mm spacer). Humeral component position was
      evaluated with 0 degrees , 10 degrees , 20 degrees , 30 degrees , and 40 degrees 
      of retroversion. External and internal rotation ROMs to posterior and anterior
      impingement on the scapular neck were measured with the arm in 20 degrees  of
      abduction. RESULTS: The large glenosphere (42 mm) was associated with
      significantly (P<0.05) greater rotation ROMs, particularly when combined with a
      lateralised spacer (46 degrees  internal and 66 degrees  external rotation).
      Rotation ROMs were smallest with the 36-mm sphere. Greater humeral component
      retroversion was associated with a decrease in internal rotation and a
      significant increase (P<0.05) in external rotation. The best balance between
      rotation ROMs was obtained with the native retroversion, which was estimated at
      17.5 degrees  on average in this study. DISCUSSION: Our anatomic study in a large
      number of cadavers involved a detailed and reproducible experimental protocol.
      However, we did not evaluate the variability in scapular anatomy. Earlier studies
      of the influence of technical parameters did not take humeral component
      retroversion into account. In addition, no previous studies assessed rotation
      ROMs. CONCLUSION: Rotation ROM should be improved by the use of a large-diameter
      glenosphere with a spacer to lateralise the centre of rotation of the gleno
      humeral joint, as well as by positioning the humeral component at the patient's
      native retroversion value.

PMID- 24211249
TI  - The effect of environmental distractors incorporation into a CPT on sustained
      attention and ADHD diagnosis among adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of ADHD in adolescents involves specific challenges.
      Conventional CPT's may fail to consistently distinguish ADHD from non-ADHD due to
      insufficient cognitive demands. The aim of this study was to explore whether the
      incorporation of environmental distractors into a CPT would increase its ability
      to distinguish ADHD from non-ADHD adolescents. NEW METHOD: Using the rate of
      omission errors as a measure of difficulty in sustained attention, this study
      examined whether ADHD adolescents are more distracted than controls and which
      type of distractors is more effective in terms of ADHD diagnosis. The study
      employed the MOXO-CPT version which includes visual and auditory stimuli serving
      as distractors. Participants were 176 adolescents aged 13-18 years, 133 diagnosed
      with ADHD and 43 without ADHD. RESULTS AND COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS:
      Results showed that ADHD adolescents produced significantly more omission errors
      in the presence of pure visual distractors and the combination of visual and
      auditory distractors than in no-distractors conditions. Distracting stimuli had
      no effect on CPT performance of non-ADHD adolescents. ROC analysis further
      demonstrated that the mere presence of distractors improved the utility of the
      test. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that incorporation of
      environmental distractors into a CPT is useful in term of ADHD diagnosis. ADHD
      adolescents were more distracted than controls by all types of environmental
      distractors. ADHD adolescents were more distracted by pure visual distractors and
      by the combination of distractors than by pure auditory ones.

PMID- 24211251
TI  - Contribution of proline to the pre-structuring tendency of transient helical
      secondary structure elements in intrinsically disordered proteins.
AB  - BACKGROUND: IDPs function without relying on three-dimensional structures. No
      clear rationale for such a behavior is available yet. PreSMos are transient
      secondary structures observed in the target-free IDPs and serve as the target
      binding "active" motifs in IDPs. Prolines are frequently found in the flanking
      regions of PreSMos. Contribution of prolines to the conformational stability of
      the helical PreSMos in IDPs is investigated. METHODS: MD simulations are
      performed for several IDP segments containing a helical PreSMo and the flanking
      prolines. To measure the influence of flanking-prolines on the structural content
      of a helical PreSMo calculations were done for wild type as well as for mutant
      segments with Pro->Asp, His, Lys, or Ala. The change in the helicity due to
      removal of a proline was measured both for the PreSMo region and for the flanking
      regions. RESULTS: The alpha-helical content in ~70% of the helical PreSMos at the
      early stage of simulation decreases due to replacement of an N-terminal flanking
      proline by other residues whereas the helix content in nearly all PreSMos
      increases when the same replacements occur at the C-terminal flanking region. The
      helix destabilizing/terminating role of the C-terminal flanking prolines is more
      pronounced than the helix promoting effect of the N-terminal flanking prolines.
      GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This work represents a novel example demonstrating that a
      proline is encoded in an IDP with a defined purpose. The helical PreSMos presage
      their target-bound conformations. As they most likely mediate IDP-target binding
      via conformational selection their helical content can be an important feature
      for IDP function.

PMID- 24211252
TI  - Autocrine GM-CSF transcription in the leukemic progenitor cell line KG1a is
      mediated by the transcription factor ETS1 and is negatively regulated through
      SECTM1 mediated ligation of CD7.
AB  - BACKGROUND: CD7 expression is found on ~30% of acute myeloblastic leukemias
      (AML). The leukemic progenitor cell line KG1a (CD7+) constitutively expresses GM
      CSF while the parental KG1 (CD7-) cell line does not. This study focuses on the
      molecular basis of CD7 mediated GM-CSF regulation. METHODS: KG1a cells were
      treated with recombinant SECTM1-Fc protein, the PI3K kinase inhibitors
      wortmannin, LY292004, or PI4K activator spermine. Stable KG1-CD7+, KG1a-shCD7,
      KG1a-shETS1 as well as KG1a-GFP, KG1a-PKCbetaII-GFP cell lines were generated and
      the levels of CD7, GM-CSF and ETS-1 mRNA and protein were compared by real-time
      PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry and ELISA. RESULTS: SECTM1 is expressed in
      Human Bone Marrow Endothelial Cells (HBMEC) and its expression can be upregulated
      by both IFN-gamma. KG1a cells demonstrated high expression levels of CD7 and ETS
      1 allowing a constitutative signaling through the PI3K/Atk pathway to promote GM
      CSF expression, while KG1 cells with low expression of CD7 and ETS-1 showed low
      GM-CSF expression. On KG1a cells GM-CSF expression could be negatively regulated
      by PI3K inhibitors or by recombinant SECTM1-Fc. Overexpression of CD7 in KG1
      cells was insufficient to promote GM-CSF expression, while silencing of CD7 or
      ETS-1 resulted in reduced GM-CSF expression levels. Differentiation capable KG1a
      cells overexpressing PKCbetaII illustrated complete loss of CD7, but maintained
      normal levels of both ETS-1 and GM-CSF expression. CONCLUSION: These findings add
      an additional layer to the previously described autocrine/paracrine signaling
      between leukemic progenitor cells and the bone marrow microenvironment and
      highlight a role for SECTM1 in both normal and malignant hematopoiesis. GENERAL
      SIGNIFICANCE: This work shows that SECTM1 secreted from bone marrow stromal cells
      may interact with CD7 to influence GM-CSF expression in leukemic cells.

PMID- 24211250
TI  - Mitochondrial quality control and communications with the nucleus are important
      in maintaining mitochondrial function and cell health.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The maintenance of cell metabolism and homeostasis is a fundamental
      characteristic of living organisms. In eukaryotes, mitochondria are the
      cornerstone of these life supporting processes, playing leading roles in a host
      of core cellular functions, including energy transduction, metabolic and calcium
      signalling, and supporting roles in a number of biosynthetic pathways. The
      possession of a discrete mitochondrial genome dictates that the maintenance of
      mitochondrial 'fitness' requires quality control mechanisms which involve close
      communication with the nucleus. SCOPE OF REVIEW: This review explores the
      synergistic mechanisms that control mitochondrial quality and function and ensure
      cellular bioenergetic homeostasis. These include antioxidant defence mechanisms
      that protect against oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species, while
      regulating signals transduced through such free radicals. Protein homeostasis
      controls import, folding, and degradation of proteins underpinned by mechanisms
      that regulate bioenergetic capacity through the mitochondrial unfolded protein
      response. Autophagic machinery is recruited for mitochondrial turnover through
      the process of mitophagy. Mitochondria also communicate with the nucleus to exact
      specific transcriptional responses through retrograde signalling pathways. MAJOR
      CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of mitochondrial quality control is not only reliant on
      the efficient operation of the core homeostatic mechanisms but also in the
      effective interaction of mitochondria with other cellular components, namely the
      nucleus. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding mitochondrial quality control and
      the interactions between the organelle and the nucleus will be crucial in
      developing therapies for the plethora of diseases in which the pathophysiology is
      determined by mitochondrial dysfunction. This article is part of a Special Issue
      entitled Frontiers of Mitochondrial Research.

PMID- 24211253
TI  - MEK1 promotes YAP and their interaction is critical for tumorigenesis in liver
      cancer.
AB  - Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1/MEK1) as well as Yes-associated
      protein (YAP), the downstream effector of Hippo signaling pathway, is linked to
      hepatocarcinogenesis. However, little is known about whether and how MEK1
      interacts with YAP. In this study, we find that MEK1-YAP interaction is critical
      for liver cancer cell proliferation and maintenance of transformed phenotypes
      both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, MEK1 and YAP proteins are closely correlated
      in human liver cancer samples. Mechanistically, inhibition of MEK1 by both
      PD98059 and U0126 as well as RNAi reduces beta-transducin repeat containing E3
      ubiquitin protein ligase (BTRC), which acts as a potential endogenous YAP
      protector.

PMID- 24211254
TI  - Identification of fungal microorganisms by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
AB  - Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry
      (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as a reliable tool for fast identification and
      classification of microorganisms. In this regard, it represents a strong
      challenge to microscopic and molecular biology methods. Nowadays, commercial
      MALDI systems are accessible for biological research work as well as for
      diagnostic applications in clinical medicine, biotechnology and industry. They
      are employed namely in bacterial biotyping but numerous experimental strategies
      have also been developed for the analysis of fungi, which is the topic of the
      present review. Members of many fungal genera such as Aspergillus, Fusarium,
      Penicillium or Trichoderma and also various yeasts from clinical samples (e.g.
      Candida albicans) have been successfully identified by MALDI-TOF MS. However,
      there is no versatile method for fungi currently available even though the use of
      only a limited number of matrix compounds has been reported. Either intact
      cell/spore MALDI-TOF MS is chosen or an extraction of surface proteins is
      performed and then the resulting extract is measured. Biotrophic fungal
      phytopathogens can be identified via a direct acquisition of MALDI-TOF mass
      spectra e.g. from infected plant organs contaminated by fungal spores. Mass
      spectrometric peptide/protein profiles of fungi display peaks in the m/z region
      of 1000-20000, where a unique set of biomarker ions may appear facilitating a
      differentiation of samples at the level of genus, species or strain. This is done
      with the help of a processing software and spectral database of reference
      strains, which should preferably be constructed under the same standardized
      experimental conditions. 

PMID- 24211255
TI  - Neuropeptide S interacts with the basolateral amygdala noradrenergic system in
      facilitating object recognition memory consolidation.
AB  - The noradrenergic activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) was reported to be
      involved in the regulation of object recognition memory. As the BLA expresses
      high density of receptors for Neuropeptide S (NPS), we investigated whether the
      BLA is involved in mediating NPS's effects on object recognition memory
      consolidation and whether such effects require noradrenergic activity.
      Intracerebroventricular infusion of NPS (1nmol) post training facilitated 24-h
      memory in a mouse novel object recognition task. The memory-enhancing effect of
      NPS could be blocked by the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol.
      Furthermore, post-training intra-BLA infusions of NPS (0.5nmol/side) improved 24
      h memory for objects, which was impaired by co-administration of propranolol
      (0.5MUg/side). Taken together, these results indicate that NPS interacts with the
      BLA noradrenergic system in improving object recognition memory during
      consolidation. 

PMID- 24211256
TI  - Nogo-A downregulation impairs place avoidance in the Carousel maze but not
      spatial memory in the Morris water maze.
AB  - Nogo-A protein is an important inhibitor of axonal growth, which also regulates
      neuronal plasticity in the CNS. Mutations in the gene encoding Nogo-A or
      abnormalities in Nogo-A expression are linked to neuropsychiatric disorders such
      as schizophrenia. The present study assesses the impact of constitutively reduced
      expression of Nogo-A on place navigation in a novel transgenic rat model. Two
      spatial paradigms were used: (1) A battery of tests in the Carousel maze
      requiring continuous processing of spatial information with increasing demands
      for the segregation of reference frames and behavioral flexibility and (2) a
      delayed-matching-to-place version of the Morris water maze (MWM), which requires
      place navigation and is sensitive to deficits in one-trial-encoded place
      representation. The Carousel maze testing revealed a subtle but significant
      impairment in management of reference frames. Matching-to-place learning in the
      Morris water maze was unaffected, suggesting an intact representation of an
      unmarked goal. Our results show that Nogo-A deficiency leads to cognitive deficit
      in processing of the reference frames. Such a deficit may be the result of neuro
      developmental alterations resulting from Nogo-A deficiency. 

PMID- 24211257
TI  - On the analytical solution for the Putter-Bertalanffy growth equation.
AB  - This study develops the basic idea of Putter and Bertalanffy addressing the
      allometric scaling of anabolism and catabolism on somatic growth dynamics. We
      proposed a standardized form of the Putter-Bertalanffy equation (PBE), which is
      given as the extended model of Richards function, and subsequently solved it. The
      analytical solution of the PBE was defined by an incomplete beta function and can
      take a wide range of shapes in its growth curve. The mathematical behavior of PBE
      due to the change in parameter values was briefly discussed. Most forms of
      solution consistently hold the implicit functional type with respect to the
      variable of body size. 

PMID- 24211258
TI  - Kernel methods for phenotyping complex plant architecture.
AB  - The Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping of plant architecture is a critical
      step for understanding the genetic determinism of plant architecture. Previous
      studies adopted simple measurements, such as plant-height, stem-diameter and
      branching-intensity for QTL mapping of plant architecture. Many of these
      quantitative traits were generally correlated to each other, which give rise to
      statistical problem in the detection of QTL. We aim to test the applicability of
      kernel methods to phenotyping inflorescence architecture and its QTL mapping. We
      first test Kernel Principal Component Analysis (KPCA) and Support Vector Machines
      (SVM) over an artificial dataset of simulated inflorescences with different types
      of flower distribution, which is coded as a sequence of flower-number per node
      along a shoot. The ability of discriminating the different inflorescence types by
      SVM and KPCA is illustrated. We then apply the KPCA representation to the real
      dataset of rose inflorescence shoots (n=1460) obtained from a 98 F1 hybrid
      mapping population. We find kernel principal components with high heritability
      (>0.7), and the QTL analysis identifies a new QTL, which was not detected by a
      trait-by-trait analysis of simple architectural measurements. The main tools
      developed in this paper could be use to tackle the general problem of QTL mapping
      of complex (sequences, 3D structure, graphs) phenotypic traits. 

PMID- 24211259
TI  - DNA strand displacement system running logic programs.
AB  - The paper presents a DNA-based computing model which is enzyme-free and
      autonomous, not requiring a human intervention during the computation. The model
      is able to perform iterated resolution steps with logical formulae in conjunctive
      normal form. The implementation is based on the technique of DNA strand
      displacement, with each clause encoded in a separate DNA molecule. Propositions
      are encoded assigning a strand to each proposition p, and its complementary
      strand to the proposition !p; clauses are encoded comprising different
      propositions in the same strand. The model allows to run logic programs composed
      of Horn clauses by cascading resolution steps. The potential of the model is
      demonstrated also by its theoretical capability of solving SAT. The resulting SAT
      algorithm has a linear time complexity in the number of resolution steps, whereas
      its spatial complexity is exponential in the number of variables of the formula. 

PMID- 24211260
TI  - Perfusion and vascular permeability: basic concepts and measurement in DCE-CT and
      DCE-MRI.
AB  - The microvascular network formed by the capillaries supplies the tissues and
      permits their function. It provides a considerable surface area for exchanges
      between blood and tissues. All pathological conditions cause changes in the
      microcirculation. These changes can be used as imaging biomarkers for the
      diagnosis of lesions and optimisation of treatment. Among the many imaging
      techniques developed to study the microcirculation, the analysis of the tissue
      kinetics of intravenously injected contrast agents is the most widely used,
      either as positive enhancement for CT, T1-weighted MRI and ultrasound - dynamic
      contrast-enhanced-imaging (DCE-imaging) - or negative enhancement in T2*-weighted
      brain MRI - dynamic susceptibility contrast-MRI (DSC-MRI) -. Acquisition involves
      an injection of contrast agent during the acquisition of a dynamic series of
      images on a zone of interest. These kinetics may be analyzed visually, to define
      qualitative criteria, or with software using mathematical modelling, to extract
      quantitative physiological parameters. The results depend on the acquisition
      conditions (type of imaging device, imaging mode, frequency and total duration of
      acquisition), the type of contrast agent, the data pre-processing (motion
      correction, conversion of the signal into concentration) and the data analysis
      method. Because of these multiple choices it is necessary to understand the
      physiological processes involved and understand the advantages and limits of each
      strategy. 

PMID- 24211261
TI  - Prostate MRI: can we do without DCE sequences in 2013?
AB  - Multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) of the prostate currently provides stable and
      reproducible performances. The usefulness of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)
      sequences is currently challenged, as they sometimes only confirm what has
      already been observed on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and require the
      additional purchase of a contrast agent. Eliminating these sequences may help
      accelerate the use of MRI in addition to, or in lieu of, prostate biopsies in
      selected patients. However, many studies show that these sequences can detect
      lesions invisible on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images, better assess
      cancer extension and aggressiveness, and finally help detecting recurrence after
      treatment. We present the various applications of dynamic MRI and discuss the
      possible consequences of its omission from the current protocol. 

PMID- 24211262
TI  - Potential problems in the determination of serum non-transferrin-bound iron using
      nitrilotriacetic acid and ultrafiltration.

PMID- 24211264
TI  - R loops are linked to histone H3 S10 phosphorylation and chromatin condensation.
AB  - R loops are transcription byproducts that constitute a threat to genome
      integrity. Here we show that R loops are tightly linked to histone H3 S10
      phosphorylation (H3S10P), a mark of chromatin condensation. Chromatin
      immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-on-chip (ChIP-chip) analyses reveal H3S10P
      accumulation at centromeres, pericentromeric chromatin, and a large number of
      active open reading frames (ORFs) in R-loop-accumulating yeast cells, better
      observed in G1. Histone H3S10 plays a key role in maintaining genome stability,
      as scored by ectopic recombination and plasmid loss, Rad52 foci, and Rad53
      checkpoint activation. H3S10P coincides with the presence of DNA-RNA hybrids, is
      suppressed by ribonuclease H overexpression, and causes reduced accessibility of
      restriction endonucleases, implying a tight connection between R loops, H3S10P,
      and chromatin compaction. Such histone modifications were also observed in R-loop
      accumulating Caenorhabditis elegans and HeLa cells. We therefore provide a role
      of RNA in chromatin structure essential to understand how R loops modulate genome
      dynamics. 

PMID- 24211263
TI  - Genome-wide consequences of deleting any single gene.
AB  - Loss or duplication of chromosome segments can lead to further genomic changes
      associated with cancer. However, it is not known whether only a select subset of
      genes is responsible for driving further changes. To determine whether
      perturbation of any given gene in a genome suffices to drive subsequent genetic
      changes, we analyzed the yeast knockout collection for secondary mutations of
      functional consequence. Unlike wild-type, most gene knockout strains were found
      to have one additional mutant gene affecting nutrient responses and/or heat
      stress-induced cell death. Moreover, independent knockouts of the same gene often
      evolved mutations in the same secondary gene. Genome sequencing identified
      acquired mutations in several human tumor suppressor homologs. Thus, mutation of
      any single gene may cause a genomic imbalance, with consequences sufficient to
      drive adaptive genetic changes. This complicates genetic analyses but is a
      logical consequence of losing a functional unit originally acquired under
      pressure during evolution. 

PMID- 24211265
TI  - The structural basis of FtsY recruitment and GTPase activation by SRP RNA.
AB  - The universally conserved signal recognition particle (SRP) system mediates the
      targeting of membrane proteins to the translocon in a multistep process
      controlled by GTP hydrolysis. Here we present the 2.6 A crystal structure of the
      GTPase domains of the E. coli SRP protein (Ffh) and its receptor (FtsY) in
      complex with the tetraloop and the distal region of SRP-RNA, trapped in the
      activated state in presence of GDP:AlF4. The structure reveals the atomic details
      of FtsY recruitment and, together with biochemical experiments, pinpoints G83 as
      the key RNA residue that stimulates GTP hydrolysis. Insertion of G83 into the
      FtsY active site orients a single glutamate residue provided by Ffh (E277),
      triggering GTP hydrolysis and complex disassembly at the end of the targeting
      cycle. The complete conservation of the key residues of the SRP-RNA and the SRP
      protein implies that the suggested chemical mechanism of GTPase activation is
      applicable across all kingdoms.

PMID- 24211266
TI  - An MRAS, SHOC2, and SCRIB complex coordinates ERK pathway activation with
      polarity and tumorigenic growth.
AB  - SHOC2 is mutated in Noonan syndrome and plays a key role in the activation of the
      ERK-MAPK pathway, which is upregulated in the majority of human cancers. SHOC2
      functions as a PP1-regulatory protein and as an effector of MRAS. Here we show
      that SHOC2 and MRAS form a complex with SCRIB, a polarity protein with tumor
      suppressor properties. SCRIB functions as a PP1-regulatory protein and
      antagonizes SHOC2-mediated RAF dephosphorylation through a mechanism involving
      competition for PP1 molecules within the same macromolecular complex. SHOC2
      function is selectively required for the malignant properties of tumor cells with
      mutant RAS, and both MRAS and SHOC2 play a key role in polarized migration. We
      propose that MRAS, through its ability to recruit a complex with paradoxical
      components, coordinates ERK pathway spatiotemporal dynamics with polarity and
      that this complex plays a key role during tumorigenic growth.

PMID- 24211267
TI  - Amylopectin is the anti-fatigue ingredient in glutinous rice.
AB  - The anti-fatigue activities of glutinous rice (GR) and GR amylopectin (GRA) were
      investigated in mice by determining tissue glycogen, blood lactate dehydrogenase
      (LDH), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) after the weight loaded forced swim test
      (WFST). GR and GRA were given by gavage at various doses of GR (7.5, 15, 30 g/kg
      body weight) and GRA (3.8, 7.5, 15 g/kg body weight) every day for 7 days,
      respectively. The results indicated that the hepatic glycogen levels
      significantly (P<0.05) increased 26-44% and 35-60% and the muscle glycogen levels
      significantly (P<0.05) increased 36-100% and 67-133% in GR and GRA treatment
      groups, compared with the negative control group. The GRA treatment groups also
      had significantly (P<0.05) higher (9.1-20.3%) blood LDH levels. Meanwhile, the
      blood LDH activities in GR and GRA treatment groups had a significantly positive
      correlation with the hepatic glycogen levels (r=0.978, P<0.01). Moreover, except
      of the low-dose GR (7.5 g/kg body weight) supplemented group, mice in all other
      treatment groups had significantly (P<0.05) lower (13-23%) BUN levels. Compared
      with the GR treatment groups, GRA treatment groups had similar or even higher
      anti-fatigue activities, which demonstrated that GRA might play the most
      important role on the anti-fatigue activities for GR.

PMID- 24211268
TI  - Does the stability of proteins in ionic liquids obey the Hofmeister series?
AB  - Understanding the behavior of Hofmeister anions of ionic liquids (ILs) on protein
      stability helps to shed light on how the anions interact with proteins in aqueous
      solution and is a long standing object for chemistry and biochemistry. Ions
      effects play a major role in understanding the physicochemical and biological
      phenomenon that undertakes the protein folding/unfolding and refolding process.
      Despite the generality of these effects, our understanding of ions at the
      molecular-level is still limited. This review offers a tour through past
      successful investigations and presents a challenge in current research in the
      field to reassess the possibilities of ions and to apply new strategies. This
      review highlights on the stability behavior of the proteins and also comparisons
      of our past research work in the Hofmeister series of ILs. Furthermore, we
      specifically focus on the critical discussion on the recent findings with
      existing results and their implications, along with our understanding of the
      Hofmeister series of anions of ILs on biomolecular stability. A detailed
      examination of the difference between selective proteins can provide a better
      understanding of the molecular mechanism of protein folding/unfolding in the
      presence of the Hofmeister series of ions of ILs. 

PMID- 24211269
TI  - A crab with three eyes, two rostra, and a dorsal antenna-like structure.
AB  - We describe a malformed specimen of the freshwater crab Amarinus lacustris from
      New Zealand. With three eyes in a horizontal row, two rostra, and a dorsal
      antenna-like structure, the pattern of malformation of this animal is unique and
      has not been described before. A careful inspection and description of external
      and internal structures, in particular the central nervous system, were carried
      out. These revealed, in addition to the external abnormalities, a retarded brain
      with a hypertrophied and backwards bent protocerebrum connected with all three
      eyes and putatively with the dorsal antenna-like structure. Based on these data,
      a variety of hypotheses about the causes for this kind of malformation are
      discussed. A scenario combining a conjoined twin (Duplicitas anterior) based on
      the duplication of the embryonic anterior head lobes and a regeneration event
      leading to the replacement of an eye by an antenna shows the best fit to the
      observed patterns. 

PMID- 24211270
TI  - The induction of heme oxygenase-1 suppresses heat shock protein 90 and the
      proliferation of human breast cancer cells through its byproduct carbon monoxide.
AB  - Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is an oxidative stress-response enzyme which catalyzes the
      degradation of heme into bilirubin, ferric ion, and carbon monoxide (CO).
      Induction of HO-1 was reported to have antitumor activity; the inhibitory
      mechanism, however, is still unclear. In the present study, we found that
      treatment with [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2 (RuCO), a CO-releasing compound, reduced the growth
      of human MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Analysis of growth-related
      proteins showed that treatment with RuCO down-regulated cyclinD1, CDK4, and hTERT
      protein expressions. Interestingly, RuCO treatment resulted in opposite effects
      on wild-type and mutant p53 proteins. These results were similar to those of
      cells treated with geldanamycin (a heat shock protein (HSP)90 inhibitor),
      suggesting that RuCO might affect HSP90 activity. Moreover, RuCO induced mutant
      p53 protein destabilization accompanied by promotion of ubiquitination and
      proteasome degradation. The induction of HO-1 by cobalt protoporphyrin IX (CoPP)
      showed consistent results, while the addition of tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), an
      HO-1 enzymatic inhibitor, diminished the RuCO-mediated effect. RuCO induction of
      HO-1 expression was reduced by a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor
      (SB203580). Additionally, treatment with a chemopreventive compound, curcumin,
      induced HO-1 expression accompanied with reduction of HSP90 client protein
      expression. The induction of HO-1 by curcumin inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13
      acetate (TPA)-elicited matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and tumor invasion.
      In conclusion, we provide novel evidence underlying HO-1's antitumor mechanism.
      CO, a byproduct of HO-1, suppresses HSP90 protein activity, and the induction of
      HO-1 may possess potential as a cancer therapeutic. 

PMID- 24211271
TI  - Pre-treatment with cardamonin protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity
      in rats: impact on NOX-1, inflammation and apoptosis.
AB  - Cisplatin is an effective anti-cancer drug; however, its clinical use is usually
      associated with nephrotoxicity as a dose-limiting side effect. Several molecular
      mechanisms have been found to be involved in this nephrotoxicity such as
      oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to
      explore the potential nephroprotective effect of cardamonin, a flavone found in
      Alpinia plant, in a rat model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The possible
      mechanisms underlying this nephroprotective effect were investigated. Cardamonin
      was given at two different doses; 10 and 30mg/kg orally for two weeks, starting
      one week before giving a single nephrotoxic dose of cisplatin (7mg/kg). Acute
      nephrtoxicity was evident by significantly increased blood urea nitrogen and
      serum creatinine levels. Also, cisplatin increased lipid peroxidation and
      depleted reduced glutathione level and superoxide dismutase. Additionally,
      cisplatin showed a marked pro-inflammatory response as evidenced by significant
      increase in tissue levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, NF-kB, iNOS, ICAM-1 and MCP-1.
      Pre-treatment with cardamonin significantly attenuated the nephrotoxic effects,
      oxidative stress and inflammation induced by cisplatin, in a dose-dependent
      manner. Also, cardamonin decreased caspase-3 expression and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as
      compared to cisplatin group. Besides, cradamonin reversed cisplatin-induced
      decrease in EGF. Furthermore, up-regulation of NOX-1 was found to be involved in
      cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and its expression was significantly reduced by
      cardamonin. Histopathological examination further confirmed the nephroprotective
      effect of cardamonin. Moreover, pre-treatment with subtoxic concentration of
      cardamonin has significantly enhanced cisplatin cytotoxic activity in four
      different human cancer cell lines; hela, hepG2, PC3 and HCT116 cancer cell lines.
      In conclusion, these findings suggest that cardamonin improves therapeutic index
      of cisplatin and that NOX-1 is partially involved in the pathogenesis of
      cispaltin-induced nephrotoxicity. 

PMID- 24211272
TI  - Hepatocyte-based in vitro model for assessment of drug-induced cholestasis.
AB  - Early detection of drug-induced cholestasis remains a challenge during drug
      development. We have developed and validated a biorelevant sandwich-cultured
      hepatocytes- (SCH) based model that can identify compounds causing cholestasis by
      altering bile acid disposition. Human and rat SCH were exposed (24-48h) to known
      cholestatic and/or hepatotoxic compounds, in the presence or in the absence of a
      concentrated mixture of bile acids (BAs). Urea assay was used to assess
      (compromised) hepatocyte functionality at the end of the incubations. The
      cholestatic potential of the compounds was expressed by calculating a drug
      induced cholestasis index (DICI), reflecting the relative residual urea formation
      by hepatocytes co-incubated with BAs and test compound as compared to hepatocytes
      treated with test compound alone. Compounds with clinical reports of cholestasis,
      including cyclosporin A, troglitazone, chlorpromazine, bosentan, ticlopidine,
      ritonavir, and midecamycin showed enhanced toxicity in the presence of BAs
      (DICI<=0.8) for at least one of the tested concentrations. In contrast, the in
      vitro toxicity of compounds causing hepatotoxicity by other mechanisms (including
      diclofenac, valproic acid, amiodarone and acetaminophen), remained unchanged in
      the presence of BAs. A safety margin (SM) for drug-induced cholestasis was
      calculated as the ratio of lowest in vitro concentration for which was DICI<=0.8,
      to the reported mean peak therapeutic plasma concentration. SM values obtained in
      human SCH correlated well with reported % incidence of clinical drug-induced
      cholestasis, while no correlation was observed in rat SCH. This in vitro model
      enables early identification of drug candidates causing cholestasis by disturbed
      BA handling. 

PMID- 24211273
TI  - Cytotoxicity of synthetic cannabinoids on primary neuronal cells of the
      forebrain: the involvement of cannabinoid CB1 receptors and apoptotic cell death.
AB  - The abuse of herbal products containing synthetic cannabinoids has become an
      issue of public concern. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the acute
      cytotoxicity of synthetic cannabinoids on mouse brain neuronal cells.
      Cytotoxicity induced by synthetic cannabinoid (CP-55,940, CP-47,497, CP-47,497
      C8, HU-210, JWH-018, JWH-210, AM-2201, and MAM-2201) was examined using forebrain
      neuronal cultures. These synthetic cannabinoids induced cytotoxicity in the
      forebrain cultures in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxicity was
      suppressed by preincubation with the selective CB1 receptor antagonist AM251, but
      not with the selective CB2 receptor antagonist AM630. Furthermore, annexin-V
      positive cells were found among the treated forebrain cells. Synthetic
      cannabinoid treatment induced the activation of caspase-3, and preincubation with
      a caspase-3 inhibitor significantly suppressed the cytotoxicity. These synthetic
      cannabinoids induced apoptosis through a caspase-3-dependent mechanism in the
      forebrain cultures. Our results indicate that the cytotoxicity of synthetic
      cannabinoids towards primary neuronal cells is mediated by the CB1 receptor, but
      not by the CB2 receptor, and further suggest that caspase cascades may play an
      important role in the apoptosis induced by these synthetic cannabinoids. In
      conclusion, excessive synthetic cannabinoid abuse may present a serious acute
      health concern due to neuronal damage or deficits in the brain. 

PMID- 24211275
TI  - Intake of high-fat diet stimulates the risk of ultraviolet radiation-induced skin
      tumors and malignant progression of papillomas to carcinoma in SKH-1 hairless
      mice.
AB  - Previously, we showed that administration of a high-fat diet (HF-diet) to C57BL/6
      mice exacerbates their response to short-term UVB radiation-induced inflammation
      in the skin. To explore the effects of an HF-diet on UVB-induced tumorigenesis,
      we have used the SKH-1 hairless mouse model in which the mice are exposed to UVB
      radiation (180mJ/cm(2)) three times a week for 24weeks. The development of UVB
      induced skin tumors was rapid and the tumor multiplicity and tumor size were
      significantly higher (P<0.01-0.005) in the mice fed an HF-diet than the mice fed
      a control-diet (C-diet). Moreover, the malignant progression of UVB-induced
      papillomas to carcinomas was higher in HF-diet-fed mice. On analysis of tumors
      and tumor-uninvolved skin samples from the tumor-bearing mice, we found that
      administration of an HF-diet significantly enhanced the levels of UVB-induced
      expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (P<0.01), and PGE2
      receptors, and activation of NF-kappaB in the UVB-exposed skin as well as in
      tumors. In addition the HF-diet enhanced the expression of proinflammatory
      cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P<0.01), interleukin (IL)-1beta
      (P<0.01) and IL-6 (P<0.05) in the UVB-exposed skin as well as in tumors. Western
      blot analysis revealed that HF-diet enhanced the levels of epidermal cell
      proliferation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phosphorylation of Akt at
      Ser(473) in UVB-exposed skin and skin tumors. Collectively, these data
      demonstrate that the regular consumption of an HF-diet increases the risk of
      photocarcinogenesis in mice and that this is associated with enhanced expression
      of inflammatory mediators in the UVB-exposed skin and tumors. 

PMID- 24211274
TI  - CYP2E1-dependent and leptin-mediated hepatic CD57 expression on CD8+ T cells aid
      progression of environment-linked nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
AB  - Environmental toxins induce a novel CYP2E1/leptin signaling axis in liver. This
      in turn activates a poorly characterized innate immune response that contributes
      to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression. To identify the relevant
      subsets of T-lymphocytes in CYP2E1-dependent, environment-linked NASH, we
      utilized a model of diet induced obese (DIO) mice that are chronically exposed to
      bromodichloromethane. Mice deficient in CYP2E1, leptin (ob/ob mice), or both T
      and B cells (Pfp/Rag2 double knockout (KO) mice) were used to delineate the role
      of each of these factors in metabolic oxidative stress-induced T cell activation.
      Results revealed that elevated levels of lipid peroxidation, tyrosyl radical
      formation, mitochondrial tyrosine nitration and hepatic leptin as a consequence
      of metabolic oxidative stress caused increased levels of hepatic CD57, a marker
      of peripheral blood lymphocytes including NKT cells. CD8+CD57+ cytotoxic T cells
      but not CD4+CD57+ cells were significantly decreased in mice lacking CYP2E1 and
      leptin. There was a significant increase in the levels of T cell cytokines IL-2,
      IL-1beta, and IFN-gamma in bromodichloromethane exposed DIO mice but not in mice
      that lacked CYP2E1, leptin or T and B cells. Apoptosis as evidenced by TUNEL
      assay and levels of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly lower in leptin and
      Pfp/Rag2 KO mice and highly correlated with protection from NASH. The results
      described above suggest that higher levels of oxidative stress-induced leptin
      mediated CD8+CD57+ T cells play an important role in the development of NASH. It
      also provides a novel insight of immune dysregulation and may be a key biomarker
      in NASH. 

PMID- 24211276
TI  - Isorhamnetin protects against oxidative stress by activating Nrf2 and inducing
      the expression of its target genes.
AB  - Isorhamentin is a 3'-O-methylated metabolite of quercetin, and has been reported
      to have anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects. However, the effects of
      isorhamnetin on Nrf2 activation and on the expressions of its downstream genes in
      hepatocytes have not been elucidated. Here, we investigated whether isorhamnetin
      has the ability to activate Nrf2 and induce phase II antioxidant enzyme
      expression, and to determine the protective role of isorhamnetin on oxidative
      injury in hepatocytes. In HepG2 cells, isorhamnetin increased the nuclear
      translocation of Nrf2 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and consistently,
      increased antioxidant response element (ARE) reporter gene activity and the
      protein levels of hemeoxygenase (HO-1) and of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL),
      which resulted in intracellular GSH level increases. The specific role of Nrf2 in
      isorhamnetin-induced Nrf2 target gene expression was verified using an ARE
      deletion mutant plasmid and Nrf2-knockout MEF cells. Deletion of the ARE in the
      promoter region of the sestrin2 gene, which is recently identified as the Nrf2
      target gene by us, abolished the ability of isorhamnetin to increase luciferase
      activity. In addition, Nrf2 deficiency completely blocked the ability of
      isorhamnetin to induce HO-1 and GCL. Furthermore, isorhamnetin pretreatment
      blocked t-BHP-induced ROS production and reversed GSH depletion by t-BHP and
      consequently, due to reduced ROS levels, decreased t-BHP-induced cell death. In
      addition isorhamnetin increased ERK1/2, PKCdelta and AMPK phosphorylation.
      Finally, we showed that Nrf2 deficiency blocked the ability of isorhamnetin to
      protect cells from injury induced by t-BHP. Taken together, our results
      demonstrate that isorhamnetin is efficacious in protecting hepatocytes against
      oxidative stress by Nrf2 activation and in inducing the expressions of its
      downstream genes. 

PMID- 24211277
TI  - Using a single cut-off for stress hyperglycemia in myocardial infarction
      decreases its prognostic value particularly in diabetes.

PMID- 24211278
TI  - Physical maneuvers: effective but underutilized treatment of benign paroxysmal
      positional vertigo in the ED.

PMID- 24211279
TI  - Caffeine-induced rhabdomyolysis.

PMID- 24211280
TI  - Computer-based reminder system effectively impacts physician documentation.

PMID- 24211281
TI  - Safety of a rapid diagnostic protocol with accelerated stress testing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most patients at low to intermediate risk for an acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS) receive a 12- to 24-hour "rule out." Recently, trials have found
      that a coronary computed tomographic angiography-based strategy is more
      efficient. If stress testing were performed within the same time frame as
      coronary computed tomographic angiography, the 2 strategies would be more
      similar. We tested the hypothesis that stress testing can safely be performed
      within several hours of presentation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective
      cohort study of patients presenting to a university hospital from January 1,
      2009, to December 31, 2011, with potential ACS. Patients placed in a clinical
      pathway that performed stress testing after 2 negative troponin values 2 hours
      apart were included. We excluded patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
      or with an elevated initial troponin. The main outcome was safety of immediate
      stress testing defined as the absence of death or acute myocardial infarction
      (defined as elevated troponin within 24 hours after the test). RESULTS: A total
      of 856 patients who presented with potential ACS were enrolled in the clinical
      pathway and included in this study. Patients had a median age of 55.0
      (interquartile range, 48-62) years. Chest pain was the chief concern in 86%, and
      pain was present on arrival in 73% of the patients. There were no complications
      observed during the stress test. There were 0 deaths (95% confidence interval, 0%
      0.46%) and 4 acute myocardial infarctions within 24 hours (0.5%; 95% confidence
      interval, 0.14%-1.27%). The peak troponins were small (0.06, 0.07, 0.07, and 0.19
      ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who present to the ED with potential ACS can safely
      undergo a rapid diagnostic protocol with stress testing.

PMID- 24211282
TI  - Single-incision laparoscopic surgery for ingested foreign body removal.
AB  - This report presents a 16-year-old adolescent boy with intentional ingestion of a
      6-cm-length iron nail in detention center 6 hours ago. There was no symptom and
      sign of acute abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomographic scan was performed,
      and an iron nail was found in the left upper quadrant abdomen. Considering the
      size, shape, and location of the foreign body, emergency surgery was performed
      using single-incision laparoscopic surgery approach. Multiple trocars in
      umbilical incision technique and conventional instruments were used. After
      identification of the foreign body in jejunum by alternative clamping of small
      bowel, enterostomy was made, and extracorporeal suturing was performed. The
      operation time was 1 hour without blood loss during the surgery. The patient left
      the bed 6 hours after the surgery. Bowel function recovered, and the gastric tube
      was removed on postoperative day 2. No painkiller was used after the surgery. The
      patient was discharged on postoperative day 3 without any complication. To our
      knowledge, it is the first report on removal of ingested foreign body located in
      jejunum using single-incision laparoscopic surgery technique.

PMID- 24211283
TI  - Does chest radiograph confirm tracheal intubation?

PMID- 24211284
TI  - Utility of point-of-care ultrasound in acute management triage of earthquake
      injury.

PMID- 24211285
TI  - Recurrent central venous malposition caused by severe lower airway distortion.

PMID- 24211286
TI  - A case of tetanus infection in an adult with a protective tetanus antibody level.
AB  - Tetanus is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani and most commonly
      presents as trismus or other muscle spasms. Despite the development of the
      tetanus toxoid vaccine, tetanus infection has not been eradicated. Additionally,
      while there are hypothesized protective levels of tetanus antibody, tetanus
      infection may still occur in properly vaccinated individuals. We report the case
      of a 31-year-old male that presented to the emergency department (ED) with a 2
      day history of neck and jaw pain. He reports puncturing his hand with a rusty
      nail 10 days prior. His reported vaccination history was that he received his
      last booster vaccination 13 years prior to presentation. In the ED, tetanus
      vaccine, tetanus immune globulin, and metronidazole were administered. His
      symptoms improved over the next 2 days and resolved at day 6. Despite his
      presentation of tetanus infection and rule out of other causes for his symptoms,
      his tetanus antibody level was reported at 8.4 U/mL, which is considered to be
      protective.A tetanus antibody level that is adequate for protective immunity
      should not preclude a patient from treatment of tetanus infection. This case
      demonstrates that a thorough history, physical exam, and rule out of other causes
      should guide treatment when there is concern for a tetanus infection.

PMID- 24211287
TI  - A new facial expression to botox!
AB  - Botulinum toxin (Botox) injection into the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) has
      been used for the treatment of achlasia cardia since the 1990s. Currently it is
      indicated for patients who are not candidates for definitive therapy like
      Heller's myotomy or pneumatic dilation and in those who have recurrence of
      symptoms after definitive treatments. We present a case of severe anaphylaxix due
      to Botox. The purpose of this case is to highlight one of the under-reported
      adverse effects of Botox. Anaphylactic reactions to Botox are very rare with only
      one other case being reported and have not been emphasized enough to be widely
      known in clinical practice.

PMID- 24211288
TI  - The unfolding story of celiac disease risk factors.

PMID- 24211289
TI  - The liver breath! Breath volatile organic compounds for the diagnosis of liver
      disease.

PMID- 24211290
TI  - Factors that contribute to hypertransaminasemia in patients with celiac disease
      or functional gastrointestinal syndromes.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Transaminasemia develops via different pathways in patients
      with celiac disease; no information is available on risk factors specifically
      attributable to celiac disease. METHODS: We analyzed data collected from
      consecutive patients referred from January 1997 through December 2009 to the
      celiac disease clinic at the Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy. We assessed the
      factors affecting hypertransaminasemia in 683 patients with celiac disease (based
      on serologic and biopsy analysis, cohort A; 34 +/- 14 years of age) and 304 with
      functional syndromes (cohort B; 37 +/- 13 years of age). RESULTS:
      Hypertransaminasemia was detected in 138 patients in cohort A (20%). It was
      associated with malabsorption (odds ratio [OR], 2.22; P = .004), diarrhea (OR,
      1.72; P = .005), and increasing severity of mucosal lesion (Marsh-Oberhuber
      class; OR, 1.46; P = .001) but not with body mass index (BMI) or the serum level
      of tissue-transglutaminase antibodies (tTG). Hypertransaminasemia was detected in
      22 patients in cohort B (7%) and was associated with the World Health
      Organization's BMI categories (OR, 7.9; P < .001). In subsets of patients studied
      with the same analytical method (313 of cohort A and 188 of cohort B), the level
      of tTG was significantly higher in cohort A at baseline (25.2 +/- 16.9 U/L
      aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) than in cohort B (20.6 +/- 9.9 U/L AST, P <
      .0001) and was related to BMI in cohort B (P = .0012) but not cohort A. When
      patients were placed on gluten-free diets, the levels of AST decreased from 25.2
      +/- 16.9 U/L to 19.9 +/- 6.6 U/L (P < .0001), independently of the changes of
      duodenal histology and tTG and correlated with BMI (P = .0007); the prevalence of
      hypertransaminasemia decreased from 13% to 4%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with celiac
      disease have a higher prevalence of hypertransaminasemia than controls (patients
      with functional syndromes). Hypertransaminasemia is related to the severity of
      the duodenal lesion and malabsorption but not BMI. By contrast, there was a
      positive correlation between the levels of AST and BMI in controls; this
      relationship was restored when patients with celiac disease were placed on gluten
      free diets.

PMID- 24211291
TI  - Macroscopic findings in lymphocytic colitis.

PMID- 24211292
TI  - Helicobacter pylori eradication and metachronous gastric cancer.

PMID- 24211293
TI  - Does chemotherapy cause viral relapse in cancer patients with hepatitis C
      infection successfully treated with antivirals?
AB  - Authors have reported conflicting results on the persistence of hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) infection in patients having sustained virologic response (SVR) to
      treatment. Therefore, we sought to determine whether chemotherapy leads to viral
      relapse in 30 HCV-infected patients who had SVR before cancer diagnosis. Half of
      them had hematologic malignancies. Most (60%) received HCV therapy with
      interferon and ribavirin. Chemotherapy was started at a median of 72 months after
      SVR and included rituximab (27%), cyclophosphamide (23%), cisplatin (17%), or
      corticosteroids (37%). No patient had post-SVR viral relapse. Therapeutically
      induced resolution of HCV appears to be permanent and not affected by
      chemotherapy. 

PMID- 24211294
TI  - Transfection of pseudouridine-modified mRNA encoding CPD-photolyase leads to
      repair of DNA damage in human keratinocytes: a new approach with future
      therapeutic potential.
AB  - UVB irradiation induces harmful photochemical reactions, including formation of
      Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers (CPDs) in DNA. Accumulation of unrepaired CPD
      lesions causes inflammation, premature ageing and skin cancer. Photolyases are
      DNA repair enzymes that can rapidly restore DNA integrity in a light-dependent
      process called photoreactivation, but these enzymes are absent in humans. Here,
      we present a novel mRNA-based gene therapy method that directs synthesis of a
      marsupial, Potorous tridactylus, CPD-photolyase in cultured human keratinocytes.
      Pseudouridine was incorporated during in vitro transcription to make the mRNA non
      immunogenic and highly translatable. Keratinocytes transfected with lipofectamine
      complexed mRNA expressed photolyase in the nuclei for at least 2days. Exposing
      photolyase mRNA-transfected cells to UVB irradiation resulted in significantly
      less CPD in those cells that were also treated with photoreactivating light,
      which is required for photolyase activity. The functional photolyase also
      diminished other UVB-mediated effects, including induction of IL-6 and inhibition
      of cell proliferation. These results demonstrate that pseudouridine-containing
      photolyase mRNA is a powerful tool to repair UVB-induced DNA lesions. The
      pseudouridine-modified mRNA approach has a strong potential to discern cellular
      effects of CPD in UV-related cell biological studies. The mRNA-based transient
      expression of proteins offers a number of opportunities for future application in
      medicine. 

PMID- 24211295
TI  - The agr function and polymorphism: impact on Staphylococcus aureus susceptibility
      to photoinactivation.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that causes healthcare
      associated and community-acquired infections. Moreover, the growing prevalence of
      multiresistant strains requires the development of alternative methods to
      antibiotic therapy. One effective therapeutic option may be antimicrobial
      photodynamic inactivation (aPDI). Recently, S. aureus strain-dependent response
      to PDI was demonstrated, although the mechanism underlying this phenomenon
      remains unexplained. The aim of the current study was to investigate
      statistically relevant correlations between the functionality and polymorphisms
      of agr gene determined for 750 methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant
      S. aureus strains and their responses to photodynamic inactivation using
      protoporphyrin IX. An AluI and RsaI digestion of the agr gene PCR product
      revealed existing correlations between the determined digestion profiles
      (designations used for the first time) and the PDI response. Moreover, the
      functionality of the agr system affected S. aureus susceptibility to PDI. Based
      on our results, we conclude that the agr gene may be a genetic factor affecting
      the strain dependent response to PDI. 

PMID- 24211296
TI  - Fluorescence lifetime distributions report on protein destabilisation in
      quenching experiments.
AB  - Tryptophan is the most often investigated intrinsic fluorophore due to its
      abundance in proteins and its sensitivity to different environmental conditions.
      Fluorescence quenching is a powerful method to study proteins and acrylamide is a
      frequently applied quencher in these investigations. Quenching experiments are
      sometimes distorted by the undesired protein-quencher interactions that can
      result in a misinterpretation of the results. Here we focused on the
      identification of the possible side-effects of acrylamide applying fluorescence
      lifetime measurements. To provide reference data for protein denaturation the
      fluorescence parameters were also recorded in the presence of different
      concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride. In circular dichroism experiments we
      characterized directly the acrylamide effect on the tertiary structure of the
      proteins. According to the obtained data in experiments with seven tryptophan
      containing proteins the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the fluorescence
      lifetime distribution is an appropriate parameter to monitor the undesired
      effects of acrylamide on the proteins. 

PMID- 24211297
TI  - Development and comparison of a quantitative TaqMan-MGB real-time PCR assay to
      three other methods of quantifying vaccinia virions.
AB  - Plaque assays are a widely used method to quantify stocks of viruses. Although
      this method is well established for titrating viral stocks, it is time consuming
      and can take several days to complete. In this study, the creation and validation
      of a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay for enumerating virions of vaccinia
      virus is reported. PCR primers and a minor groove-binding probe were designed to
      hybridize to the DNA polymerase gene (E9L) from a number of different
      orthopoxviruses. The number of viral genomes determined using qPCR was
      approximately similar to results obtained using OD260 measurements and a direct
      count of fluorescent virions by microscopy indicating that all three methods are
      comparable in their ability to quantify virions from a purified stock. In
      addition, this report describes methodologies to harvest and quantify, using the
      qPCR assay, three of the four types of vaccinia virions produced during
      morphogenesis: intracellular mature virions, cell-associated enveloped virions,
      and extracellular enveloped virions. Using these procedures a particle to plaque
      forming unit of 61:1, 14:1 and 6:1 was calculated for IMV, CEV and EEV,
      respectively. These results show that qPCR can be used as a fast and accurate
      assay to quantify stocks of vaccinia virus over several orders of magnitude from
      both purified and unpurified stocks and should be applicable to other members of
      the orthopoxvirus genera. 

PMID- 24211298
TI  - A double layer plaque assay using spread plate technique for enumeration of
      bacteriophage MS2.
AB  - Bacteriophage MS2 is used widely as a model organism to estimate pathogenic virus
      survival in various environments, and is usually quantified by plaque assay.
      Although current plaque assays work well in enumeration of MS2 in environmental
      samples, quantification of MS2 calls for better visibility and higher
      consistency. In an attempt to improve the visibility and consistency of the
      current plaque assay, spread plate technique was introduced, instead of the pour
      plate technique used commonly in existing methods. Other parameters that
      influence the outcome of the plaque assay were also compared. Using spread plate
      technique resulted in an increase of plaque size by approximately 50% and
      contributed to a better visibility. Addition of supplements (glucose, CaCl2 and
      thiamine); reduction of agar thickness and hardness, also contributed to enhanced
      plaque visibility and increased plaque count. Among all the conditions tested, a
      supplemented thin bottom agar (10ml 1% agar) and a supplemented thin top agar
      (10ml 0.45% agar) with spread plate technique gave the maximum countable plaques
      with a minimum standard deviation. When compared to other methods, it produced
      significantly higher plaque count and lower variation. The optimized plaque assay
      significantly improved visibility and consistency of the existing plaque assay
      methods and could be used in quantification of MS2. 

PMID- 24211299
TI  - Metabolic phenotyping and systems biology approaches to understanding metabolic
      syndrome and fatty liver disease.
AB  - Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and
      cardiovascular disease, is becoming an increasing global health concern. Insulin
      resistance is often associated with metabolic syndrome and also typical hepatic
      manifestations such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Profiling of metabolic
      products (metabolic phenotyping or metabotyping) has provided new insights into
      metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Data from nuclear
      magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry combined with statistical
      modeling and top-down systems biology have allowed us to analyze and interpret
      metabolic signatures in terms of metabolic pathways and protein interaction
      networks and to identify the genomic and metagenomic determinants of metabolism.
      For example, metabolic phenotyping has shown that relationships between host
      cells and the microbiome affect development of the metabolic syndrome and fatty
      liver disease. We review recent developments in metabolic phenotyping and systems
      biology technologies and how these methodologies have provided insights into the
      mechanisms of metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We discuss
      emerging areas of research in this field and outline our vision for how metabolic
      phenotyping could be used to study metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease. 

PMID- 24211300
TI  - Characterization and sub-cellular localization of SS1R, SS2R, and SS5R in human
      late-stage prostate cancer cells: effect of mono- and bi-specific somatostatin
      analogs on cell growth.
AB  - Somatostatin (SST) and SST receptors (SS1R, SS2R, SS3R, SS4R and SS5R) appear to
      play a significant role in the progression of human prostate cancer (PCa), which
      is associated with heterogeneity of SSRs expression and specific cell
      localization as we already demonstrated in the LNCaP cell line, an in vitro model
      of human androgen-dependent PCa. In this study, PC-3 and DU-145 human castration
      resistant PCa cells were found to express all SSRs, while LNCaP expressed all but
      SS4R. A 48-h treatment with BIM-23244 (SS2R/SS5R) or BIM-23926 (SS1R) SST analogs
      was more effective in inhibiting cell proliferation, compared to BIM-23120
      (SS2R), BIM-23206 (SS5R) and BIM-23704 (SS1R/SS2R). BIM-23926 (SS1R) treatment
      increased the amount of p21 and decreased phosphorylated (p) ERK1/2. BIM-23244
      (SS2R/SS5R) led to p21 increment only in PC-3 cells, and to pERK1/2 reduction in
      both cell lines. SS1R/SS2R and SS2R/SS5R receptor dimers were natively present on
      cell membrane and their amount was increased by BIM-23704 (SS1R/SS2R) or BIM
      23244 (SS2R/SS5R) treatment, respectively. SS1R, SS2R and SS5R were differently
      distributed among nuclear, lysosomal and microsomal compartment, according to
      their different recycling dynamics. These results show that, in PC-3, DU-145 and
      LNCaP cells, activation of SS1R and SS2R/SS5R leads to relevant antiproliferative
      effects. 

PMID- 24211301
TI  - AS1069562, the (+)-isomer of indeloxazine, but not duloxetine has a curative-like
      analgesic effect in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy.
AB  - AS1069562 is the (+)-isomer of indeloxazine, which had been clinically used as a
      cerebral activator for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases with serotonin
      and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition (SNRI) and neuroprotection. Here, we
      compared the analgesic effects of repeated treatment with AS1069562 and
      duloxetine, a selective SNRI, on pain-related behavior in a rat model of
      streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathy. Further, we also evaluated the
      effects on the expression of neurotrophic factors and nerve conduction velocity.
      AS1069562 and duloxetine by single daily administration for 4 weeks significantly
      improved mechanical allodynia in STZ-induced diabetic rats and did not affect
      plasma glucose level or body weight. Interestingly, the analgesic effect of
      AS1069562 continued after a consecutive 1-week treatment discontinuation,
      although the plasma concentration of AS1069562 was reduced to undetectable
      levels. In contrast, the efficacy of duloxetine disappeared after treatment
      discontinuation. Expression analysis demonstrated that AS1069562 significantly
      restored decreased insulin-like growth factor 1 and fibroblast growth factor 2
      mRNA levels in dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord, respectively, whereas
      duloxetine did not affect the expression levels of neurotrophic factors. In
      addition, AS1069562 reversed the slowing of nerve conduction velocity. The
      results of this study indicate that the analgesic effect of repeated dosing of
      AS1069562 but not duloxetine is persistent even after a 1-week drug
      discontinuation in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Restoration of neurotrophic factors
      may be involved in the curative-like pharmacological effect of this agent. Thus,
      AS1069562 may potentially offer a better treatment option for patients with
      painful diabetic neuropathy than duloxetine via different mechanisms. 

PMID- 24211302
TI  - Ghrelin administration enhances neurogenesis but impairs spatial learning and
      memory in adult mice.
AB  - Ghrelin, an orexigenic brain-gut hormone promoting feeding and regulating energy
      metabolism in human and rodents, was reported to enhance both adult neurogenesis
      and hippocampus-dependent memory formation. However, it is still unclear whether
      ghrelin-induced hippocampus neurogenesis is responsible for its memory
      improvement. Using 5-bromo-2' deoxyuridien (BrdU) to birth-date newborn neurons
      and c-Fos expression to identify dentate gyrus (DG) neurons involved in memory
      processes, we checked here the effect of ghrelin treatment on adult neurogenesis
      and cognitive behaviors in mice. We further examined the possible effect of
      ghrelin on the recruitment of new neurons into the spatial memory traces in
      intact mice. We found that systemic ghrelin treatment (80MUg/kg, ip injection
      once daily for 8days) stimulated neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus, but had
      no effect on spatial memory formation. Consistently, it did not affect the
      incorporation of newborn neurons into the spatial memory circuits. On the
      contrary, local infusion of ghrelin (8ng/0.5MUl into CA1 region of the
      hippocampus) impaired spatial memory formation, but did not affect adult
      neurogenesis. Our results thus suggested that ghrelin plays distinct roles in
      modulating adult neurogenesis and the memory acquisition in the hippocampus, the
      two processes may not be correlated and may be mediated by different mechanisms. 

PMID- 24211303
TI  - The Kvbeta2 subunit of voltage-gated potassium channels is interacting with
      ProSAP2/Shank3 in the PSD.
AB  - The postsynaptic density is an electron dense meshwork composed of a variety of
      molecules facilitating neuronal signal transmission. ProSAP2/Shank3 represents a
      crucial player at postsynaptic sites, assembling large multimeric platforms and
      anchoring numerous other molecules, thereby linking the functional synapse with
      the cytoskeleton. ProSAP2/Shank3 is also implicated in the pathogenesis of
      numerous diseases, including autism spectrum disorders. KvBeta2 (Kvbeta2) on the
      other hand serves as a regulatory subunit of voltage-gated potassium channels.
      Kvbeta2 is located at various sites in the neuron including the axon (binding to
      Kv1.2), the dendrites (binding to Kv4.2) and the synapse. Binding of Kvbeta2 to
      either Kv1.2 or Kv4 modulates not only the channel conformation but directs
      targeting of the channel protein complex to distinct loci within the cell. Thus
      an interaction between ProSAP2 and Kvbeta2 could have important roles at diverse
      cellular compartments and moreover during maturation stages. We report here on
      the direct protein-protein interaction of the postsynaptic density anchoring
      molecule ProSAP2 and the potassium channel subunit Kvbeta2, initially identified
      in a yeast-two-hybrid-screen. Furthermore, we characterize this interaction at
      synapses using primary hippocampal neurons in vitro. 

PMID- 24211305
TI  - [Ruptures in Descemet's membrane due to forceps injuries: appearance clinically
      and on optical coherence tomography].

PMID- 24211304
TI  - Interleukin-1beta enhances neuronal vulnerability to proNGF-mediated apoptosis by
      increasing surface expression of p75(NTR) and sortillin.
AB  - Many types of injury such as seizure, ischemia, and oxidative stress cause
      upregulation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) in brain neurons, where
      it promotes apoptosis, however the mechanism by which p75(NTR) is regulated under
      these conditions is not well understood. Proinflammatory cytokines such as
      interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) are highly produced under these injury conditions
      and, in particular, are expressed rapidly in the rat hippocampus after seizure.
      IL-1beta is known to increase neuronal vulnerability under many conditions,
      although it does not directly induce neuronal death. Recently, we have shown that
      these cytokines regulate p75(NTR) induction both in neurons and astrocytes in
      vitro. Here, we show that IL-1beta infusion into the brain induces p75(NTR) in
      neurons of the CA1 area of the hippocampus. While IL-1beta induction of p75(NTR)
      is not sufficient to induce cell death, we demonstrate that IL-1beta primes the
      neurons by recruiting p75(NTR) and its coreceptor sortilin to the cell surface,
      making the neurons more vulnerable to subsequent challenge by proNGF. These
      results suggest a mechanism by which IL-1beta exacerbates neuronal death
      following injury. 

PMID- 24211306
TI  - [Foveal hypoplasia in an albino].

PMID- 24211307
TI  - [Panuveitis associated with papillary carcinoma of the thyroid].
AB  - Ocular involvement secondary to thyroid carcinomas is uncommon. Uveal metastasis
      may occur. More rarely, they can be responsible for paraneoplastic syndromes. We
      report the case of a 64-year-old woman who presented with a severe bilateral
      panuveitis with venous vasculitis associated with hyperthyroidism from a
      multinodular goiter, complicated by papillary carcinoma. Systemic steroid therapy
      was initiated; ocular symptoms resolved completely after total thyroidectomy.
      Other causes of panuveitis with venous vasculitis were ruled out. This is the
      first reported case of panuveitis associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
      The occurrence of the ocular symptoms with hyperthyroidism and their remission
      after surgery supports the possibility that this association may not be
      coincidental. A paraneoplastic phenomenon is suspected. 

PMID- 24211308
TI  - [Screening method for angle closure and angle closure glaucoma using scanning
      laser polarimeter GDxVCC and photodynamic gonioscopy in a darkened room. One-year
      outcomes of systematic peripheral iridotomy].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Angle closure glaucoma, a recognized major world health issue
      disproportionately affecting women and Asians, is not often considered in our
      European populations, normotensive subjects, myopic patients, or subjects with a
      deep anterior chamber. Early diagnosis is worthwhile, as laser peripheral
      iridotomy (LPI) is an effective one-step treatment of the causal mechanism.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have performed a retrospective study of patients who
      underwent an LPI, the indication for which was based on "photodynamic" gonioscopy
      in a darkened room showing iridotrabecular contact in darkness. Such photodynamic
      gonioscopy was motivated by the presence of even minute defects in the nerve
      fiber layer as seen on the GDxVCC or the presence of a Van Herick sign (narrow
      limbal anterior chamber depth). RESULTS: One hundred and three eyes of 103
      patients underwent LPI and a minimum 1-year follow-up (mean follow-up almost 2
      years). Mean age was 63.7+/-11.8 years, and women accounted for 63.1% of cases.
      The vast majority (78.6%) of patients had neither glaucoma nor ocular
      hypertension. There were 60.1% hyperopes and 39.9% myopes. Over half (57%) had a
      deep or a very deep anterior chamber. After LPI, there was immediate deepening of
      the limbal depth of the anterior chamber in 100% of cases. The aqueous humor that
      flowed forward was almost always viscous-looking. After 1 year, the IOP was 1.3mm
      Hg+/-2.4 lower (P<.001) (t test). All patients who had experienced morning
      headaches (44% of patients) were relieved of this symptom. GDxVCC after 1 year
      was clearly improved in 18% of cases, slightly improved in 20%, stable in 50%,
      slightly worse in 11% of cases, and clearly worse in 1%. Cases treated at an
      earlier stage had a better improvement in GDxVCC. DISCUSSION: Our study shows
      frequent chronic angle closure in our European population even with deep anterior
      chambers. Absence of a Van Herick sign does not rule out angle closure at night.
      A photodynamic gonioscopy with the Goldmann three-lens mirror (to avoid
      unintentional indentation with the small diameter lenses in these normotensive
      eyes) should be performed in a darkened room. LPI is an effective one-step
      treatment of the underlying cause, that is particularly beneficial if performed
      early.

PMID- 24211309
TI  - ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by radial or femoral approach
      in a multicenter randomized clinical trial: the STEMI-RADIAL trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare radial and femoral approaches in
      patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and
      undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by high-volume
      operators experienced in both access sites. BACKGROUND: The exact clinical
      benefit of the radial compared to the femoral approach remains controversial.
      METHODS: STEMI-RADIAL (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction treated by RADIAL or
      femoral approach) was a randomized, multicenter trial. A total of 707 patients
      referred for STEMI <12 h of symptom onset were randomized in 4 high-volume radial
      centers. The primary endpoint was the cumulative incidence of major bleeding and
      vascular access site complications at 30 days. The rate of net adverse clinical
      events (NACE) was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke,
      and major bleeding/vascular complications. Access site crossover, contrast
      volume, duration of intensive care stay, and death at 6 months were secondary
      endpoints. RESULTS: The primary endpoint occurred in 1.4% of the radial group (n
      = 348) and 7.2% of the femoral group (n = 359; p = 0.0001). The NACE rate was
      4.6% versus 11.0% (p = 0.0028), respectively. Crossover from radial to femoral
      approach was 3.7%. Intensive care stay (2.5 +/- 1.7 days vs. 3.0 +/- 2.9 days, p
      = 0.0038) as well as contrast utilization (170 +/- 71 ml vs. 182 +/- 60 ml, p =
      0.01) were significantly reduced in the radial group. Mortality in the radial and
      femoral groups was 2.3% versus 3.1% (p = 0.64) at 30 days and 2.3% versus 3.6% (p
      = 0.31) at 6 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with STEMI undergoing
      primary PCI by operators experienced in both access sites, the radial approach
      was associated with significantly lower incidence of major bleeding and access
      site complications and superior net clinical benefit. These findings support the
      use of the radial approach in primary PCI as first choice after proper training.
      (Trial Comparing Radial and Femoral Approach in Primary Percutaneous Coronary
      Intervention [PCI] [STEMI-RADIAL]; NCT01136187).

PMID- 24211310
TI  - Use of fluorescent staining and flow cytometry for monitoring physiological
      changes in solventogenic clostridia.
AB  - Physiological changes in populations of Clostridium beijerinckii and Clostridium
      tetanomorphum were monitored by fluorescence staining and flow cytometry. To
      estimate the number of metabolically active cells in exponential growth, a
      combination of the dyes propidium iodide and carboxy fluorescein diacetate
      appeared to be a good choice for both species. During stationary phase, these
      stains did not reflect physiological changes sufficiently and therefore
      additional labeling with bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethineoxonol was
      applied. Results of fluorescence staining in solventogenic batch fermentations
      were compared with substrate-use data, the concentration of key metabolites and
      growth curves. We demonstrate that measurements by all methods were mutually
      compatible. 

PMID- 24211311
TI  - A comparative study of nucleostemin family members in zebrafish reveals specific
      roles in ribosome biogenesis.
AB  - Nucleostemin (NS) is an essential protein for the growth and viability of
      developmental stem cells. Its functions are multi-faceted, including important
      roles in ribosome biogenesis and in the p53-induced apoptosis pathway. While NS
      has been well studied, the functions of its family members GNL2 and GNL3-like
      (GNL3L) remain relatively obscure despite a high degree of sequence and domain
      homology. Here, we use zebrafish lines carrying mutations in the ns family to
      compare and contrast their functions in vertebrates. We find the loss of
      zebrafish ns or gnl2 has a major impact on 60S large ribosomal subunit formation
      and/or function due to cleavage impairments at distinct sites of pre-rRNA
      transcript. In both cases this leads to a reduction of total protein synthesis.
      In contrast, gnl3l loss shows relatively minor rRNA processing delays that
      ultimately have no appreciable effects on ribosome biogenesis or protein
      synthesis. However, the loss of gnl3l still results in p53 stabilization,
      apoptosis, and lethality similarly to ns and gnl2 loss. The depletion of p53 in
      all three of the mutants led to partial rescues of the morphological phenotypes
      and surprisingly, a rescue of the 60S subunit collapse in the ns mutants. We show
      that this rescue is due to an unexpected effect of p53 loss that even in wild
      type embryos results in an increase of 60S subunits. Our study presents an in
      depth description of the mechanisms through which ns and gnl2 function in
      vertebrate ribosome biogenesis and shows that despite the high degree of sequence
      and domain homology, gnl3l has critical functions in development that are
      unrelated to the ribosome. 

PMID- 24211312
TI  - Two tarantula venom peptides as potent and differential Na(V) channels blockers.
AB  - Voltage dependent sodium (Na(V)) channels are large membrane spanning proteins
      which lie in the basis of action potential generation and propagation in
      excitable cells and hence are essential mediators of neuronal signaling.
      Inhibition of Na(V) channel activity is one of the core mechanisms to treat
      conditions related to neuronal hyperexcitability, such as epilepsy in the clinic.
      Na(V) channel blockers are also extensively used to locally inhibit action
      potential generation and related pain perceptions in the form of local
      anesthetics. Here we describe the isolation, biochemical characterization,
      synthesis and in vitro characterization of two potent Na(V) channel blockers from
      the venom of the Paraphysa scrofa (Phrixotrichus auratus) tarantula spider. Both
      Voltage sensor toxin 3 (VSTx-3, kappa-theraphotoxin-Gr4a) and GTx1-15 (Toxin Gtx1
      15), were originally isolated from the venom of the related tarantula Grammostola
      rosea and described as K(V) and Ca(V) channel blockers, respectively. In our
      hands, GTx1-15 was shown to be a potent inhibitor of tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive
      channels (IC50 0.007 MUM for hNa(V)1.7 and 0.12 MUM for hNa(V)1.3 channels), with
      very little effect on TTX-resistant (Na(V)1.5 and NaV1.8) channels. VSTx-3 was
      demonstrated to be a potent, TTX-sensitive sodium channel blocker and especially,
      potent blocker of Na(V)1.8 channels (IC50 0.19 MUM for hNa(V)1.3, 0.43 MUM for
      hNa(V)1.7 and 0.77 MUM for hNa(V)1.8 channels). Such potent inhibitors with
      differential selectivity among Na(V) channel isoforms may be used as tools to
      study the roles of the different channels in processes related to
      hyperexcitability and as lead compounds to treat pathological pain conditions.

PMID- 24211313
TI  - Bacillus cereus enterotoxins act as major virulence factors and exhibit distinct
      cytotoxicity to different human cell lines.
AB  - A comparative analysis on the relevance of the Bacillus cereus enterotoxins Nhe
      (nonhemolytic enterotoxin), HBL (haemolysin BL) and CytK (cytotoxin K) was
      accomplished, concerning their toxic activity towards different target cell
      lines. Overall, among the components secreted by the reference strains for Nhe
      and HBL, the enterotoxin complexes accounted for over 90% of the total toxicity.
      Vero and primary endothelial cells (HUVEC) were highly susceptible to Nhe,
      whereas Hep-G2, Vero and A549 reacted most sensitive to Nhe plus HBL. For CytK
      the highest toxicity was observed on CaCo-2 cells. As HBL positive strains always
      produce Nhe in parallel, the specific contribution of both enterotoxin complexes
      to the overall observed cytotoxic effects was determined by consecutively
      removing their single components. While in most cell lines Nhe and HBL
      contributed more or less equally (40-60%) to cytotoxicity, the relative activity
      of Nhe was approximately 90% in HUVEC, and that of HBL 75% in A549 cells. With
      U937, a nearly Nhe resistant cell line was identified for the first time. This
      distinct susceptibility of cell lines was confirmed by investigating a set of 37
      B. cereus strains. Interestingly, whereas Nhe is the enterotoxin mainly
      responsible for cell death as determined by WST-1 bioassays, more rapid pore
      formation was observed when HBL was present, pointing to a different mode of
      action of the two enterotoxin complexes. Furthermore, correlation was observed
      between cytotoxicity of solely Nhe producing strains and NheB. Cytotoxicity of
      Nhe/HBL producing isolates correlated with the expression of HBL L1, NheB and HBL
      B. In conclusion, the observed susceptibilities of target cell lines of different
      histological origin underline that B. cereus enterotoxins represent major
      virulence factors and that toxicity is not restricted to gastrointestinal
      infections. The varying contribution of Nhe and HBL to total cytotoxicity
      strongly indicates that Nhe as well as HBL specific B. cereus enterotoxin
      receptors exist. 

PMID- 24211314
TI  - Combined inhibition of Na+ and Ca2+ channels: a novel paradigm for the treatment
      of incessant ventricular arrhythmias in Andersen-Tawil syndrome.

PMID- 24211315
TI  - Left atrial thrombus after appendage ligation with LARIAT.

PMID- 24211316
TI  - Priming of beta-2 agonist and antimuscarinic induced physiological responses
      induced by 1200mg/day NAC in moderate to severe COPD patients: A pilot study.
AB  - This study evaluated antioxidant modulations of lung physiological-responses to
      beta-2-agonist and antimuscarinic bronchodilators with 1200mg/day n-acetyl
      cysteine (NAC) in a placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group
      study, in moderate-very severe COPD patients. METHODS: 15 COPD patients received
      NAC treatment, while 9 COPD patients received placebo treatment, for 15 days. Pre
      and-post salbutamol and ipratopium-bromide lung-physiology responses were
      measured using body-plethysmography, impulse-oscillometry (IOS) and spirometry
      before-and-after study treatments. RESULTS: Compared to pre-treatment, the NAC
      treatment significantly enhanced the potential of ipratopium-bromide to reduce
      functional-residual-capacity (FRC) by nearly 3-folds (mean% FRC-response: pre
      NAC: -5.51%+/-10.42% versus post-NAC: -17.89%+/-12.94%, p=0.02; mean-absolute FRC
      response: pre-NAC: -300ml+/-450ml versus post-NAC: -770ml+/-550ml, p=0.02), which
      was superior to placebo-treatment. The increase in total-lung-capacity response
      to ipratopium-bromide, although insignificant, was superior with post-NAC
      treatment versus post-placebo treatment (p=0.049). The salbutamol-response
      remained unaltered with either treatment. CONCLUSION: The treatment with
      1200mg/day NAC has potential to enhance the bronchodilator ability of
      antimuscarinic-agents but not beta-2-agonist. However, its clinical application
      has to be established in large sample-size studies for longer-duration.

PMID- 24211317
TI  - Ventilatory patterns differ between maximal running and cycling.
AB  - To determine the effect of exercise mode on ventilatory patterns, 22 trained men
      performed two maximal graded exercise tests; one running on a treadmill and one
      cycling on an ergometer. Tidal flow-volume (FV) loops were recorded during each
      minute of exercise with maximal loops measured pre and post exercise. Running
      resulted in a greater VO2peak than cycling (62.7+/-7.6 vs. 58.1+/-7.2mLkg(-1)min(
      1)). Although maximal ventilation (VE) did not differ between modes, ventilatory
      equivalents for O2 and CO2 were significantly larger during maximal cycling.
      Arterial oxygen saturation (estimated via ear oximeter) was also greater during
      maximal cycling, as were end-expiratory (EELV; 3.40+/-0.54 vs. 3.21+/-0.55L) and
      end-inspiratory lung volumes, (EILV; 6.24+/-0.88 vs. 5.90+/-0.74L). Based on
      these results we conclude that ventilatory patterns differ as a function of
      exercise mode and these observed differences are likely due to the differences in
      posture adopted during exercise in these modes. 

PMID- 24211318
TI  - The cognitive significance of resonating neurons in the cerebral cortex.
AB  - Most neural fibers of the cerebral cortex engage in electric signaling, but one
      particular fiber, the apical dendrite of the pyramidal neuron, specializes in
      electric resonating. This dendrite extends upward from somas of pyramidal
      neurons, the most numerous neurons of the cortex. The apical dendrite is embedded
      in a recurrent corticothalamic circuit that induces surges of electric current to
      move repeatedly down the dendrite. Narrow bandwidths of surge frequency
      (resonating) enable cortical circuits to use specific carrier frequencies, which
      isolate the processing of those circuits from other circuits. Resonating greatly
      enhances the intensity and duration of electrical activity of a neuron over a
      narrow frequency range, which underlies attention in its various modes. Within
      the minicolumn, separation of the central resonating circuit from the surrounding
      signal processing network separates "having" subjective impressions from
      "thinking about" them. Resonating neurons in the insular cortex apparently
      underlie cognitive impressions of feelings. 

PMID- 24211319
TI  - Prediction of poor mobilization of autologous CD34+ cells with growth factor in
      multiple myeloma patients: implications for risk-stratification.
AB  - It is unknown whether clinical characteristics can successfully predict which
      multiple myeloma (MM) patients would be poor mobilizers with growth factor (GF)
      alone so they can be assigned to mobilization with chemotherapy + GF or GF +
      plerixafor. MM patients (N = 477) who underwent autologous mobilization with GF
      were retrospectively reviewed and assigned into training and validation cohorts.
      In multiple regression analysis, age, platelet count at time of mobilization,
      type of GF utilized, and extent of exposure to lenalidomide independently
      correlated with peripheral blood (PB)-CD34+ and were integrated in a predicting
      score (PS) for poor mobilizers, defined as PB-CD34+ < 20/mm(3) 4 days after
      initiation of GF. There was no correlation between institution, gender, time
      between diagnosis, and mobilization or plasma cells in the bone marrow at time of
      mobilization and PBCD34+. The PS cut-off found in the training cohort to have 90%
      sensitivity for prediction of poor mobilizers performed with 89.7% sensitivity
      but only 34.8% specificity in the validation cohort. Conversely, the PS cut-off
      developed to have 90% specificity performed with 86.9% specificity but only 37%
      sensitivity. We conclude that clinical characteristics identifiable before
      initiation of mobilization should not be used to stratify MM patients for
      different mobilization strategies. 

PMID- 24211320
TI  - Testosterone influences song behaviour and social dominance - but independent of
      prenatal yolk testosterone exposure.
AB  - In the last two decades, maternally derived yolk androgens have been shown to
      significantly alter offspring development, and a number of these effects persist
      into adulthood. However, little is known about their underlying mechanisms.
      Mechanisms that have been suggested are changes in the endogenous androgen
      production post-hatching or changes in the sensitivity towards circulating
      androgens. We tested the effects of yolk testosterone on the plasma testosterone
      levels and the sensitivity to testosterone in 5months old male canaries that
      hatched from eggs that were either injected with testosterone (yT-males) or with
      a control solution (yC-males). Changes in sensitivity were investigated via the
      behavioural response to an experimental elevation of the plasma testosterone
      levels. We performed the experiment in fall (low endogenous testosterone
      production), focusing on testosterone dependent response traits (aggression and
      song). Before implantation, there was a non-significant trend that the plasma
      testosterone levels were lower in yT-males than in yC-males. Elevating the plasma
      testosterone concentrations increased aggressiveness, song bout length and
      similarity of repeated song elements (=consistency), with the latter likely being
      a consequence of testosterone-driven song crystallization. However, these effects
      were not different among yT- or yC-males in any of the parameters. Thus, our
      findings render it unlikely that changes in the sensitivity to testosterone post
      hatching would form the main underlying mechanism of hormone-mediated maternal
      effects in birds. Further experiments are urgently needed in order to understand
      the nature of the phenotypic effects resulting from embryonic exposure to
      maternal yolk testosterone. 

PMID- 24211321
TI  - Synthesis and in vitro antiproliferative evaluation of some novel B
      norcholesterols.
AB  - Some novel B-norcholesterols with different substituted groups were synthesized.
      The antiproliferative activity of the compounds against cervical carcinoma
      (HeLa), liver cancer (Bel 7404) and gastric cancer (SGC 7901) cells was assayed.
      The results revealed that the presence of a 6-alkylthiosemicarbazone or 6-cyano
      group could enhance the antiproliferative activity of these compounds. The
      induction of compounds 6 and 9 to cancer cell apoptosis were assayed by flow
      cytometry, and the results showed that the compounds were able to effectively
      induce cancer cell apoptosis. The research provided a theoretical reference for
      the exploration of new anti-cancer drug. The results suggest that compounds 6 and
      9 based on its abeo-cholestane may constitute a novel class of antiproliferative
      agents, which deserve further study. 

PMID- 24211322
TI  - Homozygosity mapping identifies a GALK1 mutation as the cause of autosomal
      recessive congenital cataracts in 4 adult siblings.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Monogenic congenital cataract is one of the most genetically
      heterogeneous ocular conditions with almost 30 different genes involved in its
      etiology. In adult patients, genotype-phenotype correlations are troubled by eye
      surgery during infancy and/or long-term ocular complications. Here, we describe
      the molecular diagnosis of GALK1 deficiency as the cause of autosomal recessive
      congenital cataract in a family from Costa Rica. METHODS: Four affected siblings
      were included in the study. All of them underwent eye surgery during the first
      decade but medical records were not available. Congenital cataract was diagnosed
      by report. Molecular analysis included genome wide homozygosity mapping using a
      250K SNP Affymetrix microarray followed by PCR amplification and direct
      nucleotide sequencing of candidate gene. RESULTS: Genome wide homozygosity
      mapping revealed a 6Mb region of homozygosity shared by two affected siblings at
      17q25. The GALK1 gene was included in this interval and direct sequencing of this
      gene revealed a homozygous c.1144C>T mutation (p.Q382) in all four affected
      subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates the utility of homozygosity mapping
      in the retrospective diagnosis of a family with congenital cataracts in which
      ocular surgery at early age, the lack of medical records, and the presence of
      long term eye complications, impeded a clear clinical diagnosis during the
      initial phases of evaluation.

PMID- 24211323
TI  - High prevalence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) as presentation of
      cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency in childhood: molecular and clinical
      findings of Turkish probands.
AB  - Classical homocystinuria is the most commonly inherited disorder of sulfur
      metabolism, caused by the genetic alterations in human cystathionine beta
      synthase (CBS) gene. In this study, we present comprehensive clinical findings
      and the genetic basis of homocystinuria in a cohort of Turkish patients.
      Excluding some CBS mutations, detailed genotype-phenotype correlation for
      different CBS mutations has not been established in literature. We aimed to make
      clinical subgroups according to main clinical symptoms and discussed these data
      together with mutational analysis results from our patients. Totally, 16
      different mutations were identified; twelve of which had already been reported,
      and four are novel (p.N93Y, p.L251P, p.D281V and c.829-2A>T). The probands were
      classified into three major groups according to the clinical symptoms caused by
      these mutations. A psychomotor delay was the most common diagnostic symptom
      (n=12, 46.2% neurological presentation), followed by thromboembolic events (n=6,
      23.1% vascular presentation) and lens ectopia, myopia or marfanoid features (n=5,
      19.2% connective tissue presentation). Pyridoxine responsiveness was 7.7%;
      however, with partial responsive probands, the ratio was 53.9%. In addition, five
      thrombophilic nucleotide changes including MTHFR c.677 C>T and c.1298 A>C, Factor
      V c.1691 G>A, Factor II c.20210 G>A, and SERPINE1 4G/5G were investigated to
      assess their contributions to the clinical spectrum. We suggest that the effect
      of these polymorphisms on clinical phenotype of CBS is not very clear since the
      distribution of thrombophilic polymorphisms does not differ among specific
      groups. This study provides molecular findings of 26 Turkish probands with
      homocystinuria and discusses the clinical presentations and putative effects of
      the CBS mutations. 

PMID- 24211324
TI  - A novel heterozygous SOX2 mutation causing congenital bilateral anophthalmia,
      hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and growth hormone deficiency.
AB  - Heterozygous de novo mutations in SOX2 have been reported in approximately 10-20%
      of patients with unilateral or bilateral anophthalmia or microphthalmia. An
      additional phenotype of hypopituitarism, with anterior pituitary hypoplasia and
      hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, has been reported in patients carrying SOX2
      alterations. We report a novel heterozygous mutation in the SOX2 gene in a male
      affected with congenital bilateral anophthalmia, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
      and growth hormone deficiency. The mutation we describe is a cytosine deletion in
      position 905 (c905delC) which causes frameshift and an aberrant C-terminal
      domain. Our report highlights the fact that subjects affected with eye anomalies
      and harboring SOX2 mutations are at high risk for gonadotropin deficiency, which
      has important implications for their clinical management. 

PMID- 24211325
TI  - Cloning, characterization, hypoxia and heat shock response of hypoxia inducible
      factor-1 (HIF-1) from the small abalone Haliotis diversicolor.
AB  - In this study, hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and hypoxia inducible
      factor-1beta (HIF-1beta) from small abalone Haliotis diversicolor were cloned.
      The cDNA of H. diversicolor HIF-1alpha (HdHIF-1alpha) is 2,833 bp encoding a
      protein of 711aa and H. diversicolor HIF-1beta (HdHIF-1beta) is 1919 bp encoding
      a protein of 590aa. Similar to other species' HIF-1, HdHIF-1 has one basic helix
      loop-helix (bHLH) domain and two Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domains, and HdHIF-1alpha has
      a oxygen-dependent degradation domain (ODDD) with two proline hydroxylation
      motifs and a C-terminal transactivation domain (C-TAD) with an asparagine
      hydroxylation motif. Under normoxic conditions, HdHIF-1alpha and HdHIF-1beta
      mRNAs were constitutively present in all examined tissues. Under hypoxia (2.0mg/L
      DO at 25 degrees C) stress, HdHIF-1alpha expression was up-regulated in gills at
      4h, 24h and 96 h, and in hemocytes at 24h and 96 h, while HdHIF-1beta remained
      relatively constant. Under thermal stress (31 degrees C), HdHIF-1alpha expression
      was significantly increased in gills at 4h, and hemocytes at 0 h and 4 h, while
      HdHIF-1beta expression still remained relatively constant. These results
      suggested that HIF-1alpha may play an important role in adaption to poor
      environment in H. diversicolor.

PMID- 24211326
TI  - Tumor-suppressive microRNA-449a induces growth arrest and senescence by targeting
      E2F3 in human lung cancer cells.
AB  - MicroRNA-449a (miR-449a) was significantly downregulated in 156 lung cancer
      tissues (p<0.001). We found that the low expression of miR-449a was highly
      correlated with cancer recurrence and survival of lung cancer patients. The
      transient introduction of miR-449a caused cell cycle arrest and cell senescence
      in A549 and 95D cells. Further studies revealed that E2F3 was a direct target of
      miR-449a in lung cancer cells. miR-449a also suppressed tumor formation in vivo
      in nude mice. These results suggest that miR-449a plays an important role in lung
      cancer tumorigenesis and that miR-449a might predict cancer recurrence and
      survival of lung cancer patients.

PMID- 24211327
TI  - In silico simulations of STAT1 and STAT3 inhibitors predict SH2 domain cross
      binding specificity.
AB  - Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) comprise a family of
      transcription factors that are structurally related and which participate in
      signaling pathways activated by cytokines, growth factors and pathogens.
      Activation of STAT proteins is mediated by the highly conserved Src homology 2
      (SH2) domain, which interacts with phosphotyrosine motifs for specific contacts
      between STATs and receptors and for STAT dimerization. By generating new models
      for human (h)STAT1, hSTAT2 and hSTAT3 we applied comparative in silico docking to
      determine SH2-binding specificity of the STAT3 inhibitor stattic, and of
      fludarabine (STAT1 inhibitor). Thus, we provide evidence that by primarily
      targeting the highly conserved phosphotyrosine (pY+0) SH2 binding pocket stattic
      is not a specific hSTAT3 inhibitor, but is equally effective towards hSTAT1 and
      hSTAT2. This was confirmed in Human Micro-vascular Endothelial Cells (HMECs) in
      vitro, in which stattic inhibited interferon-alpha-induced phosphorylation of all
      three STATs. Likewise, fludarabine inhibits both hSTAT1 and hSTAT3
      phosphorylation, but not hSTAT2, by competing with the highly conserved pY+0 and
      pY-X binding sites, which are less well-preserved in hSTAT2. Moreover we observed
      that in HMECs in vitro fludarabine inhibits cytokine and lipopolysaccharide
      induced phosphorylation of hSTAT1 and hSTAT3 but does not affect hSTAT2. Finally,
      multiple sequence alignment of STAT-SH2 domain sequences confirmed high
      conservation between hSTAT1 and hSTAT3, but not hSTAT2, with respect to stattic
      and fludarabine binding sites. Together our data offer a molecular basis that
      explains STAT cross-binding specificity of stattic and fludarabine, thereby
      questioning the present selection strategies of SH2 domain-based competitive
      small inhibitors. 

PMID- 24211328
TI  - Fluridone as a new anti-inflammatory drug.
AB  - Fluridone is a herbicide extensively utilized in agriculture for its documented
      safety in animals. Fluridone contains a 4(1H)-pyridone and a trifluoromethyl
      benzene moiety, which are also present in molecules with analgesic and anti
      inflammatory properties. The established absence of adverse effects of Fluridone
      on animals prompted us to investigate whether it could represent a new anti
      inflammatory compound targeting human cells. In stimulated human monocytes,
      micromolar Fluridone inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 expression and the release of
      monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and prostaglandin-E2, to a similar extent as
      Acetylsalicylic acid. Fluridone also inhibited the proliferation of aortic smooth
      muscle cells and reduced proliferation and cytokine release by human activated
      lymphocytes. The mechanism of Fluridone seems to rely on the dose-dependent
      inhibition of the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB, a transcription
      factor playing a pivotal role in inflammation. Fluridone also inhibited the
      release from stimulated human monocytes of abscisic acid, a plant stress hormone
      recently discovered also in mammalian cells, where it stimulates pro-inflammatory
      responses. Interestingly, the mechanism of Fluridone's toxicity in plants relies
      on the inhibition of the enzyme phytoene desaturase, involved in the biosynthetic
      pathway of beta-carotene, the precursor of absciscic acid in plants. Finally,
      administration of Fluridone reduced peritoneal inflammation in Zymosan-treated
      mice. These results suggest that Fluridone could represent a new prototype of
      anti-inflammatory drug, also active on abscisic acid pro-inflammatory pathway. 

PMID- 24211330
TI  - Impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the essential HCV entry factor CD81
      on HCV infectivity and neutralization.
AB  - End stage liver disease caused by chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) is a leading indication for liver transplantation, yet outcomes are poor
      since the liver graft is rapidly re-infected by HCV. Antibodies against the
      essential HCV receptor CD81 have been shown to inhibit HCV cell entry in vitro
      and in vivo and may represent an attractive treatment option. However, several
      CD81 variants exist at low levels in human populations. We aimed to investigate
      to what extent these variants function as HCV receptors and would be amenable to
      therapeutic interventions with CD81 antibodies. We used lentiviral expression to
      introduce wildtype or variant CD81 in the CD81(low) Lunet N4 cell line. HCV
      replication cycle steps and neutralization by CD81 antibodies were then
      investigated using full length HCV reporter viruses (HCVcc) as well as HCV
      pseudoparticles (HCVpp). We found that all tested CD81 variants support cell
      entry by HCVpp and HCVcc with an efficiency similar to wildtype CD81. Other
      replication cycle steps, namely intracellular RNA replication and release of new
      particles, were also unaffected by the presence of CD81 variants. Importantly,
      four neutralizing antibodies directed against the CD81 LEL (5A6, JS81, 1D6 and
      1.3.3.22) retained their ability to inhibit HCV infection when wildtype CD81 on
      target cells was replaced with any of the CD81 variants. These data indicate that
      CD81 variants that exist in the human population are fully functional as HCV
      receptors and their presence would not diminish the efficacy of therapeutic
      regimens that include CD81-antibodies. 

PMID- 24211329
TI  - Sexual dimorphism in rat aortic endothelial function of streptozotocin-induced
      diabetes: possible involvement of superoxide and nitric oxide production.
AB  - Little is known of the interactions between diabetes and sex hormones on vascular
      function. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether there were sex
      differences in rat aortic endothelial function one week after the induction of
      streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetes, and to examine the potential roles of superoxide
      and nitric oxide (NO) in this sex-specific effect. Endothelium-dependent
      vasodilatation to acetylcholine (ACh) was measured in rat aortic rings before and
      after treatment with MnTMPyP (25uM), a superoxide dismutase. Contractile
      responses to phenylephrine (PE) were generated before and after treatment with l
      NAME (200MUM), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. The mRNA expression of
      NADPH oxidase (Nox) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were also
      determined. We demonstrated that (1) STZ-diabetes impaired endothelium-dependent
      vasodilatation to ACh to a greater extent in female than male aortae, (2)
      inhibition of superoxide enhanced sensitivity to ACh only in diabetic females,
      and (3) Nox1 and Nox4 mRNA expression were significantly elevated only in aortic
      tissue of diabetic females. Furthermore, incubation of aortic rings with l-NAME
      potentiated PE responses in all groups, but aortae from control females showed a
      greater potentiation of the PE response after NOS inhibition compared with
      others. STZ-diabetes reduced the extent of PE potentiation after l-NAME and the
      aortic eNOS mRNA expression in females to the same levels as seen in males. These
      data suggest that a decrease in NO, resulting from either decreased eNOS or
      elevated superoxide, may partially contribute to the predisposition of the female
      aorta to injury early in diabetes. 

PMID- 24211332
TI  - Novel superparamagnetic sanoparticles for trypsin immobilization and the
      application for efficient proteolysis.
AB  - Immobilization of trypsin onto the superparamagnetic carboxymethyl chitosan
      (Fe3O4 (PEG+CM-CTS)) nanoparticles was studied. FTIR and fluorescence
      spectroscopy data demonstrated that the Fe3O4 (PEG+CM-CTS) nanoparticles were
      capable of preventing the trypsin unfolding. Due to the large specific surface
      area and excellent dispersibility, the adsorption equilibrium of trypsin onto the
      nanoparticles was achieved quickly within 30min. The results of kinetic
      parameters (Michaelis constant, Km) with regards to the free trypsin (FT) and
      immobilized trypsin (IT) were 23.1 and 24.1mg/mL separately, implying that IT has
      less affinity to the BAEE used as the substrate. However, the MALDI-TOF MS
      analysis indicated that, IT could be used for fast and efficient Bovine Serum
      Albumin (BSA) digestion under very facile processes, thanks to the easy
      manipulation of the magnetic nanoparticles (MNs), as well as the greatly reduced
      digestion time (from 12h to 15min). IT exhibited a sound stability after re-uses
      for six times, with 76.3% of the initial activity thereof still retained, thus
      making it more attractive in the application fields. These results are expected
      to open up a great potential use of such Fe3O4 (PEG+CM-CTS) nanoparticles as a
      superior nanosupport for trypsin immobilization. 

PMID- 24211331
TI  - Molecular mechanism of HIV-1 resistance to 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine.
AB  - We reported that 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (3'-azido-ddG) selected for the
      L74V, F77L, and L214F mutations in the polymerase domain and K476N and V518I
      mutations in the RNase H domain of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). In this
      study, we have defined the molecular mechanisms of 3'-azido-ddG resistance by
      performing in-depth biochemical analyses of HIV-1 RT containing mutations L74V,
      F77L, V106I, L214F, R277K, and K476N (SGS3). The SGS3 HIV-1 RT was from a single
      genome-derived full-length RT sequence obtained from 3'-azido-ddG resistant HIV-1
      selected in vitro. We also analyzed two additional constructs that either lacked
      the L74V mutation (SGS3-L74V) or the K476N mutation (SGS3-K476N). Pre-steady
      state kinetic experiments revealed that the L74V mutation allows RT to
      effectively discriminate between the natural nucleotide (dGTP) and 3'-azido-ddG
      triphosphate (3'-azido-ddGTP). 3'-azido-ddGTP discrimination was primarily driven
      by a decrease in 3'-azido-ddGTP binding affinity (Kd) and not by a decreased rate
      of incorporation (kpol). The L74V mutation was found to severely impair RT's
      ability to excise the chain-terminating 3'-azido-ddG-monophosphate (3'-azido
      ddGMP) moiety. However, the K476N mutation partially restored the enzyme's
      ability to excise 3'-azido-ddGMP on an RNA/DNA, but not on a DNA/DNA,
      template/primer by selectively decreasing the frequency of secondary RNase H
      cleavage events. Collectively, these data provide strong additional evidence that
      the nucleoside base structure is major determinant of HIV-1 resistance to the 3'
      azido-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides. 

PMID- 24211333
TI  - Activity-guided identification of acetogenins as novel lipophilic antioxidants
      present in avocado pulp (Persea americana).
AB  - Avocado fruit is a rich source of health-related lipophilic phytochemicals such
      as monounsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, carotenes, acetogenins and sterols.
      However, limited information is available on the contribution of specific
      phytochemicals to the overall antioxidant capacity (AOC) of the fruit.
      Centrifugal partition chromatography was used as fractionation tool, guided by an
      in vitro chemical assay of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Subsequent
      experiments focused on isolation and characterization of the chemical nature of
      the main contributors to lipophilic AOC of avocado pulp. ORAC values obtained for
      acetogenins were contrasted with results from an isolated kidney mitochondria
      membrane lipid peroxidation bioassay. The present study established that
      lipophilic AOC of the pulp was significantly higher than its hydrophilic AOC. Our
      results confirmed the presence of acetogenins in the fractions with highest
      lipophilic AOC, and for the first time linked them as contributors to lipophilic
      ORAC values. Further HPLC-PDA/MS-TOF analysis led to structural elucidation of
      two novel acetogenins, not previously reported as present in avocado pulp, along
      with five already known related-compounds. Antioxidant properties observed for
      avocado pulp acetogenins by the ORAC assay suggested that, in the presence of an
      emulsifying agent, acetogenins could serve as novel lipophilic antioxidants in a
      food matrix. Results from isolated mitochondria lipid peroxidation bioassay,
      indicated that L-ORAC values which may have relevance for food matrix
      applications, should not be interpreted to have a direct relevance in health
      related claims, compounds need to be evaluated considering the complexity of
      biological systems. 

PMID- 24211335
TI  - Characterization of copper transport in gill cells of a mangrove crab Ucides
      cordatus.
AB  - The branchial epithelium of crustaceans is exposed to the environment and is the
      first site affected by metal pollution. The aim of this work was to characterize
      copper (Cu) transport using a fluorescent dye, Phen Green, in gill cells of a
      hypo-hyper-regulator mangrove crab Ucides cordatus. The results showed that added
      extracellular CuCl2 (0, 0.025, 0.150, 0.275, 0.550 and 1.110 MUM) showed typical
      Michaelis-Menten transport for Cu in anterior and posterior gill cells (Vmax for
      anterior and posterior gills: 0.41 +/- 0.12 and 1.76 +/- 0.27 intracellular Cu in
      MUM * 22.10(4)cells(-1)* 300 s(-1) respectively and Km values: 0.44 +/- 0.04 and
      0.32 +/- 0.13 MUM, respectively). Intracellular Cu was significantly higher for
      posterior gill cells compared to anterior gill cells, suggesting differential
      accumulation for each gill type. Extracellular Ca at 20mM decreased cellular Cu
      transport for both anterior and posterior gill cells. Nifedipine and verapamil,
      calcium channel inhibitors from plasma membrane, decreased Cu transport and
      affected Km for both gills. These results could be due to a competition between
      Cu and Ca. Amiloride, a Na/Ca exchanger inhibitor, as well as bafilomycin, a
      proton pump inhibitor, caused a decrease of intracellular Cu compared to control.
      Ouabain and KB-R 7943, acting on Na homeostasis, similarly decreased
      intracellular Cu in both gill cells. Besides that, gill cells exposed to ATP and
      Cu simultaneously, showed an increase in intracellular copper, which was
      inhibited by vanadate, an inhibitor of P-type ATPase. These results suggest
      either the presence of a Cu-ATPase in crab gill cells, responsible for Cu influx,
      or the effect of a change in electrochemical membrane potential that could also
      drive Cu to the gill cell interior. Caffeine increased intracellular Cu,
      suggesting that intracellular Ca could be affecting Cu uptake. Overall the
      results show that copper uptake in gill cells of crabs is regulated by
      intracellular Ca, Ca channels and by Na exchangers. This is the first report of
      Cu transport characterization in whole gill cells of crabs.

PMID- 24211334
TI  - A new alternative method for testing skin irritation using a human skin model: a
      pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies assessing skin irritation to chemicals have traditionally
      used laboratory animals; however, such methods are questionable regarding their
      relevance for humans. New in vitro methods have been validated, such as the
      reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) model (Episkin(r), Epiderm(r)). The
      comparison (accuracy) with in vivo results such as the 4-h human patch test (HPT)
      is 76% at best (Epiderm(r)). There is a need to develop an in vitro method that
      better simulates the anatomo-pathological changes encountered in vivo.
      OBJECTIVES: To develop an in vitro method to determine skin irritation using
      human viable skin through histopathology, and compare the results of 4 tested
      substances to the main in vitro methods and in vivo animal method (Draize test).
      METHODOLOGY: Human skin removed during surgery was dermatomed and mounted on an
      in vitro flow-through diffusion cell system. Ten chemicals with known non
      irritant (heptylbutyrate, hexylsalicylate, butylmethacrylate, isoproturon,
      bentazon, DEHP and methylisothiazolinone (MI)) and irritant properties (folpet, 1
      bromohexane and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI/MI)), a negative control
      (sodiumchloride) and a positive control (sodiumlaurylsulphate) were applied. The
      skin was exposed at least for 4h. Histopathology was performed to investigate
      irritation signs (spongiosis, necrosis, vacuolization). RESULTS: We obtained 100%
      accuracy with the HPT model; 75% with the RHE models and 50% with the Draize test
      for 4 tested substances. The coefficients of variation (CV) between our three
      test batches were <0.1, showing good reproducibility. Furthermore, we reported
      objectively histopathological irritation signs (irritation scale): strong
      (folpet), significant (1-bromohexane), slight (MCI/MI at 750/250ppm) and none
      (isoproturon, bentazon, DEHP and MI). CONCLUSIONS: This new in vitro test method
      presented effective results for the tested chemicals. It should be further
      validated using a greater number of substances; and tested in different
      laboratories in order to suitably evaluate reproducibility.

PMID- 24211336
TI  - Impact of benzo(a)pyrene, Cu and their mixture on the proteomic response of
      Mytilus galloprovincialis.
AB  - In natural waters, chemical interactions between mixtures of contaminants can
      result in potential synergistic and/or antagonic effects in aquatic animals.
      Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and copper (Cu) are two widespread environmental
      contaminants with known toxicity towards mussels Mytilus spp. The effects of the
      individual and the interaction of BaP and Cu exposures were assessed in mussels
      Mytilus galloprovincialis using proteomic analysis. Mussels were exposed to BaP
      [10 MUg L(-1) (0.396 MUM)], and Cu [10 MUg L(-1) (0.16 MUM)], as well as to their
      binary mixture (mixture) for a period of 7 days. Proteomic analysis showed
      different protein expression profiles associated to each selected contaminant
      condition. A non-additive combined effect was observed in mixture in terms of new
      and suppressed proteins. Proteins more drastically altered (new, suppressed and 2
      fold differentially expressed) were excised and analyzed by mass spectrometry,
      and eighteen putatively identified. Protein identification demonstrated the
      different accumulation, metabolism and chemical interactions of BaP, Cu and their
      mixture, resulting in different modes of action. Proteins associated with
      adhesion and motility (catchin, twitchin and twitchin-like protein), cytoskeleton
      and cell structure (alpha-tubulin and actin), stress response (heat shock cognate
      71, heat shock protein 70, putative C1q domain containing protein), transcription
      regulation (zinc-finger BED domain-containing and nuclear receptor subfamily 1G)
      and energy metabolism (ATP synthase F0 subunit 6 protein and mannose-6-phosphate
      isomerase) were assigned to all three conditions. Cu exposure alone altered
      proteins associated with oxidative stress (glutathione-S-transferase) and
      digestion, growth and remodelling processes (chitin synthase), while the mixture
      affected only one protein (major vault protein) possibly related to multi drug
      resistance. Overall, new candidate biomarkers, namely zinc-finger BED domain
      containing protein, chitin synthase and major vault protein, were also identified
      for BaP, Cu and mixture, respectively.

PMID- 24211337
TI  - Application of a hemolysis assay for analysis of complement activation by
      perfluorocarbon nanoparticles.
AB  - Nanoparticles offer new options for medical diagnosis and therapeutics with their
      capacity to specifically target cells and tissues with imaging agents and/or drug
      payloads. The unique physical aspects of nanoparticles present new challenges for
      this promising technology. Studies indicate that nanoparticles often elicit
      moderate to severe complement activation. Using human in vitro assays that
      corroborated the mouse in vivo results we previously presented mechanistic
      studies that define the pathway and key components involved in modulating
      complement interactions with several gadolinium-functionalized perfluorocarbon
      nanoparticles (PFOB). Here we employ a modified in vitro hemolysis-based assay
      developed in conjunction with the mouse in vivo model to broaden our analysis to
      include PFOBs of varying size, charge and surface chemistry and examine the
      variations in nanoparticle-mediated complement activity between individuals. This
      approach may provide the tools for an in-depth structure-activity relationship
      study that will guide the eventual development of biocompatible nanoparticles.
      FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: Unique physical aspects of nanoparticles may lead to
      moderate to severe complement activation in vivo, which represents a challenge to
      clinical applicability. In order to guide the eventual development of
      biocompatible nanoparticles, this team of authors report a modified in vitro
      hemolysis-based assay developed in conjunction with their previously presented
      mouse model to enable in-depth structure-activity relationship studies.

PMID- 24211338
TI  - Cognitive predictors and moderators of winter depression treatment outcomes in
      cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. light therapy.
AB  - There is no empirical basis for determining which seasonal affective disorder
      (SAD) patients are best suited for what type of treatment. Using data from a
      parent clinical trial comparing light therapy (LT), cognitive-behavioral therapy
      (CBT), and their combination (CBT + LT) for SAD, we constructed hierarchical
      linear regression models to explore baseline cognitive vulnerability constructs
      (i.e., dysfunctional attitudes, negative automatic thoughts, response styles) as
      prognostic and prescriptive factors of acute and next winter depression outcomes.
      Cognitive constructs did not predict or moderate acute treatment outcomes.
      Baseline dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts were
      prescriptive of next winter treatment outcomes. Participants with higher baseline
      levels of dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts had less severe
      depression the next winter if treated with CBT than if treated with LT. In
      addition, participants randomized to solo LT who scored at or above the sample
      mean on these cognitive measures at baseline had more severe depressive symptoms
      the next winter relative to those who scored below the mean. Baseline
      dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts did not predict treatment
      outcomes in participants assigned to solo CBT or CBT + LT. Therefore, SAD
      patients with extremely rigid cognitions did not fare as well in the subsequent
      winter if treated initially with solo LT. Such patients may be better suited for
      initial treatment with CBT, which directly targets cognitive vulnerability
      processes. 

PMID- 24211339
TI  - Attention bias modification for reducing speech anxiety.
AB  - The mechanisms mediating the anxiolytic effects of attention bias modification
      (ABM) remain unclear. Accordingly, we randomly assigned speech-anxious subjects
      to receive four sessions of one of three training conditions: ABM, inverse ABM,
      and control. In the ABM condition, subjects viewed pairs of photographs of models
      displaying facial expressions of disgust and joy on a computer screen. Probes
      always replaced the positive face, and subjects pushed a button to indicate the
      identity of the probe (E or F) as rapidly as possible. In the inverse condition,
      the probes always replaced the negative face, and in the control condition, the
      probes replaced each face type equally often. After four training sessions, all
      groups exhibited statistically indistinguishable, but significant, reductions on
      self-report, behavioral, and physiological measures of speech anxiety. Self
      report and behavioral measures of attentional control improved likewise. Contrary
      to early studies, ABM was not superior to control procedures in producing
      reductions on measures of social anxiety. 

PMID- 24211340
TI  - EcVig, a novel grouper immune-gene associated with antiviral activity against NNV
      infection.
AB  - VHSV-induced genes (VIGs) were first identified in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
      mykiss) and subsequently isolated in a variety of fish. Recent studies have shown
      that most VIGs have immunological functions against pathogenic infections.
      However, most research has focused on Vig1, such that our present understanding
      of these genes in other fish species remains limited. This study isolated a
      homologue of the uncharacterized O. mykiss Vig-B319 (EcVig) from orange-spotted
      grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Genomic organization suggests that four EcVig
      isoforms (EcVig A-D), are generated through alternative splicing. Due to the
      encoding of 2 immunoglobulin (Ig) domains, the EcVig protein can be considered a
      member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The expression of EcVig increased 3
      days after hatching (dph) and peaked at 9 dph. This pattern is similar to that
      displayed by EcMx, an important grouper antiviral gene. Additionally, a tissue
      tropism assay revealed that EcVig A is the major EcVig isoform present in the
      tissues considered by this study, with the expression of EcVig A exceeding that
      of EcVig B. We subsequently investigated whether EcVig expression was induced by
      the viral pathogen nervous necrosis virus (NNV) or the bacterial pathogen Vibrio
      anguillarum. Following injection with NNV, the expression levels of EcVig showed
      significant up-regulation. Conversely, a significant reduction was observed in
      EcVig expression in brain samples collected from V. anguillarum injected grouper.
      The overexpression of EcVig A suppressed the replication of NNV in grouper GF-1
      cell lines, suggesting that EcVig is an important antiviral factor in the grouper
      immune responses.

PMID- 24211341
TI  - Identification, characterization and functional analysis of a serine protease
      inhibitor (Lvserpin) from the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.
AB  - As important arthropod immune responses, prophenoloxidase (proPO) activation and
      Toll pathway initiation are mediated by serine proteinase cascades and regulated
      by serpins. Herein, a serine protease inhibitor (Lvserpin), encoding for 415
      amino acids with calculated molecular weight of 46,639 Da and isoelectric point
      of 7.03 was characterized from the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.
      Multiple sequence alignment revealed that Lvserpin shared the highest similarity
      with Penaeus monodon serpin6 (87%). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) results
      showed that the transcripts of Lvserpin were detected in all the examined tissues
      and most highly expressed in gill. The expression profiles of Lvserpin were
      greatly fluctuated upon infection of Vibrio anguillarum, Micrococcus
      lysoleikticus or White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). Double stranded RNA-mediated
      suppression of Lvserpin resulted in a significant increase in the transcripts of
      two clip-domain serine proteinases (PPAE and PPAF), prophenoloxidase (proPO),
      anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF), Crustin and penaeidin3 (Pens3) and also
      increased the high cumulative mortality post V. anguillarum injection. Besides,
      the recombinant Lvserpin protein (rLvserpin) was purified and exhibited
      inhibitory activity against trypsin. Also the rLvserpin showed inhibition on
      prophenoloxidase activation and bacterial growth. Hence, we proposed that the
      Lvserpin played important role in the shrimp innate immunity.

PMID- 24211342
TI  - A trace ratio maximization approach to multiple kernel-based dimensionality
      reduction.
AB  - Most dimensionality reduction techniques are based on one metric or one kernel,
      hence it is necessary to select an appropriate kernel for kernel-based
      dimensionality reduction. Multiple kernel learning for dimensionality reduction
      (MKL-DR) has been recently proposed to learn a kernel from a set of base kernels
      which are seen as different descriptions of data. As MKL-DR does not involve
      regularization, it might be ill-posed under some conditions and consequently its
      applications are hindered. This paper proposes a multiple kernel learning
      framework for dimensionality reduction based on regularized trace ratio, termed
      as MKL-TR. Our method aims at learning a transformation into a space of lower
      dimension and a corresponding kernel from the given base kernels among which some
      may not be suitable for the given data. The solutions for the proposed framework
      can be found based on trace ratio maximization. The experimental results
      demonstrate its effectiveness in benchmark datasets, which include text, image
      and sound datasets, for supervised, unsupervised as well as semi-supervised
      settings. 

PMID- 24211343
TI  - A tumoral acidic pH-responsive drug delivery system based on a novel
      photosensitizer (fullerene) for in vitro and in vivo chemo-photodynamic therapy.
AB  - Fullerene has shown great potential both in drug delivery and photodynamic
      therapy. Herein, we developed a doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded poly(ethyleneimine)
      (PEI) derivatized fullerene (C60-PEI-DOX) to facilitate combined chemotherapy and
      photodynamic therapy in one system, and DOX was covalently conjugated onto C60
      PEI by the pH-sensitive hydrazone linkage. The release profiles of DOX from C60
      PEI-DOX showed a strong dependence on the environmental pH value. The
      biodistributions of C60-PEI-DOX were investigated by injecting CdSe/ZnS (Qds)
      labeled conjugates (C60-PEI-DOX/Qds) into tumor-bearing mice. C60-PEI-DOX/Qds
      showed a higher tumor targeting efficiency compared with Qds alone. Compared with
      free DOX in an in vivo murine tumor model, C60-PEI-DOX afforded higher antitumor
      efficacy without obvious toxic effects to normal organs owing to its good tumor
      targeting efficacy and the 2.4-fold greater amount of DOX released in the tumor
      than in the normal tissues. C60-PEI-DOX also showed high antitumor efficacy
      during photodynamic therapy. The ability of C60-PEI-DOX nanoparticles to combine
      local specific chemotherapy with external photodynamic therapy significantly
      improved the therapeutic efficacy of the cancer treatment, the combined treatment
      demonstrating a synergistic effect. These results suggest that C60-PEI-DOX may be
      promising for high treatment efficacy with minimal side effects in future
      therapy. 

PMID- 24211344
TI  - Polyelectrolyte effects in G-quadruplexes.
AB  - The role of counterion condensation as a dominant force governing the stability
      of DNA duplexes and triplexes is well established. In contrast, the effect of
      counterion condensation on the stability of G-quadrupex conformations is poorly
      understood. Unlike other ordered nucleic acid structures, G-quadruplexes exhibit
      a specific binding of counterions (typically, Na(+) or K(+)) which are buried
      inside the central cavity and coordinated to the O6 carbonyls of the guanines
      forming the G-quartets. While it has been known that the G-quadruplex-to-coil
      transition temperature, TM, increases with an increase in the concentration of
      the stabilizing ion, the contributions of the specific (coordination in the
      central cavity) and nonspecific (condensation) ion binding have not been
      resolved. In this work, we separate the two contributions by studying the change
      in TM of preformed G-quadruplexes following the addition of nonstabilizing ions
      Li(+), Cs(+), and TMA(+) (tetramethylammonium). In our studies, we used two G
      quadruplexes formed by the human telomeric sequences which are distinct with
      respect to the folding topology and the identity and the number of sequestered
      stabilizing ions. Our data suggest that the predominant ionic contribution to G
      quadruplex stability comes from the specifically bound Na(+) or K(+) ions and not
      from counterion condensation. We offer molecular rationalizations to the observed
      insensitivity of G-quadruplex stability to counterion condensation and emphasize
      the need to expand such studies to assess the generality of our findings. 

PMID- 24211345
TI  - Inhibition of nitric oxide is a good therapeutic target for bladder tumors that
      express iNOS.
AB  - Bladder cancer is the second cause of death for urological tumors in man. When
      the tumor is nonmuscle invasive, transurethral resection is curative. On the
      other hand, radical cystectomy is the treatment chosen for patients with invasive
      tumors, but still under treatment, these patients have high risk of dying, by the
      development of metastatic disease within 5 years. It is therefore important to
      identify a new therapeutic target to avoid tumor recurrences and tumor
      progression. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important biological messenger known to
      influence several types of cancers. In bladder cancer, production of NO and
      expression and activity of inducible NO synthase was associated to recurrence and
      progression. The objective of this work was to analyze if inhibition of nitric
      oxide production could be considered a therapeutic target for bladder tumors
      expressing iNOS. Using a bladder cancer murine model with different invasiveness
      grade we have demonstrated that NO inhibition was able to inhibit growth of
      bladder tumors expressing iNOS. Furthermore, invasive properties of MB49-I
      orthotopic growth was inhibited using NO inhibitors. This paper also shows that
      levels of NO in urine can be correlated with tumor size. In conclusion,
      inhibition of NO could be considered as a therapeutic target that prevents tumor
      growth and progression. Also, urine NO levels may be useful for measuring tumor
      growth.

PMID- 24211346
TI  - Ammonia and odour emissions from UK pig farms and nitrogen leaching from outdoor
      pig production. A review.
AB  - We reviewed specific literature for emissions of ammonia (NH3) and odours from
      all stages of pig production together with nitrogen (N) leaching from raising
      pigs outdoors. Emissions of NH3 decrease with decreases in the crude protein (CP)
      content of pig diets, at all stages of manure management. The CPs of pig diets
      have been greatly reduced by matching the CP content to the protein required at
      each stage of the animals' growth and by using synthetic essential amino acids to
      minimise total CP intake. The CP contents of the dietary ingredients needed to
      provide energy for the animals impose further limits to reductions in dietary CP.
      Housing systems have been designed and evaluated which offer potential for
      reducing NH3 emissions. However such designs may not be applicable at all stages
      of the pigs' development and the careful management needed to ensure their
      effective working may be costly and difficult to implement on commercial farms.
      The factors behind odour emissions are less well characterised. Reducing diet CP
      to 160 g CP kg(-1) has been shown to reduce odour emissions but further CP
      reductions may increase them. Some reductions in odour emissions from buildings
      can be achieved by careful management of the ventilation rate but the most
      effective measures to reduce emissions of NH3 and odours are to cover slurry
      stores and to inject slurry into soil. Changes in the feeding and management of
      outdoor pigs mean that N leaching losses may be up to 50% less than previously
      reported. No studies have been undertaken that compare the N leached from pigs
      raised outdoors, versus that arising from the application of pig manure from an
      equal number of housed pigs. As a precursor to any field study, current models
      could be used to provide a first estimate of any systematic differences.

PMID- 24211347
TI  - Anguilliform fish reveal large scale contamination by mine trace elements in the
      coral reefs of New Caledonia.
AB  - Due to intensive mining activity, increasing urbanization and industrialization,
      vast amounts of contaminants are discharged into the lagoon of New Caledonia, one
      of the largest continuous coral reef systems and a major biodiversity hotspot.
      The levels of 11 trace element concentrations were examined in the muscles of
      predator fish in the south-western lagoon (moray eels and congers). These species
      are sedentary, widespread, abundant, and they are easily collected using a sea
      snake sampling technique. We found the highest mean and maximal concentrations of
      different trace elements ever found in coral fish, notably regarding trace
      elements typical from mining activity (e.g., mean values for Cr and Ni,
      respectively: 5.53 +/- 6.99 MUg g(-1) [max, 35.7 MUg g(-1)] and 2.84 +/- 3.38 MUg
      g(-1) [max, 18.0 MUg g(-1)]). Results show that important trace element
      contamination extends throughout the lagoon to the barrier reef, following a
      concentration gradient from the oldest nickel factory (Noumea).

PMID- 24211348
TI  - An integrated material metabolism model for stocks of urban road system in
      Beijing, China.
AB  - Rapid urbanization has greatly altered the urban metabolism of material and
      energy. As a significant part of the infrastructure, urban roads are being
      rapidly developed worldwide. Quantitative analysis of metabolic processes on
      urban road systems, especially the scale, composition and spatial distribution of
      their stocks, could help to assess the resource appropriation and potential
      environmental impacts, as well as improve urban metabolism models. In this paper,
      an integrated model, which covered all types of roads, intersection structures
      and ancillary facilities, was built for calculating the material stocks of urban
      road systems. Based on a bottom-up method, the total stocks were disassembled
      into a number of stock parts rather than obtained by input-output data, which
      provided an approach promoting data availability and inner structure
      understanding. The combination with GIS enabled the model to tackle the complex
      structures of road networks and avoid double counting. In the case study of
      Beijing, the following results are shown: 1) The total stocks for the entire road
      system reached 159 million tons, of which nearly 80% was stored in roads, and 20%
      in ancillary facilities. 2) Macadam was the largest stock (111 million tons),
      while stone mastic asphalt, polyurethane plastics, and atactic polypropylene
      accounted for smaller components of the overall system. 3) The stock per unit
      area of pedestrian overcrossing was higher than that of the other stock units in
      the entire system, and its steel stocks reached 0.49 t/m(2), which was 10 times
      as high as that in interchanges. 4) The high stock areas were mainly distributed
      in ring-shaped and radial expressways, as well as in major interchanges. 5)
      Expressways and arterials were excessively emphasized, while minor roads were
      relatively ignored. However, the variation of cross-sectional thickness in
      branches and neighborhood roads will have a significant impact on the scale of
      material stocks in the entire road system.

PMID- 24211349
TI  - Nitrogen deposition along differently exposed slopes in the Bavarian Alps.
AB  - The Alps are affected by high nitrogen deposition, particularly in the fringe of
      the Northern and Southern Alps. In the framework of a two-year monitoring study
      performed in 2010 and 2011, we investigated the ammonia and nitrogen dioxide air
      concentration and ammonium and nitrate deposition at different altitudes between
      700 and 1,600 ma.s.l. in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district in the Upper Bavaria
      region (Germany). Four-weekly measurements of deposition collected with bulk open
      field samplers and under-crown were performed in a profile perpendicular to the
      axis of the Loisach valley; measurements were conducted at eight sites. Whereas
      open field deposition ranged from 5 to 11 kg ha(-1)a(-1), nitrogen throughfall
      has reached up to 21 kg ha(-1)a(-1). Data from the valley and the slopes were
      compared with measurements performed on the platform of the Environmental
      Research Station Schneefernerhaus (Zugspitze) at an altitude of 2,650 ma.s.l. For
      the rough estimation of the total yearly deposition rate of nitrogen, the canopy
      uptake model was applied. By regarding nitrogen uptake by the trees, total
      deposition can exceed the throughfall in all sites by up to 50%. Additionally, we
      estimated the total deposition from the sum of wet and dry deposition. On the one
      side, the wet deposition could be extrapolated from the open field deposition. On
      the other side, we used the inferential method to calculate the dry deposition on
      the basis of NH3 and NO2 air concentrations and their literature based deposition
      velocities. Since fixed deposition velocities are inappropriate particularly in
      complex orography, we tried to find correction factors based upon terrain
      characteristics and meteorological considerations. Temperature monitoring at the
      eight sites and wind measurements at two sites provided some evidence for the
      semi-empirical parameterization. Due to numerous imponderabilities, the results
      of the two methods were not consistent for all sites.

PMID- 24211350
TI  - Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of paclitaxel-mimics possessing only
      the oxetane D-ring and side chain structures.
AB  - Two spiro paclitaxel-mimics consisting only of an oxetane D-ring and a C-13 side
      chain were designed and synthesized on the basis of analysis of structure
      activity relationships (SAR) of paclitaxel. In vitro microtubule-stabilizing and
      antiproliferative assays indicated a moderate weaker activity of the mimics than
      paclitaxel, but which still represented the first example of simplified
      paclitaxel analogues with significant anti-tumor biological activity. 

PMID- 24211351
TI  - Lack of anti-androgenic effects of equol on reproductive neuroendocrine function
      in the adult male rat.
AB  - Equol (EQ), a metabolite of the soy isoflavone daidzein, has well known
      estrogenic properties. Data from animal studies suggested that EQ may act also as
      an anti-androgen. However, data regarding how EQ may affect brain functions like
      the regulation of neuroendocrine activity and reproductive outcomes in adult male
      rats are still lacking. We therefore investigated the effects of EQ on sex
      steroid regulated gene expression in the brain [medial preoptic area/anterior
      hypothalamus (MPOA/AH) and medial basal hypothalamus/median eminence (MBH/ME)],
      pituitary, and prostate as a reference androgen-dependent organ. Furthermore
      reproductive outcomes were evaluated. The anti-androgen flutamide (FLUT) served
      as reference compound. Male rats (n=12 per group) were treated by gavage for 5
      days with either EQ (100 or 250 mg/kgBW/day), or FLUT 100 mg/kgBW/day. All
      vehicle- and EQ-treated males showed successful reproductive outcomes, whereas
      FLUT-exposed males had severe reproductive impairments resulted in infertility.
      FLUT decreased relative weights of prostate, seminal vesicles and epididymides,
      and increased serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone,
      testosterone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone without altering prolactin levels,
      whereas EQ exerted opposite effects. Both EQ and FLUT decreased gonadotropin
      releasing hormone (GnRH) expression in the MPOA/AH. Only FLUT upregulated levels
      of GnRH receptor expression both in the MBH/ME and pituitary. While EQ
      downregulated the hypothalamic ERalpha and ERbeta expressions, but FLUT did not.
      In the prostate, only FLUT upregulated both ERalpha and AR mRNA expression
      levels. Taken together, our findings are the first data that EQ did not induce
      anti-androgenic effects on brain, prostate and male reproductive parameters,
      however, estrogenic neuroendocrine and reproductive effects of EQ were observed.

PMID- 24211353
TI  - The role of angular reflection in assessing elastic properties of bone by
      scanning acoustic microscopy.
AB  - For an assessment of the mechanical performance of bone, a quantitative
      description of its mechanical heterogeneity is necessary. Previously, scanning
      acoustic microscopy (SAM) was used as a non-destructive method to estimate bone
      stiffness on the micrometer scale. While up to now only the normal incidence of
      acoustic waves is taken into account, we extend in our study the evaluation
      procedure by considering the full opening of the acoustic lens. The importance of
      this technical aspect is demonstrated by determining the contrast in Young's
      modulus between newly formed osteons and the surrounding higher mineralized
      interstitial bone. Several regions of human cortical bone of a femur in cross
      section were imaged. For all the regions quantitative backscattered-electron
      imaging (qBEI) to estimate the local mass density was combined with SAM
      measurements. These measurements reveal a non-monotonic dependence between
      acoustic reflectivity and Young's modulus, which shows that it is actually
      necessary to consider the lens opening in a quantitative way. This problem was
      experimentally and theoretically approached by using lenses with two different
      opening angles operated at different frequencies (52 degrees  at 400MHz and 80
      degrees  at 820MHz) to image the same specimen. The mass density of bone in
      osteons was found to be 1930kg/m(3) on average, while the higher mineral content
      in interstitial bone results in a 9% increase of the density. The contrast in the
      effective Young's modulus E, as determined through SAM, is more pronounced, with
      an average value of 14GPa in osteons and a more than 60% increase in interstitial
      bone. Additionally, SAM maps show oscillations in E with a periodicity of the
      typical bone lamella thickness of approximately 7um in both osteons and
      interstitial bone. This mechanical heterogeneity can be explained by the varying
      orientation of the mineralized collagen fibers. 

PMID- 24211352
TI  - Role of the EphB2 receptor in autophagy, apoptosis and invasion in human breast
      cancer cells.
AB  - The Eph and Ephrin proteins, which constitute the largest family of receptor
      tyrosine kinases, are involved in normal tissue development and cancer
      progression. Here, we examined the expression and role of the B-type Eph receptor
      EphB2 in breast cancers. By immunohistochemistry using a progression tissue
      microarray of human clinical samples, we found EphB2 to be expressed in benign
      tissues, but strongly increased in cancers particularly in invasive and
      metastatic carcinomas. Subsequently, we found evidence that EphB2, whose
      expression varies in established cell breast lines, possesses multiple functions.
      First, the use of a DOX-inducible system to restore EphB2 function to low
      expressers resulted in decreased tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, while its
      siRNA-mediated silencing in high expressers increased growth. This function
      involves the onset of apoptotic death paralleled by caspases 3 and 9 activation.
      Second, EphB2 was also found to induce autophagy, as assessed by
      immunofluorescence and/or immunoblotting examination of the LC3, ATG5 and ATG12
      markers. Third, EphB2 also has a pro-invasive function in breast cancer cells
      that involves the regulation of MMP2 and MMP9 metalloproteases and can be blocked
      by treatment with respective neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, EphB2-induced
      invasion is kinase-dependent and is impeded in cells expressing a kinase-dead
      mutant EphB2. In summary, we identified a mechanism involving a triple role for
      EphB2 in breast cancer progression, whereby it regulates apoptosis, autophagy,
      and invasion. 

PMID- 24211354
TI  - Modification of acrylic bone cement with mesoporous silica nanoparticles: effects
      on mechanical, fatigue and absorption properties.
AB  - Polymethyl methacrylate bone cement is the most common and successful method used
      to anchor orthopedic implants to bone, as evidenced by data from long-term
      national joint registries. Despite these successes, mechanical failure of the
      cement mantle can result in premature failure of an implant which has lead to the
      development of a variety of techniques aimed at enhancing the mechanical
      properties of the cement, such as the addition of particulate or fiber
      reinforcements. This technique however has not transitioned into clinical
      practice, likely due to problems relating to interfacial particle/matrix adhesion
      and high cement stiffness. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are a class of
      materials that have received little attention as polymer reinforcements despite
      their potential ability to overcome these challenges. Therefore, the objective of
      the present study was to investigate the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles
      (MSNs) as a reinforcement material within acrylic bone cement. Three different
      MSN loading ratios (0.5%, 2% and 5% (wt/wt)) were incorporated into a
      commercially available bone cement and the resulting impact on the cement's
      static mechanical properties, fatigue life and absorption/elution properties were
      quantified. The flexural modulus and compressive strength and modulus tended to
      increase with higher MSN concentration. Conversely, the flexural strength,
      fracture toughness and work to fracture all significantly decreased with
      increasing MSN content. The fatigue properties were found to be highly influenced
      by MSNs, with substantial detrimental effects seen with high MSN loadings. The
      incorporation of 5% MSNs significantly increased cement's hydration degree and
      elution percentage. The obtained results suggest that the interfacial adhesion
      strength between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix was poor, leading to a
      decrease in the flexural and fatigue properties, or that adequate dispersion of
      the MSNs was not achieved. These findings could potentially be mitigated in
      future work by chemically modifying the mesoporous silica with functional groups.

PMID- 24211355
TI  - Parametric elastic analysis of coupled helical coils for tubular implant
      applications: experimental characterization and numerical analysis.
AB  - Coupled helical coils show promising mechanical behavior to be used as tubular
      organ constructs, e.g., in trachea or urethra. They are potentially easy to
      manufacture by filament winding of biocompatible and resorbable polymers, and
      could be tailored for suitable mechanical properties. In this study, coupled
      helical coils were manufactured by filament winding of melt-extruded
      polycaprolactone, which was reported to demonstrate desired in vivo degradation
      speed matching tissue regeneration rate. The tensile and bending stiffness was
      characterized for a set of couple helical coils with different geometric designs,
      with right-handed and left-handed polymer helices fused together in joints where
      the filaments cross. The Young's modulus of unidirectional polycaprolactone
      filaments was characterized, and used as input together with the structural
      parameters of the coupled coils in finite element simulations of tensile loading
      and three-point bending of the coils. A favorable comparison of the numerical and
      experimental results was found, which paves way for use of the proposed numerical
      approach in stiffness design under reversible elastic conditions of filament
      wound tubular constructs. 

PMID- 24211356
TI  - Characterization of load dependent creep behavior in medically relevant
      absorbable polymers.
AB  - While synthetic absorbable polymers have a substantial history of use in medical
      devices, their use is expanding and becoming more prevalent for devices where
      long term loading and structural support is required. In addition, there is
      evidence that current absorbable medical devices may experience permanent
      deformations, warping (out of plane twisting), and geometric changes in vivo. For
      clinical indications with long term loading or structural support requirements,
      understanding the material's viscoelastic properties becomes increasingly
      important whereas these properties have not been used historically as preclinical
      indications of performance or design considerations. In this study we measured
      the static creep, creep recovery and cyclic creep responses of common medically
      relevant absorbable materials (i.e., poly(l-lactide, PLLA) and poly(l-co
      glycolide, PLGA) over a range of physiologically relevant loading magnitudes. The
      results indicate that both PLLA and PLGA exhibit creep behavior and failure at
      loads significantly less than the yield or ultimate properties of the material
      and that significant material specific responses to loading exist. In addition,
      we identified a strong correlation between the extent of creep in the material
      and its crystallinity. Results of the study provide new information on the creep
      behavior of PLLA and PLGA and support the use of viscoelastic properties of
      absorbable polymers as part of the material selection process. 

PMID- 24211357
TI  - Poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate)-PEG-alendronate multivalent nanoparticles for bone
      targeting.
AB  - Hydroxyapatite (HAP), a highly specific component of bone tissue, is the main
      target in order to impart osteotropicity. Bone targeted nanoparticles can
      increase the strength of the interaction with HAP through multivalency and thus
      constitute a valuable strategy in the therapeutics of skeletal diseases. PBLG10k
      b-PEG6k-alendronate nanoparticles (~ 75 nm) were prepared by a simple
      nanoprecipitation method. The calcium affinity (KCa(+2)=1.8 * 10(4)M(-1)) of
      these nanoparticles was evaluated using isothermal titration calorimetry. The
      multivalent interaction with HAP surfaces (KHAP) was studied by fluorescence and
      was estimated to be 1.1 * 10(10)M(-1), which is more than 4000 times stronger
      than the reported monovalent interaction between alendronate and HAP surfaces.
      Molecular modeling suggests that the number of binding sites available at the HAP
      surface is in large excess than what is required for the whole surface coverage
      by alendronate decorated nanoparticles. The lower calcium affinity of these
      nanoparticles than for HAP allows calcium bound nanoparticles to interact with
      HAP, which yields a deeper understanding of bone targeted carriers and could
      potentially improve their bone targeting properties.

PMID- 24211358
TI  - Modification of quaternary polymethacrylate films using sodium alginate: film
      characterization and drug permeability.
AB  - The aims of this study were to investigate the molecular interaction of
      quaternary polymethacrylate (QPM) in aqueous-dispersion form with sodium alginate
      (SA) and to characterize the physicochemical properties, mechanical properties,
      and drug permeability of the QPM-SA films. The results demonstrated that QPM can
      interact with SA via electrostatic force, leading to the formation of flocculate
      particles in the dispersions. Transparent QPM-SA films were prepared using a
      casting/solvent evaporation method. The positively charged quaternary ammonium
      groups of QPM can interact with the negatively charged carboxyl groups of SA,
      which was observed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. This interaction caused a change
      of thermal properties, an increase in film strength, and a decrease in film
      tackiness. The puncture strength of the wet films in acidic media increased as
      the amount of SA was increased, but the flexibility of the films decreased. The
      wet films still presented good strength and flexibility in neutral pH when using
      2.5-6.3%w/w SA because of their lower water uptake in such media. The
      incorporation of SA into QPM films was able to reduce drug permeability but
      increase drug diffusivity in acidic media. In contrast, the drug diffusivity
      decreased with the addition of a small amount of SA into the films when using a
      neutral medium. This phenomenon can be attributed to the effect of pH on the
      water uptake of the film and the ionization of the SA in the microenvironment of
      the films. These findings suggest that SA can modify the characteristics of QPM
      films, and QPM-SA films present a strong potential for application as a film
      coating material for modified-release tablets. 

PMID- 24211359
TI  - Four new polymorphic forms of suplatast tosilate.
AB  - We found four new polymorphic forms (gamma-, epsilon-, zeta-, and eta-forms) of
      suplatast tosilate (ST) by recrystallization and seeding with ST-analogous
      compounds; three polymorphic forms (alpha-, beta-, and delta-forms) of ST have
      been previously reported. The physicochemical properties of these new forms were
      investigated using infrared (IR) spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic
      resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X-ray
      diffractometry. The presence of hydrogen bonds in the new forms was assessed from
      the IR and solid-state NMR spectra. The crystal structures of the epsilon- and
      eta-forms were determined from their powder X-ray diffraction data using the
      direct space approach and the Monte Carlo method, followed by Rietveld
      refinement. The structures determined for the epsilon- and eta-forms supported
      the presence of hydrogen bonds between the ST molecules, as the IR and solid
      state NMR spectra indicated. The thermodynamic characteristics of the seven
      polymorphic forms were evaluated by determining the solubility of each form. The
      alpha-form was the most insoluble in 2-propanol at 35 degrees C, and was thus
      concluded to be the most stable form. The epsilon-form was the most soluble, and
      a polymorphic transition from the epsilon- to the alpha-form was observed during
      solubility testing.

PMID- 24211360
TI  - A parallel randomized trial on the effect of a healthful diet on inflammageing
      and its consequences in European elderly people: design of the NU-AGE dietary
      intervention study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The proportion of European elderly is expected to increase to 30% in
      2060. Combining dietary components may modulate many processes involved in
      ageing. So, it is likely that a healthful diet approach might have greater
      favourable impact on age-related decline than individual dietary components. This
      paper describes the design of a healthful diet intervention on inflammageing and
      its consequences in the elderly. METHODS: The NU-AGE study is a parallel
      randomized one-year trial in 1250 apparently healthy, independently living
      European participants aged 65-80 years. Participants are randomised into either
      the diet group or control group. Participants in the diet group received dietary
      advice aimed at meeting the nutritional requirements of the ageing population.
      Special attention was paid to nutrients that may be inadequate or limiting in
      diets of elderly, such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, and calcium. C-reactive protein
      is measured as primary outcome. DISCUSSION: The NU-AGE study is the first dietary
      intervention investigating the effect of a healthful diet providing targeted
      nutritional recommendations for optimal health and quality of life in apparently
      healthy European elderly. Results of this intervention will provide evidence on
      the effect of a healthful diet on the prevention of age related decline.

PMID- 24211361
TI  - Neoplastic masquerade syndromes in patients with uveitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify the demographic and clinical characteristics, along with the
      frequency, of neoplastic masquerade syndromes in a tertiary uveitis clinic.
      DESIGN: A retrospective observational cohort. METHODS: Demographic and clinical
      data on all patients presenting to the National Eye Institute (NEI) with uveitis
      between 2004 and 2012 were used to compare neoplastic masquerade syndromes and
      uveitis. RESULTS: A total of 853 patients presenting with uveitis were
      identified. Of these, 21 (2.5%) were diagnosed with neoplastic masquerade
      syndromes. The average age at presentation of masquerade syndrome patients was 57
      years (median, 55; range, 38-78); for uveitis, 42 years (median, 43; range, 3-98)
      (P = 0.0003). There were 48% females in the masquerade syndromes group, compared
      with 59% females in the uveitis group. African American patients represented 9%
      of the masquerade syndrome patients and 36% of uveitis patients (P = 0.01). Mean
      worse eye visual acuity was 0.89 (20/160) in neoplastic masquerade syndromes, and
      0.66 (20/100) in the uveitis group (P = 0.21). Of masquerade syndrome patients,
      90% had posterior inflammation, compared with 63% of uveitis patients (P =
      0.006). Of those with masquerade syndromes, 48% of patients had unilateral
      disease, compared with 27% of the uveitis patients (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with neoplastic masquerade syndromes were more likely to be older, male,
      or non-African American and to have posterior segment inflammation and unilateral
      disease. Patients with masquerade syndromes also had worse visual acuity than did
      uveitis patients. These differences in clinical characteristics may help to raise
      the suspicion for neoplastic masquerade syndromes.

PMID- 24211362
TI  - Optic disc planimetry, corneal hysteresis, central corneal thickness, and
      intraocular pressure as risk factors for glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether corneal hysteresis and central corneal thickness
      are independent risk factors for glaucoma. DESIGN: A cross-sectional population
      based cohort study. METHODS: Associations were tested between corneal hysteresis,
      measured in 1754 population-based subjects from the TwinsUK cohort, and glaucoma
      related endophenotypes, including intraocular pressure (IOP), vertical cup-to
      disc ratio, optic disc area, and optic disc cup area. Corneal hysteresis, IOP,
      and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured; optic disc photographs were
      analyzed; and multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. RESULTS:
      Data were available on 1645 individuals. Multiple regression analysis showed
      corneal hysteresis to be significantly negatively associated with age (beta
      coefficient = -0.03, P < .00005) and IOP (beta coefficient = -0.06, P < .00005).
      Corneal hysteresis was also found to be associated with CCT (beta coefficient =
      0.02, P < .0005). There was no significant association between corneal hysteresis
      and optic disc area (P = .6), cup area (P = .77), vertical cup-to-disc ratio (P =
      .51), or spherical equivalent (P = .08). CCT was also found to be significantly
      associated with IOP (beta coefficient = 3.3, P < .0005) and corneal hysteresis
      (beta coefficient = 9.4, P < .0005), but not with age (P = .59) or spherical
      equivalent (P = .16). CONCLUSION: In this large cohort of healthy British twins,
      we found no relationship between corneal hysteresis or CCT and quantitative
      measures of optic disc cupping, suggesting that corneal hysteresis and CCT are
      not independent risk factors for glaucoma.

PMID- 24211363
TI  - Efficient identification of miRNAs for classification of tumor origin.
AB  - Carcinomas of unknown primary origin constitute 3% to 5% of all newly diagnosed
      metastatic cancers, with the primary source difficult to classify with current
      histological methods. Effective cancer treatment depends on early and accurate
      identification of the tumor; patients with metastases of unknown origin have poor
      prognosis and short survival. Because miRNA expression is highly tissue specific,
      the miRNA profile of a metastasis may be used to identify its origin. We
      therefore evaluated the potential of miRNA profiling to identify the primary
      tumor of known metastases. Two hundred eight formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded
      samples, representing 15 different histologies, were profiled on a locked nucleic
      acid-enhanced microarray platform, which allows for highly sensitive and specific
      detection of miRNA. On the basis of these data, we developed and cross-validated
      a novel classification algorithm, least absolute shrinkage and selection
      operator, which had an overall accuracy of 85% (CI, 79%-89%). When the classifier
      was applied on an independent test set of 48 metastases, the primary site was
      correctly identified in 42 cases (88% accuracy; CI, 75%-94%). Our findings
      suggest that miRNA expression profiling on paraffin tissue can efficiently
      predict the primary origin of a tumor and may provide pathologists with a
      molecular diagnostic tool that can improve their capability to correctly identify
      the origin of hitherto unidentifiable metastatic tumors and, eventually, enable
      tailored therapy. 

PMID- 24211364
TI  - Performance of common analysis methods for detecting low-frequency single
      nucleotide variants in targeted next-generation sequence data.
AB  - Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is becoming a common approach for clinical
      testing of oncology specimens for mutations in cancer genes. Unlike inherited
      variants, cancer mutations may occur at low frequencies because of contamination
      from normal cells or tumor heterogeneity and can therefore be challenging to
      detect using common NGS analysis tools, which are often designed for
      constitutional genomic studies. We generated high-coverage (>1000*) NGS data from
      synthetic DNA mixtures with variant allele fractions (VAFs) of 25% to 2.5% to
      assess the performance of four variant callers, SAMtools, Genome Analysis
      Toolkit, VarScan2, and SPLINTER, in detecting low-frequency variants. SAMtools
      had the lowest sensitivity and detected only 49% of variants with VAFs of
      approximately 25%; whereas the Genome Analysis Toolkit, VarScan2, and SPLINTER
      detected at least 94% of variants with VAFs of approximately 10%. VarScan2 and
      SPLINTER achieved sensitivities of 97% and 89%, respectively, for variants with
      observed VAFs of 1% to 8%, with >98% sensitivity and >99% positive predictive
      value in coding regions. Coverage analysis demonstrated that >500* coverage was
      required for optimal performance. The specificity of SPLINTER improved with
      higher coverage, whereas VarScan2 yielded more false positive results at high
      coverage levels, although this effect was abrogated by removing low-quality reads
      before variant identification. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of high
      sensitivity variant callers with data from 15 clinical lung cancers.

PMID- 24211366
TI  - Response of a three-stage process for PHA production by mixed microbial cultures
      to feedstock shift: impact on polymer composition.
AB  - Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) can be produced by mixed microbial cultures (MMC)
      using a three-stage process. An attractive feature of MMC for PHA production is
      the ability to use waste/surplus feedstocks. In this study, the effect of a
      feedstock shift, mimicking a seasonal feedstock scenario and/or as a strategy for
      controlling polymer composition, on a MMC PHA production process was assessed
      using cheese whey (CW) and sugar cane molasses (SCM) as model feedstocks. The
      acidogenic stage responded immediately to the feedstock shift by changing the
      fermented products profile, with acetate and butyrate being the main acids
      produced from CW, while for SCM propionate and valerate were the dominant
      products. The fermentation process was then quite stable during long term
      operation. The PHA culture selection stage also responded quickly to the
      fermented feestocks shift, generating a polymer whose composition was linearly
      dependent on the concentration of HV and HB precursors produced in the acidogenic
      stage. The selected culture reached a maximum PHA content of 56% and 65% with
      fermented SCM and CW, respectively. Mixing fermented CW and SCM, in equal volume
      proportions, demonstrated the possibility of using different fermented feedstocks
      for tailoring polymer composition. 

PMID- 24211365
TI  - Validation of a next-generation sequencing assay for clinical molecular oncology.
AB  - Currently, oncology testing includes molecular studies and cytogenetic analysis
      to detect genetic aberrations of clinical significance. Next-generation
      sequencing (NGS) allows rapid analysis of multiple genes for clinically
      actionable somatic variants. The WUCaMP assay uses targeted capture for NGS
      analysis of 25 cancer-associated genes to detect mutations at actionable loci. We
      present clinical validation of the assay and a detailed framework for design and
      validation of similar clinical assays. Deep sequencing of 78 tumor specimens (>=
      1000* average unique coverage across the capture region) achieved high
      sensitivity for detecting somatic variants at low allele fraction (AF).
      Validation revealed sensitivities and specificities of 100% for detection of
      single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) within coding regions, compared with SNP array
      sequence data (95% CI = 83.4-100.0 for sensitivity and 94.2-100.0 for
      specificity) or whole-genome sequencing (95% CI = 89.1-100.0 for sensitivity and
      99.9-100.0 for specificity) of HapMap samples. Sensitivity for detecting variants
      at an observed 10% AF was 100% (95% CI = 93.2-100.0) in HapMap mixes. Analysis of
      15 masked specimens harboring clinically reported variants yielded concordant
      calls for 13/13 variants at AF of >= 15%. The WUCaMP assay is a robust and
      sensitive method to detect somatic variants of clinical significance in molecular
      oncology laboratories, with reduced time and cost of genetic analysis allowing
      for strategic patient management.

PMID- 24211367
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2,6-dichloropurine bicyclonucleosides
      containing a triazolyl-carbohydrate moiety.
AB  - A series of bicyclic nucleosides containing a triazolyl-carbohydrate moiety were
      synthesized and their antitumor activity in vitro for human cancer cell lines was
      also tested. Compound 11 was synthesized efficiently with 3,6-anhydro sugar 7 as
      raw material, while compound 7 was prepared from 1,2;5,6-di-O-isopropylidene
      alpha-d-glucose. Compounds 12a-e were synthesized by treating compound 11 with
      alkynes, catalyzed by copper(I). After removal of the acetyl protecting groups,
      the target compounds 5a-e showed significant inhibitory activity against EC109,
      PC-3, MGC-803, and HGC-7 cell lines. 

PMID- 24211368
TI  - N-glycosylation patterns in two alpha-l-arabinofuranosidases from Penicillium
      canescens belonging to the glycoside hydrolase families 51 and 54.
AB  - Using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) peptide fingerprinting procedure followed
      by the analysis of MS data with the GlycoMod tool from the ExPASy proteomic site,
      N-glycosylation of two GH51 and GH54 family alpha-l-arabinofuranosidases (Abf51A
      and Abf54A) from Penicillium canescens was studied. Variable N-linked glycans
      were identified at five out of eight potential N-glycosylation sites in the
      Abf51A and one out of three potential N-glycosylation sites in the Abf54A. The
      discriminated glycans represented high-mannose oligosaccharides (Man)x(GlcNAc)2
      with a number of Man residues up to 7 or the products of sequential enzymatic
      trimming of a high-mannose glycan with alpha-mannosidases and beta-N
      acetylhexosaminidases. The Abf54A peptide, containing the Asn254 glycosylation
      site, and one peptide from the Abf51A, containing the Asn163 glycosylation site,
      were found to exist not only in glycosylated, but also in a native non-modified
      form. 

PMID- 24211369
TI  - Immobilized glycosylated Fmoc-amino acid for SPR: comparative studies of lectin
      binding to linear or biantennary diLacNAc structures.
AB  - A method to immobilize glycan-linked amino acids with protected alpha-amino
      groups, which are key intermediates to produce the desired neoglycoprotein, to a
      Biacore sensor chip was developed and its utility for interaction analyses was
      demonstrated. Two types of diN-acetyllactosamine (diLacNAc)-containing glycans, a
      core 2 hexasaccharide involving linear diLacNAc that is O-linked to N-(9
      fluorenyl)methoxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-Thr and a biantennary diLacNAc that is N-linked
      to Fmoc-Asn, were used as ligands. For immobilization, the free carboxyl groups
      of the amino acid residues were activated with EDC/NHS, then reacted with the
      ethylenediamine-derivatized carboxymethyldextran sensor chip to obtain the
      desired ligand concentrations. Interactions of the ligands with five plant
      lectins were analyzed by surface plasmon resonance, and the bindings were
      compared. The resonance unit of each lectin was corrected by subtracting that of
      the reference cell on which the Fmoc-Thr-core 1 or Fmoc-Asn was immobilized as a
      ligand. The carbohydrate specificities of interactions were verified by
      preincubating lectins with their respective inhibitory sugar before injection. By
      steady state analysis, the Lycopersicon esculentum lectin showed a 27-fold higher
      affinity to linear diLacNAc than to biantennary diLacNAc, while Datura stramonium
      and Solanum tuberosum lectins both showed low Ka,apps of 10(6)M(-1) for these two
      ligands. In contrast, Ricinus communis agglutinin-120 showed a 3.2-fold higher
      Ka,app to biantennary LacNAc than to linear diLacNAc. A lectin purified from
      Pleurocybella porrigens mushroom interacted at the high affinity of 10(8)M(-1)
      with both linear and biantennary diLacNAcs, which identified it as a unique
      probe. This method provides a useful and sensitive system to analyze interactions
      by simulating the glycans on the cell surface. 

PMID- 24211370
TI  - Azido derivatives of cellobiose: oxidation at C1 with cellobiose dehydrogenase
      from Sclerotium rolfsii.
AB  - We report the chemo-enzymatic synthesis of three cellobiono-1,5-lactone azido
      derivatives, designed as building blocks for biomedical polymer scaffolds. The
      synthesis is based on regioselective protection of cellobiose or 1,6-O-anhydro
      beta-d-cellobiose before azidation and subsequent deprotection. The oxidation to
      the corresponding cellobiono-1,5-lactones was investigated with 6'-azido-6'
      deoxycellobiose (6'N3Clb, 5), 6-azido-6-deoxycellobiose (6N3Clb, 11) and 2-azido
      2-deoxycellobiose (2N3Clb, 15) under the catalysis of cellobiose dehydrogenase
      (CDH) from the plant-pathogenic fungus Sclerotium rolfsii. Substrate binding
      characteristics and kinetics of CDH for the three cellobiose azido derivatives
      were studied employing computational docking, steady-state and presteady-state
      techniques. The process of enzymatic oxidation of the cellobiose azido
      intermediates was optimized by using the available kinetic information. Whereas
      the conversion of 15 by CDH is very slow, the conversion of 5 and 11 by a
      regenerated, bi-enzymatic process (CDH/redox mediator/laccase/O2) is fast,
      quantitative and produces azido derivatives of cellobiono-1,5-lactone in an
      environmentally friendly, oxygen-driven process. 

PMID- 24211372
TI  - The role of conditioning, learning and dopamine in sexual behavior: a narrative
      review of animal and human studies.
AB  - Many theories of human sexual behavior assume that sexual stimuli obtain arousing
      properties through associative learning processes. It is widely accepted that
      classical conditioning contributes to the etiology of both normal and maladaptive
      human behaviors. Despite the hypothesized importance of basic learning processes
      in sexual behavior, research on classical conditioning of the sexual response in
      humans is scarce. In the present paper, animal studies and studies in humans on
      the role of pavlovian conditioning on sexual responses are reviewed. Animal
      research shows robust, direct effects of conditioning processes on partner- and
      place preference. On the contrast, the empirical research with humans in this
      area is limited and earlier studies within this field are plagued by
      methodological confounds. Although recent experimental demonstrations of human
      sexual conditioning are neither numerous nor robust, sexual arousal showed to be
      conditionable in both men and women. The present paper serves to highlight the
      major empirical findings and to renew the insight in how stimuli can acquire
      sexually arousing value. Hereby also related neurobiological processes in reward
      learning are discussed. Finally, the connections between animal and human
      research on the conditionability of sexual responses are discussed, and
      suggestions for future directions in human research are given. 

PMID- 24211371
TI  - Repetitive behavior profile and supersensitivity to amphetamine in the C58/J
      mouse model of autism.
AB  - Restricted repetitive behaviors are core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders
      (ASDs). The range of symptoms encompassed by the repetitive behavior domain
      includes lower-order stereotypy and self-injury, and higher-order indices of
      circumscribed interests and cognitive rigidity. Heterogeneity in clinical ASD
      profiles suggests that specific manifestations of repetitive behavior reflect
      differential neuropathology. The present studies utilized a set of phenotyping
      tasks to determine a repetitive behavior profile for the C58/J mouse strain, a
      model of ASD core symptoms. In an observational screen, C58/J demonstrated overt
      motor stereotypy, but not over-grooming, a commonly-used measure for mouse
      repetitive behavior. Amphetamine did not exacerbate motor stereotypy, but had
      enhanced stimulant effects on locomotion and rearing in C58/J, compared to
      C57BL/6J. Both C58/J and Grin1 knockdown mice, another model of ASD-like
      behavior, had marked deficits in marble-burying. In a nose poke task for higher
      order repetitive behavior, C58/J had reduced holeboard exploration and preference
      for non-social, versus social, olfactory stimuli, but did not demonstrate
      cognitive rigidity following familiarization to an appetitive stimulus. Analysis
      of available high-density genotype data indicated specific regions of divergence
      between C58/J and two highly-sociable strains with common genetic lineage. Strain
      genome comparisons identified autism candidate genes, including Cntnap2 and
      Slc6a4, located within regions divergent in C58/J. However, Grin1, Nlgn1, Sapap3,
      and Slitrk5, genes linked to repetitive over-grooming, were not in regions of
      divergence. These studies suggest that specific repetitive phenotypes can be used
      to distinguish ASD mouse models, with implications for divergent underlying
      mechanisms for different repetitive behavior profiles. 

PMID- 24211374
TI  - Developmental psychoneuroimmunology: from bench to bedside.

PMID- 24211375
TI  - Neurocognitive disturbances associated with acute infectious mononucleosis, Ross
      River fever and Q fever: a preliminary investigation of inflammatory and genetic
      correlates.
AB  - Disturbances in neurocognitive performance are a core feature of the acute
      sickness response to infection; however the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
      The current study used a computerised battery to assess neurocognitive
      functioning in subjects enrolled in the Dubbo Infection Outcomes Study (n=107) -
      a prospective cohort of subjects followed from documented acute infection with
      Epstein Barr virus, Ross River virus, or Coxiella burnetii until recovery.
      Subjects were assessed when ill, and a subset again after complete recovery.
      Associations between sickness-related cognitive disturbances and single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10, tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma) and neurobehavioral genes (serotonin
      transporter and catechol-O-methyltransferase) were explored. During acute
      infection, subjects exhibited slower matching-to-sample responses (p=0.03),
      poorer working memory capacity (p=0.014), mental planning (p=0.045), and dual
      attention task performance (p=0.02), and required longer to complete discordant
      Stroop trials (p=0.01) compared to recovery. Objective impairments correlated
      significantly with self-reported symptoms (p<0.05) as well as levels of the
      inflammation marker, C-reactive protein (p=0.001). Linear regression analysis
      identified an association between neurocognitive disturbance during acute illness
      and functional polymorphisms in inflammatory cytokine genes. Specifically, the
      high cytokine producing G allele of the IL-6-174G/C SNP was associated with
      poorer neurocognitive performance when subjects were ill (p=0.027). These
      findings confirm that acute infection impacts on neurocognitive performance,
      manifesting as slowed responses and impaired performance on complex tasks
      requiring higher-order functioning which has important real-world implications.
      The data provide the first preliminary evidence for a role of a genetic
      predisposition to more intense inflammatory responses in objective neurocognitive
      disturbances during acute infections. These associations require replication in a
      larger sample size. 

PMID- 24211376
TI  - Demonstration of laparoscopic resection of uterine sacculation (niche) with
      uterine reconstruction.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a technique of laparoscopic excision of uterine
      sacculation (niche) with uterine reconstruction. DESIGN: Narrated video
      presenting a step-by-step explanation of a laparoscopic technique for excision of
      uterine sacculation (niche) with uterine reconstruction using a narrated video
      (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Laparoscopic excision of
      uterine sacculation (niche) is a fertility-sparing technique for use in a
      selected group of patients who do not respond to medical treatment and in whom
      definitive treatment via hysterectomy is not an option. INTERVENTIONS:
      Laparoscopic excision of uterine sacculation (niche) is performed by excising the
      uterine defect after initial reflection of the uterovesical fold. The area of
      uterine defect is identified preoperatively using flexible hysteroscopy. Once the
      margins of the defect are identified laparoscopically, it is circumferentially
      excised. The uterine manipulator helps to identify the cervical canal.
      Reconstruction is performed using interrupted 1 Vicryl sutures using an
      extracorporeal technique for secure tissue apposition. An adhesion barrier is
      then applied around the reconstructed area. CONCLUSION: Excision of uterine
      sacculation (niche) with uterine reconstruction is a conservative surgical
      laparoscopic technique that should be considered in a selected group of patients
      in whom fertility sparing is desired and after medical therapy including
      progestogens, combined contraceptive pills, or the Mirena coil has failed to
      resolve symptoms.

PMID- 24211377
TI  - Prophylactic role of long-term ultra-low-dose acyclovir for varicella zoster
      virus disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prophylactic role of long-term ultra-low-dose
      acyclovir for varicella zoster virus (VZV) disease after allogeneic hematopoietic
      stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: We evaluated 141 patients who were
      planned to receive acyclovir at 200mg/day until the end of immunosuppressive
      therapy and for at least 1 year after HSCT in our center between June 2007 and
      June 2012. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of VZV disease after HSCT was 4.5%
      at 1 year and 18.3% at 2 years. Protocol violation was the only independent
      significant factor that increased the incidence of VZV disease (hazard ratio (HR)
      7.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.60-15.63). Excluding patients with protocol
      violation, the discontinuation of acyclovir was the only significant factor for
      the development of VZV disease (HR 5.90, 95% CI 1.56-22.37). Six patients
      experienced breakthrough VZV disease, but four of these six had not taken
      acyclovir for several weeks before breakthrough VZV disease. On the other hand,
      the cumulative incidence of VZV disease after the cessation of acyclovir was
      28.4% at 1 year and 38.0% at 2 years. The proportion of disseminated VZV disease
      was only 7% and no patient died directly of VZV disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      shows that long-term ultra-low-dose acyclovir appears to be effective for
      preventing VZV disease, especially disseminated VZV disease, after allogeneic
      HSCT. We recommend continuing acyclovir until the end of immunosuppressive
      therapy and for at least 1 year after HSCT, but additional strategies such as the
      administration of varicella vaccine may be needed to eradicate VZV disease.

PMID- 24211373
TI  - Factors modulating neural reactivity to drug cues in addiction: a survey of human
      neuroimaging studies.
AB  - Human neuroimaging studies suggest that neural cue reactivity is strongly
      associated with indices of drug use, including addiction severity and treatment
      success. However, little is known about factors that modulate cue reactivity. The
      goal of this review, in which we survey published fMRI and PET studies on drug
      cue reactivity in cocaine, alcohol, and tobacco cigarette users, is to highlight
      major factors that modulate brain reactivity to drug cues. First, we describe cue
      reactivity paradigms used in neuroimaging research and outline the brain circuits
      that underlie cue reactivity. We then discuss major factors that have been shown
      to modulate cue reactivity and review specific evidence as well as outstanding
      questions related to each factor. Building on previous model-building reviews on
      the topic, we then outline a simplified model that includes the key modulatory
      factors and a tentative ranking of their relative impact. We conclude with a
      discussion of outstanding challenges and future research directions, which can
      inform future neuroimaging studies as well as the design of treatment and
      prevention programs. 

PMID- 24211378
TI  - Pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 antibodies in the metropolitan area of Buenos
      Aires in Argentina.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the infection prevalence in Buenos Aires during the
      outbreak of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus (A(H1N1)pdm09). METHODS:
      A(H1N1)pdm09-specific antibodies were measured by hemagglutination inhibition
      assay in human serum samples collected 6 months after the outbreak and before the
      introduction of the A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine in Argentina. Baseline levels of cross
      reactive antibodies to A(H1N1)pdm09 were determined by testing 162 serum samples
      collected before 2009. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of A(H1N1)pdm09 in 150
      children and 427 adults was 28.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 25-33%), with a
      58.0% prevalence in children <19 years of age and an 18.7% prevalence in adults
      >=19 years of age (p<0.001). The prevalence was 43.5% in children <5 years old
      and 60.6% among children aged 5-18 years. The prevalence in adults declined with
      increasing age: 24.9% in 19-39-year-olds, 9.7% in 40-59-year-olds, and 8.1% in
      those >=60 years old. The prevalence of specific A(H1N1)pdm09 antibodies was
      higher compared with the baseline in children (p=0.014), adolescents (p<0.001),
      and adults <40 years old (p=0.017). Seroprevalence in health care workers was not
      different from the rest of the population (13.6% vs. 19.3%, respectively;
      p=0.421). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of specific A(H1N1)pdm09 antibodies was
      high at 28.9%. The highest prevalence was observed in children, adolescents, and
      young adults.

PMID- 24211379
TI  - Passive remediation of coalbed natural gas co-produced water using zeolite.
AB  - Coalbed natural gas (CBNG) co-produced waters can contain sodium (Na(+))
      concentrations that may be environmentally detrimental if discharged to receiving
      bodies of water or applied to land surfaces. A field demonstration and companion
      laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the use of a Bear River zeolite (BR
      zeolite) for mitigating impacts associated with Na(+) in CBNG waters. Bench-scale
      kinetic and adsorption isotherm studies were performed to determine both the rate
      and extent of sodium Na(+) adsorption and assess the effects of bicarbonate
      (HCO3(-)) and chloride (Cl(-)) anions. Results of these studies showed that the
      adsorption of Na(+) on BR-zeolite followed the Langmuir adsorption model with
      maximum adsorption equal to 21 and 18 g Na(+)/kg zeolite with 0.0012 and 0.0006
      L/mg Langmuir coefficients (KL) for sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride,
      respectively. The kinetics study indicated that the sorption of Na(+) was
      inversely related to the size of the zeolite particles with significantly greater
      adsorption for smaller particles. The field demonstration evaluated the
      effectiveness of BR-zeolite for mitigating infiltration losses from Na(+) in CBNG
      waters. The field site utilized 12 open boreholes, each installed to a depth of
      approximately 1.8 m. Each borehole was lined with a 3.0 m long, 15 cm diameter
      schedule 40 PVC pipe and fitted with an automatic data logging pressure
      transducer for measuring water levels over time. The BR-zeolite was found to
      mitigate much of the deleterious effect that high sodium adsorption ratio (SAR =
      27 (mol/m(3))(1/2)) CBNG co-produced water had on soil permeabilities. 

PMID- 24211380
TI  - Examining the relative effects of fire weather, suppression and fuel treatment on
      fire behaviour--a simulation study.
AB  - Large budgets are spent on both suppression and fuel treatments in order to
      reduce the risk of wildfires. There is little evidence regarding the relative
      contribution of fire weather, suppression and fuel treatments in determining the
      risk posed from wildfires. Here we undertake a simulation study in the Sydney
      Basin, Australia, to examine this question using a fire behaviour model (Phoenix
      Rapidfire). Results of the study indicate that fire behaviour is most strongly
      influenced by fire weather. Suppression has a greater influence on whether a fire
      reaches 5 ha in size compared to fuel treatments. In contrast, fuel treatments
      have a stronger effect on the fire size and maximum distance the fire travels.
      The study suggests that fire management agencies will receive additional benefits
      from fuel treatment if they are located in areas which suppression resources can
      respond rapidly and attempt to contain the fires. No combination of treatments
      contained all fires, and the proportion of uncontained fires increased under more
      severe fire weather when the greatest number of properties are lost. Our study
      highlights the importance of alternative management strategies to reduce the risk
      of property loss. 

PMID- 24211381
TI  - While waiting for the answer: a critical review of meta-studies of tropical
      forest management.
AB  - This paper assesses the existing meta-studies of forestry conservation. Most of
      meta-studies have focused on either the performance of protected areas or the
      community managed forests. Only one article has directly compared the performance
      of the two management forms. Porter-Bolland et al. (2012) claim that community
      managed forests presented a lower mean deforestation rate than protected areas.
      We found several statistical problems and problems with definitions in all meta
      studies, and we argue that the data available, not the least for community
      managed forest, does not allow for genuine global comparison. Using similar
      measuring techniques and same definitions when comparing the two management forms
      are necessities when trying to reach a general conclusion about which management
      form is best. 

PMID- 24211382
TI  - Effect of human disturbance on the prey of tiger in the Chitwan National Park-
      implications for park management.
AB  - Chitwan National Park is surrounded by large settlements of people who exploit
      the areas where tigers and their prey occur. In this study, we measured the
      associations between the abundance of the prey of tiger with habitat,
      topographic, predator and human disturbance variables, using canonical
      correspondence analysis. We show that the abundance of hog deer is closely
      associated with areas of tall grassland and floodplains, while that of other
      ungulate species is associated with that of forests and short grasslands.
      Primates were mainly abundant in riverine and mixed forests. Abundances of most
      species, except hog deer and wild pig, were more closely associated with areas of
      forests than with open areas, because the latter were mainly occupied by humans
      and livestock. The presence of the species studied was closely associated with
      habitat and disturbance variables. Proximity of water holes was more closely
      associated with the presence of ungulates than primates. There were close
      associations between human disturbance and abundances of primates and muntjac,
      possibly because these species are more tolerant and adapted to human
      disturbance. However, the major prey species of tiger were negatively associated
      with human disturbance. As a consequence, human disturbance has resulted in a
      decline in the abundance of tigers and the lack of prey could result in their
      extinction in the Chitwan NP. Therefore, in terms of the conservation and
      management of the park, minimizing human disturbance of wildlife habitats and
      restoration of a buffer zone forest should be the prime objectives. 

PMID- 24211383
TI  - Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition at disease onset prevents experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis progression through immunoregulatory and neuroprotective
      actions.
AB  - In addition to detrimental inflammation, widespread axon degeneration is an
      important feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology and a major correlate for
      permanent clinical deficits. Thus, treatments that combine immunomodulatory and
      neuroprotective effects are beneficial for MS. Using myelin oligodendrocyte
      glycoprotein peptide 35-55 (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model of MS, we recently showed that daily treatment
      with the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor sildenafil at peak disease rapidly
      ameliorates clinical symptoms and neuropathology (Pifarre et al., 2011). We have
      now investigated the immunomodulatory and neuroprotective actions of sildenafil
      treatment from the onset of EAE when the immune response prevails and show that
      early administration of the drug prevents disease progression. Ultrastructural
      analysis of spinal cord evidenced that sildenafil treatment preserves axons and
      myelin and increases the number of remyelinating axons. Immunostaining of
      oligodendrocytes at different stages of differentiation showed that sildenafil
      protects immature and mature myelinating oligodendrocytes. Brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a recognized neuroprotectant in EAE, was up-regulated
      by sildenafil in immune and neural cells suggesting its implication in the
      beneficial effects of the drug. RNA microarray analysis of spinal cord revealed
      that sildenafil up-regulates YM-1, a marker of the alternative
      macrophage/microglial M2 phenotype that has neuroprotective and regenerative
      properties. Immunostaining confirmed up-regulation of YM-1 while the classical
      macrophage/microglial activation marker Iba-1 was down-regulated. Microarray
      analysis also showed a notable up-regulation of several members of the granzyme B
      cluster (GrBs). Immunostaining revealed expression of GrBs in Foxp3+-T regulatory
      cells (Tregs) suggesting a role for these proteases in sildenafil-induced
      suppression of T effector cells (Teffs). In vitro analysis of splenocytes from
      sildenafil-treated animals showed down-regulation of Th1/Th2/Th17 responses while
      Tregs were up-regulated. Additionally, sildenafil treatment prevented MOG
      specific IgG2b accumulation in serum. Taken together these data demonstrates that
      daily sildenafil treatment from the initiation of EAE symptoms prevents further
      clinical deterioration by stimulating immunomodulatory and neuroprotective
      mechanisms. Importantly, we also show here that sildenafil enhances the ability
      of human Tregs from healthy donors to down-regulate the proliferation of Teffs in
      vitro, strongly supporting the potential of sildenafil for therapeutic
      intervention in MS.

PMID- 24211384
TI  - Identification and expression pattern analysis of Piwi genes during the
      spermiogenesis of Portunus trituberculatus.
AB  - The Piwi genes have an important role in stem cell development, gametogenesis and
      RNA interference in diverse organisms. So far, most of the studies have focused
      on the function of Piwis in vertebrates, but their function during spermiogenesis
      in invertebrates still remains largely unclear. In order to investigate the
      function of Piwis during spermiogenesis in the crab Portunus trituberculatus, we
      use RT-PCR and RACE to identify three Piwi complete cDNA sequences from the total
      RNA of the testis in P. trituberculatus. The deduced amino acid sequences of P.
      trituberculatus Piwi-1, Piwi-2 and Piwi-3 showed that each contains a well
      conserved PAZ domain and PIWI domain. RT-PCR analyzed the tissue expression
      pattern of P. trituberculatus Piwi-1, Piwi-2 and Piwi-3 in the testis, heart,
      muscle, hepatopancreas and gill. All of the Piwis are found in germ cells of
      adult testis in P. trituberculatus by in situ hybridization, suggesting that
      these genes may play function during spermiogenesis in this species.

PMID- 24211385
TI  - A novel P2RX2 mutation in an Italian family affected by autosomal dominant
      nonsyndromic hearing loss.
AB  - Hereditary hearing loss (HHL) is a common disorder accounting for at least 60% of
      prelingual deafness. It is characterized by a large genetic heterogeneity, and
      despite the presence of a major gene, still there is a need to search for new
      causative mutations/genes. Very recently, a mutation within ATP-gated P2X(2)
      receptor (ligand-gated ion channel, purinergic receptor 2) gene (P2RX2) at DNFA41
      locus has been reported leading to a bilateral and symmetrical sensorineural non
      syndromic autosomal dominant HHL in two Chinese families. We performed a linkage
      analysis in a large Italian family with a dominant pattern of inheritance showing
      a significant 3.31 LOD score in a 2Mb region overlapping with the DNFA41 locus.
      Molecular analyses of P2RX2 identified a novel missense mutation (p.Gly353Arg)
      affecting a residue highly conserved across species. Visual inspection of the
      protein structure as obtained from comparative modeling suggests that
      substitution of the small glycine residue with a charged bulky residue such as an
      arginine that is close to the 'neck' of the region responsible for ion channel
      gating should have a high energetic cost and should lead to a severely
      destabilization of the fold. The identification of a second most likely causative
      mutation in P2RX2 gene further supports the possible role of this gene in causing
      autosomal dominant HHL.

PMID- 24211386
TI  - Identification and characterization of granule bound starch synthase I (GBSSI)
      gene of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.).
AB  - Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) is increasingly considered as an
      important functional food material because of its rich nutraceutical compounds.
      Reserve starch is the major component of tartary buckwheat seed. However, the
      gene sequences and the molecular mechanism of tartary buckwheat starch synthesis
      are unknown so far. In this study, the complete genomic sequence and full-size
      cDNA coding tartary buckwheat granule-bound starch synthase I (FtGBSSI), which is
      responsible for amylose synthesis, were isolated and analyzed. The genomic
      sequence of the FtGBSSI contained 3947 nucleotides and was composed of 14 exons
      and 13 introns. The cDNA coding sequence of FtGBSSI shared 63.3%-75.1% identities
      with those of dicots and 56.6%-57.5% identities with monocots (Poaceae). In
      deduced amino acid sequence of FtGBSSI, eight motifs conserved among plant starch
      synthases were identified. A cleavage at the site IVC?G of FtGBSSI protein
      produces the chloroplast transit sequence of 78 amino acids and the mature
      protein of 527 amino acids. The FtGBSSI mature protein showed an identity of
      73.4%-77.8% with dicot plants, and 67.6%-70.4% with monocot plants (Poaceae). The
      mature protein was composed of 20 alpha-helixes and 16 beta-strands, and folds
      into two main domains, N- and C-terminal domains. The critical residues which are
      involved in ADP and sugar binding were predicted. These results will be useful to
      modulate starch composition of buckwheat kernels with the aim to produce novel
      improved varieties in future breeding programs. 

PMID- 24211387
TI  - Restriction enzyme cutting site distribution regularity for DNA looping
      technology.
AB  - The restriction enzyme cutting site distribution regularity and looping
      conditions were studied systematically. We obtained the restriction enzyme
      cutting site distributions of 13 commonly used restriction enzymes in 5 model
      organism genomes through two novel self-compiled software programs. All of the
      average distances between two adjacent restriction sites fell sharply with
      increasing statistic intervals, and most fragments were 0-499 bp. A shorter DNA
      fragment resulted in a lower looping rate, which was also directly proportional
      to the DNA concentration. When the length was more than 500 bp, the concentration
      did not affect the looping rate. Therefore, the best known fragment length was
      longer than 500 bp, and did not contain the restriction enzyme cutting sites
      which would be used for digestion. In order to make the looping efficiencies
      reach nearly 100%, 4-5 single cohesive end systems were recommended to digest the
      genome separately.

PMID- 24211388
TI  - Transcription of the rpsO-pnp operon of Streptomyces coelicolor involves four
      temporally regulated, stress responsive promoters.
AB  - Primer extension with RNA from an RNase III null mutant of Streptomyces
      coelicolor M145 and a primer complementary to the polynucleotide phosphorylase
      gene revealed two major extension products. Two different extension products were
      observed using RNA from either wild type M145 or the null mutant with a primer
      complementary to rpsO. Mapping of the 5'-ends of these extension products to the
      rpsO-pnp intergenic region indicated that all four putative transcription start
      sites were preceded by possible promoter sequences. These putative promoters were
      synthesized by the PCR and cloned into pIPP2, a xylE-based streptomycete promoter
      probe vector. Transfer of the pIPP2 derivatives to S. coelicolor and catechol
      dioxygenase assays demonstrated that all four cloned fragments had promoter
      activity in vivo. The activities of the four promoters changed over the course of
      growth of S. coelicolor and studies in three sigma factor mutant strains
      demonstrated that three of the promoters were sigma(B) dependent. Northern
      blotting studies showed that the levels of the rpsO-pnp transcripts remained
      relatively constant over the course of growth of S. coelicolor M145, but that on
      a molar basis, the levels of the readthrough and pnp transcripts were
      considerably lower than those of rpsO. PNPase is a cold shock protein in S.
      coelicolor and the activity of the rpsO-pnp promoters increased during cold shock
      at 10 degrees , resulting in a two-fold increase in PNPase activity, compared
      with the activity at 30 degrees .

PMID- 24211389
TI  - Novel homozygous mutations in the WNT10B gene underlying autosomal recessive
      split hand/foot malformation in three consanguineous families.
AB  - Split-hand/split-foot malformation (SHFM), representing variable degree of median
      clefts of hands and feet, is a genetically heterogeneous group of limb
      malformations with seven loci mapped on different human chromosomes. However,
      only 3 genes (TP63, WNT10B, DLX5) for the seven loci have been identified. The
      study, presented here, described three consanguineous Pakistani families
      segregating SHFM in autosomal recessive manner. Linkage in the families was
      searched by genotyping microsatellite markers and mutation screening of candidate
      gene was performed by Sanger DNA sequencing. Clinical features of affected
      members of these families exhibited SHFM phenotype with involvement of hands and
      feet. Genotyping using microsatellite markers mapped the families to WNT10B gene
      at SHFM6 on chromosome 12q13.11-q13. Subsequently, sequence analysis of WNT10B
      gene revealed a novel 4-bp deletion mutation (c.1165_1168delAAGT) in one family
      and 7-bp duplication (c.300_306dupAGGGCGG) in two other families. Structure-based
      analysis showed a significant conformational shift in the active binding site of
      mutated WNT10B (p.Lys388Glufs*36), influencing binding with Fzd8. The mutations
      identified in the WNT10B gene extend the body of evidence implicating it in the
      pathogenesis of SHFM.

PMID- 24211390
TI  - Effects of Phaseolus vulgaris (Fabaceae) seed coat on the embryonic and larval
      development of the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera:
      Bruchidae).
AB  - Bruchid beetles infest various seeds. The seed coat is the first protective
      barrier against bruchid infestation. Although non-host seed coats often impair
      the oviposition, eclosion and survival of the bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus
      larvae, morphological and biochemical aspects of this phenomenon remain unclear.
      Here we show that Phaseolus vulgaris (non-host) seed coat reduced C. maculatus
      female oviposition about 48%, increased 83% the seed penetration time, reduced
      larval mass and survival about 62 % and 40 % respectively. Interestingly, we
      found no visible effect on the major events of insect embryogenesis, namely the
      formation of the cellular blastoderm, germ band extension/retraction, embryo
      segmentation, appendage formation and dorsal closure. Larvae fed on P. vulgaris
      seed coat have greater FITC fluorescence signal in the midgut than in the feces,
      as opposed to what is observed in control larvae fed on Vigna unguiculata.
      Cysteine protease, alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activities were reduced in
      larvae fed on P. vulgaris natural seed coat. Taken together, our results suggest
      that although P. vulgaris seed coat does not interfere with C. maculatus
      embryonic development, food digestion was clearly compromised, impacting larval
      fitness (e.g. body mass and survivability). 

PMID- 24211391
TI  - JNK1 and 2 play a negative role in reprogramming to pluripotent stem cells by
      suppressing Klf4 activity.
AB  - Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells with the capacity for unlimited
      self-renewal or differentiation. Inhibition of MAPK pathways enhances mouse ES
      cell pluripotency characteristics. Compared to wildtype ES cells, jnk2(-/-) ES
      cells displayed a much higher growth rate. To determine whether JNKs are required
      for stem cell self-renewal or differentiation, we performed a phosphorylation
      kinase array assay to compare mouse ES cells under LIF+ or LIF- culture
      conditions. The data showed that activation of JNKs was induced by LIF
      withdrawal. We also found that JNK1 or 2 phosphorylated Klf4 at threonines 224
      and 225. Activation of JNK signaling and phosphorylation of Klf4 inhibited Klf4
      transcription and transactivation activity. Importantly, jnk1(-/-) and jnk2(-/-)
      murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) exhibited a significantly greater potency in
      the ability to increase the number of iPS colonies compared with jnk wildtype
      MEFs. Overall, our results demonstrated that JNK1 and 2 play a negative role in
      reprogramming to pluripotent stem cells by suppressing Klf4 activity. 

PMID- 24211392
TI  - Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne: A tropical medicinal plant with intestinal
      anti-inflammatory activity in TNBS model of intestinal inflammation in rats.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Stem bark and fruit pulp of Hymenaea stigonocarpa
      Mart ex. Hayne (Fabaceae) has been popularly used to treat inflammation and
      gastrointestinal diseases including ulcers, diarrhea and gastric pain. The aim of
      this study was to investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of a
      methanol extract derived from the stem bark and diet with fruit pulp of Hymenaea
      stigonocarpa in the TNBS model of intestinal inflammation in rats. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: The intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of stem bark extract (100, 200
      and 400mg/kg) and fruit pulp (10% and 5% in diet) was measured against the
      intestinal inflammatory process induced by TNBS (trinitrobenzesulphonic acid) in
      rats. The protective effects were evaluated as follows: evaluation of intestinal
      damage (damage score, extension of lesion, colon weight/length ratio), incidence
      of diarrhea and adherence to adjacent organs, colon glutathione (GSH) and
      malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and alkaline phosphatase
      (AP) activities. In addition, in vitro studies on lipid peroxidation in rat brain
      membranes and phytochemical profile were performed with both stem bark and fruit
      pulp. RESULTS: Treatment with 100, 200 and 400mg/kg of stem bark extract and 10%
      fruit pulp flour showed protective effects in the TNBS-induced colon damage,
      which was related to inhibition of MPO and AP activities, reduction in colon MDA
      content, and counteraction of GSH depletion induced by inflammatory process. A
      concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the lipid peroxidation in rat brain
      membranes for stem bark and fruit pulp was determined, with an IC50 value of 5.25
      +/- 0.23 MUg/mL and 27.33 +/- 0.09 MUg/mL, respectively. Similar phytochemical
      composition was observed in fruit and stem bark, including mainly flavonoids,
      condensed tannins and terpenes. CONCLUSIONS: Stem bark extract and fruit pulp
      flour of Hymenaea stigonocarpa prevented TNBS-induced colonic damage in rats and
      this protective effect were associated to an improvement of intestinal oxidative
      stress. The observed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may be associated
      to the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the stem bark and fruit pulp of
      Hymenaea stigonocarpa.

PMID- 24211393
TI  - The use of the local flora in Switzerland: a comparison of past and recent
      medicinal plant knowledge.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: This analysis of documented medicinal plants of
      the Swiss Flora over the last two millennia provides a rich source of knowledge
      on earlier uses of plants and use patterns of the local flora. We ask which local
      plant species were used during different time periods of the last 2000 years and
      how the numbers of species and the use intensity of specific plant families,
      growth forms and habitats changed over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally 25
      herbals from the antiquity, monastic medicine, Renaissance, early modern era and
      the contemporary time as well as five recent ethnobotanical studies were
      considered. Use patterns were analysed with the Bayesian approach. RESULTS: A
      total of 768 species, i.e. 32% of the vascular plants of the Swiss Flora have
      been documented as medicinal plants. Numbers increase until the monastic period
      (366 spp.) and the Renaissance (476) and remain relatively stable since then
      (modern and contemporary era: 477). But, 465 formerly documented species do not
      occur in the ethnobotanical studies and thus seem not to be used any more.
      Overall, 104 species are documented through all time periods. Archeophytes, trees
      and forest plants are generally overrepresented in herbals from all time periods
      while plants from above the timberline are generally underrepresented. Most
      widely used are the Lamiaceae and Apiaceae. CONCLUSION: A constant body of
      medicinal plant knowledge in Switzerland exists since ancient time. This
      knowledge was always influenced by knowledge from neighboring countries and no
      "typical Swiss specialties" seem to exist. Medicinal plants are not randomly
      chosen from the available flora. Certain species are deliberately introduced
      others are neglected. This process, which is still ongoing, can be traced back
      with the help of herbals to the antiquity.

PMID- 24211394
TI  - 'Ashvagandharishta' prepared using yeast consortium from Woodfordia fruticosa
      flowers exhibit hepatoprotective effect on CCl4 induced liver damage in Wistar
      rats.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: [corrected] Consortium of yeasts sourced from
      traditionally used Woodfordia fruticosa flowers proved to be beneficial for
      fermenting Ashvagandharishta. It resulted in faster fermentation, acceptable
      organoleptic properties and demonstrable hepatoprotective potential in CCl4
      induced hepatotoxicity. To formulate Ashvagandharishta using consortium of yeasts
      and to investigate its physiochemical parameters. Standardize the formulation
      with the help of standard withaferin-A and withanolide-A and to evaluate its
      hepatoprotective potential in CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in the rat model.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ashvagandharishta was prepared using a 5% consortium of
      yeasts and ascertained its quality through physiochemical and phytochemical
      investigation. Withaferin-A and withanolide-A was simultaneously estimated by
      HPLC for standardization. Hepatoprotective potential was evaluated by
      administering 2.31 and 1.15 ml/kg doses while considering biochemical parameters
      like serum AST, ALT, ALP and lipid profile. Gene expression study was carried out
      for the expression of antioxidant and inflammatory genes such as CAT, GPx and
      proinflammatory gene IL-6. Histopathology of liver was also studied with the help
      of H&E staining. RESULTS: Ashvagandharishta was found organolepticaly acceptable
      with optimized physiochemical parameters. Withaferin-A and withanolide-A in
      Ashvagandharishta estimated as 0.3711, 0.7426 (%w/v), respectively. In the CCl4
      induced hepato-toxicity model, Ashvagandharishta-2.31ml/kg dose showed
      significant decrease in elevated hepatic level of AST(p<0.001), ALT(p<0.01) and
      ALP(p<0.001). Both doses of Ashvagandharishta showed significant reduction of TG,
      Cholesterol, VLDL and LDL in serum, with corresponding reduction of (p<0.001)
      serum-HDL. Ashvagandharishta also showed increased serum protein (p<0.05) and
      albumin (p<0.01) with decrease in bilirubin (p<0.01). Additionally,
      Ashvagandharishta administration revealed up-regulation in antioxidant genes such
      as CAT and GPx in liver with concomitant down-regulation in proinflammatory IL
      6gene (p<0.01). Histopathological parameters revealed restoration of normal
      tissue architecture by both doses of Ashvagandharishta. CONCLUSIONS: Consortium
      of yeasts from Woodfordia fruticosa flowers showed better fermentation pattern
      for Ashvagandharishta produced with acceptable organoleptic properties.
      Hepatoprotection shown by Ashvagandharishta was mainly through prevention of
      oxidative damage. Up-regulation of CAT and GPx genes and corresponding down
      regulation of proinflammatory IL6 gene was revealed as possible mechanism of its
      action.

PMID- 24211395
TI  - Antrodia salmonea inhibits TNF-alpha-induced angiogenesis and atherogenesis in
      human endothelial cells through the down-regulation of NF-kappaB and up
      regulation of Nrf2 signaling pathways.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Antrodia salmonea (AS) is known as a traditional
      Chinese medicine, but very few biological activities have been reported.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was aimed to investigate the anti
      angiogenic and anti-atherosclerotic potential of the fermented culture broth of
      AS against tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated human endothelial
      (EA.hy 926) cells. RESULTS: The non-cytotoxic concentrations of AS significantly
      inhibited TNF-alpha-induced migration/invasion and capillary-like tube formation
      in EA.hy 926 cells. Furthermore, AS suppressed TNF-alpha-induced activity and
      expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and cell-surface expression of
      intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which was associated with abridged
      adhesion of U937 leukocytes to endothelial cells. Moreover, AS significantly down
      regulated TNF-alpha-induced nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation
      of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) followed by suppression of I-kappaB
      degradation and phosphorylation of I-kappaB kinase-alpha (IKKalpha). Notably, the
      protective effect of AS was directly correlated with the increased expression of
      hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCLC), which
      was reasoned by nuclear translocation and transactivation of NF-E2 related factor
      2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE). Furthermore, HO-1 knockdown by HO-1
      specific shRNA diminished the protective effects of AS on TNF-alpha-stimulated
      invasion, tube formation, and U937 adhesion in EA.hy 926 cells. CONCLUSIONS:
      Taken together, these results suggest that Antrodia salmonea may be useful for
      the prevention of angiogenesis and atherosclerosis.

PMID- 24211396
TI  - Traditional usage, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the South African medicinal
      plant Boophone disticha (L.f.) Herb. (Amaryllidaceae).
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Boophone disticha is the most common member of
      the South African Amaryllidaceae used extensively in traditional medicine of the
      various indigenous population groups, including the Sotho, Xhosa and Zulu as well
      as the San. This survey was carried out to identify and highlight areas relevant
      to the traditional usage of Boophone disticha. Pharmacological aspects were
      examined with the purpose of reconciling these with the traditional usage of the
      plant. In relation to phytochemical make-up, particular attention was paid on how
      its alkaloid constitution might corroborate the various biological effects
      manifested by the plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information gathering involved
      the use of four different database platforms, including Google Scholar,
      ScienceDirect, SciFinder((r)) and Scopus. Arrangement and detailing of this
      information is as reflected in the various sections of the paper. RESULTS:
      Sixteen categories were identified under which Boophone disticha finds use in
      traditional medicine. These were shown to include general usage purposes, such as
      'cultural and dietary', 'well-being', 'personal injury', 'divinatory purposes',
      'psychoactive properties' and 'veterinary uses'. Furthermore, traditional usage
      was seen to involve six body systems, including functions pertaining to the
      circulatory, gastrointestinal, muscular, neurological, respiratory and urinary
      systems. The four remaining categories relate to use for inflammatory conditions,
      cancer, malaria and tuberculosis. Overall, three areas were discernible in which
      Boophone disticha finds most usage, which are (i) ailments pertaining to the CNS,
      (ii) wounds and infections, and (iii) inflammatory conditions. In addition,
      several aspects pertaining to the toxic properties of the plant are discussed,
      including genotoxicity, mutagenicity and neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION: The
      widespread ethnic usage of Boophone disticha has justified its standing as a
      flagship for the Amaryllidaceae and its relevance to South African traditional
      medicine. Furthermore, its promising pharmacological and phytochemical profiles
      have stimulated significant interest in the clinical realm, especially in the
      areas of cancer and motor neuron disease chemotherapy. These collective
      properties should prove useful in steering the progress of the plant towards a
      wider audience.

PMID- 24211397
TI  - Multitargeted protective effect of Abacopteris penangiana against carrageenan
      induced chronic prostatitis in rats.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Abacopteris penangiana (Hook.) Ching (AP) is
      traditionally used in Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation, remove blood
      stasis and dampness and for the treatment of edema and inflammation. In order to
      further support and develop the traditional use of Abacopteris penangiana as
      Chinese folk medicine, the aim of this study is to investigate the protective
      effect of the total flavanol glycosides (TFA) from AP and its acid hydrolysate
      (AHT) on chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP) by measuring the levels of
      oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      First, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of AHT and TFA were
      investigated. Then the experimental chronic non-bacterial prostatitis was induced
      by carrageenan. The prostate index (PI) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were
      determined. The activities of AHT and TFA on inhibiting free radicals and
      oxidative stress were investigated. Subsequently, the degree of chronic
      inflammatory cell infiltrates, acinar changes and interstitial fibrosis were
      evaluated by histopathological examination. In addition, the relative
      inflammatory factors, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1beta
      (IL-1beta), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PEG2), transforming
      growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were
      measured. Finally, the prostatic expression of nuclear transcription factor
      kappaB (NF-kappaB) was determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot
      analysis. RESULTS: The whole results showed that AHT and TFA had strong
      antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In CNP model, AHT and TFA
      successfully decreased PI and PSA. The activities of antioxidant enzymes in AHT
      or TFA group were enhanced. Additionally, a morphometric analysis of the prostate
      gland of AHT or TFA treated rats demonstrated a significant reduction in chronic
      inflammatory cell infiltrates and interstitial fibrosis compared to model group.
      The reduced values of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, COX-2, PEG2, inducible nitric oxide
      synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) were observed both in AHT and TFA treated
      groups. Moreover, the levels of TGF-beta1 and CTGF in AHT and TFA treated groups
      were significantly decreased along with the alleviation of the inflammatory state
      of the prostate gland. Besides, the prostatic expression of NF-kappaB was
      inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that AHT and TFA have anti
      prostatitis properties via inhibiting oxidative stress, NF-kappaB dependent pro
      inflammatory cytokines, fibrosis-related factors and antinociceptive activity.
      Hence, AP represents a potential herb for the treatment of prostatitis.

PMID- 24211398
TI  - Extension of dynamic range of sensitive nanoparticle-based immunoassays.
AB  - Nanoparticles have successfully been employed in immunometric assays that require
      high sensitivity. Certain analytes, however, require dynamic ranges (DRs) around
      a predetermined cut-off value. Here, we have studied the effects that antibody
      orientation and addition of free solid-phase and detection antibodies have on
      assay sensitivity and DR in traditional sandwich-type immunoassays. D-dimer and
      cardiac troponin I (cTnI), both routinely used in critical care testing, were
      applied as model analytes. The assays were performed in microtitration wells with
      preimmobilized solid-phase antibody. Inherently fluorescent nanoparticles coated
      with second antibody were used to detect the analyte. The selection of antibody
      orientation and addition of free solid-phase or detection antibody, with
      nanoparticles and calibrator, desensitized the assays and extended the DR. With D
      dimer the upper limit of the DR was improved from 50 to 10,000 ng/ml, and with
      cTnI from 25 to 1000 ng/ml. Regression analysis with the Stago STA Liatest D
      dimer assay yielded a slope (95% confidence interval) of 0.09 (0.07-0.11) and a y
      intercept of -7.79 (-17.87-2.29)ng/L (n=65, r=0.906). Thus it is concluded that
      Europium(III)-chelate-doped nanoparticles can also be employed in immunoassays
      that require wide DRs around a certain cut-off limit.

PMID- 24211399
TI  - Prevalence of occult gynecologic malignancy at the time of risk reducing and
      nonprophylactic surgery in patients with Lynch syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of
      occult gynecologic malignancy at the time of risk reducing surgery in patients
      with Lynch Syndrome. A secondary aim was to determine the prevalence of occult
      gynecologic malignancy at the time of surgery for non-prophylactic indications in
      patients with Lynch Syndrome. METHODS: A retrospective review of an Inherited
      Colorectal Cancer Registry found 76 patients with Lynch syndrome (defined by a
      germline mutation in a DNA mismatch repair gene) or hereditary nonpolyposis
      colorectal cancer (HNPCC) (defined by Amsterdam criteria) who had undergone
      hysterectomy and/or salpingo-oophorectomy for a prophylactic or non-prophylactic
      indication. Indications for surgery and the prevalence of cancer at the time of
      each operation were reviewed. RESULTS: 24 of 76 patients underwent prophylactic
      hysterectomy and/or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for Lynch syndrome or HNPCC.
      In 9 of these patients, a benign indication for surgery was also noted. 4 of 24
      patients (17%, 95% CI = 5-38%) were noted to have cancer on final pathology. 20
      of 76 patients (26%) undergoing operative management for any indication were
      noted to have occult malignancy on final pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Patients should
      be counseled about the risks of finding gynecologic cancer at the time of
      prophylactic or non-prophylactic surgery for Lynch syndrome and HNPCC, and the
      potential need for additional surgery.

PMID- 24211400
TI  - Nibrin is a marker of clinical outcome in patients with advanced serous ovarian
      cancer treated in the phase III OVA-301 trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between 13 proteins involved
      in DNA damage and the outcomes of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC).
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry staining was performed in 114
      diagnostic samples from patients with serous ROC who participated in the OVA-301
      study, which compared pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) with a combination of
      trabectedin plus PLD. Percentage of positive cells for every marker was
      calculated and correlated with overall response rate (ORR), progression-free
      survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A statistically significant
      correlation between high levels of nibrin and lower ORR (P=0.03), shorter PFS
      (P=0.007) and shorter OS (P=0.01) was observed. After stratification, in patients
      with platinum-sensitive disease treated with the combination of trabectedin plus
      PLD, high levels of nibrin correlated with lower ORR (P=0.01) and shorter PFS
      (P=0.02). A better clinical outcome (ORR, PFS and OS) was also associated to low
      levels of CHK2 in trabectedin plus PLD treated patients. No correlations were
      found in PLD-treated patients. According to the results of a multivariate
      analysis, there was a statistically significant correlation between high nibrin
      (P=0.001) and low BRCA2 levels (P=0.03) and a worse PFS, and between high nibrin
      levels and a worse OS (P=0.006). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that high
      nibrin expression seems to be associated with a worse clinical outcome in serous
      ROC, particularly in patients treated with the combination trabectedin plus PLD.
      Prospective studies to determine clinical usefulness of nibrin as a possible
      biomarker in other series of patients with ROC are warranted.

PMID- 24211401
TI  - Clinical predictors of long-term survival for stage IVB uterine papillary serous
      carcinoma confined to the abdomen.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical predictors of long-term survival in women with
      FIGO Stage IVB uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) confined to the abdomen
      METHODS: Records were reviewed for 48 patients with Stage IVB UPSC diagnosed from
      1/1980 to 12/2011. Study inclusion required hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy
      and negative chest imaging. Disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival rates
      were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was
      performed using Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 70
      years (range, 53-87). Optimal cytoreduction (Opt) to <1cm residual disease was
      performed in 36 patients (75%). With a median follow-up of 21 months for all
      patients and 99 months for survivors, 36 (75%) experienced disease progression or
      relapse, most commonly intraperitoneal (16, 44%). At 5 years, DFS and OS rates
      were 12% and 19%, respectively. Five patients (10%) were long-term survivors
      without relapse at a median of 124 months. All 5 had Opt and
      carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy, and 4 received radiotherapy (2 pelvic, 1
      whole-abdominal, 1 brachytherapy). On MVA in the chemotherapy-treated population,
      Opt (HR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02-0.35) and radiotherapy (HR 0.36, 0.15-0.80) were
      associated with decreased rates of recurrence or progression. Opt (HR 0.09, 0.02
      0.38) was prognostic for OS when adjusted for age. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical
      predictors of long-term survival for Stage IVB UPSC confined to the abdomen
      include optimal cytoreduction and adjuvant platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy.
      Radiotherapy may decrease rates of recurrence or progression. Despite intra
      abdominal involvement, disease remission and long-term survival may be achieved
      in some patients.

PMID- 24211402
TI  - Serum HE4 as a prognostic marker in endometrial cancer--a population based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: HE4 has emerged as a promising biomarker in gynaecological oncology.
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum HE4 as a biomarker for high-risk
      phenotypes in a population-based endometrial cancer cohort. METHODS: Peri
      operative serum HE4 and CA125 were measured in 373 patients identified from the
      prospective Australian National Endometrial Cancer Study (ANECS). HE4 and CA125
      were quantified on the ARCHITECT instrument in a clinically accredited
      laboratory. Receiver operator curves (ROC), Spearman rank correlation
      coefficient, and chi-squared and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical
      analysis. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate
      regression analyses. RESULTS: Median CA125 and HE4 levels were higher in stage
      III and IV tumours (p<0.001) and in tumours with outer-half myometrial invasion
      (p<0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated that HE4 (area under the curve (AUC)=0.76)
      was a better predictor of outer-half myometrial invasion than CA125 (AUC=0.65),
      particularly in patients with low-grade endometrioid tumours (AUC 0.77 vs 0.64
      for CA125). Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that elevated HE4 was an
      independent predictor of recurrence-free survival (HR=2.40, 95% CI 1.19-4.83,
      p=0.014) after adjusting for stage and grade of disease, particularly in the
      endometrioid subtype (HR=2.86, 95% CI 1.25-6.51, p=0.012). CONCLUSION: These
      findings demonstrate the utility of serum HE4 as a prognostic biomarker in
      endometrial cancer in a large, population-based study. In particular they
      highlight the utility of HE4 for pre-operative risk stratification to identify
      high-risk patients within low-grade endometrioid endometrial cancer patients who
      might benefit from lymphadenectomy.

PMID- 24211403
TI  - Venomics of New World pit vipers: genus-wide comparisons of venom proteomes
      across Agkistrodon.
AB  - We report a genus-wide comparison of venom proteome variation across New World
      pit vipers in the genus Agkistrodon. Despite the wide variety of habitats
      occupied by this genus and that all its taxa feed on diverse species of
      vertebrates and invertebrate prey, the venom proteomes of copperheads,
      cottonmouths, and cantils are remarkably similar, both in the type and relative
      abundance of their different toxin families. The venoms from all the eleven
      species and subspecies sampled showed relatively similar proteolytic and PLA2
      activities. In contrast, quantitative differences were observed in hemorrhagic
      and myotoxic activities in mice. The highest myotoxic activity was observed with
      the venoms of A. b. bilineatus, followed by A. p. piscivorus, whereas the venoms
      of A. c. contortrix and A. p. leucostoma induced the lowest myotoxic activity.
      The venoms of Agkistrodon bilineatus subspecies showed the highest hemorrhagic
      activity and A. c. contortrix the lowest. Compositional and toxicological
      analyses agree with clinical observations of envenomations by Agkistrodon in the
      USA and Central America. A comparative analysis of Agkistrodon shows that venom
      divergence tracks phylogeny of this genus to a greater extent than in Sistrurus
      rattlesnakes, suggesting that the distinct natural histories of Agkistrodon and
      Sistrurus clades may have played a key role in molding the patterns of evolution
      of their venom protein genes. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A deep understanding of
      the structural and functional profiles of venoms and of the principles governing
      the evolution of venomous systems is a goal of venomics. Isolated proteomics
      analyses have been conducted on venoms from many species of vipers and pit
      vipers. However, making sense of these large inventories of data requires the
      integration of this information across multiple species to identify evolutionary
      and ecological trends. Our genus-wide venomics study provides a comprehensive
      overview of the toxic arsenal across Agkistrodon and a ground for understanding
      the natural histories of, and clinical observations of envenomations by, species
      of this genus.

PMID- 24211404
TI  - Diabetic nephropathy induces changes in the proteome of human urinary exosomes as
      revealed by label-free comparative analysis.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), the
      most frequent cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Exosomes isolated from
      urine are considered a rich non-invasive source of markers for renal events.
      Proteinuria associated with DN patients at advanced stages may result in
      "contamination" of exosomal fraction by co-precipitation of high abundance urine
      proteins, making it enormously difficult to obtain a reliable comparison of
      healthy individuals and DN patients and to detect minor proteins. We evaluated
      different protocols for urinary exosome isolation (ultracentrifugation-based and
      Exoquick(r) reagent-based) in combination with an easy and quick depletion
      procedure of contaminating high abundance proteins (albumin). The optimal
      methodology was then applied to investigate the proteome of human urinary
      exosomes in DN and controls using spectral counting LC-MS/MS analysis followed by
      selected reaction monitoring (SRM) confirmation. A panel of 3 proteins (AMBP,
      MLL3, and VDAC1) is differentially present in urinary exosomes from DN patients,
      opening a new field of research focused on improving diagnosis and follow-up of
      this pathology. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a
      progressive proteinuric kidney disease, a major complication of diabetes
      mellitus, and the most frequent cause of end-stage renal disease. Current markers
      of disease (i.e. creatinine and urinary albumin excretion) have proven
      limitations (i.e. some patients regress to normoalbuminuria, kidney damage may be
      already present in recently diagnoses microalbuminuric patients and renal
      function may decrease in the absence of significant albuminuria). We show here
      the first study on human DN proteome of urinary exosomes. Proteinuria associated
      to DN patients resulting in contamination of exosomal fraction and the associated
      difficulty to reliably compare healthy and disease conditions, are here overcome.
      A combined methodology pointed to increase exosomal proteome recovery and
      depletion of high-abundance proteome was here set-up. A total of 352 proteins
      were here identified for the first time associated to human urinary exosomes.
      Label-free quantitative comparison of DN urinary exosomes vs control group and
      SRM further validation, resulted in the discovery of a panel of three proteins
      (AMBP, MLL3 and VDAC1) which changes in DN, opening a new field of research
      focused to improve diagnosis and follow-up of this pathology.

PMID- 24211405
TI  - Initial description of the developing soybean seed protein Lys-N(epsilon)
      acetylome.
AB  - Characterization of the myriad protein posttranslational modifications (PTM) is a
      key aspect of proteome profiling. While there have been previous studies of the
      developing soybean seed phospho-proteome, herein we present the first analysis of
      non-histone lysine-N(E)-acetylation in this system. In recent years there have
      been reports that lysine acetylation is widespread, affecting thousands of
      proteins in diverse species from bacteria to mammals. Recently preliminary
      descriptions of the protein lysine acetylome from the plants Arabidopsis thaliana
      and Vitis vinifera have been reported. Using a combination of immunoenrichment
      and mass spectrometry-based techniques, we have identified over 400 sites of
      lysine acetylation in 245 proteins from developing soybean (Glycine max (L.)
      Merr., cv. Jack) seeds, which substantially increases the number of known plant
      N(E)-lysine-acetylation sites. Results of functional annotation indicate acetyl
      proteins are involved with a host of cellular activities. In addition to
      histones, and other proteins involved in RNA synthesis and processing, acetyl
      proteins participate in signaling, protein folding, and a plethora of metabolic
      processes. Results from in silico localization indicate that lysine-acetylated
      proteins are present in all major subcellular compartments. In toto, our results
      establish developing soybean seeds as a physiologically distinct addendum to
      Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings for functional analysis of protein Lys-N(E)
      acetylation. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Several modes of peptide fragmentation and
      database search algorithms are incorporated to identify, for the first time,
      sites of lysine acetylation on a plethora of proteins from developing soybean
      seeds. The contributions of distinct techniques to achieve increased coverage of
      the lysine acetylome are compared, providing insight to their respective
      benefits. Acetyl-proteins and specific acetylation sites are characterized,
      revealing intriguing similarities as well as differences with those previously
      identified in other plant and non-plant species.

PMID- 24211407
TI  - Kinetic and thermodynamic investigation of enzymatic L-ascorbyl acetate
      synthesis.
AB  - Kinetics and thermodynamics of lipase-catalyzed esterification of l-ascorbic acid
      in acetone were investigated by using vinyl acetate as acyl donor. The results
      showed that l-ascorbic acid could generate inhibition effect on lipase activity.
      A suitable model, Ping-Pong Bi-Bi mechanism having substrate inhibition, was thus
      introduced to describe the enzymatic kinetics. Furthermore, the kinetic and
      thermodynamic parameters were calculated from a series of experimental data
      according to the kinetic model. The inhibition constant of L-ascorbic acid was
      also obtained, which seemed to imply that enhancing reaction temperature could
      depress the substrate inhibition. Besides, the activation energy values of the
      first-step and the second-step reaction were estimated to be 37.31 and 4.94
      kJ/mol, respectively, demonstrating that the first-step reaction was the rate
      limiting reaction and could be easily improved by enhancing temperature.

PMID- 24211406
TI  - Phosphoproteome analysis reveals differences in phosphosite profiles between
      tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic epithelial cells.
AB  - Oral cancer disease represents a significant fraction of all human cancer types
      and its poor early diagnosis contributes to reduced individual survival rate. The
      identification of proteins modulated in tumorigenic cells and its post
      translational modifications may improve our understanding of tumor development in
      epithelial cells. We have analyzed the phosphoproteome of tumorigenic (SCC-9) and
      non-tumorigenic (HaCaT) cell lines using MS-based approach in order to identify
      phosphopeptides with differing patterns of modifications and/or abundance. Our
      results revealed the identity of 4,206 protein phosphorylation sites with sixty
      two sites showing to be significantly modulated between the two cell lines. The
      phosphoproteome data showed an overrepresentation of proteins with a possible
      role in nuclear regulatory functions. Pathway analysis was further performed on
      the phosphoproteome dataset and differences and commonalities of the functional
      pathways present in tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cells were identified.
      Phosphopeptides that belong to the proteins lamina-associated polypeptide 2
      isoform alpha and serine-arginine repetitive matrix protein 2 were identified
      with differential abundance and they appear as promising tumor-related
      phosphopeptides. These two proteins may be related to the structural alterations
      generally found in the nucleus of tumorigenic cells. The identification of
      phosphorylation sites in tumorigenic cells may contribute to disclose novel
      signaling mechanisms associated with OSCC. SIGNIFICANCE: Oral Squamous Cell
      Carcinoma (OSCC) is an important cancer disease affecting thousands of people
      worldwide. Many cellular processes related to the development of oral cancer
      remain unknown; however, the studies performed in vitro with cancer cells have
      contributed to guide more specific research which may be further performed by
      using in vivo approaches or clinical samples. To our knowledge, only few studies
      have been published showing the results of phosphoproteome profiling of squamous
      cell carcinoma models, and many signaling proteins must be identified and
      functionally characterized in order to increase the knowledge available about the
      complexity of the signaling networks responsible for oral cancer development and
      its progression. Furthermore, our knowledge regarding proteins exclusive or very
      low abundant in cancer cells remains limited. A better understanding of the
      differences between signaling pathways present in epithelial cell lines may
      contribute to reveal the processes underlying the OSCC.

PMID- 24211408
TI  - Tamavidin 2-HOT, a highly thermostable biotin-binding protein.
AB  - Tamavidin 2 is a fungal tetrameric protein that binds with high affinity to
      biotin, like avidin and streptavidin. We replaced asparagine-115, which lies in a
      subunit-subunit interface of tamavidin 2, with cysteine to generate the novel,
      highly thermostable protein tamavidin 2-HOT. Tamavidin 2-HOT retained more than
      80% of its biotin-binding activity even after incubation at 99.9 degrees C for
      60min and was fully active in 70% dimethylsulfoxide for 30min, whereas in these
      harsh conditions, avidin, streptavidin, and tamavidin 2 lost their activities
      (less than 20% of their biotin-binding activities). The Tm in which the biotin
      binding activity becomes half of tamavidin 2-HOT was 105 degrees C, at least 20
      degrees C higher than those of avidin, streptavidin, and tamavidin 2. Because a
      reducing agent removed the thermal stability of tamavidin 2-HOT, the N115C
      mutation likely created disulfide bridges that stabilized inter-subunit
      associations. Tamavidin 2-HOT is efficiently produced in the soluble form by
      Escherichia coli for practical use. The isoelectric point of tamavidin 2-HOT
      (7.4) is sufficiently low to reduce the chance for non-specific binding of non
      target molecules due to high positive charges. Therefore, tamavidin 2-HOT may be
      useful in diverse novel applications that take advantage of its high biotin
      binding capability that can withstand harsh conditions. 

PMID- 24211409
TI  - Deep venous thrombosis after saphenous endovenous radiofrequency ablation: is it
      predictable?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe and effective
      treatment for varicose veins caused by saphenous reflux. Deep venous thrombosis
      (DVT) is a known complication of this procedure. The purpose of this study is to
      describe the frequency of DVT after RFA and the associated predisposing factors.
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using prospectively collected
      data from December 2008 to December 2011; a total of 277 consecutive office-based
      RFA procedures were performed at a single institution using the VNUS ClosureFast
      catheter (VNUS Medical Technologies, San Jose, CA). Duplex ultrasonography scans
      were completed 2 weeks postprocedure in all patients. Risk factors assessed for
      the development of DVT included: great versus small saphenous vein (SSV) treated,
      right versus left side treated, number of radiofrequency cycles used,
      hypercoagulable state, history of DVT, tobacco use, medications (i.e., oral
      contraceptives, aspirin, warfarin, and clopidogrel), and vein diameter at the
      junction of the superficial and deep systems. RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of the
      patients were women, 56% were treated on the right side, and 86% were performed
      on the great saphenous vein (GSV). The mean age was 54 +/- 14 years (range: 23-88
      years). Three percent of patients had a preprocedure diagnosis of hypercoagulable
      state, and 8% had a history of previous DVT. On postprocedural ultrasound,
      thrombus protrusion into the deep system without occlusion (endovenous heat
      induced thrombosis) was present in 11 patients (4%). DVT, as defined by thrombus
      protrusion with complete occlusion of the femoral or popliteal vein, was
      identified in 2 patients (0.7%). Previous DVT was the only factor associated with
      postprocedural DVT (P = 0.018). Although not statistically significant, there was
      a trend toward a higher risk of DVT in SSV-treated patients. Factors associated
      with endovascular heat-induced thrombosis alone were male sex (P = 0.02), SSV
      treatment (P = 0.05), aspirin use (P = 0.008), and factor V Leiden deficiency (P
      = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of RFA to treat patients with symptoms caused by
      saphenous reflux involves a small but definite risk of DVT. This study shows that
      the risk of post-RFA DVT is greater in patients with previous DVT, with a trend
      toward an increased risk in patients having treatment of the SSV. Periprocedural
      anticoagulation may be considered in this subset to reduce the risk of DVT after
      RFA. Thrombus protrusion without DVT was found to be more likely in patients with
      hypercoagulability, male sex, SSV treatment, and aspirin use. Additional
      prospective studies are required to analyze these and other factors that may
      predict thrombotic events after endovenous RFA.

PMID- 24211410
TI  - Usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan in the
      assessment of periprosthetic collections: report of 2 cases with opposite
      management.
AB  - Vascular prosthetic infection is a rare but serious complication of vascular
      surgery that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. It is associated with high
      rates of amputation and death. The diagnosis is difficult when faced with a
      chronic nonspecific clinical presentation. We report 2 cases showing the
      diagnostic usefulness of positron emission tomography (PET). In 1 case, PET
      excluded with certainty the septic character of a periprosthetic collection
      fistulized with the skin by showing a periprosthetic fixation insufficient to
      diagnose an infection. In the other case, it confirmed the prosthetic infection
      in association with an evocative clinical picture by revealing a pathologic
      periprosthetic hyperfixation. PET scan therefore drew aside the diagnosis of
      prosthetic infection faced with a mild clinical and paraclinical presentation in
      the first case, and made it possible to pose it with certainty in the second
      case. This examination made it possible to save valuable time in 1 case and to
      elucidate the periprosthetic collection in the other case. Therefore, the rule of
      surgical explantation of any prosthesis with flow or periprosthetic collection is
      no more univocal. 

PMID- 24211411
TI  - Isolated spontaneous renal artery dissection: endovascular management.
AB  - We report a rare case of isolated spontaneous renal artery dissection treated by
      stent placement. A 59-year-old man presented with a sudden onset of left flank
      pain and severe hypertension together with elevated creatinine levels. A computed
      tomography scan revealed a focal dissection at the left renal artery (LRA) with
      an infarcted left kidney. Despite medical treatment with 4 drugs, the patient's
      blood pressure remained uncontrolled. Angiography confirmed the diagnosis. A 6- *
      60-mm Xpert stent (Abbott Vascular, Temecula, CA) was deployed at the LRA,
      achieving an enlarged true lumen with a patent stent. After the procedure, acute
      renal impairment was observed but pain subsided and blood pressure normalized
      under the treatment prescribed. At 12 months of follow-up, the patient was
      normotensive and asymptomatic with mild chronic renal failure and a patent LRA
      stent on doppler ultrasonography. The endovascular treatment of isolated
      spontaneous renal artery dissection appears to be feasible and effective and
      could be the first-line treatment when revascularization is needed. 

PMID- 24211412
TI  - Spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of the hand.
AB  - Pseudoaneurysm of the hand is rare. Few cases have been reported in the
      literature, and these cases are usually related to trauma. Early treatment is
      recommended for pseudoaneurysm after it has been diagnosed. We report the
      surgical treatment of spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of the hand in a patient who was
      undergoing anticoagulant therapy. 

PMID- 24211413
TI  - Methods of biological network inference for reverse engineering cancer
      chemoresistance mechanisms.
AB  - We review recent Bayesian network inference methodologies we developed to infer
      genetic and metabolic pathways associated to oncological drug chemoresistance.
      Bayesian inference is supported by a rigorous and widely accepted mathematical
      formalization of predictive analytics. It is an inherently integrative approach
      allowing the incorporation of prior knowledge and constraints. Moreover, it is
      recommended to treat noisy data, and large amount of data whose dynamics laws are
      mostly unknown. We focus on variational Bayesian methods for the inference of
      stochastic reaction processes and we present a compendium of the recent results
      of inference of gene and metabolic networks presiding at the development of
      pancreas cancer resistance to gemcitabine. 

PMID- 24211414
TI  - Detection of viral and bacterial pathogens in acute respiratory infections.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The role of bacteria in acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) of adults
      and interactions with viral infections is incompletely understood. This study
      tested the hypothesis that bacterial co-infection during ARI adds to airway
      inflammation and illness severity. METHODS: Two groups of 97 specimens each were
      randomly selected from multiplex-PCR identified virus-positive and virus-negative
      nasal specimens obtained from adults with new onset ARI, and 40 control specimens
      were collected from healthy adults. All specimens were analyzed for Haemophilus
      influenzae(HI), Moraxella catarrhalis(MC) and Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP) by
      quantitative-PCR. General linear models tested for relationships between
      respiratory pathogens, biomarkers (nasal wash neutrophils and CXCL8), and ARI
      severity. RESULTS: Nasal specimens from adults with ARIs were more likely to
      contain bacteria (37% overall; HI = 28%, MC = 14%, SP = 7%) compared to specimens
      from healthy adults (5% overall; HI = 0%, MC = 2.5%, SP = 2.5%; p < 0.001). Among
      ARI specimens, bacteria were more likely to be detected among virus-negative
      specimens compared to virus-positive specimens (46% vs. 27%; p = 0.0046). The
      presence of bacteria was significantly associated with increased CXCL8 and
      neutrophils, but not increased symptoms. CONCLUSION: Pathogenic bacteria were
      more often detected in virus-negative ARI, and also associated with increased
      inflammatory biomarkers. These findings suggest the possibility that bacteria may
      augment virus-induced ARI and contribute to airway inflammation.

PMID- 24211415
TI  - OprD mutations and inactivation in imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      isolates from China.
AB  - To investigate the mechanisms involved in imipenem resistance of Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa in southern China, 61 imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clinical
      isolates were collected from 4 hospitals between October 2011 and June 2012. All
      isolates were resistant to imipenem, whereas 21.3% were susceptible or
      intermediate to meropenem. Variable degrees of resistance to other beta-lactam
      and non-beta-lactam antimicrobials were observed. PFGE revealed high-level of
      clonal diversity. Among the 61 isolates, 50 isolates had OprD loss by disrupted
      oprD mutations, including 43 with frameshift mutations of oprD and 7 with a
      premature stop codon by single point mutation. Six isolates were oprD-negative by
      PCR, suggestive of a major disruption of oprD genes. Five isolates had intact
      oprD but had reduced expression of oprD genes. In addition, only one isolate with
      disrupted oprD mutation by a premature stop codon was confirmed to be a metallo
      beta-lactamase producer (IMP-9). Our results show that the loss of OprD, as well
      as reduced expression of oprD and MBL production, were the predominant mechanisms
      of imipenem resistance in P. aeruginosa in southern China. 

PMID- 24211416
TI  - Preparation, characterization and pharmacokinetics of Amoitone B-loaded long
      circulating nanostructured lipid carriers.
AB  - Amoitone B, chemically synthesized as the derivative of Cytosporone B, is a
      powerful agonist for Nur77 receptor. It has outstanding anticancer activity in
      vivo. However, the water-insolubility and short biological half-life lead to poor
      bioavailability, which limits its application. The aim of this study was to
      develop polyethylene glycol-coated Amoitone B-loaded nanostructured lipid
      carriers (AmB-PEG-NLC) for parenteral delivery of Amoitone B to prolong drug
      circulation time in body and enhance the bioavailability. AmB-PEG-NLC were
      prepared by emulsion-evaporation and low temperature-solidification method, while
      Amoitone B-loaded NLC (AmB-NLC) were also prepared as control. The
      characteristics of AmB-PEG-NLC and AmB-NLC such as particle size, zeta potential,
      entrapment efficiency and drug loading were investigated in detail. The mean
      particle size was about 200 nm and the zeta potential value was about -15 mV. The
      X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that Amoitone B was not in crystalline
      state in NLC (AmB-PEG-NLC and AmB-NLC). Drug release pattern with burst release
      initially and prolonged release afterwards was obtained in vitro for AmB-PEG-NLC.
      Furthermore, AmB-PEG-NLC exhibited prolonged MRT (mean residence time) and higher
      AUC (area under drug concentration-time curve) compared with AmB-NLC as well as
      Amoitone B solution. These results indicated that AmB-PEG-NLC could be a
      promising delivery system for Amoitone B to prolong the circulation time in body
      and thus improve its bioavailability.

PMID- 24211417
TI  - Effect of particle size on conformation and enzymatic activity of EcoRI adsorbed
      on CdS nanoparticles.
AB  - Better understanding of the interaction between nanoparticles (NPs) and protein
      is the basis for biological and biomedical applications of NPs. Water-soluble
      fluorescent CdS NPs have been widely used in the biological and biomedical fields
      and the study on effect of CdS NPs size on conformation and enzymatic activity of
      protein might be very important in its application. In this work, the interaction
      of CdS NPs with different size with type II restriction endonuclease (EcoRI) were
      investigated by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis
      spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching method, CD spectra, laser scanning confocal
      microscopy and gel electrophoresis. It was found that the equilibrium constant
      (kD) as well as the cooperativity degree of CdS NPs-EcoRI binding (Hill constant,
      n) strongly depended on the CdS NPs size. The different curvature of CdS NPs
      surface could result in different changes of EcoRI conformation. The gel
      electrophoresis indicated that the decrease in alpha-helix content more or less
      affected the activity of EcoRI. 

PMID- 24211418
TI  - Morphometric changes in C57BL/6 mice retina infected by Toxoplasma gondii ME 49
      strain.
AB  - This study evaluated the morphometric implications in C57BL/6 mouse retina
      infected by Toxoplasma gondii, ME 49 strain. Twenty C57BL/6 female mice were
      divided into group 1 (n=8, intraperitoneally infected with 30 cysts of T. gondii
      ME 49 strain) and group 2 (n=12 non-infected controls). The eyes were enucleated
      on the 60th day after infection, fixed and processed for light microscopy.
      Changes in retinal thickness and in the perimeter/area ratio (P/A) of the retinal
      layers were analyzed by digital morphometry. We considered that P/A was the
      measurement of retinal architecture distortion induced by toxoplasmosis. This
      study considered the ganglion cells and nerve fiber layers as a monolayer, thus
      six layers of retina were evaluated: photoreceptors (PRL), outer nuclear (ONL),
      outer plexiform (OPL), inner nuclear (INL), inner plexiform (IPL) and ganglion
      cells/nerve fiber monolayer (GNL). Histological analysis of infected mouse retina
      showed inflammatory infiltrate, necrosis, glial reaction and distortion of the
      retina architecture. It also presented increased thickness (167.8+/-24.9MUm
      versus 121.1+/-15.4MUm, in controls) and increased retinal thickness within the
      retinitis foci (187.7+/-16.6MUm versus 147.9+/-12.2MUm out of the retinitis
      foci). A statistically significant difference in P/A was observed between
      infected and uninfected mouse retinas. The same was observed in PRL, OPL, INL and
      GNL. Retinal morphometry may be used to demonstrate differences between infected
      and uninfected mouse retinas. 

PMID- 24211419
TI  - Efficacy of an anthelmintic combination in sheep infected with Fasciola hepatica
      resistant to albendazole and clorsulon.
AB  - In the current study, we identified five sheep flocks with fasciolosis in the
      province of Leon (northwestern Spain) in order to determine the anthelmintic
      resistance status to three commonly used anthelmintics, namely albendazole (ABZ),
      triclabendazole (TCBZ) and clorsulon (CLOR). The identification of one flock
      resistant to ABZ and CLOR was shown after the faecal egg count reduction test
      (FECRT). The reductions in eggs per gram values were -17.6% and -68% against
      immature and adult flukes, respectively, after ABZ treatment; 85.15% and 44.91%
      against immature and adult flukes, respectively, after CLOR treatment; and 97.06%
      against both stages, after the administration of TCBZ. As an alternative to
      control the infection, two combinations of ABZ and CLOR were tested. In the
      first, both drugs were administered at the recommended dose of each; in this
      case, the efficiency reached values above 95% against both immature and adult
      flukes. However, when the combined drugs were administered at half the
      recommended dose of each, the efficiency of the combination was very low, i.e.
      16.67% and -11.11% against mature and immature flukes, respectively. In
      conclusion, this preliminary report suggests a possible interaction between ABZ
      and CLOR after their joint administration. However, these results should be
      confirmed in other flocks. 

PMID- 24211420
TI  - Repression of Smad7 mediated by DNMT1 determines hepatic stellate cell activation
      and liver fibrosis in rats.
AB  - Conversion of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into hepatic myofibroblasts is a
      necessary event during the development of liver fibrosis. DNA methyltransferase 1
      (DNMT1), which catalyzes DNA methylation and subsequently leads to the
      transcriptional repression of profibrotic genes, is selectively induced in
      myofibroblasts from diseased livers. Treatment of HSC with the DNA methylation
      inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azadC), prevented TGF-beta1-induced
      proliferation and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen expression.
      5-AzadC also rescued TGF-beta1-induced suppression of Smad7 expression which
      occurs during HSC activation. Similarly, silencing the expression of the DNMT1
      gene ameliorated the suppression of Smad7 expression by TGF-beta1. In addition,
      DNMT1 inhibition, by 5-azadC or DNMT1 silencing, prevented the phosphorylation of
      Smad2 and Smad3. These studies suggest that epigenetic repression of Smad7
      promotes the phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 that may be an important
      molecular mechanism for perpetuated HSC activation and liver fibrosis. 

PMID- 24211421
TI  - The role of NAD(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 subunit alpha in AFB1
      induced liver lesion.
AB  - Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent hepatocarcinogen that causes carcinogenesis in
      many animal species. In previous study, we found that isocitrate dehydrogenase
      3alpha subunit (IDH3alpha) was upregulated in AFB1-induced carcinogenesis
      process. In this study, the sequences of IDH3alpha from various species were
      compared and the protein expression levels in different organs were examined, and
      the results showed that IDH3alpha was a widely distributed protein and shared
      highly conserved sequence in various species. In the same time, IDH3alpha was
      demonstrated to accumulate in a dose-dependent manner induced by AFB1 in cells,
      and was also up-regulated in the process of AFB1-induced liver lesion. Similar
      results were observed when H2O2 was used to replace AFB1. Over-expression of
      IDH3alpha increased the phosphorylation level of Akt (Protein kinase B) and
      neutralized the cellular toxicity induced by AFB1 or H2O2 and apoptosis induced
      by AFB1, while the reduced expression of IDH3alpha by siRNA decreased the
      phosphorylation, indicating that IDH3alpha played important roles in oxidative
      stress-induced PI3K/Akt pathway. Overall, the results suggested that AFB1
      treatment could increase the expression of IDH3alpha, and the activated PI3K/Akt
      pathway by IDH3alpha eventually neutralized the apoptosis induced by AFB1. 

PMID- 24211422
TI  - Bioactivation to an aldehyde metabolite--possible role in the onset of toxicity
      induced by the anti-HIV drug abacavir.
AB  - Aldehydes are highly reactive molecules, which can be generated during numerous
      physiological processes, including the biotransformation of drugs. Several non
      P450 enzymes participate in their metabolism albeit alcohol dehydrogenase and
      aldehyde dehydrogenase are the ones most frequently involved in this process.
      Endogenous and exogenous aldehydes have been strongly implicated in multiple
      human pathologies. Their ability to react with biomacromolecules (e.g. proteins)
      yielding covalent adducts is suggested to be the common primary mechanism
      underlying the toxicity of these reactive species. Abacavir is one of the options
      for combined anti-HIV therapy. Although individual susceptibilities to adverse
      effects differ among patients, abacavir is associated with idiosyncratic
      hypersensitivity drug reactions and an increased risk of cardiac dysfunction.
      This review highlights the current knowledge on abacavir metabolism and discusses
      the potential role of bioactivation to an aldehyde metabolite, capable of forming
      protein adducts, in the onset of abacavir-induced toxic outcomes. 

PMID- 24211423
TI  - Sesamin ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: involvement of Sirt1 and
      Mn-SOD pathway.
AB  - Oxidative stress caused by doxorubicin (DOX) is believed to be a major underlying
      molecular mechanism of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Sesamin (Ses), an active
      component extracted from sesame seeds, exhibits antioxidative and anti
      inflammatory effects. In the present study, possible protective mechanisms of Ses
      on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity were investigated in rats and cultured H9C2 cells.
      We demonstrated that Ses exhibits a significant protective effect on cardiac
      tissue in animal and cell models of DOX-induced cardiac injury. Moreover, Ses can
      ameliorate DOX-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. Further studies
      suggested that Ses is able to up-regulate the protein expression of Mn-SOD in
      normal rats and to restore the decreased expression of Mn-SOD in DOX-induced
      cardiac injury rats. Exposure to Ses or DOX alone slightly increased the protein
      expression of Sirt1; however, a more remarkable increase in Sirt1 protein level
      was detected in the Ses+DOX group. Treatment with a pan-sirtuin inhibitor
      (nicotinamide) or a Sirt1-specific inhibitor (EX-527) partially antagonised the
      effect of Ses on DOX-induced mitochondrial damage and completely abolished the
      effect of Ses on Mn-SOD expression. These findings indicate that the protective
      mechanisms of Ses on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity are involved in the alleviation
      of oxidative stress injury and Mn-SOD dysfunction, partially via the activation
      of Sirt1. 

PMID- 24211424
TI  - Interactions between the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis sonorensis
      (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) and the saprobic fungus Fusarium oxysporum
      (Ascomycota: Hypocreales).
AB  - In this study, we assessed the effect of the saprobic fungus, Fusarium oxysporum
      (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) on the fitness of the entomopathogenic nematode
      Heterorhabditis sonorensis (Caborca strain). Sand column assays were considered
      to evaluate the effect of fungal mycelia on infective juvenile (IJ) movement and
      host access. Additionally, we investigated the effect of fungal spores on the
      nematodes' ability to search for a host, its virulence, penetration efficiency
      and reproduction. Three application timings were considered to assess
      interactions between the fungus and the nematodes. In vitro assays were also
      considered to determine the effect of fungal extracts on the nematode's symbiotic
      bacteria. Our observations indicate that presence and age of fungal mycelia
      significantly affect IJ movement in the sand columns and their ability to
      establish in the host. These results were also reflected in a reduced insect
      mortality. In particular, treatments with the 15 days old mycelia showed a
      significant reduction in insect mortality and penetration efficiency. Presence of
      fungal spores also impacted nematode virulence and reproduction. In particular,
      two of the application timings tested (simultaneous [EPN and fungal spores
      applied at the same time] and alternate I [EPN applied first, fungus applied 24h
      later]) resulted in antagonistic interactions. Moreover, IJ progeny was reduced
      to half in the simultaneous application. In vitro assays revealed that fungal
      extracts at the highest concentration tested (10mg/ml) inhibited the growth of
      the symbiotic bacteria. Overall, these results suggest that saprobic fungi may
      play an important role in regulating. EPN populations in the soil, and that they
      may be one of the factors that impact nematode survival in the soil and their
      access to insect hosts.

PMID- 24211425
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA integrity changes with age but does not correlate with learning
      performance in honey bees.
AB  - The honey bee is a well-established model organism to study aging, learning and
      memory. Here, we used young and old forager honey bees to investigate whether age
      related learning capacity correlates with mitochondrial function. The bees were
      selected for age and learning performance and mitochondrial function was
      evaluated by measuring mtDNA integrity, mtDNA copy number and mitochondrial gene
      expression. Quite unexpectedly, mtDNA from young bees showed more damage than
      mtDNA from older bees, but neither mtDNA integrity, nor mtDNA copy number nor
      mitochondrial gene expression correlated with learning performance. Although not
      statistically significant (p=0.07) the level of L-rRNA increased with age in good
      learners whereas it decreased in poor learners. Our results show that learning
      performance in honey bee does not correlate with absolute mitochondrial
      parameters like mtDNA damage, copy number or expression of mitochondrial genes,
      but may be associated with the ability to regulate mitochondrial activity.

PMID- 24211426
TI  - Caloric restriction and aging stem cells: the stick and the carrot?
AB  - Adult tissue stem cells have the ability to adjust to environmental changes and
      affect also the proliferation of neighboring cells, with important consequences
      on tissue maintenance and regeneration. Stem cell renewal and proliferation is
      strongly regulated during aging of the organism. Caloric restriction is the most
      powerful anti-aging strategy conserved throughout evolution in the animal
      kingdom. Recent studies relate the properties of caloric restriction to its
      ability in reprogramming stem-like cell states and in prolonging the capacity of
      stem cells to self-renew, proliferate, differentiate, and replace cells in
      several adult tissues. However this general paradigm presents with exceptions.
      The scope of this review is to highlight how caloric restriction impacts on
      diverse stem cell compartments and, by doing so, might differentially delay aging
      in the tissues of lower and higher organisms. 

PMID- 24211427
TI  - Bisphosphonate-osteoclasts: changes in osteoclast morphology and function induced
      by antiresorptive nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate treatment in osteoporosis
      patients.
AB  - Osteoclasts are unique cells capable of bone resorption and therefore have become
      a major target in osteoporosis treatment strategies. Bisphosphonates suppress
      bone turnover via interference with the internal enzymatic cell system of
      osteoclasts leading to cytoskeletal disruption. This mechanism found its clinical
      relevance in reducing bone resorption, stabilizing bone mass and reducing
      fracture risk in osteoporosis patients. However, knowledge about specific in vivo
      changes in osteoclast cell morphology and function is still insufficient. We
      examined osteoclasts in 23 paired bone biopsies from osteoporosis patients (18
      males, 5 females; age: 52.6+/-11.5yrs) under nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate
      administration with a mean treatment duration of three years. Formalin-fixed,
      undecalcified sections were assessed by qualitative and quantitative bone
      histomorphometry, where the osteoclast morphology, nuclei, distribution, location
      as well as resorption parameters were investigated to obtain information about
      cell function and viability. After three years of treatment, resorption
      parameters decreased significantly while the number of osteoclasts remained
      unchanged. Out of 23 patients, nine developed previously termed "giant
      osteoclasts" with increased size, numerous nuclei (>10 nuclei/Oc) and oftentimes
      detachment from the bone surface. These cells frequently had pycnotic nuclei and
      other morphological signs suggestive of osteoclast apoptosis. Characteristic
      large-sized osteoclasts were uniquely found in patients treated with nitrogen
      containing bisphosphonates, thus being clearly distinguishable from giant
      osteoclasts in other bone disorders such as Paget disease, secondary
      hyperparathyroidism or osteopetrosis. The resorption indices of large-sized
      osteoclasts, specifically the eroded perimeter and erosion depth, revealed
      significantly reduced values but not an entirely inhibited resorption capability.
      Bisphosphonate-osteoclasts' viability and affinity to bone seem significantly
      disturbed while the apoptotic process may be prolonged for a yet unknown period
      of time in favor of maintaining a low bone turnover. 

PMID- 24211428
TI  - A sulfuric-lactic acid process for efficient purification of fungal chitosan with
      intact molecular weight.
AB  - The most recent method of fungal chitosan purification, i.e., two steps of dilute
      sulfuric acid treatment, pretreatment of cell wall at room temperature for
      phosphate removal and extraction of chitosan from the phosphate free cell wall at
      high temperature, significantly reduces the chitosan molecular weight. This study
      was aimed at improvement of this method. In the pretreatment step, to choose the
      best conditions, cell wall of Rhizopus oryzae, containing 9% phosphate, 10%
      glucosamine, and 21% N-acetyl glucosamine, was treated with sulfuric, lactic,
      acetic, nitric, or hydrochloric acid, at room temperature. Sulfuric acid showed
      the best performance in phosphate removal (90%) and cell wall recovery (89%). To
      avoid depolymerisation of chitosan, hot sulfuric acid extraction was replaced
      with lactic acid treatment at room temperature, and a pure fungal chitosan was
      obtained (0.12 g/g cell wall). Similar pretreatment and extraction processes were
      conducted on pure shrimp chitosan and resulted in a chitosan recovery of higher
      than 87% while the reduction of chitosan viscosity was less than 15%. Therefore,
      the sulfuric-lactic acid method purified the fungal chitosan without significant
      molecular weight manipulation.

PMID- 24211429
TI  - Composition and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from jujuba by classical
      and ultrasound extraction.
AB  - Crude Zizyphus Jujuba cv. Junzao polysaccharides (CZP) were extracted by hot
      water and ultrasound-assisted extraction respectively. Using a short application
      of ultrasound, the yield of polysaccharides increased from 6.23 to 7.95%, which
      represents an increase of about 27.6%. Both CZPU and CZPH were composed of
      arabinose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, and mannose. However, the molar ratio of
      CZPU was 5.46: 4.96: 5.17: 2.63: 1, while it was 5.46: 4.89: 3.65: 2.54: 1 for
      CZPH. Furthermore, CZPU had stronger antioxidant activities than CZPH by
      evaluating in hydroxyl radical and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)
      assay. 

PMID- 24211430
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of some novel antimicrobial thiosemicarbazone O
      carboxymethyl chitosan derivatives.
AB  - Three novel thiosemicarbazone O-carboxymethyl chitosan derivatives were obtained
      via a condensation reaction of thiosemicarbazide O-carboxymethyl chitosan with o
      hydroxybenzaldehyde, p-methoxybenzaldehyde, and p- chlorobenzaldehyde
      respectively. Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR,
      (13)C NMR and X-ray diffraction. The antimicrobial behaviors of the prepared
      derivatives against three types of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus,
      RCMBA 2004), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis, RCMBA 6005), and Escherichia coli
      (E. Coli, RCMBA 5003) and three crops-threatening pathogenic fungi Aspergillus
      fumigatus (A. fumigatus, RCMBA 06002), Geotrichum candidum (G. candidum, RCMB
      05098), and Candida albicans (C. albicans, RCMB 05035) were investigated. The
      results indicated that the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the
      investigated derivatives are much higher than those of the parent O-carboxymethyl
      chitosan. They were more potent in case of Gram-positive bacteria than Gram
      negative bacteria. The presence of electron withdrawing chlorine atom on the aryl
      moiety of the aldehyde portion improved greatly antimicrobial activity to be
      nearly equivalent to the used standard drugs. 

PMID- 24211432
TI  - Amidase encapsulated O-carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles for vaccine delivery.
AB  - This work reports the development of amidase encapsulated O-carboxymethyl
      chitosan nanoparticles (Ami-O-CMC NPs) of 300+/-50 nm size by ionic cross-linking
      method. The prepared Ami-O-CMC NPs had an encapsulation efficiency of 55.39%.
      Haemolysis assay and cytotoxicity studies proved the hemocompatibility and
      cytocompatibility of the prepared NPs. The sustained release of Ami from the NPs
      is expected to prolong its immunogenicity and in turn lead to development of
      better protective immunity against Staphylococcus aureus infections.

PMID- 24211431
TI  - In vitro assessment of agave fructans (Agave salmiana) as prebiotics and immune
      system activators.
AB  - The prebiotic effect of agave fructans (Agave salmiana) was evaluated through the
      growth of two lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains (Lactobacillus casei and
      Bifidobacterium lactis). The immune system was activated through the stimulation
      of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy subjects testing
      fructans, LAB or a mixture of these compounds at different concentrations. Immune
      responses, such as early cell activation (CD69), cell cycle progression, nitric
      oxide (NO) production and the expression of transcription factors for lymphocyte
      differentiation, were analyzed. Compared with other fructans, the extracted agave
      fructans showed the highest prebiotic activity and increased levels of CD69
      expression, proliferative activity and NO production when administered with the
      probiotic L. casei. The Th1 lymphocyte differentiation produced through LAB
      stimulation was greatly diminished after the incorporation of agave fructans. In
      conclusion, these types of fructans (A. salmiana) are involved in the activation
      and selective differentiation of cells of the immune system through interactions
      with probiotics. Thus, agave fructans represent a novel immunomodulator that
      might benefit the functional food industry. 

PMID- 24211433
TI  - Versatile UCST-based thermoresponsive hydrogels for loco-regional sustained drug
      delivery.
AB  - Poly(N-acryloyl glycinamide) is a neutral polymer that can form gel-sol
      thermoresponsive systems with upper critical solution temperature in aqueous
      media. The temperature of the reversible gel-sol transition depends on the molar
      mass and the concentration of macromolecules. These parameters were combined to
      adjust the transition temperature slightly above body temperature for the sake of
      respecting living tissues during the sol form injection using a classical
      syringe. On contact with local tissues, the injected sol turned rapidly to a gel.
      The simplicity of the process makes it exploitable to administrate and deliver
      neutral or ionic drug and especially those that are soluble in aqueous media. The
      versatility was exemplified from formulations with cobalt acetate, small polymers
      (MW~2000g/mol), tartrazine and methylene blue dyes and albumin. The model
      compounds were allowed to diffuse in an isotonic pH=7.4 buffered medium at 37
      degrees C. All the release profiles were typical of diffusion control with 100%
      release within 2 to 3weeks and no obvious burst. The in vitro release of
      methylene blue from a gel formulation was checked prior to injection in the
      peritoneal cavity of mice where the release of the dye was monitored visually
      through tissue and organ colorations. A comparable polymer-free dye solution was
      used as control. Coloration appeared rapidly in tissues and organs and it was
      still detectable 52h post injection of the gel whereas it was no longer present
      at 24h in control mice. 

PMID- 24211434
TI  - Phosphorylation-related modification at the dimer interface of 14-3-3omega
      dramatically alters monomer interaction dynamics.
AB  - 14-3-3 proteins are generally believed to function as dimers in a broad range of
      eukaryotic signaling pathways. The consequences of altering dimer stability are
      not fully understood. Phosphorylation at Ser58 in the dimer interface of
      mammalian 14-3-3 isoforms has been reported to destabilise dimers. An equivalent
      residue, Ser62, is present across most Arabidopsis isoforms but the effects of
      phosphorylation have not been studied in plants. Here, we assessed the effects of
      phosphorylation at the dimer interface of Arabidopsis 14-3-3omega. Protein kinase
      A phosphorylated 14-3-3omega at Ser62 and also at a previously unreported
      residue, Ser67, resulting in a monomer-sized band on native-PAGE. Phosphorylation
      at Ser62 alone, or with additional Ser67 phosphorylation, was investigated using
      phosphomimetic versions of 14-3-3omega. In electrophoretic and chromatographic
      analyses, these mutants showed mobilities intermediate between dimers and
      monomers. Mobility was increased by detergents, by reducing protein
      concentration, or by increasing pH or temperature. Urea gradient gels showed
      complex structural transitions associated with alterations of dimer stability,
      including a previously unreported 14-3-3 aggregation phenomenon. Overall, our
      analyses showed that dimer interface modifications such as phosphorylation reduce
      dimer stability, dramatically affecting the monomer-dimer equilibrium and
      denaturation trajectory. These findings may have dramatic implications for 14-3-3
      structure and function in vivo.

PMID- 24211435
TI  - RyR3 in situ regulation by Ca(2+) and quercetin and the RyR3-mediated Ca(2+)
      release flux in intact Jurkat cells.
AB  - Ryanodine receptors are generally thought to possess a high-affinity activating
      cytosolic Ca(2+) site and a low-affinity inhibitory cytosolic Ca(2+) site. By
      performing conformation selective measurements in which quercetin was used as a
      fluorescent marker for RyR3 (ryanodine receptor type 3) in Jurkat cells, we now
      find that the rectified RyR3 channel in open conformation may be regulated in
      situ by two cytosolic activating Ca(2+) sites, of low and high affinity,
      respectively, whereas no inhibitory Ca(2+) effect could be delineated. In the
      closed rectified channel, as well as in the open hindered channel, only the high
      affinity activating Ca(2+) site and the inhibitory Ca(2+) site were functional,
      whereas in the closed hindered channel all three regulatory Ca(2+) sites appeared
      to be operational. RyR3 also seems to possess one activating and two inhibitory
      quercetin sites. Corresponding Hill coefficients and affinities of these
      regulatory sites were estimated. Quercetin cellular uptake exhibited an initial
      rapid phase (~1.04 min), followed by slow accumulation of free quercetin inside
      the cytosol (~34.5 min). The RyR3-mediated Ca(2+) release current increased from
      a baseline of 247 to 287 pA in 1 min. after addition of 50 MUM quercetin and then
      declined slowly to a plateau of 265 pA.

PMID- 24211436
TI  - 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase and hydroxymandelate synthase: exemplars of
      the alpha-keto acid dependent oxygenases.
AB  - 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) and hydroxymandelate synthase (HMS)
      are outliers within the alpha-keto acid dependent oxygenase (alphaKAO) family.
      HPPD and HMS catalyze the chemistry of the majority of enzymes within the
      alphaKAO family but are clearly mechanistically convergent, having a grossly
      different structural topology. Some of the unique characteristics of HPPD and HMS
      have elucidated select parts of the catalytic cycle that are obscured in other
      family members. Moreover, the inhibitory chemistry of HPPD is a phenomenon with
      ever-expanding relevance across all kingdoms of life. This review is a synopsis
      of the literature pertaining to HPPD and HMS. It is not intended as an exhaustive
      compilation of all observations made for these enzymes but rather a condensed
      narrative that connects those studies that have advanced the understanding of the
      chemistry of both enzymes. 

PMID- 24211437
TI  - Gradient language dominance affects talker learning.
AB  - Traditional conceptions of spoken language assume that speech recognition and
      talker identification are computed separately. Neuropsychological and
      neuroimaging studies imply some separation between the two faculties, but recent
      perceptual studies suggest better talker recognition in familiar languages than
      unfamiliar languages. A familiar-language benefit in talker recognition
      potentially implies strong ties between the two domains. However, little is known
      about the nature of this language familiarity effect. The current study
      investigated the relationship between speech and talker processing by assessing
      bilingual and monolingual listeners' ability to learn voices as a function of
      language familiarity and age of acquisition. Two effects emerged. First,
      bilinguals learned to recognize talkers in their first language (Korean) more
      rapidly than they learned to recognize talkers in their second language
      (English), while English-speaking participants showed the opposite pattern
      (learning English talkers faster than Korean talkers). Second, bilinguals'
      learning rate for talkers in their second language (English) correlated with age
      of English acquisition. Taken together, these results suggest that language
      background materially affects talker encoding, implying a tight relationship
      between speech and talker representations. 

PMID- 24211438
TI  - Evidence for a learning bias against saltatory phonological alternations.
AB  - This study provides new experimental evidence that people learn phonological
      alternations in a biased way. Adult participants were exposed to alternations
      between phonetically dissimilar sounds (i.e., those differing in both voicing and
      manner, such as [p] and [v]). After learning these alternations, participants
      assumed, without evidence in the input, that more similar sounds (e.g., [b] and
      [v]) also alternated (Exp. 1). Even when provided with explicit evidence that
      dissimilar sounds (e.g., [p] and [v]) alternated but similar sounds ([b] and [v])
      did not, participants tended to make errors in assuming that the similar sounds
      also alternated (Exp. 2). By comparison, a control group of participants found it
      easier to learn the opposite pattern, where similar sounds alternated but
      dissimilar sounds did not. The results are taken as evidence that learners have a
      soft bias, considering alternations between perceptually similar sounds to be
      more likely. 

PMID- 24211439
TI  - Preschoolers use pedagogical cues to guide radical reorganization of category
      knowledge.
AB  - In constructing a conceptual understanding of the world, children must actively
      evaluate what information is idiosyncratic or superficial, and what represents
      essential, defining information about kinds and categories. Preschoolers observed
      identical evidence about a novel object's function (magnetism) produced in subtly
      different manners: accidentally, intentionally, or demonstrated communicatively
      and pedagogically. Only when evidence was explicitly demonstrated for their
      benefit did children reliably go beyond salient perceptual features (color or
      shape), to infer function to be a defining property on which to base judgments
      about category membership. Children did not show this pattern when reasoning
      about a novel perceptual property, suggesting that a pedagogical communicative
      context may be especially important for children's learning about artifact
      functions. Observing functional evidence in a pedagogical context helps children
      construct fundamentally different conceptions of novel categories as defined not
      by superficial appearances but by deeper, functional properties. 

PMID- 24211441
TI  - The effects of pregnancy, lactation, and primiparity on object-in-place memory of
      female rats.
AB  - Maternal physiology and behavior change dramatically over the course of pregnancy
      to nurture the fetus and prepare for motherhood. Further, the experience of
      motherhood itself continues to influence brain functioning well after birth,
      shaping behavior to promote the survival of offspring. To meet these goals,
      cognitive abilities, such as spatial memory and navigation, may be enhanced to
      facilitate foraging behavior. Existing studies on pregnant and maternal rats
      demonstrate enhanced cognitive function in specific spatial domains. We adopted a
      novel object-in-place task to assess the ability of female rats to integrate
      information about specific objects in specific locations, a critical element of
      foraging behavior. Using a longitudinal design to study changes in spatial memory
      across pregnancy and motherhood, an advantage in the object-in-place memory of
      primiparous female rats compared to nulliparous females emerged during lactation
      not during pregnancy, and was maintained after weaning at 42 days postpartum.
      This enhancement was not dependent on the non-mnemonic variables of anxiety or
      neophobia. Parity did not affect the type of learning strategy used by females to
      locate a cued escape platform on a dual-solution water maze task. Results
      indicate that the enhancement of object-in-place memory, a cognitive function
      that facilitates foraging, emerged after pregnancy during the postpartum period
      of lactation and persisted for several weeks after weaning of offspring.

PMID- 24211440
TI  - Anatomically discrete sex differences and enhancement by testosterone of cell
      proliferation in the telencephalic ventricle zone of the adult canary brain.
AB  - Previous work in songbirds has suggested that testosterone increases neuronal
      recruitment and survival in HVC but does not affect neuronal proliferation in the
      ventricular zone and that males and females have similar rates of proliferation
      except at discrete locations. Many of these conclusions are however based on
      limited data or were inferred indirectly. Here we specifically tested the effects
      of testosterone on cellular proliferation in the ventricular zone of both male
      and female adult canaries. We implanted adult birds of both sexes with
      testosterone or empty implants for 1 week and injected them with BrdU. One day
      later, we collected their brains and quantified BrdU-positive cells in the
      ventricular zone (VZ) at different rostro-caudal levels of the brain, ranging
      from the level where the song nucleus Area X occurs through the caudal extent of
      HVC. Proliferation in the dorsal part of the VZ was low and unaffected by sex or
      testosterone treatment. In the ventral part of the VZ, females had more
      proliferating cells than males, but only at rostral levels, near Area X. Also in
      the ventral part of the VZ, testosterone increased proliferation in birds of both
      sexes, but only in the mid- to caudal-VZ, caudal to the level of Area X, around
      the septum and HVC. We thus demonstrate here that there is both an effect of
      testosterone and possibly a more subtle effect of sex on cellular proliferation
      in the adult songbird brain, and that these effects are specific to different
      levels of the brain. 

PMID- 24211442
TI  - Exclusive induction of G:C to A:T transitions by 3-azido-1,2-propanediol in
      yeast.
AB  - Sodium azide is a strong mutagen which has been successfully employed in mutation
      breeding of crop plants. In biological systems, it is metabolized to
      azidoalanine, but further bioactivation to a putative ultimate mutagen as well as
      the nature of the induced DNA modifications leading to mutations remain elusive.
      In this study, mutations induced in the CAN1 gene of yeast Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae by the representative mutagen 3-azido-1,2-propanediol (azidoglycerol,
      AZG) have been sequenced. Analysis of the forward mutation spectrum to canavanine
      resistance revealed that AZG induced nearly exclusively G:C to A:T transitions.
      AZG also induced reversions to tryptophan prototrophy by base-pair substitutions
      in a dose-dependent manner. This unusual mutational specificity may be shared by
      other organic azido compounds. 

PMID- 24211443
TI  - All-natural composite wound dressing films of essential oils encapsulated in
      sodium alginate with antimicrobial properties.
AB  - We present natural polymeric composite films made of essential oils (EOs)
      dispersed in sodium alginate (NaAlg) matrix, with remarkable anti-microbial and
      anti-fungal properties. Namely, elicriso italic, chamomile blue, cinnamon,
      lavender, tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass and lemon oils were
      encapsulated in the films as potential active substances. Glycerol was used to
      induce plasticity and surfactants were added to improve the dispersion of EOs in
      the NaAlg matrix. The topography, chemical composition, mechanical properties,
      and humidity resistance of the films are presented analytically. Antimicrobial
      tests were conducted on films containing different percentages of EOs against
      Escherichia coli bacteria and Candida albicans fungi, and the films were
      characterized as effective or not. Such diverse types of essential oil-fortified
      alginate films can find many applications mainly as disposable wound dressings
      but also in food packaging, medical device protection and disinfection, and
      indoor air quality improvement materials, to name a few. 

PMID- 24211444
TI  - Production of prone-to-aggregate proteins.
AB  - Expression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli (E. coli) remains the most
      popular and cost-effective method for producing proteins in basic research and
      for pharmaceutical applications. Despite accumulating experience and
      methodologies developed over the years, production of recombinant proteins prone
      to aggregate in E. coli-based systems poses a major challenge in most research
      applications. The challenge of manufacturing these proteins for pharmaceutical
      applications is even greater. This review will discuss effective methods to
      reduce and even prevent the formation of aggregates in the course of recombinant
      protein production. We will focus on important steps along the production path,
      which include cloning, expression, purification, concentration, and storage. 

PMID- 24211445
TI  - Live-cell single-molecule imaging reveals clathrin and caveolin-1 dependent
      docking of SMAD4 at the cell membrane.
AB  - Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling is important for many
      biological processes. Although the sequential events of this cascade are known,
      the dynamics remain speculative. Here, live-cell single-molecule total internal
      reflection fluorescence microscopy was used to monitor the dynamics of SMAD4, a
      TGF-beta downstream effector, in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Contrary to
      previous belief, SMAD4 was detectable at the cytoplasmic membrane, displaying two
      subpopulations with different membrane docking behaviors. These subpopulations
      were regulated by clathrin and caveolin-1, and had opposing roles in the nuclear
      shuttling of SMAD4 and the subsequent transcriptional regulation of genes
      associated with cell migration. The notion that membrane-docking behaviors of
      downstream molecules could predict the cellular response to growth factors may
      revolutionize the way we view cell signaling.

PMID- 24211447
TI  - Eukaryotic translation initiation is controlled by cooperativity effects within
      ternary complexes of 4E-BP1, eIF4E, and the mRNA 5' cap.
AB  - Initiation is the rate-limiting step during mRNA 5' cap-dependent translation,
      and thus a target of a strict control in the eukaryotic cell. It is shown here by
      analytical ultracentrifugation and fluorescence spectroscopy that the affinity of
      the human translation inhibitor, eIF4E-binding protein (4E-BP1), to the
      translation initiation factor 4E is significantly higher when eIF4E is bound to
      the cap. The 4E-BP1 binding stabilizes the active eIF4E conformation and, on the
      other hand, can facilitate dissociation of eIF4E from the cap. These findings
      reveal the particular allosteric effects forming a thermodynamic cycle for the
      cooperative regulation of the translation initiation inhibition.

PMID- 24211446
TI  - Differential calmodulin-modulatory and electron transfer properties of neuronal
      nitric oxide synthase mu compared to the alpha variant.
AB  - Neuronal nitric oxide synthase MU (nNOSMU) contains 34 additional residues in an
      autoregulatory element compared to nNOSalpha. Cytochrome c and flavin reductions
      in the absence of calmodulin (CaM) were faster in nNOSMU than nNOSalpha, while
      rates in the presence of CaM were smaller. The magnitude of stimulation by CaM is
      thus notably lower in nNOSMU. No difference in NO production was observed, while
      electron transfer between the FMN and heme moieties and formation of an
      inhibitory ferrous-nitrosyl complex were slower in nNOSMU. Thus, the insert
      affects electron transfer rates, modulation of electron flow by CaM, and heme
      nitrosyl complex formation.

PMID- 24211448
TI  - Quality control of a molybdoenzyme by the Lon protease.
AB  - Molybdoenzymes contain a molybdenum cofactor in their active site to catalyze
      various redox reactions in all domains of life. To decipher crucial steps during
      their biogenesis, the TorA molybdoenzyme of Escherichia coli had played a major
      role to understand molybdoenzyme maturation process driven by specific
      chaperones. TorD, the specific chaperone of TorA, is also involved in TorA
      protection. Here, we show that immature TorA (apoTorA) is degraded in vivo and in
      vitro by the Lon protease. Lon interacts with apoTorA but not with holoTorA. Lon
      and TorD compete for apoTorA binding but TorD binding protects apoTorA against
      degradation. Lon is the first protease shown to eliminate an immature or
      misfolded molybdoenzyme probably by targeting its inactive catalytic site. 

PMID- 24211449
TI  - Temporary inhibition of dorsal or ventral hippocampus by muscimol: distinct
      effects on measures of innate anxiety on the elevated plus maze, but similar
      disruption of contextual fear conditioning.
AB  - Studies in rats, involving hippocampal lesions and hippocampal drug infusions,
      have implicated the hippocampus in the modulation of anxiety-related behaviors
      and conditioned fear. The ventral hippocampus is considered to be more important
      for anxiety- and fear-related behaviors than the dorsal hippocampus. In the
      present study, we compared the role of dorsal and ventral hippocampus in innate
      anxiety and classical fear conditioning in Wistar rats, examining the effects of
      temporary pharmacological inhibition by the GABA-A agonist muscimol (0.5 ug/0.5
      ul/side) in the elevated plus maze and on fear conditioning to a tone and the
      conditioning context. In the elevated plus maze, dorsal and ventral hippocampal
      muscimol caused distinct behavioral changes. The effects of ventral hippocampal
      muscimol were consistent with suppression of locomotion, possibly accompanied by
      anxiolytic effects, whereas the pattern of changes caused by dorsal hippocampal
      muscimol was consistent with anxiogenic effects. In contrast, dorsal and ventral
      hippocampal muscimol caused similar effects in the fear conditioning experiments,
      disrupting contextual, but not tone, fear conditioning.

PMID- 24211450
TI  - Heightened serotonin influences contest outcome and enhances expression of high
      intensity aggressive behaviors.
AB  - The outcome of behavioral interactions between organisms can have significant
      fitness implications. Therefore, it is of great theoretical and practical
      importance to understand the mechanisms that modify different agonistic
      behaviors. Changes in central monoamines, such as serotonin (5-HT), contribute to
      modifying the expression of aggressive encounters in both vertebrates and
      invertebrates. In several invertebrate groups, neural 5-HT has been linked to
      heightened aggression and conflict escalation. The male stalk-eyed fly (Teleopsis
      dalmanni) competes with conspecifics daily over access to resources such as food
      and mates. Because encounters escalate in a stereotypical manner, stalk-eyed
      flies provide an excellent model system to study behavioral syndromes. We
      hypothesized that noninvasive, pharmacological augmentation of brain 5-HT by
      administration of the precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), would increase
      stereotypic behavioral escalation and the probability of winning a conflict over
      food. Size-matched male 5-HTP-treated and untreated flies were placed in a forced
      fight paradigm and their aggressive behaviors scored. Individuals with higher
      brain 5-HT levels had a markedly higher probability of winning the contests,
      displayed greater levels of high-intensity aggressive behaviors and fewer
      retreats. Pretreatment with 5-HTP did not significantly alter octopamine or
      tyramine, suggesting that central 5-HT may modulate aggression in these organisms
      and play a role in determining reproductive success and resource attainment. 

PMID- 24211451
TI  - Temporal and spectral differences in the ultrasonic vocalizations of fragile X
      knock out mice during postnatal development.
AB  - The fmr1 knock out (KO) mouse has been a useful animal model to understand
      pathology and treatment of FXS, both anatomically and behaviorally. Ultrasonic
      vocalizations (USVs) are a behavioral tool to assess early life communication
      deficits in mice. Here, we report on the temporal and spectral features of USVs
      emitted after maternal separation in wild type (FVB/N) and fmr1 KO pups at
      postnatal days (P) P4, P7 and P10. The results show changes in the number and
      duration of calls in fmr1 KO pups and wild type pups were dependent on age and
      call type. Fmr1 KO pups showed an increased number of USVs at P7 but not at P4 or
      P10. This increase was specific to Frequency Jump calls. In addition, fmr1 KO
      mice showed a developmental shift in the temporal distribution of calls, with P10
      mice calling in distinct bout patterns. Overall, these findings provide evidence
      that changes in USV outcomes were specific to certain call types and ages in fmr1
      KO mice. Because early postnatal life is a window during which multiple neural
      systems activate and become established, behavioral measures such as using USVs
      as a measure of communication, may be useful as a predictor of brain changes and
      later developmental behavioral changes. Work is needed to better understand the
      functional outcomes of altered development of USVs and how these changes
      contribute to later emergence of autistic-like behaviors in animal models of
      autism. 

PMID- 24211453
TI  - Direct electrochemistry of myoglobin at reduced graphene oxide-multiwalled carbon
      nanotubes-platinum nanoparticles nanocomposite and biosensing towards hydrogen
      peroxide and nitrite.
AB  - We described the preparation of a novel nanobiocomposite, reduced graphene oxide-
      multiwalled carbon nanotubes-platinum nanoparticles/myoglobin (RGO-MWCNT-Pt/Mb)
      for the direct electrochemistry of myoglobin and its application towards
      determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrite (NO2(-)). RGO-MWCNT-Pt
      nanocomposite has been prepared by simple solution based approach and its
      structure was characterized. RGO-MWCNT-Pt/Mb nanobiocomposite was prepared and
      attained the direct electrochemistry of Mb with pair of well-defined redox peaks
      with the formal potential of -0.33 V and peak to peak separation of 22 mV. Amount
      of electroactive protein (G) and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant
      (ks) were calculated to be 1.04 * 10 (-9) mol cm(-2) and 9.47 s(-1). The sensor
      displayed lowest detection limit (LOD) of 6 pM which is the lowest LOD ever
      achieved for the detection of H2O2. Two linear ranges were observed for the
      detection of H2O2: (1) 10 pM-0.19 nM with sensitivity of 1.99 (+/- 0.058) uA pM(
      1)cm(-2) and (2) 0.25 nM-2.24 uM with sensitivity of 0.037 (+/- 0.081) uA nM(
      1)cm(-2). In addition, the biosensor offered good analytical parameters towards
      determination of NO2(-) with wide linear range of 1 uM to 12 mM and high
      sensitivity of 0.1651 (+/- 0.026) uA uM(-1) cm(-2). The sensor acquires good
      selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility and stability. The practical
      feasibility of the sensor has been addressed.

PMID- 24211454
TI  - Electrocatalysis and electroanalysis of nickel, its oxides, hydroxides and
      oxyhydroxides toward small molecules.
AB  - The electrocatalysis toward small molecules, especially small organic compounds,
      is of importance in a variety of areas. Nickel based materials such as nickel,
      its oxides, hydroxides as well as oxyhydroxides exhibit excellent
      electrocatalysis performances toward many small molecules, which are widely used
      for fuel cells, energy storage, organic synthesis, wastewater treatment, and
      electrochemical sensors for pharmaceutical, medical, food or environmental
      analysis. Their electrocatalytic mechanisms are proposed from three aspects such
      as Ni(OH)2/NiOOH mediated electrolysis, direct electrocatalysis of Ni(OH)2 or
      NiOOH. Under exposure to air or aqueous solution, two distinct layers form on the
      Ni surface with a Ni hydroxide layer at the air-oxide interface and an oxide
      layer between the metal substrate and the outer hydroxide layer. The
      transformation from nickel or its oxides to hydroxides or oxyhydroxides could be
      further speeded up in the strong alkaline solution under the cyclic scanning at
      relatively high positive potential. The redox transition between Ni(OH)2 and
      NiOOH is also contributed to the electrocatalytic oxidation of Ni and its oxides
      toward small molecules in alkaline media. In addition, nickel based materials or
      nanomaterials, their preparations and applications are also overviewed here.

PMID- 24211452
TI  - Prefrontal cognitive deficits in mice with altered cerebral cortical GABAergic
      interneurons.
AB  - Alterations of inhibitory GABAergic neurons are implicated in multiple
      psychiatric and neurological disorders, including schizophrenia, autism and
      epilepsy. In particular, interneuron deficits in prefrontal areas, along with
      presumed decreased inhibition, have been reported in several human patients. The
      majority of forebrain GABAergic interneurons arise from a single subcortical
      source before migrating to their final regional destination. Factors that govern
      the interneuron populations have been identified, demonstrating that a single
      gene mutation may globally affect forebrain structures or a single area. In
      particular, mice lacking the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (Plaur)
      gene have decreased GABAergic interneurons in frontal and parietal, but not
      caudal, cortical regions. Plaur assists in the activation of hepatocyte growth
      factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF), and several of the interneuron deficits are
      correlated with decreased levels of HGF/SF. In some cortical regions, the
      interneuron deficit can be remediated by endogenous overexpression of HGF/SF. In
      this study, we demonstrate decreased parvalbumin-expressing interneurons in the
      medial frontal cortex, but not in the hippocampus or basal lateral amygdala in
      the Plaur null mouse. The Plaur null mouse demonstrates impaired medial frontal
      cortical function in extinction of cued fear conditioning and the inability to
      form attentional sets. Endogenous HGF/SF overexpression increased the number of
      PV-expressing cells in medial frontal cortical areas to levels greater than found
      in wildtype mice, but did not remediate the behavioral deficits. These data
      suggest that proper medial frontal cortical function is dependent upon optimum
      levels of inhibition and that a deficit or excess of interneuron numbers impairs
      normal cognition. 

PMID- 24211455
TI  - Covalent fabrication of methyl parathion hydrolase on gold nanoparticles modified
      carbon substrates for designing a methyl parathion biosensor.
AB  - A biosensor based on AuNP modified GC electrodes has been developed for direct
      detection of methyl parathion. AuNP can be introduced to mixed monolayers of
      aryldiazonium salt modified GC electrodes by Au-C bonding through aryldiazonium
      salt chemistry, which provides a stable interface showing efficient electron
      transfer between biomolecules and electrodes. PEG molecules were introduced to
      the interface to resist non-specific protein adsorption. AuNP surfaces were
      further modified with 4-carboxyphenyl followed by covalent immobilization of
      methyl parathion hydrolase (MPH), a specific biocatalytic enzyme to methyl
      parathion. Exposure of this interface to methyl parathion resulted in a change in
      amperometric signal due to the MPH catalytic hydrolysis of methyl parathion
      producing electroactive compound 4-nitrophenol. This biosensor shows high
      selectivity, specificity, reproducibility and stability, and is functional for
      the detection of methyl parathion in real samples. The linear range for detection
      of methyl parathion is 0.2-100 ppb with a detection limit of 0.07 ppb in 0.1M
      phosphate buffer at pH 7.0.

PMID- 24211456
TI  - Electrochemical determination of cefotaxime based on a three-dimensional
      molecularly imprinted film sensor.
AB  - A novel electrochemical sensor is presented for the determination of cefotaxime
      (CEF), which is constructed by molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), gold
      networks@IL (IL, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [BMIM][BF4])
      (GNWs@IL), porous platinum nanoparticles (PPNPs) and carboxyl graphene (COOH-r
      GO). The GNWs@IL is prepared by directly reducing HAuCl4 with sodium citrate in
      [BMIM][BF4] aqueous solution. The PPNPs are well embedded in GNWs@IL due to the
      adhesion of IL to form GNWs@IL-PPNPs suspension, which is coated on a COOH-r-GO
      modified glassy carbon electrode to construct a porous three-dimensional networks
      modified electrode. Then, MIP is prepared by cyclic voltammetry at the modified
      electrode, using CEF as template and o-phenylenediamine as monomer. The factors
      concerning this assay strategy are carefully investigated. Under the optimal
      conditions, the electrochemical sensor offers an excellent response for CEF, the
      linear response range is 3.9 * 10(-9) ~ 8.9 * 10(-6) mol L(-1) and the detection
      limit is 1.0 * 10(-10) mol L(-1). The electrochemical sensor has been applied to
      the determination of CEF in real samples with satisfactory results.

PMID- 24211458
TI  - Sandwich-format electrochemiluminescence assays for tumor marker based on PAMAM
      dendrimer-L-cysteine-hollow gold nanosphere nanocomposites.
AB  - In this work, a novel polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer-L-cysteine-hollow gold
      nanospheres nanocomposite was fabricated and used as the promoter for the
      peroxydisulfate/O2 ECL system to detect the concentration of the tumor marker
      carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Herein, the carboxyl-terminated PAMAM dendrimers
      were decorated with L-cysteine (L-Cys) by EDC/NHS coupling chemistry. Then, the
      hollow gold nanospheres (HGNPs) were employed as effective nano-carriers for the
      assembly of PAMAM-L-Cys via thiols-Au bonding, which was used for further loading
      of detection antibody (Ab2) to form the PAMAM-L-Cys-HGNPs-Ab2 bioconjugates. In
      the presence of target CEA, the sandwiched immuno-structure can be formed between
      the capture anti-CEA antibodies (Ab1), which self-assembled on deposited gold
      modified electrode, and the Ab2 on the PAMAM-L-Cys-HGNPs, thereby resulting in a
      proportional increase in ECL response, due to the significant enhancement of
      PAMAM-L-Cys-HGNPs toward peroxydisulfate/O2 ECL system. As a result, a sandwich
      ECL assay for CEA detection was developed with excellent sensitivity of a large
      concentration variation from 20 fg/mL to 1.0 ng/mL and a detection limit of 6.7
      fg mL(-1).

PMID- 24211457
TI  - Nanopore detection of copper ions using a polyhistidine probe.
AB  - We report a stochastic nanopore sensing method for the detection of Cu(2+) ions.
      By employing a polyhistidine molecule as a chelating agent, and based on the
      different signatures of the events produced by the translocation of the chelating
      agent through an alpha-hemolysin pore in the absence and presence of target
      analytes, trace amounts of copper ions could be detected with a detection limit
      of 40 nM. Importantly, although Co(2+), Ni(2+), and Zn(2+) also interacts with
      the polyhistidine molecule, since the event residence times and/or blockage
      amplitudes for these metal chelates are significantly different from those of
      copper chelates, these metal ions do not interfere with Cu(2+) detection. This
      chelating reaction approach should find useful application in the development of
      nanopore sensors for other metal ions.

PMID- 24211459
TI  - Competitive-type displacement reaction for direct potentiometric detection of low
      abundance protein.
AB  - Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), one of the indications of possible prostate
      malignancy, is used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate
      cancer. Herein, we develop a new homogeneous potentiometric immunoassay for
      sensitive detection of low-concentration PSA without the need of sample
      separation and washing step. Two nanostructures including positively charged
      polyethyleneimine-poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) (PEI-PSAA) nanospheres and
      negatively charged gold nanoparticles conjugated with anti-PSA antibody (Ab-AuNP)
      were first synthesized by using mulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization and wet
      chemistry method, respectively. Thereafter, the as-prepared PEI-PSAA was used as
      a pseudo hapten for the construction of immunosensing probe based on an
      electrostatic interaction between PEI-PSAA and Ab-AuNP. Upon target introduction,
      the added PSA competed with PEI-PASS for Ab-AuNP based on a specific antigen
      antibody interaction, and displaced Ab-AuNP from PEI-PASS. The dissociated PEI
      PASS was captured through the negatively charged Nafion- modified electrode,
      thereby resulting in the change of membrane potential. The fabrication process
      was characterized by using high-resolution transmission electron microscope
      (HRTEM), scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
      (SEM-EDX), surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and dynamic laser scattering (DLS)
      technique. Under optimal conditions, the output signal was indirectly
      proportional to the concentration of target PSA in the sample and exhibited a
      dynamic range from 0.1 to 50 ng/mL with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.04 ng/mL.
      Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were 6.8 and 7.5%,
      respectively. In addition, the methodology was evaluated for analysis of 12
      clinical serum samples and showed good accordance between the results obtained by
      the developed immunosensing protocol and a commercialized enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

PMID- 24211460
TI  - Amperometric cholesterol biosensor based on the direct electrochemistry of
      cholesterol oxidase and catalase on a graphene/ionic liquid-modified glassy
      carbon electrode.
AB  - Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) and catalase (CAT) were co-immobilized on a
      graphene/ionic liquid-modified glassy carbon electrode (GR-IL/GCE) to develop a
      highly sensitive amperometric cholesterol biosensor. The H2O2 generated during
      the enzymatic reaction of ChOx with cholesterol could be reduced
      electrocatalytically by immobilized CAT to obtain a sensitive amperometric
      response to cholesterol. The direct electron transfer between enzymes and
      electrode surface was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Both enzymes showed
      well-defined redox peaks with quasi-reversible behaviors. An excellent
      sensitivity of 4.163 mA mM(-1)cm(-2), a response time less than 6s, and a linear
      range of 0.25-215 MUM (R(2)>0.99) have been observed for cholesterol
      determination using the proposed biosensor. The apparent Michaelis-Menten
      constant (KM(app)) was calculated to be 2.32 mM. The bienzymatic cholesterol
      biosensor showed good reproducibility (RSDs<5%) with minimal interference from
      the coexisting electroactive compounds such as ascorbic acid and uric acid. The
      CAT/ChOx/GR-IL/GCE showed excellent analytical performance for the determination
      of free cholesterol in human serum samples.

PMID- 24211461
TI  - The unfolding of G-quadruplexes and its adverse effect on DNA-gold nanoparticles
      based sensing system.
AB  - The adsorption of DNAs in G-quadruplex solution onto 13 nm gold nanoparticles
      (AuNPs) was studied through monitoring of the localized surface plasmon resonance
      (LSPR) absorbance of 13 nm AuNPs at 520 and 650 nm (A650/A520) in the solutions
      of three widely studied guanine-rich sequences, TBA(5'-GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG-3'),
      PW17(5'-GGGTAGGGCGGGTTGGG-3'), and PSO (5'-GGGTTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGG-3'). It was
      found that the degree of adsorption of DNAs in Pb(2+) stabilized G-quadruplex (G
      Pb(2+)) solutions is up to 93% after more than 5h of incubation. Furthermore, the
      lead concentrations in the solutions containing G-quadruplex and AuNP were
      analyzed by an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer. The
      results showed that Pb(2+) had been released from the G-quadruplexes, which means
      the G-quadruplexes may be unfolded in the presence of AuNP. This interaction
      between G-quadruplexes and AuNP demonstrated that long time incubation between
      DNAs and AuNPs would possibly make it unable to distinguish G-quadruplex from
      ssDNA. Thus, a biosensing system consisting of PW17 and AuNPs was developed to
      detect Pb(2+). It was found that the LSPR responses at A650/A520 were sensitive
      to [Pb(2+)]. However, the sensitivity of the system was interfered by the
      potential unfolding of PW17-Pb(2+) in the presence of AuNPs. This unexpected
      adverse effect of AuNPs on DNA-based biosensors should be taken into
      consideration in the future development of biosensing systems that are based on
      ssDNA aptamers and unmodified AuNPs.

PMID- 24211462
TI  - A size selective porous silicon grating-coupled Bloch surface and sub-surface
      wave biosensor.
AB  - A porous silicon (PSi) grating-coupled Bloch surface and sub-surface wave
      (BSW/BSSW) biosensor is demonstrated to size selectively detect the presence of
      both large and small molecules. The BSW is used to sense large immobilized
      analytes at the surface of the structure while the BSSW that is confined inside
      but near the top of the structure is used to sensitively detect small molecules.
      Functionality of the BSW and BSSW modes is theoretically described by dispersion
      relations, field confinements, and simulated refractive index shifts within the
      structure. The theoretical results are experimentally verified by detecting two
      different small chemical molecules and one large 40 base DNA oligonucleotide. The
      PSi-BSW/BSSW structure is benchmarked against current porous silicon technology
      and is shown to have a 6-fold higher sensitivity in detecting large molecules and
      a 33% improvement in detecting small molecules. This is the first report of a
      grating-coupled BSW biosensor and the first report of a BSSW propagating mode. 

PMID- 24211463
TI  - Naked eye detection of trace cancer biomarkers based on biobarcode and enzyme
      assisted DNA recycling hybrid amplifications.
AB  - Naked eye-based detection has received increasing research interest due to the
      simplicity nature of this type of assay. However, improving the sensitivity of
      the naked eye detection method for the monitoring of trace amount of target
      molecules remains a major challenge. Herein, we describe a biobarcode and an
      enzyme-assisted DNA recycling hybrid amplification strategy for naked eye
      detection of sub-picomolar carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a cancer biomarker.
      The presence of CEA and the corresponding antibodies results in the formation of
      immunocomplexes and the capture of the biobarcodes in a microplate. The massive
      barcode DNAs released from the biobarcodes hybridize with the G-quadruplex
      inactive hairpin DNA probes and form catalytic nicking sites for N.BstNBI
      endonuclease, which cleaves the barcode DNA/hairpin partial dsDNA, releases the G
      quadruplex active sequences and recycles the barcode DNA. Due to the barcode DNA
      recycling process, numerous G-quadruplex active sequences are generated and
      associate with hemin to form peroxidase mimicking enzymes, which convert
      colorless ABTS(2-) to green color intensified ABTS(*-) to achieve naked eye
      detection of CEA down to 0.025 ng mL(-1) (0.14 pM). The naked eye detection
      strategy reported herein can be applied also to complicated serum sample matrix,
      making this approach hold great promise for point-of-care diagnostic
      applications.

PMID- 24211464
TI  - The heritability of volumes of brain structures and its relationship to age: a
      review of twin and family studies.
AB  - Total brain volume (BV) and the volumes of brain substructures are influenced by
      genes, the magnitude of which changes with age. One approach to the examination
      of genetic influences on the volumes of brain structures is to determine their
      heritability using twin and family studies. We reviewed published cross-sectional
      studies which examined heritability in healthy subjects at different ages. We
      identified 32 studies, which examined a total of 77 brain volumetric measures.
      The findings of our review showed that BVs are under significant genetic
      influence at all ages, although different brain regions showed different
      heritability levels. Furthermore, the cross-sectional approach of our review
      found that heritability factor for the majority of BVs declined with age, such as
      in the total brain and cerebrum, followed by subsequent increment of
      environmental influences. Overall, this study identified for the first time a
      cross-sectional pattern for brain structures' heritability changes with age, and
      suggests the potential for longitudinal investigations in the future. 

PMID- 24211465
TI  - Molecular dynamics simulations studies and free energy analysis on inhibitors of
      MDM2-p53 interaction.
AB  - The oncoprotein MDM2 (murine double minute 2) negatively regulates the activity
      and stability of tumor suppressor p53. Inactivation of the MDM2-p53 interaction
      by potent inhibitors offers new possibilities for anticancer therapy. Molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on three inhibitors-MDM2 complexes to
      investigate the stability and structural transitions. Simulations show that the
      backbone of MDM2 maintains stable during the whole time. However, slightly
      structural changes of inhibitors and MDM2 are observed. Furthermore, the
      molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) approach was
      introduced to analyze the interactions between inhibitors and MDM2. The results
      show that binding of inhibitor pDIQ to MDM2 is significantly stronger than that
      of pMI and pDI to MDM2. The side chains of residues have more contribution than
      backbone of residues in energy decomposition. The structure-affinity analyses
      show that L54, I61, M62, Y67, Q72, H73 and V93 produce important interaction
      energy with inhibitors. The residue W/Y22' is also very important to the
      interaction between the inhibitors and MDM2. The three-dimensional structures at
      different times indicate that the mobility of Y100 influences on the binding of
      inhibitors to MDM2, and its change has important role in conformations of
      inhibitors and MDM2. 

PMID- 24211466
TI  - Network visualization of conformational sampling during molecular dynamics
      simulation.
AB  - Effective data reduction methods are necessary for uncovering the inherent
      conformational relationships present in large molecular dynamics (MD)
      trajectories. Clustering algorithms provide a means to interpret the
      conformational sampling of molecules during simulation by grouping trajectory
      snapshots into a few subgroups, or clusters, but the relationships between the
      individual clusters may not be readily understood. Here we show that network
      analysis can be used to visualize the dominant conformational states explored
      during simulation as well as the connectivity between them, providing a more
      coherent description of conformational space than traditional clustering
      techniques alone. We compare the results of network visualization against 11
      clustering algorithms and principal component conformer plots. Several MD
      simulations of proteins undergoing different conformational changes demonstrate
      the effectiveness of networks in reaching functional conclusions. 

PMID- 24211467
TI  - Visualizing side chains of invisible protein conformers by solution NMR.
AB  - Sparsely populated and transiently formed protein conformers can play key roles
      in many biochemical processes. Understanding the structure function paradigm
      requires, therefore, an atomic-resolution description of these rare states.
      However, they are difficult to study because they cannot be observed using
      standard biophysical techniques. In the past decade, NMR methods have been
      developed for structural studies of these elusive conformers, focusing primarily
      on backbone (1)H, (15)N and (13)C nuclei. Here we extend the methodology to
      include side chains by developing a (13)C-based chemical exchange saturation
      transfer experiment for the assignment of side-chain aliphatic (13)C chemical
      shifts in uniformly (13)C labeled proteins. A pair of applications is provided,
      involving the folding of beta-sheet Fyn SH3 and alpha-helical FF domains. Over
      96% and 89% of the side-chain (13)C chemical shifts for excited states
      corresponding to the unfolded conformation of the Fyn SH3 domain and a folding
      intermediate of the FF domain, respectively, have been obtained, providing
      insight into side-chain packing and dynamics.

PMID- 24211468
TI  - Protein-mediated chromosome pairing of repetitive arrays.
AB  - Chromosomally integrated arrays of lacO and tetO operator sites visualized by
      LacI and TetR repressor proteins fused with GFP (green fluorescent protein) (or
      other fluorescent proteins) are widely used to monitor the behavior of
      chromosomal loci in various systems. However, insertion of such arrays and
      expression of the corresponding proteins is known to perturb genomic
      architecture. In several cases, juxtaposition of such arrays located on different
      chromosomes has been inferred to reflect pairing of the corresponding loci. Here,
      we report that a version of TetR-GFP mutated to disrupt GFP dimerization (TetR
      A206KGFP or "TetR-kGFP") abolishes pairing of tetO arrays in vivo and brings
      spatial proximity of chromosomal loci marked with those arrays back to the wild
      type level. These data argue that pairing of arrays is caused by GFP dimerization
      and thus presents an example of protein-assisted interaction in chromosomes.
      Arrays marked with another protein, TetR-tdTomato, which has a propensity to form
      intramolecular dimers instead of intermolecular dimers, also display reduced
      level of pairing, supporting this idea. TetR-kGFP provides an improved system for
      studying chromosomal loci with a low pairing background. 

PMID- 24211470
TI  - Public health program planning logic model for community engaged type 2 diabetes
      management and prevention.
AB  - Diabetes remains a growing epidemic with widening health inequity gaps in disease
      management, self-management knowledge, access to care and outcomes. Yet there is
      a paucity of evaluation tools for community engaged interventions aimed at
      closing the gaps and improving health. The Guide to Community Preventive Services
      (the Community Guide) developed by the Task Force on Community Preventive
      Services (the Task Force) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
      recommends two healthcare system level interventions, case management
      interventions and disease management programs, to improve glycemic control.
      However, as a public health resource guide for diabetes interventions a model for
      community engagement is a glaringly absent component of the Community Guide
      recommendations. In large part there are few evidence-based interventions
      featuring community engagement as a practice and system-level focus of chronic
      disease and Type 2 diabetes management. The central argument presented in this
      paper is that the absence of these types of interventions is due to the lack of
      tools for modeling and evaluating such interventions, especially among disparate
      and poor populations. A conceptual model emphasizing action-oriented micro-level
      community engagement is needed to complement the Community Guide and serve as the
      basis for testing and evaluation of these kinds of interventions. A unique logic
      model advancing the Community Guide diabetes recommendations toward measureable
      and sustainable community engagement for improved Type 2 diabetes outcomes is
      presented. 

PMID- 24211469
TI  - Structural complementation of the catalytic domain of pseudomonas exotoxin A.
AB  - The catalytic moiety of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (domain III or PE3) inhibits
      protein synthesis by ADP-ribosylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2. PE3 is
      widely used as a cytocidal payload in receptor-targeted protein toxin conjugates.
      We have designed and characterized catalytically inactive fragments of PE3 that
      are capable of structural complementation. We dissected PE3 at an extended loop
      and fused each fragment to one subunit of a heterospecific coiled coil. In vitro
      ADP-ribosylation and protein translation assays demonstrate that the resulting
      fusions-supplied exogenously as genetic elements or purified protein fragments
      had no significant catalytic activity or effect on protein synthesis individually
      but, in combination, catalyzed the ADP-ribosylation of eukaryotic elongation
      factor 2 and inhibited protein synthesis. Although complementing PE3 fragments
      are catalytically less efficient than intact PE3 in cell-free systems, co
      expression in live cells transfected with transgenes encoding the toxin fusions
      inhibits protein synthesis and causes cell death comparably as intact PE3.
      Complementation of split PE3 offers a direct extension of the immunotoxin
      approach to generate bispecific agents that may be useful to target complex
      phenotypes. 

PMID- 24211471
TI  - Biomimetic self-assembly of apatite hybrid materials: from a single molecular
      template to bi-/multi-molecular templates.
AB  - The self-assembly of apatite and proteins is a critical process to induce the
      formation of the bones and teeth in vertebrates. Although hierarchical structures
      and biomineralization mechanisms of the mineralized tissues have been intensively
      studied, most researches focus on the self-assembly biomimetic route using one
      single-molecular template, while the natural bone is an outcome of a multi
      molecular template co-assembly process. Inspired by such a mechanism in nature, a
      novel strategy based on multi-molecular template co-assembly for fabricating bone
      like hybrid materials was firstly proposed by the authors. In this review article
      we have summarized the new trends from single-molecular template to bi-/multi
      molecular template systems in biomimetic fabrication of apatite hybrid materials.
      So far, many novel apatite hybrid materials with controlled morphologies and
      hierarchical structures have been successfully achieved using bi-/multi-molecular
      template strategy, and are found to have multiple common features in comparison
      with natural mineralized tissues. The carboxyl, carbonyl and amino groups of the
      template molecules are identified to initiate the nucleation of calcium phosphate
      during the assembling process. For bi-/multi-molecular templates, the
      incorporation of multiple promotion sites for calcium and phosphate ions
      precisely enables to regulate the apatite nucleation from the early stage. The
      roles of acidic molecules and the synergetic effects of protein templates have
      been significantly recognized in recent studies. In addition, a specific
      attention is paid to self-assembling of apatite nanoparticles into ordered
      structures on tissue regenerative scaffolds due to their promising clinical
      applications ranging from implant grafts, coatings to drug and gene delivery. 

PMID- 24211472
TI  - The history of tomato: from domestication to biopharming.
AB  - Imported from the Andean region to Europe in the 16th century, today tomato is
      widespread throughout the world and represents the most economically important
      vegetable crop worldwide. Tomato is not only traded in the fresh market but is
      also used in the processing industry in soups, as paste, concentrate, juice, and
      ketchup. It is an incredible source of important nutrients such as lycopene, beta
      carotene and vitamin C, which all have positive impacts on human health. Its
      production and consumption is increasing with population growth. In this review,
      we report how tomato was already domesticated by the ancient Incan and Aztec
      civilizations, and how it came to Europe, where its breeding history started. The
      development of genetic, molecular biology and plant biotechnology have opened the
      doors towards the modern genetic engineering of tomato. The different goals of
      tomato genetic engineering are presented, as well as examples of successfully
      engineered tomatoes in terms of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and
      fruit quality. The development of GM tomato for biopharming is also described. 

PMID- 24211473
TI  - Biomaterials surfaces capable of resisting fungal attachment and biofilm
      formation.
AB  - Microbial attachment onto biomedical devices and implants leads to biofilm
      formation and infection; such biofilms can be bacterial, fungal, or mixed. In the
      past 15 years, there has been an increasing research effort into antimicrobial
      surfaces but the great majority of these publications present research on
      bacteria, with some reports also testing resistance to fungi. Very few studies
      have focused exclusively on antifungal surfaces. However, with increasing
      recognition of the importance of fungal infections to human health, particularly
      related to infections at biomaterials, it would seem that the interest in
      antifungal surfaces is disproportionately low. In studies of both bacteria and
      fungi, fungi tend to be the minor focus with hypothesized antibacterial
      mechanisms of action often generalized to also explain the antifungal effect. Yet
      bacteria and fungi represent two Distinct biological Domains and possess
      substantially different cellular physiology and structure. Thus it is
      questionable whether these generalizations are valid. Here we review the
      scientific literature focusing on surface coatings prepared with antifungal
      agents covalently attached to the biomaterial surface. We present a critical
      analysis of generalizations and their evidence. This review should be of interest
      to researchers of "antimicrobial" surfaces by addressing specific issues that are
      key to designing and understanding antifungal biomaterials surfaces and their
      putative mechanisms of action.

PMID- 24211474
TI  - Engineering proteins for thermostability through rigidifying flexible sites.
AB  - Engineering proteins for thermostability is an exciting and challenging field
      since it is critical for broadening the industrial use of recombinant proteins.
      Thermostability of proteins arises from the simultaneous effect of several forces
      such as hydrophobic interactions, disulfide bonds, salt bridges and hydrogen
      bonds. All of these interactions lead to decreased flexibility of polypeptide
      chain. Structural studies of mesophilic and thermophilic proteins showed that the
      latter need more rigid structures to compensate for increased thermal
      fluctuations. Hence flexibility can be an indicator to pinpoint weak spots for
      enhancing thermostability of enzymes. A strategy has been proven effective in
      enhancing proteins' thermostability with two steps: predict flexible sites of
      proteins firstly and then rigidify these sites. We refer to this approach as
      rigidify flexible sites (RFS) and give an overview of such a method through
      summarizing the methods to predict flexibility of a protein, the methods to
      rigidify residues with high flexibility and successful cases regarding enhancing
      thermostability of proteins using RFS. 

PMID- 24211475
TI  - Nanotechnology-based intelligent drug design for cancer metastasis treatment.
AB  - Traditional chemotherapy used today at clinics is mainly inherited from the
      thinking and designs made four decades ago when the Cancer War was declared. The
      potency of those chemotherapy drugs on in-vitro cancer cells is clearly
      demonstrated at even nanomolar levels. However, due to their non-specific effects
      in the body on normal tissues, these drugs cause toxicity, deteriorate patient's
      life quality, weaken the host immunosurveillance system, and result in an
      irreversible damage to human's own recovery power. Owing to their unique physical
      and biological properties, nanotechnology-based chemotherapies seem to have an
      ability to specifically and safely reach tumor foci with enhanced efficacy and
      low toxicity. Herein, we comprehensively examine the current nanotechnology-based
      pharmaceutical platforms and strategies for intelligent design of new
      nanomedicines based on targeted drug delivery system (TDDS) for cancer metastasis
      treatment, analyze the pros and cons of nanomedicines versus traditional
      chemotherapy, and evaluate the importance that nanomaterials can bring in to
      significantly improve cancer metastasis treatment.

PMID- 24211476
TI  - Lack of herd immunity against measles in individuals aged <35 years could explain
      re-emergence of measles in Catalonia (Spain).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the association between
      lack of herd immunity in some population groups and the re-emergence of measles
      in Catalonia in 2006. METHODS: Herd immunity was considered established in the
      different population groups when the prevalence of positive serological results
      to measles was higher than the herd immunity threshold of 90%. The Chi-square
      test and the odds ratio were used to assess the association between lack of herd
      immunity and measles cases in the outbreak of 2006-2007. RESULTS: Herd immunity
      was not established against measles in individuals aged 0-14 years and 25-34
      years, as the prevalence of positive serological results was <90% in these
      groups. In the measles outbreak of 2006-2007, 91% of cases occurred in age groups
      without herd immunity, and only 9% of cases occurred in age groups with herd
      immunity (p<0.001). The odds ratio for the association between lack of herd
      immunity and measles cases in the outbreak of 2006-2007 was 104 (p<0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Lack of herd immunity in individuals aged<35 years could be one of
      the factors underlying the re-emergence of measles in Catalonia.

PMID- 24211477
TI  - Three decades of MSM donor deferral policies. What have we learned?
AB  - In the early 1980s, donor deferrals targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) and
      other high-risk groups were implemented in response to the outbreak of HIV/AIDS.
      It has now been three decades since the implementation of these deferrals. We
      review the international experience with developing these policies, which
      involves combining scientific evidence with ethical and moral concerns and the
      challenge of moving from precautionary to risk management policies as scientific
      knowledge and technology evolves. We provide key lessons that can guide blood
      policymakers as they confront potential new threats to the safety of the blood
      system and also provide lessons to the wider public health community on how best
      to incorporate precaution into the policymaking process. 

PMID- 24211478
TI  - Risk factors for new-onset late postpartum preeclampsia in women without a
      history of preeclampsia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Risk factors for the development of new-onset late postpartum
      preeclampsia (LPP) in women without any history of preeclampsia are not known.
      Because identification of women who are at risk may lead to an earlier diagnosis
      of disease and improved maternal outcomes, this study identified risk factors
      (associated patient characteristics) for new-onset LPP. STUDY DESIGN: A case
      control study of 34 women with new-onset LPP and 68 women without new-onset LPP
      after normal delivery, who were matched on date of delivery, was conducted at
      Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY. Data were collected by chart review. Exact
      conditional logistic regression identified patient characteristics that were
      associated with new-onset LPP. RESULTS: New-onset LPP was associated with age
      >=40 years (adjusted odds ratio, 24.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43
      infinity; P = .03), black race (adjusted odds ratio, 78.35; 95% CI, 7.25
      infinity; P < .001), Latino ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio, 19.08; 95% CI, 2.73
      infinity; P = .001), final pregnancy body mass index of >=30 kg/m(2) (adjusted
      odds ratio, 13.38; 95% CI, 1.87-infinity; P = .01), and gestational diabetes
      mellitus (adjusted odds ratio, 72.91; 95% CI, 5.52-infinity; P < .001). As
      predictive tests for new-onset LPP, the sensitivity and specificity of having >=1
      of these characteristics was 100% and 59%, respectively, and the sensitivity and
      specificity of having >=2 was 56% and 93%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Older age,
      black race, Latino ethnicity, obesity, and a pregnancy complicated by gestational
      diabetes mellitus all are associated positively with the development of new-onset
      LPP. Closer observation may be warranted in these populations.

PMID- 24211479
TI  - Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the
      management of recurrent high-grade uterine sarcoma with peritoneal dissemination.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal sarcomatosis from primary uterine sarcoma (US) is a rare
      condition. Conventional therapeutic modalities have failed to improve survival
      and outcomes among patients with high-grade US with extrapelvic spread.
      Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
      (HIPEC) has shown improved outcomes for peritoneal carcinomatosis from other
      epithelial primaries with similar clinical presentation. We report our experience
      applying this treatment in 3 patients with recurrent high-grade US with
      peritoneal dissemination. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective review of a
      prospective database of 378 patients with peritoneal dissemination of cancer
      treated with CRS/HIPEC identified 3 patients with recurrent high-grade US. Follow
      up for disease progression was carried out by physical examination and computed
      tomography scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. RESULTS: Two leiomyosarcomas
      and 1 adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth were identified. Two of the 3 had
      failed standard treatment with surgery and systemic chemotherapy before CRS/HIPEC
      was performed. Follow-up ranged from 34 to 140 months. All 3 patients are alive,
      2 with no evidence of disease (NED), and 1 alive with disease.
      Adramycin/cisplatin was used for HIPEC in 1 case (140 months with NED), whereas
      melphalan was used in the other 2 cases (53 months alive with disease, 34 months
      with NED). Two patients underwent 1 CRS/HIPEC, whereas 1 required 3 CRS/HIPEC due
      to disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: CRS/HIPEC shows promise as a treatment
      modality for the management of selected patients with recurrent high-grade US
      with peritoneal dissemination. Further studies are warranted.

PMID- 24211480
TI  - Apgar score of 0 at 5 minutes and neonatal seizures or serious neurologic
      dysfunction in relation to birth setting.

PMID- 24211481
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23791692.

PMID- 24211482
TI  - Reproductive and oncologic outcomes after progestin therapy for endometrial
      complex atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated fertility and oncological outcomes in women with
      complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH) or nonmyoinvasive grade 1 endometrioid
      endometrial carcinoma (EM) who desired fertility-sparing therapy. STUDY DESIGN:
      The retrospective cohort study included women younger than 45 years with CAH or
      EM who desired fertility-sparing treatment at our institution. Only patients for
      whom both oncological treatment and pregnancy outcomes were available were
      included. Statistical analyses were performed using a Fisher exact test, Pearson
      chi(2) test, and Spearman rank correlation test, as appropriate. RESULTS: Seventy
      five patients were identified, and 23 (13 CAH, 10 EM) met the inclusion criteria.
      All 23 patients had at least 1 prior pregnancy. Treatment was split between oral
      progesterone only (38.5% CAH, 40% EM), levonorgestrel intrauterine device only
      (30.8% CAH, 20% EM), and both (30.8% CAH, 40% EM). After a median follow-up of 13
      months (range, 3-74 months), 9 patients (46.2% CAH, 30% EM, P = .39) had
      persistent/progressive disease. Eight patients (30.8% CAH, 40% EM, P = .69)
      ultimately had a hysterectomy, and 3 of these (13.0%) were found to have
      persistent/progressive disease. Median time from diagnosis to hysterectomy was 13
      months (range, 4-56 months). Fourteen of the 23 patients utilized assisted
      reproductive techniques (60.9%); 12 underwent IVF and 2 chose a gestation
      carrier. Seven clinical intrauterine pregnancies (30.4%) resulting in 6 live
      births (26.1%) were found in the entire cohort. CONCLUSION: Fertility-sparing
      treatment for CAH and grade 1 endometrial cancer is feasible with progestin
      therapy and leads to clinically meaningful rates of pregnancy in young women who
      desire fertility.

PMID- 24211483
TI  - Large for gestational age and long-term cognitive function.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: As we have previously published, small-for-gestational-age (<3%
      birthweight [BW]) newborns exhibit catch-up cognitive functioning by age 2 years.
      Our objective was to compare cognitive functioning in children born with >=90% vs
      5-89% BW for gestational age (WGA) between 9 months and kindergarten. STUDY
      DESIGN: Nonanomalous singletons from Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth
      Cohort with BW >=90% vs 5-89% were compared. Cognitive and academic functioning
      was measured at 4 time points: 9 months, and 2, 3.5, and 5.5 years. Associations
      between WGA and cognitive functioning at each time point was examined using
      confounder-adjusted general linear model-based methods. RESULTS: Of 2930 cases,
      271 (9.2%) were >=90% WGA. In terms of cognitive performance, children >=90% WGA
      were not statistically different (P = .068) from normal WGA at any time point,
      nor did they change at different rates across early childhood. CONCLUSION: There
      is no difference in cognitive function in children with BW 5-89% vs >=90% for GA.

PMID- 24211484
TI  - Elevated tissue omega-3 fatty acid status prevents age-related glucose
      intolerance in fat-1 transgenic mice.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of elevated tissue
      omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) status on age-related glucose
      intolerance utilizing the fat-1 transgenic mouse model, which can endogenously
      synthesize n-3 PUFA from omega-6 (n-6) PUFA. Fat-1 and wild-type mice, maintained
      on the same dietary regime of a 10% corn oil diet, were tested at two different
      ages (2 months old and 8 months old) for various glucose homeostasis parameters
      and related gene expression. The older wild-type mice exhibited significantly
      increased levels of blood insulin, fasting blood glucose, liver triglycerides,
      and glucose intolerance, compared to the younger mice, indicating an age-related
      impairment of glucose homeostasis. In contrast, these age-related changes in
      glucose metabolism were largely prevented in the older fat-1 mice. Compared to
      the older wild-type mice, the older fat-1 mice also displayed a lower capacity
      for gluconeogenesis, as measured by pyruvate tolerance testing (PTT) and hepatic
      gene expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose 6
      phosphatase (G6Pase). Furthermore, the older fat-1 mice showed a significant
      decrease in body weight, epididymal fat mass, inflammatory activity (NFkappa-B
      and p-IkappaB expression), and hepatic lipogenesis (acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)
      and fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression), as well as increased peroxisomal
      activity (70-kDa peroxisomal membrane protein (PMP70) and acyl-CoA oxidase1
      (ACOX1) expression). Altogether, the older fat-1 mice exhibit improved glucose
      homeostasis in comparison to the older wild-type mice. These findings support the
      beneficial effects of elevated tissue n-3 fatty acid status in the prevention and
      treatment of age-related chronic metabolic diseases.

PMID- 24211485
TI  - Continuous syngas fermentation for the production of ethanol, n-propanol and n
      butanol.
AB  - Syngas fermentation to fuels is a technology on the verge of commercialization.
      Low cost of fermentation medium is important for process feasibility. The use of
      corn steep liquor (CSL) instead of yeast extract (YE) in Alkalibaculum bacchi
      strain CP15 bottle fermentations reduced the medium cost by 27% and produced 78%
      more ethanol. When continuous fermentation was performed in a 7-L fermentor, 6g/L
      ethanol was obtained in the YE and YE-free media. When CSL medium was used in
      continuous fermentation, the maximum produced concentrations of ethanol, n
      propanol and n-butanol were 8 g/L, 6 g/L and 1 g/L, respectively. n-Propanol and
      n-butanol were not typical products of strain CP15. A 16S rRNA gene-based survey
      revealed a mixed culture in the fermentor dominated by A. bacchi strain CP15
      (56%) and Clostridium propionicum (34%). The mixed culture presents an
      opportunity for higher alcohols production from syngas.

PMID- 24211486
TI  - Characteristics of aerobic granulation at mesophilic temperatures in wastewater
      treatment.
AB  - Compact and structurally stable aerobic granules were developed in a sequencing
      batch reactor (SBR) at mesophilic temperatures (35 degrees C). The morphological,
      biological and chemical characteristics of the aerobic granulation were
      investigated and a theoretical granulation mechanism was proposed according to
      the results of the investigation. The mature aerobic granules had compact
      structure, small size (mean diameter of 0.24 mm), excellent settleability and
      diverse microbial structures, and were effective for the removal of organics and
      nitrification. The growth kinetics demonstrated that the biomass growth depended
      on coexistence and interactions between heterotrophs and autotrophs in the
      granules. The functions of heterotrophs and autotrophs created a compact and
      secure layer on the outside of the granules, protecting the inside sludge
      containing environmentally sensitive and slow growing microorganisms. The
      mechanism and the reactor performance may promise feasibility and efficiency for
      treating industry effluents at mesophilic temperatures using aerobic granulation.

PMID- 24211487
TI  - A comparative study of nitrogen conversion during pyrolysis of coconut fiber, its
      corresponding biochar and their blends with lignite.
AB  - In the present study, the conversion of fuel-N to HCN and NH3 was investigated
      during rapid pyrolysis of raw biomass (coconut fiber), its corresponding biochar
      and their blends with lignite within a temperature range of 600-900 degrees C.
      The results showed that the raw biomass and the biochar showed totally different
      nitrogen partitioning between NH3 and HCN. HCN was the dominant nitrogen
      pollutant from pyrolysis of raw biomass, while for the biochar pyrolysis the
      yield of NH3 was slightly higher than that of HCN. Synergistic interactions
      occurred within both raw biomass/lignite and biochar/lignite blends, especially
      for the biochar/lignite blend, and resulted in reduced yields of HCN and NH3,
      decreased the total nitrogen percentage retained in the char and promoted
      harmless N2 formation. These findings suggest that biochar/lignite co-firing for
      energy production may have the enhanced benefit of reduced emissions of nitrogen
      pollutants than raw biomass/lignite. 

PMID- 24211488
TI  - Stimulatory effect of ghrelin on food intake in bullfrog larvae.
AB  - Ghrelin is a potent orexigenic peptide implicated in appetite regulation in
      rodents. However, except for teleost fish, the involvement of ghrelin in the
      regulation of feeding in non-mammalian vertebrates has not been well studied.
      Anuran amphibian larvae feed and grow during the pre- and prometamorphic stages,
      but, thereafter they stop feeding as the metamorphic climax approaches.
      Therefore, orexigenic factors seem to play important roles in growing larvae. In
      the present study, we examined the effect of intraperitoneal (IP) or
      intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of synthetic bullfrog ghrelin (n
      octanoylated 28-amino acid form) on food intake in larvae at the prometamorphic
      stages. Cumulative food intake was significantly increased by IP (8 and 16pmol/g
      body weight (BW)) or ICV (0.5 and 1pmol/g BW) administration of ghrelin during a
      15-min observation period. The orexigenic action of ghrelin at 8pmol/g BW (IP) or
      at 0.5pmol/g BW (ICV) was blocked by treatment with a growth hormone secretagogue
      receptor antagonist, [D-Lys(3)]GHRP-6 at 80pmol/g BW (IP) or at 5pmol/g BW (ICV).
      We then investigated the effect of feeding status on expression levels of the
      ghrelin transcript in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract. Ghrelin mRNA
      levels in both were decreased 15 and 60min after feeding. These results indicate
      that ghrelin acts as an orexigenic factor in bullfrog larvae. 

PMID- 24211489
TI  - Efficacy and side effects of albendazole currently in use against Ascaris,
      Trichuris and hookworm among school children in Wondo Genet, southern Ethiopia.
AB  - Monitoring the efficacy of anthelminthic drugs is essential. The objective of
      this study was to assess the efficacy of a single oral dose of 400mg albendazole
      (ABZ) against the major soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection in school
      children, Wondo Genet, southern Ethiopia. A single fresh stool sample was
      collected from 298 school children and examined using a duplicate smear of the
      Kato-Katz method. Children positive for STH infections were treated with single
      oral dose of 400mg ABZ and re-examined for intestinal helminth infections 21days
      post-treatment. The participants were interviewed for symptoms related with the
      drug uptake 24h after ABZ treatment. Children positive for Schistosoma mansoni
      infections were treated with Praziquantel (40mg/kg of body weight) after an ABZ
      treatment follow up survey. 51.3%, 49.7%, 44.6% and 88.3% had hookworm, Ascaris
      lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and any intestinal helminth infection,
      respectively. Cure rates were 97.4% for hookworm, 96.6% for A. lumbricoides and
      30.8% for T. trichiura infections. Egg reduction rates (ERRs) were 99.8% for
      hookworm, 99.9% for A. lumbricoides and 83.1% for T. trichiura infections. Mild
      and transient symptoms were observed among the participants which were quite
      frequent. In conclusion, a 400mg single oral dose of ABZ was effective against
      hookworm and A. lumbricoides but less efficacious against T. trichiura infection.
      The drug resulted in high ERRs for hookworm, A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura.
      Administration of the drug in repeated doses or in combination with other drugs
      might be necessary. 

PMID- 24211490
TI  - Ca2+ responses in enteric glia are mediated by connexin-43 hemichannels and
      modulate colonic transit in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: In the enteric nervous system, neurotransmitters initiate
      changes in calcium (Ca(2+) responses) in glia, but it is not clear how this
      process affects intestinal function. We investigated whether Ca(2+)-mediated
      responses in enteric glia are required to maintain gastrointestinal function.
      METHODS: We used in situ Ca(2+) imaging to monitor glial Ca(2+) responses, which
      were manipulated with pharmacologic agents or via glia-specific disruption of the
      gene encoding connexin-43 (Cx43) (hGFAP::CreER(T2+/-)/Cx43(f/f) mice).
      Gastrointestinal function was assessed based on pellet output, total gut transit,
      colonic bead expulsion, and muscle tension recordings. Proteins were localized
      and quantified by immunohistochemistry, immunoblot, and reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction analyses. RESULTS: Ca(2+) responses in enteric glia of
      mice were mediated by Cx43 hemichannels. Cx43 immunoreactivity was confined to
      enteric glia within the myenteric plexus of the mouse colon; the Cx43 inhibitors
      carbenoxolone and 43Gap26 inhibited the ability of enteric glia to propagate
      Ca(2+) responses. In vivo attenuation of Ca(2+) responses in the enteric glial
      network slowed gut transit overall and delayed colonic transit--these changes are
      also observed during normal aging. Altered motility with increasing age was
      associated with reduced glial Ca(2+)-mediated responses and changes in glial
      expression of Cx43 messenger RNA and protein. CONCLUSIONS: Ca(2+)-mediated
      responses in enteric glia regulate gastrointestinal function in mice. Altered
      intercellular signaling between enteric glia and neurons might contribute to
      motility disorders.

PMID- 24211492
TI  - Exposure to metals during pregnancy and neuropsychological development at the age
      of 4 years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is insufficient epidemiological evidence for deciding whether
      prenatal exposure to the current low-levels of metals in developed countries may
      affect neuropsychological function in early childhood. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was
      to evaluate potential neurotoxic effects of prenatal exposure to seven metals
      (cobalt, copper, arsenic, cadmium, antimony, thallium and lead), during the 1st
      and 3rd trimester of pregnancy, on child neuropsychological development at 4
      years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was based on a population-based
      birth cohort established in Sabadell (Catalonia, Spain) as part of the INMA
      [Environment and Childhood] Project. Metals were measured in 485 urine samples
      collected from mothers during the 1st and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. We assessed
      the neuropsychological development of 553 4-year-olds with the McCarthy Scales of
      Childrens' Abilitites (MSCA), together with their ADHD symptomatology, using the
      ADHD-DSM-IV criteria. A total of 385 children were included in the present study.
      RESULTS: We found no statistically significant associations between metals and
      general cognitive scale or executive function of the MSCA. We found negative
      coefficients for the exposure to cadmium 1st trimester, cadmium 3rd trimester and
      lead 3rd trimester on the general cognitive score of MSCA, although these results
      were not significant. We did not find any association between prenatal exposure
      to metals and ADHD symptomatology at the age of 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      do not suggest that prenatal exposure to current low-levels of metals impairs
      children's cognitive development during preschool years.

PMID- 24211493
TI  - Review of therapeutic electrical stimulation for dorsiflexion assist and orthotic
      substitution from the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine stroke
      movement interventions subcommittee.
AB  - Ankle dorsiflexion weakness that impedes walking affects some 30% of people after
      a stroke, which increases the risk of falls and mortality. Recent advances in
      functional electrical stimulation or electrical stimulation orthotic substitute
      walking devices facilitate the use of surface electrode stimulation during
      therapeutic gait training and as an orthotic substitute. However, many therapists
      who could promote the use of these electrical stimulation orthotic substitute
      devices are not doing so, possibly because of a lack of knowledge about the
      devices and uncertainty about which patients could benefit from the devices but
      also because of a lack of reimbursement by some insurance providers. In addition,
      there is limited evidence about the efficacy of electrical stimulation orthotic
      substitute devices for therapeutic use or as a substitute for a traditional ankle
      foot orthosis (AFO). This article provides clinicians with information to guide
      them in the use of electrical stimulation orthotic substitute devices, discusses
      current research about the use of electrical stimulation orthotic substitute
      devices for therapeutic and orthotic purposes, and compares the use of electrical
      stimulation orthotic substitute devices and AFOs. There is insufficient evidence
      thus far to conclude that walking with an electrical stimulation orthotic
      substitute device is superior to walking with an AFO, but electrical stimulation
      orthotic substitute devices may be the optimal choice for some patients. 

PMID- 24211491
TI  - Colorectal carcinomas with CpG island methylator phenotype 1 frequently contain
      mutations in chromatin regulators.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Subgroups of colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) characterized by DNA
      methylation anomalies are termed CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP)1, CIMP2,
      or CIMP-negative. The pathogenesis of CIMP1 colorectal carcinomas, and their
      effects on patients' prognoses and responses to treatment, differ from those of
      other CRCs. We sought to identify genetic somatic alterations associated with
      CIMP1 CRCs. METHODS: We examined genomic DNA samples from 100 primary CRCs, 10
      adenomas, and adjacent normal-appearing mucosae from patients undergoing surgery
      or colonoscopy at 3 tertiary medical centers. We performed exome sequencing of 16
      colorectal tumors and their adjacent normal tissues. Extensive comparison with
      known somatic alterations in CRCs allowed segregation of CIMP1-exclusive
      alterations. The prevalence of mutations in selected genes was determined from an
      independent cohort. RESULTS: We found that genes that regulate chromatin were
      mutated in CIMP1 CRCs; the highest rates of mutation were observed in CHD7 and
      CHD8, which encode members of the chromodomain helicase/adenosine triphosphate
      dependent chromatin remodeling family. Somatic mutations in these 2 genes were
      detected in 5 of 9 CIMP1 CRCs. A prevalence screen showed that nonsilencing
      mutations in CHD7 and CHD8 occurred significantly more frequently in CIMP1 tumors
      (18 of 42 [43%]) than in CIMP2 (3 of 34 [9%]; P < .01) or CIMP-negative tumors (2
      of 34 [6%]; P < .001). CIMP1 markers had increased binding by CHD7, compared with
      all genes. Genes altered in patients with CHARGE syndrome (congenital
      malformations involving the central nervous system, eye, ear, nose, and
      mediastinal organs) who had CHD7 mutations were also altered in CRCs with
      mutations in CHD7. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrations in chromatin remodeling could
      contribute to the development of CIMP1 CRCs. A better understanding of the
      biological determinants of CRCs can be achieved when these tumors are categorized
      according to their epigenetic status.

PMID- 24211494
TI  - The effect of fusidic acid on Plasmodium falciparum elongation factor G (EF-G).
AB  - Inhibition of growth of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum by known
      translation-inhibitory antibiotics has generated interest in understanding their
      action on the translation apparatus of the two genome containing organelles of
      the malaria parasite: the mitochondrion and the relic plastid (apicoplast). We
      report GTPase activity of recombinant EF-G proteins that are targeted to the
      organelles and further use these to test the effect of the EF-G inhibitor fusidic
      acid (FA) on the factor-ribosome interface. Our results monitoring locking of EF
      G.GDP onto surrogate Escherichia coli ribosomes as well as multi-turnover GTP
      hydrolysis by the factor indicate that FA has a greater effect on apicoplast EF-G
      compared to the mitochondrial counterpart. Deletion of a three amino acid (GVG)
      sequence in the switch I loop that is conserved in proteins of the mitochondrial
      EF-G1 family and the Plasmodium mitochondrial factor, but is absent in apicoplast
      EF-G, demonstrated that this motif contributes to differential inhibition of the
      two EF-Gs by FA. Additionally, the drug thiostrepton, that is known to target the
      apicoplast and proteasome, enhanced retention of only mitochondrial EF-G on
      ribosomes providing support for the reported effect of the drug on parasite
      mitochondrial translation. 

PMID- 24211495
TI  - Effects of inhalable microparticle of flower of Lonicera japonica in a mouse
      model of COPD.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Flower of Lonicera japonica (FLJ) is a
      traditional herbal medicine widely used in East Asia as an anti-inflammatory and
      anti-oxidative agent. The purpose of this study is to develop an inhalable powder
      formulation of FLJ and to evaluate its biological effects in a mouse model of
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Inhalable dry powder
      containing FLJ was produced by spray-drying with leucine as an excipient. Its
      aerodynamic properties and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using the
      Anderson cascade impactor (ACI) and a mouse model of COPD, respectively. RESULTS:
      FLJ microparticle (FLJmp) had a hollow spherical shape in electron microscopy and
      showed aerodynamic properties suitable for inhalation (fine particle fraction of
      54.0 +/- 4.68% and mass median aerodynamic diameter of 4.6 +/- 0.34MUm). FLJmp
      decreased TNF-alpha and IL-6 expression in RAW264.7 cells activated by
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In mice challenged with LPS and cigarette smoke
      solution (CSS) to develop COPD, FLJmp decreased the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6
      in bronchoalveolar fluidas well as the number of inflammatory cells including
      neutrophils in peripheral blood. In addition, FLJmp induced recovery of elastin
      and collagen distribution, reduction of caspase-3 expression in lung tissues of
      COPD mice. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalational delivery of FLJ using a microparticle system
      is a promising strategy for the treatment of COPD.

PMID- 24211496
TI  - Predictors of follow-up completeness in longitudinal research on traumatic brain
      injury: findings from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
      Research traumatic brain injury model systems program.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify baseline participant variables in the domains of
      demographics, medical/psychosocial history, injury characteristics, and
      postinjury functional status associated with longitudinal follow-up completeness
      in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) using the TBI Model Systems (TBIMS)
      National Database (NDB). DESIGN: Exhaustive chi-square automatic interaction
      detection was used to identify factors that classified participants according to
      level of follow-up completeness. SETTING: Retrospective analysis of a multi
      center longitudinal database. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=8249) enrolled in the
      TBIMS NDB between 1989 and 2009 who were eligible for at least the first (year 1)
      follow-up up to the fifth (year 15) follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Follow-up completeness as defined by 6 different longitudinal response
      patterns (LRPs): completing all follow-ups, wave nonresponse, dropping out,
      completing no follow-ups without formally withdrawing, formally withdrawing
      before completing any follow-ups, and formally withdrawing after completing some
      follow-ups. RESULTS: Completing all follow-ups was associated with higher levels
      of education, living with parents or others, and having acute care payer data
      entered in the NDB. Subgroups more vulnerable to loss to follow-up (LTFU)
      included those with less education, racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, those
      with better motor functioning on rehabilitation discharge, and those for whom
      baseline data on education, employment, and acute care payer were not collected.
      No subgroups were found to be more likely to have the LRPs of dropping out or
      formal withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: These data identify subgroups in which retention
      strategies beyond those most commonly used might reduce LTFU in longitudinal
      studies of persons with TBI, such as the TBIMS, and suggest future investigations
      into factors associated with missing baseline data.

PMID- 24211497
TI  - Learning from 8 years of regional cyanobacteria observation in Brittany in view
      of sanitary survey improvement.
AB  - Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins have been more and more studied during the last
      decades with regard to environment and health issues. More recently the
      consequences of climate change reinforced the need for research in view of a
      better management of cyanobacteria blooms. In this context the exploitation of
      the water quality survey of 26 recreational lakes in Brittany (north western
      France) between 2004 and 2011 is reported in this paper in order to encompass
      spatial and interannual patterns of cyanobacteria development at a regional
      scale. Starting from weekly data principally acquired during summertime, the
      links between cyanobacteria cell densities, toxin occurrences and interannual
      meteorological factors can give insights on the potential evolution of
      cyanobacterial crisis in the future. This study is part of a project aiming at a
      better understanding of potentially toxic cyanobacteria crisis occurrences in
      recreational waters, in order to improve predictive monitoring routines. 

PMID- 24211498
TI  - Polychlorinated terphenyl patterns and levels in selected marine mammals and a
      river fish from different continents.
AB  - Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants
      which have been used from the 1920s to the 1980s for similar purposes as
      polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Comparably little data was available on the PCT
      distribution in the environment mainly due to analytical difficulties in their
      determination. By means of a calculation algorithm recently developed we now
      studied the PCT pattern in individual marine mammal samples and one fish sample
      from different continents. Altogether, 97 PCTs were detected in eight samples and
      twelve to 66 tetra- to nonachloroterphenyl (tetra- to nonaCT) congeners were
      detected in individual samples. PCTs were present in all marine mammal samples
      which originated from four continents, but the PCT pattern was varied. TetraCTs
      were dominant in the sample from Africa, Australia, Spitsbergen (European Arctic)
      and in a sample from the Baltic Sea, heptaCTs in samples from the North Sea and
      octaCTs in a sample from Iceland. The abundance of sumPCTs relative to PCB 153,
      estimated from the GC/ECNI-MS response corrected for the degree of chlorination,
      ranged from 0.9 to 8.8%, corresponding with ~0.22-2.2% of the total PCB content.
      The highest PCT level detected was 980 mg/kg lipid in a harbour seal from the
      North Sea, Germany. The results from this study indicated that samples from
      certain areas, e.g. the North Sea may still be polluted with PCTs.

PMID- 24211499
TI  - Short-time windowed covariance: a metric for identifying non-stationary, event
      related covariant cortical sites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Electrocorticography (ECoG) signals can provide high spatio-temporal
      resolution and high signal to noise ratio recordings of local neural activity
      from the surface of the brain. Previous studies have shown that broad-band,
      spatially focal, high-frequency increases in ECoG signals are highly correlated
      with movement and other cognitive tasks and can be volitionally modulated.
      However, significant additional information may be present in inter-electrode
      interactions, but adding additional higher order inter-electrode interactions can
      be impractical from a computational aspect, if not impossible. NEW METHOD: In
      this paper we present a new method of calculating high frequency interactions
      between electrodes called Short-Time Windowed Covariance (STWC) that builds on
      mathematical techniques currently used in neural signal analysis, along with an
      implementation that accelerates the algorithm by orders of magnitude by
      leveraging commodity, off-the-shelf graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware.
      RESULTS: Using the hardware-accelerated implementation of STWC, we identify many
      types of event-related inter-electrode interactions from human ECoG recordings on
      global and local scales that have not been identified by previous methods. Unique
      temporal patterns are observed for digit flexion in both low- (10mm spacing) and
      high-resolution (3mm spacing) electrode arrays. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS:
      Covariance is a commonly used metric for identifying correlated signals, but the
      standard covariance calculations do not allow for temporally varying covariance.
      In contrast STWC allows and identifies event-driven changes in covariance without
      identifying spurious noise correlations. CONCLUSIONS: STWC can be used to
      identify event-related neural interactions whose high computational load is well
      suited to GPU capabilities.

PMID- 24211501
TI  - Deconstructing stent polymers.

PMID- 24211500
TI  - Vorapaxar in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing coronary artery bypass
      graft surgery: subgroup analysis from the TRACER trial (Thrombin Receptor
      Antagonist for Clinical Event Reduction in Acute Coronary Syndrome).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated effects of protease-activated receptor-1
      antagonist vorapaxar (Merck, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey) versus placebo among
      the TRACER (Thrombin Receptor Antagonist for Clinical Event Reduction in Acute
      Coronary Syndrome) study patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary
      syndromes undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). BACKGROUND: Platelet
      activation may play a key role in graft occlusion, and antiplatelet therapies may
      reduce ischemic events, but perioperative bleeding risk remains a major concern.
      Although the TRACER study did not meet the primary quintuple composite outcome in
      the overall population with increased bleeding, an efficacy signal with vorapaxar
      was noted on major ischemic outcomes, and preliminary data suggest an acceptable
      surgical bleeding profile. We aimed to assess efficacy and safety of vorapaxar
      among CABG patients. METHODS: Associations between treatment and ischemic and
      bleeding outcomes were assessed using time-to-event analysis. Hazard ratios (HRs)
      and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the Cox hazards model.
      Event rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Among 12,944
      patients, 1,312 (10.1%) underwent CABG during index hospitalization, with 78% on
      the study drug at the time of surgery. Compared with placebo CABG patients,
      vorapaxar-treated patients had a 45% lower rate of the primary endpoint (i.e., a
      composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, recurrent ischemia with
      rehospitalization, or urgent coronary revascularization during index
      hospitalization) (HR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.83; p = 0.005), with a significant
      interaction (p = 0.012). The CABG-related Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction
      major bleeding was numerically higher with vorapaxar, but not significantly
      different between vorapaxar and placebo (9.7% vs. 7.3%; HR: 1.36; 95% CI: 0.92 to
      2.02; p = 0.12), with no excess in fatal bleeding (0% vs. 0.3%) or need for
      reoperation (4.7% vs. 4.6%). CONCLUSIONS: In non-ST-segment elevation acute
      coronary syndrome patients undergoing CABG, vorapaxar was associated with a
      significant reduction in ischemic events and no significant increase in major
      CABG-related bleeding. These data show promise for protease-activated receptor 1
      antagonism in patients undergoing CABG and warrant confirmatory evidence in
      randomized trials. (Trial to Assess the Effects of SCH 530348 in Preventing Heart
      Attack and Stroke in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome [TRA.CER] [Study
      P04736AM3]; NCT00527943).

PMID- 24211502
TI  - Underexpansion and ad hoc post-dilation in selected patients undergoing balloon
      expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the clinical outcomes and hemodynamic
      performance associated with a strategy of underexpanding balloon-expandable
      transcatheter heart valves (THV) when excessive oversizing is a concern.
      BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement depends on the selection of an
      optimally sized THV. An undersized THV may lead to paravalvular regurgitation,
      whereas excessive oversizing may lead to annular injury. METHODS: Patients (n =
      47) who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement with an intentionally
      underexpanded THV (balloon-filling volume reduced ~10%) were compared with
      consecutive control patients who had nominal THV balloon deployment (n = 87). Pre
      and post-procedural computed tomography imaging and echocardiography were
      performed to assess THV stent expansion and hemodynamics. RESULTS: Underfilling
      resulted in THV underexpansion that was maximal at the THV inflow (85.0 +/- 7.4%
      vs. 102.5 +/- 6.2%, p < 0.001), in study versus control groups, respectively. The
      study group received larger THV, although annular injury was not observed. Post
      dilation was required in 10.6% and 4.6% of patients of the study and control
      groups, respectively (p = 0.165). Echocardiographic THV area, gradient,
      paravalvular regurgitation, and in-hospital outcomes were similar. CONCLUSIONS:
      Intentionally underexpanding balloon-expandable THV by underfilling the
      deployment balloon did not adversely affect procedural clinical outcomes, THV
      gradients, or THV areas. A strategy of underexpansion, with post-dilation as
      necessary, might play in role in reducing the risk of annular injury and
      paravalvular regurgitation in selected patients.

PMID- 24211504
TI  - Resting versus vasodilated pressure gradients in assessing stenosis severity.

PMID- 24211503
TI  - Multicenter core laboratory comparison of the instantaneous wave-free ratio and
      resting Pd/Pa with fractional flow reserve: the RESOLVE study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine the diagnostic accuracy of the
      instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) and resting distal coronary artery
      pressure/aortic pressure (Pd/Pa) with respect to hyperemic fractional flow
      reserve (FFR) in a core laboratory-based multicenter collaborative study.
      BACKGROUND: FFR is an index of the severity of coronary stenosis that has been
      clinically validated in 3 prospective randomized trials. iFR and Pd/Pa are
      nonhyperemic pressure-derived indices of the severity of stenosis with discordant
      reports regarding their accuracy with respect to FFR. METHODS: iFR, resting
      Pd/Pa, and FFR were measured in 1,768 patients from 15 clinical sites. An
      independent physiology core laboratory performed blinded off-line analysis of all
      raw data. The primary objectives were to determine specific iFR and Pd/Pa
      thresholds with >=90% accuracy in predicting ischemic versus nonischemic FFR (on
      the basis of an FFR cut point of 0.80) and the proportion of patients falling
      beyond those thresholds. RESULTS: Of 1,974 submitted lesions, 381 (19.3%) were
      excluded because of suboptimal acquisition, leaving 1,593 for final analysis. On
      receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the optimal iFR cut point for FFR
      <=0.80 was 0.90 (C statistic: 0.81 [95% confidence interval: 0.79 to 0.83];
      overall accuracy: 80.4%) and for Pd/Pa was 0.92 (C statistic: 0.82 [95%
      confidence interval: 0.80 to 0.84]; overall accuracy: 81.5%), with no significant
      difference between these resting measures. iFR and Pd/Pa had >=90% accuracy to
      predict a positive or negative FFR in 64.9% (62.6% to 67.3%) and 48.3% (45.6% to
      50.5%) of lesions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive core laboratory
      analysis comparing iFR and Pd/Pa with FFR demonstrated an overall accuracy of
      ~80% for both nonhyperemic indices, which can be improved to >=90% in a subset of
      lesions. Clinical outcome studies are required to determine whether the use of
      iFR or Pd/Pa might obviate the need for hyperemia in selected patients.

PMID- 24211505
TI  - Giant neonatal cardiac tumor: unusual presentation and natural history.

PMID- 24211506
TI  - Prospective multicenter evaluation of the direct flow medical transcatheter
      aortic valve.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study sought a prospective multicenter nonrandomized evaluation
      of the Direct Flow Medical (DFM) system for the treatment of severe aortic
      stenosis. BACKGROUND: The DFM transcatheter aortic valve system is a nonmetallic
      design with a pressurized support structure that allows precise positioning,
      retrieval, and assessment of valve performance prior to permanent implantation.
      METHODS: One hundred high surgical risk patients with severe aortic stenosis were
      evaluated for the primary endpoint. There were 75 patients in the group evaluable
      for the secondary endpoints and 25 in the pre-specified roll-in training phase.
      Echocardiographic and angiographic data were evaluated by an independent core
      laboratory and adverse events adjudicated by clinical event committee and
      classified according to Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) criteria.
      RESULTS: There was 99% freedom from all cause mortality at 30 days (primary
      endpoint). VARC criteria defined 30 day combined freedom from patient safety
      event rate was 91% and overall device success was 93%. The post-implantation
      echocardiography results demonstrated mild or no aortic regurgitation in 99% (73
      of 74) with a mean gradient of 12.6 +/- 7.1 mm Hg (n = 72) and effective orifice
      area of 1.50 +/- 0.56 cm(2) and New York Heart Association functional class was I
      or II in 92% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates the safety and
      efficacy of the DFM system in surgical high risk patients with severe aortic
      stenosis and complex anatomy aortic regurgitation was less than moderate in 99%
      of patients.

PMID- 24211507
TI  - Clinical outcomes with bioabsorbable polymer- versus durable polymer-based drug
      eluting and bare-metal stents: evidence from a comprehensive network meta
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the relative safety and efficacy of
      bioabsorbable polymer (BP)-based biolimus-eluting stents (BES) versus durable
      polymer (DP)-drug-eluting stents (DES) and bare-metal stents (BMS) by means of a
      network meta-analysis. BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that BP-BES might
      reduce the risk of stent thrombosis (ST) and late adverse outcomes compared with
      first-generation DES. However, the relative safety and efficacy of BP-BES versus
      newer-generation DES coated with more biocompatible DP have not been investigated
      in depth. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing BP-BES versus currently
      U.S.-approved DES or BMS were searched through MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane
      databases. Information on study design, inclusion and exclusion criteria, sample
      characteristics, and clinical outcomes was extracted. RESULTS: Data from 89
      trials including 85,490 patients were analyzed. At 1-year follow-up, BP-BES were
      associated with lower rates of cardiac death/myocardial infarction (MI), MI, and
      target vessel revascularization (TVR) than BMS and lower rates of TVR than fast
      release zotarolimus-eluting stents. The BP-BES had similar rates of cardiac
      death/MI, MI, and TVR compared with other second-generation DP-DES but higher
      rates of 1-year ST than cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (CoCr-EES). The
      BP-BES were associated with improved late outcomes compared with BMS and
      paclitaxel-eluting stents, considering the latest follow-up data available, with
      nonsignificantly different outcomes compared with other DP-DES although higher
      rates of definite ST compared with CoCr-EES. CONCLUSIONS: In this large-scale
      network meta-analysis, BP-BES were associated with superior clinical outcomes
      compared with BMS and first-generation DES and similar rates of cardiac death/MI,
      MI, and TVR compared with second-generation DP-DES but higher rates of definite
      ST than CoCr-EES.

PMID- 24211509
TI  - Cardioversion with novel oral anticoagulants: reconfirming a 50-year-old
      standard.

PMID- 24211508
TI  - Efficacy and safety of apixaban in patients after cardioversion for atrial
      fibrillation: insights from the ARISTOTLE Trial (Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke
      and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the risk of major clinical and
      thromboembolic events after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation in subjects
      treated with apixaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, compared with warfarin.
      BACKGROUND: In patients with atrial fibrillation, thromboembolic events may occur
      after cardioversion. This risk is lowered with vitamin K antagonists and
      dabigatran. METHODS: Using data from the ARISTOTLE (Apixaban for Reduction in
      Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation) trial, we
      conducted a post-hoc analysis of patients undergoing cardioversion. RESULTS: A
      total of 743 cardioversions were performed in 540 patients: 265 first
      cardioversions in patients assigned to apixaban and 275 in those assigned to
      warfarin. The mean time to the first cardioversion for patients assigned to
      warfarin and apixaban was 243 +/- 231 days and 251 +/- 248 days, respectively;
      75% of the cardioversions occurred by 1 year. Baseline characteristics were
      similar between groups. In patients undergoing cardioversion, no stroke or
      systemic emboli occurred in the 30-day follow-up period. Myocardial infarction
      occurred in 1 patient (0.2%) receiving warfarin and 1 patient receiving apixaban
      (0.3%). Major bleeding occurred in 1 patient (0.2%) receiving warfarin and 1
      patient receiving apixaban (0.3%). Death occurred in 2 patients (0.5%) receiving
      warfarin and 2 patients receiving apixaban (0.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Major
      cardiovascular events after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation are rare and
      comparable between warfarin and apixaban. (Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and
      Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation [ARISTOTLE]; NCT00412984).

PMID- 24211510
TI  - A randomized controlled trial of platelet activity before and after cessation of
      clopidogrel therapy in patients with stable cardiovascular disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this randomized placebo-controlled trial was to determine
      if withdrawing clopidogrel therapy leads to increased platelet activity compared
      with pre-treatment values in patients with stable coronary artery or peripheral
      arterial disease. BACKGROUND: Reports of increased cardiovascular events after
      planned cessation of clopidogrel therapy have raised concerns over the possible
      existence of a rebound in platelet activity. METHODS: In all, 171 patients
      receiving established aspirin therapy were randomly assigned to placebo or
      clopidogrel (75 mg daily) for 28 days. Blood samples were taken at pre-treatment
      baseline, on treatment just before discontinuation of study drug, and on days 7,
      14, and 28 after discontinuation. The primary outcome measure was adenosine
      diphosphate (ADP)-stimulated platelet fibrinogen binding. Six secondary outcomes
      were assessed: ADP-stimulated platelet P-selectin, unstimulated platelet
      fibrinogen binding, and light transmission aggregometry with ADP 5 and 10 MUmol/l
      recorded at maximum and at 6 min. RESULTS: The ADP-stimulated platelet fibrinogen
      binding, P-selectin expression, and platelet aggregation were lower on treatment
      with clopidogrel compared with baseline (p < 0.0001), but returned to baseline
      levels by 7 days after discontinuation. Mixed model analyses excluding the on
      treatment timepoint showed no overall differences between the clopidogrel and
      placebo groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no evidence of an interaction
      between platelet inhibition over time and treatment allocation. CONCLUSIONS: This
      trial found no evidence for rebound of platelet activity to above baseline after
      stopping clopidogrel in patients with stable coronary artery disease or
      peripheral arterial disease. (Is Cessation of Clopidogrel Therapy Associated With
      Rebound of Platelet Activity in Stable Vascular Disease Patients?;
      ISRCTN77887299/77887299).

PMID- 24211511
TI  - Towards a unified model of passive drug permeation I: origins of the unstirred
      water layer with applications to ionic permeation.
AB  - In this work, we provide a unified theoretical framework describing how drug
      molecules can permeate across membranes in neutral and ionized forms for
      unstirred in vitro systems. The analysis provides a self-consistent basis for the
      origin of the unstirred water layer (UWL) within the Nernst-Planck framework in
      the fully unstirred limit and further provides an accounting mechanism based
      simply on the bulk aqueous solvent diffusion constant of the drug molecule. Our
      framework makes no new assumptions about the underlying physics of molecular
      permeation. We hold simply that Nernst-Planck is a reasonable approximation at
      low concentrations and all physical systems must conserve mass. The applicability
      of the derived framework has been examined both with respect to the effect of
      stirring and externally applied voltages to measured permeability. The analysis
      contains data for 9 compounds extracted from the literature representing a range
      of permeabilities and aqueous diffusion coefficients. Applicability with respect
      to ionized permeation is examined using literature data for the permanently
      charged cation, crystal violet, providing a basis for the underlying mechanism
      for ionized drug permeation for this molecule as being due to mobile counter
      current flow. 

PMID- 24211512
TI  - Traumatic lumbar visceral herniation in a young woman.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lumbar herniation is uncommon, with traumatic etiology being rare.
      Traumatic lumbar hernias are usually caused by seatbelt injury in motor vehicle
      accidents. It is exceedingly uncommon to see lumbar hernias in an unrestrained
      passenger of a motor vehicle accident. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of
      a traumatic inferior lumbar hernia in a young woman who was an unrestrained
      driver of a vehicle involved in a high-speed collision, with multiple rollover
      and ejection. CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis suggested soft tissue injury
      involving muscles in the left lower posterior flank with traumatic herniation of
      the colon and small bowel. Emergent midline abdominal laparotomy confirmed
      herniation in the left lower quadrant. After abdominal closure, in the prone
      position, an extensive laceration over the left flank also confirmed herniation.
      Due to its dirty nature, the wound was irrigated, lavaged and covered with wound
      vacuum-assisted closure placement. The decision was made in favor of delayed
      elective hernia repair. DISCUSSION: Lumbar hernias are usually caused by sudden
      force to the abdomen, leading to increased intra-abdominal pressure. This
      pressure combined with areas of weakness in the superior and/or inferior triangle
      lead to herniation. Uncommonly, the contents of lumbar hernias can strangulate or
      incarcerate leading to bowel obstruction. This can often be prevented by
      detection with CT and laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Lumbar herniation of traumatic
      etiology is rare. Early detection with CT and/or exploratory laparotomy is
      important to avoid increases in size of the defect and bowel strangulation and
      incarceration.

PMID- 24211513
TI  - Effects of calcium on rhizotoxicity and the accumulation and translocation of
      copper by grapevines.
AB  - We assessed the effects of background concentrations of calcium (Ca) in solution
      on rhizotoxicity of copper (Cu) in and the accumulation and translocation of Cu
      by the grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. var. Kyoho. Grapevine cuttings in a
      hydroponic system were exposed to Cu-spiked solutions (0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 25
      MUM) with two Ca backgrounds (0.5 and 5 mM) for 15 days. We found that when Cu
      exposure exceeded 5 MUM, no new white roots were generated from the cuttings.
      When exposed to a Cu concentration of 25 MUM, the lateral roots were sparse,
      appeared dark and exhibited malformed terminal swellings. The morphological
      phenomena of root response to an increase in Cu levels were relatively pronounced
      at a background concentration of 5 mM Ca; epidermal cell walls thickened,
      cortical cells remained intact and root terminal swelling was enhanced with Cu
      exposure. A 5 mM Ca background concentration enhanced the reduction in relative
      root elongation, but alleviated the reduction in relative root dry weight with
      increased Cu exposure. Moreover, there was a prominent increase in root Cu
      concentrations with increased Cu exposure, but the increases in leaf Cu
      concentrations were much less. The Cu profile of Cu exposure in a 5 mM Ca
      background concentration appeared higher in root, but lower in leaf than the Cu
      profile in a 0.5 mM Ca background; therefore, increase of Ca background
      concentrations would enhance Cu to be accumulated by root, but not translocated
      into the leaf. 

PMID- 24211514
TI  - Associations between neighborhood characteristics and self-rated health: a cross
      sectional investigation in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
      cohort.
AB  - Quantifying the effects of specific neighborhood features on self-reported health
      is important in understanding the global health impact of neighborhood context.
      We investigated associations of neighborhood poverty, sociability and walkability
      with self-rated physical and mental health in the Multi-Ethnic Study of
      Atherosclerosis (MESA). In separate models, each neighborhood variable was
      associated with physical health but associations with sociability and walkability
      were stronger than those for poverty. Only walkability remained significant after
      adjusting for the other neighborhood variables. There was no evidence that self
      rated mental health as assessed by the SF12 was associated with neighborhood
      poverty, walkability or sociability. This study provides information on how
      neighborhood context is associated with global health in diverse midlife and
      older persons. 

PMID- 24211515
TI  - The evolution of centipede venom claws - open questions and possible answers.
AB  - The maxilliped venom claw is an intriguing structure in centipedes. We address
      open questions concerning this structure. The maxillipeds of fossil centipedes
      from the Carboniferous (about 300 million years old) have been described, but not
      been depicted previously. Re-investigation demonstrates that they resemble their
      modern counterparts. A Jurassic geophilomorph centipede (about 150 million years
      old) was originally described as possessing a rather leg-like maxilliped. Our re
      investigation shows that the maxilliped is, in fact, highly specialized as in
      modern Geophilomorpha. A scenario for the evolution of the centipede maxilliped
      is presented. It supports one of the two supposed hypotheses of centipede
      phylogeny, the Pleurostigmophora hypothesis. Although this hypothesis appears now
      well established, many aspects of character evolution resulting from this
      phylogeny remain to be told in detail. One such aspect is the special joint of
      the maxilliped in some species of Cryptops. Cryptops is an in-group of
      Scolopendromorpha, but its maxilliped joint can resemble that of Lithobiomorpha
      or even possess a mixture of characters between the both. Detailed investigation
      of fossils, larger sample sizes of extant species, and developmental data will be
      necessary to allow further improvements of the reconstruction of the evolutionary
      history of centipedes. 

PMID- 24211516
TI  - Structure and distribution of antennal sensilla in Oranmorpha guerinii (Gervais,
      1837) (Diplopoda, Polydesmida).
AB  - Detailed information on sensory organs of Diplopoda especially on antennal
      sensilla are still sparse and fragmentary. The present study on the antennae of
      Oranmorpha guerinii (Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) utilizing scanning electron
      microscopy revealed the presence of six sensillar types: (1) apical cones, (2)
      sensilla trichodea, (3) sensilla microtrichodea, (4) sensilla chaetica, (5)
      sensilla basiconica bacilliformia, and (6) sensilla basiconica spiniformia.
      External structure and distribution of cuticular antennal sensilla are compared
      with data from other diplopod species. We moreover discuss possible functions of
      antennal sensilla in millipedes. 

PMID- 24211517
TI  - Giant spermatozoa and a huge spermatheca: a case of coevolution of male and
      female reproductive organs in the ground louse Zorotypus impolitus (Insecta,
      Zoraptera).
AB  - The male and female genital apparatus of the recently discovered ground louse
      Zorotypus impolitus were examined using light and electron microscopy. The
      rounded testes and a large seminal vesicle are connected with a complex of four
      accessory glands by a long tapering ejaculatory duct. Two accessory glands have
      the same whitish coloration, whereas the third one is pale blue, and the
      elongated and cylindrical fourth one translucent. The sperm are the largest known
      in Hexapoda, 3mm long and 3MUm wide, with a volume of ca. 21,000MUm(3); the ratio
      between the diameter of the axoneme and the width of the main body of the sperm
      ranges between 1:10 and 1:13. The exceptional width of the spermatozoa is due to
      an extreme enlargement of the mitochondrial derivatives and accessory bodies. A
      single sperm is contained in a small globular spermatophore (100MUm). The highly
      unusual external transfer correlates with an atypical mating behavior. The male
      produces several to many spermatophores during the mating process. As in other
      zorapterans the ovaries are panoistic and the eggs bear two micropyles. An
      exceptionally large apical spermathecal receptacle is present; it is connected
      with the vagina by a long spermathecal duct, which varies structurally along its
      course. A correlation between the sperm size and the size of the spermatheca is
      likely. Ultrastructural features of different species support two strikingly
      different models of male and female reproductive apparatus in the small order
      Zoraptera. This is in stark contrast to the extreme uniformity of their external
      morphology. It is likely that sexual selection played a decisive role in the
      evolution of the reproductive system. 

PMID- 24211518
TI  - Plasma proteomics, the Human Proteome Project, and cancer-associated alternative
      splice variant proteins.
AB  - This article addresses three inter-related subjects: the development of the Human
      Plasma Proteome Peptide Atlas, the launch of the Human Proteome Project, and the
      emergence of alternative splice variant transcripts and proteins as important
      features of evolution and pathogenesis. The current Plasma Peptide Atlas provides
      evidence on which peptides have been detected for every protein confidently
      identified in plasma; there are links to their spectra and their estimated
      abundance, facilitating the planning of targeted proteomics for biomarker
      studies. The Human Proteome Project (HPP) combines a chromosome-centric C-HPP
      with a biology and disease-driven B/D-HPP, upon a foundation of mass
      spectrometry, antibody, and knowledgebase resource pillars. The HPP aims to
      identify the approximately 7000 "missing proteins" and to characterize all
      proteins and their many isoforms. Success will enable the larger research
      community to utilize newly-available peptides, spectra, informative MS
      transitions, and databases for targeted analyses of priority proteins for each
      organ and disease. Among the isoforms of proteins, splice variants have the
      special feature of greatly enlarging protein diversity without enlarging the
      genome; evidence is accumulating of striking differential expression of splice
      variants in cancers. In this era of RNA-sequencing and advanced mass
      spectrometry, it is no longer sufficient to speak simply of increased or
      decreased expression of genes or proteins without carefully examining the splice
      variants in the protein mixture produced from each multi-exon gene. This article
      is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biomarkers: A Proteomic Challenge. 

PMID- 24211519
TI  - Role of NADPH oxidase-4 in saturated fatty acid-induced insulin resistance in SK
      Hep-1 cells.
AB  - We aimed to develop a cell culture model of type 2 diabetes by treating SK-Hep-1
      cells with four free fatty acids [i.e., palmitic acid, stearic acid (SA),
      linoleic acid and oleic acid]. The results showed that Akt phosphorylation was
      increased in SK-Hep-1 cells treated with insulin in a time- and concentration
      dependent manner, which was inhibited by saturated fatty acids, but not by
      unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, protein levels of NADPH oxidase (NOX) 4 but
      not NOX2 were increased following SA treatment and, consequently, increased
      reactive oxygen species production and decreased cellular glutathione were
      observed. Apocynin, a NOX4 inhibitor, restored the SA-induced inhibition of Akt
      phosphorylation, suggesting the role of NOX4 in insulin resistance induced by SA.
      Neither phosphorylation level nor protein level of the stress signaling kinases,
      such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase or p38 mitogen activated protein kinase, was
      changed by SA treatment. Although binding immunoglobulin protein, a marker of
      endoplasmic reticulum stress, was transiently increased in SKHep-1 cells treated
      with SA, 4-phenyl butyric acid, a chemical chaperone, had no effect on the
      insulin-mediated Akt phosphorylation inhibited by SA. The present study provides
      a useful model for screening anti-insulin resistance drugs and finding new drug
      targets for treatment of diabetes. 

PMID- 24211520
TI  - Gomisin A inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in N9
      microglia via blocking the NF-kappaB/MAPKs pathway.
AB  - Gomisin A, one of the major dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans isolated from
      Schisandra chinensis Baill., has proved to possess a variety of pharmacological
      effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory
      and neuroprotective effects of gomisin A as well as its potential molecular
      mechanisms. It was found that gomisin A not only inhibited the production of NO
      and PGE2 in a concentration-dependent manner but also suppressed the expressions
      of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated N9 microglia without observable cytotoxicity.
      Gomisin A was also able to attenuate the mRNA expression and the production of
      pro-inflammatory factors TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6. Moreover, LPS induced
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, NADPH oxidase activation, and gp91phox
      expression, which were markedly inhibited by gomisin A in microglia. Furthermore,
      the data showed that gomisin A significantly down-regulated the TLR4 protein
      expression, and inhibited nuclear transcription factor (NF)-kappaB and mitogen
      activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways. Additionally, gomisin A
      alleviated the cell death of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma, rat primary cortical and
      hippocampal neurons induced by the conditioned-media from activated microglia. In
      summary, gomisin A may exert neuroprotective effects by attenuating the microglia
      mediated neuroinflammatory response via inhibiting the TLR4-mediated NF-kappaB
      and MAPKs signaling pathways. 

PMID- 24211521
TI  - A novel proteoglycan from Ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies protects kidney
      function and ameliorates diabetic nephropathy via its antioxidant activity in
      C57BL/6 db/db mice.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the major cause of morbidity among diabetic
      patients. Thus, antidiabetic drugs with protection potential in the kidneys would
      have a higher therapeutic value. The effects of a novel proteoglycan, named FYGL,
      isolated from G. lucidum fruiting bodies, on the kidney function were
      investigated systematically in present work. FYGL (250 mg/kg) not only
      dosedependently reduced the blood glucose concentration (23.5%, p<0.05),
      kidney/body weight ratio (23.6%, p<0.01), serum creatinine (33.1%, p<0.01), urea
      nitrogen (24.1%, p<0.01),urea acid contents (35.9%, p<0.01) and albuminuria
      (30.7%, p<0.01)of DN mice compared to the untreated DN mice but also increased
      the renal superoxide dismutase (75.3%, p<0.01), glutathione peroxidase (35.0%,
      p<0.01) and catalase activities (58.5%, p<0.01) compared to the untreated DN
      mice. The decreasing of renal malondialdehyde content (34.3%, p<0.01) and 8
      hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine expression (2.5-fold, p<0.01) were also observed in
      FYGL-treated DN mice compared to the untreated DN mice, along with an
      amelioration of renal morphologic abnormalities. We conclude that FYGL confers
      protection against the renal functional and morphologic injuries by increasing
      activities of antioxidants and inhibiting accumulation of oxidation, suggesting a
      potential nutritional supplement for the prevention and therapy of DN.

PMID- 24211522
TI  - Heterogeneity in background fitness acts as a suppressor of selection.
AB  - We introduce the concept of heterogeneity in background fitness to evolutionary
      dynamics in finite populations. Background fitness is specific to an individual
      but not linked to its strategy. It can be thought of as a property that is
      related to the physical or societal position of an individual, but is not
      dependent on the strategy that is adopted in the evolutionary process under
      consideration. In our model, an individual's total fitness is the sum of its
      background fitness and the fitness derived from using a specific strategy. This
      approach has important implications for the imitation of behavioural strategies:
      if we imitate others for their success, but can only adopt their behaviour and
      not their social and economic ties, we may imitate in vain. We study the effect
      of heterogeneity in background fitness on the fixation of a mutant strategy with
      constant fitness. We find that heterogeneity suppresses selection, but also
      decreases the time until a novel strategy either takes over the population or is
      lost again. We derive analytical solutions of the fixation probability in small
      populations. In the case of large total background fitness in a population with
      maximum inequality, we find a particularly simple approximation of the fixation
      probability. Numerical simulations suggest that this simple approximation also
      holds for larger population sizes. 

PMID- 24211523
TI  - Assessing cytokines' talking patterns following experimental myocardial damage by
      applying Shannon's information theory.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The simultaneous measurement of multiple cytokines in parallel by
      using multiplex proteome arrays (MPA) is of great interest to understanding the
      inflammatory response following myocardial infarction; however, since cytokines
      are pleiotropic and redundant, increase of information throughput (IT) attained
      by measuring multiple cytokines remain to be determined. We aimed this study to
      assess the IT of an MPA system designed to assess 8 cytokines - commercially
      available at the time of the study - serum levels, before (control state) and
      after experimental myocardial cryoinjury (activated state) in rats. METHODS: By
      assuming that redundant information do not generally increase the IT, we derived
      Entropy (H) and Redundancy (R) of information by using formulas of Shannon
      modified accordingly, where a high IT (high H and low R) corresponds to a low
      level of correlation between cytokines and vice versa for a low IT. The maximum
      theoretical level of IT and the contribution of each cytokine were also
      estimated. RESULTS: In control state, no significant correlations were found
      between cytokines showing high IT; on the contrary, in activated state, several
      significant correlations were found supporting a complex cross-talk pattern
      between cytokines with low IT. Using as reference the maximum theoretical level
      of IT, in activated state, H was reduced of 67.0% and R was increased of 77.4%
      supporting a reduction of IT. Furthermore, the contribution of individual
      cytokines to H value of MPA was variable: in control state, IL-2 gave the most
      contribution to H value, conversely during activated state IL-10 gave most
      contribution. Finally during activated state, IL-1beta was the only cytokine
      strongly correlated with values of all other cytokines, suggesting a crucial role
      in the inflammatory cascade. CONCLUSIONS: Paradoxically, by analyzing an MPA
      system designed for redundant analytes such as cytokines, translating the
      Shannon's information theory from the field of communication to biology, the IT
      system in our model deteriorates during the activation state by increasing its
      redundancy, showing maximum value of entropy in the control conditions. Finally,
      the study of the mutual interdependence between cytokines by the contribution to
      the IT may allow formulating alternative models to describe the inflammatory
      cascade after myocardial infarction.

PMID- 24211524
TI  - pH feedback and phenotypic diversity within bacterial functional groups of the
      human gut.
AB  - Microbial diversity in the human colon is very high with apparently large
      functional redundancy such that within each bacterial functional group there are
      many coexisting strains. Modelling this mathematically is problematic since
      strains within a functional group are often competing for the same limited number
      of resources and therefore competitive exclusion theory predicts a loss of
      diversity over time. Here we investigate, through computer simulation, a
      fluctuation dependent mechanism for the promotion of diversity. A variable pH
      environment caused by acidic by-products of bacterial growth on a fluctuating
      substrate coupled with small differences in acid tolerance between strains
      promotes diversity under both equilibrium and far-from-equilibrium conditions.
      Under equilibrium conditions pH fluctuations and relative nonlinearity in pH
      limitation among strains combine to prevent complete competitive exclusion. Under
      far-from-equilibrium conditions, loss of diversity through extinctions is made
      more difficult because pH cycling leads to fluctuations in the competitive
      ranking of strains, thereby helping to equalise fitness. We assume a trade-off
      between acid tolerance and maximum growth rate so that our microbial system
      consists of strains ranging from specialists to generalists. By altering the
      magnitude of the effect of the system on its pH environment (e.g. the buffering
      capacity of the colon) and the pattern of incoming resource we explore the
      conditions that promote diversity. 

PMID- 24211525
TI  - Prediction of FMN-binding residues with three-dimensional probability
      distributions of interacting atoms on protein surfaces.
AB  - Flavin mono-nucleotide (FMN) is a cofactor which is involved in many biological
      reactions. The insights on protein-FMN interactions aid the protein functional
      annotation and also facilitate in drug design. In this study, we have established
      a new method, making use of an encoding scheme of the three-dimensional
      probability density maps that describe the distributions of 40 non-covalent
      interacting atom types around protein surfaces, to predict FMN-binding sites on
      protein surfaces. One machine learning model was trained for each of the 30
      protein atom types to predict tentative FMN-binding sites on protein structures.
      The method's capability was evaluated by five-fold cross-validation on a dataset
      containing 81 non-redundant FMN-binding protein structures and further tested on
      independent datasets of 30 and 15 non-redundant protein structures respectively.
      These predictions achieved an accuracy of 0.94, 0.94 and 0.96 with the Matthews
      correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.53, 0.53 and 0.65 respectively for the three
      protein structure sets. The prediction capability is superior to the existing
      method. This is the first structure-based approach that does not rely on
      evolutionary information for predicting FMN-interacting residues. The webserver
      for the prediction is available at http://ismblab.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/. 

PMID- 24211526
TI  - The evolutionary and behavioral modification of consumer responses to
      environmental change.
AB  - How will evolution or other forms of adaptive change alter the response of a
      consumer species' population density to environmentally driven changes in
      population growth parameters? This question is addressed by analyzing some simple
      consumer-resource models to separate the ecological and evolutionary components
      of the population's response. Ecological responses are always decreased
      population size, but evolution of traits that have effects on both resource
      uptake rate and another fitness-related parameter may magnify, offset, or reverse
      this population decrease. Evolution can change ecologically driven decreases in
      population size to increases; this is likely when: (1) resources are initially
      below the density that maximizes resource growth, and (2) the evolutionary
      response decreases the consumer's resource uptake rate. Evolutionary
      magnification of the ecological decreases in population size can occur when the
      environmental change is higher trait-independent mortality. Such evolution-driven
      decreases are most likely when uptake-rate traits increase and the resource is
      initially below its maximum growth density. It is common for the difference
      between the new eco-evolutionary equilibrium and the new ecological equilibrium
      to be larger than that between the original and new ecological equilibrium
      densities. The relative magnitudes of ecological and evolutionary effects often
      depend sensitively on the magnitude of the environmental change and the nature of
      resource growth. 

PMID- 24211527
TI  - Molecular modeling, simulation and virtual screening of ribosomal phosphoprotein
      P1 from Plasmodium falciparum.
AB  - Ribosomal phosphoprotein P1 (RPP1) is acidic phosphoprotein which in association
      with neutral phosphoprotein P0 and acidic phosphoprotein P2 forms ribosomal P
      protein complex as (P1)2-P0-(P2)2. P protein is known to be immunogenic and has
      important role in protein translation. 3D structure of P1 is not known. We have
      built an ab-initio model of RPP1 of Plasmodium falciparum using I-TASSER.
      Stereochemical stability of structure was checked using PROCHECK and the
      normality of the local environment of amino acids was checked using WHATIF.
      Comparison between known protein structures in PDB database and model protein was
      done using Dali server. Molecular dynamic simulation study and virtual screening
      of RPP1 was carried out. Three dimensional model structure of RPP1 was generated
      and model validation studies proved the model to be steriochemically significant.
      RPP1 structure was found to be stable at room temperature in water environment
      demonstrated by 30 ns molecular dynamic simulation study. Dali superimposition
      showed 69% superimposition to known 3D structures in PDB. Further virtual
      screening and docking studies promoted good interaction of ligands Ecgonine,
      Prazepam and Ethyl loflazepate with RPP1. The work provides insight for molecular
      understanding of RPP1 of P. falciparum and can be used for development of
      antimalarial drugs.

PMID- 24211528
TI  - Sub-categorisation of skin corrosive chemicals by the EpiSkinTM reconstructed
      human epidermis skin corrosion test method according to UN GHS: revision of OECD
      Test Guideline 431.
AB  - The EpiSkinTM skin corrosion test method was formally validated and adopted
      within the context of OECD TG 431 for identifying corrosive and non-corrosive
      chemicals. The EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (EU CLP)
      system requires the sub-categorisation of corrosive chemicals into the three UN
      GHS optional subcategories 1A, 1B and 1C. The present study was undertaken to
      investigate the usefulness of the validated EpiSkinTM test method to identify
      skin corrosive UN GHS Categories 1A, 1B and 1C using the original and validated
      prediction model and adapted controls for direct MTT reduction. In total, 85
      chemicals selected by the OECD expert group on skin corrosion were tested in
      three independent runs. The results obtained were highly reproducible both within
      (>80%) and between (>78%) laboratories when compared with historical data.
      Moreover the results obtained showed that the EpiSkinTM test method is highly
      sensitive (99%) and specific (80%) in discriminating corrosive from non-corrosive
      chemicals and allows reliable and relevant identification of the different skin
      corrosive UN GHS subcategories, with high accuracies being obtained for both UN
      GHS Categories 1A (83%) and 1B/1C (76%) chemicals. The overall accuracy of the
      test method to subcategorise corrosive chemicals into three or two UN GHS
      subcategories ranged from 75% to 79%. Considering those results, the revised OECD
      Test Guideline 431 permit the use of EpiSkinTM for subcategorising corrosive
      chemicals into at least two classes (Category 1A and Category 1B/1C).

PMID- 24211529
TI  - Atrazine represses S100A4 gene expression and TPA-induced motility in HepG2
      cells.
AB  - Atrazine (ATZ) is probably the most widely used herbicide in the world. However
      there are still many controversies regarding its impacts on human health. Our
      investigations on the role of pesticides in liver dysfunctions have led us to
      detect an inhibition of FSP1 expression of 70% at 50MUm and around 95% at 500MUM
      of ATZ (p<0.01). This gene encodes the protein S100a4 and is a clinical biomarker
      of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key step in the metastatic process.
      Here we investigated the possible effect of ATZ on cell migration and noticed
      that it prevents the EMT and motility of the HepG2 cells induced by the phorbol
      ester TPA. ATZ decreases Fak pathway activation but has no effect on the Erk1/2
      pathway known to be involved in metastasis in this cell line. These results
      suggest that ATZ could be involved in cell homeostasis perturbation, potentially
      through a S100a4-dependant mechanism.

PMID- 24211530
TI  - Gene expressions changes in bronchial epithelial cells: markers for respiratory
      sensitizers and exploration of the NRF2 pathway.
AB  - For the classification of respiratory sensitizing chemicals, no validated in vivo
      nor in vitro tests are currently available. In this study, we evaluated whether
      respiratory sensitizers trigger specific signals in human bronchial epithelial
      (BEAS-2B) cells at the level of the transcriptome. The cells were exposed during
      6, 10, and 24h to 4 respiratory sensitizers and 6 non-respiratory sensitizers (3
      skin sensitizers and 3 respiratory irritants) at a concentration inducing 20%
      cell viability loss after 24h. Changes in gene expression were evaluated using
      Agilent Whole Human Genome 4*44K oligonucleotide arrays. A limited number of 11
      transcripts could be identified as potential biomarkers to identify respiratory
      sensitizers. Three of these transcripts are associated to immune system processes
      (HSPA5, UPP1, and SEPRINE1). In addition, the transcriptome was screened for
      transcripts that are differentially expressed compared to vehicle control for
      each chemical. The results show that the NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response
      is activated in the cell line after stimulation with all of the chemicals that
      were selected in our study, and that - at the level of gene expression - this
      pathway shows no potential to discriminate between any of the three compound
      groups: respiratory sensitizers, skin sensitizers, or electrophilic respiratory
      irritants.

PMID- 24211531
TI  - Role of size and surface area for pro-inflammatory responses to silica
      nanoparticles in epithelial lung cells: importance of exposure conditions.
AB  - The present study compared non-crystalline silica particles of nano (50nm)- and
      submicro (500nm)-size (Si50 and Si500) for the potential to induce cytokine
      responses in bronchial epithelial lung cells (BEAS-2B). The cell cultures were
      exposed to equal mass and surface area concentrations of the two particles in
      different exposure media; LHC-9 and DMEM:F12. The state of agglomeration was
      different in the two media; with marked agglomeration in LHC-9 and nearly no
      agglomeration in DMEM:F12. On a mass basis, Si50 was more potent than Si500 in
      inducing cytokine responses in both exposure media. In contrast, upon exposure to
      similar surface area concentrations, Si500 was more potent than Si50 in DMEM:F12.
      This might be due to different agglomeration/sedimentation properties of Si50
      versus Si500 in the two media. However, influence of differences in particle
      reactivity or particle uptake cannot be excluded. The data indicated no
      qualitative changes in the cytokine gene-expression patterns induced by the two
      particles, suggesting effects through similar mechanisms. These aspects might be
      of importance for interpretation of in vitro studies of nanomaterials.

PMID- 24211532
TI  - Development and validation of an open source O2-sensitive gel for physiological
      profiling of soil microbial communities.
AB  - Community level physiological profiling is a simple, high-throughput technique
      for assessing microbial community physiology. Initial methods relying on redox
      dye based detection of respiration were subject to strong enrichment bias, but
      subsequent development of a microtiter assay using an oxygen-quenched dye reduced
      this bias and improved the versatility of the approach. Commercial production of
      the oxygen microplates recently stopped, which led to the present effort to
      develop and validate a system using a luminophore dye (platinum tetrakis
      pentafluorophenyl) immobilized at the bottom of wells within a 96 well microtiter
      plate. The technique was used to analyze three well-characterized Florida soils:
      oak saw palmetto scrub, coastal mixed hardwood, and soil from an agricultural
      field used to grow corn silage. Substrate induced respiration was monitored by
      measuring respiration rates in soils under basal conditions and comparing to
      soils supplemented with nitrogen and various carbon sources (mannose, casein,
      asparagine, coumaric acid). All data was compared to a previously available
      commercial assay. There were no significant differences in the maximum peak
      intensity or the time to peak response for all soils tested (p<0.001,
      alpha=0.05). The experimental assay plates can be reused on soils up to four
      times (based on a deviation of less than 5%), where the commercial assay should
      not be reused. The results indicate that the new oxygen-based bioassay is a cost
      effective, open source tool for functional profiling of microbial communities. 

PMID- 24211533
TI  - The endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria connection: one touch, multiple functions.
AB  - The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria are tubular organelles with a
      characteristic "network structure" that facilitates the formation of
      interorganellar connections. The ER and mitochondria join together at multiple
      contact sites to form specific domains, termed mitochondria-ER associated
      membranes (MAMs), with distinct biochemical properties and a characteristic set
      of proteins. The functions of these two organelles are coordinated and executed
      at the ER-mitochondria interface, which provides a platform for the regulation of
      different processes. The roles played by the ER-mitochondria interface range from
      the coordination of calcium transfer to the regulation of mitochondrial fission
      and inflammasome formation as well as the provision of membranes for autophagy.
      The novel and unconventional processes that occur at the ER-mitochondria
      interface demonstrate its multifunctional and intrinsically dynamic nature. This
      article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Dynamic and ultrastructure of
      bioenergetic membranes and their components. 

PMID- 24211535
TI  - IgG variable region and VH CDR3 diversity in unimmunized mice analyzed by
      massively parallel sequencing.
AB  - Most antigen-specific mouse antibodies have been derived by hybridoma technology,
      predominantly through use of the Balb/c strain. Much of the Balb/c germline
      repertoire of variable genes (V regions) is known. However, there is little
      information about the background expressed repertoire of IgG antibodies in mice,
      which reflects the baseline against which antigen-specific antibodies are
      generated through immunization. To assess this baseline repertoire, RNA was
      isolated from splenic B-cells enriched for expression of IgG from three mice. The
      RNA was individually amplified with three distinct PCR primer sets for
      comprehensive recovery of the heavy and light chain variable regions. Each PCR
      product was independently subjected to deep sequencing using 454 pyro-sequencing
      technology and analysed for redundancy, open reading frame, germline
      representation, and CDR3 sequence of the heavy chain variable region (VH CDR3)
      within and across the primer sets and mice. A highly skewed abundance of heavy
      and light chain variable gene usage was observed for all three primers in all
      three mice. While showing considerable overlap, there were differences among
      these profiles indicative of primer bias and animal-to-animal variation. VH CDR3
      sequences were likewise highly skewed indicating that the heavy chain genes
      profiles substantially reflected individual antibodies. This observation was
      confirmed through analysis of randomly selected complete heavy chain variable
      sequences. However, there was very little redundancy in VH CDR3 sequences across
      the different mice. We conclude that the background IgG repertoire in young,
      unimmunized mice is highly skewed within individual mice and is diverse among
      them, a pattern similar to that observed in highly immunized mice. 

PMID- 24211534
TI  - Identification and characterization of the related immune-enhancing proteins in
      crab Scylla paramamosain stimulated with rhubarb polysaccharides.
AB  - Recently, considerable interest has been focused on immunostimulants to reduce
      diseases in crab aquaculture. However, information regarding to the related
      immune-enhancing proteins in crabs is not available yet. In this study, rhubarb
      polysaccharides were tested for enhancement of the immune activity in crab Scylla
      paramamosain. Compared with those in the control group, values of, phenoloxidase
      (PO), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and alkaline phosphatasein (ACP) activity in
      the, experimental group were improved significantly 4 d after the treatment.
      Furthermore, 15 and 17 altered proteins from haemocytes and hepatopancreas,
      respectively, were found in rhubarb polysaccharide-treated crabs using 2-DE
      approach. Of these, hemocyanin, chymotrypsin, cryptocyanin, C-type lectin
      receptor, and ferritin protein were identified by mass spectrometry. In addition,
      RT-PCR, analysis showed that the mRNA levels of hemocyanin and chymotrypsin
      increased about 2.4- and 1.4-fold in the experiment group. Moreover, the
      hemocyanin gene in S. paramamosain (SpHMC) was, cloned and characterized. SpHMC
      contains one open reading frame of 2022 bp and encodes a polypeptide of 673 amino
      acids. It is clustered into one branch along with crab hemocyanin in a
      phylogenetic tree. The mRNA transcripts of SpHMC were detected mainly in the
      tissues of, hepatopancreas, hemocyte and intestines, and its levels were up
      regulated significantly in hemocytes, of S. paramamosain treated with Vibrio
      parahemolyticus, Beta streptococcus or poly I:C for 6-48 h. Taken together, these
      studies found 5 related immune-enhancing proteins and a novel heomcyanin
      homologue with potential pathogen-resistant activities in crab.

PMID- 24211538
TI  - Integration of sensory information precedes the sensation of vection: a combined
      behavioral and event-related brain potential (ERP) study.
AB  - Illusory self-motion (known as vection) describes the sensation of ego-motion in
      the absence of physical movement. Vection typically occurs in stationary
      observers being exposed to visual information that suggest self-motion (e.g.
      simulators, virtual reality). In the present study, we tested whether sensory
      integration of visual information triggers vection: participants (N=13) perceived
      patterns of moving altered black-and-white vertical stripes on a screen that was
      divided into a central and a surrounding peripheral visual field. In both fields
      the pattern was either moving or stationary, resulting in four combinations of
      central and peripheral motions: (1) central and peripheral stripes moved into the
      same direction, (2) central and peripheral stripes moved in opposite directions,
      or (3) either the central or (4) the peripheral stripes were stable while the
      other stripes were in motion. This stimulation induced vection: Results showed
      significantly higher vection ratings when the stationary center of the pattern
      was surrounded by a moving periphery. Event-related potentials mirrored this
      finding: The occipital N2 was largest with stationary central and moving
      peripheral stripes. Our findings suggest that sensory integration of peripheral
      and central visual information triggers the perception of vection. Furthermore,
      we found evidence that neural processes precede the subjective perception of
      vection strength prior to the actual onset of vection. We will discuss our
      findings with respect to the role of stimulus eccentricity, stimulus' depth, and
      neural correlates involved during the genesis of vection. 

PMID- 24211536
TI  - Centrosomal abnormalities characterize human and rodent cystic cholangiocytes and
      are associated with Cdc25A overexpression.
AB  - Hepatic cystogenesis in polycystic liver diseases is associated with
      abnormalities of cholangiocyte cilia. Given the crucial association between cilia
      and centrosomes, we tested the hypothesis that centrosomal defects occur in
      cystic cholangiocytes of rodents (Pkd2(WS25/-) mice and PCK rats) and of patients
      with polycystic liver diseases, contributing to disturbed ciliogenesis and cyst
      formation. We examined centrosomal cytoarchitecture in control and cystic
      cholangiocytes, the effects of centrosomal abnormalities on ciliogenesis, and the
      role of the cell-cycle regulator Cdc25A in centrosomal defects by depleting
      cholangiocytes of Cdc25A in vitro and in vivo and evaluating centrosome
      morphology, cell-cycle progression, proliferation, ciliogenesis, and
      cystogenesis. The cystic cholangiocytes had atypical centrosome positioning,
      supernumerary centrosomes, multipolar spindles, and extra cilia. Structurally
      aberrant cilia were present in cystic cholangiocytes during ciliogenesis.
      Depletion of Cdc25A resulted in i) a decreased number of centrosomes and
      multiciliated cholangiocytes, ii) an increased fraction of ciliated
      cholangiocytes with longer cilia, iii) a decreased proportion of cholangiocytes
      in G1/G0 and S phases of the cell cycle, iv) decreased cell proliferation, and v)
      reduced cyst growth in vitro and in vivo. Our data support the hypothesis that
      centrosomal abnormalities in cholangiocytes are associated with aberrant
      ciliogenesis and that accelerated cystogenesis is likely due to overexpression of
      Cdc25A, providing additional evidence that pharmacological targeting of Cdc25A
      has therapeutic potential in polycystic liver diseases. 

PMID- 24211537
TI  - Social isolation after stroke leads to depressive-like behavior and decreased
      BDNF levels in mice.
AB  - Social isolation prior to stroke leads to poorer outcomes after an ischemic
      injury in both animal and human studies. However, the impact of social isolation
      following stroke, which may be more clinically relevant as a target for
      therapeutic intervention, has yet to be examined. In this study, we investigated
      both the sub-acute (2 weeks) and chronic (7 weeks) effects of social isolation on
      post-stroke functional and histological outcome. Worsened histological damage
      from ischemic injury and an increase in depressive-like behavior was observed in
      isolated mice as compared to pair-housed mice. Mice isolated immediately after
      stroke showed a decrease in the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor
      (BDNF). These changes, both histological and behavioral, suggest an overall
      negative effect of social isolation on stroke outcome, potentially contributing
      to post-stroke depression and anxiety. Therefore, it is important to identify
      patients who have perceived isolation post-stroke to hopefully prevent this
      exacerbation of histological damage and subsequent depression. 

PMID- 24211539
TI  - An in vitro approach to assessing a potential drug interaction between MDMA
      (ecstasy) and caffeine.
AB  - 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is a popular recreational drug
      which causes long-term neurotoxicity and increased risk of fatality. In rats,
      MDMA toxicity is exacerbated by co-administration of caffeine. The aim of this
      study was to investigate whether caffeine altered the effects of MDMA in a
      battery of in vitro tests selected to model some of the known actions of MDMA in
      vivo. In cytotoxicity studies, caffeine modestly enhanced the effect of MDMA on
      neuronal N2a cell viability but not that of liver, intestinal or kidney cells.
      MDMA inhibited the formation of fluorescent metabolites by CYP2D6?CYP3A4>CYP1A2
      but this was not altered by caffeine. Similarly, the inhibition of synaptosomal
      [(3)H] 5-HT uptake by MDMA was not affected by the presence of caffeine. Thus,
      these in vitro tests failed to detect any substantial interaction between
      caffeine and MDMA, highlighting the difficulty of modelling in vivo drug
      interactions using in vitro tests. However, the results show that the inhibition
      of synaptosomal [(3)H] 5-HT uptake by MDMA was greater at 41 degrees C and 25
      degrees C than at 37 degrees C which raises the possibility that MDMA's effect on
      SERT in vivo may be increased as body temperature increases, contributing to its
      harmful effects in users.

PMID- 24211540
TI  - Toxicity and intracellular accumulation of bile acids in sandwich-cultured rat
      hepatocytes: role of glycine conjugates.
AB  - Excessive intrahepatic accumulation of bile acids (BAs) is a key mechanism
      underlying cholestasis. The aim of this study was to quantitatively explore the
      relationship between cytotoxicity of BAs and their intracellular accumulation in
      sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes (SCRH). Following exposure of SCRH (on day-1
      after seeding) to various BAs for 24h, glycine-conjugated BAs were most potent in
      exerting toxicity. Moreover, unconjugated BAs showed significantly higher
      toxicity in day-1 compared to day-3 SCRH. When day-1/-3 SCRH were exposed (0.5
      4h) to 5-100MUM (C)DCA, intracellular levels of unconjugated (C)DCA were similar,
      while intracellular levels of glycine conjugates were up to 4-fold lower in day-3
      compared to day-1 SCRH. Sinusoidal efflux was by far the predominant efflux
      pathway of conjugated BAs both in day-1 and day-3 SCRH, while canalicular BA
      efflux showed substantial interbatch variability. After 4h exposure to (C)DCA,
      intracellular glycine conjugate levels were at least 10-fold higher than taurine
      conjugate levels. Taken together, reduced BA conjugate formation in day-3 SCRH
      results in lower intracellular glycine conjugate concentrations, explaining
      decreased toxicity of (C)DCA in day-3 versus day-1 SCRH. Our data provide for the
      first time a direct link between BA toxicity and glycine conjugate exposure in
      SCRH.

PMID- 24211541
TI  - Characterization of a murine type IIB procollagen-specific antibody.
AB  - Type II collagen is the major collagenous component of the cartilage
      extracellular matrix; formation of a covalently cross-linked type II collagen
      network provides cartilage with important tensile properties. The Col2a1 gene is
      encoded by 54 exons, of which exon 2 is subject to alternative splicing,
      resulting in different isoforms named IIA, IIB, IIC and IID. The two major
      procollagen protein isoforms are type IIA and type IIB procollagen. Type IIA
      procollagen mRNA contains exon 2 and is generated predominantly by
      chondroprogenitor cells and other non-cartilaginous tissues. Differentiated
      chondrocytes generate type IIB procollagen, devoid of exon 2. Although type IIA
      procollagen is produced in certain non-collagenous tissues during development,
      this developmentally-regulated alternative splicing switch to type IIB
      procollagen is restricted to cartilage cells. Though a much studied and
      characterized molecule, the importance of the various type II collagen protein
      isoforms in cartilage development and homeostasis is still not completely
      understood. Effective antibodies against specific epitopes of these isoforms can
      be useful tools to decipher function. However, most type II collagen antibodies
      to date recognize either all isoforms or the IIA procollagen isoform. To
      specifically identify the murine type IIB procollagen, we have generated a rabbit
      antibody (termed IIBN) directed to a peptide sequence that spans the murine exon
      1-3 peptide junction. Characterization of the affinity-purified antibody by
      western blotting of collagens extracted from wild type murine cartilage or
      cartilage from Col2a1(+ex2) knock-in mice (which generates predominantly the type
      IIA procollagen isoform) demonstrated that the IIBN antibody is specific to the
      type IIB procollagen isoform. IIBN antibody was also able to detect the native
      type IIB procollagen in the hypertrophic chondrocytes of the wild type growth
      plate, but not in those of the Col2a1(+ex2) homozygous knock-in mice, by both
      immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical studies. Thus the IIBN antibody will
      permit an in-depth characterization of the distribution of IIB procollagen
      isoform in mouse skeletal tissues. In addition, this antibody will be an
      important reagent for characterizing mutant type II collagen phenotypes and for
      monitoring type II procollagen processing and trafficking. 

PMID- 24211542
TI  - The quality of meat from sheep treated with tannin- and saponin-based remedies as
      a natural strategy for parasite control.
AB  - Lambs were assigned to four groups of seven and treated as follows for 12 days:
      control group (BP) was fed beet pulp; group T (tannin remedy) received the BP
      diet including 80 g/kg of quebracho extract; group S (saponin remedy) received
      the BP diet including 15 g/kg of quillaja extract; and group C had a free choice
      between T and S remedies. Lipid oxidation was lower in meat from S lambs compared
      to T lambs (P<0.05). Among the volatile compounds, lactate was lower in meat from
      S lambs compared to T animals (P=0.05). Metabolomic analysis showed that the T
      treatment increased ribose, fructose, glucose and sorbitol concentration in meat
      (P<0.05), while cholesterol was decreased by S and C treatments. The T treatment
      increased the concentration of C14:1 cis-9 (P<0.05). These findings indicate that
      treatments for parasite control containing tannins and saponins do not
      detrimentally affect sheep meat quality.

PMID- 24211543
TI  - Postmortem proteolysis in three muscles from growing and mature beef cattle.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine calpain system activity and
      postmortem protein degradation in three muscles from growing (n=6, 7.3 +/- 0.5
      months) and mature (n=6, 106.7 +/- 43.1 months) beef cattle. The ratio of MU
      calpain:total calpastatin activity tended to be lower in mature animals (P=0.08),
      suggesting reduced potential for proteolysis. Additionally, muscles from the
      mature group had greater calpastatin activity compared to calves at 6 days
      postmortem and had less MU-calpain autolysis and troponin-T and titin degradation
      during the aging period (P<0.01). Between the longissimus, semimembranosus, and
      triceps brachii muscles, the triceps brachii had the least postmortem
      proteolysis, with greater calpastatin activity and less troponin-T and titin
      degradation compared to other muscles (P<0.01). These data suggest that
      calpastatin activity in muscle from older animals is more persistent postmortem.
      This difference may contribute to the decreased protein degradation and increased
      toughness of beef from mature cattle, even after aging.

PMID- 24211544
TI  - Early on-line classification of beef carcasses based on ultimate pH by near
      infrared spectroscopy.
AB  - Prediction of ultimate pH (measured 48 h post mortem; pH(u)) in beef from Visible
      near infrared (VIS-NIR) spectra collected 20 to 40 min post mortem was assessed.
      Spectra were collected from carcasses (cows: n = 86, bulls: n = 170, steers: n =
      363, and heifers: n = 38) in a commercial hot boning abattoir under routine
      conditions. Partial Least Squares (PLS) models showed limited accuracy with RMSE
      for validation equal to 0.26, 0.20 and 0.36 for the All-animals, Non-bulls and
      Bulls models, respectively. The pH(u)-PLS-predicted values were used to segregate
      carcasses as normal (pH(u)<5.8) or high (pH(u) >= 5.8) showing better
      performance, by correctly classifying at least 90% of high pH(u) carcasses. The
      Non-bulls model was equivalent to the current technology used in the abattoir to
      classify carcasses based on pH(u). Thus near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) could
      be used for on-line classification of beef carcasses based on pH(u).

PMID- 24211545
TI  - Concentration of antioxidants in two muscles of mature dairy cows from Azores.
AB  - This study evaluated the concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene,
      creatine, carnosine, anserine and coenzyme Q10 in Longissimus dorsi (Ld) and
      Gluteus medius (Gm) muscles of culled dairy cows and the impact of age,
      production status before slaughter (dry-off vs lactating) and carcass weight on
      them. The effects of applying a finishing feeding regimen before slaughter were
      also examined. Gm muscle presented higher levels (P<0.001) of alpha-tocopherol
      (5.14 vs 3.61 MUg . g(-1)) beta-carotene (0.36 vs 0.27 MUg . g(-1)), anserine
      (59.24 vs 43.25 mg . 100 g(-1)) and coenzyme Q10 (3.33 vs 1.73 mg . 100 g(-1)),
      and by contrast lower (P<0.05) creatine concentration (502.40 vs 527.28 mg . 100
      g(-1)) than Ld. Dry-off and lactating cows differed significantly in alpha
      tocopherol level (P<0.001) but not in the concentrations of the other compounds
      (P>0.05). The finishing feeding promoted higher mean concentrations of anserine
      and creatine but lower carnosine values (P>0.05) than directly slaughtered dry
      off cows. The variation between muscles and from animal-to-animal makes it
      difficult to exactly define the antioxidant status of the dairy cow's meat.

PMID- 24211546
TI  - Immunocastration improves carcass traits and beef color attributes in Nellore and
      Nellore*Aberdeen Angus crossbred animals finished in feedlot.
AB  - The objective was to examine the effects of immunocastration on carcass traits
      and meat quality of Nellore and Nellore*Aberdeen Angus male animals finished in
      feedlot. Surgically castrated, immunocastrated, and intact animals were finished
      in feedlot for 90 days. The animals were harvested, and carcass traits were
      evaluated. Carcasses were chilled, and one 2.5-cm steak was fabricated from
      Longissimus thoracis muscle. The steaks were individually vacuum packaged and
      frozen at -18  degrees C. Frozen steaks were thawed, and pH, instrumental color,
      cooking loss, and shear force were determined. Immunocastrated animals
      demonstrated greater (P<0.05) hot dressing percentage and cold dressing
      percentage than their surgically castrated counterparts. Furthermore, steaks from
      immunocastrated and surgically castrated animals exhibited greater redness
      (P<0.05) and lower darkness (P<0.05) than steaks from intact animals, indicating
      possible advantage in retailing. The results suggested that immunocastration may
      be utilized to improve carcass traits and beef color in feedlot-finished Nellore
      and Nellore*Aberdeen Angus males.

PMID- 24211547
TI  - Antimicrobial-coated polypropylene films with polyvinyl alcohol in packaging of
      fresh beef.
AB  - The utility of packaging films consisting of cast polypropylene/polyvinyl alcohol
      with rhubarb ethanolic extracts (REE) and cinnamon essential oil (CEO) in
      maintaining fresh beef quality was investigated. Fresh beefsteaks were packed
      with antimicrobial films containing different concentrations of REE and CEO. Beef
      characteristics, including pH, total viable counts, instrumentally measured
      color, weight loss, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) and sensory quality were
      determined. All experimental films significantly inhibited bacterial growth
      (p<0.05) and maintained the pH and TVB-N of beefsteaks. Three of four
      experimental films significantly reduced instrumental color loss (p<0.05).
      Antimicrobial packaging films efficiently maintained the quality of fresh
      beefsteaks during storage. 

PMID- 24211548
TI  - Chemical composition, vitamin E content, lipid oxidation, colour and cooking
      losses in meat from Tudanca bulls finished on semi-extensive or intensive systems
      and slaughtered at 12 or 14 months.
AB  - The effects of production system (SE: pasture based vs. IN: concentrate based)
      and slaughter age (12 vs. 14 months) on chemical composition, vitamin E and
      myoglobin contents, lipid oxidation at 0, 3 and 6 days of display, colour and
      cooking losses at 2 and 7 days postmortem from thirty-three Tudanca calves were
      studied. SE animals showed lower IMF and greater vitamin E contents (1.2 vs. 2.9%
      and 4.1 vs. 1.8 MUg/g, respectively). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
      (TBARS) increased (p <= 0.001) with display time and was greater in the IN
      system. After 6 days display, IN animals presented twofold TBARS values (1.4 vs.
      0.8 mg malonaldehyde/kg meat). At 7 days postmortem, SE groups presented greater
      (p <= 0.05) L* and lower (p <= 0.05) b* and H degrees  than IN groups. Myoglobin
      increased with age (3.4 to 3.9 mg/g meat), but differences (p <= 0.05) on a* and
      C* values were observed only between 12 and 14 months at 2 days postmortem.

PMID- 24211549
TI  - Proximate composition, antihypertensive and antioxidative properties of the
      semimembranosus muscle from pork and beef after cooking and in vitro digestion.
AB  - The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare proximate composition,
      antihypertensive activity and antioxidative capacity of the semimembranosus
      muscle from pork and beef and to study how these characteristics were affected by
      household preparation and subsequent digestion. The proximate composition was
      similar between pork and beef. Both pork and beef contained protein with the
      essential amino acids. Cooking in a heated pan did not affect the retention of
      lipid or sum of amino acids, but reduced the amount of the free amino acid
      taurine. The antihypertensive effect did not differ significantly between pork
      and beef, whereas the antioxidative capacity did. Cooking affected the
      antioxidative capacity negatively. The results from this study show that pork and
      beef are equally good sources of protein and bioactive properties, and whereas
      the nutritional composition is not affected, bioactive properties may be reduced
      after household preparations. 

PMID- 24211550
TI  - A rapid low-cost high-density DNA-based multi-detection test for routine
      inspection of meat species.
AB  - The increasing occurrence of food frauds suggests that species identification
      should be part of food authentication. Current molecular-based species
      identification methods have their own limitations or drawbacks, such as
      relatively time-consuming experimental steps, expensive equipment and, in
      particular, these methods cannot identify mixed species in a single experiment.
      This project proposes an improved method involving PCR amplification of the COI
      gene and detection of species-specific sequences by hybridisation. Major
      innovative breakthrough lies in the detection of multiple species, including
      pork, beef, lamb, horse, cat, dog and mouse, from a mixed sample within a single
      experiment. The probes used are species-specific either in sole or mixed species
      samples. As little as 5 pg of DNA template in the PCR is detectable in the
      proposed method. By designing species-specific probes and adopting reverse dot
      blot hybridisation and flow-through hybridisation, a low-cost high-density DNA
      based multi-detection test suitable for routine inspection of meat species was
      developed.

PMID- 24211551
TI  - Glycerine levels in the diets of crossbred bulls finished in feedlot: carcass
      characteristics and meat quality.
AB  - The effects of corn replacement by different glycerine levels on carcass
      characteristics and meat quality of 40 young Puruna bulls, weighing 209 +/- 33.3
      kg and 8 +/- 0.9 months old, finished in feedlot, were evaluated. The treatments
      were G00: without glycerine; G06: 6% glycerine; G12: 12% glycerine; and G18: 18%
      glycerine in the diets, on a DM basis. Hot weight, dressing, conformation and
      length carcass, leg length and cushion thickness were not (P>0.05) modified by
      different glycerine levels in the diets. Glycerine in the diets did not (P>0.05)
      affect fat thickness, Longissimus muscle area, marbling and texture. Muscle, fat
      and bone percentages were not (P>0.05) influenced by glycerine levels in the
      diets. No changes (P>0.05) in lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) on
      LM occurred when glycerine was included at 0, 6, 12 or 18% in the diet. There was
      no (P>0.05) difference in LM moisture, ash, crude protein and total lipids when
      feeding different glycerine levels. The inclusion of glycerine decreased (P<0.01)
      total saturated (10.8%), and increased monounsaturated (7.4%) and poly
      unsaturated (44.0%) fatty acids, which resulted in a higher PUFA:SFA ratio
      (0.57).

PMID- 24211552
TI  - Nutritionally enhanced fermented sausages as a vehicle for potential probiotic
      lactobacilli delivery.
AB  - The suitability of three potential probiotic lactobacilli strains (Lactobacillus
      casei CTC1677, L. casei CTC1678 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CTC1679), previously
      isolated from infants' faeces and characterized, and three commercial probiotic
      strains (Lactobacillus plantarum 299v, L. rhamnosus GG and L. casei Shirota) was
      assessed during the manufacture of low-acid fermented sausages (fuets) with
      reduced Na(+) and fat content. The inoculated strains were successfully monitored
      by RAPD-PCR during the process. L. rhamnosus CTC1679 was the only strain able to
      grow and dominate (levels ca. 10(8)CFU/g) the endogenous lactic acid bacteria
      population in two independent trials, throughout the ripening process. Thus, fuet
      containing L. rhamnosus CTC1679 as a starter culture could be a suitable vehicle
      for putative probiotic bacteria delivery. All the final products recorded a
      satisfactory overall sensory quality without any noticeable off-flavour, and with
      the characteristic sensory properties of low-acid fermented sausages. 

PMID- 24211553
TI  - Including estimated intramuscular fat content from computed tomography images
      improves prediction accuracy of dry-cured ham composition.
AB  - In recent years, computed tomography (CT) has been proposed as a method for the
      non-destructive prediction of salt content, water content and water activity (aw)
      in dry-cured ham. However, fat produces an important disturbance in the
      predictions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of including an
      intramuscular fat content (IMF) estimate in the predictive models on the model
      predictability and CT tube voltage requirements. CT tomograms were obtained at
      three voltages. IMF was estimated by image analysis of CT tomograms obtained at
      the lowest voltage. By including an IMF estimate in the model, the prediction
      error was reduced by more than half in the water and aw predictions, but had
      little effect on the salt prediction. Additionally, the amount of CT voltages
      required in the predictive model decreased from three to two for salt and aw
      predictions. 

PMID- 24211554
TI  - Effective survival of immobilized Lactobacillus casei during ripening and heat
      treatment of probiotic dry-fermented sausages and investigation of the microbial
      dynamics.
AB  - The aim was the assessment of immobilized Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 on wheat
      in the production of probiotic dry-fermented sausages and the investigation of
      the microbial dynamics. For comparison, sausages containing either free L. casei
      ATCC 393 or no starter culture were also prepared. During ripening, the numbers
      of lactobacilli exceeded 7 log cfu/g, while a drastic decrease was observed in
      enterobacteria, staphylococci and pseudomonas counts. Microbial diversity was
      further studied applying a PCR-DGGE protocol. Members of Lactobacillus,
      Leuconostoc, Lactococcus, Carnobacterium, Brochothrix, Bacillus and Debaryomyces
      were the main microbial populations detected. Microbiological and strain-specific
      multiplex PCR analysis confirmed that the levels of L. casei ATCC 393 in the
      samples after 66 days of ripening were above the minimum concentration for
      conferring a probiotic effect (>= 6 log cfu/g). However, after heat treatment,
      this strain was detected at the above levels, only in sausages containing
      immobilized cells.

PMID- 24211555
TI  - Influence of supplemental vitamin C on postmortem protein degradation and fatty
      acid profiles of the longissimus thoracis of steers fed varying concentrations of
      dietary sulfur.
AB  - The objective was to examine the effects of supplemental vitamin C (VC) on
      postmortem protein degradation and fatty acid profiles of cattle receiving
      varying concentrations of dietary sulfur (S). A longissimus muscle was collected
      from 120 Angus-cross steers assigned to a 3 * 2 factorial, evaluating three
      concentrations of dietary S (0.22, 0.34, and 0.55%) and two concentrations of
      supplemental VC (0 or 10 g h(-1)d(-1)). Increasing dietary S and VC
      supplementation (P<0.001) increased the percent polyunsaturated fatty acids of
      steaks. Addition of VC tended to increase (P = 0.09) both Fe and 2-thiobarbituric
      acid content of longissimus thoracis. Increasing S increased (P = 0.03) the
      proportion of 80-kDa subunit of MU-calpain. Addition of VC within the high S
      treatment increased (P = 0.05) the abundance of 76-kDa subunit of MU-calpain.
      Increasing S decreased troponin T degradation (P = 0.07) and protein
      carbonylation (P<0.01). Supplemental VC appears to alleviate negative effects of
      high S on autolysis of MU-calpain and protein degradation.

PMID- 24211556
TI  - Quantification of viable Escherichia coli O157:H7 in meat products by duplex real
      time PCR assays.
AB  - Rapid and specific detection of viable Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells in ready-to
      eat (RTE) meat products, by duplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) procedures with mRNA
      and SYBR Green and TaqMan methodologies were developed. Specific primers and
      probes were designed based on the serotype of E. coli O157:H7, fliCh7 and rfbE
      genes. No cross-reactivity with other microorganisms was observed. The detection
      limit of the assays was 10(1) or 10(2)CFU/g for artificially contaminated meat
      products, and after a 4h enrichment period at 37  degrees C, the detection limit
      decreased to about 1 CFU/g. Time-to completion of the assay was approximately 8h.
      Thus, these qPCR methods offer a useful, rapid and efficient tool for screening
      viable E. coli O157:H7 in RTE meat products. This tool could also be proposed for
      monitoring these foodborne pathogens in HACCP programs.

PMID- 24211557
TI  - Association of cyclists' age and sex with risk of involvement in a crash before
      and after adjustment for cycling exposure.
AB  - This study aimed to estimate the association of cyclists' age and sex with the
      risk of being involved in a crash with and without adjustment for their amount of
      exposure. We used the distribution of the entire population and cyclists (total
      and non-responsible) involved in road crashes in Spain between 1993 and 2009 held
      by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics and the Spanish General Traffic
      Directorate to calculate rates of exposure and involvement in a crash. Males aged
      45-49 years were used as the reference category to obtain exposure rate ratios
      (ERR) and unadjusted crash rate ratios (URR). We then used these values in
      decomposition analysis to calculate crash rate ratios adjusted for exposure
      (ARR). The pattern of ARR was substantially different from URR. In both sexes the
      highest values were observed in the youngest age groups, and the values decreased
      as age increased except for a slight increase in the oldest age groups. In males,
      a slight increase in the lowest and highest age categories was observed for
      crashes resulting in severe injury or death, and a decrease was observed for the
      youngest cyclists who were wearing a helmet. The large differences between age
      and sex groups in the risk of involvement in a cycling crash are strongly
      dependent on differences in their exposure rates. Taking exposure rates into
      account, cyclists younger than 30 years and older than 65 years of age had the
      highest risk of being involved in a crash. 

PMID- 24211558
TI  - Influences of pre-crash braking induced dummy - forward displacements on dummy
      behaviour during EuroNCAP frontal crashtest.
AB  - Combination of active and passive safety systems is a future key to further
      improvement in vehicle safety. Autonomous braking systems are able to reduce
      collision speeds, and therefore severity levels significantly. Passengers change
      their position due to pre-impact vehicle motion, a fact, which has not yet been
      considered in common crash tests. For this paper, finite elements simulations of
      crash tests were performed to show that forward displacements due to pre-crash
      braking do not necessarily increase dummy load levels. So the influence of
      different pre-crash scenarios, all leading to equal closing speeds in the crash
      phase, are considered in terms of vehicle motion (pitching, deceleration) and
      restraint system configurations (belt load limiter, pretensioner). The influence
      is evaluated by dummy loads as well as contact risk between the dummy and the
      interior. 

PMID- 24211559
TI  - Low life jacket use among adult recreational boaters: a qualitative study of risk
      perception and behavior factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Life jackets may prevent one in two drowning deaths, however, 85% of
      recreational boating-related drowning victims in the United States in 2012 did
      not wear a life jacket. This study explored behavioral factors and strategies to
      encourage consistent life jacket use among adult recreational boaters. METHODS:
      We conducted a qualitative study among boat owners who boat regularly, and
      explored factors associated with life jacket use by adults and child or
      adolescent passengers. Sixteen boaters participated in four focus groups.
      RESULTS: Most boaters reported inconsistent use of life jackets, using them only
      when conditions were poor. Each described episodes of unpredictable boating risk
      which occurred despite favorable conditions. Most required younger child
      passengers to wear a life jacket, but reported resistance among older children.
      Barriers to consistent life jacket use included discomfort and the belief that
      life jacket use indicated inexperience or poor swimming ability. Participants
      stated that laws requiring life jacket use would change behavior especially for
      children. The only demonstrated behavior change among group members was
      associated with use of inflatable life jacket devices. CONCLUSIONS: Boating risk
      is inherently unpredictable; therefore interventions should focus on strategies
      for increasing consistent use of life jackets. Passage and enforcement of life
      jacket legislation for older children and adults is likely a promising approach
      for behavior change. Designing more comfortable, better-fitting, more appealing
      life jackets will be paramount to encouraging consistent use.

PMID- 24211560
TI  - Concealing their communication: exploring psychosocial predictors of young
      drivers' intentions and engagement in concealed texting.
AB  - Making a conscious effort to hide the fact that you are texting while driving
      (i.e., concealed texting) is a deliberate and risky behaviour involving attention
      diverted away from the road. As the most frequent users of text messaging
      services and mobile phones while driving, young people appear at heightened risk
      of crashing from engaging in this behaviour. This study investigated the
      phenomenon of concealed texting while driving, and utilised an extended Theory of
      Planned Behaviour (TPB) including the additional predictors of moral norm, mobile
      phone involvement, and anticipated regret to predict young drivers' intentions
      and subsequent behaviour. Participants (n=171) were aged 17-25 years, owned a
      mobile phone, and had a current driver's licence. Participants completed a
      questionnaire measuring their intention to conceal texting while driving, and a
      follow-up questionnaire a week later to report their behavioural engagement. The
      results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed overall support for
      the predictive utility of the TPB with the standard constructs accounting for 69%
      of variance in drivers' intentions, and the extended predictors contributing an
      additional 6% of variance in intentions over and above the standard constructs.
      Attitude, subjective norm, PBC, moral norm, and mobile phone involvement emerged
      as significant predictors of intentions; and intention was the only significant
      predictor of drivers' self-reported behaviour. These constructs can provide
      insight into key focal points for countermeasures including advertising and other
      public education strategies aimed at influencing young drivers to reconsider
      their engagement in this risky behaviour. 

PMID- 24211561
TI  - Crash reconstruction and crash modification factors.
AB  - This paper addresses the following question: Under what conditions can
      reconstructed road crashes be used to estimate the effect of a safety-related
      countermeasure? Results developed by Pearl and his associates are used to draw
      two main conclusions. First, when one can (1) identify a structural equation
      describing a type of crash, (2) identify an additional structural equation
      describing the countermeasure's impact, and (3) estimate the initiating
      conditions for a set of reconstructed crashes, then a lower bound for a crash
      modification factor can be estimated by simulating whether or not each of the
      reconstructed crashes would still have occurred had the countermeasure been
      present. If the countermeasure's effect is monotonic this bound becomes tight.
      Second, in situations where it is not possible to reliably identify the
      structural equations needed for simulation, but where one can (1) identify a set
      of crash inputs which, when given, make the crash outcome conditionally
      independent of the countermeasure, and (2) predict how the distribution of these
      inputs will change in response to the countermeasure, then nonparametric
      estimation of the countermeasure's crash modification factor is possible. When it
      is not possible to predict the countermeasure's effect on the conditioning
      variables it may still be possible to identify constraints or specifications
      which the countermeasure should satisfy in order to realize a target crash
      modification. 

PMID- 24211562
TI  - Forgivingness, anger, and hostility in aggressive driving.
AB  - This study was aimed at investigating the relationship between trait
      forgivingness, general anger, hostility, driving anger, and self-reported
      aggressive driving committed by the driver him/herself ("self" scale) and
      perceiving him/herself as an object of other drivers' aggressive acts ("other"
      scale). The Slovak version of questionnaires was administrated to a sample of 612
      Slovak and Czech drivers. First, the factor structure of the Driver Anger
      Indicators Scale (DAIS) was investigated. Factor analyses of the self and other
      parts of the DAIS resulted in two factors, which were named as aggressive
      warnings and hostile aggression and revenge. Next, the results showed that from
      all dependent variables (scales of the DAIS), self-reported aggressive warnings
      (self) on the road were predicted best by chosen person-related factors. The path
      model for aggressive warnings (self) suggested that trait forgivingness and
      general anger were fully mediated by driving anger whereas hostility proved to be
      a unique predictor of aggressive behavior in traffic. Driving anger was found to
      be the best predictor of perceptions that other drivers behave aggressively. 

PMID- 24211563
TI  - In vivo estimation of pigment composition and optical absorption cross-section by
      spectroradiometry in four aquatic photosynthetic micro-organisms.
AB  - The objective of the present study was to estimate in vivo pigment composition
      and to retrieve absorption cross-section values, a(*), of photosynthetic micro
      organisms using a non-invasive technique of reflectance spectrometry. To test the
      methodology, organisms from different taxonomical groups and different pigment
      composition were used (Spirulina platensis a Cyanophyta, Porphyridium cruentum a
      Rhodophyta, Dunaliella tertiolecta a Chlorophyta and Entomoneis paludosa a
      Bacillariophyta) and photoacclimated to two different irradiance levels: 25 MUmol
      photonm(-2)s(-1) (Low Light, LL) and 500 MUmol photonm(-2)s(-1) (High Light, HL).
      Second derivative spectra from reflectance were used to identify pigment in vivo
      absorption bands that were linked to specific pigments detected by high
      performance liquid chromatography. Whereas some absorption bands such as those
      induced by Chlorophyll (Chl) a (416, 440, 625 and around 675 nm) were ubiquous,
      others were taxonomically specific (e.g. 636 nm for Chl c in E. paludosa) and/or
      photo-physiological dependent (e.g. 489 nm for zeaxanthin in the HL-acclimated S.
      platensis). The optical absorption cross-section, a(*), was retrieved from
      reflectance data using a radiative transfer model previously developed for
      microphytobenthos. Despite the cellular Chl a decrease observed from LL to HL (up
      to 88% for S. platensis), the a(*) increased, except for P. cruentum. This was
      attributed to a 'package effect' and to a greater absorption by photoprotective
      carotenoids that did not contribute to the energy transfer to the core Chl a.

PMID- 24211564
TI  - Forming social capital--does participatory planning foster trust in institutions?
AB  - Participatory planning that includes interest groups and municipal
      representatives has been presented as a means to deal with the increasing
      difficulty to reach arrangements due to progressively scarce land resources.
      Under dispute is whether collaborative forms of planning augment social capital
      or whether they might actually cause the destruction of such a valuable social
      commodity. In this paper we focus on trust in institution as a specific dimension
      of social capital because we argue that this is one of the effects the convenors
      of such participatory planning procedures are most interested in. We pursue a pre
      post design and survey advisory group members of five on-going river-related
      planning processes in Switzerland. Controlling for generalised trust, we
      investigate how trust in institutions is affected over time by the quality of
      such processes and the degree of participation they offer. We find that
      generalised trust is highly correlated with initial levels of trust and so is
      process quality. Particularly the latter finding challenges the usually assumed
      direction of causality according to which process quality influences trust
      building. Additionally, we find a positive (non-significant) effect of process
      quality on changes in trust, while a higher degree of participation rather seems
      to hinder trust building. We suppose this indicates that under the conditions of
      limited time and resources more attention should be paid to how to improve the
      quality of participatory processes than putting much effort in increasing the
      degree of participation. 

PMID- 24211565
TI  - Enhanced removal of nitrate from water using surface modification of adsorbents-
      a review.
AB  - Elevated concentration of nitrate results in eutrophication of natural water
      bodies affecting the aquatic environment and reduces the quality of drinking
      water. This in turn causes harm to people's health, especially that of infants
      and livestock. Adsorbents with the high capacity to selectively adsorb nitrate
      are required to effectively remove nitrate from water. Surface modifications of
      adsorbents have been reported to enhance their adsorption of nitrate. The major
      techniques of surface modification are: protonation, impregnation of metals and
      metal oxides, grafting of amine groups, organic compounds including surfactant
      coating of aluminosilicate minerals, and heat treatment. This paper reviews
      current information on these techniques, compares the enhanced nitrate adsorption
      capacities achieved by the modifications, and the mechanisms of adsorption, and
      presents advantages and drawbacks of the techniques. Most studies on this subject
      have been conducted in batch experiments. These studies need to include
      continuous mode column trials which have more relevance to real operating systems
      and pilot-plant trials. Reusability of adsorbents is important for economic
      reasons and practical treatment applications. However, only limited information
      is available on the regeneration of surface modified adsorbents. 

PMID- 24211566
TI  - Removal of Pb2+ using a biochar-alginate capsule in aqueous solution and capsule
      regeneration.
AB  - A biochar-alginate capsule (BAC) was successfully synthesized by dropping a
      mixture solution of biochar (BC) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) into an alginate
      (AG) solution, with adjusting the mass ratio of BC to AG. The adsorption
      characteristics of the BAC were investigated by measuring the removal of lead
      ions (Pb(2+)) from an aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption of Pb(2+) was
      found at a pH of 5.0 and an adsorption time of 120 min. The lead adsorption
      equilibrium data of the BAC fit well with the Langmuir and Freundlich equations.
      Based on the Langmuir isotherm, which was a better fit than the Freundlich
      isotherm, the maximum sorption capacity of Pb(2+) by BAC (BC:AG = 8:1) was
      263.158 mg/g, which is much higher than the capacity for other adsorbents. The
      sorption adequately followed the pseudo second-order kinetic expression (R(2) =
      0.997). The BAC was easily collected after the Pb(2+) adsorption process and
      highly recoverable (90-95%) using a HNO3 solution. The adsorption efficiency of
      Pb(2+) by the recovered BAC remained around 70% of the initial adsorption
      capacity even after being recycled 10 times (repeated adsorption-desorption). 

PMID- 24211567
TI  - Comparison of risk-based decision-support systems for brownfield site
      rehabilitation: DESYRE and SADA applied to a Romanian case study.
AB  - Brownfield rehabilitation is an essential step for sustainable land-use planning
      and management in the European Union. In brownfield regeneration processes, the
      legacy contamination plays a significant role, firstly because of the persistent
      contaminants in soil or groundwater which extends the existing hazards and risks
      well into the future; and secondly, problems from historical contamination are
      often more difficult to manage than contamination caused by new activities. Due
      to the complexity associated with the management of brownfield site
      rehabilitation, Decision Support Systems (DSSs) have been developed to support
      problem holders and stakeholders in the decision-making process encompassing all
      phases of the rehabilitation. This paper presents a comparative study between two
      DSSs, namely SADA (Spatial Analysis and Decision Assistance) and DESYRE (Decision
      Support System for the Requalification of Contaminated Sites), with the main
      objective of showing the benefits of using DSSs to introduce and process data and
      then to disseminate results to different stakeholders involved in the decision
      making process. For this purpose, a former car manufacturing plant located in the
      Brasov area, Central Romania, contaminated chiefly by heavy metals and total
      petroleum hydrocarbons, has been selected as a case study to apply the two
      examined DSSs. Major results presented here concern the analysis of the
      functionalities of the two DSSs in order to identify similarities, differences
      and complementarities and, thus, to provide an indication of the most suitable
      integration options. 

PMID- 24211568
TI  - Keeping wetlands wet in the western United States: adaptations to drought in
      agriculture-dominated human-natural systems.
AB  - Water is critical to protecting wetlands in arid regions, especially in
      agriculture-dominated watersheds. This comparative case study analyzes three
      federal wildlife refuges in the Bear River Basin of the U.S. West where refuge
      managers secured water supplies by adapting to their local environmental context
      and their refuge's relationship to agriculture in being either irrigation
      dependent, reservoir-adjacent or diked-delta wetlands. We found that each
      refuge's position confers different opportunities for securing a water supply and
      entails unique management challenges linked to agricultural water uses. Acquiring
      contextually-appropriate water rights portfolios was important for protecting
      these arid region wetlands and was accomplished through various strategies. Once
      acquired, water is managed to buffer wetlands against fluctuations caused by a
      dynamic climate and agricultural demands, especially during droughts. Management
      plans are responsive to needs of neighboring water users and values of the public
      at large. Such context-specific adaptations will be critical as the West faces
      climate change and population growth that threaten wetlands and agricultural
      systems to which they are linked. 

PMID- 24211569
TI  - Biological removal of phyto-sterols in pulp mill effluents.
AB  - Phyto-sterols and extractives found in pulp mill effluents are suspected to cause
      endocrine abnormalities in receiving water fish. The control of sterols in pulp
      mill effluents through biological secondary wastewater treatment was studied
      using two lab-scale bioreactor systems. After achieving a stable performance,
      both bioreactor systems successfully removed (>90%) sterols and the estimated
      biodegradation was up to 80%. Reactor 1 system operating at 6.7 +/- 0.2 pH
      effectively treated pulp mill effluent sterols spiked up to 4500 MUg/L in 11 h
      HRT and 11 day SRT. However, Reactor 2 system operating at 7.6 +/- 0.2 pH
      performed relatively poorly. Retention time reductions beyond critical values
      deteriorated the performance of treatment systems and quickly reduced the sterols
      biodegradation. The biodegradation loss was indicated by mixed liquor sterols
      content that started increasing. This biodegradation loss was compensated by the
      increased role of bio-adsorption and the overall sterols removal remained
      relatively high. Hence, a relatively small (20-30%) loss in the overall sterols
      removal efficiency did not fully reflect the associated major (60-70%) loss in
      the sterols biodegradation because the amount of sterols accumulated in the
      sludge due to adsorption increased so the estimate of sterols removal through
      adsorption increased from 30-40% to 70-80% keeping the overall sterols removal
      still high.

PMID- 24211570
TI  - The disappearing Environmental Kuznets Curve: a study of water quality in the
      Lower Mekong Basin (LMB).
AB  - The literature is flush with articles focused on estimating the Environmental
      Kuznets Curve (EKC) for various pollutants and various locations. Most studies
      have utilized air pollution variables; far fewer have utilized water quality
      variables, all with mixed results. We suspect that mixed evidence of the EKC
      stems from model and error specification. We analyze annual data for four water
      quality indicators, three of them previously unstudied - total phosphorus (TOTP),
      dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonium (NH4) and nitrites (NO2) - from the Lower Mekong
      Basin region to determine whether an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is evident
      for a transboundary river in a developing country and whether that curve is
      dependent on model specification and/or pollutant. We build upon previous studies
      by correcting for the problems of heteroskedasticity, serial correlation and
      cross-sectional dependence. Unlike multi-country EKC studies, we mitigate for
      potential distortion from pooling data across geographically heterogeneous
      locations by analyzing data drawn from proximate locations within a specific
      international river basin in Southeast Asia. We also attempt to identify vital
      socioeconomic determinants of water pollution by including a broad list of
      explanatory variables alongside the income term. Finally, we attempt to shed
      light on the pollution-income relationship as it pertains to trans-boundary water
      pollution by examining data from an international river system. We do not find
      consistent evidence of an EKC for any of the 4 pollutant indicators in this
      study, but find the results are entirely dependent on model and error
      specification as well as pollutant. 

PMID- 24211571
TI  - Impact of DNA methyltransferases on the epigenetic regulation of tumor necrosis
      factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor expression in malignant
      melanoma.
AB  - Aberrant promoter methylation and resultant silencing of TRAIL decoy receptors
      were reported in a variety of cancers, but to date little is known about the
      relevance of this epigenetic modification in melanoma. In this study, we examined
      the methylation and the expression status of TRAIL receptor genes in cutaneous
      and uveal melanoma cell lines and specimens and their interaction with DNA
      methyltransferases (DNMTs) DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b. DR4 and DR5 methylation was
      not frequent in cutaneous melanoma but on the contrary it was very frequent in
      uveal melanoma. No correlation between methylation status of DR4 and DR5 and gene
      expression was found. DcR1 and DcR2 were hypermethylated with very high frequency
      in both cutaneous and uveal melanoma. The concordance between methylation and
      loss of gene expression ranged from 91% to 97%. Here we showed that DNMT1 was
      crucial for DcR2 hypermethylation and that DNMT1 and DNMT3a coregulate the
      methylation status of DcR1. Our work also revealed the critical relevance of DcR1
      and DcR2 expression in cell growth and apoptosis either in cutaneous or uveal
      melanoma. In conclusion, the results presented here claim for a relevant impact
      of aberrant methylation of decoy receptors in melanoma and allow to understand
      how the silencing of DcR1 and DcR2 is related to melanomagenesis. 

PMID- 24211572
TI  - Redox states of Desulfovibrio vulgaris DsrC, a key protein in dissimilatory
      sulfite reduction.
AB  - Dissimilatory reduction of sulfite is carried out by the siroheme enzyme DsrAB,
      with the involvement of the protein DsrC, which has two conserved redox-active
      cysteines. DsrC was initially believed to be a third subunit of DsrAB. Here, we
      report a study of the distribution of DsrC in cell extracts to show that, in the
      model sulfate reducer Desulfovibrio vulgaris, the majority of DsrC is not
      associated with DsrAB and is thus free to interact with other proteins. In
      addition, we developed a cysteine-labelling gel-shift assay to monitor the DsrC
      redox state and behaviour, and procedures to produce the different redox forms.
      The oxidized state of DsrC with an intramolecular disulfide bond, which is
      proposed to be a key metabolic intermediate, could be successfully produced for
      the first time by treatment with arginine. 

PMID- 24211573
TI  - Autophagy-mediated degradation is necessary for regression of cardiac hypertrophy
      during ventricular unloading.
AB  - Cardiac hypertrophy occurs in response to a variety of stresses as a compensatory
      mechanism to maintain cardiac output and normalize wall stress. Prevention or
      regression of cardiac hypertrophy can be a major therapeutic target. Although
      regression of cardiac hypertrophy occurs after control of etiological factors,
      the molecular mechanisms remain to be clarified. In the present study, we
      investigated the role of autophagy in regression of cardiac hypertrophy. Wild
      type mice showed cardiac hypertrophy after continuous infusion of angiotensin II
      for 14 days using osmotic minipumps, and regression of cardiac hypertrophy was
      observed 7 days after removal of the minipumps. Autophagy was induced during
      regression of cardiac hypertrophy, as evidenced by an increase in microtubule
      associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II protein level. Then, we subjected
      cardiac-specific Atg5-deficient (CKO) and control mice (CTL) to angiotensin II
      infusion for 14 days. CKO and CTL developed cardiac hypertrophy to a similar
      degree without contractile dysfunction. Seven days after removal of the
      minipumps, CKO showed significantly less regression of cardiac hypertrophy
      compared with CTL. Regression of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy
      after unloading was also attenuated in CKO. These results suggest that autophagy
      is necessary for regression of cardiac hypertrophy during unloading of
      neurohumoral and hemodynamic stress.

PMID- 24211574
TI  - CRISPR/Cas-induced double-strand breaks boost the frequency of gene replacements
      for humanizing the mouse Cnr2 gene.
AB  - The CRISPR/Cas technology has been successfully used to stimulate the integration
      of small DNA sequences in a target locus to produce gene mutations. However, many
      applications require homologous recombination using large gene-targeting
      constructs. Here we address the potential of CRISPR/Cas-mediated double-strand
      breaks to enhance the genetic engineering of large target sequences using a
      construct for "humanizing" the mouse Cnr2 gene locus. We designed a small-guide
      RNA that directs the induction of double strand breaks by Cas9 in the Cnr2 coding
      exon. By co-transfection of the CRISPR/Cas system with the 10 kb targeting
      construct we were able to boost the recombination frequency more than 200-fold
      from 0.27% to 67%. This simple technology can thus be used for the homologous
      integration of large gene fragments and should greatly enhance our ability to
      generate any kind of genetically altered mouse models.

PMID- 24211575
TI  - SIRT1 negatively regulates the protein stability of HIPK2.
AB  - In the present study, we investigated whether a histone deacetylase sirtuin 1
      (SIRT1) can regulate the protein stability of homeodomain-interacting protein
      kinase 2 (HIPK2). We observed the evidence of molecular interaction between SIRT1
      and HIPK2. Interestingly, overexpression or pharmacological activation of SIRT1
      promoted ubiquitination and the proteasomal degradation of HIPK2 whereas
      inhibition of SIRT1 activity increased the protein level of HIPK2. Furthermore, a
      SIRT1 activator decreased the level of HIPK2 acetylation whereas an inhibitor
      increased the acetylation level. These results suggest that SIRT1 may deacetylate
      and promote the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of HIPK2. 

PMID- 24211576
TI  - Ribosomal protein S3 is secreted as a homodimer in cancer cells.
AB  - Protein secretion is a general phenomenon by which cells communicate with the
      extracellular environment. Secretory proteins, including hormones, enzymes,
      toxins, and antimicrobial peptides have various functions in extracellular
      environments. Here, we determined that ribosomal protein S3 (rpS3) is
      homodimerized and secreted in several cancer cell lines such as HT1080 (human
      fibrosarcoma) and MPC11 (mouse plasmacytoma). Moreover, we found that the
      secreted rpS3 protein increased in doxorubicin-resistant MPC11 cells compared to
      that in MPC11 cells. In addition, we also detected that the level of secreted
      rpS3 increased in more malignant cells, which were established with continuous
      exposure of cigarette smoke condensate. These findings suggest that the secreted
      rpS3 protein is an indicator of malignant tumors. 

PMID- 24211577
TI  - Crystal structure of Cas1 from Archaeoglobus fulgidus and characterization of its
      nucleolytic activity.
AB  - Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR
      associated (Cas) proteins are involved in bacterial acquired immunity against
      incoming hazardous genetic materials. Cas1 is ubiquitous in CRISPR-containing
      microorganisms and supposed to recognize and cleave a foreign nucleic acid, and
      integrate the cleaved fragment into host genome using a yet unidentified
      mechanism. However, all the reported Cas1s did not show the nucleolytic activity,
      which makes its role still obscure. The elucidated crystal structure of Cas1 from
      Archaeoglobus fulgidus (AfCas1) shows a butterfly-like dimeric structure. The Asp
      out of three confirmed nucleolytic residues of Glu, His, and Asp in other Cas1s
      is replaced with Glu in AfCas1. Further, insertion of five residues into one of
      two loops, which are close to the catalytic center of and disordered in other
      Cas1 structures, partially covers the active site of AfCas1. Nonetheless, in
      vitro assays show that its nucleic acid-binding activity was not impaired against
      the tested single-stranded (ss) DNA, various forms of double-stranded (ds) DNA,
      or ssRNA with a hydrolyzing activity against ssRNA and dsDNA in a metal ion
      dependent way. These results support the proposed Cas1's function at the early
      step of this bacterial immune system. 

PMID- 24211578
TI  - Retina-specific gene excision by targeted expression of Cre recombinase.
AB  - The use of Cre recombinase for conditional targeting permits the controlled
      removal or activation of genes in specific tissues and at specific times of
      development. The Rho-Cre mice provide an improved tool for studying gene ablation
      in rod photoreceptor cells. To establish a robust expression of Rho-Cre
      transgenic mice that would be useful for the study of various protein functions
      in photoreceptor cells, a total 11,987 kb fragment (pNCHS4 Rho-NLS-cre)
      containing human rhodopsin promoter was cloned. The Rho-Cre plasmid was digested
      with EcoR1 and I Ceu-1, and the 9.316 kb fragment containing the hRho promoter
      and Cre recombinase gel was purified. To generate transgenic mice, the purified
      DNA fragment was injected into fertilized oocytes according to standard
      protocols. ROSA26R reported the steady expression of Rho-Cre especially in
      photoreceptor cells, allowing further excising proteins in rod photoreceptors
      across the retina. This Rho-Cre transgenic line should thus prove useful as a
      general deletor line for genetic analysis of diverse aspects of retinopathy.

PMID- 24211579
TI  - Characterization of a dwarf mutant allele of Arabidopsis MDR-like ABC transporter
      AtPGP1 gene.
AB  - Asymmetric auxin distribution caused by polar auxin transport (PAT) regulates
      many plant developmental and physiological processes. Plant two closely ABC (ATP
      binding cassette) transporter, AtPGP1 and AtPGP19 (AtMDR1), have been implicated
      in auxin transport. However, unlike atpgp19 mutant and atpgp1 atmdr1 double
      mutant show decreased apical dominance, reduced growth, and impaired basipetal
      auxin transport, atpgp1 mutant exhibit no significant difference from wild type.
      We report a new allele of atpgp1 mutants, designated as atpgp1-2, which showed
      shorter hypocotyl and dwarf phenotype under long-day condition. Auxin transport
      activity was greatly impaired and NPA-sensitivity was decreased in the mutant.
      Moreover, we detected transcript in the atpgp1 mutants reported previously, but
      not in atpgp1-2. These results suggest a direct involvement of AtPGP1 in auxin
      transport processes controlling plant growth. 

PMID- 24211580
TI  - Silencing of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase sensitizes lung cancer cells to
      radiation through the abrogation of DNA damage checkpoint.
AB  - Poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) is a major enzyme that plays a role in the
      degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR). PARG deficiency reportedly sensitizes
      cells to the effects of radiation. In lung cancer, however, it has not been fully
      elucidated. Here, we investigated whether PARG siRNA contributes to an increased
      radiosensitivity using 8 lung cancer cell lines. Among them, the silencing of
      PARG induced a radiosensitizing effect in 5 cell lines. Radiation-induced G2/M
      arrest was largely suppressed by PARG siRNA in PC-14 and A427 cells, which
      exhibited significantly enhanced radiosensitivity in response to PARG knockdown.
      On the other hand, a similar effect was not observed in H520 cells, which did not
      exhibit a radiosensitizing effect. Consistent with a cell cycle analysis,
      radiation-induced checkpoint signals were not well activated in the PC-14 and
      A427 cells when treated with PARG siRNA. These results suggest that the increased
      sensitivity to radiation induced by PARG knockdown occurs through the abrogation
      of radiation-induced G2/M arrest and checkpoint activation in lung cancer cells.
      Our findings indicate that PARG could be a potential target for lung cancer
      treatments when used in combination with radiotherapy. 

PMID- 24211581
TI  - The interplay between epigenetic silencing, oncogenic KRas and HIF-1 regulatory
      pathways in control of BNIP3 expression in human colorectal cancer cells.
AB  - Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B-19kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) is an important mediator
      of cell survival and a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins that regulate
      programmed cell death and autophagy. We have previously established a link
      between the expression of oncogenic HRas and up-regulation of BNIP3 and the
      control of autophagy in cancer cells. However, in view of varied expression of
      BNIP3 in different tumor types and emerging uncertainties as to the role of
      epigenetic silencing, oncogenic regulation and the role of BNIP3 in cancer are
      still poorly understood. In the present study we describe profound effect of KRas
      on the expression of methylated BNIP3 in colorectal cancer cells and explore the
      interplay between HIF-1, hypoxia pathway and oncogenic KRas in this context. We
      observed that BNIP3 mRNA remains undetectable in aggressive DLD-1 cells harboring
      G13D mutant KRAS and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells unless the cells are exposed
      to demethylating agents such as 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Following this treatment
      BNIP3 expression remains uniquely dependent on the Ras activity. We found that
      hypoxia or pharmacological activation of HIF-1 alone contributes to, but is not
      sufficient for efficient induction of BNIP3 mRNA transcription in cells lacking
      mutant KRas activity. The up-regulation of BNIP3 by KRas in this setting is
      mediated by the MAPK pathway, and is attenuated by the respective inhibitors
      (PD98059, U0126). Thus, we demonstrate the novel mechanism where activity of Ras
      is essential for 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine-mediated BNIP3 expression. Moreover, we
      found that 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine-mediated or enforced up-regulation of BNIP3 in
      DLD-1 cells results in KRas-dependent resistance to 5-Fluorouracil. 

PMID- 24211582
TI  - Ubiquitin E3 ligase SCF(beta-TRCP) regulates TRIB2 stability in liver cancer
      cells.
AB  - Tribbles homolog 2 (TRIB2) is functionally important for liver cancer cell
      survival and transformation. Our previous study demonstrates TRIB2 is stable in
      liver cancer cells due to the impaired ubiquitination by Smurf1. However,
      overexpression of Smurf1 alone cannot completely abolish TRIB2 protein
      expression, whether other potential factors involved in the degradation of TRIB2
      still remains unclear. In the present study, we reveal that the stability and
      ubiquitination of TRIB2 can also be controlled by ubiquitin E3 ligase SCF(beta
      TRCP). Depletion of either Cullin1 or beta-TRCP up-regulates TRIB2 protein
      expression. Moreover, knockdown of beta-TRCP extends the half-life, whereas
      reduces ubiquitylation of TRIB2. Similar to Smurf1, beta-TRCP exerts its role
      through the TRIB2 Degradation Domain (TDD) at the N-terminus of the TRIB2
      protein. Hence, we add TRIB2 to the substrate list of SCF(beta-TRCP) and the
      finding may be helpful in the treatment of TRIB2 dependent liver cancer.

PMID- 24211583
TI  - Big angiotensin-25: a novel glycosylated angiotensin-related peptide isolated
      from human urine.
AB  - The renin-angiotensin system (RAS), including angiotensin II (Ang II), plays an
      important role in the regulation of blood pressure and body fluid balance.
      Consequently, the RAS has emerged as a key target for treatment of kidney and
      cardiovascular disease. In a search for bioactive peptides using an antibody
      against the N-terminal portion of Ang II, we identified and characterized a novel
      angiotensin-related peptide from human urine as a major molecular form. We named
      the peptide Big angiotensin-25 (Bang-25) because it consists of 25 amino acids
      with a glycosyl chain and added cysteine. Bang-25 is rapidly cleaved by chymase
      to Ang II, but is resistant to cleavage by renin. The peptide is abundant in
      human urine and is present in a wide range of organs and tissues. In particular,
      immunostaining of Bang-25 in the kidney is specifically localized to podocytes.
      Although the physiological function of Bang-25 remains uncertain, our findings
      suggest it is processed from angiotensinogen and may represent an alternative,
      renin-independent path for Ang II synthesis in tissue. 

PMID- 24211584
TI  - Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha ligand, prevents
      abnormal liver function induced by a fasting-refeeding process.
AB  - Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha)
      agonist, is an anti-hyperlipidemic agent that has been widely used in the
      treatment of dyslipidemia. In this study, we examined the effect of fenofibrate
      on liver damage caused by refeeding a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice after 24h
      fasting. Here, we showed that refeeding HFD after fasting causes liver damage in
      mice determined by liver morphology and liver cell death. A detailed analysis
      revealed that hepatic lipid droplet formation is enhanced and triglyceride levels
      in liver are increased by refeeding HFD after starvation for 24h. Also, NF-kappaB
      is activated and consequently induces the expression of TNF-alpha, IL1-beta, COX
      2, and NOS2. However, treating with fenofibrate attenuates the liver damage and
      triglyceride accumulation caused by the fasting-refeeding HFD process.
      Fenofibrate reduces the expression of NF-kappaB target genes but induces genes
      for peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation, peroxisome biogenesis and mitochondrial
      fatty acid oxidation. These results strongly suggest that the treatment of
      fenofibrate ameliorates the liver damage induced by fasting-refeeding HFD,
      possibly through the activation of fatty acid oxidation. 

PMID- 24211585
TI  - FERM domain promotes resveratrol-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells via
      inhibition of NO production.
AB  - Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) consists of an N-terminal band 4.1; ezrin, radixin,
      moesin (FERM) domain; tyrosine kinase domain; and C-terminal FA targeting domain.
      Here we show that ectopically expressed FERM is largely located in the cytosolic
      fraction under quiescent conditions. We further found that this ectopically
      expressed FERM domain aggravates endothelial cell apoptosis triggered by 100 MUM
      resveratrol, whereas FERM had no effect on apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha. We
      determined that resveratrol at low doses (<20 MUM) promotes phosphorylation
      (S1177) of eNOS via an AMPK-dependent pathway. The presence of the FERM domain
      blocked this resveratrol-stimulated eNOS phosphorylation and NO production. Thus,
      the pro-apoptotic activity of cytosolic FERM domain is at least partially
      mediated by down-regulation of NO, a critical cell survival factor. Consistently,
      we found that the apoptosis induced by cytosolic FERM in the presence of
      resveratrol was reversed by an NO donor, SNAP. In conclusion, FERM located in the
      cytosolic fraction plays a pivotal role in aggravating cell apoptosis through
      diminishing NO production.

PMID- 24211586
TI  - The UbL protein UBTD1 stably interacts with the UBE2D family of E2 ubiquitin
      conjugating enzymes.
AB  - UBTD1 is a previously uncharacterized ubiquitin-like (UbL) domain containing
      protein with high homology to the mitochondrial Dc-UbP/UBTD2 protein. Here we
      show that UBTD1 and UBTD2 belong to a family of proteins that is conserved
      through evolution and found in metazoa, funghi, and plants. To gain further
      insight into the function of UBTD1, we screened for interacting proteins. In a
      yeast-2-hybrid (Y2H) screen, we identified several proteins involved in the
      ubiquitylation pathway, including the UBE2D family of E2 ubiquitin conjugating
      enzymes. An affinity capture screen for UBTD1 interacting proteins in whole cell
      extracts also identified members of the UBE2D family. Biochemical
      characterization of recombinant UBTD1 and UBE2D demonstrated that the two
      proteins form a stable, stoichiometric complex that can be purified to near
      homogeneity. We discuss the implications of these findings in light of the
      ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). 

PMID- 24211587
TI  - Proteomic analysis of Girdin-interacting proteins in migrating new neurons in the
      postnatal mouse brain.
AB  - Neural stem cells continuously generate new neurons in the ventricular
      subventricular zone (V-SVZ) of the postnatal and adult mammalian brain. New
      neurons born in the rodent V-SVZ migrate toward the olfactory bulb (OB), where
      they differentiate into interneurons. To reveal novel intracellular molecular
      mechanisms that control postnatal neuronal migration, we performed a global
      proteomic search for proteins interacting with Girdin, an essential protein for
      postnatal neuronal migration. Using GST pull-down and LC-MS/MS shotgun analysis,
      we identified cytoskeletal proteins, cytoskeleton-binding proteins, and signal
      transduction proteins as possible participants in neuronal migration. Our results
      suggest that Girdin and Girdin-interacting proteins control neuronal migration by
      regulating actin and/or microtubule dynamics. 

PMID- 24211588
TI  - Serotonin acts as a novel regulator of interleukin-6 secretion in osteocytes
      through the activation of the 5-HT(2B) receptor and the ERK1/2 signalling
      pathway.
AB  - Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a potent stimulator of osteoclastic bone resorption.
      Osteocyte secretion of IL-6 plays an important role in bone metabolism. Serotonin
      (5-HT) has recently been reported to regulate bone metabolism. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the effect of serotonin on osteocyte expression of IL-6.
      The requirement for the 5-HT receptor(s) and the role of the extracellular signal
      regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in serotonin-induced IL-6 synthesis were examined.
      In this study, real-time PCR and ELISA were used to analyse IL-6 gene and protein
      expression in serotonin-stimulated MLO-Y4 cells. ERK1/2 pathway activation was
      determined by Western blot. We found that serotonin significantly activated the
      ERK1/2 pathway and induced IL-6 mRNA expression and protein synthesis in cultured
      MLO-Y4 cells. However, these effects were abolished by pre-treatment of MLO-Y4
      cells with a 5-HT2B receptor antagonist, RS127445 or the ERK1/2 inhibitor,
      PD98059. Our results indicate that serotonin stimulates osteocyte secretion of IL
      6 and that this effect is associated with activation of 5-HT2B receptor and the
      ERK1/2 pathway. These findings provide support for a role of serotonin in bone
      metabolism by indicating serotonin regulates bone remodelling by mediating an
      inflammatory cytokine. 

PMID- 24211590
TI  - Cold stress accentuates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and
      contractile dysfunction: role of TRPV1/AMPK-mediated autophagy.
AB  - Severe cold exposure and pressure overload are both known to prompt oxidative
      stress and pathological alterations in the heart although the interplay between
      the two remains elusive. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a
      nonselective cation channel activated in response to a variety of exogenous and
      endogenous physical and chemical stimuli including heat and capsaicin. The aim of
      this study was to examine the impact of cold exposure on pressure overload
      induced cardiac pathological changes and the mechanism involved. Adult male C57
      mice were subjected to abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) prior to exposure to
      cold temperature (4  degrees C) for 4 weeks. Cardiac geometry and function,
      levels of TRPV1, mitochondrial, and autophagy-associated proteins including AMPK,
      mTOR, LC3B, and P62 were evaluated. Sustained cold stress triggered cardiac
      hypertrophy, compromised depressed myocardial contractile capacity including
      lessened fractional shortening, peak shortening, and maximal velocity of
      shortening/relengthening, enhanced ROS production, and mitochondrial injury, the
      effects of which were negated by the TRPV1 antagonist SB366791. Western blot
      analysis revealed upregulated TRPV1 level and AMPK phosphorylation, enhanced
      ratio of LC3II/LC3I, and downregulated P62 following cold exposure. Cold exposure
      significantly augmented AAC-induced changes in TRPV1, phosphorylation of AMPK,
      LC3 isoform switch, and p62, the effects of which were negated by SB366791. In
      summary, these data suggest that cold exposure accentuates pressure overload
      induced cardiac hypertrophy and contractile defect possibly through a TRPV1 and
      autophagy-dependent mechanism.

PMID- 24211589
TI  - Sertad1 encodes a novel transcriptional co-activator of SMAD1 in mouse embryonic
      hearts.
AB  - Despite considerable advances in surgical repairing procedures, congenital heart
      diseases (CHDs) remain the leading noninfectious cause of infant morbidity and
      mortality. Understanding the molecular/genetic mechanisms underlying normal
      cardiogenesis will provide essential information for the development of novel
      diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against CHDs. BMP signaling plays complex
      roles in multiple cardiogenic processes in mammals. SMAD1 is a canonical nuclear
      mediator of BMP signaling, the activity of which is critically regulated through
      its interaction partners. We screened a mouse embryonic heart yeast two-hybrid
      library using Smad1 as bait and identified SERTAD1 as a novel interaction partner
      of SMAD1. SERTAD1 contains multiple potential functional domains, including two
      partially overlapping transactivation domains at the C terminus. The SERTAD1
      SMAD1 interaction in vitro and in mammalian cells was further confirmed through
      biochemical assays. The expression of Sertad1 in developing hearts was
      demonstrated using RT-PCR, western blotting and in situ hybridization analyses.
      We also showed that SERTAD1 was localized in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of
      immortalized cardiomyocytes and primary embryonic cardiomyocyte cultures. The
      overexpression of SERTAD1 in cardiomyocytes not only enhanced the activity of two
      BMP reporters in a dose-dependent manner but also increased the expression of
      several known BMP/SMAD regulatory targets. Therefore, these data suggest that
      SERTAD1 acts as a SMAD1 transcriptional co-activator to promote the expression of
      BMP target genes during mouse cardiogenesis. 

PMID- 24211591
TI  - Novel analgesic peptides from the tree frog of Hyla japonica.
AB  - Two novel analgesic peptides (Analgesin-HJ, FWPVI-NH2 and Analgesin-HJ(I5T),
      FWPVT-NH2) were identified from the skin of the tree frog, Hyla japonica. There
      are 171 amino acid residues in the precursor encoding analgesin-HJs. The
      precursor contains 10 copies of mature peptide, which include 9 copies of
      analgesin-HJ and one copy of analgesin-HJ(I5T). Results from analgesic
      experiments using mice models including abdominal writhing induced by acetic
      acid, formalin-induced paw licking, and thermal pain test indicated that this two
      peptides exerted comparable analgesic activities with morphine. In addition, they
      had ability to inhibit inflammatory factor secretion induced by
      lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Considering their easy production, storage, transfer
      and potential analgesic activity, analgesin-HJs might be exciting leading
      compounds or templates for the development of novel analgesic agent. In addition,
      this study might facilitate to understand skin defensive mechanism of amphibians.

PMID- 24211592
TI  - Cholesterol biosynthesis and ER stress in peroxisome deficiency.
AB  - Cholesterol biosynthesis is a multi-step process involving more than 20 enzymes
      in several subcellular compartments. The pre-squalene segment of the
      cholesterol/isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway is localized in peroxisomes. This
      review intends to highlight recent findings illustrating the important role
      peroxisomes play in cholesterol biosynthesis and maintenance of cholesterol
      homeostasis. Disruption of the Pex2 gene leads to peroxisome deficiency and
      widespread metabolic dysfunction. The Pex2(-/-) mouse model for Zellweger
      syndrome enabled us to evaluate the role of peroxisomes in cholesterol
      biosynthesis. These studies have shown that Pex2(-/-) mice exhibit low levels of
      cholesterol in plasma and liver. Pex2(-/-) mice were unable to maintain normal
      cholesterol homeostasis despite activation of SREBP-2, the master transcriptional
      regulator of cholesterol biosynthesis, and increased protein levels and
      activities of cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes. The SREBP-2 pathway remained
      activated even after normalization of hepatic cholesterol levels in response to
      bile acid feeding as well as in extrahepatic tissues and the liver of neonatal
      and longer surviving Pex2 mutants, where cholesterol levels were normal. Several
      studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress can dysregulate lipid
      metabolism via SREBP activation independently of intracellular cholesterol
      concentration. We demonstrated that peroxisome deficiency activates endoplasmic
      reticulum stress pathways in Pex2(-/-) mice, especially the integrated stress
      response mediated by PERK and ATF4 signaling, and thereby leads to dysregulation
      of the SREBP-2 pathway. Our findings suggest that functional peroxisomes are
      necessary to prevent chronic ER stress and dysregulation of the endogenous sterol
      response pathway. The constitutive activation of ER stress pathways might
      contribute to organ pathology and metabolic dysfunction in peroxisomal disorder
      patients. 

PMID- 24211593
TI  - Dieckol, a phlorotannin isolated from a brown seaweed, Ecklonia cava, inhibits
      adipogenesis through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in 3T3-L1
      preadipocytes.
AB  - In this study, we assessed the potential inhibitory effect of 5 species of brown
      seaweeds on adipogenesis the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into mature
      adipocytes by measuring Oil-Red O staining. The Ecklonia cava extract tested
      herein evidenced profound adipogenesis inhibitory effect, compared to that
      exhibited by the other four brown seaweed extracts. Thus, E. cava was selected
      for isolation of active compounds and finally the three polyphenol compounds of
      phlorotannins were obtained and their inhibitory effect on adipogenesis was
      observed. Among the phlorotannins, dieckol exhibited greatest potential
      adipogenesis inhibition and down-regulated the expression of peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), CCAAT/enhancer-binding
      proteins (C/EBPalpha), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) and
      fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) in a dose-dependent manner. The specific
      mechanism mediating the effects of dieckol was confirmed by AMP-activated protein
      kinase (AMPK) activation. These results demonstrate inhibitory effect of dieckol
      compound on adipogenesis through the activation of the AMPK signal pathway. 

PMID- 24211594
TI  - The effects of cadmium chloride and sodium selenite on protein synthesis in mouse
      liver.
AB  - The study aimed at evaluating the effects of cadmium and selenite ions on protein
      synthesis and metallothioneins content in mice liver after 2 h, 8 h, 24 h and 14
      days of exposure. Our studies revealed that cadmium suppressed protein synthesis
      after 2 h and 24 h, but activated after 8h and 14 days. Also, the endogenous mRNA
      translation were reduced under any exposure to cadmium, meanwhile,
      metallothioneins content was decreased after 2 h, but then was progressively
      increasing up to 492% after 14 days. Meantime, selenite did not influence
      metallothioneins content, caused mild activation of protein synthesis, and
      slightly suppressed the endogenous mRNA translation. The combined treatments with
      cadmium and selenite favored toward resisting of protein synthesis to cadmium
      after 2 h and 24 h of intoxication. Besides, selenite also protected translation
      against cadmium in cell-free systems, but did not attenuate effects of cadmium on
      metallothioneins content.

PMID- 24211595
TI  - A pilot study: the importance of inter-individual differences in inorganic
      arsenic metabolism for birth weight outcome.
AB  - Inorganic arsenic (iAs) exposure is detrimental to birth outcome. We lack
      information regarding the potential for iAs metabolism to affect fetal growth.
      Our pilot study evaluated postpartum Romanian women with known birth weight
      outcome for differences in iAs metabolism. Subjects were chronically exposed to
      low-to-moderate drinking water iAs. We analyzed well water, arsenic metabolites
      in urine, and toenail arsenic. Urine iAs and metabolites, toenail iAs, and
      secondary methylation efficiency increased as an effect of exposure (p<0.001).
      Urine iAs and metabolites showed a significant interaction effect between
      exposure and birth weight. Moderately exposed women with low compared to normal
      birth weight outcome had greater metabolite excretion (p<0.03); 67% with low
      compared to 10% with normal birth weight outcome presented urine iAs >9 MUg/L
      (p=0.019). Metabolic partitioning of iAs toward excretion may impair fetal
      growth. Prospective studies on iAs excretion before and during pregnancy may
      provide a biomarker for poor fetal growth risk.

PMID- 24211596
TI  - Neurotoxicity of neem commercial formulation (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) in
      adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).
AB  - The neurotoxic effects of a commercial formulation of Azadirachta indica A. Juss,
      also called neem or nim, in adult zebrafish were determined using behavioral
      models. General activity, anxiety-like effects, and learning and memory in a
      passive avoidance task were assessed after exposure to 20 or 40 MUl/L neem. The
      results showed that 20 MUl/L neem reduced the number of runs. Both neem
      concentrations increased the number of climbs to the water surface, and 40 MUl/L
      increased the number of tremors. In the anxiety test, the 20 MUl/L dose increased
      the number of entries in the light side compared with controls, but the latency
      to enter the dark side and the freezing behavior in this side did not changed. In
      relation to controls, the 40 MUl/L neem reduced the latency to enter in the light
      side, did not change the number of entries in this side and increased freezing
      behavior in the light side. In the passive avoidance test, pre-training and pre
      test neem exposure to 40 MUl/L decreased the response to the learning task. Thus,
      no impairment was observed in this behavioral test. We conclude that neem reduced
      general activity and increased anxiety-like behavior but did not affect learning
      and memory.

PMID- 24211597
TI  - Clinical evaluation of photodynamic therapy efficacy in the treatment of oral
      leukoplakia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was clinical evaluation of photodynamic therapy
      efficacy in the treatment of oral leukoplakia lesions. METHODS: Twenty-three
      consecutive patients aged 21-79 were included to the study. In all patients 44
      homogeneous, flat leukoplakia lesions were clinically diagnosed and confirmed
      histopathologically. Photodynamic therapy was performed with the use of
      Photolon((r)) photosensitizer, containing 20% Chlorine-e6 and 10% dimethyl
      sulfoxide and a semiconductor laser, with power up to 300mW and a wavelength of
      660nm. Ten illumination sessions were conducted with the use of superficial light
      energy density of 90J/cm(2). RESULTS: At baseline the mean size of leukoplakia
      lesion was 6.5+/-5.10cm(2) while after photodynamic therapy 3+/-2.99cm(2).
      Significant reduction (on average by 53.8%) of leukoplakia lesions sizes was
      observed after therapy. Twelve (27.27%) lesions had been completely cured, 22
      (50%) partially cured, although 10 (22.73%) lasted unchanged. The efficacy of PTD
      was comparable in women and men irrespective of age. There have been no adverse
      site effects during therapy noted. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of the study it
      can be concluded that photodynamic therapy with the use of Chlorine-e6 can lead
      to considerable reduction of oral leukoplakia lesions size thus may be useful in
      clinical practice. However there is a need of further studies on larger number of
      cases and longer follow-up time.

PMID- 24211598
TI  - Prostate cancer biomarker profiles in urinary sediments and exosomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: Urinary biomarker tests for diagnosing prostate cancer have gained
      considerable interest. Urine is a complex mixture that can be subfractionated. We
      evaluated 2 urinary fractions that contain nucleic acids, ie cell pellets and
      exosomes. The influence of digital rectal examination before urine collection was
      also studied and the prostate cancer specific biomarkers PCA3 and TMPRSS2-ERG
      were assayed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urine samples were prospectively obtained
      before and after digital rectal examination from 30 men scheduled for prostate
      biopsy. Cell pellet and exosomes were isolated and used for biomarker analysis.
      Analytical and diagnostic performance was tested using the Student t-test and ROC
      curves. RESULTS: Unlike the exosome fraction, urinary sediment gene expression
      analysis was compromised by amorphous precipitation in 10% of all specimens.
      Digital rectal examination resulted in increased mRNA levels in each fraction.
      This was particularly relevant for the exosomal fraction since after digital
      rectal examination the number of samples decreased in which cancer specific
      markers were below the analytical detection limit. Biomarker diagnostic
      performance was comparable to that in large clinical studies. In exosomes the
      biomarkers had to be normalized for prostate specific antigen mRNA while cell
      pellet absolute PCA3 levels had diagnostic value. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomes have
      characteristics that enable them to serve as a stable substrate for biomarker
      analysis. Thus, digital rectal examination enhances the analytical performance of
      biomarker analysis in exosomes and cell pellets. The diagnostic performance of
      biomarkers in exosomes differs from that of cell pellets. Clinical usefulness
      must be prospectively assessed in larger clinical cohorts.

PMID- 24211599
TI  - Outcome of metastasectomy for urothelial carcinoma: a multi-institutional
      retrospective study in Japan.
AB  - PURPOSE: We determined prognostic factors associated with prolonged survival
      after metastasectomy for urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of
      42 patients who underwent resection of urothelial carcinoma metastases with
      curative intent at 4 Japanese university hospitals were included in analysis. Of
      the patients 41 of 42 underwent systemic chemotherapy before and/or after
      metastasectomy. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The
      relationship between clinical characteristics and survival was analyzed using the
      log rank test. RESULTS: Metastasectomy included lymph node dissection in 20
      cases, pulmonary resection in 12, pelvic exenteration in 3, resection of local
      recurrence in 2, resection of subcutaneous metastasis in 2, liver resection in 1
      and other in 2. Median overall survival was 29 months (IQR 19-80) from the
      initiation of treatment for metastases and 26 months (IQR 11-90) from
      metastasectomy. The overall 5-year survival rate after metastasectomy was 31%. On
      univariate analysis patients treated with metastasectomy for a solitary lung or
      solitary lymph node metastasis had significantly longer survival than the others
      who underwent metastasectomy (81 vs 19 months, log rank test p = 0.0296).
      CONCLUSIONS: Long-term cancer control could be achieved in a subgroup of patients
      who undergo metastasectomy, especially those with a solitary lung or solitary
      lymph node metastasis.

PMID- 24211600
TI  - Population level assessment of hospital based outcomes following laparoscopic
      versus open partial nephrectomy during the adoption of minimally invasive
      surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: The comparative outcomes of laparoscopic and open partial nephrectomy
      remain incompletely defined. Therefore, we used population based data to examine
      resource use and short-term outcomes among patients with kidney cancer treated
      with laparoscopic vs open partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using
      linked SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results)-Medicare data we
      identified patients with kidney cancer treated with laparoscopic or open partial
      nephrectomy from 2000 through 2007. We then used Medicare claims to identify
      several postoperative outcomes including intensive care unit care, length of
      stay, rehospitalizations, operative mortality and postoperative complications. We
      fit multivariate logistic regression models to estimate the association between
      each outcome and surgical approach (ie laparoscopic partial nephrectomy vs open
      partial nephrectomy), adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics. RESULTS:
      We identified 651 (28%) and 1,670 (72%) patients treated with laparoscopic
      partial nephrectomy and open partial nephrectomy, respectively. Compared to those
      who underwent open partial nephrectomy, patients treated with laparoscopic
      partial nephrectomy had a 34% lower probability of requiring intensive care unit
      time (20.0% vs 30.2%, p <0.001) and shorter median length of stay (3 vs 5 days, p
      <0.001), with no differences observed in the likelihood of rehospitalization or
      operative mortality. While the frequency of postoperative complications was
      similar (35.5% vs 36.1%, p = 0.829), patients treated with laparoscopic partial
      nephrectomy had a nearly twofold greater probability of genitourinary
      complications and postoperative hemorrhage (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: At a
      population level the patients with kidney cancer treated with laparoscopic
      partial nephrectomy experienced a shorter and less intense hospitalization,
      supporting the benefits of laparoscopy. However, the greater likelihood of
      procedure related complications highlights the need for continued efforts aimed
      at ensuring the safe adoption and application of this advanced surgical
      technique.

PMID- 24211601
TI  - Surgeon assessment of renal preservation with partial nephrectomy provides
      information comparable to measurement of volume preservation with 3-dimensional
      image analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The strongest predictors of renal function after partial nephrectomy are
      the preoperative glomerular filtration rate and the amount of preserved
      parenchyma. Measuring volume preservation by 3-dimensional imaging is accurate
      but time-consuming. Percent functional volume preservation was designed to
      replace surgeon assessment of volume preservation with a less labor intensive,
      objective assessment. We compared volume preservation with 3-dimensional imaging,
      percent functional volume preservation and surgeon assessment of volume
      preservation as predictors of renal function after partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: We calculated volume preservation with 3-dimensional imaging,
      percent functional volume preservation and surgeon assessment of volume
      preservation in 41 patients with preoperative and postoperative cross-sectional
      imaging available. Surgeon assessment was validated internally in another 75
      patients. Short-term and long-term renal function was assessed with univariate
      and multivariate linear regression models. RESULTS: Median parenchymal
      preservation was 85% (range 37% to 105%) by 3-dimensional imaging, 91% (range 51%
      to 114%) by percent functional preservation and 88% (range 45% to 99%) by surgeon
      assessment. Each method strongly correlated with nadir glomerular filtration rate
      (r(2) = 0.75, 0.65 and 0.78) and latest glomerular filtration rate (r(2) = 0.65,
      0.66 and 0.67, respectively, each p <0.0001). Univariate analysis revealed that
      age, preoperative glomerular filtration rate, renal nephrometry score and each
      assessment were significant predictors of renal function (p <0.05). On
      multivariate analysis parenchymal preservation was the strongest predictor (p
      <0.0001). Models using volume preservation with 3-dimensional imaging, percent
      functional volume preservation and surgeon assessment of volume preservation were
      statistically similar in the ability to predict the nadir and latest glomerular
      filtration rates. In an additional validation cohort surgeon assessment remained
      strongly correlated with nadir glomerular filtration rate (r(2) = 0.74) and
      latest glomerular filtration rate (r(2) = 0.73, each p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Surgeon assessment of volume preservation provides a reliable estimate of renal
      functional preservation with characteristics comparable to those of more time
      intensive alternatives. We propose that surgeon assessment of volume preservation
      should be routinely reported to facilitate analysis of partial nephrectomy
      outcomes.

PMID- 24211602
TI  - Screening carotid artery duplex in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis
      (CAS)>50% in a large, multi-institutional health maintenance organization found
      during duplex ultrasonography screening before cardiac surgery and to identify
      risk factors to increase the yield of a preoperative screening program. METHODS:
      This retrospective review study was conducted on 722 patients who had undergone
      duplex ultrasonography screening of the carotid artery before cardiac surgery
      between June 2008 and February 2011. The primary outcome was CAS>50% detected on
      duplex ultrasonography screening. RESULTS: Seven hundred twenty-two patients
      (66.2% men; median age: 71 years) underwent duplex ultrasonography screening of
      the carotid artery before cardiac surgery. The main indications for cardiac
      surgery were valvular disease (39.5%) and coronary artery disease (36.3%). One
      hundred eighteen patients (16.3%) had CAS>=50%. Among the patients found to have
      carotid stenosis, 38 patients (32.2%) had bilateral stenosis>50% and 37 patients
      (31.4%) had at least 70% unilateral stenosis. The presence of peripheral vascular
      disease (odds ratio [OR]: 2.93 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.87-4.60];
      P<0.001), and history of cerebrovascular disease within 12 months (OR: 4.57 [95%
      CI: 1.18-17.77]; P=0.028) were risk factors associated with CAS. Patients who
      have coronary artery disease with cardiac catheterization showing left main
      disease (OR: 6.80 [95% CI: 3.02-15.29]; P<0.001), 3-vessel disease or more (OR:
      2.78 [95% CI: 1.43-5.43]; P=0.003), or both (OR: 4.13 [95% CI: 1.89-9.06];
      P<0.001) were found to be significantly more likely to have CAS>50%. CONCLUSIONS:
      Independent risk factors that are predictive of the presence of CAS are
      peripheral vascular disease, having had a previous cerebrovascular accident, and
      coronary artery disease with left main or 3-vessel disease. Routine carotid
      duplex ultrasonography scanning may not be necessary for all patients undergoing
      cardiac surgery, and selective carotid screening programs may be considered in
      patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis disease or advanced coronary artery
      disease.

PMID- 24211603
TI  - Endocrine disrupting chemicals affect the gonadotropin releasing hormone neuronal
      network.
AB  - Endocrine disrupting chemicals have been shown to alter the pubertal process. The
      controlling levels of the Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) network involve
      GnRH itself, KiSS1, and the transcriptional regulators enhanced at puberty 1
      (EAP1), Thyroid Transcription Factor 1 (TTF1), and Yin Yang 1 (YY1). While
      Genistein and Bisphenol A (BPA) have been shown to advance the advent of puberty,
      exposure to Dioxin delayed pubertal onset. Utilizing in vitro approaches, we
      observed that Genistein and BPA suppress inhibitory and activate stimulatory
      components of the GnRH network, while Dioxin exhibit an inhibitory effect at all
      regulatory hierarchical levels of the GnRH network. It repressed KiSS1, Gnrh,
      Ttf1 and Yy1 transcription via the xenobiotic response element (XRE), while EAP1
      was not affected. Therefore, EDCs alter the neuroendocrine GnRH regulatory
      network at all hierarchical levels. 

PMID- 24211604
TI  - Stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA and inhibition of telomerase activity studies
      of ruthenium(II) complexes.
AB  - Two ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(IP)2(PIP)](ClO4)2.2H2O (1) and
      [Ru(PIP)2(IP)](ClO4)2.2H2O (2) (IP=imidazole [4, 5-f] [1,10] phenanthroline,
      PIP=2-phenylimidazo-[4, 5-f][1,10] phenanthroline) have been synthesized and
      characterized. The quadruplex binding of the compounds was evaluated by emission
      spectrum, CD spectroscopy, Visual detection assay and FRET (fluorescence
      resonance energy transfer)-melting assay. The results show that both complexes
      can induce the stabilization of quadruplex DNA, while complex 1 is a better G
      quadruplex binder than complex 2. Furthermore, polymerase chain reaction-stop
      assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, telomerase repeat amplification
      protocol and MTT (3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)
      assay demonstrate that complex 1 not only can stabilize dimer forms of the G
      quadruplex at low concentrations but also exhibit better inhibitory activity for
      telomerase and cancer cells. 

PMID- 24211605
TI  - Lipid modulation of ion channels through specific binding sites.
AB  - Ion channel conformational changes within the lipid membrane are a key
      requirement to control ion passage. Thus, it seems reasonable to assume that
      lipid composition should modulate ion channel function. There is increasing
      evidence that this implicates not just an indirect consequence of the lipid
      influence on the physical properties of the membrane, but also specific binding
      of selected lipids to certain protein domains. The result is that channel
      function and its consequences on excitability, contractility, intracellular
      signaling or any other process mediated by such channel proteins, could be
      subjected to modulation by membrane lipids. From this it follows that
      development, age, diet or diseases that alter lipid composition should also have
      an influence on those cellular properties. The wealth of data on the non-annular
      lipid binding sites in potassium channel from Streptomyces lividans (KcsA) makes
      this protein a good model to study the modulation of ion channel structure and
      function by lipids. The fact that this protein is able to assemble into clusters
      through the same non-annular sites, resulting in large changes in channel
      activity, makes these sites even more interesting as a potential target to
      develop lead compounds able to disrupt such interactions and hopefully, to
      modulate ion channel function. This Article is Part of a Special Issue Entitled:
      Membrane Structure and Function: Relevance in the Cell's Physiology, Pathology
      and Therapy. 

PMID- 24211606
TI  - Evaluation of eight agar media for the isolation of shiga toxin-Producing
      Escherichia coli.
AB  - The growth characteristics of 96 shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
      strains representing 36 different O-types (including priority O types O26, O45,
      O103, O111, O121, O145 and O157) on commercial and in-house agar media were
      studied. The ability of the strains to grow on agar media with varying selective
      supplement formulations was evaluated using MacConkey Agar (MAC); Rainbow(r) Agar
      O157 (RBA); Rainbow(r) Agar O157 with manufacturer-recommended selective
      supplements (RBA-NT); Rainbow(r) Agar O157 with USDA-recommended selective
      supplements (RBA-USDA); CHROMagar STECTM (CH STEC); Tryptone Bile agar containing
      cefixime and tellurite (TBA-CT); Tryptone Bile agar containing cefixime,
      tellurite, eosin and methylene blue (TBA-EM); and VTEC agar. All of the strains
      were able to grow on MAC, RBA and VTEC agar, whereas a number of strains
      (including some non-O157 priority O types) were unable to grow on the highly
      selective media CH STEC, RBA-NT, RBA-USDA, TBA-EM and TBA-CT. Only RBA-NT and CH
      STEC exhibited significant inhibition of background flora from ground beef
      enrichment. Significant inhibition of background flora from beef trim enrichment
      was observed with RBA-NT, RBA-USDA, CH STEC, TBA-EM and VTEC agar. With exception
      of E. coli O157, several different colony morphologies were observed on the
      differential plating media among strains of the same O type, indicating that this
      colony morphology is not a reliable means of identifying target STEC. These
      results suggest that an approach to maximize the recovery of target STEC from
      beef enrichment cultures is dual plating on lesser (RBA, MAC, VTEC agar) and more
      highly (RBA-NT, CH STEC) selective agars. 

PMID- 24211607
TI  - Phenotypic and genomic characterization of human coxsackievirus A16 strains with
      distinct virulence in mice.
AB  - Human coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) infection results in hand, foot, and mouth
      disease (HFMD) along with other severe neurological diseases in children and
      poses an important public health threat in Asian countries. During an HFMD
      epidemic in 2009 in Guangdong, China, two CA16 strains (GD09/119 and GD09/24)
      were isolated and characterized. Although both strains were similar in plaque
      morphology and growth properties in vitro, the two isolates exhibited distinct
      pathogenicity in neonatal mice upon intraperitoneal or intracranial injection.
      Complete genome sequences of both CA16 strains were determined, and the possible
      virulence determinants were analyzed and predicted. Phylogenetic analysis
      revealed that these CA16 isolates from Guangdong belonged to the B1b genotype and
      were closely related to other recent CA16 strains isolated in mainland China.
      Similarity and bootscanning analyses of these CA16 strains detected homologous
      recombination with the EV71 prototype strain BrCr in the non-structural gene
      regions and the 3'-untranslated regions. Together, the phenotypic and genomic
      characterizations of the two clinical CA16 isolates circulating in China were
      compared in detail, and the potential amino acid residues responsible for CA16
      virulence in mice were predicted. These findings will help explain the
      evolutionary relationship of the CA16 strains circulating in China, warranting
      future studies investigating enterovirus virulence. 

PMID- 24211608
TI  - Induction and control of the type I interferon pathway by Bluetongue virus.
AB  - The innate immune response is the first line of defence against viruses,
      involving the production of type I IFN (IFN-alpha/beta) and other pro
      inflammatory cytokines that control the infection. It also shapes the adaptive
      immune response generated by both T and B cells. Production of type I IFN occurs
      both in vivo and in vitro in response to Bluetongue virus (BTV), an arthropod
      borne virus. However, the mechanisms responsible for the production of IFN-beta
      in response to BTV remained unknown until recently and are still not completely
      understood. In this review, we describe the recent advances in the identification
      of cellular sensors and signalling pathways involved in this process. The RNA
      helicases retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation
      associated gene 5 (MDA5) were shown to be involved in the expression of IFN-beta
      as well as in the control of BTV infection in non-haematopoietic cells. In
      contrast, induction of IFN-alpha/beta synthesis in sheep primary plasmacytoid
      dendritic cells (pDCs) required the MyD88 adaptor independently of the Toll-like
      receptor 7 (TLR7), as well as the kinases dsRNA-activated protein kinase (PKR)
      and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK).
      As type I IFN is essential for the establishment of an antiviral cellular
      response, most of viruses have elaborated counteracting mechanisms to hinder its
      action. This review also addresses the ability of BTV to interfere with IFN-beta
      synthesis and the recent findings describing the non-structural viral protein NS3
      as a powerful antagonist of the host cellular response. 

PMID- 24211609
TI  - Evolutionary repurposing of endosomal systems for apical organelle biogenesis in
      Toxoplasma gondii.
AB  - It is very difficult to define an endocytic system in Toxoplasma gondii. The
      parasite does not appear to take up exogenous materials via classical
      endocytosis. The presence of Rab5 and Rab7, classical markers of endocytic
      compartments, and their decoration of endomembranous structures suggest, however,
      that an endosomal-like system may operate. Additionally, new findings reveal that
      dynamin and the transmembrane type-I receptor sortilin are involved in the
      biogenesis of T. gondii micronemes and rhoptries, unique apical secretory
      organelles required for parasite migration and host-cell invasion, manipulation
      and egress. Evidence suggests that the parasite uses an endosomal-like system to
      traffic and sort proteins to rhoptries and micronemes via the endoplasmic
      reticulum and Golgi. In this review, I discuss recent findings suggesting that T.
      gondii and other apicomplexans have reduced their endosomal system and repurposed
      the evolutionarily conserved regulators of the system to build the apical
      secretory organelles. This review is also intended to serve as a resource for
      future investigations of apicomplexan biology and evolution. 

PMID- 24211610
TI  - Increased intracellular adenosine triphosphate level as an index to predict acute
      rejection in kidney transplant recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood CD4+ T cell adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release has
      been reported to be an adjunct tool to evaluate global cellular immune response
      in solid-organ transplant recipients. However, the correlation between the ATP
      level and rejection was controversial. The aim of this prospective clinical study
      was to explore the association between the intracellular ATP level and the
      occurrence, progression, and treatment of acute rejection (AR) episodes,
      determine the predicting value of intracellular ATP level for AR in kidney
      transplant (KT) recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the period of October 2011
      to October 2012, 140 KT recipients were recruited and followed for six months
      after transplantation. Patients were categorized into stable group and AR group
      according to their clinical course. Whole blood samples were collected
      pretransplantation, and at 7, 14, 21, and 28days, and at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6months
      post-transplantation. Additional blood samples were obtained from AR patients on
      the day AR occurred, on the day before and 3 and 7days after intravenous anti
      rejection therapy started, and on the day when AR reversed. The intracellular ATP
      in CD4+ T cells was detected by ImmuKnow Immune Cell Function Assay according to
      the manufacturer's instruction. The absolute number of CD4+ T cells and the
      trough levels of tacrolimus and cyclosporine were also measured. RESULTS: The ATP
      level detected on the day AR occurred (627.07+/-149.85ng/ml) was obviously higher
      than that of the stable group (320.48+/-149.11ng/ml, P<0.05). ATP value decreased
      to 265.35+/-84.33ng/m at the end of anti-rejection therapy, which was obviously
      lower than that measured on the day before the anti-rejection therapy started
      (665.87+/-162.85ng/ml, P<0.05). ROC analysis revealed that increased
      intracellular adenosine triphosphate level showed better sensitivity and
      specificity than those obtained using single time point detection (89.5% vs
      85.0%;95.0% vs 88.9%). The best cutoff value was 172.55ng/ml. A positive
      correlation between the intracellular ATP level and absolute CD4+ T cell number
      (r=0.656, P<0.001) was found in the patients with CD4+ T cell counts <200/MUl.

PMID- 24211611
TI  - A novel carboxymethyl chitosan-quantum dot-based intracellular probe for Zn2+ ion
      sensing in prostate cancer cells.
AB  - In this paper, we fabricated novel carboxymethyl chitosan-coated CdTe quantum
      dots (CMC-CdTe QDs) via the electrostatic interaction between amino groups in the
      carboxymethyl chitosan polymeric chains and carboxyl groups of the CdTe QDs.
      Carboxymethyl chitosan on the surface of CdTe QDs had strong binding ability with
      Zn(2+), resulting in the obvious enhancement of the photoluminescence of CdTe
      QDs. The photoluminescence intensity of CMC-CdTe QDs probe was proportional to
      the concentration of Zn(2+) in the range of 5.0 * 10(-6) to 5.0 * 10(-3) mol l(
      1). The detection limit for Zn(2+) was 4.5 * 10(-6) mol l(-1). The experimental
      results indicate that the CMC-CdTe QDs possess favorable cell compatibility, good
      sensitivity and selectivity for intracellular Zn(2+) sensing, and are promising
      candidates for cellular imaging and sensing in prostate cancer cells. The present
      study also provides an approach for the further development of nanoprobes
      dedicated to intracellular sensing.

PMID- 24211613
TI  - Structural network analysis of biological networks for assessment of potential
      disease model organisms.
AB  - Model organisms provide opportunities to design research experiments focused on
      disease-related processes (e.g., using genetically engineered populations that
      produce phenotypes of interest). For some diseases, there may be non-obvious
      model organisms that can help in the study of underlying disease factors. In this
      study, an approach is presented that leverages knowledge about human diseases and
      associated biological interactions networks to identify potential model organisms
      for a given disease category. The approach starts with the identification of
      functional and interaction patterns of diseases within genetic pathways. Next,
      these characteristic patterns are matched to interaction networks of candidate
      model organisms to identify similar subsystems that have characteristic patterns
      for diseases of interest. The quality of a candidate model organism is then
      determined by the degree to which the identified subsystems match genetic
      pathways from validated knowledge. The results of this study suggest that non
      obvious model organisms may be identified through the proposed approach. 

PMID- 24211612
TI  - Nonlinear viscoelastic characterization of the porcine spinal cord.
AB  - Although quasi-static and quasi-linear viscoelastic properties of the spinal cord
      have been reported previously, there are no published studies that have
      investigated the fully (strain-dependent) nonlinear viscoelastic properties of
      the spinal cord. In this study, stress relaxation experiments and dynamic cycling
      were performed on six fresh porcine lumbar cord specimens to examine their
      viscoelastic mechanical properties. The stress relaxation data were fitted to a
      modified superposition formulation and a novel finite ramp time correction
      technique was applied. The parameters obtained from this fitting methodology were
      used to predict the average dynamic cyclic viscoelastic behavior of the porcine
      cord. The data indicate that the porcine spinal cord exhibited fully nonlinear
      viscoelastic behavior. The average weighted root mean squared error for a
      Heaviside ramp fit was 2.8 kPa, which was significantly greater (p<0.001) than
      that of the nonlinear (comprehensive viscoelastic characterization method) fit
      (0.365 kPa). Further, the nonlinear mechanical parameters obtained were able to
      accurately predict the dynamic behavior, thus exemplifying the reliability of the
      obtained nonlinear parameters. These parameters will be important for future
      studies investigating various damage mechanisms of the spinal cord and studies
      developing high-resolution finite elements models of the spine.

PMID- 24211615
TI  - Effect of albumin on transthyretin and amyloidogenic transthyretin Val30Met
      disposition and tissue deposition in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.
AB  - AIMS: Transthyretin (TTR)-related familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is
      characterized by the systemic accumulation of amyloid fibrils caused by
      amyloidogenic. Our previous studies demonstrated that albumin played a role in
      the inhibition of TTR amyloid-formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the effect of albumin on TTR disposition and tissue deposition in vivo. MAIN
      METHODS: For pharmacokinetic studies, recombinant wild-type TTR (rTTR) and
      recombinant amyloidogenic TTR Val30Met (rATTR V30M) were labeled with iodine and
      administered to Sprague-Dawley rats and analbuminemia rats (NAR: Nagase
      Analbuminemia Rats). The deposition of ATTR V30M was also analyzed by
      immunohistochemistry in the transgenic (Tg) rats possessing a human ATTR V30M
      gene (ATTR V30M Tg rats) and NAR possessing a human ATTR V30M gene (ATTR V30M Tg
      NAR). KEY FINDINGS: The presence of albumin had no effect on the tissue
      distribution of either rTTR or rATTR V30M. However, more ATTR V30M was deposited
      in the hearts, stomachs and small intestines of ATTR V30M Tg NAR rats, compared
      to ATTR V30M Tg rats. SIGNIFICANCE: Although the disposition of TTR and ATTR V30M
      was unaffected by the presence of albumin, the deposition of ATTR V30M in some
      organs was apparently increased in the absence of albumin compared to the
      presence of albumin. These results show that albumin would contribute to
      suppressing the tissue deposition of TTR in pathogenesis of FAP, but does not
      affect the disposition of TTR.

PMID- 24211614
TI  - Endothelin-1 stimulates catalase activity through the PKCdelta-mediated
      phosphorylation of serine 167.
AB  - Our previous studies have shown that endothelin-1 (ET-1) stimulates catalase
      activity in endothelial cells and in lambs with acute increases in pulmonary
      blood flow (PBF), without altering gene expression. The purpose of this study was
      to investigate the molecular mechanism by which this occurs. Exposing pulmonary
      arterial endothelial cells to ET-1 increased catalase activity and decreased
      cellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels. These changes correlated with an
      increase in serine-phosphorylated catalase. Using the inhibitory peptide
      deltaV1.1, this phosphorylation was shown to be protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta)
      dependent. Mass spectrometry identified serine 167 as the phosphorylation site.
      Site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate a phospho-mimic (S167D) catalase.
      Activity assays using recombinant protein purified from Escherichia coli or
      transiently transfected COS-7 cells demonstrated that S167D catalase had an
      increased ability to degrade H2O2 compared to the wild-type enzyme. Using a
      phospho-specific antibody, we were able to verify that pS167 catalase levels are
      modulated in lambs with acute increases in PBF in the presence and absence of the
      ET receptor antagonist tezosentan. S167 is located on the dimeric interface,
      suggesting it could be involved in regulating the formation of catalase
      tetramers. To evaluate this possibility we utilized analytical gel filtration to
      examine the multimeric structure of recombinant wild-type and S167D catalase. We
      found that recombinant wild-type catalase was present as a mixture of monomers
      and dimers, whereas S167D catalase was primarily tetrameric. Further, the
      incubation of wild-type catalase with PKCdelta was sufficient to convert wild
      type catalase into a tetrameric structure. In conclusion, this is the first
      report indicating that the phosphorylation of catalase regulates its multimeric
      structure and activity. 

PMID- 24211617
TI  - A bufadienolide derived androgen receptor antagonist with inhibitory activities
      against prostate cancer cells.
AB  - Molecular docking studies have shown that Delta(8,14)-anhydrobufalin (1)
      exhibited more potent binding affinity on androgen receptor (AR) than
      Delta(14,15)-anhydrobufalin (2) and bufalin (3). To validate the docking results,
      compounds 1 and 2 were synthesized. The AR competitive binding assay indicated
      that the IC50 values of 1-3 were 1.9, >50 and >50MUM (relative binding affinity),
      respectively, which confirmed that our theoretical binding mode was reliable and
      predictable. Furthermore, compound 1 was found to show more potent inhibitory
      activity against the androgen dependent LNCaP cancer cells than the androgen
      independent PC3 cancer cells, but exhibited less inhibition on the Na(+)/K(+)
      ATPase as compared with the parent compound 3. To the best of our knowledge,
      compound 1 represented the first AR antagonist derived from bufadienolide
      discovered through a series of combined approaches of molecular docking and
      actual experimental validation. 

PMID- 24211616
TI  - Disruption of oxidative phosphorylation and synaptic Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity
      by pristanic acid in cerebellum of young rats.
AB  - AIMS: Peroxisomal biogenesis disorders (PBD) are inherited disorders clinically
      manifested by neurological symptoms and brain abnormalities, in which the
      cerebellum is usually involved. Biochemically, patients affected by these
      neurodegenerative diseases accumulate branched-chain fatty acids, including
      pristanic acid (Prist) in the brain and other tissues. MAIN METHODS: In the
      present investigation we studied the in vitro influence of Prist, at doses found
      in PBD, on oxidative phosphorylation, by measuring the activities of the
      respiratory chain complexes I-IV and ATP production, as well as on creatine
      kinase and synaptic Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities in rat cerebellum. KEY
      FINDINGS: Prist significantly decreased complexes I-III (65%), II (40%) and
      especially II-III (90%) activities, without altering the activities of complex IV
      of the respiratory chain and creatine kinase. Furthermore, ATP formation and
      synaptic Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity were markedly inhibited (80-90%) by Prist.
      We also observed that this fatty acid altered mitochondrial and synaptic membrane
      fluidity that may have contributed to its inhibitory effects on the activities of
      the respiratory chain complexes and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase. SIGNIFICANCE: Considering
      the importance of oxidative phosphorylation for mitochondrial homeostasis and of
      Na(+), K(+)-ATPase for the maintenance of cell membrane potential, the present
      data indicate that Prist compromises brain bioenergetics and neurotransmission in
      cerebellum. We postulate that these pathomechanisms may contribute to the
      cerebellar alterations observed in patients affected by PBD in which Prist is
      accumulated.

PMID- 24211618
TI  - Enhanced antioxidant effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and Trolox in
      combination against radiation induced-oxidative stress.
AB  - Combinations of antioxidants are believed to be more effective than single
      antioxidant because when antioxidants are combined they support each other
      synergistically to create a magnified effect. Discovering the enhancer effects or
      synergies between bioactive components is valuable for resisting oxidative stress
      and improving health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate a
      possible cooperation of natural antioxidant caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)
      with synthetic antioxidant Trolox in the model systems of chemical generation of
      free radicals, lipid peroxidation of microsomes and radiation-induced oxidative
      injury in L929 cells. Based on the intermolecular interaction between CAPE and
      Trolox, the present study shows a synergistic effect of CAPE and Trolox in
      combination on elimination of three different free radicals and inhibition of
      lipid peroxidation initiated by three different systems. CAPE and Trolox added
      simultaneously to the L929 cells exerted an enhanced preventive effect on the
      oxidative injury induced by radiation through decreasing ROS generation,
      protecting plasma membrane and increasing the ratios of reduced
      glutathione/oxidized glutathione and the expression of key antioxidant enzymes
      mediated by nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Our results
      showed for the first time that administration of CAPE and Trolox in combination
      may exert synergistic antioxidant effects, and further indicate that CAPE and
      Trolox combination functions mainly through scavenging ROS directly, inhibiting
      lipid peroxidation and promoting redox cycle of GSH mediated by Nrf2-regulated
      glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase expression. 

PMID- 24211619
TI  - Two new metastable forms of 6-chloroquinolin-2(1H)-one: crystal structure,
      Hirshfeld surfaces and spectroscopic studies.
AB  - Two new metastable crystalline forms of 6-chloroquinolin-2(1H)-one (forms II and
      III), which were induced by two kinds of 3D inorganic anions (ClO4- and BF4-),
      have been prepared and characterized in this work. We performed single-crystal
      diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Hirshfeld surfaces, solid-state
      vibrational spectroscopy (IR) and thermal analysis (DSC, TGA) to these two new
      forms as well as the original one (form I). Form I featured with 1D chain, while
      form II and III featured with dimeric unit with stronger pi?pi and hydrogen bonds
      interactions. The 3D inorganic anions force the self-assemble behavior of 6
      chloroquinolin-2(1H)-one molecules from 1D chain structure (form I) to dimeric
      unit (forms II and III) due to their large steric hindrance, and different anions
      induced different orientations for dimeric unit. These transformations lead to
      the increase of N-H?O, pi?pi, and Cl-Cl intermolecular interactions, which lead
      to blue shift of IR spectra in 1700-1500 cm(-1) region as well as luminescence
      peaks, while red shift of IR spectra in 650-550 cm(-1) region.

PMID- 24211620
TI  - Optical properties of 1-(4,5-diphenyl-1-p-tolyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)naphthalen-2-ol-
      ESIPT process.
AB  - This article presents optical, electrochemical, and thermal properties of novel
      class of green fluorescent 1-(4,5-diphenyl-1-p-tolyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)naphthalen
      2-ol. Detailed photo physical and quantum chemical studies have been performed to
      elucidate the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction
      leading a large stokes shifted fluorescence emission from the phototautomer. The
      results of quantum chemical investigations confirmed the intramolecular charge
      transfer characteristics of the ESIPT tautomers. The high photoluminescence
      quantum yield is ascribed to twisted chromophores due to phenyl substituents at
      1,2-position of the imidazole ring which restricted intramolecular motion,
      leading to an optically allowed lowest optical transition without self quenching.

PMID- 24211621
TI  - CaTiO3:Eu3+ red nanophosphor: low temperature synthesis and photoluminescence
      properties.
AB  - Nanoparticles of Eu3+ doped (1-9 mol%) CaTiO3 were prepared using low temperature
      (500 degrees C) solution combustion technique using metal nitrates as precursors
      and urea as fuel. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the as-formed products
      show single orthorhombic phase. The crystallite size was estimated using
      Scherrer's method and found to be in the range 40-45 nm. The effect of Eu3+ ions
      on luminescence characteristics of CaTiO3 was studied and the results were
      discussed in detail. The phosphors exhibit bright red emission upon 398 nm
      excitation. The characteristic emission peaks recorded at ~540, 593, 615, 653,
      696 and 706 nm (5D0->7Fj=0,1,2,3,4,5) were attributed to Eu3+ ions. The
      electronic transition corresponding to 5D0->7F2 (615 nm) was stronger than the
      magnetic dipole transition 5D0->7F1 of Eu3+ ions (596 nm). The CIE chromaticity
      co-ordinates were calculated from emission spectra, the values (x,y) very close
      to NTSC standard value of red emission. Therefore, the present phosphors were
      highly useful for display applications.

PMID- 24211622
TI  - A novel cobalt (I) coordination polymer with mixed thiocyanate and quinoline
      ligands: crystal structure, magnetism and luminescent properties.
AB  - A new Co(I) one-dimensional coordination polymer [Co(SCN)(ql)]n (ql=quinoline)
      (1) has been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, TG
      technique and X-ray crystallography. Co(I) atom has a distorted trigonal
      pyramidal N2S2 (1) environment with two S atoms and one N atom from three MU
      1,1,3-thiocyanate bridge ligands and one N atom from ql ligand. Two S atoms from
      two MU-1,1,3-SCN- bridging ligands bridge two centers to obtain bimetallic 4
      membered ring. Adjacent 4-membered rings are linked by a pair of MU-1,1,3-SCN-
      bridging ligands to form a 1D stair-case like chain. The luminescent properties
      and magnetic properties of the polymer 1 were investigated in the solid state.

PMID- 24211623
TI  - Conformational analysis and vibrational study of daidzein by using FT-IR and FT
      Raman spectroscopies and DFT calculations.
AB  - Daidzein (C15H10O4) is a type of isoflavone. It was isolated from Butea
      monosperma that belongs to the Fabaceae family. Soybeans and soy products are the
      abundant source of daidzein. It is the subject of investigation for many reasons,
      as it has got wide applications, such as anti-tumor, anti-estrogen, weak pro
      estrogen and anti-cancer activities. In the present study, a complete vibrational
      assignment is provided for the observed IR and Raman spectra of daidzein.
      Electronic properties have been analyzed using TD-DFT method for both gaseous and
      solvent phase. The optimized geometry, total energy, potential energy surface and
      vibrational wavenumbers of daidzein have been determined using density functional
      theory (DFT/B3LYP) method with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set and a good correlation was
      found between observed and calculated values. The double well potential energy
      curve of the molecule about three bonds, has been plotted, as obtained from DFT/6
      31G basis. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap of possible conformers has been calculated
      for comparing their chemical activity. Global reactivity descriptors have been
      calculated for predicting the chemical reactivity and the stability of chemical
      systems. Electrostatic potential surface has been plotted for predicting the
      structure activity relationship. NBO analysis has also been performed to study
      the stability of the molecule. NLO study reveals the nonlinear properties of the
      molecule. 1H and 13C NMR spectra have also been studied. Finally, the calculated
      results were used to simulate infrared and Raman spectra of the title compound
      which showed a good agreement with the observed spectra.

PMID- 24211624
TI  - Facile synthesis of silver chloride nanoparticles using marine alga and its
      antibacterial efficacy.
AB  - Exploitation of advancements in antimicrobial agent synthesis assisted by
      nanomaterials has received considerable attention in the recent years. Based on
      this, an eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of silver chloride nanoparticles
      (AgClNPs) using aqueous extract of Sargassum plagiophyllum is emphasized. UV-vis
      spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high resolution
      transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron
      microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the formation of AgClNPs. X-ray
      diffraction (XRD) patterns clearly illustrate the presence of AgClNPs. The
      synthesized AgClNPs were tested for its antibacterial activity and it was found
      to cause considerable amount of deterioration to bacterial cells, when examined
      using electron microscope and cell viability analysis. 

PMID- 24211625
TI  - Better than sleep: theta neurofeedback training accelerates memory consolidation.
AB  - Consistent empirical results showed that both night and day sleep enhanced memory
      consolidation. In this study we explore processes of consolidation of memory
      during awake hours. Since theta oscillations have been shown to play a central
      role in exchange of information, we hypothesized that elevated theta during awake
      hours will enhance memory consolidation. We used a neurofeedback protocol, to
      enhance the relative power of theta or beta oscillations. Participants trained on
      a tapping task, were divided into three groups: neurofeedback theta;
      neurofeedback beta; control. We found a significant improvement in performance in
      the theta group, relative to the beta and control groups, immediately after
      neurofeedback. Performance was further improved after night sleep in all groups,
      with a significant advantage favoring the theta group. Theta power during
      training was correlated with the level of improvement, indicating a clear
      relationship between memory consolidation, and theta neurofeedback. 

PMID- 24211626
TI  - Tissue kallikrein mediates neurite outgrowth through epidermal growth factor
      receptor and flotillin-2 pathway in vitro.
AB  - Tissue kallikrein (TK) was previously shown to take most of its biological
      effects through bradykinin receptors. In this study, we assumed that TK mediated
      neurite outgrowth was independent of bradykinin receptors. To test the
      hypothesis, we investigated TK-induced neurite outgrowth and its signaling
      mechanisms in cultured primary neurons and human SH-SY5Y cells. We found that TK
      stimulation could increase the number of processes and mean process length of
      primary neurons, which were blocked by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      inhibitor or down-regulation, small interfering RNA for flotillin-2 and
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 inhibitor. Moreover, TK-induced
      neurite outgrowth was associated with EGFR and ERK1/2 activation, which were
      inhibited by EGFR antagonist or RNA interference and flotillin-2 knockdown.
      Interestingly, inhibition of bradykinin receptors had no significant effects on
      EGFR and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In the present research, our data also suggested
      that EGFR and flotillin-2 formed constitutive complex that translocated to around
      the nuclei in the TK stimulation. In sum, our findings provided evidence that TK
      could promote neurite outgrowth via EGFR, flotillin-2 and ERK1/2 signaling
      pathway in vitro. 

PMID- 24211627
TI  - ENSA expression correlates with attenuated tumor propagation in liver cancer.
AB  - Endosulfine alpha (ENSA) is an endogenous ligand of sulfonylurea receptor that
      was reported to be associated with an ATP-dependent potassium channel that
      controls insulin release and the onset of type 2 diabetes. ENSA also interacts
      with microtubule-associated serine/threonine-protein kinase-like (MASTL) to
      regulate the cell cycle. Previously, we identified ENSA as a possible bivalent
      gene in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hypothesized its methylation might
      determine cellular differentiation and transformation. Because there was no link
      between aberrant ENSA expression and tumorigenesis, we aimed to determine if ENSA
      is abnormally regulated in liver cancer and plays a role in liver cancer
      propagation. The epigenetic states of the ENSA promoter were evaluated in
      different cancer cell lines and patient samples. ENSA was overexpressed in a
      liver cancer cell line, and its interaction with MASTL and possible tumor
      suppression capabilities were also determined in cultured cells and mice.
      Distinct ENSA promoter methylation was observed in liver cancer (n=100 pairs) and
      breast cancer (n=100 pairs). ENSA was predominantly hypomethylated in liver
      cancer but was hypermethylated in breast cancer. Overexpressed ENSA interacts
      with MASTL and suppresses hepatic tumor growth. We also found that ENSA is
      hypermethylated in CD90-expressing (CD90(+)) cells compared to CD90 non
      expressing (CD90(-)) liver cancer cells. These data reveal ENSA methylation
      changes during hepatic tumor evolution. Overexpressed ENSA suppresses tumor
      growth in an established hepatic cell line whereas hypermethylated ENSA might
      help maintain liver cancer initiating cells.

PMID- 24211628
TI  - Survival analysis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with and
      without hepatitis C virus infection at a reference center for sexually
      transmitted diseases/acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Survival of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome has
      improved with combination antiretroviral therapy; mortality due to liver
      diseases, however, has also increased in these patients. OBJECTIVES: To estimate
      the accumulated probability of survival in human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis
      C virus coinfected and non-coinfected patients and to investigate factors related
      to acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients' survival. METHODS: Non
      concurrent cohort study using data from surveillance information systems of
      acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients over 13 years of age. Hepatitis C
      and B, human immunodeficiency virus exposure category, CD4+ T cell count, age
      group, schooling, race, sex, and four acquired immune deficiency syndrome
      diagnosis periods were studied. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox model with
      estimates of the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval were used. RESULTS: Of
      the total 2864 individuals included, with median age was 35 years, 219 died
      (7.5%), and 358 (12.5%) were human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C virus
      coinfected. The accumulated probability of survival in human immunodeficiency
      virus-hepatitis C virus coinfected patients, after acquired immune deficiency
      syndrome diagnosis, at 120 months, was 0%, 38.9%, 83.8% in 1986-1993, 1994-1996,
      1997-2002, respectively, and 92.8% at 96 months in 2003-2010; survival in non
      coinfected patients at 120 months was 80%, 90.2%, 94% in 1986-1993, 1994-1996,
      1997-2002, respectively, and 94.1% at 96 months in 2003-2010. In the multivariate
      model the following variables were predictive of death: hepatitis C virus
      coinfection (hazard ratio=2.7; confidence interval 2.0-3.6); Hepatitis B virus
      coinfection (hazard ratio=2.4; confidence interval 1.7-3.6); being >= 50 years
      old (hazard ratio=2.3; confidence interval 1.3-3.8); having 8-11 years of
      schooling (hazard ratio=1.6; confidence interval 1.1-2.3), having 4-7 years of
      schooling (hazard ratio=1.9; confidence interval 1.3-2.8) and having up to 3
      years of schooling (hazard ratio=3.3; confidence interval 2.0-5.5). CONCLUSIONS:
      Among patients diagnosed after 1996, there was a significant increase in the
      cumulative probability of survival in human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C
      virus coinfected individuals; among those diagnosed with acquired immune
      deficiency syndrome from 2003 to 2010, this probability was similar between
      coinfected and non-coinfected patients.

PMID- 24211629
TI  - Cervical spondylitis and spinal abscess due to Actinomyces meyeri.
AB  - Human actinomycosis with involvement of the spine is a rare condition although it
      has been first described a long time ago. It is probably underrecognized since
      its clinical presentation is often misleading and accurate bacteriological
      diagnosis is challenging. We herein report a rare case of cervical actinomycosis
      with paravertebral abscess and spondylitis imputed to an infection by Actinomyces
      meyeri in a 52-year-old immunocompetent Caucasian man. A. meyeri should be
      considered as a potential cause for subacute or chronic spondylitis, even in
      immunocompetent subjects. Modern diagnostic tools such as Matrix-Assisted Laser
      Desorption-Ionization Time of Flight mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA sequencing
      are efficient for accurate microbiological identification. 

PMID- 24211630
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel ferrocene-naphthoquinones as
      antiplasmodial agents.
AB  - This work deals with the synthesis and evaluation of new compounds designed by
      combination of 1,4-naphthoquinone and ferrocene fragments in a 3-ferrocenylmethyl
      2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone arrangement. A practical coupling reaction between 2
      hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and ferrocenemethanol derivatives has been developed.
      This procedure can be carried out "on-water", at moderate temperatures and
      without auxiliaries or catalysts, with moderate to high yields. The synthesized
      derivatives have shown significant in vitro antiplasmodial activity against
      chloroquine-sensitive and resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains and it has been
      shown that this activity is not related to the inhibition of biomineralization of
      ferriprotoporphyrin IX. Binding energy calculations and docking of these
      compounds to cytochrome b in comparison with atovaquone have been performed.

PMID- 24211631
TI  - Improved synthesis and in vitro evaluation of the cytotoxic profile of oxysterols
      oxidized at C4 (4alpha- and 4beta-hydroxycholesterol) and C7 (7-ketocholesterol,
      7alpha- and 7beta-hydroxycholesterol) on cells of the central nervous system.
AB  - Whereas the biological activities of oxysterols oxidized at C7 (7-ketocholesterol
      (7KC), 7beta-hydroxycholesterol (7beta-OHC), 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol (7alpha
      OHC)) are well documented, those of oxysterols oxidized at C4 (4beta
      hydroxycholesterol (4beta-OHC), 4alpha-hydroxycholesterol (4alpha-OHC)) are not
      well known, especially on the cells of the central nervous system. Therefore, an
      improved methodology has been validated for 4beta-OHC and 4alpha-OHC synthesis,
      and the effects on cell viability and cell growth of these molecules were studied
      on immortalized, tumoral and normal brain cells (158N, C6 and SK-N-BE cells, and
      mixed primary cultures of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes). Whereas inhibition of
      cell growth with 7KC, 7beta-OHC, and 7alpha-OHC is associated with a decrease of
      cell viability (cytotoxic activities), our data establish that 4beta-OHC and
      4alpha-OHC have no effect on cell viability, and no or minor effect on cell
      growth evocating cytostatic properties. Thus, comparatively to oxysterols
      oxidized at C7, the toxicity of oxysterols oxidized at C4 is in the following
      range of order: 7KC >= 7beta-OHC > 7alpha-OHC > (4beta-OHC >= 4alpha-OHC).
      Interestingly, to date, 4beta-OHC and 4alpha-OHC are the only oxysterols
      identified with cytostatic properties suggesting that these molecules, whereas
      not cytotoxic, may have some interests to counteract cell proliferation.

PMID- 24211632
TI  - Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of alpha-branched alpha,beta-unsaturated
      ketones.
AB  - A series of alpha-branched alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones were prepared in a
      straightforward manner by the acid catalyzed coupling between arylalkynes and
      carbaldehydes. The method also allows producing as side product chalcone analogs
      bearing an additional alpha,beta-unsaturated arylketone in the molecular
      scaffold. The evaluation of the antiproliferative activity in the human solid
      tumor cell lines HBL-100 (breast), HeLa (cervix), SW1573 (non-small cell lung), T
      47D (breast) and WiDr (colon) provided a structure-activity relationship.
      Overall, the compounds presented active against the resistant cancer cells T-47D.
      The resulting lead, displaying an unprecedented chalcone scaffold, showed GI50
      values in the range 0.32-0.53 MUM against all cell lines tested. The methoxy
      group present in the lead might play an important role in the activity.

PMID- 24211633
TI  - Synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazole based benzoxazolinones: their TNF-alpha based
      molecular docking with in-vivo anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive activities and
      ulcerogenic risk evaluation.
AB  - A library of novel bis-heterocycles containing benzoxazolinone based 1,2,3
      triazoles has been synthesized using click chemistry approach. The compound 3f
      exhibited potent selective COX-2 inhibition of 59.48% in comparison to standard
      drug celecoxib (66.36% inhibition). The compound 3i showed significant (p <
      0.001, 50.95%), TNF-alpha inhibitory activity as compared to indomethacin (p <
      0.001, 64.01%). The results of the carrageenan induced hind paw oedema showed
      that compounds 3a, 3f, 3i, 3o, and 3e exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity
      in comparison to Indomethacin. The molecular docking studies revealed that 3i
      exhibits strong inhibitory effect due to the extra stability of the complex
      because of an extra pi-pi bond. The histopathology report showed that none of the
      compounds caused gastric ulceration.

PMID- 24211634
TI  - Co(II) and Cu(II) pyrophosphate complexes have selectivity and potency against
      Mycobacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - Tuberculosis (TB) causes up to 10 million incident cases worldwide per annum.
      Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains are
      leading factors in the resurgence of TB cases and the need to produce new agents
      to combat such infection. Herein, we describe Co(II) and Cu(II) metal based
      complexes that feature the pyrophosphate ligand with notable selectivity and
      marked potency against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including MDR strains. Such
      complexes are confirmed to be bacteriocidal and not affected by efflux
      inhibitors. Finally, while susceptibility to copper has recently been established
      for M. tuberculosis, the greater efficacy of cobalt observed herein is of
      considerable note and in line with the discovery of a copper metallothionein in
      M. tuberculosis. 

PMID- 24211635
TI  - Indole diterpene alkaloids as novel inhibitors of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in
      breast cancer cells.
AB  - Penitrems are indole diterpene alkaloids best known for their BK channel
      inhibition and tremorgenic effects in mammals. In a previous study, penitrems A-F
      (1-5), their biosynthetic precursors, paspaline (6) and emindole SB (7), and two
      brominated penitrem analogs 8 and 9 demonstrated promising in vitro
      antiproliferative, antimigratory, and anti-invasive effects in the MTT (MCF-7 and
      MDA-MB-231), wound-healing, and Cultrex BME cell invasion (MDA-MB-231) assays,
      respectively. The study herein reports the novel ability of penitrem A to
      suppress total beta-catenin levels in MDA-MB-231 mammary cancer cells. Nine new
      penitrem analogs (10-18) were semisynthetically prepared, in an attempt to
      identify pharmacophores correlated with BK channel inhibition and tremorgenicity
      of penitrems and decrease their toxicity. The degree of BK channel inhibition was
      assessed using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and in vivo tremorgenic EC50
      was calculated using CD-1 male mice following an Up-and-Down Procedure (UDP).
      Although new analogs were generally less active than parent compound 1, some
      showed no BK channel inhibition or tremorgenicity and retained the ability of
      penitrem A (1) to suppress total beta-catenin levels in MDA-MB-231 cells.
      Paspaline (6) and emindole SB (7), both lacking BK channel inhibition and
      tremorgenicity, represent the simplest indole diterpene skeleton that retains the
      antiproliferative, antimigratory and total beta-catenin suppressing effects shown
      by the more complex penitrem A (1).

PMID- 24211636
TI  - Skeletal hybridization and PfRIO-2 kinase modeling for synthesis of alpha-pyrone
      analogs as anti-malarial agent.
AB  - The pharmacophoric hybridization and computational design approach were applied
      to generate a novel series of alpha-pyrone analogs as plausible anti-malarial
      lead candidate. A putative active site in flexible loop close to wing-helix
      domain of PfRIO2 kinase was explored computationally to understand the molecular
      basis of ligand binding. All the synthesized molecules (3a-g) exhibited in vitro
      antimalarial activity. Oxidative stress induced by 3a-d were calculated and found
      to be significantly higher in case of 3b. Therefore, 3b, which shown most
      significant result was identified as promising lead for further SAR study to
      develop potent anti-malarials.

PMID- 24211637
TI  - Advances in the studies of roles of Rho/Rho-kinase in diseases and the
      development of its inhibitors.
AB  - RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway plays a pivotal role in numerous fundamental cellular
      functions including contraction, motility, proliferation, differentiation and
      apoptosis. The pathway is also involved in the development of many diseases such
      as vasospasm, pulmonary hypertension, cancer and central nervous systems (CNS)
      disorders. The inhibitors of Rho kinase have been extensively studied since the
      Rho/Rho-kinase pathway was verified as a target for a number of diseases. Herein,
      we reviewed the advances in the studies of the roles of Rho/Rho-kinase in
      diseases and the development of Rho-kinase inhibitors in recent five years. 

PMID- 24211638
TI  - Novel coumarin-3-carboxamides bearing N-benzylpiperidine moiety as potent
      acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
AB  - Some novel coumarin-3-carboxamide derivatives linked to N-benzylpiperidine
      scaffold were synthesized and evaluated as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and
      butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitors. The screening results showed that most
      of compounds exhibited potent anti-AChE activity in the range of nM
      concentrations. Among them, compound 10c bearing an N-ethylcarboxamide linker and
      a 6-nitro substituent showed the most potent activity (IC50 = 0.3 nM) and the
      highest selectivity (SI = 26,300). Compound 10c was 46-fold more potent than
      standard drug donepezil against AChE. The kinetic study revealed that compound
      10c exhibited mixed-type inhibition against AChE. Protein-ligand docking study
      demonstrated that the target compounds have dual binding site interaction mode
      and these results are in agreement with kinetic study.

PMID- 24211639
TI  - Design, synthesis and evaluation of a cellular stable and detectable biotinylated
      fumagillin probe and investigation of cell permeability of fumagillin and its
      analogs to endothelial and cancer cells.
AB  - Fumagillin (1), a natural product of fungal origin, and its analogs were
      discovered to be extremely potent and highly selective inhibitors restraining
      endothelial cell proliferation in vitro by covalently binding to MetAP2. In order
      to further understand the unclear biological mechanisms and pharmacological
      processes of fumagillin and its derivatives, fumagillin-biotin conjugate 8 was
      designed and synthesized, which is linked with a 27-atom connection chain and by
      urethane (carbamate) bonds between fumagillol and D-norbiotinamine. The conjugate
      8 shows comparable activity and selectivity against HUVEC proliferation as
      fumagillin. It was demonstrated that the conjugate 8 is stable inside the cell
      and its linker is of a suitable length for the detection of biotin in native and
      denatured conditions. Using the conjugate 8, it was determined that the cell
      permeability of fumagillin (1) and its analogs are not responsible for their
      inhibitory activity difference against the proliferation of endothelial and
      cancer cells. Furthermore, we confidently believe that our present strategy is a
      versatile and convenient method for investigating drug's cell permeability along
      with other studies regardless of reversible or irreversible interaction between
      the drug and binding target/s.

PMID- 24211640
TI  - Copper(II/I) complexes of 5-pyridin-2-yl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline:
      synthesis, crystal structure, antitumor activity and DNA interaction.
AB  - Three new copper(II) complexes of 5-pyridin-2-yl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline
      (PYP), i.e. [Cu2(PYP)2Cl4] (1), [Cu4(PYP)4(ClO4)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2.2H2O (2), and
      [Cu2(PYP)2Cl4]n (3), were synthesized and fully characterized. In comparison to
      free PYP, complexes 1-3 exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against tested human
      tumor cell lines BEL-7404, SK-OV-3, A549, A375, MGC-803 and NCI-H460, with IC50
      values ranging from 0.31 to 30.76 MUM. Complexes 1-3 exhibited lower cytotoxicity
      to HL-7702 than them to cancer cells. Complex 1 induced apoptotic death of BEL
      7404, which involved mitochondria in the process. Caspase-3 activation assay
      indicated that 1 could be an efficient activator of caspase-3. DNA binding
      studies by UV-vis, DNA-melting, competitive binding, CD, viscosity measurement
      and agarose gel electrophoresis, revealed that intercalation might be the most
      likely binding mode of 1 with DNA.

PMID- 24211641
TI  - An efficient approach to novel 17-5'-(1',2',4')-oxadiazolyl androstenes via the
      cyclodehydration of cytotoxic O-steroidacylamidoximes, and an evaluation of their
      inhibitory action on 17alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase.
AB  - Novel 17-exo-oxadiazoles in the androst-5-ene series were efficiently synthesized
      in a two-step sequence via the corresponding O-acylamidoxime intermediates
      (obtained from steroidal 17-carboxylic acids and amidoximes in the presence of
      coupling reagent), which then underwent tetrabutylammonium fluoride-induced
      cyclocondensation under mild reaction conditions. The synthesized compounds were
      subjected to in vitro pharmacological studies to investigate their inhibitory
      effect on rat testicular C17,20-lyase and their antiproliferative action on four
      malignant human adherent cell lines (HeLa, MCF7, A2780 and A431). One of the
      oxadiazolyl derivatives proved to exert significant enzyme-inhibitory action
      (IC50 = 0.60 MUM), while some of the isolated O-acylated amidoxime intermediates
      displayed high cytotoxic activities on all examined cell lines, with IC50 values
      in the range 0.22-3.94 MUM.

PMID- 24211642
TI  - Identification by in silico and in vitro screenings of small organic molecules
      acting as reversible inhibitors of kallikreins.
AB  - Netherton syndrome is caused by loss-of-function mutations in SPINK5 encoding the
      Kazal-type inhibitor LEKTI-1 leading to dysregulation of proteolytic cascades
      involving several kallikreins. We used both structure-based and ligand-based
      virtual screening computations to identify commercially available non-covalent
      inhibitors of human kallikrein 5 (hK5), a serine protease (trypsin-like) that
      plays a central role in the initiation of the molecular cascades leading to the
      Netherton syndrome phenotype. The efficacy and mechanism of inhibition of the
      identified new families of organic compounds were analyzed not only for hK5 but
      also on other proteases implicated in the cascades (hK7, hK14 and matriptase).
      These inhibitors are nontoxic on healthy human keratinocytes and are structurally
      different from traditional serine protease inhibitors validating their potential
      utility as initial hits to control proteolytic disorders observed in
      dermatological pathologies such as Netherton syndrome. 

PMID- 24211643
TI  - HR-MAS NMR reveals a pH-dependent LPS alteration by de-O-acetylation at abequose
      in the O-antigen of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.
AB  - NMR spectroscopy can detect biomolecules like lipopolysaccharide directly on the
      surface of the cell, thus avoiding isolation and purification, and providing a
      more realistic description than the one derived from in vitro studies. Here we
      present a high-resolution magic-angle spinning NMR study of the O-antigen of
      Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) performed directly on
      the cells showing the alteration of its acetylation state over time. The O
      antigen region of S. Typhimurium consists of the repeating unit [->2)-alpha-d
      Manp-(1->4)-alpha-l-Rhap-(1->3)-alpha-d-Galp-(1->] where Man stands for mannose,
      Rha for rhamnose, and Gal for galactose. Man is substituted with abequose (Abe) O
      acetylated at carbon 2. Our studies revealed that the appearance of de-O
      acetylated O-antigen in the stationary growth phase is due to the de-O
      acetylation of already synthesized O-acetylated O-antigen and that this reaction
      is caused by the metabolism-induced basic pH of the growth medium. The labile O
      acetylation of the O-antigen we observed in S. Typhimurium generates non
      stoichiometric O-acetylation states and therefore changes the nature of an
      immunogenic epitope.

PMID- 24211644
TI  - Comprehensive survey of CNVs influencing gene expression in the human brain and
      its implications for pathophysiology.
AB  - Copy number variations (CNVs) contribute to neuropsychiatric diseases, which may
      be partly mediated by their effects on gene expression. However, few studies have
      assessed the influence of CNVs on gene expression in the brain. The objective was
      to perform an unbiased comprehensive survey of influence of CNVs on gene
      expression in human brain tissues. CNV regions (CNVRs) were identified in 72
      individuals (23 schizophrenia, 23 bipolar disorder and 26 controls). Significant
      associations between the CNVRs and gene expression levels were observed for 583
      CNVR-expression probe pairs (293 unique eCNVRs and 429 unique transcripts), after
      corrections for multiple testing and controlling the effect of the number of
      subjects with CNVRs by label swapping permutations. These CNVRs affecting gene
      expression (eCNVRs) were significantly enriched for rare/low frequency
      (p=1.087*10(-10)) and gene-harboring CNVRs (p=1.4*10(-6)). Transcripts
      overlapping CNVRs were significantly enriched for glutathione metabolism and
      oxidative stress only for cases but not for controls. Moreover, 72 (24.6%) of
      eCNVRs were located within the chromosomal aberration regions implicated in
      psychiatric-disorders: 16p11.2, 1q21.1, 22q11.2, 3q29, 15q11.2, 17q12 and
      16p13.1. These results shed light on the mechanism of how CNVs confer a risk for
      psychiatric disorders. 

PMID- 24211645
TI  - Cellulose-inducible xylanase Xyl10A from Acremonium cellulolyticus: Purification,
      cloning and homologous expression.
AB  - Cellulose-inducible endo-beta-1,4-xylanase (Xyl10A) from the mesophilic fungus
      Acremonium cellulolyticus was purified, characterized, and expressed by a
      homologous expression system. A. cellulolyticus CF-2612 produces a high level of
      xylanase upon induction by Solka-Floc cellulose. To identify this xylanase, the
      major fraction showing xylanase activity was purified from the CF-2612 culture
      supernatant, and its gene was identified from the genome sequence. Amino acid
      sequence homology of Xyl10A revealed that the purified xylanase, designated
      Xyl10A, exhibited significant homology to family 10 of the glycoside hydrolases
      (GH10), possessing a cellulose-binding module 1 in the C-terminal region. The
      xyl10A gene was cloned and expressed in A. cellulolyticus under the control of a
      glucoamylase promoter. Two recombinant Xyl10As (rXyl10A-I, 53kDa, and rXyl10A-II,
      51kDa) were purified that have slightly different molecular weights based on SDS
      PAGE. The rXyl10As had the same physicochemical and enzymatic properties as
      wtXyl10A: high thermostability (Tm 80.5 degrees C), optimum pH 5.0 and specific
      activity 232-251U/mg for birchwood xylan. The molecular weights of N
      deglycosylated rXyl10As were consistent with that of wild-type Xyl10A (wtXyl10A,
      51kDa). 

PMID- 24211646
TI  - Reduction of cell viability induced by IFN-alpha generates impaired data on
      antiviral assay using Hep-2C cells.
AB  - Type I interferons (IFNs) exert an array of important biological functions on the
      innate immune response and has become a useful tool in the treatment of various
      diseases. An increasing demand in the usage of recombinant IFNs, mainly due to
      the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection, augmented the need of quality
      control for this biopharmaceutical. A traditional bioassay for IFN potency
      assessment is the cytopathic effect reduction antiviral assay where a given cell
      line is preserved by IFN from a lytic virus activity using the cell viability as
      a frequent measure of end point. However, type I IFNs induce other biological
      effects such as cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis that can influence directly on
      viability of many cell lines. Here, we standardized a cytopathic effect reduction
      antiviral assay using Hep-2C cell/mengovirus combination and studied a possible
      impact of cell viability variations caused by IFN-alpha 2b on responses generated
      on the antiviral assay. Using the four-parameter logistic model, we observed less
      correlation and less linearity on antiviral assay when responses from IFN-alpha
      2b 1000 IU/ml were considered in the analysis. Cell viability tests with MTT
      revealed a clear cell growth inhibition of Hep-2C cells under stimulation with
      IFN-alpha 2b. Flow cytometric cell-cycle analysis and apoptosis assessment showed
      an increase of S+G2 phase and higher levels of apoptotic cells after treatment
      with IFN-alpha 2b 1000 IU/ml under our standardized antiviral assay procedure.
      Considering our studied dose range, we also observed strong STAT1 activation on
      Hep-2C cells after stimulation with the higher doses of IFN-alpha 2b. Our
      findings showed that the reduction of cell viability driven by IFN-alpha can
      cause a negative impact on antiviral assays. We assume that the cell death
      induction and the cell growth inhibition effect of IFNs should also be considered
      while employing antiviral assay protocols in a quality control routine and
      emphasizes the importance of new approaches for IFN potency determination.

PMID- 24211647
TI  - How do you diagnose appendicitis? An international evaluation of methods.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Considerable variability exists in the diagnostic approach to acute
      appendicitis (in children), affecting both quality and costs of care.
      Interestingly, an international evaluation of what is commonly practiced today
      has not been performed. We aimed to document current practice patterns in the
      diagnosis of appendicitis in children and to determine whether a consensus exists
      in the workup of these patients among Canadian, Dutch, and Saudi Arabian
      pediatric surgeons. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey using a pre
      designed, self-administered, 14-item survey. We sent the survey to participants
      via electronic mail. RESULTS: In total, 83 responses were received and analyzed,
      yielding a response rate of 42%. The majority of respondents practiced at
      pediatric surgery centers with over 50 beds (58% of Canadian surgeons, 81% of
      Dutch surgeons, 93% of Saudi Arabian surgeons). The majority of Dutch surgeons
      had a preference for physical examination and radiological imaging as opposed to
      Canadian and Saudi Arabian surgeons who favored history and physical examination.
      Interestingly, only one of the surgeons surveyed used an appendicitis scoring
      system. Regarding history and physical examination, most respondents deemed
      migratory abdominal pain and localized RLQ tenderness to be most suggestive of
      appendicitis. Ultrasound was the most preferable imaging modality in acute
      appendicitis across all three countries. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that
      international pediatric surgeons vary substantially in the diagnostic workup of
      patients with appendicitis. Furthermore, there is a variability between common
      practice and the current evidence. We recommend that pediatric surgeons develop
      clinical practice guidelines that are based on consensus information (expert
      opinion) and the best available literature.

PMID- 24211648
TI  - A 6-year-old girl with vaginal bleeding.

PMID- 24211649
TI  - Evaluation of hot-melt extrusion technique in the preparation of HPC matrices for
      prolonged release.
AB  - The aim of the work was to explore the potential of hot-melt extrusion (HME) for
      preparing hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-based prolonged-release matrices intended
      for oral administration. For this purpose, compressed and extruded systems,
      either composed of polymer only or containing different amounts of a model drug
      (theophylline or ketoprofen), were compared. The overall morphological/physical
      changes of the systems following interaction with water indicated that the
      manufacturing process would not exert a major influence on the swelling behavior
      of the polymeric matrices. On the other hand, the release rate was generally
      higher from HME systems probably due to an increase of the drug dissolution rate,
      which is in agreement with the relevant DSC data (loss of drug cristallinity).
      However, the technological characteristics of the matrices and the maximum drug
      load were demonstrated to depend on the mode of interaction of the active
      ingredient with the molten polymer. In this respect, the formation of a composite
      material from ketoprofen and HPC, when mixed in specific ratios, was supposed to
      explain the differences observed between compressed and extruded systems in terms
      of morphological characteristics, hydration/swelling and release. The obtained
      results support the possibility of exploiting the advantages offered by HME
      technique, above all the potential for continuous manufacturing, in the
      preparation of prolonged-release swellable matrices based on a cellulose
      derivative. 

PMID- 24211650
TI  - The gastrin/cholecystokinin-B receptor on prostate cells--a novel target for
      bifunctional prostate cancer imaging.
AB  - The means of identifying prostate carcinoma and its metastases are limited. The
      contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging clinical diagnostics are not
      taken up into the tumor cells, but only accumulate in the interstitial space of
      the highly vasculated tumor. We examined the gastrin/cholecystokinin-B receptor
      as a possible target for prostate-specific detection using the C-terminal seven
      amino acid sequence of the gastrin peptide hormone. The correct sequence and a
      scrambled control sequence were coupled to the fluorescent dye rhodamine and the
      magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent gadolinium (Gd)-1,4,7,10
      tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA). Expression analysis of
      the gastrin receptor mRNA was performed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
      reaction on PC3 prostate carcinoma cells, U373 glioma, U2OS osteosarcoma and
      Colo205 colon carcinoma cells. After having confirmed elevated expression of
      gastrin receptor in PC3 cells and very low expression of the receptor in Colo205
      cells, these two cell lines were used to create tumor xenografts on nude mice for
      in vivo experiments. Confocal lasers scanning microscopy and magnetic resonance
      imaging showed a high specificity of the correct conjugate for the PC3
      xenografts. Staining of the PC3 xenografts was much weaker with the scrambled
      conjugate while the Colo205 xenografts showed no marked staining with any of the
      conjugates. In vitro experiments comparing the correct and scrambled conjugates
      on PC3 cells by magnetic resonance relaxometry and fluorescence-activated cell
      sorting confirmed markedly higher specificity of the correct conjugate. The
      investigations show that the gastrin receptor is a promising tumor cell surface
      target for future prostate-cancer-specific imaging applications. 

PMID- 24211651
TI  - Photothermal ablation of tumor cells using a single-walled carbon nanotube
      peptide composite.
AB  - Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are known to have great potential for
      biomedical applications such as photothermal ablation of tumor cells in
      combination with near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. In this study, the photothermal
      activity of a novel SWCNTs composite with a designed peptide having a repeated
      structure of H-(-Lys-Phe-Lys-Ala-)7-OH [(KFKA)7] against tumor cells was
      evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The SWCNT-(KFKA)7 composite demonstrated high
      aqueous dispersibility that enabled SWCNTs to be used in tumor ablation. The NIR
      irradiation of SWCNT-(KFKA)7 solution resulted in a rapid temperature increase
      dependent on the SWCNTs concentration up to 50MUg/ml. Three minutes of NIR
      irradiation of a colon 26 or HepG2 cell culture incubated with SWCNT-(KFKA)7
      resulted in remarkable cell damage, while that by single treatment with SWCNT
      (KFKA)7 or NIR irradiation alone was moderate. The intratumoral injection of
      SWCNT-(KFKA)7 solution followed by NIR irradiation resulted in a rapid increase
      of the temperature to 43 degrees C in the subcutaneously inoculated colon 26
      tumor based on thermographic observation and remarkable suppression of tumor
      growth compared with treatment with only SWCNT-(KFKA)7 injection alone or NIR
      irradiation alone. These results suggest the a great potential of an SWCNT
      peptide composite for use in photothermal cancer therapy. 

PMID- 24211652
TI  - Valproate improves prepulse inhibition deficits induced by corticotropin
      releasing factor independent of GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptor activation.
AB  - Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is implicated in the pathogenesis of bipolar
      disorder, an illness associated with deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the
      acoustic startle response. Valproate is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder
      and may alter CRF activity via a GABA(A)-ergic mechanism. This study determined
      the effect of valproate on CRF-disrupted PPI and examined the role of the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and GABA-ergic signaling in the effect of
      valproate. Valproate (60-240 mg/kg) dose-dependently reversed PPI deficits
      displayed by transgenic mice overexpressing CRF (CRFtg), and normalized PPI
      deficits induced by CRF i.c.v. infusion in 129Sv mice. Valproate enhanced
      corticosterone secretion more effectively in CRFtg than in wild-type mice. The
      effect of valproate on PPI was not blocked by the GABA(A) receptor antagonist
      bicuculline, the GABA(B) receptor antagonists phaclofen and SCH 50911 or combined
      administration of a GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptor antagonist. The beneficial
      effect of valproate on PPI was not mimicked by the GABA(A) receptor agonist
      muscimol, the GABA transaminase inhibitor vigabatrin, the histone deacetylase
      (HDAC) inhibitor sodium butyrate or by the mood stabilizers lithium,
      carbamazepine, lamotrigine or topiramate. Thus, we showed that valproate improves
      CRF-induced PPI deficits, albeit via a so far unknown mechanism. These marked
      beneficial effects of valproate on CRF-induced sensorimotor gating deficits
      suggest that valproate may be of particular value in specific subgroups of
      bipolar patients that are characterized by alterations in the CRF system.

PMID- 24211653
TI  - Expression of 5-HT2A receptors in prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons projecting
      to nucleus accumbens. Potential relevance for atypical antipsychotic action.
AB  - The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in higher brain functions altered in
      schizophrenia. Classical antipsychotic drugs modulate information processing in
      cortico-limbic circuits via dopamine D2 receptor blockade in nucleus accumbens
      (NAc) whereas atypical antipsychotic drugs preferentially target cortical
      serotonin (5-HT) receptors. The brain networks involved in the therapeutic action
      of atypical drugs are not fully understood. Previous work indicated that medial
      PFC (mPFC) pyramidal neurons projecting to ventral tegmental area express 5-HT2A
      receptors suggesting that atypical antipsychotic drugs modulate dopaminergic
      activity distally, via 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2A-R) blockade in PFC. Since the mPFC
      also projects heavily to NAc, we examined whether NAc-projecting pyramidal
      neurons also express 5-HT2A-R. Using a combination of retrograde tracing
      experiments and in situ hybridization we report that a substantial proportion of
      mPFC-NAc pyramidal neurons in rat brain express 5-HT2A-R mRNA in a layer- and
      area-specific manner (up to 68% in layer V of contralateral cingulate). The
      functional relevance of 5-HT2A-R to modulate mPFC-NAc projections was examined in
      dual-probe microdialysis experiments. The application of the preferential 5-HT2A
      R agonist DOI into mPFC enhanced glutamate release locally (+66 +/- 18%) and in
      NAc (+74 +/- 12%) indicating that cortical 5-HT2A-R activation augments
      glutamatergic transmission in NAc. Since NAc integrates glutamatergic and
      dopaminergic inputs, blockade of 5-HT2A-R by atypical drugs may reduce cortical
      excitatory inputs onto GABAergic neurons of NAc, adding to dopamine D2 receptor
      blockade. Together with previous observations, the present results suggest that
      atypical antipsychotic drugs may control the activity of the mesolimbic pathway
      at cell body and terminal level. 

PMID- 24211654
TI  - Visual search and attention to faces during early infancy.
AB  - Newborn babies look preferentially at faces and face-like displays, yet over the
      course of their first year much changes about both the way infants process visual
      stimuli and how they allocate their attention to the social world. Despite this
      initial preference for faces in restricted contexts, the amount that infants look
      at faces increases considerably during the first year. Is this development
      related to changes in attentional orienting abilities? We explored this
      possibility by showing 3-, 6-, and 9-month-olds engaging animated and live-action
      videos of social stimuli and also measuring their visual search performance with
      both moving and static search displays. Replicating previous findings, looking at
      faces increased with age; in addition, the amount of looking at faces was
      strongly related to the youngest infants' performance in visual search. These
      results suggest that infants' attentional abilities may be an important factor in
      facilitating their social attention early in development. 

PMID- 24211655
TI  - A Pou5f1/Oct4 dependent Klf2a, Klf2b, and Klf17 regulatory sub-network
      contributes to EVL and ectoderm development during zebrafish embryogenesis.
AB  - In mammalian ES cells, the transcription factors Klf4 and Klf2 contribute to
      maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal and are regulated by Pou5f1/Oct4. In
      the early zebrafish embryo Pou5f1/Oct4 is necessary for expression of three
      Klf2/4 family members, klf2a, klf2b and klf17 (previously klf4b), similar to the
      regulation reported for mammalian ES cells. In this study, we analyzed blastula
      and gastrula stage Klf regulatory networks and their influence on zebrafish
      embryonic patterning. We show that Pou5f1 acts in combination with region
      specific factors to activate klf2a, klf2b, and klf17 in the superficial cell
      layer of the embryo. In addition, Pou5f1 acts together with the BMP signaling
      pathway to activate and maintain expression of klf2a and klf2b in a ventral
      ectodermal domain. We used microarray expression profiles of klf2a, klf2b and
      klf17 knockdown and overexpression embryos to identify Klf target genes, which
      reveals that Klfs participate in specification of the extraembryonic enveloping
      layer (EVL). We discuss mechanistic implications of simultaneous activation of
      transcriptional targets by ubiquitous, like Pou5f1, and region-specific inducers,
      emerging as a common regulatory motif in early development. 

PMID- 24211656
TI  - Evidence of an alternative oxidase pathway for mitochondrial respiration in the
      scuticociliate Philasterides dicentrarchi.
AB  - The presence of an alternative oxidase (AOX) in the mitochondria of the
      scuticociliate P. dicentrarchi was investigated. The mitochondrial oxygen
      consumption was measured in the presence of KCN, an inhibitor of cytochrome
      pathway (CP) respiration and salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), a specific inhibitor
      of alternative pathway (AP) respiration. AOX expression was monitored by western
      blotting with an AOX polyclonal antibody. The results showed that P. dicentrarchi
      possesses a branched mitochondrial electron transport chain with both cyanide
      sensitive and -insensitive oxygen consumption. Mitochondrial respiration was
      partially inhibited by cyanide and completely inhibited by the combination of
      cyanide and SHAM, which is direct evidence for the existence of an AP in this
      ciliate. SHAM significantly inhibited in vitro growth of trophozoites both under
      normoxic and hypoxic conditions. AOX is a 42kD monomeric protein inducible by
      hypoxic conditions in experimental infections and by CP inhibitors such as
      cyanide and antimycin A, or by AP inhibitors such as SHAM. CP respiration was
      greatly stimulated during the exponential growth phase, while AP respiration
      increased during the stationary phase, in which AOX expression is induced. As the
      host does not possess AOX, and because during infection P. dicentrarchi respires
      via AP, it may be possible to develop inhibitors targeting the AP as a novel anti
      scuticociliate therapy. 

PMID- 24211657
TI  - Microparticles of Aloe vera/vitamin E/chitosan: microscopic, a nuclear imaging
      and an in vivo test analysis for burn treatment.
AB  - The use of drug-loaded nanoparticles and microparticles has been increasing,
      especially for cosmetic and drug delivery purposes. In this work, a new
      microparticle formulation was developed for use in the healing process of skin
      burns in a composition of Aloe vera/vitamin E/chitosan. In order to observe the
      morphological properties, Raman and atomic force microscopy evaluation were
      performed. The biodistribution studies were analyzed by using a nuclear
      methodology, labeling the microparticles with Technetium-99m and in vivo test was
      procedure to analyzed the cicatrization process. The results of AFM analysis show
      the formation and the adherence property of the microparticles. Raman analyses
      show the distribution of each component in the microparticle. The nuclear method
      used shows that the biodistribution of the microparticles remained in the skin.
      The in vivo cicatrization test showed that the poloxamer gel containing the
      microparticles make a better cicatrization in relation to the other formulations
      tested. 

PMID- 24211658
TI  - Visualization and understanding of the granulation liquid mixing and distribution
      during continuous twin screw granulation using NIR chemical imaging.
AB  - Over the last decade, there has been increased interest in the application of
      twin screw granulation as a continuous wet granulation technique for
      pharmaceutical drug formulations. However, the mixing of granulation liquid and
      powder material during the short residence time inside the screw chamber and the
      atypical particle size distribution (PSD) of granules produced by twin screw
      granulation is not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aims at
      visualizing the granulation liquid mixing and distribution during continuous twin
      screw granulation using NIR chemical imaging. In first instance, the residence
      time of material inside the barrel was investigated as function of screw speed
      and moisture content followed by the visualization of the granulation liquid
      distribution as function of different formulation and process parameters (liquid
      feed rate, liquid addition method, screw configuration, moisture content and
      barrel filling degree). The link between moisture uniformity and granule size
      distributions was also studied. For residence time analysis, increased screw
      speed and lower moisture content resulted to a shorter mean residence time and
      narrower residence time distribution. Besides, the distribution of granulation
      liquid was more homogenous at higher moisture content and with more kneading
      zones on the granulator screws. After optimization of the screw configuration, a
      two-level full factorial experimental design was performed to evaluate the
      influence of moisture content, screw speed and powder feed rate on the mixing
      efficiency of the powder and liquid phase. From these results, it was concluded
      that only increasing the moisture content significantly improved the granulation
      liquid distribution. This study demonstrates that NIR chemical imaging is a fast
      and adequate measurement tool for allowing process visualization and hence for
      providing better process understanding of a continuous twin screw granulation
      system. 

PMID- 24211659
TI  - Selective vulnerability of hippocampal sub-fields to oxygen-glucose deprivation
      is a function of animal age.
AB  - For more than a century, the hippocampal sub-fields have been recognized as being
      differentially vulnerable to injury. While the cause remains unknown, the
      explanations generally considered have involved either vascular differences, or
      innate variability among cells. To examine the latter possibility, we prepared
      acute hippocampal slices from Sprague-Dawley rats, applied a brief period of
      oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD; an in vitro model of ischemia), and assessed the
      viability of dissected sub-fields (CA1, CA3, dentate gyrus) by measuring
      mitochondrial 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) metabolism. In slices
      from young animals (15 weeks of age), post-OGD TTC metabolism was significantly
      reduced in the CA sub-fields relative to the dentate gyrus. Since previous
      studies found increasing age may worsen ischemic injury, we completed the same
      experiment using tissue from animals at 52 weeks of age, and found no differences
      in TTC metabolism across sub-fields. Given the established role of glutamate
      receptors in ischemic cell death, we examined two key subunit proteins (GluN1,
      found in all NMDA receptors, and GluA2, found in most AMPA receptors) across sub
      fields and age to determine whether their expression complemented our viability
      data. We found that, relative to the CA1, the DG displayed greater GluN1
      expression and lower GluA2 expression in both young and old animals. Our results
      confirm that regional vulnerability can be shown in a slice model, that the
      property is not intransigent, and that these features are likely not attributable
      to the expression pattern of key glutamate receptor subunits, but another
      molecular variable that changes over the lifespan. 

PMID- 24211660
TI  - Screening and identification of dynamin-1 interacting proteins in rat brain
      synaptosomes.
AB  - Dynamin-1 is a multi-domain GTPase that is crucial for the fission stage of
      synaptic vesicle recycling and vesicle trafficking. In this study, we constructed
      prokaryotic expression plasmids for the four functional domains of dynamin-1,
      which are pGEX-4T-2-PH, pGEX-4T-2-PRD, pGEX-4T-2-GED and pGEX-4T-2-GTPase.
      Glutathione S-transferase pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), and liquid
      chromatography/mass spectrometry were used to screen and identify dynamin-1
      interacting proteins in rat brain synaptosomes. We identified a set of 63
      candidate protein interactions, including 36 proteins interacting with dynamin-1
      C-terminal proline-rich domain (PRD), 14 with pleckstrin-homology domain (PH), 7
      with GTPase effector domain (GED) and 6 with GTPase domain, consisting of
      synaptic vesicle-associated proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, metabolic enzymes
      and other proteins. We selected three previously unreported dynamin-1 interacting
      proteins to verify their interaction with dynamin-1 under native conditions.
      Using co-IP, we found that Rab GDP-dissociation inhibitor (Rab GDI) and chloride
      channel 3 (ClC-3) do interact with dynamin-1, but not with TUC-4b (the TOAD
      64/Ulip/CRMP (TUC) family member). Those novel interactions detected in our study
      offer valuable insight into the protein-protein interacting network that could
      enhance our understanding of dynamin-1 mediated synaptic vesicle recycling. 

PMID- 24211661
TI  - Cerebro-fronto-facial syndrome type 3 with polymicrogyria: a clinical
      presentation of Baraitser-Winter syndrome.
AB  - Baraitser-Winter syndrome (BRWS) is a rare condition affecting the development of
      the brain and the face. The most common characteristics are unusual facial
      appearance including hypertelorism and ptosis, ocular colobomas, hearing loss,
      impaired neuronal migration and intellectual disability. BRWS is caused by
      mutations in the ACTB and ACTG1 genes. Cerebro-fronto-facial syndrome (CFFS) is a
      clinically heterogeneous condition with distinct facial dysmorphism, and brain
      abnormalities. Three subtypes are identified. We report a female infant with
      striking facial features and brain anomalies (included polymicrogyria) that fit
      into the spectrum of the CFFS type 3 (CFFS3). She also had minor anomalies on her
      hands and feet, heart and kidney malformations, and recurrent infections. DNA
      investigations revealed c.586C>T mutation (p.Arg196Cys) in ACTB. This mutation
      places this patient in the spectrum of BRWS. The same mutation has been detected
      in a polymicrogyric patient reported previously in literature. We expand the
      malformation spectrum of BRWS/CFFS3, and present preliminary findings for
      phenotype-genotype correlation in this spectrum. 

PMID- 24211662
TI  - Investigation of the effects of process variables on derived properties of spray
      dried solid-dispersions using polymer based response surface model and ensemble
      artificial neural network models.
AB  - The objective of this study was to use different statistical tools to understand
      and optimize the spray drying process to prepare solid dispersions. In this study
      we investigated the relationship between input variables (inlet temperature, feed
      concentration, flow rate, solvent and atomization parameters) and quality
      attributes (yield, outlet temperature and mean particle size) of spray dried
      solid dispersions (SSDs) using response surface model and ensemble artificial
      neural network. The Box Behnken design was developed to investigate the effect of
      various input variables on quality attributes of final products. Moreover,
      Pearson correlation analysis, self organizing map, contour plots and response
      surface plot were used to illustrate the relationship between input variables and
      quality attributes. The influence of different physicochemical properties of
      solvent on the quality attributes of spray dried products was also investigated.
      Final validation of prepared models was done using binary SSDs of six model drugs
      with PVP. Results demonstrated the effectiveness of proposed PVP based model
      which can help scientists to gain detailed understanding of spray drying process
      of solid dispersion using minimal resources and time during early formulation
      development stage. It will also help them to ensure consistent quality of SSDs
      using broad range of input variables. 

PMID- 24211663
TI  - Antisense oligonucleotides on neurobehavior, respiratory, and cardiovascular
      function, and hERG channel current studies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Safety Pharmacology studies were conducted in mouse, rat, and non
      human primate to determine in vivo effects of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs)
      on the central nervous system, respiratory system, and cardiovascular system.
      Effects on the hERG potassium channel current was evaluated in vitro. METHODS:
      ASOs contained terminal 2'-O-methoxyethyl nucleotides, central deoxy nucleotides,
      and a phosphorothioate backbone. Neurobehavior was evaluated by Functional
      Observatory Battery in rodents. Respiratory function was directly measured in
      rodents by plethysmograph; respiratory rate and blood gases were measured in
      monkey. Basic cardiovascular endpoints were measured in rat; cardiovascular
      evaluation in monkey involved implanted telemetry units. In single and repeat
      dose studies ASOs were administered by subcutaneous injection at up to 300 mg/kg,
      250 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg in mouse, rat, or monkey, respectively. Assays were
      performed in HEK293 or CHO-K1 cells, stably transfected with hERG cDNA, at ASO
      concentrations of up to 300 MUM. RESULTS: No apparent effects were noted for
      respiratory or CNS function. Continuous monitoring of the cardiovascular system
      in monkey demonstrated no ASO-related changes in blood pressures, heart rate, or
      ECG and associated parameters (i.e., QRS duration). Specific assessment of the
      hERG potassium channel indicated no potential for actions on ventricular
      repolarization or modest effects only at excessive concentrations. DISCUSSION:
      The absence of direct actions on neurobehavior and respiratory function
      associated with the administration of ASOs in safety pharmacology core battery
      studies is consistent with published toxicology studies. The combination of in
      vitro hERG studies and in vivo studies in rat and monkey are consistent with no
      direct actions by ASOs on cardiac cell function or electrical conduction at
      relevant concentrations and dose levels. Taken as a whole, dedicated studies
      focused on the safety pharmacology of specific organ systems do not appear to add
      significant data for interpretation of potential adverse effects. The need for
      dedicated studies for future ASOs in the same class is questionable, as a more
      encompassing data set can be collected in repeat dose and longer-term toxicology
      studies.

PMID- 24211665
TI  - The challenges of classical swine fever control: modified live and E2 subunit
      vaccines.
AB  - Classical swine fever (CSF) is an economically important, highly contagious
      disease of swine worldwide. CSF is caused by classical swine fever virus (CSFV),
      and domestic pigs and wild boars are its only natural hosts. The two main
      strategies used to control CSF epidemic are systematic prophylactic vaccination
      and a non-vaccination stamping-out policy. This review compares the protective
      efficacy of the routinely used modified live vaccine (MLV) and E2 subunit
      vaccines and summarizes the factors that influence the efficacy of the vaccines
      and the challenges that both vaccines face to CSF control. Although MLV provide
      earlier and more complete protection than E2 subunit vaccines, it has the
      drawback of not allowing differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals
      (DIVA). The marker vaccine of E2 protein with companion discriminatory test to
      detect antibodies against E(rns) allows DIVA and is a promising strategy for
      future control and eradication of CSF. Maternal derived antibody (MDA) is the
      critical factor in impairing the efficacy of both MLV and E2 subunit vaccines, so
      the well-designed vaccination programs of sows and piglets should be considered
      together. Because of the antigen variation among various genotypes of CSFV,
      antibodies raised by either MLV or subunit vaccine neutralize genotypically
      homologous strains better than heterologous ones. However, although this is not a
      major concern for MLV as the induced immune responses can protect pigs against
      the challenge of various genotypes of CSFVs, it is critical for E2 subunit
      vaccines. It is thus necessary to evaluate whether the E2 subunit vaccine can
      completely protect against the current prevalent strains in the field. An ideal
      new generation of vaccine should be able to maintain the high protective
      efficiency of MLV and overcome the problem of antigenic variations while allowing
      for DIVA. 

PMID- 24211664
TI  - Pathogenicity of an H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated in Vietnam in 2012 and
      reliability of conjunctival samples for diagnosis of infection.
AB  - The continued spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) subtype
      H5N1 among poultry in Vietnam poses a potential threat to animals and public
      health. To evaluate the pathogenicity of a 2012 H5N1 HPAIV isolate and to assess
      the utility of conjunctival swabs for viral detection and isolation in
      surveillance, an experimental infection with HPAIV subtype H5N1 was carried out
      in domestic ducks. Ducks were infected with 10(7.2) TCID50 of
      A/duck/Vietnam/QB1207/2012 (H5N1), which was isolated from a moribund domestic
      duck. In the infected ducks, clinical signs of disease, including neurological
      disorder, were observed. Ducks started to die at 3 days-post-infection (dpi), and
      the study mortality reached 67%. Viruses were recovered from oropharyngeal and
      conjunctival swabs until 7 dpi and from cloacal swabs until 4 dpi. In the ducks
      that died or were sacrificed on 3, 5, or 6 dpi, viruses were recovered from lung,
      brain, heart, pancreas and intestine, among which the highest virus titers were
      in the lung, brain or heart. Results of virus titration were confirmed by real
      time RT-PCR. Genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene revealed that the
      isolate belongs to clade 2.3.2.1 similarly to the H5N1 viruses isolated in
      Vietnam in 2012. The present study demonstrated that this recent HPAI H5N1 virus
      of clade 2.3.2.1 could replicate efficiently in the systemic organs, including
      the brain, and cause severe disease with neurological symptoms in domestic ducks.
      Therefore, this HPAI H5N1 virus seems to retain the neurotrophic feature and has
      further developed properties of shedding virus from the oropharynx and
      conjunctiva in addition to the cloaca, potentially posing a higher risk of virus
      spread through cross-contact and/or environmental transmission. Continued
      surveillance and diagnostic programs using conjunctival swabs in the field would
      further verify the apparent reliability of conjunctival samples for the detection
      of AIV. 

PMID- 24211666
TI  - The 5' untranslated region of Bean pod mottle virus RNA2 tolerates unusually
      large deletions or insertions.
AB  - Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) is a bipartite, positive-sense (+) RNA virus of
      Secoviridae. We recently reported that a 137 nucleotide (nt) stretch (#263-399)
      of the 466 nt 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of BPMV RNA2 can be deleted without
      compromising BPMV propagation in host plants [Lin et al., J. Gen. Virol. 94
      (2013) 1415-1420]. Here we demonstrate that nonviral insertions of up to 625 nt
      is tolerated by the same region. Furthermore, one insertion mutant underwent
      recombination in infected plants, leading to the truncation of nt #250-361, thus
      extending the dispensable sequence to 150 nt (nt #250-399). We are unaware of any
      other (+) RNA virus that tolerates insertion/deletion of these sizes (625 nt/150
      nt) within its 5' UTR. Importantly, tolerance of large insertions within the RNA2
      5' UTR offers a novel, more convenient site for incorporating host gene
      fragments, making BPMV a more versatile vector of virus-induced gene silencing.

PMID- 24211667
TI  - Involvement of HSC70-4 and other inducible HSPs in Bombyx mori
      nucleopolyhedrovirus infection.
AB  - Heat shock proteins (HSPs) and heat shock cognate proteins (HSCs) function as
      molecular chaperones under normal cellular conditions. In this report, we
      describe the role of Bombyx mori heat shock cognate protein 70-4 (BmHSC70-4),
      which is a constitutively expressed member of the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70)
      family, in B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection. We first generated the
      BmHSC70-4 antibody, which can react specifically with an endogenous BmHSC70 from
      BmN cells. Immunohistochemistry has demonstrated that BmHSC70-4 was expressed at
      steady-state levels throughout the BmNPV infection and was accumulated in the
      nucleus of BmNPV-infected cells at a very late phase of infection. Western blot
      experiments have also shown that BmHSC70-4 is a novel component protein of budded
      virus (BV) and occlusion-derived virus (ODV). Next, we investigated the effect of
      KNK437, a known inhibitor of inducible HSPs, in BmNPV-infected BmN cells and
      found that both reduced BV production and delayed viral DNA replication were
      observed in virus-infected cells treated with KNK437. Furthermore, the formation
      of occlusion bodies (OBs) was not observed in KNK437-treated cells because this
      compound reduced the promoter activity of the polyhedrin gene severely.
      Collectively, the present results suggest that BmHSC70-4 is a novel structural
      protein of BmNPV and may have important roles in BmNPV propagation. 

PMID- 24211669
TI  - Carbon nanotubes in medicine and biology - safety and toxicology.

PMID- 24211668
TI  - A novel pyrosequencing assay for the detection of neuraminidase inhibitor
      resistance-conferring mutations among clinical isolates of avian H7N9 influenza
      virus.
AB  - A novel reassortant avian influenza A virus (H7N9) emerged in humans in Eastern
      China in late February 2013. All virus strains were resistant to adamantanes
      (amantadine and rimantadine), but susceptible to neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs)
      (oseltamivir and zanamivir). One strain (A/shanghai/1/2013) contained the R294K
      substitution in the neuraminidase (NA) gene, indicating resistance to
      oseltamivir. Pyrosequencing has proven to be a useful tool in the surveillance of
      drug resistance in influenza A viruses. Here, we describe a reverse transcription
      (RT)-PCR assay coupled with pyrosequencing to identify the NA residues E120,
      H276, and R294 (N9 numbering) of H7N9 viruses. A total of 43 specimens (26
      clinical samples and 17 isolates) were tested. Only one isolate containing the
      E120V heterogenic mutation was detected by pyrosequencing and confirmed by Sanger
      sequencing. However, this mutation was not detected in the original clinical
      specimen. Since virus isolation might lead to the selection of variants that
      might not fully represent the virus population in the clinical specimens, we
      suggest that using pyrosequencing to detect NAI resistance in H7N9 viruses
      directly from clinical specimens rather than from cultured isolates. No cross
      reactions with other types of influenza virus and respiratory tract viruses were
      found, and this assay has a sensitivity of 100 copies of synthetic RNA for all
      three codons. The high sensitivity and specificity of the assay should be
      sufficient for the detection of positive clinical specimens. In this study, we
      provide a rapid and reliable method for the characterization of NAI resistance in
      H7N9 viruses. 

PMID- 24211670
TI  - The influence of human physical activity and contaminated clothing type on
      particle resuspension.
AB  - A study was conducted to experimentally quantify the influence of three variables
      on the level of resuspension of hazardous aerosol particles from clothing.
      Variables investigated include physical activity level (two levels, low and
      high), surface type (four different clothing material types), and time i.e. the
      rate at which particles resuspend. A mixture of three monodisperse tracer
      labelled powders, with median diameters of 3, 5, and 10 microns, was used to
      "contaminate" the samples, and the resuspended particles were analysed in real
      time using an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS), and also by Neutron Activation
      Analysis (NAA). The overall finding was that physical activity resulted in up to
      67% of the contamination deposited on clothing being resuspended back into the
      air. A detailed examination of the influence of physical activity level on
      resuspension, from NAA, revealed that the average resuspended fraction (RF) of
      particles at low physical activity was 28 +/- 8%, and at high physical activity
      was 30 +/- 7%, while the APS data revealed a tenfold increase in the cumulative
      mass of airborne particles during high physical activity in comparison to that
      during low physical activity. The results also suggest that it is not the
      contaminated clothing's fibre type which influences particle resuspension, but
      the material's weave pattern (and hence the material's surface texture).
      Investigation of the time variation in resuspended particle concentrations
      indicated that the data were separable into two distinct regimes: the first
      (occurring within the first 1.5 min) having a high, positive rate of change of
      airborne particle concentration relative to the second regime. The second regime
      revealed a slower rate of change of particle concentration and remained
      relatively unchanged for the remainder of each resuspension event. 

PMID- 24211671
TI  - Source term estimation of radioxenon released from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear
      reactors using measured air concentrations and atmospheric transport modeling.
AB  - Systems designed to monitor airborne radionuclides released from underground
      nuclear explosions detected radioactive fallout across the northern hemisphere
      resulting from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011.
      Sampling data from multiple International Modeling System locations are combined
      with atmospheric transport modeling to estimate the magnitude and time sequence
      of releases of (133)Xe. Modeled dilution factors at five different detection
      locations were combined with 57 atmospheric concentration measurements of (133)Xe
      taken from March 18 to March 23 to estimate the source term. This analysis
      suggests that 92% of the 1.24 * 10(19) Bq of (133)Xe present in the three
      operating reactors at the time of the earthquake was released to the atmosphere
      over a 3 d period. An uncertainty analysis bounds the release estimates to 54
      129% of available (133)Xe inventory. 

PMID- 24211672
TI  - Novel features for identifying A-minors in three-dimensional RNA molecules.
AB  - RNA tertiary interactions or tertiary motifs are conserved structural patterns
      formed by pairwise interactions between nucleotides. They include base-pairing,
      base-stacking, and base-phosphate interactions. A-minor motifs are the most
      common tertiary interactions in the large ribosomal subunit. The A-minor motif is
      a nucleotide triple in which minor groove edges of an adenine base are inserted
      into the minor groove of neighboring helices, leading to interaction with a
      stabilizing base pair. We propose here novel features for identifying and
      predicting A-minor motifs in a given three-dimensional RNA molecule. By utilizing
      the features together with machine learning algorithms including random forests
      and support vector machines, we show experimentally that our approach is capable
      of predicting A-minor motifs in the given RNA molecule effectively, demonstrating
      the usefulness of the proposed approach. The techniques developed from this work
      will be useful for molecular biologists and biochemists to analyze RNA tertiary
      motifs, specifically A-minor interactions. 

PMID- 24211673
TI  - Correlation between "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" infection levels and
      fecundity in its psyllid vector.
AB  - The potato/tomato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) transmits the bacterium,
      "Candidatus (Ca.) Liberibacter solanacearum" (Lso), also known as "Ca.
      Liberibacter psyllaurous", which causes zebra chip disease in potato and other
      solanaceous crops. The authors previously showed that fecundity and nymph
      survival is significantly reduced in Lso-infected psyllids compared to uninfected
      psyllids on tomato. However, it is not known whether the level of the pathogen is
      correlated with concomitant reduction in fitness of the psyllid vector. Using
      quantitative PCR assays, Lso levels were determined in adult female founders of
      isofemale lines for whom several life history traits were previously recorded.
      Analysis of psyllid isofemale lines revealed that Lso infection levels in
      founders or mothers was negatively correlated with 7-day fecundity, nymph
      survival percentage, and number of F1 progeny including eggs, nymphs and adults.
      There was a significant negative density-dependent relationship between Lso level
      and fecundity. That is, psyllids experienced decreasing levels in fecundity with
      increasing bacterial titer. There was no apparent negative density-dependent
      relationship between Lso copies and number of nymphs, nymph survival percentage
      and number of adults. The negative effect of Lso on psyllid fecundity is likely
      due to direct effects of the bacteria on the insect host and not via the host
      plant. Taken together, these findings suggest that the level of Lso in its
      psyllid vector correlates with reduction in psyllid fitness. 

PMID- 24211674
TI  - Digital gene expression analysis in the midgut of 4008 silkworm strain infected
      with cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus.
AB  - Digital Gene Expression was performed to investigate the midgut transcriptome
      profile of 4008 silkworm strain orally infected with BmCPV. A total of 4,498,263
      and 4,258,240 clean tags were obtained from the control and BmCPV-infected
      larvae. A total of 752 differentially expressed genes were detected, of which 649
      were upregulated and 103 were downregulated. Analysis results of the Kyoto
      Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway showed that 334 genes were involved in
      the ribosome and RNA transport pathways. Moreover, 408 of the 752 differentially
      expressed genes have a GO category and can be categorized into 41 functional
      groups according to molecular function, cellular component and biological
      process. Differentially expressed genes involved in signaling, gene expression,
      metabolic process, cell death, binding, and catalytic activity changes were
      detected in the expression profiles. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to
      verify the expression of these genes. The upregulated expression levels of
      Calreticulin, FK506-binding protein, and protein kinase c inhibitor gene probably
      led to a calcium-dependent apoptosis in the BmCPV-infected cells. The results of
      this study may serve as a basis for future research not only on the molecular
      mechanism of BmCPV invasion but also on the anti-BmCPV mechanism of silkworm. 

PMID- 24211675
TI  - Effects of probucol, a typical hERG expression inhibitor, on in vivo QT interval
      prolongation in conscious dogs.
AB  - The cholesterol-lowering drug, probucol, is known to induce QT interval
      prolongation and torsades de pointes in patients. Recent in vitro studies have
      indicated that probucol reduces hERG expression in the plasma membrane and does
      not directly block human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels. The present
      study was performed to investigate the effects of probucol on in vivo QT interval
      prolongation. Epicardial electrocardiograms were recorded in conscious dogs given
      oral single or repeated (7 days) doses of probucol (100mg/kg), and in combination
      with moxifloxacin (20mg/kg). QTc intervals were analyzed by a probabilistic
      method with individual rate collection formulae. Values of change in QTc
      (<DELTA>QTc) interval and its integration from 1 to 21 h (AUC1-21h) were
      calculated to evaluate drug-induced QT prolongation. A single dose of probucol
      slightly but significantly increased the AUC1-21h QTc interval on days 2 and 3.
      The QT prolongation was markedly augmented by repeated doses of probucol in a
      time-dependent manner, despite the lack of increase in plasma concentration. The
      combination of probucol and moxifloxacin produced additive effects on QT interval
      prolongation. These results suggest that long-term exposure to the hERG
      expression inhibitor, probucol, is required to evaluate its maximal effects on in
      vivo QT interval prolongation. A combination of direct and indirect hERG
      inhibitors may produce simple additive effects on QT interval prolongation.

PMID- 24211677
TI  - Vernakalant is devoid of proarrhythmic effects in the complete AV block dog
      model.
AB  - The anesthetized chronic AV-blocked dog (cAVB) and methoxamine-sensitized rabbit
      model are widely used to determine pro-arrhythmic properties of drugs. In
      general, both models show similar results. However, conflicting data have also
      been reported; K201 and AZD1305 induced Torsade de Pointes (TdP) exclusively in
      cAVB dogs. Vernakalant, an antiarrhythmic drug that blocks several ion channels
      has been approved only in Europe. Its propensity to induce repolarization
      dependent TdP arrhythmias has been evaluated solely in the methoxamine-sensitized
      rabbits. We therefore assessed the proarrhythmic potential of vernakalant in the
      cAVB dog model. Vernakalant was evaluated in 10 mongrel dogs (sinus rhythm (SR)
      2mg/kg; chronic AV block (cAVB) 2+3mg/kg). The same dogs were challenged with
      dofetilide (25 MUg/kg) to evaluate TdP inducibility. During the serial
      experiments the animals were paced from the right ventricular apex (60
      beats/min). Short-term variability of repolarization (STV) was quantified for
      proarrhythmic risk. In SR (n=8) vernakalant prolonged QT (265 +/- 11 to 311 +/-
      18 ms P<0.01(**)) but not PQ or QRS. In cAVB (n=8), 2mg/kg vernakalant prolonged
      QT (391 +/- 43 to 519 +/- 73 ms(**)) and QRS (103 +/- 24 to 108 +/- 23 ms(**)).
      After a 30 min lag-time, 3mg/kg vernakalant (n=4) increased QT to a lesser extent
      (413 +/- 34 to 454 +/- 27 ms(**)) while maintaining QRS prolongation (114 +/- 18
      to 122 +/- 20 ms(**)). Neither dose increased STV or caused arrhythmias.
      Dofetilide prolonged QT (398 +/- 51 to 615 +/- 71 ms(**)), increased STV (1.0 +/-
      0.4 to 2.2 +/- 1.0 ms P<0.05(*)) and induced TdP arrhythmias in 6/8(*) cAVB dogs.
      Vernakalant did not induce arrhythmias in the cAVB dog model. Higher dosages
      (3mg/kg) did not prolong repolarization further whereas negative inotropic
      effects were starting to become apparent precluding further increases in dose.

PMID- 24211676
TI  - Minocycline modulates neuroprotective effect of hesperidin against quinolinic
      acid induced Huntington's disease like symptoms in rats: behavioral, biochemical,
      cellular and histological evidences.
AB  - Emerging evidences indicate hesperidin, a citrus flavanone, attenuates
      neurodegenerative processes and related complications. Besides its anti-oxidant
      properties, the other probable mechanisms which underpin its neuroprotective
      potential are still not clear. In light of emerging role of flavonoids in
      modulating oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation, the study has been designed
      to explore the possible neuroprotective effect of hesperidin and its combination
      with minocycline (microglial inhibitor), against quinolinic acid (QA) induced
      Huntington's disease (HD) like symptoms in rats. Unilateral intrastriatal
      administration of QA (300 nmol/4 ul) significantly reduced body weight, impaired
      behavior (locomotor activity, beam balance and memory performance), caused
      oxidative damage (increased lipid peroxidation, nitrite concentration, depleted
      super oxide dismutase and reduced glutathione), demonstrated mitochondrial
      dysfunction (decreased Complex-I, II, III, and IV activities), increased striatal
      lesion volume and altered the levels of TNF-alpha, caspase-3 as well as BDNF
      expression, as compared to sham group. Meanwhile, chronic hesperidin (100mg/kg,
      p.o.) and minocycline (25mg/kg, p.o.) treatment for 21 days significantly
      attenuated the behavioral, biochemical and cellular alterations as compared to QA
      treated (control) animals, whereas hesperidin (50mg/kg, p.o.) treatment was found
      to be non-significant. However, treatment of hesperidin (50mg/kg) in combination
      with minocycline (25mg/kg) potentiated their neuroprotective effect, which was
      significant as compared to their effects per se in QA treated animals. Taken
      altogether, the results of the present study suggest a possible interplay of
      microglial modulation and anti-oxidant effect in neuroprotective potential of
      hesperidin against QA induced HD like symptoms in rats.

PMID- 24211678
TI  - Nausea and vomiting in advanced cancer.
AB  - Nausea and vomiting are very common symptoms in cancer both treatment and non
      treatment related. Many complications of advanced cancer such as gastroparesis,
      bowel and outlet obstructions, and brain tumors may have nausea and vomiting or
      either symptom alone. In a non-obstructed situation, nausea may be more difficult
      to manage and is more objectionable to patients. There is little research on
      management of these symptoms except the literature on chemotherapy induced nausea
      where guidelines exist. This article will review the etiologies of nausea and
      vomiting in advanced cancer and the medications which have been used to treat
      them. An etiology based protocol to approach the symptom is outlined. 

PMID- 24211679
TI  - Mechanisms and clinical uses of capsaicin.
AB  - Capsaicin is the active ingredient of chili peppers and gives them the
      characteristic pungent flavor. Understanding the actions of capsaicin led to the
      discovery of its receptor, transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily
      member 1 (TRPV1). This receptor is found on key sensory afferents, and so the use
      of capsaicin to selectively activate pain afferents has been studied in animal
      and human models for various indications. Capsaicin is unique among naturally
      occurring irritant compounds because the initial neuronal excitation evoked by it
      is followed by a long-lasting refractory period, during which the previously
      excited neurons are no longer responsive to a broad range of stimuli. This
      process known as defunctionalisation has been exploited for therapeutic use of
      capsaicin in various painful conditions. We reviewed different studies on
      mechanisms of action of capsaicin and its utility in different clinical
      conditions. A beneficial role of capsaicin has been reported in obesity,
      cardiovascular and gastrointestinal conditions, various cancers, neurogenic
      bladder, and dermatologic conditions. Various theories have been put forth to
      explain these effects. Interestingly many of these pharmacological actions are
      TRPV1 independent. This review is aimed at providing an overview of these
      mechanisms and to also present literature which contradicts the proposed
      beneficial effects of capsaicin. Most of the literature comes from animal studies
      and since many of these mechanisms are poorly understood, more investigation is
      required in human subjects. 

PMID- 24211680
TI  - Combined analysis of cytokine gene polymorphism and the level of expression with
      allograft function in kidney transplant recipients.
AB  - Cytokines are important factors determining the outcome of transplantation since
      host ability in cytokine production may be affected by cytokine gene
      polymorphisms. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of IL
      17, IL-23R and IL-21 gene polymorphisms in the outcome of kidney transplantation.
      A total of 250 kidney transplant recipients were included in this study. Overall
      70 recipients (28%) experienced an acute rejection. IL-17 197 A/G, IL-21+1472
      G/T, IL-21 5250 C/T, and IL-23R C/T gene polymorphisms were evaluated by PCR-RFLP
      or ARMS-PCR methods. The serum levels of IL-17 and IL-21 were also checked by
      ELISA. IL-17 GG carriers and G allele were significantly more frequent in
      patients with acute rejection as compared to patients without any sign of
      rejection (P=0.045 and P=0.032, respectively). In addition after gender
      classification, IL-23R AA carriers and A allele were significantly more frequent
      in male patients who experienced an acute rejection as compared to non-rejected
      patients (P=0.03, P=0.011, respectively). The IL-17 serum levels have also shown
      significant differences between rejected and non-rejected groups (24.37+/-32.94
      for AR and 8.6+/-9.9 for non-AR groups, respectively; P=0.035). The mentioned
      results indicate that IL-17GG genotype, G allele and its serum level have
      predictive values for acute rejection. GG genotype and G allele of IL-17 is a
      genetic risk factor for development of acute rejection. Also, AA genotype and A
      allele of IL-23R is a sex dependent genetic risk factor for the development of
      acute rejection, but this subject needs to be studied in a different population. 

PMID- 24211681
TI  - Evolution of learning strategies in temporally and spatially variable
      environments: a review of theory.
AB  - The theoretical literature from 1985 to the present on the evolution of learning
      strategies in variable environments is reviewed, with the focus on deterministic
      dynamical models that are amenable to local stability analysis, and on
      deterministic models yielding evolutionarily stable strategies. Individual
      learning, unbiased and biased social learning, mixed learning, and learning
      schedules are considered. A rapidly changing environment or frequent migration in
      a spatially heterogeneous environment favors individual learning over unbiased
      social learning. However, results are not so straightforward in the context of
      learning schedules or when biases in social learning are introduced. The three
      major methods of modeling temporal environmental change--coevolutionary, two
      timescale, and information decay--are compared and shown to sometimes yield
      contradictory results. The so-called Rogers' paradox is inherent in the two
      timescale method as originally applied to the evolution of pure strategies, but
      is often eliminated when the other methods are used. Moreover, Rogers' paradox is
      not observed for the mixed learning strategies and learning schedules that we
      review. We believe that further theoretical work is necessary on learning
      schedules and biased social learning, based on models that are logically
      consistent and empirically pertinent.

PMID- 24211682
TI  - Evolution of learning and levels of selection: a lesson from avian parent
      offspring communication.
AB  - In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that the evolution of behavior
      may be better understood as the evolution of the learning mechanisms that produce
      it, and that such mechanisms should be modeled and tested explicitly. However,
      this approach, which has recently been applied to animal foraging and decision
      making, has rarely been applied to the social and communicative behaviors that
      are likely to operate in complex social environments and be subject to multi
      level selection. Here we use genetic, agent-based evolutionary simulations to
      explore how learning mechanisms may evolve to adjust the level of nestling
      begging (offspring signaling of need), and to examine the possible consequences
      of this process for parent-offspring conflict and communication. In doing so, we
      also provide the first step-by-step dynamic model of parent-offspring
      communication. The results confirm several previous theoretical predictions and
      demonstrate three novel phenomena. First, negatively frequency-dependent group
      level selection can generate a stable polymorphism of learning strategies and
      parental responses. Second, while conventional reinforcement learning models fail
      to cope successfully with family dynamics at the nest, a newly developed learning
      model (incorporating behaviors that are consistent with recent experimental
      results on learning in nestling begging) produced effective learning, which
      evolved successfully. Third, while kin-selection affects the frequency of the
      different learning genes, its impact on begging slope and intensity was
      unexpectedly negligible, demonstrating that evolution is a complex process, and
      showing that the effect of kin-selection on behaviors that are shaped by learning
      may not be predicted by simple application of Hamilton's rule. 

PMID- 24211683
TI  - Mitochondrial genomes of Anisakis simplex and Contracaecum osculatum (sensu
      stricto)--comparisons with selected nematodes.
AB  - Anisakid nematodes parasitize mainly fish, marine mammals and/or fish-eating
      birds, and can be transmitted to a range of fish-eating mammals, including
      humans, where they can cause gastrointestinal disease linked to larval infection
      or allergic responses. In spite of the animal and human health significance of
      these parasites, there are still gaps in our understanding of the systematics,
      biology, epidemiology and ecology of anisakids. Mitochondrial (mt) DNA provides
      useful genetic markers for investigations in these areas, but complete mt genomic
      data have been lacking for most anisakids. In the present study, the mt genomes
      of Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Contracaecum osculatum sensu stricto were
      amplified from genomic DNA by long-range polymerase chain reaction and sequenced
      using 454 technology. The circular mt genomes of these species were 13,926 and
      13,823 bp, respectively, and each of them contained 12 protein-coding, 22
      transfer RNA, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes consistent for members of the Ascaridida,
      Oxyurida, Spirurida, Rhabditida and Strongylida. These mt genomes provide a
      stepping-stone for future comparative analyses of a range of anisakids and a
      basis for reinvestigating their genetic relationships. In addition, these markers
      might be used in prospecting for cryptic species and exploring host affiliations.

PMID- 24211684
TI  - Computational modelling of ALDH1B1 tetramer formation and the effect of coding
      variants.

PMID- 24211685
TI  - Emerging evidence for P body function in the peripheral nervous system.

PMID- 24211686
TI  - Altered source-based EEG coherence of resting-state sensorimotor network in early
      stage Alzheimer's disease compared to mild cognitive impairment.
AB  - Although the altered coherence between cortical areas in Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      has been widely studied, it remains unclear whether the source-based coherence
      measures within sensorimotor network show significant difference between mild
      cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. In the present study, resting-state
      electroencephalographic signals were recorded from 21 MCI and 21 mild AD
      patients. The spectral power and coherence in the sensorimotor areas were
      analyzed using the minimum norm estimate (MNE) combined with fast Fourier
      transform and coherence analysis in delta (1-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-13
      Hz), beta (13-25 Hz), and gamma (25-40 Hz) bands. Our results indicated that
      source-based coherence in AD showed increased delta coherences between the
      bilateral precentral, left supplementary motor area (SMA) and right precentral,
      and left SMA and right postcentral areas. However, no significant difference of
      spectral powers was observed between AD and MCI. To conclude, the phenotype
      conversion from MCI to AD may be associated with an altered connectivity of the
      sensorimotor cortical network. This is a promising finding; however, further
      large-scale studies are needed.

PMID- 24211687
TI  - Oleuropein aglycone counteracts Abeta42 toxicity in the rat brain.
AB  - Previous data have shown that oleuropein aglycone (OLE), the main secoiridoid
      phenol present in extra virgin olive oil, counteracts in vitro aggregation of the
      Abeta42 peptide and protects cultured cells and model organisms against
      aggregates toxicity. In this study we investigated the relative tissue toxicity
      of Abeta42 aggregated in vitro in the presence or in the absence of OLE by
      injecting the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) of adult male Wistar rats
      with a 1.5 MUl solution containing OLE (450 MUM) or Abeta42 (50 MUM) aggregated
      in the absence (oligomers) or in the presence of 450 MUM OLE. Control rats were
      injected with vehicle (1.5 MUl). Thirty days after injection, the number of
      choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-positive neurons, glia reaction and the Abeta
      peptide levels were detected by immunohistochemistry. An apparent reduction in
      the amount of soluble A11-positive oligomers was detected in the NBM injected
      with Abeta42 aggregated with OLE, as compared with the NBM injected with Abeta42
      alone. In the latter case, the number of ChAT-positive neurons was significantly
      reduced (~-33%) respect to that recorded in the NBM injected with phosphate
      buffer, OLE or Abeta42 aggregated with OLE. A markedly attenuated Abeta-induced
      astrocytes and microglia reaction was also found in the NBM injected with Abeta42
      aggregated with OLE. Altogether, these data provide additional support to the
      anti-aggregation, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of this
      natural phenol, confirming its beneficial properties against neurodegeneration.

PMID- 24211688
TI  - Effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 on corneal surface ultrastructure and
      nerve regeneration of rabbit eyes after laser in situ keratomileusis.
AB  - To explore the effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on corneal surface
      ultrastructure and nerve regeneration in rabbit models after laser in situ
      keratomileusis (LASIK). Forty-two healthy New Zealand white rabbits were divided
      into two groups, the IGF-1 group and the control group, and LASIK surgery was
      performed. The corneal surface ultrastructure was observed by transmission
      electron microscopy, and the nerve regeneration was evaluated by counting the
      newly regenerated nerves at 1 d, 1 w, 2 w, 1 m, 3 m and 6 m after surgery. Dry
      eye parameters, including the Schirmer I test and tear break-up time, were
      examined at all time points. The examination of corneal ultrastructure showed
      that the number of corneal epithelial microvilli in the IGF-1 group was
      significantly higher than that in the normal saline (NS) group except in the
      second postoperative week (p<0.05). The observation of corneal nerve regeneration
      showed that the number of regenerated nerve fibers in the IGF-1 group was higher
      than the control group at all time points (p<0.05). The parameters of dry eye
      were significantly higher in the IGF-1 group compared to the control group at all
      time points except at 1d and 6m after LASIK. IGF-1 can effectively accelerate the
      early repair of corneal surface ultrastructure and nerve regeneration after LASIK
      and relieve dry eye symptoms in rabbit eyes.

PMID- 24211689
TI  - Orexin type 1 receptor antagonism in Lateral Paragigantocellularis nucleus
      attenuates naloxone precipitated morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats.
AB  - Orexin neuropeptides have been reported to be involved in morphine induced
      physical dependence and withdrawal. The Lateral Paragigantocellularis (LPGi) is a
      key brain region implicated in the expression of somatic signs of morphine
      withdrawal syndrome. Orexin A and orexin type 1 receptor have been found in LPGi
      neurons but the effect of orexin on the expression of opiate dependence and
      withdrawal phenomena in this brain structure has not been studied yet. In this
      study, the effect of intra-LPGi administration of SB 334867 (selective orexin
      type 1 receptor antagonist) on the behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal
      syndrome was investigated. Male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were rendered
      dependent by adding morphine sulfate (Temad, Tehran, Iran) to their drinking
      water in increasing concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3mg/ml for every 48 h and 0.4
      mg/ml during the next 15 days. Behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal were
      assessed in a transparent cylindrical Plexiglas test chamber (30 cm diameter, 50
      cm height) for 25 min. One group of animals received intra-LPGi injection of SB
      334867 (0.2 MUl, 100 MUM) immediately before naloxone. In the control group, SB
      334867 vehicle (DMSO 1%, 0.2 MUl) was microinjected into LPGi. Our results
      indicate that intra-LPGi administration of SB 334867 significantly decreases
      naloxone precipitated morphine withdrawal signs. Thus, it seems that orexin might
      have a pivotal role in the expression of morphine withdrawal signs through
      affecting orexin type 1 receptor in LPGi nucleus.

PMID- 24211690
TI  - Protective effect of telmisartan against oxidative damage induced by high glucose
      in neuronal PC12 cell.
AB  - Telmisartan is an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker and partial agonist of
      peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma). Here, we
      investigated the protective capacity of telmisartan against high glucose (HG)
      elicited oxidative damage in PC12 cells. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase
      (LDH), NADPH oxidase (NOX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) as well as
      the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), intracellular reactive
      oxygen species (ROS), cell viability and DNA fragmentation were measured in HG
      treated PC12 cells with and without telmisartan co-treatment. Moreover, the
      direct antioxidant effect of telmisartan was determined by 2,2-azinobis-(3
      ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assay and protein expression of
      Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3 and NOX subunit p47phox by western blotting.
      Telmisartan exhibited antioxidant activity in the ABTS assay with the IC50 value
      of 37.5 MUM. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with telmisartan, prior to HG exposure,
      was associated with a marked diminution in cleaved caspase-3 expression, DNA
      fragmentation, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, intracellular ROS and MDA levels. Additionally,
      the cell viability, GSH level, SOD and CAT activity were notably elevated by
      telmisartan, whereas the activity and the protein expression of NADPH oxidase
      subunit p47phox were attenuated. Interestingly, co-treatment with GW9662, a PPAR
      gamma antagonist, partially inhibited the beneficial effects of telmisartan.
      These findings suggest that telmisartan has protective effects on HG-induced
      neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, which may be related to its antioxidant action and
      inhibition of NADPH oxidase. Furthermore, the results show that PPAR-gamma
      activation is involved in the neuroprotective effects of telmisartan.

PMID- 24211691
TI  - SLC6A3 is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis of sixteen
      years' studies.
AB  - The human dopamine transporter gene (gene symbol: SLC6A3) is considered as a
      candidate risk factor for Parkinson's disease because dopamine transporter
      accumulates cytotoxic dopamine or other toxins in the dopamine neurons. However,
      findings from numerous association studies in different populations have been
      inconsistent with each other. In this study, we performed a combined analysis of
      published case-control genetic association data between SLC6A3 and Parkinson's
      disease. The results indicate that SLC6A3 confers a modest but significant risk
      for Parkinson's disease in various populations. Allele 10-repeat of the 40-base
      pair variable number tandem repeat, a well studied polymorphism in the 3'
      untranslated region of SLC6A3, confers neuroprotection in East Asian (OR: 0.78,
      95% CI: 0.65, 0.94 and p=0.009) but not in Caucasian populations. Genotype GG and
      allele G of the promoter single nucleotide polymorphism rs2652510 is associated
      with a risk in Caucasians (allelic G, OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.54, and p=0.018;
      genotypic GG OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03-1.84 and p=0.032). Such information implies a
      population-dependent involvement of SLC6A3 in the etiology of Parkinson's
      disease. 

PMID- 24211692
TI  - Androgen regulates development of the sexually dimorphic gastrin-releasing
      peptide neuron system in the lumbar spinal cord: evidence from a mouse line
      lacking androgen receptor in the nervous system.
AB  - Androgens including testosterone, organize the nervous system as well as
      masculine external and internal genitalia during the perinatal period. Androgen
      organization involves promotion of masculine body features, usually by acting
      through androgen receptors (ARs). We have recently demonstrated that the gastrin
      releasing peptide (GRP) system in the lumbar spinal cord also mediates spinal
      centers promoting penile reflexes during male sexual behavior in rats.
      Testosterone may induce sexual differentiation of this spinal GRP system during
      development and maintain its activation in adulthood. In the present study, we
      examined the role of ARs in the nervous system regulating the development of the
      sexually dimorphic GRP system. For this purpose, we used a conditional mouse line
      selectively lacking the AR gene in the nervous system. AR floxed males carrying
      (mutants) or not (controls) the nestin-Cre transgene were castrated in adulthood
      and supplemented with physiological amounts of testosterone. Loss of AR
      expression in the nervous system resulted in a significant decrease in the number
      of GRP neurons compared to control littermates. Consequently, the intensity of
      GRP axonal projections onto the lower lumbar and upper sacral spinal cord was
      greater in control males than in mutant males. These results suggest that ARs
      expressed in the nervous system play a significant role in the development of the
      GRP system in the male lumbar spinal cord. The AR-deletion mutation may attenuate
      sexual behavior and activity of mutant males via spinal GRP system-mediated
      neural mechanisms. 

PMID- 24211693
TI  - Klotho in the cerebrospinal fluid of adults with and without Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - The aging-suppressor gene klotho encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein that
      is predominantly secreted by the choroid plexus of the brain and in the kidney.
      Klotho-deficient mice develop multiple aging phenotypes, including impaired
      cognition. Klotho concentrations have not been described in the CSF of humans. We
      measured klotho in the CSF of 20 older adults with Alzheimer's disease and in 20
      older and 20 younger adults with normal cognition. In 10 adults, aged 38-87
      years, CSF klotho measurements were made at baseline and every 6h up to 18-30 h
      later. Mean (95% confidence interval [C.I.]) CSF klotho in men versus women were
      899 (814, 983) and 716 (632, 801) pg/mL, respectively (P=0.002). Mean (95% C.I.)
      CSF klotho in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease were 664 (603,
      725) and 776 (705, 828) pg/mL, respectively (P=0.02), adjusting for sex. Mean
      (95% C.I.) klotho in older versus younger adults were 766 (658, 874) and 992
      (884, 1100) pg/mL, respectively (P=0.005), adjusting for sex. In the longitudinal
      study of CSF klotho, no significant circadian fluctuations were found in CSF
      klotho levels. This study suggests that CSF klotho concentrations are lower in
      females compared with males, in Alzheimer's disease, and in older versus younger
      adults.

PMID- 24211694
TI  - Possession of bed nets in Haut-Katanga (DRC): prevalence-elastic behaviour or
      performance of health care system delivery?
AB  - This article provides an empirical multi-disciplinary strategy that enables to
      identify prevalence-elastic behaviours influencing the possession of mosquito
      nets and to assess the relative performance of health centers in promoting the
      possession of nets in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We use a household
      survey conducted in 2009 in Haut Katanga, DRC. We combine these data with
      estimates on malaria prevalence from the Malaria Atlas project. Results show that
      households behave rationally with respect to the disease, meaning that the cause
      for a low possession of nets should be found elsewhere. They also show that
      health centers are not the most effective in promoting possession of bed nets, in
      areas where they are most needed for malaria control. 

PMID- 24211695
TI  - Disparities in wheelchair procurement by payer among people with spinal cord
      injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify insurance provider-related disparities in the receipt of
      lightweight, customizable manual wheelchairs or power wheelchairs with
      programmable controls among community-dwelling people with spinal cord injury
      (SCI). SETTING: Six Spinal Cord Injury Model System centers. DESIGN: A
      multicenter cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 359 individuals at
      least 16 years of age or older and 1 year after SCI who use a manual or power
      wheelchair as their primary means of mobility. The subjects were stratified by
      payer, and payers were grouped according to reimbursement characteristics as
      follows: Medicaid/Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), private/prepaid,
      Medicare, Worker's Compensation (WC)/Veterans Affairs (VA), and self pay.
      METHODS: Demographic, wheelchair, and payer data were collected by medical record
      review and face-to-face interview. RESULTS: There were 125 participants in the
      Medicaid/DVR group, 120 in the private/prepaid group, 55 in the Medicare group,
      30 in the WC/VA group, and 29 in the self-pay group. For manual wheelchair users,
      the likelihood of having a lightweight, customizable wheelchair was 97.5% for
      private/prepaid, 96.3% for Medicaid/DVR, 94.1% for WC/VA, 87.5% for Medicare, and
      82.6% for self pay. For power wheelchair users, those with WC/VA (100%) were most
      likely to receive a customizable power wheelchair with programmable controls,
      followed by private/prepaid (95.1%), Medicaid/DVR (86.0 %), Medicare (83.9%), and
      self pay (50.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The only payer group for which all beneficiaries
      received wheelchairs that met standard of care were power wheelchairs provided by
      WC/VA. Fewer than 90% of people whose manual wheelchair was paid for by Medicare
      and self pay, and whose power wheelchair was paid for by Medicaid/DVR, Medicare,
      and self pay did not meet standard of care. Although these findings need to be
      correlated with long-term risks, such as overuse injuries, breakdowns, and
      participation, this study demonstrates that disparities in wheelchair procurement
      by insurance provider persist.

PMID- 24211696
TI  - One-year all-cause mortality after stroke: a prediction model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: By using data from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national
      databases, this article presents and internally validates a 1-year all-cause
      mortality prediction index after hospitalization for acute stroke. DESIGN: An
      observational cohort. SETTING: VA medical centers. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans with a
      diagnosis of a new stroke who were discharged between October 1, 2006, and
      September 30, 2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Death due to any cause that occurred
      between the index hospital discharge date and the 1-year anniversary of that
      date. RESULTS: Within 1-year after discharge, 1542 (12.3%) of the total 12,565
      patients had died. Seventeen risk factors known at the point of hospital
      discharge remained in the predictive model of 1-year postdischarge mortality
      after backward selection, including advanced age, admission from extended care,
      type of stroke, 8 comorbid conditions, 4 types of procedures that occurred during
      the index hospitalization, hospital length of stay (longer than 3 weeks), and
      discharge location. We assigned a score to each variable in the final model and a
      risk score was determined for each patient by adding up the points for all risk
      factors present. According to these risk scores, the patients were divided into
      approximate quartiles that yielded low, moderate, high, and highest mortality
      likelihood strata. The risk of 1-year mortality ranged from 2.24% in the lowest
      quartile to 29.50% in the highest quartile in the derivation cohort and from
      2.11%-30.77% in the validation cohort. Model discrimination demonstrated an area
      under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.785 in the derivation
      cohort and 0.787 in the validation cohort. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit
      indicated that the model fit was adequate (P = .69). CONCLUSION: When using
      readily available data, a simple index that stratifies stroke patients at
      hospital discharge according to low, moderate, high, and highest likelihood of
      all-cause 1-year mortality is feasible and can inform the postdischarge planning
      process, depending on level of risk.

PMID- 24211697
TI  - The effect of neural lesion type on botulinum toxin dosage: a retrospective chart
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is difficult to compare the dosage of botulinum toxin between
      different neurologic conditions because of the different methods of reported
      dosages. Botulinum toxin is used to manage spasticity in variety of neurologic
      conditions, and it is important for clinicians to know whether there are
      differences in the dosage injected on the basis of the etiology of spasticity.
      OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the type of neural lesion influences the dosage
      of botulinum toxin required to manage spasticity. DESIGN: Retrospective chart
      review. SETTING: Review of patients who visited an outpatient spasticity clinic.
      PARTICIPANTS: We assessed medical charts from 99 patients with stroke, multiple
      sclerosis (MS), and cerebral palsy (CP) (n = 33 for each etiology). We collected
      information such as age, gender, weight, time of lesion, total dosage (per
      person, per limb, per muscle), injection location, and injections cycles.
      INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: OnabotulinumtoxinA dose - total
      dose in one leg was calculated as a sum of the units of the toxin injected in all
      the leg muscles. RESULTS: Total dose of toxin injected was 161 +/- 19 (mean +/-
      standard error of mean) in patients with stroke, 175 +/- 13 in patients with CP,
      and 225 +/- 18 in patients with MS. The total dose in the legs (normalized to
      body weight; units/kg) was significantly different between the 3 groups (stroke,
      CP, MS; P = .001). Subsequent post-hoc tests revealed that total dose in the legs
      of patients with MS was significantly greater (88%) than patients with stroke (P
      = .001). Hip adductors and hamstrings were injected most commonly in MS and CP,
      but toe muscles were commonly injected in patients with stroke, whereas plantar
      flexors were evenly injected all 3 patient groups. CONCLUSION: In our practice,
      we found that treating spasticity in people with MS required the greatest dose of
      botulinum toxin, followed by CP and then stroke.

PMID- 24211698
TI  - Back strength predicts walking improvement in obese, older adults with chronic
      low back pain.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 4 months of isolated lumbar resistance
      exercise and total body resistance exercise on walking performance in obese,
      older adults with chronic low back pain. A secondary analysis examined whether
      responsiveness to training modulated walking improvement. DESIGN: Randomized,
      controlled trial. SETTING: Research laboratory affiliated with tertiary care
      facility. METHODS AND INTERVENTION: Participants (N = 49; 60-85 years) were
      randomized into a 4-month resistance exercise intervention (TOTRX), lumbar
      extensor exercise intervention (LEXT), or a control group (CON). MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS: Walking performance, maximal low back strength and leg strength,
      and average resting and low back pain severity score (from an 11-point numerical
      pain rating scale; NRSpain) were collected at baseline and month 4. RESULTS: The
      TOTRX and LEXT improved lumbar extensor strength relative to CON, and the TOTRX
      (P < .05). NRSpain scores at month 4 were lowest in the TOTRX group compared with
      the LEXT and CON groups, respectively (2.0 +/- 1.7 points vs 3.7 +/- 2.6 points
      and 4.6 +/- 2.4 points; P < .006). A total of 53% and 67% of participants in the
      TOTRX and LEXT groups were responders who made lumbar extensor strength gains
      that achieved >=20% greater than baseline values. Although the TOTRX demonstrated
      the greatest improvement in walking endurance among the intervention groups, this
      did not reach significance (10.1 +/- 12.2% improvement in TOTRX vs 7.4 +/- 30.0%
      LEXT and -1.7 +/- 17.4% CON; P = .11). Gait speed increased most in the TOTRX
      (9.0 +/- 13.5%) compared with the LEXT and CON groups (P < .05). The change in
      lumbar extensor strength explained 10.6% of the variance of the regression model
      for the change in walking endurance (P = .024). CONCLUSIONS: The use of LEXT and
      TOTRX produced similar modest improvements in patients' walking endurance. Lumbar
      extensor strength gain compared with leg strength gain is a moderate but
      important contributor to walking endurance in obese older adults with chronic low
      back pain. Responders to resistance exercise programs (event those with only
      lumbar extension exercise) who make at least a 20% improvement in strength can
      expect better improvement in walking endurance than those who do not achieve this
      strength improvement.

PMID- 24211699
TI  - Amygdala-mediated enhancement of memory for specific events depends on the
      hippocampus.
AB  - Emotional events are often remembered better than neutral events, a type of
      memory prioritization by affective salience that depends on the amygdala. Studies
      with rats have indicated that direct activation of the basolateral complex of the
      amygdala (BLA) can enhance memory for neutral events, and if the activation is
      brief and temporally targeted, can do so in a way that benefits memories for
      specific events. The essential targets of BLA activation in the case of event
      specific memory enhancement were unknown, but the hippocampus was known to
      receive direct projections from the BLA and to support memory for events. In the
      present study, rats received counterbalanced infusions of either muscimol, a
      GABAA receptor agonist, or saline into the hippocampus prior to performing a
      novel object recognition memory task during which initial encounters with some of
      the objects were immediately followed by brief electrical stimulation to the BLA.
      When memory was tested 1day later in the saline condition, rats remembered these
      objects well but showed no memory for objects for which the initial encounter had
      not been followed by BLA stimulation. In contrast, no benefit to memory of BLA
      stimulation was observed in the muscimol condition. The results indicated that
      brief activation of the BLA can prioritize memories for events by enhancing
      memory for some object encounters but not others and that this benefit to memory
      depends on interactions between the amygdala and the hippocampus. 

PMID- 24211700
TI  - Preference for high-fat diet is developed by young Swiss CD1 mice after short
      term feeding and is prevented by NMDA receptor antagonists.
AB  - Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that is increasing at an alarming rate. One of
      its causes is the increased availability and consumption of diets rich in fat. In
      the present study, we investigated the effects of short-term consumption of a
      high fat diet (HFD) on dietary preferences in Swiss CD1 mice and its relation in
      time to specific metabolic effects. Mice that were weaned 21days postpartum and
      fed a chow diet for one week were afterward subjected to a diet preference test
      for 5days, exposed to both a regular diet (RD) and HFD. We found that mice did
      not show any preferences. In a second experiment, two groups of mice that were
      weaned 21days postpartum and subjected to a chow diet for one week were fed
      either RD or HFD for 18days, and a diet preference test was performed for 5days.
      After this short-term consumption of HFD, mice preferred HFD, while mice
      subjected to RD did not show any preference. Importantly, no differences in blood
      glucose levels were found between the groups prior to and after the experiments.
      The results support our hypothesis that the preference for HFD is not a
      spontaneous behavior in CD1 mice, but it can be observed after short-term
      consumption; additionally, this preference develops before metabolic effects
      appear. Finally, this preference for HFD could not be observed when the mice were
      i.p. injected daily with low doses of the NMDA receptor antagonists, ketamine,
      ifenprodil or MK-801 during the HFD feeding period. These data suggest that
      acquisition of dietary preference for HFD is a NMDA receptor-dependent learning
      process. 

PMID- 24211701
TI  - Tropomyosins induce neuritogenesis and determine neurite branching patterns in
      B35 neuroblastoma cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The actin cytoskeleton is critically involved in the regulation of
      neurite outgrowth. RESULTS: The actin cytoskeleton-associated protein tropomyosin
      induces neurite outgrowth in B35 neuroblastoma cells and regulates neurite
      branching in an isoform-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that
      tropomyosins are key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton during neurite
      outgrowth. SIGNIFICANCE: Revealing the molecular machinery that regulates the
      actin cytoskeleton during neurite outgrowth may provide new therapeutic
      strategies to promote neurite regeneration after nerve injury. SUMMARY: The
      formation of a branched network of neurites between communicating neurons is
      required for all higher functions in the nervous system. The dynamics of the
      actin cytoskeleton is fundamental to morphological changes in cell shape and the
      establishment of these branched networks. The actin-associated proteins
      tropomyosins have previously been shown to impact on different aspects of neurite
      formation. Here we demonstrate that an increased expression of tropomyosins is
      sufficient to induce the formation of neurites in B35 neuroblastoma cells.
      Furthermore, our data highlight the functional diversity of different tropomyosin
      isoforms during neuritogenesis. Tropomyosins differentially impact on the
      expression levels of the actin filament bundling protein fascin and increase the
      formation of filopodia along the length of neurites. Our data suggest that
      tropomyosins are central regulators of actin filament populations which drive
      distinct aspects of neuronal morphogenesis.

PMID- 24211702
TI  - The beta2-adrenergic receptor as a surrogate odorant receptor in mouse olfactory
      sensory neurons.
AB  - In the mouse, mature olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) express one allele of one
      of the ~1200 odorant receptor (OR) genes, which encode G-protein coupled
      receptors (GPCRs). Axons of OSNs that express the same OR coalesce into
      homogeneous glomeruli at conserved positions in the olfactory bulb. ORs are
      involved in OR gene choice and OSN axonal wiring, but the mechanisms remain
      poorly understood. One approach is to substitute an OR genetically with another
      GPCR, and to determine in which aspects this GPCR can serve as a surrogate OR
      under experimental conditions. Here, we characterize a novel gene-targeted mouse
      strain in which the mouse beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) is coexpressed with
      tauGFP in OSNs that choose the OR locus M71 for expression (beta2AR->M71-GFP). By
      crossing these mice with beta2AR->M71-lacZ gene-targeted mice, we find that
      differentially tagged beta2AR->M71 alleles are expressed monoallelically. The OR
      coding sequence is thus not required for monoallelic expression - the expression
      of one of the two alleles of a given OR gene in an OSN. We detect strong beta2AR
      immunoreactivity in dendritic cilia of beta2AR->M71-GFP OSNs. These OSNs respond
      to the beta2AR agonist isoproterenol in a dose-dependent manner. Axons of beta2AR
      >M71-GFP OSNs coalesce into homogeneous glomeruli, and beta2AR immunoreactivity
      is detectable within these glomeruli. We do not find evidence for expression of
      endogenous beta2AR in OSNs of wild-type mice, also not in M71-expressing OSNs,
      and we do not observe overt differences in the olfactory system of beta2AR and
      beta1AR knockout mice. Our findings corroborate the experimental value of the
      beta2AR as a surrogate OR, including for the study of the mechanisms of
      monoallelic expression. 

PMID- 24211703
TI  - A liposomal fluorescence assay to study permeation kinetics of drug-like weak
      bases across the lipid bilayer.
AB  - Lipid bilayer permeation is considered the major route for in vivo barrier
      passage of drugs. Despite this fact, no technique is currently available to
      measure the kinetics of permeation across a single lipid bilayer of structurally
      unrelated drug-like solutes. We developed a liposomal fluorescence assay capable
      to determine permeation kinetics of basic drug-like solutes across lipid
      bilayers. The assay is based on the hypothesis that permeation of a weak base
      along a concentration gradient results in net proton release at the cis-side and
      net proton capture at the trans-side of the bilayer. The resulting pH changes
      were monitored with pH-sensitive fluorophores: Test compounds were incubated with
      liposomes containing a pH-sensitive fluorophore at the bilayer surfaces or in the
      aqueous lumen and fluorescence changes were monitored with a stopped-flow
      apparatus in solution or by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy
      with surface-captured liposomes on a microfluidic platform. Incubation with
      lipophilic basic drugs resulted in the expected fluorescence changes while
      incubation with compounds without basic functionality or high polarity did not
      affect fluorescence. Kinetics of fluorescence changes followed bi-exponential
      functions. Logarithmic permeation coefficients (logPermapp) determined in
      solution and by microfluidics technology showed a good correlation (r(2)=0.94,
      n=7) and logPermapp increased with increasing lipophilicity. Neither diffusion in
      the aqueous phase nor partitioning into the bilayer was rate-limiting. PEGylation
      of 2% of the liposomal lipids reduced Permapp by a factor ~300. In conclusion,
      the presented liposomal fluorescence assay is capable to determine permeation
      kinetics of weak basic drug-like solutes across lipid bilayers. The method is
      adaptable to microfluidics technology for high-throughput measurements and can
      potentially be modified to work for weak acid solutes. 

PMID- 24211704
TI  - Nano-visualization of viral DNA breaching the nucleocytoplasmic barrier.
AB  - Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) mediate all transport between the cytosol and the
      nucleus highly selectively. Their selectivity can become an insurmountable hurdle
      for exogenously applied therapeutic macromolecules. Many viruses naturally
      overcome the NPC barrier. Therefore, gene therapy often utilizes viral particles
      as nano-carriers for exogenous therapeutic macromolecules. Viral gene therapy,
      however, frequently leads to severe adverse effects. We intend to elucidate the
      mechanisms underlying controlled release of viral DNA at the NPC in order to
      design new non-viral approach for intranuclear DNA delivery. For this purpose, we
      developed a comprehensive experimental strategy combining nano-imaging and
      biochemical methods. Here, we apply Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) as an
      ideal example. HSV-1 contains its long 145kbp DNA in a capsid which is merely
      125nm in size. The capsid shields and targets the DNA specifically to the NPC.
      Only at the NPC, the capsid releases the DNA for nuclear delivery. The underlying
      mechanisms of this multi-step process remain unresolved. In this work we follow
      the fate of HSV-1 DNA in the process of transit across the NPC. Our results
      indicate an involvement of hydrophobicity for capsid opening. Furthermore, the
      DNA is presumably released as a single thread. We assume that it penetrates the
      NPC in this conformation. It is compacted by the host intranuclear proteins once
      it reaches the interior of the nucleus. Our proposed experimental strategy can be
      extended to other viruses. Moreover, our observations may help design potent non
      viral based nano-carriers for gene therapy. 

PMID- 24211705
TI  - Hydrothermally synthesized PEGylated calcium phosphate nanoparticles
      incorporating Gd-DTPA for contrast enhanced MRI diagnosis of solid tumors.
AB  - Organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles with calcium phosphate (CaP) core and
      PEGylated shell were developed to incorporate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      contrast agent diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid gadolinium (III) (Gd-DTPA) for
      noninvasive diagnosis of solid tumors. A two-step preparation method was applied
      to elaborate hybrid nanoparticles with a z-average hydrodynamic diameter about
      80nm, neutral surface xi-potential and high colloidal stability in physiological
      environments by self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(aspartic acid)
      block copolymer, Gd-DTPA, and CaP in aqueous solution, followed with hydrothermal
      treatment. Incorporation into the hybrid nanoparticles allowed Gd-DTPA to show
      significant enhanced retention ratio in blood circulation, leading to high
      accumulation in tumor positions due to enhanced permeability and retention (EPR)
      effect. Moreover, Gd-DTPA revealed above 6 times increase of relaxivity in the
      nanoparticle system compared to free form, and eventually, selective and elevated
      contrast enhancements in the tumor positions were observed. These results
      indicate the high potential of Gd-DTPA-loaded PEGylated CaP nanoparticles as a
      novel contrast agent for noninvasive cancer diagnosis. 

PMID- 24211706
TI  - Establishing high temperature gas chromatographic profiles of non-polar
      metabolites for quality assessment of African traditional herbal medicinal
      products.
AB  - The quality assessment of African traditional herbal medicinal products is a
      difficult challenge since they are complex mixtures of several herbal drug or
      herbal drug preparations. The plant source is also often unknown and/or highly
      variable. Plant metabolites chromatographic profiling is therefore an important
      tool for quality control of such herbal products. The objective of this work is
      to propose a protocol for sample preparation and gas chromatographic profiling of
      non-polar metabolites for quality control of African traditional herbal medicinal
      products. The methodology is based on the chemometric assessment of
      chromatographic profiles of non-polar metabolites issued from several batches of
      leaves of Combretum micranthum and Mitracarpus scaber by high temperature gas
      chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, performed on extracts obtained in
      refluxed dichloromethane, after removal of chlorophyll pigments. The method using
      high temperature gas chromatography after dichloromethane extraction allows
      detection of most non-polar bioactive and non-bioactive metabolites already
      identified in leaves of both species. Chemometric data analysis using Principal
      Component Analysis and Partial Least Squares after Orthogonal Signal Correction
      applied to chromatographic profiles of leaves of Combretum micranthum and
      Mitracarpus scaber showed slight batch to batch differences, and allowed clear
      differentiation of the two herbal extracts. 

PMID- 24211707
TI  - Application of a stabilizer cocktail of N-ethylmaleimide and
      phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride to concurrently stabilize the disulfide and ester
      containing compounds in a plasma LC-MS/MS assay.
AB  - BMS-753493, a conjugate of the active epothilone moiety, BMS-748285, to folic
      acid, has been evaluated for the treatment of cancer. The presence of a disulfide
      bond in BMS-753493 and an ester group in both BMS-753493 and BMS-748285 results
      in their being unstable in blood or plasma. A stabilization strategy using a
      cocktail of N-ethylmaleimide and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride was developed and
      applied to stabilize both analytes in human blood during sample collection,
      processing, and storage. A rugged and accurate LC-MS/MS method was developed and
      validated for the quantitation of BMS-753493 and its active moiety, BMS-748285,
      in human plasma. The stabilized plasma samples were extracted by protein
      precipitation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Luna C8 analytical
      column with a gradient elution. Analytes and their stable isotope labeled
      internal standards were detected by positive ion electrospray tandem mass
      spectrometry. The standard curves, which ranged from 10.0 to 5000ng/mL for BMS
      753493 and from 1.00 to 500ng/mL for BMS-748285, were fitted to a 1/x(2) weighted
      linear regression model. The intra-assay precision was within +/-2.0% CV and
      inter-assay precision was within +/-2.8% CV for both analytes. The assay accuracy
      was within +/-4.6% of the nominal values for both analytes. Assay recoveries were
      high (~80% for BMS-753493 and ~100% for BMS-748285) and internal standard
      normalized matrix effects were minimal. Both analytes were stable in stabilized
      human plasma for at least 24h at room temperature, 231 days at -20 degrees C, and
      following four freeze-thaw cycles. Incurred sample reanalysis played an important
      role in identifying a potential stability liability of the assay and helped
      improve the assay quality and robustness. The validated method was successfully
      applied to sample analysis in Phase I clinical studies. 

PMID- 24211708
TI  - Simultaneous determination of probe drugs, metabolites, inhibitors and inducer in
      human plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and its
      application to pharmacokinetic study.
AB  - Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) are
      important enzymes responsible for the metabolism of many xenobiotics. To
      investigate their induction and inhibition properties, administering probe drugs
      and monitoring their concentration in plasma under the effects of
      inducers/inhibitors is the gold standard method. A rapid and sensitive liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous
      quantification of midazolam, raltegravir (probe drugs for CYP3A4 and UGT1A1),
      their major metabolites, 1'-hydroxymidazolam, 1'-hydroxymidazolam glucuronide and
      raltegravir glucuronide, rifampicin (inducer), ritonavir and ketoconazole
      (inhibitors). Analytes were extracted from 100MUl of plasma using solid-phase
      extraction followed by chromatographic separation on a reversed-phase C18 column
      (50mm*2.1mm, particle size 1.8MUm). The mass spectrometer was operated under
      positive ionization mode. Excellent linearity (r(2)>=0.995) was achieved for all.
      The method was validated and found to be accurate (88-111%), precise (CV%<13) and
      selective. Matrix effect was acceptable (88-118%) and analytes recovery was
      reproducible (60-95%). Analytes in plasma were also found to be stable in the
      autosampler (6 degrees C for 48h) and after two freeze-thaw cycles. We have
      developed a robust analytical method to simultaneously quantify probes, inducer
      and inhibitor of important drug metabolism enzymes. The method was successfully
      applied in a clinical study to investigate the degree of induction and inhibition
      of CYP3A4 and UGT1A1 among ethnic groups in Singapore. 

PMID- 24211709
TI  - The specific PKR inhibitor C16 prevents apoptosis and IL-1beta production in an
      acute excitotoxic rat model with a neuroinflammatory component.
AB  - The double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), an apoptotic inducer,
      regulates much pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The purpose of this study
      was to evaluate in vivo the effects of the specific PKR inhibitor C16 in the
      striatum in an acute excitotoxic rat model with an important neuroinflammatory
      component. Inflammation was induced by unilateral striatal injection of
      quinolinic acid (QA) in 10-week-old normotensive rats. Animals were separated
      into groups receiving either vehicle or C16 for both sham and QA rats. The
      effects were assessed in ipsi- and contralateral striata by immunoblotting for
      PKR activation, by Luminex assay for cytokine levels and by immunofluorescent
      staining for cleaved caspase-3 to detect neuronal apoptosis. The highest dose of
      C16 (600MUg/kg; C16-2) in QA rats reduced expression of the active catalytic
      domain of the PKR vs. that in vehicle-injected QA rats. A robust increase of IL
      1beta levels on the contralateral side of QA rats was prevented by C16-2 (97%
      inhibition). Macroscopic and microscopic observation of cerebral tissue
      (Hematoxylin & Eosin staining) revealed that tissue integrity was more preserved
      with C16-2 treatment than its vehicle in QA rats. Furthermore, C16-2 treatment
      decreased by 47% the neuronal loss and by 37% the number of positive cleaved
      caspase-3 neurons induced by QA injection. In conclusion, C16 prevented not only
      the PKR-induced neuronal loss but also the inflammatory response in this acute
      excitotoxic in vivo model, highlighting its promising neuroprotective properties
      to rescue acute brain lesions. 

PMID- 24211710
TI  - Impaired electro-genesis in skeletal muscle fibers of transgenic Alzheimer mice.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by memory decline, but is often
      associated with non-cognitive symptoms, including muscular dysfunction. In the
      majority of cases these motor disturbances are seen when other neuro-degenerative
      disorders such as Parkinson's disease overlap dementia, however these can also be
      directly related to AD itself. Although the patho-mechanism remains largely
      unclear, beta-amyloid peptide (betaAP) is thought to be a key role-player in both
      the brain and periphery. Here we studied the electro-genesis of skeletal muscle
      fibers in a mouse transgenic AD model. Membrane potential was recorded by
      standard electro-physiological techniques. Compared to wild-type rodents, AD mice
      show severe disturbances in skeletal muscle electro-genesis manifested by
      significant depolarization of myo-fibers. These changes are not affected by short
      term betaAP treatment, the mark of a chronic degenerative process in the
      periphery directly related to AD whereby ion pumps on muscle membranes exhibit
      reduced activity. This phenomenon may explain ionic imbalance and cellular
      dysfunction both in the neuro-muscular system and in the brain. The observed
      motor disturbances might play a key role in impaired activities of daily living,
      and addressing the muscular patho-physiology could improve quality of life in AD.

PMID- 24211711
TI  - GLAST/EAAT1 regulation in cultured Bergmann glia cells: role of the NO/cGMP
      signaling pathway.
AB  - Glutamate, the major excitatory amino acid, activates a wide variety of signal
      transduction cascades. Ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors are
      critically involved in long-term synaptic changes, although recent findings
      suggest that the electrogenic Na(+)-dependent glutamate transporters, responsible
      for its removal from the synaptic cleft participate in the signaling transactions
      triggered by this amino acid. Glutamate transporters are profusely expressed in
      glia therefore most of its uptake occurs in this cellular compartment. In the
      cerebellar cortex, Bergmann glial cells enwrap glutamatergic synapses and
      participate in the recycling of its neurotransmitter through the
      glutamate/glutamine shuttle. It has long been acknowledged that glutamatergic
      transmission in the cerebellar molecular layer results in cGMP accumulation
      within Bergmann glia cells. In this context, we decided to investigate a
      plausible role of the nitric oxide/cGMP-signaling pathway in the regulation of
      Bergmann glia glutamate transporters. To this end, the well-established model of
      primary cultures of chick cerebellar Bergmann glial cells was used. Confluent
      monolayers were exposed to the nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, or to
      the non-hydrolysable cGMP analog dbcGMP and the [(3)H] D-aspartate uptake
      activity measured. An increase in uptake activity, related to an augmentation in
      VMax, was detected with both treatments. The signaling cascade includes
      NO/cGMP/PKG and Ca(2+) influx through the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger and might be
      related to the plasma membrane glutamate transporters turnover. Interestingly
      enough, an inhibitor of the cGMP dependent protein kinase was capable to abolish
      the sodium nitroprusside induced Ca(2+) influx. These results provide an insight
      into the physiological role of cGMP in the cerebellum. 

PMID- 24211712
TI  - Preventing postpartum depression: a meta-analytic review.
AB  - This meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of a wide range of preventive
      interventions designed to reduce the severity of postpartum depressive symptoms
      or decrease the prevalence of postpartum depressive episodes. A systematic review
      identified 37 randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials in which an
      intervention was compared to a control condition. Differences between treatment
      and control conditions in the level of depressive symptoms and prevalence of
      depressive episodes by 6 months postpartum were assessed in separate analyses.
      Depressive symptoms were significantly lower at post-treatment in intervention
      conditions, with an overall effect size in the small range after exclusion of
      outliers (Hedges' g=0.18). There was a 27% reduction in the prevalence of
      depressive episodes in intervention conditions by 6 months postpartum after
      removal of outliers and correction for publication bias. Later timing of the
      postpartum assessment was associated with smaller differences between
      intervention and control conditions in both analyses. Among studies that assessed
      depressive symptoms using the EPDS, higher levels of depressive symptoms at pre
      treatment were associated with smaller differences in depressive symptoms by 6
      months postpartum. These findings suggest that interventions designed to prevent
      postpartum depression effectively reduce levels of postpartum depressive symptoms
      and decrease risk for postpartum depressive episodes.

PMID- 24211714
TI  - Regulatory and effector T-cells are differentially modulated by Dexamethasone.
AB  - It is assumed that the ratio between effector T cells (Teff) and regulatory T
      cells (Tregs) controls the immune reactivity within the T-cell compartment. The
      purpose of this study was to investigate if Dexamethasone (Dex) affects Teff and
      Tregs subsets. Dex induced on Tregs a dose and time-dependent apoptosis which
      resulted in a relative increase of Teff. After TCR activation, Dex induced a
      strong proliferative inhibition of Teff, but a weaker proliferative inhibition on
      Tregs. These effects were modulated by IL-2, which not only restored the
      proliferative response, but also prevented Dex-induced apoptosis. The highest
      dose of IL-2 prevented apoptosis on all FOXP3+CD4+ T cells. Meanwhile, the lowest
      dose only rescued activated Tregs (aTregs), probably related to their CD25 higher
      expression. Because Dex did not affect the suppressor capacity of aTregs either,
      our results support the notion that under Dex treatment, the regulatory T-cell
      compartment maintains its homeostasis. 

PMID- 24211713
TI  - TSPAN33 is a novel marker of activated and malignant B cells.
AB  - We have identified Tspan33 as a gene encoding a transmembrane protein exhibiting
      a restricted expression pattern including expression in activated B cells.
      TSPAN33 is a member of the tetraspanin family. TSPAN33 is not expressed in
      resting B cells, but is strongly induced in primary human B cells following
      activation. Human 2E2 cells, a Burkitt's lymphoma-derived B cell model of
      activation and differentiation, also upregulate TSPAN33 upon activation. TSPAN33
      is expressed in several lymphomas including Hodgkin's and Diffuse large B cell
      lymphoma. TSPAN33 is also expressed in some autoimmune diseases where B cells
      participate in the pathology, including rheumatoid arthritis patients, systemic
      lupus erythematosus (SLE), and in spleen B cells from MRL/Fas(lpr/lpr) mice (a
      mouse model of SLE). We conclude that TSPAN33 may be used as a diagnostic
      biomarker or as a target for therapeutic antibodies for treatment of certain B
      cell lymphomas or autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 24211715
TI  - Th17 cell plays a role in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in
      patients.
AB  - Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) has long been epidemiologically associated with
      excess iodine levels. However, the underlying immunological mechanisms still
      remain largely unexplored. Th17 cells are commonly recognized as playing vital
      roles in various autoimmune diseases. Here we show that intra-thyroid
      infiltrating Th17 cells and serum IL-17 levels were significantly increased in HT
      patients. However, the concentration of serum IL-17 was inversely correlated with
      patients' residual thyroid function while the heterogeneously expressed thyroid
      IL-17 was directly correlated with local fibrosis. Administration of moderate
      high levels of iodine was found to facilitate the polarization of murine splenic
      naive T cells into Th17 cells, whereas extreme high levels of iodine favored Th1
      polarization and inhibited Treg development. These findings suggest that both Th1
      and Th17 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of HT and high levels of
      iodine may play a critical role in this process by modulating T cell
      differentiation. 

PMID- 24211716
TI  - A glycosylation-dependent CD45RB epitope defines previously unacknowledged CD27
      IgM(high) B cell subpopulations enriched in young children and after
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - The immune system is dysfunctional for years after hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (HSCT). A potential cause is an intrinsic B cell deficiency. In a
      cohort of pediatric HSCT patients few CD27(+) B cells formed after
      transplantation with the number of CD27(+)IgM(high) cells more affected than
      class-switched ones. A previously unacknowledged population of CD27(-)IgM(high)
      cells made up the majority of B cells and this population was also enlarged in
      healthy children compared to adults. Only a minority of these CD27(-)IgM(high) B
      cells expressed markers typical for transitional B cells, and the non
      transitional CD27(-)IgM(high) cells could be further divided into subpopulations
      based on their ability to extrude the dye Rhodamine 123 and their expression of
      CD45RB(MEM55), a glycosylation-dependent epitope. Thus, we define several novel
      human CD27(-)IgM(high) B cell subpopulations in blood, all of which are present
      in higher frequencies and numbers in young children and after HSCT than in
      adults. 

PMID- 24211718
TI  - Effects of lentiviral-mediated Foxp1 and Foxq1 RNAi on the hepatocarcinoma cell.
AB  - Foxp1 and Foxq1 are two multifunctional molecules of "forkhead box (Fox)" family.
      The objective of this paper was to construct the lentiviral vectors expressing
      RNA interference (RNAi) against Foxp1 or Foxq1 genes, and the effects of both
      vectors with two RNAis on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of 7721
      hepatocarcinoma cell line were evaluated. Six target sequences against human
      Foxp1/Foxq1 mRNA were designed respectively and six pairs of their corresponding
      double-strand DNA oligo (siRNA) were synthesized prior to being transfected into
      7721 cells with lipo2000, then a most efficient siRNA were selected to be
      subcloned into pLL3.7-GFP/Lenti plasmids. These plasmids were transfected into
      293T cells to package lentiviral particles for subsequent transfection into 7721
      cells after their sequences were confirmed. The expression of Foxp1and Foxq1
      genes in the transfected cells were identified by real-time PCR. The migration,
      infiltration, viability and apoptosis of the transfected cells were assessed by
      wound healing assay, Transwell assay, CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Sequencing
      results showed that lentiviral vectors contained Foxp1 or Foxq1 gene. After being
      transfected into 7721 cells, Foxp1 and Foxq1 expression were significantly down
      regulated by siRNA-823 and siRNA-834. The migration and infiltration ability, and
      the viability of 7721 cells transfected with two siRNAs were significantly
      suppressed; flow cytometry assay exhibited the apoptosis rate of transfected 7721
      cells with the lentivirus RNAi vector of Foxp1 or Foxq1 was increased. All the
      results showed that the lentivirus RNAi vectors of Foxp1 and Foxq1 were able to
      inhibit the expression of Foxp1 and Foxq1 in 7721 cells efficiently, and the down
      regulation of either Foxp1 or Foxq1 resulted in suppression of migration,
      infiltration and viability of 7721 cells and an increase in cell apoptosis. Our
      data indicated that both Foxp1 and Foxq1 genes played an oncogenic role in
      hepatocarcinoma cells, which proposed the two genes as new therapeutic targets
      for the cancer. 

PMID- 24211717
TI  - A selective role of NKG2D in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
AB  - The NKG2D activating receptor has been implicated in numerous autoimmune
      diseases. We tested the role of NKG2D in models of autoimmunity and inflammation
      using NKG2D knockout mice and antibody blockade experiments. The severity of
      experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) was decreased in NKG2D-deficient mice
      when the disease was induced with a limiting antigen dose, but unchanged with an
      optimal antigen dose. Surprisingly, however, NKG2D deficiency had no detectable
      effect in several other models, including two models of type 1 diabetes, and a
      model of intestinal inflammation induced by poly(I:C). NKG2D antibody blockade in
      normal mice also failed to inhibit disease in the NOD diabetes model or the
      intestinal inflammation model. Published evidence using NKG2D knockout mice
      demonstrated a role for NKG2D in mouse models of atherosclerosis and liver
      inflammation, as well as in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Therefore, our
      results suggest that NKG2D plays selective roles in inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 24211719
TI  - D1 receptor agonist improves sleep-wake parameters in experimental parkinsonism.
AB  - Both excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
      deregulation are part of Parkinson's disease (PD) non-motor symptoms and may
      complicate dopamine replacement therapy. We report here that dopamine agonists
      act differentially on sleep architecture in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6
      tetrahydropyridine macaque monkey. Continuous sleep and wake
      electroencephalographic monitoring revealed no effect of the selective dopamine
      D2 receptor agonist quinpirole on EDS, whereas the selective dopamine D1 receptor
      agonist SKF38393 efficiently alleviated EDS and restored REM sleep to baseline
      values. The present results question the relevance of abandoning D1 receptor
      agonist treatment in PD as it might actually improve sleep-related disorders. 

PMID- 24211720
TI  - RIG-I-like receptors evolved adaptively in mammals, with parallel evolution at
      LGP2 and RIG-I.
AB  - RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) are nucleic acid sensors that activate antiviral
      innate immune response. These molecules recognize diverse non-self RNA substrates
      and are antagonized by several viral inhibitors. We performed an evolutionary
      analysis of RLR genes (RIG-I, MDA5, and LGP2) in mammals. Results indicated that
      purifying selection had a dominant role in driving the evolution of RLRs.
      However, application of maximum-likelihood analyses identified several positions
      that evolved adaptively. Positively selected sites are located in all domains of
      MDA5 and RIG-I, whereas in LGP2 they are confined to the helicase domain. In both
      MDA5 and RIG-I, the linkers separating the caspase activation and recruitment
      domain and the helicase domain represented preferential targets of positive
      selection. Independent selective events in RIG-I and LGP2 targeted the
      corresponding site (Asp421 and Asp179, respectively) within a protruding alpha
      helix that grips the V-shaped structure formed by the pincer. Most of the
      positively selected sites in MDA5 are in regions unique to this RLR, including a
      characteristic insertion within the helicase domain. Additional selected sites
      are located at the contact interface between MDA5 monomers, in spatial proximity
      to a positively selected human polymorphism (Arg843His) and immediately external
      to the parainfluenza virus 5 V protein binding region. Structural analyses
      suggested that the positively selected His834 residue is involved in
      parainfluenza virus 5 V protein binding. Data herein suggest that RLRs have been
      engaged in host-virus genetic conflict leading to diversifying selection and
      indicate parallel evolution at the same site in RIG-I and LGP2, a position likely
      to be of central importance in antiviral responses. 

PMID- 24211721
TI  - Exploring the minimally frustrated energy landscape of unfolded ACBP.
AB  - The unfolded state of globular proteins is not well described by a simple
      statistical coil due to residual structural features, such as secondary structure
      or transiently formed long-range contacts. The principle of minimal frustration
      predicts that the unfolded ensemble is biased toward productive regions in the
      conformational space determined by the native structure. Transient long-range
      contacts, both native-like and non-native-like, have previously been shown to be
      present in the unfolded state of the four-helix-bundle protein acyl co-enzyme
      binding protein (ACBP) as seen from both perturbations in nuclear magnetic
      resonance (NMR) chemical shifts and structural ensembles generated from NMR
      paramagnetic relaxation data. To study the nature of the contacts in detail, we
      used paramagnetic NMR relaxation enhancements, in combination with single-point
      mutations, to obtain distance constraints for the acid-unfolded ensemble of ACBP.
      We show that, even in the acid-unfolded state, long-range contacts are specific
      in nature and single-point mutations affect the free-energy landscape of the
      unfolded protein. Using this approach, we were able to map out concerted,
      interconnected, and productive long-range contacts. The correlation between the
      native-state stability and compactness of the denatured state provides further
      evidence for native-like contact formation in the denatured state. Overall, these
      results imply that, even in the earliest stages of folding, ACBP dynamics are
      governed by native-like contacts on a minimally frustrated energy landscape. 

PMID- 24211722
TI  - Tapentadol enantiomers: Synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and
      cyclodextrin interactions.
AB  - The complete physico-chemical characterization of the single enantiomer analgesic
      drug R,R-tapentadol was quantitated in terms of protonation macro- and
      microconstants and octanol-water partition coefficient using pH-potentiometry, UV
      pH and (1)H NMR-pH titrations. The protonation macroconstants were found to be
      logK1=10.59+/-0.01 and logK2=9.44+/-0.01, while the individual basicity of each
      protonation site was found to be logk(O)=9.94 and logk(N)=10.48 for the phenolate
      and tertiary amine functions, respectively. As a consequence, the zwitterionic
      form of tapentadol predominates in aqueous solutions. The potential optical
      impurity (S,S-tapentadol) was synthesized for the first time in a seven-step
      chiral synthetic procedure. The enantiomers of tapentadol were separated by
      cyclodextrin modified capillary zone electrophoresis. Over 15 cyclodextrins were
      investigated in terms of apparent complex stability and screened as chiral
      selectors, and the sulfated alpha-cyclodextrin was found to resolve the
      enantiomers with excellent resolution (Rs=16.2 and 9.1) at pH 4.75 and pH 9.0,
      respectively. The system containing 12mM selector in a 50mM TRIS-acetate buffer
      was amenable to detect S,S-tapentadol potential optical impurity at 0.1%
      concentration level. 

PMID- 24211723
TI  - New method of screening allergenic components from Shuanghuanglian injection:
      with RBL-2H3/CMC model online HPLC/MS system.
AB  - Shuanghuanglian (SHL) injection is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) injection
      widely used in China to treat influenza, tonsillitis, bronchitis, and faucitis.
      Adverse drug reactions (ADR) of SHL injection, majorly manifested as allergic
      reactions, were among the leading causes of death from TCM injection. In this
      study, an RBL-2H3/CMC online LC/MS system was established to screen and identify
      allergenic components in SHL injection, by which Baicalin was identified as a
      potential allergenic component. Allergenic activities of baicalin were
      investigated in RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and beta-hexosaminidase release tests
      in vitro. Our results showed that baicalin dose-dependently induced RBL-2H3 cell
      degranulation and beta-hexosaminidase release in the range of 0-50MUg/ml. The RBL
      2H3/CMC online LC/MS system developed in this study may potentially be used to
      screen allergenic components in other TCM injections. 

PMID- 24211724
TI  - LC-MS/MS characterization of forced degradation products of zofenopril.
AB  - A rapid, specific and reliable isocratic LC-MS/MS method has been developed and
      validated for the identification and characterization of stressed degradation
      products of Zofenopril. Zofenopril, an anti-hypertensive drug, was subjected to
      hydrolysis (acidic, alkaline and neutral), oxidation, photolysis and thermal
      stress, as per ICH-specified conditions. The drug showed extensive degradation
      under oxidative and base hydrolysis stress conditions. However, it was stable to
      thermal, acid, neutral and photolysis stress conditions. A total of 6 degradation
      products were observed and the chromatographic separation of the drug and its
      degradation products were achieved on Phenomenex (Luna) C18 (250mm*4.6mm, i.d.,
      5MUm) column using 20mM ammonium acetate: acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) as a mobile
      phase. The degradation products were characterized by LC-MS/MS and its
      fragmentation pathways were proposed. The LC-MS method was validated with respect
      to specificity, linearity, accuracy and precision. No previous reports were found
      in the literature regarding the degradation behavior of zofenopril. 

PMID- 24211725
TI  - Keap1 redox-dependent regulation of doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress response
      in cardiac myoblasts.
AB  - Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely prescribed treatment for a broad scope of cancers,
      but clinical utility is limited by the cumulative, dose-dependent cardiomyopathy
      that occurs with repeated administration. DOX-induced cardiotoxicity is
      associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidation of
      lipids, DNA and proteins. A major cellular defense mechanism against such
      oxidative stress is activation of the Keap1/Nrf2-antioxidant response element
      (ARE) signaling pathway, which transcriptionally regulates expression of
      antioxidant genes such as Nqo1 and Gstp1. In the present study, we address the
      hypothesis that an initial event associated with DOX-induced oxidative stress is
      activation of the Keap1/Nrf2-dependent expression of antioxidant genes and that
      this is regulated through drug-induced changes in redox status of the Keap1
      protein. Incubation of H9c2 rat cardiac myoblasts with DOX resulted in a time-
      and dose-dependent decrease in non-protein sulfhydryl groups. Associated with
      this was a near 2-fold increase in Nrf2 protein content and enhanced
      transcription of several of the Nrf2-regulated down-stream genes, including
      Gstp1, Ugt1a1, and Nqo1; the expression of Nfe2l2 (Nrf2) itself was unaltered.
      Furthermore, both the redox status and the total amount of Keap1 protein were
      significantly decreased by DOX, with the loss of Keap1 being due to both
      inhibited gene expression and increased autophagic, but not proteasomal,
      degradation. These findings identify the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway as a potentially
      important initial response to acute DOX-induced oxidative injury, with the
      primary regulatory events being the oxidation and autophagic degradation of the
      redox sensor Keap1 protein. 

PMID- 24211726
TI  - Upregulation of presynaptic proteins and protein kinases associated with enhanced
      glutamate release from axonal terminals (synaptosomes) of the medial prefrontal
      cortex in rats with neuropathic pain.
AB  - Although nerve injury-induced long-term postsynaptic changes have been
      investigated, less is known regarding the molecular mechanisms within presynaptic
      axonal terminals. We investigated the molecular changes in presynaptic nerve
      terminals underlying chronic pain-induced plastic changes in the medial
      prefrontal cortex (mPFC). After neuropathic pain was induced by spared nerve
      injury (SNI) in rats, we assessed the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter
      glutamate by using in vitro synaptosomal preparations from the mPFC. We also
      measured the levels of synaptic proteins and protein kinases in synaptosomes
      using Western blotting. The results showed that unilateral long-term SNI
      augmented depolarization-evoked glutamate release from synaptosomes of the
      bilateral mPFC. This result was confirmed by a rapid destaining rate of FM1-43
      dye in SNI-operated rats. Unilateral long-term nerve injury also significantly
      increased synaptic proteins (including synaptophysin, synaptotagmin,
      synaptobrevin, syntaxin, and 25-kDa synaptosome-associated protein) in
      synaptosomal fractions from the bilateral mPFC, and ultrastructure images
      demonstrated increased synaptic vesicular profiles in synaptosomes from SNI
      animals. Chronic pain upregulated the phosphorylation of endogenous protein
      kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and
      Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), and synapsin I, the primary
      presynaptic target of ERK1/2 and CaMKII. Both presynaptic proteins and protein
      kinases were upregulated after SNI in a time-dependent manner. These results
      indicate that the long-term neuropathic pain-induced enhancement of glutamate
      release in the mPFC is linked to increased synaptic vesicle proteins and the
      activation of the ERK1/2- and CaMKII-synapsin signaling cascade in presynaptic
      axonal terminals. 

PMID- 24211727
TI  - Serum vascular adhesion protein-1 predicts all-cause mortality and cancer-related
      mortality in subjects with colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) participates in inflammation and
      catalyzes the breakdown of amines to produce aldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and
      ammonia. Serum VAP-1 can predict cancer mortality, including colorectal cancer
      (CRC) mortality, in type 2 diabetic subjects. However, it remains unknown if
      serum VAP-1 can predict mortality in CRC patients. This prospective cohort study
      investigates if serum VAP-1 is a novel biomarker for mortality prediction in CRC.
      METHODS: We enrolled 300 CRC patients. Preoperative serum VAP-1 was measured by
      time-resolved immunofluorometric assay. They were followed until September 2009
      or death, which was ascertained by the National Death Registration System.
      RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 4.7 years. Compared with normal
      counterpart, VAP-1 immunoactivity was upregulated in CRC tissues, especially at
      the invasion front. Serum VAP-1 can independently predict all-cause mortality
      (HR: 1.0026, 95% CI: 1.0003-1.0050, P<0.05) and cancer-related mortality (HR:
      1.0026, 95% CI: 1.0001-1.0050, P<0.05). A risk score composed of age, gender,
      carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) >5 ng/ml, tumor grading, tumor staging, and serum
      VAP-1 could stratify CRC patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk
      subgroups, with a 5-year mortality rate of 10%, 34%, and 78%, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Serum VAP-1 predicts mortality independently and improves risk
      stratification in CRC subjects.

PMID- 24211728
TI  - Analytical and preanalytical validation of a new mass spectrometric serum 5
      hydroxyindoleacetic acid assay as neuroendocrine tumor marker.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serum 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) could replace the
      determination of 24-h urinary 5-HIAA for diagnosis and follow-up of
      neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). We developed and validated a straightforward liquid
      chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for serum 5-HIAA.
      METHODS: We used serum samples from healthy volunteers (n=136) and patients
      suspected or followed for NET (n=129). Samples were spiked with 5-HIAA-D2,
      extracted and quantified by LC-MS/MS. We studied the effects of sample storage,
      sample device, a meal and diurnal variation on serum 5-HIAA. Furthermore, we
      established a reference range for serum 5-HIAA and compared our assay with a
      urinary 5-HIAA HPLC assay and a commercial plasma chromogranin A (CgA)
      immunoassay. RESULTS: Our LC-MS/MS assay is sensitive (LOQ 5 nmol/L), has a wide
      assay range (5-10,000 nmol/L) and short analysis time (7 min). 5-HIAA in serum is
      stable for several days in various temperatures and during five freeze-thaw
      cycles. We found no diurnal variation (p >= 0.20) and a meal had no effect on
      serum 5-HIAA (p=0.89). We suggest an upper reference limit of 123 nmol/L for
      serum 5-HIAA. The area under curve (AUC) in receiver operator characteristics
      (ROC) analysis was 0.83 for urinary 5-HIAA, 0.81 for serum 5-HIAA and 0.76 for
      CgA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The LC-MS/MS assay for serum 5-HIAA discriminates
      between healthy individuals and patients with NET and is well suited for the
      diagnosis and follow-up of NETs.

PMID- 24211729
TI  - Recommendation to harmonize the units for reporting cardiac troponin results.

PMID- 24211730
TI  - Using remote sensing to define environmental characteristics related to physical
      activity and dietary behaviours: a systematic review (the SPOTLIGHT project).
AB  - We performed a systematic literature review on the use of free geospatial
      services as potential tools to assess built environmental characteristics related
      to dietary behaviour and physical activity. We included 13 studies, all published
      since 2010 and conducted in urban contexts, with Google Earth and Google Street
      View as the two main free geospatial services used. The agreement between virtual
      and field audit was higher for items related to objectively verifiable measures
      (e.g. presence of infrastructure and equipment) and lower for subjectively
      assessed items (e.g. aesthetics, street atmosphere, etc.). Free geospatial
      services appear as promising alternatives to field audit for assessment of
      objective dimensions of the built environment. 

PMID- 24211731
TI  - Impact of 3-D printed PLA- and chitosan-based scaffolds on human
      monocyte/macrophage responses: unraveling the effect of 3-D structures on
      inflammation.
AB  - Recent studies have pointed towards a decisive role of inflammation in triggering
      tissue repair and regeneration, while at the same time it is accepted that an
      exacerbated inflammatory response may lead to rejection of an implant. Within
      this context, understanding and having the capacity to regulate the inflammatory
      response elicited by 3-D scaffolds aimed for tissue regeneration is crucial. This
      work reports on the analysis of the cytokine profile of human
      monocytes/macrophages in contact with biodegradable 3-D scaffolds with different
      surface properties, architecture and controlled pore geometry, fabricated by 3-D
      printing technology. Fabrication processes were optimized to create four
      different 3-D platforms based on polylactic acid (PLA), PLA/calcium phosphate
      glass or chitosan. Cytokine secretion and cell morphology of human peripheral
      blood monocytes allowed to differentiate on the different matrices were analyzed.
      While all scaffolds supported monocyte/macrophage adhesion and stimulated
      cytokine production, striking differences between PLA-based and chitosan
      scaffolds were found, with chitosan eliciting increased secretion of tumor
      necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, while PLA-based scaffolds induced higher production
      of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12/23 and IL-10. Even though the material itself
      induced the biggest differences, the scaffold geometry also impacted on TNF-alpha
      and IL-12/23 production, with chitosan scaffolds having larger pores and wider
      angles leading to a higher secretion of these pro-inflammatory cytokines. These
      findings strengthen the appropriateness of these 3-D platforms to study
      modulation of macrophage responses by specific parameters (chemistry, topography,
      scaffold architecture). 

PMID- 24211732
TI  - Biodegradation of metallic magnesium elicits an inflammatory response in primary
      nasal epithelial cells.
AB  - Resorbable magnesium-based implants hold great promise for various biomedical
      applications, such as osteosynthesis and coronary stenting. They also offer a new
      therapeutic option for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis, but little data
      is yet available regarding the use of magnesium in the nasal cavity. To model
      this field of application, primary porcine nasal epithelial cells were used to
      test the biocompatibility of degrading pure magnesium and investigate whether the
      degradation products may also affect cellular metabolism. Magnesium specimens did
      not induce apoptosis and we found no major influence on enzyme activities or
      protein synthesis, but cell viability was reduced and elevated interleukin 8
      secretion indicated proinflammatory reactions. Necrotic damage was most likely
      due to osmotic stress, and our results suggest that magnesium ion build-up is
      also involved in the interleukin 8 release. Furthermore, the latter seems to be
      mediated, at least in part, by the p38 signaling pathway. These effects probably
      depended on the accumulation of very high concentrations of magnesium ions in the
      in vitro set-up, which might not be achieved in vivo, although we cannot exclude
      that further, as yet unknown, factors played a role in the inflammatory response
      during the degradation process. In conclusion, the biocompatibility of pure
      magnesium with cells in the immediate vicinity appears less ideal than is often
      supposed, and this needs to be considered in the evaluation of magnesium
      materials containing additional alloying elements. 

PMID- 24211733
TI  - Evaluation of polyelectrolyte complex-based scaffolds for mesenchymal stem cell
      therapy in cardiac ischemia treatment.
AB  - Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds hold great potential for stem cell-based
      therapies. Indeed, recent results have shown that biomimetic scaffolds may
      enhance cell survival and promote an increase in the concentration of therapeutic
      cells at the injury site. The aim of this work was to engineer an original
      polymeric scaffold based on the respective beneficial effects of alginate and
      chitosan. Formulations were made from various alginate/chitosan ratios to form
      opposite-charge polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs). After freeze-drying, the
      resultant matrices presented a highly interconnected porous microstructure and
      mechanical properties suitable for cell culture. In vitro evaluation demonstrated
      their compatibility with mesenchymal stell cell (MSC) proliferation and their
      ability to maintain paracrine activity. Finally, the in vivo performance of
      seeded 3D PEC scaffolds with a polymeric ratio of 40/60 was evaluated after an
      acute myocardial infarction provoked in a rat model. Evaluation of cardiac
      function showed a significant increase in the ejection fraction, improved
      neovascularization, attenuated fibrosis as well as less left ventricular
      dilatation as compared to an animal control group. These results provide evidence
      that 3D PEC scaffolds prepared from alginate and chitosan offer an efficient
      environment for 3D culturing of MSCs and represent an innovative solution for
      tissue engineering. 

PMID- 24211734
TI  - Significance of calcium phosphate coatings for the enhancement of new bone
      osteogenesis--a review.
AB  - A systematic analysis of results available from in vitro, in vivo and clinical
      trials on the effects of biocompatible calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings is
      presented. An overview of the most frequently used methods to prepare CaP-based
      coatings was conducted. Dense, homogeneous, highly adherent and biocompatible CaP
      or hybrid organic/inorganic CaP coatings with tailored properties can be
      deposited. It has been demonstrated that CaP coatings have a significant effect
      on the bone regeneration process. In vitro experiments using different cells
      (e.g. SaOS-2, human mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblast-like cells) have
      revealed that CaP coatings enhance cellular adhesion, proliferation and
      differentiation to promote bone regeneration. However, in vivo, the exact
      mechanism of osteogenesis in response to CaP coatings is unclear; indeed, there
      are conflicting reports of the effectiveness of CaP coatings, with results
      ranging from highly effective to no significant or even negative effects. This
      review therefore highlights progress in CaP coatings for orthopaedic implants and
      discusses the future research and use of these devices. Currently, an exciting
      area of research is in bioactive hybrid composite CaP-based coatings containing
      both inorganic (CaP coating) and organic (collagen, bone morphogenetic proteins,
      arginylglycylaspartic acid etc.) components with the aim of promoting tissue
      ingrowth and vascularization. Further investigations are necessary to reveal the
      relative influences of implant design, surgical procedure, and coating
      characteristics (thickness, structure, topography, porosity, wettability etc.) on
      the long-term clinical effects of hybrid CaP coatings. In addition to
      commercially available plasma spraying, other effective routes for the
      fabrication of hybrid CaP coatings for clinical use still need to be determined
      and current progress is discussed. 

PMID- 24211735
TI  - Establishing a versatile Golden Gate cloning system for genetic engineering in
      fungi.
AB  - The corn pathogen Ustilago maydis is a well-studied fungal model organism. Along
      with a broad set of experimental tools, versatile strategies for the generation
      of gene replacement mutants by homologous recombination in U. maydis have been
      developed. Nevertheless, the production of corresponding linear DNA constructs
      still constitutes a time-limiting step. To overcome this bottleneck, various
      resistance cassette modules were adopted for use with the so-called Golden Gate
      cloning strategy. These modules allow not only simple gene deletions but also
      more sophisticated genetic manipulations like inserting sequences for C-terminal
      protein tagging. The type IIs restriction enzyme BsaI was selected for this novel
      approach as its recognition sites are comparatively rare in the U. maydis genome.
      To test the efficiency of the new strategy it was used to test the influence of
      varying flank lengths as well as the effect of non-homologous flank ends on
      homologous recombination. Importantly, to proof a broad applicability in other
      fungi the same strategy was used to generate mutants in the filamentous
      ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans. Hence, we present a highly efficient and
      economic cloning strategy that speeds up reverse genetic approaches in fungi. 

PMID- 24211736
TI  - Hyb: a bioinformatics pipeline for the analysis of CLASH (crosslinking, ligation
      and sequencing of hybrids) data.
AB  - Associations between proteins and RNA-RNA duplexes are important in post
      transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The CLASH (Cross-linking, Ligation
      and Sequencing of Hybrids) technique captures RNA-RNA interactions by physically
      joining two RNA molecules associated with a protein complex into a single
      chimeric RNA molecule. These events are relatively rare and considerable effort
      is needed to detect a small number of chimeric sequences amongst millions of non
      chimeric cDNA reads resulting from a CLASH experiment. We present the "hyb"
      bioinformatics pipeline, which we developed to analyse high-throughput cDNA
      sequencing data from CLASH experiments. Although primarily designed for use with
      AGO CLASH data, hyb can also be used for the detection and annotation of chimeric
      reads in other high-throughput sequencing datasets. We examined the sensitivity
      and specificity of chimera detection in a test dataset using the BLAST, BLAST+,
      BLAT, pBLAT and Bowtie2 read alignment programs. We obtained the most reliable
      results in the shortest time using a combination of preprocessing with Flexbar
      and subsequent read-mapping using Bowtie2. The "hyb" software is distributed
      under the GNU GPL (General Public License) and can be downloaded from
      https://github.com/gkudla/hyb. 

PMID- 24211738
TI  - Anatomy of the liver: an outline with three levels of complexity--a further step
      towards tailored territorial liver resections.
AB  - The vascular anatomy of the liver can be described at three different levels of
      complexity according to the use that the description has to serve. The first-
      conventional--level corresponds to the traditional 8-segments scheme of Couinaud
      and serves as a common language between clinicians from different specialties to
      describe the location of focal hepatic lesions. The second--surgical--level, to
      be applied to anatomical liver resections and transplantations, takes into
      account the real branching of the major portal pedicles and of the hepatic veins.
      Radiological and surgical techniques exist nowadays to make full use of this
      anatomy, but this requires accepting that the Couinaud scheme is a
      simplification, and looking at the vascular architecture with an unprejudiced
      eye. The third--academic--level of complexity concerns the anatomist, and the
      need to offer a systematization that resolves the apparent contradictions between
      anatomical literature, radiological imaging, and surgical practice. Based on the
      real number of second-order portal branches that, although variable averages 20,
      we submit a system called the "1-2-20 concept", and suggest that it fits best the
      number of actual--as opposed to idealized--anatomical liver segments.

PMID- 24211739
TI  - MicroRNA-101 inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma progression through EZH2
      downregulation and increased cytostatic drug sensitivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oncogene polycomb group protein enhancer of zeste homolog 2
      (EZH2) has been proposed to be a target gene of putative tumor suppressor
      microRNA-101 (miR-101). The aim of our study was to investigate the functional
      role of both miR-101 and EZH2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS:
      MiR-101 and EZH2 expressions were evaluated in tumor tissues of 99 HCC patients
      and 7 liver cancer cell lines by real-time PCR. Luciferase reporter assay was
      employed to validate whether EZH2 represents a target gene of miR-101. The effect
      of miR-101 on HCC growth as well as programmed cell death was studied in vitro
      and in vivo. RESULTS: MiR-101 expression was significantly downregulated in most
      of HCC tissues and all cell lines, whereas EZH2 was significantly overexpressed
      in most of HCC tissues and all cell lines. There was a negative correlation
      between expression levels of miR-101 and EZH2. Luciferase assay results confirmed
      EZH2 as a direct target gene of miR-101, which negatively regulates EZH2
      expression in HCC. Ectopic overexpression of miR-101 dramatically repressed
      proliferation, invasion, colony formation as well as cell cycle progression in
      vitro and suppressed tumorigenicity in vivo. Furthermore, miR-101 inhibited
      autophagy and synergized with either doxorubicin or fluorouracil to induce
      apoptosis in tumor cells. CONCLUSION: Tumor suppressor miR-101 represses HCC
      progression through directly targeting EZH2 oncogene and sensitizes liver cancer
      cells to chemotherapeutic treatment. Our findings provide significant insights
      into molecular mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis and may have clinical relevance
      for the development of novel targeted therapies for HCC.

PMID- 24211740
TI  - Timing and benefit of liver transplantation in acute liver failure.
AB  - The case for using emergency liver transplantation in acute liver failure was
      made two decades ago by a series of single centre experiences. The development of
      models identifying a poor prognosis assisted the selection of patients for liver
      transplantation but none of these delivers both high sensitivity and specificity
      for prediction of death. Enhanced sensitivity favours the individual patient
      while enhanced specificity targets the pool of organs available at those who will
      derive greatest benefit. The non-transplant survival rates have improved
      considerably for certain cohorts of patients and these prognostic models have not
      been adjusted to reflect these changes. The presumption of transplant benefit can
      no longer be taken as established in paracetamol-related acute liver failure and
      a policy review is appropriate. In other scenarios, such as seronegative
      hepatitis and the phenotype of sub-acute liver failure, spontaneous survival
      rates remain low and the basis for liver transplantation remains sound. Outcomes
      after liver transplantation are improving but are not yet comparable to elective
      transplantation. The understanding of factors associated with failure after liver
      transplantation is improving but accurate definition of futility has not yet been
      attained. 

PMID- 24211737
TI  - Hepatitis B virus infection among HIV-infected pregnant women in Malawi and
      transmission to infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The extent of HBV infection to infants of HBV/HIV-coinfected
      pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa is unknown. The aim of this study was to
      assess prevalence of HBV infection among antiretroviral-naive, HIV-infected
      pregnant women in Malawi and examine HBV transmission to their infants. METHODS:
      Plasma from 2048 HIV-infected, Malawian women and their infants were tested for
      markers of HBV infection. Study participants were provided standard-of-care
      health services, which included administration of pentavalent vaccine to infants
      at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age. RESULTS: One-hundred and three women (5%) were
      HBsAg-positive; 70 of these HBsAg-positive women were also HBV-DNA-positive.
      Sixteen women (0.8%) were HBV-DNA-positive but HBsAg-negative. Five of 51 infants
      (9.8%) born to HBsAg-positive and/or HBV-DNA-positive women were HBV-DNA-positive
      by 48 weeks of age.HBV DNA concentrations of two infants of mothers who received
      extended lamivudine-containing anti-HIV prophylaxis were <4 log10 IU/ml compared
      to ? 8 log10 IU/ml in three infants of mothers who did not. CONCLUSIONS: HBV DNA
      was detected in nearly 10% of infants born to HBV/HIV-coinfected women. Antenatal
      testing for HIV and HBV, if instituted, can facilitate implementation of
      prophylactic measures against infant infection by both viruses.

PMID- 24211741
TI  - The clinical course of cirrhosis. Population based studies and the need of
      personalized medicine.

PMID- 24211742
TI  - Coordinated care in cirrhosis; the need for further randomized controlled trials.

PMID- 24211743
TI  - Long term results of liver transplantation for Wilson's disease: experience in
      France.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Liver transplantation (LT) is the therapeutic option for
      severe complications of Wilson's disease (WD). We aimed to report on the long
      term outcome of WD patients following LT. METHODS: The medical records of 121
      French patients transplanted for WD between 1985 and 2009 were reviewed
      retrospectively. Seventy-five patients were adults (median age: 29 years, (18
      66)) and 46 were children (median age: 14 years, (7-17)). The indication for LT
      was (1) fulminant/subfulminant hepatitis (n = 64, 53%), median age = 16 years (7
      53), (2) decompensated cirrhosis (n = 50, 41%), median age = 31.5 years (12-66)
      or (3) severe neurological disease (n = 7, 6%), median age = 21.5 years (14.5
      42). Median post-transplant follow-up was 72 months (0-23.5). RESULTS: Actuarial
      patient survival rates were 87% at 5, 10, and 15 years. Male gender, pre
      transplant renal insufficiency, non elective procedure, and neurological
      indication were significantly associated with poorer survival rate. None of these
      factors remained statistically significant under multivariate analysis. In
      patients transplanted for hepatic indications, the prognosis was poorer in case
      of fulminant or subfulminant course, non elective procedure, pretransplant renal
      insufficiency and in patients transplanted before 2000. Multivariate analysis
      disclosed that only recent period of LT was associated with better prognosis. At
      last visit, the median calculated glomerular filtration rate was 93 ml/min (33
      180); 11/93 patients (12%) had stage II renal insufficiency and none had stage
      III. CONCLUSIONS: Liver failure associated with WD is a rare indication for LT
      (<1%), which achieves an excellent long-term outcome, including renal function.

PMID- 24211744
TI  - Detection of early portal hypertension with routine data and liver stiffness in
      patients with asymptomatic liver disease: a prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Detecting portal hypertension (PH) before the development of
      varices is important for prognosis and for designing interventional studies. None
      of the available strategies is used in practice. We evaluated a sequential
      screening-diagnostic strategy based on clinical data and transient elastography
      (TE) to detect PH in asymptomatic outpatients with liver disease. METHODS:
      Consecutive patients with chronic liver disease and no previous diagnosis of PH
      were screened by TE. Patients with liver stiffness (LS) ? 13.6 kPa were further
      evaluated by endoscopy and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). For analysis,
      patients were classified in 3 groups: group A, platelets ? 150,000/mm(3), normal
      abdominal ultrasound; group B, platelets <150,000/mm(3), normal ultrasound; group
      C, platelets <150,000/mm(3), abnormal ultrasound (splenomegaly, nodular liver
      surface). RESULTS: 250 patients were evaluated (69% group A, 20% group B, 11%
      group C). In 9% elastography was non-valid. LS ? 13.6 was found in 54 patients
      (8% A, 43% B, and 81% C, p<0.001). Endoscopy was performed in 49 of these: 20%
      had small varices, 0% high-risk varices. No patients from group A had varices,
      and 90% with varices belonged to group C. HVPG was obtained in 40 patients: 93%
      had PH (HVPG >5 mmHg) and 65% clinically significant PH (CSPH, HVPG ? 10). Only 3
      patients, all from group A, had HVPG <5. All patients from groups B and C with LS
      ? 13.6 had PH. The LS 25 cut-off was excellent at ruling-in CSPH. CONCLUSIONS: A
      simple strategy based on routine clinical data and TE could be useful to detect
      early PH among asymptomatic patients with chronic liver disease.

PMID- 24211745
TI  - Astilbin protects diabetic rat heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury via
      blockade of HMGB1-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway.
AB  - Astilbin, a flavonoid compound was isolated from the rhizome of Smilax china L.
      In this study, we investigated the anti-myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R)
      injury effect of Astilbin on diabetic rats in vivo and elucidated the potential
      mechanism in vitro. The results showed that Astilbin significantly attenuated
      hypoxia-induced cell injury in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of
      H9c2 cells with Astilbin at 15 MUM blocked nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)
      phosphorylation by blocking High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) expression.
      Treatment of diabetic rats with Astilbin by intravenous injection (i.v.) at a
      single dose of 50 mg/kg protected the rats from myocardial I/R injury as
      indicated by decreasing infarct volume, improving hemodynamics and reducing
      myocardial damage, and also lowered serum levels of pro-inflammatory factors,
      reduced HMGB1 and phosphorylated NF-kappaB expression in ischemic myocardial
      tissue from diabetic rats. Additionally, treatment of diabetic rats with Astilbin
      at dose of 50 mg/kg by i.v. for continuous 14 days attenuated cardiac remodeling
      in the model myocardial I/R injury. These protective effects suggested that
      Astilbin might be due to block of the myocardial inflammatory cascade via the
      HMGB1-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway.

PMID- 24211746
TI  - The inflammatory mediator leukotriene D4 induces subcellular beta-catenin
      translocation and migration of colon cancer cells.
AB  - The abnormal activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway frequently occurs in
      colorectal cancer. The nuclear translocation of beta-catenin activates the
      transcription of target genes that promote cell proliferation, survival, and
      invasion. The pro-inflammatory mediator leukotriene D4 (LTD4) exerts its effects
      through the CysLT1 receptor. We previously reported an upregulation of CysLT1R in
      patients with colon cancer, suggesting the importance of leukotrienes in colon
      cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of LTD4 on Wnt/beta
      catenin signaling and its effects on proliferation and migration of colon cancer
      cells. LTD4 stimulation led to an increase in beta-catenin expression, beta
      catenin nuclear translocation and the subsequent transcription of MYC and CCND1.
      Furthermore, LTD4 significantly reduced the expression of E-cadherin and beta
      catenin at the plasma membrane and increased the migration and proliferation of
      HCT116 colon cancer cells. The effects of LTD4 can be blocked by the inhibition
      of CysLT1R. Furthermore, LTD4 induced the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase
      3 (GSK)-3beta activity, indicating a crosstalk between the G-protein-coupled
      receptor CysLT1 and the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. In conclusion, LTD4, which can
      be secreted from macrophages and leukocytes in the tumor microenvironment,
      induces beta-catenin translocation and the activation of beta-catenin target
      genes, resulting in the increased proliferation and migration of colon cancer
      cells. 

PMID- 24211747
TI  - MiR-26a enhances the radiosensitivity of glioblastoma multiforme cells through
      targeting of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is notoriously resistant to radiation, and
      consequently, new radiosensitizers are urgently needed. MicroRNAs are a class of
      endogenous gene modulators with emerging roles in DNA repair. We found that
      overexpression of miR-26a can enhance radiosensitivity and reduce the DNA repair
      ability of U87 cells. However, knockdown miR-26a in U87 cells could act the
      converse manner. Mechanistically, this effect is mediated by direct targeting of
      miR-26a to the 3'UTR of ATM, which leads to reduced ATM levels and consequent
      inhibition of the homologous recombination repair pathway. These results suggest
      that miR-26a may act as a new radiosensitizer of GBM. 

PMID- 24211748
TI  - Protein engineering and the use of molecular modeling and simulation: the case of
      heterodimeric Fc engineering.
AB  - Computational and structure guided methods can make significant contributions to
      the development of solutions for difficult protein engineering problems,
      including the optimization of next generation of engineered antibodies. In this
      paper, we describe a contemporary industrial antibody engineering program, based
      on hypothesis-driven in silico protein optimization method. The foundational
      concepts and methods of computational protein engineering are discussed, and an
      example of a computational modeling and structure-guided protein engineering
      workflow is provided for the design of best-in-class heterodimeric Fc with high
      purity and favorable biophysical properties. We present the engineering rationale
      as well as structural and functional characterization data on these engineered
      designs. 

PMID- 24211749
TI  - The effects of cell compressibility, motility and contact inhibition on the
      growth of tumor cell clusters using the Cellular Potts Model.
AB  - There are numerous biological examples where genes associated with migratory
      ability of cells also confer the cells with an increased fitness even though
      these genes may not have any known effect on the cell mitosis rates. Here, we
      provide insight into these observations by analyzing the effects of cell
      migration, compression, and contact inhibition on the growth of tumor cell
      clusters using the Cellular Potts Model (CPM) in a monolayer geometry. This is a
      follow-up of a previous study (Thalhauser et al. 2010) in which a Moran-type
      model was used to study the interaction of cell proliferation, migratory
      potential and death on the emergence of invasive phenotypes. Here, we extend the
      study to include the effects of cell size and shape. In particular, we
      investigate the interplay between cell motility and compressibility within the
      CPM and find that the CPM predicts that increased cell motility leads to smaller
      cells. This is an artifact in the CPM. An analysis of the CPM reveals an explicit
      inverse-relationship between the cell stiffness and motility parameters. We use
      this relationship to compensate for motility-induced changes in cell size in the
      CPM so that in the corrected CPM, cell size is independent of the cell motility.
      We find that subject to comparable levels of compression, clusters of motile
      cells grow faster than clusters of less motile cells, in qualitative agreement
      with biological observations and our previous study. Increasing compression tends
      to reduce growth rates. Contact inhibition penalizes clumped cells by halting
      their growth and gives motile cells an even greater advantage. Finally, our model
      predicts cell size distributions that are consistent with those observed in
      clusters of neuroblastoma cells cultured in low and high density conditions. 

PMID- 24211750
TI  - Comparison of cost-utility between automated peritoneal dialysis and continuous
      ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The use of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) is increasing
      compared to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Surprisingly,
      little data about health benefits and cost of APD exist, and virtually no
      information comparing the cost-utility between CAPD and APD is available. We
      undertook this study to evaluate and compare the health-related quality of life
      (HRQOL) and cost-utility indexes in patients on CAPD vs. APD METHODS: This was a
      prospective cohort of patients initiating dialysis (2008-2009). Two
      questionnaires were self-administered: European Research Questionnaire Quality of
      Life (EQ-5D) and Kidney Disease Quality of Life (short form, KDQOL-SF, Rand,
      Santa Monica, CA). Direct medical costs (DMC) were determined from the health
      provider perspective including the following medical resource utilization:
      outpatient clinic/emergency care, dialysis procedures, medications, laboratory
      tests, hospitalization, and surgery. Cost-utility indexes were calculated
      dividing total mean cost by indicators of the HRQOL. RESULTS: One hundred twenty
      three patients were evaluated: 77 on CAPD and 46 on APD. Results of the EQ-5D and
      KDQOL-SF questionnaires were significantly better in APD compared to the CAPD
      group. Main costs in both APD and CAPD were attributed to hospitalization and
      dialysis procedures followed by medication and surgery. Outpatient clinic visits
      and laboratory tests were significantly more costly in CAPD than in APD, whereas
      dialysis procedures were more expensive in the latter. Cost-utility indexes were
      significantly better in APD compared to CAPD. CONCLUSIONS: A significant cost
      utility advantage of APD vs. CAPD was observed. The annual DMC per-patient were
      not different between groups but the HRQOL was better in the APD compared to the
      CAPD group.

PMID- 24211751
TI  - Anti-inflammatory interventions in end-stage kidney disease: a randomized, double
      blinded, controlled and crossover clinical trial on the use of pravastatin in
      continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammation is highly prevalent in patients on dialysis.
      Statins have anti-inflammatory actions but their use has been scarcely studied in
      continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We undertook this study to
      compare the effect of pravastatin vs. placebo on the serum concentrations of C
      reactive protein (CRP) in patients on CAPD. METHODS: In a double-blind,
      controlled and crossover clinical trial, 76 CAPD patients were randomized to
      either pravastatin or placebo for 2 months. After this first period of treatment,
      patients had a 1-month wash-out period and, finally, they were crossed-over to
      receive the other drug (or placebo) for 2 more months. Measurement of clinical
      and biochemical variables and CRP was performed at the beginning and at the end
      of each treatment period. RESULTS: Median CRP was only significantly decreased in
      the pravastatin group in both periods of treatment: first period (baseline vs.
      final, mg/L): pravastatin 7.4 (2-21) vs. 2.6 (1-6), p <0.05; placebo 3.9 (2-10)
      vs. 6.8 (3-12), pNS; second period: pravastatin 4.3 (2-15) vs. 1.9 (1-7), p
      <0.05; placebo 4.9 (2-17) vs. 6.8 (2-19), p <0.05. Results were significantly
      different (p <0.05) between groups only at the end of each treatment period.
      Additionally, total and LDL-cholesterol significantly decreased in the
      pravastatin group. CONCLUSIONS: Pravastatin significantly reduced serum levels of
      CRP and total and LDL-cholesterol compared to placebo. This treatment may be of
      great help to decrease the inflammatory status and probably the cardiovascular
      disease of CAPD patients.

PMID- 24211752
TI  - Vascular calcification in Mexican hemodialysis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Vascular calcification (VC) is a predictor of poor survival
      and cardiovascular outcome in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients; however,
      there is scarce information of VC in Latin America, and virtually no data in our
      setting. We undertook this study to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics
      of VC in a hemodialysis (HD) population from western Mexico and to determine
      possible associated factors. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed
      in 52 patients. VC was evaluated using plain X-ray films (Adragao's score) of
      hands and pelvis; clinical and biochemical variables were also collected.
      Statistical analysis was carried out with Student t and chi(2) tests performed as
      appropriate and logistic regression to determine predictors of VC. RESULTS: Mean
      age was 43 years, 48% were female, 23% had diabetes mellitus (DM), and median
      time on dialysis was 46 months. Percentage prevalence was 52% with a mean
      calcification score of 2.0 +/- 2.6; 23% of patients had severe calcification. VC
      was present in about 23-37% among the different vascular territories evaluated
      (radial, digital, femoral and iliac). Patients with calcification were
      significantly older, had a higher frequency of DM, higher alkaline phosphatase
      and lower HDL lipoproteins than those without VC. In the multivariate analysis,
      VC in these patients was significantly predicted only by an older age (OR [95%
      CI]: 1.15 [1.01-1.31], p = 0.04); lower HDL-cholesterol and higher alkaline
      phosphatase were marginal predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Half of our HD patients had
      VC. Territories of radial, iliac, femoral and digital arteries were roughly
      equally affected, and 25% of patients had a calcification considered as severe.
      Older age was the only significant predicting variable for VC, with low HDL
      cholesterol and high alkaline phosphatase as marginal predictors.

PMID- 24211753
TI  - Longitudinal analysis of participants in the KEEP Mexico's chronic kidney disease
      screening program.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) is a free
      screening and educational program aimed at detecting chronic kidney disease (CKD)
      among adult individuals who are at high-risk (those with diabetes, hypertension,
      or family history of these conditions or CKD). Confirmation of CKD diagnosis
      requires persistence of albuminuria or estimated GFR <60 mL/min for at least 3
      months. We undertook this study to determine in a follow-up KEEP done at least 1
      year after a baseline KEEP the following: 1) CKD incidence among individuals who
      initially tested negative for CKD, 2) transitions between CKD stages among
      individuals who initially tested positive for CKD. METHODS: A random sample of
      KEEP participants was invited to participate in a follow-up KEEP between 2008 and
      2010. Paired analyses were conducted to compare CKD stages between baseline and
      follow-up KEEP. RESULTS: A total of 434 individuals with a mean age of 49 years
      and 77% females participated in the study. Overall CKD prevalence in the baseline
      KEEP was 24%, and most patients were unaware of the diagnosis. In the follow-up
      KEEP, CKD incidence was 14%. The percentage of patients who tested positive for
      CKD in the baseline KEEP and who remained positive regardless of stage in the
      follow-up KEEP was 40% for those with stage 1 at baseline, 52% for those with
      stage 2, 65% for those with stage 3, and 100% for those with stages 4 or 5.
      CONCLUSIONS: Screening for CKD among high-risk individuals is uncommon. KEEP is
      an effective program for detecting CKD.

PMID- 24211754
TI  - De novo development of heart valve calcification in incident peritoneal dialysis
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiac valve calcification (VC) is a frequent complication
      in chronic kidney disease and is considered a risk factor for all-cause and
      cardiovascular mortality. However, little is known about the pathophysiology
      mechanisms that originate it and the factors associated with its development. We
      undertook this study to analyze the frequency and factors related to de novo
      development of mitral valve calcification (MVC) and aortic valve calcifications
      (AVC) in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: A prospective
      cohort of 124 incident PD patients was studied. Demographic and clinical data
      were recorded and blood assayed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up for
      calcium, phosphorus, glucose, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides by
      spectrophotometry assay; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) by
      immunoturbidimetric ultrasensitive assay, intact parathormone (iPTH) and
      osteocalcin by electrochemiluminescence, fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin by EDI
      ELISA. Valve calcification was evaluated by M-mode bidimensional echocardiogram.
      RESULTS: Sixty eight percent of patients were male, ages 43 +/- 13 years; 51%
      were diabetic with 1.4 +/- 1 months on PD. After 12.3 +/- 1 months, 57 patients
      (46%) developed VC: AVC in 33 (57.8%), MVC in 15 (26.3%) and 9 (15.8%) patients
      in both valves. There was no correlation between AVC and MCV. In univariate
      logistic regression analysis, age, diabetes and elevated concentrations of OPG,
      iPTH and CRP were risk factors for development MVC. In multivariate analysis,
      only iPTH remained an independent risk factor as was also the case in AVC.
      CONCLUSIONS: Age, diabetes, osteoprotegerin, parathormone and C-reactive protein
      are risk factors related to de novo development of MVC and iPTH for AVC in
      incident dialysis patients.

PMID- 24211755
TI  - Identifying undetected cases of chronic kidney disease in Mexico. Targeting high
      risk populations.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health
      problem in Mexico. Current guidelines recommend routine CKD testing in patients
      at increased risk for CKD. We undertook this study to examine the diagnostic
      yield of targeted screening (case-finding) for CKD in high-risk populations in
      rural and urban communities in Jalisco, Mexico. METHODS: In a cross-sectional
      study, we did laboratory tests searching for CKD and its risk factors and
      compared the characteristics of participants with those reported by the National
      Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (NHNS). Individuals who were aware that they had
      CKD and those <18 years of age were excluded. RESULTS: There were 9,169
      participants assessed: 28.7% were men and mean age was 55.6 +/- 13.7 years. They
      were predominantly female (71.3 vs. 55.6%, p = 0.0001) and older (55.59 +/- 0.1
      vs. 42.5 +/- 0.3 years, p = 0.0001) than the NHNS population. Self-reported
      diabetes (41.9 vs. 7.3%, p = 0001) and fasting blood sugar >126 mg/dl (56.1 vs.
      14.4%, p = 0.0001) were more prevalent among the participants; self-reported
      hypertension (41.9 vs. 7.3%, p = 0.0001), systolic blood pressure >= 140 mm Hg or
      diastolic blood pressure >= 90 mm Hg (52.5 vs. 43.2%, p = 0.0001), and obesity
      (42.8. vs. 29.3%, p = 0.0001) were also more frequent among participants. There
      were 19.7% with proteinuria; CKD was more prevalent among the high risk
      participants in our study (31.3 vs. 8.0%, p = 0.0001) than in the general
      population. CONCLUSIONS: CKD was detected frequently in high-risk Mexican
      populations. Trials of case-finding and intervention are feasible and warranted
      in Mexico.

PMID- 24211756
TI  - Metabolic syndrome in children with chronic kidney disease: PON1 and treatment
      modality.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We undertook this study to evaluate the relationship between
      PON1, SOD and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in pediatric patients undergoing
      peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis and patients in early stages of CKD. METHODS:
      We carried out an analytical cross-sectional study of 134 children 6-17 years
      old. We registered anthropometric variables, vital signs, basic biochemical
      parameters, intact PTH (iPTH), high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), paraoxonase-1; SOD;
      PON1/HDL-cholesterol and homocysteine. For statistical analyses we used t test,
      Mann Whitney U test, chi(2), Fisher exact test, linear or logistic regression
      models, using SPSS v.16.0. p values <0.05 were considered as significant.
      RESULTS: There were 66 (49.3%) females; 39 (29.1%) had CKD stages 2-4
      (predialysis), 42 (31.3%) on hemodialysis (HD) and 53 (39.6%) on automated
      peritoneal dialysis (PD). Time from diagnosis was 26 months. Significant
      differences were observed in mean, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, C
      peptide, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol as well as PON1/HDL-cholesterol ratio
      and SOD. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that PON1 and SOD may be predictors
      for the presence of MetS in pediatric patients under treatment with peritoneal
      dialysis. The positive correlation observed in PON1/HDL-cholesterol ratio may
      reflect the protector effect of HDL-cholesterol in patients with CKD according
      with the modality of treatment.

PMID- 24211757
TI  - Practice budgets and the patient mix of physicians - the effect of a remuneration
      system reform on health care utilisation.
AB  - This study analyses the effect of a change in the remuneration system for
      physicians on the treatment lengths as measured by the number of doctor visits
      using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel over the period 1995-2002.
      Specifically, I analyse the introduction of a remuneration cap (so called
      practice budgets) for physicians who treat publicly insured patients in 1997. I
      find evidence that the reform of 1997 did not change the extensive margin of
      doctor visits but strongly affected the intensive margin. The conditional number
      of doctor visits among publicly insured decreased while it increased among
      privately insured. This can be seen as evidence that physicians respond to the
      change in incentives induced by the reform by altering their patient mix. 

PMID- 24211758
TI  - Testing the rate of preference reversal in personal and social decision-making.
AB  - Classic preference reversal, where choice and valuation procedures generate
      inconsistent preference orderings, has rarely been tested in hypothetical health
      care treatment scenarios. Two studies - the first non-incentivised and the second
      incentivised - are reported in this article. In both studies, respondents are
      asked to make decisions that affect themselves (a personal decision making frame)
      and those for whom they are responsible (a social decision making frame). The
      results show non-negligible and systematic rates of preference reversal in both
      frames, although these rates are slightly, but non-significantly, lower in the
      incentivised condition. Moreover, in both studies, the rate of predicted
      preference reversal was somewhat higher in the social than in the personal
      decision making frame, a finding that is explained by greater risk aversion when
      choosing treatment options for others than when choosing treatments for oneself. 

PMID- 24211759
TI  - Systemic rhabdomyolysis induced by venom of freshwater stingrays Plesiotrygon
      iwamae and Potamotrygon motoro (Chondrichthyes-Potamotrygonidae) from the Amazon
      Basin.
AB  - Injuries caused by freshwater stingrays are characterized by intense pain and
      pathological changes at the lesion site, including oedema, erythema and, in most
      cases, necrosis. In this study, the systemic myotoxic activity induced by mucus
      extracts from the dorsal region and stinger of the stingrays Plesiotrygon iwamae
      and Potamotrygon motoro was described, analysed and quantified. Twenty-four hours
      after injection of 400 MUg of the extracts into the gastrocnemius muscle of mice,
      the following effects were observed: coagulative necrosis of the muscle tissue,
      muscle fibre regeneration and the presence of inflammatory infiltrates, including
      neutrophils, macrophages, and a reduced number of eosinophils and lymphocytes.
      These changes were also observed, although to a lesser extent, in the
      gastrocnemius muscles of the contralateral limbs, demonstrating that the extracts
      from the two species could induce systemic rhabdomyolysis. Based on morphometric
      analysis, it was observed that the stinger extract of P. motoro was more potent
      in inducing local and systemic myotoxic activity, followed by the dorsal extract
      from P. motoro and stinger and dorsal extracts from P. iwamae, which induced
      similar effects. 

PMID- 24211760
TI  - DNA microarray analysis on gene candidates possibly related to tetrodotoxin
      accumulation in pufferfish.
AB  - Pufferfish accumulate tetrodotoxin (TTX) at high levels in liver and ovary
      through the food chain. However, the mechanisms underlying TTX toxification in
      pufferfish have been poorly understood. In order to search gene candidates
      involved in TTX accumulation in the torafugu pufferfish Takifugu rubripes, a
      custom 4x44k oligonucleotide microarray slide was designed by the Agilent eArray
      program using oligonucleotide probes of 60 bp in length referring to 42,724
      predicted transcripts in the publicly available Fugu genome database. DNA
      microarray analysis was performed with total RNA samples from the livers of two
      toxic wild specimens in comparison with those from a nontoxic wild specimen and
      two nontoxic cultured specimens. The mRNA levels of 1108 transcripts were more
      than 2-fold higher in the toxic specimens than in the nontoxic specimens. The
      levels of 613 transcripts were remarkably high, and 16 transcripts encoded by 9
      genes were up-regulated more than 10-fold. These genes included those encoding
      forming structural filaments (keratins) and those related to vitamin D metabolism
      and immunity. It was also noted that the levels of the transcripts encoding
      serpin peptidase inhibitor clade C member 1, coagulation factor X precursor,
      complement C2, C3, C5, C8 precursors, and interleukin-6 receptor were high in the
      toxic liver samples.

PMID- 24211761
TI  - Do the BEAF insulator proteins regulate genes involved in cell polarity and
      neoplastic growth?
AB  - It was reported that a chromosome with the BEAF(NP6377) (NP6377) allele leads to
      a loss of cell polarity and neoplastic growth in Drosophila melanogaster when
      homozygous (Gurudatta et al., 2012). We had previously generated the BEAF(AB-KO)
      (AB-KO) allele by homologous recombination and did not note these phenotypes (Roy
      et al., 2007). Both alleles are null mutations. It was unclear why two null
      alleles of the same gene would give different phenotypes. To resolve this, we
      performed genetic tests to explore the possibility that the chromosome with the
      NP6377 allele contained other, second site mutations that might account for the
      different phenotypes. We found that the chromosome with NP6377 has at least two
      additional mutations. At least one of these, possibly in combination with the
      NP6377 allele, is presumably responsible for the reported effects on gene
      expression, cell polarity and neoplastic growth. 

PMID- 24211762
TI  - Interactions between lens epithelial and fiber cells reveal an intrinsic self
      assembly mechanism.
AB  - How tissues and organs develop and maintain their characteristic three
      dimensional cellular architecture is often a poorly understood part of their
      developmental program; yet, as is clearly the case for the eye lens, precise
      regulation of these features can be critical for function. During lens
      morphogenesis cells become organized into a polarized, spheroidal structure with
      a monolayer of epithelial cells overlying the apical tips of elongated fiber
      cells. Epithelial cells proliferate and progeny that shift below the lens equator
      differentiate into new fibers that are progressively added to the fiber mass. It
      is now known that FGF induces epithelial to fiber differentiation; however, it is
      not fully understood how these two forms of cells assemble into their
      characteristic polarized arrangement. Here we show that in FGF-treated epithelial
      explants, elongating fibers become polarized/oriented towards islands of
      epithelial cells and mimic their polarized arrangement in vivo. Epithelial
      explants secrete Wnt5 into the culture medium and we show that Wnt5 can promote
      directed behavior of lens cells. We also show that these explants replicate
      aspects of the Notch/Jagged signaling activity that has been shown to regulate
      proliferation of epithelial cells in vivo. Thus, our in vitro study identifies a
      novel mechanism, intrinsic to the two forms of lens cells, that facilitates self
      assembly into the polarized arrangement characteristic of the lens in vivo. In
      this way the lens, with its relatively simple cellular composition, serves as a
      useful model to highlight the importance of such intrinsic self-assembly
      mechanisms in tissue developmental and regenerative processes. 

PMID- 24211763
TI  - Oxidative stress precedes mitochondrial dysfunction in gerbil brain after
      aluminum ingestion.
AB  - Several studies suggest that aluminum (Al) intake might increase an individual's
      risk of developing Alzheimer disease. The dynamic of changes in
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE), cytochrome c oxidase (COX), Complex I, superoxide
      dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and the lipid peroxide (MDA),
      superoxide anion (O2(-)) and thiol (SH) group levels in gerbil's brain after
      aluminum ingestion were analyzed. Gerbils that orally received aluminum chloride
      (LD25 or LD50) were sacrificed 2, 6 or 24 h later. Another group was subacutely
      treated (21 days; LD10). Controls received saline. Biochemical parameters were
      measured in cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and nucleus caudatus. Two hours after
      acute Al exposure AChE activity and SH group content were decreased and MDA and
      O2(-) levels were elevated in all investigated brain structures. The changes of
      COX and CAT were structure specific. SOD was increased after 6 h. Changes of
      investigated parameters were also seen after subacute Al treatment. These results
      might suggest the presence of additional source of free radicals in early phase
      of Al poisoning.

PMID- 24211764
TI  - The protective effect of melatonin and S-methylisothiourea treatments in nitrogen
      mustard induced lung toxicity in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Mustard is highly toxic to the lung. Its toxic effects are associated
      with inflammatory cell accumulation and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines as
      well as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. In this study, we aimed to
      investigate the efficiency of melatonin (MEL) and S-methylisothiourea (SMT) on
      mechlorethamine (MEC) induced lung toxicity. METHODS: Thirty-six male rats were
      randomly divided into four groups: control, MEC, MEC+MEL, and MEC+SMT. Control
      group was given saline only via transdermal route. Other groups were exposured to
      a single dose of MEC (3.5 mg/kg) via transdermal route. MEL (100 mg/kg) was
      administered intraperitoneally 30 min after the application of MEC, and after the
      same dose of MEL was given every 12 h for a total of six doses. SMT (50 mg/kg)
      was also given intraperitoneally 30 min after the application of MEC. RESULTS:
      MEC injection resulted in alveolar epithelial injury, hemorrhage, inflammation,
      edema and interalveolar septal thickening in the lung tissues. The tissue TNF
      alpha, IL-1beta, and nitrate/nitrite (NOx) levels were found significantly
      different for all groups (p<0.001). TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels increased
      significantly with MEC exposure, and MEL and SMT ameliorated these increases in
      lung tissues. MEC also elevated NOx levels in lung tissue. Melatonin showed
      meaningful protection against lung injury. But protection of SMT was weaker.
      CONCLUSION: Inflammation plays an important role in the MEC induced lung toxicity
      as well as oxidative and nitrosative stress. Melatonin has also anti-inflammatory
      properties similar to SMT, as well as anti-oxidant properties. But melatonin
      treatment was found more efficient than SMT treatment.

PMID- 24211765
TI  - Total salivary nitrates and nitrites in oral health and periodontal disease.
AB  - It is well known that nitrites are increased in saliva from patients with
      periodontal disease. In the oral cavity, nitrites may derive partly from the
      reduction of nitrates by oral bacteria. Nitrates have been reported as a defence
      related mechanism. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the
      salivary levels of total nitrate and nitrite and their relationship, in
      unstimulated and stimulated saliva from periodontal healthy subjects, and from
      patients with chronic periodontal disease. Nitrates and nitrites were determined
      in saliva from thirty healthy subjects and forty-four patients with periodontal
      disease. A significant increase in salivary nitrates and nitrites was observed.
      Nitrates and nitrites concentration was related to clinical attachment level
      (CAL). A positive and significant Pearson's correlation was found between
      salivary total nitrates and nitrites. Periodontal treatment induced clinical
      improvement and decreased nitrates and nitrites. It is concluded that salivary
      nitrates and nitrites increase, in patients with periodontal disease, could be
      related to defence mechanisms. The possibility that the salivary glands respond
      to oral infectious diseases by increasing nitrate secretion should be explored
      further. 

PMID- 24211766
TI  - Formation of distinct chromatin conformation signatures epigenetically regulate
      macrophage activation.
AB  - Microbial-lipopolysacharide (LPS), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon gamma (IFN
      gamma) polarise macrophages into "innate", "alternative" and "classical",
      activation states by selective gene regulation. Expression of MARCO, CD200,
      CD200R1 (innate), MRC1 (alternative) and H2-Eb1 (classical) selectively marks
      these distinct activation states. Epigenetic events drive such activation upon
      stimuli and here we study one such mechanism, chromatin conformation signatures
      implicated in long-range chromatin interactions that regulate transcriptional
      switch and gene expression. The EpiSwitchTM technology was used to identify and
      analyse potential markers bordering such conformational signatures for these
      genes and juxtaposition of markers was compared between resting and activated
      macrophages. LPS, IL-4 and IFN-gamma selectively altered chromatin conformations
      of their responsive genes in wild type, but not in MyD88(-/-), IL-4R(-/-) and IFN
      gammaR(-/-) macrophages. In addition, two distinct conformations were observed in
      CD200R1 after LPS and IFN-gamma stimulation. In summary, signal-specific
      alterations in chromatin conformation provide biomarkers that identify and
      determine distinct gene expression programmes during macrophage activation. 

PMID- 24211767
TI  - Quantitative accuracy in mass spectrometry based proteomics of complex samples:
      the impact of labeling and precursor interference.
AB  - Knowing the limit of quantification is important to accurately judge the results
      from proteomics studies. In order to investigate isobaric labels in combination
      with peptide pre-fractionation by high resolution isoelectric focusing in terms
      of limit of detection, quantitative accuracy and how to improve it, we used a
      human cell lysate spiked with 57 protein standards providing reference points
      across a wide concentration range. Specifically, the impact of precursor mixing
      (isolation interference and reporter ion interference) on quantitative accuracy
      was investigated by co-analyzing iTRAQ (8-plex) and TMT (6-plex) labeled
      peptides. A label-free analysis was also performed. Peptides, labeled or label
      free, were analyzed by LC-MS/MS (Orbitrap Velos). We identified 3386 proteins by
      the label-free approach, 4466 with iTRAQ and 5961 with TMT. A linear range of
      quantification down to 1fmol was indicated for both isobaric and label-free
      analysis workflows, with an upper limit exceeding 60fmol. Our results indicate
      that 6-plex TMT is more sensitive than 8-plex iTRAQ. For isobaric labels,
      quantitative accuracy was affected by precursor mixing. Based on our evaluation
      on precursor mixing and accuracy of isobaric label quantification, we propose a
      cut off of <30% isolation interference for peptide spectrum matches (PSMs) used
      in the quantification. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Quantitative proteome analysis by
      mass spectrometry offers opportunities for biological research. However, knowing
      the limit of quantification in biological samples is important to accurately
      judge the results. By using a high-complexity sample spiked with protein
      standards of known concentrations, we investigated the quantification limits of
      label-free and label-based peptide quantification, including an evaluation of
      precursor mixing and its impact on quantification accuracy by isobaric labels. We
      suggest limits of allowed precursor interference and believe that this study
      contributes with information useful in proteome quantification by mass
      spectrometry.

PMID- 24211768
TI  - Hemotoxicity of carbon nanotubes.
AB  - Carbon nanotubes may enter into the bloodstream and interact with blood
      components indirectly via translocation following unintended exposure or directly
      after an intended administration for biomedical purposes. Once introduced into
      systemic circulation, nanotubes will encounter various proteins, biomolecules or
      cells which have specific roles in the homeostasis of the circulatory system. It
      is therefore essential to determine whether those interactions will lead to
      adverse effects or not. Advances in the understanding of how carbon nanotubes
      interact with blood proteins, the complement system, red blood cells and the
      hemostatic system are reviewed in this article. While many studies on carbon
      nanotube health risk assessment and their biomedical applications have appeared
      in the last few years, reports on the hemocompatibility of these nanomaterials
      remain surprisingly limited. Yet, defining the hemotoxicological profile is a
      mandatory step toward the development of clinically-relevant medications or
      contrast agents based on carbon nanotubes. 

PMID- 24211769
TI  - Utilization of CDKN1A/p21 gene for class discrimination of DNA damage-induced
      clastogenicity.
AB  - The in vitro mammalian cytogenetic tests monitor chromosomal aberrations in
      cultured mammalian cells to test the mutagenicity of compounds. Although these
      tests are especially useful for evaluating the potential clastogenic effects of
      chemicals, false positives associated with excessive toxicity occur frequently.
      There is a growing demand for mechanism-based assays to confirm positive results
      from cytogenetic tests. We hypothesized that a toxicogenomic approach that is
      based on gene expression profiles could be used to investigate mechanisms of
      genotoxicity. Human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells were treated with each of eight
      different genotoxins that included six DNA damaging compounds-mitomycin C, methyl
      methanesulfonate, ethyl methanesulfonate, cisplatin, etoposide, hydroxyurea-and
      two compounds that do not damage DNA-colchicine and adenine. Cells were exposed
      to each compound for 4h, and Affymetrix U133A microarrays were then used to
      comprehensively examine gene expression. A statistical analysis was used to
      select biomarker candidates, and 103 probes met our statistical criteria.
      Expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A)/p21 was ranked
      highest for discriminating DNA-damaging compounds. To further characterize the
      biological significance of alterations in gene expression, functional network
      analysis was performed with the 103 selected probes. Interestingly, a CDKN1A
      centered interactome was identified as the most significant network. Together,
      these findings indicated that DNA-damaging compounds often induced changes in the
      expression of a large number of these 103 probes and that upregulation of CDKN1A
      was a common key feature of DNA damage stimuli. The utility of CDKN1A as a
      biomarker for assessing the genotoxicity of drug candidates was further
      evaluated; specifically, quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess the effects of 14
      additional compounds-including DNA damaging genotoxins and genotoxins that do not
      damage DNA and five newly-synthesized drug candidates-on CDKN1A expression. In
      these assays, DNA damage-positive clastogens were clearly separated from DNA
      damage-negative compounds based on CDKN1A expression. In conclusion, CDKN1A may
      be a valuable biomarker for identifying DNA damage-inducing clastogens and as a
      follow-up assay for mammalian cytogenetic tests.

PMID- 24211770
TI  - Statistical approaches to maximize recombinant protein expression in Escherichia
      coli: a general review.
AB  - The supply of many valuable proteins that have potential clinical or industrial
      use is often limited by their low natural availability. With the modern advances
      in genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics, the number of proteins being produced
      using recombinant techniques is exponentially increasing and seems to guarantee
      an unlimited supply of recombinant proteins. The demand of recombinant proteins
      has increased as more applications in several fields become a commercial reality.
      Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most widely used expression system for the
      production of recombinant proteins for structural and functional studies.
      However, producing soluble proteins in E. coli is still a major bottleneck for
      structural biology projects. One of the most challenging steps in any structural
      biology project is predicting which protein or protein fragment will express
      solubly and purify for crystallographic studies. The production of soluble and
      active proteins is influenced by several factors including expression host,
      fusion tag, induction temperature and time. Statistical designed experiments are
      gaining success in the production of recombinant protein because they provide
      information on variable interactions that escape the "one-factor-at-a-time"
      method. Here, we review the most important factors affecting the production of
      recombinant proteins in a soluble form. Moreover, we provide information about
      how the statistical design experiments can increase protein yield and purity as
      well as find conditions for crystal growth. 

PMID- 24211771
TI  - Purification and biological characterization of soluble, recombinant mouse
      IFNbeta expressed in insect cells.
AB  - Interferon beta (IFNbeta) is a member of the type I interferon family of
      cytokines widely recognised for their anti-viral, anti-proliferative and
      immunomodulatory properties. Recombinant, biologically active forms of this
      cytokine are used clinically for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and in
      laboratories to study the role of this cytokine in health and disease.
      Established methods for expression of IFNbeta utilise either bacterial systems
      from which the insoluble recombinant proteins must be refolded, or mammalian
      expression systems in which large volumes of cell culture are required for
      recovery of acceptable yields. Utilising the baculovirus expression system and
      Trichoplusia ni (Cabbage Looper) BTI-TN-5B1-4 cell line, we report a reproducible
      method for production and purification of milligram/litre quantities of
      biologically active murine IFNbeta. Due to the design of our construct and the
      eukaryotic nature of insect cells, the resulting soluble protein is secreted
      allowing purification of the Histidine-tagged natively-folded protein from the
      culture supernatant. The IFNbeta purification method described is a two-step
      process employing immobilised metal-ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and
      reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) that results in
      production of significantly more purified IFNbeta than any other reported
      eukaryotic-based expression system. Recombinant murine IFNbeta produced by this
      method was natively folded and demonstrated hallmark type I interferon biological
      effects including antiviral and anti-proliferative activities, and induced genes
      characteristic of IFNbeta activity in vivo. Recombinant IFNbeta also had specific
      activity levels exceeding that of the commercially available equivalent.
      Together, our findings provide a method for production of highly pure,
      biologically active murine IFNbeta. 

PMID- 24211772
TI  - Type of object motion facilitates word mapping by preverbal infants.
AB  - This study assessed whether specific types of object motion, which predominate in
      maternal naming to preverbal infants, facilitate word mapping by infants. A total
      of 60 full-term 8-month-old infants were habituated to two spoken words, /baef/
      and /wem/, synchronous with the handheld motions of a toy dragonfly and a fish or
      a lamb chop and a squiggly. They were presented in one of four experimental
      motion conditions-shaking, looming, upward, and sideways-and one all-motion
      control condition. Infants were then given a test that consisted of two mismatch
      (change) and two control (no-change) trials, counterbalanced for order. Results
      revealed that infants learned the word-object relations (i.e., looked longer on
      the mismatch trials relative to the control trials) in the shaking and looming
      motion conditions but not in the upward, sideways, and all-motion conditions.
      Infants learned the word-object relations in the looming and shaking conditions
      likely because these motions foreground the object for the infants. Thus, the
      type of gesture an adult uses matters during naming when preverbal infants are
      beginning to map words onto objects. The results suggest that preverbal infants
      learn word-object relations within an embodied system involving matches between
      infants' perception of motion and specific motion properties of caregivers'
      naming. 

PMID- 24211773
TI  - Antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic properties of Cuminum cyminum (L.) seed
      essential oil and its efficacy as a preservative in stored commodities.
AB  - The study reports potential of Cuminum cyminum (cumin) seed essential oil (EO) as
      a plant based shelf life enhancer against fungal and aflatoxin contamination and
      lipid peroxidation. The EO showed efficacy as a preservative in food systems
      (stored wheat and chickpeas). A total of 1230 fungal isolates were obtained from
      food samples, with Aspergillus flavus LHP(C)-D6 identified as the highest
      aflatoxin producer. Cumin seed EO was chemically characterized through GC-MS
      where cymene (47.08%) was found as the major component. The minimum inhibitory
      concentration and minimum aflatoxin inhibitory concentration of EO were 0.6 and
      0.5 MUl/ml respectively. The EO showed toxicity against a broad spectrum of food
      borne fungi. The antifungal action of EO on ergosterol content in the plasma
      membrane of A. flavus was determined. The EO showed strong antioxidant potential
      having IC50 0.092 MUl/ml. As a fumigant in food systems, the EO provided
      sufficient protection of food samples against fungal association without
      affecting seed germination. In view of the antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic
      nature, free radical scavenging potential and efficacy in food system, cumin seed
      EO may be able to provide protection of food commodities against quantitative and
      qualitative losses, thereby enhancing their shelf life. The present investigation
      comprises the first report on antifungal mode of action of cumin seed EO and its
      efficacy as fumigant in food systems.

PMID- 24211774
TI  - Extended spectrum beta-lactamase- and constitutively AmpC-producing
      Enterobacteriaceae on fresh produce and in the agricultural environment.
AB  - The attribution of fresh produce to the overall community-associated exposure of
      humans to ESBL- or AmpC-producing bacteria is currently unknown. To address this
      issue, the prevalence of ESBL- and AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae on fresh
      produce produced in the Netherlands was determined. Seven vegetable types that
      are consumed raw were selected: blanched celery, bunched carrots, chicory,
      endive, iceberg lettuce, mushrooms, and radish. The vegetables were mostly
      obtained from supermarkets. To determine whether the agricultural environment is
      the source of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae on fresh produce, iceberg lettuce
      was also obtained directly from three farms, in conjunction with soil and
      irrigation water. ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from vegetables and
      environment were all environmental species: Rahnella aquatilis (n = 119),
      Serratia fonticola (n = 45) and Pantoea agglomerans (n = 1). ESBL genes of R.
      aquatilis and S. fonticola were identified as blaRAHN-1 and blaRAHN-2 and blaFONA
      1, blaFONA-2, blaFONA-3/6 and blaFONA-5, respectively. For R. aquatilis and S.
      fonticola, different prevalence numbers were observed using different isolation
      methods, which could at least partially be explained by an inverse correlation
      between the level of cefotaxime resistance of these species and incubation
      temperature. R. aquatilis was isolated from 0 to 46% of soil samples and 11 to
      83% of vegetable samples, and S. fonticola from 2 to 60% of soil samples and 0 to
      1.3% of vegetable samples. Third generation cephalosporin-resistant faecal
      Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 2.7%, 1.3% and 1.1% of supermarket
      vegetables, iceberg lettuce from farms, and agricultural soil respectively.
      Faecal Enterobacteriaceae were all identified as Citrobacter and Enterobacter
      species and, with the exception of one Citrobacter koseri strain, all had
      phenotypes indicative of constitutive AmpC production. Comparison of fresh
      produce and its agricultural environment indicates that the Enterobacteriaceae
      population on fresh produce reflects that of the soil it is grown in. Public
      health risks associated with exposure to ESBL- and AmpC-producing bacteria
      through consumption of uncooked fresh produce are diverse. They range from
      occasional ingestion of 3GC-resistant opportunistic pathogens which may result in
      difficult-to-treat infections, to frequent ingestion of relatively harmless ESBL
      producing environmental bacteria that may therewith constitute a continuously
      replenished intestinal reservoir facilitating dissemination of ESBL genes to
      (opportunistic) pathogens.

PMID- 24211775
TI  - Antifungal impact of volatile fractions of Peumus boldus and Lippia turbinata on
      Aspergillus section Flavi and residual levels of these oils in irradiated peanut.
AB  - To investigate the antifungal properties of essential oil (EO) vapors from boldo
      and poleo on Aspergillus section Flavi and the residual levels of the oils in
      peanut, irradiated peanuts conditioned at three water activities (0.98, 0.95,
      0.93) were treated with 2 and 3 MUL/g of boldo and 3 and 5 MUL/g of poleo. EO
      treatments produced the greatest impact on fungal growth parameters, followed by
      oil concentrations and aW levels. The three main components in peanut exposed to
      oil vapors were piperitone oxide, alpha-terpinene and eucalyptol for boldo and
      beta-caryophyllene epoxide, limonene and piperitenone for poleo. Residues of
      boldo and poleo EO were significantly decreased from 24.7 to 100% and from 26.6
      to 99.7% at the end of the incubation period, respectively. The application of
      nontoxic boldo oil as fumigant in the control of Aspergillus section Flavi may
      represent a potential alternative antifungal treatment, without significant
      residues after 35 days.

PMID- 24211776
TI  - Successful construction and stable expression of an anti-CD45RA scFv-EGFP fusion
      protein in Chinese hamster ovary cells.
AB  - CD45RA has been found highly expressed on leukemia cells and may be a potential
      target of the disease. In this study, an anti-CD45RA single-chain antibody
      fragment (scFv3A4) was genetically linked to the N terminus of the enhanced green
      fluorescent protein (EGFP) to generate a scFv3A4-EGFP fusion protein. The scFv3A4
      EGFP with a molecular weight of 57kDa was stably expressed and secreted from the
      transfected CHO cells through the ER/Golgi-dependent pathway. The fusion protein
      was soluble in the culture supernatant and the yield was 1350MUg/L. Flow
      cytometry analysis showed that the scFv3A4-EGFP had the same binding site and a
      very similar reactivity pattern with its parental murine monoclonal antibody
      (mAb) 3A4. Furthermore, comparing to conventional labeled 3A4-FITC antibody, the
      scFv3A4-EGFP was more resistant to illumination and more suitable for
      immunofluorescence histology (IFH) detection. Therefore, the scFv3A4-EGFP fusion
      protein can be a powerful tool to investigate the targeting of CD45RA on leukemia
      cells, biological activity of the target and possibly for the genetic
      manipulation of the antibody. 

PMID- 24211777
TI  - Tyrosine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus brevis: soluble expression and
      characterization.
AB  - Tyrosine decarboxylase (TDC, EC 4.1.1.25) is an enzyme that catalyzes the
      decarboxylation of l-tyrosine to produce tyramine and CO2. In this study, a 1881
      bp tdc gene from Lactobacillus brevis was cloned and heterologously expressed in
      Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Glucose was discovered to play an important role in
      the soluble expression of rLbTDC. After optimization, recombinant TDC (rLbTDC)
      was achieved in excellent solubility and a yield of 224mg rLbTDC/L broth. The C
      terminal His-Tagged rLbTDC was one-step purified with 90% recovery. Based on SDS
      PAGE and gel filtration analysis, rLbTDC is a dimer composed of two identical
      subunits of approximately 70kDa. Using l-tyrosine as substrate, the specific
      activity of rLbTDC was determined to be 133.5U/mg in the presence of 0.2mM
      pyridoxal-5'-phosphate at 40 degrees C and pH 5.0. The Km and Vmax values of
      rLbTDC were 0.59mM and 147.1MUmolmin(-1)mg(-1), respectively. In addition to l
      tyrosine, rLbTDC also exhibited decarboxylase activity towards l-DOPA. This study
      has demonstrated, for the first time, the soluble expression of tdc gene from L.
      brevis in heterologous host. 

PMID- 24211778
TI  - Postoperative pain impairs subsequent performance on a spatial memory task via
      effects on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in aged rats.
AB  - AIMS: Pain may be associated with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD);
      however, this relationship remains under investigated. Therefore, we examined the
      impact of postoperative pain on cognitive functions in aged animals. MAIN
      METHODS: Rats were allocated to the following groups: control (C), 1.2 %
      isoflurane for 2 hours alone (I), I with laparotomy (IL), IL with analgesia using
      local ropivacaine (IL+R), and IL with analgesia using systemic morphine (IL+M).
      Pain was assessed by rat grimace scale (RGS). Spatial memory was evaluated using
      a radial maze from postoperative days (POD) 3 to 14. NMDA receptor (NR) 2
      subunits in hippocampus were measured by ELISA. Finally, effects of memantine, a
      low-affinity uncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, on
      postoperative cognitive performance were tested. KEY FINDINGS: Postoperative RGS
      was increased in Group IL, but not in other groups. The number of memory errors
      in Group I were comparable to that in Group C, whereas errors in Group IL were
      increased. Importantly, in Group IL+R and IL+M, cognitive impairment was not
      found. The memory errors were positively correlated with the levels of NMDA
      receptor 2 subunits in hippocampus. Prophylactic treatment with memantine could
      prevent the development of memory deficits observed in Group IL without an
      analgesic effect. SIGNIFICANCE: Postoperative pain contributes to the development
      of memory deficits after anesthesia and surgery via up-regulation of hippocampal
      NMDA receptors. Our findings suggest that postoperative pain management may be
      important for the prevention of POCD in elderly patients.

PMID- 24211779
TI  - Disruption of endothelial adherens junction by invasive breast cancer cells is
      mediated by reactive oxygen species and is attenuated by AHCC.
AB  - AIMS: The effect of antioxidants on treatment of cancer is still controversial.
      Previously, we demonstrated that interaction of breast cancer cells with
      endothelial cells leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of VE-cadherin and disruption
      of endothelial adherens junction (EAJ). The molecular mechanism underlying the
      anti-metastatic effects of mushroom-derived active hexode correlated compound
      (AHCC) remains elusive. MAIN METHODS: Several cellular and biochemical techniques
      were used to determine the contribution of oxidative stress in the disruption of
      EAJ and to test this hypothesis that AHCC inhibits the breast cancer cell-induced
      disruption of EAJ. KEY FINDINGS: Interaction of breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231
      cells) with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) leads to an increase
      in generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment of HUVECs with H2O2 or
      phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) led to tyrosine phosphorylation of VE-cadherin,
      dissociation of beta-catenin from VE-cadherin complex and increased
      transendothelial migration (TEM) of MDA-MB-231 cells. Induction of VE-cadherin
      tyrosine phosphorylation by PMA or by interaction of MDA-MB-231 cells with HUVECs
      was mediated by HRas and protein kinase C-alpha signaling pathways. Disruption of
      EAJ and phosphorylation of VE-cadherin induced by interaction of MDA-MB-231 cells
      with HUVECs were attenuated when HUVECs were pretreated with an antioxidant, N
      acetylcysteine (NAC) or AHCC. AHCC inhibited TEM of MDA-MB-231 cells and
      generation of ROS induced by interaction of MDA-MB-231 cells with HUVECs.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Our studies suggest that ROS contributes to disruption of EAJ
      induced by interaction of MDA-MB-231 cells with HUVECs and AHCC attenuates this
      alteration.

PMID- 24211780
TI  - Inhibitory effects of pitavastatin on fibrogenic mediator production by human
      lung fibroblasts.
AB  - AIMS: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis continues to be a devastating clinical
      disorder for which there are few therapeutic options, and the pathogenesis of
      this disease remains largely unknown. Statins are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3
      methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in cholesterol biosynthesis, and they have
      been reported to exert pleiotropic effects on the cellular signaling involved in
      tissue inflammation and in organ fibrosis/remodeling. We examined the preventive
      effects of statins on fibrogenic mediator expression and production in normal
      human lung fibroblasts (NHLF). MAIN METHODS: NHLF were pretreated with 100nM
      pitavastatin or medium alone (control), and were then stimulated with
      transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). mRNA expression and protein
      secretion of several mediators from cells were analyzed by real-time polymerase
      chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or multiplex assay. KEY
      FINDINGS: TGF-beta1-induced expression or production of mediators, such as
      collagen-1, vascular endothelial growth factor and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand
      8, in NHLF pretreated with pitavastatin was significantly suppressed with
      inhibition of Smad-3 phosphorylation, as compared to untreated controls. In
      addition, the inhibitory effects of pitavastatin were negated by addition of
      mevalonate. SIGNIFICANCE: Pitavastatin appeared to inhibit TGF-beta1-induced
      fibrogenic mediator production from lung fibroblasts via the mevalonic cascade.
      Although further evaluation of the signaling pathways for these phenomena is
      necessary, our results suggest the potential benefits of pitavastatin.

PMID- 24211781
TI  - Dynamic modulation of epileptic high frequency oscillations by the phase of
      slower cortical rhythms.
AB  - Pathological high frequency oscillations (pHFOs) have been proposed to be robust
      markers of epileptic cortex. Oscillatory activity below this frequency range has
      been shown to be modulated by phase of lower frequency oscillations. Here, we
      tested the hypothesis that dynamic cross-frequency interactions involving pHFOs
      are concentrated within the epileptogenic cortex. Intracranial
      electroencephalographic recordings from 17 children with medically-intractable
      epilepsy secondary to focal cortical dysplasia were obtained. A time-resolved
      analysis was performed to determine topographic concentrations and dynamic
      changes in cross-frequency amplitude-to-phase coupling (CFC). CFC between pHFOs
      and the phase of theta and alpha rhythms was found to be significantly elevated
      in the seizure-onset zone compared to non-epileptic regions (p<0.01). Data
      simulations showed that elevated CFC could not be attributed to the presence of
      sharp transients or other signal properties. The phase of low frequency
      oscillations at which pHFO amplitudes were maximal was inconsistent at seizure
      initiation, yet consistently at the trough of the low frequency rhythm at seizure
      termination. Amplitudes of pHFOs were most significantly modulated by the phase
      of alpha-band oscillations (p<0.01). These results suggest that increased CFC
      between pHFO amplitude and alpha phase may constitute a marker of epileptogenic
      brain areas and may be relevant for understanding seizure dynamics.

PMID- 24211782
TI  - Nuclear localization of bradykinin B(2) receptors reflects binding to the nuclear
      envelope protein lamin C.
AB  - The mechanism of action of bradykinin (BK), a pro-inflammatory mediator, is
      thought to be mediated by specific cell surface membrane bradykinin B2 receptors.
      Some evidence suggests that there are both intracellular and nuclear bradykinin
      B2 receptors. This study identified proteins that interact with the C-terminus of
      the bradykinin B2 receptor (in particular, the nuclear membrane protein lamin C),
      using the yeast two-hybrid system. The motif of the C-terminal domain (CT) mutant
      303-320 in bradykinin B2 receptor was identified as a lamin C protein binding
      motif. Immunohistochemistry revealed colocalization of FLAG- bradykinin B2
      receptor with HA-lamin C in the nucleus of HEK 293T cells. In situ proximity
      ligation assay (PLA) showed that FLAG-bradykinin B2 receptor formed heterodimers
      with HA-lamin C in the nucleus. In addition, live cell fluorescence imaging
      showed that bradykinin B2 receptor-EGFP was located in the nucleus and co
      localized with HcRed-lamin C. Interestingly, neither BK addition nor bradykinin
      B2 receptor CT mutation reduced the binding to lamin C or changed the
      distribution of bradykinin B2 receptor. Taken together, these findings
      demonstrate that bradykinin B2 receptor-lamin C heterodimers form in the nucleus
      independent of BK stimulation and CT mutation. We propose that heterodimerization
      of bradykinin B2 receptor with lamin C is essential to nuclear localization of
      bradykinin B2 receptor and plays an important role in cell signaling and
      function. 

PMID- 24211783
TI  - Impact of chronic nicotine administration on bone mineral content in young and
      adult rats: a comparative study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic nicotine
      administration on bone mineral homeostasis in rapidly growing young rats in
      comparison to effects in adult male rats. Two doses of nicotine (3 and
      4.5mg/kg/day, as nicotine hydrogen tartrate) were used and rat treatment was
      continued for 6 months. In this study, all nicotine-treated rats weighed less
      than control rats and the effect was dose-dependent. Also, rats treated with
      nicotine had lower femoral wet weight and showed a significant reduction in
      femoral mid-shaft cortical width and femoral and lumbar vertebral ash weights.
      These effects were associated with a significant reduction of ash calcium and
      phosphorus contents of the femora and lumbar vertebrae. The bone mineral-lowering
      effects of nicotine were more severe in the lumbar vertebral spongy bone than in
      the femoral compact bone and these changes were more marked in adult rats than in
      young rats. An additional interesting observation was that the femora of young
      rats treated with nicotine were significantly shorter than those of control young
      rats. Also, the values of the femoral ash weight per unit length were
      significantly decreased in nicotine-treated adult rats but not in nicotine
      treated young rats. Thus, these results show that nicotine-induced changes in
      bone vary with age. The clinical relevance of this study is that it may provide
      justification to insist that all people in general and the risky young group in
      particular should be warned against the hazards of the negative effects of
      nicotine on bone. 

PMID- 24211784
TI  - Valproate recovers the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on the proliferation of
      the adult dentate gyrus-derived neural precursor cells via GSK-3beta and beta
      catenin pathway.
AB  - Neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus (DG) is decreased in rodent models for
      mood disorders. Mood stabilizers including lithium (Li) and valproate (VPA)
      increase it. These increasing effects of Li and VPA on neurogenesis in adult DG
      are considered to be one of the therapeutic actions of Li and VPA, but their
      molecular mechanism remains unclear. We have already reported that Li recovers
      the inhibitory effects of dexamethasone (DEX), an agonist of glucocorticoid
      receptor, on the proliferation of adult rat DG-derived neural precursor cells
      (ADP) via GSK-3beta and beta-catenin pathway. Following it, here we investigated
      the mechanism underlying the recovery effects of VPA on DEX-induced decrease of
      ADP proliferation. VPA is an inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC). However,
      Trichostatin A, a HDAC inhibitor, had no effect on ADP proliferation. In
      contrast, SB415286, a specific GSK-3beta inhibitor, recovered DEX-induced
      decrease of ADP proliferation. In addition, quercetin (Que), a beta-catenin
      pathway inhibitor, abolished such a recovery effect of VPA. Moreover, nuclear
      beta-catenin and the expression of cyclin D1 were altered by DEX, VPA and Que
      like the proliferation. Moreover, VPA increased the phosphorylation of Ser(9),
      which is known as the inhibitory phosphorylation site of GSK-3beta. These suggest
      that HDAC is not involved in the recovery effect of VPA on ADP proliferation and
      that VPA recovers the inhibitory effects of DEX via increasing the
      phosphorylation of Ser(9) on GSK-3beta and following up-regulation of beta
      catenin pathway. Therefore, GSK-3beta and beta-catenin pathway might play a role
      in the increasing effects of VPA on neurogenesis on adult DG. 

PMID- 24211785
TI  - Benzophenanthridine alkaloid, piperonyl butoxide and (S)-methoprene action at the
      cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1-receptor) pathway of mouse brain: Interference with
      [(3)H]CP55940 and [(3)H]SR141716A binding and modification of WIN55212-2
      dependent inhibition of synaptosomal l-glutamate release.
AB  - Benzophenanthridine alkaloids (chelerythrine and sanguinarine) inhibited binding
      of [(3)H]SR141716A to mouse brain membranes (IC50s: <1uM). Piperonyl butoxide and
      (S)-methoprene were less potent (IC50s: 21 and 63uM respectively).
      Benzophenanthridines and piperonyl butoxide were more selective towards brain CB1
      receptors versus spleen CB2 receptors. All compounds reduced Bmax of
      [(3)H]SR141716A binding to CB1 receptors, but only methoprene and piperonyl
      butoxide increased Kd (3-5-fold). Benzophenanthridines increased the Kd of
      [(3)H]CP55940 binding (6-fold), but did not alter Bmax. (S)-methoprene increased
      the Kd of [(3)H]CP55940 binding (by almost 4-fold) and reduced Bmax by 60%.
      Piperonyl butoxide lowered the Bmax of [(3)H]CP55940 binding by 50%, but did not
      influence Kd. All compounds reduced [(3)H]SR141716A and [(3)H]CP55940 association
      with CB1 receptors. Combined with a saturating concentration of SR141716A, only
      piperonyl butoxide and (S)-methoprene increased dissociation of [(3)H]SR141716A
      above that of SR141716A alone. Only piperonyl butoxide increased dissociation of
      [(3)H]CP55940 to a level greater than CP55940 alone. Binding results indicate
      predominantly allosteric components to the study compounds action. 4
      Aminopyridine-(4-AP-) evoked release of l-glutamate from synaptosomes was
      partially inhibited by WIN55212-2, an effect completely neutralized by AM251, (S)
      methoprene and piperonyl butoxide. With WIN55212-2 present, benzophenanthridines
      enhanced 4-AP-evoked l-glutamate release above 4-AP alone. Modulatory patterns of
      l-glutamate release (with WIN-55212-2 present) align with previous
      antagonist/inverse agonist profiling based on [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding. Although
      these compounds exhibit lower potencies compared to many classical CB1 receptor
      inhibitors, they may have potential to modify CB1-receptor-dependent
      behavioral/physiological outcomes in the whole animal. 

PMID- 24211786
TI  - Baicalin inhibits Staphylococcus aureus-induced apoptosis by regulating TLR2 and
      TLR2-related apoptotic factors in the mouse mammary glands.
AB  - Baicalin, the major active constituent of the isolated root of Scutellaria
      baicalensis, is widely used in China and Southeast Asian countries. Evidence has
      indicated that baicalin has multiple biological activities, including anti
      apoptotic properties. Mastitis is a severe problem in humans and other animals
      and is characterized by mammary gland cell apoptosis. Staphylococcus aureus (S.
      aureus) is the major pathogen that causes mastitis. This study was designed to
      evaluate the protective effects of baicalin on the mammary glands during S.
      aureus-induced mastitis. In the present study, a mouse model was infected with S.
      aureus to induce mammary gland injury. Baicalin treatment was administered
      between 6 and 24h after infection. Toll-like receptor 2, p53, BAX, BCL-2 and
      caspase-3 expression were analyzed using qPCR and Western blotting. The results
      indicated that baicalin significantly attenuated pathological damage and cell
      death in the mammary glands. Further studies revealed that baicalin down
      regulated the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and the phosphorylation
      of p53 in the mammary glands after S. aureus-induced mastitis. Baicalin also
      promoted the expression of BCL-2 at the mRNA and protein levels but inhibited BAX
      and caspase-3 (CASP-3) cleavage. Baicalin inhibited apoptosis and had protective
      effects on mammary gland tissues during S. aureus-induced mastitis. These effects
      were displayed by reductions in TLR2 expression and p53 phosphorylation and the
      regulation of apoptosis-related factors (BCL-2, BAX and CASP-3) in mammary gland
      tissues. 

PMID- 24211787
TI  - Mechanism-driven phase I translational study of trifluoperazine in adults with
      sickle cell disease.
AB  - Recent evidence of neuropathic pain among adults with sickle cell disease (SCD)
      reveals a need for adjuvant analgesic treatments for these patients.
      Ca(2+)/calmodulin protein kinase IIalpha (CaMKIIalpha) has a known role in
      neuropathic pain and trifluoperazine is a potent CaMKIIalpha inhibitor. The study
      aim was to determine trifluoperazine's acute effects, primarily on adverse
      effects and secondarily on pain intensity reduction, in adults with SCD. In a
      phase I, open-label study of 6 doses of trifluoperazine (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 7.5,
      10mg), we obtained 7-hourly and 24-h repeated measures of adverse effects, pain
      intensity, and supplemental opioid analgesics in 18 adults with SCD (18
      hemoglobin SS disease, 15 women, average age 35.8+/-8.9 years, ranged 23-53) each
      of whom received a single dose. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.
      Subjects reported moderate to severe sedative effects at 7.5 and 10mg doses,
      respectively. Eight subjects reported 50% reduction in chronic pain without
      severe sedation or supplemental opioid analgesics; one of these subjects had
      dystonia 24.5h after the 10mg dose. The analgesic effect lasted for at least 24h
      in 3 subjects. Sedation resolved with caffeine and dystonia resolved with
      diphenhydramine. Adults with SCD experienced minimal adverse effects at doses
      under 10mg. In this molecular mechanism-driven translational study,
      trifluoperazine shows promise as an analgesic drug that is worthy of further
      testing in a randomized controlled study of adults with SCD starting at a dose of
      1mg in repeated doses to determine long-term adverse and analgesic effects. 

PMID- 24211788
TI  - Interactions of levetiracetam with carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate and
      vigabatrin in the mouse 6Hz psychomotor seizure model - a type II isobolographic
      analysis.
AB  - The aim of the presented study was to characterize the anticonvulsant effects of
      levetiracetam in combination with various antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine,
      phenytoin, topiramate and vigabatrin) in the mouse 6Hz psychomotor seizure model.
      Limbic (psychomotor) seizure activity was evoked in albino Swiss mice by a
      current (32mA, 6Hz, 3s stimulus duration) delivered via ocular electrodes; type
      II isobolographic analysis was used to characterize the consequent anticonvulsant
      interactions between the various drug combinations for fixed-ratios of 1:1, 1:2,
      1:5 and 1:10. With type II isobolographic analysis, the combinations of
      levetiracetam with carbamazepine and phenytoin for the fixed-ratios of 1:5 and
      1:10 were supra-additive (synergistic; P<0.01) in terms of seizure suppression,
      while the combinations for the fixed-ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 were additive.
      Levetiracetam combined with topiramate and vigabatrin for the fixed-ratio of 1:10
      exerted supra-additive interaction (P<0.05), and simultaneously, the two-drug
      combinations for the fixed-ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 produced additive
      interaction in the mouse 6Hz psychomotor seizure model. The combinations of
      levetiracetam with carbamazepine and phenytoin for the fixed-ratios of 1:5 and
      1:10, as well as the combinations of levetiracetam with topiramate and vigabatrin
      for the fixed-ratio of 1:10 appear to be particularly favorable combinations
      exerting supra-additive interaction in the mouse 6Hz psychomotor seizure model.
      Finally, it may be concluded that because of the synergistic interactions between
      levetiracetam and carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate and vigabatrin, the
      combinations might be useful in clinical practice. 

PMID- 24211790
TI  - Granulomatous slack skin with extracutaneous involvement and a good response to
      bortezomib-based chemotherapy.

PMID- 24211789
TI  - The first-night effect suppresses the strength of slow-wave activity originating
      in the visual areas during sleep.
AB  - Our visual system is plastic and adaptive in response to the stimuli and
      environments we experience. Although visual adaptation and plasticity have been
      extensively studied while participants are awake, little is known about what
      happens while they are asleep. It has been documented that sleep structure as
      measured by sleep stages using polysomnography is altered specifically in the
      first sleep session due to exposure to a new sleep environment, known as the
      first-night effect (FNE). However, the impact of the FNE on spontaneous
      oscillations in the visual system is poorly understood. How does the FNE affect
      the visual system during sleep? To address this question, the present study
      examined whether the FNE modifies the strength of slow-wave activity (SWA, 1-4Hz)
      the dominant spontaneous brain oscillation in slow-wave sleep-in the visual
      areas. We measured the strength of SWA originating in the visual areas during the
      first and the second sleep sessions. Magnetoencephalography, polysomnography, and
      magnetic resonance imaging were used to localize the source of SWA to the visual
      areas. The visual areas were objectively defined using retinotopic mapping and an
      automated anatomical parcellation technique. The results showed that the strength
      of SWA was reduced in the first sleep session in comparison to the second sleep
      session, especially during slow-wave sleep, in the ventral part of the visual
      areas. These results suggest that environmental novelty may affect the visual
      system through suppression of SWA. The impact of the FNE may not be negligible in
      vision research. 

PMID- 24211791
TI  - Substance use and misuse in persons with intellectual disabilities (ID): results
      of a survey in ID and addiction services in Flanders.
AB  - Little is known about the characteristics of substance users with intellectual
      disabilities (ID). Nevertheless, this group is assumed to be at greater risk of
      developing substance misuse problems. This study focuses on substance users and
      misusers with ID, and investigates whether the two groups differ significantly in
      terms of the nature and consequences of their substance (mis)use. Information
      regarding the characteristics of the substance (mis)users, the substances used,
      the negative consequences of substance (mis)use, and the service use was
      collected through a questionnaire forwarded to ID and addiction services in
      Flanders. Caregivers identified 104 substance users and misusers with ID.
      Overall, few differences were observed between users and misusers. This finding
      underscores that substance use in persons with ID can have important
      consequences. Substance misusers, however, were found to have more mood changes,
      more suicidal ideation/thoughts, and more negative long-term consequences on
      their health, daily activity, and relationships due to substance misuse.
      Substance use and misuse were associated with mental health problems and were
      suggested to be a risk factor for offending behavior. To provide appropriate
      support for this specific population, an individualized approach is suggested
      that supports better intersectoral collaboration between services. 

PMID- 24211792
TI  - Novel-word learning deficits in Mandarin-speaking preschool children with
      specific language impairments.
AB  - Children with SLI exhibit overall deficits in novel word learning compared to
      their age-matched peers. However, the manifestation of the word learning
      difficulty in SLI was not consistent across tasks and the factors affecting the
      learning performance were not yet determined. Our aim is to examine the extent of
      word learning difficulties in Mandarin-speaking preschool children with SLI, and
      to explore the potent influence of existing lexical knowledge on to the word
      learning process. Preschool children with SLI (n=37) and typical language
      development (n=33) were exposed to novel words for unfamiliar objects embedded in
      stories. Word learning tasks including the initial mapping and short-term
      repetitive learning were designed. Results revealed that Mandarin-speaking
      preschool children with SLI performed as well as their age-peers in the initial
      form-meaning mapping task. Their word learning difficulty was only evidently
      shown in the short-term repetitive learning task under a production demand, and
      their learning speed was slower than the control group. Children with SLI learned
      the novel words with a semantic head better in both the initial mapping and
      repetitive learning tasks. Moderate correlations between stand word learning
      performances and scores on standardized vocabulary were found after controlling
      for children's age and nonverbal IQ. The results suggested that the word learning
      difficulty in children with SLI occurred in the process of establishing a robust
      phonological representation at the beginning stage of word learning. Also,
      implicit compound knowledge is applied to aid word learning process for children
      with and without SLI. We also provide the empirical data to validate the
      relationship between preschool children's word learning performance and their
      existing receptive vocabulary ability. 

PMID- 24211793
TI  - Characterization of cholinesterases in Chironomus riparius and the effects of
      three herbicides on chlorpyrifos toxicity.
AB  - In this study, the toxicities of four pesticides (the herbicides atrazine,
      terbuthylazine, metolachlor and the insecticide chlorpyrifos) previously detected
      in the Alqueva reservoir/dam (south of Portugal) were evaluated individually and
      in binary combinations of the herbicides and the insecticide using fourth-instar
      larvae of the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius. Chlorpyrifos induced toxicity to
      midges in all the 48 h toxicity bioassays performed. The swimming behaviour of
      the larvae was impaired, with EC50 values ranging from 0.15 to 0.17 MUg/L.
      However, neither s-triazine (atrazine and terbuthylazine) herbicides nor
      metolachlor alone at concentrations up to 200 MUg/L caused significant toxicity
      to C. riparius. When combined with both s-triazine herbicides, chlorpyrifos
      toxicity was enhanced by approximately 2-fold when tested in a binary mixture
      experimental setup, at the 50% effective concentration levels. To evaluate how
      chlorpyrifos toxicity was being increased, the cholinesterases (ChE) were
      characterized biochemically using different substrates and selective inhibitors.
      The results obtained suggested that the main enzyme present in this species is
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and therefore it was assayed upon C. riparius
      exposures to all pesticides individually and as binary mixtures. Although
      atrazine and terbuthylazine are not effective inhibitors of AChE, the
      potentiation of chlorpyrifos toxicity by the two s-triazine herbicides was
      associated with a potentiation in the inhibition of AChE in midges; both s
      triazine herbicides at 200 MUg/L increased the inhibition of the AChE activity by
      7 and 8-fold, respectively. A strong correlation was observed between swimming
      behaviour disturbances of larvae and the inhibition of the AChE activity. In
      contrast, metolachlor did not affect chlorpyrifos toxicity at any of the
      concentrations tested. Therefore, the herbicides atrazine and terbuthylazine can
      act as synergists in the presence of chlorpyrifos, increasing the toxicity and
      consequently underestimating risk based on single chemical levels.

PMID- 24211794
TI  - Interactive effects of pH and metals on mitochondrial functions of intertidal
      bivalves Crassostrea virginica and Mercenaria mercenaria.
AB  - Intertidal bivalves experience broad fluctuations of environmental temperature,
      pH and oxygen content which could change their intracellular pH. They are also
      exposed to trace metals such as cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) that accumulate in
      their tissues and may negatively affect mitochondrial functions and
      bioenergetics. We determined the interactive effects of pH and trace metals (25
      MUM Cd or Cu) on mitochondrial functions (including respiration and membrane
      potentials in both ADP-stimulated (state 3) and resting (state 4) states) of two
      common marine bivalves, the hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and eastern
      oysters (Crassostrea virginica). In the absence of the trace metals,
      mitochondrial functions of C. virginica and M. mercenaria were insensitive to pH
      in a broad physiologically relevant range (6.6-7.8). Mitochondrial respiration
      was generally suppressed by 25 MUM Cd or Cu (with the stronger effects observed
      for ADP-stimulated compared to the resting respiration) while the mitochondrial
      membrane potential was unaffected. pH modulated the effects of Cu and Cd on
      mitochondrial respiration of the bivalves. In oysters, Cu suppressed ADP
      stimulated mitochondrial respiration at high and low pH values (6.6 and 7.8,
      respectively), but had no effect in the intermediate pH range (7.0-7.4). In
      clams, the negative effect of Cu on ADP-stimulated respiration was only observed
      at extremely high pH (7.8). A decrease in pH was also protective against Cd in
      mitochondria of clams and oysters. In clams, 25 MUM Cd suppressed ADP-stimulated
      respiration at all pH; however, at low pH (6.6-7.0) this suppression was
      paralleled by a decrease in the rates of proton leak thereby effectively
      restoring mitochondrial coupling. In oysters, the inhibitory effects of Cd on ADP
      stimulated respiration were fully abolished at low pH (6.6-7.0). This indicates
      that moderate acidosis (such as occurs during exposure to air, extreme salinities
      or elevated CO2 levels in the intertidal zone) may have a beneficial side-effect
      of protecting mitochondria of clams and oysters against the toxic effects of
      trace metals in polluted estuaries.

PMID- 24211795
TI  - Changes in tolerance to herbicide toxicity throughout development stages of
      phototrophic biofilms.
AB  - Ecotoxicological experiments have been performed in laboratory-scale microcosms
      to investigate the sensitivity of phototrophic biofilm communities to the
      alachlor herbicide, in relation to the stages of phototrophic biofilm maturation
      (age of the phototrophic biofilms) and physical structure (intact biofilm versus
      recolonization). The phototrophic biofilms were initially cultivated on
      artificial supports in a prototype rotating annular bioreactor (RAB) with Taylor
      Couette type flow under constant operating conditions. Biofilms were collected
      after 1.6 and 4.4 weeks of culture providing biofilms with different maturation
      levels, and then exposed to nominal initial alachlor concentration of 10 MUg L(
      1) in either intact or recolonized biofilms for 15 days in microcosms (mean time
      weighted average concentration - TWAC of 5.52 +/- 0.74 MUg L(-1)). At the end of
      the exposure period, alachlor effects were monitored by a combination of biomass
      descriptors (ash-free dry mass - AFDM, chlorophyll a), structural molecular
      fingerprinting (T-RFLP), carbon utilization spectra (Biolog) and diatom species
      composition. We found significant effects that in terms of AFDM, alachlor
      inhibited growth of the intact phototrophic biofilms. No effect of alachlor was
      observed on diatom composition or functional and structural properties of the
      bacterial community regardless of whether they were intact or recolonized. The
      intact three-dimensional structure of the biofilm did not appear to confer
      protection from the effects of alachlor. Bacterial community structure and
      biomass level of 4.4 weeks - intact phototrophic biofilms were significantly
      influenced by the biofilm maturation processes rather than alachlor exposure. The
      diatom communities which were largely composed of mobile and colonizer life-form
      populations were not affected by alachlor. This study showed that the effect of
      alachlor (at initial concentration of 10 MUg L(-1) or mean TWAC of 5.52 +/- 0.74
      MUg L(-1)) is mainly limited to biomass reduction without apparent changes in the
      ecological succession trajectories of bacterial and diatom communities and
      suggested that carbon utilization spectra of the biofilm are not damaged
      resulting. These results confirmed the importance of considering the influence of
      maturation processes or community age when investigating herbicide effects. This
      is particularly important with regard to the use of phototrophic biofilms as bio
      indicators.

PMID- 24211796
TI  - The initial tolerance to sub-lethal Cd exposure is the same among ten naive pond
      populations of Daphnia magna, but their micro-evolutionary potential to develop
      resistance is very different.
AB  - Genetic variation complicates predictions of both the initial tolerance and the
      long-term (micro-evolutionary) response of natural Daphnia populations to
      chemical stressors from results of standard single-clone laboratory ecotoxicity
      tests. In order to investigate possible solutions to this problem, we aimed to
      compare the initial sub-lethal tolerance to Cd of 10 naive natural pond
      populations of Daphnia magna as well as their evolutionary potential to develop
      increased resistance. We did so by measuring reproductive performance of 120
      clones, i.e. 12 clones hatched from the recent dormant egg bank of each of 10
      populations, both in absence (Cd-free control) and presence of 4.4 MUg Cd/L. We
      show that the initial tolerance, defined as the reproductive performance of
      individuals of the first generation exposed to Cd relative to that in a Cd-free
      control was not significantly different among the 10 studied pond populations and
      averaged 0.82 +/- 0.04 over these populations. Moreover, these populations'
      initial tolerances were also not significantly different from the mean initial
      tolerance of 0.87 +/- 0.08 at 4.0 MUg Cd/L measured for a group of 7 often-used
      laboratory clones, collected from a range of European ecotoxicity testing
      laboratories. This indicates that the initial response of naive natural pond
      populations to sub-lethal Cd can be relatively accurately predicted from
      ecotoxicity test data from only a handful of laboratory clones. We then used
      estimates of broad-sense heritability of Cd tolerance (H(2)) - based on the same
      dataset - as a proxy of these populations' capacities to evolutionarily respond
      to Cd in terms of the development of increased resistance, which is here defined
      as the increase with time of the frequency of clones with a higher Cd tolerance
      in the population (accompanied with an increase of mean Cd-tolerance of the
      population above the initial tolerance). We show that the populations' estimated
      H(2) values of Cd-tolerance cover almost the entire theoretically possible range,
      ranging from not significantly different from zero (for five populations) to
      between 0.48 and 0.81 (for the five other populations). This indicates that,
      unlike the initial tolerance to Cd, the (long-term) micro-evolutionary response
      to Cd may be very different among natural pond populations. Therefore, we
      conclude that it may be very difficult to predict the long-term response of an
      unstudied population to chemical stress from tolerance data on a sample of other
      populations. It is therefore suggested that new methods for forecasting long-term
      responses should be explored, such as the development of predictive models based
      on the combination of population-genomic and tolerance time-series data.

PMID- 24211798
TI  - Sexually dimorphic long-term effects of an early life experience on AMPA receptor
      subunit expression in rat brain.
AB  - Neonatal handling, an experimental model of early life experiences, is known to
      affect hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, thus increasing
      adaptability, coping with stress, cognitive abilities and in general brain
      plasticity-related processes. AMPA receptors (AMPARs) mediate fast synaptic
      transmission at excitatory glutamatergic synapses in the CNS and are crucial
      during neuronal development, synaptic plasticity and structural remodeling.
      AMPARs are composed of four types of subunits, designated as AMPA glutamate
      receptor subunits (GluA1, GluA2, GluA3 and GluA4), which combine to form
      tetramers. The present study addressed the question of whether neonatal handling
      (15min daily maternal separation from postnatal day 1 (PND1) to PND21) might have
      an effect on GluA1-4 mRNA levels in adult rat male and female brain using in situ
      hybridization. We have identified selective sexually dimorphic effects of
      neonatal handling on the mRNA expression levels of AMPAR subunits in adult rat
      hippocampus and nuclei of the amygdaloid complex. In the dorsal hippocampus GluA1
      mRNA levels were increased in handled males, while they were decreased in handled
      female animals. In the ventral hippocampus and the amygdaloid complex GluA2 mRNA
      was lower in handled females, while no effect was observed in handled males.
      Furthermore, we observed that neonatal handling induced in both sexes decreases
      of GluA2 mRNA in the dorsal hippocampus, as well as in the somatosensory and
      occipital cortex, of GluA3 mRNA in most hippocampal areas, amygdaloid complex and
      cortical regions studied, and of GluA4 mRNA in the ventral hippocampus. These
      results show that glutamatergic transmission is markedly affected by an early
      experience. The neonatal handling-induced alterations in AMPAR subunit
      composition are in line with the increased brain plasticity, the more effective
      HPA axis function, and in general the more adaptive behavioral phenotype known to
      characterize the handled animals. 

PMID- 24211799
TI  - Three-dimensional structure of human lamellar bone: the presence of two different
      materials and new insights into the hierarchical organization.
AB  - Lamellar bone is the most common bone type in humans. The predominant components
      of individual lamellae are plywood-like arrays of mineralized collagen fibrils
      aligned in different directions. Using a dual-beam electron microscope and the
      Serial Surface View (SSV) method we previously identified a small, but
      significantly different layer in rat lamellar bone, namely a disordered layer
      with collagen fibrils showing little or no preferred orientation. Here we present
      a 3D structural analysis of 12 SSV volumes (25 complete lamellae) from femora of
      3 differently aged human individuals. We identify the ordered and disordered
      motifs in human bone as in the rat, with several significant differences. The
      ordered motif shows two major preferred orientations, perpendicular to the long
      axis of the bone, and aligned within 10-20 degrees  of the long axis, as well as
      fanning arrays. At a higher organizational level, arrays of ordered collagen
      fibrils are organized into 'rods' around 2 to 3MUm in diameter, and the long axes
      of these 'rods' are parallel to the lamellar boundaries. Human bone also contains
      a disordered component that envelopes the rods and fills in the spaces between
      them. The disordered motif is especially well-defined between adjacent layers of
      rods. The disordered motif and its interfibrillar substance stain heavily with
      osmium tetroxide and Alcian blue indicating the presence of another organic
      component in addition to collagen. The canalicular network is confined to the
      disordered material, along with voids and individual collagen fibrils, some of
      which are also aligned more or less perpendicular to the lamellar boundaries. The
      organization of the ordered fibril arrays into rods enveloped in the continuous
      disordered structure was not observed in rat lamellar bone. We thus conclude that
      human lamellar bone is comprised of two distinct materials, an ordered material
      and a disordered material, and contains an additional hierarchical level of
      organization composed of arrays of ordered collagen fibrils, referred to as rods.
      This new structural information on human lamellar bone will improve our
      understanding of structure-mechanical function relations, mechanisms of mechano
      sensing and the characterizations of bone pathologies. 

PMID- 24211797
TI  - Neamine induces neuroprotection after acute ischemic stroke in type one diabetic
      rats.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Angiogenin is a member of the ribonuclease superfamily and promotes
      degradation of the basement membrane and the extracellular matrix. After stroke
      in type one diabetes (T1DM) rats, Angiogenin is significantly increased and the
      Angiogenin is inversely correlated with functional outcome. Neamine, an
      aminoglycoside antibiotic, blocks nuclear translocation of Angiogenin, thereby
      abolishing the biological activity of Angiogenin. In this study, we therefore
      investigated the effect and underlying protective mechanisms of Neamine treatment
      of stroke in T1DM. METHODS: T1DM was induced in male Wistar rats by
      streptozotocin (60mg/kg, ip), and T1DM rats were subjected to embolic middle
      cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Neamine (10mg/kg ip) was administered at 2, 24
      and 48h after the induction of embolic MCAo. A battery of functional outcome
      tests was performed. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage, and lesion volume were
      evaluated and immunostaining, and Western blot were performed. RESULTS: Neamine
      treatment of stroke in T1DM rats significantly decreased BBB leakage and lesion
      volume as well as improved functional outcome compared to T1DM-control. Neamine
      also significantly decreased apoptosis and cleaved caspase-3 in the ischemic
      brain. Using immunostaining, we found that Neamine treatment significantly
      decreased nuclear Angiogenin, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of
      activated B cells (NFkappaB) activity, advanced glycation endproducts receptor
      (RAGE) number, the positive area of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and increased
      Angeopoietin-1 expression compared to T1DM-MCAo control rats. Western blot
      results are consistent with the immunostaining. CONCLUSION: Neamine treatment of
      stroke is neuroprotective in T1DM rats. Inhibition of neuroinflammatory factor
      expression and decrease of BBB leakage may contribute to Neamine-induced
      neuroprotective effects after stroke in T1DM rats.

PMID- 24211800
TI  - Explore protein molecular structure in endosperm tissues in newly developed black
      and yellow type canola seeds by using synchrotron-based Fourier transform
      infrared microspectroscopy.
AB  - This study was conducted to characterize the protein molecular structure in
      endosperm tissues in newly developed black and yellow-type canola seeds by using
      synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. The results
      showed that the yellow canola seeds contained relatively lower (P<0.05)
      percentage of beta-sheet and amide I and amide II area compared to the black-type
      canola seed. This might be an indication that the protein value of the yellow
      canola seeds as food or feed is different from that of the black canola seeds.
      The multivariate molecular spectral analyses (AHCA, PCA) showed that there were
      not significant molecular structural differences in the protein amide I and amide
      II fingerprint region (ca. 1720-1480 cm(-1)) between the yellow and the black
      type of canola seed. It can be concluded that both the yellow and the black
      seeded canola contain the same proteins but in different ratios.

PMID- 24211801
TI  - Bis-amide transition metal complexes: isomerism and DNA interaction study.
AB  - A quatridentate bis-amide ligand, N,N'-propylenebis(salicylamide) H2pbs, and its
      transition metal complexes [M(pbs)(H2O)2], where M=Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and
      Zn(II) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, IR,
      NMR, Mass, EPR, molar conductivity, magnetic moment values and thermal analysis.
      The NMR spectrum of ligand evidences the E/Z isomerism. All the evidences reveal
      that the metal ions adopt octahedral geometry with metal:ligand:solvent ratio
      1:1:2. The conductivity measurements exhibit that the complexes are non
      electrolytes. DNA binding properties of these complexes have been explored by UV
      Vis and cyclic voltammetry. The results indicate that these complexes are good
      intercalators.

PMID- 24211802
TI  - Development of portable mass spectrometer with electron cyclotron resonance ion
      source for detection of chemical warfare agents in air.
AB  - A portable mass spectrometer with an electron cyclotron resonance ion source
      (miniECRIS-MS) was developed. It was used for in situ monitoring of trace amounts
      of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in atmospheric air. Instrumental construction
      and parameters were optimized to realize a fast response, high sensitivity, and a
      small body size. Three types of CWAs, i.e., phosgene, mustard gas, and hydrogen
      cyanide were examined to check if the mass spectrometer was able to detect
      characteristic elements and atomic groups. From the results, it was found that
      CWAs were effectively ionized in the miniECRIS-MS, and their specific signals
      could be discerned over the background signals of air. In phosgene, the signals
      of the 35Cl+ and 37Cl+ ions were clearly observed with high dose-response
      relationships in the parts-per-billion level, which could lead to the
      quantitative on-site analysis of CWAs. A parts-per-million level of mustard gas,
      which was far lower than its lethal dosage (LCt50), was successfully detected
      with a high signal-stability of the plasma ion source. It was also found that the
      chemical forms of CWAs ionized in the plasma, i.e., monoatomic ions, fragment
      ions, and molecular ions, could be detected, thereby enabling the effective
      identification of the target CWAs. Despite the disadvantages associated with
      miniaturization, the overall performance (sensitivity and response time) of the
      miniECRIS-MS in detecting CWAs exceeded those of sector-type ECRIS-MS, showing
      its potential for on-site detection in the future.

PMID- 24211803
TI  - Vibrational spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman) and quantum chemical calculations of
      1-(5,5-dioxido-10H-phenothiazin-10-yl)ethanone.
AB  - FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 1-(5,5-dioxido-10H-phenothiazin-10-yl)ethanone were
      recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers were computed using B3LYP/6
      31G* and SDD basis. Potential energy distribution of normal modes of vibrations
      was done using GAR2PED program. The HOMO and LUMO analysis is used to determine
      the charge transfer within the molecule. The stability of the molecule arising
      from hyper conjugative interaction and charge delocalization has been analyzed
      using NBO analysis. Molecular electrostatic potential was performed by the DFT
      method and infrared intensities and Raman activities are also reported. MEP shows
      that the negative potential sites are on oxygen atoms and the positive potential
      sites are around the nitrogen atoms. The geometrical parameters of the title
      compound (SDD) are in agreement with XRD crystal structure data. The calculated
      first hyperpolarizability is comparable with the reported values of similar
      derivatives and is an attractive object for future studies of nonlinear optics.

PMID- 24211804
TI  - Investigation on the interactions of clenbuterol to bovine serum albumin and
      lysozyme by molecular fluorescence technique.
AB  - Clenbuterol interacting with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or lysozyme (LYS) in
      physiological buffer (pH 7.4) was investigated by the fluorescence spectroscopy
      and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The results indicated that clenbuterol
      quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA and LYS via a static quenching
      procedure. The binding constants of clenbuterol with BSA and LYS were 1.16*10(3)
      and 1.49*10(3) L mol(-1) at 291 K. The values of DeltaH and DeltaS implied that
      hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction played a major role in stabilizing the
      complex (clenbuterol-BSA or clenbuterol-LYS). In the presence of Fe2+, Fe3+,
      Cu2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, or Zn2+, the binding constants of clenbuterol to BSA or LYS had
      no significant differences. The distances between the donor (BSA or LYS) and
      acceptor (clenbuterol) were 2.61 and 2.19 nm for clenbuterol-BSA and clenbuterol
      LYS respectively. Furthermore, synchronous fluorescence spectrometry was used to
      analyze the conformational changes of BSA and LYS.

PMID- 24211805
TI  - Anti-proliferative effect of a compound isolated from Cassia auriculata against
      human colon cancer cell line HCT 15.
AB  - The compound was isolated from leaves of Cassia auriculata and its structure was
      characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid
      chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), fourier
      transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy (NMR). 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide
      (MTT) assay, cytotoxicity, nuclear morphology and lactate dehydrogenase assay of
      isolated compound was tested against human colon cancer cell line HCT 15. The
      isolated compound, 4-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-7-(2
      ethoxyphenyl)benzo[h][1,4,7]triazecin-8(1H)-one at 25MUg/ml concentration and by
      48h showed 50% inhibition of human colon cancer cells (HCT 15). The results
      suggest that isolated compound from C. auriculata has potential to prevent colon
      cancer cell line. 

PMID- 24211806
TI  - Studies of interaction between terbium(III)-deferasirox and double helix DNA by
      spectral and electrochemical methods.
AB  - DNA binding studies of terbium(III)-deferasirox (Tb3+-DFX) complex were monitored
      to understand the reaction mechanism and introduce a new probe for the assay of
      DNA. In the present work, UV absorption spectrophotometry, fluorescence
      spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and viscosity
      measurement were employed to study the interactions of Tb3+-DFX with calf thymus
      DNA (ctDNA). The binding of Tb3+-DFX complex to ctDNA showed a hyperchromic
      effect in the absorption spectra and the increase in fluorescence quenching
      effect (amount) of Tb3+-DFX complex in the presence of ctDNA. The binding
      constants (Kb) for the complex with ctDNA were estimated to be 1.8*10(4) M(-1)
      through UV absorption spectrophotometry and fluorescence spectroscopy. Upon
      addition of the complex, clear decreases were observed in the viscosity of ctDNA.
      The CD spectra indicated that there are certain detectable conformational changes
      in the DNA double helix when the complex was added. The CV method showed that
      both anodic and cathodic peak potentials of Tb3+-DFX complex showed negative
      shifts on the addition of the ctDNA. Further, competitive methylene blue binding
      studies with fluorescence spectroscopy have shown that the complex can bind to
      ctDNA through nonintercalative mode. The experimental results suggest that Tb3+
      DFX complex binds to DNA via groove binding and/or electrostatic binding mode.

PMID- 24211807
TI  - Exploring the structure-activity relations of N-carbethoxyphthalimide by
      combining FTIR, FT-Raman and NMR spectroscopy with DFT electronic structure
      method.
AB  - The complete vibrational assignment and analysis of N-carbethoxyphthalimide were
      carried out using the experimental FTIR and FT-Raman data in the range 4000-450
      and 4000-100 cm(-1), respectively along with quantum chemical studies of the
      compound using DFT-B3LYP gradient calculations employing the 6-31G**, 6-311++G**
      and cc-pVDZ basis sets. The 1H (400 MHz; CDCl3) and 13C (100 MHz;CDCl3) nuclear
      magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were also recorded. Due to the partial ionic
      nature of the carbonyl group, the carbon atoms C1 and C3 in NCEP show downfield
      effect and the corresponding observed chemical shift of both are observed at
      163.76 ppm and the carbon atom C16 in the carbethoxy group also give signal in
      the downfield at 148.45 ppm. The active sites are determined by molecular
      electrostatic potential. The possible electronic transitions are determined by
      HOMO and LUMO orbital shapes and their energies. The structure-chemical
      reactivity relations of the compound were determined through chemical potential,
      global hardness, global softness, electronegativity, electrophilicity and local
      reactivity descriptors by conceptual DFT methods.

PMID- 24211808
TI  - Synthesis, spectral, and anti-microbial studies of thioiminium iodides and amine
      hydrochlorides.
AB  - To avoid the undesired deprotonation during the addition of organolithium and
      organomagnesium reagents to ketones, the thioiminium salts, easily prepared from
      lactams and amides are converted into 2,2-disubstituted and 2-monosubstituted
      amines by reaction with simple nucleophiles such as organocerium and organocopper
      reagents. The reaction of thioiminium iodides with organocerium reagents derived
      by transmetalation of corresponding lithium reagents with anhydrous cerium(III)
      chloride has been investigated. These thioiminium iodides act as good
      electrophiles and accept alkylceriums towards bisaddition. The newly synthesized
      amines have been characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, IR and mass spectra. The amines
      have been converted into their hydrochlorides and characterized by COSY. These
      hydrochlorides have been subjected to antimicrobial screening with clinically
      isolated microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Candida albicans. The hydrochlorides
      show quite good activity against these bacteria and fungus.

PMID- 24211809
TI  - Spectral kinetics of fluorescence spectra of fluoroderivatives of
      pyrazoloquinoline in different polymer matrices.
AB  - Three fluoro-substituted pyrazoloquinoline derivatives have been placed in
      polymer matrices: polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene.
      Absorption, excitation and time-resolved fluorescence spectra have been recorded
      and luminescence lifetime of the optically active composites has been determined.
      Influence of the dielectric environment the optical properties of the
      chromophores are discussed. Experimental data and conclusions are supported with
      (TD)DFT calculations. 

PMID- 24211810
TI  - Fast determination of two atractylenolides in Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae
      by Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy with partial least squares.
AB  - Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (RAM) is a commonly used food and traditional
      Chinese medicine (TCM), which traditionally strengthens the spleen, benefits
      vital energy, eliminates dampness, and promotes hidroschesis. Its primary
      effective constituents are polysaccharides and volatile oil, whose main
      components are atractylenolide I and III. Fourier transform near-infrared
      spectroscopy (FT-NIR) is widely used in TCM research. However, determination of
      atractylenolides in RAM using FT-NIR has not been described. In this study, a new
      method for the determination of atractylenolides I and III in RAM by NIR was
      established. The spectral characteristics of atractylenolides I and III were
      obtained by second derivative multiple scattering correction, and its chart to
      the original absorbance spectra. Additionally, in combination with the partial
      least squares (PLS) algorithm, the calibration process was performed for the
      quantitation of the samples. The root mean square error of cross-validation of
      the PLS models for atractylenolides I and III was 0.0387 and 0.0358, and the
      determination coefficient of quantitative models was 96.63 and 96.16,
      respectively. This study demonstrated that NIR spectroscopy can be used to
      analyze quickly and efficiently the contents of atractylenolides I and III in
      RAM. 

PMID- 24211811
TI  - Spectroscopic studies on gallic acid and its azo derivatives and their iron(III)
      complexes.
AB  - Azo gallic derivatives and their iron(III) complexes were synthesized and
      characterized. The stereochemistry and the mode of bonding of the complexes were
      achieved based on elemental analysis, UV-Vis and IR. The thermal behaviors of the
      complexes were studied. The effect of pH on the electronic absorption spectra of
      gallic acid and its azo derivatives are discussed. Different spectroscopic
      methods (molar ratio, straight line method, continuous variation, slope ratio and
      successive method) are applied for determination of stoichiometry and pK values
      for the complex formation of gallic acid with iron(III) in aqueous media.
      Iron(III) complexes of gallic acid is formed with different ratio: 1:1, 1:2, 1:3
      and 1:4 (M:L). 

PMID- 24211812
TI  - Investigation on the interaction between endocrine disruptor triphenyltin with
      human serum albumin.
AB  - The interaction between triphenyltin (TPT) and human serum albumin (HSA) in
      physiological buffer (pH=7.4) was investigated by the fluorescence quenching
      technique. The results of fluorescence titration revealed that TPT could strongly
      quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA through a static quenching procedure.
      The apparent binding constants K and number of binding sites n of TPT with HSA
      were 2.51*10(3) and 0.96 at 298 K which were obtained by the fluorescence
      quenching method. The thermodynamic parameters enthalpy change (DeltaH), entropy
      change (DeltaS) were positive, which indicated that the interaction of TPT with
      HSA was driven mainly by hydrophobic forces. The process of binding was a
      spontaneous process in which Gibbs free energy change was negative. The distance
      r between donor (HSA) and acceptor (TPT) was calculated to be 3.13 nm based on
      Forster's non-radiative energy transfer theory. The results of synchronous
      fluorescence, three-dimensional fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectra
      showed that the triphenyltin induced conformational changes of HSA.

PMID- 24211813
TI  - Intrapulmonary concentration of levofloxacin in patients with idiopathic
      pulmonary fibrosis.
AB  - Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have significantly impaired
      pulmonary diffusion, which may affect the pulmonary concentration of many drugs,
      including antibiotics. In this study, we compared the difference in pulmonary
      levofloxacin (LVFX) concentration between patients with normal lung function and
      IPF. The IPF group included 10 patients with a proven diagnosis of IPF and a
      diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide ranging from 40% to 70% of predicted
      values. The control group included 10 patients with normal pulmonary function.
      Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were taken at 3-3.5 h after
      fasting. LVFX (500 mg) was administered orally. LVFX concentrations in the serum
      and BALF were determined using HPLC-MS/MC. The level of LVFX in alveolar
      epithelial lining fluid (ELF) was calculated using the following formula: LVFX
      ELF = LVFX BALF * (Urea serum/Urea BALF). No significant differences in age, body
      weight, height, and calculated creatinine clearance and BALF retrieval rate were
      observed between groups. LVFX serum concentrations in the IPF and control groups
      were (5.97 +/- 1.28) MUg/ml and (6.84 +/- 3.43) MUg/ml, respectively (P =
      0.4727). ELF concentration of LVFX in the control group was (27.81 +/- 21.36)
      MUg/ml, while the concentration in the IPF group was (10.17 +/- 2.46) MUg/ml,
      less than half of that in the controls (P = 0.0058). The intrapulmonary
      concentration of LVFX in IPF patients was lower than those with normal lung
      function. Notably, however, the ELF LVFX concentration following 500 mg once
      daily exceeded the MIC90 of common respiratory pathogens. Excellent antibacterial
      efficacy of LVFX can be expected for IPF patients in the treatment of respiratory
      tract infections.

PMID- 24211815
TI  - Food safety knowledge, practices and beliefs of primary food preparers in
      families with young children. A mixed methods study.
AB  - Food preparers in families with young children are responsible for safe food
      preparation and handling to prevent foodborne illness. To explore the food safety
      perceptions, beliefs, and practices of primary food preparers in families with
      children 10 years of age and younger, a mixed methods convergent parallel design
      and constructs of the Health Belief Model were used. A random sampling of 72
      primary food handlers (36.2+/-8.6 years of age, 88% female) within young families
      in urban and rural areas of two Midwestern states completed a knowledge survey
      and participated in ten focus groups. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS.
      Transcribed interviews were analyzed for codes and common themes. Forty-four
      percent scored less than the average knowledge score of 73%. Participants believe
      children are susceptible to foodborne illness but perceive its severity to be low
      with gastrointestinal discomfort as the primary outcome. Using safe food handling
      practices and avoiding inconveniences were benefits of preventing foodborne
      illness. Childcare duties, time and knowledge were barriers to practicing food
      safety. Confidence in preventing foodborne illness was high, especially when
      personal control over food handling is present. The low knowledge scores and
      reported practices revealed a false sense of confidence despite parental concern
      to protect their child from harm. Food safety messages that emphasize the
      susceptibility and severity of foodborne illness in children are needed to reach
      this audience for adoption of safe food handling practices.

PMID- 24211814
TI  - Improved segmentation of white matter tracts with adaptive Riemannian metrics.
AB  - We present a novel geodesic approach to segmentation of white matter tracts from
      diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Compared to deterministic and stochastic
      tractography, geodesic approaches treat the geometry of the brain white matter as
      a manifold, often using the inverse tensor field as a Riemannian metric. The
      white matter pathways are then inferred from the resulting geodesics, which have
      the desirable property that they tend to follow the main eigenvectors of the
      tensors, yet still have the flexibility to deviate from these directions when it
      results in lower costs. While this makes such methods more robust to noise, the
      choice of Riemannian metric in these methods is ad hoc. A serious drawback of
      current geodesic methods is that geodesics tend to deviate from the major
      eigenvectors in high-curvature areas in order to achieve the shortest path. In
      this paper we propose a method for learning an adaptive Riemannian metric from
      the DTI data, where the resulting geodesics more closely follow the principal
      eigenvector of the diffusion tensors even in high-curvature regions. We also
      develop a way to automatically segment the white matter tracts based on the
      computed geodesics. We show the robustness of our method on simulated data with
      different noise levels. We also compare our method with tractography methods and
      geodesic approaches using other Riemannian metrics and demonstrate that the
      proposed method results in improved geodesics and segmentations using both
      synthetic and real DTI data. 

PMID- 24211816
TI  - At the frontier of progress for paediatric oncology: the neuroblastoma paradigm.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Neuroblastoma is one of the commonest and deadliest forms of
      childhood cancer and major initiatives are ongoing to improve the outcome of
      these patients. SOURCES OF DATA: Data for this review were obtained from PubMed
      and abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and Advances in
      Neuroblastoma Research. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: Collaborative clinical trials have
      led to major improvements in treatment outcomes for low and intermediate risk
      neuroblastoma, and international initiatives such as the International
      Neuroblastoma Risk Group have produced a very refined risk stratification
      incorporating clinical and biological risk factors. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: Despite
      many efforts, the outcome for high-risk neuroblastoma is still poor and the only
      new strategy incorporated into frontline treatment is anti-GD2 immunotherapy. It
      is unclear how new drugs targeting specific molecular aberrations will be
      incorporated. GROWING POINTS: Genomic characterization and drug development have
      undergone major advances in the last 5 years leading to a much deeper
      understanding of tumour biology as well as active biomarker-driven preclinical
      and clinical research on new molecules that will hopefully progress faster and
      more efficiently into frontline combination treatment strategies. AREAS TIMELY
      FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Significant effort remains to be done in integrating the
      different new strategies, combining new molecularly targeted agents to maximize
      therapeutic benefit and incorporate immunotherapy together with targeted
      therapies.

PMID- 24211817
TI  - Targeted reinforcement of neural oscillatory activity with real-time neuroimaging
      feedback.
AB  - Biofeedback and brain-computer interfacing using EEG has been receiving
      continuous and increasing interest. However, the limited spatial resolution of
      low-density scalp recordings is a roadblock to the unequivocal monitoring and
      targeting of neuroanatomical regions and physiological signaling. This latter
      aspect is pivotal to the actual efficiency of neurofeedback procedures, which are
      expected to engage the modulation of well-identified components of neural
      activity within and between predetermined brain regions. Our group has previously
      contributed to demonstrate the principles of real-time magnetoencephalography
      (MEG) source imaging. Here we show how the technique was further developed to
      provide healthy subjects with region-specific neurofeedback to modulate
      successfully predetermined components of their brain activity in targeted brain
      regions. Overall, our results positively indicate that neurofeedback based on
      time-resolved MEG imaging has the potential to become an innovative therapeutic
      approach in neurology and neuropsychiatry.

PMID- 24211818
TI  - Early anti-correlated BOLD signal changes of physiologic origin.
AB  - Negative BOLD signals that are synchronous with resting state fluctuations have
      been observed in large vessels in the cortical sulci and surrounding the
      ventricles. In this study, we investigated the origin of these negative BOLD
      signals by applying a Cued Deep Breathing (CDB) task to create transient
      hypocapnia and a resultant global fMRI signal decrease. We hypothesized that a
      global stimulus would amplify the effect in large vessels and that using a global
      negative (vasoconstrictive) stimulus would test whether these voxels exhibit
      either inherently negative or simply anti-correlated BOLD responses.
      Significantly anti-correlated, but positive, BOLD signal changes during
      respiratory challenges were identified in voxels primarily located near edges of
      brain spaces containing CSF. These positive BOLD responses occurred earlier than
      the negative CDB response across most of gray matter voxels. These findings
      confirm earlier suggestions that in some brain regions, local, fractional changes
      in CSF volume may overwhelm BOLD-related signal changes, leading to signal anti
      correlation. We show that regions with CDB anti-correlated signals coincide with
      most, but not all, of the regions with negative BOLD signal changes observed
      during a visual and motor stimulus task. Thus, the addition of a physiological
      challenge to fMRI experiments can help identify which negative BOLD signals are
      passive physiological anti-correlations and which may have a putative neuronal
      origin. 

PMID- 24211819
TI  - The Efficacy of InSight Cognitive Training to Improve Useful Field of View
      Performance: A Brief Report.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It is well established that cognitive speed of processing training
      (SOPT) improves Useful Field of View (UFOV) performance and transfers to enhanced
      performance of instrumental activities of daily living, including driving.
      InSight is a recently developed version of SOPT formatted for self-administration
      by older adults with exercises translated into a gaming format. The goal was to
      examine whether InSight training improves UFOV performance. METHOD: Participants
      ranged in age between 59-95 years and were randomized to InSight cognitive
      training or a control condition. Cognitive performance and self-perceptions were
      measured pre- and post-training, or for controls, after an equivalent delay.
      Participants completed training twice a week over a 12-week period with the goal
      of completing 20 sessions. RESULTS: Participants randomized to InSight training
      experienced greater improvements in their UFOV performance relative to the
      control condition, F(1, 58) = 4.26, p = .043, but no changes in cognitive self
      perceptions were found. CONCLUSIONS: The InSight program is a viable tool for
      enhancing older adults' UFOV performance. Future research should examine if
      training gains from the program endure and transfer to improved everyday
      function.

PMID- 24211820
TI  - Hybrid fluorescence and electron cryo-microscopy for simultaneous electron and
      photon imaging.
AB  - Integration of fluorescence light and transmission electron microscopy into the
      same device would represent an important advance in correlative microscopy, which
      traditionally involves two separate microscopes for imaging. To achieve such
      integration, the primary technical challenge that must be solved regards how to
      arrange two objective lenses used for light and electron microscopy in such a
      manner that they can properly focus on a single specimen. To address this issue,
      both lateral displacement of the specimen between two lenses and specimen
      rotation have been proposed. Such movement of the specimen allows sequential
      collection of two kinds of microscopic images of a single target, but prevents
      simultaneous imaging. This shortcoming has been made up by using a simple optical
      device, a reflection mirror. Here, we present an approach toward the versatile
      integration of fluorescence and electron microscopy for simultaneous imaging. The
      potential of simultaneous hybrid microscopy was demonstrated by fluorescence and
      electron sequential imaging of a fluorescent protein expressed in cells and
      cathodoluminescence imaging of fluorescent beads. 

PMID- 24211821
TI  - NMR structural studies of the first catalytic half-domain of ubiquitin activating
      enzyme.
AB  - We report a high resolution NMR structure and (15)N relaxation studies of the
      first catalytic cysteine half-domain (FCCH) of the mouse ubiquitin-activating
      enzyme E1, together with interaction studies of FCCH and the other catalytic E1
      subdomain - SCCH (second catalytic cysteine half-domain). In solution, mouse FCCH
      forms a well-defined six-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel structure, a common
      fold for many proteins with a variety of cellular functions. (15)N relaxation
      data reveal FCCH complex backbone dynamics and indicate which residues experience
      slow intramolecular motions. Some of these residues make contacts with the polar
      face of ubiquitin in the co-crystal structure of yeast E1 and ubiquitin. However,
      the titration of FCCH with ubiquitin does not show any visible chemical shift
      changes in the 2D (1)H/(15)N HSQC spectra of the FCCH. The 2D (1)H/(15)N HSQC
      experiments performed both for each catalytic half-domain individually and for
      their equimolar mixture in the milimolar concentration range display no
      detectable chemical shift perturbation, suggesting a lack of interaction between
      the two subdomains unless they are covalently linked via the adenylation domain. 

PMID- 24211822
TI  - Practical workflow for cryo focused-ion-beam milling of tissues and cells for
      cryo-TEM tomography.
AB  - Vitreous freezing offers a way to study cells and tissue in a near-native state
      by cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), which is important when
      structural information at the macromolecular level is required. Many cells -
      especially those in tissue - are too thick to study intact in the cryo-TEM. Cryo
      focused-ion-beam (cryo-FIB) milling is being used in a few laboratories to thin
      vitreously frozen specimens, thus avoiding the artifacts and difficulties of cryo
      ultramicrotomy. However, the technique is challenging because of the need to
      avoid devitrification and frost accumulation during the entire process, from the
      initial step of freezing to the final step of loading the specimen into the cryo
      TEM. We present a robust workflow that makes use of custom fixtures and devices
      that can be used for high-pressure-frozen bulk tissue samples as well as for
      samples frozen on TEM grids. 

PMID- 24211823
TI  - Outcomes in catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in dilated nonischemic
      cardiomyopathy compared with ischemic cardiomyopathy: results from the
      Prospective Heart Centre of Leipzig VT (HELP-VT) Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data on the outcomes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in
      nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) are insufficient. The Heart Center of
      Leipzig VT (HELP-VT) study was conducted prospectively to compare outcomes after
      radiofrequency catheter ablation of VT in patients with NIDCM compared with
      ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-seven
      patients, 63 with NIDCM and 164 with ICM, presenting with sustained VT were
      ablated with radiofrequency catheter ablation. Noninducibility of any clinical
      and nonclinical VT was achieved in 66.7% of NIDCM and in 77.4% of ICM patients.
      Ablation of the clinical VT only was achieved in 18.3% of ICM and in 22.2% of
      NIDCM patients. There was no statistically significant difference in short-term
      outcomes between the 2 groups. At the 1-year follow-up, VT-free survival in NIDCM
      was 40.5% compared with 57% in ICM. In univariate analysis, the hazard ratio for
      VT recurrence was significantly higher for NIDCM (1.62; 95% confidence interval,
      1.12- 2.34; P=0.01). In both the ICM and NIDCM subgroups, procedure failure and
      incomplete procedural success were independent predictors of VT recurrence.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although the short-term success rates after VT ablation in NIDCM and
      ICM patients were similar, the long-term outcomes in NIDCM patients were
      significantly worse. Complete VT noninducibility at the end of the ablation is
      associated with beneficial long-term outcome in NIDCM. Pursuing compete
      elimination of all inducible VTs is desirable and may improve the long-term
      success in NIDCM.

PMID- 24211824
TI  - Role of hemostatic factors on the risk of venous thrombosis in people with
      impaired kidney function.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Factors explaining the association between impaired kidney function
      and venous thrombosis have not been identified so far. The aim of our study was
      to determine whether the association between impaired kidney function and venous
      thrombosis can be explained by the concurrent presence of genetic or acquired
      venous thrombosis risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: The glomerular filtration
      rate was estimated (eGFR) in 2473 venous thrombosis patients and 2936 controls
      from a population-based case-control study. Kidney function was grouped into 6
      categories based on percentiles of the eGFR in the controls (>50th [reference],
      10th-50th, 5th-10th, 2.5th-5th, 1st-2.5th, and <1st percentile). Several
      hemostatic factors showed a procoagulant shift with decreasing kidney function in
      controls, most notably factor VIII and von Willebrand factor. Compared with eGFR
      >50th percentile, factor VIII levels (adjusted mean difference, 60 IU/dL for the
      <1st eGFR percentile category) and von Willebrand factor levels (adjusted mean
      difference, 60 IU/dL for the <1st eGFR percentile category) increased with each
      percentile category. The odds ratios for venous thrombosis similarly increased
      across the categories from 1.1 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.3) for the 10th to
      50th percentile to 3.7 (95% confidence interval, 2.4-5.7) for the <1st percentile
      category. Adjustment for factor VIII or von Willebrand factor attenuated these
      odds ratios, indicating an effect of eGFR on thrombosis through these factors.
      Adjustments for other risk factors for venous thrombosis did not affect the odds
      ratios. CONCLUSION: Impaired kidney function affects venous thrombosis risk via
      concurrently raised factor VIII and von Willebrand factor levels.

PMID- 24211825
TI  - Acquired bilateral nevoid telangiectasia: report of 9 cases.

PMID- 24211826
TI  - Reconstruction of the natural history of metastatic cancer and assessment of the
      effects of surgery: Gompertzian growth of the primary tumor.
AB  - This work deals with retrospective reconstruction of the individual natural
      history of solid cancer and assessment of the effects of treatment on metastatic
      progression. This is achieved through a mathematical model of cancer progression
      accounting for the growth of the primary tumor, shedding of metastases, their
      dormancy and growth at secondary sites. To describe dynamics of the primary
      tumor, we used the Gompertz law, a parsimonious model of tumor growth accounting
      for its saturation. Parameters of the model were estimated from the age and
      volume of the primary tumor at surgery and volumes of detectable bone metastases
      collected from one breast cancer patient and one prostate cancer patient. This
      allowed us to estimate, for each patient, the ages at cancer onset and inception
      of all detected metastases, the expected metastasis latency time, parameters of
      the Gompertzian growth of the primary tumor, and the rates of growth of
      metastases before and after surgery. We found that for both patients: (1) onset
      of metastasis occurred when primary tumor was undetectable; (2) inception of all
      surveyed metastases except one occurred before surgery; and most importantly, (3)
      resection of the primary tumor led to a dramatic increase in the rate of growth
      of metastases. The model provides an excellent fit to the observed volumes of
      bone metastases in both patients. Our results agree well with those obtained
      previously based on exponential growth of the primary tumor, which serves as
      model validation. Our findings support the notion of metastatic dormancy and
      indirectly confirm the existence of stem-like cancer cells in breast and prostate
      tumors. We also explored the logistic law of primary tumor growth; however, it
      degenerated into the exponential law for both patients analyzed. The conclusions
      of this work are supported by a vast body of experimental, clinical and
      epidemiological knowledge accumulated over the last century. 

PMID- 24211827
TI  - Chitosan-ionic liquid modified single-use sensor for electrochemical monitoring
      of sequence-selective DNA hybridization.
AB  - Chitosan-(CHIT) and ionic liquid- (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium
      hexafluorophosphate (IL)) modified single-use graphite electrodes (PGEs) were
      developed for the first time in the present study for the enhanced monitoring of
      DNA, and also for sequence-selective DNA hybridization by measuring the guanine
      oxidation signal. The electrochemical behaviour of the CHIT-IL modified
      electrodes was first investigated (with unmodified electrodes as controls) using
      electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry
      (DPV). Sequence-selective DNA hybridization related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
      was also evaluated in the case of hybridization between amino-linked HBV probe
      and its complementary (target), a noncomplementary (NC) sequence, single base
      mismatch (MM), and also in the medium of target/mismatch (MM) mixtures (1:1).
      CHIT-IL modified PGEs presented a very effective discrimination of DNA
      hybridization owing to their superior selectivity and sensitivity. 

PMID- 24211828
TI  - Biosynthesis of lead nanoparticles by the aquatic water fern, Salvinia minima
      Baker, when exposed to high lead concentration.
AB  - Salvinia minima Baker is a small floating aquatic fern that is efficient for the
      removal and storage of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. In this study, we
      report that lead removal by S. minima causes large accumulation of lead inside
      the cells in the form of nanoparticles (PbNPs). The accumulation pattern of lead
      was analyzed in both, submerged root-like modified fronds (here named "roots"),
      and in its aerial leaf-like fronds ("leaves"). Analysis by scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission
      electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy
      (HRTEM) confirmed the biosynthesis of PbNPs by the plant. In both, roots and
      leaves, PbNPs were found to accumulate almost exclusively at the cell wall and
      closely associated to the cell membrane. Two types of PbNPs shapes were found in
      cells of both tissues, those associated to the cell wall were quasi-spherical
      with 17.2+/-4.2 nm of diameter, while those associated to the cell
      membrane/cytoplasm were elongated. Elongated particles were 53.7+/-29.6 nm in
      length and 11.1+/-2.4 nm wide. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) results indicate that
      cellulose, lignin and pectin are the major components that may be acting as the
      reducing agents for lead ions; these findings strongly suggest the potential use
      of this fern to further explore the bio-assisted synthesis of heavy metal
      nanostructures.

PMID- 24211830
TI  - Role of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor in mediating alcohol-induced
      activation of the rat hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
AB  - Alcohol stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis through brain
      based mechanisms in which endogenous corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a
      major role. This review first discusses the evidence for this role, as well as
      the possible importance of intermediates such as vasopressin, nitric oxide and
      catecholamines. We then illustrate the long-term influence exerted by alcohol on
      the HPA axis, such as the ability of a first exposure to this drug during
      adolescence, to permanently blunt neuroendocrine responses to subsequent exposure
      of the drug. In view of the role played by CRF in addiction, it is likely that a
      better understanding of the mechanisms through which this drug stimulates the HPA
      axis may lead to the development of new therapies used in the treatment of
      alcohol abuse, including clinically relevant CRF antagonists. 

PMID- 24211829
TI  - Interferon alpha induced intrahepatic pSTAT1 inversely correlate with serum HCV
      RNA levels in chronic HCV infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Jak-STAT signaling of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected hepatocyte
      is critical for the antiviral action of endogenously produced interferon (IFN) as
      well as exogenously administered interferon alpha (IFN-alpha). The activation of
      cellular Jak-STAT signaling by IFN-alpha results in the phosphorylation and
      nuclear translocation of pSTAT1 and pSTAT2 proteins to induce antiviral gene
      transcription. Clinical studies show that chronic HCV patients with high viral
      load show poor response to interferon alpha and ribavirin combination therapy.
      AIM: We seek to determine whether the IFN-alpha induced activation of pSTAT1 and
      pSTAT2 in hepatocytes isolated from liver biopsy of patients chronically infected
      with hepatitis C virus could be related to the viral load. METHOD: Hepatocytes
      were isolated from liver biopsies of 18 chronic HCV patients using the collagen
      digestion method. Induction of pSTAT1 protein in the isolated hepatocyte was
      measured after IFN-alpha treatment. The fold change in the levels of pStat1 in
      the cell lysates due to IFN-treatment was measured by Western blot analysis
      followed by densitometry analysis. RESULTS: Results of our study indicate that
      IFN-alpha induced pSTAT1 levels vary in chronically infected hepatocytes from
      chronic HCV patients. Semi-quantitative analysis of the pSTAT1 bands revealed a
      median induction of 7.4-fold in non-infected primary hepatocytes and 2.3-fold in
      chronic hepatitis C patients (p < 0.001). Total STAT1 levels were not
      significantly different between treated and untreated primary hepatocytes. We
      also found a significantly inverse correlation between the intrahepatic pSTAT1
      inductions with the serum HCV RNA levels. CONCLUSION: We have developed an
      antibody based Western blot detection method to measure intrahepatic pStat1 and
      pStat2 levels to assess the cellular response to exogenous IFN-alpha. Our results
      indicate that pStat1 activation is a good indicator to assess the level of HCV
      replication in chronic HCV patients.

PMID- 24211831
TI  - Regulation of galectin-3-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells by both O-glycans and
      N-glycans on CD45.
AB  - Galectin-3 has been reported to induce apoptosis of Jurkat cells through binding
      receptors such as CD45. CD45RABC is heavily O-glycosylated and N-glycosylated,
      while CD45RO is only N-glycosylated. In this study, no apoptosis induced by
      galectin-3 was detected in CD45RO-transfected cells, whereas apoptosis of
      CD45RABC-transfected cells was observed, implying that O-glycans on CD45 might
      play roles in galectin-3-induced apoptosis. O-Glycosylation inhibition assay
      further suggests the role of O-glycans on CD45 in regulation of galectin-3
      induced apoptosis. We also found that deglycosylation at N327 of CD45RO resulted
      in increased binding to galectin-3 without affecting apoptosis, while
      deglycosylation at N36 or N109 of CD45RO enhanced galectin-3-induced apoptosis.
      These data demonstrate that galectin-3-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells is
      regulated by both O-glycans and N-glycans on CD45.

PMID- 24211832
TI  - Mutations of Asp540 and the domain-connecting residues synergistically enhance
      Pyrococcus furiosus DNA ligase activity.
AB  - The structure of Pyrococcus furiosus DNA ligase (PfuLig), which architecturally
      resembles human DNA ligase I (hLigI), revealed that the C-terminal helix
      stabilizes the closed conformation through several ionic interactions between two
      domains (adenylylation domain (AdD) and C-terminal OB-fold domain (OBD)). This
      helix is oriented differently in DNA-bound hLigI, suggesting that the disruption
      of its interactions with AdD facilitates DNA binding. Previously, we demonstrated
      that the replacement of Asp540 with arginine improves the ligation activity. Here
      we report that the combination of the Asp540-replacement and the elimination of
      ionic residues in the helix, forming interactions with AdD, effectively enhanced
      the activity. 

PMID- 24211833
TI  - Solution NMR studies of the plant peptide hormone CEP inform function.
AB  - The C-terminally Encoded Peptide (CEP) family of regulatory peptides controls
      root development in vascular plants. Here, we present the first NMR structures of
      CEP. We show that root-knot nematode (RKN: Meloidogyne spp.) also encodes CEP,
      presumably to mimic plant CEP as part of their stereotypic, parasitic interaction
      with vascular plants. Molecular dynamics simulations of plant- and nematode
      encoded CEP displaying known posttranslational modifications (PTM) provided
      insight into the structural effects of PTM and the conformational plasticity and
      rigidity of CEP. Potential mechanisms of action are discussed with respect to the
      structure and sampling of conformational space.

PMID- 24211834
TI  - BAP1 is phosphorylated at serine 592 in S-phase following DNA damage.
AB  - The human BAP1 deubiquitinating enzyme is a chromatin-bound transcriptional
      regulator and tumor suppressor. BAP1 functions in suppressing cell proliferation,
      yet its role in the DNA damage response pathway is less understood. In this study
      we characterized DNA damage-induced phosphorylation of BAP1 at serine 592 (pS592)
      and the cellular outcomes of this modification. In contrast to the majority of
      BAP1, pS592-BAP1 is predominantly dissociated from chromatin. Our findings
      support a model whereby stress induced phosphorylation functions to displace BAP1
      from specific promoters. We hypothesize that this regulates the transcription of
      a subset of genes involved in the response to DNA damage.

PMID- 24211835
TI  - Permeability characteristics of cell-membrane pores induced by ostreolysin
      A/pleurotolysin B, binary pore-forming proteins from the oyster mushroom.
AB  - Proteins from the oyster mushroom, 15 kDa ostreolysin A (OlyA), and 59 kDa
      pleurotolysin B (PlyB) with a membrane attack complex/perforin (MACPF) domain,
      damage cell membranes as a binary cytolytic pore-forming complex. Measurements of
      single-channel conductance and transmembrane macroscopic current reveal that
      OlyA/PlyB form non-selective ion-conducting pores with broad, skewed conductance
      distributions in N18 neuroblastoma and CHO-K1 cell membranes. Polyethylene-glycol
      8000 (hydrodynamic radius of 3.78 nm) provides almost complete osmotic protection
      against haemolysis, which strongly suggests a colloid-osmotic type of erythrocyte
      lysis. Our data indicate that OlyA/PlyB form transmembrane pores of varied sizes,
      as other pore-forming proteins with a MACPF domain.

PMID- 24211836
TI  - Chromatin insulators and long-distance interactions in Drosophila.
AB  - Data on long-distance enhancer-mediated activation of gene promoters and complex
      regulation of gene expression by multiple enhancers have prompted the hypothesis
      that the action of enhancers is restricted by insulators. Studies with transgenic
      lines have shown that insulators are responsible for establishing proper local
      interactions between regulatory elements, but not for defining independent
      transcriptional domains that restrict the activity of enhancers. It has also
      become apparent that enhancer blocking is only one of several functional
      activities of known insulator proteins, which also contribute to the organization
      of chromosome architecture and the integrity of regulatory elements. 

PMID- 24211838
TI  - Loss of CDH1 up-regulates epidermal growth factor receptor via phosphorylation of
      YBX1 in non-small cell lung cancer cells.
AB  - Although loss of CDH1 promotes cancer metastasis by disrupting cell-cell adhesion
      and inducing transcriptional changes, the functional pathways involved in the
      loss of CDH1 affecting EGFR expression in lung cancer cells still remain largely
      unknown. In this study, we report that down-regulation of CDH1 promoted EGFR
      transcription through activation of YBX1. Furthermore, knockdown of CDH1
      activated the AKT signaling pathway, and inhibition of AKT suppressed the
      phosphorylation of YBX1 and the up-regulation of EGFR induced by CDH1 loss. These
      data demonstrate that loss of CDH1 induces EGFR expression via phospho-YBX1,
      which is activated through the AKT signaling pathway.

PMID- 24211837
TI  - Directed polymerase evolution.
AB  - Polymerases evolved in nature to synthesize DNA and RNA, and they underlie the
      storage and flow of genetic information in all cells. The availability of these
      enzymes for use at the bench has driven a revolution in biotechnology and
      medicinal research; however, polymerases did not evolve to function efficiently
      under the conditions required for some applications and their high substrate
      fidelity precludes their use for most applications that involve modified
      substrates. To circumvent these limitations, researchers have turned to directed
      evolution to tailor the properties and/or substrate repertoire of polymerases for
      different applications, and several systems have been developed for this purpose.
      These systems draw on different methods of creating a pool of randomly mutated
      polymerases and are differentiated by the process used to isolate the most fit
      members. A variety of polymerases have been evolved, providing new or improved
      functionality, as well as interesting new insight into the factors governing
      activity. 

PMID- 24211839
TI  - Phenotypical characteristics, genetic identification, and antimicrobial
      sensitivity of Aeromonas species isolated from farmed rainbow trout (Onchorynchus
      mykiss) in Mexico.
AB  - In the present study, Aeromonas isolates from diseased and healthy farmed rainbow
      trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Mexico, were characterized phenotypically and
      identified to species level by using 16S rDNA RFLP-PCR. A total of 50 isolates
      were included in the study and 10 Aeromonas species identified. The species A.
      veronii biovar sobria (22%), A. hydrophila (20%) and A. bestiarum (20%) were the
      most predominant. All isolates (100%) were resistant to cephalothin. 

PMID- 24211840
TI  - Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation reduces cigarette consumption in
      schizophrenia patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
      over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) seemed to decrease tobacco
      consumption and craving in nicotine-dependent people without psychiatric disorder
      or otherwise healthy people. Even if the prevalence of cigarette smoking in
      schizophrenia patients is high and estimated to be between 45% and 88%, this
      technique has not been systematically studied in this indication in schizophrenia
      yet. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to test the ability of high
      frequency (10Hz) rTMS over the left DLPFC to decrease cigarette consumption in
      schizophrenia patients. METHODS: The study included 35 male schizophrenia
      patients on stable antipsychotic medication. The patients were divided into two
      groups: the first (18 patients) were actively stimulated and the second (17
      patients) underwent sham (placebo) stimulation. The sham rTMS was administered
      using a purpose-built sham coil that was identical in appearance to the real coil
      and made the same noise but did not deliver a substantial stimulus. The rTMS was
      administered at the stimulation parameters: location (left dorsolateral
      prefrontal cortex: DLPFC), intensity of magnetic stimulation in % of motor
      threshold (110%), stimulation frequency (10Hz), number of trains (20), single
      train duration (10s), inter-train interval (30s), and total number of stimulation
      sessions (21). In each stimulation session, 2000TMSpulses were given, with a
      total of 42,000pulses per treatment course. Patients noted the number of
      cigarettes smoked in the 7days before treatment, during the whole stimulation
      treatment (21days), and again for a 7-day period after treatment. RESULTS:
      Cigarette consumption was statistically significantly lower in the actively
      stimulated patients than in the sham rTMS group as early as the first week of
      stimulation. No statistically relevant correlations were found in the changes of
      ongoing negative or depressive schizophrenia symptoms and the number of
      cigarettes smoked. CONCLUSION: High-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC has the
      ability to decrease the number of cigarettes smoked in schizophrenia patients.

PMID- 24211841
TI  - ECG parameters in children and adolescents treated with aripiprazole and
      risperidone.
AB  - Atypical antipsychotics (AP) are increasingly being used in children and
      adolescents for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Atypical AP may cause QT
      prolongation on the electrocardiogram (ECG), which predisposes patients to an
      increased risk of developing threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Although this
      phenomenon has been exhaustively reported in adults, few studies investigated the
      safety of these drugs in pediatric patients. We performed an open-label,
      prospective study to assess the arrhythmic risk of aripiprazole and risperidone
      in a pediatric population. A total of 60 patients (55 M/5F, mean age 10.2+2.6
      years, range 4-15 years), receiving a new prescription of aripiprazole or
      risperidone in monotherapy underwent a standard ECG before and after two months
      from the beginning of antipsychotic treatment. Basal and post-treatment ECG
      parameters, including mean QT (QTc) and QT dispersion (QTd), were compared within
      treatment groups. Twenty-nine patients were treated with aripiprazole (mean
      dosage 7.4+3.1mg/day) and 31 with risperidone (mean dosage 1.5+1mg/day). In our
      series, no patient exhibited pathological values of QTc or QTd before and after
      treatment for both drugs. However, treatment with risperidone was associated with
      a slight increase of both mean QTc and QTd values (407.4+11.9 ms vs 411.2+13.0
      ms, p<0.05; and 40.0+4.4 ms vs 44.7+5.5 ms, p<0.001, respectively). Treatment
      with aripiprazole was associated with no changes of mean QTc, even if a small
      increase of QTd, (40.6+6.5 ms vs 46.3+7.2 ms, p<0.01) was observed. Although our
      data suggest a slight effect of aripiprazole and risperidone on ventricular
      repolarization, it is unlikely that such a change results in clinically relevant
      effects. The treatment with risperidone and aripiprazole in children with
      psychiatric disorders is not associated with clinically relevant modifications of
      QT interval. Caution in prescribing these drugs, however, is necessary in
      patients with family history of a genetic predisposition to arrhythmias in order
      to warrant a reliable assessment of drug-induced QT prolongation.

PMID- 24211842
TI  - Light chain (kappa/lambda) ratio of GM-CSF autoantibodies is associated with
      disease severity in autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
AB  - Previous studies demonstrated that antigranulocyte colony-stimulating factor
      autoantibody (GMAb) was consistently present in patients with autoimmune
      pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP), and, thus, represented candidature as a
      reliable diagnostic marker. However, our large cohort study suggested that the
      concentration of this antibody was not correlated with disease severity in
      patients. We found that the kappa/lambda ratio of GMAb was significantly
      correlated with the degree of hypoxemia. The proportion of lambda-type GMAb per
      total lambda-type IgG was significantly higher in severely affected patients than
      those in mildly affected patients, but the proportion of kappa-type was
      unchanged. The kappa/lambda ratio was significantly correlated with both KL-6 and
      SP-D, which have been previously reported as disease severity markers. Thus, the
      light chain isotype usage of GMAb may not only be associated with the severity of
      aPAP, but may also represent a useful disease severity marker. 

PMID- 24211844
TI  - CD27 engagement by a soluble CD70 protein enhances non-cytolytic antiviral
      activity of CD56bright natural killer cells by IFN-gamma secretion.
AB  - We investigated regulation of human NK cell function by CD27 engagement using a
      recombinant soluble CD70 protein. CD27 was preferentially expressed on
      CD56(bright) NK cells, and soluble CD70 protein bound to CD27(+)CD56(bright) NK
      cells. While soluble CD70 protein enhanced IFN-gamma secretion by CD56(bright) NK
      cells in the presence of IL-12, it augmented neither cytolytic activity nor
      proliferation of NK cells. Thus, we next asked if soluble CD70 protein could be
      used to induce non-cytolytic antiviral activity of NK cells using an in vitro
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection system. Soluble CD70 protein stimulated NK
      cells to suppress HCV replication by enhancing NK cell IFN-gamma secretion
      without killing infected cells. Taken together, we demonstrate that CD27
      engagement by a soluble CD70 protein enhances non-cytolytic antiviral activity of
      CD56(bright) NK cells by IFN-gamma secretion. Thus, this soluble CD70 protein may
      be useful for the treatment of viral infections such as HCV infection. 

PMID- 24211845
TI  - Combination therapy with anti-CD6 and oral insulin immunization reverses recent
      onset diabetes in non obese diabetic mice but fails to induce lasting tolerance.

PMID- 24211843
TI  - Major pathogenic steps in human lupus can be effectively suppressed by
      nucleosomal histone peptide epitope-induced regulatory immunity.
AB  - Low-dose tolerance therapy with nucleosomal histone peptide epitopes blocks lupus
      disease in mouse models, but effect in humans is unknown. Herein, we found that
      CD4(+)CD25(high)FoxP3(+) or CD4(+)CD45RA(+)FoxP3(low) T-cells, and
      CD8(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T-cells were all induced durably in PBMCs from inactive
      lupus patients and healthy subjects by the histone peptide/s themselves, but in
      active lupus, dexamethasone or hydroxychloroquine unmasked Treg-induction by the
      peptides. The peptide-induced Treg depended on TGFbeta/ALK-5/pSmad 2/3 signaling,
      and they expressed TGF-beta precursor LAP. Lupus patients' sera did not inhibit
      Treg induction. The peptide epitope-induced T cells markedly suppressed type I
      IFN related gene expression in lupus PBMC. Finally, the peptide epitopes
      suppressed pathogenic autoantibody production by PBMC from active lupus patients
      to baseline levels by additional mechanisms besides Treg induction, and as
      potently as anti-IL6 antibody. Thus, low-dose histone peptide epitopes block
      pathogenic autoimmune response in human lupus by multiple mechanisms to restore a
      stable immunoregulatory state. 

PMID- 24211846
TI  - Major infections in a cohort of 120 patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus
      erythematosus.
AB  - In order to describe the incidence and characteristics of major infections in
      juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE), we studied a cohort of 120
      patients (51% Hispanic and 28% African American, 49% with renal involvement and
      12% with neuropsychiatric manifestations). There were 101 major infections
      affecting 44 patients (37%) for an incidence of 169/1000 patient-years of follow
      up. Active disease at jSLE diagnosis, renal involvement, neuropsychiatric
      manifestations, higher cumulative dose of prednisone, and treatment with
      cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil were all associated with major
      infection (p<0.05). By logistic regression, the combined effect of treatment with
      cyclophosphamide and cumulative dose of prednisone was associated with major
      infection (p=0.04). Two patients died, one due to cytomegalovirus infection.
      Major infection was associated with damage (p=0.004). In conclusion, in a large
      cohort of jSLE patients, major infections were common, were associated with
      active disease and its treatment, and resulted in noteworthy morbidity. 

PMID- 24211848
TI  - Emergence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Amreli District of Gujarat State,
      India, June to July 2013.
AB  - Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) etiology was detected in a family
      cluster (nine cases, including two deaths) in the village of Karyana, Amreli
      District, and also a fatal case in the village of Undra, Patan District, in
      Gujarat State, India. Anti-CCHFV IgG antibodies were detected in domestic animals
      from Karyana and adjoining villages. Hyalomma ticks from households were found to
      be positive for CCHF viral RNA. This confirms the emergence of CCHFV in new areas
      and the wide spread of this disease in Gujarat State. 

PMID- 24211847
TI  - Therapeutic polyclonal human CD8+ CD25+ Fox3+ TNFR2+ PD-L1+ regulatory cells
      induced ex-vivo.
AB  - We report that polyclonal CD8regs generated in one week ex-vivo with anti-CD3/28
      beads and cytokines rapidly developed suppressive activity in vitro sustained by
      TGF-beta. In immunodeficient mice, these CD8regs demonstrated a markedly
      protective, IL-10 dependent activity against a xeno-GVHD. They expressed IL
      2Ralpha/beta, Foxp3, TNFR2, and the negative co-stimulatory receptors CTLA-4, PD
      1, PD-L1 and Tim-3. Suppressive activity in vitro correlated better with TNFR2
      and PD-L1 than Foxp3. Blocking studies suggested that TNF enhanced PD-L1
      expression and the suppressive activity of the CD8regs generated. Unlike other
      polyclonal CD4 and CD8 Tregs, these CD8regs preferentially targeted allogeneic T
      cells, but they lacked cytotoxic activity against them even after sensitization.
      Unlike CD4regs, these CD8regs could produce IL-2 and proliferate while inhibiting
      target cells. If these CD8regs can persist in foreign hosts without impairing
      immune surveillance, they could serve as a practical remission-inducing product
      for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, graft-versus-host disease, and
      allograft rejection. 

PMID- 24211849
TI  - The value of an implicit self-associative measure specific to core beliefs of
      depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study examined differences in explicit and
      implicit measures of self-esteem between depressed patients and healthy controls
      using an indirect measurement procedure especially adapted to measure self-esteem
      aspects of core beliefs of depression. Furthermore, we examined whether our
      implicit and explicit self-associative measures were associated with each other
      and with depressive symptoms, and investigated the effect of a discrepancy
      between the implicit and explicit measure on depression. METHODS: Participants
      were 87 depressed patients and 30 healthy controls. The Self-Liking and Self
      Competence Scale was administered as a measure of explicit self-esteem. A
      depression-specific variant of the Single Category Implicit Association Test
      served as a measure of implicit self-esteem. RESULTS: Patients showed
      significantly lower levels of explicit self-esteem as compared to healthy
      controls. In spite of our adaptations, no differences were found on the implicit
      measure. The implicit measure of self-esteem was neither related to the explicit
      measure nor to depressive symptoms. Furthermore, although both the explicit
      measure of self-esteem and the difference score of the explicit and implicit
      measure were related to symptoms of depression, the relation between the explicit
      measure and depression was found to be significantly stronger. LIMITATIONS:
      Results should be interpreted with caution because it is not clear yet to what
      extent these implicit measures really reflect self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study suggests that only the explicit measure of self-esteem - and not the
      implicit - is related to depression. Future research using well-designed
      measurement procedures for obtaining implicit and explicit measures could
      contribute to a better insight in the nature of these constructs.

PMID- 24211850
TI  - Stress and trauma: BDNF control of dendritic-spine formation and regression.
AB  - Chronic restraint stress leads to increases in brain derived neurotrophic factor
      (BDNF) mRNA and protein in some regions of the brain, e.g. the basal lateral
      amygdala (BLA) but decreases in other regions such as the CA3 region of the
      hippocampus and dendritic spine density increases or decreases in line with these
      changes in BDNF. Given the powerful influence that BDNF has on dendritic spine
      growth, these observations suggest that the fundamental reason for the direction
      and extent of changes in dendritic spine density in a particular region of the
      brain under stress is due to the changes in BDNF there. The most likely cause of
      these changes is provided by the stress initiated release of steroids, which
      readily enter neurons and alter gene expression, for example that of BDNF. Of
      particular interest is how glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids tend to have
      opposite effects on BDNF gene expression offering the possibility that
      differences in the distribution of their receptors and of their downstream
      effects might provide a basis for the differential transcription of the BDNF
      genes. Alternatively, differences in the extent of methylation and acetylation in
      the epigenetic control of BDNF transcription are possible in different parts of
      the brain following stress. Although present evidence points to changes in BDNF
      transcription being the major causal agent for the changes in spine density in
      different parts of the brain following stress, steroids have significant effects
      on downstream pathways from the TrkB receptor once it is acted upon by BDNF,
      including those that modulate the density of dendritic spines. Finally, although
      glucocorticoids play a canonical role in determining BDNF modulation of dendritic
      spines, recent studies have shown a role for corticotrophin releasing factor
      (CRF) in this regard. There is considerable improvement in the extent of changes
      in spine size and density in rodents with forebrain specific knockout of CRF
      receptor 1 (CRFR1) even when the glucocorticoid pathways are left intact. It
      seems then that CRF does have a role to play in determining BDNF control of
      dendritic spines. 

PMID- 24211852
TI  - Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa localized to the arm receiving an infusion of
      abatacept.

PMID- 24211851
TI  - Autophagy and apoptosis dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders.
AB  - Autophagy and apoptosis are basic physiologic processes contributing to the
      maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Autophagy encompasses pathways that target
      long-lived cytosolic proteins and damaged organelles. It involves a sequential
      set of events including double membrane formation, elongation, vesicle maturation
      and finally delivery of the targeted materials to the lysosome. Apoptotic cell
      death is best described through its morphology. It is characterized by cell
      rounding, membrane blebbing, cytoskeletal collapse, cytoplasmic condensation, and
      fragmentation, nuclear pyknosis, chromatin condensation/fragmentation, and
      formation of membrane-enveloped apoptotic bodies, that are rapidly phagocytosed
      by macrophages or neighboring cells. Neurodegenerative disorders are becoming
      increasingly prevalent, especially in the Western societies, with larger
      percentage of members living to an older age. They have to be seen not only as a
      health problem, but since they are care-intensive, they also carry a significant
      economic burden. Deregulation of autophagy plays a pivotal role in the etiology
      and/or progress of many of these diseases. Herein, we briefly review the latest
      findings that indicate the involvement of autophagy in neurodegenerative
      diseases. We provide a brief introduction to autophagy and apoptosis pathways
      focusing on the role of mitochondria and lysosomes. We then briefly highlight
      pathophysiology of common neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's diseases,
      Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
      Then, we describe functions of autophagy and apoptosis in brain homeostasis,
      especially in the context of the aforementioned disorders. Finally, we discuss
      different ways that autophagy and apoptosis modulation may be employed for
      therapeutic intervention during the maintenance of neurodegenerative disorders. 

PMID- 24211853
TI  - The influence of various feeding patterns of emodin on growth, non-specific
      immune responses, and disease resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in juvenile
      Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala).
AB  - The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various feeding
      patterns of emodin on growth, non-specific immune response, and disease
      resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in juvenile Wuchang bream. Healthy Megalobrama
      amblycephala (initial weight: 3.47 +/- 0.032) were grown in a circulating water
      system for 8 weeks. Five groups were studied: one control group was fed with a
      basal diet for eight weeks (Pattern 1, P1), and three treatment groups were fed
      with a trial diet of 30 mg emodin kg(-1) at one-week (Pattern 2, P2), two-week
      (Pattern 3, P3), four-week (Pattern 4, P4) intervals. The final treatment group
      maintained the trial diet for the entire eight-week study duration (Pattern 5,
      P5). Results indicated that different feeding patterns of emodin significantly
      influenced the weight gain rate of Wuchang bream (P < 0.05). Fish in the P4
      treatment group had significantly higher rates of weight gain (WG) than those in
      other treatment groups. There were no significant differences in survival rates
      or feed conversion ratios (FCR) between treatment groups and the control group.
      White blood cell count (WBC), respiratory burst activity, superoxide dismutase
      (SOD) activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha) activity were shown to increase at first and then decrease from P3
      condition to P5 condition. Fish under P4 treatment showed the most significant
      improvement of all tested parameters compared to control. Significantly higher
      levels (P < 0.05) of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT) activity were observed in P2 and P4 treatment groups when
      compared with the control group, while no significant differences were observed
      in the AST and ALT activity of fish in P2, P3, P4 and P5 treatment groups. In a
      bacterial challenge experiment with A. hydrophila, fish under P4 and P5 treatment
      showed lower cumulative mortality than the control group. The results of this
      study suggest that an initial 4-week feeding interval is recommended for the
      economic and practical culture of M. amblycephala. 

PMID- 24211854
TI  - Percutaneous treatment of symptomatic aneurysmal bone cyst of L5 by percutaneous
      injection of osteoconductive material (Cerament).
AB  - We present a case report of a 33-year-old woman with back pain for several months
      which was resistant to medical treatment. Thoracolumbar MRI and multidetector CT
      showed an aneurysmal bone cyst intersecting the body and pedicles of L5.
      Minimally invasive treatment was performed with percutaneous injection of
      osteoconductive cement (Cerament) to induce sclerosis and bone remodeling of the
      bone cyst lesion with an analgesic effect. Before treatment, spinal angiography
      was performed to exclude arterial afferents. No bone biopsy was done. Under
      general anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance, a first vertebroplasty was
      performed by a bilateral transpedicular approach using the osteoconductive cement
      followed 2 months later by a second treatment with CT-fluoro-guided direct
      injection of Cerament. No complications occurred during the procedure. At 4 and 6
      months follow-up the MRI/CT showed sclerotic bone remodeling of the walls of the
      aneurysmal cyst with clinical improvement. 

PMID- 24211855
TI  - Comparison of the biological effects of MMS and Me-lex, a minor groove
      methylating agent: clarifying the role of N3-methyladenine.
AB  - N3-methyladenine (3-mA), generated by the reaction of methylating agents with
      DNA, is considered a highly toxic but weakly mutagenic lesion. However, due to
      its intrinsic instability, some of the biological effects of the adduct can
      result from the formation of the corresponding depurination product [an apurinic
      (AP)-site]. Previously, we exploited Me-lex, i.e. {1-methyl-4-[1-methyl-4-(3
      methoxysulfonylpropanamido)pyrrole-2-carboxamido]-pyrrole-2 carboxamido}propane,
      a minor groove equilibrium binder with selectivity for A/T rich sequences that
      efficiently reacts with DNA to afford 3-mA as the dominant product, to probe the
      biology of this lesion. Using human p53 cDNA as a target in a yeast system, a
      weak increase in mutagenicity was observed in the absence of Mag1 (3
      methyladenine-DNA glycosylase 1, mag1), the enzyme devoted to remove 3-mA from
      DNA. Moreover, a significant increase in mutagenicity occurred in the absence of
      the enzymes involved in the repair of AP-sites (AP endonucleases 1 and 2,
      apn1apn2). Since methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) has been extensively used to
      explore the biological effects of 3-mA, even though it produces 3-mA in low
      relative yield, we compared the toxicity and mutagenicity induced by MMS and Me
      lex in yeast. A mutagenesis reporter plasmid was damaged in vitro by MMS and then
      transformed into wild-type and Translesion Synthesis (TLS) Polzeta (REV3) and
      Poleta (RAD30) deficient strains. Furthermore, a mag1rad30 double mutant strain
      was constructed and transformed with the DNA plasmid damaged in vitro by Me-lex.
      The results confirm the important role of Polzeta in the mutagenic bypass of MMS
      and Me-lex induced lesions, with Poleta contributing only towards the bypass of
      Me-lex induced lesions, mainly in an error-free way. Previous and present results
      point towards the involvement of AP-sites, derived from the depurination of 3-mA,
      in the observed toxicity and mutagenicity.

PMID- 24211856
TI  - Photoreceptors in whirler mice show defective transducin translocation and are
      susceptible to short-term light/dark changes-induced degeneration.
AB  - Usher syndrome combines congenital hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
      Mutations in the whirlin gene (DFNB31/WHRN) cause a subtype of Usher syndrome
      (USH2D). Whirler mice have a defective whirlin gene. They have inner ear defects
      but usually do not develop retinal degeneration. Here we report that, in whirler
      mouse photoreceptors, the light-activated rod transducin translocation is delayed
      and its activation threshold is shifted to a higher level. Rhodopsin mis
      localization is observed in rod inner segments. Continuous moderate light
      exposure can induce significant rod photoreceptor degeneration. Whirler mice
      reared under a 1500 lux light/dark cycle also develop severe photoreceptor
      degeneration. Previously, we have reported that shaker1 mice, a USH1B model, show
      moderate light-induced photoreceptor degeneration with delayed transducin
      translocation. Here, we further show that, in both whirler and shaker1 mice,
      short-term moderate light/dark changes can induce rod degeneration as severe as
      that induced by continuous light exposure. The results from shaker1 and whirler
      mice suggest that defective transducin translocation may be functionally related
      to light-induced degeneration, and these two symptoms may be caused by defects in
      Usher protein function in rods. Furthermore, these results indicate that both
      Usher syndrome mouse models possess a light-induced retinal phenotype and may
      share a closely related pathobiological mechanism. 

PMID- 24211857
TI  - A randomized controlled trial of the conventional technique versus the no-touch
      isolation technique for primary tumor resection in patients with colorectal
      cancer: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG1006.
AB  - A randomized controlled trial is currently being conducted in Japan to
      demonstrate the superiority of the no-touch isolation technique over the
      conventional technique for patients with potentially curative colon and
      rectosigmoid cancer. The conventional technique procedure gives first priority to
      mobilization of the tumor-bearing segment of the colon, which is followed by
      central vascular ligation and ligation of other vasculature. Conversely, the no
      touch isolation technique gives first priority to central vascular ligation,
      which is followed by mobilization of the tumor-bearing segment of the colon. A
      total of 850 patients will be enrolled in this trial. The primary endpoint is
      disease-free survival. Secondary endpoints are overall survival, relapse-free
      survival, liver metastasis-free survival, mode of recurrence, surgical morbidity,
      adverse events due to postoperative chemotherapy, serious adverse events and
      short-term clinical outcomes. 

PMID- 24211858
TI  - Antagonism of the adenosine A2A receptor attenuates akathisia-like behavior
      induced with MP-10 or aripiprazole in a novel non-human primate model.
AB  - Akathisia is a subset of the larger antipsychotic side effect profile known as
      extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS). It is associated with antipsychotic treatment and
      is characterized as a feeling of inner restlessness that results in a compulsion
      to move. There are currently no primate models available to assess drug-induced
      akathisia; the present research was designed to address this shortcoming. We
      developed a novel rating scale based on both the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale
      (BARS) and the Hillside Akathisia Scale (HAS) to measure the objective,
      observable incidence of antipsychotic-induced akathisia-like behavior in Cebus
      apella non-human primates (NHPs). To induce akathisia, we administered the
      atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole (1 mg/kg) or the selective phosphodiesterase
      10A (PDE10A) inhibitor MP-10 (1-3 mg/kg). Treatment with both compounds produced
      significantly greater akathisia scores on the rating scale than vehicle
      treatment. Characteristic behaviors observed included vocalizations,
      stereotypies, teeth grinding, restless limb movements, and hyperlocomotion.
      Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists have previously been shown to be effective in
      blocking antipsychotic-induced EPS in primates. The selective A2A receptor
      antagonist, SCH 412348 (10-30 mg/kg), effectively reduced or reversed akathisia
      like behavior induced by both aripiprazole and MP-10. This work represents the
      first NHP measurement scale of akathisia and demonstrates that NHPs are
      responsive to akathisia-inducing agents. As such, it provides a useful tool for
      the preclinical assessment of putative antipsychotics. In addition, these results
      provide further evidence of the utility of A2A receptor antagonists for the
      treatment of antipsychotic-induced movement disorders.

PMID- 24211859
TI  - Antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide particles on five micro-organisms of the
      Challenge Tests related to their physicochemical properties.
AB  - Zinc oxide is commonly used in pharmaceutical products to prevent or treat
      topical or systemic diseases owing to its antimicrobial properties, but it is
      scarcely used as preservative in topical formulations. The aim of this work was
      to investigate the antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide (ZnO) powders on the five
      microbial strains used for Challenge Tests in order to evaluate this inorganic
      compound as a preservative in topical formulation and assess relationships
      between the structural parameters of ZnO particles and their antimicrobial
      activity. For this purpose, the physicochemical characteristics of three ZnO
      grades were measured and their antimicrobial efficacy against the following micro
      organisms - Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
      Candida albicans; Aspergillus brasiliensis - was assessed using disc diffusion
      susceptibility tests and a broth dilution method. The comprehensive dataset of
      physicochemical characteristics and antimicrobial activities (MIC and MBC) is
      discussed regarding methodological issues related to the particulate nature of
      ZnO and structure-activity relationships. Every ZnO grade showed bactericidal and
      antifungal activity against the five tested micro-organisms in a concentration
      dependent manner. ZnO particles with smaller size, larger specific area and
      higher porosity exhibit higher antimicrobial activity. Such trends are related to
      their mechanisms of antimicrobial activity. 

PMID- 24211861
TI  - A multivariate analysis and statistical model for predicting visual acuity and
      keratometry one year after cross-linking for keratoconus.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate putative prognostic factors for predicting visual acuity
      and keratometry 1 year following corneal cross-linking (CXL) for treating
      keratoconus. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: This study included all
      consecutively treated keratoconus patients (102 eyes) in 1 academic treatment
      center, with minimal 1-year follow-up following CXL. Primary treatment outcomes
      were corrected distance visual acuity (logMAR CDVA) and maximum keratometry
      (K(max)). Univariable analyses were performed to determine correlations between
      baseline parameters and follow-up measurements. Correlating factors (P <= .20)
      were then entered into a multivariable linear regression analysis, and a model
      for predicting CDVA and K(max) was created. RESULTS: Atopic constitution,
      positive family history, and smoking were not independent factors affecting CXL
      outcomes. Multivariable analysis identified cone eccentricity as a major factor
      for predicting K(max) outcome (beta coefficient = 0.709, P = .02), whereas age,
      sex, and baseline keratometry were not independent contributors. Posttreatment
      visual acuity could be predicted based on pretreatment visual acuity (beta
      coefficient = -0.621, P < .01, R(2) = 0.45). Specifically, a low visual acuity
      predicts visual improvement. A prediction model for K(max) did not accurately
      estimate treatment outcomes (R(2) = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the
      role of cone eccentricity with respect to the improvement of corneal curvature
      following CXL. Visual acuity outcome can be predicted accurately based on
      pretreatment visual acuity. Age, sex, and K(max) are debated as independent
      factors for predicting the outcome of treating keratoconus with CXL.

PMID- 24211860
TI  - An update on anorectal disorders for gastroenterologists.
AB  - Gastroenterologists frequently encounter pelvic floor disorders, which affect 10%
      to 15% of the population. The anorectum is a complex organ that collaborates with
      the pelvic floor muscles to preserve fecal continence and enable defecation. A
      careful clinical assessment is critical for the diagnosis and management of
      defecatory disorders and fecal incontinence. Newer diagnostic tools (eg, high
      resolution manometry and magnetic resonance defecography) provide a refined
      understanding of anorectal dysfunctions and identify phenotypes in defecatory
      disorders and fecal incontinence. Conservative approaches, including biofeedback
      therapy, are the mainstay for managing these disorders; new minimally invasive
      approaches may benefit a subset of patients with fecal incontinence, but more
      controlled studies are needed. This mini-review highlights advances, current
      concepts, and controversies in the area. 

PMID- 24211862
TI  - Hemorrhagic retinal infarction due to inadvertent overdose of cefuroxime in cases
      of complicated cataract surgery: retrospective case series.
AB  - PURPOSE: To present 4 patients that developed hemorrhagic retinal infarction
      attributable to inadvertent overdose of cefuroxime after cataract surgery.
      DESIGN: Case series. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Surgery in 4 patients was complicated
      the posterior capsule was absent or torn-and anterior vitrectomy was performed.
      Cefuroxime was inadvertently injected at a dose higher than recommended in all 4
      cases. RESULTS: Case 1 had hemorrhage in the central and inferior retinal
      regions, as well as optic atrophy. Case 2 had hemorrhage in the peripapillary and
      macular regions, as well as optic atrophy. Case 3 had hemorrhage in the
      peripapillary and inferior retinal regions, as well as macular pucker
      attributable to fibrovascular formation in the central retinal region. Case 4 had
      hemorrhage in the peripapillary, macular, and inferior retinal regions. The
      cefuroxime doses administered to the presented patients were much higher than
      reported in other cases and resulted in a higher concentration in the vitreous.
      Consequently, the severity of toxicity was much higher than in other reported
      cases of cefuroxime-induced toxicity. CONCLUSION: In cases of intracameral
      cefuroxime overdose, hemorrhagic retinal infarction can develop after cataract
      surgery.

PMID- 24211864
TI  - Corneal changes in xeroderma pigmentosum: a clinicopathologic report.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the clinicopathologic features of corneal involvement in
      patients with xeroderma pigmentosum. DESIGN: Retrospective review of corneal
      histopathology. METHODS: Thirteen corneal specimens of 11 patients with xeroderma
      pigmentosum who underwent keratoplasty (lamellar/full-thickness) for corneal
      involvement were studied. Five-micrometer-thick sections were made from all the
      samples and stained using hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff stains. A
      light microscopic examination was performed to study the histopathologic changes.
      RESULTS: The corneal findings on clinical examination were haze, scarring,
      vascularization, stromal edema, pigment clumps on endothelial surface, and
      corneal thinning. The histopathologic evaluation revealed changes in all layers
      of cornea. Epithelial changes seen were intraepithelial edema, fibrosis,
      epithelial downgrowths, and pannus formation. The Bowman membrane was fragmented
      or absent. Stroma was characterized by alteration in the lamellar pattern,
      scarring, edema, loss of keratocytic nuclei, and calcification. The Descemet
      membrane was thickened to a variable extent in most specimens and there was
      marked loss of endothelial cells in all. CONCLUSION: Most histologic features are
      consistent with the previous few reports. The remarkable finding in all corneal
      specimens was a moderate to severe degree of loss of the endothelial cells. This
      noteworthy finding supports the ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced endothelial
      cell damage in these patients. This has an important clinical implication when
      planning for anterior lamellar keratoplasty, as endothelial cell density may be
      subnormal in these patients.

PMID- 24211863
TI  - Evaluation of a thermosensitive atelocollagen punctal plug treatment for dry eye
      disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a thermosensitive atelocollagen punctal plug
      in the treatment of dry eye disease. DESIGN: Prospective observational case
      series. METHODS: The thermosensitive atelocollagen punctal plug was warmed at 37
      C, 39 C, 41 C, and 43 C to evaluate the appropriate temperature and time for
      solidification. Dry eye patients were divided into 2 groups according to the
      preparation method of the atelocollagen punctal plug. In the conventional
      implantation group, atelocollagen gel was kept at room temperature for 15 minutes
      before implantation (27 eyes of 14 patients). In the preheating group,
      atelocollagen was warmed at 41 C for 8 minutes before implantation (23 eyes of 13
      dry eye patients). Strip meniscometry, vital stainings, tear film break-up time
      (BUT), and symptom scores were evaluated before and 1 month after plug
      implantation. RESULTS: In vitro experiments revealed that heating at 41 C for 8
      minutes was sufficient to solidify the gel. The mean fluorescein score in the
      conventional implantation group significantly improved after treatment (before,
      3.5 +/- 2.3 points; after, 2.5 +/- 0.9 points, P < .05). In the preheating group,
      the mean fluorescein score (before, 3.7 +/- 1.7 points; after, 1.5 +/- 1.2
      points), strip meniscometry (before, 0.6 +/- 0.7 mm; after, 1.1 +/- 0.3 mm), BUT
      (before, 3.2 +/- 0.7 seconds; after, 4.8 +/- 1.0 seconds), and visual analog
      scale scores (before, 6.6 +/- 1.5 points; after, 4.1 +/- 0.9 points)
      significantly improved after treatment (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The thermosensitive
      atelocollagen punctal plug was effective for dry eye treatment. The preheating
      method was found to be useful to strengthen the efficacy of the thermosensitive
      atelocollagen punctal plug.

PMID- 24211865
TI  - Intravitreal bevacizumab for nonsubfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated
      with angioid streaks.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injections in the
      treatment of nonsubfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with
      angioid streaks. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, interventional, prospective case series.
      METHODS: Fifteen patients (15 eyes) affected by juxtafoveal or extrafoveal CNV
      secondary to angioid streaks were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent a
      complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity
      (BCVA) measurement on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart,
      optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FA). The
      protocol treatment included a first injection, followed by repeated injections
      over a 12-month follow-up period on the basis of the detection of new hemorrhage
      on biomicroscopic examination, any type of fluid on OCT, or presence of leakage
      on FA. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean changes in BCVA and proportion of eyes
      gaining at least 10 letters (2 ETDRS lines) at the end of the follow-up.
      SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Mean changes of central macular thickness (CMT) and extension
      to the fovea. RESULTS: Mean BCVA did not change throughout the follow-up period,
      being 0.2 +/- 0.2 logMAR at baseline and 0.2 +/- 0.3 logMAR at the 12-month
      examination. A functional improvement of at least 2 ETDRS lines was achieved by 5
      eyes (33%), with 3 eyes (20%) gaining 3 lines. Mean CMT at baseline was 215 +/-
      13 MUm and 225 +/- 85 MUm at the 12-month examination. Two eyes (13.3%) showed
      CNV extension to the fovea. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection can
      be a beneficial approach for the management of nonsubfoveal CNV secondary to
      angioid streaks over a 1-year follow-up.

PMID- 24211866
TI  - The activation of p38 and JNK by ROS, contribute to OLO-2-mediated intrinsic
      apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
AB  - In this study, we describe that a novel synthesized compound, olean-28,13beta
      olide 2 (OLO-2), exhibits selective cytotoxic activity via inducing apoptosis in
      human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines but not normal human hepatic
      cells in vitro. Exposure of human HCC HepG2 cells to OLO-2 results in significant
      loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim), the release of
      cytochrome c, the recruitment of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) assaciated X protein
      (Bax) and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The apoptosis induced by OLO-2 is
      associated with the activation of caspase-3/9 and the nuclear translocation of
      apoptosis inducing factor (AIF). Moreover, the increase of phosphorylated p38 and
      c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is observed. OLO-2-induced the externalization of
      phosphatidyl-serine (PS) and the loss of DeltaPsim are blocked by p38 inhibitor
      SB203580 or JNK inhibitor SP600125. In addition, OLO-2 provokes the generation of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 cells, while the antioxidant N-acetyl
      cysteine (NAC) almost completely blocks OLO-2-induced apoptosis and the
      activation of p38 and JNK. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that
      OLO-2 exhibits its cytotoxic activity through intrinsic apoptosis via ROS
      generation and the activation of p38 and JNK. Its potential to be a candidate of
      anti-cancer agent is worth being further investigated. 

PMID- 24211868
TI  - Mrs Auguste D{eter} demise in 1906 was in Aminoff suffering syndrome.

PMID- 24211867
TI  - Modulation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling attenuates periapical bone lesions.
AB  - Wnt/beta-catenin signaling plays an important role in bone biology. The present
      study investigated the involvement of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in rat
      periapical bone destruction and whether lithium chloride (LiCl), a glycogen
      synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) inhibitor, promotes bone restoration. Rat bone
      marrow mesenchymal cells (BMMSCs) treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis
      lipopolysaccharide (Pg LPS) showed decreased osteogenic potential through
      inhibited Wnt/beta-catenin signaling as quantified by Western blot,
      immunofluorescence, and luciferase reporter assay. Transient Wnt3a treatment in
      vitro partially restored mineralization and Runx2/Osx and osteocalcin expression
      in cultures with Pg LPS-induced osteogenic arrest. Prolonged Wnt3a treatment
      impaired osteogenic commitment. X-ray microtomography showed dramatically
      enhanced periapical bone formation in rats gavage-fed with LiCl for 2 wks, while
      continuous LiCl treatment for 4 wks impaired periapical bone healing. LiCl
      treatment also increased GSK-3beta phosphorylation and osteocalcin expression in
      periapical tissue. Collectively, these results indicate that Wnt/beta-catenin has
      dichotomous functions in bone homeostasis. Modulation of this signaling pathway
      by LiCl may be a potential therapeutic option for bone destruction in endodontic
      disease.

PMID- 24211869
TI  - Practices used in Israel by nurses who care during hospitalization for older
      patients with dementia or who are bedridden.
AB  - The study's purpose was to examine (a) bedside nurses' care practices when
      providing care to patients with dementia or those who are physically disabled and
      (b) the extent to which these actions vary by type of hospital, type of ward, and
      nurse's characteristics. The sample included 265 nurses in internal medicine and
      geriatric wards in 2 general hospitals in Israel. The results showed that the
      most prevalent practices were giving greater attention to these patients,
      locating them in a room near the nurses' station and asking family members to
      stay with the patient or to hire paid carers. Use of restraints was more
      prevalent in patients with dementia than those who were physically disabled. Use
      of specific practices significantly varied by type of ward and hospital,
      suggesting that nurses' care practices are more connected with organizational
      characteristics than other factors.

PMID- 24211870
TI  - Comparing tomographic EEG neurofeedback and EMG biofeedback in children with
      attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
AB  - Two types of biofeedback (BF), tomographic electroencephalogram (EEG)
      neurofeedback (NF) and electromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BF), both with phasic
      and tonic protocols, were compared for treatment effects and specificity in
      attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Thirteen children with ADHD
      trained their brain activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and twelve
      trained activity of arm muscles involved in fine motor skills. In each training
      session, resting state 24-channel EEG and training performances were recorded.
      Both groups showed similar behavioral improvements and artifact reduction in
      selected conditions, with no significant advantages despite medium effect sizes
      on primary outcomes for NF. Only the EMG-BF group, however, showed clear
      improvement in training regulation performance, and specific motor coordination
      effects. The NF group tended to present individual normalization of trained
      frequency bands in the ACC during rest across training. The results provide
      evidence for some specific effects in our small sample, albeit only to a small
      extent. 

PMID- 24211871
TI  - Muramyl dipeptide potentiates staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid induction of
      cyclooxygenase-2 expression in macrophages.
AB  - Gram-positive bacteria contain lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PGN)
      layers, both of which are considered as major virulence factors associated with
      inflammation. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in the
      inflammation by generating prostaglandins at infections. Since LTA and PGN are
      thought to cooperate in the establishment of inflammation, we examined the
      ability of staphylococcal LTA (Sa.LTA) to induce COX-2 expression in the presence
      of muramyl dipeptide (MDP), which is the minimal structural unit of PGN required
      for inflammation, in macrophages. While MDP failed to induce COX-2 expression,
      Sa.LTA alone was sufficient to induce COX-2 production. Treatment with MDP
      enhanced Sa.LTA-induced COX-2 and prostaglandin E2 production. The cooperative
      effect between Sa.LTA and MDP was not observed in COX-2 expression by macrophages
      derived from Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)- or nucleotide-binding oligomerization
      domain 2 (NOD2)-deficient mice. In addition, MDP enhanced Sa.LTA-induced
      activation of the transcription factors NF-kappaB and CRE, which are known to
      modulate COX-2 gene transcription. Conclusively, these results suggest that MDP
      and Sa.LTA cooperatively induce inflammatory response by overproducing COX-2
      through NOD2 and TLR2. 

PMID- 24211872
TI  - Implications of HIV RNA structure for recombination, speciation, and the
      neutralism-selectionism controversy.
AB  - The conflict between the needs to encode both a protein (impaired by non
      synonymous mutation), and nucleic acid structure (impaired by synonymous or non
      synonymous mutation), can sometimes be resolved in favour of the nucleic acid
      because its structure is critical for a selectively advantageous genome-wide
      activity--recombination. However, above a sequence difference threshold,
      recombination is impaired. It may then be advantageous for new species to arise.
      Building on the work of Grantham and others critical of the neutralist viewpoint,
      heuristic support for this hypothesis emerged from studies of the base
      composition and structure of retroviral genomes. The extreme enrichment in the
      purine A of the RNA of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), parallels the mild
      purine-loading of the RNAs of most organisms, for which there is an adaptive
      explanation--immune evasion. However, human T cell leukaemia virus (HTLV-1), with
      the potential to invade the same host cell, shows extreme enrichment in the
      pyrimidine C. Assuming the low GC% HIV and the high GC% HTLV-1 to share a common
      ancestor, it was postulated that differences in GC% had arisen to prevent
      homologous recombination between these emerging lentiviral species. Sympatrically
      isolated by this intracellular reproductive barrier, prototypic HIV-1 seized the
      AU-rich (low GC%) high ground (thus committing to purine A rather than purine G).
      Prototypic HTLV-1 forwent this advantage and evolved an independent evolutionary
      strategy--similar to that of the GC%-rich Epstein-Barr virus--profound latency
      maintained by transcription of one purine-rich mRNA. The evidence supporting
      these interpretations is reviewed.

PMID- 24211873
TI  - SitA contributes to the virulence of Klebsiella pneumoniae in a mouse infection
      model.
AB  - Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen, which causes a wide range of
      nosocomial infections. Recently, antibiotic resistance makes K. pneumoniae
      infection difficult to deal with. Investigation on virulence determinants of K.
      pneumoniae can provide more information about pathogenesis and unveil new targets
      for treatment or vaccine development. In this study, SitA, a Fur-regulated
      divalent cation transporter, was found significantly increased when K. pneumoniae
      was cultured in a nutrient-limited condition. A sitA-deletion strain (DeltasitA)
      was created to characterize the importance of SitA in virulence. DeltasitA showed
      higher sensitivity toward hydroperoxide than its parental strain. In a mouse
      intraperitoneal infection model, the survival rate of mice infected with
      DeltasitA strain increased greatly when compared with that of mice infected with
      the parental strain, suggesting that sitA deletion attenuates the bacterial
      virulence in vivo. To test whether DeltasitA strain is a potential vaccine
      candidate, mice were immunized with inactivated bacteria and then challenged with
      the wild-type strain. The results showed that using DeltasitA mutant protected
      mice better than using the wild-type strain or the capsule-negative congenic
      bacteria. In summary, SitA was found being important for the growth of K.
      pneumoniae in vivo and deleting sitA might be a potential approach to generate
      vaccines against K. pneumoniae. 

PMID- 24211875
TI  - Frontiers in biomedical engineering and biotechnology.
AB  - The 2nd International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology
      (iCBEB 2013), held in Wuhan on 11-13 October 2013, is an annual conference that
      aims at providing an opportunity for international and national researchers and
      practitioners to present the most recent advances and future challenges in the
      fields of Biomedical Information, Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology. The
      papers published by this issue are selected from this conference, which witnesses
      the frontier in the field of Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology, which
      particularly has helped improving the level of clinical diagnosis in medical
      work.

PMID- 24211876
TI  - Mitral valve function following ischemic cardiomyopathy: a biomechanical
      perspective.
AB  - Ischemic mitral valve (MV) is a common complication of pathologic remodeling of
      the left ventricle due to acute and chronic coronary artery diseases. It
      frequently represents the pathologic consequences of increased tethering forces
      and reduced coaptation of the MV leaflets. Ischemic MV function has been
      investigated from a biomechanical perspective using finite element-based
      computational MV evaluation techniques. A virtual 3D MV model was created
      utilizing 3D echocardiographic data in a patient with normal MV. Two types of
      ischemic MVs containing asymmetric medial-dominant or symmetric leaflet tenting
      were modeled by altering the configuration of the normal papillary muscle (PM)
      locations. Computational simulations of MV function were performed using dynamic
      finite element methods, and biomechanical information across the MV apparatus was
      evaluated. The ischemic MV with medial-dominant leaflet tenting demonstrated
      distinct large stress distributions in the posteromedial commissural region due
      to the medial PM displacement toward the apical-medial direction resulting in a
      lack of leaflet coaptation. In the ischemic MV with balanced leaflet tenting,
      mitral incompetency with incomplete leaflet coaptation was clearly identified all
      around the paracommissural regions. This computational MV evaluation strategy has
      the potential for improving diagnosis of ischemic mitral regurgitation and
      treatment of ischemic MVs. 

PMID- 24211877
TI  - Measurement of salivary cortisol by a chemiluminescent organic-based
      immunosensor.
AB  - A highly sensitive chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) using a sensitive organic
      photodetector was developed to detect human cortisol, an important biomarker for
      stress-related diseases. The developed CLIA was performed onto gold-coated glass
      chips, on which anti-cortisol antibodies were immobilised and chemiluminescent
      horseradish peroxidase-luminol-peroxide reactions were generated. Using cortisol
      spiked artificial saliva samples, the CLIA biosensor showed a linear range of
      detection between 0.1 ng/mL and 175 ng/mL and a detection limit of 80 pg/mL. The
      sensor response was highly specific to cortisol and did not vary significantly
      between assays. The results indicate the potential clinical application of the
      CLIA sensor. Furthermore, the simple layered structure of the organic
      photodetector may encourage the realisation of integrated optical biosensors for
      point-of-use measurement of salivary cortisol levels. 

PMID- 24211878
TI  - Urea biosensor based on an extended-base bipolar junction transistor.
AB  - In this study, a urea biosensor was prepared by the immobilization of urease onto
      the sensitive membrane of an extended-base bipolar junction transistor. The pH
      variation was used to detect the concentration of urea. The SnO2/ITO glass,
      fabricated by sputtering SnO2 on the conductive ITO glass, was used as a pH
      sensitive membrane, which was connected with a commercial bipolar junction
      transistor device. The gels, fabricated by the poly vinyl alcohol with pendent
      styrylpyridinium groups, were used to immobilize the urease. This readout
      circuit, fabricated in a 0.35-um CMOS 2P4M process, operated at 3.3V supply
      voltage. This circuit occupied an area of 1.0 mm * 0.9 mm. The dynamic range of
      the urea biosensor was from 1.4 to 64 mg/dl at the 10 mM phosphate buffer
      solution and the sensitivity of this range was about 65.8 mV/pUrea. The effect of
      urea biosensors with different pH values was considered, and the characteristics
      of urea biosensors based on EBBJT were described. 

PMID- 24211879
TI  - Interactive cell segmentation based on phase contrast optics.
AB  - Cell segmentation in phase contrast microscopy images lays a crucial foundation
      for numerous subsequent computer-aided cell image analysis, but it encounters
      many unsolved challenges due to image qualities and artifacts caused by phase
      contrast optics. Addressing the unsolved challenges, the authors propose an
      interactive cell segmentation scheme over phase retardation features. After
      partitioning the images into phase homogeneous atoms, human annotations are
      propagated to unlabeled atoms over an affinity graph that is learned based on
      discrimination analysis. Then, an active query strategy is proposed for which the
      most informative unlabeled atom is selected for annotation, which is also
      propagated to the other unlabeled atoms. Cell segmentation converges to quality
      results after several rounds of interactions involving both the user's intentions
      and characteristics of image features. Experimental results demonstrate that
      cells with different optical properties are well segmented via the proposed
      approach. 

PMID- 24211880
TI  - New clinical failure mode triggered by a new coronary stent design.
AB  - Longitudinal stent compression (LSC) is a new failure mode not previously
      observed in coronary stents. This phenomenon occurs when the physician tries to
      cross the deployed stent with other devices. While this phenomenon has been
      observed with a number of stent designs, it seems more common with the Element
      stent. A computational LSC model using finite element analysis was developed.
      Computational simulations were performed on two representative coronary stents in
      the current market resembling Element and Endeavor in attempts to quantify
      individual contribution of the stent design pattern and connector number on LSC.
      Simulation results show that the connector number plays the most significant role
      in the development of the LSC issue. The LSC could be easily tripled for the
      Element stent simply by increasing the connector number from two to three. The
      stent design pattern plays a secondary role in LSC. The LSC could be improved by
      up to 30% when the design pattern changes from the offset peak-to-peak design
      (Element) to the peak-to-peak design (Endeavor). Conclusions obtained from this
      paper may help clinical stent selection and future stent design optimization to
      reduce the risk associated with longitudinal stent compression. 

PMID- 24211881
TI  - Single-slice reconstruction method for helical cone-beam differential phase
      contrast CT.
AB  - X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PC-CT) can provide the internal
      structure information of biomedical specimens with high-quality cross-section
      images and has become an invaluable analysis tool. Here a simple and fast
      reconstruction algorithm is reported for helical cone-beam differential PC-CT
      (DPC-CT), which is called the DPC-CB-SSRB algorithm. It combines the existing CB
      SSRB method of helical cone-beam absorption-contrast CT with the differential
      nature of DPC imaging. The reconstruction can be performed using 2D fan-beam
      filtered back projection algorithm with the Hilbert imaginary filter. The quality
      of the results for large helical pitches is surprisingly good. In particular,
      with this algorithm comparable quality is obtained using helical cone-beam DPC-CT
      data with a normalized pitch of 10 to that obtained using the traditional inter
      row interpolation reconstruction with a normalized pitch of 2. This method will
      push the future medical helical cone-beam DPC-CT imaging applications. 

PMID- 24211882
TI  - Automatic detection of microcalcifications using mathematical morphology and a
      support vector machine.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a novel method for the detection of microcalcifications
      using mathematical morphology and a support vector machine (SVM). First, the
      contrast in the original mammogram was improved by gamma correction and two
      carefully designed structural elements were used to enhance any
      microcalcifications. Next, the potential regions were extracted using our
      proposed dual-threshold technique. Finally, a SVM classifier was used to reduce
      the number of false positives. The performance of the proposed method was
      evaluated using the MIAS database. The experimental results demonstrated the
      efficiency and effectiveness of our method. 

PMID- 24211883
TI  - A novel liposomal nanomedicine for nitric oxide delivery and breast cancer
      treatment.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer occurring among women in the
      United States. Nitric oxide (NO) is endogenous signaling molecules that regulate
      biological processes. NO has the potential to induce either cancer progression or
      cancer cell apoptosis depending on intra-tumoral NO concentration. High levels of
      NO have a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. A novel cytotoxic gas delivery system
      has been developed using NO-loaded echogenic liposomes (ELIP) for breast cancer
      treatment. Empty ELIP and NO-ELIP were prepared using the previously developed
      freezing-under-pressure method with modified lipid composition. Echogenicity of
      NO-ELIP was measured to determine the stability of NO-ELIP. Two types of breast
      cancer cell (BCC) lines, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468, were utilized. MTT assay was
      performed after NO-ELIP treatment to determine BCC viability. Echogenicity data
      demonstrated improved stability of NO-ELIP with the use of BSA for resuspension
      of NO-ELIP. Cell death induced by NO-ELIP was not from lipid cytotoxicity but
      from NO. The cytotoxic effect of NO-ELIP on BCC was highly dependent on NO-ELIP
      concentration. NO-ELIP in concentration of 1.0-2.0 mg/ml induced dramatically
      decreased BCC viability. This novel cytotoxic gas delivery nanomedicine using
      liposomal carriers, NO-ELIP, has the potential to provide improved therapeutic
      effect for breast cancer treatment. 

PMID- 24211884
TI  - A resident's behavior simulation model for nursing home healthcare services.
AB  - The design of elaborate healthcare services is becoming increasingly difficult in
      today's nursing home. In this work, we develop a model that simulates the nursing
      home residents' behavior to assist the facility planners in making fair and
      feasible management. Since a series of activities constituted one behavior, every
      activity is performed in a time interval and then starts next activity
      consequently. Whether the resident's activity posed at any particular state, its
      future behavior is always having the same occurrence probability regardless of
      how it positioned in that state. This simulation model used exponential
      distribution to produce the stochastic activity interval for each activity. The
      activity transitions can be formalized through a randomized probability with
      respect to each activity frequency (AF). In the simulation model, the
      characteristics of nursing home residents' activities can be generated to
      simulate a large scaled resident's behavior and aid the facility managers in
      providing higher quality of healthcare services. 

PMID- 24211885
TI  - Identification of microfluidic two-phase flow patterns in lab-on-chip devices.
AB  - This work describes a capacitive sensor for identification of microfluidic two
      phase flow in lab-on-chip devices. With interdigital electrodes and thin
      insulation layer utilized, this sensor is capable of being integrated with the
      microsystems easily. Transducing principle and design considerations are
      presented with respect to the microfluidic gas/liquid flow patterns. Numerical
      simulation results verify the operational principle. And the factors affecting
      the performance of the sensor are discussed. Besides, a feasible process flow for
      the fabrication is also proposed. 

PMID- 24211886
TI  - 4D-CT reconstruction based on pulmonary average CT values.
AB  - To date, commercial 4D-CT systems typically depend on an external respiratory
      monitoring device. Immobilizing patients in a thermoplastic mask while receiving
      radiotherapy may result in a failure of 4D-CT reconstruction. The aim of this
      study is to investigate the feasibility of 4D-CT reconstruction based on a method
      using pulmonary average CT values (ACV) without an external respiratory
      monitoring device. The ACV of the whole lung assumes cyclical variation during
      respiration. Phases of CT images were identified by calculating the ACV over
      time. Subsequently, five sets of 4D-CT images based on a Real-time Position
      Management (RPM) system were selected to verify the ACV method. The entire lung
      CT datasets of another sixteen free-breathing patients were acquired in Cine scan
      mode for multiple couch positions. The phase of every CT image was identified and
      re-sorted into different phase 4D-CT volumes by analyzing the time dependence of
      the corresponding ACVs. This paper demonstrates the ACV method using the 4D-CT
      data sets based on the RPM system. Convenient and reliable 4D-CT reconstruction
      can be accomplished without any external respiratory monitoring device using
      ACVs. 

PMID- 24211887
TI  - Poly-silicon nanowire sensor for sodium chloride concentration measurement.
AB  - In this paper, the poly-Si nanowire sensor was fabricated by top-down technique
      for sodium chloride concentration measurement. The results showed that the
      smallest threshold voltage and the best resolution were 1.65 V and 0.41 MUM,
      respectively. Furthermore, the sensor can be reused more than 50 times which
      maintained acceptable performance and showed good linearity of the calibration
      within wide range of the concentration. Based on these results, it can be
      concluded that the proposed sensor has great potential to be used for measuring
      complicated sample with suitable modification on the surface of nanowires. 

PMID- 24211888
TI  - Performance improved method for subtracted blood volume spectrometry using
      empirical mode decomposition.
AB  - Subtracted blood volume spectrometry (SBVS) can eliminate the background
      information in near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) noninvasive biochemical sensing.
      However, the spectrum obtained by this method is accompanied by serious noises
      which are to the disadvantage of the calibration models. Empirical mode
      decomposition (EMD) was applied to restrict the noises in order to improve the
      performance of subtracted blood volume spectrometry. Certain criteria were used
      to evaluate the performance of the method, such as the average correlation
      coefficient, and the average and standard deviation of the Euclidean distance.
      EMD was applied to three subtracted spectra with different DeltaL, and the
      criteria were calculated accordingly. All of the criteria were improvement.
      Especially for the subtracted spectra with DeltaL=0.5mm, the correlation
      coefficient increased from 0.9970 to 0.9999, the average Euclidean distance
      decreased from 0.0265 to 0.0118, and the standard deviation of the Euclidean
      distance decreased from 0.0148 to 0.0033 after EMD filtering. The PLS models of
      the processed spectra were promoted as well. These preliminary results suggest
      that EMD is a promising means of improving the performance of subtracted blood
      volume spectrometry. 

PMID- 24211889
TI  - Application of the dual-tree complex wavelet transform in biomedical signal
      denoising.
AB  - In biomedical signal processing, Gibbs oscillation and severe frequency aliasing
      may occur when using the traditional discrete wavelet transform (DWT). Herein, a
      new denoising algorithm based on the dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DTCWT)
      is presented. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and heart sound signals are
      denoised based on the DTCWT. The results prove that the DTCWT is efficient. The
      signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the mean square error (MSE) are used to compare
      the denoising effect. Results of the paired samples t-test show that the new
      method can remove noise more thoroughly and better retain the boundary and
      texture of the signal. 

PMID- 24211890
TI  - Flow visualization in the outflow cannula of an axial blood pump.
AB  - The properties of blood flow in the outflow cannula of an axial blood pump play a
      critical role in potential thrombus formation and vascular injury. In this study,
      an in vitro flow visualization technique using particle image velocimetry (PIV)
      was applied to investigate the flow characteristics in the outflow cannula of a
      FW-2 model axial pump. The two-dimensional (2-D) flow field in the axial central
      section and the three-dimensional (3-D) flow field in the whole outflow cannula
      were examined with the PIV system. Tests were carried out with a blood-mimic
      working fluid in the axial pump at a rotational speed of 8500 +/- 20 rpm with a
      flow rate of 5 L/min. The velocity distribution in the outflow cannula was
      analyzed to evaluate the flow characteristics. There was no backflow or stagnant
      flow in the tested area, while the flow velocity rapidly increased outside the
      boundary layer. A spiral flow was observed near the boundary layer, but this was
      worn off within the tested area. Based on the results, hemolysis and thrombus
      formation in the cannula, and injury to aortic endothelium are unlikely to occur
      due to spiral flow.

PMID- 24211891
TI  - Research and development of compact wrist rehabilitation robot system.
AB  - Compact rehabilitation robot system which can support movement of the wrist of
      patients has been developed. The robot system can detect and analyze the
      patient's intention to move the wrist by such a biological signal as muscle
      potential, then, assist the wrist exercise of patients. Also, both-wrist
      rehabilitation robot system by mirror effect has been successfully developed for
      practical use in the hospital and at home. 

PMID- 24211892
TI  - Texture feature extraction based on wavelet transform and gray-level co
      occurrence matrices applied to osteosarcoma diagnosis.
AB  - Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor among children and
      adolescents. In this study, image texture analysis was made to extract texture
      features from bone CR images to evaluate the recognition rate of osteosarcoma. To
      obtain the optimal set of features, Sym4 and Db4 wavelet transforms and gray
      level co-occurrence matrices were applied to the image, with statistical methods
      being used to maximize the feature selection. To evaluate the performance of
      these methods, a support vector machine algorithm was used. The experimental
      results demonstrated that the Sym4 wavelet had a higher classification accuracy
      (93.44%) than the Db4 wavelet with respect to osteosarcoma occurrence in the
      epiphysis, whereas the Db4 wavelet had a higher classification accuracy (96.25%)
      for osteosarcoma occurrence in the diaphysis. Results including accuracy,
      sensitivity, specificity and ROC curves obtained using the wavelets were all
      higher than those obtained using the features derived from the GLCM method. It is
      concluded that, a set of texture features can be extracted from the wavelets and
      used in computer-aided osteosarcoma diagnosis systems. In addition, this study
      also confirms that multi-resolution analysis is a useful tool for texture feature
      extraction during bone CR image processing. 

PMID- 24211893
TI  - The feasibility of mapping dose distribution of 4DCT images with deformable image
      registration in lung.
AB  - Calculating an accurate cumulative dose through individual phases for four
      dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) images from the lung is time-consuming.
      Although the dose distribution of different phases is similar, copying the dose
      distribution of one phase directly to another phase would yield a dosimetric
      error of approximately 4% without further optimization. To reduce the dosimetric
      error, three-dimensional B-spline elastic deformable image registration (DIR) was
      used to quickly obtain a relatively accurate cumulative dose of 4DCT images
      acquired from ten lung cancer patients. The dose distribution of the end
      expiration phase was mapped to the end-inspiration phase using DIR. The mapped
      dose in the end-inspiration phase was then compared with the directly copied dose
      by analysis (3cm/3%) and the t-test. The results showed that optimization using
      DIR was significantly better in the average pass rate (by 0.6-4.7%). Our results
      indicate it is feasible to map the dose distribution of 4DCT images in lung with
      DIR, and that the motion amplitude of individual respiratory and different DIR
      algorithms affect the differences between the mapped and actual dose. 

PMID- 24211894
TI  - Effects of suture position on left ventricular fluid mechanics under mitral valve
      edge-to-edge repair.
AB  - Mitral valve (MV) edge-to-edge repair (ETER) is a surgical procedure for the
      correction of mitral valve regurgitation by suturing the free edge of the
      leaflets. The leaflets are often sutured at three different positions: central,
      lateral and commissural portions. To study the effects of position of suture on
      left ventricular (LV) fluid mechanics under mitral valve ETER, a parametric model
      of MV-LV system during diastole was developed. The distribution and development
      of vortex and atrio-ventricular pressure under different suture position were
      investigated. Results show that the MV sutured at central and lateral in ETER
      creates two vortex rings around two jets, compared with single vortex ring around
      one jet of the MV sutured at commissure. Smaller total orifices lead to a higher
      pressure difference across the atrio-ventricular leaflets in diastole. The
      central suture generates smaller wall shear stresses than the lateral suture,
      while the commissural suture generated the minimum wall shear stresses in ETER. 

PMID- 24211895
TI  - Evaluation of breast cancer chemotherapy efficacy with multifractal spectrum
      analysis of magnetic resonance image.
AB  - Multifractal spectrum analysis of dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) breast MR
      images was used to establish a new quantitative analysis method for solid tumor
      blood perfusion and to explore its applicability in evaluating efficacy of breast
      cancer chemotherapy. Five randomly selected patients suffering from newly
      diagnosed malignant breast nodule lesions were enrolled in this study, and four
      of them were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Their DCE breast MR images
      were collected before and after treatment. Chemotherapeutic efficacy was analyzed
      using international response evaluation criteria for solid tumors (RECIST).
      Sandbox method for statistical number density was employed to measure and
      calculate multifractal spectra of DCE breast MR images with spatiotemporal
      characteristics. Multifractal spectral data of malignant lesions before and after
      chemotherapy were compared. Multifractal spectra of malignant lesions show an
      asymmetric bell-shape. Chemotherapy efficacy was assessed to be partial remission
      (PR) for three patients and their multifractal spectral width significantly
      increased after chemotherapy while to be stable disease (SD) for other patient
      and of her changed slightly. Multifractal spectral width correlates with blood
      supply condition of tumor lesion before and after chemotherapy, providing a
      potential suitable characteristic parameter for evaluating chemotherapeutic
      efficacy quantitatively. 

PMID- 24211896
TI  - The influence of protein concentration on the biotribological properties of the
      stem-cement interface.
AB  - The stem-cement interface in total hip replacement experiences fretting wear
      following debonding under cyclical physiological loading. However, the influence
      of protein concentration on the biotribological properties of this interface has
      not been well taken into consideration. In the present study, a series of
      fretting frictional tests were performed using polished Ti6Al4V and bone cement,
      lubricated by bovine serum albumin solutions of different concentrations (5%,
      30%, and 75%). Surface characterizations of Ti6Al4V pins were conducted by
      optical interferometer, scanning electron microscope, and Raman spectroscopy. The
      results show that the friction coefficient decreases with the increase of protein
      concentration, although the difference is not significant. In addition, bovine
      serum albumin is adsorbed onto Ti6Al4V surface, forming a protective film to
      prevent the metal substrate from wear. The elemental and spectroscopic analyses
      of the film confirm the presence of protein molecules adsorbed on Ti6Al4V
      surface, with a thickness of 2.5 MUm. It is indicated from this study that
      fretting wear at the stem-cement interface can be postponed by promotion of
      protein adsorption on the metal surface. 

PMID- 24211897
TI  - Effect of curcumin on down-expression of thrombospondin-4 induced by oxidized low
      density lipoprotein in mouse macrophages.
AB  - This study was designed to investigate the effect of curcumin on the expression
      of thrombospondin-4 (THBS-4) in mouse macrophages treated with oxidized low
      density lipoprotein (oxLDL). The mouse macrophage cell line ANA-1 was treated
      with oxLDL. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. ANA-1 cells were divided
      into five groups: control group, model group, 5 MUM curcumin group, 15 MUM
      curcumin group and 25 MUM curcumin group. The gene and protein expression levels
      of THBS-4 in each group were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting, respectively. MTT assay showed that
      curcumin concentrations up to 25 MUM and oxLDL concentrations up to 20 MUg/ml had
      no significant cytotoxic effects on macrophages at 24 h. Real-time quantitative
      PCR revealed that THBS-4 mRNA expression was markedly reduced by stimulation with
      oxLDL, but subsequently significantly increased by treatment with curcumin.
      Western blotting confirmed that curcumin (5, 15, and 25 MUM) significantly
      prevented the decrease in THBS-4 expression induced by oxLDL (20 MUg/ml) in
      macrophages. Curcumin prevents the decrease in THBS-4 expression induced by
      oxLDL, which may represent one of the anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms of
      curcumin. 

PMID- 24211898
TI  - Creep bulging deformation of intervertebral disc under axial compression.
AB  - The internal hydrostatic pressure (IHP) of the intervertebral disc is the
      functional and physiological basis of the spine. Disc bulging is a direct effect
      of increased IHP and can be used to evaluate the IHP without destroying the
      structure of the disc. Disc tissue engineering is a developing field but more
      data on the properties of normal discs are required for evaluation of possible
      graft materials. However, very little data is available concerning bulge
      distribution along the normal disc surface under creep. METHODS: Fifteen motion
      segment specimens of ovine IVD were used to analyze axial creep, and disc bulging
      deformations of 5 markers on the surface were measured and analyzed. FINDINGS:
      The maximum radial bulging rate was 2.78%+/- 1.09% and the position at which the
      maximum radial deformation occurred was found to be below the midline of the disc
      during all levels of loading. The results showed that deformations occurred in
      the order vertical, radial, circumferential. INTERPRETATION: Disc bulging during
      creep is a very important biomechanical response, affecting spinal functions. The
      deformation regularities of the disc surface were identified and may help supply
      important basic data for disc tissue engineering.

PMID- 24211899
TI  - Reflection coefficient detection of simulation models for microwave imaging
      simulation system.
AB  - The study was conducted based on two objectives as framework. The first objective
      is to determine the point of microwave signal reflection while penetrating into
      the simulation models and, the second objective is to analyze the reflection
      pattern when the signal penetrate into the layers with different relative
      permittivity, epsilonr. Thus, several microwave models were developed to make a
      close proximity of the in vivo human brain. The study proposed two different
      layers on two different characteristics models. The radii on the second layer and
      the corresponding antenna positions are the factors for both models. The radii
      for model 1 is 60 mm with an antenna position of 10 mm away, in contrast, model 2
      is 10 mm larger in size with a closely adapted antenna without any gap. The
      layers of the models were developed with different combination of materials such
      as Oil, Sandy Soil, Brain, Glycerin and Water. Results show the combination of
      Glycerin + Brain and Brain + Sandy Soil are the best proximity of the in vivo
      human brain grey and white matter. The results could benefit subsequent studies
      for further enhancement and development of the models. 

PMID- 24211900
TI  - The pulse wave analysis of normal pregnancy: investigating the gestational
      effects on photoplethysmographic signals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Normal pregnancy is associated with profound alterations in the
      maternal cardiovascular system and PPG represents a sensitive and convenient
      technique capable of tracking changes in the pulsatile function of arteries. The
      aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal cardiovascular
      alterations on the finger tip photoplethysmography (PPG) during normal gestation.
      METHODS: Thirty five healthy pregnant women were studied at each trimester of
      pregnancy and again on gestational age using PPG signals, peripheral blood
      pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). RESULTS: Comparing with nonpregnant controls,
      several characteristic differences in PPG derived parameters and morphologies
      occurred in the pregnant. PAI, RI, PTT as well as AUC1 and Y1 of bcAUC1 were
      different and significant difference had been found in second and third
      trimester, despite little change in the peripheral blood pressure. The mean heart
      rate increased linearly with gestational age. CONCLUSION: This study has
      confirmed that normal pregnancy is associated with profound alterations in PPG
      signals occurred principally as a result of maternal cardiovascular adaptation
      and PPG-based noninvasive assessment of cardiovascular activities is feasible
      throughout pregnancy. Using this technique we demonstrated a delay in wave
      reflection within the arterial tree and a reduction in magnitude of arterial wave
      reflections in normal pregnancy which is consistent with previous observations
      and the known cardiovascular changes of pregnancy.

PMID- 24211901
TI  - Multimodal medical image fusion using improved multi-channel PCNN.
AB  - Multimodal medical image fusion is a method of integrating information from
      multiple image formats. Its aim is to provide useful and accurate information for
      doctors. Multi-channel pulse coupled neural network (m-PCNN) is a recently
      proposed fusion model. Compared with previous methods, this network can
      effectively manage various types of medical images. However, it has two
      drawbacks: lack of control to feed function and low-level automation. The
      improved multi-channel PCNN proposed in this paper can adjust the impact of feed
      function by linking strength and adaptively compute the weighting coefficients
      for each pixel. Experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of the
      improved m-PCNN fusion model. 

PMID- 24211902
TI  - A novel biofuel cell based on electrospun collagen-carbon nanotube nanofibres.
AB  - The paper demonstrates a novel glucose/O2 biofuel cell (BFC) based on the
      electrospun collagen-SWNTs nanofibres with the glucose oxidase (GOD) as the
      anodic biocatalysts and the laccase as the cathodic biocatalysts. With an average
      diameter of about (260+/-95) nm, the electrospun collagen-SWNTs nanofibres
      exhibited smooth surfaces. The collagen-SWNTs nanofibres modified electrode
      showed good electron transfer behavior, because of the properties of SWNTs and
      the three-dimensional reticular structure of the electrospun nanofibers. The GOD
      and laccase, immobilized in the collagen-SWNTs nanofibres, exhibited good
      catalytic activity towards glucose oxidation and oxygen reduction through
      mediators of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid (FMCA) and 2,2'-azinobis (3
      ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), respectively. The
      maximum power density of the assembled glucose/O2 BFC based on the electrospun
      collagen-SWNTs nanofibres was ca. 14.3 MUW/cm2. Moreover, more than 50% of the
      initial value remained after continuous operation of 100 h. The results indicated
      the potential to apply the electrospun collagen-SWNTs nanofibres for novel BFC
      device. 

PMID- 24211903
TI  - Sparse coding induced transfer learning for HEp-2 cell classification.
AB  - Automated human larynx carcinoma (HEp-2) cell classification is critical for
      medical diagnosis. In this paper, we propose a sparse coding-based unsupervised
      transfer learning method for HEp-2 cell classification. First, the low level
      image feature is extracted for visual representation. Second, a sparse coding
      scheme with the Elastic Net penalized convex objective function is proposed for
      unsupervised feature learning. At last, a Support Vector Machine classifier is
      utilized for model learning and predicting. To our knowledge, this work is the
      first to transfer the human-crafted visual feature, sensitive to the variation of
      appearance and shape during cell movement, to the high level representation which
      directly denotes the correlation of one sample and the bases in the learnt
      dictionary. Therefore, the proposed method can overcome the difficulty in
      discriminative feature formulation for different kinds of cells with irregular
      and changing visual patterns. Large scale comparison experiments will be
      conducted to show the superiority of this method. 

PMID- 24211904
TI  - Activity analysis of trunk and leg muscles during whole body tilt exercise.
AB  - The objectives were to assess the trunk and leg muscle activities during the
      trunk tilt exercise by a 3D dynamic exercise device capable of active and passive
      movements, to study the evaluation of Root Mean Squire (RMS), and to
      investigation the influence of the trunk positions on these muscle activities.
      Eighteen healthy volunteers were selected. None of the subjects had any history
      of lumber and trunk muscle problems. Rotation capability was enabled for the
      investigation of A (anterior), R (right), P (posterior), L (left), AR (anterior
      right), AL (anterior left), PR (posterior right), PL (posterior left) tilt
      directions. EMG signals of trunk (rectus abdominis, external obliques, latissimus
      dorsi, erector spinae) muscles and leg (rectus femoris, Biceps femoris, Tibialis
      Anterior, gastrocnemius) muscles were taken out. Root Mean Squire (RMS) values
      were calculated. The results of this study indicate that different exercise
      patterns can be applied depending on the exercise types, which are appropriate
      and necessary to each user. We believe that the human body can be maintained in
      equilibrium through the interaction between the position and movement execution
      of the human body, contributing to the improvement of body balance control.
      Further quantitative data collection and analysis related to the development of
      various spinal stabilization exercise programs is required. In the near future,
      we will conduct a study concerning the effects of trunk tilt exercise in active
      and passive modes on the strength of the tilting muscles and postural balancing
      ability. 

PMID- 24211905
TI  - Influence of timing algorithm on brachialankle pulse wave velocity measurement.
AB  - The baPWV measurement is a non-invasive and convenient technique in an assessment
      of arterial stiffness. Despite its widespread application, the influence of
      different timing algorithms is still unclear. The present study was conducted to
      investigate the influence of six timing algorithms (MIN, MAX, D1, D2, MDP and
      INS) on the baPWV measurement and to evaluate the performance of them. Forty-five
      CAD patients and fifty-five healthy subjects were recruited in this study. A PVR
      acquisition apparatus was built up for baPWV measurement. The baPWV and other
      related parameters were calculated separately by the six timing algorithms. The
      influence and performance of the six algorithms was analyzed. The six timing
      algorithms generate significantly different baPWV values (left: F=29.036,
      P<0.001; right: F=40.076, P<0.001). In terms of reproducibility, the MAX has
      significantly higher CV value (>= 18.6%) than the other methods, while the INS
      has the lowest CV value (<= 2.7%). On the performance of classification, the INS
      produces the highest AUC values (left: 0.854; right: 0.872). The MIN and D2 also
      have a passable performance (AUC > 0.8). The choice of timing algorithm affects
      baPWV values and the quality of measurement. The INS method is recommended for
      baPWV measurement. 

PMID- 24211906
TI  - High cycle fatigue behavior of implant Ti-6Al-4V in air and simulated body fluid.
AB  - Ti-6Al-4V implants that function as artificial joints are usually subjected to
      long-term cyclic loading. To study long-term fatigue behaviors of implant Ti-6Al
      4V in vitro and in vivo conditions exceeding 107 cycles, constant stress
      amplitude fatigue experiments were carried out at ultrasonic frequency (20 kHz)
      with two different surface conditions (ground and polished) in ambient air and in
      a simulated body fluid. The initiation mechanisms of fatigue cracks were
      investigated with scanning electron microscopy. Improvement of fatigue strength
      is pronounced for polished specimens below 106 cycles in ambient air since
      fatigue cracks are initiated from surfaces of specimens. While the cycles exceed
      106, surface conditions have no effect on fatigue behaviors because the defects
      located within the specimens become favorable sites for crack initiation. The
      endurance limit at 108 cycles of polished Ti-6Al-4V specimens decreases by 7% if
      it is cycled in simulated body fluid instead of ambient air. Fracture surfaces
      show that fatigue failure is initiated from surfaces in simulated body fluid.
      Surface improvement has a beneficial effect on fatigue behaviors of Ti-6Al-4V at
      high stress amplitudes. The fatigue properties of Ti-6Al-4V deteriorate and the
      mean endurance limits decrease significantly in simulated body fluid. 

PMID- 24211907
TI  - Gaussian fitting for carotid and radial artery pressure waveforms: comparison
      between normal subjects and heart failure patients.
AB  - It has been reported that Gaussian functions could accurately and reliably model
      both carotid and radial artery pressure waveforms (CAPW and RAPW). However, the
      physiological relevance of the characteristic features from the modeled Gaussian
      functions has been little investigated. This study thus aimed to determine
      characteristic features from the Gaussian functions and to make comparisons of
      them between normal subjects and heart failure patients. Fifty-six normal
      subjects and 51 patients with heart failure were studied with the CAPW and RAPW
      signals recorded simultaneously. The two signals were normalized first and then
      modeled by three positive Gaussian functions, with their peak amplitude, peak
      time, and half-width determined. Comparisons of these features were finally made
      between the two groups. Results indicated that the peak amplitude of the first
      Gaussian curve was significantly decreased in heart failure patients compared
      with normal subjects (P<0.001). Significantly increased peak amplitude of the
      second Gaussian curves (P<0.001) and significantly shortened peak times of the
      second and third Gaussian curves (both P<0.001) were also presented in heart
      failure patients. These results were true for both CAPW and RAPW signals,
      indicating the clinical significance of the Gaussian modeling, which should
      provide essential tools for further understanding the underlying physiological
      mechanisms of the artery pressure waveform. 

PMID- 24211909
TI  - A supportive attribute-assisted discretization model for medical classification.
AB  - Discretization of a continuous-valued symptom (attribute) in medical data set is
      a crucial preprocessing step for the medical classification task. This paper
      proposes a supportive attribute - assisted discretization (SAAD) model for
      medical diagnostic problems. The intent of this approach is to discover the best
      supportive symptom that correlates closely with the continuous-valued symptom
      being discretized and to conduct the discretization process using the significant
      supportive information that is provided by the best supportive symptom, because
      we hypothesize that a good discretization scheme should rely heavily on the
      interaction between a continuous-valued attribute and both its supportive
      attribute and the class attribute. SAAD can consider each continuous-valued
      symptom differently and intelligently, which allows it to be capable of
      minimizing the information lost and the data uncertainty. Hence, SAAD results in
      higher classification accuracy. Empirical experiments using ten real-life
      datasets from the UCI repository were conducted to compare the classification
      accuracy achieved by several prestigious classifiers with SAAD and other state-of
      the-art discretization approaches. The experimental results demonstrate the
      effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed approach in enhancing the diagnostic
      accuracy. 

PMID- 24211908
TI  - Exploration and comparison of the pre-impact lead time of active and passive
      falls based on inertial sensors.
AB  - Research on falls in elderly people has a great social significance because of
      the rapidly growing of the aging population. The pre-impact lead time of fall
      (PLT) is an important part of the human fall theory. PLT is the longest time for
      a person who is going to fall to take action in order to prevent the fall or to
      reduce bodily injuries from the fall impact. However, there is no clear
      definition of PLT so far. There is also no comparative study for active and
      passive falls. In this study, we proposed a theoretical definition of the PLT,
      based on a new method of fall event division. We also compared the differences of
      PLT and the related angles between active and passive falls. Eight healthy adult
      subjects were arranged to perform three kinds of activities of daily living
      (sitting, walking and lying), and two kinds fall activities (active and passive)
      in three directions (forward, backward and lateral fall). Nine inertial sensor
      modules were used to measure the body segmental kinematic characteristics of each
      subject in our experimental activities. In this paper, a fall event was suggested
      to divide into three or four phases and then the critical phase could be divided
      into three periods (pre-impact, impact, and post-impact). Two fall models were
      developed for active and passive falls using acceleration data. The average value
      of PLT for active falls is about 514 +/- 112 ms and it is smaller than the value
      for passive falls, which is 731 +/- 104 ms. The longest PLTs were measured on the
      chest or waist instead of other locations, such as the thigh and shank. The PLTs
      of the three kinds of fall activities were slightly different, but there was a
      significant difference between two fall modes. The PLT showed the correlation to
      the body angle at the start of PLT, but it was uncorrelated at the end of PLT.
      The angles at the start of PLT had slight variations (<10 degrees) from the
      steady standing state except in passive forward falls (max 16 degrees) due to the
      self-control. The landing angles were significantly different in the both fall
      modes in all the three directions of fall, indicating the state of the trunk was
      uncertain when the hip contacted the ground. It can be concluded that it is
      feasible to prevent falls by using an early pre-impact fall alarm device; the
      present study provides important reference for development of pre-impact fall
      alarm devices. 

PMID- 24211910
TI  - Characteristic analysis of the lower limb muscular strength training system
      applied with MR dampers.
AB  - A new training system that can adjust training intensity and indicate the center
      pressure of a subject was proposed by applying controlled electric current to the
      Magneto-Rheological damper. The experimental studying on the muscular activities
      were performed in lower extremities during maintaining and moving exercises,
      which were processed on an unstable platform with Magneto rheological dampers and
      recorded in a monitor. The electromyography (EMG) signals of the eight muscles in
      lower extremities were recorded and analyzed in certain time and frequency
      domain. Muscles researched in this paper were rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris
      (BF), tensor fasciae latae (TFL), vastuslateralis (VL), vastusmedialis (VM),
      gastrocnemius (Ga), tibialis anterior (TA), and soleus (So). Differences of
      muscular activities during four moving exercises were studied in our experimental
      results. The rate of the increment of the muscular activities was affected by the
      condition of the unstable platform with MR dampers, which suggested the
      difference of moving exercises could selectively train each muscle with varying
      intensities. Furthermore, these findings also proposed that this training system
      can improve the ability of postural balance. 

PMID- 24211911
TI  - Adaptive clutter filter in 2-D color flow imaging based on in vivo I/Q signal.
AB  - Color flow imaging has been well applied in clinical diagnosis. For the high
      quality color flow images, clutter filter is important to separate the Doppler
      signals from blood and tissue. Traditional clutter filters, such as finite
      impulse response, infinite impulse response and regression filters, were applied,
      which are based on the hypothesis that the clutter signal is stationary or tissue
      moves slowly. However, in realistic clinic color flow imaging, the signals are
      non-stationary signals because of accelerated moving tissue. For most related
      papers, simulated RF signals are widely used without in vivo I/Q signal. Hence,
      in this paper, adaptive polynomial regression filter, which is down mixing with
      instantaneous clutter frequency, was proposed based on in vivo carotid I/Q signal
      in realistic color flow imaging. To get the best performance, the optimal
      polynomial order of polynomial regression filter and the optimal polynomial order
      for estimation of instantaneous clutter frequency respectively were confirmed.
      Finally, compared with the mean blood velocity and quality of 2-D color flow
      image, the experiment results show that adaptive polynomial regression filter,
      which is down mixing with instantaneous clutter frequency, can significantly
      enhance the mean blood velocity and get high quality 2-D color flow image. 

PMID- 24211912
TI  - The temperature field simulation of radiofrequency catheter-based renal
      sympathetic denervation for resistant hypertension.
AB  - Renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) by the radiofrequency ablation was used to
      treat the resistant hypertension in clinic and has achieved curative effect. But
      the temperature distribution in the artery walls and the blood flow have not been
      investigated. Finite element method (FEM) based on Comsol Multiphysics 4.3a
      software was used to simulate the temperature distribution in the renal artery.
      The results of renal artery temperature distribution as well as blood flow effect
      on the temperature field were obtained, which demonstrated that the blood
      velocity is very crucial in the temperature distribution of blood vessel near
      antenna. When the speed of blood is 0.4 m/s, the highest temperature rise of
      arterial wall near the antenna is 8.882 degrees C (37 degrees C to 45.882 degrees
      C) and contralateral artery wall's highest temperature rise is about 5 degrees C
      (37 degrees C to 42 degrees C). This temperature value can damage renal
      sympathetic nerves to cure the resistant hypertension. Due to the blood flow, the
      temperature field stretches to the direction of blood flow. The temperature rise
      of blood is only in a small range (37 degrees C to 41 degrees C) at both ends of
      the antenna. The simulation of RSD by the radiofrequency ablation can give
      doctors a better scheme to avoid the vascular injury in different blood flow
      rates and radiofrequency voltages. 

PMID- 24211913
TI  - Hemodynamic parameters measurements to assess severity of serial lesions in
      patient specific right coronary artery.
AB  - In this study, effects of serial stenosis on coronary hemodynamics were
      investigated in the human right coronary artery (RCA) using blood flow analysis.
      A 3-D model of a serial stenosed RCA was reconstructed based on multislice
      computerized tomography images. Numerical analysis examined the effect of
      multiple serial stenoses on the hemodynamic characteristics such as flow
      separation, pressure drop and FFR. Pressure loss associated with flow expansion
      after each constriction was large. Overall pressure drop increased from 1700 Pa
      (12.75 mmHg) at the end diastole to 11000 Pa (82.5 mmHg) at the peak systole. In
      two stenoses the corresponding pressure gradients werearound 30 mmHg and
      corresponded to the stenosis with FFR < 0.7 (associated to the sever stenosis).
      Severe stenosies caused large pressure drops across the throat. Blood flow distal
      to the stenosis was associated with fluctuations of the wall shear stress and
      vorticity. 

PMID- 24211914
TI  - Automatic lung fields segmentation in CT scans using morphological operation and
      anatomical information.
AB  - Segmenting lung fields from CT (Computed Tomography) scans is an important task
      for the analysis, diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases. Although many
      segmentation methods have been presented, some new automatic segmentation methods
      for the lung fields are still proposed for the CT scans. This paper proposes a
      novel segmentation method for lung fields by using morphological closing
      operations and thresholding for normal lungs in CT scans. Additionally, under the
      guidance of anatomic information, the lung fields could be well segmented with
      lobar fissure, thin junction between the left/right lung fields, indentation of
      the blood vessels and bronchi-walls. This experiment is performed by employing
      the thoracic CT scans datasets, and it is proved to be an effective method. 

PMID- 24211915
TI  - A novel finite element-based patient-specific mitral valve repair: virtual ring
      annuloplasty.
AB  - Alterations of normal mitral valve (MV) function lead to mitral insufficiency,
      i.e., mitral regurgitation (MR). Mitral repair is the most popular and most
      efficient surgical intervention for MR treatment. An annuloplasty ring is
      implanted following complex reconstructive MV repairs to prevent potential
      reoccurrence of MR. We have developed a novel finite element (FE)-based
      simulation protocol to perform patient-specific virtual ring annuloplasty
      following the standard clinical guideline procedure. A virtual MV was created
      using 3D echocardiographic data in a patient with mitral annular dilation. Proper
      type and size of the ring were determined in consideration of the MV apparatus
      geometry. The ring was positioned over the patient MV model and annuloplasty was
      simulated. Dynamic simulation of MV function across the complete cardiac cycle
      was performed. Virtual patient-specific annuloplasty simulation well demonstrated
      morphologic information of the MV apparatus before and after ring implantation.
      Dynamic simulation of MV function following ring annuloplasty demonstrated
      markedly reduced stress distribution across the MV leaflets and annulus as well
      as restored leaflet coaptation compared to pre-annuloplasty. This novel FE-based
      patient-specific MV repair simulation technique provides quantitative information
      of functional improvement following ring annuloplasty. Virtual MV repair strategy
      may effectively evaluate and predict interventional treatment for MV pathology. 

PMID- 24211916
TI  - Visual attention recognition based on nonlinear dynamical parameters of EEG.
AB  - Varieties of neurophysiological measures have been utilized in visual attention
      studies. The linear parameters like power spectrum are the most commonly used
      features in the existing studies. In this paper, however, nonlinear parameters
      including approximate entropy, sample entropy and multiscale entropy were tested.
      All subjects were instructed to perform tasks with three different attention
      levels (i.e. attention, no attention and rest) in two experiments. Nonlinear
      features were extracted from the EEG signals. Then, statistical analyses and
      classification with support vector machine (SVM) were performed. A comparison
      between the classification results based on the linear feature / and the sample
      entropy was performed for further analysis. The results suggest that sample
      entropy stands out in the dynamical parameters with the accuracies of 76.19% and
      85.24% in recognition of three levels of attention for the two experiments
      respectively. And the further comparison shows that the sample entropy performs
      even better than the / power ratio. It is suggested that nonlinear dynamical
      parameters may be indispensable for a robust attention recognition system. 

PMID- 24211917
TI  - A novel classification method based on ICA and ELM: a case study in lie
      detection.
AB  - The classification of EEG tasks has drawn much attention in recent years. In this
      paper, a novel classification model based on independent component analysis (ICA)
      and Extreme learning machine (ELM) is proposed to detect lying. Firstly, ICA and
      its topography information were used to automatically identify the P300 ICs.
      Then, time and frequency-domain features were extracted from the reconstructed P3
      waveforms. Finally, two classes of feature samples were used to train ELM, Back
      propagation network (BPNN) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers for
      comparison. The optimal number of P3 ICs and the values of classifier parameter
      were optimized by the cross-validation procedures. Experimental results show that
      the presented method (ICA_ELM) achieves the highest training accuracy of 95.40%
      with extremely less training and testing time on detecting P3 components for the
      guilty and the innocent subjects. The results indicate that the proposed method
      can be applied in lie detection. 

PMID- 24211918
TI  - ECG baseline wander correction based on mean-median filter and empirical mode
      decomposition.
AB  - A novel approach of ECG baseline wander correction based on mean-median filter
      and empirical mode decomposition is presented in this paper. The low frequency
      parts of the original signals were removed by the mean median filter in a
      nonlinear way to obtain the baseline wander estimation, then its series of IMFs
      were sifted by t-test after empirical mode decomposition. The proposed method,
      tested by the ECG signals in MIT-BIH Arrhythmia database and European ST_T
      database, is more effective compared with other baseline wander removal methods. 

PMID- 24211919
TI  - Validation of an improved 'diffeomorphic demons' algorithm for deformable image
      registration in image-guided radiation therapy.
AB  - Deformable image registration (DIR) was widely used in radiation therapy, such as
      in automatic contour generation, dose accumulation, tumor growth or regression
      analysis. To achieve higher registration accuracy and faster convergence, an
      improved 'diffeomorphic demons' registration algorithm was proposed and
      validated. Based on Brox et al.'s gradient constancy assumption and Malis's
      efficient second-order minimization (ESM) algorithm, a grey value gradient
      similarity term and a transformation error term were added into the demons energy
      function, and a formula was derived to calculate the update of transformation
      field. The limited Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (L-BFGS) algorithm was used
      to optimize the energy function so that the iteration number could be determined
      automatically. The proposed algorithm was validated using mathematically deformed
      images and physically deformed phantom images. Compared with the original
      'diffeomorphic demons' algorithm, the registration method proposed achieve a
      higher precision and a faster convergence speed. Due to the influence of
      different scanning conditions in fractionated radiation, the density range of the
      treatment image and the planning image may be different. In such a case, the
      improved demons algorithm can achieve faster and more accurate radiotherapy. 

PMID- 24211920
TI  - The effect of counter-ions on the ion selectivity of potassium and sodium ions in
      nanopores.
AB  - The ion selective transport plays an important role in the function of cell
      membranes, and promotes the application of artificial permeable membranes. This
      phenomenon has been studied in case for different diameters and functional groups
      of nanopores. In this work, we focus on the effect of anions on cation
      selectivity, in particular the influence of various halide ions on K+ and Na+
      selectivity. We adopted molecular dynamics simulations with non-charged nanopores
      under constant temperature and uniform concentration. The results show K+
      selectivity in the solution with Cl- and Na+-selectivity in the solution with Br-
      and I-. This selectivity, on the contrary, disappears in the solution with F-. We
      also investigate the change of the hydration shell of ions and cation-anion
      interactions between in the bulk region and in the nanopores, which could explain
      this selective phenomenon. 

PMID- 24211921
TI  - Toward continuous ambulatory monitoring using a wearable and wireless ECG-
      recording system: a study on the effects of signal quality on arrhythmia
      detection.
AB  - Five well-known arrhythmia classification algorithms were compared in this paper
      based on the recommendations in AAMI standard. They are C4.5, k-Nearest Neighbor,
      Multilayer Perceptron, PART, and Support Vector Machine, respectively, with
      inputs related to heartbeat intervals and ECG morphological features. They were
      evaluated on three independent datasets, including the MIT-BIH arrhythmia
      database, a collection of ECG signals acquired from healthy subjects by the
      wireless Body Sensor Network (BSN) nodes, and a third dataset captured also by
      the BSN nodes. Results showed the overall accuracy on the MIT-BIH arrhythmia
      database was approximately 99.04%, with high sensitivity, specificity, and
      selectivity. When tested with ECG signals acquired from the human subjects, which
      were partially deteriorated due to several factors, e.g., motion artifacts and
      data transmission problems, the overall accuracy of 94.19% and that of 81.22%
      were obtained for static activities and dynamic activities, respectively. In
      addition, the effects of the signal quality from these human subjects on false
      alarms were investigated. When false alarms occurring in signal segments with low
      quality were excluded, the number of false detections reduced from 14.17% to
      8.65%. When evaluated on signals generated by the patient simulator, which
      included several types of premature ventricular contraction without artifacts
      from body movements, a high classification accuracy was also observed. 

PMID- 24211922
TI  - Measurement of stapes vibration in Human temporal bones by round window
      stimulation using a 3-coil transducer.
AB  - Round window placement of a 3-coil transducer offers a new approach for coupling
      an implantable hearing aid to the inner ear. The transducer exhibits high
      performance at low-frequencies. One remarkable feature of the 3-coil transducer
      is that it minimizes leakage flux. Thus, the transducer, which consists of two
      permanent magnets and three coils, can enhance vibrational displacement. In human
      temporal bones, stapes vibration was observed by laser Doppler vibrometer in
      response to round window stimulation using the 3-coil transducer. Coupling
      between the 3-coil transducer and the round window was connected by a wire-rod.
      The stimulation created stapes velocity when the round window stimulated.
      Performance evaluation was conducted by measuring stapes velocity. To verify the
      performance of the 3-coil transducer, stapes velocity for round window and
      tympanic membrane stimulation were compared, respectively. Stapes velocity by
      round window stimulation using the 3-coil transducer was approximately 14 dB
      higher than that achieved by tympanic membrane stimulation. The study shows that
      3-coil transducer is suitable for implantable hearing aids. 

PMID- 24211923
TI  - Improved bioavailability and antiasthmatic efficacy of poorly soluble curcumin
      solid dispersion granules obtained using fluid bed granulation.
AB  - The intestinal absorption and antiasthmatic efficacy of poorly water-soluble
      curcumin (CUR), which has low solubility and permeability, was increased by
      fabricating solid dispersion granules (SDGs). The SDG containing CUR (SDG-CUR)
      was prepared by dispersing CUR in excess Cremophor RH40 as a solubilizer and
      Ryoto sugar ester L-1695 as an absorption enhancer using fluid bed granulation.
      We evaluated the physicochemical properties such as crystallinity and
      dissolution, pharmacokinetics, and antiasthmatic efficacy of SDG-CUR. Our results
      showed that CUR was molecularly dispersed, and the dissolution of SDG-CUR was
      significantly higher than that of native CUR. In addition, the blood
      concentration of SDG-CUR in rats was much higher than that of native CUR.
      Compared to CUR, SDG-CUR showed a 9.1- and 13.1-fold increase in area under the
      plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax),
      respectively. Further, SDG-CUR effectively alleviated airway hyperresponsiveness
      and levels of T-helper 2 cytokines (interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin
      13) in a murine model of asthma. In conclusion, our results suggest that the SDGs
      could be considered as a potential oral formulation to enhance the absorption and
      efficacy of CUR. 

PMID- 24211924
TI  - In-line phase contrast micro-CT reconstruction for biomedical specimens.
AB  - X-ray phase contrast micro computed tomography (micro-CT) can non-destructively
      provide the internal structure information of soft tissues and low atomic number
      materials. It has become an invaluable analysis tool for biomedical specimens.
      Here an in-line phase contrast micro-CT reconstruction technique is reported,
      which consists of a projection extraction method and the conventional filter back
      projection (FBP) reconstruction algorithm. The projection extraction is
      implemented by applying the Fourier transform to the forward projections of in
      line phase contrast micro-CT. This work comprises a numerical study of the method
      and its experimental verification using a biomedical specimen dataset measured at
      an X-ray tube source micro-CT setup. The numerical and experimental results
      demonstrate that the presented technique can improve the imaging contrast of
      biomedical specimens. It will be of interest for a wide range of in-line phase
      contrast micro-CT applications in medicine and biology. 

PMID- 24211925
TI  - In vivo evaluation of mastication noise reduction for dual channel implantable
      microphone.
AB  - Input for fully implantable hearing devices (FIHDs) is provided by an implantable
      microphone under the skin of the temporal bone. However, the implanted microphone
      can be affected when the FIHDs user chews. In this paper, a dual implantable
      microphone was designed that can filter out the noise from mastication. For the
      in vivo experiment, a fabricated microphone was implanted in a rabbit. Pure-tone
      sounds of 1 kHz through a standard speaker were applied to the rabbit, which was
      given food simultaneously. To evaluate noise reduction, the measured signals were
      processed using a MATLAB program based adaptive filter. To verify the proposed
      method, the correlation coefficients and signal to-noise ratio before and after
      signal processing were calculated. By comparing the results, signal-to-noise
      ratio and correlation coefficients are enhanced by 6.07dB and 0.529 respectively.

PMID- 24211926
TI  - Mucoadhesive polymer films for tissue retraction in laparoscopic surgery: Ex-vivo
      study on their mechanical properties.
AB  - Safe and effective manipulation of soft tissue during laparoscopic procedures can
      be achieved by the use of mucoadhesive polymer films. A series of novel adhesive
      polymer films were formulated in house based on either Carbopol or Chitosan
      modified systems. The mechanical properties of the polymers and their adherence
      to bowel were evaluated using ex-vivo pig bowel immersed in 37 degrees C water
      bath and connected to an Instron tensiometer. Young's modulus was 300 kPa for the
      Carbopol-polymer and 5 kPa for the Chitosan-polymer. The Chitosan-polymer
      exhibited much larger shear adhesion than its tensile adhesion: 3.4 N vs. 1.2.
      Both tensile and shear adhesions contributed to the large retraction force (2.6
      N) obtained during l polymer-bowel retraction testing. Work of adhesion at the
      polymer/serosa interface, defined as the area under the force curve, was 64 mJ,
      which is appreciably larger than that reported with existing polymers. In
      conclusion, adhesive polymers can stick to the serosal side of the bowel with an
      adhesive force, which is sufficient to lift the bowel, providing a lower
      retraction stress than that caused by laparoscopic grasping which induces high
      localized pressures on the tissue. 

PMID- 24211927
TI  - Inter-tester and intra-tester reliability of ultrasound imaging measurements of
      abdominal muscles in adolescents with and without idiopathic scoliosis: a case
      controlled study.
AB  - The present study established inter-tester and intra-tester reliabilities of
      ultrasound imaging and diagnostically differentiated muscle imbalances in lateral
      abdominal muscle sizes between normal adolescents and adolescents with idiopathic
      scoliosis (AIS). Fifteen adolescents with AIS were age- and gender-matched with
      15 normal adolescents. There was no significant difference between bilateral
      abdominal muscles in normal adolescents, but there was a significant difference
      between bilateral abdominal muscles in adolescents with AIS (P<0.05). Overall,
      inter-tester and intra-tester reliabilities in normal and AIS adolescents ranged
      from 0.801-0.984. This novel study shows that using ultrasound imaging to measure
      lateral abdominal muscle thickness is: (1) highly reliable between and within the
      testers; and (2) capable of distinguishing between subjects with and without
      pathological muscle morphology due to AIS. 

PMID- 24211928
TI  - Hemodynamic numerical simulation and analysis of oscillatory blood flow in
      growing aneurysms.
AB  - Hemodynamics plays a crucial role in the formation, progression and rupture of
      intracranial aneurysms. Understanding these mechanisms is important to improve
      current diagnosis and treatment of intracranial aneurysms. In this study we
      simulate and analyze the pressure gradients and the blood flow fields in growing
      intracranial aneurysms. Firstly, the pressure gradients are obtained according to
      the blood velocity waveform at the axis of the inlet to the artery, which can be
      acquired by transcranial Doppler technology. Then, blood flow fields are
      calculated by solving the linearized Navier-Stokes equations and continuity
      equation using the Fourier series method. Results show that the higher the
      aneurysm dilatation degree is, the lower the maximum oscillatory velocity will
      be. Therefore, the oscillatory velocity may be used to analyze the
      characteristics of blood flow signals from aneurysm and to forecast the size of
      aneurysm. This sensitive parameter can be utilized for the detection of vessel
      diseases, which is promising to provide a useful reference in clinical
      application. 

PMID- 24211929
TI  - Shear wave speed estimation by adaptive random sample consensus method.
AB  - This paper describes a new method for shear wave velocity estimation that is
      capable of extruding outliers automatically without preset threshold. The
      proposed method is an adaptive random sample consensus (ARANDSAC) and the metric
      used here is finding the certain percentage of inliers according to the closest
      distance criterion. To evaluate the method, the simulation and phantom experiment
      results were compared using linear regression with all points (LRWAP) and radon
      sum transform (RS) method. The assessment reveals that the relative biases of
      mean estimation are 20.00%, 4.67% and 5.33% for LRWAP, ARANDSAC and RS
      respectively for simulation, 23.53%, 4.08% and 1.08% for phantom experiment. The
      results suggested that the proposed ARANDSAC algorithm is accurate in shear wave
      speed estimation. 

PMID- 24211930
TI  - IB-LBM simulation on blood cell sorting with a micro-fence structure.
AB  - A size-based blood cell sorting model with a micro-fence structure is proposed in
      the frame of immersed boundary and lattice Boltzmann method (IB-LBM). The fluid
      dynamics is obtained by solving the discrete lattice Boltzmann equation, and the
      cells motion and deformation are handled by the immersed boundary method. A micro
      fence consists of two parallel slope post rows which are adopted to separate red
      blood cells (RBCs) from white blood cells (WBCs), in which the cells to be
      separated are transported one after another by the flow into the passageway
      between the two post rows. Effected by the cross flow, RBCs are schemed to get
      through the pores of the nether post row since they are smaller and more
      deformable compared with WBCs. WBCs are required to move along the nether post
      row till they get out the micro-fence. Simulation results indicate that for a fix
      width of pores, the slope angle of the post row plays an important role in cell
      sorting. The cells mixture can not be separated properly in a small slope angle,
      while obvious blockages by WBCs will take place to disturb the continuous cell
      sorting in a big slope angle. As an optimal result, an adaptive slope angle is
      found to sort RBCs form WBCs correctly and continuously. 

PMID- 24211931
TI  - Nonlinear dynamic characteristics of SMA intravascular stent under radial
      stochastic loads.
AB  - Nonlinear dynamic characteristics of shape memory alloy (SMA) intravascular stent
      under radial stochastic loads were studied in this paper. Von de Pol item was
      improved to interpret the hysteretic phenomena of SMA, and the nonlinear dynamic
      model of SMA intravascular stent under radial stochastic loads was developed. The
      conditions of stochastic stability of the system were obtained in singular
      boundary theory. The steady-state probability density function of the dynamic
      response of the system was given, and the stochastic Hopf bifurcation
      characteristics of the system were analyzed. Theoretical analysis and numerical
      simulation show that the stability of the trivial solution varies with
      bifurcation parameters, and stochastic Hopf bifurcation appears in the process,
      which can cause stent fracture or loss. The results of this paper are helpful to
      application of SMA intravascular stent in biomedical engineering fields. 

PMID- 24211932
TI  - Modeling the circle of Willis to assess the effect of anatomical variations on
      the development of unilateral internal carotid artery stenosis.
AB  - Circle of Willis (CoW) plays a significant role in maintaining the blood supply
      for the brain. Specifically, when the stenosis occurs in the internal carotid
      artery (ICA), abnormal structures of CoW would decrease the compensatory
      capacity, leading to the local insufficiency of cerebral blood supply. The
      present paper built a series of lumped parameter models for CoW, and simulated
      the blood redistribution caused by the unilateral ICA stenosis with different
      severities in cerebral arteries in the normal and abnormal CoW respectively. The
      results showed that when unilateral ICA stenosis occurred, the collateral
      circulation was built through the anterior communicating artery and the
      ipsilateral posterior communicating artery, maintaining the flow in cerebral
      arteries. The absence of the two communicating arteries would cause an obvious
      decrease of flow in local cerebral arteries in the anterior circulation. In
      conclusion, the two arteries play a significant role in maintaining the balance
      of cerebral blood supply in the development of ICA stenosis. 

PMID- 24211933
TI  - A removable hybrid robot system for long bone fracture reduction.
AB  - In traditional long bone fracture reduction surgery, there are some drawbacks
      such as low accuracy, high radiation for surgeons and a risk of infection. To
      overcome these disadvantages, a removable hybrid robot system is developed, which
      integrates a removable series-parallel mechanism with a motor-double cylinder
      (MDC) driven mode. This paper describes the mechanism in detail, analyses the
      principle and the method of the fracture reduction, presents the surgical
      procedure, and verifies the reduction accuracy by experiments with bone models.
      The results are shown as follows. The mean deviations of the axial displacement
      and lateral displacement are 1.60mm and 1.26 mm respectively. The standard
      deviations are 0.69 mm and 0.30 mm. The mean deviations of the side angle and
      turn inward are 2.06 degrees  and 2.22 degrees  respectively. The standard
      deviations are 0.50 degrees  and 0.99 degrees . This minimally invasive robot
      features high accuracy and zero radiation for surgeons, and is able to conduct
      fracture reduction for long bones.

PMID- 24211934
TI  - Projective invariant biplanar registration of a compact modular orthopaedic
      robot.
AB  - This paper presents a compact orthopedic robot designed with modular concept. The
      layout of the modular configuration is adaptive to various conditions such as
      surgical workspace and targeting path. A biplanar algorithm is adopted for the
      mapping from the fluoroscopic image to the robot, while the former affine based
      method is satisfactory only when the projection rays are basically perpendicular
      to the reference coordinate planes. This paper introduces the area cross-ratio as
      a projective invariant to improve the registration accuracy for non-orthogonal
      orientations, so that the robotic system could be applied to more orthopedic
      procedures under various C-Arm orientation conditions. The system configurations
      for femoral neck screw and sacroiliac screw fixation are presented. The accuracy
      of the robotic system and its efficacy for the two typical applications are
      validated by experiments. 

PMID- 24211935
TI  - A smart capsule system of gastric occult blood detection.
AB  - Prior research indicated that occult blood screening can be used to detect early
      gastric cancer. Based on capsule endoscopy and occult blood detection theory, an
      automatic detection capsule system for gastric occult blood (GOB) was proposed.
      This paper designed the detecting sensor, image acquisition system and wireless
      transmitter module respectively based on collaurum immune theory, the image
      sensor and radio frequency chip. In vitro experiments were conducted to testify
      the system, and the detecting result image information was acquired by the image
      acquisition (IMAQ) system and transmitted to the outside of the body through the
      wireless transmitter module. The receiver module received and displayed the
      information on the computer, from which doctors could diagnose whether there was
      occult blood (OB) or not. Therefore, this paper provides a new idea for the
      screening of early-stage gastric cancer with reliability and simplicity. 

PMID- 24211936
TI  - A 3D undulatory locomotion system inspired by nematode C. elegans.
AB  - This paper provides an undulatory locomotion model inspired by C. elegans, whose
      nervous system and muscular structure are well studied. C. elegans is divided
      into 11 muscle segments according to its anatomical structure, and represented as
      a multi-joint rigid link model in this work. In each muscle segment, there are
      four pieces of muscles located in four quadrants. The muscles change their
      lengths according to the outputs of nervous system. In this work, the dynamic
      neural networks (DNN) are adopted to represent the nervous system. The DNN are
      divided into the head DNN and the body DNN. The head DNN produces the sinusoid
      waves to generate the forward and backward undulatory movements. The body DNN
      with 11 segments is responsible for passing the sinusoid wave and creating the
      phase lag. The 3D locomotion of this system are implemented by using the DNN to
      control the muscle lengths, and then using the muscle lengths to control the
      angles between two consecutive links on both horizontal and vertical planes. The
      test results show good performances of this model in both forward and backward
      locomotion in 3D, which could serve as a prototype of the micro-robot for
      clinical use. 

PMID- 24211937
TI  - Fuzzy speed function based active contour model for segmentation of pulmonary
      nodules.
AB  - Pulmonary nodules are potential manifestation of lung cancer. Accurate
      segmentation of juxta-vascular nodules and ground glass opacity (GGO) nodules is
      an important and active area of research in medical image processing. At present,
      the classical active contour models (ACM) for segmentation of pulmonary nodules
      may cause the problem of boundary leakage. In order to solve the problem, a new
      fuzzy speed function-based active model for segmentation of pulmonary nodules is
      proposed in this paper. The fuzzy speed function incorporated into the ACM is
      calculated by the degree of membership based on intensity feature and local shape
      index. At the boundary of pulmonary nodules, the fuzzy speed function approaches
      zero and the evolution of the contour curve will stop, so the accurate
      segmentation of pulmonary nodules can be obtained. Experimental results on juxta
      vascular nodules and GGO nodules show that the proposed ACM can achieve accurate
      segmentation. 

PMID- 24211938
TI  - Design and optimization of multi-class series-parallel linear electromagnetic
      array artificial muscle.
AB  - Skeletal muscle exhibiting complex and excellent precision has evolved for
      millions of years. Skeletal muscle has better performance and simpler structure
      compared with existing driving modes. Artificial muscle may be designed by
      analyzing and imitating properties and structure of skeletal muscle based on
      bionics, which has been focused on by bionic researchers, and a structure mode of
      linear electromagnetic array artificial muscle has been designed in this paper.
      Half sarcomere is the minimum unit of artificial muscle and electromagnetic model
      has been built. The structural parameters of artificial half sarcomere actuator
      were optimized to achieve better movement performance. Experimental results show
      that artificial half sarcomere actuator possesses great motion performance such
      as high response speed, great acceleration, small weight and size, robustness,
      etc., which presents a promising application prospect of artificial half
      sarcomere actuator. 

PMID- 24211939
TI  - Modeling bistable behaviors in morphing structures through finite element
      simulations.
AB  - Bistable structures, exemplified by the Venus flytrap and slap bracelets, can
      transit between different configurations upon certain external stimulation. Here
      we study, through three-dimensional finite element simulations, the bistable
      behaviors in elastic plates in the absence of terminate loads, but with pre
      strains in one (or both) of the two composite layers. Both the scenarios with and
      without a given geometric mis-orientation angle are investigated, the results of
      which are consistent with recent theoretical and experimental studies. This work
      can open ample venues for programmable designs of plant/shell structures with
      large deformations, with applications in designing bio-inspired robotics for
      biomedical research and morphing/deployable structures in aerospace engineering. 

PMID- 24211940
TI  - Mechanical strength of sutured block copolymers films for load bearing medical
      applications.
AB  - The mechanical behavior of three styrenic thermoplastic block copolymer
      elastomers with applied surgical sutures was studied by uniaxial tensile testing.
      The materials exhibited oriented cylindrical microstructure. Distinct macroscopic
      deformation mechanisms have been observed upon stretching of samples with
      vertical and horizontal orientation. Deformation progressed along the axis of the
      suture in samples with parallel orientation (P), while it in case of normal
      orientation (N) the whole sample responded to the applied force. Also the
      analysis of the stress-strain curves showed a significant difference between
      samples P and N. Greater stress at break was observed for samples P, while
      samples N showed the capability to tolerate higher strain. The influence of
      morphology on the tear-out shape has been also observed. The thread made a
      vertical tear out in samples P while for samples N ripping off the bottom was
      observed. 

PMID- 24211941
TI  - Enhanced oral bioavailability and controlled release of dutasteride by a novel
      dry elixir.
AB  - To develop a solid dosage form of dutasteride for improving its oral
      bioavailability, a novel dry elixir (DE) system was fabricated. DEs incorporating
      dextrin and/or xanthan gum were prepared using spray-drying and evaluated by
      morphology, ethanol content, crystallinity, dissolution and oral bioavailability.
      DEs were spherical with a smooth surface and had an average particle size of 20
      25 MUm. The ethanol content could be easily varied by controlling the spray
      drying temperature. The dissolution profiles of dutasteride from each DE proved
      to be much faster than that of dutasteride powder due to the amorphous state and
      a high amount of incorporated ethanol. In particular, the pharmacokinetic
      profiles of dutasteride were significantly altered depending on the proportions
      of dextrin and xanthan gum. Blood concentrations of dutasteride from DE
      formulations were similar to those of market products and much greater than those
      of native dutasteride. Interestingly, the dissolution and pharmacokinetic
      profiles were easily controlled by changing the ratio of dextrin to xanthan gum.
      The data suggests that a DE using dextrin and/or xanthan gum could provide an
      applicable solid dosage form to improve the dissolution and bio-availability of
      dutasteride as well as to modulate its pharmacokinetics. 

PMID- 24211942
TI  - Hybrid diffusive/PVD treatments to improve the tribological resistance of Ti-6Al
      4V.
AB  - Titanium alloys are nowadays used for a wide range of biomedical applications
      thanks to their combination of high mechanical resistance, high corrosion
      resistance and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, the applicability of titanium
      alloys is sometimes limited due to their low microhardness and tribological
      resistance. Thus the titanium alloys cannot be successfully applied to prosthetic
      joint couplings. A wide range of surface treatments, in particular PVD coatings
      such as CrN and TiN, have been used in order to improve the tribological
      behaviour of titanium alloys. However, the low microhardness of the titanium
      substrate often results in coating failure due to cracks and delamination. For
      this reason, hybrid technologies based on diffusive treatments and subsequent PVD
      coatings may improve the overall coating resistance. In this work, conventional
      PVD coatings of CrN or TiCN, deposited on Titanium Grade 5, were characterized
      and then combined with a standard thermal diffusive nitriding treatment in order
      to improve the tribological resistance of the titanium alloys and avoid coating
      delamination. The different treatments were studied by means of scanning electron
      microscopy both on the sample surface and in cross-section. In-depth composition
      profiles were obtained using glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES)
      and localized energy dispersive X-ray diffraction on linear scan-lines. The
      microhardness and adhesion properties of the different treatments were evaluated
      using Vickers microhardness tests at different load conditions. The indentations
      were observed by means of SEM in order to evaluate delaminated areas and the
      crack's shape and density. The tribological behaviour of the different treatments
      was tested in dry conditions and in solution, in alternate pin-on-flat
      configuration, with a frequency of 0.5 Hz. After testing, the surface was
      investigated by means of stylus profilometry and SEM both on the surface and in
      cross-section. The standalone PVD coatings show a limited tribological resistance
      due to the low hardness of the substrate, which results in fractures and
      delamination. The combination of a diffusive process and a subsequent PVD coating
      shows a stronger effect in improving the tribological resistance of the
      substrate. 

PMID- 24211943
TI  - A novel spinal kinematic analysis using X-ray imaging and vicon motion analysis:
      a case study.
AB  - This study highlights a novel spinal kinematic analysis method and the
      feasibility of X-ray imaging measurements to accurately assess thoracic spine
      motion. The advanced X-ray Nash-Moe method and analysis were used to compute the
      segmental range of motion in thoracic vertebra pedicles in vivo. This Nash-Moe X
      ray imaging method was compared with a standardized method using the Vicon 3
      dimensional motion capture system. Linear regression analysis showed an excellent
      and significant correlation between the two methods (R2 = 0.99, p < 0.05),
      suggesting that the analysis of spinal segmental range of motion using X-ray
      imaging measurements was accurate and comparable to the conventional 3
      dimensional motion analysis system. Clinically, this novel finding is compelling
      evidence demonstrating that measurements with X-ray imaging are useful to
      accurately decipher pathological spinal alignment and movement impairments in
      idiopathic scoliosis (IS). 

PMID- 24211944
TI  - Preparation of DOX/BSANP and its antitumor effect on bel-7404 liver cancer cells
      in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - This paper aimed to investigate the preparation of doxorubicin-loaded bovine
      serum albumin nanoparticles (DOX/BSANP) and their effect on killing liver cancer
      cells in vitro and in vivo. DOX/BSANP was prepared using a desolvation-chemical
      crosslinking method. Their morphology and particle size were observed using
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The envelopment, drug-loading rates and
      slow-release characteristics were determined spectrophotometrically. Their
      ability to kill liver cancer cells in vitro was determined using the methyl
      thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry (FCM). The tumor-suppressing
      effect of the nanoparticles in experimental animals in vivo was also evaluated.
      Under TEM, DOX/BSANP appeared spherical and was distributed uniformly, with a
      diameter of about 120 nm and hydrated particle size of 170 nm determined by
      dynamic light diffraction. The envelopment rate was 82% and the drug-loading rate
      was 11.2%. The in vitro drug-release experiment showed that about 50% of the drug
      in drug-loaded nanoparticles was released continuously and slowly for 7 days. The
      MTT assay showed that DOX/BSANP significantly inhibited cell proliferation, while
      FCM showed that it induced tumor cell apoptosis. The in vivo tumor suppression
      test showed that the therapeutic effect of drug-loaded nanoparticles was superior
      to that of DOX alone. 

PMID- 24211945
TI  - Uncertainity analysis of selected sources of errors in bioelectromagnetic
      investigations.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to focus attention of experimenters on several sources
      of error that are not taken into account in the majority of bioelectromagnetics
      experiments, and which may lead to complete falsification of the results of the
      experiments. 

PMID- 24211946
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of poly(1,2-propanediol-co-1,8-octanediol-co
      citrate) biodegradable elastomers for tissue engineering.
AB  - In this paper, citric acid, 1,8-octanediol and 1,2-propanediol were used as
      reactive monomers to synthesize poly(1,2-propanediol-co-1,8-octanediol-co
      citrate) (PPOC) elastomers by melt polycondensation. The PPOC elastomers were
      characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential
      scanning calorimetry (DSC), hydrophilic test and mechanical test. The results
      indicated that citric acid had reacted with 1,8-octanediol and 1,2-propanediol,
      respectively. The sol content, swelling degree and hydrophilicity of PPOC
      elastomers increased with the higher content of 1,2-propanediol, while the
      tensile strength and the thermal degradation temperature decreased. The results
      indicate the addition of 1,2-propanediol reduces the crosslinking density and the
      flexibility of PPOC elastomers. 

PMID- 24211947
TI  - Numerical simulation research to both the external fixation surgery scheme of
      intertrochanteric fracture and the healing process, and its clinical application.
AB  - In this paper, the single arm external fixation of intertrochanteric fracture
      healing process after surgery was simulated to obtain a postoperative fracture
      healing and stress distribution in the external fixator. Firstly CT images of
      intertrochanteric fracture are reconstructed into the femur solid model. Then
      based, the external fixator is installed on the model, which lastly formed a
      finite element model of unilateral external fixation for intertrochanteric
      fracture. The calculated results show: during the beginning of the fracture
      healing, there is much higher stress in both screws and femur in the model with
      solid screws than that in the model with hollow screw. The stress of the femur in
      the model with hollow screw is more evenly. During the middle time of Fracture
      healing, stress in the femoral head significantly decreases. And the stress at
      fracture site gradually increased with the healing occurrence. According to the
      results, the authors designed hollow screws to use external fixation surgery.
      Surgery confirmed that the use of hollow screws in fractures treatment can
      satisfy the strength requirements, and can effectively reduce operative time,
      less patient suffering. The research for external fixation can provide a
      reference, and promote the use of external fixation hollow screws. 

PMID- 24211948
TI  - Fabrication of photo-crosslinked chitosan- gelatin scaffold in sodium alginate
      hydrogel for chondrocyte culture.
AB  - Photo-crosslinked chitosan-gelatin scaffolds were fabricated and applied for
      chondrocyte culture in vitro. Photocurable methacryloyl chitosan was synthesized
      and characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR, respectively. Microstructure and mechanical
      properties of the chitosan-gelatin scaffold treated with or without EDC as
      crosslinking agent were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM),
      compression and viscoelastic measurement. It is demonstrated that EDC-treated
      chitosan-gelatin scaffold possesses better porous structure and improved
      mechanical properties. Photo-crosslinked chitosan-gelatin scaffold could be
      further integrated in sodium alginate hydrogel using calcium chloride to support
      proliferation of chondrocytes for over 21 days and maintain spherical phenotype,
      as evaluated by AlamarBlue assay and SEM, respectively, implying that the
      chitosan-gelatin-hydrogel system exhibits great cyto-biocompatibility. Results of
      this study show that photo-crosslinked chitosan-gelatin scaffold in sodium
      alginate hydrogel is suited as a scaffold candidate for cartilage tissue
      engineering. 

PMID- 24211949
TI  - Effect of Nd:YAG laser-nitriding-treated titanium nitride surface over Ti6Al4V
      substrate on the activity of MC3T3-E1 cells.
AB  - Ti6Al4V discs with a thickness of 2.5 mm and dimensions of 15 * 15 mm2 were
      fabricated. The titanium nitride (TiN) surface was formed via Nd:YAG laser
      nitriding. A sandblast acid-etched (SA) surface was used as a control. Scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and surface
      roughness tests were conducted to study the surface and cross-section
      morphologies as well as the properties of TiN and SA surfaces. MC3T3-E1
      osteoblast-like cells were cultured on the TiN and SA surfaces to evaluate the
      effect of TiN surface on cellular behaviors, including attachment, proliferation
      and differentiation. Morphological testing results revealed that the cross
      section of TiN exhibited dendritic crystallization without cracking. The
      proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells on the laser-nitriding TiN
      surface were significantly increased compared to those cultured on SA surface.
      These findings suggested that the TiN surface generated from Nd:YAG laser
      nitriding were favorable for the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1
      cells, which is significant for implant surface modification. 

PMID- 24211950
TI  - Computational and experimental determinations of the UV adsorption of
      polyvinylsilsesquioxane-silica and titanium dioxide hybrids.
AB  - Sunscreens that absorb UV light without photodegradation could reduce skin
      cancer. Polyvinyl silsesquioxanes are known to have greater thermal and
      photochemical stability than organic compounds, such as those in sunscreens. This
      paper evaluates the UV transparency of vinyl silsesquioxanes (VS) and its hybrids
      with SiO2(VSTE) and TiO2(VSTT) experimentally and computationally. Based on films
      of VS prepared by sol-gel polymerization, using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator,
      vinyltrimethoxysilane (VMS) formulated oligomer through thermal curing.
      Similarly, VSTE films were prepared from VMS and 5-25 wt-% tetraethoxysilane
      (TEOS) and VSTT films were prepared from VMS and 5-25 wt-% titanium tetrabutoxide
      (TTB). Experimental average transparencies of the modified films were found to be
      about 9-14% between 280-320 nm, 67-73% between 320-350nm, and 86-89% between 350
      400nm. Computation of the band gap was absorption edges for the hybrids in
      excellent agreement with experimental data. VS, VSTE and VSTT showed good
      absorption in UV-C and UV-B range, but absorbed virtually no UV-A. Addition of
      SiO2 or TiO2 does not improve UV-B absorption, but on the opposite increases
      transparency of thin films to UV. This increase was validated with molecular
      simulations. Results show computational design can predict better sunscreens and
      reduce the effort of creating sunscreens that are capable of absorbing more UV-B
      and UV-A. 

PMID- 24211951
TI  - Cytompatibility assessment of the surface of titanium after phosphorylation.
AB  - In this study, orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) in the treatment of porous titanium
      (Ti) is investigated and the ability of rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) is
      assessed to proliferate and differentiate on these modified surfaces in vitro. To
      improve the cytocompatibility of Ti surfaces, pure Ti was activated commercially
      by simple chemical pretreatment in H3PO4 with different densities. Next, the
      phosphorylated specimens were soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) to study the
      effect of biomineralization. The3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1]-2, 5
      diphenytetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the measurement of alkaline
      phosphatase (ALP) activity utilized to assess proliferation and differentiation
      of BMSCs on exposure to modified Ti surfaces. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM)
      images showed that the surfaces of the pre-treated samples were characterized by
      a complex structure which consisted of a mesh-like morphological matrix and an
      uniform surface with different morphic crystals of titanium dihydrogen
      orthophosphate (Ti(H2PO4)3). These crystals contained hydroxyl with phosphate
      residues that resulted in biomineralization of cells. Therefore, BMSCs reveales a
      well-dispersed morphology on these modified and functionalized Ti surfaces. The
      viability and ALP activity of BMSCs on these altered biomimetic surfaces are
      found to be greater than those of the controls. It is concluded that the
      treatment of Ti by acid etching in orthophosphoric acid is a suitable method to
      enhance the in vitro proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs. 

PMID- 24211952
TI  - Dextranation of bioreducible cationic polyamide for systemic gene delivery.
AB  - A dextranated, bioreducible cationic polyamide was designed and employed for non
      viral gene delivery in vitro and in vivo. Initially, a new bioreducible cationic
      polyamide with p-nitrophenyl ester terminal group (denoted as SSBAP) was
      synthesized by polycondensation reaction of an excess amount of bis-(p
      nitrophenyl)-3, 3'-dithiodipropanoate and 1, 4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine. The
      SSBAP was then chemically conjugated with 5 kDa amino-terminated dextran to yield
      dextran-SSBPA-dextran triblock copolymer (denoted as Dex-SSBAP-Dex). This
      copolymer was capable of binding genes to form nanoscale polyplexes with a near
      neutral surface charge. Moreover, a sufficient gene release from the polyplexes
      in response to an intracellular reducing environment was observed. In vitro
      transfection against MCF-7 and SKOV-3 cells showed that Dex-SSBAP-Dex copolymer
      effectively transfected the cells with comparable efficiency to that of 2 5kDa
      branched or linear polyethylenimine as positive controls. Besides, intravenous
      administration of the copolymer-based polyplexes in nude mice afforded detectable
      gene expression largely in the lung. Importantly, the copolymer revealed low
      cytotoxicity in vitro, as determined by AlamarBlue assay, and caused no death of
      the mice. Dextranated, bioreducible cationic polyamide holds high potential as a
      non-viral vector for gene delivery.

PMID- 24211953
TI  - Research of arginylglycylaspartic to promote osteogenesis of bone marrow
      mesenchymal cells on chitosan/hydroxyapatite scaffolds.
AB  - A high degree of cell adhesion to a scaffold at the initial stage of cell
      inoculation is essential to bone tissue engineering. In realising high cell
      adhesion rate on a scaffold within a few hours, a chitosan/hydroxyapatite (CS/HA)
      scaffold with a channel/sphere pore was prepared via in situ hybridisation in
      combination with lyophilisation, in which the HA nanoparticles were dispersed in
      the CS uniformly. The size of the channel pore and the sphere pore of the CS/HA
      scaffold was 150 MUm to 650 MUm and 3 MUm to 15 MUm, respectively. The
      compression strength and porosity of the CS/HA scaffold were 3.54 +/- 0.32 MPa
      and 88.4%, respectively. The nitrogen content increased by 7.5% compared with the
      CS/HA scaffold without Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) modification. More than 67% of the RGD
      in the PBS solution diffused into the CS/HA scaffold spontaneously. The effect of
      the RGD peptide on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the CS/HA
      scaffold was investigated through cell adhesion rate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
      activity, and mineralised calcium nodules. The cell adhesion rates of the CS/HA
      scaffold with different RGD concentrations (50, 100 mg/L) were 71.6% and 80.7%,
      respectively, after 4 hours of culture; the rates were 30.9% and 47.5% higher
      than that of the CS/HA group (54.7%), respectively. The expressed ALP content of
      the CS/HA scaffold with RGD (191 +/- 6 U/g protein) was 107.7% higher than that
      (92 +/- 9U/g protein) of CS/HA (p<0.01). Furthermore, a higher amount of
      mineralised calcium nodules with red brown appeared in the CS/HA scaffold with
      RGD as opposed to that in the CS/HA group. The RGD peptide in the CS/HA scaffold
      not only achieved high cell adhesion in a short period of time, but also enhanced
      cell adhesion ability and promoted the MSCs to differentiate from osteoblasts.

PMID- 24211954
TI  - Influence of sheath solvents on the quality of ethyl cellulose nanofibers in a
      coaxial electrospinning process.
AB  - The influence of different types of solvents as sheath fluids on the quality of
      electrospun ethyl cellulose (EC) nanofibers is investigated in this paper by a
      modified coaxial process. With 24 w/v % EC in ethanol as electrospinning core
      fluid and pure solvents including methanol, ethanol and N,N-dimethyl formamide
      (DMF) as sheath fluids, EC nanofibers were generated by the modified processes.
      Field emission scanning electron microscope observations demonstrate that the
      modified process is effective in improving the nanofibers' quality in terms of
      nanofibers' diameters, distributions and structural uniformity. The key of the
      modified coaxial process is the reasonable selection of the sheath solvents that
      is suitable for the drawing process of core EC fluid during the electrpospinning.
      The EC nanofibers' diameters (D, nm) could be manipulated through the reasonable
      selection of the type of the sheath solvents based on their boiling point (T, 
      degrees C) D = 841-3.71T (R=0.9753). This paper provides useful methods for the
      implementation of the modified coaxial process controllably to obtain polymer
      nanofibers with high quality. 

PMID- 24211955
TI  - Biological characteristics and oxidation mechanism of a new manganese-oxidizing
      bacteria FM-2.
AB  - A new manganese-oxidizing strain FM-2 was screened out from biological activated
      carbon (BAC) filter column and was identified as Citrobacter freundii. The
      results of the systematic study on this species are as follows: At 27 degrees C,
      the optimum pH for Citrobacter sp. FM-2 to remove manganese was 7.0-8.0.The best
      removal rate of manganese under 27 degrees C, pH 7.0 by FM-2 was reached at 4 d,
      being 76.2%; Compared with adsorption, biological oxidation played a dominant
      role in this removing process. Almost 75.7% of manganese was oxidized into oxides
      by Citrobacter sp and there were some particular oxides analogs generated on the
      bacterial surface; A 296bp DNA fragment amplified from Citrobacter sp. FM-2
      revealed that this species has multicopper oxidase genes. Meanwhile, the
      phylogenetic tree indicated that compared with other related species, Citrobacter
      sp. FM-2 has its own evolutional independence. 

PMID- 24211956
TI  - Study of the therapeutic effect of 188Re labeled folate targeting albumin
      nanoparticle coupled with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum cisplatin on human ovarian
      cancer.
AB  - This paper aimed to investigate the treatment efficiency of 188Re labeled folate
      targeting albumin nanoparticles with cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum Cisplatin
      (188Re-folate-CDDP/HAS MNP) on human ovarian cancer. SKOV3 cells or tumor-bearing
      mice were divided into different groups and treated as follow: (A) negative
      control; (B) chemotherapy; (C) radiotherapy; (D) hyperthermia; (E) chemotherapy
      and radiotherapy; (F) chemotherapy and hyperthermia; (G) radiotherapy and
      hyperthermia; (H) chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hyperthermia. Treatment of B to
      H inhibited proliferation of SKOV3 cells, with the greatest inhibition being
      observed in group H (P<0.05). Obvious apoptotic hypodiploid peak appeared beside
      G1 phase in groups of B to H. The apoptotic rates of SKOV3 cells in groups of A
      to H were 0.08%, 7.56%, 8.64%, 17.14%, 21.64%, 23.77%, 33.94% and 57.16%,
      respectively. Our findings in vivo study showed that the mass of tumor in each
      group of B to H was significantly lower than that in the negative control (p
      <0.05). In addition, compared with each group of B to G, group H showed highest
      inhibition of tumor growth (p<0.05). In conclusion, the combination of magnetic
      induced hyperthermia, chemotherapy and targeted radionuclide of radiation
      exposure can effectively inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer, which indicates a
      potential applications in ovarian cancer treatment. 

PMID- 24211957
TI  - Fluid dynamics aspects of miniaturized axial-flow blood pump.
AB  - Rotary blood pump (RBP) is a kind of crucial ventricular assist device (VAD) and
      its advantages have been evidenced and acknowledged in recent years. Among the
      factors that influence the operation performance and the durability of various
      rotary blood pumps, medium property and the flow features in pump's flow passages
      are conceivably significant. The major concern in this paper is the fluid
      dynamics aspects of such a kind of miniaturized pump. More specifically, the
      structural features of axial-flow blood pump and corresponding flow features are
      analyzed in detail. The narrow flow passage between blade tips and pump casing
      and the rotor-stator interaction (RSI) zone may exert a negative effect on the
      shear stress distribution in the blood flow. Numerical techniques are briefly
      introduced in view of their contribution to facilitating the optimal design of
      blood pump and the visualization of shear stress distribution and multiphase flow
      analysis. Additionally, with the development of flow measurement techniques, the
      high-resolution, effective and non-intrusive flow measurement techniques catering
      to the measurement of the flows inside rotary blood pumps are highly anticipated.

PMID- 24211958
TI  - Nucleation of hydroxyapatite on Antheraea pernyi (A. pernyi) silk fibroin film.
AB  - Antheraea pernyi (A. pernyi) silk fibroin, which is spun from a wild silkworm,
      has increasingly attracted interest in the field of tissue engineering. The aim
      of this study was to investigate the nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) on A.
      pernyi fibroin film. Von Kossa staining proved that A. pernyi fibroin had Ca
      binding activity. The A. pernyi fibroin film was mineralized with HAp crystals by
      alternative soaking in calcium and phosphate solutions. Spherical crystals were
      nucleated on the A. pernyi fibroin film according to scanning electron
      microscopeimaging results. The FT-IR and X-ray diffraction spectra confirmed that
      these spherical crystals were HAp. The results of in vitro cell culture using MG
      63 cells demonstrated that the mineralized A. pernyi fibroin film showed
      excellent cytocompatibility and sound improvement of the MG-63 cellviability. 

PMID- 24211959
TI  - Combined anticalcification treatment of bovine pericardium with decellularization
      and hyaluronic acid derivative.
AB  - The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of decellularization and
      hyaluronic acid derivative on the improvement of anticalcification of
      glutaraldehyde fixed bovine pericardium (GFBP) using a rat subcutaneous
      implantation model A cell extraction process was employed to remove the cells and
      cellular components from bovine pericardium (BP), leaving a framework of largely
      insoluble collagen. Then acellular BP was cross-linked by glutaraldehyde solution
      and treated with hyaluronic acid derivative (HA-ADH) which was obtained by
      coupling adipic dihydrazide (ADH) on-COOH of hyaluronic acid (HA). The results of
      in vivo calcification tests showed that the calcium content was decreased
      dramatically by decellularization alone (from 28.07 +/- 18.87 to 2.44 +/- 0.55
      MUg Ca/mg dry tissue after 8 weeks' implantation), and even less concentration
      was shown by the combination of HA derivative treatment and decellularization
      (GFaBP-HA group) (0.25 +/- 0.08 MUg Ca/mg dry tissue after 8 weeks'
      implantation). In addition, GFaBP-HA group not only presented a lower degree of
      calcification, but also showed lower ratios of Ca/P molar, which corresponded to
      amorphous calcium phosphates. The obtained results indicated that GFaBP-HA was a
      potential candidate for the manufacture of anticalcification bioprostheses.

PMID- 24211960
TI  - Hyaluronic acid as an internal phase additive to obtain ofloxacin/PLGA
      microsphere by double emulsion method.
AB  - Hyaluronic acid (HA) was used as an internal phase additive to improve the
      loading efficiency of ofloxacin, a hydrophilic drug encapsulated by hydrophobic
      polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) materials, through a double emulsion (water-in
      oil-in-water) solvent extraction/evaporation method. Results from laser
      distribution analysis show that polyelectrolyte additives have low impact on the
      average particle size and distribution of the microspheres. The negatively
      charged HA increases the drug loading efficiency as well as the amount of HA in
      microspheres. Burst release can be observed in the groups with the
      polyelectrolyte additives. The release rate decreases with the amount of HA
      inside the microspheres in all negatively charged polyelectrolyte-added
      microsphere groups. 

PMID- 24211961
TI  - Rapid and sensitive controlled release monitoring method of biomedical combined
      products with IDM for pain management and cancer treatment.
AB  - New designed combined products and its determination for pain management and
      cancer treatment were studied. A rapid and sensitive stability indicating HPLC
      method had been developed and validated for the determination of
      Indomethacin(IDM) in a transdermal patch. This analytical method was successfully
      applied to the determination of Indomethacin in a transdermal patch and can be
      used for routine quality control analysis. Chromatographic separation was
      achieved isocratically on an Inertsil(r) C8-3 column utilizing a mobile phase of
      acetonitrile / 0.01 M monobasic sodium phosphate and 0.01 M dibasic sodium
      phosphate buffer (pH 3) (65:35, v/v) at the flow rate of 1 mL/min with UV
      detection at the wavelength of 210 nm. The system suitability was performed, and
      the result showed that Indomethacin(IDM) and its impurity were separated. The
      calibration curve of Indomethacin(IDM) was linear in the range of 0.1~15 ppm (r =
      0.9989, n = 3).

PMID- 24211962
TI  - Feature selection using mutual information based uncertainty measures for tumor
      classification.
AB  - Feature selection is a key problem in tumor classification and related tasks.
      This paper presents a tumor classification approach with neighborhood rough set
      based feature selection. First, some uncertainty measures such as neighborhood
      entropy, conditional neighborhood entropy, neighborhood mutual information and
      neighborhood conditional mutual information, are introduced to evaluate the
      relevance between genes and related decision in neighborhood rough set. Then some
      important properties and propositions of these measures are investigated, and the
      relationships among these measures are established as well. By using improved
      minimal-Redundancy-Maximal-Relevancy, combined with sequential forward greedy
      search strategy, a novel feature selection algorithm with low time complexity is
      proposed. Finally, several cancer classification tasks are demonstrated using the
      proposed approach. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is
      efficient and effective. 

PMID- 24211963
TI  - Development of an optical fiber sensor for angular displacement measurements.
AB  - For diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, the joint angle measurement of a patient
      after an accident or a surgical operation is significant for monitoring and
      evaluating the recovering process. This paper proposed an optical fiber sensor
      for the measurement of angular displacement. The effect of beveled fiber angle on
      the detected light signal was investigated to find an appropriate mathematical
      model. Beveled fiber tips redirected the light over a range of angles away from
      the fiber axis. Inverse polynomial models were applied to directly obtain and
      display the joint angle change in real time with the Lab-VIEW program. The actual
      joint angle correlated well with the calculated LabVIEW output angle over the
      test range. The proposed optical sensor is simple, cost effective, small in size,
      and can evaluate the joint angle in real time. This method is expected to be
      useful in the field of rehabilitation and sport science. 

PMID- 24211964
TI  - Fabrication of anticoagulation layer on titanium surface by sequential
      immobilization of poly (ethylene glycol) and albumin.
AB  - This paper presents a simple method to sequentially immobilize poly (ethylene
      glycol) (PEG) and albumin on titanium surface to enhance the blood compatibility.
      Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR)
      analysis indicated that PEG and albumin were successfully immobilized on the
      titanium surface. Water contact angle results showed a better hydrophilic surface
      after the immobilization. The immobilized PEG or albumin can not only obviously
      prevent platelet adhesion and activation but also prolong activated partial
      thromboplastin time (APTT), leading to the improved anticoagulation. Moreover,
      immobilization of albumin on PEG-modified surface can further improve the
      anticoagulation. The approach in the present study provides an effective and
      efficient method to improve the anticoagulation of blood-contact biomedical
      devices such as coronary stents. 

PMID- 24211965
TI  - In vivo biodegradation of porous silk fibroin films implanted beneath the skin
      and muscle of the rat.
AB  - Since the bioresorption process has a strong impact not only on the mechanical
      properties of the biomaterial but also on the extent of tissue regeneration, in
      vivo biodegradation of absorbable porous biomaterials plays a key role in tissue
      repair and wound healing. In the present work, porous silk fibroin films (PSFFs)
      were prepared by a freeze-drying method and then implanted beneath the dorsal
      skin and the femoral skeletal muscle of the rat. The objective was to study the
      rate of biodegradation of the PSFFs in different tissues, each with its distinct
      metabolic rate. In addition we examined the relationship between the
      biodegradation rate and tissue-regeneration rate semi-quantitatively by
      incorporating histology, microscopy and image analysis methods. Furthermore,
      based on our previous findings, we also explored the relationship between in
      vitro and in vivo rates of biodegradation. The results suggest that the PSFFs
      experience a similar biodegradation process regardless of the type of tissue in
      which they are implanted, in spite of the higher metabolic rate of the skeletal
      muscle. In addition, the in vitro biodegradation rate of the PSFFs was comparable
      to that of both skin and skeletal muscle, suggesting that an in vitro
      biodegradation test could be used to predict in vivo performance. 

PMID- 24211966
TI  - Biomimetic growth of bone-like apatite via simulated body fluid on hydroxyethyl
      cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol electrospun nanofibers.
AB  - In this study, randomly oriented hydroxyethyl cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol
      (HEC/PVA) nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning. The blend solutions of
      HEC/PVA with different weight ratio of HEC to PVA were prepared using water as
      solvent to fabricate nanofibers. These nanofibrous scaffolds were coated with
      bone-like apatite by immersing into 10x simulated body fluid (SBF) for different
      time periods. The morphology and structure of the nanofibers were characterized
      by SEM, FTIR and DSC. FESEM-EDS and FTIR analysis were used to confirm the
      deposition of apatite on the surface of nanofibers. The results of this study
      suggest that this apatite coated nanofibrous scaffolds could be a suitable
      biomaterial for bone tissue engineering. 

PMID- 24211967
TI  - Change in refractive index of muscle tissue during laser-induced interstitial
      thermotherapy.
AB  - This paper presents a long-period fiber-grating (LPG) based Michelson
      interferometric refractometry to monitor the change in refractive index of
      porcine muscle during laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT). As the
      wavelength of RI interferometer alters with the change in refractive index around
      the probe, the LPG based refractometry is combined with LITT system to measure
      the change in refractive index of porcine muscle when irradiated by laser. The
      experimental results show the denaturation of tissue alters the refractive index
      significantly and the LPG sensor can be applied to monitor the tissue state
      during the LITT. 

PMID- 24211968
TI  - Mineralization and biocompatibility of Antheraea pernyi (A. pernyi) silk sericin
      film for potential bone tissue engineering.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the mineralization of Antheraea pernyi (A.
      pernyi) silk sericin. Mineralization of A. pernyi sericin was performed by
      alternative soaking in calcium and phosphate. The inhibition of precipitation of
      calcium carbonate and von Kossa staining on A. pernyi sericin were tested, and
      the corresponding results prove that A. pernyi sericin has Ca binding activity.
      Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation shows that spherical crystals
      could be nucleated on the A. pernyi sericin film. These crystals were confirmed
      to be hydroxyapatite according to FT-IR and XRD spectra, indicating that A.
      pernyi sericin is capable of mineralization. In addition, cell adhesion and
      growth activity assay demonstrate that A. pernyi sericin shows excellent
      biocompatibility for the growth of MG-63 cells. 

PMID- 24211969
TI  - Molecular dynamics simulations for the examination of mechanical properties of
      hydroxyapatite/ poly alpha-n-butyl cyanoacrylate under additive manufacturing.
AB  - Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations emerged to be a helpful tool in the field of
      material science. In rapid prototyping artificial bone scaffolds process, the
      binder spraying volume and mechanism are very important for bone scaffolds
      mechanical properties. In this study, we applied MD simulations to investigating
      the binding energy of alpha-n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) on Hydroxyapatite (HA)
      crystallographic planes (001, 100 and 110), and to calculating and analyzing the
      mechanical properties and radial distribution function of the HA(110)/NBCA mixed
      system. The simulation results suggested that HA (110) has the highest binding
      energy with NBCA owing to the high planar atom density, and the mechanical
      properties of HA(110)/NBCA mixed system is stronger than pure HA system.
      Therefore, the multi-grade strength bone scaffold could be fabricated through
      spraying various volume NBCA binders during 3D printing process. By calculating
      the radial distribution function of HA(110)/NBCA, the essence of the interface
      interaction were successfully elucidated. The forming situation parameters can be
      referred to calculation results. There exists a strong interaction between HA
      crystallographic plane (110) and NBCA, it is mainly derived from the hydrogen
      bonds between O atoms which connect with C atoms of NBCA and H atoms in HA
      crystal. Furthermore, a strong adsorption effect can be demonstrated between HA
      and NBCA. 

PMID- 24211970
TI  - Microencapsulated rBMMSCs/calcium phosphate cement for bone formation in vivo.
AB  - As an injectable scaffold material for bone tissue engineering, calcium phosphate
      cement (CPC) has good biocompatibility, self-setting, and osteoconduction
      properties. Alginate-microencapsulated seed cells can pick up the degradation
      speed and bioactivity of CPC. The aim of this study was to explore the osteogenic
      ability of a composite of microencapsulated rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem
      cells (rBMMSCs) with beta-tricalcium phosphate/calcium phosphate cement (beta
      TCP/CPC) in vivo. Cavity defects were created in both femoral condylar regions of
      New Zealand White rabbits. beta-TCP/CPC (control group) and alginate
      microencapsulated rBMMSCs/beta-TCP/CPC composite (composite group) were implanted
      separately into the bone defects of both femurs. Bone substitute degradation and
      new bone formation were evaluated by CBCT, and the defects were examined
      histologically 8, 16, and 24 weeks after implantation. In addition, fluorescent
      carbocyanine CM-Dil was used to track the rBMMSCs in vivo after implantation. The
      results showed that far more new bone and bone marrow grew into the bone defects
      in the composite group. Few CM-Dil labeled positive cells were observed
      postoperatively. However more native cells were detected in the graft areas of
      the composite group than those of the control group. The study indicates that a
      composite of microencapsulated seed cells/beta-TCP/CPC might be considered as a
      promising injectable material for the generation of new bone tissue. 

PMID- 24211971
TI  - Study on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells apoptosis induced by
      fucosterol.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the effect of fucosterol on HL-60 and the
      molecular mechanism. HL-60 Cells were treated with fucosterol, and 3-(4, 5
      Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method was used to
      study fucosterol anti-tumor activity. Morphology of HL-60 cells was observed.
      Flow cytometry (FCM) was employed to detect the cell cycle. Laser scanning
      confocal microscope (LSCM) was used to analyze mitochondrial membrane potential
      (MMP) and the expressions of Fas, FasL, Fadd and Caspase-8. Western blot was
      performed to analyze the expressions of Cyt-C, Pro-Caspase-9 and Pro-Caspase-3.
      Caspase activity kits were used to determine the activity of Caspase-9, Caspase-8
      and Caspase-3. The results showed fucosterol could inhibit the growth of HL-60
      cells, and the cell cycle was arrested at G2/M phase. HL-60 cells showed obvious
      apoptosis morphology. After being treated with fucosterol for 24 h, HL-60 cells
      decreased MMP, induced Cyt-C release and Caspase-9, Caspase-3 activation.
      Fucosterol also increased the protein expression of Fas, FasL, Fadd and Caspase
      8. Moreover, the activity of Caspase-9, Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 was increased
      significantly. In conclusion, Fucosterol can induce HL-60 cells apoptosis,
      suggesting that it may be a potent agent for cancer prevention and treatment. 

PMID- 24211972
TI  - Comparison between experimentally measured flow patterns for straight and helical
      type graft.
AB  - The long-term success of arterial bypass surgery is often limited by the
      progression of intimal hyperplasia at the anastomosis between the graft and the
      native artery. The experimental models were manufactured from glass tubing with
      constant internal diameter of 8 mm, fashioned into a straight configuration and
      helical configuration. The aim of this study was to determine the three
      dimensional flow structures that occur at the proximal anastomosis under
      pulsatile flow conditions, to investigate the changes that resulted from
      variations in the anastomosis angle and flow division, and to establishing the
      major differences between the straight and helical graft. In the anastomosis
      domain, a strong region of recirculation is observed near the occluded end of the
      artery, which forces the flow to move into the perfused host coronary artery. The
      proximal portion of the host tube shows weak counter-rotating vortices on the
      symmetry plane. The exact locations and strengths of the vortices in this region
      are only weakly dependent on Re. A detailed comparison of experimentally measured
      axial velocity patterns for straight and helical grafts confirm the very strong
      nature of the secondary flows in the helical geometry. The helical configuration
      promotes the mixing effect of vortex motion such that the flow particles are
      mixed into the blood stream disal to the anastomotic junction. 

PMID- 24211973
TI  - A model to calculate microstreaming-shear stress generated by oscillating
      microbubbles on the cell membrane in sonoporation.
AB  - The shear stress exerted on the cell membrane is an important factor in
      sonoporation. However, almost all previous calculations of shear stress were
      based on the Rooney's assumption, which is not applicable for the sonoporation
      experiments. In the article, to construct the microstreaming-shear stress model
      in sonoporation, it theoretically analyzed the microstreaming-shear stress
      exerted on the cell membrane generated by oscillating microbubble based on
      Nyborg's acoustic streaming theory. And the response of the model was compared
      with that of the sonoporation experiment. Cells were exposed by 1MHz 150 kPa
      ultrasound in the presence of SonoVue(r) microbubbles. The sonoporated cells were
      labeled by fluorescent markers and detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow
      cytometry. The theoretically analyzed microstreaming-shear stress was in
      accordance with the cell experimental result. Although some minor factors are
      ignored when building the model to calculate the microstreaming-shear stress, the
      model was still reasonable.

PMID- 24211974
TI  - TLR4 signaling pathway in mouse Lewis lung cancer cells promotes the expression
      of TGF-beta1 and IL-10 and tumor cells migration.
AB  - The signaling pathways that trigger tumor cell escape from immune surveillance
      are not understood completely. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are considered to be
      expressed in both immune cells and tumor cells. By detecting TLRs expression in
      mouse Lewis lung cancer (LLC) before and after co-culture with mouse lymphocytes,
      the authors concluded that LLC cells constitutively expressed TLR1, TLR2, TLR3,
      TLR4, TLR5, TLR6 and TLR9. Meanwhile, TLR4 expression in LLC cells was the
      strongest after co-culture with mouse lymphocytes. To investigate the possible
      roles of TLR4 signaling pathway in LLC, the concentrations of TGF-beta1 and IL-10
      protein in LLC cells supernatant were detected by ELISA, and the migration of LLC
      cells were detected by transwell assay after lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      stimulation. TLR4 protein expression in LLC cells was also detected after LPS
      stimulation by FCM. The results indicated that both levels of TGF-beta1 and IL-10
      protein were significantly increased after LPS stimulation and reached to a
      maximum at 24 h and 10 MUg/mL of LPS. The migrated LLC cells with LPS stimulation
      were significantly increased and reached to a maximum at 10 MUg/mL of LPS. The
      expression of TLR4 protein was significantly enhanced after 10 MUg/mL of LPS
      stimulation. These results suggest that the activation of TLR4 signaling pathway
      in lung cancer cells may be involved in tumor escape and progression by promoting
      the expression of TGF-beta1 and IL-10 and tumor cells migration. 

PMID- 24211975
TI  - Transcriptional suppression of human apolipoproteinA4 and apolipoproteinC3 genes
      by phorbol myristate acetate in hepatic and intestinal cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genetic, epidemiological and clinical evidence has demonstrated the
      importance of the human apolipoproteinA5 (apoA5), apolipoproteinA4 (apoA4),
      apolipoproteinC3 (apoC3), and apolipoproteinA1 (apoA1) genes in the control of
      the triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in the blood. However, little is
      known about the mechanism by which protein kinase C (PKC) regulates the
      expression of these genes in hepatic and intestinal cells. The aim of this study
      was to explore the regulatory role of PKC on the expression of apoA5, apoA4,
      apoC3 and apoA1. METHODS: Hepatic HepG2 and intestinal Caco-2 cells were treated
      with a potent PKC activator, Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The real time
      quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) technique was used to evaluate the effects of PMA
      on the expression of apoA1, apoA4, apoA5 and apoC3 genes. Nuclear run on assay
      was used to determine whether the effect of PMA on apoA4 and apoC3 was due to its
      ability to regulate the transcription of these genes. RESULTS: PMA specifically
      down-regulated the transcription of apoA4 and apoC3, but exhibited no effects on
      apoA1 or apoA5 in either HepG2 or Caco-2 cells. Further study by nuclear run on
      assay proved that the suppressive effect of PMA on apoA4 and apoC3 resulted from
      PMA's regulation of the transcription rate of the two genes. CONCLUSIONS: PMA
      down-regulated transcription of apoA4 and apoC3 possibly through the common
      regulatory element shared by these two genes, suggesting a suppressive role of
      PKC on the transcriptional regulation of specific apolipoproteins in hepatic and
      intestinal cells.

PMID- 24211976
TI  - The preparation of gold nanoparticles and evaluation of their immunological
      function effects on rats.
AB  - As a new type of biomaterials, gold nanoparticles (GNPs), also known as colloidal
      gold (CG), have a wide biomedical application. In this study, GNPs with diameters
      of 10, 15, and 25 nm were prepared by sodium citrate reduction, and detected by
      common optical property, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorbance spectroscopy,
      and scanning electron microscope (SEM), separately for identification of the
      particle size and uniformity. In order to observe the effects of GNPs on immune
      function, adult Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were immunized with the above three
      GNPs, each having three doses of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 ml, and rats without
      immunization served as negative control. After immunization, proliferation
      activity of blood and spleen lymphocyte and the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in
      serum and supernatant of spleen lymphocyte were detected by thiazoleblue (MTT)
      assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The results
      indicated that different size of GNPs was prepared, and the uniformity increased
      with the decrease of the size of particles. Different diameters and doses of GNPs
      have different effects on proliferation of blood and spleen lymphocyte, as well
      as the levels of IL-2 in serum and supernatant of spleen lymphocyte. The 15 nm CG
      in 0.6 ml dose group could most significantly promote blood and spleen lymphocyte
      proliferation, and enhance IL-2 levels in serum and supernatant of spleen
      lymphocyte. Taken together, the findings revealed that application of CG prepared
      by sodium citrate reduction could enhance specific and nonspecific immune
      responses, and the 0.6 ml dose of 15 nm CG might be the best immunizing dose in
      rats. This fact may serve as a further evidence for using CG as a novel
      immunoadjuvant in the future. 

PMID- 24211977
TI  - Vulnerability during short-term memory induced response in canine ventricle.
AB  - Cardiac short-term memory is an intrinsic property which can make the action
      potential duration produce a transient response after a sudden change in heart
      rate. The change of vulnerability was investigated by using computer simulation
      method during the transient period which was created by abruptly shortening the
      cycle length from 800ms to 300ms. The study was performed on a heterogeneous
      fiber consisting of endo-, mid-, and epi-cardiac canine myocytes. An OpenMP
      parallel algorithm was used to accelerate the calculation. The study shows that
      the vulnerable window (VW) relied on both pacing times and locations. At the
      cycle length of 300ms, compared with the situation of 500th beat, there was a
      large transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) at the 30th beat. For most of
      the sites along the fiber, VW consistently demonstrated widely at the beginning
      of the transient period. Generally, with sustained pacing, VW tended to become
      small. The results suggested that during a memory-induced transient response, the
      probability of an occurrence of reentrant wave increased immediately after an
      abrupt change in pacing rate because of the relatively large TDR and VW within
      this period. Therefore, avoidance of a sudden heart rate variation was indicated
      to be helpful for the suppression of reentrant arrhythmias. 

PMID- 24211978
TI  - Effects of Mn (II) on peroxynitrite nitrifying fibrinogen.
AB  - Fibrinogen is a plasma glycoprotein that is an established cardiovascular risk
      and it participates in the blood-clotting mechanism. Nitrated fibrinogen has been
      shown to inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. However, there are
      only a few reports relating to the activity and structural changes of nitrified
      fibrinogen when metal ions are present in the reaction. Mn (II) ion plays an
      important physiological role in the nervous system and cardiac function. In this
      study, we use UV-Vis, 3D-fluorescence, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and Von-Clauss to
      detect 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) production and the activity changes of fibrinogen
      after nitration and oxidation damage caused by ONOO- in the presence of Mn (II).
      Results showed that Mn (II) can enhance the production of 3-NT in fibrinogen,
      promote fluorescence quenching of fibrinogen, and increase the injury to gamma
      and Aalpha chains of fibrinogen in the presence of peroxynitrite. Consequently,
      Mn (II) promotes concentration dependent fibrinogen nitrification damage and
      significantly reduces the biological activity of nitrified fibrinogen. 

PMID- 24211979
TI  - Developmental toxicity of doxorubicin hydrochloride in embryo-larval stages of
      zebrafish.
AB  - Doxorubicin hydrochloride is widely used to treat various types of cancers. Its
      therapeutic and side effects are well documented. However, the developmental
      toxicity of doxorubicin has not been previously described. Lethal and sublethal
      effects on embryo-larval stages of zebrafish in a study of the developmental
      toxicity of doxorubicin were observed. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to
      different concentrations (0-100 mg/L) of doxorubicin between 4 and 120 h post
      fertilization, and zebrafish larvae were exposed to different concentrations (0
      200 mg/L) of doxorubicin for 96 h. The markers about the development toxicity of
      doxorubicin in zebrafish were observed under a stereomicroscope. Higher
      doxorubicin concentrations mainly caused acute lethal effects, and lower
      doxorubicin concentrations mainly caused sublethal effects, such as multiple
      malformations in embryos and larvae. Moreover, with the increase of doxorubicin
      concentration, the malformation rate increased. The heart rate of embryos was
      accelerated at lower concentrations of doxorubicin (<= 10 mg/L) and decelerated
      at higher concentrations (>= 25 mg/L). The hatching rate and body length were
      inhibited at higher concentrations of doxorubicin (>= 25 mg/L).In conclusion,
      doxorubicin has serious developmental toxicity and this raises a concern for
      developmental effects of doxorubicin in clinical practice. 

PMID- 24211980
TI  - Enhanced oral bioavailability and antiasthmatic efficacy of curcumin using
      redispersible dry emulsion.
AB  - Dry emulsion containing curcumin (DE-CUR) was prepared for oral delivery of
      poorly water-soluble curcumin, and its oral bioavailability and antiasthmatic
      efficacy was evaluated. After comparison of the solubility of curcumin in various
      oils, Plurol(r) Oleique CC497 was selected to be the oil phase due to its higher
      solubility of CUR than other oils. A dry emulsion prepared by spray-drying of a
      homogenized oil-in-water emulsion was well-reconstituted in water, fabricating
      similar particle distribution and in vitro release to that of a dispersed
      homogeneous emulsion before spraying. The release of DE-CUR was much higher than
      that of curcumin (85.3 vs. 1.7% release at 60 min). Consequently, DE-CUR resulted
      in 12.0- and 7.1-fold higher Cmax and AUC0-24h than curcumin. In a murine asthma
      model, DE-CUR effectively suppressed airway hyperresponsiveness and levels of T
      helper cytokines such as interleukin-4, inteleukin-5, and interleukin-13. These
      findings demonstrate that the DE-CUR shows a potential for the development of
      functional foods or medicines including CUR. 

PMID- 24211981
TI  - Investigation on the decolorizing mechanism of Pseudomonas sp. R1 on reactive red
      X-3B.
AB  - A strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas sp. R1), which can efficiently
      decolorize reactive red X-3B, was isolated from activated sludge in a dye plant,
      and the decolorizing mechanism was explored in this paper. The result shows that
      Pseudomonas sp. R1 has very good capability for decolorization of reactive red X
      3B and the decolorization rate is increased by 9.1% after optimization of the
      experimental parameters, which means that 89.6% of the reactive red can be
      removed. Investigation on decolorization mechanism showed that the decolorizing
      capability of Pseudomonassp. R1 was significantly affected after plasmids in
      Pseudomonassp. R1 were eliminated by acridine orange (AO). Meanwhile, E. coli
      DH5a could gain decolorizing capability after transformed with the plasmids.
      Plasmid elimination and transformation tests proved that the decolorizing gene in
      Pseudomonas sp. R1 exists in the plasmid. 

PMID- 24211982
TI  - Measuring temporal dynamics of resting-state fMRI data.
AB  - Resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), which is used to measure blood oxygen
      level-dependent (BOLD) from resting brains, is a relatively new and powerful
      method for evaluating regional interactions that occur when a participant is not
      performing an explicit task. Because of the sensitiveness to the phase shift and
      length of time courses of the BOLD recordings, region of interest based
      conventional correlation and coherence methods are no longer suitable for rs-fMRI
      analyses. In this paper, we propose a more robust and consistent method, dominant
      frequency mapping, to analyze rs-fMRI data. We found a dominant frequency of BOLD
      recordings, 0.0137 Hz, in resting human brains that is consistent across
      participants and brain regions. This frequency is detected mainly in Gyrus
      Rectus, Frontal Medial Orbital, Frontal Superior Orbital and Olfactory Sulcus,
      which control the human social behavior, emotion, and decision making. In the
      meantime, we found that BOLD frequencies are most inconsistent in the brain
      regions of PrecentralGyrus, Superior Frontal gyrus, Insula, Caudate nucleus,
      Putamen, and part of the cerebellum, whose functions are about motor.

PMID- 24211983
TI  - Diaphragm breathing movement measurement using ultrasound and radiographic
      imaging: a concurrent validity.
AB  - Recent ultrasound imaging evidence asserts that the diaphragm is an important
      multifunctional muscle to control breathing as well as stabilize the core and
      posture in humans. However, the validity and accuracy of ultrasound for the
      measurement of dynamic diaphragm movements during breathing and functional core
      activities have not been determined. The specific aim of this study was to
      validate the accuracy of ultrasound imaging measurements of diaphragm movements
      by concurrently comparing these measurements to the gold standard of radiographic
      imaging measurements. A total of 14 asymptomatic adults (9 males, 5 females; mean
      age =28.4 +/- 3.0 years) were recruited to participate in the study. Ultrasound
      and radiographic images were used concurrently to determine diaphragm movement
      (inspiration, expiration, and excursion) during tidal breathing. Pearson
      correlation analysis showed strong correlations, ranging from r=0.78 to r=0.83,
      between ultrasound and radiographic imaging measurements of the diaphragm during
      inhalation, exhalation, and excursion. These findings suggest that ultrasound
      imaging measurement is useful to accurately evaluate diaphragm movements during
      tidal breathing. Clinically, ultrasound imaging measurements can be used to
      diagnose and treat diaphragm movement impairments in individuals with
      neuromuscular disorders including spinal cord injuries, stroke, and multiple
      sclerosis.

PMID- 24211984
TI  - Qualitative and quantitative analysis of seven oligosaccharides in Morinda
      officinalis using double-development HPTLC and scanning densitometry.
AB  - The quality of Morindaofficinalis, which has been used as a Yang-tonic agent for
      a long time in China, can be evaluated. A double-development high performance
      thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method has been established to simultaneously
      analyze quality and quantity of seven inulin-type oligosaccharides (DP=3-9) in
      Morindaofficinalis. The chromatography was performed on a silica gel 60 plate
      with the 7:5:2:1 proportion (v/v) of n-butanol-isopropanol-water-acetic acid for
      the first and second developments, respectively. The bands were visualized by the
      reaction with aniline-diphenylamine-phosphoric acid solution and analyzed by
      densitometric TLC at 540 nm. Quantification of seven oligosaccharides was
      achieved by densitometry at 540 nm. The investigated standard sugar had good
      linearity (R2>0.99) within test ranges. The amounts of seven oligosaccharides
      were calculated by the relative correction factor (RCF). Therefore, the developed
      TLC method could be used for quality control of Morindaofficinalis. 

PMID- 24211985
TI  - Study of parameters for evaluating the pushability of interventional devices
      using box-shaped blood vessel biomodels made of PVA-H or silicone.
AB  - In this paper, we investigated several parameters with effect on the compressive
      force to assess the mechanical properties of interventional device. We find
      several parameters are highly influential and others are not. In our evaluation
      system, we prepared a box-shaped PVA-H and silicone with realistic geometry and
      carried out the measurement and evaluation of the pushability by using load cell
      machine. The parameters of velocity, position of device in the system do not
      affect the compressive force, whereas the length of catheter from the tip to
      fixed point is one of the most influential parameters for the force. Several
      behaviors such as passing through the curve or slip and stop can be observed and
      defined using this system. The balance of the bending force and the pushing force
      may make the tip with behavior of slip and stop or passing thorough the curve.
      The investigation of the evaluation system confirmed that high reproducibility
      with short error bar is indicated. The observation with movie record is also an
      advantage of our system because the high transparency of materials with silicone
      and PVA-H can check the inside of artery. 

PMID- 24211986
TI  - Application of high-speed counter-current chromatography for isolation of
      triterpenes from Schisandra Chinensis (Turcz.) Baill and induction apoptosis
      mechanism of HSC-T6.
AB  - Triterpenes have shown many beneficial activities in researches, but their
      separation and preparation usually require multiple methods. Following an initial
      cleaning-up step on the AB-8 macroporous resin, a preparative high-speed counter
      current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two-phase solvent system comprising
      chloroform-n-butyl alcohol-methanol-water (10:1:7:4, v/v/v/v) was used to isolate
      and separate triterpenes from caculis of Schisandra Chinensis (Turcz.) baill. A
      total of 89 mg corosolic acid with purities of 98.5% were obtained from 400 mg
      crude extract in one-step elution and less than 4 h, and the structure
      identification was performed by UV, IR, MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The inhibition on
      liver fibrosis activities of the triterpenes against HSC-T6 in vitro were studied
      by cell culture methods. The results showed that the corosolic acid have better
      inhibitory effects on HSC-T6 cells with the IC50 value of 5~25 MUg/mL and the
      study also indicated that corosolic acid might be a potential Chinese medical
      component to inhibit liver fibrosis. 

PMID- 24211987
TI  - Osteogenic activity of nanonized pearl powder/poly (lactide-co-glycolide)
      composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
AB  - Numerous materials have been proposed for bone tissue engineering. In this study,
      a newly designed hybrid composite scaffold composed of poly (D,L-lactide-co
      glycolide) and a naturally bioceramic hybrid material, nanonized pearl powder,
      were prepared and the biological activities and physical properties of the
      scaffold for bone tissue engineering were evaluated. It is a composite consisting
      calcium carbonate crystal in an aragonite structure, embedded in an organic
      matrix. Peral contains one or more signal molecules capable of stimulating bone
      formation. The nanonized pearl powder is considered as a promising osteoinductive
      biomaterial. This biomaterial is biocompatible and shows osteogenic activity. In
      this study, the designed biohybrid of nanonized pearl powder/poly (lactide-co
      glycolide) (NPP/PLGA) biocomposite scaffolds would employ biodegradable material
      as MC3T3-E1 cells seeded scaffolds. Therefore, the biocomposite scaffolds would
      be used to culture with MC3T3-E1 cells under spinner bioreactor in vitro.
      Furthermore, it also detailed how these tissues were characterized, qualitatively
      and quantitatively, with scanning electron microscopy and biochemical testing.
      The identity and the mode of action of these molecules on the osteoblast
      differentiation were analyzed. This study indicates that the efficiency of
      nanonized pearl powders in bone cell differentiation are certainly different from
      that of proteins. Further sudy will look forward to manufacturing the promising
      new generation bone substitute, three dimensional biocomposite scaffolds to
      replace the implant and autogeneous bone graft, which combines basic research and
      clinical application. 

PMID- 24211988
TI  - Response time of visual matching task and heart rate in children with Attention
      Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between response time
      of visual matching task and heart rate (HR) in children with Attention Deficit
      Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Thirty boys who were diagnosed with ADHD and are
      under treatment participated in the study. The experiment consisted of three
      phases, a total of 5 min with rest phase, control phase, and visual matching task
      phase. HR was measured during each phase. The HR in visual matching task phase
      increased, compared to that in rest phase. There was a negative correlation
      between response time of visual matching task and magnitude of the HR in the
      visual matching task phase. In other words, as HR increased, response time of the
      visual matching task decreased. This means that increasing in HR increased the
      supply of oxygen by fast circulation of blood for cognitive processing and this
      induced the improvement of cognitive ability in the ADHD children. This means
      that increasing HR increased the supply of oxygen by fast circulation of blood
      for cognitive processing and this induced the improvement of cognitive ability in
      the ADHD children. The result of this study supports previous studies that the
      administration of high oxygen concentration can positively affect the cognitive
      performance of the ADHD children. The results of the present and previous studies
      also may provide scientific evidence that can be used for treating patients with
      cognitive problems such as ADHD. 

PMID- 24211989
TI  - Non-contact physiological signal detection using continuous wave Doppler radar.
AB  - The aim of this work is to show non-contact physiological signal monitoring
      system based on continuous-wave (CW) Doppler radar, which is becoming highly
      attractive in the field of health care monitoring of elderly people. Two radar
      signal processing methods were introduced in this paper: one to extract
      respiration and heart rates of a single person and the other to separate mixed
      respiration signals. To verify the validity of the methods, physiological signal
      is obtained from stationary human subjects using a CW Doppler radar unit. The
      sensor operating at 24 GHz is located 0.5 meter away from the subject. The
      simulation results show that the respiration and heart rates are clearly
      extracted, and the mixed respiration signals are successfully separated. Finally,
      reference respiration and heart rate signals are measured by an ECG monitor and
      compared with the results tracked by the CW Doppler radar monitoring system. 

PMID- 24211990
TI  - An ensemble feature selection technique for cancer recognition.
AB  - Correlation-based feature selection (CFS) using neighborhood mutual information
      (NMI) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) are combined into an ensemble
      technique in this paper. Based on this observation, an efficient gene selection
      algorithm, denoted by NMICFS-PSO, is proposed. Several cancer recognition tasks
      are gathered for testing the proposed technique. Moreover, support vector machine
      (SVM), integrated with leave-one-out cross-validation and served as a classifier,
      is employed for six classification profiles to calculate the classification
      accuracy. Experimental results show that the proposed method can reduce the
      redundant features effectively and achieve superior performance. The
      classification accuracy obtained by our method is higher in five out of the six
      gene expression problems as compared with that of other classifi cation methods. 

PMID- 24211991
TI  - A 1-channel 3-band wide dynamic range compression chip for vibration transducer
      of implantable hearing aids.
AB  - In this paper, a digital audio processing chip which uses a wide dynamic range
      compression (WDRC) algorithm is designed and implemented for implantable hearing
      aids system. The designed chip operates at a single voltage of 3.3V and drives a
      16 bit parallel input and output at 32 kHz sample. The designed chip has 1
      channel 3-band WDRC composed of a FIR filter bank, a level detector, and a
      compression part. To verify the performance of the designed chip, we measured the
      frequency separations of bands and compression gain control to reflect the
      hearing threshold level. 

PMID- 24211992
TI  - Licochalcone A inhibiting proliferation of bladder cancer T24 cells by inducing
      reactive oxygen species production.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between proliferation
      inhibition and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by
      Licochalcone A (LCA). Cell viability was evaluated using sulforhodamine B (SRB)
      assay. Intracellular ROS level was assessed using the 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein
      diacetate (H2DCFDA) probe and dihydroethidium (DHE) probe assay. The results
      indicate that LCA inhibits human bladder cancer T24 proliferation in a
      concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of approximately 55 MUM. The
      LCA-induced ROS production is inhibited by the co-treatment of LCA and free
      radical scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), on the contrary, the proliferation
      rate and ROS production increase when treated by the combination of LCA and L
      buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO). The ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to
      oxidized glutathione (GSSG) decreases in a concentration-dependent manner. The
      results suggest that LCA inhibits proliferation by increasing intracellular ROS
      levels resulted in an oxidative stress status in T24 cells. 

PMID- 24211993
TI  - Ubiquitous health monitoring and real-time cardiac arrhythmias detection: a case
      study.
AB  - As the symptoms and signs of heart diseases that cause sudden cardiac death,
      cardiac arrhythmia has attracted great attention. Due to limitations in time and
      space, traditional approaches to cardiac arrhythmias detection fail to provide a
      real-time continuous monitoring and testing service applicable in different
      environmental conditions. Integrated with the latest technologies in ECG
      (electrocardiograph) analysis and medical care, the pervasive computing
      technology makes possible the ubiquitous cardiac care services, and thus brings
      about new technical challenges, especially in the formation of cardiac care
      architecture and realization of the real-time automatic ECG detection algorithm
      dedicated to care devices. In this paper, a ubiquitous cardiac care prototype
      system is presented with its architecture framework well elaborated. This
      prototype system has been tested and evaluated in all the clinical-/home-/outdoor
      care modes with a satisfactory performance in providing real-time continuous
      cardiac arrhythmias monitoring service unlimitedly adaptable in time and space. 

PMID- 24211994
TI  - Electroencephalogram synchronization analysis for attention deficit hyperactivity
      disorder children.
AB  - This study investigated the changes in synchronization of different
      electroencephalogram (EEG) bands in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
      (ADHD) children. EEG data were obtained from 13 children diagnosed with ADHD and
      13 normal control children in the resting state. The statistical dependencies
      between each EEG channel were generated by calculating synchronization
      likelihood. The differences of synchronization between the ADHD and control
      groups were statistically evaluated. Overall, the synchronization was
      significantly higher in the ADHD group in the alpha and beta bands. The present
      study found that synchronization was significantly altered in the fast EEG bands
      in patients with ADHD. These findings may enhance our understanding for the
      relationship between ADHD and cerebral dysfunction. 

PMID- 24211995
TI  - A Hurst exponent estimator based on autoregressive power spectrum estimation with
      order selection.
AB  - The discrete-time fractional Gaussian noise (DFGN) has been proven to be a
      regular process. According to Wold and Kolmogorov theorems, this process can be
      described as an autoregressive (AR) model of an infinite order. An estimator for
      the Hurst exponent based on autoregressive power spectrum estimation has been
      proposed, but without considering order selection. In this paper, six common
      order selection methods for the AR model were used to select appropriate orders
      of the AR model in order to raise the accuracy of estimating the Hurst exponent.
      Experimental results show that these six AR methods with considering order
      selection are more accurate than the original AR method without considering order
      selection. 

PMID- 24211996
TI  - Numerical validation of a suprasystolic brachial cuff-based method for estimating
      aortic pressure.
AB  - Central aortic pressures are better predictors of cardiovascular events than
      peripheral pressures. However, central aortic blood pressures cannot be measured
      noninvasively; for this reason, estimating aortic pressures from noninvasive
      measurements of peripheral pressures has been the subject of numerous studies. In
      the present study, a novel method was proposed to noninvasively estimate aortic
      pressures from the oscillometric wave of a suprasystolic brachial cuff. The
      errors of estimation were evaluated in relation to various cardiovascular
      properties using an integrated cardiovascular-cuff model. Obtained results
      demonstrated that the estimation errors are affected mainly by aortic stiffness.
      The estimation errors for aortic systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, pulse
      pressure and wave shape under the assumed cardiovascular conditions were 5.84 +/-
      1.58 mmHg, -0.28 +/- 0.41 mmHg, 6.12 +/- 1.42 mmHg and 1.72 +/- 0.57 mmHg,
      respectively, all of which fell within the error ranges established by existing
      devices. Since the method is easy to be automated and bases the estimation fully
      on patient-specific information, its clinical application is promising, although
      further clinical studies are awaited to validate the method in vivo.

PMID- 24211997
TI  - Study of brain functional network based on sample entropy of EEG under magnetic
      stimulation at PC6 acupoint.
AB  - Acupuncture is based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Its
      therapeutic effectiveness has been proved by clinical practice. However, its
      mechanism of action is still unclear. Magnetic stimulation at acupuncture point
      provides a new means for studying the theory of acupuncture. Based on the Graph
      Theory, the construction and analysis method of complex network can help to
      investigate the topology of brain functional network and understand the working
      mechanism of brain. In this study, magnetic stimulation was used to stimulate
      Neiguan (PC6) acupoint and the EEG (Electroencephalograph) signal was recorded.
      Using non-linear method (Sample Entropy) and complex network theory, brain
      functional network based on EEG signal under magnetic stimulation at PC6 acupoint
      was constructed and analyzed. In addition, the features of complex network were
      comparatively analyzed between the quiescent and stimulated states. Our
      experimental results show the topology of the network is changed, the connection
      of the network is enhanced, the efficiency of information transmission is
      improved and the small-world property is strengthened through stimulating the PC6
      acupoint. 

PMID- 24211998
TI  - Establishment of dsDNA/GNs/chit/GCE biosensor and electrochemical study on
      interaction between 6-mercaptopurine and DNA.
AB  - In this paper, the anti-cancer drug 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) was taken as the
      detection object. The biosensor of dsDNA/GNs/chit/GCE was established using the
      grapheme (GNs) and chitosan (chit) as the compound modified material. The
      electrochemical behavior of 6-MP on the sensor was discussed, and the damage and
      its mechanism of 6-MP on DNA were studied. The experimental result showed that,
      after the modification of GNs-chit, the electrode activation area of GNs/chit/GCE
      increased remarkably, which was improved from 1.76cm2 to 8.64 cm2, and the
      responsive oxidation peak current of GNs/chit/GCE to K3[Fe(CN)6] also increased
      remarkably. At the meantime, it was demonstrated that DNA was effectively fixed
      on the GNs/chit/GCE electrode;6-MP caused obvious damage to dsDNA, and the damage
      degree on the adenine was bigger than that on the guanine; the interaction
      between 6-MP and dsDNA was preliminarily deduced as the intercalation, and its
      electrochemical oxidation process was an irreversible process controlled by the
      adsorption. 

PMID- 24211999
TI  - Direct electron transfer of horseradish peroxidase on a functional nanocomplex
      modified glassy carbon electrode.
AB  - Direct electron transfer of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was achieved by
      immobilizing HRP on a functional nanocomplex modified glassy carbon (GC)
      electrode. The cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of the modified electrode have a pair
      of well-defined redox peaks with a formal potential (E degrees ') of -26 +/- 2 mV
      versus Ag/AgCl, in 0.05 M, pH7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at a scan rate
      of 0.05 V/s. The heterogeneous electron transfer constant (ks) was calculated to
      be 1.94 s-1. The modified electrode response toward hydrogen peroxide was linear
      in the concentrations ranging from 0.28 MUM to 10 MUM, with a detection limit of
      0.28 MUM. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Kmapp) for H2O2 was 2.54 MUM.
      Moreover, results of biochemical computation showed that the amino acid residues
      (Ala34, Arg38, Ser73, Arg75, Ala140, Pro141, Phe172, Gly173, Lys174, Phe179,
      Arg31, Ser35, Lys174, Gln176) of HRP may playa crucial role in the improvement of
      electron transport between electro-active site (heme group) of an HRP molecule
      and nanocomplex modified GC electrode.

PMID- 24212000
TI  - A molecule-imprinted polyaniline membrane modified on carbon fiber for detection
      of glycine.
AB  - A layer of L-glycine-molecule-imprinted polyaniline (LMIP-PANI) polymer film has
      been modified on a carbon fiber electrode for the determination of L-glycine
      standard samples and L-glycine in cerebrospinal fluid of wistar mice. It has been
      found that a linear relationship exists between current and concentration for the
      glycine standard samples in the range of 0-12 MUM by using the LMIP-PANI-modified
      carbon fiber electrode as a sensor. However, there is no any relationship between
      current and concentration for the carbon fiber electrode modified with no-glycine
      molecule-imprinted polyaniline (NIP-PANI). The MIP-PANI- and NIP-PANI-modified
      carbon fiber films have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
      X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemistry methods. The
      investigation shows that the MIP-PANI-imprinted carbon fiber electrode will have
      a potential application in in-situ monitoring neurotransmitter due to its easy
      fabrication, low cost, bio-compatibility and flexibility. 

PMID- 24212001
TI  - Analysis of the strain of the great saphenous vein in motion.
AB  - This research probes into the strain changes of the great saphenous vein (GSV)
      during step exercises. Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) were used to process
      and develop Gauge Factors (GF=4.79 +/- 0.247), 5 males and 5 females with an
      average age of 20 +/- 0.6 years were asked to engage in step exercises (with step
      height of 25 cm), and the strain changes of the GSV in the lower limbs of the
      dorsal venous arch were measured. The results show that the effect the exercise
      has on the vein vessel is not prominent within 0.87 min; between 0.87 and 13.71
      min, the average rates of the strain changes in the GSV show a linear increase;
      after 13.4 +/- 0.31 min, the linear curve of the increase rate is alleviated.
      This shows that to prevent varicose veins in the lower limbs, continuous exercise
      between 0.87 to 13.71 minutes has better effects in training. Exercising for over
      13.71 minutes has its beneficial effects, but the effects are considerably less
      obvious than exercising for 0.87~13.71 min.

PMID- 24212002
TI  - Improve GRAPPA with cross-sampled ACS lines and nonlinear kernel model.
AB  - Among the methods of parallel magnetic resonance imaging (PMRI), Generalized Auto
      calibrating Partially Parallel Acquisitions (GRAPPA) technique reconstructs the
      missing k-space data by a set of weights, which are derived from auto-calibration
      signal (ACS) lines acquired in parallel to the reduced lines. In this paper, a
      novel hybrid method is proposed to reconstruct by cross sampling the ACS lines
      orthogonal to the reduced lines and estimating weights with a second-order
      nonlinear model. The proposed method can mix the benefits of cross sampling and
      the nonlinear kernel model. The in vivo experiments demonstrate this method,
      named as cross-sampled nonlinear (CSNL) GRAPPA, can effectively reduce the
      aliasing artifacts and noises when high acceleration is desired. 

PMID- 24212003
TI  - Acceleration method of 3D medical images registration based on compute unified
      device architecture.
AB  - Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) is a parallel computing platform and
      programming model invented by NVIDIA. It enables dramatic increase in computing
      performance via the power of the graphics processing unit (GPU). In medical image
      analysis, 3D image registration generally takes relatively long time, which is
      not feasible for clinical applications. To solve this problem, this paper
      proposed a high performance computational method based on CUDA, which took full
      advantage of GPU parallel computing under CUDA architecture combined with image
      multiple scale and maximum mutual information. Experiments showed that this
      algorithm can not only maintain the registration accuracy but also greatly
      increase the speed of registration process and meet the real-time requirement of
      clinical application. 

PMID- 24212004
TI  - Comparison of SPECT/CT, MRI and CT in diagnosis of skull base bone invasion in
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - Early detection of skull base invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is
      crucial for correct staging, assessing treatment response and contouring the
      tumor target in radiotherapy planning, as well as improving the patient's
      prognosis. To compare the diagnostic efficacy of single photon emission computed
      tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging, magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) for the detection of skull base invasion in
      NPC. Sixty untreated patients with histologically proven NPC underwent SPECT/CT
      imaging, contrast-enhanced MRI and CT. Of the 60 patients, 30 had skull base
      invasion confirmed by the final results of contrast-enhanced MRI, CT and six
      month follow-up imaging (MRI and CT). The diagnostic efficacy of the three
      imaging modalities in detecting skull base invasion was evaluated. The rates of
      positive findings of skull base invasion for SPECT/CT, MRI and CT were 53.3%,
      48.3% and 33.3%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were
      93.3%, 86.7% and 90.0% for SPECT/CT fusion imaging, 96.7%, 100.0% and 98.3% for
      contrast-enhanced MRI, and 66.7%, 100.0% and 83.3% for contrast-enhanced CT. MRI
      showed the best performance for the diagnosis of skull base invasion in
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma, followed closely by SPECT/CT. SPECT/CT had poorer
      specificity than that of both MRI and CT, while CT had the lowest sensitivity. 

PMID- 24212005
TI  - Cytoplasm segmentation on cervical cell images using graph cut-based approach.
AB  - This paper proposes a method to segment the cytoplasm in cervical cell images
      using graph cut-based algorithm. First, the A* channel in CIE LAB color space is
      extracted for contrast enhancement. Then, in order to effectively extract
      cytoplasm boundaries when image histograms present non-bimodal distribution, Otsu
      multiple thresholding is performed on the contrast enhanced image to generate
      initial segments, based on which the segments are refined by the multi-way graph
      cut method. We use 21 cervical cell images with non-ideal imaging condition to
      evaluate cytoplasm segmentation performance. The proposed method achieved a 93%
      accuracy which outperformed state-of-the-art works. 

PMID- 24212006
TI  - Cerebral activation and lateralization due to the cognition of a various driving
      speed difference: an fMRI study.
AB  - This study investigated the changes of cerebral activation and lateralization due
      to the cognition of three driving speeds in comparison to a reference driving
      speed using functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI. A driving video as a
      visual stimulation source was recorded with four different driving speeds in a
      real driving situation. The experiment consisted of three blocks and each block
      included a one-minute control phase and a one-minute stimulation phase. The
      activation area and the lateralization index were analyzed by subtracting high
      speed data from low speed data. Such areas as occipital, parietal and frontal
      lobes, which is related to visual cognition, high order visual and spatial
      attention (or vigilance), were activated due to the cognition of various driving
      speed differences. As the driving speed difference increased, the activation area
      increased in the areas related to spatial attention (or vigilance), such as the
      frontal lobe, however, changes of neuronal activation in the occipital and
      parietal lobes were inconsistent. As the driving speed difference increased, the
      absolute value of cerebral lateralization decreased. These results may provide
      some basic data for elucidating the brain-function mechanism related to the
      cognition of a various driving speed difference based on a realistic visual
      stimulation. 

PMID- 24212007
TI  - Human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 apoptosis induced by SFPS-B2 via a
      mitochondrial-mediated pathway.
AB  - This study was to investigate the effect of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides
      (SFPS-B2) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell line
      SGC-7901. Cells were treated with different concentrations of SFPS-B2. MTT and
      flow cytometry (FCM) assays were performed to evaluate the effect of SFPS-B2 on
      the cell growth and apoptosis. Inverted fluorescent microscope was used to
      observe cell morphology. Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was used to
      analyze intracellular calcium ion concentration, mitochondrion permeability
      transition pore (MPTP) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).
      Spectrophotometer was applied to quantify the activity of Caspase-9 and Caspase
      3. FCM was used to determine the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and cytochrome C. It
      was shown that SFPS-B2 inhibited the growth of SGC-7901. After the treatment for
      72 h, the cell apoptosis morphology was obvious, which showed that cell
      protuberance and apoptotic body appeared, and the cytoplasm was concentrated; the
      apoptotic peak appeared and the apoptotic rate increased in a dose-dependent
      manner. After the treatment for 24 h, SFPS-B2 activated intracellular MPTP and
      decreased MMP. It also increased the activity of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, down
      regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulated the expression of Bax, induced
      the release of Cyt-C. SFPS-B2 induced SGC-7901 apoptosis through a mitochondrial
      mediated pathway, suggesting it may be an agent for cancer treatment. 

PMID- 24212008
TI  - A non-rigid registration method for cerebral DSA images based on forward and
      inverse stretching - avoiding bilinear interpolation.
AB  - In order to reduce the motion artifact caused by the patient in cerebral DSA
      images, a non-rigid registration method based on stretching transformation is
      presented in this paper. Unlike other traditional methods, it does not need
      bilinear interpolation which is rather time-consuming and even produce
      'originally non-existent gray value'. By this method, the mask image is
      rasterized to generate appropriate control points. The Energy of Histogram of
      Differences criterion is adopted as similarity measurement, and the Powell
      algorithm is utilized for acceleration. A forward stretching transformation is
      used to complete motion estimation and an inverse stretching transformation to
      generate target image by pixel mapping strategy. This method is effective to
      maintain the topological relationships of the gray value before and after the
      image deformation. The mask image remains clear and accurate contours, and the
      quality of the subtraction image after the registration is favorable. This method
      can provide support for clinical treatment and diagnosis of cerebral disease. 

PMID- 24212009
TI  - Thermal computed tomography for biological tissue reconstruction based on
      radiation balance.
AB  - In this paper, a thermal computed tomography (TCT) for structural reconstruction
      of optical-thin biological tissues is proposed, which is based on a radiation
      balance between adjacent infinitesimals. A theoretical analysis has been carried
      out and several influential factors have been analyzed for the reconstructions of
      a physical model in numerical simulations. The simulation results give a
      criterion of how to choose an appropriate set of parameters to reconstruct
      biological tissues with the TCT. Besides, a TCT system was established and a
      validation experiment was carried out. The studies of both numerical simulations
      and experiments have verified the feasibility of the proposed TCT and give a
      valuable reference for the future applications of TCT in biology. 

PMID- 24212010
TI  - Experimental exploration of mouse kidney imaging with the SR PCI technology.
AB  - This paper explores mouse kidney imaging with diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI)
      and inline outline X-ray imaging (IOXI) technology, and evaluates latent value of
      kidney imaging with phase contrast imaging technology. In our experiment, spatial
      resolution and tissue contrast serve as element evaluation and comparison. Images
      obtained from our experiment exhibit clearly observable contrasts and high
      resolution, suggesting X-RAY and IOXO are suitable for capturing kidney images.
      Also, further comparison shows IOXO has a better performance than DEI in
      capturing microstructures. 

PMID- 24212011
TI  - Value of F-18 FDG PET/CT in detection and prognostication of isolated extra
      axillary lymph node recurrences in postoperative breast cancer.
AB  - We assessed the role of F-18 FDG PET/CT in evaluating isolated extra-axillary
      lymph node recurrences in postoperative breast cancer patients and its prognostic
      value on clinical outcome. We reviewed PET/CT scans of postoperative breast
      cancer patients performed at our institution between July 2003 and February 2012.
      We recorded PET/CT findings, clinicopathologic variables and treatment
      modalities. We analyzed metabolic parameters from PET/CT and clinicopathologic
      variables with respect to progression free survival (PFS). A total of 3561 PET/CT
      scans were performed in 1906 postoperative breast cancer patients with a median
      interval of 43 month from curative surgery. Fifty seven patients (2.99%)
      demonstrated isolated extra-axillary nodal recurrences (n=85) on PET/CT (internal
      mammary node recurrences in 28, supraclavicular 24, infraclavicular 4,
      interpectoral 8, cervical 12, and mediastinal 9).The median SUVmax was 7.8
      (range, 1.8~19.0), and the median node size was 15 mm (range, 6~38 mm). All
      recurrences were nonpalpable. Based on PET/CT findings, 53 out of 57 patients
      with extra-axillary node recurrences underwent subsequent chemotherapy/radiation
      therapy. The estimated 3-year PFS rate was 48.6%. Cutoff points of SUVmax 2.7 and
      size 14 mm were the best discriminative values for predicting clinical outcome.
      SUVmax and size of extra-axillary nodal recurrences were significantly correlated
      to PFS on univariate and multivariate analyses (p<0.001 and p=0.019,
      respectively). 

PMID- 24212012
TI  - Emotion recognition based on the sample entropy of EEG.
AB  - A sample entropy (SampEn)-based emotion recognition approach was presented. The
      SampEn results of notable EEG channels screened by K-S test were fed to the
      support vector machine (SVM)-weight classifier for training, after which it was
      applied to two emotion recognition tasks. One is to distinguish positive and
      negative emotion with high arousal and the other genitive emotion with different
      arousal status. Results showed that channels related to emotions were mostly
      located on the prefrontal region, i.e., F3, CP5, FP2, FZ, and FC2. And they were
      applied to form the input vectors of SVM-weight classifier. The accuracies of the
      present algorithm for the two tasks were 80.43% and 79.11%, respectively
      indicated by the leave-one-person-out validation procedure, demonstrating that
      the present algorithm had a reasonable generalization capability. 

PMID- 24212013
TI  - Filter based receive-side spatial compounding for veterinary ultrasound B-mode
      imaging.
AB  - Veterinary ultrasound has been used in a large number of animal husbandry-related
      circumstances while many corresponding applications also call for the use of
      ultrasound in human patients. However, veterinary ultrasound images are affected
      by speckle, an interference pattern that can reduce the quality and contrast of
      ultrasound images. In this paper, a filter-based receive-side spatial compounding
      technique for veterinary ultrasound B-Mode imaging is used to create a compounded
      veterinary B-Mode image based on multiple looks. In particular, filtering in the
      lateral direction has been proved to be able to preserve the axial information in
      the sub-bands and to create decorrelation between sub-bands at the expense of
      some lateral resolution. A new method was proposed to obtain B-Mode IQ data by
      special veterinary ultrasonic probe. This approach is tested on 275 in-vivo
      swine. The effect is accomplished in real-time veterinary ultrasonic imaging with
      a measurable improvement of SNRe. Meanwhile, the speckle and electronic noise in
      the compounded image have been greatly reduced and smoothed in the visual result.

PMID- 24212014
TI  - Optimization of acoustic emitted field of transducer array for ultrasound
      imaging.
AB  - A method is proposed to calculate the weight vector of a transducer array for
      ultrasound imaging to obtain a low-sidelobe transmitting beam pattern based on
      the near-field response vector. An optimization problem is established, and the
      second-order cone (SOC) algorithm is used to solve the problem to obtain the
      weight vector. The optimized acoustic emitted field of the transducer array is
      then calculated using the Field II program by applying the obtained weight vector
      to the array. The simulation results with a 64-element 26 MHz linear phased array
      show that the proposed method can be used to control the sidelobe of the near
      field transmitting beam pattern of the transducer array and achieve a low
      sidelobe level. The near-field sound pressure distribution of the transducer
      array using the proposed method focuses much better than that using the standard
      delay and sum (DAS) beamforming method. The sound energy is more concentrated
      using the proposed method. 

PMID- 24212015
TI  - Texture analysis and classification of ultrasound liver images.
AB  - Ultrasound as a noninvasive imaging technique is widely used to diagnose liver
      diseases. Texture analysis and classification of ultrasound liver images have
      become an important research topic across the world. In this study, GLGCM (Gray
      Level Gradient Co-Occurrence Matrix) was implemented for texture analysis of
      ultrasound liver images first, followed by the use of GLCM (Gray Level Co
      occurrence Matrix) at the second stage. Twenty two features were obtained using
      the two methods, and seven most powerful features were selected for
      classification using BP (Back Propagation) neural network. Fibrosis was divided
      into five stages (S0-S4) in this study. The classification accuracies of S0-S4
      were 100%, 90%, 70%, 90% and 100%, respectively.

PMID- 24212016
TI  - Volume and dosimetric variations during two-phase adaptive intensity-modulated
      radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - The aims of this study were to evaluate the volume and dosimetric variations
      during IMRT for locally advanced NPC and to identify the benefits of a two-phase
      adaptive IMRT method. Twenty patients with locally advanced NPC having received
      IMRT treatment were included. Each patient had both an initial planning CT (CT-1)
      and a repeated CT scan (CT-2) after treatment at a dose of 40 Gy. Three IMRT
      planning scenarios were compared: (1) the initial plan on the CT-1 (plan-1); (2)
      the hybrid plan recalculated the initial plan on the CT-2 (plan-2); (3) the
      replan generated on the CT-2 being used to complete the course of IMRT (plan-3).
      The mean gross target volume and mean volumes of the positive neck lymph nodes,
      high-risk clinical target volume, and the left and right parotid glands
      significantly decreased by 30.2%, 45.1%, 21.1%, 14.7% and 18.2%, respectively on
      the CT-2. Comparing plan-2 with plan-1, the dose coverage of the targets remained
      unchanged, whereas the dose delivered to the parotid glands and spinal cord
      increased significantly. These patients with locally advanced NPC might benefit
      from replanning because of the sparing of the parotid glands and spinal cord. 

PMID- 24212017
TI  - Matching of feature points based on TSSC method from MR images of nonrigid
      deformed tissues.
AB  - Due to the nonlinear and nonuniform local deformation of nonrigid tissues, it is
      difficult to match a number of feature points distributing somewhat uniform in
      the tissues from MR images for deformation measurement. This paper proposes TSSC
      (TPS-SURF-SAC-Clustering) based method of feature point matching and elimination
      of mismatching. First, Fast-Hessian and Harris operator are utilized to extract
      the feature points in the initial MR image, and the matching region is identified
      by TPS transformation model for every query point in the deformed image. Then the
      SURF descriptors and the proposed Spatial Association Correspondence (SAC) method
      are combined to match the feature points. Finally, by clustering the coordinate
      differences between the matching points obtained by TPS-SURF-SAC and the matching
      points calculated by TPS model, most incorrectly matched points are eliminated.
      After every iterative processing of matching and mismatching elimination, the
      updated TPS model becomes more accurate and more correctly so that the matched
      points can be identified than those of last iteration. The experimental results
      show that the proposed SAC was efficient and that TSSC based method outperformed
      the single SURF or SIFT method. 

PMID- 24212018
TI  - Bias correction for magnetic resonance images via joint entropy regularization.
AB  - Due to the imperfections of the radio frequency (RF) coil or object-dependent
      electrodynamic interactions, magnetic resonance (MR) images often suffer from a
      smooth and biologically meaningless bias field, which causes severe troubles for
      subsequent processing and quantitative analysis. To effectively restore the
      original signal, this paper simultaneously exploits the spatial and gradient
      features of the corrupted MR images for bias correction via the joint entropy
      regularization. With both isotropic and anisotropic total variation (TV)
      considered, two nonparametric bias correction algorithms have been proposed,
      namely IsoTVBiasC and AniTVBiasC. These two methods have been applied to
      simulated images under various noise levels and bias field corruption and also
      tested on real MR data. The test results show that the proposed two methods can
      effectively remove the bias field and also present comparable performance
      compared to the state-of-the-art methods. 

PMID- 24212019
TI  - Novel lattice Boltzmann method based on integrated edge and region information
      for medical image segmentation.
AB  - The lattice Boltzmann (LB) method is a mesoscopic method based on kinetic theory
      and statistical mechanics. The main advantage of the LB method is parallel
      computation, which increases the speed of calculation. In the past decade, LB
      methods have gradually been introduced for image processing, e.g., image
      segmentation. However, a major shortcoming of existing LB methods is that they
      can only be applied to the processing of medical images with intensity
      homogeneity. In practice, however, many medical images possess intensity
      inhomogeneity. In this study, we developed a novel LB method to integrate edge
      and region information for medical image segmentation. In contrast to other
      segmentation methods, we added edge information as a relaxing factor and used
      region information as a source term. The proposed method facilitates the
      segmentation of medical images with intensity inhomogeneity and it still allows
      parallel computation. Preliminary tests of the proposed method are presented in
      this paper. 

PMID- 24212020
TI  - A statistical approach to segmentation of diffusion tensor imaging.
AB  - The aim of this study is to design a statistical segmentation technique to allow
      extraction of grey matter, white matter and cerebral spinal fluid volumes from
      diffusion tensor imaging. Four channel maps of the DTI are used as the input
      features, which provide more information for brain tissue segmentation compared
      with single channel map. An Improved Bayesian decision in the subspace spanned by
      the eigenvectors which are associated with the smaller eigenvalues in each class
      is adopted as the brain tissue segmentation criterion. Our method performed well,
      giving an average segmentation accuracy of about 0.88, 0.85 and 0.76 for white
      matter, gray matter and cerebrospinal fluid respectively in terms of volume
      overlap. 

PMID- 24212021
TI  - Detection and measurement of fetal abdominal contour in ultrasound images via
      local phase information and iterative randomized Hough transform.
AB  - Due to the characteristic artifacts of ultrasound images, e.g., speckle noise,
      shadows and intensity inhomogeneity, traditional intensity-based methods usually
      have limited success on the segmentation of fetal abdominal contour. This paper
      presents a novel approach to detect and measure the abdominal contour from fetal
      ultrasound images in two steps. First, a local phase-based measure called
      multiscale feature asymmetry (MSFA) is de ned from the monogenic signal to detect
      the boundaries of fetal abdomen. The MSFA measure is intensity invariant and
      provides an absolute measurement for the signi cance of features in the image.
      Second, in order to detect the ellipse that ts to the abdominal contour, the
      iterative randomized Hough transform is employed to exclude the interferences of
      the inner boundaries, after which the detected ellipse gradually converges to the
      outer boundaries of the abdomen. Experimental results in clinical ultrasound
      images demonstrate the high agreement between our approach and manual approach on
      the measurement of abdominal circumference (mean sign difference is 0.42% and
      correlation coef cient is 0.9973), which indicates that the proposed approach can
      be used as a reliable and accurate tool for obstetrical care and diagnosis. 

PMID- 24212022
TI  - Preparation and characterization of silicone rubber/nano-copper nanocomposites
      for use in intrauterine devices.
AB  - In this work, a novel silicone rubber/nano-copper nanocomposite for use in
      intrauterine devices (IUDs) was developed. Moreover, the release rate of Cu2+
      ions and the water absorption of the prepared nanocomposite were investigated in
      detail. The results indicate that the release rate of Cu2+ ions and water
      absorption capability of the silicone rubber/nanocopper nanocomposite increase as
      the nano-copper content increases. SEM analysis suggested there is a uniform
      dispersion of nano-copper in the silicone matrix. Further, systematic analysis
      indicated that the release rate of Cu2+ ions in the prepared nanocomposite-based
      IUD can be stabilized for months, which is not possible in the case of
      traditional IUDs. 

PMID- 24212023
TI  - Evaluation of the accuracy of a common regional registration method for three
      dimensional reconstruction of edentulous jaw relation by a 7-axis three
      dimensional measuring system.
AB  - This study was to design a method to quantitatively evaluate three-dimensional
      (3D) reconstruction accuracy of spatial relationship of dental models based on a
      7-axis contact 3D measuring system, and to evaluate the accuracy of a common
      regional registration method for edentulous jaw relation reconstruction. 3D
      surface data of edentulous dental casts with 10 positioning cylinders and wax
      occlusion rims of five patients were obtained using a dental scanner. The jaw
      relation was reconstructed using the common regional registration in the Geomagic
      software. Measurements were obtained for line length, vertical distance and
      horizontal distance between centric points from two sources with upper jaw model
      base plane as a reference plane. The statistical description of measurement data
      was done. x +/- s of line length, vertical distance and horizontal distance
      between the center points of each data set were 0.107 +/- 0.354, 0.076 +/- 0.576
      and 0.108 +/- 0.530 mm, respectively. Data was analyzed using the paired samples
      t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Paired t-test results of each patient
      and one-way analysis of variance for the five patients showed no significant
      differences (P>0.05). Using the Faro Edge system and standardized positioning
      cylinders, quantitative evaluation of the 3D reconstruction accuracy of
      edentulous jaw relation was workable. And results of common regional registration
      method met clinical requirements.

PMID- 24212024
TI  - A novel edge detection in medical images by fusing of multi-model from different
      spatial structure clues.
AB  - Edge detection has been widely used in medical image processing, automatic
      diagnosis, et al. A novel edge detection algorithm, based on the fusion model, is
      proposed by combination with the two proposed models as follows: the matrix of
      most probable distribution of edge point and the matrix of the difference weight
      of each point. The most probable distribution of edge point can be obtained by
      analyzing the variance among 4-connected neighborhood points around each pixel
      under estimation in the image to label the all candidate edge points in the
      image. The difference weight of each point can be gotten by analyzing the
      brightness difference between the neighborhood point and the under-estimating
      pixel to represent the probability of being edge. The two matrices gotten from
      the different descriptions of spatial structure are fused together and derive
      from the final edge image with thresholding method on the fusion matrix. The
      experiments are performed based on the public diabetic retinopathy database
      DRIVE. According to the edge images obtained, the proposed method is subjectively
      analyzed to be complete and close to the Ground Truth image with very low noise
      in comparison with the Sobel, Canny and LOG edge detectors. The F1 measure, ROC
      measure and PFOM measure are separately adopted to make quantitative evaluation
      of the proposed edge detection algorithm. Experimental results show that the
      proposed method is able to improve the effect of edge detection on medical
      images. 

PMID- 24212025
TI  - Numerical analysis of the effect of T-tubule location on calcium transient in
      ventricular myocytes.
AB  - Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling in cardiac myocytes is vital for proper
      functioning of the heart. Understanding the intracellular Ca2+ dynamics would
      give an insight into the functions of normal and diseased hearts. In the current
      study, spatiotemporal Ca2+ dynamics is investigated in ventricular myocytes by
      considering Ca2+ release and re-uptake via sarcolemma and transverse tubules (T
      tubules), Ca2+ diffusion and buffering in the cytosol, and the blockade of Ca2+
      activities associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This study is carried out
      using a three dimensional (3D) geometric model of a branch of T-tubule extracted
      from the electron microscopy (EM) images of a partial ventricular myocyte.
      Mathematical modeling is done by using a system of partial differential equations
      involving Ca2+, buffers, and membrane channels. Numerical simulation results
      suggest that a lack of T-tubule structure at the vicinity of the cell surface
      could increase the peak time of Ca2+ concentration in myocytes. The results also
      show that T-tubules and mobile buffers play an important role in the regulation
      of Ca2+ transient in ventricular myocytes. 

PMID- 24212026
TI  - A granular computing approach to gene selection.
AB  - Gene selection is a key step in performing cancer classification with DNA
      microarrays. The challenges from high dimension and small sample size of
      microarray dataset still exist. On rough set theory applied to gene selection,
      many algorithms have been presented, but most are time-consuming. In this paper,
      a granular computing-based gene selection as a new method is proposed. First,
      some granular computing-based concepts are introduced and then some of their
      important properties are derived. The relationship between positive region-based
      reduct and granular space-based reduct is discussed. Then, a significance measure
      of feature is proposed to improve the efficiency and decrease the complexity of
      classical algorithm. By using Hashtable and input sequence techniques, a fast
      heuristic algorithm is constructed for the better computational efficiency of
      gene selection for cancer classification. Extensive experiments are conducted on
      five public gene expression data sets and seven data sets from UCI respectively.
      The experimental results confirm the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed
      algorithm. 

PMID- 24212027
TI  - A combination of pharmacophore modeling, molecular docking and virtual screening
      for iNOS inhibitors from Chinese herbs.
AB  - Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) has been involved in a variety of
      diseases, and thus it is interesting to discover new iNOS inhibitors. This study
      was performed to identify natural iNOS inhibitors from traditional Chinese herbs
      through a combination of pharmacophore modeling, molecular docking and virtual
      screening. First, the pharmacophore models were generated though six known iNOS
      inhibitors and validated by a test database. The pharmacophore model_017 showed
      good performance in external validation and was employed to screen Traditional
      Chinese Medicine Database (Version 2009), which resulting in a hit list of 498
      compounds with matching score (QFIT) above 40. Then, the hits were subjected to
      molecular docking for further refinement. An empirical scoring function was used
      to evaluate the affinity of the compounds and the target protein. Parts of
      compounds with high docking scores have been reported to have the related
      pharmacological activity from the literatures. The results provide a set of
      useful guidelines for the rational discovery of natural iNOS inhibitors from
      Chinese herbs. 

PMID- 24212028
TI  - An ensemble self-training protein interaction article classifier.
AB  - Protein-protein interaction (PPI) is essential to understand the fundamental
      processes governing cell biology. The mining and curation of PPI knowledge are
      critical for analyzing proteomics data. Hence it is desired to classify articles
      PPI-related or not automatically. In order to build interaction article
      classification systems, an annotated corpus is needed. However, it is usually the
      case that only a small number of labeled articles can be obtained manually.
      Meanwhile, a large number of unlabeled articles are available. By combining
      ensemble learning and semi-supervised self-training, an ensemble self-training
      interaction classifier called EST_IACer is designed to classify PPI-related
      articles based on a small number of labeled articles and a large number of
      unlabeled articles. A biological background based feature weighting strategy is
      extended using the category information from both labeled and unlabeled data.
      Moreover, a heuristic constraint is put forward to select optimal instances from
      unlabeled data to improve the performance further. Experiment results show that
      the EST_IACer can classify the PPI related articles effectively and efficiently. 

PMID- 24212029
TI  - Mechanism of action of salvianolic acid B by module-based network analysis.
AB  - Salvianolic Acid B (Sal B) is one of the main medicinal ingredients of Radix
      Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) and possesses a variety of pharmacological effects.
      The purpose of this study was to discover the new mechanism of action of Sal B
      based on the protein interaction network (PIN) analysis. A PIN of Sal B was
      constructed with 852 nodes and 8,626 interactions. By fast agglomerate algorithm
      based on the edge clustering coefficients (FAG-EC), 11 modules were detected from
      the network. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of the modules demonstrated
      that the roles of Sal B played in cardiovascular disease were related to multiple
      biological processes, which could represent the characteristics of Chinese
      Material Medica (CMM) as a whole to regulate the disease. The most interesting
      finding of this work was that the anti-inflammatory effect of Sal B was due to
      the immune response of T lymphocytes by regulating IL-2 family, CD3E, CD79A,
      MAP3K7 and PRKCQ. Therefore, the module-based network analysis will be an
      effective method for better understanding CMM. 

PMID- 24212030
TI  - Mouse coronary angiography in vivo using synchrotron radiation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To establish a method for mouse coronary angiography in vivo using
      synchrotron radiation, which is essential for physiological and pathological
      research on coronary diseases. METHODS: 1) The imaging parameters (e.g., photon
      energy, spatial resolution of the detector, and injection rate of contrast agent)
      optimal for the quality of acquired images in a simulation were determined. 2)
      Through animal experiments, the effectiveness of these optimal parameters and the
      repeatability of in vivo coronary angiography were verified. 3) An algorithm for
      background subtraction and contrast enhancement was designed and employed to
      compensate for the effects of interference and the effective information
      extracted used for diagnosing coronary disease. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: An
      optimal set of the imaging parameters was finally determined: photon energy of 33
      34 keV, detector's spatial resolution of 30 MUm or higher, image capture rate of
      20 f/s or more, concentration of lopamidol solution of 75% as contrast agent and
      a pulse injection of contrast agent at a high rate.

PMID- 24212031
TI  - GPU accelerating technique for rendering implicitly represented vasculatures.
AB  - With the flooding datasets of medical Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic
      Resonance Imaging (MRI), implicit modeling techniques are increasingly applied to
      reconstruct the human organs, especially the vasculature. However, displaying
      implicitly represented geometric objects arises heavy computational burden. In
      this study, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) accelerating technique was developed
      for high performance rendering of implicitly represented objects, especially the
      vasculatures. The experimental results suggested that the rendering performance
      was greatly enhanced via exploiting the advantages of modern GPUs. 

PMID- 24212032
TI  - Quantitative influence of risk factors on blood glucose level.
AB  - The aim of this study is to quantitatively analyze the influence of risk factors
      on the blood glucose level, and to provide theory basis for understanding the
      characteristics of blood glucose change and confirming the intervention index for
      type 2 diabetes. The quantitative method is proposed to analyze the influence of
      risk factors on blood glucose using back propagation (BP) neural network. Ten
      risk factors are screened first. Then the cohort is divided into nine groups by
      gender and age. According to the minimum error principle, nine BP models are
      trained respectively. The quantitative values of the influence of different risk
      factors on the blood glucose change can be obtained by sensitivity calculation.
      The experiment results indicate that weight is the leading cause of blood glucose
      change (0.2449). The second factors are cholesterol, age and triglyceride. The
      total ratio of these four factors reaches to 77% of the nine screened risk
      factors. And the sensitivity sequences can provide judgment method for individual
      intervention. This method can be applied to risk factors quantitative analysis of
      other diseases and potentially used for clinical practitioners to identify high
      risk populations for type 2 diabetes as well as other disease. 

PMID- 24212033
TI  - A method of semi-quantifying beta-AP in brain PET-CT 11C-PiB images.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common health problem for elderly populations.
      Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT)11C-PiB for beta-P
      (amyloid-beta peptide, beta-AP) imaging is an advanced method to diagnose AD in
      early stage. However, in practice radiologists lack a standardized value to semi
      quantify beta-AP. This paper proposes such a standardized value: SVbeta-AP. This
      standardized value measures the mean ratio between the dimension of beta-AP areas
      in PET and CT images. A computer aided diagnosis approach is also proposed to
      achieve SVbeta-AP. A simulation experiment was carried out to pre-test the
      technical feasibility of the CAD approach and SVbeta-AP. The experiment results
      showed that it is technically feasible. 

PMID- 24212035
TI  - Novel and efficient tag SNPs selection algorithms.
AB  - SNPs are the most abundant forms of genetic variations amongst species; the
      association studies between complex diseases and SNPs or haplotypes have received
      great attention. However, these studies are restricted by the cost of genotyping
      all SNPs; thus, it is necessary to find smaller subsets, or tag SNPs,
      representing the rest of the SNPs. In fact, the existing tag SNP selection
      algorithms are notoriously time-consuming. An efficient algorithm for tag SNP
      selection was presented, which was applied to analyze the HapMap YRI data. The
      experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve better
      performance than the existing tag SNP selection algorithms; in most cases, this
      proposed algorithm is at least ten times faster than the existing methods. In
      many cases, when the redundant ratio of the block is high, the proposed algorithm
      can even be thousands times faster than the previously known methods. Tools and
      web services for haplotype block analysis integrated by hadoop MapReduce
      framework are also developed using the proposed algorithm as computation kernels.

PMID- 24212034
TI  - The effect of the material property change of anterior cruciate ligament by
      ageing on joint kinematics and biomechanics under tibial varus/valgus torques.
AB  - It is known that the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plays a role in providing
      joint stabilities under tibial varus/valgus torques and the material behavior of
      the ACL has changed with ageing. However, the effect of this variation of the ACL
      material property on joint kinematics and biomechanics under tibial varus/valgus
      torques has still not been clarified.In this paper, three finite element (FE)
      models of an intact tibiofemoral joint were reconstructed with different ACL
      material properties, corresponding to the ACL on the younger, middle and older
      ages, respectively. The joint kinematics, the stress distribution and resultant
      force of the ACL were obtained under a tibial varus or valgus torque load. It was
      found that the variation in the ACL material property would result in great
      changes in some joint displacements (i.e., the tibial anterior translation and
      external rotation). The maximal stress value in the ACL had also altered while
      the stress distribution did not varied obviously. The great change in the tibial
      anterior translation illustrated that ACL played an important role against
      varus/valgus torques by controlling the coupled tibial anterior
      translation//external rotation rather than the corresponding varus/valgus
      rotation. 

PMID- 24212036
TI  - Biochemical kinetics of cell proliferation regulated by extremely low frequency
      electromagnetic field.
AB  - To study the mechanism of cells subjected to external electromagnetic fields, the
      expression of cyclin kinase inhibitor p27 is analyzed in the four cell cycle
      phases. The regulatory functions are investigated in gap phase1 to synthesis, gap
      phase 2 to mitotic phase and post mitotic phase transition in the mammalian cell
      cycle processes. A mathematical model is developed to meet the general cell cycle
      regulatory network based on the molecular dynamics method. Phase plane analysis
      results show that the p27 over-expression can lead to the hysteresis effect of
      cell cycle processes and phase transition delay. It is an universal approach to
      predict the key regulatory gene in signal transduction pathway. 

PMID- 24212037
TI  - Tumor classification based on orthogonal linear discriminant analysis.
AB  - Gene expression profiles have great potential for accurate tumor diagnosis. It is
      expected to enable us to diagnose tumors precisely and systematically, and also
      bring the researchers of machine learning two challenges, the curse of
      dimensionality and the small sample size problems. We propose a manifold learning
      based dimensional reduction algorithm named orthogonal local discriminant
      embedding (O-LDE) and apply it to tumor classification. Comparing with the
      classical local discriminant embedding (LDE), O-LDE aims to obtain an orthogonal
      linear projection matrix by solving an optimization problem. After being
      projected into a low-dimensional subspace by O-LDE, the data points of the same
      class maintain their intrinsic neighbor relations, whereas the neighboring points
      of the different classes are far from each other. Experimental results on a
      public tumor dataset validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed
      algorithm. 

PMID- 24212038
TI  - Finite element analysis of dental implant neck effects on primary stability and
      osseointegration in a type IV bone mandible.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of implant neck design and
      cortical bone thickness by means of 3-D linearly elastic finite element analysis
      and to analyze primary and secondary stability of clinical evidence based on
      micromotion and principal stress. Four commercial dental implants, comparable in
      size, for a type IV bone and mandibular segments were created. Various parameters
      were considered, including the osseointegration condition (non- and full bonded),
      force direction (vertical and horizontal) and cortical bone thickness (0.3, 0.5
      and 1mm). The force was considered a static load applied at the top of the
      platform. The magnitudes of the vertical and horizontal loading direction were
      500 N and 250 N. Micromotion and principal stresses were employed to evaluate the
      failure of osseointegration and bone overloading, respectively. The results show
      that Maximum stress of the peri-implant bone decreased as cortical bone thickness
      increased. The stress concentration regions were located at the implant neck
      between the cortical bone and cancellous bone. The micromotion level in full
      osseointegration is less than that in non-osseointegration and it also decreases
      as a increasing of cortical bone thickness. Consequently, cortical bone thickness
      is a key factor for primary stability. 

PMID- 24212039
TI  - Parallel acceleration for modeling of calcium dynamics in cardiac myocytes.
AB  - Spatial-temporal calcium dynamics due to calcium release, buffering, and re
      uptaking plays a central role in studying excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling
      in both healthy and defected cardiac myocytes. In our previous work, partial
      differential equations (PDEs) had been used to simulate calcium dynamics with
      realistic geometries extracted from electron microscopic imaging data. However,
      the computational costs of such simulations are very high on a single processor.
      To alleviate this problem, we have accelerated the numerical simulations of
      calcium dynamics by using graphics processing units (GPUs). Computational
      performance and simulation accuracy are compared with those based on a single CPU
      and another popular parallel computing technique, OpenMP. 

PMID- 24212040
TI  - [From the 4th Interdisciplinary Conference of Orvosi Hetilap].

PMID- 24212041
TI  - [Trends in the utilization of food additives].
AB  - The frequent media reports on food additives weakened consumers' trust in food
      producers and food control authorities as well. Furthermore, consumers'
      uncertainty is also raised by the fact that they obtain their information from
      inadequate, mistrustful sources and, therefore, consumers might avoid the
      consumption of certain foodstuffs. While food producers may react by replacing
      artificial components by natural ones, they try to emphasize the favourable
      characteristics of their products. The authors describe the main trends and
      efforts related to food additives. On the basis of the overview it can be
      concluded that - besides taking into consideration consumers' needs - product
      development and research directions are promising. Food producers' efforts may
      help to restore consumer confidence and trust and they may help them to have
      informed choice.

PMID- 24212042
TI  - [Vitamin D level in Hungarian patients with inflammatory bowel diseases].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D has an important role in the immune regulation. Vitamin D
      is essential for innate and adaptive immune systems and it plays a significant
      role in the formation of immune tolerance, as well. AIM: Vitamin D deficiency has
      been observed in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases in Western Europe, but
      there is no data available from Eastern Europe. METHOD: The study included 169
      patients with inflammatory bowel disease. RESULTS: The median vitamin D level was
      22.7+/-10.6 ng/ml. Only 20% of the patients had adequate vitamin D level (>30
      ng/ml), 52% had vitamin D insufficiency (15-30 ng/ml), and 28% of them had severe
      vitamin D deficiency (<15 ng/ml). Vitamin D concentration failed to correlate
      with clinical activity indexes (partial Mayo score: r = -0.143; Crohn's disease
      activity index: r = -0.253) and with inflammatory parameters (C-reactive protein:
      r = 0.008; erythrocyte sedimentation rate: r = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Since vitamin
      D deficiency can be frequently observed in Hungarian patients with inflammatory
      bowel disease, its level should be tested in these patients.

PMID- 24212044
TI  - [Cryptosporidium and Giardia as water contaminant pathogens in Hungary].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Many species of Cryptosporidium, and two assemlages of Giardia
      duodenalis cause typically acute diaorrhoea in human. The oocysts and cysts of
      these parasites excreted in faeces are capable of infecting other hosts and those
      are environmentally stable. AIM: The aims of the study were to evaluate the
      prevalence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium and Giardia species from different
      water sources as well as to monitor and characterize the (oo)cyst contamination
      sources in watersheds. In addition, an epidemiological study was performed in
      three selected settlements. METHOD: Wide range of modern epidemiological and
      molecular detection methods have been applied. RESULTS: (Oo)cysts densities were
      associated with water receiving effluents of sewage treatment plants or
      originating from a forest environment. It was confirmed, that cattle can be a
      source of Cryptosporidium oocysts at watersheds and aquatic birds can play a role
      in the environmental dissemination of these protozoa. The epidemiological study
      demonstrated a specific epidemiological situation, giving essential evidence
      about giardiasis in asymptomatic carriers. The applied novel detection technology
      was found to be cost effective and simple procedure for screening catchments to
      identify those that require further treatment and more detailed microscopic
      counts. CONCLUSIONS: The presented results contribute to a better understanding
      the epidemiology and relevance of waterborne parasites, their surveillance and
      performance of future control measures to prevent waterborne infections in
      Hungary.

PMID- 24212043
TI  - [Hemorrhagic complications of chronic anticoagulant treatment in a single
      intensive care unit].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There are well defined indications in which chronic anticoagulant
      treatment has been widely applied. However, complications of this therapy are
      less discussed, although these complications may lead to serious or even fatal
      consequences. AIM: The aim of the authors was to analyze data of patients
      admitted to their multidisciplinary intensive care unit for complications of
      chronic anticoagulant therapy between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2011.
      METHOD: Data of 73 patients admitted for serious hemorrhagic complications of
      chronic anticoagulant therapy were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Of the 73
      patients, 63 patients had intracranial bleeding, most of them with traumatic
      origin. A few patients with other hemorrhagic complications such as spinal
      hematoma, gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhagic cystitis, hemothorax and
      intraabdominal bleeding were also noted. The INR values were out of therapeutic
      range in 43 patients. The mortality of patients was very high in spite of complex
      intensive care; 49 of the 73 patients (75.5%) died due to hemorrhagic
      complications. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high proportion of traumatic origin, the
      large number of out-of-range INR, and the high mortality, the authors strongly
      believe that regular patient follow-up, transmission of detailed information, and
      time-to-time reevaluation of the indications and contraindications of chronic
      anticoagulant therapy could help to decrease the number of serious and fatal
      complications of chronic anticoagulant therapy.

PMID- 24212045
TI  - [Impact of attachment to God and religious coping on life satisfaction].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Effects of religiosity on satisfaction with life, mental and
      physical health are highly favored topics of psychology. At the same time, less
      attention has been directed to how individual differences in religiosity affect
      believers' satisfaction with life. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate
      the relationship between attachment to God, religious coping and satisfaction
      with life. METHOD: A group of Roman Catholics (n = 94; 49 women and 45 men; age,
      30.8+/-6.2 years) filled in our the survey package. The survey package contained
      the following measures: Attachment to God Inventory, Brief Religious Coping
      Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. RESULTS: Negative religious coping and
      anxious attachment to God predicted lower satisfaction with life, even if
      demographic variables were controlled for. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate
      that negative image of God is an important predictor of low satisfaction with
      life, which in turn can have negative impact on believers' mental and physical
      health. Orv. Hetil., 154(46), 1843-1847.

PMID- 24212048
TI  - Understanding the sources and fate of nitrate in a highly developed aquifer
      system.
AB  - Understanding the processes affecting the transport and fate of nitrate in
      coastal aquifers has become of great interest in recent years due to concerns of
      nutrient loading to coastal waters. Novel dual isotopic methods have shown
      promise for identifying sources and fate of nitrate in shallow groundwater.
      However, in relatively deep dynamic aquifer systems, the isotopic signatures may
      be overprinted by mixing of different end-member waters and biogeochemical
      processes. In this study, delta(15)N and delta(18)O of groundwater nitrate are
      coupled with other forensic geochemistry methods such as Cl/Br, SO4/Cl, and
      Cl/NO3 mass ratios and land use analysis in order to constrain the isotope
      correlations and better understand contaminant sources and biogeochemical
      processes. Most delta(15)NNO3 values were within ranges expected for nitrate
      formed by ammonia nitrification in soil. Furthermore, the persistent presence of
      nitrate in concentrations above background levels (median 2.3 mg/L) and the
      relatively low delta(15)NNO3 and delta(18)ONO3 (median: 4.5+/-0.20/00 AIR and
      5.2+/-0.50/00 VSMOW, respectively) indicate no direct evidence of
      denitrification. However, denitrification was inferred for a few samples whereby
      more enriched delta(15)NNO3 and delta(18)ONO3 values coupled with an increase in
      SO4/Cl and Cl/NO3 ratios were observed. Finally, mixing trends were identified
      for a few of the samples as indicated by delta(15)NO3 and delta(18)ONO3 mixing
      ratios and were consistent with the study area's land-use/land-cover
      distribution. The combination of methods utilized in this study revealed that in
      some cases mass ratios were better diagnostics in elucidating the impact of
      denitrification, mixing processes, and source identification within dynamic
      aquifer systems than the dual-isotope technique.

PMID- 24212047
TI  - Nitro-oleic acid desensitizes TRPA1 and TRPV1 agonist responses in adult rat DRG
      neurons.
AB  - Nitro-oleic acid (OA-NO2), an electrophilic fatty acid nitroalkene byproduct of
      redox reactions, activates transient receptor potential ion channels (TRPA1 and
      TRPV1) in primary sensory neurons. To test the possibility that signaling actions
      of OA-NO2 might modulate TRP channels, we examined: (1) interactions between OA
      NO2 and other agonists for TRPA1 (allyl-isothiocyanate, AITC) and TRPV1
      (capsaicin) in rat dissociated dorsal root ganglion cells using Ca(2+) imaging
      and patch clamp techniques and (2) interactions between these agents on sensory
      nerves in the rat hindpaw. Ca(2+) imaging revealed that brief application (15-30
      s) of each of the three agonists induced homologous desensitization. Heterologous
      desensitization also occurred when one agonist was applied prior to another
      agonist. OA-NO2 was more effective in desensitizing the response to AITC than the
      response to capsaicin. Prolonged exposure to OA-NO2 (20 min) had a similar
      desensitizing effect on AITC or capsaicin. Homologous and heterologous
      desensitizations were also demonstrated with patch clamp recording. Deltamethrin,
      a phosphatase inhibitor, reduced the capsaicin or AITC induced desensitization of
      OA-NO2 but did not suppress the OA-NO2 induced desensitization of AITC or
      capsaicin, indicating that heterologous desensitization induced by either
      capsaicin or AITC occurs by a different mechanism than the desensitization
      produced by OA-NO2. Subcutaneous injection of OA-NO2 (2.5mM, 35 MUl) into a rat
      hindpaw induced delayed and prolonged nociceptive behavior. Homologous
      desensitization occurred with AITC and capsaicin when applied at 15 minute
      intervals, but did not occur with OA-NO2 when applied at a 30 min interval.
      Pretreatment with OA-NO2 reduced AITC-evoked nociceptive behaviors but did not
      alter capsaicin responses. These results raise the possibility that OA-NO2 might
      be useful clinically to reduce neurogenic inflammation and certain types of
      painful sensations by desensitizing TRPA1 expressing nociceptive afferents.

PMID- 24212049
TI  - Continuous time random walk in homogeneous porous media.
AB  - Continuous time random walk (CTRW) has been successfully applied in the
      description of anomalous transport in porous media in recent years. We simulate
      solute transport in randomly packed spheres with the same diameter and use CTRW
      to analyze the simulated results. From analysis, we find that there exists weak
      anomalous transport in the approximately homogeneous porous media. The anomaly
      becomes more apparent with the increase of Pe. This conclusion consists with
      previous simulations in two-dimensional homogeneous media and experimental data.
      We also calculate the trapping probabilities of solute particles in stagnant
      regions, which could give a physically based explanation for this non-Gaussian
      behavior. 

PMID- 24212050
TI  - Left hemisphere fractional anisotropy increase in noise-induced tinnitus: a
      diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study of white matter tracts in the brain.
AB  - Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a contemporary neuroimaging modality used to
      study connectivity patterns and microstructure of white matter tracts in the
      brain. The use of DTI in the study of tinnitus is a relatively unexplored
      methodology with no studies focusing specifically on tinnitus induced by noise
      exposure. In this investigation, participants were two groups of adults matched
      for etiology, age, and degree of peripheral hearing loss, but differed by the
      presence or absence (+/-) of tinnitus. It is assumed that matching individuals on
      the basis of peripheral hearing loss, allows for differentiating changes in white
      matter microstructure due to hearing loss from changes due to the effects of
      chronic tinnitus. Alterations in white matter tracts, using the fractional
      anisotropy (FA) metric, which measures directional diffusion of water, were
      quantified using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) with additional details
      provided by in vivo probabilistic tractography. Our results indicate that 10
      voxel clusters differentiated the two groups, including 9 with higher FA in the
      group with tinnitus. A decrease in FA was found for a single cluster in the group
      with tinnitus. However, seven of the 9 clusters with higher FA were in left
      hemisphere thalamic, frontal, and parietal white matter. These foci were
      localized to the anterior thalamic radiations and the inferior and superior
      longitudinal fasciculi. The two right-sided clusters with increased FA were
      located in the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and superior longitudinal
      fasciculus. The only decrease in FA for the tinnitus-positive group was found in
      the superior longitudinal fasciculus of the left parietal lobe. 

PMID- 24212052
TI  - Recent advances in cortisol sensing technologies for point-of-care application.
AB  - Everyday lifestyle related issues are the main cause of psychological stress,
      which contributes to health disparities experienced by individuals. Prolonged
      exposure to stress leads to the activation of signaling pathways from the brain
      that leads to release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex. Various biomarkers
      have been affected by psychological stress, but cortisol "a steroid hormone" is
      known as a potential biomarker for its estimation. Cortisol can also be used as a
      target analyte marker to determine the effect of exposure such as
      organophosphates on central nervous system, which alters the endocrine system,
      leading to imbalance in cortisol secretion. Cortisol secretion of individuals
      depends on day-night cycle and field environment hence its detection at point-of
      care (POC) is deemed essential to provide personalized healthcare.
      Chromatographic techniques have been traditionally used to detect cortisol. The
      issues relating to assay formation, system complexity, and multistep
      extraction/purification limits its application in the field. In order to overcome
      these issues and to make portable and effective miniaturized platform, various
      immunoassays sensing strategies are being explored. However, electrochemical
      immunosensing of cortisol is considered as a recent advancement towards POC
      application. Highly sensitive, label-free and selective cortisol immunosensor
      based on microelectrodes are being integrated with the microfluidic system for
      automated diurnal cortisol monitoring useful for personalized healthcare.
      Although the reported sensing devices for cortisol detection may have a great
      scope to improve portability, electronic designing, performance of the integrated
      sensor, data safety and lifetime for point-of-care applications, This review is
      an attempt to describe the various cortisol sensing platforms and their potential
      to be integrated into a wearable system for online and continuous monitoring of
      cortisol rhythm at POC as a function of one's environment. 

PMID- 24212051
TI  - Evaluating capture stress in wild gray mouse lemurs via repeated fecal sampling:
      method validation and the influence of prior experience and handling protocols on
      stress responses.
AB  - Reliable measurements of physiological stress are increasingly needed for eco
      physiological research and for species conservation or management. Stress can be
      estimated by quantifying plasma glucocorticoid levels, but when this is not
      feasible, glucocorticoid metabolites are often measured from feces (FGCM).
      However, evidence is accumulating on the sensitivity of FGCM measurements to
      various nuisance factors. Careful species- and context-specific validations are
      therefore necessary to confirm the biological relevance and specificity of the
      method. The goals of this study were to: (1) establish and validate sampling
      methods and an enzymeimmunoassay to measure FGCM in the gray mouse lemur
      (Microcebus murinus); (2) explore causes of variability in the FGCM measurements,
      and; (3) assess the consequences of capturing and handling for free-living
      individuals by quantifying their stress responses via repeated fecal sampling
      within capture sessions. We further assessed the influence of different handling
      protocols and the animals' previous capture experience on the magnitude of the
      physiological response. Our validations identified the group-specific measurement
      of 11beta-hydroxyetiocholanolone as the most suitable assay for monitoring
      adrenocortical activity. The sample water content and the animal's age were found
      to significantly influence baseline FGCM-levels. Most captured animals exhibited
      a post-capture FGCM-elevation but its magnitude was not related to the handling
      protocol or capture experience. We found no evidence for long-term consequences
      of routine capturing on the animals' stress physiology. Hence the described
      methods can be employed to measure physiological stress in mouse lemurs in an
      effective and relatively non-invasive way. 

PMID- 24212053
TI  - Reductive activation in periplasmic nitrate reductase involves chemical
      modifications of the Mo-cofactor beyond the first coordination sphere of the
      metal ion.
AB  - In Rhodobacter sphaeroides periplasmic nitrate reductase NapAB, the major Mo(V)
      form (the "high g" species) in air-purified samples is inactive and requires
      reduction to irreversibly convert into a catalytically competent form (Fourmond
      et al., J. Phys. Chem., 2008). In the present work, we study the kinetics of the
      activation process by combining EPR spectroscopy and direct electrochemistry.
      Upon reduction, the Mo (V) "high g" resting EPR signal slowly decays while the
      other redox centers of the protein are rapidly reduced, which we interpret as a
      slow and gated (or coupled) intramolecular electron transfer between the [4Fe-4S]
      center and the Mo cofactor in the inactive enzyme. Besides, we detect spin-spin
      interactions between the Mo(V) ion and the [4Fe-4S](1+) cluster which are
      modified upon activation of the enzyme, while the EPR signatures associated to
      the Mo cofactor remain almost unchanged. This shows that the activation process,
      which modifies the exchange coupling pathway between the Mo and the [4Fe-4S](1+)
      centers, occurs further away than in the first coordination sphere of the Mo ion.
      Relying on structural data and studies on Mo-pyranopterin and models, we propose
      a molecular mechanism of activation which involves the pyranopterin moiety of the
      molybdenum cofactor that is proximal to the [4Fe-4S] cluster. The mechanism
      implies both the cyclization of the pyran ring and the reduction of the oxidized
      pterin to give the competent tricyclic tetrahydropyranopterin form. 

PMID- 24212054
TI  - Insulin acutely improves mitochondrial function of rat and human skeletal muscle
      by increasing coupling efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation.
AB  - Insulin is essential for the regulation of fuel metabolism and triggers the
      uptake of glucose by skeletal muscle. The imported glucose is either stored or
      broken down, as insulin stimulates glycogenesis and ATP synthesis. The mechanism
      by which ATP production is increased is incompletely understood at present and,
      generally, relatively little functional information is available on the effect of
      insulin on mitochondrial function. In this paper we have exploited extracellular
      flux technology to investigate insulin effects on the bioenergetics of rat (L6)
      and human skeletal muscle myoblasts and myotubes. We demonstrate that a 20-min
      insulin exposure significantly increases (i) the cell respiratory control ratio,
      (ii) the coupling efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation, and (iii) the glucose
      sensitivity of anaerobic glycolysis. The improvement of mitochondrial function is
      explained by an insulin-induced immediate decrease of mitochondrial proton leak.
      Palmitate exposure annuls the beneficial mitochondrial effects of insulin. Our
      data improve the mechanistic understanding of insulin-stimulated ATP synthesis,
      and reveal a hitherto undisclosed insulin sensitivity of cellular bioenergetics
      that suggests a novel way of detecting insulin responsiveness of cells. 

PMID- 24212055
TI  - Channelrhodopsin unchained: structure and mechanism of a light-gated cation
      channel.
AB  - The new and vibrant field of optogenetics was founded by the seminal discovery of
      channelrhodopsin, the first light-gated cation channel. Despite the numerous
      applications that have revolutionised neurophysiology, the functional mechanism
      is far from understood on the molecular level. An arsenal of biophysical
      techniques has been established in the last decades of research on microbial
      rhodopsins. However, application of these techniques is hampered by the duration
      and the complexity of the photoreaction of channelrhodopsin compared with other
      microbial rhodopsins. A particular interest in resolving the molecular mechanism
      lies in the structural changes that lead to channel opening and closure. Here, we
      review the current structural and mechanistic knowledge that has been
      accomplished by integrating the static structure provided by X-ray
      crystallography and electron microscopy with time-resolved spectroscopic and
      electrophysiological techniques. The dynamical reactions of the chromophore are
      effectively coupled to structural changes of the protein, as shown by ultrafast
      spectroscopy. The hierarchical sequence of structural changes in the protein
      backbone that spans the time range from 10(-12)s to 10(-3)s prepares the channel
      to open and, consequently, cations can pass. Proton transfer reactions that are
      associated with channel gating have been resolved. In particular, glutamate 253
      and aspartic acid 156 were identified as proton acceptor and donor to the retinal
      Schiff base. The reprotonation of the latter is the critical determinant for
      channel closure. The proton pathway that eventually leads to proton pumping is
      also discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Retinal
      Proteins - You can teach an old dog new tricks. 

PMID- 24212056
TI  - Interactions between visual and semantic processing during object recognition
      revealed by modulatory effects of age of acquisition.
AB  - The age of acquisition (AoA) of objects and their names is a powerful determinant
      of processing speed in adulthood, with early-acquired objects being recognized
      and named faster than late-acquired objects. Previous research using fMRI (Ellis
      et al., 2006. Traces of vocabulary acquisition in the brain: evidence from covert
      object naming. NeuroImage 33, 958-968) found that AoA modulated the strength of
      BOLD responses in both occipital and left anterior temporal cortex during object
      naming. We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to explore in more detail the nature
      of the influence of AoA on activity in those two regions. Covert object naming
      recruited a network within the left hemisphere that is familiar from previous
      research, including visual, left occipito-temporal, anterior temporal and
      inferior frontal regions. Region of interest (ROI) analyses found that occipital
      cortex generated a rapid evoked response (~75-200 ms at 0-40 Hz) that peaked at
      95 ms but was not modulated by AoA. That response was followed by a complex of
      later occipital responses that extended from ~300 to 850 ms and were stronger to
      early- than late-acquired items from ~325 to 675 ms at 10-20 Hz in the induced
      rather than the evoked component. Left anterior temporal cortex showed an evoked
      response that occurred significantly later than the first occipital response
      (~100-400 ms at 0-10 Hz with a peak at 191 ms) and was stronger to early- than
      late-acquired items from ~100 to 300 ms at 2-12 Hz. A later anterior temporal
      response from ~550 to 1050 ms at 5-20 Hz was not modulated by AoA. The results
      indicate that the initial analysis of object forms in visual cortex is not
      influenced by AoA. A fastforward sweep of activation from occipital and left
      anterior temporal cortex then results in stronger activation of semantic
      representations for early- than late-acquired objects. Top-down re-activation of
      occipital cortex by semantic representations is then greater for early than late
      acquired objects resulting in delayed modulation of the visual response.

PMID- 24212057
TI  - Novel TASK channels inhibitors derived from dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline.
AB  - TASK channels belong to the family of K(+) channels with 4 transmembrane segments
      and 2 pore domains (4TM/2P) per subunit. These channels have been related to
      apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons (CGN), as well as cancer in other
      tissues. TASK current is regulated by hormones, neurotransmitters, anesthetics
      and divalent cations, which are not selective. Recently, there has been found
      some organic compounds that inhibit TASK current selectively. In order to find
      other modulators, we report here a group of five dihydropyrrolo[2,1
      a]isoquinolines (DPIs), four of them with putative anticancer activity, that were
      evaluated on TASK-1 and TASK-3 channels. The compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed IC50 <
      320 MUM on TASK-1 and TASK-3, intermediate activity on TASK-1/TASK-3 heterodimer,
      moderate effect over hslo and TREK-1 (500 MUM), and practically not inhibition on
      Shaker-IR, herg and IRK2.1 potassium channels, when they were expressed
      heterologously in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In rat CGN, 500 MUM of these three
      compounds induced a decrement by >39% of the TASK-carried leak current. Finally,
      only compound 1 showed significant protection (~36%) against apoptotic death of
      CGN induced by K(+) deprivation. These results suggest that DPI compounds could
      be potential candidates for designing new selective inhibitors of TASK channels. 

PMID- 24212059
TI  - Recombinant human thioredoxin-1 promotes neurogenesis and facilitates cognitive
      recovery following cerebral ischemia in mice.
AB  - Cerebral ischemia (CI) can induce loss of hippocampal neurons, causing cognitive
      dysfunction such as learning and memory deficits. In adult mammals, the
      hippocampal dentate gyrus contains neural stem cells (NSCs) that continuously
      generate newborn neurons and integrate into the pre-existing networks throughout
      life, which may ameliorate cognitive dysfunction following CI. Recent studies
      have demonstrated that recombinant human thioredoxin-1 (rhTrx-1) could promote
      proliferation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and
      angiogenesis. To investigate whether rhTrx-1 also regulates hippocampal
      neurogenesis following CI and its underlying mechanisms, adult mice were
      subjected to bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO) to induce CI and
      treated with rhTrx-1 before reperfusion. Mice treated with rhTrx-1 showed
      shortened escape latencies in Morris water maze by 30 days and improvements in
      spatial memory demonstrated by probe trial test. Enhanced NSCs proliferation was
      observed at day 14, indicated by BrdU and Ki67 immunostaining. Doublecortin
      (DCX)(+) cells were also significantly increased following rhTrx-1 treatment.
      Despite increases in BrdU(+)/NeuN(+) cells by day 30, the double-labeling to
      total BrdU(+) ratio was not affected by rhTrx-1 treatment. The promotive effects
      of rhTrx-1 on NSCs proliferation and differentiation were further confirmed in in
      vitro assays. Western blot revealed increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation after rhTrx
      1 treatment, and the ERK inhibitor U0126 abrogated the effects of rhTrx-1 on NSCs
      proliferation. These results provide initial evidence that rhTrx-1 effects
      neurogenesis through the ERK signaling pathway and are beneficial for improving
      spatial learning and memory in adult mice following global CI.

PMID- 24212058
TI  - Presynaptic adenosine A1 receptors modulate excitatory transmission in the rat
      basolateral amygdala.
AB  - The basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays an integral role in the etiology of anxiety
      disorders and alcoholism. Although much is known about the intrinsic circuitry
      that governs BLA excitability, our understanding of the neuromodulators that
      control BLA excitation is incomplete. In many brain regions, adenosine (ADO)
      regulates neuronal excitability, primarily via A1 receptor inhibition of
      glutamate release, and basal adenosinergic tone is high enough to tonically
      inhibit neuronal excitation. Although ADO signaling modulates many anxiety- and
      alcohol-related behaviors, little is known about ADO regulation of BLA
      neurotransmission. To that end, we used patch clamp methods in rodent brain
      slices to characterize adenosinergic modulation of excitatory neurotransmission
      onto BLA pyramidal cells. ADO significantly inhibited EPSCs evoked by stimulation
      of either medial or external glutamatergic inputs into the BLA. This effect was
      mimicked by an A1, but not by an A(2a), agonist. Paired-pulse ratio and miniature
      EPSC experiments revealed that A1 receptors reside at a presynaptic locus on BLA
      glutamatergic synapses. Moreover, bath application of an A1 receptor antagonist
      significantly enhanced EPSCs, providing evidence of tonic adenosinergic tone at
      BLA glutamatergic synapses. In addition, tonic ADO was regulated by adenosine
      kinase, but not adenosine deaminase. Finally, activation of A1 receptors had no
      direct effects on the intrinsic excitability of BLA pyramidal cells.
      Collectively, these data suggest that tonic A1 receptor signaling may play an
      important role in regulating BLA excitability and suggest a possible
      neurobiological substrate through which ADO may contribute to the pathophysiology
      of anxiety disorders and alcohol addiction.

PMID- 24212060
TI  - High doses of the histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate trigger a stress
      like response.
AB  - The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated by a wide range of
      stimuli, including drugs. Here we report that in male rats, a dose of sodium
      butyrate (NaBu) that is typically used to inhibit histone deacetylation (1200
      mg/kg) increased the peripheral levels of HPA hormones and glucose. In a further
      experiment, we compared the effects of two different doses of NaBu (200 and 1200
      mg/kg) and equimolar saline solutions on peripheral neuroendocrine markers and
      brain c-Fos expression to demonstrate a specific stress-like effect of NaBu that
      is not related to hypertonicity and to localise putatively involved brain areas.
      Only the high dose of NaBu increased the plasma levels of stress markers. The
      equimolar (hypertonic) saline solution also activated the HPA axis and the c-Fos
      expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), a key area
      for the control of the HPA axis, but the effects were of a lower magnitude than
      those of NaBu. Regarding other brain areas, group differences in c-Fos expression
      were not observed in the medial prefrontal cortex or the medial amygdala, but
      they were observed in the central amygdala and the lateral ventral septum.
      However, only the latter area of the NaBu group showed enhanced c-Fos expression
      that was significantly higher than that after hypertonic saline. The present data
      indicate that high doses of NaBu appear to act as a pharmacological stressor, and
      this fact should be taken into account when using this drug to study the role of
      epigenetic processes in learning and emotional behaviour. 

PMID- 24212061
TI  - Effectiveness of a primary care practice intervention for increasing colorectal
      cancer screening in Appalachian Kentucky.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This report describes findings from a randomized controlled trial of
      an intervention to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in primary care
      practices in Appalachian Kentucky. METHODS: Sixty-six primary care practices were
      randomized to early or delayed intervention groups. The intervention was provided
      at practices using academic detailing, a method of education where providers
      receive information on a specific topic through personal contact. Data were
      collected in cross-sectional surveys of medical records at baseline and six
      months post-intervention. RESULTS: A total of 3844 medical records were reviewed
      at baseline and 3751 at the six-month follow-up. At baselines, colonoscopy was
      recommended more frequently (43.4%) than any other screening modality, followed
      by fecal occult blood testing (18.0%), flexible sigmoidoscopy (0.4%), and double
      contrast barium enema (0.3%). Rates of documented screening results were higher
      for all practices at the six-month follow-up for colonoscopy (31.8% vs 29.6%) and
      fecal occult blood testing (12.2% vs 11.2%). For early intervention practices
      that recommended screening, colonoscopy rates increased by 15.7% at six months
      compared to an increase of 2.4% in the delayed intervention practices (p=.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Using academic detailing to reach rural primary care providers with
      a CRC screening intervention was associated with an increase in colonoscopy.

PMID- 24212062
TI  - Roles of Th17 cells in pulmonary granulomas induced by Schistosoma japonicum in
      C57BL/6 mice.
AB  - In schistosomiasis, limited information is available about the role of
      interleukin-17 (IL-17) in lung, despite the fact that this cytokine plays a
      crucial role during pro-inflammatory immune responses. In our study, we observed
      CD4(+)T cells changed after the infection. Furthermore, ELISA and FACS results
      revealed that Schistosomajaponicum infection could induce a large amount of IL-17
      in mouse pulmonary lymphocytes. IL-17-producing cells, including Th17 cells,
      CD8(+)T (Tc) cells, gammadeltaT cells and natural killer T cells, was also
      associated with the development of lung inflammatory diseases. FACS results
      indicated that Th17 cell was the main source of IL-17 in the infected pulmonary
      lymphocytes after phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and Ionomycin
      stimulation. Moreover, FACS results revealed that the percentage of Th17 cells
      continued to increase as over the course of S. japonicum infection. Additionally,
      cytokines co-expression results demonstrated that Th17 cells could express more
      IL-4 and IL-5 than IFN-gamma. Reducing IL-17 activity by using anti-IL-17
      ameliorated the damage and decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells in
      infected C57BL/6 mouse lungs. Collectively, these results suggest Th17 cells is
      the major IL-17-producing cells population and IL-17 contributes to pulmonary
      granulomatous inflammatory during the S. japonicum infection.

PMID- 24212064
TI  - Increased mitochondrial fusion and autophagy help isolated hepatocytes repolarize
      in collagen sandwich cultures.
AB  - Freshly isolated, depolarized rat hepatocytes can repolarize into bile
      canalicular networks when plated in collagen sandwich cultures. We studied the
      events underlying this repolarization process, focusing on how hepatocytes
      restore ATP synthesis and resupply biosynthetic precursors after the stress of
      being isolated from liver. We found that soon after being plated in collagen
      sandwich cultures, hepatocytes converted their mitochondria into highly fused
      networks. This occurred through a combination of upregulation of mitochondrial
      fusion proteins and downregulation of a mitochondrial fission protein.
      Mitochondria also became more active for oxidative phosphorylation, leading to
      overall increased ATP levels within cells. We further observed that autophagy was
      upregulated in the repolarizing hepatocytes. Boosted autophagy levels likely
      served to recycle cellular precursors, supplying building blocks for
      repolarization. Repolarizing hepatocytes also extensively degraded lipid
      droplets, whose fatty acids provide precursors for ?-oxidation to fuel oxidative
      phosphorylation in mitochondria. Thus, through coordination of mitochondrial
      fusion, autophagy, and lipid droplet consumption, depolarized hepatocytes are
      able to boost ATP synthesis and biosynthetic precursors to efficiently repolarize
      in collagen sandwich cultures. 

PMID- 24212063
TI  - Endothelium-mediated survival of leukemic cells and angiogenesis-related factors
      are affected by lenalidomide treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
AB  - Lenalidomide is an IMID immunomodulatory agent clinically active in patients with
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We evaluated the activity of lenalidomide
      inside an in vitro coculture system of endothelial and CLL cells. Lenalidomide
      was able to inhibit CLL survival advantage mediated by endothelial contact.
      Moreover, the marked increase of in vitro angiogenesis determined by CLL-derived
      conditioned media was reduced by lenalidomide. We also analyzed peripheral blood
      collected from 27 patients with relapsed or refractory CLL being treated with
      lenalidomide within a phase II trial. Plasma levels of VEGF and THBS-1 decreased,
      whereas Ang2 and Ang increased during treatment. Patients who respond to
      lenalidomide showed a more pronounced decrease of VEGF and bFGF than did patients
      with stable or progressive disease (p = 0.007 and p = 0.005). Furthermore,
      lenalidomide reduced circulating endothelial cells and endothelial progenitors by
      increasing the percentage of apoptotic cells. Conversely, for six matched bone
      marrow biopsies available before and after treatment, we did not detect any
      modification in vessel density, suggesting a possible mechanism of vessel
      normalization rather than regression. In conclusion, our study provides further
      evidence that the anti-CLL effect of lenalidomide is mediated through the
      alteration of microenvironmental elements, implying the modulation of several
      angiogenesis-related factors and disruption of CLL crosstalk with endothelial
      cells.

PMID- 24212065
TI  - Determining the bioavailability and toxicity of lead contamination to earthworms
      requires using a combination of physicochemical and biological methods.
AB  - This study aimed at assessing the bioavailability and toxicity of lead to Eisenia
      andrei in shooting range soils representing different land uses (forest,
      grassland, bullet plot). Soils contained 47-2398 mg Pb/kg dry weight (dw), but
      also had different pH-CaCl2 (3.2-6.8) and organic matter contents (3.8-13%).
      Therefore artificial soils with different pH and organic matter contents and two
      natural soils were included as control soils. Earthworms were exposed for 28 days
      and toxicity and uptake of Pb were related to total, water and 0.01 M CaCl2
      extractable and porewater Pb concentrations as well as to soil characteristics.
      Pb uptake in the earthworms linearly increased with increasing soil
      concentrations. At >2000 mg Pb/kg dw and pH 3.3-3.5, high earthworm mortality
      with significant weight loss and complete inhibition of reproduction were
      recorded. At <1000 mg/kg dw, earthworm reproduction was more related to
      differences in pH and other soil characteristics than to Pb. 

PMID- 24212066
TI  - PCBs levels and indicator congeners in children's and adolescents' hair.
AB  - Thirty polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were determined in the hair
      samples collected from children (4-12) and adolescents (13-18) of Changchun city,
      Northeastern China. The mean concentrations of total PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs
      (dl-PCBs) in the adolescents' hair samples were 161.0 ng g(-1) and 61.7 ng g(-1),
      which were relatively higher than 43.7 ng g(-1) and 14.6 ng g(-1) in the
      children's ones. Considering gender difference, the mean concentrations in the
      girls' hair samples were approximately two times higher than those in the boys'
      ones for most PCB congeners. The pentachlorinated biphenyl was the dominant
      homologue. It was found that the levels of total PCBs and dl-PCBs were highly
      correlated with PCB 118 level in the children's hair samples, and with PCB 114
      level in the adolescents' ones. The result demonstrated that the two PCB
      congeners could be applied as the indicators to evaluate the concentrations of
      total PCBs and dl-PCBs in children's and adolescents' hair, respectively. 

PMID- 24212067
TI  - Enhanced desorption of persistent organic pollutants from microplastics under
      simulated physiological conditions.
AB  - Microplastics have the potential to uptake and release persistent organic
      pollutants (POPs); however, subsequent transfer to marine organisms is poorly
      understood. Some models estimating transfer of sorbed contaminants to organisms
      neglect the role of gut surfactants under differing physiological conditions in
      the gut (varying pH and temperature), examined here. We investigated the
      potential for polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) to sorb and desorb
      (14)C-DDT, (14)C-phenanthrene (Phe), (14)C-perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and
      (14)C-di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Desorption rates of POPs were quantified
      in seawater and under simulated gut conditions. Influence of pH and temperature
      was examined in order to represent cold and warm blooded organisms. Desorption
      rates were faster with gut surfactant, with a further substantial increase under
      conditions simulating warm blooded organisms. Desorption under gut conditions
      could be up to 30 times greater than in seawater alone. Of the POP/plastic
      combinations examined Phe with PE gave the highest potential for transport to
      organisms. 

PMID- 24212068
TI  - The contribution of a niche-based approach to ecological risk assessment: using
      macroinvertebrate species under multiple stressors.
AB  - We propose that a niche-based experimental approach at population level could be
      used to solve some uncertainties in traditional approaches in ecotoxicology. We
      tested this approach in the context of multiple stressors (i.e. chemical and
      physical) in a selection of six run-of-river reservoirs with different levels of
      sediment contamination and associated upstream and downstream river sites. A
      niche-based approach was tested using three functional traits (habitat, food
      preferences and body size) and discrepancy between the realized and theoretical
      niches. We first identified three groups of taxa and then recorded differences
      along the disturbance gradients, such as an increase in competition, a narrowing
      of spatial and trophic niche breadth (e.g. of Leuctra major and Gammarus pulex),
      a widening of spatial niche breadth (e.g. of Ephemerella ignita), a greater
      proportion of small individuals (e.g. of G. pulex) and a decreasing or an
      increasing (e.g. L. major) discrepancy between realized and theoretical niches. 

PMID- 24212069
TI  - Increased expression of cutaneous alpha1-adrenoceptors after chronic constriction
      injury in rats.
AB  - alpha1-Adrenoceptor expression on nociceptors may play an important role in
      sympathetic-sensory coupling in certain neuropathic pain syndromes. The aim of
      this study was to determine whether alpha1-adrenoceptor expression was
      upregulated on surviving peptidergic, nonpeptidergic, and myelinated nerve fiber
      populations in the skin after chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in
      rats. Seven days after surgery, alpha1-adrenoceptor expression was upregulated in
      the epidermis and on dermal nerve fibers in plantar skin ipsilateral to the
      injury but not around blood vessels. This alpha1-adrenoceptor upregulation in the
      plantar skin was observed on all nerve fiber populations examined. However,
      alpha1-adrenoceptor expression was unaltered in the dorsal hind paw skin after
      the injury. The increased expression of alpha1-adrenoceptors on cutaneous
      nociceptors in plantar skin after chronic constriction injury suggests that this
      may be a site of sensory-sympathetic coupling that increases sensitivity to
      adrenergic agonists after nerve injury. In addition, activation of upregulated
      alpha1-adrenoceptors in the epidermis might cause release of factors that
      stimulate nociceptive signaling. PERSPECTIVE: Our findings indicate that
      peripheral nerve injury provokes upregulation of alpha1-adrenoceptors on
      surviving nociceptive afferents and epidermal cells in the skin. This might
      contribute to sympathetically maintained pain in conditions such as complex
      regional pain syndrome, painful diabetic neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia.

PMID- 24212070
TI  - Complex regional pain syndrome is associated with structural abnormalities in
      pain-related regions of the human brain.
AB  - Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition that involves
      significant hyperalgesia of the affected limb, typically accompanied by localized
      autonomic abnormalities and frequently by motor dysfunction. Although central
      brain systems are thought to play a role in the development and maintenance of
      CRPS, these systems have not been well characterized. In this study, we used
      structural magnetic resonance imaging to characterize differences in gray matter
      volume between patients with right upper extremity CRPS and matched controls.
      Analyses were carried out using a whole brain voxel-based morphometry approach.
      The CRPS group showed decreased gray matter volume in several pain-affect
      regions, including the dorsal insula, left orbitofrontal cortex, and several
      aspects of the cingulate cortex. Greater gray matter volume in CRPS patients was
      seen in the bilateral dorsal putamen and right hypothalamus. Correlation analyses
      with self-reported pain were then performed on the CRPS group. Pain duration was
      associated with decreased gray matter in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
      Pain intensity was positively correlated with volume in the left posterior
      hippocampus and left amygdala, and negatively correlated with the bilateral
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Our findings demonstrate that CRPS is associated
      with abnormal brain system morphology, particularly pain-related sensory, affect,
      motor, and autonomic systems. PERSPECTIVE: This paper presents structural changes
      in the brains of patients with CRPS, helping us differentiate CRPS from other
      chronic pain syndromes and furthering our understanding of this challenging
      disease.

PMID- 24212071
TI  - The effect of Salvia divinorum and Mitragyna speciosa extracts, fraction and
      major constituents on place aversion and place preference in rats.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Consumer use of botanicals has increased despite,
      in many instances, the paucity of research demonstrating efficacy or identifying
      liabilities. This research employed the place preference/aversion paradigm to
      characterize the psychoactive properties of Salvia divinorum extract (10, 30,
      100mg/kg), salvinorin A (0.1, 0.3, 1.0mg/kg), Mitragyna speciosa MeOH extract
      (50, 100, 300 mg/kg), Mitragyna speciosa alkaloid-enriched fraction (12.5, 25, 75
      mg/kg) and mitragynine (5, 10, 30 mg/kg) in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Following
      apparatus habituation and baseline preference scores, male Sprague-Dawley rats
      were given eight counter-balanced drug versus vehicle conditioning trials
      followed by a preference test conducted under drug-free states. S(+)-amphetamine
      (1mg/kg) served as the positive control (in Exp. 2) and haloperidol (0.8,
      1.0mg/kg) served as the negative control in both studies. RESULTS: Rats displayed
      place aversion to both Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A that exceeded that of
      haloperidol. Rats showed place preference to mitragynine that was similar to that
      of S(+)-amphetamine. This CPP effect was much less pronounced with the Mitragyna
      speciosa extract and its fraction. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that both
      botanicals possess liabilities, albeit somewhat different, that warrant caution
      in their use.

PMID- 24212072
TI  - Eupafolin, a skin whitening flavonoid isolated from Phyla nodiflora,
      downregulated melanogenesis: Role of MAPK and Akt pathways.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In hyperpigmentation disorders marked by melanin
      overproduction in the skin, including melisma and freckles, melanogenesis is
      caused by tyrosinase overexpression. Natural medicinal resources, like Phyla
      nodiflora, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, have been used for a long time
      to management of dermatological conditions, such as skin inflammation and
      melanogenesis. Eupafolin, a functional flavonoid isolated from Phyla nodiflora,
      is an herbal tea constituent and possesses anti-inflammatory and anticancer
      activities. However, molecular mechanisms of eupafolin-mediated antimelanogenesis
      remain unknown. We thus focused on its antimelanogenesis effects in B16F10 mouse
      melanoma cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: B16F10 cells were treated with eupafolin
      (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10MUM) in a dose-escalation-dependent manner for the
      determination of melanin, tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis protein levels by
      ELISA or western blot analysis. RESULTS: Eupafolin treatment significantly
      reduced cellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent
      manner (P<0.05), and no cytotoxic effects were observed. Eupafolin was associated
      with reduction in the levels of phospho-cAMP response element-binding protein and
      microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and downregulation of
      tyrosinase synthesis and tyrosinase-related protein expression, leading to
      inhibit melanin production. In addition, eupafolin significantly induced the
      phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, whereas the decreased effect was observed
      in the phosphorylation of Akt. Moreover, inhibitors of these signals recovered or
      attenuated the inhibitory effects of eupafolin on melanogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results seem that inhibition of Akt and activation of phospho-ERK or p38 MAPK may
      lead to the suppression of melanogenesis in eupafolin-treated B16F10 mouse
      melanoma cells.

PMID- 24212073
TI  - Anti-fibrosis and anti-cirrhosis effects of Rhizoma paridis saponins on
      diethylnitrosamine induced rats.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis as a
      traditional Chinese medicine has been used in the treatment of liver disease for
      thousands of years. Rhizoma paridis saponins (RPS), as the main active components
      of Paris polyphylla, have been used to treat liver injury. Anti-cirrhosis effect
      of Rhizoma paridis saponins (RPS) has not been known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      analyzed diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced metabonomic changes in multiple
      biological matrices (plasma and urine) of rats by using (1)H-NMR spectroscopy
      together with clinical biochemistry assessments, oxidative stress test and DNA
      fragmentation assay. RESULTS: Mechanisms of RPS that participated in the
      inhibition of the fibrotic process included anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, and
      metabolic disturbance such as decreasing lipid oxidation, regulation of TCA
      cycle, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolisms in DEN-induced liver tissues.
      CONCLUSIONS: Integrated NMR analysis of serum and urine samples, together with
      traditional clinical biochemical assays provided a holistic method for
      elucidating mechanisms of potential anti-fibrotic agent, RPS.

PMID- 24212074
TI  - Treatment with an extract of Terminalia superba Engler & Diels decreases blood
      pressure and improves endothelial function in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The stem bark of Terminalia superba (TS) is
      widely used as a decoction by Cameroonian folk medicine for the treatment of
      hypertension. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a
      chronic treatment with a TS extract on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with
      respect to efficacy, biochemical mechanisms and safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Eleven-week-old SHR and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were daily treated
      by gavage with a methylene chloride extract of stem bark of Terminalia superba
      (TMSE, 150mg/kg) or with the vehicle for 5 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP)
      was measured weekly using the tail-cuff method. At the end of the treatment
      period, vascular function was assessed on isolated thoracic rings, urinary 8-iso
      PGF2alpha levels were measured and cytochrome P-450 3A (CYP 3A) activity was
      evaluated in liver microsomes. RESULTS: TMSE reduced SBP (P<0.001) in SHR but not
      in WKY rats. In SHR, the vasorelaxant response to acetylcholine was significantly
      improved by TMSE as a result of increased nitric oxide synthase (NO) activity and
      decreased superoxide anion production. In addition, TMSE reduced the
      vasoconstrictive effect of phenylephrine and improved the sensitivity of smooth
      muscle cells to NO. TMSE dramatically decreased 8-iso-PGF2alpha levels in SHR. By
      contrast, TMSE did not affect all these parameters in WKY rats. Neither diuresis
      nor the hepatic CYP 3A activity was modified in both animal groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study demonstrated that Terminalia superba has a potent antihypertensive
      activity in SHR which is partly due to endothelium-dependent and endothelium
      independent effects as well as decreased oxidative stress. The data also provide
      evidence for the lack of herb-drug interaction through hepatic CYP 3A.

PMID- 24212075
TI  - Towards a better understanding of medicinal uses of Carthamus tinctorius L. in
      traditional Chinese medicine: a phytochemical and pharmacological review.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Carthamus tinctorius L. (Compositae), a widely
      used traditional Chinese medicine, was known as Hong hua (Chinese: ), safflower.
      Safflower with a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects has been used to treat
      dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and mass, trauma and pain of
      joints, etc. The present paper reviews the advancements in investigation of
      botany and ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of
      safflower. Finally, the possible tendency and perspective for future
      investigation of this plant are discussed, too. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      information on safflower was collected via piles of resources including classic
      books about Chinese herbal medicine, and scientific databases including Pubmed,
      Google Scholar, ACS, Web of science, CNKI and others. RESULTS: Over 104 compounds
      from this plant have been isolated and identified, and quinochalcones and
      flavonoids are considered as the characteristic and active constituents of
      safflower. Safflower with its active compounds possesses wide-reaching biological
      activities, including dilating coronary artery, improving myocardial ischemia,
      modulating immune system, anticoagulation and antithrombosis, antioxidation,
      antiaging, antihypoxia, antifatigue, antiinflammation, anti-hepatic fibrosis,
      antitumor, analgesia, etc. CONCLUSIONS: As an important traditional Chinese
      medicine, it is important to investigate the pharmacological effects and
      molecular mechanisms of this plant based on modern realization of diseases'
      pathophysiology. More bioactive components should be identified using bioactivity
      guided isolation strategies, and the possible mechanism of action as well as
      potential synergistic or antagonistic effects of multi-component mixtures derived
      from safflower need to be evaluated integrating pharmacological, pharmacokinetic,
      bioavailability-centered and physiological approaches. Further studies on
      safflower can lead to the development of new drugs and therapeutics for various
      diseases, and how to utilize it better should be paid more attention to.

PMID- 24212076
TI  - Protective effects of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang and its component group on collagen
      induced arthritis in rats.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang is a famous Traditional
      Chinese medicine consisting of Rhizoma coptidis (Coptis chinensis Franch,
      Ranunculaceae), Radix scutellariae (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Labiatae),
      Cortex phellodendri (Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Rutaceae) and Fructus gardeniae
      (Gardenia jasminoide Ellis, Rubiaceae) in a weight ratio of 3:2:2:3.This formula
      was described by Wang Tao (in the Chinese Tang Dynasty) in his treatise "Wai Tai
      Mi Yao". It has been used to treat inflammation, hypertension, gastrointestinal
      disorders, and liver and cerebrovascular diseases in the clinical practice of
      Traditional Chinese medicine, especially in treating inflammation for nearly two
      thousand years. However, the essential compounds in it have not been identified,
      and the mechanisms remain to be addressed. To investigate the protective effects
      of HLJDT and its component group (HLJDT-CG) on collagen-induced arthritis in
      rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CIA was established in male Wistar rats with
      subcutaneous injection of type II bovine collagen at the base of the tail of
      animals. CIA rats were treated daily with oral administration of HLJDT aqueous
      extracts (270 mg/kg) or HLJDT-CG (40 mg/kg) once per day from day 6 to day 28.
      Rats in normal and vehicle control groups were given an equal volume of vehicle
      (0.9% saline) and 0.025 mg/kg Dexamethasone was given to the Standard group at
      the same time. The protective effect of them were assessed by measuring arthritis
      index, swelling, the cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-17 in serum,
      type II collagen antibodies, splenocyte proliferation and so on. RESULTS: The
      results demonstrated that treatment of CIA rat with either HLJDT aqueous extracts
      or HLJDT-CG not only ameliorated the symptoms of arthritis, prevented joint
      damage but also reduced the serum levels of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-17 in CIA
      rats. Anti-CII antibodies showed the similar trend except that of IgG1.
      Furthermore, HLJDT aqueous extracts and HLJDT-CG administration also suppressed
      CII-induced proliferative response of splenocytes. More importantly, HLJDT-CG
      exhibited similar pharmacological activities as HLJDT aqueous extracts in all
      aforementioned experiments. CONCLUSIONS: HLJDT aqueous extracts and HLJDT-CG
      could effectively ameliorate CII-induced arthritis and significantly suppress the
      immune response against CII with similar pharmacological efficacy. These findings
      suggest that HLJDT has therapeutic potential in RA treatment and HLJDT-CG can
      represent the effective-composite of HLJDT.

PMID- 24212077
TI  - Anti-inflammatory and antitumoural effects of Uncaria guianensis bark.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) Gmell (Rubiaceae) is
      a medicinal plant from the jungles of South and Central America, used to treat
      cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and inflammation. Evaluate the anti-inflammatory and
      anti-tumor effects of Uncaria guianensis preparations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bio
      guided fractionation of a hydroethanolic extract of Uncaria guianensis was
      performed, evaluating the fractions and subfractions for their effect on
      inflammatory mediators, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6
      (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by ELISA and nitric oxide (NO) by the Griess
      reaction in cultured supernatant from RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), inducible
      nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and inhibitor of kappaB (IkappaB) were investigated
      in RAW 264.7 macrophages by flow cytometry. The activity of NF-kappaB in HeLa
      cells transfected with a luciferase reporter system was determined. The effect of
      Uncaria guianensis on the inflammatory response in vivo was assessed in BALB/c
      mice stimulated with LPS, on rat paw oedema induced by carrageenan, and on tumour
      growth and lung metastasis in BALB/c mice inoculated with 4T1 mammary tumour
      cells. Immune cell infiltrates and inflammatory mediators were evaluated in the
      tumour by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Sub-fraction Ug AIV inhibited, to
      varying degrees, NO, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and PGE2 production by macrophages in vitro
      (30 MUg/ml) and in the serum of LPS-challenged mice (5 mg/kg). Macrophage
      expression of Cox-2 was inhibited (35%), IkappaB degradation was completely
      inhibited and NF-kappaB activation was inhibited (70%) by Ug AIV at 30 MUg/ml. Ug
      AIV decreased paw oedema by 86% (5 mg/kg) and serum NO and TNF-alpha by 45% and
      65% respectively. Ug AIV reduced 4T1 mammary tumour growth by 91% on day 33 post
      inoculation as well as the levels of serum NO, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the same
      animals. Ug AIV decreased the number of tumour-infiltrating T lymphocytes,
      macrophages and neutrophils as well as the number of cells positive for COX-2,
      iNOS, IL-6, TNF-alpha and p65. CONCLUSIONS: As Ug AIV was not cytotoxic for
      tumour cells or macrophages, its anti-tumour effect may be due to a reduction in
      pro-tumoural inflammatory processes in the tumour microenvironment, possibly
      mediated through NF-kappaB.

PMID- 24212078
TI  - Comparison of chemical compositions and osteoprotective effects of different
      sections of velvet antler.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Velvet antlers (VA) have been claimed for
      centuries to have numerous medical benefits including strengthen bones. To
      investigate and compare the anti-osteoporotic activities from different sections
      of VA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh VA prepared from farmed sika deers (Cervus
      nippon) was divided into upper (VAU), middle (VAM), and basal (VAB) sections. The
      chemical constituents and anti-osteoporotic effect of different sections from VA
      were evaluated using ovariectomized rats. RESULTS: Levels of water-soluble
      extracts, diluted alcoholic extract, amino acids, testosterone, insulin-like
      growth factor (IGF)-1 and testosterone plus estradiol significantly differed
      among the different sections. Levels of these constituents were significantly
      higher in the upper section than in the basal section. Moreover, levels of
      testosterone and IGF-1 of the VAM were also significantly higher than those of
      the VAB. Calcium level increased downward from the tip with statistical
      significance. The strength of vertebrae increased in all VA-treated groups
      compared to the control, but only treatment with VAU and VAM increased the
      strength of the femur and the microarchitecure of the trabecular bone. Alkaline
      phosphatase levels of VAU- and VAM-treated groups significantly decreased, but
      osteocalcin did not significantly change. Moreover, VAU and VAM dose-dependently
      increased proliferation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. CONCLUSION: Our
      study provides strong evidence for the regional differences in the effectiveness
      of velvet antler in treating osteoporosis. However, further studies are needed to
      elucidate the bioactive chemical constituents associated with the anti
      osteoporotic effects of velvet antler.

PMID- 24212079
TI  - Total alkaloids of Tripterygium hypoglaucum (levl.) Hutch inhibits tumor growth
      both in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tripterygium hypoglaucum (levl.) Hutch
      (Celastraceae) (THH) root is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb commonly used
      for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer. Alkaloid is one of the most
      bioactive components of THH extract. To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo
      antitumor properties of the total alkaloids of THH (THHta). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: THHta was extracted in pilot-scale. HCT116 cells were chose to establish
      human colon cancer xenograft model. The in vitro anti-tumor activity of THHta was
      tested by Cell malignant transformation test, Soft agar colony formation assay
      and MTT assay. The in vivo anti-tumor effect of THHta was confirmed by xenograft
      mouse model. THHta-induced apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. The levels
      of apoptosis-related proteins were investigated by Western blot. RESULTS: TPA
      induced cell transformation was significantly inhibited by THHta in JB6 Cl41
      cells. THHta inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells in vitro in a significant
      dose-dependent manner. Compared to the control set, i.p. administration of THHta
      to xenograft mice significantly reduced both tumor weight and volume. Apoptosis
      induction of THHta was mediated by activation of caspase-3, PARP and inhibiting
      of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and XIAP. CONCLUSION: THHta was effective in inhibiting tumor
      growth both in vitro and in vivo at less toxic concentrations by inducing
      apoptosis which suggested it could be developed as a potential anticancer agent.

PMID- 24212080
TI  - An alternative to the breeder's and Lande's equations.
AB  - The breeder's equation is a cornerstone of quantitative genetics, widely used in
      evolutionary modeling. Noting the mean phenotype in parental, selected parents,
      and the progeny by E(Z0), E(ZW), and E(Z1), this equation relates response to
      selection R = E(Z1) - E(Z0) to the selection differential S = E(ZW) - E(Z0)
      through a simple proportionality relation R = h(2)S, where the heritability
      coefficient h(2) is a simple function of genotype and environment factors
      variance. The validity of this relation relies strongly on the normal (Gaussian)
      distribution of the parent genotype, which is an unobservable quantity and cannot
      be ascertained. In contrast, we show here that if the fitness (or selection)
      function is Gaussian with mean MU, an alternative, exact linear equation of the
      form R' = j(2)S' can be derived, regardless of the parental genotype
      distribution. Here R' = E(Z1) - MU and S' = E(ZW) - MU stand for the mean
      phenotypic lag with respect to the mean of the fitness function in the offspring
      and selected populations. The proportionality coefficient j(2) is a simple
      function of selection function and environment factors variance, but does not
      contain the genotype variance. To demonstrate this, we derive the exact
      functional relation between the mean phenotype in the selected and the offspring
      population and deduce all cases that lead to a linear relation between them.
      These results generalize naturally to the concept of G matrix and the
      multivariate Lande's equation Delta(z) = GP(-1)S. The linearity coefficient of
      the alternative equation are not changed by Gaussian selection.

PMID- 24212081
TI  - Genetic variation and covariation in male attractiveness and female mating
      preferences in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - How mating preferences evolve remains one of the major unsolved mysteries in
      evolutionary biology. One major impediment to the study of ornament-preference
      coevolution is that many aspects of the theoretical literature remain loosely
      connected to empirical data. Theoretical models typically streamline mating
      preferences by describing preference functions with a single parameter, a
      modeling convenience that may veil important aspects of preference evolution.
      Here, we use a high-throughput behavioral assay in Drosophila melanogaster to
      quantify attractiveness and multiple components of preferences in both males and
      females. Females varied genetically with respect to how they ranked males in
      terms of attractiveness as well as the extent to which they discriminated among
      different males. Conversely, males showed consistent preferences for females,
      suggesting that D. melanogaster males tend to rank different female phenotypes in
      the same order in terms of attractiveness. Moreover, we reveal a heretofore
      undocumented positive genetic correlation between male attractiveness and female
      choosiness, which is a measure of the variability in a female's response to
      different male phenotypes. This genetic correlation sets the stage for female
      choosiness to evolve via a correlated response to selection on male traits and
      potentially adds a new dimension to the Fisherian sexual selection process. 

PMID- 24212082
TI  - The use of SNP markers for linkage mapping in diploid and tetraploid peanuts.
AB  - Single nucleotide polymorphic markers (SNPs) are attractive for use in genetic
      mapping and marker-assisted breeding because they can be scored in parallel
      assays at favorable costs. However, scoring SNP markers in polyploid plants like
      the peanut is problematic because of interfering signal generated from the DNA
      bases that are homeologous to those being assayed. The present study used a
      previously constructed 1536 GoldenGate SNP assay developed using SNPs identified
      between two A. duranensis accessions. In this study, the performance of this
      assay was tested on two RIL mapping populations, one diploid (A. duranensis * A.
      stenosperma) and one tetraploid [A. hypogaea cv. Runner IAC 886 * synthetic
      tetraploid (A. ipaensis * A. duranensis)(4*)]. The scoring was performed using
      the software GenomeStudio version 2011.1. For the diploid, polymorphic markers
      provided excellent genotyping scores with default software parameters. In the
      tetraploid, as expected, most of the polymorphic markers provided signal
      intensity plots that were distorted compared to diploid patterns and that were
      incorrectly scored using default parameters. However, these scorings were easily
      corrected using the GenomeStudio software. The degree of distortion was highly
      variable. Of the polymorphic markers, approximately 10% showed no distortion at
      all behaving as expected for single-dose markers, and another 30% showed low
      distortion and could be considered high-quality. The genotyped markers were
      incorporated into diploid and tetraploid genetic maps of Arachis and, in the
      latter case, were located almost entirely on A genome linkage groups. 

PMID- 24212083
TI  - High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I for predicting death in a female emergency
      department population.

PMID- 24212084
TI  - Novel biomarkers for acute myocardial infarction: is microRNA the new kid on the
      block?

PMID- 24212085
TI  - Circulating U2 small nuclear RNA fragments as a novel diagnostic tool for
      patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among malignancies in
      women. Despite advances in treatment, >50% of patients relapse. For disease
      monitoring, the identification of a blood-based biomarker would be of prime
      interest. In this regard, noncoding RNAs, such as microRNA (miRNA) or small
      nuclear RNA (snRNA), have been suggested as biomarkers for noninvasive cancer
      diagnosis. In the present study, we sought to identify differentially expressed
      miRNA/snRNA in sera of ovarian cancer patients and investigate their potential to
      aid in therapy monitoring. METHODS: miRNA/snRNA abundance was investigated in
      serum (n = 10) by microarray analysis and validated in an extended serum set (n =
      119) by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Abundance of U2-1 snRNA
      fragment (RNU2-1f) was significantly increased in sera of ovarian cancer patients
      (P < 0.0001) and paralleled International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics
      stage as well as residual tumor burden after surgery (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.011,
      respectively). Moreover, for patients with suboptimal debulking, preoperative
      RNU2-1f concentration was associated with radiographic response after
      chemotherapy and with platinum resistance (P = 0.0088 and P = 0.0015,
      respectively). Interestingly, according to the RNU2-1f abundance dynamics,
      persistent RNU2-1f positivity before surgery and after chemotherapy identified a
      subgroup of patients with high risk of recurrence and poor prognosis.
      CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report to suggest that a circulating snRNA can
      serve as an auxiliary diagnostic tool for monitoring tumor dynamics in ovarian
      cancer. Our results provide a rationale to further investigate whether this high
      risk patient group may benefit from additional therapies that are directly
      applied after chemotherapy.

PMID- 24212086
TI  - Peptidomics of urine and other biofluids for cancer diagnostics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. The low diagnostic
      sensitivity and specificity of most current cancer biomarkers make early cancer
      diagnosis a challenging task. The comprehensive study of peptides and small
      proteins in a living system, known as "peptidomics," represents an alternative
      technological approach to the discovery of potential biomarkers for the
      assessment of a wide variety of pathologies. This review examines the current
      status of peptidomics for several body fluids, with a focus on urine, for cancer
      diagnostics applications. CONTENT: Several studies have used high-throughput
      technologies to characterize the peptide content of different body fluids.
      Because of its noninvasive collection and high stability, urine is a valuable
      source of candidate cancer biomarkers. A wide variety of preanalytical issues
      concerning patient selection and sample handling need to be considered, because
      not doing so can affect the quality of the results by introducing bias and
      artifacts. Optimization of both the analytical strategies and the processing of
      bioinformatics data is also essential to minimize the false-discovery rate.
      SUMMARY: Peptidomics-based studies of urine and other body fluids have yielded a
      number of biomolecules and peptide panels with potential for diagnosing different
      types of cancer, especially of the ovary, prostate, and bladder. Large-scale
      studies are needed to validate these molecules as cancer biomarkers.

PMID- 24212087
TI  - Comparison of mRNA splicing assay protocols across multiple laboratories:
      recommendations for best practice in standardized clinical testing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate evaluation of unclassified sequence variants in cancer
      predisposition genes is essential for clinical management and depends on a
      multifactorial analysis of clinical, genetic, pathologic, and bioinformatic
      variables and assays of transcript length and abundance. The integrity of assay
      data in turn relies on appropriate assay design, interpretation, and reporting.
      METHODS: We conducted a multicenter investigation to compare mRNA splicing assay
      protocols used by members of the ENIGMA (Evidence-Based Network for the
      Interpretation of Germline Mutant Alleles) consortium. We compared similarities
      and differences in results derived from analysis of a panel of breast cancer 1,
      early onset (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2, early onset (BRCA2) gene variants known
      to alter splicing (BRCA1: c.135-1G>T, c.591C>T, c.594-2A>C, c.671-2A>G, and
      c.5467+5G>C and BRCA2: c.426-12_8delGTTTT, c.7988A>T, c.8632+1G>A, and
      c.9501+3A>T). Differences in protocols were then assessed to determine which
      elements were critical in reliable assay design. RESULTS: PCR primer design
      strategies, PCR conditions, and product detection methods, combined with a prior
      knowledge of expected alternative transcripts, were the key factors for accurate
      splicing assay results. For example, because of the position of primers and PCR
      extension times, several isoforms associated with BRCA1, c.594-2A>C and c.671
      2A>G, were not detected by many sites. Variation was most evident for the
      detection of low-abundance transcripts (e.g., BRCA2 c.8632+1G>A Delta19,20 and
      BRCA1 c.135-1G>T Delta5q and Delta3). Detection of low-abundance transcripts was
      sometimes addressed by using more analytically sensitive detection methods (e.g.,
      BRCA2 c.426-12_8delGTTTT ins18bp). CONCLUSIONS: We provide recommendations for
      best practice and raise key issues to consider when designing mRNA assays for
      evaluation of unclassified sequence variants.

PMID- 24212088
TI  - Vitamin K status in chronic kidney disease.
AB  - The purpose of this review is to summarize the research to date on vitamin K
      status in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review includes a summary of the
      data available on vitamin K status in patients across the spectrum of CKD as well
      as the link between vitamin K deficiency in CKD and bone dynamics, including
      mineralization and demineralization, as well as ectopic mineralization. It also
      describes two current clinical trials that are underway evaluating vitamin K
      treatment in CKD patients. These data may inform future clinical practice in this
      population. 

PMID- 24212089
TI  - The influence of vitamin A supplementation on iron status.
AB  - Vitamin A (VA) and iron deficiencies are important nutritional problems,
      affecting particularly preschool children, as well as pregnant and lactating
      women. A PubMed (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health,
      Bethesda, MD, USA) literature review was carried out to search for clinical
      trials published from 1992 to 2013 that assessed the influence of vitamin A
      supplementation on iron status. Simultaneous use of iron and vitamin A
      supplements seemed to be more effective to prevent iron deficiency anemia than
      the use of these micronutrients alone. Some studies did not include a placebo
      group and only a few of them assessed vitamin A status of the individuals at
      baseline. Moreover, the studies did not consider any inflammatory marker and a
      reasonable number of iron parameters. Another important limitation was the lack
      of assessment of hemoglobin variants, especially in regions with a high
      prevalence of anemia. Assessment of hemoglobin variants, inflammatory markers and
      anemia of chronic inflammation would be important to the studies investigated.
      Studies involving different populations are necessary to elucidate the
      interaction between the two micronutrients, especially regarding iron absorption
      and modulation of erythropoiesis. 

PMID- 24212090
TI  - Ablation of LGR4 promotes energy expenditure by driving white-to-brown fat
      switch.
AB  - Obesity occurs when excess energy accumulates in white adipose tissue (WAT),
      whereas brown adipose tissue (BAT), specialized for energy expenditure through
      thermogenesis, potently counteracts obesity. Factors that induce brown adipocyte
      commitment and energy expenditure would be a promising defence against adiposity.
      Here, we show that Lgr4 homozygous mutant (Lgr4(m/m)) mice show reduced adiposity
      and resist dietary and leptin mutant-induced obesity with improved glucose
      metabolism. Lgr4(m/m) mice show a striking increase in energy expenditure, and
      exhibit brown-like adipocytes in WAT depots with higher expression of BAT and
      beige cell markers. Furthermore, Lgr4 ablation potentiates brown adipocyte
      differentiation from the stromal vascular fraction of epididymal WAT, partially
      through retinoblastoma 1 gene (Rb1) reduction. A functional low-frequency human
      LGR4 variant (A750T) has been associated with body mass index in a Chinese obese
      versus-control study. Our results identify an important role for LGR4 in energy
      balance and body weight control through regulating the white-to-brown fat
      transition. 

PMID- 24212091
TI  - The physiological role of mitochondrial calcium revealed by mice lacking the
      mitochondrial calcium uniporter.
AB  - Mitochondrial calcium has been postulated to regulate a wide range of processes
      from bioenergetics to cell death. Here, we characterize a mouse model that lacks
      expression of the recently discovered mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU).
      Mitochondria derived from MCU(-/-) mice have no apparent capacity to rapidly
      uptake calcium. Whereas basal metabolism seems unaffected, the skeletal muscle of
      MCU(-/-) mice exhibited alterations in the phosphorylation and activity of
      pyruvate dehydrogenase. In addition, MCU(-/-) mice exhibited marked impairment in
      their ability to perform strenuous work. We further show that mitochondria from
      MCU(-/-) mice lacked evidence for calcium-induced permeability transition pore
      (PTP) opening. The lack of PTP opening does not seem to protect MCU(-/-) cells
      and tissues from cell death, although MCU(-/-) hearts fail to respond to the PTP
      inhibitor cyclosporin A. Taken together, these results clarify how acute
      alterations in mitochondrial matrix calcium can regulate mammalian physiology. 

PMID- 24212092
TI  - Tension-oriented cell divisions limit anisotropic tissue tension in epithelial
      spreading during zebrafish epiboly.
AB  - Epithelial spreading is a common and fundamental aspect of various developmental
      and disease-related processes such as epithelial closure and wound healing. A key
      challenge for epithelial tissues undergoing spreading is to increase their
      surface area without disrupting epithelial integrity. Here we show that orienting
      cell divisions by tension constitutes an efficient mechanism by which the
      enveloping cell layer (EVL) releases anisotropic tension while undergoing
      spreading during zebrafish epiboly. The control of EVL cell-division orientation
      by tension involves cell elongation and requires myosin II activity to align the
      mitotic spindle with the main tension axis. We also found that in the absence of
      tension-oriented cell divisions and in the presence of increased tissue tension,
      EVL cells undergo ectopic fusions, suggesting that the reduction of tension
      anisotropy by oriented cell divisions is required to prevent EVL cells from
      fusing. We conclude that cell-division orientation by tension constitutes a key
      mechanism for limiting tension anisotropy and thus promoting tissue spreading
      during EVL epiboly. 

PMID- 24212093
TI  - SelR reverses Mical-mediated oxidation of actin to regulate F-actin dynamics.
AB  - Actin's polymerization properties are markedly altered by oxidation of its
      conserved Met 44 residue. Mediating this effect is a specific oxidation-reduction
      (redox) enzyme, Mical, that works with Semaphorin repulsive guidance cues and
      selectively oxidizes Met 44. We now find that this actin-regulatory process is
      reversible. Employing a genetic approach, we identified a specific methionine
      sulfoxide reductase (MsrB) enzyme SelR that opposes Mical redox activity and
      Semaphorin-Plexin repulsion to direct multiple actin-dependent cellular
      behaviours in vivo. SelR specifically catalyses the reduction of the R isomer of
      methionine sulfoxide (methionine-R-sulfoxide) to methionine, and we found that
      SelR directly reduced Mical-oxidized actin, restoring its normal polymerization
      properties. These results indicate that Mical oxidizes actin stereospecifically
      to generate actin Met-44-R-sulfoxide (actin(Met(R)O-44)), and also implicate the
      interconversion of specific Met/Met(R)O residues as a precise means to modulate
      protein function. Our results therefore uncover a specific reversible redox actin
      regulatory system that controls cell and developmental biology. 

PMID- 24212094
TI  - Dynamic modeling and validation of a lignocellulosic enzymatic hydrolysis process
      -a demonstration scale study.
AB  - The enzymatic hydrolysis process is one of the key steps in second generation
      biofuel production. After being thermally pretreated, the lignocellulosic
      material is liquefied by enzymes prior to fermentation. The scope of this paper
      is to evaluate a dynamic model of the hydrolysis process on a demonstration scale
      reactor. The following novel features are included: the application of the
      Convection-Diffusion-Reaction equation to a hydrolysis reactor to assess
      transport and mixing effects; the extension of a competitive kinetic model with
      enzymatic pH dependency and hemicellulose hydrolysis; a comprehensive pH model;
      and viscosity estimations during the course of reaction. The model is evaluated
      against real data extracted from a demonstration scale biorefinery throughout
      several days of operation. All measurements are within predictions uncertainty
      and, therefore, the model constitutes a valuable tool to support process
      optimization, performance monitoring, diagnosis and process control at full-scale
      studies. 

PMID- 24212095
TI  - Stoichiometry-controlled FeP nanoparticles synthesized from a single source
      precursor.
AB  - Phase-pure FeP nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized through low temperature
      thermolysis of the single source precursor [(CO)4Fe(PH3)]. Examination of the
      mechanism demonstrates the central role of the labile CO ligands and the weak P-H
      bonds to yield stoichiometry controlled FeP materials. 

PMID- 24212096
TI  - Characteristics of TCR/CD3 complex CD3{varepsilon} chains of regulatory CD4+ T
      (Treg) lymphocytes: role in Treg differentiation in vitro and impact on Treg in
      vivo.
AB  - Tregs are anergic CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T lymphocytes exerting active suppression
      to control immune and autoimmune responses. However, the factors in TCR
      recognition underlying Treg differentiation are unclear. Based on our previous
      data, we hypothesized that Treg TCR/CD3 antigen receptor complexes might differ
      from those of CD4(+)CD25(-) Tconv. Expression levels of TCR/CD3, CD3epsilon,zeta
      chains, or other molecules involved in antigen signaling and the characteristics
      of CD3epsilon chains were analyzed in thymus or spleen Treg cells from normal
      mice. Tregs had quantitative and qualitatively distinct TCR/CD3 complexes and
      CD3epsilon chains. They expressed significantly lower levels of the TCR/CD3
      antigen receptor, CD3epsilon chains, TCR-zeta chain, or the CD4 coreceptor than
      Tconv. Levels of kinases, adaptor molecules involved in TCR signaling, and early
      downstream activation pathways were also lower in Tregs than in Tconv.
      Furthermore, TCR/CD3 complexes in Tregs were enriched in CD3epsilon chains
      conserving their N-terminal, negatively charged amino acid residues; this trait
      is linked to a higher activation threshold. Transfection of mutant CD3epsilon
      chains lacking these residues inhibited the differentiation of mature
      CD4(+)Foxp3(-) T lymphocytes into CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs, and differences in
      CD3epsilon chain recognition by antibodies could be used to enrich for Tregs in
      vivo. Our results show quantitative and qualitative differences in the TCR/CD3
      complex, supporting the hyporesponsive phenotype of Tregs concerning TCR/CD3
      signals. These differences might reconcile avidity and flexible threshold models
      of Treg differentiation and be used to implement therapeutic approaches involving
      Treg manipulation. 

PMID- 24212097
TI  - CD14(hi)HLA-DR(dim) macrophages, with a resemblance to classical blood monocytes,
      dominate inflamed mucosa in Crohn's disease.
AB  - Intestinal M play an important role in maintaining gut homeostasis. However,
      little is known about these cells, their precursors, and their role in intestinal
      inflammation. Here, we characterize the CD14(+) mononuclear cell populations in
      intestinal mucosa and blood in patients with CD. Among the LP CD14(+) M, we
      identified three distinct HLA-DR(+)-expressing subsets. Compared with uninflamed,
      inflamed mucosa contained a marked increase in the proportion of the CD14(hi)HLA
      DR(dim) cellular subset. This subset resembled the classical blood monocytes with
      low CD16, HLA-DR, and CX3CR1 expression. Classical monocytes migrated efficiently
      toward CCL2 and released the highest levels of MMP-1 and proinflammatory
      cytokines when stimulated with immune complexes or LPS. Our findings strongly
      suggest that it is the classical and not the intermediate or nonclassical
      monocytes that are the precursors to the dominating intestinal CD14(hi)HLA
      DR(dim) subset. This enhances our understanding of CD pathology and may provide
      new options in treatment. 

PMID- 24212099
TI  - Technical Advance: a new cell preparation strategy that greatly improves the
      yield of vital and functional Tregs and NKT cells.
AB  - Release of NAD(+) during preparation of murine lymphocytes causes enzymatic ADP
      ribosylation of cell-surface proteins on T cells, catalyzed by toxin-related ecto
      ADP-ribosyltransferase, ARTC2. ADP-riboslyation activates the cytolytic P2X7 ion
      channel and affects, in particular, the vitality and function of Tregs and NKT
      cells. Here, we describe a simple method-injection of an ARTC2-blocking nanobody
      to greatly improve Treg and NKT cell vitality and to preserve their function
      during in vitro assays and in adoptive-transfer experiments. Moreover, we present
      a method for the sorting of functional, primary NKT cells, based on coexpression
      of ARTC2 and NK1.1. Our results pave the way for the efficient ex vivo
      proliferation of Tregs and NKT cells and for new experimental and therapeutic
      uses of these important regulatory cells. 

PMID- 24212100
TI  - Dynamical and topological robustness of the mammalian cell cycle network: a
      reverse engineering approach.
AB  - A common gene regulatory network model is the threshold Boolean network, used for
      example to model the Arabidopsis thaliana floral morphogenesis network or the
      fission yeast cell cycle network. In this paper, we analyze a logical model of
      the mammalian cell cycle network and its threshold Boolean network equivalent.
      Firstly, the robustness of the network was explored with respect to update
      perturbations, in particular, what happened to the attractors for all the
      deterministic updating schemes. Results on the number of different limit cycles,
      limit cycle lengths, basin of attraction size, for all the deterministic updating
      schemes were obtained through mathematical and computational tools. Secondly, we
      analyzed the topology robustness of the network, by reconstructing synthetic
      networks that contained exactly the same attractors as the original model by
      means of a swarm intelligence approach. Our results indicate that networks may
      not be very robust given the great variety of limit cycles that a network can
      obtain depending on the updating scheme. In addition, we identified an
      omnipresent network with interactions that match with the original model as well
      as the discovery of new interactions. The techniques presented in this paper are
      general, and can be used to analyze other logical or threshold Boolean network
      models of gene regulatory networks. 

PMID- 24212098
TI  - The two faces of heterologous immunity: protection or immunopathology.
AB  - Immunity to previously encountered viruses can alter responses to unrelated
      pathogens. This phenomenon, which is known as heterologous immunity, has been
      well established in animal model systems. Heterologous immunity appears to be
      relatively common and may be beneficial by boosting protective responses.
      However, heterologous reactivity can also result in severe immunopathology. The
      key features that define heterologous immune modulation include alterations in
      the CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell compartments and changes in viral dynamics and
      disease progression. In this review, we discuss recent advances and the current
      understanding of antiviral immunity in heterologous infections. The difficulties
      of studying these complex heterologous infections in humans are discussed, with
      special reference to the variations in HLA haplotypes and uncertainties about
      individuals' infection history. Despite these limitations, epidemiological
      analyses in humans and the data from mouse models of coinfection can be applied
      toward advancing the design of therapeutics and vaccination strategies. 

PMID- 24212101
TI  - Connected health: cancer symptom and quality-of-life assessment using a tablet
      computer: a pilot study.
AB  - Incorporation of tablet computers (TCs) into patient assessment may facilitate
      safe and secure data collection. We evaluated the usefulness and acceptability of
      a TC as an electronic self-report symptom assessment instrument. Research
      Electronic Data Capture Web-based application supported data capture. Information
      was collected and disseminated in real time and a structured format. Completed
      questionnaires were printed and given to the physician before the patient visit.
      Most participants completed the survey without assistance. Completion rate was
      100%. The median global quality of life was high for all. More than half reported
      pain. Based on Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, the top 3 most common symptoms
      were tiredness, anxiety, and decreased well-being. Patient and physician
      acceptability for these quick and useful TC-based surveys was excellent. 

PMID- 24212102
TI  - Racial disparities in receipt of hospice services among nursing home residents.
AB  - This study examined the relationship between race and advance care planning,
      hospitalization, and death among nursing home residents receiving hospice care.
      Secondary data analysis using the 2007 Minimum Data Set (MDS) was used to
      identify documentation of these activities for White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian
      residents with linear regression models fitted to each dependent variable. Across
      different types of advance directives, compared to White nursing home residents,
      Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents who received hospice services were
      significantly less likely overall to have documented advance directives. All
      racial groups were also more likely to experience hospitalization while on
      hospice, regardless of whether they had a documented "do not hospitalize" order.
      As nursing homes become more diverse, recognizing differences in hospice use and
      end-of-life planning will continue to increase in importance. 

PMID- 24212103
TI  - Absence of congruency sequence effects reveals neurocognitive inflexibility in
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - The effects of Parkinson's disease (PD) on action selection in conflictual
      situations were examined in an experiment using the flanker task in combination
      with event-related brain potentials (ERPs). More specifically, we investigated
      the effects of PD on behavioral and neuronal indicators of both instantaneous
      (within-trial flanker congruency effects) and sequence-dependent (between-trial
      congruency sequence effects) distractor interference. Consistent with the
      existing literature, congruency-sensitive ERP components (i.e., fronto-central N2
      and positive 'dips' of the lateralized readiness potential, LRP) were observed
      over medial-frontal and lateral-central regions, respectively. For situations
      requiring instantaneous action control, patients with PD and healthy controls
      showed similar congruency effects on reaction time, as well as on N2 and LRP
      'dip' amplitudes. As expected, controls showed reliable congruency sequence
      effects on reaction time, as well as on N2 and LRP 'dip' amplitudes. However,
      patients with PD were completely unaffected by the congruence sequence across
      consecutive trials, as revealed by reaction time, as well as by N2 and LRP 'dip'
      amplitudes. The data imply that the effects of PD on action selection are largely
      restricted to a lack of adaptive modulation in time which we refer to as
      neurocognitive inflexibility, in the context of relatively spared abilities to
      instantaneously exert control over action selection. The findings are discussed
      in terms of basal ganglia dysfunction induced by PD which results primarily
      either in executive function deficits or in aberrant habit formation. 

PMID- 24212104
TI  - Morphing surfaces enable acoustophoretic contactless transport of ultrahigh
      density matter in air.
AB  - The controlled contactless transport of heavy drops and particles in air is of
      fundamental interest and has significant application potential. Acoustic forces
      do not rely on special material properties, but their utility in transporting
      heavy matter in air has been restricted by low power and poor controllability.
      Here we present a new concept of acoustophoresis, based on the morphing of a
      deformable reflector, which exploits the low reaction forces and low relaxation
      time of a liquid with enhanced surface tension through the use of thin overlaid
      membrane. An acoustically induced, mobile deformation (dimple) on the reflector
      surface enhances the acoustic field emitted by a line of discretized emitters and
      enables the countinuos motion of heavy levitated samples. With such interplay of
      emitters and reflecting soft-structure, a 5 mm steel sphere (0.5 grams) was
      contactlessly transported in air solely by acoustophoresis. 

PMID- 24212105
TI  - Global determinants of mortality in under 5s: 10 year worldwide longitudinal
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess at country level the association of mortality in under 5s
      with a large set of determinants. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: 193 United
      Nations member countries, 2000-09. METHODS: Yearly data between 2000 and 2009
      based on 12 world development indicators were used in a multivariable general
      additive mixed model allowing for non-linear relations and lag effects. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE: National rate of deaths in under 5s per 1000 live births
      RESULTS: The model retained the variables: gross domestic product per capita;
      percentage of the population having access to improved water sources, having
      access to improved sanitation facilities, and living in urban areas; adolescent
      fertility rate; public health expenditure per capita; prevalence of HIV;
      perceived level of corruption and of violence; and mean number of years in school
      for women of reproductive age. Most of these variables exhibited non-linear
      behaviours and lag effects. CONCLUSIONS: By providing a unified framework for
      mortality in under 5s, encompassing both high and low income countries this study
      showed non-linear behaviours and lag effects of known or suspected determinants
      of mortality in this age group. Although some of the determinants presented a
      linear action on log mortality indicating that whatever the context, acting on
      them would be a pertinent strategy to effectively reduce mortality, others had a
      threshold based relation potentially mediated by lag effects. These findings
      could help designing efficient strategies to achieve maximum progress towards
      millennium development goal 4, which aims to reduce mortality in under 5s by two
      thirds between 1990 and 2015.

PMID- 24212106
TI  - Don't restrict funding from drug companies for doctors' education.

PMID- 24212108
TI  - Determinants of childhood mortality.

PMID- 24212107
TI  - Bare metal stents, durable polymer drug eluting stents, and biodegradable polymer
      drug eluting stents for coronary artery disease: mixed treatment comparison meta
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of biodegradable polymer drug
      eluting stents with those of bare metal stents and durable polymer drug eluting
      stents. DESIGN: Mixed treatment comparison meta-analysis of 258,544 patient years
      of follow-up from randomized trials. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: PubMed,
      Embase, and Central were searched for randomized trials comparing any of the Food
      and Drug Administration approved durable polymer drug eluting stents (sirolimus
      eluting, paclitaxel eluting, cobalt chromium everolimus eluting, platinum
      chromium everolimus eluting, zotarolimus eluting-Endeavor, and zotarolimus
      eluting-Resolute) or biodegradable polymer drug eluting stents, with each other
      or against bare metal stents. OUTCOMES: Long term efficacy (target vessel
      revascularization, target lesion revascularization) and safety (death, myocardial
      infarction, stent thrombosis). Landmark analysis at more than one year was
      evaluated to assess the potential late benefit of biodegradable polymer drug
      eluting stents. RESULTS: From 126 randomized trials and 258,544 patient years of
      follow-up, for long term efficacy (target vessel revascularization),
      biodegradable polymer drug eluting stents were superior to paclitaxel eluting
      stents (rate ratio 0.66, 95% credibility interval 0.57 to 0.78) and zotarolimus
      eluting stent-Endeavor (0.69, 0.56 to 0.84) but not to newer generation durable
      polymer drug eluting stents (for example: 1.03, 0.89 to 1.21 versus cobalt
      chromium everolimus eluting stents). Similarly, biodegradable polymer drug
      eluting stents were superior to paclitaxel eluting stents (rate ratio 0.61, 0.37
      to 0.89) but inferior to cobalt chromium everolimus eluting stents (2.04, 1.27 to
      3.35) for long term safety (definite stent thrombosis). In the landmark analysis
      after one year, biodegradable polymer drug eluting stents were superior to
      sirolimus eluting stents for definite stent thrombosis (rate ratio 0.29, 0.10 to
      0.82) but were associated with increased mortality compared with cobalt chromium
      everolimus eluting stents (1.52, 1.02 to 2.22). Overall, among all stent types,
      the newer generation durable polymer drug eluting stents (zotarolimus eluting
      stent-Resolute, cobalt chromium everolimus eluting stents, and platinum chromium
      everolimus eluting stents) were the most efficacious (lowest target vessel
      revascularization rate) stents, and cobalt chromium everolimus eluting stents
      were the safest with significant reductions in definite stent thrombosis (rate
      ratio 0.35, 0.21 to 0.53), myocardial infarction (0.65, 0.55 to 0.75), and death
      (0.72, 0.58 to 0.90) compared with bare metal stents. CONCLUSIONS: Biodegradable
      polymer drug eluting stents are superior to first generation durable polymer drug
      eluting stents but not to newer generation durable polymer stents in reducing
      target vessel revascularization. Newer generation durable polymer stents, and
      especially cobalt chromium everolimus eluting stents, have the best combination
      of efficacy and safety. The utility of biodegradable polymer stents in the
      context of excellent clinical outcomes with newer generation durable polymer
      stents needs to be proven.

PMID- 24212109
TI  - Power to the people: what will bring about the patient centred revolution?

PMID- 24212110
TI  - US lawyers investigate trial that secured license for AstraZeneca's antiplatelet
      drug.

PMID- 24212111
TI  - Litigation in maternity care is rising, says National Audit Office.

PMID- 24212112
TI  - UK doctor arrested in Syria is located in Damascus prison.

PMID- 24212113
TI  - Local topographic influences on vision restoration hot spots after brain damage.
AB  - PURPOSE: Vision restoration training (VRT) in hemianopia patients leads to visual
      field enlargements, but the mechanisms of this vision restoration are not known.
      To investigate the role of residual vision in recovery, we studied topographic
      features of visual field charts and determined residual functions in local
      regions and their immediate surround. METHODS: We analyzed High Resolution
      Perimetry visual field charts of hemianopic stroke patients (n = 23) before and
      after 6 months of VRT and identified all local visual field regions with ("hot
      spots", n = 688) or without restoration ("cold spots", n = 3426). Topographic
      features of these spots at baseline where then related to (i) their respective
      local residual function, (ii) residual activity in their spatial neighbourhood,
      and (iii) their distance to the scotoma border estimated in cortical coordinates
      following magnification factor transformation. RESULTS: Visual field areas had a
      greater probability of becoming vision restoration hot spots if they had more
      residual activity in both local areas and in a spatially limited surround of 5
      degrees  of visual angle. Hot spots were typically also located closer than 4 mm
      from the scotoma border in cortical coordinates. Thus, restoration depended on
      residual activity in both the local region and its immediate surround.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the special role of residual structures in
      visual field restoration which is likely mediated by partially surviving neuronal
      elements. Because the immediate but not distant surround influenced outcome of
      individual spots, we propose that lateral interactions, known to play a role in
      perceptual learning and receptive field plasticity, also play a major role in
      vision restoration.

PMID- 24212114
TI  - In this issue of Channels: Special issue on STIM and Orai.

PMID- 24212115
TI  - Predicting the biological variability of environmental rhythms: weak or strong
      anticipation for sensorimotor synchronization?
AB  - The internal processes involved in synchronizing our movements with environmental
      stimuli have traditionally been addressed using regular metronomic sequences.
      Regarding real-life environments, however, biological rhythms are known to have
      intrinsic variability, ubiquitously characterized as fractal long-range
      correlations. In our research we thus investigate to what extent the
      synchronization processes drawn from regular metronome paradigms can be
      generalized to other (biologically) variable rhythms. Participants performed
      synchronized finger tapping under five conditions of long-range and/or short
      range correlated, randomly variable, and regular auditory sequences. Combining
      experimental data analysis and numerical simulation, we found that synchronizing
      with biologically variable rhythms involves the same internal processes as with
      other variable rhythms (whether totally random or comprising lawful
      regularities), but different from those involved with a regular metronome. This
      challenges both the generalizability of conclusions drawn from regular-metronome
      paradigms, and recent research assuming that biologically variable rhythms may
      trigger specific strong anticipatory processes to achieve synchronization. 

PMID- 24212116
TI  - Modulating younger and older adults' performance in ignoring pictorial
      information during a word matching task.
AB  - Using both behavioural and event-related potential (ERP) data, the current study
      sought to examine the neurophysiological underpinnings for the effect of
      distracting pictorial information on semantic word matching performance in
      younger and older adults. This was tested in the context of semantic relations
      between task-relevant word pairs, a task-irrelevant picture and the resultant
      N400 differences in ERP. Younger and older adults were shown a context word
      superimposed on a to-be-ignored picture, followed by a test word. Their task was
      to determine whether the prime and test words were semantically related. The to
      be-ignored pictures were interfering (for 'No' trials), facilitating (for 'Yes'
      trials), or neutral (for both 'Yes' and 'No' trials) to the expected responses.
      The interfering and facilitatory effects of to-be-ignored pictures were assessed
      under more automatic and more controlled conditions by manipulating the context
      test interstimulus-interval (ISI) as 50ms and 1000ms, respectively. The analysis
      of the N400 at centro-parietal sites during test word display revealed similar
      N400 amplitudes for the 'No' response trials at the two ISIs, suggesting that
      younger and older adults showed an equivalent effect from interfering pictures.
      In contrast, younger adults showed greater reductions in the N400, as compared to
      older adults, for 'Yes' trials indicating differential effects in facilitation
      from to-be-ignored pictorial information, but only in the long ISI condition. The
      data are discussed in terms of age differences in resource demanding strategy use
      during a semantic word matching task, specifically during controlled retrieval. 

PMID- 24212117
TI  - Purification, structure and anti-radiation activity of melanin from Lachnum
      YM404.
AB  - Extracellular melanins (LEM404) were extracted from Lachnum YM404 with a yield of
      3.45 g/L. LEM404-a, LEM404-b, LEM404-c, LEM404-d and LEM404-e were fractionated
      from LEM404 by Sephadex G-15 column. LE404-a was detected as the homogeneous
      component with molecular weight of about 432.18 Da. Based on the elemental
      analysis, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, pyrolysis-GC-MS and NMR
      analysis, the molecular formula (C22H12N2O4S2) and structural formula of LEM404-a
      were concluded. LEM404-a could significantly increase the survival rates of
      Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae under UV
      radiation. Anti-radiation experiments in mice showed that the skin manifestations
      in mice of low radiation dose experimental group (LEG) were similar to those in
      blank control group (BCG). Compared with the control groups (LCG and HCG),
      superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in mice
      of experiment groups (LEG and HEG) were improved significantly while
      malondialdehyde (MDA) content were decreased significantly, indicating that
      LEM404-a had strong anti-ultraviolet radiation activity.

PMID- 24212118
TI  - Towards generating a patient's timeline: extracting temporal relationships from
      clinical notes.
AB  - Clinical records include both coded and free-text fields that interact to reflect
      complicated patient stories. The information often covers not only the present
      medical condition and events experienced by the patient, but also refers to
      relevant events in the past (such as signs, symptoms, tests or treatments). In
      order to automatically construct a timeline of these events, we first need to
      extract the temporal relations between pairs of events or time expressions
      presented in the clinical notes. We designed separate extraction components for
      different types of temporal relations, utilizing a novel hybrid system that
      combines machine learning with a graph-based inference mechanism to extract the
      temporal links. The temporal graph is a directed graph based on parse tree
      dependencies of the simplified sentences and frequent pattern clues. We
      generalized the sentences in order to discover patterns that, given the
      complexities of natural language, might not be directly discoverable in the
      original sentences. The proposed hybrid system performance reached an F-measure
      of 0.63, with precision at 0.76 and recall at 0.54 on the 2012 i2b2 Natural
      Language Processing corpus for the temporal relation (TLink) extraction task,
      achieving the highest precision and third highest f-measure among participating
      teams in the TLink track. 

PMID- 24212119
TI  - Sensitivity characteristic analysis of adsorbent-mixed carbon nanotube sensors
      for the detection of SSF6 decomposition products under PD conditions.
AB  - Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas decomposition results from the energy produced by
      partial discharge (PD). The detection of SO2 and H2S content, as important
      characteristic components of the decomposition products, is significant in the
      determination of the insulation level of SF6 gas and the inside insulation faults
      of gas-insulated equipment. A number of gas sensors use carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
      However, the applications of these sensors are limited by their low intrinsic
      sensitivity. In this paper, an adsorbent-mixed carbon nanotube gas sensor is
      proposed to improve the detection of SO2 and H2S concentrations. The sensitivity
      of adsorbent-mixed carbon nanotube gas sensors to SO2 and H2S at 100 ppm was
      investigated experimentally. The effect of the mixing ratio on the gas
      sensitivity characteristic and mechanism of response was also studied. The
      results show that compared with intrinsic CNTs gas sensors, the gas sensor
      featuring adsorbent-mixed CNTs has significantly higher sensitivity and
      responsiveness to SO2 and H2S. The resistance-change rate of SO2 and H2S
      increased to 33.7% and 50.9% from 0.96% and 12.9%, respectively. Moreover, the
      resistance-change rate and gas concentration satisfy a linear relationship. The
      sensor has good repeatability and stability.

PMID- 24212120
TI  - A new approach for improving reliability of personal navigation devices under
      harsh GNSS signal conditions.
AB  - In natural and urban canyon environments, Global Navigation Satellite System
      (GNSS) signals suffer from various challenges such as signal multipath, limited
      or lack of signal availability and poor geometry. Inertial sensors are often
      employed to improve the solution continuity under poor GNSS signal quality and
      availability conditions. Various fault detection schemes have been proposed in
      the literature to detect and remove biased GNSS measurements to obtain a more
      reliable navigation solution. However, many of these methods are found to be sub
      optimal and often lead to unavailability of reliability measures, mostly because
      of the improper characterization of the measurement errors. A robust filtering
      architecture is thus proposed which assumes a heavy-tailed distribution for the
      measurement errors. Moreover, the proposed filter is capable of adapting to the
      changing GNSS signal conditions such as when moving from open sky conditions to
      deep canyons. Results obtained by processing data collected in various GNSS
      challenged environments show that the proposed scheme provides a robust
      navigation solution without having to excessively reject usable measurements. The
      tests reported herein show improvements of nearly 15% and 80% for position
      accuracy and reliability, respectively, when applying the above approach. 

PMID- 24212121
TI  - A coaxial cable Fabry-Perot interferometer for sensing applications.
AB  - This paper reports a novel coaxial cable Fabry-Perot interferometer for sensing
      applications. The sensor is fabricated by drilling two holes half-way into a
      coaxial cable. The device physics was described. The temperature and strain
      responses of the sensor were tested. The measurement error was calculated and
      analyzed. 

PMID- 24212122
TI  - Monitoring the evaporation of fluids from fiber-optic micro-cell cavities.
AB  - Fiber-optic sensors provide remote access, are readily embedded within
      structures, and can operate in harsh environments. Nevertheless, fiber-optic
      sensing of liquids has been largely restricted to measurements of refractive
      index and absorption spectroscopy. The temporal dynamics of fluid evaporation
      have potential applications in monitoring the quality of water, identification of
      fuel dilutions, mobile point-of-care diagnostics, climatography and more. In this
      work, the fiber-optic monitoring of fluids evaporation is proposed and
      demonstrated. Sub-nano-liter volumes of a liquid are applied to inline fiber
      optic micro-cavities. As the liquid evaporates, light is refracted out of the
      cavity at the receding index boundary between the fluid and the ambient
      surroundings. A sharp transient attenuation in the transmission of light through
      the cavity, by as much as 50 dB and on a sub-second time scale, is observed.
      Numerical models for the transmission dynamics in terms of ray-tracing and
      wavefront propagation are provided. Experiments show that the temporal
      transmission profile can distinguish between different liquids. 

PMID- 24212123
TI  - Social support for parents of deaf children: moving toward contextualized
      understanding.
AB  - In light of claims that social support needs to be defined within specific
      context, we conducted a metasynthesis to identify ways that social support has
      been studied and contextualized in research focused on hearing parents of
      children with hearing loss. A literature search of published articles was
      conducted to identify research studies related to support and hearing parents of
      children with hearing loss. Our search yielded 108 items from Psycinfo and 154
      items from Web of Science; 26 studies met our inclusion criteria. Our analyses
      involved summary and integration of information regarding research methods,
      guiding theoretical frameworks, and findings in relation to diverse support
      contexts. We found that it is the multidimensionality of social support and its
      specific functions, individually and in combination, that are particularly
      relevant in informing family-centered service provision. Further understanding of
      the multidimensional and dynamic nature of support could occur through
      investigation of diverse functions of support within and across ecological
      contexts. Findings from this study contributed to a descriptive framework that
      can be used to explore the multidimensionality of support; facilitate use of
      methods that assess specific support functions; and also inform the development
      of interventions that are responsive and match the needs of parents. 

PMID- 24212126
TI  - Seven novel coordination polymers constructed by rigid 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)
      terpyridine ligands: synthesis, structural diversity, luminescence and magnetic
      properties.
AB  - Seven coordination polymers, namely [Mn(4-cptpy)2]n (1), [Co(4-cptpy)2]n (2),
      [Mn3(4-cptpy)6(H2O)]n.2nH2O (3), [Co(4-cptpy)(HCOO)(H2O)]n.nDMF (4), [Zn2(4
      Hcptpy)2Cl4]n.2nC2H5OH.nH2O (5), [Co4(3-cptpy)4(HCOO)4(H2O)2]n (6), and [Mn(3
      cptpy)2]n (7) (4-Hcptpy = 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,2':6',4''-terpyridine; 3-Hcptpy =
      4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-3,2':6',3''-terpyridine), have been synthesized under
      hydro(solvo)thermal conditions and structurally characterized. A general
      solvothermal method is proposed for preparing carboxylate complexes in DMF
      solution without any basic additive. 1 and 2 possess isostructural 3D metal
      organic frameworks containing nanosized cavities. 3 is a beautiful 2D
      coordination polymer assembled by flower-like Mn3(4-cptpy)6(H2O) subunits. 4 and
      6 both display 2D polymeric networks constructed from 4/3-cptpy(-) ligands, in
      which the formate ligands originate from the hydrolysis of DMF. 5 is a 1D 2(1)
      helical chain polymer. 7 shows a 2D network with a (3.6) two-nodal kgd topology.
      4/3-Hcptpy ligands display seven types of coordination modes. The zinc complex 5
      emits strong violet luminescence. 1 and 2 are both thermally stable below 440 
      degrees C and exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions.

PMID- 24212125
TI  - Synthesis, ex vivo and in silico studies of 3-cyano-2-pyridone derivatives with
      vasorelaxant activity.
AB  - An efficient and simple synthesis of 3-cyano-2-pyridone derivatives (6a-f)
      through 3,4-dihydropyridin-2-one oxidation process is described. A greener method
      to synthesize 3,4-dihydropyridin-2-one has also been developed by rearranging 4H
      pyran (4a-f) derivatives in aqueous medium applying H2SO4 as the catalyst source
      and microwave irradiation. The vasorelaxant activity of 3-cyano-2-pyridone
      derivatives (6a-f) was proved on isolated thoracic aorta rat rings with and
      without endothelium (+E and -E, respectively) pre-contracted with noradrenaline
      (0.1 MUM). All compounds exhibited significant concentration-dependent and
      endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effects being the nitro derivatives (6a and
      f) and compound 6d the most potent with EC50 of 7, 4.4 and 5 MUM, respectively.
      Finally, a previously described 3D model of the central pore of human L-type
      calcium channel (LCC), modified to be on agreement with NCBI sequence NP_005174.2
      for subunit alpha-1F isoform 1, was used to dock most active compounds. 6a, d and
      f lowest affinity energy structures were found docked in the same cavity
      conformed by IS6, IS5, IP and IIS6 helices. Nifedipine lowest energy structure
      was found in the cavity formed by IIS6, IIS5, IIP and IIIS6. Although nifedipine
      docked in a different cavity, the superposition of both, allowed us to observe
      that they were almost the same cavities, indicating that there exist subtle
      steric differences that lead to a different docking for nifedipine. All compounds
      docked with similar free energy of binding.

PMID- 24212124
TI  - Biobehavioral factors mediate exercise effects on fatigue in breast cancer
      survivors.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine mediators of fatigue response to an exercise
      intervention for breast cancer survivors in a pilot randomized controlled trial.
      METHODS: Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (n = 46; <=stage 2), off primary
      treatment, and reporting fatigue and/or sleep dysfunction were randomized to a 3
      month exercise intervention (160 min.wk of moderate-intensity aerobic walking,
      twice weekly resistance training with resistance bands) or control group. Six
      discussion group sessions provided behavioral support to improve adherence.
      Fatigue, serum cytokines, accelerometer physical activity, cardiorespiratory
      fitness, sleep dysfunction, and psychosocial factors were assessed at baseline
      and 3 months. RESULTS: The exercise intervention effect sizes for fatigue were as
      follows: fatigue intensity d = 0.30 (P = 0.34), interference d = -0.38 (P =
      0.22), and general fatigue d = -0.49 (P = 0.13). Using the Freedman-Schatzkin
      difference-in-coefficients tests, increase in fatigue intensity was significantly
      mediated by interleukin 6 (IL-6) (82%), IL-10 (94%), IL-6/IL-10 (49%), and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha):IL-10 (78%) with reduced sleep dysfunction
      increasing the relationship between intervention and fatigue intensity rather
      than mediating intervention effects (-88%). Decrease in fatigue interference was
      mediated by sleep dysfunction (35%), whereas IL-10 and pro-anti-inflammatory
      cytokine ratios increased the relationship between intervention and interference
      (-25% to -40%). The reduction in general fatigue was significantly mediated by
      minutes of physical activity (76%), sleep dysfunction (45%), and physical
      activity enjoyment (40%), with IL-10 (-40%) and IL-6/IL-10 (-11%) increasing the
      intervention-fatigue relationship. In the intervention group, higher baseline
      fatigue, anxiety, depression, and perceived exercise barrier interference
      predicted a greater decline in fatigue interference and/or general fatigue during
      the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Biobehavioral factors mediated and enhanced
      intervention effects on fatigue, whereas psychosocial factors predicted fatigue
      response. Further study is warranted to confirm our results and to improve
      understanding of relationships that mediate and strengthen the intervention
      fatigue association.

PMID- 24212127
TI  - Hiking on the potential energy surface of a functional tyrosinase model-
      implications of singlet, broken-symmetry and triplet description.
AB  - The singlet, open-shell singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces (PES) for
      the peroxo state of a catalytic functional tyrosinase model have been
      investigated by density functional theory calculations. The broken-symmetry
      solution exhibits considerable stabilisation over the whole PES but the
      importance of the triplet state is unravelled as well. 

PMID- 24212128
TI  - Comparison of bamboo green, timber and yellow in sulfite, sulfuric acid and
      sodium hydroxide pretreatments for enzymatic saccharification.
AB  - The response and behavior of bamboo green, timber, and yellow of moso bamboo
      (Phyllostachys heterocycla) to three pretreatments, sulfite (SPORL), dilute acid
      (DA), and alkali (NaOH), were investigated and compared with varied chemical
      loadings at 180 degrees C for 30 min with a 6.25:1 (v/w) liquor-to-bamboo ratio.
      All the pretreatments improved the enzymatic digestibility of bamboo substrates.
      Under the investigated conditions, the DA pretreatment achieved better enzymatic
      digestibility, but had lower sugar recovery yield, and formed more fermentation
      inhibitors. The results suggested that the SPORL pretreatment be able to generate
      more readily digestible bamboo substrate with higher sugar yield and fewer
      fermentation inhibitors than the corresponding DA pretreatment if hemicelluloses
      are sufficiently removed by adding more acid to bring down the pretreatment pH.
      Bamboo timber had higher sugar content and better enzymatic digestibility and
      therefore was a better feedstock for bioconversion than bamboo green and yellow.

PMID- 24212129
TI  - Phosphate transporter mediated lipid accumulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      under phosphate starvation conditions.
AB  - In the current study, when phosphate transporters pho88 and pho86 were knocked
      out they resulted in significant accumulation (84% and 43%) of triacylglycerol
      (TAG) during phosphate starvation. However in the presence of phosphate, TAG
      accumulation was only around 45% in both pho88 and pho86 mutant cells. These
      observations were confirmed by radio-labeling, fluorescent microscope and RT-PCR
      studies. The TAG synthesizing genes encoding for acyltransferases namely LRO1 and
      DGA1 were up regulated. This is the first report for accumulation of TAG in
      pho88Delta and pho86Delta cells under phosphate starvation conditions. 

PMID- 24212130
TI  - Study on anaerobic treatment of hazardous steel-mill waste rolling oil (SmWRO)
      for multi-benefit disposal route.
AB  - Steel-mill waste rolling oil (SmWRO) is considered as hazardous substance with
      high treatment and disposal fees. Anaerobic process could not only transform the
      hazardous substance into activated sludge, but also generate valuable biogas.
      This study aimed at studying the biochemical methane potential of SmWRO under
      inoculum to substrate VS ratios (ISRs) of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 using septic
      tank sludge as inoculum in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions, with blank
      tests for control. Specific biogas yield (mL/g VS(added)), net biogas yield (mL/g
      VS(removed)) and VS removal were analyzed. The ANOVA results indicated great
      influence of ISR and temperature on studied parameters. ISR of 1.5 at 55 degrees
      C and ISR of 1.5 and 2 at 35 degrees C were suggested with the highest specific
      biogas yield (262-265 and 303mL/g VS(added)). Kinetic analysis showed that
      Gompertz model fit the experimental data best with the least RMSE and largest
      R(2).

PMID- 24212131
TI  - Production of bacterial cellulose by Gluconacetobacter hansenii CGMCC 3917 using
      only waste beer yeast as nutrient source.
AB  - In order to improve the use of waste beer yeast (WBY) for bacterial cellulose
      production by Gluconacetobacter hansenii CGMCC 3917, a two-step pre-treatment was
      designed. First WBY was treated by 4 methods: 0.1M NaOH treatment, high speed
      homogenizer, ultrasonication and microwave treatment followed by hydrolysis (121
      degrees C, 20 min) under mild acid condition (pH 2). The optimal pre-treatment
      conditions were evaluated by the reducing sugar yield after hydrolysis. 15% WBY
      treated by ultrasonication for 40 min had the highest reducing sugar yield
      (29.19%), followed by NaOH treatment (28.98%), high speed homogenizer (13.33%)
      and microwaves (13.01%). Treated WBY hydrolysates were directly supplied as only
      nutrient source for BC production. A sugar concentration of 3% WBY hydrolysates
      treated by ultrasonication gave the highest BC yield (7.02 g/L), almost 6 times
      as that from untreated WBY (1.21 g/L). Furthermore, the properties of the BC were
      as good as those obtained from the conventional chemical media.

PMID- 24212133
TI  - Expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand death
      receptors DR4 and DR5 in human nonmelanoma skin cancer.
AB  - Death receptors 4 and 5 (DR4 and DR5) are cell surface receptors that when
      activated by their ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand
      (TRAIL) triggers apoptosis in most cancer cells but not in normal cells.
      Currently, it remains unclear whether DR4 and DR5 are involved in immune
      surveillance against nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) progression. The aim of this
      study was to investigate the expression of DR4 and DR5 in NMSC and relate the
      results to the established clinicopathologic prognostic factors. This study was
      conducted on about 80 skin specimens from patients with NMSC (40 basal cell
      carcinoma and 40 squamous cell carcinoma) and diagnosed and confirmed by biopsy.
      Immunohistochemical analysis for DR4 and DR5 was carried out on formalin-fixed
      paraffin-embedded sections of skin tissues using avidin-biotin peroxidase method.
      Significant expression of both DR4 and DR5 was observed in NMSC cases. There was
      statistically significant association between DR4 and DR5 expression in squamous
      cell carcinoma and each of tumor site and lymph node metastasis. There was
      statistically significant association between DR4 expression in basal cell
      carcinoma and histopathologic subtypes (high expression in nodular type) and
      between DR5 expression and tumor site (high expression in sun-exposed area). In
      conclusion, expression of TRAIL receptors that mediate extrinsic apoptotic
      pathway in NMSC may be suggestive of a reassessment of the suitability of TRAIL
      based strategy in future NMSC therapies.

PMID- 24212132
TI  - Involvement of Mincle and Syk in the changes to innate immunity after ischemic
      stroke.
AB  - Accumulating evidence shows that post-ischemic inflammation originated by Toll
      like receptors (TLR) plays critical roles in ischemic stroke. However, the
      functions of other innate immune receptors are poorly understood in cerebral
      ischemia. Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin, Mincle, is one of the innate immune
      receptor C-type lectin-like receptor (CLR) to response against dying cells. In
      the present study, we showed that Mincle, its ligand SAP130, and its downstream
      phospho-Syk/Syk were upregulated after ischemia, and that Mincle is expressed in
      immune and non-immune cells in the ischemic brains of mice and human. We treated
      mice with piceatannol, a Syk inhibitor, and consequently the infarct volume and
      swelling were suppressed by piceatannol. The levels of phospho-Syk, MMP9 and ICAM
      1 were downregulated, and the level of Claudin5 was uplegurated in piceatannol
      treated groups. These data indicate that innate immune system, such as Mincle and
      Syk plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis after the ischemia and reperfusion. 

PMID- 24212134
TI  - Imperfect coordination chemistry facilitates metal ion release in the Psa
      permease.
AB  - The relative stability of divalent first-row transition metal ion complexes, as
      defined by the Irving-Williams series, poses a fundamental chemical challenge for
      selectivity in bacterial metal ion acquisition. Here we show that although the
      substrate-binding protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae, PsaA, is finely attuned to
      bind its physiological substrate manganese, it can also bind a broad range of
      other divalent transition metal cations. By combining high-resolution structural
      data, metal-binding assays and mutational analyses, we show that the inability of
      open-state PsaA to satisfy the preferred coordination chemistry of manganese
      enables the protein to undergo the conformational changes required for cargo
      release to the Psa permease. This is specific for manganese ions, whereas zinc
      ions remain bound to PsaA. Collectively, these findings suggest a new ligand
      binding and release mechanism for PsaA and related substrate-binding proteins
      that facilitate specificity for divalent cations during competition from zinc
      ions, which are more abundant in biological systems. 

PMID- 24212135
TI  - Dynamic ligand binding dictates partial agonism at a G protein-coupled receptor.
AB  - We present a new concept of partial agonism at G protein-coupled receptors. We
      demonstrate the coexistence of two functionally distinct populations of the
      muscarinic M2 receptor stabilized by one dynamic ligand, which binds in two
      opposite orientations. The ratio of orientations determines the cellular
      response. Our concept allows predicting and virtually titrating ligand efficacy,
      which opens unprecedented opportunities for the design of drugs with graded
      activation of the biological system. 

PMID- 24212138
TI  - Experimental assessment of the coincidence summing corrections in gamma-ray
      spectrometry of bulk samples.
AB  - This work presents an experimental approach for estimation of the true
      coincidence-summing (TCS) correction for volume sources on the basis of TCS
      dependence on the source-to-detector distance. Firstly, it is shown that the TCS
      dependence on the source-to-detector distance can be linearized for point source
      geometry. If this linear dependence is established then TCS correction for an
      arbitrary source-to-detector distance can be obtained. In the case of a volume
      source a representative parameter d(V) can be formulated as the distance at which
      the point-source summing effect is the same as the one for the volume-source.
      Then if the TCS dependence on the source-to-detector distance is established for
      the point-source case and the volume-source d(V)-value is known, the TCS
      correction corresponding to the volume-source measuring geometry can be
      estimated. Experimental method and results are presented in the work too.

PMID- 24212137
TI  - Prospective associations between inflammatory and hemostatic markers and physical
      functioning limitations in mid-life women: Longitudinal results of the Study of
      Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to the public health burden of age-related declines in physical
      functioning, it is important to identify targets for intervention for the
      prevention of functional decline. We prospectively examined whether higher levels
      of inflammatory and hemostatic markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs
      CRP), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator
      antigen (tPA-ag), fibrinogen, and Factor VIIc (FVIIc)) were prospectively
      associated with reporting greater limitations in perceived physical functioning,
      and explored potential racial differences in the associations, in a multi-ethnic
      sample of mid-life women. METHODS: Women (45-56 years) in the Study of Women's
      Health Across the Nation who completed the physical functioning scale of the
      Medical Outcome Short Form (SF-36) at follow-up visits 4, 6, or 8 and had
      inflammatory/hemostatic measures in the preceding year were included (n=2296).
      The continuous SF-36 physical function score was categorized as: no limitation
      (86-100 points), some limitation (51-85 points), and substantial limitation (0-50
      points). Physical function category at time t was modeled a function of each
      biomarker, separately, at time t-1 using ordinal generalized estimating
      equations. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, body size,
      sociodemographic, medical and lifestyle factors, higher levels of tPA-ag and hs
      CRP were associated with subsequently reporting greater limitations in physical
      functioning, although the latter was only marginally significant (p=0.13). For
      each standard deviation (SD) increase in logtPA-ag, the odds of some or
      substantial limitations was 1.18 (95%CI 1.09,1.27); for each SD increase in loghs
      CRP, the odds of some or substantial limitation was (1.08, 95%CI 0.98,1.19). In
      African American women only, higher fibrinogen levels were associated with
      subsequently reporting greater limitations (OR=1.30, 95%CI 1.13,1.50, for each
      one SD increase in fibrinogen). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of inflammatory and
      hemostatic markers were prospectively associated with greater limitations in
      perceived physical functioning in mid-life women.

PMID- 24212139
TI  - Simple segmental hair analysis for alpha-pyrrolidinophenone-type designer drugs
      by MonoSpin extraction for evaluation of abuse history.
AB  - For detection of a history of drug abused, we developed a simple method for
      extracting pyrrolidinophenone-type designer drugs in human hair by using a
      MonoSpin((r)) C18 column. Target drugs were extracted from a single alkaline
      digested hair segment (length, 10mm; weight, ca 0.1mg). The analytes extracted
      were then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
      without evaporation of the eluent after MonoSpin extraction. Linearity from 0.5
      to 500ng/mg was observed for all the tested drugs using an internal standard
      method (correlation coefficients >0.998) and the limit of detection was 0.2ng/mg.
      The recoveries were between 0.7 and 11.1%. The coefficients for intraday and
      interday variations at 4, 40, 200, and 400ng/mg in hair were between 0.7 and
      11.1%. This method was successfully applied to the identification of these
      designer drugs in segmented human hair from drug abusers and indicated their
      history of drug abuse. The results were consistent with the patients' statements,
      indicating that this rapid method can be used to detect a history of drug abuse. 

PMID- 24212140
TI  - Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry for direct determination of urinary
      modified nucleosides. Evaluation of synthetic urine as a surrogate matrix for
      quantitative analysis.
AB  - This work describes the development of a fast and reliable method based on
      capillary zone electrophoresis coupled with electrospray ionization-mass
      spectrometry (CZE-ESI-MS) for the determination of modified nucleosides in
      untreated human urine. The target compounds were guanine, 1-methyl-guanine, 7
      methyl-guanine, 9-methyl-guanine, adenosine, 1-methyl-adenosine, cytidine,
      guanosine, 7-methyl-guanosine. As internal standards, ribose-2-(13)C-adenosine
      and 8-(13)C-guanine were used. The CZE separation was carried out in acidic
      medium (pH 2.5). MS detection with a single quadrupole, with ESI operating in
      positive-ion mode, was optimized. For the analysis of urine samples, owing to the
      endogenous character of these analytes different quantification strategies were
      explored. The standard additions method, matrix-matched calibration in synthetic
      urine and calibration in pure aqueous medium were compared in order to evaluate
      the endogenous levels of these compounds in human urine. The results obtained
      showed that calibration in synthetic urine as a surrogate matrix was an
      appropriate alternative to the method of standard additions for the accurate
      quantitation of compounds such as guanine, 1-methyl-guanine, 7-methyl-guanine,
      adenosine, 1-methyl-adenosine and cytidine by CE-ESI-MS directly in the urine
      matrix; values in the range 0.1MUg/mL for cytidine and 6.4MUg/mL for 7mGua, as
      the lowest and the highest level, were found in untreated urine from healthy
      volunteers. These results were confirmed by LC-MS/MS detection. It can be
      concluded that the electrophoretic CZE-ESI-MS methodology offers a valid and
      reliable alternative for the determination of urinary nucleosides at naturally
      occurring levels in healthy individuals. 

PMID- 24212136
TI  - Chemical inhibition of prometastatic lysyl-tRNA synthetase-laminin receptor
      interaction.
AB  - Lysyl-tRNA synthetase (KRS), a protein synthesis enzyme in the cytosol, relocates
      to the plasma membrane after a laminin signal and stabilizes a 67-kDa laminin
      receptor (67LR) that is implicated in cancer metastasis; however, its potential
      as an antimetastatic therapeutic target has not been explored. We found that the
      small compound BC-K-YH16899, which binds KRS, impinged on the interaction of KRS
      with 67LR and suppressed metastasis in three different mouse models. The compound
      inhibited the KRS-67LR interaction in two ways. First, it directly blocked the
      association between KRS and 67LR. Second, it suppressed the dynamic movement of
      the N-terminal extension of KRS and reduced membrane localization of KRS.
      However, it did not affect the catalytic activity of KRS. Our results suggest
      that specific modulation of a cancer-related KRS-67LR interaction may offer a way
      to control metastasis while avoiding the toxicities associated with inhibition of
      the normal functions of KRS.

PMID- 24212141
TI  - A simple sample preparation approach based on hydrophilic solid-phase extraction
      coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determination of
      endogenous cytokinins.
AB  - Cytokinins (CKs), a vital family of phytohormones, play important roles in the
      regulation of shoot and root development. However, the quantification of CKs in
      plant samples is frequently affected by the complex plant matrix. In the current
      study, we developed a simple, rapid and efficient hydrophilic interaction
      chromatography-solid phase extraction (HILIC-SPE) method for CKs purification.
      CKs were extracted by acetonitrile (ACN) followed by HILIC-SPE (silica as
      sorbents) purification. The extraction solution of plant samples could be
      directly applied to HILIC-SPE without solvent evaporation step, which simplified
      the analysis process. Moreover, with HILIC chromatographic retention mechanism,
      the hydrophobic co-extracted impurities were efficiently removed. Subsequently,
      CKs were separated by RPLC, orthogonal to the HILIC pretreatment process, and
      detected by tandem mass spectrometry. The method exhibits high specificity and
      recovery yield (>77.0%). Good linearities were obtained for all eight CKs ranging
      from 0.002 to 100ngmL(-1) with correlation coefficients (r) higher than 0.9927.
      The limits of detection (LODs, signal/noise=5) for the CKs were between 1.0 and
      12.4pgmL(-1). Reproducibility of the method was evaluated by intra-day and inter
      day measurements and the results showed that relative standard deviations (RSDs)
      were less than 10.5%. Employing this method, we successfully quantified six CKs
      in 20mg Oryza sativa leaves and the method was also successfully applied to
      Brassica napus (flower and leaves). 

PMID- 24212142
TI  - Simultaneous determination of eight illegal dyes in chili products by liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - A sensitive and accurate method based on the use of liquid chromatography-tandem
      mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of
      eight illegal synthetic dyes (Sudan (I-IV), Para Red, Rhodamine B, Chrysoidin and
      Auramine O) in chili products. A simple sample treatment procedure entailing the
      use of an extraction step with acetonitrile/H2O (9/1) without further cleanup was
      developed. HPLC was performed on a C18 column using a multistep gradient elution
      with 5mM ammonium acetate (pH 3.0 with formic acid) and methanol as the mobile
      phase. Mass spectral acquisition was done in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)
      mode using positive electrospray ionization (ESI). Linear calibrations were
      obtained with correlation coefficients R(2)>0.99. Limit of detection (LOD) and
      limit of quantification (LOQ) for the studied dyes were in the ranges of 0.05
      0.6MUgkg(-1) and 0.3-3.0MUgkg(-1) depending on matrices, respectively. The
      recoveries of the eight synthetic dyes in five matrices ranged from 70.5% to
      119.2%. The intra- and inter-day precisions (RSDs) were between 2.3-15.8% and 5.7
      15.6%, respectively. The applicability of the method to the determination of
      eight banned dyes in chili products was demonstrated. 

PMID- 24212144
TI  - Assessing mHealth: opportunities and barriers to patient engagement.

PMID- 24212143
TI  - The profile of bile acids and their sulfate metabolites in human urine and serum.
AB  - The role of sulfation in ameliorating the hepatotoxicity of bile acids (BAs) in
      humans remains unknown due to the lack of proper analytical methods to quantify
      individual BAs and their sulfate metabolites in biological tissues and fluids. To
      this end, a simple and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
      (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to characterize the detailed BA
      profile in human urine and serum. The limit of quantification was 1ng/mL and
      baseline separation of all analytes was achieved within in a run time of 32min.
      The method was validated over the dynamic range of 1-1000ng/mL. The LC-MS/MS
      method was more accurate, precise, and selective than the commercially available
      kits for the quantification of sulfated and unsulfated BAs, and the indirect
      quantification of individual sulfated BAs after solvolysis. The LC-MS/MS method
      was applied to characterize the BA profile in urine and serum of healthy
      subjects. Thirty three percent of serum BAs were sulfated, whereas 89% of urinary
      BAs existed in the sulfate form, indicating the role of sulfation in enhancing
      the urinary excretion of BAs. The percentage of sulfation of individual BAs
      increased with the decrease in the number of hydroxyl groups indicating the role
      of sulfation in the detoxification of the more hydrophobic and toxic BA species.
      Eighty percent of urinary BAs and 55% of serum BAs were present in the glycine
      amidated form, whereas 8% of urinary BAs and 13% of serum BAs existed in the
      taurine-amidated form. 

PMID- 24212145
TI  - Global health at home: a student-run community health initiative for refugees.
AB  - Free, student-run health initiatives for refugees fill a gap in needed health
      services and prepare medical students for understanding cross-cultural and
      systems-based medical practice.

PMID- 24212146
TI  - Community health centers and the patient-centered medical home: challenges and
      opportunities to reduce health care disparities in America.
AB  - Health care disparities pose an ongoing challenge to the nation. The patient
      centered medical home (PCMH) model presents a unique opportunity for community
      health centers (CHCs) to improve the health of medically underserved communities
      and reduce health care disparities. Community health centers face ongoing
      financial and operational challenges, but are well positioned to adopt the PCMH.
      Health centers have experience collaborating on quality improvement initiatives
      and possess a strong organizational structure. The culture of CHCs emphasizes
      cultural competence, team work, and patient-centrism, and is well-aligned with
      the PCMH model. However, CHCs need more support to make fundamental changes in
      processes and practice culture. Many of these changes require substantial
      redesigns that can challenge even the most innovative practices. State and
      federal policy should focus on providing training, guidance, and payment
      mechanisms that support PCMH. Taking these steps, the U.S. can achieve the goal
      that every American receives patient-centered care that is equitable, affordable,
      and effective. 

PMID- 24212147
TI  - Understanding the health transitions of immigrants to Canada: research
      priorities.
AB  - Understanding changes in the health of immigrants has been an important area of
      research in Canadian public health. Recent years have seen important
      developments, with studies moving away from what might be called 'sick immigrant'
      versus 'healthy immigrant' debates towards analyzing transitions and how they are
      influenced by a diverse set of social determinants. The release of data from all
      three waves of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada has also spurred
      new theoretical understandings of why immigrants' initial health advantage is
      lost over time, with the experience of discrimination becoming an increasingly
      important predictor. Three research priorities are emerging as particularly
      important in this area. These are the need for multilevel analyses that
      incorporate contextual effects, the need for comparative international studies,
      and the need to refine the conceptualization of race/ethnicity to take advantage
      of developments in social theory. 

PMID- 24212148
TI  - The health promise of Promise Neighborhoods.
AB  - The Promise Neighborhoods initiative from the U.S. Department of Education offers
      grant funding to develop innovative educational and community support programs in
      distressed communities. Inspired by the success of the Harlem Children's Zone
      (HCZ), this initiative encourages similarly pioneering approaches to assist low
      income children attain academic and social success. An increasing body of
      evidence suggests that health benefits accrue when youth are immersed in
      nurturing educational environments. This article summarizes key evidence for this
      phenomenon, as well as theories that suggest that Promise Neighborhoods can have
      as great an effect on health as they do on educational achievement. 

PMID- 24212149
TI  - National culturally and linguistically appropriate services standards--mandates
      or not?
AB  - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health (OMH)
      promotes National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate
      Services. According to the Office, four of these standards are "mandates" that
      are considered federal requirements for all recipients of federal funds. These
      standards focus on increasing language access to health care services for limited
      English proficient (LEP) people. Relying on this statement, multiple
      organizations, scholars and advocates promote these mandates in their
      communities. However, the DHHS Office of Inspector General stated in a 2010
      report that these standards are only voluntary and not mandated. This
      contradiction deserves the attention of public health advocates for LEP people.
      This article seeks to clarify this contradiction so that public health advocates
      and experts can provide accurate information to people they serve and consider
      whether they should work with to develop truly mandatory language access
      standards as a condition of federal funding. 

PMID- 24212150
TI  - Improving access to care for uninsured patients at an academic medical center:
      The Access Partnership.
AB  - Uninsured individuals face great challenges in accessing both primary and
      specialty care. The Access Partnership (TAP) is a novel collaboration between
      primary and specialty care providers at an urban academic medical center to
      provide care coordination and facilitate access to specialty services for
      uninsured patients. We reviewed administrative data and performed phone surveys
      of the 213 patients who entered the program over a one-year period. Specialty
      care visit attendance was analyzed from administrative data for these patients.
      We then surveyed patients by phone (60% response rate). Patient-reported access
      to care and satisfaction with care were significantly higher after TAP (33% vs.
      87%, p<0.001 and 41% vs. 91%, p<0.001, respectively). 89% of referrals were
      completed within 90 days among TAP patients, a rate similar to studies involving
      insured patients. TAP enrollment was associated with significantly decreased
      patient-reported barriers to specialty care as well as improved access to and
      satisfaction with care. 

PMID- 24212151
TI  - Combating slavery in the 21st century: the role of emergency medicine.
AB  - Human trafficking (HT) victims may present to emergency departments (ED) as
      patients, but are infrequently identified. To address this issue, we developed
      and piloted a training intervention for emergency providers on HT and how to
      identify and treat these patients. Included in the intervention participants were
      emergency medicine residents, ED attendings, ED nurses, and hospital social
      workers. Prior to the intervention, 4.8% felt some degree of confidence in their
      ability to identify and 7.7% to treat a trafficked patient. After the 20-minute
      intervention, 53.8% felt some degree of confidence in their ability to identify
      and 56.7% care for this patient population. Because this problem is global, we
      created a Website that includes an instructive toolkit and an interactive course
      for self-learning and/or assessment. This intervention will give ED providers the
      tools they need to assess and treat a patient who might be a victim of human
      trafficking. 

PMID- 24212152
TI  - Healthy Heart, Healthy Family: a NHLBI/HRSA collaborative employing community
      health workers to improve heart health.
AB  - Kokua Kalihi Valley, a federally qualified health center in Hawaii, collaborated
      with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to test the efficacy of
      community health workers (CHWs) to deliver the Healthy Heart, Healthy Family
      curriculum to low-income Filipinos with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk
      factors. At 12 months, significant improvements were seen in health behaviors,
      knowledge, and self-efficacy in managing chronic diseases. We also observed
      decreases in total cholesterol from 186.25 mg/dl to 170.88 mg/dl (p=.001), low
      density lipoprotein from 114.43 mg/dl to 103.04 mg/dl (p=.013), and fasting blood
      glucose from 117.95 mg/dl to 109.07 mg/dl (p=.034). Although these changes were
      statistically significant, they are small and not clinically meaningful in
      reducing CVD risk. The high-density lipoprotein was 3.3 mg/dl lower (worse) at 12
      months (p=.003), mean values for blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference
      increased. Community health workers can be trained to deliver evidence-based
      curricula that improve health behaviors and increase self-efficacy in managing
      chronic diseases. 

PMID- 24212153
TI  - Prevalence of heart disease and its risk factors related to age in Asians,
      Pacific Islanders, and Whites in Hawai'i.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine disparities in disease prevalence related to age and
      race/ethnicity. Study design. Retrospective observational study. METHODS:
      Eligible population included enrollees with largest insurer in Hawai'i. Chronic
      diseases were identified from claims data (1999-2009) based on algorithms
      including diagnostic codes and pharmaceutical utilization. Relative risk of heart
      disease and its risk factors were calculated for Native Hawaiians and Asian sub
      groups by age. RESULTS: Prevalence of heart disease and its risk factors differed
      substantially by age and race/ethnicity. Native Hawaiians and Filipinos had
      higher rates of hypertension and diabetes; Asians had highest rates of
      hyperlipidemia. Whites had the lowest prevalence of risk factors yet their risk
      of heart disease equaled other groups. CONCLUSION: Prevalence curves began
      diverging at age 30 for risk factors and age 40 for heart disease. This suggests
      approaches to reduce the burden of disease for vulnerable groups need to begin in
      early adulthood if not sooner.

PMID- 24212154
TI  - Patient and provider factors associated with colorectal cancer screening in
      safety net clinics serving low-income, urban immigrant Latinos.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Latinos have lower colorectal cancer screening rates than Whites.
      METHODS: We reviewed a random sample of charts between July 2009 and February
      2010 of safety-net clinic of 840 immigrants (50 years and older) from Central and
      South America receiving care. Logistic regression evaluated associations of ever
      vs. never screening, patient and physician factors. RESULTS: Ever screening rates
      were 24.5%, and only 17% of charts noted a physician screening recommendation.
      However, the odds of screening were 9.89 times higher (95% CI: 6.25-15.64,
      p<.001) among patients with a physician recommendation vs. those without,
      considering covariates. The odds of screening were 0.61 times lower (95% CI: 0.40
      0.92, p=.02) in patients with a body mass index >= 30 vs. <30. CONCLUSIONS: While
      rates were low, determinants of screening were similar in this Latino subgroup to
      those reported in other Latino and non-Latino populations. Low rates of
      documented physician screening recommendations may indicate a potential missed
      opportunity for cancer control in safety-net clinics.

PMID- 24212155
TI  - An assessment of malaria curative services in Ijara district, a remote community
      in the North-Eastern province of Kenya.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Malaria is a major public health problem in Kenya and there is need
      to strengthen malaria control activities at the district level. METHODS: As part
      of this, an assessment of malaria curative services offered in health facilities
      in terms of health care material availability and the case management skills of
      the health workers was conducted in Ijara district. A questionnaire was
      administered to the health workers. Observation and physical inspection of
      malaria health care material and perusal of relevant documents were also carried
      out in all health facilities in 2011. RESULTS: All health facilities had the
      recommended drugs, though only 90% of facilities had quinine injection. All
      facilities lacked Rapid Diagnostic Tests, Adverse Drug Reaction reporting forms,
      and poor quality medicine forms. CONCLUSIONS: There is need to equip the health
      workers with up-to-date case management skills and to provide rapid diagnostic
      tests.

PMID- 24212156
TI  - Applying the Social Ecological Model to evaluate a demonstration colorectal
      cancer screening program in Louisiana.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Lack of health insurance is correlated with noncompliance in
      colorectal cancer screening. Louisiana ranks 48th among all states in residents
      with health insurance. This paper describes initial results of Louisiana's first
      statewide colorectal cancer screening program. METHODS: The program enhanced
      screening capacity of state hospitals by providing fecal immunochemical tests
      (FITs), colonoscopes, and funded patient navigators. The Social Ecological Model
      (SEM) was used as the framework for the program. RESULTS: Patient navigators
      distributed 975 FITs to adults 50 to 64 years (21% men, 78% women).The overall
      return rate was 66%. There was no association among return rates, race, or
      gender. Participants who were previously screened (10.7%) were more likely to
      return their FIT. DISCUSSION: The combination of patient navigation and providing
      patients with an easy-to-use CRC screening option proved to be an effective
      method that potential colorectal cancer screening programs can deploy in similar
      populations of un- and under-insured adults.

PMID- 24212157
TI  - Effectiveness of outreach to patients with diabetes who have fallen out of
      regular care at a federally qualified health center.
AB  - Re-engaging patients who have fallen out of regular care is a challenge for all
      primary care practices, but especially for federally qualified health centers
      (FQHCs). We implemented and evaluated a system of proactive telephone and mail
      outreach within an FQHC serving a predominantly Latino and Spanish-speaking
      population for patients with diabetes who had not had a visit to the health
      center for at least six months. The primary study outcome was the proportion of
      patients who completed a follow-up visit within three months of the outreach. We
      also examined patient characteristics associated with completing a follow-up
      visit. Of 208 patients eligible for outreach, 24% (n = 49) completed a follow-up
      visit. Thirty-six percent (n = 74) had a disconnected or incorrect phone number,
      16% (n = 34) were not reached within three phone call attempts, and 20% (n = 22)
      of letters mailed were returned to sender. Future efforts to re-engage patients
      in diabetes care should examine shorter intervals before outreach and other
      outreach strategies. 

PMID- 24212158
TI  - Over-the-counter medication purchase and use by blind consumers.
AB  - Little is known regarding consumption of over-the-counter (OTC) medications by
      the blind. They may face difficulty while accessing information from OTC
      medication labels. This exploratory, cross-sectional study was designed to
      determine blind consumers' attitude and purchase behavior towards OTC medications
      and use of low-vision tools while using these medications. 

PMID- 24212159
TI  - Impact of student-run clinics on preclinical sociocultural and interprofessional
      attitudes: a prospective cohort analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Descriptive studies suggest student-run clinics (SRCs) positively
      affect preclinical students' sociocultural and interprofessional attitudes, but
      few studies use validated measures. METHODS: In a pre-post design, first-year
      medical, nursing, and pharmacy students who did and did not participate in SRCs
      completed demographic and open-ended questions, as well as two validated surveys,
      the Sociocultural Attitudes in Medicine Inventory (SAMI) and Readiness for
      Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS), at the beginning and end of the year.
      RESULTS: With 68% (n=182/267) matched surveys we found no significant differences
      between groups over time (SAMI p=.53, RIPLS p>=.28 for each subcategory).
      However, of SRC participants, 99% reported commitment to the underserved and 57%
      reported improved interprofessional attitudes. DISCUSSION: Students participating
      in SRCs perceive positive benefits, but do not score differently from those who
      do not. The SRC experiences may not be frequent enough to affect these measures,
      particularly since our students were high-scoring upon entry.

PMID- 24212160
TI  - Need, availability, and quality of interpreter services among publicly insured
      Latino, Hmong, and Somali individuals in Minnesota.
AB  - Limited English proficiency (LEP) is a common barrier that negatively affects
      access to health care and quality of care. Prior studies have examined
      interpreter services as a means of ameliorating LEP, but have focused on Spanish
      language services, largely overlooking comparisons with other, less-established
      ethnic groups. Furthermore, few if any studies have assessed the quality of
      interpreter services provided. Data come from 2,489 Hispanic/Latino, Hmong, and
      Somali enrollees of public health insurance programs in Minnesota. We employ
      weighted, regression-adjusted comparisons of enrollee-reported need and
      availability of interpreters, access to professional and consistent interpreters,
      and problems with quality of interpreter-assisted communication. Compared with
      Latinos, Hmong and Somali enrollees reported greater needs and more communication
      problems, Somali enrollees reported lower availability, and Hmong enrollees
      reported lower access to professional interpreters. Further training of
      interpreters for relatively less-established ethnic groups is needed to increase
      availability of professional, high-quality communication among publicly insured
      ethnic minorities. 

PMID- 24212161
TI  - Health literacy and nutrition behaviors among low-income adults.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between health literacy
      and nutrition behaviors using a low-income sample. Face-to-face surveys at 11
      social services offices generated a convenience sample of 154 Supplemental
      Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-eligible adults. We assessed health literacy,
      fruit and vegetable intake, food label use, consumption of healthy foods, and
      demographic characteristics. Thirty seven percent of the sample had adequate
      health literacy as measured by the Newest Vital Sign (NVS). Race and parenthood
      were significantly related to health literacy scores. Adequate health literacy,
      as measured by the NVS, was associated with frying chicken less often and eating
      the peels of fresh fruit more often. The findings suggest that health
      practitioners should ensure nutrition-related messages are accessible to all of
      their clients, especially those with the lowest health literacy levels. 

PMID- 24212162
TI  - Leaving before discharge from a homeless Medical Respite program: predisposing
      factors and impact on selected outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medical Respite addresses care needs of homeless patients post
      hospital discharge and is linked to reduced rehospitalization compared with
      standard discharge. However, outcomes may differ for Respite patients who exit
      before completing post-acute treatment and discharge plans. METHODS: Using
      administrative data from a San Francisco Medical Respite center (2007-2010), this
      retrospective study compares patient characteristics, post-Respite connections to
      community services, and likelihood of rehospitalization within 90 days of Respite
      exit between patients who choose to leave before discharge and all other Respite
      patients (logistic regression, odds ratio). FINDINGS: Of 860 encounters, 31%
      ended when patient chose to leave before discharge. Female gender (OR 1.65),
      living on the street immediately prior to Respite (OR 1.36) and substance use (OR
      1.55) were associated with increased risk of leaving early. Patients who left
      early were more likely than others to decline referrals to services and more
      likely to be re-admitted within 90 days.

PMID- 24212163
TI  - Pandemics and vaccines: perceptions, reactions, and lessons learned from hard-to
      reach Latinos and the H1N1 campaign.
AB  - This paper examines knowledge, risk perception, and attitudes around the H1N1
      pandemic among Latino hard-to-reach (HTR) populations in the United States. Ten
      focus groups were conducted throughout California (N=90), representing Latino
      immigrants disproportionately affected by H1N1: farmworkers, indigenous Mexicans,
      pregnant women, and children. Overall, participants were aware of the H1N1
      epidemic and common prevention practices. However, many expressed doubts that the
      H1N1 outbreak constituted an epidemic because the U.S. media reports of the
      epidemic in Mexico did not match reports from participants' families in Mexico
      and because of participants' absence of personal experience with the disease.
      Participants mistrusted the H1N1 vaccine due to its novelty, conspiracy theories,
      and inconsistent information. Study findings confirm that vaccination campaign
      strategies should reflect the diversity of meaning, experiences, and socio
      economic realities among target populations. Key findings inform future emergency
      response activities targeting HTR Latino communities. 

PMID- 24212164
TI  - Construct validity of the SF-12 among American Indian and Alaska Native people
      using two known scoring methods.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the construct validity of the 12-Item Short Form
      Survey Instrument (SF-12) in a cohort of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN)
      people. We evaluated two scoring methods to determine their utility in this
      population. METHODS: Participants (N = 11,127) were aged 18 and older, self
      identified as AIAN, and had complete SF-12 interview data. Physical and mental
      health summary scores were calculated using traditional SF-12 (PCS12 and MCS12)
      and RAND-12 (PHC and MHC) scoring methods. RESULTS: Women scored lower than men
      on the PHC, PCS12, MHC, and MCS12, as did those with more medical conditions
      versus none. Those aged 55 and older scored lower on the PHC and PCS12 than
      younger people. There was no difference in the mean MCS12 score by age and for
      those 31-55 and aged older than 55 for the MHC. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrates the construct validity of the PCS12/MCS12 and PHC/MHC in a cohort of
      AIAN people.

PMID- 24212165
TI  - The effect of advance directives on end-of-life cost experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study assesses the impact of Advance Directives (ADs) on end-of
      life costs, drawing on administrative data from a single health care organization
      located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Independent Care Health Plan, or iCare).
      BACKGROUND: As part of ongoing Medicaid and Medicare rate reform efforts, greater
      use of ADs among plans and providers is being considered to better control costs
      and enhance health outcomes. APPROACH: Drawing on decedent-member descriptive and
      cost data, OLS regression is used to analyze the relationship between AD use and
      subsequent costs for a single health care plan. RESULTS: The analysis does not
      provide evidence of a significant relationship between AD use and end-of-life
      costs when patient health is controlled for the sample. CONCLUSIONS: There was no
      evidence within the iCare data to support a relationship between the presence of
      ADs and lower end-of-life costs.

PMID- 24212166
TI  - Prevalence of fracture and osteoporosis risk factors in American Indian and
      Alaska Native people.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little is known about prevalence of osteoporosis risk factors among
      American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN). METHODS: We included AIAN people
      (n=8,039) enrolled in the Education and Research Towards Health (EARTH) Study.
      Prevalence ratios were used to determine cross-sectional associations of risk
      factors with self-reported bone fractures. RESULTS: There is a high prevalence of
      multiple risk factors for osteoporosis in AIAN, although the factors that are
      associated with past fracture vary by gender and geographical area. In general,
      women who reported a fracture reported more risk behaviors, more than two medical
      conditions, and low physical activity. Men with higher BMI were less likely to
      report a fracture. Smoking history was associated with fracture for both genders,
      though not significantly in all sub-groups. CONCLUSION: We prevent a high
      prevalence of risk factors for osteoporosis for AIAN. Future research for
      osteoporosis risk reduction and prevention in AIAN people is indicated.

PMID- 24212167
TI  - Chronic health conditions and depressive symptoms strongly predict persistent
      food insecurity among rural low-income families.
AB  - Longitudinal studies of food insecurity have not considered the unique
      circumstances of rural families. This study identified factors predictive of
      discontinuous and persistent food insecurity over three years among low-income
      families with children in rural counties in 13 U.S. states. Respondents reported
      substantial knowledge of community resources, food and finance skills, and use of
      formal public food assistance, yet 24% had persistent food insecurity, and
      another 41% were food insecure for one or two years. Multivariate multinomial
      regression models tested relationships between human capital, social support,
      financial resources, expenses, and food insecurity. Enduring chronic health
      conditions increased the risk of both discontinuous and persistent food
      insecurity. Lasting risk for depression predicted only persistent food
      insecurity. Education beyond high school was the only factor found protective
      against persistent food insecurity. Access to quality physical and mental health
      care services are essential to ameliorate persistent food insecurity among rural,
      low-income families. 

PMID- 24212168
TI  - Do free clinics reduce unnecessary emergency department visits? The Virginian
      experience.
AB  - As part of the safety net, free clinics (FCs) increase access to preventive and
      primary care for the uninsured. This study compared a group of uninsured FC users
      and a group of uninsured non-FC users to explore the impact of FC enrollment on
      the pattern of ED visits, as characterized by (1) level of complexity of care
      received at the ED, and (2) avoidable vs. unavoidable as classified by an
      existing clinical algorithm. Emergency department visits by FC users were less
      likely to be low-level-of-care than visits by non-FC users (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84
      0.93). Free clinic enrollment was not a statistically significant predictor of
      avoidable visits (p=.6465). We found that the group of individuals who had access
      to primary care at the local FCs were significantly less likely than the group of
      uninsured individuals who were not enrolled in a FC to use the ED for care with
      lower levels of clinical complexity. Thus, the cost of increasing the primary
      care workforce as the Medicaid population expands may be worth it in the long
      run. Further exploration into what characterizes an effective FC is needed. 

PMID- 24212169
TI  - Oral health activities of Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start
      programs.
AB  - Guidelines recommend that Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs (MSHS) address
      the dental needs of children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers. This study
      describes parent- and child-oriented oral health activities of North Carolina's
      MSHS programs and compares them with non-migrant Early Head Start (EHS) programs
      using data collected from a questionnaire completed by teachers and family
      services staff. Migrant and Seasonal Head Start staff reported engaging in more
      oral health activities than EHS staff, which was confirmed by results of logit
      and ordered logit regression models. Despite promising findings about the
      engagement of MSHS staff, participation in oral health activities is lower than
      recommended. Differences between EHS and MSHS programs might be due to differing
      needs of enrolled children and families or to different approaches to meeting the
      needs of families. 

PMID- 24212170
TI  - Predictors of smoking cessation counseling adherence in a socioeconomically
      disadvantaged sample of pregnant women.
AB  - Implementing and evaluating smoking cessation interventions in underserved
      populations has been found difficult due to high rates of non-adherence to the
      prescribed protocol. To understand better the barriers to cessation
      participation, we studied low-income inner-city pregnant women who were enrolled
      in either a standard or highly intensive quit smoking counseling program. The
      results showed that 1) in the prenatal phase, non-attendance was predicted by a
      greater number of cigarettes smoked per day; 2) in the postpartum follow-up
      phase, non-attendance was predicted by lower educational level and higher self
      efficacy for quitting smoking; and 3) participants with more children living at
      home were at increased risk of rescheduling the postpartum follow-up session.
      These findings suggest that innovative delivery strategies are needed more
      effectively to assess and address risk factors for non-adherence to smoking
      cessation trials among underserved minority pregnant/postpartum smokers. 

PMID- 24212171
TI  - Drug resistance strategies of rural Hawaiian youth as a function of drug offerers
      and substances: a community stakeholder analysis.
AB  - This study examined the variations in drug resistance strategies endorsed by
      community members for rural Native Hawaiian youth in drug-related problem
      situations. Community stakeholders completed a Web-based survey focused on drug
      related problem scenarios and their matched set of responses developed by
      middle/intermediate school youth in prior research. Mean differences were
      examined based on drug offerers described in the scenarios (i.e., peers/friends,
      cousins, and parents) and the substances offered in the scenarios (i.e.,
      marijuana and alcohol). Compared with other strategies, Refuse had the highest
      mean scores within two offerer subgroups (peers/friends and cousins) and within
      both substances (alcohol and marijuana). Leave had the highest mean score within
      scenarios describing drug offers from parents. The endorsement of different
      resistance strategies varied based on drug offerers and substances offered in the
      selected scenarios. This study suggests that resistance skills in prevention
      should be tailored to youths' social context in rural Hawai'i. 

PMID- 24212172
TI  - Faith leaders' comfort implementing an HIV prevention curriculum in a faith
      setting.
AB  - YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a faith-based HIV prevention pilot program designed
      to increase faith-based organizations' capacity to address HIV/AIDS among African
      American congregations. Faith leaders (e.g., pastors, pastors' spouses) were
      trained to deliver youth and adult HIV education sessions. Perceptions of comfort
      with discussing 11 sexual health topics were assessed after program
      implementation. Twenty-nine faith leaders self-reported their comfort discussing
      sexual behaviors, sexual communication, and sexual abuse. Overall, faith leaders
      were comfortable discussing these sexual health topics; however, denominational
      and leadership role differences were found. These findings suggest African
      American faith leaders are willing to lead faith-based HIV prevention efforts,
      but that consideration of denominational differences and organizational roles in
      faith-based health promotion programs is critical. 

PMID- 24212173
TI  - Addressing poverty and HIV using microenterprise: findings from qualitative
      research to reduce risk among unemployed or underemployed African American women.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Microenterprise programs are widely used to improve health outcomes
      among women internationally. However, there is little information on
      applicability to American women living in poverty. We conducted formative
      research to identify activities that are viable and attractive, that may produce
      income to address some proportion of economic need and could be incorporated in
      the development of a micro-enterprise HIV-prevention intervention to reduce
      HIV/STD transmission among unemployed or underemployed African American women at
      risk for HIV. METHODS: Focus groups were convened with young African American
      women and community leaders in two southern states. Interviews with women
      participating in the focus groups were also convened. RESULTS: Findings suggest
      an intervention should incorporate activities to increase self-esteem, enhance
      employability and job sustainability to decrease financial dependence. This
      research serves as the foundation for developing a novel approach to HIV
      prevention in the U.S. that may directly address poverty as a social determinant
      of health.

PMID- 24212174
TI  - Diagnostic resolution of cancer screening abnormalities at community health
      centers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined timeliness of diagnostic evaluation of
      abnormal cancer screening tests in community health centers. METHODS: Using
      medical record review, timeliness of diagnosis was assessed among 317 people
      having either breast or colorectal-related abnormalities. RESULTS: For 241
      subjects (76.0%) who reached clinical resolution, the median time to diagnostic
      resolution was 37 days. People with breast abnormalities had more than twice the
      odds (adjusted odds ratio: 2.84) of reaching diagnostic resolution within 180
      days compared with patients with colorectal abnormalities. We found, however, no
      evidence of disparate outcomes according to patient race/ethnicity, insurance
      status, or spoken language. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic evaluations are often either
      not completed or are delayed after a cancer-related abnormality is discovered.
      Further research is needed to understand the patient, provider, and health care
      system factors that contribute to these delays. There was no evidence of cancer
      disparities in the community health centers studied.

PMID- 24212175
TI  - Types of dental fear as barriers to dental care among African American adults
      with oral health symptoms in Harlem.
AB  - To examine the types of dental fear experienced by African American adults and
      the role of these fears in the utilization of dental care, in-depth interviews
      were conducted with a street-intercept sample of 118 African Americans living in
      Harlem, New York City, who had experienced at least one oral health symptom in
      the past six months. Despite their oral symptoms, participants delayed or avoided
      dental care (often for years) due to a variety of dental fears, including fears
      of: 1) pain from needles; 2) the dental drill; 3) having teeth extracted; 4)
      contracting an illness (e.g., HIV/AIDS) from unsanitary instruments; 5) X-rays;
      6) receiving poor quality care or mistreatment. These findings provide insights
      into the situations that provoke fears about dental treatment among African
      Americans and suggest strategies to address these fears in order to remove these
      barriers and increase the utilization of dental care by African American adults. 

PMID- 24212176
TI  - Reported experiences during syringe purchases in Providence, Rhode Island:
      implications for HIV prevention.
AB  - Use of injection drugs remains a public health concern, with injection drug users
      (IDUs) experiencing an elevated risk of morbidity and mortality. While the sale
      of non-prescription syringes in pharmacies is legal in most states, some
      pharmacists choose not to sell non-prescription syringes, or opt to sell syringes
      in quantities too large for purchase by many IDUs. Thus, we sought to understand
      the interpersonal experience of syringe sale/ purchase, the implications of
      policies regarding syringe sales, and pharmacy staff and IDU (mis)perceptions
      about one another. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 21 IDUs
      and 21 pharmacy staff (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians). Some important
      emergent themes were that individual experiences influenced overall perceptions,
      that IDUs and pharmacy staff differentiated between IDUs and other customers, and
      that some pharmacy staff demonstrated an understanding of the public health
      importance of accessible sterile syringes. Implications for future pharmacy-based
      interventions for IDUs are considered. 

PMID- 24212177
TI  - Health care access and use among the rural uninsured.
AB  - The uninsured have poorer access to care and obtain care at greater acuity than
      those with health insurance; however, the differential impact of being uninsured
      in rural versus urban areas is largely unknown. Using data from the 2002-2007
      Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, we examine whether uninsured rural residents
      have different patterns of health care use than their urban counterparts, and the
      factors associated with any differences. We find that being uninsured leads to
      poorer access in both rural and urban areas, yet the rural uninsured are more
      likely to have a usual source of care and use services than their urban
      counterparts. Further, controlling for demographic and health characteristics,
      the access and use differences between the uninsured and insured in rural areas
      are smaller than those observed in urban areas. This suggests that rural
      providers may impose fewer barriers on the uninsured who seek care than providers
      in urban areas. 

PMID- 24212179
TI  - A note from the editor.

PMID- 24212180
TI  - Influence of open vegetation fires on black carbon and ozone variability in the
      southern Himalayas (NCO-P, 5079 m a.s.l.).
AB  - We analysed the variability of equivalent black carbon (BC) and ozone (O3) at the
      global WMO/GAW station Nepal Climate Observatory-Pyramid (NCO-P, 5079 m a.s.l.)
      in the southern Himalayas, for evaluating the possible contribution of open
      vegetation fires to the variability of these short-lived climate
      forcers/pollutants (SLCF/SLCP) in the Himalayan region. We found that 162 days
      (9% of the data-set) were characterised by acute pollution events with enhanced
      BC and O3 in respect to the climatological values. By using satellite
      observations (MODIS fire products and the USGS Land Use Cover Characterization)
      and air mass back-trajectories, we deduced that 56% of these events were likely
      to be affected by emissions from open fires along the Himalayas foothills, the
      Indian Subcontinent and the Northern Indo-Gangetic Plain. These results suggest
      that open fire emissions are likely to play an important role in modulating
      seasonal and inter-annual BC and O3 variability over south Himalayas. 

PMID- 24212183
TI  - Microbial analyses of contact lens-associated microbial keratitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of additional microbial analyses to detect
      the causative microorganism of microbial keratitis and to determine the strength
      of association between clinical variables. METHODS: This retrospective study
      included 125 eyes of 123 people presenting with presumed infectious keratitis
      associated with contact lens wear, and examined between January 2001 and November
      2011. RESULTS: Sixty-three male and 60 female patients with a mean age of 24.14 (
      +/-6.7) and 26.7 (+/-10.0) years, respectively, were included in the study. Among
      the samples tested, 38 (40%) corneal cultures, 85 (92%) contact lens cultures,
      and 49 (80%) contact lens case cultures yielded positive results. In the samples
      for which all microbial investigations were performed and corneal culture was
      positive, cultures of contact lenses and corneas yielded the same microbes in 94%
      of cases, and for contact lens case and corneal cultures 77% of cases yielded the
      same microbes. Importantly, these were monocultures of the same microbe isolated
      from the cornea in the contact lens and lens case cultures. The odds of having a
      positive corneal culture was 37 times higher (p = 0.008) when patients presented
      to the clinic 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the
      predominant organism isolated, and most isolates were susceptible to commonly
      used antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS: Contact lens culture might be an effective test
      to perform to detect and determine the causative microorganism when corneal
      cultures are unavailable or yield no microorganisms upon culture. A longer
      duration of symptoms before presenting to the clinic was significantly associated
      with obtaining a positive corneal culture.

PMID- 24212181
TI  - Antibacterial and antidiarrheal activities of plant products against
      enterotoxinogenic Escherichia coli.
AB  - Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) produces two types of enterotoxins: heat
      labile (LT) and heat-stable (STa and STb). These molecules are involved in the
      induction of secretory diarrhea in animals including humans. This condition is
      currently treated using a fluid replacement therapy and antibiotics. This
      treatment is often not available to people in developing countries, and several
      die from the condition provoke by ETEC. Over the years, plants and plant extracts
      have been use as traditional medicine to treat various gastrointestinal ailments
      including diarrhea. Many of these plant products have been claimed to be active
      against diarrhea, however few have been extensively studied. The main objective
      of this review was to gather the scattered information on the antidiarrheal
      activities reported for various plant products on ETEC. This includes two major
      effects: (1) The inhibitory effect on bacterial growth or viability and (2) The
      interference with ETEC enterotoxins activity upon the intestinal epithelium. We
      will focus on plant products and extracts for which we have major indications of
      their biological activity against ETEC and their enterotoxins. Because Vibrio
      cholerae toxin (CT) is structurally, antigenically and mechanistically related to
      LT, it will also be discussed in this review. 

PMID- 24212182
TI  - From the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) to the kidneys: live bacterial cultures
      (probiotics) mediating reductions of uremic toxin levels via free radical
      signaling.
AB  - A host of compounds are retained in the body of uremic patients, as a consequence
      of progressive renal failure. Hundreds of compounds have been reported to be
      retention solutes and many have been proven to have adverse biological activity,
      and recognized as uremic toxins. The major mechanistic overview considered to
      contribute to uremic toxin overload implicates glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity,
      hexosamine, increased polyol pathway activity and the accumulation of advanced
      glycation end-products (AGEs). Until recently, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)
      and its associated micro-biometabolome was a neglected factor in chronic disease
      development. A systematic underestimation has been to undervalue the contribution
      of GIT dysbiosis (a gut barrier-associated abnormality) whereby low-level pro
      inflammatory processes contribute to chronic kidney disease (CKD) development.
      Gut dysbiosis provides a plausible clue to the origin of systemic uremic toxin
      loads encountered in clinical practice and may explain the increasing occurrence
      of CKD. In this review, we further expand a hypothesis that posits that
      environmentally triggered and maintained microbiome perturbations drive GIT
      dysbiosis with resultant uremia. These subtle adaptation responses by the GIT
      microbiome can be significantly influenced by probiotics with specific metabolic
      properties, thereby reducing uremic toxins in the gut. The benefit translates to
      a useful clinical treatment approach for patients diagnosed with CKD.
      Furthermore, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in different anatomical
      locales is highlighted as a positive process. Production of ROS in the GIT by the
      epithelial lining and the commensal microbe cohort is a regulated process,
      leading to the formation of hydrogen peroxide which acts as an essential second
      messenger required for normal cellular homeostasis and physiological function.
      Whilst this critical review has focused on end-stage CKD (type 5), our aim was to
      build a plausible hypothesis for the administration of probiotics with or without
      prebiotics for the early treatment of kidney disease. We postulate that targeting
      healthy ROS production in the gut with probiotics may be more beneficial than any
      systemic antioxidant therapy (that is proposed to nullify ROS) for the prevention
      of kidney disease progression. The study and understanding of health-promoting
      probiotic bacteria is in its infancy; it is complex and intellectually and
      experimentally challenging. 

PMID- 24212184
TI  - Reading training with threshold stimuli in people with central vision loss: a
      feasibility study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a perceptual learning technique for
      improving reading performance of patients with central vision loss and to explore
      whether this learning generalizes to other visual functions. METHODS: Ten
      patients with central vision loss were trained binocularly, in four consecutive
      sessions, with serially presented words printed at each patient's reading acuity
      limit. Patients read 10 blocks of 100 words in each session. They were encouraged
      to read the whole word and were discouraged to read letter by letter. Assessment
      sessions before and after training measured fixation stability, monocular and
      binocular visual acuity, as well as reading acuity, critical print size, and
      maximum reading speed with continuous text. Another six patients with central
      vision loss were included in a test-retest control group and were tested twice, 1
      week apart, with no intervention. RESULTS: The average time required to read a
      block of trials decreased significantly with each training session. After
      training, continuous text reading improved in terms of reading acuity (p = 0.017)
      and maximum reading speed (p = 0.01), but critical print size did not change.
      Binocular acuity improved significantly from an average of 0.54 logMAR before
      training to 0.44 logMAR after training. Binocular ratio (better eye
      acuity/binocular acuity) increased from an average of 1.0 before training to 1.17
      after training. There was a 62% improvement in fixation stability in the better
      eye and 58% in the worse eye. There were no changes in the outcome measures for
      the test-retest control group. CONCLUSIONS: The technique described in this
      article can be used for vision rehabilitation of patients with central vision
      loss. When training is done with size threshold stimuli, learning generalizes to
      visual acuity, continuous text reading, and fixation stability.

PMID- 24212185
TI  - An evidence-based analysis of Australian optometrists' dry eye practices.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical practices of
      Australian optometrists as related to the diagnosis, quantification, and
      management of dry eye and to assess whether these are consistent with research
      evidence and current guidelines. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to
      registered optometrists (n = 654). Respondents provided information regarding
      their preferred diagnostic procedures and management strategies for dry eye,
      practice modality, year of commencing practice, and whether they possessed an
      interest in dry eye. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 144) used multiple procedures for
      diagnosis. Recording patient symptoms ranked as the most important, most
      valuable, and most commonly used technique. The main objective tests were
      fluorescein-assisted tear breakup time, corneal fluorescein staining, and
      meibomian gland evaluation. Optometrists with an interest in dry eye more
      frequently used lissamine green, phenol red test, interference fringes, and tear
      osmolarity than nonspecialist practitioners. Dry eye treatment varied with
      severity. The mainstay of therapy was nonpreserved lubricants and eyelid hygiene;
      more practitioners recommended topical corticosteroids, systemic omega-3 fatty
      acid supplementation and increased dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids for
      moderate and severe disease, respectively. The primary sources of information
      used to guide practitioners' management were derived from continuing education
      conferences. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that although Australian
      optometrists use subjective and objective diagnostic tests and stratify treatment
      based on dry eye severity, there is a lack of uniformity regarding diagnostic
      testing, infrequent use of standardized grading scales, and significant
      variability in clinical care. These findings highlight the potential to improve
      the translation of dry eye research evidence and evidence-based guidelines into
      Australian optometric practice.

PMID- 24212186
TI  - Evaluation of age-related changes in noninvasive tear breakup time.
AB  - PURPOSE: To establish normal noninvasive tear film breakup time (NI-BUT) values
      in the Chinese population and investigate age-related changes in NI-BUT using a
      newly developed Keratograph. METHODS: Forty normal volunteers with a mean age of
      32.8 +/- 16.7 years were recruited for this study. Clinical and demographic data,
      including age, gender, fluorescein tear film breakup time (FBUT), and Schirmer I
      test values were collected from the subjects. Noninvasive tear film breakup time
      was measured using a new method based on a corneal topographer equipped with a
      modified scan software. The correlations between the NI-BUT, age, and gender were
      determined. RESULTS: In total, a significant difference between the NI-BUT and
      the FBUT was found (4.9 +/- 2.4 seconds vs. 9.0 +/- 3.0 seconds; p < 0.001). No
      statistically significant difference in the NI-BUT was observed between the male
      and female subjects (5.5 +/- 2.0 seconds vs. 4.5 +/- 2.5 seconds; p = 0.137). In
      addition, no significant correlation was detected between the NI-BUT and age
      (0.143, p = 0.321). CONCLUSIONS: The NI-BUT values found in this study are much
      lower than those of previous reports. Our results show no significant differences
      in tear film stability with age. The tear physiology of the Chinese population
      may not be the same as in Western populations.

PMID- 24212187
TI  - Treatment outcomes of myopic anisometropia with 1% atropine: a pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of the treatment of myopic
      anisometropia with 1% atropine. METHODS: Twenty-two children with myopic
      anisometropia were prescribed 1% solution of atropine sulfate to the more myopic
      eye, one drop before sleep every 3 days. Children were visited every 3 to 4
      months until the degree of anisometropia was no more than 0.5 diopters (D)
      ("Success") or unchanged after 9 months of treatment ("No effect"). The treatment
      effect was assessed by comparing the interocular imbalance in refraction and
      axial length before and after the treatment. A detailed questionnaire about
      subjective symptoms in each visit and an electroretinogram in the end were
      administered to evaluate the side effects of this treatment. RESULTS: The
      subjects were followed for 7 to 16 months. Six subjects withdrew participation on
      their own accord, and three were excluded because of inconstant usage of drug. Of
      the 13 remaining subjects, the refraction of the treated eyes decreased by 0.63
      +/- 0.59 D (p = 0.007), whereas that of the untreated eyes increased by -0.72 +/-
      0.65 D (p < 0.001). A corresponding trend was also found in the change of the
      axial length. Accordingly, the level of anisometropia was reduced from 1.82 +/-
      0.73 D to 0.47 +/- 0.65 D (p < 0.001) and 10 (76.9%) of the 13 subjects were
      designated a "Success." One percent atropine was well tolerated by the children,
      and no electroretinogram abnormality was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The results from
      this pilot study indicate that monocular usage of a solution of 1% atropine
      sulfate is an effective treatment to reduce anisometropia, although with some
      tolerable side effects. Nevertheless, an attenuated benefit was observed after
      cessation of atropine treatment. Thus, participants should be informed of a
      possible rebound effect before the administration of atropine for myopic
      anisometropia.

PMID- 24212188
TI  - Age-related changes in corneal pulsation: ocular dicrotism.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate age-related changes in the shape of corneal indentation
      pulse (CIP) in relation to simultaneously registered blood pulsation (BPL) and
      electrocardiogram (ECG) signals in healthy subjects. METHODS: Seventy-seven
      subjects were recruited for the study, including 36 young subjects (aged 23 to 32
      years) and 41 older subjects (aged 44 to 72 years) with no reported ocular and
      cardiovascular abnormalities and free of any systemic diseases. Corneal
      indentation pulse was measured with a noninvasive ultrasonic distance sensor.
      Simultaneously, BPL and ECG were acquired with a pulse oximeter placed on the
      earlobe and Eindhoven triangle setup, respectively. Correlation analysis was
      applied to identify the interactions between the parameters of the averaged
      signals, estimated with dedicated signal processing algorithms, for all subject
      measurements and separately for both considered groups. RESULTS: Twenty-nine out
      of 41 older subjects showed evidence of a double peak-shaped CIP waveform that
      could be interpreted as ocular pulse dicrotism. None of the young subjects
      exhibited this phenomenon. For the young group, significant correlations (p <
      0.05) were found between the CIP crest time of a single peak-shaped CIP waveform
      and the other shape parameters of the CIP, BPL, and ECG signals. Similarly, for
      the older group of subjects, significant corresponding correlations were only
      found between the preliminary crest time of a double peak-shaped CIP waveform.
      CONCLUSIONS: Using noninvasive corneal indentation pulse measurement revealed,
      for the first time, an ocular pulse dicrotism. This might be a natural sign of
      aging or an early indication of hemodynamic aspects of cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 24212189
TI  - Corneal confocal microscopy for vision disturbance after an epithelial abrasion.
AB  - PURPOSE: To demonstrate the use of in vivo corneal confocal microscopy to reveal
      the reason for persistent disturbance of vision after a corneal abrasion. CASE
      REPORT: A 49-year-old man presented with a decrease in visual acuity and
      monocular diplopia after a traumatic corneal abrasion. Anterior segment optical
      coherence tomography was not beneficial. In vivo corneal confocal microscopy
      showed abnormal folding in the basal epithelial layer of the cornea. Based on
      these findings, a therapeutic abrasion of the affected epithelium was performed.
      Visual acuity returned to 1.0 after therapeutic abrasion, and overall findings on
      the eye were within physiological limits. Control corneal confocal microscopic
      examination confirmed reparation of the structure of epithelial cell layers.
      CONCLUSIONS: The in vivo corneal confocal microscopy can reveal corneal
      pathologic abnormality even in cases where other methods are not beneficial.
      Alongside other modern methods, it may become an important tool to help locate
      pathologic abnormality accurately and choose the proper therapeutic strategy.

PMID- 24212190
TI  - Training students with patient actors improves communication: a pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Effective patient communication is correlated with better health
      outcomes and patient satisfaction, but is challenging to train, particularly with
      difficult clinical scenarios such as loss of sight. In this pilot study, we
      evaluated the use of simulated patient encounters with actors to train optometric
      students. METHODS: Students were recorded during encounters with actors and
      assigned to an enrichment group performing five interactions with instructor
      feedback (n = 6) or a no-enrichment group performing two interactions without
      feedback (n = 4). Student performance on first and last encounters was scored
      with (1) subjective rating of performance change using a visual analog scale
      (anchors: much worse/much better), (2) yes/no response: Would you recommend this
      doctor to a friend/relative?, and (3) average score on questions from the
      American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) assessment of doctor communication
      skills. Three clinical instructors, masked to student group assignments and the
      order of patient encounters they viewed, provided scores in addition to self
      evaluation by students and patient-actors. RESULTS: Using the visual analog
      scale, students who received enrichment were rated more improved than the no
      enrichment group by masked examiners (+18 vs. -11% p = 0.04) and self-evaluation
      (+79 vs. +27% p = 0.009), but not by actors (+31 vs. +43%). The proportion of
      students recommended significantly increased following enrichment for masked
      examiners (61% vs. 94%; p < 0.001), but not actors (100 vs. 83%). Average ABIM
      assessment scores were not significantly different by any rating group: masked
      instructors, actors, or self-ratings. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study
      suggest five simulated patient encounters with feedback result in measurable
      improvement in student-patient communication skills as rated by masked examiners.

PMID- 24212191
TI  - Cross-coupling reaction between arylboronic acids and carboranyl iodides
      catalyzed by graphene oxide (GO)-supported Pd(0) recyclable nanoparticles for the
      synthesis of carboranylaryl ketones.
AB  - Well-dispersed palladium(0) nanoparticles with small and narrow size
      distributions were synthesized conveniently on a graphene oxide (GO) surface. The
      GO-supported nano-Pd(0) was found to be a highly efficient and recyclable
      catalyst for the carbonylative cross-coupling reaction between arylboronic acids
      and aryl and carboranyl iodides, respectively. Benzophenone and a series of
      carboranylaryl ketones, 1-R-2-[C(=O)Ar]-1,2-C2B10H10 (R = H, Me, Ph; Ar = C6H5,
      C6H4-4-OMe and C6H4-4-F), were synthesized and fully characterized. The catalyst
      was recyclable at least three times with sustained activity.

PMID- 24212194
TI  - C-H nitrogenation and oxygenation by ruthenium catalysis.
AB  - Remarkable recent progress has been accomplished in direct C-H functionalizations
      for the formation of C-N and C-O bonds through the use of readily accessible
      ruthenium catalysts. Particularly, ruthenium(II) complexes allowed for
      challenging direct C(sp(2))-H hydroxylation of arenes. These catalysts set the
      stage for step-economical C-H functionalization with electron-rich as well as
      electron-deficient (hetero)arenes and, therefore, provided versatile access to
      diversely decorated phenols. While a number of synthetically useful protocols for
      ruthenium-catalyzed C(sp(3))-H bond nitrogenation have been elaborated, the
      analogous transformations of more stable C(sp(2))-H bonds were very recently
      achieved.

PMID- 24212193
TI  - Analyses of interactions between heparin and the apical surface proteins of
      Plasmodium falciparum.
AB  - Heparin, a sulfated glycoconjugate, reportedly inhibits the blood-stage growth of
      the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Elucidation of the inhibitory
      mechanism is valuable for developing novel invasion-blocking treatments based on
      heparin. Merozoite surface protein 1 has been reported as a candidate target of
      heparin; however, to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved, we
      characterized the molecules that bind to heparin during merozoite invasion. Here,
      we show that heparin binds only at the apical tip of the merozoite surface and
      that multiple heparin-binding proteins localize preferentially in the apical
      organelles. To identify heparin-binding proteins, parasite proteins were
      fractionated by means of heparin affinity chromatography and subjected to
      immunoblot analysis with ligand-specific antibodies. All tested members of the
      Duffy and reticulocyte binding-like families bound to heparin with diverse
      affinities. These findings suggest that heparin masks the apical surface of
      merozoites and blocks interaction with the erythrocyte membrane after initial
      attachment. 

PMID- 24212195
TI  - Cognitive processes in anesthesiology decision making.
AB  - The quality and safety of health care are under increasing scrutiny. Recent
      studies suggest that medical errors, practice variability, and guideline
      noncompliance are common, and that cognitive error contributes significantly to
      delayed or incorrect diagnoses. These observations have increased interest in
      understanding decision-making psychology.Many nonrational (i.e., not purely based
      in statistics) cognitive factors influence medical decisions and may lead to
      error. The most well-studied include heuristics, preferences for certainty,
      overconfidence, affective (emotional) influences, memory distortions, bias, and
      social forces such as fairness or blame.Although the extent to which such
      cognitive processes play a role in anesthesia practice is unknown, anesthesia
      care frequently requires rapid, complex decisions that are most susceptible to
      decision errors. This review will examine current theories of human decision
      behavior, identify effects of nonrational cognitive processes on decision making,
      describe characteristic anesthesia decisions in this context, and suggest
      strategies to improve decision making. 

PMID- 24212196
TI  - Addressing the mandate for hand-off education: a focused review and
      recommendations for anesthesia resident curriculum development and evaluation.
AB  - The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires that residency
      programs teach residents about handoffs and ensure their competence in this
      communication skill. Development of hand-off curricula for anesthesia residency
      programs is hindered by the paucity of evidence regarding how to conduct, teach,
      and evaluate handoffs in the various settings where anesthesia practitioners
      work. This narrative review draws from literature in anesthesia and other
      disciplines to provide recommendations for anesthesia resident hand-off
      curriculum development and evaluation. 

PMID- 24212197
TI  - Designing and implementing the objective structured clinical examination in
      anesthesiology.
AB  - Since its description in 1974, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination
      (OSCE) has gained popularity as an objective assessment tool of medical students,
      residents, and trainees. With the development of the anesthesiology residents'
      milestones and the preparation for the Next Accreditation System, there is an
      increased interest in OSCE as an evaluation tool of the six core competencies and
      the corresponding milestones proposed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate
      Medical Education.In this article the authors review the history of OSCE and its
      current application in medical education and in different medical and surgical
      specialties. They also review the use of OSCE by anesthesiology programs and
      certification boards in the United States and internationally. In addition, they
      discuss the psychometrics of test design and implementation with emphasis on
      reliability and validity measures as they relate to OSCE. 

PMID- 24212199
TI  - Can simulation help to answer the demand for echocardiography education?
AB  - There has been a recent explosion of education and training in echocardiography
      in the specialties of anesthesiology and critical care. These devices, by their
      impact on clinical management, are changing the way surgery is performed and
      critical care is delivered. A number of international bodies have made
      recommendations for training and developed examinations and accreditations.The
      challenge to medical educators in this area is to deliver the training needed to
      achieve competence into already over-stretched curricula.The authors found an
      apparent increase in the use of simulators, with proven efficacy in improving
      technical skills and knowledge. There is still an absence of evidence on how it
      should be included in training programs and in the accreditation of certain
      levels.There is a conviction that this form of simulation can enhance and
      accelerate the understanding and practice of echocardiography by the
      anesthesiologist and intensivists, particularly at the beginning of the learning
      curve.

PMID- 24212198
TI  - Facilitation of resident scholarly activity: strategy and outcome analyses using
      historical resident cohorts and a rank-to-match population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Facilitation of residents' scholarly activities is indispensable to
      the future of medical specialties. Research education initiatives and their
      outcomes, however, have rarely been reported. METHODS: Since academic year 2006,
      research education initiatives, including research lectures, research problem
      based learning discussions, and an elective research rotation under a new
      research director's supervision, have been used. The effectiveness of the
      initiatives was evaluated by comparing the number of residents and faculty
      mentors involved in residents' research activity (Preinitiative [2003-2006] vs.
      Postinitiative [2007-2011]). The residents' current postgraduation practices were
      also compared. To minimize potential historical confounding factors, peer
      reviewed publications based on work performed during residency, which were
      written by residents who graduated from the program in academic year 2009 to
      academic year 2011, were further compared with those of rank-to-match residents,
      who were on the residency ranking list during the same academic years, and could
      have been matched with the program of the authors had the residents ranked it
      high enough on their list. RESULTS: The Postinitiative group showed greater
      resident research involvement compared with the Preinitiative group (89.2% [58 in
      65 residents] vs. 64.8% [35 in 54]; P = 0.0013) and greater faculty involvement
      (23.9% [161 in 673 faculty per year] vs. 9.2% [55 in 595]; P < 0.0001). Choice of
      academic practice did not increase (50.8% [Post] vs. 40.7% [Pre]; P = 0.36).
      Graduated residents (n = 38) published more often than the rank-to-match
      residents (n = 220) (55.3% [21 residents] vs. 13.2% [29]; P < 0.0001, odds ratio
      8.1 with 95% CI of 3.9 to 17.2). CONCLUSION: Research education initiatives
      increased residents' research involvement.

PMID- 24212201
TI  - Low-frequency noise in multilayer MoS2 field-effect transistors: the effect of
      high-k passivation.
AB  - Diagnosing of the interface quality and the interactions between insulators and
      semiconductors is significant to achieve the high performance of nanodevices.
      Herein, low-frequency noise (LFN) in mechanically exfoliated multilayer
      molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) (~11.3 nm-thick) field-effect transistors with back
      gate control was characterized with and without an Al2O3 high-k passivation
      layer. The carrier number fluctuation (CNF) model associated with
      trapping/detrapping the charge carriers at the interface nicely described the
      noise behavior in the strong accumulation regime both with and without the Al2O3
      passivation layer. The interface trap density at the MoS2-SiO2 interface was
      extracted from the LFN analysis, and estimated to be Nit ~ 10(10) eV(-1) cm(-2)
      without and with the passivation layer. This suggested that the accumulation
      channel induced by the back-gate was not significantly influenced by the
      passivation layer. The Hooge mobility fluctuation (HMF) model implying the bulk
      conduction was found to describe the drain current fluctuations in the
      subthreshold regime, which is rarely observed in other nanodevices, attributed to
      those extremely thin channel sizes. In the case of the thick-MoS2 (~40 nm-thick)
      without the passivation, the HMF model was clearly observed all over the
      operation regime, ensuring the existence of the bulk conduction in multilayer
      MoS2. With the Al2O3 passivation layer, the change in the noise behavior was
      explained from the point of formation of the additional top channel in the MoS2
      because of the fixed charges in the Al2O3. The interface trap density from the
      additional CNF model was Nit = 1.8 * 10(12) eV(-1) cm(-2) at the MoS2-Al2O3
      interface.

PMID- 24212200
TI  - Atomically precise edge chlorination of nanographenes and its application in
      graphene nanoribbons.
AB  - Chemical functionalization is one of the most powerful and widely used strategies
      to control the properties of nanomaterials, particularly in the field of
      graphene. However, the ill-defined structure of the present functionalized
      graphene inhibits atomically precise structural characterization and structure
      correlated property modulation. Here we present a general edge chlorination
      protocol for atomically precise functionalization of nanographenes at different
      scales from 1.2 to 3.4 nm and its application in graphene nanoribbons. The well
      defined edge chlorination is unambiguously confirmed by X-ray single-crystal
      analysis, which also discloses the characteristic non-planar molecular shape and
      detailed bond lengths of chlorinated nanographenes. Chlorinated nanographenes and
      graphene nanoribbons manifest enhanced solution processability associated with
      decreases in the optical band gap and frontier molecular orbital energy levels,
      exemplifying the structure-correlated property modulation by precise edge
      chlorination. 

PMID- 24212202
TI  - How deaf American Sign Language/English bilingual children become proficient
      readers: an emic perspective.
AB  - A primary tenet underlying American Sign Language/English bilingual education for
      deaf students is that early access to a visual language, developed in conjunction
      with language planning principles, provides a foundation for literacy in English.
      The goal of this study is to obtain an emic perspective on bilingual deaf readers
      transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. Analysis of 12
      interactive, semi-structured interviews identified informal and formal teaching
      and learning practices in ASL/English bilingual homes and classrooms. These
      practices value, reinforce, and support the bidirectional acquisition of both
      languages and provide a strong foundation for literacy. 

PMID- 24212203
TI  - Development and applications of remote stereocontrol using allylic organobismuth
      reagents.
AB  - Reactions of 5-benzyloxy-4-methylpent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane with aldehydes
      promoted by bismuth(III) iodide were usefully stereoselective in favour of the
      (E)-1,5-anti-6-benzyloxy-5-methylalk-3-en-1-ols. Similar stereoselectivity was
      observed for reactions of analogous 5-benzyloxy-4-methylpent-2-enyl bromides with
      aldehydes when promoted by a low valency bismuth species prepared by reduction of
      bismuth(III) triiodide with powdered zinc so providing a "tin-free" procedure.
      The analogous reactions of 4-benzyloxypent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane with
      aldehydes promoted by bismuth(III) iodide were also stereoselective but gave
      lower yields. Attempted 1,6-stereocontrol using these reactions resulted in only
      modest stereoselectivities. Aspects of the chemistry of the products were studied
      in particular their stereoselective conversion into aliphatic compounds with
      methyl bearing stereogenic centres at 1,5,9,13- and 1,3,5-positions along the
      aliphatic chain. Mechanistically, allylic organobismuth species may be involved
      in both sets of reactions but this was not confirmed although the similar
      stereoselectivities observed for both the bismuth(III) iodide mediated reactions
      of the pent-2-enylstannanes and the low-valency bismuth promoted reactions of the
      pent-2-enyl bromides are consistent with participation of similar intermediates.

PMID- 24212207
TI  - Submacular hemorrhage: A study among Indian eyes.

PMID- 24212204
TI  - Assessment of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness using scanning
      laser polarimetry (GDx VCC) in normal Indian children.
AB  - PURPOSE: To obtain reference values of RNFL thickness in normal Indian children
      and to study the association of RNFL thickness with central corneal
      thickness(CCT) and axial length(AL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 200 normal Indian
      children (mean age 8.6 +/- 2.9 yrs) were examined on the GDxVCC. The inferior
      average (IA), superior average (SA), temporal-superior-nasal-inferior-temporal
      (TSNIT) average and nerve fiber index (NFI) values were recorded and compared
      between males and females as well as between the different age groups. The
      association of TSNIT average with AL and CCT was examined. RESULTS: Values for
      the RNFL parameters were-SA: 64.9 +/- 9.7, IA: 63.8 +/- 8.8, TSNIT average: 53.5
      +/- 7.7 and NFI 21.5 +/- 10.8. Superior, inferior and TSNIT averages did not
      differ significantly between males and females (P = 0.25, P = 0.19, P = 0.06
      respectively; Mann-Whitney U test). No significant differences were found in
      TSNIT average across age groups. There was a statistically significant positive
      correlation between CCT and TSNIT average (r = 0.25, r 2 = 0.06, P < 0.001). The
      correlation TSNIT average and AL(r = -0.12; r2 = 0.01) was not significant (P =
      0.2). CONCLUSION: Reference values for RNFL parameters reported for Indian
      children are similar those reported in adults. There is a small correlation
      between central corneal thickness and RNFL as reflected in average TSNIT.

PMID- 24212209
TI  - Association between hyperacuity defects and retinal microstructure in polypoidal
      choroidal vasculopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To improve our understanding of hyperacuity defects measured with
      preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) by correlating PHP findings with the
      retinal microstructural changes visible on spectral-domain optical coherence
      tomography (OCT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients with PCV were
      retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic
      examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) testing, PHP, and
      OCT. The functional 'PHP test score' and 'total volume of hyperacuity defect
      zone' were also analyzed. RESULTS: Patients were classified based on the
      hyperacuity defect by PHP, as follows: Hyperacuity defect (n = 17 eyes) group and
      hyperacuity intact (n = 11 eyes) group. The mean best-corrected visual acuity in
      the hyperacuity intact group (0.46 +/- 0.39) was better than that in the
      hyperacuity defect group (0.82 +/- 0.37) (P = 0.014). The presence of serous
      retinal detachment and retinal pigment epithelial detachment did not differ
      significantly between groups (P = 0.120 and P = 0.689, respectively). A disrupted
      photoreceptor layer was more common in the hyperacuity defect group compared with
      the hyperacuity intact group (P = 0.0001). Among 17 eyes with a hyperacuity
      defect, 9 eyes showing intra-retinal pathology (intra-retinal cyst or hard
      exudates) and had a significantly higher PHP test score and larger total volume
      of the hyperacuity defect zone than 8 eyes without intra-retinal pathology (P =
      0.006 and P = 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSION: A hyperacuity defect in PCV was
      associated with photoreceptor disarrangement. Furthermore, PCV lesions on the
      inner retina that invaded the photoreceptor layer were associated with a more
      severe hyperacuity defect.

PMID- 24212210
TI  - A case of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus as a result of ranibizumab
      (Lucentis) treatment.
AB  - Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a previously undiagnosed side-effect of
      ranibizumab. Here, we present a case of an 82-year-old female Caucasian patient
      with wet age-related macular degeneration. Following a single intraocular
      injection of Lucentis (ranibizumab), she developed a subacute cutaneous lupus
      erythematosus which, with treatment, took nearly 12 months to resolve. This shows
      that cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a potential side-effect of many
      medications, including ranibizumab, as in our case and, in an aging population
      where polypharmacy is a growing reality, clinicians should be aware of how to
      diagnose and best manage such cases. 

PMID- 24212216
TI  - Isolated complete bitemporal hemianopia in traumatic chiasmal syndrome.
AB  - A 29-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of lateral blindness in the
      left eye at 4 months after an accidental fall. His best corrected visual acuity
      was 0.7 in the left eye and 1.0 in the right eye. Visual field test showed a
      complete bitemporal hemianopic defect without any neurologic symptoms. An orbital
      computed tomography scan with non-enhancement conducted at the time of the visit
      showed multiple frontal skull fractures and cerebromalacia a small fracture in
      the sphenoidal boneboth frontal lobes. No radiological abnormalities of the
      visual pathway were detected. Optical coherence showed reduced thickness in the
      retinal nerve fiber layer, primarily in the superior and inferior part of the
      left eye. To our knowledge, a complete bitemporal hemianopia without neurological
      deficits is extremely rare in traumatic chiasmal syndrome. 

PMID- 24212217
TI  - Planned posterior assisted levitation in severe subluxated cataract: surgical
      technique and clinical results.

PMID- 24212225
TI  - Changing trends in the prevalence of visual impairment, uncorrected refractive
      errors and use of spectacles in Mahbubnagar district in South India.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The Andhra Pradesh Eye disease Study (APEDS) was a conventional
      cross-sectional study conducted in four locations during 1996-2000. Ten years
      later, a Rapid Assessment of Refractive Errors (RARE) survey was conducted in one
      of the geographical regions. The prevalence of visual impairment (VI),
      uncorrected refractive error (URE), spectacles use obtained from both the surveys
      was compared. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Rural settings; cross-sectional studies.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In both the surveys, distance visual acuity (VA) was
      assessed using a logMAR chart. Pinhole VA was assessed if presenting VA was
      <20/20 in APEDS and <20/40 in RARE. VI was defined as presenting VA <20/40 in the
      better eye. URE was defined as presenting VA <20/40 and improving to >=20/40 with
      a pinhole. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Performed using Statistical Package for
      Social Sciences (SPSS). Chi square tests and t-test were used. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSIONS: The results from a RARE survey with 3,095 subjects were compared
      with an APEDS dataset that had 1,232 subjects in the same age group of 15-49
      years. The prevalence of VI has decreased from 9.5% (95% CI, 7.7-11.1) in APEDS
      to 2.7% (95% CI, 2.1-3.3) in RARE. Similarly, the prevalence of URE in the better
      eye decreased from 5.8% (95% CI, 4.5-7.1) to 2.3% (95% CI, 1.8-2.8). The usage of
      spectacles increased from 6.6% (95% CI, 5.2-8.0) to 9.7% (95% CI, 8.7-10.7).
      There is a decreasing trend in the prevalence of VI and URE in Mahbubnagar
      district in Andhra Pradesh over a decade.

PMID- 24212226
TI  - Impact of application of bio-amniotic membrane immersed in 5-fluorouracil
      solution in trabeculectomy on rabbit retina.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To observe the impact of application of bio-amniotic membrane
      immersed in 5-fluorouracil solution in trabeculectomy on the retina in a rabbit
      model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy white New Zealand rabbits were randomly
      assigned into three groups with 20 in each group. Bio-amniotic membranes of 4 * 5
      mm immersed in either physiological saline/water for 10 min, or 25 mg/mL 5
      fluorouracil solution for 5 and 10 min, respectively, were applied on rabbit eyes
      during trabeculectomy. At 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of postoperation, five rabbits
      from each group were examined with electroretinogram (ERG). After being examined
      for eye pressure and bleb morphology, rabbits were sacrificed by air embolism and
      their retinas were collected and examined by transmission electron microscopy
      (TEM). In addition, 5-fluorouracil amount in bio-amniotic membranes was measured
      using high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Each bio-amniotic membrane
      could absorb 59.004 MUg and 75.828 MUg 5-fluorouracil after being immersed in 5
      fluorouracil solution for 5 and 10 min, respectively. Application of these bio
      amniotic membranes in trabeculectomy could promote the formation of well
      functioning bleb and maintain intraocular pressure, although it had no effect on
      retina structures as examined with ERG and TEM. CONCLUSION: Application of 5-FU
      soaked bio-amniotic membrane in rabbit eye trabeculectomy is effective and safe.

PMID- 24212227
TI  - A novel technique to recanalize the nasolacrimal duct with endodiathermy bipolar
      probe.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate a new approach for recanalization (RC) of nasolacrimal duct
      obstruction in the treatment of the symptomatic nasolacrimal duct obstruction
      (NLDO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, interventional, comparative study
      in 302 eyes of 209 patients of symptomatic nontraumatic NLDO. Eyes with previous
      failed surgery were excluded. One hundred and fifty-one eyes underwent RC with 20
      G endodiathermy bipolar probe connected to a 7 W diathermy followed by
      bicanalicular intubation under direct visualization. One hundred and fifty-one
      eyes underwent standard external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Follow-up was for
      24 months and evaluation was done on basis of change in symptoms and lacrimal
      syringing. Data was analyzed by Chi-square test and unpaired t-test. P value <
      0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Success defined as an
      asymptomatic patient or freely patent syringing was 92.7% (140 eyes) in RC group
      and 83.44% (126 eyes) in DCR group. Success was significantly more (P <= 0.01) in
      RC than DCR group. Surgical time was significantly less in RC than DCR (P <=
      0.001). In RC group, RC could not be performed in three eyes and had to be later
      taken up for DCR. Intubation after RC was not achieved in four eyes; however
      these eyes had a patent pathway till 24 months. Twenty-two eyes had a premature
      extrusion of the tube; but the success rate in these (20 eyes) was comparable to
      the others within the group (P > 0.05). Two eyes in RC and one in DCR group had
      complications. CONCLUSIONS: RC with 20 G endodiathermy bipolar probe is a quick,
      simple, and effective alternative to standard external DCR.

PMID- 24212232
TI  - Comparative study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coral tissues and the
      ambient sediments from Kenting National Park, Taiwan.
AB  - Surface sediments and corals (Acropora sp. and Montipora sp.) from the coastline
      of Kenting were analyzed in 2009 and 2010 for content levels of polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The
      total PAH concentrations (t-PAH) in corasls (143-1715 ng g(-1) dw) were
      significantly higher than in the ambient sediments (2-59 ng g(-1) dw) indicating
      the bioaccumulation of PAHs in corals. The spatial and seasonal variation in PAH
      levels suggested that land-loaded contaminants may be the main source of PAHs in
      the Kenting coral reefs. Based on molecular indices, PAHs were substantially of
      petroleum origin. The major PAH components were phenanthrene, pyrene and
      fluorine, but PAH congeners in corals and sediments still have characteristic
      composition patterns which would be altered by the bio/accumulation mechanisms.
      Further study is essential to assess and understand the impacts of these
      chemicals on coral reefs. 

PMID- 24212233
TI  - Spatially-varying surface roughness and ground-level air quality in an
      operational dispersion model.
AB  - Urban form controls the overall aerodynamic roughness of a city, and hence plays
      a significant role in how air flow interacts with the urban landscape. This paper
      reports improved model performance resulting from the introduction of variable
      surface roughness in the operational air-quality model ADMS-Urban (v3.1). We then
      assess to what extent pollutant concentrations can be reduced solely through
      local reductions in roughness. The model results suggest that reducing surface
      roughness in a city centre can increase ground-level pollutant concentrations,
      both locally in the area of reduced roughness and downwind of that area. The
      unexpected simulation of increased ground-level pollutant concentrations implies
      that this type of modelling should be used with caution for urban planning and
      design studies looking at ventilation of pollution. We expect the results from
      this study to be relevant for all atmospheric dispersion models with urban
      surface parameterisations based on roughness. 

PMID- 24212234
TI  - Bioaccessibility of metals in alloys: evaluation of three surrogate biofluids.
AB  - Bioaccessibility in vitro tests measure the solubility of materials in surrogate
      biofluids. However, the lack of uniform methods and the effects of variable test
      parameters on material solubility limit interpretation. One aim of this study was
      to measure and compare bioaccessibility of selected economically important alloys
      and metals in surrogate physiologically based biofluids representing oral,
      inhalation and dermal exposures. A second aim was to experimentally test
      different biofluid formulations and residence times in vitro. A third aim was
      evaluation of dissolution behavior of alloys with in vitro lung and dermal
      biofluid surrogates. This study evaluated the bioaccessibility of sixteen
      elements in six alloys and 3 elemental/metal powders. We found that the
      alloys/metals, the chemical properties of the surrogate fluid, and residence time
      all had major impacts on metal solubility. The large variability of
      bioaccessibility indicates the relevancy of assessing alloys as toxicologically
      distinct relative to individual metals. 

PMID- 24212235
TI  - Image training, using random images of melanoma, performs as well as the ABC(D)
      criteria in enabling novices to distinguish between melanoma and mimics of
      melanoma.
AB  - Robust experimental evidence supporting many attempts to facilitate early
      melanoma diagnosis is lacking. In an experimental study using a browser interface
      we have examined diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of novices in
      distinguishing between melanomas and mimics of melanoma. We show that rule-based
      ABC methods and image training, based on random images of melanoma, improve
      specificity to similar degrees, with-out effects on sensitivity, leading to small
      improvements in overall accuracy. There was a significant effect of age with
      older subjects performing better. Although both the ABC method and image training
      groups showed improved performance over the control group, overall performance
      was poor. For instance, for a task in which 1 in 4 test images was a melanoma,
      and 3 out of 4 benign, both interventions (ABC or image training) increased
      accuracy from the control value of 53% to around 61%. For reference, dermatology
      trainees performed at a much higher level of accuracy. Our study provides little
      support for the use of such methods in public education, but suggests ways in
      which performance might be improved. 

PMID- 24212236
TI  - Roles of microRNAs in the hepatitis B virus infection and related diseases.
AB  - The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small enveloped DNA virus that belongs to the
      Hepadnaviridae family. HBV can cause acute and persistent infection which can
      lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in
      the main cellular events. The dysregulation of their expression has been linked
      to the development of the cancer as well as to viral interference. This chapter
      will describe the involvement of miRNAs in the case of HBV infection and their
      implication in the development of the HBV-related diseases. 

PMID- 24212239
TI  - Extracapsular lymph node spread as a negative prognostic factor of adenocarcinoma
      of the pancreas and cancer of the papilla of vater.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and impact of
      extracapsular lymph node spread (ELNS) in pancreatic cancer (PC) and cancer of
      the papilla of Vater (CPV). METHODS: Between 2004 and 2009, 148 patients
      underwent surgical therapy for PC (n = 112) and CPV (n = 36). The resected lymph
      nodes (LNs) were further analyzed for ELNS. RESULTS: In 95 (64.2%) patients, LN
      metastasis was present. In 45 (47.3%) of these patients, an ELNS was present on
      histopathology. The patients' survival was negatively affected by ELNS. For PC,
      the 5-year survival rate was 37% for patients with no LN metastasis compared with
      4% and 0% for patients with LN metastasis (pN1) but without extracapsular LN
      involvement and patients with pN1 disease with extracapsular LN involvement of at
      least 1 LN, respectively (P < 0.001). In patients with CPV, the 5-year survival
      rate was 56% for patients with no LN metastasis and 44% and 0% for patients with
      pN1 disease but without extracapsular LN involvement and patients with pN1
      disease with extracapsular LN involvement of at least 1 LN, respectively (P =
      0.006). Multivariate analysis revealed ELNS as an independent prognostic factor
      of survival for both tumor types. CONCLUSIONS: Extracapsular LN spread is an
      independent negative prognostic factor in PC and CPV. In future staging systems,
      ELNS should be included.

PMID- 24212237
TI  - ABCG1-mediated generation of extracellular cholesterol microdomains.
AB  - Previous studies have demonstrated that the ATP-binding cassette transporters
      (ABC)A1 and ABCG1 function in many aspects of cholesterol efflux from
      macrophages. In this current study, we continued our investigation of
      extracellular cholesterol microdomains that form during enrichment of macrophages
      with cholesterol. Human monocyte-derived macrophages and mouse bone marrow
      derived macrophages, differentiated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M
      CSF) or granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulation factor (GM-CSF), were incubated
      with acetylated LDL (AcLDL) to allow for cholesterol enrichment and processing.
      We utilized an anti-cholesterol microdomain monoclonal antibody to reveal pools
      of unesterified cholesterol, which were found both in the extracellular matrix
      and associated with the cell surface, that we show function in reverse
      cholesterol transport. Coincubation of AcLDL with 50 MUg/ml apoA-I eliminated all
      extracellular and cell surface-associated cholesterol microdomains, while
      coincubation with the same concentration of HDL only removed extracellular matrix
      associated cholesterol microdomains. Only at an HDL concentration of 200 ug/ml
      did HDL eliminate the cholesterol microdomains that were cell-surface associated.
      The deposition of cholesterol microdomains was inhibited by probucol, but it was
      increased by the liver X receptor (LXR) agonist TO901317, which upregulates ABCA1
      and ABCG1. Extracellular cholesterol microdomains did not develop when ABCG1
      deficient mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages were enriched with cholesterol.
      Our findings show that generation of extracellular cholesterol microdomains is
      mediated by ABCG1 and that reverse cholesterol transport occurs not only at the
      cell surface but also within the extracellular space. 

PMID- 24212238
TI  - Action myoclonus-renal failure syndrome: diagnostic applications of activity
      based probes and lipid analysis.
AB  - Lysosomal integral membrane protein-2 (LIMP2) mediates trafficking of
      glucocerebrosidase (GBA) to lysosomes. Deficiency of LIMP2 causes action
      myoclonus-renal failure syndrome (AMRF). LIMP2-deficient fibroblasts virtually
      lack GBA like the cells of patients with Gaucher disease (GD), a lysosomal
      storage disorder caused by mutations in the GBA gene. While GD is characterized
      by the presence of glucosylceramide-laden macrophages, AMRF patients do not show
      these. We studied the fate of GBA in relation to LIMP2 deficiency by employing
      recently designed activity-based probes labeling active GBA molecules. We
      demonstrate that GBA is almost absent in lysosomes of AMRF fibroblasts. However,
      white blood cells contain considerable amounts of residual enzyme. Consequently,
      AMRF patients do not acquire lipid-laden macrophages and do not show increased
      plasma levels of macrophage markers, such as chitotriosidase, in contrast to GD
      patients. We next investigated the consequences of LIMP2 deficiency with respect
      to plasma glycosphingolipid levels. Plasma glucosylceramide concentration was
      normal in the AMRF patients investigated as well as in LIMP2-deficient mice.
      However, a marked increase in the sphingoid base, glucosylsphingosine, was
      observed in AMRF patients and LIMP2-deficient mice. Our results suggest that
      combined measurements of chitotriosidase and glucosylsphingosine can be used for
      convenient differential laboratory diagnosis of GD and AMRF. 

PMID- 24212240
TI  - Pharmacological cholinergic stimulation as a therapeutic tool in experimental
      necrotizing pancreatitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The endogenous immune response is influenced by the stimulation of
      the vagal nerve. Stimulation or ablation has a direct impact on the release of
      pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. In the progression of acute pancreatitis
      from local to systemic disease, these mediators play a pivotal role. This study
      evaluates the effect of pharmacologic stimulation of the cholinergic system on
      pancreatic damage in experimental necrotizing pancreatitis. METHODS: Experimental
      severe necrotizing pancreatitis was induced in male Wistar rats using the
      glycodeoxycholic acid model. Animals with acute pancreatitis (n = 6) were
      compared with animals with acute pancreatitis and prophylactic or therapeutic
      pharmacologic activation of the cholinergic system using nicotine, physostigmine,
      or neostigmine (n = 36). Twelve hours after the induction of acute pancreatitis,
      morphological damage as well as the myeloperoxidase levels of the pancreas and
      the serum levels of high-mobility group box 1 protein were evaluated. RESULTS:
      Prophylactic and delayed therapeutic application of nicotine, physostigmine, or
      neostigmine significantly attenuated the severity of acute pancreatitis 12 hours
      after the induction of severe necrotizing pancreatitis compared with untreated
      controls as evaluated with histological scores, myeloperoxidase, and high
      mobility group box 1 levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Stimulation of the
      cholinergic system is useful to attenuate damage in experimental acute
      pancreatitis. Not only prophylactic but also delayed application was effective in
      the present study.

PMID- 24212241
TI  - Expression of SOX9 in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: SRY (sex determining region Y) box 9 (SOX9) plays a key role in the
      embryologic development, differentiation, and maintenance of organs in the
      pancreas as well as progression of several kinds of tumors. The aim of the
      present study was to evaluate the expression and potential role of SOX9 in
      intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas. METHODS: The
      authors selected 27 pathological tissues from 19 IPMN cases to assess the
      expression of SOX9 by means of immunohistochemistry and analyzed the expression
      pattern of SOX9 with 78 lesions obtained from these tissues stained by SOX9.
      RESULTS: SOX9 was expressed in the normal pancreas, IPMN, and pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinoma. SOX9-positive cells were confined to the lower portions of the
      papillary structures of IPMN. However, SOX9 was expressed in the entire
      epithelium once the neoplasms advanced to high-grade dysplasia and invasive
      carcinoma. The expression pattern of SOX9 was similar to that of CD44 in the
      normal pancreas and IPMN. Double staining of SOX9 and CD44 detected
      colocalization of SOX9 and CD44 in IPMN. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the SOX9
      expression pattern may be involved in the mechanisms of the malignant progression
      of IPMN.

PMID- 24212242
TI  - Colorimetric and fluorescent pH and Cu2+ probes induced by photoisomerization of
      a maleonitrile-based Salen ligand.
AB  - Both photo-induced cis-trans-isomers of a maleonitrile-based Salen ligand can be
      used as pH probes covering a broad pH range through three different mechanisms
      but upon undergoing the formation of a stable complex and Cu(2+)-promoted
      hydrolysis, respectively, they exhibit totally different responses and mechanisms
      for sensing Cu(2+). 

PMID- 24212243
TI  - High-throughput ultrasonic synthesis and in situ crystallisation investigation of
      metal phosphonocarboxylates.
AB  - High-throughput reactions of aqueous solutions of 4-(phosphonomethyl)benzoic acid
      (H3PMBC) with metal salts were carried out using, for the first time,
      ultrasonication as well as the previously described conventional heating. On
      screening the influence of 12 divalent metal ions, two new compounds
      ([Ca(H2O)2(H2PMBC)2] and [Ni(H2O)4(H2PMBC)2]) were discovered. Their formation
      fields were established by systematically studying the systems Ni(2+) or
      Ca(2+)/H3PMBC/KOH. Both compounds crystallise in the space group P1[combining
      macron] ([Ca(H2O)2(H2PMBC)2]: a = 4.6806(9) A, b = 6.1340(12) A, c = 17.932(4) A,
      alpha = 83.84(3) degrees , beta = 89.03(3) degrees , gamma = 85.65(3) degrees ;
      [Ni(H2O)4(H2PMBC)2]: a = 4.7713(10) A, b = 6.8621(14) A, c = 16.598(3) A, alpha =
      83.42(3) degrees , beta = 89.71(3) degrees , gamma = 83.50(3) degrees ) and
      contain MO6-octahedra linked to form chains by hydrogen bonded (H2PMBC(-))2
      dimers formed between the carboxylate groups. The formation of
      [Ni(H2O)4(H2PMBC)2] was studied by in situ EDXRD and in situ IR spectroscopy. The
      increased formation rate of [Ni(H2O)4(H2PMBC)2] under ultrasonic irradiation as
      compared to conventional heating could be unequivocally attributed to the faster
      dissolution of the ligand H3PMBC. 

PMID- 24212244
TI  - Assessment of instrumental activities of daily living in dementia: diagnostic
      value of the Amsterdam Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measuring impairments in "instrumental activities of daily living"
      (IADL) is important in dementia, but challenging due to the lack of reliable and
      valid instruments. We recently developed the Amsterdam Instrumental Activities of
      Daily Living Questionnaire (A-IADL-Q; note 1). We aim to investigate the
      diagnostic accuracy of the A-IADL-Q for dementia in a memory clinic setting.
      METHODS: Patients visiting the Alzheimer Center of the VU University Medical
      Center with their informants between 2009 and 2011 were included (N = 278).
      Diagnoses were established in a multidisciplinary consensus meeting, independent
      of the A-IADL-Q scores. An optimal A-IADL-Q cutoff point was determined, and
      sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Area under the curves (AUCs) were
      compared between A-IADL-Q and "disability assessment of dementia" (DAD). The
      additional diagnostic value of the A-IADL-Q to Mini-Mental State Examination
      (MMSE) was examined using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Dementia
      prevalence was 50.5%. Overall diagnostic accuracy based on the AUC was 0.75 (95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 0.70-0.81) for the A-IADL-Q and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.63
      0.77) for the DAD, which did not differ significantly. The optimal cutoff score
      for the A-IADL-Q was 51.4, resulting in sensitivity of 0.74 and specificity of
      0.64. Combining the A-IADL-Q with the MMSE improved specificity (0.94), with a
      decline in sensitivity (0.55). Logistic regression models showed that adding A
      IADL-Q improved the diagnostic accuracy (Z = 2.55, P = .011), whereas the DAD did
      not. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we showed a fair diagnostic accuracy for A-IADL
      Q and an additional value in the diagnosis of dementia. These results support the
      role of A-IADL-Q as a valuable diagnostic tool.

PMID- 24212245
TI  - Delusions and hallucinations in persons with dementia: a comparison of the
      perceptions of formal and informal caregivers.
AB  - This study compares formal and informal caregivers' perceptions of delusions and
      hallucinations in older persons with dementia (PWDs). The study population
      consisted of 151 community-dwelling PWDs aged 65 and older, 90 formal caregivers,
      and 151 informal caregivers residing in Israel. Assessments included the
      Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale, Neuropsychiatric
      Inventory, Etiological Assessment of Psychotic Symptoms in Dementia, Activities
      of Daily Living, and Mini-Mental State Examination. Informal caregivers reported
      higher rates and a higher level of severity of delusions and hallucinations than
      formal caregivers. Different caregivers showed varying degrees of emotional
      involvement, empathy, and efforts to find the meaning of the delusion for the
      person experiencing it. Family members and staff members may see different parts
      of the total picture. The combination of both points of view is essential in
      order to establish an accurate, comprehensive assessment of dementia symptoms and
      to enhance the understanding of the reality of the different parties. 

PMID- 24212246
TI  - Lower hippocampal volume predicts decrements in lane control among drivers with
      amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There are few methods to discern driving risks in patients with early
      dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We aimed to determine whether
      structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hippocampus-a biomarker of
      probable Alzheimer pathology and a measure of disease severity in those affected-
      is linked to objective ratings of on-road driving performance in older adults
      with and without amnestic MCI. METHODS: In all, 49 consensus-diagnosed
      participants from an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (15 diagnosed with
      amnestic MCI and 34 demographically similar controls) underwent structural MRI
      and on-road driving assessments. RESULTS: Mild atrophy of the left hippocampus
      was associated with less-than-optimal ratings in lane control but not with other
      discrete driving skills. Decrements in left hippocampal volume conferred higher
      risk for less-than-optimal lane control ratings in the patients with MCI (B = 
      1.63, standard error [SE] = .74, Wald = 4.85, P = .028), but not in controls (B =
      0.13, SE = .415, Wald = 0.10, P = .752). The odds ratio and 95% confidence
      interval for below-optimal lane control in the MCI group was 4.41 (1.18-16.36),
      which was attenuated to 3.46 (0.88-13.60) after accounting for the contribution
      of left hippocampal volume. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there may be
      a link between hippocampal atrophy and difficulties with lane control in persons
      with amnestic MCI. Further study appears warranted to better discern patterns of
      brain atrophy in MCI and Alzheimer disease and whether these could be early
      markers of clinically meaningful driving risk.

PMID- 24212247
TI  - Live single cell functional phenotyping in droplet nano-liter reactors.
AB  - While single cell heterogeneity is present in all biological systems, most
      studies cannot address it due to technical limitations. Here we describe a nano
      liter droplet microfluidic-based approach for stimulation and monitoring of
      surface and secreted markers of live single immune dendritic cells (DCs) as well
      as monitoring the live T cell/DC interaction. This nano-liter in vivo simulating
      microenvironment allows delivering various stimuli reagents to each cell and
      appropriate gas exchanges which are necessary to ensure functionality and
      viability of encapsulated cells. Labeling bioassay and microsphere sensors were
      integrated into nano-liter reaction volume of the droplet to monitor live single
      cell surface markers and secretion analysis in the time-dependent fashion. Thus
      live cell stimulation, secretion and surface monitoring can be obtained
      simultaneously in distinct microenvironment, which previously was possible using
      complicated and multi-step in vitro and in vivo live-cell microscopy, together
      with immunological studies of the outcome secretion of cellular function.

PMID- 24212249
TI  - beta-Sialon nanowires, nanobelts and hierarchical nanostructures: morphology
      control, growth mechanism and cathodoluminescence properties.
AB  - Morphology control of one dimension (1D) nanomaterials is a pivotal issue in the
      field of nanoscience research to exploit their novel properties. Herein, we
      report the morphology controlled synthesis of 1D beta-Sialon nanowires, nanobelts
      and hierarchical nanostructures via a thermal-chemical vapour deposition process
      using an appropriately selected catalyst and optimized temperature schedule.
      Vapour-solid (VS), a combination of vapour-liquid-solid (VLS)-based and VS-tip,
      and a combination of VS for one-generation nanowires with nucleation, growth and
      coalescence of two-generation nanobranches (NGCB) are used to explain the growth
      of beta-Sialon nanowires, nanobelts and hierarchical nanostructures,
      respectively. Cathodoluminescence measurements show that the individual beta
      Sialon 1D nanostructures with different morphologies have different luminescent
      properties. All nanostructures exhibit two distinct emission peaks, the
      violet/blue emission centered at ~390 nm (3.18 eV), attributable to the near band
      edge (NBE) emission, and the red emission centered at ~728 nm (1.70 eV), assigned
      to the deep level (DL) emission. However, the DL emission is the ruling emission
      in the case of an individual beta-Sialon nanowire, whereas the NBE emission
      becomes dominant in the case of an individual nanobelt as well as a hierarchical
      nanostructure due to the size and surface effects. The as-synthesized beta-Sialon
      with controlled nanostructures and various morphologies can find potential
      applications in future nanodevices with tailorable or tunable photoelectric
      properties.

PMID- 24212250
TI  - Efficient and tunable white-light emission of metal-organic frameworks by iridium
      complex encapsulation.
AB  - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are well known for their tunable structure and
      porosity. Many studies have shown they are promising for various important
      applications, for which their performance can be further enhanced by
      encapsulating functional species, such as luminescent guest molecules, within the
      frameworks. Although numerous MOFs are luminescent, very few emit white light and
      their quantum yield is usually low. Here we report a strategy to achieve
      efficient white-light emission by encapsulating an iridium complex in the MOF
      cavity. A mesoporous blue-emitting MOF is prepared as host to encapsulate a
      yellow-emitting iridium complex, [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)](+). The resultant composites
      emit bright white light with good colour quality (for example, Commission
      International de I'Eclairage coordinates, colour-rendering index and correlated
      colour temperature of (0.31, 0.33), 84.5 and 5409 K, respectively), and high
      quantum yield up to 115  degrees C. This strategy may open new perspectives for
      developing high-performance energy-saving solid-state lighting materials. 

PMID- 24212252
TI  - Bad medicine: gabapentin and pregabalin.

PMID- 24212248
TI  - Synaptic control of local translation: the plot thickens with new characters.
AB  - The production of proteins from mRNAs localized at the synapse ultimately
      controls the strength of synaptic transmission, thereby affecting behavior and
      cognitive functions. The regulated transcription, processing, and transport of
      mRNAs provide dynamic control of the dendritic transcriptome, which includes
      thousands of messengers encoding multiple cellular functions. Translation is
      locally modulated by synaptic activity through a complex network of RNA-binding
      proteins (RBPs) and various types of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including BC-RNAs,
      microRNAs, piwi-interacting RNAs, and small interference RNAs. The RBPs FMRP and
      CPEB play a well-established role in synaptic translation, and additional
      regulatory factors are emerging. The mRNA repressors Smaug, Nanos, and Pumilio
      define a novel pathway for local translational control that affects dendritic
      branching and spines in both flies and mammals. Recent findings support a role
      for processing bodies and related synaptic mRNA-silencing foci (SyAS-foci) in the
      modulation of synaptic plasticity and memory formation. The SyAS-foci respond to
      different stimuli with changes in their integrity thus enabling regulated mRNA
      release followed by translation. CPEB, Pumilio, TDP-43, and FUS/TLS form
      multimers through low-complexity regions related to prion domains or polyQ
      expansions. The oligomerization of these repressor RBPs is mechanistically linked
      to the aggregation of abnormal proteins commonly associated with
      neurodegeneration. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on how specificity in
      mRNA translation is achieved through the concerted action of multiple pathways
      that involve regulatory ncRNAs and RBPs, the modification of translation factors,
      and mRNA-silencing foci dynamics. 

PMID- 24212254
TI  - Immune cells and metabolic dysfunction.
AB  - Throughout evolution, effective nutrient sensing and control of systemic energy
      homeostasis have relied on a close physical and functional interaction between
      immune and metabolically active cells. However, in today's obesogenic
      environment, this fine-tuned immunometabolic interface is perturbed. As a
      consequence, chronic inflammatory conditions and aberrant activation of immune
      cells have emerged as key features of obesity-related metabolic disorders,
      including insulin resistance, cardiovascular complications, and type 2 diabetes,
      whereas a major research focus has been placed on the adipocyte-macrophage
      interaction in the context of metabolic dysfunction; recent studies have not only
      expanded the scope of relevant immune cells in this setting but also highlight
      the impact of distinct metabolic organs, including the liver, on immunometabolic
      control, metabolic disease development, and potential anti-inflammatory
      therapeutic options in obesity-driven pathologies. This review will thus
      summarize recent progress in this emerging area of metabolic research. 

PMID- 24212255
TI  - Effect of a robotic restraint gait training versus robotic conventional gait
      training on gait parameters in stroke patients.
AB  - Kinematic and kinetic gait parameters have never been assessed following robotic
      assisted gait training in hemiparetic patients. Previous studies suggest that
      restraint of the non-paretic lower limb during gait training could be a useful
      rehabilitation approach for hemiparetic patients. The aim of this study is to
      compare a new Lokomat((r)) asymmetrical restraint paradigm (with a negative
      kinematic constraint on the non-paretic limb and a positive kinematic constraint
      on the paretic limb) with a conventional symmetrical Lokomat((r)) training in
      hemiparetic subjects. We hypothesized that hip and knee kinematics on paretic
      side would be more improved after the asymmetrical Lokomat((r)) training than
      after the conventional training. In a prospective observational controlled study,
      26 hemiparetic subjects were randomized to one of the two groups Lokomat((r))
      experimental gait training (LE) or Lokomat((r)) conventional gait training (LC).
      They were assessed using 3D gait analysis before, immediately after the 20 min of
      gait training and following a 20-min rest period. There was a greater increase in
      peak knee flexion on the paretic side following LE than LC (p = 0.04), and each
      type of training induced different changes in vertical GRF during single-support
      phase on the paretic side. Several other spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic
      gait parameters were similarly improved after both types of training.
      Lokomat((r)) restrained gait training with a negative kinematic constraint on the
      non-paretic limb and a positive kinematic constraint on the paretic limb appears
      to be an effective approach to specifically improve knee flexion in the paretic
      lower limb in hemiparetic patients. This study also highlights spatiotemporal,
      kinematic and kinetic improvements after Lokomat((r)) training, in hemiparetic
      subjects, rarely investigated before.

PMID- 24212256
TI  - Age-related differences in postural control: effects of the complexity of visual
      manipulation and sensorimotor contribution to postural performance.
AB  - Patterns of adaptive changes to the exposure to a sinusoidal visual stimulus can
      be influenced by stimulus characteristics as well as the integrity of the sensory
      and motor systems involved in the task. Sensorimotor deficits due to aging might
      alter postural responses to visual manipulation, especially in more demanding
      tasks. The purpose of this study was to compare postural control between young
      and older adults at different levels of complexity and to examine whether
      possible sensory and/or motor changes account for postural performance
      differences in older adults. Older and young adults were submitted to the
      following tests: postural control assessments, i.e., body sway during upright
      stance and induced by movement of a visual scene (moving room paradigm); sensory
      assessments, i.e., visual (acuity and contrast sensitivity) and somatosensory
      (tactile foot sensitivity and detection of passive ankle motion); and motor
      assessments, i.e., isometric ankle torque and muscular activity latency after
      stance perturbation. Older adults had worse sensory and motor performance, larger
      body sway amplitude during stance and stronger coupling between body sway and
      moving room motion than younger adults. Multiple linear regression analyses
      indicated that the threshold for the detection of passive ankle motion
      contributed the most to variances in body sway and this contribution was more
      striking when visual information was manipulated in a more unpredictable way. The
      present study suggests that less accurate information about body position is more
      detrimental to controlling body position, mainly for older adults in more
      demanding tasks. 

PMID- 24212253
TI  - Immunological aspects of atherosclerosis.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is a complex chronic inflammatory and metabolic disease that
      involves the collaboration of several cellular components of the immune system
      and results in thickening of the arterial wall. Atherosclerosis is also the
      primary cause of coronary artery and cerebrovascular diseases. A multitude of
      immune cell subsets, soluble molecules such as chemokines and cytokines, and
      circulating lipids play pivotal roles in atherosclerosis development. In this
      review, we highlight the role of the immune system in the course of
      atherosclerotic disease development and discuss the mechanisms involved. 

PMID- 24212257
TI  - Force control improvements in chronic stroke: bimanual coordination and motor
      synergy evidence after coupled bimanual movement training.
AB  - Bimanual movement disorders are common dysfunctions post stroke. This stroke
      study investigated bimanual force control capabilities to determine the effect of
      coupled bimanual movement training on bimanual coordination and motor synergy.
      Stroke participants (N = 11) completed three bimanual force control tasks at 5,
      25, and 50 % of maximum voluntary contraction before and after coupled bimanual
      movement training. Root mean square error (RMSE), approximate entropy,
      correlation, and bimanual motor synergy were analyzed in two-way completely
      within-subjects ANOVAs (Test Session * Force Level: 2 * 3). Multiple linear
      regression analysis determined the relationship between RMSE and other force
      control measures. The analyses revealed three important findings: (1) RMSE
      decreased from baseline to posttest (2) negative correlation (e.g., error
      compensation) and bimanual motor synergy increased at 25 and 50 % after
      rehabilitation, and (3) increased bimanual motor synergy was strongly associated
      with decreased RMSE after training. The findings indicate that coupled bimanual
      movement training improved force control performance, bimanual coordination, and
      motor synergies. Indeed, the present findings extend bimanual motor synergies as
      a meaningful indicator for estimating task performance improvements. Finally,
      bimanual force control is a valid outcome measure in quantifying progress toward
      motor recovery post stroke.

PMID- 24212258
TI  - Narrowing the gap: effects of intervention on developmental trajectories in
      autism.
AB  - Although still a matter of some debate, there is a growing body of research
      supporting Early and Intensive Behavioral Intervention as the intervention of
      choice for children with autism. Learning rate is an alternative to change in
      standard scores as an outcome measure in studies of early intervention. Learning
      rates can be displayed graphically as developmental trajectories, which are easy
      to understand and avoid some of the counter-intuitive properties of changes in
      standard scores. The data used in this analysis were from 453 children with
      autism, previously described by Eldevik et al. Children receiving Early and
      Intensive Behavioral Intervention exhibited significantly steeper developmental
      trajectories than children in the control group, in both intelligence and
      adaptive behaviors. However, there was a considerable variability in individual
      learning rates within the group receiving Early and Intensive Behavioral
      Intervention. This variability could partly be explained by the intensity of the
      treatment, partly by children's intake intelligence quotient age-equivalents. Age
      at intake did not co-vary with learning rate. 

PMID- 24212259
TI  - Health-related quality of life in children with high-functioning autism.
AB  - The health-related quality of life of school-aged children with high-functioning
      autism is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to compare the
      health-related quality of life of children with high-functioning autism to that
      of typically developing peers and to compare child-self and parent-proxy reports
      of health-related quality of life of children. A cross-sectional study of
      children with high-functioning autism (n = 30) and peers (n = 31) was conducted
      using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales. Children
      with high-functioning autism had significantly poorer health-related quality of
      life than peers whether reported by themselves (p < .001) or their parents (p <
      .001), although disagreement (intra-class coefficient = -.075) between children
      and parental scores suggested variance in points of view. This study specifically
      investigated health-related quality of life in children with high-functioning
      autism as compared to a sample of peers, from the child's perspective. It
      strengthens earlier findings that children with high-functioning autism
      experience poorer health-related quality of life than those without this disorder
      and points to the importance of clinicians working with families to identify
      areas in a child's life that promote or hinder their sense of well-being. 

PMID- 24212260
TI  - Low serum eicosapentaenoic acid level is a risk for ventricular arrhythmia in
      patients with acute myocardial infarction: a possible link to J-waves.
AB  - Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has antiarrhythmic effects. The J-wave on an
      electrocardiogram is associated with a high incidence of ventricular
      tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF). We evaluated relationships between EPA and J
      waves, and their involvement in the occurrence of VT/VF in acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI). Two hundred consecutive patients undergoing successful
      percutaneous coronary intervention within 12 h after AMI onset were enrolled.
      Serum EPA level and J-waves at admission were evaluated. The patients were
      divided into two groups according to the optimal cutoff value (2.94) of serum EPA
      level (% of total fatty acids): LOW (<2.94, 61 +/- 11 years, n = 103) and HIGH
      groups (>=2.94, 70 +/- 13 years, n = 81). J-waves were observed more frequently
      in the LOW (36/103, 35 %) than in HIGH group (16/81, 20 %) (P = 0.020). The 30
      day incidence of VT/VF including those occurring before admission was higher in
      the LOW (19.5 %) than in HIGH group (6.2 %) (P = 0.009). The patients with J
      waves showed a higher incidence of VT/VF (23.1 %) than those without J-waves (9.9
      %) (P = 0.019). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the highest incidence of VT/VF
      was observed in the LOW with J-wave group (27.8 %), followed by the LOW without J
      wave (15.0 %), HIGH with J-wave (12.5 %), and HIGH without J-wave (4.6 %) (P =
      0.013). Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that Killip grade and low serum
      EPA level or presence of J-waves were significantly associated with the incidence
      of VT/VF. Low serum EPA level is a risk for incidence of VT/VF in the acute phase
      of myocardial infarction. Involvement of the J-wave and its possible link with
      EPA in the pathogenesis of ischemia-induced VT/VF are suggested. 

PMID- 24212261
TI  - Cognitive impairment in gynecologic cancers: a systematic review of current
      approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
AB  - PURPOSE: To review the etiology and assessment of chemotherapy-related cognitive
      impairment (CRCI). To explore current treatment and prevention strategies for
      CRCI and propose future research goals in the field of gynecologic oncology.
      METHODS: Computerized searches in PubMed of cognitive impairment in cancer
      between 2000 and 2012 were conducted. The inclusion criteria were randomized
      control trials evaluating treatment of CRCI and search terms 'cognitive function,
      cognitive impairment, cognitive decline, chemobrain, chemofog, and cancer'.
      RESULTS: To date, numerous modalities have been utilized for assessing CRCI in
      patients undergoing therapy. It has been proposed to move towards web-based
      assessment modalities as a possible standard. Few studies have aimed to elucidate
      possible treatment and prevention options for CRCI; even less in the field of
      gynecologic oncology. Only seven of these studies were subjected to randomized
      control trials. Only one of these studies looked at treatment in patients with
      gynecologic cancers. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of CRCI is multi-factorial.
      Following from this, there is no consensus on the best way to assess CRCI
      although objective measures are more reliable. One must extrapolate data from the
      non-gynecologic cancer literature, even venturing to non-cancer literature, to
      explore the treatment and prevention of CRCI. The methods found in these areas of
      research have not yet been applied to CRCI in gynecologic oncology.

PMID- 24212262
TI  - Increased plasma sphingosine-1-phosphate in obese individuals and its capacity to
      increase the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in adipocytes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are
      increased in obese individuals. One source of PAI-1 is adipocytes. Hypoxia
      develops within adipose tissue as it expands, presumably contributing to
      increased levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). S1P is a breakdown product of
      sphingosine, ubiquitous in cell membranes. We have shown previously that S1P
      increases the expression of PAI-1 in human liver-derived cell line. In the
      present study, we aimed to determine whether hypoxia induces S1P in adipocytes,
      thereby potentially contributing to an increase in PAI-1 and hence constraints on
      fibrinolysis associated with obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse 3T3-L1
      adipocytes were exposed to CoCl2 to simulate hypoxia. Assays were performed for
      PAI-1 mRNA (quantitative PCR) and S1P (high-performance liquid chromatography).
      RESULTS: The physiologic concentration of S1P increased PAI-1 mRNA expression.
      The S1P2 receptor antagonist attenuated the increase in PAI-1. Adipocytes
      expressed sphingosine kinase 1/2 (SPHK1/2) and S1P lyase, key enzymes involved in
      S1P production and degradation. Hypoxia increased SPHK activity and decreased S1P
      lyase mRNA. Hypoxia reduced cytosolic sphingosine and increased S1P release into
      conditioned medium. Inhibitors of ABCA1 and ABCC1 reduced the release of S1P into
      conditioned media. In obese patients with uncomplicated dyslipidemia and
      hypertension, plasma S1P was increased compared with that in nonobese and lean
      individuals. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia in adipose tissue of obesity can promote
      elaboration of S1P that binds to S1P2 receptors in an autocrine or a paracrine
      manner. S1P potentially contributes toward increased expression of PAI-1 and
      consequent constraints on fibrinolysis. S1P production and extracellular
      transport provide an attractive target for therapy to attenuate impaired
      fibrinolysis associated with obesity.

PMID- 24212263
TI  - Autophagy of monocytes attenuates the vulnerability of coronary atherosclerotic
      plaques.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether autophagy of monocytes
      attenuates the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: The study group
      comprised 50 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP), 50 patients with
      unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction
      (AMI), and 30 patients without coronary artery disease (control). Peripheral
      blood monocytes (PBMs) were isolated and the expression levels of the proteins
      beclin-1 and light chain 3 (LC3) (autophagy-specific proteins) in the PBMs were
      analyzed by western blot. A laser scanning confocal microscope was used to
      determine the levels of LC3 in the PBMs. RESULTS: Western blot analysis revealed
      that the expression of beclin-1 and LC3 was significantly lower in acute coronary
      syndrome patients than in the SAP and control groups (P<0.05). Among the acute
      coronary syndrome patients, the expression level of beclin-1 and LC3 in the AMI
      group was significantly decreased compared with that in the UAP group (P<0.05).
      However, there was no statistical difference between the SAP group and the
      control group. The results of immunofluorescence assays showed that the
      fluorescence intensity of LC3 in the PBMs of AMI patients was significantly lower
      than that in those of UAP patients (P<0.05), which was also significantly
      decreased compared with that in those of SAP patients and the control group
      (P<0.05). Expression levels of beclin 1 in the UAP and AMI groups had a negative
      linear correlation with C-reactive protein levels (r=-0.531, P<0.05; r=-0.589,
      P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Autophagy of PBMs is involved in the
      pathogenesis of plaque vulnerability and subsequent plaque rupture. Enhancing the
      autophagy of PBMs may be a new therapeutic target for stabilizing atherosclerotic
      plaques.

PMID- 24212265
TI  - Probing the metallating ability of a polybasic sodium alkylmagnesiate supported
      by a bulky bis(amido) ligand: deprotomagnesiation reactions of nitrogen-based
      aromatic substrates.
AB  - Exploring the reactivity of sodium butylmagnesiate reagent
      [{Na(THF)6}(+){(Ph2Si(NAr*)2)Mg(Bu)(THF)}(-)] (1) supported by the bulky
      chelating silyl(bisamido) ligand {Ph2Si(NAr*)2}(2-) (Ar* = 2,6-iPr2-C6H3) towards
      N-methylbenzimidazole (bIm(Me)), pyrrole and 2,6-diisopropylaniline (NH2Ar*),
      this study provides new insights into the ability of this bimetallic base to
      facilitate direct Mg-H exchange reactions as well as to exhibit polybasicity.
      Thus 1 effectively promotes the deprotomagnesiation of bIm(Me) under mild
      reaction conditions to give the alpha-metallated intermediate
      [{Na(THF)5}2(+){(Ph2Si(NAr*)2)Mg(bIm(Me)*)}2(-)] (2) (bIm(Me)* = 2-N
      methylbenzimidazolyl). Analysis of crystallographic and NMR data of 2 combined
      with DFT calculations show that the metallated C in the bIm(Me)* ligands
      possesses a significant carbenic character. Contrasting with previous studies of
      benzothiazole (btz), 1 does not react with an excess of bIm(Me) even under
      forcing refluxing conditions. Contrastingly, the amination reactions of equimolar
      amounts of 1 with pyrrole and 2,6-diisopropylaniline allowed the isolation of
      [{(Ph2Si(NAr*)(NHAr*))Mg(NC4H4)2(THF)Na(THF)2}] (3) and
      [{Na(THF)6}(+){(Ph2Si(NAr*)(NHAr*))Mg(NHAr*)2(THF)}(-)] (4) respectively as
      crystalline solids. Highlighting the ability of 1 to act as a polybasic reagent,
      3 and 4 are formed as the result of the deprotonation of two molecules of the
      relevant amine via its butyl group and one amido arm of the silyl(bisamido)
      ligand. Similarly, the reactions of 1 with 3 molar equivalents of the relevant
      amine yielded homoleptic tris(amido) compounds [(THF)2NaMg(NC4H4)3] (5) and
      [{Na(THF)6}(+){Mg(NHAr*)3}(-)] (7), with the concomitant formation of bis(amine)
      Ph2Si(NHAr)2, as a result of the complete amination of 1 using its three basic
      sites. The structures in the solid state of 3 and 4 were elucidated by X-ray
      crystallography. Despite their similar constitution, these heteroleptic
      tris(amido)magnesiates adopt contrasting structures, with the former displaying a
      contacted ion-pair structure, where Na and Mg are connected by two bridging
      pyrrolyl anions, whereas the latter gives rise to a solvent-separated ion pair
      motif. To the best of our knowledge 3 represents the first crystallographically
      characterized magnesium compound containing an anionic non-substituted form of
      pyrrole. Noticeably, Mg interacts exclusively with the N atoms of the pyrrolyl
      ligands, forming strong sigma-bonds, whereas Na prefers to engage with the pi
      systems of both NC4-rings.

PMID- 24212264
TI  - Newly diagnosed and previously known diabetes mellitus and short-term outcomes in
      patients with acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the long-term
      outcomes of patients after myocardial infarction has been well established. The
      correlation between DM, including newly diagnosed DM, and short-term outcomes
      needs to be validated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 5410 ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with typical chest pain onset in the past
      12 h were enrolled. Follow-ups were carried out on days 7 and 30 after hospital
      admission. According to 2013 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, the study
      population was stratified into the following three groups: no diabetes, newly
      diagnosed diabetes, and previously known diabetes. The primary outcomes of our
      study were mortality from all causes and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at
      days 7 and 30. RESULTS: Patients with previously known diabetes were older and
      had a higher incidence of previous history of cardiovascular disease compared
      with the other groups. The 7-day and 30-day mortality was similar between
      patients without DM and patients with newly diagnosed DM. For both groups, this
      was significantly lower than that in patients with DM. Similar results were
      observed for 7-day and 30-day MACE. Multivariable Cox regression analysis
      indicated that newly diagnosed diabetes did not correlate with 30-day MACE
      (hazard ratio, 0.901; 95% confidence interval, 0.759-1.069), but that previously
      known DM correlated with short-term MACE (hazard ratio, 1.211; 95% confidence
      interval, 1.009-1.453). CONCLUSION: Previously known DM, but not newly diagnosed
      DM, was an independent predictor for short-term MACE in patients with STEMI. To
      reduce the incidence of short-term MACE and the detrimental effects of stress
      hyperglycemia after STEMI, intensive insulin therapy should be provided to
      diabetic patients with STEMI.

PMID- 24212266
TI  - The induction of phenylpropanoid biosynthetic enzymes by ultraviolet light or
      fungal elicitor in cultured parsley cells is overriden by a heat-shock treatment.
AB  - The normal (25 degrees  C) response of parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill.) cell
      suspension cultures to ultraviolet (UV) light was suppressed by a simultaneous 37
      degrees  C heat-shock treatment, as indicated by the loss of the inducibility of
      two enzymes of flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5)
      and chalcone synthase. The effects on enzyme activity and on enzyme synthesis in
      vitro and in vivo were similar, indicating that regulatory control is at an early
      step of gene expression, presumably transcription. When heat shock was given
      during the course of an ongoing UV induction, both enzyme synthesis and enzyme
      activities ceased rapidly. Likewise, the induction of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase
      by an elicitor from Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea was terminated upon
      transfer from 25 degrees  C to 37 degrees  C. Based on these and previously
      published data, it is concluded that stress responses in this system are
      preferentially expressed in the order of heat shock, fungal elicitor and UV
      light. 

PMID- 24212267
TI  - Charge and acidity compensation during proton-sugar symport in Chlorella: The
      H(+)-ATPase does not fully compensate for the sugar-coupled proton influx.
AB  - This study was undertaken in order to demonstrate the extent to which the
      activity of the plasmalemma H(+)-ATPase compensates for the charge and acidity
      flow caused by the sugar-proton symport in cells of chlorella vulgaris Beij..
      Detailed analysis of H(+) and K(+) fluxes from and into the medium together with
      measurements of respiration, cytoplasmic pH, and cellular ATP-levels indicate
      three consecutive phases after the onset of H(+) symport. Phase 1 occurred
      immediately after addition of sugar, with an uptake of H(+) by the hexoseproton
      symport and charge compensation by K(+) loss from the cells and, to a smaller
      degree, by loss of another ion, probably a divalent cation. This phase coincided
      with strong membrane depolarization. Phase 2 started approximately 5 s after
      addition of sugar, when the acceleration of the H(+)-ATPase caused a slow-down of
      the K(+) efflux, a decrease in the cellular ATP level and an increase in
      respiration. The increased respiration was most probably responsible for a
      pronounced net acidification of the medium. This phase was inhibited in deuterium
      oxide. In phase 3, finally, a slow rate of net H(+) uptake and K(+) loss was
      established for several further minutes, together with a slight depolarization of
      the membrane. There was hardly any pH change in the cytoplasm, because the
      cytoplasmic buffering capacity was high enough to stabilize the pH for several
      minutes despite the net H(+) fluxes. The quantitative participation of the
      several phases of H(+) and K(+) flow depended on the pH of the medium, the
      ambient Ca(2+) concentration, and the metabolic fate of the transported sugar.
      The results indicate that the activity of the H(+)-ATPase never fully compensated
      for H(+) uptake by the sugar-symport system, because at least 10% of symport
      caused charge inflow was compensated for by K(+) efflux. The restoration of pH in
      the cytoplasm and in the medium was probably achieved by metabolic reactions
      connected to increased glycolysis and respiration. 

PMID- 24212268
TI  - Ultrastructural localization of photosynthetic activity in thylakoids during
      chloroplast development in maize.
AB  - The localization of photosynthetic activity in developing maize (Zea mays L.)
      chloroplasts was studied in situ by two electron-microscopic-cytochemical
      methods. The activity of photosystem I was detected by photooxidation of 3,3'
      diaminobenzidine (DAB) and the activity of the photosystem II by photoreduction
      of thiocarbamyl nitrotetrazolium blue (TCNBT). During the transformation of
      proplastids into chloroplasts, at the base of the leaf blade the DAB reaction
      appeared before the TCNBT reaction. A positive DAB reaction was observed in the
      single thylakoids of plastids in cells located only about 0.5 mm above the base.
      Dark, osmiophilic DAB polymers accumulated in the lumina of the thylakoids.
      Plastid envelopes and tubules of the prolamellar bodies in immature chloroplasts
      were DAB-negative. In fully differentiated leaf tissue the DAB reaction was
      intense in the thylakoids of bundle-sheath chloroplasts, as well as in the stroma
      thylakoids and the peripheral grana thylakoids of mesophyll chloroplats. The
      photoreduction of TCNBT started in leaf tissue about 1 mm above the base. Dark
      granular material of reduced TCNBT appeared mostly in the partitions of grana,
      i.e. interthylakoidally, but some granules were also attached to the stroma
      thylakoids. The membranes of plastid envelopes and the tubules of prolamellar
      bodies showed a negative TCNBT reaction. Young bundle-sheath chloroplasts
      contained some reduced TCNBT in their grana; these deposits largely disappeared
      in the course of further differentiation. In mature leaf tissue the
      photoreduction of TCNBT was conspicuous in the grana of mesophyll chloroplasts,
      but very weak in the single thylakoids and in the granal rudiments of bundle
      sheath chloroplasts. 

PMID- 24212269
TI  - The cell wall-plasmalemma interface in sieve tubes of barley.
AB  - Both thick- and thin-walled sieve tubes in leaf-blade veins of Hordeum vulgare L.
      exhibit a distinct, electron-opaque inner wall layer after fixation in
      glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide and staining with uranyl acetate and lead
      citrate. This inner wall layer is thickest at the sieve plates and lateral sieve
      areas where it is permeated by a labyrinth of tubules formed by the plasmalemma.
      Along the lateral walls between sieve areas the inner wall layer apparently is
      penetrated by numerous microvilli-like evaginations of the plasmalemma, giving
      the cell wall-plasmalemma interface the appearance of a brush border. It is
      suggested that a similar brush-border-like structure may occur at the cell wall
      plasmalemma interface of sieve elements in a wide variety of vascular plants. 

PMID- 24212270
TI  - Cell water potential, osmotic potential, and turgor in the epidermis and
      mesophyll of transpiring leaves : Combined measurements with the cell pressure
      probe and nanoliter osmometer.
AB  - Water potential, osmotic potential and turgor measurements obtained by using a
      cell pressure probe together with a nanoliter osmometer were compared with
      measurements obtained with an isopiestic psychrometer. Both types of measurements
      were conducted in the mature region of Tradescantia virginiana L. leaves under
      non-transpiring conditions in the dark, and gave similar values of all
      potentials. This finding indicates that the pressure probe and the osmometer
      provide accurate measurements of turgor, osmotic potentials and water potentials.
      Because the pressure probe does not require long equilibration times and can
      measure turgor of single cells in intact plants, the pressure probe together with
      the osmometer was used to determine in-situ cell water potentials, osmotic
      potentials and turgor of epidermal and mesophyll cells of transpiring leaves as
      functions of stomatal aperture and xylem water potential. When the xylem water
      potential was-0.1 MPa, the stomatal aperture was at its maximum, but turgor of
      both epidermal and mesophyll cells was relatively low. As the xylem water
      potential decreased, the stomatal aperture became gradually smaller, whereas
      turgor of both epidermal and mesophyll cells first increased and afterward
      decreased. Water potentials of the mesophyll cells were always lower than those
      of the epidermal cells. These findings indicate that evaporation of water is
      mainly occurring from mesophyll cells and that peristomatal transpiration could
      be less important than it has been proposed previously, although peristomatal
      transpiration may be directly related to regulation of turgor in the guard cells.

PMID- 24212271
TI  - Actin cytoskeleton in intact and wounded coenocytic green algae.
AB  - The subcellular distribution of actin was investigated in two related species of
      coenocytic green algae, with immunofluorescence microscopy. Either no, or fine
      punctate fluorescence was detected in intact cells of Ernodesmis verticillata
      (Kutzing) Borgesen and Boergesenia forbesii (Harvey) Feldmann. A reticulate
      pattern of fluorescence appears throughout the cortical cytoplasm of Ernodesmis
      cells shortly after wounding; this silhouettes chloroplasts and small vacuoles.
      Slender, longitudinal bundles of actin become evident in contracting regions of
      the cell, superimposed over the reticulum. Thicker portions of the bundles were
      observed in well-contracted regions, and the highly-convoluted appearance of
      nearby cortical microtubules indicates contraction of the bundles in these
      thicker areas. Bundles are no longer evident after healing; only the reticulum
      remains. In Boergesenia, a wider-mesh reticulum of actin develops in the cortex
      of wounded cells, which widens further as contractions continue. Cells wounded in
      Ca(2+)-free medium do not contract, and although the actin reticulum is apparent,
      no actin bundles were ever observed in these cells. Exogenously applied
      cytochalasins have no effect on contractions of cut cells or extruded cytoplasm,
      and normal actin-bundle formation occurs in treated cells. In contrast, erythro-9
      [3-(2-hydroxynonyl)]adenine (EHNA) completely inhibits longitudinal contractions
      in wounded cells, and few uniformly slender actin bundles develop in inhibited
      cells. These results indicate that wounding stimulates a Ca(2+)-dependent,
      hierarchical assembly of actin into bundles, whose assembly and functioning are
      inhibited by EHNA. Contraction of the bundles and concomitant wound healing are
      followed by cessation of motility and disassembly of the bundles. The spatial and
      temporal association of the bundles with regions of cytoplasmic contraction,
      indicates that the actin bundles are directly involved in wound-induced
      cytoplasmic motility in these algae. 

PMID- 24212272
TI  - Rapid induction of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase mRNAs during
      fungus infection of soybean (Glycine max L.) roots or elicitor treatment of
      soybean cell cultures at the onset of phytoalexin synthesis.
AB  - The differential regulation of the activities and amounts of mRNAs for two
      enzymes involved in isoflavonoid phytoalexin biosynthesis in soybean was studied
      during the early stages after inoculation of primary roots with zoospores from
      either race 1 (incompatible, host resistant) or race 3 (compatible, host
      susceptible) of Phytophthora megasperma f.sp. glycinea, the causal fungus of root
      rot disease. In the incompatible interaction, cloned cDNAs were used to
      demonstrate that the amounts of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase
      mRNAs increased rapidly at the time of penetration of fungal germ tubes into
      epidermal cell layers (1-2 h after inoculation) concomitant with the onset of
      phytoalxxin accumulation; highest levels were reached after about 7 h. In the
      compatible interaction, only a slight early enhancement of mRNA levels was found
      and no further increase occurred until about 9 h after inoculation. The time
      course for changes in the activity of chalcone synthase mRNA also showed major
      differences between the incompatible and compatible interaction. The observed
      kinetics for the stimulation of mRNA expression related to phytoalexin synthesis
      in soybean roots lends further support to the hypothesis that phytoalexin
      production is an early defense response in the incompatible plant-fungus
      interaction. The kinetics for the enhancement of mRNA expression after treatment
      of soybean cell suspension cultures with a glucan elicitor derived from P.
      megasperma cell walls was similar to that measured during the early stages of the
      resistant response of soybean roots. 

PMID- 24212273
TI  - A kinematic analysis of tepal growth in Lilium longiflorum.
AB  - Time-lapse marking experiments indicate that the growth of tepals in Lilium
      longiforum Thunb. from 3.7 mm to maturity is triphasic. Phase I (tepal lengths
      3.7-10 mm) is characterized by spatial and temporal variation in growth rate and,
      in the epidermis, a random distribution of mitoses with an acropetal increase in
      cell area. During phase II (10-90 mm) cell elongation and (later) cell division
      is restricted largely to basal regions. Cell division ceases when tepals are less
      than one-third of their mature length of 155 mm. Phase III (90-155 mm) is
      characterized by the gradual transition from basal to apical growth, and a
      modification of epidermal cell shape. A sharp peak in growth at the extreme tip
      of the tepal coincides with anthesis. 

PMID- 24212274
TI  - Effect of nitrate, ammonium, light and a plastidic factor on the appearance of
      multiple forms of nitrate reductase in mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons.
AB  - In mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons, four different forms of nitrate
      reductase (NR) can be separated by anion-exchange chromatography. Two of these
      forms (NR1 and NR2) appear in the presence of NO 3 (-) while the other two (NR3
      and NR4) appear as a response to the application of NH 4 (+) as the sole nitrogen
      source. In the presence of NH4NO3, NR3 appears to be superimposed on nitrate
      induced NR1 and NR2 while the NH 4 (+) -induced appearance of NR4 is totally
      abolished in the presence of equimolar amounts of NO 3 (-) . The appearance of
      NR1, NR2 and NR3 is strongly stimulated by red light pulses which operate via the
      far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pfr), whereas the appearance of NR4
      requires continuous light (likewise operating through pytochrome). Continuous red
      light is more effective in this case than continuous far-red light. Analysis of
      the data shows that the mode of action of phytochrome (Pfr) is the same in the
      case of the appearances of NR1 and NR2, whereas it is quantitatively different in
      the case of NR3 and totally different in that of NR4. A 'plastidic factor' has
      previously been postulated to be obligatorily involved in the transcriptional
      control of nuclear genes encoding for proteins destined for the chloroplast.
      Photooxidative damage of the plastid is postulated to destroy the ability of the
      organelle to produce this signal. If the plastids are damaged by photooxidation,
      the action of nitrate and phytochrome on the appearance of NR is abolished. The
      plant cell regulates the appearance of nitrate-induced NR, which is cytosolic, as
      if it were a plastidic protein. The appearance of NR3 depends on the plastidic
      factor in principally the same way as that of NR1 and NR2 whereas NR4 is totally
      independent of the plastidic factor. The data document particular kinds of
      interaction between controlling factors (light, nitrate, ammonium, plastidic
      factor) which affect gene expression in plants. These intricacies of regulation
      have so far not been considered in molecular studies on NR-gene expression. 

PMID- 24212275
TI  - Effect of dehydration and high light on photosynthesis of two C3 plants
      (Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Elatostema repens (Lour.) Hall f.).
AB  - The effect of drought on the photosynthetic functioning of two C3 plants,
      Phaseolus vulgaris and Elatostema repens, has been examined. Leaf net CO2 uptake
      measured in normal air was negligible at a leaf water deficit of about 30% while
      the calculated leaf intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) was unchanged. However,
      both the maximal photosynthetic capacity (CO2-dependent O2 evolution) and
      apparent quantum yield, measured in the presence of saturating CO2 levels (5 to
      14%), only started to decrease within the range of 25 to 30% leaf water deficit.
      This shows that the drought-induced inhibition seen in normal air is not caused
      by an inhibition of the photosynthetic mechanism, and that in this case Ci values
      can be misleading. Both 77 K and room-temperature fluorescence measurements
      indicate that the functioning of the photosystem-II reaction centre is hardly
      modified by water shortage. Furthermore, an analysis of photochemical chlorophyll
      fluorescence quenching shows, in the absence of CO2, that O2 can be an efficient
      acceptor of photosynthetic energy, even in severly dehydrated plants which do not
      show net CO2 uptake in normal air. In these plants, O2 is probably reduced mainly
      via Mehler-type reactions. High-light treatment given at low O2 increases
      photoinhibition as measured by the decrease of apparent quantum yield in
      dehydrated P. vulgaris, whereas, interestingly, 1% O2 protects dehydrated E.
      repens against high-light damage. The two plants could have different protective
      mechanisms depending upon the O2 level or different photoinhibitory sites or
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 24212276
TI  - Light and the maintenance of photosynthetic competence in leaves of Populus
      balsamifera L. during short-term exposures to high concentrations of sulfur
      dioxide.
AB  - Leaves of Populus balsamifera grown under full natural sunlight were treated with
      0, 1, or 2 MUl SO2.1(-1) air under one of four different photon flux densities
      (PFD). When the SO2 exposures took place in darkness or at 300 MUmol photons.m(
      2).s(-1), sulfate accumulated to the levels predicted by measurements of stomatal
      conductance during SO2 exposure. Under conditions of higher PFD (750 and 1550
      MUmol.m(-2).s(-1)), however, the predicted levels of accumulated sulfate were
      substantially higher than those obtained from anion chromatography of the leaf
      extracts. Light-and CO2-saturated capacity as well as the photon yield of
      photosynthetic O2 evolution were reduced with increasing concentration of SO2. At
      2 MUl SO2.1(-1) air, the greatest reductions in both photosynthetic, capacity and
      photon yield occurred when the leaves were exposed to SO2 in the dark, and
      increasingly smaller reductions in each occurred with increasing PFD during SO2
      exposure. This indicates that the inhibition of photosynthesis resulting from SO2
      exposure was reduced when the exposure occurred under conditions of higher light.
      The ratio F v/F M (variable/maximum fluorescence emission) for photosyntem II
      (PSII), a measure of the photochemical efficiency of PSII, remained unaffected by
      exposure of leaves to SO2 in the dark and exhibited only moderate reductions with
      increasing PFD during the exposure, indicating that PSII was not a primary site
      of damage by SO2. Pretreatment of leaves with SO2 in the dark, however, increased
      the susceptibility of PSII to photoinhibition, as such pretreated leaves
      exhibited much greater reductions inF V/F M when transferred to moderate or high
      light in air than comparable control leaves. 

PMID- 24212277
TI  - Sites of synthesis, translocation and accumulation of pyrrolizidine alkaloid N
      oxides in Senecio vulgaris L.
AB  - (14)C-Labelled alkaloid precursors (arginine, putrescine, spermidine) fed to
      Senecio vulgaris plants via the root system were rapidly taken up and efficiently
      incorporated into the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine N-oxide (sen-Nox) with
      total incorporations of 3-6%. Considerable amounts of labelled sen-Nox were
      translocated into the shoot and were directed mainly into the inflorescences, the
      major sites of pyrrolizidine-alkaloid accumulation. Detached shoots of S.
      vulgaris were unable to synthesize pyrrolizidine alkaloids, indicating that the
      roots are the site of their biosynthesis. Further evidence was obtained from
      studies with in-vitro systems established from S. vulgaris: root cultures were
      found to synthesize pyrrolizidine alkaloids but not cell-suspension cultures,
      tumor cultures or shoot-like teratomas obtained by transformation with
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Studies on transport of [(14)C]sen-Nox, which was fed
      either to detached shoots or to the root system of intact plants, indicate that
      the alkaloid N-oxide does not simply follow the transpiration stream but is
      specifically channelled to the target tissues such as epidermal stem tissue and
      flower heads. Exogenously applied [(14)C]senecionine is rapidly N-oxidized. If
      the phloem path along the stem is blocked by a "steam girdle" translocation of
      labelled sen-Nox is blocked as well. Root-derived sen-Nox accumulated below the
      girdle and only trace amounts were found in the tissues above. It is most likely
      that the root-to-shoot transport of sen-Nox occurs mainly if not exclusively via
      the phloem. In accordance with previous studies the polar, salt-like N-oxides,
      which are often considered to be artifacts, were found to be the real products of
      pyrrolizidine-alkaloid biosynthesis as well as the physiological forms for long
      distance transport, tissue-specific distribution and cellular accumulation. 

PMID- 24212278
TI  - Enzymes from seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Hydroxylation of gibberellins A20
      and A 1 and 2,3-dehydrogenation of gibberellin A 20.
AB  - A time-course study is described relating the enzyme activities for GA20
      metabolism with seed development in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Enzyme activity for the
      3beta-hydroxylation of GA20 to GA1, and for the 2,3-desaturation of GA20 to GA5,
      was confined to the cotyledons and showed maximal specific activity at 21 d after
      anthesis. These enzyme activities co-occurred, together with a much lower level
      of activity for the 2beta-hydroxylation of GA20 to GA29. The observed rates of
      GA1, GA5 and GA29 formation from GA20 were constant under a range of incubation
      conditions. Enzyme activity for the conversion of GA1 to GA8 was detected only in
      embryos of seed from 40 d after anthesis. By deuterium-labelling and analysis of
      the products by gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring it was shown that
      2beta-hydroxylation of GA1 to GA8 and 3beta-hydroxylation of GA20 to GA1 occur
      with retention of configuration and that the conversion of GA20 to GA5 occurs
      with loss of the 2beta- and 3beta-hydrogens. These results establish that GA1 is
      not formed from GA20 via GA5. 

PMID- 24212279
TI  - Regulation of sucrose-phosphate-synthase activity in spinach leaves by protein
      level and covalent modification.
AB  - A dot-blot technique was developed using monoclonal antibodies to measure,
      rapidly and accurately, the amount of sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS; EC
      2.4.1.14) protein present in a crude extract from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.
      cv. Dark Green Bloomsdale) leaves; this was compared with SPS activity in this
      material. During leaf development, increased SPS activity followed closely the
      increase in enzyme-protein level, indicating denovo synthesis or altered turn
      over rates for SPS. In contrast, activation of SPS by illumination of leaves or
      by mannose treatment of leaf discs in the dark (M. Stitt et al. Planta 174, 217
      230) occurred without a significant change in the level of enzyme protein. Since
      conditions which altered SPS activity did not affect immunoprecipitation or
      mobility of the 120-kilodalton (kDa) subunit of the enzyme during denaturing gel
      electrophoresis, some form of protein modification other than proteolysis must be
      involved. Overall, the results indicate that regulation of SPS activity can
      involve changes in the level of enzyme protein and-or covalent modification. 

PMID- 24212280
TI  - Characterization of long-term extension of isolated cell walls from growing
      cucumber hypocotyls.
AB  - Walls from frozen-thawed cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) hypocotyls extend for many
      hours when placed in tension under acidic conditions. This study examined whether
      such "creep" is a purely physical process dependent on wall viscoelasticity alone
      or whether enzymatic activities are needed to maintain wall extension. Chemical
      denaturants inhibited wall creep, some acting reversibly and others irreversibly.
      Brief (15 s) boiling in water irreversibly inhibited creep, as did pre-incubation
      with proteases. Creep exhibited a high Q10 (3.8) between 20 degrees  and 30
      degrees C, with slow inactivation at higher temperatures, whereas the viscous
      flow of pectin solutions exhibited a much lower Q10 (1.35). On the basis of its
      temperature sensitivity, involvement of pectic gel-sol transitions was judged to
      be of little importance in creep. Pre-incubation of walls in neutral pH
      irreversibly inactivated their ability to creep, with a half-time of about 40
      min. At 1 mM, Cu(2+), Hg(2+) and Al(3+) were strongly inhibitory whereas most
      other cations, including Ca(2+), had little effect. Sulfhydryl-reducing agents
      strongly stimulated creep, apparently by stabilizing wall enzyme(s). The physical
      effects of these treatments on polymer interactions were examined by Instron and
      stress-relaxation analyses. Some treatments, such as pH and Cu(2+), had
      significant effects on wall viscoelasticity, but others had little or no apparent
      effect, thus implicating an enzymatic creep mechanism. The results indicate that
      creep depends on relatively rugged enzymes that are firmly attached to or
      entangled in the wall. The sensitivity of creep to SH-reducing agents indicates
      that thiol reduction of wall enzymes might provide a control mechanism for
      endogenous cell growth. 

PMID- 24212282
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24212281
TI  - X-ray microanalysis of ion distribution within root cortical cells of the
      halophyte Suaeda maritima (L.) Dum.
AB  - The ion content of compartments within cortical cells of mature roots of the
      halophyte Suaeda maritima grown at 200 mol.m(-3) NaCl has been studied by X-ray
      microanalysis of freeze-substituted thin sections. Sodium and Cl were found in
      the vacuoles at about four-times the concentration in the cytoplasm or cell
      walls, whereas K was more concentrated in the cell walls and cytoplasm than in
      vacuoles. The vacuolar Na concentration was 12- to 13-times higher than that of
      K. The Na concentration of cell walls of cortical cells was about 95 mol.m(-3) of
      analysed volume. The cytoplasmic K concentration within the mature cortical cells
      was estimated to be 55 mol.m(-3) of analysed volume. 

PMID- 24212283
TI  - Adaptation of intertidal biofilm communities is driven by metal ion and oxidative
      stresses.
AB  - Marine organisms in intertidal zones are subjected to periodical fluctuations and
      wave activities. To understand how microbes in intertidal biofilms adapt to the
      stresses, the microbial metagenomes of biofilms from intertidal and subtidal
      zones were compared. The genes responsible for resistance to metal ion and
      oxidative stresses were enriched in both 6-day and 12-day intertidal biofilms,
      including genes associated with secondary metabolism, inorganic ion transport and
      metabolism, signal transduction and extracellular polymeric substance metabolism.
      In addition, these genes were more enriched in 12-day than 6-day intertidal
      biofilms. We hypothesize that a complex signaling network is used for stress
      tolerance and propose a model illustrating the relationships between these
      functions and environmental metal ion concentrations and oxidative stresses.
      These findings show that bacteria use diverse mechanisms to adapt to intertidal
      zones and indicate that the community structures of intertidal biofilms are
      modulated by metal ion and oxidative stresses. 

PMID- 24212284
TI  - Initial experience using aminophylline to improve renal dysfunction in the
      pediatric cardiovascular ICU.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if aminophylline administration is associated with
      improved creatinine clearance and greater urine output in children with acute
      kidney injury in the cardiovascular ICU. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective
      cohort study. SETTING: Pediatric cardiovascular ICU, university-affiliated
      children's hospital. PATIENTS: Children with congenital or acquired heart disease
      in the cardiovascular ICU who received aminophylline to treat oliguric acute
      kidney injury and fluid overload. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received aminophylline
      after consultation with a pediatric nephrologist. Data were collected
      retrospectively over 7 days to assess if aminophylline was associated with
      improvement in creatinine clearance, urine output, and fluid overload.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-one patients received 52 aminophylline
      courses. Over the 7-day study period, serum creatinine decreased from a mean of
      1.13 +/- 0.91 to 0.87 +/- 0.83 mg/dL (-0.05 mg/dL/d, p < 0.001). A concomitant
      increase was seen in estimated glomerular filtration rate from a mean of 50.0 +/-
      30.0 to 70.6 +/- 58.1 mL/min/1.73 m (+3.66 mL/min/1.73 m/d, p < 0.001). Average
      daily urine output increased by 0.22 mL/kg/hr (p < 0.001), and fluid overload
      decreased on average by 0.42% per day in the 7-day study period (p = 0.005).
      Although mean furosemide dose increased slightly (0.12 mg/kg/d, p = 0.01),
      hydrochlorothiazide dosing did not significantly change over the study period.
      There were no complications related to aminophylline administration. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our study suggests that aminophylline therapy may be associated with
      significantly improved renal excretory function and may augment urine output in
      children who experience oliguric acute kidney injury in the cardiovascular ICU.
      Additionally, we did not identify any aminophylline-related side effects in this
      high-risk cardiac population. Future prospective studies are necessary to confirm
      the safety profile and to ensure that the beneficial effects are independent of
      other clinical interventions.

PMID- 24212285
TI  - Characterization and analysis of a transcriptome from the boreal spider crab Hyas
      araneus.
AB  - Research investigating the genetic basis of physiological responses has
      significantly broadened our understanding of the mechanisms underlying organismic
      response to environmental change. However, genomic data are currently available
      for few taxa only, thus excluding physiological model species from this approach.
      In this study we report the transcriptome of the model organism Hyas araneus from
      Spitsbergen (Arctic). We generated 20,479 transcripts, using the 454 GS FLX
      sequencing technology in combination with an Illumina HiSeq sequencing approach.
      Annotation by Blastx revealed 7159 blast hits in the NCBI non-redundant protein
      database. The comparison between the spider crab H. araneus transcriptome and EST
      libraries of the European lobster Homarus americanus and the porcelain crab
      Petrolisthes cinctipes yielded 3229/2581 sequences with a significant hit,
      respectively. The clustering by the Markov Clustering Algorithm (MCL) revealed a
      common core of 1710 clusters present in all three species and 5903 unique
      clusters for H. araneus. The combined sequencing approaches generated transcripts
      that will greatly expand the limited genomic data available for crustaceans. We
      introduce the MCL clustering for transcriptome comparisons as a simple approach
      to estimate similarities between transcriptomic libraries of different size and
      quality and to analyze homologies within the selected group of species. In
      particular, we identified a large variety of reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences
      not only in the H. araneus transcriptome and other decapod crustaceans, but also
      sea urchin, supporting the hypothesis of a heritable, anti-viral immunity and the
      proposed viral fragment integration by host-derived RTs in marine invertebrates. 

PMID- 24212286
TI  - Characterization of the host-defense peptides from skin secretions of Merlin's
      clawed frog Pseudhymenochirus merlini: insights into phylogenetic relationships
      among the Pipidae.
AB  - The family Pipidae comprises the genera Hymenochirus, Pipa, Pseudhymenochirus,
      Silurana, and Xenopus but phylogenetic relationships within the family are
      unclear. Peptidomic analysis of norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions from
      Pseudhymenochirus merlini Chabanaud, 1920, the single species within the genus
      Pseudhymenochirus, led to identification of 13 host-defense peptides with
      antimicrobial activity. Two peptides (hymenochirin-1Pa and -1Pb) show structural
      similarity to hymenochirin-1B from Hymenochirus boettgeri and eight peptides
      (hymenochirin-5Pa, -5Pb, -5Pc, -5Pd, -5Pe, -5Pf, 5Pg and -5Ph) are structurally
      similar to each other and to hymenochirin-5B from H. boettgeri. Two peptides
      differing by a single amino acid (IKIPSFFRNILKKVGKEAVSLM/I AGALKQS), termed
      pseudhymenochirin-1Pa and -1Pb, and pseudhymenochirin-2Pa
      (GIFPIFAKLLGKVIKVASSLISKGRTE) do not resemble host-defense peptides previously
      isolated from pipid frogs. Hymenochirin-5Pe was the most abundant peptide in the
      secretions and hymenochirin-1Pa the most potent against Staphylococcus aureus
      (MIC=2.5MUM) and Escherichia coli (MIC=10MUM). The data support a close
      phylogenetic relationship between Hymenochirus and Pseudhymenochirus that is
      distinct from the Xenopodinae (Xenopus+Silurana) clade with Pipa sister-group to
      all other extant pipids. 

PMID- 24212287
TI  - CryomiRs: towards the identification of a cold-associated family of microRNAs.
AB  - Hypometabolism is a strategy favored by many species to survive extreme
      environmental stresses such as low temperatures, lack of food sources or anoxic
      conditions. Mammalian hibernation and insect cold hardiness are well-documented
      examples of natural models utilizing metabolic rate depression when confronted
      with such conditions. A plethora of metabolic and molecular changes must occur in
      these species to regulate this process. A recently discovered family of short non
      coding nucleic acids, the miRNAs, is rapidly emerging as a potential modulator of
      cold tolerance in different species. In this review, we present the current
      knowledge associated with physiological and biochemical adaptations at low
      temperatures. We further explore the cascade of miRNA biogenesis as well as miRNA
      target recognition and translational repression. Finally, we introduce miRNAs
      shown to be differentially regulated in selected species when confronted with low
      temperatures and discuss the potential transcript targets regulated by these
      "CryomiRs". 

PMID- 24212288
TI  - Risk of Kaposi sarcoma among immigrants to Sweden.

PMID- 24212289
TI  - Diagnosis and treatment of primary lymphedema. Consensus document of the
      International Union of Phlebology (IUP)-2013.
AB  - Primary lymphedema can be managed effectively as a form of chronic lymphedema by
      a sequenced and targeted treatment and management program based around a
      combination of Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy (DLT) with compression therapy,
      when the latter is desired as an adjunct to DLT. Treatment in the maintenance
      phase should include compression garments, self-management, including self
      massage, meticulous personal hygiene and skin care, in addition to lymphtransport
      promoting excercises and activities, and, if desired, pneumatic compression
      therapy applied in the home. When conservative treatment fails, or gives sub
      optimal outcomes, the management of primary lymphedema can be improved, where
      appropriate, with the proper addition of surgical interventions, either
      reconstructive or ablative. These two surgical therapies can be more effective
      when fully integrated with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)-based DLT
      postoperatively. Compliance with a long-term commitment to MLD/DLT and
      particularly compression postoperatively is a critical factor in determining the
      success of any new treatment strategy involving either reconstructive or
      palliative surgery. The future of management of primary lymphedema has never been
      brighter with the new prospect of gene-and perhaps stem-cell oriented management.

PMID- 24212290
TI  - Is local stiffness, as measured by radio frequency, more sensitive than intima
      media thickness?
AB  - AIM: The aim of our study was to explore the changes in common carotid arterial
      intima-media thickness (CCA IMT) and local arterial stiffness to evaluate, non
      invasively, early vascular disease in patients with cardiovascular (CV) risk
      factors and "normal" carotid IMT (<0.9 mm). METHODS: We studied 50 patients (mean
      age 42 years+/-14), with no history of cardio-cerebrovascular events and "normal"
      IMT. We assessed the traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the CCA IMT, and
      the local stiffness with Quality Arterial Stiffness technology, based on Radio
      frequency signal (RFQAS-ESAOTE, Italy). CCA distensibility coefficient (DC),
      compliance coefficient (CC), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and beta parameter were
      measured in patients, with and without traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
      25 subjects with risk factors (mean age 49+/-13) were compared with 25 controls
      (mean age 36+/-12). RESULTS: We did not find any significant differences in the
      IMT measurement between subjects with CV risk factors compared to controls
      (0.530+/-0.99 mm vs. 0.626+/-0.127 mm; P=5.68). The mean DC (0.030+/-0.014 1/kPa
      vs. 0.0221+/-0.016 1/kPa; P<0.05) and CC (1.087+/-0.47 mm2/kPA vs. 0.864+/-0.41
      mm2/kPA; P<0.05), were significantly lower, while PWV (6.21+/-1.74 m/s vs. 7.68+/
      2.07 m/s; P<0.05) and beta (7.67+/-4.09 m/s vs. 10.45+/-5.58 m/s; P<0.05) were
      significantly higher in subjects with CV risk factors. ROC curves showed that
      PWV>6.05 m/s better identified, among patients with IMT <0.9 mm, those with
      cardiovascular risk factors (sensitivity 82.0% specificity 62.0%; AUC 0.73).
      CONCLUSION: Increased stiffness is a result of change both in quantity and
      quality of the arterial wall. Arterial functional changes and distention
      alterations may herald the onset of vascular disease before manifestation of
      symptoms or detection of preclinical atherosclerotic lesions.

PMID- 24212291
TI  - Endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aortic disease. A single center
      experience.
AB  - AIM: Aim of the study was to assess if endovascular treatment is a feasible
      alternative in patients with descending thoracic aortic disease. METHODS: Seventy
      three patients were admitted for stent-grafting of descending thoracic aortic
      disease during the period 1997-2008. The majority of the patients had aneurysm
      (35) or type B dissection (21), but also traumas, penetrating ulcers and other
      conditions were treated. Sixteen (22%) were unfit for open surgery. Thirty-four
      (47%) of the patients were symptomatic and 18 had rupture. The primary technical
      success rate was 96%. RESULTS: Early mortality (<30 days) for the whole group was
      3%. Early endoleak (<30 days) was identified in 11 patients (15%) of whom 4 (5%)
      had a secondary procedure. In addition, two trauma patients required insertion of
      a new stent-graft due to stent-graft collapse. Two patients had stroke, one had
      paraplegia and two paraparesis. Mean follow-up was 3.1 years (range 0-12 years).
      Late endoleak (>30 days) was identified in 5 patients (7%) treated by 6 secondary
      procedures. One patient (1.7%) had an explant. Two patients have had extensions
      of endografts due to increasing diameter of the aorta at the distal end of the
      stent-graft. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment seems to be a viable alternative
      in patients with descending thoracic aortic disease.

PMID- 24212292
TI  - Prosthetic axillary-axillary arm loop arteriovenous graft for hemodialysis.
AB  - AIM: In this study we present our experience with an alternative technique of
      vascular access for hemodialysis in which a prosthetic graft was placed as
      subcutaneous arm loop and anastomosed to the axillary artery and vein. METHODS:
      Patients included in this study were those with end stage renal disease (ESRD)
      requiring hemodialysis access who did not have suitable vein to perform
      autogenous AVF in both upper limbs and Duplex examination revealed unsuitable
      brachial artery to perform prosthetic brachial-axillary access. RESULTS: Forty
      one patients with ESRD underwent axillary-axillary arm loop AVG for hemodialysis.
      The primary patency rate at 1 year was 63.4% and at 2 years was 21.8%. The
      secondary patency rate at 1 year was 75.6% and at 2 years was 43.5%. CONCLUSION:
      Axillary-axillary arm loop AVG provides an acceptable option of vascular access
      for hemodialysis which can be used to recruit all possible configurations in the
      upper limb before shifting to chest wall options.

PMID- 24212293
TI  - Socioeconomic deprivation does not affect prescribing of secondary prevention in
      patients with peripheral arterial disease.
AB  - AIM: Aim of the study was to assess the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on
      prescribing of cardiovascular secondary prevention medications in patients
      referred with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). METHODS: A retrospective review
      of vascular clinic referrals was performed. All patients referred from primary
      care with suspected PAD over a two month period were included. The deprivation
      score, prescription of cardiovascular secondary prevention medications, smoking
      status and the presence of cardiovascular co-morbidities (coronary artery or
      cerebrovascular disease--CAD/CVD) were assessed. Comparison was made between
      socioeconomic groups using the Carstairs Deprivation (DepCat) Score and between
      patients with and without a history of currently existing cardiovascular co
      morbidities. RESULTS: The study included 391 patients. Almost two thirds of
      patients (253) were from the most deprived socioeconomic groups and were
      significantly younger at presentation (median age DepCat 7: 63 yrs, DepCat 1-2:
      74.5 yrs, P<0.0001). The majority of patients with a prior history of CAD/CVD
      were prescribed secondary preventative medications at the time of referral with
      suspected PAD whereas those with no prior history of CAD/CVD, (212 patients, 54%)
      were significantly less likely to be prescribed antiplatelets (47% vs. 83%),
      statins (45% vs. 86%) or ACEi/ARBs (29% vs. 68%) (all P<0.05). Secondary
      prevention prescribing did not differ between socioeconomic groups. CONCLUSION:
      Secondary prevention prescribing is inadequate in patients with suspected PAD
      regardless of socioeconomic group and is significantly lower in those without
      previously diagnosed CAD/CVD. There remains a lack of appreciation of the high
      cardiovascular risk associated with PAD.

PMID- 24212294
TI  - Association between serum levels of pro-metalloproteinase 1, tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinases 1 and 2 and prevalent cardiovascular disease in a population
      based study.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to test the association between circulating levels
      of matrix prometalloproteinase1 (pro-MMP1) and its tissue inhibitors TIMP1 and
      TIMP2 with prevalent cardiovascular events. METHODS: Prevalent cardiovascular
      events were documented in 500 participants of the Cyprus study (46% men) over the
      age of 40. Serum levels of pro-MMP1, TIMP1 and TIMP2 were measured with ELISA and
      the association between quartiles of serum levels and presence of cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) was tested using multivariable binary regression models. RESULTS:
      Lower serum levels of pro-MMP1 and TIMP1 were strongly associated with presence
      of CVD at baseline even after adjustment for conventional risk factors (P(for
      trend)=0.006 and P=0.001, respectively) and inflammatory factors (P(for
      trend)=0.005 and P=0.002, respectively) with people in the highest quartile of
      pro-MMP1 having a reduced odds for cardiovascular disease by about 70% compared
      to the lowest quartile (OR(adjusted)=0.26; 95% CI=0.19 to 0.75; P=0.01), whereas
      people with TIMP1 levels >1000 ng/mL had a 75% reduced odds for CVD compared to
      the rest (OR(adjusted)=0.25; 95% CI=0.11 to 0.60; P(for trend)=0.002). TIMP2
      levels were not associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: A
      strong association between lower levels of circulating pro-MMP1 and TIMP1 and
      risk of prevalent cardiovascular disease in a general population cohort over 40
      years is evident, independent from common cardiovascular and inflammatory risk
      factors. The role of MMP1 and its tissue inhibitors, should be tested further in
      prospective studies of cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 24212295
TI  - Carotid stenting may be safer than carotid endarterectomy in patients with
      contralateral carotid occlusion.

PMID- 24212296
TI  - Requirements for angiology/vascular medicine.

PMID- 24212297
TI  - Silyl-protected dioxaborinanes: application in the Suzuki cross-coupling
      reaction.
AB  - The synthesis of a range of novel silyl-protected dioxaborinanes as a column- and
      bench-stable boron reagent were found to be advantageous to achieving good yields
      in palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reactions under standard conditions. 

PMID- 24212298
TI  - Lipoprotein lipase gene sequencing and plasma lipid profile.
AB  - Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism by hydrolyzing
      triglyceride (TG)-rich particles and affecting HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. In
      this study, the entire LPL gene plus flanking regions were resequenced in
      individuals with extreme HDL-C/TG levels (n = 95), selected from a population
      based sample of 623 US non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals. A total of 176
      sequencing variants were identified, including 28 novel variants. A subset of 64
      variants [common tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNP) and selected rare
      variants] were genotyped in the total sample, followed by association analyses
      with major lipid traits. A gene-based association test including all genotyped
      variants revealed significant association with HDL-C (P = 0.024) and TG (P =
      0.006). Our single-site analysis revealed seven independent signals (P < 0.05; r2
      < 0.40) with either HDL-C or TG. The most significant association was for the SNP
      rs295 exerting opposite effects on TG and HDL-C levels with P values of 7.5.10-4
      and 0.002, respectively. Our work highlights some common variants and haplotypes
      in LPL with significant associations with lipid traits; however, the analysis of
      rare variants using burden tests and SKAT-O method revealed negligible effects on
      lipid traits. Comprehensive resequencing of LPL in larger samples is warranted to
      further test the role of rare variants in affecting plasma lipid levels.

PMID- 24212300
TI  - Volume of milk obtained in relation to location and circumstances of expression
      in mothers of very low birth weight infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the importance of mother's milk for very low birth weight
      (VLBW) infants, it would be helpful to know which circumstances are most
      favorable for milk expression. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the volume
      of milk obtained by mothers of VLBW infants as a function of proximity to the
      infant and use of the kangaroo position during the actual expression. METHODS: In
      this prospective cohort study, when the infant was stable and the mother had
      established a breastfeeding routine, she was given a notebook in which to record
      the location of expression and the amount of milk expressed for 10 consecutive
      days. Breast milk expression volumes were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Data
      were collected on 26 mother-VLBW infant dyads and 1642 milk expressions. The
      first early morning expressions (n = 276, 17%) were conducted at home.
      Thereafter, 743 (45%) expressions were conducted far from the infant, either in a
      different room within the hospital or at home, and 623 (38%) were performed in
      proximity to the infant (beside the incubator, during kangaroo mother care [KMC],
      after KMC, or during kangaroo father care). The mean milk volume was
      significantly higher when expression was conducted in proximity to the infant.
      When only milk expressions conducted in proximity to the infant were considered,
      volumes obtained during KMC (107.7 mL, 91.8-123.5) and after KMC (117.7 mL, 99.0
      136.5) were significantly higher than those obtained beside the incubator (96.9
      mL, 79.9-113.9), respectively, P = .0030 and P = .0024. CONCLUSION: Milk
      expression conducted in proximity to the infant, particularly during and
      immediately after KMC, is associated with higher milk volume.

PMID- 24212299
TI  - Whole body synthesis rates of DHA from alpha-linolenic acid are greater than
      brain DHA accretion and uptake rates in adult rats.
AB  - Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is important for brain function, however, the exact
      amount required for the brain is not agreed upon. While it is believed that the
      synthesis rate of DHA from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is low, how this synthesis
      rate compares with the amount of DHA required to maintain brain DHA levels is
      unknown. The objective of this work was to assess whether DHA synthesis from ALA
      is sufficient for the brain. To test this, rats consumed a diet low in n-3 PUFAs,
      or a diet containing ALA or DHA for 15 weeks. Over the 15 weeks, whole body and
      brain DHA accretion was measured, while at the end of the study, whole body DHA
      synthesis rates, brain gene expression, and DHA uptake rates were measured.
      Despite large differences in body DHA accretion, there was no difference in brain
      DHA accretion between rats fed ALA and DHA. In rats fed ALA, DHA synthesis and
      accretion was 100-fold higher than brain DHA accretion of rats fed DHA. Also, ALA
      fed rats synthesized approximately 3-fold more DHA than the DHA uptake rate into
      the brain. This work indicates that DHA synthesis from ALA may be sufficient to
      supply the brain. 

PMID- 24212301
TI  - One pot synthesis of bioactive benzopyranones through palladium-catalyzed C-H
      activation and CO insertion into 2-arylphenols.
AB  - Palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of 2-arylphenols through C-H bond
      activation and C-C and C-O bond formation under acid-base free and mild
      conditions has been developed. The reaction tolerates a variety of substrates and
      provides biologically important benzopyranone derivatives in up to 87% isolated
      yield. 

PMID- 24212302
TI  - Ocular trauma, an evolving sub specialty.

PMID- 24212303
TI  - Pre-operative variables affecting final vision outcome with a critical review of
      ocular trauma classification for posterior open globe (zone III) injury.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify pre-operative variables affecting the outcome of posterior
      open globe (zone III) injuries. Secondary objective was to re-look at the
      definition or landmarks for zone III injury and its clinical significance for
      predicting visual prognosis following open globe injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Retrospective review of medical records of all hospitalized patients with
      surgical repair of open globe injury over last 10 years at a tertiary referral
      eye care center in Singapore. Out of 172 eyes with open globe injury, 28 eyes
      (16.3%) with zone III injury was identified and reviewed further. Pre-operative
      visual acuity (VA) and other variables, extent of scleral wound in reference to
      rectus insertion, relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) and final vision
      outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Median age was 37 years with male predilection
      (92.9%). Mean follow-up was 12.9 months. Pre-operative VA was no light perception
      (NLP) in 16 (57.1%) eyes. Final VA remained NLP in 14 eyes (50.0%). The factors
      contributing to poor post-operative vision based on univariate regression
      analysis were the presence of RAPD, poor pre-operative VA, blunt trauma, extent
      of trauma, associated traumatic cataract, hyphema, vitreous loss and associated
      vitreo-retinal trauma. Further on, zone III injuries with scleral wound limited
      anterior to rectus insertion (6 eyes) had better vision outcome than those with
      injuries extending beyond rectus insertion (22 eyes). CONCLUSION: Initial VA,
      blunt ocular trauma, visual axis involvement, loss of light perception, presence
      of RAPD, traumatic cataract, hyphema, vitreous loss were the important
      determinants for final visual outcome in patients with zone III injury. Wound
      extending posterior to rectus insertion has poorer outcome as those limited
      anterior to rectus insertion. We suggest that there may be a need to relook at
      zone III injuries with reference to rectus insertion for prognostic significance,
      and further studies are warranted.

PMID- 24212304
TI  - Determinants of severity at presentation among young patients with early onset
      glaucoma.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, socio-economic, and
      demographic factors associated with the severity at presentation among juvenile
      primary open angle glaucoma (JOAG) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Age at
      diagnosis, family history, baseline intraocular pressure (IOP), access to health
      care, socio-economic status, and glaucoma awareness among 80 unrelated JOAG
      patients presenting between 10 years and 40 years of age were analyzed for their
      association with the severity at presentation. Severity at presentation was
      graded based on worse eye visual field using the advanced glaucoma intervention
      study score and on binocular visual field defects at presentation. RESULTS:
      Patients with a positive family history presented 4 years earlier (P = 0.045,
      confidence interval [CI]: 0.09-8.8) compared to those without a family history.
      Lower socio-economic status (Odds ratio [OR] 5.7, P = 0.01, CI: 1.5-22), and
      higher baseline IOP (OR 7, P = 0.003, CI: 1.9-26) were associated with severe
      glaucomatous visual field defect at presentation. A negative family history was
      associated with a 10 times likelihood of presenting with a severe glaucomatous
      field defect (OR 0.1, P = 0.007, CI: 0-0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical, socio
      economic, and demographic factors are contributory to the severity at
      presentation among young patients with early onset glaucoma. Presence of a family
      history is associated with an earlier presentation among these patients and a
      reduced risk of the severe presentation.

PMID- 24212305
TI  - The effects of renal transplantation on diabetic retinopathy: clinical course and
      visual outcomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To elucidate the clinical course of diabetic retinopathy (DR) after
      renal transplantation (RT) in a hospital based cohort. DESIGN: Retrospective
      study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 56 eyes of 28 patients, who had DR and
      end stage renal disease (ESRD) due to diabetes and had undergone RT, were
      included in this study. Diagnosis and management of DR was carried out according
      to early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) guidelines. DR outcome
      was defined as worsening if there was >2 step increase in the grade of DR or need
      for intervention such as laser (macular or pan retinal) or vitreoretinal surgery,
      improvement for <2 step change while stabilization was defined if DR remained
      within these two limits. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients were 48.9 years.
      The mean duration of diabetes in the study group was 12.7 years. The patients
      were followed-up for a mean period of 52.2 +/- 43.6 months. The pre-transplant
      mean Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.4876 log MAR units and post
      transplant mean BCVA was 0.4858 (P = 0.05). However, there was a significant
      visual improvement in first 20 months of renal transplant (P = 0.03). Worsening
      of DR was noted in 16 (32%) eyes whereas improvement was seen in 4 (8%). However,
      majority of eyes 30 (60%) had stable retinopathy at the final follow-up.
      CONCLUSIONS: RT stabilized the retinopathy status in the majority of patients
      although in a minor subset the disease course was unpredictable.

PMID- 24212306
TI  - A new Gujarati language logMAR visual acuity chart: development and validation.
AB  - AIMS: Gujarati is the main spoken language of a large proportion of the
      population of India. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new
      Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR) visual acuity chart in the Gujarati
      language. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new Gujarati visual acuity chart was designed
      to logMAR specifications using Gujarati optotypes experimentally selected to have
      similar relative letter legibility under spherical and cylindrical defocus. The
      chart validation study was carried out using 153 adult subjects in a large
      clinical setting in India. Subjects who were literate in English and Gujarati
      participated in the study. Visual acuity was measured with the new Gujarati
      logMAR chart and a modified Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study-(m
      ETDRS) logMAR chart. The method of presentation was randomized between the
      charts. Repeat visual acuity was measured on a subsequent day with a second
      version of the Gujarati logMAR chart. RESULTS: The Gujarati chart correlated
      highly with the m-ETDRS logMAR chart (r2 = 0.974). The mean visual acuity
      difference (Gujarati - m-ETDRS logMAR) was equal to three letters (-0.06 logMAR).
      The Gujarati logMAR chart also proved to be highly repeatable (r2 = 0.994, test
      retest) with 95% CI of +/- 0.04 logMAR. CONCLUSIONS: The new Gujarati logMAR
      visual acuity chart provides a valid and repeatable tool for the measurement of
      visual acuity in native Gujarati language speakers.

PMID- 24212307
TI  - Evaluation of changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and visual functions
      in cases of optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning has been demonstrated in cases
      of optic neuritis (ON) and multiple sclerosis (MS) in Caucasian eyes, but no
      definite RNFL loss pattern or association with visual functions is known in
      Indian eyes. AIM: To evaluate RNFL thickness in cases of ON and MS, and to
      correlate it with visual function changes in Indian patients. SETTINGS AND
      DESIGN: Cross-sectional case-control study at a tertiary level institution.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases consisted of patients of (i) typical ON without a
      recent episode (n = 30:39 ON eyes and 21 fellow eyes), (ii) MS without ON (n =
      15;30 eyes) while the controls were age-matched (n = 15; 30 eyes). RNFL thickness
      was measured using the Stratus 3  degrees CT. The visual functions tested
      included the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity,
      stereopsis, visual evoked responses, and visual fields. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
      USED: Intergroup analysis was done using ANOVA and Pearson's correlation
      coefficient used for associations. RESULTS: RNFL thickness was reduced
      significantly in the ON and MS patients compared to the controls (P-0.001).
      Maximum loss is in the temporal quadrant. Lower visual function scores are
      associated with reduced average overall RNFL thickness. In ON group, RNFL
      thinning is associated with severe visual field defects while contrast
      sensitivity has strongest correlation with RNFL in the MS group. CONCLUSIONS:
      RNFL thickness is reduced in ON and MS cases in a pattern similar to Caucasians
      and is associated with the magnitude of impairment of other visual parameters.
      Contrast sensitivity and stereoacuity are useful tests to identify subclinical
      optic nerve involvement in multiple sclerosis.

PMID- 24212308
TI  - Human intraretinal myelination: axon diameters and axon/myelin thickness ratios.
AB  - PURPOSE: Human intraretinal myelination of ganglion cell axons occurs in about 1%
      of the population. We examined myelin thickness and axon diameter in human
      retinal specimens containing myelinated retinal ganglion cell axons. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Two eyes containing myelinated patches were prepared for electron
      microscopy. Two areas were examined in one retina and five in the second retina.
      Measurements were compared to normal retinal and optic nerve samples and the
      rabbit retina, which normally contains myelinated axons. Measurements were made
      using a graphics tablet. RESULTS: Mean axon diameter of myelinated axons at all
      locations were significantly larger than unmyelinated axons (P <= 0.01).
      Myelinated axons within the patches were significantly larger than axons within
      the optic nerve (P < 0.01). The relationship between axon diameter/fiber diameter
      (the G-ratio) seen in the retinal sites differed from that in the nerve. G-ratios
      were higher and myelin thickness was positively correlated to axon diameter (P <
      0.01) in the retina but negatively correlated to axon diameter in the nerve (P <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: Intraretinally myelinated axons are larger than non
      myelinated axons from the same population and suggests that glial cells can
      induce diameter changes in retinal axons that are not normally myelinated. This
      effect is more dramatic on intraretinal axons compared with the normal transition
      zone as axons enter the optic nerve and these changes are abnormal. Whether
      intraretinal myelin alters axonal conduction velocity or blocks axonal conduction
      remains to be clarified and these issues may have different clinical outcomes.

PMID- 24212309
TI  - 20G silicone rod as monocanalicular stent in repair of canalicular lacerations:
      experience from a tertiary eye care centre.
AB  - To evaluate the outcome of 20G silicone rod as monocanalicular stent in
      canalicular lacerations. Retrospective case series involving patients between
      July 2006 and June 2010. Fourteen canalicular repairs in 12 consecutive patients
      were done in the study period. Eleven were male and mean age was 30.5 years. A
      single canaliculus was involved in 10 patients and associated injury to the globe
      was noted in 3 patients. The median lag time between injury and repair was 3
      (range 1-9) days. The mean duration of stenting was 6.9 (SD 3.2) weeks.
      Spontaneous extrusion of monocanalicular stent occurred in 3 patients. Patency on
      syringing was noted in 10 (70%) canaliculi over a median follow up of 7 (range 2
      17) months. 20G silicone rod may be used as an effective and economical
      alternative in canalicular lacration repairs. 

PMID- 24212310
TI  - Pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy with Coat's like response.
AB  - Pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy (PPCRA) is an uncommon retinal
      disorder of unknown etiology that is neither well understood nor classified. We
      report an atypical case of PPCRA, associated with Coat's like response (CLR) in a
      64-year-old man of Asian origin. Both the eyes were involved, though
      asymmetrically. 

PMID- 24212311
TI  - Infestation of the lacrimal sac by Rhinosporidium seeberi: a clinicopathological
      case report.
AB  - Rhinosporidium seeberi , till recently known as a fungus, has been reclassified
      as a protistan parasite. It infects humans and many animal species. The authors
      describe a rare case of oculosporidiosis with involvement of the lacrimal sac
      exhibiting features of idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease in a young male
      patient. Clinical features, pathophysiology, and management of lacrimal sac
      rhinosporidiosis have been discussed. 

PMID- 24212312
TI  - Infectious scleritis: clinical spectrum and management outcomes in India.
AB  - In this retrospective case series, we studied the predisposing factors, causative
      organisms, clinical spectrum, and outcomes of 12 cases of culture-proven
      infectious scleritis. Nine of 12 patients had a history of preceding trauma
      (surgical or accidental). Past surgical history included small-incision cataract
      surgery (4), pterygium surgery (1), and trabeculectomy (1). Six patients had
      multifocal scleral abscesses due to Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, or Nocardia. Only 2
      patients retained useful vision (>6/18). A poor visual acuity at presentation
      usually resulted in a worse visual outcome (P = 0.005). Four eyes developed
      phthisis. The addition of surgical intervention did not result in a significantly
      better visual outcome than medical management alone (P = 0.209), but resulted in
      a higher globe preservation rate (P = 0.045). Therefore, we concluded that
      infection must be ruled out in cases of scleritis with preceding history of
      trauma, and aggressive surgical intervention improves the anatomical outcome but
      does not change the visual outcome. 

PMID- 24212313
TI  - Congenital combined eyelid imbrication and floppy eyelid syndrome: case report
      and review of literature.
AB  - Congenital eyelid imbrication syndrome (CEIS) is an extremely rare, benign,
      transient, self-limiting eyelid malposition disorder. The classic triad of signs
      in patients with a CEIS consists of bilateral upper eyelids overriding the lower
      eyelids when child was in sleep, bilateral medial and lateral canthal tendon
      laxity and tarsal conjunctival hyperemia. We report a third case of congenital
      combined eyelid imbrication and floppy eyelid syndrome in healthy neonate that
      was resolved within a week with conservative treatment. 

PMID- 24212314
TI  - Optical coherence tomographic findings in optic nerve hypoplasia.
AB  - We investigated a case of unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia using spectral domain
      optical coherence tomography (SDOCT). Optical coherence tomography was done on
      both eyes using 5-line Raster scan for the fovea to analyze the retinal nerve
      fiber layer thickness, inner retinal layer thickness, outer retinal layer
      thickness, and optic disc cube scan for the disc. Retinal nerve fiber layer
      thickness, inner retinal layer thickness, and outer retinal layer thickness were
      manually measured at 21-points of each five lines, and results were compared
      between both eyes. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and inner retinal layer
      thickness of optic nerve hypoplasia were significantly thinner than the opposite
      eye, but there was no significant difference in the thickness of the outer
      retinal layer between both eyes. 

PMID- 24212315
TI  - Isolated abducens nerve palsy with hyperhomocysteinemia: association and
      outcomes.
AB  - Ischemic abducens nerve palsy usually presents as isolated cranial nerve palsy in
      the middle aged and elderly patients with known risk factors such as diabetes
      mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, carotid artery disease, etc., In this
      report, we describe four patients with isolated abducens nerve palsy who
      presented with an acute onset diplopia whose detailed history and examination
      were suggestive of an ischemic etiology. Detailed systemic and laboratory
      evaluation revealed hyperhomocysteinemia as the only potential risk factor. To
      the best of our knowledge this is the first report of association of
      hyperhomocysteinemia and isolated abducens nerve palsy. 

PMID- 24212316
TI  - Surgical outcomes of inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique for large
      macular hole.
AB  - We are presenting the initial results of inverted internal limiting membrane
      (ILM) flap technique for large macular hole. Five eyes of five patients with
      large diameter macular hole (>700 MUm) were selected. All patients underwent
      inverted ILM flap technique for macular hole. Anatomical closure and functional
      success were achieved in all patients. There was no loss of best-corrected visual
      acuity in any of the patients. Inverted ILM flap technique in macular hole
      surgery seems to have a better hole closure rates, especially in large diameter
      macular holes. Larger case series is required to assess the efficacy and safety
      of this technique. 

PMID- 24212317
TI  - Clinical utility of 18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT scans in patients with
      suspect ocular tuberculosis.
AB  - Systemic imaging of patients with suspect ocular tuberculosis include chest X
      rays and computed tomography (CT) scans. Reports have suggested a role for 18
      fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT (FDG-PET/CT) scans. We report
      on the clinical utility of 18 FDG PET/CT in two patients. Case 1: A 38-year-old
      female patient presented with recurrent anterior uveitis. A 18 FDG-PET scan
      revealed metabolically active supraclavicular and chest lymph nodes. An
      aspiration cytology of the cervical lymph node revealed caseating granulomas
      suggestive of tuberculosis. Case 2: A 58-year-old female patient presented with
      recurrent anterior uveitis. A 18 FDG-PET scan revealed metabolically active lymph
      nodes in the neck. A biopsy of the cervical lymph node revealed epithelioid
      granulomas suggestive of tuberculosis. Both patients were started on standard
      antitubercular therapy with a subsequent marked reduction of activity. PET/CT
      scans may suggest the sites of safe high-yield biopsies. 

PMID- 24212319
TI  - Severe visual loss following waterload for transabdominal ultrasound.

PMID- 24212318
TI  - Beyond photography: evaluation of the consumer digital camera to identify
      strabismus and anisometropia by analyzing the Bruckner's reflex.
AB  - Amblyopia screening is often either costly or laborious. We evaluated the Canon
      Powershot TX1 (CPTX1) digital camera as an efficient screener for amblyogenic
      risk factors (ARF). We included 138 subjects: 84-amblyopes and 54-normal. With
      the red-eye-reduction feature off, we obtained Bruckner reflex photographs of
      different sized crescents which suggested anisometropia, while asymmetrical
      brightness indicated strabismus; symmetry implied normalcy. Eight sets of
      randomly arranged 138 photographs were made. After training, 8 personnel, marked
      each as normal or abnormal. Of the 84 amblyopes, 42 were strabismus alone (SA),
      36 had anisometropia alone (AA) while six were mixed amblyopes (MA). Overall mean
      sensitivity for amblyopes was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.83-0.89) and specificity 0.85 (95%
      CI: 0.77-0.93). Sub-group analyses on SA, AA and MA returned sensitivities of
      0.86, 0.89 and 0.69, while specificities were 0.85 for all three. Overall Cohen's
      Kappa was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.62-0.71). The CPTX1 appears to be a feasible option to
      screen for ARF, although results need to be validated on appropriate age groups. 

PMID- 24212320
TI  - Migraine is a marker for systemic disease.

PMID- 24212321
TI  - Comment on "Effect of dacryocystorhinostomy on systemic adverse effects of
      topical timolol maleate".

PMID- 24212322
TI  - Completion rates of anterior and posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis
      in pediatric cataract surgery for surgery performed by trainee surgeons with the
      use of a low-cost viscoelastic.

PMID- 24212323
TI  - Patients' actual care pathways often differ markedly from doctors' perceptions.

PMID- 24212324
TI  - Changing patterns in thyroid cancer incidence and mortality in the Slovak
      Republic by histological type and age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common malignant disease of the
      endocrine system; however, in the Slovak Republic (SR), time trends of incidence
      and mortality according to histological type and age of patients have never been
      reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Long-term (1968-2007) trends from the National
      Cancer Registry data of overall, histology and age-specific incidence and
      mortality in the SR have been calculated using join-point regression and other
      descriptive characteristics. RESULTS: Age-standardized overall incidence rates
      increased significantly in females by an estimated annual percentage change (APC)
      of 3.6 %, and in males by 2.2 %. Overall mortality decreased by APC -2.1 % in
      females and -0.9 % in males. The mean ages of female and male TC patients at the
      time of diagnosis significantly decreased; ages at the time of death
      significantly increased. The incidence of papillary carcinoma rose significantly
      in females by 8.9 %, compared with 6.1 % in males; follicular carcinoma in males
      and females was stable. Medullary carcinoma was stable in females; in males, it
      rose by 5.2 %. Poorly differentiated TC was stable in females;
      undifferentiated/anaplastic carcinomas decreased in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The
      incidence of TC, especially of selected histological types, is dramatically
      rising in the SR in both genders, while mortality is decreasing. Patients
      diagnosed in recent years are younger and died at a greater age than those
      reported in older national data. These trends seem to be affected by more
      intensive diagnosis in the most recent years.

PMID- 24212325
TI  - Non-therapeutic male circumcision performed on immigrant children from Africa in
      Spain.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study the frequency, characteristics, and complications of non
      therapeutic male circumcision on immigrant children from Africa in Spain.
      METHODS: This descriptive study focused on primary care consultations conducted
      at 21 Aragon health centres during 2010 and 2011. The data were gathered through
      interviewer-administered questionnaires to the parents of African children.
      Sociodemographic variables were studied, along with others related to the
      practice of circumcision. RESULTS: 283 questionnaires were obtained. 98.93 % of
      the children had undergone or were planning to undergo circumcision. 68.2 % were
      circumcised. Circumcisions were most frequently performed during a vacation to
      the country of origin (67.04 %), especially so for the Maghreb population. The
      remaining circumcisions had been performed in Spain. Half of the circumcisions
      practiced in Spain were performed at home, and 84 % of these were performed on
      Gambian children. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrates that, in Aragon,
      Spain, almost all immigrant children from Africa have been or will be circumcised
      and that a considerable proportion has been circumcised at home by unqualified
      individuals. Gambians are particularly at risk of performing unsafe circumcision.

PMID- 24212326
TI  - Exploring subgroup effects by socioeconomic position of three effective school
      based dietary interventions: the European TEENAGE project.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore subgroup effects by high and low
      socioeconomic position (SEP) of three previously conducted, effective European
      interventions. METHODS: Reanalyses stratified by SEP were conducted by the
      research groups of each study. All studies were school-based: two multi-component
      interventions targeting intake of fat or fruit and vegetables (FV), and a free
      breakfast initiative. RESULTS: Computer-tailored advice affected fat intake among
      low, but not high SEP girls after 1 year. A multi-component intervention affected
      the total FV intake in both SEP groups, vegetable intake in low SEP and fruit
      intake in high SEP across three countries after 1 year, whereas free fruit
      affected total FV and fruit intake equally in both SEP groups in one country
      after 2 years. Providing a free healthy breakfast increased consumption of
      healthy food items only in the low SEP group. CONCLUSIONS: Reanalysing
      intervention studies by SEP is a quick and easy way to explore patterns in
      effects by SEP across interventions. Providing healthy food might be a promising
      strategy for decreasing social inequalities.

PMID- 24212327
TI  - A community-based study of early childhood sensory stimulation in home
      environment associated with growth and psychomotor development in Pakistan.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sensory stimulation (SS) is a non-nutritional modifiable risk factor
      for early childhood development. We assessed SS in home environment and examined
      its influence on physical growth and psychomotor development (PD). METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study was conducted in 26 communities in Pakistan among children
      aged <3 (n = 1,219). They were assessed at home visits using (1) Bayley's Infant
      Developmental Scale for PD, (2) home observation for measurement of the
      environment inventory for SS, (3) anthropometry and (4) socio-economic
      questionnaire. RESULTS: In rural homes, SS provided was lower as compared to
      urban counterparts (Adj mean diff: 4.47, 95 % CI 3.78, 5.16) and showed an
      association with stunting (Adj mean diff: -1.30, 95 % CI -1.93, -0.66), and
      underweight (Adj mean diff: -1.04, 95 % CI -1.71, -0.38) not explained by type of
      neighbourhood or socio-economic status. SS was associated with PD more than
      combined contribution of socio-economic status and rural-urban factors (Adj mean
      diff: 0.47, 95 % CI 0.30, 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: SS in rural homes may be a
      significant factor influencing the child development. There is a need to
      corroborate these results by additional research for integration in health policy
      initiatives.

PMID- 24212328
TI  - A Nodal-independent and tissue-intrinsic mechanism controls heart-looping
      chirality.
AB  - Breaking left-right symmetry in bilateria is a major event during embryo
      development that is required for asymmetric organ position, directional organ
      looping and lateralized organ function in the adult. Asymmetric expression of
      Nodal-related genes is hypothesized to be the driving force behind regulation of
      organ laterality. Here we identify a Nodal-independent mechanism that drives
      asymmetric heart looping in zebrafish embryos. In a unique mutant defective for
      the Nodal-related southpaw gene, preferential dextral looping in the heart is
      maintained, whereas gut and brain asymmetries are randomized. As genetic and
      pharmacological inhibition of Nodal signalling does not abolish heart asymmetry,
      a yet undiscovered mechanism controls heart chirality. This mechanism is tissue
      intrinsic, as explanted hearts maintain ex vivo retain chiral looping behaviour
      and require actin polymerization and myosin II activity. We find that Nodal
      signalling regulates actin gene expression, supporting a model in which Nodal
      signalling amplifies this tissue-intrinsic mechanism of heart looping. 

PMID- 24212329
TI  - Dendrimer-mediated hydrothermal synthesis of ultrathin gold nanowires.
AB  - We report the use of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers as stabilizers to synthesize
      ultrathin Au nanowires (NWs) with a diameter of 1.3 nm via a hydrothermal
      approach. The formation of uniform Au NWs was optimized by varying the Au/Ag salt
      molar ratio, dendrimer stabilizers, and reaction solvent, temperature, and time.
      A novel growth mechanism involving a synergic facet-dependent
      deposition/reduction of Ag(I) and oriented migration of Au atoms is proposed
      based on density functional theory calculations and the experimental results.
      This work can significantly expand the scope of dendrimers as stabilizers to
      generate metal NWs in aqueous solution that may be further functionalized for
      different applications. 

PMID- 24212330
TI  - Cancer-associated fibroblasts enhance the migration ability of ovarian cancer
      cells by increasing EZH2 expression.
AB  - The tumor microenvironment is thought to affect malignant transformation and
      tumor progression. The histone methyltransferase, enhancer of zeste homologue 2
      (EZH2), has recently been suggested to play a critical role in the tumorigenesis
      of several types of human cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      effects of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on the expression of EZH2 and the
      migration ability of ovarian cancer cells, in order to explore the link between
      the tumor microenvironment and epigenetic regulation. The ovarian cancer cell
      lines, A2780, SKOV3 and ES2, were indirectly co-cultured with primary ovarian
      CAFs or normal fibroblasts (NFs). The migration ability of the ovarian cancer
      cells was determined by Transwell migration assay. The expression levels of EZH2
      were assessed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western
      blot analysis. The A2780-shEZH2 cells (A2780 cells transfected with shRNA
      targeting EZH2) were indirectly co-cultured with CAFs or NFs, and the changes in
      the expression levels of EZH2 and the migration ability of the cells were
      detected. The migration ability of the A2780, SKOV3 and ES2 cells co-cultured
      with CAFs was significantly enhanced (P<0.05) compared with the NF group and the
      cells cultured alone. The expression of EZH2 in the A2780, SKOV3 and ES2 cells
      was significantly increased following co-culture with CAFs (P<0.001) compared
      with the cells cultured alone but not those cultured with NFs. The migration
      ability of the A2780-shEZH2 cells was not significantly increased following co
      culture with CAFs (P>0.05). Our data indicate that CAFs enhance the migration
      ability of ovarian cancer cells partly by increasing EZH2 expression. 

PMID- 24212331
TI  - Modern endovascular treatments of occlusive pediatric acute ischemic strokes:
      case series and review of the literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: Literature on the endovascular treatment of occlusive acute ischemic
      stroke (AIS) in the pediatric population remains nebulous. Clinical trials
      evaluating the role of systemic and intra-arterial thrombolysis, and mechanical
      thrombectomy have been strictly isolated to the adult population and largely
      unknown in their safety and efficacy in the pediatric group. METHODS: The authors
      present a review of the literature and their own two cases of occlusive acute
      ischemic stroke in children younger than the age of 10 years who were treated
      with modern endovascular devices, specifically with stent retrievers, and discuss
      their clinical and technical considerations as well as their limitations.
      RESULTS: In both pediatric patients, a combination of stent retriever and
      Penumbra aspiration were used to achieve Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction
      (TICI) 2a or greater with reduction of overall stroke burden. A reduction of
      National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 8 or greater was achieved
      at discharge. At 3-month follow-up, the patients had a NIHSS of 6 and 2,
      respectively. One patient continued to improve from NIHSS of 6 to 3 at 6 months.
      CONCLUSION: In carefully, selected pediatric patients, modern endovascular
      techniques may be used to treat occlusive pediatric AIS. However, larger clinical
      trials are needed to evaluate the overall safety and effectiveness.

PMID- 24212332
TI  - Tidal volume and airway pressure under percutaneous transtracheal ventilation
      without a jet ventilator: comparison of high-flow oxygen ventilation and manual
      ventilation in complete and incomplete upper airway obstruction models.
AB  - PURPOSE: Percutaneous transtracheal ventilation (PTV) can be life-saving in a
      cannot ventilate, cannot intubate situation. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the efficacy of PTV by measuring tidal volumes (VTs) and airway
      pressure (Paw) in high-flow oxygen ventilation and manual ventilation using a
      model lung. METHODS: We examined 14G, 16G, 18G, and 20G intravenous catheters and
      minitracheotomy catheters. In high-flow oxygen ventilation, the flow was set to
      10 L/min, while the inspiratory:expiratory phases (I:E) were 1 s:4 s in the
      complete upper airway obstruction model and 1 s:1 s in the incomplete obstruction
      model. In manual ventilation, I:E were 2 s:4 s in the complete obstruction model
      and 2 s:3 s in the incomplete obstruction model. We ventilated through each
      catheter for 2 min and measured VT and Paw. RESULTS: In high-flow ventilation,
      the average VTs were approximately 150 ml and <100 ml with 14G catheters in
      complete and incomplete upper airway obstruction, respectively. The VTs obtained
      were reduced when the bore size was decreased. In manual ventilation, the average
      VTs were over 300 ml and approximately 260 ml with 14G catheters in complete and
      incomplete upper airway obstruction, respectively. In high-flow ventilation, the
      airway pressure tended to be higher. The minitracheotomy catheters produced over
      800 ml of VT and created almost no positive end-expiratory pressure. CONCLUSIONS:
      High-flow ventilation tends to result in higher airway pressure despite a smaller
      VT, which is probably due to a PEEP effect caused by high flow.

PMID- 24212334
TI  - Synthesis, structure and spectroscopic analyses of
      aquachloridooxidodiperoxidomolybdate(VI).
AB  - A novel aquachloridooxidodiperoxidomolybdate(vi), [MoClO(O2)2(OH2)](-), was
      crystallised as tetraethylammonium and triethylmethylammonium salts from strongly
      acidic aqueous solutions, and was structurally analysed by single crystal X-ray
      diffraction and NMR spectroscopy. The aqueous behaviour of the present anion
      observed by (17)O NMR agrees with that reported in a previous speciation study. 

PMID- 24212333
TI  - Computed tomography angiography intraluminal filling defect is predictive of
      internal carotid artery free-floating thrombus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Filling defects at the internal carotid artery (ICA) origin in the
      work-up of stroke or transient ischemic attack may be an ulcerated plaque or free
      floating thrombus (FFT). This may be challenging to distinguish, as they can
      appear morphologically similar. This is an important distinction as FFT can
      potentially embolize distally, and its management differs. We describe a series
      of patients with suspected FFT and evaluate its imaging appearance, clinical
      features, and evolution with therapy. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2013, we
      prospectively collected consecutive patients with proximal ICA filling defects in
      the axial plane surrounded by contrast on CT/MR angiography. We defined FFT as a
      filling defect that resolved on follow-up imaging. We assessed the cranial-caudal
      dimension of the filling defect and receiver operating characteristics to
      identify clinical and radiological variables that distinguished FFT from complex
      ulcerated plaque. RESULTS: Intraluminal filling defects were identified in 32
      patients. Filling defects and resolved or decreased in 25 patients (78 %) and
      felt to be FFT; there was no change in 7 (22 %). Resolved defects and those that
      decreased in size extended more cranially than those that remained unchanged: 7.3
      mm (4.2-15.9) versus 3.1 mm (2.7-3.7; p = 0.0038). Receiver operating
      characteristic analysis established a threshold of 3.8 mm (filling defect
      length), sensitivity of 88 %, specificity of 86 %, and area under the curve of
      0.86 (p < 0.0001) for distinguishing FFT from plaque. CONCLUSION: Filling defects
      in the proximal ICA extending cranially >3.8 mm were more likely to be FFT than
      complex ulcerated plaque. Further studies evaluating filling defect length as a
      predictor for FFT are warranted.

PMID- 24212335
TI  - Evolution of the hemagglutinin gene of the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in
      Morocco during two influenza seasons 2009-2011.
AB  - To study genetic evolution of Moroccan influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus strains, we
      conducted a molecular characterization of the hemagglutinin gene subunit 1 (HA1)
      of 36 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus strains. The stains were collected from
      patients in Rabat and Casablanca during two influenza seasons 2009-2010 and 2010
      2011. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of 14 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus
      strains from 2009 to 2010 were ~97 and 99 %, respectively, similar to the
      reference strain A/California/07/2009 (H1N1). Phylogenetic analysis of 22
      influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus strains from 2010 to 2011 revealed a co-circulation
      of three well-described different genetic groups. Most important, none of the
      identified groups showed significant changes at the antigenic site of the virus
      HA1 subunit which may alter the efficacy of California/07/2009 (H1N1) vaccine. 

PMID- 24212336
TI  - The ethylene-inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine restores normal nodulation by
      Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar. viciae on Vicia sativa subsp. nigra by
      suppressing the 'Thick and short roots' phenotype.
AB  - Nodulation of Vicia sativa subsp. nigra L. by Rhizobium bacteria is coupled to
      the development of thick and short roots (Tsr). This root phenotype as well as
      root-hair induction (Hai) and root-hair deformation (Had) are caused by a
      factor(s) produced by the bacteria in response to plant flavonoids. When very low
      inoculum concentrations (0.5-5 bacteria.ml(-1)) were used, V. sativa plants did
      not develop the Tsr phenotype and became nodulated earlier than plants with Tsr
      roots. Furthermore, the nodules of these plants were located on the primary root
      in contrast to nodules on Tsr roots, which were all located at sites of lateral
      root emergence. The average numbers of nodules per plant were not significantly
      different for these two types of nodulation. Root-growth inhibition and Hai, but
      not Had, could be mimicked by ethephon, and inhibited by aminoethoxyvinylglycine
      (AVG). Addition of AVG to co-cultures of Vicia sativa and the standard inoculum
      concentration of 5.10(5) bacteria.ml(-1) suppressed the development of the Tsr
      phenotype and restored nodulation to the pattern that was observed with very low
      concentrations of bacteria (0.5-5 bacteria.ml(-1)). The delay in nodulation on
      Tsr roots appeared to be caused by the fact that nodule meristems did not develop
      on the primary root, but only on the emerging laterals. The relationship between
      Tsr, Hai, Had, and nodulation is discussed. 

PMID- 24212337
TI  - Ultrastructural detection of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase protein and
      its subunit mRNAs in wild-type and holoenzyme-deficient Nicotiana using immuno
      gold and in-situ-hybridization techniques.
AB  - In-situ-localization techniques have been adapted to the ultrastructural
      detection of the holoenzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) and
      its composite large- and smallsubunit mRNAs in wild-type and mutant RuBPCase
      deficient plantlets of Nicotiana tabacum L. Immuno-gold techniques which show the
      distribution of target proteins have confirmed visually the presence of the
      holoenzyme in the wild-type plastids and its total absence in the enzyme-less
      mutant. Using in-situ hybridization coupled with electron microscopy and
      biotinylated probes for the two subunits, we have directly visualized specific
      small-subunit mRNAs located in the cytoplasm and large-subunit mRNAs confined to
      plastids in the enzyme-deficient mutant, and with apparent distributions
      comparable to those visualized in the wild-type counterpart. These results show
      that (i) gene products can be visualized in situ by electronmicroscopy techniques
      under conditions where the respective cellular compartments are readily
      recognizable and (ii) that an accumulation of mRNAs corresponding to the
      composite subunits can occur without translation and-or assembly of the protein. 

PMID- 24212338
TI  - Vanadate mimics effects of fungal cell wall in eliciting gene activation in plant
      cell cultures.
AB  - Cell-suspension cultures of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) can be used as a very
      sensitive and rapidly responding physiological system for monitoring
      extracellular signals. Elicitors effect the activation of the genes that code for
      a set of enzymes synthesizing stilbenes. Within 2-6 h after administering
      micromolar, concentrations of orthovanadate to the suspended cells, the enzyme
      activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, stilbene synthase, and cinnamate 4
      hydroxylase increased 10-to 100-fold. The transient time course of induction, and
      the quality and quantity of gene expression found with vanadate as artificial
      elicitor were very similar to those observed after biotic stress generated by
      fungal cell walls. The dose-response of vanadate as an elicitor of gene
      expression in intact cells matched precisely its inhibitory effect on the ATPase
      activity of isolated plasma membrane. By concentrating, on the profiles of
      cinnamate 4-hydroxylase activity, we observed differences between the effects
      elicited by fungal cell wall or vanadate when different stages of cell
      development were analyzed. Unlike the fungal elicitor, vanadate did not induce
      the hydroxylase activity when cells at the stationary phase of the cell cycle
      were used. This lack of response was not the result of a decrease in membrane
      biosynthesis. The finding, that the effects of vanadate and fungal elicitor are
      additive indicates that vanadate does not interfere negatively with the
      perception of the biotic signal but rather addresses the same intracellular
      intermediate of the signalling process. We hypothesize that membrane potentials
      created or modulated by ATPases may be intermediates in the signal chain,
      starting with the recognition process at the plasma membrane and eventually
      leading to the production of stilbenes as low-molecular-weight plant-defence
      products. 

PMID- 24212339
TI  - Characterization of the isolated calcium-binding vesicles from the green alga
      Mougeotia scalaris, and their relevance to chloroplast movement.
AB  - The calcium-binding vesicles from the green alga Mougeotia scalaris were isolated
      and characterized after staining in vivo by neutral red or rhodamine B. They were
      found to possess, a protonated group with a pKa-9.9, typifying phenolic hydroxyl
      groups; upon titration, both, phenolic compound(s) and vital dye were
      concomitantly released from the vesicular matrix. A shift in peak absorbance from
      450 nm to 540 nm of the vitally stained vesicles indicated that the neutral form
      of neutral red was bound to the vesicular, matrix as an intermediate form,
      stabilized via intermolecular hydrogen bonds to the phenolic compound(s). Up to
      8.5.10(9) dye molecules were calculated to be adsorbed to a mean-size vesicle.
      Analysis of Langmuir adsorption isotherms, indicated that there were two binding
      sites each for both neutral red and rhodamine B. The isolated vesicles were
      devoid of calcium, probably because vesicular calcium, bound to the vesicle
      matrix, was displaced upon dye binding. Dye adsorption to the vesicles in vivo
      results in substantial inhibition of the reorientational movement of the
      Mougeotia chloroplast and is explained by dye-mediated disorder of the cellular
      calcium homoeostasis. 

PMID- 24212340
TI  - Is a decreased water potential after withholding oxygen to roots the cause of the
      decline of leaf-elongation rates in Zea mays L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L.?
AB  - Leaf-elongation rates of Zea mays L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. were measured in
      plants grown for 4 d in nutrient solution bubbled with N2 and in soil-grown
      waterlogged Phaseolus plants. Leaf water potential in both species was lower 3-4h
      after replacing aeration by N2-bubbling. In Zea, the water potential after 24 h
      or more was the same in control plants and plants with N2 treatment. In
      Phaseolus, the water potential of inundated plants and plants with N2 treatment
      was always lower than those of control plants. The leaf-elongation rate of both
      species was always lower in plants treated with N2, especially during light
      periods. In Zea, the elongation rate was lowest in the first 24 h, whilst in
      Phaseolus it was lowest on the last (fourth) day of treatment. There was no
      difference between N2 treatment and inundation experiments. It is concluded that
      during the first hours of treatment the leaf-elongation rate was reduced as a
      consequence of the lower water potential. Thereafter, however, elongation rates
      were lower than could be expected on the basis of the plant's water relations. 

PMID- 24212341
TI  - Gravitropism in a starchless mutant of Arabidopsis : Implications for the starch
      statolith theory of gravity sensing.
AB  - The starch-statolith theory of gravity reception has been tested with a mutant of
      Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. which, lacking plastid phosphoglucomutase (EC
      2.7.5.1) activity, does not synthesize starch. The hypocotyls and seedling roots
      of the mutant were examined by light and electron microscopy to confirm that they
      did not contain starch. In upright wild-type (WT) seedlings, starch-filled
      plastids in the starch sheath of the hypocotyl and in three of the five
      columellar layers of the root cap were piled on the cell floors, and sedimented
      to the ceilings when the plants were inverted. However, starchless plastids of
      the mutant were not significantly sedimented in these cells in either upright or
      inverted seedlings. Gravitropism of light-grown seedling roots was vigorous:
      e.g., 10(o) curvature developed in mutants rotated on a clinostat following a 5
      min induction at 1 . g, compared with 14(o) in the WT. Curvatures induced during
      intervals from 2.5 to 30 min were 70% as great in the mutant as the WT. Thus
      under these conditions the presence of starch and the sedimentation of plastids
      are unnecessary for reception of gravity by Arabidopsis roots. Gravitropism by
      hypocotyls of light-grown seedlings was less vigorous than that by roots, but the
      mutant hypocotyls exhibited an average of 70-80% as much curvature as the WT.
      Roots and hypocotyls of etiolated seedlings and flower stalks of mature plants
      were also gravitropic, although in these cases the mutant was generally less
      closely comparable to the WT. Thus, starch is also unnecessary for gravity
      reception in these tissues. 

PMID- 24212342
TI  - Amyloplasts are necessary for full gravitropic sensitivity in roots of
      Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - The observation that a starchless mutant (TC7) of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.)
      Heynh. is gravitropic (T. Caspar and B.G. Pickard, 1989, Planta 177, 185-197)
      raises questions about the hypothesis that starch and amyloplasts play a role in
      gravity perception. We compared the kinetics of gravitropism in this starchless
      mutant and the wild-type (WT). Wild-type roots are more responsive to gravity
      than TC7 roots as judged by several parameters: (1) Vertically grown TC7 roots
      were not as oriented with respect to the gravity vector as WT roots. (2) In the
      time course of curvature after gravistimulation, curvature in TC7 roots was
      delayed and reduced compared to WT roots. (3) TC7 roots curved less than WT roots
      following a single, short (induction) period of gravistimulation, and WT, but not
      TC7, roots curved in response to a 1-min period of horizontal exposure. (4) Wild
      type roots curved much more than TC7 roots in response to intermittent
      stimulation (repeated short periods of horizontal exposure); WT roots curved in
      response to 10 s of stimulation or less, but TC7 roots required 2 min of
      stimulation to produce a curvature. The growth rates were equal for both
      genotypes. We conclude that WT roots are more sensitive to gravity than TC7
      roots. Starch is not required for gravity perception in TC7 roots, but is
      necessary for full sensitivity; thus it is likely that amyloplasts function as
      statoliths in WT Arabidopsis roots. Furthermore, since centrifugation studies
      using low gravitational forces indicated that starchless plastids are relatively
      dense and are the most movable component in TC7 columella cells, the starchless
      plastids may also function as statoliths. 

PMID- 24212343
TI  - Separating the contribution of the upper and lower mesophyll to photosynthesis in
      Zea mays L. leaves.
AB  - The appearance of transverse sections of maize leaves indicates the existence of
      two airspace systems serving the mesophyll, one connected to the stomata of the
      upper epidermis and the other to the stomata of the lower surface, with few or no
      connections between the two. This study tests the hypothesis that the air-space
      systems of the upper and lower mesophyll are separated by a defined barrier of
      measurable conductance. A mathematical procedure, based on this hypothesis, is
      developed for the quantitative separation of the contributions made by the upper
      and lower halves of the mesophyll to carbon assimilation using gasexchange data.
      Serial paradermal sections and three-dimensional scanning-electron-microscope
      images confirmed the hypothesis that there were few connections between the two
      air-systems. Simultaneous measurements of nitrous-oxide diffusion across the leaf
      and of transpiration from the two surfaces showed that the internal conductance
      was about 15% of the maximum observed stomatal conductance. This demonstrates
      that the poor air-space connections, indicated by microscopy, represent a
      substantial barrier to gas diffusion. By measuring the CO2 and water-vapour
      fluxes from each surface independently, the intercellular CO2 concentration (c i)
      of each internal air-space system was determined and the flux between them
      calculated. This allowed correction of the apparent CO2 uptake at each surface to
      derive the true CO2 uptake by the mesophyll cells of the upper and lower halves
      of the leaf. This approach was used to analyse the contribution of the upper and
      lower mesophyll to CO2 uptake by the leaf as a whole in response to varying light
      levels incident on the upper leaf surface. This showed that the upper mesophyll
      was light-saturated by a photon flux of approx. 1000 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1) (i.e.
      about one-half of full sunlight). The lower mesophyll was not fully saturated by
      photon fluxes of nearly double full sunlight. At low photon fluxes the c i of the
      upper mesophyll was significantly less than that of the lower mesophyll,
      generating a significant upward flux of CO2. At light levels equivalent to full
      sunlight, and above, c i did not differ significantly between the two air space
      systems. The physiological importance of the separation of the air-space systems
      of the upper and lower mesophyll to gas exchange is discussed. 

PMID- 24212344
TI  - Response of photosynthesis and respiration of resurrection plants to desiccation
      and rehydration.
AB  - Using non-invasive techniques (CO2 gas exchange, light scattering, light
      absorption, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll luminescence), we have analysed
      the response of respiration and photosynthesis to dehydration and rehydration of
      leaves of the resurrection plants Craterostigma plantagineum Hochst., Ramonda
      mykoni Reichb. and Ceterach officinarum Lam. et DC. and of the drought-sensitive
      mesophyte spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). The following observations were made:
      (i) The rate of water loss during wilting of detached leaves of drought-tolerant
      resurrection plants was similar to that for leaves of the sensitive mesophyte,
      spinach. Leaves of Mediterranean xerophytes lost water much more slowly. (ii)
      Below a residual water content of about 20%, leaves of spinach did not recover
      turgor on rewatering, whereas leaves of the resurrection plants did. (iii)
      Respiration was less sensitive to the loss of water during wilting in the
      resurrection plants than in spinach. (iv) The sensitivity of photosynthesis to
      dehydration was similar in spinach and the resurrection plants. Up to a water
      loss of 50% from the leaves, photosynthesis was limited by stomatal closure, not
      by inhibition of reactions of the photosynthetic apparatus. Photosynthesis was
      inhibited and stomates reopened when loss of water became excessive. (v) After
      the leaves had lost 80% of their water or more, the light-dependent reactions of
      photosynthetic membranes were further inhibited by rewatering in spinach; they
      recovered in the resurrection plants. (vi) In desiccated leaves of the
      resurrection plants, slow rehydration reactivated mitochondrial gas exchange
      faster than photosynthetic membrane reactions. Photosynthetic carbon assimilation
      recovered only slowly. 

PMID- 24212345
TI  - A stable blue-light-derived signal modulates ultraviolet-light-induced activation
      of the chalcone-synthase gene in cultured parsley cells.
AB  - Run-off transcription assays were used to demonstrate that both the ultraviolet
      (UV)-B and blue-light receptors control transcription rates for chalcone-synthase
      mRNA in the course of light-induced flavonoid synthesis in parsley (Petroselinum
      crispum Miller (A.W. Hill)) cell-suspension cultures. Blue and red light alone,
      presumably acting via a blue-light receptor and active phytochrome (far-red
      absorbing form) respectively, can induce accumulation of chalcone-synthase mRNA.
      The extent of the response is however considerably smaller than that obtained
      when these wavebands are applied in combination with UV light. A preirradiation
      with blue light strongly increases the response to a subsequent UV pulse and this
      modulating effect of blue light is stable for at least 20 h. The modulating
      effect is abolished by a UV induction but can be reestablished by a second
      irradiation with blue light. 

PMID- 24212346
TI  - Sucrose uptake and partitioning in discs derived from source versus sink potato
      tubers.
AB  - The uptake of sucrose into isolated discs cut from sink (growing) and source
      (sprouting) potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber tissue was studied. The uptake of
      sucrose into sink-tuber discs demonstrated biphasic kinetics. The large saturable
      component was inhibited by incubation of the discs with p-chloromercuribenzene
      sulfonic acid (PCMBS) whilst both the saturable and linear components were
      inhibited by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). By contrast, in
      source-tuber discs, the linear component represented the majority of sucrose
      taken up, the saturable component playing only a minor role. In source discs,
      only the saturable component of uptake was inhibited by either PCMBS or CCCP. A
      large proportion (up to 25%) of sucrose taken up into sink-tuber discs was
      converted to starch but as the tubers aged the proportion of sucrose converted to
      starch decreased to the level found in source-tuber discs (approx. 3%). By
      contrast with sink-tuber discs (see Oparka and Wright, 1988b, Planta 175, 520
      526) sucrose uptake into source discs was insensitive to turgor and demonstrated
      an uptake pattern similar to that of CCCP-treated sink tissue. It is proposed
      that exogenous sucrose is taken into the storage parenchyma of sink-tuber discs
      by both a carrier-mediated and a diffusional process. By contrast, uptake into
      the storage parenchyma of source-tuber discs appears to be essentially
      diffusional. The turgor sensitivity of sucrose uptake into sink-tissue discs may
      be mediated via the plasmalemma H(+)-ATPase. As the tuber ages the sucrose-uptake
      activity decreases and the capacity of the storage parenchyma to synthesise
      starch is lost. The data are discussed in relation to the in-vivo mechanisms of
      sucrose transport in storage tissues. 

PMID- 24212348
TI  - Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate and the measurement on inorganic pyrophosphate in
      plant tissues.
AB  - This work provides further evidence that plants contain appreciable amounts of
      inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), and that breakdown of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate
      (PPRibP) does not contribute significantly to the PPi detected in plant extracts.
      Inorganic pyrophosphate in extracts of the roots of Pisum sativum L., clubs of
      the spadices of Arum maculatum L., and the developing endosperm of Zea mays L.
      was assayed with pyrophosphate fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase (EC
      2.7.1.90), and with sulphate adenyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.4). The two different
      assays gave the same value for PPi content, and for recovery of added PPi. It was
      shown that PPRibP is converted to PPi during the extraction of PPi. However, the
      amounts of PPRibP in clubs of A. maculatum and the developing endosperm of Z.
      mays were negligible in comparison with the contents of PPi. 

PMID- 24212347
TI  - Microtubule-binding proteins from carrot : I. Initial characterization and
      microtubule bundling.
AB  - Microtubules (MTs) participate in several processes of fundamental importance to
      growth and development in higher plants, yet little is known about the proteins
      with which they associate. Information about these molecules is important because
      they probably play a role in mediating functional and structural differences
      between various MT arrays. As a first step in gaining insight into this problem,
      we have isolated, from suspension-cultured cells of carrot (Daucus carota L.),
      non-tubulin proteins which bind to and affect microtubules (MTs) in vitro. These
      proteins were isolated using taxol-stabilized neuronal MTs as an affinity
      substrate. They cause MT bundling at substoichiometric concentrations, support
      the assembly of tubulin in vitro, and at low concentrations, decorate single MTs
      in a periodic fashion. The bundled MTs formed in vitro share similarities with
      those seen in situ in a variety of plant cells, including a center-center spacing
      of 34 nm, cold stability, resistance to anti-microtubule drugs, and sensitivity
      to calcium. The bundling activity is specific; other cationic proteins, as well
      as poly-L-lysine, do not behave in a similar manner. The bundling activity is
      insensitive to ATP. By assaying bundling activity with dark-field microscopy and
      employing standard biochemical procedures, a small number of polypeptides
      involved in the bundling process were identified. Affinity-isolated antibodies to
      one of these polypeptides (Mr=76000) were found to co-localize with MTs in the
      cortical array of protoplasts. Our findings are discussed with reference to the
      importance of these proteins in the cell and to their relationship to microtubule
      associated proteins in other eukaryotes. 

PMID- 24212349
TI  - Leaf senescence in a non-yellowing mutant of Festuca pratensis: Proteins of
      photosystem II.
AB  - The senescence of leaves is characterized by yellowing as chlorophyll pigments
      are degraded. Proteins of the chloroplasts also decline during this phase of
      development. There exists a non-yellowing mutant genotype of Festuca pratensis
      Huds. which does not suffer a loss of chlorophyll during senescence. The fate of
      chloroplast membrane proteins was studied in mutant and wild-type plants by
      immune blotting and immuno-electron microscopy. Intrinsic proteins of photosystem
      II, exemplified by the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (LHCP-2)
      and D1, were shown to be unusually stable in the mutant during senescence,
      whereas the extrinsic 33-kilodalton protein of the oxygen-evolving complex was
      equally lable in both genotypes. An ultrastructural study revealed that while the
      intrinsic proteins remained in the internal membranes of the chloroplasts, they
      ceased to display the heterogenous lateral distribution within the lamellae which
      was characteristic of nonsenescent chloroplasts. These observations are discussed
      in the light of possible mechanisms of protein turnover in chloroplasts. 

PMID- 24212350
TI  - Reorganization of the endoplasmic reticulum in epidermal cells of onion bulb
      scales after cold stress: Involvement of cytoskeletal elements.
AB  - In the epidermal cells of onion (Allium cepa L.) bulb scales the endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) can be subdivided into three domains: a peripheral tubular
      network, cisternae, and long tubular strands. The latter are the form in which
      the ER is moved in onion cells. During cold treatment the arrangement of the
      three domains changes drastically. The cisternae and long tubular strands
      disintegrate into short ER tubules which show rapid agitational motion. Long
      distance movement is inhibited. The peripheral tubular ER network is presumably
      retained during cold treatment. Rewarming of previously chilled bulb scales
      initiates the reorganization of the ER into the three domains. The ER is partly
      relocated during recovery from cold treatment. Redistribution and reorganization
      of the ER is not affected by the microtubule-destabilizing herbicides oryzalin
      and trifluralin (5 MUM). Cytochalasin D (2MUM), however, inhibits not only the
      relocation of ER material, as is evident by the absence of long tubular ER
      strands, but also the movement of other cell organelles. The latter cluster on
      top of the cisternae in a manner which is characteristic of treatment with the
      actin-filament inhibitor. The array of actin filaments is similar in unstressed,
      cold-treated cells, and cells which recover from low temperatures in the presence
      of oryzalin or tap water alone. In the presence of cytochalasin D the actin
      filaments are severely fragmented. The results indicate that low temperatures
      most likely influence either the interaction of the force-generating system,
      probably myosin, with actin filaments, or the force-generating mechanism of the
      actomyosin-driven intracellular movement, but do not affect actin-filament
      integrity. 

PMID- 24212351
TI  - Thymine photodimer formation in DNA hairpins. Unusual conformations favor (6 - 4)
      vs. (2 + 2) adducts.
AB  - The photochemical reactions of eleven synthetic DNA hairpins possessing a single
      TT step either in a base-paired stem or in a hexanucleotide linker have been
      investigated. The major reaction products have been identified as the cis-syn (2
      + 2) adduct and the (6 - 4) adduct on the basis of their spectroscopic properties
      including 1D and 2D NMR spectra, UV spectra and stability or instability to
      photochemical cleavage. Product quantum yields and ratios determined by HPLC
      analysis allow the behaviour of the eleven hairpins to be placed into three
      groups: Group I in which the (2 + 2) adduct is the major product, as is usually
      the case for DNA, Group II in which comparable amounts of (2 + 2) and (6 - 4)
      adducts are formed, and Group III in which the major product is the (6 - 4)
      adduct. The latter behaviour is without precedent in natural or synthetic DNA and
      appears to be related to the highly fluxional structures of the hairpin
      reactants. Molecular dynamics simulation of ground state conformations provides
      quantum yields and product ratios calculated using a single parameter model that
      are in reasonable agreement with most of the experimental results. Factors which
      may influence the observed product ratios are discussed. 

PMID- 24212352
TI  - Role of PHGG as a dietary fiber: a review article.
AB  - AIM: Functional and metabolic effects of dietary fiber are recognized by the
      scientific, clinical and nutritional experts. Dietary fiber plays a very
      significant role in modifying the intestinal microbiota, exerting prebiotic
      effects such as stimulating the growth and/or function of beneficial intestinal
      microorganisms. Changes in the gut microbiota composition are classically
      considered as one of the many factors involved in the pathogenesis of either
      inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. The use of particular
      food products with a prebiotic effect has thus been tested in clinical trials
      with the objective to improve the clinical activity and well-being of patients
      with such disorders. Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) is a natural dietary
      fiber (BenefibraTM, Novartis CH Italy): it is a white powder, water-soluble,
      colorless and transparent in water solution and almost tasteless. PHGG is stable
      and soluble at various pH levels commonly found in foods as well as resistant to
      heat, acid, salt, high pressure and digestive enzymes. Low viscosity of PHGG
      provides a distinct advantage for the use of fiber in enteral feeding products to
      be administered through feeding tubes. It has been studied in adults, both
      healthy volunteers and patients, in different disorders such as constipation,
      irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), enteral nutrition, small intestine bacterial
      overgrowth (SIBO) and, very recently, in children suffering from functional
      abdominal pain according to the Rome III Criteria definition for functional
      gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). This review takes stock of the situation
      concerning what is known to date on PHGG as dietary fiber, in order to give the
      health care professionals, such as gastroenterologists, dieticians and general
      practitioners, a complete overview on its intrinsic characteristics, preclinical
      and clinical evaluations, uses in different situations as supportive therapy in
      the management of the main intestinal functional disorders both in adults and in
      children. METHODS: All the papers on PHGG, published from the early 1990s of the
      Last Century to the Year 2013, have been considered. All types of publications
      have been included. PubMed, Medline, Ovid were the main sources adopted for data
      retrieving. RESULTS: PHGG has been studied in both animals and humans; its safety
      is well known and several clinical uses are well established. Concerning the
      modulation of metabolism in human, very little has been done to date and the
      studies have been focused, for the most part, on the functional diseases: PHGG
      has been proved to be useful in treating both IBS -C and D symptoms, not only in
      adults but also in children; data on constipation are relatively scarce and what
      can be deduced from the Literature is that the high concentration of fiber gives
      the PHGG the possibility of being used effectively in acceptable dosages (up to
      22 g/day) even in situations such as chronic constipation. The use in clinical
      nutrition has revealed the flexibility of the compound which, owing to its
      peculiar characteristics, does not gel and remains liquid, PHGG can be used
      successfully in patients in enteral nutrition lowering the incidence of diarrhea.
      New open horizons can be glimpsed for SIBO treatment, lowering or maximizing the
      antibiotics use. CONCLUSION: Not all the fibers are the same: this is a fact.
      Promoting the specific knowledge of their characteristics is very important if
      healthcare professionals want to give their patients the best options for
      functional gastrointestinal disorders or nutritional needs. PHGG (BenefiberTM
      Novartis CH) has been proved to be safe and effective in promoting gut health.

PMID- 24212353
TI  - Silymarin and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe): two promising pharmacological
      agents in case of chronic alcoholic hepathopathy. A review and a point of view.
AB  - The alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the leading cause of death from liver
      failure in Italy and worldwide. Ethanol abstention, a healthy diet, and a
      significant improvement of life-style are the mainstay of treatment for this
      disease. Currently, we do not have effective therapeutic options are at our
      disposal to restore and maintain an improved clinical status. Silymarin is a
      complementary and alternative medicine often prescribed and self-prescribed; it
      has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and metabolic properties. It
      improves the laboratoristic values and the ultrasonographic grading of liver
      disease in case of steatosis/steatohepatitis. S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is
      the principal biological methyl donor, and it is also a precursor of glutathione
      (GSH), essential for the anti-oxidant pathways. SAMe is particularly important
      for opposing the toxicity of free radicals generated by various toxins, including
      alcohol. An association between Silymarin and SAMe (labelled as a dietary
      supplement) has been recently brought to market, and seems to be promising. It
      could be beneficial in such cases of alcoholic hepathopathies. New therapeutic
      options are needed by hepatologists to successfully overcome a constantly growing
      disease. 

PMID- 24212354
TI  - Early diagnosis and management of esophageal and gastric cancer.
AB  - Esophageal and gastric cancers have high mortality rates secondary to the late
      presentation of most patients at advanced stages. Improved survival is achievable
      when the disease is confined to the more superficial mucosal layers and treated.
      This review will focus on the detection, screening, staging, endoscopic
      treatment, and surveillance of early upper gastrointestinal cancer - squamous
      cell carcinoma of the esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric
      adenocarcinoma. 

PMID- 24212355
TI  - Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiation therapy in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - During the last two decades, endoscopic ultrasound has revolutionized the
      diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. The role of EUS
      has expanded well beyond its role as a diagnostic modality, and has emerged as a
      highly sophisticated interventional modality. More recently, EUS has paved its
      way into radiation oncology by either facilitating highly targeted image guided
      radiotherapy (IGRT) by insertion of fiducial markers in tumors or by direct
      instillation of radioactive seeds (brachytherapy). Although the experience
      regarding these techniques is in a preliminary stage, if developed further, this
      can potentially provide a highly accurate and minimally invasive approach for
      implantation of fiducial and radioactive seeds. This review will discuss
      potential role of EUS in implantation therapy, current literature and also
      speculate on future prospects for these EUS-guided interventions in pancreatic
      cancer. 

PMID- 24212356
TI  - Endoscopic resolution of secondary complications in bariatric surgery.
AB  - Morbid obesity has become an epidemic in past few decades. It has become an
      important aspect of public health-focused issues due its impact on several
      chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Consequently
      the number of bariatric surgeries have increased in the past few years due to
      improved techniques and devices. A multidisciplinary approach such as surgical
      intervention and diet modification has yielded effective and sustainable weight
      loss in morbidly obese patients. However, as with as surgical procedure,
      immediate and long term complications may occur after bariatric surgery.
      Approximately 5% to 10% of patients who undergo bariatric surgery develop early
      complications (also known as perioperative complications), those that appear
      within the first 30 days of surgery, and 9% to 25% show sign of problems after
      the initial 30 days (late complications). Complications of bariatric surgery are
      related to the type of procedure performed and this review will describe the most
      common complication and their endoscopic management. 

PMID- 24212357
TI  - High internal phase emulsion (HIPE) organogels prepared from charge-driven
      assembled polymer organogels.
AB  - We prepared HIPE organogels from polymer organogels which were pre-formed based
      on a triblock ionomer and polypropylenimine dendrimers via charge-induced
      assembly. The morphologies of the HIPE organogels are little changed with salt
      concentrations while the mechanical strength of the organogels can be tuned by
      PPI dendrimers. 

PMID- 24212358
TI  - Health technology assessments in England: an analysis of the NICE Medical
      Technologies Evaluation Programme.

PMID- 24212359
TI  - The application of digital volume correlation (DVC) to study the microstructural
      behaviour of trabecular bone during compression.
AB  - Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) has been emerged recently as an innovative
      approach to full volume (i.e. internal) displacement and strain field measurement
      in materials and structures, particularly in conjunction with high resolution X
      ray computed tomography (CT). As a relatively novel technique certain aspects of
      precision, accuracy and the breadth of application are yet to be fully
      established. This study has applied DVC to volume images of porcine trabecular
      bone assessing the effect of noise and sub-volume size on strain measurement.
      Strain resolutions ranging between 70 and 800MUepsilon were obtained for the
      optimum sub-volume size of 64 voxels with a 50% overlap for metrological studies
      conducted. These values allowed the mechanical behaviour of porcine trabecular
      bone during compression to be investigated. During compression a crushed layer
      formed adjacent to the boundary plate which increased in thickness as the
      specimen was further deformed. The structure of the crushed layer was altered to
      such an extent that it confounded the correlation method. While investigating
      this factor, it was found that for reliable strain calculations a correlation
      coefficient of 0.90 or above was required between the sub-volumes in the
      reference and the deformed volumes. Good agreements between the results and
      published bone strain failures were obtained. Using the full field strain
      measurements, Poisson's ratio was identified for each compression step using a
      dedicated inverse method called the virtual fields method (VFM). It was found
      that for a given region outside of the crushed zone the Poisson ratio decreased
      from 0.32 to 0.21 between the first and the final compression steps, which was
      hypothesised to be due to the bone geometry and its resulting deformation
      behaviour. This study demonstrates that volumetric strain measurement can be
      obtained successfully using DVC, making it a useful tool for quantitatively
      investigating the micro-mechanical behaviour of macroscale bone specimens. 

PMID- 24212360
TI  - Evaluation of cranial window types for in vivo two-photon imaging of brain
      microstructures.
AB  - In vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM) of neurons and glia in the
      mouse neocortex can be achieved using two distinct surgical methods: the thin
      skull and open-skull window techniques. The open-skull window technique is more
      invasive, but provides more flexibility in imaging periods and frequencies.
      Critical evaluations of the two surgical methods are required, particularly their
      ability to image submicron structures such as dendritic filopodia and spines.
      Here, we used multiple approaches to evaluate the optical resolution of 2PLSM
      through two types of cranial windows. Two-photon point spread function (PSF) on
      the surface of the neocortex in vivo was studied by imaging the fluorescent
      microspheres attached to the pial surface. Comparable PSF widths indicated that
      the optical resolution of 2PLSM on the brain surface was similar between the two
      types of cranial window techniques. Next, we evaluated the effects of laser beam
      propagation through the thinned bone by imaging the underlying gel samples
      containing fluorescent microspheres as phantoms mimicking the brain tissue. We
      observed deterioration of PSF with increase in the imaging depths through the
      thinned bone. Reduction in image resolution through the thin-skull window in the
      deep cortical layer was confirmed by repetitive 2PLSM of the same GFP-positive
      dendritic spines with two techniques. In summary, the resolution of 2PLSM is
      comparable with those of two cranial window preparations in the superficial layer
      of the neocortex, but the quality of the image through the thin-skull windows
      degrades at points deeper than 50 um. 

PMID- 24212361
TI  - GP league tables are too simple and should not be used, says BMA.

PMID- 24212362
TI  - Adaptive response to sociality and ecology drives the diversification of facial
      colour patterns in catarrhines.
AB  - The faces of Old World monkeys and apes (Catarrhini) exhibit every possible hue
      in the spectrum of mammal colours. Animal colouration experiences selection for
      communication, physiology and ecology; however, the relative importance of these
      factors in producing facial diversity in catarrhines is not known. Here we adopt
      a comparative approach to test whether facial traits have evolved in tandem with
      social, geographic and ecological pressures across four catarrhine radiations.
      Our analyses reveal the underlying correlates of two major axes in the evolution
      of facial diversity. Facial colour patterns are linked to social factors, such
      that gregarious and highly sympatric species have evolved more colours in their
      faces. Facial pigmentation tends to be dominated by ecological factors, and
      species living in tropical, densely forested and humid habitats in Africa have
      evolved darker faces. Thus, both sociality and ecology have played a role in
      producing the highest diversity of faces within mammals. 

PMID- 24212363
TI  - Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy Review. Editorial.

PMID- 24212364
TI  - The basic science of platelet-rich plasma (PRP): what clinicians need to know.
AB  - Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been advocated for the biological augmentation of
      tissue healing and regeneration through the local introduction of increased
      levels (above baseline) of platelets and their associated bioactive molecules. In
      theory, the increased levels of autologous growth factors and secretory proteins
      provided by the concentrated platelets may enhance the wound healing process,
      especially in degenerative tissues or biologically compromised individuals.
      Although PRP has been increasingly utilized in the treatment of a variety of
      sports-related injuries, improvements in healing and clinical outcomes have not
      been universally reported. One reason for this may be the fact that all PRP
      preparations are not the same. Variations in the volume of whole blood taken, the
      platelet recovery efficacy, the final volume of plasma in which the platelets are
      suspended, and the presence or absence of white blood cells, and the addition of
      exogenous thrombin to activate the platelets or calcium chloride to induce fibrin
      formation, can all affect the character and potential efficacy of the final PRP
      product. This article will review the basic principles involved in creating PRP
      and examine the potential basic scientific significance of the individual blood
      components contained in the various forms of PRP currently used in sports
      medicine. 

PMID- 24212365
TI  - Variability of platelet-rich plasma preparations.
AB  - Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a clinical treatment for bone, muscle, tendon, and
      cartilage injury has gained popularity in the field of orthopedic sports
      medicine. The use of a patient's own blood is an appealing aspect of PRP
      treatment, as the resulting plasma preparation is considered relatively benign in
      comparison with more common, potentially caustic treatments such as
      corticosteroids and anesthetics. Although appealing, the autologous nature of PRP
      introduces variability to plasma preparations, creating challenges for both the
      researcher and the clinician. Differences in patients at the time of blood draw
      result in plasma preparations that vary within as well as between patients. This
      variability is compounded by the multitude of protocols and devices available for
      procuring PRP. The variability of components and its effects on dosage should be
      considered in single or consecutive treatments of PRP. 

PMID- 24212366
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma for muscle injury and tendinopathy.
AB  - Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is increasingly used in Regenerative Medicine. The
      concept of PRP as a natural source of signaling molecules with paracrine effects
      in different cells is the basis for the increased PRP application as treatment
      for sports injuries. PRP recapitulates the principal functions of the natural
      healing response in orchestrating cell proliferation, differentiation, migration,
      and angiogenesis. After systematically searching the literature, we identified 21
      trials for PRP injections in tendinopathy: 57% were uncontrolled trials and 1
      cohort study in muscle. Leukocyte-PRP was used in 91.7% of tendons, of which
      65.5% received 1 single injection. Given the lack of large controlled trials, it
      is clear that the effectiveness of conservative L-PRP treatments is not proven.
      The clinical evaluation of alternative formulations can be extremely informative.
      Other unexplored issues include activation, redosing, and concomitant
      longitudinal tenotomies. Limiting factors for the acceptance of PRP are the lack
      of evidence of obvious clinical improvement and reimbursement. 

PMID- 24212367
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma for rotator cuff repair.
AB  - Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and disability. Because
      they combine both traumatic and degenerative elements, the surgical repair can be
      challenging. Even after surgical intervention, tendon residual defects or
      "retears" often develop. Risk factors for tendon "retears" include patient age,
      number of tendons involved, tear size, and smoking. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is
      a supraphysiological concentration of platelets, which may be able to positively
      augment rotator cuff tendon healing. Not all PRPs are the same and those
      containing higher leukocyte levels may be detrimental to tendon healing. Thrombin
      activation triggers an immediate release of growth factors from the PRP and may
      actually inhibit some parts of the healing response. As yet, the clinical data
      does not conclusively prove a benefit from PRP, but discernment is required in
      evaluating the published results. As different PRPs may act differently and the
      results may be dose dependent requiring more PRP to achieve a beneficial
      threshold. How success is measured (clinical outcomes vs. intact cuff tendons)
      and how long the patients are followed are also critical items. Currently, the
      PRP fibrin matrix version holds the greatest promise for improving clinical
      success after rotator cuff tendon repair. 

PMID- 24212368
TI  - The use of PRP in ligament and meniscal healing.
AB  - Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a popular treatment for acute and chronic
      soft tissue injuries. Although the majority of research has focused on its use in
      tendinopathy, PRP may have potential in meniscus and ligament healing. Some level
      II studies support a possible benefit for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
      allograft maturation, and preliminary animal studies point to a potential role
      for PRP in primary ACL repair. However, randomized controlled trials have not
      demonstrated a benefit of PRP for ACL tendon allograft-tunnel integration. To
      date, 2 studies document the use of PRP for meniscal applications, but this field
      is largely unexplored. With respect to ligament and meniscal applications, the
      current literature suggests PRP may be promising for primary ACL repair in
      skeletally immature patients, ACL graft maturation, and repair of meniscal tears
      in the avascular zone. 

PMID- 24212369
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma for articular cartilage repair.
AB  - Platelet concentrates have been gaining popularity for a number of applications
      in orthopedic surgery as a way to enhance both healing of various tissues and
      reduce pain. One major area of focus has been the effect of platelet-rich plasma
      (PRP) on stem cells and chondrocytes and the potential for PRP to enhance
      cartilage regeneration as well as reduce catabolic factors that lead to cartilage
      degradation. This article provides an up-to-date review of the current literature
      regarding the effect of PRP on articular cartilage and its use in the treatment
      of osteoarthritis. Basic science, animal, and human clinical investigations are
      presented. In general, PRP has been shown to promote chondrogenic differentiation
      in vitro and lead to enhanced cartilage repair during animal investigations.
      Human trials, mostly conducted in the form of injection into knees with
      osteoarthritis, have shown promise in a number of investigations for achieving
      symptomatic relief of pain and improving function. 

PMID- 24212370
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma and plantar fasciitis.
AB  - Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain and can prove difficult
      to treat in its most chronic and severe forms. Advanced cases of plantar
      fasciitis are often associated with ankle stiffness, heel spurs, and other
      conditions and can lead to extensive physical disability and financial loss. Most
      available traditional treatments, including orthoses, nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs, and steroid injections have a paucity of supportive clinical
      evidence. More invasive treatments, ranging from corticosteroid and botulinum-A
      toxin injections to shockwave therapy and plantar fasciotomy, have demonstrated
      varying clinical success in severe cases but carry the potential for serious
      complication and permanent disability. Platelet-rich plasma has recently been
      demonstrated to be helpful in managing chronic severe tendinopathies when other
      techniques have failed. This review examines the pathophysiology, diagnostic
      options, nonoperative treatment modalities, and surgical options currently used
      for plantar fasciitis. It also focuses on the clinical rationale and available
      evidence for using autologous platelet-rich plasma to treat severe refractory
      chronic plantar fasciitis. 

PMID- 24212371
TI  - The use of platelet-rich plasma in orthopedic injuries.
AB  - Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous concentration of blood-derived human
      platelets in a small volume of plasma. The types of PRP vary according to the
      commercial preparation system used, the platelet concentration, or the
      anticoagulant or activator used. Autologous conditioned plasma is an autologous
      concentration of human platelets in plasma 2 to 4 times greater than that which
      is found in blood at baseline. Platelets are important to the normal healing
      response of tissue by the local secretion of growth factors and recruitment of
      reparative cells in an area of injury. PRP is theorized to create an optimal
      healing environment in a region of tissue injury. This is a literature review of
      currently published studies using PRP in orthopedic injuries. We performed a
      literature search in PubMed and Medline in April 2013. We concluded that given
      the number of variations of PRP available and the lack of high-level published
      studies, there is insufficient evidence to conclusively support its clinical use.

PMID- 24212374
TI  - Development of a FRET biosensor with high specificity for Akt.
AB  - The serine/threonine kinase Akt plays a critical role in cell proliferation,
      survival, and tumorigenesis. As a central kinase in the phosphatidylinositol 3
      kinase pathway, its activation mechanism at the plasma membrane has been well
      characterized. However, the subcellular Akt activity in living cells is still
      largely unknown. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors
      have emerged as indispensable tools to visualize the subcellular activities of
      signaling molecules. In this study, we developed a highly specific FRET biosensor
      for Akt based on the Eevee backbone, called Eevee-iAkt. Using inhibitors
      targeting kinases upstream and downstream of Akt, we showed that Eevee-iAkt
      specifically monitors Akt activity in living cells. To visualize Akt activity at
      different subcellular compartments, we targeted Eevee-iAkt to raft and non-raft
      regions of the plasma membrane, mitochondria, and nucleus in HeLa and Cos7 cells.
      Interestingly, we revealed substantial differences in Akt activation between HeLa
      and Cos7 cells upon epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation: Akt was
      transiently activated in HeLa cells with comparable levels at the plasma
      membrane, cytosol, and mitochondria. In contrast, sustained and spatially
      localized Akt activation was observed in EGF-stimulated Cos7 cells. We found high
      Akt activity at the plasma membrane, low activity in the cytosol, and no
      detectable activity at the mitochondria and nucleus in Cos7 cells. The Eevee-iAkt
      biosensor was shown to be a valuable tool to study the functional relationship
      between subcellular Akt activation and its anti-apoptotic role in living cells. 

PMID- 24212375
TI  - Localization of angulin-1/LSR and tricellulin at tricellular contacts of brain
      and retinal endothelial cells in vivo.
AB  - The paracellular pathway of an epithelial cellular sheet can be divided into two
      parts: one between two adjacent cells sealed by tight junctions (TJs) and one at
      tricellular contacts (TCs), where the corners of three cells meet. At TCs of
      epithelial cells, there is a specialized mode of TJs, namely tricellular TJs
      (tTJs), required for full barrier function of the cellular sheet. However, tTJs
      have not been described in endothelial cells to date. Here, we investigated
      whether tTJs occur in endothelial cells by analyzing the TC localizations of tTJ
      markers, tricellulin and angulin family proteins (angulin-1/LSR, angulin-2/ILDR1,
      and angulin-3/ILDR2), by immunofluorescence staining of frozen sections of
      various tissues from adult mice. Endothelial TCs in most tissues revealed no
      detectable staining of tricellulin or angulins. However, tricellulin and angulin
      1/LSR were specifically concentrated in TCs of brain and retinal endothelial
      cells, which form the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and inner blood-retinal barrier
      (BRB), respectively. Even in the brain, endothelial cells in the choroid plexus
      and the median eminence, one of the circumventricular organs, did not show
      concentration of tricellulin or angulins at TCs. These findings indicate the
      existence of tTJs in endothelial cells in vivo and suggest that tTJs impart
      important characteristics to the BBB and inner BRB. 

PMID- 24212376
TI  - The role of lymphatic transport on the systemic bioavailability of the Bcl-2
      protein family inhibitors navitoclax (ABT-263) and ABT-199.
AB  - Navitoclax (ABT-263), a Bcl-2 family inhibitor and ABT-199, a Bcl-2 selective
      inhibitor, are high molecular weight, high logP molecules that show low
      solubility in aqueous media. While these properties are associated with low oral
      bioavailability (F), both navitoclax and ABT-199 showed moderate F in preclinical
      species. The objective of the described study was to determine if lymphatic
      transport contributes to the systemic availability of navitoclax and ABT-199 in
      dogs. The intravenous pharmacokinetics of navitoclax and ABT-199 were determined
      in intact (noncannulated) dogs. In oral studies, tablets (100 mg) of navitoclax
      and ABT-199 were administered to both intact and thoracic lymph duct-cannulated
      (TDC) dogs. The clearance of navitoclax and ABT-199 was low; 0.673 and 0.779
      ml/min per kilogram, respectively. The volume of distribution of both compounds
      was low (0.5-0.7 l/kg). The half-lives of navitoclax and ABT-199 were 22.2 and
      12.9 hours, respectively. The F of navitoclax and ABT-199 were 56.5 and 38.8%,
      respectively, in fed intact dogs. In fed TDC dogs, 13.5 and 4.67% of the total
      navitoclax and ABT-199 doses were observed in lymph with the % F of navitoclax
      and ABT-199 of 21.7 and 20.2%, respectively. The lower lymphatic transport of ABT
      199 corresponds to the lower overall % F of ABT-199 versus navitoclax despite
      similar systemic availability via the portal vein (similar % F in TDC animals).
      This is consistent with the higher long chain triglyceride solubility of
      navitoclax (9.2 mg/ml) versus ABT-199 (2.2 mg/ml). In fasted TDC animals, lymph
      transport of navitoclax and ABT-199 decreased by 1.8-fold and 10-fold,
      respectively. 

PMID- 24212377
TI  - Impact of endogenous esterase activity on in vitro p-glycoprotein profiling of
      dabigatran etexilate in Caco-2 monolayers.
AB  - Dabigatran etexilate, a double prodrug of dabigatran, is a reversible,
      competitive, direct thrombin inhibitor that has been approved for use in many
      countries. A recent guideline from the European Medicines Agency on drug-drug
      interactions proposed dabigatran etexilate as a sensitive in vivo and in vitro
      probe substrate for intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition. We therefore
      performed a series of in vitro studies to determine the best experimental
      conditions for evaluation of P-gp involvement on the transport process of
      dabigatran etexilate across colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cell monolayers.
      Experiments using expressed carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) and CES2 bactosomes
      revealed that dabigatran etexilate was hydrolyzed into BIBR 1087 by CES1
      expressed in our Caco-2 cells. The impact of CES1-mediated BIBR 1087 formation
      during transcellular transport experiments was assessed by comparing several
      combinations of three experimental approaches: radioactivity detection using
      [(14)C]dabigatran etexilate as substrate, liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantification of dabigatran etexilate, and in the
      presence and absence of a CES inhibitor bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP). The
      experimental approach that was based on the use of nonlabeled dabigatran
      etexilate together with LC-MS/MS quantification and the addition of BNPP was
      selected as the most favorable condition in which to correctly evaluate the
      permeability coefficient (Papp) of dabigatran etexilate and its transcellular
      transport by P-gp. The in vitro Caco-2 study at the selected condition revealed
      that dabigatran etexilate is a P-gp substrate with an efflux ratio of 13.8 and an
      intrinsic Papp, which is the Papp under the condition of complete blockage of P
      gp by P-gp inhibitor, of 29 * 10(-6) cm/s. 

PMID- 24212378
TI  - In vitro predictability of drug-drug interaction likelihood of P-glycoprotein
      mediated efflux of dabigatran etexilate based on [I]2/IC50 threshold.
AB  - Dabigatran etexilate, an oral, reversible, competitive, and direct thrombin
      inhibitor, is an in vitro and in vivo substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp).
      Dabigatran etexilate was proposed as an in vivo probe substrate for intestinal P
      gp inhibition in a recent guidance on drug-drug interactions (DDI) from the
      European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We
      conducted transcellular transport studies across Caco-2 cell monolayers with
      dabigatran etexilate in the presence of various P-gp inhibitors to examine how
      well in vitro IC50 data, in combination with mathematical equations provided by
      regulatory guidances, predict DDI likelihood. From a set of potential P-gp
      inhibitors, clarithromycin, cyclosporin A, itraconazole, ketoconazole, quinidine,
      and ritonavir inhibited P-gp-mediated transport of dabigatran etexilate over a
      concentration range that may hypothetically occur in the intestine. IC50 values
      of P-gp inhibitors for dabigatran etexilate transport were comparable to those of
      digoxin, a well established in vitro and in vivo P-gp substrate. However, IC50
      values varied depending whether they were calculated from efflux ratios or
      permeability coefficients. Prediction of DDI likelihood of P-gp inhibitors using
      IC50 values, the hypothetical concentration of P-gp inhibitors, and the cut-off
      value recommended by both the FDA and EMA were in line with the DDI occurrence in
      clinical studies with dabigatran etexilate. However, it has to be kept in mind
      that validity of the cut-off criteria proposed by the FDA and EMA depends on in
      vitro experimental systems and the IC50-calculation methods that are employed, as
      IC50 values are substantially influenced by these factors. 

PMID- 24212379
TI  - Identification of carboxylesterase-dependent dabigatran etexilate hydrolysis.
AB  - Dabigatran etexilate (DABE) is an oral prodrug that is rapidly converted to the
      active thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran (DAB), by serine esterases. The aims of the
      present study were to investigate the in vitro kinetics and pathway of DABE
      hydrolysis by human carboxylesterase enzymes, and the effect of alcohol on these
      transformations. The kinetics of DABE hydrolysis in two human recombinant
      carboxylesterase enzymes (CES1 and CES2) and in human intestinal microsomes and
      human liver S9 fractions were determined. The effects of alcohol (a known CES1
      inhibitor) on the formation of DABE metabolites in carboxylesterase enzymes and
      human liver S9 fractions were also examined. The inhibitory effect of bis(4
      nitrophenyl) phosphate on the carboxylesterase-mediated metabolism of DABE and
      the effect of alcohol on the hydrolysis of a classic carboxylesterase substrate
      (cocaine) were studied to validate the in vitro model. The ethyl ester of DABE
      was hydrolyzed exclusively by CES1 to M1 (Km 24.9 +/- 2.9 MUM, Vmax 676 +/- 26
      pmol/min per milligram protein) and the carbamate ester of DABE was exclusively
      hydrolyzed by CES2 to M2 (Km 5.5 +/- 0.8 MUM; Vmax 71.1 +/- 2.4 pmol/min per
      milligram protein). Sequential hydrolysis of DABE in human intestinal microsomes
      followed by hydrolysis in human liver S9 fractions resulted in complete
      conversion to DAB. These results suggest that after oral administration of DABE
      to humans, DABE is hydrolyzed by intestinal CES2 to the intermediate M2
      metabolite followed by hydrolysis of M2 to DAB in the liver by CES1.
      Carboxylesterase-mediated hydrolysis of DABE was not inhibited by alcohol. 

PMID- 24212381
TI  - Protein restoration in low-birth-weight rat offspring derived from maternal low
      protein diet leads to elevated hepatic CYP3A and CYP2C11 activity in adulthood.
AB  - The World Health Organization has identified hypercholesterolemia to be one of
      the major symptoms encompassing the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, epidemiologic
      evidence indicates that low-birth-weight offspring are at greater risk of
      developing the metabolic syndrome. Previous work in our laboratory demonstrated
      that maternal protein restriction (MPR) results in impaired fetal growth and
      hypercholesterolemia in adulthood. This was attributed to repression of hepatic
      CYP7A1, a rate-limiting enzyme that catabolizes cholesterol to bile acids.
      Another important function of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes is the phase I
      oxidative metabolism of drugs (i.e., statins for hypercholesterolemia), which can
      significantly impact pharmacokinetics. We hypothesized that MPR offspring may
      have altered ability to metabolize drugs in adulthood. To address this
      hypothesis, we maintained Wistar rats on a 20% protein diet (control) or a low 8%
      protein diet throughout prenatal and postnatal life (LP1) or exclusively during
      prenatal life and weaning (LP2). Intriguingly CYP3A and CYP2C11 intrinsic
      clearance (Vmax/Km) was significantly increased exclusively in LP2 offspring at
      postnatal day 130 compared with control or LP1 offspring, as evaluated by
      testosterone enzyme kinetics in liver microsomes. The increase in activity was
      secondary to an increase in CYP3A23 and CYP2C11 mRNA. Collectively, these
      findings suggest that a low-birth-weight offspring with postnatal catch-up growth
      may have a diminished response to xenobiotics metabolized by CYP3A and CYP2C11
      enzymes. 

PMID- 24212380
TI  - CPY3A4-mediated alpha-hydroxyaldehyde formation in saquinavir metabolism.
AB  - Saquinavir (SQV) is a protease inhibitor widely used for the treatment of human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We profiled SQV metabolism in mice using
      a metabolomic approach. Thirty SQV metabolites were identified in mouse feces and
      urine, of which 20 are novel. Most metabolites observed in mice were
      recapitulated in human liver microsomes. Among these novel metabolites, one alpha
      hydroxyaldehyde produced from SQV N-dealkylation was noted and verified for the
      first time. Meanwhile, the corresponding product (3S)-N-tert-butyldecahydro
      isoquinoline-3-carboxamide and its further metabolites were identified in mouse
      urine. The alpha-hydroxyaldehyde pathway was confirmed by using semicarbazide as
      a trapping reagent as well. Using recombinant cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoenzymes
      and Cyp3a-null mice, CYP3A was identified as the dominant enzyme contributing to
      the formation of alpha-hydroxyaldehyde. This study enhances our knowledge of SQV
      metabolism, which can be used for predicting drug-drug interactions and further
      understanding the mechanism of adverse effects associated with SQV. 

PMID- 24212382
TI  - Evaluation of intrinsic charge carrier transport at insulator-semiconductor
      interfaces probed by a non-contact microwave-based technique.
AB  - We have successfully designed the geometry of the microwave cavity and the thin
      metal electrode, achieving resonance of the microwave cavity with the metal
      insulator-semiconductor (MIS) device structure. This very simple MIS device
      operates in the cavity, where charge carriers are injected quantitatively by an
      applied bias at the insulator-semiconductor interface. The local motion of the
      charge carriers was clearly probed through the applied external microwave field,
      also giving the quantitative responses to the injected charge carrier density and
      charge/discharge characteristics. By means of the present measurement system
      named field-induced time-resolved microwave conductivity (FI-TRMC), the pentacene
      thin film in the MIS device allowed the evaluation of the hole and electron
      mobility at the insulator-semiconductor interface of 6.3 and 0.34 cm2 V-1 s-1,
      respectively. This is the first report on the direct, intrinsic, non-contact
      measurement of charge carrier mobility at interfaces that has been fully
      experimentally verified.

PMID- 24212383
TI  - Role of endomyocardial biopsy for children presenting with acute systolic heart
      failure.
AB  - Myocarditis, an inflammatory disease of the heart, frequently results from viral
      infections, postviral immune-mediated responses, or both. It is a common cause of
      acute-onset systolic heart failure in children. Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB)
      remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of myocarditis. However, EMB is not
      performed for most myocarditis cases involving children in the United States.
      Clinical scenarios in which EMB results added unique prognostic data and guidance
      to therapy have been defined recently. This review outlines the role of EMB in
      the diagnosis and management of myocarditis for children presenting with acute
      onset systolic heart failure. 

PMID- 24212384
TI  - Ischemic stroke after use of the synthetic marijuana "spice".
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To report and associate acute cerebral infarctions in 2 young,
      previously healthy siblings with use of the street drug known as "spice" (a
      synthetic marijuana product, also known as "K2"), which they independently smoked
      before experiencing acute embolic-appearing ischemic strokes. METHODS: We present
      history, physical examination, laboratory data, cerebrovascular imaging,
      echocardiogram, ECG, and hospital course of these patients. RESULTS: We found
      that in both siblings spice was obtained from the same source. The drug was found
      to contain the schedule I synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018. Full stroke workup was
      unrevealing of a stroke etiology; urine drug screen was positive for marijuana.
      CONCLUSIONS: We found that our 2 patients who smoked the street drug spice had a
      temporal association with symptoms of acute cerebral infarction. This association
      may be confounded by contaminants in the product consumed (i.e., marijuana or an
      unidentified toxin) or by an unknown genetic mechanism. The imaging of both
      patients suggests an embolic etiology, which is consistent with reports of
      serious adverse cardiac events with spice use, including tachyarrhythmias and
      myocardial infarctions.

PMID- 24212386
TI  - Comment: a reappraisal of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

PMID- 24212385
TI  - Long-term predictive value of the Framingham Risk Score for Stroke in HIV
      positive vs HIV-negative men.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test the predictive accuracy of the Framingham Risk Score for
      Stroke (FRS-S) in HIV-infected (HIV+) vs HIV-uninfected (HIV-) men. METHODS: The
      Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) is an ongoing prospective study of HIV+ and
      HIV- men who have sex with men (MSM) enrolled in 4 US cities. We ascertained all
      reported stroke events during a recent 15-year timeframe (July 1, 1996 to June
      30, 2011) among 3,945 participants (1,776 HIV+ and 2,169 HIV-). For those with
      strokes, FRS-S were calculated 10 years before the stroke event and assessed
      according to HIV status. RESULTS: A total of 114 stroke events occurred,
      including 57 HIV+ and 37 HIV- participants with first-ever strokes and 19 fatal
      strokes. The incidence of first-ever stroke was 1.7/1,000 person-years among HIV-
      and 3.3/1,000 person-years among HIV+ participants. Among those with strokes,
      HIV+ participants were younger than HIV- participants (median age 51.3 vs 61.8
      years, p < 0.0001). For these men with stroke, the average 10-year risk of stroke
      was higher for HIV- MSM (6.6% [range 3%-26%] vs 4.9% for HIV+ MSM [range 0%-15%],
      p < 0.04). Traditional risk factors for stroke were similar among the Framingham
      cohort and the MACS HIV+ and HIV- participants. CONCLUSIONS: FRS-S prediction was
      systematically different in HIV+ vs HIV- men with stroke events. The FRS-S
      underestimates the long-term risk of stroke in HIV+ men.

PMID- 24212387
TI  - CSF biomarkers of Alzheimer disease: "noncognitive" outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To test whether CSF Alzheimer disease biomarkers (beta-amyloid 42
      [Abeta42], tau, phosphorylated tau at threonine 181 [ptau181], tau/Abeta42, and
      ptau181/Abeta42) predict future decline in noncognitive outcomes among
      individuals cognitively normal at baseline. METHODS: Longitudinal data from
      participants (N = 430) who donated CSF within 1 year of a clinical assessment
      indicating normal cognition and were aged 50 years or older were analyzed. Mixed
      linear models were used to test whether baseline biomarker values predicted
      future decline in function (instrumental activities of daily living), weight,
      behavior, and mood. Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes and Mini-Mental State
      Examination scores were also examined. RESULTS: Abnormal levels of each biomarker
      were related to greater impairment with time in behavior (p < 0.035) and mood (p
      < 0.012) symptoms, and more difficulties with independent activities of daily
      living (p < 0.012). However, biomarker levels were unrelated to weight change
      with time (p > 0.115). As expected, abnormal biomarker values also predicted more
      rapidly changing Mini-Mental State Examination (p < 0.041) and Clinical Dementia
      Rating Sum of Boxes (p < 0.001) scores compared with normal values. CONCLUSIONS:
      CSF biomarkers among cognitively normal individuals are associated with future
      decline in some, but not all, noncognitive Alzheimer disease symptoms studied.
      Additional work is needed to determine the extent to which these findings
      generalize to other samples.

PMID- 24212388
TI  - Basal ganglia involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To characterize the nature and extent of basal ganglia involvement in
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) genotypes in vivo. METHODS: Forty-four
      healthy controls and 39 patients with ALS were included in the study. Thirty
      patients with ALS had a negative C9orf72 status and 9 patients with ALS carried
      the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion. High-resolution T1-weighted MRI data
      were used for model-based subcortical registration and segmentation. Fifteen
      subcortical structures were studied with both volumetric and vertex-wise
      approaches. Changes in basal ganglia diffusivity parameters were also assessed.
      RESULTS: Using age as a covariate, patients with ALS who were C9orf72 repeat
      negative showed significant volume reductions in the left caudate nucleus (p =
      0.01), left hippocampus (p = 0.007), and right accumbens nucleus (p = 0.001)
      compared with healthy controls. Vertex-wise shape analyses revealed changes
      affecting the superior and inferior aspects of the bilateral thalami, the lateral
      and inferior portion of the left hippocampus, and the medial and superior aspect
      of the left caudate. Basal ganglia pathology was more extensive in patients with
      ALS carrying the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion. CONCLUSIONS: ALS is
      associated with widespread basal ganglia involvement. Caudate nucleus,
      hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens atrophy are key features of ALS. Dysfunction
      of frontostriatal networks is likely to contribute to the unique
      neuropsychological profile of ALS, dominated by executive dysfunction, apathy,
      and deficits in social cognition. Our quantitative imaging findings are
      consistent with postmortem studies and indicate that subcortical gray matter
      structures should be included in future biomarker studies of ALS.

PMID- 24212389
TI  - Very early pattern of movement disorders in sepiapterin reductase deficiency.

PMID- 24212391
TI  - Prognosis of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy 45 years after onset: seizure outcome
      and predictors.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most common idiopathic
      generalized epilepsy subsyndrome, contributing to approximately 3% to 11% of
      adolescent and adult cases of epilepsy. However, little is known about the long
      term medical evolution of this clinical entity. The aim of this study was to
      analyze long-term outcome in a clinically well-defined series of patients with
      JME for seizure evolution and predictors of seizure outcome. METHODS: In this
      retrospective cohort study, we analyzed seizure outcome in 66 patients who had
      JME, were treated at the Department of Neurology, Charite-Universitatsmedizin
      Berlin, and were initially diagnosed by a single senior epileptologist. RESULTS:
      After a mean follow-up time of 44.6 years (20-69 years), 59.1% of patients
      remained free of seizures for at least 5 years before the last contact. Among the
      seizure-free patients, 28 (71.8%) were still taking antiepileptic drugs and 11
      (28.2%) were off medication for at least the last 5 years. We identified
      manifestation of additional absence seizures at onset of JME as an independent
      predictor of an unfavorable outcome regarding seizure freedom. CONCLUSIONS: A
      significant proportion of patients with JME were seizure-free and off
      antiepileptic drug therapy in the later course of their disorder. Patients with
      JME and additional absence seizures might represent a different JME subtype with
      a worse outcome.

PMID- 24212390
TI  - Nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment progresses to dementia with Lewy bodies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of progression of mild cognitive impairment
      (MCI) to dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). METHODS: We followed 337 patients with
      MCI in the Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (range 2-12 years). Competing
      risks survival models were used to examine the rates of progression to clinically
      probable DLB and Alzheimer disease (AD). A subset of patients underwent
      neuropathologic examination. RESULTS: In this clinical cohort, 116 remained as
      MCI, while 49 progressed to probable DLB, 162 progressed to clinically probable
      AD, and 10 progressed to other dementias. Among nonamnestic MCI, progression rate
      to probable DLB was 20 events per 100 person-years and to probable AD was 1.6 per
      100 person-years. Among amnestic MCI, progression rate to probable AD was 17
      events per 100 person-years, and to DLB was 1.5 events per 100 person-years. In
      88% of those who developed probable DLB, the baseline MCI diagnosis included
      attention and/or visuospatial deficits. Those who developed probable DLB were
      more likely to have baseline daytime sleepiness and subtle parkinsonism. In 99%
      of the clinically probable AD group, the baseline MCI diagnosis included memory
      impairment. Neuropathologic confirmation was obtained in 24 of 30 of those with
      clinically probable AD, and in 14 of 18 of those with clinically probable DLB.
      CONCLUSION: In a clinical sample, patients with nonamnestic MCI were more likely
      to develop DLB, and those with amnestic MCI were more likely to develop probable
      AD.

PMID- 24212392
TI  - Spice, pot, and stroke.
AB  - The endocannabinoid system includes 2 types of G-protein coupled receptors: CB1
      (mostly in the brain) and CB2 (in peripheral lymphoid tissue). The major
      cannabinoid ligands are arachidonylethanolamine ("anandamide," the Sanskrit word
      for bliss) and 2-arachidonylglycerol ("2AG"). It is by binding to CB1 receptors
      that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive ingredient in
      marijuana ("pot"), produces its intended subjective effects. 

PMID- 24212393
TI  - An RCT to treat learning impairment in multiple sclerosis: The MEMREHAB trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT),
      a 10-session behavioral intervention teaching context and imagery to facilitate
      learning, to improve learning and memory abilities in persons with multiple
      sclerosis (MS). METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized
      clinical trial included 86 participants with clinically definite MS, 41 in the
      treatment group and 45 in the placebo control group. Participants completed a
      baseline neuropsychological assessment, including questionnaires assessing
      everyday memory, a repeat assessment immediately posttreatment, and a long-term
      follow-up assessment 6 months after treatment. After completion of the treatment
      phase, persons in the treatment group were assigned to a booster session or a non
      booster session group to examine the efficacy of monthly booster sessions in
      facilitating the treatment effect over time. RESULTS: The treatment group showed
      a significantly improved learning slope relative to the placebo group
      posttreatment. Similar results were noted on objective measures of everyday
      memory, general contentment, and family report of apathy and executive
      dysfunction. Long-term follow-up data showed that posttreatment improvement in
      the treatment group continued to be noted on the list learning and self-report
      measures. The provision of booster sessions demonstrated little benefit.
      CONCLUSION: The mSMT is effective for improving learning and memory in MS.
      CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class I evidence that the mSMT
      behavioral intervention improves both objective memory and everyday memory in
      patients with MS over 5 weeks, with treatment effects lasting over a 6-month
      period.

PMID- 24212394
TI  - Abnormal brain maturation in preterm neonates associated with adverse
      developmental outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the association of early brain
      maturation with neurodevelopmental outcome in premature neonates. METHODS:
      Neonates born between 24 and 32 weeks' gestation (April 2006 to August 2010) were
      prospectively studied with MRI early in life and again at term-equivalent age.
      Using diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging,
      fractional anisotropy (FA) (microstructure) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline
      (metabolism) were measured from the basal nuclei, white matter tracts, and
      superior white matter. Brain maturation is characterized by increasing FA and
      NAA/choline from early in life to term-equivalent age. In premature neonates,
      systemic illness and critical care therapies have been linked to abnormalities of
      these measures. Of the 177 neonates in this cohort, 5 died and 157 (91% of
      survivors) were assessed at 18 months' corrected age (adjusted for prematurity)
      using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III motor, cognitive,
      and language composite scores (mean = 100, SD = 15). RESULTS: Among these 157
      infants, white matter injury was seen in 48 (30%). Severe white matter injury, in
      10 neonates (6%), was associated with a decrease in motor (-18 points; p < 0.001)
      and cognitive (-8 points; p = 0.085) scores. With greater severity of adverse
      neurodevelopmental outcomes, slower increases in FA and NAA/choline were observed
      in the basal nuclei and brain white matter regions as neonates matured to term
      equivalent age, independent of the presence of white matter injury. CONCLUSIONS:
      In the preterm neonate, abnormal brain maturation evolves through the period of
      neonatal intensive care and is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental
      outcomes.

PMID- 24212396
TI  - Let's rehabilitate cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.
AB  - Up to 60% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience cognitive
      dysfunction, with prominent involvement of complex attention, information
      processing speed, executive functions, episodic memory, and visuospatial
      abilities. Since MS-related cognitive deficits can substantially affect a wide
      range of daily life activities (e.g., work, driving, social integration, and
      adherence to medication regimens), it is imperative that we identify and develop
      strategies to alleviate them. 

PMID- 24212395
TI  - Is IVIg therapy warranted in progressive lower motor neuron syndromes without
      conduction block?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the likelihood of response to IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) by
      studying consecutive patients presenting with progressive, asymmetric, pure lower
      motor neuron (LMN) limb weakness, and to determine the clinical phenotype of
      those who respond. METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients with progressive,
      focal-onset LMN limb weakness, without evidence of clinical upper motor neuron
      signs; sensory, respiratory, or bulbar involvement; or evidence of motor nerve
      conduction block on electrodiagnostic studies, were prospectively included in
      this study. Each patient underwent treatment with IVIg (2 g/kg) for a minimum of
      3 months. Electrodiagnostic studies, a neuromuscular symptom score, and expanded
      Medical Research Council sum score were documented before and after IVIg
      treatment. The final diagnosis was determined after prolonged clinical follow-up.
      RESULTS: Only 3 of 31 patients (10%) responded to IVIg. All responders
      demonstrated distal upper limb-onset weakness, EMG abnormalities confined to the
      clinically weak muscles, and a normal creatine kinase. This set of features was
      also identified in 31% of nonresponders presenting with distal upper limb
      weakness. Sex, age at onset, number of involved limb regions, and the duration of
      symptoms before treatment were not significantly different between groups.
      CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study do not support uniform use of IVIg
      in patients presenting with progressive asymmetric LMN limb weakness. It is
      suggested that IVIg treatment be limited to patients who demonstrate clinical and
      laboratory features suggestive of multifocal motor neuropathy. CLASSIFICATION OF
      EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that IVIg will not improve muscle
      function in 90% of patients with progressive, asymmetric, pure LMN weakness.

PMID- 24212397
TI  - Value of sequential MRI in preterm infants.
AB  - Since the introduction of neonatal intensive care in the 1970s, there has been a
      pronounced decrease in overall mortality of premature infants as well as a
      decrease in the incidence of severe white matter injury, best known as cystic
      periventricular leukomalacia (c-PVL).(1) While cranial ultrasonography readily
      visualizes large lesions in the white matter (periventricular hemorrhagic
      infarction and c-PVL), this technique is not sufficiently sensitive to recognize
      the much more common and less severe noncystic white matter lesions.(2) The
      absolute number of extremely preterm infants is increasing because of improved
      survival rates.(e1.) 

PMID- 24212398
TI  - Reduced expression of hsa-miR-27a-3p in CSF of patients with Alzheimer disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We evaluated microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer
      disease (AD) by analyzing the expression level of miRNAs in CSF of patients with
      AD dementia and nonaffected control subjects. METHODS: Using quantitative PCR, we
      profiled the expression level of 728 miRNAs in CSF of nonaffected control
      subjects and patients with clinically ascertained AD dementia, and we further
      compared the expression level of candidate miRNAs in 37 control subjects and 35
      patients with AD dementia. RESULTS: The level of hsa-miR-27a-3p in CSF is reduced
      in patients with dementia due to AD in 2 different cohorts of subjects (cohort 1:
      p = 0.008; cohort 2: p = 0.015; 2-tailed unpaired Welch t test). Moreover, low
      levels of hsa-miR-27a-3p were accompanied by high CSF tau levels and low CSF beta
      amyloid levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study highlights hsa-miR-27a-3p as a
      candidate biomarker for AD and provides the groundwork for further confirmation
      studies in larger cohorts and in other hospitals.

PMID- 24212399
TI  - A coupled mechano-biochemical model for bone adaptation.
AB  - Bone remodelling is a fundamental biological process that controls bone
      microrepair, adaptation to environmental loads and calcium regulation among other
      important processes. It is not surprising that bone remodelling has been subject
      of intensive both experimental and theoretical research. In particular, many
      mathematical models have been developed in the last decades focusing in
      particular aspects of this complicated phenomenon where mechanics, biochemistry
      and cell processes strongly interact. In this paper, we present a new model that
      combines most of these essential aspects in bone remodelling with especial focus
      on the effect of the mechanical environment into the biochemical control of bone
      adaptation mainly associated to the well known RANKL-RANK-OPG pathway. The
      predicted results show a good correspondence with experimental and clinical
      findings. For example, our results indicate that trabecular bone is more severely
      affected both in disuse and disease than cortical bone what has been observed in
      osteoporotic bones. In future, the methodology proposed would help to new
      therapeutic strategies following the evolution of bone tissue distribution in
      osteoporotic patients. 

PMID- 24212400
TI  - Fine-scale distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi colonizing Tsuga diversifolia
      seedlings growing on rocks in a subalpine Abies veitchii forest.
AB  - Numerous species of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi coexist under the forest floor.
      To explore the mechanisms of coexistence, we investigated the fine-scale
      distribution of ECM fungal species colonizing root tips in the root system of
      Tsuga diversifolia seedlings in a subalpine forest. ECM root tips of three
      seedlings growing on the flat top surface of rocks were sampled after recording
      their positions in the root system. After the root tips were grouped by terminal
      restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of ITS rDNA, the
      fungal species representing each T-RFLP group were identified using DNA
      sequencing. Based on the fungal species identification, the distribution of root
      tips colonized by each ECM fungus was mapped. Significant clustering of root tips
      was estimated for each fungal species by comparing actual and randomly simulated
      distributions. In total, the three seedlings were colonized by 40 ECM fungal
      species. The composition of colonizing fungal species was quite different among
      the seedlings. Twelve of the 15 major ECM fungal species clustered significantly
      within a few centimeters. Some clusters overlapped or intermingled, while others
      were unique. Areas with high fungal species diversity were also identified in the
      root system. In this report, the mechanisms underlying generation of these ECM
      root tip clusters in the root system are discussed. 

PMID- 24212401
TI  - Colonoscopy as a tool for evaluating colorectal tumor development in a mouse
      model.
AB  - PURPOSE: A sporadic colon cancer mouse model with conditional mutations in
      adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) is biologically relevant for human colorectal
      cancer (CRC). This study aimed to determine the utility and limitations of
      colonoscopy for evaluating colon tumors in this mouse model. METHODS: We compared
      the estimates of location, size, and miss rate of tumors detected during
      colonoscopy with those determined by necropsy. Sixty-six CPC-Apc mice originating
      from Apc (F/wt) mice harbor a Cdx2-Cre transgene in which colorectal
      tumorigenesis was driven by Apc allelic loss. The sensitivity and specificity of
      colonoscopy for detecting tumors in a mouse CRC model were investigated. RESULTS:
      A strong positive correlation was found between tumor location as measured by
      colonoscopy and the location determined by necropsy (p < 0.001). A total of 120
      tumors were graded during colonoscopy (grades 1-5: 0, 8, 20, 27, and 65 lesions,
      respectively), and a strong positive correlation was found between the tumor
      grade determined by colonoscopy and size measured by necropsy (grades 2-5: 2.08,
      2.98, 4.02, and 5.09 mm, respectively; p < 0.005). Although the miss rate was
      47.1 %, most of the missed tumors (96 %) were in close proximity (within 5 mm) of
      another tumor. CONCLUSIONS: A colonoscopic method for the reliable measurement of
      colorectal tumors in vivo has been established. The application of this technique
      to mouse models of colon carcinogenesis will provide a better understanding of
      the dynamics of tumor growth.

PMID- 24212402
TI  - Molecular phylogeny and genetic variation in the genus Lilium native to China
      based on the internal transcribed spacer sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA.
AB  - We present a comprehensive phylogeny derived from nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA)
      for 214 samples representing 98 species and five varieties, including 44 species
      and five varieties native to China. Our collection of 25 species and five
      varieties (44 samples) covering all five sections of the genus (Comber)
      distributed in China also were included in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)
      database. This study incorporates previous research with an emphasis on Chinese
      species, including the controversial subsection, Sinomartagon 5c Comber. In the
      phylogenetic tree obtained by maximum parsimony (PAUP) and maximum likelihood
      (RAxML) analyses, the samples were divided into four major groups. Our results
      suggest that the subsection (subsect.) 5c Comber should be classified into the
      true subsect. 5c and the section (sect.) Lophophorum. And the latter was divided
      into three subsections (subsect. Lophophorum I, subsect. Lophophorum II, and
      subsect. Lophophorum III). Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis and
      fluorescence in situ hybridization, we report that L. henryi and L. rosthornii
      are closely related, and we propose their classification into subsect.
      Leucolirion 6a. Our results support Comber's subdivision of sect. Leucolirion,
      which was primarily based on bulb color. Chinese species were divided into five
      sections: sect. Martagon, sect. Archelirion, sect. Leucolirion, sect.
      Sinomartagon, and sect. Lophophorum. These findings contribute to our
      understanding of the phylogeny, origin, and classification of Lilium. 

PMID- 24212404
TI  - Systems biology of human atherosclerosis.
AB  - Systems biology describes a holistic and integrative approach to understand
      physiology and pathology. The "omic" disciplines include genomics,
      transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolic profiling (metabonomics and
      metabolomics). By adopting a stance, which is opposing (yet complimentary) to
      conventional research techniques, systems biology offers an overview by assessing
      the "net" biological effect imposed by a disease or nondisease state. There are a
      number of different organizational levels to be understood, from DNA to protein,
      metabolites, cells, organs and organisms, even beyond this to an organism's
      context. Systems biology relies on the existence of "nodes" and "edges." Nodes
      are the constituent part of the system being studied (eg, proteins in the
      proteome), while the edges are the way these constituents interact. In future, it
      will be increasingly important to collaborate, collating data from multiple
      studies to improve data sets, making them freely available and undertaking
      integrative analyses. 

PMID- 24212403
TI  - C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 protects mesenchymal stem cells
      against hypoxia- and serum deprivation-induced apoptosis through the
      phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway.
AB  - Bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent the leading
      candidate cell for tissue regeneration in the ischemic myocardium. However, the
      poor survival of stem cells transplanted into the ischemic myocardium presents a
      major obstacle in stem cell-based therapy. C1q tumor necrosis factor-related
      protein 3 (CTRP3) is a newly identified adipokine, similar to adiponectin, with
      beneficial effects on metabolic regulation. It has been shown to enhance the
      survival of cardiomyocytes during ischemia, while its expression is reduced
      following ischemia. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that CTRP3
      may enhance the survival of MSCs during exposure to hypoxia/serum deprivation
      (SD), and attempted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. MSCs were obtained
      from rat bone marrow and cultured. Apoptosis was induced by hypoxia/SD for up to
      24 h and the apoptotic rates were assessed by flow cytometry. MSC proliferation
      was measured using a Cell Counting kit-8 assay. The expression levels of Akt, Bcl
      2, Bax, cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 were detected by western blot
      analysis. Mitochondrial membrane potential was examined using a membrane
      permeable dye. CTRP3 significantly reduced hypoxia/SD-induced apoptosis in a
      concentration-dependent manner. The hypoxia/SD-induced decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax
      ratio and the mitochondrial membrane potential, and the increase in cytochrome c
      and caspase-3 levels were largely reversed by CTRP3. The anti-apoptotic effects
      of CTRP3 were blocked by inhibiting the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase
      (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway with the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002. In conclusion,
      CTRP3 is a novel anti-apoptotic adipokine that protects MSCs from hypoxia/SD
      induced apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

PMID- 24212405
TI  - Extracranial internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm associated with
      neurofibromatosis type 1 treated with endovascular stenting and coil
      embolization.
AB  - An internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm associated with neurofibromatosis
      type 1 (NF-1) is rare. We report the first case of unruptured extracranial
      pseudoaneurysm of the ICA in a patient with NF-1 successfully treated with
      endovascular stenting and coil embolization.A 66-year-old woman diagnosed with NF
      1 had sudden left neck pain and massive swelling 3 years earlier. Radiological
      examination showed a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the left internal thoracic artery
      (ITA). The posttreatment computed tomography (CT) scan revealed complete
      obliteration of the aneurysm of the left ITA and an unruptured pseudoaneurysm of
      the right ICA. After 3 years of follow-up, a CT scan revealed the enlargement of
      the pseudoaneurysm of the right extracranial ICA. Endovascular stenting and coil
      embolization were performed to prevent rupture, and the lesion was completely
      obliterated. Follow-up angiography at 6 months revealed good flow of the ICA
      through the stent without any filling of the aneurysm. 

PMID- 24212406
TI  - Neck-targeted, stand-alone coiling for successful treatment of type 1A endoleak
      following endovascular repair.
AB  - Endovascular repair is a standard of treatment for patients with abdominal aortic
      aneurysm who are unfit for open surgery. Type 1A endoleak (T1A-E) is defined as
      persistent blood flow outside the lumen of the endograft due to a failure of the
      graft to seal the proximal landing zone adequately. Accordingly, T1A-E treatment
      is mandatory, and endovascular options, when possible, consist of standard
      adjuncts as cuffs and stents or sometimes mere ballooning. Alternatively,
      different embolization techniques have been described in little or case series.
      We describe a successful management of large T1A-E with solely coil embolization
      of the isolated leakage area. 

PMID- 24212407
TI  - Systematic review and meta-analysis of balloon angioplasty versus primary
      stenting in the infrapopliteal disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparing
      balloon angioplasty and primary stenting for symptomatic infrapopliteal disease
      to evaluate the clinical value of primary stenting in treating infrapopliteal
      diseases. METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta
      Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PubMed (1984-present), ScienceDirect
      (1980-present), Embase (1990-present), and CBM (1988-present) databases were
      searched for relevant articles. Finally, 16 studies (published between 2001 and
      2013) satisfying the inclusion criteria were identified. The outcome parameters
      were immediate technical success, 1-year primary patency rate, 1-year limb
      salvage rate, and 1-year target vessel revascularization (TVR)-free rate.
      Comparisons were made with balloon angioplasty and primary stenting, and based on
      the different types of stents, we divided the primary stent group into the bare
      metal stent (BMS) group and drug-eluting stent (DES) group. RESULTS: A total of
      3789 patients and 4339 limbs constituted our final study population. The
      technical success rate of balloon angioplasty was 92.29% (95% confidence interval
      [CI] 88.75%-94.78%). Only 2 study reported the technical failure rates as 4% and
      5.2% in the primary stent group. The pooled estimates of 1-year primary patency
      and TVR-free rate were similarly low in the balloon angioplasty group and BMS
      group (primary patency: 57.65%, 95% CI 53.54%-61.67% vs 60.95%, 95% CI 48.31%
      72.28%, P = .38; TVR-free rate: 73.41%, 95% CI 66.51%-80.08% vs 73.66%, 95% CI
      63.58%-81.75%, P = .91). The pooled estimates of 1-year primary patency and TVR
      free rate in DES group were 81.10% (95% CI 75.48%-85.67%) and 90.30% (95% CI
      85.30%-93.73%), respectively, which were better than those of the BMS and balloon
      angioplasty groups (P < .001 for both). The pooled estimate of 1-year limb
      salvage in the balloon angioplasty, BMS, and DES groups was 88.61% (95% CI 85.01%
      91.43%), 94.41% (95% CI 89.52%-97.1%), and 95.20% (95% CI 86.97%-98.33%),
      respectively (P < .001). The BMS and DES groups had higher limb salvage rates
      than the balloon angioplasty group (P < .001 for both comparisons). The rates of
      severe complications were low both in the balloon angioplasty and in the primary
      stent groups. CONCLUSION: Primary BMS implantation had no advantage over balloon
      angioplasty in reducing restenosis or revascularization for infrapopliteal
      disease. Primary DES implantation seems to be a promising treatment for focal
      infrapopliteal lesions. Publication bias could not be ruled out, and the results
      should be treated with caution.

PMID- 24212408
TI  - Racial/ethnic disparities in amputation and revascularization: a nationwide
      inpatient sample study.
AB  - This study investigates whether ethnic minorities presenting with critical limb
      ischemia (CLI) are more likely to undergo major limb amputation compared to white
      patients. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to identify all
      patients admitted with CLI; lower extremity revascularization; and major lower
      extremity amputation from 1998 to 2005. The NIS identified 240 139 patients
      presenting with CLI--68.2% white, 19.5% black, 9.0% Hispanic, and 1.24% Asian. In
      all, 83 328 patients underwent revascularization--73.7% white, 15.9% black, 7.4%
      Hispanic, and 1.1% Asian. The majority of the interventions were open. In all,
      111 548 patients underwent a major lower extremity amputation--61% white, 25.4%
      black, 10.1% Hispanic, and 1.1% Asian. The mean Charlson comorbidity scores for
      amputation were 2.1 for whites, 2.0 for blacks, 2.3 for Hispanics, and 2.5 for
      Asians (for all data, P < .05). Blacks make up a disproportionately higher
      proportion of patients admitted for CLI and undergoing amputation, with a lower
      proportion undergoing revascularization.

PMID- 24212409
TI  - Combination of light and energy-based technologies with topical drug delivery.

PMID- 24212410
TI  - Excel V roundtable.

PMID- 24212411
TI  - Put your best foot forward: advances in the management of tinea pedis.

PMID- 24212412
TI  - Aspects related to a periodontal home prevention program for disabled patients: a
      clinical trial.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to highlight the relationship between the
      level of oral hygiene and the context in which the patient receives dental
      treatment, demonstrating that home service is essential and effective to decrease
      the incidence of periodontal diseases. METHODS: The study was initially conducted
      on a heterogeneous sample of patients including 48 individuals with psycho-motor
      deficits. The study included 28 males (58.3%) and 20 females (41.7%) aged between
      18 and 50 years, coming from two different sites ("Fa.Di.Vi... e oltre" and
      "Dentistry Unit, Istituto G. Gaslini" in Genoa). The patients were evaluated
      during the period 2008-2009. After this first pilot study, a clinical trial was
      conducted within the educational center "Il Granello", with the participation of
      20 patients with disabilities. RESULTS: This study demonstrates that home
      assistance is essential and effective to decrease the incidence of those
      periodontal diseases induced by bacterial dental plaque accumulation, and
      associated with aggravating factors like the repeated use of drugs, such as
      benzodiazepines, phenylhydantoin, and cyclosporin A, that cause gingival
      hypertrophia. CONCLUSION: This study was proposed to demonstrate that the
      availability of a dental service within institutions could improve not only the
      dental-periodontal conditions of the participants, but also decrease the
      admission of these subjects to hospitals, contributing to the reduction of public
      expenditure by the Health Care System.

PMID- 24212413
TI  - Observation of growth of metal nanoparticles.
AB  - An understanding of nanocrystal growth mechanisms is of significant importance
      for the design of novel materials. The development of liquid cells for
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has enabled direct observation of
      nanoparticle growth in a liquid phase. By tracking single particle growth
      trajectories with high spatial resolution, novel growth mechanisms have been
      revealed. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in liquid cell
      TEM and its applications include real time imaging of nanoparticles, biological
      materials, liquids, and so on. This paper reviews the development of liquid cell
      TEM and the progress made in using such a wonderful tool to study the growth of
      nanoparticles (mostly metal nanoparticles). Achievements in the understanding of
      coalescence, shape control mechanisms, surfactant effects, etc. are highlighted.
      Other studies relevant to metal precipitation in liquids, such as electrochemical
      deposition, nanoparticle motion and electron beam effects, are also included. At
      the end, our perspectives on future challenges and opportunities in liquid cell
      TEM are provided. 

PMID- 24212414
TI  - Hourglass epidermoid inclusion cyst of the hand.

PMID- 24212415
TI  - Bilateral terminal absence of the thumbs.

PMID- 24212416
TI  - Contralateral lower trapezius transfer for restoration of shoulder external
      rotation in traumatic brachial plexus palsy: a preliminary report and literature
      review.
AB  - The importance of external rotation of the shoulder is well accepted. Patients
      with inadequate recovery of shoulder function after nerve transfers for a
      brachial plexus injury have difficulty in using their reconstructed limb. The
      options for secondary procedures to improve shoulder function are often limited,
      especially if the spinal accessory nerve has been used earlier for nerve transfer
      or as a donor nerve for a free functioning muscle transfer. We have used the
      contralateral lower trapezius transfer to the infraspinatus in three cases, to
      restore shoulder external rotation. All patients had significant improvement in
      shoulder external rotation (mean 97 degrees ; range 80 degrees -110 degrees ) and
      improved disability of the arm, shoulder and hand scores. The rotation occurred
      mainly at the glenohumeral joint, and was independent of the donor side. All
      patients were greatly satisfied with the outcome. Contralateral lower trapezius
      transfer appears to help in overall improvement of shoulder function by
      stabilizing the scapula. The results have remained stable after mean follow-up of
      58 months (range 12-86). No donor site deficit was seen in any patient. 

PMID- 24212417
TI  - [Current therapy of neuropathic pain].
AB  - Lesions of the nervous systems often result in difficult to treat pain syndromes.
      Neuropathic pain has increasingly gained attention from clinicians as a result of
      a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the development of proven
      analgesic therapies. This article provides an update on the diagnosis and
      treatment of neuropathic pain.

PMID- 24212418
TI  - [Update on trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia].
AB  - Cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform
      headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT syndrome) are
      classified under trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC). The proposed revision of
      the international classification of headache disorders (ICDH-3 beta) adds
      hemicrania continua to this diagnostic group. Moreover, diagnostic criteria of
      the other TACs were modified and are characterized by persistent headache or
      headache attacks accompanied by cranial autonomic symptoms. The main difference
      between the various TACs is the duration of attacks. Differentiation is important
      because different pharmacological strategies are necessary.

PMID- 24212419
TI  - [Vagus nerve stimulation therapy in epilepsy patients: long-term outcome and
      adverse effects: a retrospective analysis].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is one of the numerous stimulation
      procedures used in the treatment of neurological diseases in which there has been
      growing interest in recent years. Since 1988 it has been frequently used in the
      therapy of epilepsies but the mechanism of action is still unknown. It is
      considered to be low in adverse effects. TOPICS: Decision-making process on VNS
      therapy as well as long-term outcome and adverse effects. METHOD: Retrospective
      analysis of all 62 patients treated over a long period by VNS in the Epilepsy
      Center of the University Hospital of Freiburg (Germany) from 1 August 2002
      through 4 January 2011. RESULTS:  OUTCOME: the results show that 2 out of 62
      patients became seizure-free under VNS therapy while maintaining the already
      existing anti-ictal medication and 4 more patients under VNS plus dosage increase
      of the already existing medication and/or new medication. However, in 34 out of
      62 patients VNS therapy did not improve the seizure situation. Adverse effects:
      VNS is not as low in adverse effects as is generally considered. Only 9 out of 62
      patients did not show any adverse effects and on the other hand severe, even life
      threatening adverse effects also occurred. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing VNS
      therapy have to be carefully checked for possible adverse effects, not only at
      the beginning of VNS therapy but also in the long-term course. These results have
      to be considered in the cost-benefit analysis of this treatment.

PMID- 24212420
TI  - Osmotic responses of maize roots : Water and solute relations.
AB  - Water and solute relations of excised seminal roots of young maize (Zea mays L)
      plants, have been measured using the root pressure probe. Upon addition of
      osmotic solutes to the root medium, biphasic root pressure relaxations were
      obtained as theoretically expected. The relaxations yielded the hydraulic
      conductivity Lp r) the permeability coefficient (P sr), and the reflection
      coefficient (sigma sr) of the root. Values of Lp r in these experiments were by
      nearly an order of magnitude smaller than Lp r values obtained from experiments
      where hydrostatic pressure gradients were used to induce water flows. The value
      of P sr was determined for nine different osmotica (electrolytes and
      nonelectrolytes) which resulted in rather variable values (0.1.10(-8)-1.7.10(
      8)m.s(-1)). The reflection coefficient sigma sr of the same solutes ranged
      between 0.3 and 0.6, i.e. sigma sr was low even for solutes for which cell
      membranes exhibit a sigma s~1. Deviations from the theoretically expected
      biphasic responses occured which may have reflected changes of either P sr or of
      active pumping induced by the osmotic change. The absolute values of Lp r, P sr,
      and sigma sr have been critically examined for an underestimation by unstirred
      layer effecs. The data indicate a considerable apoplasmic component for radial
      movement of water in the presence of hydrostatic gradients and also some solute
      flow byppassing root protoplasts. In the presence of osmotic gradients, however,
      there was a substantial cell-to-cell transport of water. Cutting experiments
      demonstrated that the hydraulic resistance for the longitudinal movement of water
      was much smaller than for radial transport except for the apical ends of the
      segments (length=5 to 20 mm). The differences in Lp r as well as the low sigma sr
      values suggest that the simple osmometer model of the root with a single osmotic
      barrier exhibiting nearly semipermeable properties should be extended for a
      composite membrane model with hydraulic and osmotic barriers arranged in series
      and in parallel. 

PMID- 24212421
TI  - Tissue slices from living root caps as a model system in which to study
      cytodifferentiation of polar cells.
AB  - Tissue slices of living root caps of cress (Lepidium sativum L.), two to three
      cell layers in thickness, were prepared by a microsurgical procedure. The
      viability, cellular structures and cytoplasmic movement of the cells were
      examined in the light microscope. Nuclei, amyloplasts, vacuoles and endoplasmic
      reticulum were identified and their positions confirmed after fixation and
      observation of the same cells in the electron microscope. The distribution of
      microtubules was shown by immunocytochemistry. During germination, microtubules
      appear first at the distal edges of the statocytes, while in mature statocytes a
      distal domain of criss-crossed microtubules could be distinguished from a
      proximal domain with transversally oriented microtubules. Microfilaments in young
      statocytes form a nuclear enclosure; in mature statocytes bundles of
      microfilaments fan out into the cell cortex. The transition from statocytes to
      secretion cells is accompanied by a more pronounced cortical network of
      microfilaments, while the nucleus-associated microfilaments remain visible. It is
      suggested that these microfilaments play a role in the positioning of the nucleus
      and the translocation of endoplasmic reticulum. 

PMID- 24212422
TI  - Heterogeneity of auxin-accumulating membrane vesicles from Cucurbita and Zea: a
      possible reflection of cell polarity.
AB  - When microsomes from hypocotyls of Cucurbita pepo L. or coleoptiles of Zea mays
      L. were centrifuged on dextran-sucrose gradients a heterogeneity of auxin
      accumulating vesicles was observed. Vesicles from the top part of the gradient
      showed saturable, specific accumulation of indole-3-acetic acid with only a small
      stimulation by phytotropins, and with very few binding sites for 1-N
      naphthylphthalamic acid. In the vesicles from the lower part of the gradient, net
      accumulation of indole-3-acetic acid could be strongly increased by addition of
      phytotropins; binding of 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid was high in this region.
      After two-phase partitioning, both kinds of vesicles were found in the upper
      phase membrane fraction considered to be purified plasma membrane. The hypothesis
      is discussed that vesicles can be separated from the apical and basal parts of
      the cell's plasmalemma. 

PMID- 24212423
TI  - Leaf and canopy responses of Lolium perenne to long-term elevated atmospheric
      carbon-dioxide concentration.
AB  - The relationship between leaf photosynthetic capacity (p n, max), net canopy CO2-
      and H2O-exchange rate (NCER and E t, respectively) and canopy dry-matter
      production was examined in Lollium perenne L. cv. Vigor in ambient (363+/-30 MUl.
      l(-1)) and elevated (631+/-43 MUl.l(-1)) CO2 concentrations. An open system for
      continuous and simultaneous regulation of atmospheric CO2 concentration and NCER
      and E t measurement was designed and used over an entire growth cycle to
      calculate a carbon and a water balance. While NCERmax of full-grown canopies was
      49% higher at elevated CO2 level, stimulation of p n, max was only 46% (in spite
      of a 50% rise in one-sided stomatal resistance for water-vapour diffusion),
      clearly indicating the effect of a higher leaf-area index under high CO2 (approx.
      10% in one growing period examined). A larger amount of CO2-deficient leaves
      resulted in higher canopy dark-respiration rates and higher canopy light
      compensation points. The structural component of the high-CO2 effect was
      therefore a disadvantage at low irradiance, but a far greater benefit at high
      irradiance. Higher canopy darkrespiration rates under elevated CO2 level and low
      irradiance during the growing period are the primary causes for the increase in
      dry-matter production (19%) being much lower than expected merely based on the
      NCERmax difference. While total water use was the same under high and low CO2
      levels, water-use efficiency increased 25% on the canopy level and 87% on a leaf
      basis. In the course of canopy development, allocation towards the root system
      became greater, while stimulation of shoot dry-matter accumulation was inversely
      affected. Over an entire growing season the root/shoot production ratio was 22%
      higher under high CO2 concentration. 

PMID- 24212424
TI  - Aspartic proteinase from wheat seeds: isolation, properties and action on
      gliadin.
AB  - Wheat endosperm was shown to contain an aspartic proteinase capable of
      hydrolyzing the wheat storage protein, gliadin, in vitro. The enzyme was purified
      to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on bacilliquin-silochrome,
      diethylaminoethyl-Toyopearl ion-exchange chromatography, chromatofocusing, and
      preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The sedimentation constant of the
      enzyme was 3.4 S and the relative molecular mass (Mr), determined by sodium
      dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 58000 dalton (Da). The
      purified enzyme was completely inhibited by pepstain whereas other enzyme
      inhibitors did not affect its activity. The enzyme was found to hydrolyze mainly
      omega- and gamma-gliadins with Mr's of 67000-95000 Da, with maximal activity at
      pH 4.5. The data make it possible to suggest that the enzyme has an endogenous
      function by initiating proteolysis of storage proteins in germinating wheat
      seeds. 

PMID- 24212425
TI  - Sucrose transport into the phloem of Ricinus communis L. seedlings as measured by
      the analysis of sieve-tube sap.
AB  - Careful cutting of the hypocotyl of Ricinus communis L. seedlings led to the
      exudation of pure sieve-tube sap for 2-3 h. This offered the possibility of
      testing the phloem-loading system qualitatively and quantitatively by incubating
      the cotyledons with different solutes of various concentrations to determine
      whether or not these solutes were loaded into the sieve tubes. The concentration
      which was achieved by loading and the time course could also be documented. This
      study concentrated on the loading of sucrose because it is the major naturally
      translocated sieve-tube compound. The sucrose concentration of sieve-tube sap was
      approx. 300 mM when the cotyledons were buried in the endosperm. When the
      cotyledons were excised from the endosperm and incubated in buffer, the sucrose
      concentration decreased gradually to 80-100 mM. This sucrose level was maintained
      for several hours by starch breakdown. Incubation of the excised cotyledons in
      sucrose caused the sucrose concentration in the sieve tubes to rise from 80 to
      400 mM, depending on the sucrose concentration in the medium. Thus the sucrose
      concentration in the sieve tubes could be manipulated over a wide range. The
      transfer of labelled sucrose to the sieve-tube sap took 10 min; full isotope
      equilibration was finally reached after 2 h. An increase of K(+) in the medium or
      in the sieve tubes did not change the sucrose concentration in the sievetube sap.
      Similarly the experimentally induced change of sucrose concentration in the sieve
      tubes did not affect the K(+) concentration in the exudate. High concentrations
      of K(+), however, strongly reduced the flow rate of exudation. Similar results
      were obtained with Na(+) (data not shown). The minimum translocation speed in the
      sieve tubes in vivo was calculated from the growth increment of the seedling to
      be 1.03 m.h(-1), a value, which on average was also obtained for the exudation
      system with the endosperm attached. This comparison of the in-vivo rate of phloem
      transport and the exudation rate from cut hypocotyls indicates that sink control
      of phloem transport in the seedlings of that particular age was small, if there
      was any at all, and that the results from the experimental exudation system were
      probably not falsified by removal of the sink tissues. 

PMID- 24212426
TI  - Transport of hexoses by the phloem of Ricinus communis L. seedlings.
AB  - The sieve-tube sap of Ricinus communis L. seedlings has been analysed to
      determine whether or not hexoses can be taken up by the phloem. Under natural
      conditions, i.e. with the endosperm attached to the cotyledons, glucose and
      fructose occurred only in trace amounts in the sieve-tube sap. Incubation of the
      cotyledons with hexoses in the concentration range 25-200 mM caused a rapid and
      substantial uptake of hexoses into the phleom, where they appeared eventually in
      the sieve-tube sap at the same concentration as in the incubation medium. Phloem
      loading of glucose, 3-O-methyl-glucose and sorbitol occurred easily, whereas
      fructose was less well loaded. glucose and to a larger extent fructose were also
      transformed to sucrose, which was loaded into the phloem. The loading of hexoses
      into the sieve tubes as observed in the experimental exudation system also
      occurred in the intact seedling, but transloction in the latter soon came to a
      standstill, probably because of lack of consumption by the sink tissues. These
      results indicate that the virtual absence of hexoses in the sievetube sap under
      in-vivo conditions is not because of the inability of the phloem-loading system
      to transport the monosaccharides but because of the absence of sufficiently high
      concentrations in the apoplast. 

PMID- 24212427
TI  - The differential transport of amino acids into the phloem of Ricinus communis L.
      seedlings as shown by the analysis of sieve-tube sap.
AB  - The cotyledons of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) act as absorption organs for
      amino acids, which are supplied to the medium. The analysis of the sieve-tube
      sap, which exudes from the cut hypocotyl, demonstrated the ability of the
      cotyledons to load particular amino acids into the phloem and to reject the
      loading of others. The sieve-tube sap of cotyledons, which were embedded in the
      endosperm, contained 150 mM amino acids, with 50 mM glutamine as the major amino
      acid, and 10-15 mM each of valine, isoleucine, lysine and arginine. Removal of
      the endosperm led to a drastic decline in the amino-acid content of sieve-tube
      sap down to 16 mM. Addition of single amino acid species to the medium increased
      the amino acid concentration in the sieve-tube sap in specific manner: glutamine
      caused the largest increase (up to 140 mM in exudate), glutamate and alanine
      smaller increases (up to 60 mM), and arginine the smallest. In addition, the
      amino acid composition of the sieve-tube sap changed, for instance, glutamine or
      alanine readily appeared in the sieve-tube sap upon incubation in glutamine or
      alanine, respectively, whereas glutamate was hardly discernible even in the case
      of incubation with glutamate; arginine was loaded into the sieve tubes only
      reluctantly. In general, glutamine and alanine accumulated four- to tenfold in
      the sieve tubes. The uptake of amino acids and of sucrose into the sieve tubes
      was interdependent: the loading of sucrose strongly reduced the amino acid
      concentration in the sieve-tube exudate and loading of amino acids decreased the
      sucrose concentration. Comparison of the concentrations of various amino acids on
      their way from the endosperm via the cotyledon-endosperm interface, through the
      cotyledons and into the sieve tubes showed that glutamine, valine, isoleucine and
      lysine are accumulated on this pathway, whereas glutamate and arginine are more
      concentrated in the cotyledons than in the sieve tubes. Obviously the phloem
      loading system has a transport specificity different from that of the amino acid
      uptake system of the cotyledon in general and it strongly discriminates between
      amino acids within the cotyledons. 

PMID- 24212428
TI  - The state of the photosynthetic apparatus in leaves as analyzed by rapid gas
      exchange and optical methods: the pH of the chloroplast stroma and activation of
      enzymes in vivo.
AB  - The exchange of CO2 and O2 was measured in leaves using specially constructed
      equipment capable of responding to rapid transients. Optical measurements
      provided information on cytochrome f and P 700 oxidation in the light. The
      following results were obtained: i) The solubilization of CO2 was used to
      calculate the pH of the chloroplast stroma in darkened leaves. Values ranged from
      pH 7.8 to pH 8.0 in different C3 plants. ii) Illumination of predarkened leaves
      of Helianthus annuus L. resulted in three distinct phases of O2 evolution that
      illustrate the complexity of light activation of the photosynthetic apparatus. A
      first burst of O2 is attributed to the reduction of electron carriers of the
      electron-transport chain. While plastoquinone was reduced, cytochrome f was
      oxidized. Appreciable oxidation of P 700 became possible only during the second
      O2 burst, which indicates the reduction of the phosphoglycerate pool. Extensive
      oxidation required the opening of an electron gate on the reducing side of
      photosystem I. The subsequent slow rise in O2 evolution towards a steady state
      reflects activation of the Calvin cycle and is the result of CO2 assimilation.
      iii) Light-dependent CO2 uptake by predarkened leaves occurred in four phases,
      three of them based on pH changes in the chloroplast stroma. Initial CO2 uptake
      was small and probably caused by protonation of reduced plastoquinone. In the
      second phase, which coincided with the reduction of the pool of phosphoglycerate,
      the initial alkalization of the chloroplast stroma was substantially increased.
      In the third phase, the stroma alkalization decreased, and the fourth phase was
      dominated by CO2 assimilation. iv) Respiratory CO2 production was partially
      suppressed in the light during the second phase of O2 evolution while
      phosphoglycerate was being reduced. 

PMID- 24212429
TI  - Nitrite reduction and carbohydrate metabolism in plastids purified from roots of
      Pisum sativum L.
AB  - Intact preparations of plastids from pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots have been used
      to investigate the metabolism of glucose-6-phosphate and reduction of inorganic
      nitrite within these organelles. The ability of hexose-phosphates to support
      nitrite reduction was dependent on the integrity of the preparation and was
      barely measurable in broken organelles. In intact plastids, nitrite was reduced
      most effectively in the presence of glucose-6-phosphate (Glc6P), fructose-6
      phosphate and ribose-5-phosphate and to a lesser extent glucose-1-phosphate. The
      Km (Glc6P) of plastid-located Glc6P dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) and Glc6P
      dependent nitrite reduction were virtually identical (0.68 and 0.66 mM
      respectively) and a similar relationship was observed between fructose-6
      phosphate, hexose-phosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9) and nitrite reduction. The
      pattern of release of CO2 from different carbon atoms of Glc6P supplied to root
      plastids, indicates the operation of both glycolysis and the oxidative pentose
      phosphate pathway with some recycling in the latter. During nitrite reduction the
      evolution of CO2 from carbon atom 1 of Glc6P was stimulated but not from carbon
      atoms 2, 3, 4, or 6. The importance of these results with regard to the
      regulation of the pathways of carbohydrate oxidation and nitrogen assimilation
      within root plastids is discussed. 

PMID- 24212430
TI  - Inhibition of photosynthesis of sunflower leaves by an endogenous solute and
      interdependence of different photosynthetic reactions.
AB  - Photosynthesis of Helianthus annuus L. leaves was transiently inhibited and
      respiration was stimulated when a leaf was detached from the plant by cutting the
      petiole under water. These effects were caused by a solute which was released by
      cutting and was transported by the transpiration stream to the leaf blade. This
      endogenous solute decreased the quantum efficiency of photosynthesis and
      inhibited reactions of the Calvin cycle. It exerts its effects by uncoupling ATP
      synthesis from electron transport, thus stimulating respiration and inhibiting
      photosynthesis. The observation that not only the ATP-dependent reactions of
      photosynthesis, but also the light-regulated enzymes such as fructose
      bisphosphatase and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase were inhibited in the
      presence of the solute illustrates the complex dependence of Calvin-cycle enzymes
      on the energization and the redox state of the thylakoid system. Since electron
      pressure increased during the inhibition of photosynthesis, deactivation of
      fructose bisphosphatase cannot be explained by effects on the thioredoxin system
      which is responsible for the light activation of this enzyme. 

PMID- 24212431
TI  - Photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, photon yield of O2 evolution,
      photosynthetic capacity, and carotenoid composition during the midday depression
      of net CO2 uptake in Arbutus unedo growing in Portugal.
AB  - During the "midday depression" of net CO2 exchange in the mediterranean
      sclerophyllous shrub Arbutus unedo, examined in the field in Portugal during
      August of 1987, several parameters indicative of photosynthetic competence were
      strongly and reversibly affected. These were the photochemical efficiency of
      photosystem (PS) II, measured as the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll
      fluorescence, as well as the photon yield and the capacity of photosynthetic O2
      evolution at 10% CO2, of which the apparent photon yield of O2 evolution was most
      depressed. Furthermore, there was a strong and reversible increase in the content
      of the carotenoid zeaxanthin in the leaves that occurred at the expense of both
      violaxanthin and beta-carotene. Diurnal changes in fluorescence characteristics
      were interpreted to indicate three concurrent effects on the photochemical
      system. First, an increase in the rate of radiationless energy dissipation in the
      antenna chlorophyll, reflected by changes in 77K fluorescence of PSII and PSI as
      well as in chlorophyll a fluorescence at ambient temperature. Second, a state
      shift characterized by an increase in the proportion of energy distributed to PSI
      as reflected by changes in PSI fluorescence. Third, an effect lowering the photon
      yield of O2 evolution and PSII fluorescence at ambient temperature without
      affecting PSII fluorescence at 77K which would be expected from a decrease in the
      activity of the water splitting enzyme system, i.e. a donor side limitation. 

PMID- 24212432
TI  - Involvement of polyamines in the inhibiting effect of injury caused by cutting on
      K(+) uptake through the plasma membrane.
AB  - The inhibition of K(+) uptake through the plasma membrane resulting from injury
      caused by cutting, or from application of polyamines (PAs), has been investigated
      in root segments of maize (Zea mays L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.). It was found,
      for both treatments, that K(+) uptake recovered if the segments were washed for 2
      h. The K(+) uptake inhibited by cutting and that inhibited by spermidine
      treatment were stimulated to the same extent by fusicoccin. In addition, there
      was a correlation between the extent of the recovery of K(+) uptake caused by
      washing and the distribution, along the root axis, of both PAs and the activities
      of enzymes responsible for PA degradation. In apical segments of maize, where the
      PA content and the activity of the degradative enzyme polyamine oxidase (EC
      1.5.3.3) were higher than in the more distal segments, the recovery of K(+)
      uptake caused by washing was also higher. On the other hand, the opposite trend
      was observed in root segments of pea, where the PA content and the activity of
      the degradative enzyme diamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) were higher in distal
      segments in which K(+) uptake was greatly stimulated by washing. The effect of
      the amine-oxidase inhibitor, aminoguanidine, indicates that the degradation
      products of PAs are involved in the mechanism of inhibition of K(+) uptake by
      PAs. The data also seem to indicate that PAs and their degradation products are
      responsible for the inhibition of K(+) uptake occurring as a result of injury
      sustained by cutting roots into segments. 

PMID- 24212433
TI  - Adenylate effects on protein phosphorylation in the interenvelope lumen of pea
      chloroplasts.
AB  - A 64-kilodalton (kDa) protein, situated in the lumen between the inner and outer
      envelopes of pea (Pisum sativum L.) chloroplasts (Soll and Bennett 1988, Eur. J.
      Biochem., 175, 301-307) is shown to undergo reversible phosphorylation in
      isolated mixed envelope vesicles. It is the most conspicuously labelled protein
      after incubation of envelopes with 33 nmol.1(-1) [gamma-(32)P]ATP whereas
      incubation with 50 MUmol.1(-1) [gamma-(32)P]ATP labels most prominently two outer
      envelope proteins (86 and 23 kDa). Half-maximum velocity for phosphorylation of
      the 64-kDa protein occurs with 200 nmol.1(-1) ATP, and around 40 MUmol.1(-1) ATP
      for phosphorylation of the 86- and 23-kDa proteins, indicating the operation of
      two distinct kinases. GGuanosine-, uridine-, cytidine 5'-triphosphate and AMP are
      poor inhibitors of the labelling of the 64-kDa protein with [gamma-(32)P]ATP. On
      the other hand, ADP has a potent influence on the extent of labelling (half
      maximal inhibition at 1-5 MUmol.1(-1)). The ADP-dependent appearance of (32)P in
      ATP indicates that ADP acts by reversal of kinase activity and not as a
      competitive inhibitor. However, the most rapid loss of (32)P from pre-labelled 64
      kDa protein occurs when envelope vesicles are incubated with ATP t1/2=15 s at 20
      MUmolsd1(-1) ATP). This induced turnover of phosphate appears to be responsible
      for the rapid phosphoryl turnover seen in situ. 

PMID- 24212434
TI  - Control of the circadian rhythm of carbon dioxide assimilation in Bryophyllum
      leaves by exposure to darkness and high carbon dioxide concentrations.
AB  - The circadian rhythm of CO2 assimilation in detached leaves of Bryophyllum
      fedtschenkoi at 15 degrees  C in normal air and continuous illumination is
      inhibited both by exposure to darkness, and to an atmosphere enriched with 5%
      CO2. During such exposures substantial fixation of CO2 takes place, and the
      malate concentration in the cell sap increases from about 20 mM to a constant
      value of 40-50 mM after 16 h. On transferring the darkened leaves to light, and
      those exposed to 5% CO2 to normal air, a circadian rhythm of CO2 assimilation
      begins again. The phase of this rhythm is determined by the time the transfer is
      made since the first peak occurs about 24 h afterwards. This finding indicates
      that the circadian oscillator is driven to, and held at, an identical, fixed
      phase point in its cycle after 16 h exposure to darkness or to 5% CO2, and it is
      from this phase point that oscillation begins after the inhibiting condition is
      removed. This fixed phase point is characterised by the leaves having acquired a
      high malate content. The rhythm therefore begins with a period of malate
      decarboxylation which lasts for about 8 h, during which time the malate content
      of the leaf cells must be reduced to a value that allows phosphoenolpyruvate
      carboxylase to become active. Inhibition of the rhythm in darkness, and on
      exposure to 5% CO2 in continuous illumination, appears to be due to the presence
      of a high concentration of CO2 within the leaf inhibiting malic enzyme which
      leads to the accumulation of high concentrations of malate in the leaf cells. The
      malate then allosterically inhibits phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase upon which
      the rhythm depends. The results give support to the view that malate synthesis
      and breakdown form an integral part of the circadian oscillator in this tissue. 

PMID- 24212435
TI  - Photoinhibition at chilling temperature : Fluorescence characteristics of
      unhardened and cold-acclimated spinach leaves.
AB  - The effects of moderate light at chilling temperature on the photosynthesis of
      unhardened (acclimated to +18 degrees  C) and hardened (cold-acclimated) spinach
      (Spinacea oleracea L.) leaves were studied by means of fluorescence-induction
      measurements at 20 degrees  C and 77K and by determination of quantum yield of O2
      evolution. Exposure to 550 MUmol photons.m(-2).s(-1) at +4 degrees  C induced a
      strong photoinhibition in the unhardened leaves within a few hours.
      Photoinhibition manifested by a decline in quantum yield was characterized by an
      increase in initial fluorescence (F o) and a decrease in variable fluorescence (F
      v) and in the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (F V/F M), both at 77K
      and 20 degrees  C. The decline in quantum yield was more closely related to the
      decrease in the F V/F M ratio measured at 20 degrees  C, as compared with F V/F M
      at 77K. Quenching of the variable fluorescence of photosystem II was accompanied
      by a decline in photosystem-I fluorescence at 77K, indicating increased thermal
      de-excitation of pigments as the main consequence of the light treatment. All
      these changes detected in fluorescence parameters as well as in the quantum yield
      of O2 evolution were fully reversible within 1-3 h at a higher temperature in low
      light. The fast recovery led us to the view that this photoinhibition represents
      a regulatory mechanism protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from the adverse
      effects of excess light by increasing thermal energy dissipation. Long-term cold
      acclimation probably enforces other protective mechanisms, as the hardened leaves
      were insensitive to the same light treatment that induced strong inhibition of
      photosynthesis in unhardened leaves. 

PMID- 24212436
TI  - Comparison of acetate- and pyruvate-dependent fatty-acid synthesis by spinach
      chloroplasts.
AB  - In recent studies using intact chloroplasts of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) to
      investigate the accumulation of acetyl-CoA produced by the activity of either
      acetyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.1) or the pyruvate-dehydrogenase complex, this
      product was not detectable. These results in combination with new information on
      the physiological levels of acetate and pyruvate in spinach chloroplasts (H.-J.
      Treede et al. 1986, Z. Naturforsch. 41 C, 733-740) prompted a reinvestigation of
      the incorporation of [1-(14)C] acetate and [2-(14)C] pyruvate into fatty acids at
      physiological concentrations.The K m for the incorporation into fatty acids was
      about 0.1 mM for both metabolites and thus agreed with the values obtained by H.
      J. Treede et al. (1986) for acetyl-CoA synthetase and the pyruvate dehydrogenase
      complex. However, acetate was incorporated with a threefold higher V max.
      Saturation for pyruvate incorporation into the fattyacid fraction was achieved
      only at physiological pyruvate concentrations (<1.0 mM). The diffusion kinetics
      observed at higher concentrations may be the result of contamination with
      derivates of the labeled substrate. Competition as well as double-labeling
      experiments with [(3)H]acetate and [2-(14)C]pyruvate support the notion that, at
      least in spinach, chloroplastic acetate is the preferred substrate for fatty-acid
      synthesis when both substrates are supplied concurrently (P.G. Roughan et al.,
      1979 b, Biochem. J. 184, 565-569).Experiments with spinach leaf discs confirmed
      the predominance of fatty-acid incorporation from acetate. Radioactivity from [1
      (14)C]acetate appeared to accumulate in glycerolipids while that from [2
      (14)C]pyruvate was apparently shifted in favor of the products of prenyl
      metabolism. 

PMID- 24212437
TI  - The rheology, microstructure and sensory characteristics of a gluten-free bread
      formulation enhanced with orange pomace.
AB  - The present manuscript studied a previously optimised gluten-free bread
      formulation containing 5.5% orange pomace (OP) in relation to the batter
      characteristics (i.e. pre-baking), microstructure (of the flours, batter and
      bread) and sensory characteristics of the bread. Rheology, RVA and mixolab
      results illustrated that orange pomace improved the robustness of the gluten-free
      batter and decreased the occurrence of starch gelatinisation. This was confirmed
      from the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images, which showed potato
      starch granules to be more expanded in the control batter when compared to the
      sample containing orange pomace. Starch granules were also observed to be more
      enlarged and swollen in the CLSM bread images, suggesting a higher level of
      gelatinisation occurred in the control sample. Sensory analysis was carried out
      on the optimised and control bread; panellists scored the flavour, crumb
      appearance and overall acceptability of the OP-containing breads comparable to
      the control.

PMID- 24212438
TI  - A core-shell-satellite structured Fe3O4@MS-NH2@Pd nanocomposite: a magnetically
      recyclable multifunctional catalyst for one-pot multistep cascade reaction
      sequences.
AB  - A hierarchical core-shell-satellite structured composite system Fe3O4@MS-NH2@Pd,
      which was composed of Pd nanoparticles well-dispersed on an amino group
      functionalized mesoporous silica (MS-NH2) nanosphere, and superparamagnetic Fe3O4
      nanoparticles scattered inside the silica sphere, was prepared by using a facile
      procedure. The composite combined the catalytic properties of amino groups and Pd
      nanoparticles with superparamagnetic properties of magnetite into a single
      platform. This integrated nanosystem acted as an efficient magnetically
      recyclable noble metal-base multifunctional nanocatalyst and showed excellent
      catalytic activity, selectivity and stability for the direct synthesis of alpha
      alkylated nitriles under mild conditions through facile one-pot multistep cascade
      reaction sequences. 

PMID- 24212439
TI  - Influence of time delay on the estimated lung shunt fraction on 99mTc-labeled MAA
      scintigraphy for 90Y microsphere treatment planning.
AB  - 90Y-microspheres therapy is used to treat selected patients with primary or
      metastatic liver tumors in a safe and effective way. As a preparation for 90Y
      microspheres treatment, a 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) simulation
      procedure is essential to evaluate particle shunting to the lung or
      gastrointestinal tract. We investigated the effect of interval between injection
      of 99mTc-MAA and time of scanning on the lung shunt fraction (LSF). In 4 patients
      with secondary hepatic malignancies who underwent repeated whole-body
      scintigraphy up to 5 hours after injection of 99mTc-MAA, a marked change in LSF
      was observed. It appears that tracer degradation leads to an important
      overestimation of LSF at later time points. An overestimation of LSF can lead to
      dose reduction or canceling of the planned 90Y-microspheres treatment. It is
      concluded that the interval between injection and scanning should be kept as
      short as possible.

PMID- 24212440
TI  - Metabolic imaging of deep brain stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a 18F-FDG PET/CT
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Anorexia nervosa (AN), a disorder of unknown etiology, has the
      highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. Drawing the brain metabolic
      pattern of AN may help to target the core biological and psychological features
      of the disorder and to perfect the diagnosis and recovery criteria. In this
      study, we used 18F-FDG PET to show brain metabolic network for AN. METHODS:
      Glucose metabolism in 6 AN patients and 12 age-matched healthy controls was
      studied using 18F-FDG PET. SPM2 was used to compare brain metabolism in AN
      patients with that in healthy controls. Four of 6 AN patients took deep brain
      stimulation (DBS) targeted in nucleus accumbens (NAcc). About 3 to 6 months after
      the surgery, the 4 AN patients took another 18F-FDG PET scan to assess the change
      in brain glucose metabolism. RESULTS: The SPM (statistical parametric mapping )
      analysis showed hypermetabolism in the frontal lobe (bilateral, BA10, BA11,
      BA47), the limbic lobe (bilateral, hippocampus, and amygdala), lentiform nucleus
      (bilateral), left insula (BA13), and left subcallosal gyrus (BA25). It also
      showed hypometabolism in the parietal lobe (bilateral, BA7, BA40). The
      hypermetabolism in frontal lobe, hippocampus, and lentiform nucleus decreased
      after NAcc-DBS. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in brain glucose metabolism illustrated
      the brain metabolic pattern in AN patients. Furthermore, the pattern can be
      modulated by NAcc-DBS, which confirmed specificity of the pattern. The regions
      with altered metabolism could interconnect to form a network and integrate
      information related to appetite. Our study may provide information for targeting
      the potential candidate brain regions for understanding the pathophysiology of AN
      and assessing the effects of existing and future treatment approaches.

PMID- 24212442
TI  - Incidental finding of the nutcracker phenomenon detected by 18F-FDGPET/CT.

PMID- 24212441
TI  - Targeted alpha-particle therapy of bone metastases in prostate cancer.
AB  - Medical oncology is moving toward personalized and precision treatments. This
      evolution is spearheaded by ongoing discoveries on the fundamental machinery that
      controls tumor and hosts microenvironment biological behavior. alpha-Particles
      with their high energy and short range had long been recognized as potentially
      useful in the treatment of cancer. More than a century after the discovery of
      radium by the Curies, 223Ra dichloride is now available in the expanding
      armamentarium of therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
      This advance occurs in the context of several other novel therapeutics in
      advanced prostate cancer that include more effective androgen receptor pathway
      inhibition, better chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. We present a concise review
      on the therapeutic use of 223Ra dichloride in this clinically important setting
      including excerpts on the radium history, physical properties, the alpharadin in
      symptomatic prostate cancer clinical trial, and practical information on its use
      in the clinic. It is anticipated that, with the current emergence of 223Ra as a
      viable form of therapy, interest in and use of alpha-particle therapy in the
      management of cancer will grow.

PMID- 24212443
TI  - Somatostatin receptor molecular imaging for metastatic intracranial
      hemangiopericytoma.
AB  - Intracranial hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are rare tumors that closely mimic
      meningiomas. However, in contrast to meningiomas, HPCs have a relatively high
      incidence of local recurrence and distant metastases, manifesting the need for
      sensitive noninvasive methods of detection that efficiently image the entire
      body. We present a rare case of a right optic nerve sheath HPC in which we
      identified a previously unknown distant metastasis in the thoracic spine on an
      111In-pentetreotide scan. We detail the radiologic characteristics seen with
      somatostatin receptor imaging, FDG PET, and MRI and discuss how to exploit these
      findings to detect recurrence and metastatic disease in HPC.

PMID- 24212444
TI  - Successful treatment of metastasized pancreatic vasoactive intestinal polypeptide
      secreting tumor unresponsive to high-dose octreotide by peptide receptor
      radionuclide therapy using 90Y DOTATATE.
AB  - We report a successful treatment of a patient with heavily metastasized
      pancreatic vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-secreting tumor, which was
      unresponsive to high doses of octreotide analog using peptide receptor
      radionuclide therapy applying a radiolabeled somatostatin analog. After the
      peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, there was a decrease in vasoactive
      intestinal polypeptide levels, a significant reduction in somatostatin receptor
      expression and in molecular tumor volume on 68Ga DOTANOC PET/CT scan, and a
      complete long-term resolution of symptoms of the patient.

PMID- 24212445
TI  - 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in primary cardiac angiosarcoma: diagnosis and follow-up.
AB  - A 40-year-old woman presented with recurrent chest tightness and shortness of
      breath for 10 days. The echocardiogram and MRI revealed a mass in the right
      atrium. FDG PET/CT was performed for further evaluation. The images demonstrated
      abnormally increased activity in the right atrial mass. The result of
      pathological examination after the surgical removal of the mass was consistent
      with angiosarcoma. Despite of receiving aggressive therapy including radiation,
      the patient had recurrent and metastatic malignancy 8 months later. 

PMID- 24212446
TI  - Rest myocardial perfusion scintigraphy showing the invasion of the hydatid cyst
      in the myocardium.
AB  - A cardiac hydatid cyst is a rare complication of the Echinococcus infection, and
      it is seen in just 0.5% to 2% of all cases. Because it can cause sudden death,
      removing the cyst is recommended. It is important to determinate the relationship
      between the cyst and the intra/extracardiac structures before the operation
      because it is of vital importance during the operation. In our case, we showed
      that rest myocardial perfusion scintigraphy provided an additional contribution
      to anatomic imaging in that it showed the invasion of the cyst in the myocardium,
      which was effectively directing the course of the operation. 

PMID- 24212447
TI  - Subcutaneous injection of 99mTc-pertechnetate for neonatal thyroid scintigraphy.
AB  - A 9-day-old female infant with congenital hypothyroidism presented for thyroid
      scintigraphy. Multiple attempts including the "intravenous team" failed to
      establish peripheral access for administration of 99mTc-pertechnetate. We
      administered 99mTc-pertechnetate subcutaneously into the upper arm. Rapid
      absorption (85% of the dose in 20 minutes) was documented on dynamic images with
      physiological uptake, allowing diagnostic thyroid scintigraphy at 35 minutes that
      revealed ectopic sublingual thyroid. Subcutaneous injection allowed us to avoid
      traumatic and risky central vascular access procedure. When peripheral
      intravenous access cannot be obtained, 99mTc-pertechnetate can be administered
      subcutaneously for diagnostic thyroid scintigraphy, which is particularly useful
      in neonates.

PMID- 24212448
TI  - Hallucal sesamoiditis manifested on bone scan.
AB  - The first metatarsal articulation bears one third of the weight of the forefoot.
      The hallucal sesamoids are embedded in the flexor hallucis brevis and connected
      by the intersesamoid ligament and plantar plate. The sesamoid apparatus acts as a
      pulley to help pull the big toe down against the ground during walking.
      Repetitive pressure, force, or tension can cause sesamoiditis. If the impact is
      great enough, the bones can break. Here we present a woman with big toe pain
      during walking. Our case highlights the role of 99mTc-MDP bone scan in reaching
      the diagnosis of hallucal sesamoiditis.

PMID- 24212449
TI  - Imaging of a case of metaplastic thymoma on 18F-FDG PET/CT.
AB  - Metaplastic thymoma is a rare primary thymic epithelial tumor. This report
      presents the 18F-FDG PET/CT appearance of a metaplastic thymoma developed in a 61
      year-old female patient. The FDG uptake of the mediastinal mass showed a high
      maximum SUV, thus suggesting the possibility of thymic cancer. Surgical resection
      was performed for both a definitive diagnosis and treatment of the mediastinal
      tumor. A histological examination of the resected specimen revealed metaplastic
      thymoma. Although rare, thymoma should be carefully considered in the
      differential diagnosis in cases of mediastinal masses presenting with highly
      positive findings on 18F-FDG PET/CT to avoid any inappropriate patient
      management.

PMID- 24212450
TI  - Adsorption of 99mTc-sestamibi onto plastic syringes: evaluation of factors
      affecting the degree of adsorption and their impact on clinical studies.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to document the extent of adhesion of (99m)Tc
      sestamibi to syringes in patient procedures, determine factors that influence the
      degree of adhesion, and evaluate alternatives to our current practice that would
      either result in a more reproducible degree of adhesion or, ideally, eliminate
      adhesion. METHODS: The extent of adhesion was documented in 216 patient
      procedures and evaluated in detail in an additional 73 patient procedures. We
      evaluated the nature of the adhesion and its possible causes, including the
      location of adhesion in injection sets, the effect of syringe type, and the
      effect of prerinsing of syringes with various solutions of nonradiolabeled
      sestamibi and (99m)Tc-sestamibi. The extent of adhesion was reevaluated in 50
      procedures performed using the syringe type that demonstrated the lowest adhesion
      rate. RESULTS: The degree of adhesion of (99m)Tc-sestamibi to the injection set
      was found to be 20.1% +/- 8.0%, with a range (10th-90th percentiles) of 9%-31%.
      The primary cause of adhesion appeared to be the lubricant used inside the
      syringe barrel. Evaluation of 6 different syringe types identified a brand with a
      lower adhesion rate. Reevaluation in patient procedures using this brand showed a
      5.2% +/- 2.5% degree of adhesion, with a range (10th-90th percentiles) of 2.5%
      7.7%. CONCLUSION: Selection of the appropriate type of syringe can significantly
      reduce the magnitude and variability of residual (99m)Tc-sestamibi activity. With
      more reproducible residual activities, we have been able to achieve an
      approximately 20% reduction in the dispensed dose of (99m)Tc-sestamibi used in
      clinical procedures and a more consistent injected dose with less interpatient
      variation. The frequent changes in syringe design by manufacturers require that a
      quality control program for monitoring of residual activity be incorporated into
      clinical practice. This program has allowed us to maintain image quality and
      achieve more consistent injected patient doses in clinical procedures that use
      (99m)Tc-sestamibi.

PMID- 24212452
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24212451
TI  - Changes in body anthropometry and composition in obese adolescents in a lifestyle
      intervention program.
AB  - PURPOSE: Impact of lifestyle modification on obesity control during adolescence,
      a period of significant physical growth and development, is less quantitatively
      evaluated. Therefore, we investigated the impact of changes in reported energy
      intake and physical activity on anthropometrics and body composition in
      adolescents. METHODS: Participants were obese adolescents aged 11-18 years. All
      of them have a body mass index (BMI) >= 95th percentile specific for age and
      gender according to the 2000 CDC Growth Charts. The intervention consists of
      supervised physical activity, structured nutrition education and dietary
      modification, and behavioral support in 6 months. Hundred and forty-five obese
      adolescents completed the study. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, significant
      reductions in body weight (-1.4 kg, p < 0.001) and BMI (-0.1 kg/m(2), p < 0.001)
      were observed at 6 months. When compared to expected growth trajectories on the
      2000 CDC Growth Charts, body weight and BMI were reduced by 3.6 kg and 1.5
      kg/m(2), respectively, in boys and 5.6 kg and 1.9 kg/m(2) in girls. Age was
      inversely associated with changes in weight (beta = -1.48 kg, p < 0.01) and BMI
      (beta = -0.32 kg/m(2), p = 0.03). There was a dose-response relationship between
      reduction in energy intake and weight loss. A decrease of 100 kcal/day was
      significantly associated with reductions in body weight 0.30 kg, BMI 0.09
      kg/m(2), and BMI Z score 0.01 (all p < 0.01). Physical activity was not
      significantly associated with changes in anthropometrics or body composition.
      CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in energy intake was a significant predictor of obesity
      reduction in these adolescents. A quantitative evaluation of adolescent weight
      loss programs should account for natural growth and development.

PMID- 24212453
TI  - Genetic engineering of microorganisms for biotechnology.

PMID- 24212454
TI  - Ecology of food microorganisms.
AB  - The behavior of microorganisms in foods is governed by the constraints applied to
      the microflora by a variety of environmental and ecological factors. These
      include water activity, pH, Eh, chemical composition, the presence of natural or
      added antimicrobial compounds, and storage temperature, as well as processing
      factors such as the application of heat and physical manipulation. Control of
      these factors will govern whether the food spoils or not, whether any microbial
      health hazard arises, and whether desired microbial processes are successful or
      not. While much is known about the effects of individual environmental factors,
      the effects due to their interactions are less understood. The two main problems
      now facing the food microbiologist are optimization of environmental parameters
      and the selection of strains with specific properties. A better understanding of
      the mechanisms of action and interactions between the various environmental
      factors, coupled with the application of modern techniques to produce strains
      with particular properties, will lead to optimum use of food supplies and
      improvements in quality. There is also potential for the development of new and
      novel foods. 

PMID- 24212455
TI  - Ecology of yeasts with actual and potential value in biotechnology.

PMID- 24212456
TI  - The ecology of antibiotic production.
AB  - Over the last 40 years, there has been a steady supply of novel, useful
      antibiotics produced by microbes isolated from soil and other natural
      environments. The increased efficiency of screening procedures in the last decade
      has played a major part in maintaining this supply. However, the selection and
      sampling of natural environments are still essentially random processes. The main
      reasons for this are an almost total lack of knowledge of the significance of
      antibiotics in nature, deficiencies in the taxonomy of antibiotic-producing
      microbes and its application, and lack of information about the distribution and
      ecology of known or potential antibiotic producers. The origins of these problems
      are discussed and some possible solutions are suggested. 

PMID- 24212457
TI  - Biotechnology and ecological studies on the oral cavity.

PMID- 24212458
TI  - Marine microorganisms as a source of bioactive agents.
AB  - Several ecological factors of the marine environment were used in developing a
      strategy for discovering useful bioactive agents from marine microorganisms. By
      consideration of sea water requirements, production and degradation of marine
      polymers, and plasmid content, several novel anti-malarial antibiotics, anti
      tumor polysaccharides, glucan-degrading enzymes, and aminoglycoside antibiotics
      were found. 

PMID- 24212459
TI  - Potential commercial applications in aquatic microbiology.

PMID- 24212460
TI  - Microbial-invertebrate interactions and potential for biotechnology.
AB  - CONCLUSION: As the interactions between marine invertebrates and their bacterial
      commensals and symbionts are better understood, the application of biotechnology
      will enhance both environmental and economic benefit. In the immediate future,
      marine bacteria, either selected or genetically engineered, will play a
      significant role in enhancing the development of selected invertebrates in
      aquaculture and in the field. Luck may also favor discovery of mechanisms to
      suppress the development of biofouling species, perhaps by making it possible to
      coat submerged surfaces with bacterial films designed to repell larvae and/or
      interfere with larval morphogenesis. In any case, the future is appealing.

PMID- 24212461
TI  - The biotechnological future for newly described, extremely thermophilic bacteria.
AB  - Recent explorations of aquatic volcanic environments have led to the isolation of
      novel microorganisms with optimal growth temperatures of 80 degrees C or higher.
      Expectations of equally novel, highly thermostable biocatalysts and specialty
      chemicals from such organisms remain high but must be tempered with the
      laboratory realities of manipulating unusual bacteria whose growth
      characteristics are as yet poorly defined. Advancing the biotechnological future
      of "super-thermophiles" will require new cultivation methods, including the use
      of highly thermostable gels and pressurized bioreactors. 

PMID- 24212462
TI  - Screening for a "new" enzyme in nature: Haloperoxidase production by Death Valley
      dematiaceous hyphomycetes.
AB  - Haloperoxidases are enzymes that have the ability to halogenate a broad range of
      substrates [10]. To find a biologically produced haloperoxidase that could
      function at a pH greater than 3.0 and at a temperature greater than 19 degrees C,
      dematiaceous hyphomycetes were isolated from the Death Valley desert and screened
      for their ability to produce such an enzyme. A qualitative assay using
      bromophenol red was employed in situ over a 12-day fermentation period. Several
      dematiaceous hyphomycetes, such asDreschlera haloides andUlocladium chartarum,
      produced haloperoxidases that were active in broth culture at 19, 25, and 34
      degrees C at pH 7.0 and 8.0. 

PMID- 24212463
TI  - Genetic control of environmental pollutants: A conference review.

PMID- 24212464
TI  - Genetic aspects of toxic chemical degradation.
AB  - All naturally occurring molecules are continuously being recycled in nature,
      constantly being synthesized, and constantly being degraded. Synthetic molecules
      on the other hand, often are unable to enter nature's recycling scheme because
      organisms that have an ability to degrade these xenobiotic compounds simply do
      not exist. Moreover, many synthetic chemicals are not only recalcitrant to
      biodegradation, but also are toxic and therefore can cause significant pollution
      problems even at very low concentrations. The chemical industry will continue to
      produce an evergrowing number of molecules, even though severe environmental
      problems have resulted from synthetic molecules already produced. We must find a
      means of bringing synthetic molecules back into nature's recycling systems if we
      are to preserve the environment. Biotechnology, through the genetic manipulation
      of microorganisms, provides a means of accomplishing this goal. 

PMID- 24212465
TI  - Anaerobic degradation of halogenated aromatic compounds.
AB  - Recent microbiological findings show how compounds, regarded hitherto as unusual
      substrates for anaerobic bacteria, are degraded under anaerobic conditions. The
      complete conversion of halobenzoic acids and halophenolic compounds to methane by
      lake sediment and sewage sludge microorganisms has been demonstrated. Since
      haloaromatic compounds are widely used and may be found in such effluents as
      those from the forest industry, these studies could stimulate a broader interest
      in anaerobic treatment of industrial waste waters which contain unusual organic
      compounds. 

PMID- 24212466
TI  - Biotechnology of petroleum pollutant biodegradation.
AB  - Procedures designed to meet the physiological needs of petroleum hydrocarbon
      (PHC) degrading microorganisms are useful in mitigating environmental damage
      caused by marine and terrestrial PHC spills. By similar approaches, soil can be
      utilized as a cost-effective biological incinerator for hazardous PHC wastes.
      Physiological ecology needs to complement genetic engineering efforts for an
      effective attack on environmental pollution problems. 

PMID- 24212468
TI  - In vitro assessment of the dual-targeting behavior of a peptide-based magnetic
      resonance imaging contrast agent.
AB  - In this study, a peptide-based dual-targeting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      contrast agent (S8) was designed and synthesized. Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and Asn-Gly
      Arg (NGR) were combined in the targeting vector so as to allow binding, on the
      surface of tumor cells, to integrin alphavbeta3 and aminopeptidase N (CD13),
      respectively. The longitudinal relaxivity (r1) value of S8 was 8.297 mM-1sec-1 at
      a magnetic field of 11.7 T, which is approximately double the r1 value (4.25 mM
      1sec-1) of Magnevist, a commercially available contrast agent. MDA-MB-231 human
      breast cancer cells (which overexpress alphavbeta3) and human prostate cancer
      cells PC-3 (which overexpress CD13) were used to investigate the tumor-targeting
      behavior of S8. The results from the present study indicate that the designed
      contrast agent, S8, targets both MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 cells.

PMID- 24212467
TI  - C(m)CGG methylation-independent parent-of-origin effects on genome-wide
      transcript levels in isogenic reciprocal F1 triploid plants.
AB  - Triploid F1 hybrids generated via reciprocal interploidy crosses between
      genetically distinct parental plants can display parent-of-origin effects on gene
      expression or phenotypes. Reciprocal triploid F1 isogenic plants generated from
      interploidy crosses in the same genetic background allow investigation on parent
      of-origin-specific (parental) genome-dosage effects without confounding effects
      of hybridity involving heterozygous mutations. Whole-genome transcriptome
      profiling was conducted on reciprocal F1 isogenic triploid (3x) seedlings of A.
      thaliana. The genetically identical reciprocal 3x genotypes had either an excess
      of maternally inherited 3x(m) or paternally inherited 3x(p) genomes. We identify
      a major parent-of-origin-dependent genome-dosage effect on transcript levels,
      whereby 602 genes exhibit differential expression between the reciprocal F1
      triploids. In addition, using methylation-sensitive DNA tiling arrays,
      constitutive and polymorphic CG DNA methylation patterns at CCGG sites were
      analysed, which revealed that paternal-excess F1 triploid seedling C(m)CGG sites
      are overall hypermethylated. However, no correlation exists between C(m)CGG
      methylation polymorphisms and transcriptome dysregulation between the isogenic
      reciprocal F1 triploids. Overall, our study indicates that parental genome-dosage
      effects on the transcriptome levels occur in paternal-excess triploids, which are
      independent of C(m)CGG methylation polymorphisms. Such findings have implications
      for understanding parental effects and genome-dosage effects on gene expression
      and phenotypes in polyploid plants. 

PMID- 24212469
TI  - Dynamic investigation of interface atom migration during heterostructure
      nanojoining.
AB  - Interface atom migration and compositional evolution during the heterostructure
      nanojoining process under external electrical loadings has been investigated in
      situ inside a transmission electron microscope with atomic resolution. The
      results indicate that the migration of oxygen atoms on the contact interface of
      metal nanorods is a thermal dominated process rather than an electromigration
      process. After removing the oxide layer at the nanometal contact interface, the
      metal atoms migrate under external electrical field. The formation region of
      nanoalloys can be modulated by controlling the electromigration direction of
      nanometal atoms, leading to an electromigration-dominated cutting process which
      offers an extra degree of freedom to design a sacrifice layer and interconnects
      in solid-state bonding. These findings offer an insight of potential failure
      mechanisms as well as fabrication methodology for interconnects in nanodevices. 

PMID- 24212470
TI  - Standard tobacco packaging still being considered but is not a "silver bullet,"
      says health department.

PMID- 24212471
TI  - Improvement of alkali stability and thermostability of Paenibacillus
      campinasensis Family-11 xylanase by directed evolution and site-directed
      mutagenesis.
AB  - The extreme process condition of high temperature and high alkali limits the
      applications of most of natural xylanases in pulp and paper industry. Recently,
      various methods of protein engineering have been used to improve the thermal and
      alkalic tolerance of xylanases. In this work, directed evolution and site
      directed mutagenesis were performed to obtain a mutant xylanase improved both on
      alkali stability and thermostability from the native Paenibacillus campinasensis
      Family-11 xylanase (XynG1-1). Mutant XynG1-1B43 (V90R/P172H) with two units
      increased in the optimum pH (pH 7.0-pH 9.0) and significant improvement on alkali
      stability was selected from the second round of epPCR library. And the further
      thermoduric mutant XynG1-1B43cc16 (V90R/P172H/T84C-T182C/D16Y) with 10  degrees C
      increased in the optimum temperature (60-70  degrees C) was then obtained by
      introducing a disulfide bridge (T84C-T182C) and a single amino acid substitution
      (D16Y) to XynG1-1B43 using site-directed mutagenesis. XynG1-1B43cc16 also showed
      higher thermostability and catalytic efficiency (k cat /K m ) than that of wild
      type (XynG1-1) and XynG1-1B43. The attractive improved properties make XynG1
      1B43cc16 more suitable for bioleaching of cotton stalk pulp under the extreme
      process condition of high temperature (70  degrees C) and high alkali (pH 9.0). 

PMID- 24212472
TI  - DyP-type peroxidases: a promising and versatile class of enzymes.
AB  - DyP peroxidases comprise a novel superfamily of heme-containing peroxidases,
      which is unrelated to the superfamilies of plant and animal peroxidases. These
      enzymes have so far been identified in the genomes of fungi, bacteria, as well as
      archaea, although their physiological function is still unclear. DyPs are
      bifunctional enzymes displaying not only oxidative activity but also hydrolytic
      activity. Moreover, these enzymes are able to oxidize a variety of organic
      compounds of which some are poorly converted by established peroxidases,
      including dyes, beta-carotene, and aromatic sulfides. Interestingly, accumulating
      evidence shows that microbial DyP peroxidases play a key role in the degradation
      of lignin. Owing to their unique properties, these enzymes are potentially
      interesting for a variety of biocatalytic applications. In this review, we deal
      with the biochemical and structural features of DyP-type peroxidases as well as
      their promising biotechnological potential. 

PMID- 24212473
TI  - Genome-guided discovery of diverse natural products from Burkholderia sp.
AB  - Burkholderia species have emerged as a new source of diverse natural products.
      This mini-review covers all of the natural products discovered in recent years
      from Burkholderia sp. by genome-guided approaches--these refer to the use of
      bacterial genome sequence as an entry point for in silico structural prediction,
      wet lab experimental design, and execution. While reliable structural prediction
      based on cryptic biosynthetic gene cluster sequence was not always possible due
      to noncanonical domains and/or module organization of a deduced biosynthetic
      pathway, a molecular genetic method was often employed to detect or alter the
      expression level of the gene cluster to achieve an observable phenotype, which
      facilitated downstream natural product purification and identification. Those
      examples of natural product discovery from Burkholderia sp. provide practical
      guidance for future exploration of Gram-negative bacteria as a new source of
      natural products.

PMID- 24212474
TI  - Molecular basis of wing coloration in a Batesian mimic butterfly, Papilio
      polytes.
AB  - Batesian mimicry protects animals from predators through resemblance with
      distasteful models in shape, color pattern, or behavior. To elucidate the wing
      coloration mechanisms involved in the mimicry, we investigated chemical
      composition and gene expression of the pale yellow and red pigments of a
      swallowtail butterfly, Papilio polytes, whose females mimic the unpalatable
      butterfly Pachliopta aristolochiae. Using LC/MS, we showed that the pale yellow
      wing regions in non-mimetic females consist of kynurenine and N-beta
      alanyldopamine (NBAD). Moreover, qRT-PCR showed that kynurenine/NBAD biosynthetic
      genes were upregulated in these regions in non-mimetic females. However, these
      pigments were absent in mimetic females. RNA-sequencing showed that
      kynurenine/NBAD synthesis and Toll signaling genes were upregulated in the red
      spots specific to mimetic female wings. These results demonstrated that drastic
      changes in gene networks in the red and pale yellow regions can switch wing color
      patterns between non-mimetic and mimetic females of P. polytes. 

PMID- 24212475
TI  - The mechanism of caesium intercalation of graphene.
AB  - Properties of many layered materials, including copper- and iron-based
      superconductors, topological insulators, graphite and epitaxial graphene, can be
      manipulated by the inclusion of different atomic and molecular species between
      the layers via a process known as intercalation. For example, intercalation in
      graphite can lead to superconductivity and is crucial in the working cycle of
      modern batteries and supercapacitors. Intercalation involves complex diffusion
      processes along and across the layers; however, the microscopic mechanisms and
      dynamics of these processes are not well understood. Here we report on a novel
      mechanism for intercalation and entrapment of alkali atoms under epitaxial
      graphene. We find that the intercalation is adjusted by the van der Waals
      interaction, with the dynamics governed by defects anchored to graphene wrinkles.
      Our findings are relevant for the future design and application of graphene-based
      nano-structures. Similar mechanisms can also have a role for intercalation of
      layered materials. 

PMID- 24212476
TI  - Perceptions and perceived impact of graphic cigarette health warning labels on
      smoking behavior among U.S. young adults.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration published a final rule
      requiring cigarette packages and advertisements to include graphic health warning
      labels (HWLs) with new warning statements. Implementation of this rule has been
      stalled by legal challenge. This study assessed correlates of smoking-related
      intentions related to graphic HWLs among current cigarette smokers and nonsmokers
      in a national sample of U.S. young adults aged 18-34. METHODS: Data were
      collected from 4,236 participants aged 18-34 using an online panel in January
      2012 for the Legacy Young Adult Cohort Study. Analyses were weighted to provide
      nationally representative estimates. Our main outcome was assessed with a single
      item: "Do you think that new warning labels with graphic pictures would make you
      think about not smoking?" RESULTS: Twenty-two percent of the young adults were
      current cigarette smokers. Fifty-three percent endorsed that new graphic HWLs
      would make them think about not smoking (40% among current smokers compared with
      56% among nonsmokers). Among nonsmokers, those aged 18-24, females, Hispanics,
      and those who were aware of graphic cigarette HWLs were more likely to report
      intention to not smoke related to graphic HWLs. Among current smokers, intending
      to quit within the next 6 months was correlated with intention resulting from
      graphic HWLs. Hispanic ethnicity and intention to quit within 30 days were strong
      correlates of intention in light, nondaily, and self-identified social/occasional
      smokers. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports previous findings that graphic HWLs
      play an important role in preventing smoking, in addition to encouraging
      cessation in young adults.

PMID- 24212477
TI  - Prematurational culture with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine synchronizes meiotic
      progression of the germinal vesicle stage and improves nuclear maturation and
      embryonic development in in vitro-grown bovine oocytes.
AB  - The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of prematurational culture
      (pre-IVM) supplemented with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) on nuclear and
      cytoplasmic maturation of in vitro-grown bovine oocytes. In experiment 1, oocytes
      (95 MUm in diameter) derived from early antral follicles (0.5-1 mm in diameter)
      were cultured for 12 days for in vitro growth (IVG). IVG oocytes with a normal
      appearance were subjected to examinations of diameter and chromatin structure in
      the germinal vesicle (GV) before IVM. In addition, percentages of metaphase II (M
      II) were examined after IVM. Regardless of pre-IVM, the mean diameters of IVG
      oocytes were about 115 MUm. The proportions of GV3 (50.0%) and M II stages
      (80.1%) of IVG oocytes with pre-IVM were higher than those without pre-IVM (28.0
      and 49.4%, respectively). In experiment 2, the fertilizability and developmental
      competence of IVG oocytes were examined. Regardless of pre-IVM, the normal
      fertilization rates of IVG oocytes were similar (around 70%) but were lower than
      that of in vivo-grown oocytes (88.0%). Cleavage and blastocyst rates of IVG
      oocytes with pre-IVM (63.0 and 26.1%, respectively) were higher than those
      without pre-IVM (45.8 and 12.7%, respectively). The blastocyst rate based on
      cleaved IVG oocytes with pre-IVM (41.7%) was similar to that of in vivo-grown
      oocytes (48.7%), although the cleavage rate of IVG oocytes with pre-IVM was lower
      than that of in vivo-grown oocytes. In conclusion, pre-IVM with IBMX improved the
      maturational and developmental competences of IVG oocytes, probably due to
      promotion of their chromatin transition and synchronization of meiotic
      progression. 

PMID- 24212478
TI  - A comparison of spinal anesthesia characteristics following intrathecal
      bupivacaine or levobupivacaine in lumbar disc surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: While bupivacaine is the most frequently used local anesthetic for
      spinal anesthesia, use of levobupivacaine in clinical practice has advanced
      recently. The aim of our study was to compare the clinical and anesthetic effects
      of isobaric bupivacaine and isobaric levobupivacaine when administered
      intrathecally in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery. METHODS: ASA I-III, 60
      patients were enrolled in this study. Only patients with unilateral single-level
      (L4-5) lumbar disc hernia were selected and operated in each group and all were
      operated by the same surgeon. Patients were randomized into two groups, as group
      B (n = 30): 15 mg 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine, or group L (n = 30): 15 mg 0.5%
      isobaric levobupivacaine received intrathecally. The level of sensory block
      dermatome, degree of motor block, intraoperative sensory and motor block
      characteristics, and postoperative recovery times of spinal anesthesia were
      evaluated. The satisfaction scores of the surgeon and patients, intraoperative
      hemodynamic changes, intraoperative and postoperative complications were
      recorded. RESULTS: The maximum level of sensory blockade was significantly higher
      in the levobupivacaine group (group L 7 +/- 1.63, group B 8.6 +/- 1.76 thoracic
      dermatome, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the onset time of
      sensory (group L 6 +/- 3 min, group B 9 +/- 4 min) and motor (in group L 7 +/- 3
      min, in group B 10 +/- 4 min) blockade (p > 0.05). There was no significant
      difference between the groups regarding duration of operation (group L 49 +/- 7.3
      min, group B 52 +/- 8.1, p > 0.05). Recovery times of sensory (175 +/- 57 min)
      and motor (216 +/- 59 min) blockade were significantly shorter in the
      levobupivacaine group (p < 0.05). Mobilization was also earlier in the
      levobupivacaine group (339 +/- 90 min, p < 0.05). Patients' satisfaction and
      intraoperative, postoperative complications were similar between the two groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that block recovery time was shorter in the
      levobupivacaine group, this may be a disadvantage for longer operative
      procedures. But with proper patient selection this can be eliminated. Recovery
      time was shorter in levobupivacaine group. Therefore, postoperative neurological
      examination can be done earlier. In addition, early mobilization can be an
      advantage for postoperative recovery.

PMID- 24212479
TI  - Long-term result of vocal cord paralysis after anterior cervical disectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Anterior cervical disectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a highly effective and
      safe method for spinal cord and cervical root decompression. However, vocal cord
      paralysis (VCP) remains an important cause of postoperative morbidity. The true
      incidence and recovery course of postoperative VCP is still uncertain. This study
      is a report on VCP after ACDF to evaluate the incidence, recovery course, and
      possible risk factors. METHODS: From 2004 to 2008, 1,895 consecutive patients
      underwent ACDF in our hospital and were followed up for at least 3 years. All
      surgeons were well trained and used a right-sided exposure. Prolonged VCP, where
      patients suffered from postoperative VCP lasting more than 3 months, was recorded
      and analyzed. RESULTS: In this retrospective study, 9 of the 1,895 patients
      (0.47%) documented prolonged VCP lasting over 3 months. Six of the nine patients
      had total recovery within 9 months. Only three patients (0.16%) still had
      symptoms even after 3 years postoperatively. All symptoms of VCP, except
      hoarseness, could be improved. After matching with 36 non-VCP patients, no
      differences with regard to longer operative or anesthesia time, shorter neck,
      obesity, and prevertebral edema. All cases of prolonged course of postoperative
      VCP occurred in patients who underwent exposure at the C67 level. CONCLUSION: In
      our study, only 0.47% documented prolonged postoperative VCP, while most patients
      recovered within 9 months. However, if symptoms last longer, there could be
      almost permanent VCP (0.16%). In our study, choking and dysphagia subsided mostly
      within 6 months, but hoarseness remained. The exposure of the C67 level obviously
      was a risk factor for postoperative VCP.

PMID- 24212480
TI  - Incidental dural tear in spine surgery: analysis of a nationwide database.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of dural tear (DT)
      in spine surgery, risk factors, and patient outcomes on a national level.
      METHODS: Clinical data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for
      2009. Patients who underwent spine surgery were identified and, among them,
      patients who had DT were identified, according to the International
      Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes.
      Patient and hospital demographic data were retrieved. The incidence of DT and in
      hospital patient outcomes were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression
      analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for DT. RESULTS: The
      incidence of DT was 2.7 % (17,932/665,818). Multivariate analysis revealed that
      older age, female gender, increased Elixhauser comorbidity score, and high
      hospital caseload were the significant risk factors for DT. Comparison between
      patients with and without DT showed that those with DT had significantly higher
      overall in-hospital complications (18.8 vs. 10.2 %), higher in-hospital mortality
      rate (0.4 vs. 0.3 %), longer hospital stays (5.1 vs. 3.7 days), lower proportion
      discharged home routinely (61.0 vs. 76.8 %), and increased total hospital charges
      ($85,138 vs. $71,808), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The reported incidence of DT in
      spine surgery was 2.7 % in the US. Risk factors included older age, female
      gender, increased comorbidities, and high hospital caseload. DT increased the
      rate of in-hospital complications and mortality and health care burdens.

PMID- 24212482
TI  - ASXL1, TP53 and IKZF3 mutations are present in the chronic phase and blast crisis
      of chronic myeloid leukemia.

PMID- 24212483
TI  - CSF3R T618I co-occurs with mutations of splicing and epigenetic genes and with a
      new PIM3 truncated fusion gene in chronic neutrophilic leukemia.

PMID- 24212484
TI  - Identification of associating carbohydrate sequences with labelled
      oligosaccharides : Localization of alginate-gelling subunits in cells walls of a
      brown alga.
AB  - The gelling subunit of alginate, the major cell-wall polysaccharide of brown
      algae, was used as a molecular marker for identification of this cell-wall
      carbohydrate subunit at the cellular level. Short polyguluronate chains were
      conjugated to fluorescein and used as a probe to identify the gelling regions of
      alginate in tissue sections from a brown alga. The specificity of the probe for
      gelling subunits was demonstrated by lack of cell-wall labelling in the absence
      of calcium, correlation between divalent-cation binding affinities of
      polyguluronate with labelling intensity, and lack of labelling by fluorescein
      conjugated nongelling subunits. The probe labelling-pattern also differed from
      sulfated fucan distribution. Extracellular matrix and cell walls were labelled on
      sections of vegetative blade, stipe and reproductive frond of Fucus gardneri
      Silva. Probe labelling was rapid, being virtually complete within 5 min. Probe
      labelling in seawater differed markedly from labelling at lower ionic strength
      and is interpreted as reflecting alginategelling properties in natural
      conditions. High-and low-affinity binding sites are discussed in terms of gelling
      subunit length and steric availability. Fluorescein-conjugated polygalacturonate,
      which also forms calcium dimers, labelled extracellular alginate by formation of
      mixed polygalacturonate-polyguluronate dimers. Binding by the alginate
      hybridization probe differs from nucleic-acid hybridization in divalent-cation
      bridging and the lack of both a conformational transition and polymer polarity. 

PMID- 24212485
TI  - Pectate distribution and esterification in Dubautia leaves and soybean nodules,
      studied with a fluorescent hybridization probe.
AB  - Carbohydrate-hybridization probes (Vreeland and Laetsch, 1989, Planta (177, 423
      434) were used to localize the homogalacturonan (pectate) component of pectins in
      the cell walls of leaves and soybean root nodules. Leaves of two species of the
      dicotyledon Dubautia were compared; these species contain much pectin but differ
      in their tissue water relations with respect to their cell-wall properties.
      Maturation of the primary cell walls in nodules was studied in the Bradyrhizobium
      japonicum-Glycine max symbiosis. Probe labelling was based on the divalent-cation
      mediated association between pectate in tissue sections and fluorescein
      conjugated pectate fragments. Pectate was also labelled by mixed-dimer formation
      with fluorescent polyguluronate derived from alginate. The specificity of the
      probe for unesterified polygalacturonate was indicated by increased cell-wall
      labelling after chemical or enzymatic deesterification of tissue sections, in
      contrast to elimination of labelling by chemical esterification. Postfixation of
      tissue sections improved retention of soluble pectate. Pectate differences were
      found in the leaves among cell types, in degree of esterification, and between
      plant species. The cell walls of soybean nodules were strongly labelled by the
      pectate probe in nodules one week and three weeks after infection. Pectate was
      more highly esterified in the central infected zone than in the surrouding
      cortex. Within the infected zone, walls of uninfected cells and infected cells
      were similarly labelled by the pectate probe. The results indicate that the
      pectate molecular probe provides detailed information on pectate distribution at
      the cellular level for investigations of cell-wall structure, development and
      physiology. 

PMID- 24212486
TI  - Chitinase in roots of mycorrhizal Allium porrum: regulation and localization.
AB  - Chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) activity was measured in roots of Allium prorrum L.
      (leek) during development of a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis with
      Glomus versiforme (Karst.) Berch. During the early stages of infection, between
      10 and 20 d after inoculation, the specific activity of chitinase was higher in
      mycorrhizal roots than in the uninfected controls. However, 60-90 d after
      inoculation, when the symbiosis was fully established, the mycorrhizal roots
      contained much less chitinase than control roots. Chitinase was purified from A.
      porrum roots. An antiserum against beanleaf chitinase was found to cross-react
      specifically with chitinase in the extracts from non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal
      A. porrum roots. This antiserum was used for the immunocytochemical localization
      of the enzyme with fluorescent and gold-labelled probes. Chitinase was localized
      in the vacuoles and in the extracellular spaces of non-mycorrhizal and
      mycorrhizal roots. There was no immunolabelling on the fungal cell walls in the
      intercellular or the intracellular phases. It is concluded that the chitin in the
      fungal walls is inaccessible to plant chitinase. This casts doubts on the
      possible involvement of this hydrolase in the development of the mycorrhizal
      fungus. However, fungal penetration does appear to cause a typical defense
      response in the first stages that is later depressed. 

PMID- 24212487
TI  - Period and phase control by temperature in the circadian rhythm of carbon dioxide
      fixation in illuminated leaves of Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi.
AB  - The rhythm of CO2 assimilation exhibited by leaves of Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi
      maintained in light and normal air occurs only at constant ambient temperatures
      between 10 degrees C and 30 degrees C. Over this range the period increases
      linearly with increasing temperature from the extremely low value of 15.7 h to
      23.3 h, but shows a considerable degree of temperature compensation. Outside the
      range 10 degrees C-30 degrees C the rhythm is inhibited but re-starts on changing
      the temperature to 15 degrees C. Prolonged exposure of leaves to high (40 degrees
      C) and low (2 degrees C) temperature inhibits the rhythm by driving the basic
      oscillator to fixed phase points in the cycle which differ by 180 degrees , and
      which have been characterised in terms of the malate status of the leaf cells. At
      both temperatures loss of the circadian rhythm of CO2 assimilation is due to the
      inhibition of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) activity, but the
      inhibition is apparently achieved in different ways at 40 degrees C and 2 degrees
      C. High temperature appears to inhibit directly PEPCase activity, but not the
      activity of the enzymes responsible for the breakdown of malate, with the result
      that the leaf acquires a low malate status. In contrast, low temperature does not
      directly inhibit PEPCase activity, but does inhibit enzymes responsible for
      malate breakdown, so that the malate level in the leaf increases to a high value
      and PEPCase is eventually allosterically inhibited. The different malate status
      of leaves held at these two temperatures accounts for the phases of the rhythms
      being reversed on returning the leaves to 15 degrees C. After exposure to high
      temperature, CO2 fixation by PEPCase activity can begin immediately, whereas
      after exposure to low temperature, the large amount of malate accumulated in the
      leaves has to be decarboxylated before CO2 fixation can begin. 

PMID- 24212488
TI  - Latent nitrate reductase activity is associated with the plasma membrane of corn
      roots.
AB  - Latent nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was detected in corn (Zea mays L., Golden
      Jubilee) root microsome fractions. Microsome-associated NRA was stimulated up to
      20-fold by Triton X-100 (octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol) whereas soluble NRA was
      only increased up to 1.2-fold. Microsome-associated NRA represented up to 19% of
      the total root NRA. Analysis of microsomal fractions by aqueous two-phase
      partitioning showed that the membrane-associated NRA was localized in the second
      upper phase (U2). Analysis with marker enzymes indicated that the U2 fraction was
      plasma membrane (PM). The PM-associated NRA was not removed by washing vesicles
      with up to 1.0 M NACl but was solubilized from the PM with 0.05% Triton X-100. In
      contrast, vanadate-sensitive ATPase activity was not solubilized from the PM by
      treatment with 0.1% Triton X-100. The results show that a protein capable of
      reducing nitrate is embedded in the hydrophobic region of the PM of corn roots. 

PMID- 24212489
TI  - Role of acid efflux during growth promotion of primary leaves of Phaseolus
      vulgaris L. by hormones and light.
AB  - The white-light-(WL) induced enlargement of dicotyledonous leaf cells is known to
      occur via an acid-growth mechanism; i.e., WL causes leaf cells to excrete protons
      which lead to an increase in wall extensibility and thus cell enlargement.
      Gibberellic acid (GA3) and N(6)-benzyladenine (BA) also induce leaf cell
      enlargement. To see if they also act via acid-induced cell wall loosening, a
      comparison has been made of WL-, GA3-and BA-induced growth of strips, taken from
      primary leaves of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants raised in continuous red
      light for 10 d. White light, GA3 and BA all increased wall extensibility as
      measured by the Instron technique, and this change preceded the increase in
      growth rate. However, whereas WL induced significant proton excretion, neither
      GA3 nor BA caused any acidification of the apoplast. Furthermore, neutral
      buffers, which effectively inhibited the growth induced by WL, were without
      effect on growth promoted by either GA3 or BA. These results indicate that while
      WL, GA3 and BA all initiate growth in bean leaves by altering cell-wall
      properties, GA3 and BA do so through some wall loosening mechanism other than
      wall acidification. Neither gibberellin nor cytokinin is likely to play a major
      role in light-induced cell enlargement of dicotyledonous leaves. 

PMID- 24212490
TI  - Differential fractionation of oxygen isotopes by cyanide-resistant and cyanide
      sensitive respiration in plants.
AB  - Stable-isotope discrimination factors (D) for the uptake of oxygen during
      respiration by a variety of plant materials were determined by measuring (18)O
      enrichment in a closed system. Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Meyer) and
      mitochondrial preparations from baker's yeast and from castor bean (Ricinus
      communis L.) endosperm, all of which are fully sensitive to cyanide,
      discriminated againt (18)O by about 16-180/00. Whole Medicago sativa L.
      seedlings, isolated intact Asparagus sprengeri Regel mesophyll cells, and spadix
      mitochondria of Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus L.) had higher Ds of
      about 20-220/00. These materials all had some capacity for the cyanide-resistant
      alternative respiration pathway and in the presence of cyanide discriminated by
      about 24-260/00. When treated with salicylhydroxamic acid or tetraethylthiuram
      disulfide, which inhibit the alternative pathway, discrimination was about 17
      190/00. Where respiration was limited by oxygen diffusion (slices of thermogenic
      tissues from S. foetidus and Sauromatum gutfatum Schott), fractionation was much
      reduced and the difference between the two respiratory pathways was masked.
      Isotope discrimination by soybean lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.11.12) supplied with
      linoleic acid was much lower than by respiration. Where diffusion is not a
      problem, the D value obtained in the absence of inhibitor can be used to estimate
      the partitioning of electron transport between the two pathways at steady-state
      by linear interpolation between the Ds characteristic of cyanide-resistant and
      cyanide-sensitive respiration. 

PMID- 24212491
TI  - Temporal control of phytochrome-dependent gene expression during radish seedling
      development.
AB  - The level of two nuclear-encoded transcripts (the small subunit of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase and the chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of photosystem
      II) and two chloroplastencoded mRNAs (the large subunit of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase and the chloroplast 32-kDa polypeptide) were analysed
      during the first 4 d of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seedling development. A
      single 5-min red-light pulse increased the concentrations of all transcripts by
      various orders of magnitude, depending on the particular mRNA. For all
      transcripts the maximal effect of the red light was observed when the irradiation
      was applied 48 h following sowing. The red-light treatment did not lead to
      changes in the total RNA level or to alterations in the levels of nuclear and
      chloroplastic DNAs; the level of beta-actin mRNA was also unaffected by the light
      treatment. It is concluded that during the first days of development, cells of
      radish cotyledons undergo light-independent molecular changes, occurring at the
      transcriptional level, conferring on them a transient competence towards the
      photoreceptor phytochrome. 

PMID- 24212492
TI  - Electrical properties of soybean plasma membrane measured in heterotrophic
      suspension callus.
AB  - Previous work on heterotrophic suspension-cultured cells has failed to detect the
      electrogenic processes normally associated with the plasma membranes of non
      animal cells. This study reports measurements on heterotrophic cells from soybean
      (Glycine max L.) suspension cultures, which are shown to be amenable to
      impalement with microelectrodes. The plasma membrane clearly exhibits fundamental
      characteristics which are common to many other plant cell types: (i) a resting
      membrane potential significantly more negative than-100mV (measured value:121+/
      4mV); (ii) obvious electrogenic activity, as evidenced by the marked
      depolarization of the membrane (87+/-6mV) by cyanide, and by the fact the
      membrane potential was frequently more negative than the equilibrium potential
      for K(+); (iii) a finite permeability to K(+) ions; (iv) electrophoretic
      transport of glucose. The development of a recording medium consisting primarily
      of 1:5 diluted growth medium was critical for successful impalement of these
      cells. It is proposed that the novel identification of electrogenic processes in
      heterotrophic suspension-cultured cells results from the deployment of electrodes
      with relatively dilute filling solutions, thus avoiding substantial changes in
      intracellular ion concentrations.The overwhelming majority of cells in soybean
      suspension cultures exist in small clusters, and the possibility of intercellular
      coupling potentially precludes assessment of membrane specific resistance and
      current density. Furthermore, as with most higher-plant cells, the vacuole
      occupies a large fraction of the intracellular volume. However, a model in which
      the measuring electrode is cytosolically located and the cells are electrically
      well-coupled is the only one which satisfactorily generates values for membrane
      specific resistance in a manner which is not strongly dependent on the number of
      cells in the cluster: other models in which the electrode tip is located in the
      vacuole and-or the impaled cell is electrically isolated from the others do not
      seem to apply. The measured values of membrane specific resistance are in the
      range 5.4 to 8.4 omega.m(2), which is in excellent agreement with comparable
      measurements on other plant and fungal cells. The results are discussed with
      respect to mechanisms of transmembrane signalling in soybean, as well as to
      general electrophysiological studies on higher-plant cells in suspension culture
      and in tissues. 

PMID- 24212493
TI  - Phytochrome - all regions marked by a set of monoclonal antibodies reflect
      conformational changes.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies to defined locations on six regions of the phytochrome
      molecule (from Avena sativa L. or Zea mays L.) were each found to have a
      different affinity toward the farred-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pfr) and the
      red-absorbing form (Pr). The differences were small, but were consistently shown
      by antibodies which bind to the vicinity of the aminoterminus, the
      carboxylterminus and to sequences in between. It seems that the conformational
      differences between Pr and Pfr extend over the whole molecule in as far as it is
      represented by these regions and the antibodies binding to them. 

PMID- 24212494
TI  - Control of photosynthesis by the carbohydrate level in leaves of the C4 plant
      Amaranthus edulis L.
AB  - Photosynthesis was studied in relation to the carbohydrate status in intact
      leaves of the C4 plant Amaranthus edulis. The rate of leaf net CO2 assimilation,
      stomatal conductance and intercellular partial pressure of CO2 remained constant
      or showed little decline towards the end of an 8-h period of illumination in
      ambient air (340 MUbar CO2, 21% O2). When sucrose export from the leaf was
      inhibited by applying a 4-h cold-block treatment (1 degrees C) to the petiole,
      the rate of photosynthesis rapidly decreased with time. After the removal of the
      cold block from the petiole, further reduction in photosynthetic rate occurred,
      and there was no recovery in the subsequent light period. Although stomatal
      conductance declined with time, intercellular CO2 partial pressure remained
      relatively constant, indicating that the inhibition of photosynthesis was not
      primarily caused by changes in stomatal aperture. Analysis of the leaf
      carbohydrate status showed a five- to sixfold increase in the soluble sugar
      fraction (mainly sucrose) in comparison with the untreated controls, whereas the
      starch content was the same. Leaf osmotic potential increased significantly with
      the accumulation of soluble sugars upon petiole chilling, and leaf water
      potential became slightly more negative. After 14 h recovery in the dark,
      photosynthesis returned to its initial maximum value within 1 h of illumination,
      and this was associated with a decline in leaf carbohydrate levels overnight.
      These data show that, in Amaranthus edulis, depression in photosynthesis when
      translocation is impaired is closely related to the accumulation of soluble
      sugars (sucrose) in source leaves, indicating feedback control of C4
      photosynthesis. Possible mechanisms by which sucrose accumulation in the leaf may
      affect the rate of photosynthesis are discussed with regard to the leaf anatomy
      of C4 plants. 

PMID- 24212495
TI  - Regulation of the appearance of glutamine synthetase in mustard (Sinapis alba L.)
      cotyledons by light, nitrate and ammonium.
AB  - During transformation of mustard seedlings cotyledons from storage organs to
      photosynthetically competent leaves, a process which occurs during the first 4 d
      after sowing, total glutamine-synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2) activity increases from
      zero to the high level usually observed in green leaves. In the present study we
      have used ion-exchange chromatography to separate possible isoforms of GS during
      the development of the cotyledons. The approach failed since we could only detect
      a single form of GS, presumably plastidic GS, under all circumstances tested. The
      technique of selective photooxidative destruction of plastids in situ was applied
      to solve the problem of GS localization. It was inferred from the data that the
      GS as detected by ion-exchange chromatography is plastidic GS.The regulatory
      role, if any, of light, nitrate and ammonium in the process of the appearance of
      GS in the developing cotyledons was investigated. The results show that nitrate
      and ammonium play only minor roles. Light, operating via phytochrome, is the
      major regulatory factor. 

PMID- 24212496
TI  - Short-term water stress leads to a stimulation of sucrose synthesis by activating
      sucrose-phosphate synthase.
AB  - The aim of this work was to identify which aspects of photosynthetic metabolism
      respond most sensitively to leaf water deficit. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)
      leaf discs were floated on sorbitol concentrations of increasing molarity and
      changes of the protoplast volume were estimated using [(14)C]sorbitol and (3)H2O
      penetration. Detached leaves were also wilted until 10% of their fresh weight was
      lost. Photosynthesis was studied at very high external CO2 concentrations, to
      eliminate the effect of closing stomata. There was no large inhibition of CO2
      fixation after wilting leaves, or until the external water deficit was greater
      than-1.2 MPa. However, partitioning changed markedly at these moderate water
      deficits: more sucrose and less starch was made. When an inhibition of CO2
      saturated photosynthesis did appear at a water deficit of-2.0 MPa and above,
      measurements of chlorophyll-fluorescence quenching and metabolite levels showed
      the thylakoid reactions were not especially susceptible to short-term water
      stress. The inhibition was accompanied by a small increase of the triose
      phosphate: ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate ratio, showing regeneration of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate was affected. However, there was also a general increase of the
      estimated concentrations of most metabolites, indicating that there is no
      specific site for the inhibition of photosynthesis. Increasing water deficit led
      to a large increase of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate. This is explained in terms of a
      simultaneous increase of fructose-6-phosphate and inorganic phosphate as the cell
      shrinks. The high fructose-2,6-bisphosphate led to the accumulation of triose
      phosphates, and the potential significance of this for protection against
      photoinhibition is discussed. There was an increase in the extractable activity
      of sucrose-phosphate synthase. This was only detected when the enzyme was assayed
      in conditions which distinguish between different kinetic forms which have
      previously been identified in spinach leaves. It is proposed that activation of
      sucrose-phosphate synthase is one of the first sites at which spinach leaves
      respond to a rising water deficit. This could be of importance for
      osmoregulation. 

PMID- 24212497
TI  - High-and low-intensity photosystems in Phycomyces phototropism: Effects of
      mutations in genes madA, madB, and madC.
AB  - Sporangiophores of Phycomyces blakesleeanus Burgeff that have been grown in
      darkness and are then suddenly exposed to unilateral light show a two-step
      bending response rather than a smooth, monotonic response found in light-adapted
      specimens (Galland and Lipson, 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 104-108). The
      stepwise bending is controlled by two photosystems optimized for the low-and high
      intensity ranges. These two photosystems have now been studied in phototropism
      mutants with defects in genes madA, madB, and madC. All three mutations raise the
      threshold of the low-intensity (low-fluence) photosystem by about 10(6)-fold and
      that of the high-intensity (high-fluence) system by about 10(3)-fold. Estimates
      for the light-adaptation time constants of the low-and high-intensity
      photosystems show that the mutants are affected in adaptation. In the mutants,
      the light-adaptation kinetics are only slightly affected in the low-intensity
      photosystem but, for the high-intensity photosystem, the kinetics are
      considerably slower than in the wild type. 

PMID- 24212499
TI  - Venous thromboembolism risk in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy: a
      real-world analysis.
AB  - The occurrence of malignant disease increases the risk for venous thromboembolism
      (VTE). Here we evaluate the risk for VTE in a large unselected cohort of patients
      with cancer receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: The United States IMPACT health care
      claims database was retrospectively analyzed to identify patients with a range of
      solid tumors who started chemotherapy from January 2005 through December 2008.
      International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification
      Codes were used to identify cancer location, presence of VTE 3.5 months and 12
      months after starting chemotherapy, and incidence of major bleeding
      complications. Health care costs were assessed one year before initiation of
      chemotherapy and one year after initiation of chemotherapy. RESULTS: The overall
      incidence of VTE 3.5 months after starting chemotherapy was 7.3% (range 4.6%
      11.6% across cancer locations) rising to 13.5% at 12 months (range 9.8%-21.3%).
      The highest VTE risk was identified in patients with pancreatic, stomach, and
      lung cancer. Patients in whom VTE developed had a higher risk for major bleeding
      at 3.5 months and at 12 months (11.0% and 19.8% vs. 3.8% and 9.6%, respectively).
      Health care costs were significantly higher in patients in whom VTE developed.
      CONCLUSION: Those undergoing chemotherapy as outpatients are at increased risk
      for VTE and for major bleeding complications. Thromboprophylaxis may be
      considered for such patients after carefully assessing the risks and benefits of
      treatment.

PMID- 24212500
TI  - HER story: the next chapter in HER-2-directed therapy for advanced breast cancer.
AB  - Untreated human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-positive advanced
      breast cancer (ABC) is an aggressive disease, associated with a poor prognosis
      and short overall survival. HER-2-directed therapy prolongs both time to disease
      progression and overall survival when combined with chemotherapy and has become
      the standard of care for those with HER-2-positive breast cancer in the early and
      advanced settings. Despite the remarkable therapeutic impact HER-2-directed
      therapy has had on disease outcomes, some patients with HER-2-positive disease
      will have primary resistant disease and others will respond initially but will
      eventually have progression, underscoring the need for other novel therapeutic
      options. This article reviews recent phase III trial data and discusses a
      practical approach to sequencing of HER-2-directed therapy in patients with HER-2
      positive ABC. The significant cumulative survival gains seen in these trials are
      slowly reshaping the landscape of HER-2-positive ABC outcomes. 

PMID- 24212501
TI  - Endogenous release of female hormones from co-microencapsulated rat granulosa and
      theca cells.
AB  - Deficiency of female hormones is the principal cause of menopausal syndrome. The
      aim of this study was to establish a co-microencapsulation model of ovarian
      granulosa cells (GCs) and theca cells (TCs), and to investigate its endogenous
      release of female hormones. Rat ovarian GCs and TCs were isolated and co
      microencapsulated in alginate-chitosan-alginate microcapsules. The effects of
      cell number ratio of GCs/TCs on syntheses of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4)
      were investigated in vitro. Serum levels of E2 and P4 in ovariectomized rats were
      measured for 60 days after the co-microencapsulated GCs and TCs were
      transplanted. It was showed that E2 synthesis in vitro was influenced by cell
      number ratio of GCs/TCs and the ratio for the maximum synthesis was 1:2. Serum E2
      and P4 levels could be maintained normal for 60 days by the co-microencapsulated
      GCs/TCs. Transplantation of co-microencapsulated GCs/TCs may be a promising
      approach to provide endogenous female hormones for menopausal syndrome.

PMID- 24212502
TI  - The emerging role of TH17 cells in organ transplantation.
AB  - While transplantation research continues to focus on the development of Treg
      sparing and plasma cell/B-cell-targeting strategies to improve long-term
      outcomes, little attention has been paid to the emerging role of the TH17 cell in
      mediating chronic rejection. This review aimed to summarize the recent emergence
      of the TH17 and the newly described TH1/17 cell as major players in
      transplantation and to suggest ways of improving graft outcome through TH17
      targeted immunosuppression. 

PMID- 24212503
TI  - Management of renal masses in transplant allografts at an Australian kidney
      pancreas transplant unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A shift towards partial nephrectomy (PN) in the management of small
      renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in recent years has prompted a parallel change in the
      management of rare cases of transplant allograft RCC. There are currently no
      guidelines on the management of allograft RCC. We present our center experience
      and review the latest evidence for management of RCC in renal transplant
      allografts. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the transplant
      patient registry of a kidney-pancreas transplant center between 1984 and 2012.
      All confirmed allograft kidney RCC cases were included in this series. MEDLINE
      search of current literature on renal allograft RCC and selection of appropriate
      studies were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 1,241 patients had received either a
      living, cadaveric, or combined kidney-pancreas transplant at our center, and four
      cases of allograft RCC were identified. The first case underwent a radical
      nephrectomy given the central location of the tumor and his young age. The second
      case underwent an open PN in the setting of a central tumor with minimal
      morbidity. The third case involved multiple renal lesions that were subsequently
      treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The fourth case underwent a non
      ischemic open PN in the setting of a midpole tumor with minimal morbidity. There
      have been no cases of local recurrence or metastatic progression at median 21.5
      months' follow-up. CONCLUSION: We have shown the safety and efficacy of minimally
      invasive techniques such as PN and RFA in a variety of tumors. We consider PN as
      an appropriate therapy for localized, clinical T1 allograft RCC tumors.

PMID- 24212504
TI  - Fractionating the neural correlates of individual working memory components
      underlying arithmetic problem solving skills in children.
AB  - Baddeley and Hitch's multi-component working memory (WM) model has played an
      enduring and influential role in our understanding of cognitive abilities. Very
      little is known, however, about the neural basis of this multi-component WM model
      and the differential role each component plays in mediating arithmetic problem
      solving abilities in children. Here, we investigate the neural basis of the
      central executive (CE), phonological (PL) and visuo-spatial (VS) components of WM
      during a demanding mental arithmetic task in 7-9 year old children (N=74). The VS
      component was the strongest predictor of math ability in children and was
      associated with increased arithmetic complexity-related responses in left
      dorsolateral and right ventrolateral prefrontal cortices as well as bilateral
      intra-parietal sulcus and supramarginal gyrus in posterior parietal cortex.
      Critically, VS, CE and PL abilities were associated with largely distinct
      patterns of brain response. Overlap between VS and CE components was observed in
      left supramarginal gyrus and no overlap was observed between VS and PL
      components. Our findings point to a central role of visuo-spatial WM during
      arithmetic problem-solving in young grade-school children and highlight the
      usefulness of the multi-component Baddeley and Hitch WM model in fractionating
      the neural correlates of arithmetic problem solving during development. 

PMID- 24212505
TI  - Biological activity of recombinant bovine interferon tau produced by a silkworm
      baculovirus gene expression system.
AB  - Bovine interferon (bIFN) tau plays a crucial role in maternal-fetal recognition
      and was expressed using a Bombyx mori (Bm) nuclear polyhedrosis virus (silkworm
      baculovirus) gene expression system. The biological effects of Bm-recombinant
      bIFNtau (rbIFNtau) on prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha synthesis were investigated in
      cultured bovine endometrial epithelial cells with oxytocin (OT, 100 nM) and on
      the in vitro development of bovine embryos. Bm-rbIFNtau and OT were shown to
      suppress PGF2alpha production in a dose-dependent manner. When in vitro produced
      morula stage embryos were cultured for 72 hr in modified CR1aa medium
      supplemented with or without rbIFNtau, Bm-rbIFNtau (10 ng/ml) significantly
      promoted development to the expanded blastocyst stage. In conclusion, Bm-rbIFNtau
      was suggested to have the same bioactivity as native IFNtau.

PMID- 24212506
TI  - Comparative investigation of body composition in male dogs using CT and body fat
      analysis software.
AB  - In small animal veterinary practices, body condition score (BCS) is generally
      used to diagnose obesity. However, BCS does not constitute objective data. In
      this study, we investigated the value of using human body fat analysis software
      for male dogs. We also compared changes in body fat after neutering. Changes in
      body fat at the time of neutering (age 1 year) and 1 year later were compared by
      performing CT scanning and using human body fat analysis software. We found that
      body fat increased in all the individuals tested. In terms of the site of fat
      accumulation, subcutaneous fat was more pronounced than visceral fat with a
      marked increase on the dorsal side of the abdomen rather than the thorax. 

PMID- 24212507
TI  - Antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from cows with
      mastitis in eastern Poland and analysis of susceptibility of resistant strains to
      alternative nonantibiotic agents: lysostaphin, nisin and polymyxin B.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze the resistance of Staphylococcus aureus
      isolates from bovine mastitis in the eastern part of Poland to a set of 20
      antibiotics and three alternative agents: lysostaphin, nisin and polymyxin B.
      Eighty-six out of 123 examined isolates were susceptible to all 20 tested
      antibiotics (70%). The highest percentage of resistance was observed in the case
      of beta-lactam antibiotics: amoxicillin (n=22, 17.9%), ampicillin (n=28, 22.8%),
      penicillin (n=29, 23.6%) and streptomycin (n=13; 10.6%). Twenty-five of the
      penicillin-resistant strains were found to carry the blaZ gene coding for beta
      lactamases. Two strains were found to be mecA positive and a few strains were
      classified as multidrug resistant (MDR), one of them was simultaneously resistant
      to six antibiotics. All strains, resistant to at least one antibiotic (n=37) and
      two control strains, were susceptible to lysostaphin with MIC values of 0.008-0.5
      ug/ml (susceptibility breakpoint 32 ug/ml). Twenty-one (54%) isolates were
      susceptible to nisin. The MIC value of this agent for 17 (44%) strains was 51.2
      ug/ml and was not much higher than the susceptibility breakpoint value (32
      ug/ml). Polymyxin B was able to inhibit the growth of the strains only at a high
      concentration (32-128 ug/ml). The presented results confirmed the observed
      worldwide problem of spreading antibiotic resistance among staphylococci isolated
      from bovine mastitis; on the other hand, we have indicated a high level of
      bactericidal activity of nisin and especially lysostaphin.

PMID- 24212508
TI  - Lacunar strokes: does shape matter?

PMID- 24212509
TI  - Cerebrovascular lesions in parkinsonian patients: when do they really matter?

PMID- 24212510
TI  - Vascular parkinsonism: a case series of 17 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical and neuroimaging findings in a case series of
      vascular parkinsonism (VP). METHODS: Seventeen patients with VP were evaluated
      with motor, cognitive, and neuroimaging standardized tests and scales. RESULTS:
      All patients had arterial hypertension. Ten patients were male and the mean age
      of the whole sample was 75.8+/-10.1 years. The mean age of parkinsonism onset was
      72.2+/-10.0 years. Common clinical features were urinary incontinence (88.2%),
      lower limb parkinsonism with freezing of gait and falls (82.3%), and pyramidal
      signs (76.4%). The mean Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and
      Hoehn-Yahr scores were 72.5+/-21.6 points and 3.3+/-0.9 points, respectively.
      Sixteen (94.1%) patients had freezing of gait and executive dysfunction. Twelve
      (70.5%) patients had probable vascular dementia. The mean dose of levodopa was
      530.9 mg/day. Unresponsiveness to the drug was confirmed by a 6.9 mean point
      reduction in the UPDRS score after the "practically defined off" test.
      CONCLUSION: This series provides a profile of VP with predominant lower-limb
      involvement, freezing of gait and falls, pyramidal signs, executive dysfunction,
      concomitant vascular dementia, and poor levodopa response.

PMID- 24212511
TI  - Mapping the clockworks: what does the Clock Drawing Test assess in normal and
      pathological aging?
AB  - The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is a cognitive screening tool used in clinical and
      research settings. Despite its role on the assessment of global cognitive
      functioning, the specific cognitive components required for test performance are
      still unclear. We aim to assess the role of executive functioning, global
      cognitive status, visuospatial abilities, and semantic knowledge on Shulman's CDT
      performance. Fifty-three mild cognitive impairment, 60 Alzheimer's dementia, and
      57 normal elderly controls performed the CDT, the Frontal Assessment Battery, the
      Mini-Mental State Examination, the Stick Design Test, and a naming test (TN-LIN).
      An ordinal regression assessed specific neuropsychological influences on CDT
      performance. All the cognitive variables were related to the CDT, accounting for
      53% of variance. The strongest association was between the CDT and executive
      functions, followed by global cognitive status, visuospatial processing, and
      semantic knowledge. Our result confirms the multidimensional nature of the test
      and the major role of executive functions on performance. 

PMID- 24212512
TI  - Irregularly shaped lacunar infarction: risk factors and clinical significance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our study focused on acute lacunar infarct shapes to explore the risk
      factors and clinical significance of irregularly shaped lacunar infarctions.
      METHODS: Based on the shape of their acute lacunar infarct, patients (n=204) were
      classified into the "regular" group or "irregular" group. The characteristics of
      the lacunar infarction were compared between the regular and irregular groups,
      between patients with and without neurological deterioration, and between
      patients with different modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores. The risk factors for
      irregularly shaped lacunar infarctions, neurological deterioration, and high mRS
      scores were identified. RESULTS: Blood pressure variability (BPV) was an
      independent risk factor for irregularly shaped lacunar infarction. Infarction
      size, prevalence of advanced leukoaraiosis, and irregularly shaped lacunar
      infarcts were independent risk factors for higher mRS scores. CONCLUSIONS: The
      irregularly shaped lacunar infarcts were correlated with BPV. Irregularly shaped
      lacunar infarctions and leukoaraiosis may be associated with unfavorable clinical
      outcomes.

PMID- 24212513
TI  - Impact of stroke unit in a public hospital on length of hospitalization and rate
      of early mortality of ischemic stroke patients.
AB  - We ascertained whether a public health stroke unit reduces the length of
      hospitalization, the rate of inpatient fatality, and the mortality rate 30 days
      after the stroke. METHODS: We compared a cohort of stroke patients managed on a
      general neurology/medical ward with a similar cohort of stroke patients managed
      in a stroke unit. The in-patient fatality rates and 30-day mortality rates were
      analyzed. RESULTS: 729 patients were managed in the general ward and 344 were
      treated at a comprehensive stroke unit. The in-patient fatality rates were 14.7%
      for the general ward group and 6.9% for the stroke unit group (p<0.001). The
      overall mortality rate 30 days after stroke was 20.9% for general ward patients
      and 14.2% for stroke unit patients (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We observed reduced in
      patient fatalities and 30-day mortality rates in patients managed in the stroke
      unit. There was no impact on the length of hospitalization.

PMID- 24212514
TI  - Nearly one-half of Brazilian patients with multiple sclerosis using natalizumab
      are DNA-JC virus positive.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Natalizumab is a new and efficient treatment for multiple sclerosis
      (MS). The risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
      during the use of this drug has created the need for better comprehension of JC
      virus (JCV) infection. The objective of the present study was to assess the
      prevalence of JCV-DNA in Brazilian patients using natalizumab. METHOD:
      Qualitative detection of the JCV in the serum was performed with real-time
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: In a group of 168 patients with MS who
      were undergoing treatment with natalizumab, JCV-DNA was detectable in 86 (51.2%)
      patients. DISCUSSION: Data on JCV-DNA in Brazil add to the worldwide assessment
      of the prevalence of the JCV in MS patients requiring treatment with natalizumab.

PMID- 24212515
TI  - Multiple sclerosis starting before the age of 18 years: the Brazilian experience.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) starting in childhood and adolescence poses a challenge
      for diagnosis and management of the disease. The aim of the present study was to
      assess the characteristics of early onset MS in Brazilian patients. Methods
      Retrospective data collection from specialized MS units. Results From 20 MS units
      in 11 Brazilian states, 117 cases of MS starting before the age of 18 years were
      collected. These patients had an average of 10 years of disease duration, still
      typically with low disability and one relapse every 2.5 years. The mean age for
      disease onset was 13.7 years. Conclusion The present study introduces a large
      series of Brazilian cases of pediatric MS. Although some patients presented a
      very severe form of MS, on the whole the group of patients with MS starting in
      childhood or adolescence presented a relatively mild form of this disease in
      Brazil. 

PMID- 24212516
TI  - Familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the VAPB gene: report of
      42 cases in Brazil.
AB  - Familial spinal muscular atrophy (FSMA) associated with the vesicle-associated
      membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) gene is a rare autosomal dominant
      disease with late onset and slow progression. We studied 10 of 42 patients from 5
      families by taking clinical histories and performing physical exams,
      electrophysiological studies, and genetic tests. All patients presented late
      onset disease with slow progression characterized by fasciculations, proximal
      weakness, amyotrophy, and hypoactive deep tendon reflex, except two who exhibited
      brisk reflex. Two patients showed tongue fasciculations and respiratory
      insufficiency. Electrophysiological studies revealed patterns of lower motor
      neuron disease, and genetic testing identified a P56S mutation of the VAPB gene.
      Although it is a rare motor neuron disease, FSMA with this mutation might be much
      more prevalent in Brazil than expected, and many cases may be undiagnosed.
      Genetic exams should be performed whenever it is suspected in Brazil. 

PMID- 24212517
TI  - Active extravasation of contrast within the hemorrhage (spot sign): a
      multidetector computed tomography finding that predicts growth and a worse
      prognosis in non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage.
AB  - Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes high rates of disability and neurological
      sequelae Objective To evaluate spot signs as predictors of expansion and worse
      prognosis in non-traumatic ICH in a Brazilian cohort. Method We used
      multidetector computed tomography angiography to study 65 consecutive patients
      (40 men, 61.5%), with ages varying from 33 to 89 years (median age 55 years).
      Clinical and imaging findings were correlated with the findings based on the
      initial imaging. Results Of the individuals who presented a spot sign, 73.7% died
      (in-hospital mortality), whereas in the absence of a spot sign the mortality rate
      was 43.0%. Although expansion of ICH was detected in 75% of the patients with a
      spot sign, expansion was observed in only 9.0% of the patients who did not
      present a spot sign. Conclusions The spot sign strongly predicted expansion in
      non-traumatic ICH and an increased risk of in-hospital mortality. 

PMID- 24212518
TI  - Tokuhashi Scoring System has limited applicability in the majority of patients
      with spinal cord compression secondary to vertebral metastasis.
AB  - Spine is the primary bone site affected by systemic metastasis. Although there
      are scales that attempt to manage these patients, their real applicability is
      unknown. The Tokuhashi Scoring System (TSS) is a widely used prognostic tool. At
      the time of treatment, the data necessary to complete TSS may be incomplete,
      making its application impossible. Objective To evaluate the number of TSS scores
      completed by the time the clinical therapeutic decision was made. Methods From
      July 2010 to January 2012, we selected patients who were diagnosed with spinal
      metastases. Results Sixty spinal metastasis patients (21 female, 39 male) were
      evaluated between July 2010 and January 2012. At the time of the treatment
      decision, only 25% of the patients had completed the TSS items. Conclusion In the
      majority of patients with vertebral metastasis, TSS variables cannot be applied. 

PMID- 24212519
TI  - Experimental model of intracranial hypertension with continuous multiparametric
      monitoring in swine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Intracranial hypertension (IH) develops in approximately 50% of all
      patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Therefore, it is very
      important to identify a suitable animal model to study and understand the
      pathophysiology of refractory IH to develop effective treatments. METHODS: We
      describe a new experimental porcine model designed to simulate expansive brain
      hematoma causing IH. Under anesthesia, IH was simulated with a balloon
      insufflation. The IH variables were measured with intracranial pressure (ICP)
      parenchymal monitoring, epidural, cerebral oximetry, and transcranial Doppler
      (TCD). RESULTS: None of the animals died during the experiment. The ICP epidural
      showed a slower rise compared with parenchymal ICP. We found a correlation
      between ICP and cerebral oximetry. CONCLUSION: The model described here seems
      useful to understand some of the pathophysiological characteristics of acute IH.

PMID- 24212520
TI  - Environmental air pollution is an aggravating event for sudden unexpected death
      in epilepsy.
AB  - It is extremely difficult to estimate the occurrence of sudden unexpected death
      in epilepsy (SUDEP). On the other hand, discovering and carefully evaluating new
      risk factors that may contribute to the onset of cardiovascular abnormalities in
      people with refractory epilepsy may prevent fatal events in these individuals. In
      this context, we should not ignore that urban air pollution is a leading problem
      for environmental health and is able to cause serious cardiovascular dysfunctions
      that culminate in sudden death. In this regard, we aimed to determine whether
      environmental exposure to air pollution is an aggravating event for SUDEP. 

PMID- 24212521
TI  - Traumatic injuries of peripheral nerves: a review with emphasis on surgical
      indication.
AB  - Traumatic peripheral nerve injury is a dramatic condition present in many of the
      injuries to the upper and lower extremities. An understanding of its
      physiopathology and selection of a suitable time for surgery are necessary for
      proper treatment of this challenging disorder. This article reviews the
      physiopathology of traumatic peripheral nerve injury, considers the most used
      classification, and discusses the main aspects of surgical timing and treatment
      of such a condition. 

PMID- 24212522
TI  - Jean-Martin Charcot, father of modern neurology: an homage 120 years after his
      death.
AB  - Jean-Martin Charcot was a pioneer in a variety of subjects, including nervous
      system diseases; anatomy; physiology; pathology; and diseases of ageing, joints,
      and lungs. His medical achievements were mainly based on his anatomopathological
      proficiency, his observation, and his personal thoroughness that favored the
      delineation of the nosology of the main neurological diseases, including multiple
      sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, peroneal muscular
      atrophy, and hysteria/epilepsy. The link of this anatomoclinical method with
      iconographic representations and theatrical lessons, and the rich bibliographical
      documentations, carried out in a crowded barn for diseased people--Salpetriere
      Hospital, were the basis of his achievements, which are still discussed 120 years
      after his death.

PMID- 24212523
TI  - French school of neurology in the 19th and first half of the 20th century, and
      its influence in Brazil.
AB  - French medicine was of the utmost importance for the birth of modern medicine and
      neurology in the 19th century. Innovative approaches, such as examination at the
      bedside, the use of the stethoscope, techniques of auscultation, palpation, and
      close patient examination, besides emphasis on anatomical-clinical correlation
      and observation of the outcome of the disease, were put into practice. French
      medicine offered professional training and incentives for the beginnings of
      Brazilian neurology and psychiatry. Returning from France, many Brazilian
      physicians implemented what they had learned, mainly in Paris. The most important
      pupils of the French neurology schools in Brazil during the 19th century and
      first half of the 20th century include names like Antonio Austregesilo, Aloysio
      de Castro, Enjolras Vampre, and Deolindo Couto, founders of the leading Brazilian
      neurological schools, directly influenced by Dejerine, Pierre Marie, Guillain and
      Babinski.

PMID- 24212524
TI  - Spinal cavernous angioma complicated by hemorrhage: susceptibility-weighted
      imaging findings.

PMID- 24212525
TI  - Armored brain.

PMID- 24212526
TI  - "Hot cross bun" sign resembling multiple system atrophy in a patient with Machado
      Joseph disease.

PMID- 24212527
TI  - Brain involvement in H7N9 bird flu: a topic for consideration.

PMID- 24212531
TI  - Probing morphological changes in polymersomes with magnetic birefringence.
AB  - Magnetic birefringence was used for in situ monitoring of the morphological
      changes in diamagnetic polymersomes during shape-transformation by dialysis. The
      birefringence was found to be very sensitive to the polymersome morphology, as
      determined by electron microscopy. The deflation of polymersomes into disks was
      observed, followed by a bending and partial inflation into stomatocytes. 

PMID- 24212528
TI  - Is it correct for a woman with multiple sclerosis to forgo medication because she
      may become pregnant?

PMID- 24212532
TI  - Lighting up thiolated Au@Ag nanoclusters via aggregation-induced emission.
AB  - A simple strategy has been developed to synthesize highly luminescent thiolated
      Au@Ag nanoclusters (NCs) by using Ag(i) ions to bridge small Au(i)-thiolate
      motifs on the weakly luminescent thiolated Au NCs, leading to the formation of
      large Au(i)/Ag(i)-thiolate motifs on the NC surface and thus generating strong
      luminescence via aggregation-induced emission. 

PMID- 24212534
TI  - Characterization of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria from the liquid
      phase of an anaerobic fixed-bed digester treating a cheese whey substrate.
AB  - Bacterial counts on the liquid phase of an anaerobic, fixed-bed digester,
      treating a deproteinated, prefermented cheese whey substrate, were conducted on
      two different media under aerobic and facultative conditions. Average counts of
      16.6*10(6) and 26.5*10(6) ml(-1) were obtained on the two media, with the
      nutritionally poorer of the two media giving the highest average count. Seventy
      five isolates from both media, incubated aerobically as well as in anaerobic
      jars, were obtained. These isolates as well as 13 reference strains were
      phenotypically characterized. The similarities between cultures were calculated
      using the similarity coefficient of Sokal and Michener [16]. The organisms were
      clustered using the unweighted pair group method, and the results presented as a
      simplified dendrogram. The isolates could be divided into 3 main groups: gram
      negative fermentative rods, mainlyEnterobacter, Klebsiella, andCitrobacter,
      withKlebsiella as the predominant genus; gram-positive bacteria, mainly
      enterococci; and gram-negative nonfermentive rods of the generaPseudomonas,
      Alcaligenes, andAcinetobacter. All the enterobacteria and enterococci were able
      to produce acetic acid, an intermediate in methanogenesis. 

PMID- 24212533
TI  - Osteoarthritis pain has a significant neuropathic component: an exploratory in
      vivo patient model.
AB  - Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and includes manifestations
      of both nociceptive and neuropathic mechanisms. Intravenous lignocaine, a sodium
      channel blocker and neuronal membrane stabiliser, has been shown in controlled
      trials to be effective in neuropathic pain; however, the outcome of intravenous
      lignocaine in osteoarthritis patients has not been assessed yet. The existence of
      a neuropathic component to the pain of osteoarthritis was investigated by
      examining possible benefits upon sensory aspects of pain in osteoarthritis
      patients receiving intravenous lignocaine therapy. Retrospective observational
      study was carried out using health data routinely collected for non-research
      purposes. Patients with generalised osteoarthritis who had not responded to more
      conservative treatments were recruited sequentially and scheduled for intravenous
      lignocaine therapy either in the rheumatology or pain relief departments.
      Assessment of efficacy was carried out through a questionnaire including sensory,
      psychological and social aspects of pain. The sample consisted of 17 women
      (60.7%) and 11 men (39.3%) with an average age at the time of treatment of 59 +/-
      11 years. The average pain relief calculated from the NRS scores was 30.2 +/-
      21.4%, and the mean duration of pain relief was 10 +/- 6 weeks. Pain intensity (p
      < 0.001), pain relief (p < 0.003) and mobility (p < 0.003) were all significantly
      improved after administration of lignocaine intravenous infusion therapy. Pain
      was significantly reduced in a group of osteoarthritis patients after
      administration of intravenous lignocaine. This suggests that part of the pain
      mechanism in this patient group may be neuropathic, appears to contribute
      significantly to the patients' pain, and requires further investigation in
      studies designed specifically for the purpose.

PMID- 24212535
TI  - Unusual microorganisms observed in New Zealand hot springs.
AB  - A technique is described for studying hot spring microbial morphotypes by using
      electron microscope grids incubatedin situ. Such studies revealed the presence of
      filaments bearing swollen saclike structures in a number of New Zealand hot
      springs. There was considerable variation in the size, structure, and morphology
      of the filaments and the saclike structures. 

PMID- 24212536
TI  - A method for enumerating protozoa in a variety of freshwater habitats.
AB  - A method for enumerating protozoa (ciliates, flagellates, and amoebae) in fine,
      freshwater sediments is described. The results, using fixed material, are
      compared with two published techniques: a culture method (most probable number)
      and a direct count method. 

PMID- 24212537
TI  - Relationship between microbial activity of stream sediments, determined by three
      different methods, and abiotic variables.
AB  - Microbial activity of stream sediments has been determined by three distinct
      methods: phosphatase levels, maximum uptake velocity of radiolabeled glucose, and
      carbon dioxide production rates. These methods have been applied to different
      types of sediment (mud, sand, gravel) from the same stream and to 5 samples from
      two different streams for comparison. Temperature, discharge, and 8 other abiotic
      variables for each sample were also determined. The 3 activity methods correlated
      closely with each other and were measured with a similar precision. Phosphatase
      activity could be predicted for all sites from bulk density. The largest
      proportion of the variance associated with carbon dioxide production was
      explained by variations in percent of organic matter, but the relationship did
      not hold for all streams. Maximum uptake velocity, compared with the other 2
      activity measurements, was poorly explained by any of the abiotic variables. 

PMID- 24212538
TI  - Distribution of microorganisms, total biomass, and enzyme activities in different
      particles of brown soil.
AB  - A soil sample from the Ap horizon of an arable brown soil was fractionated by wet
      sieving, and seven size fractions of organic and mineral soil particles were
      separated. The organic fractions formed only 2.2% of the soil dry mass, but
      contained 41.5 and 29.12% of the total soil content of carbon and nitrogen,
      respectively, and thus represented an important reservoir of readily utilizable
      nutrients. Organic particles also accumulated most of the soil enzyme activities,
      determined asbeta-glucosidase,beta-acetylglucosaminidase, and proteinase
      activity. The highest counts of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi per gram of
      the soil fractions were obtained with the organic particles, but for the most
      part microorganisms accumulated in the silt-clay fraction. All soil fractions
      except the coarsest organic particles contained higher counts of oligotrophic
      bacteria than copiotrophic ones. Microbial counts, ATP contents, and enzyme
      activities decreased significantly with decrease in size of the organic soil
      particles, and increased with decrease in size of the mineral soil particles.
      Thus, the coarse organic particles >5 mm and the silt-clay fraction <0.05 mm
      represent the sites with the highest concentrations of microorganisms, ATP
      contents, and enzyme activities in the arable brown soil under test. 

PMID- 24212539
TI  - Effects of moisture on soil microorganisms and nematodes: A field experiment.
AB  - The effects of soil moisture changes on bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes
      and changes in oxygen consumption were studied in a field experiment. In one plot
      the soil was drip-irrigated daily for 10 days, while an adjacent plot experienced
      one rainfall and was then allowed to dry out. Oxygen consumption was the
      parameter measured which responded most rapidly to changes in soil moisture
      content. Lengths of fluorescein diacetate-active hyphae paralleled oxygen
      consumption in both plots. Total hyphal length was not affected by one rainfall
      but increased from 700 mg(-1) dry weight soil to more than 1,600 m in less than
      10 days in the irrigated plot. In the rain plot, bacterial numbers doubled within
      3 days and declined during the following period of drought. In the irrigated
      plot, numbers increased by 50% and then remained constant over the duration of
      the study. Only small changes in protozoan numbers were observed, with the
      exception of the last sampling date in the irrigated plot when large numbers of
      naked amoebae were recorded 2 days after a large natural rainfall. Nematode
      numbers, especially obligate root feeders, increased in both treatments. The
      increases were caused by decoiling rather than growth. The results indicate that
      fungal respiration was dominating, while bacteria, lacking a suitable source of
      energy, were less active, except for the first days. 

PMID- 24212540
TI  - Enteric luminous microflora of the pond-cultured milk fishChanos chanos
      (Forskal).
AB  - Qualitative and quantitative investigations were made on the luminous bacteria
      associated with the gut of pond cultured milk fishChanos chanos. Significant
      differences in luminous bacterial numbers were found between gut and pond water
      and between gut and pond sediment, but not between pond water and sediment. No
      significant variation in luminous bacterial population among the gut regions was
      observed. The quantity of ingesta in the fish gut does not appear to influence
      the biomass of luminous bacteria.Vibrio harveyi andV. fischeri were the 2 most
      commonly encountered species, and of the 2 luminous species,V. harveyi was
      predominant. 

PMID- 24212541
TI  - Quantification of different yeasts associated with the bark beetle,Ips
      typographus, during its attack on a spruce tree.
AB  - There were different amounts and types of yeasts associated with individuals
      ofIps typographus spruce bark beetles during different phases of their attack on
      a healthy spruce tree. The yeasts were isolated on Sabouraud agar medium in order
      to identify them and estimate their numbers.Hansenula holstii andCandida
      diddensii type yeasts were most frequently isolated. The increase in number of
      these two yeast types probably accounted for most of the total yeast increase
      found during the later attack phases of the bark beetles. Lesser amounts
      ofHansenula capsulata, Pichia pinus, Candida nitratophila, and twoCryptococcus
      type yeasts were also found. 

PMID- 24212542
TI  - Prediction of severe cardiac involvement by fundus lesion in sarcoidosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: We examined the relation between ocular sarcoidosis and severe cardiac
      sarcoidosis necessitating pacemaker implantation. METHODS: In this retrospective,
      observational, cross-sectional study, we reviewed the clinical records of 108
      patients diagnosed with ocular sarcoidosis based on new diagnostic criteria
      established in Japan. We examined and compared the relationship between fundus
      findings of ocular sarcoidosis and severe cardiac sarcoidosis necessitating
      pacemaker implantation. RESULTS: Of 108 patients with ocular sarcoidosis, seven
      patients (6.5 %) with median age of 61 years (interquartile range 59-63 years)
      also had severe heart disease leading to implantation of a pacemaker. Median
      duration of ocular symptoms was 4.5 years (interquartile range 3.6-7.8 years). Of
      seven patients with severe cardiac involvement, six had multiple peripheral
      chorioretinal atrophic lesions (MPCAL), two had nodules in the angle and tent
      like peripheral anterior synechia, and two had snowball vitreous opacity. The
      prevalence of atrophic MPCAL lesions was significantly higher than that of other
      ocular findings (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with concurrent ocular
      sarcoidosis and severe cardiac sarcoidosis, MPCAL atrophic lesions were observed
      significantly more frequently, suggesting that severe cardiac involvement may be
      predicted by specific fundus lesions.

PMID- 24212543
TI  - Loading and transport of assimilates in different maize leaf bundles : Digital
      image analysis of (14)C-microautoradiographs.
AB  - The loading and transport functions of vascular bundles in maize (Zea mays L.)
      leaf strips were investigated by microautoradiography after application of
      (14)CO2. The concentrations of (14)C-contents in thin-walled sieve tubes of
      individual bundles in the loading and transport regions were determined by
      digital image analysis of silver-grain density over the sieve tubes and compared.
      In the loading region, relatively high concentrations of (14)C-contents were
      found in the thin-walled sieve tubes of small bundles and in the small, thin
      walled sieve tubes of the intermediate bundles; the concentration of (14)C-label
      in large bundles was very low. In the transport region, at a transport distance
      of 2 cm, all of the small bundles contained (14)C-assimilates, but generally less
      than the same bundles did in the loading region; by comparison, at that distance
      intermediate and large bundles contained two-to threefold more (14)C-assimilates
      than the same bundles in the loading region. The lateral transfer of assimilates
      from smaller to larger bundles via transverse veins could be demonstrated
      directly in microautoradiographs. A reverse transport from larger to smaller
      bundles was not found. At a transport distance of 4 cm, all large and
      intermediate bundles were (14)C-labeled, but many of the small bundles were not.
      Although all longitudinal bundles were able to transport (14)C-asimilates
      longitudinally down the blade, it was the large bundles that were primarily
      involved with longitudinal transport and the small bundles that were primarily
      involved with loading. 

PMID- 24212544
TI  - Developmental changes and tissue distribution of lectin in Tulipa.
AB  - A sensitive enzyme-immunoassay was developed to quantify the tulip lectin and
      used to follow its distribution during the life cycle of tulips cv. Attila.The
      tulip lectin is predominantly located in the bulbs. At planting time the absolute
      lectin concentration is approximately the same in all bulb scales. However, as
      the shoot grows and the plant turns on to flowering, the lectin concentration
      rapidly decreases, first in the inner bulb scales but later also in the outer
      bulb scale. Soon after flowering the lectin rapidly accumulates in the new
      daughter bulbs.Lectin levels in leaves, stems and flowers are very low. The
      lectin in these tissues is already present before the sprout emerges. During the
      first two weeks after planting, there is a small increase in lectin
      concentration, followed by a rapid decrease as the plant turns on to flowering.
      By flowering time all the lectin has disappeared from the aerial parts. 

PMID- 24212545
TI  - Evidence for a plasma-membrane-bound nitrate reductase involved in nitrate uptake
      of Chlorella sorokiniana.
AB  - Anti-nitrate-reductase (NR) immunoglobulin-G (IgG) fragments inhibited nitrate
      uptake into Chlorella cells but had no affect on nitrite uptake. Intact anti-NR
      serum and preimmune IgG fragments had no affect on nitrate uptake. Membrane
      associated NR was detected in plasma-membrane (PM) fractions isolated by aqueous
      two-phase partitioning. The PM-associated NR was not removed by sonicating PM
      vesicles in 500 mM NaCl and 1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and represented
      up to 0.8% of the total Chlorella NR activity. The PM NR was solubilized by
      Triton X-100 and inactivated by Chlorella NR antiserum. Plasma-membrane NR was
      present in ammonium-grown Chlorella cells that completely lacked soluble NR
      activity. The subunit sizes of the PM and soluble NRs were 60 and 95 kDa,
      respectively, as determined by sodium-dodecyl-sulfate electrophoresis and western
      blotting. 

PMID- 24212546
TI  - Calcium requirement of phytochrome-mediated fern-spore germination: No direct
      phytochrome-calcium interaction in the phytochrome-initiated transduction chain.
AB  - Phytochrome-mediated germination of fern spores of Dryopteris paleacea Sw. was
      initiated by a saturating red-light (R) irradiation after 20 h of imbibition. For
      its realization external Ca(2+) was required, with a threshold at a submicromolar
      concentration, and an optimum was reached around 10(-4) M. At concentrations
      >=10(-1) M only a reduced response was obtained, based probably on an unspecific
      osmotic or ionic effect. The germination response was inhibited by La(3+), an
      antagonist of Ca(2+). From these results it is concluded that Ca(2+) influx from
      the medium into the spores may be an important event in phytochrome-mediated
      germination. In the absence of Ca(2+) the R-stimulated system remained capable of
      responding to Ca(2+), added as late as 40 h after R. Moreover, Ca(2+) was
      effective even if added after the active form of phytochrome, Pfr, had been
      abolished by far-red (FR) 24 h after R. Thus, the primary effect of Pfr, that
      initiates the transduction chain, does not require calcium. "Coupling" of Pfr to
      subsequent dark reactions has been investigated by R-FR irradiations with various
      dark intervals. The resulting "escape kinetics" were characterized by a lag phase
      (6 h) and half-maximal escape from FR reversibility (19 h). These kinetics were
      not significantly changed by the presence or absence of calcium. Thus, direct
      interaction of Pfr and calcium is not a step in the transduction chain initiated
      by the active form of photochrome. 

PMID- 24212547
TI  - Effects of white, blue, red light and darkness on pH of the apoplast in the
      Samanea pulvinus.
AB  - Leaflet movements in Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merrill are driven by fluxes of K(+),
      anions, and water through membranes of motor cells in the pulvinus (R.L. Satter
      et al., 1974, J. Gen. Physiol. 64, 413-430). Extensor cells take up K(+) and
      swell in white light (WL) while flexor cells take up K(+) and swell in darkness
      (D). Excised strips of extensor and flexor motor tissue acidify their bathing
      medium under conditions that normally promote increase in K(+) in the intact
      tissue, and alkalize the medium under conditions that normally induce decrease in
      K(+) (A. Iglesias and R.L. Satter, 1983, Plant Physiol. 72, 564). To obtain
      information on pH changes in the whole pulvinus, we measured effects of light on
      pH of the apoplast, using liquid membrane microelectrodes sensitive to H(+). We
      report the following: (1) The pH of the extensor apoplast was higher than that of
      the flexor apoplast in WL and in D (pH gradient of 1.0 units in WL and 2.0 units
      in D). Apoplastic pH might affect K(+) transport through the plasma membranes of
      Samanea motor cells, since the conductance, gating, and selectivity of ionic
      channels in other systems depend upon external pH. (2) Extensor cells acidified
      and flexor cells alkalized their environment in response to irradiation with WL,
      while the reverse changes occurred in response to D. These results are consistent
      with the results of Iglesias and Satter (1983), and support the physiological
      relevance of data obtained with excised tissue. (3) The pH changes in response to
      irradiation with red light were similar to those obtained with D; also, the pH
      changes in response to blue light were similar to those obtained with WL. The
      pulvinus closed in red light as in darkness and opened in WL, but failed to open
      in blue light. The advantages and limitations of apoplastic pH measurements for
      assaying H(+) transport are discussed. 

PMID- 24212548
TI  - Biosynthesis of legume-seed galactomannans in vitro : Cooperative interactions of
      a guanosine 5'-diphosphate-mannose-linked (1->4)-beta-D-manno-syltransferase and
      a uridine 5'-diphosphate-galactose-linked alpha-D-galactosyltransferase in
      particulate enzyme preparations from developing endosperms of fenugreek
      (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba [L.] Taub.).
AB  - Particulate enzyme preparations were isolated from developing fenugreek
      (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba [L.] Taub.) seed
      endosperms during the period of galactomannan deposition in vivo. These
      preparations catalysed the formation of polysacharide products from guanosine 5'
      diphosphate (GDP)-mannose, from uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-galactose and from
      mixtures of the two nucleotides. The products were analysed by solubility, by
      complete acid hydrolysis, and by selective enzymatic cleavage using pure enzymes
      of known specificity. With GDP-[U-(14)C]-D-mannose as substrate and a divalent
      metal cation (Mg(+2), Mn(+2), or Ca(+2)) a highly efficient transfer of labelled
      D-mannosyl residues was obtained to give a product identified as linear (1->4)
      beta-linked D-mannan. No transfer of galactosyl residues was obtained when GDP-[U
      (14)C]-D-galactose was the only substrate, although very low and variable amounts
      of an unidentified product which released labelled glucose on acid hydrolysis
      were formed. In the presence of UDP-galactose, GDP-mannose and Mn(+2) ions,
      products were formed which have been characterised as galactomanans - a linear (1
      >4)-beta-D-mannan backbone carrying D-galactopyranosyl substituents linked (1->6)
      alpha to mannose. The degree of galactose substitution of the D-mannan backbone
      was manipulated in vitro by varying GDP-mannose concentrations at constant
      (saturating) UDP-galactose levels. The transfer of D-galactosyl residues from UDP
      galactose to galactomannan was absolutely dependent upon the simultaneous
      transfer of D-mannosyl residues from GDP-mannose. D-Mannan sequences pre-formed
      in situ using the mannosyltransferase in the absence of UDP-galactose could not
      become galactose-substituted in a subsequent incubation either with UDP-galactose
      alone or with UDP-galactose plus GDP-mannose A model for the interaction of GDP
      mannose mannosyltransferase and UDP-galactose galactosyltransferase in
      galactomannan biosynthesis is proposed. 

PMID- 24212549
TI  - Substrate specifity of the hexose carrier in the plasmalemma of Chenopodium
      suspension cells probed by transmembrane exchange diffusion.
AB  - Substrate specifity of the proton-driven hexose cotransport carrier in the
      plasmalemma of photoautotrophic suspension cells of Chenopodium rubrum L. has
      been studies through the short-term perturbation of (14)C-labelled efflux of 3-O
      methyl-D-glucose. Efflux, occurring exclusively via carrier-mediated exchange
      diffusion, is trans-stimulated by the substrate and trans-inhibited by the
      glucose-transport inhibitors phlorizin (K 1/2=7.9 mM) and its aglucon phloretin
      (K 1/2=84 MUM); with both inhibitors, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose efflux may be blocked
      completely. Trans-stimulation of efflux (up to fourfold) by a variety of the D
      enantiomers of neutral hexoses, including glucose (K 1/2=48 MUM), 3-O-methyl-D
      glucose (K 1/2=139 MUM), and fructose (K 1/2=730 MUM), but not by, for instance,
      D-allose, and L-sorbose, shows that carrier-substrate interaction critically
      involves the axial position at C-1 and C-3, respectively. We suggest that
      substrate binding by the Chenopodium hexose carrier involves both hydrophobic
      interaction with the pyran-ring and hydrogen-ion bonding at C-1 and C-3 of the D
      glucose conformation. 

PMID- 24212550
TI  - The effect of chemical stress on the polypeptide composition of the intercellular
      fluid of barley leaves.
AB  - The effect of chemical stress on the polypeptide composition of the intercellular
      fluid of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
      leaves has been studied. In some dicotyledonous plant species, including tomato,
      exposure to chemical stress leads to the denovo synthesis of intercellular
      proteins known as pathogenesis-related proteins which have been implicated to be
      part of a defence mechanism. In barley, however, no such changes in the
      polypeptide composition of the intercellular fluid could be detected. On the
      other hand, similar stress conditions induce in barley a strong accumulation of
      mRNA encoding leaf-specific thionins. These barley thionins represent a novel
      class of cell-wall proteins toxic to phytopathogenic fungi and are possibly
      involved in the defence mechanism. These proteins could not be detected in tomato
      plants. In contrast to the pathogenesis-related proteins of dicotyledonous
      plants, the leaf-specific thionins of barley are not present in the intercellular
      fluid of leaves. These results indicate that barley may have evolved a different
      mechanism to cope with the presence of stress. 

PMID- 24212551
TI  - Chloroplast gene expression in lettuce grown under different irradiances.
AB  - Chloroplast DNA sequences have been used as hybridisation probes to measure the
      levels of RNA transcripts present in low- and high-light-grown lettuce (Lactuca
      sativa L.) plants. The transcript levels for rbc L, psa A, psb A and rDNA are not
      different between these two light regimes. In contrast, transcript levels for atp
      BE and pet BD are increased in high-light as a proportion of the chloroplast RNA.
      Three days after transfer from low-light into high-light, increased transcript
      levels were found for atp BE, although no change was detected for the psa A or
      psb A transcripts. In addition, young plants in high-light contain twofold more
      chloroplast RNA per unit chlorophyll than do low-light plants of equivalent age.
      Therefore, in these young high-light plants the absolute transcript levels per
      unit chlorophyll are much greater. With increasing leaf age the RNA per
      chlorophyll becomes similar for both light conditions. These results are
      discussed in relation to the photoregulation of chloroplast-encoded gene
      expression. 

PMID- 24212552
TI  - Regulation by light and ethanol of the synthesis of the light-harvesting
      chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of photosystem II in Euglena.
AB  - In dark-grown Euglena, a single 122-kdalton (kDa) precursor to the light
      harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of photosystem II (pLHCPII) was
      synthesized at a very low rate and LHCPII synthesis was undetectable as
      determined by pulse-labeling with [(35)S]sulfate and immunoprecipitation with a
      specific antibody against Euglena LHCPII. Synthesis of a 207-, 161-, 122- and 110
      kDa pLHCPII was detected after light exposure, with the 207-kDa pLHCPII being the
      most abundant pLHCPII synthesized. The rate of synthesis of all four pLHCPIIs and
      the 25.6-kDa and 27.2-kDa LHCPIIs increased in the first 12-24 h of light
      exposure and then declined. The maximal rate of LHCPII synthesis in the light was
      50-100-fold greater than the rate in darkness. Addition of ethanol at the time of
      light exposure inhibited LHCPII synthesis, indicating that induction is
      catabolite-sensitive. The halflife of pLHCPII in the light or in darkness was 20
      min. Therefore, the light induction of LHCPII is the result of an increased rate
      of synthesis rather than a decreased rate of degradation. Transfer of illuminated
      cells to darkness resulted in an 80% decrease in the rate of pHLCPII synthesis
      during the first 0.5 h. Illuminated cells returned to darkness continued to
      synthesize both 207-kDa pLHCPII and LHCPII for at least 5 h. Light exposure or
      ethanol addition did not increase the level of translatable RNA for LHCPII. The
      50-100-fold catabolite-sensitive increase in the rate of LHCPII synthesis in the
      absence of a concomitant increase in the level of translatable RNA for LHCPII
      indicates that in Euglena, the synthesis of LHCPII is controlled at the
      translational rather than at the transcriptional level. 

PMID- 24212553
TI  - Gas exchange of ears of cereals in response to carbon dioxide and light : I.
      Relative contributions of parts of the ears of wheat, oat, and barley to the gas
      exchange of the whole organ.
AB  - One cultivar each of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Arkas), oat (Avena
      sativa L. cv. Lorenz), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Aramir) was chosen in
      order to study the relative contributions of individual bracts to the gas
      exchange of whole ears. The distribution and frequency of the stomata on the
      bracts were examined. Gas exchange was measured at normal atmospheric CO2 (330
      MUbar) and at high CO2 (2000 MUbar) on intact ears and on ears from which glumes
      or lemmas and pleae (wheat and oat) or awns (barley) had been removed.The
      relative contribution to the gas exchange of the whole organ is highest for the
      awns of barley ears. In wheat, the contribution of the glumes is slightly higher
      than that of the inner bracts before anthesis. Two weeks after anthesis the inner
      bracts contribute more than the glumes. This tendency of increasing importance of
      the inner bracts is also found in oat ears, but the relative amount of CO2 uptake
      by the glumes is higher than in wheat. These changes during ontogeny result from
      the better supply of light to the inner bracts caused by opening of the ears'
      structures during grain filling, which in part compensates for the decreasing
      photosynthetic capacity.The ratio of the photosynthesis rate at high CO2 to that
      at normal CO2 is lower for the glumes of oat and for the awns of barley than for
      the other bracts. 

PMID- 24212554
TI  - Tip-localised H(+)-fluxes and the applicability of the acid-growth hypothesis to
      tip-growing cells: Control of chloronemal extension in Funaria hygrometrica by
      auxin and light.
AB  - The role of tip-localised H(+) secretion in regulating chloronemal tip growth in
      the moss Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. was investigated. pH was monitored with pH
      microelectrodes placed close to the cell surface while the rate of extension
      growth was manipulated by illumination and by the application of indole-3-acetic
      acid. Growth stimulations were accompanied by acidification of the external
      solution; this acidification was most pronounced at the growing tip. The timing
      and extent of acification external to the tip correlated well with the magnitude
      and time course of growth stimulations. The maintenance of both growth and H(+)
      efflux under CO2-free conditions indicated that neither photosynthetic nor
      respiratory CO2 metabolism were involved. Artificially acidifying the nutrient
      solution rapidly but transiently stimulated elongation in both white light and
      darkness. Furthermore, the stimulation of elongation caused by white light was
      inhibited if the nutrient solution was buffered strongly near neutrality. We
      conclude that the "acid growth" hypothesis is applicable to tip growth in Funaria
      and that light and exogenous indole-3-acetic acid act at least in part by
      stimulating localised H(+)-ion efflux. 

PMID- 24212555
TI  - Differential regulation by phytochrome of the appearance of plastidic and
      cytoplasmatic isoforms of glutathione reductase in mustard (Sinapis alba L.)
      cotyledons.
AB  - An increase of glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) activity during the
      transformation of mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons from storage organs to
      photosynthetically competent leaves was previously found to be controlled by
      light acting via phytochrome (Drumm, H., Mohr, H., Z. Naturforsch. 28c 559-563,
      1973). Two isoforms of GR could be separated by disc electrophoresis. In the
      present study we have applied ionexchange chromatography to separate isoforms of
      GR during the development of the cotyledons. Furthermore, the technique of in
      situ photooxidation of plastids was used to distinguish between plastidic and
      cytoplasmatic isoforms. The isoform GR2 is the plastidic enzyme, as shown by its
      sensitivity to photooxidative treatment, while GR1 is a cytoplasmatic protein not
      affected by photooxidative treatment of plastids. Both isoforms are promoted by
      phytochrome but with different time courses. The appearance of GR1 is independent
      of the integrity of the plastids, as one might expect. However, unexpectedly, the
      phytochrome-mediated re-appearance of GR2 after a photooxidative treatment is
      much less affected by photooxidative destruction of the plastids, i.e. by the
      lack of a particular "plastidic factor", than was to be expected from previous
      experience with typical plastidic proteins. An interpretation of this finding
      must await measurements at the level of GR2 mRNA. 

PMID- 24212556
TI  - Reduced-activity mutants of phosphoglucose isomerase in the cytosol and
      chloroplast of Clarkia xantiana : II. Study of the mechanisms which regulate
      photosynthate partitioning.
AB  - (i) We have studied the influence of reduced phosphoglucose-isomerase (PGI)
      activity on photosynthetic carbon metabolism in mutants of Clarkia xantiana Gray
      (Onagraceae). The mutants had reduced plastid (75% or 50% of wildtype) or reduced
      cytosolic (64%, 36% or 18% of wildtype) PGI activity. (ii) Reduced plastid PGI
      had no significant effect on metabolism in low light. In high light, starch
      synthesis decreased by 50%. There was no corresponding increase of sucrose
      synthesis. Instead glycerate-3-phosphate, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, reduction of
      QA (the acceptor for photosystem II) and energy-dependent chlorophyll
      fluorescence quenching increased, and O2 evolution was inhibited by 25%. (iii)
      Decreased cytosolic PGI led to lower rates of sucrose synthesis, increased
      fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, glycerate-3-phosphate and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate,
      and a stimulation of starch synthesis, but without a significant inhibition of O2
      evolution. Partitioning was most affected in low light, while the metabolite
      levels changed more at saturating irradiances. (iv) These results provide
      decisive evidence that fructose-2,6-bisphosphate can mediate a feedback
      inhibition of sucrose synthesis in response to accumulating hexose phosphates.
      They also provide evidence that the ensuing stimulation of starch synthesis is
      due to activation of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase by a rising glycerate-3
      phosphate: inorganic phosphate ratio, and that this can occur without any loss of
      photosynthetic rate. However the effectiveness of these mechanisms varies,
      depending on the conditions. (v) These results are analysed using the approach of
      Kacser and Burns (1973, Trends Biochem. Sci. 7, 1149-1161) to provide estimates
      for the elasticities and flux-control coefficient of the cytosolic fructose-1,6
      bisphosphatase, and to estimate the gain in the fructose-2,6-bisphosphate
      regulator cycle during feedback inhibition of sucrose synthesis. 

PMID- 24212557
TI  - Putrescine and putrescine N-methyltransferase in the biosynthesis of tropane
      alkaloids in cultured roots of Hyoscyamus albus : I. Biochemical studies.
AB  - The activity of arginine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.19) in cultured roots of
      Hyoscyamus albus L., which produce considerable amounts of tropane alkaloids, was
      twice that of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17), both activities being
      highest during active root growth, whereas arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) activity was
      negligible. Actively growing roots had putrescine conjugates as their major
      polyamines, and spermidine was the most abundant free polyamine. Putrescine N
      methyltransferase (PMT; EC 2.1.1.53) activity was high, the peak occurring on the
      sixth day of culture when root growth became slower. Thereafter, the free N
      methylputrescine content of the roots increased and was followed by an increase
      in alkaloid content (mostly hyoscyamine). The amounts of arginine and,
      especially, of ornithine were low. No N-methylornithine was detected. The PMT
      activity was present only in root, shoot and cell-suspension cultures of plants
      that synthesized tropane alkaloids or nicotine; no enzyme activities that
      methylate ornithine at the delta-amino group or that decarboxylate delta-N
      methylornithine were detected in any of the cultures tested. Our data indicate
      that tropane alkaloids in H. albus roots are synthesized by way of the
      symmetrical putrescine, i.e. a pathway different from that proposed by E. Leete
      (1962, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 84, 55) according to which these alkaloids are
      synthesized by way of asymmetrical delta-N-methylornithine. 

PMID- 24212558
TI  - Putrescine and putrescine N-methyltransferase in the biosynthesis of tropane
      alkaloids in cultured roots of Hyoscyamus albus : II. Incorporation of labeled
      precursors.
AB  - [1,4-(14)C]Putrescine, administered to cultured roots of Hyoscyamus albus L., was
      converted to spermidine and spermine as well as to conjugated forms. A
      substantial fraction of its radioactivity (approx. 6%) was, however, incorporated
      into N-methylputrescine within 4 h, followed by an increase in radioactive
      tropane alkaloids (mostly hyoscyamine). Incubation of the roots with DL-[5
      (14)C]ornithine and L-[2,3-(3)H]arginine separately resulted in rapid
      incorporation of each label into free putrescine and N-methylputrescine, followed
      by incorporation into hyoscyamine. During active alkaloid biosynthesis in H.
      albus roots, scarcely any radioactivity was recovered in delta-N-methylornithine.
      When the roots had been treated with 5 mM DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine for 1
      d prior to the administration of labeled ornithine, the total uptake of
      radioactivity into the root cells was not reduced, even though ornithine
      decarboxylase was specifically inactivated and the incorporation of the label to
      putrescine, N-methylputrescine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine markedly reduced.
      These and other results (Hashimoto et al., 1989, Planta 178, 123-130) are strong
      indications that tropane alkaloids in H. albus root cultures are synthesized from
      both ornithine and arginine by way of putrescine. 

PMID- 24212560
TI  - First-line extracorporeal photochemotherapy for acute GVHD after unmanipulated
      haploidentical BMT following nonmyeloablative conditioning and post
      transplantation CY.

PMID- 24212562
TI  - Early peripheral blood and T-cell chimerism dynamics after umbilical cord blood
      transplantation supported with haploidentical cells.
AB  - Single-unit umbilical cord blood (CB) SCT is limited by low total nucleated cell
      (TNC) dose. Co-infusion of CD34+ cells from a third party HLA-mismatched donor,
      known as dual or haplo-cord transplant, reduces the period of post-transplant
      neutropenia and related complications. The aim of this study was to analyze the
      value of early post-transplant peripheral blood (PB) and T cell chimerism after
      28 dual transplants regarding CB engraftment. Cumulative incidence of myeloid
      engraftment at 30 days was 93% with a median time to engraftment of 14 days (10
      29). Patients who developed CB graft failure (n=5) showed very low percentages of
      CB cells on days +14, +21 and +28 with decreasing dynamics. On the other hand,
      percentages of CB cells in patients who achieved CB engraftment increased over
      time. Interestingly, such patients showed two distinct chimerism dynamics in PB,
      but all of them showed a predominance of CB T cells early after SCT with
      increasing dynamics over time. Early post-transplant chimerism dynamics in PB and
      T cells predicts CB graft failure enabling rapid therapeutic measures to be
      applied. On the other hand, early increasing percentages of CB T cells correlates
      with ultimate CB engraftment. 

PMID- 24212563
TI  - Fifteen-minute consultation: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin abscess and lymphadenitis.

PMID- 24212561
TI  - EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder following in vivo T
      cell-depleted allogeneic transplantation: clinical features, viral load
      correlates and prognostic factors in the rituximab era.
AB  - EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) following
      Alemtuzumab-based allo-SCT is a relatively uncommon and challenging clinical
      problem but has not received detailed study in a large cohort. Quantitative-PCR
      (qPCR) monitoring for EBV reactivation post allo-SCT is now commonplace but its
      diagnostic and predictive value remains unclear. Sixty-nine patients with PTLD
      following Alemtuzumab-based allo-SCT were studied. Marked clinicopathological
      heterogeneity was evident; lymphadenopathy was frequently absent, whereas
      advanced extranodal disease was common. The median viral load at clinical
      presentation was 49 300 copies/mL (50-65 200 000 copies/mL) and, notably, 23% and
      45% of cases, respectively, had ?10 000 and ?40 000 copies/mL. The overall
      response rate to rituximab as first-line therapy was 70%. For rituximab failures,
      chemotherapy was ineffectual but DLIs were successful. A four-parameter
      prognostic index predicted response to therapy (OR 0.30 (0.12-0.74); P=0.009] and
      PTLD mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 1.81 (1.12-2.93) P=0.02) on multivariate
      analysis. This is the largest detailed series of EBV-associated PTLD after allo
      SCT. At clinical presentation, EBV-qPCR values are frequently below customary
      thresholds for pre-emptive therapy, challenging current paradigms for monitoring
      and intervention. A four-point score identifies a proportion of patients at risk
      of rituximab-refractory disease for whom alternative therapy is needed. 

PMID- 24212564
TI  - Long-term administration of ginsenoside Rh1 enhances learning and memory by
      promoting cell survival in the mouse hippocampus.
AB  - Ginsenosides, the secondary plant metabolites produced by Panax ginseng are
      responsible for the enhancing effects on learning observed following treatment
      with Panax ginseng. A number of studies have provided correlational evidence that
      cell proliferation and survival are closely associated with hippocampal-dependent
      learning tasks. In this study, to investigate the beneficial effects of
      ginsenoside Rh1 on hippocampal cells and learning, mice (6 months old) were
      administered ginsenoside Rh1 at a dose of 5 and 10 mg/kg/day for a period of 3
      months. Saline-treated mice were used as controls. The enhancement of memory and
      learning in the mice was evaluated by hippocampal-dependent tasks (passive
      avoidance tests and Morris water maze tests) and the immunohistochemical marker
      of cell proliferation, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). In addition, the levels of brain
      derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured following treatment. Based on
      our data, the Rh1-treated group (5 and 10 mg/kg) showed a significantly improved
      learning and memory ability in the passive avoidance tests compared with the
      control group; however, only treatment with 10 mg/kg ginsenoside Rh1
      significantly promoted spatial learning ability in the Morris water maze test.
      Ginsenoside Rh1 significantly enhanced cell survival in the dentate gyrus of
      mice, although it did not enhance hippocampal cell proliferation. In addition,
      ginsenoside Rh1 upregulated the expression of BDNF. These findings address the
      potential therapeutic significance of ginsenoside Rh1 as a nutritional supplement
      in memory loss and neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID- 24212565
TI  - Involvement of TrkB- and p75(NTR)-signaling pathways in two contrasting forms of
      long-lasting synaptic plasticity.
AB  - The repetition of experience is often necessary to establish long-lasting memory.
      However, the cellular mechanisms underlying this repetition-dependent
      consolidation of memory remain unclear. We previously observed in organotypic
      slice cultures of the rodent hippocampus that repeated inductions of long-term
      potentiation (LTP) led to a slowly developing long-lasting synaptic enhancement
      coupled with synaptogenesis. We also reported that repeated inductions of long
      term depression (LTD) produced a long-lasting synaptic suppression coupled with
      synapse elimination. We proposed these phenomena as useful in vitro models for
      analyzing repetition-dependent consolidation. Here, we hypothesized that the
      enhancement and suppression are mediated by the brain-derived neurotrophic factor
      (BDNF)-TrkB signaling pathway and the proBDNF-p75(NTR) pathway, respectively.
      When we masked the respective pathways, reversals of the enhancement and
      suppression resulted. These results suggest the alternative activation of the
      p75(NTR) pathway by BDNF under TrkB-masking conditions and of the TrkB pathway by
      proBDNF under p75(NTR)-masking conditions, thus supporting the aforementioned
      hypothesis. 

PMID- 24212566
TI  - US moves to ban trans fats.

PMID- 24212567
TI  - Characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains from contaminated raw beef
      trim during "high event periods".
AB  - The development and implementation of effective antimicrobial interventions by
      the beef processing industry in the United States have dramatically reduced the
      incidence of beef trim contamination by Escherichia coli O157:H7. However,
      individual processing plants still experience sporadic peaks in contamination
      rates where multiple E. coli O157:H7-positive lots are clustered in a short time
      frame. These peaks have been referred to as "high event periods" (HEP) of
      contamination. The results reported here detail the characterization of E. coli
      O157:H7 isolates from 21 HEP across multiple companies and processing plants to
      gain insight regarding the mechanisms causing these incidents. Strain genotypes
      were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and isolates were
      investigated for characteristics linking them to human illness. Through these
      analyses, it was determined that individual HEP show little to no diversity in
      strain genotypes. Hence, each HEP has one strain type that makes up most, if not
      all, of the contamination. This is shown to differ from the genotypic diversity
      of E. coli O157:H7 found on the hides of cattle entering processing plants. In
      addition, it was found that a large proportion (81%) of HEP are caused by strain
      types associated with human illness. These results pose a potential challenge to
      the current model for finished product contamination during beef processing. 

PMID- 24212568
TI  - Improved short-sequence-repeat genotyping of Mycobacterium avium subsp.
      paratuberculosis by using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of
      flight mass spectrometry.
AB  - Accurate sequence analysis of mononucleotide repeat regions is difficult,
      complicating the use of short sequence repeats (SSRs) as a tool for bacterial
      strain discrimination. Although multiple SSR loci in the genome of Mycobacterium
      avium subsp. paratuberculosis allow genotyping of M. avium subsp.
      paratuberculosis isolates with high discriminatory power, further
      characterization of the most discriminatory loci is limited due to inherent
      difficulties in sequencing mononucleotide repeats. Here, a method was evaluated
      using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass
      spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as an alternative to Sanger sequencing to further
      differentiate the dominant mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit (MIRU)
      variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis type (n =
      37) in Canadian dairy herds by targeting a highly discriminatory mononucleotide
      SSR locus. First, PCR-amplified DNA was digested with two restriction enzymes to
      yield a sufficiently small fragment containing the SSR locus. Second, MALDI-TOF
      MS was performed to identify the mass, and thus repeat length, of the target.
      Sufficiently intense, discriminating spectra were obtained to determine repeat
      lengths up to 15, an improvement over the limit of 11 using traditional
      sequencing techniques. Comparison to synthetic oligonucleotides and Sanger
      sequencing results confirmed a valid and reproducible assay that increased
      discrimination of the dominant M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis MIRU-VNTR type.
      Thus, MALDI-TOF MS was a reliable, fast, and automatable technique to accurately
      resolve M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis genotypes based on SSRs. 

PMID- 24212569
TI  - Vibrio vulnificus bacteriophage SSP002 as a possible biocontrol agent.
AB  - A novel Vibrio vulnificus-infecting bacteriophage, SSP002, belonging to the
      Siphoviridae family, was isolated from the coastal area of the Yellow Sea of
      South Korea. Host range analysis revealed that the growth inhibition of phage
      SSP002 is relatively specific to V. vulnificus strains from both clinical and
      environmental samples. In addition, a one-step growth curve analysis and a
      bacteriophage stability test revealed a latent period of 65 min, a burst size of
      23 +/- 2 PFU, as well as broad temperature (20 degrees C to 60 degrees C) and pH
      stability (pH 3 to 12) ranges. A Tn5 random transposon mutation of V. vulnificus
      and partial DNA sequencing of the inserted Tn5 regions revealed that the flhA,
      flhB, fliF, and fleQ mutants are resistant to SSP002 phage infection, suggesting
      that the flagellum may be the host receptor for infection. The subsequent
      construction of specific gene-inactivated mutants (flhA, flhB, fliF, and fleQ)
      and complementation experiments substantiated this. Previously, the genome of
      phage SSP002 was completely sequenced and analyzed. Comparative genomic analysis
      of phage SSP002 and Vibrio parahaemolyticus phage vB_VpaS_MAR10 showed
      differences among their tail-related genes, supporting different host ranges at
      the species level, even though their genome sequences are highly similar. An
      additional mouse survival test showed that the administration of phage SSP002 at
      a multiplicity of infection of 1,000 significantly protects mice from infection
      by V. vulnificus for up to 2 months, suggesting that this phage may be a good
      candidate for the development of biocontrol agents against V. vulnificus
      infection. 

PMID- 24212570
TI  - Substrate promiscuity: AglB, the archaeal oligosaccharyltransferase, can process
      a variety of lipid-linked glycans.
AB  - Across evolution, N-glycosylation involves oligosaccharyltransferases that
      transfer lipid-linked glycans to selected Asn residues of target proteins. While
      these enzymes catalyze similar reactions in each domain, differences exist in
      terms of the chemical composition, length and degree of phosphorylation of the
      lipid glycan carrier, the sugar linking the glycan to the lipid carrier, and the
      composition and structure of the transferred glycan. To gain insight into how
      oligosaccharyltransferases cope with such substrate diversity, the present study
      analyzed the archaeal oligosaccharyltransferase AglB from four haloarchaeal
      species. Accordingly, it was shown that despite processing distinct lipid-linked
      glycans in their native hosts, AglB from Haloarcula marismortui, Halobacterium
      salinarum, and Haloferax mediterranei could readily replace their counterpart
      from Haloferax volcanii when introduced into Hfx. volcanii cells deleted of aglB.
      As the four enzymes show significant sequence and apparently structural homology,
      it appears that the functional similarity of the four AglB proteins reflects the
      relaxed substrate specificity of these enzymes. Such demonstration of AglB
      substrate promiscuity is important not only for better understanding of N
      glycosylation in Archaea and elsewhere but also for efforts aimed at transforming
      Hfx. volcanii into a glycoengineering platform.

PMID- 24212572
TI  - Biochemical and structural studies of NADH-dependent FabG used to increase the
      bacterial production of fatty acids under anaerobic conditions.
AB  - Major efforts in bioenergy research have focused on producing fuels that can
      directly replace petroleum-derived gasoline and diesel fuel through metabolic
      engineering of microbial fatty acid biosynthetic pathways. Typically, growth and
      pathway induction are conducted under aerobic conditions, but for operational
      efficiency in an industrial context, anaerobic culture conditions would be
      preferred to obviate the need to maintain specific dissolved oxygen
      concentrations and to maximize the proportion of reducing equivalents directed to
      biofuel biosynthesis rather than ATP production. A major concern with
      fermentative growth conditions is elevated NADH levels, which can adversely
      affect cell physiology. The purpose of this study was to identify homologs of
      Escherichia coli FabG, an essential reductase involved in fatty acid
      biosynthesis, that display a higher preference for NADH than for NADPH as a
      cofactor. Four potential NADH-dependent FabG variants were identified through
      bioinformatic analyses supported by crystallographic structure determination (1.3
      to 2.0-A resolution). In vitro assays of cofactor (NADH/NADPH) preference in the
      four variants showed up to ~ 35-fold preference for NADH, which was observed with
      the Cupriavidus taiwanensis FabG variant. In addition, FabG homologs were
      overexpressed in fatty acid- and methyl ketone-overproducing E. coli host strains
      under anaerobic conditions, and the C. taiwanensis variant led to a 60% higher
      free fatty acid titer and 75% higher methyl ketone titer relative to the titers
      of the control strains. With further engineering, this work could serve as a
      starting point for establishing a microbial host strain for production of fatty
      acid-derived biofuels (e.g., methyl ketones) under anaerobic conditions.

PMID- 24212571
TI  - Harnessing genetic diversity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for fermentation of
      xylose in hydrolysates of alkaline hydrogen peroxide-pretreated biomass.
AB  - The fermentation of lignocellulose-derived sugars, particularly xylose, into
      ethanol by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is known to be inhibited by
      compounds produced during feedstock pretreatment. We devised a strategy that
      combined chemical profiling of pretreated feedstocks, high-throughput phenotyping
      of genetically diverse S. cerevisiae strains isolated from a range of ecological
      niches, and directed engineering and evolution against identified inhibitors to
      produce strains with improved fermentation properties. We identified and
      quantified for the first time the major inhibitory compounds in alkaline hydrogen
      peroxide (AHP)-pretreated lignocellulosic hydrolysates, including Na(+), acetate,
      and p-coumaric (pCA) and ferulic (FA) acids. By phenotyping these yeast strains
      for their abilities to grow in the presence of these AHP inhibitors, one
      heterozygous diploid strain tolerant to all four inhibitors was selected,
      engineered for xylose metabolism, and then allowed to evolve on xylose with
      increasing amounts of pCA and FA. After only 149 generations, one evolved
      isolate, GLBRCY87, exhibited faster xylose uptake rates in both laboratory media
      and AHP switchgrass hydrolysate than its ancestral GLBRCY73 strain and completely
      converted 115 g/liter of total sugars in undetoxified AHP hydrolysate into more
      than 40 g/liter ethanol. Strikingly, genome sequencing revealed that during the
      evolution from GLBRCY73, the GLBRCY87 strain acquired the conversion of
      heterozygous to homozygous alleles in chromosome VII and amplification of
      chromosome XIV. Our approach highlights that simultaneous selection on xylose and
      pCA or FA with a wild S. cerevisiae strain containing inherent tolerance to AHP
      pretreatment inhibitors has potential for rapid evolution of robust properties in
      lignocellulosic biofuel production. 

PMID- 24212573
TI  - Genes similar to the Vibrio parahaemolyticus virulence-related genes tdh, tlh,
      and vscC2 occur in other vibrionaceae species isolated from a pristine estuary.
AB  - Detection of the human pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus often relies on molecular
      biological analysis of species-specific virulence factor genes. These genes have
      been employed in determinations of V. parahaemolyticus population numbers and the
      prevalence of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus strains. Strains of the Vibrionaceae
      species Photobacterium damselae, Vibrio diabolicus, Vibrio harveyi, and Vibrio
      natriegens, as well as strains similar to Vibrio tubiashii, were isolated from a
      pristine salt marsh estuary. These strains were examined for the V.
      parahaemolyticus hemolysin genes tdh, trh, and tlh and for the V.
      parahaemolyticus type III secretion system 2alpha gene vscC2 using established
      PCR primers and protocols. Virulence-related genes occurred at high frequencies
      in non-V. parahaemolyticus Vibrionaceae species. V. diabolicus was of particular
      interest, as several strains were recovered, and the large majority (>83%)
      contained virulence-related genes. It is clear that detection of these genes does
      not ensure correct identification of virulent V. parahaemolyticus. Further, the
      occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus-like virulence factors in other vibrios
      potentially complicates tracking of outbreaks of V. parahaemolyticus infections. 

PMID- 24212574
TI  - Diversity in robustness of Lactococcus lactis strains during heat stress,
      oxidative stress, and spray drying stress.
AB  - In this study we tested 39 Lactococcus lactis strains isolated from diverse
      habitats for their robustness under heat and oxidative stress, demonstrating high
      diversity in survival (up to 4 log units). Strains with an L. lactis subsp.
      lactis phenotype generally displayed more-robust phenotypes than strains with an
      L. lactis subsp. cremoris phenotype, whereas the habitat from which the strains
      had been isolated did not appear to influence stress survival. Comparison of the
      stress survival phenotypes with already available comparative genomic data sets
      revealed that the absence or presence of specific genes, including genes encoding
      a GntR family transcriptional regulator, a manganese ABC transporter permease, a
      cellobiose phosphotransferase system (PTS) component, the FtsY protein, and
      hypothetical proteins, was associated with heat or oxidative stress survival.
      Finally, 14 selected strains also displayed diversity in survival after spray
      drying, ranging from 20% survival for the most robust strains, which appears
      acceptable for industrial application, to 0.1% survival for the least-tolerant
      strains. The high and low levels of survival upon spray drying correlated clearly
      with the combined robustness under heat and oxidative stress. These results
      demonstrate the relevance of screening culture collections for robustness under
      heat and oxidative stress on top of the typical screening for acidifying and
      flavor-forming properties. 

PMID- 24212575
TI  - Phenotypic effect of "Candidatus Rickettsiella viridis," a facultative symbiont
      of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), and its interaction with a coexisting
      symbiont.
AB  - A gammaproteobacterial facultative symbiont of the genus Rickettsiella was
      recently identified in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Infection with this
      symbiont altered the color of the aphid body from red to green, potentially
      affecting the host's ecological characteristics, such as attractiveness to
      different natural enemies. In European populations of A. pisum, the majority of
      Rickettsiella-infected aphids also harbor another facultative symbiont, of the
      genus Hamiltonella. We investigated this Rickettsiella symbiont for its
      interactions with the coinfecting Hamiltonella symbiont, its phenotypic effects
      on A. pisum with and without Hamiltonella coinfection, and its infection
      prevalence in A. pisum populations. Histological analyses revealed that
      coinfecting Rickettsiella and Hamiltonella exhibited overlapping localizations in
      secondary bacteriocytes, sheath cells, and hemolymph, while Rickettsiella
      specific localization was found in oenocytes. Rickettsiella infections
      consistently altered hosts' body color from red to green, where the greenish hue
      was affected by both host and symbiont genotypes. Rickettsiella-Hamiltonella
      coinfections also changed red aphids to green; this greenish hue tended to be
      enhanced by Hamiltonella coinfection. With different host genotypes,
      Rickettsiella infection exhibited either weakly beneficial or nearly neutral
      effects on host fitness, whereas Hamiltonella infection and Rickettsiella
      Hamiltonella coinfection had negative effects. Despite considerable frequencies
      of Rickettsiella infection in European and North American A. pisum populations,
      no Rickettsiella infection was detected among 1,093 insects collected from 14
      sites in Japan. On the basis of these results, we discuss possible mechanisms for
      the interaction of Rickettsiella with other facultative symbionts, their effects
      on their hosts' phenotypes, and their persistence in natural host populations. We
      propose the designation "Candidatus Rickettsiella viridis" for the symbiont.

PMID- 24212577
TI  - PhaM is the physiological activator of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) synthase
      (PhaC1) in Ralstonia eutropha.
AB  - Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) synthase (PhaC1) is the key enzyme of PHB synthesis
      in Ralstonia eutropha and other PHB-accumulating bacteria and catalyzes the
      polymerization of 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA to PHB. Activity assays of R. eutropha PHB
      synthase are characterized by the presence of lag phases and by low specific
      activity. It is assumed that the lag phase is caused by the time necessary to
      convert the inactive PhaC1 monomer into the active dimeric form by an unknown
      priming process. The lag phase can be reduced by addition of nonionic detergents
      such as hecameg [6-O-(N-heptyl-carbamoyl)-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside], which
      apparently accelerates the formation of PhaC1 dimers. We identified the PHB
      granule-associated protein (PGAP) PhaM as the natural primer (activator) of PHB
      synthase activity. PhaM was recently discovered as a novel type of PGAP with
      multiple functions in PHB metabolism. Addition of PhaM to PHB synthase assays
      resulted in immediate polymerization of 3HB coenzyme A with high specific
      activity and without a significant lag phase. The effect of PhaM on (i) PhaC1
      activity, (ii) oligomerization of PhaC1, (iii) complex formation with PhaC1, and
      (iv) PHB granule formation in vitro and in vivo was shown by cross-linking
      experiments of purified proteins (PhaM, PhaC1) with glutardialdehyde, by size
      exclusion chromatography, and by fluorescence microscopic detection of de novo
      synthesized PHB granules.

PMID- 24212578
TI  - Metaproteomics analysis reveals the adaptation process for the chicken gut
      microbiota.
AB  - The animal gastrointestinal tract houses a large microbial community, the gut
      microbiota, that confers many benefits to its host, such as protection from
      pathogens and provision of essential metabolites. Metagenomic approaches have
      defined the chicken fecal microbiota in other studies, but here, we wished to
      assess the correlation between the metagenome and the bacterial proteome in order
      to better understand the healthy chicken gut microbiota. Here, we performed high
      throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and metaproteomics analysis of
      fecal samples to determine microbial gut composition and protein expression. 16
      rRNA gene sequencing analysis identified Clostridiales, Bacteroidaceae, and
      Lactobacillaceae species as the most abundant species in the gut. For
      metaproteomics analysis, peptides were generated by using the Fasp method and
      subsequently fractionated by strong anion exchanges. Metaproteomics analysis
      identified 3,673 proteins. Among the most frequently identified proteins, 380
      proteins belonged to Lactobacillus spp., 155 belonged to Clostridium spp., and 66
      belonged to Streptococcus spp. The most frequently identified proteins were heat
      shock chaperones, including 349 GroEL proteins, from many bacterial species,
      whereas the most abundant enzymes were pyruvate kinases, as judged by the number
      of peptides identified per protein (spectral counting). Gene ontology and KEGG
      pathway analyses revealed the functions and locations of the identified proteins.
      The findings of both metaproteomics and 16S rRNA sequencing analyses are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24212579
TI  - A vector library for silencing central carbon metabolism genes with antisense
      RNAs in Escherichia coli.
AB  - We describe here the construction of a series of 71 vectors to silence central
      carbon metabolism genes in Escherichia coli. The vectors inducibly express
      antisense RNAs called paired-terminus antisense RNAs, which have a higher
      silencing efficacy than ordinary antisense RNAs. By measuring mRNA amounts,
      measuring activities of target proteins, or observing specific phenotypes, it was
      confirmed that all the vectors were able to silence the expression of target
      genes efficiently. Using this vector set, each of the central carbon metabolism
      genes was silenced individually, and the accumulation of metabolites was
      investigated. We were able to obtain accurate information on ways to increase the
      production of pyruvate, an industrially valuable compound, from the silencing
      results. Furthermore, the experimental results of pyruvate accumulation were
      compared to in silico predictions, and both sets of results were consistent.
      Compared to the gene disruption approach, the silencing approach has an advantage
      in that any E. coli strain can be used and multiple gene silencing is easily
      possible in any combination. 

PMID- 24212576
TI  - Newly cultured bacteria with broad diversity isolated from eight-week continuous
      culture enrichments of cow feces on complex polysaccharides.
AB  - One of the functions of the mammalian large intestinal microbiota is the
      fermentation of plant cell wall components. In ruminant animals, the majority of
      their nutrients are obtained via pregastric fermentation; however, up to 20% can
      be recovered from microbial fermentation in the large intestine. Eight-week
      continuous culture enrichments of cattle feces with cellulose and xylan-pectin
      were used to isolate bacteria from this community. A total of 459 bacterial
      isolates were classified phylogenetically using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Six
      phyla were represented: Firmicutes (51.9%), Bacteroidetes (30.9%), Proteobacteria
      (11.1%), Actinobacteria (3.5%), Synergistetes (1.5%), and Fusobacteria (1.1%).
      The majority of bacterial isolates had <98.5% identity to cultured bacteria with
      sequences in the Ribosomal Database Project and thus represent new species and/or
      genera. Within the Firmicutes isolates, most were classified in the families
      Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Clostridiaceae I. The
      majority of the Bacteroidetes were most closely related to Bacteroides
      thetaiotaomicron, B. ovatus, and B. xylanisolvens and members of the
      Porphyromonadaceae family. Many of the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes isolates were
      related to species demonstrated to possess enzymes which ferment plant cell wall
      components; the others were hypothesized to cross-feed these bacteria. The
      microbial communities that arose in these enrichment cultures had broad bacterial
      diversity. With over 98% of the isolates not represented as previously cultured,
      there are new opportunities to study the genomic and metabolic capacities of
      these members of the complex intestinal microbiota. 

PMID- 24212581
TI  - In silico rational design and systems engineering of disulfide bridges in the
      catalytic domain of an alkaline alpha-amylase from Alkalimonas amylolytica to
      improve thermostability.
AB  - High thermostability is required for alkaline alpha-amylases to maintain high
      catalytic activity under the harsh conditions used in textile production. In this
      study, we attempted to improve the thermostability of an alkaline alpha-amylase
      from Alkalimonas amylolytica through in silico rational design and systems
      engineering of disulfide bridges in the catalytic domain. Specifically, 7 residue
      pairs (P35-G426, Q107-G167, G116-Q120, A147-W160, G233-V265, A332-G370, and R436
      M480) were chosen as engineering targets for disulfide bridge formation, and the
      respective residues were replaced with cysteines. Three single disulfide bridge
      mutants-P35C-G426C, G116C-Q120C, and R436C-M480C-of the 7 showed significantly
      enhanced thermostability. Combinational mutations were subsequently assessed, and
      the triple mutant P35C-G426C/G116C-Q120C/R436C-M480C showed a 6-fold increase in
      half-life at 60 degrees C and a 5.2 degrees C increase in melting temperature
      compared with the wild-type enzyme. Interestingly, other biochemical properties
      of this mutant also improved: the optimum temperature increased from 50 degrees C
      to 55 degrees C, the optimum pH shifted from 9.5 to 10.0, the stable pH range
      extended from 7.0 to 11.0 to 6.0 to 12.0, and the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km)
      increased from 1.8 * 10(4) to 2.4 * 10(4) liters/g . min. The possible mechanism
      responsible for these improvements was explored through comparative analysis of
      the model structures of wild-type and mutant enzymes. The disulfide bridge
      engineering strategy used in this work may be applied to improve the
      thermostability of other industrial enzymes. 

PMID- 24212582
TI  - Nanoscale cell wall deformation impacts long-range bacterial adhesion forces on
      surfaces.
AB  - Adhesion of bacteria occurs on virtually all natural and synthetic surfaces and
      is crucial for their survival. Once they are adhering, bacteria start growing and
      form a biofilm, in which they are protected against environmental attacks.
      Bacterial adhesion to surfaces is mediated by a combination of different short-
      and long-range forces. Here we present a new atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based
      method to derive long-range bacterial adhesion forces from the dependence of
      bacterial adhesion forces on the loading force, as applied during the use of AFM.
      The long-range adhesion forces of wild-type Staphylococcus aureus parent strains
      (0.5 and 0.8 nN) amounted to only one-third of these forces measured for their
      more deformable isogenic Deltapbp4 mutants that were deficient in peptidoglycan
      cross-linking. The measured long-range Lifshitz-Van der Waals adhesion forces
      matched those calculated from published Hamaker constants, provided that a 40%
      ellipsoidal deformation of the bacterial cell wall was assumed for the Deltapbp4
      mutants. Direct imaging of adhering staphylococci using the AFM peak force
      quantitative nanomechanical property mapping imaging mode confirmed a height
      reduction due to deformation in the Deltapbp4 mutants of 100 to 200 nm. Across
      naturally occurring bacterial strains, long-range forces do not vary to the
      extent observed here for the Deltapbp4 mutants. Importantly, however,
      extrapolating from the results of this study, it can be concluded that long-range
      bacterial adhesion forces are determined not only by the composition and
      structure of the bacterial cell surface but also by a hitherto neglected, small
      deformation of the bacterial cell wall, facilitating an increase in contact area
      and, therewith, in adhesion force. 

PMID- 24212583
TI  - Use of Bacteroidales microbial source tracking to monitor fecal contamination in
      fresh produce production.
AB  - In recent decades, fresh and minimally processed produce items have been
      associated with an increasing proportion of food-borne illnesses. Most pathogens
      associated with fresh produce are enteric (fecal) in origin, and contamination
      can occur anywhere along the farm-to-fork chain. Microbial source tracking (MST)
      is a tool developed in the environmental microbiology field to identify and
      quantify the dominant source(s) of fecal contamination. This study investigated
      the utility of an MST method based on Bacteroidales 16S rRNA gene sequences as a
      means of identifying potential fecal contamination, and its source, in the fresh
      produce production environment. The method was applied to rinses of fresh
      produce, source and irrigation waters, and harvester hand rinses collected over
      the course of 1 year from nine farms (growing tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and
      cantaloupe) in Northern Mexico. Of 174 samples, 39% were positive for a universal
      Bacteroidales marker (AllBac), including 66% of samples from cantaloupe farms
      (3.6 log10 genome equivalence copies [GEC]/100 ml), 31% of samples from tomato
      farms (1.7 log10 GEC/100 ml), and 18% of samples from jalapeno farms (1.5 log10
      GEC/100 ml). Of 68 AllBac-positive samples, 46% were positive for one of three
      human-specific markers, and none were positive for a bovine-specific marker.
      There was no statistically significant correlation between Bacteroidales and
      generic Escherichia coli across all samples. This study provides evidence that
      Bacteroidales markers may serve as alternative indicators for fecal contamination
      in fresh produce production, allowing for determination of both general
      contamination and that derived from the human host. 

PMID- 24212584
TI  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation of phytoplankton-associated
      Arenibacter spp. and description of Arenibacter algicola sp. nov., an aromatic
      hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium.
AB  - Pyrosequencing of the bacterial community associated with a cosmopolitan marine
      diatom during enrichment with crude oil revealed several Arenibacter phylotypes,
      of which one (OTU-202) had become significantly enriched by the oil. Since
      members of the genus Arenibacter have not been previously shown to degrade
      hydrocarbons, we attempted to isolate a representative strain of this genus in
      order to directly investigate its hydrocarbon-degrading potential. Based on 16S
      rRNA sequencing, one isolate (designated strain TG409(T)) exhibited >99% sequence
      identity to three type strains of this genus. On the basis of phenotypic and
      genotypic characteristics, strain TG409(T) represents a novel species in the
      genus Arenibacter, for which the name Arenibacter algicola sp. nov. is proposed.
      We reveal for the first time that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)
      degradation is a shared phenotype among members of this genus, indicating that it
      could be used as a taxonomic marker for this genus. Kinetic data for PAH
      mineralization rates showed that naphthalene was preferred to phenanthrene, and
      its mineralization was significantly enhanced in the presence of glass wool (a
      surrogate for diatom cell surfaces). During enrichment on hydrocarbons, strain
      TG409(T) emulsified n-tetradecane and crude oil, and cells were found to be
      preferentially attached to oil droplets, indicating an ability by the strain to
      express cell surface amphiphilic substances (biosurfactants or bioemulsifiers) as
      a possible strategy to increase the bioavailability of hydrocarbons. This work
      adds to our growing knowledge on the diversity of bacterial genera in the ocean
      contributing to the degradation of oil contaminants and of hydrocarbon-degrading
      bacteria found living in association with marine eukaryotic phytoplankton. 

PMID- 24212585
TI  - Polysulfides as intermediates in the oxidation of sulfide to sulfate by Beggiatoa
      spp.
AB  - Zero-valent sulfur is a key intermediate in the microbial oxidation of sulfide to
      sulfate. Many sulfide-oxidizing bacteria produce and store large amounts of
      sulfur intra- or extracellularly. It is still not understood how the stored
      sulfur is metabolized, as the most stable form of S(0) under standard biological
      conditions, orthorhombic alpha-sulfur, is most likely inaccessible to bacterial
      enzymes. Here we analyzed the speciation of sulfur in single cells of living
      sulfide-oxidizing bacteria via Raman spectroscopy. Our results showed that under
      various ecological and physiological conditions, all three investigated Beggiatoa
      strains stored sulfur as a combination of cyclooctasulfur (S8) and inorganic
      polysulfides (Sn(2-)). Linear sulfur chains were detected during both the
      oxidation and reduction of stored sulfur, suggesting that Sn(2-) species
      represent a universal pool of bioavailable sulfur. Formation of polysulfides due
      to the cleavage of sulfur rings could occur biologically by thiol-containing
      enzymes or chemically by the strong nucleophile HS(-) as Beggiatoa migrates
      vertically between oxic and sulfidic zones in the environment. Most Beggiatoa
      spp. thus far studied can oxidize sulfur further to sulfate. Our results suggest
      that the ratio of produced sulfur and sulfate varies depending on the sulfide
      flux. Almost all of the sulfide was oxidized directly to sulfate under low
      sulfide-flux conditions, whereas only 50% was oxidized to sulfate under high
      sulfide-flux conditions leading to S(0) deposition. With Raman spectroscopy we
      could show that sulfate accumulated in Beggiatoa filaments, reaching
      intracellular concentrations of 0.72 to 1.73 M.

PMID- 24212586
TI  - Type IV pilus biogenesis, twitching motility, and DNA uptake in Thermus
      thermophilus: discrete roles of antagonistic ATPases PilF, PilT1, and PilT2.
AB  - Natural transformation has a large impact on lateral gene flow and has
      contributed significantly to the ecological diversification and adaptation of
      bacterial species. Thermus thermophilus HB27 has emerged as the leading model
      organism for studies of DNA transporters in thermophilic bacteria. Recently, we
      identified a zinc-binding polymerization nucleoside triphosphatase (NTPase),
      PilF, which is essential for the transport of DNA through the outer membrane.
      Here, we present genetic evidence that PilF is also essential for the biogenesis
      of pili. One of the most challenging questions was whether T. thermophilus has
      any depolymerization NTPase acting as a counterplayer of PilF. We identified two
      depolymerization NTPases, PilT1 (TTC1621) and PilT2 (TTC1415), both of which are
      required for type IV pilus (T4P)-mediated twitching motility and adhesion but
      dispensable for natural transformation. This suggests that T4P dynamics are not
      required for natural transformation. The latter finding is consistent with our
      suggestion that in T. thermophilus, T4P and natural transformation are linked but
      distinct systems.

PMID- 24212588
TI  - [CNS-mediated disintegration of homeostasis by chronic stress].

PMID- 24212580
TI  - Rumen methanogenic genotypes differ in abundance according to host residual feed
      intake phenotype and diet type.
AB  - Methane is an undesirable end product of rumen fermentative activity because of
      associated environmental impacts and reduced host feed efficiency. Our study
      characterized the rumen microbial methanogenic community in beef cattle
      divergently selected for phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI) while offered a
      high-forage (HF) diet followed by a low-forage (LF) diet. Rumen fluid was
      collected from 14 high-RFI (HRFI) and 14 low-RFI (LRFI) animals at the end of
      both dietary periods. 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were used, and methanogen
      specific tag-encoded pyrosequencing was carried out on the samples. We found that
      Methanobrevibacter spp. are the dominant methanogens in the rumen, with
      Methanobrevibacter smithii being the most abundant species. Differences in the
      abundance of Methanobrevibacter smithii and Methanosphaera stadtmanae genotypes
      were detected in the rumen of animals offered the LF compared to the HF diet
      while the abundance of Methanobrevibacter smithii genotypes was different between
      HRFI and LRFI animals irrespective of diet. Our results demonstrate that while a
      core group of methanogen operational taxonomic units (OTUs) exist across diet and
      phenotype, significant differences were observed in the distribution of genotypes
      within those OTUs. These changes in genotype abundance may contribute to the
      observed differences in methane emissions between efficient and inefficient
      animals. 

PMID- 24212587
TI  - Efficient isolation of ion beam-induced mutants for homoeologous loci in common
      wheat and comparison of the contributions of Glu-1 loci to gluten functionality.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Ion beam mutations can be efficiently isolated and deployed for
      functional comparison of homoeologous loci in polyploid plants, and Glu - 1 loci
      differ substantially in their contribution to wheat gluten functionality. To
      efficiently conduct genetic analysis, it is beneficial to have multiple types of
      mutants for the genes under investigation. Here, we demonstrate that ion beam
      induced deletion mutants can be efficiently isolated for comparing the function
      of homoeologous loci of common wheat (Triticum aestivum). Through fragment
      analysis of PCR products from M2 plants, ion beam mutants lacking homoeologous
      Glu-A1, Glu-B1 or Glu-D1 loci, which encode high molecular weight glutenin
      subunits (HMW-GSs) and affect gluten functionality and end-use quality of common
      wheat, could be isolated simultaneously. Three deletion lines missing Glu-A1, Glu
      B1 or Glu-D1 were developed from the original mutants, with the Glu-1 genomic
      regions deleted in these lines estimated using newly developed DNA markers. Apart
      from lacking the target HMW-GSs, the three lines all showed decreased
      accumulation of low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GSs) and increased
      amounts of gliadins. Based on the test data of five gluten and glutenin
      macropolymer (GMP) parameters obtained with grain samples harvested from two
      environments, we conclude that the genetic effects of Glu-1 loci on gluten
      functionality can be ranked as Glu-D1 > Glu-B1 > Glu-A1. Furthermore, it is
      suggested that Glu-1 loci contribute to gluten functionality both directly (by
      promoting the formation of GMP) and indirectly (through keeping the balance among
      HMW-GSs, LMW-GSs and gliadins). Finally, the efficient isolation of ion beam
      mutations for functional comparison of homoeologous loci in polyploid plants and
      the usefulness of Glu-1 deletion lines for further studying the contribution of
      Glu-1 loci to gluten functionality are discussed.

PMID- 24212589
TI  - [Involvement of spinally-infiltrated immune cells in peripheral nerve injury
      induced neuropathic pain: roles of TRPM2].

PMID- 24212590
TI  - [Neurodevelopmental impairment following neonatal immune challenge in mice].

PMID- 24212591
TI  - [Ca(2+) imaging of neurons and astrocytes with genetically encoded Ca(2+)
      indicators].

PMID- 24212592
TI  - [Microglia and synaptic reorganization: focus on the movement and functions of
      microglial processes].

PMID- 24212593
TI  - [Quantitative analysis of phosphoinositides and inositol polyphosphates using an
      HPLC system].

PMID- 24212594
TI  - [Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Program in RIKEN life science innovation].

PMID- 24212595
TI  - [Pharmacological properties and clinical efficacy of apixaban (Eliquis((r))].

PMID- 24212596
TI  - [Substance P in antitumor drug-induced adverse reactions].

PMID- 24212597
TI  - Cocaine-induced agitated delirium: a case report and review.
AB  - Cocaine use continues to be a major public health problem in the United States.
      Although many of the initial signs and symptoms of cocaine intoxication result
      from increased stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, this condition can
      present as a spectrum of acuity from hypertension and tachycardia to multiorgan
      system failure. Classic features of acute intoxication include tachycardia,
      arterial vasoconstriction, enhanced thrombus formation, mydriasis, psychomotor
      agitation, and altered level of consciousness. At the extreme end of this
      toxidrome is a rare condition known as cocaine-induced agitated delirium. This
      syndrome is characterized by severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction, hyperthermia,
      and acute neurologic changes frequently leading to death. We report a case of
      cocaine-induced agitated delirium in a man who presented to our institution in a
      paradoxical form of circulatory shock. Rapid evaluation, recognition, and proper
      management enabled our patient not only to survive but also to leave the hospital
      without neurologic sequelae. 

PMID- 24212598
TI  - Making a Difference in Eye Care of the Critically Ill Patients.
AB  - Ocular surface disorders are frequently encountered in patients under sedation
      and paralyzed patients in intensive care units (ICUs). In the ICUs, treatment is
      usually focused on the management of organ failures, and eye care becomes a side
      issue. As a result, ophthalmological complications do occur (incidence ranges
      from 3.6% to 60%) and are frequently overlooked in this setting. To identify the
      best available evidence in providing the best eye care to prevent exposure
      keratopathy, a literature review was performed. The databases of PUBMED, COCHRAN,
      and EMBASE library were searched. We only looked at higher quality articles.
      Among various eye care measures that have been advocated to prevent exposure
      keratopathy, the most effective is the application of polyethylene covers. Early
      diagnosis and effective treatment will help prevent microbial keratitis and
      visual loss. 

PMID- 24212599
TI  - Mature trauma intensivist model improves intensive care unit efficiency but not
      mortality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the Leap Frog intensivist staffing model has been shown to
      improve outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU), to date, no one has examined
      the effect of an intensivist model in a dedicated trauma ICU. With stricter
      adherence to evidence-based protocols and 24-hour availability, we hypothesized
      that a mature intensivist model in a trauma ICU would decrease mortality.
      METHODS: Level II trauma center trauma ICU admissions 2006 to 2011. The ICU care
      provided by 6 trauma intensivists. Two periods were compared: early (2006-2008)
      and mature (2009-2011). Patients matched on age, Injury Severity Score (ISS),
      preexisting conditions, and so on in a univariate analysis, with significant
      variables placed in a logistic regression model, with mortality as the outcome.
      RESULTS: A total of 3527 patients (2999 excluding do not resuscitate status) were
      reviewed. Age >=65 (odds ratio [OR] 2.38, P < .001), ISS >=17 (OR 3.3, P < .001),
      coagulopathy (OR 1.64, P = .004), and anemia (OR 1.73, P = .02) were independent
      predictors of mortality. Multivariate logistic model encompassing these factors
      found no statistically significant differences in mortality across the 6-year
      period. The ICU efficiency showed significant improvements in terms of ventilator
      days (30.1% EARLY vs 24.4% MATURE; P < .001), decreases in mean consultant use
      per patient (0.55 +/- 0.85 EARLY vs 0.40 +/- 0.74 MATURE; P < .001), and increase
      in number of bedside procedures per patient (0.09 +/- 0.48 EARLY vs 0.40 +/- 0.74
      MATURE; P < .001 CONCLUSIONS: Our mature intensivists staffing model shows
      improvement in ICU throughput (ventilator days, ICU days, decreased consultant
      use, and increased bedside procedures) but no survival benefit. Further
      improvements in overall trauma mortality may lie in the resuscitative and
      operative phase of patient care.

PMID- 24212600
TI  - Neurogenic Stunned Myocardium Following Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage:
      Pathophysiology and Practical Considerations.
AB  - Neurogenic stunned myocardium (NSM) is a triad of transient left ventricular
      dysfunction, electrocardiogram changes, and elevation in cardiac enzymes, often
      mimicking a myocardial infarction. It has been described following acute brain
      injury. The purported mechanism is catecholamine excess resulting in cardiac
      dysfunction. From the clinical standpoint, the most frequently encountered
      electrocardiographic changes are QTc prolongation and ST-T changes, with modest
      elevations in troponin levels. Basal and mid-ventricular segments of the left
      ventricle are most commonly involved. NSM poses therapeutic challenges when it
      occurs secondary to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, particularly in the
      setting of coexisting vasospasm. Overall, NSM carries good prognosis if
      recognized early, with appropriate management of hemodynamic and cardiopulmonary
      parameters. 

PMID- 24212601
TI  - 3R and 4R tau isoforms in paired helical filaments in Alzheimer's disease.

PMID- 24212602
TI  - Histologically defined central nervous system primitive neuro-ectodermal tumours
      (CNS-PNETs) display heterogeneous DNA methylation profiles and show relationships
      to other paediatric brain tumour types.

PMID- 24212603
TI  - The role of apoptosis in the pathology of pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is a disease with high resistance to most common therapies and
      therefore has a poor prognosis, which is partly due to a lack of reaction to
      apoptotic stimuli. Signal transduction of such stimuli includes a death receptor
      mediated extrinsic pathway as well as an intrinsic pathway linked to the
      mitochondria. Defects in apoptotic pathways and the deregulation of apoptotic
      proteins, such as Survivin, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1, play decisive roles in the
      development of pancreatic cancer. Investigation of the molecular mechanism
      allowing tumors to resist apoptotic cell death would lead to an improved
      understanding of the physiology and the development of new molecular strategies
      in pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 24212604
TI  - Clinically relevant anticancer polymer Paclitaxel therapeutics.
AB  - The concept of utilizing polymers in drug delivery has been extensively explored
      for improving the therapeutic index of small molecule drugs. In general, polymers
      can be used as polymer-drug conjugates or polymeric micelles. Each unique
      application mandates its own chemistry and controlled release of active drugs.
      Each polymer exhibits its own intrinsic issues providing the advantage of
      flexibility. However, none have as yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
      Administration. General aspects of polymer and nano-particle therapeutics have
      been reviewed. Here we focus this review on specific clinically relevant
      anticancer polymer paclitaxel therapeutics. We emphasize their chemistry and
      formulation, in vitro activity on some human cancer cell lines, plasma
      pharmacokinetics and tumor accumulation, in vivo efficacy, and clinical outcomes.
      Furthermore, we include a short review of our recent developments of a novel
      poly(L-g-glutamylglutamine)-paclitaxel nano-conjugate (PGG-PTX). PGG-PTX has its
      own unique property of forming nano-particles. It has also been shown to possess
      a favorable profile of pharmacokinetics and to exhibit efficacious potency. This
      review might shed light on designing new and better polymer paclitaxel
      therapeutics for potential anticancer applications in the clinic. 

PMID- 24212605
TI  - Pain management in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - A majority of pancreatic cancer patients present with pain at the time of
      diagnosis. Pain management can be challenging in light of the aggressive nature
      of this cancer. Apart from conventional pharmacotherapy, timely treatment with
      neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) has been shown to be of benefit. NCPB has
      demonstrated efficacious pain control in high quality studies with analgesic
      effects lasting one to two months. NCPB has also shown to decrease the
      requirements of narcotics, and thus decrease opioid related side effects. Another
      option for the control of moderate to severe pain is intrathecal therapy (IT).
      Delivery of analgesic medications intrathecally allows for lower dosages of
      medications and thus reduced toxicity. Both of the above mentioned interventional
      procedures have been shown to have low complication rates, and be safe and
      effective. Ultimately, comprehensive pancreatic cancer pain management
      necessitates understanding of pain mechanisms and delivery of sequential
      validated therapeutic interventions within a multidisciplinary patient care
      model. 

PMID- 24212606
TI  - Doxorubicin-Loaded PEG-PCL-PEG Micelle Using Xenograft Model of Nude Mice: Effect
      of Multiple Administration of Micelle on the Suppression of Human Breast Cancer.
AB  - The triblock copolymer is composed of two identical hydrophilic segments:
      Monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) and one hydrophobic segment poly(epsilon
      caprolactone) (PCL); which is synthesized by coupling of mPEG-PCL-OH and mPEG
      COOH in a mild condition using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 4-dimethylamino
      pyridine. The amphiphilic block copolymer can self-assemble into nanoscopic
      micelles to accommodate doxorubixin (DOX) in the hydrophobic core. The
      physicochemical properties and in vitro tests, including cytotoxicity of the
      micelles, have been characterized in our previous study. In this study, DOX was
      encapsulated into micelles with a drug loading content of 8.5%. Confocal
      microscopy indicated that DOX was internalized into the cytoplasm via
      endocystosis. A dose-finding scheme of the polymeric micelle (placebo) showed a
      safe dose of PEG-PCL-PEG micelles was 71.4 mg/kg in mice. Importantly, the
      circulation time of DOX-loaded micelles in the plasma significantly increased
      compared to that of free DOX in rats. A biodistribution study displayed that
      plasma extravasation of DOX in liver and spleen occurred in the first four hours.
      Lastly, the tumor growth of human breast cancer cells in nude mice was suppressed
      by multiple injections (5 mg/kg, three times daily on day 0, 7 and 14) of DOX
      loaded micelles as compared to multiple administrations of free DOX. 

PMID- 24212607
TI  - Screening technologies for target identification in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer exhibits an extraordinarily high level of resistance to almost
      any kind of systemic therapy evaluated in clinical trials so far. Therefore, the
      identification of novel therapeutic targets is urgently required. High-throughput
      screens have emerged as an important tool to identify putative targets for
      diagnosis and therapy in an unbiased manner. More than a decade ago, microarray
      technology was introduced to identify differentially expressed genes in
      pancreatic cancer as compared to normal pancreas, chronic pancreatitis and other
      cancer types located in close proximity to the pancreas. In addition, proteomic
      screens have facilitated the identification of differentially secreted proteins
      in body fluids of pancreatic cancer patients, serving as possible biomarkers.
      Recently, RNA interference-based loss-of-function screens have been used to
      identify functionally relevant genes, whose knock-down has impact on pancreatic
      cancer cell viability, thereby representing potential new targets for therapeutic
      intervention. This review summarizes recent results of transcriptional, proteomic
      and functional screens in pancreatic cancer and discusses potentials and
      limitations of the respective technologies as well as their impact on future
      therapeutic developments. 

PMID- 24212608
TI  - Detection of up to 65% of Precancerous Lesions of the Human Colon and Rectum by
      Mutation Analysis of APC, K-Ras, B-Raf and CTNNB1.
AB  - In the present study a recently conceived 4-gene marker panel covering the Wnt
      and Ras-Raf-MEK-MAPK signaling pathways was used to analyze 20 colorectal
      serrated lesions and 41 colorectal adenoma samples and to determine the
      percentage of each of the above-mentioned potentially precancerous lesions
      carrying at least one of the four above-mentioned genes in a mutated form. CTNNB1
      and B-Raf were screened by PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis,
      K-Ras by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and the APC gene
      mutation cluster region (codons 1243-1567) by direct DNA sequencing. APC
      mutations were only detected in 10% of the serrated lesions but in 34% of the
      adenomas. Twenty percent of the serrated lesions and 14% of the adenomas carried
      a mutated K-Ras. B-Raf was found to be mutated in 50% of the serrated lesions and
      in 22% of the adenomas. CTNNB1 was altered in 12% of the adenomas, but not in
      serrated lesions. By using the above gene marker panel it could be shown that 65%
      of the serrated lesions and 61% of the adenomas carried at least one of the four
      genes in a mutated form. Based on its excellent performance in detecting
      mutations in sporadic preneoplastic (in this study) and neoplastic lesions (in a
      previous study) of the human colon and rectum, this primer combination might also
      be suited to efficiently and non-invasively detect genetic alterations in stool
      DNA of patients with early colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 24212609
TI  - Membrane drug transporters and chemoresistance in human pancreatic carcinoma.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer ranks among the tumors most resistant to chemotherapy. Such
      chemoresistance of tumors can be mediated by various cellular mechanisms
      including dysregulated apoptosis or ineffective drug concentration at the
      intracellular target sites. In this review, we highlight recent advances in
      experimental chemotherapy underlining the role of cellular transporters in drug
      resistance. Such contribution to the chemoresistant phenotype of tumor cells or
      tissues can be conferred both by uptake and export transporters, as demonstrated
      by in vivo and in vitro data. Our studies used human pancreatic carcinoma cells,
      cells stably transfected with human transporter cDNAs, or cells in which a
      specific transporter was knocked down by RNA interference. We have previously
      shown that 5-fluorouracil treatment affects the expression profile of relevant
      cellular transporters including multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs), and that
      MRP5 (ABCC5) influences chemoresistance of these tumor cells. Similarly, cell
      treatment with the nucleoside drug gemcitabine or a combination of
      chemotherapeutic drugs can variably influence the expression pattern and relative
      amount of uptake and export transporters in pancreatic carcinoma cells or select
      for pre-existing subpopulations. In addition, cytotoxicity studies with MRP5
      overexpressing or MRP5-silenced cells demonstrate a contribution of MRP5 also to
      gemcitabine resistance. These data may lead to improved strategies of future
      chemotherapy regimens using gemcitabine and/or 5-fluorouracil. 

PMID- 24212611
TI  - Assessment of Serosal Invasion and Criteria for the Classification of
      Pathological (p) T4 Staging in Colorectal Carcinoma: Confusions, Controversies
      and Criticisms.
AB  - Transmural spread by colorectal carcinoma can result in tumor invasion of the
      serosal surface and, hence, more likely dissemination within the peritoneal
      cavity and potentially to additional metastatic sites. The adverse prognostic
      significance of serosal invasion is widely accepted and its presence may be
      considered an indication for chemotherapy in patients with node negative disease.
      However, controversy persists regarding the most appropriate criteria for
      diagnosis and there are also practical difficulties associated with histological
      assessment in some cases. Therefore, serosal invasion may be under-diagnosed in a
      significant proportion of tumors, potentially leading to sub-optimal treatment of
      high-risk patients. The examination of multiple microscopic sections combined
      with ancillary studies such as cytology preparations, elastin stains, and
      immunohistochemistry may prove beneficial in selected problematic cases, but
      these are not used routinely. The relative prognostic significance of serosal
      invasion and of direct tumor spread to other organs, both of which are
      incorporated within the pT4 category of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system, remains
      unclear. Further studies are required to demonstrate whether recent adjustments
      to the TNM staging of pT4 tumors are appropriate. 

PMID- 24212612
TI  - Dependence of Relative Expression of NTR1 and EGFR on Cell Density and
      Extracellular pH in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines.
AB  - Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a devastating disease characterized by early
      dissemination and poor prognosis. These solid tumors express receptors for
      neuropeptides like neurotensin (NT) or epidermal growth factor (EGF) and exhibit
      acidic regions when grown beyond a certain size. We previously demonstrated
      increases in intracellular Ca2+ levels, intracellular pH and interleukin-8 (IL-8)
      secretion in BxPC-3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells in response to a stable NT
      analog. The present study aimed at investigation of the dependence of the
      relative expression of NT receptor 1 (NTR1) and EGFR in BxPC-3 and MIA PaCa-2
      cells on cell density and extracellular pH (pHe). MTT assays revealed the NTR1
      inhibitor SR 142948-sensitive Lys8-psi-Lys9NT (8-13)-induced proliferation in
      BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells. Confluent cultures of BxPC3 and HT-29 lines exhibited
      highest expression of NTR1 and lowest of EGFR and expression of NTR1 was maximal
      at slightly acidic pHe. IL-8 production was stimulated by Lys8-psi-Lys9NT (8-13)
      and even enhanced at both acidic and alkaline pHe in BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells. In
      conclusion, our in vitro study suggests that one contributing factor to the minor
      responses obtained with EGFR-directed therapy may be downregulation of this
      receptor in tumor cell aggregates, possibly resulting in acquisition of a more
      aggressive phenotype via other growth factor receptors like NTR1. 

PMID- 24212613
TI  - Nuclear receptor small heterodimer partner in apoptosis signaling and liver
      cancer.
AB  - Small heterodimer partner (SHP, NR0B2) is a unique orphan nuclear receptor that
      contains the dimerization and a putative ligand-binding domain, but lacks the
      conserved DNA binding domain. SHP exerts its physiological function as an
      inhibitor of gene transcription through physical interaction with multiple
      nuclear receptors and transcriptional factors. SHP is a critical transcriptional
      regulator affecting diverse biological functions, including bile acid,
      cholesterol and lipid metabolism, glucose and energy homeostasis, and
      reproductive biology. Recently, we and others have demonstrated that SHP is an
      epigenetically regulated transcriptional repressor that suppresses the
      development of liver cancer. In this review, we summarize recent major findings
      regarding the role of SHP in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and DNA methylation,
      and discuss recent progress in understanding the function of SHP as a tumor
      suppressor in the development of liver cancer. Future study will be focused on
      identifying SHP associated novel pro-oncogenes and anti-oncogenes in liver cancer
      progression and applying the knowledge gained on SHP in liver cancer prevention,
      diagnosis and treatment. 

PMID- 24212610
TI  - Decoding melanoma metastasis.
AB  - Metastasis accounts for the vast majority of morbidity and mortality associated
      with melanoma. Evidence suggests melanoma has a predilection for metastasis to
      particular organs. Experimental analyses have begun to shed light on the
      mechanisms regulating melanoma metastasis and organ specificity, but these
      analyses are complicated by observations of metastatic dormancy and dissemination
      of melanocytes that are not yet fully malignant. Additionally, tumor extrinsic
      factors in the microenvironment, both at the site of the primary tumor and the
      site of metastasis, play important roles in mediating the metastatic process. As
      metastasis research moves forward, paradigms explaining melanoma metastasis as a
      step-wise process must also reflect the temporal complexity and heterogeneity in
      progression of this disease. Genetic drivers of melanoma as well as extrinsic
      regulators of disease spread, particularly those that mediate metastasis to
      specific organs, must also be incorporated into newer models of melanoma
      metastasis. 

PMID- 24212615
TI  - Anti-Neuroblastoma Activity of Gold Nanorods Bound with GD2 Monoclonal Antibody
      under Near-Infrared Laser Irradiation.
AB  - High-risk neuroblastoma is one of the most common deaths in pediatric oncology.
      Current treatment of this disease involves a coordinated sequence of
      chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Further advances in therapy will require
      the targeting of tumor cells in a more selective and efficient way so that
      survival can be improved without substantially increasing toxicity. To achieve
      tumor-selective delivery, disialoganglioside (GD2) expressed by almost all
      neuroblastoma tumors represents a potential molecular target that can be
      exploited for tumor-selective delivery. In this study, GD2 monoclonal antibody
      (anti-GD2) was conjugated to gold nanorods (GNRs) which are one of anisotropic
      nanomaterials that can absorb near-infrared (NIR) laser light and convert it to
      energy for photothermolysis of tumor cells. Thiolated chitosan, due to its
      biocompatibility, was used to replace cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)
      originally used in the synthesis of gold nanorods. In order to specifically
      target GD2 overexpressed on the surface of neuroblastoma stNB-V1 cells, anti-GD2
      was conjugated to chitosan modified GNRs (CGNRs). To examine the fate of CGNRs
      conjugated with anti-GD2 after incubation with neuroblastoma cells, rhadoamine B
      was labeled on CGNRs functionalized with anti-GD2. Our results illustrated that
      anti-GD2-conjugated CGNRs were extensively endocytosed by GD2+ stNB-V1
      neuroblastoma cells via antibody-mediated endocytosis. In addition, we showed
      that anti-GD2 bound CGNRs were not internalized by GD2- SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma
      cells. After anti-GD2-linked CGNRs were incubated with neuroblatoma cells for six
      hours, the treated cells were further irradiated with 808 nm NIR laser. Post-NIR
      laser exposure, when examined by calcein-AM dye, stNB-V1 cells all underwent
      necrosis, while non-GD2 expressing SH-SY5Y cells all remained viable. Based on
      the in vitro study, CGNRs bound with anti-GD2 has the potential to be utilized as
      a therapeutic thermal coupling agent that generates heat sufficient to
      selectively kill neuroblastoma cells under NIR laser light exposure. 

PMID- 24212614
TI  - Vitamin d and pancreatic cancer-an update.
AB  - The non-classical actions of vitamin D, namely anti-proliferation, pro
      differentiation, immune function modulation, and anti-inflammation, have received
      great attention during the past decade, in particular, the potential of vitamin D
      analogs alone or in combination with other anticancer agents for the treatment of
      a variety of cancers. The association between vitamin D status and the higher
      incidence of many forms of cancer has suggested that vitamin D may play a role in
      the etiology of these types of cancer. Although it is still controversial whether
      this association exists for pancreatic cancer, biochemical evidence clearly
      indicates pancreatic cancer cells are responsive to the inhibitory effect of
      vitamin D and its analogs. In this review, we discuss briefly the origin and
      current therapy of pancreatic cancer, the history, source, metabolism and
      functions of vitamin D, the recent progress in the epidemiological studies of
      sunlight, and vitamin D status, and biochemical studies of vitamin D analogs in
      the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 24212616
TI  - Targeting apoptosis signaling in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - The ability to escape apoptosis or programmed cell death is a hallmark of human
      cancers, for example pancreatic cancer. This can promote tumorigenesis, since too
      little cell death by apoptosis disturbs tissue homeostasis. Additionally,
      defective apoptosis signaling is the underlying cause of failure to respond to
      current treatment approaches, since therapy-mediated antitumor activity requires
      the intactness of apoptosis signaling pathways in cancer cells. Thus, the
      elucidation of defects in the regulation of apoptosis in pancreatic carcinoma can
      result in the identification of novel targets for therapeutic interference and
      for exploitation for cancer drug discovery. 

PMID- 24212617
TI  - Rational and irrational issues in breast cancer screening.
AB  - Evidence on the efficacy of breast screening from randomized controlled trials
      conducted in the last decades of the 1900s is reviewed. For decades, controversy
      about their results has centered on the magnitude of benefit in terms of breast
      cancer mortality reduction that can be achieved. However more recently, several
      expert bodies have estimated the benefits to be smaller than initially expected
      and concerns have been raised about screening consequences such as over-diagnosis
      and unnecessary treatment. Trials with substantial mortality reduction have been
      lauded and others with null effects have been critiqued. Critiques of the
      Canadian National Breast Screening Study are refuted. Extreme responses by
      screening advocates to the United States Preventive Services Task Force 2009
      guidelines are described. The role vested interests play in determining health
      policy is clearly revealed in the response to the guidelines and should be more
      generally known. A general reluctance to explore unexpected results or to accept
      new paradigms is briefly discussed. 

PMID- 24212618
TI  - The Hemostasis Apparatus in Pancreatic Cancer and Its Importance beyond
      Thrombosis.
AB  - Laboratory evidence of aberrant coagulation is found in the majority of patients
      with advanced pancreatic cancer and a clinical consequence of this is the high
      incidence and prevalence of vascular thromboembolic events. Other sequelae are
      hypothesized to be the facilitation and acceleration of mechanisms that define
      the malignant phenotype, such as invasion, trafficking and anchoring,
      establishing the metastatic niche and inducing angiogenesis. We review the in
      vitro and preclinical evidence that supports the role of the coagulation
      apparatus in the metastatic process of pancreatic cancer, with a particular
      emphasis on interaction of this pathway with clinically-targeted growth factor
      receptor pathways. Links between hemostasis, angiogenesis and epidermal growth
      factor pathways and their significance as therapeutic targets are considered. 

PMID- 24212619
TI  - Why victory in the war on cancer remains elusive: biomedical hypotheses and
      mathematical models.
AB  - We discuss philosophical, methodological, and biomedical grounds for the
      traditional paradigm of cancer and some of its critical flaws. We also review
      some potentially fruitful approaches to understanding cancer and its treatment.
      This includes the new paradigm of cancer that was developed over the last 15
      years by Michael Retsky, Michael Baum, Romano Demicheli, Isaac Gukas, William
      Hrushesky and their colleagues on the basis of earlier pioneering work of Bernard
      Fisher and Judah Folkman. Next, we highlight the unique and pivotal role of
      mathematical modeling in testing biomedical hypotheses about the natural history
      of cancer and the effects of its treatment, elaborate on model selection
      criteria, and mention some methodological pitfalls. Finally, we describe a
      specific mathematical model of cancer progression that supports all the main
      postulates of the new paradigm of cancer when applied to the natural history of a
      particular breast cancer patient and fit to the observables. 

PMID- 24212621
TI  - Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein (PTHrP): A Key Regulator of Life/Death
      Decisions by Tumor Cells with Potential Clinical Applications.
AB  - Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), classically regarded as the mediator
      of the humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy syndrome, is a polyhormone that
      undergoes proteolytic processing into smaller bioactive forms. These bioactive
      forms comprise an N-terminal- as well as midregion- and C-terminal peptides,
      which have been shown to regulate various biological events, such as survival,
      proliferation and differentiation, in diverse cell model systems, both normal and
      pathological. A number of experimental data have demonstrated that PTHrP is also
      able to modulate tumor-relevant phenotypic expressions, thereby playing a role in
      early and advanced tumorigenesis, and in the response to treatment. In
      particular, interest has mainly been focused on the effects of PTHrP on cell
      proliferation/apoptosis, migration and invasion, which are the main roles
      involved in cancer development in vivo. The objective of this review is to
      discuss collectively the literature data on the molecular and biochemical basis
      of the mechanisms underlying the different, and sometimes opposite, effects
      exerted by PTHrP on various neoplastic cytotypes, with some final comments on
      both present and potential utilization of PTHrP as a target for anti-cancer
      therapy. 

PMID- 24212620
TI  - Pancreatic cancer gene therapy: from molecular targets to delivery systems.
AB  - The continuous identification of molecular changes deregulating critical pathways
      in pancreatic tumor cells provides us with a large number of novel candidates to
      engineer gene-targeted approaches for pancreatic cancer treatment. Targets-both
      protein coding and non-coding-are being exploited in gene therapy to influence
      the deregulated pathways to facilitate cytotoxicity, enhance the immune response
      or sensitize to current treatments. Delivery vehicles based on viral or non-viral
      systems as well as cellular vectors with tumor homing characteristics are a
      critical part of the design of gene therapy strategies. The different behavior of
      tumoral versus non-tumoral cells inspires vector engineering with the generation
      of tumor selective products that can prevent potential toxic-associated effects.
      In the current review, a detailed analysis of the different targets, the delivery
      vectors, the preclinical approaches and a descriptive update on the conducted
      clinical trials are presented. Moreover, future possibilities in pancreatic
      cancer treatment by gene therapy strategies are discussed. 

PMID- 24212622
TI  - Cancer stem cells in head and neck cancer.
AB  - Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common malignancy world-wide,
      however the survival rate has not improved for the past 20 years. In recent
      years, the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis has gained ground in several
      malignancies and there is mounting evidence suggesting CSCs mediate tumor
      resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, the CSC theory is also
      challenged at least in certain types of cancer. Here we review the progress of
      CSC studies in HNC, which suggest that HNC conforms to the CSC model. The
      identified CSC markers and their tumor initiation properties provide a framework
      for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for HNC. 

PMID- 24212623
TI  - Progress in nanotechnology based approaches to enhance the potential of
      chemopreventive agents.
AB  - Cancer chemoprevention is defined as the use of natural agents to suppress,
      reverse or prevent the carcinogenic process from turning into aggressive cancer.
      Over the last two decades, multiple natural dietary compounds with diverse
      chemical structures such flavonoids, tannins, curcumins and polyphenols have been
      proposed as chemopreventive agents. These agents have proven excellent anticancer
      potential in the laboratory setting, however, the observed effects in vitro do
      not translate in clinic where they fail to live up to their expectations. Among
      the various reasons for this discrepancy include inefficient systemic delivery
      and robust bioavailability. To overcome this barrier, researchers have focused
      towards coupling these agents with nano based encapsulation technology that in
      principle will enhance bioavailability and ultimately benefit clinical outcome.
      The last decade has witnessed rapid advancement in the development of
      nanochemopreventive technology with emergence of many nano encapsulated
      formulations of different dietary anticancer agents. This review summarizes the
      most up-to-date knowledge on the studies performed in nanochemoprevention, their
      proposed use in the clinic and future directions in which this field is heading.
      As the knowledge of the dynamics of nano encapsulation evolves, it is expected
      that researchers will bring forward newer and far more superior
      nanochemopreventive agents that may become standard drugs for different cancers. 

PMID- 24212624
TI  - Metabolic disorder, inflammation, and deregulated molecular pathways converging
      in pancreatic cancer development: implications for new therapeutic strategies.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer develops and progresses through complex, cumulative biological
      processes involving metabolic disorder, local inflammation, and deregulated
      molecular pathways. The resulting tumor aggressiveness hampers surgical
      intervention and renders pancreatic cancer resistant to standard chemotherapy and
      radiation therapy. Based on these pathologic properties, several therapeutic
      strategies are being developed to reverse refractory pancreatic cancer. Here, we
      outline molecular targeting therapies, which are primarily directed against
      growth factor receptor-type tyrosine kinases deregulated in tumors, but have
      failed to improve the survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Glycogen synthase
      kinase-3beta (GSK3beta) is a member of a serine/threonine protein kinase family
      that plays a critical role in various cellular pathways. GSK3beta has also
      emerged as a mediator of pathological states, including glucose intolerance,
      inflammation, and various cancers (e.g., pancreatic cancer). We review recent
      studies that demonstrate the anti-tumor effects of GSK3beta inhibition alone or
      in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. GSK3beta inhibition may exert
      indirect anti-tumor actions in pancreatic cancer by modulating metabolic disorder
      and inflammation. 

PMID- 24212625
TI  - Extra-neural metastases of malignant gliomas: myth or reality?
AB  - Malignant gliomas account for approximately 60% of all primary brain tumors in
      adults. Prognosis for these patients has not significantly changed in recent
      years-despite debulking surgery, radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy-with a
      median survival of 9-12 months. Virtually no patients are cured of their illness.
      Malignant gliomas are usually locally invasive tumors, though extra-neural
      metastases can sometimes occur late in the course of the disease (median of two
      years). They generally appear after craniotomy although spontaneous metastases
      have also been reported. The incidence of these metastases from primary intra
      cranial malignant gliomas is low; it is estimated at less than 2% of all cases.
      Extra-neural metastases from gliomas frequently occur late in the course of the
      disease (median of two years), and generally appear after craniotomy, but
      spontaneous metastases have also been reported. Malignant glioma metastases
      usually involve the regional lymph nodes, lungs and pleural cavity, and
      occasionally the bone and liver. In this review, we present three cases of extra
      neural metastasis of malignant gliomas from our department, summarize the main
      reported cases in literature, and try to understand the mechanisms underlying
      these systemic metastases. 

PMID- 24212626
TI  - Diagnostic management of pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly solid tumors, with an overall 5-year
      survival rate of less than 5%. Due to a non-specific clinical presentation, it is
      often diagnosed at an advanced stage and is rarely amenable for curative
      treatment. Therefore early diagnosis and appropriate staging are still essential
      to define the best care and to improve patient survival. Several imaging
      modalities are currently available for the evaluation of pancreatic cancer. This
      review focuses on different techniques and discusses the diagnostic management of
      patients with pancreatic cancer. This review was conducted utilizing Pubmed and
      was limited to papers published within the last 5 years. The search key words
      pancreatic cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic tumors, diagnosis,
      radiology, imaging, nuclear imaging, endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and
      biochemical markers were used. 

PMID- 24212627
TI  - Nerve growth factor in cancer cell death and survival.
AB  - One of the major challenges for cancer therapeutics is the resistance of many
      tumor cells to induction of cell death due to pro-survival signaling in the
      cancer cells. Here we review the growing literature which shows that
      neurotrophins contribute to pro-survival signaling in many different types of
      cancer. In particular, nerve growth factor, the archetypal neurotrophin, has been
      shown to play a role in tumorigenesis over the past decade. Nerve growth factor
      mediates its effects through its two cognate receptors, TrkA, a receptor tyrosine
      kinase and p75NTR, a member of the death receptor superfamily. Depending on the
      tumor origin, pro-survival signaling can be mediated by TrkA receptors or by
      p75NTR. For example, in breast cancer the aberrant expression of nerve growth
      factor stimulates proliferative signaling through TrkA and pro-survival signaling
      through p75NTR. This latter signaling through p75NTR promotes increased
      resistance to the induction of cell death by chemotherapeutic treatments. In
      contrast, in prostate cells the p75NTR mediates cell death and prevents
      metastasis. In prostate cancer, expression of this receptor is lost, which
      contributes to tumor progression by allowing cells to survive, proliferate and
      metastasize. This review focuses on our current knowledge of neurotrophin
      signaling in cancer, with a particular emphasis on nerve growth factor regulation
      of cell death and survival in cancer. 

PMID- 24212629
TI  - Cumulative Epigenetic Abnormalities in Host Genes with Viral and Microbial
      Infection during Initiation and Progression of Malignant Lymphoma/Leukemia.
AB  - Although cancers have been thought to be predominantly driven by acquired genetic
      changes, it is becoming clear that microenvironment-mediated epigenetic
      alterations play important roles. Aberrant promoter hypermethylation is a
      prevalent phenomenon in human cancers as well as malignant lymphoma/leukemia.
      Tumor suppressor genes become frequent targets of aberrant hypermethylation in
      the course of gene-silencing due to the increased and deregulated DNA
      methyltransferases (DNMTs). The purpose of this article is to review the current
      status of knowledge about the contribution of cumulative epigenetic abnormalities
      of the host genes after microbial and virus infection to the crisis and
      progression of malignant lymphoma/leukemia. In addition, the relevance of this
      knowledge to malignant lymphoma/leukemia assessment, prevention and early
      detection will be discussed. 

PMID- 24212630
TI  - Experimental animal models of pancreatic carcinogenesis for prevention studies
      and their relevance to human disease.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is difficult to cure, so its prevention is very important. For
      this purpose, animal model studies are necessary to develop effective methods.
      Injection of N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) into Syrian golden hamsters is
      known to induce pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, the histology of which is
      similar to human tumors. Moreover, K-ras activation by point mutations and p16
      inactivation by aberrant methylation of 5' CpG islands or by homozygous deletions
      have been frequently observed in common in both the hamster and humans. Thus,
      this chemical carcinogenesis model has an advantage of histopathological and
      genetic similarity to human pancreatic cancer, and it is useful to study
      promotive and suppressive factors. Syrian golden hamsters are in a hyperlipidemic
      state even under normal dietary conditions, and a ligand of peroxizome
      proliferator-activated receptor gamma was found to improve the hyperlipidemia and
      suppress pancreatic carcinogenesis. Chronic inflammation is a known important
      risk factor, and selective inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase and
      cyclooxygenase-2 also have protective effects against pancreatic cancer
      development. Anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperlipidemic agents can thus be
      considered candidate chemopreventive agents deserving more attention. 

PMID- 24212631
TI  - Advances in Viral Vector-Based TRAIL Gene Therapy for Cancer.
AB  - Numerous biologic approaches are being investigated as anti-cancer therapies in
      an attempt to induce tumor regression while circumventing the toxic side effects
      associated with standard chemo- or radiotherapies. Among these, tumor necrosis
      factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has shown particular promise in
      pre-clinical and early clinical trials, due to its preferential ability to induce
      apoptotic cell death in cancer cells and its minimal toxicity. One limitation of
      TRAIL use is the fact that many tumor types display an inherent resistance to
      TRAIL-induced apoptosis. To circumvent this problem, researchers have explored a
      number of strategies to optimize TRAIL delivery and to improve its efficacy via
      co-administration with other anti-cancer agents. In this review, we will focus on
      TRAIL-based gene therapy approaches for the treatment of malignancies. We will
      discuss the main viral vectors that are being used for TRAIL gene therapy and the
      strategies that are currently being attempted to improve the efficacy of TRAIL as
      an anti-cancer therapeutic. 

PMID- 24212628
TI  - Protein kinase C: an attractive target for cancer therapy.
AB  - Apoptosis plays an important role during all stages of carcinogenesis and the
      development of chemoresistance in tumor cells may be due to their selective
      defects in the intracellular signaling proteins, central to apoptotic pathways.
      Consequently, many studies have focused on rendering the chemotherapy more
      effective in order to prevent chemoresistance and pre-clinical and clinical data
      has suggested that protein kinase C (PKC) may represent an attractive target for
      cancer therapy. Therefore, a complete understanding of how PKC regulates
      apoptosis and chemoresistance may lead to obtaining a PKC-based therapy that is
      able to reduce drug dosages and to prevent the development of chemoresistance. 

PMID- 24212632
TI  - Treatment resistance mechanisms of malignant glioma tumor stem cells.
AB  - Malignant gliomas are highly lethal because of their resistance to conventional
      treatments. Recent evidence suggests that a minor subpopulation of cells with
      stem cell properties reside within these tumors. These tumor stem cells are more
      resistant to radiation and chemotherapies than their counterpart differentiated
      tumor cells and may underlie the persistence and recurrence of tumors following
      treatment. The various mechanisms by which tumor stem cells avoid or repair the
      damaging effects of cancer therapies are discussed. 

PMID- 24212633
TI  - Current surgical aspects of palliative treatment for unresectable pancreatic
      cancer.
AB  - Despite all improvements in both surgical and other conservative therapies,
      pancreatic cancer is steadily associated with a poor overall prognosis and
      remains a major cause of cancer mortality. Radical surgical resection has been
      established as the best chance these patients have for long-term survival.
      However, in most cases the disease has reached an incurable state at the time of
      diagnosis, mainly due to the silent clinical course at its early stages. The role
      of palliative surgery in locally advanced pancreatic cancer mainly involves
      patients who are found unresectable during open surgical exploration and consists
      of combined biliary and duodenal bypass procedures. Chemical splanchnicectomy is
      another modality that should also be applied intraoperatively with good results.
      There are no randomized controlled trials evaluating the outcomes of palliative
      pancreatic resection. Nevertheless, data from retrospective reports suggest that
      this practice, compared with bypass procedures, may lead to improved survival
      without increasing perioperative morbidity and mortality. All efforts at
      developing a more effective treatment for unresectable pancreatic cancer have
      been directed towards neoadjuvant and targeted therapies. The scenario of
      downstaging tumors in anticipation of a future oncological surgical resection has
      been advocated by trials combining gemcitabine with radiation therapy or with the
      tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib, with promising early results. 

PMID- 24212634
TI  - Palliative interventional and surgical therapy for unresectable pancreatic
      cancer.
AB  - Palliative treatment concepts are considered in patients with non-curatively
      resectable and/or metastasized pancreatic cancer. However, patients without
      metastases, but presented with marginally resectable or locally non-resectable
      tumors should not be treated by a palliative therapeutic approach. These patients
      should be enrolled in neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy trials because a potentially
      curative resection can be achieved in approximately one-third of them after
      finishing treatment and restaging. Within the scope of best possible palliative
      care, resection of the primary cancer together with excision of metastases
      represents a therapeutic option to be contemplated in selected cases.
      Comprehensive palliative therapy is based on treatment of bile duct or duodenal
      obstruction for certain locally unresectable or metastasized advanced pancreatic
      cancer. However, endoscopic or percutaneous stenting procedures and surgical
      bypass provide safe and highly effective therapeutic alternatives. In case of
      operative drainage of the biliary tract (biliodigestive anastomosis), the
      prophylactic creation of a gastro-intestinal bypass (double bypass) is
      recommended. The decision to perform a surgical versus an endoscopic procedure
      for palliation depends to a great extent on the tumor stage and the estimated
      prognosis, and should be determined by an interdisciplinary team for each patient
      individually. 

PMID- 24212635
TI  - Ras Isoprenylation and pAkt Inhibition by Zoledronic Acid and Fluvastatin
      Enhances Paclitaxel Activity in T24 Bladder Cancer Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonates interfere with the mevalonate pathway and inhibit the
      prenylation of small GTP-binding proteins such as ras and rap. We hypothesized
      that zoledronic acid would synergistically inhibit T24 bladder cancer cell growth
      in combination with fluvastatin and paclitaxel. METHODS: Increasing doses of
      fluvastatin, zoledronic acid, and paclitaxel were investigated as single agents
      and in combination, and synergistic interactions were evaluated by the Chou
      Talalay method. Western blots were used to assess effects on signal transduction
      pathways. RESULTS: Growth of T24 was significantly inhibited with IC50 values of
      2.67 +/- 0.61 mM for fluvastatin and 5.35 +/- 1.35 mM for zoledronic acid after
      72 hours treatment. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate was
      able to block, in part, this inhibitory activity. The combinations of zoledronic
      acid and paclitaxel, zoledronic acid and fluvastatin, and fluvastatin and
      paclitaxel were all synergistic. Both fluvastatin and zoledronic acid inhibited
      Ras and Rap prenylation, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT. The degree of
      inhibition of phosphorylation of these key signaling transduction pathways
      appears to closely correlate with their synergistic interactions. CONCLUSIONS:
      Zoledronic acid enhances fluvastatin and paclitaxel activity against T24 in a
      synergistic manner and this is mediated largely by inhibition of both the
      Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways via isoprenylation inhibition.

PMID- 24212636
TI  - Treatment of pancreatic cancer: what can we really predict today?
AB  - Managing pancreatic cancer remains a big challenge due to its worse course and
      prognosis. However, therapeutic options and multimodal strategies are increasing
      nowadays, including new agents, new regimens and chemoradiation. Recently, the
      FOLFIRINOX regimen has been reported to be more active than gemcitabine in
      selected metastatic patients. In this setting, it will be of utmost interest to
      guide our therapeutic choice not only on clinical and pathological findings, but
      also on specific biomarkers that will predict tumor behavior and patient outcome
      (prognostic markers), and benefit from specific agents or regimens (predictive
      markers). In the near future, we will have to build both our therapeutic
      interventions and our clinical research based on an accurate patients' clinical
      selection and on biomolecular markers. In this review, we aimed to highlight and
      discuss some of the recent results reported on biomarkers in pancreatic cancer
      that may predict, i.e., preferential metastatic diffusion after surgery, like
      CXCR4, or predict gemcitabine efficacy in an adjuvant setting as well as in
      advanced disease, like hENT1. An important effort for translational research in
      pancreatic cancer research is thus required to validate such markers, while some
      important questions concerning tissue availability and processing, methodology of
      analysis, and design of future prospective trials, need to be addressed. 

PMID- 24212637
TI  - Involvement of COUP-TFs in Cancer Progression.
AB  - The orphan receptors COUP-TFI and COUP-TFII are members of the nuclear receptor
      superfamily that play distinct and critical roles in vertebrate organogenesis, as
      demonstrated by loss-of-function COUP-TFI and/or COUP-TFII mutant mice. Although
      COUP-TFs are expressed in a wide range of tissues in adults, little is known
      about their functions at later stages of development or in organism homeostasis.
      COUP-TFs are expressed in cancer cell lines of various origins and increasing
      studies suggest they play roles in cell fate determination and, potentially, in
      cancer progression. Nevertheless, the exact roles of COUP-TFs in these processes
      remain unclear and even controversial. In this review, we report both in vitro
      and in vivo data describing known and suspected actions of COUP-TFs that suggest
      that these factors are involved in modification of the phenotype of cancer cells,
      notably of epithelial origin. 

PMID- 24212638
TI  - Metastatic tumor dormancy in cutaneous melanoma: does surgery induce escape?
AB  - According to the concept of tumor dormancy, tumor cells may exist as single cells
      or microscopic clusters of cells that are clinically undetectable, but remain
      viable and have the potential for malignant outgrowth. At metastatic sites,
      escape from tumor dormancy under more favorable local microenvironmental
      conditions or through other, yet undefined stimuli, may account for distant
      recurrence after supposed "cure" following surgical treatment of the primary
      tumor. The vast majority of evidence to date in support of the concept of tumor
      dormancy originates from animal studies; however, extensive epidemiologic data
      from breast cancer strongly suggests that this process does occur in human
      disease. In this review, we aim to demonstrate that metastatic tumor dormancy
      does exist in cutaneous melanoma based on evidence from mouse models and clinical
      observations of late recurrence and occult transmission by organ transplantation.
      Experimental data underscores the critical role of impaired angiogenesis and
      immune regulation as major mechanisms for maintenance of tumor dormancy. Finally,
      we examine evidence for the role of surgery in promoting escape from tumor
      dormancy at metastatic sites in cutaneous melanoma. 

PMID- 24212640
TI  - A Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Evidence for Complementary and
      Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Cancer.
AB  - In spite of lacking evidence for effects on cancer progression itself, an
      increasing number of cancer patients use various types of complementary and
      alternative medicine (CAM). There is disagreement between CAM practitioners,
      researchers and clinical oncologists, as to how evidence concerning effects of
      CAM can and should be produced, and how the existing evidence should be
      interpreted. This represents a considerable challenge for oncologists; both in
      terms of patient needs for an informed dialogue regarding CAM, and because some
      types of CAM may interact with standard treatments. There is a need for insight
      into which kinds of CAM may work, for whom they work, what the possible effects
      and side-effects are, and in what ways such effects may come about. The present
      article presents a framework for evaluating effects of CAM by suggesting a
      taxonomy of different levels of evidence related to different types of research
      questions and discussing the relevance of different research methodologies for
      different types of effects. 

PMID- 24212639
TI  - Recently identified biomarkers that promote lymph node metastasis in head and
      neck squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous cancer that
      arises in the upper aerodigestive tract. Despite advances in knowledge and
      treatment of this disease, the five-year survival rate after diagnosis of
      advanced (stage 3 and 4) HNSCC remains approximately 50%. One reason for the
      large degree of mortality associated with late stage HNSCC is the intrinsic
      ability of tumor cells to undergo locoregional invasion. Lymph nodes in the
      cervical region are the primary sites of metastasis for HNSCC, occurring before
      the formation of distant metastases. The presence of lymph node metastases is
      strongly associated with poor patient outcome, resulting in increased
      consideration being given to the development and implementation of anti-invasive
      strategies. In this review, we focus on select proteins that have been recently
      identified as promoters of lymph node metastasis in HNSCC. The discussed proteins
      are involved in a wide range of critical cellular functions, and offer a more
      comprehensive understanding of the factors involved in HNSCC metastasis while
      additionally providing increased options for consideration in the design of
      future therapeutic intervention strategies. 

PMID- 24212641
TI  - Mastic oil inhibits the metastatic phenotype of mouse lung adenocarcinoma cells.
AB  - Mastic oil from Pistacia lentiscus variation chia, a natural combination of
      bioactive terpenes, has been shown to exert anti-tumor growth effects against a
      broad spectrum of cancers including mouse Lewis lung adenocarcinomas (LLC).
      However, no studies have addressed its anti-metastatic actions. In this study, we
      showed that treatment of LLC cells with mastic oil within a range of non-toxic
      concentrations (0.01-0.04% v/v): (a) abrogated their Matrigel invasion and
      migration capabilities in transwell assays; (b) reduced the levels of secreted
      MMP-2; (c) restricted phorbol ester-induced actin remodeling and (d) limited the
      length of neo-vessel networks in tumor microenvironment in the model of chick
      embryo chorioallantoic membrane. Moreover, exposure of LLC and endothelial cells
      to mastic oil impaired their adhesive interactions in a co-culture assay and
      reduced the expression of key adhesion molecules by endothelial cells upon their
      stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Overall, this study provides novel
      evidence supporting a multipotent role for mastic oil in prevention of crucial
      processes related to cancer metastasis. 

PMID- 24212643
TI  - Molecular endoscopic ultrasound for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration-biopsy is a safe and
      effective technique in diagnosing and staging of pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinoma. However its predictive negative value does not exceed 50% to 60%.
      Unfortunately, the majority of pancreatic cancer patients have a metastatic
      and/or a locally advanced disease (i.e., not eligible for curative resection)
      which explains the limited access to pancreatic tissue specimens. Endoscopic
      ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration-biopsy is the most widely used approach
      for cytological and histological material sampling in these situations used in up
      to two thirds of patients with pancreatic cancer. Based on this unique material,
      we and others developed strategies to improve the differential diagnosis between
      carcinoma and inflammatory pancreatic lesions by analysis of KRAS oncogene
      mutation, microRNA expression and methylation, as well as mRNA expression using
      both qRT-PCR and Low Density Array Taqman analysis. Indeed, differentiating
      pancreatic cancer from pseudotumoral chronic pancreatitis remains very difficult
      in current clinical practice, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle
      aspiration-biopsy analysis proved to be very helpful. In this review, we will
      compile the clinical and molecular advantages of using endoscopic ultrasound
      guided fine needle aspiration-biopsy in managing pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 24212644
TI  - Components of cell-matrix linkage as potential new markers for prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer is one of the most common tumor diseases worldwide. Often being
      non-aggressive, prostate tumors in these cases do not need immediate treatment.
      However, about 20% of diagnosed prostate cancers tend to metastasize and require
      treatment. Existing diagnostic methods may fail to accurately recognize the
      transition of a dormant, non-aggressive tumor into highly malignant prostate
      cancer. Therefore, new diagnostic tools are needed to improve diagnosis and
      therapy of prostate carcinoma. This review evaluates existing methods to diagnose
      prostate carcinoma, such as the biochemical marker prostate-specific antigen
      (PSA), but also discusses the possibility to use the altered expression of
      integrins and laminin-332 in prostate carcinomas as diagnostic tools and
      therapeutic targets of prostate cancer. 

PMID- 24212642
TI  - Growth factor mediated signaling in pancreatic pathogenesis.
AB  - Functionally, the pancreas consists of two types of tissues: exocrine and
      endocrine. Exocrine pancreatic disorders mainly involve acute and chronic
      pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis typically is benign, while chronic pancreatitis
      is considered a risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic
      carcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Most
      pancreatic cancers develop in the exocrine tissues. Endocrine pancreatic tumors
      are more uncommon, and typically are less aggressive than exocrine tumors.
      However, the endocrine pancreatic disorder, diabetes, is a dominant cause of
      morbidity and mortality. Importantly, different growth factors and their
      receptors play critical roles in pancreatic pathogenesis. Hence, an improved
      understanding of how various growth factors affect pancreatitis and pancreatic
      carcinoma is necessary to determine appropriate treatment. This chapter describes
      the role of different growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF),
      fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming
      growth factor (TGF) in various pancreatic pathophysiologies. Finally, the
      crosstalk between different growth factor axes and their respective signaling
      mechanisms, which are involved in pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma, are also
      discussed. 

PMID- 24212645
TI  - Tissue Transglutaminase (TG2)-Induced Inflammation in Initiation, Progression,
      and Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among the deadliest cancers, with a median survival of
      six months. It is generally believed that infiltrating PC arises through the
      progression of early grade pancreatic intraepithelial lesions (PanINs). In one
      model of the disease, the K-ras mutation is an early molecular event during
      progression of pancreatic cancer; it is followed by the accumulation of
      additional genetic abnormalities. This model has been supported by animal studies
      in which activated K-ras and p53 mutations produced metastatic pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinoma in mice. According to this model, oncogenic K-ras induces PanIN
      formation but fails to promote the invasive stage. However, when these mice are
      subjected to caerulein treatment, which induces a chronic pancreatitis-like state
      and inflammatory response, PanINs rapidly progress to invasive carcinoma. These
      results are consistent with epidemiologic studies showing that patients with
      chronic pancreatitis have a much higher risk of developing PC. In line with these
      observations, recent studies have revealed elevated expression of the pro
      inflammatory protein tissue transglutaminase (TG2) in early PanINs, and its
      expression increases even more as the disease progresses. In this review we
      discuss the implications of increased TG2 expression in initiation, progression,
      and pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 24212646
TI  - Protein kinase a in cancer.
AB  - In the past, many chromosomal and genetic alterations have been examined as
      possible causes of cancer. However, some tumors do not display a clear molecular
      and/or genetic signature. Therefore, other cellular processes may be involved in
      carcinogenesis. Genetic alterations of proteins involved in signal transduction
      have been extensively studied, for example oncogenes, while modifications in
      intracellular compartmentalization of these molecules, or changes in the
      expression of unmodified genes have received less attention. Yet, epigenetic
      modulation of second messenger systems can deeply modify cellular functioning and
      in the end may cause instability of many processes, including cell mitosis. It is
      important to understand the functional meaning of modifications in second
      messenger intracellular pathways and unravel the role of downstream proteins in
      the initiation and growth of tumors. Within this framework, the cAMP system has
      been examined. cAMP is a second messenger involved in regulation of a variety of
      cellular functions. It acts mainly through its binding to cAMP-activated protein
      kinases (PKA), that were suggested to participate in the onset and progression of
      various tumors. PKA may represent a biomarker for tumor detection, identification
      and staging, and may be a potential target for pharmacological treatment of
      tumors. 

PMID- 24212647
TI  - Inflammation and tumor microenvironment in lymph node metastasis.
AB  - In nearly all human cancers, the presence of lymph node (LN) metastasis increases
      clinical staging and portends worse prognosis (compared to patients without LN
      metastasis). Herein, principally reviewing experimental and clinical data related
      to malignant melanoma, we discuss diverse factors that are mechanistically
      involved in LN metastasis. We highlight recent data that link tumor
      microenvironment, including inflammation (at the cellular and cytokine levels)
      and tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis, with nodal metastasis. Many of the newly
      identified genes that appear to influence LN metastasis facilitate general
      motility, chemotactic, or invasive properties that also increase the ability of
      cancer cells to disseminate and survive at distant organ sites. These new
      biomarkers will help predict clinical outcome and point to novel future therapies
      in metastatic melanoma as well as other cancers. 

PMID- 24212648
TI  - An evolutionary explanation for the perturbation of the dynamics of metastatic
      tumors induced by surgery and acute inflammation.
AB  - Surgery has contributed to unveil a tumor behavior that is difficult to reconcile
      with the models of tumorigenesis based on gradualism. The postsurgical patterns
      of progression include unexpected features such as distant interactions and
      variable rhythms. The underlying evidence can be summarized as follows: (1) the
      resection of the primary tumor is able to accelerate the evolution of
      micrometastasis in early stages, and (2) the outcome is transiently opposed in
      advanced tumors. The objective of this paper is to give some insight into
      tumorigenesis and surgery-related effects, by applying the concepts of the
      evolutionary theory in those tumor behaviors that gompertzian and tissular
      centered models are unable to explain. According to this view, tumors are the
      consequence of natural selection operating at the somatic level, which is the
      basic mechanism of tumorigenesis, notwithstanding the complementary role of the
      intrinsic constrictions of complex networks. A tumor is a complicated phenomenon
      that entails growth, evolution and development simultaneously. So, an evo-devo
      perspective can explain how and why tumor subclones are able to translate
      competition from a metabolic level into neoangiogenesis and the immune response.
      The paper proposes that distant interactions are an extension of the ecological
      events at the local level. This notion explains the evolutionary basis for tumor
      dormancy, and warns against the teleological view of tumorigenesis as a process
      directed towards the maximization of a concrete trait such as aggressiveness. 

PMID- 24212649
TI  - Muscarinic receptor signaling in colon cancer.
AB  - According to the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, colon cancer results from
      accumulating somatic gene mutations; environmental growth factors accelerate and
      augment this process. For example, diets rich in meat and fat increase fecal bile
      acids and colon cancer risk. In rodent cancer models, increased fecal bile acids
      promote colon dysplasia. Conversely, in rodents and in persons with inflammatory
      bowel disease, low-dose ursodeoxycholic acid treatment alters fecal bile acid
      composition and attenuates colon neoplasia. In the course of elucidating the
      mechanism underlying these actions, we discovered that bile acids interact
      functionally with intestinal muscarinic receptors. The present communication
      reviews muscarinic receptor expression in normal and neoplastic colon epithelium,
      the role of autocrine signaling following synthesis and release of acetylcholine
      from colon cancer cells, post-muscarinic receptor signaling including the role of
      transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptors and activation of the ERK
      and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, the structural biology and metabolism of bile
      acids and evidence for functional interaction of bile acids with muscarinic
      receptors on human colon cancer cells. In murine colon cancer models, deficiency
      of subtype 3 muscarinic receptors attenuates intestinal neoplasia; a proof-of
      concept supporting muscarinic receptor signaling as a therapeutic target for
      colon cancer. 

PMID- 24212650
TI  - Epigenetic Alteration by DNA Promoter Hypermethylation of Genes Related to
      Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) Signaling in Cancer.
AB  - Epigenetic alterations in cancer, especially DNA methylation and histone
      modification, exert a significant effect on the deregulated expression of cancer
      related genes and lay an epigenetic pathway to carcinogenesis and tumor
      progression. Global hypomethylation and local hypermethylation of CpG islands in
      the promoter region, which result in silencing tumor suppressor genes, constitute
      general and major epigenetic modification, the hallmark of the neoplastic
      epigenome. Additionally, methylation-induced gene silencing commonly affects a
      number of genes and increases with cancer progression. Indeed, cancers with a
      high degree of methylation (CpG island methylator phenotype/CIMP) do exist and
      represent a distinct subset of certain cancers including colorectal, bladder and
      kidney. On the other hand, signals from the microenvironment, especially those
      from transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), induce targeted de novo
      epigenetic alterations of cancer-related genes. While TGF-beta signaling has been
      implicated in two opposite roles in cancer, namely tumor suppression and tumor
      promotion, its deregulation is also partly induced by epigenetic alteration
      itself. Although the epigenetic pathway to carcinogenesis and cancer progression
      has such reciprocal complexity, the important issue is to identify genes or
      signaling pathways that are commonly silenced in various cancers in order to find
      early diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In this review, we focus on the
      epigenetic alteration by DNA methylation and its role in molecular modulations of
      the TGF-beta signaling pathway that cause or underlie altered cancer-related gene
      expression in both phases of early carcinogenesis and late cancer progression. 

PMID- 24212651
TI  - Role of p53 in Cell Death and Human Cancers.
AB  - p53 is a nuclear transcription factor with a pro-apoptotic function. Since over
      50% of human cancers carry loss of function mutations in p53 gene, p53 has been
      considered to be one of the classical type tumor suppressors. Mutant p53 acts as
      the dominant-negative inhibitor toward wild-type p53. Indeed, mutant p53 has an
      oncogenic potential. In some cases, malignant cancer cells bearing p53 mutations
      display a chemo-resistant phenotype. In response to a variety of cellular
      stresses such as DNA damage, p53 is induced to accumulate in cell nucleus to
      exert its pro-apoptotic function. Activated p53 promotes cell cycle arrest to
      allow DNA repair and/or apoptosis to prevent the propagation of cells with
      serious DNA damage through the transactivation of its target genes implicated in
      the induction of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. Thus, the DNA-binding
      activity of p53 is tightly linked to its tumor suppressive function. In the
      present review article, we describe the regulatory mechanisms of p53 and also p53
      mediated therapeutic strategies to cure malignant cancers. 

PMID- 24212652
TI  - Targets and mechanisms of photodynamic therapy in lung cancer cells: a brief
      overview.
AB  - Lung cancer remains one of the most common cancer-related causes of death. This
      type of cancer typically develops over a period of many years, and if detected at
      an early enough stage can be eliminated by a variety of treatments including
      photodynamic therapy (PDT). A critical discussion on the clinical applications of
      PDT in lung cancer is well outside the scope of the present report, which, in
      turn focuses on mechanistic and other aspects of the photodynamic action at a
      molecular and cellular level. The knowledge of these issues at pre-clinical
      levels is necessary to develop, check and adopt appropriate clinical protocols in
      the future. This report, besides providing general information, includes a brief
      overview of present experimental PDT and provides some non-exhaustive information
      on current strategies aimed at further improving the efficacy, especially in
      regard to lung cancer cells. 

PMID- 24212653
TI  - Cell-centric view of apoptosis and apoptotic cell death-inducing antitumoral
      strategies.
AB  - Programmed cell death and especially apoptotic cell death, occurs under
      physiological conditions and is also desirable under pathological circumstances.
      However, the more we learn about cellular signaling cascades, the less plausible
      it becomes to find restricted and well-limited signaling pathways. In this
      context, an extensive description of pathway-connections is necessary in order to
      point out the main regulatory molecules as well as to select the most appropriate
      therapeutic targets. On the other hand, irregularities in programmed cell death
      pathways often lead to tumor development and cancer-related mortality is
      projected to continue increasing despite the effort to develop more active and
      selective antitumoral compounds. In fact, tumor cell plasticity represents a
      major challenge in chemotherapy and improvement on anticancer therapies seems to
      rely on appropriate drug combinations. An overview of the current status
      regarding apoptotic pathways as well as available chemotherapeutic compounds
      provides a new perspective of possible future anticancer strategies. 

PMID- 24212654
TI  - Gold nanostructures as a platform for combinational therapy in future cancer
      therapeutics.
AB  - The field of nanotechnology is currently undergoing explosive development on many
      fronts. The technology is expected to generate innovations and play a critical
      role in cancer therapeutics. Among other nanoparticle (NP) systems, there has
      been tremendous progress made in the use of spherical gold NPs (GNPs), gold
      nanorods (GNRs), gold nanoshells (GNSs) and gold nanocages (GNCs) in cancer
      therapeutics. In treating cancer, radiation therapy and chemotherapy remain the
      most widely used treatment options and recent developments in cancer research
      show that the incorporation of gold nanostructures into these protocols has
      enhanced tumor cell killing. These nanostructures further provide strategies for
      better loading, targeting, and controlling the release of drugs to minimize the
      side effects of highly toxic anticancer drugs used in chemotherapy and
      photodynamic therapy. In addition, the heat generation capability of gold
      nanostructures upon exposure to UV or near infrared light is being used to damage
      tumor cells locally in photothermal therapy. Hence, gold nanostructures provide a
      versatile platform to integrate many therapeutic options leading to effective
      combinational therapy in the fight against cancer. In this review article, the
      recent progress in the development of gold-based NPs towards improved
      therapeutics will be discussed. A multifunctional platform based on gold
      nanostructures with targeting ligands, therapeutic molecules, and imaging
      contrast agents, holds an array of promising directions for cancer research. 

PMID- 24212655
TI  - Drug treatment of cancer cell lines: a way to select for cancer stem cells?
AB  - Tumors are generally composed of different cell types. In recent years, it has
      been shown that in many types of cancers a subset of cells show peculiar
      characteristics, such as the ability to induce tumors when engrafted into host
      animals, self-renew and being immortal, and give rise to a differentiated
      progeny. These cells have been defined as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor
      initiating cells. CSCs can be isolated both from tumor specimens and established
      cancer cell lines on the basis of their ability to exclude fluorescent dyes,
      express specific cell surface markers or grow in particular culture conditions. A
      key feature of CSCs is their resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, which could
      contribute to the remaining of residual cancer cells after therapeutic
      treatments. It has been shown that CSC-like cells can be isolated after drug
      treatment of cancer cell lines; in this review, we will describe the strategies
      so far applied to identify and isolate CSCs. Furthermore, we will discuss the
      possible use of these selected populations to investigate CSC biology and develop
      new anticancer drugs. 

PMID- 24212656
TI  - Genetic alterations in glioma.
AB  - Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor and have a dismal
      prognosis. Understanding the genetic alterations that drive glioma formation and
      progression may help improve patient prognosis by identification of novel
      treatment targets. Recently, two major studies have performed in-depth mutation
      analysis of glioblastomas (the most common and aggressive subtype of glioma).
      This systematic approach revealed three major pathways that are affected in
      glioblastomas: The receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathway, the TP53 pathway
      and the pRB pathway. Apart from frequent mutations in the IDH1/2 gene, much less
      is known about the causal genetic changes of grade II and III (anaplastic)
      gliomas. Exceptions include TP53 mutations and fusion genes involving the BRAF
      gene in astrocytic and pilocytic glioma subtypes, respectively. In this review,
      we provide an update on all common events involved in the initiation and/or
      progression across the different subtypes of glioma and provide future directions
      for research into the genetic changes. 

PMID- 24212657
TI  - Retrotransposon-encoded reverse transcriptase in the genesis, progression and
      cellular plasticity of human cancer.
AB  - LINE-1 (Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements) and HERVs (Human Endogenous
      Retroviruses) are two families of autonomously replicating retrotransposons that
      together account for about 28% of the human genome. Genes harbored within LINE-1
      and HERV retrotransposons, particularly those encoding the reverse transcriptase
      (RT) enzyme, are generally expressed at low levels in differentiated cells, but
      their expression is upregulated in transformed cells and embryonic tissues. Here
      we discuss a recently discovered RT-dependent mechanism that operates in
      tumorigenesis and reversibly modulates phenotypic and functional variations
      associated with tumor progression. Downregulation of active LINE-1 elements
      drastically reduces the tumorigenic potential of cancer cells, paralleled by
      reduced proliferation and increased differentiation. Pharmacological RT
      inhibitors (e.g., nevirapine and efavirenz) exert similar effects on tumorigenic
      cell lines, both in culture and in animal models. The HERV-K family play a
      distinct complementary role in stress-dependent transition of melanoma cells from
      an adherent, non-aggressive, to a non-adherent, highly malignant, growth
      phenotype. In synthesis, the retrotransposon-encoded RT is increasingly emerging
      as a key regulator of tumor progression and a promising target in a novel anti
      cancer therapy. 

PMID- 24212658
TI  - Implication of heat shock factors in tumorigenesis: therapeutical potential.
AB  - Heat Shock Factors (HSF) form a family of transcription factors (four in mammals)
      which were named according to the discovery of their activation by a heat shock.
      HSFs trigger the expression of genes encoding Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) that
      function as molecular chaperones, contributing to establish a cytoprotective
      state to various proteotoxic stresses and in pathological conditions. Increasing
      evidence indicates that this ancient transcriptional protective program acts
      genome-widely and performs unexpected functions in the absence of experimentally
      defined stress. Indeed, HSFs are able to re-shape cellular pathways controlling
      longevity, growth, metabolism and development. The most well studied HSF, HSF1,
      has been found at elevated levels in tumors with high metastatic potential and is
      associated with poor prognosis. This is partly explained by the above-mentioned
      cytoprotective (HSP-dependent) function that may enable cancer cells to adapt to
      the initial oncogenic stress and to support malignant transformation.
      Nevertheless, HSF1 operates as major multifaceted enhancers of tumorigenesis
      through, not only the induction of classical heat shock genes, but also of "non
      classical" targets. Indeed, in cancer cells, HSF1 regulates genes involved in
      core cellular functions including proliferation, survival, migration, protein
      synthesis, signal transduction, and glucose metabolism, making HSF1 a very
      attractive target in cancer therapy. In this review, we describe the different
      physiological roles of HSFs as well as the recent discoveries in term of non
      cogenic potential of these HSFs, more specifically associated to the activation
      of "non-classical" HSF target genes. We also present an update on the compounds
      with potent HSF1-modulating activity of potential interest as anti-cancer
      therapeutic agents. 

PMID- 24212659
TI  - Cardiac Hormones Target the Ras-MEK 1/2-ERK 1/2 Kinase Cancer Signaling Pathways.
AB  - The heart is a sophisticated endocrine gland synthesizing the atrial natriuretic
      peptide prohormone which contains four peptide hormones, i.e., atrial natriuretic
      peptide, vessel dilator, kaliuretic peptide and long-acting natriuretic peptide,
      which decrease up to 97% of human pancreatic, breast, colon, prostate, kidney and
      ovarian carcinomas as well as small-cell and squamous cell lung cancer cells in
      cell culture. In vivo, these four cardiac hormones eliminate up to 80% of human
      pancreatic adenocarcinomas, two-thirds of human breast cancers, and up to 86% of
      human small-cell lung cancers growing in athymic mice. Their signaling in cancer
      cells includes inhibition of up to 95% of the basal activity of Ras, 98%
      inhibition of the phosphorylation of the MEK 1/2 kinases and 97% inhibition of
      the activation of basal activity of the ERK 1/2 kinases mediated via the
      intracellular messenger cyclic GMP. They also completely block the activity of
      mitogens such as epidermal growth factor's ability to stimulate ERK and Ras. They
      do not inhibit the activity of ERK in healthy cells such as human fibroblasts.
      The final step in their anticancer mechanism of action is that they enter the
      nucleus as demonstrated by immunocytochemical studies to inhibit DNA synthesis
      within cancer cells. 

PMID- 24212660
TI  - Current state of surgical management of pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is still associated with a poor prognosis and remains-as the
      fourth leading cause of cancer related mortality-a therapeutic challenge. Overall
      long-term survival is about 1-5%, and in only 10-20% of pancreatic cancer
      patients is potentially curative surgery possible, increasing five-year survival
      rates to approximately 20-25%. Pancreatic surgery is a technically challenging
      procedure and has significantly changed during the past decades with regard to
      technical aspects as well as perioperative care. Standardized resections can be
      carried out with low morbidity and mortality below 5% in high volume
      institutions. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that also more extended
      resections including multivisceral approaches, vessel reconstructions or surgery
      for tumor recurrence can be carried out safely with favorable outcomes. The
      impact of adjuvant treatment, especially chemotherapy, has increased dramatically
      within recent years, leading to significantly improved postoperative survival,
      making pancreatic cancer therapy an interdisciplinary approach to achieve best
      results. 

PMID- 24212661
TI  - The Prognostic Impact of p53 Expression on Sporadic Colorectal Cancer Is
      Dependent on p21 Status.
AB  - The prognostic value of p53 and p21 expression in colorectal cancer is still
      under debate. We hypothesize that the prognostic impact of p53 expression is
      dependent on p21 status. The expression of p53 and p21 was immunohistochemically
      investigated in a prospective cohort of 116 patients with UICC stage II and III
      sporadic colorectal cancer. The results were correlated with overall and
      recurrence-free survival. The mean observation period was 51.8 +/- 2.5 months.
      Expression of p53 was observed in 72 tumors (63%). Overall survival was
      significantly better in patients with p53-positive carcinomas than in those
      without p53 expression (p = 0.048). No differences were found in recurrence-free
      survival (p = 0.161). The p53+/p21- combination was seen in 68% (n = 49), the
      p53+/p21+ combination in 32% (n = 23). Patients with p53+/p21- carcinomas had
      significantly better overall and recurrence-free survival than those with
      p53+/p21+ (p < 0.0001 resp. p = 0.003). Our data suggest that the prognostic
      impact of p53 expression on sporadic colorectal cancer is dependent on p21
      status. 

PMID- 24212662
TI  - Glutathione in cancer cell death.
AB  - Glutathione (L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine; GSH) in cancer cells is
      particularly relevant in the regulation of carcinogenic mechanisms; sensitivity
      against cytotoxic drugs, ionizing radiations, and some cytokines; DNA synthesis;
      and cell proliferation and death. The intracellular thiol redox state (controlled
      by GSH) is one of the endogenous effectors involved in regulating the
      mitochondrial permeability transition pore complex and, in consequence, thiol
      oxidation can be a causal factor in the mitochondrion-based mechanism that leads
      to cell death. Nevertheless GSH depletion is a common feature not only of
      apoptosis but also of other types of cell death. Indeed rates of GSH synthesis
      and fluxes regulate its levels in cellular compartments, and potentially
      influence switches among different mechanisms of death. How changes in gene
      expression, post-translational modifications of proteins, and signaling cascades
      are implicated will be discussed. Furthermore, this review will finally analyze
      whether GSH depletion may facilitate cancer cell death under in vivo conditions,
      and how this can be applied to cancer therapy. 

PMID- 24212663
TI  - Cancer stem cells in breast cancer.
AB  - The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory is generally acknowledged as an important field
      of cancer research, not only as an academic matter but also as a crucial aspect
      of clinical practice. CSCs share a variety of biological properties with normal
      somatic stem cells in self-renewal, the propagation of differentiated progeny,
      the expression of specific cell markers and stem cell genes, and the utilization
      of common signaling pathways and the stem cell niche. However, CSCs differ from
      normal stem cells in their chemoresistance and their tumorigenic and metastatic
      activities. In this review, we focus on recent reports regarding the
      identification of CSC markers and the molecular mechanism of CSC phenotypes to
      understand the basic properties and molecular target of CSCs. In addition, we
      especially focus on the CSCs of breast cancer since the use of neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy can lead to the enrichment of CSCs in patients with that disease.
      The identification of CSC markers and an improved understanding of the molecular
      mechanism of CSC phenotypes should lead to progress in cancer therapy and
      improved prognoses for patients with cancer. 

PMID- 24212664
TI  - The Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib Sensitizes AML with Myelomonocytic
      Differentiation to TRAIL Mediated Apoptosis.
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive stem cell malignancy that is
      difficult to treat. There are limitations to the current treatment regimes
      especially after disease relapse, and therefore new therapeutic agents are
      urgently required which can overcome drug resistance whilst avoiding unnecessary
      toxicity. Among newer targeted agents, both tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related
      apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and proteasome inhibitors show particular
      promise. In this report we show that a combination of the proteasome inhibitor
      bortezomib and TRAIL is effective against AML cell lines, in particular, AML cell
      lines displaying myelomonocytic/monocytic phenotype (M4/M5 AML based on FAB
      classification), which account for 20-30% of AML cases. We show that the
      underlying mechanism of sensitization is at least in part due to bortezomib
      mediated downregulation of c-FLIP and XIAP, which is likely to be regulated by NF
      kappaB. Blockage of NF-kappaB activation with BMS-345541 equally sensitized
      myelomonocytic AML cell lines and primary AML blasts to TRAIL. 

PMID- 24212665
TI  - Cisplatin as an anti-tumor drug: cellular mechanisms of activity, drug resistance
      and induced side effects.
AB  - Platinum complexes are clinically used as adjuvant therapy of cancers aiming to
      induce tumor cell death. Depending on cell type and concentration, cisplatin
      induces cytotoxicity, e.g., by interference with transcription and/or DNA
      replication mechanisms. Additionally, cisplatin damages tumors via induction of
      apoptosis, mediated by the activation of various signal transduction pathways,
      including calcium signaling, death receptor signaling, and the activation of
      mitochondrial pathways. Unfortunately, neither cytotoxicity nor apoptosis are
      exclusively induced in cancer cells, thus, cisplatin might also lead to diverse
      side-effects such as neuro- and/or renal-toxicity or bone marrow-suppression.
      Moreover, the binding of cisplatin to proteins and enzymes may modulate its
      biochemical mechanism of action. While a combination-chemotherapy with cisplatin
      is a cornerstone for the treatment of multiple cancers, the challenge is that
      cancer cells could become cisplatin-resistant. Numerous mechanisms of cisplatin
      resistance were described including changes in cellular uptake, drug efflux,
      increased detoxification, inhibition of apoptosis and increased DNA repair. To
      minimize cisplatin resistance, combinatorial therapies were developed and have
      proven more effective to defeat cancers. Thus, understanding of the biochemical
      mechanisms triggered by cisplatin in tumor cells may lead to the design of more
      efficient platinum derivates (or other drugs) and might provide new therapeutic
      strategies and reduce side effects. 

PMID- 24212666
TI  - Breast cancer-initiating cells: insights into novel treatment strategies.
AB  - There is accumulating evidence that breast cancer may arise from mutated mammary
      stem/progenitor cells which have been termed breast cancer-initiating cells
      (BCIC). BCIC identified in clinical specimens based on membrane phenotype
      (CD44+/CD24-/low and/or CD133+ expression) or enzymatic activity of aldehyde
      dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1+), have been demonstrated to have stem/progenitor cell
      properties, and are tumorigenic when injected in immunocompromized mice at very
      low concentrations. BCIC have also been isolated and in vitro propagated as non
      adherent spheres of undifferentiated cells, and stem cell patterns have been
      recognized even in cancer cell lines. Recent findings indicate that aberrant
      regulation of self renewal is central to cancer stem cell biology. Alterations in
      genes involved in self-renewal pathways, such as Wnt, Notch, sonic hedgehog, PTEN
      and BMI, proved to play a role in breast cancer progression. Hence, targeting key
      elements mediating the self renewal of BCIC represents an attractive option, with
      a solid rationale, clearly identifiable molecular targets, and adequate knowledge
      of the involved pathways. Possible concerns are related to the poor knowledge of
      tolerance and efficacy of inhibiting self-renewal mechanisms, because the latter
      are key pathways for a variety of biological functions and it is unknown whether
      their interference would kill BCIC or simply temporarily stop them. Thus, efforts
      to develop BCIC-targeted therapies should not only be focused on interfering on
      self-renewal, but could seek to identify additional molecular targets, like those
      involved in regulating EMT-related pathways, in reversing the MDR phenotype, in
      inducing differentiation and controlling cell survival pathways. 

PMID- 24212668
TI  - Clinical Response of Metastatic Breast Cancer to Multi-targeted Therapeutic
      Approach: A Single Case Report.
AB  - The present article describes the ongoing (partial) remission of a female patient
      (41 years old) from estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/progesterone receptor (PR)
      negative metastatic breast cancer in response to a combination treatment directed
      towards the revitalization of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (oxidative
      phosphorylation), the suppression of NF-kappaB as a factor triggering the
      inflammatory response, and chemotherapy with capecitabine. The reduction of tumor
      mass was evidenced by a continuing decline of CA15-3 and CEA tumor marker serum
      levels and 18FDG-PET-CT plus magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. It is concluded
      that such combination treatment might be a useful option for treating already
      formed metastases and for providing protection against the formation of
      metastases in ER positive breast cancer. The findings need to be corroborated by
      clinical trials. Whether similar results can be expected for other malignant
      tumor phenotypes relying on glycolysis as the main energy source remains to be
      elucidated. 

PMID- 24212669
TI  - Overexpression of CYP3A4 in a COLO 205 Colon Cancer Stem Cell Model in vitro.
AB  - Cancer stem cells (CSCs) seem to constitute a subpopulation of tumor cells that
      escape from chemotherapy and cause recurrent disease. Low proliferation rates,
      protection in a stem cell niche and overexpression of drug resistance proteins
      are considered to confer chemoresistance. We established an in vitro colon CSC
      like model using the COLO 205 cell line, which revealed transiently increased
      expression of CD133 when transferred to serum-free stem cell culture medium.
      Assessment of global gene expression of COLO 205 cells under these conditions
      identified a set of upregulated genes including cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and
      aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1), as confirmed by real-time qPCR. ALDH1A1 is
      a CSC marker for certain tumor entities and confers resistance to
      cyclophosphamide. CYP3A4 is expressed in liver and colon and its overexpression
      seems particularly relevant in colon cancer, since it inactivates irinotecan and
      other xenobiotics, such as taxols and vinca alkaloids. In conclusion, this COLO
      205 model provides evidence for CD133 induction concomitant with overexpression
      of CYP3A4, which, together with ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G, member 2
      (ABCG2) and others, may have a role in chemoresistant colon CSCs and a negative
      impact on disease-free survival in colon cancer patients. 

PMID- 24212667
TI  - The role of epigenetics in resistance to Cisplatin chemotherapy in lung cancer.
AB  - Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common cause of cancer related
      death in the world. Cisplatin and carboplatin are the most commonly used
      cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents to treat the disease. These agents, usually
      combined with drugs such as gemcitabine or pemetrexed, induce objective tumor
      responses in only 20-30% of patients. Aberrant epigenetic regulation of gene
      expression is a frequent event in NSCLC. In this article we review the emerging
      evidence that epigenetics and the cellular machinery involved with this type of
      regulation may be key elements in the development of cisplatin resistance in
      NSCLC. 

PMID- 24212670
TI  - Memory recall and modifications by activating neurons with elevated CREB.
AB  - Memory is supported by a specific ensemble of neurons distributed in the brain
      that form a unique memory trace. We previously showed that neurons in the lateral
      amygdala expressing elevated levels of cAMP response-element binding protein are
      preferentially recruited into fear memory traces and are necessary for the
      expression of those memories. However, it is unknown whether artificially
      activating just these selected neurons in the absence of behavioral cues is
      sufficient to recall that fear memory. Using an ectopic rat vanilloid receptor
      TRPV1 and capsaicin system, we found that activating this specific ensemble of
      neurons was sufficient to recall established fear memory. Furthermore, this
      neuronal activation induced a reconsolidation-like reorganization process, or
      strengthening of the fear memory. Thus, our findings establish a direct link
      between the activation of specific ensemble of neurons in the lateral amygdala
      and the recall of fear memory and its subsequent modifications. 

PMID- 24212671
TI  - Parvalbumin interneurons mediate neuronal circuitry-neurogenesis coupling in the
      adult hippocampus.
AB  - Using immunohistology, electron microscopy, electrophysiology and optogenetics,
      we found that proliferating adult mouse hippocampal neural precursors received
      immature GABAergic synaptic inputs from parvalbumin-expressing interneurons.
      Recently shown to suppress adult quiescent neural stem cell activation,
      parvalbumin interneuron activation promoted newborn neuronal progeny survival and
      development. Our results suggest a niche mechanism involving parvalbumin
      interneurons that couples local circuit activity to the diametric regulation of
      two critical early phases of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. 

PMID- 24212672
TI  - Attention modulates spatial priority maps in the human occipital, parietal and
      frontal cortices.
AB  - Computational theories propose that attention modulates the topographical
      landscape of spatial 'priority' maps in regions of the visual cortex so that the
      location of an important object is associated with higher activation levels.
      Although studies of single-unit recordings have demonstrated attention-related
      increases in the gain of neural responses and changes in the size of spatial
      receptive fields, the net effect of these modulations on the topography of region
      level priority maps has not been investigated. Here we used functional magnetic
      resonance imaging and a multivariate encoding model to reconstruct spatial
      representations of attended and ignored stimuli using activation patterns across
      entire visual areas. These reconstructed spatial representations reveal the
      influence of attention on the amplitude and size of stimulus representations
      within putative priority maps across the visual hierarchy. Our results suggest
      that attention increases the amplitude of stimulus representations in these
      spatial maps, particularly in higher visual areas, but does not substantively
      change their size. 

PMID- 24212673
TI  - Betaine acts on a ligand-gated ion channel in the nervous system of the nematode
      C. elegans.
AB  - Prior to the advent of synthetic nematocides, natural products such as seaweed
      were used to control nematode infestations. The nematocidal agent in seaweed is
      betaine, an amino acid that functions as an osmolyte and methyl donor. However,
      the molecular mechanisms of betaine toxicity are unknown. We identified the
      betaine transporter SNF-3 and the betaine receptor ACR-23 in the nematode C.
      elegans. Mutating snf-3 in a sensitized background caused the worms to be
      hypercontracted and paralyzed, presumably as a result of excess extracellular
      betaine. These behavioral defects were suppressed by mutations in acr-23, which
      encodes a ligand-gated cation channel of the cys-loop family. ACR-23 was
      activated by betaine and functioned in the mechanosensory neurons to maintain
      basal levels of locomotion. However, overactivation of the receptor by excess
      betaine or by the allosteric modulator monepantel resulted in hypercontraction
      and death of the nematode. Thus, monepantel targets a betaine signaling pathway
      in nematodes. 

PMID- 24212674
TI  - Independent hypothalamic circuits for social and predator fear.
AB  - The neural circuits mediating fear to naturalistic threats are poorly understood.
      We found that functionally independent populations of neurons in the ventromedial
      hypothalamus (VMH), a region that has been implicated in feeding, sex and
      aggression, are essential for predator and social fear in mice. Our results
      establish a critical role for VMH in fear and have implications for selective
      intervention in pathological fear in humans. 

PMID- 24212675
TI  - Searching for optimal rating scales in the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional
      Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI).
AB  - The comparison of the performance of the numerical rating scale (NRS) versus
      visual analog scale (VAS) in the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index
      (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) showed
      that the 11-point NRS is psychometrically superior to the 10-cm VAS. This finding
      is in agreement with previous studies and the recommendation by the Assessment of
      SpondyloArthritis international Society. To illustrate the functioning of the
      response categories of both BASFI and BASDAI, we analyzed the rating scales
      (using the Rasch rating scale model) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Our
      results have shown that the 11 categories available in the 0-10 NRS version of
      both BASFI and BASDAI exceed the number of levels of a construct that
      participants can discriminate. This indicates the need for improving the metric
      quality of both rating scales by appropriately reducing the number of categories.

PMID- 24212676
TI  - Associations of the PTPN22 and CTLA-4 genetic polymorphisms with Taiwanese
      ankylosing spondylitis.
AB  - Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disease, and the imbalance of
      peripheral tolerance is involved in its pathogenesis. Importantly, the negative
      signal of activated T cells plays a crucial role in the balance of peripheral
      tolerance. It has been postulated that human protein tyrosine phosphatase
      nonreceptor 22 (PTPN22) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) genes
      encode proteins that are actively involved in regulating T-cell activation.
      Therefore, we evaluated the effects of PTPN22 and CTLA-4 genotypes on the
      occurrence of AS. Genetic polymorphisms of PTPN22 -1123G/C and CTLA-4 +49A/G were
      identified by polymerase chain reaction for 391 AS patients and 391 healthy
      controls. Subjects with PTPN22 CC and GC genotypes had a greater risk of AS
      occurrence than those with PTPN22 GG genotype [relative risk = 1.39, 95 %
      confidence interval (95 % CI) 1.03-1.88]. Further, subjects with PTPN22 CC/CTLA-4
      AA or PTPN22 GC/CTLA-4 AA genotypes had 1.90-fold (95 % CI 1.02-3.49) greater
      risk of AS development than those with other combinations of PTPN22 and CTLA-4
      genotypes. Our findings indicated that PTPN22 -1123G/C and CTLA-4 +49A/G genetic
      polymorphisms have a combined effect on the development of AS. 

PMID- 24212678
TI  - Zooplankton induced changes in dissolved free amino acids and in production rates
      of freshwater bacteria.
AB  - This study examined the importance of zooplankton in the flux of dissolved free
      amino acids (DFAA) in the water and into bacteria. DFAA release rates were
      followed in laboratory grazing experiments usingDaphnia galeata andEudiaptomus
      graciloides as grazers, andScenedesmus acutus andSynechococcus elongatus as food
      sources. Except for minor initial peaks, DFAAs were released continuously during
      the first 2 hours and made up 6-12% (in one experiment 50%) of the calculated
      ingestion rates. During three diel studies in lakes, effects of removal and
      increase of the density of zooplankton (>200MUm) on the pools of DFAA as well as
      on the bacterial production were followed. During two of the diel studies, higher
      DFAA pools were measured when 3-4 times the natural zooplankton density was
      present, and in one study a minor increase also occurred in the bacterial
      production, compared with results from experiments without zooplankton and with a
      natural zooplankton density. The increase in bacterial growth coincided with a
      decline in DFAA. During the third study, neither DFAA nor the bacterial
      production changed significantly when the zooplankton density was increased 3
      times. Removal of zooplankton, however, caused a decline in both DFAA and
      bacterial production. Our data suggest a close relationship between occurrence of
      zooplankton and release of DFAA, but the factors regulating the amount of DFAA
      released and its effect on bacterial growth are not yet understood. 

PMID- 24212677
TI  - Association between vitamin D receptor gene BsmI, FokI, ApaI and TaqI
      polymorphisms and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis.
AB  - Association studies of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and the risk
      of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have yielded conflicting results in
      different backgrounds. We aimed to evaluate the association between VDR gene
      polymorphisms and SLE risk. A predefined electronic databases search was
      performed to identify eligible studies that were related to the association of
      VDR gene BsmI, FokI, ApaI or TaqI polymorphism with SLE risk. Either a fixed
      effects model, or in the presence of heterogeneity, a random-effects model was
      used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and its corresponding 95%
      confidence interval (CI). A total of 11 studies with 1,621 cases and 1,883
      controls were included in this meta-analysis. BsmI B allele was associated with
      the onset of SLE for overall populations (OR 1.726, 95% CI 1.214-2.455) and
      Asians (OR 1.952, 95% CI 1.135-3.355). FokI FF genotype was correlated with the
      susceptibility of SLE for Asians (OR 1.469, 95% CI 1.005-2.148). FokI T/C and
      TaqI polymorphisms were not associated with SLE risk for Caucasians. There was no
      significant association between ApaI polymorphism and SLE risk for overall
      populations, Asians and Caucasians. No evidence of publication bias was observed.
      In conclusion, BsmI B allele may be a risk factor for SLE onset among overall
      populations and Asians, and FokI FF genotype is a risk factor for SLE
      susceptibility in Asians. However, more studies should be performed in the
      future.

PMID- 24212679
TI  - Bacterial productivity in ponds used for culture of penaeid prawns.
AB  - The quantitative role of bacteria in the carbon cycle of ponds used for culture
      of penaeid prawns has been studied. Bacterial biomass was measured using
      epifluorescence microscopy and muramic acid determinations. Bacterial growth
      rates were estimated from the rate of tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA.
      In the water column, bacterial numbers ranged from 8.3*10(9) 1(-1) to 2.57*10(10)
      1(-1) and production ranged from 0.43 to 2.10 mg Cl(-1) d(-1). In the 0-10 mm
      zone in sediments, bacterial biomass was 1.4 to 5.8 g C m(-2) and production was
      250 to 500 mg C m(-2) d(-1). The results suggested that most organic matter being
      supplied to the ponds as feed for the prawns was actually being utilized by the
      bacteria. When the density of meiofauna increased after chicken manure was added,
      bacterial biomass decreased and growth rates increased. 

PMID- 24212680
TI  - Diel changes in the specific growth rate and mean cell volume of natural
      bacterial communities in two different water masses in the Irish sea.
AB  - Diel changes in the specific growth rates of natural bacterial communities as a
      whole and of different groups within the communities were followed over 2 days
      during July 1982, in stratified waters in the vicinity of a shallow sea tidal
      mixing front in the Irish Sea. Waters well above (4 m) and below (60 m) the
      thermocline were enclosed in dialysis bags and incubated in situ. The results
      show that there were periods of altered growth rates of the whole bacterial
      community and synchronous cell division of morphological groups. An increase in
      mean cell volume within both 4 and 60 m communities preceded an increase in
      specific growth rates, with a resultant decrease in the mean cell volume. Above
      the thermocline the whole bacterial community, as well as the rod and coccoid
      forms, doubled in number once a day. The doubling time of the whole bacterial
      community at 60 m was 2 days and slower than that at 4 m. This was due to a
      slower doubling time (3 days) for the coccoid forms. Rod forms at the two depths
      had a similar doubling time (1 day). The time of day when maximum division rate
      occurred was also different in the two water masses. At 4 m more coccoid forms
      divided during the night, whereas at 60 m more divided during the day.
      Conversely, at 4 m more rod forms divided during the day, whereas at 60 m more
      divided at night.These data indicate that the bacterial community and members of
      the community may be adapted to exploit the diurnal rhythms of dissolved organic
      carbon (DOC) release by other organisms and that portions of the bacterial
      community may therefore be more active at certain times of the day. The diurnal
      growth of the bacterial community may thus vary between different water masses
      and largely reflects the differences in the chemical and biological
      characteristics of the two water masses investigated. 

PMID- 24212681
TI  - Nitrate reduction activity in a continuous flow-through system in marine
      sediments.
AB  - Nitrate reduction in a non-polluted, coastal marine sediment was measured with an
      open flow-through system. The recorded rates depended upon nitrate concentration
      but were largely independent of the weight of sediment (14-35 g) and the dilution
      rate (0.7-5 h(-1)). Rate of nitrate uptake followed classical Michaelis-Menten
      kinetics, and km and Vmax values were equal to 78MUM and 0.168MUm mol g(-1) hour(
      1), respectively. These values are in good agreement with those found by the
      other authors for the same biotope but by different methods. This technique of
      the open flow-through system is fast, simple, and inexpensive and involves small
      quantities of sediment (~10 g). 

PMID- 24212682
TI  - Temporal relationship between the deposition and microbial degradation of
      lignocellulosic detritus in a Georgia salt marsh and the Okefenokee Swamp.
AB  - Temperature dependence and seasonal variations in rates of microbial degradation
      of the lignin and polysaccharide components of specifically radiolabeled
      lignocelluloses were determined in sediment and water samples from a Georgia salt
      marsh and the nearby Okefenokee Swamp. Although temperature regimes in the two
      ecosystems were similar, rates of mineralization ofSpartina alterniflora
      lignocellulose in salt marsh sediments increased eightfold between winter and
      summer, whereas rates of mineralization of lignocellulose from an analogous
      freshwater macrophyte,Carex walteriana, in Okefenokee sediments increased only
      twofold between winter and summer. Temperature was the major factor influencing
      seasonal variations in rates of lignocellulose degradation in both environments.
      At any given temperature, no substantial differences in lignocellulolytic
      potential were observed with sediment samples collected at each season. In both
      ecosystems, the bulk of the lignocellulosic detritus was not degraded at the time
      of its peak deposition during the fall and winter. Instead, the periods of
      maximal decomposition occurred during the following spring and summer. These
      results suggest that periods of maximal nutrient regeneration from the
      mineralization of lignocellulosic detritus coincide with periods of highest
      primary production, and that, depending on hydrologic conditions, significant
      horizontal transport of essentially intact lignocellulosic material is possible
      due to the lag period between deposition and microbial degradation. 

PMID- 24212683
TI  - Growth kinetics ofPseudomonas fluorescens microcolonies within the hydrodynamic
      boundary layers of surface microenvironments.
AB  - Computer-enhanced microscopy (CEM) was used to study the growth kinetics of
      bacterial microcolonies attached to the wall of a continuous-flow slide culture.
      Image processing increased effective microscope resolution and quantitated colony
      growth at 10 min intervals. Three growth parameters were used to determine growth
      rate: the time required for cell fission, the specific rate of increase in cell
      number, and the specific rate of increase in cell area. Growth rate was initially
      constant regardless of colony size, as assumed previously in deriving
      colonization kinetics. However, at low substrate concentrations growth rate
      varied depending on laminar flow velocity. Growth was flow-dependent at a glucose
      concentration of 100 mg/liter and flow-independent at a concentration of 1
      g/liter. This indicated that the surface microenvironment became substrate
      depleted in the absence of sufficient laminar flow velocities and that glucose
      rather than oxygen was rate limiting. 

PMID- 24212684
TI  - The influence of fish culture in floating net cages on microbial indicators of
      water quality.
AB  - This work was carried out to analyse the microbiological parameters of the water
      quality of a reservoir used for the irrigation and culture of tilapia
      (Oreochromis niloticus) in floating net cages. The physico-chemical parameters,
      counts of mesophilic total aerobic bacteria, total and thermotolerant coliforms
      and fecal streptococci, and the presence of Escherichia coli in samples of water
      collected in three sites of the reservoir (pre-culture site, culture site, post
      culture site) were analysed. The levels of ammonia (0.047-0.059 mg/L), nitrite
      (0.001-0.021 mg/L) and total phosphorus (0.050-0.355 mg/L) in the water did not
      show significant differences (p > 0.05) between sampling sites. The levels of
      total bacteria in the water varied between 1.3 x 10(4) and 67.3 x 10(4) CFU/100
      mL. The MPN values of thermotolerant coliforms (< 930 MPN/100 mL) were within
      values recommended for water used for fish culture and/or irrigation. The
      presence of E. coli and fecal streptococci were verified in 48% and 56% of
      analysed samples, respectively. The site with floating net cages showed more
      samples contaminated with E. coli and fecal streptococci than other sampling
      points.

PMID- 24212685
TI  - Nestedness in forest mammals is dependent on area but not on matrix type and
      sample size: an analysis on different fragmented landscapes.
AB  - Nestedness, the pattern in which the species of a species-poor community are a
      subset of species-rich communities, can provide information regarding species
      order of extinction, which is vital knowledge for conservation biology. We tested
      the hypotheses that the nestedness of mammal communities in forest remnants is
      influenced by sampling effort, mean remnant area, range of remnant areas, matrix
      type, and presence or absence of forest corridors, and compared the results with
      multi-taxa reviews. We used 24 published datasets to test this hypothesis and ran
      simple regressions for each variable. Our results provide evidence that area was
      the main determinant of nestedness in mammalian communities. We also found a
      significant effect on the range of areas as measured through area ratio. However
      we conclude that nestedness is not affected by sample size. 

PMID- 24212686
TI  - Ecosystem Services of UHE Carlos Botelho (Lobo/Broa): a new approach for
      management and planning of dams multiple-uses.
AB  - The aim of this study was to identify and make an initial accounting of the
      ecosystem services of the hydroelectric power generation plant, UHE Carlos
      Botelho (Itirapina Municipality, Sao Paulo State, Brazil), and its most extensive
      wetlands--total of 2,640 ha--and also identify the drivers of change of these
      services. Twenty (20) ecosystem services were identified and the estimated
      quantitative total value obtained was USD 120,445,657.87. year(-1) or USD
      45,623.35 ha(-1).year(-1). Investments on restoration of spatial heterogeneity
      along Tiete-Jacare hydrographic basin and new technologies for regional economic
      activities must maintain ecological functions as well as increase marginal values
      of ecosystem services and the potential annual economic return of ecological
      functions.

PMID- 24212687
TI  - Diversity of the Arthropod edaphic fauna in preserved and managed with pasture
      areas in Teresina-Piaui-Brazil.
AB  - The soil fauna plays an important function over the processes of organic matter
      decomposition, nutrient cycling, ground aeration and fertility. Thus, studies on
      the composition and structure of such communities are important, considering
      moreover the lack of information in different regions of Brazil and mainly
      related to the state of Piaui. This study aimed to evaluate the density and
      diversity of the soil arthropod fauna in a Cerrado area in preservation
      conditions and in a pasture area. Both are situated in the city of Teresina,
      capital of the state of Piaui. Pitfall traps were used for sampling. Five
      stations with four traps were placed in each area. The traps were constituted by
      a 500 mL plastic cup containing a preserving solution made with 70% alcohol and
      40% formalin. The traps were weekly changed by occasion of the collections. Eight
      samples were performed in the period between March and April 2007. The results
      were evaluated using the following variables: number of orders, number of
      families, total of species and total number of individuals. Evaluation of the
      Diversity Index and Similarity Coefficient were also performed. As result, the
      variables and diversity indices were slightly higher in the preserved area.
      However, the similarity coefficient showed only 10% similarity between both
      areas. 

PMID- 24212688
TI  - Effects of isolation and environmental variables on fish community structure in
      the Brazilian Amazon Madeira-Purus interfluve.
AB  - Due to the existence of terrestrial barriers to freshwater fish dispersion, it is
      believed that its distribution is strongly associated with historical factors
      related to the formation of the habitats they occupy. By the other hand, some
      studies reveal the influence of abiotic conditions (such as size of water bodies,
      pH, conductivity) on the composition of fish fauna occurring in small streams.
      This study aimed to investigate whether drainage basins, because catchment
      boundaries are potential barriers to fish dispersion, or the physical structure
      and physico-chemical characteristics of water have a greater influence on fish
      community structure in small streams. We sampled 22 streams belonging to five
      drainage basins in the Madeira-Purus interfluve. Fish were caught with dip nets
      and a small trawl, and data were simultaneously obtained on structural
      characteristics of the streams and physico-chemical characteristics of the water.
      Community composition was analyzed using Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling
      (NMDS), and variables related to structural and physico-chemical characteristics
      were summarized by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Two explanatory models
      relating faunal composition to environmental factors were constructed: the first
      using only continuous variables and the second including the drainage basin as a
      categorical variable. The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and AIC weight were
      used to select the best model. Although structural and physico-chemical variables
      significantly contributed to explaining faunal composition, the model including
      the drainage basin was clearly the better of the two models (more than 90%
      support in the data). The importance of drainage basins in structuring fish
      communities in streams may have significant consequences for conservation
      planning in these environments. 

PMID- 24212689
TI  - Antifouling activity of twelve demosponges from Brazil.
AB  - Benthic marine organisms are constantly exposed to fouling, which is harmful to
      most host species. Thus, the production of secondary metabolites containing
      antifouling properties is an important ecological advantage for sessile organisms
      and may also provide leading compounds for the development of antifouling paints.
      High antifouling potential of sponges has been demonstrated in the Indian and
      Pacific oceans and in the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas. Brazilian sponges
      remain understudied concerning antifouling activities. Only two scientific
      articles reported this activity in sponges of Brazil. The objective of this study
      was to test crude extracts of twelve species of sponges from Brazil against the
      attachment of the mussel Perna perna through laboratorial assays, and highlight
      promising species for future studies. The species Petromica citrina, Amphimedon
      viridis, Desmapsamma anchorata, Chondrosia sp., Polymastia janeirensis, Tedania
      ignis, Aplysina fulva, Mycale angulosa, Hymeniacidon heliophila, Dysidea etheria,
      Tethya rubra, and Tethya maza were frozen and freeze-dried before extraction with
      acetone or dichloromethane. The crude extract of four species significantly
      inhibited the attachment of byssus: Tethya rubra (p = 0.0009), Tethya maza (p =
      0.0039), Petromica citrina (p = 0.0277), and Hymeniacidon heliophila (p =
      0.00003). These species, specially, should be the target of future studies to
      detail the substances involved in the ability antifouling well as to define its
      amplitude of action. 

PMID- 24212690
TI  - Community of orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in transitional vegetation between
      Cerrado and Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil.
AB  - The community of orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossina) was studied at an
      area in the transition between the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes, from
      March, 2010 to February, 2011 in the Barroso region, state of Minas Gerais,
      eastern Brazil. Orchid-bee males were collected with bait traps containing three
      different scents (cineole, eugenol and vanillin) and with entomological nets for
      collecting bees on flowers. A total of 614 orchid-bee males were collected using
      aromatic traps, belonging to four genera and 15 species. Twenty-five female
      specimens belonging to two genera and at least three species were collected on
      flowers. Eulaema (Apeulaema) nigrita Lepeletier, 1841 was the most abundant
      species (50% of collected specimens), followed by Euglossa (Euglossa) truncata
      Rebelo & Moure, 1996 (28%). Cineole was the most attractive compound (66.5% of
      males and 13 species), followed by eugenol (16% and 9 species) and vanillin
      (13.5% and 4 species). Eulaema (Apeulaema) marcii Nemesio, 2009 and Eufriesea
      auriceps (Friese, 1899) were attracted to all scents, whereas Euglossa species
      were collected only in cineole and eugenol. 

PMID- 24212691
TI  - The orchid-bee fauna (Hymenoptera: Apidae) of 'RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala'
      revisited: relevant changes in community composition.
AB  - The orchid-bee fauna of 'Reserva Particular do Patrimonio Natural Feliciano
      Miguel Abdala', a 957-ha preserve of Atlantic Forest in eastern Minas Gerais,
      southeastern Brazil, was surveyed 12 years after the first inventory in the area.
      Orchid-bee males were actively collected with insect nets when attracted to
      seventeen chemical compounds used as scent baits. Three hundred and nineteen
      males belonging to nine species were collected during 40 hours in late December,
      2011, when orchid bees are supposedly more active. Euglossa despecta Moure, 1968,
      one of the dominant species in the area 12 years ago, was not recorded in the
      present study. Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier, 1841, on the other hand, represented
      only 16% of the collected bees in 1999 and 61% in the present study. Possible
      causes and consequences of these changes are discussed. 

PMID- 24212692
TI  - Characterization of Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) (Chiroptera,
      Phyllostomidae) shelters in the Municipality of Sao Pedro--SP.
AB  - Surveillance of hematophagous bats is an important public health measure for the
      prevention and control of rabies epidemics in domestic herbivorous animals. The
      aim of this study was to locate and georeference D.rotundus shelters in the
      Municipality of Sao Pedro - SP, Brazil, and verify their nature (artificial or
      natural), surrounding landscape and distance from main rivers. To do this, two
      samples were taken of populations in shelters, with an interval of six months
      between them, capturing all the bats existent in shelters with fewer than 20
      individuals and approximately 20% of the bats present in shelters with over 20
      individuals in order to quantify their gender and age distribution. The majority
      of D. rotundus (67%) were verified to be artificial and the remainder (33%)
      natural. Of the six artificial shelters found, five were located in abandoned
      houses and one in a rain water drainage channel. There were no signs of D.
      rotundus in other rural buildings and viaducts located in the proximities of
      pastures. In spite of the majority of D. rotundus shelters being artificial, the
      three most populated shelters were maternity colonies, two being located in
      grottos and only one in an artificial shelter (rain water drainage channel). The
      remaining shelters were occupied by only male individuals. With the exception of
      one shelter, all the other shelters were at a distance of less than 3 km from the
      main bodies of water in the study area, corroborating studies that have reported
      that the main rivers in the State of Sao Paulo are the main geographic features
      related to the presence of D. rotundus. It was also verified that 67% of the
      shelters were inhabited by only male individuals, which confirms other studies
      conducted in the State of Sao Paulo, in which over 60% of the groups of Desmodus
      contain only male individuals. 

PMID- 24212693
TI  - Towards a standard framework to describe behaviours in the common-sloth (Bradypus
      variegatus Schinz, 1825): novel interactions data observed in distinct fragments
      of the Atlantic forest, Brazil.
AB  - The common three-toed sloth is a widespread species, but the location and the
      observation of its individuals are greatly hindered by its biological features.
      Their camouflaged pelage, its slow and quiet movements, and the strictly arboreal
      habits resulted in the publication of sparse, fragmented and not patterned
      information on the common sloth behaviour. Thus, herein we propose an updated
      standardized behavioural categories' framework to the study of the species.
      Furthermore we describe two never reported interaction behaviours: a probable
      mating / courtship ritual between male and female; and apparent recognition
      behaviour between two males. Finally we highlight the contribution of small
      duration field works in this elusive species ethological study. 

PMID- 24212694
TI  - Habitat selection by anurofauna community at rocky seashore in coastal Atlantic
      Forest, Southeastern Brazil.
AB  - Rocky seashores are low granitic hills distributed along the southeastern
      Brazilian coast with xeric-like vegetation due to the shallow soil. Knowledge on
      amphibian communities and their reproductive patterns is especially reduced on
      this kind of environment. Herein, we present a framework of two years monitoring
      an amphibian community at a rocky seashore environment located at the protected
      area of Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, municipality of Niteroi, state of
      Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We conducted diurnal and nocturnal searches for frogs in
      tank bromeliads, rocky surface and shrubby vegetation. Annual pattern of breeding
      activity of anurans was also estimated. Individuals of the most abundant tank
      bromeliad, Alcantarea glaziouana were collected and measured according to several
      variables to understanding the selection of bromeliads by frogs. We checked the
      influence of the environmental conditions on amphibian abundance, association
      between the bromeliads measures, and the water storage in the tank. We recorded
      the species: Scinax aff. x-signatus; S. cuspidatus; S. littoreus; Thoropa
      miliaris and Gastrotheca sp. Bromeliads were the preferential habitat used by
      anurans. The nocturnal habit was predominant for all species and during diurnal
      searches, the specimens were found sheltered in bromeliads axils. The number of
      calling males as well as amphibian abundance was associated with the rainiest and
      warmest period of the year. The species S. littoreus was observed in breeding
      activity in the majority of sample period. Adult calling males of T. miliaris
      were observed especially in the rainy season. Rainfall and temperature combined
      are positively correlated to the total number of captured amphibians. However,
      individually, rainfall was not significantly correlated, while temperature was
      positively correlated with the amphibian abundance. Water storage capacity by
      bromeliads was correlated to characteristics and size of the plant. In the rainy
      season, the height of the plant and the diameter on top view were correlated with
      the occurrence of amphibians, while during the driest period there was no
      correlation among variables and the bromeliad usage by amphibians. Recorded
      species were strongly associated to the Atlantic Forest domain. Nevertheless, the
      occupation of rocky seashores by anurans may be more associated with the
      specialized reproductive modes presented by species, since there is no permanent
      water available in ponds or streams. 

PMID- 24212695
TI  - Coleopterofauna found on fresh and frozen rabbit carcasses in Curitiba, Parana,
      Brazil.
AB  - Many arthropod species are associated with carrion and some of them can be used
      as forensic indicators in murder investigations to estimate the time of death.
      Different physical conditions of cadavers may influence the fauna and the
      importance of freezing and thawing is unknown. The present paper sought to survey
      the Coleoptera species encountered in frozen and fresh rabbit carcasses, at a
      forest in Curitiba, Brazil. Four rabbit carcasses, two of them fresh and the
      other frozen were used. The coleopterofauna was sampled daily, and analyzed using
      non-parametric tests. A total of 666 beetles were sampled, belonging to 28
      species in 10 families. Most of the beetles captured were larvae of Oxelytrum
      spp. (433) which are known to be necrophagous. The two frozen carcasses accounted
      for most of the beetles (338 and 180) in comparison with the two fresh carcasses
      (103 and 45). The tests were based on the most abundant species. Oxelytrum spp.
      median differed significantly between carcasses (H = 12.47844; p = 0.0059). The
      two fresh carcasses differed significantly (U = 190.0; p = 0.00019), but there
      was no significant difference between the frozen carcasses (U = 336.0; p =
      0.29755). The data indicate that the freezing process prevents certain species to
      colonize carcasses, in this case with the dominance of species of Oxelytrum.
      These data also indicate that careful attention is necessary before using frozen
      carcasses in forensic entomology studies. 

PMID- 24212696
TI  - Longitudinal distribution of Chironomidae (Diptera) downstream from a dam in a
      neotropical river.
AB  - The damming of a river causes dangerous consequences on structure of the
      environment downstream of the dam, modifying the sediment composition, which
      impose major adjustments in longitudinal distribution of benthic community. The
      construction of Engenheiro Sergio Motta Dam in the Upper Parana River has caused
      impacts on the aquatic communities, which are not yet fully known. This work
      aimed to provide more information about the effects of this impoundment on the
      structure of Chironomidae larvae assemblage. The analysis of data of physical and
      chemical variables in relation to biological data of 8 longitudinal sections in
      the Upper Parana River showed that composition of Chironomidae larvae of stations
      near Engenheiro Sergio Motta Dam differed of the other stations (farther of the
      Dam). The predominance of coarse sediments at stations upstream and finer
      sediments further downstream affected the choice of habitat by different
      morphotypes of Chironomidae and it caused a change in the structure of this
      assemblage in the longitudinal stretch. 

PMID- 24212697
TI  - Analysis of fishing activity in the Ita reservoir, Upper Uruguay River, in the
      period 2004-2009.
AB  - This study characterized fishing activity in the reservoir of the Hydroelectric
      Power Plant of Ita in Brazil. The reservoir is located in the Upper Uruguay
      River, which forms the border between the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande
      do Sul. To analyze fishing activity and the composition of ichthyofauna in the
      reservoir after damming, questionnaires were administered to fishermen in the
      region between 2004 and 2009. The results showed that fishing in the Ita
      reservoir can be classified as a subsistence activity performed on small vessels
      and usually involving the use of drift nets and handlines. Between 2004 and 2009,
      292,780.10 kg worth of fish were captured, with an average annual productivity of
      3.46 kg ha(-1) yr(-1). We recorded the highest values of catch per unit effort in
      2006, with an annual average of 9.69 kg fisherman(-1) day(-1). A total of 27
      morphospecies were captured during the sample period; carp, traira, mandi and
      jundia together accounted for almost 60% of the catch. This finding indicates
      that fishing is centered on the capture of sedentary and short-distance migratory
      species. Despite their lower abundance, long-distance migratory species continue
      to be captured. The case of the piracanjuba, a long-distance migratory species
      reintroduced to the region in 2004 and still present in the catches, is
      particularly noteworthy. Regarding the fishermen's socioeconomic profile, all
      were men, most of who have engaged in the activity for more than eleven years,
      have a low educational level, fish with the aid of family members and list
      agriculture as their main economic activity.

PMID- 24212698
TI  - Development of a benthic multimetric index for the Serra da Bocaina bioregion in
      Southeast Brazil.
AB  - Brazil faces a challenge to develop biomonitoring tools to be used in water
      quality assessment programs, but few multimetric indices were developed so far.
      This study is part of an effort to test and implement programs using benthic
      macroinvertebrates as bioindicators in Rio de Janeiro State. Our aim was first to
      test the Multimetric Index for Serra dos Orgaos (SOMI) for a different area-
      Serra da Bocaina (SB)--in the same ecoregion. We sampled 27 streams of different
      sizes and altitudes in the SB region. Despite the environmental similarities,
      results indicated biological differences between reference sites of the two
      regions. Considering these differences, we decided to develop an index specific
      for the SB region, the Serra da Bocaina Multimetric Index (MISB). We tested
      twenty-two metrics for sensitivity to impairment and redundancy, and six metrics
      were considered valid to integrate the MISB: Family Richness, Trichoptera
      Richness, % Coleoptera, % Diptera, IBE-IOC index, EPT / Chironomidae ratio. A
      test of the MISB in eleven sites indicated it was more related to land-use and
      water physico-chemical parameters than with altitude or stream width, being a
      useful tool for the monitoring and assessment of streams in the bioregion.

PMID- 24212699
TI  - Effects of some parameters in upscale culture of Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow.
AB  - Growth rate and medium parameters between two bench scale volumes (13-L and 250
      L) were compared. Experiments were maintained batch mode and culture parameters
      were periodically measured during a 13-day period. Culture growth during the
      cultivation of algae Haematococcus pluvialis was determined qualitatively by cell
      counting, optical density, dry weight, ash content, amount of chlorophyll-a,
      total organic carbon content and by direct measuring of medium nutrients and some
      abiotic aspects. Vegetative cell growth was higher when cultured in 13-L with
      1.33 x 10(5) cells.mL(-1) on the 12th day than when cultured in 250-L.
      Significant difference (p < 0.05) in the biology and water culture of H.
      pluvialis, with the exception of dry weight, ash, nitrite and ammonia, was
      reported between the volumes. Data obtained in current study for the upscale
      culture maintenance of H. pluvialis in laboratory conditions shows that it should
      be undertaken in a 13-L volume due to a greater time span of cells in a
      vegetative state, greater cell density, lipids and chlorophyll-a contents. Light
      was of paramount importance on the direct performance of H. pluvialis on the
      algal biological conditions.

PMID- 24212700
TI  - Length-weight relationships and biomass of the main microcrustacean species of
      two large tropical reservoirs in Brazil.
AB  - Length-weight equations were determined for the main microcrustacean species of
      Tres Marias and Furnas reservoirs (state of Minas Gerais, Brazil), and evaluated
      the fluctuations of their biomass. We examined the following species:
      Thermocyclops minutus, Bosminopsis deitersi, Bosmina hagmanni, Ceriodaphnia
      cornuta, and Moina minuta (Tres Marias Reservoir), and Notodiaptomus henseni,
      Daphnia ambigua, Ceriodaphnia silvestrii, Diaphanosoma spinulosum, D. fluviatile,
      and Bosmina freyi (Furnas Reservoir). Dry weight was obtained in a microbalance
      for each size class (Cladocera) or developmental stage (Copepoda).
      Microcrustacean mean biomass varied from 5.76 mg DW.m(-3) and 20.36 mg DW.m(-3)
      (Furnas Reservoir) and from 3.75 mg DW.m(-3) and 18.14 mg DW.m(-3) (Tres Marias
      Reservoir). Significant differences (p < 0.000) between seasons were registered
      with higher biomass during the rainy seasons. Thermocyclops minutus was the most
      important species in Tres Marias, whereas in Furnas, N. henseni contributed in
      equal proportion. In Furnas, the higher cladoceran biomass was explained by the
      contribution of larger-sized species, such as D. ambigua, C. silvestrii, D.
      spinulosum, and D. fluviatile. Even though both reservoirs are considered
      oligotrophic, there were significant differences in the estimated microcrustacean
      biomass, which reinforces the importance of this parameter for the description of
      the real contribution of each species in the community.

PMID- 24212701
TI  - Simultaneous pollinator occurence (Hymenoptera, Agaoninae) in a threatened
      species: Ficus mexiae Standley (Moraceae).
AB  - In Brazil, Ficus mexiae is classified as Vulnerable under IUCN criteria, and to
      date there is only one report on pollinator activity for this species. Is not
      unusual to find cases where more than one species of wasp simultaneously occurs
      on and pollinates the same fig. In this study we present evidence that two
      Pegoscapus wasp species contribute to the pollination of F. mexiae and
      relationship between pollinators maybe competitive. These results indicate that
      the F. mexiae population represent an important element in the complex dynamics
      of maintaining diversity in neotropical Ficus spp. 

PMID- 24212702
TI  - The effect of salinity on osmoregulation and development of the juvenile fat
      snook, Centropomus parallelus (POEY).
AB  - Eurihaline fish support waters with different salt concentration. However,
      numerous studies have shown that salinity can affect fish development. Thus, the
      effect of salinity change from 20 to 5 and 35 on survival, weight, length, gill
      chloride cell ultrastructure and gill Na+, K+ ATPase activity was evaluated in
      Centropomus parallelus following short-term (6, 24 and 96 hours) and long-term
      exposure (30 and 60 days). Salinity did not affect C. parallelus survival, final
      weight and length. The quantity of chloride cells increased visibly at salinities
      of 5 and 35, with the cells exhibiting the typical features of uptake and
      secretory cells, respectively. Na+, K+ ATPase activity in the gill of the C.
      parallelus was significantly greater at a salinity of 5 than at a salinity of 20
      or 35 after 96 hours, but not after 30 or 60 days. These results indicate that
      salinity change from high to low salt water induces gill chloride cell and Na+,
      K+ ATPase activity adaptations after short-term exposure. However, after long
      term exposure at salinity 5, gill Na+, K+ ATPase activity is no more necessary at
      high levels. The increase in salinity to 35 does not induce significant change in
      gills. Juveniles of C. parallelus may thus be capable of acclimating to
      salinities of 5 to 35 for 60 days without significant effects on development. 

PMID- 24212703
TI  - Ethylene synthesis inhibition effects on oxidative stress and in vitro
      conservation of Lippia filifolia (Verbenaceae).
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the effects of ethylene biosynthesis inhibitors
      on oxidative metabolisms and the in vitro conservation of Lippia filifolia, using
      the lipid peroxidation index (TBARS), antioxidative enzymes and pigments as
      biomarkers. We found that EDTA, sodium thiosulfate (STS) and especially Co had
      protective effects on oxidative stress in tissues cultured in vitro, resulting in
      a delay of the senescence and the reduction of subcultures frequency,
      contributing to the germplasm conservation of this species.

PMID- 24212704
TI  - Uroguanylin induces electroencephalographic spikes in rats.
AB  - Uroguanylin (UGN) is an endogenous peptide that acts on membrane-bound guanylate
      cyclase receptors of intestinal and renal cells increasing cGMP production and
      regulating electrolyte and water epithelial transport. Recent research works
      demonstrate the expression of this peptide and its receptor in the central
      nervous system. The current work was undertaken in order to evaluate
      modifications of electroencephalographic spectra (EEG) in anesthetized Wistar
      rats, submitted to intracisternal infusion of uroguanylin (0.0125 nmoles/min or
      0.04 nmoles/min). The current observations demonstrate that 0.0125 nmoles/min and
      0.04 nmoles/min intracisternal infusion of UGN significantly enhances amplitude
      and frequency of sharp waves and evoked spikes (p = 0.03). No statistical
      significance was observed on absolute alpha and theta spectra amplitude. The
      present data suggest that UGN acts on bioelectrogenesis of cortical cells by
      inducing hypersynchronic firing of neurons. This effect is blocked by nedocromil,
      suggesting that UGN acts by increasing the activity of chloride channels. 

PMID- 24212705
TI  - Seasonal variation of energy reserves and reproduction in neotropical free-tailed
      bats Molossus molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae).
AB  - Seasonal variation is a key factor regulating energy metabolism and reproduction
      in several mammals, including bats. This study aimed to track seasonal changes in
      the energy reserves of the insectivorous bat Molossus molossus associated with
      its reproductive cycle. Adult males were collected during the four neotropical
      annual seasons in Vicosa - MG, Brazil. Blood and tissues were collected for
      metabolic analysis and testes were removed for histology and morphometry. Our
      results show that liver and breast muscle glycogen concentrations were
      significantly lower in winter. The adiposity index was significantly higher in
      the fall compared to winter and spring. Seminiferous tubules were greater in
      diameter in animals captured in fall and winter, indicating a higher investment
      in spermatic production during these seasons. The percentage of Leydig cells was
      higher in summer compared to fall and winter. We suggest that M. molossus
      presents a type of seasonal reproduction with two peaks of testicular activity:
      one in fall, with higher sperm production (spermatogenesis), and another in
      summer, with higher hormone production (steroidogenesis). The metabolic pattern
      may be associated with reproductive events, especially due to the highest fat
      storage observed in the fall, which coincides with the further development of the
      seminiferous tubules. 

PMID- 24212706
TI  - Scale morphology of Prochilodus lineatus with emphasis on the scale epithelium.
AB  - The fish body is entirely covered by a thin, smooth and glandular epidermis,
      closely attached to the scales inserted on the dermis. The descriptive work on
      this tissue dates to twenty or thirty years ago, bears very little photographic
      record and does not focus on the scale epithelium, despite the fact that it is in
      direct contact with the environment. Thereupon, the present study characterizes
      the scale epithelium of Prochilodus lineatus, a robust species of fish. The
      observations show that the scale is completely covered by epithelium thicker on
      the proximal end of the scale, multilayered on the dorsal surface and
      undifferentiated on the ventral surface, and covered by mucous producing cells,
      mostly acid mucous. The scale is formed by plywood-like collagen matrix of
      collagen type III and supported by a network of elastic fibers on the ventral
      face. Differentiated cellular types are present, such as club cells, considered
      to be responsible for the release of alarm substances, which suggests possible
      use in environmental assessment as a non-invasive technique. 

PMID- 24212707
TI  - Endoparasites infecting the semiaquatic coral snake Micrurus surinamensis
      (Squamata: Elapidae) in the southern Amazonian region, Mato Grosso state, Brazil.
AB  - A parasitological survey was conducted in specimens of the semiaquatic coral
      snake Micrurus surinamensis, a poorly known South American elapid. Four specimens
      collected at the southern Amazon region in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso
      were analyzed for endoparasites. Three parasite species were recovered from the
      snake hosts: the pentastomid Sebekia oxycephala, the nematode Physaloptera sp.
      and the trematode Opisthogonimus lecithonotus. This represents new locality and
      host record for S. oxycephala and O. lecithonotus. 

PMID- 24212708
TI  - Morphoanatomy of the flower of Syagrus inajai (SPRUCE) Becc. (Arecaceae-
      Arecoideae- Attaleinae), Amazon.
AB  - The occurrence of Syagrus inajai (Spruce) Becc., popularly known as pupunha palm,
      among other names, has been registered in the Guianas and in the North of Brazil
      in areas of terra firme (non-flooding) and gallery forests. In order to
      characterize the inflorescence and further knowledge of this family, a
      morphoanatomical study was carried out of the palm S. inajai in a green area of
      the Campus of the Federal University of Amazonas--UFAM, Manaus, Amazonas. The
      inflorescences are branched to one order, pedunculate, and interfoliar, measuring
      62-82 cm in length, with woody bracts with longitudinal grooves on the external
      surface, and flowers in triads. The number of flowers to each inflorescence
      varies from 5,904 to 17,316 for staminate flowers, and from 180 to 3,528 for
      pistillate flowers. Staminate flowers with six anthers and one vascular bundle
      each; three-lobed pistillodium, vascularized pistillodium. Its pistillate flowers
      have six staminodia joined to form a circle, syncarpic, tricarpellary, trilocular
      gynoecium, one ovule to each locule, synascidiate in the ovary, and plicated
      above. Tripartite stigma, apical and sessile, with epidermis composed of
      elongated papillary cells, pattern of epidermis that is maintained throughout the
      stylar canal. Bitegmented, anatrope, pachychalazal ovule.

PMID- 24212709
TI  - Morphological and morphometric studies of the antennal sensilla from two
      populations of Atta robusta (Borgmeier 1939) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
AB  - The ant Atta robusta is endemic to the "restinga" ecosystems where it has an
      important role in the dynamics of seed dispersal. Despite its importance, A.
      robusta is considered a threatened species. In this study we analyzed the
      antennal sensory organs of two different populations of A. robusta (from the
      cities of Sao Mateus and Marica in in Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro States,
      respectively) using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM revealed different
      types of sensilla in the A. robusta antennae, i.e., curved and straight trichoid,
      basiconic, ampullacea and coeloconic, which were highly abundant found in the
      distal flagellomeres (F) compared with other antenna regions. There were
      differences in samples collected from two locations in terms of the sensilla
      number and length. The average numbers of straight and curved trichoid sensillae
      numbers were different in F9 and F8, respectively, while the average length of
      the curved trichoid sensilla was only different in F9. These variations in
      sensory organs between two populations of A. robusta may indicate an adaptation
      of this species to different environmental conditions. The number of straight
      trichoid sensilla was only significantly different in F9. 

PMID- 24212710
TI  - Synanthropic characteristics of the cattle egret Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758)
      in the Brazilian semiarid.

PMID- 24212711
TI  - First records of melanistic Euglossa (Hymenoptera: Apidae): evolutionary
      implications.

PMID- 24212712
TI  - Rhinonyssidae (Acari: Gamasida) in Ardeidae (Aves: Pelicaniformes) in Brazil.

PMID- 24212713
TI  - Report of Carettacola stunkardi (Martin & Bamberger, 1952) Dailey, Fast & Balazs,
      1991 (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) infecting green turtle Chelonia mydas Linnaeus,
      1758 (Testudines, Cheloniidae) in Brazil.

PMID- 24212714
TI  - Trigona pallens (Fabricius, 1798)(Hymenoptera: Apidae) strongly attracted to
      vanillin in northeastern Peru.

PMID- 24212715
TI  - Sound production in four species of the Loricariidae family.

PMID- 24212716
TI  - Differential methylation relative to breast cancer subtype and matched normal
      tissue reveals distinct patterns.
AB  - Due to the heterogeneous nature of breast cancer and the widespread use of single
      gene studies, there is limited knowledge of multi-gene, locus-specific DNA
      methylation patterns in relation to molecular subtype and clinical features. We,
      therefore, quantified DNA methylation of 70 candidate gene loci in 140 breast
      tumors and matched normal tissues and determined associations with gene
      expression and tumor subtype. Using Sequenom's EpiTYPER platform, approximately
      1,200 CpGs were interrogated and revealed six DNA methylation patterns in breast
      tumors relative to matched normal tissue. Differential methylation of several
      gene loci was observed within all molecular subtypes, while other patterns were
      subtype-dependent. Methylation of numerous gene loci was inversely correlated
      with gene expression, and in some cases, this correlation was only observed
      within specific breast tumor subtypes. Our findings were validated on a larger
      set of tumors and matched adjacent normal tissue from The Cancer Genome Atlas
      dataset, which utilized methylation data derived from both Illumina Infinium 27
      and 450 k arrays. These findings highlight the need to control for subtype when
      interpreting DNA methylation results, and the importance of interrogating
      multiple CpGs across varied gene regions. 

PMID- 24212718
TI  - The proarrhythmic effect of hypoglycemia: evidence for increased risk from
      ischemia and bradycardia.
AB  - Hypoglycemia increases the risk for both overall and sudden death. At a cellular
      level, hypoglycemia causes alterations in the physiology of myocardial tissue
      that are identical to proarrhythmic medications. Reduced serum glucose blocks the
      repolarizing K(+) channel HERG, which leads to action potential and QT
      prolongation and is uniformly associated with risk for torsades de pointes
      ventricular tachycardia. The sympathetic response induced by hypoglycemia also
      increases the risk of arrhythmias from Ca(2+) overload, which occur with
      sympathomimetic medications and excessive beta adrenergic stimulation. Thus,
      hypoglycemia can be considered a proarrhythmic event. This review focuses on
      emerging evidence for two other important changes induced by hypoglycemia that
      promote arrhythmias: ischemia and bradycardia. Studies of patients with "insulin
      shock" therapy from the early twentieth century and other more recent data
      strongly suggest that hypoglycemia can cause ischemia of myocardial tissue, both
      in association with coronary artery obstructions and by cellular mechanisms.
      Ischemia induces multiple proarrhythmic responses. Since ischemia itself reduces
      the possibility of using energy substrates other than glucose, hypoglycemia may
      generate positive feedback for electrophyisologic destabilization. Recent studies
      also show that hypoglycemia can cause bradycardia and heart block. Bradycardia is
      known to cause action potential prolongation and potentiate the development of
      torsades de pointes, particularly with low-serum K(+) which can be induced by
      hypoglycemic episodes. Thus, hypoglycemia-induced bradycardia may also create a
      dynamic, positive feedback for the development of arrhythmias and sudden death.
      These studies further support the hypothesis that hypoglycemia is a proarrhythmic
      event. 

PMID- 24212717
TI  - DNA from dead cancer cells induces TLR9-mediated invasion and inflammation in
      living cancer cells.
AB  - TLR9 is a cellular DNA-receptor, which is widely expressed in breast and other
      cancers. Although synthetic TLR9-ligands induce cancer cell invasion in vitro,
      the role of TLR9 in cancer pathophysiology has remained unclear. We show here
      that living cancer cells uptake DNA from chemotherapy-killed cancer cells. We
      discovered that such DNA induces TLR9- and cathepsin-mediated invasion in living
      cancer cells. To study whether this phenomenon contributes to treatment
      responses, triple-negative, human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells stably
      expressing control, or TLR9 siRNA were inoculated orthotopically into nude mice.
      The mice were treated with vehicle or doxorubicin. The tumor groups exhibited
      equal decreases in size in response to doxorubicin. However, while the weights of
      vehicle-treated mice were similar, mice bearing control siRNA tumors became
      significantly more cachectic in response to doxorubicin, as compared with
      similarly treated mice bearing TLR9 siRNA tumors, suggesting a TLR9-mediated
      inflammation at the site of the tumor. In conclusion, our findings propose that
      DNA released from chemotherapy-killed cancer cells has significant influence on
      TLR9-mediated biological effects in living cancer cells. Through these
      mechanisms, tumor TLR9 expression may affect treatment responses to chemotherapy.

PMID- 24212719
TI  - Association between extraversion personality and abnormal glucose regulation in
      young Korean women.
AB  - Depression and psychological distress are known to be associated with diabetes
      development as well as the disease progression including glycemic control and
      chronic complication, but relationship of personality with diabetes is
      controversial. We examined whether personality trait and the presence of abnormal
      glucose regulation (AGR; diabetes and pre-diabetes) are associated in young
      women. A total of 1,617 young women aged 19-39 years without previously diagnosed
      diabetes were participated voluntarily. Personality trait was assessed by self
      reported questionnaire using the five-factor model (neuroticism, extraversion,
      openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness) consisting of five
      point scale ranging from 'strongly disagreeable' to 'strongly agreeable.' Glucose
      tolerance status was assessed by standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. One
      hundred and eleven women were newly diagnosed with AGR (6.9 %). Among five
      factors, only extraversion trait was significantly associated with AGR. Multiple
      linear regression analysis showed significant negative association between
      extraversion trait and 2-h post-load glucose after adjustment for age, BMI,
      systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and family history of
      diabetes (beta = -0.16, P = 0.026). Multiple logistic regression showed
      extraversion trait having a significant association with the presence of AGR
      after adjustment for the same covariates (OR 0.97, 95 % CI 0.95-0.99, P = 0.011).
      The frequency of AGR was significantly increased according to the decrease in
      extraversion score (P for trend with exact test = 0.047). In conclusion,
      extraversion may be an important personality trait having a beneficial effect on
      decreasing the risk of AGR. 

PMID- 24212720
TI  - Prognostic significance of the highest peripancreatic lymph node in biliary tract
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with biliary tract adenocarcinoma with nodal involvement
      have a poor prognosis. There is currently no standardized method for
      intraoperative lymph node assessment. The current study aimed to determine the
      prognostic significance of the highest peripancreatic lymph node (HPLN) in
      biliary tract malignancy. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients
      undergoing potential curative resection of biliary tract adenocarcinoma from
      January 1995 through December 2010 who prospectively had intraoperative sampling
      of the HPLN. The median follow-up was 72.8 months. The primary end points were
      recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS: The
      rate of HPLN positivity in 110 patients undergoing exploration for potential
      curative resection was 30 % and did not vary with histologic subtype (gallbladder
      vs. cholangiocarcinoma). Eighty-five patients underwent complete gross resection.
      In this subset, median RFS and DSS were 34.3 months (95 % confidence interval
      [CI] 23.6-not reached [NR]) and 62.4 months (95 % CI 40.8-NR) for HPLN-negative
      patients, and 9.6 months (95 % CI 4.76-NR) and 20.5 months (95 % CI 7.4-NR) for
      HPLN-positive patients (p < 0.01), respectively. Median DSS was 14.6 months (95 %
      CI 9.6-25.4) for patients with unresectable disease. On multivariate analysis,
      HPLN status was an independent predictor of RFS (hazard ratio 3.73, 95 % CI 1.86
      7.45; p < 0.01) and DSS (hazard ratio 3.98, 95 % CI 1.89-8.38; p < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: HPLN status is prognostic of RFS and DSS in biliary tract
      adenocarcinoma. Intraoperative nodal staging by HPLN sampling warrants further
      investigation in a prospective trial.

PMID- 24212722
TI  - Assessment of short-term clinical outcomes following salvage esophagectomy for
      the treatment of esophageal malignancy: systematic review and pooled analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combined chemoradiotherapy is increasingly being used as definitive
      treatment for locoregional esophageal malignancy. Patients with residual or
      recurrent localized cancer are often selectively considered for salvage
      esophagectomy (SALV). The aim of this pooled analysis was to compare short-term
      clinical outcomes from SALV following definitive chemoradiotherapy with those
      from planned esophagectomy following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRS).
      METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, trial registries, conference proceedings and
      reference lists were searched for relevant comparative studies. Primary outcome
      measures were in-hospital mortality, anastomotic leak and pulmonary
      complications. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, negative (R0)
      resection margin, and estimated blood loss. RESULTS: Eight studies comprising 954
      patients; 242 (SALV) and 712 (NCRS) were included. SALV was associated with a
      significantly increased incidence of post-operative mortality (9.50 vs. 4.07 %;
      pooled odds ratio [POR] = 3.02; p < 0.001), anastomotic leak (23.97 vs. 14.47 %;
      POR = 1.99; p = 0.005), pulmonary complications (29.75 vs. 16.99 %; POR = 2.12; p
      < 0.001), and an increased length of hospital stay (weighted mean difference =
      8.29 days; 95 % CI 7.08-9.5; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences
      between the groups in the incidence of negative resection margins or estimated
      blood loss. CONCLUSIONS: SALV has poorer short-term outcomes when compared with
      planned esophagectomy following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Patients and
      multidisciplinary tumor boards should be made aware of these differences in
      outcomes and SALV should be reserved for practice in high-volume institutions.

PMID- 24212721
TI  - MET gene copy number gain is an independent poor prognostic marker in Korean
      stage I lung adenocarcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MET gene copy number gain (CNG) and protein overexpression have been
      reported in lung cancer, but the clinical implications in early stage
      adenocarcinoma remain unclear. METHODS: We investigated MET gene copy number and
      protein expression in 141 cases of surgically resected stage I pulmonary
      adenocarcinoma. MET gene CNG was determined by silver in situ hybridization, and
      MET protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The correlation
      between MET gene CNG/protein expression and clinicopathologic parameters and
      prognostic significance was analyzed. RESULTS: MET gene CNG was found in 24.1%
      (34 of 141) of the cases and was associated with larger tumor size, pleural
      invasion, and lymphatic vessel invasion. MET gene CNG was inversely correlated
      with the presence of lepidic subtype (r = -0.17, p = 0.045) and was not
      associated with EGFR, KRAS mutation, or ALK gene rearrangement. In addition, MET
      gene CNG was significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS)
      (49 vs. 75 months; p < 0.001) and shorter overall survival (OS) (65 vs. 78
      months; p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis confirmed that MET gene CNG was
      significantly associated with poorer DFS [p < 0.001; hazard ratio (HR) 5.5; 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 2.2-13.9] but was not significantly associated with OS.
      MET overexpression was observed in 71.3% of cases (97 of 136), but it was not
      correlated with gene CNG. CONCLUSIONS: MET gene CNG is an independent poor
      prognostic factor in patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma. It is associated
      with aggressive pathologic features and is inversely correlated with the presence
      of lepidic subtype.

PMID- 24212723
TI  - A selective fluorescence turn-on sensor for trace vapor detection of hydrogen
      peroxide.
AB  - A fluorescence turn-on sensor molecule (C6NIB) has been synthesized and
      fabricated into a porous matrix to enable trace vapor detection of hydrogen
      peroxide. The detection limit was projected to be below 5 ppb. 

PMID- 24212725
TI  - Effective and selective sorption of iodide by thin film of multilayered MnO(2)
      intercalated with cationic surfactants.
AB  - We have fabricated a thin film of multilayered MnO2 whose interlayer is occupied
      with hexadecylpyridinium (HDPy) cations, using a simple anodic approach. The
      resulting film can effectively sorb iodide anions from aqueous solutions, even in
      the presence of NaCl or Na2SO4. The maximum sorption capacity was estimated to be
      256 mg/g-MnO2, whereas a layered MnO2 film intercalated with K(+) ions showed no
      significant sorption. The layered structure of the HDPy/MnO2 composite remained
      unchanged after a sorption experiment. This indicates the incorporation of I(-)
      ions between MnO2 layers due to their specific affinity toward HDPy. 

PMID- 24212724
TI  - Antitoxin MqsA represses curli formation through the master biofilm regulator
      CsgD.
AB  - MqsA, the antitoxin of the MqsR/MqsA toxin/antitoxin (TA) system, is a global
      regulator that reduces expression of several stress response genes (e.g., mqsRA,
      cspD, and rpoS) by binding to the promoter palindromic motif [5'-AACCT (N)3 AGGTT
      3']. We identified a similar mqsRA-like palindrome [5'-AACCT TA AGGTT-3'] 78 bp
      upstream of the transcription initiation site in the csgD promoter (p-csgD). CsgD
      is a master regulator for biofilm formation via its control of curli and
      cellulose production. We show here that MqsA binds to this palindrome in p-csgD
      to repress csgD transcription. As expected, p-csgD repression by MqsA resulted in
      reduced transcription from CsgD-regulated curli genes csgA and csgB (encoding the
      major and minor curlin subunits, respectively). Curli production was reduced in
      colonies and in planktonic cells upon MqsA production. Hence, MqsA directly
      represses p-csgD, and thereby influences curli formation. This demonstrates that
      TA systems can impact overall cell physiology by fine-tuning cellular stress
      responses.

PMID- 24212726
TI  - Colorimetric determination of glucosamine and glucose based on the formation of
      blue molybdosilicate anion and its application to the assay of saccharifying
      enzyme.
AB  - A simple and convenient method of reducing monosaccharide assay is proposed. A
      Si(IV)-Mo(VI) solution (pH 4.9) was yellow due to the formation of the 11- and/or
      12-molybdosilicate(VI) anions. By the addition of a reducing saccharide,
      glucosamine, the mixture turned to blue gradually, indicating that the Mo(VI)
      species was reduced by the saccharide to form a blue molybdosilicate anion. The
      molybdenum blue formation occurred more quickly when a water-miscible organic
      solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide, was added to the Si(IV)-Mo(VI) solution. Thus, 0.01%
      level glucosamine can be determined colorimetrically with microtiter plate.
      Oligochitosan would not interfere with the determination of the glucosamine at
      the same concentration. Also, a remarkable blue color development of the Si(VI)
      Mo(VI) solution was observed by the addition of glucose. On the other hand,
      maltose, cellobiose, and water-soluble starch at the same concentration level
      gave no significant coloration of the reaction mixture. Thus, the present
      monosaccharide assay can be applied advantageously to evaluate the
      saccharification to produce glucosamine and glucose. 

PMID- 24212727
TI  - Distribution of the elements in cotyledon, embryonic axis, and testa of peanut
      seeds obtained by ICP-MS with microwave acid digestion.
AB  - Eighteen elements in the cotyledon, the embryonic axis, and the testa of peanut
      seeds were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
      after microwave acid digestion, while the gravimetric standard addition with
      internal standard was applied for the calibration of the elemental
      concentrations. The detection limit and the procedure blank value for each
      element were low enough to ensure the precise analysis of the elements, with a
      relative expanded uncertainty of less than 5%. The concentrations of the elements
      in peanut seed samples covered 6 orders of magnitude from approximately 0.01 mg
      kg(-1) of Co to approximately 7000 mg kg(-1) of K. The correlation coefficient
      factor was around 0.98 for the elemental concentrations in peanut seeds grown in
      Japan and those grown in China, indicating a good correlation. Most of the
      elements distributed in the cotyledon in large amounts because of the cotyledon's
      relatively high mass fraction. By contrast, Na, Ca, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Sr, Cd,
      and Ba were apparently enriched in the testa and the relative enrichment factor
      (REF) values of the elements were over 4. The relative enrichment of Mo, Fe, Zn
      and other elements was observed in the embryonic axis samples with REF values
      over 2. The relative enrichment of Cd in the testa of peanut seed indicates that
      about 15 to 25% of the Cd intake through peanut seeds could be effectively
      lowered by removal of the testa (roughly 2.5 to 3.5% of the peanut seed). 

PMID- 24212728
TI  - Laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry of bioactive substances by using
      2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone on cation-substituted zeolite.
AB  - By using 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone adsorbed to cation-substituted zeolite,
      laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for six kinds of bioactive
      substances was carried out. The compounds, which were usually difficult to
      observe by conventional matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass
      spectrometry, were ionized by cation adduction from the zeolite surface. 

PMID- 24212729
TI  - Spectrophotometric determination of hydrogen peroxide, glucose, uric acid, and
      cholesterol using peroxidase-like activity of an Fe(III) complex of
      thiacalix[4]arenetetrasulfonate attached to an anion-exchanger.
AB  - An iron(III) complex of thiacalix[4]arenetetrasulfonate attached to an anion
      exchanger (Fe(3+)-TCASA-500) showed high peroxidase-like catalytic activity at pH
      5 - 8 for the formation of quinoid dye, following the color reaction between 3
      methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) and N-ethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)aniline
      (ALPS) in the presence of H2O2. This catalytic activity of Fe(3+)-TCASA-500 for
      the MBTH-ALPS system was applied for the spectrophotometric determination of
      H2O2, glucose, uric acid, and cholesterol. The calibration curves were linear in
      the concentration range from 1.0 to 15 MUg of H2O2 in a 1.0-mL sample solution,
      and from 5.0 to 60 MUg of glucose, 2.0 to 30 MUg of uric acid, and 11.6 to 116
      MUg of cholesterol in a 0.5-mL sample solution. The apparent molar absorptivity
      of H2O2 was determined as 2.31 * 10(4) L mol(-1) cm(-1), which was about 70% of
      that by peroxidase under the same conditions. The determination method using
      Fe(3+)-TCASA-500 was applied for the determination of glucose and uric acid in
      both control sera I and II. 

PMID- 24212730
TI  - Microwave-assisted acid hydrolysis of konjac products for determining the konjac
      powder content.
AB  - The complete hydrolysis of konjac glucomannan (KGM) with an acid or enzyme
      generally takes a long time. To accelerate KGM hydrolysis without diminishing the
      conventional quality, a diluted acid hydrolysis of KGM with sulfuric acid was
      conducted using a microwave digestion system. The optimum conditions of microwave
      assisted acid hydrolysis for KGM were: 10 mL of 0.25 M sulfuric acid, hydrolysis
      temperature of 135 degrees C (microwave power of 600 W), and total microwave
      irradiation time of 45 min. The yields of the component sugars, mannose and
      glucose, from two konjac powders were similar to those by conventional acid
      hydrolysis with 1 M sulfuric acid in a boiling water bath for 5 h. Furthermore, a
      pretest for microwave-assisted acid hydrolysis using mixtures of konjac powder
      and starch at different ratios proved that their konjac content can be calculated
      by determining the mannose generated by the new rapid hydrolysis method, if the
      raw materials are provided. 

PMID- 24212731
TI  - On-line flow-injection liquid-phase microextraction and spectrophotometric
      determination of traces of copper(II) with trithia-9-crown-3 as complexing agent.
AB  - A novel on-line flow-injection liquid-phase microextraction (FI-LPME) and
      spectrophotometric determination of the Cu(2+) ion using trithia-9-crown-3
      (TT9C3) as a sensitive and selective charge transfer complexing agent was
      developed. After phase segmentation by pulsating motions of a peristaltic pump,
      the phase separation takes place by the aid of gravitation forces. The optimum
      values of the pH (= 5 of phosphate buffer) and ionic strength (5 mM Na2SO4) of
      the solution, amount of ligand (2.0 * 10(-3) mol L(-1)), nature of the counter
      ion (10 mM SDS), volume of the organic solvent (150 MUL), coil length (3 m) and
      extraction time (2 min) for an efficient extraction were determined. The
      calibration curve was found to be linear over a concentration range of 0.008 -
      4.2 MUg mL(-1) (R(2) = 0.9985) with a limit of detection of 0.37 ng mL(-1). The
      enrichment factor and relative standard deviation (n = 7) were 16 and 5.7%,
      respectively. Finally, the proposed method was applied to the determination of
      copper(II) as an impurity in the several commercial metallic salts. 

PMID- 24212733
TI  - Analysis of fast and slow acid dissociation equilibria of 3',3",5',5"
      tetrabromophenolphthalein and determination of its equilibrium constants by
      capillary zone electrophoresis.
AB  - Acid dissociation constants of 3',3",5',5"-tetrabrompohenolphthalein (TBPP) were
      determined in an aqueous solution by capillary zone electrophoresis at an ionic
      strength of 0.01 mol/L. Two steps of the fast acid-dissociation equilibria
      including precipitable species of H2TBPP were analyzed at a weakly acidic pH
      region by using the change in effective electrophoretic mobility of TBPP with the
      pH of the separation buffer. On the other hand, an acid-dissociation reaction of
      TBPP at an alkaline pH region was reversible, but very slow to reach its
      equilibrium; the two TBPP species concerned with the equilibrium were detected as
      distinct signals in the electropherograms. After reaching its equilibrium, the
      acid-dissociation constant was determined with the signal height corresponding to
      its dianion form. Thus, three steps of the acid dissociation constants of TBPP
      were determined in an aqueous solution as pKa1 = 5.29 +/- 0.06, pKa2 = 6.35 +/-
      0.02, and pKa3 = 11.03 +/- 0.04. 

PMID- 24212732
TI  - Determination of thiram and aminocarb pesticides in natural water samples using
      flow injection with tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)-diperiodatoargentate(III)
      chemiluminescence detection.
AB  - A simple and sensitive flow-injection (FI) method is reported for the
      determination of thiram and aminocarb pesticides in natural water samples based
      on the strong enhancing effects of these pesticides on the tris(2,2'
      bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)-diperiodatoargentate(III) (Ru(bipy)3(2+)-DPA)
      chemiluminescence (CL) system. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the CL
      intensity was linear over the range of 1.0 - 1000 and 1.0 - 10000 ng mL(-1) (R(2)
      = 0.9998 (n = 7) and 0.9994 (n = 11)) for thiram and aminocarb, respectively,
      with relative standard deviations (RSDs; n = 3) in the range 1.0 - 2.6%. The
      limits of detection (S/N = 3) were 0.1 ng mL(-1) for both pesticides with
      injection throughputs of 150 h(-1). The key chemical and physical variables
      (reagent concentrations, flow rates, sample volume, PMT voltage) were optimized
      and potential interferences investigated. The method was successfully applied to
      natural water samples and the results obtained were not significantly different
      (95% confidence interval) from results obtained by the previously reported FI-CL
      and HPLC methods. Thiram could be determined in the presence of aminocarb using
      Triton X-100. The possible CL reaction mechanism is also discussed briefly. 

PMID- 24212734
TI  - Investigation on the conformation change of hemoglobin immobilized on MPA
      modified electrode by electrochemical method.
AB  - The conformation change of bovine hemoglobin (Hb) during the unfolding process
      induced by urea and acid was investigated by an electrochemical method. Hb
      unfolding induced by urea of different concentrations was realized by bonding Hb
      onto a 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) modified gold electrode. The difference in
      unfolding percentage showed that the Hb unfolding induced by urea was a two-step,
      three-state transition process, while the unfolding induced by acid was a two
      state transition process. The results obtained by the electrochemical method
      coincided closely with those obtained by UV-vis spectroscopy and fluorescence
      spectroscopy. Some thermodynamic parameters during the conformational change were
      also calculated to study the intermediate state during the Hb unfolding process.
      The present work may lead to an easy and effective way to study metalloproteins
      unfolding, and holds great promise for the design of novel sensitive biosensors. 

PMID- 24212735
TI  - Determination of Li(+) diffusion coefficients in the LixV2O5 (x = 0 - 1)
      nanocrystals of composite film cathodes.
AB  - The Li(+) ion diffusion coefficients (DLi+) in V2O5 (2.12 * 10(-12) cm(2) s(-1))
      and in the intermediate alpha-, epsilon-, and delta-LixV2O5 phases (1.6 * 10(
      14), 8.0 * 10(-15), and 8.5 * 10(-15) cm(2) s(-1), respectively), reversibly
      formed during charging/discharging processes of the crystalline-V2O5 and PEDOT
      (poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) composite-film electrode, are precisely
      determined by the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique. The specific
      surface area of the composite film is estimated to be 13.600 m(2) g(-1), where
      the external surface area and the nanopore area are 10.704 and 2.896 m(2) g(-1),
      respectively. The V2O5 crystals are coated and interconnected by a conductive
      polymer network in the composite film, thereby improving the electrode
      characteristics. V2O5 and PEDOT composite-film cathodes showed high specific
      capacities (290 mA h g(-1) at a 1 C rate), excellent rate capabilities (178 mA h
      g(-1) at a 10 C rate), and superior cycling stabilities (ca. 15% degradation
      after 500 consecutive cycles). 

PMID- 24212736
TI  - Temperature distribution in a solid state NMR sample rotor during MAS
      experiments.
AB  - We investigated temperature distribution in a solid state nuclear magnetic
      resonance (NMR) sample rotor under magic angle spinning (MAS) experiments by
      analyzing the (207)Pb chemical shift of solid lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2). The
      analysis corrected a mismatch of the temperature dependence of (1)H spin-lattice
      relaxation time (T1(H)) obtained from different sample positions in the rotor. We
      prepared three rotors that consisted of Pb(NO3)2 partitioned into the three
      different parts with Teflon spacers, and measured the temperature distribution
      related to the placement using the prepared three rotors. The obtained
      temperature distribution showed a large gradient in the sample rotor. The
      temperature distribution was related to the placement in the rotor and
      successfully visualized. Finally, the divergent temperature dependence of T1(H)
      obtained at different placement positions in the sample rotor was successfully
      corrected to accurate temperature dependence. 

PMID- 24212737
TI  - Colorimetric determination of pyrophosphate anion and its application to
      adenylation enzyme assay.
AB  - A colorimetric pyrophosphate assay based on the formation and reduction of the 18
      molybdopyrophosphate ([(P2O7)Mo18O54](4-)) anion in an acetonitrile-water mixed
      solvent was modified and improved. The [(P2O7)Mo18O54](4-) anion is precipitated
      from the acetonitrile-water solution containing MoO4(2-) and HCl, and is re
      dissolved in neat acetonitrile or propylene carbonate. This separation process
      decreases the interference by ATP, and prevents a yellow coloration of the
      reducing agent, ascorbic acid, due to excess Mo(VI) species. In the organic
      solvent, the [(P2O7)Mo18O54](4-) anion is reduced to a more intense blue
      molybdopyrophosphate species. The application of the colorimetry to the assay of
      adenylation enzymes is also described in this note. 

PMID- 24212738
TI  - Dynamic coating capillary electrophoresis for separation of humic acid using
      mixture solution of non-ionic polymers both as coating agent and separation
      medium.
AB  - A simple, rapid, and precise dynamic coating capillary electrophoretic separation
      method for water-soluble humic substances is proposed. An aqueous solution
      containing hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and pH buffer
      component was employed for both the dynamic coating agent and the separation
      medium. The procedure for the coating of the capillary inner wall was simply
      filling the buffered polymer mixture solution into the capillary that had been
      treated with 1 M aqueous HCl solution. The solution for the capillary coating was
      directly used as the electrophoretic buffer solution for CE separation. Excellent
      performance for the separation of humic acid was obtained using the solution
      containing 0.5% (w/v) HEC, 1.0% (w/v) PEG 10000, and 0.1% (w/v) PEG 8000000.
      Excellent reproducibility and durability were obtained even at slightly alkaline
      conditions at pH levels above 8. The separation of 0.1 - 2 kbp of DNA ladder by
      the proposed method showed was also achieved. 

PMID- 24212739
TI  - Insolubilization of cadmium in paddy field using atomized iron powder and
      extracting reagent.
AB  - The insolubilization of cadmium in the soil of a naturally cadmium-contaminated
      paddy field was studied using an atomized iron powder and an extracting reagent.
      Cadmium in the soil was extracted into the water phase by calcium chloride. The
      extracted cadmium was deposited on the iron powder. The deposition of cadmium was
      significantly influenced by calcium chloride, since the surface area of the iron
      powder increased with the increasing calcium chloride concentration. We discuss
      the potential of the technique and the insolubilization mechanism. 

PMID- 24212740
TI  - Potential of Presep((r)) PolyChelate as a chelating resin: comparative study with
      some aminocarboxylic acid-type resins.
AB  - The potential of Presep((r)) PolyChelate as a chelating resin was studied in
      detail. The chelating resin with extraction capacity for Cu of 0.30 mmol L(-1)
      could quantitatively extract Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn at pH 4 or
      5.5; however, only very scant amounts of Na, K, Mg, and Ca were captured at pH
      levels below 7. The quantitative extraction could be achieved in 100 - 1000 mL of
      artificial seawater and at a flow rate of 3 - 30 mL min(-1). The performance of
      Presep((r)) PolyChelate was compared to the other aminocarboxylic acid-type
      chelating resins, including Nobias Chelate-PA1, Chelex 100, Muromac B-1, Lewatit
      TP 207, and NTA Superflow, under the same conditions. The solid-phase extraction
      of the nine elements in the certified reference material (ES-L-1, ground water)
      and a commercially available table salt was also demonstrated. 

PMID- 24212742
TI  - Floral and growth responses in Chenopodium rubrum L. to an extract from flowering
      Nicotiana tabacum L.
AB  - Flowering of Chenopodium rubrum seedling plants was obtained in continuous light
      after application of fractions of a partially purified extract from leaves of
      flowering Maryland Mammoth tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The stage of flowal
      differentiation was dependent on the age of the Chenopodium plants used for the
      bioassay. Apices of plants treated with the extract at the age of four or seven
      days showed an advanced branching of the meristem or the beginning of formation
      of a terminal flower; treatment with the extract of plants 12 d old resulted in
      rapid formation of flower buds in all assay plants. Non-treated control plants
      kept in continuous light remained fully vegetative. The effects of the extract on
      flowering were associated with pronounced growth effects. Floral differentiation
      was preceeded by elongation of the shoot apex. Extension of all axial organs
      occurred, while growth of leaves, including leaf primordia, was inhibited. The
      pattern of growth after application of the flower-inducing substance(s) did not
      resemble the effects of the known phytohormones, but showed some similarities to
      growth changes resulting from photoperiodic induction of flowering. 

PMID- 24212743
TI  - Phytochrome structure: Peptide fragments from the amino-terminal domain involved
      in protein-chromophore interactions.
AB  - We have undertaken a study of the structure of the amino-terminal domain of the
      phytochrome polypeptide purified from Avena sativa L. Amino-acid sequencing was
      used to indentify arginine 52 as the precise location of a conformation-specific
      cleavage of phytochrome by subtilisin. The location of the epitopes for a class
      of monoclonal antibodies designated type 2 has been shown to be located between
      approx. 10 and 20 kilodaltons (kDa) from the amino terminus. These two new
      spatial markers, in addition to the chromophore and another epitope recognized by
      type 1 monoclonal antibodies and located within 6 kDa from the amino terminus,
      have been used to map the locations of several new protease-accessible sites
      along the polypeptide. After extensive digestion of phytochrome with subtilisin,
      a stable spectrally-active group of peptides remains. Within this group is a 16
      kDa chromopeptide which, either alone or as part of an assemblage of peptides,
      elutes from a size-exclusion column under nondenaturing conditions at a volume
      consistent with a molecular mass of 35-40 kDa. This group of peptides has an
      absorbance spectrum similar to the red-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pr) and is
      red/far-red photoreversible between this and a photobleached form. These data
      indicate that this group of peptides still retains the principal structural
      requisites for Pr-chromophore-protein interactions and for photoreversibility,
      but not for Pfr (far-red-absorbing phytochrome)-chromophore-protein interactions.
      It is uncertain if these structural requisites reside exclusively on the 16-kDa
      chromopeptide or result from an assemblage of these peptides. However, we have
      excluded any role for an adjacent 14-kDa fragment (approximately residues 50 to
      200) in the observed spectral properties since it can be selectively removed
      without any effect on the photoreversibility. 

PMID- 24212744
TI  - Chromatographic and immunological evidence that chloroplastic and cytosolic pea
      (Pisum sativum L.) NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenases are distinct isoenzymes.
AB  - Two NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase isoenzymes designated as NADP-IDH1 and NADP
      IDH2 (EC 1.1.1.42) were identified in pea (Pisum sativum) leaf extracts by
      diethylaminoethylcellulose chromatography. The predominant form was found to be
      NADP-IDH1 while NADP-IDH2 represented only about 4% of the total leaf enzyme
      activity. These enzymes share few common epitopes as NADP-IDH2 was poorly
      recognized by the specific polyclonal antibodies raised against NADP-IDH1, and as
      a consequence NADP-IDH2 does not result from a post-translational modification of
      NADP-IDH1. Subcellular fractionation and isolation of chloroplasts through a
      Percoll gradient, followed by the identification of the associated enzymes,
      showed that NADP-IDH1 is restricted to the cytosol and NADP-IDH2 to the
      chloroplasts. Compared with the cytosolic isoenzyme, NADP-IDH2 was more
      thermolabile and exhibited a lower optimum pH. The data reported in this paper
      constitute the first report that the chloroplastic NADP-IDH and the cytosolic
      NADP-IDH are two distinct isoenzymes. The possible functions of the two
      isoenzymes are discussed. 

PMID- 24212745
TI  - Gas-exchange of ears of cereals in response to carbon dioxide and light : II.
      Occurrence of a C3-C 4 intermediate type of photosynthesis.
AB  - Data for the maximum carboxylation velocity of ribulose-1,5-biosphosphate
      carboxylase, Vm, and the maximum rate of whole-chain electron transport, Jm, were
      calculated according to a photosynthesis model from the CO2 response and the
      light response of CO2 uptake measured on ears of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv.
      Arkas), oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Lorenz), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv.
      Aramir). The ratio Jm/Vm is lower in glumes of oat and awns of barley than it is
      in the bracts of wheat and in the lemmas and paleae of oat and barley. Light
      microscopy studies revealed, in glumes and lemmas of wheat and in the lemmas of
      oat and barley, a second type of photosynthesizing cell which, in analogy to the
      Kranz anatomy of C4 plants, can be designated as a bundle-sheath cell. In wheat
      ears, the CO2-compensation point (in the absence of dissimilative respiration) is
      between those that are typical for C3 and C4 plants.A model of the CO2 uptake in
      C3-C4 intermediate plants proposed by Peisker (1986, Plant Cell Environ. 9, 627
      635) is applied to recalculate the initial slopes of the A(p(c)) curves (net
      photosynthesis rate versus intercellular partial pressure of CO2) under the
      assumptions that the Jm/Vm ratio for all organs investigated equals the value
      found in glumes of oat and awns of barley, and that ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase is redistributed from mesophyll to bundle-sheath cells. The results
      closely match the measured values. As a consequence, all bracts of wheat ears and
      the inner bracts of oat and barley ears are likely to represent a C3-C4
      intermediate type, while glumes of oat and awns of barley represent the C3 type. 

PMID- 24212746
TI  - Immunocytochemical localization of patatin, the major glycoprotein in potato
      (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers.
AB  - Patatin is a family of glycoproteins with an apparent molecular weight of 40 kDa.
      The protein is synthesized as a pre-protein with a hydrophobic signal sequence of
      23 amino acids. Using different immunocytochemical methods we determined the
      tissue-specific as well as subcellular localization of the patatin protein. Since
      antibodies raised against patatin showed crossreactivity with glycans of other
      glycoproteins, antibodies specific for the protein portion of the glycoprotein
      were purified. Using these antibodies for electron-microscopical
      immunocytochemistry, the protein was found to be localized mainly in the vacuoles
      of both tubers and leaves of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) induced for patatin
      expression. Neither cell walls nor the intercellular space contained detectable
      levels of patatin protein. Concerning the tissue specificity, patatin was mainly
      found in parenchyma cells of potato tubers. The same distribution was observed
      for the esterase activity in potato tubers. 

PMID- 24212747
TI  - Cold-induced mRNAs accumulate with different kinetics in barley coleoptiles.
AB  - The effect of cold treatment on gene expression in two different barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L.) cultivars has been studied. Cold stress induced a set of new mRNAs as
      determined by in-vitro translation of coleoptile RNA obtained from control and
      stressed seedlings. These mRNAs accumulated with different kinetics, and the cold
      induced proteins could be grouped into five categories. The first category (a) is
      represented by a single protein with Mr of 75 kDa that reaches its highest level
      of expression after 6 h at 5 degrees C. This polypeptide readily accumulates in
      the plant tissues and it can be detected when proteins separated by two
      dimensional electrophoresis are stained with silver nitrate. The other
      polypeptides appear later during the 1- to 4-d stress period (protein groups b
      and c), increase (group d), or decrease during the period of treatment (group e).
      Only minor differences between the two cultivars with different cold-resistance
      capacities were found when the in-vitro translation products were compared. The
      results obtained demonstrate that several mRNAs are specifically expressed as a
      response to cold treatment in barley coleoptiles. 

PMID- 24212748
TI  - Germination-associated events and the desiccation sensitivity of recalcitrant
      seeds - a study on three unrelated species.
AB  - The storage behaviour of recalcitrant seeds was assessed using three diverse
      species: a gymnosperm, Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze; a herbaceous
      monocotyledon, Scadoxus membranaceus (Bak.) Friis Nordal; and a woody
      dicotyledon, Landolphia kirkii Dyer. Seeds were stored under conditions of high
      relative humidities that maintained seed moisture content and under low relative
      humidities that caused drying. At regular intervals moisture content was
      determined, germinability assessed and the ultrastructure of radicle meristem
      cells examined. Under storage at high relative humidity, seed moisture content
      was maintained at the original level and subcellular germination events were
      initiated in the short-term. Such seeds showed enhanced rates of germination when
      removed from storage and planted. Long-term storage under these conditions
      resulted in the initiation of subcellular damage which intensified with time and
      ultimately resulted in the loss of viability. The rate at which germination
      events proceeded varied among the three species, and could be directly correlated
      with the period of viability retention under humid storage conditions. Storage
      under desiccating conditions resulted in subcellular damage and rapid loss of
      viability. The rate at which the seeds dried varied among the three species. The
      proportion of water loss tolerated by the different species before loss of
      viability, correlated with the rate of drying. The storage behaviour of the seeds
      of these three species is discussed in terms of a previously described model. 

PMID- 24212749
TI  - Characterization of a protein-kinase activity associated with phytochrome from
      etiolated oat (Avena sativa L.) seedlings.
AB  - A protein-kinase activity which is co-purified with phytochrome from etiolated
      oat seedlings was investigated in some detail. Whereas phytochrome was always
      phosphorylated in solution (together with some contaminating protein bands),
      radioactive phosphate was not found in the phytochrome band after native gel
      electrophoresis and incubation of the entire gel with labeled ATP. Since protein
      kinases are usually autophosphorylated under these conditions, the result shows
      that the kinase activity does not reside in the phytochrome molecule itself.
      Radioactivity was exclusively detected in a band with the apparent molecular
      weight 450 kDa; sodium-dodecyl-sulfate gel electrophoresis revealed an apparent
      molecular weight of 60 kDa for the phosphorylated subunit. The N-terminal amino
      acid sequence A L E S A (G) K Q (L) V P W was determined for this subunit which
      is a potential candidate for the protein kinase. The optimum conditions (pH,
      metal ion concentration) and kinetics of the phosphorylation reaction were
      determined. The presumed connection between proteinkinase activity and the signal
      chain leading from the far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome to physiological
      responses still awaits elucidation. 

PMID- 24212750
TI  - Electrofusion of protoplasts from celery (Apium graveolens L.) with protoplasts
      from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans.
AB  - A method was developed for electrofusion of higher-plant protoplasts from celery
      and protoplasts from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Initially,
      methods for the fusion of protoplasts from ecch species were determined
      individually and, subsequently, electrical parameters for fusion between the
      species were determined. Pronase-E treatment and the presence of calcium ions
      markedly increased celery protoplast stability under the electrical conditions
      required and increased fusion frequency with A. nidulans protoplasts. A reduction
      in protoplast viability was observed after electrofusion but the majority of the
      protoplasts remained viable over a 24-h incubation period. A small decline in
      protoplast respiration rate occurred during incubation but those celery
      protoplasts fused with A. nidulans protoplasts showed elevated respiration rates
      for 3 h after electrofusion. 

PMID- 24212751
TI  - Kinetin-induced stimulation of electrogenic pumping in soybean suspension
      cultures is unrelated to signal transduction.
AB  - Primary modes of action of cytokinins have been thought to involve stimulation of
      the electrogenic H(+) pump and-or opening of plasmamembrane Ca(2+) channels. In
      order to test these hypotheses, rapid changes in membrane transport in response
      to cytokinin application were studied in heterotrophic suspension-cultured callus
      of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) using electrophysiological techniques.
      Kinetin (N(6)-furfurylaminopurine; 2 MUM) elicited membrane hyperpolarization of
      13+/-1 mV. This effect occurred even at membrane poteintials more negative than
      the most negative ionic equilibrium potential, and therefore might have resulted
      either from stimulation of the electrogenic pump, or from closure of ionic
      channels. The former mechanism of action appears most likely because (i) kinetin
      induced membrane hyperpolarization is not accompanied by a significant change in
      plasma-membrane resistivity and (ii) hyperpolarization is abolished by cyanide,
      which inhibits electrogenic pump activity by depletion of cellular
      ATP.Electrogenic pumping is also activated by two other cytokinins: N(6)
      (benzyl)adenine and trans-zeatin. However, it is unlikely that the hormonal
      effect on electrogenesis is directly related to transduction of the cytokinin
      signal, for the following reasons: (i) hormonally inactive, but chemically
      related compounds (cis-zeatin, adenine) also elicited membrane hyperpolarization;
      (ii) hormonally active, N(9)-substituted cytokinins failed to stimulate
      electrogenesis; (iii) the chemically unrelated cytokinin N,N'-diphenylurea also
      failed to stimulate electrogenesis.The results imply that the kinetin effect on
      electrogenic pumping is related to adenine, or its metabolism, and not hormonal
      action. Adenine was absorbed by soybean cells, but not in sufficient quantities
      to have a significant effect on adeninenucleotide pools. It appears likely that
      the control of electrogenesis requires either the presence of a purine free base
      (i.e. no substituents at the N(9) position) or phosphoribosylation of the free
      base. No evidence was found for cytokinin-induced Ca(2+)-channel opening, though
      it is argued that such an event might be physiologically relevant, yet
      undetectable with the methods employed. It is essential that future studies on
      cytokinin signal transduction - especially as they relate to membrane transport -
      take into account the possibility that metabolic effects unrelated to hormone
      action are dominant. 

PMID- 24212752
TI  - Inhibition of stomatal opening in sunflower leaves by carbon monoxide, and
      reversal of inhibition by light.
AB  - When leaves of Helianthus annuus, whose stomates had been opened in the dark in
      the absence of CO2, were exposed to 25% carbon monoxide (CO), stomatal
      conductivity for water vapor decreased from about 0.4 to 0.2 cm.s(-1). The CO
      effect on stomatal aperture required a CO/O2 ratio of about 25. As this ratio was
      decreased the stomata opened, indicating that inhibitio of cytochrome-c oxidase
      by CO is competitive in respect to O2. Photosynthetically active red light was
      unable to reverse CO-induced stomatal closure even at high irradiances, when CO2
      was absent. When it was present, stomatal opening was occasionally, but not
      consistently observed. Carbon monoxide did not inhibit photosynthetic carbon
      reduction in leaves of Helianthus.In contrast to red light, very weak blue light
      (405 nm) increased the stomatal aperture in the presence of CO. It also increased
      leaf ATP/ADP ratios which had been decreased in the presence of CO. The blue
      light effect was not related to photosynthesis. Neither could it be explained by
      photodissociation of the cytochrome a 3-CO complex which has an absorption
      maximum at 430 nm. The data indicate that ATP derived from mitochondrial
      oxidative phosphorylation provides energy for stomatal opening in sunflower
      leaves in the dark as well as in the light. Indirect transfer of ATP from
      chloroplasts to the cytosol via the triose phosphate/phosphoglycerate exchange
      which is mediated by the phosphate translocator of the chloroplast envelope can
      support stomatal opening only if metabolite concentrations are high enough for
      efficient shuttle transfer of ATP. Blue light causes stomatal opening in the
      presence of CO by stimulating ATP synthesis. 

PMID- 24212753
TI  - Calcium influx at the plasmalemma of isolated guard cells of Commelina communis :
      Effects of abscisic acid.
AB  - The influx of (45)Ca into isolated guard cells of Commelina communis L. has been
      measured, using short uptake times, and washing in ice-cold La(3+)-containing
      solutions to remove extracellular tracer after the loading period. Over 0.5-4 min
      the uptake was linear with time, through the origin. Over 20-200MUM external
      Ca(2+) the influx measured with 10-20 mM external KCl was in the range 0.3-2.3
      pmol.cm(-2).s(-1) (on the basis of estimated guard-cell area); with only 1 mM KCl
      externally the (45)Ca influx was significantly reduced, in the range 0.3-1.1
      pmol.cm(-2).s(-1) for external Ca(2+) of 50-100 MUM. The results indicate that
      the Ca-channel is voltage-sensitive, opening with depolarisation. No consistent
      effect of the addition of abscisic acid could be found. In different experiments,
      on the addition of 0.1 mM abscisic acid the Ca(2+) influx was sometimes
      stimulated by 28-79%, was sometimes unaffected, and was sometimes inhibited by 16
      29%. The results rule out a long-lasting stimulation of (45)Ca influx by ABA, but
      they do not rule out a transient stimulation followed by inhibition, perphaps as
      a consequence of down-regulation of Ca(2+) influx by increasing cytoplasmic
      Ca(2+). The hypothesis that ABA may act via an action on Ca(2+) influx,
      increasing cytoplasmic Ca(2+), with consequent effects on voltage-dependent and
      Ca(2+)-dependent ion channels in both plasmalemma and tonoplast, is neither
      proved nor disproved by these results. 

PMID- 24212754
TI  - Applicability of the chemiosmotic polar diffusion theory to the transport of
      indol-3yl-acetic acid in the intact pea (Pisum sativum L.).
AB  - The transport of exogenous indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) from the apical tissues of
      intact, light-grown pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alderman) shoots exhibited
      properties identical to those associated with polar transport in isolated shoot
      segments. Transport in the stem of apically applied [1-(14)C]-or [5-(3)H]IAA
      occurred at velocities (approx. 8-15 mm.h(-1)) characteristic of polar transport.
      Following pulse-labelling, IAA drained from distal tissues after passage of a
      pulse and the rate characteristics of a pulse were not affected by chases of
      unlabelled IAA. However, transport of [1-(14)C]IAA was inhibited through a
      localised region of the stem pretreated with a high concentration of unlabelled
      IAA or with the synthetic auxins 1-napthaleneacetic acid and 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and label accumulated in more distal tissues.
      Transport of [1-(14)C]IAA was also completely prevented through regions of the
      intact stem treated with N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) and 2,3,5
      triiodobenzoic acid.Export of IAA from the apical bud into the stem increased
      with total concentration of IAA applied (labelled+unlabelled) but approached
      saturation at high concentrations (834 mmol.m(-3)). Transport velocity increased
      with concentration up to 83 mmol.m(-3) IAA but fell again with further increase
      in concentration.Stem segments (2 mm) cut from intact plants transporting
      apically applied [1-(14)C]IAA effluxed 93% of their initial radioactivity into
      buffer (pH 7.0) in 90 min. The half-time for efflux increased from 32.5 to 103.9
      min when 3 mmol.m(-3) NPA was included in the efflux medium. Long (30 mm) stem
      sections cut from immediately below an apical bud 3.0 h after the apical
      application of [1-(14)C]IAA effluxed IAA when their basal ends, but not their
      apical ends, were immersed in buffer (pH 7.0). Addition of 3 mmol.m(-3) NPA to
      the external medium completely prevented this basal efflux.These results support
      the view that the slow long-distance transport of IAA from the intact shoot apex
      occurs by polar cell-to-cell transport and that it is mediated by the components
      of IAA transmembrane transport predicted by the chemiosmotic polar diffusion
      theory. 

PMID- 24212755
TI  - Sulphate influx in wheat and barley roots becomes more sensitive to specific
      protein-binding reagents when plants are sulphate-deficient.
AB  - When young wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants
      were deprived of an external sulphate supply (-S plants), the capacity of their
      roots to absorb sulphate, but not phosphate or potassium, increased rapidly
      (derepression) so that after 3-5 d it was more than tenfold that of sulphate
      sufficient plants (+S plants). This increased capacity was lost rapidly
      (repression) over a 24-h period when the sulphate supply was restored. There was
      little effect on the uptake of L-methionine during de-repression of the sulphate
      transport system, but S input from methionine during a 24-h pretreatment
      repressed sulphate influx in both+S and-S plants.Sulphate influx of both+S and-S
      plants was inhibited by pretreating roots for 1 h with 4,4'
      diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS) at concentrations > 0.1 mol
      . m(-3). This inhibition was substantially reversed by washing for 1 h in DIDS
      free medium before measuring influx. Longer-term pretreatment of roots with 0.1
      mol.m(-3) DIDS delayed de-repression of the sulphatetransport system in-S plants
      but had no influence on+S plants in 3 d.The sulphydryl-binding reagent, n
      ethylmaleimide, was a very potent inhibitor of sulphate influx in-S roots, but
      was much less inhibitory in +S roots. Its effects were essentially irreversible
      and were proportionately the same at all sulphate concentrations within the range
      of operation of the high-affinity sulphate-transport system. Inhibition of influx
      was 85-96% by 300 s pretreatment by 0.3 mol.m(-3) n-ethylmaleimide. No protection
      of the transport system could be observed by including up to 50 mol.m(-3)
      sulphate in the n-ethylmaleimide pre-treatment solution. A similar differential
      sensitivity of-S and+S plants was seen with p-chloromercuriphenyl sulphonic
      acid.The arginyl-binding reagent, phenylglyoxal, supplied to roots at 0.25 or 1
      mol.m(-3) strongly inhibited influx in-S wheat plants (by up to 95%) but reduced
      influx by only one-half in+S plants. The inhibition of sulphate influx in-S
      plants was much greater than that of phosphate influx and could not be prevented
      by relatively high (100 mol.m(-3) sulphate concentrations accompanying
      phenylglyoxal treatment. Effects of phenylglyoxal pretreatment were unchanged for
      at least 30 min after its removal from the solution but thereafter the capacity
      for sulphate influx was restored. The amount of 'new' carrier appearing in-S
      roots was far greater than in+S roots over a 24-h period.The results indicate
      that, in the de-repressed state, the sulphate transporter is more sensitive to
      reagents binding sulphydryl and arginyl residues. This suggests a number of
      strategies for identifying the proteins involved in sulphate transport. 

PMID- 24212756
TI  - Some relationships between contents of photosynthetic intermediates and the rate
      of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in leaves of Zea mays L.
AB  - The relationship between the gas-exchange characteristics of attached leaves of
      Zea mays L. and the contents of photosynthetic intermediates was examined at
      different intercellular partial pressure of CO2 and at different irradiances at a
      constant intercellular partial pressure of CO2. (i) The behaviour of the pools of
      the C4-cycle intermediates, phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate, provides evidence
      for light regulation of their consumption. However, light regulation of
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase does not influence the assimilation rate at
      limiting intercellular partial pressures of CO2. (ii) A close correlation between
      the pools of phosphoenolpyruvate and glycerate-3-phosphate exists under many
      different flux conditions, consistent with the notion that the pools of C4 and C3
      cycles are connected via the interconversion of glycerate-3-phosphate and
      phosphoenolpyruvate. (iii) The ratio of triose-phosphate to glycerate-3-phosphate
      is used as an indicator of the availability of ATP and NADPH. Changes of this
      ratio with CO2 and with irradiance are compared with results obtained in C3
      leaves and indicate that the mechanism of regulation of carbon assimilation by
      light in leaves of C4 plants may differ from that in C3 plants. (iv) The
      behaviour of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate pool with CO2 and irradiance is
      contrasted with the behaviour of these pools measured in leaves of C3 plants. 

PMID- 24212757
TI  - Metabolism of [1,2-(3)H]gibberellin A 4 by epicotyls and cell-free preparations
      from Phaseolus coccineus L. seedlings.
AB  - Cell-free systems were prepared from germinating seed and seedlings of Phaseolus
      coccineus. Gibberellin A4 (GA4)-metabolising activity was detected in vitro using
      preparations from roots, shoots and cotyledons of germinating seed, but only up
      to 24 h after imbibition. Cell-free preparations from cotyledons converted
      [(3)H]GA4 to GA1, GA34, GA4-glucosyl ester and a putative O-glucoside of GA34,
      and, in addition converted [(3)H]GA1 to GA8. Preparations from embryo tissues
      contained 2beta-hydroxylase activity, converting [(3)H]GA4 to GA34 and [(3)H]GA1
      to GA8.The presence of GA-metabolising enzymes was also indicated by in-vivo
      feeds of [(3)H]GA4 to epicotyls of intact 4-d-old seedlings, which resulted in
      the accumulation of GA1, GA8, GA3-3-O-glucoside, GA4-glucosyl ester, GA8-2-O
      glucoside and a putative O-glucoside of GA34. Gibberellin A1 was the first
      metabolite detected, 15 min after application of [(3)H]GA4, but after 24 h most
      of the label was associated with GA8-2-O-glucoside. Over 90% of the recovered
      radioactivity was found in the shoot. Within the shoot, movement was
      preferentially acropetal, and was not dependent upon metabolism of the applied
      [(3)H]GA4. 

PMID- 24212758
TI  - A rare instance of retrosternal goitre presenting with obstructive sleep apnoea
      in a middle-aged person.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In endemic goitre areas, 20% of the population over 70 will have
      retrosternal goitre.(12) Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) occurs when there are
      repeated episodes of complete or partial blockage of the upper airway during
      sleep. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 55-year-old man was being treated for obstructive
      sleep apnoea, came with stridor worsening over the 2 and was advised CPAP
      ventilation. In our institution, he was diagnosed to have goitre with
      retrosternal extension with no hypo/hyperthyroidism. He was an obese (BMI -
      30Kg/m(2)) male with a short, broad neck and clinically no obvious swelling in
      the neck. He had stridor, with positive Kocher's test as well as Pemberton's
      sign. His TFT's were normal and CT scan revealed widening of superior
      mediastinum. Patient was pre-medicated with low dose (0.1MUg) fentanyl, and
      induced with inhalational anaesthesia (sevoflourane). Endotracheal intubation was
      done using 6 no. ET tube, without muscle relaxation, and the thyroid was removed
      through a conventional Kocher's incision. Thyroid was enlarged 25cm by 10cm in
      retrosternal position. Postoperatively, pt was reversed and shifted to ICU, was
      monitored for the next 24hours. He was extubated uneventfully the next morning.
      Patient had a good post-op recovery and was discharged on the 7th post-op day.
      DISCUSSION: Terms such as retrosternal, substernal, intrathoracic, or mediastinal
      have been used to describe a goitre that extends beyond the thoracic inlet.
      However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the exact definition of a
      retrosternal goitre (RSG).(1) The majority of patients present with shortness of
      breath or asthma like symptoms (68.8%), as was the case in the studied patient.
      Other modes of presentation include neck mass (75%), hoarseness of voice (37.5%),
      dysphagia (31.3%), stridor/wheezing (19%), or SVC obstruction. Upper airway
      obstruction due to thyroid gland has been reported up to 31%(2) and difficulty in
      intubation has been reported in 11%.(3) Central airway obstruction produces
      symptoms of dyspnoea, stridor, or obstructive pneumonia and is often misdiagnosed
      as asthma.(4) The CT scan was the most useful tool showing the nature and extent
      of the lesion in the reported case. In a recent publication, the CT scan was
      considered the gold-standard preoperative radiological investigation.(5) Surgery
      is the only effective treatment for retrosternal goitres. In most cases,
      suppressive therapy with thyroxine is ineffective in reducing the size of
      multinodular goitres;(7,8) radio-iodine therapy is both generally ineffective in
      large goitres(8) and may induce acute inflammation and swelling of the gland with
      the potential for airway obstruction. The operation of choice is usually a total
      thyroidectomy. Only around 2% of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for
      retrosternal goitre will require surgical access other than a standard collar
      incision (either manubriotomy, sternotomy or thoracotomy).(9) CONCLUSION: Despite
      all the advances in investigative modalities, retrosternal goitre still exists in
      20% of patients over 70 years in endemic regions. It has to be recognised that it
      can be a cause of obstructive sleep apnoea. Early detection and prompt management
      goes a long way in decreasing the morbidity and mortality in patients with RSG.

PMID- 24212759
TI  - Endoscopic removal of large orbito-ethmoidal osteoma in pediatric patient: Case
      report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Osteoma is a benign slow growing bone tumor with a prevalence of 3%
      of all benign paranasal sinuses tumors, with a peak incidence between the fourth
      and sixth decades, mostly involving frontal sinuses.(1) PRESENTATION OF CASE: We
      present a case of a large right ethmoidal sinus osteoma in a 12-year-old boy,
      complaining of frontal headaches and excessive lacrimation of the right eye. CT
      scan showed a very large tumor in the right anterior ethmoidal sinus
      (30mm*25mm*15mm). DISCUSSION: Large osteomas of the paranasal sinuses are usually
      resected by external approaches. However, the minimally invasive endonasal
      approach, which minimizes external facial scarring, is challenging for such large
      lesions in pediatrics. In the presented case, the osteoma was successfully
      resected exclusively by endoscopy-guided endonasal approach assisted by
      neuronavigation, with no peri or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: An
      endoscopic approach assisted with neuronavigation may be a minimally invasive and
      safe procedure for managing large osteoma of the ethmoidal sinus in pediatrics
      patients.

PMID- 24212760
TI  - Serum miR-210 as a potential biomarker of early clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - Early detection and treatment are critical in the management of renal cell
      carcinoma (RCC). However, there is no standard serum biomarker to facilitate
      early diagnosis or prognostic stratification in patients with RCC. Recent reports
      suggest that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have great potential as biomarkers
      for diagnosis and prognosis in patients with several types of cancers. Further,
      many studies using miRNA microarray analysis demonstrated that miR-210 expression
      in clear cell carcinoma (CCC), which is the largest subtype of RCC, was
      significantly upregulated in tumor tissue. Therefore, we investigated whether
      serum miR-210 could be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and progression of
      CCC. This study included 34 CCC patients and 23 healthy controls (HC). First, we
      analyzed tissue miR-210 levels in tumor tissues and matched normal tissues from
      the 34 CCC patients. Second, we investigated the serum miR-210 levels in the 34
      CCC patients and the 23 HC patients. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      was used to measure miRNA levels. Moreover, we examined the correlation between
      serum miR-210 levels and the clinicopathological parameters. Among patients with
      CCC, expression of miR-210 was higher in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues
      (P<0.001). Serum miR-210 levels were higher in CCC patients compared to HCs
      (P=0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed an area
      under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.77 (95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.89) and a
      sensitivity and specificity of 65 and 83%, respectively. In addition, there was
      no significant association between serum miR-210 levels and age, sex, tumor size
      or existence of metastasis at diagnosis among the 34 CCC patients. In conclusion,
      serum miR-210 upregulation may occur in the early stage of CCC and serum miR-210
      can be a useful biomarker for early CCC in humans.

PMID- 24212762
TI  - Analysis of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD Ala-9Val) and glutathione
      peroxidase (GPx1 Pro 198 Leu) gene polymorphisms in psoriasis.
AB  - Recent studies have suggested the involvement of increased reactive oxygen
      species levels and decreased antioxidant system functions in psoriasis
      pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to examine to investigate possible
      associations between the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD Ala-9Val) and
      glutathione peroxidase (GPx1 Pro198Leu) polymorphisms and psoriasis
      susceptibility and disease progression in a Turkish population. The study group
      consisted of 100 unrelated patients with psoriasis and 167 unrelated healthy
      controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes of whole blood
      which were obtained from all patients and control subjects. Genotyping was
      performed to identify MnSOD Ala-9Val and GPx1 Pro198Leu polymorphisms by a method
      based on PCR amplification and detection of polymorphisms with hybridization
      probes labeled with fluorescent dyes. Genotype and allele frequencies were
      compared between patients with psoriasis and 106 healthy control subjects. There
      was no significant difference between the MnSOD Ala-9Val single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the psoriasis
      patients and the control group (p = 0.99 and p = 0.89, respectively). There was
      also no significant difference between distributions of the genotype or allele
      frequencies of the GPx1 Pro198Leu SNP of the patient groups and control subjects
      (p = 0.99 and p = 0.96, respectively). Also, no significant difference was found
      between clinical severity of psoriasis and MnSOD Ala-9Val and GPx1 Pro198Leu
      polymorphism. This is the first report investigating the possible associations
      between the MnSOD Ala-9Val and GPx1 Pro198Leu polymorphisms and psoriasis
      susceptibility and disease progression in the Turkish population even if no
      significant difference was found between patient groups and control subjects.
      Further studies with large cohort on different populations and ethnicities will
      be able to better clarify the association. 

PMID- 24212761
TI  - Jmjd3 is essential for the epigenetic modulation of microglia phenotypes in the
      immune pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Classical activation (M1 phenotype) and alternative activation (M2 phenotype) are
      the two polars of microglial activation states that can produce either
      detrimental or beneficial effects in the central nervous system (CNS). Harnessing
      the beneficial properties of microglia cells by modulating their polarization
      states provides great potential for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD).
      However, the epigenetic mechanism that regulates microglia polarization remains
      elusive. Here, we reported that histone H3K27me3 demethylase Jumonji domain
      containing 3 (Jmjd3) was essential for M2 microglia polarization. Suppression of
      Jmjd3 in N9 microglia inhibited M2 polarization and simultaneously exaggerated M1
      microglial inflammatory responses, which led to extensive neuron death in vitro.
      We also observed that the suppression of Jmjd3 in the substantia nigra (SN) in
      vivo dramatically caused microglial overactivation and exacerbated dopamine (DA)
      neuron death in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)
      intoxicated mouse model of PD. Moreover, we showed that the Jmjd3 level was lower
      in the midbrain of aged mice, which was accompanied by an elevated level of
      H3K27me3 and an increased ratio of M1 to M2 markers, suggesting that aging is an
      important factor in switching the microglia phenotypes. Overall, our studies
      indicate that Jmjd3 is able to enhance the polarization of M2 microglia by
      modifying histone H3K27me3, and therefore it has a pivotal role in the switch of
      microglia phenotypes that may contribute to the immune pathogenesis of PD. 

PMID- 24212763
TI  - Educational inequalities in three smoking-related causes of death in 18 European
      populations.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Smoking is an important determinant of socioeconomic inequalities
      in mortality in many countries. As the smoking epidemic progresses, updates on
      the development of mortality inequalities attributable to smoking are needed. We
      provide estimates of relative and absolute educational inequalities in mortality
      from lung cancer, aerodigestive cancers, and chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD)/asthma in Europe and assess the contribution of these smoking
      related diseases to inequalities in all-cause mortality. METHODS: We use data
      from 18 European populations covering the time period 1998-2007. We present age
      adjusted mortality rates, relative indices of inequality, and slope indices of
      inequality. We also calculate the contribution of inequalities in smoking-related
      mortality to inequalities in overall mortality. RESULTS: Among men, relative
      inequalities in mortality from the 3 smoking-related causes of death combined are
      largest in the Czech Republic and Hungary and smallest in Spain, Sweden, and
      Denmark. Among women, these inequalities are largest in Scotland and Norway and
      smallest in Italy and Spain. They are often larger among men and tend to be
      larger for COPD/asthma than for lung and aerodigestive cancers. Relative
      inequalities in mortality from these conditions are often larger in younger age
      groups, particularly among women, suggesting a possible further widening of
      inequalities in mortality in the coming decades. The combined contribution of
      these diseases to inequality in all-cause mortality varies between 13% and 32%
      among men and between -5% and 30% among women. CONCLUSION: Our results underline
      the continuing need for tobacco control policies, which take into account
      socioeconomic position.

PMID- 24212764
TI  - Prevalence and harm perceptions of various tobacco products among college
      students.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although use of non-cigarette alternative tobacco products (ATPs)
      is increasingly prevalent in the United States, little is known about the varying
      patterns of tobacco use among college students. This study examined prevalence of
      ATP use and differences across 4 groups of students (nontobacco, cigarette-only,
      polytobacco, and ATP-only users) on perceptions of danger and beliefs about
      government safety evaluation of tobacco products. METHODS: An online survey was
      administered to 5,028 students attending 7 public universities within a larger
      university system (M age = 20.5 years, 59.6% female, 54.6% Hispanic/Latino).
      Multivariate analyses were conducted to investigate differences between the 4
      groups on perceived danger of tobacco products and beliefs regarding government
      safety evaluation of these products. RESULTS: Prevalence of ATP use among the
      sample ranged from 0.4% for dissolvable tobacco to 10.8% for hookah. Group
      membership was significantly associated with perceived danger of each tobacco
      product, whereby cigarette-only and ATP-only users reported significantly higher
      levels of perceived danger for most ATPs than did polytobacco users. Furthermore,
      cigarette-only, polytobacco, and ATP-only users were significantly more likely
      than nonusers to believe that the government evaluates some tobacco products for
      safety. CONCLUSIONS: ATP use among young adult college students is prevalent.
      Furthermore, students who use ATPs in conjunction with cigarettes (i.e.,
      polytobacco users) appear to be at highest risk for the continuation and
      subsequent dependence on nicotine, given their danger perceptions and beliefs of
      government evaluation. Future research examining trajectories of use,
      particularly among polytobacco users, is needed.

PMID- 24212765
TI  - Clinical, confocal, and morphological investigations on the cornea in human
      mucopolysaccharidosis IH-S.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim was to describe the confocal and histological findings of 2
      corneas from a patient with an advanced case of type I mucopolysaccharidoses
      Hurler-Scheie disease (MPS IH-S). METHODS: Both corneas from an MPS IH-S-affected
      patient were examined in vivo using confocal microscopy and then removed and
      processed for evaluation using light microscopy and transmission and scanning
      electron microscopy. RESULTS: Confocal microscopy evaluation showed basal
      epithelial cells with either diffuse or granular hyperreflectivity. Keratocytes
      were highly reflective determining a web-shaped stromal appearance. Endothelial
      cells were barely visible. The histopathological study demonstrated superficial
      cells with apical microfolds, small vesicles, and evident intercellular
      junctions. The wing cells showed either well-evident tonofilaments and small
      peripheral vesicles, or large paranuclear vesicles. The basal cells showed
      polygonal shapes, many small vesicles, and enlarged intercellular spaces. The
      Bowman layer was either normal or thinner and was formed by variably electron
      dense material. In the stroma, irregularly oriented lamellae, many vesicle-filled
      keratocytes, and intercellular granular material were present. The Descemet
      membrane was normal, whereas the corneal endothelium showed marked degenerative
      changes. CONCLUSIONS: The confocal alterations appeared consequent to the
      anomalous accumulation of material. The histopathological images gave a clue to
      better understand the corneal changes demonstrated by the confocal studies in MPS
      IH-S.

PMID- 24212766
TI  - Short-term changes in tear volume after blepharoptosis repair.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate tear volume change by using videomeniscometry
      before and after blepharoptosis surgery. METHODS: Fifty-nine eyes of 36 patients
      with blepharoptosis without lacrimal duct obstruction or other eyelid diseases
      were examined. All the patients underwent levator advancement, and the tear
      volume was evaluated preoperatively and 1.5 months postoperatively. The margin
      reflex distance-1 was determined from photographs, and the tear volume was
      determined by the measurement of tear meniscus radius using videomeniscometry.
      RESULTS: The mean margin reflex distance-1 was significantly increased after
      performing a blepharoptosis surgery (0.13 +/- 1.13 mm preoperatively vs. 3.18 +/-
      0.85 mm postoperatively, P < 0.001). The average tear meniscus radius was
      significantly decreased (0.31 +/- 0.16 mm preoperatively vs. 0.23 +/- 0.08 mm
      postoperatively, P < 0.001). A postoperative reduction in the tear meniscus
      radius was noted in 46 eyes (78%) of 31 patients, and no reduction was noted in
      13 eyes (22%) of 12 patients. Preoperative higher tear meniscus radius values
      were more likely to be decreased (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The tear volume was
      decreased after the blepharoptosis surgery was performed, especially for an
      initially high tear volume.

PMID- 24212767
TI  - A conversation with great doctors.

PMID- 24212768
TI  - Could Thoracoscore predict postoperative mortality in patients undergoing
      pneumonectomy?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Thoracoscore is incorporated in the new British Thoracic Society and
      National Institute of Health and clinical Excellence guidelines to evaluate the
      operative mortality risk of patients undergoing thoracic surgery. This study
      examines the accuracy of Thoracoscore in predicting postoperative mortality in
      patients undergoing pneumonectomy. METHODS: All patients who underwent
      pneumonectomy from January 1998 to March 2008 were included. Thoracoscore was
      calculated based on the following variables: age, sex, American Society of
      Anaesthesiologists' class, performance status classification, dyspnoea score,
      priority of surgery, procedure class, Diagnosis group and comorbidities score.
      RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-three patients with a mean age of 63 +/- 9 years
      were included and 81% were male. The predicted postoperative mortality based on
      Thoracoscore was 8 +/- 2.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.56-11.43), while
      actual in-hospital mortality was 4.5% (11/243) (95% CI 1.87-7.12). 54% (6/11) of
      in-hospital mortality was of those who were >70 years old and 73% (8/11) of
      patients who died in hospital were male. Nine of 11 (82%) patients had
      pneumonectomy for malignancy. Thoracoscore was divided into four risk groups: low
      (0-3), moderate (3.1-5), high (5.1-8) and very high (>8). It underestimated
      mortality in low-risk group while overestimated in high-risk groups. The 30-day,
      1-year, 2-year and 3-year observed mortalities were 5.3, 29, 43 and 55%,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although advanced age, the male sex and malignancy
      proved to be strong predictors of in-hospital mortality in our study,
      Thoracoscore failed to predict accurate risk of in-hospital mortality in
      pneumonectomy patients in this study. Further studies are required to validate
      the Thoracoscore in different subgroups of thoracic surgery.

PMID- 24212769
TI  - A new endoscopic standardized grading system for macroscopic central airway
      complications following lung transplantation: the MDS classification.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: After lung transplant, between 9 and 13% of bronchial anastomoses
      develop complications severe enough to warrant therapeutic intervention. These
      complications include stenosis, dehiscence, granulation tissue, bronchomalacia
      and fistula. Most of these have already been included in a classification or
      another, but none of these have been universally accepted. Moreover, no grading
      system has integrated all of these complications. The Groupe Transplantation (GT)
      (Transplant Group), from the Societe de Pneumologie de Langue Francaise (SPLF)
      [French Language Pulmonology Society], maintains a prospective national registry
      of lung transplants performed in France. The GT has mandated the Groupe
      d'Endoscopie de Langue Francaise (GELF), also from the SPLF, to develop an
      endoscopic classification, in order to describe the macroscopic aspect of the
      bronchial anastomoses, and downhill airways, using a standardized and exhaustive
      grading system. METHODS: An endoscopic classification that would take into
      account the three major aspects of the description of bronchial anastomoses was
      elaborated. The first parameter is the macroscopic aspect (M), the second, the
      diameter (D) of the anastomosis and the third, the sutures (S) of the
      anastomosis. This classification was then submitted to expert bronchoscopists
      from nine centres, responsible for lung transplants in France, for their opinion,
      using a five-item questionnaire, according to the Delphi methodology. RESULTS:
      After the first round of consultation, all experts (100%) agreed on Questions 1
      and 4. Answers were positive for Questions 2 (59%), 3 (56.25%) and 5 (70%). A
      modified classification, incorporating propositions from the first round, was
      then submitted. This second round allowed a consensus to be reached between all
      experts: the MDS classification. Each parameter (M, D and S) can be classified
      from 0 to 3. For M and D, it is possible to determine the extent of abnormalities
      downhill from the anastomosis into four subgroups (a, b, c or d). For S, the
      localization of abnormalities can be divided between two subgroups (e and f).
      CONCLUSION: The MDS classification, established by a consensus of French experts
      in bronchoscopy, could represent a standardized, universally acceptable system to
      describe central airway complications after lung transplant.

PMID- 24212770
TI  - Role of methionine adenosyltransferase genes in hepatocarcinogenesis.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the
      liver. Detection of HCC can be difficult, as most of the patients who develop
      this tumor have no symptoms other than those related to their longstanding liver
      disease. There is an urgent need to understand the molecular mechanisms that are
      responsible for the development of this disease so that appropriate therapies can
      be designed. Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) is an essential enzyme required
      for the biosynthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), an important methyl donor
      in the cell. Alterations in the expression of MAT genes and a decline in AdoMet
      biosynthesis are known to be associated with liver injury, cirrhosis and HCC.
      This review focuses on the role of MAT genes in HCC development and the scope for
      therapeutic strategies using these genes. 

PMID- 24212771
TI  - To die or to survive, a fatal question for the destiny of prostate cancer cells
      after androgen deprivation therapy.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in adult males
      in North America and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. For
      locally advanced or metastatic disease, androgen deprivation, through medical or
      surgical castration, is the primary treatment to induce prostate cancer cell
      death and extend patient survival. However, the vast majority of cancers progress
      to a castration-resistant/androgen-independent state where the cell death
      processes are no longer active. This review describes the main cell death
      processes, apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis and necroptosis, which may be activated
      in prostate cancers after androgen deprivation therapy as well as the molecular
      mechanisms through which the cancers progress to become castration resistant. In
      particular, the central role of persistent androgen receptor (AR)-mediated
      signaling and AR crosstalk with other critical cell signaling pathways, including
      (i) the PI3K/Akt pathway, (ii) receptor tyrosine kinases, (iii) the p38 MAPK
      pathway, and (iv) the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, as well as reactivation of AR by
      de novo synthesized androgen are discussed in this context. Understanding the
      molecular changes that subvert normal cell death mechanisms and thereby
      compromise the survival of prostate cancer patients continues to be a major
      challenge. 

PMID- 24212772
TI  - Epidermal growth factor receptor in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related death. The
      difficulty in detecting pancreatic cancer at an early stage, aggressiveness and
      the lack of effective therapy all contribute to the high mortality. Epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which is expressed
      in normal human tissues. It is a member of the tyrosine kinase family of growth
      factors receptors and is encoded by proto-oncogenes. Several studies have
      demonstrated that EGFR is over-expressed in pancreatic cancer. Over-expression
      correlates with more advanced disease, poor survival and the presence of
      metastases. Therefore, inhibition of the EGFR signaling pathway is an attractive
      therapeutic target. Although several combinations of EGFR inhibitors with
      chemotherapy demonstrate inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis, tumor cell
      apoptosis and regression in xenograft models, these benefits remain to be
      confirmed. Multimodality treatment incorporating EGFR-inhibition is emerging as a
      novel strategy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 24212773
TI  - Epigenetic regulation of glucose transporters in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - Due to their inherently hypoxic environment, cancer cells often resort to
      glycolysis, or the anaerobic breakdown of glucose to form ATP to provide for
      their energy needs, known as the Warburg effect. At the same time, overexpression
      of the insulin receptor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with
      an increased risk of metastasis and decreased survival. The uptake of glucose
      into cells is carried out via glucose transporters or GLUTs. Of these, GLUT-4 is
      essential for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Following treatment with the
      epigenetic targeting agents histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), GLUT-3 and
      GLUT-4 expression were found to be induced in NSCLC cell lines, with minimal
      responses in transformed normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Similar
      results for GLUT-4 were observed in cells derived from liver, muscle, kidney and
      pre-adipocytes. Bioinformatic analysis of the promoter for GLUT-4 indicates that
      it may also be regulated by several chromatin binding factors or complexes
      including CTCF, SP1 and SMYD3. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate
      that the promoter for GLUT-4 is dynamically remodeled in response to HDACi.
      Overall, these results may have value within the clinical setting as (a) it may
      be possible to use this to enhance fluorodeoxyglucose (18F) positron emission
      tomography (FDG-PET) imaging sensitivity; (b) it may be possible to target NSCLC
      through the use of HDACi and insulin mediated uptake of the metabolic targeting
      drugs such as 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG); or (c) enhance or sensitize NSCLC to
      chemotherapy. 

PMID- 24212774
TI  - Cancer stem cells of differentiated B-cell malignancies: models and consequences.
AB  - The concept of cancer stem cells has revolutionized our current vision of cancer
      development and was validated in solid tumors and cancers of the primitive
      hematopoietic compartment. Proof of the principle is still lacking, however, in
      malignancies of differentiated B-cells. We review here the current literature,
      which nevertheless suggests hierarchical organizations of the tumor clone for
      mostly incurable B-cell cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphomas and B-chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia. We propose two models accounting for cancer stem cells in
      these contexts: a "top-to-bottom" clonal hierarchy from memory B-cells and a
      "bottom-to-top" model of clonal reprogramming. Selection pressure on the growing
      tumor can drive such reprogramming and increase its genetic diversity. 

PMID- 24212775
TI  - Role of Surgery in Stages II and III Pediatric Abdominal Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A
      5-Years Experience.
AB  - Abdominal Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are the most common extra nodal
      presentation of pediatric NHL. Our aim is to assess the role of surgery as a risk
      factor and to evaluate the impact of risk-adjusted systemic chemotherapy on
      survival of patients with stages II and III disease. This study included 35
      pediatric patients with abdominal NHL treated over five years at South Egypt
      Cancer Institute (SECI), Assiut University, between January 2005 and January
      2010. The data of every patient included: Age, sex, and presentation, staging
      work up to determine extent of the disease and the type of resection performed,
      histopathological examination, details of chemotherapy, disease free survival and
      overall survival. The study included 25 boys and 10 girls with a median age of
      six years (range: 2.5:15). Thirty patients (86%) presented with abdominal pain,
      23 patients (66%) presented with abdominal mass and distention, 13 patients (34%)
      presented with weight loss, and intestinal obstruction occurred in six patients
      (17%). The ileo-cecal region and abdominal lymph nodes were the commonest sites
      (48.5%, 21% respectively). Burkitt's lymphoma was the most common histological
      type in 29 patients (83%). Ten (28.5%) stage II (group A) and 25 (71.5%) stage
      III (group B). Complete resections were performed in 10 (28.5%), debulking in 6
      (17%) and imaging guided biopsy in 19 (54%). A11 patients received systemic
      chemotherapy. The median follow up duration was 63 months (range 51-78 months).
      The parameters that significantly affect the overall survival were stage at
      presentation complete resection for localized disease. In conclusion, the extent
      of disease at presentation is the most important prognostic factor in pediatric
      abdominal NHL. Surgery is restricted to defined situations such as; abdominal
      emergencies, diagnostic biopsy and total tumor extirpation in localized disease.
      Chemotherapy is the cornerstone in the management of pediatric abdominal NHL. 

PMID- 24212776
TI  - The role of nrf2 and cytoprotection in regulating chemotherapy resistance of
      human leukemia cells.
AB  - The Nrf2 anti-oxidant response element (ARE) pathway plays an important role in
      regulating cellular anti-oxidants. Under normal cellular conditions Nrf2 can be
      described as an anti-tumor molecule due to its induction of cytoprotective genes
      which protect cells from electrophile and oxidative damage. However in cancerous
      cells, Nrf2 takes on a pro-tumoral identity as the same cytoprotective genes can
      enhance resistance of those cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Such Nrf2
      regulated cytoprotective genes include heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which has been
      shown to protect human leukemia cells from apoptotic signals. Moreover, a
      relationship between Nrf2 and the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling
      pathway has been recently identified, and is now recognized as an important cross
      talk mechanism by which Nrf2 can overcome apoptosis and provide cells with
      reduced sensitivity towards chemotherapeutic agents. In recent years a number of
      important research papers have highlighted the role of Nrf2 in providing
      protection against both current and new chemotherapeutic drugs in blood cancer.
      This review will provide a synopsis of these research papers with an aim to
      carefully consider if targeting Nrf2 in combination with current or new
      chemotherapeutics is a viable strategy in the more effective treatment of blood
      cancers. 

PMID- 24212777
TI  - Predictive and prognostic factors in colorectal cancer: a personalized approach.
AB  - It is an exciting time for all those engaged in the treatment of colorectal
      cancer. The advent of new therapies presents the opportunity for a personalized
      approach to the patient. This approach considers the complex genetic mechanisms
      involved in tumorigenesis in addition to classical clinicopathological staging.
      The potential predictive and prognostic biomarkers which have stemmed from the
      study of the genetic basis of colorectal cancer and therapeutics are discussed
      with a focus on mismatch repair status, KRAS, BRAF, 18qLOH, CIMP and TGF-beta. 

PMID- 24212778
TI  - Role of gene methylation in antitumor immune response: implication for tumor
      progression.
AB  - Cancer immunosurveillance theory has emphasized the role of escape mechanisms in
      tumor growth. In this respect, a very important factor is the molecular
      characterization of the mechanisms by which tumor cells evade immune recognition
      and destruction. Among the many escape mechanisms identified, alterations in
      classical and non-classical HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigens) class I and class II
      expression by tumor cells are of particular interest. In addition to the
      importance of HLA molecules, tumor-associated antigens and accessory/co
      stimulatory molecules are also involved in immune recognition. The loss of HLA
      class I antigen expression and of co-stimulatory molecules can occur at genetic,
      transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Epigenetic defects are involved
      in at least some mechanisms that preclude mounting a successful host-antitumor
      response involving the HLA system, tumor-associated antigens, and accessory/co
      stimulatory molecules. This review summarizes our current understanding of the
      role of methylation in the regulation of molecules involved in the tumor immune
      response. 

PMID- 24212780
TI  - Canine Mammary Cancer Stem Cells are Radio- and Chemo- Resistant and Exhibit an
      Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Phenotype.
AB  - Canine mammary carcinoma is the most common cancer among female dogs and is often
      fatal due to the development of distant metastases. In humans, solid tumors are
      made up of heterogeneous cell populations, which perform different roles in the
      tumor economy. A small subset of tumor cells can hold or acquire stem cell
      characteristics, enabling them to drive tumor growth, recurrence and metastasis.
      In veterinary medicine, the molecular drivers of canine mammary carcinoma are as
      yet undefined. Here we report that putative cancer stem cells (CSCs) can be
      isolated form a canine mammary carcinoma cell line, REM134. We show that these
      cells have an increased ability to form tumorspheres, a characteristic of stem
      cells, and that they express embryonic stem cell markers associated with
      pluripotency. Moreover, canine CSCs are relatively resistant to the cytotoxic
      effects of common chemotherapeutic drugs and ionizing radiation, indicating that
      failure of clinical therapy to eradicate canine mammary cancer may be due to the
      survival of CSCs. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been
      associated with cancer invasion, metastasis, and the acquisition of stem cell
      characteristics. Our results show that canine CSCs predominantly express
      mesenchymal markers and are more invasive than parental cells, indicating that
      these cells have a mesenchymal phenotype. Furthermore, we show that canine
      mammary cancer cells can be induced to undergo EMT by TGFbeta and that these
      cells have an increased ability to form tumorspheres. Our findings indicate that
      EMT induction can enrich for cells with CSC properties, and provide further
      insight into canine CSC biology. 

PMID- 24212781
TI  - Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) for Echographic Detection of Hepato Cellular
      Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Patients Previously Treated with Multiple Techniques:
      Comparison of Conventional US, Spiral CT and 3-Dimensional CEUS with Navigator
      Technique (3DNav CEUS).
AB  - A commercially available technique named "NAVIGATOR" (Esaote, Italy) easily
      enables a 3-D reconstruction of a single 2-D acquisition of Contrast Enhanced
      Ultrasound (CEUS) imaging of the whole liver (with a volumetric correction thanks
      to the electromagnetic device of NAVIGATOR). Aim of the study was to evaluate
      this "panoramic" technique in comparison with conventional US and spiral CT in
      the detection of new hepatic lesions. 144 cirrhotic patients (previously treated
      for hepato cellular carcinoma (HCC)) in follow-up with detection of 98 new
      nodules (N), 28 multinodular (Nmulti), 14 loco-regional regrowth (LR) 94
      efficaciously treated without new nodules (neg) and four multinodular without new
      nodules, were submitted to 200 examinations with this new technique from November
      2008 to November 2009. 3DNavCEUS was performed using SonoVue (Bracco), as
      contrast agent, and a machine (Technos MPX, Esaote). Spiral CT and 3DNav CEUS
      were performed in the same month during follow up. Sens.,Spec.,diagn.-Acc.,PPV
      and NPV were evaluated; comparison and differences between the techniques were
      obtained with chi-square (SPSS release-15). Final diagnosis was: 98 new lesions
      (N) (one to three), 28 multinodular HCC (Nmulti) and 14 loco-regional regrowth
      (LR); in 94 no more lesions were observed during follow-up; conventional US
      obtained: 58 N (+18 multinodularN and 8 LR), 40 false negative (+10 Nmulti and 6
      LR) (sens:59.2, spec:100%, Diagn Accur:73.6, PPV:100; NPV:70.1); spiral CT
      obtained: 84N (+26-multinodularN and 14-LR), 14 false-negative (+2-Nmulti), and
      one false-positive (sens:85.7, spec:97.9%, Diagn Accur:90.9, PPV:97.7; NPV:86.8);
      3DNAV obtained: 92N (+28 multinodularN and 14LR), 6 false-negative, and two false
      positives (sens:93.9, spec:97.9%, Diagn Accur:95.6, PPV:97.9; NPV:93.9). 3-DNav
      CEUS is significantly better than US and almost similar to spiral CT for
      detection of new HCC. This technique, in particular, showed the presence of
      lesions even in the cases not detected with spiral CT. 

PMID- 24212779
TI  - Regulatory T cells in colorectal cancer: from biology to prognostic relevance.
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Tregs) were initially described as "suppressive" lymphocytes
      in the 1980s. However, it took almost 20 years until the concept of Treg-mediated
      immune control in its present form was finally established. Tregs are obligatory
      for self-tolerance and defects within their population lead to severe autoimmune
      disorders. On the other hand Tregs may promote tolerance for tumor antigens and
      even hamper efforts to overcome it. Intratumoral and systemic accumulation of
      Tregs has been observed in various types of cancer and is often linked to worse
      disease course and outcome. Increase of circulating Tregs, as well as their
      presence in mesenteric lymph nodes and tumor tissue of patients with colorectal
      cancer de facto suggests a strong involvement of Tregs in the antitumor control.
      This review will focus on the Treg biology in view of colorectal cancer, means of
      Treg accumulation and the controversies regarding their prognostic significance.
      In addition, a concise overview will be given on how Tregs and their function can
      be targeted in cancer patients in order to bolster an inherent immune response
      and/or increase the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches. 

PMID- 24212782
TI  - Brain cancer stem cells: current status on glioblastoma multiforme.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive brain tumor of astrocytic/neural
      stem cell origin, represents one of the most incurable cancers. GBM tumors are
      highly heterogeneous. However, most tumors contain a subpopulation of cells that
      display neural stem cell characteristics in vitro and that can generate a new
      brain tumor upon transplantation in mice. Hence, previously identified molecular
      pathways regulating neural stem cell biology were found to represent the
      cornerstone of GBM stem cell self-renewal mechanism. GBM tumors are also
      notorious for their resistance to radiation therapy. Notably, GBM "cancer stem
      cells" were also found to be responsible for this radioresistance. Herein, we
      will analyze the data supporting or not the cancer stem cell model in GBM,
      overview the current knowledge regarding GBM stem cell self-renewal and
      radioresistance molecular mechanisms, and discuss the potential therapeutic
      application of these findings. 

PMID- 24212784
TI  - Targeted alpha therapy approach to the management of pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Evidence for the efficacy of targeted alpha therapy for the control of pancreatic
      cancer in preclinical models is reviewed. Results are given for in vitro
      pancreatic cancer cells and clusters and micro-metastatic cancer lesions in vivo.
      Two complementary targeting vectors are examined. These are the C595 monoclonal
      antibody that targets the MUC1 antigen and the PAI2 ligand that targets the uPA
      receptor. The expression of the tumor-associated antigen MUC-1 and the uPA
      receptor on three pancreatic cancer cell lines is reported for cell clusters,
      human mouse xenografts and lymph node metastases, as well as for human pancreatic
      cancer tissues, using immuno-histochemistry, confocal microscopy and flow
      cytometry. The targeting vectors C595 and PAI2 were labeled with the alpha
      emitting radioisotope 213Bi using the chelators cDTPA and CHX-A" to form the
      alpha-conjugates (AC). Cell clusters were incubated with the AC and examined at
      48 hours. Apoptosis was documented using the TUNEL assay. In vivo, the anti
      proliferative effect for tumors was tested at two days post-subcutaneous cell
      inoculation. Mice were injected with different concentrations of AC by local or
      systemic administration. Changes in tumor progression were assessed by tumor
      size. MUC-1 and uPA are strongly expressed on CFPAC-1, PANC-1 and moderate
      expression was found CAPAN-1 cell clusters and tumor xenografts. The ACs can
      target pancreatic cells and regress cell clusters (~100 um diameter), causing
      apoptosis in some 70-90 % of cells. At two days post-cell inoculation in mice, a
      single local injection of 74 MBq/kg of AC causes complete inhibition of tumor
      growth. Systemic injections of 111, 222 and 333 MBq/kg of alpha-conjugate caused
      significant tumor growth delay in a dose dependent manner after 16 weeks,
      compared with the non-specific control at 333 MBq/kg. Cytotoxicity was assessed
      by the MTS and TUNEL assays. The C595 and PAI2-alpha conjugates are indicated for
      the treatment of micro-metastatic pancreatic cancer with over-expression of MUC1
      and uPA receptors in post-surgical patients with minimal residual disease. The
      observation of tumor regression in a Phase I clinical trial of targeted alpha
      therapy for metastatic melanoma indicates that alpha therapy can regress tumors
      by a process called tumor anti-vascular alpha therapy (TAVAT). As a consequence,
      this therapy could be indicated for the management of non-surgical pancreatic
      cancer tumors. 

PMID- 24212783
TI  - Apoptosis and DNA methylation.
AB  - Epigenetic mechanisms assist in maintaining gene expression patterns and cellular
      properties in developing and adult tissues. The molecular pathology of disease
      states frequently includes perturbation of DNA and histone methylation patterns,
      which can activate apoptotic pathways associated with maintenance of genome
      integrity. This perspective focuses on the pathways linking DNA
      methyltransferases and methyl-CpG binding proteins to apoptosis, and includes new
      bioinformatic analyses to characterize the evolutionary origin of two G/T
      mismatch-specific thymine DNA glycosylases, MBD4 and TDG. 

PMID- 24212785
TI  - Biomarkers in advanced colorectal cancer: challenges in translating clinical
      research into practice.
AB  - The growing number of therapeutic agents and known molecular targets in oncology
      makes the study and clinical use of biomarkers imperative for improving response
      and survival, reducing toxicity and ensuring economic sustainability. Colorectal
      cancer, among others, is at the forefront of development of predictive and
      prognostic biomarkers; however, the difficulty lies in translating potential
      biomarkers garnered from retrospective analyses in small numbers of patients to
      generalizable and affordable biomarkers used worldwide. This review outlines the
      progress made in prognostic and predictive biomarkers in advanced colorectal
      cancer (ACRC) from the early use of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) to the KRAS
      mutation and beyond. Future challenges are to incorporate standardized and
      validated methods preferentially during early phases of drug development linked
      with sophisticated biostatistical support. New trial designs focusing on
      biomarkers will be essential not only for better understanding of mechanisms of
      action, but also to make confident 'go or no-go' decisions. 

PMID- 24212786
TI  - Molecular epidemiology of female lung cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is still a leading cause of cancer mortality in the world. The
      incidence of lung cancer in developed countries started to decrease mainly due to
      global anti-smoking campaigns. However, the incidence of lung cancer in women has
      been increasing in recent decades for various reasons. Furthermore, since the
      screening of lung cancer is not as yet very effective, clinically applicable
      molecular markers for early diagnosis are much required. Lung cancer in women
      appears to have differences compared with that in men, in terms of histologic
      types and susceptibility to environmental risk factors. This suggests that female
      lung cancer can be derived by carcinogenic mechanisms different from those
      involved in male lung cancer. Among female lung cancer patients, many are non
      smokers, which could be studied to identify alternative carcinogenic mechanisms
      independent from smoking-related ones. In this paper, we reviewed molecular
      susceptibility markers and genetic changes in lung cancer tissues observed in
      female lung cancer patients, which have been validated by various studies and
      will be helpful to understand the tumorigenesis of lung cancer. 

PMID- 24212787
TI  - Recent Advance in Biosensors for microRNAs Detection in Cancer.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-protein-coding RNA molecules that regulate the
      expression of a wide variety of genes. They act by sequence-specific base pairing
      in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the target mRNA leading to mRNA
      degradation or translation inhibition. Recent studies have implicated miRNAs in a
      wide range of biological processes and diseases including development, metabolism
      and cancer, and revealed that expression levels of individual miRNAs may serve as
      reliable molecular biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Therefore, a
      major challenge is to develop innovative tools able to couple high sensitivity
      and specificity for rapid detection of miRNAs in a given cell or tissue. In this
      review, we focus on the latest innovative approaches proposed for miRNA profiling
      in cancer and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. 

PMID- 24212790
TI  - Endoscopic palliation for pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is devastating due to its poor prognosis. Patients require a
      multidisciplinary approach to guide available options, mostly palliative because
      of advanced disease at presentation. Palliation including relief of biliary
      obstruction, gastric outlet obstruction, and cancer-related pain has become the
      focus in patients whose cancer is determined to be unresectable. Endoscopic
      stenting for biliary obstruction is an option for drainage to avoid the
      complications including jaundice, pruritus, infection, liver dysfunction and
      eventually failure. Enteral stents can relieve gastric obstruction and allow
      patients to resume oral intake. Pain is difficult to treat in cancer patients and
      endoscopic procedures such as pancreatic stenting and celiac plexus neurolysis
      can provide relief. The objective of endoscopic palliation is to primarily
      address symptoms as well improve quality of life. 

PMID- 24212789
TI  - Colorectal cancer stem cells and cell death.
AB  - Nowadays it is reported that, similarly to other solid tumors, colorectal cancer
      is sustained by a rare subset of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), which survive
      conventional anticancer treatments, thanks to efficient mechanisms allowing
      escape from apoptosis, triggering tumor recurrence. To improve patient outcomes,
      conventional anticancer therapies have to be replaced with specific approaches
      targeting CSCs. In this review we provide strong support that BMP4 is an
      innovative therapeutic approach to prevent colon cancer growth increasing
      differentiation markers expression and apoptosis. Recent data suggest that in
      colorectal CSCs, protection from apoptosis is achieved by interleukin-4 (IL-4)
      autocrine production through upregulation of antiapoptotic mediators, including
      survivin. Consequently, IL-4 neutralization could deregulate survivin expression
      and localization inducing chemosensitivity of the colon CSCs pool. 

PMID- 24212788
TI  - Neuropilins: a new target for cancer therapy.
AB  - Recent investigations highlighted strong similarities between neural crest
      migration during embryogenesis and metastatic processes. Indeed, some families of
      axon guidance molecules were also reported to participate in cancer invasion:
      plexins/semaphorins/neuropilins, ephrins/Eph receptors, netrin/DCC/UNC5.
      Neuropilins (NRPs) are transmembrane non tyrosine-kinase glycoproteins first
      identified as receptors for class-3 semaphorins. They are particularly involved
      in neural crest migration and axonal growth during development of the nervous
      system. Since many types of tumor and endothelial cells express NRP receptors,
      various soluble molecules were also found to interact with these receptors to
      modulate cancer progression. Among them, angiogenic factors belonging to the
      Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family seem to be responsible for NRP
      related angiogenesis. Because NRPs expression is often upregulated in cancer
      tissues and correlated with poor prognosis, NRPs expression might be considered
      as a prognostic factor. While NRP1 was intensively studied for many years and
      identified as an attractive angiogenesis target for cancer therapy, the NRP2
      signaling pathway has just recently been studied. Although NRP genes share 44%
      homology, differences in their expression patterns, ligands specificities and
      signaling pathways were observed. Indeed, NRP2 may regulate tumor progression by
      several concurrent mechanisms, not only angiogenesis but lymphangiogenesis,
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. In view of their multiples
      functions in cancer promotion, NRPs fulfill all the criteria of a therapeutic
      target for innovative anti-tumor therapies. This review focuses on NRP-specific
      roles in tumor progression. 

PMID- 24212791
TI  - Colon Cancer Stem Cells: Bench-to-Bedside-New Therapeutical Approaches in
      Clinical Oncology for Disease Breakdown.
AB  - It is widely accepted by the scientific community that cancer, including colon
      cancer, is a "stem cell disease". Until a few years ago, common opinion was that
      all neoplastic cells within a tumor contained tumorigenic growth capacity, but
      recent evidences hint to the possibility that such a feature is confined to a
      small subset of cancer-initiating cells, also called cancer stem cells (CSCs).
      Thus, malignant tumors are organized in a hierarchical fashion in which CSCs give
      rise to more differentiated tumor cells. CSCs possess high levels of ATP-binding
      cassette (ABC) transporters and anti-apoptotic molecules, active DNA-repair, slow
      replication capacities and they produce growth factors that confer refractoriness
      to antineoplastic treatments. The inefficacy of conventional therapies towards
      the stem cell population might explain cancer chemoresistance and the high
      frequency of relapse shown by the majority of tumors. Nowadays, in fact all the
      therapies available are not sufficient to cure patients with advanced forms of
      colon cancer since they target differentiated cancer cells which constitute most
      of the tumor mass and spare CSCs. Since CSCs are the entities responsible for the
      development of the tumor and represent the only cell population able to sustain
      tumor growth and progression, these cells represent the elective target for
      innovative therapies. 

PMID- 24212792
TI  - Essential gene pathways for glioblastoma stem cells: clinical implications for
      prevention of tumor recurrence.
AB  - Glioblastoma (World Health Organization/WHO grade IV) is the most common and most
      aggressive adult glial tumor. Patients with glioblastoma, despite being treated
      with gross total resection and post-operative radiation/chemotherapy, will almost
      always develop tumor recurrence. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSC), a minor
      subpopulation within the tumor mass, have been recently characterized as tumor
      initiating cells and hypothesized to be responsible for post-treatment recurrence
      because of their enhanced radio-/chemo-resistant phenotype and ability to
      reconstitute tumors in mouse brains. Genome-wide expression profile analysis
      uncovered molecular properties of GSC distinct from their differentiated,
      proliferative progeny that comprise the majority of the tumor mass. In contrast
      to the hyperproliferative and hyperangiogenic phenotype of glioblastoma tumors,
      GSC possess neuroectodermal properties and express genes associated with neural
      stem cells, radial glial cells, and neural crest cells, as well as portray a
      migratory, quiescent, and undifferentiated phenotype. Thus, cell cycle-targeted
      radio-chemotherapy, which aims to kill fast-growing tumor cells, may not
      completely eliminate glioblastoma tumors. To prevent tumor recurrence, a strategy
      targeting essential gene pathways of GSC must be identified and incorporated into
      the standard treatment regimen. Identifying intrinsic and extrinsic cues by which
      GSC maintain stemness properties and sustain both tumorigenesis and anti
      apoptotic features may provide new insights into potentially curative strategies
      for treating brain cancers. 

PMID- 24212793
TI  - Common altered epigenomic domains in cancer cells: characterization and subtle
      variations.
AB  - We have previously identified large megabase-sized hypomethylated zones in the
      genome of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 using the TspRI-ExoIII technique. In
      this report, we used a more convenient high throughput method for mapping the
      hypomethylated zones in a number of human tumor genomes simultaneously. The
      method was validated by the bisulfite sequencing of 39 randomly chosen sites in a
      demethylated domain and by bisulfite genome-wide sequencing of the MCF-7 genome.
      This showed that the genomes of the various tumor cell lines, as well as some
      primary tumors, exhibit common hypomethylated domains. Interestingly, these
      hypomethylated domains are correlated with low CpG density distribution genome
      wide, together with the histone H3K27Me3 landscape. Furthermore, they are
      inversely correlated with the H3K9Ac landscape and gene expression as measured in
      MCF-7 cells. Treatment with drugs resulted in en-bloc changes to the methylation
      domains. A close examination of the methylation domains found differences between
      non-invasive and invasive tumors with respect to tumorigenesis related genes.
      Taken together these results suggest that the human genome is organized in
      epigenomic domains that contain various different types of genes and imply that
      there are cis- and trans-regulators that control these domain-wide epigenetic
      changes and hence gene expression in the human genome. The hypomethylated domains
      are located in gene deserts that contain mainly tissue-specific genes and
      therefore we hypothesize that tumor cells keep these regions demethylated and
      silenced in order to save energy and resources and allow higher levels of cell
      proliferation and better survival (a thrifty tumor genome hypothesis). 

PMID- 24212794
TI  - EGFR-Targeting as a Biological Therapy: Understanding Nimotuzumab's Clinical
      Effects.
AB  - Current clinical trials of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted
      therapies are mostly guided by a classical approach coming from the cytotoxic
      paradigm. The predominant view is that the efficacy of EGFR antagonists
      correlates with skin rash toxicity and induction of objective clinical response.
      Clinical benefit from EGFR-targeted therapies is well documented; however,
      chronic use in advanced cancer patients has been limited due to cumulative and
      chemotherapy-enhanced toxicity. Here we analyze different pieces of data from
      mechanistic and clinical studies with the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody
      Nimotuzumab, which provides several clues to understand how this antibody may
      induce a biological control of tumor growth while keeping a low toxicity profile.
      Based on these results and the current state of the art on EGFR-targeted
      therapies, we discuss the need to evaluate new therapeutic approaches using anti
      EGFR agents, which would have the potential of transforming advanced cancer into
      a long-term controlled chronic disease. 

PMID- 24212795
TI  - Glioma Specific Extracellular Missense Mutations in the First Cysteine Rich
      Region of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Initiate Ligand Independent
      Activation.
AB  - The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed or mutated in
      glioma. Recently, a series of missense mutations in the extracellular domain
      (ECD) of EGFR were reported in glioma patients. Some of these mutations clustered
      within a cysteine-rich region of the EGFR targeted by the therapeutic antibody
      mAb806. This region is only exposed when EGFR activates and appears to locally
      misfold during activation. We expressed two of these mutations (R324L and E330K)
      in NR6 mouse fibroblasts, as they do not express any EGFR-related receptors. Both
      mutants were autophosphorylated in the absence of ligand and enhanced cell
      survival and anchorage-independent and xenograft growth. The ECD truncation that
      produces the de2-7EGFR (or EGFRvIII), the most common EGFR mutation in glioma,
      generates a free cysteine in this same region. Using a technique optimized for
      detecting disulfide-bonded dimers, we definitively demonstrated that the de2
      7EGFR is robustly dimerized and that ablation of the free cysteine prevents
      dimerization and activation. Modeling of the R324L mutation suggests it may cause
      transient breaking of disulfide bonds, leading to similar disulfide-bonded dimers
      as seen for the de2-7EGFR. These ECD mutations confirm that the cysteine-rich
      region of EGFR around the mAb806 epitope has a significant role in receptor
      activation. 

PMID- 24212799
TI  - Inferences for the Lead Time in Breast Cancer Screening Trials under a Stable
      Disease Model.
AB  - We estimated the effects on the lead time for women participating in a long-term
      breast cancer screening program when the screening sensitivities and disease
      progression are independent of age. The lead time, or time by which a diagnosis
      is advanced by screening, is one of the major concerns of any cancer screening
      program, which we consider to include both a mammogram and physical examination.
      Using estimates of test sensitivities and mean sojourn times previously
      calculated by other authors from observed data, we estimated properties of the
      lead time. We utilized the model for the lead time derived by other authors and
      ran simulations for different screening program designs, concentrating on
      screening interval lengths of 0.5 years, 1 year, 1.5 years, and 2 years. These
      estimates were based on a long-term screening program from age 50 to 80. For each
      six-month decrease in screening interval length, we estimated the percent
      increase in mean lead time, as well as the percent increase in the proportion of
      clinical patients who will have their cancer detected at a screening exam. 

PMID- 24212797
TI  - Prognostic value of colorectal cancer biomarkers.
AB  - Despite the large amount of data in cancer biology and many studies into the
      likely survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, knowledge regarding the
      issue of CRC prognostic biomarkers remains poor. The Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM)
      staging system continues to be the most powerful and reliable predictor of the
      clinical outcome of CRC patients. The exponential increase of knowledge in the
      field of molecular genetics has lead to the identification of specific
      alterations involved in the malignant progression. Many of these genetic
      alterations were proposed as biomarkers which could be used in clinical practice
      to estimate CRC prognosis. Recently there has been an explosive increase in the
      number of putative biomarkers able to predict the response to specific adjuvant
      treatment. In this review we explore and summarize data concerning prognostic and
      predictive biomarkers and we attempt to shed light on recent research that could
      lead to the emergence of new biomarkers in CRC. 

PMID- 24212796
TI  - Wnt/beta-catenin Signaling in Normal and Cancer Stem Cells.
AB  - The ability of Wnt ligands to initiate a signaling cascade that results in
      cytoplasmic stabilization of, and nuclear localization of, beta-catenin underlies
      their ability to regulate progenitor cell differentiation. In this review, we
      will summarize the current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying Wnt/beta
      catenin signaling and how the pathway regulates normal differentiation of stem
      cells in the intestine, mammary gland, and prostate. We will also discuss how
      dysregulation of the pathway is associated with putative cancer stem cells and
      the potential therapeutic implications of regulating Wnt signaling. 

PMID- 24212798
TI  - Cancer stem cells and side population cells in breast cancer and metastasis.
AB  - In breast cancer it is never the primary tumour that is fatal; instead it is the
      development of metastatic disease which is the major cause of cancer related
      mortality. There is accumulating evidence that suggests that Cancer Stem Cells
      (CSC) may play a role in breast cancer development and progression. Breast cancer
      stem cell populations, including side population cells (SP), have been shown to
      be primitive stem cell-like populations, being long-lived, self-renewing and
      highly proliferative. SP cells are identified using dual wavelength flow
      cytometry combined with Hoechst 33342 dye efflux, this ability is due to
      expression of one or more members of the ABC transporter family. They have
      increased resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and apoptotic stimuli and have
      increased migratory potential above that of the bulk tumour cells making them
      strong candidates for the metastatic spread of breast cancer. Treatment of nearly
      all cancers usually involves one first-line agent known to be a substrate of an
      ABC transporter thereby increasing the risk of developing drug resistant tumours.
      At present there is no marker available to identify SP cells using
      immunohistochemistry on breast cancer patient samples. If SP cells do play a role
      in breast cancer progression/Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC), combining
      chemotherapy with ABC inhibitors may be able to destroy both the cells making up
      the bulk tumour and the cancer stem cell population thus preventing the risk of
      drug resistant disease, recurrence or metastasis. 

PMID- 24212801
TI  - The role of tumour stroma in colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of mortality in western society with a 5
      year survival of approximately 50%. Metastasis to the liver and lungs is the
      principal cause of death and occurs in up to 25% of patients at presentation.
      Despite advances in available techniques for treating metastases, the majority of
      patients remain incurable and existing adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy
      are only of limited effectiveness. Understanding the molecular mechanisms
      underlying the metastatic process may allow us to identify those at greatest risk
      of recurrence and discover new tumour targets to prevent disease progression. It
      is now apparent that tumour stroma plays an important role in promoting tumour
      progression. A pronounced desmoplastic reaction was associated with a reduced
      immune response and has been shown to be an independent poor prognostic indicator
      in CRC and cancer recurrence. Determining the cause(s) and effect(s) of this
      stromal response will further our understanding of tumour cell/stromal
      interactions, and will help us identify prognostic indicators for patients with
      CRC. This will not only allow us to target our existing treatments more
      effectively, we also aim to identify novel and more specific therapeutic targets
      for the treatment of CRC which will add to our current therapeutic options. 

PMID- 24212800
TI  - Lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer.
AB  - Despite a decrease in incidence in recent decades, gastric cancer is still one of
      the most common causes of cancer death worldwide [1]. In areas without screening
      for gastric cancer, it is diagnosed late and has a high frequency of nodal
      involvement [1]. Even in early gastric cancer (EGC), the incidence of lymph node
      (LN) metastasis exceeds 10%; it was reported to be 14.1% overall and was 4.8 to
      23.6% depending on cancer depth [2]. It is important to evaluate LN status
      preoperatively for proper treatment strategy; however, sufficient results are not
      being obtained using various modalities. Surgery is the only effective
      intervention for cure or long-term survival. It is possible to cure local disease
      without distant metastasis by gastrectomy and LN dissection. However, there is no
      survival benefit from surgery for systemic disease with distant metastasis such
      as para-aortic lymph node metastasis [3]. Therefore, whether the disease is local
      or systemic is an important prognostic indicator for gastric cancer, and the
      debate continues over the importance of extended lymphadenectomy for gastric
      cancer. The concept of micro-metastasis has been described as a prognostic factor
      [4-9], and the biological mechanisms of LN metastasis are currently under study
      [10-12]. In this article, we review the status of LN metastasis including its
      molecular mechanisms and evaluate LN dissection for the treatment of gastric
      cancer. 

PMID- 24212802
TI  - X inactivation and progenitor cancer cells.
AB  - In mammals, silencing of one of the two X chromosomes is necessary to achieve
      dosage compensation. The 17 kb non-coding RNA called Xist triggers X
      inactivation. Gene silencing by Xist can only be achieved in certain contexts
      such as in cells of the early embryo and in certain hematopoietic progenitors
      where silencing factors are present. Moreover, these epigenetic contexts are
      maintained in cancer progenitors in which SATB1 has been identified as a factor
      related to Xist-mediated chromosome silencing. 

PMID- 24212803
TI  - Predictive factors of the response of rectal cancer to neoadjuvant
      radiochemotherapy.
AB  - Locally advanced rectal cancer is currently treated with pre-operative
      radiochemotherapy (pRCT), but the response is not uniform. Identification of
      patients with higher likelihood of responding to pRCT is clinically relevant, as
      patients with resistant tumors could be spared exposure to radiation or DNA
      damaging drugs that are associated with adverse side effects. To highlight
      predictive biomarkers of response to pRCT, a systematic search of PubMed was
      conducted with a combination of the following terms: "rectal", "predictive",
      "radiochemotherapy", "neoadjuvant", "response" and "biomarkers". Genetic
      polymorphisms in epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) and thymidylate
      synthase (TS) genes, the expression of several markers, such as EGFR, bcl-2/bax
      and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and circulating biomarkers, such as serum
      carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, are promising as predictor markers, but
      need to be further evaluated. The majority of the studies did not support the
      predictive value of p53, while the values of Ki-67, TS and p21 is still
      controversial. Gene expression profiles of thousands of genes using microarrays,
      microRNA studies and the search for new circulating molecules, such as human
      telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA and cell-free DNA, are providing
      interesting results that might lead to the identification of new useful
      biomarkers. Evaluation of biomarkers in larger, prospective trials are required
      to guide therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 24212805
TI  - Cell Autonomous and Non-Autonomous Functions of IKKbeta and NF-kappaB during the
      Pathogenesis of Gastrointestinal Tumors.
AB  - Genetic studies describing a link between cancer and inflammation have increased
      recently. Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF
      kappaB) and its effector pathways has been proposed to be the missing link
      between these two processes. NF-kappaB is persistently activated in several types
      of tumors. However, NF-kappaB has a distinct role in cancer cells and in
      inflammatory cells. While in tumor cells NF-kappaB controls cell survival, in
      inflammatory cells NF-kappaB activates genes that encode pro-inflammatory
      cytokines which further act in a paracrine manner within the tumor
      microenvironment to contribute to tumorigenesis. Inactivation of NF-kappaB can
      also reduce chemoresistance and radioresistance of cancer cells. Therefore,
      specific NF-kappaB inhibition in combination with cytotoxic drugs and/or
      irradiation represents a very promising strategy for cancer therapy. 

PMID- 24212804
TI  - Harnessing dendritic cells for tumor antigen presentation.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen presenting cells that are crucial
      for the induction of anti-tumor T cell responses. As a consequence, research has
      focused on the harnessing of DCs for therapeutic interventions. Although current
      strategies employing ex vivo-generated and tumor-antigen loaded DCs have been
      proven feasible, there are still many obstacles to overcome in order to improve
      clinical trial successes and offset the cost and complexity of customized cell
      therapy. This review focuses on one of these obstacles and a pivotal step for the
      priming of tumor-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells; the in vitro loading of DCs with
      tumor antigens. 

PMID- 24212806
TI  - Therapeutic response in patients with advanced malignancies treated with combined
      dendritic cell-activated T cell based immunotherapy and intensity-modulated
      radiotherapy.
AB  - Successful cancer immunotherapy is confounded by the magnitude of the tumor
      burden and the presence of immunoregulatory elements that suppress an immune
      response. To approach these issues, 26 patients with advanced treatment
      refractory cancer were enrolled in a safety/feasibility study wherein a
      conventional treatment modality, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), was
      combined with dendritic cell-based immunotherapy. We hypothesized that radiation
      would lower the tumor burdens, decrease the number/function of regulatory cells
      in the tumor environment, and release products of tumor cells that could be
      acquired by intratumoral injected immature dendritic cells (iDC). Metastatic
      lesions identified by CT (computed tomography) were injected with autologous iDC
      combined with a cytokine-based adjuvant and KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin),
      followed 24 h later by IV-infused T-cells expanded with anti-CD3 and IL-2 (AT).
      After three to five days, each of the injected lesions was treated with
      fractionated doses of IMRT followed by another injection of intratumoral iDC and
      IV-infused AT. No toxicity was observed with cell infusion while radiation
      related toxicity was observed in seven patients. Five patients had progressive
      disease, eight demonstrated complete resolution at treated sites but developed
      recurrent disease at other sites, and 13 showed complete response at various
      follow-up times with an overall estimated Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival of
      345 days. Most patients developed KLH antibodies supporting our hypothesis that
      the co-injected iDC are functional with the capacity to acquire antigens from
      their environment and generate an adaptive immune response. These results
      demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of this multimodality strategy combining
      immunotherapy and IMRT in patients with advanced malignancies. 

PMID- 24212807
TI  - Targeted therapy for biliary tract cancer.
AB  - It is necessary to establish effective chemotherapy to improve the survival of
      patients with biliary tract cancer, because most of these patients are unsuitable
      candidates for surgery, and even patients undergoing curative surgery often have
      recurrence. Recently, the combination of cisplatin plus gemcitabine was reported
      to show survival benefits over gemcitabine alone in randomized clinical trials
      conducted in the United Kingdom and Japan. Thus, the combination of cisplatin
      plus gemcitabine is now recognized as the standard therapy for unresectable
      biliary tract cancer. One of the next issues that need to be addressed is whether
      molecular targeted agents might also be effective against biliary tract cancer.
      Although some targeted agents have been investigated as monotherapy for first
      line chemotherapy, none were found to exert satisfactory efficacy. On the other
      hand, monoclonal antibodies such as bevacizumab and cetuximab have also been
      investigated in combination with a gemcitabine-based regimen and have been
      demonstrated to show promising activity. Furthermore, clinical trials using new
      targeted agents for biliary tract cancer are also proposed. This cancer is a
      relatively rare and heterogeneous tumor consisting of cholangiocarcinoma and
      gallbladder carcinoma. Therefore, a large randomized clinical trial is necessary
      to confirm the efficacy of chemotherapy, and international collaboration is
      important. 

PMID- 24212809
TI  - Tetrandrine, a Compound Common in Chinese Traditional Medicine, Preferentially
      Kills Breast Cancer Tumor Initiating Cells (TICs) In Vitro.
AB  - Tetrandrine is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in Stephania tetrandra, a
      Chinese medicine commonly used as an anti-inflammatory. It has extensive
      pharmacological activity, including positive ion channel blockade and inhibition
      of multiple drug resistance proteins. These activities are very similar to that
      of salinomycin, a known drug targeting breast cancer initiation cells (TICs).
      Herein, we tested tetrandrine targeting of breast cancer TICs. SUM-149, an
      inflammatory breast cancer cell line and SUM-159, a non-inflammatory metaplastic
      breast cancer cell line were used in these studies. In proliferation assays using
      3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H
      tetrazolium (MTS), we found that the IC50 for inhibition of proliferation is 15.3
      +/- 4.1 uM for SUM-149 and 24.3 +/- 2.1 uM for SUM-159 cells. Tetrandrine also
      inhibited mammosphere formation, a surrogate for breast cancer TICs growth in
      vitro with IC50 around 1 uM for SUM-149 and around 2 uM for SUM-159 cells.
      Tetrandrine has similar effects on the mammosphere formation from cells isolated
      from fresh patient sample. Moreover, tetrandrine decreases the aldehyde
      dehydrogenase (ALDH) positive population in SUM-159 by 45% +/- 5.45% P = 0.005.
      In summary, tetrandrine demonstrates significant efficacy against in vitro
      surrogates for inflammatory and aggressive breast cancer TICs. 

PMID- 24212808
TI  - Targeted therapy in nonmelanoma skin cancers.
AB  - Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most prevalent cancer in light-skinned
      populations, and includes mainly Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCC), representing around
      75% of NMSC and Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC). The incidence of these tumors is
      continuously growing. It was found that the overall number of procedures for NMSC
      in US rose by 76%, from 1,158,298 in 1992 to 2,048,517 in 2006. Although
      mortality from NMSC tends to be very low, clearly the morbidity related to these
      skin cancers is very high. Treatment options for NMSC include both surgical and
      nonsurgical interventions. Surgery was considered the gold standard therapy,
      however, advancements in the knowledge of pathogenic mechanisms of NMSCs led to
      the identification of key targets for drug intervention and to the consequent
      development of several targeted therapies. These represent the future in
      treatment of these common forms of cancer ensuring a high cure rate, preservation
      of the maximal amount of normal surrounding tissue and optimal cosmetic outcome.
      Here, we will review recent advancements in NMSC targeted therapies focusing on
      BCC and SCC. 

PMID- 24212810
TI  - Neoadjuvant therapy in patients with pancreatic cancer: a disappointing
      therapeutic approach?
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease. It is the fourth leading cause of
      cancer-related death in Germany. The incidence in 2003/2004 was 16 cases per
      100.000 inhabitants. Of all carcinomas, pancreatic cancer has the highest
      mortality rate, with one- and five-year survival rates of 25% and less than 5%,
      respectively, regardless of the stage at diagnosis. These low survival rates
      demonstrate the poor prognosis of this carcinoma. Previous therapeutic approaches
      including surgical resection combined with adjuvant therapy or palliative
      chemoradiation have not achieved satisfactory results with respect to overall
      survival. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate new therapeutic approaches.
      Neoadjuvant therapy is an interesting therapeutic option for patients with
      pancreatic cancer. For selected patients with borderline or unresectable disease,
      neoadjuvant therapy offers the potential for tumor downstaging, increasing the
      probability of a margin-negative resection and decreasing the occurrence of lymph
      node metastasis. Currently, there is no universally accepted approach for
      treating patients with pancreatic cancer in the neoadjuvant setting. In this
      review, the most common neoadjuvant strategies will be described, compared and
      discussed. 

PMID- 24212811
TI  - The Role of High Frequency Dynamic Threshold (HiDT) Serum Carcinoembryonic
      Antigen (CEA) Measurements in Colorectal Cancer Surveillance: A (Revisited)
      Hypothesis Paper.
AB  - Following curative treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC), 30% to 50% of patients
      will develop recurrent disease. For CRC there are several lines of evidence
      supporting the hypothesis that early detection of metachronous disease offers a
      second opportunity for cure. This paper revisits the potential role of serum
      carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in follow-up. A comprehensive review of the
      literature (1978-2008) demonstrates that the initial promise of serum CEA as an
      effective surveillance tool has been tarnished through perpetuation of poorly
      designed studies. Specific limitations included: testing CEA as only an 'add-on'
      diagnostic tool; lack of standardization of threshold values; use of static
      thresholds; too low measurement frequency. Major changes in localizing imaging
      techniques and treatment of metastatic CRC further cause a decrease of clinical
      applicability of past trial outcomes. In 1982, Staab hypothesized that the
      optimal benefit of serum CEA as a surveillance tool is through high-frequency
      triage using a dynamic threshold (HiDT). Evidence supporting this hypothesis was
      found in the biochemical characteristics of serum CEA and retrospective studies
      showing the superior predictive value of a dynamic threshold. A multi-centred
      randomized phase III study optimizing the usage of HiDT against resectability of
      recurrent disease is commencing recruitment in the Netherlands. 

PMID- 24212812
TI  - Different aspects of self-reported quality of life in 450 german melanoma
      survivors.
AB  - The present study was aimed at assessing quality of life (QoL) in a total of 450
      melanoma patients who filled out the EORTC QLQ-C30 (Q1; 15 months post diagnosis)
      as part of the OVIS Study. Follow-up questionnaires (Q2) were administered two
      years after Q1. The analyses presented herein were based on the following
      assumptions: QoL of melanoma patients is worse than that of a German reference
      population. Further, both tumor location and tumor stage have an influence on
      self-reported QoL, with patients with tumors located on face, head, neck, and
      advanced tumor stage (T3/T4) reporting the worst QoL levels. Finally, patients'
      QoL improves over time based on the theory of disease adaptation. In contrast to
      the above assumptions, with the exception of global health/QoL scores,
      differences between OVIS and the reference population were below the minimal
      clinical important difference of ten points. Furthermore, no clinically
      meaningful differences were found between patients after stratifying our data by
      tumor location and tumor stage. Finally, no clinically relevant changes were seen
      between Q1 and Q2 across all scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30. However, when data were
      stratified by patients with stable disease versus those with progression,
      clinically relevant differences were found between Q1 and Q2 predominantly in
      women in the latter group regarding emotional function, insomnia, dyspnoea, and
      fatigue. The lack of clinically meaningful differences across strata (tumor
      location; tumor stage), time, and patients compared to a reference population is
      surprising. However, it is possible that the instrument used, a generic QoL
      instrument, is generally not sensitive enough to detect differences in melanoma
      patients. Our findings may further be explained by the fact that all patients
      included in our sample had been diagnosed well before Q1, i.e., main illness
      adaptation processes may have occurred before study entry. 

PMID- 24212814
TI  - Systematic review of breast cancer biology in developing countries (part 1):
      Africa, the middle East, eastern europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and South america.
AB  - There has been no systematic appraisal of ethnicity-based variations in breast
      cancer (BC) biology amongst women from developing countries. A qualitative
      systematic review was conducted of breast cancer size, stage, grade, histological
      type, extra-mammary involvement, hormone receptor status as well as patient
      demographics. This review includes patients from Africa, the Middle East, Eastern
      Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. BC in these regions present at
      an earlier age with large aggressive tumours. Distant metastases are frequently
      present at the time of diagnosis. African women have a higher frequency of triple
      negative tumours. Over half of Middle Eastern women have lymph node involvement
      at the time of diagnosis. Despite experiencing a lower incidence compared to the
      Ashkenazi Jewish population, Palestinian women have poorer five-year survival
      outcomes. The majority of women from Mexico and South America have stage two or
      three disease whilst over sixty percent of women from Eastern Europe have either
      stage one or stage two disease. The biological characteristics of BC in the
      Caribbean cannot be fully assessed due to a paucity of data from the region. BC
      amongst the developing world is characterised by an early peak age of onset with
      aggressive biological characteristics. Strategies that improve breast cancer
      awareness, address amenable risk factors and improve early detection are
      essential. 

PMID- 24212813
TI  - Tomato lycopene and lung cancer prevention: from experimental to human studies.
AB  - Increasing evidence suggests that tomato lycopene may be preventive against the
      formation and the development of lung cancer. Experimental studies demonstrated
      that lycopene may inhibit the growth of several cultured lung cancer cells and
      prevent lung tumorigenesis in animal models through various mechanisms, including
      a modulation of redox status, cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis induction, a
      regulation of growth factor signaling, changes in cell growth-related enzymes, an
      enhancement of gap junction communication and a prevention of smoke-induced
      inflammation. In addition, lycopene also inhibited cell invasion, angiogenesis,
      and metastasis. Several lycopene metabolites have been identified, raising the
      question as to whether the preventive effects of lycopene on cancer risk is, at
      least in part, due to its metabolites. Despite these promising reports, it is
      difficult at the moment to directly relate available experimental data to human
      pathophysiology. More well controlled clinical intervention trials are needed to
      further clarify the exact role of lycopene in the prevention of lung cancer cell
      growth. Such studies should take into consideration subject selection, specific
      markers of analysis, the levels of carotenoids being tested, metabolism and
      isomerization of lycopene, interaction with other bioactive food components. This
      article reviews data on the cancer preventive activities of lycopene, possible
      mechanisms involved, and the relationship between lycopene consumption and human
      cancer risk. 

PMID- 24212815
TI  - Systematic review of breast cancer biology in developing countries (part 2):
      asian subcontinent and South East Asia.
AB  - There has been no systematic appraisal of ethnicity-based variations in breast
      cancer (BC) biology amongst women from developing countries. A qualitative
      systematic review was conducted of breast cancer size, stage, grade, histological
      type, extra-mammary involvement, hormone receptor status as well as patient
      demographics. This review includes patients from Africa, the Middle East, Eastern
      Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. BC in these regions present at
      an earlier age with large aggressive tumours. Distant metastases are frequently
      present at the time of diagnosis. African women have a higher frequency of triple
      negative tumours. Over half of Middle Eastern women have lymph node involvement
      at the time of diagnosis. Despite experiencing a lower incidence compared to the
      Ashkenazi Jewish population, Palestinian women have poorer five-year survival
      outcomes. The majority of women from Mexico and South America have stage two or
      three disease whilst over sixty percent of women from Eastern Europe have either
      stage one or stage two disease. The biological characteristics of BC in the
      Caribbean cannot be fully assessed due to a paucity of data from the region. BC
      amongst the developing world is characterised by an early peak age of onset with
      aggressive biological characteristics. Strategies that improve breast cancer
      awareness, address amenable risk factors and improve early detection are
      essential. 

PMID- 24212817
TI  - Comparison of dose response models for predicting normal tissue complications
      from cancer radiotherapy: application in rat spinal cord.
AB  - Seven different radiobiological dose-response models have been compared with
      regard to their ability to describe experimental data. The first four models,
      namely the critical volume, the relative seriality, the inverse tumor and the
      critical element models are mainly based on cell survival biology. The other
      three models: the Lyman (Gaussian distribution), the parallel architecture and
      the Weibull distribution models are semi-empirical and rather based on
      statistical distributions. The maximum likelihood estimation was used to fit the
      models to experimental data and the chi2-distribution, AIC criterion and F-test
      were applied to compare the goodness-of-fit of the models. The comparison was
      performed using experimental data for rat spinal cord injury. Both the shape of
      the dose-response curve and the ability of handling the volume dependence were
      separately compared for each model. All the models were found to be acceptable in
      describing the present experimental dataset (p > 0.05). For the white matter
      necrosis dataset, the Weibull and Lyman models were clearly superior to the other
      models, whereas for the vascular damage case, the Relative Seriality model seems
      to have the best performance although the Critical volume, Inverse tumor,
      Critical element and Parallel architecture models gave similar results. Although
      the differences between many of the investigated models are rather small, they
      still may be of importance in indicating the advantages and limitations of each
      particular model. It appears that most of the models have favorable properties
      for describing dose-response data, which indicates that they may be suitable to
      be used in biologically optimized intensity modulated radiation therapy planning,
      provided a proper estimation of their radiobiological parameters had been
      performed for every tissue and clinical endpoint. 

PMID- 24212816
TI  - Differentiation therapy of acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a predominant acute leukemia among adults,
      characterized by accumulation of malignantly transformed immature myeloid
      precursors. A very attractive way to treat myeloid leukemia, which is now called
      'differentiation therapy', was proposed as in vitro studies have shown that a
      variety of agents stimulate differentiation of the cell lines isolated from
      leukemic patients. One of the differentiation-inducing agents, all-trans retinoic
      acid (ATRA), which can induce granulocytic differentiation in myeloid leukemic
      cell lines, has been introduced into clinics to treat patients with acute
      promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in which a PML-RARA fusion protein is generated by a
      t(15;17)(q22;q12) chromosomal translocation. Because differentiation therapy
      using ATRA has significantly improved prognosis for patients with APL, many
      efforts have been made to find alternative differentiating agents. Since 1,25
      dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) is capable of inducing in vitro monocyte/macrophage
      differentiation of myeloid leukemic cells, clinical trials have been performed to
      estimate its potential to treat patients with AML or myelodysplastic syndrome
      (MDS). Unfortunately therapeutic concentrations of 1,25D can induce potentially
      fatal systemic hypercalcemia, thus limiting clinical utility of that compound.
      Attempts to overcome this problem have focused on the synthesis of 1,25D analogs
      (VDAs) which retain differentiation inducing potential, but lack its
      hypercalcemic effects. This review aims to discuss current problems and potential
      solutions in differentiation therapy of AML. 

PMID- 24212818
TI  - Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Crosstalks in Liver Cancer.
AB  - Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complex multistep process in which many different
      molecular pathways have been implicated. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is
      refractory to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, and the new targeted
      therapies are meeting with limited success. Interreceptor crosstalk and the
      positive feedback between different signaling systems are emerging as mechanisms
      of targeted therapy resistance. The identification of such interactions is
      therefore of particular relevance to improve therapeutic efficacy. Among the
      different signaling pathways activated in hepatocarcinogenesis the epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) system plays a prominent role, being recognized as
      a "signaling hub" where different extracellular growth and survival signals
      converge. EGFR can be transactivated in response to multiple heterologous ligands
      through the physical interaction with multiple receptors, the activity of
      intracellular kinases or the shedding of EGFR-ligands. In this article we review
      the crosstalk between the EGFR and other signaling pathways that could be
      relevant to liver cancer development and treatment. 

PMID- 24212819
TI  - Roles of StearoylCoA Desaturase-1 in the Regulation of Cancer Cell Growth,
      Survival and Tumorigenesis.
AB  - The development and maintenance of defining features of cancer, such as
      unremitting cell proliferation, evasion of programmed cell death, and the
      capacity for colonizing local tissues and distant organs, demand a massive
      production of structural, signaling and energy-storing lipid biomolecules of
      appropriate fatty acid composition. Due to constitutive activation of fatty acid
      biosynthesis, cancer cell lipids are enriched with saturated (SFA) and, in
      particular, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), which are generated by
      StearoylCoA desaturase-1, the main enzyme that transforms SFA into MUFA. An
      increasing number of experimental and epidemiological studies suggest that high
      levels of SCD1 activity is a major factor in establishing the biochemical and
      metabolic perturbations that favors the oncogenic process. This review examines
      evidence that suggests the critical implication of SCD1 in the modulation of
      multiple biological mechanisms, specifically lipid biosynthesis and proliferation
      and survival signaling pathways that contribute to the development and
      progression of cancer. 

PMID- 24212820
TI  - Targeting the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) in Cancer Therapy: Lessons
      from Past and Future Perspectives.
AB  - Over the last decade, extensive studies have been made to understand the role
      played by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in cancer. Knowledge in this
      field has been gained from discoveries in basic research as well as from
      observations made in patients treated with allosteric mTOR inhibitors such as
      rapamycin. Despite promising preclinical studies, targeting mTOR in cancer
      therapy has shown limited clinical benefits so far. However, recent findings have
      revealed the complexity of the functions of mTOR in cancer and have helped
      develop new strategies to improve the anticancer efficacy of mTOR inhibitors. In
      particular, a complex network between mTOR and other signaling pathways has been
      identified that influences the anticancer efficacy of mTOR inhibitors. In
      addition, an emerging role of mTOR in the tumor microenvironment has been
      suggested. In this review, we confront the major findings that have been made in
      the past, both in experimental settings as well as in clinical trials. We further
      review the strategies that have been designed to further improve the efficacy of
      therapies targeting mTOR. 

PMID- 24212821
TI  - Activation of PDGFr-beta Signaling Pathway after Imatinib and Radioimmunotherapy
      Treatment in Experimental Pancreatic Cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer does not respond to a single-agent imatinib therapy.
      Consequently, multimodality treatments are contemplated. Published data indicate
      that in colorectal cancer, imatinib and radioimmunotherapy synergize to delay
      tumor growth. In pancreatic cancer, the tumor response is additive. This
      disparity of outcomes merited further studies because interactions between these
      modalities depend on the imatinib-induced reduction of the tumor interstitial
      fluid pressure. The examination of human and murine PDGFr-beta/PDGF-B pathways in
      SW1990 pancreatic cancer xenografts revealed that the human branch is practically
      dormant in untreated tumors but the insult on the stromal component produces
      massive responses of human cancer cells. Inhibition of the stromal PDGFr-beta
      with imatinib activates human PDGFr-beta/PDGF-B signaling loop, silent in
      untreated xenografts, via an apparent paracrine rescue pathway. Responses are
      treatment- and time-dependent. Soon after treatment, levels of human PDGFr-beta,
      compared to untreated tumors, are 3.4*, 12.4*, and 5.7* higher in imatinib-,
      radioimmunotherapy + imatinib-, and radioimmunotherapy-treated tumors,
      respectively. A continuous 14-day irradiation of imatinib-treated xenografts
      reduces levels of PDGFr-beta and phosphorylated PDGFr-beta by 5.3* and 4*,
      compared to earlier times. Human PDGF-B is upregulated suggesting that the
      survival signaling via the autocrine pathway is also triggered after stromal
      injury. These findings indicate that therapies targeting pancreatic cancer
      stromal components may have unintended mitogenic effects and that these effects
      can be reversed when imatinib is used in conjunction with radioimmunotherapy. 

PMID- 24212822
TI  - Tumor cell seeding during surgery-possible contribution to metastasis formations.
AB  - In spite of optimal local control in breast cancer, distant metastases can
      develop as a systemic part of this disease. Surgery is suspected to contribute to
      metastasis formation activating dormant tumor cells. Here we add data that
      seeding of cells during surgery may add to the risk of metastasis formation. The
      change in circulating epithelial tumor cells (CETC) was monitored in 66 breast
      cancer patients operated on with breast conserving surgery or mastectomy and
      during the further course of the disease, analyzing CETC from unseparated white
      blood cells stained with FITC-anti-EpCAM. An increase in cell numbers lasting
      until the start of chemotherapy was observed in about one third of patients. It
      was more preeminent in patients with low numbers of CETC before surgery and,
      surprisingly, in patients without involved lymph nodes. Patients with the
      previously reported behavior-Reincrease in cell numbers during adjuvant
      chemotherapy and subsequent further increase during maintenance therapy-were at
      increased risk of relapse. In addition to tumor cells already released during
      growth of the tumor, cell seeding during surgery may contribute to the early peak
      of relapses observed after removal of the primary tumor and chemotherapy may only
      marginally postpone relapse in patients with aggressively growing tumors. 

PMID- 24212824
TI  - Enhancing photodynamyc therapy efficacy by combination therapy: dated, current
      and oncoming strategies.
AB  - Combination therapy is a common practice in many medical disciplines. It is
      defined as the use of more than one drug to treat the same disease. Sometimes
      this expression describes the simultaneous use of therapeutic approaches that
      target different cellular/molecular pathways, increasing the chances of killing
      the diseased cell. This short review is concerned with therapeutic combinations
      in which PDT (Photodynamyc Therapy) is the core therapeutic partner. Besides the
      description of the principal methods used to assess the efficacy attained by
      combinations in respect to monotherapy, this review describes experimental
      results in which PDT was combined with conventional drugs in different
      experimental conditions. This inventory is far from exhaustive, as the number of
      photosensitizers used in combination with different drugs is very large. Reports
      cited in this work have been selected because considered representative. The
      combinations we have reviewed include the association of PDT with anti-oxidants,
      chemotherapeutics, drugs targeting topoisomerases I and II, antimetabolites and
      others. Some paragraphs are dedicated to PDT and immuno-modulation, others to
      associations of PDT with angiogenesis inhibitors, receptor inhibitors,
      radiotherapy and more. Finally, a look is dedicated to combinations involving the
      use of natural compounds and, as new entries, drugs that act as proteasome
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 24212823
TI  - State of the art in tumor antigen and biomarker discovery.
AB  - Our knowledge of tumor immunology has resulted in multiple approaches for the
      treatment of cancer. However, a gap between research of new tumors markers and
      development of immunotherapy has been established and very few markers exist that
      can be used for treatment. The challenge is now to discover new targets for
      active and passive immunotherapy. This review aims at describing recent advances
      in biomarkers and tumor antigen discovery in terms of antigen nature and
      localization, and is highlighting the most recent approaches used for their
      discovery including "omics" technology. 

PMID- 24212826
TI  - The role of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and epidermal growth
      factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of lung cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases comprise approximately 85% of the lung cancer
      cases. Before the era of target therapy, platinum-based doublet chemotherapy only
      led to a median survival of 8-9 months and a one-year survival of 30%-40% in
      patients with advanced NSCLC. In July 2002, gefitinib, a small-molecule epidermal
      growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), was approved for the
      treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC in Japan. After the widespread use of
      gefitinib in the treatment of NSCLC, there have been many new studies regarding
      the association between the clinical anticancer efficacy of gefitinib and the
      somatic EGFR mutation status in patients with NSCLC. This article summarizes the
      role of EGFR mutations in lung cancer and the use of EGFR antagonists in the
      treatment of lung cancer and its associated adverse effects. 

PMID- 24212827
TI  - Metastasizing, Luciferase Transduced MAT-Lu Rat Prostate Cancer Models: Follow up
      of Bolus and Metronomic Therapy with Doxorubicin as Model Drug.
AB  - The most fatal outcomes of prostate carcinoma (PCa) result from hormone
      refractory variants of the tumor, especially from metastatic spread rather than
      from primary tumor burden. The goal of the study was to establish and apply rat
      MAT-Lu prostate cancer tumor models for improved non-invasive live follow up of
      tumor growth and metastasis by in vivo bioluminescence. We established luciferase
      transduced MAT-Lu rat PCa cells and studied tumor growth and metastatic processes
      in an ectopic as well as orthotopic setting. An intravenous bolus treatment with
      doxorubicin was used to demonstrate the basic applicability of in vivo imaging to
      follow up therapeutic intervention in these models. In vitro analysis of tissue
      homogenates confirmed major metastatic spread of subcutaneous tumors into the
      lung. Our sensitive method, however, for the first time detects metastasis also
      in lymph node (11/24), spleen (3/24), kidney (4/24), liver (5/24), and bone
      tissue (femur or spinal cord - 5/20 and 12/20, respectively). Preliminary data of
      orthotopic implantation (three animals) showed metastatic invasion to
      investigated organs in all animals but with varying preference (e.g., to lymph
      nodes). Intravenous bolus treatment of MAT-Lu PCa with doxorubicin reduced
      subcutaneous tumor growth by about 50% and the number of animals affected by
      metastatic lesions in lymph nodes (0/4), lung (3/6) or lumbar spine (0/2), as
      determined by in vivo imaging and in vitro analysis. Additionally, the possible
      applicability of the luciferase transduced MAT-Lu model(s) to study basic
      principles of metronomic therapies via jugular vein catheter, using newly
      established active microport pumping systems, is presented. 

PMID- 24212825
TI  - Regulation of autophagy by kinases.
AB  - Autophagy is a process of self-degradation that maintains cellular viability
      during periods of metabolic stress. Although autophagy is considered a survival
      mechanism when faced with cellular stress, extensive autophagy can also lead to
      cell death. Aberrations in autophagy are associated with several diseases,
      including cancer. Therapeutic exploitation of this process requires a clear
      understanding of its regulation. Although the core molecular components involved
      in the execution of autophagy are well studied there is limited information on
      how cellular signaling pathways, particularly kinases, regulate this complex
      process. Protein kinases are integral to the autophagy process. Atg1, the first
      autophagy-related protein identified, is a serine/threonine kinase and it is
      regulated by another serine/threonine kinase mTOR. Emerging studies suggest the
      participation of many different kinases in regulating various components/steps of
      this catabolic process. This review focuses on the regulation of autophagy by
      several kinases with particular emphasis on serine/threonine protein kinases such
      as mTOR, AMP-activated kinase, Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK, p38
      and JNK) and protein kinase C that are often deregulated in cancer and are
      important therapeutic targets. 

PMID- 24212828
TI  - Clinical trial design for testing the stem cell model for the prevention and
      treatment of cancer.
AB  - The cancer stem cell model introduces new strategies for the prevention and
      treatment of cancers. In cancers that appear to follow the stem cell model,
      pathways such as Wnt, Notch and Hedgehog may be targeted with natural compounds
      such as curcumin or drugs to reduce the risk of initiation of new tumors. Disease
      progression of established tumors could also potentially be inhibited by
      targeting the tumorigenic stem cells alone, rather than aiming to reduce overall
      tumor size. These new approaches mandate a change in the design of clinical
      trials and biomarkers chosen for efficacy assessment for preventative,
      neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and palliative treatments. Cancer treatments could be
      evaluated by assessing stem cell markers before and after treatment. Targeted
      stem cell specific treatment of cancers may not result in "complete" or "partial"
      responses radiologically, as stem cell targeting may not reduce the tumor bulk,
      but eliminate further tumorigenic potential. These changes are discussed using
      breast, pancreatic, and lung cancer as examples. 

PMID- 24212829
TI  - Mechanism of Cancer Growth Suppression of Alpha-Fetoprotein Derived Growth
      Inhibitory Peptides (GIP): Comparison of GIP-34 versus GIP-8 (AFPep). Updates and
      Prospects.
AB  - The Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) derived Growth Inhibitory Peptide (GIP) is a 34-amino
      acid segment of the full-length human AFP molecule that inhibits tumor growth and
      metastasis. The GIP-34 and its carboxy-terminal 8-mer segment, termed GIP-8, were
      found to be effective as anti-cancer therapeutic peptides against nine different
      human cancer types. Following the uptake of GIP-34 and GIP-8 into the cell
      cytoplasm, each follows slightly different signal transduction cascades en route
      to inhibitory pathways of tumor cell growth and proliferation. The parallel
      mechanisms of action of GIP-34 versus GIP-8 are demonstrated to involve
      interference of signaling transduction cascades that ultimately result in: (1)
      cell cycle S-phase/G2-phase arrest; (2) prevention of cyclin inhibitor
      degradation; (3) protection of p53 from inactivation by phosphorylation; and (4)
      blockage of K+ ion channels opened by estradiol and epidermal growth factor
      (EGF). The overall mechanisms of action of both peptides are discussed in light
      of their differing modes of cell attachment and uptake fortified by RNA
      microarray analysis and electrophysiologic measurements of cell membrane
      conductance and resistance. As a chemotherapeutic adjunct, the GIPs could
      potentially aid in alleviating the negative side effects of: (1) tamoxifen
      resistance, uterine hyperplasia/cancer, and blood clotting; (2) Herceptin
      antibody resistance and cardiac (arrest) arrhythmias; and (3) doxorubicin's
      bystander cell toxicity. 

PMID- 24212830
TI  - TRAF4, at the Crossroad between Morphogenesis and Cancer.
AB  - Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 4 (TRAF4) is a gene whose
      expression is altered in cancers. It is overexpressed in a variety of carcinomas
      of different origins, often as a consequence of amplification. TRAF4 encodes an
      adaptor protein that belongs to the TRAF protein family. While most TRAF proteins
      influence immune and inflammation processes, TRAF4 is mainly involved in
      developmental and morphogenic processes. Interestingly, this protein has been
      shown to be linked to crucial cellular functions such as cell polarity and the
      regulation of reactive oxygen species production. 

PMID- 24212831
TI  - Acquisition of Genetic Aberrations by Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase (AID)
      during Inflammation-Associated Carcinogenesis.
AB  - Genetic abnormalities such as nucleotide alterations and chromosomal disorders
      that accumulate in various tumor-related genes have an important role in cancer
      development. The precise mechanism of the acquisition of genetic aberrations,
      however, remains unclear. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a
      nucleotide editing enzyme, is essential for the diversification of antibody
      production. AID is expressed only in activated B lymphocytes under physiologic
      conditions and induces somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination in
      immunoglobulin genes. Inflammation leads to aberrant AID expression in various
      gastrointestinal organs and increased AID expression contributes to cancer
      development by inducing genetic alterations in epithelial cells. Studies of how
      AID induces genetic disorders are expected to elucidate the mechanism of
      inflammation-associated carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 24212833
TI  - A theoretical approach on controlling agricultural pest by biological controls.
AB  - In this paper we propose and analyze a prey-predator type dynamical system for
      pest control where prey population is treated as the pest. We consider two
      classes for the pest namely susceptible pest and infected pest and the predator
      population is the natural enemy of the pest. We also consider average delay for
      both the predation rate i.e. predation to the susceptible pest and infected pest.
      Considering a subsystem of original system in the absence of infection, we
      analyze the existence of all possible non-negative equilibria and their stability
      criteria for both the subsystem as well as the original system. We present the
      conditions for transcritical bifurcation and Hopf bifurcation in the disease free
      system. The theoretical evaluations are demonstrated through numerical
      simulations. 

PMID- 24212834
TI  - Anteroposterior displacement behavior of the center of pressure, without visual
      reference, in postmenopausal women with and without lumbar osteoporosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the anteroposterior
      displacement behavior of the center of pressure without any visual reference and
      determine its relationship with knee muscle strength and reports of falls in
      postmenopausal women. Among those with osteoporosis, the specific objective was
      to evaluate the correlation of thoracic kyphosis and vitamin D with center of
      pressure displacement. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study
      without intervention. The assessments were performed on 126 postmenopausal women
      (aged 55-65 years) who were grouped according to their lumbar bone density into
      osteoporosis and control groups. Center of pressure was evaluated on a force
      platform (100 Hz frequency and 10 Hz filter), with the subjects standing on both
      feet with eyes closed for 60 seconds. Knee muscle strength was evaluated using an
      isokinetic dynamometer in concentric/concentric mode at a velocity of 60 degrees
      /s. In the osteoporosis group, vitamin D was assayed, and the thoracic spine was
      radiographed. RESULTS: In the control group, there was a correlation between the
      center of pressure and knee strength (r = 0.37; p<0.003). Reports of falls were
      not associated with center of pressure displacement (p = 0.056). In the
      osteoporosis group, thoracic kyphosis and vitamin D levels were not correlated
      with the center of pressure. CONCLUSION: Anteroposterior center of pressure
      displacement without visual influence was not associated with falls, thoracic
      kyphosis or vitamin D in the osteoporosis group. Only knee muscle strength was
      associated with center of pressure displacement in the control group.

PMID- 24212835
TI  - Evaluation of the traditional and revised World Health Organization
      classifications of dengue cases in Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Dengue is a worldwide public health problem with approximately 50
      million cases reported annually. The World Health Organization proposed a revised
      classification system in 2008 to more effectively identify the patients who are
      at increased risk of complications from dengue. Few studies have validated this
      new classification system in clinical practice. We conducted a cross-sectional
      study of patients hospitalized for dengue in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul,
      Brazil, to evaluate the capacity of the two classification systems for detecting
      severe cases of dengue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional
      study of survey data from the medical records of patients admitted to the
      University Hospital of the Federal University of Grande Dourados under clinical
      suspicion of dengue during an epidemic from September 2009 to April 2010.
      RESULTS: The distribution of patients according to the traditional classification
      system was as follows: dengue fever, 150/181 (82.9%); dengue hemorrhagic fever,
      27/181 (14.9%); and dengue hemorrhagic shock, 4/181 (2.2%). Using the revised
      classification system, the distribution was as follows: dengue without warning
      signs, 45/181 (24.3%); dengue with warning signs, 107/181 (59.1%); and severe
      dengue, 29/181 (15.6%). Of the 150 patients classified as having dengue fever,
      105 (70%) were reclassified as having dengue with warning signs or severe dengue.
      CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that the revised classification system has
      greater discriminatory power for detecting patients at risk of progression to
      severe disease and those needing hospitalization.

PMID- 24212832
TI  - Review of histopathological and molecular prognostic features in colorectal
      cancer.
AB  - Prediction of prognosis in colorectal cancer is vital for the choice of
      therapeutic options. Histopathological factors remain paramount in this respect.
      Factors such as tumor size, histological type and subtype, presence of signet
      ring morphology and the degree of differentiation as well as the presence of
      lymphovascular invasion and lymph node involvement are well known factors that
      influence outcome. Our understanding of these factors has improved in the past
      few years with factors such as tumor budding, lymphocytic infiltration being
      recognized as important. Likewise the prognostic significance of resection
      margins, particularly circumferential margins has been appreciated in the last
      two decades. A number of molecular and genetic markers such as KRAS, BRAF and
      microsatellite instability are also important and correlate with histological
      features in some patients. This review summarizes our current understanding of
      the main histopathological factors that affect prognosis of colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 24212836
TI  - Duration effect of desflurane anesthesia and its awakening time and arterial
      concentration in gynecologic patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the awakening arterial blood concentration of desflurane
      and its relationship with the end-tidal concentration during emergence from
      various durations of general anesthesia. METHOD: In total, 42 American Society of
      Anesthesiologists physical status class I-II female patients undergoing elective
      gynecologic surgery were enrolled. General anesthesia was maintained with fixed
      6% inspiratory desflurane in 6 l min-1 oxygen until shutoff of the vaporizer at
      the end of surgery. One milliliter of arterial blood was obtained for desflurane
      concentration determination by gas chromatography at 20 and 10 minutes before and
      0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after the discontinuation of desflurane and at the
      time of eye opening upon verbal command, defined as awakening. Concentrations of
      inspiratory and end-tidal desflurane were simultaneously detected by an infrared
      analyzer. RESULTS: The mean arterial blood concentration of desflurane was 1.20%
      at awakening, which correlated with the awakening end-tidal concentration of
      0.96%. The mean time from the discontinuation of desflurane to eye opening was
      5.2 minutes (SD = 1.6, range 3-10), which was not associated with the duration of
      anesthesia (60-256 minutes), total fentanyl dose, or body mass index (BMI).
      CONCLUSIONS: The mean awakening arterial blood concentration of desflurane was
      1.20%. The time to awakening was independent of anesthetic duration within four
      hours. Using well-assisted ventilation, the end-tidal concentration of desflurane
      was proven to represent the arterial blood concentration during elimination and
      could be a clinically feasible predictor of emergence from general anesthesia.

PMID- 24212837
TI  - Radiofrequency ablation can reverse the structural remodeling caused by frequent
      premature ventricular contractions originating from the right ventricular outflow
      tract even in a "normal heart".
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether frequent premature
      ventricular contractions originating from the right ventricular outflow tract
      remodel the cardiac structure and function in patients with a "seemingly normal
      heart" and whether radiofrequency ablation can reverse this remodeling. METHODS:
      Sixty-eight patients with idiopathic frequent premature ventricular contractions
      originating from the right ventricular outflow tract and normal heart structure
      and function were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into three
      groups according to the therapeutic method: radiofrequency ablation group (24
      cases), anti-arrhythmia drug group (26 cases), and control group (18 cases
      without any treatment). Clinical Registration number: ChiCTR-ONRC-12002834
      RESULTS: The basic patient characteristics were comparable between the three
      groups, except for the premature ventricular contraction rate, which was
      significantly lower in the control group. After six months of follow up, the
      premature ventricular contraction rate was significantly reduced in the
      radiofrequency ablation group, which was accompanied by a significant decrease in
      the following cardiac cavity inner diameters, as determined by echocardiography:
      right atrium (33.33+/-3.78 vs. 30.05+/-2.60 mm, p = 0.001), right ventricle
      (23.24+/-2.40 vs. 21.05+/-2.16 mm, p = 0.020), and left ventricle (44.76+/-4.33
      vs. 41.71+/-3.44 mm, p = 0.025). These results were similar in the anti
      arrhythmia drug group, although this group exhibited a smaller extent of change
      (right atrium: 33.94+/-3.25 vs. 31.27+/-3.11 mm, p = 0.024; right ventricle:
      22.97+/-3.09 vs. 21.64+/-2.33 mm, p = 0.049; left ventricle: 45.92+/-6.38 vs.
      43.84+/-5.67 mm, p = 0.039), but not in the control group (p>0.05). There was a
      tendency toward improvement in the cardiac functions in both the radiofrequency
      ablation and anti-arrhythmia drug groups. However, these differences were not
      statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that
      radiofrequency ablation can potentially reverse the cardiac remodeling caused by
      frequent premature ventricular contractions even in structurally normal hearts
      and that frequent premature ventricular contractions should be abated even in
      structurally normal hearts.

PMID- 24212838
TI  - Ocular surface evaluation in patients treated with a fixed combination of
      prostaglandin analogues with 0.5% timolol maleate topical monotherapy: a
      randomized clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare ocular surface changes induced via glaucoma treatment in
      patients using fixed combinations of prostaglandin analogues (travoprost,
      latanoprost and bimatoprost) with 0.5% timolol maleate METHODS: A prospective,
      multicenter, randomized, parallel group, single-blind clinical trial was
      performed in 33 patients with ocular hypertension or open angle glaucoma who had
      not been previously treated. The ocular surface was evaluated prior to and three
      months after treatment, with a daily drop instillation of one of the three
      medications. The main outcome measurements included the tear film break-up time,
      Schirmer's test, Lissamine green staining, the Ocular Surface Disease Index
      questionnaire, impression cytology using HE and PAS and immunocytochemistry for
      interleukin-6 and HLA-DR. Ensaiosclinicos.gov.br: UTN - U1111-1129-2872 RESULTS:
      All of the drugs induced a significant reduction in intraocular pressure.
      Decreases in the Schirmer's test results were observed with all of the drugs.
      Decreases in tear-film break-up time were noted with travoprost/timolol and
      latanoprost/timolol. An increase in the Lissamine green score was noted with
      travoprost/timolol and bimatoprost/timolol. The Ocular Surface Disease Index
      score increased after treatment in the travoprost/timolol group. Impression
      cytology revealed a significant difference in cell-to-cell contact in the same
      group, an increase in cellularity in all of the groups and an increase in the
      number of goblet cells in all of the groups. The fixed combinations induced an
      increase in IL-6 expression in the travoprost/timolol group, in which there was
      also an increase in HLA-DR expression. CONCLUSIONS: All of the fixed combinations
      induced a significant reduction in intraocular pressure, and the
      travoprost/timolol group showed increased expression of the inflammatory markers
      HLA-DR and interleukin-6. All three tested medications resulted in some degree of
      deterioration in the ocular surface after three months of glaucoma treatment.

PMID- 24212839
TI  - Myxovirus resistance, osteopontin and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3
      polymorphisms predict hepatitis C virus therapy response in an admixed patient
      population: comparison with IL28B.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, myxovirus resistance protein and
      osteopontin gene polymorphisms may influence the therapeutic response in patients
      with chronic hepatitis C, and an association with IL28 might increase the power
      to predict sustained virologic response. Our aims were to evaluate the
      association between myxovirus resistance protein, osteopontin and suppressor of
      cytokine signaling 3 gene polymorphisms in combination with IL28B and to assess
      the therapy response in hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated-interferon
      plus ribavirin. METHOD: Myxovirus resistance protein, osteopontin, suppressor of
      cytokine signaling 3 and IL28B polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-restriction
      fragment length polymorphism, direct sequencing and real-time PCR. Ancestry was
      determined using genetic markers. RESULTS: We analyzed 181 individuals, including
      52 who were sustained virologic responders. The protective genotype frequencies
      among the sustained virologic response group were as follows: the G/G suppressor
      of cytokine signaling 3 (rs4969170) (62.2%); T/T osteopontin (rs2853744) (60%);
      T/T osteopontin (rs11730582) (64.3%); and the G/T myxovirus resistance protein
      (rs2071430) genotype (54%). The patients who had >=3 of the protective genotypes
      from the myxovirus resistance protein, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 and
      osteopontin had a greater than 90% probability of achieving a sustained response
      (p<0.0001). The C/C IL28B genotype was present in 58.8% of the subjects in this
      group. The sustained virological response rates increased to 85.7% and 91.7% by
      analyzing C/C IL28B with the T/T osteopontin genotype at rs11730582 and the G/G
      suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 genotype, respectively. Genetic ancestry
      analysis revealed an admixed population. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis C genotype 1
      patients who were responders to interferon-based therapy had a high frequency of
      multiple protective polymorphisms in the myxovirus resistance protein,
      osteopontin and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 genes. The combined analysis
      of the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 and IL28B genotypes more effectively
      predicted sustained virologic response than IL28B analysis alone.

PMID- 24212840
TI  - Early assessment of percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total
      occlusions analyzed by novel echocardiographic techniques.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Successful revascularization of chronic total occlusions has been
      associated with improved left ventricular systolic function, reduced anginal
      symptoms, increased exercise capacity, and increased survival. This study was
      conducted to determine the impact of revascularization in chronic total occlusion
      on left ventricular function using novel echocardiographic techniques. METHODS: A
      total of 129 patients with chronic total occlusion who underwent
      revascularization between April 2011 and November 2012 were included in this
      study. Echocardiographic assessments with two-dimensional speckle tracking
      echocardiography and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography were performed
      before the procedure and one month after the procedure. The left ventricular
      ejection fraction, left ventricular volumes, and three-dimensional systolic
      dyssynchrony index were quantified. RESULTS: An immediate procedural success was
      obtained in 118 patients (91.5%). There were no acute or subacute stent
      thromboses during follow-up. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction
      significantly increased (p<0.001), while the left ventricular end-diastolic and
      end-systolic volumes significantly decreased (p = 0.001 and p<0.001,
      respectively). The three-dimensional systolic dyssynchrony index also decreased
      significantly (p<0.001). The global longitudinal strain showed a significant
      increase after successful revascularization (p<0.001). An increase in the global
      longitudinal strain was correlated with an increase in the left ventricular
      ejection fraction (r = 0.27, p = 0.02). The patients with a left ventricular
      ejection fraction >=50% displayed a greater improvement in the global
      longitudinal strain, and the patients with diabetes showed less improvement.
      CONCLUSIONS: Using novel echocardiographic techniques, our results showed that
      restoring the coronary blood flow in chronic total occlusion patients reduces the
      left ventricular volumes and improves the left ventricular ejection fraction and
      the global longitudinal strain of hibernating myocardium.

PMID- 24212841
TI  - Tocotrienol supplementation in postmenopausal osteoporosis: evidence from a
      laboratory study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Accelerated bone loss that occurs in postmenopausal women has been
      linked to oxidative stress and increased free radicals. We propose the use of
      antioxidants to prevent and reverse postmenopausal osteoporosis. This study aimed
      to examine the effects of tocotrienol, a vitamin E analog, on bone loss due to
      estrogen deficiency. Our previous study showed that tocotrienol increased the
      trabecular bone volume and trabecular number in ovariectomized rats. In the
      current study, we investigated the effects of tocotrienol supplementation on
      various biochemical parameters in a postmenopausal osteoporosis rat model.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 female Wistar rats were randomly divided
      into four groups. The baseline group was sacrificed at the start of the study,
      and another group was sham operated. The remaining rats were ovariectomized and
      either given olive oil as a vehicle or treated with tocotrienol at a dose of 60
      mg/kg body weight. After four weeks of treatment, blood was withdrawn for the
      measurement of interleukin-1 (IL1) and interleukin-6 (IL6) (bone resorbing
      cytokines), serum osteocalcin (a bone formation marker) and pyridinoline (a bone
      resorption marker). RESULTS: Tocotrienol supplementation in ovariectomized rats
      significantly reduced the levels of osteocalcin, IL1 and IL6. However, it did not
      alter the serum pyridinoline level. CONCLUSION: Tocotrienol prevented
      osteoporotic bone loss by reducing the high bone turnover rate associated with
      estrogen deficiency. Therefore, tocotrienol has the potential to be used as an
      anti-osteoporotic agent in postmenopausal women.

PMID- 24212842
TI  - Periostin as a modulator of chronic cardiac remodeling after myocardial
      infarction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: After acute myocardial infarction, during the cardiac repair phase,
      periostin is released into the infarct and activates signaling pathways that are
      essential for the reparative process. However, the role of periostin in chronic
      cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction remains to be elucidated.
      Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship
      between tissue periostin and cardiac variables in the chronic cardiac remodeling
      induced by myocardial infarction. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were assigned to 2
      groups: a simulated surgery group (SHAM; n = 8) and a myocardial infarction group
      (myocardial infarction; n = 13). After 3 months, morphological, functional and
      biochemical analyses were performed. The data are expressed as means+/-SD or
      medians (including the lower and upper quartiles). RESULTS: Myocardial
      infarctions induced increased left ventricular diastolic and systolic areas
      associated with a decreased fractional area change and a posterior wall
      shortening velocity. With regard to the extracellular matrix variables, the
      myocardial infarction group presented with higher values of periostin and types I
      and III collagen and higher interstitial collagen volume fractions and myocardial
      hydroxyproline concentrations. In addition, periostin was positively correlated
      with type III collagen levels (r = 0.673, p = 0.029) and diastolic (r = 0.678, p
      = 0.036) and systolic (r = 0.795, p = 0.006) left ventricular areas. Considering
      the relationship between periostin and the cardiac function variables, periostin
      was inversely correlated with both the fractional area change (r = -0.783, p =
      0.008) and the posterior wall shortening velocity (r = -0.767, p = 0.012).
      CONCLUSIONS: Periostin might be a modulator of deleterious cardiac remodeling in
      the chronic phase after myocardial infarction in rats.

PMID- 24212843
TI  - Antifibrotic effects of crocetin in scleroderma fibroblasts and in bleomycin
      induced sclerotic mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antifibrotic effects of crocetin in scleroderma
      fibroblasts and in sclerotic mice. METHODS: Skin fibroblasts that were isolated
      from three systemic scleroderma (SSc) patients and three healthy subjects were
      treated with crocetin (0.1, 1 or 10 MUM). Cell proliferation was measured with an
      MTT assay. Alpha-smooth muscle actin was detected via an immunohistochemical
      method. Alpha 1 (I) procollagen (COL1A1), alpha 1 (III) procollagen (COL3A1),
      matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase
      (TIMP)-1 mRNA levels were measured using real-time PCR. SSc mice were established
      by the subcutaneous injection of bleomycin. Crocetin (50 mg/kg/d) was injected
      intraperitoneally for 14 days. Dermal thickness and lung fibrosis were assessed
      with Masson's trichrome staining. Plasma ET-1 was detected with an enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Skin and lung ET-1 and COL1A1 mRNA levels were
      measured via real-time PCR. RESULTS: Crocetin inhibited the proliferation of SSc
      and normal fibroblasts, an effect that increased with crocetin concentration and
      incubation time. Crocetin decreased the expression of alpha-SMA and the levels of
      mRNA for COL1A1, COL3A1 and matrix metalloproteinase-1, while crocetin increased
      TIMP-1 mRNA levels in both SSc and normal fibroblasts. Skin and lung fibrosis was
      induced, and the levels of ET-1 in the plasma, skin and lungs were elevated in
      bleomycin-injected mice. Crocetin alleviated the thickening of the dermis and
      lung fibrosis; decreased COL1A1 mRNA levels in the skin and lung; and
      simultaneously decreased ET-1 concentrations in the plasma and ET-1 mRNA levels
      in the skin and lungs of the bleomycin-induced sclerotic mice, especially during
      the early phase (weeks 1-3). CONCLUSION: Crocetin inhibits cell proliferation,
      differentiation and collagen production in SSc fibroblasts. Crocetin alleviates
      skin and lung fibrosis in a bleomycin-induced SSc mouse model, in part due to a
      reduction in ET-1.

PMID- 24212844
TI  - The protective effect of aqueous extracts of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. UKMR
      2) against red blood cell membrane oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin
      induced diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of
      aqueous extracts of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. UKMR-2) against red blood
      cell (RBC) membrane oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced
      diabetes. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-250 g were
      randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 rats each): control group (N), roselle
      treated control group, diabetic group, and roselle-treated diabetic group.
      Roselle was administered by force-feeding with aqueous extracts of roselle (100
      mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the
      malondialdehyde levels of the red blood cell membranes in the diabetic group were
      significantly higher than the levels in the roselle-treated control and roselle
      treated diabetic groups. The protein carbonyl level was significantly higher in
      the roselle-treated diabetic group than in the roselle-treated control group but
      lower than that in the diabetic group. A significant increase in the red blood
      cell membrane superoxide dismutase enzyme was found in roselle-treated diabetic
      rats compared with roselle-treated control rats and diabetic rats. The total
      protein level of the red blood cell membrane, osmotic fragility, and red blood
      cell morphology were maintained. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that
      aqueous extracts of roselle possess a protective effect against red blood cell
      membrane oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. These
      data suggest that roselle can be used as a natural antioxidative supplement in
      the prevention of oxidative damage in diabetic patients.

PMID- 24212845
TI  - Effects of different types of auditory temporal training on language skills: a
      systematic review.
AB  - Previous studies have investigated the effects of auditory temporal training on
      language disorders. Recently, the effects of new approaches, such as musical
      training and the use of software, have also been considered. To investigate the
      effects of different auditory temporal training approaches on language skills, we
      reviewed the available literature on musical training, the use of software and
      formal auditory training by searching the SciELO, MEDLINE, LILACS-BIREME and
      EMBASE databases. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. RESULTS: Using evidence levels
      I and II as the criteria, 29 of the 523 papers found were deemed relevant to one
      of the topics (use of software - 13 papers; formal auditory training - six
      papers; and musical training - 10 papers). Of the three approaches, studies that
      investigated the use of software and musical training had the highest levels of
      evidence; however, these studies also raised concerns about the hypothesized
      relationship between auditory temporal processing and language. Future studies
      are necessary to investigate the actual contribution of these three types of
      auditory temporal training to language skills.

PMID- 24212846
TI  - PTK2 and PTPN11 expression in myelodysplastic syndromes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of protein
      tyrosine kinase 2 and protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 11, which
      respectively encode focal adhesion kinase protein and src homology 2 domain
      containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase 2, in hematopoietic cells from patients
      with myelodysplastic syndromes. METHODS: Protein tyrosine kinase 2 and tyrosine
      phosphatase non-receptor type 11 expressions were analyzed by quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction in bone marrow cells from patients with myelodysplastic
      syndromes and healthy donors. RESULTS: Protein tyrosine kinase 2 and tyrosine
      phosphatase non-receptor type 11 expressions did not significantly differ between
      normal cells and myelodysplastic cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that
      despite the relevance of focal adhesion kinase and src homology 2 domain
      containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase 2 in hematopoietic disorders, their mRNA
      expression do not significantly differ between total bone marrow cells from
      patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and healthy donors.

PMID- 24212847
TI  - Early transconjunctival needling revision with 5-fluorouracil versus medical
      treatment in encapsulated blebs: a 12-month prospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of transconjunctival needling revision with 5
      fluorouracil versus medical treatment in glaucomatous eyes with uncontrolled
      intraocular pressure due to encapsulated bleb after trabeculectomy. METHODS:
      Prospective, randomized, interventional study. A total of 40 eyes in 39 patients
      with elevated intraocular pressure and encapsulated blebs diagnosed at a maximum
      five months after primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were included. The eyes
      were randomized to either transconjunctival needling revision with 5-
      fluorouracil or medical treatment (hypotensive eyedrops). A maximum of two
      transconjunctival needling revisions per patient was allowed in the needling arm.
      All patients underwent follow-up for 12 months. Successful treatment was defined
      as an intraocular pressure <= 18 mmHg and a 20% reduction from baseline at the
      final follow-up. Clinicaltrial.gov: NCT01887223. RESULTS: Mean intraocular
      pressure at the final 12-month follow-up was lower in the transconjunctival
      needling revision group compared to the medical treatment group. Similar numbers
      of eyes reached the criteria for treatment success in both the transconjunctival
      needling revision group and the medical treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite
      similar success rates in eyes randomized to transconjunctival needling revision
      with 5-fluorouracil compared to eyes receiving medical treatment, there was a
      significantly lower mean intraocular pressure at 12 months after
      transconjunctival needling revision.

PMID- 24212848
TI  - Electrocardiographic data should be coupled with tissue-Doppler imaging and
      clinical follow-up evaluation to determine cardiac involvement in lichen planus.

PMID- 24212849
TI  - Retraction. An overview of recently published medical papers in Brazilian
      scientific journals.

PMID- 24212850
TI  - Retraction. A survey of recently published cardiovascular, hematological and
      pneumological original articles in the Brazilian scientific press.

PMID- 24212851
TI  - Chromosomal location of the genes for ferredoxin in wheat, barley and rye.

PMID- 24212852
TI  - Chromosomal location in wheat of the genes coding for the acyl carrier proteins I
      and III.

PMID- 24212853
TI  - Analysis of cytoplasmic genomes in somatic hybrids between navel orange (Citrus
      sinensis Osb.) and 'Murcott' tangor.
AB  - Somatic hybrid plants were produced by protoplast fusion of navel orange and
      'Murcott' tangor. Hybridity of the plants was confirmed by the restriction
      endonuclease analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA. All of the plants (16 clones)
      were normal, uniform, and had the amphidiploid chromosome number of 36 (2n=2x=18
      for each parent). The cpDNA analysis showed that each of the 16 somatic hybrids
      contained either one parental chloroplast genome or the other. In all cases, the
      mitochondrial genomes of the regenerated somatic hybrids were of the navel orange
      type. 

PMID- 24212854
TI  - Molecular characterization of mitochondrial DNA of different subtypes of male
      sterile cytoplasms of the sugar beet Beta vulgaris L.
AB  - Mitochondrial (mt) DNA from eight cytoplasmic male-sterile (cms) lines of sugar
      beet from different breeding stations was investigated by restriction fragment
      analysis and Southern hybridization. All cms lines showed similar but not
      identical restriction and hybridization signal patterns, readily distinguishable
      from those of fertile (N) cytoplasm. Digestion of the mtDNA with BamHI, EcoRI,
      SalI, and XhoI revealed distinct differences between the sterile lines, and six
      subtypes of the S cytoplasm could be distinguished. Differences between the
      sterile lines were confirmed by hybridization with a [Formula: see text] gene
      probe revealing minor, line-specific hybridization signals. The data presented
      provide evidence for the existence of considerable variation within the only
      commercially used source of cms in the sugar beet, the Owen's type of cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24212855
TI  - Correlation between testcross performance of lines at early and late selfing
      generations.
AB  - In hybrid breeding programs, testcross evaluation of lines can be done during the
      early stages of selfing (early testing) or delayed until the lines are near
      homozygous. To evaluate the usefulness of early testing, the expected genetic and
      phenotypic correlations between testcross performance at different selfing
      generations were examined. The genetic correlation (r GnGn' ) between testcross
      performance of S n and S n' , (n'>n) individuals or lines is equal to the square
      root of the ratio of their testcross genetic variances, and it is a function of
      the inbreeding coefficients (F) at the two selfing generations, i.e., r
      GnGn'=[(1+F n )/(1+F n )](0.5). The genetic correlation between testcross
      performance of lines and their directly descended homozygous (n'=infinity) lines
      is 0.71 for S1; 0.87 for S2, 0.93 for S3, 0.97 for S4, 0.98 for S5, and 0.99 for
      S5 lines. The effectiveness of early testing is limited mainly by nongenetic
      effects. The square root of testcross heritability at generation n sets the upper
      limit on the correlation between phenotypic value at generation n and genotypic
      value at homozygosity. The probabilities of correctly retaining S n individuals
      or lines that have superior testcross performance at homozygosity (n'=infinity)
      indicate that early testing should be effective in identifying lines with above-
      and below-average combining ability. However, the risk of losing lines with
      superior combining ability is high if strong (best 10%) selection pressure is
      applied during early testing. If only a small proportion of lines is retained
      based on testcross performance and/or if the heritability of the trait is low,
      selfing for two or three generations prior to testcrossing may be desirable to
      increase the likelihood of retaining lines that perform well at homozygosity. The
      theoretical results in this study support the testcross evaluation procedures for
      grain yield used by most maize (Zea mays L.) breeders. 

PMID- 24212856
TI  - RFLP mapping of I1, a new locus in tomato conferring resistance against Fusarium
      oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 1.
AB  - The inheritance and linkage relationships of a gene for resistance to Fusarium
      oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 1 were analyzed. An interspecific hybrid
      between a resistant Lycopersicon pennellii and a susceptible L. esculentum was
      backcrossed to L. esculentum. The genotype of each backcross-1 (BC1) plant with
      respect to its Fusarium response was determined by means of backcross-2 progeny
      tests. Resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene, I1, which was not
      allelic to I, the traditional gene for resistance against the same fungal
      pathogen that was derived from L. pimpinellifolium. Linkage analysis of 154
      molecular markers that segregated in the BC1 population placed I1 between the
      RFLP markers TG20 and TG128 on chromosome 7. The flanking markers were used to
      verify the assignment of the I1 genotype in the segregating population. The
      results are discussed with reference to the possibility of cloning Fusarium
      resistance genes in tomato. 

PMID- 24212857
TI  - Biochemical evidence of a translocation between 6 RL/7 RL chromosome arms in rye
      (Secale cereale L.). A genetic map of 6R chromosome.
AB  - The segregation of different isozymic loci was investigated in backcrosses and
      F2s in rye. The leucin aminopeptidase-1 (Lap-1), Aconitase-1 (Aco-1), Esterase-6
      (Est-6), Esterase-8 (Est-8), and Endopeptidase-1 (Ep-1) loci were linked. The Aco
      1, Est-6, and Est-8 loci have been previously located on the 6RL chromosome arm.
      The Lap-1 locus has been located on the 6RS chromosome arm. The results favor the
      gene order: Lap-1... (centromere)... Aco-1... Est-8... Est-6... Ep-1. The
      isoelectric focusing separations of aqueous extracts from mature embryo tissue of
      wheat-rye addition and substitution lines involving the chromosomes of cereal rye
      Secale cereale L. confirmed the gene location of locus Ep-1 on the 6RL chromosome
      arm. Screening of wheat-rye addition lines involving the chromosomes of Secale
      montanum revealed that Ep-1 locus is not located on chromosome 6R of S. montanum.
      These results are the first biochemical evidence of the translocation between
      chromosome arms 6RL/7RL in the evolution of S. cereale from S. montanum. 

PMID- 24212858
TI  - Genetic control of Lucilia cuprina: analysis of field trial data using simulation
      techniques.
AB  - An analytical version of the genetic control simulation program GENCON has been
      used to further analyze the data obtained during field trials of genetic control
      of the sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, in 1976-79. In the simulations, population
      trends from a nonrelease area were used as an estimate of the rates of increase
      that would have occurred in the target population if there had been no releases.
      Genetic data from the target area (frequencies of matings by released males) were
      used to predict the frequencies of descendants of released males, the resulting
      genetic death, and the effects of this on population trends. In simulations that
      assumed no migration and full survival and competitiveness of all field-reared
      descendants of released males (translocation-bearing males and males and females
      heterozygous for deleterious mutations), neither the predicted genetic changes
      nor the predicted population trends agreed well with the observed data. Further
      simulations suggested that reduced survival or competitiveness of field-reared
      descendants did not account for this disagreement, but that immigration of wild
      flies into the test areas was probably a major contributor to the failure to
      achieve suppression. However, immigration alone was not sufficient to explain all
      the differences between observed and expected results. Other plausible
      contributors to this failure were: (1) lower survival of translocation males due
      to the effects of a dieldrin resistance allele carried on the translocation, and
      (2) increased survival of immature stages of L. cuprina at low population
      densities. 

PMID- 24212859
TI  - Chromosomal control of wheat gliadin protein epitopes: analysis with specific
      monoclonal antibodies.
AB  - The genetic relationships between small clusters of monomeric alcohol-soluble
      wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain storage proteins (gliadins) were studied using
      a panel of monoclonal antibodies and immunoblotting, ELISA, and RIA methods. Use
      of Chinese Spring nullisomic-tetrasomic lines showed that several narrow
      specificity antibodies bound specifically to gliadins encoded by genes located on
      a single chromosome. In at least one case, antibodies bound to genetic "blocks"
      of gliadins, indicating that these block members have structural homology.
      However, often not all gliadins of a block were recognized by an antibody. For
      broad-specificity antibodies and some narrow-specificity antibodies, structural
      genes on several chromosomes were important. Studies with several primitive wheat
      species indicated that, while antibodies usually bound gliadins from the same
      genome in bread and primitive wheats, antibodies sometimes bound proteins of
      quite differing mobilities in the two wheat types. Use of antibodies to identify
      gliadin blocks is simpler than block analysis based on performing crosses, and
      should be of value in monitoring genotype/end-use quality relationships. 

PMID- 24212860
TI  - A note on the application of diallel crosses for the analysis of genetic
      variation in natural populations.
AB  - The complete diallel cross among homozygous lines can be a useful tool to analyze
      the genetic architecture of natural populations. However, it represents the
      natural population only approximately, in particular if the number of lines is
      small and the analyzed traits exhibit inbreeding depression or other forms of
      directional dominance. Some incorrect expected mean squares that can be found in
      the literature suggest tests for genetic variance components that can be
      misleading under such circumstances. Expected mean squares for a factorial
      analysis and for a modified Hayman analysis are presented and the effect of the
      number of lines and directional dominance is discussed. 

PMID- 24212861
TI  - Distribution and organization of a tandemly repeated 352-bp sequence in the
      oryzae family.
AB  - A 352-bp EcoRI fragment from rice DNA was cloned and shown to be a member of a
      tandem repeat. Sequence determination revealed homologies with human alpha
      satellite DNA and maize knob heterochromatin specific repeat. This 352-bp
      sequence is highly specific for the AA genome of rice. However, copy number and
      sequence organization are variable, depending on the accession analyzed. Several
      examples of amplification were observed in O. rufipogon and O. longistaminata.
      Use of resolutive polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 4-bp cutter enzymes
      allowed one to distinguish between the Indica and Japonica subtypes of O. sativa.
      The same method also discriminates between two groups of O. rufipogon, the
      presumed ancestor of O. sativa, suggesting that the present day Indica and
      Japonica subtypes originated independently from two O. rufipogon distinct
      populations. 

PMID- 24212862
TI  - Crossbreeding effects after long-term selection for purebred performance: a model
      experiment with mice : 2. Performance of three-breed crosses.
AB  - Results are presented from two replicated three-breed cross diallels that were
      conducted after 20 generations of selection for purebred performance in mice. The
      selection criteria for the different lines were: litter size at birth (LS),
      weaning weight at 4 weeks (WW), weight gain from week 4 to week 6 (WG), and body
      fat content at week 6 (FT). Additionally, a random-mating control line (C) was
      kept. Significant maternal heterosis was found in litter size and weaning weight.
      Estimates of maternal heterosis in litter size were very high, ranging from 17 to
      50% of the mean of the corresponding single crosses. Maternal heterosis in
      weaning weight usually was negative and ranged from +9 to -11%. Significant
      maternal heterosis in feed efficiency and weaning weight could only be found in a
      few cases. Total performance of three-breed crosses was highly superior to that
      of single crosses and purebreds. Means of the corresponding purebreds or single
      crosses were of little use in predicting three-breed cross performance. 

PMID- 24212863
TI  - Plant regeneration from embryogenic cell suspensions derived from anther cultures
      of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).
AB  - We have established embryogenic cell suspension cultures of barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L. cultivars Igri, Gimpel, Princesse, and Baronesse) from anther-derived
      embryogenic callus. Suspension cultures of cultivars Igri and Gimpel were
      regenerable. The most successful cultivar was Igri, from which a number of
      independent cell lines producing plantlets were established. Plants could be
      transferred to soil; up to now, 50% of more than 200 regenerated plants were
      morphologically normal and fertile. The relative frequency of sterile plants
      increased as suspensions aged. Suspensions older than 1 year produced embryogenic
      callus but only albino plantlets could be regenerated. 

PMID- 24212864
TI  - Molecular systematics of Brassica and allied genera (Subtribe Brassicinae,
      Brassiceae) -chloroplast genome and cytodeme congruence.
AB  - Chloroplast DNA restriction sites for 20 endonucleases were mapped using cpDNA
      probes from Brassica juncea and site variation was surveyed in 33 diploid taxa of
      the Subtribe Brassicinae. A total of 419 mutations was observed, including both
      site (i.e., gain/ loss) and fragment length (i.e., insertions or deletions); 221
      (53%) mutations showed variation at the interspecific level. Phylogenetic
      analysis indicated a clear division of the subtribe into two ancient evolutionary
      lineages. These were (I) the "Nigra" lineage: Brassica nigra, B. fruticulosa, B.
      tournefortii, Sinapis pubescens, S. alba, S. flexuosa, S. arvensis, Coincya
      cheiranthos, Erucastrum canariense, and Hirschfeldia incana, and (II) the "Rapa/
      Oleracea" lineage: Brassica rapa, B. oleracea ssp. oleracea and ssp. alboglabra,
      B. rupestris-villosa complex (B. rupestris, B. drepanensis, B. macrocarpa, B.
      villosa), B. barrelieri, B. deflexa, B. oxyrrhina, B. gravinae, Diplotaxis
      erucoides, D. tenuifolia, Eruca sativa, Raphanus raphanistrum, R. sativus, and
      Sinapis aucheri. In the "Nigra" lineage, Brassica nigra was most closely related
      to the annual Sinapis species, S. arvensis and S. alba. In the "Rapa/Oleracea"
      lineage, the Brassica rapa and B. oleracea genomes formed a distinct group whose
      closest relatives were the wild species of the B. oleracea (n=9) complex (i.e.,
      B. rupestris-villosa complex). Species with n=7 chromosomes exist in both
      lineages. Hirschfeldia incana (n=7), in the "Nigra" lineage, was most closely
      related to Sinapis pubescens. In the "Rapa/Oleracea" lineage three taxa with n=7 
      B. deflexa, D. erucoides, and S. aucheri - were closely related, advanced in the
      lineage, and were the closest apparent relatives (particularly D. erucoides) to
      B. rapa, B. oleracea, and its wild relatives. Levels of genetic divergence
      suggested by the cpDNA data were consistent with cytodeme recognition in the
      subtribe, but provided evidence for inconsistencies in the current generic
      delimitations based on morphology. Very low levels of genetic divergence were
      evident among taxa/accessions within a cytodeme. Raphanus was closely related to
      the Brassica rapa and B. oleracea genomes and clearly belongs in Subtribe
      Brassicinae. Several cytoplasmic genetic markers of potential use in plant
      breeding programs were identified for each of the cytodemes. 

PMID- 24212865
TI  - A homologous expression system for cloned zein genes.
AB  - Expression of the genes encoding the 10-, 15-, and 27-kDa zeins is maintained in
      suspension cultures derived from developing endosperm tissue of maize (Zea mays
      L.). Although expression of these genes is reduced in endosperm cultures as
      compared with that in endosperm tissue from developing kernels, it remains
      specific to the origin of explant, since no transcripts are detected in leaf
      tissue-derived suspension cultures. Transcript sizes are identical to those in
      developing seed endosperm tissue. Furthermore, accurate transcription initiation
      of the 10- and 27-kDa zein genes is observed by S1 nuclease mapping. Protoplasts
      isolated from endosperm cultures are capable of expressing foreign genes when
      transfected by electroporation. We demonstrate that the 5' flanking sequences of
      the 10- and 27-kDa zein genes are capable of promoting chloramphenicol
      acetyltransferase (CAT) gene expression in these transfected protoplasts. Our
      observations show that these maize endosperm cultures can be used as an efficient
      homologous system to study transcriptional regulation of zein genes. 

PMID- 24212866
TI  - Preparation and flow cytometric analysis of metaphase chromosomes of tomato.
AB  - A procedure for the preparation of tomato chromosome suspensions suitable for
      flow cytometric analysis is described. Rapidly growing cell suspension cultures
      of Lycopersicon esculentum cv VFNT cherry and L. pennellii LA716 were treated
      with colchicine to enrich for metaphase chromosomes. Metaphase indices between 20
      and 35% were routinely obtained when cultures were exposed to 0.1% colchicine for
      15-18 h after 2 days of subculture. Mitotic cells were isolated by brief
      treatment with cell wall digesting enzymes in a medium with low osmolarity (~325
      mOsm/kg of H52O). The low osmolarity medium was needed to avoid the chromosome
      clumping and decondensation seen in standard media. Suspensions of intact
      chromosomes were prepared by lysing swollen protoplasts in various buffers
      (MgSO4, polyamines, hexylene glycol, or KCl-propidium iodide) similar in contents
      to the buffers used to isolate mammalian chromosomes. For univariate flow
      cytometric analysis, chromosome suspensions were stained with a fluorescent DNA
      binding stain (propidium iodide, Hoechst 33258, mithramycin, or chromomycin A3)
      and analyzed using an EPICS flow cytometer (Profile Analyzer or 753). Peaks for
      the chromosomes, chromatids, clumps of chromosomes, nuclei, and fluorescent
      debris were seen on a histogram of log of fluorescence intensity, and were
      confirmed by microscopic examination of the objects collected by flow-sorting.
      Chromosome suspensions prepared in MgSO4 buffer have the highest frequency of
      intact chromosomes and the least fluorescent cellular debris. Peaks similar to
      theoretical univariate flow karyotypes of tomato chromosomes were seen on the
      observed univariate flow karyotypes, but were not as well resolved. Bivariate
      flow analysis of tomato chromosome suspension using double-stain combination,
      Hoechst 33258 and chromomycin A3, and two laser beams showed better resolution of
      some chromosomes. 

PMID- 24212867
TI  - A map of rye chromosome 2R using isozyme and morphological markers.
AB  - The segregation of isozymic loci for leaf peroxidases (L2Per) has been
      investigated in backcrosses and F2 offspring of rye lines having purple seeds
      (Ps) and monstrosum ears (mo). The Ps, L2Per-3b, mo, and L2Per-2 loci were
      linked. The Ps and mo loci have been previously located on the 2R chromosome, and
      the L2Per-3b and L2Per-2 loci have been located on the 2RS chromosome arm. The
      results favor the gene order Ps ... L2Per-3b ... mo ... L2Per-2 or Ps ... mo...
      L2Per-3b ... L2Per-2. The position of the loci relative to the centromere is
      still not known, but the obtained results suggest that the mo locus could be
      located on the 2RS chromosome arm. On the basis of previously reported linkage
      groups, the most probable arrangement of the loci located on chromosome 2R is:
      dw2 ... Ps ... (L2Per-3a ... L2Per-3b ... mo) ... L2Per-2. It has not been
      possible to know the position of L2Per-4 loci (also located on 2RS chromosome
      arm) relative to L2Per-3a and L2Per-3b loci. 

PMID- 24212868
TI  - Effect of nurse cultures on the production of macro-calli and fertile plants from
      maize embryogenic suspension culture protoplasts.
AB  - Fertile plants have been obtained from maize (Zea mays L.) embryogenic suspension
      culture protoplasts. Friable, embryogenic callus initiated from an immature
      embryo from a cross involving the genotypes A188, B73, and Black Mexican
      sweetcorn was used to establish a rapidly growing embryogenic suspension culture.
      After nine months in culture, high yields of viable protoplasts (30*10(6)/ gram
      fresh weight) were obtained following a 1.5 hour enzymatic digestion. Protoplasts
      cultured with feeder cells divided and formed embryogenic callus, from which male
      and female fertile plants were regenerated. Protoplast-derived R1 plants were
      self-pollinated and immature R2 embryos isolated for callus initiation. Female
      fertile plants have also been produced from protoplasts isolated from an R2
      derived suspension culture. Significant interactions between protoplast and
      feeder-cell lines were observed. 

PMID- 24212869
TI  - Isolation of protoplasts from developing barley endosperm: a tool for transient
      expression studies.
AB  - We have developed a method for the routine isolation of protoplasts from
      developing starchy endosperm of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Preplasmolysis of
      the intact endosperms, a low concentration of hydrolytic enzymes and gravity
      sedimentation before any centrifugation step, were crucial factors for a good
      preparation. Best yields were obtained early after pollination (8-13 days) or
      with mutants with low starch content. Transient expression of a reporter gene
      under the control of the 35S promoter, after polyethyleneglycol transfection of
      endosperm protoplasts, was of the same order as that found in coleoptile derived
      protoplasts. No significant difference in expression was found for a given tissue
      between cv. Bomi and its mutant Riso 1508. 

PMID- 24212870
TI  - Induction of division and differentiation of somatic embryos in the leaf
      epidermis of Gaillardia picta.
AB  - Somatic embroys and subsequent plant regeneration were obtained from isolated
      leaf epidermis of Gaillardia picta. Abaxial and adaxial epidermal peels
      (monolayer) from 45 days old aseptic seedlings were isolated and segments
      measuring 5 mm x 3 mm were cultured on B5 basal medium supplemented with various
      growth regulators such as naphthaleneacetic acid or indolebutyric acid and
      benzylaminopurine or kinetin. Within 12 h of culture the epidermal cells showed
      receding of cytoplasm from the walls. After 48 h of incubation 3 or 4 localized
      zones, each consisting of 3-8 cells that accumulated cytoplasm and stained
      densely, were observed. Mitotic divisions occurred in these zones on day 3 of
      culture and localized masses of callus were observed in 95% of the cultures after
      10 days. In another 5 days, the callus differentiated somatic embryos or roots,
      depending on the growth regulators and their concentration in the medium. 

PMID- 24212871
TI  - The role of ethylene and reducing agents on anther culture response of tetraploid
      potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).
AB  - The role of ethylene in embryogenesis of cultured potato anthers was studied
      indirectly by testing various substances known to affect ethylene formation. The
      reducing agents ascorbic acid and L-cysteine prevented browning of anther
      cultures and significantly stimulated embryogenesis. Embryogenesis was also
      promoted by the use of the ethylene inhibitors AgNO3 and n-propyl-gallate and by
      the polyamines spermidine and putrescine. The use of the ethylene releasing
      compound ethrel significantly inhibited embryogenesis. 

PMID- 24212872
TI  - A novel type of somatic embryogenesis in Coffea arabica.
AB  - A novel type of somatic embryogenesis characterized by an efficient and highly
      synchronized embryo formation was observed in embryogenic callus of Coffea
      arabica initiated on Murashige and Skoog medium containing kinetin (4 mg/l) and
      2,4-D (1 mg/l). It occurs in suspension and goes along with the suppression of
      "High Frequency Somatic Embryo Induction" (HFSE). This is achieved by favoring
      during cultivation senescence-or necrosis-like processes which apparently do not
      impair the competence for embryogenesis. Since the resulting embryos germinate at
      a rate of 94.5 % without the need of a maturation step, we propose the term "Self
      Controlled Somatic Embryogenesis" (SCSE).In addition, HFSE was optimized using
      half-strength liquid medium with 0.1 mg/l kinetin and 0.25 mg/l 2,4-D for
      proliferation of embryonic tissue, and 2.6 mg/l ABA for maturation of embryos.
      Yields as well as germination rates of HFSE embryos were markedly lower as
      compared to SCSE. 

PMID- 24212873
TI  - Direct cell to cell transfer of organelles by microinjection.
AB  - A new technique for transfer of organelles to plant cells is presented. The
      organelles are removed from the donor protoplast by micromanipulation and
      microinjected directly into the acceptor cells. First results obtained by this
      technique for transfer of chloroplasts and fluorescently labelled mitochondria
      are presented. 

PMID- 24212874
TI  - Enhancement of shoot regeneration potential by liquid medium culture from mature
      cotyledons of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).
AB  - We describe here a liquid culture system for the regeneration of shoots at high
      frequencies from mature cotyledon tissues of three genotypes of sunflower
      (Helianthus annuus L.) one of which had previously been found to be recalcitrant
      to regeneration when cotyledons were cultured on solid medium. Cotyledons were
      excised from 2-day-old seedlings and incubated in liquid Murashige and Skoog's
      modified medium supplemented with 5.4 MUM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 4.4
      MUM benzylaminopurine (BAP). After two weeks in culture, the whole upper surface
      of regenerating explants was covered with green shootlets. The percentages of
      regenerating explants of three genotypes varied between 60 and 70%, and the
      number of shoots per regenerating explant was highly increased. The shootlets
      were transferred to solid Murashige and Skoog's medium allowing shoot
      development, then to rooting medium. Rooted plantlets were successfully
      acclimatized and gave fertile plants. The role of liquid medium culture in the
      induction of sunflower regeneration is discussed. 

PMID- 24212875
TI  - High frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in tissue cultures of
      Codonopsis lanceolata.
AB  - Culture conditions for high frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant
      regeneration from cotyledonary explants of Codonopsis lanceolata are described.
      The maximum induction frequency of somatic embryos from cotyledonary explants was
      80% on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 6% sucrose with 1 mg/l 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 10% coconut water. Upon transfer onto MS basal
      medium containing 3% sucrose, most somatic embryos developed into plantlets. 

PMID- 24212876
TI  - Protoplast fusion-derived Ogura male sterile cauliflower with cold tolerance.
AB  - Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. ssp. botrytis) protoplasts with Ogura male
      sterile and fertile B. oleracea cytoplasms were fused, producing plants with an
      array of organellar types. Plants with Ogura mitochondria were male sterile;
      those with B. oleracea chloroplasts were cold tolerant. In some fusions, unfused
      parental protoplasts were eliminated by double inactivation with iodoacetate and
      gamma-irradiation; in others, fused protoplasts were physically isolated by
      micromanipulation or by cell sorting. Double inactivation fusions produced the
      most plants, including many which were male sterile, female fertile, cold
      tolerant and diploid. 

PMID- 24212877
TI  - Molecular analysis of the nuclear organellar genotype of somatic hybrid plants
      between tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and Lycopersicon chilense.
AB  - Somatic hybrid plants were recovered following fusion of leaf mesophyll
      protoplasts isolated from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivar UC82 with
      protoplasts isolated from suspension cultured cells of L. chilense, LA 1959.
      Iodoacetate was used to select against the growth of unfused tomato protoplasts.
      Two somatic hybrids were recovered in a population of 16 regenerants. No tomato
      regenerants were recovered; all of the non-hybrid regenerants were L. chilense.
      The L. chilense protoplast regenerants were tetraploid. The hybrid nature of the
      plants was verified using species-specific restriction fragment length
      polymorphisms for the nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes. The somatic
      hybrids had inherited the chloroplast DNA of the tomato parent, and portions of
      the mitochondrial DNA of the L. chilense parent. The somatic hybrids formed
      flowers and developed seedless fruit. 

PMID- 24212878
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis in protoplast derived calli of cultivated jute, Corchorus
      capsularis L.
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from cotyledon, hypocotyl and mesophyll cells of
      Corchorus capsularis L., a major fibre crop, by one step enzyme digestion method.
      They were further cultured successfully on modified KM-8p (Kao and Michayluk,
      1975) medium to form microcalli. The required cultural conditions could be used
      to achieve 34% to 78% plating efficiency, depending upon the source of
      protoplasts. Hypocotyl protoplasts gave the highest plating efficiency. On
      transfer to regeneration medium, somatic embryos developed at high frequency. The
      present success is a significant step forward in the development of meaningful
      plant cell culture methods for application in jute. 

PMID- 24212879
TI  - Adipsia increases risk of death in patients with central diabetes insipidus.
AB  - Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is caused by deficiency of arginine vasopressin,
      an antidiuretic hormone. Patients with CDI manifest polyuria which is usually
      compensated for by increases in water intake. However, some patients are not able
      to sense thirst due to the destruction of osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus.
      These adipsic CDI patients are easily dehydrated and the consequent dehydration
      could be life-threatening. The objective of this study was to investigate the
      prognosis of adipsic CDI patients. We have reviewed 149 patients with CDI in
      three hospitals using databases of the electronic medical recording systems, and
      examined whether adipsia could affect the morbidity and mortality in CDI patients
      with multivariable analyses. Twenty-three patients with CDI were adipsic while
      the remaining 126 patients were non-adipsic. The multivariate analyses showed
      that the incidence of serious infections which required hospitalization was
      significantly higher in the adipsic CDI patients compared to that in non-adipsic
      CDI patients (p <0.001). A total of 6 patients with CDI died during the follow-up
      (median duration; 60 months, range 1 to 132 months). Four of them were adipsic,
      three of whom died of infection. The statistical analyses revealed that the risk
      of death in adipsic CDI patients was significantly higher than in non-adipsic
      patients (p =0.007). It is thus suggested that adipsic CDI patients were
      susceptible to serious infections which could be the causes of death. 

PMID- 24212880
TI  - Prognosis and growth activity depend on patient age in clinical and subclinical
      papillary thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - In this review, we focused on the patient age as an indicator of tumor growth and
      prognostic significance in both clinical papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and
      subclinical papillary microcarcinoma (PMC: PTC <= 1 cm). In clinical PTC, young
      age (< 30 years) and old age (>= 60 years) significantly affected the disease
      free survival of patients, and old age was a strong predictor of carcinoma death.
      In contrast, in subclinical PMC, growth activity significantly decreased with
      patient age, and young age (< 40 years) was an independent predictor of carcinoma
      growth, indicating that old patients with subclinical PMC are the best candidates
      for observation without immediate surgery. Taken together, our findings indicate
      that the role of patients' age as an indicator of tumor growth differs
      significantly between clinical PTC and subclinical PMC. 

PMID- 24212881
TI  - Lower beta cell function relates to sustained higher glycated albumin to glycated
      hemoglobin ratio in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between baseline beta cell
      function and future glycated albumin (GA) to glycated hemoglobin ratio (GA/HbA1c)
      in patients with type 2 diabetes. In our retrospective cohort, 210 type 2
      diabetic patients who had been admitted to our hospital and in whom HbA1c and GA
      had been measured at baseline and 2 years after admission were included in this
      study. Baseline beta cell function was assessed by postprandial C-peptide
      immunoreactivity index (PCPRI) during admission. With intensification of
      treatment during admission, HbA1c and GA were significantly decreased 1 year and
      2 years after admission. While baseline HbA1c was not significantly correlated
      with HbA1c after 2 years, baseline GA/HbA1c was strongly correlated with GA/HbA1c
      after 2 years (r = 0.575, P <0.001). When the patients were divided into two
      groups according to median PCPRI, patients with low PCPRI showed higher GA/HbA1c
      both at baseline and after 2 years compared to those with high PCPRI. There was a
      significant negative correlation between PCPRI and GA/HbA1c after 2 years (r = 
      0.379, P <0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that PCPRI was an
      independent predictor of GA/HbA1c after 2 years. In conclusion, our findings
      suggest that lower beta cell function is associated with sustained higher
      GA/HbA1c ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 24212882
TI  - Recessive mutations in a distal PTF1A enhancer cause isolated pancreatic
      agenesis.
AB  - The contribution of cis-regulatory mutations to human disease remains poorly
      understood. Whole-genome sequencing can identify all noncoding variants, yet the
      discrimination of causal regulatory mutations represents a formidable challenge.
      We used epigenomic annotation in human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived
      pancreatic progenitor cells to guide the interpretation of whole-genome sequences
      from individuals with isolated pancreatic agenesis. This analysis uncovered six
      different recessive mutations in a previously uncharacterized ~400-bp sequence
      located 25 kb downstream of PTF1A (encoding pancreas-specific transcription
      factor 1a) in ten families with pancreatic agenesis. We show that this region
      acts as a developmental enhancer of PTF1A and that the mutations abolish enhancer
      activity. These mutations are the most common cause of isolated pancreatic
      agenesis. Integrating genome sequencing and epigenomic annotation in a disease
      relevant cell type can thus uncover new noncoding elements underlying human
      development and disease.

PMID- 24212884
TI  - Genome-wide association study using cellular traits identifies a new regulator of
      root development in Arabidopsis.
AB  - With the increased availability of high-resolution sequence information, genome
      wide association (GWA) studies have become feasible in a number of species. The
      vast majority of these studies are conducted in human populations, where it is
      difficult to provide strong evidence for the functional involvement of unknown
      genes that are identified using GWA. Here we used the model organism Arabidopsis
      thaliana to combine high-throughput confocal microscopy imaging of traits at the
      cellular level, GWA and expression analyses to identify genomic regions that are
      associated with developmental cell-type traits. We identify and characterize a
      new F-box gene, KUK, that regulates meristem and cell length. We further show
      that polymorphisms in the coding sequence are the major causes of KUK allele
      dependent natural variation in root development. This work demonstrates the
      feasibility of GWA using cellular traits to identify causal genes for basic
      biological processes such as development. 

PMID- 24212885
TI  - The complete genomes of subgenotype IA hepatitis A virus strains from four
      different islands in Indonesia form a phylogenetic cluster.
AB  - Despite the high endemicity of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in Indonesia, genetic
      information on those HAV strains is limited. Serum samples obtained from 76
      individuals during outbreaks of hepatitis A in Jember (East Java) in 2006 and
      Tangerang (West Java) in 2007 and those from 82 patients with acute hepatitis in
      Solo (Central Java), Denpasar on Bali Island, Mataram on Lombok Island, and
      Makassar on Sulawesi Island in 2003 or 2007 were tested for the presence of HAV
      RNA by reverse transcription PCR with primers targeting the VP1-2B region (481
      nucleotides, primer sequences at both ends excluded). Overall, 34 serum samples
      had detectable HAV RNA, including at least one viremic sample from each of the
      six regions. These 34 strains were 96.3-100 % identical to each other and formed
      a phylogenetic cluster within genotype IA. Six representative HAV isolates from
      each region shared 98.3-98.9 % identity over the entire genome and constituted a
      IA sublineage with a bootstrap value of 100 %, consisting of only Indonesian
      strains. HAV strains recovered from Japanese patients who were presumed to have
      contracted HAV infection while visiting Indonesia were closest to the Indonesian
      IA HAV strains obtained in the present study, with a high identity of 99.5-99.7
      %, supporting the Indonesian origin of the imported strains. These results
      indicate that genetic analysis of HAV strains indigenous to HAV-endemic
      countries, including Indonesia, are useful for tracing infectious sources in
      imported cases of acute hepatitis A and for defining the epidemiological features
      of HAV infection in that country.

PMID- 24212886
TI  - Prevalence study and phylogenetic analysis of group C porcine rotavirus in the
      Czech Republic revealed a high level of VP6 gene heterogeneity within porcine
      cluster I1.
AB  - Group C rotavirus (RVC) has been described to be a causative agent of
      gastroenteritis in humans and animals. In the current study, the presence of
      porcine RVC was confirmed in 25.6 % of 293 porcine faecal samples collected from
      seven Czech farms. A significantly larger (p < 0.05) number of RVC-positive
      samples was detected in groups of finisher pigs and post-weaning piglets (4-12
      weeks of age). Phylogenetic analysis of nine RVC-positive Czech strains and their
      comparison with available sequence data for the gene encoding RVC group antigen
      VP6 revealed two separate lineages within porcine cluster I1.

PMID- 24212887
TI  - Identification of equine influenza virus infection in Asian wild horses (Equus
      przewalskii).
AB  - An outbreak of equine influenza was observed in the Asian wild horse population
      in Xinjiang Province, China, in 2007. Nasal swabs were collected from wild horses
      and inoculated into 9-10-day SPF embryonated eggs. The complete genome of the
      isolate was sequenced. A comparison of the amino acid sequence revealed that the
      isolate was an equine influenza virus strain, which we named
      A/equine/Xinjiang/4/2007. Each gene of the virus was found to have greater than
      99 % homology to equine influenza virus strains of the Florida-2 sublineage,
      which were circulating simultaneously in China, and a lesser amount of homology
      was found to the strain A/equine/Qinghai/1/1994 (European lineage), which was
      isolated during the last outbreak in China. These observations were confirmed by
      phylogenetic analysis. In addition, the deduced amino acid sequence of the
      neuraminidase of the A/equine/Xinjiang/4/2007 strain was identical to that of
      A/equine/California/8560/2002, an American isolate, and was found to be similar
      to those of Florida-2 strains found in other countries by comparing them with
      nine other field strains that were isolated in China from 2007 to 2008. It is
      suggested that the neuraminidase segment of A/equine/Xinjiang/4/2007 may have
      been obtained from equine influenza virus strains from other countries. We report
      for the first time an outbreak of equine influenza in the Asian wild horse
      population, and the complete genome of the virus is provided and analyzed.

PMID- 24212888
TI  - A distinct strain of chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (genus Mastrevirus, family
      Geminiviridae) identified in cotton plants affected by leaf curl disease.
AB  - As part of a study to determine the diversity of whitefly-transmitted viruses
      (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) associated with cotton leaf curl
      disease in Pakistan, leaf samples from cotton plants showing typical leaf curl
      disease symptoms were collected in various locations of Punjab province. Sequence
      analysis of full-length virus clones (~2.7 kb) showed plants to be infected with
      the begomovirus cotton leaf curl Burewala virus, the only virus identified in
      cotton in the Punjab since 2001. Surprisingly, a second virus, the leafhopper
      transmitted chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV) of the genus Mastrevirus
      (family Geminiviridae), was identified in a small number of plants. The sequences
      of four CpCDV isolates from cotton originating from geographically distinct areas
      in Punjab were obtained. Analysis of the sequences showed them to represent a
      distinct, newly identified strain of CpCDV with the highest levels of nucleotide
      sequence identity to isolates of CpCDV strains C and D that have been identified
      previously in Pakistan. CpCDV has not been identified previously in cotton. The
      significance of this finding is discussed.

PMID- 24212883
TI  - A large-scale screen for coding variants predisposing to psoriasis.
AB  - To explore the contribution of functional coding variants to psoriasis, we
      analyzed nonsynonymous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) across the genome by
      exome sequencing in 781 psoriasis cases and 676 controls and through follow-up
      validation in 1,326 candidate genes by targeted sequencing in 9,946 psoriasis
      cases and 9,906 controls from the Chinese population. We discovered two
      independent missense SNVs in IL23R and GJB2 of low frequency and five common
      missense SNVs in LCE3D, ERAP1, CARD14 and ZNF816A associated with psoriasis at
      genome-wide significance. Rare missense SNVs in FUT2 and TARBP1 were also
      observed with suggestive evidence of association. Single-variant and gene-based
      association analyses of nonsynonymous SNVs did not identify newly associated
      genes for psoriasis in the regions subjected to targeted resequencing. This
      suggests that coding variants in the 1,326 targeted genes contribute only a
      limited fraction of the overall genetic risk for psoriasis. 

PMID- 24212889
TI  - The family Parvoviridae.
AB  - A set of proposals to rationalize and extend the taxonomy of the family
      Parvoviridae is currently under review by the International Committee on Taxonomy
      of Viruses (ICTV). Viruses in this family infect a wide range of hosts, as
      reflected by the longstanding division into two subfamilies: the Parvovirinae,
      which contains viruses that infect vertebrate hosts, and the Densovirinae,
      encompassing viruses that infect arthropod hosts. Using a modified definition for
      classification into the family that no longer demands isolation as long as the
      biological context is strong, but does require a near-complete DNA sequence, 134
      new viruses and virus variants were identified. The proposals introduce new
      species and genera into both subfamilies, resolve one misclassified species, and
      improve taxonomic clarity by employing a series of systematic changes. These
      include identifying a precise level of sequence similarity required for viruses
      to belong to the same genus and decreasing the level of sequence similarity
      required for viruses to belong to the same species. These steps will facilitate
      recognition of the major phylogenetic branches within genera and eliminate the
      confusion caused by the near-identity of species and viruses. Changes to taxon
      nomenclature will establish numbered, non-Latinized binomial names for species,
      indicating genus affiliation and host range rather than recapitulating virus
      names. Also, affixes will be included in the names of genera to clarify subfamily
      affiliation and reduce the ambiguity that results from the vernacular use of
      "parvovirus" and "densovirus" to denote multiple taxon levels. 

PMID- 24212890
TI  - Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome leads to a functional deterioration of the
      acinus post lung transplant.
AB  - Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) limits long-term survival of lung
      transplant recipients, and airflow obstruction in these patients likely
      originates in the small airways. 61 double lung transplant recipients performed
      multiple breath nitrogen washouts to obtain indices of acinar and conductive
      ventilation heterogeneity (Sacin, Scond). There was a significant association of
      BOS status with Sacin (Kruskal-Wallis; p<0.001) but not with Scond (p=0.1). These
      results demonstrate that it is the structural alteration of the terminal
      bronchioles, generating ventilation heterogeneity at the level of the diffusion
      front, and not the bronchioles located more proximally, that is driving the
      airflow obstruction that determines BOS status. 

PMID- 24212891
TI  - Letter in response to Tashkin et al: Limited generalisability of uplift findings
      to clinical practice.

PMID- 24212892
TI  - The active identification and management of chronic refractory breathlessness is
      a human right.
AB  - Chronic refractory breathlessness is defined as breathlessness at rest or on
      minimal exertion that will persist chronically despite optimal treatment of the
      underlying cause(s). At any time, 1% of the population report a modified Medical
      Research Council dyspnoea score of >= 3 chronically. Despite the prevalence,
      severity and chronicity of this symptom and an evidence base of affordable and
      safe interventions, chronic refractory breathlessness remains grossly
      undertreated. Many patients and clinicians accept the presence of the chronic
      refractory breathlessness as an inevitable part of an illness, with no thought of
      treating the symptom despite an evidence base for its safe treatment. Consensus
      statements from major respiratory clinician organisations now endorse such a
      clinical course. Failure to inquire about, assess and properly treat chronic
      refractory breathlessness with opioids as outlined in specialist clinical
      guidelines is now an unacceptable level of care ethically and is, arguably, a
      breach of people's human rights. Adequate pain control through access to pain
      relief is now accepted as a human right and, given its burden across the world,
      the symptomatic treatment of chronic refractory breathlessness should be seen in
      exactly the same way.

PMID- 24212893
TI  - Seasonally fluctuating bark proteins are a potential form of nitrogen storage in
      three temperate hardwoods.
AB  - The inner bark tissues of three temperate hardwoods contain specific proteins
      which undergo seasonal fluctuations. Increases in particular proteins, as
      determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, occur
      within the bark of several Acer, Populus and Salix spp. during late summer and
      early autumn. These proteins are abundant in the bark throughout the winter and
      their levels decline the following spring. Light and electron microscopy showed
      that the parenchyma cells of the inner bark are packed with spherical organelles
      throughout the overwintering period. These organelles are rich in protein and
      analogous to protein bodies found in cells of mature seeds. The protein bodies of
      the parenchyma cells are replaced by large central vacuoles during spring and
      summer, presumably as a result of the mobilization of the storage protein and
      fusion of the protein bodies. The high levels of specific proteins in inner bark
      tissues and the presence of protein bodies within the parenchyma cells indicate
      that the living cells of the bark act as a nitrogen reserve in overwintering
      temperate hardwoods. 

PMID- 24212894
TI  - Photoaffinity labeling and partial purification of the putative plant receptor
      for the fungal wilt-inducing toxin, fusicoccin.
AB  - The high-affinity fusicoccin-binding protein (FCBP) was solubilized from plasma
      membrane vesicles prepared from leaves of Vicia faba L. by aqueous two-phase
      partitioning. Conditions for the solubilization of intact FCBP-radioligand
      complexes were worked out. About 60-70% of the complexes can be solubilized with
      50-60 mM nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide in the presence of 1 mg. ml(-1) soybean
      phosphatidylcholine, type IV S, and 20% (v/v) glycerol at pH 5.5. The slow
      dissociation of the radioligand, 9'-nor-fusicoccin-8'-alcohol-[(3)H] from the
      FCBP at low temperatures permits the purification of FCBP-radioligand complexes
      at 4-10 degrees  C by fast protein liquid chromatography on anion-exchange and
      gel permeation columns. The FCBP, extracted from plasma membranes with cholate
      and chromatographed in the presence of this detergent, gave an apparent molecular
      mass (Mr) of 80+/-20 kDa on gel permeation columns under the conditions used. By
      comparison of the elution profiles of the fraction most enriched in FCBP
      radioligand complexes with polypeptide patterns obtained on sodium dodecyl
      sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, a polypeptide with an Mr of approx. 34kDa co
      separated with the radioactivity profile. A second, faint band of approx. 31 kDa
      was sometimes also observed co-electrophoresing. Photoaffinity labeling of plasma
      membrane vesicles with the new compound 9'-nor-8'[(3,5-[(3)H]-4
      azidobenzoy)ethylenediamine]-fusicoccin ([(3)H]ABE-FC) and subsequent separation
      by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis labeled a single
      band with an Mr of 35+/-1 kDa. Labeling in this band was strongly reduced when
      the membranes were incubated with [(3)H]ABE-FC in the presence of 0.1-1 MUM
      fusicoccin. From our data, we conclude (i) that the 34-35-kDa polypeptide
      represents the FCBP and (ii) that in detergent extracts of plasma membranes this
      polypeptide is probably present as a di- or trimeric structure. 

PMID- 24212895
TI  - Development of the preprophase band from random cytoplasmic microtubules in guard
      mother cells of Allium cepa L.
AB  - The organization of microtubule (MT) arrays in the guard mother cells (GMCs) of
      A. cepa was examined, focussing on the stage at which a longitudinal preprophase
      band (PPB) is established perpendicular to all other division planes in the
      epidermis. In the majority of young GMCs, including those seen just after
      asymmetric division, MTs are distributed randomly throughout the cortex and inner
      regions of the cytoplasm. Few MTs are associated with the nuclear surface. As the
      GMCs continue to develop, MTs cluster around the nucleus and a PPB appears as a
      wide longitudinal band. Microtubules also become prominent between the nucleus
      and the periclinal and transverse walls, while they decrease in number along the
      radial longitudinal walls. The PPB progressively narrows by early prophase, and a
      transversely oriented spindle gradually ensheaths the nucleus. These observations
      indicate that the initial, broad PPB is organized by a rearrangement of the
      random cytoplasmic array of MTs. Additional reorganization is responsible for MTs
      linking the nucleus and the cortex in the future plane of the cell plate, and for
      narrowing of the PPB. 

PMID- 24212896
TI  - Localization of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase and its putative
      binding protein in the cell envelope of Chromatium vinosum.
AB  - Antibodies to the large and small subunits of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase
      oxygenase (RuBisCO; EC 4.1-1.39) and a putative binding protein (PBP) for RuBisCO
      from Chromatium vinosum have been used to localize these proteins in thin
      sections. Immunogold techniques employing single and double antibodies establish
      that RuBisCO and the RuBisCO PBP are concentrated in the cell envelope of C.
      vinosum. 

PMID- 24212897
TI  - Ultrastructural changes associated with the accumulation and secretion of
      sanguinarine in Papaver bracteatum suspension cultures treated with fungal
      elicitor.
AB  - Suspension cultures of Papaver bracteatum Arya II Lindl., grown without hormone
      in the presence of conidial extracts of Verticillium dahliae Kleb., accumulate
      millimolar quantities of the benzophenanthridine alkaloid, sanguinarine. Under
      the fluorescence microscope, the elicitor-treated cells display an orange-yellow
      fluorescence characteristic of sanguinarine, primarily near the periphery of the
      cells. Electron-microscopic inspection showed the presence of slightly dilated
      endoplasmic reticulum and of electron-dense protuberances on the tonoplast of
      large central vacuoles. These osmiophilic aggregates lining the tonoplast bud
      into spherical bodies, appear to become detached from the membrane and are
      released into the vacuole. Upon subcellular fractionation of elicited cells on
      Renografin step gradients, sanguinarine was found to be distributed in all bands
      but with 86% concentrated in the gradient pellet. Analysis of the pellet by
      electron microscopy showed that it contained electron-dense fragments similar to
      the osmiophilic bodies observed on the tonoplast of intact elicited cells. In
      elicited cell cultures, most of the sanguinarine was recovered from medium in a
      100.g sedimenting, cell-free, particulate fraction accounting for as much as 85%
      of the media sanguinarine and 62% of the total sanguinarine. The sanguinarine
      rich 100.g media pellet was determined to be two-thirds protein, one-third RNA
      and was essentially devoid of phenolics, phospholipid and DNA. The pellet
      consisted of electrondense material and cytoplasmic remnants resembling those
      found in the Renografin pellet and tonoplast aggregates of intact cells. When
      placed under hypotonic conditions or extracted with aqueous buffer, pH 3-11, the
      pellet did not release sanguinarine. These observations provide evidence for
      storage of sanguinarine at electron-dense deposits which occur on the tonoplast
      and as freely floating bodies in vacuoles. 

PMID- 24212898
TI  - Immunolocalization of avenin and globulin storage proteins in developing
      endosperm of Avena sativa L.
AB  - The seed storage proteins of oats (Avena sativa L.) are synthesized and assembled
      into vacuolar protein bodies in developing endosperm tissue. We used double-label
      immunolocalization to study the distribution of these proteins within protein
      bodies of the starchy endosperm. When sections of developing oat endosperm
      sampled 8 d after anthesis were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, the
      vacuolar protein bodies consisted of light-staining regions which were usually
      surrounded by a darker-staining matrix. Immunogold staining of this tissue
      demonstrated a distinct segregation of proteins within protein bodies; globulins
      were localized in the dark-staining regions and prolamines were localized in the
      light-staining regions. We observed two additional components of vacuolar protein
      bodies: a membranous component which was often appressed to the outside of the
      globulin, and a granular, dark-staining region which resembled tightly clustered
      ribosomes. Neither antibody immunostained the membranous component, but the
      granular region was lightly labelled with the anti-globulin antibody. Anti
      globulin immunostaining was also observed adjacent to cell walls and appeared to
      be associated with plasmodesmata. Immunostaining for both antigens was also
      observed within the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Based on the immunostaining
      patterns, the prolamine proteins appeared to aggregate within the rough
      endoplasmic reticulum while most of the globulin appeared to aggregate in the
      vacuole. 

PMID- 24212899
TI  - Plant regeneration from indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) protoplasts.
AB  - Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants of the indica cultivar IR54 were regenerated from
      protoplasts. Conditions were developed for isolating and purifying protoplasts
      from suspension cultures with protoplast yields ranging from 1.10(6) to 15.10(6)
      viable protoplasts/1 g fresh weight. Protoplast viability after purification was
      generally over 90%. Protoplasts were cultured in a slightly modified Kao medium
      in a Petri plate by placing them onto a Millipore filter positioned on top of a
      feeder (nurse) culture containing cells from a suspension culture of the japonica
      rice, Calrose 76. Plating efficiencies of protoplasts ranged from 0.5 to 3.0%; it
      was zero in the absence of the nurse culture. Protoplast preparations usually
      contained no contaminating cells, and when present, the number of cells never
      exceeded 0.1% of the protoplasts. After three weeks the Millipore filter with
      callus colonies were transferred off feeder cells and onto a Linsmaier and Skoog
      type medium for an additional three weeks. Selected callus colonies that had
      embryo-like structures were then transferred to regeneration medium containing
      cytokinins, and regeneration frequencies up to 80% were obtained. Small shoots
      emerged and were transferred to jars for root development prior to transferring
      to pots of soil and growing the plants to maturity in growth chambers. Of the
      cytokinins evaluated, N(6)-benzylaminopurine was the most effective in promoting
      shoot formation; however, kinetin was also somewhat effective. Regeneration
      medium could be either an N6 or Murashige and Skoog basal medium. Of 76 plants
      grown to maturity, 62 were fertile, and the plant heights averaged about three
      fourths the height of seed-grown plants.Two other suspension cultures of IR54,
      one developed from the protoplast callus of the initial IR54 line, and the other
      developed from callus produced by mature seeds, have yielded protoplasts capable
      of regenerating plants when using cells of the Calrose 76 suspension as a nurse
      culture. In addition, protoplasts obtained from three-week-old primary callus of
      immature embryos of IR54 were capable of regenerating plants when using the same
      culture conditions. 

PMID- 24212900
TI  - Organization of cortical microtubules and microfibril deposition in response to
      blue-light-induced apical swelling in a tip-growing Adiantum protonema cell.
AB  - The arrangements of cortical microtubules (MTs) in a tip-growing protonemal cell
      of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. and of cellulose microfibrils (MFs) in its wall
      were examined during blue-light (BL)-induced apical swelling. In most protonemal
      cells which had been growing in the longitudinal direction under red light,
      apical swelling was induced within 2 h of the onset of BL irradiation, and
      swelling continued for at least 8 h. During the longitudinal growth under red
      light, the arrangement of MFs around the base of the apical hemisphere (the
      subapical region) was perpendicular to the cell axis, while a random arrangement
      of MFs was found at the very tip, and a roughly axial arrangement was observed in
      the cylindrical region of most cells. This orientation of MFs corresponds to that
      of the cortical MTs reported previously (Murata et al. 1987, Protoplasma 141, 135
      138). In cells irradiated with BL, a random rather than transverse arrangement of
      both MTs and MFs was found in the subapical region. Time-course studies showed
      that this reorientation occurred within 1 h after the onset of the BL
      irradiation, i.e. it preceded the change in growth pattern. These results
      indicate that the orientation of cortical MTs and of cellulose MFs is involved in
      the regulation of cell diameter in a tip-growing Adiantum protonemal cell. 

PMID- 24212901
TI  - Comparative biochemical and immunological studies of the glycine betaine
      synthesis pathway in diverse families of dicotyledons.
AB  - Members of the Chenopodiaceae can accumulate high levels (>100 MUmol.(g DW)(-1))
      of glycine betaine (betaine) in leaves when salinized. Chenopodiaceae synthesize
      betaine by a two-step oxidation of choline (choline->betaine aldehyde-> betaine),
      with the second step catalyzed by betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH, EC
      1.2.1.8). High betaine levels have also been reported in leaves of species from
      several distantly-related families of dicotyledons, raising the question of
      whether the same betaine-synthesis pathway is used in all cases.Fast atom
      bombardment mass spectrometry showed that betaine levels of >100 MUmol.(g DW)(-1)
      are present in Lycium ferocissimum Miers (Solanaceae), Helianthus annuus L.
      (Asteraceae), Convolvulus arvensis L. (Convolvulaceae), and Amaranthus caudatus
      L. (Amaranthaceae), that salinization promotes betaine accumulation in these
      plants, and that they can convert supplied choline to betaine aldehyde and
      betaine. Nicotiana tabacum L. and Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karst. ex Farw.
      (Solanaceae), Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae) and Ipomoea purpurea L.
      (Convolvulaceae) also contained betaine, but at a low level (0.1-0.5 MUmol.(g
      DW)(-1). Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase activity assays, immunotitration and
      immunoblotting demonstrated that the betaine-accumulating species have a BADH
      enzyme recognized by antibodies raised against BADH from Spinacia oleracea L.
      (Chenopodiaceae), and that the Mr of the BADH monomer is in all cases close to 63
      000. These data indicate that the choline->betaine aldehyde->betaine pathway may
      have evolved by vertical descent from an early angiosperm ancestor, and might be
      widespread (albeit not always strongly expressed) among flowering plants.
      Consistent with these suggestions, Magnolia x soulangiana was found to have a low
      level of betaine, and to express a protein of Mr 63 000 which cross-reacted with
      antibodies to BADH from Spinacia oleracea. 

PMID- 24212902
TI  - Use of antisera to localize callose, xylan and arabinogalactan in the cell-plate,
      primary and secondary walls of plant cells.
AB  - Antibodies to cellobiose, L-arabinopyranose, L-arabinofuranose, D-galactose,
      oligosaccharides containing beta1->4 xylose, oligosaccharides containing beta1->4
      glucose, and oligosaccharides containing beta1->3 glucose have been raised in
      rabbits. The antisera have been characterized to show the specificity of binding
      to particular polysaccharides. They have been used for immunocytology using the
      electron microscope to locate the polymers in dividing and differentiating cells
      of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) root, bean callus tissue and cells of Zinnia
      elegans L. in vitro. Arabinogalactans have been shown to be present in the cell
      plate and primary walls but not in secondary thickening. Xylan as distinct from
      xyloglucan was found in the primary walls but not in the cell-plate. It was
      present in large amounts in the secondary thickening. Callose was found in the
      cell plate and also in the young growing wall. In the wall it was specifically
      located at the plasmodesmata. The use of the antibody against L-arabinofuranose
      enabled a specific organelle to be detected which was membranous and which
      occurred within the cytoplasm and also within the vacuole of the cells. Membranes
      carrying polymers containing L-arabinofuranose were also found in layers just
      under the plasmamembrane. 

PMID- 24212903
TI  - Relationship between efficiency of photosynthetic energy conversion and
      chlorophyll fluorescence quenching in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).
AB  - The relationship between components of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll
      fluorescence yield (qNP) and dissipation of excessive excitation energy was
      determined in cotton leaves using concurrent measurements of fluorescence and gas
      exchange at 2% and 20% O2 under a range of photon flux densities and CO2
      pressures. A nearly stoichiometric relationship was obtained between dissipation
      of energy not used in photosynthetic CO2 fixation or photorespiration and qNP
      provided that a component, probably associated with state transitions, was not
      included in qNP. Although two distinct components of qNP were resolved on the
      basis of their relaxation kinetics, both components appear effective in energy
      dissipation. The photon yield of "open" photosystem-II reaction centers decreased
      linearly with increases in qNP, indicating that much of the energy dissipation
      occurs in the pigment bed. However, increases in qNP appear dependent on the
      redox state of these centers. The results are discussed in relation to current
      hypotheses of the molecular basis of non-radiative energy dissipation. It is
      concluded that determinations of qNP can provide a quantitative measure of the
      dissipation of excessive excitation energy if precautions are taken to ensure
      that the maximum fluorescence yield is measured under conditions that provide
      complete closure of the photosystem-II reaction centers. It is also concluded
      that such dissipation can prevent photoinhibitory damage in cotton leaves even
      under extreme conditions where as much as 80% of the excitation energy is
      excessive. 

PMID- 24212904
TI  - Effect of increased salinity on CO2 assimilation, O 2 evolution and the delta
      (13)C values of leaves of Plantago maritima L. developed at low and high NaCl
      levels.
AB  - The effect of increased salinity on photosynthesis was studied in leaves of
      Plantago maritima L. that developed while plants were at low and high NaCl
      levels. In leaves that developed while plants were grown at 50 mol.m(-3),
      exposure to 200 and 350 mol.m(-3) NaCl resulted in reductions in net CO2
      assimilation and stomatal conductance. The decline in CO2 assimilation in plants
      at 200 and 350 mol.m(-3) NaCl occurred almost exclusively at high intercellular
      CO2 concentrations. The initial slope of the CO2 assimilation-intercellular CO2
      (A-C i) curve, determined after salinity was increased, was identical or very
      similar to that measured initially. In contrast to the reductions observed in CO2
      assimilation, there were no significant differences in O2 evolution rates
      measured at 5% CO2 among leaves from plants exposed to higher salinity and plants
      remaining at low salinity.Leaves that developed while plants were at increased
      salinity levels also had significantly lower net CO2 assimilation rates than
      plants remaining at 50 mol.m(-3) NaCl. The lower CO2 assimilation rates in plants
      grown at 200 and 350 mol.m(-3) NaCl were a result of reduced stomatal conductance
      and low intercellular CO2 concentration. There were no significant differences
      among treatments for O2 evolution rates measured at high CO2 levels. The
      increased stomatal limitation of photosynthesis was confirmed by measurements of
      the (13)C/(12)C composition of leaf tissue. Water-use efficiency was increased in
      the plants grown at high salinity. 

PMID- 24212905
TI  - The degrees of polymerization and N-acetylation of chitosan determine its ability
      to elicit callose formation in suspension cells and protoplasts of Catharanthus
      roseus.
AB  - Partially and fully deacetylated chitosan fragments and oligomers were compared
      for their potency to elicit formation of the 1.3-beta-glucan callose in
      suspension-cultured cells and protoplasts of Catharanthus roseus (line 385).
      Chitosan oligomers induced little callose formation, while callose synthesis
      increased with the degree of polymerization of chitosan up to several thousand
      corresponding to a molecular mass near 10(6) Da. At a comparable degree of
      polymerization, partially N-acetylated chitosan fragments were less effective.
      Colloidal chitin and chitin oligomers induced only trace callose synthesis in
      protoplasts. These results indicate that the primary interaction involved the
      amino groups of chitosan and numerous negative charges at the surface of the
      plasma membrane with spacing in the nanometer range and occurring regularly over
      micrometer stretches. Charged phospholipid head-groups may fulfill these
      requirements. The resulting alteration of membrane fluidity may lead to the
      changes in ion transport known to be associated with the induction of callose
      formation. 

PMID- 24212906
TI  - Surcose transport in isolated plasma-membrane vesicles from sugar beet (Beta
      vulgaris L.) Evidence for an electrogenic sucrose-proton symport.
AB  - An analysis of the molecular mechanism of sucrose transport across the
      plasmalemma was conducted with isolated plasma-membrane (PM) vesicles. Plasma
      membrane was isolated by aqueous two-phase partitioning from fully expanded sugar
      beet (Beta vulgaris L.) leaves. The isolated fraction was predominantly PM
      vesicles as determined by marker-enzyme analysis, and the vesicles were oriented
      right-side-out as determined by structurally linked latency of the PM enzyme,
      vanadate-sensitive Mg(2+)-ATPase. Sucrose uptake was investigated by
      equilibrating PM vesicles in pH 7.6 buffer and diluting them 20-fold into pH 6.0
      buffer. Using this pH-jump technique, vesicles accumulated acetate in a pH
      dependent, protonophore-sensitive manner, which demonstrated the presence of a pH
      gradient (DeltapH) across the vesicle membrane. Addition of sucrose to pH-jumped
      PM vesicles resulted in a pH-dependent, protonophoresensitive uptake of sucrose
      into the vesicles. Uptake was sucrose-specific in that a 10-fold excess of
      mannose, glucose, fructose, mannitol, melibiose, lactose or maltose did not
      inhibit sucrose accumulation. The rate of pH-dependent uptake was saturable with
      respect of sucrose concentration and had an apparent K m, of 0.45 mM. Sucrose
      uptake was stimulated approximately twofold by the addition of valinomycin and
      K(+), which indicated an electrogenic sucrose-H(+) symport. Membrane potentials
      (DeltaPsi) were imposed across the vesicle membrane using valinomycin and K(+). A
      membrane potential, negative inside, stimulated pH-dependent sucrose uptake while
      a DeltaPsi, positive inside, inhibited uptake. Conditions that produce a negative
      DeltaPsi in the absence of a pH gradient supported, although weakly, sucrose
      uptake. These data support an electrogenic sucrose-H(+) symport as the mechanism
      of sucrose transport across the PM in Beta leaves. 

PMID- 24212907
TI  - Mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana with altered phototropism.
AB  - Thirty five strains of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. have been identified with
      altered phototropic responses to 450-nm light. Four of these mutants have been
      more thoroughly characterized. Strain JK224 shows normal gravitropism and "second
      positive" phototropism. However, while the amplitude for "first positive"
      phototropism is the same as that in the wild-type, the threshold and fluence for
      the maximum response in "first positive" phototropism are shifted to higher
      fluence by a factor of 20-30. This mutant may represent an alteration in the
      photoreceptor pigment for phototropism. Strain JK218 exhibits no curvature to
      light at any fluence from 1 MUmol.m(-2) to 2700 MUmol.m(-2), but shows normal
      gravitropism. Strain JK345 shows no "first positive" phototropism, and reduced
      gravitropism and "second positive" phototropism. Strain JK229 shows no measurable
      "first positive" phototropism, but normal gravitropism and "second positive"
      phototropism. Based on these data, it is suggested that: 1. gravitropism and
      phototropism contain at least one common element; 2. "first positive" and "second
      positive" phototropism contain at least one common element; and 3. "first
      positive" phototropism can be substantially altered without any apparent
      alteration of "second positive" phototropism. 

PMID- 24212908
TI  - Large plasma-membrane depolarization precedes rapid blue-light-induced growth
      inhibition in cucumber.
AB  - Blue-light (BL)-induced suppression of elongation of etiolated Cucumis sativus L.
      hypocotyls began after a 30-s lag time, which was halved by increasing the
      fluence rate from 10 to 100 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1). Prior to the growth suppression,
      the plasma-membrane of the irradiated cells depolarized by as much as 100 mV,
      then returned within 2-3 min to near its initial value. The potential difference
      measured with surface electrodes changed with an identical time course but
      opposite polarity. The lag time for the change in surface potential showed an
      inverse dependence on fluence rate, similar to the lag for the growth inhibition.
      Green light and red light caused neither the electrical response nor the rapid
      inhibition of growth. The depolarization by BL did not propagate to nonirradiated
      regions and exhibited a refractory period of about 10 min following a BL pulse.
      Fluenceresponse relationships for the electrical and growth responses provide
      correlational evidence that the plasma-membrane depolarization reflects an event
      in the transduction chain of this light-growth response. 

PMID- 24212909
TI  - Gibberellic-acid-stimulated Ca(2+) accumulation in endoplasmic reticulum of
      barley aleurone: Ca(2+) transport and steady-state levels.
AB  - The steady-state levels of Ca(2+) within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the
      transport of (45)Ca(2+) into isolated ER of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv.
      Himalaya) aleurone layers were studied. The Ca(2+)-sensitive dye indo-1.
      Endoplasmic reticulum was isolated and purified from indo-1-loaded protoplasts,
      and the Ca(2+) level in the ER was measured using the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye indo
      1. Endoplasmic reticulum was isolated and purified from indo-1-loaded
      protoplasts, and the Ca(2+) level in the lumen of the ER was determined by the
      fluorescence-ratio method to be at least 3 MUM. Transport of (45)Ca(2+) into the
      ER was studied in microsomal fractions isolated from aleurone layers incubated in
      the presence and absence of gibberellic acid (GA3) and Ca(2+). Isopycinic sucrose
      density gradient centrifugation of microsomal fractions isolated from aleurone
      layers or protoplasts separates ER from tonoplast and plasma membranes but not
      from the Golgi apparatus. Transport of (45)Ca(2+) occurs primarily in the
      microsomal fraction enriched in ER and Golgi. Using monensin and heat-shock
      treatments to discriminate between uptake into the ER and Golgi, we established
      that (45)Ca(2+) transport was into the ER. The sensitivity of (45)Ca(2+)
      transport to inhibitors and the Km of (45)Ca(2+) uptake for ATP and Ca(2+)
      transport in the microsomal fraction of barley aleurone cells. The rate of
      (45)Ca(2+) transport is stimulated several-fold by treatment with GA3. This
      effect of GA3 is mediated principally by an effect on the activity of the Ca(2+)
      transporter rather than on the amount of ER. 

PMID- 24212910
TI  - Effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol and anoxia on the inorganic-pyrophosphate content of
      the spadix of Arum maculatum and the root apices of Pisum sativum.
AB  - This work was done to determine whether the inorganic-pyrophosphate (PPi) content
      of plant tissues changes when the rate of glycolysis is altered. Treatment of
      excised clubs of the spadix of Arum maculatum L. and root apices of Pisum sativum
      L. with 2,4-dinitrophenol increased the rates of respiration but had no
      detectable effects on PPi contents. When the two tissues were subjected to up to
      60 min anoxia, no changes in PPi were detected. Anoxia was shown to lead to a
      fall in ATP and concomitant rises in ADP and AMP in pea roots. It is argued (i)
      that variation in the rate of glycolysis was not accompanied by detectable
      changes in PPi content, (ii) that this observation does not favour the view that
      pyrophosphate fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase mediates appreciable
      entry into glycolysis, and (iii) that PPi content can be maintained when
      respiratory-chain phosphorylation is inhibited. 

PMID- 24212911
TI  - One year of hepatitis B immunoglobulin plus tenofovir therapy is safe and
      effective in preventing recurrent hepatitis B post-liver transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) given in combination with a
      nucleos(t)ide analogue has reduced the rate of recurrent hepatitis B virus (HBV)
      infection following liver transplantation (LT); however, the most effective
      protocol remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of tenofovir disoproxil
      fumarate (TDF) in combination with one year of low-dose HBIG. METHODS: Twenty
      four adults who underwent LT for HBV-related liver disease at the University
      Health Network (Toronto, Ontario) and received TDF (+/- lamivudine) and one year
      of HBIG to prevent recurrent HBV infection from June 2005 to June 2011 were
      evaluated. RESULTS: The median length of follow-up post-LT was 29.1 months. Three
      patients died during the follow-up period. Patient survival was 100% and 84.1% at
      one and five years, respectively. None of the patients developed recurrent HBV
      infection. No significant adverse event was observed due to TDF administration;
      renal function pre- and post-LT were also acceptably preserved. CONCLUSION: The
      present study demonstrated that a short, finite course of low-dose HBIG combined
      with maintenance of long-term TDF staring before LT is cost-effective and safe.
      However, further prospective study involving a larger patient cohort with a
      longer follow-up period is required to confirm the results.

PMID- 24212912
TI  - Endoscopic transmural necrosectomy for walled-off pancreatic necrosis: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoscopic transmural necrosectomy (ETN) is emerging as a viable
      treatment option for walled-off pancreatic necrosis. This NOTES-type procedure is
      significantly less invasive than an extensive surgical debridement; however,
      published data regarding the success of ETN in treating pancreatic necrosis have
      varied. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the published medical literature to determine the
      success of treating walled-off pancreatic necrosis with ETN. METHODS: Studies
      using ETN as a primary mode of therapy to treat organized pancreatic necrosis
      were selected. Success was defined as resolution of the necrotic cavity proven by
      radiology. Articles were searched in Medline, PubMed, Ovid journals, CINAH, old
      Medline, Medline nonindexed citations and the Cochrane controlled trials
      registry. The summary estimates were expressed as pooled proportions. First, the
      individual study proportions were transformed into a quantity using Freeman-Tukey
      variant of the arcsine square root transformed proportion. The pooled proportion
      was calculated as the back-transform of the weighted mean of the transformed
      proportions, using inverse arcsine variance weights for the fixed-effects model
      and DerSimonian-Laird weights for the random-effects model. Publication bias was
      calculated using the Begg-Mazumdar and Harbord bias estimators. RESULTS: The
      initial search identified 920 reference articles, of which 129 relevant articles
      were selected and reviewed. Data were extracted from eight studies (n=233) that
      met the inclusion criteria. Organization of pancreatic necrosis was determined by
      computed tomography scan in all of the studies. The mean time of ETN after onset
      of acute pancreatitis/abdominal pain was seven weeks. The weighted mean size of
      the necrotic cavity was 12.87 cm (95% CI 10.54 cm to 15.20 cm). The weighted mean
      number of endoscopic procedures needed to resolve the necrotic cavity was 4.09
      (95% CI 2.31 to 5.87). Pooled proportion of successful resolution of pancreatic
      necrosis using ETN was 81.84% (95% CI 76.73% to 86.44%). The pooled proportion of
      recurrence in the form of necrotic cavity or pseudocyst after ETN was 10.88% (95%
      CI 7.27% to 15.11%). Complications were noted in 21.33% (95% CI 16.40% to 26.72%)
      of patients and included bleeding, sepsis and perforation. The weighted mean
      number of days in hospital after ETN was 32.85 days (95% CI 10.50 to 55.20 days).
      For pancreatic necrosis that did not resolve, surgery had to be performed in
      12.98% (95% CI 9.05% to 17.51%) of patients. The fixed-effect model was used to
      report all of the pooled proportions. Estimates calculated using fixed- and
      random-effects models were similar. Test of heterogeneity yielded P>0.10,
      indicating that the studies could be combined. The publication bias calculated
      using Begg-Mazumdar bias indicator yielded a Kendall's tau b value of -0.07
      (P=0.72) and the same using Harbord bias indicator gave a value of 0.33 (95% CI 
      1.35 to 2.01; P=0.60). Both of these indicators show that there was no
      publication bias. CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis showed that ETN is safe
      and effective at treating patients with symptomatic walled-off necrosis. ETN
      offers the advantage of minimally invasive endoscopic treatment without
      transabdominal surgery; however, better techniques and equipment are still needed
      to improve procedural efficiency. Decisions to perform ETN should be made by
      advanced endoscopists in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team with the
      facilities and personnel to manage these complex patients.

PMID- 24212913
TI  - A survey of perceptions and practices of complementary alternative medicine among
      Canadian gastroenterologists.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite a high prevalence of complementary alternative medicine (CAM)
      use among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, there is a dearth of
      information about the attitudes and perceptions of CAM among the
      gastroenterologists who treat these patients. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the
      beliefs, perceptions and practices of gastroenterologists toward CAM use in
      patients with IBD. METHODS: A web-based survey was sent to member
      gastroenterologists of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. The survey
      included multiple-choice and Likert scale questions that queried physician
      knowledge and perceptions of CAM and their willingness to discuss CAM with
      patients. RESULTS: Fifty-three per cent of respondents considered themselves to
      be IBD subspecialists. The majority (86%) of gastroenterologists reported that
      less than one-half of their patient population had mentioned the use of CAM. Only
      8% of physicians reported initiating a conversation about CAM in the majority of
      their patient encounters. Approximately one-half (51%) of respondents were
      comfortable with discussing CAM with their patients, with lack of knowledge being
      cited as the most common reason for discomfort with the topic. Most
      gastroenterologists (79%) reported no formal education in CAM. While there was
      uncertainty as to whether CAM interfered with conventional medications, most
      gastroenterologists believed it could be effective as an adjunct treatment.
      CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that gastroenterologists were hesitant to
      initiate discussions about CAM with patients. Nearly one-half were uncomfortable
      or only somewhat comfortable with the topic, and most may benefit from CAM
      educational programs. Interestingly, most respondents appeared to be receptive to
      CAM as adjunct therapy alongside conventional IBD treatment.

PMID- 24212914
TI  - Chronic hepatitis C in Western Canada: a survey of practice patterns among
      gastroenterologists in Alberta and British Columbia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To survey gastroenterologists in British Columbia and Alberta with
      regard to awareness of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) management and practice
      patterns among physicians who treat and do not treat HCV-infected patients.
      METHODS: An anonymous two-page mail survey was distributed to actively practicing
      adult gastroenterologists in British Columbia and Alberta. Among physicians who
      treated HCV patients, respondents answered assessment of fibrosis pretreatment,
      measurement of rapid virological response, prescription of protease inhibitors
      (PIs), barriers to using these agents and referral patterns. For those who did
      not treat HCV, referral of patients for treatment and to whom was assessed.
      RESULTS: Seventy-seven of 166 individuals completed the survey (46% response
      rate). Most (49%) practiced in academic or large community (42%) settings.
      Chronic liver disease comprised <25% of individual practice in 71%. Forty-eight
      (62%) treated HCV and two-thirds prescribed a PI. Barriers to prescription
      included unfamiliarity (six of 16), lack of allied health (five of 16) and few
      suitable patients (seven of 16). Pretreatment liver biopsy was performed by 33%
      (16 of 48) and 69% (33 of 48) used noninvasive measures. Rapid virological
      response was measured in 83% (40 of 48). Referral patterns changed in 46% (22 of
      48) of physicians who treated HCV. All respondents who did not treat HCV referred
      patients for consideration, with 90% (26 of 29) made to hepatologists.
      CONCLUSIONS: Chronic liver disease comprised <25% of practice in the majority of
      surveyed respondents. Among those who treated HCV, one-third have not prescribed
      a PI. Barriers to prescription and referral pattern changes are noted by those
      currently treating patients with HCV infection.

PMID- 24212915
TI  - Single-dose infliximab in hepatitis C genotype 1 treatment-naive patients with
      high serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha does not influence the efficacy of
      pegylated interferon alpha-2b/ribavirin therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels correlate
      negatively with hepatitis C virus (HCV) antiviral response. OBJECTIVES: To test
      the hypothesis that a single infliximab induction dose would positively influence
      on-treatment virological response and sustained virological response (SVR).
      METHODS: The present study was a phase IIIB, randomized, prospective, open-label
      pilot trial conducted at eight Canadian sites. Treatment-naive HCV genotype 1
      infected patients 18 to 65 years of age with high serum TNF-alpha values (>300
      pg/mL) were randomly assigned to receive a single pretreatment induction
      infliximab infusion (5 mg/kg) seven days before antiviral therapy (arm A) or no
      pretreatment (arm B). All patients received pegylated interferon alpha2b (1.5
      MUg/kg/week) plus weight-based ribavirin (800 mg/day to 1400 mg/day) for up to 48
      weeks. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients (arm A [n=41], arm B [n=44]; 70% male)
      received pegylated interferon alpha2b. The mean age (48.1 years), race (81%
      white) and METAVIR fibrosis stage (F0-2 = 79%, F3-4 = 21%) were similar between
      groups. Infliximab was well tolerated without attributable severe adverse events;
      56.5% completed the study (arm A [n=21], arm B [n=27]). Most discontinuations
      were due to virological failure at weeks 12 (n=20 [23.5%]) and 24 (n=7 [8.2%])
      and did not differ according to group. Numerically lower proportions of
      infliximab recipients achieved rapid virological response (19.5% versus 36.4%),
      complete early virological response (43.9% versus 59.1%) and SVR (34.1% versus
      52.3%). However, between-group differences did not reach statistical
      significance. No differences in adverse event profile or laboratory measures were
      noted. CONCLUSION: A single infliximab dose before pegylated-interferon alpha2b
      and ribavirin therapy did not result in greater viral decline during the first 12
      weeks of HCV therapy or improved SVR.

PMID- 24212916
TI  - Suppression of SCIN inhibits human prostate cancer cell proliferation and induces
      G0/G1 phase arrest.
AB  - SCIN is a calcium regulated actin severing and capping protein. Its homologue in
      zebrafish is found to be related with cell death. In the present study, we found
      that SCIN is highly expressed in human prostate cancer specimens. However, the
      functions of SCIN in human prostate carcinoma cells are largely unknown. To
      address the function of SCIN in prostate carcinoma cells, we used lentivirus
      mediated RNAi to knock down SCIN expression in PC3 cells, a prostate carcinoma
      cell line. We found that in vitro silencing of SCIN could inhibit the
      proliferation and colony formation ability of PC3 cells. Furthermore, cell cycle
      analysis showed that reduced SCIN expression lead to G0/G1 cell cycle arrest
      through the regulation of cell cycle-related genes, such as p21Waf1/Cip1, cyclin
      dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A, p16Ink4A) and cyclin A2. These results
      suggest that SCIN plays an important role in the proliferation of prostate cancer
      cells and lentivirus-mediated inhibition of SCIN expression may be a potential
      therapeutic method for the treatment of prostate cancer.

PMID- 24212917
TI  - Lawton IADL scale in dementia: can item response theory make it more informative?
AB  - BACKGROUND: impairment of functional abilities represents a crucial component of
      dementia diagnosis. Current functional measures rely on the traditional aggregate
      method of summing raw scores. While this summary score provides a quick
      representation of a person's ability, it disregards useful information on the
      item level. OBJECTIVE: to use item response theory (IRT) methods to increase the
      interpretive power of the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)
      scale by establishing a hierarchy of item 'difficulty' and 'discrimination'.
      METHODS: this cross-sectional study applied IRT methods to the analysis of IADL
      outcomes. Participants were 202 members of the Scottish Dementia Research
      Interest Register (mean age = 76.39, range = 56-93, SD = 7.89 years) with
      complete itemised data available. RESULTS: a Mokken scale with good reliability
      (Molenaar Sijtsama statistic 0.79) was obtained, satisfying the IRT assumption
      that the items comprise a single unidimensional scale. The eight items in the
      scale could be placed on a hierarchy of 'difficulty' (H coefficient = 0.55), with
      'Shopping' being the most 'difficult' item and 'Telephone use' being the least
      'difficult' item. 'Shopping' was the most discriminatory item differentiating
      well between patients of different levels of ability. CONCLUSIONS: IRT methods
      are capable of providing more information about functional impairment than a
      summed score. 'Shopping' and 'Telephone use' were identified as items that reveal
      key information about a patient's level of ability, and could be useful screening
      questions for clinicians.

PMID- 24212918
TI  - Frailty status can be accurately assessed using inertial sensors and the TUG
      test.
AB  - BACKGROUND: frailty is an important geriatric syndrome linked to increased
      mortality, morbidity and falls risk. METHODS: a total of 399 community-dwelling
      older adults were assessed using Fried's frailty phenotype and the timed up and
      go (TUG) test. Tests were quantified using shank-mounted inertial sensors. We
      report a regression-based method for assessment of frailty using inertial sensor
      data obtained during TUG. For comparison, frailty was also assessed using the
      same method based on grip strength and manual TUG time. RESULTS: using inertial
      sensor data, participants were classified as frail or non-frail with mean
      accuracy of 75.20% (stratified by gender). Using TUG time alone, frailty status
      was classified correctly with mean classification accuracy of 71.82%. Similarly,
      using grip strength alone, the frailty status was classified correctly with mean
      classification accuracy of 77.65%. Stratifying sensor data by gender yielded
      significantly (p<0.05) increased accuracy in classifying frailty when compared
      with equivalent manual TUG time-based models. CONCLUSION: results suggest that a
      simple protocol involving assessment using a well-known mobility test (Timed Up
      and Go (TUG)) and inertial sensors can be a fast and effective means of
      automatic, non-expert assessment of frailty.

PMID- 24212919
TI  - Parental longevity is associated with cognition and brain ageing in middle-aged
      offspring.
AB  - BACKGROUND: offspring of long-lived individuals have lower risk for dementia. We
      examined the relation between parental longevity and cognition and subclinical
      markers of brain ageing in community-dwelling adult offspring. METHODS: offspring
      participants with both parents in the Framingham Heart Study, aged >=55 years and
      dementia-free underwent baseline and repeat neuropsychological (NP) testing and
      brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Parental longevity was defined as having
      at least one parent survive to age >=85 years. To test the association between
      parental longevity and measures of cognition and brain volumes, we used
      multivariable linear and logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, education
      and time to NP testing or brain MRI. RESULTS: of 728 offspring (mean age 66
      years, 54% women), 407 (56%) had >=1 parent achieve longevity. In cross-sectional
      analysis, parental longevity was associated with better scores on attention (beta
      0.21 +/- 0.08, P = 0.006) and a lower odds of extensive white matter
      hyperintensity on brain MRI (odds ratio 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.92, P = 0.019). The
      association with white matter hyperintensity was no longer significant in models
      adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and disease. In longitudinal analysis
      (6.7 +/- 1.7 years later), offspring with parental longevity had slower decline
      in attention (0.18 +/- 0.08, P = 0.038), executive function (beta 0.19 +/- 0.09,
      P = 0.031) and visual memory (beta -0.18 +/- 0.08, P = 0.023), and less increase
      in temporal horn volume (beta -0.25 +/- 0.09, P = 0.005). The associations
      persisted in fully adjusted models. CONCLUSION: parental longevity is associated
      with better brain ageing in middle-aged offspring.

PMID- 24212920
TI  - Effect of music-based multitask training on cognition and mood in older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: in a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial, we
      investigated whether 6 months of music-based multitask training had beneficial
      effects on cognitive functioning and mood in older adults. METHODS: 134 community
      dwellers aged >=65 years at increased risk for falling were randomly assigned to
      either an intervention group (n = 66) who attended once weekly 1-h supervised
      group classes of multitask exercises, executed to the rhythm of piano music, or a
      control group with delayed intervention (n = 68) who maintained usual lifestyle
      habits, for 6 months. A short neuropsychological test battery was administered by
      an intervention-blinded neuropsychologist at baseline and Month 6, including the
      mini-mental state examination (MMSE), the clock-drawing test, the frontal
      assessment battery (FAB) and the hospital anxiety (HADS-A) and depression scale.
      RESULTS: intention-to-treat analysis showed an improvement in the sensitivity to
      interference subtest of the FAB (adjusted between-group mean difference (AMD),
      0.12; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.25; P = 0.047) and a reduction in anxiety level (HADS-A;
      AMD, -0.88; 95% CI, -1.73 to -0.05; P = 0.039) in intervention participants, as
      compared with the controls. Within-group analysis revealed an increase in MMSE
      score (P = 0.004) and a reduction in the number of participants with impaired
      global cognitive performance (i.e., MMSE score <=23; P = 0.003) with
      intervention. CONCLUSION: six months of once weekly music-based multitask
      training was associated with improved cognitive function and decreased anxiety in
      community-dwelling older adults, compared with non-exercising controls. Studies
      designed to further delineate whether training-induced changes in cognitive
      function could contribute to dual-task gait improvements and falls reduction,
      remain to be conducted.

PMID- 24212921
TI  - Rice- and butterfly-wing effect inspired self-cleaning and low drag
      micro/nanopatterned surfaces in water, oil, and air flow.
AB  - In search of new solutions to complex challenges, researchers are turning to
      living nature for inspiration. For example, special surface characteristics of
      rice leaves and butterfly wings combine the shark skin (anisotropic flow leading
      to low drag) and lotus leaf (superhydrophobic and self-cleaning) effects,
      producing the so-called rice and butterfly wing effect. In this paper, we study
      four microstructured surfaces inspired by rice leaves and fabricated with
      photolithography techniques. We also present a method of creating such surfaces
      using a hot embossing procedure for scaled-up manufacturing. Fluid drag, self
      cleaning, contact angle, and contact angle hysteresis data are presented to
      understand the role of sample geometrical dimensions. Conceptual modeling
      provides design guidance when developing novel low drag, self-cleaning, and
      potentially antifouling surfaces for medical, marine, and industrial
      applications. 

PMID- 24212922
TI  - The role of bacterial surface and substratum hydrophobicity in adhesion
      ofLeptospira biflexa serovarpatoc 1 to inert surfaces.
AB  - Adhesion of the hydrophilicLeptospira biflexa serovarpatoc 1 (L. patoc) was
      consistently greater on inert hydrophobic surfaces than on hydrophilic surfaces
      (glass and plastic). When inert substrata were coated with fetal calf serum (FCS)
      or bovine serum albumin fraction V (BSA), however, surface hydrophobicity was
      reduced compared to untreated surfaces, but adhesion ofL. patoc increased. The
      mechanism of adhesion at protein-coated surfaces is likely to be different than
      that at untreated surfaces, but it is suggested that the adhesion is nonspecific,
      as the level of adhesion is similar for different protein coatings. Increased
      adhesion to FCS- and BSA-coated surfaces was apparently not associated with
      substrate utilization (scavenging of fatty acids) from the coatings, as
      essentially fatty acid-free BSA-coated surfaces had similar levels of adhesion.
      The presence of FCS in the diluent lowered the adhesion ofL. patoc regardless of
      the original nature of the substratum. This may result from the mutual repulsion
      of the bacterium and the substratum caused by the exclusion volumes of similar
      macromolecules adsorbed to both surfaces from the FCS solution. 

PMID- 24212923
TI  - Nutritional strategy of a benthic filamentous bacterium.
AB  - Filibacter limicola is a filamentous gliding bacterium isolated from the
      profundal sediment of a eutrophic lake. It is an obligate amino acid utilizer.
      The kinetic parameters for the metabolism of four amino acids byF. limicola,
      Vitreoscilla spp. and the bacterial populations of water and sediment samples
      were compared.F. limicola exhibited low half-saturation constants (K) which were
      of the same order as those obtained with water samples. The K values for
      theVitreoscilla spp. and the sediment were an order of magnitude higher. It would
      appear that the bacterium is a specialist, inhabiting a niche which is
      sufficiently nutrient rich to support an organism with a limited substrate range.
      It also possesses a high affinity uptake system for some amino acids which may
      permit it to compete effectively during periods of nutrient depletion. 

PMID- 24212924
TI  - Methods and sources for the enrichment and isolation of budding, nonprosthecate
      bacteria from freshwater.
AB  - Methods are described for the observation, enrichment and isolation (from various
      freshwater samples) of bacteria of the generaPlanctomyces andPirella. Because
      immature buds were easily dislodged by shearing forces, slide culture techniques
      and direct microscopy of the budding process are recommended. An "auxanographic"
      technique to detect possible stimulation by soluble substrates was based on the
      diffusion of these substrates from peripherally placed crystals into the agar of
      a slide culture. Nearly every water sample investigated contained representatives
      of the generaPlanctomyces, Pirella, andBlastobacter, as well as budding cocci.
      Six enrichment techniques were tried; some enrichment experiments lasted several
      months. Allowing samples without added substrate to stand for a long time or
      generally employing nutrient-poor media were most successful. The "petri dish
      method," taking advantage of attachment of many budding bacteria to glass
      surfaces, was especially useful for increasing the numbers ofPlanctomyces spp.
      Pure cultures obtained from freshwater samples were tentatively placed in the
      generaPlanctomyces, Pirella, andBlastobacter. One strain appeared to represent a
      new genus of gram-positive, budding, and nonprosthecate bacteria. 

PMID- 24212925
TI  - Interactions among cellulolytic bacteria from an anaerobic digester.
AB  - High cellulolytic activity of particular strains did not cause dominance of one,
      or a few, species of fiber-digesting bacteria in a cattlewaste anaerobic
      digester. The population contained a large number of species and varieties with
      different cellulolytic and fiber-digesting activities. Although mixed cultures of
      some of these bacteria showed no intereffects, with others, cellulolysis was less
      or in some cases greater than that shown by individual components of the
      cultures. The interactions were probably related to effects on growth of the
      bacteria rather than on activities of components of the cellulase enzyme complex,
      and culture filtrates of two of the more numerous cellulolytic species
      ofClostridium affected growth of other cellulolytic bacteria. The inhibitory
      factor(s) appeared to be of bacteriocin type, but the stimulatory factor(s) was
      unknown. It was suggested that these interactions are localized or short-lived in
      the digester, and so the population remains in a "dynamic" steady state.Some
      inhibitions of growth of rumen cellulolytic bacteria were caused by the digester
      bacteria, but it was suggested that factors other than these inhibitions are
      responsible for the absence of rumen bacteria from anaerobic digesters. 

PMID- 24212926
TI  - Modeling of the evolution of bacterial densities in an eutrophic ecosystem
      (sewage lagoons).
AB  - The process of wastewater treatment was studied by modeling the relationships
      between physical, chemical, and biological (bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton)
      components of the sewage treatment lagoons of an urban wastewater center, based
      upon a two-year sampling program. The models of interactions between variables
      were tested by path analysis. The path coefficients were computed from the
      results of ridge regression, instead of linear multiple regression. The results
      show that fecal coliforms were effectively controlled by the environmental
      variables included in the model, which have a cyclic seasonal behavior. This
      control grew stronger with distance from the input (R (2)=0.71) to the output (R
      (2)=0.88) of the treatment plant, resulting in effective elimination of most
      enteric bacteria. Simultaneously, the ecosystem's community of aerobic
      heterotrophic bacteria became more independent from the model's predictive
      variables, with increased distance from the sewage input, thus demonstrating its
      maturation as an autonomous community in the lagoon ecosystem. Consequences of
      modeling are discussed, with respect to the understanding of biological
      wastewater treatment mechanisms and ecosystem dynamics and to plant management. 

PMID- 24212927
TI  - PTEN, here, there, everywhere.

PMID- 24212928
TI  - Bim vanishes in the light of a mitotic Aurora.

PMID- 24212929
TI  - PPARgamma needs a helping hand to make fat.

PMID- 24212930
TI  - When numbers matters: mitochondrial DNA and gliomagenesis.

PMID- 24212933
TI  - Non-invasive mapping of organ perfusion and blood flow by CT and MRI highlighted
      by a case of pulmonary artery stenosis.

PMID- 24212931
TI  - The miR-17/92 cluster: a comprehensive update on its genomics, genetics,
      functions and increasingly important and numerous roles in health and disease.
AB  - The miR-17/92 cluster is among the best-studied microRNA clusters. Interest in
      the cluster and its members has been increasing steadily and the number of
      publications has grown exponentially since its discovery with more than 1000
      articles published in 2012 alone. Originally found to be involved in
      tumorigenesis, research work in recent years has uncovered unexpected roles for
      its members in a wide variety of settings that include normal development, immune
      diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and aging. In light
      of its ever-increasing importance and ever-widening regulatory roles, we review
      here the latest body of knowledge on the cluster's involvement in health and
      disease as well as provide a novel perspective on the full spectrum of protein
      coding and non-coding transcripts that are likely regulated by its members. 

PMID- 24212932
TI  - A feed-forward loop involving Trib3, Akt and FoxO mediates death of NGF-deprived
      neurons.
AB  - The mechanisms governing neuron death following NGF deprivation are incompletely
      understood. Here, we show that Trib3, a protein induced by NGF withdrawal, has a
      key role in such death via a loop involving the survival kinase Akt and FoxO
      transcription factors. Trib3 overexpression is sufficient to induce neuron death,
      and silencing of endogenous Trib3 strongly protects from death when NGF is
      withdrawn. Mechanism studies reveal that Trib3 interferes with
      phosphorylation/activity of Akt and contributes to Akt inactivation after NGF
      deprivation. FoxO1a, a direct Akt substrate, is dephosphorylated upon NGF
      withdrawal and consequently undergoes nuclear translocation and activates pro
      apoptotic genes. We find that Trib3 is required for FoxO1a dephosphorylation and
      nuclear translocation after NGF deprivation. Conversely, Trib3 induction requires
      FoxO transcription factors, which show enhanced occupancy of the Trib3 promoter
      region following NGF withdrawal. Collectively, these findings support a mechanism
      in which NGF deprivation, Akt dephosphorylation/inactivation, FoxO
      dephosphorylation/activation and Trib3 induction are linked in a self-amplifying
      feed-forward loop that culminates in neuron death. 

PMID- 24212934
TI  - Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and Chemokines in Colitis-Associated Cancer.
AB  - The connection between inflammation and tumorigenesis has been well established,
      based on a great deal of supporting evidence obtained from epidemiological,
      pharmacological, and genetic studies. One representative example is inflammatory
      bowel disease, because it is an important risk factor for the development of
      colon cancer. Moreover, intratumoral infiltration of inflammatory cells suggests
      the involvement of inflammatory responses also in other forms of sporadic as well
      as heritable colon cancer. Inflammatory responses and tumorigenesis activate
      similar sets of transcription factors such as NF-kB, Stat3, and hypoxia inducible
      factor and eventually enhances the expression of inflammatory cytokines including
      tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and chemokines. The expression of TNF and chemokines
      is aberrantly expressed in a mouse model of colitis-associated carcinogenesis as
      well as in inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer in humans. Here, after
      summarizing the presumed actions of TNF and chemokines in tumor biology, we will
      discuss the potential roles of TNF and chemokines in chronic inflammation
      associated colon cancer in mice. 

PMID- 24212935
TI  - Microarray analysis in a cell death resistant glioma cell line to identify
      signaling pathways and novel genes controlling resistance and malignancy.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal type of cancer mainly resistant to
      radio- and chemotherapy. Since the tumor suppressor p53 functions as a
      transcription factor regulating the expression of genes involved in growth
      inhibition, DNA repair and apoptosis, we previously assessed whether specific
      differences in the modulation of gene expression are responsible for the anti
      tumor properties of a dominant positive p53, chimeric tumor suppressor (CTS)-1.
      CTS-1 is based on the sequence of p53 and designed to resist various mechanisms
      of inactivation which limit the activity of p53. To identify CTS-1-regulated cell
      death-inducing genes, we generated a CTS-1-resistant glioma cell line (229R). We
      used Affymetrix whole-genome microarray expression analysis to analyze
      alterations in gene expression and identified a variety of CTS-1 regulated genes
      involved in cancer-linked processes. 313 genes were differentially expressed in
      Adeno-CTS-1 (Ad-CTS-1)-infected and 700 genes in uninfected 229R cells compared
      to matching parental cells. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) determined a variety
      of differentially expressed genes in Ad-CTS-1-infected cells that were members of
      the intracellular networks with central tumor-involved players such as nuclear
      factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) or transforming growth
      factor beta (TGF-beta). Differentially regulated genes include secreted factors
      as well as intracellular proteins and transcription factors regulating not only
      cell death, but also processes such as tumor cell motility and immunity. This
      work gives an overview of the pathways differentially regulated in the resistant
      versus parental glioma cells and might be helpful to identify candidate genes
      which could serve as targets to develop novel glioma specific therapy strategies.

PMID- 24212936
TI  - Prediction of metastasis and recurrence in colorectal cancer based on gene
      expression analysis: ready for the clinic?
AB  - Cancers of the colon and rectum, which rank among the most frequent human tumors,
      are currently treated by surgical resection in locally restricted tumor stages.
      However, disease recurrence and formation of local and distant metastasis
      frequently occur even in cases with successful curative resection of the primary
      tumor (R0). Recent technological advances in molecular diagnostic analysis have
      led to a wealth of knowledge about the changes in gene transcription in all
      stages of colorectal tumors. Differential gene expression, or transcriptome
      analysis, has been proposed by many groups to predict disease recurrence,
      clinical outcome, and also response to therapy, in addition to the well
      established clinico-pathological factors. However, the clinical usability of gene
      expression profiling as a reliable and robust prognostic tool that allows
      evidence-based clinical decisions is currently under debate. In this review, we
      will discuss the most recent data on the prognostic significance and potential
      clinical application of genome wide expression analysis in colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 24212937
TI  - Two Domains of Vimentin Are Expressed on the Surface of Lymph Node, Bone and
      Brain Metastatic Prostate Cancer Lines along with the Putative Stem Cell Marker
      Proteins CD44 and CD133.
AB  - Vimentin was originally identified as an intermediate filament protein present
      only as an intracellular component in many cell types. However, this protein has
      now been detected on the surface of a number of different cancer cell types in a
      punctate distribution pattern. Increased vimentin expression has been indicated
      as an important step in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) required for the
      metastasis of prostate cancer. Here, using two vimentin-specific monoclonal
      antibodies (SC5 and V9 directed against the coil one rod domain and the C
      terminus of the vimentin protein, respectively), we examined whether either of
      these domains would be displayed on the surface of three commonly studied
      prostate cancer cell lines isolated from different sites of metastases. Confocal
      analysis of LNCaP, PC3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines (derived from lymph
      node, bone or brain prostate metastases, respectively) demonstrated that both
      domains of vimentin are present on the surface of these metastatic cancer cell
      types. In addition, flow cytometric analysis revealed that vimentin expression
      was readily detected along with CD44 expression but only a small subpopulation of
      prostate cancer cells expressed vimentin and the putative stem cell marker CD133
      along with CD44. Finally, Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) nanoparticles that target
      vimentin could bind and internalize into tested prostate cancer cell lines. These
      results demonstrate that at least two domains of vimentin are present on the
      surface of metastatic prostate cancer cells and suggest that vimentin could
      provide a useful target for nanoparticle- or antibody- cancer therapeutic agents
      directed against highly invasive cancer and/or stem cells. 

PMID- 24212938
TI  - Nanotechnology-based detection and targeted therapy in cancer: nano-bio paradigms
      and applications.
AB  - The application of nanotechnology to biomedicine, particularly in cancer
      diagnosis and treatment, promises to have a profound impact on healthcare. The
      exploitation of the unique properties of nano-sized particles for cancer
      therapeutics is most popularly known as nanomedicine. The goals of this review
      are to discuss the current state of nanomedicine in the field of cancer detection
      and the subsequent application of nanotechnology to treatment. Current cancer
      detection methods rely on the patient contacting their provider when they feel
      ill, or relying on non-specific screening methods, which unfortunately often
      result in cancers being detected only after it is too late for effective
      treatment. Cancer treatment paradigms mainly rely on whole body treatment with
      chemotherapy agents, exposing the patient to medications that non-specifically
      kill rapidly dividing cells, leading to debilitating side effects. In addition,
      the use of toxic organic solvents/excipients can hamper the further effectiveness
      of the anticancer drug. Nanomedicine has the potential to increase the
      specificity of treatment of cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact
      through the use of novel nanoparticles. This review discusses the use of
      nanoparticles such as quantum dots, nanoshells, nanocrystals, nanocells, and
      dendrimers for the detection and treatment of cancer. Future directions and
      perspectives of this cutting-edge technology are also discussed. 

PMID- 24212941
TI  - Sputum-based molecular biomarkers for the early detection of lung cancer:
      limitations and promise.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, with an overall survival of
      15% at five years. Biomarkers that can sensitively and specifically detect lung
      cancer at early stage are crucial for improving this poor survival rate. Sputum
      has been the target for the discovery of non-invasive biomarkers for lung cancer
      because it contains airway epithelial cells, and molecular alterations identified
      in sputum are most likely to reflect tumor-associated changes or field
      cancerization caused by smoking in the lung. Sputum-based molecular biomarkers
      include morphology, allelic imbalance, promoter hypermethylation, gene mutations
      and, recently, differential miRNA expression. To improve the sensitivity and
      reproducibility of sputum-based biomarkers, we recommend standardization of
      processing protocols, bronchial epithelial cell enrichment, and identification of
      field cancerization biomarkers. 

PMID- 24212940
TI  - Mechanisms and therapeutic implications of cell death induction by indole
      compounds.
AB  - Indole compounds, obtained from cruciferous vegetables, are well-known for their
      anti-cancer properties. In particular, indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and its dimeric
      product, 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), have been widely investigated for their
      effectiveness against a number of human cancers in vitro as well as in vivo.
      These compounds are effective inducers of apoptosis and the accumulating evidence
      documenting their ability to modulate multiple cellular signaling pathways is a
      testimony to their pleiotropic behavior. Here we attempt to update current
      understanding on the various mechanisms that are responsible for the apoptosis
      inducing effects by these compounds. The significance of apoptosis-induction as a
      desirable attribute of anti-cancer agents such as indole compounds cannot be
      overstated. However, an equally intriguing property of these compounds is their
      ability to sensitize cancer cells to standard chemotherapeutic agents. Such
      chemosensitizing effects of indole compounds can potentially have major clinical
      implications because these non-toxic compounds can reduce the toxicity and drug
      resistance associated with available chemotherapies. Combinational therapy is
      increasingly being realized to be better than single agent therapy and, through
      this review article, we aim to provide a rationale behind combination of natural
      compounds such as indoles with conventional therapeutics. 

PMID- 24212942
TI  - beta-Catenin Is a Positive Regulator of Estrogen Receptor-alpha Function in
      Breast Cancer Cells.
AB  - Estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) is a key factor in the development of breast
      cancer in humans. The expression and activity of ERalpha is regulated by a
      multitude of intracellular and extracellular signals. Here we show a cross-talk
      between beta-catenin and ERalpha in human breast cancer cells. Knockdown of beta
      catenin by RNAi resulted in significant reduction of ERalpha mRNA and/or protein
      levels in MCF-7, T-47D, and BT-474 breast cancer cells and in significant
      reduction of estradiol-induced expression of the ERalpha target genes pS2 and
      GREB1. In addition beta-catenin silencing resulted in significant decrease of
      growth of MCF-7 cells both in the absence and presence of estradiol. beta-catenin
      and ERalpha could not be co-immunoprecipitated by ERalpha antibodies from lysates
      of E2-treated or untreated cells suggesting lack of direct physical interaction.
      It is concluded that beta-catenin is a positive regulator of ERalpha mRNA and
      protein expression. 

PMID- 24212939
TI  - Immune suppression in tumors as a surmountable obstacle to clinical efficacy of
      cancer vaccines.
AB  - Human tumors are usually not spontaneously eliminated by the immune system and
      therapeutic vaccination of cancer patients with defined antigens is followed by
      tumor regressions only in a small minority of the patients. The poor vaccination
      effectiveness could be explained by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
      Because T cells that infiltrate tumor metastases have an impaired ability to lyse
      target cells or to secrete cytokine, many researchers are trying to decipher the
      underlying immunosuppressive mechanisms. We will review these here, in particular
      those considered as potential therapeutic targets. A special attention will be
      given to galectins, a family of carbohydrate binding proteins. These lectins have
      often been implicated in inflammation and cancer and may be useful targets for
      the development of new anti-cancer therapies. 

PMID- 24212943
TI  - Detouring the Undesired Route of Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastric
      Carcinogenesis.
AB  - Epidemiological and experimental evidence has emerged that a dysregulated
      inflammation is associated with most of the tumors, and many studies have begun
      to unravel the molecular pathways linking inflammation and cancer. As a typical
      example linking these associations, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
      associated atrophic gastritis has been recognized as precursor lesion of gastric
      cancer. The identification of transcription factors such as NF-kappaB and STAT3,
      and their gene products such as IL-8, COX-2, iNOS, cytokines, chemokines and
      their receptors, etc have laid the molecular foundation for our understanding of
      the decisive role of inflammation in carcinogenesis. In addition to the role as
      the initiator of cancer, inflammation contributes to survival and proliferation
      of malignant cells, tumor angiogenesis, and even metastasis. In this review, the
      fundamental mechanisms of H. pylori-induced carcinogenesis as well as the
      possibility of cancer prevention through suppressing H. pylori-induced
      inflammation are introduced. We infer that targeting inflammatory pathways have a
      potential role to detour the unpleasant journey to H. pylori-associated gastric
      carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 24212944
TI  - Dual targeting of the insulin-like growth factor and collateral pathways in
      cancer: combating drug resistance.
AB  - The insulin-like growth factor pathway, regulated by a complex interplay of
      growth factors, cognate receptors, and binding proteins, is critically important
      for many of the hallmarks of cancer such as oncogenesis, cell division, growth,
      and antineoplastic resistance. Naturally, a number of clinical trials have sought
      to directly abrogate insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R) function
      and/or indirectly mitigate its downstream mediators such as mTOR, PI3K, MAPK, and
      others under the assumption that such therapeutic interventions would provide
      clinical benefit, demonstrable by impaired tumor growth as well as prolonged
      progression-free and overall survival for patients. Though a small subset of
      patients enrolled within phase I or II clinical trials revealed dramatic clinical
      response to IGF-1R targeted therapies (most using monoclonal antibodies to IGF
      1R), in toto, the anticancer effect has been underwhelming and unsustained, as
      even those with marked clinical responses seem to rapidly acquire resistance to
      IGF-1R targeted agents when used alone through yet to be identified mechanisms.
      As the IGF-1R receptor is just one of many that converge upon common
      intracellular signaling cascades, it is likely that effective IGF-1R targeting
      must occur in parallel with blockade of redundant signaling paths. Herein, we
      present the rationale for dual targeting of IGF-1R and other signaling molecules
      as an effective strategy to combat acquired drug resistance by carcinomas and
      sarcomas. 

PMID- 24212945
TI  - Immunotherapy for urothelial carcinoma: current status and perspectives.
AB  - Intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) for the treatment of
      urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder is based on the BCG-induced immune
      response, which eradicates and prevents bladder cancer. The results of recent
      studies have suggested that not only major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
      nonrestricted immune cells such as natural killer cells, macrophages,
      neutrophils, etc., but also MHC-restricted CD8+ T cells play an important role
      and are one of the main effectors in this therapy. Better understanding of the
      mechanism of BCG immunotherapy supports the idea that active immunotherapy
      through its augmented T cell response can have great potential for the treatment
      of advanced UC. In this review, progress in immunotherapy for UC is discussed
      based on data from basic, translational and clinical studies. We also review the
      escape mechanism of cancer cells from the immune system, and down-regulation of
      MHC class I molecules. 

PMID- 24212947
TI  - Toll-like receptor 4 signaling integrates intestinal inflammation with
      tumorigenesis: lessons from the murine model of colitis-associated cancer.
AB  - Chronic inflammation has long been implicated as a predisposition for cancer, but
      the underlying mechanism for how this occurs has remained obscure. Ulcerative
      colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the large intestine which is
      known to be highly linked to colorectal cancer. During chronic inflammation the
      intestinal mucosa is in a constant cycle of injury and repair resulting in
      aberrant epithelial proliferation, a process that increases the risk of
      neoplastic transformation. In particular, the coexistence of commensal flora in
      the intestine plays an important role in the regulation of mucosal restitution
      after epithelial injury. It has become apparent that signaling through toll-like
      receptors (TLRs), the receptor family recognizing pathogen-associated molecular
      patterns, is crucial to intestinal epithelial proliferation and mucosal
      restitution. We have recently described two important downstream pathways
      underlying TLR4-mediated epithelial proliferation in a mouse model of colitis
      associated cancer; i.e., cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)-mediated production of
      prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and induction of specific ligands for epidermal growth
      factor receptor (EGFR). These two pathways are closely involved with mucosal
      levels of PGE2 and other prostanoids such as 15-deoxy-delta 12,14-prostaglandin
      J2 (15d-PGJ2). Understanding the fine interplay between the TLR signaling and
      intestinal tumorigenesis in the setting of chronic inflammation can contribute to
      establishing a novel treatment strategy for inflammation-associated cancers. 

PMID- 24212946
TI  - Natural and Induced Humoral Responses to MUC1.
AB  - MUC1 is a membrane-tethered mucin expressed on the ductal cell surface of
      glandular epithelial cells. Loss of polarization, overexpression and aberrant
      glycosylation of MUC1 in mucosal inflammation and in adenocarcinomas induces
      humoral immune responses to the mucin. MUC1 IgG responses have been associated
      with a benefit in survival in patients with breast, lung, pancreatic, ovarian and
      gastric carcinomas. Antibodies bound to the mucin may curb tumor progression by
      restoring cell-cell interactions altered by tumor-associated MUC1, thus
      preventing metastatic dissemination, as well as counteracting the immune
      suppression exerted by the molecule. Furthermore, anti-MUC1 antibodies are
      capable of effecting tumor cell killing by antibody-dependent cell-mediated
      cytotoxicity. Although cytotoxic T cells are indispensable to achieve anti-tumor
      responses in advanced disease, abs to tumor-associated antigens are ideally
      suited to address minimal residual disease and may be sufficient to exert
      adequate immune surveillance in an adjuvant setting, destroying tumor cells as
      they arise or maintaining occult disease in an equilibrium state. Initial
      evaluation of MUC1 peptide/glycopeptide mono and polyvalent vaccines has shown
      them to be immunogenic and safe; anti-tumor responses are scarce. Progress in
      carbohydrate synthesis has yielded a number of sophisticated substrates that
      include MUC1 glycopeptide epitopes that are at present in preclinical testing.
      Adjuvant vaccination with MUC1 glycopeptide polyvalent vaccines that induce
      strong humoral responses may prevent recurrence of disease in patients with early
      stage carcinomas. Furthermore, prophylactic immunotherapy targeting MUC1 may be a
      strategy to strengthen immune surveillance and prevent disease in subjects at
      hereditary high risk of breast, ovarian and colon cancer. 

PMID- 24212949
TI  - Current perspectives on desmoid tumors: the mayo clinic approach.
AB  - Desmoid tumors are a rare group of locally aggressive, non malignant tumors of
      fibroblastic origin that can lead to significant morbidity due to local invasion.
      Despite advances in the understanding of these tumors, their natural history is
      incompletely understood and the optimal treatment is still a matter of debate.
      Local control is the main goal of treatment and there has been a change in
      philosophy regarding the management of these tumors from aggressive surgical
      resection to function preservation. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to
      plan local control with acceptable morbidity. The current Mayo Clinic algorithm
      for the treatment of these tumors is based on institutional experience and the
      available evidence in the literature: asymptomatic/non progressive lesions away
      from vital structures are managed with observation and regular imaging; primary
      or recurrent desmoid tumors which are symptomatic or progressive or near vital
      structures are managed with wide surgical resection when wide surgical margins
      are possible with minimal functional and cosmetic loss. When positive or close
      surgical margins are likely, surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy or
      definitive radiotherapy is preferred. If likely functional or cosmetic deficit is
      unacceptable, radiotherapy is the treatment of choice. Unresectable lesions are
      considered for radiotherapy, chemotherapy or newer modalities however an
      unresectable lesion associated with a painful, functionless, infected extremity
      is managed with an amputation. 

PMID- 24212948
TI  - Immune modulation by chemotherapy or immunotherapy to enhance cancer vaccines.
AB  - Chemotherapy has been a mainstay in cancer treatment for many years. Despite some
      success, the cure rate with chemotherapy remains unsatisfactory in some types of
      cancers, and severe side effects from these treatments are a concern. Recently,
      understanding of the dynamic interplay between the tumor and immune system has
      led to the development of novel immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines.
      Cancer vaccines have many advantageous features, but their use has been hampered
      by poor immunogenicity. Many developments have increased their potency in pre
      clinical models, but cancer vaccines continue to have a poor clinical track
      record. In part, this could be due to an inability to effectively overcome tumor
      induced immune suppression. It had been generally assumed that immune-stimulatory
      cancer vaccines could not be used in combination with immunosuppressive
      chemotherapies, but recent evidence has challenged this dogma. Chemotherapies
      could be used to condition the immune system and tumor to create an environment
      where cancer vaccines have a better chance of success. Other types of
      immunotherapies could also be used to modulate the immune system. This review
      will discuss how immune modulation by chemotherapy or immunotherapy could be used
      to bolster the effects of cancer vaccines and discuss the advantages and
      disadvantages of these treatments. 

PMID- 24212950
TI  - Upregulation of leukotriene receptors in gastric cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leukotrienes (LT) mediate allergic and inflammatory processes.
      Previously, we identified significant changes in the expression pattern of LT
      receptors in the gastric mucosa after eradication of Helicobacter pylori
      infection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of 5
      lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and LT receptors in gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: The
      expression of 5-LOX and receptors for LTB4 (BLT-1, BLT-2) and cysteinyl-LT (CysLT
      1, CysLT-2) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in GC samples of 35
      consecutive patients who underwent gastrectomy and in 29 tumor-free tissue
      specimens from gastric mucosa. RESULTS: Male-to-female ratio was 24:11. The
      median age was 70 years (range 34-91). Twenty-two patients had GC of intestinal,
      six of diffuse, six of mixed and one of undifferentiated type. The IHC analysis
      showed a nearly ubiquitous expression of studied proteins in GC (88-97%) and in
      tumor-free specimens as well (89-100%). An increase in the immunoreactive score
      of both BLT receptors and CysLT-1 was observed in GC compared to tumor-free
      gastric mucosa (p < 0.001 for BLT-1; p < 0.01 for BLT-2 and CysLT-1, Mann-Whitney
      U-test). No differences in the IHC expression of 5-LOX and CsyLT-2 were observed
      between GC and tumor-free mucosa. The expression of BLT-2, CysLT-1 and CysLT-2
      was increased in GC of intestinal type when compared to the diffuse type (p <
      0.05; Mann-Whitney U-test). CONCLUSIONS: LTB4 receptors and CysLT-1 are up
      regulated in GC tissue implying a role in gastric carcinogenesis.

PMID- 24212951
TI  - C-type Lectin Receptors for Tumor Eradication: Future Directions.
AB  - Dendritic cells are key regulators in directing immune responses and therefore
      are under extensive research for the induction of anti-tumor responses. DCs
      express a large array of receptors by which they scan their surroundings for
      recognition and uptake of pathogens. One of the receptor-families is the C-type
      lectins (CLR), which bind carbohydrate structures and internalize antigens upon
      recognition. Intracellular routing of antigen through CLR enhances loading and
      presentation of antigen through MHC class I and II, inducing antigen-specific
      CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation and skewing T-helper cells. These
      characteristics make CLRs very interesting targets for DC-based immunotherapy.
      Profound research has been done on targeting specific tumor antigens to CLR using
      either antibodies or the natural ligands such as glycan structures. In this
      review we will focus on the current data showing the potency of CLR-targeting and
      discuss improvements that can be achieved to enhance anti-tumor activity in the
      near future. 

PMID- 24212952
TI  - Inflammatory alterations of the extracellular matrix in the tumor
      microenvironment.
AB  - Complex interactions between cancer cells and host stromal cells result in the
      formation of the "tumor microenvironment", where inflammatory alterations involve
      the infiltration of tumor-associated fibroblasts and inflammatory leukocytes that
      contribute to the acquisition of malignant characteristics, such as increased
      cancer cell proliferation, invasiveness, metastasis, angiogenesis, and avoidance
      of adaptive immunity. The microenvironment of a solid tumor is comprised not only
      of cellular compartments, but also of bioactive substances, including cytokines,
      growth factors, and extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM can act as a scaffold for
      cell migration, a reservoir for cytokines and growth factors, and a signal
      through receptor binding. During inflammation, ECM components and their degraded
      fragments act directly and indirectly as inflammatory stimuli in certain cases
      and regulate the functions of inflammatory and immune cells. One such ECM
      component, hyaluronan, has recently been implicated to modulate innate immune
      cell function through pattern recognition toll-like receptors and accelerate the
      recruitment and activation of tumor-associated macrophages in inflamed cancers.
      Here, we will summarize the molecular mechanism linking inflammation with ECM
      remodeling in the tumor microenvironment, with a particular emphasis on the role
      of hyaluronan in controlling the inflammatory response. 

PMID- 24212953
TI  - Inflammation-related carcinogenesis and prevention in esophageal adenocarcinoma
      using rat duodenoesophageal reflux models.
AB  - Development from chronic inflammation to Barrett's adenocarcinoma is known as one
      of the inflammation-related carcinogenesis routes. Gastroesophageal reflux
      disease induces regurgitant esophagitis, and esophageal mucosa is usually
      regenerated by squamous epithelium, but sometimes and somewhere replaced with
      metaplastic columnar epithelium. Specialized columnar epithelium, so-called
      Barrett's epithelium (BE), is a risk factor for dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in
      esophagus. Several experiments using rodent model inducing
      duodenogastroesophageal reflux or duodenoesophageal reflux revealed that columnar
      epithelium, first emerging at the proliferative zone, progresses to dysplasia and
      finally adenocarcinoma, and exogenous carcinogen is not necessary for cancer
      development. It is demonstrated that duodenal juice rather than gastric juice is
      essential to develop esophageal adenocarcinoma in not only rodent experiments,
      but also clinical studies. Antireflux surgery and chemoprevention by proton pump
      inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective cyclooxygenase-2
      inhibitors, green tea, retinoic acid and thioproline showed preventive effects on
      the development of Barrett's adenocarcinoma in rodent models, but it remains
      controversial whether antireflux surgery could regress BE and prevent esophageal
      cancer in clinical observation. The Chemoprevention for Barrett's Esophagus Trial
      (CBET), a phase IIb, multicenter, randomized, double-masked study using celecoxib
      in patients with Barrett's dysplasia failed to prove to prevent progression of
      dysplasia to cancer. The AspECT (Aspirin Esomeprazole Chemoprevention Trial), a
      large multicenter phase III randomized trial to evaluate the effects of
      esomeprazole and/or aspirin on the rate of progression to high-grade dysplasia or
      adenocarcinoma in patients with BE is now ongoing. 

PMID- 24212954
TI  - Chimeric DNA Vaccines against ErbB2+ Carcinomas: From Mice to Humans.
AB  - DNA vaccination exploits a relatively simple and flexible technique to generate
      an immune response against microbial and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). Its
      effectiveness is enhanced by the application of an electrical shock in the area
      of plasmid injection (electroporation). In our studies we exploited a
      sophisticated electroporation device approved for clinical use (Cliniporator,
      IGEA, Carpi, Italy). As the target antigen is an additional factor that
      dramatically modulates the efficacy of a vaccine, we selected ErbB2 receptor as a
      target since it is an ideal oncoantigen. It is overexpressed on the cell membrane
      by several carcinomas for which it plays an essential role in driving their
      progression. Most oncoantigens are self-tolerated molecules. To circumvent immune
      tolerance we generated two plasmids (RHuT and HuRT) coding for chimeric rat/human
      ErbB2 proteins. Their immunogenicity was compared in wild type mice naturally
      tolerant for mouse ErbB2, and in transgenic mice that are also tolerant for rat
      or human ErbB2. In several of these mice, RHuT and HuRT elicited a stronger anti
      tumor response than plasmids coding for fully human or fully rat ErbB2. The
      ability of heterologous moiety to blunt immune tolerance could be exploited to
      elicit a significant immune response in patients. A clinical trial to delay the
      recurrence of ErbB2+ carcinomas of the oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx is
      awaiting the approval of the Italian authorities. 

PMID- 24212956
TI  - Assessment of the evolution of cancer treatment therapies.
AB  - Cancer therapy has been characterized throughout history by ups and downs, not
      only due to the ineffectiveness of treatments and side effects, but also by hope
      and the reality of complete remission and cure in many cases. Within the
      therapeutic arsenal, alongside surgery in the case of solid tumors, are the
      antitumor drugs and radiation that have been the treatment of choice in some
      instances. In recent years, immunotherapy has become an important therapeutic
      alternative, and is now the first choice in many cases. Nanotechnology has
      recently arrived on the scene, offering nanostructures as new therapeutic
      alternatives for controlled drug delivery, for combining imaging and treatment,
      applying hyperthermia, and providing directed target therapy, among others. These
      therapies can be applied either alone or in combination with other components
      (antibodies, peptides, folic acid, etc.). In addition, gene therapy is also
      offering promising new methods for treatment. Here, we present a review of the
      evolution of cancer treatments, starting with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation
      and immunotherapy, and moving on to the most promising cutting-edge therapies
      (gene therapy and nanomedicine). We offer an historical point of view that covers
      the arrival of these therapies to clinical practice and the market, and the
      promises and challenges they present. 

PMID- 24212955
TI  - Aberrant signaling pathways in glioma.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a WHO grade IV malignant glioma, is the most
      common and lethal primary brain tumor in adults; few treatments are available.
      Median survival rates range from 12-15 months. The biological characteristics of
      this tumor are exemplified by prominent proliferation, active invasiveness, and
      rich angiogenesis. This is mainly due to highly deregulated signaling pathways in
      the tumor. Studies of these signaling pathways have greatly increased our
      understanding of the biology and clinical behavior of GBM. An integrated view of
      signal transduction will provide a more useful approach in designing novel
      therapies for this devastating disease. In this review, we summarize the current
      understanding of GBM signaling pathways with a focus on potential molecular
      targets for anti-signaling molecular therapies. 

PMID- 24212957
TI  - Therapeutic approaches to target cancer stem cells.
AB  - The clinical relevance of cancer stem cells (CSC) remains a major challenge for
      current cancer therapies, but preliminary findings indicate that specific
      targeting may be possible. Recent studies have shown that these tumor
      subpopulations promote tumor angiogenesis through the increased production of
      VEGF, whereas the VEGF neutralizing antibody bevacizumab specifically inhibits
      CSC growth. Moreover, nimotuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against the epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) with a potent antiangiogenic activity, has been
      shown by our group to reduce the frequency of CSC-like subpopulations in mouse
      models of brain tumors when combined with ionizing radiation. These studies and
      subsequent reports from other groups support the relevance of approaches based on
      molecular-targeted therapies to selectively attack CSC. This review discusses the
      relevance of targeting both the EGFR and angiogenic pathways as valid approaches
      to this aim. We discuss the relevance of identifying better molecular markers to
      develop drug screening strategies that selectively target CSC. 

PMID- 24212959
TI  - Treatment of extra - abdominal desmoid tumors with chemotherapy.
AB  - Fibromatosis, or extra-abdominal desmoid tumor, is a benign disease which often
      has an aggressive clinical course that can be difficult to treat. We performed a
      retrospective review of 16 patients (12 females and four males) with a mean age
      of 34.2 years treated with methotrexate and vinblastine for newly diagnosed or
      recurrent extra-abdominal desmoid tumor. The mean age of our patient cohort was
      34.2 years (range 11-70), and the mean tumor size was 11.5 cm (range 2.5-21.2
      cm). The mean duration of therapy was 12 months with an average follow-up of 43
      months (range 1-149 months). Fourteen of 16 patients demonstrated a clinical
      response to treatment. Eight of 14 patients demonstrated a radiologic decrease in
      tumor size. Only one patient progressed on therapy. Six patients developed
      recurrent symptoms after discontinuation of treatment. Chemotherapy-related
      symptoms including neutropenia, nausea, and vomiting were common and observed in
      most patients, however these side effects were mild and transient. Five patients
      developed peripheral neuropathy that prompted a change from vinblastine to
      vinorelbine during treatment. One potentially life-threatening complication
      (pneumocystis pneumonia) occurred which was diagnosed early and successfully
      treated. The use of methotrexate and vinblastine/vinorelbine in the management of
      fibromatosis appears to be an effective treatment with minimal treatment-related
      side effects. 

PMID- 24212958
TI  - Novel antibody-based proteins for cancer immunotherapy.
AB  - The relative success of monoclonal antibodies in cancer immunotherapy and the
      vast manipulation potential of recombinant antibody technology have encouraged
      the development of novel antibody-based antitumor proteins. Many insightful
      reagents have been produced, mainly guided by studies on the mechanisms of action
      associated with complete and durable remissions, results from experimental animal
      models, and our current knowledge of the human immune system. Strikingly, only a
      small percent of these new reagents has demonstrated clinical value. Tumor
      burden, immune evasion, physiological resemblance, and cell plasticity are among
      the challenges that cancer therapy faces, and a number of antibody-based proteins
      are already available to deal with many of them. Some of these novel reagents
      have been shown to specifically increase apoptosis/cell death of tumor cells,
      recruit and activate immune effectors, and reveal synergistic effects not
      previously envisioned. In this review, we look into different approaches that
      have been followed during the past few years to produce these biologics and
      analyze their relative success, mainly in terms of their clinical performance.
      The use of antibody-based antitumor proteins, in combination with standard or
      novel therapies, is showing significant improvements in objective responses,
      suggesting that these reagents will become important components of the
      antineoplastic protocols of the future. 

PMID- 24212960
TI  - Microvessel Density Is Associated with VEGF and alpha-SMA Expression in Different
      Regions of Human Gastrointestinal Carcinomas.
AB  - Tumor angiogenesis is known to be regulated by growth factors secreted by host
      and tumor cells. Despite the importance of tumor vasculature and angiogenic
      heterogeneity in solid tumors, few studies have compared the vasculature in
      different regions of human cancer. Blood vessels from different regions of
      carcinomas might have morphofunctional implications in tumor angiogenesis. In the
      present study, therefore, we have examined the relationship between microvascular
      density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and alpha
      smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression in the center of the tumor (CT),
      periphery (P) and metastasis (M) regions from gastrointestinal carcinomas (GITC),
      as well as the association of MVD with clinicopathological factors. Surgically
      resected specimens corresponding to the CT, P and M from 27 patients were
      examined for FVIII, VEGF and alpha-SMA by immunohistochemistry. The MVD was not
      significantly different in the CT, P and M regions from GITC. The MVD in the VEGF
      positive group was significantly higher than in the VEGF negative group (CT, p =
      0.034; P, p = 0.030; M, p = 0.032). The MVD as a function of alpha-SMA expression
      was also significantly higher in the CT and P region compared to the M region (p
      = 0.0008). In conclusion, the MVD association with VEGF and alpha-SMA expression,
      might indicate an increase of the number of neoformed and preexisting blood
      vessels uniformly or partially covered by pericytes in different regions of GITC,
      suggesting that not only MVD and VEGF are important parameters to the tumor
      vasculature, but also blood vessels maturation is a crucial factor for
      gastrointestinal tumor angiogenesis regulation and possible target of vascular
      therapy. 

PMID- 24212961
TI  - Toxicity and Long-Term Outcomes of Dose-Escalated Intensity Modulated Radiation
      Therapy to 74Gy for Localised Prostate Cancer in a Single Australian Centre.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the toxicity and long-term outcomes of dose-escalated
      intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for patients with localised prostate
      cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From 2001 to 2005, a total of 125 patients with
      histologically confirmed T1-3N0M0 prostate cancer were treated with IMRT to 74Gy
      at the Austin Health Radiation Oncology Centre. The median follow-up was 5.5
      years (range 0.5-8.9 years). Biochemical prostate specific antigen (bPSA) failure
      was defined according to the Phoenix consensus definition (absolute nadir +
      2ng/mL). Toxicity was scored according to the RTOG/EORTC criteria. Kaplan-Meier
      analysis was used to calculate toxicity rates, as well as the risks of bPSA
      failure, distant metastases, disease-specific and overall survival, at 5 and 8
      years post treatment. RESULTS: All patients completed radiotherapy without any
      treatment breaks. The 8-year risks of >= Grade 2 genitourinary (GU) and
      gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity were 6.4% and 5.8% respectively, and the 8-year
      risks of >= Grade 3 GU and GI toxicity were both < 0.05%. The 5 and 8-year
      freedom from bPSA failure were 76% and 58% respectively. Disease-specific
      survival at 5 and 8 years were 95% and 91%, respectively, and overall survival at
      5 and 8 years were 90% and 71%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm
      existing international data regarding the safety and efficacy of dose-escalated
      intensity-modulated radiation therapy for localised prostate cancer within an
      Australian setting.

PMID- 24212962
TI  - Scalpel or SABR for Treatment of Early-Stage Lung Cancer: Clinical Considerations
      for the Multidisciplinary Team.
AB  - Treatment options for early-stage (T1-2 N0) non-small cell lung cancer are often
      limited by the patient's advanced age, poor performance status, and
      comorbidities. Despite these challenges, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy
      (SABR) provides a highly effective and safe therapy for intrathoracic tumors and
      has become the standard of care for delivering definitive treatment in medically
      inoperable patients. High-quality treatment, which includes reliable
      immobilization, accurate tumor targeting, and precise verification of dose
      delivery, is essential both to achieve successful cure and to avoid debilitating
      toxicities. Generally, SABR is well tolerated in patients with peripherally
      located tumors, but even centrally or superiorly located lesions can be treated
      if there is adequate conformal avoidance of normal structures and/or modified
      fractionation to meet dose constraints. While several preliminary studies suggest
      that SABR is as efficacious as surgery in operable patients, results of
      randomized data will illuminate whether the indications for SABR can be expanded
      to include patients who are candidates for surgical resection. Herein, we review
      the rationale for using SABR and its application in treating different patient
      populations with early-stage lung cancer. 

PMID- 24212963
TI  - Phase II Study of Pomalidomide in Patients with Castration-Resistant Prostate
      Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pomalidomide is a distinct immunomodulatory agent that also displays
      anti-proliferative and proapoptotic activity. The purpose of this study was to
      assess the efficacy and safety of pomalidomide for the treatment of chemotherapy
      naive patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
      METHODS: Pomalidomide was administered orally in doses of 1 or 2 mg/day without
      interruption. Follow ups were conducted every 4 weeks with evaluation of study
      outcomes at 12 weeks. The principal study outcomes were PSA response, time to
      progression (TTP) using RECIST, overall survival (OS), and safety. A total of 32
      patients were enrolled: 15 in the 1 mg/day cohort (median baseline PSA level of
      12.30 ng/mL [0.8-236.0]), and 17 in the 2 mg/day cohort (median baseline PSA
      level of 12.50 ng/mL [0.6-191.8]). RESULTS: In the 1 mg cohort disease was
      stabilized for >=28 days in eight patients, and median TTP was 2.90 months. In
      the 2 mg cohort, PSA decreased >50% in three patients, disease was stabilized for
      >=28 days in seven patients, and median TTP was 5.87 months. Toxicity in both
      cohorts was predominantly grade 1 or 2; 2 grade 3 toxicity (fatigue) occurred in
      the 1 mg cohort, and 5 grade 3 toxicities (chest pain, diarrhea, epigastric pain,
      impaction, pain) occurred in the 2 mg cohort. One grade 4 toxicity of cardiac
      ischemia occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Pomalidomide shows promising activity in patients
      with CRPC and has an acceptable safety profile.

PMID- 24212965
TI  - Evaluation of Changes in Tumor Shadows and Microcalcifications on Mammography
      Following KORTUC II, a New Radiosensitization Treatment without any Surgical
      Procedure for Elderly Patients with Stage I and II Breast Cancer.
AB  - We introduced non-surgical therapy with a novel enzyme-targeting
      radiosensitization treatment, Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable
      Carcinomas, Type II (KORTUC II) into early stages breast cancer treatment. The
      purpose of this study was to examine changes in tumor shadows and
      microcalcifications on mammography (MMG) following KORTUC II for elderly patients
      with breast cancer. We also sought to determine whether MMG was useful in
      evaluating the therapeutic effect of KORTUC II. In addition to MMG, positron
      emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) was performed to detect both
      metastasis and local recurrence. In all 10 patients, tumor shadows on MMG
      completely disappeared in several months following the KORTUC II treatment. The
      concomitant microcalcifications also disappeared or markedly decreased in number.
      Disappearance of the tumors was also confirmed by the profile curve of tumor
      density on MMG following KORTUC II treatment; density fell and eventually
      approached that of the peripheral mammary tissue. These 10 patients have so far
      have also shown neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis on PET-CT with a
      mean follow-up period of approximately 27 months at the end of September, 2010.
      We conclude that breast-conservation treatment using KORTUC II, followed by
      aromatase inhibitor, is a promising therapeutic method for elderly patients with
      breast cancer, in terms of avoiding any surgical procedure. Moreover, MMG is
      considered to be useful for evaluating the efficacy of KORTUC II. 

PMID- 24212964
TI  - New Approaches to Immunotherapy for HPV Associated Cancers.
AB  - Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer of women worldwide and is the
      first cancer shown to be entirely induced by a virus, the human papillomavirus
      (HPV, major oncogenic genotypes HPV-16 and -18). Two recently developed
      prophylactic cervical cancer vaccines, using virus-like particles (VLP)
      technology, have the potential to prevent a large proportion of cervical cancer
      associated with HPV infection and to ensure long-term protection. However,
      prophylactic HPV vaccines do not have therapeutic effects against pre-existing
      HPV infections and do not prevent their progression to HPV-associated malignancy.
      In animal models, therapeutic vaccines for persisting HPV infection can eliminate
      transplantable tumors expressing HPV antigens, but are of limited efficacy in
      inducing rejection of skin grafts expressing the same antigens. In humans,
      clinical trials have reported successful immunotherapy of HPV lesions, providing
      hope and further interest. This review discusses possible new approaches to
      immunotherapy for HPV associated cancer, based on recent advances in our
      knowledge of the immunobiology of HPV infection, of epithelial immunology and of
      immunoregulation, with a brief overview on previous and current HPV vaccine
      clinical trials. 

PMID- 24212966
TI  - An Evidence-Based Approach to the Use of Predictive Biomarkers in the Treatment
      of Non- Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
AB  - Recent advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have led
      to improvements in patient survival and quality of life. It is unclear whether
      molecular abnormalities associated with NSCLC cell survival, growth and
      proliferation are useful in predicting treatment benefit. We conducted a
      systematic review to establish which biomarkers contribute meaningfully to the
      management of NSCLC. A team of researchers searched PubMed and conference
      proceedings (ASCO, ESMO, IASLC, USCAP) using MESH terms for NSCLC and randomized
      trials (RCT), plus keywords for variables of interest. Evidence from multiple
      RCTs confirmed that histologic subtype is prognostic for survival and predictive
      of treatment efficacy and/or toxicity in NSCLC. Likewise, activating mutations of
      the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are associated with benefit from EGFR
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC and
      should be assessed routinely. No biomarkers to date reliably predict response to
      anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) therapies. There are inconsistent
      data on the role of ERCC1, BRCA, Beta tubulin III, RRM1, K-RAS, or TP-53 in
      treatment decisions. These tests should not be routinely used in selecting
      treatment at this time, whereas EML4/ALK translocations predict responses to
      specific targeted agents, the optimal assessment of this molecular abnormality
      has yet to be established. Personalized care of patients with NSCLC based on
      biomarkers is increasingly important to both clinical practice and research. 

PMID- 24212968
TI  - Efficacy and safety of high-dose-rate brachytherapy of single implant with two
      fractions combined with external beam radiotherapy for hormone-naive localized
      prostate cancer.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose
      rate (HDR) brachytherapy of a single implant with two fractions plus external
      beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for hormone-naive prostate cancer in comparison with
      radical prostatectomy. Of 150 patients with localized prostate cancer (T1c-T2c),
      59 underwent HDR brachytherapy plus EBRT, and 91 received radical prostatectomy.
      The median follow-up of patients was 62 months for HDR brachytherapy plus EBRT,
      and 64 months for radical prostatectomy. In patient backgrounds between the two
      cohorts, the frequency of T2b plus T2c was greater in HDR brachytherapy cohort
      than in prostatectomy cohort (27% versus 12%, p = 0.029). Patients in HDR
      brachytherapy cohort first underwent 3D conformal RT with four beams to the
      prostate to an isocentric dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions and then, a total of 15
      18 Gy in two fractions at least 5 hours apart. We prescribed 9 Gy/fraction for
      target (prostate gland plus 3 mm lateral outside margin and seminal vesicle)
      using CT image method for radiation planning. The total biochemical failure-free
      control rates (BF-FCR) at 3 and 5 years for the HDR brachytherapy cohort, and for
      the prostatectomy cohort were 92% and 85%, and 72% and 72%, respectively
      (significant difference, p = 0.0012). The 3-and 5-year BF-FCR in the HDR
      brachytherapy cohort and in the prostatectomy cohort by risk group was 100 and
      100%, and 80 and 80%, respectively, for the low-risk group (p = 0.1418); 92 and
      92%, 73 and 73%, respectively, for the intermediate-risk group (p = 0.0492); and
      94 and 72%, 45 and 45%, respectively, for the high-risk group (p = 0.0073). After
      HDR brachytherapy plus EBRT, no patient experienced Grade 2 or greater
      genitourinay toxicity. The rate of late Grade 1 and 2 GI toxicity was 6% (n = 4).
      No patient experienced Grade 3 GI toxicity. HDR brachytherapy plus EBRT is useful
      for treating patients with hormone-naive localized prostate cancer, and has low
      GU and GI toxicities. 

PMID- 24212969
TI  - Type I Collagen Synthesis Marker Procollagen I N-Terminal Peptide (PINP) in
      Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Intermittent Androgen Suppression.
AB  - Intermittent androgen suppression (IAS) therapy for prostate cancer patients
      attempts to maintain the hormone dependence of the tumor cells by cycles
      alternating between androgen suppression (AS) and treatment cessation till a
      certain prostate-specific antigen (PSA) threshold is reached. Side effects are
      expected to be reduced, compared to standard continuous androgen suppression
      (CAS) therapy. The present study examined the effect of IAS on bone metabolism by
      determinations of serum procollagen I N-terminal peptide (PINP), a biochemical
      marker of collagen synthesis. A total of 105 treatment cycles of 58 patients with
      prostate cancer stages >=pT2 was studied assessing testosterone, PSA and PINP
      levels at monthly intervals. During phases of AS lasting for up to nine months
      PSA levels were reversibly reduced, indicating apoptotic regression of the
      prostatic tumors. Within the first cycle PINP increased at the end of the AS
      period and peaked in the treatment cessation phase. During the following two
      cycles a similar pattern was observed for PINP, except a break in collagen
      synthesis as indicated by low PINP levels in the first months off treatment.
      Therefore, measurements of the serum PINP concentration indicated increased bone
      matrix synthesis in response to >6 months of AS, which uninterruptedly continued
      into the first treatment cessation phase, with a break into each of the following
      two pauses. In summary, synthesis of bone matrix collagen increases while
      degradation decreases during off-treatment phases in patients undergoing IAS.
      Although a direct relationship between bone matrix turnover and risk of fractures
      is difficult to establish, IAS for treatment of biochemical progression of
      prostate tumors is expected to reduce osteoporosis in elderly men often at high
      risk for bone fractures representing a highly suitable patient population for
      this kind of therapy. 

PMID- 24212967
TI  - Epigenetics, nervous system tumors, and cancer stem cells.
AB  - Recent advances have begun to elucidate how epigenetic regulatory mechanisms are
      responsible for establishing and maintaining cell identity during development and
      adult life and how the disruption of these processes is, not surprisingly, one of
      the hallmarks of cancer. In this review, we describe the major epigenetic
      mechanisms (i.e., DNA methylation, histone and chromatin modification, non-coding
      RNA deployment, RNA editing, and nuclear reorganization) and discuss the broad
      spectrum of epigenetic alterations that have been uncovered in pediatric and
      adult nervous system tumors. We also highlight emerging evidence that suggests
      epigenetic deregulation is a characteristic feature of so-called cancer stem
      cells (CSCs), which are thought to be present in a range of nervous system tumors
      and responsible for tumor maintenance, progression, treatment resistance, and
      recurrence. We believe that better understanding how epigenetic mechanisms
      operate in neural cells and identifying the etiologies and consequences of
      epigenetic deregulation in tumor cells and CSCs, in particular, are likely to
      promote the development of enhanced molecular diagnostics and more targeted and
      effective therapeutic agents for treating recalcitrant nervous system tumors. 

PMID- 24212970
TI  - Strategies To Assess Hypoxic/HIF-1-Active Cancer Cells for the Development of
      Innovative Radiation Therapy.
AB  - Local tumor recurrence and distant tumor metastasis frequently occur after
      radiation therapy and result in the death of cancer patients. These problems are
      caused, at least in part, by a tumor-specific oxygen-poor microenvironment,
      hypoxia. Oxygen-deprivation is known to inhibit the chemical ionization of both
      intracellular macro-molecules and water, etc., and thus reduce the cytotoxic
      effects of radiation. Moreover, DNA damage produced by free radicals is known to
      be more repairable under hypoxia than normoxia. Hypoxia is also known to induce
      biological tumor radioresistance through the activation of a transcription
      factor, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Several potential strategies have
      been devised in radiation therapy to overcome these problems; however, they have
      not yet achieved a complete remission. It is essential to reveal the intratumoral
      localization and dynamics of hypoxic/HIF-1-active tumor cells during tumor growth
      and after radiation therapy, then exploit the information to develop innovative
      therapeutic strategies, and finally damage radioresistant cells. In this review,
      we overview problems caused by hypoxia/HIF-1-active cells in radiation therapy
      for cancer and introduce strategies to assess intratumoral hypoxia/HIF-1
      activity. 

PMID- 24212971
TI  - Effects of Surgery and Chemotherapy on Metastatic Progression of Prostate Cancer:
      Evidence from the Natural History of the Disease Reconstructed through
      Mathematical Modeling.
AB  - This article brings mathematical modeling to bear on the reconstruction of the
      natural history of prostate cancer and assessment of the effects of treatment on
      metastatic progression. We present a comprehensive, entirely mechanistic
      mathematical model of cancer progression accounting for primary tumor latency,
      shedding of metastases, their dormancy and growth at secondary sites. Parameters
      of the model were estimated from the following data collected from 12 prostate
      cancer patients: (1) age and volume of the primary tumor at presentation; and (2)
      volumes of detectable bone metastases surveyed at a later time. This allowed us
      to estimate, for each patient, the age at cancer onset and inception of the first
      metastasis, the expected metastasis latency time and the rates of growth of the
      primary tumor and metastases before and after the start of treatment. We found
      that for all patients: (1) inception of the first metastasis occurred when the
      primary tumor was undetectable; (2) inception of all or most of the surveyed
      metastases occurred before the start of treatment; (3) the rate of metastasis
      shedding is essentially constant in time regardless of the size of the primary
      tumor and so it is only marginally affected by treatment; and most importantly,
      (4) surgery, chemotherapy and possibly radiation bring about a dramatic increase
      (by dozens or hundred times for most patients) in the average rate of growth of
      metastases. Our analysis supports the notion of metastasis dormancy and the
      existence of prostate cancer stem cells. The model is applicable to all
      metastatic solid cancers, and our conclusions agree well with the results of a
      similar analysis based on a simpler model applied to a case of metastatic breast
      cancer. 

PMID- 24212972
TI  - Natural killer T cells subsets in cancer, functional defects in prostate cancer
      and implications for immunotherapy.
AB  - Natural killer T cells are T lymphocytes with unique activation and effector
      properties. The majority of NKT cells, termed type-I or iNKT cells, recognize
      lipid antigens presented on MHC-like CD1d molecules. Type-I NKT cells have the
      capacity to rapidly secrete various cytokines upon activation, thereby regulate
      immune responses exerts dominant anti-tumor and anti-microbial effector
      functions. Specific activation of type-I NKT cells in mouse models boosts
      immunity and prevents metastasis, which has led to a number of phase I-II
      clinical trials. Since the discovery of NKT cells other subsets with different
      specificities and effector functions have been described. This article briefly
      reviews the physiological functions of NKT cell subsets, their implications in
      cancer and the attempts that have been made to employ NKT cells for immune
      therapy of cancer. 

PMID- 24212973
TI  - The many faces of wnt and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma oncogenesis.
AB  - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains amongst the most lethal human
      cancers. PDAC is characterized by the tumor mass containing a paucity of
      malignant cells in association with a large desmoplastic reaction comprised of a
      variety of stromal components. Sporadic PDAC oncogenesis occurs as a result of
      the sequential acquisition of genetic aberrations occurring in core genetic
      pathways. Unfortunately, the average PDAC contains a large number of genetic
      aberrations that are not uniform between individual cancers. The interplay
      between the complex genetics and stromal component may represent a significant
      barrier to the development of effective therapy for this disease and ultimately
      be an important factor in PDAC lethality. The Wnt pathway has been identified as
      a one of the common pathways undergoing genetic alterations in PDAC. Wnt is a
      complex signal transduction pathway utilizing both a b-catenin dependent
      (canonical) and b-catenin independent (noncanonical) signals to affect a wide
      array of intracellular events. Wnt signal transduction is an integral component
      of pancreas organogenesis promoting the expansion and development of the exocrine
      pancreas. Pancreatic cancer may utilize the Wnt signaling pathway in concert with
      other signaling pathways such as notch during tumorigenesis. This review will
      focus on the role of Wnt signal transduction in pancreatic cancer biology. 

PMID- 24212975
TI  - Improved nuclear medicine uniformity assessment with noise texture analysis.
AB  - Because gamma cameras are generally susceptible to environmental conditions and
      system vulnerabilities, they require routine evaluation of uniformity
      performance. The metrics for such evaluations are commonly pixel value-based.
      Although these metrics are typically successful at identifying regional
      nonuniformities, they often do not adequately reflect subtle periodic structures;
      therefore, additional visual inspections are required. The goal of this project
      was to develop, test, and validate a new uniformity analysis metric capable of
      accurately identifying structures and patterns present in nuclear medicine flood
      field uniformity images. METHODS: A new uniformity assessment metric, termed the
      structured noise index (SNI), was based on the 2-dimensional noise power spectrum
      (NPS). The contribution of quantum noise was subtracted from the NPS of a flood
      field uniformity image, resulting in an NPS representing image artifacts. A
      visual response filter function was then applied to both the original NPS and the
      artifact NPS. A single quantitative score was calculated on the basis of the
      magnitude of the artifact. To verify the validity of the SNI, an observer study
      was performed with 5 expert nuclear medicine physicists. The correlation between
      the SNI and the visual score was assessed with Spearman rank correlation
      analysis. The SNI was also compared with pixel value-based assessment metrics
      modeled on the National Electrical Manufacturers Association standard for
      integral uniformity in both the useful field of view (UFOV) and the central field
      of view (CFOV). RESULTS: The SNI outperformed the pixel value-based metrics in
      terms of its correlation with the visual score (rho values for the SNI, integral
      UFOV, and integral CFOV were 0.86, 0.59, and 0.58, respectively). The SNI had
      100% sensitivity for identifying both structured and nonstructured
      nonuniformities; for the integral UFOV and CFOV metrics, the sensitivities were
      only 62% and 54%, respectively. The overall positive predictive value of the SNI
      was 87%; for the integral UFOV and CFOV metrics, the positive predictive values
      were only 67% and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The SNI accurately identified
      both structured and nonstructured flood-field nonuniformities and correlated
      closely with expert visual assessment. Compared with traditional pixel value
      based analysis, the SNI showed superior performance in terms of its correlation
      with visual perception. The SNI method is effective for detecting and quantifying
      visually apparent nonuniformities and may reduce the need for more subjective
      visual analyses.

PMID- 24212974
TI  - Emerging cancer vaccines: the promise of genetic vectors.
AB  - Therapeutic vaccination against cancer is an important approach which, when
      combined with other therapies, can improve long-term control of cancer. In fact,
      the induction of adaptive immune responses against Tumor Associated Antigens
      (TAAs) as well as innate immunity are important factors for tumor
      stabilization/eradication. A variety of immunization technologies have been
      explored in last decades and are currently under active evaluation, such as cell
      based, protein, peptide and heat-shock protein-based cancer vaccines. Genetic
      vaccines are emerging as promising methodologies to elicit immune responses
      against a wide variety of antigens, including TAAs. Amongst these, Adenovirus
      (Ad)-based vectors show excellent immunogenicity profile and have achieved
      immunological proof of concept in humans. In vivo electroporation of plasmid DNA
      (DNA-EP) is also a desirable vaccine technology for cancer vaccines, as it is
      repeatable several times, a parameter required for the long-term maintenance of
      anti-tumor immunity. Recent findings show that combinations of different
      modalities of immunization (heterologous prime/boost) are able to induce superior
      immune reactions as compared to single-modality vaccines. In this review, we will
      discuss the challenges and requirements of emerging cancer vaccines, particularly
      focusing on the genetic cancer vaccines currently under active development and
      the promise shown by Ad and DNA-EP heterologous prime-boost. 

PMID- 24212976
TI  - The translocator protein radioligand 18F-DPA-714 monitors antitumor effect of
      erufosine in a rat 9L intracranial glioma model.
AB  - On the one hand, the translocator protein (TSPO) radioligand N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4
      (2-(18)F-fluoroethoxy)phenyl)-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)acetamide
      ((18)F-DPA-714) has been suggested to serve as an alternative radiotracer to
      image human glioma, and on the other hand the alkylphosphocholine erufosine
      (ErPC3) has been reported to induce apoptosis in otherwise highly apoptosis
      resistant glioma cell lines. The induction of apoptosis by ErPC3 requires TSPO, a
      mitochondrial membrane protein highly expressed in malignant gliomas. In this
      preclinical study, we monitored the effect of ErPC3 treatment in vivo using (18)F
      DPA-714 PET. METHODS: In vitro studies investigated the antitumor effect of ErPC3
      in 9L rat gliosarcoma cells. In vivo, glioma-bearing rats were imaged with (18)F
      DPA-714 for the time of treatment. RESULTS: A significant decrease in 9L cell
      proliferation and viability and a significant increase in apoptosis and caspase-3
      activation were demonstrated on ErPC3 treatment in cell culture. In the rat
      model, ErPC3 administration resulted in significant changes in (18)F-DPA-714
      tumor uptake over the course of the treatment. Immunohistochemistry revealed
      reduced tumor volume and increased cell death in ErPC3-treated animals
      accompanied by infiltration of the tumor core by CD11b-positive
      microglia/macrophages and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes.
      CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate a potent antitumor effect of ErPC3 in vitro,
      in vivo, and ex vivo. PET imaging of TSPO expression using (18)F-DPA-714 allows
      effective monitoring and quantification of disease progression and response to
      ErPC3 therapy in intracranial 9L gliomas.

PMID- 24212977
TI  - Factors associated with battered Filipino women's decision to stay in or leave an
      abusive relationship.
AB  - There is a dearth of research on battered Filipino women's stay or leave decision
      making process. The present study interviewed 40 battered women in the
      Philippines to explore factors associated with their decisions to stay or leave
      their husbands or partners. Results revealed that (a) battered women's decision
      to stay was associated with intrapersonal and interpersonal factors such as
      personality characteristics, lack of personal resources, absence of social
      support, presence of children, length of relationship, and sociocultural factors
      and (b) battered women's decision to leave their abusive partners was associated
      with factors such as personality characteristics, personal resources, social
      support, nature of abuse, and spousal factors. Implications for research and
      practice were discussed. 

PMID- 24212978
TI  - The relationship of violence and traumatic stress to changes in weight and waist
      circumference: longitudinal analyses from the study of women's health across the
      nation.
AB  - This article investigates the associations of violence and traumatic stress with
      changes in weight and waist circumference, hypothesizing that violence in midlife
      would be associated with increases or decreases in weight and waist
      circumference. The longitudinal cohort of the Study of Women's Health Across the
      Nation comprised the study sample, which included an ethnically/racially and
      socially diverse group of 2,870 women between the ages of 42 and 52 years at
      baseline. Women were followed annually for 10 years, and assessments included
      weight and waist circumference measures and data on violence, health outcomes,
      and confounders. At baseline, 8.6% Caucasian, 10.8% African American, 9.2%
      Chinese, and 5.0% Japanese women reported violence and traumatic stress.
      Reporting violence and traumatic stress during follow-up was significantly
      associated with weight gain (odds ratio [OR] = 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]
      = [1.28-4.47]), weight loss (OR = 3.54, 95% CI = [1.73-7.22]), and gain (OR =
      2.44, 95% CI = [1.37-4.37]) or loss (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = [1.23-5.77]) in waist
      circumference, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, and
      smoking. Violence and traumatic stress against midlife women were associated with
      gains or losses in weight and waist circumference. 

PMID- 24212979
TI  - Preliminary investigation of the roles of military background and posttraumatic
      stress symptoms in frequency and recidivism of intimate partner violence
      perpetration among court-referred men.
AB  - Significant rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration have been
      identified among men with military backgrounds. Research indicates posttraumatic
      stress symptoms place military men at increased risk for IPV perpetration, but
      may be negatively associated with IPV among nonmilitary samples. However, no
      previous studies have directly compared court-referred IPV offenders with and
      without military experience, which may have clinical implications if
      posttraumatic stress symptoms are differentially associated with IPV perpetration
      across these two samples. Twenty court-referred IPV offenders with military
      background were demographically matched with 40 court-referred IPV offenders
      without military background. As anticipated, self- and partner-report of
      physically assaultive acts and injurious acts during baseline assessment showed
      significantly greater physical assault and injury perpetrated by offenders with
      military background. However, 1-year follow-up data on convictions indicated a
      significantly lower rate of recidivism among offenders with military background
      than among nonmilitary offenders. As hypothesized, symptoms of posttraumatic
      stress at intake showed a significant positive correlation with IPV perpetration
      among offenders with military background; however, this relationship showed a
      negative correlation among offenders without military background. Clinical
      implications are discussed including treatment avenues, such as Veterans Courts
      and other incarceration diversion programs, which may be particularly appropriate
      for offenders with military backgrounds. 

PMID- 24212980
TI  - Safety and efficacy outcomes of preoperative aspirin in patients undergoing
      coronary artery bypass grafting: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The administration of aspirin is traditionally discontinued prior to
      coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), given a potential risk of excessive
      postoperative bleeding. Few studies have previously suggested the benefits of
      continuing aspirin until the time of surgery. The primary aim of this review is
      to evaluate the effects of preoperative aspirin therapy on several clinically
      important outcomes in patients undergoing CABG. METHODS: A meta-analysis of
      eligible studies of patients undergoing CABG, reporting preoperative aspirin in
      comparison with no aspirin/placebo and our outcomes, was carried out. The safety
      outcomes included postoperative bleeding, packed red blood cell (PRBC)
      transfusion requirements, and reoperation for bleeding. The efficacy outcomes
      included perioperative myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular accidents
      (CVAs), and mortality. RESULTS: In 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs; n =
      1538), preoperative aspirin increased postoperative bleeding (difference in means
      = 132.30 mL; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 47.10-217.51; P = .002), PRBC
      transfusion requirements (difference in means = 0.67 units; 95% CI 0.10-1.24; P =
      .02), and reoperation for bleeding (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76; 95% CI 1.05-2.93; P =
      .03). In 19 observational studies (n = 19551), preoperative aspirin increased
      postoperative bleeding (difference in means = 132.74 mL; 95% CI 45.77-219.72; P =
      .003) and PRBC transfusion requirements (difference in means = 0.19 units; 95% CI
      0.02-0.35; P = .02) but not reoperation for bleeding (OR = 1.13; 95% CI 0.91
      1.42; P = .27). Subgroup analyses for RCTs demonstrated that aspirin given at
      doses <= 100 mg/d might not increase the postoperative bleeding, and the dose of
      325 mg/d might not be a cutoff value that has clinical and statistical
      significance. No statistically significant differences in the rate of
      perioperative MI, CVAs, or mortality were seen between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Preoperative aspirin therapy is associated with increased postoperative bleeding,
      PRBC transfusion requirements, and reoperation for bleeding in patients
      undergoing CABG. Doses lower than 100 mg/d may minimize the risk of bleeding.
      Additional RCTs are needed to assess the effects of preoperative aspirin on the
      safety and efficacy outcomes in patients undergoing CABG.

PMID- 24212981
TI  - Lymphatic vessels: new targets for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
AB  - The lymphatic system plays an important role in the physiological control of the
      tissue fluid balance and in the initiation of immune responses. Recent studies
      have shown that lymphangiogenesis, the growth of new lymphatic vessels and/or the
      expansion of existing lymphatic vessels, is a characteristic feature of acute
      inflammatory reactions and of chronic inflammatory diseases. In these conditions,
      lymphatic vessel expansion occurs at the tissue level but also within the
      draining lymph nodes. Surprisingly, activation of lymphatic vessel function by
      delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor-C exerts anti-inflammatory effects
      in several models of cutaneous and joint inflammation. These effects are likely
      mediated by enhanced drainage of extravasated fluid and inflammatory cells, but
      also by lymphatic vessel-mediated modulation of immune responses. Although some
      of the underlying mechanisms are just beginning to be identified, lymphatic
      vessels have emerged as important targets for the development of new therapeutic
      strategies to treat inflammatory conditions. In this context, it is of great
      interest that some of the currently used anti-inflammatory drugs also potently
      activate lymphatic vessels. 

PMID- 24212982
TI  - Oral cancer: from bench to bedside, the continuous effort towards better
      diagnostic, treatment and prognostic tools.

PMID- 24212983
TI  - Impact of removable partial denture prosthesis on chewing efficiency.
AB  - Removable partial denture prostheses are still being used for anatomic, medical
      and economic reasons. However, the impact on chewing parameters is poorly
      described. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of
      removable partial denture prosthesis on masticatory parameters. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Nineteen removable partial denture prosthesis (RPDP) wearers
      participated in the study. Among them, 10 subjects were Kennedy Class III
      partially edentulous and 9 with posterior edentulism (Class I). All presented a
      complete and full dentate opposing arch. The subjects chewed samples of carrots
      and peanuts with and without their prosthesis. The granulometry of the
      expectorated boluses from carrot and peanuts was characterized by median particle
      size (D50), determined at the natural point of swallowing. Number of chewing
      cycles (CC), chewing time (CT) and chewing frequency (CF=CC/CT) were video
      recorded. RESULTS: With RPDP, the mean D50 values for carrot and peanuts were
      lower [Repeated Model Procedures (RMP), F=15, p<0.001] regardless of the type of
      Kennedy Class. For each food, mean CC, CT and CF values recorded decreased (RMP,
      F=18, F=9, and F=20 respectively, p<0.01). With or without RPD, the boluses'
      granulometry values were above the masticatory normative index (MNI) determined
      as 4,000 um. CONCLUSION: RPDP rehabilitation improves the ability to reduce the
      bolus particle size, but does not reestablish fully the masticatory function.
      CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study encourages the clinical improvement of oral
      rehabilitation procedure.

PMID- 24212984
TI  - Importance of a distal proximal contact on load transfer by implant-supported
      single adjacent crowns in posterior region of the mandible: a photoelastic study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the importance of a distal proximal
      contact on the load transfer to the posterior region of the mandible by non
      splinted adjacent implant-supported crowns using photoelastic stress analysis.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: A rectangular model (68x30x15 mm) was made of
      polymethylmethacrylate resin to simulate half of the mandibular arch. One model
      was completed with resin replicas representing the first premolar and second
      molar and with two 3.75 mm dia.x11 mm internal hexagon threaded implants
      replacing the second premolar and first molar. The other model was manufactured
      in the same way but without the second molar. Both models were duplicated using
      photoelastic resin. The roots of the teeth replicas were covered with a layer of
      polyether impression material to simulate the periodontal ligament. Two different
      vertical loads were applied to the crowns as follows: 1 - single static point
      load alternately applied to the crowns replacing the second premolar and first
      molar (50 N); 2 - simultaneous static point loads applied to both of the crowns
      replacing the second premolar and first molar (100 N). The resulting isochromatic
      fringe pattern in the photoelastic model was monitored and photographed. RESULTS:
      All loading conditions studied showed that the presence of the second molar has
      changed the load transmission and the pattern of stresses. CONCLUSION: Results
      showed that the presence of a second molar proximal contact can help minimize the
      stresses around the implants.

PMID- 24212985
TI  - Coronal microleakage of endodontically treated teeth with intracanal post exposed
      to fresh human saliva.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the coronal microleakage of
      endodontically treated teeth prepared to receive an intracanal post and teeth
      with an intracanal post but without a prosthetic crown and exposed to
      contamination by fresh human saliva. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A mechanical-chemical
      preparation following the step-back technique was carried out in 35 extracted
      single-rooted human teeth. The teeth were randomly divided into five groups:
      G1=root canals instrumented, obturated, and prepared to receive an intracanal
      post (N=10); G2=root canals with cemented posts but without coronal sealing
      (N=10); PC1=positive control root canals instrumented and open (N=5);
      PC2=positive control 2 root canals without instrumentation and open (N=5); and
      NC=negative control healthy teeth (N=5). The crowns were removed except for the
      control group of intact teeth. The root canals were obturated and sterilized with
      cobalt 60 gamma irradiation and were then adapted in an apparatus using a Brain
      Heart Infusion (BHI) medium and fresh human saliva for contamination. Microbial
      growth was indicated by the presence of turbidity in the BHI liquid medium.
      RESULTS: Data were submitted to the Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis and the Holm
      Sidak statistic method, which observed an index of 90% of microleakage in root
      canals after 24 hours for G1 and 70% of microleakage in samples at the end of 40
      days for G2. CONCLUSION: The results show that root canals with an intracanal
      post but without a prosthetic crown can be recontaminated when exposed to fresh
      human saliva in a short period.

PMID- 24212986
TI  - Etidronate from medicine to endodontics: effects of different irrigation regimes
      on root dentin roughness.
AB  - An increase in dentin roughness, associated with surface composition, contributes
      to bacterial adherence in recontaminations. Surface roughness is also important
      for micromechanical interlocking of dental materials to dentin, and understanding
      the characteristics of the surface is essential to obtain the adhesion of root
      canal sealers that have different physico-chemical characteristics. OBJECTIVES:
      To evaluate the effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl),
      ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), etidronic (HEBP), and citric acid (CA)
      associated with different irrigation regimens on root dentin roughness. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Forty-five root halves of anterior teeth were used. The root parts
      were sectioned in thirds, embedded in acrylic resin and polished to a standard
      surface roughness. Initially, the samples of each third were randomly assigned
      into 3 groups and treated as follows: G1 - saline solution (control); G2 - 5%
      NaOCl+18% HEBP mixed in equal parts; and G3 - 2.5% NaOCl. After initial
      measuments, the G3 samples were distributed into subgroups G4, G5 and G6, which
      were subjected to 17% EDTA, 10% CA and 9% HEBP, respectively. Following the new
      measuments, these groups received a final flush with 2.5% NaOCl, producing G7, G8
      and G9. The dentin surface roughness (Ra) was determined before and after
      treatments using a profilometer. The Wilcoxon test (alpha<0.05) was used to
      compare the values before and after treatments, and the Friedman test
      (alpha<0.05) to detect any differences among root thirds. RESULTS: (i) NaOCl did
      not affect the surface roughness; (ii) there was a significant increase in
      roughness after the use of chelating agents (P<0.01); and (iii) only the G3 group
      showed a difference in surface roughness between apical third and other thirds of
      the teeth (P<0.0043). CONCLUSION: Only the irrigation regimens that used
      chelating agents altered the roughness of root dentin.

PMID- 24212987
TI  - Low expression of MSH2 DNA repair protein is associated with poor prognosis in
      head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the expression of the MSH2 DNA repair
      protein in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in order to analyze its
      association with clinicopathologic factors and overall survival of patients.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical data and primary lesions of HNSSC were collected
      from 55 patients who underwent surgical resection with postoperative radiotherapy
      in Montes Claros, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2000 and 2008.
      Immunohistochemical reactions were performed to analyze MSH2 protein expression.
      RESULTS: Bivariate analysis showed no significant correlation or association
      between MSH2 expression and clinicopathologic parameters by Mann-Whitney and
      Kruskal-Wallis tests. Patients with locoregional metastatic disease (OR=4.949,
      p<0.001) and lower MSH2 immunohistochemical expressions (OR=2.943, p=0.032)
      presented poorer survival for HNSCC by Cox regression models. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      data demonstrated that lower MSH2 expression might contribute to a higher clinic
      aggressiveness of HNSCC by promoting an unfavorable outcome.

PMID- 24212988
TI  - Clinical and radiographic evaluation of Bio-Gen with biocollagen compared with
      Bio-Gen with connective tissue in the treatment of class II furcation defects: a
      randomized clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Treatment of furcation defects are thought to be challenging. The
      purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic parameters of
      Bio-Gen with Biocollagen compared with Bio-Gen with connective tissue in the
      treatment of Class II furcation defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this clinical
      trial, 24 patients with Class II furcation defect on a buccal or lingual
      mandibular molar were recruited. After oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root
      planing and achievement of acceptable plaque control, the patients were randomly
      chosen to receive either connective tissue and Bio-Gen (case group) or
      Biocollagen and Bio-Gen (control group). The following parameters were recorded
      before the first and re-entry surgery (six months later): vertical clinical
      attachment level (VCAL), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), horizontal
      probing depth (HPD), vertical probing depth (VPD), gingival recession (GR),
      furcation vertical component (FVC), furcation to alveolar crest (FAC), fornix to
      base of defect (FBD), and furcation horizontal component (FHC) were calculated at
      the time of first surgery and during re-entry. A digital periapical radiograph
      was taken in parallel before first surgery and re-entry. The radiographs were
      then analyzed by digital subtraction. The differences with p value <0.05 were
      considered significant. RESULTS: Only the mean changes of FAC, FHC, mean of FHC,
      FBD in re-entry revealed statistically significant differences between the two
      groups. HPD, VPD, FBD, FAC, and FHC showed statistically significant differences
      after 6 months in the case group. However, in the control group, statistically
      significant differences were found in GR and HPD. We did not observe any
      significant difference in radiographic changes among the two groups. CONCLUSION:
      The results of this trial indicate that better clinical outcomes can be obtained
      with connective tissue grafts in combination with bone material compared with a
      resorbable barrier with bone material. The differences in radiographic changes
      between the two groups, however, were not statistically significant.

PMID- 24212989
TI  - Leukotoxicity of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in generalized aggressive
      periodontitis in Brazilians and their family members.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the leukotoxin promoter types
      of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans clones in subjects with generalized
      aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and in their family members (FM). MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Thirty-five patients with GAgP (33.9+/-7.1 years), 33 of their FM
      (22.8+/-11.4 years), and 41 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) (44.1+/-9.4
      years) were clinically analyzed using the plaque index, gingival index, probing
      depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Subgingival biofilm samples were
      collected from four interproximal periodontal sites (>PD and >CAL) of each
      patient. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its leukotoxic clone was
      confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans
      was observed in 23 (51.1%) GAgP patients and 16 (30.1%) CP patients. Thirty-seven
      (94.8%) patients showed minimally leukotoxic strains and 2 (5.1%) showed highly
      leukotoxic strains. In the FM group, 10 (30.3%) had aggressive periodontitis
      (AgP), 12 (36.3%) had CP, 11 (33.3%) were periodontally healthy or had
      gingivitis, and 12.2% were A. actinomycetemcomitans positive. Greater full mouth
      PD and CAL were observed in GAgP patients positive for the bacteria than those
      negative for it (p<;0.05), and the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans
      positively correlated with GAgP (Odds ratio, 3.1; confidence interval, 1.4-7.0;
      p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was associated
      with the clinical condition of GAgP, with most patients exhibiting a generalized
      form of the disease and minimally leukotoxic clones. Most of the relatives of
      GAgP patients presented either CP or AgP.

PMID- 24212990
TI  - Evaluation of the intercanine distance in newborns with cleft lip and palate
      using 3D digital casts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this present study was to compare, by means of 3D
      digital casts, the anterior transverse dimension of the dental arch of newborns
      with and without cleft lip and palate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample was
      composed of ninety-four children aged from 3 to 9 months divided into three study
      groups: Group I - children without craniofacial deformities (control group);
      Group II - children with unilateral cleft lip and palate; Group III - children
      with bilateral cleft lip and palate. Impressions were executed before lip and
      palate repair in patients with clefts. Dental casts were digitized using a 3D
      scanner linked to a computer. Measurements of the intercanine distance were
      measured on the digital casts. Intergroup comparisons were performed using ANOVA
      (p<0.05). RESULTS: The results showed a mean of 36.5 mm for unilateral cleft lip
      and palate group, 34.8 mm for bilateral cleft lip and palate group and 27.52 mm
      for the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between
      the control group and both groups of patients with cleft lip and palate. There
      was no statistically significant difference between complete unilateral and
      bilateral cleft lip and palate groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with complete cleft
      lip and palate were born with an increased anterior dimension of the maxillary
      dental arch compared to non cleft patients.

PMID- 24212991
TI  - Bone remodeling at microscrew interface near extraction site in the beagle dog
      mandible-histologic and immunohistochemical analyses.
AB  - Extraction is often used as part of orthodontic therapy, and good control of
      anchorage is a key step after extraction. Although microscrews can be implanted
      close to the extraction site in order to achieve orthodontic support, the
      efficiency of bone remodeling at the implant-bone interface near the extraction
      region is dubious. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate bone
      remodeling of the bone-microscrew interface near the tooth extraction site, in
      the absence of loading. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Third and fourth premolars were
      extracted from the mandibles of beagle dogs, followed by placement of test
      microscrews near the extraction sites. Control microscrews were placed further
      away from the extraction site. All samples were collected after 1, 3, 8, or 12
      weeks of healing following extraction. The bone remodeling process at the
      interface was evaluated using histologic and immunohistochemical analyses.
      RESULTS: Initially, a large number of inflammatory cells were aggregated at the
      interface. The expression levels of core binding factor (Cbfa1), osteocalcin (OC)
      and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) were inconspicuous in both groups,
      whereas tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) was strongly expressed,
      especially in the test groups (P<0.05). Subsequently, the expression levels of
      Cbfa1, OC and TGF-beta were found to increase significantly, and active
      osteogenesis was observed. CONCLUSIONS: During week 1, inflammatory reaction is a
      major concern at the bone-microscrew interface near the extraction site. However,
      with healing, the influence of extraction on the remodeling of bone surrounding
      the microscrews decreases, thus facilitating successful treatment.

PMID- 24212992
TI  - Evaluation of bond strength of silorane and methacrylate based restorative
      systems to dentin using different cavity models.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microtensile bond
      strength (uTBS) to dentin of two different restorative systems: silorane-based
      (P90), and methacrylate-based (P60), using two cavity models. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Occlusal enamel of 40 human third molars was removed to expose flat
      dentin surface. Class I cavities with 4 mm mesial-distal width, 3 mm buccal
      lingual width and 3 mm depth (C-factor=4.5) were prepared in 20 teeth, which were
      divided into two groups (n=10) restored with P60 and P90, bulk-filled after
      dentin treatment according to manufacturer's instructions. Flat buccal dentin
      surfaces were prepared in the 20 remaining teeth (C-factor=0.2) and restored with
      resin blocks measuring 4x3x3 mm using the two restorative systems (n=10). The
      teeth were sectioned into samples with area between 0.85 and 1.25 mm2 that were
      submitted to uTBS testing, using a universal testing machine (EMIC) at speed of
      0.5 mm/min. Fractured specimens were analyzed under stereomicroscope and
      categorized according to fracture pattern. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and
      Tukey Kramer tests. RESULTS: For flat surfaces, P60 obtained higher bond strength
      values compared with P90. However, for Class I cavities, P60 showed significant
      reduction in bond strength (p<0.05). No statistical difference between
      restorative systems was shown for Class I cavity model (p>0.05), or between Class
      I Cavity and Flat Surface group, considering P90 restorative system (p>0.05).
      Regarding fracture pattern, there was no statistical difference among groups
      (p=0.0713) and 56.3% of the fractures were adhesive. CONCLUSION: It was concluded
      that methacrylate-based composite uTBS was influenced by cavity models, and the
      use of silorane-based composite led to similar bond strength values compared to
      the methacrylate-based composite in cavities with high C-factor.

PMID- 24212993
TI  - Oral squamous cell carcinoma: clinicopathological features from 346 cases from a
      single oral pathology service during an 8-year period.
AB  - Epidemiological data from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is mostly derived
      from North American, European and East Asian populations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
      this study was to report the demographic and clinicopathological features from
      OSCC diagnosed in an Oral Pathology service in southeastern Brazil in an 8-year
      period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All OSCC diagnosed from 2005 to 2012 were reviewed,
      including histological analysis of all hematoxylin and eosin stained slides and
      review of all demographic and clinical information from the laboratory records.
      RESULTS: A total of 346 OSCC was retrieved and males represented 67% of the
      sample. Mean age of the patients was 62.3 years-old and females were affected a
      decade older than males (p<0.001). Mean time of complaint with the tumors was 10
      months and site distribution showed that the border of the tongue (37%), alveolar
      mucosa/gingiva (20%) and floor of mouth/ventral tongue (19%) were the most common
      affected sites. Mean size of the tumors was 3.4 cm, with no differences for males
      and females (p=0.091) and males reported both tobacco and alcohol consumption
      more frequently than females. Histological grade of the tumors revealed that 27%,
      40% and 21% of the tumors were, respectively, classified as well-, moderately-
      and poorly-differentiated OSCC, 26 cases (7.5%) were microinvasive OSCC and 17
      cases were OSCC variants. OSCC in males mostly affected the border of tongue,
      floor of mouth/ventral tongue and alveolar mucosa/gingival, while they were more
      frequent on the border of tongue, alveolar mucosa/gingival and buccal
      mucosa/buccal sulcus in females (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The present data reflect
      the epidemiological characteristics of OSCC diagnosed in a public Oral Pathology
      laboratory in southeastern Brazil and have highlighted several differences in
      clinicopathological features when comparing male and female OSCC-affected
      patients.

PMID- 24212994
TI  - Wizard CD Plus and ProTaper Universal: analysis of apical transportation using
      new software.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study has two aims: 1) to evaluate the apical transportation of
      the Wizard CD Plus and ProTaper Universal after preparation of simulated root
      canals; 2) to compare, with Adobe Photoshop, the ability of a new software
      (Regeemy) in superposing and subtracting images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty
      five simulated root canals in acrylic-resin blocks (with 20o curvature) underwent
      cone beam computed tomography before and after preparation with the rotary
      systems (70 kVp, 4 mA, 10 s and with the 8*8 cm FoV selection). Canals were
      prepared up to F2 (ProTaper) and 24.04 (Wizard CD Plus) instruments and the
      working length was established to 15 mm. The tomographic images were imported
      into iCAT Vision software and CorelDraw for standardization. The superposition of
      pre- and post-instrumentation images from both systems was performed using
      Regeemy and Adobe Photoshop. The apical transportation was measured in
      millimetres using Image J. Five acrylic resin blocks were used to validate the
      superposition achieved by the software. Student's t-test for independent samples
      was used to evaluate the apical transportation achieved by the rotary systems
      using each software individually. Student's t-test for paired samples was used to
      compare the ability of each software in superposing and subtracting images from
      one rotary system per time. RESULTS: The values obtained with Regeemy and Adobe
      Photoshop were similar to rotary systems (P>0.05). ProTaper Universal and Wizard
      CD Plus promoted similar apical transportation regardless of the software used
      for image's superposition and subtraction (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Wizard CD Plus
      and ProTaper Universal promoted little apical transportation. Regeemy consists in
      a feasible software to superpose and subtract images and appears to be an
      alternative to Adobe Photoshop.

PMID- 24212995
TI  - Abrasion of 6 dentifrices measured by vertical scanning interference microscopy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The abrasion of dentifrices is well recognized to eliminate the
      dental plaque. The aims of this study were to characterize the abrasive powders
      of 6 dentifrices (3 toothpastes and 3 toothpowders) and to measure the abrasion
      on a test surface by Vertical Scanning Interference microscopy (VSI). MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Bright field and polarization microscopy were used to identify the
      abrasive particles on the crude dentifrices and after prolonged washes. Scanning
      electron microscopy and microanalysis characterized the shape and nature of the
      particles. Standardized and polished blocks of poly(methylmethacrylate) were
      brushed with a commercial electric toothbrush with the dentifrices. VSI
      quantified the mean roughness (Ra) and illustrated in 3D the abraded areas.
      RESULTS: Toothpastes induced a limited abrasion. Toothpowders induced a
      significantly higher roughness linked to the size of the abrasive particles. One
      powder (Gencix(r) produced a high abrasion when used with a standard testing
      weight. However, the powder is based on pumice particles covered by a plant
      homogenate that readily dissolves in water. When used in the same volume, or
      after dispersion in water, Ra was markedly reduced. CONCLUSION: Light and
      electron microscopy characterize the abrasive particles and VSI is a new tool
      allowing the analysis of large surface of abraded materials.

PMID- 24212996
TI  - The modified Ottawa method to establish the update need of a systematic review:
      glass-ionomer versus resin sealants for caries prevention.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the application of the modified Ottawa method by
      establishing the update need of a systematic review with focus on the caries
      preventive effect of GIC versus resin pit and fissure sealants; to answer the
      question as to whether the existing conclusions of this systematic review are
      still current; to establish whether a new update of this systematic review was
      needed. METHODS: Application of the Modified Ottawa method. Application date:
      April/May 2012. RESULTS: Four signals aligned with the criteria of the modified
      Ottawa method were identified. The content of these signals suggest that higher
      precision of the current systematic review results might be achieved if an update
      of the current review were conducted at this point in time. However, these
      signals further indicate that such systematic review update, despite its higher
      precision, would only confirm the existing review conclusion that no
      statistically significant difference exists in the caries-preventive effect of
      GIC and resin-based fissure sealants. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study
      demonstrated the modified Ottawa method as an effective tool in establishing the
      update need of the systematic review. In addition, it was established that the
      conclusions of the systematic review in relation to the caries preventive effect
      of GIC versus resin based fissure sealants are still current, and that no update
      of this systematic review was warranted at date of application.

PMID- 24212997
TI  - Mandibular metastasis of adenocarcinoma from prostate cancer: case report
      according to epidemiology and current therapeutical trends of the advanced
      prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer represents the most frequent non-cutaneous neoplasia in males.
      This type of neoplasia can develop peculiar patterns of evolution, presenting, in
      many cases, precocious relapses and metastasis. Bone metastasis in the mouth is
      extremely rare, and represents 1% of all malignant mouth neoplasias. The aim of
      the present study is to report a clinical case of bone metastasis in the
      mandibular region associated with a tumoral prostate adenocarcinoma, as well as
      to discuss connected aspects about diagnosis, prognosis and integrated treatment
      of this condition. 

PMID- 24212999
TI  - Inorganic arsenic induces apoptosis through downregulation of Ube2d genes and p53
      accumulation in rat proximal tubular cells.
AB  - Ube2d ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes promote p53 ubiquitination and proteasomal
      degradation. We previously showed that cadmium induced p53-dependent apoptosis
      through the suppression of expression of Ube2d family genes (Ube2d1, Ube2d2,
      Ube2d3 and Ube2d4) in normal rat proximal tubular cells. Here we examined the
      effects of inorganic arsenic and inorganic mercury, which induce apoptosis in
      proximal tubular cells, on cellular protein level of p53 and gene expression of
      Ube2d family. Inorganic arsenic induced apoptosis with p53 accumulation, and
      suppressed Ube2d1, Ube2d2 and Ube2d4 expression, but not Ube2d3. On the other
      hand, although apoptosis was induced in response to inorganic mercury in proximal
      tubular cells, protein level of p53 was not elevated by inorganic mercury. These
      results suggest that inorganic arsenic, but not inorganic mercury, may induce p53
      dependent apoptotic pathways through downregulation of gene expression of Ube2d
      family in proximal tubular cells. 

PMID- 24213000
TI  - Knockdown of the gene for homeobox protein HOXB13 reduces toxicity of oxidative
      stress inducers in HEK293 cells.
AB  - HEK293 cells transfected with a double-stranded siRNA to suppress expression of
      the homeobox gene HOXB13 were highly resistant to oxidative stress-inducing
      agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), and paraquat. This
      finding suggests that HOXB13 might enhance cell injury caused by oxidative
      stress. 

PMID- 24212998
TI  - Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor A is an intrinsic, self-limiting suppressor
      of IL-5-induced eosinophil development.
AB  - Eosinophilia is a hallmark characteristic of T helper type 2 (TH2) cell
      associated diseases and is critically regulated by the central eosinophil growth
      factor interleukin 5 (IL-5). Here we demonstrate that IL-5 activity in
      eosinophils was regulated by paired immunoglobulin-like receptors PIR-A and PIR
      B. Upon self-recognition of beta2-microglobulin (beta2M) molecules, PIR-B served
      as a permissive checkpoint for IL-5-induced development of eosinophils by
      suppressing the proapoptotic activities of PIR-A, which were mediated by the Grb2
      Erk-Bim pathway. PIR-B-deficient bone marrow eosinophils underwent
      compartmentalized apoptosis, resulting in decreased blood eosinophilia in naive
      mice and in mice challenged with IL-5. Subsequently, Pirb(-/-) mice displayed
      impaired aeroallergen-induced lung eosinophilia and induction of lung TH2 cell
      responses. Collectively, these data uncover an intrinsic, self-limiting pathway
      regulating IL-5-induced expansion of eosinophils, which has broad implications
      for eosinophil-associated diseases.

PMID- 24213001
TI  - Methylmercury induces caspase-dependent apoptosis and autophagy in human neural
      stem cells.
AB  - Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known human neurotoxic agent whose exposure
      sources are mainly environmental and aquatic-derived food. MeHg is reported to
      induce central nervous system disability. However, the exact mechanism of MeHg
      induced neurotoxicity is still unknown. In this study, to investigate which cell
      death signaling pathway is related with MeHg-induced cytotoxicity, the effects of
      MeHg on apoptosis and autophagy were evaluated in HB1.F3 human neural stem cells
      (NSCs). Human NSCs were treated with 1 MUM of MeHg for 48 hr and the effect of
      MeHg on cell signaling pathway was elucidated. MeHg inhibited Akt1/mTOR signaling
      that led to induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis and autophagy in the NSCs.
      Furthermore, retinoic acid (RA)-induced neuronal differentiation was inhibited by
      MeHg. Taken together, these results suggest that MeHg inhibits the
      differentiation of human NSCs by induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis and
      autophagy. 

PMID- 24213002
TI  - Treatment of mice with 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin markedly increases the
      levels of a number of cytochrome P450 metabolites of omega-3 polyunsaturated
      fatty acids in the liver and lung.
AB  - We previously reported that 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) increased
      the levels of several cytochrome P450 metabolites of the omega-6 polyunsaturated
      fatty acids (PUFAs), arachidonic acid (ARA) and linoleic acid in the serum,
      liver, lung and spleen of C57BL/6 mice in an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)
      dependent fashion. These increases correlated with increased levels of CYP1A1,
      CYP1A2 and/or CYP1B1. In the current study, we measured 77 oxylipins, including
      59 that we had not measured previously, and demonstrate that TCDD also markedly
      increases the levels of many epoxide and diol metabolites of the omega-3 PUFAs,
      alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docasahexaenoic acid (DHA)
      in these mice. Since these epoxide metabolites have been reported to have
      opposite effects on angiogenesis, tumor growth and tumor metastasis compared with
      the equivalent metabolites of omega-6 PUFA, these observations have important
      implications with regard to the potential involvement of the cytochrome P450
      metabolites of PUFAs in mediating the biological effects of TCDD and other
      agonists of AHR. 

PMID- 24213003
TI  - Expression of VEGF-related proteins in cultured human brain microvascular
      endothelial cells and pericytes after exposure to methylmercury.
AB  - The localization of neuropathological lesions along deep sulci and fissures is
      one of the characteristics of a cerebrum damaged by methylmercury. Edematous
      changes in white matter have been proposed as the cause of the localization of
      lesions; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying methylmercury-induced edema
      remain unclear. Since the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system
      regulates vascular permeability and can be involved in the progression of
      edematous changes, we examined the effect of methylmercury on the expression of
      VEGF-related proteins in cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells and
      pericytes. After methylmercury exposure, mRNA and protein levels of VEGF-A in
      pericytes and placenta growth factor (PlGF) and VEGF-receptor-1/-2 in endothelial
      cells were elevated. The induction of pericyte VEGF-A expression was independent
      of hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha and hypoxia-response element signaling. Taken
      together, these results suggest that methylmercury activates the VEGF system in
      brain microvessels in a paracrine fashion. When the activation occurs in narrow
      areas such as along the deep sulci in the cerebrum, hyperpermeability and
      subsequent edematous changes would cause a circulatory disturbance and result in
      neural cell damage. We propose this as a reason for the localization of the
      neuropathological lesions along the deep sulci and fissures in the cerebral
      cortex, such as the calcarine fissure, in patients with Minamata disease. 

PMID- 24213004
TI  - Study for collecting background data on Wistar Hannover [Crl:WI(Han)] rats in
      embryo-fetal development studies--comparative data to Sprague Dawley rats.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to collect the background data on Wistar
      Hannover [Crl:WI(Han)] (hereafter Wistar Han) rats in embryo-fetal development
      studies from the 6 safety research facilities of pharmaceutical companies and
      contract research organizations. In each facility, 20 or 22 female rats were
      dosed with vehicle solution during the organogenesis period. As a result, no
      abnormalities in clinical signs and necropsy findings in dams were found. Body
      weights and food consumption in dams were lower than those in Sprague Dawley (SD)
      rats. The number of corpora lutea (13.3 vs. 16.0 in SD) and implantations (11.8
      vs. 14.7) were fewer, and fetal body weights (3.66 vs. 3.70) and placental
      weights (0.42 vs. 0.45) tended to be lower than those in SD rats. Regarding the
      fetal abnormalities, the incidence of several findings such as the persistent
      left umbilical artery (10.4% vs. 1.1%) and cervical (5.2% vs. 0.4%), full (7.4%
      vs. 0.9%) or short supernumerary (64.5% vs. 9.9%) and wavy ribs (6.6% vs. 0.3%)
      was higher than that in SD rats. Our present study showed that they maintained a
      sufficient number of live fetuses and the difference in the fetal sex ratio was
      not observed. In conclusion, Wistar Han rats were considered to be a suitable
      strain for embryo-fetal development toxicity study. Since the incidence of
      several abnormalities was higher than that in SD rats, it may be said that to
      accumulate background control data is important to evaluate the embryo-fetal
      development toxicity study using Wistar Han rats. 

PMID- 24213005
TI  - Study for collecting background data on Wistar Hannover [Crl:WI(Han)] rats in
      general toxicity studies--comparative data to Sprague Dawley rats.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to collect background data from repeated
      dose toxicity studies in Wistar Hannover [Crl:WI(Han)] (hereafter Wistar Han)
      rats with dosing periods of 4, 13 and 26 weeks from four safety research
      facilities of pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations
      participating in the International Genetic Standardization (IGS) rat forum
      supported by Charles River Laboratories Japan, Inc. The data from Wistar Han rats
      were compared with those from Sprague Dawley Crl:CD(SD) rats. In addition, the
      effects of restricted feeding of SD rats were also investigated by one facility.
      As a result, body weights and food consumption in Wistar Han rats were lower than
      those of SD rats. White blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and
      eosinophil counts were almost half of those noted for SD rats and platelet counts
      were almost 20% less than those in SD rats. Minimal strain differences were noted
      in several biochemical parameters including aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
      alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipids, and
      in thymus, ovary and testis weights. Ophthalmologic or histopathologic
      examinations revealed a higher incidence of corneal opacities or corneal
      mineralization in Wistar Han rats. Restricted feeding of SD rats resulted in
      intermediate values for body weights and food consumption between the ad libitum
      fed SD and Wistar Han rats, and WBC and AST were lower than those in the ad
      libitum fed SD rats. Based on these results, some strain differences might be
      ascribable to reduced food consumption and associated body weight changes in
      Wistar Han rats. 

PMID- 24213006
TI  - Garcinia vilersiana bark extract activates the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in
      RAW264.7 cells.
AB  - Garcinia vilersiana is a traditional medicinal plant in Vietnam. The petroleum
      ether extract of stem bark of Garcinia vilersiana (GVE) was prepared to evaluate
      its potential to activate Nrf2, a transcription factor of antioxidant and
      detoxifying enzymes. Exposure of mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells to GVE (0.625
      2.5 ug/ml) resulted in a significant activation of Nrf2, as evaluated by nuclear
      accumulation of this transcription factor, and increased antioxidant response
      element (ARE) binding activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. As
      a result, GVE caused ARE-dependent up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in
      the cells. These results suggest that GVE contains components that have the
      ability to activate the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathway, leading to cellular
      protection. 

PMID- 24213007
TI  - Dose-dependent effects of diallyl disulfide on plasma glucose and free fatty acid
      levels in rats.
AB  - The acute effects of oral administration of diallyl disulfide (DADS), the major
      organosulfur compound of garlic, on plasma glucose and free fatty acid (FFA)
      concentrations were examined in rats. Male, 10-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were
      divided into DADS-free and DADS-administered (dose = 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg body
      weight [BW]) groups. Plasma samples were prepared from whole blood drawn from the
      tail vein 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hr after administration. The stomachs were isolated,
      and the contents were measured 8 hr after administration. In DADS-administered
      groups, plasma glucose concentrations were increased in a dose-dependent manner 1
      hr after the administration. The increase was transient, except in groups
      administered 40 mg/kg BW of DADS, in which plasma glucose levels remained
      significantly higher than the DADS-free levels throughout the experimental
      period. Similar patterns were observed in the plasma FFA concentrations, although
      the significant differences were lower than those observed in the plasma glucose
      concentrations. The gastric contents were dose-dependently elevated after DADS
      administration. The increase was significant when 20 or 40 mg/kg BW of DADS was
      administered. These results suggest that oral administration of DADS can mobilize
      energy substrates into the blood, although a higher dose of DADS slows gastric
      emptying. 

PMID- 24213008
TI  - Expression and functional characterization of recombinant tributyltin-binding
      protein type 2.
AB  - Tributyltin-binding proteins (TBT-bps) are members of the fish lipocalins that
      were isolated from the blood of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and
      function in the binding and detoxification of TBT. In this study, we constructed
      a baculovirus-silkworm expression system and obtained recombinant TBT-bp2 (rTBT
      bp2; 31.5 kDa) from the hemolymph of silkworm larvae injected with a recombinant
      baculovirus containing the TBT-bp2 gene. The binding potential of rTBT-bp2 was
      investigated and compared to that of the previously available recombinant TBT-bp1
      (rTBT-bp1). Both rTBT-bp2 and rTBT-bp1 bound to DAUDA, a typical fluorescent
      ligand of lipocalins, with dissociation constants of 0.97 and 1.75 uM,
      respectively. The Hill coefficient value indicated that rTBT-bp2 may have
      multiple binding sites and strong negative cooperativity. These results suggest
      that the typical central cavity of lipocalins composed of eight specific beta
      sheets is conserved in rTBT-bp2, as it is in rTBT-bp1, although rTBT-bp2 has
      different effects than rTBT-bp1 in TBT binding. In a competition assay, rTBT-bp2
      displayed exponential binding affinity to TBT with an inhibition constant of 0.29
      uM, demonstrating that TBT binds to the central ligand pocket of rTBT-bp2.
      However, three fatty acids did not show any affinity to rTBT-bp2. Further studies
      are required to elucidate the endogenous function of TBT-bps as fish lipocalins
      and their function in responding to xenobiotics. 

PMID- 24213009
TI  - Effects of pyperonyl butoxide on the female reproductive tract in rats.
AB  - This study was investigated the effects of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) on the female
      reproductive tract. Female Crj:Donryu rats were fed a basal diet containing
      5,000, 10,000 or 20,000 ppm PBO for 28 days, and compared with food-restricted
      rats of comparable body weights to those in the PBO 10,000 or 20,000 ppm groups.
      Although treatment with 20,000 ppm PBO for 28 days depressed body weight gain,
      the abnormal estrous cyclicity, mainly prolonged diestrus, was also induced by
      the PBO treatment which was not correlated with body weight change. 20,000 ppm
      PBO treatment markedly decreased uterine weights and slightly decreased ovarian
      weights. 10,000 and 20,000 ppm PBO treatment increased liver weights. These cycle
      and organ weight changes were linked to atrophic uterus and increased atretic
      follicles in the ovary. In hormone assays, PBO at both doses reduced serum E2
      levels, but did not affect corticosterone levels. An anti-uterotrophic assay
      showed a slight but significant decrease in absolute uterine weight and a
      reduction of endometrial epithelium height in the 20,000 ppm group. PBO was
      positive in an ER alpha antagonist reporter gene assay, although the activity was
      much weaker than that of 4-hydroxytamoxifen. These results indicate that high
      dose PBO treatment directly induces atrophic changes in the female reproductive
      tract in rats, and these effects are likely the result of a hypoestrogenic state
      and the anti-estrogenic activity of PBO. 

PMID- 24213010
TI  - Effects of transovarian exposure to p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE on avian reproduction
      using Japanese quails.
AB  - In the 1950s to 1970s developed countries reported declines in populations of
      raptorial and fish-eating birds and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its
      metabolites were considered causative substances because they accumulated
      significantly in the tissues of wild birds and animals. However, except for the
      estrogenic effects of o,p'-DDT, a minor component of commercial DDT, there has
      been no compelling evidence that DDT directly affects avian reproductive systems.
      To assess the possible impact of DDT on development and reproduction of birds,
      exposure experiments to the major component of commercial DDT, p,p'-DDT, and its
      persistent metabolite, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), were
      performed using Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs; the test substances (3
      to 100 MUg/g) were injected into the yolk prior to incubation, and hatched chicks
      were raised to adulthood. p,p'-DDT had no significant effects on the morphology
      and function of the reproductive systems, although the hatchability of treated
      eggs was reduced at the highest dose (100 MUg/g). High doses of p,p'-DDE slightly
      enhanced the eggshell forming ability of female quails; eggshell mass and
      thickness were increased at 30 MUg/g or more although no morphological changes
      were observed in the oviduct. Transcriptions of the CYP11A1 gene in the ovaries,
      and of AHR and ARNT in the livers, of adult females were significantly increased
      at 3 MUg/g or more of p,p'-DDT. Except for low hatchability, transovarian
      exposure to p,p'-DDT or p,p'-DDE did not markedly impair the avian reproductive
      systems, but the hormonal actions of these compounds are likely to change
      reproductive and hepatic functions even after maturation. 

PMID- 24213011
TI  - Lack of micronucleus induction activity of ethyl tertiary-butyl ether in the bone
      marrow of F344 rats by sub-chronic drinking-water treatment, inhalation exposure,
      or acute intraperitoneal injection.
AB  - Ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE) is an oxygenated gasoline additive synthesized
      from ethanol and isobutene that is used to reduce CO2 emissions. To support the
      Kyoto Protocol, the production of ETBE has undergone a marked increase. Previous
      reports have indicated that exposure to ETBE or methyl tertiary-butyl ether
      resulted in liver and kidney tumors in rats and/or mice. These reports raise
      concern about the effects of human exposure being brought about by the increased
      use of ETBE. The present study was conducted to evaluate the genotoxicity of ETBE
      using micronucleus induction of polychromatic erythrocytes in the bone marrow of
      male and female rats treated with ETBE in the drinking-water at concentrations of
      0, 1,600, 4,000 or 10,000 ppm or exposed to ETBE vapor at 0, 500, 1,500 or 5,000
      ppm for 13 weeks. There were no significant increases in micronucleus induction
      in either the drinking water-administered or inhalation-administered groups at
      any concentration of ETBE; although, in both groups red blood cells and
      hemoglobin concentration were slightly reduced in the peripheral blood in rats
      administered the highest concentration of ETBE. In addition, two consecutive
      daily intraperitoneal injections of ETBE at doses of 0, 250, 500 or 1,000 mg/kg
      did not increase the frequency of micronucleated bone marrow cells in either sex;
      all rats receiving intraperitoneal injections of ETBE at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg
      died after treatment day 1. These data suggest that ETBE is not genotoxic in
      vivo. 

PMID- 24213012
TI  - Global chemokine expression in methylmercury-treated mice: methylmercury induces
      brain-specific expression of CCL3 and CCL4.
AB  - We previously reported that methylmercury induces brain-specific upregulation of
      a chemokine gene, the CCL4 gene. In this study, we investigated the changes in
      gene expression levels of all chemokines in various tissues (cerebellum,
      cerebrum, kidney, liver, and spleen) of methylmercury-treated mice. We found that
      methylmercury induced upregulation of the CCL4 gene and the CCL3 gene, in a brain
      specific manner. This finding suggests that upregulation of these two chemokine
      genes mediates selective damage by methylmercury in the central nervous system. 

PMID- 24213013
TI  - Low dose of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure induces caspase mediated-apoptosis in
      cultured neural progenitor cells.
AB  - Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant known to cause neurobehavioral
      defects, and it is especially toxic to the developing brain. In contrast to the
      adult, the developing brain consists of a large number of dividing neural
      progenitor cells (NPCs), which are vulnerable targets for MeHg toxicity. In a
      previous study, we showed that the embryonic NPCs from the telencephalon are more
      sensitive to MeHg than other neural cells. Here, we investigated the mechanism of
      cell death underlying MeHg toxicity. We observed that exposure of NPCs to MeHg
      caused DNA laddering in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Decreased pro-caspase3
      and increased cleaved-caspase3 protein was observed 3-12 hours after incubation
      of NPCs with MeHg. Moreover, the caspase-inhibitor Z-VAD FMK significantly
      suppressed MeHg-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. These results
      suggest that environmentally relevant levels of MeHg exposure induce apoptosis in
      NPCs. 

PMID- 24213014
TI  - Inhalation exposure to chloramine T induces DNA damage and inflammation in lung
      of Sprague-Dawley rats.
AB  - Chloramine T has been widely used as a disinfectant in many areas such as
      kitchens, laboratories and hospitals. It has been also used as a biocide in air
      fresheners and deodorants which are consumer products; however, little is known
      about its toxic effects by inhalation route. This study was performed to identify
      the subacute inhalation toxicity of chloramine T under whole-body inhalation
      exposure conditions. Male and female groups of rats were exposed to chloramine T
      at concentrations of 0.2, 0.9 and 4.0 mg/m3 for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week during 4
      weeks. After 28-day repeated inhalation of chloramine T, there were dose
      dependently significant DNA damage in the rat tissues evaluated and inflammation
      was histopathologically noted around the terminal airways of the lung in both
      genders. As a result of the expression of three types of antioxidant enzymes (SOD
      2, GPx-1, PRX-1) in rat's lung after exposure, there was no significant change of
      all antioxidant enzymes in the male and female rats. The results showed that no
      observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 0.2 mg/m3 in male rats and 0.9 mg/m3 in
      female rats under the present experimental condition.

PMID- 24213015
TI  - Modulation of tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) expression in human
      endometrium.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The human endometrium undergoes repetitive, cyclical changes under
      the influence of endocrine signals (estrogen and progesterone). In particular,
      the extensive tissue remodeling, angiogenesis and leukocyte infiltration that
      occur during decidualization of the endometrium give rise to an environment that
      is permissive to blastocyst attachment. However, it is now well established that
      crosstalk (via paracrine signals) between the trophoblast and the endometrium is
      also a key for successful implantation. Microarray studies have identified TSG-6
      as a gene with elevated expression in endometrial stromal cells following the
      exposure to trophoblast and immune cell products. TSG-6 is an inflammation
      associated protein which acts as a potent inhibitor of neutrophil extravasation
      and also plays important roles in matrix remodeling, e.g., by promoting
      hyaluronan (HA) cross-linking and down-regulating the protease network. Female
      TSG-6 (-/-) mice are infertile and this has been attributed to their inability to
      ovulate; however, the importance of TSG-6 in implantation has not been directly
      investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Real-time PCR, as well as immunofluorescence
      staining was performed on endometrial biopsies of proliferative and secretory
      phase samples. In addition stromal cell cultures of human endometrium were used
      to assess the influence of different stimulating factors on the TSG-6 gene and
      protein expression via real-time PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: Herein demonstrate that
      TSG-6 mRNA is expressed by the endometrium during the proliferative and secretory
      phases of the menstrual cycle. We also show that conditioned media from placental
      tissues induce rapid upregulation of TSG-6 mRNA expression and sustained protein
      secretion, with evidence that TNF is an important factor in this effect.
      Furthermore, we demonstrate changes in protein expression in the mid-secretory
      phase in women affected by recurrent abortions. CONCLUSION: These data suggest
      that TSG-6 expression might be essential in endometrial matrix organization and
      feto-maternal communication during the implantation process.

PMID- 24213016
TI  - Soluble c-Met expression in the peritoneal fluid and serum of patients with
      different stages of endometriosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also known as scatter factor, and
      its receptor c-Met have been shown to be implicated in endometriosis. HGF acts as
      a mitogen, motogen, and morphogen on endometrial epithelial cells. The expression
      of c-Met on human endometrial cells has been reported. Many proteins are
      proteolytically released from the surface by a process known as ectodomain
      shedding. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of soluble c-Met (s
      cMet) in the peritoneal fluid (PF) and serum samples of patients with different
      stages of endometriosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 39 PF and serum samples from
      normal healthy and 130 samples from different stages of patients with
      endometriosis (33 cases of stage I, 38 stage II, 30 stage III and 29 stage IV)
      were included in this study. Total protein concentration (TPC) and the level of s
      cMet in the PF and serum were determined by Bio-Rad protein assay based on the
      Bradford dye procedure and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.
      RESULTS: No significant change in the TPC was seen in the serum and PF of
      patients with endometriosis when compared with normal controls. Results obtained
      demonstrated that all PF and serum samples presented s-cMet expression, whereas,
      starting from stages I to IV endometriosis, a significant increase of s-cMet
      expression was observed as compared to controls. CONCLUSION: The results of this
      study show that a high expression of s-cMet is correlated with advanced stages of
      endometriosis. It is also concluded that the detection of serum and PF s-cMet may
      be useful in classifying endometriosis.

PMID- 24213017
TI  - Patterns of cell elongation in the determination of the final shape in galls of
      Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae (Psyllidae) on Baccharis dracunculifolia DC
      (Asteraceae).
AB  - Cell redifferentiation, division, and elongation are recurrent processes, which
      occur during gall development, and are dependent on the cellulose microfibrils
      reorientation. We hypothesized that changes in the microfibrils orientation from
      non-galled tissues to galled ones occur and determine the final gall shape. This
      determination is caused by a new tissue zonation, its hyperplasia, and relative
      cell hypertrophy. The impact of the insect's activity on these patterns of cell
      development was herein tested in Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae-Baccharis
      dracunculifolia system. In this system, the microfibrils are oriented
      perpendicularly to the longest cell axis in elongated cells and randomly in
      isodiametric ones, either in non-galled or in galled tissues. The isodiametric
      cells of the abaxial epidermis in non-galled tissues divided and elongated
      periclinally, forming the outer gall epidermis. The anticlinally elongated cells
      of the abaxial palisade layer and the isodiametric cells of the spongy parenchyma
      originated the gall outer cortex with hypertrophied and periclinally elongated
      cells. The anticlinally elongated cells of the adaxial palisade layer originated
      the inner cortex with hypertrophied and periclinally elongated cells in young and
      mature galls and isodiametric cells in senescent galls. The isodiametric cells of
      the adaxial epidermis elongated periclinally in the inner gall epidermis. The
      current investigation demonstrates the role of cellulose microfibril
      reorientation for gall development. Once many factors other than this
      reorientation act on gall development, it should be interesting to check the
      possible relationship of the new cell elongation patterns with the pectic
      composition of the cell walls.

PMID- 24213018
TI  - Capillary earlobe blood may be used for RNA isolation, gene expression assays and
      microRNA quantification.
AB  - An increasing number of studies examining gene expression associated with
      diseases in children is likely, in the near future, to provide simple and easy to
      use methods for the isolation of RNA for gene expression profiling. Prerequisites
      for such studies are likely to encompass the use of small amounts of blood, as
      well as less invasive blood collection methods. In the current study, RNA was
      isolated from 20 ul capillary blood samples from the earlobes of 10 adults for
      quantitative PCR experiments. The results were compared with RNA isolated from
      venipuncture samples of the 10 samples. The expression of 4 mRNAs and 1 microRNA
      (miRNA), miRNA-126, was measured. The quantitative PCR results obtained with the
      capillary blood probes were similar to results using venous blood samples. The
      few differences observed may result from a variation in the blood cell
      composition. The use of capillary blood samples from the earlobe for gene
      expression analysis is likely to allow this method to be used in newborns, babies
      and children. In addition, such a method, using microliters of blood samples, may
      also be useful for other medical studies e.g., in cases where repetitive blood
      sampling is necessary or in patients with bleeding disorders. 

PMID- 24213019
TI  - Associations of PM2.5 constituents and sources with hospital admissions: analysis
      of four counties in Connecticut and Massachusetts (USA) for persons >= 65 years
      of age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between short
      term exposure to PM2.5 and hospital admissions. The chemical composition of
      particles varies across locations and time periods. Identifying the most harmful
      constituents and sources is an important health and regulatory concern.
      OBJECTIVES: We examined pollutant sources for associations with risk of hospital
      admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory causes. METHODS: We obtained PM2.5
      filter samples for four counties in Connecticut and Massachusetts and analyzed
      them for PM2.5 elements. Source apportionment was used to estimate daily PM2.5
      contributions from sources (traffic, road dust, oil combustion, and sea salt as
      well as a regional source representing coal combustion and other sources).
      Associations between daily PM2.5 constituents and sources and risk of
      cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalizations for the Medicare population (>
      333,000 persons >= 65 years of age) were estimated with time-series analyses
      (August 2000-February 2004). RESULTS: PM2.5 total mass and PM2.5 road dust
      contribution were associated with cardiovascular hospitalizations, as were the
      PM2.5 constituents calcium, black carbon, vanadium, and zinc. For respiratory
      hospitalizations, associations were observed with PM2.5 road dust, and sea salt
      as well as aluminum, calcium, chlorine, black carbon, nickel, silicon, titanium,
      and vanadium. Effect estimates were generally robust to adjustment by co
      pollutants of other constituents. An interquartile range increase in same-day
      PM2.5 road dust (1.71 MUg/m3) was associated with a 2.11% (95% CI: 1.09, 3.15%)
      and 3.47% (95% CI: 2.03, 4.94%) increase in cardiovascular and respiratory
      admissions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest some particle sources
      and constituents are more harmful than others and that in this
      Connecticut/Massachusetts region the most harmful particles include black carbon,
      calcium, and road dust PM2.5.

PMID- 24213026
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24213020
TI  - Children's recognition of spectrally degraded cartoon voices.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although the spectrally degraded input provided by cochlear implants
      (CIs) is sufficient for speech perception in quiet, it poses problems for talker
      identification. The present study examined the ability of normally hearing (NH)
      children and child CI users to recognize cartoon voices while listening to
      spectrally degraded speech. DESIGN: In Experiment 1, 5- to 6-year-old NH children
      were required to identify familiar cartoon characters in a three-alternative,
      forced-choice task without feedback. Children heard sentence-length utterances at
      six levels of spectral degradation (noise-vocoded utterances with 4, 8, 12, 16,
      and 24 frequency bands and the original or unprocessed stimuli). In Experiment 2,
      child CI users 4 to 7 years of age and a control sample of 4- to 5-year-old NH
      children were required to identify the unprocessed stimuli from Experiment 1.
      RESULTS: NH children in Experiment 1 identified the voices significantly above
      chance levels, and they performed more accurately with increasing spectral
      information. Practice with stimuli that had greater spectral information
      facilitated performance on subsequent stimuli with lesser spectral information.
      In Experiment 2, child CI users successfully recognized the cartoon voices with
      slightly lower accuracy (0.90 proportion correct) than NH peers who listened to
      unprocessed utterances (0.97 proportion correct). CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      indicate that both NH children and child CI users can identify cartoon voices
      under conditions of severe spectral degradation. In such circumstances, children
      may rely on talker-specific phonetic detail to distinguish one talker from
      another.

PMID- 24213027
TI  - In vitro shoot regeneration from leaf mesophyll protoplasts of hybrid poplar
      (Populus nigra x P. maximowiczii).
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from leaf mesophyll of hybrid poplar (Populus nigra X
      P. maximowiczii) with a mean yield of 10.4 x 10(6) protoplasts per g fresh weight
      using 2.0% Cellulase 'Onozuka' R-10, 0.8% Macerozyme R-10, 1.2% Hemicellulase,
      2.0% Driselase, and 0.05% Pectolyase Y-23 with CPW salts solution containing 0.6
      M mannitol, 0.002 M DTT, 3 mM MES at pH 5.6. A liquid plating method produced the
      highest frequency of dividing protoplasts (48.6%) using an MS medium without
      NH4NO3. The highest percent of colony formation was 22.8%, produced with fabric
      supported semi-solid (0.5% w/v) agar plating method using the same culture
      medium. Growing cell colonies and/or micro-calli were transferred to a fresh
      semisolid agar medium containing 0.44 MUM BAP and 9.0 MUM 2,4-D. Multiple shoots
      were produced from protoplast-derived callus after culture on MS medium
      containing 6.8 MUM zeatin. After root induction on half-strength MS medium that
      lacked growth regulators, shoots were transferred to pots containing artificial
      soil mix. 

PMID- 24213028
TI  - Plant regeneration from callus and protoplast cultures of Helianthus giganteus L.
AB  - Methods of plant regeneration from callus and protoplasts of Helianthus giganteus
      L. are described. Embryogenic callus was obtained from leaf explants and plants
      were regenerated from these calli on MS media with different combinations of
      benzyladenine and naphtaleneacetic acid. Leaf protoplasts isolated from in vitro
      grown plants formed somatic embryos when cultured in agarose solidified droplets
      of V-KM medium containing benzyladenine and naphtaleneacetic acid. Embryos
      developed into plantlets on media with reduced auxin contents. Regenerated plants
      were successfully planted in soil. 

PMID- 24213029
TI  - Transformation of Solanum integrifolium poir via Agrobacterium tumefaciens: Plant
      regeneration and progeny analysis.
AB  - The wild species Solanum integrifolium represents a source of pest and disease
      resistance genes for breeding strategies of the cultivated species Solanum
      melongena. Somatic hybridization via protoplast fusion between the two species
      may provide a valuable tool for transferring polygenic traits into the cultivated
      species. The availability of S.integrifolium cells carrying dominant selectable
      markers would facilitate the heterokaryon rescue. An appropriate methodology for
      in vitro culture and plant regeneration from leaf explants of S.integrifolium is
      reported. Efficient leaf-disk transformation via co-cultivation with
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens led to the regeneration of transformed plants carrying
      the reporter genes GUS and NPT-II. Transformed individuals were obtained through
      selection on kanamycin-containing medium. Stable genetic transformation was
      assessed by histochemical and enzymatic assays for GUS and NPT-II activity, by
      the ability of leaf disks to initiate callus on Km-containing medium, Southern
      blot analyses of the regenerated plants, and genetic analysis of their progenies.
      Selfed-seed progeny of individual transformed plants segregated seedlings capable
      to root and grow in selective condition, while untransformed progeny did not.
      Genetic analyses of progeny behaviour showed that the reporter gene NPT-II
      segregated as single as well as two independent Mendelian factors. In two cases
      an excess of kanamycin-sensitive seedlings was obtained, not fitting into any
      genetic hypothesis. 

PMID- 24213030
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Hartog).
AB  - Morphologically normal green plants have reproducibly been regenerated from
      protoplasts of an Australian wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Hartog). The
      protoplasts were isolated from fine embryogenic suspension cultures which were
      initiated from embryogenic callus. Protoplasts were incubated in a modified
      liquid MS medium containing half strength of the macroelements, 5 MUm 2,4-D and
      0.6 M glucose. Colonies were formed at frequencies ranging from 0.1% to 5%. The
      frequency of colonies forming fully developed plants varied between 1% and 25%.
      More than eighty green plants with morphologically normal shoots and roots have
      been obtained and there was no difficulty in establishing these plants in soil. A
      cytological study of several randomly selected regenerated plants showed the
      normal chromosome complement for wheat (2n = 42). 

PMID- 24213031
TI  - Introduction and differential use of various promoters in pollen grains of
      Nicotiana glutinosa and Lilium longiflorum.
AB  - As part of our research to develop an alternative system for the transformation
      of recalcitrant plant species we investigated the use of the male gametophyte as
      a transformation vector. Therefore the activity of four different promoters (CaMV
      35S, LAT52, chiA PA2 and TR2') was analyzed in pollen of a dicot (Nicotiana
      glutinosa) and a monocot (Lilium longiflorum) plant species. Gene constructs in
      which the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene was placed under the control of these
      promoters were introduced in pollen using a particle delivery system. No activity
      of the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter was detected in pollen of
      both N. glutinosa and L. longiflorum. The promoter of the tomato flower-specific
      LAT52 gene was highly active in N. glutinosa pollen but remained silent in L.
      longiflorum pollen. A similar expression pattern was observed for the pollen
      specific Chalcone Flavanone Isomerase chiA PA2 promoter originally isolated from
      petunia. The TR2' mannopine synthase promoter of Agrobacterium tumefaciens,
      however, was active in pollen from Solanaceous species and also in pollen from
      the monocot L. longiflorum. This suggests that the TR2' promoter is active in
      vegetative and sporogenous tissues of dicot and monocot plant species. 

PMID- 24213032
TI  - Regeneration of transgenic plants of Prunus armeniaca containing the coat protein
      gene of Plum Pox Virus.
AB  - A system was developed which allows the transfer of foreign genes into apricot
      cultivars. We report the transformation and regeneration of Prunus armeniaca
      plants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 containing various binary
      plasmids, pBinGUSint, carrying the marker gene beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and
      pBinPPVm, carrying the coat protein gene of Plum Pox Virus (PPV). The marker gene
      GUS was used for optical evaluation of the efficiency of the transformation
      system. The coat protein gene of PPV was used to introduce coat protein mediated
      resistance against one of the most important pathogens of stone fruit trees in
      Europe and the whole Mediterranean area. This is the first report of the
      successful integration of a viral coat protein gene into a fruit tree species,
      opening a new perspective on the control of the disease. 

PMID- 24213033
TI  - Coat protein mediated resistance to Plum Pox Virus in Nicotiana clevelandii and
      N. benthamiana.
AB  - Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana and N. clevelandii plants expressing the coat
      protein of Plum Pox Virus under the control of the 35S promoter from Cauliflower
      Mosaic Virus were engineered by Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated
      transformation. The phenomenon of virus resistance was observed at different
      levels when transgenic plants, expressing the coat protein and control plants
      were compared after challenge infection with Plum Pox Virus. N. clevelandii coat
      protein transgenic plants circumvent virus accumulation. After an initial
      increase in virus titer similar to the control plants, some coat protein
      expressing plants showed a reduced accumulation of virus and inhibition of the
      systemic spread, characterized by decrease of the virus titer and formation of
      new symptomless leaves. In other N. clevelandii coat protein expressing plants
      virus accumulation was inhibited and disease symptoms never appeared. N.
      benthamiana coat protein expressing plants were also protected. After a temporary
      virus accumulation, virus titer decreased without the appearance of symptoms with
      the exception of a few plants, which showed a delay of thirty days in the
      development of symptoms post challenge infection. 

PMID- 24213034
TI  - Effects of some growth regulators on in vitro tuberization in Dioscorea alata L.
      'Brazo fuerte' and D. abyssinica Hoch.
AB  - Nodal cuttings of Dioscorea alata L. 'Brazo fuerte' and D. abyssinica Hoch. were
      cultured in vitro to assess the influence of NAA on the production of
      microtubers. In D. alata, high concentrations of NAA (27 and 54 MUM) favored the
      production of large microtubers, whereas the highest number of microtubers was
      obtained with 2.7 MUM. D. abyssinica was found to be more sensitive to NAA since
      concentrations higher than 0.27 MUM promoted the growth of callus on the root
      system. In this species, the production of the largest microtubers was obtained
      at 2.7 MUM whereas the number of microtubers was not affected by any
      concentration tested. In D. alata, the effects of ABA and BAP were also
      evaluated. The weight of the microtubers increased with increasing concentrations
      of ABA. This effect, however, was observed only on expiants cultured under 8 h
      photoperiod, but not on those cultured under 16 h. Finally the presence of BAP at
      concentrations as low as 0.22 MUM adversely affected the survival of the
      explants. 

PMID- 24213035
TI  - Callus formation and plant regeneration in standard and microexplants from
      seedlings of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).
AB  - Callus was induced in standard (1 mm) leaf base explants and in cross sections
      (microexplants) through the seedling axis from seedlings of Hordeum vulgare L..
      Reduced callus formation was observed with increasing distance from the leaf
      base, and explants from the first and second leaves gave the best response. In
      serial hand sections of the seedling axis frequency of callus formation decreased
      from 100% in the apical region to 5% in the basal region. Callus formed from all
      tissues outside the central vascular elements, except for the coleoptile and the
      scutellum. Plants were regenerated from callus induced from both types of
      explants. 

PMID- 24213036
TI  - High frequency adventitious shoot regeneration from immature cotyledons of pea
      (Pisum sativum L.).
AB  - A procedure has been developed which allows high frequency adventitious shoot
      regeneration from immature cotyledons of pea. Prolific shoot regeneration
      occurred following an initial callus growth on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium
      containing 0.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 4 mg/l alpha-naphthaleneacetic
      acid (NAA). Cotyledon expiants proximal to the embryonic axis had the highest
      regeneration potential, however, the presence of an embryonic axis inhibited
      adventitious shoot regeneration. Addition of silver nitrate (AgNO3) to the medium
      did not promote the number of regenerated shoots but resulted in shoots with well
      developed tendrils and large stipules which had a reduced rooting capacity.
      Regenerated shoots rooted readily (80-90%) in half strength MS medium containing
      1 mg/l indole-butyric acid (IBA) and further established well in compost. 

PMID- 24213037
TI  - Expression of PVX coat protein gene under the control of extensin-gene promoter
      confers virus resistance on transgenic potato plants.
AB  - Tuber discs of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars Desiree and Gracia were
      infected by Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying a binary vector with the coat
      protein gene of potato virus X controlled by the carrot extensin gene long
      transcript promoter. Several transgenic potato plants have been obtained by
      direct regeneration of shoots on culture medium with kanamycin used for
      selection. The presence of the coat protein gene was proved by Southern
      hybridization in several transformants. Its low but detectable expression level
      was shown by Northern and Western analysis. Ethephon treatment resulted in a five
      fold increase in the amounts of the coat protein mRNA. The majority of
      transformants exhibited reduced accumulation of virus RNA in inoculated leaves.
      Potentials in the use of an ethylene-inducible promoter in the production of
      virus-resistant transgenic plants will be discussed. 

PMID- 24213038
TI  - A new organelle related to osmoregulation in ultrarapidly frozenPelvetia embryos.
AB  - Freeze-fracture electron microscopy of the cortical cytoplasm of unfixed,
      uncryoprotected, ultrarapidly frozen embryos of the marine brown algaPelvetia
      fastigiata has demonstrated the presence of numerous 0.5-MUm diameter, disc
      shaped vesicles lying adjacent and nearly parallel to the plasma membrane. Some
      vesicles are fused with the plasma membrane through a narrow connection; this
      however appears to be a reversible attachment rather than an intermediate stage
      in the incorporation of the vesicle into the plasma membrane. The distribution of
      these connections in the plane of the membrane is not uniform; they tend to occur
      in patches. The fraction of vesicles that is fused with the plasma membrane at
      any one time appears to be related to a cell's perception of a stressful
      hypotonic imbalance between the internal and external concentrations of
      osmotically active compounds. Thus, a sudden 5% decrease in osmolarity of the
      artificial seawater medium just before freezing leads to a 38% increase in
      connections per unit membrane area, while a 20% decrease in osmolarity leads to a
      75% increase in connections per unit area. Based on these findings and the
      corresponding ion-transport studies of R. Nuccitelli and L.F. Jaffe (1976,
      Planta131, 315-320), we postulate that the disc-shaped vesicles mediate short
      term osmoregulation inPelvetia embryos by reversibly inserting chloride channels
      into the plasma membrane. 

PMID- 24213039
TI  - Partial purification and initial characterization of phytochrome from the
      mossAtrichum undulatum P. Beauv. grown in the light.
AB  - The extraction and partial purification of phytochrome from light-grownAtrichum
      undulatum P. Beauv., a chlorophyllous moss, is described. Polyethyleneimine and
      salt fractionation followed by hydroxyapatite and Affi-gel-blue chromatography
      were used to separate phytochrome from chlorophyll, and to purify the pigment.
      All steps were performed in the presence of Triton X-100 which improved the yield
      by a factor of about three. The protein has a molecular weight some-what larger
      than that ofAvena phytochrome (124 kDa), as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis. It cross-reacts with
      a monoclonal antibody against phytochrome from etiolated corn (Zea) and a
      polyclonal antibody against phytochrome from etiolated oat (Avena), and its
      photoreversibility is similar to that of phytochrome from greenAvena. 

PMID- 24213040
TI  - Measurement of internal pH in the coccolithophoreEmiliania huxleyi using 2',7'
      bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and-6)carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethylester and digital
      imaging microscopy.
AB  - Internal pH (pHi) was determined inEmiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) using the probe
      2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and-6)carboxyfluoresceinacetoxymethylester (BCEF-AM)
      and digital imaging microscopy. The probe BCECF-AM was taken up and hydrolysed to
      the free acid by the cells. A linear relationship was established between pHi and
      the 490/450 fluorescence ratio of BCECF-AM over the pH range 6.0 to 8.0 using the
      ionophore nigericin. Two distinct pH domains were identified within the cell, the
      cytoplasmic domain (approx. pH 7.0) and the chloroplast domain (approx. pH 8.0).
      The average pHi was 7.29 (+/-0.11) for cells in the presence of 2 mM HCO 3 (-) .
      In the absence of HCO 3 (-) the pHi was decreased by 0.8 pH unit. The importance
      of these changes in pHi is considered in relation to inorganic-carbon uptake. 

PMID- 24213041
TI  - Inorganic-carbon transport in some marine eukaryotic microalgae.
AB  - Inorganic-carbon transport was investigated in the eukaryotic marine
      microalgaeStichococcus minor, Nannochloropsis oculata and aMonallantus sp.
      Photosynthetic O2 evolution at constant inorganic-carbon concentration but
      varying pH showed thatS. minor had a greater capacity for CO2 rather than HCO 3 (
      ) utilization but forN. oculata andMonallantus HCO 3 (-) was the preferred source
      of inorganic carbon. All three microalgae had a low affinity for CO2 as shown by
      the measurement of inorganic-carbon-dependent photosynthetic O2 evolution at pH
      5.0. At pH 8.3, where HCO 3 (-) is the predominant form of inorganic carbon, the
      concentration of inorganic carbon required for half-maximal rate of
      photosynthetic O2 evolution [K 0.5 (CO2)] was 53 MUM forMonallantus sp. and 125
      MUM forN. oculata, values compatible with HCO 3 (-) transport. Neither extra- nor
      intracellular carbonic anhydrase was detected in these three microalgal species.
      It is concluded that these microalgae lack a specific transport system for CO2
      but that HCO 3 (-) transport occurs inN. oculata andMonallantus, and in the
      absence of intracellular carbonic anhydrase the conversion of HCO 3 (-) to CO2
      may be facilitated by the internal pH of the cell. 

PMID- 24213042
TI  - Effects of light and acetate on the liberation of zoospores by a mutant strain
      ofChlamydomonas reinhardtii.
AB  - In light-dark-synchronized cultures of the unicellular green algaChlamydomonas
      reinhardtii, release of zoospores from the wall of the mother cell normally takes
      place during the second half of the dark period. The recently isolated mutant
      'ls', however, needs light for the liberation of zoospores when grown
      photoautotrophically under a 12 h light-12 h dark regime. The light-induced
      release of zoospores was found to be prevented by addition of the photosystem-II
      inhibitor 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. Furthermore, light
      dependence of this process was shown to be abolished when the mutant 'ls' was
      grown either photoautotrophically under a 14 h light-10 h dark regime or in the
      presence of acetate. Our findings indicate that the light-dependency of zoospore
      liberation observed in cultures of this particular mutant during photoautotrophic
      growth under a 12 h light-12 h dark regime might be attributed to an altered
      energy metabolism. The light-induced release of zoospores was found to be
      prevented by addition of cycloheximide or chloramphenicol, antibiotics which
      inhibit protein biosynthesis by cytoplasmic and organellar ribosomes,
      respectively. Actinomycin D, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis, however, did not
      affect the light-induced liberation of zoospores.Sporangia accumulate in
      stationary cultures of the mutant 'ls'. Release of zoospores was observed when
      these sporangia were collected by centrifugation and incubated in the light after
      resuspension in fresh culture medium. Since liberation of zoospores was not
      observed after dilution of the stationary cultures with fresh culture medium, we
      suppose that components which interfere with the action of the sporangial
      autolysin are accumulated in the culture medium of the mutant 'ls'. 

PMID- 24213043
TI  - A model of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation and carbon-isotope discrimination in
      leaves of certain C3-C 4 intermediates.
AB  - A model of leaf, photosynthesis has been developed for C3-C4 intermediate species
      found in the generaPanicum, Moricandia, Parthenium andMollugo where no functional
      C4 pathway has been identified. Model assumptions are a functional C3 cycle in
      both mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells and that glycine formed in the mesophyll,
      as a consequence of the oxygenase activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco, EC 4.1.1.39), diffuses to the bundle sheath,
      where most of the photorespiratory CO2 is released. The model describes the
      observed gas-exchange characteristics of these C3-C4 intermediates, such as low
      CO2-compensation points (Gamma) at an O2 pressure of 200 mbar, a curvilinear
      response of Gamma to changing O2 pressures, and typical responses of CO2
      assimilation rate to intercellular CO2 pressure. The model predicts that bundle
      sheath CO2 concentration is highest at low mesophyll CO2 pressures and decreases
      as mesophyll CO2 pressure increases. A partitioning of 5-15% of the total leaf
      Rubisco into the bundle-sheath cells and a bundlesheath conductance similar to
      that proposed for C4 species best mimics the gas-exchange results. The model
      predicts C3-like carbon-isotope discrimination for photosynthesis at atmospheric
      levels of CO2, but at low CO2 pressures it predicts a higher discrimination than
      is typically found during C3 photosynthesis at lower CO2 pressures. 

PMID- 24213044
TI  - Short-term carbon-isotope discrimination in C3-C 4 intermediate species.
AB  - Short-term discrimination in assimilation of stable isotopes of carbon was
      measured for leaves of the C3 speciesPhaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Hawkesbury Wonder
      andFlaveria pringlei Gandoger, the C4 speciesAmaranthus edulis Speg., and the C3
      C4 intermediate speciesPanicum milioides Nees ex. Trin,Flaveria floridana
      Johnson, andFlaveria anomala B.L. Robinson. Discriminations in the C3 and C4
      species were similar to those expected from theoretical considerations. When
      ambient CO2 pressure was 330 MUbar the mean discriminations in the C3 species
      andPanicum milioides were similar, whereas the mean discriminations inF.
      floridana andF. anomala were less than discrimination in C3 species andPanicum
      milioides. When ambient CO2 pressure was 100 MUbar the mean discriminations
      inPanicum milioides andF. anomala were greater, and that inF. floridana was less,
      than that inPhaseolus vulgaris. We conclude that the pattern of discrimination
      inPanicum milioides is consistent with the presence of a glycine shuttle; inF.
      floridana andF. anomala, discrimination is consistent with the presence of a C4
      pathway coupled with the operation of a glycine shuttle. 

PMID- 24213045
TI  - Correlation of spermine levels with ovary senescence and with fruit set and
      development inPisum sativum L.
AB  - Separation and quantitation of polyamines from unpollinated pea (Pisum sativum
      L.) ovaries and young fruits induced by application of gibberellic acid to
      unpollinated ovaries showed, in both cases, a decrease in putrescine and
      spermidine levels between anthesis and 4 d later. By contrast, spermine levels
      increased prior to the onset of senescence of the unpollinated ovaries (3 d post
      anthesis) and decreased during fruit development. Low levels of putrescine,
      spermidine and spermine were also observed in young fruits obtained by self
      pollination and by treatment of unpollinated ovaries with 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. In-vitro culture of ovary explants in a medium
      containing spermine showed that a reduction of the growth of gibberellic acid
      treated unpollinated ovaries was associated with a rise in the level of spermine
      in the fruits. The results obtained indicate that changes in spermine levels are
      involved in the control of ovary senescence and of fruit set and development. 

PMID- 24213046
TI  - Radial transport of water across cortical sleeves of excised roots ofZea mays L.
AB  - The stationary radial volume flows across maize (Zea mays L.) root segments
      without steles ("sleeves") were measured under isobaric conditions. The driving
      force of the volume flow is an osmotic difference between the internal and
      external compartment of the root preparations. It is generated by differences in
      the concentrations of sucrose, raffinose or polyethylene glycol. The flows are
      linear functions of the corresponding osmotic differences (Delta pi) up to
      osmotic values which cause plasmolysis. The straight lines obtained pass through
      the origin. No asymmetry of the osmotic barrier could be detected within the
      range of driving forces applied (delta pi=+/-0.5 MPa), corresponding to volume
      flow densities of jv, s=+/-7.10(-8) m.s(-1). Using the literature values for the
      reflection coefficients of sucrose and polyethylene glycol in intact roots (E.
      Steudle et al. (1987) Plant Physiol.84, 1220-1234), values for the sleeve
      hydraulic conductivity of about 1.10(-7) m.s(-1) MPa(-1) were calculated. They
      are of the same order of magnitude as those reported in the literature for the
      hydraulic conductivity of intact root segments when hydrostatic pressure is
      applied. 

PMID- 24213047
TI  - Mechanisms of fusicoccin action: evidence for concerted modulations of secondary
      K(+) transport in a higher plant cell.
AB  - Fusicoccin (FC) has long been known to promote K(+) uptake in higher plant cells,
      including stomatal guard cells, yet the precise mechanism behind this enhancement
      remains uncertain. Membrane hyperpolarization, thought to arise from primary H(+)
      pumping stimulated in FC, could help drive K(+) uptake, but the extent to which
      FC stimulates influx and uptake frequently exceeds any reasonable estimates from
      Constant Field Theory based on changes in the free-running membrane potential (V
      m) alone; furthermore, unidirectional flux analyses have shown that in the toxin
      K(+) ((86)Rb(+)) exchange plummets to 10% of the control (G.M. Clint and E.A.C.
      MacRobbie 1984, J. Exp. Bot.35 180-192). Thus, the activities of specific
      pathways for K(+) movement across the membrane could be modified in FC. We have
      explored a role for K(+) channels in mediating these fluxes in guard cells
      ofVicia faba L. The correspondence between FC-induced changes in chemical
      ((86)Rb(+)) flux and in electrical current under voltage clamp was followed,
      using the K(+) channel blocker tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) to probe tracer
      and charge movement through K(+)-selective channels. Parallel flux and electrical
      measurements were carried out when cells showed little evidence of primary pump
      activity, thus simplifying analyses. Under these conditions, outward-directed
      K(+) channel current contributed appreciably to charge balance maintainingV m,
      and adding 10 mM TEA to block the current depolarized (positive-going)V m; TEA
      also reduced(86)Rb(+) efflux by 68-80%. Following treatments with 10 MUM FC, both
      K(+) channel current and(86)Rb(+) efflux decayed, irreversbly and without
      apparent lag, to 10%-15% of the controls and with equivalent half-times (approx.
      4 min). Fusicoccin also enhanced(86)Rb(+) influx by 13.9-fold, but the influx
      proved largely insensitive to TEA. Overall, FC promotednet cation uptake in 0.1
      mM K(+) (Rb(+)), despite membrane potentials which were 30-60 mVpositive of the
      K(+) equilibrium potential. These results tentatively link (chemical) cation
      efflux to charge movement through the K(+) channels. They offer evidence of an
      energy-coupled mechanism for K(+) uptake in guard cells. Finally, the data
      reaffirm early suspicions that FC alters profoundly the K(+) transport capacity
      of the cells, independent of any changes in membrane potential. 

PMID- 24213048
TI  - Mechanisms of fusicoccin action: kinetic modification and inactivation of K(+)
      channels in guard cells.
AB  - Fusicoccin commonly is thought to promote secondary solute transport via an
      increase in electrical driving force which follows the enhancement of primary,
      "electrogenic" H(+) extrusion by the plant plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase. However,
      previous electrical studies ofVicia faba L. guard cells in FC (Blatt, 1988,
      Planta174, 187) demonstrated, in addition to a limited rise in pump current,
      appreciable declines in membrane conductance near and positive to the free
      running membrane potential (V m). Much of the current at these potentials could
      have been carried by outward-rectifying K(+) channels which were progressively
      inactivated in FC. We have examined this possibility in electrical studies, using
      whole-cell currents measured under voltage clamp to quantitate steadystate and
      kinetic characteristics of the K(+) channels both before and during exposure to
      FC; channels block in tetraethylammonium chloride was exploited to assess changes
      in background 'leak' currents. The cells showed little evidence of primary pump
      activity, a fact which further simplified analyses. Under these conditions,
      outward-directed K(+) channel current contributed to charge balance maintainingV
      m, and adding 10 MUM FC on average depolarized (positive-going)V m. Steady-state
      current-voltage relations revealed changes both in K(+) channel and in leak
      currents underlying the voltage response. Changes in the leak were variable, but
      on average the leak equilibrium potential was shifted (+)19 mV and leak
      conductance declined by 21% over 30-40 min in FC. Potassium currents were
      inactivated irreversibly and with halftimes (current maxima) of 6.2-10.7 min.
      Inactivation was voltage-dependent, so that the activation ("gating") potential
      for the current was shifted, positive-going, with time in FC. Channel gating
      kinetics, inferred from the macroscopic currents, were also affected; current
      rise at positive potentials accelerated 4.5-fold and more, but in a manner
      apparently independent of voltage and extracellular potassium concentration.
      Current decay at negative potentials was quickened, also. These results identify
      the outward-rectifying K(+) channels as one site of action for FC at a higher
      plant cell membrane; they complete the link introduced in the preceding paper
      between K(+) channel current, K(+)((86)Rb(+)) flux and irreversible cation uptake
      in the toxin. The data also offer some insights toward a kinetic description of
      channel gating. Finally, they provide a vehicle for interpreting FC-induced
      changes in K(+) and net H(+) flux, and in membrane potential without the
      necessity for postulating gross changes in H(+) pumping. 

PMID- 24213049
TI  - Nuclear-magnetic-resonance imaging of leaves ofMesembryanthemum crystallinum L.
      plants grown at high salinity.
AB  - Differences in water binding were measured in the leaf cells ofMesembryanthemum
      crystallinum L. plants grown under high-salinity conditions by using nuclear
      magnetic-resonance (NMR) imaging. The 7-Tesla proton NMR imaging system yielded a
      spatial resolution of 20.20.100 MUm(3). Images recorded with different spin-echo
      times (4.4 ms to 18 ms) showed that the water concentrations in the bladder cells
      (located on the upper and lower leaf surface), in the mesophyll cells and in the
      water-conducting vessels were nearly identical. All of the water in the bladder
      cells and in the water-conducting vessels was found to be mobile, whilst part of
      the water in the mesophyll cells was bound. Patches of mesophyll cells could be
      identified which bound water more strongly than the surrounding mesophyll cells.
      Optical investigations of leaf cross-sections revealed two types of mesophyll
      cells of different sizes and chloroplast contents. It is therefore likely that in
      the small-sized mesophyll cells water is strongly bound. A long-term asymmetric
      water exchange between the mesophyll cells and the bladder cells during
      Crassulacean acid metabolism has been described in the literature. The high
      density of these mesophyll cells in the lower epidermis is a possible cause of
      this asymmetry. 

PMID- 24213050
TI  - Organization of the actin cytoskeleton during pollen development inGasteria
      verrucosa (Mill.) H. Duval visualized with rhodamine-phalloidin.
AB  - The three-dimensional organization of the microfilamental cytoskeleton of
      developingGasteria pollen was investigated by light microscopy using whole cells
      and fluorescently labelled phalloidin. Cells were not fixed chemically but their
      walls were permeabilized with dimethylsulphoxide and Nonidet P-40 at
      premicrospore stages or with dimethylsulphoxide, Nonidet P-40 and 4
      methylmorpholinoxide-monohydrate at free-microspore and pollen stages to dissolve
      the intine.Four strikingly different microfilamentous configurations were
      distinguished. (i) Actin filaments were observed in the central cytoplasm
      throughout the successive stages of pollen development. The network was commonly
      composed of thin bundles ramifying throughout the cytoplasm at interphase stages
      but as thick bundles encaging the nucleus prior to the first and second meiotic
      division. (ii) In released microspores and pollen, F-actin filaments formed
      remarkably parallel arrays in the peripheral cytoplasm. (iii) In the first and
      second meiotic spindles there was an apparent localization of massive arrays of
      phalloidin-reactive material. Fluorescently labelled F-actin was present in
      kinetochore fibers and pole-to-pole fibers during metaphase and anaphase. (iv) At
      telophase, microfilaments radiated from the nuclear envelopes and after
      karyokinesis in the second meiotic division, F-actin was observed in
      phragmoplasts.We did not observe rhodamine-phalloidin-labelled filaments in the
      cytoplasm after cytochalasin-B treatment whereas F-actin persisted in the
      spindle. Incubation at 4 degrees  C did not influence the existence of
      cytoplasmic microfilaments whereas spindle filaments disappeared. This points to
      a close interdependence of spindle microfilaments and spindle tubules.Based on
      present data and earlier observations on the configuration of microtubules during
      pollen development in the same species (Van Lammeren et al., 1985, Planta165, 1
      11) there appear to be apparent codistributions of F-actin and microtubules
      during various stages of male meiosis inGasteria verrucosa. 

PMID- 24213051
TI  - Revision of the theory of phototropism in plants: a new interpretation of a
      classical experiment.
AB  - Went's classical experiment on the diffusion of auxin activity from unilaterally
      illuminated oat coleoptile tips (Went 1928), was repeated as precisely as
      possible. In agreement with Went's data with theAvena curvature assay, the agar
      blocks from the illuminated side of oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Victory) coleoptile
      tips had, on an average, 38% of the auxin activity of those from the shaded side.
      However, determination of the absolute amounts of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in
      the agar blocks, using a physicochemical assay following purification, showed
      that the IAA was evenly distributed in the blocks from the illuminated and shaded
      sides. In the blocks from the shaded and dark-control halves the amounts of IAA
      were 2.5 times higher than the auxin activity measured by theAvena curvature
      test, and in those from the illuminated half even 7 times higher. Chromatography
      of the diffusates prior to theAvena curvature test demonstrated that the amounts
      of two growth inhibitors, especially of the more polar one, were significantly
      higher in the agar blocks from the illuminated side than in those from the shaded
      side and the dark control. These results show that the basic experiment from
      which the Cholodny-Went theory was derived, does not justify this theory. The
      data rather indicate that phototropism is caused by the light-induced, local
      accumulation of growth inhibitors against a background of even auxin
      distribution, the diffusion of auxin being unaffected. 

PMID- 24213052
TI  - Inhibition of photosynthesis by chilling in moderate light: a comparison of
      plants sensitive and insensitive to chilling.
AB  - Photosynthetic activity, in leaf slices and isolated thylakoids, was examined at
      25 degrees  C after preincubation of the slices at either 25 degrees  C or 4
      degrees  C at a moderate photon flux density (PFD) of 450 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1), or
      at 4 degrees  C in the dark. The plants used wereSpinacia oleracea L.,Cucumis
      sativus L. andNerium oleander L. which was acclimated to growth at 20 degrees  C
      or 45 degrees  C. The plants were grown at a PFD of 550 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1).
      Photosynthesis, measured as CO2-dependent O2 evolution, was not inhibited in leaf
      slices from any plant after preincubation at 25 degrees  C at a moderate PFD or
      at 4 degrees  C in the dark. However, exposure to 4 degrees  C at a moderate PFD
      induced an inhibition of CO2-dependent O2 evolution within 1 h inC. sativus, a
      chilling-sensitive plant, and in 45 degrees  C-grownN. oleander. The inhibition
      in these plants after 5 h reached 80% and 40%, respectively, and was independent
      of the CO2 concentration but was reduced at O2 concentrations of less than 3%.
      Methyl-viologen-dependent O2 exchange in leaf slices from these plants was not
      inhibited. There was no photoxidation of chlorophyll, in isolated thylakoids, or
      any inhibition of electron transport at photosystem (PS)II, PSI or through both
      photosystems which would account for the inhibition of photosynthesis. The
      conditions which inhibit photosynthesis in chilling-sensitive plants do not cause
      inhibition inS. oleracea, a chilling-insensitive plant, or in 20 degrees  C
      grownN. oleander. The CO2-dependent photosynthesis, measured at 5 degrees  C, was
      reduced to about 3% of that recorded at 25 degrees  C in chilling-sensitive
      plants but only to about 30% in the chilling-insensitive plants. Methyl-viologen
      dependent O2 exchange, measured at 5 degrees  C, was greater than 25% of the
      activity at 25 degrees  C in all the plants. The results indicate that the
      mechanism of the chilling-induced inhibition of photosynthesis does not involve
      damage to PSII. That inhibition of photosynthesis is observed only in the
      chilling-sensitive plants indicates it is related, in some way, to the
      disproportionate decrease in photosynthetic activity in these plants at chilling
      temperatures. 

PMID- 24213053
TI  - Relationship between the octanol-water partition coefficient of tertiary amines
      and their effect of 'selective' uncoupling of photophosphorylation.
AB  - A series of tertiary amines was investigated for effects on the transmembrane
      proton potential difference (Delta [Formula: see text]H), on photophosphorylation
      and on electron-flux control related to the intrathylakoid proton potential
      ([Formula: see text]HI), using isolated chloroplasts ofSpinacia oleracea L. As
      indicated by 9-aminoacridine fluorescence and [14C]methylamine uptake, all amines
      studied inhibited a build-up ofDelta [Formula: see text]H and, in parallel, ATP
      synthesis. Even whenDelta [Formula: see text]H was low, strong[Formula: see
      text]H1-dependent electron-flux control was observed under the influence of
      tertiary amines. The strength of flux control in the presence of lowDelta
      [Formula: see text]H and the effectiveness of inhibition of ATP synthesis
      linearly increased with the lipophilicity of the amines. The most effective of
      the amines tested caused 50% inhibition of ATP synthesis at a concentration of 6
      MUM, which is about 1000-fold lower than the concentration required for
      inhibition by methylamine. The data presented indicate the existence of two
      proton domains in the thylakoid vesicles, one of them feeding the ATP-synthase,
      the other the sites of pH-dependent electron-flux control. It is concluded that
      tertiary amines develop their action in a lipophilic domain of the thylakoid
      membrane, in the vicinity of the ATP-synthase complex. A mechanism for
      'selective' uncoupling and for the maintenance of[Formula: see text]HI-dependent
      electron flux control in the presence of lowDelta [Formula: see text]H is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24213055
TI  - Genetic and molecular analysis of tissue-culture-derived Ac elements.
AB  - Our previous experiments on maize (Zea mays L.) plants regenerated from tissue
      culture revealed genetic activity characteristic of the transposable element
      Activator (Ac) in the progeny of 2-3% of the plants tested, despite the lack of
      Ac activity in the progenitor plants. The objective of the present study was to
      determine whether the presence of Ac activity in tissue-culture-derived plants
      was associated with changes in the number or structure of Ac-homologous DNA
      sequences. Families segregating for Ac activity were obtained by crossing plants
      heterozygous for Ac activity onto Ac-responsive tester plants. A DNA probe
      derived from a previously isolated Ac sequence was used to examine the Ac
      homologous sequences within individual progeny seedlings of segregating families
      and noncultured control materials. All plants tested had six or more Ac
      homologous DNA sequences, regardless of whether Ac activity was present. In the
      segregating progeny of one tissue-culturederived plant, a 30-kb Ac-homologous
      SstI restriction fragment and a 10-kb Ac-homologous BglII restriction fragment
      were found to cosegregate with Ac activity. We propose that these fragments
      contained a previously silent Ac sequence that had been activated during tissue
      culture. Although one or more Ac sequences were often hypomethylated at internal
      PvuII and HpaII sites in plants with Ac activity, hypomethylation was not a
      prerequisite for activity. Reduced methylation at these sites may have been a
      result rather than a cause of Ac activity. 

PMID- 24213056
TI  - Evaluation of parents and selection for heat tolerance in the early generations
      of a potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) breeding program.
AB  - Potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.) were evaluated for their capacity to form
      tubers under high temperature conditions (heat tolerance). In an experiment
      conducted in the hot summer season in the field and in experiments conducted
      under controlled environments in glasshouses, differences in tolerance to heat
      were noted among the various genotypes. Although heat tolerance tended to be
      associated with earliness in maturation, differences in the response to high
      temperatures were observed in genotypes of the same maturity class. Progeny of
      the cultivars Desiree and Cara, and hybrid progeny of Cara x Desiree and of
      Blanka x Cara were screened for heat tolerance in controlled environments in
      glasshouses. Long photoperiod delayed tuberization but high temperatures strongly
      inhibited tuber formation, which was 4% in the progeny of Desiree, <2% in the
      progeny of Cara and of Cara x Desiree, and ca. 16% in progeny of Blanka x Cara.
      For seedlings that did not form tubers in the hot glasshouse but were
      subsequently transferred to the cool glasshouse, tuberization was much enhanced
      and clones selected through this dual procedure exhibited tolerance to heat in
      the first conal year. The results of this study indicate that: (a) tolerance to
      heat is associated with earliness; however, differences in the response to heat
      exist among late-maturing cultivars; (b) tolerance to heat, as assessed by the
      capacity to form tubers under high temperatures, is genetically controlled, and
      the timing of tuberization might be independent of the rate of tuberization in
      hybrid progeny; (c) the incidence of heat tolerance in progeny population is
      correlated with the relative tolerance of the parents; and (d) the dual selection
      procedure is an efficient approach for the selection of heat-tolerant clones. 

PMID- 24213057
TI  - Complex determination of male sterility in Thymus vulgaris L.: genetic and
      molecular analysis.
AB  - Nucleocytoplasmic determination of male sterility in Thymus vulgaris L. has been
      assumed in all papers attempting to explain the remarkably high frequencies of
      male steriles found in natural populations of this species. This paper provides
      strong evidence that both nuclear and cytoplasmic genes are involved in the
      determination of male sterility of this species, giving a complex inheritance.
      Interpopulation and intrapopulation crosses have shown that the ratio of females
      versus hermaphrodites among offsprings varied widely from 1?0 to 1?1.
      Furthermore, interpopulation crosses consistently yielded a higher frequency of
      females than intrapopulation crosses. Nucleocytoplasmic inheritance was
      demonstrated by an absence of male fertiles in backcrosses and asymmetrical
      segregation in reciprocal crosses. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial DNA of
      some of the parents used in crosses suggested the involvement of different
      cytoplasms in the inheritance of male steriliy. 

PMID- 24213058
TI  - Sex determination in the genus Oreochromis : 1. Sex reversal, gynogenesis and
      triploidy in O. niloticus (L.).
AB  - Established techniques of genetic manipulation were used to elucidate sex
      determining mechanisms in the commercially important tilapia, Oreochromis
      niloticus. Analysis of sex ratios from single-pair matings of normal broodstock
      showed these to be heterogeneous, with an asymmetrical frequency distribution.
      Data were homogeneous, with the exclusion of a number of broods with sex ratios
      not significantly different from 3?1 (male: female), and further progeny testing
      revealed atypical female heterogamety in the parents of these broods. Analysis of
      sex ratios from complete diallele-type crosses using five males and five females
      demonstrated no association between male parent, female parent and progeny sex
      ratio. Sex ratios of gynogens (0?1) and triploids (1?1), and from progeny testing
      of sex-reversed males (0?1) and sex-reversed females (3?1), provide evidence for
      female homogamety in this species. Progeny testing of male gynogens derived from
      sex-reversed females demonstrated recombination between the centromere and the
      sex-determining locus (68.9%). Novel YY "supermales" were shown to be viable and
      produced all-male offspring. It was concluded that this species exhibits
      monofactorial, genotypic sex determination with male heterogamety. However, rare
      autosomal or environmental sex-modifying factors may account for occasional
      deviations from expected sex ratios. 

PMID- 24213059
TI  - Sex determination in the genus Oreochromis : 2. Sex reversal, hybridisation,
      gynogenesis and triploidy in O. aureus Steindachner.
AB  - Sex ratios from 62 single-pair matings of normal broodstock O. aureus were highly
      heterogeneous with an overall deficit of males (41.4%). Peaks in the sex ratio
      frequency distribution occurred at 1?1, 3?5 and 1?3 (male?female). Hybridisation
      of O. aureus with O. mossambicus, O. spilums and O. niloticus produced highly
      variable sex ratios, suggesting a complexity of hybrid sex determination. Few
      valid inferences could be made regarding intraspecific sex determination from
      these hybrid data. Sex ratios from progeny testing of sex-reversed males (1?3)
      and most sex-reversed females (1?0) provide evidence for female heterogamety in
      O. aureus. Several aberrant ratios observed suggest Mendelian inheritance of an
      autosomal recessive gene (F,f), epistatic to the major sex-determining gene
      (W,Z). Sex ratios of triploids and gynogens support the hypothesis of
      recombination between the centromere and the major sex-determining locus. Progeny
      testing of a female mitogyne demonstrated the viability of a novel WW
      "superfemale", which gave only female offspring. Not all data could be explained
      by a two-factor model of sex determination. Further exceptional sex ratios may be
      accounted for by rare autosomal or environmental sex-modifying factors. It is
      concluded that O. aureus has a multifactorial mechanism of sex determination with
      the underlying primary mechanism of female heterogamety. 

PMID- 24213060
TI  - Stable transformation of Sorghum bicolor protoplasts with chimeric neomycin
      phosphotransferase II and beta-glucuronidase genes.
AB  - Parameters influencing the stable transformation of Sorghum bicolor protoplasts
      with a chimeric neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) gene by electroporation
      were investigated. The mean number of kanamycin-resistant calli produced
      increased in direct proportion to the concentration of DNA used for
      transformation. Linearization of the plasmid doubled the mean number of kanamycin
      resistant calli produced, while the addition of carrier DNA had no effect. The
      copy number (1-4) of integrated genes was low compared with that frequently
      reported for PEG-mediated transformation. Two strategies for transforming
      protoplasts with a nonselectable, beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene were compared.
      One utilized a plasmid containing a CaMV 35S-NPT II gene covalently linked to a
      CaMV 35S-GUS gene, and the other strategy utilized the two genes on separate
      plasmids. DNA from all 77 kanamycin-resistant calli analyzed contained
      restriction fragments hybridizing to the NPT II probe; approximately 70% of the
      clones from all transformation treatments contained a 1.7-kb EcoRI/HindIII
      restriction fragment corresponding to the full-length gene. Of the kanamycin
      resistant calli, 38-63% (depending on the transformation treatment) contained GUS
      hybridizing fragments, and 8-19% contained the full-length gene. The addition of
      NPT II and GUS genes on a single plasmid or on separate plasmids did not appear
      to lead to an appreciable difference in the frequency of cointegration of these
      genes, although an increased proportion of the plasmid bearing the nonselectable
      (GUS) gene appeared to favor its cointegration. 

PMID- 24213061
TI  - Gene flow in an almond orchard.
AB  - Gene flow by pollen between trees is essential for nut set in commercial almond
      orchards, due to the self-incompatibility of almond cultivars used. A study of
      gene flow has been carried out in an orchard composed of single rows of a
      "pollinating" cultivar between every double row of the most commercially
      desirable cultivar, Nonpareil. This "two-to-one" planting pattern was repeated
      throughout the orchard, and several "pollinating" cultivars were used in various
      parts of the orchard in an attempt to provide flowers for cross-pollination with
      Nonpareil at all stages of flowering of the latter. Using isozyme markers GPI-2,
      LAP-1, AAT-1, PGM-1, and PGM-2 and three newly-defined isozyme markers for almond
      - IDH, G6PD, and SDH - it has been shown that the gene flow resulting in nut set
      is quite restricted, taking place most strongly between neighboring halves of
      cross-compatibile pairs of trees. Even that half of a tree facing away from the
      "pollinating" tree has significantly less gene flow to it, while the next tree
      further on has few nuts set by fertilization from the "pollinating" tree under
      consideration. This result is surprising considering the comparatively large
      distances that the honeybee brought into the orchard in large numbers must travel
      within the orchard. To explain this apparent paradox and the observation that in
      most cases only a small proportion (<20%) of flowers set nuts, it is suggested
      that the honeybee predominantly visits only one cultivar, flying along the row of
      the cultivar to do so, and that cross-pollination results from accidental or rare
      visits involving two or more compatible cultivars. 

PMID- 24213062
TI  - RFLP-based genetic map of rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosome 1R.
AB  - A map of chromosome 1R of rye was constructed using 16 molecular and biochemical
      loci. From long arm to short arm, known-function loci were placed in the order:
      XAdh - XLee - Glu-R1[Sec-3] - XPpdk-1R - XEm-1R-1 - XEm-1R-2 - Centromere - XNor
      R1 -Gpi-R1 - XGli-R1 [Sec-1a] along with six anonymous genomic and cDNA clones
      from wheat. The map, which spans 106 cM with 12 loci clustered in a 15-cM region
      around the centromere, shows reasonably good agreement with previously published
      maps for the centromeric region, whereas the XNor-R1 - Gpi-R1 region gives a much
      larger distance than previously reported. 

PMID- 24213063
TI  - RFLP analysis of nuclear DNAs homologous with mitochondrial plasmid-like DNAs in
      cultivated rice.
AB  - B1 and B2 are small, circular, mitochondrial plasmid-like DNAs found in male
      sterile cytoplasm (cms-Bo) of rice. In this study, nuclear sequences homologous
      to these DNAs were investigated among a number of rice cultivars. Several copies
      of nuclear B1-and B2-homologous sequences were detected in all examined
      cultivars, regardless of the presence or absence of the B1 and B2 DNAs in
      mitochondria, indicating that the existence of the B1- and B2-homologous
      sequences in the rice nuclear genome was widespread. A restriction fragment
      length polymorphism (RFLP) was detected for both sequences, and we propose that
      these DNAs could be useful RFLP markers for the rice nuclear genome. To analyze
      these nuclear homologues genetically, segregation analysis of the RFLP was
      carried out in the F2 progenies of an Indica-Japonica rice hybrid. Of the B1
      homologues, there were two nonallelic fragments, one specific to the Indica
      parent and the other to the Japonica. These results indicate that the B1 and B2
      homologues were dispersed in the nuclear genome. The integration of B1-homologous
      DNA into the nuclear DNA may have occurred independently after sexual isolation
      of the Indica and Japonica rice varietal groups, or a intranuclear transposition
      of these sequences took place during the process of rice differentiation into the
      varietal groups. 

PMID- 24213064
TI  - Genetic variation in somatic embryogenic response in open-pollinated families of
      black spruce.
AB  - Zygotic embryos from open-pollinated seeds of 20 black spruce (Picea mariana)
      families were used to investigate the proportion of genotypes that would give
      rise to embryogenic tissue (ET) and mature somatic embryos. Eighty-five percent
      of the maternal genotypes gave rise to embryogenic tissue. Within-family rates of
      ET induction ranged from 0 to 17%, with an average of 8%. The largest proportion
      of variation was among families, indicating the additive nature of the genetic
      variation. On a medium with 6% sucrose and 3.7 MUM ABA, 90% of the embryogenic
      lines gave rise to abundant (>100/100 mg of ET), well-formed, mature somatic
      embryos. A medium with 2% sucrose, without 2,4-D, was used to germinate the
      mature somatic embryos. These were grown in the greenhouse and have now been
      established in field trials. 

PMID- 24213065
TI  - Plant cells selected for resistance to phosphate starvation show enhanced P use
      efficiency.
AB  - In many organisms, phosphate starvation induces multigene systems that act to
      increase the availability and uptake of exogenous phosphates. Tissue-cultured
      tomato cells were plated onto solid media containing starvation levels of
      phosphate. While most cells died, we identified isolated clumps of callus capable
      of near-normal rates of growth. Starvation-resistant cells were used to start
      suspension cultures that were kept under phosphate starvation conditions. A
      selected cell line showed constitutively enhanced secretion of acid phosphatase
      and greatly increased rates of phosphate uptake. These pleiotropic effects
      suggest modification of a regulatory apparatus that controls coordinated changes
      in the expression of a multigene system. The somaclonal variant cell line grew
      normally under phosphate-sufficient conditions, but did significantly better than
      unselected cells under phosphate-limited conditions. In vitro selection may be a
      useful system for developing phosphate ultraefficient crop plants. 

PMID- 24213066
TI  - Isozyme and plastid DNA assessment of pedigrees of nineteenth century potato
      cultivars.
AB  - Isozyme and ctDNA RFLP patterns were determined for ten historically important
      potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosuni) in order to relate and
      confirm their pedigrees. Isozyme polymorphism was detected at 11 of 13 loci
      examined, whereas only T-type cytoplasm, the predominant ctDNA of S. tuberosum
      ssp. tuberosum, was observed. Isozyme analysis indicated that potato cultivars
      previously presumed to be derived from open-pollinated berries of Garnet Chili
      and Early Rose were in fact the result of hybridizations. In addition, putative
      pedigrees of Irish Cobbler, White Rose, and Bliss Triumph were not supported.
      Garnet Chili, the first derivative of Rough Purple Chili, carries allozmyes at
      Mdh-1 and Pgm-2, which supports the Chilean origin of Rough Purple Chili. The
      identical ctDNA pattern among the cultivars may indicate a common maternal
      lineage that traces through Garnet Chili to Rough Purple Chili. The allozyme
      frequencies estimated from these cultivars provide a base from which subsequent
      introductions of Solanum species into the ssp. tuberosum gene pool can be
      assessed. 

PMID- 24213067
TI  - Variability and uniformity of mitochondrial DNA in populations of putative
      diploid ancestors of common wheat.
AB  - By using restriction endonuclease digestion patterns, the degree of intraspecific
      polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA in four diploid species of wheat and Aegilops,
      Ae. speltoides, Ae. longissima, Ae. squarrosa, and Triticum monococcum, was
      assessed. The outbreeding Ae. speltoides was found to possess the highest degree
      of variability, the mean number of nucleotide substitutions among conspecific
      individuals being 0.027 substitutions per nucleotide site. A very low degree of
      mtDNA variation was detected among Ae. longissima accessions, with most of the
      enzyme-probe combinations exhibiting uniform hybridization patterns. The mean
      number of substitutions among Ae. longissima individuals was 0.001 substitutions
      per nucleotide site. The domesticated diploid wheat T. monococcum var. monococcum
      and its conspecific variant T. monococcum var. boeoticum seem to lack
      mitochondrial DNA variability altogether. Thus, the restriction fragment pattern
      can be used as a characteristic identifier of the T. monococcum cytoplasmic
      genome. Similarly, Ae. squarrosa accessions were found to be genetically uniform.
      A higher degree of variation among accessions is observed when noncoding
      sequences are used as probes then when adjacent coding regions are used. Thus,
      while noncoding regions may contain regulatory functions, they are subject to
      less stringent functional constraints than protein-coding regions. Intraspecific
      variation in mitochondrial DNA correlates perfectly with the nuclear variability
      detected by using protein electrophoretic characters. This correlation indicates
      that both types of variation are selectively neutral and are affected only by the
      effective population size. 

PMID- 24213068
TI  - Identification and mapping of polymorphisms in cereals based on the polymerase
      chain reaction.
AB  - The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used to detect polymorphisms in the
      length of amplified sequences between the annealing sites of two synthetic DNA
      primers. When the distance varies between two individuals then the banding
      pattern generated by the PCR reaction is essentially a genetic polymorphism and
      can be mapped in the same way as other genetic markers. This procedure has been
      used in a number of eukaryotes. Here we report the use of PCR to detect genetic
      polymorphisms in cereals. Known gene sequences can be used to design primers and
      detect polymorphic PCR products. This is demonstrated with primers to the alpha
      amylase gene family. A second approach is to use semi-random primers to target
      diverse regions of the genome. For this purpose the consensus sequences at the
      intron-exon splice junctions were used. The targeting of the intronexon splice
      junctions in conjunction with primers of random and defined sequences, such as
      alpha-amylase, provides a source of extensive variation in PCR products. These
      polymorphisms can be mapped as standard genetic markers. 

PMID- 24213069
TI  - The nonlinearity of offspring-parent regression for total sternopleural bristle
      number of Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - A test of the linearity of the offspring-midparent regression for total
      sternopleural bristle number showed significant departure from linearity, with a
      tendency for higher heritability at higher values of the character. Offspring
      midparent regression coefficients for each of four subdivisions of the total
      range of bristle number were not significantly different. The nonlinearity of
      offspring-midparent regression detected in this study may be due to either chance
      effects, genotypic asymmetry of genes with large effect, distribution asymmetry,
      or a combination of these factors. Further work is required to determine the
      extent and causes of nonlinearity of offspring-parent regression. 

PMID- 24213070
TI  - Mating systems of Cuphea laminuligera and Cuphea lutea.
AB  - In this paper, the mating systems of experimental populations of C. laminuligera
      and C. lutea are described. Outcrossing rates (t) were estimated for four
      populations of C. laminuligera and three populations of C. lutea using allozyme
      phenotypes of open-pollinated individual plant families. Populations were grown
      at densities of 1.0 * 1.0 m (low) and 0.04 * 0.3 m (high). Pollen and ovule
      frequencies and single locus and multilocus outcrossing rates were estimated for
      each population using the mixed-mating model. Multilocus estimates of t ranged
      from 0.83 to 0.98 and 1.00 to 1.01 for low and high density populations of C.
      laminuligera, respectively, and 0.17 to 0.26 and 0.36 to 0.54 for low and high
      density populations of C. lutea, respectively. C. laminuligera is predominantly
      allogamous; however, selfing rates as great as 17% were observed for this
      species. C. lutea is predominantly autogamous, but outcrossing rates as great as
      54% were observed for this species. Outcrossing rates increased as density
      increased within C. lutea populations. 

PMID- 24213071
TI  - General features of chromosome substitutions in Triticum aestivum x T.
      timopheevii hybrids.
AB  - Based on a C-banded chromosome analysis of Triticum aestivum x T. timopheevii
      hybrid lines, we developed a classification of the A(t) and G genome chromosomes
      that agrees with the standard genetic nomenclature of T. aestivum chromosomes.
      Transfer of genetic material from T. timopheevii to T. aestivum involved complete
      chromosomes, chromosome arms, or segments. Frequencies of chromosome substitution
      were highest for homoeologous group 2 and lowest for group 4. Moreover, B(G)
      substitutions were frequent compared to A(A(t)). The pattern of chromosome
      substitutions and rearrangements were unequal and depended on the genotype of the
      parental T. aestivum cultivar. 

PMID- 24213072
TI  - Prediction of progeny variation in oat from parental genetic relationships.
AB  - The ability to predict agronomic performance of progeny from a cross would be a
      great benefit to plant breeders in selecting parents. The predictive value of
      parental genetic relationships estimating F1 progeny means and F4 family
      variances of nine argronomic traits was tested in 76 oat crosses, using genetic
      distance measures based on coefficients-of-parentage, quantitatively inherited
      morphological characters, and discretely inherited biochemical and morphological
      characters. Coefficients-of-parentage were better predictors of F1 performance
      than similarity measures derived from plant morphology or discretely inherited
      characters. Combined distance measures were better estimators of F1 specific
      combining ability (SCA) effects than any single measure. Among cultivars of
      similar adaptation and quantitative morphology, crosses between parents with high
      coefficients-of-parentage gave higher SCA effect values than crosses of distantly
      related parents for grain yield and total biomass. The opposite was found for
      crosses among cultivars of different adaptation or quantitative morphology. The
      best predictor of trait variances among F4 families was coefficients-of
      parentage. Crosses between more distantly related parents produced larger
      variances among families than crosses between closely related parents for plant
      biomass. For grain yield, test weight, heading date, grain filling period, and
      maturity date, crosses between more closely related parents produced larger among
      family variances than crosses of distantly related parents. Crosses between more
      distantly related parents involved at least one parent unadapted to central New
      York, and resulted in most of the progeny being generally unadapted. This, in
      part, may account for the low genetic variances for heading date, test weight,
      and grain yield in crosses of distantly related parents. 

PMID- 24213073
TI  - Inheritance of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA in Picea and composition of
      hybrids from introgression zones.
AB  - The cloning of white spruce (Picea glauca) mitochondrial DNA homologous to the
      cytochrome oxidase II and ATPasealpha genes of maize is described. These probes
      were used to define restriction fragment length polymorphisms which distinguish
      the white, Engelmann (P. engelmannii) and Sitka spruce (P. sitchensis)
      populations that occur in British Columbia. Analysis of progeny from crosses
      between the species revealed that mitochondrial DNA was maternally inherited in
      all cases (32 progeny from five independent crosses). The inheritance of
      chloroplast DNA was determined using a probe described previously; in this case,
      all progeny exhibited paternal inheritance (27 progeny from four crosses).
      Mitochondrial and chloroplast probes were used to test trees from zones of
      introgression between coastal (Sitka) and interior spruces (white and Engelmann).
      In most cases mitochondria and chloroplasts within individuals were contributed
      by different species. The data shows that there is a significant Sitka spruce
      component in trees east of the coastal watershed in British Columbia. 

PMID- 24213074
TI  - The impact of domestication on the genetic variability in the orange carrot,
      cultivated Daucus carota ssp. sativus and the genetic homogeneity of various
      cultivars.
AB  - Isozyme analysis of wild and domesticated accessions indicated that domestication
      of the cultivated carrot Daucus carota ssp. sativus resulted in an insignificant
      reduction of all genetic variability and genetic distance estimates. Although
      they are less variable genetically, cultivated forms maintain a high proportion
      of observed heterozygosity. Relative to the overall genetic variability of the
      species, samples from four common cultivars 'Red Cored Chantenay', 'Scarlet
      Nantes', 'Danvers Half Long' and 'A Plus' demonstrated a high degree of genetic
      similarity. This is attributed to the recent development of orange cultivars and
      the limited gene pool utilized in their development. 

PMID- 24213075
TI  - Alteration of reproductive effort by a monogenic, recessive mutation in jute
      (Corchorus capsularis L.).
AB  - Reproductive effort (RE) of a day-length neutral mutant TCJ-5, its parent, and
      two other cultivars of jute (Corchorus capsularis) was estimated as reproductive
      biomass/aerial biomass. Plant height at flowering and aerial biomass were
      significantly higher in the mutant, while the reproductive biomass at 55 days
      after flowering was statistically equal. Therefore, the estimated RE was
      significantly lower in the mutant compared to the parent and other cultivars. The
      lower RE of the mutant was due to delayed initiation of flowering and additional
      vegetative growth in this period. The results show alteration of RE by a
      recessive mutation. 

PMID- 24213076
TI  - Reverse microemulsion-mediated synthesis of Bi2S3-QD@SiO2-PEG for dual modal CT
      fluorescence imaging in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Monodispersed Bi2S3-QD@SiO2-PEG nanoparticles are prepared by a one-pot method in
      a reverse microemulsion system, which exhibited remarkable performances in CT and
      fluorescence imaging in vitro and in vivo. 

PMID- 24213077
TI  - Alcohol-related presentations to the emergency department among young people:
      some concerns.

PMID- 24213079
TI  - Urine assessment in the critically ill: a matter of both quantity and quality.

PMID- 24213080
TI  - Implementing sedation protocols: closing the evidence-practice gap.

PMID- 24213081
TI  - The implementation of an analgesia-based sedation protocol reduced deep sedation
      and proved to be safe and feasible in patients on mechanical ventilation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Deep sedation in critically ill patients is associated with a
      longer duration of mechanical ventilation and a prolonged length of stay in the
      intensive care unit. Several protocols have been used to improve these outcomes.
      We implement and evaluate an analgesia-based, goal-directed, nurse-driven
      sedation protocol used to treat critically ill patients who receive mechanical
      ventilation. METHODS: We performed a prospective, two-phase (before-after), non
      randomized multicenter study that involved 13 intensive care units in Chile.
      After an observational phase (observational group, n=155), we designed,
      implemented and evaluated an analgesia-based, goal-directed, nurse-driven
      sedation protocol (intervention group, n=132) to treat patients who required
      mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. The primary outcome was to achieve
      ventilator-free days by day 28. RESULTS: The proportion of patients in deep
      sedation or in a coma decreased from 55.2% to 44.0% in the interventional group.
      Agitation did not change between the periods and remained approximately 7%.
      Ventilator-free days to day 28, length of stay in the intensive care unit and
      mortality were similar in both groups. At one year, post-traumatic stress
      disorder symptoms in survivors were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We
      designed and implemented an analgesia-based, goal-directed, nurse-driven sedation
      protocol in Chile. Although there was no improvement in major outcomes, we
      observed that the present protocol was safe and feasible and that it resulted in
      decreased periods of deep sedation without increasing agitation.

PMID- 24213082
TI  - Urinary strong ion difference is a major determinant of plasma chloride
      concentration changes in postoperative patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To show that alterations in the plasma chloride concentration ([Cl
      ]plasma) during the postoperative period are largely dependent on the urinary
      strong ion difference ([SID]urine=[Na+]urine+[K+]urine-[Cl-]urine) and not on
      differences in fluid therapy. METHODS: Measurements were performed at intensive
      care unit admission and 24 hours later in a total of 148 postoperative patients.
      Patients were assigned into one of three groups according to the change in [Cl
      ]plasma at the 24 hours time point: increased [Cl-]plasma (n=39), decreased [Cl
      ]plasma (n=56) or unchanged [Cl-]plasma (n=53). RESULTS: On admission, the
      increased [Cl-]plasma group had a lower [Cl-]plasma (105 +/- 5 versus 109 +/- 4
      and 106 +/- 3 mmol/L, p<0.05), a higher plasma anion gap concentration
      ([AG]plasma) and a higher strong ion gap concentration ([SIG]). After 24 hours,
      the increased [Cl-]plasma group showed a higher [Cl-]plasma (111 +/- 4 versus 104
      +/- 4 and 107 +/- 3 mmol/L, p<0.05) and lower [AG]plasma and [SIG]. The volume
      and [SID] of administered fluids were similar between groups except that the
      [SID]urine was higher (38 +/- 37 versus 18 +/- 22 and 23 +/- 18 mmol/L, p<0.05)
      in the increased [Cl-]plasma group at the 24 hours time point. A multiple linear
      regression analysis showed that the [Cl-]plasma on admission and [SID]urine were
      independent predictors of the variation in [Cl-]plasma 24 hours later.
      CONCLUSIONS: Changes in [Cl-]plasma during the first postoperative day were
      largely related to [SID]urine and [Cl-]plasma on admission and not to the
      characteristics of the infused fluids. Therefore, decreasing [SID]urine could be
      a major mechanism for preventing the development of saline-induced
      hyperchloremia.

PMID- 24213083
TI  - Anion gap corrected for albumin, phosphate and lactate is a good predictor of
      strong ion gap in critically ill patients: a nested cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Corrected anion gap and strong ion gap are commonly used to estimate
      unmeasured anions. We evaluated the performance of the anion gap corrected for
      albumin, phosphate and lactate in predicting strong ion gap in a mixed population
      of critically ill patients. We hypothesized that anion gap corrected for albumin,
      phosphate and lactate would be a good predictor of strong ion gap, independent of
      the presence of metabolic acidosis. In addition, we evaluated the impact of
      strong ion gap at admission on hospital mortality. METHODS: We included 84
      critically ill patients. Correlation and agreement between the anion gap
      corrected for albumin, phosphate and lactate and strong ion gap was evaluated by
      the Pearson correlation test, linear regression, a Bland-Altman plot and
      calculating interclass correlation coefficient. Two subgroup analyses were
      performed: one in patients with base-excess <-2 mEq/L (low BE group - lBE) and
      the other in patients with base-excess >-2 mEq/L (high BE group - hBE). A
      logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between admission
      strong ion gap levels and hospital mortality. RESULTS: There was a very strong
      correlation and a good agreement between anion gap corrected for albumin,
      phosphate and lactate and strong ion gap in the general population (r2=0.94; bias
      1.40; limits of agreement -0.75 to 3.57). Correlation was also high in the lBE
      group (r2=0.94) and in the hBE group (r2=0.92). High levels of strong ion gap
      were present in 66% of the whole population and 42% of the cases in the hBE
      group. Strong ion gap was not associated with hospital mortality by logistic
      regression. CONCLUSION: Anion gap corrected for albumin, phosphate and lactate
      and strong ion gap have an excellent correlation. Unmeasured anions are
      frequently elevated in critically ill patients with normal base-excess. However,
      there was no association between unmeasured anions and hospital mortality.

PMID- 24213084
TI  - Association between the rapid shallow breathing index and extubation success in
      patients with traumatic brain injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the rapid shallow breathing
      index and successful extubation in patients with traumatic brain injury. METHODS:
      This study was a prospective study conducted in patients with traumatic brain
      injury of both genders who underwent mechanical ventilation for at least two days
      and who passed a spontaneous breathing trial. The minute volume and respiratory
      rate were measured using a ventilometer, and the data were used to calculate the
      rapid shallow breathing index (respiratory rate/tidal volume). The dependent
      variable was the extubation outcome: reintubation after up to 48 hours
      (extubation failure) or not (extubation success). The independent variable was
      the rapid shallow breathing index measured after a successful spontaneous
      breathing trial. RESULTS: The sample comprised 119 individuals, including 111
      (93.3%) males. The average age of the sample was 35.0 +/- 12.9 years old. The
      average duration of mechanical ventilation was 8.1 +/- 3.6 days. A total of 104
      (87.4%) participants achieved successful extubation. No association was found
      between the rapid shallow breathing index and extubation success. CONCLUSION: The
      rapid shallow breathing index was not associated with successful extubation in
      patients with traumatic brain injury.

PMID- 24213085
TI  - Functional and psychological features immediately after discharge from an
      intensive care unit: prospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the functional and psychological features of patients
      immediately after discharge from the intensive care unit. METHODS: Prospective
      cohort study. Questionnaires and scales assessing the degree of dependence and
      functional capacity (modified Barthel and Karnofsky scales) and psychological
      problems (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), in addition to the Epworth
      Sleepiness Scale, were administered during interviews conducted over the first
      week after intensive care unit discharge, to all survivors who had been admitted
      to this service from August to November 2012 and had remained longer than 72
      hours. RESULTS: The degree of dependence as measured by the modified Barthel
      scale increased after intensive care unit discharge compared with the data before
      admission (57 +/- 30 versus 47 +/- 36; p < 0.001) in all 79 participants. This
      impairment was homogeneous among all the categories in the modified Barthel scale
      (p < 0.001) in the 64 participants who were independent or partially dependent
      (Karnofsky score >= 40) before admission. The impairment affected the categories
      of personal hygiene (p = 0.01) and stair climbing (p = 0.04) only in the 15
      participants who were highly dependent (Karnofsky score < 40) before admission.
      Assessment of the psychological changes identified mood disorders (anxiety and/or
      depression) in 31% of the sample, whereas sleep disorders occurred in 43.3%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients who remained in an intensive care unit for 72 hours or
      longer exhibited a reduced functional capacity and an increased degree of
      dependence during the first week after intensive care unit discharge. In
      addition, the incidence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep disorders was
      high among that population.

PMID- 24213086
TI  - Nursing workload in public and private intensive care units.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study sought to compare patients at public and private intensive
      care units according to the nursing workload and interventions provided. METHODS:
      This retrospective, comparative cohort study included 600 patients admitted to 4
      intensive care units in Sao Paulo. The nursing workload and interventions were
      assessed using the Nursing Activities Score during the first and last 24 hours of
      the patient's stay at the intensive care unit. Pearson's chi-square test,
      Fisher's exact test, the Mann-Whitney test, and Student's t test were used to
      compare the patient groups. RESULTS: The average Nursing Activities Score upon
      admission to the intensive care unit was 61.9, with a score of 52.8 upon
      discharge. Significant differences were found among the patients at public and
      private intensive care units relative to the average Nursing Activities Score
      upon admission, as well as for 12 out of 23 nursing interventions performed
      during the first 24 hours of stay at the intensive care units. The patients at
      the public intensive care units exhibited a higher average score and overall more
      frequent nursing interventions, with the exception of those involved in the "care
      of drains", "mobilization and positioning", and "intravenous hyperalimentation".
      The groups also differed with regard to the evolution of the Nursing Activities
      Score among the total case series as well as the groups of survivors from the
      time of admission to discharge from the intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: Patients
      admitted to public and private intensive care units exhibit differences in their
      nursing care demands, which may help managers with nursing manpower planning.

PMID- 24213087
TI  - Correlation of the EuroSCORE with the onset of postoperative acute kidney injury
      in cardiac surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the correlation between the
      European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) score and the
      risk of developing acute kidney injury in cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: This
      retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital on consecutive cardiac
      surgery patients (e.g., valvular, ischemic and congenital heart diseases) between
      October 2010 and July 2011. RESULTS: One hundred patients were assessed. Among
      the 100 patients, six were excluded, including five because of prior kidney
      disease or dialysis therapy and one because of incomplete medical records. The
      primary surgical indications were myocardial revascularization in 55 patients
      (58.5% of cases) and valve replacement in 28 patients (29.8%). According to the
      EuroSCORE, 55 patients were classified as high risk (58.5%), 27 patients as
      medium risk (28.7%) and 12 patients as low risk (12.8%). In the postoperative
      period, patients were classified with the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss and End
      stage kidney disease (RIFLE) score. Among the 31 patients (33%) who displayed an
      increase in serum creatinine, 18 patients (19.1%) were classified as RIFLE "R"
      (risk), seven patients (7.4%) were classified as RIFLE "I" (injury) and six
      patients (6.5%) were classified as RIFLE "F" (failure). Among the patients who
      were considered to be high risk according to the EuroSCORE criteria, 24 patients
      (43.6%) showed acute kidney injury. Among the patients who were classified as
      medium or low risk, acute kidney injury occurred in 18.5 and 16.6% of the cases,
      respectively. The correlations between risk stratification (low, medium and high)
      and the EuroSCORE and postoperative RIFLE scores were statistically significant
      (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: In the studied population, there was a statistically
      significant correlation between the EuroSCORE and the risk of developing acute
      kidney injury in the postoperative period after cardiac surgery.

PMID- 24213088
TI  - Healthcare associated infections caused by coagulase-negative Staphylococci in a
      neonatal intensive care unit.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate infections related to health care caused
      by coagulase-negative Staphylococci in a neonatal intensive care unit by
      assessing antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and potentially effective
      antibiotic regimens. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study
      performed on a case series of healthcare-associated infections, and the
      antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were evaluated. Newborns from other
      hospitals who were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in Rio de Janeiro
      between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2012, were studied. RESULTS: In total, 765
      patients were admitted, totaling 3,051 patient-days, and the incidence density of
      general infection was 18.9 per 1,000 patient-days. The rate of central venous
      catheter use was 71.6%, and the positive culture rate for all sites and all
      infections related to health care were 68.4%. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci
      were identified in 11 (19.2%) of 57 health care-related infections, and
      infections with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
      and Candida sp. constituted 5 cases each. Of the 11 cases of coagulase-negative
      Staphylococci, 10 (90.9%) were primary bloodstream infections. The sensitivity of
      the coagulase-negative Staphylococci isolates to vancomycin, clindamycin,
      ciprofloxacin, oxacillin and gentamycin was 100%, 81.8%, 72.7%, 27.2% and 22.2%,
      respectively. There were no deaths directly attributed to coagulase-negative
      Staphylococci infection. CONCLUSION: Coagulase-negative Staphylococci was the
      main agent identified in healthcare-associated infections, with low rates of
      infections related to central venous catheter. In hospitals with a high oxacillin
      resistance profile, similar to those included in this study, vancomycin may be
      used as an initial therapy, although clindamycin represents a viable alternative.

PMID- 24213089
TI  - Early nasal injury resulting from the use of nasal prongs in preterm infants with
      very low birth weight: a pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence of early-onset nasal injury in infants with
      very low birth weight and indication for noninvasive ventilation via nasal
      prongs. METHODS: A prospective case series of infants with gestational age <37
      weeks, weight <1.500 g and postnatal age <29 days. The patients were evaluated
      three times daily from the installation of nasal prongs to the 3rd day of use.
      The patients' clinical conditions and the device's characteristics and its
      application were analyzed. The initial analysis was descriptive, indicating the
      prevalence of nasal injury and factors associated with it. Categorical data were
      analyzed using the chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, and numerical data
      were analyzed using the t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Eighteen
      infants were included; 12 (with a gestational age of 29.8 +/- 3.1 weeks, birth
      weight of 1.070 +/- 194 g and a Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology - Perinatal
      Extension (SNAPPE) of 15.4 +/- 17.5) developed nasal injuries (injury group), and
      6 (with a gestational age of 28.0 +/- 1.9 weeks, weight of 1.003 +/- 317 g and
      SNAPPE of 26.2 +/- 7.5) showed no nasal injury (uninjured group). The injury
      group subjects were more often male (75% versus 17%), and their injuries appeared
      after an average of 18 hours, predominantly during the night (75%). CONCLUSION:
      The incidence of nasal injury in preterm infants who experienced noninvasive
      ventilation via nasal prongs was high, and a study of associated factors may be
      planned based on this pilot.

PMID- 24213090
TI  - Impact of renal replacement therapy on the respiratory function of patients under
      mechanical ventilation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the oxygenation behavior and ventilatory mechanics after
      hemodialysis in patients under ventilatory support. METHODS: The present study
      was performed in the general intensive care unit of a tertiary public hospital.
      Patients over 18 years of age under mechanical ventilation and in need of
      dialysis support were included. Each patient was submitted to 2 evaluations (pre-
      and post-dialysis) regarding the cardiovascular and ventilatory parameters, the
      ventilatory mechanics and a laboratory evaluation. RESULTS: Eighty patients with
      acute or chronic renal failure were included. The analysis of the ventilatory
      mechanics revealed a reduction in the plateau pressure and an increased static
      compliance after dialysis that was independent of a reduction in blood volume.
      The patients with acute renal failure also exhibited a reduction in peak pressure
      (p=0.024) and an increase in the dynamic compliance (p=0.026), whereas the
      patients with chronic renal failure exhibited an increase in the resistive
      pressure (p=0.046) and in the resistance of the respiratory system (p=0.044). The
      group of patients with no loss of blood volume after dialysis exhibited an
      increase in the resistive pressure (p=0.010) and in the resistance of the
      respiratory system (p=0.020), whereas the group with a loss of blood volume
      >2,000 mL exhibited a reduction in the peak pressure (p=0.027). No changes in the
      partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) or in the PaO2/the fraction
      of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio were observed. CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis was
      able to alter the mechanics of the respiratory system and specifically reduced
      the plateau pressure and increased the static compliance independent of a
      reduction in blood volume.

PMID- 24213091
TI  - Manual hyperinflation in airway clearance in pediatric patients: a systematic
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To perform an assessment of the available literature on manual
      hyperinflation as a respiratory physical therapy technique used in pediatric
      patients, with the main outcome of achieving airway clearance. METHODS: We
      reviewed articles included in the Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Literature
      on Health Sciences/Literatura Latino Americana e do Caribe em Ciencias da Saude),
      Cochrane Library, Medline (via Virtual Health Library and PubMed), SciELO
      (Scientific Electronic Library), and PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database)
      databases from 2002 to 2013 using the following search terms: "physiotherapy
      (techniques)", "respiratory therapy", "intensive care", and "airway clearance".
      The selected studies were classified according to the level of evidence and
      grades of recommendation (method of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based
      Medicine) by two examiners, while a third examiner repeated the search and
      analysis and checked the classification of the articles. RESULTS: Three articles
      were included for analysis, comprising 250 children (aged 0 to 16 years). The
      main diagnoses were acute respiratory failure, recovery following heart
      congenital disease and upper abdominal surgery, bone marrow transplantation,
      asthma, tracheal reconstruction, brain injury, airway injury, and heterogeneous
      lung diseases. The studies were classified as having a level of evidence 2C and
      grade of recommendation C. CONCLUSIONS: Manual hyperinflation appeared useful for
      airway clearance in the investigated population, although the evidence available
      in the literature remains insufficient. Therefore, controlled randomized studies
      are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of manual hyperinflation in
      pediatric patients. However, manual hyperinflation must be performed by trained
      physical therapists only.

PMID- 24213092
TI  - Implementation of a personalized workplace smoking cessation programme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Providing smoking cessation programmes through workplaces is an
      effective method of assisting employees to quit smoking; however, few employers
      provide such services, and achieving long-term success remains challenging. AIMS:
      To evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace-based tailored smoking cessation
      programme that combined telephone-based counselling with group behaviour therapy
      sessions in helping employees to quit. METHODS: A smoking cessation programme was
      offered to employees of a large corporation that is respons ible for the
      passenger rail network in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Two hundred and
      thirty participants enrolled in the programme, which offered telephone-based
      coaching and group sessions designed around cognitive behavioural therapy
      principles. One hundred and eight participants (47%) completed the 6 month follow
      up assessment. RESULTS: Of the estimated 2850 smokers in the organization, 8%
      (230) registered for the smoking cessation programme, with 77% (176)
      participating in telephone-based coaching and/or group sessions. Intention-to
      treat analysis indicated 22% of participants achieved 7 day point prevalence
      abstinence and 10% achieved 3 month prolonged abstinence at the 6 month follow
      up. Over 75% of those still smoking at follow-up reported intentions to quit in
      the next 6 months. Psychological distress was also significantly lower at 6 month
      follow-up. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the programme.
      CONCLUSIONS: The smoking cessation programme successfully assisted employees to
      quit smoking. Unique aspects of the programme such as continuity of care were
      valued by participants and may have contributed to the programme's success.

PMID- 24213093
TI  - Evaluation of a musculoskeletal training package for occupational health
      practitioners.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common cause of disability in
      the workplace. Despite this, there is known to be a wide variation in the
      assessment of MSDs by UK occupational health (OH) professionals. Therefore we
      developed a workshop, supported by a bespoke, on-line video, focussing on the
      assessment and management of MSDs. AIMS: To assess the impact of the training
      package on the knowledge, confidence and reported behaviour of attendees.
      METHODS: Workshops were held in two regional centres in England. Delegates
      completed a questionnaire on arrival to establish their baseline knowledge and
      confidence and again at the end of the training. A third questionnaire, with one
      reminder, was e-mailed to delegates 4 months following the workshops. RESULTS:
      Ninety-two OH professionals (77 nurses, 10 doctors and 5 'others') attended and
      more than 80% reported that they had no previous training in examining the upper
      or lower limb or in distinguishing specific from non-specific MSDs. Confidence
      among delegates in examination, diagnosis and management of MSDs improved after
      the workshop and these changes were sustained and remained statistically
      significant from baseline 4 months afterwards. Following the training, 79% (50)
      of delegates reported that they had shared the knowledge and skills acquired with
      their colleagues and 71% reported that they had used the examination techniques
      in their day-to-day practice. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a training package
      which resulted in improved knowledge among attendees and gave them confidence to
      use their skills in practice.

PMID- 24213094
TI  - How do GPs complete fit note comments?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 'fit note' was introduced in the UK in April 2010, to facilitate
      return to work (RTW). However, no research to date has reported on how general
      practitioners (GPs) complete the comments section of the fit note. AIMS: To
      investigate the content of GPs' comments in a sample of actual fit notes.
      METHODS: Data were collected in a service evaluation of fit notes issued by a
      regular general practice and those issued by a fit for work service (FFWS), where
      the fit notes for patients using the service are signed by GPs who have completed
      or are studying for a Diploma in Occupational Medicine. Content analysis was
      conducted on the fit note comments. RESULTS: There were 1212 fit notes available
      for analysis. Seven hundred and twelve were issued by the general practice and
      500 by the FFWS. The FFWS made comments in 98% of those who may be fit and 90% of
      those not fit against 72% and 12%, respectively, for comments by the general
      practice. Fourteen different categories were identified in the comments. Most
      comments made some reference to RTW but few described the functional effects of
      the patient's condition. Comments frequently covered more than one category and
      appeared to be serving a number of different purposes. CONCLUSIONS: There was a
      wide variety in how the comments section was completed, and GPs were not
      completing the fit note as intended. The information provided may require
      improvement if it is to be useful to employers.

PMID- 24213095
TI  - Under reporting of road traffic injuries in the district of Kandy, Sri Lanka.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To conduct a community survey to estimate the degree to which road
      traffic injuries (RTIs) are under reported and to compare the characteristics of
      RTI reported to the police to those not reported. DESIGN: A cross-sectional
      population-based study. SETTING: Kandy district, Sri Lanka. PARTICIPANTS: RTIs
      and deaths during the preceding 12 months were identified through a community
      based cross-sectional survey with a sample size of 3080 households. A stratified
      multistage cluster sampling with population proportion to size was used. 'Events
      reported' to the police were cross checked against events in the police records
      of the given or adjacent police stations, and either were 'Events found' or 'Not
      found'. 'Under reported' included those 'Not reported' and those reported but
      'Not found' in the police dataset. RESULTS: Information about 11 724 persons were
      obtained from 3080 households, identifying 149 persons who suffered an RTI. Of
      these, 57% were 'Events reported', and of these 43.6% (n=65) were 'Events found'
      in police records (95% CI, 36.0 to 51.6). There were 42 events 'Not reported' to
      police while an additional 7 were 'Not found' in the police records of the given
      police station. Although they were claimed to have been reported to the police,
      33% (95% CI 25.8 to 40.7) were 'Under reported'. There were significant
      differences in age (p=0.02), family income (p<0.001), road user type (p=0.001),
      injury severity (p<0.001) and injury category (p=0.01) between 'Events found' in
      the police records and 'Under reported' events. CONCLUSIONS: In the Kandy
      district, 33% of RTIs were 'under reported'. These findings could be used as
      evidence for policy planning to prevent RTIs, and highlights the need for a
      nation-wide community-based survey to determine the true rates of RTI for a
      better understanding of the reasons for under reporting.

PMID- 24213096
TI  - Hyperuricemia is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction in
      postmenopausal women but not in premenopausal women.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between
      uric acid, endothelial function and cardiovascular risk factors and to
      investigate whether menopausal status was associated with the relationship
      between uric acid and endothelial function in women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional
      study. SETTING: 3 general hospitals in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: 749 Japanese women
      aged 30-74 years recruited from people who underwent health-screening
      examinations with agreement for measurement of vascular function. MEASURES: We
      measured serum concentrations of uric acid and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD).
      Percentage of FMD (peak diameter-baseline diameter/baseline diameter) was used
      for analysis. Endothelial dysfunction was defined as FMD <=4.90%, division point
      for the lowest tertile and the middle tertile of FMD. Menopause women were
      defined as participants without menstruation for over 1 year or participants with
      a history of hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy. RESULTS: Of the 749
      participants, 368 (49.1%) were premenopausal women and 381 (50.9%) were
      postmenopausal women. Age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total
      cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, estimated glomerular filtration rate and
      Framingham risk score were significantly correlated with serum uric acid level.
      FMD showed a gradual decrease in accordance with the serum uric acid level in the
      entire study population (<4 mg/dL, 6.85+/-3.65%; 4 to <5 mg/dL, 6.79+/-3.60%; 5
      to <6 mg/dL, 6.24+/-3.58%; >=6 mg/dL, 5.27+/-3.18%; p=0.01). Multivariate
      analysis revealed that uric acid was a significantly independent risk factor for
      endothelial dysfunction in postmenopausal women (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.50),
      but not in premenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that uric
      acid can be used as a risk marker of endothelial dysfunction in a female
      population, and particularly as an independent risk factor in postmenopausal
      women but not in premenopausal women. REGISTRATION NUMBER OF THE STUDY:
      UMIN000003409.

PMID- 24213097
TI  - Lymph node metastasis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer macroscopically
      confined to the ovary: review of a single-institution experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the patterns of lymphatic spread in epithelial ovarian
      cancer (EOC) macroscopically confined to the ovary and to determine risk factors
      for lymph node metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with clinically
      apparent stage IA/B/C EOCs who underwent staging surgery between January 2003 and
      February 2013 were retrospectively identified. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty
      six (n = 236) consecutive patients were operated for primary epithelial ovarian
      carcinoma. Sixty-two of these patients (26.2 %) who underwent a comprehensive
      staging procedure including pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy were diagnosed
      with tumors confined to one or two ovaries (stage IA/B/C). Of these 62 patients,
      17 (27.4 %) had upstaged disease and 8 (12.9 %) had lymph node metastasis. Tumor
      histology was serous in 25 patients (40.3 %), mucinous in 23 patients (37 %),
      endometrioid in 9 patients (14.5 %), and clear cell in 5 patients (8 %). Positive
      lymph node status was found in 20 % (5/25) of those with serous histology while
      this rate was only 8.1 % (3/37) in those with non-serous disease. Although the
      presence of ascites was not associated with an increased risk of lymph node
      involvement (p = 0.24), positive peritoneal cytology (p = 0.001) and grade 3
      disease (p = 0.001) were significant predictors of lymph node involvement.
      CONCLUSION: All patients diagnosed with EOC macroscopically confined to the ovary
      should be considered for comprehensive staging surgery including pelvic and
      paraaortic lymphadenectomy.

PMID- 24213098
TI  - Emergency peripartum hysterectomy: our 12-year experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, indications and
      the risk factors and complications of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH).
      METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively 44 cases of EPH performed at tertiary
      obstetric center between January 2001 and April 2013. Data related to
      demographics, reproductive histories, indications for EPH, and postoperative
      follow-up were obtained by analyses of hospital records. RESULTS: The overall
      incidence of EPH was 0.48 per 1,000 deliveries during the study period. The most
      common indications of EPH were abnormal placentation (50 %), uterine atony (36 %)
      and uterine rupture (9 %). All patients who underwent EPH with abnormal
      placentation had one or more previous cesarean sections (CS) except one. In our
      series, 24 cases (54 %) underwent total hysterectomy, most of which had the
      diagnosis of abnormal placentation (75 %), whereas subtotal hysterectomy was the
      choice of management of bleeding in cases with uterine atony (60 %). Maternal
      mortality was seen in 2 patients (4.5 %). The causes were disseminated
      intravascular coagulation in one and adult respiratory distress syndrome in the
      other patient. Perinatal mortality was observed in 7 patients (16 %). The causes
      for perinatal mortality were placental abruption in 4 and prematurity in 3
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, abnormal placentation was the most common
      indication for EPH. The risk factors for EPH were previous CS for abnormal
      placentation and placental abruption for uterine atony and peripartum hemorrhage.
      Limiting the number of CS deliveries would bring a significant impact on
      decreasing the risk of EPH.

PMID- 24213099
TI  - Natural populations of bacteria in Lake Kinneret: Observations with scanning
      electron and epifluorescence microscopy.
AB  - The bacterioplankton assemblage in Lake Kinneret, Israel, sampled on 6 occasions
      representative of different seasonal conditions was studied with scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM) and epifluorescence microscopy after acridine-orange
      staining. In near-surface (1-3 m) samples taken in October 1981 and March 1983,
      several unusual types of budding, appendaged, and filamentous cells were found.
      During lake stratification, typical large anaerobic forms (including
      photosynthetic green sulphur bacteria) were observed in samples from the
      metalimnion and deep (40 m) hypolimnion. Epifluorescence counts indicated that
      bacteria in the water column ranged from 0.55 to 2.67 * 10(6) cells ml(-1). 

PMID- 24213100
TI  - Bacterial growth on dissolved organic carbon from a blackwater river.
AB  - Different nominal molecular weight (nMW) fractions of DOC from a southeastern
      blackwater river were concentrated by ultrafiltration and added to sieved river
      water to assess each fraction's ability to stimulate bacterial growth. Bacterial
      growth was measured using change in bacterial biomass from direct counts and
      using(3)H-thymidine incorporated into DNA. Bacterial growth and amount of DOC
      used was greatest in the low MW enrichment (< 1,000 nMW) and least in the
      intermediate MW enrichment (1,000-10,000 nMW). The high MW fraction (> 10,000
      nMW) supported more growth than did the intermediate MW fraction, apparently
      because of lower MW compounds complexed with a high MW refractory core. The low
      MW fraction of DOC from a clearwater mountain stream, a boreal blackwater river,
      and leachate from water oak and willow leaves also stimulated more bacterial
      growth than did other fractions. However, the high MW DOC from these other
      sources was not as biologically available as high MW DOC from a blackwater river.
      Bacteria converted blackwater river DOC to bacterial biomass with an efficiency
      of 31%. Bacteria produced at the expense of abundant riverine DOC provide a
      trophic resource for protozoa and higher levels of the microbial food web of a
      blackwater river. 

PMID- 24213101
TI  - A mathematical model for the growth of bacterial microcolonies on marine
      sediment.
AB  - Counts of bacterial microcolonies attached to deep-sea sediment particles showed
      4-, 8-, 16-, and 32-celled microcolonies to be very rare. This was investigated
      with a mathematical model in which microcolonies grew from single cells at a
      constant growth rate (MU), detached from particles at constant rate (lambda), and
      reattached as single cells. Terms for attachment of foreign bacteria (a) and
      death of single cells (d) were also included. The best method of fitting the
      model to the microcolony counts was a weighted least-squares approach by
      whichlambda(0.83 hour(-1)) was estimated to be about 20 times greater
      thanMU(0.038 hour(-1)). This showed that the bacteria were very mobile between
      sediment particles and this mobility was explained in terms of attachment by
      reversible sorption. The implications of the results for the frequency of
      dividing cell method for estimating growth rates of sediment bacteria are
      discussed. The ratio oflambda andMU was found to be very robust both in terms of
      the errors associated with the microcolony counts and the range of microcolony
      sizes used to obtain the solution. 

PMID- 24213102
TI  - Degradation of substituted thiophenes by bacteria isolated from activated sludge.
AB  - Actinomycetes were isolated from activated sludge acclimated to thiophene-2
      carboxylic acid (T2C) or 5-methyl-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (T5M2C). These
      isolates were apparently identical and were identified as strains ofRhodococcus.
      The strains could grow on T2C, T5M2C, or thiophene-2-acetic acid as sole sources
      of carbon and energy, but could not use thiophene, methyl thiophenes, several
      other substituted thiophenes, dibenzothiophene, dimethyl sulfide, or pyrrole-2
      carboxylic acid. T2C was degraded quantitatively to sulfate, and its carbon was
      converted almost entirely to cell biomass and carbon dioxide. Growth yields
      indicated about 25% conversion of T2C-carbon to cell-carbon. Growth was not
      supported by thiosulfate or methionine, nor were these compounds
      oxidized.Rhodococcus strain TTD-1 grown on T2C oxidized both T2C and T5M2C with
      an apparent Km of 1.3*10(-5) M. Sulfide was also oxidized by T2C-grown organisms.
      This is the first demonstration of an actinomycete capable of the complete
      degradation of thiophene derivatives and of their use by it as sole substrates
      for growth. 

PMID- 24213103
TI  - Viability of soil bacteria: Optimization of plate-counting technique and
      comparison between total counts and plate counts within different size groups.
AB  - Viable counts of heterotropic soil bacteria were 3-5 times higher on low-nutrient
      agar media compared with a series of conventional agar media. Substantial amounts
      of monosaccharides and amino acids were present in solid media made from
      distilled water and agar powder, and a salt-solution agar medium (without organic
      substrates added) gave practically the same colony counts as the low nutrient
      soil extract agar medium. MPN values were comparable to or lower than plate
      counts. A search for slow-growing cells in the negative MPN tubes by fluorescence
      microscopical examination after 3 months incubation was negative.The viable
      counts were 2-4% of the total microscopical counts in different soils. Assuming
      that the colony-forming cells did not derive from the numerous "dwarf" cells
      present in soil, a calculated percent viability of the larger cells was about
      10%. The ecological significance of the plate-counting technique is discussed. 

PMID- 24213104
TI  - Seasonal variations in abundance and activity of nitrifiers in four arable
      cropping systems.
AB  - Ammonium and nitrite oxidizers were counted with the most probable number (MPN)
      method and potential ammonium- and nitrite-oxidation rates were determined with a
      chlorate inhibition technique in an arable soil over a 3-year period. Samples
      were taken from the topsoil once a month for 2 years and a few times during a
      third year in four cropping systems: unfertilized lucerne ley and barley, and
      nitrate fertilized grass ley and barley. The distribution of nitrifiers was
      determined and their activities measured at various soil depths and between and
      within plant rows of fertilized barley.The numbers and activities of ammonium
      oxidizers were highest in the spring and autumn samples. Numbers of ammonium
      oxidizers ranged from 0.2 to 19*10(4) and nitrite oxidizers from 3 to 870*10(4)
      cells g(-1) dry soil. Potential ammonium-oxidizer activities ranged from 120 to
      1,060 and nitrite-oxidizer activities ranged from 280 to 680 ng N g(-1) dry soil
      hour(-1). Lucerne and grass leys generally showed the highest, whereas
      unfertilized barley had the lowest, abundances and activities.Abundance estimates
      and activities were 10-20 times higher in the plow layer than in underlying sand
      and clay layers. A strong correlation was found between organic matter content vs
      numbers and activities of both ammonium and nitrite oxidizers. Only nitrite
      oxidizer counts were significantly higher within plant rows compared to between
      plant rows. 

PMID- 24213105
TI  - Quantification of predatory and endoparasitic nematophagous fungi in soil.
AB  - Methods were developed to quantify predatory and endoparasitic fungi in soil. The
      methods were based on previously developed detection techniques and combined with
      a most probable number estimation. The methods were applied to an agricultural
      soil fertilized with farmyard manure. Large amounts of farmyard manure resulted
      in increased amounts of organic matter, numbers of propagules of predatory and
      endoparasitic fungi, and numbers of bacteria and nematodes. 

PMID- 24213106
TI  - The decline and fall of the art of teaching?

PMID- 24213107
TI  - DNA Methylation and the HOXC6 Paradox in Prostate Cancer.
AB  - Overexpression of the classical homeobox transcription factor HOXC6 is frequent
      in prostate cancers and correlates with adverse clinical parameters. Since
      surprisingly many HOXC6 target genes are downregulated in prostate cancer, it has
      been posited that oncogenic effects of HOXC6 in prostate cancer may be unmasked
      by concurrent epigenetic downregulation of target genes exerting tumor
      suppressive effects. To test this hypothesis, we have studied the expression of
      three HOXC6 target genes, CNTN1 (encoding a cell adhesion protein), DKK3 and WIF1
      (encoding WNT growth factor antagonists) as well as DNA methylation of DKK3 and
      WIF1. HOXC6 upregulation and association with poor prognosis were confirmed in
      our tissue series. The three target genes were each significantly downregulated
      in cancer tissues and expression of each one correlated inversely with that of
      HOXC6. Cases with lower WIF1 expression showed significantly earlier recurrence
      (p = 0.021), whereas no statistical significance was reached for CNTN1 and DKK3.
      Hypermethylation of DKK3 or WIF1 gene promoters was observed in a subset of
      cancers with downregulated expression, but was often weak. Our data support the
      hypothesis that HOXC6 target genes exerting tumor-suppressive effects are
      epigenetically downregulated in prostate cancer, but DNA methylation appears to
      follow or bolster rather than to cause their transcriptional inactivation. 

PMID- 24213108
TI  - Infiltration of m2 tumor-associated macrophages in oral squamous cell carcinoma
      correlates with tumor malignancy.
AB  - Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a major cellular component in the tumor
      microenvironment of many solid tumors. The functional competence of TAMs varies
      depending on the type of tumors and their respective microenvironments. The
      classically activated M1 macrophages exhibit antitumor functions, whereas the
      alternatively activated M2 macrophages exhibit protumor functions that contribute
      to tumor development and progression. Although TAMs have been detected in oral
      squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), little is known about their phenotype. In the
      present study, we performed an immunohistochemical analysis to identify TAMs in
      surgically resected specimens from 50 patients with OSCC and evaluated the
      relationship between infiltrated TAMs and the pathological grade of OSCC.
      Positive staining for CD163, which has been used as a marker for M2 macrophages,
      was observed in OSCC specimens, and the percentages of CD163+ cells were
      significantly increased based on the pathological grade. CD163+ cells were
      detected in the tumor stroma in grade I tumors, whereas an increase in the CD163+
      cells in the tumor nest was observed in higher grades of tumors. Although
      infiltrated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were detected in all pathological grades of
      OSCC, no correlation between the infiltrated T cells and the CD163+ TAMs was
      observed. These results indicate that the infiltrated TAMs in OSCC have an M2
      phenotype and that the M2 macrophages may participate in the development of OSCC.

PMID- 24213110
TI  - Inhibitory Effect of a gamma-Tocopherol-Rich Mixture of Tocopherols on the
      Formation and Growth of LNCaP Prostate Tumors in Immunodeficient Mice.
AB  - In the present study, we determined the effects of a gamma-tocopherol-rich
      mixture of tocopherols (gamma-TmT) on the growth and apoptosis of cultured human
      prostate cancer LNCaP cells. We also determined the effects of dietary gamma-TmT
      on the formation and growth of LNCaP tumors in immunodeficient mice. In the in
      vitro study, we found that the activity of gamma-TmT was stronger than alpha
      tocopherol for inhibiting the growth and stimulating apoptosis in LNCaP cells. In
      the animal study, treatment of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice with
      dietary gamma-TmT inhibited the formation and growth of LNCaP xenograft tumors in
      a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies showed that g-TmT administration
      inhibited proliferation as reflected by decreased mitosis and stimulated
      apoptosis as reflected by increased caspase-3 (active form) expression in LNCaP
      tumors. In addition, dietary administration of g-TmT increased the levels of a-,
      gamma- and delta- tocopherol in plasma, and increased levels of gamma- and delta-
      tocopherol were also observed in the prostate and in tumors. The present study
      demonstrated that g-TmT had strong anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo.
      Additional studies are needed to determine the potential preventive effect of g
      TmT for prostate cancer in humans. 

PMID- 24213109
TI  - Tumor-associated macrophages as incessant builders and destroyers of the cancer
      stroma.
AB  - Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAM) are key components of the reactive stroma of
      tumors. In most, although not all cancers, their presence is associated with poor
      patient prognosis. In addition to releasing cytokines and growth factors for
      tumor and endothelial cells, a distinguished feature of TAM is their high-rate
      degradation of the extra-cellular matrix. This incessant stroma remodelling
      favours the release of matrix-bound growth factors and promotes tumor cell
      motility and invasion. In addition, TAM produce matrix proteins, some of which
      are typical of the neoplastic tissues. The gene expression profile of TAM
      isolated from human tumors reveals a matrix-related signature with the up
      regulation of genes coding for different matrix proteins, as well as several
      proteolytic enzymes. Among ECM components are: osteopontin, osteoactivin,
      collagens and fibronectin, including also a truncated isoform of fibronectin
      termed migration stimulation factor. In addition to serve as structural proteins,
      these matrix components have key functions in the regulation of the vessel
      network, in the inductionof tumor cell motility and degradation of cellular
      debris. Among proteolytic enzymes are: matrix metalloproteases, cathepsins,
      lysosomal and ADAM proteases, and the urokinase-type plasminogen activator. The
      degrading activity of TAM, coupled to the production of bio-active ECM proteins,
      co-operate to the build-up and maintenance of an inflammatory micro-environment
      which eventually promotes tumor progression. 

PMID- 24213111
TI  - Biomarkers in prostate cancer epidemiology.
AB  - Understanding the etiology of a disease such as prostate cancer may help in
      identifying populations at high risk, timely intervention of the disease, and
      proper treatment. Biomarkers, along with exposure history and clinical data, are
      useful tools to achieve these goals. Individual risk and population incidence of
      prostate cancer result from the intervention of genetic susceptibility and
      exposure. Biochemical, epigenetic, genetic, and imaging biomarkers are used to
      identify people at high risk for developing prostate cancer. In cancer
      epidemiology, epigenetic biomarkers offer advantages over other types of
      biomarkers because they are expressed against a person's genetic background and
      environmental exposure, and because abnormal events occur early in cancer
      development, which includes several epigenetic alterations in cancer cells. This
      article describes different biomarkers that have potential use in studying the
      epidemiology of prostate cancer. We also discuss the characteristics of an ideal
      biomarker for prostate cancer, and technologies utilized for biomarker assays.
      Among epigenetic biomarkers, most reports indicate GSTP1 hypermethylation as the
      diagnostic marker for prostate cancer; however, NKX2-5, CLSTN1, SPOCK2, SLC16A12,
      DPYS, and NSE1 also have been reported to be regulated by methylation mechanisms
      in prostate cancer. Current challenges in utilization of biomarkers in prostate
      cancer diagnosis and epidemiologic studies and potential solutions also are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24213113
TI  - The Expression of MTUS1/ATIP and Its Major Isoforms, ATIP1 and ATIP3, in Human
      Prostate Cancer.
AB  - Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main effector of the renin angiotensin system, acts
      upon two distinct transmembrane receptors, the Ang II type 1 and the type 2 (AT2
      ) receptor, to induce promotion and inhibition of ERK2 phosphorylation. The AT2
      receptor, through an interaction with its putative signaling partner MTUS1/ATIP
      (AT2-receptor interacting protein), inhibits the mitogenic effects of EGF in
      prostate cancer cell lines representing both early and late stage disease. This
      is the first report on the expression of ATIP in normal and malignant human
      prostatic biopsies. The expression of ATIP and its major isoforms, ATIP1 and
      ATIP3, in normal prostatic cells and three prostate cancer cell lines was
      examined using QPCR and immunohistochemistry. Human biopsies containing benign
      prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia
      (HGPIN) and well, moderately and poorly differentiated prostate cancer were also
      examined. Overall, ATIP1 and ATIP3 mRNA expression was increased in malignant
      compared to normal tissues and cell lines. ATIP immunostaining was low or absent
      in both the basal and columnar epithelial cell layers surrounding BPH acini;
      however, it was observed in high concentration in neoplastic epithelial cells of
      HGPIN and was clearly evident in cytoplasms of malignant cells in all prostate
      cancer grades. ATIP immunostaining was also identified in the cytoplasms of LNCaP
      and PC3 prostate cancer cells. As the AT2-receptor/ATIP inhibitory signaling
      pathway exists in malignant cells in all grades of prostate cancer, enhancement
      of this pathway may be a therapeutic target even after the development of
      androgen-independence. 

PMID- 24213112
TI  - Combined hyperthermia and radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer.
AB  - Radiotherapy is used to treat approximately 50% of all cancer patients, with
      varying success. Radiation therapy has become an in-tegral part of modern
      treatment strategies for many types of cancer in recent decades, but is
      associated with a risk of long-term adverse effects. Of these side effects, car
      diac complications are particularly relevant since they not only adversely affect
      quality of life but can also be potentially life-threat-ening. The dose of
      ionizing radiation that can be given to the tumor is determined by the
      sensitivity of the surrounding normal tissues. Strategies to improve radiotherapy
      therefore aim to increase the effect on the tumor or to decrease the effects on
      normal tissues, which must be achieved without sensitizing the normal tissues in
      the first approach and without protecting the tumor in the second approach.
      Hyperthermia is a potent sensitizer of cell killing by ionizing radiation (IR),
      which can be attributed to the fact that heat is a pleiotropic damaging agent,
      affecting multiple cell components to varying degrees by altering protein
      structures, thus influencing the DNA damage response. Hyperthermia induces heat
      shock protein 70 (Hsp70; HSPA1A) synthesis and enhances telomerase activity.
      HSPA1A expression is associated with radioresistance. Inactivation of HSPA1A and
      telomerase increases residual DNA DSBs post IR exposure, which correlates with
      increased cell killing, supporting the role of HSPA1A and telomerase in IR
      induced DNA damage repair. Thus, hyperthermia influences several molecular
      parameters involved in sensitizing tumor cells to radiation and can enhance the
      potential of targeted radiotherapy. Therapy-inducible vectors are useful for
      conditional expression of therapeutic genes in gene therapy, which is based on
      the control of gene expression by conventional treatment modalities. The
      understanding of the molecular response of cells and tissues to ionizing
      radiation has lead to a new appreciation of the exploitable genetic alterations
      in tumors and the development of treatments combining pharmacological
      interventions with ionizing radiation that more specifically target either tumor
      or normal tissue, leading to improvements in efficacy. 

PMID- 24213114
TI  - Targeted radionuclide therapy.
AB  - Targeted radiotherapy is an evolving and promising modality of cancer treatment.
      The killing of cancer cells is achieved with the use of biological vectors and
      appropriate radionuclides. Among the many advantages of this approach are its
      selectiveness in delivering the radiation to the target, relatively less severe
      and infrequent side effects, and the possibility of assessing the uptake by the
      tumor prior to the therapy. Several different radiopharmaceuticals are currently
      being used by various administration routes and targeting mechanisms. This
      article aims to briefly review the current status of targeted radiotherapy as
      well as to outline the advantages and disadvantages of radionuclides used for
      this purpose. 

PMID- 24213116
TI  - The Crosstalk of PTGS2 and EGF Signaling Pathways in Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the
      USA. Colorectal cancer progression and metastasis depends on the orchestration of
      the aberrant signaling pathways that control tumor cell proliferation, survival
      and migration/invasion. Epidemiological, clinical, and animal studies have
      demonstrated that prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and epithelial
      growth factor (EGF) signaling pathways play key roles in promoting colorectal
      cancer growth and metastasis. In this review, we highlight major advances in our
      understanding of the roles of PTGS2 and EGF signaling in colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 24213117
TI  - Forced Expression of ZNF143 Restrains Cancer Cell Growth.
AB  - We previously reported that the transcription factor Zinc Finger Protein 143
      (ZNF143) regulates the expression of genes associated with cell cycle and cell
      division, and that downregulation of ZNF143 induces cell cycle arrest at G2/M. To
      assess the function of ZNF143 expression in the cell cycle, we established two
      cells with forced expression of ZNF143 derived from PC3 prostate cancer cell
      lines. These cell lines overexpress genes associated with cell cycle and cell
      division, such as polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), aurora kinase B (AURKB) and some
      minichromosome maintenance complex components (MCM). However, the doubling time
      of cells with forced expression of ZNF143 was approximately twice as long as its
      control counterpart cell line. Analysis following serum starvation and re-seeding
      showed that PC3 cells were synchronized at G1 in the cell cycle. Also, ZNF143
      expression fluctuated, and was at its lowest level in G2/M. However, PC3 cells
      with forced expression of ZNF143 synchronized at G2/M, and showed lack of cell
      cycle-dependent fluctuation of nuclear expression of MCM proteins. Furthermore,
      G2/M population of both cisplatin-resistant PCDP6 cells over-expressing ZNF143
      (derived from PC3 cells) and cells with forced expression of ZNF143 was
      significantly higher than that of each counterpart, and the doubling time of
      PCDP6 cells is about 2.5 times longer than that of PC3 cells. These data
      suggested that fluctuations in ZNF143 expression are required both for gene
      expression associated with cell cycle and for cell division. 

PMID- 24213115
TI  - Cytokines in cancer immunotherapy.
AB  - Cytokines are molecular messengers that allow the cells of the immune system to
      communicate with one another to generate a coordinated, robust, but self-limited
      response to a target antigen. The growing interest over the past two decades in
      harnessing the immune system to eradicate cancer has been accompanied by
      heightened efforts to characterize cytokines and exploit their vast signaling
      networks to develop cancer treatments. The goal of this paper is to review the
      major cytokines involved in cancer immunotherapy and discuss their basic biology
      and clinical applications. The paper will also describe new cytokines in pre
      clinical development, combinations of biological agents, novel delivery
      mechanisms, and potential directions for future investigation using cytokines. 

PMID- 24213120
TI  - Helical tomotherapy in children and adolescents: dosimetric comparisons,
      opportunities and issues.
AB  - Helical Tomotherapy (HT) is a highly conformal image-guided radiation technique,
      introduced into clinical routine in 2006 at the Centro di Riferimento Oncologico
      Aviano (Italy). With this new technology, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
      is delivered using a helicoidal method. Here we present our dosimetric
      experiences using HT in 100 children, adolescents and young adults treated from
      May 2006 to February 2011. The median age of the patients was 13 years (range 1
      24). The most common treated site was the central nervous system (50; of these,
      24 were craniospinal irradiations), followed by thorax (22), head and neck (10),
      abdomen and pelvis (11), and limbs (7). The use of HT was calculated in
      accordance to the target dose conformation, the target size and shape, the dose
      to critical organs adjacent to the target, simultaneous treatment of multiple
      targets, and re-irradiation. HT has demonstrated to improve target volume dose
      homogeneity and the sparing of critical structures, when compared to 3D Linac
      based radiotherapy (RT). In standard cases this technique represented a
      comparable alternative to IMRT delivered with conventional linear accelerator. In
      certain cases (e.g., craniospinal and pleural treatments) only HT generated
      adequate treatment plans with good target volume coverage. However, the gain in
      target conformality should be balanced with the spread of low-doses to distant
      areas. This remains an open issue for the potential risk of secondary
      malignancies (SMNs) and longer follow-up is mandatory. 

PMID- 24213119
TI  - Emerging Evidence for MicroRNAs as Regulators of Cancer Stem Cells.
AB  - Cancer stem cells are defined as a subpopulation of cells within a tumor that are
      capable of self-renewal and differentiation into the heterogeneous cell lineages
      that comprise the tumor. Many studies indicate that cancer stem cells may be
      responsible for treatment failure and relapse in cancer patients. The factors
      that regulate cancer stem cells are not well defined. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are
      small non-coding RNAs that regulate translational repression and transcript
      degradation. miRNAs play a critical role in embryonic and inducible pluripotent
      stem cell regulation and emerging evidence supports their role in cancer stem
      cell evolution. To date, miRNAs have been shown to act either as tumor suppressor
      genes or oncogenes in driving critical gene expression pathways in cancer stem
      cells in a wide range of human malignancies, including hematopoietic and
      epithelial tumors and sarcomas. miRNAs involved in cancer stem cell regulation
      provide attractive, novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. This review
      attempts to summarize progress to date in defining the role of miRNAs in cancer
      stem cells. 

PMID- 24213121
TI  - Peptide Based Vaccine Approaches for Cancer-A Novel Approach Using a WT-1
      Synthetic Long Peptide and the IRX-2 Immunomodulatory Regimen.
AB  - Therapeutic cancer vaccines have the potential to generate a long lasting immune
      response that will destroy tumor cells with specificity and safety, in contrast
      to many other current cancer therapies. Clinical success to date has been limited
      by a number of factors including choice of immunogenic cancer rejection antigens,
      optimization of vaccine platforms and immune adjuvants to effectively polarize
      the immune response, and incorporation of strategies to reverse cancer mediated
      immune suppression by utilization of effective adjuvant/immune modulators. WT-1
      (Wilms' tumor gene 1) is a cancer antigen that is required for tumorigenesis,
      expressed in a high percentage of tumor cells and rarely expressed in adult
      normal cells. Moreover spontaneous immunity to WT-1 is seen in cancer patients
      and can be augmented with various therapeutic vaccine approaches. IRX-2 is an
      immune modulator with demonstrated preclinical and clinical pleiotropic immune
      activities including enhancement of the immune response to potential tumor
      antigens. This paper presents the rationale and preclinical data for utilizing
      the WT-1 tumor antigen in a novel vaccine platform consisting of a synthetic long
      peptide containing multiple class I and class II epitopes in combination with the
      IRX-2 immunomodulatory regimen to overcome immuno-suppressive pathways and
      enhance the anti-tumor response. 

PMID- 24213118
TI  - Inducible hsp70 in the regulation of cancer cell survival: analysis of chaperone
      induction, expression and activity.
AB  - Understanding the mechanisms that control stress is central to realize how cells
      respond to environmental and physiological insults. All the more important is to
      reveal how tumour cells withstand their harsher growth conditions and cope with
      drug-induced apoptosis, since resistance to chemotherapy is the foremost
      complication when curing cancer. Intensive research on tumour biology over the
      past number of years has provided significant insights into the molecular events
      that occur during oncogenesis, and resistance to anti-cancer drugs has been shown
      to often rely on stress response and expression of inducible heat shock proteins
      (HSPs). However, with respect to the mechanisms guarding cancer cells against
      proteotoxic stresses and the modulatory effects that allow their survival, much
      remains to be defined. Heat shock proteins are molecules responsible for folding
      newly synthesized polypeptides under physiological conditions and misfolded
      proteins under stress, but their role in maintaining the transformed phenotype
      often goes beyond their conventional chaperone activity. Expression of inducible
      HSPs is known to correlate with limited sensitivity to apoptosis induced by
      diverse cytotoxic agents and dismal prognosis of several tumour types, however
      whether cancer cells survive because of the constitutive expression of heat shock
      proteins or the ability to induce them when adapting to the hostile
      microenvironment remains to be elucidated. Clear is that tumours appear nowadays
      more "addicted" to heat shock proteins than previously envisaged, and targeting
      HSPs represents a powerful approach and a future challenge for sensitizing
      tumours to therapy. This review will focus on the anti-apoptotic role of heat
      shock 70kDa protein (Hsp70), and how regulatory factors that control inducible
      Hsp70 synthesis, expression and activity may be relevant for response to stress
      and survival of cancer cells. 

PMID- 24213122
TI  - Role of radiation therapy in the management of renal cell cancer.
AB  - Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is traditionally considered to be radioresistant;
      therefore, conventional radiotherapy (RT) fraction sizes of 1.8 to 2 Gy are
      thought to have little role in the management of primary RCC, especially for
      curative disease. In the setting of metastatic RCC, conventionally fractionated
      RT has been an effective palliative treatment in 50% of patients. Recent
      technological advances in radiation oncology have led to the clinical
      implementation of image-guided radiotherapy, allowing biologically potent doses
      to the tumors intra- and extra-cranially. As predicted by radiobiologic modeling,
      favorable outcomes have been observed with highly hypofractionated schemes
      modeled after the experience with intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
      for RCC brain metastases with reported local control rates averaging 85%. At
      present, both primary and metastatic RCC tumors may be successfully treated using
      stereotactic approaches, which utilize steep dose gradients to maximally preserve
      function and avoid toxicity of adjacent organs including liver, uninvolved
      kidney, bowel, and spinal cord regions. Future endeavors will combine
      stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with novel targeted therapies, such as
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors and targeted rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, to maximize
      both local and systemic control. 

PMID- 24213124
TI  - Carbon Ion Radiotherapy at the Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center: New
      Facility Set-up.
AB  - Carbon ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) offers superior dose conformity in the
      treatment of deep-seated tumors compared with conventional X-ray therapy. In
      addition, carbon ion beams have a higher relative biological effectiveness
      compared with protons or X-ray beams. C-ion RT for the first patient at Gunma
      University Heavy Ion Medical Center (GHMC) was initiated in March of 2010. The
      major specifications of the facility were determined based on the experience of
      clinical treatments at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS),
      with the size and cost being reduced to one-third of those at NIRS. The currently
      indicated sites of cancer treatment at GHMC are lung, prostate, head and neck,
      liver, rectum, bone and soft tissue. Between March 2010 and July 2011, a total of
      177 patients were treated at GHMC although a total of 100 patients was the design
      specification during the period in considering the optimal machine performance.
      In the present article, we introduce the facility set-up of GHMC, including the
      facility design, treatment planning systems, and clinical preparations. 

PMID- 24213123
TI  - Nanoparticle delivery of natural products in the prevention and treatment of
      cancers: current status and future prospects.
AB  - The advent of nanotechnology has had a revolutionary impact on many aspects of
      21st century life. Nanotechnology has provided an opportunity to explore new
      avenues that conventional technologies have been unable to make an impact on for
      diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of different diseases, and of cancer in
      particular. Entities in nanometer sizes are excellent platforms to incorporate
      various drugs or active materials that can be delivered effectively to the
      desired action site without compromising the activity of the incorporated drug or
      material. In particular, nanotechnology entities can be used to deliver
      conventional natural products that have poor solubility or a short half life.
      Conventional natural products used with entities in nanometer sizes enable us to
      solve many of the inherent problems (stability, solubility, toxicity) associated
      with natural products, and also provide a platform for targeted delivery to tumor
      sites. We recently introduced the novel concept of using nanotechnology for
      enhancing the outcome of chemoprevention, which we called 'nanochemoprevention'.
      This idea was subsequently exploited by several laboratories worldwide and has
      now become an advancing field in chemoprevention research. This review examines
      some of the applications of nanotechnology for cancer prevention and therapy
      using natural products. 

PMID- 24213126
TI  - The utility of proton beam therapy with concurrent chemotherapy for the treatment
      of esophageal cancers.
AB  - The standard of care for the management of locally advanced esophageal cancers in
      the United States is chemotherapy combined with radiation, either definitively,
      or for those who could tolerate surgery, preoperatively before esophagectomy.
      Although the appropriate radiation dose remains somewhat controversial, the
      quality of the radiation delivery is critical for the treatment of esophageal
      cancer since the esophagus is positioned close to vital structures, such as the
      heart and lung. The volume and relative doses to these normal tissues affect
      acute and late term complications. Advances in radiation delivery from 2D to 3D
      conformal radiation therapy, to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) or
      charged particle therapy (carbon ion or proton beam therapy (PBT)), allow
      incremental improvements in the therapeutic ratio. This could have implications
      in non-cancer related morbidity for long term survivors. This article reviews the
      evolution in radiation technologies and the use of PBT with chemotherapy in the
      management of esophageal cancer. 

PMID- 24213125
TI  - A Review of the Role of Re-Irradiation in Recurrent High-Grade Glioma (HGG).
AB  - Despite the use of more effective multimodal treatments in high-grade glioma
      (HGG), the outcome of patients affected by this disease is still dismal and
      recurrence is a very common event. Many therapeutic approaches, alone or combined
      (surgery, drugs, targeted agents, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, supportive
      therapy), are available in the clinical armamentarium so far. The attitude of
      physicians is increasingly interventionist, but recurrent HGG still remains a
      very difficult scenario to be treated. Radiotherapy with different re-irradiation
      techniques is increasingly proposed as a therapeutic option with interesting
      results, even though the resulting duration of response is usually quite short.
      Most lesions re-recur locally, with inadequate identification and targeting of
      viable tumor being the most important cause of failure. Prognosis is affected by
      many patient-, tumor-, and treatment-associated prognostic factors. Radiotherapy
      is delivered with many advanced modalities: 3D-CRT, intensity-modulated radiation
      therapy, stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and brachitherapy
      with or without chemotherapy administration. In order to evaluate the feasibility
      and efficacy of re-irradiation in this setting, we reviewed the PubMed and
      MEDLINE databases restricting the search to original reports published from
      January 1990 to June 2011. The search resulted in a total of 155 reports: 78 of
      them covering 2,688 patients treated with different irradiation modalities
      overall fulfilled the entry criteria. Radiation therapy demonstrated to be an
      acceptable option in recurrent HGG with good response rates and acceptable
      toxicity. 

PMID- 24213127
TI  - Discriminating different cancer cells using a zebrafish in vivo assay.
AB  - Despite the expanded understanding of tumor angiogenesis phenomenon and how it
      impacts cancer treatment outcomes, we have yet to develop a robust assay that can
      quickly, easily, and quantitatively measure tumor-induced angiogenesis. Since the
      zebrafish/tumor xenograft represents an emerging tool in this regard, the present
      study strives to capitalize on the ease, effectiveness, and the adaptability of
      this model to quantify tumor angiogenesis. In order to test a range of responses,
      we chose two different tumorigenic cell lines, the human non-small cell lung
      carcinoma (H1299) and the mouse lung adenocarcinoma (CL13). Non-tumorigenic 3T3
      L1 cells served as negative control. The cells were grafted near to the
      perivitelline space of the zebrafish embryos and the angiogenic response was
      analyzed using whole-mount alkaline phosphatase (AP) vessel staining and
      fluorescence microscopy. Angiogenic activity was scored based on the length and
      number of the newly formed ectopic vessels and the percentage of embryos with
      ectopic vessels. At 2 day-post-implantation, we detected a significant increase
      in the length and number of ectopic vessels with H1299 cell implantation compared
      to CL13 cell transplantation, both are higher than 3T3-L1 control. We also
      observed a significantly higher percentage of embryos with ectopic vessels with
      H1299 and CL13 transplantation compared to the 3T3-L1 control, but this parameter
      is not as robust and reliable as measuring the length and number of ectopic
      vessels. Furthermore, the systemic exposure of zebrafish embryos to an anti
      angiogenesis drug (PTK 787, inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor
      receptor tyrosine kinase) inhibited tumor-induced angiogenesis, suggesting that
      the assay can be used to evaluate anti-angiogenic drugs. This study implicates
      the feasibility of using zebrafish xenotransplantation to perform quantitative
      measurement of the angiogenic activity of cancer cells which can be further
      extended to measure cancer cell metastasis. This assay represents not only the
      useful test for patient diagnosis, but also has the potential for evaluating anti
      cancer drugs treatment. 

PMID- 24213128
TI  - Distribution of functional liver volume in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with
      portal vein tumor thrombus in the 1st branch and main trunk using single photon
      emission computed tomography-application to radiation therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the distribution of functional liver volume (FLV) in the
      margin volume (MV) surrounding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein
      tumor thrombus (PVTT) before radiation therapy (RT) and to verify the safety of
      single photon emission computed tomography-based three-dimensional conformal
      radiotherapy (SPECT-B3DCRT) by exploring the relation of FLV in MV to radiation
      induced liver disease (RILD). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Clinical target volume (CTV)
      included main tumor and PVTT, and planning target volume (PTV) included CTV with
      a 10 mm margin. MV was defined as PTV-CTV. FLV ratio in MV was calculated as FLV
      in MV/MV * 100 (%). The two high-dose beams were planned to irradiate FLV as
      little as possible. Fifty-seven cases of HCC (26/57, 46%; Child-Pugh grade B)
      with PVTT underwent SPECT-B3DCRT which targeted the CTV to a total dose of 45
      Gy/18 fractions. The destructive ratio was defined as radiation induced
      dysfunctional volume/FLV * 100 (%). RESULTS: We observed a significant negative
      correlation between FLV ratio in MV and CTV (p < 0.001). Three cases with CTVs of
      287, 587 and 1184 cm3 experienced transient RILD. The FLV ratio in MV was highest
      in patients with RILD: nine patients with CTV of 200-300 cm3, three with CTV of
      500-600 cm3, and two with CTV of 1100-1200 cm3. The destructive ratio yielded a
      mean value of 24.2 +/- 1.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation planning that takes into
      account the distribution of FLV appears to result in the least possible RILD.

PMID- 24213129
TI  - Risk of Prostate Cancer after Trans Urethral Resection of BPH: A Cohort and
      Nested Case-Control Study.
AB  - Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that inflammation plays a role
      in both prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). This study
      evaluates the risk of PC after transurethral resection (TURP) for BPH and
      estimates the PCa risk related to presence of inflammation in the resected
      material. The Pathology Department at the University Hospital of Umea (Umea,
      Sweden) identified BPH cases (n = 7,901) that underwent TURP between 1982 and
      1997. Using these pathological specimens, we compared the incidence of PCa in the
      cohort to the population and calculated the standardized incidence and mortality
      ratios (SIR and SMR). Inflammation, the androgen receptor (AR), and p53 were
      evaluated in a nested case-control study of 201 cases and controls. Inflammation
      was graded severe or mild-moderate. In the follow-up period after TURP, cases
      developed prostate cancer and the controls did not. After TURP, SIR for prostate
      cancer increased [1.26, CI 95% (1.17-1.35)], whereas SMR decreased [0.59, CI 95%
      (0.47-0.73)]. Presence of inflammation at the time of TURP did not differ between
      cases and controls nor were there differences in p53 or AR staining. The data
      suggest a small increased risk of PCa after TURP and decreased PCa mortality.
      Inflammation at the time of TURP is not associated with PCa risk in this
      material. The increased PCa risk may be attributed to increased surveillance and
      PSA screening. 

PMID- 24213130
TI  - Sarcoma immunotherapy.
AB  - Much of our knowledge regarding cancer immunotherapy has been derived from
      sarcoma models. However, translation of preclinical findings to bedside success
      has been limited in this disease, though several intriguing clinical studies hint
      at the potential efficacy of this treatment modality. The rarity and
      heterogeneity of tumors of mesenchymal origin continues to be a challenge from a
      therapeutic standpoint. Nonetheless, sarcomas remain attractive targets for
      immunotherapy, as they can be characterized by specific epitopes, either from
      their mesenchymal origins or specific alterations in gene products. To date,
      standard vaccine trials have proven disappointing, likely due to mechanisms by
      which tumors equilibrate with and ultimately escape immune surveillance. More
      sophisticated approaches will likely require multimodal techniques, both by
      enhancing immunity, but also geared towards overcoming innate mechanisms of
      immunosuppression that favor tumorigenesis. 

PMID- 24213131
TI  - Carbohydrate mimetic peptides augment carbohydrate-reactive immune responses in
      the absence of immune pathology.
AB  - Among the most challenging of clinical targets for cancer immunotherapy are Tumor
      Associated Carbohydrate Antigens (TACAs). To augment immune responses to TACA we
      are developing carbohydrate mimetic peptides (CMPs) that are sufficiently potent
      to activate broad-spectrum anti-tumor reactivity. However, the activation of
      immune responses against terminal mono- and disaccharide constituents of TACA
      raises concerns regarding the balance between "tumor destruction" and "tissue
      damage", as mono- and disaccharides are also expressed on normal tissue. To
      support the development of CMPs for clinical trial testing, we demonstrate in
      preclinical safety assessment studies in mice that vaccination with CMPs can
      enhance responses to TACAs without mediating tissue damage to normal cells
      expressing TACA. BALB/c mice were immunized with CMPs that mimic TACAs reactive
      with Griffonia simplicifolia lectin 1 (GS-I), and tissue reactivity of serum
      antibodies were compared with the tissue staining profile of GS-I. Tissues from
      CMP immunized mice were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin stain, and Luxol
      fast blue staining for myelination. Western blots of membranes from murine
      mammary 4T1 cells, syngeneic with BALB/c mice, were also compared using GS-I,
      immunized serum antibodies, and naive serum antibodies. CMP immunization enhanced
      glycan reactivities with no evidence of pathological autoimmunity in any
      immunized mice demonstrating that tissue damage is not an inevitable consequence
      of TACA reactive responses. 

PMID- 24213132
TI  - Transcription inhibition as a therapeutic target for cancer.
AB  - During tumorigenesis the transformed cells lose their normal growth control
      mechanisms and become dependent on oncogenes' products and pathways for survival.
      Treatments tailored to block the expression or function of transforming genes
      have shown efficacy in eliminating neoplastic cells. The mRNAs of many oncogenes,
      as well as regulators of other key processes such as cell proliferation,
      angiogenesis, and apoptosis, typically have shorter half-lives. Agents that
      impede mRNA synthesis are expected to selectively hinder the expression of these
      genes and, therefore, be detrimental to neoplastic cells that are physiologically
      dependent on them. In addition to exploiting the tumor cells' dependency on short
      lived transcripts, RNA-directed agents also take advantage of the differential
      sensitivity between transformed and non-transformed cells, as the cytotoxic
      effects of inhibiting RNA synthesis have not been seen in non-transformed cells.
      The abrogation of the formation of oncotranscripts provides a new concept in
      cancer therapeutics and numerous agents have been developed which are able to
      target transcription. The focus of this review is to give an overview of
      transcription and the different inhibitory strategies that target various aspects
      of the transcriptional process. 

PMID- 24213133
TI  - Cancer genome sequencing and its implications for personalized cancer vaccines.
AB  - New DNA sequencing platforms have revolutionized human genome sequencing. The
      dramatic advances in genome sequencing technologies predict that the $1,000
      genome will become a reality within the next few years. Applied to cancer, the
      availability of cancer genome sequences permits real-time decision-making with
      the potential to affect diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, and has opened the
      door towards personalized medicine. A promising strategy is the identification of
      mutated tumor antigens, and the design of personalized cancer vaccines.
      Supporting this notion are preliminary analyses of the epitope landscape in
      breast cancer suggesting that individual tumors express significant numbers of
      novel antigens to the immune system that can be specifically targeted through
      cancer vaccines. 

PMID- 24213134
TI  - Immunohistochemical Assessment of Expression of Centromere Protein-A (CENPA) in
      Human Invasive Breast Cancer.
AB  - Abnormal cell division leading to the gain or loss of entire chromosomes and
      consequent genetic instability is a hallmark of cancer. Centromere protein -A
      (CENPA) is a centromere-specific histone-H3-like variant gene involved in
      regulating chromosome segregation during cell division. CENPA is one of the genes
      included in some of the commercially available RNA based prognostic assays for
      breast cancer (BCa)-the 70 gene signature MammaPrint(r) and the five gene
      Molecular Grade Index (MGISM). Our aim was to assess the immunohistochemical
      (IHC) expression of CENPA in normal and malignant breast tissue. Clinically
      annotated triplicate core tissue microarrays of 63 invasive BCa and 20 normal
      breast samples were stained with a monoclonal antibody against CENPA and scored
      for percentage of visibly stained nuclei. Survival analyses with Kaplan-Meier
      (KM) estimate and Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to
      assess the associations between CENPA expression and disease free survival (DFS).
      Average percentage of nuclei visibly stained with CENPA antibody was
      significantly higher (p = 0.02) in BCa than normal tissue. The 3-year DFS in
      tumors over-expressing CENPA (>50% stained nuclei) was 79% compared to 85% in low
      expression tumors ( 60.07; p = 0.06) within our small cohort. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first published report evaluating the implications of
      increased IHC expression of CENPA in paraffin embedded breast tissue samples. Our
      finding that increased CENPA expression may be associated with shorter DFS in BCa
      supports its exploration as a potential prognostic biomarker. 

PMID- 24213135
TI  - A novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of glioma, combining chemical and
      molecular targeting of hsp90a.
AB  - Hsp90a's vital role in tumour survival and progression, together with its highly
      inducible expression profile in gliomas and its absence in normal tissue and cell
      lines validates it as a therapeutic target for glioma. Hsp90a was downregulated
      using the post-transcriptional RNAi strategy (sihsp90a) and a post-translational
      inhibitor, the benzoquinone antibiotic 17-AAG. Glioblastoma U87-MG and normal
      human astrocyte SVGp12 were treated with sihsp90a, 17-AAG and concurrent
      sihsp90a/17-AAG (combined treatment). Both Hsp90a gene silencing and the protein
      inhibitor approaches resulted in a dramatic reduction in cell viability. Results
      showed that sihsp90a, 17-AAG and a combination of sihsp90a/17-AAG, reduced cell
      viability by 27%, 75% and 88% (p < 0.001), respectively, after 72 h. hsp90a mRNA
      copy numbers were downregulated by 65%, 90% and 99% after 72 h treatment with
      sihsp90a, 17-AAG and sihsp90a/17-AAG, respectively. The relationship between
      Hsp90a protein expression and its client Akt kinase activity levels were
      monitored following treatment with sihsp90a, 17-AAG and sihsp90a/17-AAG. Akt
      kinase activity was downregulated as a direct consequence of Hsp90a inhibition.
      Both Hsp90a and Akt kinase levels were significantly downregulated after 72 h.
      Although, 17-AAG when used as a single agent reduces the Hsp90a protein and the
      Akt kinase levels, the efficacy demonstrated by combinatorial treatment was found
      to be far more effective. Combination treatment reduced the Hsp90a protein and
      Akt kinase levels to 4.3% and 43%, respectively, after 72 h. hsp90a mRNA
      expression detected in SVGp12 was negligible compared to U87-MG, also, the
      combination treatment did not compromise the normal cell viability. Taking into
      account the role of Hsp90a in tumour progression and the involvement of Akt
      kinase in cell signalling and the anti-apoptotic pathways in tumours, this double
      targets treatment infers a novel therapeutic strategy. 

PMID- 24213136
TI  - Stroma-directed molecular targeted therapy in gastric cancer.
AB  - Recent studies in molecular and cellular biology have shown that tumor growth and
      metastasis are not determined by cancer cells alone, but also by a variety of
      stromal cells. Tumor stroma contains abundant extracellular matrix and several
      types of cells, including carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), endothelial
      cells, pericytes and inflammatory cells including macrophages. In gastric cancer
      tissues, tumor cells express platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B. Stromal
      cells, including CAFs, pericytes and lymphatic endothelial cells, express PDGF
      receptor (PDGFR)-beta. Administration of PDGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor
      significantly decreases stromal reaction, lymphatic vessel area and pericyte
      coverage of tumor microvessels. Administration of PDGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor
      in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drug(s) impairs the progressive
      growth and metastasis of gastric cancer. Activated stroma might serve as a novel
      therapeutic target in cases of gastric cancer. 

PMID- 24213137
TI  - NF-kappaB in lung tumorigenesis.
AB  - The development of lung cancer in humans can be divided into three steps:
      initiation, promotion and progression. This process is driven by alterations in
      related signal transduction pathways. These pathways signal the aberrant
      activation of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor that regulates the expression of
      genes important for lung tumorigenesis. Our current knowledge about the role of
      the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in the development of lung cancer has been
      bolstered by animal models demonstrating the connection between K-ras and tobacco
      induced lung transformation with NF-kappaB. Activation of downstream genes leads
      to cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation,
      invasion, and metastasis. 

PMID- 24213138
TI  - Actin-towards a deeper understanding of the relationship between tissue context,
      cellular function and tumorigenesis.
AB  - It is well-established that the actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in
      tumor development yet the contribution made by nuclear actin is ill-defined. In a
      recent study, nuclear actin was identified as a key mediator through which
      laminin type III (LN1) acts to control epithelial cell growth. In the breast,
      epithelial tumors are surrounded by an environment which lacks LN1. These
      findings point to actin as a potential mediator of tumor development. Here our
      current understanding of the roles of cytoplasmic and nuclear actin in normal and
      tumor cell growth is reviewed, relating these functions to cell phenotype in a
      tissue context. 

PMID- 24213139
TI  - Clinical investigation of the role of interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 in the
      evolution of prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, both in the USA and Europe.
      Although incurable, metastatic disease can often be controlled for years with
      anti-androgen therapy. Once the disease becomes castrate resistant, the median
      survival is 18 months. There is growing evidence that the immune system, and in
      particular cytokines, play an important role in prostate cancer
      immunosurveillance and progression. Here, we have undertaken a clinical
      investigation of the role of two closely related cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13 in
      prostate cancer. In the largest series studied to date, we show that serum IL-4,
      but not IL-13 is significantly elevated in castrate resistant, compared to
      androgen sensitive disease. Notably however, serum IL-4 levels are also raised in
      patients with benign prostatic disease. Analysis of benign and malignant prostate
      tissue demonstrates that the source of IL-4 is epithelial cells rather than
      infiltrating leukocytes. Together, our data are consistent with a dual role for
      IL-4 in prostate cancer development. In benign disease, our data add to the
      evidence that IL-4 serves a protective role. By contrast, the data support a
      direct role for IL-4 in the progression of prostate cancer from androgen
      responsive, to advanced castrate-resistant disease. 

PMID- 24213140
TI  - Non-invasive evaluation of axillary lymph node status in breast cancer patients
      using shear wave elastography.
AB  - Less invasive procedures are currently required to examine the axillary lymph
      node status. Shear wave elastography with acoustic radiation force impulse
      provides objective and reproducible quantification of the intrinsic property of
      the soft tissue. In this study, we measured shear wave velocity of the axillary
      lymph nodes of patients with breast cancer using Virtual Touch Tissue
      Quantification (VTTQ). The degree of lymph node metastasis was evaluated by
      measuring the expression level of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA, a specific marker
      for breast cancer cells. The one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) was used
      to determine the copy number of CK19 mRNA in 149 lymph node specimens of 149
      primary breast cancer patients. Axillary lymph node status according to OSNA
      (copy number/MUl) were categorized as 0-249 copies (-), 250-5,000 copies (+), and
      copy number > 5,000 (++). A category (-) represents no metastasis in the axillary
      lymph node. There were 121 patients with OSNA-, 9 with OSNA+ and 19 with OSNA++.
      The average velocities according to OSNA categories were 1.64 +/- 0.42 m/second
      for OSNA-, 2.25 +/- 0.78 m/second for OSNA+, and 2.79 +/- 0.98 m/second for
      OSNA++. There were significant differences in the shear wave velocity between
      OSNA- and OSNA+ (P = 0.040) or OSNA++ (P < 0.001). The most optimal cutoff
      velocity to distinguish benign from metastasis is 1.44 m/second, as determined
      using the receiver operating characteristic method. The shear wave velocity
      measured with VTTQ could provide clinically useful information about axillary
      lymph node metastasis in patients with primary breast cancer. 

PMID- 24213141
TI  - A susceptibility haplotype within the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene
      influences bone mineral density in hypertensive women.
AB  - The influence of the coordinated effect of various single-nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) within the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene on
      the risk of osteoporosis in hypertension has remained undetermined. Four
      pertinent SNPs of the eNOS gene, rs2070774, rs1799983, rs1800780 and rs3918181,
      were examined for the risk of osteoporosis in 313 hypertensive postmenopausal
      women in Northwest India. All the hypertensive women were verified with dual
      energy X-ray absorptiometry and categorized as 150 with osteoporosis and 163
      without osteoporosis. The minor allele (T) of rs1799983 exerts a statistically
      significant risk for osteoporosis both in dominant [odds ratio (OR) 3.71, 95 %
      confidence interval (CI) 2.12-6.49, P < 0.001] and recessive mode (OR 5.75, 95 %
      CI 1.24-26.69, P = 0.036) after Bonferroni correction. Bone mineral density (BMD)
      values (corrected for the effects of risk variables) according to eNOS SNP
      genotypes revealed a significant association with rs1799983 at both the lumbar
      spine (P = 0.001) and femoral neck (P = 0.023). Risk association analyses
      revealed a susceptibility haplotype TTAG which influences the risk of
      osteoporosis (OR 2.02, 95 % CI 1.05-3.39, P = 0.042) in hypertension after
      adjusting for the effects of risk factors. Furthermore, this haplotype was
      significantly associated with BMD at the lumbar spine (P = 0.029) and femoral
      neck (P = 0.021) in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that possession
      of the TTAG haplotype of the eNOS gene may increase the risk of osteoporosis two
      fold in hypertensive postmenopausal women in Northwest India.

PMID- 24213142
TI  - A robotic MCF-7:WS8 cell proliferation assay to detect agonist and antagonist
      estrogenic activity.
AB  - Endocrine-disrupting chemicals with estrogenic activity (EA) or anti-EA (AEA)
      have been extensively reported to possibly have many adverse health effects. We
      have developed robotized assays using MCF-7:WS8 cell proliferation (or
      suppression) to detect EA (or AEA) of 78 test substances supplied by the
      Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods and
      the National Toxicology Program's Interagency Center for the Evaluation of
      Alternative Toxicological Methods for validation studies. We also assayed ICI
      182,780, a strong estrogen antagonist. Chemicals to be assayed were initially
      examined for solubility and volatility to determine optimal assay conditions. For
      both EA and AEA determinations, a Range-Finder assay was conducted to determine
      the concentration range for testing, followed by a Comprehensive assay. Test
      substances with potentially positive results from an EA Comprehensive assay were
      subjected to an EA Confirmation assay that evaluated the ability of ICI 182,780
      to reverse chemically induced MCF-7 cell proliferation. The AEA assays examined
      the ability of chemicals to decrease MCF-7 cell proliferation induced by
      nonsaturating concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E2), relative to ICI or
      raloxifene, also a strong estrogen antagonist. To be classified as having AEA, a
      saturating concentration of E2 had to significantly reverse the decrease in cell
      proliferation produced by the test substance in nonsaturating E2. We conclude
      that our robotized MCF-7 EA and AEA assays have accuracy, sensitivity, and
      specificity values at least equivalent to validated test methods accepted by the
      U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Organisation for Economic Co
      operation and Development. 

PMID- 24213143
TI  - The nature of nurture: refining the definition of the exposome.

PMID- 24213144
TI  - NF-kappaB signaling is increased in HD3 cells following exposure to 1,4
      benzoquinone: role of reactive oxygen species and p38-MAPK.
AB  - In utero exposure to benzene, a known environmental contaminant, is associated
      with increased risk of leukemia. We have previously shown that in utero benzene
      exposure can alter the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-kappaB, and we
      hypothesize that this is through benzene-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      production interfering with the signaling pathway involving NF-kappaB and p38
      Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK). As benzoquinone (BQ) is one of benzene's
      most toxic metabolites, the objectives of this study were to determine whether
      ROS and p38-MAPK-mediated BQ-induced increased NF-kappaB activity. HD3 chicken
      erythroblast cells were transfected with an NF-kappaB luciferase-linked reporter
      plasmid and exposed to BQ (25 MUM) for 2-24 h. NF-kappaB activities were
      determined through luciferase assays; Western blotting was conducted to assess
      changes in protein levels in nontransfected cells; and the presence of ROS was
      determined via 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) flow cytometric
      assays. Results demonstrated that NF-kappaB activity was significantly increased
      following exposure to BQ for 16 and 24 h and DCFDA assays and pretreatment with
      antioxidants indicated that BQ-mediated ROS production was responsible for this
      increase. Furthermore, decreased inhibitor of kappaB-alpha (IkappaB-alpha)
      expression suggests that nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) translocates into the
      nucleus and that p38-MAPK activation through a ROS-dependent pathway mediates BQ
      mediated increases in NF-kappaB activity. Future studies investigating the role
      of p38-MAPK in this pathway are warranted. Evaluating the effects of toxicant
      exposure on cell signaling pathways is vital for understanding mechanisms of
      xenobiotic-induced toxicity.

PMID- 24213145
TI  - Leukocyte telomere length and age at menopause.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Telomere length is a marker of cellular aging that varies with the
      individual, is inherited, and is highly correlated across somatic cell types
      within persons. Interindividual variability of telomere length may partly explain
      differences in reproductive aging rates. We examined whether leukocyte telomere
      length was associated with menopausal age. METHODS: We evaluated the relationship
      between leukocyte telomere length and age at natural menopause in 486 white women
      >=65 years of age. We fit linear regression models adjusted for age, income,
      education, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol intake. We
      repeated the analysis in women with surgical menopause. We also performed
      sensitivity analyses excluding women (1) with unilateral oophorectomy, (2) who
      were nulliparous, or (3) reporting menopausal age <40 years, among other
      exclusions. RESULTS: For every 1-kb increase in leukocyte telomere length,
      average age at natural menopause increased by 10.2 months (95% confidence
      interval = 1.3 to 19.0). There was no association among 179 women reporting
      surgical menopause. In all but one sensitivity analysis, the association between
      leukocyte telomere length and age at menopause became stronger. However, when
      excluding women with menopausal age <40 years, the association decreased to 7.5
      months (-0.4 to 15.5). CONCLUSIONS: Women with the longest leukocyte telomere
      length underwent menopause 3 years later than those with the shortest leukocyte
      telomere length. If an artifact, an association would likely also have been
      observed in women with surgical menopause. If these results are replicated,
      leukocyte telomere length may prove to be a useful predictor of age at menopause.

PMID- 24213146
TI  - Short-term exposure to ozone and levels of exhaled nitric oxide.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adverse effects of air pollution include respiratory inflammation. A
      few epidemiologic studies have shown elevations in the fraction of exhaled nitric
      oxide, a marker of airway inflammation, after exposure to traffic-related
      pollutants. METHODS: We examined whether short-term exposures to ozone (O3),
      oxides of nitrogen (NOx), or particulate matter <10 MUm (PM10) were associated
      with proximal and distal airway inflammation. The study included 5841 randomly
      selected Swedish adults from 25 to 75 years of age. Fraction of exhaled nitrogen
      was measured at two flow rates: 50 ml/s representing the proximal airways and 270
      ml/s representing the distal airways. Air pollution data were obtained from an
      urban monitoring site. We applied linear regression to estimate short-term
      associations of O3, NOx, and PM10 with fractions of exhaled NO at 50 and 270
      ml/s. RESULTS: An interquartile range increase in 120-hour average O3 levels was
      associated with a 5.1% (95% confidence interval = 1.7% to 8.5%) higher level of
      fraction of exhaled NO at 270 ml/s and 3.6% (-0.4% to 3.4%) higher level of the
      fraction of exhaled NO at 50 ml/s. For NOx, a small effect was seen for the 24
      hour average on the fraction of exhaled NO at 270 ml/s, while for PM10 no clear
      effects were seen. There was a tendency for a weaker effect of ozone and a
      stronger effect of NOx in subjects with asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to O3 was
      associated with a marker of distal airway inflammation, while the association was
      less obvious for inflammation of the proximal airways.

PMID- 24213147
TI  - Chromosome 1q21 gains confer inferior outcomes in multiple myeloma treated with
      bortezomib but copy number variation and percentage of plasma cells involved have
      no additional prognostic value.
AB  - Chromosome 1q21 aberrations have not been yet been made part of routine clinical
      tests and their effect in multiple myeloma is still under investigation. The
      prognostic value of copy number variation and percentage of plasma cells involved
      have remained unclear. In the present study, we analyzed the prognostic value of
      1q21 in a series of 290 cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated in a
      prospective, non-randomized clinical trial (BDH 2008/02). We found that incidence
      of 1q21 aberration increased at relapse, but its copy numbers and proportion of
      cells involved did not change. Gains of 1q21 had no impact on survival in
      patients receiving thalidomide-based treatment but conferred a significantly
      inferior prognosis in patients under bortezomib-based chemotherapy and was an
      independent adverse prognostic factor for progression free survival (HR 3.831;
      95%CI: 2.125-6.907; P<0.001) and overall survival (HR 3.245; 95%CI: 1.555-6.773;
      P=0.002). Strikingly, our results showed that the copy number variation and clone
      size harboring 1q21 gains carried no additional prognostic value and patients
      with 1q21 gains did not benefit significantly from regimens incorporating
      bortezomib. Our results indicate that three copies of 1q21 and 20% of plasma
      cells with this abnormality were enough to confer bortezomib resistance.
      Therefore, chromosome 1q21 gains should be considered a high-risk feature in
      multiple myeloma receiving bortezomib therapy. 

PMID- 24213148
TI  - Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: a
      study from the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and French Study
      Group on Cutaneous Lymphomas.
AB  - The treatment of advanced stage primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas remains
      challenging. In particular, large-cell transformation of mycosis fungoides is
      associated with a median overall survival of two years for all stages taken
      together. Little is known regarding allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation in this context. We performed a multicenter retrospective
      analysis of 37 cases of advanced stage primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas treated
      with allogeneic stem cell transplantation, including 20 (54%) transformed mycosis
      fungoides. Twenty-four patients (65%) had stage IV disease (for mycosis fungoides
      and Sezary syndrome) or disseminated nodal or visceral involvement (for non
      epidermotropic primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas). After a median follow up of
      29 months, 19 patients experienced a relapse, leading to a 2-year cumulative
      incidence of relapse of 56% (95%CI: 0.38-0.74). Estimated 2-year overall survival
      was 57% (95%CI: 0.41-0.77) and progression-free survival 31% (95%CI: 0.19-0.53).
      Six of 19 patients with a post-transplant relapse achieved a subsequent complete
      remission after salvage therapy, with a median duration of 41 months. A weak
      residual tumor burden before transplantation was associated with increased
      progression-free survival (HR=0.3, 95%CI: 0.1-0.8; P=0.01). The use of
      antithymocyte globulin significantly reduced progression-free survival (HR=2.9,
      95%CI: 1.3-6.2; P=0.01) but also transplant-related mortality (HR=10(-7), 95%CI:
      4.10(-8)-2.10(-7); P<0.001) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, the
      use of antithymocyte globulin was the only factor significantly associated with
      decreased progression-free survival (P=0.04). Allogeneic stem cell
      transplantation should be considered in advanced stage primary cutaneous T-cell
      lymphomas, including transformed mycosis fungoides. 

PMID- 24213149
TI  - Oral melphalan and dexamethasone grants extended survival with minimal toxicity
      in AL amyloidosis: long-term results of a risk-adapted approach.
AB  - The combination of oral melphalan and dexamethasone is considered standard
      therapy for patients with light-chain amyloidosis ineligible for autologous stem
      cell transplantation. However, previous trials reported different rates of
      response and survival, mainly because of the different proportions of high-risk
      patients. In the present study, including a total of 259 subjects, we treated 119
      patients with full-dose melphalan and dexamethasone (dexamethasone 40 mg days 1
      4), and 140 patients with advanced cardiac disease with an attenuated
      dexamethasone schedule (20 mg). Hematologic response rates were 76% in the full
      dose group and 51% in the patients receiving the attenuated schedule; the
      corresponding complete response rates were 31% and 12%, respectively. The median
      survival was 7.4 years in the full-dose group and 20 months in the attenuated
      dose group. Use of high-dose dexamethasone, amino-terminal pro-natriuretic
      peptide type-B >1800 ng/L, a difference between involved and uninvolved free
      light chains of >180 mg/L, troponin I >0.07 ng/mL, and response to therapy were
      independent prognostic determinants. In relapsed/refractory subjects bortezomib
      combinations granted high hematologic response rates (79% and 63%, respectively),
      proving the most effective rescue treatment after melphalan and dexamethasone. In
      summary, melphalan plus dexamethasone was highly effective with minimal toxicity,
      confirming its central role in the treatment of AL amyloidosis. Future randomized
      trials will clarify whether bortezomib is best used in frontline combination with
      melphalan and dexamethasone or as rescue treatment. 

PMID- 24213150
TI  - Long-term outcome after immunosuppressive therapy with horse or rabbit
      antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine for severe aplastic anemia in children.
AB  - Some prospective studies showed that rabbit antithymocyte globulin was inferior
      to horse antithymocyte globulin as first-line therapy for patients with severe
      aplastic anemia. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcome of 455 children
      with severe aplastic anemia who received horse antithymocyte globulin (n=297) or
      rabbit antithymocyte globulin (n=158) combined with cyclosporine as first-line
      therapy between 1992 and 2010. The response rates were comparable between the
      horse and rabbit antithymocyte globulin groups at 3 months [46% (136/294) versus
      42% (66/153), P=0.55] and 6 months [60% (178/292) versus 55% (87/143), P=1.0].
      Using multivariate analysis, differences in antithymocyte globulin preparations
      were not associated with response rates. However, 2-year and 10-year overall
      survival rates in the horse antithymocyte globulin group were significantly
      better than those in the rabbit antithymocyte globulin group (2-year overall
      survival: 96% versus 87%, 10-year overall survival: 92% versus 84%, P=0.004). On
      the basis of multivariate analysis, use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin was a
      significant adverse factor for overall survival (hazard ratio = 3.56, 95%
      confidence interval, 1.53 - 8.28, P=0.003). Rabbit antithymocyte globulin caused
      more profound immunosuppression, which might be responsible for the higher
      incidence of severe infections. Considering that there are no studies showing the
      superiority of rabbit antithymocyte globulin over horse antithymocyte globulin,
      horse antithymocyte globulin should be recommended as a first-line therapy.
      However, our results justify the use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin as first
      line therapy if horse antithymocyte globulin is not available. 

PMID- 24213151
TI  - Differential expression of leukocyte beta2 integrin signal transduction
      associated genes in patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism.
AB  - Whole human genome oligo microarrays were employed to systematically investigate
      the differential expression characteristics of associated mRNAs, which were found
      in the signal transduction pathway of beta2 integrins in peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism
      (PE) and controls. A total of 20 cases of PE patients and twenty gender- and age
      matched controls were recruited for the study. Human cDNA microarray analysis was
      used to detect the differences in mRNA expression between the two groups and a
      random variance model corrected t-test was used to analyze the statistical data.
      A total of 80 associated mRNAs were detected. The mRNA expression of chemokines,
      ligands, inside-out and outside-in signaling pathway-associated proteins were
      upregulated significantly in the PE group, compared with the controls. In five
      subunit-associated mRNAs, the mRNA expression of ITGAL, ITGAM, ITGAX and ITGB2,
      which encode for the subunits of alphaL, alphaM, alphaX and beta2, were
      upregulated in the PE group and the differences, with the exception of ITGB2,
      were statistically significant (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of ITGAD was
      downregulated; however, there was no significant difference (P>0.05). The
      expression of Fgr mRNA was significantly downregulated (P<0.01). Thus, in PE
      patients, bilateral signal transduction pathways of beta2 integrins in
      neutrophils and monocytes were activated, enhancing innate immunity. 

PMID- 24213152
TI  - Nanodevice-induced conformational and functional changes in a prototypical
      calcium sensor protein.
AB  - Calcium (Ca(2+)) plays a major role in a variety of cellular processes. Fine
      changes in its concentration are detected by calcium sensor proteins, which adopt
      specific conformations to regulate their molecular targets. Here, two distinct
      nanodevices were probed as biocompatible carriers of Ca(2+)-sensors and the
      structural and functional effects of protein-nanodevice interactions were
      investigated. The prototypical Ca(2+)-sensor recoverin (Rec) was incubated with
      20-25 nm CaF2 nanoparticles (NPs) and 70-80 nm liposomes with lipid composition
      similar to that found in photoreceptor cells. Circular dichroism and fluorescence
      spectroscopy were used to characterize changes in the protein secondary and
      tertiary structure and in thermal stability upon interaction with the nanodevice,
      both in the presence and in the absence of free Ca(2+). Variations in the
      hydrodynamic diameter of the complex were measured by dynamic light scattering
      and the residual capability of the protein to act as a Ca(2+)-sensor in the
      presence of NPs was estimated spectroscopically. The conformation, thermal
      stability and Ca(2+)-sensing capability of Rec were all significantly affected by
      the presence of NPs, while liposomes did not significantly perturb Rec
      conformation and function, allowing reversible binding. NP-bound Rec maintained
      an all-helical fold but showed lower thermal stability and high cooperativity of
      unfolding. Our analysis can be proficiently used to validate the biocompatibility
      of other nanodevices intended for biomedical applications involving Ca(2+)
      sensors. 

PMID- 24213153
TI  - Molecular cloning and transcriptional activity of a new Petunia calreticulin gene
      involved in pistil transmitting tract maturation, progamic phase, and double
      fertilization.
AB  - Calreticulin (CRT) is a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed Ca2+-binding
      protein in multicellular eukaryotes. As an endoplasmic reticulum-resident
      protein, CRT plays a key role in many cellular processes including Ca2+ storage
      and release, protein synthesis, and molecular chaperoning in both animals and
      plants. CRT has long been suggested to play a role in plant sexual reproduction.
      To begin to address this possibility, we cloned and characterized the full-length
      cDNA of a new CRT gene (PhCRT) from Petunia. The deduced amino acid sequence of
      PhCRT shares homology with other known plant CRTs, and phylogenetic analysis
      indicates that the PhCRT cDNA clone belongs to the CRT1/CRT2 subclass. Northern
      blot analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization were used to assess PhCRT
      gene expression in different parts of the pistil before pollination, during
      subsequent stages of the progamic phase, and at fertilization. The highest level
      of PhCRT mRNA was detected in the stigma-style part of the unpollinated pistil 1
      day before anthesis and during the early stage of the progamic phase, when pollen
      is germinated and tubes outgrow on the stigma. In the ovary, PhCRT mRNA was most
      abundant after pollination and reached maximum at the late stage of the progamic
      phase, when pollen tubes grow into the ovules and fertilization occurs. PhCRT
      mRNA transcripts were seen to accumulate predominantly in transmitting tract
      cells of maturing and receptive stigma, in germinated pollen/growing tubes, and
      at the micropylar region of the ovule, where the female gametophyte is located.
      From these results, we suggest that PhCRT gene expression is up-regulated during
      secretory activity of the pistil transmitting tract cells, pollen germination and
      outgrowth of the tubes, and then during gamete fusion and early embryogenesis.

PMID- 24213155
TI  - Improved plant regeneration from wheat anther and barley microspore culture using
      phenylacetic acid (PAA).
AB  - The effect of the auxin phenylacetic acid (PAA) on wheat anther and on barley
      anther/microspore culture was investigated. With PAA the induction response was
      not usually significantly different from controls but a significantly higher
      number of green plants were produced in wheat anther and barley microspore
      culture. For wheat anther culture 100 mg/L PAA was beneficial. For barley
      microspore culture the optimum levels were from 1 to 100 mg/L, depending on
      genotype. In barley anther culture there were no improvements using PAA. In wheat
      anther culture, 145 green plants/100 anthers were obtained with cultivar
      Veery'S', while the average response from twelve F1 hybrids in the breeding
      program was 332 green plants/100 anthers. At least 1000 green plants were
      obtained using isolated microspores from 100 anthers in barley cv. Igri. With cv.
      Bruce, regeneration occurred only when 100 mg/L PAA was used. The influence of
      PAA appears at the embryogenic phase of the culture system. The possible
      mechanisms by which PAA may improve regeneration are discussed. 

PMID- 24213154
TI  - Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using analytical methods,
      toxicology, and risk assessment research: seafood safety after a petroleum spill
      as an example.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are abundant and widespread
      environmental chemicals. They are produced naturally and through man-made
      processes, and they are common in organic media, including petroleum. Several
      PAHs are toxic, and a subset exhibit carcinogenic activity. PAHs represent a
      range of chemical structures based on two or more benzene rings and, depending on
      their source, can exhibit a variety of side modifications resulting from
      oxygenation, nitrogenation, and alkylation. OBJECTIVES: Here we discuss the
      increasing ability of contemporary analytical methods to distinguish not only
      different chemical structures among PAHs but also their concentrations in
      environmental media. Using seafood contamination following the Deepwater Horizon
      accident as an example, we identify issues that are emerging in the PAH risk
      assessment process because of increasing analytical sensitivity for individual
      PAHs, and we describe the paucity of toxicological literature for many of these
      compounds. DISCUSSION: PAHs, including the large variety of chemically modified
      or substituted PAHs, are naturally occurring and may constitute health risks if
      human populations are exposed to hazardous levels. However, toxicity evaluations
      have not kept pace with modern analytic methods and their increased ability to
      detect substituted PAHs. Therefore, although it is possible to measure these
      compounds in seafood and other media, we do not have sufficient information on
      the potential toxicity of these compounds to incorporate them into human health
      risk assessments and characterizations. CONCLUSIONS: Future research efforts
      should strategically attempt to fill this toxicological knowledge gap so human
      health risk assessments of PAHs in environmental media or food can be better
      determined. This is especially important in the aftermath of petroleum spills.

PMID- 24213156
TI  - Stably transformed herbicide resistant callus of sugarcane via microprojectile
      bombardment of cell suspension cultures and electroporation of protoplasts.
AB  - Stably transformed callus of a hybrid sugarcane cultivar (Saccharum species
      hybrid, CP72-1210) was achieved following high velocity microprojectile
      bombardment of suspension culture cells, and electroporation of protoplasts. A
      three-day old cell suspension culture (SC88) was bombarded with gold particles
      coated with pBARGUS plasmid DNA containing the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter
      gene and the bar selectable gene that confers resistance to the herbicide basta.
      The pBARGUS plasmid was also electroporated into the protoplasts of another cell
      line (SCPP). Colonies resistant to basta were recovered from both sources. Stable
      integration of the bar gene in the resistant cell lines was confirmed by Southern
      analysis. In addition, phosphinothricin acetyltransf erase (PAT) activity was
      also demonstrated in the transformed cell lines. 

PMID- 24213157
TI  - Transformation and regeneration of Brassica rapa using Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Transformation and regeneration procedures for obtaining transgenic Brassica rapa
      ssp. oleifera plants are described. Regeneration frequencies were increasedby
      using silver nitrate and by adjusting the duration of exposure to 2,4-D. For
      transformation, Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA101 containing a binary
      plasmid with the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (NPT II) and the b
      glucuronidase gene (GUS) was cocultivated with hypocotyl explants from the
      oilseed B. rapa cvs. Tobin and Emma. Transformed plants were obtained within
      three months of cocultivation. Transformation frequencies for the cultivars Tobin
      and Emma were 1-9%. Evidence for transformation was shown by NPT II dot blot
      assay, the GUS fluorometric assay, Southern analysis, and segregation of the
      kanamycin-resistance trait in the progeny. The transformation and regeneration
      procedure described here has been used routinely to transform two cultivars of B.
      rapa and 18 cultivars of B. napus. 

PMID- 24213158
TI  - Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of oilseed Brassica campestris:
      Transformation frequency is strongly influenced by the mode of shoot
      regeneration.
AB  - Protocols were developed for efficient shoot regeneration from hypocotyl and
      cotyledon explants of oilseed Brassica campestris (brown sarson) cv. 'Pusa
      Kalyani'. These were used for genetic transformation by an Agrobacterium based
      binary vector carrying neomycin phosphotransferase (npt) gene and beta
      glucuronidase (gus)-intron gene for plant cell specific expression. Transformed
      plants were recovered from hypocotyl explants at a frequency of 7-13%. Addition
      of silver nitrate markedly enhanced shoot regeneration in hypocotyl explants
      under non-selection conditions and was found to be an absolute requirement under
      selection conditions. Cotyledon explants, inspite of being more regenerative,
      proved to be highly refractory to transformation. Only two chimeric transformed
      shoots were obtained from more than 10,000 cotyledons treated with Agrobacterium.
      In hypocotyl explants, shoot regeneration occurred from the vascular parenchyma
      both with and without the intervention of callus phase. Only the shoot buds
      differentiating from callus tissue were positive for GUS activity. In cotyledons,
      shoot buds originated only directly from the vascular parenchyma, generally at a
      distance of about 450-625 MU from the cut surface. Such shoots were negative for
      GUS activity. 

PMID- 24213159
TI  - Regeneration of shoots from embryo hypocotyls of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior).
AB  - The addition of thidiazuron (TDZ) to MS salts and vitamins, instead of
      benzylaminopurine (BAP) increased both the culture weight and the proportion of
      ash embryo hypocotyl explants that produced adventitious shoots. The
      concentration of BAP, but not that of TDZ also affected these parameters.
      Addition of 1-naphthalene acetic acid reduced culture performance, indolebutyric
      acid (IBA) was beneficial, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid had no effect.
      During both 1990 and 1991, rates of regeneration declined as the growth season
      progressed. Adventitious shoots, which were also obtained from hypocotyls from
      dried seeds, were established as proliferating shoot cultures following transfer
      to DKW medium with 5.0 mg l(-1) BAP, and the resulting shoots were rooted in half
      strength Woody Plant medium with 1.0 mg l(-1) IBA. 

PMID- 24213160
TI  - Regeneration of plants from callus tissue of the pasture legume Centrosema
      brasilianum.
AB  - Plants were regenerated from leaf explants of Centrosema brasilianum cultured in
      vitro. Callus and buds were produced on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), 0.8%
      agar, 0.1 mg/l NAA and 1 mg/l BAP. Regeneration of multiple shoots was achieved
      by transferring callus onto fresh medium containing 0.01 and 1 mg/l of NAA and
      BAP, respectively. Shoots formed roots upon transfer to MS with 0.01 mg/l NAA.
      Plantlets were succesfully transferred to soil. Leaf-derived calli of Centrosema
      arenarium, C. macrocarpum, C. pascuorum, C. pubescens, and C. virginianum did not
      produce shoots when cultured in vitro. 

PMID- 24213161
TI  - Micropropagation of Morus laevigata Wall. from mature trees.
AB  - Multiple shoots were obtained from nodal explants of 10-year-old tree of Morus
      laevigata on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with different
      concentrations (0.5-5.0 mg.l(-1)) of benzyladenine (BA). Nodal segments taken
      from in vitro proliferated shoots gave further multiple shoots when cultured on
      the same basal medium containing 2.5 mg.l(-1) BA. Repeated subculture resulted in
      rapid shoot multiplication at the average rate of 6-fold per subculture. In vitro
      raised shoots rooted on MS medium containing 0.1 mg. l(-1) each of 3
      indolebutyric acid (ISA) and alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The regenerated
      plantlets were successfully established in soil under field conditions after a
      few days of indoor acclimatization. 

PMID- 24213162
TI  - Plant regeneration from callus cultures of Piper longum L. by organogenesis.
AB  - Plant regeneration from callus cultures of Piper longum was achieved through
      organogenesis. In vitro grown shoots were used as explants for callus induction.
      Competent callus was initiated around the nodal ring of tissue using Murashige
      and Skoog medium supplemented with 1.0 mg.l(-1)alpha- naphthaleneacetic acid and
      0.2 mg.l(-1) N(6)-benzyladenine. Optimum growth regulator concentrations for
      shoot induction and shoot elongation were found to be 0.5 mg.l(-1) indole-3
      acetic acid with 1.5 mg.l(-1) benzyladenine, and 0.1 mg.l(-1) indole-3-acetic
      acid with 0.2 mg.l(-1) benzyladenine, respectively. Elongated shoots were rooted
      on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium having 0.1 mg.l(-1) indole3-acetic
      acid. The rooted plants were successfully established in soil. 

PMID- 24213163
TI  - Formation of multiple embryo-like structures from single microspores during maize
      anther culture.
AB  - In a previous study on the RFLP analysis of the maize anther culture response
      (Wan et al. 1992), some of the anther-derived callus Unes from hybrids H99 x Pa91
      (HP) and H99 x FR16 (HF) showed the same RFLP patterns with 58 (for HP Unes) or
      35 (for HF lines) RFLP markers used. Since the callus Unes with the identical
      RFLP pattern were initiated from individual embryo-like structures (ELSs) from
      the same anther culture plate, these must have originated from the same
      microspore. Twin embryos which apparently had originated from the same microspore
      were also observed. Thus in certain cases one microspore must be capable of
      forming more than one ELS. However, in the case of the callus Unes from a
      different F1 hybrid (Pa91 x FR16), no identical RFLP patterns were observed. Thus
      multiple ELS formation from a single microspore may be genetically controlled.
      Since in some cases the proportion of callus lines resulting from multiple ELS
      formation can be quite high (about 50% for the HP lines), estimates of gene
      segregation and anther culture response frequencies can be affected greatly. 

PMID- 24213164
TI  - Callus induction and adventitious organogenesis of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus
      L.).
AB  - Callus production along with caulogenesis and rhizogenesis were obtained from
      internodal stem explants of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) after 4 weeks in
      culture. Murashige and Skoog medium was used for two 4*4 matrix experiments
      designed to determine suitable growth regulator combinations (NAA/BAP or 2,4
      D/kinetin) and concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 mg/L). The most abundant callus
      production was observed at 0.3/3.0 and 1.0/3.0 mg/L 2,4-D/kinetin and at 1.0/1.0
      and 3.0/1.0 mg/L NAA/BAP. Rhizogenesis was most extensive with NAA/BAP at
      concentrations of 0.1/3.0 and 0.3/ 3.0 mg/L. Adventitious shoots developed on
      both auxin/cytokinin matrixes when each concentration was at 0.3 mg/L or less.
      These protocols will facilitate the development of in vitro approaches to kenaf
      improvement and the study of certain host-pathogen interactions. 

PMID- 24213165
TI  - Maturation of maize pollen in vitro.
AB  - Maturation of maize pollen was obtained in male reproductive structures cultured
      in vitro. Immature tassels containing microspores at the mid-uninucleate to late
      binucleate stage of development were excised and spikelets, anthers, and/or
      isolated microspores were cultured on a medium capable of supporting pollen
      maturation. Microspore mitosis, culminating in the production of starch-filled,
      trinucleate pollen capable of germination, was observed after 7-15 days,
      depending on the genotype and stage at which the cultures were initiated. Up to
      100%, 70%, and 20% of the cultured spikelets, anthers, and isolated microspores,
      respectively, produced mature pollen, which germinated, however, at different
      frequencies (i.e., spikelets, 50-70%; anthers, 5-10%; microspores, <1%). Mature
      kernels were produced following fertilization with pollen from cultured spikelets
      and anthers. These procedures provide methods for the in vitro manipulation of a
      significant phase of the maize life cycle. 

PMID- 24213166
TI  - Quantifying the local resolution of cryo-EM density maps.
AB  - We propose a definition of local resolution for three-dimensional electron cryo
      microscopy (cryo-EM) density maps that uses local sinusoidal features. Our
      algorithm has no free parameters and is applicable to other imaging modalities,
      including tomography. By evaluating the local resolution of single-particle
      reconstructions and subtomogram averages for four example data sets, we report
      variable resolution across a 4- to 40-A range. 

PMID- 24213168
TI  - Two T-DNA's co-transformed intoBrassica napus by a doubleAgrobacterium
      tumefaciens infection are mainly integrated at the same locus.
AB  - Hypocotyl explants of threeBrassica napus varieties were infected with two
      nopaline typeAgrobacterium strains each carrying a distinct disarmed T-DNA
      containing different selectable markers. Selection was done for only one of the
      markers, after which the regenerated plants were screened for the presence of the
      second marker. High co-transformation frequencies of both T-DNA's were obtained
      (39%-85% of the transformants). Where the two T-DNA's were integrated linked,
      they were usually present in an inverted orientation relative to each other; in
      all of the cases observed the two right borders were adjacent. Tandem
      orientations occurred less frequently. The T-DNA's were mainly integrated as
      intact copies and deletions did not often occur. The co-transformation system
      described favors a genetically linked integration of the two T-DNA's (78%),
      although in a single transformed plant both linked and unlinked copies of both T
      DNA's may be present. 

PMID- 24213167
TI  - Parallel measurement of dynamic changes in translation rates in single cells.
AB  - Protein concentrations are often regulated by dynamic changes in translation
      rates. Nevertheless, it has been challenging to directly monitor changes in
      translation in living cells. We have developed a reporter system to measure real
      time changes of translation rates in human or mouse individual cells by
      conjugating translation regulatory motifs to sequences encoding a nuclear
      targeted fluorescent protein and a controllable destabilization domain.
      Application of the method showed that individual cells undergo marked
      fluctuations in the translation rate of mRNAs whose 5' terminal oligopyrimidine
      (5' TOP) motif regulates the synthesis of ribosomal proteins. Furthermore, we
      show that small reductions in amino acid levels signal through different mTOR
      dependent pathways to control TOP mRNA translation, whereas larger reductions in
      amino acid levels control translation through eIF2A. Our study demonstrates that
      dynamic measurements of single-cell activities of translation regulatory motifs
      can be used to identify and investigate fundamental principles of translation. 

PMID- 24213169
TI  - Identification of superior parents in a potato breeding programme.
AB  - An incomplete diallel cross was used to study components of genetic variation in
      potatoes for a range of characters after early and late harvest. The progenies
      were also used to evaluate five predictors of progeny performance, namely the
      mean seedling performance, the mid-parent value and the means of the selfed
      progenies, of the diploid progenies and of the test-cross progenies. For almost
      all characters, the general combining ability effects were predominant, although
      the specific combining ability effects present were greater at late than at early
      harvests. The seedling performance for tuber yield, number of tubers and average
      tuber weight did not show any relevant relationship to the field performance. The
      midparent value provided, in general, satisfactory predictions of the mean
      progeny performance obtained in the diallel, except for ware tuber yield. The
      selfed and the diploid progenies did not improve the prediction of progeny means
      compared to the mid-parent value. The predictions based on the test-crosses
      surpassed those of the mid-parent value, particularly for tuber yield at ware
      potato harvest. Methods to identify superior parents are discussed. 

PMID- 24213170
TI  - High threonine producer mutant ofNicotiana sylvestris (Spegg. and Comes).
AB  - Mutagenesis and the subsequent selection of mesophyll diploid protoplasts
      ofNicotiana sylvestris on growth inhibitory concentrations of lysine plus
      threonine has led to the isolation of an LT-resistant mutant. Regeneration of
      this line (RLT 70) and analysis of its descendants demonstrated the dominant
      monogenic nuclear character of the resistance gene, further namedak-LT1. When the
      inhibition properties of aspartate kinase were examined in the homozygous mutant,
      lysine-sensitive activity could no longer be detected. In comparison, 70%-80% of
      the wild-type enzyme activity was usually inhibited by lysine, and the rest by
      threonine. Evidence for the existence of at least two AK isoenzymes was obtained
      by ion-exchange chromatography, where two peaks of activity could be detected:
      the first one to be eluted is lysine sensitive, and the second one threonine
      sensitive. One consequence of the altered regulation of AK in the mutant was the
      enhanced production of soluble threonine. Threonine accumulation was observed to
      occur throughout the life cycle of the mutant plant as well as in its different
      organs. In particular, leaves exhibited a 45-fold increment of soluble threonine,
      which corresponds to a 13-fold increase in total threonine: almost one-third of
      the total amino acids was free and proteinbound threonine. In RLT 70 seeds, 20%
      of the free amino acid pool was in the form of threonine (70-fold accumulation
      compared to the wild type), and total threonine content was increased five fold.
      As a general rule, the other amino acids were also more abundant in RLT 70 seeds,
      such that the total of amino acids present was between two to four times higher,
      but in contrast with the situation encountered in leaves, this was also due to a
      higher protein-bound amino acid content. 

PMID- 24213171
TI  - Variable methylation and differential replication of genomic DNA in cultured
      carrot root expiants during growth induction as influenced by hormonal
      treatments.
AB  - The methylation and amplification pattern of genomic DNA of carrot root expiants
      (Daucus carota L.) undergoes transitory changes during the cultural cycle. A high
      degree of variation was observed as early as 36 h after the incubation of fresh
      expiants in the nutrient medium and, depending on the hormonal treatment
      significant modifications occurred during 14 days of culture. Proliferative
      tissue conditioned by kinetin showed an extensive reduction in DNA methylation.
      Changes in the DNA amplification pattern were not necessarily linked to
      methylation. 

PMID- 24213172
TI  - Complementation of the amylose-free starch mutant of potato (Solanum tuberosum.)
      by the gene encoding granule-bound starch synthase.
AB  - Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated introduction of the wild-type allele of the
      gene encoding granulebound starch synthase (GBSS) into the amylose-free starch
      mutantamf of potato leads to restoration of GBSS activity and amylose synthesis,
      which demonstrates thatAmf is the structural gene for GBSS. Amylose was found in
      columella cells of root tips, in stomatal guard cells, tubers, and pollen, while
      in the control experiments using only vector DNA, these tissues remained amylose
      free. This confirms the fact that, in potato, GBSS is the only enzyme responsible
      for the presence of amylose, accumulating in all starch-containing tissues.
      Amylose-containing transformants showed no positive correlation between GBSS
      activity and amylose content, which confirms that the former is not the sole
      regulating factor in amylose metabolism. 

PMID- 24213173
TI  - A linkage map ofBrassica rapa (syn.campestris) based on restriction fragment
      length polymorphism loci.
AB  - A detailed linkage map ofB. rapa (syn.campestris) was constructed based on
      segregation of 280 restriction fragment length polymorphism loci, detected by
      using 188 genomic DNA clones as probes on DNAs from a F2 population of Chinese
      cabbage 'MichihilF'*'Spring broccoli.' These genetic markers covered 1,850
      centiMorgans (cM) and defined ten linkage groups, which equals the haploid
      chromosome number of this species. Extensive sequence duplication was evident by
      the detection of two or more segregating loci with each of 69 clones (36.7% of
      the total). Although some duplicated loci were randomly distributed throughout
      the genome, many had linkage arrangements that were conserved on different
      linkage groups, suggesting that large chromosome fragments were present in
      multiple copies. However, conservation in the linkage arrangement of duplicate
      loci throughout entire pairs of linkage groups was not observed. Single-copy loci
      were often found to be located within conserved duplicated regions, and linkage
      distances between some loci having conserved duplicated arrangements were
      substantially different between the duplicated regions. Structural
      rearrangements, such as insertions, deletions, and inversions or combinations of
      these events, seemed to be related to the alternations of map distances between
      duplicated loci and to the dispersal of duplicated chromosome fragments. These
      results suggest thatB. rapa has evolved in part by duplication of chromosomes or
      large chromosome fragments with subsequent structural rearrangements. 

PMID- 24213174
TI  - Index selection with nonlinear profit function as a tool to achieve simultaneous
      genetic gain.
AB  - Simultaneous improvement of several, and often negatively correlated, traits is
      frequently a desired objective in forest tree breeding. A profit function that
      includes a combination of both linear weights and weights for the cross-products
      of trait combinations facilitates the construction of a linear index, with an
      attractive response in all traits. A detailed algorithm for finding the index
      coefficients is provided, along with three examples of applications in tree
      breeding. The index is also a powerful tool in optimizing the selection for a
      ratio of two traits. It is argued that a more equal progress in several traits
      provides a safetey net when faced with economic uncertainties. The provided
      algorithm eliminates the need for direct search techniques. Existence of a dual
      set of linear weights means that the statistical properties of the index based on
      nonlinear profit functions are identical to those of the classical Smith-Hazel
      type of index. 

PMID- 24213175
TI  - Effective number of pollen parents in clonal seed orchards.
AB  - A method for quantifying mating behavior in clonal seed orchards of forest tree
      species is presented. It involves the estimation of effective numbers of pollen
      parents from seed samples collected from individual ramets in such orchards.
      These effective numbers are variance effective numbers for populations of male
      gametes that are successful in uniting with ovules to produce viable seed. Three
      such effective numbers are defined for clonal seed orchards:N p (a) for male
      gamete populations for ramets within clones,N p (b) for male gamete populations
      for clones, andN p (c) for male gamete populations for entire orchards.
      Estimators for these effective numbers and for standardized variances of allele
      frequencies in the male gametic populations are presented. Expressions are also
      given for the confidence intervals for each of the three effective numbers.
      Estimates of these parameters and the corresponding confidence intervals for two
      seed orchards are presented and interpreted. 

PMID- 24213176
TI  - Mitochondrial genome size variation and restriction fragment length polymorphisms
      in threePhaseolus species.
AB  - Restriction patterns of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from threePhaseolus species
      were examined to estimate their relative genome sizes and to determine the level
      of interspecific variability and relatedness. Three restriction endonucleases
      that produced relatively simple profiles were identified and used to determine
      the genome size of the three species. Taking into account fragment
      stoichiometries, the average estimates across enzymes were 456, 324, and 400 kb,
      respectively, forP. vulgaris, P. coccineus, andP. acutifolius. Restriction
      fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) differentiated the species when the mtDNAs
      were digested with seven endonucleases and hybridized with five cosmid clones
      covering ca. 200 kb of mtDNA sequences. Proportions of shared restriction
      fragments between every two species were computed as F-values and demonstrated
      thatP. vulgaris andP. coccineus are more related to each other than either is
      toP. acutifolius, and that the latter has a similar degree of relationship to the
      other two species. 

PMID- 24213177
TI  - Prediction of response with overlapping generations accounting for multistage
      selection.
AB  - A generalization of Hill's equations predicting response to selection is
      developed that accounts for multiple stage selection in either or both sexes. The
      method accounts for the flow of genes for animals selected at later stages. This
      allows for the use of genetic gains from later stages, which explains the
      reduction in variance due to previous selection. Genetic gains from different
      selection differentials in each reproductive pathway are incorporated into the
      equations. The asymptotic response to a single cycle of selection is shown to
      agree with classical selection theory.The method is applied to a dairy progeny
      testing scheme representative of an artificial insemination organization in the
      USA. Two models were compared: (1) the first model accounted for two-stage
      selection of males, the first stage being based on pedigree information and the
      second stage on both pedigree and progeny test information; and (2) the second
      model assumed single-stage male selection. Selection was based on milk volume,
      milk fat, and milk protein yields. The predicted asymptotic rates for a single
      cycle of selection were overestimated by 6% and the cumulative response to
      continuous selection over 20 years was overestimated by 8% by assuming
      singlestage male selection. 

PMID- 24213178
TI  - Isozyme analysis of progeny derived from (Allium fistulosum *Allium cepa) *Allium
      cepa.
AB  - Relatively large quantities of seed were obtained from the interspecific
      backcross (A. fistulosum xA. cepa) *A. cepa allowing, for the first time, an
      extensive study of the heritable traits exhibited by backcross progeny. Two
      backcross populations, BC1034 and BC1040, distinguished by differentA. fistulosum
      parents, were characterized for the isozyme markersIdh-1, Adh-1, andPgi-1.
      Statistical methods are described to calculate cell probabilities for a mixed
      population of F2 and BC1 progeny, using an estimate of the fraction of F2 progeny
      in the population derived from the isozyme data. Cell probability distributions
      were calculated for a mixed population with independent pairs of loci and a mixed
      population with nonindependent pairs of loci. The isozyme lociIdh-1 andPgi-1
      appear to be linked, with a map distance estimated at 33 centimorgans (cM) in
      BC1034 and 42 cM in BC1040. The probability distribution model for linked loci
      did not account for all of the distorted segregation ratios inIdh-1 *Adh-1 orPgi
      1 *Adh-1. The cytological literature does not support linkage betweenIdh-1 *Adh-1
      orPgi-1 *Adh-1. The distorted segregation ratios for these pairs of loci are
      likely the result of genetic incompatibilities between the two species. 

PMID- 24213179
TI  - Isolation and characterization of microprotoplasts from APM-treated suspension
      cells ofNicotiana plumbaginifolia.
AB  - Subprotoplasts with a DNA content of less than the G1 level (microprotoplasts)
      were isolated from micronucleated cells of transformedNicotiana plumbaginifolia
      ('Doba' line resistant to kanamycin) and characterized cytologically as well as
      by flow cytometry and Feulgen microdensitometry. Micronuclei were induced upon
      treatment of the suspension cells with the anti-microtubule drug amiprophos
      methyl (APM). Protoplasts were fractionated on a continuous iso-osmotic gradient
      of Percoll; this resulted in several visible bands. Flow cytometric analysis of
      fluorescein and nuclear DNA contents after staining with fluorescein and DAPI
      respectively showed that the main band contained mostly evacuolated, intact
      (sub)protoplasts. Microprotoplasts contained one or a few micronuclei surrounded
      by a thin rim of cytoplasm and an intact plasma membrane. A maximum of 40% of the
      microprotoplasts in the fraction just below the main band had a DNA content less
      than the G1 level, in other fractions this maximum was 20%. Some of these
      contained an amount equivalent to that of one or a few chromosomes. The
      application of microprotoplasts for chromosome-mediated gene transfer in plants
      is indicated. 

PMID- 24213180
TI  - Extended map for the phaseolin linkage group ofPhaseolus vulgaris L.
AB  - The linkage relationship of 11 bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seed proteins (including
      phaseolin), 9 enzyme loci, and theP locus were analyzed in backcross and F2
      progenies by use of the software package "Mapmaker." The progenies were obtained
      by crossing the breeding line 'XR-235-1' and the cultivar 'Calima'. Allelic
      differences for seed protein loci were detected with SDS-PAGE and those for
      enzyme loci with starch gel electrophoresis and activity stains. The seed coat
      color of 'Calima' is a red/beige mottled pattern and that of 'XR-235-1' is white.
      Segregation at theP locus was followed by recording the phenotype of the BC1S1
      and F3 seed. A linkage group comprising ca. 90 cM was detected with the following
      gene order:Est-2 - 11 -Pha - 8 - (Spe/Spg) - 24 - P - 9 - (Spa/Spv) - 16 -Spba -
      22 -Mdh-1. In addition, another linkage group was detected: (Spd/Spf/Sph) - 5 
      Spca. Therefore, the seed proteins appear to be organized in clusters in the bean
      genome. 

PMID- 24213181
TI  - Chromosomal location of seed storage protein genes in the genome ofDasypyrum
      villosum (L.) Candargy.
AB  - Genes coding for glutenin-like subunits and for several prolamin subunits with
      electrophoretic mobilities (lactate-PAGE) corresponding to those of omega- and
      gamma-gliadins of wheat were located inDasypyrum villosum chromosome1V. Genes
      controlling four gliadinlike subunits with electrophoretic mobilities
      corresponding to those of alpha- and gamma-gliadins were located on the short arm
      of chromosome6V and on the long arm of chromosome4V. N-terminal amino acid
      sequences of these four components were also determined and homology with alpha
      type gliadins was demonstrated. The presence of genes coding for glutenin- and
      gliadin-like subunits on chromosomes1V and6V demonstrates homoeology between
      theD. villosum chromosomes1V and6V and the chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1
      and 6 in wheat. It is likely that the additional locusGli-V3 on chromosome4V
      originated by translocation from theGli-V2 locus. 

PMID- 24213182
TI  - Selection for local adaptation in a plant breeding programme.
AB  - Regressions of yields of cultivars upon means of sets of cultivars over diverse
      environments are often used as measures of stability/adaptability. Prolonged
      selection for performance in environments of high yield potential has generally
      led to unconscious selection for high regressions. If adaptation to poor
      environments is required (as it often is in Third World agriculture), common
      sense suggests that low regressions could be exploited for the purpose.
      Simulations show that systematic selection in the poor environment is required,
      not merely trials of potential cultivars after selection in a good environment.
      In effect, systematic exploitation of a GE interactions effect is proposed. The
      effects are large enough to reduce correlated responses in different environments
      to zero. Orderly experimental studies are needed but not available. What
      information there is does not disagree with the theory developed here. 

PMID- 24213183
TI  - Simulation of genetic control. Homozygous-viable pericentric inversions in field
      female killing systems.
AB  - The GENCON simulation program GC5 is designed to simulate genetic population
      control using field-female killing (FK) systems carying pericentric inversions in
      addition to Y-linked translocations and deleterious mutations. Homozygous-viable
      pericentric inversions are included on the same chromosomes as the deleterious
      mutations, in repulsion to the Y-linked translocation. Released males transmit
      the inversions and mutations to their daughters and the translocation to their
      sons. Daughters are semisterile regardless of the type of male they mate with,
      because products of crossing-over within the inversions carry inviable
      duplications and deficiencies. Compared to present FK systems, inversion
      containing strains give higher levels of genetic death, with both faster initial
      suppression and greater persistence of genetic death from field-reared
      descendants if releases are interrupted. At low release rates, both types of FK
      system are more effective than sterile males. 

PMID- 24213184
TI  - Assessment of a method for cultivar selection based on regional trial data.
AB  - In this study a method for analyzing regional trial data is investigated for its
      effectiveness in cultivar selection. The method is a synthesis of three
      procedures: (1) regression analysis for genotype * environment (GE) interaction,
      and subsequent cluster analysis for grouping cultivars for similarity of
      response; (2) superiority measure analysis of cultivar performance based on the
      distance mean square between the test cultivar and the maximum response; (3) type
      4 stability analysis for three-way classification data (cultivar * location *
      year), to measure a cultivar's stability. Each of these three procedures is aimed
      at different aspects of the selection problem: the first obtains an overview of
      the types of cultivar response; the second measures a cultivar's general
      adaptability within the region; the third assesses a cultivar's ability to
      withstand unpredictable variation, namely that caused by year effects. Four sets
      of published data, each originally analyzed by a univariate or a multivariate
      approach, were used as examples. The results suggest that the present method
      provides direct and useful information for selection purposes. The superiority
      measure, which is the core of the method, can be used even if the data do not fit
      the linear model for GE interaction. Plotting the data with a fixed standard
      represented by the maximum response provides a simple visual tool for identifying
      environments where a cultivar performs well. 

PMID- 24213185
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24213186
TI  - Significant differences in drug lag in clinical development among various
      strategies used for regulatory submissions in Japan.
AB  - Although the number of global clinical trials (GCTs) conducted in multiple
      countries including Japan has increased recently, it is not clear how much these
      GCTs help in reducing the lag in drug development (LDD: difference between the
      submission dates for new drug applications (NDAs) in the United States and
      Japan). We examined the effects of various clinical development strategies on LDD
      because the development period depends on what types of clinical trials were
      conducted for the Japanese NDA. Although various drug development strategies are
      available, deciding early on an appropriate strategy is a key to minimizing the
      LDD in Japan. The inclusion of GCTs in the clinical development strategy is also
      important; simultaneously, the smaller sample size of the Japanese population
      should be taken into consideration. Furthermore, reinforcement of Japan's
      capability to lead drug development may also be important in providing innovative
      drugs to Japanese patients without any significant LDD. 

PMID- 24213187
TI  - Electrochemical ammonia production on molybdenum nitride nanoclusters.
AB  - Theoretical investigations of electrochemical production of ammonia at ambient
      temperature and pressure on nitrogen covered molybdenum nanoparticles are
      presented. Density functional theory calculations are used in combination with
      the computational hydrogen electrode approach to calculate the free energy
      profile for electrochemical protonation of N2 and N adatoms on cuboctahedral Mo13
      nanoparticles. Pathways for electrochemical ammonia production via direct
      protonation of N adatoms and N2 admolecules with an onset potential as low as 
      0.5 V and generally lower than -0.8 V on both a nitrogen covered or a clean Mo
      nanoparticle. Calculations presented here show that nitrogen dissociation at
      either nitrogen vacancies on a nitrogen covered molybdenum particle or at a clean
      molybdenum particle is unlikely to occur under ambient conditions due to very
      high activation barriers of 1.8 eV. The calculations suggest that the nitrogen
      will be favored at the surface compared to hydrogen even at potentials of -0.8 V
      and the Faradaic losses due to HER should be low. 

PMID- 24213188
TI  - First report on Cryptococcus neoformans in pigeon excreta from public and
      residential locations in the metropolitan area of Cuiaba, State of Mato Grosso,
      Brazil.
AB  - Cryptococcosis is a severe systemic mycosis caused by two species of Cryptococcus
      that affect humans and animals: C. neoformans and C. gattii. Cosmopolitan and
      emergent, the mycosis results from the interaction between a susceptible host and
      the environment. The occurrence of C. neoformans was evaluated in 122 samples of
      dried pigeon excreta collected in 49 locations in the City of Cuiaba, State of
      Mato Grosso, Brazil, including public squares (n = 5), churches (n = 4),
      educational institutions (n = 3), health units (n = 8), open areas covered with
      asbestos (n = 4), residences (n = 23), factory (n = 1) and a prison (n = 1).
      Samples collected from July to December of 2010 were seeded on Niger seed agar
      (NSA). Dark brown colonies were identified by urease test, carbon source
      assimilation tests and canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue medium. Polymerase
      chain reaction primer pairs specific for C. neoformans were also used for
      identification. Cryptococcus neoformans associated to pigeon excreta was isolated
      from eight (6.6%) samples corresponding to six (12.2%) locations. Cryptococcus
      neoformans was isolated from urban areas, predominantly in residences,
      constituting a risk of acquiring the disease by immunocompromised and
      immunocompetent individuals.

PMID- 24213189
TI  - Distribution of dermatophytes from soils of urban and rural areas of cities of
      Paraiba State, Brazil.
AB  - The dermatophytes, keratinophilic fungi, represent important microorganisms of
      the soil microbiota, where there are cosmopolitan species and others with
      restricted geographic distribution. The aim of this study was to broaden the
      knowledge about the presence of dermatophytes in soils of urban (empty lots,
      schools, slums, squares, beaches and homes) and rural areas and about the
      evolution of their prevalence in soils of varying pH in cities of the four
      mesoregions of Paraiba State, Brazil. Soil samples were collected from 31 cities
      of Paraiba State. Of 212 samples, 62% showed fungal growth, particularly those
      from the Mata Paraibana mesoregion (43.5%), which has a tropical climate, hot and
      humid. Soil pH varied from 4.65 to 9.06, with 71% of the growth of dermatophytes
      occurring at alkaline pH (7.02 - 9.06) (rho = 0.000). Of 131 strains isolated,
      57.3% were geophilic species, particularly Trichophyton terrestre (31.3%) and
      Mycrosporum gypseum (21.4%). M. nanum and T. ajelloi were isolated for the first
      time in Paraiba State. The zoophilic species identified were T. mentagrophytes
      var. mentagrophytes (31.3 %) and T. verrucosum (7.6 %), and T. tonsurans was
      isolated as an anthropophilic species. The soils of urban areas including empty
      lots, schools, slums and squares of cities in the mesoregions of Paraiba State
      were found to be the most suitable reservoirs for almost all dermatophytes; their
      growth may have been influenced by environmental factors, soils with residues of
      human and/or animal keratin and alkaline pH.

PMID- 24213190
TI  - Molecular typing of Candida albicans isolates from hospitalized patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The majority of nosocomial fungal infections are caused by Candida
      spp. where C. albicans is the species most commonly identified. Molecular methods
      are important tools for assessing the origin of the yeasts isolated in hospitals.
      METHODS: This is a study on the genetic profiles of 39 nosocomial clinical
      isolates of C. albicans using two typing methods: random amplified polymorphic
      DNA (RAPD) and microsatellite, two different primers for each technique were
      used. RESULTS: RAPD provided 10 and 11 different profiles with values for S(AB)
      of 0.84 +/- 0.126 and 0.88 +/- 0.08 for primers M2 and P4, respectively.
      Microsatellite using two markers, CDC3 and HIS3, allowed the observation of six
      and seven different alleles, respectively, with combined discriminatory power of
      0.91. CONCLUSIONS: Although genetic variability is clear, it was possible to
      identify high similarity, suggesting a common origin for at least a part of
      isolates. It is important to emphasize that common origin was proven from yeasts
      isolated from colonization (urine, catheter or endotracheal secretions) and blood
      culture from the same patient, indicating that the candidemia must have started
      from a site of colonization. The combination of RAPD and microsatellite provides
      a quick and efficient analysis for investigation of similarity among nosocomial
      isolates of C. albicans.

PMID- 24213191
TI  - Applicability of kDNA-PCR for routine diagnosis of American tegumentary
      leishmaniasis in a tertiary reference hospital.
AB  - This study evaluated the applicability of kDNA-PCR as a prospective routine
      diagnosis method for American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) in patients from
      the Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas (IIER), a reference center for
      infectious diseases in Sao Paulo - SP, Brazil. The kDNA-PCR method detected
      Leishmania DNA in 87.5% (112/128) of the clinically suspected ATL patients, while
      the traditional methods demonstrated the following percentages of positivity:
      62.8% (49/78) for the Montenegro skin test, 61.8% (47/76) for direct
      investigation, and 19.3% (22/114) for in vitro culture. The molecular method was
      able to confirm the disease in samples considered negative or inconclusive by
      traditional laboratory methods, contributing to the final clinical diagnosis and
      therapy of ATL in this hospital. Thus, we strongly recommend the inclusion of
      kDNA-PCR amplification as an alternative diagnostic method for ATL, suggesting a
      new algorithm routine to be followed to help the diagnosis and treatment of ATL
      in IIER.

PMID- 24213192
TI  - Comparison of six commercially-available DNA polymerases for direct PCR.
AB  - The use of a "direct PCR" DNA polymerase enables PCR amplification without any
      prior DNA purification from blood samples due to the enzyme's resistance to
      inhibitors present in blood components. Such DNA polymerases are now commercially
      available. We compared the PCR performance of six direct PCR-type DNA polymerases
      (KOD FX, Mighty Amp, Hemo KlenTaq, Phusion Blood II, KAPA Blood, and BIOTAQ) in
      dried blood eluted from a filter paper with TE buffer. GoTaq Flexi was used as a
      standard DNA polymerase. PCR performance was evaluated by a nested PCR technique
      for detecting Plasmodium falciparum genomic DNA in the presence of the blood
      components. Although all six DNA polymerases showed resistance to blood
      components compared to the standard Taq polymerase, the KOD FX and BIOTAQ DNA
      polymerases were resistant to inhibitory blood components at concentrations of
      40%, and their PCR performance was superior to that of other DNA polymerases.
      When the reaction mixture contained a mild detergent, only KOD FX DNA polymerase
      retained the original amount of amplified product. These results indicate that
      KOD FX DNA polymerase is the most resistant to inhibitory blood components and/or
      detergents. Thus, KOD FX DNA polymerase could be useful in serological studies to
      simultaneously detect antibodies and DNA in eluents for antibodies. KOD FX DNA
      polymerase is thus not limited to use in detecting malaria parasites, but could
      also be employed to detect other blood-borne pathogens.

PMID- 24213193
TI  - Phlebotomine sandflies in rural locations in the State of Parana, southern
      Brazil.
AB  - This study reports the fauna and frequency of sandflies in domestic animal
      shelters, residences and other ecotopes in rural areas of the municipality of
      Bandeirantes, Parana State. Sandflies were collected twice in eight rural
      villages by using Falcon traps from 8pm to 6am in 2008. In these localities 4,790
      sandflies were collected, which were represented by ten sandfly species,
      prevailing of Nyssomyia neivai and Nyssomyia whitmani species. It was observed
      that animal shelters are the domestic ecotopes where there is the greatest
      frequency of these insects. The localities where the collections were made had
      the environmental characteristics that allow the persistence of transmission of
      parasites from the American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Although the fauna and the
      behavior of sandflies species are similar in different localities, the method of
      controlling these insects should be adjusted to the environmental characteristics
      of each one of the most diverse endemic areas of American tegumentary
      leishmaniasis in the municipalities of Parana State.

PMID- 24213194
TI  - Potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae in some flood-affected areas during
      2011 Chiang Mai flood.
AB  - The survey was carried out to investigate the presence of potentially pathogenic
      free-living amoebae (FLA) during flood in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2011. From
      different crisis flood areas, seven water samples were collected and tested for
      the presence of amoebae using culture and molecular methods. By monoxenic
      culture, FLA were detected from all samples at 37  degrees C incubation. The FLA
      growing at 37  degrees C were morphologically identified as Acanthamoeba spp.,
      Naegleria spp. and some unidentified amoebae. Only three samples (42.8%), defined
      as thermotolerant FLA, continued to grow at 42  degrees C. By molecular methods,
      two non-thermotolerant FlA were shown to have 99% identity to Acanthamoeba sp.
      and 98% identity to Hartmannella vermiformis while the two thermotolerant FLA
      were identified as Echinamoeba exundans (100% identity) and Hartmannella sp. (99%
      identity). This first report of the occurrence of FLA in water during the flood
      disaster will provide information to the public to be aware of potentially
      pathogenic FLA.

PMID- 24213195
TI  - Smqnr variants in clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in Brazil.
AB  - Stenotrophomonas maltophilia contains a novel chromosomally-encoded qnr gene
      named Smqnr that contributes to low intrinsic resistance to quinolone. We
      described Smqnr in 13 clinical isolates of S. maltophilia from two Brazilian
      hospitals, over a 2-year period. The strains were identified by API 20 NE
      (bioMerieux, France). Susceptibility by microdilution method to
      trimetroprim/sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, minocycline,
      ceftazidime, chloramphenicol and ticarcillin/clavulanate was performed according
      to CLSI. PCR detection of Smqnr gene was carried out. The sequence of Smqnr was
      compared with those deposited in GenBank. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)
      of all strains was performed. Thirteen Smqnr positives isolates were sequenced
      and three novel variants of Smqnr were identified. All 13 Smqnr isolates had
      distinguishable patterns by PFGE. This is the first report of Smqnr in S.
      maltophilia isolated in Brazil.

PMID- 24213196
TI  - Ovicidal effect of Piperaceae species on Biomphalaria glabrata, Schistosoma
      mansoni host.
AB  - Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease with public health importance in tropical
      and subtropical regions. An alternative to the disease control is the use of
      molluscicides to eliminate or reduce the intermediate host snail population
      causing a reduction of transmission in endemic regions. In this study nine
      extracts from eight Piperaceae species were evaluated against Biomphalaria
      glabrata embryos at blastula stage. The extracts were evaluated in concentrations
      ranging from 100 to 10 mg/L. Piper crassinervium and Piper tuberculatum extracts
      were the most active (100% of mortality at 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L respectively).

PMID- 24213197
TI  - Case study of a patient with HIV-AIDS and visceral leishmaniasis co-infection in
      multiple episodes.
AB  - Report of a 45-year-old male farmer, a resident in the forest zone of Pernambuco,
      who was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 1999 and treated
      using antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. In 2005, the first episode of visceral
      leishmaniasis (VL), as assessed by parasitological diagnosis of bone marrow
      aspirate, was recorded. When admitted to the hospital, the patient presented
      fever, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss, and diarrhea. Since then, six additional
      episodes of VL occurred, with a frequency rate of one per year (2005-2012, except
      in 2008). In 2011, the patient presented a disseminated skin lesion caused by the
      amastigotes of Leishmania, as identified by histopathological assessment of skin
      biopsy samples. In 2005, he was treated with N-methyl-glucamine-antimony and
      amphotericin B deoxycholate. However, since 2006 because of a reported toxicity,
      the drug of choice was liposomal amphotericin B. As recommended by the Ministry
      of Health, this report emphasizes the need for HIV patients living in VL endemic
      areas to include this parasitosis in their follow-up protocol, particularly after
      the first infection of VL.

PMID- 24213198
TI  - Usefulness of kDNA PCR in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis reactivation in
      co-infected patients.
AB  - It is important to develop new methods for diagnosing relapses in the co
      infection of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and HIV to enable earlier detection
      using less invasive methods. We report a case of a co-infected patient who had
      relapses after VL treatment, where the qualitative kDNA PCR showed a good
      performance. The kDNA PCR seems to be a useful tool for diagnosing VL and may be
      a good marker for predicting VL relapses after treatment of co-infected patients
      with clinical symptoms of the disease.

PMID- 24213199
TI  - Differential diagnosis of respiratory viruses by using real time RT-PCR
      methodology.

PMID- 24213200
TI  - High prevalence of hepatitis A antibodies among recyclable waste pickers, Central
      Brazil.

PMID- 24213201
TI  - Analogies in medicine: violin strings adhesions.

PMID- 24213202
TI  - A long wavelength hydrophobic probe for intracellular lipid droplets.
AB  - A highly stable, long wavelength polarity sensitive probe, 8-nitrophenyl-3,5
      dipiperidine-4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (NPBDP), was developed
      for living cell imaging of intracellular lipid droplets by fluorescence
      microscopy. 

PMID- 24213204
TI  - On earthquake prediction in Japan.
AB  - Japan's National Project for Earthquake Prediction has been conducted since 1965
      without success. An earthquake prediction should be a short-term prediction based
      on observable physical phenomena or precursors. The main reason of no success is
      the failure to capture precursors. Most of the financial resources and manpower
      of the National Project have been devoted to strengthening the seismographs
      networks, which are not generally effective for detecting precursors since many
      of precursors are non-seismic. The precursor research has never been supported
      appropriately because the project has always been run by a group of seismologists
      who, in the present author's view, are mainly interested in securing funds for
      seismology - on pretense of prediction. After the 1995 Kobe disaster, the project
      decided to give up short-term prediction and this decision has been further
      fortified by the 2011 M9 Tohoku Mega-quake. On top of the National Project, there
      are other government projects, not formally but vaguely related to earthquake
      prediction, that consume many orders of magnitude more funds. They are also un
      interested in short-term prediction. Financially, they are giants and the
      National Project is a dwarf. Thus, in Japan now, there is practically no support
      for short-term prediction research. Recently, however, substantial progress has
      been made in real short-term prediction by scientists of diverse disciplines.
      Some promising signs are also arising even from cooperation with private sectors.

PMID- 24213203
TI  - Chondrosarcomas of the head and neck.
AB  - Chondrosarcoma represents approximately 11% of all primary malignant bone tumors.
      It is the second most common sarcoma arising in bone after osteosarcoma.
      Chondrosarcomas of the head and neck are rare and may involve the sinonasal
      tract, jaws, larynx or skull base. Depending on the anatomical location, the
      tumor can produce a variety of symptoms. Computed tomography and magnetic
      resonance imaging are the preferred imaging modalities. The histology of
      conventional chondrosarcoma is relatively straightforward; major challenges are
      the distinction between grade I chondrosarcomas and chondromas, and the
      differential diagnosis with chondroblastic osteosarcoma and chondroid chordoma.
      Surgery alone or followed by adjuvant radiotherapy is the treatment of choice.
      Radiotherapy alone has also been reported to be effective and can be considered
      if mutilating radical surgery is the only curative alternative. The 5-year
      survival for chondrosarcoma reaches 80%; distant metastases and/or local
      recurrences significantly worsen prognosis. The present review aims to summarize
      the current state of information about the biology, diagnosis and management of
      these rare tumors.

PMID- 24213205
TI  - Wireless-electrodeless quartz-crystal-microbalance biosensors for studying
      interactions among biomolecules: a review.
AB  - The mass sensitivity of quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM) was drastically
      improved by removing electrodes and wires attached on the quartz surfaces.
      Instead of wire connections, intended vibrations of quartz oscillators were
      excited and detected by antennas through electromagnetic waves. This
      noncontacting measurement is the key for ultrahigh-sensitive detection of
      proteins in liquids as well as quantitative measurements. This review shows the
      principle of wireless QCMs, their applications to studying interactions among
      biomolecules and aggregation reactions of amyloid beta peptides, and the next
      generation MEMS QCM, the resonance acoustic microbalance with naked embedded
      quartz (RAMNE-Q).

PMID- 24213206
TI  - Strong binding and shrinkage of single and double (K) nuclear systems (K(-)pp, K(
      )ppn, K(-)K(-)p and K(-)K(-)pp) predicted by Faddeev-Yakubovsky calculations.
AB  - Non-relativistic Faddeev and Faddeev-Yakubovsky calculations were made for K(
      )pp, K(-)ppn, K(-)K(-)p and K(-)K(-)pp kaonic nuclear clusters, where the quasi
      bound states were treated as bound states by employing real separable potential
      models for the K(-)-K(-) and the K(-)-nucleon interactions as well as for the
      nucleon-nucleon interaction. The binding energies and spatial shrinkages of these
      states, obtained for various values of the K interaction, were found to increase
      rapidly with the K interaction strength. Their behaviors are shown in a reference
      diagram, where possible changes by varying the K interaction in the dense nuclear
      medium are given. Using the Lambda(1405) ansatz with a PDG mass of 1405 MeV/c(2)
      for K(-)p, the following ground-state binding energies together with the wave
      functions were obtained: 51.5 MeV (K(-)pp), 69 MeV (K(-)ppn), 30.4 MeV (K(-)K(
      )p) and 93 MeV (K(-)K(-)pp), which are in good agreement with previous results of
      variational calculation based on the Akaishi-Yamazaki coupled-channel potential.
      The K(-)K(-)pp state has a significantly increased density where the two nucleons
      are located very close to each other, in spite of the inner NN repulsion.
      Relativistic corrections on the calculated non-relativistic results indicate
      substantial lowering of the bound-state masses, especially of K(-)K(-)pp, toward
      the kaon condensation regime. The fact that the recently observed binding energy
      of K(-)pp is much larger (by a factor of 2) than the originally predicted one may
      infer an enhancement of the K interaction in dense nuclei by about 25% possibly
      due to chiral symmetry restoration. In this respect some qualitative accounts are
      given based on "clearing QCD vacuum" model of Brown, Kubodera and Rho.

PMID- 24213207
TI  - On the recent seismic activity in North-Eastern Aegean Sea including the M(w)5.8
      earthquake on 8 January 2013.
AB  - In the last week of November 2012, we announced that a strong electrotelluric
      disturbance, which we judged to be a Seismic Electric Signal (SES) activity, was
      recorded at station Assiros located in Northern Greece. This disturbance was
      actually followed by an Mw5.8 earthquake on 8 January 2013 in North-Eastern
      Aegean Sea. Here we show that, by analyzing this SES activity and employing the
      natural time analysis of subsequent seismicity, we estimated the epicentral
      location, magnitude and occurrence time which are reasonably compatible with
      those of the Mw5.8 event.

PMID- 24213208
TI  - On the relation between dry matter and volume of bacteria.
AB  - Dry matter and volumes of 337 individual bacterial cells with volumes in the
      range 0.01-7MUm(3) from different origins were measured. An allometric relation
      was established between dry matter and volume, such that smaller bacteria tended
      to have a higher dry matter to volume ratio than larger bacteria. The results are
      compared to results from similar work on algae. The implications for the use of
      conversion factors are discussed. 

PMID- 24213209
TI  - The relationship between cell size and viability of soil bacteria.
AB  - The number of bacterial cells in soil that form colonies on nutrient agar
      represent a small fraction of the direct microscopic counts (DMC). The colony
      forming cells have larger cell dimensions than the very small ("dwarf") cells
      which represent the majority of the DMC. This may indicate that the dwarf cells
      are species unable to form visible colonies on agar, or that they swell to normal
      dimensions when growing. Indigenous bacterial cells were separated from soil by
      density gradient centrifugation and fractionated according to diameter by
      filtration through polycarbonate filters. Each filtrate was studied with respect
      to DMC, cell dimensions, colony-forming cells (visible colonies and
      microcolonies), and cell dimensions during growth on the agar. The calculated
      average percent viability was only 0.2% for cells with diameters below 0.4MUm,
      about 10% for cells with diameters between 0.4 and 0.6MUm, and 30-40% for cells
      with diameters above 0.6MUm. Only 10-20% of the viable cells with diameters
      <0.4MUm increased their diameter to >0.4MUm prior to growth. Thus, size change
      during starvation and growth cycles did not explain the high numbers of dwarf
      cells observed by microscopy. The results show that despite the relatively low
      number of colony-forming bacteria in soil, the species that form colonies may be
      fairly representative for the medium size and large cells, which constitute a
      major part of the bacterial biovolume. Thus plate counting could be a useful
      method to count and isolate the bacteria accounting for much of the biovolume in
      soil. The origin of the dwarf cells is still unclear, but the low number of small
      cells that increased in size seems to indicate that the majority of these
      bacterial cells are not small forms of ordinary sized bacteria. 

PMID- 24213210
TI  - Divider size and the cell cycle after prolonged starvation ofTetrahymena
      corlissi.
AB  - Cell growth and division of the ciliateTetrahymena corlissi were examined upon
      refeeding after prolonged starvation of up to 12 days. Division did not
      automatically occur when a certain critical cell size was reached. Rather, it
      varied both with the nutritional history of the cell and the nutrient conditions
      in which the cell was growing. Upon refeeding, cells starved for 12 days divided
      at a smaller size and later than cells starved for 6 days. Cells refed at high
      density took longer to begin division than cells refed at low density. The
      results are discussed with respect to the "relative starvation" and "critical
      constituent" models of the cell cycle and in terms of the polymorphic life cycle
      ofTetrahymena species. 

PMID- 24213211
TI  - Bacterial communities associated with "Pompei worms" from the East Pacific rise
      hydrothermal vents: SEM, TEM observations.
AB  - A morphological study of bacteria associated with the "Pompei worm,"Alvinella
      pompejana, collected from East Pacific rise hydrothermal vents, revealed four
      types of epidermal associations on the dorsal part of the animals: various single
      cells distributed on the animal tegument; clump-like associations located in the
      intertegumentary spaces; and filamentous bacteria associated with epidermal
      expansions, or inserted on the posterior parapodia. The bacterial morphologies
      were illustrated by SEM and TEM pictures and compared to bacteria previously
      described. The functional significance of these associations is discussed. 

PMID- 24213212
TI  - A model for acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in a small pond.
AB  - Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity were determined in a small pond over a
      period of 24 months (64 samples). Activity of each phosphatase enzyme was
      positively correlated with chlorophyll concentration, viable bacterial count,
      total phosphate concentration, inorganic phosphate concentration, and
      temperature. Multiple regression analysis was used to formulate equations that
      described phosphatase activity in terms of these physical, chemical, and biotic
      factors. Corrected coefficients of determination were calculated, and the highest
      values were obtained when all parameters were included in the equation (r
      (2)=0.776 and 0.659 for alkaline and acid phosphatase activity, respectively).
      However, there was little improvement in ther (2) value obtained when only
      chlorophyll was used in the equation (r (2)=0.654 and 0.624, respectively).
      Samples were then taken over a further 12 months (25 samples), and observed
      activity was compared with the activity predicted by application of the
      previously derived equations. For alkaline phosphatase, the best fit between
      observed and expected activity was seen with the equation containing all
      parameters, but for acid phosphatase the best fit was seen with the equation
      containing only chlorophyll and temperature as the determinants. In both cases
      there was a good fit between observed and expected data using the equation
      containing chlorophyll as the sole determinant. From this we have concluded that
      phytoplankton were the chief producers of phosphatase activity in this pond,
      although the influence of physical and chemical factors on enzyme activity could
      not be ignored. 

PMID- 24213213
TI  - Characterization of aerobic, facultative anaerobic, and anaerobic bacteria in an
      acidogenic phase reactor and their metabolite formation.
AB  - Fifty-two aerobic and facultative anaerobic and 57 anaerobic bacterial isolates
      were obtained from an acidogenic phase digestion system. These isolates were
      characterized and the similarities between the different strains were calculated
      using Sokal and Michener's similarity coefficient. The aerobic and facultative
      anaerobic strains clustered in two major groups with the strains of the first
      main group being gram-negative fermentative rods, representing the
      generaKlebsiella, Enterobacter, Escherichia andAeromonas. Isolates of the second
      group were gram-positive streptococci similar toStreptococcus lactis. The strict
      anaerobic isolates also clustered into two main groups with strains of cluster A
      being identified as members of the genusFusobacterium while strains in cluster B
      were members of the genusBacteroides. Hypothetical mean organisms were calculated
      for each cluster and used in further culture studies. The major products of the
      continuously fed acidogenic phase reactor were ethanol and acetic, propionic, and
      butyric acids. In batch cultures, ethanol, acetic acid, diacetyl, and 2,3
      butanediol were formed by the strains as major products both under aerobic and
      anaerobic conditions. The ability of the aerobic and facultative anaerobic
      strains to be metabolically active under anaerobic conditions indicates a
      prominent role in acidogenic reactors. 

PMID- 24213214
TI  - Phase transformations in nanograin materials under high pressure and plastic
      shear: nanoscale mechanisms.
AB  - There are two main challenges in the discovery of new high pressure phases (HPPs)
      and transforming this discovery into technologies: finding conditions to
      synthesize new HPPs and finding ways to reduce the phase transformation (PT)
      pressure to an economically reasonable level. Based on the results of pressure
      shear experiments in the rotational diamond anvil cell (RDAC), superposition of
      plastic shear on high pressure is a promising way to resolve these problems.
      However, physical mechanisms behind these phenomena are not yet understood. Here,
      we elucidate generic mechanisms of coupled nucleation and evolution of
      dislocation and HPP structures in the nanograin material under pressure and shear
      utilizing the developed advanced phase field approach (PFA). Dislocations are
      generated at the grain boundaries and are densely piled up near them, creating a
      strong concentrator of the stress tensor. Averaged shear stress is essentially
      larger in the nanograin material due to grain boundary strengthening. This leads
      to the increase in the local thermodynamic driving force for PT, which allows one
      to significantly reduce the applied pressure. For all cases, the applied pressure
      is 3-20 times lower than the PT pressure and 2-12.5 times smaller than the phase
      equilibrium pressure. Interaction between nuclei leads sometimes to their
      coalescence and growth of the HPP away from stress concentrators. Plasticity
      plays a dual role: in addition to creating stress concentrators, it may relax
      stresses at other concentrators, thus competing with PT. Some ways to optimize
      the loading parameters have been found that lead to methods for controlling PT.
      Since such a local stress tensor with high shear stress component cannot be
      created without plastic deformations, this may lead to new transformation paths
      and phases, which are hidden during pressure induced PTs. 

PMID- 24213215
TI  - The association between poor antiretroviral adherence and unsafe sex: differences
      by gender and sexual orientation and implications for scale-up of treatment as
      prevention.
AB  - Non-adherence to safer sex and non-adherence to ART can each have adverse health
      consequences for HIV-infected individuals and their sex partners, but little is
      known about the association of these behaviors with each other. This "dual risk"
      has potential negative public health consequences since non-adherence can lead to
      the development of resistant virus that can then be transmitted to sex partners.
      Among participants in the Multi-site Adherence Collaboration in HIV we examined,
      at study baseline, the association between the frequency of unprotected sex
      (assessed by self-report) and ART adherence (assessed by Medication Event
      Monitoring System, Aardex) among the sexually active participants in the five
      studies (N = 459) that collected sexual risk behavior. The bivariate association
      between sexual risk behaviors and ART adherence was assessed by Pearson
      correlations; subsequently regression analyses were used to evaluate the role of
      demographic characteristics, depression and substance use in explaining the "dual
      risk" outcome (sexual risk and non-adherence). Among participants who had been
      sexually active, more unprotected anal/vaginal sex was weakly associated with
      poorer ART adherence (r = -0.12, p = 0.01 for the overall sample). Further
      analysis showed this association was driven by the heterosexual men in the sample
      (r = -0.29, p < 0.001), and was significant only for this group, and not for
      gay/bisexual men or for women (heterosexual and homosexual). Neither substance
      use nor depression accounted for the association between sexual risk and ART
      adherence. HIV-infected heterosexual men who are having difficulty adhering to
      ART are also more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors and therefore may
      benefit from counseling about these risk behaviors. We must identify procedures
      to screen for these risk behaviors and develop interventions, appropriately
      tailored to specific populations and identified risk factors, that can be
      integrated into routine clinical care for people living with HIV. This will
      become increasingly important in the context of wider access to treatment
      globally, including new recommendations for ART initiation earlier in a patients'
      disease course (e.g., "Test and Treat" paradigms).

PMID- 24213216
TI  - Once-weekly teriparatide reduces the risk of vertebral fracture in patients with
      various fracture risks: subgroup analysis of the Teriparatide Once-Weekly
      Efficacy Research (TOWER) trial.
AB  - Once-weekly teriparatide (human parathyroid hormone [1-34]) (56.5 MUg for 72
      weeks) injections provided a vertebral fracture risk reduction in Japanese
      osteoporotic patients evaluated in the Teriparatide Once-Weekly Efficacy Research
      (TOWER) trial. Using data from the TOWER trial, a subgroup analysis was performed
      to study the efficacy of once-weekly teriparatide for a variety of baseline
      clinical risk factors in placebo (n = 281) and teriparatide (n = 261) groups.
      Significant fracture risk reductions were observed in the subgroups of
      individuals aged <75 years [relative risk (RR) 0.06, p = 0.007] and >=75 years
      (RR 0.32, p = 0.015). A significant risk reduction was observed among patients
      with prevalent vertebral fracture in the subgroup with 1 (RR 0.08, p = 0.015) or
      >=2 (RR 0.29, p = 0.009) prevalent vertebral fractures, and in those with grade 3
      deformity (RR 0.26, p = 0.003). Significant risk reduction was observed in the
      subgroup with lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) < -2.5 SD (RR 0.25, p = 0.035).
      In the teriparatide group, no incident fracture was observed in the subgroups
      with a prevalent vertebral fracture number of 0, with grade 0-2 vertebral
      deformity, or with lumbar BMD >=2.5 SD. Significant risk reduction was observed
      in all of the bone turnover marker and estimated glomerular filtration rate
      subgroups. In conclusion, once-weekly 56.5 MUg teriparatide injection reduced the
      vertebral fracture risk in patients with varying degrees of fracture risk, age,
      vertebral fracture number and grade, bone turnover level, and renal function.

PMID- 24213217
TI  - Role of local vitamin D signaling and cellular calcium transport system in bone
      homeostasis.
AB  - Mouse genetic studies have demonstrated that the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
      [1,25(OH)2D] endocrine system is required for calcium (Ca(2+)) and bone
      homeostasis. These studies reported severe hypocalcemia and impaired bone
      mineralization associated with rickets in mutant mice. Specific phenotypes of
      these mice with an engineered deletion of 1,25(OH)2D cell signaling resemble the
      features observed in humans with the same congenital disease or severe 1,25(OH)2D
      deficiency. Decreased active intestinal Ca(2+) absorption because of reduced
      expression of epithelial Ca(2+) channels is a crucial mechanism that contributes
      to the major phenotypes observed in the mutant mice. The importance of intestinal
      Ca(2+) absorption supported by 1,25(OH)2D-mediated transport was further
      emphasized by the observation that Ca(2+) supplementation rescues hypocalcemia
      and restores bone mineralization in both patients and mice lacking 1,25(OH)2D
      signaling. This observation questions the direct role of 1,25(OH)2D signaling in
      bone tissue. Studies regarding tissue-specific manipulation of 1,25(OH)2D
      function have provided a consensus on this issue by demonstrating a direct action
      of 1,25(OH)2D on cells in bone tissue through bone metabolism and mineral
      homeostasis. In addition, movement of Ca(2+) from the bone as a result of
      osteoclastic bone resorption also provides a large Ca(2+) supply in Ca(2+)
      homeostasis; however, the system controlling Ca(2+) homeostasis in osteoclasts
      has not been fully identified. Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 4
      mediates Ca(2+) influx during the late stage of osteoclast differentiation,
      thereby regulating the Ca(2+) signaling essential for cellular events during
      osteoclast differentiation; however, the system-modifying effect of TRPV4
      activity should be determined. Furthermore, it remains unknown how local Ca(2+)
      metabolism participates in systemic Ca(2+) homeostasis through bone remodeling.
      New insights are therefore required to understand this issue. 

PMID- 24213218
TI  - Prevalence of knee pain, lumbar pain and its coexistence in Japanese men and
      women: The Longitudinal Cohorts of Motor System Organ (LOCOMO) study.
AB  - The Longitudinal Cohorts of Motor System Organ (LOCOMO) study was initiated in
      2008 through a grant from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan to
      integrate information from several cohorts established for the prevention of
      musculoskeletal diseases. We integrated the information of 12,019 participants
      (3,959 men and 8,060 women) in the cohorts comprising nine communities located in
      Tokyo (two regions: Tokyo-1 and Tokyo-2), Wakayama [two regions: Wakayama-1
      (mountainous region) and Wakayama-2 (seaside region)], Hiroshima, Niigata, Mie,
      Akita, and Gunma prefectures. The baseline examination of the LOCOMO study
      consisted of an interviewer-administered questionnaire, anthropometric
      measurements, medical information recording, X-ray radiography, and bone mineral
      density measurement. The prevalence of knee pain was 32.7 % (men 27.9 %; women
      35.1 %) and that of lumbar pain was 37.7 % (men 34.2 %; women 39.4 %). Among the
      9,046 individuals who were surveyed on both knee pain and lumbar pain at the
      baseline examination in each cohort, we noted that the prevalence of both knee
      pain and lumbar pain was 12.2 % (men 10.9 %; women 12.8 %). Logistic regression
      analysis showed that higher age, female sex, higher body mass index (BMI), living
      in a rural area, and the presence of lumbar pain significantly influenced the
      presence of knee pain. Similarly, higher age, female sex, higher BMI, living in a
      rural area, and the presence of knee pain significantly influenced the presence
      of lumbar pain. Thus, by using the data of the LOCOMO study, we clarified the
      prevalence of knee pain and lumbar pain, their coexistence, and their associated
      factors.

PMID- 24213219
TI  - Narrative medicine: caring for the sick is a work of art.

PMID- 24213220
TI  - A link between type 2 diabetes and brain function.

PMID- 24213221
TI  - Screening of kinase inhibitors targeting BRAF for regulating autophagy based on
      kinase pathways.
AB  - The aim of this study was to identify agents that regulate autophagy. A total of
      544 differentially expressed genes were screened from the intersection set of
      GSE2435 and GSE31040, which was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus
      database and 19 differentially expressed kinases were selected according to a
      'protein kinase database'. Gene ontology-biological process (GO-BP) enrichment
      analysis revealed that the 19 kinases were mainly associated with
      phosphorylation. The protein-protein interaction network exhibited 30
      differentially expressed genes that interacted with BRAF, and GO-BP enrichment
      analysis showed the function of these genes were mainly involved in cell death
      and apoptosis. The kinase-kinase inhibitor regulatory network identified16 kinase
      inhibitors that specifically inhibited BRAF. Previous studies indicated that
      sorafenib is capable of regulating autophagy and regorafenib has also been
      reported; however, there have been no studies regarding the regulation of
      autophagy by afatinib, selumetinib, PD318088, axitinib, TAK-733, GDC-0980,
      GSK2126458, PLX-4720, AS703026, trametinib, GDC-0941 and PF-04217903. Thus, these
      kinase inhibitors are potential targets for further study on the regulation of
      autophagy in the future. 

PMID- 24213222
TI  - Tertiary intratumor lymphoid tissue in colo-rectal cancer.
AB  - Ectopic (or tertiary) lymphoid tissue develops at sites of inflammation or
      infection in non lymphoid organs and is associated with chronic inflammation. In
      colon mucosa, small lymphoid aggregates are already present in homeostatic
      conditions, as part of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue and play an essential
      role in the immune response to perturbations of the mucosal microenvironment.
      Despite the recognized role of inflammation in tumor progression, the presence
      and biological function of lymphoid tissue in cancer has been poorly
      investigated. We identified aggregates of lymphocytes resembling tertiary
      lymphoid tissue in human colorectal cancer specimens; intratumor accumulations of
      lymphocytes display a high degree of compartmentalization, with B and T cells,
      mature dendritic cells and a network of CD21+ follicular dendritic cells (FDC).
      We analyzed the adaptation of colon lymphoid tissue in a murine model of colitis
      associated cancer (AOM/DSS). B cell follicle formation increases in the context
      of the chronic inflammation associated to intestinal neoplasia, in this model. A
      network of lymphatic and haematic vessels surrounding B cell follicles is present
      and includes high endothelial venules (HEV). Future task is to determine whether
      lymphoid tissue contributes to the persistence of the tumor-associated
      inflammatory reaction, rather than represent a functional immune compartment,
      potentially participating to the anti tumor response. 

PMID- 24213224
TI  - Surgical treatment of intra-abdominal desmoid tumors resulting in short bowel
      syndrome.
AB  - Advanced intra-abdominal desmoids tumors present with severe symptoms,
      complications or rapid growth, which lead to adverse outcomes. Our aim was to
      evaluate the treatment and outcome of patients with advanced intra-abdominal
      desmoids tumors, and develop guidelines for surgical management of these
      patients. We reviewed the clinical courses of 21 adult patients with advanced
      stage intra-abdominal desmoid tumors who presented to an intestinal
      rehabilitation and transplantation program. Patients with massive intestinal
      resection presented in two groups. The first group had a short small intestinal
      remnant after resection ( < 60 cm). These patients were poor rehabilitation
      candidates and eventually met criteria for transplant. The second had longer
      intestinal remnants and were more successfully rehabilitated and have not had
      complications that would lead to transplantation. Advanced intra-abdominal
      desmoid tumors have outcomes after resection that merit aggressive resection and
      planned intestinal rehabilitation and intestinal transplantation as indicated. 

PMID- 24213223
TI  - Mixed Adenoneuroendocrine Carcinomas (MANECs) of the Gastrointestinal Tract: An
      Update.
AB  - The systematic application of immunohistochemical techniques to the study of
      tumors has led to the recognition that neuroendocrine cells occur rather
      frequently in exocrine neoplasms of the gut. It is now well known that there is a
      wide spectrum of combinations of exocrine and neuroendocrine components, ranging
      from adenomas or carcinomas with interspersed neuroendocrine cells at one extreme
      to classical neuroendocrine tumors with a focal exocrine component at the other.
      In addition, both exocrine and neuroendocrine components can have different
      morphological features ranging, for the former, from adenomas to adenocarcinomas
      with different degrees of differentiation and, for the latter, from well
      differentiated to poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors. However, although
      this range of combinations of neuroendocrine and exocrine components is
      frequently observed in routine practice, mixed exocrine-neuroendocrine
      carcinomas, now renamed as mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas (MANECs), are
      rare; these are, by definition, neoplasms in which each component represents at
      least 30% of the lesion. Gastrointestinal MANECs can be stratified in different
      prognostic categories according to the grade of malignancy of each component. The
      present paper is an overview of the main clinicopathological, morphological,
      immunohistochemical and molecular features of this specific rare tumor type. 

PMID- 24213225
TI  - Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrinomas in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1
      (MEN-1).
AB  - Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) is a rare autosomal-dominant disease.
      It is associated with a broad range of endocrine tumours, most frequently arising
      in the parathyroid glands, the pituitary and the pancreas. Most neuroendocrine
      tumours will be diagnosed in the pancreas as non-functioning neuroendocrine
      tumours or insulinomas. Forty-two percent of the patients will develop a gastrin
      secreting neuroendocrine tumour, a gastrinoma. Gastrinomas in MEN-1 tend to be
      small, multiple and preferentially located in the duodenum. This paper will focus
      on the specific characteristics of gastrinomas in the setting of MEN-1 compared
      to sporadic gastrinomas. The developments in understanding the tumorigenesis of
      these tumours and the consequences for diagnosis and therapy will be discussed. 

PMID- 24213226
TI  - Tumor-promoting circuits that regulate a cancer-related chemokine cluster:
      dominance of inflammatory mediators over oncogenic alterations.
AB  - Here, we investigated the relative contribution of genetic/signaling components
      versus microenvironmental factors to the malignancy phenotype. In this system, we
      took advantage of non-transformed fibroblasts that carried defined oncogenic
      modifications in Ras and/or p53. These cells were exposed to microenvironmental
      pressures, and the expression of a cancer-related chemokine cluster was used as
      readout for the malignancy potential (CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL10). In cells kept
      in-culture, synergism between Ras hyper-activation and p53 dysfunction was
      required to up-regulate the expression of the chemokine cluster. The in vivo
      passage of RasHigh/p53Low-modified cells has led to tumor formation, accompanied
      by potentiation of chemokine release, implicating a powerful role for the tumor
      microenvironment in up-regulating the chemokine cluster. Indeed, we found that
      inflammatory mediators which are prevalent in tumor sites, such as TNFa and IL
      1beta, had a predominant impact on the release of the chemokines, which was
      substantially higher than that obtained by the oncogenic modifications alone,
      possibly acting through the transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kB. Together, our
      results propose that in the unbiased model system that we were using,
      inflammatory mediators of the tumor milieu have dominating roles over oncogenic
      modifications in dictating the expression of a pro-malignancy chemokine readout. 

PMID- 24213227
TI  - Fotemustine: a third-generation nitrosourea for the treatment of recurrent
      malignant gliomas.
AB  - Malignant gliomas account for approximately 60% of all primary brain tumors in
      adults. The prognosis for patients with malignant glioma has not changed
      significantly in recent years. Despite debulking surgery, radiotherapy and
      cytotoxic chemotherapy, the median survival time is nine to 12 months, and very
      few, if any, patients are cured from this illness. Fotemustine is an alkylating
      agent characterized by the grafting of a phosphonoalanine group onto the
      nitrosourea radical with consequent high lipophilicity and improved diffusion
      through the cell membrane and the blood-brain barrier. Fotemustine has been
      registered for use in two indications: disseminated malignant melanoma, including
      cerebral metastases, and primary brain tumors. Fotemustine is currently used in
      Europe, particularly in France and Italy, as a salvage therapy for recurrent
      malignant gliomas. Myelosuppression, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia are the most
      frequent side effects of treatment with fotemustine. The objective response to
      this treatment is between 26% and 70%, and the reported median survival time is
      10 months. New drug combinations containing fotemustine and angiogenesis
      inhibitors, such as bevacizumab, are currently under development. In this review,
      we describe all the combinations of fotemustine currently used in clinical
      practice for recurrent malignant gliomas. 

PMID- 24213228
TI  - Transition of treatment for patients with extra-abdominal desmoid tumors: nagoya
      university modality.
AB  - Treatment modalities for desmoid tumors have been changed because of the high
      recurrence rate, even after wide resection, and some cases experience spontaneous
      self-regression during clinical course. The treatment modality in our
      institutions before 2003 was surgical resection with wide surgical margin,
      however, meloxicam, which is a NSAID and a selective COX-2 inhibitor has been
      applied consecutively since 2003. We reviewed the previously reported outcomes of
      surgical and conservative treatment in our institutions. Among 30 patients
      receiving surgical treatment, 16 (53%) recurred. Younger age ( p < 0.05) was a
      significant poor factor. According to RECIST for meloxicam treatment, CR was in
      one, PR in 10, SD in eight, PD in one evaluated at 2011. Older age ( p < 0.01)
      was significantly associated with good outcome for meloxicam treatment. Results
      of the previous study indicated that surgical treatment alone could not control
      desmoid tumors, even with negative surgical margin. Considering the functional
      impairment resulting from surgery with negative surgical margin, a conservative
      and effective treatment modality with fewer complications is desired.
      Conservative treatment with meloxicam is a promising novel modality for patients
      with extra-abdominal desmoid tumors. 

PMID- 24213229
TI  - PET-Guided Surgery - High Correlation between Positron Emission Tomography with
      11C-5-Hydroxytryptophane (5-HTP) and Surgical Findings in Abdominal
      Neuroendocrine Tumours.
AB  - Positron emission tomography (PET) with 11C-labeled 5-hydroxytryptophane (5-HTP)
      is a sensitive technique to visualize neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), due to high
      intracellular uptake of amine-precursors like L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)
      and 5-HTP. NETs are often small and difficult to localize in spite of overt
      clinical symptoms due to hormonal excess. In our study, 38 consecutive NET
      patients underwent 11C-5-HTP-PET and morphological imaging by CT within 12 weeks
      prior to surgery. Surgical, histopathological and 5-HTP PET findings were
      correlated. 11C-5-HTP-PET corresponded to the surgical findings in 31 cases, was
      false negative in six, and true negative in one case resulting in 83.8%
      sensitivity and 100% specificity. Positive predicted value was 100%. In 11
      patients 11C-5-HTP-PET was the only imaging method applied to localize the
      tumour. Thus, we could demonstrate that functional imaging by 11C-5-HTP-PET in
      many cases adds vital preoperative diagnostic information and in more than every
      fourth patient was the only imaging method that will guide the surgeon in finding
      the NET-lesion. Although the present results demonstrates that 11C-5-HTP may be
      used as an universal NET tracer, the sensitivity to visualize benign insulinomas
      and non functioning pancreatic NETs was lower. 

PMID- 24213230
TI  - Medical treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
AB  - Treatment of the clinically and prognostically heterogeneous neuroendocrine
      neoplasms (NEN) should be based on a multidisciplinary approach, including
      surgical, interventional, medical and nuclear medicine-based therapeutic options.
      Medical therapies include somatostatin analogues, interferon-a, mTOR inhibitors,
      multikinase inhibitors and systemic chemotherapy. For the selection of the
      appropriate medical treatment the hormonal activity, primary tumor localization,
      tumor grading and growth behaviour as well as the extent of the disease must be
      considered. Somatostatin analogues are mainly indicated in hormonally active
      tumors for symptomatic relief, but antiproliferative effects have also been
      demonstrated, especially in well-differentiated intestinal NET. The efficacy of
      everolimus and sunitinib in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET)
      has been demonstrated in large placebo-controlled clinical trials. pNETs are also
      chemosensitive. Streptozocin-based chemotherapeutic regimens are regarded as
      current standard of care. Temozolomide in combination with capecitabine is an
      alternative that has shown promising results that need to be confirmed in larger
      trials. Currently, no comparative studies and no molecular markers are
      established that predict the response to medical treatment. Therefore the choice
      of treatment for each pNET patient is based on individual parameters taking into
      account the patient's preference, expected side effects and established response
      criteria such as proliferation rate and tumor load. Platin-based chemotherapy is
      still the standard treatment for poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas.
      Clearly, there is an unmet need for new systemic treatment options in patients
      with extrapancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. 

PMID- 24213231
TI  - Primary hepatic gastrinoma causing zollinger-ellison syndrome: a rare and
      challenging diagnosis.
AB  - The majority of gastrinomas causing Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) are located
      in the duodenum or the pancreas. Primary hepatic gastrinomas (PHG) are extremely
      rare and difficult to diagnose because the liver is the commonest site of
      metastatic disease and gastrinomas can be very small. Furthermore, gastrinomas
      are typically slow-growing thus a missed, occult primary tumour may not become
      evident for many years. The diagnosis of PHG is therefore dependent on a careful
      search for a primary and long-term biochemical follow-up following curative
      hepatic resection. We report a case of a 7 cm PHG in a 48 year old man with ZES.
      Preoperatively, both a basal and stimulated gastrin levels were elevated.
      Surgical exploration including intraoperative ultrasound and duodenotomy, failed
      to reveal a primary. Patient underwent a right hepatectomy. Yearly, gastrin and
      secretin stimulation tests remain normal 6 years following surgery. He remains
      symptom free off all medication. An additional 26 cases of PHG were found.
      Including this case, 21 had at least 1 year follow-up, however only eight had
      greater than 5 years (median 24 months). Post-op gastrin levels were reported in
      25, however provocative testing was done in only 10. Persistence and recurrence
      occurred in one and four, respectively. PHG causing ZES is extremely rare.
      Although the current literature claims to include 26 additional cases of PHG,
      without a thorough search for the primary and long-term follow-up data including
      provocative testing, this diagnosis remains a challenge. 

PMID- 24213232
TI  - Chromogranin a as serum marker for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors:
      a single center experience and literature review.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess the clinical sensitivities of the tumor
      markers chromogranin A (CgA), urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and
      alkaline phosphatase (AP) in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the
      GastroEnteroPancreatic-(GEP-) system depending on tumor primary location and
      metastatic spread. In a retrospective single-center series, sensitivities were
      evaluated in serum samples from 110 patients with midgut (n = 62) and pancreatic
      (n = 48) NETs. CgA levels were analyzed by a commercially-available
      immunoradiometric assay (CIS-bio) during routine follow-up in the years 2000
      2009. CgA showed a higher sensitivity for midgut (68%) than pancreatic (54%)
      NETs. A higher CgA sensitivity and significantly higher median CgA values were
      found in patients with liver metastases than in those without, and in patients
      with hepatic and additionally extra-hepatic metastases than in those with hepatic
      and nodal metastases alone, respectively. We found an overall sensitivity for
      elevated 5HIAA excretion of 69% for midgut NETs and a significant correlation
      between median CgA and 5-HIAA values. The sensitivity of AP and the correlations
      of AP/CgA-data-pairs were low in both midgut and pancreatic NETs, although
      highest for metastatic pancreatic NETs. The sensitivity of CgA measurement
      depends on the NET primary location and spread of disease. 5-HIAA and CgA showed
      comparable sensitivity in midgut NETs, while AP does not seem to be useful as a
      tumor marker in GEP-NETs. 

PMID- 24213233
TI  - Does secondary inflammatory breast cancer represent post-surgical metastatic
      disease?
AB  - The phenomenon of accelerated tumor growth following surgery has been observed
      repeatedly and merits further study. Inflammatory breast carcinoma (IBC) is
      widely recognized as an extremely aggressive malignancy characterized by
      micrometastasis at the time of diagnosis, with one interesting subgroup defined
      as secondary IBC where pathologically identifiable IBC appears after surgical
      treatment of a primary non-inflammatory breast cancer. One possible mechanism can
      be related to the stimulation of dormant micrometastasis through local
      angiogenesis occurring as part of posttraumatic healing. In this report, we
      review cases of secondary IBC and others where localized trauma was followed by
      the appearance of IBC at the traumatized site that have been identified by our
      IBC Registry (IBCR) and hypothesize that angiogenesis appearing as part of the
      healing process could act as an accelerant to an otherwise latent breast
      malignancy. It is therefore possible that secondary IBC can be used as a model to
      support local angiogenesis as an important contributor to the development of an
      aggressive cancer. 

PMID- 24213234
TI  - Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in
      Japan.
AB  - Transcatheter methods such as transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and
      hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) have an important role in the
      treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, sorafenib, an
      inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, has been found to obtain survival benefits in
      patients with HCC, leading to major advances in the treatment of advanced HCC.
      However, it is associated with a low tumor response rate, minimal survival
      advantage, and high rates of adverse events. On the other hand, high rates of
      objective treatment response with HAIC for advanced HCC have been reported,
      although convincing evidence of it contributing to overall survival in HAIC has
      been lacking. In Japan, HAIC still tends to be the preferred method for the
      treatment of advanced HCC, even in patients with poor liver function. However,
      the choice of chemotherapeutic agents in TACE/HAIC for HCC varies between
      institutions. In this review, based on studies reported to date in the
      literature, we refer to current knowledge regarding the chemotherapeutic agents
      used for TACE/HAIC for HCC in Japan and consider the future perspectives for HAIC
      for this cancer. 

PMID- 24213235
TI  - Desmoid tumors in pregnant and postpartum women.
AB  - We report here a review of the current medical literature on pregnancy associated
      desmoids, including 10 cases of our own. The pertinent findings are that a large
      percentage of desmoids in females arise in and around pregnancy. Most occur in
      the abdominal muscles, particularly the right rectus abdominus, perhaps related
      to trauma from abdominal stretching and fetal movement. While these tumors may
      regress spontaneously after delivery most can be surgically resected with low
      recurrence rates even with R1 resections and this is clearly the treatment of
      choice. Subsequent pregnancies do not appear to result in recurrence in either
      FAP or non FAP patients. It is not clear from currently available data whether
      pregnancy associated desmoids are molecularly distinct from other desmoids. 

PMID- 24213238
TI  - Diagnostic Value of 11C-Methionine (MET) and 18F-Fluorothymidine (FLT) Positron
      Emission Tomography in Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas; Differentiation from
      Treatment-Induced Tissue Necrosis.
AB  - We retrospectively evaluated the usefulness of combined measurement of L-methyl
      [11C]methionine (MET) and 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine (FLT) positron
      emission tomography (PET) in the differential diagnosis between recurrent gliomas
      and necrotic lesions. Twenty-one patients with high-grade glioma, previously
      treated with surgery and radiotherapy with chemotherapy and first radiological
      suspicion of recurrence were enrolled. The uptake was assessed by the maximum
      standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and lesion-to-normal tissue count density
      ratio (L/N ratio). Of the 21 lesions, 15 were diagnosed recurrent gliomas and six
      were necrotic lesions. The average SUVmax was not significantly different between
      recurrent gliomas and necrotic lesions on either MET-PET or FLT-PET. The average
      L/N ratio of recurrent gliomas (3.36 +/- 1.06) was significantly higher than that
      of necrotic lesions (2.18 +/- 0.66) on MET-PET (p < 0.01) and the average L/N
      ratio of recurrent gliomas (7.01 +/- 2.26) was also significantly higher than
      that of necrotic lesions (4.60 +/- 1.23) on FLT-PET (p < 0.01). ROC curve
      analysis showed that the areas under the curves were high but not different
      between MET- and FLT-PET. PET studies using MET and FLT are useful in the
      differentiation of recurrent glioma from treatment-induced necrotic lesion.
      However, there is no complementary information in the differentiation with
      simultaneous measurements of MET- and FLT-PET. 

PMID- 24213236
TI  - Tumor-associated antigens for specific immunotherapy of prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common noncutaneous cancer diagnosis and the
      second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States.
      Effective treatment modalities for advanced metastatic PCa are limited.
      Immunotherapeutic strategies based on T cells and antibodies represent
      interesting approaches to prevent progression from localized to advanced PCa and
      to improve survival outcomes for patients with advanced disease. CD8+ cytotoxic T
      lymphocytes (CTLs) efficiently recognize and destroy tumor cells. CD4+ T cells
      augment the antigen-presenting capacity of dendritic cells and promote the
      expansion of tumor-reactive CTLs. Antibodies mediate their antitumor effects via
      antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, activation of the complement system,
      improving the uptake of coated tumor cells by phagocytes, and the functional
      interference of biological pathways essential for tumor growth. Consequently,
      several tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) have been identified that represent
      promising targets for T cell- or antibody-based immunotherapy. These TAAs
      comprise proteins preferentially expressed in normal and malignant prostate
      tissues and molecules which are not predominantly restricted to the prostate, but
      are overexpressed in various tumor entities including PCa. Clinical trials
      provide evidence that specific immunotherapeutic strategies using such TAAs
      represent safe and feasible concepts for the induction of immunological and
      clinical responses in PCa patients. However, further improvement of the current
      approaches is required which may be achieved by combining T cell- and/or antibody
      based strategies with radio-, hormone-, chemo- or antiangiogenic therapy. 

PMID- 24213237
TI  - Tumor microenvironment in the brain.
AB  - In addition to malignant cancer cells, tumors contain a variety of different
      stromal cells that constitute the tumor microenvironment. Some of these cell
      types provide crucial support for tumor growth, while others have been suggested
      to actually inhibit tumor progression. The composition of tumor microenvironment
      varies depending on the tumor site. The brain in particular consists of numerous
      specialized cell types such as microglia, astrocytes, and brain endothelial
      cells. In addition to these brain-resident cells, primary and metastatic brain
      tumors have also been shown to be infiltrated by different populations of bone
      marrow-derived cells. The role of different cell types that constitute tumor
      microenvironment in the progression of brain malignancies is only poorly
      understood. Tumor microenvironment has been shown to be a promising therapeutic
      target and diagnostic marker in extracranial malignancies. A better understanding
      of tumor microenvironment in the brain would therefore be expected to contribute
      to the development of improved therapies for brain tumors that are urgently
      required due to a poor availability of treatments for these malignancies. This
      review summarizes some of the known interactions between brain tumors and
      different stromal cells, and also discusses potential therapeutic approaches
      within this context. 

PMID- 24213239
TI  - Radiation therapy for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma: an overview.
AB  - Despite the therapeutic advances in neuro-oncology, most patients with
      glioblastoma ultimately experience local progression/relapse. Re-irradiation has
      been poorly viewed in the past, mainly due to the overestimated risk of side
      effects using conventional radiotherapy. To date, thanks to the improvement of
      several delivery techniques, together with improved imaging capabilities, re
      irradiation is a viable salvage treatment option to manage such clinical
      scenario. A literature overview on the feasibility and efficacy of the different
      irradiation modalities for recurrent glioblastoma along with considerations on
      areas of improvement are provided. 

PMID- 24213240
TI  - Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a critical step in tumorgenesis of
      pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
AB  - The transcription factors Snail, Slug and Twist repress E-cadherin and induce
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process exploited by invasive cancer
      cells. In this study, we evaluated the role of EMT in the tumorgenesis of
      neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (PNETs) in vitro, in vivo and human tumor
      specimen. Expression of EMT markers was analyzed using immunohistochemistry and
      real-time PCR. For in vitro studies, BON-1 cells were analyzed regarding
      expression of EMT markers before and after transfection with siRNA against Slug
      or Snail, and cell aggregation assays were performed. To asses in vivo effects,
      Rip1Tag2 mice were treated with vehicle or the snail-inhibitor polythlylenglykol
      from week 5-10 of age. The resected pancreata were evaluated by weight, tumor
      cell proliferation and apoptosis. Snail and Twist was expressed in 61 % and 64%
      of PNETs. This was associated with loss of E-cadherin. RT-PCR revealed
      conservation of the EMT markers Slug and Snail in BON-1 cells. Transfection with
      siRNA against Slug was associated with upregulation of E-cadherin, enhanced cell
      cell adhesion and inhibition of cell proliferation. Snail-inhibition in vivo by
      PEG was associated with increased apoptosis, decreased tumor cell proliferation
      and dramatic reduced tumor volume in Rip1Tag2 mice. The presented data show that
      EMT plays a key role in tumorgenesis of PNETs. The activation of Snail in a
      considerable subset of human PNETs and the successful effect of Snail inhibition
      by PEG in islet cell tumors of transgenic mice provides first evidence of Snail
      as a drug target in PNETs. 

PMID- 24213241
TI  - Desmoid tumors in the pediatric population.
AB  - Desmoid tumors are benign soft tissue tumors associated with locally aggressive
      growth and high rates of morbidity, but they do not metastasize via lymphatic or
      hematogenous routes. While most of the data on desmoid tumors originates in the
      adult literature, many of the findings have been applied to the management of
      pediatric patients. This article discusses the epidemiology, etiology, clinical
      presentation, pathology, and treatment of this rare tumor in the pediatric
      population and includes a literature review of the most recent large series of
      pediatric patients with desmoid tumors. 

PMID- 24213242
TI  - Postoperative radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer and thymic
      malignancies.
AB  - For many thoracic malignancies, surgery, when feasible, is the preferred upfront
      modality for local control. However, adjuvant radiation plays an important role
      in minimizing the risk of locoregional recurrence. Tumors in the thoracic
      category include certain subgroups of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well
      as thymic malignancies. The indications, radiation doses, and treatment fields
      vary amongst subtypes of thoracic tumors, as does the level of data supporting
      the use of radiation. For example, in the setting of NSCLC, postoperative
      radiation is typically reserved for close/positive margins or N2/N3 disease,
      although such diseases as superior sulcus tumors present unique cases in which
      the role of neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant treatment is still being elucidated. In
      contrast, for thymic malignancies, postoperative radiation therapy is often used
      for initially resected Masaoka stage III or higher disease, with its use for
      stage II disease remaining controversial. This review provides an overview of
      postoperative radiation therapy for thoracic tumors, with a separate focus on
      superior sulcus tumors and thymoma, including a discussion of acceptable
      radiation approaches and an assessment of the current controversies involved in
      its use. 

PMID- 24213243
TI  - Exercise DVD effect on musculoskeletal disorders in professional orchestral
      musicians.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Professional musicians report a high prevalence of performance
      related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs). Excessive muscle tension and fatigue
      have been reported as important factors contributing to PRMDs. AIMS: To evaluate
      feasibility and effectiveness of a specific exercise programme delivered via a
      digital video disc (DVD) targeting PRMDs and associated risk factors. METHODS:
      Volunteers from eight Australian symphony orchestras undertook two or more
      sessions per week over 12 weeks. Questionnaires were administered pre- and post
      intervention with items including the frequency and severity of PRMDs, perceived
      exertion during different playing situations, per formance effects of the DVD and
      satisfaction rates. Musicians who had also participated in an equivalent face-to
      face programme prior to this DVD trial compared the two interventions. RESULTS:
      One hundred and forty-four out of 576 musicians volunteered (25% uptake), and 50
      participants completed a mean 2.1 (SD 0.42) sessions over the 12 week period (41%
      compliance). PRMD frequency and severity were significantly reduced post
      intervention (P < 0.01). Participants reported benefits of the DVD on
      strengthening muscles, increasing ease of movement and improving flexibility
      related to playing. Despite this, perceived exertion levels during private
      practice, rehearsal and performance remained the same (not significant). Seventy
      eight per cent of participants scored their overall experience of the use of the
      DVD as good or excellent. Owing to its convenience and detailed exercise
      demonstrations, the DVD was rated as better or much better overall than the face
      to-face classes by 55% of participants who had experienced both. CONCLUSIONS: An
      exercise DVD was well received and appeared to be effective, convenient and safe
      in managing occupational-specific musculoskeletal disorders in musicians.

PMID- 24213246
TI  - A conformational factorisation approach for estimating the binding free energies
      of macromolecules.
AB  - We present a conformational factorization approach. The theory is based on a
      superposition partition function, decomposed as a sum over contributions from
      local minima. The factorisation greatly reduces the number of minima that need to
      be considered, by employing the same local configurations for groups that are
      sufficiently distant from the binding site. The theory formalises the conditions
      required to analyse how our definition of the binding site region affects the
      free energy difference between the apo and holo states. We employ basin-hopping
      parallel tempering to sample minima that contribute significantly to the
      partition function, and calculate the binding free energies within the harmonic
      normal mode approximation. A further significant gain in efficiency is achieved
      using a recently developed local rigid body framework in both the sampling and
      the normal mode analysis, which reduces the number of degrees of freedom. We
      benchmark this approach for human aldose reductase (PDB code 2INE). When varying
      the size of the rigid region, the free energy difference converges for
      factorisation of groups at a distance of 14 A from the binding site, which
      corresponds to 80% of the protein being locally rigidified.

PMID- 24213244
TI  - Isogenic human pluripotent stem cell pairs reveal the role of a KCNH2 mutation in
      long-QT syndrome.
AB  - Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) will assist research on
      genetic cardiac maladies if the disease phenotype is recapitulated in vitro.
      However, genetic background variations may confound disease traits, especially
      for disorders with incomplete penetrance, such as long-QT syndromes (LQTS). To
      study the LQT2-associated c.A2987T (N996I) KCNH2 mutation under genetically
      defined conditions, we derived iPSCs from a patient carrying this mutation and
      corrected it. Furthermore, we introduced the same point mutation in human
      embryonic stem cells (hESCs), generating two genetically distinct isogenic pairs
      of LQTS and control lines. Correction of the mutation normalized the current
      (IKr) conducted by the HERG channel and the action potential (AP) duration in
      iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs). Introduction of the same mutation reduced IKr
      and prolonged the AP duration in hESC-derived CMs. Further characterization of
      N996I-HERG pathogenesis revealed a trafficking defect. Our results demonstrated
      that the c.A2987T KCNH2 mutation is the primary cause of the LQTS phenotype.
      Precise genetic modification of pluripotent stem cells provided a physiologically
      and functionally relevant human cellular context to reveal the pathogenic
      mechanism underlying this specific disease phenotype. 

PMID- 24213245
TI  - Large cargo transport by nuclear pores: implications for the spatial organization
      of FG-nucleoporins.
AB  - Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) mediate cargo traffic between the nucleus and the
      cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. Nuclear transport receptors (NTRs) carry cargos
      through NPCs by transiently binding to phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeats on
      intrinsically disordered polypeptides decorating the NPCs. Major impediments to
      understand the transport mechanism are the thousands of FG binding sites on each
      NPC, whose spatial distribution is unknown, and multiple binding sites per NTR,
      which leads to multivalent interactions. Using single molecule fluorescence
      microscopy, we show that multiple NTR molecules are required for efficient
      transport of a large cargo, while a single NTR promotes binding to the NPC but
      not transport. Particle trajectories and theoretical modelling reveal a crucial
      role for multivalent NTR interactions with the FG network and indicate a non
      uniform FG repeat distribution. A quantitative model is developed wherein the
      cytoplasmic side of the pore is characterized by a low effective concentration of
      free FG repeats and a weak FG-NTR affinity, and the centrally located dense
      permeability barrier is overcome by multivalent interactions, which provide the
      affinity necessary to permeate the barrier. 

PMID- 24213249
TI  - Flow disturbances in stent-related coronary evaginations: a computational fluid
      dynamic simulation study.
AB  - AIMS: Angiographic ectasias and aneurysms in stented segments have been
      associated with late stent thrombosis. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT),
      some stented segments show coronary evaginations reminiscent of ectasias. The
      purpose of this study was to explore, using computational fluid-dynamic (CFD)
      simulations, whether OCT-detected coronary evaginations can induce local changes
      in blood flow. METHODS AND RESULTS: OCT-detected evaginations are defined as
      outward bulges in the luminal vessel contour between struts, with the depth of
      the bulge exceeding the actual strut thickness. Evaginations can be characterised
      cross-sectionally by depth and along the stented segment by total length.
      Assuming an ellipsoid shape, we modelled 3-D evaginations with different sizes by
      varying the depth from 0.2-1.0 mm, and the length from 1-9 mm. For the flow
      simulation we used average flow velocity data from non-diseased coronary
      arteries. The change in flow with varying evagination sizes was assessed using a
      particle tracing test where the particle transit time within the segment with
      evagination was compared with that of a control vessel. The presence of the
      evagination caused a delayed particle transit time which increased with the
      evagination size. The change in flow consisted locally of recirculation within
      the evagination, as well as flow deceleration due to a larger lumen - seen as a
      deflection of flow towards the evagination. CONCLUSIONS: CFD simulation of 3-D
      evaginations and blood flow suggests that evaginations affect flow locally, with
      a flow disturbance that increases with increasing evagination size.

PMID- 24213248
TI  - The neuroprotective efficacy of cell-penetrating peptides TAT, penetratin, Arg-9,
      and Pep-1 in glutamic acid, kainic acid, and in vitro ischemia injury models
      using primary cortical neuronal cultures.
AB  - Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are small peptides (typically 5-25 amino acids),
      which are used to facilitate the delivery of normally non-permeable cargos such
      as other peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, or drugs into cells. However, several
      recent studies have demonstrated that the TAT CPP has neuroprotective properties.
      Therefore, in this study, we assessed the TAT and three other CPPs (penetratin,
      Arg-9, Pep-1) for their neuroprotective properties in cortical neuronal cultures
      following exposure to glutamic acid, kainic acid, or in vitro ischemia (oxygen
      glucose deprivation). Arg-9, penetratin, and TAT-D displayed consistent and high
      level neuroprotective activity in both the glutamic acid (IC50: 0.78, 3.4, 13.9
      MUM) and kainic acid (IC50: 0.81, 2.0, 6.2 MUM) injury models, while Pep-1 was
      ineffective. The TAT-D isoform displayed similar efficacy to the TAT-L isoform in
      the glutamic acid model. Interestingly, Arg-9 was the only CPP that displayed
      efficacy when washed-out prior to glutamic acid exposure. Neuroprotection
      following in vitro ischemia was more variable with all peptides providing some
      level of neuroprotection (IC50; Arg-9: 6.0 MUM, TAT-D: 7.1 MUM, penetratin/Pep-1:
      >10 MUM). The positive control peptides JNKI-1D-TAT (JNK inhibitory peptide)
      and/or PYC36L-TAT (AP-1 inhibitory peptide) were neuroprotective in all models.
      Finally, in a post-glutamic acid treatment experiment, Arg-9 was highly effective
      when added immediately after, and mildly effective when added 15 min post-insult,
      while the JNKI-1D-TAT control peptide was ineffective when added post-insult.
      These findings demonstrate that different CPPs have the ability to inhibit
      neurodamaging events/pathways associated with excitotoxic and ischemic injuries.
      More importantly, they highlight the need to interpret neuroprotection studies
      when using CPPs as delivery agents with caution. On a positive note, the
      cytoprotective properties of CPPs suggests they are ideal carrier molecules to
      deliver neuroprotective drugs to the CNS following injury and/or potential
      neuroprotectants in their own right. 

PMID- 24213247
TI  - The involvement of microRNAs in major depression, suicidal behavior, and related
      disorders: a focus on miR-185 and miR-491-3p.
AB  - Major depressive disorders are common and disabling conditions associated with
      significant psychosocial impairment and suicide risk. At least 3-4 % of all
      depressive individuals die by suicide. Evidence suggests that small non-coding
      RNAs, in particular microRNAs (miRNAs), play a critical role in major affective
      disorders as well as suicide. We performed a detailed review of the current
      literature on miRNAs and their targets in major depression and related disorders
      as well as suicidal behavior, with a specific focus on miR-185 and miR-491-3p,
      which have been suggested to participate in the pathogenesis of major depression
      and/or suicide. miRNAs play a fundamental role in the development of the brain.
      Several miRNAs are reported to influence neuronal and circuit formation by
      negatively regulating gene expression. Global miRNA reduced expression was found
      in the prefrontal cortex of depressed suicide completers when compared to that of
      nonpsychiatric controls who died of other causes. One particular miRNA, miR-185,
      was reported to regulate TrkB-T1, which has been associated with suicidal
      behavior upon truncation. Furthermore, cAMP response element-binding protein
      brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathways may regulate, through miRNAs, the
      homeostasis of neural and synaptic pathways playing a crucial role in major
      depression. miRNAs have gained attention as key players involved in nervous
      system development, physiology, and disease. Further evidence is needed to
      clarify the exact role that miRNAs play in major depression and related disorders
      and suicidal behavior. 

PMID- 24213251
TI  - Identification of an RFLP marker tightly linked to theHt1 gene in maize.
AB  - We have identified tight linkage of an RFLP marker to theHt1 gene of maize that
      confers resistance to the fungal pathogenHelminthosporium turcicum race 1. This
      was accomplished by the use of four pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs; B73,
      A619, W153R, and CM105), each differing by the presence or the absence of the
      geneHt1. SinceHt1 maps to chromosome 2, 26 clones already mapped to this
      chromosome were labeled and probed against Southern blots of these NILs DNA
      digested with three restriction enzymes:EcoRI,BamHI, andHindIII. Six markers
      exhibited an RFLP for at least one pair of NILs. Presumptive linkage was further
      tested by analyzing the segregation of five of the six markers (one was
      monomorphic in the cross studied) and resistance toH. turcicum race 1 on 95 F2
      individuals from the cross DF20 * LH146Ht. The results indicate a tight linkage
      between one of the DNA markers,UMC150B, and theHt1 gene. 

PMID- 24213252
TI  - Genetics of leaf blight resistance in wheat.
AB  - Studies on the genetics of leaf blight caused byAlternaria triticina using
      generation mean analysis revealed that additive components played a major role,
      but that dominance components also contributed significantly in controlling the
      variability for leaf blight resistance in wheat crosses. Furthermore, the
      additive x additive type of epistasis was predominant in the first three crosses,
      whereas in the fourth cross additive x dominance (j) and dominance x dominance
      (1) components of epistasis were most significant. Because of this it may be
      desirable to follow a simple recurrent selection scheme for higher tolerance, to
      isolate resistant plants from the segregating populations derived from crosses of
      parents of diverse origin following the pedigree method of breeding. CPAN-1887
      was very tolerant to leaf blight in the present study and should be utilized in
      hybridization programs to develop leaf-blight-resistant varieties. 

PMID- 24213253
TI  - Selection and characterization of a rice mutant resistant to 5-methyltryptophan.
AB  - A rice plant resistant to 5-methyltryptophan (5MT) was selected from mutagenized
      M3 seeds (Oryza sativa L. var. Sasanishiki) originating from panicles treated
      with ethylene imine (0.2%) 2 h after flowering. When germinated on 5MT-containing
      medium, the seeds (M4) from selfed plants segregated with a 3 resistant:1
      sensitive ratio, indicating that the plant was heterozygous for a resistance gene
      and that the resistance was dominant. The resistance was also expressed in callus
      derived from seeds. Analysis of the free amino acids in seeds, seedlings, and
      calli showed that homozygous resistant plants (TR1) contained higher levels of
      total free amino acids than sensitive plants. In particular the levels of
      tryptophan, phenylalanine, and histidine were, respectively, 8.5, 5.4, and 4.9
      times higher than those in the sensitive plants. 

PMID- 24213250
TI  - Effects and mechanisms of working memory training: a review.
AB  - Can cognitive abilities such as reasoning be improved through working memory
      training? This question is still highly controversial, with prior studies
      providing contradictory findings. The lack of theory-driven, systematic
      approaches and (occasionally serious) methodological shortcomings complicates
      this debate even more. This review suggests two general mechanisms mediating
      transfer effects that are (or are not) observed after working memory training:
      enhanced working memory capacity, enabling people to hold more items in working
      memory than before training, or enhanced efficiency using the working memory
      capacity available (e.g., using chunking strategies to remember more items
      correctly). We then highlight multiple factors that could influence these
      mechanisms of transfer and thus the success of training interventions. These
      factors include (1) the nature of the training regime (i.e., intensity, duration,
      and adaptivity of the training tasks) and, with it, the magnitude of improvements
      during training, and (2) individual differences in age, cognitive abilities,
      biological factors, and motivational and personality factors. Finally, we
      summarize the findings revealed by existing training studies for each of these
      factors, and thereby present a roadmap for accumulating further empirical
      evidence regarding the efficacy of working memory training in a systematic way. 

PMID- 24213254
TI  - Novel seed lipid phenotypes in combinations of mutants altered in fatty acid
      biosynthesis inArabidopsis.
AB  - The seed fatty acid (FA) composition of various single mutant combinations
      ofArabidopsis thaliana that affect FA biosynthesis has been examined. Double
      mutant combinations offae, a mutation affecting CIS elongation, and a series of
      four other FA biosynthetic mutants were synthesized. The four other single
      mutants were:fad2 andfad3, which are deficient in 18?1 and 18?2 desaturation,
      respectively;fab1, which is elevated in 16?0 and decreased in 18?1; andfab2,
      which is elevated in 18?0 and decreased in 18?1. The superimposition of two
      blocks in the FA biosynthetic pathway leads to dramatic changes in the FA content
      of the double mutants. The tenArabidopsis stocks analyzed to date (wild-type,
      five single mutants, and four double mutants) make seed oils with a wide range of
      FA compositions, and illustrate the diversity of oils it is possible to obtain
      from a single plant species. 

PMID- 24213255
TI  - Normalization of the DNA content of telophase cells from wheat calli by nutrient
      modifications.
AB  - Cytophotometric analyses were conducted to determine whether the DNA content of
      wheat callus varied by tissue culture medium or age of callus. Wheat,Triticum
      aestivum L. line PCYT-20, was cultured on three variations of the Murashige and
      Skoog (1962) growth medium. At the end of 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks, samples were
      collected and prepared for Feulgen cytophotometry. Standards for the DNA
      measurements were readings from 100 telophase nuclei in wheat meristematic root
      tips. Amounts of DNA per nucleus present in telophase cells from callus grown on
      single-strength MS indicated that ploidy level increased 52%, 74% and 39%,
      respectively, over time from 2, 4, and 6 weeks as compared to the double-strength
      MS medium, and 29%, 60% and 32%, respectively, when coconut water was added to
      the single-strength MS culture medium. The shape of the mitotically-active cells
      in callus was more variable than in root tips cells. Callus grown on double
      strength MS medium produced more shoots than callus grown on single-strength MS.
      Double-strength MS medium and, to a lesser extent, additional sucrose and organic
      nitrogen overcame the effects of 2,4-D on DNA amplification. Improved media may
      reduce the somaclonal variation induced by tissue culture. 

PMID- 24213256
TI  - Nuclear genes affecting percentage of green plants in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
      anther culture.
AB  - The genetics behind response in barley anther culture was studied with 22
      reciprocal and one single: cross between three varieties with high and four
      varieties with low capacity for green plant formation. Effects of genotypes
      dominated embryo formation and percentages of green plants, accounting for 62 and
      76% of total variation, respectively, with almost no genetic effect on the
      ability to regenerate plants from pollen embryos. Nuclear genes could explain all
      genotype effects in this plant material, since no reciprocal effects were
      indicated. The three parents with high and the four parents with low capacity for
      green plant formation formed two phenotypically homogeneous groups, producing 27
      52% and 0-7% green plants, respectively. Genetic variation within hybrids for
      both embryo and green plant formation could be explained completely by general
      combining ability (GCA). The results are discussed with respect to a previous
      similar study in hexaploid wheat and the reported existence of DNA deletions in
      the plastid genomes in albino plants from anther culture of wheat and barley. 

PMID- 24213257
TI  - Bias of maximum likelihood estimator of intraclass correlation.
AB  - A bias correction was derived for the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of the
      intraclass correlation. The bias consisted of two parts: a correction from MLE to
      the analysis of variance estimator (ANOVA) and the bias of ANOVA. The total
      possible bias was always negative and depended upon both the degree of
      correlation and the design size and balance. The first part of the bias was an
      exact algebraic expression from MLE to ANOVA, and the corrected estimator by this
      part was ANOVA. It was also shown that the first correction term was equivalent
      to Fisher's reciprocal bias correction on hisZ scores. The total possible bias of
      MLE was large for small and moderate samples. Relative biases were larger for
      small parametric values and vice versa. To ensure a relative bias less than 10%
      assuming an intraclass correlation of 0.025, which is not unusual in most of the
      animal genetic studies, the total number of observations (N) should be not less
      than 500. From a design point of view, minimum bias occurred atn = 2, the minimum
      family size possible, underN fixed. 

PMID- 24213258
TI  - The role of hybridization in the karyotype evolution of deer (Cervidae;
      Artiodactyla; Mammalia).
AB  - The karyotypes of 46 animals from a population ofCervus elaphus, Cervus nippon,
      and hybridsCervus elaphus xCervus nippon were studied using G- and C-banding
      techniques. It was found that four chromosome pairs known from the karyotype
      ofCervus elaphus are involved in two systems of Robertsonian translocations.
      Pedigree analysis supports the hypothesis of a simple Mendelian inheritance of
      each translocation system. With respect to these translocation systems, the
      population shows no significant deviation from the corresponding Hardy-Weinberg
      structure. Thus, hybridization events can be accepted as a major factor in
      karyotype evolution of deer. 

PMID- 24213259
TI  - Somaclonal variation in tuber disc-derived populations of potato : I. Evidence of
      genetic stability across tuber generations and diverse locations.
AB  - Approximately 1,600 potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants of the cultivar
      'Superior' were regeneratedin vitro from meristems adventitiously initiated on
      tuber disc expiants. Direct regeneration from tuber disc cells, by passing a
      callus intermediary, is efficient and results in low frequencies of plants with
      gross phenotypic aberrations. The somaclonal plant population was statistically
      characterized in field plots over five asexual generations and in three diverse
      locations. When compared in advanced generations to a large population of control
      plants propagated from stem cuttings, the means of the somaclonal population were
      significantly different, often shifted in the desirable direction, for 16 of 22
      horticulturally important traits. Somaclonal population variances statistically
      exceeded those of the controls for 13 of the 22 traits. Regressions between
      consecutive tuber generations and between locations or replications (blocks)
      within a generation were significant in the somaclonal population for all traits
      analyzed. In a few instances, significant control population regressions occurred
      that are interpreted to be the result of non-random, non-genetic factors
      primarily affecting control plants of low vigor. Selected somaclones exhibiting
      desirable alterations for yield, tuber number and shape, and vigor were stable
      over more than two consecutive asexual generations. 

PMID- 24213260
TI  - Chromosome pairing relationships among the A, B, and D genomes of bread wheat.
AB  - Chromosome pairing and chiasma frequency were studied in bread wheat euhaploids
      (2n = 3x = 21; ABD genomes) with and without the major pairing regulatorPh1. This
      constitutes the first report of chromosome pairing relationships among the A, B,
      and D genomes of wheat without the influence of an alien genome. AllPh1
      euhaploids had very little pairing, with 0.62-1.05 rod bivalents per cell; ring
      bivalents were virtually absent and mean arm-binding frequency (c) values ranged
      from 0.050 to 0.086. In contrast, theph1b euhaploids had extensive homoeologous
      pairing, with chiasma frequency 7.5-11.6 times higher than that in thePh1
      euhaploids. They had 0.53-1.16 trivalents, 1.53-1.74 ring bivalents, and 2.90
      3.57 rod bivalents, withc from 0.580 to 0.629. N-banding of meiotic chromosomes
      showed strongly preferential pairing between chromosomes of the A and D genomes;
      80% of the pairing was between these genomes, especially in the presence of
      theph1b allele. The application of mathematical models to unmarked chromosomes
      also supported a 2?1 genomic structure of theph1b euhaploids. Numerical modeling
      suggested that about 80% of the metaphase I association was between the two most
      related genomes in the presence ofph1b, but that pairing under Ph1 was
      considerably more random. The data demonstrate that the A and D genomes are much
      more closely related to each other than either is to B. These results may have
      phylogenetic significance and hence breeding implications. 

PMID- 24213261
TI  - Fertile somatic hybrids between transgenicNicotiana tabacum and transgenicN.
      debneyi selected by dual-antibiotic resistance.
AB  - A simple, yet effective selection system was used to produce fertile somatic
      hybrids betweenNicotiana tabacum andN. debneyi. This approach utilized transgenic
      antibiotic-resistantN. tabacum andN. Debneyi as donor plants for mesophyll
      protoplast fusions. Thirteen somatic hybrid plants were regenerated from calli
      capable of growth on medium containing both antibiotics. The majority of the
      hybrids displayed a range of leaf and floral morphologies and growth habits that
      were intermediate to those of the parental species, and had chromosome numbers
      varying from amphidiploid (2n = 96) to hypoaneuploid (2n = 60). Isoenzyme and
      RFLP analysis demonstrated the presence and expression of nuclear genes from both
      parents in all of the hybrids. Most plants are fully fertile. Thus, these plants
      differ from the malesterile tobacco 'cybrids' and alloplasmic lines produced by
      transferring theN. debneyi cytoplasm to tobacco. A nonrandom pattern of
      cytoplasmic segregation in the fusion products occurred with a bias towards the
      presence ofN. debneyi cp and mtDNA. Evidence for the presence of rearranged or
      recombinant cp and mtDNA in some of the hybrids was obtained. The somatic hybrids
      were successfully backcrossed to theN. tabacum parent and are now being tested
      for immunity to black root rot, a trait specific toN. debneyi, but not existent
      in theN. tabacum parental line. 

PMID- 24213262
TI  - An approximate method for optimum independent culling level selection for n
      stages of selection with explicit solutions.
AB  - An approximate method with explicit solutions to apply independent culling levels
      for multiple traits in n-stages of selection was developed. An approximate
      solution was found for sequentially selected traits. Two assumptions were
      necessary. The first was to assume that subsequent selection would not
      appreciably change the mean of traits already selected, and the second was to
      approximate the variance of a correlated trait in a selected population with an
      upward biased projection. The procedure was shown to give near optimal results
      regardless of selection intensity or genetic correlations if phenotypic
      correlations among traits were low. The procedure gave poor results only for
      certain sequences of selection when phenotypic correlations were high. However,
      in those cases good results were obtained using a different sequence of
      selection. With high correlations, the procedure is recommended only after
      comparing solutions and expected genetic gain for all sequences of selection. If
      the expected aggregate gain for the sequence of selection desired is less than
      that of another order, culling points associated with the optimal ordering must
      be determined. Genetic gain from use of culling points is independent of order of
      selection. The procedure is recommended for use with computer programs that
      attempt to find optimal culling points to reduce computational time and to check
      results. 

PMID- 24213263
TI  - PCR detection of transcripts homologous to the self-incompatibility gene in
      anthers ofBrassica.
AB  - The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is particularly well suited for the detection
      of rare sequences. Taking advantage of the recent isolation of sequences
      associated with stigma self-incompatibility inBrassica oleracea, we used PCR
      amplifications with primers synthesized to the S6 cDNA sequence, to demonstrate
      the presence of mRNA homologous to stigmaS-locus gene (SLG) in anthers during
      early microsporogenesis. In addition, otherS-locus-related (SLR) sequences were
      shown to be transcribed in sexual as well as in vegetative tissues (roots,
      leaves), suggesting that the SLG family might be involved not only in pollen
      stigma recognition, but more generally in various forms of plant cell signalling
      processes. This information corroborates the recent discovery of a cDNA-deduced
      protein kinase from maize roots, whose extracellular receptor displays high
      homology withBrassica S-locus-specific glycoproteins. 

PMID- 24213264
TI  - Parentage determination in maize hybrids using the arbitrarily primed polymerase
      chain reaction (AP-PCR).
AB  - Using a novel procedure based on the polymerase chain reaction, we have developed
      a rapid, efficient, and economical method for identifying plant genotypes. The
      arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) generates reproducible
      fingerprints from any organism, without the need for DNA sequence information.
      These fingerprints include DNA fragment polymorphisms that can be (1) used for
      varietal identification and parentage determination, (2) followed in segregating
      populations produced by crosses, (3) used as markers for the construction of
      genetic maps, and (4) used to generate dendograms of phylogenetic relationships,
      especially at the intraspecific level. AP-PCR requires only minute quantities of
      DNA (10-25 ng per reaction) and therefore can be used in situations in which DNA
      is limiting. We demonstrate the use of AP-PCR to identify inbred parents of
      hybrid maize plants in double-blind experiments. 

PMID- 24213265
TI  - Inheritance of chloroplast DNA inPopulus.
AB  - Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were used as markers to
      determine the transmission of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) in poplar crosses. The
      plant material studied included individual trees ofPopulus trichocarpa, P.
      maximowiczii xtrichocarpa, P. maximowiczii xnigra, and offspring from controlled
      crosses between these trees. RFLPs were identified by direct observation of
      stained restriction fragments, as well as by molecular hybridization with
      heterologous cpDNA probes. Analysis of the restriction fragment patterns in the
      parents and their progeny showed only the patterns of the maternal tree in the
      progeny, while no paternal type was found. These results provide clear evidence
      of a maternal mode of chloroplast inheritance in the poplar clones studied. 

PMID- 24213266
TI  - Chromosomal localization and genomic organization of alpha-amylase genes in rice
      (Oryza sativa L.).
AB  - Genes for alpha-amylase, alcohol dehydrogenase, andEm, an ABA-regulated gene
      expressed late in embryogenesis, were localized on rice chromosomes by the
      analysis of primary trisomies. The validity of the mapping approach was confirmed
      usingAdh-1 as a control. TheAdh-1 gene has previously been assigned to chromosome
      11 using conventional techniques. In this study we confirm this assignment and
      report an additional locus for alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh-2) on chromosome 9. The
      alpha-amylase genes were located on chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 8, and 9 while theEm
      gene was mapped to chromosome 5. To facilitate trisomic analysis and correlation
      of cloned genes with bands observed on Southern blots, a nomenclature for the
      rice alpha-amylase genes has been proposed. In addition to mapping nine cloned
      alpha-amylase genes, we have identified two previously uncloned alpha-amylase
      genes as part of this study. Polymorphism for alpha-amylase genes belonging to
      each of the three subfamilies was observed between M202 and IR36. The maximum
      degree of polymorphism was found among genes belonging to the RAmy3 subfamily,
      which also has the most diverse group of genes. 

PMID- 24213267
TI  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction
      products amplified from mapped loci of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genomic DNA.
AB  - Thirty mapped Indica rice genomic (RG) clones were partially sequenced from each
      end. From such sequence data, pairs of oligonucleotides were synthesized to act
      as primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the corresponding
      loci in crude total DNA preparations. The PCR products from DNA of Indica
      varieties were of the sizes expected from the sizes of the corresponding RG
      clones. However, size polymorphisms were seen between PCR products from Indica
      and Japonica varieties, and among wildOryza species. Restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (RFLP) was observed between PCR products of Indica varieties simply
      by electrophoretic analysis of restricted products, without the need for Southern
      hybridization or radiolabelling. The RFLPs noted between varieties ARC6650 and
      Phalguna were inherited in recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between
      them. The RFLPs were detectable in PCR products amplified from DNA extracted by a
      simple procedure from single seedlings or leaves, and revealed genetic
      heterogeneity in cultivated lines. An approach is described that is relevant to
      the acceleration of classical plant breeding through molecular techniques. 

PMID- 24213268
TI  - Heritability of morphological characters used to distinguish European and
      Africanized honeybees.
AB  - Identification of "Africanized" honeybees (Apis mellifera) is usually achieved by
      measuring an array of morphological characters. Discriminant functions exist that
      allow determination of subspecies similarity on the basis of these measurements.
      Here we compute the heritabilities of the standard character set for ten eco
      types (Table 1) of bees. Heritability is extremely high for body size characters
      and there is greater genetic variance among ecotypes than within. Heritability is
      lower, but still very high, for the vein angle characters and hamuli number
      (Table 3). Heritability was also computed for the same character set for a group
      of 20 colonies in Venezuela (Table 4). Heritabilities declined by an average of
      41% when specimens were reared in nonmaternal environments, but were still
      extremely high for the body size characters. These results support the continued
      use of morphological characters as a tool for identifying Africanized bees. They
      also suggest that multivariate analysis of morphology is useful in evaluating
      changes in the honeybee genome, and is therefore an effective means of studying
      the population genetics of honeybees. 

PMID- 24213269
TI  - Genetic properties of four types of stability parameter.
AB  - The genetic properties of four types of stability parameter for individual
      genotypes were investigated using a set of diallel cross data (28 genotypes x
      four locations x 3 years). The specific parameters studied were: the variance of
      a genotype across environments (T1); the genotype x environment (GE) interaction
      effect for a genotype, squared and summed across all environments (T2); the
      residual mean square (MS) of deviations from the regression of a genotype on an
      environmental index (T3); and years within locations MS for a genotype, averaged
      over all locations (T4). Each stability statistic was fitted to the additive
      model, based on the assumption that if the stability parameter is heritable,
      stability of F1 is most likely to be the average stability of its parents. The
      results showed that T1 and T4 were additive, but T2 and T3 were not. A study of
      the consistency of stability rankings between two seeding rates over the same set
      of environments showed a similar pattern. It appears that stability parameters of
      types 1 and 4 are heritable, and thus useful for selection, while those of types
      2 and 3 are nonheritable, and thus not useful. 

PMID- 24213270
TI  - Paternal leakage of mitochondrial DNA inPinus.
AB  - We studied mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism in 11
      parents and 125 seedlings of 23 controlled matings within and between jack pine
      (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and lodgepole pine (P. contorta Dougl.). A potential
      mitochondrial distinction between these two conifers was evident in the parental
      samples. Only maternal mitochondrial restriction fragments were observed in a
      majority of the seedlings, which is consistent with results from angiosperms and
      other members of the genusPinus L. However, we detected exclusively paternal
      mitochondrial DNA in six of the seedlings. These unusual seedlings were not
      attributable to heteroplasmy or contamination of the experimental material,
      indicating that mitochondrial inheritance was not strictly maternal. Paternal
      mitochondrial leakage inPinus may permit novel insights into the transmission
      genetics and evolution of organellar polymorphisms. 

PMID- 24213271
TI  - The microspore-derived embryo ofBrassica napus L. as a tool for studying embryo
      specific lipid biogenesis and regulation of oil quality.
AB  - A time-course study of lipid accumulation in microspore-derived embryos and
      developing zygotic embryos of rapeseed (Brassica napus L. ssp.oleifera) is
      presented. Rapid storage fat (triacylglycerol) biosynthesis was induced in
      microspore-derived embryos of oilseed rape (cv 'Topas') when the embryos were
      transferred from standing cultures (10 ml) to fresh medium (75 ml) and shake
      cultured. Triacylglycerols accumulated, after a lag period of 7 days, at a linear
      rate of approximately twice that of the developing zygotic embryo. The fatty acid
      composition of triacylglycerols in microspore-derived embryos closely parallelled
      that of the developing zygotic embryos. In the microspore-derived embryos, the
      amount of phosphatidylcholine, the major substrate for the production of
      polyunsaturated fatty acids in oilseeds, remained constant during the linear
      phase of triacylglycerol production, whereas it increased steadily in the zygotic
      embryos. The fatty acid composition of individual cotyledons from microspore
      embryos shake cultured for 15 days was compared with that of individual mature
      seeds. Relative amounts of the major fatty acids, i.e. palmitic, oleic and
      linoleic acids, were essentially the same, whereas the microspore-derived embryos
      had about 35% less stearic acid and 35% more linolenic acid than the mature
      seeds. Variation in the amounts of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids between
      seeds was similar to that found between cotyledons of microspore-derived embryos,
      whereas variation in palmitic and stearic acid levels was significantly lower
      between microsporederived cotyledons than between the seeds. The results indicate
      that microspore-derived embryos from shake cultures should be convenient for use
      in studying the regulation of oil biosynthesis and for rapidly screening for oil
      quality in genetically altered rapeseed. 

PMID- 24213272
TI  - Efficient interspecific hybridization in the genusHelianthus via "embryo rescue"
      and characterization of the hybrids.
AB  - With the aid of the "embryo rescue" technique, interspecific hybrids in the
      genusHelianthus could be raised with a recovery rate of 41%. Altogether, 33
      different hybrid combinations were realized using the cultivated form, both as a
      female and male parent. The hybrids obtained have been identified by different
      methods, i.e., by comparison of leaf morphology, pollen stainability, chromosome
      number and by RFLP analysis. The former three methods are useful to obtain global
      information, while the RFLP analysis allows a rapid and safe characterization in
      early developmental stages of the hybrids. 

PMID- 24213274
TI  - Partial auricular reconstruction with porous polyethylene frameworks and
      superficial temporoparietal fascia flap.
AB  - Untreated acquired auricular damage can be a psychological burden, especially for
      younger patients. The significance of auricular reconstruction in patients with
      microtia in terms of quality of life has already been demonstrated. In these
      patients the use of porous polyethylene combined with a temporoparietal fascia
      flap has proven to be a suitable method for achieving good cosmetic results.
      Here, we describe how to use porous polyethylene combined with an endoscopically
      harvested temporoparietal fascia flap and autologous skin grafts for the
      reconstruction of acquired partial auricle defects and present outcomes and
      patient benefit. Ten consecutive patients were asked to answer validated
      questionnaires [modified Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI)] determining the effects
      of partial ear reconstruction on their health-related quality of life. These
      patients were seen regularly in our outpatient clinic for documentation and
      postoperative counseling. All patients returned a valid questionnaire; 80% were
      satisfied with the esthetic result. In retrospect, all patients would again
      decide to undergo surgery. The mean total GBI score was 27.8 (median 29.2, p <
      0.05) reflecting an improvement of the health-related quality of life due to the
      operation. Odd feeling, numbness and the formation of scar tissue were the main
      complaints. Partial auricular reconstruction using porous polyethylene combined
      with an endoscopically harvested temporoparietal fascia flap and autologous skin
      grafts yields good esthetic results and can significantly increase patient's
      health-related quality of life.

PMID- 24213273
TI  - Isolating single stranded DNA using a microfluidic dialysis device.
AB  - Isolating a particular strand of DNA from a double stranded DNA duplex is an
      important step in aptamer generation as well as many other biotechnology
      applications. Here we describe a microfluidic, flow-through, dialysis device for
      isolating single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) from double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). The
      device consists of two channels fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
      separated by a track etched polycarbonate membrane (800 nm pore size). To isolate
      ssDNA, dual-biotin labelled dsDNA was immobilized onto streptavidin-coated
      polystyrene beads. Alkaline treatment was used to denature dsDNA, releasing the
      non-biotinylated ssDNA. In the flow-through dialysis device the liberated ssDNA
      was able to cross the membrane and was collected in an outlet channel. The
      complementary sequence bound to the bead was unable to cross the membrane and was
      directed to a waste channel. The effect of NaOH concentration and flow rate on
      purity and yield were compared. >95% ssDNA purity was achieved at 25 mM NaOH.
      However, lower flow rates were necessary to achieve ssDNA yields approaching the
      50% theoretical maximum of the concurrent-flow device. Under optimized conditions
      the microfluidic isolation achieved even higher purity ssDNA than analogous
      manual procedures. 

PMID- 24213275
TI  - When is re-irradiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma not indicated?

PMID- 24213276
TI  - Verrucous carcinoma: a retrospective diagnosis in three historic patients.

PMID- 24213277
TI  - Serologic biomarkers of Epstein-Barr virus correlate with TNM classification
      according to the seventh edition of the UICC/AJCC staging system for
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
      related biomarkers and TNM classification according to the seventh edition of
      AJCC/UICC staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Serum VCA-IgA and EA-IgA
      titers and plasma EBV-DNA load were quantified at baseline in 779 patients; the
      rates of positivity and titers/load were compared by TNM classification. The VCA
      IgA-positive rate was significantly associated with advanced N classification and
      stage; the EA-IgA-positive rate with advanced T and N classifications and stage;
      the EBV-DNA-positive rate with advanced T, N and M classifications and stage. The
      percentage of triple-positive patients was higher in patients with advanced TNM
      classification. The VCA-IgA titer and EA-IgA titer correlated positively with T
      classification, N classification and disease stage (1:117 in Stage I, 1:188.4 in
      Stage II, 1:231.12 in Stage III, 1:265.91 in Stage IV, and 1:18.34 in Stage I,
      1:32.11 in Stage II, 1:34.77 in Stage III, 1:37.65 in Stage IV, respectively).
      EBV DNA load correlated positively with T, N and M classification and stage
      [median lg (EBV DNA): 0 (IQ range 0-1.85) in Stage I, 1.32 (0-3.51) in Stage II,
      3.33 (0-4.30) in Stage III, 3.83 (2.85-4.71) in Stage IV]. Serum VCA-IgA/EA-IgA
      titers and plasma EBV DNA correlated strongly with TNM classification according
      to the seventh edition of the AJCC/UICC; however, plasma EBV DNA load could
      accurately predict metastatic disease. EBV serological biomarkers may enhance the
      accuracy of TNM staging and help to avoid excessive imaging examinations in
      routine evaluation. 

PMID- 24213278
TI  - The incidence of late neck recurrence in N0 maxillary sinus squamous cell
      carcinomas after superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy without
      prophylactic neck irradiation.
AB  - The efficacy of elective neck irradiation (ENI) for patients with N0 carcinoma of
      the maxillary sinus has been controversial. The purpose of our study was to
      investigate the incidence of late neck recurrence and the mortality rate from
      regional disease in patients with N0 maxillary sinus cancer after superselective
      cisplatin infusion and concomitant radiotherapy (RADPLAT) without ENI. We
      retrospectively analyzed 48 patients with N0 maxillary sinus cancer who underwent
      RADPLAT. Chemotherapy consisted of 100-120 mg/m(2) superselective intra-arterial
      cisplatin administered at a median rate of four times weekly. Concurrent
      radiation therapy was administered at a median dose of 65 Gy without ENI. Late
      neck recurrence was observed in 8.3% (4/48). Three patients underwent salvage
      neck dissection and survived without any evidence of disease. The remaining
      patient did not undergo neck dissection due to coexistence with distant
      metastasis, and he died of regional disease. The mortality rate from regional
      disease was calculated to be 2% (1/48). The incidence of late neck recurrence was
      not frequent, and the mortality rate from regional disease was low. Salvage neck
      dissection was considered to be feasible for patients with late neck recurrence.
      When definitive radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy are applied, it is
      considered that ENI is not required for cases of N0 maxillary sinus cancer.

PMID- 24213279
TI  - Carbon nanotubes: Captured on camera.

PMID- 24213280
TI  - High-throughput optical imaging and spectroscopy of individual carbon nanotubes
      in devices.
AB  - Single-walled carbon nanotubes are uniquely identified by a pair of chirality
      indices (n,m), which dictate the physical structures and electronic properties of
      each species. Carbon nanotube research is currently facing two outstanding
      challenges: achieving chirality-controlled growth and understanding chirality
      dependent device physics. Addressing these challenges requires, respectively,
      high-throughput determination of the nanotube chirality distribution on growth
      substrates and in situ characterization of the nanotube electronic structure in
      operating devices. Direct optical imaging and spectroscopy techniques are well
      suited for both goals, but their implementation at the single nanotube level has
      remained a challenge due to the small nanotube signal and unavoidable environment
      background. Here, we report high-throughput real-time optical imaging and
      broadband in situ spectroscopy of individual carbon nanotubes on various
      substrates and in field-effect transistor devices using polarization-based
      microscopy combined with supercontinuum laser illumination. Our technique enables
      the complete chirality profiling of hundreds of individual carbon nanotubes, both
      semiconducting and metallic, on a growth substrate. In devices, we observe that
      high-order nanotube optical resonances are dramatically broadened by
      electrostatic doping, an unexpected behaviour that points to strong interband
      electron-electron scattering processes that could dominate ultrafast dynamics of
      excited states in carbon nanotubes. 

PMID- 24213281
TI  - Transport and self-organization across different length scales powered by motor
      proteins and programmed by DNA.
AB  - In eukaryotic cells, cargo is transported on self-organized networks of
      microtubule trackways by kinesin and dynein motor proteins. Synthetic microtubule
      networks have previously been assembled in vitro, and microtubules have been used
      as shuttles to carry cargoes on lithographically defined tracks consisting of
      surface-bound kinesin motors. Here, we show that molecular signals can be used to
      program both the architecture and the operation of a self-organized transport
      system that is based on kinesin and microtubules and spans three orders of
      magnitude in length scale. A single motor protein, dimeric kinesin-1, is
      conjugated to various DNA nanostructures to accomplish different tasks.
      Instructions encoded into the DNA sequences are used to direct the assembly of a
      polar array of microtubules and can be used to control the loading, active
      concentration and unloading of cargo on this track network, or to trigger the
      disassembly of the network. 

PMID- 24213282
TI  - Enhanced shoot regeneration from Brassica campestris by silver nitrate.
AB  - The morphogenetic response of Brassica campestris genotype R500 to inhibitors of
      ethylene biosynthesis and action was investigated. A medium containing 1.0 mg.l(
      1) NAA, 2.0 mg.l(-1) BAP, and 30 or 60 MUM AgNO3 significantly enhanced both the
      percentage shoot regeneration and the number of shoots per cotyledon expiant.
      Although callus proliferation occurred on hypocotyl segments, no shoots were
      formed in response to AgNO3 with expiants older than five days. Cotyledons older
      than six days formed shoots only with AgNO3. Cobalt chloride at 20 and 30 MUM
      increased cotyledon shoot regeneration but was inferior to AgNO3. Hypocotyl
      segments were unresponsive. Salicylic acid at 25 and 50 MUM prevented both shoot
      regeneration and callusing without any obvious toxic effects. Removal of expiants
      from AgNO3 after 12 days did not alter the percentage of shoot regeneration but
      increased the number of shoots per expiant. This response was dependent on the
      level of BAP. Percentage shoot regeneration and number of shoots per cotyledon
      explant were not affected by removal of CoCl2. These results indicate that the
      poor regenerative capacity of this genotype may be related to ethylene
      biosynthesis or metabolism. 

PMID- 24213283
TI  - In vitro culture of coconut endosperm: callus induction and its fatty acids.
AB  - Successful induction of callus from coconut endosperm was achieved by using the
      tissue situated near the micropylar end of a young fruit. For initiation of
      callus, a high concentration of auxin (20 to 100 ppm) was added to the basal
      medium containing activated charcoal. Subcultured callus showed a 40-fold
      increase during culture of three months. Based on the analysis of fatty acid
      composition, the maturation of endosperm was characterized by an increase in
      short chain fatty acids (C8, C10, C12, C14)and a decrease in long chain fatty
      acids (C16, C18: 1, C18: 2). In developing endosperms, proportion of short chain
      fatty acids was higher in lipids of the antipodal than those of other regions. In
      the final stage of maturation, around 82% of total fatty acids was short chain
      fatty acids, while the proportion of long chain fatty acids decreased up to 16%.
      The fatty acid composition of callus subcultured for six months was comparable to
      that of the immature endosperm. Lipids were accumulated in callus as globular
      bodies. 

PMID- 24213284
TI  - Simple dehydration treatment promotes plantlet regeneration of rice (Oryza sativa
      L.) callus.
AB  - To increase plantlet regeneration frequency, rice callus was dehydrated in a
      Petri dish with a single layer of filter paper prior to transfer to the
      regeneration medium. With a 24 h dehydration treatment, the regeneration
      frequency was increased to 47 %, while the regeneration frequency of the
      untreated control was less than 5 %. This relatively simple method provides an
      alternative method for improving the regeneration frequency of rice callus. 

PMID- 24213285
TI  - Differentiation of somatic embryos from protoplasts isolated from embryogenic
      suspension cultures of Abies alba L.
AB  - Embryogenic suspension cultures of Abies alba were established using an
      embryogenic suspensor mass culture originating from the zygotic embryo in
      immature seed explants (Schuller et al. 1989). Protoplasts were isolated from the
      suspension material. The protoplasts were immobilized in alginate layers in order
      to follow the development of single protoplasts. During the first days of
      protoplast culture a modified Kao and Michayluk (1975) medium proved to be
      necessary for subsequent divisions. The formation of proembryos succeeded within
      2-3 weeks when subcultured with a modified Schenk and Hildebrandt (1972) liquid
      medium. Light, enhanced sugar concentration, and the addition of abscisic acid
      led to the formation of slightly green "torpedo"-shaped somatic embryos after 6-8
      weeks from protoplast isolation. 

PMID- 24213286
TI  - Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa) and tissue
      specific and developmental expression of the CaMV 35S promoter in transgenic
      tomatillo plants.
AB  - A protocol for the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tomatillo was
      developed. Up to 40 transgenic plants could be obtained in experiments using 60
      cotyledon expiants. The transformed nature of the regenerated plants was
      confirmed by NPT II and Southern blot hybridization analysis. Using the b
      glucuronidase system the tissue specific and developmental patterns of expression
      of the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter were determined in transgenic
      tomatillo plants. It was found that this promoter is developmentally regulated
      during fruit and seed formation. 

PMID- 24213287
TI  - First evidence of somatic embryogenesis from needles of 1-year-old Picea abies
      plants.
AB  - Somatic embryogenesis was obtained from hypocotyls and cotyledons of one month
      old plantlets of Picea abies. Embryogenic yield was higher with expiants from
      somatic embryo-derived plantlets (80 %) than with plantlets issued from zygotic
      embryos (10 %). This report also describes production of embryogenic calli from
      needles of 14 month old somatic embryo-derived plants cultivated in greenhouse.
      The influence of the physiological status and genotype of the mother plant on
      somatic embryogenic potential is discussed. 

PMID- 24213288
TI  - Electroporation and PEG delivery of DNA into maize microspores.
AB  - The ability to deliver and detect reporter gene activity in maize microspores was
      tested. Tested expression vectors contained the chloramphenicol acetyl
      transferase (CAT) gene and one of the following promoter-intron combinations: 1)
      cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV 35S), 2) CaMV 35S + maize alcohol dehydrogenase 1
      intron 6 (Adh1-I6), 3) maize alcohol dehydrogenase 1 + intron 1 (Adh1-I1), or 4)
      maize ubiquitin 1 + intron 1 (Ubiq 1-I1) promoter + intron. The expression
      vectors were delivered into maize microspores using electroporation or
      polyethylene glycol (PEG). Both methods were effective for delivering free DNA
      into microspores. Although all four promoters were active in maize protoplasts,
      only two promoters were active in maize microspores. The CaMV 35S and the Adh1
      promoters did not promote gene expression in maize microspore. The CaMV 35S +
      Adh1-I6 and Ubiq1-I1 promoters produced high levels of CAT activity in maize
      microspores. 

PMID- 24213289
TI  - Propagation of banana through encapsulated shoot tips.
AB  - Plants were regenerated from encapsulated shoot tips of banana. Shoot tips (ca 4
      mm) isolated from multiple shoot cultures of banana cv. Basrai were encapsulated
      in 3% sodium alginate containing different gel matrices. The encapsulated shoot
      tips regenerated in vitro on different substrates. Use of White's medium resulted
      in 100% conversion of encapsulated shoot tips into plantlets. The plantlets were
      successfully established in soil. 

PMID- 24213290
TI  - Genotype-specific heat shock proteins in two maize inbreds.
AB  - Leaf blade tissue of maize inbred lines B73 and Mo17 was analyzed for
      intraspecific genetic variability in the heat shock response. The maize inbreds
      were characterized for acquired thermal tolerance and patterns of heat shock
      protein synthesis. The leakage conductivity assay of membrane stability during
      stress indicated that Mol7 possesses greater potential than B73 to acquire
      thermal tolerance. Poly(A)(+) RNA, extracted from leaf blades, was translated in
      vitro in the presence of (35)S-methionine and the translation products separated
      by twodimensional gel electrophoresis. Major genotypic differences were observed
      in the translation products. Mo 17 synthesized twelve unique heat shock proteins
      in the 15-18 kD range, but B73 synthesized only three unique heat shock proteins
      in the same range. DNA polymorphisms were observed between the maize lines using
      (32)P labeled heat shock protein gene probes. 

PMID- 24213291
TI  - Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of safflower (Carthamus
      tinctorius L.) cv. 'Centennial'.
AB  - Efficient callus formation was achieved from cotyledon, stem, and leaf expiants
      of the domestic safflower cultivar 'Centennial' on MS salts medium containing 1
      mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L NAA. Shoot buds were regenerated from 26% of leaf-derived
      calli on callus induction medium, although attempts to root regenerated shoots
      were not successful. 'Centennial' expiants inoculated with Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens containing NPT II and GUS genes produced kanamycin-resistant calli
      from which buds were regenerated. Transformation and stable integration of
      transgenes was confirmed by GUS assay and DNA hybridization in kanamycin
      resistant calli, and GUS assay in regenerated shoots. 

PMID- 24213292
TI  - Regeneration of herbicide resistant transgenic rice plants following
      microprojectile-mediated transformation of suspension culture cells.
AB  - Suspension cells of Oryza sativa L. (rice) were transformed, by microprojectile
      bombardment, with plasmids carrying the coding region of the Streptomyces
      hygroscopicus phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) gene (bar) under the
      control of either the 5' region of the rice actin 1 gene (Act1) or the
      cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. Subsequently regenerated plants
      display detectable PAT activity and are resistant to BASTA(TM), a
      phosphinothricin (PPT)-based herbicide. DNA gel blot analyses showed that PPT
      resistant rice plants contain a bar-hybridizing restriction fragment of the
      expected size. This report shows that expression of the bar gene in transgenic
      rice plants confers resistance to PPT-based herbicide by suppressing an increase
      of ammonia in plants after spraying with the herbicide. 

PMID- 24213293
TI  - Bioproduction of neohesperidin and naringin in callus cultures of Citrus
      aurantium.
AB  - The accumulation of both neohesperidin and naringin as major flavonoids in callus
      cultures of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) was demonstrated using high
      performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector. The identity of
      both compounds was confirmed by their corresponding nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectra. The levels of neohesperidin are higher than those of naringin in callus
      culture, as they are in immature fruit, and high concentrations of both are found
      in young tissues such as immature fruits and the outer zone of calli. 

PMID- 24213295
TI  - Fish skin bacteria: Colonial and cellular hydrophobicity.
AB  - Bacteria were desorbed from the skin of healthy, fast-swimming fish by several
      procedures, including brief exposure to sonic oscillation and treatment with
      nontoxic surface active agents. The surface properties of these bacteria were
      studied by measuring their adhesion to hexadecane, as well as by a newly
      developed, simple method for studying the hydrophobicity of bacterial lawns. This
      method, referred to as the "Direction of Spreading" (DOS) method, consists of
      recording the direction to which a water drop spreads when introduced at the
      border between bacterial lawns and other surfaces. Of the 13 fish skin isolates
      examined, two strains were as hydrophobic as polystyrene by the DOS method.
      Suspended cells of one of these strains adhered strongly to hexadecane (84%),
      whereas cells of the other strain adhered poorly (13%). Another strain which was
      almost as hydrophobic as polystyrene by the DOS method did not adhere to
      hexadecane at all. Similarly, lawns of three other strains were more hydrophobic
      than glass by the DOS method, but cell suspensions prepared from these colonies
      showed little or no adhesion to hexadecane. The high colonial but relatively low
      cellular hydrophobicity could be due to a hydrophobic slime that is removed
      during the suspension and washing procedures. The possibility that specific
      bacteria assist in fish locomotion by changing the surface properties of the fish
      skin and by producing drag-reducing polymers is discussed. 

PMID- 24213294
TI  - Review: Microbial colonization of prosthetic devices.
AB  - CONCLUSION: The threat of bacterial colonization and biofilm formation poses the
      most important limitation on the use and development of prosthetic devices in
      human medicine. Data from the literature suggest that microbial adherence
      effected by the glycocalyx is a fundamental factor in sepsis involving
      biomaterials and that it may explain the resistance of such infections to host
      defense mechanisms and to antibiotherapy. A full appreciation of the existence
      and the consequences of the biofilm mode of bacterial growth is required so that
      we can both prevent and eliminate these protected microbial reservoirs.

PMID- 24213296
TI  - Grazing of attached bacteria by heterotrophic microflagellates.
AB  - Four species of heterotrophic microflagellates were examined for their ability to
      graze attached and unattached bacteria. The species tested displayed pronounced
      differences in their ability to graze the bacteriumPseudomonas halodurans
      attached to chitin particles. Two species of microflagellates (Monas andCryptobia
      sp.) efficiently grazed unattached bacteria but showed little or no ability to
      graze attached or aggregated cells. In contrast,Rhynchomonas nasuta andBodo sp.
      showed marked preferences for attached and aggregated bacteria and a limited
      ability to graze unattached cells. The density of attached bacteria was reduced
      by an order of magnitude due to grazing byBodo andR. nasuta, even though the
      density of unattached bacteria was ~5-90* the density of attached cells. The
      maximum densities attained by microflagellates in the cultures were related to
      the density of unattached bacteria forMonas andCryptobia but not forBodo andR.
      nasuta. Growth of the latter two species appeared to be related to the density of
      attached or aggregated bacteria. Based on the results of these experiments, it is
      concluded that the pelagic existence of microflagellates that graze attached
      bacteria may be strongly linked to the distribution of suspended particles and
      their associated bacteria. In addition, the removal of attached bacteria by
      microflagellates can significantly affect the density of bacteria attached to
      particles in the plankton. This activity may have important implications for the
      controversy concerning the relative importance of attached and free-living
      bacteria in the plankton. 

PMID- 24213297
TI  - Negative staining of freshwater bacterioneuston sampled directly with electron
      microscope specimen support grids.
AB  - A technique for observation of surface microlayer bacteria (bacterioneuston) is
      described, utilizing direct sampling of the air-water interface with carbon
      stabilized electron microscope specimen support grids, followed by negative
      staining and transmission electron microscopy. The method resulted in excellent
      preservation of forms of microcolonial association, regular surface arrays,
      surface appendages, and prosthecae in the bacterioneuston of a freshwater pond. 

PMID- 24213298
TI  - Kinetics of alkaline phosphatase activity and phosphorus availability for
      phytoplankton and bacterioplankton in lake plu?see (North German Eutrophic Lake).
AB  - Annual studies of kinetics of alkaline phosphatase (APA) activity and phosphorus
      availability for microplankton in the photic zone of an eutrophic lake are
      reported. The total APA activity of microplankton varied strongly. Vmax was
      highest during summer P depletion, and in autumn and winter total APA activity
      was low. The total APA specific activity of the microplankton was also highest
      (average 3.55 pmole PO4 (3-) ng ATP(-1) min(-1)) when ambient orthophosphate
      concentrations were very low. Both Vmax and specific APA activity were not
      dependent on the biomass of microplankton; they were strongly affected by P
      available for microplankton. A differential filtration technique was used for
      separation of microplankton into two size classes, i.e., algal, larger than 3MUm,
      and bacterial fraction with size 0.2-3.0MUm. The algal size fraction had lower
      specific APA activity (average 1.224 pmole PO4 (3-) ng ATP(-1) min(-1)) and
      higher KM values (38.8MUmole * liter(-1)) than microorganisms which were smaller
      than 3MUm (2.011 pmole PO4 (3-) ng ATP(-1) min(-1) and 25.4MUmole liter(-1),
      respectively). The KM values of free, dissolved APA (36.8MUmole liter(-1))
      indicated that free APA was probably released by algae. Phytoplankton were major
      APA activity producers in the photic zone of the lake from March to November, and
      their activity constituted, on the average, 48.6% of the total APA activity in
      the water. Bacteria were the dominant APA activity producers in winter (41.3
      44.9%); however, during other periods they contributed significantly (average
      21.7%) to total APA activity. When surplus constituted less than 10% of
      particulate P in seston, phytoplankton produced high specific APA activity, and
      when surplus P was higher than 15%, the specific APA activity of phytoplankton
      size fraction rapidly decreased. APA of the bacterial size fraction of the seston
      was not affected by P concentrations. Orthophosphate was a competitive inhibitor
      of APA produced by microorganisms of the size fraction larger than 3.0MUm, and
      increasing concentrations of inorganic phosphate caused an increase in KM values.
      The hypothetical metabolic-coupling between phytoplankton and bacterioplankton in
      the phosphorus cycle in conjunction with carbon metabolism in the lake is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24213299
TI  - Patterns of dark(14)CO 2 incorporation by natural marine phytoplankton
      communities.
AB  - The rates of dark(14)CO2 fixation by natural phytoplankton communities growing in
      eutrophic and oligotrophic waters were studied with short-term in situ
      experiments. Three aspects were investigated: (1) the time course incorporation
      of(14)CO2 in darkness, (2) the depth variability in dark(14)CO2 fixation, and (3)
      the variability in(14)CO2 fixation within a year. The highest dark(14)CO2
      incorporation rates were observed during the first interval of incubation (20
      min) after which they approached a constant rate with time. The observed
      differences in dark(14)CO2 fixation rates between populations from different
      depths were associated with differences in species composition as well as with
      physiological differences caused by exposure to different illumination conditions
      prior to their exposure to darkness. Autocorrelation coefficients were computed
      for the analysis of variability of dark(14)CO2 fixation rates within a year. It
      was suggested that dark(14)CO2 incorporation might be a periodic phenomenon
      depending mainly on the productive capacity of the phytoplankton community. 

PMID- 24213300
TI  - Isolation ofNostoc muscorum cyanophages from a domestic sewage.
AB  - TwoNostoc muscorum cyanophages were isolated from a domestic sewage in Kuwait. N
      1L cyanophage had a hexagonal head with a long tail, while N-2S cyanophage was a
      short-tailed virus. N-1L cyanophage was active at 50 degrees C and at acidic pH,
      compared with N-2S, which was more heat stable and active at pH 7.0. Seasonal
      variations in the total number of plaque-forming units ofN. muscorum cyanophages
      were determined for sewage samples collected at each treatment step. 

PMID- 24213301
TI  - Exploring empowerment in settings: mapping distributions of network power.
AB  - This paper brings together two trends in the empowerment literature-understanding
      empowerment in settings and understanding empowerment as relational-by examining
      what makes settings empowering from a social network perspective. Specifically,
      extending Neal and Neal's (Am J Community Psychol 48(3/4):157-167, 2011)
      conception of network power, an empowering setting is defined as one in which (1)
      actors have existing relationships that allow for the exchange of resources and
      (2) the distribution of network power among actors in the setting is roughly
      equal. The paper includes a description of how researchers can examine
      distributions of network power in settings. Next, this process is illustrated in
      both an abstract example and using empirical data on early adolescents' peer
      relationships in urban classrooms. Finally, implications for theory, methods, and
      intervention related to understanding empowering settings are explored. 

PMID- 24213302
TI  - Influence of paraumbilical vein patency on the portal hemodynamics of patients
      with cirrhosis.
AB  - GOALS/BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine the influence of the paraumbilical
      vein (PUV) patency and its effect on the portal hemodynamics and clinical
      presentations in cirrhotic patients. STUDY: In this prospective study of 181
      cirrhotic patients (101 males, 80 females; aged 62.6+/-11.8 y), the portal
      hemodynamics were assessed using Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: The incidence
      of patent PUV was 26.0% (47/181). The mean flow volume in the portal trunk, the
      incidence of a left gastric vein with hepatofugal flow, and the grade of the
      esophageal varices were significantly higher in the patients with a patent PUV
      (908.2 mL/min, 70.2%, 9 with none to small, and 27 with medium to large,
      respectively) than in those without (771.7 mL/min, 48.5%, 57 with none to small,
      and 48 with medium to large, respectively). The hepatic venous pressure gradient
      and the wedged hepatic venous pressure (mm H2O) were significantly higher in the
      former group (268.0+/-89.7 and 389.5+/-99.9, respectively) than in the latter
      (203.5+/-63.2 and 317.7+/-67.7, respectively). The deterioration of ascites
      during the 2-year follow-up period was significantly more often in the patients
      with a patent PUV (4/12, 33.3%) than in those without. The cumulative survival
      rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were similar between the 2 groups: 92.5%, 92.5%, and
      82.4%, respectively, in the former and 90.7%, 83.8%, and 76.3%, respectively, in
      the latter. CONCLUSIONS: A patent PUV seems to signify pressure-loaded portal
      hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients. However, it seems to have little effect on
      their prognoses.

PMID- 24213303
TI  - Stimulatory effects of sorafenib on human non-small cell lung cancer cells in
      vitro by regulating MAPK/ERK activation.
AB  - Sorafenib is an inhibitor of a number of intracellular signaling kinases with
      antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic effects in tumor cells.
      Sorafenib has been used in the therapy of advanced renal cell carcinoma. In the
      present study, using two human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)cell lines, A549
      and NCI-H1975, the effects of sorafenib on proliferation, apoptosis and
      intracellular signaling were systematically characterized. The results revealed
      that at a low concentration (5 uM) and early time point (6 h), sorafenib is
      capable of significantly stimulating proliferation of A549 cells, but not NCI
      H1975 cells. In addition, the comparison of the two cell lines revealed different
      cell cycle redistribution and apoptotic susceptibility to sorafenib at this
      concentration and time point. Western blot analysis revealed that sorafenib
      upregulated the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and
      downregulated the expression of BAX at this specific point. Furthermore,
      sorafenib was confirmed to regulate the expression of cyclin D1 and apoptosis
      associated proteins through the regulation of extracellular signal-regulated
      kinase 1/2 phosphorylation in A549 cells. These findings suggest that, although
      sorafenib has the potential for use in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma,
      this compound may also activate NSCLC cells at a specific time point. 

PMID- 24213305
TI  - Genetic diagnosis of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy using multiplex
      ligation-dependent probe amplification in Rwandan patients.
AB  - Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are the most common clinical forms of
      muscular dystrophies. They are genetically X-linked diseases caused by a mutation
      in the dystrophin (DMD) gene. A genetic diagnosis was carried out in six Rwandan
      patients presenting a phenotype of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies and
      six asymptomatic female carrier relatives using multiplex ligation-dependent
      probe amplification (MLPA). Our results revealed deletion of the exons 48-51 in
      one patient, an inherited deletion of the exons 8-21 in two brothers and a de
      novo deletion of the exons 46-50 in the fourth patient. No copy number variation
      was found in two patients. Only one female carrier presented exon deletion in the
      DMD gene. This is the first cohort of genetic analysis in Rwandan patients
      affected by Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. This report confirmed that
      MLPA assay can be easily implemented in low-income countries. 

PMID- 24213304
TI  - Leptin-stimulated KATP channel trafficking: a new paradigm for beta-cell stimulus
      secretion coupling?
AB  - Insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells is initiated by the closure of ATP
      sensitive K+ channels (KATP) in response to high concentrations of glucose, and
      this action of glucose is counteracted by the hormone leptin, an adipokine that
      signals through the Ob-Rb receptor to increase KATP channel activity. Despite
      intensive investigations, the molecular basis for KATP channel regulation remains
      uncertain, particularly from the standpoint of whether fluctuations in plasma
      membrane KATP channel content underlie alterations of KATP channel activity in
      response to glucose or leptin. Surprisingly, newly published findings reveal that
      leptin stimulates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in order to promote
      trafficking of KATP channels from cytosolic vesicles to the plasma membrane of
      beta-cells. This action of leptin is mimicked by low concentrations of glucose
      that also activate AMPK and that inhibit insulin secretion. Thus, a new paradigm
      for beta-cell stimulus-secretion coupling is suggested in which leptin exerts a
      tonic inhibitory effect on beta-cell excitability by virtue of its ability to
      increase plasma membrane KATP channel density and whole-cell KATP channel
      current. One important issue that remains unresolved is whether high
      concentrations of glucose suppress AMPK activity in order to shift the balance of
      membrane cycling so that KATP channel endocytosis predominates over vesicular
      KATP channel insertion into the plasma membrane. If so, high concentrations of
      glucose might transiently reduce KATP channel density/current, thereby favoring
      beta-cell depolarization and insulin secretion. Such an AMPK-dependent action of
      glucose would complement its established ability to generate an increase of
      ATP/ADP concentration ratio that directly closes KATP channels in the plasma
      membrane.

PMID- 24213306
TI  - Objectively measured habitual physical activity and sedentary behaviour in obese
      and non-obese Malaysian children.
AB  - The present study examined objectively measured physical activity in Malaysian
      children and compared the differences in physical levels between obese and
      healthy weight children. Eighty-six obese children were matched for age and sex
      with 86 healthy weight children with median age 9.5 years. Habitual physical
      activity and sedentary behaviour were measured over 5 days using Actigraph
      accelerometers. Time spent sedentary was significantly higher in the obese group
      (90% vs. 86% of daytime; p = 0.001). Moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical
      activity was significantly higher in the healthy weight group (1.2 vs. 0.7% of
      daytime, p < 0.001). In both healthy weight and obese children, physical activity
      levels were exceptionally low, although moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical
      activity was significantly lower in the obese group than the healthy weight
      group. Efforts to prevent and treat obesity in Malaysian children will need a
      substantial focus on the promotion of reductions in sedentary behaviour and
      increases in physical activity. 

PMID- 24213307
TI  - Acute presentation of thrombocytopaenia in systemic lupus erythematosus is
      associated with a high mortality in South Africa.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of presentation,
      response to treatment, and outcome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
      (SLE) and thrombocytopaenia (TCP). A retrospective review of the records of
      patients with SLE and TCP and a matched control group of SLE patients without
      TCP, seen in the rheumatology department in Durban, South Africa, was performed.
      The demographic data, clinical findings, laboratory findings, treatment and
      outcome were recorded. There were 54 patients and an equal number of controls.
      They comprised 30 Indians and 24 African Blacks, median age of 33 years and
      female to male ratio 5.8:1. A group of eight patients who initially presented
      with idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP) and subsequently developed SLE
      were analysed separately. An acute presentation was noted in 31 patients (57%).
      Patients with an acute presentation had an increased prevalence of renal disease
      (77% vs 43.5%; p=0.01) and an increased number of deaths (38.7% vs 4.4%;
      p=0.004). The majority of patients responded to corticosteroids (68.5%) and
      splenectomy. There was an increased prevalence of renal disease (p=0.03) and
      deaths (p=0.004) among patients with TCP. The majority of deaths had an acute
      presentation ((12/13; 92.3%) (p=0.004)), and were due to infection and active
      lupus. TCP with an acute presentation is associated with a high mortality and
      predicts survival in SLE.

PMID- 24213308
TI  - Extended follow-up of the CYCLOFA-LUNE trial comparing two sequential induction
      and maintenance treatment regimens for proliferative lupus nephritis based either
      on cyclophosphamide or on cyclosporine A.
AB  - Objective To evaluate the extended follow-up of the CYCLOFA-LUNE trial, a
      randomized prospective trial comparing two sequential induction and maintenance
      treatment regimens for proliferative lupus nephritis based either on
      cyclophosphamide (CPH) or cyclosporine A (CyA). Patients and methods Data for
      kidney function and adverse events were collected by a cross-sectional survey for
      38 of 40 patients initially randomized in the CYCLOFA-LUNE trial. Results The
      median follow-up time was 7.7 years (range 5.0-10.3). Rates of renal impairment
      and end-stage renal disease, adverse events (death, cardiovascular event, tumor,
      premature menopause) did not differ between the CPH and CyA group, nor did mean
      serum creatinine, 24 h proteinuria and SLICC damage score at last follow-up. Most
      patients in both groups were still treated with glucocorticoids, other
      immunosuppressant agents and blood pressure lowering drugs. Conclusion An
      immunosuppressive regimen based on CyA achieved similar clinical results to that
      based on CPH in the very long term. 

PMID- 24213309
TI  - Impact of brown adipose tissue on body fatness and glucose metabolism in healthy
      humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is involved in the regulation of whole
      body energy expenditure and adiposity. Some clinical studies have reported an
      association between BAT and blood glucose in humans. OBJECTIVE: To examine the
      impact of BAT on glucose metabolism, independent of that of body fatness, age and
      sex in healthy adult humans. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty healthy volunteers
      (184 males and 76 females, 20-72 years old) underwent fluorodeoxyglucose-positron
      emission tomography and computed tomography after 2 h of cold exposure to assess
      maximal BAT activity. Blood parameters including glucose, HbA1c and low-density
      lipoprotein (LDL)/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were measured by
      conventional methods, and body fatness was estimated from body mass index (BMI),
      body fat mass and abdominal fat area. The impact of BAT on body fatness and blood
      parameters was determined by logistic regression with the use of univariate and
      multivariate models. RESULTS: Cold-activated BAT was detected in 125 (48%) out of
      260 subjects. When compared with subjects without detectable BAT, those with
      detectable BAT were younger and showed lower adiposity-related parameters such as
      the BMI, body fat mass and abdominal fat area. Although blood parameters were
      within the normal range in the two subject groups, HbA1c, total cholesterol and
      LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in the BAT-positive group. Blood glucose
      also tended to be lower in the BAT-positive group. Logistic regression
      demonstrated that BAT, in addition to age and sex, was independently associated
      with BMI, body fat mass, and abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat areas. For
      blood parameters, multivariate analysis after adjustment for age, sex and body
      fatness revealed that BAT was a significantly independent determinant of glucose
      and HbA1c. CONCLUSION: BAT, independent of age, sex and body fatness, has a
      significant impact on glucose metabolism in adult healthy humans.

PMID- 24213312
TI  - Superficial EWSR1-negative undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma with
      CIC/DUX4 gene fusion: a new variant of Ewing-like tumors with locoregional lymph
      node metastasis.
AB  - The present study describes a new case of EWSR1-negative undifferentiated sarcoma
      with CIC/DUX4 gene fusion. This case is similar to tumors described as primitive
      undifferentiated round cell sarcomas that occur mainly in the trunk and display
      an aggressive behavior. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a
      tumor presenting locoregional lymph node metastasis. In view of previous studies
      that prove the existence of a particular variant of undifferentiated sarcoma with
      Ewing-like morphology and CIC/DUX-4 gene fusion, a search for this gene fusion in
      all undifferentiated round cell sarcomas should be considered if a conclusive
      diagnosis cannot be reached following other conventional studies. Although
      additional cases with more extensive follow-up studies are needed, we believe
      that EWSR1-negative undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma with CIC/DUX4 gene
      fusion should be added to the list of new sarcoma variants with the possibility
      of lymph node metastasis.

PMID- 24213310
TI  - Can medical therapy mimic the clinical efficacy or physiological effects of
      bariatric surgery?
AB  - The number of bariatric surgical procedures performed has increased dramatically.
      This review discusses the clinical and physiological changes, and in particular,
      the mechanisms behind weight loss and glycaemic improvements, observed following
      the gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding bariatric procedures.
      The review then examines how close we are to mimicking the clinical or
      physiological effects of surgery through less invasive and safer modern
      interventions that are currently available for clinical use. These include
      dietary interventions, orlistat, lorcaserin, phentermine/topiramate, glucagon
      like peptide-1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, pramlintide,
      dapagliflozin, the duodenal-jejunal bypass liner, gastric pacemakers and gastric
      balloons. We conclude that, based on the most recent trials, we cannot fully
      mimic the clinical or physiological effects of surgery; however, we are getting
      closer. A 'medical bypass' may not be as far in the future as we previously
      thought, as the physician's armamentarium against obesity and type 2 diabetes has
      recently got stronger through the use of specific dietary modifications, novel
      medical devices and pharmacotherapy. Novel therapeutic targets include not only
      appetite but also taste/food preferences, energy expenditure, gut microbiota,
      bile acid signalling, inflammation, preservation of beta-cell function and
      hepatic glucose output, among others. Although there are no magic bullets, an
      integrated multimodal approach may yield success. Non-surgical interventions that
      mimic the metabolic benefits of bariatric surgery, with a reduced morbidity and
      mortality burden, remain tenable alternatives for patients and health-care
      professionals. 

PMID- 24213313
TI  - Micronutrient Synergy in the Fight against Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), once thought to be a rare tumor
      in North America, has rapidly increased in recent years in the United States.
      Current treatment modalities to halt the progression of this disease are only
      marginally effective. The mainstay treatment is liver transplantation, which is
      often confronted with donor shortage. Invasion, metastasis and recurrence
      contribute to the high mortality rate of this disease. Matrix metalloproteinases
      (MMPs) that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) have been associated with the
      progression, invasion and metastasis of the disease. We have developed strategies
      to strengthen the ECM collagen and inhibit MMPs through micronutrients such as
      lysine, proline and ascorbic acid. Addition of epigallocatechin gallate or green
      tea extract to these micronutrients synergistically enhanced anti-carcinogenic
      activity in HepG2 cells. Addition of certain other micronutrients, such as N
      acetylcysteine, selenium, copper and zinc (NM) synergistically enhanced the
      anticancer activity of the mixture in a model of hepatocellular carcinoma using
      HepG2 cells. In vitro studies using HepG2 demonstrated that NM was very effective
      in inhibiting cell proliferation (by MTT assay), MMPs secretion (by gelatinase
      zymography), cell invasion (through Matrigel) and induction of apoptosis (by live
      green caspase). In addition, NM was shown to down-regulate urokinase plasminogen
      activator (by fibrin zymography) and up-regulate tissue inhibitors of
      metalloproteinases (by reverse zymography) in another HCC cell line, SK-Hep-1.
      MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were further modulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13
      acetate (PMA) induction and inhibited by NM. In previous studies, NM inhibited Sk
      Hep-1 xenografts in nude mice and also inhibited hepatic metastasis of B16FO
      melanoma cells. Our results suggest that NM is an excellent candidate for
      therapeutic use in the treatment HCC by inhibiting critical parameters in cancer
      development and progression, such as proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and
      by inducing apoptosis. 

PMID- 24213314
TI  - Remodeling of tumor stroma and response to therapy.
AB  - Solid tumors are intrinsically resistant to therapy. Cancer progression occurs
      when tumor cells orchestrate responses from diverse stromal cell types such as
      blood vessels and their support cells, inflammatory cells, and fibroblasts; these
      cells collectively form the tumor microenvironment and provide direct support for
      tumor growth, but also evasion from cytotoxic, immune and radiation therapies. An
      indirect result of abnormal and leaky blood vessels in solid tumors is high
      interstitial fluid pressure, which reduces drug penetration, but also creates a
      hypoxic environment that further augments tumor cell growth and metastatic
      spread. Importantly however, studies during the last decade have shown that the
      tumor stroma, including the vasculature, can be modulated, or re-educated, to
      allow better delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs or enhance the efficiency of
      active immune therapy. Such remodeling of the tumor stroma using genetic,
      pharmacological and other therapeutic approaches not only enhances selective
      access into tumors but also reduces toxic side effects. This review focuses on
      recent novel concepts to modulate tumor stroma and thus locally increase
      therapeutic efficacy. 

PMID- 24213316
TI  - External beam radiotherapy of recurrent glioma: radiation tolerance of the human
      brain.
AB  - Malignant gliomas relapse in close proximity to the resection site, which is the
      postoperatively irradiated volume. Studies on re-irradiation of glioma were
      examined regarding radiation-induced late adverse effects (i.e., brain tissue
      necrosis), to obtain information on the tolerance dose and treatment volume of
      normal human brain tissue. The studies were analyzed using the linear-quadratic
      model to express the re-irradiation tolerance in cumulative equivalent total
      doses when applied in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2cumulative). Analysis shows that the
      EQD2cumulative increases from conventional re-irradiation series to fractionated
      stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) to LINAC-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).
      The mean time interval between primary radiotherapy and the re-irradiation course
      was shortened from 30 months for conventional re-irradiation to 17 and 10 months
      for FSRT and SRS, respectively. Following conventional re-irradiation, radiation
      induced normal brain tissue necrosis occurred beyond an EQD2cumulative around 100
      Gy. With increasing conformality of therapy, the smaller the treatment volume is,
      the higher the radiation dose that can be tolerated. Despite the dose escalation,
      no increase in late normal tissue toxicity was reported. On basis of our
      analysis, the use of particle therapy in the treatment of recurrent gliomas,
      because of the optimized physical dose distribution in the tumour and surrounding
      healthy brain tissue, should be considered for future clinical trials. 

PMID- 24213315
TI  - A New Player in the Development of TRAIL Based Therapies for Hepatocarcinoma
      Treatment: ATM Kinase.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. HCCs
      are genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous tumors characterized by very
      poor prognosis, mainly due to the lack, at present, of effective therapeutic
      options, as these tumors are rarely suitable for radiotherapy and often resistant
      to chemotherapy protocols. In the last years, agonists targeting the Tumor
      Necrosis Factor Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) death receptor, has
      been investigated as a valuable promise for cancer therapy, based on their
      selectivity for malignant cells and low toxicity for healthy cells. However, many
      cancer models display resistance to death receptor induced apoptosis, pointing to
      the requirement for the development of combined therapeutic approaches aimed to
      selectively sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL. Recently, we identified ATM kinase
      as a novel modulator of the ability of chemotherapeutic agents to enhance TRAIL
      sensitivity. Here, we review the biological determinants of HCC responsiveness to
      TRAIL and provide an exhaustive and updated analysis of the molecular mechanisms
      exploited for combined therapy in this context. The role of ATM kinase as
      potential novel predictive biomarker for combined therapeutic approaches based on
      TRAIL and chemotherapeutic drugs will be closely discussed. 

PMID- 24213317
TI  - The dynamics of developmental and tumor angiogenesis-a comparison.
AB  - The blood vasculature in cancers has been the subject of intense interest during
      the past four decades. Since the original ideas of targeting angiogenesis to
      treat cancer were proposed in the 1970s, it has become evident that more
      knowledge about the role of vessels in tumor biology is needed to fully take
      advantage of such strategies. The vasculature serves the surrounding tissue in a
      multitude of ways that all must be taken into consideration in therapeutic
      manipulation. Aspects of delivery of conventional cytostatic drugs, induction of
      hypoxia affecting treatment by radiotherapy, changes in tumor cell metabolism,
      vascular leak and trafficking of leukocytes are affected by interventions on
      vascular function. Many tumors constitute a highly interchangeable milieu
      undergoing proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis with abundance of growth
      factors, enzymes and metabolites. These aspects are reflected by the abnormal
      tortuous, leaky vascular bed with detached mural cells (pericytes). The vascular
      bed of tumors is known to be unstable and undergoing remodeling, but it is not
      until recently that this has been dynamically demonstrated at high resolution,
      facilitated by technical advances in intravital microscopy. In this review we
      discuss developmental genetic loss-of-function experiments in the light of tumor
      angiogenesis. We find this a valid comparison since many studies phenocopy the
      vasculature in development and tumors. 

PMID- 24213318
TI  - Immune response to sipuleucel-T in prostate cancer.
AB  - Historically, chemotherapy has remained the most commonly utilized therapy in
      patients with metastatic cancers. In prostate cancer, chemotherapy has been
      reserved for patients whose metastatic disease becomes resistant to first line
      castration or androgen deprivation. While chemotherapy palliates, decreases serum
      prostate specific antigen and improves survival, it is associated with
      significant side effects and is only suitable for approximately 60% of patients
      with castrate-resistant prostate cancer. On that basis, exploration of other
      therapeutic options such as active secondary hormone therapy, bone targeted
      treatments and immunotherapy are important. Until recently, immunotherapy has had
      no role in the treatment of solid malignancies aside from renal cancer and
      melanoma. The FDA-approved autologous cellular immunotherapy sipuleucel-T has
      demonstrated efficacy in improving overall survival in patients with metastatic
      castrate-resistant prostate cancer in randomized clinical trials. The proposed
      mechanism of action is reliant on activating the patients' own antigen presenting
      cells (APCs) to prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) fused with granulocyte
      macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and subsequent triggered T-cell
      response to PAP on the surface of prostate cancer cells in the patients body.
      Despite significant prolongation of survival in Phase III trials, the challenge
      to health care providers remains the dissociation between objective changes in
      serum PSA or on imaging studies after sipleucel-T and survival benefit. On that
      basis there is an unmet need for markers of outcome and a quest to identify
      immunologic or clinical surrogates to fill this role. This review focuses on the
      impact of sipuleucel-T on the immune system, the T and B cells, and their
      responses to relevant antigens and prostate cancer. Other therapeutic modalities
      such as chemotherapy, corticosteroids and GM-CSF and host factors can also affect
      immune response. The optimal timing for immunotherapy, patient selection and best
      sequencing with other prostate cancer therapies remain to be determined. A better
      understanding of immune response may help address these issues. 

PMID- 24213320
TI  - T-Cell Mediated Immune Responses Induced in ret Transgenic Mouse Model of
      Malignant Melanoma.
AB  - Poor response of human malignant melanoma to currently available treatments
      requires a development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Their evaluation
      should be based on animal models that resemble human melanoma with respect to
      genetics, histopathology and clinical features. Here we used a transgenic mouse
      model of spontaneous skin melanoma, in which the ret transgene is expressed in
      melanocytes under the control of metallothionein-I promoter. After a short
      latency, around 25% mice develop macroscopic skin melanoma metastasizing to lymph
      nodes, bone marrow, lungs and brain, whereas other transgenic mice showed only
      metastatic lesions without visible skin tumors. We found that tumor lesions
      expressed melanoma associated antigens (MAA) tyrosinase, tyrosinase related
      protein (TRP)-1, TRP-2 and gp100, which could be applied as targets for the
      immunotherapy. Upon peptide vaccination, ret transgenic mice without macroscopic
      melanomas were able to generate T cell responses not only against a strong model
      antigen ovalbumin but also against typical MAA TRP-2. Although mice bearing
      macroscopic primary tumors could also display an antigen-specific T cell
      reactivity, it was significantly down-regulated as compared to tumor-free
      transgenic mice or non-transgenic littermates. We suggest that ret transgenic
      mice could be used as a pre-clinical model for the evaluation of novel strategies
      of melanoma immunotherapy. 

PMID- 24213319
TI  - Radical decisions in cancer: redox control of cell growth and death.
AB  - Free radicals play a key role in many physiological decisions in cells. Since
      free radicals are toxic to cellular components, it is known that they cause DNA
      damage, contribute to DNA instability and mutation and thus favor carcinogenesis.
      However, nowadays it is assumed that free radicals play a further complex role in
      cancer. Low levels of free radicals and steady state levels of antioxidant
      enzymes are responsible for the fine tuning of redox status inside cells. A
      change in redox state is a way to modify the physiological status of the cell, in
      fact, a more reduced status is found in resting cells while a more oxidative
      status is associated with proliferative cells. The mechanisms by which redox
      status can change the proliferative activity of cancer cells are related to
      transcriptional and posttranscriptional modifications of proteins that play a
      critical role in cell cycle control. Since cancer cells show higher levels of
      free radicals compared with their normal counterparts, it is believed that the
      anti-oxidative stress mechanism is also increased in cancer cells. In fact, the
      levels of some of the most important antioxidant enzymes are elevated in advanced
      status of some types of tumors. Anti-cancer treatment is compromised by survival
      mechanisms in cancer cells and collateral damage in normal non-pathological
      tissues. Though some resistance mechanisms have been described, they do not yet
      explain why treatment of cancer fails in several tumors. Given that some
      antitumoral treatments are based on the generation of free radicals, we will
      discuss in this review the possible role of antioxidant enzymes in the survival
      mechanism in cancer cells and then, its participation in the failure of cancer
      treatments. 

PMID- 24213322
TI  - Epidermal to Mesenchymal Transition and Failure of EGFR-Targeted Therapy in
      Glioblastoma.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common primary brain tumor in adults, is
      almost never curable with the current standard treatment consisting of surgical
      resection, irradiation and temozolomide. The prognosis remains poor despite
      undisputable advances in the understanding of this tumor's molecular biology and
      pathophysiology, which unfortunately has so far failed to translate into a
      meaningful clinical benefit. Dysregulation and a resulting prominent
      pathophysiological role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been
      identified in several different malignant tumor entities, GBM among them. The
      EGFR is overexpressed in about 40% of GBM cases, and half of these coexpress a
      mutant, constitutively activated subtype, EGFRvIII. Unfortunately, recent trials
      studying with therapeutic approaches targeted against the EGFR and EGFRvIII have
      failed to meet expectations, with only a minority of patients responding despite
      evidence of good in vitro and rodent model activity. Having potentially high
      relevance within this context, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a
      phenomenon associated with early stages of carcinogenesis, cancer invasion and
      recurrence. During EMT, epithelial cells lose many of their epithelial
      characteristics, prominently E-cadherin expression, and acquire properties that
      are typical for mesenchymal cells such as the expression of vimentin. Epithelial
      to mesenchymal transition has been specifically demonstrated in GBM. In this
      review, we summarize the evidence that EMT may precipitate GBM resistance to EGFR
      targeted therapy, and may thus be among the principal factors contributing to the
      clinical failure of targeted therapy against EGFR and EGFRvIII. 

PMID- 24213321
TI  - Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in multiple endocrine neoplasia type
      1.
AB  - We reviewed the literature about entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in
      Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 syndrome (MEN1) to clarify their demographic
      features, localization imaging, practice, and appropriate therapeutical
      strategies, analyzing the current approach to entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine
      tumors in MEN1. Despite the fact that hyperparathyroidism is usually the first
      manifestation of MEN1, the penetrance of these tumors is similar. They are
      characterized by multiplicity of lesions, variable expression of the tumors, and
      propensity for malignant degeneration. Both the histological type and the size of
      MEN1 neuroendocrine tumors correlate with malignancy. Monitoring of pancreatic
      peptides and use of imaging exams allow early diagnosis and prompt surgical
      treatment, resulting in prevention of metastatic disease and improvement of long
      term survival. Surgery is often the treatment of choice for MEN1-neuroendocrine
      tumors. The rationale for surgical approach is to curtail malignant progression
      of the disease, and to cure the associated biochemical syndrome, should it be
      present. 

PMID- 24213323
TI  - The stroma-a key regulator in prostate function and malignancy.
AB  - Prostate cancer is a very common and highly unpredictable form of cancer. Whereas
      many prostate cancers are slow growing and could be left without treatment,
      others are very aggressive. Additionally, today there is no curative treatment
      for prostate cancer patients with local or distant metastasis. Identification of
      new, improved prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for prostate cancer and the
      finding of better treatment strategies for metastatic prostate cancer is
      therefore highly warranted. Interactions between epithelium and stroma are known
      to be important already during prostate development and this interplay is
      critical also in development, progression of primary tumors and growth of
      metastases. It is therefore reasonable to expect that future biomarkers and
      therapeutic targets can be identified in the prostate tumor and metastasis stroma
      and this possibility should be further explored. 

PMID- 24213324
TI  - Potentiality and boundaries of use of sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular
      carcinoma: awaiting the results of ongoing clinical trials.
AB  - No systemic therapy had been proven effective in patients with advanced
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) until 2007, when a large randomized trial with
      sorafenib demonstrated a clinically relevant prolongation of survival. Currently,
      sorafenib represents standard treatment for patients with advanced HCC and well
      preserved liver function, whilst the evidence about its effectiveness in patients
      with more severe liver impairment is less robust. A randomized trial to
      demonstrate the efficacy of sorafenib in Child-Pugh B patients with advanced HCC
      is currently ongoing. In the meantime, several trials are testing the role of
      sorafenib in early HCC (as adjuvant treatment after potentially curative loco
      regional therapies) and in intermediate stage (exploring different modalities of
      integration of sorafenib with trans-arterial chemo-embolization). The results of
      all these trials will better define the potentiality and the boundaries of use of
      sorafenib in HCC patients. 

PMID- 24213325
TI  - An Estimation of Radiobiological Parameters for Head-and-Neck Cancer Cells and
      the Clinical Implications.
AB  - In vitro survival measurements using two human head-and-neck cancer (HNC) cell
      lines were performed. The specially designed split-dose surviving fraction was
      obtained and fitted to the linear-quadratic formalism. The repair halftime (Tr),
      the potential doubling time (Td), a/beta and radiosensitivity a, were estimated.
      Other radiobiological models: EUD, BED, TCP, etc., were used to examine the
      potential treatment effectiveness of different IMRT techniques. Our data
      indicated the repair halftime of ~17 min based on two HNC cell lines. The
      combined a/beta, a and Td are a/beta = 8.1 +/- 4.1 Gy, a = 0.22 +/- 0.08 Gy-1, Td
      = 4.0 +/- 1.8 day, respectively. The prolonged IMRT dose delivery for entire HNC
      treatment course could possibly result in the loss of biological effectiveness,
      i.e., the target EUDs decreased by 11% with fraction dose delivery time varying
      from 5 to 30 min. We determined the sublethal damage repair halftime and other
      radiobiological parameters for HNC cells, and to evaluate treatment effectiveness
      of the prolonged dose delivery times associated with different IMRT techniques.
      The estimated repair halftime for HNC is relatively short and may be comparable
      to the step-and-shoot IMRT fraction dose delivery time. The effectiveness of IMRT
      treatment may be improved by reducing the fraction delivery time for HNC
      treatment. 

PMID- 24213327
TI  - Minimal residual disease as a predictive factor for relapse after allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplant in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia
      in first and second complete remission.
AB  - Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is potentially
      curative for patients with high-risk leukemia, but disease recurrence remains the
      leading cause of treatment failure. Our objective was to determine the impact of
      minimal residual disease (MRD) by any technique in adult patients with acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML) in morphologic first and second complete remission
      undergoing allo-SCT. Fifty nine patients were eligible for the study of 160
      patients transplanted over ten years. For the MRD assessment we used
      multiparametric flow cytometry, cytogenetics and fluorescent in situ
      hybridization; 19 patients (32.2%) were identified as MRD positive. Patients with
      MRD had a consistently worse outcome over those without MRD, with 3-years
      leukemia-free survival (LFS) of 15.8% vs. 62.4% and overall survival (OS) of
      17.5% vs. 62.3%. Relapse rate was significantly higher in MRD-positive patients;
      3 years relapse rate in MRD-positive patients was 57.9% vs. 15.1% in MRD-negative
      patients. Detection of MRD in complete remission was associated with increased
      overall mortality (HR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.45-7.57; p = 0.0044) and relapse (HR =
      5.26; 95% CI: 2.0-14.0; p = 0.001), even after controlling for other risk
      factors. Our study showed that for patients in morphologic complete remission the
      presence of MRD predicts for significantly increased risk of relapse and reduced
      LFS and OS. 

PMID- 24213326
TI  - Substantially modified ratios of effector to regulatory T cells during
      chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients return to pre-treatment levels at
      completion: implications for immunotherapy.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancy.
      Despite improved detection and treatment options, relapse rates remain high.
      Combining immunotherapy with the current standard treatments may provide an
      improved prognosis, however, little is known about how standard chemotherapy
      affects immune potential (particularly T cells) over time, and hence, when to
      optimally combine it with immunotherapy (e.g., vaccines). Herein, we assess the
      frequency and ratio of CD8+ central memory and effector T cells as well as CD4+
      effector and regulatory T cells (Tregs) during the first 18 weeks of standard
      chemotherapy for ovarian cancer patients. In this pilot study, we observed
      increased levels of recently activated Tregs with tumor migrating ability
      (CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+CD127-CCR4+CD38+ cells) in patients when compared to controls.
      Although frequency changes of Tregs as well as the ratio of effector T cells to
      Tregs were observed during treatment, the Tregs consistently returned to pre
      chemotherapy levels at the end of treatment. These results indicate T cell subset
      distributions associated with recurrence may be largely resistant to being "re
      set" to healthy control homeostatic levels following standard treatments.
      However, it may be possible to enhance T effector to Treg ratios transiently
      during chemotherapy. These results suggest personalized immune monitoring maybe
      beneficial when combining novel immuno-therapeutics with standard treatment for
      ovarian cancer patients. 

PMID- 24213328
TI  - The sex ratio of full and half siblings of people diagnosed with an autism
      spectrum disorder: a Danish Nationwide Register Study.
AB  - In the extreme male brain theory of autism sex steroid hormones are hypothesized
      to influence brain development and to mediate sex differences in developmental
      psychopathology. Within this scope we examined the sex ratio (proportion of
      males) in siblings of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
      We did a nationwide, register based cohort study of the sex ratio in 17,380
      siblings of the 10,297 patients diagnosed with ASD at age 17 years and younger
      and registered in the nationwide Danish Psychiatric Central Register between 1994
      and 2012. Among the 17,380 siblings 8,828 were males and 8,552 females. This
      yields a sex ratio of 0.508, which is not different from the Danish live birth
      sex ratio of 0.513 during the relevant years (P = 0.18). Overall, our findings
      provide no support for the hypothesis that there are relatively more males among
      the siblings of people with ASD. Accordingly, our results do not give support to
      the extreme male brain theory of autism. 

PMID- 24213330
TI  - High resolution RFLP map around the root knot nematode resistance gene (Mi) in
      tomato.
AB  - In the 1940's the root-knot nematode resistance gene (Mi) was introgressed into
      the cultivated tomato from the wild species, L. peruvianum, and today it provides
      the only form of genetic resistance against this pathogen. We report here the
      construction of a high resolution RFLP map around the Mi gene that may aid in the
      future cloning of this gene via chromosome walking. The map covers the most
      distal nine map units of chromosome 6 and contains the Mi gene, nine RFLP
      markers, and one isozyme marker (Aps-1). Based on the analysis of more than 1,000
      F2 plants from four crosses, we were able to pinpoint the Mi gene to the interval
      between two of these markers - GP79 and Aps-1. In crosses containing the Mi gene,
      this interval is suppressed in recombination and is estimated to be 0.4 cM in
      length. In contrast, for a cross not containing Mi, the estimated map distance is
      approximately 5 times greater (ca. 2 cM).Using RFLP markers around Mi as probes,
      it was possible to classify nematode resistant tomato varieties into three types
      based on the amount of linked peruvianum DNA still present. Two of these types
      (representing the majority of the varieties tested) were found to still contain
      more than 5 cM of peruvianum chromosome - a result that may explain some of the
      negative effects (e.g. fruit cracking) associated with nematode resistance. The
      third type (represented by a single variety) is predicted to carry a very small
      segment of peruvianum DNA (<2 cM) and may be useful in the identification of
      additional markers close to Mi and in the orientation of clones during a
      chromosome walk to clone the gene. 

PMID- 24213329
TI  - Acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with self
      expanding CoreValve prosthesis: results from a large multicentre Italian research
      project.
AB  - AIMS: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) can be associated with
      varying degrees of new renal impairment. The aim of this multicentre analysis was
      to determine the impact and predictors of periprocedural acute kidney injury
      (AKI) on prognosis after TAVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: From the ClinicalService (a
      nation-based data repository and medical care project) dataset, 1,157 patients
      with severe aortic stenosis treated with the third-generation CoreValve
      prosthesis in seven Italian sites, and with creatinine data available at baseline
      and during the post-TAVI in-hospital course, were included in this analysis. All
      outcomes were defined according to the VARC criteria. Overall, AKI occurred in
      231 (20.0%): 15.4% stage 1, 2.7% stage 2, and 1.9% stage 3. Compared to patients
      without AKI, patients who suffered post-procedural AKI had significantly higher
      three-year all-cause mortality (31% vs. 12%; adjusted HR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.52
      2.87, p<0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (14% vs. 6%; adjusted HR: 2.28; 95%
      CI: 1.41-3.71, p=0.001). No significant differences in terms of stroke,
      spontaneous MI, and bleeding were reported. Female gender (adjusted OR: 1.37, 95%
      CI: 1.01-1.87; p=0.045), baseline renal insufficiency (adjusted OR: 11.02, 95%
      CI: 5.12-23.73; p<0.001), general anaesthesia (adjusted OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.00
      1.87; p=0.050), and transfusion >=3 red blood cell (RBC) units within 72 hrs from
      TAVI (adjusted OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.02-2.68; p=0.041) were found to be independent
      predictors of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication
      and significantly impacts on both early and long-term TAVI survival. Females,
      subjects with impaired renal function at baseline, patients undergoing TAVI under
      general anaesthesia, and patients receiving >=3 RBC units after the procedure
      should be considered populations at high risk for the development of AKI after
      TAVI.

PMID- 24213331
TI  - Isolation and characterization of wheat-rye recombinants involving chromosome arm
      1DS of wheat.
AB  - The introgression of genetic material from alien species is assuming increased
      importance in wheat breeding programs. One example is the translocation of the
      short arm of rye chromosome 1 (1RS) onto homoeologous wheat chromosomes, which
      confers disease resistance and increased yield on wheat. However, this
      translocation is also associated with dough quality defects. To break the linkage
      between the desirable agronomic traits and poor dough quality, recombination has
      been induced between 1RS and the homoeologous wheat arm IDS. Seven new
      recombinants were isolated, with five being similar to those reported earlier and
      two havina new type of structure. All available recombinantsw ere characterized
      with DNA probes for the loci Nor-R1, 5SDna-R1, and Tel-R1. Also, the amount of
      rye chromatin present was quantified with a dispersed rye-specific repetitive DNA
      sequence in quantitative dot blots. Furthermore, the wheat-rye recombinants were
      used as a mapping tool to assign two RFLP markers to specific regions on
      chromosome arms 1DS and 1RS of wheat and rye, respectively. 

PMID- 24213332
TI  - Cytological and molecular observations on Solanum phureja-induced dihaploid
      potatoes.
AB  - Seventeen potato dihaploids, produced by pollinating the tetraploid (2n = 48) cv
      'Pentland Crown' with pollen from Solanum phureja (2n = 24) dihaploid inducer
      clones, were studied. Since dihaploids are thought to develop parthenogenetically
      from unfertilized ovules they were expected to be euploid (2n = 24), but somatic
      chromosome counts showed that 15 of the 17 dihaploids were aneusomatic. Ten of
      the clones were predominantly diploid (2n = 24) with a proportion of hyperploid
      cells that contained 25 or 26 chromosomes. Five of the dihaploids contained
      variable numbers of triploid cells (2n = 36). RFLP analysis was used to determine
      whether the additional chromosomes were from S. phureja or S. tuberosum. Unique
      hybridizing fragments present in S. phureja but not in 'Pentland Crown' were
      identified. These S. phureja-specific restriction fragments were present in some
      of the dihaploid offspring of 'Pentland Crown'. Of the 5 clones that contained
      triploid cells 4 had S. phureja type banding. Four of the 10 aneusomatic clones
      that contained hyperploid cells had the unique S. phureja hybridizing fragments.
      We propose that ovules of 'Pentland Crown' were fertilized by pollen from S.
      phureja and that the aneusomatic clones were derived from triploid zygotes from
      which some of the S. phureja chromosomes were eliminated. We consider that this
      is an additional mechanism of dihaploid formation in potato. 

PMID- 24213333
TI  - Association of protein amount polymorphism (PAP) among maize lines with
      performances of their hybrids.
AB  - It has been suggested that molecular foundations of phenotypic diversity reside
      in the variability of genome expression. This variability can be appraised
      through the polymorphism of individual protein amounts (PAP: protein amount
      polymorphism). Eight maize inbred lines and ten of their single-cross hybrids
      were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in order to
      examine the potential of PAP for predicting hybrid vigor. The 28 possible pairs
      of lines were characterized for: (i) the number, H of expected heterozygous
      structural loci in their hybrid, in the sample of loci revealed by 2D-PAGE; (ii)
      four distance indices based on PAP; (iii) the hybrid values for five
      agromorphological characters measured in four different year/locations. For the
      subset of ten hybrids analyzed by 2D-PAGE, the number of cases of nonadditive
      inheritance (NA) was also counted. Whereas H appeared to be related neither to
      the PAP indices, nor to NA, nor to hybrid performances, PAP indices were
      correlated to NA, and both were positively associated to hybrid performances. The
      possibility that PAP is responsible for quantitative trait variation is
      discussed. This could result in the definition of biological predictors of
      heterosis. 

PMID- 24213334
TI  - Genetic analysis of tolerance to low-phosphorus stress in maize using restriction
      fragment length polymorphisms.
AB  - An understanding of the genetic nature underlying tolerance to low-phosphorus
      (low-P) stress could aid in the efficient development of tolerant plant strains.
      The objective of this study was to identify the number of loci in a maize (Zea
      mays L.) population segregating for tolerance to low-P stress, their approximate
      location, and the magnitude of their effect.Seventy-seven restriction fragment
      length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were identified and scored in a maize F2 population
      derived from a cross between line NY821 and line H99. The F2 individuals were
      self-pollinated to produce F3 families. Ninety F3 families were grown in a sand
      alumina system, which simulated diffusion-limited, low-P soil conditions. The F3
      families were evaluated for vegetative growth in a controlled-environment
      experiment. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying tolerance to
      low-P stress, the mean phenotypic performances of the F3 families were contrasted
      based on genotypic classification at each of 77 RFLP marker loci.Six RFLP marker
      loci were significantly associated with performance under low-P stress (P<0.01).
      One marker locus accounted for 25% of the total phenotypic variation. Additive
      gene action was predominant for all of the QTLs identified. Significant marker
      loci were located on four separate chromosomes representing five unlinked genomic
      regions. Two marker loci were associated with an additive by additive epistatic
      interaction. A multiple regression model including three marker loci and the
      significant epistatic interaction accounted for 46% of the total phenotypic
      variation. Heterozygosity per se was not predictive of phenotypic performance. 

PMID- 24213335
TI  - Inheritance, linkage relationship and chromosomal localization of the glutamate
      oxaloacetate transaminase, acid phosphatase and diaphorase isozyme genes in
      Secale cereale L.
AB  - Genetic analysis of the inheritance of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT),
      acid phosphatase (ACP) and diaphorase (DIA) in leaf tissue of rye revealed the
      involvement of four Got, four Acp and three Dia loci. Linkage analysis led to the
      arrangement of these and other previously described isozyme loci into four
      linkage groups located on chromosomes 3Rq, 4Rq, 6R, and 7Rq, respectively.
      Implications of these findings for possible translocation differences between
      chromosomes of S. cereale and S. montanum are discussed. A chi (2) component
      analysis which makes use of the entire potential of the information provided by
      codominantly inherited traits such as isozymes is described. 

PMID- 24213336
TI  - Homoeology of rye chromosome arms to wheat.
AB  - Cytological markers such as diagnostic C-bands, telocentrics, and translocations
      were used to identify the arms of rye chromosomes associated with wheat
      chromosomes at metaphase I in ph1b mutant wheat * rye hybrids. Arm homoeologies
      of rye chromosomes to wheat were established from the results of metaphase I
      pairing combined with available data on the chromosomal location of homoeoloci
      series in wheat and rye. Only arms 1RS, 1RL, 2RL, 3RS, and 5RS showed normal
      homoeologous relationships to wheat. The remaining arms of rye appeared to be
      involved in chromosome rearrangements that occurred during the evolution of the
      genus Secale. We conclude that a pericentric inversion in chromosome 4R, a
      reciprocal translocation between 3RL and 6RL, and a multiple translocation
      involving 4RL, 5RL, 6RS, and 7RS are present in rye relative to wheat. 

PMID- 24213337
TI  - Nucleolar organizer function in developing potato calli.
AB  - The number of transcriptionally active nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) of one
      monohaploid, one dihaploid and two tetraploids of Solanum tuberosum and one
      diploid S. phureja was established by the silver staining of metaphases in root
      meristems and in in vitro-cultured leaf explants. The maximum number of active
      NORs per cell was one per haploid set of chromosomes. One or more NORs could be
      inactive in cells of the tetraploid meristems and in non-polyploidized and
      polyploidized cells of the dihaploid and tetraploid explants. Inactivation was
      determined by genotype and tissue and could remain constant during in vitro
      culture. 

PMID- 24213338
TI  - Phylogenetic relations in section Arachis based on seed protein profile.
AB  - Seed protein profiles of nine diploid species (2n = 20), ten tetraploid
      accessions, two synthetic amphidiploids and two autotetraploids (2n = 40) were
      studied using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. While the general profiles
      suggested considerable homology among these taxa in spite of speciation and
      ploidy differences, appreciable genetic differences were present to support the
      existing genomic divisions and sub-divisions in the section Arachis. A high
      degree of relationship was indicated between the two diploid species (A.
      duranensis containing the A genome and A. batizocoi (ICG 8210) containing the B
      genome) and tetraploids A. monticola/ A. hypogaea (2n = 40) containing AABB
      genome. Similar relationships were recorded between the AABB synthetic
      amphidiploid and the profile obtained from the mixture of protein of A.
      duranensis and A. batizocoi, suggesting that these two diploid species were the
      donors of the A and B genome, respectively, to tetraploid A. monticola/A.
      hypogaea. 

PMID- 24213339
TI  - Gene action for cold tolerance in chickpea.
AB  - Six crosses were investigated using combining ability and generation mean
      analyses for reaction to cold tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The
      combining ability variances revealed the significance of both additive and
      nonadditive gene effects, with preponderance of additive gene effects. The
      generation mean analysis revealed the presence of genie interactions in addition
      to additive and dominance gene effects. Among the interactions, additive*additive
      and dominance*dominance with duplicate epistasis were present. Cold tolerance was
      dominant over susceptibility to cold. Selection for cold tolerance would be more
      effective if dominance and epistatic effects were reduced after a few generations
      of selfing. 

PMID- 24213340
TI  - Efficiency of potato breeding using FDR 2n gametes for multitrait selection and
      progeny testing.
AB  - The objective of this research was to compare the efficiency of the 4x*2x
      breeding scheme with the traditional 4x*4x method with respect to potato
      improvement. The basis for such a comparison was the parental value of four 2x
      and four 4x male parents from the International Potato Center (CIP) as measured
      by multitrait selection and progeny testing. The 2x parents produced 2n pollen by
      parallel spindles at anaphase II, which is genetically equivalent to a first
      division restitution (FDR) mechanism. Both 2x and 4x parents were crossed with
      four common 4x female parents. Thus, 32 families were evaluated over 2 years at
      four Peruvian locations. A selection index which considered tuber yield, tuber
      number, average tuber weight and specific gravity was used for multitrait
      selection. Three FDR 2x parents had better selection index scores than the 4x
      parents over the four locations. Estimates of broad-sense heritability for total
      yield using different number of replications and locations were calculated by
      using the variance components. The 4x * 2x breeding scheme was found to be better
      than the traditional 4x * 4x method since fewer replications and locations are
      required to evaluate tuber yield in 4x * 2x progenies than in 4x * 4x progenies.
      The FDR 2x parents were also better material than the 4x parents for testing
      combining ability for tuber yield of the 4x progenitors. This could be the result
      of the mode of FDR 2n pollen formation. The pollen of FDR 2x parents is more
      heterozygous, but more homogenous than n pollen from 4x parents. 

PMID- 24213341
TI  - Highly asymmetric intergeneric nuclear hybrids between Nicotiana and Petunia:
      evidence for recombinogenic and translocation events in somatic hybrid plants
      after "gamma"-fusion.
AB  - Extremely asymmetric nuclear hybrids have been obtained via protoplast fusion in
      an intergeneric combination. Irradiated (cobalt(60),100 krad) kanamycinresistant
      Petunia hybrida mesophyll protoplasts were chemically fused with wild-type
      mesophyll protoplasts of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. Eighty-six hybrid colonies
      were selected on kanamycin-containing medium, and twenty-four of these could be
      induced to regenerate numerous shoots. Cytological analysis of the regenerants
      showed the presence of a few chromosome fragments in some lines, and even a
      metacentric chromosome in yet another line. Besides additional chromosome
      fragments some lines only possessed typical Nicotiana chromosomes, and this at
      the diploid (2n = 2X = 20) as well as the tetraploid (2n = 2X = 40) level.
      Biochemical analysis showed that all regenerants had neomycin phosphotransferase
      activity (NPTII), which suggests that intergenomic recombination and or
      translocation events took place at least in those lines where no additional
      chromosome fragments could be detected. The presence of the NPTII gene was shown
      by Southern hybridization. All regenerants tested were fertile, and the
      segregation ratios for the kanamycin gene (for self and backcross pollinations to
      the recipient partner) for some of the regenerants correspond with Mendelian
      rules for a monogenic dominant marker. Most of the regenerants showed abnormal
      segregation ratios; in this case, no correlation could be made between
      segregation ratio and chromosome composition.Our results demonstrate the
      existence of intergenomic recombination and translocations evens in nuclear
      somatic hybrid plants obtained via "gamma"-fusion. 

PMID- 24213342
TI  - Characterization of HSP-70 cognate proteins from wheat.
AB  - Animal and plant cells contain a family of constitutively expressed HSP-70
      cognate proteins that are localized in different subcellular locations and are
      presumed to play a role in protein folding and transport. Utilizing antibodies
      raised against the yeast endoplasmicreticulum-localized HSP-70 cognate termed
      BiP/GRP-78, as well as antibodies raised against the Escherichia coli HSP-70
      protein DnaK, we have identified and characterized a large family of closely
      related proteins in wheat. One protein band of 78 kDa that is apparently closely
      related to yeast BiP was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. This band cross
      reacted with the yeast BiP but not with the DnaK-specific antibodies. The yeast
      BiP antibodies also recognized a cytoplasmic protein of 70 kDa that is probably
      related to the HSC-70 cognate proteins. These two proteins were further confirmed
      as HSP-70 cognates by their ability to bind to an ATP-agarose column. Probing of
      proteins from purified wheat mitochondrial preparations with the yeast BiP and
      DnaK-specific antibodies showed that this organelle contained a family of HSP-70
      related proteins. The yeast BiP antibodies recognized two mitochondrial proteins
      of 60 and 58 kDa, but failed to detect any protein in the size rang of 70 to 80
      kDa. However, the presence of immunologically distinct proteins of 90 and 78 kDa,
      as well as of lower molecular weight from this family in the mitochondria, was
      shown by probing with the DnaK-specific antibodies. A new protein of 30 kDa,
      cross-reacting with anti-yeast BiP antibodies, was detected only in developing
      seeds, close to their maturity. The evolution of HSP-70 cognate proteins in wheat
      as shown in this study is discussed. 

PMID- 24213343
TI  - The occurrence and frequency of 2n pollen in 2x, 4x, and 6x wild, tuber-bearing
      Solanum species from Mexico, and Central and South America.
AB  - The occurrence of 2n pollen-producing plants was investigated in 187 plant
      introductions (PIs) of 38 wild species of tuber-bearing Solanum. These 2x, 4x,
      and 6x species are from Mexico, and Central and South America. The determination
      of 2n pollen-producing plants was conducted using acetocarmine glycerol. Plants
      with more than 1% large-size pollen were regarded as 2n pollen-producing plants.
      2n pollen-producing plants were identified in the following species: 10 out of 12
      Mexican 2x species, seven of nine South American 2x species, seven of seven
      Mexican and Central American 4x species, five of five South American 4x species,
      and five of five Mexican 6x species. The frequency of 2n pollen-producing plants
      varied among species at the same ploidy level, but the range of frequency,
      generally between 2 and 10% among species, was similar over different ploidy
      levels. The general occurrence of 2n pollen in both 2x and polyploid species,
      which are evolutionarily related, is evidence that the mode of polyploidization
      in tuber-bearing Solanums is sexual polyploidization. Furthermore, the
      frequencies of 2n pollen-producing plants in autogamous disomic polyploid species
      were not markably different from those of their related diploid species. It is
      thought that the frequent occurrence of 2n gametes with autogamy tends to disturb
      the fertility and consequently reduce fitness of polyploids. Thus, we propose
      that the breeding behavior of polyploids and the occurrence of 2n gametes may be
      genetically balanced in order to conserve high fitness in polyploid species in
      tuberbearing Solanum. 

PMID- 24213344
TI  - Development and chromosomal localization of genome-specific markers by polymerase
      chain reaction in Brassica.
AB  - This paper reports the application of the RAPD (random amplification of
      polymorphic DNA sequence) markers in Brassica genetics. Forty-seven arbitrary
      decamer oligonucletides were used as primers to amplify genomic DNA by polymerase
      chain reaction. Some of the amplified products were genome specific and could be
      found in both diploid and derived amphidiploid species. Of a total of 65 such
      markers, 16 were A genome, 37 B genome, and 12 C genome specific. Of the 37 B
      genome-specific markers, 11 were mapped on four independent chromosomes of B.
      nigra with the aid of existing B. napus-nigra disomic alien addition lines. 

PMID- 24213345
TI  - Agronomic evaluation of tissue-culture-derived soybean plants.
AB  - Genetic alterations of regenerated plants based on the tissue culture process
      (somaclonal variation) have become common for many plant species including
      soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The objective of this study was to test for the
      presence of tissue-culture-derived genetic variation in eight agronomic traits in
      homozygous progeny regenerated by organogenesis using the commercially important
      cultivar Asgrow 'A3127.' A total of 86 lines derived by repeated self-pollination
      of nine regenerated plants was grown in two locations for 2 years. When compared
      to the unregenerated parent, statistically significant variation (P<0.05) was
      found for maturity, lodging, height, seed protein and oil, but not for seed
      quality, seed weight, or seed yield. All of the variation noted was beneficial
      and did not involve decreased yield. Since the differences were not large, the
      results indicate that the tissue culture process is not necessarily detrimental
      to plant performance, which is an important consideration since tissue culture
      techniques are used in many genetic engineering methods. 

PMID- 24213346
TI  - A linkage map based on information from four F2 populations of maize (Zea mays
      L.).
AB  - Recently, maize (Zea mays L.) genetic maps based primarily upon segregating
      restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) have been developed by several
      research groups. Some of the reported maps were based upon data from a single
      segregating population, whereas others were based upon information from several
      segregating populations. Potential problems with pooling information from several
      segregating populations have not been reported. These include the fact that few
      genetic markers are polymorphic in all populations, estimates of linkage may
      differ among populations, and population sizes may differ. We utilize the log
      likelihood statistic to genetically map partially overlapping sets of informative
      genetic markers, to test homogeneity of recombination among populations, and to
      present a composite RFLP linkage map based upon data pooled from four F2
      populations. 

PMID- 24213347
TI  - Formation of first division restitution (FDR) 2n-megaspores through
      pseudohomotypic division in ds-1 (desynapsis) mutants of diploid potato: routine
      production of tetraploid progeny from 2xFDR * 2xFDR crosses.
AB  - The level and mode of 2n megaspore formation was studied in full-sib diploid
      potato clones with either normal or desynaptic (ds-1ds-1) meiosis. Cytological
      analysis revealed that functional 2n megaspores produced by normal and desynaptic
      clones originate exclusively from 'second division restitution (SDR)' and 'first
      division restitution (FDR)', respectively. SDR 2n megaspores resulted from the
      omission of the second meiotic division following chromosome doubling after
      anaphase I, whereas FDR 2n megaspores resulted from a direct equational division
      of univalent chromosomes at anaphase I (pseudohomotypic division). Comparative
      data strongly indicated that the observed mechanisms of SDR and FDR 2n megaspore
      formation are extremes of a continuum that is being brought about by common genes
      for precocious chromosome division. Depending on the relative timing of cell
      cycle and chromosome division, this precocious chromosome division may impose
      postreductional (SDR) or prereductional (FDR) 'restitution' of the sporophytic
      chromosome number under normal synaptic and desynaptic conditions, respectively.
      The observed frequencies of 2n megaspores closely correlated with seed set,
      following pollination by tetraploid varieties and by desynaptic diploid clones
      with exclusive FDR 2n pollen formation. Up to 54.0 and 21.5 seeds/ fruit were
      obtained from normal synaptic (SDR) and desynaptic (FDR) progeny, respectively.
      The high frequency of segregants with either SDR or FDR 2n megaspore formation
      (78.0 and 45.2%, respectively) supports the hypothesis that sexual
      polyploidization is the driving force behind the origin and evolution of
      polyploid Solanum species. The present identification of diploid potato clones
      with consistent FDR 2n megaspore formation extends the opportunities for direct
      transfer of enhanced diploid germ plasm to tetraploids, and particularly
      advocates the feasibility of 2x(ds-1; FDR)*2x(ds-1; FDR) breeding schemes in
      cultivar development and the production of relatively vigorous and uniform true
      potato seed (TPS) varieties. Its potential value and limitations for breeding and
      the experimental induction of diplosporic apomixis are discussed. 

PMID- 24213348
TI  - The use of IAA to overcome interspecific hybrid inviability in reciprocal crosses
      between Nicotiana tabacum L. and N. repanda Willd.
AB  - Flowering hybrid plants were obtained from reciprocal crosses between N. tabacum
      L. (2n=48) and N. repanda Willd. (2n = 48), in which cross incompatibility and
      hybrid inviability were manifested. Stylar pollination and ovule culture were
      used to overcome the cross incompatibility of stylar barriers and ovular death.
      It was shown that application of 2 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) during the
      growth period, from the fiveto six-leaf stage to the flowering stage, is a useful
      and easy method to overcome hybrid inviability. 

PMID- 24213349
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24213350
TI  - Distinct roles of a mitogen-activated protein kinase in cytokinesis between
      different life cycle forms of Trypanosoma brucei.
AB  - Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) modules are evolutionarily conserved
      signaling cascades that function in response to the environment and play crucial
      roles in intracellular signal transduction in eukaryotes. The involvement of a
      MAP kinase in regulating cytokinesis in yeast, animals, and plants has been
      reported, but the requirement for a MAP kinase for cytokinesis in the early
      branching protozoa is not documented. Here, we show that a MAP kinase homolog
      (TbMAPK6) from Trypanosoma brucei plays distinct roles in cytokinesis in two life
      cycle forms of T. brucei. TbMAPK6 is distributed throughout the cytosol in the
      procyclic form but is localized in both the cytosol and the nucleus in the
      bloodstream form. RNA interference (RNAi) of TbMAPK6 results in moderate growth
      inhibition in the procyclic form but severe growth defects and rapid cell death
      in the bloodstream form. Moreover, TbMAPK6 appears to be implicated in furrow
      ingression and cytokinesis completion in the procyclic form but is essential for
      cytokinesis initiation in the bloodstream form. Despite the distinct defects in
      cytokinesis in the two forms, RNAi of TbMAPK6 also caused defective basal body
      duplication/segregation in a small cell population in both life cycle forms.
      Altogether, our results demonstrate the involvement of the TbMAPK6-mediated
      pathway in regulating cytokinesis in trypanosomes and suggest distinct roles of
      TbMAPK6 in cytokinesis between different life cycle stages of T. brucei. 

PMID- 24213351
TI  - High-resolution anion photoelectron spectra of TiO2-, ZrO2-, and HfO2- obtained
      by slow electron velocity-map imaging.
AB  - High-resolution anion photoelectron spectra of the Group 4 metal dioxides TiO2(
      ), ZrO2(-), and HfO2(-) are reported, using slow electron velocity-map imaging
      (SEVI) combined with ion trapping and cryogenic cooling. The resulting spectra
      exhibit sub-meV resolution with no congestion from hot bands. Electron affinities
      are obtained with greater precision than in previous photodetachment experiments,
      with values of 1.5892(5) eV, 1.6397(5) eV, and 2.1045(5) eV, for TiO2, ZrO2, and
      HfO2, respectively. We obtain precise values for all of the vibrational
      frequencies of the neutral X[combining tilde](1)A1 ground states, except for the
      nu3 mode of HfO2. Weak activity observed in the forbidden nu3 mode for TiO2 and
      ZrO2 is attributed to Herzberg-Teller coupling to the A(2)B2 excited state. 

PMID- 24213352
TI  - Web Exclusives. The consult guys: perioperative risk assessment: can you get it
      right?

PMID- 24213353
TI  - Web Exclusives. The consult guys: a 23-year-old with a myocardial infarction:
      will you get the right diagnosis?

PMID- 24213354
TI  - Enkephalin knockdown in the basolateral amygdala reproduces vulnerable anxiety
      like responses to chronic unpredictable stress.
AB  - The endogenous enkephalins (ENKs) are potential candidates participating in the
      naturally occurring variations in coping styles and determining the individual
      capacities for adaptation during chronic stress exposure. Here we demonstrate
      that there is a large variance in individual behavioral, as well as in
      physiological outcomes, in a population of Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to 3
      weeks of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). Separation of resilient and
      vulnerable subpopulations reveals specific long-term neuroadaptation in the
      ENKergic brain circuits. ENK mRNA expression was greatly reduced in the posterior
      basolateral nucleus of amygdala (BLAp) in vulnerable individuals. In contrast,
      ENK mRNA levels were similar in resilient and control (unstressed) individuals.
      Another group of rats were used for lentiviral-mediated knockdown of ENK to
      assess whether a decrease of ENK expression in the BLAp reproduces the behavioral
      disturbances found in vulnerable individuals. ENK knockdown specifically located
      in the BLAp was sufficient to increase anxiety in the behavioral tests, such as
      social interaction and elevated plus maze when compared with control individuals.
      These results show that specific neuroadaptation mediated by the ENKergic
      neurotransmission in the BLAp is a key regulator of resilience, whereas a
      decrease of the ENK in the BLAp is a maladaptation mechanism, which mediates the
      behavioral dichotomy observed between vulnerable and resilient following 3 weeks
      of CUS. 

PMID- 24213357
TI  - Facile synthesis of nano-sized hollow single crystal zeolites under mild
      conditions.
AB  - We report a method to synthesize hollow ZSM-5 single crystals of a size below 100
      nm that could function as nanoreactors with access through the zeolite micropores
      only. In the first step, ZSM-5 is synthesized with the respective crystal size.
      In the second, the zeolite is base leached and acid washed under mild conditions.

PMID- 24213355
TI  - Impaired hippocampal neuroligin-2 function by chronic stress or synthetic peptide
      treatment is linked to social deficits and increased aggression.
AB  - Neuroligins (NLGNs) are cell adhesion molecules that are important for proper
      synaptic formation and functioning, and are critical regulators of the balance
      between neural excitation/inhibition (E/I). Mutations in NLGNs have been linked
      to psychiatric disorders in humans involving social dysfunction and are related
      to similar abnormalities in animal models. Chronic stress increases the
      likelihood for affective disorders and has been shown to induce changes in neural
      structure and function in different brain regions, with the hippocampus being
      highly vulnerable to stress. Previous studies have shown evidence of chronic
      stress-induced changes in the neural E/I balance in the hippocampus. Therefore,
      we hypothesized that chronic restraint stress would lead to reduced hippocampal
      NLGN-2 levels, in association with alterations in social behavior. We found that
      rats submitted to chronic restraint stress in adulthood display reduced
      sociability and increased aggression. This occurs along with a reduction of NLGN
      2, but not NLGN-1 expression (as shown with western blot, immunohistochemistry,
      and electron microscopy analyses), throughout the hippocampus and detectable in
      different layers of the CA1, CA3, and DG subfields. Furthermore, using synthetic
      peptides that comprise sequences in either NLGN-1 (neurolide-1) or NLGN-2
      (neurolide-2) involved in the interaction with their presynaptic partner neurexin
      (NRXN)-1, intra-hippocampal administration of neurolide-2 led also to reduced
      sociability and increased aggression. These results highlight hippocampal NLGN-2
      as a key molecular substrate regulating social behaviors and underscore NLGNs as
      promising targets for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of
      dysfunctional social behaviors. 

PMID- 24213358
TI  - Triptolide induces apoptosis in endometrial cancer via a p53-independent
      mitochondrial pathway.
AB  - Triptolide (TP), the primary active component purified from the traditional
      Chinese herbal medicine Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F (TWHF), has been shown to
      possess antitumor activity in several types of solid tumors. In the present
      study, we investigated the antitumor effect of TP in human endometrial cancer
      cells (HEC-1B) and elucidated its possible underlying mechanisms. HEC-1B cells
      were treated with various doses of TP (10, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 nM), and the
      cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometric
      analysis. Results indicated that TP inhibited the proliferation of HEC-1B cells
      in a dose- and time-dependent manner. To further investigate its mechanisms, the
      levels of apoptosis and the changes in caspase-3/9 expression in HEC-1B cells by
      pretreatment with z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, were detected by CCK-8 and
      western blotting. The cytotoxic effects of TP were significantly inhibited by z
      VAD-fmk. At the molecular level, TP did not effectively activate the p53
      signaling pathway, but upregulated caspase-3/9 and downregulated bcl-2 without
      changing the bax level. Our studies revealed that TP has an effect on the
      apoptotic ability of endometrial cancer cells via a p53-independent mitochondrial
      pathway, presenting a novel strategy to evade drug resistance in tumorigenesis.
      The ability of TP to be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for endometrial cancer
      should be considered. 

PMID- 24213359
TI  - Characteristics of growth and tropane alkaloid production in Hyoscyamus albus
      hairy roots transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4.
AB  - Hairy root culture of Hyoscyamus albus was established by transformation with
      Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4. The growth and production of five tropane
      alkaloids were investigated under various culture conditions. Among the four
      basal culture media tested, Woody Plant medium was the best for growth of the
      hairy roots, but a high amount of tropane alkaloids was obtained with Gamborg's
      B5 medium. Sucrose concentration in B5 medium had little effect on the growth,
      while 3% sucrose was suitable for the alkaloid production. Addition of KNO3 to
      Woody Plant medium affected the growth, whereas the alkaloid content was not
      markedly improved. Supplement of some metal ions to B5 medium stimulated the
      alkaloid production. In particular, Cu(2+) remarkably enhanced both the growth
      and the alkaloid yield. The hairy roots cultured under 16 h/day light survived
      for more than 32 days compared with those cultured in the dark. 

PMID- 24213360
TI  - Transgenic turf-type tall fescue (Festuca amndinacea Schreb.) plants regenerated
      from protoplasts.
AB  - To improve turfgrasses using genetic engineering, we have developed a
      transformation system in turf-type tall fescue, one of the most important
      turfgrass species. Embryogenic cell cultures were established after callus
      induction from embryos of mature seed. The agarose-bead method with nurse cells
      was used to culture protoplasts and plants were regenerated from protoplasts of
      tall fescue cultured cells. To develop transgenic tall fescue plants, the
      hygromycin resistance gene and the beta-glucuronidase gene were introduced into
      the tall fescue protoplasts by electroporation. A high concentration (200 mg/l)
      of hygromycin was required to select transformed cells because of the high level
      of endogenous resistance to the antibiotic in tall fescue. Most of the
      transformed cells exhibited GUS activity and several plants were regenerated from
      these cells. The presence of introduced genes was confirmed by Southern blot
      hybridization of PCR amplified DNA from transgenic plants. 

PMID- 24213361
TI  - Bioreactor studies on the effect of dissolved oxygen concentrations on growth and
      differentiation of carrot (Daucus carota L.) cell cultures.
AB  - A bioreactor control system was used to investigate the effects of two dissolved
      oxygen concentrations (10% and 100%) on the growth and differentiation of Daucus
      carota L. cell cultures. The strategy used allowed the dissolved oxygen
      concentration to be controlled without the need for changing either the agitator
      speed or the total gas flow rate. During the proliferation phase, reducing oxygen
      resulted in a lower growth rate and in a delay in sugar uptake kinetics.
      Nonetheless, varying levels of oxygen were observed to have no effect on the
      final dry biomass. The higher alcohol dehydrogenase activity obtained under
      reduced oxygen conditions suggests that proliferating cultures adapted to the
      hypoxic environment by inducing alcoholic fermentation. Cell differentiation was
      highly sensitive to reduced oxygen since under this condition, the somatic embryo
      production was inhibited by about 75%. Sugar uptake and embryo formation were
      also delayed. 

PMID- 24213362
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration from cell suspension cultures of
      Fagus sylvatica L.
AB  - Embryogenic cell suspension cultures and somatic embryos of five genotypes of
      beech, were obtained from aged cultures derived from immature zygotic embryos
      cultured on solid medium containing both 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and N6
      benzyladenine. The origin of somatic embryos was traced from single cells.
      Embryos remained arrested at the globular stage on liquid media, further
      development was achieved after plating embryogenic aggregates on Murashige and
      Skoog's medium with half strength major salts supplemented with glutamine and low
      levels of growth regulators. Cultures of different genotypes showed significant
      differences in maturation frequency which was not affected by the hormone
      treatments assayed. The frequency of conversion of embryos into plantlets was
      low. This frequency increased after cold storage of embryos for up to 7 months. 

PMID- 24213363
TI  - Plant regeneration from stem cortex expiant and protoplast cultures of Brassica
      juncea (mustard).
AB  - Plant regeneration from stem cortex explants of 13 genotypes of Brassica juncea
      was assessed. Regeneration was strongly affected by genotype, as up to 50.6
      shoots were produced per 100 calli of the most responsive line (Blaze), whereas
      no shoots were obtained from less responsive lines (Zeml, Vniimk351). Blaze was
      chosen for B. juncea stem cortex protoplast isolation. After one week of culture,
      11-14% of the cells had divided, and about 0.002% produced 1-2 mm colonies within
      6 weeks. Up to 7% of these colonies gave rise to shoots upon transfer to plant
      regeneration medium. 

PMID- 24213364
TI  - Plant regeneration from haploid cell suspension-derived protoplasts of
      Mediterranean rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Miara).
AB  - More than 750 plants were regenerated from protoplasts isolated from microspore
      callus-derived cell suspensions of the Mediterranean japonica rice Miara, using a
      nurse-feeder technique and N6-based culture medium. The mean plating efficiency
      and the mean regeneration ability of the protocalluses were 0.5% and 49%
      respectively. Flow cytometric evaluation of the DNA contents of 7 month old-cell
      and protoplast suspensions showed that they were still haploid. Contrastingly,
      the DNA contents of leaf cell nuclei of the regenerated protoclones ranged from
      1C to 5C including 60% 2C plants. This was consistent with the morphological type
      and the fertility of the mature plants. These results and the absence of chimeric
      plants suggest that polyploidization occurred during the early phase of
      protoplast culture. 

PMID- 24213365
TI  - Isolation and molecular characterisation of a tuberisation-related cDNA clone
      from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).
AB  - A cDNA clone of a gene which shows a large increase in transcript level in the
      stolon tip during the early stages of tuberisation in potato (Solanum tuberosum)
      has been isolated by differential screening. This gene is also expressed at low
      levels in other parts of the plant including leaves and stems. Sequence analysis
      and comparison did not reveal any significant similarity with other gene
      sequences in the EMBL database. DNA-blot analysis indicates that the gene is
      present as a single copy in the potato genome and a restriction fragment length
      polymorphism exists between wild type and cultivated potatoes. 

PMID- 24213366
TI  - A plant selectable marker gene based on the detoxification of the herbicide
      dalapon.
AB  - A gene from Pseudomonas putida coding for a dehalogenase capable of degrading 2,2
      dichloropropionic acid (2,2DCPA), the active ingredient of the herbicide dalapon,
      has been isolated and characterised. In plant transformation experiments the gene
      was shown to confer resistance to 2,2DCPA at a tissue culture level where 2,2DCPA
      could be used to select for transformants. At the whole plant level, transformed
      plants showed resistance to 2,2DCPA at concentrations up to 5 times the
      recommended dose rate of dalapon when it was sprayed on their leaves. At lower
      concentrations, the herbicide caused a non-lethal yellowing of sensitive plants
      which clearly distinguished them from resistant plants. The mode of action of
      chlorinated aliphatic acids is not known but they probably affect many enzyme
      pathways. The results described here are the first example of engineering a plant
      resistant to a herbicide that does not have one specific enzyme as its target
      site. This gene has several advantages as a marker in plant breeding and genetic
      studies. For example, the herbicide is readily available and has low toxicity,
      transformants can be selected at both the tissue culture and the whole plant
      level, a large number of transformed plants can easily be screened even in the
      field, and there is a very low probability of selecting spontaneous mutants. 

PMID- 24213367
TI  - Protoplasts from cotyledon and hypocotyl of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.):
      shoot regeneration and seed production.
AB  - Cotyledon and hypocotyl protoplasts of Helianthus annuus inbred line 47 302 bcd
      were embedded in alginate and plated on L4 medium (Lenee and Chupeau 1986). After
      one month, the calli were transferred on MSSH regeneration medium (Murashige and
      Skoog 1962; Schenk and Hildebrandt 1972) where they regenerated shoots (overall
      efficiency 10(-2)%). The shoots were elongated on B5 (Gamborg et al. 1968) medium
      first without hormones, then supplemented with GA3 and BAP (both 0.05 mg/l). In
      order to overcome the difficulty to induce rooting by classical methods, the
      elongated shoots were grafted on a sunflower rootstock. The grafted shoots
      produced flowers and seeds. Different factors have been shown to have an
      important influence on the capacity to regenerate shoots: the genotype, the
      physical culture conditions at the callus regeneration step (e.g. protoplasts
      embedded in alginate), and the media composition. 

PMID- 24213368
TI  - Antimalarial activity of Artemisia annua flavonoids from whole plants and cell
      cultures.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures developed from Artemisia annua exhibited antimalarial
      activity against Plasmodium faldparum in vitro both in the n-hexane extract of
      the plant cell culture medium and in the chloroform extract of the cells. Trace
      amounts of the antimalarial sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin may account for the
      activity of the n-hexane fraction but only the methoxylated flavonoids artemetin,
      chrysoplenetin, chrysosplenol-D and cirsilineol can account for the activity of
      the chloroform extract. These purified flavonoids were found to have IC50 values
      at 2.4 - 6.5 * 10(-5)M against P. falciparum in vitro compared with an IC50 value
      of about 3 * 10(-8)M for purified artimisinin. At concentrations of 5 * 10(-6)M
      these flavonoids were not active against P. falciparum but did have a marked and
      selective potentiating effect on the antiplasmodial activity of artemisinin. 

PMID- 24213370
TI  - Protein kinase D1 has a key role in wound healing and skin carcinogenesis.
AB  - Protein kinase D (PKD) is a family of stress-responsive serine/threonine kinases
      implicated in the regulation of diverse cellular functions including cell growth,
      differentiation, apoptosis, and cell motility. Although all three isoforms are
      expressed in keratinocytes, their role in skin biology and pathology is poorly
      understood. We recently identified a critical role for PKD1 during reversal of
      keratinocyte differentiation in culture, suggesting a potential proproliferative
      role in epidermal adaptive responses. Here, we generated mice with targeted
      deletion of PKD1 in the epidermis to evaluate the significance of PKD1 in normal
      and hyperplastic conditions. These mice displayed a normal skin phenotype,
      indicating that PKD1 is dispensable for skin development and homeostasis. Upon
      wounding, however, PKD1-deficient mice exhibited delayed wound re
      epithelialization correlated with a reduced proliferation and migration of
      keratinocytes at the wound edge. In addition, the hyperplastic and inflammatory
      responses to topical phorbol ester were significantly suppressed, suggesting
      involvement of PKD1 in tumor promotion. Consistently, when subjected to the two
      stage chemical skin carcinogenesis protocol, PKD1-deficient mice were resistant
      to papilloma formation when compared with control littermates. These results
      revealed a critical proproliferative role for PKD1 in epidermal adaptive
      responses, suggesting a potential therapeutic target in skin wound and cancer
      treatment. 

PMID- 24213369
TI  - Reduction in serine protease activity correlates with improved rosacea severity
      in a small, randomized pilot study of a topical serine protease inhibitor.

PMID- 24213371
TI  - Reversal of CD8 T-cell-mediated mucocutaneous graft-versus-host-like disease by
      the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib.
AB  - The utility of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is limited by
      graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
      Patients with GVHD exhibit cutaneous manifestations with histological features of
      interface dermatitis followed by scleroderma-like changes. JAK inhibitors
      represent a class of immunomodulatory drugs that inhibit signaling by multiple
      cytokines. Herein we report the effects of tofacitinib in a murine model of GVHD.
      Oral administration of tofacitinib prevented GVHD-like disease manifested by
      weight loss and mucocutaneous lesions. More importantly, tofacitinib was also
      effective in reversing established disease. Tofacitinib diminished the expansion
      and activation of murine CD8 T cells in this model, and had similar effects on IL
      2-stimulated human CD8 T cells. Tofacitinib also inhibited the expression of IFN
      gamma-inducible chemoattractants by keratinocytes, and IFN-gamma-inducible cell
      death of keratinocytes. Tofacitinib may be an effective drug for treatment
      against CD8 T-cell-mediated mucocutaneous diseases in patients with GVHD. 

PMID- 24213372
TI  - De novo anti-type VII collagen antibodies in patients with recessive dystrophic
      epidermolysis bullosa.

PMID- 24213374
TI  - Health-related quality of life in children with hemifacial microsomia: parent and
      child perspectives.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among children with
      and without hemifacial microsomia (HFM) as assessed by parents and the children
      themselves during the elementary school years. METHODS: One hundred thirty-six
      children with HFM (49 females, mean age = 6 years, 11.9 months, SD = 1.004) were
      compared with 568 matched controls (285 females, mean age = 6 years, 10.2 months,
      SD = 0.998) for parent and child responses on the PedsQL Version 4.0. RESULTS:
      After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, parent-reported summary scores
      were worse for affected children than control group children for physical (effect
      sizes [ES] = 0.26, p = .004), social (ES = 0.34, p = .001), and school (ES =
      0.32, p = .001) functioning. There were no significant mean differences in
      summary scores based on children's self-reported functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Case
      control mean differences in HRQOL were more apparent based on parent report, but
      not child self-report. Summary score findings suggest that case parents have
      concerns about their child's HRQOL, particularly with respect to their child's
      physical, social, and school functioning. Additionally, our findings highlight
      the potential differences between child and parent perspectives and the
      importance of collecting data from multiple reporters.

PMID- 24213373
TI  - Indomethacin sensitizes TRAIL-resistant melanoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis
      through ROS-mediated upregulation of death receptor 5 and downregulation of
      survivin.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has attracted
      considerable attention owing to its selective killing of tumor cells but not
      normal cells. Melanoma shows weak response to TRAIL because of its low level of
      TRAIL death receptors. Here, we investigated whether indomethacin, a nonsteroidal
      anti-inflammatory drug, can potentiate TRAIL-induced apoptosis in melanoma cells.
      We showed that indomethacin was capable of promoting TRAIL-induced cell death and
      apoptosis in A375 melanoma cells. Mechanistically, indomethacin induced cell
      surface expression of death receptor 5 (DR5) in melanoma cells and also in
      various types of cancer cells. DR5 knockdown abolished the enhancing effect of
      indomethacin on TRAIL responses. Induction of the DR5 by indomethacin was found
      to be p53 independent but dependent on the induction of CCAAT/enhancer-binding
      protein homologous protein (CHOP). Knockdown of CHOP abolished indomethacin
      induced DR5 expression and the associated potentiation of TRAIL-mediated cell
      death. In addition, indomethacin-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production
      preceded upregulation of CHOP and DR5, and consequent sensitization of cells to
      TRAIL. We also found that indomethacin treatment downregulated survivin via ROS
      and the NF-kappaB-mediated signaling pathways. Interestingly, indomethacin also
      converted TRAIL-resistant melanoma MeWo and SK-MEL-5 cells into TRAIL-sensitive
      cells. Taken together, our results indicate that indomethacin can potentiate
      TRAIL-induced apoptosis through upregulation of death receptors and
      downregulation of survivin. 

PMID- 24213375
TI  - Histone variants and sensing of chromatin functional states.
AB  - An extreme case of chromatin remodelling is the genome-wide exchange of histones
      with basic non-histone DNA-packaging proteins that occurs in post-meiotic male
      germ cells. The scale of this genome reorganization is such that chromatin needs
      to undergo a prior "preparation" for a facilitated action of the factors
      involved. Stage-specific incorporation of specialized histone variants, affecting
      large domains of chromatin, combined with histone post-translational
      modifications accompany the successive steps of the male genome reorganization.
      Recently, it has been shown that a testis-specific H2B variant, TH2B, one of the
      first identified core histone variants, replaces H2B at the time of cells'
      commitment into meiotic divisions and contributes to the process of global
      histone removal. These investigations also revealed a previously unknown histone
      dosage compensation mechanism that also ensures a functional interconnection
      between histone variant expression and histone post-translational modifications
      and will be further discussed here. 

PMID- 24213377
TI  - Nuclear lamins: making contacts with promoters.
AB  - The nuclear lamina guards the genome and in many ways contributes to regulating
      nuclear function. Increasing evidence indicates that the lamina dynamically
      interacts with chromatin mainly through large repressive domains, and recent data
      suggest that at least some of the lamin-genome contacts may be developmentally
      significant. In an attempt to provide an additional meaning to lamin-genome
      contacts, a recent study characterized the association of gene promoters with A
      type lamins in progenitor and differentiated cells. Here, we discuss how A-type
      lamins interact with spatially defined promoter regions, and the relationship
      between these interactions, associated chromatin marks and gene expression
      outputs. We discuss the impact of A-type lamins on nucleus-wide and local
      chromatin organization. We also address how lamin-promoter interactions are
      redistributed during differentiation of adipocyte progenitors into adipocytes.
      Finally, we propose a model of lineage-specific "unlocking" of developmentally
      regulated loci and its significance in cellular differentiation. 

PMID- 24213376
TI  - Tissue specificity in the nuclear envelope supports its functional complexity.
AB  - Nuclear envelope links to inherited disease gave the conundrum of how mutations
      in near-ubiquitous proteins can yield many distinct pathologies, each focused in
      different tissues. One conundrum-resolving hypothesis is that tissue-specific
      partner proteins mediate these pathologies. Such partner proteins may have now
      been identified with recent proteome studies determining nuclear envelope
      composition in different tissues. These studies revealed that the majority of the
      total nuclear envelope proteins are tissue restricted in their expression.
      Moreover, functions have been found for a number these tissue-restricted nuclear
      envelope proteins that fit with mechanisms proposed to explain how the nuclear
      envelope could mediate disease, including defects in mechanical stability, cell
      cycle regulation, signaling, genome organization, gene expression,
      nucleocytoplasmic transport, and differentiation. The wide range of functions to
      which these proteins contribute is consistent with not only their involvement in
      tissue-specific nuclear envelope disease pathologies, but also tissue evolution. 

PMID- 24213378
TI  - Histone variant selectivity at the transcription start site: H2A.Z or H2A.Lap1.
AB  - Considerable attention has been given to the understanding of how nucleosomes are
      altered or removed from the transcription start site of RNA polymerase II genes
      to enable transcription to proceed. This has led to the view that for
      transcriptional activation to occur, the transcription start site (TSS) must
      become depleted of nucleosomes. However, we have shown that this is not the case
      with different unstable histone H2A variant-containing nucleosomes occupying the
      TSS under different physiological settings. For example, during mouse
      spermatogenesis we found that the mouse homolog of human H2A.Bbd, H2A.Lap1, is
      targeted to the TSS of active genes expressed during specific stages of
      spermatogenesis. On the other hand, we observed in trophoblast stem cells, a
      H2A.Z-containing nucleosome occupying the TSS of genes active in the G 1 phase of
      the cell cycle. Notably, this H2A.Z-containing nucleosome was different compared
      with other promoter specific H2A.Z nucleosomes by being heterotypic rather than
      being homotypic. In other words, it did not contain the expected two copies of
      H2A.Z per nucleosome but only one (i.e., H2A.Z/H2A rather than H2A.Z/H2A.Z).
      Given these observations, we wondered whether the histone variant composition of
      a nucleosome at an active TSS could in fact vary in the same cell type. To
      investigate this possibility, we performed H2A.Z ChIP-H2A reChIP assays in the
      mouse testis and compared this data with our testis H2A.Lap1 ChIP-seq data.
      Indeed, we find that different promoters involved in the expression of genes
      involved in distinct biological processes can contain either H2A.Z/H2A or
      H2A.Lap1. This argues that specific mechanisms exist, which can determine whether
      H2A.Z or H2A.Lap1 is targeted to the TSS of an active gene. 

PMID- 24213436
TI  - Non-selectivity of ERG reductions in eyes treated for retinoblastoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: We have monitored retinal function in patients treated for
      retinoblastoma (primarily, but not exclusively by intra-arterial chemotherapy
      infusion) by electroretinography (ERG) recordings for the past 7 years. We here
      present data from 599 ERG studies of 108 patients, in which a complete ERG
      protocol including both photopic and scotopic recordings was performed, in
      justification of our frequent practice of reporting primarily 30-Hz photopic
      flicker amplitude data. METHODS: Patients referred for treatment of
      retinoblastoma underwent ERG recordings during examination under anesthesia
      whenever possible: at baseline and following most treatment sessions.
      Correlations were calculated for the complete datasets between the four primary
      amplitude response parameters: photopic single flash b-wave, photopic 30-Hz
      flicker peak-to-trough, scotopic rod-isolating b-wave, and scotopic maximal flash
      b-wave. RESULTS: Using our adaptation of the International Society for Clinical
      Electrophysiology of Vision-recommended standard ERG protocol, ERG responses of
      eyes of patients with untreated retinoblastoma or following traditional or intra
      arterial treatment for retinoblastoma show very high correlations between 30-Hz
      flicker amplitude responses and three other standard photopic and scotopic ERG
      response amplitudes. Reductions in ERG amplitudes seen in these eyes following
      treatment show no significant difference between retinal dysfunction estimated
      using rod- or cone-dominated responses. CONCLUSION: These observations support
      the use of photopic response amplitudes (especially in response to 30-Hz flicker)
      as the primary ERG outcome measure in studies of treated and untreated eyes with
      retinoblastoma when more complete ERG protocols may be impractical.

PMID- 24213437
TI  - Renal sympathetic denervation and ventricular arrhythmias: a case of electrical
      storm with multiple renal arteries.

PMID- 24213438
TI  - Chromosomal location and variability in wheat, barley and rye of a wheat gene
      encoding a bZIP protein (EmBP-1).

PMID- 24213439
TI  - Inheritance of isozyme and RFLP markers in Brassica campestris and comparison
      with B. oleracea.
AB  - Using primarily cDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism markers (RFLPs)
      previously located to Brassica oleracea (cabbage, 2n=18) chromosomes, we
      initiated a comparative RFLP map in an F2 population of B. campestris (turnip x
      mock pak-choi, 2n=20). As with B. oleracea, the genome of B. campestris showed
      extensive gene duplication, and the majority of detected duplicated loci were
      unlinked. Only 6 of the 49 identified loci were represented as a single copy, and
      3 of these 6 were clustered on a single linkage group showing a distorted
      segregation ratio. Comparison with B. Oleracea indicates this synteny is
      conserved between species. Two other linkage groups also appeared syntenic
      between B. oleracea and B. campestris. One single copy locus appears to have
      changed synteny between B. oleracea and B. campestris. These observations suggest
      that B. oleracea and B. campestris share a common ancestor, but that chromosome
      repatterning has occurred during or after speciation. Within B. campestris, 5
      loci appeared duplicated in one parent or the other, and 2 of these were linked.
      Differentiation through subspecies-specific duplication or deletion events is
      suggested as one mechansim for the evolution of numerous morphotypes within each
      of these species. 

PMID- 24213440
TI  - Characterization of variability and relationships among components of partial
      resistance to leaf rust in CIMMYT bread wheats.
AB  - A study of spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) germ plasm developed at the
      International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) showed highly
      significant phenotypic variability for each component of partial resistance
      (namely, uredial appearance period, latency period, uredial number and uredial
      size) to Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici. All of the wheat genotypes displayed
      longer uredial appearance and latency periods and decreased uredial number and
      uredial size when compared to the susceptible check cultivar 'Morocco'. Positive
      correlations between uredial appearance period and latency period, and uredial
      number and uredial size, and negative correlations between uredial appearance and
      latency periods and uredial number and uredial size, inclusive, suggested that
      the components of partial resistance were either tightly linked or under
      pleiotropic genetic control. Compared to 'Morocco', all entries had slow disease
      progress in the field and variation occurred in the germ plasm for the area under
      the leaf rust progress curve. Disease progress was negatively correlated with
      uredial appearance and latency periods, whereas a positive correlation was
      observed with uredial number and uredial size. Certain genotypes displayed high
      levels of partial resistance resulting in low disease incidence in the field. 

PMID- 24213441
TI  - Homozygous-viable pericentric inversions for genetic control of Lucilia Cuprina.
AB  - The isolation of homozygous-viable pericentric inversions for inclusion in field
      female killing (FK) systems in Lucilia cuprina is described. From 7,236
      irradiated chromosomes screened, 16 pericentric inversions were isolated. Four of
      these were viable as homozygotes. One of these, In (3LR) 14, possesses the
      properties required for inclusion in FK systems (tight linkage of one inversion
      break-point to the white-eye gene and substantial genetic exchange within the
      inversion in heterozygous females). 

PMID- 24213442
TI  - The cost of herbicide resistance measured by a competition experiment.
AB  - The cost of resistance has been measured by a competition experiment over a range
      of densities, in the absence of herbicide treatment, on two nearly isogenic lines
      of Foxtail millet, differing in a chloroplastic resistance to herbicide. Three
      characters have been measured: shoot height, shoot weight, and seed production.
      Sensitive individuals were better competitors despite a larger decrease in
      production under within-biotype competition. The cost of resistance was density
      dependent and increased with density. The cost was higher when measured on seed
      production and reached 65% at the higher density for resistant individuals. This
      is compatible with the low frequency or the absence of that gene in natural
      populations. This work illustrates that the cost is easiest to observe when high
      levels of constraints are used. 

PMID- 24213443
TI  - Bamboo germplasm screening with nuclear restriction fragment length
      polymorphisms.
AB  - Bamboo species are difficult to identify because flowering material is seldom
      available and taxonomy is of necessity based on vegetative characters. To
      evaluate the utility of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis
      in bamboo systematics and germplasm screening, a library of random genomic probes
      from a Phyllostachys nigra PstI library was constructed. Probes from the library
      were used to screen bamboo germplasm consisting mostly of temperate bamboos of
      the genus Phyllostachys. RFLP variation was abundant, and species-specific
      patterns were readily obtained. Chloroplast DNA showed little variation among the
      bamboo accessions analyzed. 

PMID- 24213444
TI  - Expression of unilateral incompatibility in pollen of Lycopersicon pennellii is
      determined by major loci on chromosomes 1, 6 and 10.
AB  - We have previously described gene introgression from the wild nightshade Solanum
      lycopersicoides into tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) through the use of either
      diploid or sesquidiploid hybrids (the latter consisting of two genomes of L.
      esculentum and one genome of S. lycopersicoides). Both types of intergeneric
      hybrids display pollen sterility, but workable ovule fertility. Unilateral
      incompatibility prevents their direct hybridization with staminate L. esculentum.
      Pollen of a self-compattible form of the related wild species L. pennellii is
      compatible with pistils of L. esculentum x S. lycopersicoides hybrids. This trait
      was backcrossed from L. pennellii to L. esculentum in order to develop bridging
      lines that could be used to obtain progeny from the intergeneric hybrids and to
      study the inheritance of bridging ability. In progeny of L. esculentum x S.
      lycopersicoides hybrids pollinated with L. pennellii-derived bridging lines,
      preferential transmission of L. pennellii alleles was observed for certain
      isozyme and RFLP markers on chromosomes 1, 6 and 10. The skewed segregations
      suggest linkage to three major pollen-expressed compatibility loci. This was
      confirmed by observations of pollen tube growth, which indicated that
      compatibility with pistils of the diploid intergeneric hybrid occurred only in
      bridging lines at least heterozygous for the L. pennellii markers on chromosomes
      1, 6 and 10. Compatibility with the sesquidiploid hybrid required only the
      chromosome 1 and 6 loci, indicating an apparent effect of gene dosage on
      expression of incompatibility in the pistil. In an F2 L. esculentum x L.
      pennellii population, preferential transmission of L. pennellii alleles was
      observed for the same markers on chromosomes 1 and 10, as well as other markers
      on chromosomes 3, 11, and 12, but not 6. The chromosome 1 pollen compatibility
      locus maps to or near the S-locus, which determines S-allele specificity. The
      results are discussed in relation to existing genetic models for unilateral
      incompatibility, including the possible involvement of the S-locus. 

PMID- 24213445
TI  - Isolation and characterization of intergeneric somatic hybrids in the Apocynaceae
      family.
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from callus cultures of Rauwolfia serpentina Benth.,
      Rhazya stricta Decaisne, and Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, or from leaves of
      Vinca minor L. Protoplast isolation, culture, and fusion techniques as well as
      hybrid screening systems were developed for these species, and hybrids were
      obtained. Hybrid combinations were Rauwolfia + Vinca, Rauwolfia + Catharanthus,
      Rauwolfia + Rhazya, and Catharanthus + Vinca. For hybrid isolation, the
      physiological complementation method was utilized. Analyses of the material
      obtained included a cytogenetic study of the chromosomes, a study of multiple
      molecular forms of transferases and esterases, and the blot hybridization of
      restricted nuclear DNA using ribosomal DNA as a probe. Hybrids were identified in
      all species' combinations tried. A ten-fold increase in the accumulation of
      raucaffricine (relative to the parental Rauwolfia strain) was observed in one
      cell line of the Rauwolfia + Vinca hybrid. Our studies indicated the genetic
      stability of the great majority of the hybrid cell lines over a period of more
      than 20 months of in vitro growth. No shoot morphogenesis has so far been
      observed in this material. 

PMID- 24213446
TI  - PEG-mediated plastid transformation: a new system for transient gene expression
      assays in chloroplasts.
AB  - Evidence is presented for the introduction of functional copies of the GUS
      reporter gene with plastid regulatory signals into chloroplasts after treatment
      of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia leaf protoplasts with PEG. GUS-activity is found in
      cells derived from protoplasts treated with PEG in the presence of plasmids
      harbouring the GUS-gene under the control of plastid promoter and terminator
      signals (plastid-specific reporter gene constructions). The activity is
      maintained after chloroplast isolation and incubation with the protease
      thermolysin under conditions sufficient to completely remove the much higher
      transient nuclear/cytoplasmic expression of a GUS-gene carrying the CaMV 35S
      promoter. Likewise, GUS-activity derived from a plasmid coding for the
      nuclear/cytoplasmic expression of the reporter gene with a plastid transit
      presequence is also maintained after these procedures. These results indicate
      that PEG-treatment is a suitable protocol by which to introduce DNA into
      chloroplasts for the study of transient gene expression. 

PMID- 24213447
TI  - Higher plant mitochondrial DNA expression : 2. Influence of nuclear background on
      the transcription of a mitochondrial open reading frame, ORF25.
AB  - Mitochondria are semi autonomous organelles, with their own genome and
      transcription/translation systems. Although the regulation of mitochondrial gene
      expression is fairly well characterized in the animal system, little is known
      about these processes in plants. We have been studying the expression of ORF25, a
      mitochondrial open reading frame, in normal male-fertile maize. In all the N
      lines that we have examined, the ORF25 transcript pattern is similar, except for
      that in B37N. We have compared ORF25 transcription patterns between B73N and
      B37N: B73N has one major transcript of 2,300 nucleotides and two minor
      transcripts of 3,400 and 1,600 nucleotides, while B37N has a single transcript,
      3,400 bases long. The ORF25 reading frame and 5' flanking regions have been
      analyzed by restriction mapping and found to be identical in these lines.
      Interestingly, the F1 progeny from reciprocal crosses between B73N and B37N have
      ORF25 transcript patterns identical to B73N. This suggests that the process of
      mitochondrial transcription is influenced by nuclear factors in normal cytoplasm.
      This factor(s) appears to be dominant in B73N and the F1 progeny. S1 nuclease
      analyses have revealed that identical fragments are protected in B73N and the F1
      hybrids, indicating that the ORF25 transcripts in the F1 progeny are identical on
      the 5' ends to those of the parent B73N. This nuclear regulation may be at the
      level of initiation of transcription or processing of the mtRNA. 

PMID- 24213448
TI  - The presence of the enhanced K/Na discrimination trait in diploid Triticum
      species.
AB  - A number of accessions of the three species of diploid wheat, Triticum boeoticum,
      T. monococcum, and T. urartu, were grown in 50 mol m(-3) NaCl+2.5 mol m(-3)
      CaCl2. Sodium accumulation in the leaves was low and potassium concentrations
      remained high. This was not the case in T. durum grown under the same conditions,
      and indicates the presence in diploid wheats of the enhanced K/Na discrimination
      character which has previously been found in Aegilops squarrosa and hexaploid
      wheat. None of the accessions of diploid wheat showed poor K/Na discrimination,
      which suggests that if the A genome of modern tetraploid wheats was derived from
      a diploid Triticum species, then the enhanced K/Na discrimination character
      became altered after the formation of the original allopolyploid. Another
      possibility is that a diploid wheat that did not have the enhanced K/Na
      discrimination character was involved in the hybridization event which produced
      tetraploid wheat, and that this diploid is now extinct or has not yet been
      discovered. 

PMID- 24213449
TI  - Differences between, and possible origins of, the cytoplasms found in fertile and
      male-sterile onions (Allium cepa L.).
AB  - The DNA of the organellar genomes of Allium cepa has been examined to detect
      restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Differences can be shown between both
      the chloroplastal and mitochondrial genomes of the N and cms-S cytoplasms in
      their restriction fragment profiles. Southern blot analysis of the mtDNA profiles
      using probes containing defined mitochondrial genes also detected polymorphisms.
      No differences can be shown between the organellar genomes of the N and cms-T
      onions by either of these techniques. These data indicate different origins for
      the two sterility-conferring cytoplasms, suggesting autoplasmic and alloplasmic
      origins for the cms-T and cms-S cytoplasms, respectively. No evidence of the
      presence of virus-like particles was found in any of the cytoplasms. 

PMID- 24213450
TI  - Structural studies of microsporogenesis in fertile and male-sterile onions
      (Allium cepa L.) containing the cms-S cytoplasm.
AB  - The structure of anther tissues has been studied during microsporogenesis in male
      sterile and -fertile onions. Three types of abnormal tapetal behaviour have been
      observed within the single line II/3ms containing the cms-S cytoplasm: type 1,
      the premature breakdown of the tapetum at the tetrad stage, type 2, the
      hypertrophy of the tapetum after the diad stage followed by its premature
      autolysis and, type 3, in which the tapetum remains in good condition but for an
      abnormally long period of time. Tapetal autolysis proceeds in the same manner in
      both male-steriles and -fertiles with only the stage at which it occurs differing
      between the types of plants. Mitochondria were prominent in the tapetal tissue of
      all onion types throughout all stages of microsporogenesis and were still visible
      during the last stages of tapetal autolysis. In a detailed study of type 2
      behaviour, no differences in mitochondrial volumes were found until the tapetum
      hypertrophied. 

PMID- 24213451
TI  - Maternal, paternal, additive, and dominance components of variance in Gerbera.
AB  - Estimates of additive, dominance, maternal, and paternal components of variance
      were obtained for a sample of 18 traits, including measurements of yield, scapes,
      flowers, disk, ray and trans florets, leaves, and branching in the Davis
      population of Gerbera hybrida. The results, based on the covariance of
      reciprocals, indicate that although heritability averaged 0.52, extranuclear
      maternal or paternal effects are not important sources of variability. Therefore,
      reciprocal differences do not seriously affect estimates of additive variance or
      heritability in this population. 

PMID- 24213452
TI  - Genetic analysis of rye (Secale cereale L.) Genetics of male sterility of the G
      type.
AB  - The genetics and relationships between the genes in rye located in the nucleus
      and cytoplasm of the male sterility of the G-type were investigated. A factor
      inducing male sterility was found in the cytoplasms or rye cv Schlagler alt and
      rye cv Norddeutscher Champagner. Monogenic inheritance was observed in linkage
      tests. Using primary trisomies of rye cv Esto, the nuclear gene ms1 was found to
      be located on chromosome 4R. Modifying genes, probably masked in normal cytoplasm
      but expressed in male-sterility-inducing cytoplasm together with gene ms1, were
      located on chromosomes 3R (ms2) and 6R (ms3). Mono-, di-, and trigenic
      inheritance types were found in backcross progenies of trisomies. 

PMID- 24213453
TI  - Higher plant mitochondrial DNA expression : 1. Variant expression of the plant
      mitochondrial open reading frame, ORF25, in B37N and B73N maize lines.
AB  - In studying the process of mitochondrial transcription, mutants that show altered
      gene expression as evidenced from transcript pattern differences are a valuable
      resource. However, such mutants are difficult to find since changes in
      mitochondrial gene expression will most likely be lethal. Several laboratories
      have been investigating cytoplasmic male-sterile mutants in maize and have
      reported changes in transcription patterns due to nuclear background influences
      on the complex chimeric gene region TURF-2H3 in T-cms. There have been no reports
      of altered transcription patterns for N cytoplasm that can be attributed to
      nuclear background differences. Through a Northern hybridization analysis of
      ORF25 transcription in a number of N lines, we reported invariant expression of
      this region. Subsequently, we have discovered a line B37N, which shows the
      presence of a single ORF25-specific transcript of 3,400 nucleotides, in contrast
      to the transcript sizes of 3,400, 2,300 and 1,600 displayed by most of the
      cytoplasms we have examined. Experiments presented in this communication
      demonstrate that the differences in the B37N, ORF25 transcript pattern map to the
      5' flanking sequences of the reading frame. Using restriction enzyme mapping and
      Southern hybridization analysis, no detectable differences were found in the
      transcription unit structure for this reading frame in B37N and B73N, which shows
      the standard, three-transcript pattern. Analysis of nuclear background influences
      indicates that the transcript patterns for this open reading frame are dependent
      on nuclear background. These data are presented in part 2 of this study. 

PMID- 24213454
TI  - alpha-Amylase structural genes in rye.
AB  - Rye alpha-Amy1, alpha-Amy2, and alpha-Amy3 genes were studied in the cross
      between inbred lines using wheat alpha-amylase cDNA probes. The alpha-Amy1 and
      alpha-Amy2 probes uncovered considerable restriction fragment length
      polymorphism, whereas the alpha-Amy3 region was much more conserved. The numbers
      of restriction fragments found and the F2 segregation data suggest that there are
      three alpha-Amy1 genes, two or three alpha-Amy2 genes, and three alpha-Amy3 genes
      in rye. These conclusions were supported by a simultaneous study of alpha-amylase
      isozyme polymorphism. The F2 data showed the three individual alpha-Amy1 genes to
      span a distance of 3cM at the locus on chromosome 6RL. The genes were mapped
      relative to other RFLP markers on 6RL. On chromosome 7RL two alpha-Amy2 genes
      were shown to be separated by 5 cM. Linkage data within alpha-Amy3 on 5RL were
      not obtained since RFLP could be detected at only one of the genes. 

PMID- 24213455
TI  - Introduction of D-genome chromosomes from Aegilops squarrosa L. into tetraploid
      triticale (AB)(AB)RR (2n=28).
AB  - Tetraploid triticale with the genome constitution (ABD) (ABD)RR (2n=4x=28)
      selected from the progenies of DDRR x (AB)(AB)RR hybrids (D(AB)RR) were
      karyotyped using C-banding. The aneuploidy frequency was 10.7% with 4.4%
      hypoploids and 6.3% hyperploids in the F5. Among 67 plants having 28 chromosomes,
      41.8% had a stabilized karyotype, while 58.2% were unstabilized with at least one
      homoeologous group segregating for A-, B- or D-genome chromosomes. The stabilized
      plants represented ten different karyotypes that contained one to five disome
      substitutions of D-genome chromosomes for A- or B-genome chromosomes. Two (BD)
      (BD)RR tetraploids had no A-genome chromosomes. The average number of D
      substitutions was 3.0 per line. Of the seven substitutions possible only one,
      4D(4B), was not present. In the progeny of plants selected for fertility a
      selection pressure acted against wheat chromosomes 1B, 3B, 4D and 7D. The most
      favoured chromosome constitution of the (ABD) mixed genome was 1D, 2A, 3D, 4B,
      5B, 6A and 7B. Plants of that karyotype but with a heterologous pair of
      chromosomes 5B and 5D had the best seed set. Evolutionary and breeding aspects of
      tetraploid triticale are discussed. 

PMID- 24213456
TI  - Generation means analysis for productivity in two diverse peanut crosses.
AB  - Utilization of exotic germplasm resources for population improvement in peanut
      (Arachis hypogaea L.) has increased as the need to increase genetic diversity
      among peanut cultivars was recognized. Progeny of crosses of two unadapted
      germplasm lines (GP-NC 343 and FESR-11-P11-32) with an adapted cultivar ('NCV11')
      of peanut were evaluated for the genetic factors influencing the inheritance of
      yield and fruit characters in crosses among diverse lines. Objectives were to (1)
      estimate the relative importance of additive and nonadditive genetic effects in
      the inheritance of yield and fruit characters in two diverse peanut crosses; (2)
      determine the proportion of exotic germplasm that gave the optimum combination of
      mean productivity and genetic variability for each of the crosses; (3) relate the
      results to theories regarding the transfer of desirable alleles from exotic
      germplasm into adapted breeding populations. Crosses and backcrosses were made to
      generate germplasm lines (ten generations) ranging from 0 to 100% exotic
      germplasm for each cross. The populations were evaluated in replicated field
      trials. Yield and six fruit characters were measured, and a weighted analysis of
      variance was conducted to determine if significant differences existed among
      generations. Generation means analyses were performed for each trait measured in
      each of the crosses using both three- and six-parameter models, which were tested
      for goodness-of-fit with a joint-scaling test. Significant differences were
      detected among generations for most traits measured in both crosses. Estimates of
      additive genetic effects were significant for pod weight and seed weight in cross
      1 ('NC-V11' x GP-NC 343) and for all traits in cross 2 ('NC-V11' x FESR-11-P11
      32) except seed?pod ratio. Significant estimates of dominance effects were found
      for pod length, pod width, and pod weight in cross 1 and for pod length in cross
      2. No significant estimates of digenic effects were observed in cross 1, whereas
      in cross 2 estimates of additive x dominance epistatic effects were significant
      for yield and pod length, while estimates of additive x additive effects were
      significant for seed number. Regression of trait means on generations showed a
      curvilinear response for all traits in cross 1 except seed weight, which gave a
      linear response. For all traits in cross 2, the relationship between productivity
      and proportion of unadapted germplasm was effectively linear. Based on generation
      means and variances, progeny from the first or second backcross generation to the
      recurrent parent should be expected to give an optimum combination of mean
      productivity and relative variability in the population. 

PMID- 24213457
TI  - Distribution and evolution of two satellite DNAs in the genus Beta.
AB  - EcoRI monomers of a highly repetitive DNA family of Beta vulgaris have been
      cloned. Sequence analysis revealed that the repeat length varies between 157-160
      bp. The percentage of AT-residues is 62% on average. The basic repeat does not
      show significant homology to the BamHI sequence family of B. vulgaris that was
      analyzed by us earlier. Both the EcoRI and BamHI sequences are investigated and
      compared to each other with respect to their genomic organization in the genus
      Beta. Both repeats were found to be tandemly arranged in the genome of B.
      vulgaris in a satellite-like manner. The EcoRI satellite DNA is present in three
      sections (Beta, Corollinae and Nanae) of the genus, whereas the BamHI satellite
      DNA exists only in the section Beta. The distribution of the EcoRI and BamHI
      satellite families in the genus is discussed with respect to their evolution. 

PMID- 24213459
TI  - Improved uniformity in high-performance organic photovoltaics enabled by (3
      aminopropyl)triethoxysilane cathode functionalization.
AB  - Organic photovoltaics have the potential to serve as lightweight, low-cost,
      mechanically flexible solar cells. However, losses in efficiency as laboratory
      cells are scaled up to the module level have to date impeded large scale
      deployment. Here, we report that a 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) cathode
      interfacial treatment significantly enhances performance reproducibility in
      inverted high-efficiency PTB7:PC71BM organic photovoltaic cells, as demonstrated
      by the fabrication of 100 APTES-treated devices versus 100 untreated controls.
      The APTES-treated devices achieve a power conversion efficiency of 8.08 +/- 0.12%
      with histogram skewness of -0.291, whereas the untreated controls achieve 7.80 +/
      0.26% with histogram skewness of -1.86. By substantially suppressing the
      interfacial origins of underperforming cells, the APTES treatment offers a
      pathway for fabricating large-area modules with high spatial performance
      uniformity. 

PMID- 24213458
TI  - Atomoxetine-induced mydriasis in a child patient.

PMID- 24213460
TI  - Association of Differentiation-Related Gene-1 (DRG1) with Breast Cancer Survival
      and in Vitro Impact of DRG1 Suppression.
AB  - Differentiation-related gene-1, DRG1, is a metastasis suppressor gene whose
      expression has been shown to be dysregulated in a number of malignancies. The
      current study examines the expression of DRG1 in a clinical breast cohort and its
      association with a number of clinical pathological factors using quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, DRG1 expression is targeted in vitro
      using ribozyme transgene technology to explore the function of DRG1 in two human
      breast cancer cell lines. Low levels of DRG1 were found in patients who developed
      metastasis (p = 0.036) and who died of breast cancer (p = 0.0048) compared to
      disease free patients. Knockdown of DRG1 also resulted in significantly increased
      invasion and motility, but decreased matrix-adhesion in MCF7 cells. Knockdown of
      DRG1 seemed to have minimal impact on the cellular functions of the MDA-MB-231
      breast cancer cell line causing no significant differences in cell growth,
      invasion, motility or matrix-adhesion. Thus, DRG1 appears to be linked to
      development of metastasis and death in patients who died as a result of breast
      cancer and may be useful as a prognostic factor as its knockdown appears to be
      linked with increased invasion and motility and decreased adhesion in MCF7 breast
      cancer cells. 

PMID- 24213461
TI  - Preclinical cancer chemoprevention studies using animal model of inflammation
      associated colorectal carcinogenesis.
AB  - Inflammation is involved in all stages of carcinogenesis. Inflammatory bowel
      disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is a longstanding
      inflammatory disease of intestine with increased risk for colorectal cancer
      (CRC). Several molecular events involved in chronic inflammatory process are
      reported to contribute to multi-step carcinogenesis of CRC in the inflamed colon.
      They include over-production of free radicals, reactive oxygen and nitrogen
      species, up-regulation of inflammatory enzymes in arachidonic acid biosynthesis
      pathway, up-regulation of certain cytokines, and intestinal immune system
      dysfunction. In this article, firstly I briefly introduce our experimental animal
      models where colorectal neoplasms rapidly develop in the inflamed colorectum.
      Secondary, data on preclinical cancer chemoprevention studies of inflammation
      associated colon carcinogenesis by morin, bezafibrate, and valproic acid, using
      this novel inflammation-related colorectal carcinogenesis model is described. 

PMID- 24213463
TI  - Automated Quantitative Analysis of p53, Cyclin D1, Ki67 and pERK Expression in
      Breast Carcinoma Does Not Differ from Expert Pathologist Scoring and Correlates
      with Clinico-Pathological Characteristics.
AB  - There is critical need for improved biomarker assessment platforms which
      integrate traditional pathological parameters (TNM stage, grade and ER/PR/HER2
      status) with molecular profiling, to better define prognostic subgroups or
      systemic treatment response. One roadblock is the lack of semi-quantitative
      methods which reliably measure biomarker expression. Our study assesses
      reliability of automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) scoring compared to manual
      scoring of five selected biomarkers in a tissue microarray (TMA) of 63 human
      breast cancer cases, and correlates these markers with clinico-pathological data.
      TMA slides were scanned into an Ariol Imaging System, and histologic (H) scores
      (% positive tumor area x staining intensity 0-3) were calculated using trained
      algorithms. H scores for all five biomarkers concurred with pathologists' scores,
      based on Pearson correlation coefficients (0.80-0.90) for continuous data and
      Kappa statistics (0.55-0.92) for positive vs. negative stain. Using continuous
      data, significant association of pERK expression with absence of LVI (p = 0.005)
      and lymph node negativity (p = 0.002) was observed. p53 over-expression,
      characteristic of dysfunctional p53 in cancer, and Ki67 were associated with high
      grade (p = 0.032 and 0.0007, respectively). Cyclin D1 correlated inversely with
      ER/PR/HER2-ve (triple negative) tumors (p = 0.0002). Thus automated quantitation
      of immunostaining concurs with pathologists' scoring, and provides meaningful
      associations with clinico-pathological data. 

PMID- 24213462
TI  - Ovarian cancer stroma: pathophysiology and the roles in cancer development.
AB  - Ovarian cancer represents one of the cancers with the worst prognostic in adult
      women. More than half of the patients who present with clinical signs such as
      abdominal bloating and a feeling of fullness already show advanced stages. The
      majority of ovarian cancers grow as cystic masses, and cancer cells easily spread
      into the pelvic cavity once the cysts rupture or leak. When the ovarian cancer
      cells disseminate into the peritoneal cavity, metastatic nests may grow in the
      cul-de-sac, and in more advanced stages, the peritoneal surfaces of the upper
      abdomen become the next largest soil for cancer progression. Ascites is also
      produced frequently in ovarian cancers, which facilitates distant metastasis.
      Clinicopathologic, epidemiologic and molecular studies on ovarian cancers have
      improved our understanding and therapeutic approaches, but still further efforts
      are required to reduce the risks in the patients who are predisposed to this
      lethal disease and the mortality of the patients in advanced stages. Among
      various molecules involved in ovarian carcinogenesis, special genes such as TP53,
      BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been well investigated. These genes are widely accepted as
      the predisposing factors that trigger malignant transformation of the epithelial
      cells of the ovary. In addition, adnexal inflammatory conditions such as chronic
      salpingitis and ovarian endometriosis have been great research interests in the
      context of carcinogenic background of ovarian cancers. In this review, I discuss
      the roles of stromal cells and inflammatory factors in the carcinogenesis and
      progression of ovarian cancers. 

PMID- 24213464
TI  - Membrane Type-1 Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and
      Its Upregulation by Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha.
AB  - Membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) has been implicated in tumor
      invasion, as well as trafficking of normal hematopoietic cells, and acts as a
      physiologic activator of proMMP-2. In this study we examined MT1-MMP expression
      in primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Because tumor necrosis factor
      (TNF)-alpha is known to be elevated in AML, we also investigated the effect of
      TNF-alpha on MT1-MMP expression. We found (i) MT1-MMP mRNA expression in 41 out
      of 43 primary AML samples tested; (ii) activation of proMMP-2 in co-cultures of
      AML cells with normal bone marrow stromal cells; and (iii) inhibition of proMMP-2
      activation and trans-Matrigel migration of AML cells by gene silencing using MT1
      MMP siRNA. Moreover, recombinant human TNF-alpha upregulated MT1-MMP expression
      in AML cells resulting in enhanced proMMP-2 activation and trans-Matrigel
      migration. Thus, AML cells express MT1-MMP and TNF-alpha enhances it leading to
      increased MMP-2 activation and most likely contributing to the invasive
      phenotype. We suggest that MT1-MMP, together with TNF-alpha, should be
      investigated as potential therapeutic targets in AML. 

PMID- 24213465
TI  - Relative Expression of Vitamin D Hydroxylases, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1, and of
      Cyclooxygenase-2 and Heterogeneity of Human Colorectal Cancer in Relation to Age,
      Gender, Tumor Location, and Malignancy: Results from Factor and Cluster Analysis.
AB  - Previous studies on the significance of vitamin D insufficiency and chronic
      inflammation in colorectal cancer development clearly indicated that maintenance
      of cellular homeostasis in the large intestinal epithelium requires balanced
      interaction of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and prostaglandin cellular signaling networks. The
      present study addresses the question how colorectal cancer pathogenesis depends
      on alterations of activities of vitamin D hydroxylases, i.e., CYP27B1-encoded 25
      hydroxyvitamin D-1a-hydroxylase and CYP24A1-encoded 25-hydroxyvitamin D-24
      hydroxylase, and inflammation-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Data from 105
      cancer patients on CYP27B1, VDR, CYP24A1, and COX-2 mRNA expression in relation
      to tumor grade, anatomical location, gender and age were fit into a multivariate
      model of exploratory factor analysis. Nearly identical results were obtained by
      the principal factor and the maximum likelihood method, and these were confirmed
      by hierarchical cluster analysis: Within the eight mutually dependent variables
      studied four independent constellations were found that identify different
      features of colorectal cancer pathogenesis: (i) Escape of COX-2 activity from
      restraints by the CYP27B1/VDR system can initiate cancer growth anywhere in the
      colorectum regardless of age and gender; (ii) variations in COX-2 expression are
      mainly responsible for differences in cancer incidence in relation to tumor
      location; (iii) advancing age has a strong gender-specific influence on cancer
      incidence; (iv) progression from well differentiated to undifferentiated cancer
      is solely associated with a rise in CYP24A1 expression. 

PMID- 24213466
TI  - Neuroendocrine tumors of the lung.
AB  - Neuroendocrine tumors may develop throughout the human body with the majority
      being found in the gastrointestinal tract and bronchopulmonary system.
      Neuroendocrine tumors are classified according to the grade of biological
      aggressiveness (G1-G3) and the extent of differentiation (well
      differentiated/poorly-differentiated). The well-differentiated neoplasms comprise
      typical (G1) and atypical (G2) carcinoids. Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas
      as well as small cell carcinomas (G3) are poorly-differentiated. The
      identification and differentiation of atypical from typical carcinoids or large
      cell neuroendocrine carcinomas and small cell carcinomas is essential for
      treatment options and prognosis. Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors are
      characterized according to the proportion of necrosis, the mitotic activity,
      palisading, rosette-like structure, trabecular pattern and organoid nesting. The
      given information about the histopathological assessment, classification,
      prognosis, genetic aberration as well as treatment options of pulmonary
      neuroendocrine tumors are based on own experiences and reviewing the current
      literature available. Most disagreements among the classification of
      neuroendocrine tumor entities exist in the identification of typical versus
      atypical carcinoids, atypical versus large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas and
      large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas versus small cell carcinomas. Additionally,
      the classification is restricted in terms of limited specificity of
      immunohistochemical markers and possible artifacts in small biopsies which can be
      compressed in cytological specimens. Until now, pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors
      have been increasing in incidence. As compared to NSCLCs, only little research
      has been done with respect to new molecular targets as well as improving the
      classification and differential diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors of the lung. 

PMID- 24213467
TI  - Endometrial serous carcinoma: its molecular characteristics and histology
      specific treatment strategies.
AB  - Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women, with most cases
      being classified as early stage endometrioid tumors that carry a favorable
      prognosis. The endometrial serous histological subtype (ESC), however, while only
      accounting for 10% of all endometrial cancers is responsible for a
      disproportionate number of deaths. Unlike the estrogen-dependent, well
      differentiated endometrioid tumors, which are commonly associated with a younger
      age of onset, ESCs are estrogen-independent and tend to present at an advanced
      stage and in older women. Treatment for ESC entails aggressive surgery and
      multimodal adjuvant therapy. In this review, we describe the clinical behavior,
      molecular aspects, and treatment strategies for ESC. 

PMID- 24213468
TI  - Succinate dehydrogenase B subunit immunohistochemical expression predicts
      aggressiveness in well differentiated neuroendocrine tumors of the ileum.
AB  - Immunohistochemical loss of the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) has
      recently been reported as a surrogate biomarker of malignancy in sporadic and
      familial pheocromocytomas and paragangliomas through the activation of hypoxia
      pathways. However, data on the prevalence and the clinical implications of SDHB
      immunoreactivity in ileal neuroendocrine tumors are still lacking. Thirty-one
      consecutive, advanced primary midgut neuroendocrine tumors and related lymph node
      or liver metastases from 24 males and seven females were immunohistochemically
      assessed for SDHB. All patients were G1 tumors (Ki-67 labeling index <=2%). SDHB
      immunohistochemistry results were expressed as immunostaining intensity and
      scored as low or strong according to the internal control represented by normal
      intestinal cells. Strong positivity for SDHB, with granular cytoplasmatic
      reactivity, was found in 77% of primary tumors (T), whilst low SDHB expression
      was detected in 90% of metastases (M). The combined analysis (T+M) confirmed the
      loss of SDHB expression in 82% of metastases compared to 18% of primary tumors.
      SDHB expression was inversely correlated with Ki-67 labeling index, which
      accounted for 1.54% in metastastic sites and 0.7% in primary tumors. A
      correlation between SDHB expression loss, increased Ki-67 labeling index and
      biological aggressiveness was shown in advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors,
      suggesting a role of tumor suppressor gene. 

PMID- 24213469
TI  - Characterization of the Tumor-Microenvironment in Patient-Derived Cervix
      Xenografts (OCICx).
AB  - RATIONALE: The tumor microenvironment (TME) is heterogeneous including both
      malignant and host cell components as well as regions of hypoxia, elevated
      interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) and poor nutrient supply. The quantitative
      extent to which the microenvironmental properties of primary tumors are
      recapitulated in xenograft models is not well characterized. METHODS: Xenografts
      were generated by implanting tumor biopsies directly into the cervix of mice to
      create a panel of orthotopically-passaged xenografts (OCICx). Tumors were grown
      to ~1 cm (diameter) and IFP measurements recorded prior to sacrifice. Enlarged
      para-aortic lymph nodes (>1-2 mm) were excised for histologic confirmation of
      metastatic disease. Quantitative histological analysis was used to evaluate
      hypoxia, proliferation, lymphatic and blood vessels in the epithelial and stromal
      regions of the xenografts and original patient tumour. RESULTS: IFP and nodal
      disease were not correlated with tumor engraftment. IFP measurements in the
      xenografts were generally lower than those in the patient's tumor. Lymphatic
      metastasis increased with passage number as did levels of hypoxia in the
      epithelial component of the xenografts. The blood vessel density in the stromal
      component of the xenografts increased in parallel. When all the markers were
      compared between the biopsy and the respective 3rd generation xenograft 10 of 11
      tumors showed a good correlation. CONCLUSIONS: This ongoing study provides
      characterization about tumoral and stromal heterogeneity in a unique orthotopic
      xenograft model.

PMID- 24213470
TI  - A microRNA Link to Glioblastoma Heterogeneity.
AB  - Glioblastomas (GBM) are one of the most malignant adult primary brain tumors.
      Through decades of research using various model systems and GBM patients, we have
      gained considerable insights into the mechanisms regulating GBM pathogenesis, but
      have mostly failed to significantly improve clinical outcome. For the most part
      GBM heterogeneity is responsible for this lack of progress. Here, we have
      discussed sources of cellular and microenvironmental heterogeneity in GBMs and
      their potential regulation through microRNA mediated mechanisms. We have focused
      on the role of individual microRNAs (miRNA) through their specific targets and
      miRNA mediated RNA-RNA interaction networks with the potential to influence
      various aspects of GBM heterogeneity including tumor neo-vascularization. We
      believe a better understanding of such mechanisms for regulation of GBM
      pathogenesis will be instrumental for future therapeutic options. 

PMID- 24213471
TI  - Therapeutic targeting of hyaluronan in the tumor stroma.
AB  - The tumor stroma, consisting of non-malignant cells and the extracellular matrix,
      undergoes significant quantitative and qualitative changes throughout malignant
      transformation and tumor progression. With increasing recognition of the role of
      the tumor microenvironment in disease progression, stromal components of the
      tumor have become attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Stromal
      accumulation of the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan occurs in many tumor types and
      is frequently associated with a negative disease prognosis. Hyaluronan interacts
      with other extracellular molecules as well as cellular receptors to form a
      complex interaction network influencing physicochemical properties, signal
      transduction, and biological behavior of cancer cells. In preclinical animal
      models, enzymatic removal of hyaluronan is associated with remodeling of the
      tumor stroma, reduction of tumor interstitial fluid pressure, expansion of tumor
      blood vessels and facilitated delivery of chemotherapy. This leads to inhibition
      of tumor growth and increased survival. Current evidence shows that abnormal
      accumulation of hyaluronan may be an important stromal target for cancer therapy.
      In this review we highlight the role of hyaluronan and hyaluronan-mediated
      interactions in cancer, and discuss historical and recent data on hyaluronidase
      based therapies and the effect of hyaluronan removal on tumor growth. 

PMID- 24213473
TI  - Updates in antiplatelet agents used in cardiovascular diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet therapy is a cornerstone in coronary artery disease
      management. However, patients with acute coronary syndrome still remain at risk
      of recurrent cardiovascular events despite the advance of medical therapy.
      OBJECTIVE: This article provides a review of antiplatelet agents used in
      cardiovascular diseases and focus on updates in the past 5 years. METHOD: Peer
      reviewed clinical trials and relevant treatment guidelines were identified from
      MEDLINE and Current Content database (from 1966 to April 15, 2013) using search
      terms aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
      inhibitors, antiplatelet agents, coronary artery disease, acute coronary
      syndrome, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Citations from
      the available articles were also reviewed for additional references. RESULTS: In
      unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI), dual
      antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) demonstrated a reduction in death
      from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal MI, or stroke (relative risk 0.80; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.90). In ST-segment elevation MI, dual
      antiplatelet therapy reduced the rate of occluded infarct-related artery/death or
      recurrent MI (95% CI, 24%-47%). Newer agents such as prasugrel, when compared to
      clopidogrel, reduced death from vascular causes, MI, or stroke in patients
      undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; hazard ratio [HR], 0.81; 95%
      CI 0.73-0.90) but not in those receiving medical management only. When compared
      to clopidogrel, ticagrelor reduces death from vascular causes, MI, or stroke (HR:
      0.84; 95% CI, 0.77-0.92) in patients undergoing PCI or receiving medical
      management only. Both the agents, however, increase the risk of bleeding in
      certain patient population. CONCLUSIONS: In the last 5 years, newer antiplatelet
      agents, including prasugrel and ticagrelor, have been demonstrated to reduce
      recurrent cardiovascular events compared to standard therapy and, however, also
      caused increase bleeding in selected patient populations. Newer agents including
      shorter acting P2Y12 inhibitor or antiplatelets that target other receptors are
      being evaluated to improve/maintain therapeutic efficacy yet minimize the risk of
      bleeding.

PMID- 24213475
TI  - Epigenetics: WIP1 creates hush and havoc.

PMID- 24213476
TI  - Three-dimensional stereoscopic imaging modality based on a single optical channel
      and detector.
AB  - A three-dimensional stereoscopic imaging modality (3D-SIM) based on a single
      optical channel and detector was developed to overcome some of the limitations of
      conventional 3D-SIM. It produces 3-D stereoscopic images by adjusting the angle
      of a transparent rotating deflector (TRD) to generate disparity between left and
      right images. The angular effect of the TRD was demonstrated to investigate the
      feasibility of the proposed method in 3-D stereoscopic image generation. Results
      indicate that image disparity increased as a function of the rotation angles of
      the TRD, while maintaining adequate 3-D perception. These results are expected to
      facilitate the practical use of a 3D-SIM in medicine.

PMID- 24213474
TI  - Life history trade-offs in cancer evolution.
AB  - Somatic evolution during cancer progression and therapy results in tumour cells
      that show a wide range of phenotypes, which include rapid proliferation and
      quiescence. Evolutionary life history theory may help us to understand the
      diversity of these phenotypes. Fast life history organisms reproduce rapidly,
      whereas those with slow life histories show less fecundity and invest more
      resources in survival. Life history theory also provides an evolutionary
      framework for phenotypic plasticity, which has potential implications for
      understanding 'cancer stem cells'. Life history theory suggests that different
      therapy dosing schedules might select for fast or slow life history cell
      phenotypes, with important clinical consequences.

PMID- 24213472
TI  - Molecular and Epigenetic Mechanisms of MLL in Human Leukemogenesis.
AB  - Epigenetics is often defined as the study of heritable changes in gene expression
      or chromosome stability that don't alter the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic
      changes are established through multiple mechanisms that include DNA methylation,
      non-coding RNAs and the covalent modification of specific residues on histone
      proteins. It is becoming clear not only that aberrant epigenetic changes are
      common in many human diseases such as leukemia, but that these changes by their
      very nature are malleable, and thus are amenable to treatment. Epigenetic based
      therapies have so far focused on the use of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors
      and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, which tend to have more general and
      widespread effects on gene regulation in the cell. However, if a unique molecular
      pathway can be identified, diseases caused by epigenetic mechanisms are excellent
      candidates for the development of more targeted therapies that focus on specific
      gene targets, individual binding domains, or specific enzymatic activities.
      Designing effective targeted therapies depends on a clear understanding of the
      role of epigenetic mutations during disease progression. The Mixed Lineage
      Leukemia (MLL) protein is an example of a developmentally important protein that
      controls the epigenetic activation of gene targets in part by methylating histone
      3 on lysine 4. MLL is required for normal development, but is also mutated in a
      subset of aggressive human leukemias and thus provides a useful model for
      studying the link between epigenetic cell memory and human disease. The most
      common MLL mutations are chromosome translocations that fuse the MLL gene in
      frame with partner genes creating novel fusion proteins. In this review, we
      summarize recent work that argues MLL fusion proteins could function through a
      single molecular pathway, but we also highlight important data that suggests
      instead that multiple independent mechanisms underlie MLL mediated
      leukemogenesis. 

PMID- 24213477
TI  - Study of dynamic pressure-induced refractive index change using derivative total
      reflection method.
AB  - We report the dynamic refractive index (RI) change of tissue under a stepped
      compression load using a custom-built pressure apparatus. Angle-dependent
      reflectance profiles of biotissue samples are recorded, and the RI values are
      resolved using the derivative total reflection method. These results are relevant
      for understanding the mechanism of mechanical optical clearing, for investigating
      tissue dynamics under mechanical stimuli, and for other biomedical applications.

PMID- 24213478
TI  - Optical detection of carotenoid antioxidants in human bone and surrounding
      tissue.
AB  - Carotenoids are known to play an important role in health and disease state of
      living human tissue based on their antioxidant and optical filtering functions.
      In this study, we show that carotenoids exist in human bone and surrounding fatty
      tissue both in significant and individually variable concentrations. Measurements
      of biopsied tissue samples with molecule-specific Raman spectroscopy and high
      performance liquid chromatography reveal that all carotenoids that are known to
      exist in human skin are also present in human bone. This includes all carotenes,
      lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. We propose quantitative
      reflection imaging as a noncontact optical method suitable for the measurement of
      composite carotenoid levels in bone and surrounding tissue exposed during open
      surgeries such as total knee arthroplasty, and as a proof of concept, demonstrate
      carotenoid measurements in biopsied bone samples. This will allow one to
      establish potential correlations between internal tissue carotenoid levels and
      levels in skin and to potentially use already existing optical skin carotenoid
      tests as surrogate marker for bone carotenoid status.

PMID- 24213479
TI  - Improved alpha-amylase production by Aspergillus oryzae after a double deletion
      of genes involved in carbon catabolite repression.
AB  - In filamentous fungi, the expression of secretory glycoside hydrolase encoding
      genes, such as those for amylases, cellulases, and xylanases, is generally
      repressed in the presence of glucose. CreA and CreB have been observed to be
      regulating factors for carbon catabolite repression. In this study, we generated
      single and double deletion creA and/or creB mutants in Aspergillus oryzae. The
      alpha-amylase activities of each strain were compared under various culture
      conditions. For the wild-type strain, mRNA levels of alpha-amylase were markedly
      decreased in the later stage of submerged culture under inducing conditions,
      whereas this reduced expression was not observed for single creA and double
      creA/creB deletion mutants. In addition, alpha-amylase activity of the wild-type
      strain was reduced in submerged culture containing high concentrations of
      inducing sugars, whereas all constructed mutants showed higher alpha-amylase
      activities. In particular, the alpha-amylase activity of the double deletion
      mutant in a medium containing 5% starch was >10-fold higher than that of the wild
      type strain under the same culture conditions. In solid-state cultures using
      wheat bran as a substrate, the alpha-amylase activities of single creA and double
      deletion mutants were >2-fold higher than that of the wild-type strain. These
      results suggested that deleting both creA and creB resulted in dramatic
      improvements in the production of secretory glycoside hydrolases in filamentous
      fungi.

PMID- 24213481
TI  - Effects of empathy and conflict resolution strategies on psychophysiological
      arousal and satisfaction in romantic relationships.
AB  - The present research builds upon the extant literature as it assesses
      psychophysiological factors in relation to empathy, conflict resolution, and
      romantic relationship satisfaction. In this study, we examined physiological
      reactivity of individuals in the context of emotionally laden interactions with
      their romantic partners. Participants (N = 31) completed self-report measures and
      attended in-person data collection sessions with their romantic partners.
      Participants were guided through discussions of problems and strengths of their
      relationships in vivo with their partners while we measured participants' skin
      conductance level (SCL) and interbeat interval (IBI) of the heart. We
      hypothesized that participants' level of empathy towards their partners would be
      reflected by physiological arousal (as measured by SCL and IBI) and relationship
      satisfaction, such that higher levels of empathy would be linked to changes in
      physiological arousal and higher relationship satisfaction. Further, we
      hypothesized that differences would be found in physiological arousal (as
      measured by SCL and IBI) based on the type of conflict resolution strategy used
      by participants. Finally, we hypothesized that differences would be found in
      empathy towards partner and relationship satisfaction based on the type of
      conflict resolution strategies used by participants. Results partially supported
      hypotheses and were discussed in light of existing knowledge based on empirical
      and theoretical sources.

PMID- 24213480
TI  - Reversal of hyperglycemia in diabetic mice by a marginal islet mass together with
      human blood outgrowth endothelial cells is independent of the delivery technique
      and blood clot-induced processes.
AB  - We recently reported that human blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC) are
      supportive to reverse hyperglycemia in marginal islet mass-transplanted diabetic
      mice. In this report, we investigated whether the observed effect was evoked by
      islet packing in a blood clot prior to transplantation or could be mimicked by
      another method of islet/cell delivery. A marginal islet mass with or without BOEC
      was grafted underneath the kidney capsule of diabetic recipient mice via a (blood
      clot-independent) tubing system and compared with previous islet packing in a
      blood clot. The effect on metabolic outcome of both delivery techniques as well
      as the additive effect of BOEC was subsequently evaluated. Marginal islet mass
      transplantation via a tubing system required more islets per recipient than via a
      blood clot. Using the tubing method, transplantation of a marginal islet mass
      combined with 5x10 (5) BOEC resulted in reversal of hyperglycemia, improved
      glucose tolerance and increased kidney insulin content. The present study
      provides evidence that (1) previous packing in a blood clot results in more
      effective islet delivery compared with tubing; (2) BOEC exert a beneficial effect
      on marginal islet transplantation, independent of grafting technique and
      potential blood clot-induced processes. These data further support the use of
      BOEC in (pre-) clinical studies that aim to improve current islet transplantation
      protocols.

PMID- 24213482
TI  - A newborn with widespread skin lesions and extremity anomalies.
AB  - A variety of diseases can cause vesicular or pustular eruptions in newborns. A
      thorough clinical history and physical exam provide important clues for
      differential diagnosis. Goltz syndrome, also known as focal dermal hypoplasia, is
      a rare genodermatosis and generally diagnosed by the presence of the
      characteristic skin lesions. We present an infant with aplasia cutis, atrophic
      skin lesions, syndactyly and eye abnormalities who was diagnosed with Goltz
      syndrome soon after birth. Goltz syndrome should be considered in differential
      diagnosis of hypoplastic or aplastic skin lesions in neonates in the presence of
      skeletal or ophthalmic anomalies. 

PMID- 24213483
TI  - Anuria in a solitary kidney with Candida bezoars managed conservatively.
AB  - Renal involvement is regularly encountered in neonates with invasive candidiasis,
      especially when risk factors like congenital malformations of the renal tract or
      poor bladder emptying and preterm birth are present. However, complete
      obstruction of the renal collecting system by fungal balls is rare. Although
      conservative management has been advocated for partial obstruction, complete
      obstruction is considered an indication for surgical drainage. We report a
      patient with anuria and Candida albicans bezoars in a solitary kidney, suggesting
      post-renal acute kidney injury. The patient was treated with systemic fluconazole
      and peritoneal dialysis for 4 days. The fungus balls disappeared and renal
      function recovered. CONCLUSION: Systemic antifungal therapy leads to clearance of
      obstructing fungus balls, and nephrostomy should be reserved for anuria due to
      bilateral complete obstruction with severe hydronephrosis. In these cases,
      temporary dialysis is a potential alternative.

PMID- 24213484
TI  - Genetic transformation of sweet potato by particle bombardment.
AB  - Transient and stable expression of foreign genes has been achieved in sweet
      potato using the particle bombardment system of gene delivery. Callus and root
      isolates of two genotypes (Jewel and TIS-70357) with positive signs of
      transformation have been recovered. Tungsten microcarriers coated with plasmid
      DNA (pBI 221 containing the gusA gene) were accelerated at high velocity using a
      biolistic device into sweet potato target tissues. Histochemical examination of
      bombarded leaf and petiole explants revealed that most had cells expressing the
      gusA gene. When explants were cultured, calli and roots developed in most
      bombarded tissues. Similar results but with a lower frequency of transformation
      were observed when the plasmid pBI 121 (with gusA and antibiotic resistance npt
      II genes) was employed and bombarded explants cultured on an antibiotic selection
      medium. Subcultured roots and calli were positive for gusA expression when tested
      even after one year of in vitro culture, and thus the expression of the foreign
      gene is fairly stable. The particle bombardment approach of gene delivery appears
      to have a potential for generating transgenic sweet potatoes with useful
      agronomic traits. 

PMID- 24213485
TI  - Shoot regeneration from spinach hypocotyl segments by short term treatment with
      5,6-dichloro-indole-3-acetic acid.
AB  - Factors affecting shoot regeneration from hypocotyl segments of spinach (Spinacia
      oleracea L.) were investigated. When expiants were cultured on medium containing
      10 mg/l IAA for 7 weeks, 3 out of 9 cultivars showed relatively high shoot
      regeneration response (15 - 35%). The other PGRs tested had no effect on shoot
      regeneration. However, the transfer of explants from auxin-containing medium to
      auxin-free medium 20 d after culture induced shoot formation from expiants
      cultured on media containing each of the auxin sources tested individually. By
      applying this short term auxin treatment, more than 80% shoot regeneration was
      obtained on medium containing 5-20 mg/l 5,6-Cl2-IAA, compared to less than 30%
      with 10-20 mg/l IAA treatment. 

PMID- 24213486
TI  - Promotion of plantlet formation from somatic embryos of carrot treated with a
      high molecular weight extract from a marine cyanobacterium.
AB  - Somatic embryos of Daucus carota L. developed into plantlets at high frequency
      after addition of an extract from a marine cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. NKBG
      042902. High molecular weight, nondialyzing fraction, separated from the extract,
      possessed enhanced plantlet formation promoting activity. Plantlet formation
      frequency was 60 % after addition of nondialysate (100 mg/l) compared to 28 %
      without addition. Embryos treated with the nondialysate contained five times more
      chlorophyll than nontreated embryos after 6 days of culture. The chlorophyll a/b
      ratio of 4-day old treated somatic embryos was found to be similar to that of
      zygotic embryos. However, the chlorophyll a/b ratio of plantlets induced from
      nontreated somatic embryos was variable. Nondialysate was fractionated by
      ultracentrifugation and an active component obtained, which gave a maximum
      plantlet formation frequency of 71 %, and induced rapid greening of shoots. 

PMID- 24213487
TI  - Tissue culture of endod (Phytolacca dodecandra L'Herit): growth and production of
      ribosome-inactivating proteins.
AB  - Leaves and stems from endod (Phytolacca dodecandra L'Herit), known to produce the
      29 kDa ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) dodecandrin, were initiated into
      tissue culture. Callus and suspension cultures were maintained on modified
      Murashige and Skoog medium plus 1.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Six
      callus and two suspension cell lines were screened for dodecandrin production by
      western blots with affinitypurified antiserum. Antiribosomal activity of culture
      extracts was tested by in vitro translation assays. One suspension cell line was
      found to be free of immunoreactive proteins and a ribosome inhibitor. All other
      cell lines contain a ribosome inhibitor, although only two callus cell lines show
      detectable amounts of immunoreactive proteins at the same Mr as dodecandrin.
      Other immuno-reactive proteins were detected in callus (Mr 31000, 33000, 41000
      and 43000) and in suspension cells (Mr 23000 and ~43000), and may be ribosome
      inhibitors related to dodecandrin-either other RIPs or dodecandrin at various
      stages of processing. 

PMID- 24213488
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaflets of peanut, Arachis
      hypogaea.
AB  - Somatic embryos were induced on peanut (Arachis hypogaea) leaflets from
      aseptically germinated embryo axes. Leaflet size influenced percent somatic
      embryogenesis; 5-8 mm long cut leaflets were superior to 2-3 mm long uncut
      leaflets. Maximum embryogenesis of 14.6% was obtained after a 15 d incubation on
      induction medium (modified MS with B5 vitamins, 30 g/l sucrose, 4 g/l Gel-Gro, 40
      mg/l 2,4-D +0.2 mg/l kinetin) followed by transfer to a secondary medium with 5
      mg/l 2,4-D+0.2 mg/l kinetin. Primary somatic embryos were fused along the axes
      with no distinct cotyledons, but secondary embryos had single axes with two
      cotyledons. Other treatments had lower percent embryogenesis, no secondary
      embryogenesis, and embryos with single axes with two cotyledons. Some somatic
      embryos converted into normal plants capable of greenhouse survival. 

PMID- 24213489
TI  - Expression of the GUS-gene in the monocot tulip after introduction by particle
      bombardment and Agrobacterium.
AB  - Gene transfer to the monocotyledon tulip (Tulipa sp. L.) was obtained both by
      particle bombardment and Agrobacterium transformation. Using a Particle Delivery
      System, transient expression of the reporter gene for betaglucuronidase was
      demonstrated. It was shown that the CAMV 35S as well as the TR2' promoter were
      active in flower stem expiants. Various wildtype and disarmed Agrobacterium
      strains, harbouring the 35S GUSintron gene on a binary plasmid, were used for
      infection of flower stem expiants of 7 cultivars and 7 botanical Tulipa species.
      In nine genotypes the GUSintron gene was expressed, despite the fact that tulip
      tissue did not produce detectable amounts of virulence-inducing substances.
      Agrobacterium rhizogenes appeared to be most effective in gene transfer to tulip
      tissue. 

PMID- 24213490
TI  - Embryogenic cell suspensions of Triticum aestivum x Leymus angustus F1 hybrids:
      characterization and plant regeneration.
AB  - Embryogenic cell suspension cultures were established from Triticum aestivum X
      Leymus angustus F1 hybrids, using compact nodular calli derived from
      inflorescence segments. Calli originating from leaf segments did not give rise to
      stable cell suspensions. Growth measurements of the cell suspensions revealed
      that they continued rapid growth up to 10 days after subculturing. Flow
      cytometric studies of the cell cycle over a 7 day culture period showed that the
      majority of cells were in G1 phase while the rest were either in S or G2. During
      the 7 days of culture, no significant differences in DNA distribution patterns
      were observed. The cells from suspension cultures produced somatic embryos when
      they were transferred to different solid media. The embryos germinated and gave
      rise to plantlets which were successfully rooted and transferred to soil. 

PMID- 24213491
TI  - Transient induction of tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) and strictosidine synthase
      (SS) genes in cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus.
AB  - When cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus are treated with autoclaved
      elicitor from the fungus Pythium aphanidermatum, they respond with the rapid
      transient induction of tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) and strictosidine synthase
      (SS) enzyme activities, followed by the accumulation of indole alkaloids (Eilert
      et al., 1987). In this report, we demonstrate that expression of TDC and SS
      enzyme activities is preceeded by the transient appearance of mRNAs for both
      enzymes, suggesting transcriptional control of these events. The strong transient
      accumulation of both TDC and SS enzyme transcripts observed in elicitor-treated
      cell suspension cultures contrasts with the barely detectable level of TDC
      transcripts and the undetectable level of SS transcripts observed in developing
      seedlings. 

PMID- 24213492
TI  - Production and characterization of intergeneric somatic hybrids of Trachystoma
      ballii and Brassica juncea.
AB  - Intergeneric somatic hybrids, Trachystoma ballii (2n=16)+B. juncea (2n=38), were
      obtained by fusing mesophyll protoplasts of T. ballii and hypocotyl protoplasts
      of B. juncea using polyethylene glycol. The heterokaryotic fusion frequency was
      around 23%. Plants were regenerated from 10 out of 2*10(4) calli of which four
      were hybrids. Hybrids were intermediate between the parents in general
      morphology. However, in some characters one of the parents dominated. All the
      plants were symmetric in their chromosomal constitution as revealed by the
      formation of 26 bivalents at metaphase-I of meiosis. Two trivalents and 2
      univalents were also observed in some pollen mother cells. Hybrid nature was also
      confirmed by 'Southern' hybridization of DNA of one regenerated plant restricted
      with Hind III and probed with the nick translated plasmid pTA71 carrying a wheat
      nuclear r-DNA sequence. Hybrid plant RT 1 showed bands characteristic of both
      parents. All the plants were absolutely pollen sterile. However, on backcrosses
      to B. juncea seeds were obtained. 

PMID- 24213493
TI  - The effects of antibiotics and their breakdown products on the in vitro growth of
      Antirrhinum majus.
AB  - The effects of various antibiotics on the development of hypocotyls of
      Antirrhinum majus in tissue culture have been studied. The penicillins,
      carbenicillin and penicillin G, have been shown to stimulate callus growth, have
      little impact on shoot production and may stimulate root formation. The
      cephalosporins, cephotaxime and cephalosporin, have no effect on callus
      production and reduce shoot and root formation. HPLC, GC and GC-MS analyses have
      shown that concentrations of carbenicillin and penicillin G, commonly used in
      plant tissue culture, break down to give physiologically active levels of the
      auxin phenylacetic acid. This offers a mechanism for the stimulation of growth
      caused by these two antibiotics. 

PMID- 24213494
TI  - Involvement of mixed function oxidase systems in polychlorinated biphenyl
      metabolism by plant cells.
AB  - Nineteen different polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners ranging in chlorine
      content from 2 to 6 chlorine atoms were provided to nonphotosynthetic suspension
      cultures of rose (Rosa sp. cv. Paul's Scarlet). After a 96 h incubation period,
      11 individual congeners had been metabolized by > 10%. Provision of mixed
      function oxidase inhibitors (10 mM metyrapone or 0.5 mM 7,8-benzoflavone) either
      stopped or severely reduced the metabolism of individual congeners; whereas
      (inhibitors of peroxidase) (1 mM benzoate or 1 mM n-propylgallate) had minimal
      influence on PCB metabolism. The metabolism of PCBs by rose cultures appears to
      be catalyzed by a cytochrome P-450-and/or P-448-dependent enzyme system. 

PMID- 24213495
TI  - Micropropagation of an elite Darjeeling tea clone.
AB  - Shoot cultures of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntz var. T-78, an elite Darjeeling
      tea clone, were established from cotyledonary nodes and shoot tips of germinated
      seedlings as well as from nodal explants of field grown plants. Shoot
      multiplication rate ranged from 4x in nodal explants to 35x in cotyledonary nodes
      after 18 weeks of culture. Rooting was achieved in 80-90% micro-shoots by either
      placing them on an inductive medium for 10 d and then transferring shoots to
      hormone-free medium, or by treating micro-shoots with a chronic dose of IBA (500
      mg/l) for 30-40 min. Rooted plants were established in soil under glasshouse
      condition at 60% frequency after hardening phase of 4-6 weeks. The regenerated
      plants show a constant chromosome number of 2n=30 and are morphologically true to
      type. This procedure can be applied for conservation and utilisation of an elite
      clone of Darjeeling tea. 

PMID- 24213496
TI  - Transient gene expression in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) protoplasts
      and the recovery of transgenic plants.
AB  - A transient beta-glucuronidase (GUS)-assay was performed to evaluate
      electroporation parameters and optimize DNA delivery conditions into strawberry
      protoplasts. Optimal GUS-activity was obtained when protoplasts were subjected to
      400 V/cm for 20 ms. GUS-activity could be further increased by the addition of
      carrier DNA to the electroporation mixture. Callus selected on 10 MUg/ml
      hygromycin produced shoots which exhibited GUS-activity. The transformed nature
      of the shoots obtained after selection was confirmed by DNA-analysis. 

PMID- 24213497
TI  - Estrogen signaling in lung cancer: an opportunity for novel therapy.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in U.S. and represents a major
      public health burden. Epidemiologic data have suggested that lung cancer in women
      may possess different biological characteristics compared to men, as evidenced by
      a higher proportion of never-smokers among women with lung cancer. Emerging data
      indicate that female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone play a
      significant role in lung carcinogenesis. It has been reported that estrogen and
      progesterone receptors are expressed in lung cancer cell lines as well as in
      patient-derived tumors. Hormone related risk factors such as hormone replacement
      therapy have been implicated in lung carcinogenesis and several preclinical
      studies show activity of anti-estrogen therapy in lung cancer. In this review, we
      summarize the emerging evidence for the role of reproductive hormones in lung
      cancer and implications for lung cancer therapy. 

PMID- 24213499
TI  - Do non-genomically encoded fusion transcripts cause recurrent chromosomal
      translocations?
AB  - We among others have recently demonstrated that normal cells produce "fusion
      mRNAs". These fusion mRNAs do not derive from rearranged genomic loci, but rather
      they are derived from "early-terminated transcripts" (ETTs). Premature
      transcriptional termination takes place in intronic sequences that belong to
      "breakpoint cluster regions". One important property of ETTs is that they exhibit
      an unsaturated splice donor site. This results in: (1) splicing to "cryptic
      exons" present in the final intron; (2) Splicing to another transcript of the
      same gene (intragenic trans-splicing), resulting in "exon repetitions"; (3)
      splicing to a transcript of another gene (intergenic trans-splicing), leading to
      "non-genomically encoded fusion transcripts" (NGEFTs). These NGEFTs bear the
      potential risk to influence DNA repair processes, since they share identical
      nucleotides with their DNA of origin, and thus, could be used as "guidance RNA"
      for DNA repair processes. Here, we present experimental data about four other
      genes. Three of them are associated with hemato-malignancies (ETV6, NUP98 and
      RUNX1), while one is associated with solid tumors (EWSR1). Our results
      demonstrate that all genes investigated so far (MLL, AF4, AF9, ENL, ELL, ETV6,
      NUP98, RUNX1 and EWSR1) display ETTs and produce transpliced mRNA species,
      indicating that this is a genuine property of translocating genes. 

PMID- 24213500
TI  - High resolution fluorescence imaging of cancers using lanthanide ion-doped
      upconverting nanocrystals.
AB  - During the last decade inorganic luminescent nanoparticles that emit visible
      light under near infrared (NIR) excitation (in the biological window) have played
      a relevant role for high resolution imaging of cancer. Indeed, semiconductor
      quantum dots (QDs) and metal nanoparticles, mostly gold nanorods (GNRs), are
      already commercially available for this purpose. In this work we review the role
      which is being played by a relatively new class of nanoparticles, based on
      lanthanide ion doped nanocrystals, to target and image cancer cells using
      upconversion fluorescence microscopy. These nanoparticles are insulating
      nanocrystals that are usually doped with small percentages of two different rare
      earth (lanthanide) ions: The excited donor ions (usually Yb3+ ion) that absorb
      the NIR excitation and the acceptor ions (usually Er3+, Ho3+ or Tm3+), that are
      responsible for the emitted visible (or also near infrared) radiation. The higher
      conversion efficiency of these nanoparticles in respect to those based on QDs and
      GNRs, as well as the almost independent excitation/emission properties from the
      particle size, make them particularly promising for fluorescence imaging. The
      different approaches of these novel nanoparticles devoted to "in vitro" and "in
      vivo" cancer imaging, selective targeting and treatment are examined in this
      review. 

PMID- 24213498
TI  - Cancer Stem Cells, EMT, and Developmental Pathway Activation in Pancreatic
      Tumors.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is a disease with remarkably poor patient survival rates. The
      frequent presence of metastases and profound chemoresistance pose a severe
      problem for the treatment of these tumors. Moreover, cross-talk between the tumor
      and the local micro-environment contributes to tumorigenicity, metastasis and
      chemoresistance. Compared to bulk tumor cells, cancer stem cells (CSC) have
      reduced sensitivity to chemotherapy. CSC are tumor cells with stem-like features
      that possess the ability to self-renew, but can also give rise to more
      differentiated progeny. CSC can be identified based on increased in vitro
      spheroid- or colony formation, enhanced in vivo tumor initiating potential, or
      expression of cell surface markers. Since CSC are thought to be required for the
      maintenance of a tumor cell population, these cells could possibly serve as a
      therapeutic target. There appears to be a causal relationship between CSC and
      epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic tumors. The occurrence
      of EMT in pancreatic cancer cells is often accompanied by re-activation of
      developmental pathways, such as the Hedgehog, WNT, NOTCH, and Nodal/Activin
      pathways. Therapeutics based on CSC markers, EMT, developmental pathways, or
      tumor micro-environment could potentially be used to target pancreatic CSC. This
      may lead to a reduction of tumor growth, metastatic events, and chemoresistance
      in pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 24213502
TI  - Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer: The Paradox of Evidence versus Advocacy
      Inaction.
AB  - Women who are at high risk of breast cancer can be offered chemoprevention.
      Chemoprevention strategies have expanded over the past decade and include
      selective receptor modulator inhibitors and aromatase inhibitors. Physicians are
      expected to provide individualized risk assessments to identify high risk women
      who may be eligible for chemoprevention. It is prudent that physicians utilize a
      shared decision approach when counseling high risk women about their preventive
      options. Barriers and misperceptions however exist with patient and physician
      acceptance of chemoprevention and continue to impede uptake of chemoprevention as
      a strategy to reduce breast cancer risk. Programs to increase awareness and
      elucidate the barriers are critical for women to engage in cancer prevention and
      promote chemoprevention adherence. 

PMID- 24213501
TI  - RGD-Binding Integrins in Prostate Cancer: Expression Patterns and Therapeutic
      Prospects against Bone Metastasis.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of male cancer deaths in the developed
      world. The current lack of highly specific detection methods and efficient
      therapeutic agents for advanced disease have been identified as problems
      requiring further research. The integrins play a vital role in the cross-talk
      between the cell and extracellular matrix, enhancing the growth, migration,
      invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Progression and metastasis of prostate
      adenocarcinoma is strongly associated with changes in integrin expression,
      notably abnormal expression and activation of the beta3 integrins in tumour
      cells, which promotes haematogenous spread and tumour growth in bone. As such,
      influencing integrin cell expression and function using targeted therapeutics
      represents a potential treatment for bone metastasis, the most common and
      debilitating complication of advanced prostate cancer. In this review, we
      highlight the multiple ways in which RGD-binding integrins contribute to prostate
      cancer progression and metastasis, and identify the rationale for development of
      multi-integrin antagonists targeting the RGD-binding subfamily as molecularly
      targeted agents for its treatment. 

PMID- 24213503
TI  - The Development of Novel Therapies for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
      (AML).
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is nearly always a fatal malignancy. For the past 40
      years, the standard of care remains a combination of cytarabine and an
      anthracycline known as 7 + 3. This treatment regimen is troubled by both low
      survival rates (10% at 5 years) and deaths due to toxicity. Substantial new
      laboratory findings over the past decade have identified many cellular pathways
      that contribute to leukemogenesis. These studies have led to the development of
      novel agents designed to target these pathways. Here we discuss the molecular
      underpinnings and clinical benefits of these novel treatment strategies. Most
      importantly these studies demonstrate that clinical response is best achieved by
      stratifying each patient based on a detailed understanding of their molecular
      abnormalities. 

PMID- 24213504
TI  - Annotating cancer variants and anti-cancer therapeutics in reactome.
AB  - Reactome describes biological pathways as chemical reactions that closely mirror
      the actual physical interactions that occur in the cell. Recent extensions of our
      data model accommodate the annotation of cancer and other disease processes.
      First, we have extended our class of protein modifications to accommodate
      annotation of changes in amino acid sequence and the formation of fusion proteins
      to describe the proteins involved in disease processes. Second, we have added a
      disease attribute to reaction, pathway, and physical entity classes that uses
      disease ontology terms. To support the graphical representation of "cancer"
      pathways, we have adapted our Pathway Browser to display disease variants and
      events in a way that allows comparison with the wild type pathway, and shows
      connections between perturbations in cancer and other biological pathways. The
      curation of pathways associated with cancer, coupled with our efforts to create
      other disease-specific pathways, will interoperate with our existing pathway and
      network analysis tools. Using the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)
      signaling pathway as an example, we show how Reactome annotates and presents the
      altered biological behavior of EGFR variants due to their altered kinase and
      ligand-binding properties, and the mode of action and specificity of anti-cancer
      therapeutics. 

PMID- 24213505
TI  - Therapeutic cancer vaccines in prostate cancer: the quest for intermediate
      markers of response.
AB  - Despite recent advances in cancer immunotherapy, no prospectively validated
      intermediate biomarkers exist to predict response. These biomarkers are highly
      desirable given modern immunotherapy's paradoxical pattern of clinical benefit;
      that is, improvement in overall survival without short-term change in
      progression. Immunotherapy clinical trials have evaluated biomarkers that may
      correlate with clinical outcomes. Many of them are performed on peripheral blood
      to evaluate the systemic response, such as tumor-targeted humoral and cellular
      immunity, and cytokine responses. Accumulating evidence suggests that immune
      infiltrates in tumors may suggest evidence for the therapy's mechanism of action,
      and have greater potential for providing prognostic and predictive information.
      In addition, a non-immunologic biomarker, such as tumor growth kinetics, may
      explain this paradoxical pattern of clinical benefit, and predict survival in
      patients treated with an immunotherapy. Prospective assessment and validation of
      these and other intermediate markers would be required to better understand their
      potential clinical role. 

PMID- 24213508
TI  - Azithromycin synergistically enhances anti-proliferative activity of vincristine
      in cervical and gastric cancer cells.
AB  - In this study, the anti-proliferative and anticancer activity of azithromycin
      (AZM) was examined. In the presence of AZM, cell growth was inhibited more
      effectively in Hela and SGC-7901 cancer cells, relative to transformed BHK-21
      cells. The respective 50% inhibition of cell growth (IC50) values for Hela, SGC
      7901 and BHK-21 were 15.66, 26.05 and 91.00 ug/mL at 72 h post incubation,
      indicative of a selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells. Cell apoptosis
      analysis using Hoechst nuclear staining and annexin V-FITC binding assay further
      demonstrated that AZM was capable of inducing apoptosis in both cancer cells and
      transformed cells. The apoptosis induced by AZM was partly through a caspase
      dependent mechanism with an up-regulation of apoptotic protein cleavage PARP and
      caspase-3 products, as well as a down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins, Mcl
      1, bcl-2 and bcl-X1. More importantly, a combination of AZM and a low dose of the
      common anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent vincristine (VCR), produced a
      selectively synergistic effect on apoptosis of Hela and SGC-7901 cells, but not
      BHK-21 cells. In the presence of 12.50 MUg/mL of VCR, the respective IC50 values
      of Hela, SGC-7901 and BHK-21 cells to AZM were reduced to 9.47 ug/mL, 8.43 ug/mL
      and 40.15 ug/mL at 72 h after the incubation, suggesting that the cytotoxicity of
      AZM had a selective anti-cancer effect on cancer over transformed cells in vitro.
      These results imply that AZM may be a potential anticancer agent for use in
      chemotherapy regimens, and it may minimize side effects via reduction of dosage
      and enhancing the effectiveness common chemotherapeutic drugs. 

PMID- 24213507
TI  - Nuclear DNA-Content in Mesenchymal Lesions in Dogs: Its Value as Marker of
      Malignancy and Extent of Genomic Instability.
AB  - DNA-aneuploidy may reflect the malignant nature of mesenchymal proliferations and
      herald gross genomic instability as a mechanistic factor in tumor genesis. DNA
      ploidy and -index were determined by flow cytometry in canine inflammatory or
      neoplastic mesenchymal tissues and related to clinico-pathological features,
      biological behavior and p53 gene mutational status. Half of all sarcomas were
      aneuploid. Benign mesenchymal neoplasms were rarely aneuploid and inflammatory
      lesions not at all. The aneuploidy rate was comparable to that reported for human
      sarcomas with significant variation amongst subtypes. DNA-ploidy status in
      canines lacked a relation with histological grade of malignancy, in contrast to
      human sarcomas. While aneuploidy was related to the development of metastases in
      soft tissue sarcomas it was not in osteosarcomas. No relation amongst sarcomas
      was found between ploidy status and presence of P53 gene mutations. Heterogeneity
      of the DNA index between primary and metastatic sarcoma sites was present in half
      of the cases examined. Hypoploidy is more common in canine sarcomas and
      hyperploid cases have less deviation of the DNA index than human sarcomas. The
      variation in the presence and extent of aneuploidy amongst sarcoma subtypes
      indicates variation in genomic instability. This study strengthens the concept of
      interspecies variation in the evolution of gross chromosomal aberrations during
      cancer development. 

PMID- 24213506
TI  - Emerging Roles of ADAMTSs in Angiogenesis and Cancer.
AB  - A Disintegrin-like And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motifs-ADAMTSs-are a
      multi-domain, secreted, extracellular zinc metalloproteinase family with 19
      members in humans. These extracellular metalloproteinases are known to cleave a
      wide range of substrates in the extracellular matrix. They have been implicated
      in various physiological processes, such as extracellular matrix turnover,
      melanoblast development, interdigital web regression, blood coagulation,
      ovulation, etc. ADAMTSs are also critical in pathological processes such as
      arthritis, atherosclerosis, cancer, angiogenesis, wound healing, etc. In the past
      few years, there has been an explosion of reports concerning the role of ADAMTS
      family members in angiogenesis and cancer. To date, 10 out of the 19 members have
      been demonstrated to be involved in regulating angiogenesis and/or cancer. The
      mechanism involved in their regulation of angiogenesis or cancer differs among
      different members. Both angiogenesis-dependent and -independent regulation of
      cancer have been reported. This review summarizes our current understanding on
      the roles of ADAMTS in angiogenesis and cancer and highlights their implications
      in cancer therapeutic development. 

PMID- 24213509
TI  - Immunotherapy: shifting the balance of cell-mediated immunity and suppression in
      human prostate cancer.
AB  - Active immunotherapy is dependent on the ability of the immune system to
      recognize and respond to tumors. Despite overwhelming evidence to support a cell
      mediated immune response to prostate cancer, it is insufficient to eradicate the
      disease. This is likely due to a high level of suppression at the tumor site from
      a variety of sources, including immunosuppressive cells. Immune cells entering
      the tumor microenvironment may be inhibited directly by the tumor, stromal cells
      or other immune cells that have been induced to adopt a suppressive phenotype.
      The resurgence of interest in immunotherapy following the approval of sipuleucel
      T and ipilimumab by the Food and Drug Administration has brought about new
      strategies for overcoming tumor-mediated suppression and bolstering anti-tumor
      responses. Improved understanding of the immune response to prostate cancer can
      lead to new combination therapies, such as the use of vaccine with small molecule
      and checkpoint inhibitors or other immunotherapies. 

PMID- 24213510
TI  - Induction of IL-17 producing cells and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in areas of skin
      affected by localized pemphigus folliaceus.

PMID- 24213511
TI  - Increased serotonin transporter immunoreactivity intensity in the ileum of
      patients with irritable bowel disease.
AB  - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder,
      which represents an economic burden to society and considerably reduces the
      quality of life of patients. In a previous study, the density of serotonin cells
      in the ileum of IBS patients was lower compared with control subjects. The
      present study aimed to further investigate the immunoreactivity intensity of
      serotonin and serotonin-selective reuptake transporter (SERT) in the ileum of IBS
      patients. A total of 98 patients (77 females and 21 males; mean age, 35 years;
      range, 18-66 years), which fulfilled Rome III Criteria for IBS, were included in
      the study. This cohort included 35 patients with diarrhoea-predominant (IBS-D),
      31 patients with mixed diarrhoea and constipation (M-IBS) and 32 patients with
      constipation-predominant (IBS-C) symptoms. A total of 27 subjects were included
      as controls (16 females and 11 males; mean age, 52 years; range, 20-69 years).
      Ileal biopsy specimens were immunostained using the avidin-biotin (ABC) complex
      method for serotonin and SERT. The immunoreactivity intensity was quantified by
      computerised image analysis using Olympus cellSens imaging software. No
      statistical difference of serotonin immunoreactivity intensity was identified in
      multiple comparisons between controls, IBS-total, IBS-D, IBS-M and IBS-C. The
      SERT immunoreactivity intensity was significantly increased in IBS patients as
      compared with controls, regardless of the subtype. It was concluded that the
      increase in ileal epithelial content of SERT increases the intracellular uptake
      of serotonin and its degradation in the gut epithelial cells and consequently
      decreases the availability of serotonin within the gut mucosa. The low
      availability of serotonin at its receptors occurred in all IBS subtypes. This may
      indicate that this abnormality is associated with a common symptom in all IBS
      subtypes, namely abdominal pain/discomfort. Serotonin acts upon sensory neurons
      in the submucosal and myenteric ganglia, as well as in the spinal cord, which is
      in agreement with this hypothesis. 

PMID- 24213512
TI  - Evolution.

PMID- 24213513
TI  - The variability of lead in dusts within the homes of young children.
AB  - The variability of household dust lead concentration and loadings over the period
      of about a year has been examined in 10 homes. The overall uncertainty on a
      single sample is +/- 65% for lead concentration and +/- 81% for lead loading.
      Redecoration involving electric sanding and/or blow lamp preparation of painted
      surfaces is the major cause of variation in lead levels. The effect is short
      lived, levels returning to normal within 2 months of redecoration ending. There
      is evidence of a seasonal trend for dust loading and lead loading but not for
      lead concentration. The implications of these findings for blood lead - dust lead
      exposure studies are considered. 

PMID- 24213514
TI  - Floristic variation in plant communities on metalliferous mining residues in the
      northern and southern Pennines, England.
AB  - Vegetation and soil surveys were conducted on metalliferous mine wastes in the
      northern and southern Pennines of England. Analyses of vegetation composition in
      relation to soil chemical variation were performed. Ordination analysis
      facilitated the detection of groups of co-occurring species which are
      characteristic of types of metal-contaminated soil. The results of regression
      analysis implied the importance of soil pH and concentration of available lead or
      zinc, depending upon region, in determining species distributions. A strong
      interactive effect was evident between soil phosphorus and zinc content in
      influencing species distributions in the southern Pennines sample.Regional
      similarities in the vegetation of apparently similar metalliferous soils existed.
      The unusually high species richness of some soils was associated with relatively
      low concentrations of heavy metals. Many species of relatively floristically-rich
      wastes were also colonists of surrounding grasslands or woodland. This indicated
      the potential importance of propagule availability and capability for rapid
      establishment on bare or unstable ground. Mechanisms of physiological stress
      avoidance, rather than heavy-metai tolerance, may explain the occurrence of non
      metallophytes on soils contaminated with lead and zinc. 

PMID- 24213515
TI  - Inorganic element uptake by barley from soil supplemented with flue gas
      desulphurization waste and fly ash.
AB  - To evaluate the influence of waste products from coal- and oil-fired power plants
      on the inorganic element content of plants, barley was grown in pots each with 22
      kg of sandy loam supplied with increasing amounts of six waste products. The
      plants were harvested at maturity and analysed for a number of inorganic
      elements. The salinity of the soil was the limiting factor for the amount added
      in terms of plant growth. Concerning the quality of the plants as fodder,
      addition of the waste to the soil at levels of about 0.5% by weight increased the
      Se concentration of the barley from a level deficient for animals to that
      approaching sufficiency for animals. The increase in Cd from the flue gas
      desulphurization (FGD) products was deemed undesirable, even though the
      concentrations following this single addition were far from toxic. All other
      increases in element concentrations were without any biological significance. 

PMID- 24213516
TI  - Oxidation of sulphite originating from flue gas desulphurization waste in soil.
AB  - The rate of catalyzed oxidation of sulphite originating from flue gas
      desulphurization (FGD) waste was studied under varying conditions. The pH
      dependence was examined in aqueous solution at the pH range of 5 to 8, the effect
      of soil moisture was studied in sieved soil of different moisture contents, and
      the oxidation of sulphite to a soil as FGD waste, was measured at different
      depths in a field experiment. The experiments that the half-lives of sulphite in
      aqueous solution were between 0.5 and 2 hours and that the oxidation rate was
      highest at the lowest pH. In sieved soil the half-lives of sulphite were in the
      range of 3 to 20 days with the oxidation rate at the highest moisture content,
      indication that oxygen availability was the limiting factor. The slowest decrease
      of the sulphite concentration was found at a soil depth of 8-10 cm which was the
      where the highest background concentration of sulphite was found in control
      plots, too. 

PMID- 24213517
TI  - Silver-catalyzed cascade cyclization-stannylation of o-alkynylaniline derivatives
      with 2-tributylstannylfuran: an efficient synthesis of (3-indolyl)stannanes.
AB  - A straightforward synthesis of (3-indolyl)stannanes through silver-catalyzed
      cyclization-stannylation of N-electron-withdrawing group-substituted o
      alkynylanilines in the presence of 2-tributylstannylfuran is developed. This
      method offers several advantages such as no requirement of additional ligands,
      high efficiency and a wide reaction scope. 

PMID- 24213518
TI  - Association of cigarette smoking with the expression of nuclear survivin in
      pathological Stage IA lung adenocarcinomas.
AB  - Survivin is expressed in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of various types of
      malignant tumor cells. Cytoplasmic survivin functions as an apoptosis inhibitor,
      while nuclear survivin is indispensable for complete mitosis completion. To
      investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on the survivin expression in lung
      adenocarcinomas at the early developmental stage, we examined the expression of
      nuclear and cytoplasmic survivin in pathological Stage IA lung adenocarcinomas
      resected from 38 non-smokers and 44 smokers (current smokers and ex-smokers)
      using an immunohistochemical method. Labeling indices of nuclear survivin in
      tumors of smokers were significantly greater than those of non-smokers. The
      labeling index of nuclear survivin was above 3 % in only 1 (2.6 %) of the 38
      tumors of the non-smokers, while the labeling indices in 19 (43.2 %) of 44 tumors
      of the smokers were above 3 % with a significantly greater frequency. There was
      no significant difference in the labeling index of nuclear survivin between
      current smokers and ex-smokers. There was no significant difference in the
      labeling index of cytoplasmic survivin between tumors of the non-smokers and the
      smokers. The present results show that cigarette smoking is associated with the
      higher nuclear surviving expression in lung adenocarcinomas at the early stage,
      suggesting that cigarette smoking affects the nuclear survivin expression in lung
      adenocarcinomas at the early developmental stage.

PMID- 24213519
TI  - Solitary myofibroma of the mandible: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural
      study with a review of the literature.
AB  - A solitary myofibroma (MF) is an unusual spindle cell neoplasm that usually
      arises in the soft tissue, skin, or bone of the head and neck region in infancy.
      We report an extremely rare case of MF of the mandible in an 18-year-old Japanese
      woman together with the conventional histologic, immunohistochemical, and
      electron microscopic findings. The tumor was well circumscribed and composed of
      fibroblast-like or myofibroblast-like spindle cells. On immunohistochemical
      evaluation the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin,
      HHF-35, and calponin, but negative for neurogenic antigens and markers for
      vascular endothelial cells. The Ki-67 labeling index was 10 % and the p53
      labeling index was 10 %. Ultrastructural examination revealed smooth muscle cell
      differentiation. The patient was treated by surgical resection and underwent
      follow-up without any signs of recurrence. MF presents a wide range of
      differential diagnosis, including benign and malignant neoplasms. Therefore,
      accurate diagnosis may avoid an unnecessarily aggressive therapy.

PMID- 24213520
TI  - Invasion and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents over 80% of kidney cancer, and about 30% of
      the patients with RCC develop metastasis after the surgery. Invasion of basement
      membrane (BM) and extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential event in tumor
      invasion and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which digest the main
      components of BM and ECM, are expressed in RCC. Heparanase, which degrades
      heparan sulfate proteoglycans, is predominantly expressed in high-grade RCCs with
      a positive correlation with pathological tumor stage and poor prognosis. Bone
      metastasis is common among the patients with RCC, and increased osteoclastic
      activity was observed at metastatic sites. Receptor activator of nuclear factor
      kappaB ligand (RANKL), which plays an important role in osteoclastogenesis, is
      predominantly expressed in high-grade RCC and its expression level is associated
      with bone metastasis and prognosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a
      switch of epithelial cells to sarcomatoid phenotype, is considered to be critical
      step during metastasis, and Snail, a major regulator of EMT, is predominantly
      expressed in high-grade RCC, and high Snail expression is a worse prognostic
      factor. Accordingly, heparanase, RANKL and Snail may be targets for the
      development of anti-tumor therapies for RCCs.

PMID- 24213521
TI  - Race, ethnicity, and the duration of untreated psychosis: a systematic review.
AB  - PURPOSE: An extended duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is associated with
      poor outcome in first-episode psychosis (FEP). Some have suggested that minority
      ethnic groups have longer treatment delays, and this could lead to worse
      outcomes. We systematically reviewed the literature on racial and ethnic
      differences in DUP in patients with FEP. METHODS: We searched electronic
      databases and conducted forward and backward tracking to identify studies that
      had compared DUP for people with FEP from different racial or ethnic groups.
      RESULTS: We identified ten papers that reported on the association between race
      or ethnicity and DUP. Overall, these studies did not find evidence of differences
      between groups; however, three of ten studies suggested that Black patients
      generally, and Black-African patients specifically, may have a shorter DUP
      relative to White patients. There were methodological limitations in most studies
      with respect to ethnicity classification, sample size, and adjustment for
      potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Racial and ethnic differences in DUP were
      rarely found. This could reflect that DUP does not differ between groups, or may
      reflect the methodological limitations of prior research. Studies that are
      designed and powered to examine these differences in treatment delay are needed
      to determine whether there are differences in DUP for minority groups.

PMID- 24213522
TI  - Are trauma and dissociation related to treatment resistance in patients with
      obsessive-compulsive disorder?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous research has indicated a relation between obsessive
      compulsive disorder (OCD), childhood traumatic experiences and higher levels of
      dissociation that appears to relate to negative treatment outcome for OCD. The
      aim of the present study is to investigate whether childhood trauma and
      dissociation are related to severity of OCD in adulthood. We also intend to
      examine the association between treatment resistance, dissociation, and each form
      of trauma. METHODS: Participants included 120 individuals diagnosed with OCD; 58
      (48.3 %) of them met the criteria for treatment-resistant OCD (resistant group),
      whereas the other 62 (51.7 %) were labeled as responder group. The intensity of
      obsessions and compulsions was evaluated using Yale-brown obsessive-compulsive
      scale (Y-BOCS). All patients were assessed with the traumatic experiences
      checklist, dissociative experiences scale, beck depression inventory, and beck
      anxiety inventory. RESULTS: Controlling for clinical variables, resistant group
      had significantly higher general OCD severity, anxiety, depression, trauma, and
      dissociation scores than the responders. Correlation analyses indicated that Y
      BOCS scores were significantly related to severity of dissociation, anxiety,
      depression, and traumatic experiences. In a logistic regression analysis with
      treatment resistance as a dependent variable, high dissociation levels, long
      duration of illness, and poor insight emerged as relevant predictors, but gender,
      levels of anxiety, depression, and traumatic experiences did not. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results suggest that dissociation may be a predictor of poorer treatment
      outcome in patients with OCD; therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms
      that underlie this phenomenon may be useful. Future longitudinal studies are
      warranted to verify if this variable represents predictive factors of treatment
      non-response.

PMID- 24213523
TI  - Inpatient care 50 years after the process of deinstitutionalisation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Throughout the past 50 years mental health services have aimed to
      provide and improve high quality inpatient care. It is not clear whether there
      has been improvement as service users and nursing staff have both expressed
      frustration at the lack of therapeutic activities. In particular, it may be that
      the changing levels of symptoms over the past 50 years may affect engagement with
      ward activities. METHODS: Eight wards in a health care trust in London serving an
      inner city and urban populations participated. Data were collected on
      participation in activities and 116 service users' perceptions of acute care as
      well as clinical factors. RESULTS: Less time was spent participating in
      activities today than 50 years ago, while one quarter of service users reported
      taking part in no activities at all. Uptake of activities was related to more
      positive service user perceptions of the wards. Symptom severity did not impact
      the frequency of participation in activities, although those who took part in no
      activities at all had higher negative symptoms scores. CONCLUSIONS: Service
      users' uptake of activities was not related to the severity of their illness.
      This belies the belief that the acutely ill cannot take part in meaningful
      activities. This study supports the view that more therapeutic activities could
      be taken up by the acutely ill and are in fact appreciated.

PMID- 24213524
TI  - Commentary on suicide and homelessness: What differentiates homeless persons who
      died by suicide from other suicides in Australia? A comparative analysis using a
      unique mortality registry.

PMID- 24213526
TI  - Preparation and characterization of a novel Wells-Dawson heteropolyacid-based
      magnetic inorganic-organic nanohybrid catalyst H6P2W18O62/pyridino-Fe3O4 for the
      efficient synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols under solvent-free conditions.
AB  - A novel magnetic inorganic-organic nanohybrid material H6P2W18O62/pyridino-Fe3O4
      (HPA/TPI-Fe3O4) was fabricated and performed as an efficient, eco-friendly, and
      highly recyclable catalyst for the solvent-free, one-pot, and multi-component
      synthesis of various substituted 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols from the reaction of
      beta-naphthol, an aldehyde, and benzamide with good to excellent yields (47-94%)
      and in a short span of time (25-60 min). The nanohybrid catalyst was prepared by
      the chemical anchoring of Wells-Dawson heteropolyacid H6P2W18O62 onto the surface
      of modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles with N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]isonicotinamide
      (TPI) linker. The magnetically recoverable catalyst was easily recycled at least
      eight times without any loss of catalytic activity. XRD, TEM, UV-vis, and FTIR
      confirmed that the heteropolyacid H6P2W18O62 is well dispersed on the surface of
      the solid support and its structure is retained after immobilization on the
      pyridine modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles. This protocol is developed as a safe and
      convenient alternate method for the synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols
      utilizing an eco-friendly, and a highly reusable catalyst. 

PMID- 24213525
TI  - Suicidal behavior among homeless people in Japan.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the frequency and correlates
      of suicidal behavior among homeless people in Japan. METHODS: A face-to-face
      survey was conducted in two districts of Tokyo, Japan, with 423 subjects who
      resided on streets and riversides and in urban parks and stations (street
      homeless) or who were residents of shelters, cheap hotels, or welfare homes for
      homeless people (sheltered homeless). RESULTS: When questioned about suicidal
      ideation in the previous 2 weeks, 51 subjects (12.2% of valid responses) had a
      recurring wish to die, 29 (6.9%) had frequent thoughts of suicide, and 22 (5.3%)
      had made suicide plans. In addition, 11 (2.9%) subjects had attempted suicide in
      the previous 2 weeks and 74 (17.7%) reported that they had ever attempted
      suicide. In univariate logistic regression analyses, street homelessness, lack of
      perceived emotional social support, poor subjective health perception, visual
      impairment, pain, insomnia, poor mental well-being, and current depression were
      significantly associated with recurrent thoughts of suicide in the previous 2
      weeks. Among these, current depression had the greatest significance. In
      multivariate logistic regression analyses after controlling for depression,
      street homelessness and lack of perceived emotional social support were
      significantly associated with recurrent thoughts of suicide in the previous 2
      weeks. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive interventions including housing and social
      support as well as mental health services might be crucial as effective
      strategies for suicide prevention among homeless people.

PMID- 24213527
TI  - Oncogenic deletion mutants of gp130 signal from intracellular compartments.
AB  - Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and, hence, activation of the IL-6 receptor signalling
      subunit glycoprotein 130 (gp130; also known as interleukin-6 receptor subunit
      beta, IL6ST), has been linked to inflammation and tumour formation. Recently,
      deletion mutations in gp130 have been identified in inflammatory hepatocellular
      adenoma. The mutations clustered around one IL-6-binding epitope and rendered
      gp130 constitutively active in a ligand-independent manner. Here, we show that
      gp130 deletion mutants, but not wild-type gp130, localise predominantly to
      intracellular compartments, notably the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and early
      endosomes. One of the most frequent mutants, gp130 Y186-Y190del (DeltaYY) is
      retained in the ER quality control system because of its association with the
      chaperone calnexin. Furthermore, we can show that gp130 DeltaYY induces
      downstream signalling from both ER and endosomes, and that both signals
      contribute to ligand-independent cell proliferation. We also demonstrate that the
      endosomal localisation of gp130 DeltaYY is crucial for fully fledged STAT3
      activation. Therefore, aberrant signalling from intracellular compartments might
      explain the tumorigenic potential of naturally occurring somatic mutations of
      gp130. 

PMID- 24213528
TI  - Spire-1 contributes to the invadosome and its associated invasive properties.
AB  - Cancer cells have an increased ability to squeeze through extracellular matrix
      gaps that they create by promoting proteolysis of its components. Major sites of
      degradation are specialized micro-domains in the plasma membrane collectively
      named invadosomes where the Arp2/3 complex and formin proteins cooperate to
      spatio-temporally control actin nucleation and the folding of a dynamic F-actin
      core. At invadosomes, proper coupling of exo-endocytosis allows polarized
      delivery of proteases that facilitate degradation of ECM and disruption of the
      cellular barrier. We investigated the contribution of the actin nucleator Spire-1
      to invadosome structure and function, using Src-activated cells and cancer cells.
      We found that Spire-1 is specifically recruited at invadosomes and is part of a
      multi-molecular complex containing Src kinase, the formin mDia1 and actin. Spire
      1 interacts with the Rab3A GTPase, a key player in the regulation of exocytosis
      that is present at invadosomes. Finally, over- and under-expression of Spire-1
      resulted in cells with an increased or decreased potential for matrix
      degradation, respectively, therefore suggesting a functional interplay of Spire-1
      with both actin nucleation and vesicular trafficking that might impact on cell
      invasive and metastatic behavior. 

PMID- 24213529
TI  - Rab8a and Rab8b are essential for several apical transport pathways but
      insufficient for ciliogenesis.
AB  - The small GTP-binding protein Rab8 is known to play an essential role in
      intracellular transport and cilia formation. We have previously demonstrated that
      Rab8a is required for localising apical markers in various organisms. Rab8a has a
      closely related isoform, Rab8b. To determine whether Rab8b can compensate for
      Rab8a, we generated Rab8b-knockout mice. Although the Rab8b-knockout mice did not
      display an overt phenotype, Rab8a and Rab8b double-knockout mice exhibited
      mislocalisation of apical markers and died earlier than Rab8a-knockout mice. The
      apical markers accumulated in three intracellular patterns in the double-knockout
      mice. However, the localisation of basolateral and/or dendritic markers of the
      double-knockout mice seemed normal. The morphology and the length of various
      primary and/or motile cilia, and the frequency of ciliated cells appeared to be
      identical in control and double-knockout mice. However, an additional knockdown
      of Rab10 in double-knockout cells greatly reduced the percentage of ciliated
      cells. Our results highlight the compensatory effect of Rab8a and Rab8b in apical
      transport, and the complexity of the apical transport process. In addition,
      neither Rab8a nor Rab8b are required for basolateral and/or dendritic transport.
      However, simultaneous loss of Rab8a and Rab8b has little effect on ciliogenesis,
      whereas additional loss of Rab10 greatly affects ciliogenesis. 

PMID- 24213531
TI  - Osh proteins regulate COPII-mediated vesicular transport of ceramide from the
      endoplasmic reticulum in budding yeast.
AB  - Lipids synthesized at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are delivered to the Golgi
      by vesicular and non-vesicular pathways. ER-to-Golgi transport is crucial for
      maintaining the different membrane lipid composition and identities of
      organelles. Despite their importance, mechanisms regulating transport remain
      elusive. Here we report that in yeast coat protein complex II (COPII) vesicle
      mediated transport of ceramide from the ER to the Golgi requires oxysterol
      binding protein homologs, Osh proteins, which have been implicated in lipid
      homeostasis. Because Osh proteins are not required to transport proteins to the
      Golgi, these results indicate a specific requirement for the Osh proteins in the
      transport of ceramide. In addition, we provide evidence that Osh proteins play a
      negative role in COPII vesicle biogenesis. Together, our data suggest that
      ceramide transport and sphingolipid levels between the ER and Golgi are
      maintained by two distinct functions of Osh proteins, which negatively regulate
      COPII vesicle formation and positively control a later stage, presumably fusion
      of ceramide-enriched vesicles with Golgi compartments. 

PMID- 24213530
TI  - Arf activation at the Golgi is modulated by feed-forward stimulation of the
      exchange factor GBF1.
AB  - ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs) play central roles in the regulation of vesicular
      trafficking through the Golgi. Arfs are activated at the Golgi membrane by
      guanine-nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs) that are recruited from cytosol. Here,
      we describe a novel mechanism for the regulation of recruitment and activity of
      the ArfGEF Golgi-specific BFA resistance factor 1 (GBF1). Conditions that alter
      the cellular Arf-GDP:Arf-GTP ratio result in GBF1 recruitment. This recruitment
      of GBF1 occurs selectively on cis-Golgi membranes in direct response to increased
      Arf-GDP. GBF1 recruitment requires Arf-GDP myristoylation-dependent interactions
      suggesting regulation of a membrane-bound factor. Once recruited, GBF1 causes
      increased Arf-GTP production at the Golgi, consistent with a feed-forward self
      limiting mechanism of Arf activation. This mechanism is proposed to maintain
      steady-state levels of Arf-GTP at the cis-Golgi during cycles of Arf-dependent
      trafficking events. 

PMID- 24213532
TI  - Tumor suppressor SCUBE2 inhibits breast-cancer cell migration and invasion
      through the reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
AB  - Signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 2 (SCUBE2) belongs to a secreted
      and membrane-associated multi-domain SCUBE protein family. We previously
      demonstrated that SCUBE2 is a novel breast-tumor suppressor and could be a useful
      prognostic marker. However, the role of SCUBE2 in breast-cancer cell migration
      and invasion and how it is regulated during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition
      (EMT) remain undefined. In this study, we showed that ectopic SCUBE2
      overexpression could enhance the formation of E-cadherin-containing adherens
      junctions by beta-catenin-SOX-mediated induction of forkhead box A1 (a positive
      regulator of E-cadherin) and upregulation of E-cadherin, which in turn led to
      epithelial transition and inhibited migration and invasion of aggressive MDA-MB
      231 breast-carcinoma cells. SCUBE2 expression was repressed together with that of
      E-cadherin in TGF-beta-induced EMT; direct expression of SCUBE2 alone was
      sufficient to inhibit the TGF-beta-induced EMT. Furthermore, quantitative DNA
      methylation, methylation-specific PCR, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses
      revealed that SCUBE2 expression was inactivated by DNA hypermethylation at the
      CpG islands by recruiting and binding DNA methyltransferase 1 during TGF-beta
      induced EMT. Together, our results suggest that SCUBE2 plays a key role in
      suppressing breast-carcinoma-cell mobility and invasiveness by increasing the
      formation of the epithelial E-cadherin-containing adherens junctions to promote
      epithelial differentiation and drive the reversal of EMT. 

PMID- 24213533
TI  - Injury-triggered Akt phosphorylation of Cx43: a ZO-1-driven molecular switch that
      regulates gap junction size.
AB  - The proteins that form vertebrate gap junctions, the connexins, are highly
      regulated and have short (<2 hour) half-lives. Phosphorylation of connexin43
      (Cx43) affects gap junction assembly, channel gating and turnover. After finding
      dramatic effects on gap junctions with Akt inhibitors, we created an antibody
      specific for Cx43 phosphorylated on S373, a potential Akt substrate. We found
      S373 phosphorylation in cells and skin or heart almost exclusively in larger gap
      junctional structures that increased dramatically after wounding or hypoxia. We
      were able to mechanistically show that Akt-dependent phosphorylation of S373
      increases gap junction size and communication by completely eliminating the
      interaction between Cx43 and ZO-1. Thus, phosphorylation on S373 acts as a
      molecular 'switch' to rapidly increase gap-junctional communication, potentially
      leading to initiation of activation and migration of keratinocytes or ischemic
      injury response in the skin and the heart, respectively. 

PMID- 24213534
TI  - Specification of leading and trailing cell features during collective migration
      in the Drosophila trachea.
AB  - The role of tip and rear cells in collective migration is still a matter of
      debate and their differences at the cytoskeletal level are poorly understood.
      Here, we analysed these issues in the Drosophila trachea, an organ that develops
      from the collective migration of clusters of cells that respond to Branchless
      (Bnl), a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) homologue expressed in surrounding
      tissues. We track individual cells in the migratory cluster and characterise
      their features and unveil two prototypical types of cytoskeletal organisation
      that account for tip and rear cells respectively. Indeed, once the former are
      specified, they remain as such throughout migration. Furthermore, we show that
      FGF signalling in a single tip cell can trigger the migration of the cells in the
      branch. Finally, we found specific Rac activation at the tip cells and analysed
      how FGF-independent cell features, such as adhesion and motility, act on coupling
      the behaviour of trailing and tip cells. Thus, the combined effect of FGF
      promoting leading cell behaviour and the modulation of cell properties in a
      cluster can account for the wide range of migratory events driven by FGF. 

PMID- 24213535
TI  - The tumor suppressor Lgl1 forms discrete complexes with NMII-A and Par6alpha
      aPKCzeta that are affected by Lgl1 phosphorylation.
AB  - Non-muscle myosin IIA (NMII-A) and the tumor suppressor lethal giant larvae 1
      (Lgl1) play a central role in the polarization of migrating cells. Mammalian Lgl1
      interacts directly with NMII-A, inhibiting its ability to assemble into filaments
      in vitro. Lgl1 also regulates the cellular localization of NMII-A, the maturation
      of focal adhesions and cell migration. In Drosophila, phosphorylation of Lgl
      affects its association with the cytoskeleton. Here we show that phosphorylation
      of mammalian Lgl1 by aPKCzeta prevents its interaction with NMII-A both in vitro
      and in vivo, and affects its inhibition of NMII-A filament assembly.
      Phosphorylation of Lgl1 affects its cellular localization and is important for
      the cellular organization of the acto-NMII cytoskeleton. We further show that
      Lgl1 forms two distinct complexes in vivo, Lgl1-NMIIA and Lgl1-Par6alpha
      aPKCzeta, and that the formation of these complexes is affected by the
      phosphorylation state of Lgl1. The complex Lgl1-Par6alpha-aPKCzeta resides in the
      leading edge of the cell. Finally, we show that aPKCzeta and NMII-A compete to
      bind directly to Lgl1 at the same domain. These results provide new insights into
      the mechanism regulating the interaction between Lgl1, NMII-A, Par6alpha and
      aPKCzeta in polarized migrating cells. 

PMID- 24213536
TI  - Activated CD8(+) T cells and NKT cells in BAL fluid improve diagnostic accuracy
      in sarcoidosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The clinical diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis is based on the presence
      of noncaseating granulomas in an appropriate clinical setting with either
      bilateral hilar adenopathy and/or parenchymal infiltrates. Lymphocytosis with an
      increased CD4/CD8 T cell ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is supportive. We
      evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a predictive binary logistic regression
      model in sarcoidosis based on sex, age, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell
      profile with and without the inclusion of HLA-DR(+) CD8(+) T cells and natural
      killer T-cell fractions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of differential cell
      counts and lymphocyte phenotypes by flow cytometry in bronchoalveolar lavage was
      performed in 183 patients investigated for possible diffuse parenchymal lung
      disease. A logistic regression model with age, sex, lymphocyte fraction,
      eosinophils, and CD4/CD8 ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (basic model) was
      compared with a final model, which also included fractions of HLA-DR(+) CD8(+) T
      cells and natural killer T cells. Diagnostic accuracy of the two models was
      assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The area
      under the ROC curve for the basic and final model was 0.898 [95 % confidence
      interval (CI) 0.852-0.945] and 0.937 (95 % CI 0.902-0.972), respectively, p =
      0.008. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of HLA-DR(+) CD8(+) T cell and natural killer T
      cell fractions may improve diagnostic accuracy and further strengthen the
      importance of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnostic workup of sarcoidosis.

PMID- 24213537
TI  - TALEN-based knockout library for human microRNAs.
AB  - Various technical tools have been developed to probe the functions of microRNAs
      (miRNAs), yet their application has been limited by low efficacy and specificity.
      To overcome the limitations, we used transcription activator-like effector
      nucleases (TALENs) to knock out human miRNA genes. We designed and produced a
      library of 540 pairs of TALENs for 274 miRNA loci, focusing on potentially
      important miRNAs. The knockout procedure takes only 2-4 weeks and can be applied
      to any cell type. As a case study, we generated knockout cells for two related
      miRNAs, miR-141 and miR-200c, which belong to the highly conserved miR-200
      family. Interestingly, miR-141 and miR-200c, despite their overall similarity,
      suppress largely nonoverlapping groups of targets, thus suggesting that
      functional miRNA-target interaction requires strict seed-pairing. Our study
      illustrates the potency of TALEN technology and provides useful resources for
      miRNA research. 

PMID- 24213540
TI  - Growth and rosmarinic acid production in cell suspension cultures of Salvia
      officinalis L.
AB  - Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural antioxidant produced by cell suspension
      cultures of sage (Salvia officinalis L.). The growth and production of RA by
      these cells can be modified by the type of culture medium. Production can be
      increased 10-fold to attain 6.4 g.1(-1) under optimal conditions. Investigation
      of kinetics showed that a change in the medium caused shifts in peaks of growth
      and production, and modifications of the cell metabolism. RA production can be
      correlated with growth or begins only when growth has stopped. 

PMID- 24213538
TI  - Rbfox proteins regulate alternative mRNA splicing through evolutionarily
      conserved RNA bridges.
AB  - Alternative splicing (AS) enables programmed diversity of gene expression across
      tissues and development. We show here that binding in distal intronic regions
      (>500 nucleotides (nt) from any exon) by Rbfox splicing factors important in
      development is extensive and is an active mode of splicing regulation. Similarly
      to exon-proximal sites, distal sites contain evolutionarily conserved GCATG
      sequences and are associated with AS activation and repression upon modulation of
      Rbfox abundance in human and mouse experimental systems. As a proof of principle,
      we validated the activity of two specific Rbfox enhancers in KIF21A and ENAH
      distal introns and showed that a conserved long-range RNA-RNA base-pairing
      interaction (an RNA bridge) is necessary for Rbfox-mediated exon inclusion in the
      ENAH gene. Thus we demonstrate a previously unknown RNA-mediated mechanism for AS
      control by distally bound RNA-binding proteins. 

PMID- 24213541
TI  - Genetic transformation of Medicago truncatula using Agrobacterium with
      genetically modified Ri and disarmed Ti plasmids.
AB  - Fertile transgenic plants of the annual pasture legume Medicago truncatula were
      obtained by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, utilising a disarmed Ti
      plasmid and a binary vector containing the kanamycin resistance gene under the
      control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Factors contributing to the
      result included an improved plant regeneration protocol and the use of explants
      from a plant identified as possessing high regeneration capability from tissue
      culture. Genes present on the T-DNA of the Ri plasmid had a negative effect on
      somatic embryogenesis. Only tissue inoculated with Agrobacterium strains
      containing a disarmed Ti plasmid lacking the T-DNA region or a Ri plasmid with an
      inactivated rol A gene regenerated transgenic plants. Fertile transgenic plants
      were only obtained with disarmed A. tumefaciens, and the introduced NPT II gene
      was transmitted to R1 progeny. 

PMID- 24213539
TI  - Shear modulus imaging by direct visualization of propagating shear waves with
      phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography.
AB  - We propose an integrated method combining low-frequency mechanics with optical
      imaging to map the shear modulus within the biological tissue. Induced shear wave
      propagating in tissue is tracked in space and time using phase-sensitive optical
      coherence tomography (PhS-OCT). Local estimates of the shear-wave speed obtained
      from tracking results can image the local shear modulus. A PhS-OCT system
      remotely records depth-resolved, dynamic mechanical waves at an equivalent frame
      rate of ~47  kHz with the high spatial resolution. The proposed method was
      validated by examining tissue-mimicking phantoms made of agar and light
      scattering material. Results demonstrate that the shear wave imaging can
      accurately map the elastic moduli of these phantoms.

PMID- 24213542
TI  - Improved method for the transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana with chimeric
      dihydrofolate reductase constructs which confer methotrexate resistance.
AB  - A modified root explant transformation method has been developed that is
      effective in producing transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants which are
      methotrexate resistant due to the integration of T-DNA vectors containing a
      chimeric dihydrofolate reductase gene. Molecular analysis shows that transformed
      methotrexate resistant plants contain the expected T-DNA construct with the
      chimeric gene. This transformation method also works well with other plant
      selectable markers, including hygromycin phosphotransferase and neomycin
      phosphotransferase II. 

PMID- 24213543
TI  - Repetitive somatic embryogenesis from peanut cultures in liquid medium.
AB  - A regeneration system based on repetitive somatic embryogenesis was developed for
      peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Embryogenic suspension cultures were initiated
      using individual somatic embryos induced from immature cotyledons cultured on a
      modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing 40 mg/l 2,4-D for 30 days. After
      transfer to a modified MS liquid medium, the somatic embryos produced masses of
      secondary and tertiary embryos which continued to proliferate following manual
      separation and subculture of the embryogenic clumps. The cultures exhibited
      exponential growth, and have been maintained for over one year without apparent
      loss of embryogenic potential. Further embryo development, germination, and
      conversion were achieved by placing embryo clumps onto hormone-free, solid
      medium. The inclusion of a desiccation period during embryo development enhanced
      conversion four-fold. Plants have been established in soil and appear to be
      phenotypically normal. 

PMID- 24213544
TI  - In vitro micropropagation of elite rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.).
AB  - Induction of single and multiple shoots was obtained from nodal expiants of 60-80
      year-old elite trees of rosewood on Murashige and Skoog's basal medium
      supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg 1(-1)) and delta -Naphthalene
      acetic acid (0.05 mg 1(-1)) or indole acetic acid (0.5 mg 1(-1)). Multiplication
      of shoots was obtained on MS (reduced major elements) or Woody Plant Medium
      supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg 1(-1)) and kinetin (0.5-1.0 mg 1(
      1)). Excised shoots were rooted on half-strength MS with IBA (2.0 mg 1(-1)) to
      obtain complete plantlets. The regenerated plantlets have been acclimatized and
      successfully transferred to the soil. 

PMID- 24213545
TI  - Transformation of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) with Agrobacterium
      rhizogenes MAFF 03-01724.
AB  - Transformed cultures of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) were established by
      infecting hypocotyl segments with Agrobacterium rhizogenes MAFF 03-01724.
      Undifferentiated calli formed on the infected site grew satisfactorily on
      phytohormone-free solid medium in the dark and produced opine, mikimopine, which
      could not be detected in a normal culture. Numerous adventitious shoots developed
      from transformed calli during subculture. The transformed shoots separated
      individually were cultured on phytohormone-free MS solid medium at 22  degrees  C
      under 14 h/day light. They displayed wider leaves and longer internodes than
      shoots established from seeds or non-transformed root culture. The content of
      morphinan alkaloids in the cultures and regenerated shoots were quantitatively
      analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high performance liquid
      chromatography. HPLC analysis revealed that non-transformed shoots contained much
      more codeine (1310 gmg/g dry wt.) than morphine (50 MUg/g dry wt.), while the
      transformed shoot cultures did not contain morphine, although the level of
      morphinan alkaloids in the transformed shoots (213 MUg morphine equivalents/g fr.
      wt.) was comparable to that in non-transformed shoots (182 MUg morphine
      equivalents/g fr. wt.) by ELISA. 

PMID- 24213546
TI  - Transgenic poplars: expression of chimeric genes using four different constructs.
AB  - Leaf or stem explants of a hybrid poplar clone (Populus tremula X Populus alba),
      sensitive to Agrobacterium tumefaciens, were co-cultivated either by an octopine
      or a nopaline disarmed A. tumefaciens modified strain. Transformed poplar shoots
      were readily regenerated from explants. The protocol was improved using the
      nopaline disarmed strain C58/pMP90 with the binary vector pBI121. This protocol
      was then used to test three other vectors. The first one, possessing a nptII gene
      fused to the CaMV 19S promoter, permitted regeneration of transformed shoots in
      presence of 50 to 100 mg/l kanamycin. The two other vectors carried an additional
      nptII gene under the control of the CaMV 35S or CaMV 35S promoter with a double
      enhancer sequence (CaMV 70). CaMV 70 promoter provided consistently higher level
      of gene expression than the other promoters in both callus and leaf tissues. 

PMID- 24213547
TI  - Restoration of regeneration potential of long-term cultures of red fescue
      (Festuca rubra L.) by elevated sucrose levels.
AB  - A tissue culture protocol for restoring embryogenic ability and increasing green
      plant regeneration from long-term callus (5-year old) and suspension cultures of
      "Dawson" red fescue (Festuca rubra var trichyoplylla Gaud) was developed.
      Pretreatment with elevated levels of sucrose over the standard level (60 mM)
      enhanced regeneration capacity and decreased the number of albino plants. The
      highest degree of embryogenesis and green shoot number occurred when calli were
      pre-treated on MS basal medium supplemented with 120 mM sucrose. Mannitol caused
      callus discoloration and death if added to pre-treatment media at 60, 90, 120,
      150 or 180 mM. Cell suspension growth was greatest when 135 mM sucrose was added
      to the pre-treatment growth media. High concentrations of sucrose (135 and 180
      mM) were necessary for plant regeneration from suspension aggregates pretreated
      with 135 or 180 mM sucrose and then plated on a growth regulator-free
      regeneration medium composed of half-strength MS salts and B5 vitamins. 

PMID- 24213548
TI  - A non-invasive method for the routine-estimation of fresh weight of cells grown
      in batch suspension cultures.
AB  - A simple apparatus was designed to allow sedimentation of plant cells grown in
      batch suspensions in Erlenmeyer flasks. After sedimentation the height of the
      cell mass along the glass wall was measured with a ruler fixed in the apparatus.
      The cell volume after sedimentation, calculated from this height, appeared highly
      correlated with the fresh weight of cells. This result was found with eight cell
      lines in two Laboratories. The method proved to be very suitable to allow
      routinely measurement of FW without the destruction of cells, from many samples,
      in a short time, during each phase of the growth cycle. 

PMID- 24213549
TI  - High Uniformity of plants regenerated from cytogenetically variable embryogenic
      suspension cultures of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch).
AB  - Shoot tip explants, callus and embryogenic cell suspensions of Euphorbia
      pulcherrima have been examined for quantitative variation in nuclear DNA content
      by means of cytophotometry. Increasing instability was found in calli and cell
      suspensions from Erlenmeyer flask and bioreactor culture. Nuclear DNA content
      ranged from 2C up to 32 C. Plants regenerated from embryogenic cell suspensions,
      however, were highly uniform with regard to phenotype and ploidy level indicating
      strongly impaired embryogenic potential of polyploid, aneuploid or other
      genetically altered cells. 

PMID- 24213550
TI  - Direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from protoplasts of Bupleurum
      scorzonerifolium Willd.
AB  - Protolasts of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium were prepared from stem node-derived
      embryogenic calli with an enzyeme mixture, in which snailase was a necessary
      component. Follolwing cell wall regeneration protoplasts divided and directly
      formed somatic embryos which developed into plantlets. The conditions favorable
      to direct embryo formation were investigated, and the nature of the callus used
      for protoplast preparation was found to be a critical factor. The osmotic
      concentration and the composition of the culture medium including the
      phytohormone combinations were also important. 

PMID- 24213551
TI  - Rapid and efficient plant regeneration from hypocotyl protoplasts of Brassica
      carinata.
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from hypocotyls of 7-d-old seedlings of three genotypes
      of Brassica carinata after enzymatic digestion in cellulase R-10 (0.5%) and
      pectolyase Y-23 (0.025%). The protoplasts were stabilized with 0.4 M mannitol
      used as osmoticum, and were cultured in darkness in Kao's liquid medium
      containing 0.4 M glucose and the growth regulators 2,4-D (1.0 mg/l), NAA (0.1
      mg/l) and zeatin riboside (0.5 mg/l). Protoplasts were transferred to 16 h
      photoperiod conditions after 3 d of dark culture, and the medium was diluted to
      reduce the osmoticum on the seventh and tenth days of culture. Microcolonies were
      thus obtained which, upon transfer to MS agarose medium with 2,4-D (0.1 mg/l),
      BAP (1 mg/l) and 0.1 M sucrose, proliferated further to produce callus clumps.
      The plating efficiency of the three genotypes varied from 1 to 2%. Calli 2-3 mm
      in diameter were transferred to MS agarose plates with zeatin (2 mg/l) where they
      produced shoot buds and shoots with frequencies ranging from 22.5 to 74.2% for
      the three genotypes. The shoots were rooted in medium with IBA (1 mg/l) and were
      then established in soil. The time required for protoplast to plant development
      was 8 to 10 weeks. 

PMID- 24213552
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and shoot regeneration from intact seedlings of Phaseolus
      acutifolius A., P. aureus (L.) Wilczek, P. coccineus L., and P. wrightii L.
AB  - A rapid, one-step procedure has been developed for inducing direct organogenesis
      and somatic embryogenesis in cultures of Phaseolus coccineus L., P. acutifolius
      A., P. aureus L. [Vigna radiata L. Wilczek] and P. wrightii L. Development of
      somatic embryos and shoot buds occurred within 6-8 weeks of culture from intact
      seedlings raised on MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) medium supplemented with N(6)
      benzylaminopurine (BAP). Shoot buds or embryoids originated from subepidermal
      tissue of the regions adjacent to the shoot apex, hypocotyl and cotyledonary
      axils. While P. acutifolius and P. aureus were regenerated via shoot formation
      and P. wrightii by somatic embryogenesis, both embryogenesis and shoot
      regeneration were observed in P. coccineus. Relatively higher levels of BAP, 50
      80 MUM, were found to be optimal for inducing regeneration while lower
      concentrations were ineffective. About 40-70 shoots and 70-250 somatic embryos
      were produced per responding seedling. Regenerated shoots and somatic embryos
      developed into whole plants on a basal medium or the one supplemented with 1 MUM
      naphthaleneacetic acid. 

PMID- 24213553
TI  - Fine mapping and epistatic interactions of the vernalization gene VRN-D4 in
      hexaploid wheat.
AB  - Wheat vernalization requirement is mainly controlled by the VRN1, VRN2, VRN3, and
      VRN4 genes. The first three have been cloned and have homoeologs in all three
      genomes. VRN4 has been found only in the D genome (VRN-D4) and has not been
      cloned. We constructed a high-density genetic map of the VRN-D4 region and mapped
      VRN-D4 within a 0.09 cM interval in the centromeric region of chromosome 5D.
      Using telocentric 5D chromosomes generated from the VRN-D4 donor Triple Dirk F,
      we determined that VRN-D4 is located on the short arm. The VRN-D4 candidate
      region is colinear with a 2.24 Mb region on Brachypodium distachyon chromosome 4,
      which includes 127 predicted genes. Ten of these genes have predicted roles in
      development but we detected no functional polymorphisms associated to VRN-D4. Two
      recombination events separated VRN-D4 from TaVIL-D1, the wheat homolog of
      Arabidopsis vernalization gene VIL1, confirming that this gene is not a candidate
      for VRN-D4. We detected significant interactions between VRN-D4 and other four
      genes controlling vernalization requirement (Vrn-A1, Vrn-B1, Vrn-D1, and Vrn-B3),
      which confirmed that VRN-D4 is part of the vernalization pathway and that it is
      either upstream or is part of the regulatory feedback loop involving VRN1, VRN2
      and VRN3 genes. The precise mapping of VRN-D4 and the characterization of its
      interactions with other vernalization genes provide valuable information for the
      utilization of VRN-D4 in wheat improvement and for our current efforts to clone
      this vernalization gene.

PMID- 24213555
TI  - Intracortical schwannoma of the femur.
AB  - Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors most commonly found in soft tissue.
      Intraosseous schwannomas are rare, and account for <0.2 % of primary bone tumors.
      The typical radiologic findings, a lytic lesion with a thin peripheral rim of
      sclerosis, are nonspecific. In all reviewed case reports, the diagnosis was made
      only after microscopic examination. Among previously described intraosseous
      schwannomas, there have been no reports of tumors arising within cortical bone.
      It is important to note that while schwannomas are benign tumors, they can be
      misdiagnosed clinically and radiographically can be potentially mistaken for
      metastases or other serious skeletal diseases such as osteomyelitis. Tissue
      sampling is critical for definitive diagnosis as well as to avoid unnecessary
      treatment. We present the first reported case of an intracortical schwannoma in a
      42-year-old man who presented with an incidental radiographic lesion of the
      diaphyseal femoral cortex. 

PMID- 24213554
TI  - Epigenomic elements enriched in the promoters of autoimmunity susceptibility
      genes.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies have identified a number of autoimmune disease
      susceptibility genes. Whether or not these loci share any regulatory or
      functional elements, however, is an open question. Finding such common regulators
      is of considerable research interest in order to define systemic therapeutic
      targets. The growing amount of experimental genomic annotations, particularly
      those from the ENCODE project, provide a wealth of opportunities to search for
      such commonalities. We hypothesized that regulatory commonalities might not only
      delineate a regulatory landscape predisposing to autoimmune diseases, but also
      define functional elements distinguishing specific diseases. We further
      investigated if, and how, disease-specific epigenomic elements can identify novel
      genes yet to be associated with the diseases. We evaluated transcription factors,
      histone modifications, and chromatin state data obtained from the ENCODE project
      for statistically significant over- or under-representation in the promoters of
      genes associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis
      (RA), and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). We identified BATF, BCL11A, IRF4, NFkB, PAX5,
      and PU.1 as transcription factors over-represented in SLE- and RA-susceptibility
      gene promoters. H3K4me1 and H3K4me2 epigenomic marks were associated with SLE
      susceptibility genes, and H3K9me3 was common to both SLE and RA. In contrast to a
      transcriptionally active signature in SLE and RA, SSc-susceptibility genes were
      depleted in activating epigenomic elements. Using epigenomic elements enriched in
      SLE and RA, we identified additional immune and B cell signaling-related genes
      with the same elements in their promoters. Our analysis suggests common and
      disease-specific epigenomic elements that may define novel therapeutic targets
      for controlling aberrant activation of autoimmune susceptibility genes. 

PMID- 24213556
TI  - Florid osseous dysplasia with superimposed mandibular osteomyelitis.

PMID- 24213557
TI  - Role of phages in the epidemiology of cholera.
AB  - Understanding the genetic and ecological factors which support the periodic
      emergence of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae causing outbreaks of cholera in regions
      where the disease is endemic, is vital to develop preventive measures. Besides
      environmental factors which are not precisely defined, bacteriophages, and
      horizontally transmissible genetic elements are known to have a significant role
      in the epidemiology and evolution of the pathogen. Cholera epidemics are also
      known to be self-limiting, and hence identifying natural factors which contribute
      to the collapse of epidemics may have important implications in controlling the
      disease. Phages have been shown to play a crucial role in modulating cholera
      epidemics, and enhance V. cholerae evolution through a bactericidal selection
      process which favors the emergence of new clones. 

PMID- 24213558
TI  - Kinetics of tumor destruction by chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells.
AB  - The use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells as a therapy for
      hematologic malignancies and solid tumors is becoming more widespread. However,
      the infusion of a T-cell product targeting a single tumor-associated antigen may
      lead to target antigen modulation under this selective pressure, with subsequent
      tumor immune escape. With the purpose of preventing this phenomenon, we have
      studied the impact of simultaneously targeting two distinct antigens present on
      tumor cells: namely mucin 1 and prostate stem cell antigen, both of which are
      expressed in a variety of solid tumors, including pancreatic and prostate cancer.
      When used individually, CAR T cells directed against either tumor antigen were
      able to kill target-expressing cancer cells, but tumor heterogeneity led to
      immune escape. As a combination therapy, we demonstrate superior antitumor
      effects using both CARs simultaneously, but this was nevertheless insufficient to
      achieve a complete response. To understand the mechanism of escape, we studied
      the kinetics of T-cell killing and found that the magnitude of tumor destruction
      depended not only on the presence of target antigens but also on the intensity of
      expression-a feature that could be altered by administering epigenetic modulators
      that upregulated target expression and enhanced CAR T-cell potency. 

PMID- 24213559
TI  - Bevacizumab for glioblastoma-a promising drug or not?
AB  - Two double blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized phase III studies were
      conducted, and the results including OS's were reported at the ASCO Meeting in
      June 2013, which was the beginning of confusion surrounding this topic. This is a
      review article not only summarizing the previous evidence, but also looking
      beyond. 

PMID- 24213560
TI  - Axial anchoring designed silicon-porphyrin sensitizers for efficient dye
      sensitized solar cells.
AB  - Using silicon as a central atom of porphyrin allows the introduction of axial
      ligands, which are not only employed to prevent the aggregation of the
      macrocycles but also anchor the dyes onto the TiO2 surface. A dye-sensitized
      solar cell with this porphyrin sensitizer achieved a broad IPCE of around 40-60%
      between 380 and 670 nm. 

PMID- 24213562
TI  - Mechanisms of apoptosis in irradiated and sunitinib-treated follicular thyroid
      cancer cells.
AB  - The multikinase inhibitor sunitinib (S) seems to have promising potential in the
      treatment of thyroid cancer. We focused on the impact of S and/or irradiation (R)
      on mechanisms of apoptosis in follicular thyroid cancer cells. The effects of R,
      S and their combination were evaluated 2 and 4 days after treatment, using the
      human thyroid cancer cell line CGTH W-1. The transcription of genes involved in
      the regulation of apoptosis was investigated using quantitative real-time PCR.
      Western blot analyses of caspases and survivin were also performed. S elevated
      BAX (day 4), CASP9, CASP3, BIRC5 (day 4) and PRKACA (day 4) gene expression,
      whereas the mRNAs of BCL2, CASP8, PRKCA, ERK1, and ERK2 were not significantly
      changed. S, R and R+S clearly induced caspase-9 protein and elevated caspase-3
      activity. Survivin was down-regulated at day 4 in control cells and the
      expression was blunted by S treatment. R+S induced survivin expression at day 2
      followed by a reduction at day 4 of treatment. Sunitinib and the combined
      application with radiation induced apoptosis in follicular thyroid cancer cells
      via the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. In addition, sunitinib might induce
      apoptosis via decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein survivin. These
      findings suggest the potential use of sunitinib for the treatment of poorly
      differentiated follicular thyroid carcinomas.

PMID- 24213561
TI  - Modulation of Mcl-1 sensitizes glioblastoma to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
AB  - Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of primary brain tumour, with
      dismal patient outcome. Treatment failure is associated with intrinsic or
      acquired apoptosis resistance and the presence of a highly tumourigenic
      subpopulation of cancer cells called GBM stem cells. Tumour necrosis factor
      related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has emerged as a promising novel
      therapy for some treatment-resistant tumours but unfortunately GBM can be
      completely resistant to TRAIL monotherapy. In this study, we identified Mcl-1, an
      anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, as a critical player involved in determining
      the sensitivity of GBM to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Effective targeting of Mcl-1
      in TRAIL resistant GBM cells, either by gene silencing technology or by treatment
      with R-roscovitine, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that targets Mcl-1, was
      demonstrated to augment sensitivity to TRAIL, both within GBM cells grown as
      monolayers and in a 3D tumour model. Finally, we highlight that two separate
      pathways are activated during the apoptotic death of GBM cells treated with a
      combination of TRAIL and R-roscovitine, one which leads to caspase-8 and caspase
      3 activation and a second pathway, involving a Mcl-1:Noxa axis. In conclusion,
      our study demonstrates that R-roscovitine in combination with TRAIL presents a
      promising novel strategy to trigger cell death pathways in glioblastoma. 

PMID- 24213563
TI  - Interactions between SERPINA1 PiMZ genotype, occupational exposure and lung
      function decline.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We evaluated interactions between SERPINA1 PiMZ genotype, associated
      with intermediate alpha1-antitrysin deficiency, with outdoor particulate matter
      <=10 um (PM10), and occupational exposure to vapours, dusts, gases and fumes
      (VGDF), and their effects on annual change in lung function. METHODS: Pre
      bronchodilator spirometry was performed in 3739 adults of the Swiss Cohort Study
      on Air Pollution and Lung Disease in Adults (SAPALDIA) for whom SERPINA1
      genotypes were available. At baseline in 1991, participants were aged 18-62
      years; follow-up measurements were conducted from 2001 to 2003. In linear mixed
      regression models of annual change in lung function, multiplicative interactions
      were evaluated between PiMZ genotype (PiMM as reference) and change in PM10
      (MUg/m(3)), and VGDF exposure (high-level, low-level or no exposure as reference)
      during follow-up. RESULTS: Annual declines in forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of
      forced vital capacity (FEF25-75%) (-82 mL/s, 95% CI -125 to -39) and forced
      expiratory volume in 1 s over forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) (-0.3%, 95% CI 
      0.6% to 0.0%) in association with VGDF exposure were observed only in PiMZ
      carriers (Pinteraction<0.0001 and Pinteraction=0.03, respectively). A three-way
      interaction between PiMZ genotype, smoking and VGDF exposure was identified such
      that VGDF-associated FEF25-75% decline was observed only in ever smoking PiMZ
      carriers (Pinteraction=0.01). No interactions were identified between PiMZ
      genotype and outdoor PM10. CONCLUSIONS: SERPINA1 PiMZ genotype, in combination
      with smoking, modified the association between occupational VGDF exposure and
      longitudinal change in lung function, suggesting that interactions between these
      factors are relevant for lung function decline. These novel findings warrant
      replication in larger studies.

PMID- 24213564
TI  - Occupational Asthma guidelines: a systematic quality appraisal using the AGREE II
      instrument.
AB  - The quality of guidelines is often modest and highly variable. We searched the
      Medline database for occupational asthma (OA) guidelines meeting our inclusion
      criteria and undertook a systematic appraisal of them. Six appraisers
      independently evaluated these guidelines using the AGREE II (Appraisal of
      Guidelines, Research and Evaluation II) instrument. Standardised scores for each
      domain and for overall quality were calculated, as well as intraclass correlation
      coefficients to assess agreement among appraisers. Seven relevant guidelines were
      identified. Three were based on a systematic review of the evidence. Most
      guidelines scored high on the domains 'Scope and purpose' and 'Clarity and
      presentation', but scores on the other domains were variable. The lowest scores
      were for 'Applicability', suggesting that guideline developers did not pay
      sufficient attention to practical problems affecting the implementation of their
      recommendations. We also observed a trend toward improved scores in guidelines
      published after 2000. Inter-rater agreement was good for most domains, and
      particularly for 'Rigour of development'. This domain was most strongly
      correlated with the overall assessment scores, together with 'Scope and purpose'
      and 'Editorial independence'. The quality of OA guidelines is variable, both
      within and across guidelines. There is significant room for improvement, and
      greater efforts to produce high-quality guidelines are warranted, in order to
      assist clinical decision-making. 

PMID- 24213565
TI  - To live or not to live near a farm?

PMID- 24213566
TI  - Modelling complex mixtures in epidemiologic analysis: additive versus relative
      measures for differential effectiveness.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Mixed exposures are often combined into single exposure measures
      using weighting factors. This occurs for many complex mixtures in environmental
      and occupational epidemiology including multiple congeners, air pollutants and
      unique forms of ionising radiation, among others. METHODS: The weights used for
      combining exposures are most often determined from experimental animal and
      cellular research. However, evidence from observational research is necessary to
      support their use in risk analyses, since results from experimental research do
      not directly translate to observational epidemiology. RESULTS: Using simulated
      data, we show that ratio-based relative weights cannot be reliably estimated from
      observational research. As a solution to this problem, we propose an approach for
      estimating differences in effectiveness of distinct exposures based on their
      excess effectiveness compared with a reference exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This
      alternative is easy to calculate and provides reliable estimates of differences
      in effectiveness of distinct exposures. This is important to regulatory bodies
      using relative measures for policy decisions, as well as practicing
      epidemiologists conducting risk analyses.

PMID- 24213567
TI  - Lanthanide(III) oxalatophosphonates: syntheses, crystal structures and
      luminescence properties.
AB  - By the introduction of oxalate as the second ligand, five new lanthanide
      oxalatophosphonate hybrids with a 2D layered structure, namely,
      [Ln(H2L)(C2O4)(H2O)].2H2O [Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Tb (4), Dy (5), H3L =
      H2O3PCH2NCH2(CH2CH2OPO2H)], have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally
      characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction,
      infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis.
      Compounds 1-5 are isostructural and exhibit a 2D layer formed by the
      interconnection of a 1D zigzag chain of {Ln(C2O4)}(+) with the phosphonate
      ligands. The effect of lanthanide contraction induces the decrease of the lattice
      parameters and crystal size from Nd to Dy. The luminescence properties of
      compounds 2-5 have been studied.

PMID- 24213568
TI  - Effect of patient positioning on cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prone is the preferred patient position for fluoroscopic-guided
      lumbar puncture (LP). Normative data for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening
      pressure (OP) exist for lateral decubitus (LD) positioning only and have not been
      defined for the prone position. This study compares CSF OP values in the prone
      and LD positions and examines the effect of body mass index (BMI) on OP. METHODS:
      Patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic fluoroscopic-guided LP were
      recruited prospectively at 2 tertiary care centers from 2009 to 2012. Following
      prone fluoroscopic-guided LP, patients were rolled to the LD position for repeat
      CSF OP measurement. In addition to comparing the mean OP in each position, the
      relationships between OP, body position, and BMI were also explored. RESULTS:
      Fifty-two patients were enrolled. A mean OP difference of 1.2 cm H2O was observed
      (prone: 26.5 cm H2O; LD: 27.7 cm H2O; P = 0.07). No correlation between CSF OP
      and BMI was seen in either position. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically or clinically
      significant difference between prone and LD OP was identified. BMI does not
      appear to affect CSF OP measurement in either position.

PMID- 24213569
TI  - Inhibition of cell migration and invasion mediated by the TAT-RasGAP317-326
      peptide requires the DLC1 tumor suppressor.
AB  - TAT-RasGAP(317-326), a peptide corresponding to the 317-326 sequence of p120
      RasGAP coupled with a cell-permeable TAT-derived peptide, sensitizes the death
      response of various tumor cells to several anticancer treatments. We now report
      that this peptide is also able to increase cell adherence, prevent cell migration
      and inhibit matrix invasion. This is accompanied by a marked modification of the
      actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion redistribution. Interestingly, integrins
      and the small Rho GTP-binding protein, which are well-characterized proteins
      modulating actin fibers, adhesion and migration, do not appear to be required for
      the pro-adhesive properties of TAT-RasGAP(317-326). In contrast, deleted in liver
      cancer-1, a tumor suppressor protein, the expression of which is often
      deregulated in cancer cells, was found to be required for TAT-RasGAP(317-326) to
      promote cell adherence and inhibit migration. These results show that TAT
      RasGAP(317-326), besides its ability to favor tumor cell death, hampers cell
      migration and invasion.

PMID- 24213571
TI  - High mobility group box 1 promotes tumor cell migration through epigenetic
      silencing of semaphorin 3A.
AB  - High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a 25-kDa chromatin-associated protein that
      aids in transcription and DNA repair by directly binding to DNA and altering its
      conformation. Additionally, HMGB1 can act as an extracellular ligand. When
      released from dying or stressed cells, HMGB1 binds to the RAGE receptor and
      activates the p42/44 MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade. HMGB1 is overexpressed in many
      types of cancer and frequently associated with tumor stage and metastasis. This
      has predominantly been attributed to an autocrine function that drives MAPK
      pathway activity. However, by using tumor cells with activating MAPK pathway
      mutations, we have identified a role for HMGB1 in promoting metastasis and tumor
      growth that is independent of this pathway. In the absence of HMGB1, these tumor
      cells show defective in vitro migration as well as reduced metastasis and tumor
      growth in vivo despite high p42/44 phosphorylation. We found that semaphorin 3A
      (SEMA3A), previously shown to act as a suppressor of angiogenesis and migration,
      was highly increased during expression in the absence of HMGB1. SEMA3A/HMGB1
      double knockdown rescued the migration defect in HMGB1 single knockdown cells.
      HMGB1 bound at the semaphorin 3A genomic locus, promoted hetrochromatin
      formation, and decreased occupancy of acetylated histones. Based on human tumor
      gene expression databases, HMGB1 was significantly inversely correlated with
      SEMA3A, suggesting that this mechanism may be more widely relevant in different
      cancer types.

PMID- 24213570
TI  - Endothelial deletion of Sag/Rbx2/Roc2 E3 ubiquitin ligase causes embryonic
      lethality and blocks tumor angiogenesis.
AB  - SAG (Sensitive to Apoptosis Gene), also known as RBX2 or ROC2, is a RING protein
      required for the activity of Cullin-RING ligase (CRL). Our recent study showed
      that Sag total knockout caused embryonic lethality at E11.5-12.5 days with
      associated defects in vasculogenesis. Whether Sag is required for de novo
      vasculogenesis in embryos and angiogenesis in tumors is totally unknown. Here, we
      report that Sag endothelial deletion also causes embryonic lethality at E15.5
      with poor vasculogenesis. Sag deletion in primary endothelial cells (ECs) or
      knockdown in MS-1 ECs inhibits migration, proliferation and tube formation, with
      p27 accumulation being responsible for the suppression of migration and
      proliferation. Furthermore, Sag deletion significantly inhibits angiogenesis in
      an in vivo Matrigel plug assay, and tumor angiogenesis and tumorigenesis in a
      B16F10 melanoma model. Finally, MLN4924, an investigational small molecule
      inhibitor of NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) that inhibits CRL, suppresses in vitro
      migration, proliferation and tube formation, as well as in vivo angiogenesis and
      tumorigenesis. Taken together, our study, using both genetic and pharmaceutical
      approaches, demonstrates that Sag is essential for embryonic vasculogenesis and
      tumor angiogenesis, and provides the proof-of-concept evidence that targeting Sag
      E3 ubiquitin ligase may have clinical value for anti-angiogenesis therapy of
      human cancer.

PMID- 24213572
TI  - MicroRNA-192 suppresses liver metastasis of colon cancer.
AB  - Metastasis causes most deaths from colon cancer yet mechanistic understanding and
      therapeutic options remain limited. Here we show that expression of microRNA
      (miR)-192 is inversely correlated with metastatic potential of colon cancer
      cells. Ectopic expression of miR-192 sensitizes colon cancer cells to growth
      factor deprivation stress-induced apoptosis, whereas inhibition of miR-192
      confers resistance. Overexpression of miR-192 inhibits metastatic colonization to
      the liver in an orthotopic mouse model of colon cancer. Alterations associated
      with the metastatic phenotype in the primary tumors include increased apoptosis,
      decreased proliferation and angiogenesis. Further studies indicate that miR-192
      downregulates expression of Bcl-2, Zeb2 and VEGFA in vitro and in vivo, which is
      responsible for enhanced apoptosis, increased expression of E-cadherin and
      decreased angiogenesis in vivo, respectively. Finally, studies performed on human
      colonic adenocarcinoma show that expression of miR-192 is significantly reduced
      in neoplastic cells as compared with normal colonic epithelium. Importantly,
      there is a significant decrease in miR-192 expression in stage IV tumors when
      compared with stage I or II lesions. These findings indicate that miR-192 has an
      important role in colon cancer development and progression. Our studies
      underscore the clinical relevance and prognostic significance of miR-192
      expression in colon cancer. Therefore, a major implication of our studies is that
      restoration of miR-192 expression or antagonism of its target genes (Bcl-2, Zeb2
      or VEGFA) may have considerable therapeutic potential for anti-metastatic therapy
      in patients with colon cancer. 

PMID- 24213574
TI  - Synergistic function of Kras mutation and HBx in initiation and progression of
      hepatocellular carcinoma in mice.
AB  - Although the activation of Ras pathway is frequently observed in human
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the in vivo role of Ras activation in HCC
      initiation and progression is underdetermined. To test the consequence of Kras
      activation in hepatocyte, we generated a hepatocyte-specific Kras(G12D)
      transgenic mouse strain and observed spontaneous development of HCC in these
      mice. Remarkably, HBV X protein (HBx) expression significantly promotes the
      formation and malignant progression of Kras(G12D)-driven HCC as shown with the
      accelerated tumor onset, the increased tumor burden and the more poorly
      differentiated lesions. At the cellular level, concomitant expression of
      Kras(G12D) and HBx results in a robust increase in hepatocellular proliferation.
      We reveal that the Akt, MAPK, p53 and TGF-beta pathways are deregulated in the
      Kras(G12D)-driven HCCs. Also, the dysregulation is more pronounced in the HCCs
      developed in Kras(G12D) and HBx double transgenic mice. In addition, the altered
      expressions of beta-catenin, CD44 and E-cadherin are only observed in the
      Kras(G12D) and HBx double transgenic mice. These results demonstrate a crucial
      role of Ras activation in hepatocellular carcinogenesis and the functional
      synergy between Kras(G12D) and HBx in HCC initiation and progression. The novel
      genetic mouse models that closely recapitulate the histopathologic progression
      and molecular alterations of human HCC may potentially facilitate the future
      therapeutic studies. 

PMID- 24213573
TI  - Foxm1 transcription factor is required for the initiation of lung tumorigenesis
      by oncogenic Kras(G12D.).
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of deaths in cancer patients in the United
      States. Identification of new molecular targets is clearly needed to improve
      therapeutic outcomes of this devastating human disease. Activating mutations in K
      Ras oncogene and increased expression of FOXM1 protein are associated with poor
      prognosis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Transgenic expression of
      activated Kras(G12D) in mouse respiratory epithelium is sufficient to induce lung
      adenocarcinomas; however, transcriptional mechanisms regulated by K-Ras during
      the initiation of lung cancer remain poorly understood. Foxm1 transcription
      factor, a downstream target of K-Ras, stimulates cellular proliferation during
      embryogenesis, organ repair and tumor growth, but its role in tumor initiation is
      unknown. In the present study, we used transgenic mice expressing Kras(G12D)
      under control of Sftpc promoter to demonstrate that Foxm1 was induced in type II
      epithelial cells before the formation of lung tumors. Conditional deletion of
      Foxm1 from Kras(G12D)-expressing respiratory epithelium prevented the initiation
      of lung tumors in vivo. The loss of Foxm1 inhibited expression of K-Ras target
      genes critical for the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and c-Jun N-terminal
      kinase (JNK) pathways, including Ikbkb, Nfkb1, Nfkb2, Rela, Jnk1, N-Myc, Pttg1
      and Cdkn2a. Transgenic overexpression of activated FOXM1 mutant was sufficient to
      induce expression of these genes in alveolar type II cells. FOXM1 directly bound
      to promoter regions of Ikbkb, Nfkb2, N-Myc, Pttg1 and Cdkn2a, indicating that
      these genes are direct FOXM1 targets. FOXM1 is required for K-Ras-mediated lung
      tumorigenesis by activating genes critical for the NF-kappaB and JNK pathways. 

PMID- 24213575
TI  - Increased leukocyte survival and accelerated onset of lymphoma in the absence of
      MCL-1 S159-phosphorylation.
AB  - The antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein MCL-1, which opposes mitochondrial outer membrane
      permeabilization, was shown to have a crucial role in the survival of
      hematopoietic cells. We have previously shown that, upon loss of
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling, S159 of MCL-1 is phosphorylated by
      glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), earmarking MCL-1 for enhanced ubiquitylation
      and degradation. In this study, we introduced MCL-1(wt) or the phosphorylation
      deficient mutant MCL-1(S159A) in mouse BM cells, followed by adoptive transfer to
      recipient mice. Mice expressing MCL-1(S159A) exhibited significantly elevated
      white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, whereas no effect was observed on the
      distribution of T and B lymphocyte subsets or the numbers of monocytes, red blood
      cells or platelets. Expression of MCL-1(S159A) in EMU-Myc transgenic bone marrow
      significantly accelerated the onset of disease, and these mice displayed
      increased spleen weights compared with EMU-Myc/MCL-1(wt) mice. Our data
      demonstrate that the absence of MCL-1 S159 phosphorylation provides a survival
      advantage for hematopoietic cells in vivo and facilitates oncogenesis. 

PMID- 24213577
TI  - The Polycomb group (PcG) protein EZH2 supports the survival of PAX3-FOXO1
      alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma by repressing FBXO32 (Atrogin1/MAFbx).
AB  - The Polycomb group (PcG) proteins regulate stem cell differentiation via the
      repression of gene transcription, and their deregulation has been widely
      implicated in cancer development. The PcG protein Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2
      (EZH2) works as a catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2)
      by methylating lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3), a hallmark of PRC2-mediated
      gene repression. In skeletal muscle progenitors, EZH2 prevents an unscheduled
      differentiation by repressing muscle-specific gene expression and is
      downregulated during the course of differentiation. In rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a
      pediatric soft-tissue sarcoma thought to arise from myogenic precursors, EZH2 is
      abnormally expressed and its downregulation in vitro leads to muscle-like
      differentiation of RMS cells of the embryonal variant. However, the role of EZH2
      in the clinically aggressive subgroup of alveolar RMS, characterized by the
      expression of PAX3-FOXO1 oncoprotein, remains unknown. We show here that EZH2
      depletion in these cells leads to programmed cell death. Transcriptional
      derepression of F-box protein 32 (FBXO32) (Atrogin1/MAFbx), a gene associated
      with muscle homeostasis, was evidenced in PAX3-FOXO1 RMS cells silenced for EZH2.
      This phenomenon was associated with reduced EZH2 occupancy and H3K27me3 levels at
      the FBXO32 promoter. Simultaneous knockdown of FBXO32 and EZH2 in PAX3-FOXO1 RMS
      cells impaired the pro-apoptotic response, whereas the overexpression of FBXO32
      facilitated programmed cell death in EZH2-depleted cells. Pharmacological
      inhibition of EZH2 by either 3-Deazaneplanocin A or a catalytic EZH2 inhibitor
      mirrored the phenotypic and molecular effects of EZH2 knockdown in vitro and
      prevented tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, these results indicate that EZH2 is
      a key factor in the proliferation and survival of PAX3-FOXO1 alveolar RMS cells
      working, at least in part, by repressing FBXO32. They also suggest that the
      reducing activity of EZH2 could represent a novel adjuvant strategy to eradicate
      high-risk PAX3-FOXO1 alveolar RMS. 

PMID- 24213578
TI  - The PI3-kinase isoform p110delta is essential for cell transformation induced by
      the D816V mutant of c-Kit in a lipid-kinase-independent manner.
AB  - PI3-kinase has a crucial role in transformation mediated by the oncogenic c-Kit
      mutant D816V. In this study, we demonstrate that the c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell
      survival is dependent on an intact direct binding of PI3-kinase to c-Kit.
      However, mutation of this binding site had little effect on the PI3-kinase
      activity in the cells, suggesting that c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell survival is
      dependent on PI3-kinase but not its kinase activity. Furthermore, inhibition of
      the lipid kinase activity of PI3-kinase led only to a slight inhibition of cell
      survival. Knockdown of the predominant PI3-kinase isoform p110delta in c
      Kit/D816V-expressing Ba/F3 cells led to reduced cell transformation both in vitro
      and in vivo without affecting the overall PI3-kinase activity. This suggests that
      p110delta has a lipid-kinase-independent role in c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell
      transformation. We furthermore demonstrate that p110delta is phosphorylated at
      residues Y524 and S1039 and that phosphorylation requires an intact binding site
      for PI3-kinase in c-Kit/D816V. Overexpression of p110delta carrying the Y523F and
      S1038A mutations significantly reduced c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell survival and
      proliferation. Taken together, our results demonstrate an important lipid-kinase
      independent role of p110delta in c-Kit/D816V-mediated cell transformation. This
      furthermore suggests that p110delta could be a potential diagnostic factor and
      selective therapeutic target for c-Kit/D816V-expressing malignancies. 

PMID- 24213576
TI  - PPARbeta/delta promotes HRAS-induced senescence and tumor suppression by
      potentiating p-ERK and repressing p-AKT signaling.
AB  - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta/delta (PPARbeta/delta) inhibits
      skin tumorigenesis through mechanisms that may be dependent on HRAS signaling.
      The present study examined the hypothesis that PPARbeta/delta promotes HRAS
      induced senescence resulting in suppression of tumorigenesis. PPARbeta/delta
      expression increased p-ERK and decreased p-AKT activity. Increased p-ERK activity
      results from the dampened HRAS-induced negative feedback response mediated in
      part through transcriptional upregulation of RAS guanyl-releasing protein 1
      (RASGRP1) by PPARbeta/delta. Decreased p-AKT activity results from repression of
      integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1
      (PDPK1) expression. Decreased p-AKT activity in turn promotes cellular senescence
      through upregulation of p53 and p27 expression. Both over-expression of RASGRP1
      and shRNA-mediated knockdown of ILK partially restore cellular senescence in
      Pparbeta/delta-null cells. Higher PPARbeta/delta expression is also correlated
      with increased senescence observed in human benign neurofibromas and colon
      adenoma lesions in vivo. These results demonstrate that PPARbeta/delta promotes
      senescence to inhibit tumorigenesis and provide new mechanistic insights into
      HRAS-induced cellular senescence. 

PMID- 24213579
TI  - PAG--a multipurpose transmembrane adaptor protein.
AB  - Phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains (PAG),
      also known as Csk-binding protein (Cbp), is a ubiquitously expressed
      transmembrane adaptor protein present in lipid rafts and involved in a number of
      signaling pathways. It helps recruit cytoplasmic C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) to
      lipid raft-associated Src kinases, mediates a link to actin cytoskeleton and
      interacts with several other important cytoplasmic and plasma membrane-associated
      proteins. In recent years, PAG has been implicated in various aspects of cancer
      cell biology. Our review covers all so far published data on this interesting
      protein. 

PMID- 24213580
TI  - Mode of action of trabectedin in myxoid liposarcomas.
AB  - To elucidate the mechanisms behind the high sensitivity of myxoid/round cell
      liposarcoma (MRCL) to trabectedin and the suggested selectivity for specific
      subtypes, we have developed and characterized three MRCL xenografts, namely
      ML017, ML015 and ML004 differing for the break point of the fusion gene FUS-CHOP,
      respectively of type I, II and III. FUS-CHOP binding to the promoters of some
      target genes such as Pentraxin 3 or Fibronectin 1, assessed by chromatin
      immunoprecipitation, was strongly reduced in the tumor 24 h after the first or
      the third weekly dose of trabectedin, indicating that the drug at therapeutic
      doses causes a detachment of the FUS-CHOP chimera from its target promoters as
      previously shown in vitro. Moreover, the higher sensitivity of MRCL types I and
      II appears to be related to a more prolonged block of the transactivating
      activity of the fusion protein. Doxorubicin did not affect the binding of FUS
      CHOP to target promoters. Histologically, the response to trabectedin in ML017
      and ML015 was associated with a marked depletion of non-lipogenic tumoral cells
      and vascular component, as well as lipidic maturation as confirmed by PPARgamma2
      expression in western Blot. By contrast, in ML004 no major changes either in the
      cellularity or in the amount of mature were found, and consistently PPARgamma2
      was null. In conclusion, the data support the view that the selective mechanism
      of action of trabectedin in MRCL is specific and related to its ability to cause
      a functional inactivation of the oncogenic chimera with consequent derepression
      of the adypocytic differentiation. 

PMID- 24213581
TI  - Semaphorin receptors meet receptor tyrosine kinases on the way of tumor
      progression.
AB  - Semaphorins are extracellular signals known to guide migrating cells during
      developmental morphogenesis and in adult tissues. Semaphorin receptors, that is
      plexins and neuropilins, have been found in association with diverse receptor
      tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as Met, ErbB2 and VEGFR2. These receptor complexes
      are formed in a cell-specific manner and can mediate distinctive signalling
      cascades, sometimes leading to divergent functional outcomes. This is
      particularly intriguing in cancer, since the same semaphorin has been found to
      mediate either tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing functions, depending on the
      cancer type and cellular context. We will therefore review the current
      understanding about the role of RTKs in neuropilin and plexin signalling,
      putatively accounting for the multifaceted role of semaphorins in cancer. 

PMID- 24213582
TI  - PAX3-NCOA2 fusion gene has a dual role in promoting the proliferation and
      inhibiting the myogenic differentiation of rhabdomyosarcoma cells.
AB  - We analyzed a complex chromosomal translocation in a case of embryonal
      rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and showed that it generates the fusion gene PAX3 (paired
      box 3)-NCOA2 (nuclear receptor coactivator 2). To understand the role of this
      translocation in RMS tumorigenesis, we established two types of stable mouse
      myoblast C2C12 cell lines expressing PAX3-NCOA2 and PAX3-FOXO1A (forkhead box
      O1A), respectively. Compared with control cells, PAX3-NCOA2 cells grew faster,
      were more motile, were less anchorage dependent, progressed more quickly through
      the G1/S phase of cell cycle and showed greater transcriptional activation of the
      PAX3 consensus-binding site. However, PAX3-NCOA2 cells proliferated more slowly
      and differentiated more weakly than did PAX3-FOXO1A cells. Both PAX3-NCOA2 cells
      and PAX3-FOXO1A cells formed tumors in nude mice, although the PAX3-NCOA2-induced
      tumors grew more slowly. Our results may explain why NCOA2 rearrangement is
      mainly found in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, which has a better prognosis than
      alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, which expresses the PAX3-FOXO1A fusion gene. These
      results indicate that the PAX3-NCOA2 fusion gene has a dual role in the
      tumorigenesis of RMS: promotion of the proliferation and inhibition of the
      myogenic differentiation of RMS cells. 

PMID- 24213583
TI  - Burden of disability attributable to vertigo and dizziness in the aged: results
      from the KORA-Age study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Complaints of vertigo and dizziness are common in primary care in the
      aged. They can be caused by distinct vestibular disorders, but can also be a
      symptom in other conditions like non-vestibular sensory loss, vascular
      encephalopathy or anxiety. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific
      contribution of vertigo and dizziness to the total burden of disability in aged
      persons when controlling for the presence of other health conditions. METHODS:
      Data originate from the MONICA/KORA study, a population-based cohort. Survivors
      of the original cohorts who were 65 years and older were examined by telephone
      interview in 2009. Disability was assessed with the Health Assessment
      Questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders
      and additive regression to estimate the contribution of vertigo and dizziness to
      disability prevalence. RESULTS: Adjusted for age, sex and other chronic
      conditions, vertigo and dizziness were associated with disability (odds ratio
      1.66, 95% confidence intervals 1.40-1.98). In both men and women between 65 and
      79 years, vertigo and dizziness were among the strongest contributors to the
      burden of disability with a prevalence of 10.5% (6.6 to 15.1) in men and 9.0%
      (5.7 to 13.0) in women. In men, this effect is stable across all age-groups,
      whereas it decreases with age in women. CONCLUSIONS: Vertigo and dizziness
      independently and relevantly contribute to population-attributable disability in
      the aged. They are not inevitable consequences of ageing but arise from distinct
      disease entities. Careful management of vertigo and dizziness might increase
      population health and reduce disability.

PMID- 24213584
TI  - Potential social, economic and general health benefits of consanguineous
      marriage: results from the Born in Bradford cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than 1 billion people live in societies where consanguineous
      marriages are common. When children are born to consanguineous unions, there is
      an increased probability of the expression of single-gene disorders with a
      recessive mode of inheritance. There are presumptive social benefits of
      consanguineous marriages reported in the literature. METHODS: The UK's Born in
      Bradford birth cohort study recruited 12 453 women at 26-28 weeks' gestation
      between 2007 and 2010. In all, 11 396 completed a questionnaire, including
      questions about their relationship to their baby's father. We compared Pakistani
      and Other ethnic groups in consanguineous relationships and Pakistani, Other and
      White British groups not in consanguineous relationships, calculating percentages
      and age-adjusted prevalence ratios (95% confidence intervals). RESULTS: In the
      Pakistani group, 59.3% of women (n = 3038) were blood relatives of their baby's
      father. Consanguinity was uncommon in the Other ethnic group (7.3%, n = 127) and
      rare (n = 5) in the White British group. Compared with non-consanguineous
      counterparts, mothers in consanguineous relationships were socially and
      economically disadvantaged (e.g. never employed, less likely to have higher
      education). The Pakistani consanguineous group's social, economic and health
      lifestyle circumstances were equivalent to, in some cases better than, women in
      non-consanguineous relationships (e.g. up-to-date in paying bills, or in
      disagreeing that they wished for more warmth in their marital relationship). The
      consanguineous relationship group had less separation/divorce. Rates of cigarette
      smoking during pregnancy were lower in mothers in consanguineous relationships.
      CONCLUSION: Debate about consanguinity should balance the potential protective
      effect of consanguineous relationships with established genetic risk of
      congenital anomaly in children.

PMID- 24213585
TI  - Combining employment and family in Europe: the role of family policies in health.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were: (i) to analyse the relationship
      between health status and paid working hours and household composition in the EU
      27, and (ii) to examine whether patterns of association differ as a function of
      family policy typologies and gender. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on data
      from the 5th European Working Conditions Survey of 2010. The sample included
      married or cohabiting employees aged 25-64 years from the EU-27 (10,482 men and
      8,882 women). The dependent variables were self-perceived health status and
      psychological well-being. RESULTS: Irrespective of differences in family policy
      typologies between countries, working long hours was more common among men, and
      part-time work was more common among women. In Continental and Southern European
      countries, employment and family demands were associated with poor health status
      in both sexes, but more consistently among women. In Anglo-Saxon countries, the
      association was mainly limited to men. Finally, in Nordic and Eastern European
      countries, employment and family demands were largely unassociated with poor
      health outcomes in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of employment and
      family demands is largely unassociated with health status in countries with dual
      earner family policy models, but is associated with poorer health outcomes in
      countries with market-oriented models, mainly among men. This association is more
      consistent among women in countries with traditional models, where males are the
      breadwinners and females are responsible for domestic and care work.

PMID- 24213586
TI  - Immunosuppression-associated eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (IS-EPF)
      developing after Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART): the possible
      mechanisms through CD163+ M2 macrophages.

PMID- 24213587
TI  - Microarray-based identification of nerve growth-promoting genes in
      neurofibromatosis type I.
AB  - As a genetic disease, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is characterized by
      abnormalities in multiple tissues derived from the neural crest, including
      neoplasms in the ends of the limbs. The exact mechanism of nerve growth in NF1 is
      unclear. In the present study, the gene expression profile of nerves in healthy
      controls and NF1 patients with macrodactylia of the fingers or toes were analyzed
      in order to identify possible genes associated with nerve growth. The Whole Human
      Genome Microarray was selected to screen for different gene expression profiles,
      and the result was analyzed with Feature Extraction software. The target genes
      were verified at the transcriptional and translational levels by reverse
      transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. A
      common set of 28 genes were identified to be changed >5-fold in the NF1 patients
      compared with the healthy controls. Among them, the metastasis-associated genes,
      lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 and
      intracellular adhesion molecule 1, and the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin
      (IL) 1beta, IL-6 and IL-8, were downregulated significantly. Mainly genes that
      changed >10-fold were analyzed in this study, and HOXC8 demonstrated activity in
      promoting nerve growth. Through the analysis of the mRNA expression of the nerves
      in the NF1 patients, target molecules contributing to nerve growth during NF1
      development were investigated, which aided in improving our understanding of this
      disease, and may provide a novel direction for nerve repair and regeneration. 

PMID- 24213588
TI  - Free radicals properties of gamma-irradiated penicillin-derived antibiotics:
      piperacillin, ampicillin, and crystalline penicillin.
AB  - The aim of this work was to determine the concentrations and properties of free
      radicals in piperacillin, ampicillin, and crystalline penicillin after gamma
      irradiation. The radicals were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)
      spectroscopy using an X-band spectrometer (9.3 GHz). Gamma irradiation was
      performed at a dose of 25 kGy. One- and two-exponential functions were fitted to
      the experimental data, in order to assess the influence of the antibiotics'
      storage time on the measured EPR lines. After gamma irradiation, complex EPR
      lines were recorded confirming the presence of a large number of free radicals
      formed during the irradiation. For all tested antibiotics, concentrations of free
      radicals and parameters of EPR spectra changed with storage time. The results
      obtained demonstrate that concentration of free radicals and other spectroscopic
      parameters can be used to select the optimal parameters of radiation
      sterilization of beta-lactam antibiotics. The most important parameters are the
      constants tau (tau (1(A),(I)) and tau (2(A),(I))) and K (K (0(A),(I)), K
      (1(A),(I)), K (2(A),(I))) of the exponential functions that describe free
      radicals decay during samples storage.

PMID- 24213590
TI  - Effects of sediment containing coal ash from the Kingston ash release on embryo
      larval development in the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas (Rafinesque, 1820).
AB  - The largest environmental release of coal ash in US history occurred in December
      2008 with the failure of a retention structure at the Tennessee Valley Authority
      Kingston Fossil Fuel Plant in East Tennessee. A byproduct of coal-burning power
      plants, coal ash is enriched in metals and metalloids such as selenium and
      arsenic with known toxicity to fish embryonic and larval life stages. The early
      development of fish embryos and larvae during contact exposures to river bottom
      sediments containing up to 78 % coal ash from the Kingston spill was examined in
      7-day laboratory tests with the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). No
      significant effects were observed in hatching success, incidences of
      developmental abnormalities, or embryo-larval survival. Results suggest that
      direct exposures to sediment containing residual coal ash from the Kingston ash
      release may not present a significant risk to fish eggs and larvae in waterways
      affected by the coal ash spill.

PMID- 24213591
TI  - Biological effects of pyrimethinal on aquatic worms (Tubifex tubifex) under
      laboratory conditions.
AB  - Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of different
      concentrations of pyrimethinal on protein contents, and some oxidative stress in
      Tubifex tubifex after an exposure of 2, 4, and 7 days. Residues of the fungicide
      were followed in water and in the worms. In water, pyrimethinal concentration
      decreased slowly (maximum -6.4 % +/- 0.8 % after 2 days for 25 mg L(-1)). In the
      worms, it increased after 4 days and decreased thereafter. LC50 values were
      between 49.2 +/- 0.58 and 39.5 +/- 0.95 mg L(-1) depending on exposure time. The
      activity of catalase increased in response to the fungicide after 2 days of
      exposure to 25 mg L(-1) of pyrimethinal (+90 %). The highest decrease of
      glutathione-S-transferase activity (-29.7 %) was found after 7 days in the
      presence of 25 mg L(-1).

PMID- 24213592
TI  - Transport and redistribution of Chernobyl fallout radionuclides by fluvial
      processes: Some preliminary evidence.
AB  - Several measurements of(137)Cs concentrations in suspended sediment transported
      by the River Severn during the post-Chernobyl period and in recent channel and
      floodplain deposits along the river emphasise the potential significance of
      fluvial processes in the transport and concentration of fallout radionuclides. 

PMID- 24213593
TI  - Predicting the occurrence of radon-222 in groundwater supplies.
AB  - The intent of this study was to develop an understanding of some of the factors
      that affect the concentration ol radon-222 ((222)Rn) in drinking water supplies
      derived from groundwater, with specific application to North Carolina. Data for
      this investigation were collected on a sample of 96 North Carolina public water
      supply wells. Water samples were collected and analyzed for(222)Rn content. Data
      on site geology and well characteristics (discharge, specific capacity, depth,
      and casing length) were obtained from existing sources. From a statistical
      examination of the data collected in this study, we conclude that there is a
      distinct and statistically significant difference in the mean(222)Rn
      concentrations of groundwater associated with different types of rocks. The data,
      however, also indicate that there is a great degree of variability in the(222)Rn
      concentrations of samples drawn from any giver rock type. The situation is made
      slightly better by introducing a second variable given as the geologic region of
      a water supply. A fairly surprising finding of this study is the relative
      insignificance of discharge, specific capacity, depth, and casing length of wells
      as predictors of(222)Rn concentration. The present study indicates that use of
      these variables as predictors does not significantly improve the likelihood of
      locating water supplies with elevatec(222)Rn concentrations. 

PMID- 24213594
TI  - Sources of halogens in the environment, influences on human and animal health.
AB  - Of the halogens, fluorine has the highest crustal abundance (544 mg/kg) while
      iodine has the lowest (0.25 mg/kg), however, chlorine is by far the most abundant
      halogen in the cosmos. The geochemistries of the four naturally occurring
      halogens have some similarities with fluorine, chlorine and bromine being
      classified as lithophile elements while iodine is more chalcophile in nature.
      Bromine and iodine behave in a similar fashion in the secondary environment and
      could be classified as biophile elements being concentrated in organic matter.
      Chlorine, bromine and iodine are strongly enriched in the sea while iodine and to
      a lesser extent bromine are further concentrated in the marine algae.Apart from
      the occurrence of fluorine in fluorite (CaF2) there are few commonly occurring
      minerals which contain the halogens as essential constituents. In the igneous
      environment fluorine and chlorine tend to occupy hydroxyl lattice sites in micas,
      amphiboles, apatites etc., while in sediments clays can contain appreciable
      quantities of these elements. Bromine and iodine, however, would be unlikely to
      fit into the lattice sites of common rock-forming minerals.Bromine, like iodine,
      is probably volatilised from the marine environment and is carried on to land
      surfaces. This behaviour of iodine and bromine is reflected in the increased I/CI
      and Br/CI ratios of surface run-off in continental compared with near coastal
      environments.Limited information on the soil geochemistry of the halogens
      suggests that the soil contents of chlorine, bromine and iodine are influenced by
      proximity to the sea. Soil fluorine, however, is generally dependent on its
      content in the parent material. In some areas pollutant sources of the halogens
      contribute appreciably to their concentration in the environment.Iodine and
      chlorine are essential elements for mammals and fluorine has been shown to have
      beneficial effects on bone and tooth formation. However, excess quantities of
      dietary fluorine can be harmful. It is possible, in view of its ubiquitous
      occurrence in the biosphere, that bromine has a hitherto unknown function in
      human and animal health. 

PMID- 24213595
TI  - Background levels of microelements in soils of Italy.
AB  - A systematic survey on the distribution of geochemically and texicologically
      relevant trace elements in the soils of Italy was carried out on 32 soil
      profiles, developed in different environmental and pedological conditions. The
      aim of this study was to collect basic information on the background levels of
      trace elements, their geochemical behaviour and the relationships between
      weathering and pedogenetic processes. The statistically processed analytical
      results led to the following conclusions: (i) Trace element distribution in the
      profiles studied is consistent with pedochemical behaviour and rock lithology. A
      comparison with the world soil means shows that there are no significant
      differences, except for those elements largely utilised in agriculture (Cu, Zn)
      or, because of pollution, (Pd, Cd), or natural accumulation (Ni, Cr); (ii) data
      processing by cluster analysis shows marked correlations between some elements,
      for example, Al-V, Ni-Cr, Mn-Co. Groups of geochemically homogeneous samples,
      which correspond to the great soil families characteristic of each pedological
      landscape, are also indicated; (iii) evidence of soil contamination is provided
      by the high levels of some elements, especially in the A horizon. Cu and Zn seem
      to be concentrated in the Ap horizon of cultivated soils, while Pd and Cd may be
      derived from the atmosphere. 

PMID- 24213596
TI  - Using the robotic device REAplan as a valid, reliable, and sensitive tool to
      quantify upper limb impairments in stroke patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To validate a protocol assessing upper limb kinematics using a planar
      robot among stroke patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: Age
      matched healthy subjects (n = 25) and stroke patients (n = 25). METHODS: Various
      kinematic indices (n = 44) were obtained from 4 tasks performed by subjects with
      REAplan, a planar end-effector robotic device. The metrological properties of
      this protocol were studied. RESULTS: In stroke patients, 43 kinematic indices
      showed moderate to excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients
      (ICC) range 0.40-0.95; and minimal detectable changes range 9.9-121.1%). In
      healthy subjects, 25 kinematic indices showed moderate to excellent reliability
      (ICC range 0.40-0.91) and 3 indices showed a laterality effect (p < 0.05). Many
      of these indices (27 of 44) were altered in stroke patients in comparison with
      healthy subjects (p < 0.05). The Box and Block test (manual dexterity) and Upper
      Limb Sub-score of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (motor control) showed moderate to
      good correlations with, respectively, 13 and 4 indices (r > 0.40). Finally, a
      principal component analysis allowed the elaboration of a short version of the
      protocol, reducing the number of indices to 5 (i.e. Amplitude, CVstraightness,
      Speed Metric, CVjerk metric and CVspeed metric). CONCLUSION: This study provides
      a standardized, valid, reliable and sensitive protocol to quantify upper limb
      impairments in stroke patients, using a planar robot.

PMID- 24213597
TI  - Body and head tilt reveals multiple frames of reference for spatial attention.
AB  - Most modern theories of spatial attention suggest that it is based on a maplike
      representation that prioritizes information in some spatial locations over
      others. However, movement through space changes the relationship between what is
      "out there" and a person's viewpoint. Does spatial attention move with the
      viewer, or does it stay in environmental locations? Several recent psychophysical
      and neuroscience studies have attempted to address this question by probing
      attention following saccadic eye movements. The alignment of the head and body to
      the external environment in these studies, however, makes it impossible to
      determine whether attention is based on the viewer's location in space or on the
      external environment. The current study therefore introduces a head and/or body
      tilt through the vertical plane to dissociate viewer-centered from environment
      centered representations. Participants first acquired a long-lasting attentional
      bias to a region of the search display that was likely to contain a target. They
      then tilted their head or body, and the location of the spatial bias was
      evaluated. The results suggest that attention has both a viewer-centered
      component that rotates with the viewer's head and an environment-centered
      component that is tied to environmental locations. 

PMID- 24213598
TI  - When crowding of crowding leads to uncrowding.
AB  - In object recognition, features are thought to be processed in a hierarchical
      fashion from low-level analysis (edges and lines) to complex figural processing
      (shapes and objects). Here, we show that figural processing determines low-level
      processing. Vernier offset discrimination strongly deteriorated when we embedded
      a vernier in a square. This is a classic crowding effect. Surprisingly, crowding
      almost disappeared when additional squares were added. We propose that figural
      interactions between the squares precede low-level suppression of the vernier by
      the single square, contrary to hierarchical models of object recognition. 

PMID- 24213599
TI  - The role of hexokinases from grape berries (Vitis vinifera L.) in regulating the
      expression of cell wall invertase and sucrose synthase genes.
AB  - In plants, hexokinase (HXK, EC 2.7.1.1) involved in hexose phosphorylation, plays
      an important role in sugar sensing and signaling. In this study, we found that at
      Phase I of grape berry development, lower hexose (glucose or fructose) levels
      were concomitant with higher HXK activities and protein levels. After the onset
      of ripening, we demonstrated a drastic reduction in HXK activity and protein
      levels accompanied by a rising hexose level. Therefore, our results revealed that
      HXK activity and protein levels had an inverse relationship with the endogenous
      glucose or fructose levels during grape berry development. A 51 kDa HXK protein
      band was detected throughout grape berry development. In addition, HXK located in
      the vacuoles, cytoplasm, nucleus, proplastid, chloroplast, and mitochondrion of
      the berry flesh cells. During grape berry development, HXK transcriptional level
      changed slightly, while cell wall invertase (CWINV) and sucrose synthase (SuSy)
      expression was enhanced after veraison stage. Intriguingly, when sliced grape
      berries were incubated in different glucose solutions, CWINV and SuSy expression
      was repressed by glucose, and the intensity of repression depended on glucose
      concentration and incubation time. After sliced, grape berries were treated with
      different glucose analogs, CWINV and SuSy expression analyses revealed that
      phosphorylation of hexoses by hexokinase was an essential component in the
      glucose-dependent CWINV and SuSy expression. In the meantime, mannoheptulose, a
      specific inhibitor of hexokinase, blocked the repression induced by glucose on
      CWINV and SuSy expression. It suggested that HXK played a major role in
      regulating CWINV and SuSy expression during grape berry development.

PMID- 24213600
TI  - Shu1 promotes homolog bias of meiotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - Homologous recombination occurs closely between homologous chromatids with highly
      ordered recombinosomes through RecA homologs and mediators. The present study
      demonstrates this relationship during the period of "partner choice" in yeast
      meiotic recombination. We have examined the formation of recombination
      intermediates in the absence or presence of Shu1, a member of the PCSS complex,
      which also includes Psy3, Csm2, and Shu2. DNA physical analysis indicates that
      Shu1 is essential for promoting the establishment of homolog bias during meiotic
      homologous recombination, and the partner choice is switched by Mek1 kinase
      activity. Furthermore, Shu1 promotes both crossover (CO) and non-crossover (NCO)
      pathways of meiotic recombination. The inactivation of Mek1 kinase allows for
      meiotic recombination to progress efficiently, but is lost in homolog bias where
      most doublestrand breaks (DSBs) are repaired via stable intersister joint
      molecules. Moreover, the Srs2 helicase deletion cells in the budding yeast show
      slightly reduced COs and NCOs, and Shu1 promotes homolog bias independent of
      Srs2. Our findings reveal that Shu1 and Mek1 kinase activity have biochemically
      distinct roles in partner choice, which in turn enhances the understanding of the
      mechanism associated with the precondition for homolog bias. 

PMID- 24213601
TI  - EPITRANS: a database that integrates epigenome and transcriptome data.
AB  - Epigenetic modifications affect gene expression and thereby govern a wide range
      of biological processes such as differentiation, development and tumorigenesis.
      Recent initiatives to define genome-wide DNA methylation and histone modification
      profiles by microarray and sequencing methods have led to the construction of
      databases. These databases are repositories for international epigenetic
      consortiums or provide mining results from PubMed, but do not integrate the
      epigenetic information with gene expression changes. In order to overcome this
      limitation, we constructed EPITRANS, a novel database that visualizes the
      relationships between gene expression and epigenetic modifications. EPITRANS uses
      combined analysis of epigenetic modification and gene expression to search for
      cell function-related epigenetic and transcriptomic alterations (Freely available
      on the web at http://epitrans.org ). 

PMID- 24213602
TI  - Estrogen metabolism and breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women: a case
      cohort study within B~FIT.
AB  - Although elevated circulating estrogens are associated with increased
      postmenopausal breast cancer risk, less is known regarding the role of estrogen
      metabolism in breast carcinogenesis. We conducted a case-cohort study within the
      Breast and Bone Follow-up to the Fracture Intervention Trial to assess serum
      estrogens and estrogen metabolites (EMs) in 407 incident breast cancer cases
      diagnosed during follow-up and a subcohort of 496 women. In 1992-93, women
      completed a baseline questionnaire and provided blood samples. Hazard ratios
      (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for geography and trial
      participation status, were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression.
      Serum concentrations of EMs were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry. EMs (quintiles, Q) were analyzed individually, as metabolic
      pathways (C-2, -4 or -16) and as ratios. Elevated circulating estradiol was
      associated with increased breast cancer risk (HRQ5vsQ1 = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.19-2.90;
      P trend = 0.04). An elevated ratio of the 2-hydroxylation pathway (HRQ5vsQ1 =
      0.69; 95% CI: 0.46-1.05; P trend = 0.01) and 4-hydroxylation pathway (HRQ5vsQ1 =
      0.61; 95% CI: 0.40-0.93; P trend = 0.004) to parent estrogens (estradiol and
      estrone) was inversely associated with risk. A higher ratio of the 2/16
      hydroxylation pathways was associated with reduced risk (HRQ5vsQ1 = 0.60; 95% CI:
      0.40-0.90; P trend = 0.002). Increased 2- or 4-hydroxylation of parent estrogens
      may lower risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. Analyses of metabolic pathways
      may help elucidate the role of estrogen metabolism in breast carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 24213603
TI  - Defective generation and maturation of dendritic cells from monocytes in
      colorectal cancer patients during the course of disease.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in
      Western countries. Today, the role of the host's immune system in controlling the
      progression and spread of solid tumors is broadly established. Tumor
      immunosurveillance escape mechanisms, such as those involving dendritic cells
      (DCs), the most important antigen-presenting cells, are likewise recognized
      processes involved in cancer. The present study evaluates the ability of CRC
      patients to generate DCs in vitro from circulating monocytes at both pre- and
      post-operative timepoints; the results are correlated with the stage of disease
      to shed light on the systemic immune statuses of CRC patients. Our data showed
      that patients' DCs had lower co-stimulatory molecule expression and were less
      able to present antigens to allogeneic T cells compared to healthy controls' (HC)
      DCs. Furthermore altered cytokine secretion, such as increased IL-10 and reduced
      IL-12 and TNF-alpha, was observed. At the post-operative timepoints we observed a
      recovery of the patients' ability to generate immature DCs, compared to HCs, but
      the maturational capacity remained affected. Our study conclusively highlights
      the persistently impaired in vitro generation of fully mature and functional DCs,
      which appears to be more altered during advanced stages. This work sheds light on
      a dendritic cell-based tumor immune escape mechanism that could be useful for the
      development of more effective immunotherapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 24213604
TI  - Impact of cold ischemia on mitochondrial function in porcine hearts and blood
      vessels.
AB  - The effects of cold storage using Custodiol(r) (Histidine-Tryptophan
      Ketoglutarate, HTK) or isotonic saline solution on mitochondrial function in
      hearts (left and rights ventricles) and various blood vessels of pigs were
      investigated. Hearts, saphenous veins, internal-mammary-arteries and aortas of
      male landrace pigs were harvested and exposed to cold ischemia in either saline
      or Custodiol-HTK solution. Mitochondrial function was measured in situ in
      permeabilized fibers by high-resolution respirometry. Mitochondrial respiratory
      capacities (maximal respiration rates) were similar in the right and left
      ventricle in controls and after 14 h of cold storage were significantly better
      preserved in Custodiol-HTK than in saline solution. Mitochondrial respiration
      rates in various blood vessels including aorta, arteries and veins were less than
      5% of myocardium rates. In contrast to the pig heart, in some blood vessels, like
      veins, mitochondrial function remained stable even after 24 h of cold ischemia.
      HTK-Custodiol protection of mitochondrial function after prolonged cold ischemia
      was observed in the myocardium but not in blood vessels. HTK-Custodiol solution
      thus offers significant protection of myocardial mitochondria against cold
      ischemic injury and can be used as efficient preservation solution in organ
      transplantation but probably has no benefit for blood vessels preservation.
      Analysis of mitochondrial function can be used as a valuable approach for the
      assessment of cold ischemic injury in various tissues including pig heart and
      various blood vessels. 

PMID- 24213605
TI  - Environmental pollution: a tangible risk for NAFLD pathogenesis.
AB  - The liver is crucial for human life, and the health of this organ often mirrors
      the health of the individual. The liver can be the target of several diseases,
      the most prevalent of which, as a consequence of development and changes in human
      lifestyles, is the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a
      multifactorial disease that embraces many histo-pathologic conditions and is
      highly linked to metabolic derangements. Technological progress and
      industrialization have also had the consequence of releasing pollutants in the
      environment, for instance pesticides or solvents, as well as by-products of
      discharge, such as the particulate matter. In the last decade, a growing body of
      evidence has emerged, shedding light on the potential impact of environmental
      pollutants on liver health and, in particular, on NAFLD occurrence. These
      contaminants have a great steatogenic potential and need to be considered as
      tangible NAFLD risk factors. There is an urgent need for a deeper comprehension
      of their molecular mechanisms of action, as well as for new lines of intervention
      to reduce their worldwide diffusion. This review wishes to sensitize the
      community to the effects of several environmental pollutants on liver health. 

PMID- 24213606
TI  - The molecular mechanisms of zinc neurotoxicity and the pathogenesis of vascular
      type senile dementia.
AB  - Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element that is abundantly present in the brain.
      Despite its importance in normal brain functions, excess Zn is neurotoxic and
      causes neurodegeneration following transient global ischemia and plays a crucial
      role in the pathogenesis of vascular-type dementia (VD). We have investigated the
      molecular mechanisms of Zn-induced neurotoxicity using immortalized hypothalamic
      neurons (GT1-7 cells) and found that carnosine (beta-alanyl histidine) and
      histidine (His) inhibited Zn2+-induced neuronal death. A DNA microarray analysis
      revealed that the expression of several genes, including metal-related genes
      (metallothionein and Zn transporter 1), endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress related
      genes (GADD34, GADD45, and p8), and the calcium (Ca)-related gene Arc (activity
      related cytoskeleton protein), were affected after Zn exposure. The co-existence
      of carnosine or His inhibited the expression of GADD34, p8, and Arc, although
      they did not influence the expression of the metal-related genes. Therefore, ER
      stress and the disruption of Ca homeostasis may underlie the mechanisms of Zn
      induced neurotoxicity, and carnosine might be a possible drug candidate for the
      treatment of VD. 

PMID- 24213607
TI  - Isolation, expression, and characterization of a hydroperoxide lyase gene from
      cucumber.
AB  - A full-length cDNA coding for hydroperoxide lyase (CsHPL) was isolated from
      cucumber fruits of No. 26 (Southern China type) and No.14-1 (Northern China
      type), which differed significantly in fruit flavor. The deduced amino acid
      sequences of CsHPL from both lines show the same and significant similarity to
      known plant HPLs and contain typical conserved domains of HPLs. The recombinant
      CsHPL was confirmed to have 9/13-HPL enzymatic activity. Gene expression levels
      of CsHPL were measured in different organs, especially in fruits of different
      development stages of both lines. The HPL activities of fruit were identified
      basing on the catalytic action of crude enzyme extracts incubating with 13-HPOD
      (13-hydroperoxy-(9Z,12E)-octadecadienoic acid) and 13-HPOD + 9-HPOD (9
      hydroperoxy-(10E,12Z)-octadecadienoic acid), and volatile reaction products were
      analyzed by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). CsHPL gene expression
      in No. 26 fruit occurred earlier than that of total HPL enzyme activity and 13
      HPL enzyme activity, and that in No. 14-1 fruit was consistent with total HPL
      enzyme activity and 9-HPL enzyme activity. 13-HPL enzyme activities decreased
      significantly and the 9-HPL enzyme activities increased significantly with fruit
      ripening in both lines, which accounted for the higher content of C6 aldehydes at
      0-6 day post-anthesis (dpa) and higher content of C9 aldehydes at 9-12 dpa. 

PMID- 24213608
TI  - SEPT12-microtubule complexes are required for sperm head and tail formation.
AB  - The septin gene belongs to a highly conserved family of polymerizing GTP-binding
      cytoskeletal proteins. SEPTs perform cytoskeletal remodeling, cell polarity,
      mitosis, and vesicle trafficking by interacting with various cytoskeletons. Our
      previous studies have indicated that SEPTIN12+/+/+/- chimeras with a SEPTIN12
      mutant allele were infertile. Spermatozoa from the vas deferens of chimeric mice
      indicated an abnormal sperm morphology, decreased sperm count, and immotile
      sperm. Mutations and genetic variants of SEPTIN12 in infertility cases also
      caused oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. We suggest that a loss of SEPT12
      affects the biological function of microtublin functions and causes
      spermiogenesis defects. In the cell model, SEPT12 interacts with alpha- and beta
      tubulins by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP). To determine the precise localization
      and interactions between SEPT12 and alpha- and beta-tubulins in vivo, we created
      SEPTIN12-transgene mice. We demonstrate how SEPT12 interacts and co-localizes
      with alpha- and beta-tubulins during spermiogenesis in these mice. By using
      shRNA, the loss of SEPT12 transcripts disrupts alpha- and beta-tubulin
      organization. In addition, losing or decreasing SEPT12 disturbs the morphogenesis
      of sperm heads and the elongation of sperm tails, the steps of which are
      coordinated and constructed by alpha- and beta-tubulins, in SEPTIN12+/+/+/-
      chimeras. In this study, we discovered that the SEPTIN12-microtubule complexes
      are critical for sperm formation during spermiogenesis. 

PMID- 24213609
TI  - Structural and functional analysis of the related transcriptional enhancer factor
      1 and NF-kappaB interaction.
AB  - The related transcriptional enhancer factor-1 (RTEF-1) increases gene
      transcription of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and enhances
      angiogenesis in endothelium. Both hypoxia and inflammatory factor TNF-alpha
      regulate gene expression of HIF-1alpha, but how RTEF-1 and TNF-alpha coordinately
      regulate HIF-1alpha gene transcription is unclear. Here, we found that RTEF-1
      interacts with p65 subunit of NF-kappaB, a primary mediator of TNF-alpha. RTEF-1
      increased HIF-1alpha promoter activity, whereas expression of p65 subunit
      inhibited the stimulatory effect. By contrast, knockdown of p65 markedly enhanced
      RTEF-1 stimulation on the HIF-1alpha promoter activity (7-fold). A physical
      interaction between RTEF-1 and p65 was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation
      experiments in cells and glutathione S-transferase (GST)-pull-down assays. A
      computational analysis of RTEF-1 crystal structures revealed that a conserved
      surface of RTEF-1 potentially interacts with p65 via four amino acid residues
      located at T347, Y349, R351, and Y352. We performed site-directed mutagenesis and
      GST-pull-down assays and demonstrated that Tyr352 (Y352) in RTEF-1 is a key site
      for the formation of RTEF-1 and p65-NF-kappaB complex. An alanine mutation at
      Y352 of RTEF-1 disrupted the interaction of RTEF-1 with p65. Moreover, expression
      of RTEF-1 decreased TNF-alpha-induced HIF-1alpha promoter activity, IL-1beta, and
      IL-6 mRNA levels in cells; however, the effect of RTEF-1 was largely lost when
      Y352 was mutated to alanine. These results indicate that RTEF-1 interacts with
      p65-NF-kappaB through Y352 and that they antagonize each other for HIF-1alpha
      transcriptional activation, suggesting a novel mechanism by which RTEF-1
      regulates gene expression, linking hypoxia to inflammation. 

PMID- 24213610
TI  - Cyclooxygenase-derived vasoconstriction restrains hypoxia-mediated cerebral
      vasodilation in young adults with metabolic syndrome.
AB  - Poor cerebrovascular function in metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) likely contributes
      to elevated risk of cerebrovascular disease in this growing clinical population.
      Younger MetSyn adults without clinical evidence of cerebrovascular disease
      exhibit preserved hypercapnic vasodilation yet markedly impaired hypoxic
      vasodilation, but the mechanisms behind reduced hypoxic vasodilation are unknown.
      Based on data from rats, we tested the hypothesis that younger adults with MetSyn
      exhibit reduced cerebral hypoxic vasodilation due to loss of vasodilating
      prostaglandins. Middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) was measured with
      transcranial Doppler ultrasound in adults with MetSyn (n = 13, 33 +/- 3 yr) and
      healthy controls (n = 15, 31 +/- 2 yr). Isocapnic hypoxia was induced by
      titrating inspired oxygen to lower arterial saturation to 90% and 80% for 5 min
      each. Separately, hypercapnia was induced by increasing end-tidal CO2 10 mmHg
      above baseline levels. Cyclooxygenase inhibition (100 mg indomethacin) was
      conducted in a randomized double-blind, placebo controlled design. MCAv was
      normalized for group differences in blood pressure (healthy: 89 +/- 2 mmHg vs.
      MetSyn: 102 +/- 2 mmHg) as cerebrovascular conductance index (CVCi), and used to
      assess cerebral vasodilation. Hypoxia increased CVCi in both groups; however,
      vasodilation was ~55% lower in MetSyn at SpO2 = 80% (P < 0.05). Indomethacin
      tended to decrease hypoxic vasodilation in healthy controls, and unexpectedly
      increased dilation in MetSyn (P < 0.05). In contrast to hypoxia, hypercapnia
      mediated vasodilation was similar between groups, as was the decrease in
      vasodilation with indomethacin. These data indicate increased production of
      vasoconstrictor prostaglandins restrains hypoxic cerebral vasodilation in MetSyn,
      preventing them from responding appropriately to this important physiological
      stressor. 

PMID- 24213611
TI  - Experimental model of transthoracic, vascular-targeted, photodynamically induced
      myocardial infarction.
AB  - We describe a novel model of myocardial infarction (MI) in rats induced by
      percutaneous transthoracic low-energy laser-targeted photodynamic irradiation.
      The procedure does not require thoracotomy and represents a minimally invasive
      alternative to existing surgical models. Target cardiac area to be
      photodynamically irradiated was triangulated from the thoracic X-ray scans. The
      acute phase of MI was histopathologically characterized by the presence of
      extensive vascular occlusion, hemorrhage, loss of transversal striations,
      neutrophilic infiltration, and necrotic changes of cardiomyocytes. Consequently,
      damaged myocardium was replaced with fibrovascular and granulation tissue. The
      fibrotic scar in the infarcted area was detected by computer tomography imaging.
      Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a specific marker of myocardial injury, was
      significantly elevated at 6 h (41 +/- 6 ng/ml, n = 4, P < 0.05 vs. baseline) and
      returned to baseline after 72 h. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining revealed
      transmural anterolateral infarcts targeting 25 +/- 3% of the left ventricle at
      day 1 with a decrease to 20 +/- 3% at day 40 (n = 6 for each group, P < 0.01 vs.
      day 1). Electrocardiography (ECG) showed significant ST-segment elevation in the
      acute phase with subsequent development of a pathological Q wave and premature
      ventricular contractions in the chronic phase of MI. Vectorcardiogram analysis of
      spatiotemporal electrical signal transduction revealed changes in inscription
      direction, QRS loop morphology, and redistribution in quadrant areas. The
      photodynamically induced MI in n = 51 rats was associated with 12% total
      mortality. Histological findings, ECG abnormalities, and elevated cTnI levels
      confirmed the photosensitizer-dependent induction of MI after laser irradiation.
      This novel rodent model of MI might provide a platform to evaluate new diagnostic
      or therapeutic interventions. 

PMID- 24213613
TI  - Protective effects of histamine on Gq-mediated relaxation in regenerated
      endothelium.
AB  - In the porcine coronary artery, regenerated endothelium is dysfunctional as
      regards the responses to endothelium-dependent agonists. The current study aimed
      to determine the possible involvement of histamine in such dysfunction. Pigs were
      treated chronically with pyrilamine (H1 receptor inhibitor, 2 mg.kg(-1).day(-1))
      with part of their coronary endothelium and allowed to regenerate for 28 days
      after balloon denudation. The results showed a reduction in relaxation to
      bradykinin (Gq protein dependent) only in the pyrilamine-treated group (area
      under the curve, 269.7 +/- 13.4 vs. 142.0 +/- 31.0, native endothelium vs.
      regenerated endothelium) but not in the control group (253.0 +/- 22.1 vs. 231.9
      +/- 29.5, native endothelium vs. regenerated endothelium). The differences in the
      relaxation to serotonin (Gi protein dependent) between native and regenerated
      endothelium were not affected by the pyrilamine treatment (control group, 106.3
      +/- 17.0 vs. 55.61 +/- 12.7; and pyrilamine group, 106.0 +/- 8.20 vs. 49.30 +/-
      6.31, native endothelium vs. regenerated endothelium). These findings indicate
      that during regeneration of the endothelium, the activation of H1 receptors by
      endogenous histamine may be required to maintain the endothelium-dependent Gq
      protein-mediated relaxation to bradykinin, suggesting a beneficial role of the
      monoamine in the process of endothelial regeneration. 

PMID- 24213612
TI  - Nox-derived ROS are acutely activated in pressure overload pulmonary
      hypertension: indications for a seminal role for mitochondrial Nox4.
AB  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a severe progressive disease with marked
      morbidity and high mortality in which right ventricular (RV) failure is the major
      cause of death. Thus knowledge of the mechanisms underlying RV failure is an area
      of active interest. Previous studies suggest a role of NADPH oxidase in
      cardiomyocyte dysfunction in the left heart. Here we postulate that acute
      pressure overload induced by pulmonary artery banding (PAB) leads to a Nox4
      initiated increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mouse RV that may lead to
      feed-forward induction of Nox2. To test our hypothesis, ROS production was
      measured in RV and left ventricle homogenates. The data show that hydrogen
      peroxide (H2O2), but not superoxide anion (O2(.-)), was increased in the early
      phases (within 6 h) of PAB in RV and that this increase was diminished by
      catalase and diphenyleneiodonium chloride but not by SOD, N(omega)-nitro-l
      arginin methyl ester, febuxostat, or indomethacin. H2O2 production in RV was not
      attenuated in Nox2 null mice subjected to 6 h PAB. Moreover, we observed an
      upregulation of Nox4 mRNA after 1 h of PAB and an increase in mitochondrial Nox4
      protein 6 h post-PAB. In contrast, we observed an increase in Nox2 mRNA 1 day
      post-PAB. Expression of antioxidant enzymes SOD, catalase, and glutathione
      peroxidase did not change, but catalase activity increased 6 h post-PAB. Taken
      together, these findings show a role of mitochondria-localized Nox4 in the early
      phase of PAB and suggest an involvement of this isozyme in early ROS generation
      possibly contributing to progression of RV dysfunction and failure. 

PMID- 24213614
TI  - Integrated rate-dependent and dual pathway AV nodal functions: principles and
      assessment framework.
AB  - The atrioventricular (AV) node conducts slowly and has a long refractory period.
      These features sustain the filtering of atrial impulses and hence are often
      modulated to optimize ventricular rate during supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.
      The AV node is also the site of a clinically common reentrant arrhythmia. Its
      function is assessed for a variety of purposes from its responses to a premature
      protocol (S1S2, test beats introduced at different cycle lengths) repeatedly
      performed at different basic rates and/or to an incremental pacing protocol
      (increasingly faster rates). Puzzlingly, resulting data and interpretation differ
      with protocols as well as with chosen recovery and refractory indexes, and are
      further complicated by the presence of built-in fast and slow pathways. This
      problem applies to endocavitary investigations of arrhythmias as well as to many
      experimental functional studies. This review supports an integrated framework of
      rate-dependent and dual pathway AV nodal function that can account for these
      puzzling characteristics. The framework was established from AV nodal responses
      to S1S2S3 protocols that, compared with standard S1S2 protocols, allow for an
      orderly quantitative dissociation of the different factors involved in changes in
      AV nodal conduction and refractory indexes under rate-dependent and dual pathway
      function. Although largely based on data from experimental studies, the proposed
      framework may well apply to the human AV node. In conclusion, the rate-dependent
      and dual pathway properties of the AV node can be integrated within a common
      functional framework the contribution of which to individual responses can be
      quantitatively determined with properly designed protocols and analytic tools. 

PMID- 24213615
TI  - The human thoracic duct is functionally innervated by adrenergic nerves.
AB  - Lymphatic vessels from animals have been shown to be innervated. While
      morphological studies have confirmed human lymphatic vessels are innervated,
      functional studies supporting this are lacking. The present study demonstrates a
      functional innervation of the human thoracic duct (TD) that is predominantly
      adrenergic. TDs harvested from 51 patients undergoing esophageal and cardia
      cancer surgery were either fixed for structural investigations or maintained in
      vitro for the functional assessment of innervation by isometric force
      measurements and electrical field stimulation (EFS). Electron microscopy and
      immunohistochemistry suggested scarce diffuse distribution of nerves in the
      entire vessel wall, but nerve-mediated contractions could be induced with EFS and
      were sensitive to the muscarinic receptor blocker atropine and the alpha
      adrenoceptor blocker phentolamine. The combination of phentolamine and atropine
      resulted in a near-complete abolishment of EFS-induced contractions. The presence
      of sympathetic nerves was further confirmed by contractions induced by the
      sympathomimetic and catecholamine-releasing agent tyramine. Reactivity to the
      neurotransmitters norepinephrine, substance P, neuropeptide Y, acetylcholine, and
      methacholine was demonstrated by exogenous application to human TD ring segments.
      Norepinephrine provided the most consistent responses, whereas responses to the
      other agonists varied. We conclude that the human TD is functionally innervated
      with both cholinergic and adrenergic components, with the latter of the two
      dominating. 

PMID- 24213616
TI  - Individual differences in cardiac and vascular components of the pressor response
      to isometric handgrip exercise in humans.
AB  - We tested the hypotheses that, in humans, changes in cardiac output (CO) and
      total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) occurring in response to isometric
      handgrip exercise vary considerably among individuals and that those individual
      differences are related to differences in muscle metaboreflex and arterial
      baroreflex function. Thirty-nine healthy subjects performed a 1-min isometric
      handgrip exercise at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction. This was followed by a
      4-min postexercise muscle ischemia (PEMI) period to selectively maintain
      activation of the muscle metaboreflex. All subjects showed increases in arterial
      pressure during exercise. Interindividual coefficients of variation (CVs) for the
      changes in CO and TPR between rest and exercise periods (CO: 95.1% and TPR:
      87.8%) were more than twofold greater than CVs for changes in mean arterial
      pressure (39.7%). There was a negative correlation between CO and TPR responses
      during exercise (r = -0.751, P < 0.01), but these CO and TPR responses correlated
      positively with the corresponding responses during PEMI (r = 0.568 and 0.512,
      respectively, P < 0.01). The CO response during exercise did not correlate with
      PEMI-induced changes in an index of cardiac parasympathetic tone and cardiac
      baroreflex sensitivity. These findings demonstrate that the changes in CO and TPR
      that occur in response to isometric handgrip exercise vary considerably among
      individuals and that the two responses have an inverse relationship. They also
      suggest that individual differences in components of the pressor response are
      attributable in part to variations in muscle metaboreflex-mediated
      cardioaccelerator and vasoconstrictor responses. 

PMID- 24213618
TI  - Left ventricular energetics: new insight into the plasticity of regional
      contributions at rest and during exercise.
AB  - Although the human left ventricle (LV) operates as a functional syncytium and
      previous studies have reported a single value for LV stroke work at rest, more
      intricate plasticity of regional LV energetics may be required during enhanced
      cardiovascular demand. We compared kinetic energy of the LV base and apex,
      respectively, during ventricular contraction and relaxation at rest and during
      continuous and discontinuous incremental exercise. At rest, prior to both
      exercise trials, the accumulated kinetic energy during contraction and relaxation
      was significantly higher at the LV base compared with the apex (P <= 0.05). With
      increasing exercise intensity, kinetic energy during contraction increased
      significantly more at the LV base (interaction effect: P < 0.0001), while kinetic
      energy during relaxation increased significantly more at the apex during high
      intensity exercise (interaction effect: P < 0.001). Total kinetic energy produced
      over the entire cardiac cycle was significantly greater at the LV apex during
      high exercise intensities (P < 0.05). We further show that the region-specific
      differences in kinetic energy at rest and during exercise are explained by
      significantly different wall mechanics, showing heterogenic contributions from
      radial, circumferential, and angular components at the base and apex,
      respectively. In conclusion, the present findings provide unique insight into
      human LV function by demonstrating that within this functional syncytium,
      significant differences in the regional contributions of kinetic energy to
      overall LV work exist. Importantly, regional contributions are not fixed but
      highly plastic and the underpinning LV wall energetics adjust according to the
      prevailing cardiovascular demand. 

PMID- 24213617
TI  - Contractile protein expression is upregulated by reactive oxygen species in aorta
      of Goto-Kakizaki rat.
AB  - Although it is known that blood vessels undergo remodeling in type 2 diabetes
      (T2D), the signaling pathways that underlie the structural and functional changes
      seen in diabetic arteries remain unclear. Our objective was to determine whether
      the remodeling in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats is evoked by elevated
      reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results show that aortas from GK rats produced
      greater force (P < 0.05) in response to stimulation with KCl and U46619 than
      aortas from Wistar rats. Associated with these changes, aortic expression of
      contractile proteins (measured as an index of remodeling) and the microRNA (miR
      145), which act to upregulate transcription of contractile protein genes, was
      twofold higher (P < 0.05) in GK than Wistar (age-matched control) rats, and there
      was a corresponding increase in ROS and decrease in nitric oxide signaling. Oral
      administration of the antioxidant Tempol (1 mmol/l) to Wistar and GK rats reduced
      (P < 0.05) myocardin and calponin expression. Tempol (1 mmol/l) decreased
      expression of miR-145 in Wistar and GK rat aorta. To elucidate the mechanism
      through which ROS increases miR-145, we measured their levels in freshly isolated
      aorta and cultured aortic smooth muscle cells incubated for 12 h in the presence
      of H2O2 (300 MUmol/l). H2O2 increased expression of miR-145, and there were
      corresponding nuclear increases in myocardin, a miR-145 target protein.
      Intriguingly, H2O2-induced expression of miR-145 was decreased by U0126 (10
      MUmol/l), a MEK1/2 inhibitor, and myocardin was decreased by anti-miR-145 (50
      nmol/l) and U0126 (10 MUmol/l). Our novel findings demonstrate that ROS evokes
      vascular wall remodeling and dysfunction by enhancing expression of contractile
      proteins in T2D. 

PMID- 24213619
TI  - Impact of scar on SPECT assay of left ventricular contraction dyssynchrony.
AB  - PURPOSE: Many patients presently receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy
      (CRT) do not respond. A disproportionate number of nonresponders have ischemic
      cardiomyopathy, with significant left ventricular (LV) scar burden. Current
      selection criteria, such as electrocardiography or echocardiography, may not
      reliably portray the magnitude of CRT-remediable LV contraction dyssynchrony.
      Although phase analysis of gated single photon emission computed tomography
      (SPECT) image data is increasingly appreciated as a tool for quantifying
      dyssynchrony, its use in the setting of scar has not been adequately evaluated.
      METHODS: Consecutive patients with ischemic (ICM, n = 50) or nonischemic (NICM, n
      = 39) cardiomyopathy underwent SPECT imaging prior to receiving CRT. In each
      patient, phase analysis of the raw images was performed to yield a phase standard
      deviation (PSD), an index which varies directly with the magnitude of
      dyssynchrony. ICM patient image data were also reanalyzed after scarred segments
      were stripped away. RESULTS: Raw image analysis demonstrated that PSD was
      significantly larger among ICM (57 +/- 17 degrees ) than NICM (35 +/- 13 degrees
      , p < 0.001) patients. Among ICM patients, PSD after stripping of scarred
      segments was significantly decreased (40 +/- 13 degrees , p < 0.001). Signals
      emanating from scarred segments were of low amplitude and presented a random
      pattern, suggestive of noise rather than indicating contraction. CONCLUSION: PSD
      values may be spuriously increased by scar. These findings may be important when
      using SPECT in selecting ischemic cardiomyopathy patients for CRT.

PMID- 24213620
TI  - Retraction note: Neuroradiological advances detect abnormal neuroanatomy
      underlying neuropsychological impairments: the power of PET imaging.

PMID- 24213622
TI  - The use of barbed sutures during scoliosis fusion wound closure: a quality
      improvement analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Growing evidence in the orthopaedic arthroplasty literature supports
      the use of running bidirectional barbed suture (barbed suture) for closure of
      knee arthrotomies. More rapid wound closure and suture line integrity are
      described as its major advantages. No studies of barbed suture for the closure of
      posterior spinal wounds exist. The purpose of this project is to compare wound
      closure times and hospital charges using traditional closure versus barbed suture
      closure of posterior spine wounds created during scoliosis surgery. METHODS: A
      quality improvement project was initiated at a single tertiary-referral
      children's hospital spine program evaluating traditional layered interrupted
      suture closure (group 1) and running bidirectional barbed suture closure (Quill
      SRS) (group 2). Data regarding wound closure time, length of incision, fusion
      levels, suture cost, and hospital charges were prospectively collected over a 1
      month period. RESULTS: Ten incisions comprised group 1 and 15 comprised group 2.
      The average wound closure times were 29.5 and 17 minutes, respectively, P=0.006.
      The wound lengths between the groups were statistically comparable (P=0.15).
      Taking into account the wound length, the average closure time in group 1 was
      1.29 cm/min compared with 1.97 cm/min in group 2 (P<0.01). When accounting for
      the extra cost associated with the use of barbed sutures ($62.54; P<0.0001), the
      impact of a more rapid closure resulted in a difference in hospital charges of
      $884.60 per case (P=0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: Barbed suture closure of spinal fusion
      incisions results in a 40% reduction in closure time, resulting in an $884.60
      decrease in hospital charges related to operating room time. This may represent
      significant yearly cost savings in a high-volume spine fusion center and warrants
      further investigation comparing patient-related outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: This
      quality improvement analysis provides preliminary economic justification for
      using barbed suture for scoliosis fusion wound closure resulting in decreased
      operating room times and subsequent hospital charges. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II
      therapeutic study, prospective nonrandomized cohort.

PMID- 24213621
TI  - SPECT/CT and pulmonary embolism.
AB  - Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is diagnosed either by ventilation/perfusion (V/P)
      scintigraphy or pulmonary CT angiography (CTPA). In recent years both techniques
      have improved. Many nuclear medicine centres have adopted the single photon
      emission CT (SPECT) technique as opposed to the planar technique for diagnosing
      PE. SPECT has been shown to have fewer indeterminate results and a higher
      diagnostic value. The latest improvement is the combination of a low-dose CT scan
      with a V/P SPECT scan in a hybrid tomograph. In a study comparing CTPA, planar
      scintigraphy and SPECT alone, SPECT/CT had the best diagnostic accuracy for PE.
      In addition, recent developments in the CTPA technique have made it possible to
      image the pulmonary arteries of the lungs in one breath-hold. This development is
      based on the change from a single-detector to multidetector CT technology with an
      increase in volume coverage per rotation and faster rotation. Furthermore, the
      dual energy CT technique is a promising modality that can provide functional
      imaging in combination with anatomical information. Newer high-end CT scanners
      and SPECT systems are able to visualize smaller subsegmental emboli. However,
      consensus is lacking regarding the clinical impact and treatment. In the present
      review, SPECT and SPECT in combination with low-dose CT, CTPA and dual energy CT
      are discussed in the context of diagnosing PE. 

PMID- 24213624
TI  - Protective effects of maternal nutritional supplementation with lactoferrin on
      growth and brain metabolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a major risk factor for
      both perinatal and long-term morbidity. Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is a major milk
      glycoprotein considered as a pleiotropic functional nutrient. The impact of
      maternal supplementation with bLf on IUGR-induced sequelae, including inadequate
      growth and altered cerebral development, remains unknown. METHODS: IUGR was
      induced through maternal dexamethasone infusion (100 MUg/kg during last
      gestational week) in rats. Maternal supplementation with bLf (0.85% in food
      pellet) was provided during both gestation and lactation. Pup growth was
      monitored, and Pup brain metabolism and gene expression were studied using in
      vivo (1)H NMR spectroscopy, quantitative PCR, and microarray in the hippocampus
      at postnatal day (PND)7. RESULTS: Maternal bLf supplementation did not change
      gestational weight but increased the birth body weight of control pups (4%) with
      no effect on the IUGR pups. Maternal bLf supplementation allowed IUGR pups to
      recover a normalized weight at PND21 (weaning) improving catch-up growth.
      Significantly altered levels of brain metabolites (gamma-aminobutyric acid,
      glutamate, N-acetylaspartate, and N-acetylaspartylglutamate) and transcripts
      (brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1),
      and glutamate receptors) in IUGR pups were normalized with maternal bLf
      supplementation. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that maternal bLf supplementation
      is a beneficial nutritional intervention able to revert some of the IUGR-induced
      sequelae, including brain hippocampal changes.

PMID- 24213623
TI  - Gay male couples' attitudes toward using couples-based voluntary HIV counseling
      and testing.
AB  - Many men who have sex with men acquire HIV from their primary male partners while
      in a relationship. Studies with gay couples have demonstrated that relationship
      characteristics and testing behaviors are important to examine for HIV
      prevention. Recently, couples-based voluntary HIV counseling and testing (CVCT)
      has become available to male couples throughout the U.S. However, HIV-negative
      couples' attitudes toward using CVCT and how their relationship characteristics
      may affect their use of CVCT remain largely unknown. This information is
      particularly relevant for organizations that offer CVCT. To assess couples'
      attitudes, and associated factors toward using CVCT, a cross-sectional study
      design was used with a novel Internet-based recruitment method to collect dyadic
      data from a national sample of 275 HIV-negative gay couples. Multivariate
      multilevel modeling was used to identify factors associated with differences
      between and within couples about their attitudes towards using CVCT. Findings
      revealed that couples were "somewhat" to "very likely" to use CVCT. More positive
      attitudes toward using CVCT were associated with couples who had higher levels of
      relationship satisfaction and commitment toward their sexual agreement and among
      those who had at least one partner having had sex outside of the relationship.
      Less positive attitude toward using CVCT was associated with couples who had
      higher levels of trust toward their partners being dependable. Differences within
      couples, including age between partners, whether sex had occurred outside of the
      relationship, and value toward a sexual agreement also affected their attitudes
      toward using CVCT. Providing additional testing methods may help HIV-negative gay
      couples better manage their HIV risk. 

PMID- 24213626
TI  - Shining light on integrity of a tetracobalt-polyoxometalate water oxidation
      catalyst by X-ray spectroscopy before and after catalysis.
AB  - Modification of the Co-oxo cores of cobalt-polyoxometalate water oxidation
      catalysts is detectable by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) as demonstrated by
      comparison of Na10[Co4(H2O)2(PW9O34)2] (1) and
      Na17[((Co(H2O))Co2PW9O34)2(PW6O26)] (2). XAS reveals the integrity of 1
      uncompromised by oxidant-driven water oxidation, which proceeds without formation
      of catalytic cobalt oxide.

PMID- 24213625
TI  - Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic
      arthritis.
AB  - Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA) is clinically distinct from other
      types of JIA. It is typified by extraarticular features such as quotidian fevers,
      rash, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, laboratory abnormalities (including
      leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, anemia, hyperferritinemia, and elevated
      inflammatory markers), and a close association with the macrophage activation
      syndrome. Recent investigations have highlighted dysregulation of the innate
      immune system as the critical pathogenic driver of s-JIA. Key innate immune
      mediators of s-JIA are the macrophage-derived cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and
      IL-6. Increased understanding of the roles of IL-1 and IL-6 in the pathogenesis
      of s-JIA has led to major changes in therapeutic options. Until recently, the
      most commonly used medications included corticosteroids, methotrexate, and tumor
      necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, which are incompletely effective in most cases.
      Newer biologic agents targeting IL-1 and IL-6 have proven very effective in
      treating s-JIA and in minimizing corticosteroid exposure. Here we review recent
      advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of s-JIA and the recent
      clinical trials that have revolutionized the care of children with s-JIA. 

PMID- 24213627
TI  - Together but different: co-occurring dune plant species differ in their water-
      and nitrogen-use strategies.
AB  - Stress factors may severely constrain the range of plant physiological responses
      in harsh environments. Convergence of traits is expected in coastal dunes because
      of environmental filtering imposed by severe abiotic factors. However, the wide
      range of morphological and phenological traits exhibited by coexisting dune
      species suggests considerable variation in functional traits. We hypothesized
      that the constraints imposed by structural traits ought to translate into
      physiological differences. Five dominant species with different morphological
      traits, but coexisting in a homogeneous dune area in Northwest Spain, were
      selected for study. Soil characteristics and leaf functional traits were measured
      in April, June and November 2008. Integrated water-use efficiency (assessed by C
      isotope discrimination) and N acquisition and use strategies (estimated by N
      isotope composition) varied significantly among species and the differences
      changed over time. Species differences in specific leaf area, relative water
      content, leaf N and C:N ratio, also varied over time. The species differed in
      stomatal density but not in soil characteristics, with the exception of pH.
      Species differences in functional traits related to the use of resources suggest
      species niche segregation. Species-specific temporal effects on the use of these
      resources support temporal niche differentiation. Somewhat in contrast to the
      findings of previous studies on harsh environments, this study revealed a
      considerable level of functional diversity and complexity, suggesting that dune
      plant species have evolved species-specific strategies to survive by partitioning
      growth-limiting resources. 

PMID- 24213628
TI  - Climate sensitivity of reproduction in a mast-seeding boreal conifer across its
      distributional range from lowland to treeline forests.
AB  - Mast-seeding conifers such as Picea glauca exhibit synchronous production of
      large seed crops over wide areas, suggesting climate factors as possible triggers
      for episodic high seed production. Rapidly changing climatic conditions may thus
      alter the tempo and spatial pattern of masting of dominant species with
      potentially far-reaching ecological consequences. Understanding the future
      reproductive dynamics of ecosystems including boreal forests, which may be
      dominated by mast-seeding species, requires identifying the specific cues that
      drive variation in reproductive output across landscape gradients and among
      years. Here we used annual data collected at three sites spanning an elevation
      gradient in interior Alaska, USA between 1986 and 2011 to produce the first
      quantitative models for climate controls over both seedfall and seed viability in
      P. glauca, a dominant boreal conifer. We identified positive associations between
      seedfall and increased summer precipitation and decreased summer warmth in all
      years except for the year prior to seedfall. Seed viability showed a contrasting
      response, with positive correlations to summer warmth in all years analyzed
      except for one, and an especially positive response to warm and wet conditions in
      the seedfall year. Finally, we found substantial reductions in reproductive
      potential of P. glauca at high elevation due to significantly reduced seed
      viability there. Our results indicate that major variation in the reproductive
      potential of this species may occur in different landscape positions in response
      to warming, with decreasing reproductive success in areas prone to drought stress
      contrasted with increasing success in higher elevation areas currently limited by
      cool summer temperatures.

PMID- 24213629
TI  - Effects of fire frequency and season on resprouting of woody plants in
      southeastern US pine-grassland communities.
AB  - Past studies suggest that rates of woody plant resprouting following a
      "topkilling" disturbance relate to timing of disturbance because of temporal
      patterns of below-ground carbohydrate storage. Accordingly, we hypothesized that
      fire-return interval (1 or 2 years) and season of burn (late dormant or early
      growing season) would influence the change in resprout growth rate from one fire
      free interval to the next (Delta growth rate) for broadleaf woody plants in a
      pine-grassland in Georgia, USA. Resprout growth rate during one fire-free
      interval strongly predicted growth rate during the following fire-free interval,
      presumably reflecting root biomass. Length of fire-free interval did not have a
      significant effect on mean Delta growth rate. Plants burned in the late dormant
      season (February-March) had a greater positive Delta growth rate than those
      burned in the early growing season (April-June), consistent with the presumption
      that root carbohydrates are depleted and thus limiting during spring growth.
      Plants with resprout growth rates above a certain level had zero or negative
      Delta growth rates, indicating an equilibrium of maximum resprout size under a
      given fire-return interval. This equilibrium, as well as relatively reduced
      resprout growth rate following growing season fires, provide insight into how
      historic lightning-initiated fires in the early growing season limited woody
      plant dominance and maintained the herb-dominated structure of pine-grassland
      communities. Results also indicate tradeoffs between applying prescribed fire at
      1- versus 2-year intervals and in the dormant versus growing seasons with the
      goal of limiting woody vegetation.

PMID- 24213630
TI  - Perovskite oxides for visible-light-absorbing ferroelectric and photovoltaic
      materials.
AB  - Ferroelectrics have recently attracted attention as a candidate class of
      materials for use in photovoltaic devices, and for the coupling of light
      absorption with other functional properties. In these materials, the strong
      inversion symmetry breaking that is due to spontaneous electric polarization
      promotes the desirable separation of photo-excited carriers and allows voltages
      higher than the bandgap, which may enable efficiencies beyond the maximum
      possible in a conventional p-n junction solar cell. Ferroelectric oxides are also
      stable in a wide range of mechanical, chemical and thermal conditions and can be
      fabricated using low-cost methods such as sol-gel thin-film deposition and
      sputtering. Recent work has shown how a decrease in ferroelectric layer thickness
      and judicious engineering of domain structures and ferroelectric-electrode
      interfaces can greatly increase the current harvested from ferroelectric absorber
      materials, increasing the power conversion efficiency from about 10(-4) to about
      0.5 per cent. Further improvements in photovoltaic efficiency have been inhibited
      by the wide bandgaps (2.7-4 electronvolts) of ferroelectric oxides, which allow
      the use of only 8-20 per cent of the solar spectrum. Here we describe a family of
      single-phase solid oxide solutions made from low-cost and non-toxic elements
      using conventional solid-state methods: [KNbO3]1 - x[BaNi1/2Nb1/2O3 - delta]x
      (KBNNO). These oxides exhibit both ferroelectricity and a wide variation of
      direct bandgaps in the range 1.1-3.8 electronvolts. In particular, the x = 0.1
      composition is polar at room temperature, has a direct bandgap of 1.39
      electronvolts and has a photocurrent density approximately 50 times larger than
      that of the classic ferroelectric (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 material. The ability of KBNNO
      to absorb three to six times more solar energy than the current ferroelectric
      materials suggests a route to viable ferroelectric semiconductor-based cells for
      solar energy conversion and other applications. 

PMID- 24213631
TI  - The protein quality control system manages plant defence compound synthesis.
AB  - Jasmonates are ubiquitous oxylipin-derived phytohormones that are essential in
      the regulation of many development, growth and defence processes. Across the
      plant kingdom, jasmonates act as elicitors of the production of bioactive
      secondary metabolites that serve in defence against attackers. Knowledge of the
      conserved jasmonate perception and early signalling machineries is increasing,
      but the downstream mechanisms that regulate defence metabolism remain largely
      unknown. Here we show that, in the legume Medicago truncatula, jasmonate recruits
      the endoplasmic-reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) quality control system to
      manage the production of triterpene saponins, widespread bioactive compounds that
      share a biogenic origin with sterols. An ERAD-type RING membrane-anchor E3
      ubiquitin ligase is co-expressed with saponin synthesis enzymes to control the
      activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), the rate-limiting
      enzyme in the supply of the ubiquitous terpene precursor isopentenyl diphosphate.
      Thus, unrestrained bioactive saponin accumulation is prevented and plant
      development and integrity secured. This control apparatus is equivalent to the
      ERAD system that regulates sterol synthesis in yeasts and mammals but that uses
      distinct E3 ubiquitin ligases, of the HMGR degradation 1 (HRD1) type, to direct
      destruction of HMGR. Hence, the general principles for the management of sterol
      and triterpene saponin biosynthesis are conserved across eukaryotes but can be
      controlled by divergent regulatory cues. 

PMID- 24213633
TI  - A chain mechanism for flagellum growth.
AB  - Bacteria swim by means of long flagella extending from the cell surface. These
      are assembled from thousands of protein subunits translocated across the cell
      membrane by an export machinery at the base of each flagellum. Unfolded subunits
      then transit through a narrow channel at the core of the growing flagellum to the
      tip, where they crystallize into the nascent structure. As the flagellum
      lengthens outside the cell, the rate of flagellum growth does not change. The
      mystery is how subunit transit is maintained at a constant rate without a
      discernible energy source in the channel of the external flagellum. We present
      evidence for a simple physical mechanism for flagellum growth that harnesses the
      entropic force of the unfolded subunits themselves. We show that a subunit docked
      at the export machinery can be captured by a free subunit through head-to-tail
      linkage of juxtaposed amino (N)- and carboxy (C)-terminal helices. We propose
      that sequential rounds of linkage would generate a multisubunit chain that pulls
      successive subunits into and through the channel to the flagellum tip, and by
      isolating filaments growing on bacterial cells we reveal the predicted chain of
      head-to-tail linked subunits in the transit channel of flagella. Thermodynamic
      analysis confirms that links in the subunit chain can withstand the pulling force
      generated by rounds of subunit crystallization at the flagellum tip, and polymer
      theory predicts that as the N terminus of each unfolded subunit crystallizes, the
      entropic force at the subunit C terminus would increase, rapidly overcoming the
      threshold required to pull the next subunit from the export machinery. This
      pulling force would adjust automatically over the increasing length of the
      growing flagellum, maintaining a constant rate of subunit delivery to the tip. 

PMID- 24213635
TI  - Leptin promotes the proliferation and migration of human breast cancer through
      the extracellular-signal regulated kinase pathway.
AB  - Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal breast
      cancer, which may be due to the expression of leptin. The aim of this study was
      to determine the role of leptin in the growth of breast cancer cells in nude
      mice, the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and its
      downstream signaling pathway. The xenograft mouse model was elicited by injecting
      MCF-7 human breast cancer cells into the left back axilla and the tumor size was
      measured every other day. Leptin injected subcutaneously around the tumor site
      led to an increase in the size and weight of the tumor, whereas the leptin
      antagonist (LA) significantly inhibited the size and weight of the tumor. Leptin
      promoted the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells and LA inhibited it. The
      effects of leptin on increasing the size and weight of the tumor in the nude mice
      and the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were
      eradicated by pretreatment with LA, the extracellular-signal regulated kinase
      (ERK) inhibitor PD98059. In the xenograft mouse model the leptin level was
      increased and leptin increased the phosphorylation of ERK in the MCF-7 cells,
      whereas LA significantly reduced the phosphorylation of ERK. These results
      indicated that leptin promotes the growth of breast cancer in the nude mice and
      increases the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells via
      the ERK pathway. 

PMID- 24213634
TI  - Chromatin connectivity maps reveal dynamic promoter-enhancer long-range
      associations.
AB  - In multicellular organisms, transcription regulation is one of the central
      mechanisms modelling lineage differentiation and cell-fate determination.
      Transcription requires dynamic chromatin configurations between promoters and
      their corresponding distal regulatory elements. It is believed that their
      communication occurs within large discrete foci of aggregated RNA polymerases
      termed transcription factories in three-dimensional nuclear space. However, the
      dynamic nature of chromatin connectivity has not been characterized at the genome
      wide level. Here, through a chromatin interaction analysis with paired-end
      tagging approach using an antibody that primarily recognizes the pre-initiation
      complexes of RNA polymerase II, we explore the transcriptional interactomes of
      three mouse cells of progressive lineage commitment, including pluripotent
      embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells and neurosphere stem/progenitor cells.
      Our global chromatin connectivity maps reveal approximately 40,000 long-range
      interactions, suggest precise enhancer-promoter associations and delineate cell
      type-specific chromatin structures. Analysis of the complex regulatory repertoire
      shows that there are extensive colocalizations among promoters and distal-acting
      enhancers. Most of the enhancers associate with promoters located beyond their
      nearest active genes, indicating that the linear juxtaposition is not the only
      guiding principle driving enhancer target selection. Although promoter-enhancer
      interactions exhibit high cell-type specificity, promoters involved in
      interactions are found to be generally common and mostly active among different
      cells. Chromatin connectivity networks reveal that the pivotal genes of
      reprogramming functions are transcribed within physical proximity to each other
      in embryonic stem cells, linking chromatin architecture to coordinated gene
      expression. Our study sets the stage for the full-scale dissection of spatial and
      temporal genome structures and their roles in orchestrating development. 

PMID- 24213636
TI  - Structural aspects of calcium-release activated calcium channel function.
AB  - Store-operated calcium (Ca(2+)) entry is the process by which molecules located
      on the endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) respond to decreased luminal Ca(2+)
      levels by signaling Ca(2+) release activated Ca(2+) channels (CRAC) channels to
      open on the plasma membrane (PM). This activation of PM CRAC channels provides a
      sustained cytosolic Ca(2+) elevation associated with myriad physiological
      processes. The identities of the molecules which mediate SOCE include stromal
      interaction molecules (STIMs), functioning as the ER/SR luminal Ca(2+) sensors,
      and Orai proteins, forming the PM CRAC channels. This review examines the current
      available high-resolution structural information on these CRAC molecular
      components with particular focus on the solution structures of the luminal STIM
      Ca(2+) sensing domains, the crystal structures of cytosolic STIM fragments, a
      closed Orai hexameric crystal structure and a structure of an Orai1 N-terminal
      fragment in complex with calmodulin. The accessible structural data are discussed
      in terms of potential mechanisms of action and cohesiveness with functional
      observations.

PMID- 24213632
TI  - Dysfunctional nitric oxide signalling increases risk of myocardial infarction.
AB  - Myocardial infarction, a leading cause of death in the Western world, usually
      occurs when the fibrous cap overlying an atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary
      artery ruptures. The resulting exposure of blood to the atherosclerotic material
      then triggers thrombus formation, which occludes the artery. The importance of
      genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction is
      best documented by the predictive value of a positive family history. Next
      generation sequencing in families with several affected individuals has
      revolutionized mutation identification. Here we report the segregation of two
      private, heterozygous mutations in two functionally related genes, GUCY1A3
      (p.Leu163Phefs*24) and CCT7 (p.Ser525Leu), in an extended myocardial infarction
      family. GUCY1A3 encodes the alpha1 subunit of soluble guanylyl cyclase (alpha1
      sGC), and CCT7 encodes CCTeta, a member of the tailless complex polypeptide 1
      ring complex, which, among other functions, stabilizes soluble guanylyl cyclase.
      After stimulation with nitric oxide, soluble guanylyl cyclase generates cGMP,
      which induces vasodilation and inhibits platelet activation. We demonstrate in
      vitro that mutations in both GUCY1A3 and CCT7 severely reduce alpha1-sGC as well
      as beta1-sGC protein content, and impair soluble guanylyl cyclase activity.
      Moreover, platelets from digenic mutation carriers contained less soluble
      guanylyl cyclase protein and consequently displayed reduced nitric-oxide-induced
      cGMP formation. Mice deficient in alpha1-sGC protein displayed accelerated
      thrombus formation in the microcirculation after local trauma. Starting with a
      severely affected family, we have identified a link between impaired soluble
      guanylyl-cyclase-dependent nitric oxide signalling and myocardial infarction
      risk, possibly through accelerated thrombus formation. Reversing this defect may
      provide a new therapeutic target for reducing the risk of myocardial infarction. 

PMID- 24213637
TI  - Study of seasonal variations and health risk assessment of heavy metals in
      Cyprinus carpio from Rawal Lake, Pakistan.
AB  - This study was carried out to find out the comparative distribution of heavy
      metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Cr, Cd and Pb) in various tissues (muscles, gills,
      liver, stomach and intestine) of Cyprinus carpio from Rawal Lake, Pakistan,
      during summer and winter. Relatively higher concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe
      and Zn were found in the stomach samples, while the highest Pb and Zn levels were
      noted in muscle and intestine samples, respectively. Correlation study exhibited
      diverse relationships among the metals in various tissues. Generally, the metal
      concentrations found during the summer were comparatively higher than the winter.
      Potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks related to the metals in
      C. carpio were evaluated using the US Environmental Protection Agency approved
      cancer risk assessment guidelines. The calculated daily and weekly intakes of Pb,
      Cd, Cr and Co through the fish consumption were significantly higher than the
      permissible limits. In relation to the non-carcinogenic risks to human, Pb, Cd,
      Cr, Co and Zn levels were higher than the safe limits; however, carcinogenic
      risks related to Cr (3.9 * 10(-3) during summer and 1.1 * 10(-3) during winter)
      and Pb (2.6 * 10(-4) during summer and 1.5 * 10(-4) during winter) clearly
      exceeded the safe limit (1 * 10(-6)). Consequently, the consumption of C. carpio
      from Rawal Lake on regular basis was considered unsafe.

PMID- 24213638
TI  - Distribution and bioaccumulation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in food web
      of Nansi Lake, China.
AB  - The concentration of 12 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were measured in water,
      sediment, aquatic plant, and animal (shrimp and fish) of Nansi Lake by gas
      chromatography equipped with an electron capture detector. The total OCPs
      concentrations were 65.31-100.31 ng L(-1) in water, 2.9-6.91 ng g(-1) dry weight
      (dw) in sediments, 1.29-6.42 ng g(-1) dw in aquatic plants and 7.57-17.22 ng g(
      1) dw in animals. The OCPs composition profiles showed that heptachlor compounds
      was also the predominant OCPs contaminants in addition to hexachlorocyclohexanes
      (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) in Nansi Lake. According to
      the source of HCHs and DDTs in sediment samples, there was no new input and the
      HCHs pollution mainly came from the use of Lindane in Nansi Lake. Bioaccumulation
      of OCPs in aquatic biota indicated that DDTs and heptachlor compounds had a
      strong accumulation, followed by HCHs and drins. The accumulation abilities of
      fish for OCPs were higher than those of plants and shrimps. The OCPs biota
      sediment accumulation factor values of Channa argus was the highest in fish
      samples, followed by Carassius auratus, and Cyprinus caspio. Risk assessment of
      sediment showed that heptachlor epoxide had a higher occurrence possibility of
      adverse ecological effects to benthic species. Based on the calculation of
      acceptable daily intake and hazard ratio, HCHs in fish and shrimps from Nansi
      Lake had a lifetime cancer risk of greater than one per million. The risk
      assessment of water, sediment, and fish indicated the water environment of Nansi
      Lake is at a safe level at present.

PMID- 24213639
TI  - Water and sediment quality in Qinghai Lake, China: a revisit after half a
      century.
AB  - Qinghai Lake, situated on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, is the largest lake in
      China. In this study, the water and sediment quality were investigated in Qinghai
      Lake, three sublakes, and five major tributaries. Both Na(+) and Cl(-) were found
      to be the major ions present in Qinghai Lake and the three sublakes, while Ca(2+)
      and HCO(3-) dominated the tributaries. Compared with historical data from the
      1960s, the concentrations of NH4(+), NO3(-), and soluble reactive silica have
      increased considerably, likely caused by increased human activities in the area.
      Compared to the historical data, chemical oxygen demand has increased and lake
      water transparency has decreased, likely related to an increase in nutrient
      levels. Relatively high concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total
      phosphorus (TP) were observed in Qinghai Lake sediments, although P fraction
      types and low water concentrations of these two indicate low possibility of
      transfer into the water column. The ratios of C/N suggest that the organic matter
      in the sediments are primarily from autochthonous sources. TN and total organic
      carbon in the sediment cores increased slowly up the core while TP and total
      inorganic carbon have been fairly constant.

PMID- 24213640
TI  - Opaque closed chambers underestimate methane fluxes of Phragmites australis
      (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
AB  - Closed chamber measurements for methane emission estimation are often carried out
      with opaque chambers to avoid heating of the headspace. However, mainly in
      wetlands, some plants possess an internal convective gas transport which quickly
      responds to changes in irradiation. These plants have also been found to often
      channel a large part of the released methane in temperate fens. We compare
      methane fluxes derived from transparent versus opaque chambers on Carex-,
      Phragmites-, and Typha-dominated stands of a temperate fen. Transparent chamber
      fluxes almost doubled opaque chamber fluxes in the convective transporting
      Phragmites stand. In Typha, a trend of higher fluxes determined with the
      transparent chambers was detectable, whereas in Carex, transparent and opaque
      chamber fluxes did not differ significantly. Thus, opaque chambers bias the
      outcome of methane measurements, depending on dominant vegetation. We recommend
      the use of transparent chambers when determining emissions of convective plants
      or extrapolating fluxes to larger scales. 

PMID- 24213642
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24213643
TI  - Health hazards of mining.
AB  - Mining is inherently dangerous both in terms of accident and ill health. Some of
      the health hazards are common to mining in general; others are related
      specifically to the nature of the material being mined, though the miner is
      sometimes at less risk than those who refine and use the product. The answer to
      the health problems is knowledge of the hazard and concern for the welfare of
      others on the part of workers, managers, legislators and administrators. 

PMID- 24213641
TI  - Assembly errors cause false tandem duplicate regions in the chicken (Gallus
      gallus) genome sequence.
AB  - The complexity of eukaryote genomes makes assembly errors inevitable in the
      process of constructing reference genomes. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) could
      provide an efficient way to validate previously assembled genomes. Here, we
      exploited NGS data to interrogate the chicken reference genome and identified 35
      pairs of nearly identical regions with >99.5 % sequence similarity and a median
      size of 109 kb. Several lines of evidence, including read depth, the composition
      of junction sequences, and sequence similarity, suggest that these regions
      present genome assembly errors and should be excluded from forthcoming genomic
      studies. 

PMID- 24213644
TI  - Comparison of health patterns in two geochemically contrasted areas of northern
      Finland.
AB  - In order to prepare the ground for a discussion of possible causal relationships
      between health patterns and the geochemistry of an area, health patterns in the
      form of age-adjusted cancer incidence values and rates of mortality due to (1)
      cancer of the stomach, colon or rectum, (2) lung cancer and (3) ischaemic heart
      diseases are compared between the populations of two geochemically contrasted
      communes of northern Finland (Kemijarvi and Kuusamo). Statistically significant
      differences (p < 0.001) are encountered in the mortality rates due to ischaemic
      heart diseases and marked differences in the incidence values of lung cancer, the
      former being higher in Kuusamo and the latter in Kemijarvi. The higher incidence
      of lung cancer observed in Kemijarvi is in accordance with previous results
      reported from the USA, where higher incidences have been observed in areas of
      granitic bedrock. Regarding the higher mortality rate due to ischaemic heart
      diseases In Kuusamo, which is geochemically characterised by higher potassium (p
      < 0.002) and calcium (p < 0.004) and lower Zn, V, Ti, and Fe (p > 0.002) in the
      soil (actually, in the fine till fraction), no easily demonstrable cause- and
      effect relationship can be established. 

PMID- 24213645
TI  - The trace element composition of stream- and melt-waters at times of the spring
      thaw in the Scottish Highlands.
AB  - Fresh snow and streamwater samples were collected on a daily basis throughout the
      winter and spring periods of 1984 and 1985 at a remote, upland catchment located
      within the Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland. Laboratory based partial-melt
      experiments undertaken on the snow samples demonstrated that both fractionation
      and preferential elution of trace-elements occur during melting, with the
      concentrations being 1.3 to 5.4 times greater than in the first 10 percent
      meltwater fractions than in the bulk snow (Abrahamset al., in press). At the
      onset of snowpack melting, the ions may be mobilised and redistributed within the
      snow profile, concentrating at depths from where they may be quickly removed
      during the early spring run-offf. The raised major- (Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, NO3 and SO4)
      and trace-element (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb) concentrations recorded in the
      streamwaters during the "acid-flush" episodes at the time of the first major
      periods of snow-melt, reflect both the meltwater composition and the influence of
      the catchment soils (Abrahamset al., submitted for publication). Differences in
      streamwater chemistry during the two periods of snow-melt which were studies can
      probably be related to the fact that snow-melt occurs under a variety of
      circumstances with significant variations in the sequence of precipitation, melt
      events, temperature and snowcover occurring from year to year, even in the same
      catchment. The high concentrations of Al (up to 330 MUg L(-1)) in the
      sireamwaters at the time of snow-melt, probably reflect leaching of this element
      from the soil. These elevated concentrations, in combination with other
      streamwater parameters, may prove toxic to aquatic life-forms at this time of
      year. 

PMID- 24213646
TI  - Inorganic element uptake by barley from soil supplemented with flue-gas
      desulphurisation waste and fly-ash.

PMID- 24213647
TI  - Reactions between aqueous zinc, aluminium and iron with increasing solutionpH.
AB  - Solutions of zinc, aluminium and/or iron, as chlorides in NaCl of ionic strength
      0.13 mol/l atpH 3, were mixed to give initial concentrations of 0-5, 5-50 and 10
      100 MUg/ml, respectively. Sodium hydroxide was then added to increase thepH in a
      range up to 7. Turbidity was measured and equilibrium concentrations were
      determined after filtration (< 0.1 MUm). Decrease inpH on mixing suggested an
      immediate reaction, with the release of protons. At allpH values Zn concentration
      decreased with increasing initiai concentrations of Fe and Al. Adsorption and/or
      nucleation of Zn with Fe and Al was highlypH dependent and increased markediy
      with increasingpH. The particle size of the products increased with increasingpH
      and initial concentration of the elements. Increasing Al concentration decreased
      the size of Fe nucleates at a given Fe concentration. The results suggest that co
      precipitation may be involved as well as adsorption. This has important
      consequences for the availability of Zn to plants, especially in Zn-deficient
      soils, and is of relevance to the products of mixing acid drainage waters with
      streams and lakes. 

PMID- 24213648
TI  - The interpretation of noisy data from archaeological field survey: Phosphate
      analysis.
AB  - High soil phosphate concentrations are commonly related to intense past human
      activity although full understanding of this relationship requires further
      research. At present, practical constraints in the field, the need for extensive
      sampling and for rapid results, leads to the archaeologist frequently using crude
      but portable techniques of chemical analysis. The problems associated with the
      collection and interpretation of archaeological soil phosphate data are
      discussed. The use of Bayesian change-point analysis is proposed as a suitable
      statistical aid to the interpretation of such data. 

PMID- 24213649
TI  - Fluorine in the UK environment.
AB  - Relatively low concentrations of fluorine in drinking water (<= 1 mg F/l) have
      been shown to significantly reduce the degree of dental caries in children and
      fluorine would also appear to have a beneficial effect on bone formation in both
      humans and farm animals. However, it is apparent that elevated levels of fluorine
      in the diet have sometimes resulted in problems of increased dental caries and of
      the development of bone deformities. Much of the fluorine in rocks and soils
      occurs in apatite and hydroxysilicate minerals, fluorite being the only
      relatively common rock forming mineral containing fluorine as an essential
      constituent.Little systematic data are available on fluorine concentrations in
      soils, plants and natural waters in the UK. General background soil
      concentrations lie in the range 200 - 400 mg F/kg. For waters the average
      fluorine content is low, <0.1 mg F/l.In the British Isles there are several areas
      where there are enhanced levels of fluorine. In the northern Pennines,
      Derbyshire, northeast Wales and Cornwall, fluorite occurs as a significant
      component of mineralisation and much fluorine has been added to the environment
      from mining waste dumps. Soils in northeast Wales contain up to 3,650 mg F/kg and
      in the northern Pennines up to 20,000 mg F/kg. Waters contain up to 2.3 mg F/l.
      In southwest England, the granites are generally fluorine-rich with the fluorite
      granites of the St Austell pluton containing as much as 1 percent fluorine. These
      rocks are frequently kaolinised and intensively worked as a source of china clay.
      Soils in the vicinity of the waste tips contain up to 3,300 mg F/kg and grasses
      up to 2,950 mg F/kg. Surface waters in the St Austell area contain up to 1.25 mg
      F/l.Atmospheric fluorine pollution around brickworks in the Peterborough and
      Bedford areas has resulted in fluorosis in farm animals. Other sources of
      atmospheric fluorine pollution are aluminium smelters, steelworks and fossil fuel
      burning. 

PMID- 24213650
TI  - Trace element analysis of soil samples from a stratified archaeological site.
AB  - Thirty-eight soil samples from a sondage excavated through a 6- metre stratified
      tell (Gomoiava, in central Yugoslavia) have been analysed for nine biophile
      elements: Mg, Sr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cr, Pb and B. The site was occupied from 7000
      BC to 500 AD (calendar years). The results have been collated with earlier
      estimates of P and Ca, made on a larger series of samples from the same site. The
      results are discussed in terms of useful information, to supplement that given by
      phosphate analysis, about stratification and the relationship of the settlement
      to its environment.It is concluded that leaching probably distorts the results
      for Ca and Mg. The results for Mn may help to distinguish phosphate accumulation
      due to man from that due to farm livestock. There is significant accumulation of
      Sr and B, both of which have potential value, although some of the analytical
      results for the latter are suspect. The results for Zn, Cu and Ni are highly
      correlated, with sharp peaks which couid provide precise information about
      individual strata when more experience of interpretation has been gained. Only Cr
      and Pb appear to provide little useful information at this site. 

PMID- 24213651
TI  - Accumulation of metals in the tissues of occupationally exposed workers.
AB  - Neutron activation analysis has been used to assess the accumulation of metals in
      lung and other tissue takenpost mortem from occupationally exposed workers. Two
      groups together with controls have been examined. Twenty-one workers from
      northern Sweden, previously employed in metal refining, show concentrations of
      several metals above that in the controls. Increased metal concentrations in lung
      tissues are also observed in groups of coal miners from the United Kingdom. These
      results are discussed in relation to the amounts of industrial pollutants taken
      into lung and their retention periods as a means of estimating the occupational
      exposure dose. 

PMID- 24213652
TI  - A spectroscopic study on the coordination and solution structures of the
      interaction systems between biperoxidovanadate complexes and the
      pyrazolylpyridine-like ligands.
AB  - In order to understand the substitution effects of pyrazolylpyridine (pzpy) on
      the coordination reaction equilibria, the interactions between a series of pzpy
      like ligands and biperoxidovanadate ([OV(O2)2(D2O)](-)/[OV(O2)2(HOD)](-), abbrv.
      bpV) have been explored using a combination of multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, and
      (51)V) magnetic resonance, heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), and
      variable temperature NMR in a 0.15 mol L(-1) NaCl D2O solution that mimics the
      physiological conditions. Both the direct NMR data and the equilibrium constants
      are reported for the first time. A series of new hepta-coordinated
      peroxidovanadate species [OV(O2)2L](-) (L = pzpy-like chelating ligands) are
      formed due to several competitive coordination interactions. According to the
      equilibrium constants for products between bpV and the pzpy-like ligands, the
      relative affinity of the ligands is found to be pzpy > 2-Ester-pzpy ~ 2-Me-pzpy ~
      2-Amide-pzpy > 2-Et-pzpy. In the interaction system between bpV and pzpy, a pair
      of isomers (Isomers A and B) are observed in aqueous solution, which are
      attributed to different types of coordination modes between the metal center and
      the ligands, while the crystal structure of NH4[OV(O2)2(pzpy)].6H2O (CCDC 898554)
      has the same coordination structure as Isomer A (the main product for pzpy). For
      the N-substituted ligands, however, Isomer A or B type complexes can also be
      observed in solution but the molar ratios of the isomer are reversed (i.e.,
      Isomer B type is the main product). These results demonstrate that when the N
      atom in the pyrazole ring has a substitution group, hydrogen bonding (from the H
      atom in the pyrazole ring), the steric effect (from alkyl) and the solvation
      effect (from the ester or amide group) can jointly affect the coordination
      reaction equilibrium.

PMID- 24213653
TI  - Physicochemical, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of chitosan films
      incorporated with carvacrol.
AB  - Chitosan films (CF) with carvacrol (CAR) [0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% v/v] were prepared
      by the emulsion method. The retained CAR, water solubility, water vapor
      permeability (WVP), optical, mechanical properties, antibacterial and antioxidant
      capacity of films were analyzed. The results indicate that the retention of CAR
      in the CF was ~50%. The incorporation of CAR to CF decreased the water
      solubility, the WVP, the yellowing and transparency and the tensile strength, but
      increased the stiffness. Microcapsules with diameters of 2 to 7 um were found on
      the surface CF-CAR. The CF-CAR with highest CAR concentrations showed
      antibacterial activity against S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7. The CF-CAR had
      higher antioxidant capacity and an increased protective effect against oxidation
      of erythrocytes in different grades. These results suggest potential applications
      of CF-CAR as active packaging to preserve food products. 

PMID- 24213654
TI  - Selective oxidation reactions of natural compounds with hydrogen peroxide
      mediated by methyltrioxorhenium.
AB  - We have investigated the oxidative behaviour of natural compounds such as methyl
      abietate (1), farnesyl acetate (2), alpha-ionone (3), beta-ionone (4), methyl
      linolelaidate (5), methyl linolenate (6) and bergamottin (7) with the oxidant
      system methyltrioxo-rhenium/ H2O2/pyridine. The reactions, performed in
      CH2Cl2/H2O at 25  degrees C, have shown good regio- and stereoselectivity. The
      oxidation products were isolated by HPLC or silica gel chromatography and
      characterized by MS(EI), 1H-, 13C-NMR, APT, gCOSY, HSQC, TOCSY and NOESY
      measurements. The selectivity seems to be controlled by the nucleophilicity of
      double bonds and by stereoelectronic and steric effects. 

PMID- 24213655
TI  - The Janus face of PAMAM dendrimers used to potentially cure nonenzymatic
      modifications of biomacromolecules in metabolic disorders-a critical review of
      the pros and cons.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus, which is characterised by high blood glucose levels and the
      burden of various macrovascular and microvascular complications, is a cause of
      much human suffering across the globe. While the use of exogenous insulin and
      other medications can control and sometimes prevent various diabetes-associated
      sequelae, numerous diabetic complications are still commonly encountered in
      diabetic patients. Therefore, there is a strong need for safe and effective
      antihyperglycaemic agents that provide an alternative or compounding option for
      the treatment of diabetes. In recent years, amino-terminated poly(amido)amine
      (PAMAM) dendrimers (G2, G3 and G4) have attracted attention due to their
      protective value as anti-glycation and anti-carbonylation agents that can be used
      to limit the nonenzymatic modifications of biomacromolecules. The focus of this
      review is to present a detailed survey of our own data, as well as of the
      available literature regarding the toxicity, pharmacological properties and
      overall usefulness of PAMAM dendrimers. This presentation pays particular and
      primary attention to their therapeutic use in poorly controlled diabetes and its
      complications, but also in other conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, in
      which such nonenzymatic modifications may underlie the pathophysiological
      mechanisms. The impact of dendrimer administration on the overall survival of
      diabetic animals and on glycosylation, glycoxidation, the brain-blood barrier and
      cellular bioenergetics are demonstrated. Finally, we critically discuss the
      potential advantages and disadvantages accompanying the use of PAMAM dendrimers
      in the treatment of metabolic impairments that occur under conditions of chronic
      hyperglycaemia. 

PMID- 24213656
TI  - Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of some C(19) steroids by Penicillium lanosocoeruleum.
AB  - The biotransformation of androsterone (1), epiandrosterone (2), androstanedione
      (3) and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) (4) by Penicillium lanosocoeruleum-a fungal
      species not used in biotransformations so far-were described. All the substrates
      were converted in high yield (70%-99%) into D ring delta-lactones. The oxidation
      of 1 produced 3alpha-hydroxy-17a-oxa-D-homo-5alpha-androstan-17-one (5). The
      oxidation of 2 led to 3beta-hydroxy-17a-oxa-D-homo-5alpha-androstan-17-one (6).
      The biotransformation of 3 resulted in the formation of 3alpha-hydroxy-17a-oxa-D
      homo-5alpha-androstan-17-one (5) and 17a-oxa-D-homo-5alpha-androstan-3,17-dione
      (7). An analysis of the transformation progress of the studied substrates as a
      function of time indicates that the Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase of this fungus
      does not accept the 3beta-hydroxy-5-ene functionality of steroids. In this
      microorganism steroidal 3beta-hydroxy-dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) was active, and
      as a result DHEA (4) was transformed exclusively to testololactone (8). Apart
      from the observed oxidative transformations, a reductive pathway was revealed
      with the C-3 ketone being reduced to a C-3alpha-alcohol. It is demonstrated for
      the first time that the reduction of the 3-keto group of the steroid nucleus can
      occur in the presence of a ring-D lactone functionality. 

PMID- 24213657
TI  - Culture conditions for induction of green plants from barley microspores by
      anther culture methods.
AB  - With barley a large variation in frequency of plant formation from microspores of
      spikes from the same plant has been observed. The highest frequency of plant
      formation was obtained when culturing anthers in the dark on a high Ficoll medium
      containing 2,4-D and kinetin to induce proembryo (or callus) formation.
      Subsequently the proembryos or calli were cultured in dim light on a high Ficoll
      high sugar medium containing IBA and kinetin. Finally the embryos were
      transferred to a starch agar medium. A maximum of 13 green plants were obtained
      from microspores of a single anther.The ratios of green to albino microspore
      derived plants varied from 9?1 to 1?9 depending on culture conditions. Under
      anaerobic conditions, lactic acid and other organic acids may have damaged the
      organelles in the cells resulting in the formation of albino plants. Thus, direct
      embryogenesis by using a well-buffered, high Ficoll-high sugar medium and proper
      aeration are essential for obtaining high frequency of green plants from
      microspores. 

PMID- 24213658
TI  - Electroporated protoplasts express seed specific gene promoters.
AB  - The soybean 7S seed storage protein, beta-conglycinin, is comprised of three
      major subunits, alpha', alpha, and beta. Chimeric genes having beta-conglycinin
      alpha' and beta subunit promoters and the beta-glucuronidase gene coding sequence
      were constructed and electroporated into protoplasts prepared from three cultured
      cell lines and from tobacco mesophyll cells. The beta-conglycinin promoters were
      active in all protoplasts examined, and their activities were 10-60% of that of
      the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. In electroporated protoplasts isolated
      from tobacco suspension cultures the time course of expression and the pattern of
      cell cycle dependency of the beta-conglycinin promoters were similar to those of
      the 35S promoter. The responses to exogenously added L-methionine and abscisic
      acid, which are known to have differential effects on the expression of beta
      conglycinin promoters in cultured soybean cotyledons, were essentially the same
      among the promoters used. The results indicate that beta-conglycinin promoters
      are expressed in electroporated protoplasts, but their regulation is relaxed. 

PMID- 24213659
TI  - Effect of Alternaria solani culture filtrate on adventitious shoot regeneration
      in potato.
AB  - The effect of Alternaria solani culture filtrate on adventitious shoot
      regeneration from tuber discs was evaluated using five potato cultivars, which
      were selected based on their field reaction to Alternaria solani and which
      represented a range of disease reactions. The culture filtrate stimulated
      regeneration, a response that could prove to be very useful in the wider
      utilization of transformation and in vitro selection technology. 

PMID- 24213660
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from long-term cell cultures of
      wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - A friable and fast-growing type of callus was isolated from a long term shoot
      competent cell culture of wheat. The suspension cultures established from this
      callus consisted of small, densely cytoplasmic cells which divided more rapidly
      but with a lower plant regeneration frequency than the original culture. A high
      yield of protoplasts was released from suspension cells (2 to 3*10(7) protoplasts
      per ml packed cell volume) when treated with enzyme mixtures. The isolated
      protoplasts divided at a relatively high frequency (20% to 50%) in both liquid
      and agarose-solidified KM8p medium. Up to 0.21% of the dividing protoplasts
      continued to divide and form micro-calli. Sixty-eight plants were regenerated
      from micro-calli, and among the 30 plants which were transplanted to the
      greenhouse, 3 have survived. 

PMID- 24213661
TI  - Transient expression of beta-glucuronidase in different cellular compartments
      following biolistic delivery of foreign DNA into wheat leaves and calli.
AB  - Transient expression of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) in different cellular
      compartments following biolistic delivery of chloroplast or nuclear expression
      vectors into wheat leaves or calli, derived from anther culture or immature
      embryos, is reported here. When pB1121, the nuclear GUS vector, was used to
      bombard wheat cells, the beta-glucuronidase product, an insoluble indigo dye, was
      observed evenly throughout the cytosol. But, when the chloroplast expression
      vector pHD203-GUS was used for bombardments, the indigo dye (GUS product) was
      subcellularly localized within the chloroplasts of wheat cells. The observation
      of GUS expression in albino plastids, when anther culture derived albino leaves
      were bombarded with the chloroplast expression vector pHD203-GUS, suggests the
      presence of a functional protein synthetic machinery in these organelles. GUS
      expression was also observed in regenerable calli derived from wheat immature
      embryos bombarded with pHD203-GUS. Leaves or calli bombarded with pUC19, as
      negative controls, did not show any GUS expression. These results constitute the
      first demonstration of foreign gene expression in chloroplasts of a monocot and
      that a dicot chloroplast promoter functions in a monocot chloroplast. 

PMID- 24213662
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of squash Cucurbita pepo L cv. YC
      60.
AB  - Plant regeneration from tissue cultures of summer squash, Cucurbita pepo L., cv.
      YC60, has been observed. Somatic embryos organized from shoot apex derived callus
      cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.2 mg/l 2,4,5
      trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 0.8 mg/l benzylaminopurine, and 0.1 mg/l kinetin.
      Embryos developed into plantlets by transfer of immature somatic embryos to MS
      medium with 0.05 mg/l NAA and 0.05 mg/l kinetin. Regenerated plants appeared
      morphologically normal and set fruits with seeds which could germinate normally. 

PMID- 24213663
TI  - Plant development in long-term embryogenic callus lines of Cucurbita pepo.
AB  - Embryogenic callus derived from pumpkin hypocotyl segments was induced and
      maintained for 15 years on MS medium supplemented with the auxins IBA (4.9 MUM),
      2, 4-D (4.5 MUM) or IAA (5.7 MUM). On induction media continued embryo maturation
      and development of adult plants typically failed. Therefore, small embryogenic
      clumps and individually isolated embryos were subcultured two to four times on
      one of the conversion media: MS supplemented with 1.5% sucrose and (a) no
      hormone, (b) 2.9 MUM IAA, (c) 5.7 MUM IAA, (d) 11.4 MUM IAA, (e) 12 MUM IEt, (f)
      3.8 MUM ABA or (g) 2% activated charcoal. The cell line and the kind of auxin
      used in the induction and maintenance medium, both had a marked influence on the
      development of plantlets. The best result was achieved with a line that has been
      induced and maintained for 15 years on MS with IBA. In the IBA line, out of 100
      embryos, 77 developed into plantlets on MS medium supplemented with 11.4 MUM IAA.

PMID- 24213664
TI  - Growth and thiophene accumulation by hairy root cultures of Tagetes patula in
      media of varying initial pH.
AB  - Hairy roots of Tagetes patula were grown for 24 days in modified Murashige and
      Skoog's liquid medium at different initial pH levels of 4.0, 5.0, 5.7, 6.0 and
      7.0. Irrespective of the initial pH, after 12 days, the pH of the culture medium
      was approximately 4.5. However the final pH, after 24 days of growth, did depend
      weakly on the initial pH of the medium. The biomass yield was lowest at an
      initial pH of 4.0, possibly due to lower utilization of ammonium at this pH.
      Similar patterns of thiophene accumulation was observed at all pH levels tested.
      Maximum thiophene accumulation occurred in root cultures which were 12-16 days
      old. 

PMID- 24213665
TI  - Barley anther culture: The effect of position on pollen development in vivo and
      in vitro.
AB  - Locule structure and organization were studied in vivo and in vitro to determine
      whether the disposition of pollen within barley anthers affected the response of
      pollen in culture. Following release from the meiotic tetrads, juvenile barley
      microspores become peripherally organized around the locule, with the single
      pollen pore oriented towards the tapetum. Scanning electron micrographs of
      transverse sections from freeze fractured anthers showed that some microspores
      failed to locate the tapetal surface and occupied a position in the centre of the
      locule where they continued to develop as small, abnormal pollen grains
      (dimorphic pollen). Previous evidence has suggested that in some species
      dimorphic pollen could be the source of embryonic pollen in vitro. Cultured
      anthers frequently dehisced to reveal a mass of dividing pollen grains, however
      those anthers that remained intact retained the original locule structure and
      could be freeze fractured permitting examination of the developing pollen in
      situ. This showed that pollen embryogenesis was not restricted to dimorphic
      pollen, and that any grain could become Embryogenic irrespective of position. 

PMID- 24213666
TI  - Studies on plant regeneration from protoplasts in the genus Helianthus.
AB  - Protoplasts were produced from 7-day-old hypocotyls of two cultivated sunflower
      genotypes and three wild sunflowers. When included in agarose droplets and
      cultured in TL medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid,
      the protoplasts gave rise to loose colonies and to "embryoids". After two months
      the small calli emerging from the agarose were transferred to a regeneration
      medium on which they grew and began to differentiate. A second transfer to the
      same medium 40 days later induced shoot formation on one callus of H. petiolaris.
      Several shoots were successfully rooted and transferred to soil where they
      flowered. This is the first documented report, in the genus Helianthus. of
      regeneration from protoplasts to fully soil-adapted plants. 

PMID- 24213667
TI  - Interspecific hybridization between Brassica juncea and B. spinescens through
      protoplast fusion.
AB  - Hypocotyl derived protoplasts of B. juncea cv. RLM-198 were fused with mesophyll
      protoplasts of B. spinescens using polyethylene glycol to produce interspecific
      hybrids. Fusion products could be microscopically identified by characteristics
      of the protoplasts of both parents in the hybrid cells; they are colourless and
      vacuolated like the hypocotyl protoplasts and possess chloroplasts of the
      mesophyll protoplasts. The heterokaryotic fusion frequency was around 5%.
      However, the frequency of calli regenerating hybrid shoots was more than 10% of
      the regenerating calli. Putative somatic hybrids had morphological features
      characteristic of both the parents. Twelve plants analysed cytologically,
      possessed 52 chromosomes (26II) at meiosis representing the complete genomes of
      B. juncea (18II) and B. spinescens (8II). For esterase isozymes, the hybrids had
      bands of Doth the parents. Hybrid nature of some of the plants was confirmed by
      their close resemblance to B. juncea, chromosome number and isozyme bands of B.
      spinescens as in Rsp-19. Somatic hybrids had rudimentary, non-dehiscent anthers
      and completely sterile pollen. However, on back crossing with B. juncea, 10 out
      of 12 plants produced seeds and about 100 plants were realized. 

PMID- 24213668
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of long-term callus cultures of Actinidia
      deliciosa var. deliciosa cv. Hayword (Kiwifruit).
AB  - Plant regeneration of Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa cv. Hayword was obtained
      from protoplasts isolated from petiole derived long-term callus cultures.
      Protoplasts were cultured in liquid medium over agarose gelled medium.
      Regenerated green callus, plated on solid medium, could develop shoots that
      rooted spontaneously in hormone-less medium. The plants obtained are growing fast
      in soil and present a normal phenotype. 

PMID- 24213669
TI  - Roots induced on cucumber cotyledons by the agropine Ri plasmid TR-DNA exhibit
      the transformed phenotype.
AB  - Cucumber explants were transformed by Agrabacterium strains carrying Ri plasmids
      with functional TL and TR-DNAs, and by strains whose pRi had an intact TR-DNA but
      a disarmed TL-DNA lacking open reading frames (ORFs) 3 to 9, 10 (rol A), 11 (rol
      B), 12 (rol C), 13, 14, 15 (rol D), 16 and 17. Roots induced by all strains
      exhibited extensive root hair formation under axenic conditions, synthesised
      opines, and contained TR-specific DNA. These results confirm that the TR-DNA of
      an agropine Ri plasmid is able to elicit the transformed root phenotype in this
      plant. 

PMID- 24213670
TI  - Agrobacterium induced gall formation in lipoxygenase mutant isolines of soybeans.
AB  - Agrobacterium-mediated transformation frequency is very low with cells from some
      species such as soybeans. Studies were conducted to investigate the Agrobacterium
      mediated transformation frequency in near-isogenic lipoxygenase mutant lines of
      soybeans, since the nigh level of lipoxygenase activity in soybean embryos might
      be expected to affect interactions with Agrobacterium. The mutant line lacking
      lipoxygenase 3 showed significantly greater frequency of Agrobacterium-induced
      transformation than the other soybean lines. Stages of soybean embryo development
      which showed maximum differences in lipoxygenase 3 activity between mutant and
      wild-type, also showed maximum differences in transformation frequency. The
      increased transformation frequency with the absence of lipoxygenase 3 was only
      seen when both lipoxygenase 1 and 2 were present. 

PMID- 24213671
TI  - Altered default mode and affective network connectivity in stroke patients with
      and without dysphagia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Neuroimaging studies in stroke patients provide substantial evidence
      for the involvement of widespread cortical and subcortical regions in the control
      of swallowing. Although the affective network and the default mode network are
      functionally related to "autonomic" and "volitional" swallowing, little is known
      about their functional changes in dysphagic stroke patients. METHODS: Unbiased
      seeds functional connectivity analysis was used to study the connectivity
      patterns of these resting-state networks. Resting-state functional magnetic
      resonance imaging was performed in stroke patients with (n = 12) and without
      dysphagia (n = 12). RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, stroke patients with
      and without dysphagia had decreased functional connectivity in the default mode
      network and the affective network. Moreover, stroke patients with dysphagia also
      had decreased functional connectivity in both the default mode network and the
      affective network relative to patients without dysphagia. CONCLUSION: The
      difference in the extent of impairment in the default mode network and affective
      network of stroke patients with and without dysphagia may lead to improved
      understanding of the neuropathophysiological mechanism and rehabilitation of
      dysphagia.

PMID- 24213673
TI  - Cytoplasmic localization and redox cysteine residue of APE1/Ref-1 are associated
      with its anti-inflammatory activity in cultured endothelial cells.
AB  - Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a
      multifunctional protein involved in base excision DNA repair and transcriptional
      regulation of gene expression. APE1/Ref-1 is mainly localized in the nucleus, but
      cytoplasmic localization has also been reported. However, the functional role of
      cytoplasmic APE1/Ref-1 and its redox cysteine residue are still unknown. We
      investigated the role of cytoplasmic APE1/Ref-1 on tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha)-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expressions in
      endothelial cells. Endogenous APE1/Ref-1 was mainly observed in the nucleus,
      however, cytoplasmic APE1/Ref-1 was increased by TNF-alpha. Cytoplasmic APE1/Ref
      1 expression was not blunted by cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor,
      suggesting cytoplasmic translocation of APE1/Ref-1. Transfection of an N-terminus
      deletion mutant APE1/Ref-1(29-318) inhibited TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression,
      indicating an anti-inflammatory role for APE1/Ref-1 in the cytoplasm. In
      contrast, redox mutant of APE1/Ref-1 (C65A/C93A) transfection led to increased
      TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression. Our findings suggest cytoplasmic APE1/Ref-1
      localization and redox cysteine residues of APE1/Ref-1 are associated with its
      anti-inflammatory activity in endothelial cells. 

PMID- 24213674
TI  - Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) US2 protein interacts with human CD1d (hCD1d) and
      down-regulates invariant NKT (iNKT) cell activity.
AB  - To avoid host immune surveillance, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encoded
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-membrane glycoprotein US2, which interferes with
      antigen presenting mechanism of Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ia
      and class II molecules. However, not many attempts have been made to study the
      effect of HCMV US2 on the expression of MHC class Ib molecules. In this study, we
      examined the effect of HCMV US2 on the expression and function of human CD1d
      (hCD1d), which presents glycolipid antigens to invariant NKT (iNKT) cells. Our
      results clearly showed that the physiological interaction between ER lumenal
      domain of HCMV US2 and alpha3 domain of hCD1d was observed within ER. Compared
      with mature form of hCD1d, immature form of hCD1d is more susceptible to
      ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation mediated by HCMV US2. Moreover, the
      ectopic expression of HCMV US2 leads to the down-modulation of iNKT cell activity
      without significant change of hCD1d expression. These results will advance our
      understanding of the function of HCMV US2 in immune evasive mechanisms against
      anti-viral immunity of iNKT cells. 

PMID- 24213675
TI  - Interaction between pericytes and endothelial cells leads to formation of tight
      junction in hyaloid vessels.
AB  - The hyaloid vessel is a transient vascular network that nourishes the lens and
      the primary vitreous in the early developmental periods. In hyaloid vessels
      devoid of the support of astrocytes, we demonstrate that tight junction proteins,
      zonula occludens-1 and occludin, are regularly expressed at the junction of
      endothelial cells. To figure out the factor influencing the formation of tight
      junctions in hyaloid vessels, we further progress to investigate the interactions
      between endothelial cells and pericytes, two representative constituent cells in
      hyaloid vessels. Interestingly, endothelial cells interact with pericytes in the
      early postnatal periods and the interaction between two cell types provokes the
      up-regulation of transforming growth factor beta1. Further in vitro experiments
      demonstrate that transforming growth factor beta1 induces the activation of Smad2
      and Smad3 and the formation of tight junction proteins. Taken together, in
      hyaloid vessels, pericytes seem to regulate the formation of tight junctions by
      the interaction with endothelial cells even without the support of astrocytes.
      Additionally, we suggest that the hyaloid vessel is a valuable system that can be
      utilized for the investigation of cell-cell interaction in the formation of tight
      junctions in developing vasculatures. 

PMID- 24213676
TI  - Regulation of SIRT1 by microRNAs.
AB  - Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is an NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase that connects cellular
      energy levels to homeostatic responses by deacetylating and modulating the
      activities of many transcriptional regulators. Discovered as a longevity protein
      in yeast, the mammalian SIRT1 has been intensively studied because of its great
      potential as a therapeutic target to benefit human health by preventing and
      improving many age-related diseases. There has been, therefore, substantial
      interest in developing agents that upregulate SIRT1 expression and activity.
      SIRT1 is regulated at multiple levels, including post-transcriptionally by
      microRNAs (miRs), powerful regulators of diverse biological pathways. Here we
      discuss how expression and activity of SIRT1 and other sirtuins are inhibited by
      miRs and further discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting miRs for age
      related diseases that involve SIRT1 dysfunction, focusing on obesityrelated
      diseases. 

PMID- 24213677
TI  - Crosstalk between autophagy and inflammasomes.
AB  - A variety of cellular stresses activate the autophagy pathway, which is
      fundamentally important in protection against injurious stimuli. Defects in the
      autophagy process are associated with a variety of human diseases, including
      inflammatory and metabolic diseases. The inflammasomes are emerging as key
      signaling platforms directing the maturation and secretion of interleukin-1
      family cytokines in response to pathogenic and sterile stimuli. Recent studies
      have identified the critical role of inflammasome activation in host defense and
      inflammation. Delineation of the relationship between autophagy and inflammasome
      activation is now being greatly facilitated by the use of mice models of
      autophagy gene deficiency and clinical studies. We surveyed the recent research
      regarding the contribution of autophagy to the control of inflammation, in
      particular the association between autophagy and inflammasomes. Understanding the
      mechanisms by which autophagy balances inflammation might facilitate the
      development of autophagy-based therapeutic modalities for infectious and
      inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 24213678
TI  - Real-time monitoring of ozone in air using substrate-integrated hollow waveguide
      mid-infrared sensors.
AB  - Ozone is a strong oxidant that is globally used as disinfection agent for many
      purposes including indoor building air cleaning, during food preparation
      procedures, and for control and killing of bacteria such as E. coli and S.
      aureus. However, it has been shown that effective ozone concentrations for
      controlling e.g., microbial growth need to be higher than 5 ppm, thereby
      exceeding the recommended U.S. EPA threshold more than 10 times. Consequently,
      real-time monitoring of such ozone concentration levels is essential. Here, we
      describe the first online gas sensing system combining a compact Fourier
      transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer with a new generation of gas cells, a so
      called substrate-integrated hollow waveguide (iHWG). The sensor was calibrated
      using an UV lamp for the controlled generation of ozone in synthetic air. A
      calibration function was established in the concentration range of 0.3-5.4 mmol m
      3 enabling a calculated limit of detection (LOD) at 0.14 mmol m-3 (3.5 ppm) of
      ozone. Given the adaptability of the developed IR sensing device toward a series
      of relevant air pollutants, and considering the potential for miniaturization
      e.g., in combination with tunable quantum cascade lasers in lieu of the FTIR
      spectrometer, a wide range of sensing and monitoring applications of beyond ozone
      analysis are anticipated.

PMID- 24213679
TI  - Regulatory T cell subsets in human cancer: are they regulating for or against
      tumor progression?
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a key role in maintaining the balance of immune
      responses in human health and in disease. Treg come in many flavors and can
      utilize a variety of mechanisms to modulate immune responses. In cancer,
      inducible (i) or adaptive Treg expand, accumulate in tissues and the peripheral
      blood of patients, and represent a functionally prominent component of CD4+ T
      lymphocytes. Phenotypically and functionally, iTreg are distinct from natural (n)
      Treg. A subset of iTreg expressing ectonucleotidases, CD39 and CD73, is able to
      hydrolyze ATP to 5'-AMP and adenosine (ADO) and thus mediate suppression of those
      immune cells which express ADO receptors. iTeg can also produce prostaglandin E2
      (PGE2). These iTreg, expanding in response to tumor antigens and cytokines such
      as TGF-beta or IL-10, are presumably responsible for the suppression of anti
      tumor immune responses and for successful tumor escape. On the other hand, in
      cancers associated with prominent inflammatory infiltrates, e.g., colorectal
      carcinoma or certain types of breast cancer, iTreg down-regulate excessive
      inflammation by producing ADO and/or PGE2 and protect the host from tissue injury
      and tumor development. Thus, iTreg utilizing the same adenosine pathway play a
      key but dual role in cancer, and their plasticity is controlled and driven by the
      microenvironment. Thus, monitoring for the frequency and functions of iTreg
      rather than nTreg is important in cancer. In addition, elimination of iTreg by
      various available strategies prior to immunotherapies may not be beneficial in
      all cases and needs to be undertaken with caution. 

PMID- 24213680
TI  - Estimating the sex-specific effects of genes on facial attractiveness and sexual
      dimorphism.
AB  - Human facial attractiveness and facial sexual dimorphism (masculinity-femininity)
      are important facets of mate choice and are hypothesized to honestly advertise
      genetic quality. However, it is unclear whether genes influencing facial
      attractiveness and masculinity-femininity have similar, opposing, or independent
      effects across sex, and the heritability of these phenotypes is poorly
      characterized. To investigate these issues, we assessed facial attractiveness and
      facial masculinity-femininity in the largest genetically informative sample (n =
      1,580 same- and opposite-sex twin pairs and siblings) to assess these questions
      to date. The heritability was ~0.50-0.70 for attractiveness and ~0.40-0.50 for
      facial masculinity-femininity, indicating that, despite ostensible selection on
      genes influencing these traits, substantial genetic variation persists in both.
      Importantly, we found evidence for intralocus sexual conflict, whereby alleles
      that increase masculinity in males have the same effect in females. Additionally,
      genetic influences on attractiveness were shared across the sexes, suggesting
      that attractive fathers tend to have attractive daughters and attractive mothers
      tend to have attractive sons.

PMID- 24213681
TI  - High-throughput tandem-microwell assay identifies inhibitors of the hydrogen
      sulfide signaling pathway.
AB  - We report a high-throughput assay for H2S-producing enzymes, which is based on a
      newly designed tandem-well plate. Screening of 21,599 agents identified several
      potent inhibitors of cystathionine beta-synthase and cystathionine gamma-lyase,
      the two key enzymes generating H2S in mammals, with IC50 values in the low two
      digit micromolar range.

PMID- 24213682
TI  - Nutriepigenetic regulation by folate-homocysteine-methionine axis: a review.
AB  - Although normally folic acid is given during pregnancy, presumably to prevent
      neural tube defects, the mechanisms of this protection are unknown. More
      importantly it is unclear whether folic acid has other function during
      development. It is known that folic acid re-methylates homocysteine (Hcy) to
      methionine by methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase-dependent pathways. Folic acid
      also generates high-energy phosphates, behaves as an antioxidant and improves
      nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial NO synthase. Interestingly, during
      epigenetic modification, methylation of DNA/RNA generate homocysteine
      unequivocally. The enhanced overexpression of methyl transferase lead to
      increased yield of Hcy. The accumulation of Hcy causes vascular dysfunction,
      reduces perfusion in the muscles thereby causing musculopathy. Another
      interesting fact is that children with severe hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) have
      skeletal deformities, and do not live past teenage. HHcy is also associated with
      the progeria syndrome. Epilepsy is primarily caused by inhibition of gamma-amino
      butyric-acid (GABA) receptor, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the neuronal
      synapse. Folate deficiency leads to HHcy which then competes with GABA for
      binding on the GABA receptors. With so many genetic and clinical manifestations
      associated with folate deficiency, we propose that folate deficiency induces
      epigenetic alterations in the genes and thereby results in disease. 

PMID- 24213683
TI  - Anxiety and low life satisfaction associate with high caregiver strain early
      after stroke.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Caregivers play an important role in the well-being of stroke
      patients, and are known to experience considerable strain 3 months or more after
      patient discharge. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and
      determinants of caregiver strain early after discharge. METHODS: Six weeks after
      discharge from the hospital or rehabilitation setting stroke-surviving patients
      and their caregivers were seen by a specialized nurse. Several screening lists,
      including the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI), were completed. Step-wise logistic
      regression was used to analyse which determinants independently contribute to
      caregiver strain. RESULTS: A total of 284 stroke-surviving patients were included
      in the study. Of the 179 caregivers who completed the CSI, 23 (12.8%) experienced
      considerable strain. A higher level of anxiety symptoms and lower life
      satisfaction in patients are independently associated with higher caregiver
      strain (p = 0.000007 and p = 0.0031, respectively). CONCLUSION: High strain is
      experienced by 12.8% of caregivers shortly after discharge of a stroke-surviving
      patient. More anxiety symptoms and lower life satisfaction in patients are
      independently associated with a higher level of strain in caregivers. Treating
      patient anxiety at an early stage might therefore lead to a decrease in long-term
      caregiver strain.

PMID- 24213684
TI  - Kinematics of the knee after unicompartmental arthroplasty is not the same as
      normal and is similar to the kinematics of the knee with osteoarthritis.
AB  - PURPOSE: It is common to assert that restoration of normal knee kinematics is
      essential for the best functional result after knee arthroplasty. Previous
      studies using the progression of the geometric centre axis have suggested that
      kinematics after unicompartmental arthroplasty is markedly different from the
      normal. For this study, the transepicondylar axis was used because this axis is
      closer to the flexion axis and should be a better reference for motion. The
      following hypothesis was tested: the transepicondylar axis would again show that
      the postoperative kinematics does not restore normal motion and is closer to that
      before replacement. METHODS: Seventeen osteoarthritic knees were tested before
      and after unicompartmental arthroplasty using a three-dimensional to two
      dimensional registration technique tracking the transepicondylar axis to
      calculate translation and rotation of this axis. Results were compared for the
      seventeen knees before and after arthroplasty and were compared to the normal
      knee as measured in our previous study. RESULTS: Similar motion patterns in the
      pre- and postoperative knees were shown but both the pre- and postoperative
      motion were markedly different from the normal knee. CONCLUSIONS: This result
      supported our hypothesis. The clinical relevance is that medial unicompartmental
      arthroplasty cannot restore the motion of the knee to normal in the living knee.
      Therefore, it would be expected that the patient for unicompartmental knee might
      not feel normal. It may not be possible depending on ligaments alone to restore
      the knee to normal, and the changes in the articular shapes and the surgical
      procedure may also be necessary.

PMID- 24213685
TI  - Outcome of arthroscopic treatment for displaced lateral clavicle fractures using
      a double button device.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological
      outcomes of an arthroscopically assisted fixation of type IIB fractures using a
      double button device. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with a type IIB displaced
      fracture of the clavicle who received an arthroscopically assisted fixation using
      a double button device were enrolled from 2009 to 2011. Clinical assessment
      included the patient's demographics, cause of injury, delay before surgery, time
      for surgery, time before resuming work and sports, the Shoulder and Hand
      (QuickDASH) score, the Constant-Murley score and the visual pain analogue scale
      (VAS). Radiological examination consisted of anteroposterior and axillary
      radiographs. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 33 years (range 18-67). Mean
      follow-up was 35 +/- 8.9 months (range 24-51 months). The average delay before
      surgery was 3 days (range 1-7). At final follow-up, the mean QuickDASH score,
      Constant score and VAS were respectively 3.2 +/- 6 (range 0-25), 94.8 +/- 9.9
      (range 62-100) and 0.5 +/- 1.2 (range 0-4). Seventeen (81 %) patients were able
      to resume work, including heavy manual labour, and to resume their sport
      activities as well. Postoperative complications included one transient adhesive
      capsulitis, a symptomatic acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and an implant
      failure with nonunion. Bony union was achieved in all other patients. CONCLUSION:
      This study has demonstrated that the arthroscopic treatment using a double button
      device was effective at providing a satisfactory functional outcome, minimizing
      the risk of complications and presenting low implant failure and low nonunion
      rates in patients with Neer type IIB fractures of the distal clavicle. Such
      results lead us to consider this minimally invasive technique as a first-choice
      treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

PMID- 24213686
TI  - Extracts of Marine cyanobacteria stimulated somatic embryogenesis of Daucus
      carota L.
AB  - Twenty five strains of marine cyanobacteria were screened for their ability to
      promote carrot somatic embryogenesis. Hot water extracts prepared from 21 of
      these strains promoted plantlet formation. Extracts from four strains increased
      plantlet numbers to an average of over 3.7-fold. Dialysates and nondialysates of
      each of these extracts also increased plantlet formation. For extracts from
      filamentous cyanobacteria, Nostoc sp. and Anabaena sp., dialysate was more
      effective (4.2-fold increase) than nondialysate (3.0-fold increase), whereas for
      unicellular strains Synechococcus sp. and Xenococcus sp., nondialysate was more
      effective (5.2-fold increase) than the dialysate (3.2-fold increase). These
      cyanobacterial extracts also promoted embryolike structure formation from two
      year old carrot cell cultures which were unable to produce plantlets using the
      usual methods. Here, we demonstrate the existence in marine cyanobacterial
      extracts of low and high molecular weight factors which strongly promote somatic
      embryogenesis in carrot cell cultures. 

PMID- 24213687
TI  - Biotransformation of theobromine to caffeine in suspension and polyurethane foam
      immobilized coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cells.
AB  - Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cells are capable of biotransforming theobromine to
      caffeine. In suspension culture of B2K medium, which is the "production medium"
      for caffeine, biotransformation was also more efficient than in DK medium. More
      caffeine was finally produced than calculated based on theobromine added to the
      medium. On the other hand, the efficiency of the biotransformation using
      immobilized cells in reticulate polyurethane foam cubes as a matrix varied with
      the phases. The biotransformation tended to be efficient under conditions which
      allowed the coffee cells to vigorously produce caffeine de novo. 

PMID- 24213688
TI  - Lippia dulcis shoot cultures as a source of the sweet sesquiterpene hernandulcin.
AB  - The axenic shoot culture of Lippia dulcis Trev., Verbenaceae, was established on
      hormone-free Murashige-Skoog solid medium containing 3% sucrose. Shoots were
      cultured in various liquid or solid media. Woody Plant liquid medium was best for
      shoot multiplication, but the production of hernandulcin was relatively low. The
      highest hernandulcin content (2.9% dry wt) was obtained after 28 days of culture
      on Murashige-Skoog solid medium containing 2% sucrose. The addition of chitosan
      to the culture media enhanced the growth of shoots as well as the production of
      hernandulcin, especially with the liquid medium. 

PMID- 24213689
TI  - Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from spear callus culture of
      Asparagus cooperi Baker.
AB  - Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet formation were obtained from callus derived
      from the subapical region of spears of Asparagus cooperi Baker. Callus was
      obtained in Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 1-naphthaleneacetic
      acid and kinetin. Increase in the concentration of potassium nitrate in
      subsequent subcultures resulted in the formation of embryos. Rapid multiplication
      of embryos was secured on transfer to a medium containing a different source of
      nitrogen and a low level (0.01 mg/1) of gibberellic acid. Media containing zeatin
      or gibberellic acid led to the formation of complete plantlets from embryos.
      Regenerated plants were cytologically and phenotypically stable. 

PMID- 24213690
TI  - The effects of acetosyringone and pH on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
      vary according to plant species.
AB  - Expiants of five plant species (Allium cepa, Antirrhinum majus, Brassica
      campestris. Glycine max, and Nicotiana tabacum) were co-cultivated with three
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains under different conditions to assess the
      effects of acetosyringone and medium pH on strain virulence. Tumours were incited
      on all dicotyledonous species by strains N2/73 and A281. The presence of
      acetosyringone during co-cultivation generally enhanced the virulence of these
      strains, most markedly N2/73 on A. majus and G. max, and A281 on G. max. Strain
      Ach5 was virulent only on N. tabacum in the absence of acetosyringone, which,
      when present, extended the host range to include A. majus. There was evidence to
      suggest that acetosyringone may suppress virulence in some strain/plant species
      interactions. Virulence was affected in some cases by medium pH, but there was no
      general effect across plant species. 

PMID- 24213691
TI  - A rapid and efficient regeneration system for pea (Pisum sativum), suitable for
      transformation.
AB  - A method for plant regeneration via organogenesis in pea (Pisum sativum) using
      nodal thin cell layer segments has been developed.From 10 to 12 days old sterile
      pea seedlings, nodal expiants were excised from which leaves and axillary buds
      were removed. Shoot regeneration was consistently obtained from liquid cultures
      where the expiants were floated on the medium. Shoots could be harvested after
      two weeks and thereafter up to ten weeks and no important effect of the cultivar
      (Bodil, Puget, Rondo and Trille) used could be observed as far as shooting
      capacity was concerned.Rooting frequency of the regenerated shoots was cultivar
      dependent. Plantlets were obtained within 7 weeks after expiant excision.
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying a disarmed Tiplasmid and a binary vector
      containing the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene, were used in cocultivation
      experiments on pea nodal expiants in order to obtain transgenic shoots. 

PMID- 24213692
TI  - Plant regeneration from leaf protoplasts of Lycopersicon hirsutum f. hirsutum.
AB  - A protocol is described for high frequency plant regeneration from isolated leaf
      protoplasts of several genotypes of the wild tomato species Lycopersicon hirsutum
      f. hirsutum based on modified tomato protoplast culture methods. Three to four
      week old seedlings exposed to a low light pretreatment yielded protoplasts
      capable of sustained divisions on modified Lycopersicon Culture Medium. Plating
      efficiencies varied from 7.2%-25.9%. Colonies were transferred to modified solid
      greening medium after 25-35 days. Developing calli that turned bright green and
      produced dark green bud primordia were transferred to shoot induction medium.
      Shoot formation efficiencies ranged from 60%-85%. Shoots rooted easily and
      regenerated plants grown to complete maturity showed only transient somaclonal
      variation. 

PMID- 24213693
TI  - Proline status of genetically stable salt-tolerant Brassica juncea L. somaclones
      and their parent cv. Prakash.
AB  - Three Brassica juncea L. somaclones (SR-1, -2 and -3) selected in vitro for NaCl
      tolerance, non-selected somacone (CP-5) and parent cv. 'Prakash' were
      characterized for their free proline contents in the absence of stress and as a
      function of increasing salt stress. In the R0 generation, 'SR-3' somaclone had
      ca. three times higher free proline as compared to parent 'Prakash' and other
      somaclones. Somaclone, SR-1, turned out to be sterile. The other somaclones were
      carried forward to the R2 generation after making selections for yield and yield
      components in the R1 generation. 'SR-3' bred true for its high proline
      accumulating characteristic. The somaclone 'SR-3' thus had a stable genetic
      variation for proline overproduction. Free proline content in 7-day-old whole
      seedlings and 6-week-old plant leaf tissue, increased with the increase in salt
      stress in all the lines but at differential rates. The magnitude of increase in
      free proline was much higher in 'SR-3' lines as compared to parent 'Prakash' and
      'SR-2' salt-tolerant somaclones. Under salt stress, in leaf tissue, one of the
      'SR-3' derived lines (SR3P6-2) accumulated as much as 269 MUmoles of free proline
      as compared to ca. 20 MUmoles per g dry weight in parent 'Prakash' and 'SR-2'
      line. It was interesting to note that there was a 'critical point' concentration
      of NaCl beyond which the endogenous level of free proline rose sharply.
      Somaclonal lines (SR3P6-2, SR2P1-2 and CP5-2) which were found to have higher
      salt-tolerance indices, also had higher 'critical points' as compared to the
      other relatively salt sensitive genotypes. The relationship between relative
      water content and osmotic potential of leaves under saltstress also showed a
      relatively higher degree of osmotic adjustment in the selected somaclones, the
      maximum being in SR-3 derived lines. 

PMID- 24213695
TI  - In vitro tuberization of potato clones from different maturity groups.
AB  - In vitro tuberization on shoot cultures of early, mid-season, late and very late
      potatoes was compared. Shoots were grown at 12, 16, or 20 h photoperiods;
      tuberization was then induced at 0, 8 or 16 h light. In the dark, shoots from
      early plants initially grown at 16 h consistently set tubers earlier than the
      other types, whereas the very late line tuberized later and produced
      significantly fewer tubers. Tuber setting of mid-season plants could not be
      distinguished from the late type. Tuberization of the very late line was
      significantly hastened by shortening the photoperiod from 20 h to 12 h during the
      shoot growth period. Light during tuber induction delayed tuberization. This
      system may be useful to screen callus-derived plants for maturity, and may also
      be suitable for in vitro study of the photoperiodic control of tuberization. 

PMID- 24213694
TI  - Transcription of a sorghum phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene in transgenic
      tobacco leaves: maturation of monocot PRE-mRNA by dicot cells.
AB  - The expression of a Sorghum vulgare gene encoding the phosphoenol-pyruvate
      carboxylase involved in C4 photosynthesis has been studied after introduction
      into tobacco. Northern blot analysis of poly(A) mRNA from green leaves
      demonstrated i) the efficiency of this monocot promoter, ii) the transcription of
      the sorghum phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxylase mRNA with the expected size (3.4kb).
      These results strongly suggested that introns of this monocot gene have been
      excised efficiently by the dicot cells. Moreover, the presence of the sorghum
      phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxylase mRNA was not detected in the roots of the
      transformed plants, suggesting that the 2.4kb 5'-region of the gene could be
      sufficient to confer the tissue specific expression. 

PMID- 24213696
TI  - In vitro propagation of Coleus forskohlii Briq. for forskolin synthesis.
AB  - Shoot multiplication was obtained in vitro within 20-25 d from shoot tip expiants
      of 30 d old aseptically germinated seedlings of Coleus forskohlii Briq., using 2
      mg/1 of 6 benzylaminopurine (BA). Shoot multiplication was further enhanced with
      the gradual decrease in the level of BA, and its final omission after 4 months.
      Different auxins supplemented at the level of 0.05 mg/1 with BA did not yield
      better results. Seven regenerated plants showed only diploid cells in their root
      tips, while three plants did not. Of these, two were diploid with occasional
      aneuploid cells. In one plant 32 chromosomes were observed. The potential of
      shoot culture in vitro and use of micropropagated plants for the production of
      forskolin has been demonstrated. 

PMID- 24213697
TI  - AgNO3 increases type II callus production from immature embryos of maize inbred
      B73 and its derivatives.
AB  - Incorporating 10 to 100 MUM AgNO3 into Phytagel(TM) (0.2%) solidified N6 medium
      containing 1 mg/L 2,4-D, 100 mg/L casamino acids and 25 mM praline (N6 1-100-25)
      promoted type II callus production from cultured Zea mays L. immature embryos of
      FRB73, B73 X A188 and a proprietary B73 BC6 genotype. Under these conditions,
      approximately 15, 80 and 80% of the respective FRB73, B73 X A188 and B73 BC6
      explants produced type II calli after 2 to 3 weeks incubation in the dark at 28
      C. In the absence of AgNO3, the type II culture response from B73BC6 immature
      embryos was 25% on N6 1 100-25 solidified with Phytagel(TM) (0.2%) as compared to
      0% for that solidified with 0.8% agar. Duncan's medium was tested using 10 to 100
      MUm AgNO3 and generally promoted type I callus initiation, although up to 6% of
      the explants produced type II cultures in the presence of 0.2% Phytagel(TM).
      Ethylene emanation rates of up to 370 and 115 nL g-1 h-1 were detected from B73 X
      A188 immature embryos and calli, respectively, cultured on N6 1-100-25. 

PMID- 24213698
TI  - Morphogenetic responses of cultured cells of cambial origin of a mature tree -
      Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.
AB  - Regeneration of plantlets was achieved from cell suspension derived calli of
      cambial origin from mature 'elite' trees of Dalbergia sissoo. Callus
      proliferation occurred on the cambial tissue pieces cultured on MS medium
      supplemented with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.0 mg/1) and
      benzylaminopurine (0.1 mg/l). Suspension cultures were obtained by transferring
      and agitating callus lumps in liquid medium composed as above. Aggregates of
      about 30 cells were plated on semi solid medium, which developed into calli.
      Shoot bud differentiation was observed in the calli transferred to medium devoid
      of auxin but containing 0.5-2.0 mg/1 benzylaminopurine. The isolated microshoots
      were rooted on modified MS medium containing low organic salts and auxins. 

PMID- 24213699
TI  - Massively parallel polymerase cloning and genome sequencing of single cells using
      nanoliter microwells.
AB  - Genome sequencing of single cells has a variety of applications, including
      characterizing difficult-to-culture microorganisms and identifying somatic
      mutations in single cells from mammalian tissues. A major hurdle in this process
      is the bias in amplifying the genetic material from a single cell, a procedure
      known as polymerase cloning. Here we describe the microwell displacement
      amplification system (MIDAS), a massively parallel polymerase cloning method in
      which single cells are randomly distributed into hundreds to thousands of
      nanoliter wells and their genetic material is simultaneously amplified for
      shotgun sequencing. MIDAS reduces amplification bias because polymerase cloning
      occurs in physically separated, nanoliter-scale reactors, facilitating the de
      novo assembly of near-complete microbial genomes from single Escherichia coli
      cells. In addition, MIDAS allowed us to detect single-copy number changes in
      primary human adult neurons at 1- to 2-Mb resolution. MIDAS can potentially
      further the characterization of genomic diversity in many heterogeneous cell
      populations. 

PMID- 24213700
TI  - Age estimation from fetus and infant tooth and head measurements.
AB  - Forensic identification comprises legal, social, ethical, and religious aspects
      where age detection is an important factor. When the case is a fetus or infant,
      recording various measurements of the body, head, and teeth is essential. The aim
      of this research is to evaluate the effects of different tooth and body
      measurements and their implications on the age estimation of fetuses and infants.
      This research was performed on 96 fetus and infant incisor teeth taken from 24
      autopsy cases (54 % males and 46 % females) where age of the subjects were within
      the range of prenatal 16 weeks to postnatal 72 weeks. The data were statistically
      processed by regression analysis via curve estimations. According to the results,
      growing patterns of the head circumference (HC) and the upper central tooth
      measurements indicate a strong relationship, where there is no significant
      difference for both sexes. The growth patterns of all variables showed a linear
      function to a certain age (approximately 56 weeks pre-plus postnatal); the tooth
      height (TH) slightly increases until the closure of the root apex, and the HC
      gradually stabilizes in time, therefore a log-linear relation was found
      considerable. The results revealed eight age estimation formulas, including the
      combination of HC with the labiolingual, mesiodistal (MD), crown height, and TH
      measurements. Among these, only MD can be applied to a living. In conclusion,
      tooth and head measurements are found to be the main factors of age estimation
      formulas.

PMID- 24213701
TI  - Specific recognition of DNA bulge sites by in situ grown fluorescent Ag
      nanoclusters with high selectivity.
AB  - There is much demand for the development of reliable methods of bulge site
      recognition in DNA in order to find disease-related mutations and identify bulge
      sequence environments. Herein, we found that the bulge site in the DNA duplex can
      be used to selectively grow fluorescent silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs). The as
      prepared Ag NCs exhibit an emission behavior dependent on the base environment
      near the bulge site and can be employed in situ as a readout for specific bulge
      site recognition. Fluorescent signal-on sensing for the bulge site based on this
      inorganic fluorophore is substantially advantageous over the organic fluorophores
      previously used as probes, in which a fluorescent signal-off response was usually
      observed with context guanines flanking the bulge site. The strong dependence of
      the fluorescent Ag NCs' formation on the bases surrounding the bulge site is
      successfully used to identify the bulge environment near the codon 177 of cancer
      suppression gene p53. We expect that bulge site-determined Ag NC formation is
      very likely to be developed into a simple method for bulge site recognition with
      high selectivity and sensitivity. 

PMID- 24213702
TI  - The potential impact of geological environment on health status of residents of
      the Slovak Republic.
AB  - In order to assess the potential impact of the geological environment on the
      health of the population of the Slovak Republic, the geological environment was
      divided into eight major units: Paleozoic, Crystalline, Carbonatic Mesozoic and
      basal Paleogene, Carbonatic-silicate Mesozoic and Paleogene, Paleogene Flysch,
      Neovolcanics, Neogene and Quaternary sediments. Based on these geological units,
      the databases of environmental indicators (chemical elements/parameters in
      groundwater and soils) and health indicators (concerning health status and
      demographic development of the population) were compiled. The geological
      environment of the Neogene volcanics (andesites and basalts) has been clearly
      documented as having the least favourable impact on the health of Slovak
      population, while Paleogene Flysch geological environment (sandstones, shales,
      claystones) has the most favourable impact. The most significant differences
      between these two geological environments were observed, especially for the
      following health indicators: SMRI6364 (cerebral infarction and strokes) more than
      70 %, SMRK (digestive system) 55 %, REI (circulatory system) and REE (endocrine
      and metabolic system) almost 40 % and REC (malignant neoplasms) more than 30 %.
      These results can likely be associated with deficit contents of Ca and Mg in
      groundwater from the Neogene volcanics that are only about half the level of Ca
      and Mg in groundwater of the Paleogene sediments.

PMID- 24213703
TI  - Seasonal concentrations of lead in outdoor and indoor dust and blood of children
      in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - Because detrimental effects of exposure to lead (Pb) on human health have been
      observed, we previously investigated concentrations of Pb in water supplies and
      blood of adult residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The objectives of the present
      study were to: (1) examine seasonal rates of deposition of Pb in dust in several
      areas of Riyadh city, (2) measure concentrations of Pb in both outdoor and indoor
      dust, (3) compare concentrations of Pb in dust in Riyadh with those reported for
      other cities, and (4) quantify Pb in blood of children living in Riyadh. Mean,
      monthly deposition of PB in outdoor dust was 4.7 * 10(1) +/- 3.6 tons km(-2),
      with a mean Pb concentration of 2.4 * 10(2) +/- 4.4 * 10(1) MUg/g. Mean, monthly
      deposition of Pb in indoor dust was 2.7 +/- 0.70 tons km(-2), with a mean
      concentration of 2.9 * 10(1) +/- 1.5 * 10(1) MUg Pb/g. There was a significant (P
      < 0.01) correlation between concentrations of Pb in outdoor and indoor dust.
      There was no correlation between concentrations of Pb in indoor dust and that in
      blood of children of Riyadh, whereas there was a weakly significant (P < 0.05)
      correlation between concentrations of Pb in outdoor dust and that in blood of
      children. The mean (+/-SD) concentration of Pb in blood of children in Riyadh was
      5.2 +/- 1.7, with a range of 1.7-1.6 * 10(1) MUg/dl. Concentrations of Pb in
      blood of 17.8 % of children in Riyadh were greater than 10 MUg/dl, which is the
      CDC's level of concern.

PMID- 24213704
TI  - Changes in nutrient ratios and phytoplankton community structure caused by
      hydropower development in the Maotiao River, China.
AB  - Reservoirs created for hydropower production have become an important feature
      impacting a river. Understanding the effects of river impoundment on the
      downstream environment is critical to decision-making for water resource
      protection. The changes caused by impoundment are changes in water quality and
      the resulting effect on the phytoplankton community structure. The impacts caused
      by a series of reservoirs along a river are still not well understood. In this
      study, we conducted an investigation of five reservoirs along the Maotiao River,
      China. We found that a series of impoundments plays a role in decreasing the
      phytoplankton biomass in downstream reservoirs. Within the studied area, nitrogen
      is not a limiting factor for phytoplankton growth. The ratio of silicon to
      phosphorus (Si:P) can become a major factor in the regulation of phytoplankton
      community structure. The Si:P ratio increased from upstream to downstream
      reservoirs, causing a concurrent increase in the percentage of Bacillariophyta,
      particularly during the winter. In addition, our results indicate that the
      creation of dams eliminates Si limitation downstream. 

PMID- 24213705
TI  - Heavy metal concentrations in feathers of common loons (Gavia immer) in the
      Northeastern United States and age differences in mercury levels.
AB  - Feathers serve as a useful, non-destructive approach for biomonitoring some
      aspects of environmental quality. Birds can eliminate over 90% of their body
      burden of mercury by sequestration in growing feathers, and they molt their
      feathers at least annually. Thus mercury concentrations should not vary in avian
      feathers as a function of age. We tested the null hypothesis that there are no
      age differences in the concentrations of mercury, lead, cadmium, selenium,
      copper, chromium and manganese in the feathers of immature and adult common loons
      Gavia immer from the Northeastern United States where the species is declining.
      Adults had significantly higher mean levels of mercury (20245 ppb) than immature
      loons (9677 ppb), but there were no age-related differences for other elements.
      Even with the small number of immatures, females had significantly higher levels
      of mercury than males, although the gender difference was not significant for
      adults. 

PMID- 24213706
TI  - Value functions for environmental pollutants: A technique for enhancing the
      assessment of expert judgements.
AB  - This paper presents a new procedure to assess value functions for environmental
      pollutants. It has been particularly designed for eliciting expert-based value
      functions for pollutant substances. The main features of the model are the
      possibility to integrate direct and indirect assessment techniques, the
      possibility to make explicit assessment uncertainties and to avoid forcing
      quantitative judgements. The main aim of the procedure is to improve the
      reliability of the assessment but also to make the expert's task easier by using
      qualitative judgements more frequently. The procedure has been developed
      especially for soil pollutants, for which an application is described. 

PMID- 24213707
TI  - Performance of two artificial substrate samplers for macroinvertebrates in
      biological monitoring of large and deep rivers and canals in Belgium and The
      Netherlands.
AB  - Harmonization exercises organized by the European Communities in the 1970s on
      biological water assessment methods for running waters, because the usual methods
      were difficult or impossible to apply, explicitly stressed the need for
      development of standardized sampling procedures for monitoring large and deep
      rivers and canals. To meet this objective, an extensive monitoring campaign was
      organized in Belgium and The Netherlands to test the efficiency of artificial
      substrates colonized by macroinvertebrates as an alternative for natural
      communities sampled with a handnet. Two types of artificial substrates were
      tested: a Belgian substrate, composed of a plastic netting filled with medium
      sized pieces of brick, and a Dutch substrate consisting of a stainless steel box
      filled with marbles. The collected biocoenoses were compared qualitatively and
      quantitatively. Water quality was assessed by means of several biotic indexes.
      The results show that both the Belgian and the Dutch artificial substrate sampler
      can replace the usual samples obtained by means of a handnet, and provide a
      correct assessment. A major drawback of the use of artificial substrates in
      uncontrolled monitoring sites remains the unforeseen losses. For that reason the
      cost price of the substrates may have to be considered when making a selection. 

PMID- 24213708
TI  - Evaluation of filter-based aerosol measurements during the 1987 Southern
      California Air Quality Study.
AB  - The Southern California Air Quality Study (SCAQS) was conducted during the summer
      and fall of 1987 to assess the causes of elevated ozone and suspended particulate
      matter concentrations in California's South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB). Extensive
      gaseous (i.e. nitric acid, ammonia, sulfur dioxide) and particle (i.e. PM2.5 and
      PM10 mass, elements, ions, carbon) measurements were acquired for 11 days during
      the summer at nine locations, and six days during the fall at six locations.
      Outliers were identified so that they could be excluded from further statistical
      analyses. Carbon and elemental measurements were found to be negatively biased by
      ~ 20% owing to inhomogenous aerosol deposits on the SCAQS filters and analysis
      methods which were applied to a portion of the filters. These biases seem
      relatively consistent, however, and should not affect conclusions drawn from data
      analysis efforts if they are appropriately considered. Significant fractions (30
      60%) of ammonium nitrate volatilized during the summer when temperatures were
      higher. Less than 10% typically volatilized during the fall when temperatures
      were lower. Anion/cation balances support the accuracy and precision estimates of
      the nitrate, sulfate, and ammonium measurements. Coarse particle sulfate was
      generally low, while coarse particle nitrate was most pronounced at the coastal
      sites.This paper documents SCAQS filter-based aerosol measurement methods, and
      evaluates the accuracy, precision, and validity of the data set. Various
      comparisons were made for: (1) PM2.5/PM10 ratios for mass and major chemical
      species; (2) sum of chemical species versus measured mass; (3) sulfate versus
      sulfur ratios; (4) PM2.5 particulate nitrate versus nitric acid-denuded nitrate;
      and (5) anion/cation balances. The measurement and evaluation techniques
      presented in this paper serve as a guideline for other data analysis and modeling
      studies. 

PMID- 24213709
TI  - Qualitative time trend analysis of ground water monitoring networks : An example
      from The Netherlands.
AB  - The detection of significant (short-term) time trends is one of the major goals
      of ground water monitoring networks. These trends can be used to recognize active
      geochemical processes and potential environmental threats. This paper presents a
      case history of time trend analysis on macrochemical parameters of ground water
      quality. It shows the difficulties and traps that are generally encountered in
      such studies. The data used originated from the Dutch National Groundwater
      Quality Monitoring Network. This network is operative since 1979, and keeps track
      of the ground water composition at 350 locations at two depths (ca. 10 and 25 m
      below surface; general density, one location per 100 km(2)). Prior to the trend
      analysis the data set was divided into geochemically homogeneous groups using
      fuzzy c-means clustering. Each group represents a specific ground water type,
      characterized by a distinct source (seawater, surface water or precipitation) and
      a unique combination of dominant geochemical processes (e.g. mineralization of
      organic matter, carbonate dissolution and cation exchange).To study trends
      qualitatively, the concentrations of the various macro-constituents in ground
      water are correlated with time of sampling. The nonparametric and outlier
      insensitive Spearman rank correlation coefficient is computed per well screen. A
      frequency distribution of correlation coefficients is formed by combining the
      Spearman correlation coefficients of all individual wells within a homogeneous
      group. This distribution is tested for trends against the appropriate theoretical
      distribution of zero correlation by use of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov one-sample
      test. The type of trend is derived from the shape of the distribution.Most ground
      water types show statistically significant qualitative trends, of which many,
      however, are caused by changes in the sampling and analytical procedures over the
      monitoring period. After elimination of differences in limits of detection for
      NO3, total-P, and NH4, most trends in these compounds disappeared. In some water
      types trends for alkalinity, apparent trends for pH, Ec, and total-P are caused
      by variations in the laboratory practice, e.g. varying storage procedures,
      leading to erroneous analyses. Other parameters showed statistically significant
      trends, related to geochemical processes.The most interesting and most
      substantial trends are observed in the water type characterized by infiltrating
      rainwater with agricultural pollutants. In this water type the lowering ground
      water table induces lower rates of evapotranspiration, giving lower
      concentrations in time of conservative parameters (Cl, Na, Ca). The aerated zone
      is enlarged, resulting in increased oxidation of organic material, less efficient
      nutrient (NO3, K) uptake by plant roots, leading to increased ground water
      concentrations of nutrients. In other water types trends are quantitatively
      small. However, trends are not necessarily linear, and all should be closely
      monitored in future. 

PMID- 24213710
TI  - Catalytic activity and immunochemical quantification of hepatic cytochrome P-450
      in beta-naphthoflavone and isosafrol treated rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
AB  - In addition to catalytical assays, immunochemical techniques have recently been
      employed to measure induction of the cytochrome P-450 (P450) monooxygenase system
      in fish with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). In the present study, polyclonal
      antibodies were raised against rainbow trout P450IA1. Levels of rainbow trout
      P450IA1 determined using protein blotting- and ELISA procedures were compared
      with levels of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (7-EROD) activity in liver
      microsomes from rainbow trout. These comparisons showed that values of P450A1
      were positively correlated (r=0.99 and r=0.97) with 7-EROD activities. In
      addition, the effects of isosafrol (ISF) or beta-naphthoflavone (betaNF)
      treatments on P450 levels in rainbow trout liver were investigated using
      immunochemical and catalytical methods. ISF treatment induced 7-EROD activity as
      well as 7-methoxycoumarin-O-demethylase-, 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase-, 7
      propoxy-coumarin-O-depropylase and 7-butoxycoumarin-O-debutylase activities,
      although to a lesser extent, compared with the betaNF treatment. In contrast,
      immunochemical quantification of rainbow trout P450IA1 protein revealed a
      slightly different pattern. ISF appeared to be a weak inducer of P450IA1 in
      rainbow trout compared with betaNF. In addition, the degree of inhibition of 7
      alkoxycoumarin-O-dealkylase activities in ISF microsomes differed from that
      measured in control- and betaNF microsomes. The discrepancies between catalytic
      and immunochemical estimates of rainbow trout P450IA1 in ISF treated fish in
      addition to differencs between specific inhibitory pattern by specific polyclonal
      antibodies raised against rainbow trout P450IA1, indicate that important
      differences exists between the responses induced by betaNF- and ISF treatments in
      the rainbow trout liver. 

PMID- 24213711
TI  - Incorporation of yolk fatty acids into body lipids of goldfish (Carassius auratus
      L.) larvae raised at two different temperatures.
AB  - In five separate experiments, eggs from a single female goldfish were fertilized
      at 20 degrees C. They were incubated at 22 degrees C for 6 hours, after which
      some of the eggs were transferred to 13 degrees C. When a defined post-hatch
      developmental stage was reached, lipid extracts were prepared from larvae, both
      with yolk sacs intact and after removal of the yolk sac by dissection. Other
      larvae were sampled at yolk exhaustion. Gas chromatographic analysis of fatty
      acid profiles revealed that larvae incorporated 16:0, 18:0, 20:4 (n-6) and 22:6
      (n-3) into their tissues in proportions higher than those present in the eggs
      from which they were derived. At 22 degrees C, these trends were particularly
      apparent at yolk exhaustion. At 13 degrees C, proportions of polyunsaturated
      fatty acids in the bodies of newly hatched larvae were higher than those in the
      22 degrees C larval bodies. Monounsaturated fatty acids were preferentially
      depleted during development, especially in larvae from high quality eggs. No
      dependence of egg quality, as assessed by larval viability at 22 degrees C, on
      total egg lipid mass or fatty acid composition was found. Larvae from the lowest
      quality eggs showed a reduced preference for incorporation of (n-3)
      polyunsaturated fatty acids into their tissues. 

PMID- 24213712
TI  - Administration of gulonolactone does not evoke ascorbic acid synthesis in teleost
      fish.
AB  - Evidence is presented that for common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), intraperitoneal
      injection of L-gulonolactone, a precursor of ascorbic acid synthesis in the D
      glucuronic acid pathway, does not result in an increased concentration of
      ascorbate in tissue. Control fish injected with an equimolar amount of ascorbic
      acid have shown a significant increase in ascorbic acid concentration in the
      kidney, hepatopancreas, plasma and spleen. The ascorbate status in the carp
      body,i.e., the ascorbate nutritional history, produced significant differences in
      ascorbate withdrawal from circulation and probably in the catabolic rate. Acute
      fasting decreased ascorbate uptake into tissues as compared to fish fed a diet
      lacking ascorbate. Intraperitoneally injected ascorbate affects common carp being
      fed a diet containing 295 mg of total ascorbic acid kg(-1) by causing tissue to
      become saturated with vitamin C, similar to the tissues in the group undergoing
      acute fasting. There was no gulonolactone oxidase activity in the hepatopancreas
      of the common carp. These results suggest that the metabolic rate induced by
      feeding is the primary factor regulating ascorbate requirement. 

PMID- 24213713
TI  - Plasma levels of insulin, glucagon and glucagon-like peptide in salmonids of
      different weights.
AB  - Plasma levels of insulin in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, Atlantic
      salmon,Salmo salar, and Pacific coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch and plasma
      circulating levels of glucagon and glucagon-like peptide, in rainbow trout and
      Atlantic salmon, were measured by homologous radioimmunoassays. Hormonal levels
      were compared against the average body weight of the same group of fish. Plasma
      insulin levels were significantly correlated (r=0.56, 0.46 and 0.42 respectively)
      with body weight in all three salmonid species. Moreover, rainbow trout from fast
      growing families had significantly higher (p<0.005) plasma insulin levels than
      did fish from slow-growing families. Plasma titres of glucagon and glucagon-like
      peptide were always lower than insulin titres and did not correlate with body
      weight. 

PMID- 24213714
TI  - Plasma kinetics of ingested tritiated estradiol and the influence on estradiol
      plasma levels in the cultured Siberian sturgeonAcipenser baeri.
AB  - Plasma kinetics of tritiated estradiol (E2) were studied in the Siberian
      sturgeonAcipenser baeri in order to explain the large amount of E2 found in
      plasma of 4, 5 and 10-year-old cultured males. This work presents two approaches.
      The first is based on a single ingestion of(3)H-labelled E2, which allowed us to
      plot model curves of resorption and elimination processes. The second deals with
      chronic ingestion of(3)H-labelled E2 during a five day period, twice a day, based
      on a rhythm copied from the feeding practice on a fish farm. Three different
      doses were tested, based on the amount present in fish diets. Oral administration
      of E2 to sturgeon leads to E2 accumulation and a saturation of the metabolic
      processes generally involved in the elimination of aromatic xenobiotics. An
      explanation of this progressive accumulation of E2 in sturgeon plasma has to take
      into account the steroid binding proteins. Their synthesis could be induced by
      the orally administrated E2 and protect it from metabolism. 

PMID- 24213715
TI  - Hormonal regulation of metabolism in hepatocytes of the ureogenic teleostopsanus
      beta.
AB  - Short-term exposure of isolated toadfish hepatocytes to high concentrations (100
      nM) of glucagon, glucagon-like peptide (GLP) or epinephrine significantly
      increases the rate of lactate gluconeogenesis (1.3-fold) and glycogenolysis (5-
      to 7-fold). Half-maximal responsiveness to GLP is reached at about 2 nM for
      gluconeogenesis and 6 nM for glycogenolysis, while the value for glycogenolysis
      activated by catfish glucagon is 28 nM. Cells do not to respond to 5 nM
      epinephrine. Norepinephrine, urotensin II and leucine-enkephalin, each applied at
      100 nM, increase the rate of glycogenolysis by 1.3 to 1.5-fold. All other
      hormones tested (vasotocin, isotocin, VIP, methionine-enkephalin, ovine
      prolactin, beta-endorphin, APY, salmon insulin) failed to affect metabolic flux
      through glycogenolysis or gluconeogenesis. None of the hormones altered the rate
      of urea synthesis or the rate of lactate oxidation by hepatocytes. Although
      toadfish hepatocytes are responsive to hormonal stimuli, they do not appear to be
      a useful model to study evolutionary trends in short-term hormonal regulation of
      urea synthesis. However, the obvious differences in mechanisms of control of urea
      synthesis in this species compared with ureogenic amphibians and mammals open an
      intriguing avenue for research. 

PMID- 24213716
TI  - Plasma insulin, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide and glucose levels in response to
      feeding, starvation and life long restricted feed ration in salmonids.
AB  - Plasma insulin, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide (GLP) and glucose were measured
      in samples taken from rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss. (1.5 years of age)
      before feeding and at selected times up to 9 days after feeding. The feed
      contained 21.7% carbohydrate (65% digestibe) in the dry matter. The fish
      responded to feeding with an elevated plasma insulin level (p<0.005) 0.5 h post
      feeding, which may account for the unchanged plasma glucose levels. Twentyfour
      hours after feeding, plasma insulin level had returned to prefeeding levels,
      while 4-9 days after feeding, a significant reduction compared to pre-feeding
      levels was observed (p<0.001). During this period plasma glucose levels remained
      unchanged. The corresponding plasma glucagon or GLP levels showed no significant
      elevation in response to starvation, the plasma GLP concentration was even
      significantly reduced on days 4-9 post-feeding (p<0.01-0.001).Atlantic
      salmon,Salmo salar, (3.5 years of age) fed a calculated satiation ration (RL=100)
      throughout their lifetime had, in addition to a higher body weight, significantly
      higher plasma insulin (p<0.005) glucagon (p<0.0001) and GLP levels (p<0.0001)
      than fish fed half the satiation ration. The plasma glucose levels were, however,
      not significant different between the groups. 

PMID- 24213717
TI  - Influence of temperature on the proliferative response of rainbow trout gonadal
      fibroblasts to cortisol and RU 486.
AB  - The rainbow trout gonadal cell line, RTG-2, which survives temperatures from 0 to
      28 degrees C and proliferates at 5 to 26 degrees C, responded to cortisol from 28
      degrees C to 0 degrees C by influencing [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA.
      Over the normal temperature range of rainbow trout, 10-22 degrees C, cortisol
      inhibited [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. The antiglucocorticoid RU 486 had no
      effect on [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation at these temperatures and blocked the
      response to cortisol. Another antiglucocorticoid RU 362 also had no effect but
      was less effective in blocking the cortisol response. During incubation at 28
      degrees C this inhibitory response to cortisol was detected inconsistently during
      the first 24 h but was observed consistently during the second 24 h. At 0 degrees
      C, cortisol and RU 486 had no effect during short treatments, but a 60 h exposure
      to either steroid stimulated [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation over a 48 h labelling
      period. These results suggest that temperature shifts between 10-22 degrees C, do
      not change the direction of a response to cortisol and support the use of the
      upper portion (20-22 degrees C) of the temperature range for studies on salmonid
      cells in culture. 

PMID- 24213718
TI  - Biological actions of atrial natriuretic factor in flatfish.
AB  - Flounder adapted to seawater were chronically cannulated and received a single
      i.v. injection of either saline (control) or 10 ug/kg b.w. of human ANF. Compared
      to controls, ANF significantly reduced (p<0.001) mean arterial blood pressure;
      full recovery was evident after 4 hours. Blood samples taken at intervals after
      saline or ANF injection showed that ANF caused a marked increase of 33.7 ug/100
      ml in plasma cortisol concentration (p<0.001) 5 hours post injection. The rate of
      recovery of(22)Na in seawater after a single i.v. injection of 14*10(6)
      cpm/kg(22)NaCl was significantly increased (p<0.01) following ANF injection
      compared to controls suggesting that ANF stimulates Na(+) efflux. This
      observation was confirmed in plaice and dab. The steroidogenic action of ANF and
      its ability to promote Na(+) efflux are discussed in relation to its potential
      osmoregulatory role in teleost fish. 

PMID- 24213719
TI  - Erythrocyte fractionation by velocity sedimentation and discontinuous density
      gradient centrifugation.
AB  - Investigation of development, maturation and senescence in fish red blood cells
      depends on effective separation methods. Preliminary to initiation of studies of
      this type the erythrocytes of goldfish,Carassius auratus, and rainbow
      trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, were fractionated by velocity sedimentation at unit
      gravity or discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation in an attempt to
      separate and characterize enriched populations of juvenile and mature cells.
      Cytomorphological variables were assessed by microphotography (trout) and image
      analysis (goldfish). In both species velocity sedimentation led to fractions
      which were readily recognized in terms of mean length (maximum cell chord), area
      and shape (chord ratio, form factor), and sufficiently enriched for some types of
      study. Density gradient centrifugation also lead to cell separation. However,
      fractional densities appeared to reflect nuclear rather than cellular
      morphologies, and the fractions obtained were not readily categorized in relation
      to stage of development. Accordingly, at the present time, velocity sedimentation
      appears to offer the more suitable means for fractionating red cells for
      investigation of maturation and aging processes. 

PMID- 24213720
TI  - Aberrant SERCA3 expression during the colorectal adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence.
AB  - Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) 3 is involved in calcium
      mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum into the cytosol and is closely
      linked to metabolism, neuronal plasticity, gene transcription, cell growth,
      differentiation, apoptosis, protein folding and carcinogenesis. In order to
      elucidate the role of SERCA3 in colorectal carcinogenesis and subsequent
      progression, its expression was examined using immunohistochemistry and in situ
      hybridization (ISH) on tissue microarrays containing colorectal carcinomas,
      adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa (NNM) and adenoma, and metastatic carcinoma in
      lymph node and liver. Colorectal carcinoma tissue and cell lines were assessed
      for SERCA3 expression by western blotting or RT-PCR, respectively. SERCA3 was
      distinctively expressed in Colo201, Colo205, DLD-1, HCT-15, HCT-116, HT-29, KM
      12, SW480, SW620 and WiDr cells at both the mRNA and protein levels. SERCA3 mRNA
      expression was low in carcinoma when compared to that in matched NNM by
      quantitative PCR (P<0.05), while the converse was true by ISH. Lower expression
      of SERCA3 was immunohistochemically observed in colorectal carcinoma when
      compared to that in NNM and adenoma (P<0.05). In contrast, primary carcinoma
      showed high SERCA3 expression when compared to that in metastatic carcinoma in
      lymph node or liver by IHC (P<0.05). Immunohistochemically, SERCA3 expression was
      negatively related to lymphatic invasion, but not with age, gender, depth of
      invasion, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, TNM stage,
      degree of differentiation or survival rate (P>0.05). There was a positive
      relationship between SERCA3 expression and serum CEA levels in the carcinoma
      patients (P<0.05). Cox's proportional hazards model indicated that depth of
      invasion and distant metastasis are independent prognostic factors for overall
      colorectal carcinomas (P<0.05). These findings suggest that aberrant SERCA3
      expression is closely linked to the adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence and
      progression of colorectal carcinomas.

PMID- 24213721
TI  - Effects of species evenness and dominant species identity on multiple ecosystem
      functions in model grassland communities.
AB  - Ecosystems provide multiple services upon which humans depend. Understanding the
      drivers of the ecosystem functions that support these services is therefore
      important. Much research has investigated how species richness influences
      functioning, but we lack knowledge of how other community attributes affect
      ecosystem functioning. Species evenness, species spatial arrangement, and the
      identity of dominant species are three attributes that could affect ecosystem
      functioning, by altering the relative abundance of functional traits and the
      probability of synergistic species interactions such as facilitation and
      complementary resource use. We tested the effect of these three community
      attributes and their interactions on ecosystem functions over a growing season,
      using model grassland communities consisting of three plant species from three
      functional groups: a grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), a forb (Plantago lanceolata),
      and a N-fixing forb (Lotus corniculatus). We measured multiple ecosystem
      functions that support ecosystem services, including ecosystem gas exchange,
      water retention, C and N loss in leachates, and plant biomass production. Species
      evenness and dominant species identity strongly influenced the ecosystem
      functions measured, but spatial arrangement had few effects. By the end of the
      growing season, evenness consistently enhanced ecosystem functioning and this
      effect occurred regardless of dominant species identity. The identity of the
      dominant species under which the highest level of functioning was attained varied
      across the growing season. Spatial arrangement had the weakest effect on
      functioning, but interacted with dominant species identity to affect some
      functions. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the role of
      multiple community attributes in driving ecosystem functioning. 

PMID- 24213722
TI  - The third dimension of bat migration: evidence for elevational movements of
      Miniopterus natalensis along the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
AB  - Bats are important ecosystem service providers, and therefore most relevant for
      both lowland and highland habitats, particularly in the tropics. Yet, it is
      poorly understood to what extent they perform large-scale movements, especially
      movements along mountain slopes. Here, we studied the movement ecology of the
      potentially migratory species Miniopterus natalensis at Mount Kilimanjaro in
      Tanzania. We analysed stable isotope ratios of C (delta(13)C), N (delta(15)N) and
      H (delta(2)H) in keratin of sedentary frugivorous and insectivorous bats captured
      between 800 and 2,400 m above sea level to establish elevational gradients of
      stable isotope ratios in consumer tissues. We expected correlations between
      stable isotope ratios of the non-exchangeable portion of H in fur keratin and the
      elevation of capture site, but not necessarily for delta(13)C and delta(15)N.
      Yet, in bats of both feeding ensembles, we found delta(15)N of fur keratin to
      correlate positively with the elevation of capture sites but not delta(2)H. In
      frugivorous bats, delta(13)C increased with increasing capture elevation as well.
      By looking at intra-individual variation of delta(13)C and delta(15)N in fur
      keratin and wing membrane tissues of sedentary Rhinolophus cf. clivosus and of
      the potentially migratory species M. natalensis, we gathered evidence that M.
      natalensis migrates seasonally between low and high elevations along the slopes
      of Mount Kilimanjaro. Finally, based on an isoscape origin model we estimated
      that M. natalensis captured before and after the cold period at around 1,800 m
      above sea level originated from around 1,400 m a.s.l. or lower. Thus, we received
      convergent results in support of seasonal elevational movements of M. natalensis,
      probably in search for cold hibernacula at higher elevations of Mount
      Kilimanjaro.

PMID- 24213723
TI  - Tuning inter-dot tunnel coupling of an etched graphene double quantum dot by
      adjacent metal gates.
AB  - Graphene double quantum dots (DQDs) open to use charge or spin degrees of freedom
      for storing and manipulating quantum information in this new electronic material.
      However, impurities and edge disorders in etched graphene nano-structures hinder
      the ability to control the inter-dot tunnel coupling, tC, the most important
      property of the artificial molecule. Here we report measurements of tC in an all
      metal-side-gated graphene DQD. We find that tC can be controlled continuously
      about a factor of four by employing a single gate. Furthermore, tC, can be
      changed monotonically about another factor of four as electrons are gate-pumped
      into the dot one by one. The results suggest that the strength of tunnel coupling
      in etched graphene DQDs can be varied in a rather broad range and in a
      controllable manner, which improves the outlook to use graphene as a base
      material for qubit applications. 

PMID- 24213724
TI  - Copper and resveratrol attenuates serum catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and
      element values in rats with DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis.
AB  - In this paper, a hypothesis was assessed whether or not the intoxication with
      copper and supplementation with copper plus resveratrol would result in changes
      in the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase and moreover if the
      characteristic changes would appear in concentrations of copper, iron, calcium,
      magnesium, and zinc in the serum of rats with chemically induced carcinogenesis.
      Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into study groups which, apart from the
      standard diet, were treated with copper (42.6 mg Cu/kg food as CuSO4.5H2O) or
      copper plus resveratrol (0.2 mg/kg body) via gavage for a period from 40 days
      until 20 weeks of age. In cancer groups, the rats were treated with a dose of 80
      mg/body weight of 7,12-dimethyl-1,2-benz[a]anthracene (DMBA) given in rapeseed
      oil at 50 and 80 days of age to induce mammary carcinogenesis. The control groups
      included the rats kept in the same conditions and fed with the same diet as the
      animals from the study groups, but not DMBA-treated. The activity of catalase
      significantly decreased in groups of rats with mammary carcinogenesis that were
      supplemented with copper (p < 0.05) or copper plus resveratrol (p < 0.001) in
      comparison with the control groups that received the same diets. In cancer groups
      of nonsupplemented rats, the increase of glutathione peroxidase activity was
      observed. The process of carcinogenesis and the applied supplementation
      significantly altered the concentrations of trace elements in serum, in
      particular as concerns iron and copper. The mean serum iron levels in rats with
      breast cancer were significantly lower than those in the control groups (p <
      0.001). The mean serum copper levels significantly decreased in the groups of
      rats with mammary carcinogenesis that were supplemented with copper or copper
      plus resveratrol in comparison with the control groups that received the same
      diets (p < 0.001). The characteristic changes in iron content and the zinc/copper
      and zinc/iron ratios in blood may be used as one of the prognostic factors in
      breast cancer research.

PMID- 24213725
TI  - Comparison between open and arthroscopic procedures for lateral clavicle
      resection.
AB  - PURPOSE: Arthroscopic lateral clavicle resection (LCR) is increasingly used,
      compared to an open approach, but literature does not clearly indicate which
      approach is preferable. The goal of this study was to compare function and pain
      between patients who underwent lateral clavicle resection using an open approach
      and patients treated using an arthroscopic approach. METHODS: Patients who
      underwent LCR between January 2008 and December 2011 were reviewed. After
      exclusion, 149 shoulders (143 patients) were eligible for analysis: 41 open and
      108 arthroscopic. Disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire and
      visual analogue scale (VAS) score were used to assess shoulder function and pain.
      Complications, operative time, length of hospitalization and resection distance
      were compared. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of three years, patients in the open
      group had significantly less pain by VAS (mm) (Mdn 10, IQR 23) compared with
      arthroscopic patients (Mdn 20, IQR 50) (p = 0.036). Operative time (minutes) was
      significantly less for the open approach (Mdn 24.0, IQR 12) compared with
      arthroscopic (Mdn 38.0, IQR 15) (p < 0.001). Resection distance (mm) was larger
      for the open approach (Mdn 7.1, IQR 7.0) compared with the arthroscopic approach
      (Mdn 3.2, IQR 3.1) (p = 0.006), but was not associated with outcome. No
      significant differences were found for DASH score, complication rate or length of
      hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Both arthroscopic and open approaches for LCR
      provide excellent outcome in patients with acromioclavicular pain. Less residual
      pain was found for the open approach, which has shorter operating time and is
      likely more cost effective.

PMID- 24213726
TI  - Strain differences in hemoglobin polymorphism, oxygen consumption, and blood
      oxygen equilibria in three hatchery broodstocks of arctic charr,Salvelinus
      alpinus.
AB  - Hemoglobin polymorphism, standard oxygen consumption, and blood oxygen equilibria
      were examined in three stocks of Arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus, originating
      from the central Arctic (Nauyuk Lake) and Labrador (Fraser River) regions of
      Canada and from Norway (Storvatn) and maintained at the Rockwood Experimental
      Fish Hatchery in Gunton, Manitoba. Ten hemoglobin isomorphs were identified in
      the blood of adult charr by starch gel electrophoresis at pH 8.6. Five anodic
      isomorphs were found in all charr. The stocks differed, however, in the
      occurrence an relative concentrations of five cathodic isomorphs. Nauyuk Lake
      charr exhibited two hemoglobin phenotypes based on the presence of either three
      (3-C) or five (5-C) cathodic isomorphs whereas the Labrador charr were uniformly
      the 5-C phenotype and the Norwegian charr were uniformly the 3-C phenotype.
      Physiologically, the Labrador and Norwegian charr exhibited similar standard
      rates of oxygen consumption over a weight range of 0.5 to 50 g and similar blood
      oxygen equilibria. Charr from Nauyuk Lake exhibited higher standard oxygen
      consumption rates at weights above 10 g, and blood with both a higher oxygen
      affinity and a larger Bohr shift than the other two charr strains. All charr
      strains exhibited very low residual oxygen levels. 

PMID- 24213727
TI  - Effects of exercise-training on cardiac performance and muscle enzymes in rainbow
      trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss.
AB  - Rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, were exercise-trained for 18 hours per day
      over 28 days at water velocities up to 60% of their measured Ucrit. Anin situ
      perfused heart preparation was used to compare maximum cardiac performance
      between control and trained fish. Trained fish had a larger stroke volume at a
      given filling pressure, as well as an 18% higher cardiac output and a 25% greater
      maximum power output. These observations indicate that exercise training in
      rainbow trout improved maximum cardiac performance. Adrenaline produced positive
      inotropic and chronotropic effects on the perfused heart, but exercise training
      did not alter these stimulatory effects. Maximal activities of citrate synthase
      (CS), B-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and
      carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) were measured in cardiac and skeletal
      muscles. CS, HOAD and GDH increased in red and white skeletal muscle as a result
      of training. Training also increased GDH activity in the endocardium and
      epicardium, and increased HOAD in the epicardium. While the training regime did
      not result in a statistically significant increase in Ucrit and produced a
      decrease in the condition factor of the fish, other training effects were clearly
      evident. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between Ucrit and
      the maximal activities of GDH and HOAD. 

PMID- 24213728
TI  - Extracellular fluid volume measurements in tissues of the rainbow trout
      (Oncorhynchus mykiss)in vivo and their effects on intracellular pH and ion
      calculations.
AB  - Extracellular fluid volume (ECFV) estimates were determined in various tissues
      and whole body of resting, chronically cannulated rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
      mykiss). Fish were infused with(14)C-inulin,(3)H-polyethylene glycol (PEG, M.W.
      4000),(3)H-mannitol, or(14)C-mannitol, and values of ECFV determined from tissue:
      plasma water distribution ratios after 6 h or 13 h equilibration. Overall,(3)H
      PEG provided the most conservative and reliable estimates after 13 h
      equilibration, with ECFV values in the order: brain < white muscle < red muscle <
      liver < heart < gill tissue.(14)C-inulin yielded generally similar values to(3)H
      PEG at 13 h, but probably overestimated ECFV in liver.(3)H-mannitol and(14)C
      mannitol spaces were similar to each other and far greater than(3)H-PEG or(14)C
      inulin values in most tissues.(3)H-mannitol values increased significantly
      between 6 h and 13 h, in contrast to(14)C-inulin. Mannitol clearly overestimated
      ECFV in liver and gill, and probably also heart and whole body, but may have
      provided more realistic estimates in brain due to better penetration of the blood
      brain barrier. The Cl(-)/K(+) space technique overestimated ECFV in gills, but
      was satisfactory in white muscle. Measurements and model calculations evaluated
      sources of error in intracellular pH (by(14)C-DMO) and ion determinations.
      Trapped red cells in the gills have negligible influence. Errors in ECFV are much
      more influential in a tissue with a high ECFV (gills) than a low ECFV (white
      muscle).(3)H-PEG is the marker of choice for intracellular pH determinations.
      However, even when(3)H-PEG is used, the potential for absolute errors in
      intracellular ion concentrations remains high. 

PMID- 24213729
TI  - Plasma membrane of trout spermatozoa: I. Isolation and partial characterization.
AB  - The plasma membrane from spermatozoa of rainbow trout was isolated by four
      techniques: sonication, hypotonic shock, mechanical homogenization after freeze
      thawing, and nitrogen cavitation, in combination with continuous sucrose gradient
      centrifugation. Nitrogen cavitation (900 PSI, 20 min equilibration at 4 degrees
      C) was the most effective technique.Following nitrogen cavitation, four bands
      were recovered in the sucrose gradient at densities ~ 1.03, 1.05, 1.09 and 1.15
      g/ml. Electron microscopy revealed membrane vesicles of various sizes in bands 1
      to 3, while enzyme analysis revealed a 3.9 to 5.5-fold enrichment in 5'
      nucleotidase and little contamination by lactate dehydrogenase (cytosol) and
      succinic dehydrogenase (mitochondria). Lipid analysis of bands 1 and 2 indicated
      a 6 to 7-fold enrichment in cholesterol and a cholesterol: phospholipid ratio of
      0.59-0.70. Seven classes of phospholipids were present in bands 1-3 with no
      significant differences observed among bands. These data indicate that the
      vesicles (in bands 1 and 2) obtained after nitrogen cavitation are primarily
      plasma membranes. Membranes in band 3 appear to be slightly contaminated with
      nuclear membranes.Most of the plasma membrane proteins were acidic to neutral.
      The 2 main membrane proteins were 42 and 30 Kilodaltons. 

PMID- 24213730
TI  - The cytochrome P450 system of atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): I. Basal properties
      and induction of P450 1A1 in liver of immature and mature fish.
AB  - The major components of the cytochrome P450 (P450) system in liver microsomes of
      Atlantic salmon were studied using spectrophotometric, catalytic and
      immunochemical techniques. In juvenile fish sampled during the winter season,
      high basal activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) were found. The Km
      for 7-ethoxyresorufin was 0.4 uM, and Vmax 1.23 nmol/min/mg protein in juvenile
      fish. In mature fish sampled from the same group of fish in December, EROD
      activity was barely detectable (20-30 pmol/min/mg protein). Treatment with the
      P450 1A1 inducer beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) resulted in almost 2-fold induction of
      total P450, and 30-40-fold induction of EROD activity in immature fish. A similar
      fold increase was seen in mature fish. The differences in EROD activity between
      untreated and BNF-treated fish, was accompanied by similar differences in a P450
      1A1 cross-reacting protein (Mr=58,000 D) in immunochemical studies using rabbit
      anti-cod P450 1A1 IgG. However, judging from these studies, the levels of P450
      1A1-protein in mature salmon far exceeded those accounted for by the measured
      EROD activity in comparison to immature fish (both before and after BNF
      treatment), indicating inhibiting effects of sex steroids on the measured
      activity. This effect was not seen on 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activity. A
      long-term storage experiment indicated that Atlantic salmon liver microsomes can
      be stored for 2 years at -80 degrees C in 20% glycerol without losing more than
      20-40% of its catalytic activity. 

PMID- 24213731
TI  - Insulin-receptor binding in skeletal muscle of trout.
AB  - Two hundred rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) age 0 +, weight range 11.3 - 11.5
      g, were distributed randomly in two groups and maintained for five weeks on
      either 10% dextrin, or 20% dextrin diet. The fish were sampled 3-5 h and 18-20 h
      after the last feeding and insulin binding to partially purified insulin
      receptors in white and red skeletal muscles and to liver plasma membranes was
      assessed. Plasma insulin, plasma glucose, and liver glycogen content were
      analyzed in the same fish.Fish fed a diet with higher carbohydrate content (HC)
      had elevated insulin and glucose levels in peripheral blood, but lower liver
      glycogen contents compared to the fish fed a diet with lower carbohydrate content
      (LC). No growth retardation was observed in the fish from HC group.Three to five
      hours after the last feeding, insulin-receptor binding in white skeletal muscles
      was higher in HC group of fish, mostly because of an increase in number of high
      affinity binding sites. Eighteen to twenty hours after the last feeding this
      difference disappeared. In contrast, the specific binding of insulin to the liver
      plasma membranes appeared to be lower in the HC group of fish. The lower insulin
      binding to the liver plasma membranes observed 3-5 h after feeding, could be
      attributed to the lower quantity of binding sites, while the same phenomenon 18 h
      after feeding was likely a result of affinity changes. We conclude that higher
      glycemic levels observed in trout fed a HC diet as compared to LC group of fish,
      are not a consequence of impaired binding of insulin to its receptors in skeletal
      muscles. 

PMID- 24213732
TI  - Purification and characterization of hepatic triacylglycerol lipase isolated from
      rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss.
AB  - Trialcylglycerol (TG) lipase was isolated and partially purified from rainbow
      trout liver. Triacylglycerol lipase activity was assayed by measuring(14)C-oleic
      acid release from(14)C-triolein.(14)C-oleic acid release was linear for up to two
      hours. Optimal activity occurred at pH 7.0 and 15 degrees C. Most of the lipase
      activity was recovered in the cytosolic fraction. A 27,000-fold purification was
      achieved after Sepharose (Bio-gel A 0.5 M, 200-400 mesh) chromatography of a
      resuspended 20% ammonium sulfate fraction. The molecular weight of the trout
      hepatic lipase as determined by size-exclusion chromatography and by SDS
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 40-43 kD. Lipase-mediated hydrolysis of TG
      resulted in the production of diacylglycerols, monoacylglycerols, and fatty
      acids. Kinetic analysis indicated that Vmax=0.016 nmol/h/mg protein and that
      Km=0.28 mM triolein. Lipolytic activity was enhanced in the presence of cAMP/ATP
      Mg(2+). These results suggest that the liver of trout possesses a neutral TG
      lipase that is responsible for mobilizing stored TG and is catalytically
      activated by phosphorylation. 

PMID- 24213734
TI  - Malnutrition is associated with poor rehabilitation outcome in elderly inpatients
      with hospital-associated deconditioning a prospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between nutritional status and
      rehabilitation outcome in elderly inpatients with hospital-associated
      deconditioning. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: One
      hundred sixty-nine consecutive elderly inpatients diagnosed with hospital
      associated deconditioning. METHODS: Nutritional status at referral was assessed
      by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form at the University Medical Center.
      Body mass index, haemoglobin, albumin, total lymphocyte count, C-reactive
      protein, cause of malnutrition, and feeding route were also investigated. Primary
      outcome was Barthel Index score at discharge. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients
      (87.6%) were malnourished, and 21 were at risk for malnutrition. There were no
      patients with normal nutritional status. Malnourished patients had a lower
      Barthel Index score at discharge than those at risk for malnutrition. Chronic
      disease-related malnutrition, oral intake, and parenteral nutrition were
      associated with the Barthel Index score at discharge. There were significant
      correlations between the Barthel Index score at discharge and nutritional score,
      albumin, and total lymphocyte count. In multiple regression analysis, Mini
      Nutritional Assessment Short Form, albumin, and chronic disease-related
      malnutrition were significantly associated with the Barthel Index score at
      discharge. CONCLUSION: Most elderly inpatients with hospital-associated
      deconditioning are malnourished. Nutritional status, albumin, and chronic disease
      related malnutrition are associated with poor rehabilitation outcome in hospital
      associated deconditioning.

PMID- 24213733
TI  - Glutathione S-transferase in intestine, liver and hepatic lesions of mummichog
      (Fundulus heteroclitus) from a creosote-contaminated environment.
AB  - Cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GSH transferase) activity towards 1-chloro
      2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was elevated approximately three to four-fold in
      intestine and liver of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) collected from a
      creosote-contaminated site in the Elizabeth River, Virginia. Intestinal GSH
      transferase activity at the most heavily contaminated site, at a moderately
      contaminated site and at a relatively clean site averaged 3.64, 2.83 and
      1.11umoles/min/mg respectively, while values for liver at these sites averaged
      2.84, 1.75 and 0.93umoles/min/mg. In addition, densitometric tracings of sodium
      dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gels of intestine and liver cytosol revealed a
      similar trend in the staining intensity of a 25.8 kD protein band, which lies
      within the molecular weight range of GSH transferase subunits. Activity in
      putative preneoplastic and neoplastic hepatic lesions of fish collected from the
      creosote-contaminated site was not significantly different from that of adjacent
      normal tissue. In the laboratory, dietary betanaphthoflavone (betaNF) treatment
      resulted in a three-fold increase in intestinal GSH transferase. Hepatic GSH
      transferase activity in the same fish was not affected by dietary betaNF although
      hepatic monooxygenase activity, measured as ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD),
      was. The results of this study indicate a response of the intestinal
      detoxification system to environmental contaminants and supports previous studies
      on the importance of intestinal metabolism of foreign compounds. Further, our
      results indicate the trend towards elevated GSH transferase in liver of feral
      fish could not be attributed to a cancerous disease state in these fish but
      indicates chemical induction in this organ as well. 

PMID- 24213735
TI  - UKA closely preserves natural knee kinematics in vitro.
AB  - PURPOSE: It is assumed that unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) features
      kinematics close to the natural knee. Clinical studies have also shown functional
      benefits for UKA. There is to date only little biomechanical data to support or
      explain these findings. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether UKA
      is able to preserve natural knee kinematics or not. METHODS: Six fresh frozen
      full leg cadaver specimens were prepared to be mounted in a kinematic rig with
      six degrees of freedom for the knee joint. Three motion patterns were applied
      before and after medial UKA: passive flexion-extension, open chain extension, and
      squatting. During the loaded motions, quadriceps and hamstrings muscle forces
      were applied. Infrared cameras continuously recorded the trajectories of marker
      frames rigidly attached to femur, tibia, and patella. Prior computer tomography
      allowed identification of coordinate frames of the bones and calculations of
      anatomical rotations and translations. RESULTS: Native kinematics was reproduced
      after UKA in all the specimens. In the unloaded knee and during open chain
      extension, femoral rollback patterns after UKA were very close to those in the
      native knee. During squatting, the medial femoral condyle after UKA tended to be
      more posterior and superior with flexion and there was less tibial internal
      rotation. The tibia was found to be more in valgus after UKA during all motion
      patterns. CONCLUSION: As ligaments, lateral compartment and patellofemoral
      anatomy are preserved with UKA; the unloaded knee closely resembles native
      kinematics. The slight kinematic changes that were found under load are probably
      due to loss of the conforming medial meniscus and to the mismatch in geometry and
      stiffness introduced by UKA. These patterns resemble those found in knees with
      significant loss of function of the medial meniscus.

PMID- 24213736
TI  - Arthroscopic repair of bucket-handle tears of the lateral meniscus.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to document the clinical results of
      arthroscopic meniscus repair for treatment of displaced bucket-handle tears of
      the lateral meniscus. METHODS: From 2002 to 2010, 13 patients with symptomatic
      displaced bucket-handle tears of the lateral meniscus treated by arthroscopic
      meniscus repair were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were (1)
      displaced bucket-handle tear of the lateral meniscus demonstrated on magnetic
      resonance imaging, (2) non-discoid lateral meniscus, (3) stable knee, and (4)
      tears involving the red-white or red-red zone. Median age at operation was 20
      years (range 14-54 years), and the median follow-up period was 4.0 years (range 2
      10.7 years). All tears were repaired with either a modified all-inside suture
      technique only or a combination of the modified all-inside suture and modified
      outside-in techniques. Clinical results were evaluated preoperatively and at the
      final follow-up using Tegner activity level, Lysholm knee, and Hospital for
      Special Surgery (HSS) scores. RESULTS: All patients returned to their prior life
      activities with little or no limitations, and no reoperations were required
      during the follow-up period. On the final follow-up, all knees achieved full
      range of motion, except two knees with limited function during squatting and
      jumping due to pain. No patient had recurrence of a knee-locking episode. The
      median Tegner activity level improved significantly from 3 (2-6) to 7 (4-9) (p <
      0.0001), mean Lysholm knee score improved from 78.5 +/- 10.7 preoperatively to
      94.6 +/- 5.4 (p < 0.0001), and mean preoperative HSS score improved from 80.3 +/-
      8.5 to 95.9 +/- 4.2 (p < 0.0001) during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION:
      Arthroscopic meniscus repair using the modified all-inside suture and modified
      outside-in techniques showed excellent clinical outcomes for treatment of
      symptomatic displaced bucket-handle tears of the lateral meniscus and were free
      of any complications or episodes of recurrence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case series,
      Level IV.

PMID- 24213738
TI  - Photocurrent enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells based on TiO2 loaded
      K6SiW11O39Co(II)(H2O).xH2O photoanode materials.
AB  - Through loading of TiO2 on the surface of K6SiW11O39Co(II)(H2O).xH2O (SiW11Co), a
      novel photoanode material has been created for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC).
      The absorbing band as well as photoelectricity response range of TiO2@SiW11Co is
      extended to the visible range. In addition, the absorption in the UV range is
      enhanced notably compared with P25 (raw TiO2). More importantly, the
      recombination of the TiO2 network is avoided. TiO2@SiW11Co is mixed with P25
      powder (wt ~1 : 1) to assemble dye-sensitized (N719) solar cells, which exhibit a
      short-circuit photocurrent density as high as 18.05 mA cm(-2), which is 64%
      higher than blank samples under the standard AM1.5G global solar irradiation. In
      addition, the mechanisms for SiW11Co in DSSC are proposed.

PMID- 24213739
TI  - Drawing disability in Japanese manga: visual politics, embodied masculinity, and
      wheelchair basketball in Inoue Takehiko's REAL.
AB  - This work explores disability in the cultural context of contemporary Japanese
      comics. In contrast to Western comics, Japanese manga have permeated the social
      fabric of Japan to the extent that vast numbers of people read manga on a daily
      basis. It has, in fact, become such a popular medium for visual communication
      that the Japanese government and education systems utilize manga as a social
      acculturation and teaching tool. This multibillion dollar industry is incredibly
      diverse, and one particularly popular genre is sports manga. However, Inoue
      Takehiko's award-winning manga series REAL departs from more conventional sports
      manga, which typically focus on able-bodied characters with sometimes exaggerated
      superhuman physical abilities, by adopting a more realistic approach to the world
      of wheelchair basketball and the people who play it. At the same time REAL
      explores cultural attitudes toward disability in Japanese culture-where
      disability is at times rendered "invisible" either through accessibility problems
      or lingering associations of disability and shame. It is therefore extremely
      significant that manga, a visual medium, is rendering disability visible-the
      ultimate movement from margin to center. REAL devotes considerable attention to
      realistically illustrating the lived experiences of its characters both on and
      off the court. Consequently, the series not only educates readers about
      wheelchair basketball but also provides compelling insight into Japanese cultural
      notions about masculinity, family, responsibility, and identity. The basketball
      players-at first marginalized by their disability-join together in the unity of a
      sport typically characterized by its "abledness." 

PMID- 24213737
TI  - Fetal age estimation using MSCT scans of the mandible.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine a documented fetal collection, to carry
      out morphometric analysis of femoral length and of the mandible, and to develop
      diagnostic standards for estimating fetal age at death based on multislice
      computed tomography (MSCT) reconstructions. The sample was composed of 81
      fetuses, whose ages were recorded in weeks of amenorrhea (WA) between 20 to 40
      WA. The measurements made were femoral length (FL) and six distances and four
      angles of the mandible. Femoral length was measured in 81 fetuses (39 females and
      42 males). Morphometric study of the mandible was carried out in 65 fetuses (31
      females and 34 males), as the mandible was missing in 16 fetuses. R software was
      used for statistical analyses. Coefficient correlation (R(2)) and linear
      regression formulas were calculated. Intra-observer and inter-observer
      variabilities were very satisfactory (intra-class correlation coefficient
      >=0.95). Our method appears to be reliable and reproducible. Femoral length was
      most strongly correlated with age (R(2) = 0.9). The measurement of six distances
      and four mandible angles from four landmark positions showed a correlation
      similar to the femoral length correlation (R(2) >= 0.72). The results of this
      study agreed with those of the literature. We conclude that the mandible is a
      reliable indicator for estimating fetal age at death. Moreover, MSCT has been
      shown to be an innovative and reliable technology for this purpose. 

PMID- 24213740
TI  - Direct anterior approach to THR: what it is and what it is not.

PMID- 24213741
TI  - Organochlorine insecticide residues in Ganga river water near Farrukhabad, India.
AB  - Multiple residues of organochlorine insecticides were monitored in Ganga river
      water in the district of Farrukhabad in northern Indian for one year (1991-1992).
      Almost all the samples were found to be contaminated with residues of HCH and
      DDT. Residues of aldrin, endosulfan and heptachlor were also detected in a larger
      number of samples. Alpha-HCH, pp'-DDT and alpha-endosulfan were found to dominate
      over the other isomers of HCH, DDT and endosulfan, respectively. Enhanced
      percentage of beta-HCH suggests accumulation of this isomer in the aquatic
      environment. The average concentration of aldrin was more than that of dieldrin.
      Aldrin residues often exceeded the WHO guideline value for drinking water and the
      concentration of heptachlor occasionally exceeded the specified limits. 

PMID- 24213742
TI  - Characterizing soils for hazardous waste site assessments.
AB  - This paper provides a review and justification of the minimum data needed to
      characterize soils for hazardous waste site assessments and to comply with the
      Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
      Scientists and managers within the regulatory agency and the liable party need to
      know what are the important soil characteristics needed to make decisions about
      risk assessment, what areas need remediation and what remediation options are
      available. If all parties involved in characterizing a hazardous waste site can
      agree on the required soils data set prior to starting a site investigation, data
      can be collected in a more efficient and less costly manner. Having the proper
      data will aid in reaching decisions on how to address concerns at, and close-out,
      hazardous waste sites.This paper was prepared to address two specific concerns
      related to soil characterization for CERCLA remedial response. The first concern
      is the applicability of traditional soil classification methods to CERCLA soil
      characterization. The second is the identification of soil characterization data
      type required for CERCLA risk assessment and analysis of remedial alternatives.
      These concerns are related, in that the Data Quality Objective (DQO) process
      addresses both. The DQO process was developed in part to assist CERCLA decision
      makers in identifying the data types, data quality, and data quantity required to
      support decisions that must be made during the remedial investigation/feasibility
      study (RI/FS) process. Data Quality Objectives for Remedial Response Activities:
      Development Process (US EPA, 1987a) is a guidebook on developing DQOs. This
      process as it relates to CERCLA soil characterization is discussed in the Data
      Quality Objective Section of this paper. 

PMID- 24213743
TI  - Framework for designing sampling programs.
AB  - A general framework for designing sampling programs is described. As part of the
      sampling program the problem of concern, or reason for sampling, needs to be
      clearly stated and objectives specified. The development of a conceptual model
      will assist the clarification of objectives and the choice of indicators to be
      sampled.Objectives can then be stated as testable hypotheses and decisions made
      about the samallest difference/changes that are to be detected/observed by the
      sampling.To allow the collection of representative samples, and the statistical
      analysis of data to be collected, the potential sources of variability in the
      data must be considered. Site, selection, frequency and replication must account
      for the expected variability.Before field collection of samples occurs, the
      sample collection device needs to be tested as to its efficiency to collect a
      representative sample. It also will usually be necessary to consider how samples
      are to be preserved to inhibit biological and chemical change. All sample
      programs require a quality assurance program to identify, measure and control
      errors.As well as the above the cost-effectiveness of the program should be
      evaluated in terms of maximizing the information obtained/cost. 

PMID- 24213744
TI  - Use of chironomid deformities to assess environmental degradation in the Yamaska
      River, Quebec.
AB  - The frequency of morphological deformities in chironomid larvae was used to
      assess environmental degradation at 12 sites in the Yamaska River, Quebec, that
      were known to be either impacted by agriculture or urban centres, or were
      relatively clean and used as reference sites. A total of 2273 chironomid larvae
      were examined for deformities. The overall frequency of deformities at polluted
      sites was 2.7%, whereas no deformities were observed at the reference sites. The
      highest incidence of deformities was found downstream of two urban centres, site
      9 at Acton Vale (5.1% deformed) and site 12 at Ste Hyacinthe (5.3% deformed). The
      frequency of deformities at the agricultural sites ranged from 0.8 to 2.5% and
      was comparable to sites receiving municipal sewage effluent. The occurrence of
      higher frequencies of deformities downstream of urban centres indicates that the
      frequency of deformities increases with environmental degradation. 

PMID- 24213745
TI  - Effects of organic amendments and irrigation waters on the physical and chemical
      properties of two calcareous soils in Bahrain.
AB  - The present investigation studies the effects of cow and chicken manure and
      sewage sludge at different rates of addition and with two irrigation waters of
      different salinities on two major calcareous soils in Bahrain. The aim was to
      quantify potential improvements in soil quality, the accumulation of trace
      metals, and quality of leachates.From the pot experiments it was found that soil
      waterholding capacity did not change significantly after addition of organic
      amendments, except in the case of sewage sludge. Total organic carbon and total
      Kjeldhal nitrogen content increased in the 0-5 cm layer. Low salinity water and
      sewage applications improved aggregate stability. Extractable phosphorus was
      enhanced by the chicken manure treatment more than others. Addition of different
      organic amendments did not affect exchangeable cations. pH values did not show
      appreciable changes and soils were neutral. Trace metals studied were present at
      non-toxic levels in the 0-5 cm layer. Zinc and copper were the only metal showing
      a tendency to leach to the lower soil layer. In all cases metal levels in the
      surface layer were proportional to the quantities added in the amendments and
      their levels in the leachate were very low. 

PMID- 24213746
TI  - A method for monitoring ground water quality near waste storage facilities.
AB  - A practical optimization approach developed in this paper derives effective
      monitoring configurations for detecting contaminants in ground water. The
      approach integrates numerical simulation of contaminant transport and
      mathematical programming. Well sites identified by the methodology can be
      monitored to establish the occurrence of a contaminant release before a plume
      migrates to a regulatory compliance boundary. Monitoring sites are established
      along several horizons located between the downgradient margin of a contaminant
      source and a compliance boundary. A horizon can form an effective line of defense
      against contaminant migration to the compliance boundary if it is spanned
      (covered) by a sufficient number of sites to yield a well spacing that is equal
      to or less than a maximum value established by numerical modeling. The objective
      function of the integer programming model formulation expresses the goals of: (1)
      covering a maximum number of siting horizons, and (2) allocating wells to the
      single most effective horizon. The latter is determined from well spacing
      requirements and the width of the zone of potential contaminant migration
      traversed by the horizon. The methodology employs a highly tractable linear
      programming model formulation, and the user is not required to predefine a set of
      potential well sites. These attributes can facilitate its implementation in
      practice. 

PMID- 24213747
TI  - Receptive to replication.

PMID- 24213748
TI  - Drugs with breakthrough status charm investors.

PMID- 24213751
TI  - First-in-class anemia drug takes aim at Amgen's dominion.

PMID- 24213753
TI  - Monoclonal T-cell receptor drugs pique pharma's interest.

PMID- 24213755
TI  - Anti-infective monoclonals step in where antimicrobials fail.

PMID- 24213761
TI  - Vaccines for pandemics.

PMID- 24213762
TI  - In search of dry powder.

PMID- 24213763
TI  - Lack of detectable oral bioavailability of plant microRNAs after feeding in mice.

PMID- 24213764
TI  - Reply to Lack of detectable oral bioavailability of plant microRNAs after feeding
      in mice.

PMID- 24213765
TI  - Making the biotech IPO work.

PMID- 24213766
TI  - Health technology assessments and innovation.

PMID- 24213767
TI  - The biosimilar price is right.

PMID- 24213768
TI  - Hearing loss and tinnitus--are funders and industry listening?

PMID- 24213769
TI  - Human genetics as a foundation for innovative drug development.

PMID- 24213770
TI  - Precompetitive consortia in biomedicine--how are we doing?

PMID- 24213771
TI  - Patents and China's research and development in agricultural biotechnology.

PMID- 24213773
TI  - Next-generation sequencing in the clinic.

PMID- 24213774
TI  - Two views on light sheets.

PMID- 24213775
TI  - Genetically encoded voltage sensor goes live.

PMID- 24213777
TI  - So you want to be a computational biologist?

PMID- 24213782
TI  - Direct organogenesis from internodal segments of in vitro grown shoots of apple
      cv. Golden delicious.
AB  - A protocol for direct organogenesis from internodal segments of in vitro grown
      shoots obtained from mature apple cv. Golden delicious trees is presented.
      Adventitious buds were initiated on Murashige and Skoog medium (1962) containing
      various combinations of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid
      (TIBA). Low concentration of BAP (4.4 MUM) in combination with TIBA (1 MUM) gave
      the best percentage of regeneration. Three repeated cycles of culture and
      regeneration produced an increase of adventitious budding up to 23%. Although no
      auxin was used in the organogenic medium, callus was always obtained. The
      regenerated shoots were micropropagated and rooted. Cytological studies revealed
      that proliferating buds originated directly from the superficial layers of the
      internodal explants without an intermediate callus phase. 

PMID- 24213780
TI  - Targeting motivation and self-regulation to increase physical activity among
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of targeting both the
      motivation and action phases of behaviour change in a 5-week intervention to
      increase physical activity (PA) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) not
      meeting current PA recommendations. In a randomised controlled trial, a control
      group-which received a group-based patient education session led by a physical
      therapist-was compared to a treatment group which received the education session
      plus a motivational interview from a physical therapist and two self-regulation
      coaching sessions from a rheumatology nurse. Outcomes included leisure-time PA,
      days per week with at least 30 min of moderate-intensity PA, self-efficacy and
      autonomous motivation (cognitions which predict PA initiation and maintenance),
      disease activity, functional status, depressive symptoms and fatigue. Effects
      were assessed using mixed models repeated measures. Of the 78 patients
      randomised, 76 and 67 completed the post-treatment and follow-up assessments,
      respectively. Significant treatment effects were found for leisure-time PA (p =
      0.022), active days/week (p = 0.016), self-efficacy (p = 0.008) and autonomous
      motivation (p = 0.001). At post-treatment and 6-months follow-up, significantly
      more treated patients than controls met current PA recommendations. No
      significant effects were found for disease activity, functional status,
      depressive symptoms or fatigue. Combining motivation- and action-focused
      intervention approaches improved PA-related cognitions and led to improved uptake
      and maintenance of leisure-time PA. However, further research is necessary to
      identify ways of helping patients with RA transition to-and maintain-more
      intensive forms of PA which are more likely to improve disease activity and
      functional status.

PMID- 24213781
TI  - WHO-ILAR COPCORD study (stage 1, urban study) in Sanandaj, Iran.
AB  - This study aims to conduct an urban Community Oriented Program for Control Of
      Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) study in Sanandaj (Kurdistan, Iran). Sanandaj with a
      population of 311,446 (2006 census), Caucasian of Kurdish subgroup, was selected
      as the field. Sanandaj was divided into 100 clusters and subjects were randomly
      selected from them (50 subjects from each cluster). The COPCORD study started on
      July 2011 and ended on June 2012. Of the households, 1,631 was visited and 5,830
      persons were interviewed. The male to female ratio was 0.8-1 (44.5% males, 55.5%
      females). Musculoskeletal complaints during the past 7 days were detected in
      42.8% of the interviewed subjects (36.3% males, 48.1% females). The distribution
      was 16.7% shoulder, 10% wrist, 9.7% hands and fingers, 7.7% hip, 26.3% knee, 9.9%
      ankle, 6.4% toes, 9.5% cervical spine, and 21.5% dorsal and lumbar spine.
      Degenerative joint diseases were detected in 19.4% of the subjects: 1.8% neck,
      18.9% knee, 3.9% hands, and 0.51% hip. Low back pain was detected in 16.5%,
      sciatica in 1.2%, cervical nerve root pain in 0.24%, and soft tissue rheumatism
      in 5.5%. Inflammatory disorders were 0.51% rheumatoid arthritis, 0.22%
      seronegative spondyloarthropathy, 0.10% ankylosing spondylitis, 0.05% systemic
      lupus erythematosus, and 0.10% Behcet's disease . Fibromyalgia was detected in
      0.62% and gout in 0.12% of the studied population. Disability was reported by
      28.3%. It was present at the study time in 21.4%. Comparing the four COPCORD
      studies of Iran, the figures (numbers) obtained by COPCORD Sanandaj are much the
      same as the COPCORD study in Tehran. Joint complaints were seen less frequently
      than in the COPCORD urban study of Zahedan and rural study of Tuyserkan.
      Osteoarthritis was higher than in Tehran, but the same as the two others. Soft
      tissue rheumatism was rather the same. Rheumatoid arthritis was higher than
      Tehran and Tuyserkan, but lower than Zahedan.

PMID- 24213783
TI  - Rescuing abortive inter-EBN potato hybrids through double pollination and embryo
      culture.
AB  - Regeneration of inter-EBN hybrids among potato species was achieved using embryo
      rescue techniques. Tetraploid hybrids between 4x(2EBN) Solanum stoloniferum x
      4x(4EBN) S. tuberosum Gp. Andigena as well as diploid hybrids between 2x(1EBN) S.
      chancayense x 2x(2EBN) S. chacoense were obtained by culturing immature hybrid
      embryos in nutrient medium. Identification of appropriate embryo developmental
      stages was critical in developing a suitable protocol for rescuing viable hybrid
      embryos. The use of IVP clones as the second pollinator in 4x(2EBN) x 4x(4EBN)
      crosses reduced premature fruit drop and helped to identify triploid hybrids.
      Morphological and cytological examination confirmed true hybridity for a few of
      the regenerated plants. Male sterility and meiotic abnormalities were
      characteristic of the hybrids. Several S. stoloniferum-Andigena hybrids were
      successfully backcrossed to Gp. Andigena. 

PMID- 24213784
TI  - Optimizing the production of transformed pea (Pisum sativum L.) callus using
      disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains.
AB  - For optimization of the transformation procedure with Pisum sativum L. stern
      explant callus was used to test the effect of disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens
      strains, cocultivation procedures (preconditioning of explants; use of Nicotiana
      tabacum L. nurse cultures), duration of cocultivation (2, 3 or 4 days), and
      agents for selection (kanamycin or hygromycin). The succinamopine strain
      EHA101(pBI1042) produced the highest percentage of transformed calli (77%) when
      used in conjunction with tobacco nurse culture during four days of cocultivation.
      Using this strain, kanamycin (76%) and hygromycin (77%) were equally effective
      selective agents, but for strain LBA4404(pBI1042) percentage of transformed calli
      was higher for hygromycin (63%) than for kanamycin (17%). The procedures and
      strains shown to be optimal for transformation of pea callus will now be
      complemented by a pea regeneration system. 

PMID- 24213785
TI  - Verbascoside production by plant cell cultures.
AB  - Verbascoside was found to be produced in all calli derived from eleven species
      that contained the compound in their leaves. Cell suspension cultures were also
      established in three species, i.e., Leucosceptrum japonicum f. barbinerve,
      Syringa josikaea, and Sy. vulgaris, all of which were found to produce
      verbascoside at more than 1 g/l. Of the three species, suspension cultures of L.
      japonicum f. barbinerve showed rapid growth and the highest yield of verbascoside
      (1.89 g/l). In these cultures, the effects of major salt concentration in B5
      medium on cell growth and verbascoside production were examined. Maximum cell
      growth and maximum verbascoside production were both achieved by reducing the
      major salt concentration to half that of the original medium. 

PMID- 24213786
TI  - Optimum tissue culture conditions for selection of resistance to Phytophtora
      cinnamomi in pine callus tissue.
AB  - The present experimentation compared the best nutrient medium, temperature, and
      growth hormones for callus induction and growth of various pine species from
      different seed sources with their effect on growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi.
      Callus tissues maintained on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium with 10(-5)M
      2,4-D at 26 degrees C in the dark optimized the expression of differential
      resistance when inoculated with hyphae of P. cinnamomi. High concentration of 2,4
      D (5*10(-5)M) inhibited growth of P. cinnamomi. 

PMID- 24213787
TI  - Loss of microtubular orientation and impaired development of prophase bands upon
      inhibition of RNA synthesis in root meristem cells.
AB  - Synchronous cells in Allium cepa L. root meristems were treated with
      3'deoxyadenosine (cordycepin, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis) when roughly half of
      the population had reached G2 phase (fast cells) while the other half was still
      in late S (slow cells). Since this drug also blocks DNA replication, slow cells
      remained in S while the treatment was continued.Indirect immunodetection of
      tubulin showed that a band typical of prophase formed in some cells with a
      portion of their nuclear DNA unreplicated. Most of the cells arrested in late S
      which had not developed a prophase band had a diminished number of cortical
      microtubules. Changes in their orientation (from transversal to oblique or
      longitudinal) occurred in roughly a cycle time (28 h).In the presence of
      3'deoxyadenosine, fast cells which had reached G2 at the start of the treatment
      proceeded to prophase and remained there. Mature prophase bands were also formed
      in these cells but eventually they disoriented and, finally, disappeared. The
      data suggest that microtubular orientation in the meristematic cells depends on
      long-lived RNA species. 

PMID- 24213788
TI  - Effect of carbon dioxide and ethylene on berberine production and cell browning
      in Thalictrum minus cell cultures.
AB  - Cultured cells of Thalictrum minus L. (Ranunculaceae), transferred from culture
      flasks to a bubble column bioreactor, produced little berberine and turned dark
      brown, even when supplied with sufficient oxygen. This phenomenon was ascribed to
      the removal of CO2 from the culture medium by bubbling air, and could be
      reproduced in flask cultures artificially deprived of CO2. The induction of cell
      browning by exogenously administered ethylene suggested that CO2 probably acts
      antagonistically against endogenously generated C2H4. The physiological damage
      caused by forced aeration could be prevented by adding 2 % CO2 to the air in the
      bioreactor. 

PMID- 24213789
TI  - Effects of low nitrate and high sugar concentrations on anthocyanin content and
      composition of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cell suspension.
AB  - In pigmented cells of Vitis vinifera suspension cultures, best accumulation of
      anthocyanins was obtained when nitrate concentration was reduced from 25 mM to
      6.25 mM and when sucrose concentration was increased from 88 mM to 132 mM. Under
      such conditions growth was greatly decreased. However, cell viability was
      maintained. The increases in anthocyanins in pigmented cells were due largely to
      increases in peonidin - glucoside. The high sucrose and the low nitrate
      concentrations can be one of the important culture factors in controlling of
      anthocyanin production by cell cultures. 

PMID- 24213790
TI  - Genetic transformation of Chrysanthemum using wild type Agrobacterium strains;
      strain and cultivar specificity.
AB  - To develop an Agrobacterium mediated transformation protocol for chrysanthemum we
      studied the transformation efficiency of commonly used A.tumefaciens strains on
      14 genotypes by comparing tumour size and frequency. One genotype was analyzed in
      detail using 14 strains of both A.tumefaciens and A.rhizogenes. Only a few
      genotype/strain combinations resulted in significant tumour formation. Especially
      0-type strains were highly efficient. An 0-type strain was used to transfer genes
      for neomycine phosphotransferase (NPT II) and beta-glucuronidase (GUS) to a
      susceptible cultivar. Transfer of the GUS gene was confirmed by using the
      Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). 

PMID- 24213791
TI  - Cytokinin induced somatic embryogenesis from immature embryos of Abies
      nordmanniana Lk.
AB  - Abies nordmanniana Lk. is used in short intensive rotations for Christmas tree
      production. Thus there is a high demand for development of advanced propagation
      and breeding methods. Somatic embryogenesis was easily induced from immature
      (precotyledonary) embryos collected in July 1989 with cytokinin as the sole plant
      growth regulator. The proliferating embryogenic cell masses were characteristic
      of conifer somatic embryogenesis and could be maintained on a simple basal medium
      containing 5 MUM benzylaminopurine. Auxin inhibited induction as well as
      proliferation. Proliferation was improved by up to 30 % by addition of L
      glutamine and/or casein hydrolysate. Neither cytokinin concentration nor culture
      on 3 different basal media, differing markedly in their nitrogen composition,
      affected the proliferation rate. Embryos matured using a 4 week subculture on
      medium containing 10 MUM abscisic acid and subsequent transfer to medium devoid
      of plant growth regulators. 

PMID- 24213792
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Acanthopanax senticosus.
AB  - Mature embryos of Acanthopanax senticosus explanted on Murashige and Skoog (MS)
      medium with 0.5 mg/1 2,4-D developed somatic embryos directly from swollen
      cotyledon and embryo axes within one to two months. When the somatic embryos were
      transferred to medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.5 mg/1) or IAA (1-3 mg/1) or
      Zeatin (0.5 mg/1) and NAA (0.2 mg/1), additional somatic embryos developed. Most
      (93%) embryos germinated on the above medium without 2,4-D. Sixty-two percent of
      the plantlets survived in soil. Histological observations revealed that the
      somatic embryos originated from cell masses of epidermal and sub-epidermal
      origin. There was no cytological separation zone between the somatic embryos and
      cultured expiants. Consequently, embryos were difficult to separate from their
      expiant tissue. 

PMID- 24213793
TI  - Vitreous state in vitro culture: ethylene versus cytokinin.
AB  - The occurrence of a developmental anomaly i in vitro culture, named "vitreous
      plant", has been shown to be a deficiency in lignification. Several causes have
      been proposed, most recently the physical state of the culture medium and
      ethylene. Experiments, conducted to verify these suggestions, led toresults that
      did not confirm either the physical state or ethylene as causal agents. It rather
      appeared that cytokinins did induce the anomaly, probably by excessively
      promoting cell-divisions at the expense of cell-differentiation. 

PMID- 24213794
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of Solanum species with potential
      agricultural value (S. hjertingii, S. polyadenium, S. capsicibaccatum).
AB  - Protoplasts have been isolated from three tuber-bearing Solanum species, S.
      hjertingii, S. polyadenium and S. capsicibaccatum, that are sexually incompatible
      with S. tuberosum, but possess potentially useful characters. For isolating
      protoplasts from leaves of in vitro shoot cultures of S. hjertingii and S.
      capsicibaccatum growth was improved by including silver thiosulfate in the
      medium. However, for S. polyadenium, leaves of pot-grown plants were the best
      source for protoplasts. Following protoplast division and culture, plants were
      regenerated from protoplasts of each of the species. The pattern of chromosome
      variation in regenerants was similar to that observed for other diploid and
      tetraploid Solanum species. The results indicate that it should be possible to
      introduce the potentially useful germplasm from these wild species into somatic
      hybrids with S. tuberosum by protoplast fusion. 

PMID- 24213795
TI  - Plant regeneration from callus cultures of Valeriana wallichii DC.
AB  - Petiole expiants of Valeriana wallichii. DC., a threatened medicinal plant, were
      used for inducing callus. Optimum callus formation was observed on Murashige and
      Skoogs' (1962) medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/l NAA and 0.25 mg/l Kn. Shoot
      regeneration was achieved upon transferring the callus to medium containing 1.0
      mg/l Kn and 0.25 mg/l NAA. Complete plantlets were obtained on the same medium or
      upon transfer of the regenerated shoot buds to medium containing 5.0 mg/l Kn and
      1.0 mg/l IAA. Nearly a thousand callus regenerated plants were successfully
      transferred to the field following previously standardized hardening procedures. 

PMID- 24213796
TI  - Intra- and extracellular carbohydrates in plant cell cultures investigated by
      (1)H-NMR.
AB  - With the aim of quantifying intra- and extracellular carbohydrates media and cell
      extracts from a Tabernaemontana divaricata plant cell-suspension culture were
      investigated with (1)H-NMR.For suppression of the solvent peak the Meiboom-Gill
      modification of the Carr-Purcell (CPMG) spin-echo sequence was used after
      addition of a paramagnetic relaxation agent (Mn(2+)) to the sample. Several
      aspects of this method were optimized (the manganese concentration, the
      interpulse delay and the number of spin-echo cycles) so as to obtain a rapid and
      easy method in which no pretreatment of media or cell-extracts was needed.
      Besides the speed and ease of the method, also the direct identification of
      carbohydrates and other main components is an advantage.The exhaustion of
      extracellular carbohydrates was found to coincide with the maximum amount of
      intracellular carbohydrates. The intracellular carbohydrates, i.e. glucose and
      fructose, were consumed at a low rate, during several weeks. 

PMID- 24213797
TI  - Emetine enhances the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand
      induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells by downregulation of myeloid cell
      leukemia sequence-1 protein.
AB  - Although the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a
      promising cancer therapeutic agent, it shows limited efficacy in human pancreatic
      cancer cells. Protein synthesis inhibition has been reported to sensitize cancer
      cells to apoptosis-inducing agents, but the detailed mechanism by which protein
      synthesis inhibition sensitize cells to TRAIL has not been determined. To
      investigate the mechanism underlying pancreatic cancer cell resistance to TRAIL,
      we performed a small scale high-throughput compound screening in AsPC-1
      pancreatic cancer cells using a bioactive small molecule library. We identified 8
      compounds that reproducibly sensitize AsPC-1 cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
      One of these compounds, emetine hydrochloride, when combined with subtoxic
      concentrations of TRAIL, induced massive apoptosis in AsPC-1 and BxPC-3
      pancreatic cancer cells. Cell death analysis revealed that the sensitizing
      effects of emetine were specific to TRAIL. Emetine downregulated the expression
      of the TRAIL-related anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 in a dose- and time-dependent
      manner. Furthermore, specific knockdown of Mcl-1 using small interfering RNA
      without emetine treatment sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL. Emetine
      sensitization of pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL via Mcl-1 was confirmed under
      hypoxic conditions. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that Mcl-1 is
      involved in pancreatic cancer cell resistance to TRAIL, and emetine facilitates
      the apoptosis of TRAIL-tolerant pancreatic cancer cells by specifically
      inhibiting Mcl-1 function. 

PMID- 24213798
TI  - The arsenic content of bottled mineral waters.
AB  - The arsenic levels of 23 mineral waters on sale to the public in the United
      Kingdom were measured. The arsenic content of most waters was below 1 MUg L(-1)
      but the statutory limits of 50 ug L(-1) for natural mineral waters and 100 MUg L(
      1) for non-alcoholic beverages were exceeded by the French mineral water, Vichy
      Celestins (220 ug L(-1)). Regular consumption of mineral water of such elevated
      concentration could make a significant contribution to the intake of the more
      toxic inorganic species of arsenic, with possible adverse long-term effects on
      the health of some individuals. The general need for analytical speciation
      studies of dietary arsenic is emphasised. 

PMID- 24213799
TI  - Histological demonstration of immunoreactive metallothionein in sections of human
      and rat tissue.
AB  - Immunoreactive metallothionein has been demonstrated in formalin fixed sections
      of rat and human tissue using a DNP hapten sandwich staining procedure and
      antibody to zinc-induced rat liver metallothionein II.MT was found in rat liver,
      duodenum, jejunum and ileum and in human liver and ileum both intracellularly in
      hepatocytes and enterocytes and extracellularly in portal vessels, sinusoids and
      canaliculi in the liver and in the lamina propria of the intestine.Changes in
      intensity of staining were related in the rat to the feeding/fasting status of
      the animal and whether exogenous zinc had been administered. In man least MT was
      found in the ileum of patients with Crohn's disease and most in patients with non
      inflammatory bowel disease.These results confirm that MT is an important
      physiological metal-binding protein in man and animals and is concerned in zinc
      transport and binding in rats. 

PMID- 24213800
TI  - Arsenic in garden soils and vegetable crops in Cornwall, England: Implications
      for human health.
AB  - Total concentrations of arsenic in surface (0-15cm) garden soils in the
      historical mining area of Hayle-Camborne-Godolphin, Cornwall, England are large
      and range widely (144-892 MUg/g). Amounts of water soluble and acid-fluoride
      extractable soil arsenic are significantly correlated with total
      content.Examination of 6 salad and vegetable crops grown in 32 gardens has shown
      arsenic concentrations in the edible tissues to be only slightly elevated. There
      were strong correlations between arsenic in beetroot, lettuce, onion and peas and
      soil arsenic (total, water soluble and acid extractable). Regression equations
      have been calculated. Ridge regression analysis applied to test the importance of
      other soil variables has shown both iron and phosphorus to influence the uptake
      of arsenic.Arsenic in all the vegetables sampled was below the statutory limit in
      the U.K. of 1 mg/kg fresh weight. Implications for health should be assessed in
      relation to other exposure routesvia water, air and directly ingested dust and
      soil. 

PMID- 24213801
TI  - Predicting water quality data in an unfilled reservoir using microcosm sediment
      water simulation.
AB  - The technique of microcosm sediment-water simulation was used to obtain
      predictive water quality data for the proposed Jordanelle Reservoir, Heber City,
      Utah. Sediment-water microcosms were prepared for four sites located in the north
      arm of the reservoir basin, including two sites located in an abandoned acid mine
      tailings pond. Data obtained from the tailings pond microcosms indicated that low
      pH water and high trace metal concentrations may exist in this area of the
      reservoir. These data suggested that the tailings material should be contained or
      removed prior to reservoir filling. Other sites in the reservoir basin exhibited
      water quality considered normal for reservoirs of similar elevation and basin
      geology. Near the proposed dam, anaerobic conditions could develop rapidly due to
      available concentrations of organic carbon, and the subsequent release of Zn, Fe,
      and Mn may pose a water quality problem. At the sampling site near Keetley,
      simulation data indicated that anaerobic conditions will not develop as quickly
      or be as severe as conditions expected near the dam. Overall, the availability of
      nitrogen and phosphorus in the Provo River and Jordanelle sediments indicated
      that problems with algal blooms may exist in the reservoir. Also presented is a
      brief discussion of the advantages and disadvantages associated with microcosm
      sediment-water simulation. 

PMID- 24213802
TI  - Native legume establishment on acidic coal mining overburden at Collie, Western
      Australia.
AB  - Nitrogen is often provided to impoverished overburden dumps through the
      establishment of legumes. Low indigenous soil nutrient levels, summer drought
      conditions and an acidic mining overburden represent major obstacles to
      successful rehabilitation of open-cut coal mining at Collie in southwest Western
      Australia. In this study,Acacia pulchella, a native Western Australian species
      often used in rehabilitation of mined lands, was shown to nodulate and grow in
      coal mining overburden with pH values less than 4.0 under glasshouse conditions.
      Plant growth (both top and root dry weight), nodule fresh weight, and nodulation
      success was best at a pH near 5.0, a value only slightly lower than the typical
      soil pH of the native jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest. Acetylene reduction
      rates were reduced by acidity and ranged from 8.2 MUm C2H4g(-1)hr(-1) at pH 6.77
      to 3.0 MUm C2H4g(-1)hr(-1) at a pH of 3.98. Four additional plant species were
      found to occur and to nodulate on acid overburden material at Collie. 

PMID- 24213803
TI  - Airs, waters and places.

PMID- 24213804
TI  - Guest editorial.

PMID- 24213805
TI  - Penetration and lateral diffusion characteristics of polycrystalline graphene
      barriers.
AB  - We report penetration and lateral diffusion behavior of environmental molecules
      on synthesized polycrystalline graphene. Penetration occurs through graphene
      grain boundaries resulting in local oxidation. However, when the penetrated
      molecules diffuse laterally, the oxidation region will expand. Therefore, we
      measured the lateral diffusion rate along the graphene-copper interface for the
      first time by the environment-assisted crack growth test. It is clearly shown
      that the lateral diffusion is suppressed due to the high van der Waals
      interaction. Finally, we employed bilayer graphene for a perfect diffusion
      barrier facilitated by decreased defect density and increased lateral diffusion
      path. 

PMID- 24213806
TI  - Quantitative comparison of dynamic physiological feeding profiles for recombinant
      protein production with Pichia pastoris.
AB  - Pichia pastoris is widely used for the production of recombinant proteins in
      industrial biotechnology. In general, industrial production processes describe
      fed-batch processes based on the specific growth rate. Recently, we introduced
      the specific substrate uptake rate (q s) as a novel parameter to design fed-batch
      strategies for P. pastoris. We showed that a dynamic feeding strategy where the
      feed was adjusted in steps to the maximum specific substrate uptake rate was
      superior to more traditional strategies in terms of specific productivity. In the
      present study, we compare three different dynamic feeding strategies based on q s
      for a recombinant P. pastoris strain with respect to cell physiology, methanol
      accumulation, productivity and product quality. By comparing (A) a feeding
      profile at constant high q s, (B) a periodically adjusted feeding profile for a
      stepwise q s ramp, and (C) a feeding profile at linear increasing q s, we
      evaluated potential effects of the mode of feeding. Although a dynamic feeding
      strategy with stepwise increases of q s to q s max resulted in the highest
      specific productivity, a feeding profile where the feeding rate was stepwise
      increased to a constant high q s value was superior in terms of the amount of
      active enzyme produced and in the amount of accumulated methanol. Furthermore,
      this feeding strategy could be run automatically by integrating an online
      calculator tool, thus rendering manual interventions by the operator unnecessary.

PMID- 24213807
TI  - SIRT6, a protein with many faces.
AB  - Sirtuins are NAD(+) dependent deacylases enzymes. There are seven mammalian
      sirtuins, SIRT1-SIRT7, which are localized to different cellular compartments and
      are capable of diverse catalytic activities. SIRT6 is a key regulator of healthy
      ageing. In the past decade our understanding of SIRT6 significantly increased in
      many different aspects. We know its cellular localization, catalytic activities,
      substrates and the pathways it is involved in. This review discusses the recent
      discoveries regarding the SIRT6 enzyme. 

PMID- 24213808
TI  - Hypercholesterolemia abrogates the cardioprotection of ischemic postconditioning
      in isolated rat heart: roles of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta and the
      mitochondrial permeability transition pore.
AB  - Ischemic postconditioning (IPO) reduces lethal reperfusion injury under normal
      conditions, but its effectiveness in hypercholesterolemia (HC) is disputed. We
      measured the cardioprotection of IPO in hypercholesterolemic rats and determined
      the roles of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) and the mitochondrial
      permeability transition pore (mPTP). Isolated rat hearts underwent 30-min global
      ischemia and 120-min reperfusion. Postconditioning protocol induced six cycles of
      10s ischemia and 10s reperfusion at the onset of the reperfusion. Myocardial
      infarct size was estimated by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and
      cardiomyocyte apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. GSK-3beta phosphorylation
      was measured by immunoblotting. The opening of mPTP was measured by NAD(+)
      content in myocardium. In normocholesterolemia (NC) groups, infarct size and
      cardiomyocyte apoptosis were significantly reduced after IPO. These reductions
      were completely abolished by HC, as evidenced by a similar infarct size and
      cardiomyocyte apoptosis observed between the IPO-HC and IR (ischemia-reperfusion)
      HC groups. GSK-3beta phosphorylation was significantly higher in the IPO-NC than
      the IPO-HC group. In addition, NAD(+) content in myocardium, a marker of mPTP
      opening, was higher in the IPO-NC group than the IPO-HC group. In conclusion,
      cardioprotection of IPO is blocked by hypercholesterolemia. This might be due to
      the impairment of phosphorylation of GSK-3beta and attenuation of mPTP opening. 

PMID- 24213809
TI  - Deciphering the role of Burkholderia cenocepacia membrane proteins in
      antimicrobial properties of chitosan.
AB  - Chitosan, a versatile derivative of chitin, is widely used as an antimicrobial
      agent either alone or mixed with other natural polymers. Burkholderia cenocepacia
      is a multidrug-resistant bacteria and difficult to eradicate. Our previous
      studies shown that chitosan had strong antibacterial activity against B.
      cenocepacia. In the current study, we have investigated the molecular aspects for
      the susceptibility of B. cenocepacia in response to chitosan antibacterial
      activity. We have conducted RNA expression analysis of drug efflux system by RT
      PCR, membrane protein profiling by SDS-PAGE, and by LC-MS/MS analysis following
      the validation of selected membrane proteins by real-time PCR analysis. By RT-PCR
      analysis, it was found that orf3, orf9, and orf13 were expressed at detectable
      levels, which were similar to control, while rest of the orf did not express.
      Moreover, shotgun proteomics analysis revealed 21 proteins in chitosan-treated
      cells and 16 proteins in control. Among them 4 proteins were detected as shared
      proteins under control and chitosan-treated cells and 17 proteins as uniquely
      identified proteins under chitosan-treated cells. Among the catalog of uniquely
      identified proteins, there were proteins involved in electron transport chain and
      ATP synthase, metabolism of carbohydrates and adaptation to atypical conditions
      proteins which indicate that utilization and pattern of chitosan is diverse which
      might be responsible for its antibacterial effects on bacteria. Moreover, our
      results showed that RND drug efflux system, which display the ability to
      transport a variety of structurally unrelated drugs from a cell and consequently
      are capable of conferring resistance to a diverse range of chemotherapeutic
      agents, was not determined to play its role in response to chitosan. It might be
      lipopolysaccharides interaction with chitosan resulted in the destabilization of
      membrane protein to membrane lyses to cell death. Membrane proteome analysis were
      also validated by RT-qPCR analysis, which corroborated our results that of
      membrane proteins. 

PMID- 24213811
TI  - Symmetrical giant facial plaque-type juvenile xanthogranuloma persisting beyond
      10 years of age.

PMID- 24213810
TI  - Craniofacial anatomical risk factors in men with obstructive sleep apnea and
      heart failure: a pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is complicated with heart failure (HF);
      however, the reason for this is not well understood. Craniofacial anatomic risk
      factors may contribute to OSA pathogenesis in HF patients. However, there are no
      data about cephalometric findings among OSA patients with HF. METHODS:
      Consecutive patients with HF and OSA (defined as total apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)
      >=15/h) were enrolled. As controls, OSA patients without HF but matching the test
      group in age, BMI, and obstructive AHI were also enrolled. RESULTS: Overall, 17
      OSA patients with HF and 34 OSA patients without HF were compared. There are no
      significant differences in the characteristics or polysomnographic parameters
      between 2 groups. In the cephalometric findings, compared with patients without
      HF, patients with HF showed a significantly greater angle between the line SN to
      point "A" (SNA) and a longer inferior airway space and greater airway area.
      However, the tongue area of patients with HF was more than those without HF.
      CONCLUSIONS: The craniofacial structures of OSA patients with HF were different
      from those without HF. OSA patients with HF had an upper airway anatomy that is
      more likely to collapse when sleeping while recumbent, despite having a larger
      airway space.

PMID- 24213812
TI  - Unique Y-shaped lanthanide aggregates and single-molecule magnet behaviour for
      the Dy4 analogue.
AB  - The assembly of N'-(amino-(pyrimidin-2-yl)methylene)-o-vanilloyl hydrazine
      ligands (H2L, Scheme 1) with different lanthanide perchlorates produces novel Y
      shaped tetranuclear complexes, [Ln4(MU3-OH)(L(2-))4(H2O)6].(ClO4)3.6H2O, where Ln
      = Tb (1), Dy (2) and Ho (3). The formation of this unprecedented Y-shaped
      topology is largely ascribed to the versatility of the mixed-donor hydrazone
      ligands in terms of their potential denticity. Analysis of the susceptibility
      data shows that only the Dy-based molecule features SMM-like behaviour. The
      synthetic methodology of employing H2L and related ligands has provided a very
      promising route towards new families of magnetic coordination clusters with novel
      metal topologies and properties.

PMID- 24213813
TI  - Computational study of diastereoselective ortho-lithiations of chiral ferrocenes.
AB  - Diastereoselective ortho-lithiations serve for the preparation of many important
      chiral ferrocenes, however diastereoselections of these lithiations are explained
      only by simple steric models. We elucidated ortho-lithiations of three important
      ferrocenes based on DFT calculations. The calculations showed that simple models
      of transition states involving ferrocenyl substrates and lithium bases can only
      in some cases account for the experimental results. Transition state models,
      which include solvent or coordinating additives as distinct entities bound to
      lithium, can satisfactorily explain diastereoselection of the ortho-lithiations
      of chiral ferrocenes. 

PMID- 24213814
TI  - Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus
      tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern
      Turkey).
AB  - The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species
      known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi
      were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 - 19 degrees C; pH 9.8; 153
      mEq.I(-1) total alkalinity; 220/00 total salinity) and tank water samples
      analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1uM ammonia was present
      and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made
      up 114+/-32 and 35+/-25uM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N
      and urea-N excretion averaged 1041+/-494 and 607+/-169MUmoles.kg(-1) fish.h(-1),
      respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens.
      Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in
      all tissues and plasma (25 - 35MUmoles.g(-1).ml(-1)) of freshly caughtC. tarichi;
      total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0
      (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4+/-0.2 U.min(-1).g(-1)) was detected in
      the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme
      of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through
      degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity
      (11+/-0.6 U.min(-1).g(-1)) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like
      other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain,
      but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed.
      The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline
      pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion
      under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated. 

PMID- 24213815
TI  - The effect of water-borne magnesium on the dietary magnesium requirement of the
      rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
AB  - Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (mean initial weight 0.84 g) were fed diets
      containing graded levels of magnesium (Mg) (78 to 725ug/g) while being exposed to
      one of several levels in the rearing water (1.4 to 1000 mg/l). Uptake of Mg from
      the water, in Mg-deficient fish, was linearly related to the water Mg
      concentrated. It appears that the fish's Mg requirement can be met from either or
      both the diet or water. Under the experimental conditions, a water-borne
      concentration of 46 mg/l was calculated to be sufficient to meet the Mg
      requirement of the fish fed a Mg-free diet. 

PMID- 24213816
TI  - Lipids of arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus (L.) II. Influence of dietary fatty
      acids on the elongation and desaturation of linoleic and linolenic acid.
AB  - Arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus L. were fed five test diets containing 0% or 1%
      of different polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for 93 days. The fish were
      injected intraperitoneally with (1-(14)C)-18:2(n-6) or (1-(14)C)-18:3(n-3), and
      the bioconversion to longer chain PUFA studied. The conversion rate in neutral
      lipids was slow, with most label found as the fatty acid injected, while
      extensive modification took place prior to or during incorporation into polar
      lipids. Linolenic acid was preferred over linoleic acid as substrate for
      elongation and desaturation regardless of diet. In polar lipids, the predominant
      products of (1-(14)C)-18:2(n-6) metabolism were generally 20:3(n-6) and 20:4(n
      6), while 18:4(n-3), 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3) were the major products of (1-(14)C)
      18:3(n-3) metabolism. The lack of radioactivity in 22:5(n-6) suggests that Delta
      4 desaturation is specific for (n-3) PUFA. Feeding the PUFA deficient diet
      reduced the Delta 5 desaturation compared to fish maintained on PUFA supplemented
      diets. The Delta 6 desaturation was only reduced in fish fed C18 PUFA and
      injected with (1-(14)C)-18:3(n-3). Longer chain C20 and C22 PUFA, particularly
      those of the (n-3) family, exerted some inhibition on the elongation and
      desaturation of injected fatty acids compared to those fed C18 PUFA. The
      incorporation of radiolabelled fatty acids into polar lipids of fish fed a
      commercial diet was very low, and the desaturation neglectible in both polar and
      neutral lipids, showing that Arctic charr under culture conditions do not convert
      short chain PUFA to longer chain metabolites. 

PMID- 24213817
TI  - The essential fatty acid requirement of milkfish (Chanos chanos Forsskal).
AB  - The essential fatty acid (EFA) requirement of milkfish was examined by a 12-week
      feeding trial using defined, purified diets at water temperature of 28-29 degrees
      C and salinity of 320/00. The test diets contained varying levels of 18:0
      (triglyceride form, TG), 18:3(n-3), 18:2(n-6) and (n-3) highly unsaturated fatty
      acids (n-3 HUFA). Milkfish juveniles were starved for 7 days and were than fed
      lipid-free diet for 30 days before the initiation of feeding trials. Low growth
      and feed efficiency together with high mortalities were observed in fish fed the
      lipid-free diet as well as in the EFA-deficient diet. Supplementation of 2%
      18:2(n-6) to the tristearin based diet did not improve growth rate of milkfish as
      effectively as feeding with (n-3) fatty acids. The highest weight gain was
      obtained in milkfish fed a combination of 5% 18:0 + 1.0% 18:3(n-3) + 0.5% 20:5(n
      3) + 0.5% 22:6(n-3) although the supplementation of 2% 18:3(n-3) alone or
      combination of 0.5% 20:5(n-3) + 0.5% 22:6(n-3) to the tristearin based diets were
      also effective for improvement of growth. Thus, (n-3) fatty acids, such as 18:3(n
      3) and (n-3)HUFA were nutritionally more important than 18:2(n-6) for milkfish.
      The fatty acid composition of the polar lipids from whole body of milkfish
      juveniles fed the various test diets were influenced by the composition of the
      dietary fatty acids. 

PMID- 24213818
TI  - Summertime and early autumn activity of some enzymes in the carbohydrate and
      fatty acid metabolism of the crucian carp.
AB  - In June, July, and September the activities of five enzymes involved in the
      carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, namely phosphofructokinase (PFK), lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH), citrate synthase (CS), cytochrome oxidase (cyt ox) and 3
      hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD), were measured in the heart, liver, red
      muscle, white muscle, and gill lamellae of crucian carp (Carassius carassius).
      LDH activity was measured in both reducing (LDHr) and oxidizing (LDHo)
      directions.The PFK activity in red and white muscle increased significantly
      between July and September indicating a preparation to winter anoxia by an
      increased glycylytic capacity in these organs. The HAD activity of the liver had
      increased significantly (by more than 50%) by September, also a preparation to
      winter anoxia as HAD is used in the reversed beta-oxidation (chain elongation of
      fatty acids). The LDHr and cyt ox activities in the heart and white muscle were
      highest in July. This shows that both the anaerobic and aerobic capacities are
      elevated in mid-summer when water temperature is high and oxygen concentration of
      the water could fluctuate greatly. The LDHo and CS activities in gill lamellae
      were lowest in July. The results show that the metabolism of crucian carp is
      under seasonal influence and that a preparation to winter hypoxia/anoxia could be
      detected in September. 

PMID- 24213819
TI  - Quantitative changes in a serum protein, AS, during the life cycle of the
      lamprey,Petromyzon marinus L.
AB  - The electrophoretically fastest migrating protein in ammocoete serum, AS protein,
      was isolated and found to be an acidic glycoprotein with a molecular weight of
      140,000 Daltons. Purified AS was injected into rabbits to produce a monospecific
      antiserum that was used in rocket immunoelectrophoresis to quantitate AS at
      different periods in the life cycle. AS was found to constitute approximately 70%
      of total serum protein in the ammocoete, remained at about the same value during
      transformation, and was reduced to 38% of total serum protein in the juvenile
      adult. In both male and female upstream migrant animals, AS was less than 0.5% of
      total serum protein. When juveniles were acclimated to seawater over a 10 week
      period, it was found that their AS level was reduced by 92% to 3.8% of total
      serum protein. These results are discussed in relation to changes in other serum
      proteins at various intervals of the lamprey life cycle. 

PMID- 24213820
TI  - Presence and ontogeny of intestinal and pancreatic phospholipase A2-like proteins
      in the Red Sea bream,Pagrus major. An immunocytochemical study.
AB  - We have studied the location and the ontogeny of the digestive enzyme,
      phospholipase A2 (PLA2) immunohistochemically in the adult and larvae/juvenile of
      the red sea breamPagrus major by using an antiserum against theNaja naja venom
      PLA2. The antiserum reacts with at least one enzyme among the PLA2s purified from
      the fish hepatopancreas or intestine. Although the reactivities were
      comparatively low, it labelled zymogen granules of the pancreatic acinar cells
      and secretory materials of certain epithelial cells in the depths of epithelial
      crypts in the pyloric caeca of the adult. The immunoreactivities of PLA2s were
      investigated in the viscera of larvae and juveniles of the 0 to 85(th) day after
      hatch. In the larvae of the 13(th) day, accumulation of PLA2-positive zymogen
      granules in the pancreatic acinar cells were first recognized by the
      immunostaining. The intensity of the labelling subsequently became stronger and
      dramatically increased between the 20(th) and 30(th) day. This increase appeared
      to be one of the physiological changes associated with the transition to a new
      benthic life as juveniles. Lack of PLA2 in the pancreas before the 13(th) day may
      suggest the possibility that larvae utilized exogenous PLA2, inherent in their
      prey, to digest the phospholipids. On the other hand, no reactivity was found in
      the intestine until the 85(th) day. 

PMID- 24213821
TI  - Characterization of a pancreatic DNase from pyloric caeca of atlantic cod (Gadus
      morhua L.).
AB  - An alkaline deoxyribonuclease (DNase) from cod pancreatic tissue has been
      characterized. The enzyme is a DNase I type endonuclease and hydrolyzes
      effectively both native and denatured DNA. Monomeric actin inhibits the enzyme
      reaction. The enzyme obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics and the apparent Km value
      for native linear duplex DNA is 33 ug/ml. The cod DNase opens supercoiled plasmid
      DNA, by introducing adjacent nicks in both strands, possibly separated by 5-10
      nucleotides. DNA hydrolyzed by cod DNase functions as substrates both for DNA
      polymerase and ligase, and the nicks therefore contain 5'-phosphoryl and 3'
      hydroxyl groups. Optimum concentrations of divalent cations are 5 mM Mg(2+), 0.63
      mM Mn(2+) and 0.075 mM Ca(2+). However, Ca(2+) is apparently not essential for
      the enzymatic functions. The enzyme has a narrow temperature optimum at 42
      degrees C and is thermolabile above 50 degrees C; however, Mn(2+) shifts the
      optimum slightly to 45 degrees C by causing increased temperature stability. The
      cod DNase reaction is inhibited by the DNA intercalating compounds actinomycin D
      and ethidium bromide. Histidine-modifying reagents such as tosyl phenylalanyl
      chloromethylketone and diethyl pyrocarbonate inhibit the enzyme activity, but the
      cod DNase is insensitive to disulfide-reducing agents. 

PMID- 24213822
TI  - Metabolism of low density lipoproteins in rainbow trout.
AB  - Plasma kinetics and tissue sites of degradation for native and chemically
      modified low density lipoproteins have been investigated in (Oncorhynchus
      mykiss). Native and modified LDL labelled with(125)I-tyramine-cellobiose, (a
      residualizing adduct), were injected intravenously, and plasma and organ samples
      analyzed. Native LDL were cleared with a half life of about 30 hours, and mainly
      catabolized in the liver. Acetylation of LDL resulted in accelerated clearance
      (t1/2=2 h) and catabolism in the kidneys. Methylation of LDL had only minor
      effects on catabolism. The cellular localization of lipoprotein uptake was
      visualized in kidney by fluorescence microscopy. Native LDL were endocytozed by
      spheroid, parenchymal cells, supposedly steroid-producing cells. Acetylated,
      fluorescent LDL were found in vacuoles of flattened, sinusoidal lining
      endothelial cells. Our data show that catabolism of native low density
      lipoproteins in salmonids takes place mainly via hepatic receptors. A scavenger
      receptor pathway, for modified lipoproteins (mainly localized in the kidney) is
      also operative in trout. 

PMID- 24213824
TI  - Role of thyroid hormones in tilapia larvae (Oreochromis mossambicus): I. Effects
      of the hormones and an antithyroid drug on yolk absorption, growth and
      development.
AB  - Treatment of one-day old yolksac larvae of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) by
      immersion in 0.05 ppm T4 or 0.01 ppm T3 significantly accelerated the
      differentiation and growth of all the fins, particularly pectoral and tail fins.
      Both the treatments also significantly accelerated yolk absorption and transition
      to free-swimming activity in the larvae. The treatments also significantly
      accelerated the growth of the larvae, with T3 at 0.01 ppm having a greater effect
      than T4 at 0.05 ppm. The yolk conversion efficiency was found not to be
      significantly affected by the hormone treatments but the treated larvae exhibited
      an increased heart beat, suggesting metabolic stimulation by the hormones.On the
      other hand, yolk absorption and free-swimming activity were significantly delayed
      in tilapia larvae immersed in 25 ppm solution of an antithyroid drug,
      phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). PTC also retarded the growth of the larvae. T4 (0.05
      and 0.10 ppm) or T3 (0.01 and 0.02 ppm) therapy removed the PTC-inhibition,albeit
      not completely, suggesting that thyroid hormones are involved in the larval
      growth and development of tilapia. 

PMID- 24213823
TI  - Annual variations in brain serotonin and related compounds of domesticated
      rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
AB  - The levels of tryptophan (Trp), 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) and 5
      hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in two brain regions (hypothalamus and medulla
      oblongata) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were measured throughout the
      year using a sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method with
      electrochemical detection. Trp was also quantified in serum, liver and brain
      regions. Trp concentrations were higher in sera than in tissues (brain and liver)
      throughout the year. Hypothalamic and medullary Trp offered similar annual
      patterns showing two peaks, the first on 10 May and the second on 15 June. 5-HT
      levels were always higher in the hypothalamus than in the medulla and much higher
      than the 5-HIAA levels in both regions. Moreover hypothalamic and medullar
      serotonin patterns were very different, in the latter region few variations were
      observed. In addition, the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was different in the brain regions,
      the hypothalamus showed two peaks (April 8 and June 15) whereas the equivalent
      was not observed in the medulla. All measured compounds showed significant
      variations during the year. 

PMID- 24213825
TI  - Role of thyroid hormones in tilapia larvae (Oreochromis mossambicus): II. Changes
      in the hormones and 5'-monodeiodinase activity during development.
AB  - Thyroid hormone profiles and 5'-monodeiodinase activity were determined in
      tilapia at different stages of early development. The results showed that both T4
      and T3 were present in significant amounts in fertilized eggs. There was a steady
      decrease in both T4 and T3 levels during embryonic development. The levels
      continued to decline after hatching until around 7 days later when most of the
      yolk had been absorbed. The T4 level started to rise then, suggesting that the
      larval thyroid had begun to produce T4 at this time, which coincided with the
      period of faster growth of the larvae. The T3 level remained fairly constant
      until around 20 days after which it rose significantly. In vitro determination of
      5'-monodeiodinase activity (5'-D activity) in the whole-body homogenates of
      larvae showed that the enzymatic conversion of T4 to T3 was not detectable in
      eggs and 3-day-old larvae but detected in 5-day-old and older larvae. There was a
      gradual increase in the Vmax as development proceeded indicating increasing 5'-D
      activity during larval development. The Km values did not differ significantly in
      the different stages of development. These results are discussed in relation to
      the growth and development of the larvae. 

PMID- 24213826
TI  - Progestogen metabolism by ovaries of the roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) and the rudd
      (Scardinius erythrophthalmus L.).
AB  - Roach ovaries converted 17-hydroxyprogesterone to 17,20alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnen
      3-one (17,20alphaP) and to glucuronides of testosterone and 17,20alphaP. Small
      amounts of 5alpha-pregnane-3alpha- and -3beta, 17, 20alpha-triols, 7alpha-hydroxy
      5alpha-reduced metabolites and 17,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20betaP)
      were also formed. Rudd ovaries converted this substrate mainly to 17,20alphaP,
      5alpha-pregnane-3alpha- and -3beta,17,20alpha-triols, 17,20alpha-dihydroxy-5alpha
      pregnan-3-one and testosterone glucuronide. The main metabolites of progesterone
      with both species were 17,20alphaP, 5alpha-pregnane-3beta,17,20alpha-triol and
      7alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-reduced steroids. Rudd ovaries formed, in addition,
      17,20alpha-dihydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-3-one from progesterone. The pattern of
      metabolites was markedly altered when the concentration of substrate was
      increased from 42ng to 1 ug or 100 ug. At the highest concentration, glucuronides
      and polar steroids were not detectable, while at low concentrations they
      accounted for over 50% of the metabolites. 20alpha-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
      was shown to have a very high capacity, producing 21-47 ug 17,20alphaP from 100
      ug 17-hydroxyprogesterone substrate with 200 mg ovarian tissue in 5h. 

PMID- 24213827
TI  - Oocyte maturation inClarias batrachus. III. Purification and characterization of
      maturation-inducing steroid.
AB  - Maturation-inducing steroid (MIS) in the Indian female catfish,Clarias batrachus,
      was purified and characterized from the incubation medium in which fully grown
      but immature folliculated oocytes were incubated with salmon gonadotropin (SG
      G100) for 36 h. Maturation-inducing (MI) activity of residues obtained at various
      steps of extraction and purification was assessed byin vitro germinal vesicle
      breakdown (GVBD) assay using folliculated oocytes ofC. batrachus. The post
      incubation medium was extracted with diethyl ether. The ether phase was
      partitioned using 50% methanol plus n-hexane. The methanol phase which had MI
      activity was fractionated into 7 fractions using reverse-phase high-performance
      liquid chromatography. Of these 7 fractions, fraction 3 was found to be active in
      having MI ability and identified as 17 alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one
      (17alpha,20beta-diOHprog). The authenticity of 17alpha,20beta-diOHprog as the
      major follicular mediator of gonadotropin-induced oocyte maturation was further
      confirmed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in which fraction 3 was run along
      with authentic 17alpha,20beta-diOHprog standard. This investigation gives a
      direct evidence that 17alpha,20beta-diOHprog is the major naturally occurring MIS
      in Indian female catfish,C. batrachus. 

PMID- 24213828
TI  - Effects of dietary testosterone on growth and sex ratio in juvenile Atlantic
      salmon (Salmo salar).
AB  - Diets to which testosterone (1 or 10 ng/g diet) had been added were fed to
      juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) for nine months beginning for months after
      hatching (Experiment 1) and upon completion of yolk absorption (Experiment 2) to
      determine the effects on growth, gonadal development, and sex ratio. Dietary
      testosterone at 10 ng/g fed to juvenile salmon at four months after hatching
      (Exp. 1) induced significant changes in condition factor (0.69+/-0.01) compared
      to controls (0.79+/-0.01) at the end of the test period. In both experiments,
      salmon treated with 10 ng/g diet induced a significantly higher percentage of
      male fish compared to controls. Dietary testosterone at 1 ng/g fed to juvenile
      salmon beginning four months after hatching induced significant increases in
      weight (18.95+/-0.99) and length (13.58+/-0.23) compared to controls (14.55+/
      1.50 and 11.94+/-0.43, respectively). In Experiment 1 or 2, there was no apparent
      influence of dietary testosterone on precocious male sexual development. Dietary
      testosterone at 1 or 10 ng/g fed to juvenile salmon upon completion of yolk
      absorption (Exp. 2) induced no consistent changes in growth in juvenile Atlantic
      salmon. These studies indicate that low levels of dietary testosterone may
      influence physiological responses in juvenile Atlantic salmon dependent upon
      timing of treatment. 

PMID- 24213829
TI  - Association of HSL gene E1-c.276C>T and E8-c.51C>T mutation with economical
      traits of Chinese Simmental cattle.
AB  - Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is responsible for the decomposition of
      triglycerides in adipose tissue to release free fatty acids, and it is a key rate
      limiting enzyme in the regulation of adipose tissue deposition and decomposition.
      The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between novel SNPs in
      the coding region of bovine HSL gene and carcass and meat quality traits of
      Chinese Simmental-cross steers. Two novel SNPs were genotyped and the 47 traits
      of carcass and meat quality traits were measured in the population studied.
      Statistical analysis revealed that the SNPs of HSL gene were associated with the
      carcass and meat quality traits. The individuals with TT genotypes of E1-276C>T
      showed significant higher dressing percentage, net meat rate, hind legs
      circumference, fat coverage rate, mesenteric fat and kidney fat (p < 0.05). E8
      51C>T (P17S) also showed a significant association with the pH of beef and fatty
      acids content in Chinese Simmental cattle (p < 0.01). Our findings indicated that
      polymorphisms in HSL might be one of important genetic factors that influence
      carcass yield and meat quality in beef cattle, and it may be a useful marker for
      meat quality traits in future marker-assisted selection programs in beef cattle
      breeding and production.

PMID- 24213831
TI  - Soil sampling and analysis for volatile organic compounds.
AB  - Concerns over data quality have raised many questions related to sampling soils
      for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This paper was prepared in response to
      some of these questions and concerns expressed by Remedial Project Managers
      (RPMs) and On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs). The following questions are frequently
      asked: 1. Is there a specific device suggested for sampling soils for VOCs? 2.
      Are there significant losses of VOCs when transferring a soil sample from a
      sampling device (e.g., split spoon) into the sample container? 3. What is the
      best method for getting the sample from the split spoon (or other device) into
      the sample container? 4. Are there smaller devices such as subcore samplers
      available for collecting aliquots from the larger core and efficiently
      transferring the sample into the sample container? 5. Are certain containers
      better than others for shipping and storing soil samples for VOC analysis? 6. Are
      there any reliable preservation procedures for reducing VOC losses from soil
      samples and for extending holding times? Guidance is provided for selecting the
      most effective sampling device for collecting samples from soil matrices. The
      techniques for sample collection, sample handling, containerizing, shipment, and
      storage described in this paper reduce VOC losses and generally provide more
      representative samples for volatile organic analyses (VOA) than techniques in
      current use. For a discussion on the proper use of sampling equipment the reader
      should refer to other sources (Acker, 1974; U.S. EPA, 1983; U.S. EPA,
      1986a).Soil, as referred to in this report, encompasses the mass (surface and
      subsurface) of unconsolidated mantle of weathered rock and loose material lying
      above solid rock. Further, a distinction must be made as to what fraction of the
      unconsolidated material is soil and what fraction is not. The soil component here
      is defined as all mineral and naturally occurring organic material that is 2 mm
      or less in size. This is the size normally used to differentiate between soils
      (consisting of sands, silts, and clays) and gravels.Although numerous sampling
      situations may be encountered, this paper focuses on three broad categories of
      sites that might be sampled for VOCs: 1. Open test pit or trench. 2. Surface
      soils (<5 ft in depth). 3. Subsurface soils (>5 ft in depth). 

PMID- 24213830
TI  - The drug-transporter gene MDR1 C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms and the risk of
      multidrug-resistant epilepsy in Turkish children.
AB  - One-third of all individuals with epilepsy are resistant to antiepileptic drug
      (AED) treatment. Antiepileptic treatment response has been suggested to be
      modulated by genetic polymorphisms of drug efflux transporters. Several
      polymorphic variants within the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene, which encodes
      the major transmembrane efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, have been proposed to
      be associated with AED resistance in epilepsy patients. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the effect of C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms of MDR1 on AED
      resistance in Turkish children with epilepsy. MDR1 C3435T and G2677T/A were
      genotyped in 152 patients with epilepsy, classified as drug-resistant in 69 and
      drug-responsive in 83. Genotypes of the C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms were
      determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length
      polymorphism. Genotype and allele frequencies of C3435T and G2677T/A
      polymorphisms of the MDR1 gene did not differ between drug-resistant and drug
      responsive epilepsy patients. Our results suggest that MDR1 C3435T and G2677T/A
      polymorphisms are not associated with AED resistance in Turkish epileptic
      patients. To clarify the exact clinical implication of the MDR1 polymorphisms on
      the multidrug resistance in epilepsy, further investigations in various ethnic
      populations would be necessary.

PMID- 24213832
TI  - Foliar injury air pollution surveys of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.): A
      review.
AB  - A thorough review and critical evaluation of field surveys from 1900 to the
      present of foliar injury to Pinus strobus L. supposedly caused by air pollution
      was undertaken. Ninety percent of the surveys failed to meet current scientific
      standards of acceptability. The conduct and peer review of surveys has been poor
      and the correct injury symptoms have not always been used. Data were obtained for
      nine that met screening criteria and injury incidence and severity were mapped.
      Three fourths of the counties in the natural and planted range of eastern white
      pine have not been scientifically surveyed, so generalizations regarding large
      scale spatial patterns of eastern white pine foliar pathological conditions were
      not possible. However, recent growth and inventory data indicate that growth
      throughout the natural range regardless of air pollution or other stresses (e.g.
      blister rust) is excellent, suggesting that regional performance and foliar
      conditions are unrelated. Sufficient compelling corroborative evidence was found
      to conclude that a general decline of eastern white pine throughout its range is
      not a tenable finding.The putative air pollution sensitivity of eastern white
      pine appears to be based on studies published between 1963 and 1973 on
      hypersensitive individuals that are no longer being observed in the field. More
      recent research on eastern white pine has noted a lack of sensitivity and/or high
      variability of response. The idea that eastern white pine as a species is highly
      sensitive to air pollution is no longer supported by the available evidence.
      However, hypersensitive juvenile individuals comprising no more than 8-9% of the
      total population may still germinate and grow for a brief period of time (because
      old enough parent trees are still alive) but soon succumb to current levels of
      ozone and sulfur dioxide in the environment or are suppressed by tolerant
      neighbors. This phenomenon has been documented anecdotally and is more aptly
      called tree decline instead of forest decline. An emerging working hypothesis to
      explain recent reports of unusual eastern white pine tolerance is that sufficient
      time has elapsed for tree decline to have occurred leading to a gradual
      elimination of sensitive genotypes from populations. 

PMID- 24213833
TI  - Criteria for the evaluation of alternative environmental monitoring variables:
      Theory and an application using winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) and
      Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus).
AB  - The design of environmental monitoring programs is frequently hampered by a lack
      of objective, quantitative criteria for evaluating alternative monitoring
      variables. In this paper we describe two such criteria, which we call samples
      required - the number of samples required to detect a given change in value - and
      information imparted - the amount of environmental information revealed by the
      monitoring variable. We then use these criteria to evaluate fin erosion in winter
      flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) and Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) as
      marine environmental monitoring variables. Two methods for determining the
      samples required use contaminated and reference areas to estimate the sample
      statistics of a hypothetical impacted population. The first method is based on
      the overall difference in the proportions of diseased fish in the reference and
      hypothetical populations. The second treats the proportion of diseased fish in
      individual trawls as the variate and determines the samples required based on the
      mean and variance of the reference and contaminated populations. We use both
      methods to predict the number of trawls needed to detect an increase of 200% in
      fin erosion in the reference population. The first method had greater statistical
      power but assumes spatially homogeneous populations. The second method accounts
      for environmental patchiness. For Dover sole it predicted 1661 trawls would be
      needed to detect the 200% increase. An estuarine winter flounder population would
      require 74 trawls, and an oceanic winter flounder population would require 142.5
      trawls. It appears that fin erosion in winter flounder may be a useful indicator
      of environmental contamination, but several stipulations apply. Migration may
      inflate the number of diseased fish observed in the reference population, and a
      more detailed etiology of the disease is required, including an understanding of
      what contaminants are responsible for manifestation of the disease. 

PMID- 24213834
TI  - Effects of exposure of aquatic snails to sublethal concentrations of waste
      drilling fluid.
AB  - Static bioassays were carried out using two aquatic snails (Pilia sp. and
      Lanistes sp.) as test organisms in soft natural dilution water, with waste
      drilling fluid as the test material, at 28+/-2 degrees C. Comparison of results
      for the control and different concentrations of the waste drilling fluid were
      made by means of the F-statistic method. The waste drilling fluid was practically
      non-toxic to the two aquatic snails. 

PMID- 24213835
TI  - Molecular characterization and genome-wide mutations in porcine anal atresia
      candidate gene GLI2.
AB  - Anal atresia (i.e., anorectal malformations) is a severe disorder that occurs
      during the development of the distal hindgut in infants, swine, and many other
      mammals and has an unclear genetic background. Recently, the Shh-responsive
      transcription factor GLI2 has been shown as essential to the normal development
      of the hindgut, and QTL studies in pigs revealed that this gene may be an
      important candidate for anal atresia (AA). We used the pig as the model to study
      the contribution of GLI2 to AA. We revealed the genomic structure of the porcine
      GLI2 gene with 14 exons and obtained the porcine GLI2 mRNA sequence with a 4,656
      bp ORF coding a 1,551-amino acid protein. We further scanned the genome-wide
      mutations in this gene by direct sequencing using three genomic DNA pools from
      the AA pigs, full-sibs of AA pigs, and unaffected pigs, respectively. Finally, 30
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one intronic 9-nucleotide (nt)
      deletion were identified. Of these SNPs, 23 are intronic, 6 are synonymous, and 1
      (446 G>A) in exon 8 is nonsynonymous (365Met >Ile). NCOI-RFLP of the 446 G>A
      polymorphism suggested that the predominant genotypes were all GG and AG in the
      three pig groups. In addition, there was no significant difference among the
      three groups in allele frequencies, which demonstrated that this locus was not
      associated with AA in pigs. However, the 12 SNPs encompassing exon 4 to exon 8
      showed strong linkage disequilibrium in the AA pigs, which indicated that the
      mutations somewhere in this region may contribute to AA in pigs. Therefore,
      further investigation in this region is needed to elucidate the underlying
      mutations involved in the porcine AA.

PMID- 24213836
TI  - Fish from Missouri's lead belt: To eat or not to eat.
AB  - Data collected over the past four years indicate that filets of suckers and some
      species of sunfish taken from certain sites in Missouri's Old Lead Belt
      consistently contain elevated lead concentrations which exceed the limit of 0.3
      MUg/g suggested by the World Health Organization. The problem exists in bottom
      feeding species taken from some sites along the Big River affected by erosion
      from abandoned lead tailings piles. Fish from many other sites within the Old
      Lead Belt and the New Lead Belt, including current wastewater treatment systems,
      are within the acceptable limits for lead in food. Public health implications are
      discussed relative to observed lead concentrations and available data regarding
      lead toxicity to humans. 

PMID- 24213837
TI  - Long-term effects of application of sewage sludge to soil on composition of
      herbage with respect to potentially toxic elements.
AB  - Repeated applications of metal-contaminated sewage sludge can have a drastic
      effect on soil levels of trace elements and lead to serious toxicity effects in
      plants. In some cases, land can be rendered sterile.It has been demonstrated that
      contamination of soils with respect to cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and
      zinc is largely irreversible, although there does appear to be a long-term
      tendency for these metals to become progressively less available to plants over a
      long period of time. Most national guidelines designed to regulate the disposal
      of sewage sludge on agricultural land are based on the assumption that relatively
      rapid fixation of contaminant metals does take place in the soil after sludge
      application. There is a dearth of information relating to the rates at which
      potentially toxic-elements commonly present in sewage sludge become immobilised
      in soils, although it is clear that contaminant boron can be leached down the
      profile in the short term.Evidence is presented that contamination of top soil
      can persist for a period of six years after a single application of sludge (150
      tonnes dry matter/ha). Over this period, there was little change in 'available'
      levels of boron, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in the top soil and the degree of
      enhancement of these elements in perennial ryegrass grown in the sludge-treated
      area remained more or less unchanged. 

PMID- 24213838
TI  - Vanadium uptake by higher plants: Some recent developments.
AB  - The occurrence of vanadium in the biosphere, and the possible roles this element
      may play in the metabolism of living organisms, especially higher plants, are
      discussed. The aqueous chemistry of the element is reviewed, and the chemical
      properties of the element are related to those of soils and plants. Evidence is
      present for a biotransformation of vanadium from vanadate (VO 3 (-) ) to vanadyl
      (VO(2+)) during uptake by plants, based on tissue analysis and ESR spectra. The
      significance of this process on the potential impact of vanadium in the biosphere
      is discussed. 

PMID- 24213839
TI  - Trace element distribution and mobilization in Scottish soils with particular
      reference to cobalt, copper and molybdenum.
AB  - Total and extractable trace element contents have been determined in about 1000
      soil profiles representing the main soil series occurring throughout Scotland.
      The frequency distributions of a number of trace elements in these soils are
      described and some relationships between total and extractable contents
      discussed. The geological nature of the soil parent material, soil texture,
      organic matter content and environmental contamination are the principal factors
      controlling soil total contents. Soil drainage class, because of its effect on
      mineral weathering and soil oxidation-reduction conditions, has a major influence
      on soil extractable contents, availability to plants and crop uptake. Particular
      attention is paid to cobalt, copper and molybdenum because of their importance
      for animal health in Scotland. 

PMID- 24213840
TI  - Demethylation effect of the antineoplaston AS2-1 on genes in colon cancer cells.
AB  - Antineoplastons are naturally occurring peptides and amino acid derivatives found
      in human blood and urine. antineoplastons have been shown to control neoplastic
      growth. In the present study, we investigated demethylation effect of the
      antineoplaston AS2-1 (a mixture of phenylacetylglutamine and phenylacetate in the
      ratio of 1:4) on various genes in colon cancer cells. An HpaII-MspI methylation
      microarray was used to investigate the methylation status of 51 genes at the
      promoter region in HCT116 and KM12SM human colon cancer cells before and after
      treatment of AS2-1. The expression of protein and mRNA of the demethylated genes
      by AS2-1 in HCT116 cells was evaluated. In 19 of the 34 methylated genes in
      HCT116 and in 7 of the 8 methylated genes in KM12SM, the methylation status was
      downregulated after treatment with 2 mg/ml of AS2-1 for 24 h. AS2-1 dramatically
      downregulated the methylation status of p15 and ESR1 in HCT116 cells and of MTHFR
      and MUC2 in KM12SM cells. Both mRNA and protein expression of p15 increased in a
      dose- and time-dependent manner after treatment with AS2-1. The antineoplaston
      AS2-1 may normalize the hypermethylation status at the promoter region in various
      genes including tumor suppressor genes, resulting in activation of the
      transcription and translation in colon cancer.

PMID- 24213841
TI  - Lack of ciliary body lymphatics in iridociliary melanocytoma.

PMID- 24213842
TI  - Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) inducers and estrogen receptor (ER) activities in
      surface sediments of Three Gorges Reservoir, China evaluated with in vitro cell
      bioassays.
AB  - Two types of biological tests were employed for monitoring the toxicological
      profile of sediment cores in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China. In the
      present study, sediments collected in June 2010 from TGR were analyzed for
      estrogen receptor (ER)- and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated activities.
      The estrogenic activity was assessed using a rapid yeast estrogen bioassay, based
      on the expression of a green fluorescent reporter protein. Weak anti-estrogenic
      activity was detected in sediments from an area close to the dam of the
      reservoir, and weak estrogenic activities ranging from 0.3 to 1 ng 17beta
      estradiol (E2) equivalents (EQ) g(-1) dry weight sediment (dw) were detected in
      sediments from the Wanzhou to Guojiaba areas. In the upstream areas Wanzhou and
      Wushan, sediments demonstrated additive effects in co-administration of 1 nM E2
      in the yeast test system, while sediments from the downstream Badong and Guojiaba
      areas showed estrogenic activities which seemed to be more than additive
      (synergistic activity). There was an increasing tendency in estrogenic activity
      from upstream of TGR to downstream, while this tendency terminated and converted
      into anti-estrogenic activity in the area close to the dam. The AhR activity was
      detected employing rat hepatoma cell line (H4IIE). EROD activities were found
      homogenously distributed in sediments in TGR ranging from 200 to 311 pg 2,3,7,8
      tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) EQ g(-1) dw for total AhR agonists and from 45
      to 76 pg TCDD EQ g(-1) dw for more persistent AhR agonists. The known AhR
      agonists polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, polychlorinated biphenyl, and PCDD/F
      only explained up to 8 % of the more persistent AhR agonist activity in the
      samples, which suggests that unidentified AhR-active compounds represented a
      great proportion of the TCDD EQ in sediments from TGR. These findings of
      estrogenic potential and dioxin-like activity in TGR sediments provide possible
      weight-of-evidence of potential ecotoxicological causes for the declines in fish
      populations which have been observed during the past decades in TGR.

PMID- 24213843
TI  - Effects of in utero di-butyl phthalate and butyl benzyl phthalate exposure on
      offspring development and male reproduction of rat.
AB  - The study was conducted to assess the effects of in utero di-butyl phthalate
      (DBP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) exposure during late gestation on
      offspring's development and reproductive system of male rats. Pregnant rats were
      treated orally with DBP (2, 10, 50 mg/kg), BBP (4, 20, 100 mg/kg), and
      diethylstilbestrol (DES) 6 MUg/kg (positive control) from GD14 to parturition. A
      significant reduction in dams' body weight on GD21 in DBP-, BBP-, and DES-treated
      groups was observed. The gestation length was considerably elevated in the
      treated groups. Decline in male pups' body weight was significant at PND75 in DBP
      (50 mg/kg), BBP- (20,100 mg/kg), and DES-treated groups. The weight of most of
      the reproductive organs and sperm quality parameters was impaired significantly
      in DBP- (50 mg/kg) and BBP- (100 mg/kg) treated groups. Further, a non
      significant decline in testicular spermatid count and daily sperm production was
      also monitored in treated groups. A significant reduction in serum testosterone
      level in BBP (100 mg/kg), whereas the testicular activity of 17beta-HSD was
      declined non-significantly in the treated groups with respect to control. The
      data suggests that DBP and BBP exposure during late gestation period might have
      adverse effects on offspring's development, spermatogenesis, and steroidogenesis
      in adult rats.

PMID- 24213844
TI  - Definition of critical asthma syndromes.
AB  - Urgent visits to the clinic and emergency department for acute severe asthma
      exacerbations are all too frequent. Existing national guidelines do not present
      consistent or specific recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of
      individual asthma patients in respiratory distress. In this vein, we propose the
      term "critical asthma syndrome" (CAS) to describe any child or adult who is at
      high risk for fatal asthma. Acute severe asthma, refractory asthma, status
      asthmaticus, and near-fatal asthma all describe CAS where physical exhaustion
      from the overwhelming work of breathing leads to respiratory arrest and death
      from hypoxia or related complications. The authors of this supplement seek to
      emphasize the importance of early recognition, prompt and coordinated evaluation,
      and treatment of CAS in the emergency department, hospital, and intensive care
      units by experienced healthcare provider teams. CAS is not severe persistent
      asthma where control of symptoms and prevention of exacerbations are targets of
      chronic disease management in the outpatient setting. The authors address the
      distinctions between the two entities throughout the supplement, and elaborate on
      the considerations important in the care of a critically ill patient, including
      the common errors to avoid. In addition, gaps in knowledge and clinical
      experience in regards to critical asthma are highlighted. Knowledge gaps include
      a lack of understanding of how to recognize CAS, how to coordinate and integrate
      hospital and outpatient resources, when to further phenotype patients with
      critical asthma in order to facilitate effective treatment, and how to prevent
      future acute exacerbations. Lastly, CAS is complicated by the fact that asthma
      care in diverse healthcare settings is haphazard. We recommend that primary care
      physicians refer patients promptly to an asthma specialist for consultation to
      reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations and prevent the development of CAS. 

PMID- 24213845
TI  - Molecular characterization, 3D model analysis, and expression pattern of the
      CmUBC gene encoding the melon ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme under drought and salt
      stress conditions.
AB  - Ubiquitin-conjugating (UBC) enzyme is a key enzyme in ubiquitination. Here, we
      describe the cloning, characterization, and expression pattern of a novel gene,
      CmUBC, from a melon. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences allowed the
      identification of highly conserved motifs. Synteny analysis between Cucumis
      sativus L. and Arabidopsis demonstrated that homologs of several Cucumis UBC
      genes were found in corresponding syntenic blocks of Arabidopsis. The homology
      structure model of the CmUBC protein was constructed. UBCs from melon, yeast, and
      Arabidopsis were highly conserved in their three-dimensional folding. CmUBC was
      ubiquitously expressed in all melon tissues. Increased transcript levels of CmUBC
      were observed during drought and salinity stresses, which suggested that the
      expression of the CmUBC gene in melon plants is responsive to physiological water
      stress. These results suggested that the CmUBC gene might play an important role
      in the modulation of the ubiquitination pathway. 

PMID- 24213846
TI  - Molecular phylogeny analysis and species identification of Dendrobium
      (Orchidaceae) in China.
AB  - Dendrobium plants are important commercial herbs in China, widely used in
      traditional medicine and ornamental horticulture. In this study, sequence-related
      amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were applied to molecular phylogeny
      analysis and species identification of 31 Chinese Dendrobium species. Fourteen
      SRAP primer pairs produced 727 loci, 97% of which (706) showed polymorphism.
      Average polymorphism information content of the SRAP pairs was 0.987 (0.982
      0.991), showing that plenty of genetic diversity exists at the interspecies level
      of Chinese Dendrobium. The molecular phylogeny analysis (UPGMA) grouped the 31
      Dendrobium species into six clusters. We obtained 18 species-specific markers,
      which can be used to identify 10 of the 31 species. Our results indicate the SRAP
      marker system is informative and would facilitate further application in
      germplasm appraisal, evolution, and genetic diversity studies in the genus
      Dendrobium. 

PMID- 24213847
TI  - Clostridium difficile infection in children hospitalized due to diarrhea.
AB  - The frequency of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)-related hospitalizations
      is increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of CDI among
      children hospitalized with diarrhea, risk factors or predictors for severe CDI,
      the prevalence of NAP1, and to compare the course of CDI depending on bacteria
      toxicity profile. A retrospective analysis of case records of 64 children (age
      range 3 months-16 years, median age 2.12 years) with CDI as defined by diarrheal
      disease and positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (Xpert C. difficile)
      was conducted. Modified national adult guidelines were used to assess the
      severity of CDI. CDIs represented 2.7 % of patients with diarrhea (13.5 cases per
      1,000 admissions). Thirty-three CDIs (52 %) were community-associated.
      Antibacterial use preceded CDI in 61 patients (95 %). Seventeen cases (27 %) were
      binary toxin-positive (CDT+), 13 of which were NAP1 (20.5 %). Over 75 % of CDIs
      with NAP1 was hospital-acquired, and more often proceeded with generalized
      infection (p < 0.05). Risk factors for severe CDI (34 %) included NAP1 [odds
      ratio (OR), 4.85; 95 % confidence interval (Cl), 1.23, 21.86) and co-morbidities
      (OR, 4.25; 95 % Cl, 1.34, 14.38). Diarrhea >=10 stools daily was associated with
      severe CDI (p = 0.01). Recurrence occurred in three patients (4.5 %). There was
      no mortality. C. difficile is an important factor of antibiotic-associated
      diarrhea in children. Co-morbidities and NAP1 predispose to severe CDI.

PMID- 24213849
TI  - Imiquimod 5%: a successful treatment for pseudolymphoma.

PMID- 24213848
TI  - Genetic and phenotypic analysis of Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139 isolated from
      German and Austrian patients.
AB  - Vibrio cholerae belonging to the non-O1, non-O139 serogroups are present in the
      coastal waters of Germany and in some German and Austrian lakes. These bacteria
      can cause gastroenteritis and extraintestinal infections, and are transmitted
      through contaminated food and water. However, non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae
      infections are rare in Germany. We studied 18 strains from German and Austrian
      patients with diarrhea or local infections for their virulence-associated
      genotype and phenotype to assess their potential for infectivity in anticipation
      of possible climatic changes that could enhance the transmission of these
      pathogens. The strains were examined for the presence of genes encoding cholera
      toxin and toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP), as well as other virulence-associated
      factors or markers, including hemolysins, repeats-in-toxin (RTX) toxins, Vibrio
      seventh pandemic islands VSP-1 and VSP-2, and the type III secretion system
      (TTSS). Phenotypic assays for hemolysin activity, serum resistance, and biofilm
      formation were also performed. A dendrogram generated by incorporating the
      results of these analyses revealed genetic differences of the strains correlating
      with their clinical origin. Non-O1, non-O139 strains from diarrheal patients
      possessed the TTSS and/or the multifunctional autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin
      (MARTX) toxin, which were not found in the strains from ear or wound infections.
      Routine matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry
      (MS) analysis of all strains provided reliable identification of the species but
      failed to differentiate between strains or clusters. The results of this study
      indicate the need for continued surveillance of V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139 in
      Germany, in view of the predicted increase in the prevalence of Vibrio spp. due
      to the rise in surface water temperatures. 

PMID- 24213850
TI  - Association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and esophageal cancer: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is an important enzyme which can
      catalyze the two-electron reduction of quinoid compounds into hydroquinones. NQO1
      Pro187Ser polymorphism can change the enzymatic activity of NQO1, and it has been
      proposed to be associated with risk of esophageal cancer. We performed a meta
      analysis to examine the association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and
      esophageal cancer. Odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was
      used to assess the association. Twelve case-control studies with 1,725 cases with
      esophageal cancer and 2,341 controls were finally included in the meta-analysis.
      Overall, there was an obvious association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and
      esophageal cancer (allele model: OR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.06-1.46, P OR = 0.009;
      homozygote model: OR = 1.59, 1195% CI 1.10-2.30, P OR = 0.013; dominant model: OR
      = 1.31, 95% CI 1.05-1.64, P OR = 0.018). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity,
      there was an obvious association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and
      esophageal cancer in Asians but not in Caucasians. Therefore, the meta-analysis
      suggests that NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism is associated with esophageal cancer
      risk.

PMID- 24213851
TI  - "The development tumor model" to study and monitor the entire progression of both
      primary and metastatic tumors.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme and other malignant cancers resulting in solid tumors
      continue to be devastating diseases. In order to find more effective treatments,
      it is necessary to cultivate a better understanding of the dynamics of tumor
      development in relation to both primary and secondary tumors. Although hand-held
      or digital caliper methods can measure tumor growth in subcutaneous xenograft
      models, to date, the only way to follow and monitor the progression of growing
      tumors in orthotopic animal models is imaging. This is not enough. To improve our
      knowledge of the biological characteristics that take place during tumor
      progression at both primary and metastatic sites, it is indispensable to develop
      an in vivo model which enables us to reproduce, from the beginning to the end of
      the cancer's natural history, what really happens in a patient affected by a
      solid tumor. The ideal tumor model must allow us to monitor all the stages of the
      tumor's development, both in the primary bulk and in secondary locations, by
      obtaining cells, biopsies as well as performing stainings on sections. In this
      paper, "the development tumor model", already proposed by the author to monitor
      the whole progression of the glioblastoma, is also applied to the study of all
      solid malignancies. It is a xenogeneic orthotopic transplantation model using
      human tumor-derived cells from the pre-hypoxic phase as transplanted material,
      which will be cultured in a neurobasal serum-free medium. By transplanting the
      same material at the same time (time zero) into a number of immunodeficient and
      genetically identical mice or rats, the model can be used to create a pool of
      twin animal transplant candidates under the same testing conditions. By
      sacrificing one animal a week (or choosing other intervals as needed) and
      performing multiple biopsies and stainings on sections, we can monitor the entire
      development of both the primary and secondary tumors. This may shed light on
      which specific cells and particular markers need to be focused on in order to
      develop innovative, valid therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 24213852
TI  - Expression of p53 family genes in urinary bladder cancer: correlation with
      disease aggressiveness and recurrence.
AB  - p53 is a tumour suppressor gene with an established role in the majority of human
      neoplasias. Its homologues-p63 and p73-cannot be classified as tumour
      suppressors, since they encode isoforms with oncogenic properties as well. p63
      plays a crucial role in epithelial cell differentiation and p73 is essential for
      neuronal cell development. The p63 and p73 expressions have been investigated in
      a variety of human tumours including bladder carcinomas; yet, this is the first
      study to simultaneously analyse the transcriptional levels of all p53 family
      members in bladder cancer. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain
      reaction, we measured the mRNA expression of p53, p63 and p73 in 30 bladder
      tumours, each paired with adjacent normal tissue. All three studied genes were up
      regulated in malignant specimens, p53 by 1.9-fold, p63 by threefold and p73 by
      twofold, respectively. Further analysis suggested that p63 and p73 act
      independently of p53 in the malignant bladder epithelium. Statistical analysis
      revealed that p63 overexpression was more frequent in recurrent bladder tumours
      (p = 0.045) and in older patients (p = 0.022). Papillary tumours also exhibited
      abnormal p63 expression (p = 0.026). Finally, p73 was up-regulated in Grade III
      one-site tumours (p = 0.040). Our results indicate that all p53 family members
      are abnormally expressed in bladder cancer but do not act synergistically. High
      levels of p63 correlate with non-muscle invasive tumours with frequent relapses,
      whereas p73 overexpression is associated with a more aggressive tumour phenotype.

PMID- 24213853
TI  - The enhanced apoptosis and antiproliferative response to combined treatment with
      valproate and nicotinamide in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
AB  - Acetylation of histone is a major player in epigenetic modifications, resulting
      in open chromatin structures and, hence, permissive conditions for transcription
      factor recruitment to the promoters, followed by initiation of transcription.
      Histone deacetylase inhibitors arrest cancer cell growth and cause apoptosis with
      low toxicity thereby constituting a promising treatment for cancer. In this
      study, we examined the antiproliferative effects of valproate with a combination
      of nicotinamide in the MCF-7 cell line. MCF-7 was treated with various
      concentrations of valproate. The MTT assay showed that the viability of MCF-7
      cells was inhibited and the cell activity was decreased. Viability percent of
      valproate and nicotinamide combined treatment cells (28 +/- 2) was 1.78 times
      increased compared with the valproate-alone (0.5 mM) treated cells (50 +/- 2).
      Colony formation in soft agar indicated that valproate at 0.3 mM, when used
      alone, weakly suppressed proliferation of cells (82 +/- 3) and the combination
      treatment of valproate + nicotinamide strongly suppressed cell proliferation (51
      +/- 3). The flow cytometric and microscopic analyses of HDACI combined with
      treated cells indicated strong apoptosis induction and nuclear morphological
      alterations greater than those of valproate alone. Real-time reverse
      transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed the
      efficiency of the HDAC inhibitor combination, revealing the effectively
      upregulated p16 and p21. Furthermore, to investigate the role of acetyl-histone
      H3 levels, western blot analyses have been performed and high levels of
      acetylated histone H3 were detected in valproate- and nicotinamide-treated cells.
      These results suggest that the combination treatment of valproate with
      nicotinamide exerts significant antitumor activity and could be a promising
      therapeutic candidate to treat human breast cancer. 

PMID- 24213854
TI  - Conservation of the critically endangered eastern Australian population of the
      grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) through cross-jurisdictional management of a
      network of marine-protected areas.
AB  - Between 2001 and 2009, 26 marine-protected areas (MPA) were established on the
      east Australian seaboard, at least in part, to manage human interactions with a
      critically endangered population of grey nurse shark, Carcharias taurus. This
      network is spread across six MPA systems and includes all 19 sites outlined in
      the National Recovery Plan for C. taurus, though five sites remain open to some
      forms of fishing. The reserve network has complex cross-jurisdictional
      management, as the sharks occur in waters controlled by the Australian states of
      New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland, as well as by the Commonwealth (Federal)
      government. Jurisdiction is further complicated by fisheries and conservation
      departments both engaging in management activities within each state. This has
      resulted in protected area types that include IUCN category II equivalent zones
      in NSW, Queensland, and Commonwealth marine parks that either overlay or
      complement another large scaled network of protected sites called critical
      habitats. Across the network, seven and eight rule permutations for diving and
      fishing, respectively, are applied to this population of sharks. Besides sites
      identified by the recovery plan, additional sites have been protected as part of
      the general development of MPA networks. A case study at one of these sites,
      which historically was known to be occupied by C. taurus but had been abandoned,
      appears to shows re-establishment of an aggregation of juvenile and sub-adult
      sharks. Concurrent with the re-establishment of the aggregation, a local dive
      operator increased seasonal dive visitation rates at the site fourfold. As a
      precautionary measure, protection of abandoned sites, which includes nursery and
      gestating female habitats are options that may assist recovery of the east coast
      population of C. taurus. 

PMID- 24213855
TI  - Model system for irreversible inhibition of Nek2: thiol addition to
      ethynylpurines and related substituted heterocycles.
AB  - Recent studies have shown that irreversible inhibition of Nek2 kinase [(Never in
      mitosis gene a)-related kinase 2], overexpression of which is observed in several
      cancers, can be achieved using Michael acceptors containing an ethynyl group,
      which target the enzyme's cysteine 22 residue lying near the catalytic site. The
      model studies described herein demonstrate an analogous capture of the ethynyl
      moiety in a series of ethynyl-heterocycles (e.g. 6-ethynyl-N-phenyl-9H-purin-2
      amine) by N-acetylcysteine methyl ester in the presence of 1,4
      diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane in either dimethyl sulfoxide or N,N-dimethylformamide.
      Kinetic studies showed a 50-fold range in reactivity with 7-ethynyl-N-phenyl-3H
      [1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-amine being the most reactive compound, whereas
      4-ethynyl-N-phenyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-amine was the least reactive.
      Studies of the isomeric compounds, 2-(3-((6-ethynyl-7-methyl-7H-purin-2
      yl)amino)phenyl)acetamide and 2-(3-((6-ethynyl-9-methyl-9H-purin-2
      yl)amino)phenyl)acetamide, revealed the N(7)-methyl isomer to be 5-fold more
      reactive than the 9-methyl isomer, which is ascribed to a buttressing effect in
      the N(7)-methyl compound. Comparison of the crystal structures of these isomers
      showed that the ethynyl group is significantly displaced away from the methyl
      group exclusively in the N(7)-methyl isomer with an sp(2) bond angle of 124
      degrees , whereas the corresponding angle in the N(9)-methyl isomer was the
      expected 120 degrees . The results of this study indicate heterocyclic scaffolds
      that are likely to be more promising for inhibition of Nek2 and other kinases
      containing a reactive cysteine. 

PMID- 24213856
TI  - Physiological mechanisms of sex differences in exertional dyspnoea: role of
      neural respiratory motor drive.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Does the combination of
      a higher neural respiratory drive and greater dynamic mechanical ventilatory
      constraints during exercise in healthy women versus men form the mechanistic
      basis of sex differences in activity-related dyspnoea? What is the main finding
      and its importance? Sex differences in activity-related dyspnoea in health
      primarily reflected the awareness of a higher neural respiratory drive needed to
      achieve any given ventilation during exercise in the setting of relatively
      greater dynamic mechanical ventilatory constraints in women. These findings may
      have implications for our understanding of the mechanisms of sex differences in
      exertional dyspnoea in variants of health (e.g. the elderly) and in patients with
      cardiorespiratory disease. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the
      physiological mechanisms of sex differences in exertional dyspnoea. We compared
      detailed measures of neural respiratory motor drive [diaphragmatic EMG (EMGdi)
      expressed as a percentage of maximal EMGdi (EMGdi%max)], breathing pattern,
      operating lung volumes, dynamic respiratory mechanics [tidal oesophageal
      (P(oes,tida)l%peak) and transdiaphragmatic pressure swings (P(di,tidal)%peak)
      expressed as a percentage of their respective peak values] and sensory intensity
      and unpleasantness ratings of dyspnoea during symptom-limited incremental cycle
      exercise in healthy young women (n = 25) and men (n = 25). The tidal volume to
      forced vital capacity ratio (V(T)%FVC), breathing frequency, EMGdi%max,
      P(oes,tidal)%peak, P(di,tidal)%peak and sensory intensity and unpleasantness
      ratings of dyspnoea were higher, while dynamic inspiratory capacity and
      inspiratory reserve volume were lower at a standardized absolute ventilation of
      55 l min(-1) during submaximal exercise in women versus men (all P < 0.05). In
      contrast, sex had no demonstrable effect on the inter-relationships between
      exercise-induced increases in V(T)%FVC, EMGdi%max and sensory intensity and
      unpleasantness ratings of dyspnoea. The results of this study suggest that sex
      differences in the intensity and unpleasantness of exertional dyspnoea in health
      are likely to reflect the awareness of a relatively higher neural respiratory
      motor drive (or EMGdi%max) needed to achieve any given ventilation during
      exercise in the setting of relatively greater dynamic mechanical constraints on
      V(T) expansion in women.

PMID- 24213857
TI  - Exercise training and vascular cell phenotype in a swine model of familial
      hypercholesterolaemia: conduit arteries and veins.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Does endurance exercise
      training cause anti-atherogenic effects on the endothelium in a swine model of
      familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), and how are these effects distributed across
      veins, arteries and multiple vascular territories within each system? What is the
      main finding and its importance? Coronary artery endothelium-dependent vasomotor
      function was depressed in sedentary FH pigs compared with sedentary control
      animals, and exercise training did not change vasomotor function within FH. In
      systemic conduit arteries and veins, few effects of FH on endothelial cell
      protein expression were noted, including both pro- and anti-atherogenic changes.
      These findings suggest that exercise training does not produce a consistently
      improved endothelial cell phenotype in either coronary or systemic conduit
      vessels in this swine model of FH. Exercise training has emerged as an
      intervention for the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease,
      but the mechanisms through which training reduces relative risk are not
      completely understood. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of
      endurance exercise training on vasomotor function and vascular cell phenotype in
      coronary arteries and systemic conduit arteries and veins against a background of
      advanced atherosclerosis. We tested the hypothesis that exercise training
      restores endothelial vasomotor function and produces an anti-atherogenic
      endothelial and smooth muscle cell phenotype in familial hypercholesterolaemic
      (FH) swine. The study included 30 FH (15 exercised and 15 sedentary) and 13 non
      FH control male castrated swine. The exercise-training intervention consisted of
      treadmill running 5 days per week for 16-20 weeks. Tissues sampled at sacrifice
      included vascular rings from the coronary circulation for vasomotor function
      experiments (dose-dependent bradykinin-induced vasorelaxation) and endothelial
      cells (ECs) from isolated segments of the thoracic aorta, the carotid, brachial,
      femoral and renal arteries, as well as each corresponding regionally associated
      vein, and from the abdominal vena cava, the right coronary and internal mammary
      arteries. Smooth muscle cells were sampled from the right coronary artery only.
      Vascular cell phenotype was assessed by immunoblotting for a host of both pro-
      and anti-atherogenic markers [e.g. endothelial nitric oxide synthase, p67phox,
      superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)]. Coronary artery endothelium-dependent vasomotor
      function was depressed in sedentary FH pigs compared with sedentary control pigs,
      and exercise training did not change vasomotor function within FH. In contrast,
      only scattered effects of FH on EC phenotype were noted across the vasculature,
      which included both pro- and anti-atherogenic changes in EC protein expression
      (e.g. increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase in carotid artery ECs,
      decreased p67phox in brachial artery ECs, but decreased expression of the
      antioxidant protein SOD1 in thoracic vena cava; all P < 0.05). In thoracic vena
      cava ECs, this deficit was corrected by exercise training, while no other effects
      of exercise were observed in conduit vessel EC phenotype. Thus, while exercise
      training abrogated the adverse effect of hypercholesterolaemia on thoracic vena
      cava SOD1 expression, it appears that exercise training does not produce a
      consistently improved EC phenotype in either coronary or systemic conduit vessels
      in this FH swine model.

PMID- 24213858
TI  - Modifiers of heart and muscle function: where genetics meets physiology.
AB  - New Findings What is the topic of this review? Genetic modifiers act on many
      different physiological aspects of muscle disease. Understanding and identifying
      such modifiers is important because their discovery may help to predict the
      course of muscle disease and also indicate pathways to be exploited in designing
      new therapeutics. What advances does it highlight? Genetic modifiers have been
      identified that act primarily on limb skeletal muscles. Newer modifiers, where
      the responsible gene has yet to be identified, alter the course of
      cardiopulmonary dysfunction in muscular dystrophy. Distinct modifiers that act
      differentially on limb skeletal muscles versus heart and respiratory muscles
      reflect underlying physiological differences of these muscle groups. Many single
      gene disorders are associated with a range of symptoms that cannot be explained
      solely by the primary genetic mutation. Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder
      associated with variable outcomes that arise from both the primary genetic
      mutation and the contribution from environmental and genetic modifiers.
      Disruption of the dystrophin complex occurs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and
      limb girdle muscular dystrophy, producing heart and muscle disease through a
      cellular injury process characterized by plasma membrane disruption and fibrosis.
      Multiple modifier loci have been mapped by using a mouse model of muscular
      dystrophy. These modifiers exert their effect often on specific muscle groups
      targeted by the muscular dystrophy process, possibly reflecting distinct
      pathophysiological processes among muscle groups. Genetic modifiers act on both
      cardiac and respiratory muscle parameters, suggesting genetic and physiological
      integration of cardiopulmonary function. Skeletal muscles of the limbs are
      modified by a locus on mouse chromosome 7. This region of chromosome 7 harbours
      an insertion/deletion polymorphism in Ltbp4, the gene encoding latent
      transforming growth factor beta binding protein 4. LTBP4 exerts its effect in
      muscle disease by acting on plasma membrane stability and fibrosis, thereby
      linking instability of the sarcolemma directly to fibrosis. In the human muscle
      disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy, protein coding single-nucleotide
      polymorphisms in LTBP4 associate with prolonged ambulation, demonstrating that
      modifiers identified from mouse studies translate to human disease.

PMID- 24213859
TI  - Noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y contribute to initial, but not sustained,
      vasodilatation in response to local skin warming in humans.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Previous work has
      produced the counterintuitive finding that the vasoconstrictor neurotransmitters
      noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y are involved in vasodilatation. We aimed to
      discover whether sympathetic neurotransmitters are required for the sustained
      vasodilatation in response to local skin warming, as has been previously
      suggested, and to determine whether noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y are
      'mediating' the sustained vasodilator response directly or acting to 'prime' (or
      kick-start) it. What is the main finding and its importance? We have found that
      noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y are required at the initiation of vasodilatation
      in response to local skin warming, if a complete vasodilator response is to be
      achieved; however, they are not required once vasodilatation has begun. In a
      three-part study, we examined whether noradrenaline, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and
      endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were involved in the sustained
      vasodilatation in response to local skin warming. Forearm skin sites were
      instrumented with intradermal microdialysis fibres, local skin heaters and laser
      Doppler flow probes. Local skin temperature (T(loc)) was increased from 34 to 42
      degrees C at a rate of 0.5 degrees C (10 s)(-1). Laser-Doppler flow was expressed
      as cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC; laser-Doppler flow/mean arterial
      pressure). In part 1, three skin sites were prepared; two were treated with the
      study vehicle (lactated Ringer solution), while the third site was treated with
      yohimbine and propranolol to antagonize alpha- and beta-receptors, and 10 min of
      baseline data were record at a T(loc) of 34 degrees C. Receptor antagonism was
      confirmed via infusion of clonidine. The T(loc) was increased to 42 degrees C at
      all sites. Once CVC had stabilized, site 2 was treated with yohimbine and
      propranolol to examine the effect of adrenergic receptor blockade on sustained
      vasodilatation of the skin. Receptor antagonism was again confirmed via infusion
      of clonidine. All sites were treated with sodium nitroprusside, and T(loc) was
      increased to 43 degrees C to elicit maximal vasodilatation. In parts 2 and 3, the
      general protocol was the same, except that BIBP-3226 was used to antagonize Y(1)
      receptors, NPY to test the efficacy of the antagonism, N(G)-amino-l-arginine to
      inhibit eNOS and ACh to test the adequacy of inhibition. Compared with control
      conditions, antagonism of alpha- and beta-receptors, Y(1)-receptors and eNOS
      before local skin warming reduced the initial and sustained vasodilatation in
      response to increased T(loc). However, treatment with yohimbine and propranolol
      or BIBP-3226 after local skin warming did not affect the sustained vasodilatation
      [CVC, 90 +/- 3 versus 89 +/- 3%max (control vs. yohimbine and propranolol) and 88
      +/- 5 versus 87 +/- 4%max (control vs. BIBP-3226); P > 0.05]. N(G)-Amino-l
      arginine perfusion caused a large reduction in CVC during this phase (89 +/- 5
      versus 35 +/- 4%max; P < 0.05). These data indicate that if their actions are
      antagonized after local warming and cutaneous vasodilatation has occurred,
      noradrenaline and NPY play little, if any, role in the sustained vasodilatation
      in response to local skin warming. However, eNOS contributes markedly to the
      sustained vasodilatation regardless of when it is inhibited.

PMID- 24213860
TI  - Extracellular calcium chelation and attenuation of calcium entry decrease in vivo
      cholinergic-induced eccrine sweating sensitivity in humans.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Calcium is an important
      second messenger in eccrine sweating; however, whether modulation of
      extracellular Ca(2+) and Ca(2+) entry has the capacity to modulate sweat rate in
      non-glabrous human skin has not been explored. What is the main finding and its
      importance? Acetylcholine to sweat rate dose-response relationships identify that
      local in vivo Ca(2+) chelation and L-type Ca(2+) channel antagonism have the
      capacity to attenuate the cholinergic sensitivity of eccrine sweat glands.
      Importantly, these data translate previous glabrous in vitro animal studies into
      non-glabrous in vivo human skin. Calcium is an important second messenger in
      eccrine sweating, with both internal and external sources being identified in
      vitro. It is unclear whether in vivo modulation of extracellular Ca(2+) levels or
      influx has the capacity to modulate sweat rate in non-glabrous human skin. To
      test the hypothesis that lowering interstitial Ca(2+) levels would decrease the
      sensitivity of the ACh to sweat rate (via capacitance hygrometry) dose-response
      relationship, nine healthy subjects received six ACh doses (1 * 10(-5) to 1 *
      10(0) m in 10-fold increments) with and without a Ca(2+) chelator (12.5 mg ml(-1)
      EDTA) via forearm intradermal microdialysis (protocol 1). To test the hypothesis
      that attenuating Ca(2+) influx via L-type Ca(2+) channels would also decrease the
      sensitivity of the ACh to sweat rate dose-response relationship, 10 healthy
      subjects received similar ACh doses with and without a phenylalkylamine Ca(2+)
      channel blocker (1 mm verapamil; protocol 2). Non-linear regression curve fitting
      identified a right-shifted ED50 in EDTA-treated sites compared with ACh alone (
      1.0 +/- 0.1 and -1.5 +/- 0.1 logm, respectively; P < 0.05), but unchanged maximal
      sweat rate (0.60 +/- 0.07 and 0.58 +/- 0.11 mg cm(-2) min(-1), respectively; P >
      0.05) in protocol 1. Protocol 2 also resulted in a right-shifted ED(50)
      (verapamil, -0.9 +/- 0.1 logm; ACh alone, -1.6 +/- 0.2 logm; P < 0.05), with
      unchanged maximal sweat rate (verapamil, 0.45 +/- 0.08 mg cm(-2) min(-1); ACh
      alone, 0.35 +/- 0.06 mg cm(-2) min(-1); P > 0.05). Thus, local in vivo Ca(2+)
      chelation and L-type Ca(2+) channel antagonism have the capacity to attenuate in
      vivo cholinergic sensitivity of eccrine sweat glands. These data suggest that
      interstitial Ca(2+) and its influx via Ca(2+) channels play a functional role in
      eccrine sweating in intact non-glabrous human skin.

PMID- 24213862
TI  - Beyond HERA: Contributions of specific prefrontal brain areas to long-term memory
      retrieval.
AB  - Recent neuroimaging studies have provided a wealth of information about areas
      within prefrontal cortex involved in long-term memory. These studies prompted a
      proposal by Tulving and colleagues (Tulving, Kapur, Craik, Habib, & Houle, 1994)
      that prefrontal contributions to memory function are related to laterality
      differences (the hemispheric encoding/retrieval asymmetry model). This review
      goes beyond a general characterization of prefrontal lobes to a more specific
      analysis of distinct areas within the prefrontal cortex. Separate prefrontal
      areas, sometimes within the same hemisphere, are discussed in terms of selective
      contributions that they might make to memory retrieval. In the end, it is
      concluded that a framework which tries to understand prefrontal function in terms
      of specific areas is a useful complement to models, like HERA, which attempt to
      find unifying principles across multiple areas. 

PMID- 24213861
TI  - PET studies of encoding and retrieval: The HERA model.
AB  - We review positron emission tomography (PET) studies whose results converge on
      the hemispheric encoding/retrieval asymmetry (HERA) model of the involvement of
      prefrontal cortical regions in the processes of human memory. The model holds
      that the left prefrontal cortex is differentially more involved in retrieval of
      information from semantic memory, and in simultaneously encoding novel aspects of
      the retrieved information into episodic memory, than is the right prefrontal
      cortex. The right prefrontal cortex, on the other hand, is differentially more
      involved in episodic memory retrieval than is the left prefrontal cortex. This
      general pattern holds for different kinds of information (e.g., verbal materials,
      pictures, faces) and a variety of conditions of encoding and retrieval. 

PMID- 24213863
TI  - Recall of rapidly presented random chess positions is a function of skill.
AB  - A widely cited result asserts that experts' superiority over novices in recalling
      meaningful material from their domain of expertise vanishes when they are
      confronted with random material. A review of recent chess experiments in which
      random positions served as control material (presentation time between 3 and 10
      sec) shows, however, that strong players generally maintain some superiority over
      weak players even with random positions, although the relative difference between
      skill levels is much smaller than with game positions. The implications of this
      finding for expertise in chess are discussed and the question of the recall of
      random material in other domains is raised. 

PMID- 24213864
TI  - Triangles in ROC space: History and theory of "nonparametric" measures of
      sensitivity and response bias.
AB  - Can accuracy and response bias in two-stimulus, two-response recognition or
      detection experiments be measured nonparametrically? Pollack and Norman (1964)
      answered this question affirmatively for sensitivity, Hodos (1970) for bias: Both
      proposed measures based on triangular areas in receiver-operating characteristic
      space. Their papers, and especially a paper by Grier (1971) that provided
      computing formulas for the measures, continue to be heavily cited in a wide range
      of content areas. In our sample of articles, most authors described triangle
      based measures as making fewer assumptions than measures associated with
      detection theory. However, we show that statistics based on products or ratios of
      right triangle areas, including a recently proposed bias index and a not
      yetproposed but apparently plausible sensitivity index, are consistent with a
      decision process based on logistic distributions. Even the Pollack and Norman
      measure, which is based on non-right triangles, is approximately logistic for low
      values of sensitivity. Simple geometric models for sensitivity and bias are not
      nonparametric, even if their implications are not acknowledged in the defining
      publications. 

PMID- 24213865
TI  - Visual perception of markings.
AB  - Markings, such as designs, writings, diagrams, and depictions, are expressive and
      communicative human artifacts. The conventional assumption that findings from the
      study of the visual perception of markings-in particular, of pictures-can be
      generalized to real-world perception is examined and found to be false. The
      processes involved in the visual perception of the world and in the visual
      perception of markings differ in significant ways, and generalizations from one
      to the other must be undertaken with caution. The visual perception of markings
      is an identifiable and separate area of study. Implications for a general theory
      of the perception of markings are examined, and the perception of markings is
      contrasted with real-world perception. 

PMID- 24213866
TI  - Age differences in encoding and retrieving details of a pediatric examination.
AB  - Baker-Ward, Gordon, Ornstein, Larus, and Clubb (1993) showed that recall improves
      over ages 3-7 for events experienced during a physical examination. We used a
      joint multinomial model to ask whether the improvement was due to encoding, to
      retrieval, or to likelihood to report. The model fit the Baker-Ward et al. data
      well and showed that (1) retrieval and reporting cannot be distinguished and (2)
      the observed effects were due primarily to age-related improvement in retrieval
      reporting rather than in encoding. 

PMID- 24213867
TI  - Taste reactivity and consumption measures in the assessment of overshadowing:
      Modulation of aversive, but not ingestive, reactivity.
AB  - Three dependent measures-a taste reactivity test, a two-bottle preference test,
      and a one-bottle extinction test-were used to investigate the conditioning
      effects of pairing a taste/taste compound with LiCl-induced illness in rats.
      Avoidance of saccharin consumption in the one-bottle test was attenuated if
      saccharin and denatonium were paired during illness training (overshadowing).
      Also, saccharin was found to be more palatable if paired with denatonium during
      training as reflected by aversive (but not ingestive) taste reactivity measures.
      It is argued that overshadowing was reflected mainly by a modulation of aversive
      taste reactivity behavior with little influence on ingestive taste reactivity.
      The results are discussed in terms of current palatability issues, and it is
      suggested that applying taste reactivity tests to phenomena associated with taste
      avoidance learning (e.g., overshadowing or potentiation) may further our
      understanding of the mechanisms that guide such learning. 

PMID- 24213868
TI  - Humans' responses to novel stimulus compounds and the effects of training.
AB  - Twenty-four college students participated in an experiment with stimulus
      compounds. Subjects learned to discriminate color stimuli that correlated with
      varying probabilities of reinforcement. Reinforcement consisted of points. For
      all subjects, two colors signaled a .80 reinforcement probability, and two others
      signaled a .20 probability. For compound-trained subjects, a fifth compound
      stimulus (composed of a high-probability color and a low-probability color) was
      correlated with a .10 reinforcement probability. During testing, interspersed
      probe trials required subjects to choose between two alternatives: a compound
      stimulus and either one of its constituent stimuli. Compound-untrained subjects
      preferred the compound over either individual stimulus, thus showing response
      summation. However, compound-trained subjects, having had experience with an
      exemplar compound, showed significantly lower choice proportions for a test
      compound, indicating that subjects' responding to novel stimulus compounds is
      modifiable by experience with a single similar compound. 

PMID- 24213869
TI  - Imagination inflation: Imagining a childhood event inflates confidence that it
      occurred.
AB  - Counterfactual imaginings are known to have far-reaching implications. In the
      present experiment, we ask if imagining events from one's past can affect memory
      for childhood events. We draw on the social psychology literature showing that
      imagining a future event increases the subjective likelihood that the event will
      occur. The concepts of cognitive availability and the source-monitoring framework
      provide reasons to expect that imagination may inflate confidence that a
      childhood event occurred. However, people routinely produce myriad counterfactual
      imaginings (i.e., daydreams and fantasies) but usually do not confuse them with
      past experiences. To determine the effects of imagining a childhood event, we
      pretested subjects on how confident they were that a number of childhood events
      had happened, asked them to imagine some of those events, and then gathered new
      confidence measures. For each of the target items, imagination inflated
      confidence that the event had occurred in childhood. We discuss implications for
      situations in which imagination is used as an aid in searching for presumably
      lost memories. 

PMID- 24213870
TI  - Perceiving affect from the voice and the face.
AB  - This experiment examines how emotion is perceived by using facial and vocal cues
      of a speaker. Three levels of facial affect were presented using a computer
      generated face. Three levels of vocal affect were obtained by recording the voice
      of a male amateur actor who spoke a semantically neutral word in different
      simulated emotional states. These two independent variables were presented to
      subjects in all possible permutations-visual cues alone, vocal cues alone, and
      visual and vocal cues together-which gave a total set of 15 stimuli. The subjects
      were asked to judge the emotion of the stimuli in a two-alternative forced choice
      task (either HAPPY or ANGRY). The results indicate that subjects evaluate and
      integrate information from both modalities to perceive emotion. The influence of
      one modality was greater to the extent that the other was ambiguous (neutral).
      The fuzzy logical model of perception (FLMP) fit the judgments significantly
      better than an additive model, which weakens theories based on an additive
      combination of modalities, categorical perception, and influence from only a
      single modality. 

PMID- 24213871
TI  - Learning to classify integral-dimension stimuli.
AB  - The authors tested 288 participants in the classic category-learning tasks
      introduced by Shepard, Hovland, and Jenkins (1961). However, separable-dimension
      stimuli were used in previous tests, whereas integral-dimension stimuli were used
      in the present study. In contrast to previous results, which showed a superiority
      for Problem Type II over Problem Types III, IV, and V, the reverse pattern was
      observed in the present research. This result confirms a fundamental prediction
      made by modern exemplar-based models of classification learning. The results are
      interpreted in terms of the extent to which selective-attention learning
      mechanisms operate when separable-dimension versus integral-dimension stimuli are
      used. 

PMID- 24213872
TI  - Structural alignment in similarity and difference judgments.
AB  - Similarity is a central construct in models of cognitive processing, and as such
      has been the focus of psychological inquiry. This work has revealed that
      similarity and difference judgments are not always inverses. One explanation for
      this effect is that similarity judgments focus on matching relations between the
      items, while difference judgments focus on the mismatching attributes. A second
      explanation is that both similarity and difference judgments involve a process of
      structural alignment, and that they use the output of this process differently.
      These views are contrasted by using the one-shot mapping technique that places
      attribute similarity and relational similarity in competition. The results
      suggest that similarity and difference judgments both involve structural
      alignment. 

PMID- 24213873
TI  - On the time course of negative priming: Another look.
AB  - In two experiments, the pattern of persistence of negative priming effects across
      delay intervals of 500 and 2,500 msec was assessed using a within-subjects,
      random sequencing of delays. Neill and Valdes (1992; Neill, Valdes, Terry, &
      Gorfein, 1992) have argued that a within-subject experimental design is required
      for decay of negative priming to be seen, in contrast to results reported
      elsewhere (e.g., Tipper, Weaver, Cameron, Brehaut, & Bastedo, 1991) showing
      stable negative priming effects across delays. In neither experiment was
      substantial evidence of decay detected, raising questions for the notion that
      suppression necessarily declines across brief temporal intervals and for the
      assertion that episodic retrieval is the sole source of negative priming. 

PMID- 24213874
TI  - Cross-modality priming in stem completion reflects conscious memory, but not
      voluntary memory.
AB  - A comparison of incidental and intentional stem-completion tests confirmed that
      cross-modality priming occurs when performance conforms completely to the
      retrieval intentionality criterion, indicating involuntary-not voluntary
      retrieval in the incidental test. However, an on-line measure of awareness in the
      incidental test, and a process-dissociation analysis of the intentional test,
      indicated only within-modality, but not cross-modality, transfer of involuntary
      retrieval that is unaccompanied by memorial awareness. These results imply that
      conscious memory should not be equated with voluntary retrieval, and unconscious
      memory should not be equated with involuntary retrieval, because involuntary
      retrieval can be accompanied by memorial awareness. 

PMID- 24213875
TI  - Eye movement control in reading and visual search: Effects of word frequency.
AB  - Eye movements were recorded as subjects either read text or searched through
      texts for a target word. In the reading task, there was a robust word frequency
      effect wherein readers looked longer at low-frequency words than at high
      frequency words. However, there was no frequency effect in the search task. The
      results suggest that decisions to move the eyes during reading are made on a
      different basis than they are during visual search. Implications for current
      models of eye movement control in reading are discussed. 

PMID- 24213876
TI  - Semantic priming in visual word recognition: Activation blocking and domains of
      processing.
AB  - The fact that letter search on a prime eliminates the typically robust semantic
      priming effect in lexical decision is often attributed to the "shallowness" of
      the prime-processing task. In three experiments we investigated this claim by
      using two different "shallow" prime-processing tasks: letter search and color
      identification. Consistent with previous reports, lexical decisions to
      semantically related targets were not facilitated when subjects searched the
      prime for a probe letter. In contrast, semantic priming was observed following a
      color discrimination task on the prime. We suggest that a levels-of-processing
      interpretation is not an adequate framework for understanding these data.
      Instead, a domain-specific processing account is offered in which explicit
      processing at the letter level (as in letter search) makes demands on resources
      (e.g., activation) that drives processing at the semantic level. This competition
      is resolved by establishing a temporary activation block at the lexical-semantic
      interface, which results in the elimination or attenuation of semantic priming.
      In contrast, global judgment of color is viewed as a domain that does not make
      demands on the resources that drive the visual word recognition machinery. There
      is therefore no need for an activation block, and semantic priming is not
      prevented. 

PMID- 24213877
TI  - The bizarre imagery effect and intention to learn.
AB  - The bizarre imagery effect, better memory for bizarre stimuli than for common
      stimuli, is now an established finding. However, the mnemonic benefits of bizarre
      imagery are subject to several constraints (e.g., the use of mixed lists and free
      recall tests). A further constraint on the bizarreness effect is demonstrated
      here. In each of two experiments, subjects were given either incidental or
      intentional study instructions and were asked to rate the vividness of the images
      they formed from the bizarre and common sentences. Contrary to conclusions based
      on available evidence, the bizarreness effect in free recall was manifested only
      with the incidental learning instructions. This additional constraint on the
      effect is consistent with the item-order account of bizarreness. 

PMID- 24213878
TI  - Protective effect of lycopene on cardiac function and myocardial fibrosis after
      acute myocardial infarction in rats via the modulation of p38 and MMP-9.
AB  - Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in maintaining the left
      ventricular geometry and ventricular function, and the inhibition of ECM
      remodeling has therapeutic benefits that could alleviate the progression of
      ventricular remodeling. Recent studies have indicated that lycopene has
      cardioprotective effects. In this study, a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model
      was established by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. After the
      operation, the rats received lycopene or saline. After 28 days, the rats
      underwent echocardiography detection and were sacrificed. Myocardial fibrosis was
      observed by Masson staining. Type I collagen, MMP-9, and MAPK protein expression
      were detected in the ischemic zone surrounding the MI by western blot. Treatment
      with lycopene increased the EF from 45.2 +/- 3.12 % to 51.1 +/- 4.63, and it
      decreased the LVEDd from 6.52 +/- 0.37 mm to 6.18 +/- 0.41 mm and the LVESd from
      4.29 +/- 0.63 to 3.94 +/- 0.37 at 28 days post-myocardial infarction. Lycopene
      attenuated the MI-induced increase in MMP-9 and type I collagen expression, and
      inhibited p38 activation. Moreover, lycopene decreased the collagen volume
      fraction in the peri-infarcted zone. The data indicated that lycopene improved
      the cardiac function and ventricular remodeling by inhibiting p38 activation and
      MMP-9 expression. 

PMID- 24213879
TI  - Significance of soluble growth factors in the chondrogenic response of human
      umbilical cord matrix stem cells in a porous three dimensional scaffold.
AB  - Stem cell based tissue engineering has emerged as a promising strategy for
      articular cartilage regeneration. Foetal derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
      with their ease of availability, pluripotency and high expansion potential have
      been demonstrated to be an attractive cell source over adult MSCs. However, there
      is a need for optimisation of chondrogenic signals to direct the differentiation
      of these multipotent MSCs to chondrogenic lineage. In this study we have
      demonstrated the in vitro chondrogenesis of human umbilical cord matrix MSCs in
      three dimensional PVA-PCL (polyvinyl alcohol-polycaprolactone) scaffolds in the
      presence of the individual growth factors TGFbeta1, TGFbeta3, IGF, BMP2 and their
      combination with BMP2. Gene expression, histology and immunohistology were
      evaluated after 28 d culture. The induced cells showed the feature of
      chondrocytes in their morphology and expression of typical chondrogenic
      extracellular matrix molecules. Moreover, the real-time PCR assay has shown the
      expression of gene markers of chondrogenesis, SOX9, collagen type II and
      aggrecan. The expression of collagen type I and collagen type X was also
      evaluated. This study has demonstrated the successful chondrogenic induction of
      human umbilical cord MSCs in 3D scaffolds. Interestingly, the growth factor
      combination of TGF-beta3 and BMP-2 was found to be more effective for
      chondrogenesis as shown by the real-time PCR studies. The findings of this study
      suggest the importance of using growth factor combinations for successful
      chondrogenic differentiation of umbilical cord MSCs. 

PMID- 24213880
TI  - Transplantation tolerance.
AB  - Although transplantation has been a standard medical practice for decades, marked
      morbidity from the use of immunosuppressive drugs and poor long-term graft
      survival remain important limitations in the field. Since the first solid organ
      transplant between the Herrick twins in 1954, transplantation immunology has
      sought to move away from harmful, broad-spectrum immunosuppressive regimens that
      carry with them the long-term risk of potentially life-threatening opportunistic
      infections, cardiovascular disease, and malignancy, as well as graft toxicity and
      loss, towards tolerogenic strategies that promote long-term graft survival.
      Reports of "transplant tolerance" in kidney and liver allograft recipients whose
      immunosuppressive drugs were discontinued for medical or non-compliant reasons,
      together with results from experimental models of transplantation, provide the
      proof-of-principle that achieving tolerance in organ transplantation is
      fundamentally possible. However, translating the reconstitution of immune
      tolerance into the clinical setting is a daunting challenge fraught with the
      complexities of multiple interacting mechanisms overlaid on a background of
      variation in disease. In this article, we explore the basic science underlying
      mechanisms of tolerance and review the latest clinical advances in the quest for
      transplantation tolerance.

PMID- 24213881
TI  - Pharmacological characterization of N1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-N4-hexylpiperazine as a
      multi-target antagonist of alpha1A/alpha1D-adrenoceptors and 5-HT1A receptors
      that blocks prostate contraction and cell growth.
AB  - Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive disease related to the
      imbalance of cell growth and apoptosis, and it plays a key role in the
      development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The main pharmacological
      treatment is based on alpha1A-adrenoceptor blockers, but in several cases
      monotherapy has failed. Recent studies of prostate pathophysiology have noted the
      role of alpha1D-adrenoceptors and 5-HT1A receptors in prostate cell proliferation
      in addition to the usual role of alpha1A-adrenoceptors in prostate contraction. N
      phenylpiperazine is a scaffold structure that may confer drug affinity for these
      three receptors. Therefore, the present work aimed to investigate the
      pharmacological characteristics of N1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-N4-hexylpiperazine
      (LDT66). Using isometric contraction assays with rat prostate and aorta, LDT66
      reduced phenylephrine-induced contractions and showed K B values of 3.4 and 2.2
      nM for alpha1A- and alpha1D-adrenoceptors, respectively. According to the
      functional binding assays data, LDT66 showed a high affinity (nanomolar range)
      for the 5-HT1A receptors, behaving as an antagonist. LDT66 also showed a low
      affinity (micromolar range) for receptors unrelated to BPH such as alpha1B
      adrenoceptors, alpha2A-adrenoceptors, muscarinic and 5-HT2A receptors, which is a
      desirable profile in order to prevent putative side effects. Accordingly, LDT66
      (100 MUg/kg) showed a marginal hypotensive effect. Using the DU-145 prostate
      cells, control experiments characterized the alpha1D-adrenoceptor- and 5-HT1A
      receptor-mediated cell growth by phenylephrine and 5-HT, respectively. LDT66 (50
      nM) prevented both effects similarly. In conclusion, LDT66 is a high-affinity
      multi-target antagonist of relevant receptors for BPH, and it may be a new
      starting point for multi-target drug development to treat BPH and LUTS. 

PMID- 24213882
TI  - Do beta-adrenoceptor agonists induce homologous or heterologous desensitization
      in rat urinary bladder?
AB  - beta3-Adrenoceptor agonists have recently been introduced for the symptomatic
      treatment of the overactive bladder syndrome. As such treatment is not curative,
      long-term treatment is anticipated to be required. As the susceptibility of beta3
      adrenoceptors to undergo agonist-induced desensitization is cell type- and tissue
      dependent, we have explored whether pre-treatment with a beta-adrenoceptor
      agonist will attenuate subsequent relaxation responses to freshly added agonist
      using rat urinary bladder as a model. We have used the prototypical beta
      adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline, the beta2-selective fenoterol and the beta3
      selective CL 316,243 and mirabegron as well as the receptor-independent bladder
      relaxant forskolin. We show that a 6-h pre-treatment with agonist can
      significantly reduce subsequent relaxation against KCl-induced smooth muscle
      tone, but agonist-induced desensitization was also observed with longer pre
      treatments or against passive tension. The agonist-induced desensitization was
      prominent for the beta2 component of rat bladder relaxation but much weaker or
      even absent for the beta3 component. Moreover, beta-adrenoceptor agonist pre
      treatment reduced contractile responses to the muscarinic agonist carbachol and
      the receptor-independent stimulus KCl. Taken together these data do not support
      the hypothesis that the long-term clinical efficacy of beta3-adrenoceptor
      agonists in the treatment of the overactive bladder syndrome will be limited by
      receptor desensitization. Rather they raise the possibility that such treatment
      may not only cause smooth muscle relaxation but also may attenuate hyper
      contractility of the bladder. 

PMID- 24213884
TI  - Arterial compliance and stiffness following low-intensity resistance exercise.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although acute high-intensity resistance exercise to exhaustion
      decreases arterial compliance and increases arterial stiffness, the effect of low
      intensity resistance exercise (LRE) to exhaustion on arterial compliance and
      stiffness remains unknown. The present study investigated the acute effects of
      LRE on arterial compliance and stiffness. METHODS: Ten healthy individuals (age
      26 +/- 5 years) performed LRE (40% of 1 repetition maximum) and control (CON:
      seated rest in the exercise room) trials on separate days in a randomized
      controlled crossover fashion. The LRE comprised three sets of bench presses to
      exhaustion with an inter-set rest period of 2 min. In the CON trial, LRE was not
      performed. Carotid arterial compliance, the beta-stiffness index (via
      simultaneous B-mode ultrasound and applanation tonometry), carotid and brachial
      blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and at 30 and 60 min after
      both trials. RESULTS: Carotid arterial compliance and the beta-stiffness index
      significantly increased and decreased, respectively (both P < 0.05), at 30 and 60
      min after the LRE trials, but neither significantly differed after the CON
      trials. Carotid and brachial blood pressure and heart rate did not change at 30
      and 60 min after both trials from baseline. CONCLUSION: These results suggest
      that LRE acutely increases arterial compliance and decreases arterial stiffness.

PMID- 24213883
TI  - Effects of beta-alanine supplementation and interval training on physiological
      determinants of severe exercise performance.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We aimed to manipulate physiological determinants of severe
      exercise performance. We hypothesized that (1) beta-alanine supplementation would
      increase intramuscular carnosine and buffering capacity and dampen acidosis
      during severe cycling, (2) that high-intensity interval training (HIT) would
      enhance aerobic energy contribution during severe cycling, and (3) that HIT
      preceded by beta-alanine supplementation would have greater benefits. METHODS:
      Sixteen active men performed incremental cycling tests and 90-s severe (110 %
      peak power) cycling tests at three time points: before and after oral
      supplementation with either beta-alanine or placebo, and after an 11-days HIT
      block (9 sessions, 4 * 4 min), which followed supplementation. Carnosine was
      assessed via MR spectroscopy. Energy contribution during 90-s severe cycling was
      estimated from the O2 deficit. Biopsies from m. vastus lateralis were taken
      before and after the test. RESULTS: Beta-alanine increased leg muscle carnosine
      (32 +/- 13 %, d = 3.1). Buffering capacity and incremental cycling were
      unaffected, but during 90-s severe cycling, beta-alanine increased aerobic energy
      contribution (1.4 +/- 1.3 %, d = 0.5), concurrent with reduced O2 deficit (-5.0
      +/- 5.0 %, d = 0.6) and muscle lactate accumulation (-23 +/- 30 %, d = 0.9),
      while having no effect on pH. Beta-alanine also enhanced motivation and perceived
      state during the HIT block. There were no between-group differences in
      adaptations to the training block, namely increased buffering capacity (+7.9 +/-
      11.9 %, p = 0.04, d = 0.6, n = 14) and glycogen storage (+30 +/- 47 %, p = 0.04,
      d = 0.5, n = 16). CONCLUSIONS: Beta-alanine did not affect buffering
      considerably, but has beneficial effects on severe exercise metabolism as well as
      psychological parameters during intense training phases.

PMID- 24213886
TI  - Global budgets for non-CO2 greenhouse gases.

PMID- 24213885
TI  - The relationship between body mass index, aerobic performance and asthma in a pre
      pubertal, population-level cohort.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between asthma, body mass index (BMI) and
      aerobic performance, as indicated by a shuttle test. METHODS: 20,577 participants
      (10,413 boys) from the SportsLinx serial cross-sectional study participated.
      Parental reports of asthma status and home postcode data were gathered from
      consent forms. Stature, sitting stature and body mass were measured and BMI,
      somatic maturity and indices of multiple deprivation scores (IMD) were derived.
      Performance on the 20 m multi-stage shuttle runs test (20mSRT) was used to
      estimate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). RESULTS: Asthma [F (1, 17,015) = 82.26,
      P < 0.01] and gender [F (1, 17,015) = 678.491, P < 0.001] significantly
      influenced 20mSRT. The addition of BMI, maturity and IMD to the model did not
      alter these significant effects. There was a significant interaction between
      20mSRT and BMI [F (1, 16,723) = 132.80, P < 0.01], with a significant decrease in
      20mSRT from the 50th BMI percentile upwards [t (16,699) = 36.88, P < 0.01].
      Binary logistic regression revealed gender and 20mSRT to be significant
      predictors of asthma occurrence; BMI SDS just reached significance whilst
      maturity and IMD were not significant contributors to the model. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study demonstrates the negative influences of low CRF and high BMI on the
      risk of asthma occurrence in pre-pubertal children. Furthermore, it highlights
      the significant influence of BMI on CRF, revealing these effects to be manifest
      considerably below those BMI percentiles conventionally associated with being
      overweight or obese.

PMID- 24213887
TI  - Effectiveness of non-CO2 greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies.
AB  - Non-CO2 greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, can make a relevant
      contribution to the enhanced greenhouse effect, and hence emission reduction is
      desirable. In emission reduction inventories, both the magnitude of the emission
      reduction as well as the specific emission reduction costs should be determined.
      The current knowledge of the potential for and costs of reducing these emissions
      is still limited. Taking this into account, the following results can be
      obtained. Methane emissions can be considerably reduced from underground coal
      mining, oil production, natural gas operations, landfilling of waste, and
      wastewater treatment. Also emissions from enteric fermentation and animal manure
      can be reduced substantially. The total technical potential for methane emission
      reduction (given the present activity level) is estimated to be about one third.
      The economic potential, having net negative emission reduction costs, is
      estimated to be about half of this value. These reductions can be attained over a
      period of 10 - 20 years. The technical potential for the reduction of nitrous
      oxide emissions is currently estimated to be less than 10% Apart from the
      possibility of implementing existing techniques, there seems to be considerable
      room for developing techniques for more far-reaching emission reductions both for
      methane and nitrous oxide. 

PMID- 24213888
TI  - National GHG inventories: Recent developments under the IPCC/OECD Joint
      Programme.
AB  - This paper summarises key results of the Joint IPCC/OECD Programme, in particular
      the draft IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Inventories to be released in January
      1994. The focus is on how these results are likely to improve the availability
      and the quality of national inventories of anthropogenic GHG emission sources and
      removals by sinks. The IPCC/OECD has already received nearly 50 inventories from
      35 countries. Most of the data are for 1988, but some reports cover 1989 and
      1990. In addition to CO2, many of these inventories include CH4, N2O, NOx, CO,
      and NMVOC. Detailed analyses of these inventories have provided valuable insights
      about the strengths and weaknesses of the national inventories, differences in
      approach to estimation, reporting, available methods and data. These results in
      turn, have facilitated the development of the draft Guidelines, most notably the
      proposed reporting system, and also on estimation methods for the different
      anthropogenic sources and sinks of GHG. The paper previews key aspects of the
      draft Guidelines for non-CO2 GHG. Experts are urged to actively participate in
      the IPCC/OECD Programme to continue to improve inventory methods and overall the
      Guidelines. 

PMID- 24213889
TI  - The African experience with the IPCC methodology for estimating greenhouse gas
      emissions.
AB  - In order to arrive at transparent and comparable inventories, the IPCC, in
      cooperation with the OECD, is currently developing a common methodology and
      reporting guidelines for the estimation of anthropogenic greenhouse gas
      emissions. To gain experience with the IPCC methodology, inventories are
      currently being carried out in various countries. This paper describes the
      African experience regarding emission inventories and preliminary results of the
      studies. It focuses on several important sources of non-CO2 greenhouse gas
      emissions in Africa: biomass burning; rice cultivation; and animals. 

PMID- 24213890
TI  - Reporting emissions of greenhouse gases in Canada.
AB  - Non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases are considered in "Canada's National Report
      on Climate Change: Actions to Meet Commitments Under the United Nations Framework
      Convention on Climate Change". By including all major greenhouse gases and their
      anthropogenic sources and sinks using best available science, the Report provides
      a practical illustration of the "comprehensive approach" policy to implementing
      the Convention's requirements. In addition to carbon dioxide emissions from
      fossil fuel combustion, the Report includes information on other sources and
      sinks for carbon dioxide, and for methane and nitrous oxide. Other gases
      considered include polyflourocarbons, hydroflourocarbons, and the primary
      tropospheric ozone precursors, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.
      Current Global Warming Potential indices are used to compare and integrate the
      best estimates of climate change impacts of the major greenhouse gases. The
      presentation of emission data is intended to be transparent and comparable. The
      relative quality of the data for various gases and sources is indicated. The
      existence of environmental, economic, and other benefits to limiting emissions of
      all greenhouse gases, in addition to carbon dioxide, should be recognized.
      Continuing assessments and actions on non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas
      emissions, both nationally and internationally, are suggested. 

PMID- 24213891
TI  - Non-CO2 gaseous emissions from upstream oil and gas operations in Nigeria.
AB  - The Nigerian crude oil is formed in association with natural gas. The associated
      gas has mostly been flared in the process of crude oil exploitation. Current
      estimates are that approximately 70% of produced natural gas is flared. Carbon
      monoxide, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides emissions from oil and
      gas exploitation activities are presented for major combustion activities: gas
      flares and power generation at oil fields for oil and gas gathering systems. The
      emissions rates and combustion efficiency for a newly tested modified flaring
      system with enhanced air supply and liquid aspiration system for the atomization
      of the condensate phases of the flared gas was found to be capable of improving
      combustion efficiency by 20% or more in comparison with the conventional flare
      type currently in vogue. Flare emissions for CO and NOx are an order of magnitude
      higher than other sources in the oil and gas sector. 

PMID- 24213892
TI  - Global methane emissions from the world coal industry.
AB  - The Coal Industry Advisory Board (CIAB) of the International Energy Agency (IEA)
      estimated the total methane emissions from worldwide mining, treatment and
      storage of coal to be approximately 25 million tonnes/year for 1990. Slightly
      more than one million tonnes of methane are utilized by the industry. Thus, the
      net annual discharge to the atmosphere is 24 million tonnes. Methane emissions
      data were available for the U.S., the U.K., former U.S.S.R., Australia, China,
      Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia. Methane emissions for India and S. Africa
      were estimated from a linear correlation between the average depth of mining and
      specific methane emissions derived from the available data for the eight
      countries. These ten largest coal producing countries represented nearly 90% of
      world coal production in 1990. Total methane emissions for the world coal
      industry were calculated by prorating the methane emissions from these ten
      countries in proportion to coal production.The reported values represent the best
      international data available at present. The net total emissions of 24 million
      tonnes/year are substantially less than some previously reported indirect
      estimations and constitute only 4 to 6% of the global methane emissions. 

PMID- 24213893
TI  - Emission database for global atmospheric research (Edgar).
AB  - Atmospheric chemistry and climate modellers require gridded global emissions data
      as input into their models. To meet this urgent need a global emissions source
      database called EDGAR is being developed by TNO and RIVM to estimate for 1990, on
      a regional and on a grid basis, annual emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4,
      N2O, CO, NOx, non-methane VOC, SOx), of NH3, and of ozone depleting compounds
      (halocarbons) from all known sources. The aim is to establish at due levels of
      spatial, temporal and source aggregation the emissions from both anthropogenic
      and biogenic sources: a complete set of data required to estimate the total
      source strength of the various gases with a 1*1  degrees  resolution (altitude
      resolution of 1 km) and a temporal resolution of a month, supplemented by diurnal
      variation, as agreed upon in the Global Emissions Inventory Activity (GEIA) of
      the International Atmospheric Chemistry Programme (IGAC). In this way EDGAR will
      meet the requirements of present and future developments in the field of
      atmospheric modelling. The data comprise demographic data, social and economic
      factors, land use distributions and emission factors (with due emphasis on the
      uncertainty). As understanding in this field is still changing, due attention is
      paid to flexibility regarding the disaggregation of sources, spatial and temporal
      resolution and species. The objective and methodology chosen for the construction
      of the database and the structural design of the database system are presented,
      as well as the type and sources of data and the approach used for data
      collection. As an example, the construction of the N2O inventory is discussed. 

PMID- 24213894
TI  - Anthropogenic emissions of methane and nitrous oxide in the Federal Republic of
      Germany.
AB  - The anthropogenic emission sources of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in
      the Federal Republic of Germany were investigated. The object of the recently
      completed first phase of this research project was to summarize the present
      knowledge about the emission sources, make a first rough estimate of the
      emissions, identify the need for further research in the field, and - as far as
      possible - discuss the existing possibilities to reduce emissions. The main CH4
      emission sources identified are the landfills, stock farming and pit mining, the
      main N2O sources are agriculture (including a minor contribution from animal
      wastes) and the production of adipic acid, the latter possibly being reducible by
      means of a new catalytic process. The total anthropogenic emissions of CH4 from
      Germany are estimated at 5.4 - 7.7 million tonnes per year, contributing a share
      of roughly 2 % to the world-wide anthropogenic emissions (350 million t/a). Those
      of N2O are estimated at 200 000 - 280 000 tonnes per year (world-wide 1.4 - 6.5
      million t/a). 

PMID- 24213895
TI  - Emission inventory for Nigeria with CAREAIR.
AB  - CAREAIR is the abbreviation for "Computer aided Analysis of Reduction strategies
      for Emissions and ambient AIR pollution". It is a modelling-system for air
      pollution analyses including a flexible emission model developed at the IER. The
      PC-based version of the system is especially designed for applications in so
      called 3rd-world countries, but in fact it can be used for any country. A
      modeling database for many emission relevant processes and related emission
      factors is part of it. This paper first gives a short overview on the
      capabilities of CAREAIR and secondly presents part of the emission inventory for
      Nigeria, which has been elaborated using CAREAIR during a cooperation between the
      University of Stuttgart (FRG) and the Obafemi Awolowo University of Ile-Ife
      (Nigeria). In particular estimates of the yearly emissions of total Hydrocarbons
      (VOC = Volatile Organic Compounds), divided into CH4 (Methane) and NMVOC (Non
      Methane-VOC), NOx (Nitrogen Oxides), N2O (Nitrous Oxide), CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
      and CO (Carbon Monoxide) emissions in Nigeria 1989 are given. 

PMID- 24213896
TI  - Consumption of methane by soils.
AB  - Measurements of the methane flux and methane concentration profiles in soil air
      are presented. The flux of methane from the soil is calculated by two methods: a)
      Direct by placing a static open chamber at the soil surface. b) Indirect, using
      the (222)Rn concentrations profile and the (222)Rn flux in the soil surface in
      parallel with the methane concentration ((222)Rn calibrated fluxes). The methane
      flux has been determined in two kinds of soils (sandy and loamy) in the
      surroundings of Malaga (SPAIN). The directly measured methane fluxes at all
      investigated sites is higher than methane fluxes derived from "Rn calibrated
      fluxes". Atmospheric methane is consumed by soils, mean direct flux to the
      atmosphere were - 0.33 g m(-2)yr-1. The direct methane flux is the same within
      the measuring error in sandy and loamy soils. The influence of the soil
      parameters on the methane flux indicates that microbial decomposition of methane
      is primarily controlled by the transport of methane. 

PMID- 24213897
TI  - CH4 and CO emissions from rice straw burning in South East Asia.
AB  - Atmospheric samples collected during rice straw burning at four different
      locations in Viet-Nam during the dry (March 1992, February 1993) and wet season
      (August 1992) were analysed for CO2, CO, and CH4. The emission ratios relative to
      CO2 for CO and CH4 for rice straw burning during the dry season were comparable
      to those observed on samples collected during burning of savanna in Africa or
      forest in the USA. During the wet season, however the emission ratios for CO and
      CH4 relative to CO2 were 3 to 10 times higher. With these emission ratios and
      estimates of rice production from Southeastern Asia, we estimated that burning of
      rice straw emits annually about 2.2 Tmol of CO (26 TgC) and 0.2 Tmol of CH4 (2.4
      TgC) to the atmosphere. Taking into account these new results, CO and CH4 fluxes
      from biomass burning could be reevaluated by 5-21% and 5-24%, respectively, in
      respect with previous estimates of these gas emissions from all biomass burning
      activities. 

PMID- 24213898
TI  - Methane in ocean waters: Concentration and carbon isotope variability at East
      Pacific Rise and in the Arabian Sea.
AB  - Methane concentrations and stable carbon isotope ratios of water samples from the
      East Pacific Rise (EPR) at 21 degrees S and the Arabian Sea (24 degrees N, 65
      degrees E) have been determined. EPR surface water is in equilibrium (ca. 50 nl/L
      and -500/00<delta(13)CH4<-460/00) with atmospheric methane. Deep "background"
      water has the signature of the remaining fraction of atmospheric methane
      partially oxidized in the water column by bacteria. Bottom near, hydrothermally
      influenced vent methane (>100nl/L and -300/00<delta(13)CH4<-220/00) is detectable
      only close to the seep site. There is no input of hydrothermal methane into the
      atmosphere. EPR water is considered to be rather a sink than a source of
      atmospheric methane. Surface waters of the Arabian Sea are enriched in methane
      relative to the atmosphere (source for atmospheric methane). Carbon isotope
      ratios point to a bacterial origin of methane (delta(13)CH4<-550/00) that is
      generated in the surface waters. Concentration changes and variations of carbon
      isotope ratios also suggest that methane seeping from the sea floor sediments of
      the Arabian Sea is oxidized by bacterial activity and does not reach the
      atmosphere. 

PMID- 24213899
TI  - Nitrous oxide emission out of grassland.
AB  - Grazed grassland which received 295 kg ha(-1) N-fertilizer (NH4NO3), split
      applied, was used to measure nitrous oxide emission. The closed box method was
      used. At the same time, also soil cores were taken for incubation in the presence
      of acetylene. During 280 days in 1992, a total emission of 8.4 kg N2O-N ha(-1)
      was found. This was close to 50 % of the total denitrification, which was 18.7 kg
      (N2O+N2)-N ha(-1) over 280 days. A variability study on N2O emission was carried
      out on a surface of 1, 100 and 10,000 m(2), respectively. This study confirmed
      the lognormal distribution of data with variation coefficients of 20 to 25%. It
      was also found that the effect of application of 200 kg KNO3-N on N2O emission
      was limited to 2 weeks upon fertilization. It more than doubled the emission rate
      during this period. 

PMID- 24213900
TI  - Emissions of NO and N2O from soils.
AB  - Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes were measured from agricultural,
      forest and moorland environments, using chamber techniques. Maximum emissions of
      NO and N2O were measured from the agricultural soils shortly after fertiliser
      application (7 ng NO-N m(-2) s(-1) and 91 ng N2O-N m(-2) s(-1)). For the non
      agricultural soils the NO flux ranged from -0.3 to 0.5 ng NO-N m(-2) s(-1) and
      the N2O flux ranged from 1 to 2.7 ng N2O-N m(-2) s(-1). Emissions, however, were
      increased 2 to 7 fold when N deposition (uplands) and N fixation (alder
      plantations) contributed to the pool of soil available N. The best predictors of
      the NO emission were soil NO 3 (-) and soil temperature, accounting for 60% of
      the variability observed. The prediction of N2O was less successful. Only 30% of
      the variability could be explained by the soil NO 3 (-) and the soil moisture
      content, soil temperature did not have a significant effect on the N2O emission. 

PMID- 24213901
TI  - Nitrous oxide emissions from waste water.
AB  - The estimation of nitrous oxide emissions is complicated by the high degree of
      uncertainty on the emission factors involved and by the limited acquaintance with
      all significant nitrous oxide sources. A potentially important source for which
      emission data are lacking is the sewage system transporting waste water from
      human activities. For this study an experimental measurement campaign has been
      carried out on waste water sampled at different sewage treatment plants. The
      nitrous oxide developing from the water samples was monitored by means of gas
      chromatography. The methodological analysis was based on the concentration/time
      curves obtained. Our results indicate that the formation of nitrous oxide from
      the waste water matrices results from microbiological denitrification. We deduced
      tentative emission factors for the waste water types studied. 

PMID- 24213902
TI  - Sources of hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and fluorocarbons and
      their potential emissions during the next twenty five years.
AB  - In common with CFCs, the classes of compounds in the title have wholly
      anthropogenic sources. CFCs are used for refrigeration, air-conditioning, foam
      blowing, solvent cleaning and propelling aerosols and, in each case, equipment
      has been designed to make the most efficient use of the properties of individual
      compounds. There is little scope for substitution, even between CFCs. The
      potential for replacement of these historic uses by substitute technologies -
      ammonia, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and HCFCs, HFCs and FCs -is examined. It is
      shown that the quantities required are influenced as much by improvements to
      containment as they are by the primary demands from society.Based on analysis of
      the historic data; the declared manufacturing capacities, and the anticipated
      effects of international controls, the potential production and emissions of the
      principal HCFCs and HFCs are calculated for the next twenty five years. While
      consumption of HCFCs will fall nearly to zero, it would appear that demand for
      HFC-134a could double, from approximately 150,000 to 300,000 tonnes/year between
      1995 and 2020. Over the same timescale demand for HFC-32 could rise to 90,000
      tonnes/year. The potential future emissions of other HCFCs, HFCs and FCs which
      are expected to be used less widely, or for which there is no current consumption
      base from which to make meaningful extrapolations, are also discussed. 

PMID- 24213903
TI  - Biosphere atmosphere exchanges: Ozone and aerosol dry deposition velocities over
      a pine forest.
AB  - Measurements of dry deposition velocities for ozone and aerosol particles has
      been measured over a pine forest in the south-west of France by the eddy
      correlation method. Low frequency fluctuations in the variations of scalars can
      introduce erroneous values of vertical fluxes for ozone and aerosol particles but
      also, in some cases of low wind, for momentum and heat. The dry deposition
      velocity variations are similar for ozone and aerosol, although the mechanism of
      deposition are different. In the case of aerosol particles a parametrization, not
      far from that of Wesely et al. (1985) can be given. 

PMID- 24213904
TI  - Laboratory study of the emission of NO and N2O from some Belgian soils.
AB  - The NO, NO2 and N2O emission was measured, upon application of nitrate, ammonium
      and both, to four Belgian soils with different characteristics. The addition of
      NH 4 (+) caused higher NO and N2O emissions than the addition of no nitrogen, or
      the addition of NO 3 (-) . In contrast to the two soils with a pH of
      approximately 8 the two soils with a pH around 6 showed a considerable delay in
      production of both NO and N2O upon the application of the ammonium, probably due
      to the lag-period of nitrification. The soils with a pH of 8 gave higher
      emissions on the application of NH 4 (+) than the soils with a pH of 6. The
      emission of NO2 was found to be considerably lower than the NO emission from the
      soils. The NO/NO2 ratio varied between 5-25 at considerable NO emissions (>50
      nmol kg(-1)). In the controls of soil 1 and soil 2, which showed very low NO
      emissions ratios of <1 were observed. The N2O/NO ratios varied between 5-20 when
      NO emissions were considerable (>50 nmol kg(-1)). Soil 3 and 4 gave lower N2O/NO
      ratios than soil 1 and 2. In the controls of soil 1 and soil 2, at low NO
      emissions, N2O/NO ratios of >300 were observed. Soil 3 and 4 gave higher NO/NO2
      and lower N2O/NO ratios than soil 1 and 2. 

PMID- 24213905
TI  - Inspection of non-CO2 greenhouse gases from emission sources and in ambient air
      by Fourier-transform-infrared-spectrometry: Measurements with FTIS-MAPS.
AB  - Infrared spectrometry is a versatile basis to analyse greenhouse gases in the
      atmosphere. A multicomponent air pollution software (MAPS) was developed for
      retrieval of gas concentrations from radiation emission as well as absorption
      measurements. Concentrations of CO, CH4, N2O, and H2O as well as CO2, NO, NO2,
      NH3, SO2, HCl, HCHO, and the temperature of warm gases are determined on-line.
      The analyses of greenhouse gases in gaseous emission sources and in ambient air
      are performed by a mobile remote sensing system using the double-pendulum
      interferometer K300 of the Munich company Kayser-Threde. Passive radiation
      measurements are performed to retrieve CO, N2O, and H2O as well as CO2, NO, SO2,
      and HCl concentrations in smoke stack effluents of thermal power plants and
      municipal incinerators and CO and H2O as well as CO2 and NO in exhausts of
      aircraft engines. Open-path radiation measurements are used to determine
      greenhouse gas concentrations at different ambient air conditions and greenhouse
      gas emission rates of diffusive sources as garbage deposits, open coal mining,
      stock farming together with additional compounds (e.g. NH3), and from road
      traffic together with HCHO. Some results of measurements are shown. A future task
      is the verification of emission cadastres by these inspection measurements. 

PMID- 24213906
TI  - Determination of European methane emissions, using concentration and isotope
      measurements.
AB  - The determination of methane emissions on a regional scale is needed in order to
      reduce some of the uncertainties in the global methane budget. Our measurements
      of the concentration and the Carbon-13 isotope composition (delta(13)C) of
      atmospheric methane are, combined with trajectories, used to get insight in the
      type and size of the methane emissions of a large area. 

PMID- 24213907
TI  - Monitoring of the atmospheric burdens of CH4, N 2O, CO, CHCIF 2 and CF 2Cl 2
      above Central Europe during the last decade.
AB  - Based on high spectral resolution infrared solar observations made at the
      International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, total vertical
      column abundances of 18 atmospheric gases have been monitored routinely since
      1984. The observed temporal evolutions in the columns of CH4, N2O, CO, CHClF2
      (HCFC-22) and CF2Cl2 (CFC-12) are reported here as typical examples of this
      monitoring effort which is conducted within the frame of "Global Change" and
      "Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change" programs. 

PMID- 24213908
TI  - Polar volatile organic compounds (VOC) of natural origin as precursors of ozone.
AB  - HRGC-MS determinations carried out on samples collected in urban, suburban,
      rural, forest and remote areas suggest that several other classes of non-methane
      VOC than isoprene and monoterpene hydrocarbons can be emitted by plants. Because
      of their high photochemical reactivity, they can contribute to tropospheric ozone
      production which, in turn, can cause climate changes through radiative forcing. 

PMID- 24213909
TI  - Measurements of CFCs in Antarctica.

PMID- 24213911
TI  - Conference statement.

PMID- 24213910
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 24213912
TI  - A model design for the labyrinthine membranes in mammals.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: A model of the labyrinthine membranes in mammals may be
      useful in the study of conditions that involve membrane stress and deformation
      such as Meniere's disease and diving injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Conceptual design of
      a model of the labyrinthine membranes in mammals. METHODS: The model is
      constructed by emulating each of the several chambers of the membranous labyrinth
      and their connections with mathematically defined geometric shapes. RESULTS: The
      model design uses a torus to emulate each semicircular canal, prolate spheroids
      for each ampulla, cylinders for the crus commune and utricle, an oblate spheroid
      for the saccule, hyperboloids of revolution for junctional zones, and a spiral
      torus for the cochlea membranes. CONCLUSIONS: A complete model of the
      labyrinthine membranes has been designed that can serve as a platform for stress
      analysis when numerical dimensions are available for any particular species
      including man. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

PMID- 24213913
TI  - Adequacy of an evidence-based treatment guideline for complicated urinary tract
      infections in the Netherlands and the effectiveness of guideline adherence.
AB  - Guideline recommendations on empirical antibiotic treatment are based on the
      literature, expert opinion, expected pathogens and resistance data, but their
      adequacy in the real-life setting is often unknown. We investigated the adequacy
      of the Dutch evidence-based guideline-recommended treatment options for patients
      with complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) 2 years after guideline
      publication and, additionally, the adequacy of actually prescribed empirical
      therapy for patients treated with guideline-adherent versus non-guideline
      adherent therapy. A retrospective, observational multicentre study in the
      Netherlands included 810 patients with a complicated UTI without special
      conditions and 174 with a urinary catheter. The susceptibility patterns of
      cultured uropathogens were compared with guideline-recommended treatment options,
      which included specific recommendations for patients with a catheter, and with
      actually prescribed empirical therapy. We considered inadequate coverage rates
      below 10% as acceptable. Of the recommended regimens for patients with a UTI
      without other conditions, only the guideline-recommended combination of
      amoxicillin-gentamicin was acceptable (inadequate coverage rate 6%). For patients
      with a catheter, inadequate coverage rates of recommended regimens ranged from 3
      to 24%. In patients with a UTI without other conditions, actually prescribed
      guideline-adherent therapy resulted in less broad-spectrum but not in less
      adequate therapy; in patients with a catheter, actually prescribed guideline
      adherent therapy resulted in a higher coverage rate than those prescribed non
      guideline-adherent therapy. Due to the continuously changing resistance rates and
      differences between the epidemiologies of uropathogens assumed in the guideline
      and those in real life, regular real-life assessments of recommended treatment
      options are necessary. Guideline adherence seems to be effective for increasing
      coverage rates without prescribing unnecessarily broad regimens.

PMID- 24213914
TI  - HIV-1 coreceptor switch during 2 years of structured treatment interruptions.
AB  - The purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact on human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tropism of uncontrolled virus exposure during 2
      years of intermittent highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The Istituto
      Superiore di Sanita-Pulsed Antiretroviral Therapy (ISS-PART) randomized study
      compared the outcome of 2 years of structured treatment interruptions (STIs)
      versus standard continuous treatment in first-line HAART responder subjects. The
      STI schedule consisted of five STIs of 1, 1, 2, 2, and 3 months, respectively,
      separated by four periods of 3-month therapy. In the present study, coreceptor
      tropism was assessed in 12 patients of the STI arm at different time points over
      a period of 2 years. Tropism was determined on DNA and RNA by V3 loop region
      sequencing. The Geno2pheno algorithm (false-positive rate, FPR: 20%) was used for
      data interpretation. At baseline, 9/12 subjects (75.0%) had CCR5-tropic viruses
      in their HIV. Three had a CXCR4-tropic virus. Ten patients maintained the same
      coreceptor in DNA after 2 years, whereas in two patients, a shift occurred (one
      R5-X4, one X4-R5). In a patient with an R5 virus at baseline, a transient change
      to X4 tropism was seen in the rebounding virus during STI. Changes in tropism
      were not associated with the amplitude and duration of virus exposure during
      STIs, residual viremia at baseline, or the development of resistance mutations in
      the RT region. Our preliminary results suggest that viral replication, observed
      after short periods of treatment interruption, is not enough to drive the
      evolution of HIV tropism.

PMID- 24213915
TI  - Deletion of airway cilia results in noninflammatory bronchiectasis and
      hyperreactive airways.
AB  - The mechanisms for the development of bronchiectasis and airway hyperreactivity
      have not been fully elucidated. Although genetic, acquired diseases and
      environmental influences may play a role, it is also possible that motile cilia
      can influence this disease process. We hypothesized that deletion of a key
      intraflagellar transport molecule, IFT88, in mature mice causes loss of cilia,
      resulting in airway remodeling. Airway cilia were deleted by knockout of IFT88,
      and airway remodeling and pulmonary function were evaluated. In IFT88(-) mice
      there was a substantial loss of airway cilia on respiratory epithelium. Three
      months after the deletion of cilia, there was clear evidence for bronchial
      remodeling that was not associated with inflammation or apparent defects in mucus
      clearance. There was evidence for airway epithelial cell hypertrophy and
      hyperplasia. IFT88(-) mice exhibited increased airway reactivity to a
      methacholine challenge and decreased ciliary beat frequency in the few remaining
      cells that possessed cilia. With deletion of respiratory cilia there was a marked
      increase in the number of club cells as seen by scanning electron microscopy. We
      suggest that airway remodeling may be exacerbated by the presence of club cells,
      since these cells are involved in airway repair. Club cells may be prevented from
      differentiating into respiratory epithelial cells because of a lack of IFT88
      protein that is necessary to form a single nonmotile cilium. This monocilium is a
      prerequisite for these progenitor cells to transition into respiratory epithelial
      cells. In conclusion, motile cilia may play an important role in controlling
      airway structure and function. 

PMID- 24213916
TI  - F-actin scaffold stabilizes lamellar bodies during surfactant secretion.
AB  - Alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells secrete surfactant that forms a protective layer on
      the lung's alveolar epithelium. Vesicles called lamellar bodies (LBs) store
      surfactant. Failure of surfactant secretion, which causes severe lung disease,
      relates to the manner in which LBs undergo exocytosis during the secretion.
      However, the dynamics of LBs during the secretion process are not known in intact
      alveoli. Here, we addressed this question through real-time confocal microscopy
      of single AT2 cells in live alveoli of mouse lungs. Using a combination of
      phospholipid and aqueous fluorophores that localize to LBs, we induced surfactant
      secretion by transiently hyperinflating the lung, and we quantified the secretion
      in terms of loss of bulk LB fluorescence. In addition, we quantified inter-LB
      phospholipid flow through determinations of fluorescence recovery after
      photobleaching. Furthermore, we determined the role of F-actin in surfactant
      secretion through expression of the fluorescent F-actin probe Lifeact. Our
      findings indicate that, in AT2 cells in situ, LBs are held in an F-actin
      scaffold. Although F-actin transiently decreases during surfactant secretion, the
      LBs remain stationary, forming a chain of vesicles connected by intervesicular
      channels that convey surfactant to the secretion site on the plasma membrane.
      This is the first instance of a secretory process in which the secretory vesicles
      are immobile, but form a conduit for the secretory material. 

PMID- 24213917
TI  - Recent advances in late lung development and the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary
      dysplasia.
AB  - In contrast to early lung development, a process exemplified by the branching of
      the developing airways, the later development of the immature lung remains very
      poorly understood. A key event in late lung development is secondary septation,
      in which secondary septa arise from primary septa, creating a greater number of
      alveoli of a smaller size, which dramatically expands the surface area over which
      gas exchange can take place. Secondary septation, together with architectural
      changes to the vascular structure of the lung that minimize the distance between
      the inspired air and the blood, are the objectives of late lung development. The
      process of late lung development is disturbed in bronchopulmonary dysplasia
      (BPD), a disease of prematurely born infants in which the structural development
      of the alveoli is blunted as a consequence of inflammation, volutrauma, and
      oxygen toxicity. This review aims to highlight notable recent developments in our
      understanding of late lung development and the pathogenesis of BPD. 

PMID- 24213918
TI  - Angiostatin inhibits acute lung injury in a mouse model.
AB  - Acute lung injury is marked by profound influx of activated neutrophils, which
      have delayed apoptosis, along with fluid accumulation that impairs lung function
      and causes high mortality. Inflammatory and antimicrobial molecules, such as
      reactive oxygen species from activated neutrophils with prolonged lifespan, cause
      tissue damage and contribute to lung dysfunction. Angiostatin, an endogenous
      antiangiogenic molecule, is expressed in the lavage fluid of patients with acute
      respiratory distress syndrome and modifies neutrophil infiltration in a mouse
      model of peritonitis. Our aim was to investigate the therapeutic role of
      angiostatin in acute lung injury. We analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage and lung
      tissues from C57BL/6 mouse model of Escherichia coli LPS-induced acute lung
      injury to assess the effects of angiostatin treatment. Subcutaneous angiostatin
      administered at 5 h after LPS treatment reduces histological signs of
      inflammation, protein accumulation, lung Gr1+ neutrophils, myeloperoxidase
      activity, and expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK in lung tissues and
      peripheral blood neutrophils, while increasing the number of apoptotic cells in
      the lungs without affecting the levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1
      alpha, IL-1beta, keratinocyte chemoattractant, and monocyte chemoattractant
      protein-1 in lavage and lung homogenates at 9 and 24 h after LPS treatment. In
      contrast, angiostatin administered intravenously 5 h after LPS treatment did not
      reduce histological sign of inflammation, BAL cell recruitment, and protein
      concentration at 9 h of LPS treatment. We conclude that angiostatin administered
      subcutaneously after LPS challenge inhibits acute lung inflammation up to 24 h
      after LPS treatment. 

PMID- 24213919
TI  - Preclinical evaluation of human secretoglobin 3A2 in mouse models of lung
      development and fibrosis.
AB  - Secretoglobin (SCGB) 3A2 is a member of the SCGB gene superfamily of small
      secreted proteins, predominantly expressed in lung airways. We hypothesize that
      human SCGB3A2 may exhibit anti-inflammatory, growth factor, and antifibrotic
      activities and be of clinical utility. Recombinant human SCGB3A2 was expressed,
      purified, and biochemically characterized as a first step to its development as a
      therapeutic agent in clinical settings. Human SCGB3A2, as well as mouse SCGB3A2,
      readily formed a dimer in solution and exhibited novel phospholipase A2
      inhibitory activity. This is the first demonstration of any quantitative
      biochemical measurement for the evaluation of SCGB3A2 protein. In the mouse as an
      experimental animal, human SCGB3A2 exhibited growth factor activity by promoting
      embryonic lung development in both ex vivo and in vivo systems and antifibrotic
      activity in the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model. The results suggested that
      human SCGB3A2 can function as a growth factor and an antifibrotic agent in
      humans. When SCGB3A2 was administered to pregnant female mice through the tail
      vein, the protein was detected in the dam's serum and lung, as well as the
      placenta, amniotic fluids, and embryonic lungs at 10 min postadministration,
      suggesting that SCGB3A2 readily crosses the placenta. The results warrant further
      development of recombinant SCGB3A2 as a therapeutic agent in treating patients
      suffering from lung diseases or preterm infants with respiratory distress. 

PMID- 24213920
TI  - Proteomic landscape of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in human immunodeficiency
      virus infection.
AB  - The lung is an important reservoir of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
      Individuals infected with HIV are more prone to pulmonary infections and chronic
      lung disorders. We hypothesized that comprehensively profiling the proteomic
      landscape of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in patients with HIV would
      provide insights into how this virus alters the lung milieu and contributes to
      pathogenesis of HIV-related lung diseases. BALF was obtained from five HIV
      negative (HIV(-)) and six asymptomatic HIV-positive (HIV(+)) subjects not on
      antiretroviral therapy. Each sample underwent shotgun proteomic analysis based on
      HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Differentially expressed proteins between the
      groups were identified using statistical methods based on spectral counting.
      Mechanisms of disease were explored using functional annotation to identify
      overlapping and distinct pathways enriched between the BALF proteome of HIV(+)
      and HIV(-) subjects. We identified a total of 318 unique proteins in BALF of HIV(
      ) and HIV(+) subjects. Of these, 87 were differentially up- or downregulated
      between the two groups. Many of these differentially expressed proteins are known
      to interact with key HIV proteins. Functional analysis of differentially
      regulated proteins implicated downregulation of immune responses in lungs of
      HIV(+) patients. Combining shotgun proteomic analysis with computational methods
      demonstrated that the BALF proteome is significantly altered during HIV
      infection. We found that immunity-related pathways are underrepresented in HIV(+)
      patients. These findings implicate mechanisms whereby HIV invokes local
      immunosuppression in the lung and increases the susceptibility of HIV(+) patients
      to develop a wide range of infectious and noninfectious pulmonary diseases. 

PMID- 24213922
TI  - Impact of concomitant carcinoma in situ on upstaging and outcome following
      radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS) on
      upstaging and outcome of patients treated with radical cystectomy with pelvic
      lymph node dissection. METHODS: We collected and pooled a database of 1,968
      patients who have undergone radical cystectomy between 1998 and 2008 in eight
      academic centers across Canada. Collected variables included patient's age,
      gender, tumor grade, histology and the presence of concomitant CIS with either
      cTa-1 or cT2 disease, dates of recurrence and death. RESULTS: In the presence of
      concomitant CIS, upstaging following radical cystectomy occurred in 48 and 55 %
      of patients with cTa-1 and cT2 disease, respectively. On univariate analysis, the
      presence of concomitant CIS with cT2 disease was associated with upstaging (p <
      0.0001), and the presence of concomitant CIS with cTa-1 disease was also
      associated with upstaging but did not reach statistical significance (p =
      0.0526). On multivariate analyses, the presence of concomitant CIS with either
      cTa-1 or cT2 tumors was independently prognostic of disease upstaging (p = 0.0001
      and 0.0186, respectively). However, on multivariate analysis that incorporates
      pathologic stage, concomitant CIS was not significantly associated with worse
      overall, recurrence-free or disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION: These results
      demonstrate that while the presence of concomitant CIS on cystectomy specimens
      does not independently affect outcomes, its presence is significantly predictive
      of a higher rate of upstaging at radical cystectomy.

PMID- 24213921
TI  - Long-term effects of carbon containing engineered nanomaterials and asbestos in
      the lung: one year postexposure comparisons.
AB  - The hallmark geometric feature of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and
      carbon nanofibers (CNF), high length to width ratio, makes them similar to a
      hazardous agent, asbestos. Very limited data are available concerning long-term
      effects of pulmonary exposure to SWCNT or CNF. Here, we compared inflammatory,
      fibrogenic, and genotoxic effects of CNF, SWCNT, or asbestos in mice 1 yr after
      pharyngeal aspiration. In addition, we compared pulmonary responses to SWCNT by
      bolus dosing through pharyngeal aspiration and inhalation 5 h/day for 4 days, to
      evaluate the effect of dose rate. The aspiration studies showed that these
      particles can be visualized in the lung at 1 yr postexposure, whereas some
      translocate to lymphatics. All these particles induced chronic bronchopneumonia
      and lymphadenitis, accompanied by pulmonary fibrosis. CNF and asbestos were found
      to promote the greatest degree of inflammation, followed by SWCNT, whereas SWCNT
      were the most fibrogenic of these three particles. Furthermore, SWCNT induced
      cytogenetic alterations seen as micronuclei formation and nuclear protrusions in
      vivo. Importantly, inhalation exposure to SWCNT showed significantly greater
      inflammatory, fibrotic, and genotoxic effects than bolus pharyngeal aspiration.
      Finally, SWCNT and CNF, but not asbestos exposures, increased the incidence of K
      ras oncogene mutations in the lung. No increased lung tumor incidence occurred
      after 1 yr postexposure to SWCNT, CNF, and asbestos. Overall, our data suggest
      that long-term pulmonary toxicity of SWCNT, CNF, and asbestos is defined, not
      only by their chemical composition, but also by the specific surface area and
      type of exposure. 

PMID- 24213923
TI  - Effects of incapacitant spray deployed in the restraint and arrest of detainees
      in the Metropolitan Police Service area, London, UK: a prospective study.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the United Kingdom (UK) police restraint and control of detainees is
      undertaken by assorted means. Two types of incapacitant spray (IS) are approved
      by the UK Home Office for use: CS (o-chlorobenzylidine malononitrile, dissolved
      in an organic solvent--methyl iso-butyl ketone and pelargonic acid vanillyamide
      (PAVA). The aim of this study was to document the effects of incapacitant sprays,
      by symptom assessment and medical examination, within a few hours of deployment.
      METHODS: A detailed proforma was produced to explore the nature of the arrest,
      the nature of exposure to the incapacitant spray, the type of incapacitant spray,
      the symptoms experienced and the medical findings. RESULTS: 99 proformas were
      completed. 74 % were completed by detainees and 26 % were completed by police
      officers. 88 % were exposed to CS spray, the remainder to PAVA spray. The mean
      time of assessment after exposure was 2.8 +/- 2.33 h (mean +/- SD). The most
      frequent sites of IS contact were the face and scalp (n = 78), and exposure to
      the left and right eyes (n = 32). The most common symptoms were: painful eyes (n
      = 68); red eyes (n = 58); runny nose (n = 59); lacrimation (n = 55); nasal
      discomfort (n = 52); skin irritation (n = 49); and skin burning (n = 45). The
      most common medical findings were: conjunctival erythema (n = 34); skin erythema
      (n = 21); and rhinorrhea (n = 20). CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms and signs of exposure to
      IS lasted longer than was expected (a mean of 2.8 h). Approximately 30 % of those
      exposed had ocular effects and 20 % had skin effects. The findings of this study
      will enable the guidelines on the expected effects and duration of symptoms
      resulting from exposure to incapacitant sprays to be reviewed and suggestions for
      their management to be refined.

PMID- 24213924
TI  - Physical activity and risk of endometrial adenocarcinoma in the Nurses' Health
      Study.
AB  - Studies suggest that greater physical activity may reduce endometrial cancer
      risk. However, the role of the timing, duration and intensity of activity is
      unclear. We therefore examined recent and past recreational activities in
      relation to incident endometrial adenocarcinoma, and compared the importance of
      total and moderate- or vigorous-intensity activities as well as walking. We
      analyzed data from 71,570 women in the Nurses' Health Study, a prospective cohort
      that assessed activity in 1986, with updates every 2-4 years. Cox proportional
      hazards models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs). During follow-up from 1986 to 2008 (1.2 million person-years),
      777 invasive endometrial adenocarcinoma cases were documented. In multivariable
      models, compared with <3 MET-hr/week (<1 hr/week walking), women engaged in
      moderate (9 to <18 MET-hr/week: RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48-0.78) or high (>=27 MET
      hr/week: RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58-0.92) amounts of recent total recreational
      activity were at reduced risk (p-trend = 0.001). Past total activity was not
      associated with risk. Greater recent moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity was
      associated with reduced risk (>=4 vs. 0 hr/week: RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47-0.88, p
      trend = 0.002). Among women who did not perform any vigorous activity, recent
      walking was associated with reduced risk (>=3 vs. <0.5 hr/week: RR = 0.65, 95%
      CI: 0.45-0.93, p-trend = 0.01), and faster walking pace was independently
      associated with risk reduction. After additional adjustment for body mass index,
      all associations were statistically non-significant. Greater recent physical
      activity, including activity of moderate duration and intensity such as walking,
      may reduce endometrial adenocarcinoma risk. This relation is largely mediated or
      confounded by body mass index.

PMID- 24213925
TI  - Molecular cloning and expression of a C-type lectin gene from Venerupis
      philippinarum.
AB  - C-type lectins have been demonstrated to play important roles in invertebrate
      innate immunity by mediating the recognition of pathogens and clearing the micro
      invaders. In the present study, a C-type lectin gene (denoted as VpCTL) was
      identified from Venerupis philippinarum by expressed sequence tag and rapid
      amplification of cDNA ends approaches. The full-length cDNA of VpCTL consists of
      904 nucleotides with an open-reading frame of 456 bp encoding a peptide of 151
      amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of VpCTL shared high similarity with
      C-type lectins from other species. The C-type lectin domain and the
      characteristic EPN and WND motifs were found in VpCTL. The VpCTL mRNA was
      dominantly expressed in the haemocytes of the V. philippinarum. After Listonella
      anguillarum challenge, the temporal expression of VpCTL mRNA in haemocytes was
      increased by 97- and 84-fold at 48 and 96 h, respectively. With high expression
      level in haemocytes and hepatopancreas, and the up-regulated expression in
      haemocytes indicted that VpCTL was perhaps involved in the immune responses to L.
      anguillarum challenge.

PMID- 24213926
TI  - Sequence analysis of bovine C/EBPdelta gene and its adipogenic effects on
      fibroblasts.
AB  - CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBPdelta), an important transcriptional
      factor, regulates cell growth, differentiation and adipogenesis in humans and
      mice. However, we lack of directive information on the effects of C/EBPdelta gene
      in bovine cells. In the present study, we cloned the CDS areas of bovine
      C/EBPdelta gene and predicted its sequence characteristics. Moreover, we
      constructed the recombinant adenovirus plasmids of bovine C/EBPdelta gene and
      harvested the subsequent adenoviruses to infect bovine primary fibroblasts. Oil
      Red O staining results showed lipid droplets accumulated gradually in the
      adenoviruses treated fibroblasts. Time course real-time PCR results indicated
      that over-expression of exogenous C/EBPdelta regulated the mRNA expression levels
      of some key adipogenic genes, herein, activated the C/EBPalpha expression,
      increased lipoprotein lipase and fatty acid binding protein 4 mRNA expression
      levels, whereas inhibited leptin receptor gene. In conclusion, the present study
      demonstrates that the elevated C/EBPdelta can induce the adipogenesis in the
      fibroblasts of cattle.

PMID- 24213927
TI  - Haplotype analysis of RECQL5 gene and laryngeal cancer.
AB  - RECQL is a DNA helicase involved in DNA mismatch repair. Previous studies
      indicated that the RECQL gene mutation was associated with human cancers. In the
      present study, we investigated the association between polymorphisms of RECQL
      gene and laryngeal cancer in a Chinese population. Four polymorphisms of the
      RECQL5 gene (rs820186, rs820196, rs820200, and rs4789223) were genotyped by the
      TaqMan method in 275 patients with larynx cancer and 300 age- and sex-matched non
      cancer controls. We found that rs820196 polymorphism of RECQL5 was associated
      with larynx cancer, the CC genotype (16.4% vs 9.3%, P = 0.013) and C allele (42%
      vs 34.2%, P = 0.006) was common in larynx cancer patients than in the control
      subjects, respectively. Haplotype analysis showed that GCGA (OR = 18.955, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 9.479 ~ 37.905; P < 0.001) and GTTG (OR = 1.684; 95% CI
      1.327 ~ 2.137; P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk for larynx cancer.
      However, ACGA (OR = 0.605; 95% CI 0.430 ~ 0.852; P = 0.003), GCGG (OR = 0.636;
      95% CI 0.411 ~ 0.982; P = 0.039), and GTGG (OR = 0.194; 95% CI 0.104 ~ 0.361; P <
      0.001) were associated with decreased risk for larynx cancer. The present study
      indicated that RECQL5 genetic polymorphism and haplotypes were associated with
      larynx cancer in a Chinese population.

PMID- 24213928
TI  - AU-binding factor 1 expression was correlated with metadherin expression and
      progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - RNA-binding factor 1 (AUF1) was found to be up-regulated in numerous tumors
      compared with untransformed tissues. Furthermore, it has been identified to
      regulate mRNAs en masse in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Metadherin (MTDH) as a
      novel oncogene also promotes tumor progression and metastasis in HCC. Our study
      aimed to investigate the correlation between AUF1 and MTDH expressions by
      immunochemistry in 146 HCC patients from Heilongjiang region. AUF1 expression in
      HCC tumors was higher than that in the matched normal liver tissues.
      Particularly, AUF1 overexpression was closely associated with tumor size (P <
      0.022), TNM stage (P < 0.003), hepatitis B surface antigen status, and AFP serum
      levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, AUF1 overexpression led to poor outcome during 5
      year follow-up (P < 0.001). Additionally, AUF1 and MTDH expressions were
      correlated with each other. Our findings suggest that the AUF1 gene may play an
      important role in HCC progression and be a novel biomarker in the future.

PMID- 24213929
TI  - On the continuity of thought and the representation of knowledge:
      Electrophysiological and behavioral time-course measures reveal levels of
      structure in semantic memory.
AB  - Time-course studies of semantic verification are reviewed, discussed, and
      reinterpreted with the aim of drawing general theoretical conclusions about
      semantic memory structure. These reaction time, speed-accuracy tradeoff, speed
      accuracy decomposition, and event-related (brain) potential (ERP) studies suggest
      that semantic memory is structured on at least three levels. In particular,
      specific models of the intermediate (macrostructural) level are discussed and
      compared. ERP investigations of this level suggest that context-independent and
      context-dependent types of semantic information are potentially isolable and
      analyzable. 

PMID- 24213930
TI  - Constraints on theories of cognitive aging.
AB  - There is currently little consensus regarding what must be explained by theories
      of cognitive aging. In the present article, four empirical generalizations that
      seem to imply certain constraints in theorizing are identified. These
      generalizations, and their possible implications or constraints, are that (1) age
      related differences are found in a wide range of cognitive variables, implying
      that either a large number of specific factors or a small number of general
      factors must be contributing to the age-related differences; (2) the age-related
      influences on different cognitive variables are not independent, and unique age
      related influences appear to be few in number and small in magnitude, implying
      that some fairly general factors need to be postulated to account for the shared
      age-related influences; (3) only a small proportion of distinct age-related
      variance occurs late in practice and at long presentation durations, implying
      that adequate explanations must include factors operating when the individuals
      are just beginning to perform the task and when the stimuli can first be
      registered; and (4) measures of how quickly very simple cognitive tasks can be
      performed share considerable age-related variance with many cognitive variables,
      implying that factors related to simple processing efficiency need to be
      incorporated into the explanations. 

PMID- 24213931
TI  - Odor memory: Review and analysis.
AB  - We critically review the cognitive literature on olfactory memory and identify
      the similarities and differences between odor memory and visual-verbal memory. We
      then analyze this literature using criteria from a multiple memory systems
      approach to determine whether olfactory memory can be considered to be a separate
      memory system. We conclude that olfactory memory has a variety of important
      distinguishing characteristics, but that more data are needed to confer this
      distinction. We suggest methods for the study of olfactory memory that should
      make a resolution on the separate memory system hypothesis possible while
      simultaneously advancing a synthetic understanding of olfaction and cognition. 

PMID- 24213933
TI  - History of the Psychonomic Society II: The journal publishing program.
AB  - The possibility of a Psychonomic Society journal publishing program dates back to
      the very founding of the Society in 1959. The program was initiated by Clifford
      T. Morgan on his own, however, with the publication ofPsychonomic Science in
      1964, followed byPsychonomic Monograph Supplements andPerception & Psychophysics
      within the next 2 years. In 1967, Morgan gave the journals to the Psychonomic
      Society, which has controlled them ever since. The structure of the journal
      program and the means of producing the journals have evolved since then, so that
      today the Psychonomic Society publishes six prominent journals in experimental
      psychology, all of them produced in-house. 

PMID- 24213932
TI  - The widespread influence of the Rescorla-Wagner model.
AB  - The theory of Pavlovian conditioning presented by Robert Rescorla and Allan
      Wagner in 1972 (the Rescorla-Wagner model) has been enormously important in
      animal learning research. It also has been applied in a variety of areas other
      than animal learning. We summarize the contribution of the Rescorla-Wagner model
      to research in verbal learning, social psychology, human category learning, human
      judgments of correlational relationships, transitive inference, color
      aftereffects, and physiological regulation. We conclude that there have been few
      models in experimental psychology as influential as the Rescorla-Wagner model. 

PMID- 24213934
TI  - Signal probability effects on high-workload vigilance tasks.
AB  - Signal probability is an important influence on vigilance. Typically, higher
      signal probability is associated with higher hit rate, lower response criterion,
      and lower response:signal ratio. However, signal probability effects on
      demanding, high-workload vigilance tasks have not been investigated. It is
      believed that attentional resources become depleted during performance of such
      tasks, leading to perceptual sensitivity decrements. Forty subjects performed
      high- (.35) and low- (.10) probability versions of a demanding vigilance task.
      Results differed in two important respects from those previously obtained with
      less demanding tasks. First, the decrement in perceptual sensitivity over time
      was greater for the high-probability task. Second, there were no effects of
      signal probability on response criterion. Subjective workload was higher for the
      high-probability task. Implications of the data for resource-depletion and
      expectancy theories of vigilance are discussed. 

PMID- 24213935
TI  - Priming impossible figures in the object decision test: The critical importance
      of perceived stimulus complexity.
AB  - Previous research showed that object decision priming was found for possible, but
      not impossible, three-dimensional objects (e.g., Schacter, Cooper, & Delaney,
      1990; Schacter, Cooper, Delaney, Peterson, & Tharan, 1991). We tested those
      objects and found that the impossible objects were subjectively more complex than
      the possible objects. We then constructed two sets of possible and impossible
      objects-one set that was equated for complexity, and one set that differed- for
      use in the object decision test. The results showed that when impossible objects
      were high in complexity and possible objects were low in complexity, priming was
      found only for possible objects; when possible and impossible objects were
      equated at a moderate level of complexity, priming was observed for both object
      types. These findings indicate that perceived object complexity, more than object
      possibility-impossibility, determined priming in the object decision test. The
      demonstration of object decision priming for possible and impossible objects
      calls for a reformulation of the structural description system explanation. 

PMID- 24213936
TI  - Searching for target letters in memory: Individual preferences and instructions
      for text representation.
AB  - Participants searched for target letters in a short passage held in memory. In
      Experiment 1, participants were divided into two groups on the basis of a
      retrospective report concerning the type of representation used to store the
      passage in memory, and in Experiment 2, participants were instructed concerning
      the form of memory representation to use. Only participants using a visual
      representation missed more targets in the wordthe than in other words.
      Participants instructed to form a visual representation also made fewer content
      word or phrase substitutions when learning the passage than did participants
      instructed to form an auditory representation. These findings show that choice of
      memory representation is flexible and that the representation used influences
      what can be retrieved from memory. 

PMID- 24213937
TI  - Spatial contiguity facilitates Pavlovian conditioning.
AB  - The spatial contiguity between Pavlovian conditioned and unconditioned stimuli
      was examined using a chamber designed to prevent the usual confounding with delay
      of reinforcement. Eight ring doves were autoshaped in this apparatus. For half of
      the trials, a conditioned stimulus (CS) was presented 11 cm from the
      unconditioned stimulus (US); for the other trials, another CS was presented 74 cm
      away. After extended training, the stimuli were presented in nonreinforced test
      trials at a common, intermediate (42 cm) position. The CS that had been nearer
      the US was approached more closely, indicating that higher spatial contiguity
      facilitates Pavlovian conditioning. This research was funded by a grant from the
      National Science and Engineering Research Council to B. R. Moore, who also
      assisted in designing the apparatus. Thanks are extended to Tracy Taylor, Billy
      Schmidt, and B. R. Moore for suffering through drafts of this manuscript and
      providing helpful insights to improve the writing. Thanks are also extended to
      Bob Barnet for help in clarifying this paper and inspiring some of the ideas for
      future research. 

PMID- 24213938
TI  - Are attentional dwell times inconsistent with serial visual search?
AB  - Duncan, Ward, and Shapiro (1994) estimated that attention must remain focused on
      an object for several hundred milliseconds before being shifted to another
      object, and they referred to this period as theattentional dwell time. An
      important implication of these long estimates of the dwell time for models of
      visual search is that the search process must not involve an item-by-item serial
      scanning mechanism. If it did, then searching through an array of items would
      require enormous amounts of time, which-based on data from visual search
      experiments-it does not. The present report, however, provides evidence that the
      long estimates of attentional dwell time were caused, at least in part, by the
      use of masked targets. Implications of these variable estimates of the
      attentional dwell time for models of visual search are discussed. 

PMID- 24213939
TI  - Repetition of previously novel melodies sometimes increases both remember and
      know responses in recognition memory.
AB  - Recognition memory for previously novel melodies was tested in three experiments
      in which subjects usedremember andknow responses to report experiences of
      recollection, or of familiarity in the absence of recollection, for each melody
      they recognized. Some of the melodies were taken from Polish folk songs and
      presented vocally, but without the words. Others were taken from obscure pieces
      of classical music, presented as single-line melodies. Prior to the test, the
      melodies were repeated for varying numbers of study trials. Repetition of the
      Polish melodies increased both remember and know responses, while repetition of
      classical melodies increased remember but not know responses. When subjects were
      instructed to report guesses, guess responses were inversely related to remember
      and know responses and there were more guesses to lures than to targets. These
      findings establish that remembering and knowing are fully independent
      functionally and, by the same token, they provide further evidence against the
      idea that response exclusivity causes increases in remembering to force decreases
      in knowing. The findings also suggest that simultaneous increases in remembering
      and knowing occurred because the Polish melodies came from a genre for which the
      subjects had relatively little previous experience. 

PMID- 24213940
TI  - Reinforcer value may change within experimental sessions.
AB  - Large and systematic changes in response rates often occur within sessions during
      operant conditioning procedures. In the present experiment, we asked whether the
      value of the reinforcer that supports responding also changes within sessions.
      Pigeons pecked a key for mixed grain available throughout the session.
      Occasionally, wheat was also provided for pecking a second key. The ratio of the
      rates of responding for mixed grain and wheat, a frequently used measure of
      relative reinforcer value, changed significantly within sessions when mixed grain
      was provided at high, but not at low, rates. Habituation to the reinforcer
      provides the most likely explanation for these changes in reinforcer value.
      Eventually, habituation may provide a unified explanation for the within-session
      changes in behavior that occur when many species of subjects respond on a wide
      variety of tasks. 

PMID- 24213941
TI  - The relationship between the number of presented stimuli and prospective duration
      estimates: The effect of concurrent task activity.
AB  - The attention/distraction models of prospective time estimation predict either a
      negative relationship or an independence between duration estimates and the
      number of stimulus events presented during the time period, but not a positive
      relationship. Two experiments examined this relationship under prospective
      conditions. Lists of words were presented during a 60-sec time period at either a
      fast or a slow rate. Subjects either passively viewed the words or actively
      responded by performing either a graphemic or a semantic classification task on
      each word. To measure subjective duration, the method of magnitude estimation was
      used in Experiment 1 and the method of reproduction was used in Experiment 2.
      Time estimates were independent of the number of presented words in the passive
      viewing condition, and negatively related in the classification task conditions.
      Furthermore, the two classification tasks had similar effects on time estimates.
      These findings are consistent with the attentional models of prospective timing,
      and they question the robustness of earlier findings of a positive relationship
      between time estimates of moderately long intervals and the number of presented
      stimuli under conditions of minimal processing of the interval events. 

PMID- 24213942
TI  - Revisiting an old issue: Retroactive interference as a function of the degree of
      original and interpolated learning.
AB  - Prior research has generally shown that the greater the degree of original
      learning of a list, the greater the amount of retroactive interference that list
      suffers. In addition, greater learning of interpolated lists produces more
      retroactive interference. However, in prior research, the degree of learning has
      typically been confounded with the amount of retrieval practice on the list. Two
      free-recall experiments are reported in which subjects studied one original list
      and then 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 interpolated lists. The degree of original and of
      interpolated learning was manipulated by varying exposure time. In Experiment 1,
      where the typical confounding of retrieval practice and degree of interpolated
      learning was present, greater interpolated learning induced greater retroactive
      interference, which is consistent with prior research. However, in Experiment 2,
      where the degree of interpolated learning was manipulated without concomitant
      variation in retrieval practice, retroactive interference was the same, whether
      the interpolated lists had been learned well or poorly. Therefore, greater
      interpolated learning does not increase the amount of retroactive interference.
      The results also show that the amount of retroactive interference does not depend
      on the degree of original learning, in agreement with other work on normal
      forgetting. 

PMID- 24213943
TI  - Long-term benefits of seeding the knowledge base.
AB  - Exposure to numerical examples (seed facts) produced a substantial long-term
      reduction in domain-specific innumeracy. In particular, learning the populations
      of 24 seed countries improved accuracy of estimates of the populations of 75
      untrained countries, both at the time of learning and 4 months later. Consistent
      with abstraction-based theories of learning and memory, the benefits of having
      been exposed to the seed facts were as large 4 months after the exposure as
      immediately after it, despite the specific populations of the seed countries
      having been forgotten during the interval. 

PMID- 24213944
TI  - The long and winding road of molecular data in phylogenetic analysis.
AB  - The use of molecules and reactions as evidence, markers and/or traits for
      evolutionary processes has a history more than a century long. Molecules have
      been used in studies of intra-specific variation and studies of similarity among
      species that do not necessarily result in the analysis of phylogenetic relations.
      Promoters of the use of molecular data have sustained the need for quantification
      as the main argument to make use of them. Moreover, quantification has allowed
      intensive statistical analysis, as a condition and a product of increasing
      automation. All of these analyses are subject to the methodological anxiety
      characteristic of a community in search of objectivity (Suarez-Diaz and Anaya
      Munoz, Stud Hist Philos Biol Biomed Sci 39:451-458, 2008). It is in this context
      that scientists compared and evaluated protein and nucleic acid sequence data
      with other types of molecular data - including immunological, electrophoretic and
      hybridization data. This paper argues that by looking at long-term historical
      processes, such as the use of molecular evidence in evolutionary biology, we gain
      valuable insights into the history of science. In that sense, it accompanies a
      growing concern among historians for big-pictures of science that incorporate the
      fruitful historical research on local cases of the last decades. 

PMID- 24213945
TI  - Micromolar copper modifies electrical properties and spontaneous discharges of
      nodose ganglion neurons in vitro.
AB  - Copper plays a key role in aerobic cell physiology mainly related to
      mitochondrial metabolism. This element is also present at higher than basal
      levels in some central nuclei and indeed, current evidence support copper's role
      as a neuromodulator in the central nervous system. More recent data indicate that
      copper may also affect peripheral neuronal activity, but so far, there are not
      detailed descriptions of what peripheral neuronal characteristics are targeted by
      copper. Here, we studied the effect of physiological concentration of CuCl2 (MUM
      range) on the activity of peripheral neurons using a preparation of nodose
      ganglion in vitro. By mean of conventional intracellular recordings passive and
      active electrical membrane properties were studied. Extracellular copper modified
      (in a redox-independent manner) the resting membrane potential and the input
      resistance of the nodose ganglion neurons, increasing the excitability in most of
      the tested neurons. These results suggest that Cu(2+) modulates the activity of
      nodose ganglion neurons and support nodose ganglion in vitro preparation as a
      simple model to study the subcellular mechanisms involved in the Cu(2+) effects
      on neuron electrical properties. 

PMID- 24213947
TI  - Letter to the editor.

PMID- 24213946
TI  - Clubfoot care in low-income and middle-income countries: from clinical innovation
      to a public health program.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clubfoot occurs in nearly 1 in every 1,000 live births worldwide,
      representing a significant burden of disease. In high-income countries, an
      evidence-based treatment protocol utilizing sequential casting was pioneered by
      Ponseti and has resulted in excellent outcomes among children treated for this
      condition. However, treatment methods and results of treatment vary greatly
      across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our goal was to create a
      framework for understanding how effective programs that treat clubfoot in LMICs
      choose and organize their activities. METHODS: A systematic literature review was
      conducted using the keywords "developing countries" and "clubfoot." A public
      health analysis model known as the Care Delivery Value Chain (CDVC) was applied
      to discover public health practices that would optimize value over the entire
      course of a patient's life. RESULTS: The literature review yielded 32 unique
      results, seven of which met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Review of the
      bibliographies yielded two additional papers for a total of nine papers. We
      identified seven vital steps in the clubfoot cycle of care and constructed a
      CDVC. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of this CDVC model suggests six best practices
      that are essential to successfully scaling up clubfoot treatment programs and
      ensuring excellent clinical outcomes: (1) diagnosing clubfoot early; (2)
      organizing high-volume Ponseti casting centers; (3) using nonphysician health
      workers; (4) engaging families in care; (5) addressing barriers to access; (6)
      providing follow-up in the patient's community. These practices must be adapted
      to each context. Applying them will optimize outcomes when designing public
      health programs that deliver clubfoot care in LMICs.

PMID- 24213948
TI  - Determining conservation priorities.

PMID- 24213949
TI  - Arsenic in garden soils and vegetable crops.

PMID- 24213950
TI  - The geochemistry of iodine - a review.
AB  - Iodine has long been recognised as an important element environmentally. Despite
      this there are many gaps in our knowledge of its geochemistry and even where
      information is available much of this is based on old data which, in the light of
      recent data, are suspect.Iodine forms few independent minerals and is unlikely to
      enter most rock-forming minerals. In igneous rocks its concentration is fairly
      uniform and averages 0.24 mg/kg. Sedimentary rocks tend to have higher
      concentrations with average iodine contents of:-recent sediments 5-200 mg/kg,
      carbonates 2.7 mg/kg, shales 2.3 mg/kg and sandstones 0.8 mg/kg. Organic-rich
      sediments are particularly enriched in iodine.Soils, generally, are much richer
      in iodine than the parent rocks with the actual level being decided mainly by
      soil type and locality. Little soil iodine is water-soluble and much iodine is
      thought to be associated with organic matter, clays and aluminium and iron
      oxides. Most iodine in soils is derived from the atmosphere where, in turn, it
      has been derived from the oceans. Seawater has a mean iodine content of 58 MUg/L,
      while non-saline surface waters have lower and very variable levels. Subsurface
      brines and mineral waters are generally strongly enriched in iodine.Marine plants
      are frequently enriched in iodine while terrestrial plants have generally low
      contents. Iodine is essential for all mammals.Consideration of the geochemical
      cycle of iodine reveals that its transfer from the oceans to the atmosphere is
      probably the most important process in its geochemistry. 

PMID- 24213951
TI  - Catechin-7-O-xyloside induces apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum stress and
      mitochondrial dysfunction in human non-small cell lung carcinoma H1299 cells.
AB  - The medicinal plant Ulmus davidiana var. japonica has significant potential as a
      cancer chemoprevention agent. Catechin-7-O-xyloside (C7Ox) was purified from
      ultrafine U. davidiana var. japonica ethanol extract. In the present study, we
      investigated the apoptotic effect of C7Ox in the non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) cell line H1299. C7Ox treatment induced cell death and decreased plasma
      membrane integrity, an event typical of apoptosis. C7Ox-induced apoptosis was
      associated with the proteolytic activation of caspase-6, cleavage of poly(ADP
      ribose) polymerase (PARP) and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. C7Ox also
      induced the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-regulated pro-apoptotic
      transcription factor CHOP. The suppression of CHOP expression significantly
      decreased C7Ox-induced cell death, LDH leakage and caspase-6 activation.
      Antitumor effects, evaluated based on protracted tumor regression, were observed
      when nude-mice bearing H1299 xenografts were treated with C7Ox. C7Ox-induced
      tumor regression was accompanied by enhanced expression of CHOP mRNA. Our data
      suggest that C7Ox can trigger mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, and that ER
      stress is critical for C7Ox-induced apoptosis in H1299 NSCLC cells. 

PMID- 24213952
TI  - Withholding parenteral nutrition during critical illness increases plasma
      bilirubin but lowers the incidence of biliary sludge.
AB  - Cholestatic liver dysfunction (CLD) and biliary sludge often occur during
      critical illness and are allegedly aggravated by parenteral nutrition (PN).
      Delaying initiation of PN beyond day 7 in the intensive care unit (ICU) (late PN)
      accelerated recovery as compared with early initiation of PN (early PN). However,
      the impact of nutritional strategy on biliary sludge and CLD has not been fully
      characterized. This was a preplanned subanalysis of a large randomized controlled
      trial of early PN versus late PN (n = 4,640). In all patients plasma bilirubin
      (daily) and liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate
      aminotransferase [AST], gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT], alkaline phosphatase
      [ALP], twice weekly; n = 3,216) were quantified. In a random predefined subset of
      patients, plasma bile acids (BAs) were also quantified at baseline and on days 3,
      5, and last ICU-day (n = 280). Biliary sludge was ultrasonographically evaluated
      on ICU-day 5 (n = 776). From day 1 after randomization until the end of the 7-day
      intervention window, bilirubin was higher in the late PN than in the early PN
      group (P < 0.001). In the late PN group, as soon as PN was started on day 8
      bilirubin fell and the two groups became comparable. Maximum levels of GGT, ALP,
      and ALT were lower in the late PN group (P < 0.01). Glycine/taurine-conjugated
      primary BAs increased over time in ICU (P < 0.01), similarly for the two groups.
      Fewer patients in the late PN than in the early PN group developed biliary sludge
      on day 5 (37% versus 45%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Tolerating substantial caloric
      deficit by withholding PN until day 8 of critical illness increased plasma
      bilirubin but reduced the occurrence of biliary sludge and lowered GGT, ALP, and
      ALT. These results suggest that hyperbilirubinemia during critical illness does
      not necessarily reflect cholestasis and instead may be an adaptive response that
      is suppressed by early PN.

PMID- 24213953
TI  - Tamoxifen or letrozole versus standard methods for women with estrogen-receptor
      positive breast cancer undergoing oocyte or embryo cryopreservation in assisted
      reproduction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of oocytes or embryos preceded by controlled ovarian
      stimulation (COS) can increase the chance of future pregnancy in women with
      breast cancer who risk therapy-induced ovarian failure. In women with estrogen
      receptor (ER) positive breast cancer, alternative COS protocols with tamoxifen or
      letrozole are being used to theoretically inhibit breast cancer growth during
      COS. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of tamoxifen or letrozole, in addition to
      standard COS protocols, on the breast cancer-free interval in premenopausal women
      with ER positive breast cancer who undergo COS for embryo or oocyte
      cryopreservation. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Ovid Cochrane Central Register
      of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid PsycINFO, and
      EBSCOhost CINAHL. We applied no limitations in year of publication or language.
      In addition, we searched trial registers for ongoing and registered trials,
      conference abstracts, and sources of grey literature. The search was conducted in
      January 2013. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing different COS
      protocols in women with breast cancer were eligible for inclusion. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently scanned the titles,
      abstracts, or both sections according to Cochrane guidelines. If data to include
      were provided, data extraction would have been independently performed by two
      review authors by using forms designed according to Cochrane guidelines. MAIN
      RESULTS: No randomised controlled trials were found that met the inclusion
      criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: COS schedules with the additional use of
      tamoxifen or letrozole are commonly chosen as an alternative regimen in young
      women with ER positive breast cancer who undergo COS for oocyte or embryo
      cryopreservation. No randomised controlled trials support the idea that these
      alternative COS schedules are superior to standard COS.

PMID- 24213954
TI  - A robotic system for quantitative assessment and poststroke training of forelimb
      retraction in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurorehabilitation protocols based on the use of robotic devices
      have recently shown to provide promising clinical results. However, their
      efficacy is still limited because of the poor comprehension of the mechanisms at
      the basis of functional enhancements. OBJECTIVE: To increase basic understanding
      of robot-mediated neurorehabilitation by performing experiments on a rodent model
      of stroke. METHODS: Mice were trained to pull back a handle on a robotic platform
      and their performances in the task were evaluated before and after a focal
      cortical ischemic stroke. The platform was designed for the quantitative
      assessment of forelimb function via a series of parameters (time needed to
      complete the task, t-target; average force; number of sub-movements). RESULTS:
      The animals rapidly learned the retraction task and reached asymptotic
      performance by the fifth session of training. Within 2 to 6 days after a small,
      endothelin-1-induced lesion in the caudal forelimb area, mice showed an increase
      in t-target and number of sub-movements and a corresponding decrease in the
      average force exerted. These parameters returned to baseline, pre-lesion values
      with continued platform training (10-14 days after stroke). CONCLUSIONS: These
      results highlight the utility of the devised platform for characterizing post
      infarct deficits and improvements of forelimb performance. Further research is
      warranted to widen the understanding of device-dependent rehabilitation effects.

PMID- 24213955
TI  - Intensive rehabilitation increases BDNF serum levels in parkinsonian patients: a
      randomized study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exercise may decrease the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans
      and reduce PD symptoms in animal models. The beneficial effects have been linked
      to increased levels of neurotrophic factors. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether
      intensive rehabilitation treatment reduces motor disability in patients in the
      early stages of PD and increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum
      levels. METHODS: Thirty participants in the early stages of PD treated with
      rasagiline were randomly assigned to 3 hours of rehabilitation treatment that
      included aerobic exercise for 28 days (Group 1) or to not therapy (control; Group
      2). BDNF serum levels were assessed at time T0 (baseline, before treatment), T1
      (10 days), T2 (20 days), and T3 (28 days). At T0 and T3, we assessed the Unified
      Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III in both groups, as well as the UPDRS
      II and total, Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test only in Group 1.
      RESULTS: BDNF levels significantly increased at T1 in Group 1, an increase that
      was maintained throughout the treatment period. At T3 compared to T0, UPDRS III
      scores significantly improved in Group 1 along with scores for UPDRS II, total,
      Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive
      rehabilitation treatment increases the BDNF levels and improves PD signs in
      patients in the early stages of the disease. These results are in line with
      studies on animal models of PD and healthy subjects.

PMID- 24213956
TI  - Combining afferent stimulation and mirror therapy for rehabilitating motor
      function, motor control, ambulation, and daily functions after stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mirror therapy (MT) and mesh glove (MG) afferent stimulation may be
      effective in reducing motor impairment after stroke. A hybrid intervention of MT
      combined with MG (MT + MG) may broaden aspects of treatment benefits. OBJECTIVE:
      To demonstrate the comparative effects of MG + MT, MT, and a control treatment
      (CT) on the outcomes of motor impairments, manual dexterity, ambulation function,
      motor control, and daily function. METHODS: Forty-three chronic stroke patients
      with mild to moderate upper extremity impairment were randomly assigned to
      receive MT + MG, MT, or CT for 1.5 hours/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Outcome
      measures were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and muscle tone measured by Myoton
      3 for motor impairment and the Box and Block Test (BBT) and 10-Meter Walk Test
      (10 MWT) for motor function. Secondary outcomes included kinematic parameters for
      motor control and the Motor Activity Log and ABILHAND Questionnaire for daily
      function. RESULTS: FMA total scores were significantly higher and synergistic
      shoulder abduction during reach was less in the MT + MG and MT groups compared
      with the CT group. Performance on the BBT and the 10 MWT (velocity and stride
      length in self-paced task and velocity in as-quickly-as-possible task) were
      improved after MT + MG compared with MT. CONCLUSIONS: MT + MG improved manual
      dexterity and ambulation. MT + MG and MT reduced motor impairment and synergistic
      shoulder abduction more than CT. Future studies may integrate functional task
      practice into treatments to enhance functional outcomes in patients with various
      levels of motor severity. The long-term effects of MG + MT remain to be
      evaluated.

PMID- 24213957
TI  - Spectral analyses of wrist motion in individuals poststroke: the development of a
      performance measure with promise for unsupervised settings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Upper extremity use in daily life is a critical ingredient of
      continued functional recovery after cerebral stroke. However, time-evolutions of
      use-dependent motion quality are poorly understood due to limitations of existing
      measurement tools. OBJECTIVE: Proof-of-concept study to determine if spectral
      analyses explain the variability of known temporal kinematic movement quality
      (ie, movement duration, number of peaks, jerk) for uncontrolled reach-to-grasp
      tasks. METHODS: Ten individuals with chronic stroke performed unimanual goal
      directed movements using both hands, with and without task object present,
      wearing accelerometers on each wrist. Temporal and spectral measures were
      extracted for each gesture. The effects of performance condition on outcome
      measures were determined using 2-way, within subject, hand (nonparetic vs
      paretic) * object (present vs absent) analysis of variance. Regression analyses
      determined if spectral measures explained the variability of the temporal
      measures. RESULTS: There were main effects of hand on all 3 temporal measures and
      main effects of object on movement duration and peaks. For the paretic limb,
      spectral measures explain 41.2% and 51.1% of the variability in movement duration
      and peaks, respectively. For the nonparetic limb, spectral measures explain
      40.1%, 42.5%, and 27.8% of the variability of movement duration, peaks, and jerk,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Spectral measures explain the variability of motion
      efficiency and control in individuals with stroke. Signal power from 1.0 to 2.0
      Hz is sensitive to changes in hand and object. Analyzing the evolution of this
      measure in ambient environments may provide as yet uncharted information useful
      for evaluating long-term recovery.

PMID- 24213958
TI  - Transcranial direct current stimulation to lessen neuropathic pain after spinal
      cord injury: a mechanistic PET study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is suggested that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
      can produce lasting changes in corticospinal excitability and can potentially be
      used for the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, the detailed mechanisms
      underlying the effects of tDCS are unknown. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the
      underlying neural mechanisms of tDCS for chronic pain relief using [(18)F]
      fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([(18)F]FDG-PET). METHODS:
      Sixteen patients with neuropathic pain (mean age 44.1 +/- 8.6 years, 4 females)
      due to traumatic spinal cord injury received sham or active anodal stimulation of
      the motor cortex using tDCS for 10 days (20 minutes, 2 mA, twice a day). The
      effect of tDCS on regional cerebral glucose metabolism was evaluated by
      [(18)F]FDG-PET before and after tDCS sessions. RESULTS: There was a significant
      decrease in the numeric rating scale scores for pain, from 7.6 +/- 0.5 at
      baseline to 5.9 +/- 1.8 after active tDCS (P = .016). We found increased
      metabolism in the medulla and decreased metabolism in the left dorsolateral
      prefrontal cortex after active tDCS treatment compared with the changes induced
      by sham tDCS. Additionally, an increase in metabolism after active tDCS was
      observed in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex and insula. CONCLUSION: The
      results of this study suggest that anodal stimulation of the motor cortex using
      tDCS can modulate emotional and cognitive components of pain and normalize
      excessive attention to pain and pain-related information.

PMID- 24213959
TI  - Preserved foot motor cortex in patients with complete spinal cord injury: a
      functional near-infrared spectroscopic study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since the brain is intact, persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI)
      might benefit from a brain-computer interface (BCI) to improve mobility by making
      use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to use
      fNIRS to detect contralateral primary motor cortex activity during attempted foot
      movements in participants with complete SCI. METHODS: A 6-channel fNIRS,
      including 2 reference channels, measured relative concentration changes of oxy-
      (HbO) and deoxy-hemoglobin (HbR) in the contralateral motor cortex for the right
      foot. Seven subjects, studied within 18 months after injury, performed 12 trials
      of attempted right foot and real hand movements. RESULTS: T tests revealed
      significant HbO and HbR responses of the left motor cortex for attempted foot
      movements, but not for right hand movements. A 2-way repeated-measures analysis
      of variance revealed a larger decrease in HbR for attempted foot movements
      compared to hand movements. Individual results show major interindividual
      differences in (number of) channels activated and the sensitive chromophore (HbR
      or HbO). CONCLUSIONS: On group level, activity in the motor cortex of the foot
      can be measured with fNIRS in patients with complete SCI during attempted foot
      movements and might in principle be used in future BCI studies and applications.

PMID- 24213960
TI  - Repetitive mass practice or focused precise practice for retraining walking after
      incomplete spinal cord injury? A pilot randomized clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retraining walking following spinal cord injury using visually guided
      tasks may be especially efficacious because it engages the motor cortex, whose
      input may facilitate improvements in functional walking. OBJECTIVES: To contrast
      2 methods of retraining, one emphasizing precise, visually guided walking over
      obstacles and on targets (Precision Training), the other emphasizing mass
      practice of walking on a treadmill (Endurance Training). METHODS: A randomized,
      single-blind, crossover design was used. Twenty-two participants, >=7 months
      postinjury, were randomly allocated to start with Precision or Endurance
      Training. Each phase of training was 5 times per week for 2 months, followed by a
      2-month rest. MEASURES: of walking speed, distance, skill, confidence, and
      depression were obtained before training, then monthly thereafter. RESULTS: Both
      forms of training led to significant improvements in walking, with Endurance
      Training inducing bigger improvements in walking distance than Precision
      Training, especially for high-functioning walkers who had initial walking speeds
      >0.5 m/s. The largest improvements in walking speed and distance occurred in the
      first month of Endurance Training, with minimal changes in the second month of
      training. In contrast, improvements in walking skill occurred over both months
      during both types of training. Retention of over ground walking speed, distance,
      and skill was excellent for both types of training. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive
      walking training in the chronic phase after spinal cord injury is effective in
      improving over ground walking. Visually guided tasks for training individuals
      with chronic spinal cord injury were not superior to mass practice on a
      treadmill.

PMID- 24213961
TI  - Randomized Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Hearing Aids for
      Tinnitus Management.
AB  - Background The perception of sound in the absence of an external sound is
      tinnitus. Tinnitus can have a severe negative impact on quality of life.
      Objective This trial investigated whether multisession anodal transcranial direct
      current stimulation (tDCS) of the left temporoparietal area would enhance sound
      therapy from hearing aids. Methods Forty participants (mean age = 54 years)
      experiencing chronic tinnitus (minimum 2 years) completed a 7-month long double
      blind randomized clinical trial. Participants were randomized into 2 groups:
      control receiving sham tDCS and experimental receiving tDCS. Each group underwent
      multisession (5 consecutive sessions with 24-hour gap) anodal tDCS (2 mA
      intensity and 20 minutes duration) of the left temporoparietal area, followed by
      hearing aid use for 6 months. The impact of tDCS and hearing aid use on tinnitus
      was assessed using questionnaires (primary measure: Tinnitus Functional Index)
      and minimum masking level measurement. Results There was a significant reduction
      in the overall Tinnitus Functional Index score with time, F(2, 37) = 11.9, P =
      .0001, for both the groups. Similar patterns were seen for secondary measures.
      tDCS appeared to have a positive effect on minimum masking levels but not
      questionnaire responses. Conclusions After 3 months of hearing aid use, there
      were significant improvements in tinnitus, which were sustained at 6 months of
      use. The hearing aid effects appeared independent of tDCS. Further investigations
      of tDCS or other neuromodulators priming the auditory system for sound therapy
      based tinnitus treatments are warranted. 

PMID- 24213962
TI  - Randomized controlled trial of light therapy for fatigue following traumatic
      brain injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common, persistent complaint following traumatic brain
      injury (TBI). Effective treatment is not well established. OBJECTIVE: .The
      current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of 4 weeks of light therapy for
      fatigue in patients with TBI. METHODS: We undertook a randomized, placebo
      controlled study of 4-week, 45 min/morning, home-based treatment with short
      wavelength (blue) light therapy (lambdamax = 465 nm, 84.8 uW/cm(2), 39.5 lux,
      1.74 * 10(14) photons/cm(2)/s) compared with yellow light therapy (lambdamax =
      574 nm, 18.5 uW/cm(2), 68 lux, 1.21 * 10(12) photons/cm(2)/s) containing less
      photons in the short wavelength range and a no treatment control group (n = 10
      per group) in patients with TBI who self-reported fatigue and/or sleep
      disturbance. Assessments of fatigue and secondary outcomes (self-reported daytime
      sleepiness, depression, sleep quality, and sustained attention) were conducted
      over 10 weeks at baseline (week -2), midway through and at the end of light
      therapy (weeks 2 and 4), and 4 weeks following cessation of light therapy (week
      8). RESULTS: After controlling age, gender, and baseline depression, treatment
      with high-intensity blue light therapy resulted in reduced fatigue and daytime
      sleepiness during the treatment phase, with evidence of a trend toward baseline
      levels 4 weeks after treatment cessation. These changes were not observed with
      lower-intensity yellow light therapy or no treatment control conditions. There
      was also no significant treatment effect observed for self-reported depression or
      psychomotor vigilance performance. CONCLUSIONS: Blue light therapy appears to be
      effective in alleviating fatigue and daytime sleepiness following TBI and may
      offer a noninvasive, safe, and nonpharmacological alternative to current
      treatments.

PMID- 24213963
TI  - Nonlinguistic cognitive impairment in poststroke aphasia: a prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Information on cognitive impairment in aphasic
      patients is limited. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and course of
      nonlinguistic cognitive impairments in the first year after stroke and their
      association with aphasia and functional outcome. METHODS: We included 147
      patients with acute aphasia. At 3 months and 1 year, we assessed cognition with a
      nonlinguistic cognitive examination including abstract reasoning, visual memory,
      visual perception and construction, and executive functioning. We assessed
      language with a verbal communication rating (Aphasia Severity Rating Scale), the
      ScreeLing (a linguistic-level screening test), and the Token Test. We evaluated
      functional outcome with the modified Rankin scale and registered the use of
      antidepressants. RESULTS: In total, 107 (88%) patients had impairments in at
      least one nonlinguistic cognitive domain at 3 months and 91 (80%) at 1 year. The
      most frequently observed impairment concerned visual memory (83% at 3 months; 78%
      at 1 year) and the least frequent visual perception and construction (19% at 3
      months; 14% at 1 year). There was improvement on all cognitive domains including
      language, except for abstract reasoning. Patients with persisting aphasia had
      lower cognitive domain scores, worse functional outcome, and were more often
      depressed than patients who had recovered from aphasia. CONCLUSIONS: Standard
      nonlinguistic cognitive examination is recommended in aphasic stroke patients.
      Nonlinguistic cognitive impairments are common and associated with poor
      functional outcome and depression, especially in patients with persisting
      aphasia.

PMID- 24213964
TI  - Comparative direct infusion ion mobility mass spectrometry profiling of Thermus
      thermophilus wild-type and mutant ?cruC carotenoid extracts.
AB  - The major carotenoid species isolated from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus
      thermophilus HB27 have been identified as zeaxanthin-glucoside-fatty acid esters
      (thermozeaxanthins and thermobiszeaxanthins). Most of the genes of the proposed
      T. thermophilus carotenoid pathway could be found in the genome, but there is
      less clarity about the genes which encode the enzymes performing the final
      carotenoid glycosylation and acylation steps. To get a further insight into the
      biosynthesis of thermo(bis)zeaxanthins in T. thermophilus, we deleted the
      megaplasmid open reading frame TT_P0062 (termed cruC) by both exchanging it with
      a kanamycin resistance cassette (DeltacruC:kat) and by generating a markerless
      gene deletion strain (DeltacruC). A fast and efficient electrospray ionization
      ion mobility-time-of-flight mass spectrometry method via direct infusion was
      developed to compare the carotenoid profiles of wild type and mutant T.
      thermophilus cell culture extracts. These comparisons revealed significant
      alterations in the carotenoid composition of the DeltacruC mutant, which was
      found to accumulate zeaxanthin. This is the first experimental evidence that the
      ORF encodes the glycosyltransferase enzyme necessary for the glycosylation of
      zeaxanthin in the final modification steps of the thermozeaxanthin biosynthesis
      in T. thermophilus HB27. Also, the proposed method for direct determination of
      carotenoid amounts and species in crude acetone extracts represents an
      improvement over existing methods in terms of speed and sensitivity and may be
      applicable in high-throughput analyses of other terpenoids as well as other
      important bacterial metabolites like fatty acids and their derivatives. 

PMID- 24213965
TI  - Environmental contaminants in nonviable eggs of the endangered Mississippi
      sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla).
AB  - Our objectives were to determine if concentrations of environmental pollutants
      and microbial contamination in nonviable eggs of the endangered Mississippi
      sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) contributed to egg failure. Six eggs
      collected in 1990 and four in 1991 contained only background levels of
      organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and tests for
      microbial contamination were all negative. Two eggs contained late dead embryos,
      but neither revealed obvious abnormalities. Three eggs contained potentially
      harmful concentrations (23, 39, 146 pg/g, wet mass) of polychlorinated dibenzo-p
      dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), based on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p
      dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ) for combined compounds. Because of the scarcity of
      material suitable for laboratory examination and the endangered status of the
      crane, we recommend that nonviable eggs continue to be monitored for toxic
      pollutants. 

PMID- 24213966
TI  - The efficacy of a limestone doser to mitigate stream acidification in a Maryland
      coastal plain stream: Implications for migratory fish species.
AB  - The objective of this two-year study was to determine the efficacy of an
      automated limestone slurry doser to neutralize acidic pulses and improve water
      quality conditions for enhancing survival of early life stages of migratory fish
      species in a Maryland coastal plain stream. Implications for survival of early
      life stages of migratory fish species such as yellow perch (Perca flavescens),
      white perch (Morone americana), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) and alewife
      (Alosa pseudoharengus) are discussed based on the improved chemical conditions in
      the dosed area of the stream. Despite problems with overdosing in 1991 and
      failure of the stage transducer to work properly in 1992, the doser was generally
      effective in neutralizing acidic pulses (pH depressions) in the stream during
      three major rain events in both years. Chemical conditions (pH and inorganic
      monomeric aluminum) reported in the non-dosed area during major rainfall events
      were potentially stressful to both alewife and blueback herring although neither
      species was reported spawning in the stream during either year. Mitigating the
      potential impact of acidic conditions on early life stages of important migratory
      fish species was not sufficient to ensure spawning. It is therefore recommended
      that habitat improvement measures and well designed fish stocking programs be
      implemented concurrently with doser operations if the goal is to create optimum
      spawning conditions for migratory species. 

PMID- 24213967
TI  - Principal component analysis of data for trace elements and main components in
      precipitation falling on Norway.
AB  - Trace elements and the main components in precipitation were measured at three
      background sites in Norway. The work is based on weekly samples from 1989 and
      1990. Principal component analysis was used to detect the covariation of the
      chemical components in the data set. Dominant factors are long-range atmospheric
      transport of anthropogenic components to Norway, crustal material, and marine
      sources. Different local sources also exist. The interpretation of seasonal
      variations in the data set is eased by studying the changes in the factor scores
      throughout the year. Distinct seasonal patterns are shown for some of the
      factors, in particular those representing soil dust and atmospheric transport
      from the marine environment. 

PMID- 24213968
TI  - Diatoms as indicators in the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
      Surface Waters (EMAP-SW).
AB  - As a part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Monitoring
      and Assessment Program-Surface Waters (EMAP-SW), sedimentary diatom assemblages
      were studied from 66 lakes in the northeastern U.S.A. to evaluate the
      applicability of diatoms for this nation-wide monitoring program. Sediment cores
      were collected from the study lakes and diatoms were analyzed from the top
      (present-day) and bottom (pre-industrial) sediment samples. Canonical
      correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to examine which environmental variables
      correlate most closely with the distributions of diatom taxa in the top (surface)
      samples. Forward selection and Monte Carlo permutation tests showed that diatom
      species distributions were significantly related to total lakewater phosphorus
      (TP), pH, chloride, Secchi depth, and lake size and maximum depth. We developed
      weighted-averaging calibration and regression models for inferring TP (r
      (2)=0.62), chloride (r (2)=0.61), pH (r (2)=0.86), and Secchi depth (r (2)=0.62).
      An index of overall lake disturbance was also developed. Our diatom data indicate
      that marked changes have occurred in the study lakes since pre-industrial times
      as a result of anthropogenic activity. 

PMID- 24213969
TI  - Nodal recurrence in the lateral neck after total thyroidectomy with prophylactic
      central neck dissection for papillary thyroid cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine risk factors for nodal recurrence
      in the lateral neck (NRLN) in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who
      underwent total thyroidectomy with prophylactic central neck dissection (TT +
      pCND). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with PTC who
      underwent TT + pCND. Data of all patients treated over a 10-year period (between
      1998 and 2007) were analysed. The primary outcome was prevalence of NRLN within
      the 5-year follow-up after initial surgery. Predictors of NRLN were determined in
      the univariable and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Of 760 patients with PTC
      included in this study, 44 (6.0 %) developed NRLN. In the univariable analysis,
      the following factors were identified to be associated with an increased risk of
      NRLN: positive/negative lymph node ratio >=0.3 (odds ratio (OR) 14.50, 95 %
      confidence interval (CI) 7.21 to 29.13; p < 0.001), central lymph node metastases
      (OR 7.47, 95 % CI 3.63 to 15.38; p < 0.001), number of level VI lymph nodes <6 in
      the specimen (OR 2.88, 95 % CI 1.21 to 6.83; p = 0.016), extension through the
      thyroid capsule (OR 2.55, 95 % CI 1.21 to 5.37; p = 0.013), localization of the
      tumour within the upper third of the thyroid lobe (OR 2.35, 95 % CI 1.27 to 4.34;
      p = 0.006) and multifocal lesions (OR 1.85, 95 % CI 1.01 to 3.41; p = 0.048).
      CONCLUSIONS: Central lymph node metastases together with positive to negative
      lymph node ratio >=0.3 represent the strongest independent prognostic factors for
      the PTC recurrence in the lateral neck.

PMID- 24213970
TI  - Science, sentiment, and the state: community genetics and pursuit of public
      health in Cuba.
AB  - Contributing to an emerging field of social science literature by examining the
      translation of genomic medicine across global and transnational fields of
      research and medicine, this article examines how genetics is allied to public
      health in Cuba. It examines the sociopolitical and cultural discourses and
      practices that constitute community genetics or challenge or impede the
      translation and expansion of genomics as public health. Focusing on the
      experience of health practitioners, the article explores how their work is
      circumscribed by cultural values and social ideologies that collectively reveal
      an unexpected heterogeneity in how genetics is being constituted and reproduced.
      Although the Western quest for genomics as "personal medicine" is revealed here
      as both ideologically and practically problematic, such challenges paradoxically
      work to reinforce a commitment to maintaining the distinctive field of Cuban
      community genetics in its orientation to collective public health. 

PMID- 24213971
TI  - Co-expression of gamma2 subunits hinders processing of N-linked glycans attached
      to the N104 glycosylation sites of GABAA receptor beta2 subunits.
AB  - GABAA receptors, the major mediators of fast inhibitory neuronal transmission,
      are heteropentameric glycoproteins assembled from a panel of subunits, usually
      including alpha and beta subunits with or without a gamma2 subunit. The
      alpha1beta2gamma2 receptor is the most abundant GABAA receptor in brain. Co
      expression of gamma2 with alpha1 and beta2 subunits causes conformational
      changes, increases GABAA receptor channel conductance, and prolongs channel open
      times. We reported previously that glycosylation of the three beta2 subunit
      glycosylation sites, N32, N104 and N173, was important for alpha1beta2 receptor
      channel gating. Here, we examined the hypothesis that steric effects or
      conformational changes caused by gamma2 subunit co-expression alter the
      glycosylation of partnering beta2 subunits. We found that co-expression of gamma2
      subunits hindered processing of beta2 subunit N104 N-glycans in HEK293T cells.
      This gamma2 subunit-dependent effect was strong enough that a decrease of gamma2
      subunit expression in heterozygous GABRG2 knockout (gamma2(+/-)) mice led to
      appreciable changes in the endoglycosidase H digestion pattern of neuronal beta2
      subunits. Interestingly, as measured by flow cytometry, gamma2 subunit surface
      levels were decreased by mutating each of the beta2 subunit glycosylation sites.
      The beta2 subunit mutation N104Q also decreased GABA potency to evoke macroscopic
      currents and reduced conductance, mean open time and open probability of single
      channel currents. Collectively, our data suggested that gamma2 subunits
      interacted with beta2 subunit N-glycans and/or subdomains containing the
      glycosylation sites, and that gamma2 subunit co-expression-dependent alterations
      in the processing of the beta2 subunit N104 N-glycans were involved in altering
      the function of surface GABAA receptors. 

PMID- 24213972
TI  - Effects of amide creatine derivatives in brain hippocampal slices, and their
      possible usefulness for curing creatine transporter deficiency.
AB  - The creatine/phosphocreatine system carries ATP from production to consumption
      sites and buffers the intracellular content of ATP at times of energy
      deprivation. The creatine transporter deficiency syndrome is an X-linked disease
      caused by a defective creatine transporter into the central nervous system. This
      disease is presently untreatable because creatine lacking its carrier cannot
      cross neither the blood-brain barrier nor the cell plasma membranes. Possible
      strategies to cure this condition are to couple creatine to molecules which have
      their own carrier, to exploit the latter to cross biological membranes or to
      modify the creatine molecule to make it more lipophilic, in such a way that it
      may more easily cross lipid-rich biological membranes. Such molecules could
      moreover be useful for treatment of stroke or other ischemic brain syndromes of
      normal (transporter working) tissue. In this paper we tested four molecules in in
      vitro hippocampal slices experiments to investigate whether or not they had a
      neuroprotective effect similar to that of creatine. On two of them we also
      performed biochemical measurements to investigate whether or not they were able
      to increase the creatine and phosphocreatine content of the hippocampal slices
      with and without block of the transporter. We found that these molecules increase
      levels of creatine after block of the transporter, and significantly increased
      the levels of phosphocreatine. Both significantly increased the total creatine
      content in both conditions of active and blocked transporter. This shows that
      these molecules are capable of entering cells through biological membranes
      without using the creatine transporter. By contrast, neither of them was able to
      delay synaptic block during anoxia of normal (transporter functioning) tissue. We
      conclude that these compounds might possibly be useful for therapy of creatine
      transporter deficiency, but further research is needed to understand their
      possible role in anoxia/ischemia of normal tissue.

PMID- 24213973
TI  - The neurocognitive effects of simulated use-of-force scenarios.
AB  - While the physiologic effects of modern conducted electrical weapons (CEW) have
      been the subject of numerous studies, their effects on neurocognitive
      functioning, both short-term and long-term, are less well understood. It is also
      unclear how these effects compare to other use-of-force options or other arrest
      related stressors. We compared the neurocognitive effects of an exposure to a
      TASER((r)) (TASER International, Inc, Scottsdale, AZ) X26TM CEW to four other use
      of-force scenarios during a training exercise using a well-established
      neurocognitive metric administered repeatedly over 1 h. Overall, we found that
      there was a decline in neurocognitive performance immediately post-scenario in
      all groups, but this effect was transient, of questionable clinical significance,
      and returned to baseline by 1 h post-scenario.

PMID- 24213974
TI  - Increased systemic cardiac output improves arterial oxygen saturation in
      bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt.
AB  - The low arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt
      (BCPS) predicts poor prognosis. The venous oxygen saturation of inferior vena
      cava (SivcO2), as well as the pulmonary blood flow/systemic blood flow ratio (Q
      p/Q s) affects the SaO2. The purpose of this study is to determine whether SivcO2
      or Q p/Q s should be increased to achieve better outcomes after BCPS. Forty-eight
      patients undergoing BCPS were included. Data of patients' age and body weight,
      SivcO2, Q p/Q s, pulmonary artery (PA) pressure and resistance, PA area index,
      morphology of ventricle, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, and history of PA
      plasty were collected. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses were used
      to investigate which of the factors most affected the SaO2 after BCPS. There was
      a significant correlation between SivcO2 and SaO2 (r = 0.771, P < 0.00001). There
      was no strong correlation between Q p/Q s and SaO2 (r = 0.358, P < 0.05).
      Stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that both SivcO2 (r =
      0.49, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.62, P < 0.0001) and Q p/Q s (r = 11.1,
      95 % CI 3.3-18.9, P = 0.007) most affected SaO2 after BCPS. Since the SivcO2 has
      a stronger correlation than Q p/Q s with SaO2, despite the fact that both raising
      Q p/Q s and raising cardiac output can increase SaO2, raising cardiac output
      should be considered prior to Q p/Q s to raise the SaO2 after BCPS. 

PMID- 24213975
TI  - Language production: Methods and methodologies.
AB  - Methodological problems have been a longstanding barrier to the systematic
      exploration of issues in language production. Recently, however, production
      research has broadened beyond traditional observational approaches to include a
      diverse set of experimental paradigms. This review surveys the observational and
      experimental methods that are used to study production, the questions to which
      the methods have been directed, and the theoretical assumptions that the methods
      embody. Although tailored to the investigation of language production, most of
      the methods are closely related to others that are widely employed in cognitive
      research. The common denominator of these procedures is verbal responding.
      Because the processing complexities of verbal responses are sometimes overlooked
      in research on memory, perception, attention, and language comprehension, the
      methodological assumptions of production research have implications for other
      experimental procedures that are used to elicit spoken words or sentences. 

PMID- 24213976
TI  - Working memory and language comprehension: A meta-analysis.
AB  - This paper presents a meta-analysis of the data from 6,179 participants in 77
      studies that investigated the association between working-memory capacity and
      language comprehension ability. A primary goal of the meta-analysis was to
      compare the predictive power of the measures of working memory developed by
      Daneman and Carpenter (1980) with the predictive power of other measures of
      working memory. The results of the meta-analysis support Daneman and Carpenter's
      (1980) claim that measures that tap the combined processing and storage capacity
      of working memory (e.g., reading span, listening span) are better predictors of
      comprehension than are measures that tap only the storage capacity (e.g., word
      span, digit span). The meta-analysis also showed that math process plus storage
      measures of working memory are good predictors of comprehension. Thus, the
      superior predictive power of the process plus storage measures is not limited to
      measures that involve the manipulation of words and sentences. 

PMID- 24213977
TI  - On testing for stochastic dissociations.
AB  - Methods for examining stochastic relationships have been proposed as powerful
      ways to dissociate different underlying psychological processes, but a number of
      problems have undermined conclusions based upon these methods. These testing
      methods and criticisms are reviewed, and the statistical methods for the testing
      of stochastic dependence are examined using computer simulation. With each of the
      methods examined, there were difficulties dealing with certain situations that
      are likely to occur in experiments examining dependence between successive tests.
      Examination also showed that the sample sizes of some previous studies were
      insufficient for findings of moderate amounts of dependence, calling some
      conclusions of stochastic independence into question. The results of the studies
      presented here suggest that testing for statistical dependence is a statistically
      perilous technique, but they also suggest several ways in which dedicated users
      of this form of testing can strengthen its application. 

PMID- 24213978
TI  - Chimpanzee handedness revisited: 55 years since Finch (1941).
AB  - Chimpanzees and other great apes have long held the fascination of psychologists
      because of their morphological and behavioral similarities to humans. This paper
      describes the historical interest in studies on chimpanzee handedness and reviews
      current findings. Data are presented which suggest that transient changes in
      posture result in the transient expression of right-handedness in chimpanzees.
      The role of tool use as an evolutionary mechanism underlying the expression of
      right-handedness is challenged. Rather, emphasis is placed on the role of
      bimanual feeding as a behavioral adaptation for the expression of handedness.
      Suggestions for further research on the nature of nonhuman primate handedness are
      made in light of these findings. 

PMID- 24213979
TI  - Molar and latent models of cognitive slowing: Implications for aging, dementia,
      depression, development, and intelligence.
AB  - The time that it takes a group of participants to respond in simple cognitive
      tasks varies systematically with the identity of the group. For example, on most
      tasks, older adults take longer to respond than younger adults. Similarly, on
      most tasks, younger children take longer to respond than mature children. More
      generally, response time has been found to vary reliably with a number of other
      factors that differentiate groups of participants, including the levels of
      dementia, depression, and intelligence. For each factor, investigators have
      sought to determine whether the various mental processes are slowed identically
      as the level of impairment increases. They have based this determination largely
      on the relation between the overall response times of the relevant groups. Here
      it is shown how one can base this determination on the relation between the
      speeds of the individual latent or mental processes governing the performance of
      the target groups. Such a shift in emphasis has three important advantages: it
      reduces the possibility of falsely accepting or rejecting the hypothesis that all
      processes are slowed identically; it pinpoints the actual processes that are
      lengthened disproportionately when processes are not slowed identically; and it
      makes possible the rigorous testing of the effects of changes in speed on other
      dependent variables (e.g., accuracy). 

PMID- 24213980
TI  - Response conformity in recognition testing.
AB  - In a recognition memory test for a just-studied word list, subjects responded
      positively or negatively to each test word in the presence of another subject,
      with the two taking turns to call out their responses. Responses given second
      tended to conform to those given first. This was so for responses to both targets
      and lures and following both positive and negative first responses, although the
      effect was sharply reduced for targets given a negative first response. The same
      pattern of results was obtained in a second experiment, in which an incognito
      confederate replaced one of the subjects and so brought one set of responses
      under full experimenter control. These experiments illustrate a powerful effect
      of social pressure on recognition responses. 

PMID- 24213981
TI  - A comparison of recollective memory and source monitoring.
AB  - Participants in recognition memory experiments are often asked for additional
      information about their memories after each positive recognition response. Two
      experiments were conducted that were identical, except that the first asked
      participants to make remember/familiar judgments about the items they recognized,
      and the second asked them to make source judgments. The similarity between the
      recollection and source judgment data has implications for measurement issues and
      theory development. 

PMID- 24213982
TI  - Influence of emotional state on irrelevant thoughts.
AB  - The fan effect paradigm was used to investigate the influence of emotional mood
      state on longterm memory retrieval (Anderson, 1983). Subjects learned target
      facts embedded in unrelated sentences to a specified criterion and were then
      given a happy, sad, or neutral mood induction. Mean response times (RTs) and
      error rates were analyzed in a speeded recognition test in which subjects
      distinguished between the learned facts and foil facts (foil facts were
      constructed by recombining the same concepts). A follow-up lexical decision task
      indicated that mean RT was positively correlated with an increase in the weighted
      proportion of irrelevant thoughts produced by subjects in an induced sad mood.
      Results suggest that irrelevant thoughts associated with the sad mood state
      interfered with more relevant, task-oriented, thoughts and support the notion
      that sad mood is related to a failure to inhibit irrelevant information. 

PMID- 24213983
TI  - Auditory priming in an implicit memory task that emphasizes surface processing.
AB  - Auditory priming was examined in an implicit memory task, phoneme monitoring,
      that emphasized surface processing. The contribution of voice to priming was
      investigated in single- and multiplespeaker environments by repeating studied
      words at test in either the same voice or different voices. Multiple-speaker
      environments, which preserved both acoustic and word repetition, eliminated
      priming when more than two voice changes between words were introduced. When
      voice familiarity attenuated acoustic variability, priming was reestablished in
      the condition in which three voices were heard. Voice changes between study and
      test, which eliminated acoustic repetition, also abolished priming. Word
      frequency affected reaction times but not priming. This demonstrated that priming
      entailed subword processing rather than word processing. This study demonstrates
      that the significance of voice in implicit memory is dependent on the level of
      processing required by the task and the acoustic environment. Supported in part
      by an OMRDD Fellowship in the CSI/IBR Center for Developmental Disabilities to M.
      P., portions of this study were conducted in partial fulfillment of her
      requirements for the Ph.D. in the Department of Psychology of The City University
      of New York Graduate School and University Center. 

PMID- 24213984
TI  - The moderating influence of variability on belief revision.
AB  - The variability of the information on which a belief was initially based should
      moderate the degree to which the belief is revised when new disconfirming
      information is received. Reasoning from everyday intuitions, psychological
      theories of concept representation, and a rational mathematical analysis, we
      inferred that as variability increased, resistance to disconfirming information
      would also increase. Participants' judgments of the central tendencies of
      distributions of numerical information confirmed this prediction. 

PMID- 24213985
TI  - Effects of contextual constraint on eye movements in reading: A further
      examination.
AB  - The effect of contextual constraint on eye movements in reading was examined by
      asking subjects to read sentences that contained a target word that varied in
      contextual constraint; high-, medium-, or low-constraint target words were used.
      Subjects fixated low-constraint target words longer than they did either high- or
      medium-constraint target words. In addition, they skipped high-constraint words
      more than they did either medium- or low-constraint target words. The results
      further confirm that contextual constraint has a strong influence on eye
      movements during reading. 

PMID- 24213986
TI  - Negative priming and stimulus-response compatibility.
AB  - The subjects in this study made incongruent naming responses to words and
      pictures that were presented on alternate trials (e.g., say "car" toBIKE). Their
      response time was longer if the correct response for the current trial was the
      name of the stimulus presented on the preceding trial, as compared with a control
      condition. These results suggest that the tendency to produce the (congruent)
      name of the stimulus is automatically activated and then inhibited. The "negative
      priming" effects appeared stronger for words where pictures were primes than for
      pictures where words were primes. The implications of these results for negative
      priming and stimulus-response compatibility are discussed. 

PMID- 24213987
TI  - List context effects on masked phonological priming in the lexical decision task.
AB  - A lexical decision experiment tested the effects of briefly presented masked
      primes that were homophones or pseudohomophones of target words. Different types
      of nonword foil (pseudohomophones, orthographically regular nonwords,
      orthographically irregular nonwords) were mixed with the word targets.
      Pseudohomophone priming effects were independent of nonword foil variations,
      whereas homophone priming effects varied from being facilitatory in the presence
      of orthographically regular nonwords, inhibitory in the presence of
      pseudohomophones, and null in the presence of irregular nonwords. This
      dissociation in the way nonword foil variations influence masked pseudohomophone
      and homophone priming effects in the lexical decision task is discussed within
      the framework of a bimodal extension of the multiple readout model of visual word
      recognition (Grainger & Jacobs, 1996). 

PMID- 24213988
TI  - Phonological priming reflects lexical competition.
AB  - A phonological relationship between a prime and a target produces facilitation
      when one or two initial phonemes are shared (low-similarity facilitation) but
      produces interference when more phonemes are shared (high-similarity
      interference; Slowiaczek & Hamburger, 1992). Although low-similarity facilitation
      appears to be a strategic effect (Goldinger, Luce, Pisoni, & Marcario, 1992),
      this result cannot generalize to high-similarity interference because the two
      effects are dissociated (Slowiaczek & Hamburger, 1992). In the present study,
      strategic processing in high-similarity interference was investigated. The
      phonological relatedness proportion (PRP) and the prime-target interstimulus
      interval (ISI) were varied in a shadowing experiment. Low-similarity facilitation
      was found only with a high PRP and long ISI, but high-similarity interference was
      found regardless of PRP and ISI. These results suggest that strategies influence
      low-similarity facilitation, but high-similarity interference reflects automatic
      processing. 

PMID- 24213989
TI  - PNKP knockdown by RNA interference inhibits herpes simplex virus-1 replication in
      astrocytes.
AB  - Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is a major pathogen that causes various central
      nervous system (CNS) diseases, including herpes simplex encephalitis and
      meningitis. According to recent studies, PNKP significantly affects the
      proliferation of HSV-1 in astrocytes. Here, we used viral proliferation curves to
      confirm the significant inhibitory effects of PNKP on HSV-1 proliferation. PNKP
      downregulation was also confirmed by analyzing the transcription of viral genes.
      We found that PNKP downregulation affects the viral DNA copy number. This study
      preliminarily confirms that PNKP affects viral proliferation by affecting HSV-1
      genome cyclization. These results also suggest that astrocytes play a specific
      role in preventing HSV-1 infection. 

PMID- 24213990
TI  - Resilience and challenges of marine social-ecological systems under complex and
      interconnected drivers.
AB  - In this paper, we summarize the contributions made by an interdisciplinary group
      of researchers from different disciplines (biology, ecology, economics, and law)
      that deal with key dimensions of marine social-ecological systems. Particularly,
      the local and global seafood provision; the feasibility and management of marine
      protected areas; the use of marine ecosystem services; the institutional
      dimension in European fisheries, and the affordable models for providing
      scientific advice to small-scale fisheries. This Special Issue presents key
      findings from selected case studies around the world available to educators,
      policy makers, and the technical community. Together, these papers show that a
      range of diverse ecological, economic, social, and institutional components often
      mutually interact at spatial and temporal scales, which evidence that managing
      marine social-ecological systems needs a continuous adaptability to navigate into
      new governance systems. 

PMID- 24213991
TI  - Exploring patterns of seafood provision revealed in the global Ocean Health
      Index.
AB  - Sustainable provision of seafood from wild-capture fisheries and mariculture is a
      fundamental component of healthy marine ecosystems and a major component of the
      Ocean Health Index. Here we critically review the food provision model of the
      Ocean Health Index, and explore the implications of knowledge gaps, scale of
      analysis, choice of reference points, measures of sustainability, and quality of
      input data. Global patterns for fisheries are positively related to human
      development and latitude, whereas patterns for mariculture are most closely
      associated with economic importance of seafood. Sensitivity analyses show that
      scores are robust to several model assumptions, but highly sensitive to choice of
      reference points and, for fisheries, extent of time series available to estimate
      landings. We show how results for sustainable seafood may be interpreted and
      used, and we evaluate which modifications show the greatest potential for
      improvements. 

PMID- 24213992
TI  - All fish for China?
AB  - In this paper we examine the effect of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on the level
      of fish intake in China in comparison with the rest of the world. We also analyse
      the origin and destination of China's seafood products in order to understand the
      main patterns during the last decades. The results show that in the 1961-2011
      period the rate of growth of the GDP in China doubled that of other developing
      regions, while the daily fish intake of China increased fourfold, making China
      the largest fish consumer in the world. Given the size and scale of China's role
      in production, consumption, and global transformation of seafood markets, China
      is shaping a new era of industrialization in the history of the fishing industry.

PMID- 24213993
TI  - Why are prices in wild catch and aquaculture industries so different?
AB  - Through a comparative analysis of prices in capture fisheries and aquaculture
      sectors, the objectives of this paper are a) to investigate three the trends in
      prices of forage catches to feed the aquaculture species, b) to analyze the
      amount of fish species need to feed aquaculture species in order to assess the
      level of efficiency in resource use, and c) to examine the degree of economic
      concentration either in wild-catch industry and aquaculture sectors. The results
      show that prices of cultivated species are higher than prices of the same species
      when harvested from the sea. We explain this fact by the interplay of three
      forces. First, the amount of wild fish to feed aquaculture species continues to
      improve over time. Second, the pressure of fishing activities has not been
      reduced since catches of most forage fishes are declining, which induce higher
      prices of capture species that feed aquaculture production. Third, the level of
      seafood market concentration is significantly higher in aquaculture than in wild
      catches, which generates higher prices in aquaculture. 

PMID- 24213994
TI  - Fish traders as key actors in fisheries: gender and adaptive management.
AB  - This paper fills an important gap towards adaptive management of small-scale
      fisheries by analyzing the gender dimension of fish trade in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
      We hypothesize that gender-based differences are present in the fish value chain
      and to test the hypothesis interviews were performed to analyze: (i) markets,
      customers, and mobility, (ii) material and economic resources, (iii) traded fish
      species, (iv) contacts and organizations, and (v) perceptions and experiences.
      Additionally, management documents were analyzed to examine the degree to which
      gender is considered. Results show that women traders had less access to social
      and economic resources, profitable markets, and high-value fish, which resulted
      in lower income. These gender inequalities are linked, among others, to women's
      reproductive roles such as childcare and household responsibilities. Formal
      fisheries management was found to be gender insensitive, showing how a crucial
      feedback element of adaptive management is missing in Zanzibar's management
      system, i.e., knowledge about key actors, their needs and challenges. 

PMID- 24213995
TI  - Transboundary socio-ecological effects of a Marine Protected Area in the
      Southwest Atlantic.
AB  - Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been regarded as an alternative to protect
      natural resources and to improve fisheries. However, MPAs may also have negative
      socio-economic consequences on fishing communities. We aimed to check the
      effectiveness of a socially conflicting MPA in Brazil by assessing target reef
      fish biomass in islands inside (n = 6) and outside (n = 6) the MPA, fisheries'
      productivity (biomass), catch per unit of effort (CPUE), and fishers' socio
      economic status (mainly fishers' income) in three fishing communities subjected
      to different degrees of influence (close, average, and long distance) of the MPA.
      The CPUE was higher in the fishing community that was further away from the MPA,
      fish biomass was higher in the islands located inside the MPA in the southern
      region and in the islands located outside the MPA in the northern region, while
      fishers were making the most money closest to the MPA, where conflicts are the
      highest, probably from practicing very intensive fisheries. This integrated
      approach showed that the studied MPA has not delivered ecological benefits, such
      as higher CPUE or more fish, while higher income closer to the MPA could not be
      clearly attributed to its effects. 

PMID- 24213996
TI  - Financing marine protected areas through visitor fees: insights from tourists
      willingness to pay in Chile.
AB  - Tourism is a financing mechanism considered by many donor-funded marine
      conservation initiatives. Here we assess the potential role of visitor entry
      fees, in generating the necessary revenue to manage a marine protected area
      (MPA), established through a Global Environmental Facility Grant, in a temperate
      region of Chile. We assess tourists' willingness to pay (WTP) for an entry fee
      associated to management and protection of the MPA. Results show 97 % of
      respondents were willing to pay an entrance fee. WTP predictors included the type
      of tourist, tourists' sensitivity to crowding, education, and understanding of
      ecological benefits of the MPA. Nature-based tourists state median WTP values of
      US$ 4.38 and Sun-sea-sand tourists US$ 3.77. Overall, entry fees could account
      for 10-13 % of MPA running costs. In Chile, where funding for conservation runs
      among the weakest in the world, visitor entry fees are no panacea in the short
      term and other mechanisms, including direct state/government support, should be
      considered. 

PMID- 24213997
TI  - Adaptive capacity of fishing communities at marine protected areas: a case study
      from the Colombian Pacific.
AB  - Departing from a theoretical methodology, we estimate empirically an index of
      adaptive capacity (IAC) of a fishing community to the establishment of marine
      protected areas (MPAs). We carried out household surveys, designed to obtain
      information for indicators and sub-indicators, and calculated the IAC. Moreover,
      we performed a sensitivity analysis to check for robustness of the results. Our
      findings show that, despite being located between two MPAs, the fishing community
      of Bazan in the Colombian Pacific is highly vulnerable and that the socioeconomic
      dimension of the IAC constitutes the most binding dimension for building adaptive
      capacity. Bazan is characterized by extreme poverty, high dependence on
      resources, and lack of basic public infrastructure. Notwithstanding, social
      capital and local awareness about ecological conditions may act as enhancers of
      adaptive capacity. The establishment of MPAs should consider the development of
      strategies to confer adaptive capacity to local communities highly dependent on
      resource extraction. 

PMID- 24213998
TI  - Determining the feasibility of establishing new multiple-use marine protected
      areas in Chile.
AB  - This paper evaluates the feasibility of establishing a multiple-use marine
      protected area. The methodology was applied to evaluate three proposed sites in
      Chile with diverse conservation needs, social stress and poverty levels, and
      different economic activities (small-scale fishing, heavy industry, and mining
      activities). We use two broad categories for the evaluation: socio-economic and
      political-institutional. The methodology uses a combination of secondary data
      with personal interviews, workshops, and focus groups with stakeholders (e.g.,
      fishermen, unions, politicians, social organizations) from different political,
      social, and economic backgrounds to characterize current and potential natural
      and social resources and to evaluate in an ordinal scale the feasibility of
      establishing the protected area. The methodology allows us to correctly identify
      the challenges faced in each site and can be used to develop appropriate
      strategies for balancing economic, social, and environmental objectives. This
      methodology can be replicated to evaluate the feasibility of other marine or
      terrestrial protected areas. 

PMID- 24213999
TI  - Connecting marine ecosystem services to human well-being: insights from
      participatory well-being assessment in Kenya.
AB  - The linkage between ecosystems and human well-being is a focus of the
      conceptualization of "ecosystem services" as promoted by the Millennium Ecosystem
      Assessment. However, the actual nature of connections between ecosystems and the
      well-being of individuals remains complex and poorly understood. We conducted a
      series of qualitative focus groups with five different stakeholder groups
      connected to a small-scale Kenyan coastal fishery to understand (1) how well
      being is understood within the community, and what is important for well-being,
      (2) how people's well-being has been affected by changes over the recent past,
      and (3) people's hopes and aspirations for their future fishery. Our results show
      that people conceive well-being in a diversity of ways, but that these can
      clearly map onto the MA framework. In particular, our research unpacks the
      "freedoms and choices" element of the framework and argues for greater
      recognition of these aspects of well-being in fisheries management in Kenya
      through, for example, more participatory governance processes. 

PMID- 24214000
TI  - Linking salmon aquaculture synergies and trade-offs on ecosystem services to
      human wellbeing constituents.
AB  - Salmon aquaculture has emerged as a successful economic industry generating high
      economic revenues to invest in the development of Chiloe region, Southern Chile.
      However, salmon aquaculture also consumes a substantial amount of ecosystem
      services, and the direct and indirect impacts on human wellbeing are still
      unknown and unexplored. This paper identifies the synergies and trade-offs caused
      by the salmon industry on a range of ecosystem services. The results show that
      large economic benefits due to the increase of provisioning ecosystem services
      are also causing a reduction on regulating and cultural services. Despite the
      improvement on average income and poverty levels experienced in communities
      closely associated with the sector, this progress is not large enough and social
      welfare did not improve substantially over the last decade. The rest of human
      wellbeing constituents in Chiloe region have not changed significantly compared
      to the development in the rest of the country. 

PMID- 24214001
TI  - How resilient are Europe's inshore fishing communities to change? Differences
      between the north and the south.
AB  - One would hypothesize that the Common Fisheries Policy, as the umbrella framework
      for fisheries management in the EU would have the greatest impact on fishers'
      communities across Europe. There are, however, biological, economic, social, and
      political factors, which vary among fishing communities that can affect how these
      communities react to changes. This paper explores the links between institutional
      arrangements and ecological dynamics in two European inshore fisheries socio
      ecological systems, using a resilience framework. The Mediterranean small-scale
      fishers do not seem to have been particularly affected by the Common Fisheries
      Policy regulations but appear affected by competition with the politically strong
      recreational fishers and the invasion of the rabbit fish population. The inshore
      fishers along the East coast of Scotland believe that their interests are not as
      sufficiently protected as the interests of their offshore counterpart. Decisions
      and initiatives at global, EU, and sometimes national level, tend to take into
      account those fisheries sectors which have a national economic importance. A
      socio-ecological analysis can shift the focus from biological and economic
      aspects to more sustainable long-term delivery of environmental benefits linked
      to human wellbeing. 

PMID- 24214002
TI  - Credible enforcement policies under illegal fishing: does individual transferable
      quotas induce to reduce the gap between approved and proposed allowable catches?
AB  - In general, approved Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are higher than proposed TACs
      by the scientific assessment and reported landings approved are higher than
      approved TAC. We build a simple enforcement agency's behavior model that
      generates-as a rational behavior-those two facts. The model has two ingredients.
      First, there exists illegal fishing generated by an imperfect enforcement
      technology; second, the enforcement agency cannot commit on announced penalties.
      We show that lack of commitment increases the potential benefits for national
      enforcement agency of deviating from proposal (scientific optimal) quotas.
      Although the enforcement agency wants to announce a low quota target to induce a
      low level of illegal harvest, it will find optimal to revise the quota announced
      in order to reduce penalties and improve fishermen welfare. Therefore, agencies
      find it optimal to approve higher quotas than that proposed by the scientific
      advice. Our main result is to show that when full compliance is not possible, and
      national agencies cannot commit, the introduction of Individual Transferable
      Quotas increases the potential benefits for agencies of deviating from the
      optimal proposed TAC by the scientific advised. 

PMID- 24214003
TI  - The key role of the Barefoot Fisheries Advisors in the co-managed TURF system of
      Galicia (NW Spain).
AB  - Many authors have pointed out the need for simpler assessment and management
      procedures for avoiding overexploitation in small-scale fisheries. Nevertheless,
      models for providing scientific advice for sustainable small-scale fisheries
      management have not yet been published. Here we present one model; the case of
      the Barefoot Fisheries Advisors (BFAs) in the Galician co-managed Territorial
      Users Rights for Fishing. Based on informal interviews, gray literature and our
      personal experience by being involved in this process, we have analyzed the
      historical development and evolution of roles of this novel and stimulating actor
      in small-scale fisheries management. The Galician BFA model allows the provision
      of good quality and organized fisheries data to facilitate and support decision
      making processes. The BFAs also build robust social capital by acting as
      knowledge collectors and translators between fishers, managers, and scientists.
      The BFAs have become key actors in the small-scale fisheries management of
      Galicia and a case for learning lessons. 

PMID- 24214004
TI  - Lead, cadmium, arsenic and zinc in the ecosystem surrounding a lead smelter.
AB  - A lead smelter has been operating at Belledune in the province of New Brunswick,
      in eastern Canada, since 1966. This paper presents data on the concentrations of
      the four primary metals emitted from the smelter - lead, cadmium, arsenic and
      zinc - which were measured in the terrestrial environment near the smelter and
      the concentrate transport route. Deposition of these metals to the snowpack and
      the uptake by grass forage are discussed in relation to non-regulatory
      guidelines, toxicity and atmospheric emissions. A 1992 snowpack transect survey
      extending 0.5-40 km northwest, southeast and south of the smelter revealed lead
      concentrations of 2-3193 ppb, cadmium <0.10-49.7 ppb, arsenic <3.0-72.0 ppb, and
      zinc 3-401 ppb. Deposition estimates within this zone for lead were between 0.046
      and 20.1 kg/ha/yr, cadmium <0.007 and 313 g/ha/yr, arsenic <0.016 and 453 g/ha/yr
      and zinc 0.020 and 2.52 kg/ha/yr. Concentrations of these metals in the snowpack
      were highest within 3 km of the smelter and were detectable at greater distances
      SE of the smelter. Lead was dispersed greater distances from the smelter than
      cadmium or arsenic. Snowpack samples collected within 5-20 m of the railway
      contained 140-7270 ppb of lead, 0.4-36.9 ppb of cadmium, <3.0-72.0 ppb of arsenic
      and 41-13100 ppb of zinc. Grass forage sampled within 0.6-16 km of the smelter
      contained lead 5-152 ppm, cadmium 0.10-4.1 ppm, and zinc 22-154 ppm. Highest
      concentrations of lead, cadmium and zinc in grass forage were found were found
      within 2.2 km of the smelter. Grass forage collected within 10-70 m of the
      railway contained lead 13-288 ppm, cadmium 0.4-1.3 ppm and zinc 98-831 ppm. 

PMID- 24214005
TI  - Sanitary conditions in three creeks in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman Emirates on the
      Arabian gulf (UAE).
AB  - A one-year monitoring program was carried out to assess the degree of pollution
      in three creeks on the northern coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), through
      measuring for chemical nutrients such as phosphate, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite
      and dissolved oxygen, in addition to enumerating selected microbial communities
      such as the heterotrophic bacteria, salt tolerant heterotrophic bacteria, Gram
      negative bacteria, total coliform and faecal coliform bacteria. The results
      indicated that Dubai and Sharjah creeks have occasional unusually high nutrients
      levels with sharp fluctuations and wide spatial and temporal variations,
      suggesting the presence of an anthropogenic sources of pollution, creating these
      conditions, near the sampling sites. These sources includes several wastewater
      outlets and recreational facilities. Ajman creek had much less nutrients levels.
      The microbial counts in the three creeks had a distinct pattern where numbers
      peaked in mid spring (May) and autumn (October) and were relatively low during
      the summer and winter months. Total and faecal coliform fluctuated depending on
      several factors including the presence of nearby recreation and commercial areas,
      but were at no time consistently high. It was concluded that there is no major
      pollution problem in these creeks and recommendation were made to prevent it in
      the future. 

PMID- 24214006
TI  - An assessment of air quality in Karachi, Pakistan.
AB  - An atmospheric pollution survey was carried out at 13 sites in Karachi, Pakistan,
      simultaneously from 0600 h to 2100 h for 15 consecutive days in May 1990 which
      also included meteorological measurements. The monitoring sites were included
      along the prevailing wind patterns in Karachi. Carbon monoxide levels in the
      ambient air were found to reach 9-10 ppm along the busy urban streets whereas CO2
      level exceeded 370 ppm in these areas. Our survey indicates that NO2 levels were
      exceeding U.S. ambient air quality standards. Maxmum NO2 concentrations were
      observed (0.3-0.5 ppm) during the daytime from 0600 h to 2100 h. The surface
      ozone maximum around noon at the inland sites reached the levels of 40 ppb and 50
      ppb respectively compared to upwind coastal Sites 1 level of 25 ppb. The Pb
      concentrations were approximately 3- to 7-fold higher than average, which
      corresponded well to urban air. Fossil fuel SO4 (excess) and NO3 were
      apportionally based on the assumption that these two anions were present as
      (NH4)2SO4, and NH4NO3 in the aerosols. In the eastern part of the city
      atmospheric sulphate (SO4) shows the combustion of coal as its source from the
      vicinity and downwind of a steel manufacturing plant. 

PMID- 24214007
TI  - Locational differences in metal concentrations in feathers of Australasian gannet
      (Morus serrator) in New Zealand.
AB  - Levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, manganese and chromium were examined
      in breast feathers of Australasian Gannets (Morus serrator) from New Zealand
      waters, where they breed on coastal rocky stacks, islands, and occasionally
      coastal headlands. There were significant differences in the concentrations of
      all metals except mercury, with gannets from Ninety Mile Beach having
      significantly lower levels of all metals than those from the other beaches.
      Ninety Mile Beach is on the northern tip of the North Island, away from
      urbanization and industrialization, whereas the other beaches are closer to
      Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. The levels of most metals were similar
      or lower than those reported for feathers from elsewhere around the world.
      Mercury, however, was at the high end, being exceeded only by raptors and gulls
      from industrialized countries. Several metal levels were highly correlated,
      indicating that gannets were usually exposed to several metals at once. 

PMID- 24214008
TI  - The measurement of atmospheric concentrations and deposition of semi-volatile
      organic compounds.
AB  - A physical description of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) is given, both
      in terms of their characteristic nature in the atmosphere and the processes which
      control their deposition. The currently adopted methods used to measure the
      atmospheric concentrations of SVOCs have been summarised, along with their
      shortcomings. Techniques and associated problems have also been reviewed for
      measurements of atmospheric deposition. A summary has been given of the
      requirements necessary for a full assessment of atmospheric SVOCs and their
      deposition. 

PMID- 24214009
TI  - Letter to the editor.

PMID- 24214010
TI  - Use of hold-gro erosion control fabric in the establishment of plant species on
      coal mine soil.
AB  - Experiments were conducted on the Black Mesa Coal Mine, Kayenta, Arizona in 1977
      and 1978 to study the effectiveness of Hold-Gro Erosion Control Fabric (a product
      from the Gulf States Paper Corporation, Tuscaloosa, Alabama) in the establishment
      of plants on coal mine soil following the surface mining of coal. Four plant
      species were planted: (1) spring barley (Horduem vulgare L.), an annual grass (2)
      crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.), a perennial grass (3) alfalfa
      (lucerne) (Medicago sativa L.), a perennial legume and (4) fourwing saltbush
      (Atriplex canescens Pursh.), a perennial shrub. Seeds of each plant species were
      planted in reclaimed coal mine soil in the spring of the year by both broadcast
      seeding (conventional culture) and the incorporation of seeds in Hold-Gro Erosion
      Control Fabric. Average numbers of seedlings established and percent ground cover
      for all species studied were higher in areas where conventional culture was used
      than they were in areas where seeds were incorporated in Hold-Gro Erosion Control
      Fabric. The incorporation of seeds in Hold-Gro Erosion Control Fabric in the
      establishment of plant species on coal mine soil was not an effective cultural
      practice in the southwestern United States. 

PMID- 24214011
TI  - Survival and growth of conservation shrubs and trees, with thin-cover reclamation
      on acid substrate, Iowa, USA.
AB  - Many abandoned strip-mine sites in midwestern USA are highly acidic and require a
      separate layer of low-acidity cover materials for successful revegetation.
      Economics and logistics often constrain this reclamation to a very thin cover.
      Twenty-two species of shrubs and trees were tested for 6 years of survival and
      growth on a thin wedge of silt loess (up to 0.75m thick) emplaced over highly
      acid spoils, in south-central Iowa. No weed control or maintenance was provided.
      The performance of 21 of the species could be categorized into 3 groups: Group 1
      consistent survival (10 species); Group 2-irregular survival and growth (6
      species); Group 3-little suitability for survival (5 species). Mouldy nursery
      stock precluded evaluation of 1 species.For most species, the most favourable
      survival and growth was not on the thickest loess cover (0.75 meters) because
      weeds became too well established. In general, the shrubs survived severe weed
      competition in dwarfed form until they could break through the weed canopy. But
      the tree species had to penetrate the weed canopy within their first few years of
      growth or perish. There is evidence that if weed competition were reduced or
      eliminated, the species in Group 2 would probably have survival and growth
      equivalent to those in Group 1. The use of "tubelings" for establishing shrubs
      and trees on thincover reclamation sites is suggested. 

PMID- 24214012
TI  - Air lead, blood lead and travel by car.
AB  - Evidence on the relevance of lead in petrol to lead in blood has come from two
      main sources. Cross sectional studies of blood lead levels in population samples
      and in the air to which they are exposed suggest that petrol makes only a very
      small contribution. However longitudinal studies in the USA in which changes in
      lead levels in petrol and changes in blood lead have been studied suggest that
      petrol makes a substantial contribution to blood lead. The possibility that this
      discrepancy might be explained by the exposure of subjects to very high levels of
      lead when travelling in motor vehicles is examined, and rejected. 

PMID- 24214013
TI  - The effect of limestone treatments on the rate of acid generation from pyritic
      mine gangue.
AB  - Surface water enters the Haile Gold Mine, Lancaster County, South Carolina by
      means of a small stream and is ponded behind a dam and in an abandoned pit. This
      water is affected by acidic drainage. In spite of the large exposures of
      potentially acid producing pyritic rock, the flux of acid to the water is
      relatively low. Nevertheless, the resulting pH values of the mine water are low
      (around 3.5) due to negligible buffering capacity. In view of the observed low
      release of acidity, the potential for acid drainage abatement by limestone
      ameliorants appears feasible.This study investigated the effects of limestone
      treatment on acid generation rates of the Haile mine pyritic rocks through a
      series of leaching experiments. Below a critical alkalinity threshold value,
      solutions of dissolved limestone were found consistently to accelerate the rate
      of pyrite oxidation by varying degrees. The oxidation rates were further
      accelerated by admixing solid limestone with the pyritic rock. However, after a
      period of about a month, the pyrite oxidation rate of the admixed samples
      declined to a level lower than that of untreated pyrite. Leachates produced by
      the pyrite and limestone mixtures contained little if any iron. Further, in the
      mixtures, an alteration of the pyrite surface was apparent.The observed behaviour
      of the treated pyrite appears to be related to the immersion of the pyrite grains
      within a high alkalinity/high pH environment. The high pH increases the rate of
      oxidation of ferrous iron which results in a higher concentration of ferric iron
      at the pyrite surface. This, in turn, increases the rate of pyrite oxidation.
      Above a threshold alkalinity value, the precipitation of hydrous iron oxides at
      the pyrite surface eventually outpaces acid generation and coats the pyrite
      surface, retarding the rate of pyrite oxidation. 

PMID- 24214015
TI  - Photoresponsive gels prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization.
AB  - This communication describes photoresponsive gels, prepared using ring-opening
      metathesis polymerization (ROMP), that dissolve upon irradiation with ultraviolet
      light. Exposure of mixtures of norbornene-type ROMP monomers and new
      photoreactive cross-linkers comprising two norbornene units bound through a chain
      containing o-nitrobenzyl esters (NBEs) to well-known ruthenium carbene catalysts
      gave cross-linked polymer networks that swelled in organic solvents or water
      depending on the structure of the monomer. These gels became homogeneous upon
      irradiation with UV light, consistent with breaking of the cross-links through
      photolysis of the NBE groups. The irradiation time required for homogenization of
      the gels depended on the cross-link density and the structure of the
      photoresponsive cross-linker. 

PMID- 24214017
TI  - The cyanobactin heterocyclase enzyme: a processive adenylase that operates with a
      defined order of reaction.

PMID- 24214019
TI  - The gluteal sling: an anatomical study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sciatic nerve palsy is a devastating complication which may be seen
      after acetabular exposure in total hip resurfacing via a posterior approach. An
      anatomical structure termed as the "gluteal sling" was suggested to play a role
      in sciatic nerve palsies during this operation. "Gluteal sling" is formed by the
      attachment of the deep fibers of the inferior part of the gluteus maximus on the
      gluteal tuberosity of the femur and the lateral intermuscular septum. It is
      suggested to be released to avoid such compressive injuries. The purpose of this
      study is to demonstrate how much of the gluteal sling should be released to
      decrease the tension on sciatic nerve during posterior hip arthroplasties. We
      also aimed to study the anatomical structures at risk during releasing procedure.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gluteal sling was examined in 17 sides of 9 adult
      cadavers. Its relation with the sciatic nerve, first perforating artery, the tip
      of greater trochanter and the ischial tuberosity were evaluated. RESULTS: The
      closest distance between the gluteal sling and the sciatic nerve was measured as
      1.9 +/- 0.6 cm. This point was corresponding to the distal 2/3 part of the
      gluteal sling. The distance of the proximal edge of the gluteal sling to the
      first perforating artery was 3.7 +/- 0.9 cm, while its ascending branch was
      closer, being 1.8 +/- 0.8 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Theoretically, it is enough to release
      the proximal 2/3 of the gluteal sling to avoid its compression on the sciatic
      nerve. However, further clinical studies would need to be undertaken to properly
      determine the effects of this procedure.

PMID- 24214018
TI  - Recent trends in biomedical informatics: a study based on JAMIA articles.
AB  - In a growing interdisciplinary field like biomedical informatics, information
      dissemination and citation trends are changing rapidly due to many factors. To
      understand these factors better, we analyzed the evolution of the number of
      articles per major biomedical informatics topic, download/online view
      frequencies, and citation patterns (using Web of Science) for articles published
      from 2009 to 2012 in JAMIA. The number of articles published in JAMIA increased
      significantly from 2009 to 2012, and there were some topic differences in the
      last 4 years. Medical Record Systems, Algorithms, and Methods are topic
      categories that are growing fast in several publications. We observed a
      significant correlation between download frequencies and the number of citations
      per month since publication for a given article. Earlier free availability of
      articles to non-subscribers was associated with a higher number of downloads and
      showed a trend towards a higher number of citations. This trend will need to be
      verified as more data accumulate in coming years. 

PMID- 24214020
TI  - Truncus bicaroticus with aberrant right subclavian artery and origin of right
      vertebral from right common carotid artery.
AB  - We describe a rare constellation of variant anatomy of the aortic arch branches,
      seen on a magnetic resonance angiographic examination during the course of
      investigation for recent onset memory loss in a 52-year-old patient. There was a
      common origin of both the common carotid arteries (CCA), the common trunk being
      the first major branch of the aortic arch, the right vertebral artery arising
      from the right CCA and the right subclavian artery arising as the last branch of
      the arch. In isolation, the three components of this constellation have been
      reported with different frequencies, but as per the authors' knowledge, this
      entire constellation has been rarely reported. We review the literature and
      propose an embryological mechanism for this variant anatomy. 

PMID- 24214021
TI  - Exploring intercellular signaling by proteomic approaches.
AB  - Cells live in a close social context by having mutual communication with their
      local microenvironment. This complex intercellular communication activates
      dynamic signaling pathways and regulates specific cell fate. MS-based proteomics
      has been approved to be inevitable for characterizing dynamic protein expression
      and PTMs on a global scale. However, because of technical difficulties for
      targeting membrane receptors and secreted proteins, especially in a
      physiologically relevant manner, systematic characterization of intercellular
      signaling by MS-based proteomics has largely lagged behind. Here, I will review
      the latest proteomics technology development and its application to
      characterizing different modes of intercellular communication including indirect
      and direct cell-cell communication, and protein translocalization. I will discuss
      how MS-based proteomics has been applied for systems-level profiling
      intercellular signaling in defined biological contexts including tumor
      microenvironment, bacteria/virus-host cell interaction, immune cell interaction,
      and stem cell niche. 

PMID- 24214022
TI  - Profiling of the soluble proteome in rat hippocampus post propofol anesthesia.
AB  - The current study was designed to initially observe the changes in soluble
      proteome in rat hippocampus post anesthesia, trying to explore possible clues for
      elucidating the effects of propofol. Soluble proteins were separated by 2
      dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Their expressions were observed at 1, 6, 24 h
      and 7 days after 3 h of propofol anesthesia. Spots exhibiting significant changes
      among different time-points were submitted to matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) assay and
      peptide mass fingerprinting identification. The expression changes of selected
      proteins were further assayed using Western blot and RT-PCR. Twenty-six
      differentially expressed proteins were found and 19 were successfully identified
      with MALDI-TOF MS. Gene ontology analysis revealed these identified proteins were
      mainly cytosol (5) and/or cytoskeleton fractions (5). According to biological
      processes category, 9 proteins take part in development process, 12 are involved
      in metabolic process and 6 in regulatory function. Functionally, 17 proteins were
      involved in binding activities among which 12 possessed catalytic activities.
      Most changes took place within 24 h. Change patterns of selected proteins were
      identical in 2-DE and Western blot. Three mRNA of 5 selected proteins exhibited
      similar change patterns with those of their protein expressions. Soluble proteome
      in rat hippocampus are dynamically affected by propofol, with multiple processes
      being involved. They are possible explanations for propofol effects but further
      investigations are required. 

PMID- 24214023
TI  - Celastrol from 'Thunder God Vine' protects SH-SY5Y cells through the preservation
      of mitochondrial function and inhibition of p38 MAPK in a rotenone model of
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Celastrol, a potent natural triterpene and one of the most promising medicinal
      molecules, is known to possess a broad range of biological activity. Rotenone, a
      pesticide and complex I inhibitor, is commonly used to produce experimental
      models of Parkinson's disease both in vivo and in vitro. The present study was
      designed to examine the effects of celastrol on cell injury induced by rotenone
      in the human dopaminergic cells and to elucidate the possible mechanistic clues
      in its neuroprotective action. We demonstrate that celastrol protects SH-SY5Y
      cells from rotenone-induced cellular injury and apoptotic cell death. Celastrol
      also prevented the increased generation of reactive oxygen species and
      mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) loss induced by rotenone. Similarly,
      celastrol treatment inhibited cytochrome c release, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio changes, and
      caspase-9/3 activation. Celastrol specifically inhibited rotenone-evoked p38
      mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in SH-SY5Y cells. These data suggest
      that celastrol may serve as a potent agent for prevention of neurotoxin-induced
      neurodegeneration through multiple mechanisms and thus has therapeutic potential
      for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID- 24214025
TI  - Solving chemical problems with a mixture of quantum-mechanical and molecular
      mechanics calculations: Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013.

PMID- 24214024
TI  - Origin and evolution of the eukaryotic SSU processome revealed by a comprehensive
      genomic analysis and implications for the origin of the nucleolus.
AB  - As a nucleolar complex for small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA processing, SSU
      processome has been extensively studied mainly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae but
      not in diverse organisms, leaving open the question of whether it is a ubiquitous
      mechanism across eukaryotes and how it evolved in the course of the evolution of
      eukaryotes. Genome-wide survey and identification of SSU processome components
      showed that the majority of all 77 yeast SSU processome proteins possess homologs
      in almost all of the main eukaryotic lineages, and 14 of them have homologs in
      archaea but few in bacteria, suggesting that the complex is ubiquitous in
      eukaryotes, and its evolutionary history began with abundant protein homologs
      being present in archaea and then a fairly complete form of the complex emerged
      in the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA). Phylogenetic analysis indicated
      that ancient gene duplication and functional divergence of the protein components
      of the complex occurred frequently during the evolutionary origin of the LECA
      from prokaryotes. We found that such duplications not only increased the
      complex's components but also produced some new functional proteins involved in
      other nucleolar functions, such as ribosome biogenesis and even some nonnucleolar
      (but nuclear) proteins participating in pre-mRNA splicing, implying the
      evolutionary emergence of the subnuclear compartment-the nucleolus-has occurred
      in the LECA. Therefore, the LECA harbored not only complicated SSU processomes
      but also a nucleolus. Our analysis also revealed that gene duplication,
      innovation, and loss, caused further divergence of the complex during the
      divergence of eukaryotes.

PMID- 24214026
TI  - Neonatal immunology: responses to pathogenic microorganisms and epigenetics
      reveal an "immunodiverse" developmental state.
AB  - Neonatal animals have heightened susceptibility to infectious agents and are at
      increased risk for the development of allergic diseases, such as asthma.
      Experimental studies using animal models have been quite useful for beginning to
      identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these sensitivities. In
      particular, results from murine neonatal models indicate that developmental
      regulation of multiple immune cell types contributes to the typically poor
      responses of neonates to pathogenic microorganisms. Surprisingly, however, animal
      studies have also revealed that responses at mucosal surfaces in early life may
      be protective against primary or secondary disease. Our understanding of the
      molecular events underlying these processes is less well developed. Emerging
      evidence indicates that the functional properties of neonatal immune cells and
      the subsequent maturation of the immune system in ontogeny may be regulated by
      epigenetic phenomena. Here, we review recent findings from our group and others
      describing cellular responses to infection and developmentally regulated
      epigenetic processes in the newborn. 

PMID- 24214029
TI  - Minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) does not result in less hypertrophic
      scar formation as compared to conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC) with
      dexamethasone.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is associated with a systemic
      inflammatory response through the interaction of air, blood and synthetic
      components in the bypass system and the physical trauma of surgery. An
      alternative cardiopulmonary bypass system, minimal extracorporeal circulation
      (MECC), has shown promising results in terms of reducing the inflammatory
      response. We hypothesized that this system may reduce pathological excessive
      scarring. To study this assumption, the effects of MECC and the effects of
      conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC) with dexamethasone on skin
      scarring were compared in a standardized wound-healing model. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Pre-sternal scars were evaluated prospectively at four and 12 months
      postoperatively. The height and width of the scars were measured, using a slide
      caliper and sonography. The scars were scored using the validated Patient and
      Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Additional risk factors for hypertrophic scar
      formation were identified by means of a questionnaire. During surgery, MECC was
      used in 45 patients and CECC/dexamethasone in 42 patients. Four months
      postoperatively, 22 patients of the MECC group (49%) and 18 patients in the
      CECC/dexamethasone group (43%) had developed hypertrophic scars. Twelve months
      postoperatively, the hypertrophic scars in four patients of the MECC group and in
      two patients of the CECC/dexamethasone group had become normotrophic. In 18
      patients of the MECC group (38%) and 16 patients of the CECC group (41%) the
      scars remained hypertrophic at 12 months. These differences between the two
      groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: MECC does not reduce
      hypertrophic scar formation compared with CECC with dexamethasone, but its use is
      more beneficial than the use of CECC/dexamethasone because of the circulatory and
      immunological advantages and because treatment with dexamethasone can be omitted.

PMID- 24214028
TI  - Novel molecular pathways in Gorham disease: implications for treatment.
AB  - Rapid advances in evidence-based treatment schedules are a hallmark of modern
      oncology. In rare neoplastic diseases, however, clinical expertise is hard to
      build and evidence based on randomized trials almost impossible to collect.
      Gorham disease is a rare form of lymphatic proliferation accompanied by
      osteolysis, which usually occurs in young adults. Despite the fact that the
      clinical course of Gorham disease is often devastating and occasionally fatal,
      insights into its biological background are sparse and standardized treatment
      unavailable. Interestingly, recent knowledge on the mechanisms of
      lymphangiogenesis may help elucidate the pathophysiology of Gorham disease and
      lead to novel treatment targets. Here, we discuss our current understanding of
      Gorham disease, discuss established and emerging therapeutic strategies, and
      attempt to frame a treatment rationale.

PMID- 24214027
TI  - The IL-2/IL-2R system: from basic science to therapeutic applications to enhance
      immune regulation.
AB  - IL-2 plays a critical role in the normal function of the immune system. A trophic
      factor for lymphocytes, IL-2 is required for mounting and sustaining adaptive T
      cell responses; however, IL-2 is also critical for immune regulation via its
      effects on regulatory T cells (Treg cells). Over the years, we have contributed
      to the understanding of the biology of IL-2 and its signaling through the IL-2
      receptor and helped define the key role played by IL-2 in Treg development and
      function. Our data show that Treg cells have a heightened sensitivity to IL-2,
      which may create a therapeutic window to promote immune regulation by selective
      stimulation of Treg cells. We are now developing new efforts to translate this
      knowledge to the clinical arena, through our focused interest in Type 1 diabetes
      as a prototypic autoimmune disease. Specifically, we aim at developing IL-2-based
      therapeutic regimens and incorporate means to enhance antigen-specific Treg
      responses, for improved and more selective regulation of islet autoimmunity. In
      parallel, we are pursuing studies in preclinical models of autoimmunity and
      transplantation to define critical factors for successful adoptive Treg therapy
      and develop clinically applicable therapeutic protocols.

PMID- 24214030
TI  - Monoclonal antibody preparation and expression profile analysis of a novel
      hepatoma associated gene.
AB  - Hepatoma associated gene (HTA), a gene screened and cloned by our previous
      research, was specifically expressed in certain kinds of tumors and had a cancer
      promoting role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To further elucidate the
      mechanism of HTA in hepatoma carcinogenesis and its potential role as a cancer
      biomarker, refolded HTA protein (HTA) was obtained by prokaryotic recombinant
      expression system and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Then anti-HTA
      monoclonal antibody (mAb) was produced by hybridoma technique. Using the high
      titer anti-HTA mAb with high specificity obtained, the expression profile of HTA
      was analysed by immunohistochemistry staining. It showed that HTA expressed
      specifically in some kinds of tumors, and didn't express in almost any of the
      normal tissues. The positive expression rate and expression quantity of HTA was
      significantly higher in HCC tissues than in hepatic cirrhosis tissues, hepatic
      fibrosis tissues and normal hepatic tissues. The expression of HTA was positively
      correlated with hepatoma carcinogenic process.

PMID- 24214032
TI  - Linear time-of-flight mass spectrometers: Postsource pulse focusing conditions
      and mass scale.
AB  - The condition to cancel aberrations that result from initial ion velocities and
      length of ionization process by postsource pulse focusing in linear time-of
      flight mass spectrometers is derived. The ion arrival time distribution as a
      function of ion mass is given, which permits mass scale calibration. Simple
      formulas allow calculation of the voltage needed for postsource pulse focusing
      and the limits of the mass range where the focusing action is felt. The theory is
      illustrated for a specific instrument case. 

PMID- 24214031
TI  - On the photoionization of large molecules.
AB  - There is no apparent limit to the size of a molecule for which photoionization
      can occur. It is argued that it is difficult to obtain useful photoionization
      mass spectra of peptides (above ~ 2000 u), proteins, and oligonucleotides,
      because of the high internal energy of these polar molecules as a result of the
      desorption event and because vibrationally excited radical cations readily
      fragment. Evidence to support this hypothesis is presented from the 118-nm single
      photon ionization (SPI) mass spectra of the cyclic decapeptide gramicidin S and
      of fullerenes, from null SPI results with the linear peptides substance P and
      gramicidin D and oligonucleotides, and from a variety of data found in the
      literature. The literature data include mass spectra from jet-cooled peptides,
      perfluorinated polyethers, collisional ionization of small neutral peptides, and
      the ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of polymeric solids. 

PMID- 24214033
TI  - Characterization of braun's lipoprotein and determination of its attachment sites
      to peptidoglycan by (252)Cf-PD and MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
AB  - A strategy for the characterization of bacterial lipoprotein-in this case Braun's
      lipoprotein (an outer membrane 7-ku lipoprotein) isolated from Escherichia coli
      is described by time-of-flight mass spectrometric (TOF/MS) techniques [(252)Cf
      plasma desorption (PD) TOF/MS and matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization
      (MALDI) TOF/MS]. Covalent linkage of lipid at the N-terminal cysteine
      (posttranslationally modified to a S-[2,3-bis(acyloxy)-propyl]-N-acylcysteine)
      and, therefore, strict insolubility in aqueous solution constitute common
      features for this class of proteins. Relative molecular mass determination of the
      major molecular species of Braun's lipoprotein was obtained by selection of an
      appropriate mixture of organic solvents compatible with matrix/support materials
      useful for the mass spectrometric techniques applied. Minor components of this
      lipoprotein that differ only in the fatty acid composition of the lipid anchor
      were detected by PD TOF/MS after enzymatic release of the extremely hydrophobic N
      terminal amino acid followed by selective extraction with chloroform. Part of the
      primary sequence of this lipoprotein was confirmed based on peptide fragment ions
      observed in the positive ion PD mass spectra of cyanogen bromide-generated
      peptide fragments that had been isolated previously by reverse phase high
      performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Peptidoglycan fragments that represent
      the attachment sites of lipoprotein to peptidoglycan were enzymatically released,
      separated by reverse phase HPLC, and finally characterized by time-of-flight mass
      spectrometric techniques ((252)Cf-PD TOF/MS, MALDI TOF/MS). The results obtained
      with both techniques differed only in the better sensitivity obtained with MALDI
      TOF/MS, which consumed a factor of 100 to 1000 less material than with PD TOF/MS.

PMID- 24214034
TI  - The fundamentals of applying electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to low
      mass poly(methyl methacrylate) polymers.
AB  - Electrospray ionization (ESI) is capable of ionizing many soluble polymers. The
      ESI spectra are complex because of overlap of the multiply charged ions of the
      oligomer distribution, causing current computer transform programs to fail.
      However, it is possible to determine the origin of the multiply charged ions,
      making it feasible to write a program designed to transform ESI polymer spectra.
      To assess the value of such a program for polymer analysis, isolated monodisperse
      methyl methacrylate (MMA) oligomers (25 and 50 repeat units) were used to
      determine molar signal response and propensity for fragmentation.The sum of the
      peak areas for the multiply charged MMA 50-mer was found to be only about 66% of
      the summed peak areas for the 25-mer for the same molar concentration. However,
      conversion of the multiply charged peak areas to the singly charged
      representations, with peak area compression taken into account, gave equal signal
      responses for the 25-and 50-mers. Signal response variations due to the tacticity
      of the MMA oligomers were not observed. Fragmentation of the MMA oligomers also
      was shown not to occur under normal ESI conditions. Therefore, transformation of
      the polymer spectra to the singly charged molecular ion distribution should allow
      accurate calculation of average molecular weights, polydispersity, end group
      mass, and repeat unit mass. 

PMID- 24214035
TI  - Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of biotin binding to streptavidin.
AB  - Stepwise binding of biotin to streptavidin via several intermediates was
      monitored with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS). Protein ligand
      interactions that result in conformational changes could be recognized with ESIMS
      by a mass shift and a change of the average multiple charge state of this
      protein. In addition, mass spectrometry for the ions in the gas phase revealed a
      much greater strength of the noncovalent bonds between the streptavidin subunits
      in the tetrameric complex than between the streptavidin and biotin molecules and
      remarkable differences in stability for the different charge states of the biotin
      streptavidin noncovalent complex. 

PMID- 24214036
TI  - Isotope ratios and abundance sensitivity obtained with an inductively coupled
      plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometer.
AB  - Isotope ratios and abundance sensitivities have been determined with an
      inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ICP-TOFMS).
      Abundance sensitivities are at least in the 10(6) range for low abundance ions
      that precede high abundance ions. Three methods of detection for isotope-ratio
      measurement have been compared. The three systems involve gated detection
      followed by analog integration, analog averaging, or ion counting. Gated ion
      counting offers excellent precision-between 0. 64 and 1. 00% relative standard
      deviation (RSD). These values approach those predicted from counting statistics
      and are comparable to those reported for other inductively coupled plasma-mass
      spectrometry (ICP-MS) instruments. In addition, a greater number of accumulated
      counts or longer analysis times would afford precisions of 0. 1% with stable
      gating electronics. The accuracy of the counting method is in the 1-10% range if
      no correction for mass bias is performed. However, this ion counting method
      suffers from a limited dynamic range due to pulse pileup. Constant-fraction
      discrimination gated integration and commercial boxcar averager techniques offer
      a broader dynamic range because of their analog nature, but the attainable RSD
      values are limited by drift in the detection systems and by the methods employed
      to calculate an accurate ratio. Overall, mass bias in the ICP-TOFMS is more
      severe than previous work in ICP-MS due primarily to detection system bias. 

PMID- 24214037
TI  - Field-modulated selective ion storage in a quadrupole ion trap.
AB  - A new method of selective ion storage in a quadrupole ion trap is described.
      Broadband waveforms were applied to the endcaps of an ion trap to eject unwanted
      ions by resonance excitation, which enhanced the storage of selected target ions.
      A unique trapping field amplitude modulation technique allowed the use of
      waveforms with fewer frequency components. The requirements and methods of
      calculations for frequency-optimized wave-forms are discussed. Advantages of this
      method include the reduction of target ion loss that results from collision
      activated dissociation. In other applications, equivalent performance, relative
      to methods that use nonmodulated trapping fields combined with waveforms that
      have a higher frequency density, was shown. 

PMID- 24214038
TI  - Ion trajectories in an electrostatic ion guide for external ion source fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
AB  - An electrostatic ion guide (EIG) that consists of concentric cylinder and central
      wire electrodes can transport ions efficiently from an external ion source to an
      ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) ion trap for mass analysis, with several advantages
      over current injection methods. Because the electrostatic force of the EIG
      captures ions in a stable orbit about the wire electrode, ions with initially
      divergent trajectories may be redirected toward the ICR ion trap for improved ion
      transmission efficiency. SIMION trajectory calculations (ion kinetic energy, 1
      200 eV; elevation angle, 0.30  degrees ; azimuthal angle, 0.360 degrees ) predict
      that ions of m/z 1000 may be transmitted through a strong (0.01 -> 3.0-T)
      magnetic field gradient. Judicious choice of ion source position and EIG
      potential minimizes the spread in ion axial kinetic energy at the ICR ion trap.
      Advantages of the EIG include large acceptance angle, even for ions that have
      large initial kinetic energy and large radial displacement with respect to the
      central z-axis, low ion extraction voltage (5-20 V), and efficient trapping
      because ions need not be accelerated to high velocity to pass through the
      magnetic field gradient. 

PMID- 24214039
TI  - Peptide sequence determination from high-energy collision-induced dissociation
      spectra using artificial neural networks.
AB  - This paper reports a newly developed technique that uses artificial neural
      networks to aid in the automated interpretation of peptide sequence from high
      energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectra of peptides. Two
      artificial neural networks classify fragment ions before the commencement of an
      iterative sequencing algorithm. The first neural network provides an estimation
      of whether fragment ions belong to 1 of 11 specific categories, whereas the
      second network attempts to determine to which category each ion belongs. Based
      upon numerical results from the two networks, the program generates an idealized
      spectrum that contains only a single ion type. From this simplified spectrum, the
      program's sequencing module, which incorporates a small rule base of
      fragmentation knowledge, directly generates sequences in a stepwise fashion
      through a high-speed iterative process. The results with this prototype
      algorithm, in which the neural networks were trained on a set of reference
      spectra, suggest that this method is a viable approach to rapid computer
      interpretation of peptide CID spectra. 

PMID- 24214040
TI  - Characterization and differentiation of heterocyclic isomers. tandem mass
      spectrometry and molecular orbital calculations on 3-methylisoxazolo- and 2
      methyloxazolopyridines.
AB  - Metastable mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) and collision-induced
      dissociation MIKE spectrometries have been applied to the study of all members of
      two classes of heteroaromatic isomers: 3-methylisoxazolo-and 2
      methyloxazolopyridines. The study revealed that tandem mass spectrometry can
      characterize and differentiate the isomeric ion structures produced by these
      heterocycles. In particular, the MIKE spectra of both the molecular ions and
      abundant fragments formed by CO and CH3CN losses show characteristic differences
      that allow distinction among the isomers dependent on the position of the
      nitrogen atom in the pyridine ring, and distinction of isoxazole derivatives from
      oxazoles. The results indicate that the isomerization of the isoxazole moiety to
      oxazole-proposed for other analogous compounds-does not occur in these
      heterocyclic systems. The experimental work is supported by molecular orbital
      calculations both on neutral molecules and on molecular and fragment ions. 

PMID- 24214041
TI  - The detection of intact double-stranded DNA by MALDI.
AB  - DNA fragments have been analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization
      (MALDI) and electrospray mass spectrometry. In many cases, only the single
      stranded oligonucleotides have been detected. Recently, spectra of intact double
      stranded DNA have been obtained in both electrospray and massive cluster impact
      ionization. We show here the first MALDI spectra of intact double-stranded DNA
      (EcoR1 adaptor 12/16) that is clearly not due to nonspecific dimer formation. 6
      Aza-2-thiothymine was used as the matrix in the presence of ammonium citrate. Via
      the same procedure but with other matrices commonly employed for oligonucleotide
      analysis, the intact DNA duplex was not detected. No sign of the homodimer of
      either of the single strands is observed. Although the spectrum also shows peaks
      attributable to each of the single strands, these are demonstrated to arise from
      the DNA solution and not the sample preparation or desorption process. 

PMID- 24214042
TI  - Internal pulsed valve sample introduction on a quadrupole ion trap mass
      spectrometer.
AB  - A pulsed valve positioned just outside the ion trap electrodes (within the vacuum
      chamber) has been characterized. The observed gas pulse widths and the maximum
      ion intensities were found to decrease as the distance between the pulsed valve
      and the ion trap electrodes increased. An explanation is presented within. The
      pulsed valve was found to impart temporal separation in ion-molecule reactions by
      permitting the removal of interfering neutrals. Other factors that affect the
      degree of temporal separation also are presented. 

PMID- 24214043
TI  - Thiaminase I (42 kDa) heterogeneity, sequence refinement, and active site
      location from high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Thiaminase I (E.C. 2.5. 1.2) from Bacillus thiaminolyticus catalyzes the
      degradation of thiamin (vitamin B1). Unexpected mass heterogeneity (MW 42,127,
      42,197, and 42,254; 1:2:1) in recombinant thiaminase I from Escherichia coli was
      detected by electrospray ionization Fourier-transform mass spectrometry,
      resolving power 7*10(4). Nozzle-skimmer fragmentation data reveal an extra Ala
      (+71.02; 71.04=theory) and GlyAla (+128.04; 128.06=theory) on the N-terminus, in
      addition to the fully processed enzyme. However, the fragment ion masses were
      consistent only with this sequence through 330 N-terminal residues; resequencing
      of the last 150 bps of the thiaminase I gene yields a sequence consistent with
      the molecular weight values and all 61 fragment ion masses. Covalently labeling
      the active site with a 108-Da pyrimidine moiety via mechanism-based inhibition
      produces a corresponding molecular weight increase in all three thiaminase I
      components, which indicates that they are all enzymatically active. Inspection of
      the fragment ions that do and do not increase by 108 Da indicates that the active
      site nucleophile is located between Pro(79) and Thr(177) in the 379 amino acid
      enzyme. 

PMID- 24214044
TI  - Special issue to Honor Professor Fred W. McLafferty.

PMID- 24214045
TI  - Mass spectrometry and analytical chemistry.

PMID- 24214046
TI  - Scope and limitations of a general unknown screening by gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry in acute poisoning.
AB  - The gold standard for the diagnosis of acute poisoning is toxicological analysis.
      Because information on the incorporated toxic substance provided by the patient
      or his relatives is known from experience to be unreliable in about 40% of all
      intoxications, a screening procedure that covers most relevant drugs and
      toxicants is required rather than an analytical procedure optimized for the
      identification of a single class of substances. The special task for a general
      unknown screening procedure is to identify a toxic substance among endogenous or
      food-derived substances as well as environmental toxicants in a biological matrix
      on an emergency basis. Because the unknown toxic substance may vary considerably
      in its physicochemical properties and its concentration range, a universally
      applicable screening procedure is required. Although gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry has been used for three decades, it still offers many unique
      advantages in terms of sensitivity, specificity, reliability, and coverage of a
      large number of toxic substances. Because the procedure has to be kept as simple
      and as short as possible, compromises have to be made with respect to extraction,
      derivatization, and mass-spectral techniques. The specimen of choice for a
      general unknown screening is-if available-urine. The standard mode of ionization
      is electron impact. The identification of unknown substances is highly
      challenging because, in our experience, previously unknown metabolites may be
      detected rather frequently in acute poisoning. Although an automated mass spectra
      library search considerably facilitates the identification process, expert
      knowledge on the identification of substances not included in the library as well
      as knowledge in clinical toxicology and metabolism is indispensable. 

PMID- 24214047
TI  - Hydrogen bonding in transient bifunctional hypervalent radicals by neutralization
      reionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - Neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry is used to generate hypervalent 9-N
      4 (ammonium) and 9-O-3 (oxonium) radicals derived from protonated alpha,omega-bis
      (dimethylamino)alkanes and alpha,omega-dimethoxyalkanes, which exist as cyclic
      hydrogen-bonded structures in the gas phase. Collisional neutralization with
      dimethyl disulfide, trimethylamine, and xenon of the hydrogen-bonded onium
      cations followed by reionization with oxygen results in complete dissociation.
      Bond cleavages at the hypervalent nitrogen atoms are found to follow the order
      CH2-N>CH3-N>N-H, which differs from that in the monofunctional hydrogen-n
      heptyldimethylammonium radical, which gives CH2-N>N-H>CH3-N. No overall
      stabilization through hydrogen bonding of the bifunctional hypervalent ammonium
      and oxonium radicals is observed. Subtle effects of ring size are found that tend
      to stabilize large ring structures and are attributed to intramolecular hydrogen
      bonding. 

PMID- 24214048
TI  - Reactivity of collisionally activated dichlorocarbene dications studied by tandem
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - The dissociation mechanisms of dichlorocarbene dications following collisional
      activation have been investigated via tandem mass spectrometric techniques and
      semi-empirical calculations. Three channels appear to be significant: {fx1019-1}
      The second channel becomes dominant at high internal energy. Production of ground
      state fragments (channel 1) involves a transition driven by spin-orbit coupling
      from the CCl 2 (2+) [Formula: see text] state to the CCl 2 (2-) a(3)Sigma u (-)
      state en route to the fragments. The dissociation barrier for the production of
      ground state fragments from the ground electronic state of CCl 2 (2+) via the
      spin-orbit-induced transition is equal to 420 kJ mol(-1). The dissociation
      pathway that corresponds to channel 3 includes a first isomerization step from
      the linear Cl-C-Cl(2+) structure to a bent Cl-Cl-C(2+) connectivity. The
      calculated isomerization barrier amounts to 550 kJ mol(-1). The calculated
      reverse activation barriers are compatible with the measured kinetic energy
      released on the fragments. 

PMID- 24214049
TI  - Characterization of the C3H 6O (+.) ion from 2-methoxyethanol. Mixture analysis
      by dissociation and neutralization-reionization.
AB  - The C3H6O(+.) ion formed upon the dissociative ionization of 2-methoxyethanol is
      identified by a combination of several tandem mass spectrometry methods,
      including metastable ion (MI) characteristics, collisionally activated
      dissociation (CAD), and neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry (NRMS). The
      experimental data conclusively show that 2-methoxyethanol molecular ion, namely,
      HOCH2CH2OCH 3 (+.) , loses H2O to yield mainly the distonic radical ion
      .CH2CH2OCH 2 (+) along with a smaller amount of ionized methyl vinyl ether,
      namely, CH2=CHOCH 3 (+.) . Ring-closed products, such as the oxetane or the
      propylene oxide ion are not observed. The proportion of .CH2CH2OCH 2 (+)
      increases with decreasing internal energy of the 2-methoxyethanol ion, which
      indicates a lower critical energy for the pathway leading to this product than
      for the competitive generation of CH2=CHOCH 3 (+.) . The present study also uses
      MI, CAD, and NRMS data to assess the structure of the distonic ion(+)
      (CH3)CHOCH2. (ring-opened ionized propylene oxide) and evaluate its isomerization
      proclivity toward the methyl vinyl ether ion. 

PMID- 24214050
TI  - Preference for an ion-neutral complex-mediated pathway over a five-membered-ring
      H shift in the isomerization of CH3O (+)HCH 2CH 2 (.) to CH 3CH 2CH 2OH (+.) by
      Ab initio theory.
AB  - Ab initio theory is used to explore whether the path from CH3OH(+)CH2CH 2 (.) (1)
      to CH3CH2CH2OH(+.) (5) goes by way of a conventional 1,4-H shift to form
      .CH2OH(+)CH2CH3 (2), or via the ion-neutral complex-mediated H transfer
      [CH3OHCH2=CH2](+.) (3) -> [CH3CH 2 (.) CH2OH(+)] (4). Five levels of theory all
      place the highest energy point in the complex-mediated reaction 3 -> 4 slightly
      below that for the 1,4-H shift 1 -> 2, but both routes appear energetically
      feasible near the threshold for the dissociation of 1 to CH3CH2 + CH2=OH(+).
      Thus, 1 may take both paths to 5. It is concluded that when both a conventional
      and a complex-mediated pathway seem plausible in a given system, the latter
      should be considered to be as likely as the former. Ab initio descriptions of
      other species involved in the isomerization of 1 to 2 also are presented. 

PMID- 24214051
TI  - Organic ion imaging beyond the limit of static secondary ion mass spectrometry.
AB  - Secondary ion mass spectra and images were obtained from spikes of choline
      chloride, acetylcholine chloride, and methylphenylpyridinium iodide deposited
      onto specimens of porcine brain tissue. Samples were subsequently subjected to a
      dose of 10-keV Cs(+) sufficient to suppress secondary ion emission characteristic
      of the targeted analytes. Following ablation of the samples by massive glycerol
      clusters generated by electrohydrodynamic emission, secondary ion mass spectra
      and images could be obtained that reflected the identity and location of the
      spiked analytes. The absolute intensity of secondary ion emission that followed
      ablation was found to be between 30 and 100% of the intensity obtained prior to
      exposure to the high dose of Cs'. Not all chemical noise is removed by ablation,
      however, so that the signal-to-noise ratios after ablation correspond to between
      10 and 85% of their values observed under conditions of low primary ion dose. 

PMID- 24214052
TI  - Multiphoton ionization of molecules: A comparison between femtosecond and
      nanosecond laser pulse ionization efficiency.
AB  - Multiphoton ionization mass spectra of nonvolatile molecules laser desorbed into
      a supersonic beam are recorded. It is shown by indirect measurements that the
      laser desorption of neutrals is not mass limited, but lead to the formation of
      neutrals with intesities large enough for intense signals. To investigate the
      efficiency of the multiphoton ionization process with varying laser pulse
      durations, simultaneous laser pulses of 500 fs and 5 ns or 100 fs and 5 ns have
      been applied to the neutral beam. The energies of both femtosecond and nanosecond
      laser pulses are held in a comparable magnitude, and thus produce, in the
      resulting ion intensity, very large differences up to 4 orders of magnitude. For
      larger evaporated molecules (> 500 u) the ionization efficiency from nanosecond
      laser pulses drops significantly in comparison to femtosecond laser pulse
      excitation. A variety of possible reasons for the different ionization and
      dissociation behavior in femtosecond and nanosecond laser pulse excitations are
      discussed in this paper. It is rationalized that even with very short laser
      pulses and large molecules the "ladder switching model" for ionization and
      fragmentation is valid. 

PMID- 24214053
TI  - An investigation of the energetics of peptide ion dissociation by laser
      desorption chemical ionization fourier transform mass spectrometry.
AB  - The energy dependence of competing fragmentation pathways of protonated peptide
      molecules is studied via laser desorption-chemical ionization in a Fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance spectrometer. Neutral peptide molecules are
      desorbed by the technique of substrate-assisted laser desorption, followed by
      post-ionization with a proton transfer reagent ion species. The chemical
      ionization reaction activates the protonated peptide molecules, which then
      fragment in accordance with the amount of excess energy that is deposited.
      Chemical ionization forms a protonated molecule with a narrower distribution of
      activation energy than can be formed by activation methods such as collision
      activated dissociation. Furthermore, the upper limit of the activation energy is
      well defined and is approximately given by the enthalpy of the chemical
      ionization reaction. Control over the fragmentation of peptide ions is
      demonstrated through reactions between desorbed peptide molecules with different
      reagent ion species. The fragmentation behavior of peptide ions with different
      internal energies is established by generation of a breakdown curve for the
      peptide under investigation. Breakdown curves are reported for the peptides Val
      Pro, Val-Pro-Leu, Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met NH2, and Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr. The derived
      breakdown curve of Val-Pro has been fitted by using quasi-equilibrium Rice
      Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory to model the unimolecular dissociation of the
      protonated peptide to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms for the
      formation of fragment ions that originate from protonated peptides. 

PMID- 24214054
TI  - Influences of peptide side chains on the metal ion binding site in metal ion
      cationized peptides: Participation of aromatic rings in metal chelation.
AB  - Aromatic side chains on amino acids influence the fragmentations of cationic
      complexes of doubly charged metal ions and singly deprotonated peptides. The
      metal ion interacts with an aromatic side chain and binds to adjacent amide
      nitrogens. When fragmentation occurs, this bonding leads to the formation of
      abundant metal-containing a-type ions by reactions that occur at the sites of
      amino acids that contain the aromatic side chain. Furthermore, formation of metal
      containing immonium ions of the amino acids that contain the aromatic side chain
      also are formed. The abundant a-type ions may be useful in interpretation
      strategies in which it is necessary to locate in a peptide the position of an
      amino acid that bears an aromatic side chain. 

PMID- 24214055
TI  - On the maximum charge state and proton transfer reactivity of peptide and protein
      ions formed by electrospray ionization.
AB  - A relatively simple model for calculation of the energetics of gas-phase proton
      transfer reactions and the maximum charge state of multiply protonated ions
      formed by electrospray ionization is presented. This model is based on estimates
      of the intrinsic proton transfer reactivity of sites of protonation and point
      charge Coulomb interactions. From this model, apparent gas-phase basicities
      (GB(app)) of multiply protonated ions are calculated. Comparison of this value to
      the gas-phase basicity of the solvent from which an ion is formed enables a
      maximum charge state to be calculated. For 13 commonly electrosprayed proteins,
      our calculated maximum charge states are within an average of 6% of the
      experimental values reported in the literature. This indicates that the maximum
      charge state for proteins is determined by their gas-phase reactivity. Similar
      results are observed for peptides with many basic residues. For peptides with few
      basic residues, we find that the maximum charge state is better correlated to the
      charge state in solution. For low charge state ions, we find that the most basic
      sites Arg, Lys, and His are preferentially protonated. A significant fraction of
      the less basic residues Pro, Trp, and Gln are protonated in high charge state
      ions. The calculated GB(app) of individual protonation sites varies dramatically
      in the high charge state ions. From these values, we calculate a reduced cross
      section for proton transfer reactivity that is significantly lower than the
      Langevin collision frequency when the GB(app) of the ion is approximately equal
      to the GB of the neutral base. 

PMID- 24214056
TI  - Applying charge discrimination with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry to
      protein analyses.
AB  - Electrospray ionization with a magnetic sector mass spectrometer and scanning
      array detector has unique advantages for sensitive analyses of large
      biomolecules. The ability to discriminate against low charge state ions (smaller
      peptides, buffers and salts, background ions) allows for detection of more highly
      charged ions from proteins present at much lower concentration relative to the
      small ions from buffers and detergents present. Low femtomole detection limits
      can be achieved for proteins greater than 100 ku. The charge discrimination
      phenomenon is more pronounced for higher charged ions, and especially for large
      biomolecules. Although the charge distribution for the monomer (66 ku) and dimer
      (133 ku) species of bovine serum albumin overlap, both species can be ascertained
      readily in a mixture because the lower charged monomer ions have higher optimum
      microchannel plate voltages than the higher charged dimer ions. Protein
      containing solutions can be analyzed directly by electrospray ionization-mass
      spectrometry (ESI-MS) with array detection, which eliminates time-consuming
      separation and sample cleanup procedures. For example, heme-containing proteins
      can be directly detected from ESI-MS of human blood (hemoglobin) as well as from
      raw meat juices (hemoglobin and myoglobin). 

PMID- 24214057
TI  - Study of noncovalent enzyme-inhibitor complexes and metal binding stoichiometry
      of matrilysin by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to study the
      noncovalent metallo-enzyme-inhibitor complexes of matrilysin (a matrix
      metalloproteinase of mass 18,720 u) under gentle experimental conditions and to
      determine the metal ion association stoichiometries in both the free enzyme and
      the complexes. The metal association stoichiometries of the free matrilysin were
      found to be highly sensitive to solution pH changes. At pH 2.2 the enzyme existed
      as metal-free apo-matrilysin and was not capable of binding an inhibitor. At pH
      4.5-7.0 the enzyme associated specifically with zinc and calcium cations and
      became active in inhibitor binding. Although the stoichiometries of the metal
      cofactors varied (zero to two zinc and/or calcium ions) in the free enzyme
      dependent on solution pH, the predominant form of the enzyme-inhibitor complexes
      in the pH range of 4.5-7.0, in contrast, always had the metal association
      stoichiometry of 2Zn + 2Ca, which was the same stoichiometry the most active free
      metallo-enzyme had at the optimal pH of 7. At the activity onset pH of 4.5
      matrilysin existed mostly as apo-enzyme (but in a conformation different from the
      denatured one at pH 2.2) and bound to an inhibitor slowly (time constant ~ 2.5
      min) to form the noncovalent metallo-enzyme-inhibitor complex. Of the two
      inhibitors studied, the one with the higher solution binding constant also
      produced larger ion signals for the noncovalent complex in the solvent-free gas
      phase, which pointed to the feasibility of the use of ESI-MS for inhibitor
      screening studies. 

PMID- 24214058
TI  - The computer-assisted interpretation of copolymer mass spectra.
AB  - A computer program called MSCOPOL has been developed to aid in the interpretation
      of copolymer mass spectra. The program reads the mass spectrum, calculates the
      most likely monomer masses via correlation or Fourier transform methods,
      determines possible end group masses based on the monomer masses, and can then
      search monomer and end group data bases for likely chemical moieties. Refinement
      of the end group result is possible by calculation of the monomer ratio and
      degree of polymerization as a function of end group mass. The program is written
      in Microsoft Visual Basic and runs on an IBM compatible PC. Applications are
      shown for polystyrene, poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acetate), and poly(ethylene
      oxide/propylene oxide). 

PMID- 24214059
TI  - Determination of pesticides in aqueous samples by solid-phase microextraction in
      line coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
AB  - A multiresidue method was developed for the determination of nitrogen- and
      phosphorous-containing pesticides (amines, anilides, phosphorothioates, and
      triazines) by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in-line coupled to gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The 85-um polyacrylate fiber was first
      dipped into the aqueous sample for a given time and then directly introduced into
      the heated injector of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, where the
      analytes are thermally desorbed. The method was evaluated with respect to the
      limit of detection, linearity, and precision. The limit of detection [selected
      ion monitoring (SIM) mode] depends on the compound and varies from 5 to 90 ng/L.
      The method is linear over at least 3 orders of magnitude with coefficients of
      correlation usually >=0.996. In general, the coefficient of variation (precision)
      is <10%. The partitioning of the analyte between the aqueous phase and the
      polymeric phase depends on the hydrophobicity of the compound as expressed by the
      octanol-water partitioning coefficient P ow. The addition of sodium chloride has
      a strong effect on the extraction efficiency. This effect increases with
      decreasing hydrophobicity (increasing polarity) of the compound.The triazines
      atrazine, simazine, and terbuthylazine were first identified and quantified in
      water samples from the effluent of sewage plants by SPME-gas chromatography
      nitrogen-phosphorus detection (GC/NPD). For such a complex matrix GC/NPD is not
      sufficiently selective for an unambiguous identification at low levels (<1 ppb)
      of pesticides. Selectivity may be enhanced by using SMPE-GC/MS in the SIM mode
      with three characteristic ions for each pesticide. This method allows an
      unequivocal identification and quantification at low levels of pesticides in
      environmental samples.At a target limit of detection below 100 ng/L, SPME-GC/MS
      represents a very simple, fast, selective, and solvent-free multimethod for the
      extraction and determination of these nitrogen- and phosphorous-containing
      pesticides from aqueous samples. 

PMID- 24214061
TI  - An appreciation of Fred McLafferty.

PMID- 24214064
TI  - Gas-phase stability of cluster ions SF m (+) (SF 6) n with m = 0-5 and n = 1-3.
AB  - The gas-phase stabilities of cluster ions SF m (+) (SF6) n with m = 0-5 were
      determined by using a high pressure mass spectrometer. The bond energies of SF m
      (+) (SF6)1 were found to be less than 10 kcal/mol and to decrease with m = 0 ->
      5. There appear to be rather large gaps in the bond energies between n = 1 and 2
      for the clusters SF m (+) (SF6) n with m = 0-4. The structures of SF 5 (+) ,
      SF(+) (SF6)1 SF 3 (+) (SF6)1 and SF 5 (+) (SF6)1, were investigated by ab initio
      molecular orbital calculations. For SF 5 (+) , the D 3h geometry is found to be
      most stable and C 4v is a transition state of the Berry pseudorotation. For the
      ion-molecule complexes, the "on-top hat" models were found to be the most stable
      structures. 

PMID- 24214062
TI  - A novel single-trial event-related potential estimation method based on
      compressed sensing.
AB  - Cognitive functions are often studied using event-related potentials (ERPs) that
      are usually estimated by an averaging algorithm. Clearly, estimation of single
      trial ERPs can provide researchers with many more details of cognitive activity
      than the averaging algorithm. A novel method to estimate single-trial ERPs is
      proposed in this paper. This method includes two key ideas. First, singular value
      decomposition was used to construct a matrix, which mapped single-trial
      electroencephalographic recordings (EEG) into a low-dimensional vector that
      contained little information from the spontaneous EEG. Second, we used the theory
      of compressed sensing to build a procedure to restore single-trial ERPs from this
      low-dimensional vector. ERPs are sparse or approximately sparse in the frequency
      domain. This fact allowed us to use the theory of compressed sensing. We verified
      this method in simulated and real data. Our method and dVCA (differentially
      variable component analysis), another method of single-trial ERPs estimation,
      were both used to estimate single-trial ERPs from the same simulated data.
      Results demonstrated that our method significantly outperforms dVCA under various
      conditions of signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, the single-trial ERPs estimated
      from the real data by our method are statistically consistent with the theories
      of cognitive science. 

PMID- 24214065
TI  - The structure of C5H 5RFe (+) (R = F, Cl, Br, I, O, OH, OCH3, C 6H 5, H) ions in
      the gas phase and the generation of their neutral counterparts by neutralization
      reionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - The structure of C5H5FeR(+.) ions was studied by tandem mass spectromerry that
      included the neutralization-reionization (NR) method. Halogen-containing species
      (R = F, Cl, Br, I) showed fragmentation that was consistent with a structure that
      has the cyclopentadienyl ring and R as separate ligands at the metal atom
      (structure A). This structure also was identified for C5H5FeO(+) and CpFeOH(+.)
      ions, but these species also easily isomerized to metal-cyclopentadiene
      structure, RC5H5Fe(+.) (B), followed by hydrogen rearrangement(s) and CO loss. B
      was the dominant structure of C5H5FeH(+.) and C5H5FeC6H 5 (+.) ions. All ions
      that have structure A showed recovery signals in their NR mass spectra that
      indicated that their stable neutral counterparts were generated. The NR mass
      spectra also provided complementary information about the structure of ions
      before neutralization and after reionization. 

PMID- 24214063
TI  - Acyl-lipid thioesterase1-4 from Arabidopsis thaliana form a novel family of fatty
      acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterases with divergent expression patterns and
      substrate specificities.
AB  - Hydrolysis of fatty acyl thioester bonds by thioesterases to produce free fatty
      acids is important for dictating the diversity of lipid metabolites produced in
      plants. We have characterized a four-member family of fatty acyl thioesterases
      from Arabidopsis thaliana, which we have called acyl-lipid thioesterase1 (ALT1),
      ALT2, ALT3, and ALT4. The ALTs belong to the Hotdog fold superfamily of
      thioesterases. ALT-like genes are present in diverse plant taxa, including
      dicots, monocots, lycophytes, and microalgae. The four Arabidopsis ALT genes were
      found to have distinct gene expression profiles with respect to each other. ALT1
      was expressed specifically in stem epidermal cells and flower petals. ALT2 was
      expressed specifically in root endodermal and peridermal cells as well as in stem
      lateral organ boundary cells. ALT3 was ubiquitously expressed in aerial and root
      tissues and at much higher levels than the other ALTs. ALT4 expression was
      restricted to anthers. All four proteins were localized in plastids via an N
      terminal targeting sequence of about 48 amino acids. When expressed in
      Escherichia coli, the ALT proteins used endogenous fatty acyl-acyl carrier
      protein substrates to generate fatty acids that varied in chain length (C6-C18),
      degree of saturation (saturated and monounsaturated), and oxidation state (fully
      reduced and beta-ketofatty acids). Despite their high amino acid sequence
      identities, each enzyme produced a different profile of lipids in E. coli. The
      biological roles of these proteins are unknown, but they potentially generate
      volatile lipid metabolites that have previously not been reported in Arabidopsis.

PMID- 24214066
TI  - Characterization of noncovalent complexes formed between minor groove binding
      molecules and duplex DNA by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.
AB  - The noncovalent complex formed in solution between minor groove binding molecules
      and an oligonucleotide duplex was investigated by electrospray ionization-mass
      spectrometry (ESI-MS). The oligonucleotide duplex formed between two sequence
      specific 14-base pair oligonucleotides was observed intact by ESI-MS and in
      relatively high abundance compared to the individual single-stranded components.
      Only sequence-specific A:B duplexes were observed, with no evidence of random
      nonspecific aggregation (i.e., A:A or B:B) occurring under the conditions
      utilized. Due to the different molecular weights of the two 14-base pair
      oligonucleotides, unambiguous determination of each oligonucleotide and the
      sequence-specific duplex was confirmed through their detection at unique mass-to
      charge ratios. The noncovalent complexes formed between the self-complementary 5'
      dCGCAAATTTGCG-3' oligonucleotide and three minor groove binding molecules
      (distamycin A, pentamidine, and Hoechst 33258) were also observed. Variation of
      several electrospray ionization interface parameters as well as collision-induced
      dissociation methods were utilized to characterize the nature and stability of
      the noncovalent complexes. The noncovalent complexes upon collisional activation
      dissociated into single-stranded oligonucleotides and single-stranded
      oligonucleotides associated with a minor groove binding molecule. ESI-MS shows
      potential for the study of small molecule-oligonucleotide duplex interactions and
      determination of small molecule binding stoichiometry. 

PMID- 24214067
TI  - Why Are B ions stable species in peptide spectra?
AB  - Protonated amino acids and derivatives RCH(NH2)C(+O)X . H(+) (X = OH, NH2, OCH3)
      do not form stable acylium ions on loss of HX, but rather the acylium ion
      eliminates CO to form the immonium ion RCH = NH 2 (+) . By contrast, protonated
      dipeptide derivatives H2NCH(R)C(+O)NHCH(R')C(+O)X . H(+) [X = OH, OCH3, NH2,
      NHCH(R")COOH] form stable B2 ions by elimination of HX. These B2 ions fragment on
      the metastable ion time scale by elimination of CO with substantial kinetic
      energy release (T 1/2 = 0.3-0.5 eV). Similarly, protonated N-acetyl amino acid
      derivatives CH3C(+O)NHCH(R')C(+O)X . H(+) [X = OH, OCH3, NH2, NHCH(R")COOH] form
      stable B ions by loss of HX. These B ions also fragment unimolecularly by loss of
      CO with T 1/2 values of ~ 0.5 eV. These large kinetic energy releases indicate
      that a stable configuration of the B ions fragments by way of activation to a
      reacting configuration that is higher in energy than the products, and some of
      the fragmentation exothermicity of the final step is partitioned into kinetic
      energy of the separating fragments. We conclude that the stable configuration is
      a protonated oxazolone, which is formed by interaction of the developing charge
      (as HX is lost) with the N-terminus carbonyl group and that the reacting
      configuration is the acyclic acylium ion. This conclusion is supported by the
      similar fragmentation behavior of protonated 2-phenyl-5-oxazolone and the B ion
      derived by loss of H-Gly-OH from protonated C6H5C(+O)-Gly-Gly-OH. In addition, ab
      initio calculations on the simplest B ion, nominally HC(+O)NHCH2CO(+), show that
      the lowest energy structure is the protonated oxazolone. The acyclic acylium
      isomer is 1.49 eV higher in energy than the protonated oxazolone and 0.88 eV
      higher in energy than the fragmentation products, HC(+O)N(+)H = CH2 + CO, which
      is consistent with the kinetic energy releases measured. 

PMID- 24214068
TI  - Mass and charge state assignment for proteins and peptide mixtures via
      noncovalent adduction in electrospray mass spectrometry.
AB  - A method has been developed that takes advantage of the formation of noncovalent
      compounds in electrospray mass spectrometry. Mixtures of proteins and peptides
      are shown to produce an intense ion that corresponds to a 1:1 complex with a
      crown ether (18-crown-6). Although the crown ether may be added directly to the
      solution, for the current experiments it is introduced via the methanol liquid
      sheath. The spacing of these complexed species in the mass spectrum allows
      unambiguous determination of the charge state of the ions and their actual mass.
      Through constant neutral loss scans, charge state may be determined, mass
      assigned, spectra simplified, and chemical noise may be reduced for the analysis
      of complex peptide samples without Chromatographic separation. Finally, the
      prevalence of single complexation permits mass assignments based on the mass
      difference of a single protein ion and its complexed form at any charge state. In
      essence, the method performs a separation based on charge state. It can be used
      to complement Chromatographic separation and deconvolution algorithms for the
      electrospray mass spectrometry analysis of peptide-protein mixtures. 

PMID- 24214069
TI  - Charge state distribution shifting of protein ions observed in matrix-assisted
      laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - By using a new sample preparation method for matrix-assisted laser desorption
      ionization, a significant shift to lower mass-to-charge values can be obtained
      for many protein samples. The sample preparation technique involves the creation
      of a thin film of protein-doped alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) matrix
      formed in the presence of glycerol on top of a previously deposited pad of CHCA
      matrix. The higher charge states were not observed if the laser power was
      significantly above the threshold needed to produce protein molecular ions.
      Similar spectra were observed when samples were prepared in the presence of urea.
      The phenomenon was specific for the CHCA matrix because no effects were observed
      when sinapinic acid (3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamic acid) and 2-(4
      hydroxyphenylazo) benzoic acid matrices were used with the new sample preparation
      method. 

PMID- 24214070
TI  - Analysis of lipid hydroperoxides and long-chain conjugated keto acids by negative
      ion electrospray mass spectrometry.
AB  - Lipid hydroperoxides are important products of enzymatic processes and
      autooxidation products of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Analysis of such compounds
      has proved difficult in the past, but negative ion electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry was found to be suitable for direct analysis. Abundant [M - H](-)
      ions were observed in full scan mode for hydroper-oxyeicosatetraenoic (HPETE),
      hydroperoxyoctadecenoic acid isomers, and 5,12-diHPETE. Loss of water was
      observed for all species. Collisional activation and tandem mass spectrometry
      generated unique and characteristic spectra that shared some common features such
      as loss of small neutral molecules. More importantly, fragment ions that were
      indicative of the position of the hydroperoxide were observed. Collision-induced
      decomposition (CID) of [M - H2O](-) for the HPETE isomers was found to be
      virtually identical to the CID mass spectra of the [M - H](-) anions from
      corresponding keto-eicosatetraenoic acids, which suggests that the hydroperoxide
      anions decompose via a dehydration intermediate that resembles the keto acid
      molecular anion. Cleavage of the double bond allylic to the hydroperoxide formed
      structurally characteristic ions at m/z 129 from 5-HPETE, m/z 153 from 12-HPETE,
      and m/z 113 from 15-HPETE. Charge-driven allylic fragmentation led to formation
      of m/z 203 from 5-HPETE, m/z 179 from 12-HPETE, and m/z 219 from 15-HPETE.
      Mechanisms consistent with the decomposition of stable isotope analogues are
      proposed for the formation of these and other characteristic ions. These specific
      decompositions can be used in multiple reaction monitoring to measure picomolar
      concentrations of hydroperoxides by direct high performance liquid chromatography
      tandem mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 24214071
TI  - Structural determination of picomole amounts of phospholipids via electrospray
      ionization tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - The remarkable sensitivity of electrospray ionization was exploited to achieve
      great increases in the sensitivity of tandem mass spectrometric analyses of
      phospholipids derived from both synthetic and biologic sources. Herein, we
      demonstrate that (1) product-ion spectra after electrospray ionization can be
      obtained easily by utilizing <= 5 pmol of phospholipid with a mass-selected
      window of less than 2 mass units, (2) the low energy inherent in the electrospray
      ionization method facilitates analysis of labile molecular ions that are not
      easily detected with the relatively high energy employed during fast-atom
      bombardment desorption, and (3) collision-induced dissociation of precursor ions
      generated from electrospray ionization often resulted in novel product-ion
      patterns. Collectively, these results underscore the utility of electrospray
      ionization tandem mass spectroscopy for the structural determination of
      diminutive amounts of phospholipids. 

PMID- 24214072
TI  - An electrospray ionization study of some novel alkylamine thiohydantoin amino
      acid derivatives.
AB  - An electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric (ES-MS) study of some novel
      alkylamine thiohydantoin amino acid derivatives is presented. The alkylamine
      derivatives are being developed as part of an on-going effort to couple an
      Edmanlike protein sequencer to a bench-top electrospray ionization (ES) mass
      spectrometer. The ES-MS and capillary-skimmer collision-induced dissociation
      (CID) mass spectra of eight dimethylaminopropylthiohydantoin (DMAP-TH) amino acid
      derivatives as well as the trimethylaminopropylthiohydantoin (TMAP-TH),
      diethylaminopropylthiohydantoin, and dibutylaminopropylthiohydantoin (DBAP-TH)
      derivatives of Phe are presented. The spectra contain prominent [M + H](+) ions
      as well as fragment ions due to the loss of the respective neutral alkylamines.
      The CID spectrum of DMAP-TH-Phe also contains the dibutylaminoethyl cation. The
      relative responses of the alkylamine thiohydantoin derivatives obtained under
      identical solvent conditions are found to increase as the solvophobicity of the
      amino acid R group increases; the most solvophobic DBAP-TH-Phe gives rise to the
      highest overall response. DMAP-TH-Phe and the quaternary amine derivative TMAP-TH
      Phe have comparable sensitivities when a sufficiently acidic solvent (pH = 3) is
      employed. Implications of these studies in the coupling of a protein sequencer to
      an ES mass spectrometer are discussed as are the requisite modifications of a
      single quadrupole mass spectrometer for ES analyses. 

PMID- 24214073
TI  - Signal enhancement for gradient reverse-phase high-performance liquid
      chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis with
      trifluoroacetic and other strong acid modifiers by postcolumn addition of
      propionic acid and isopropanol.
AB  - Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and other volatile strong acids, used as modifiers in
      reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, cause signal suppression
      for basic compounds when analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
      (ESI-MS). Evidence is presented that signal suppression is caused by strong ion
      pairing between the TFA anion and the protonated sample cation of basic sample
      molecules. The ion-pairing process "masks" the protonated sample cations from the
      ESI-MS electric fields by rendering them "neutral. " Weakly basic molecules are
      not suppressed by this process. The TFA signal suppression effect is independent
      from the well-known spray problem that electrospray has with highly aqueous
      solutions that contain TFA. This previously reported spray problem is caused by
      the high conductivity and surface tension of aqueous TFA solutions. A practical
      method to enhance the signal for most basic analytes in the presence of signal
      suppressing volatile strong acids has been developed. The method employs
      postcolumn addition of a solution of 75% propionic acid and 25% isopropanol in a
      ratio 1:2 to the column flow. Signal enhancement is typically 10-50 times for
      peptides and other small basic molecules. Thus, peptide maps that use ESI-MS for
      detection can be performed at lower levels, with conventional columns, without
      the need to use capillary chromatography or reduced mass spectral resolution to
      achieve satisfactory sensitivity. The method may be used with similar results for
      heptafluorobutyric acid and hydrochloric acid. A mechanism for TFA signal
      suppression and signal enhancement by the foregoing method, is proposed. 

PMID- 24214074
TI  - Iron carboxylate oxygen-centered-triangle complexes detected during electrospray
      use of organic acid modifiers with a comment on the finnigan TSQ-700 electrospray
      inlet system.
AB  - Use of infusion methods rather than high-performance liquid chromatography
      allowed us to confirm the observation that solutions of propionic acid
      isopropanol restore sensitivity lost due to trifluoroacetic acid in electrospray
      mass spectra of basic substances, particularly peptides. In this work, when
      propionic acid-isopropanol was used, we detected an abundant ion with m/z 622
      that shifted to m/z 538 when we substituted acetic acid-methanol for the
      propionic acid-isopropanol. Via accurate mass measurement and tandem mass
      spectrometry the origin of the ion was identified as the complex Fe3O(O2CR)6(L)0
      3, where L is one of several ligands from solvent or water. The grounding
      arrangement of the Finnigan TSQ-700 electrospray source produces electrolytic
      currents that may accentuate the abundance of this complex and specifically
      produces observable gas bubbles that adversely affect the spray stability. 

PMID- 24214075
TI  - How to measure the kinetic energy distribution of the precursor ion main beam in
      mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrometry experiments.
AB  - Scans of the electrostatic analyzer (ESA) across the precursor ion beam in
      reverse-geometry (BE) mass spectrometers that are operated under double-focusing
      conditions do not measure the "energy resolution of the main beam": They only
      measure double-focusing resolution. The only way that ESA scans can measure the
      kinetic energy distribution of the main beam is to operate the instrument so that
      angular (directional) focusing is not achieved. Thus, the mass spectrometer is no
      longer double-focusing. Under double-focusing conditions, however, scans of the
      accelerating voltage while the magnetic field and ESA are held constant can be
      used to measure either the kinetic energy distribution of the main beam that
      enters the magnet or the energy-resolving power of the instrument. Scans at a
      constant ratio of B(2)/E can be used similarly. The energy-resolving power of any
      ESA is defined by its dispersion and the widths of the energy-resolving object
      and image slits that immediately precede and follow the ESA, respectively. The
      use of BE, EB, and triple-sector instruments to measure energy-resolving power
      and the kinetic energy distribution of the precursor ion main beam is compared
      and discussed. 

PMID- 24214076
TI  - Unsuitability of (12)C 60 as a standard of atomic weight.
AB  - A critical discussion is given of the suggestion by Dougherty et al. (J. Am. Soc.
      Mass Spectrom. 1994, 5, 120) that the (12)C60 molecule replace the (12)C atom as
      the primary standard of atomic mass. Adoption of the proposed standard would
      require that the unified atomic weight/mass scale, finally achieved with much
      difficulty in 1960, be abandoned without demonstrable benefit. Furthermore, the
      proposed standard has a molecular mass that is inherently ambiguous at a level
      that makes it unacceptable for that purpose. 

PMID- 24214077
TI  - The complexation of protonated peptides with saccharides in the gas phase
      decreases the rates of hydrogen/deuterium exchange reactions.
AB  - Gas-phase noncovalently bound complexes are probed by hydrogen/deuterium
      exchange. The complexes, composed of a protonated amino acid and a
      monosaccharide, are investigated to observe the effects of complexation on the
      rates of exchange. Rate constants are determined and compared for complexed and
      uncomplexed amino acids. The overall rate constant, which corresponds to exchange
      of a specific number of hydrogens, is deconvoluted to yield site-specific rate
      constants. Complexation of amino acids with saccharides significantly decreases
      the rate constants of the exchange. Results of molecular orbital calculations are
      provided to explain the decrease in the rates. 

PMID- 24214078
TI  - Observation of alkali-metal-carboxylate radical anions in fast-atom bombardment.
AB  - The existence of a series of 32 molecular radical anions from carboxylic acids
      salts RCOO-Cat(-), where R = CH3, CH3CH2, CH3CH2CH2, (CH3)2CH, C6H5, o-CH3-C6H4,
      m-CH3-C6H4, and p-CH3-C6H4 and Cat = Li, Na, K, Rb, has been proven by the
      observation of their fragmentation in negative-ion fast-atom bombardment tandem
      mass spectrometry. These species occur at very low abundance and are not detected
      in the fast-atom bombardment spectra because they are hidden in the background.
      However, the collision-induced dissociation fragmentation of ions selected at the
      mass-to-charge ratio values that correspond to these species display
      characteristic signals that are completely different from the signals observed
      from pure matrix or after addition of corresponding metal hydroxide to the
      matrix. The main fragmentation observed is the loss of the neutral metal atom
      from RCOOCat(-.), followed by a loss of CO2 for the aromatic compounds. Neutral
      loss experiments also confirm the existence of these radical anions. Scans for
      the loss of a selected metal after addition of one of the carboxylic acid salts
      to the matrix display abundant peaks at mass-to-charge ratio values that
      correspond to the salt radical anions. Some weaker peaks appear at other mass-to
      charge ratio values independent of the salt that is used and also are observed
      from the matrix when the corresponding metal hydroxide is added. When alkali
      metal salts from some deuterated acids are analyzed, the predicted shifts are
      observed. The loss of the neutral metal is more pronounced from RCOONa(-.),
      RCOOK(-.), and RCOORb(-.) than from RCOOLi(-.). 

PMID- 24214080
TI  - The 8th Sanibel conference.

PMID- 24214079
TI  - Design and performance of a high resolution electrospray ion source for a
      magnetic sector mass spectrometer with a heated capillary inlet.
AB  - The design and performance of an electrospray ion source for a high resolution
      magnetic sector mass spectrometer that utilizes a heated capillary has been
      presented. Low pressure, high sensitivity, stable electrospray, low flow rates,
      and low electronic noise were important factors in achieving high resolution
      electrospray mass spectrometry. A unit mass resolution has been achieved for
      biomolecules with MW > 12,000, and an accuracy of 1.4 ppm has been achieved for
      the average molecular weight of bovine insulin. 

PMID- 24214081
TI  - 44th ASMS conference on mass Spectrometry.

PMID- 24214084
TI  - Toxic metals status in kidneys and gallstones of workers in a steel plant
      environment.
AB  - Samples of kidney stones and gallstones obtained from patients who were workers
      at a steel plant, or residents of the steel plant township area and those
      unrelated to the steel plant and steel plant township area were analysed for the
      presence of toxic metals (Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Pb, Hg, Cd and Mn) by atomic
      absorption spectrophotometry. Other constituents (moisture, organic matter,
      oxalate, phosphate, fluoride and calcium) were also determined in each sample. In
      most of the samples the highest occurrence of toxic metals was found in the
      samples obtained from workers of the steel plant who were also residents of the
      steel plant township area. In samples obtained from patients who were non-workers
      of the plant but residents of the steel plant township area, the concentrations
      of the toxic metals were smaller, but higher than in those cases who were
      unrelated to the steel plant environment. 

PMID- 24214085
TI  - The role of sample surveys for monitoring the condition of the nation's lakes.
AB  - In order to meet a growing need to determine the condition of the nation's
      ecosystems and how their condition is changing, the U.S. Environmental Protection
      Agency (EPA) developed EMAP, the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program.
      A common survey design serves as the foundation on which to base monitoring of
      status and trends among diverse ecosystem types. In this paper, we describe the
      need for a statistically based survey design, briefly summarize the basic EMAP
      design, describe how that design is tailored for the selection of a probability
      sample of lakes on which to make measurements of lake condition, and illustrate
      the process for selecting a sample of lakes in the northeastern United States.
      Finally, we illustrate how measurements taken on the sample of lakes can be
      summarized, with known uncertainty, to describe the condition of a population of
      lakes. 

PMID- 24214086
TI  - A review of techniques for parameter sensitivity analysis of environmental
      models.
AB  - Mathematical models are utilized to approximate various highly complex
      engineering, physical, environmental, social, and economic phenomena. Model
      parameters exerting the most influence on model results are identified through a
      'sensitivity analysis'. A comprehensive review is presented of more than a dozen
      sensitivity analysis methods. This review is intended for those not intimately
      familiar with statistics or the techniques utilized for sensitivity analysis of
      computer models. The most fundamental of sensitivity techniques utilizes partial
      differentiation whereas the simplest approach requires varying parameter values
      one-at-a-time. Correlation analysis is used to determine relationships between
      independent and dependent variables. Regression analysis provides the most
      comprehensive sensitivity measure and is commonly utilized to build response
      surfaces that approximate complex models. 

PMID- 24214087
TI  - Health hazard assessment in an industrial town with the help of GRAM-GIS.
AB  - Unplanned industrialization and urbanization are causing health hazard mainly in
      developing countries. It is essential to assess the magnitude of future hazard in
      an industrial town. The geographical information system is a special type of tool
      evolved to analyse geographic data for efficient planning. In India large-scale
      industrialization started after independence. New industrial towns have been
      established and Durgapur in West Bengal is one of them. In this study an
      indigenously developed GIS package GRAM has been used to assess air quality in
      Durgapur town. Using GIS, interpolated maps have been prepared showing the
      distribution of five pollutants, i.e. carbon monoxide, total oxidant, nitrogen
      oxide, sulfur-dioxide and suspended particulate matter. The maps have been used
      to find the pollutant standard index of the area. The final map shows that the
      PSI index is high and ranges between the 'unhealthy' to 'very unhealthy'
      category. This map has been combined with a present landuse pattern. There are
      three pockets of extremely poor air quality zones which generally match with
      industrial units. Areas around these units are the potential zones of health
      hazard. Large numbers of patients admitted in hospitals here suffer from
      obstructive diseases. Most of them belong to the working age group. This may
      indicate that the main work force is exposed to the health hazard due to
      industrial pollution. 

PMID- 24214088
TI  - A model with mass transport limitations for pump and treat remediation of soils
      polluted with NAPL.
AB  - A model is presented for the description of the pump and treat (or flushing)
      remediation of the saturated zone with non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) present as
      droplets. Sensitivity analysis shows that the most important variables are the
      NAPL droplet size and the distance through which the dissolved organic compound
      must diffuse to reach the advecting aqueous phase. The time needed to achieve
      complete remediation for different initial contaminant concentrations in soil
      depends more on the NAPL droplet radius and the size of the stagnant boundary
      layer than on the initial contaminant mass itself. Location of wells and flux
      rates are of little significance over the time needed for completion as long as
      all the water that flows through the contaminated region is captured in the
      recovery well. 

PMID- 24214089
TI  - Reassessment of the role of the central cholinergic system.
AB  - The central cholinergic system is believed to be involved in the control of many
      physiological functions and is an important pharmacological target for numerous
      neurological pathologies. Here, we summarize our recent observations regarding
      this topic that we obtained by studying genetically modified mice devoid of
      particular cholinesterase molecular forms. Our results, collected from mice with
      deficits of functional cholinesterases in the brain, suggest that the increase in
      the level of acetylcholine (ACh) has an impact on cognition only in the situation
      when extracellular ACh is low. Furthermore, we confirmed the central control of
      movement coordination, which could be of importance for the management of motor
      problems in patients with Parkinson's disease. At last, we provide clear evidence
      that while the hypothermic effect of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine is based
      on a central mechanism, in contrast, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil
      decreases body temperature by its action in the periphery. 

PMID- 24214092
TI  - A humpty dumpty language?

PMID- 24214090
TI  - Early referral for esophageal pH monitoring is more cost-effective than prolonged
      empiric trials of proton-pump inhibitors for suspected gastroesophageal reflux
      disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The most cost-effective diagnostic algorithm for gastroesophageal
      reflux disease (GERD) remains controversial. We hypothesized that prompt referral
      for esophageal pH monitoring is more cost-effective than prolonged empiric
      courses of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). DISCUSSION: A cost model was created
      based on a cohort of 100 patients with possible GERD who underwent pH monitoring.
      The additional costs incurred from pH monitoring were compared to the potential
      savings from avoiding unnecessary PPI usage in patients with a negative pH study.
      The costs of PPI therapy reach equivalence with pH monitoring after 6.4 to 23.7
      weeks, depending on the PPI regimen. A total of 21,411 weeks of PPIs were
      prescribed beyond the recommended 8-week trial, of which 32 % were for patients
      who had a negative 24-h pH monitoring study. If the sensitivity of pH monitoring
      was 96 %, early referral for pH monitoring would have saved between $1,197 and
      $6,303 per patient over 10 years. This strategy remains cost-effective as long as
      the sensitivity of pH monitoring is above 35 %. Prompt referral for pH monitoring
      after a brief empiric PPI trial is a more cost-effective strategy than prolonged
      empiric PPI trials for patients with both esophageal and extraesophageal GERD
      symptoms.

PMID- 24214091
TI  - Human Noxin is an anti-apoptotic protein in response to DNA damage of A549 non
      small cell lung carcinoma.
AB  - Human Noxin (hNoxin, C11Orf82), a homolog of mouse noxin, is highly expressed in
      colorectal and lung cancer tissues. hNoxin contains a DNA-binding C-domain in
      RPA1, which mediates DNA metabolic processes, such as DNA replication and DNA
      repair. Expression of hNoxin is associated with S phase in cancer cells and in
      normal cells. Expression of hNoxin was induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.
      Knockdown of hNoxin caused growth inhibition of colorectal and lung cancer cells.
      The comet assay and western blot analysis revealed that hNoxin knockdown induced
      apoptosis through activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p53
      in non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells. Furthermore, simultaneous hNoxin
      knockdown and treatment with DNA-damaging agents, such as camptothecin (CPT) and
      UV irradiation, enhanced apoptosis, whereas Trichostatin A (TSA) did not.
      However, transient overexpression of hNoxin rescued cells from DNA damage-induced
      apoptosis but did not block apoptosis in the absence of DNA damage. These results
      suggest that hNoxin may be associated with inhibition of apoptosis in response to
      DNA damage. An adenovirus expressing a short hairpin RNA against hNoxin
      transcripts significantly suppressed the growth of A549 tumor xenografts,
      indicating that hNoxin knockdown has in vivo anti-tumor efficacy. Thus, hNoxin is
      a DNA damage-induced anti-apoptotic protein and potential therapeutic target in
      cancer.

PMID- 24214093
TI  - Hydrogeochemical studies for Al, F and Fe in waters supplying haemodialysis units
      in the Trent region, U.K.
AB  - Geographical and seasonal variations in the concentrations of Al, F and Fe in tap
      water supplying home haemodialysis units within the administrative area of the
      Trent Regional Health Authority, have been examined. Aluminium and fluoride were
      considered for their implications in bone disorders and iron for its competitive
      binding with aluminium to transferrin in serum. Four different water treatment
      systems are currently used and the extractive performance of these have been
      assessed. In general, the current Department of Health and Social Security's
      (DHSS) guidelines for aluminium in water used to prepare dialysate are met (30
      MUg/l), but the proposed European Economic Community's (EEC) levels of 10 MUg/l,
      are not. The removal of fluoride and iron from water by the different treatments
      was comparable to the removal of aluminium. A comparison between old and new
      equipment highlights the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance. 

PMID- 24214094
TI  - The critical level of cadmium in renal cortex: the concept and its limitations.
AB  - Because renal cortex is a primary target organ of Cd the seriousness of human
      exposure is commonly assessed in terms of the extent to which it permits renal
      cortical Cd concentrations to approach a critical value. The critical value has
      been defined in terms of PCC-10, the population critical concentration at which
      10% of exposed individuals may be expected to show abnormal renal function. In
      chronically exposed human populations, PCC-10 appears to lie in the range of 180
      to 220 MUg Cd/gram fresh weight of cortex. However, Cd accumulated in the kidney
      under these conditions is distributed between more than one compartment, in all
      likelihood differing greatly in their toxicological characteristics. For
      instance, a major fraction of this Cd is bound to metallothionein, and may as
      such be relatively inert. Compartmentation of tissue Cd, in turn, is strongly
      influenced by the nature of exposure, and the PCC-10 value of 200 MUg/g may
      therefore have limited general significance. The problem of risk assessment is
      further complicated by the high variability of Cd absorption. Nevertheless, human
      renal Cd levels commonly reach values as high as 1/3 to 1/6 of the chronic PCC
      10, and further increases in Cd intake should therefore be avoided. 

PMID- 24214095
TI  - Effects of sulphur deposition on trace metal solubility in soils.
AB  - Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd in soil solutions taken in the
      vicinity of a sulphur mine range from 354 to 9080 MUM L(-1), and exceeded the
      concentrations measured in solutions from light acid arable soils. The content of
      each metal was a negative function of either the solution pH or of Ca
      concentration.Reclamation of S-contaminated soil by an application of 2000 tonnes
      of limestone per hectare did not significantly affect the solubility of trace
      metals, whereas equilibration of soil samples with CaCO3 in the laboratory
      decreased solubility of metals, especially in the soil under moist
      conditions.Sulphur deposition may modify the natural cycling of metals in soils. 

PMID- 24214096
TI  - Experimental assessment of wind erosion after soil stabilization treatments at
      Eneabba, Western Australia.
AB  - Wind tunnel experiments on rehabilitation surfaces at Eneabba, Western Australia
      evaluated the techniques used by Associated Minerals Consolidated Ltd. (AMC) and
      Allied Eneabba Ltd. (AEL) to stabilize regions being revegetated following heavy
      mineral sand mining.Newly landscaped areas proved to be the most erodible,
      beginning to erode at 9 m sec(-1) and producing a soil flux of 10 kg m(-1) min(
      1) at 18 m sec(-1) wind speeds. Sandier, more organically-rich, surfaces in the
      rehabilitation areas were somewhat less erodible with losses of only 2 kg m(-1)
      min(-1) at wind speeds of 18 m sec(-1).The mining companies use various nurse
      crops and top dressing mulch for surface stabilization. Rows of oats, sparse
      plantings of the grass cultivar "SUDAX" (Dekalb ST6) supplied by Westfarmers Ltd.
      and applications of Terolas, a cold, bituminous surface binding material supplied
      by Shell Co. of Australia Ltd., all proved successful in reducing wind erosion in
      this semi-arid region where more than 25% of summer days experience winds greater
      than 8 m sec(-1). 

PMID- 24214097
TI  - Nitrate content of vegetables commercially grown on land subject to inorganic or
      organic fertiliser.
AB  - A relatively quick and simple spectrophotometric method of measuring nitrate
      concentrations in vegetables has been used incorporating a Cu-Zn couple to
      provide a nitrate-free reference sample. This technique has been used in a
      preliminary study of the nitrate content of carrots and cabbages commercially
      grown on soils treated with either inorganic or organic fertiliser and available
      through normal retail outlets. Although it cannot be concluded that the nitrate
      levels in the organically fertilised vegetables were lower than those grown using
      conventional inorganic fertiliser, it can be concluded that the precise
      conditions of cultivation and soil do affect the nitrate levels in carrots and
      cabbages grown commercially. 

PMID- 24214098
TI  - The society for environmental geochemistry and health conferences supported by
      the society in 1987.

PMID- 24214099
TI  - Spatiotemporal expression pattern of Myt/NZF family zinc finger transcription
      factors during mouse nervous system development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Three members of the Myt/NZF family of transcription factors are
      involved in many processes of vertebrate development. Several studies have
      reported that Myt1/NZF-2 has a regulatory function in the development of cultured
      oligodendrocyte progenitors or in neuronal differentiation during Xenopus primary
      neurogenesis. However, little is known about the proper function of Myt/NZF
      family proteins during mammalian nervous system development. To assess the
      possible function of Myt/NZF transcription factors in mammalian neuronal
      differentiation, we determined the comparative spatial and temporal expression
      patterns of all three types of Myt/NZF family genes in the embryonic mouse
      nervous system using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
      and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: All three Myt/NZF family genes were
      extensively expressed in developing mouse nervous tissues, and their expression
      was transient. NZF-1 was expressed later in post-mitotic neurons. NZF-2 was
      initially expressed in neuronal cells a little earlier than NZF-3. NZF-3 was
      initially expressed in neuronal cells, just after proliferation was complete.
      CONCLUSION: These expression patterns suggest that the expression of NZF family
      genes is spatially and temporally regulated, and each Myt/NZF family gene may
      have a regulatory function in a specific phase during neuronal differentiation.

PMID- 24214100
TI  - Pharmacotherapy for trichotillomania.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trichotillomania (TTM) (hair-pulling disorder) is a prevalent and
      disabling disorder characterised by recurrent hair-pulling. The effect of
      medication on trichotillomania has not been systematically evaluated. OBJECTIVES:
      To assess the effects of medication for trichotillomania in adults compared with
      placebo or other active agents. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis
      Group Register (to 31 July 2013), which includes relevant randomised controlled
      trials from the following bibliographic databases: The Cochrane Library (all
      years); EMBASE (1974 to date); MEDLINE (1950 to date) and PsycINFO (1967 to
      date). Two review authors identified relevant trials by assessing the abstracts
      of all possible studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We selected randomised controlled
      trials (RCTs) of a medication versus placebo or active agent for TTM in adults.
      DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently performed the data
      extraction and 'Risk of bias' assessments, and disagreements were resolved
      through discussion with a third review author. Primary outcomes included the mean
      difference (MD) in reduction of trichotillomania symptoms on a continuous measure
      of trichotillomania symptom severity, and the risk ratio (RR) of the clinical
      response based on a dichotomous measure, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
      MAIN RESULTS: We identified eight studies with a total of 204 participants and a
      mean sample size of 25. All trials were single-centre trials, and participants
      seen on an outpatient basis. Seven studies compared medication and placebo (n =
      184); one study compared medication and another active agent (n = 13). Duration
      of the studies was six to twelve weeks. Meta-analysis was not undertaken because
      of the methodological heterogeneity of the trials. The studies did not employ
      intention-to-treat analyses and were at a high risk of attrition bias. Adverse
      events were not well-documented in the studies.None of the three studies of
      selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) demonstrated strong evidence of a
      treatment effect on any of the outcomes of interest. The unpublished naltrexone
      study did not provide strong evidence of a treatment effect. Two studies, an
      olanzapine study and a N-acetylcysteine (NAC) study, reported statistically
      significant treatment effects. One study of clomipramine demonstrated a treatment
      effect on two out of three measures of response to treatment. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: No particular medication class definitively demonstrates efficacy in
      the treatment of trichotillomania. Preliminary evidence suggests treatment
      effects of clomipramine, NAC and olanzapine based on three individual trials,
      albeit with very small sample sizes.

PMID- 24214101
TI  - Demand for prescription drugs under non-linear pricing in Medicare Part D.
AB  - We estimate the price elasticity of prescription drug use in Medicare Part D,
      which features a non-linear price schedule due to a coverage gap. We analyze
      patterns of drug utilization prior to the coverage gap, where the "effective
      price" is higher than the actual copayment for drugs because consumers anticipate
      that more spending will make them more likely to reach the gap. We find that
      enrollees' total pre-gap drug spending is sensitive to their effective prices:
      the estimated price elasticity of drug spending ranges between [Formula: see
      text]0.14 and [Formula: see text]0.36. This finding suggests that filling in the
      coverage gap, as mandated by the health care reform legislation passed in 2010,
      will influence drug utilization prior to the gap. A simulation analysis indicates
      that closing the gap could increase Part D spending by a larger amount than
      projected, with additional pre-gap costs among those who do not hit the gap. 

PMID- 24214102
TI  - Does an increase in serum creatinine always reflect renal injury? The case of
      Stribild(r)
AB  - Single tablet, once-daily HIV treatment regimens offer patient convenience, the
      potential for increased adherence, and fewer patient-related dosing errors[1] .
      Stribild(r) (manufactured and marketed by Gilead Sciences; referred to as
      "applicant" in this report), a 4-drug fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablet, is
      approved for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-naive adult patients.
      Stribild(r) contains elvitegravir (an integrase strand transfer inhibitor),
      cobicistat (an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 enzymes), and the
      nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors emtricitabine (FTC) and
      tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

PMID- 24214103
TI  - Characterizing the role of PCDH9 in the regulation of glioma cell apoptosis and
      invasion.
AB  - PCDH9, a member of the protocadherin superfamily, is frequently lost in many
      different cancer types. This study aimed to detect PCDH9 expression in glioma
      tissues. This study also assessed the effects of PCDH9 expression in two
      different glioma cell lines. This was accomplished by manipulating PCDH9
      expression in these glioma cell lines. The data showed that the expression of
      PCDH9 mRNA and protein was significantly decreased in gliomas compared to normal
      brain tissues. Lentivirus carrying PCDH9 cDNA restored PCDH9 expression in the
      U87 and U251 glioma cell lines. PCDH9 restoration in these cell lines reduced
      tumor cell viability, induced apoptosis, and caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest.
      PCDH9 expression also suppressed the colony formation ability and invasion
      capacity of U87 and U251 cells. Molecularly, the restoration of PCDH9 expression
      upregulated Bax protein expression, but downregulated Bcl-2 and cyclin D1
      expression. These data from the current study suggest that the loss of PCDH9
      expression could contribute to glioma development and/or progression. Further
      studies will evaluate PCDH9 expression as a biomarker for the early detection of
      gliomas and as a prognostic indicator for this cancer type.

PMID- 24214104
TI  - Effect of cocaine on ion channels and glutamatergic EPSCs in noradrenergic locus
      coeruleus neurons.
AB  - The locus coeruleus (LC) is an important brainstem area involved in cocaine
      addiction. However, evidence to elucidate how cocaine modulates the activity of
      LC neurons remains incomplete. Here, we performed whole recordings in brain
      slices to evaluate the effects of cocaine on the sodium (Na(+)), potassium
      (K(+)), calcium (Ca(2+)) channels, and glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the
      locus coeruleus neurons. Local application of cocaine significantly and
      reversibly reduced the spontaneous firing rate but did not affect action
      potential amplitude, rising time, decay time, or half width of noradrenergic
      locus coeruleus neurons. Moreover, cocaine attenuated the sodium current but did
      not affect potassium and calcium currents. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor
      mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents were reduced by neuropeptide galanin
      but not cocaine. All those data demonstrate that cocaine has inhibitory effect on
      the spontaneous activities and sodium current in locus coeruleus neurons.
      Therefore, neuromodulation of sodium channel in locus coeruleus neurons may play
      an important role in drug addiction. 

PMID- 24214105
TI  - Flexible and elastic scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering prepared by
      stereolithography using poly(trimethylene carbonate)-based resins.
AB  - The aim of this study is to investigate the applicability of flexible and elastic
      poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) structures prepared by stereolithography as
      scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. A three-armed methacrylated PTMC
      macromer with a molecular weight of 3100 g mol(-1) is used to build designed
      scaffolds with a pore diameter of 350 +/- 12 MUm and a porosity of 54.0 +/- 2.2%.
      Upon seeding of bovine chondrocytes in the scaffolds, the cells adhere and spread
      on the PTMC surface. After culturing for 6 weeks, also cells with a round
      morphology are present, indicative of the differentiated chondrocyte phenotype.
      Sulphated glycosaminoglycans and fibrillar collagens are deposited by the cells.
      During culturing for 6 weeks, the compression moduli of the constructs increases
      50% to approximately 100 kPa.

PMID- 24214107
TI  - Introductory paragraph--Volume 27, Issue 12.

PMID- 24214108
TI  - Physiotherapy interventions aimed at the recovery of arm function and of gait
      ability in stroke patients can hardly be viewed as independent of each other.

PMID- 24214109
TI  - Meta-analysis amplifies the conclusions of a systematic review. Comment on the
      systematic review of Vancampfort et al. 'Progressive muscle relaxation in persons
      with schizophrenia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials'.

PMID- 24214110
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma in rotator cuff lesions.

PMID- 24214111
TI  - Healing of partial thickness tears?

PMID- 24214113
TI  - Specific and nonspecific dimer formation in the electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry of oligonucleotides.
AB  - Specific and nonspecific noncovalent dimer ions of oligonucleotides (ODNs) were
      observed when mixtures of complementary or noncomplementary strands were analyzed
      via negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Dimer formation was
      concentration dependent and nearly always occurred when the concentration of ODN
      exceeded 100 uM. Dimers were observed even for short-length ODNs for which the
      melting temperature (T m) was well below the experimental temperature and which,
      therefore, would not be expected to form stable solution duplexes. The abundance
      of the heterodimer ions seems to correlate with the number of expected hydrogen
      bonds from Watson-Crick base pairing. As the energy of the incoming ion beam
      (orifice potential) was increased, the absolute and relative abundance of the
      dimer ions unexpectedly increased. 

PMID- 24214114
TI  - Static secondary ionization mass spectrometry analysis of tributyl phosphate on
      mineral surfaces: Effect of Fe(II).
AB  - The static secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) spectrum of tri-n-butyl
      phosphate (TBP) on a variety of basalt and quartz samples is affected by the
      chemical composition of the mineral surface. When TBP is adsorbed on Fe(II)
      bearing surfaces, the compound undergoes concomitant H(-) abstraction and
      reduction, followed by the elimination of two C4H8 molecules to form an ion at
      m/z 137(+). When TBP is adsorbed to quartz or other nonreducing surfaces, it
      merely undergoes protonation and elimination of three C4H8 molecules to form H4PO
      4 (+) . When TBP is adsorbed to Fe(III)-bearing surfaces, it undergoes H(-)
      abstraction and elimination of two C4H8 molecules, to form an ion at m/z 153(+).
      These conclusions are supported by model studies that employed FeO, Fe203, TBP,
      and tributyl phosphite. The results show that the SIMS spectrum is very sensitive
      to the mode of TBP adsorption on the mineral surface. 

PMID- 24214115
TI  - Interface for a four-sector mass spectrometer with a dual-purpose collision cell:
      High transmission at low to intermediate energies.
AB  - A new interface system that consists of an ion decelerator, a floating collision
      cell-chemical ionization ion source, and an ion extractor was designed and
      installed in the third field-free region of a four-sector tandem mass
      spectrometer. Important features include the use of cylindrical deceleration
      lenses and an extraction lens assembly. This new design was found to provide
      enhancement of ion transmission at low to intermediate ion kinetic energies (3 eV
      to 1 keV) compared with the standard collision cell design. Collision-induced
      dissociation experiments from 3 eV to 10 keV and ion-molecule reactions of mass
      selected ions can be performed conveniently. A second, grounded, collision cell
      is located after the extraction lenses, which allows MS(4) experiments to be
      carried out via the normal linked (B/E) scan function in MS2. Incorporation of
      chemical ionization capability into the electrically isolated collision cell
      makes it possible to carry out neutralization chemical-reionization mass
      spectrometry. 

PMID- 24214112
TI  - Should there be sex-specific criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of heart
      failure?
AB  - All-cause mortality from cardiovascular disease is declining in the USA. However,
      there remains a significant difference in risk factors for disease and in
      mortality between men and women. For example, prevalence and outcomes for heart
      failure with preserved ejection fraction differ between men and women. The
      reasons for these differences are multifactorial, but reflect, in part, an
      incomplete understanding of sex differences in the etiology of cardiovascular
      diseases and a failure to account for sex differences in pre-clinical studies
      including those designed to develop new diagnostic and treatment modalities. This
      review focuses on the underlying physiology of these sex differences and provides
      evidence that inclusion of female animals in pre-clinical studies of heart
      failure and in development of imaging modalities to assess cardiac function might
      provide new information from which one could develop sex-specific diagnostic
      criteria and approaches to treatment. 

PMID- 24214116
TI  - Chemical modification of fluorinated self-assembled monolayer surfaces by low
      energy reactive ion bombardment.
AB  - Reactive collisions of low energy (<100-eV) mass-selected ions are used to
      chemically modify fluorinated self-assembled monolayer surfaces comprised of
      alkanethiolate chains CF3(CF2)11(CH2)2S- bound to Au. Typical experiments were
      done by using 1-nA/cm(2) beams and submonolayer doses of reactant ions.
      Characterization of the modified surface was achieved by in situ chemical
      sputtering (60-eV Xe(+.)) and by independent high mass resolution time-of-flight
      secondary ionization mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) (15-25-keV, Ga(+)) experiments.
      Treatment with Si(35)C1 4 (+.) produced a surface from which Xe(+) sputtering
      liberated CF2 (35)C1(+) ions, which suggested Cl-for-F halogen exchange at the
      surface. Isotopic labeling studies that used Si(35)Cl2 (37)Cl 2 (+.) ; and
      experiments with bromine-containing and iodine-containing projectiles, confirmed
      this reaction. High mass resolution TOF-SIMS spectra, as well as high spatial
      resolution images, provided further evidence as to the existence of halogen
      exchanged species at the bombarded surface. Analogous Cl-for-F halogen
      substitution was observed in a model gas-phase reaction. The ion-surface reaction
      is suggested to proceed through an intermediate fluoronium ion in which the
      projectile is bonded to the target molecule. The most significant conclusion of
      the study is that selective chemical modification of monolayer surfaces can be
      achieved by using reactive ion beams, which lead to new covalent bonds at the
      surface and in the scattered ions. 

PMID- 24214117
TI  - Electron-impact-induced 3,3-sigmatropic rearrangement and cyclization in phenyl
      allenylmethyl ethers.
AB  - A 3,3-sigmatropic rearrangement in the M(+.) of phenyl allenylmethyl ether is
      proposed for the observed losses of CO, C2H4, and CH3. Direct cyclization in the
      M(+.) also leads to the [M-CH3] ion. The presence of sulfur as the heteroatom in
      phenyl allenylmethyl sulfide does not significantly influence the occurrence of
      Claisen rearrangement. Ortho interaction of the nitro group with the allenyl
      double bond in the side chain leads to characteristic fragment ions in 2
      nitrophenyl allenylmethyl ether. Linked scans, high-resolution mass spectrometry,
      collision-activated dissociation-B/E linked-scan spectra, and D-labeling have
      been employed to support the proposed mechanisms and ion structures. 

PMID- 24214118
TI  - Fragmentation of the metastable molecular ion of methyl lactate: The formation of
      oxygen-protonated methanol [CH3OH 2] (+) involving double hydrogen atom
      transfers.
AB  - The spontaneous unimolecular dissociation reaction of methyl lactate (1) ionized
      by electron impact was investigated by a combination of mass-analyzed ion kinetic
      energy spectrometry and deuterium labeling. The metastable ions 1(+.) decompose
      in a variety of ways: four fragment peaks are observed at m/z 89, 76, 61, and 45,
      which correspond to the losses of CH3, CO, CH3CO, and COOCH3, respectively.
      Double hydrogen atom transfer occurs in the third reaction.The source-generated
      m/z 61 ions decompose into oxygen-protonated methanols at m/z 33 ([CH3OH 2 (+) ])
      by the loss of CO with double hydrogen atom migration. Both hydroxyl and methyne
      hydrogen atoms in 1 (+.) are present in the resultant protonated methanols. 

PMID- 24214119
TI  - Correlation of stereoselectivity and ion response in electrospray mass
      spectrometry. electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry as a tool to predict
      chemical behavior?
AB  - Several alkali cation complexes of chiral alkoxymethyl-substituted acylsilanes,
      prepared in situ by the admixture of alkali iodides to acylsilane sample
      solutions, were investigated by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.
      Competition experiments suggest that the relative complex stabilities of such
      species in acetonitrile solution follow the order [Formula: see text], which is
      different from the order of the relative stabilities of the complexes in the gas
      phase ([Formula: see text]) as qualitatively determined by a tandem mass
      spectrometry-type experiment. Additionally, a rough correlation of relative ion
      responses in the mass spectrometry with relative stereoselectivities-derived from
      chelate-controlled reactions performed with the respective silanes-was found. The
      latter observation suggests that the electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry
      technique is a potentially useful method to predict chemical behavior, and it
      demands little experimental effort. 

PMID- 24214120
TI  - Influence of the length and position of the collision cell on the resolving power
      attainable from collisionally activated processes in sector instruments.
AB  - The energy resolution in a high resolution tandem mass spectrometer was
      investigated in terms of the length and position of the central collision cell.
      Both these parameters have to be chosen carefully to eliminate collisional
      broadening phenomena that can severely limit the energy resolution in such
      instruments. A theory that describes collisional broadening, to first order, has
      been derived that accounts for the observed phenomena. It was found
      experimentally that collisional broadening can be reduced to less than 0.001 eV
      per kiloelectronvolt collision energy. Experimental data confirmed that only the
      size of the resolving slits and thermal broadening, due to the target gas,
      limited the ultimate energy resolution available. 

PMID- 24214121
TI  - Complete large-molecule high-resolution mass spectra from 50-femtomole
      microvolume injection.
AB  - For electrospray ionization in Fourier-transform mass spectrometry, direct
      injection of 5*10(-14) mol (0.5 uL of 100 nM from a microvolume sample valve) of
      ubiquitin (8565 Da) into the flowing solvent stream yields a spectrum with 85:1
      signal-to-noise ratio, 2-ppm mass accuracy, and isotopic resolution. Gated
      trapping for 100 us from a 0.15-uL/min injection of 20-uM ubiquitin consumes
      5*10(-18) mol, which produces a spectrum with 23:1 signal-to-noise ratio and
      tau;3*10(5) resolving power. 

PMID- 24214124
TI  - The maize d2003, a novel allele of VP8, is required for maize internode
      elongation.
AB  - The d2003 is a natural dwarf mutant from maize inbred line K36 and has less than
      one-third of K36 plant height with severely shortened internodes. In this study,
      we reported the cloning of d2003 gene using positional cloning. The results
      showed that there was a single-base insertion in the coding region of Viviparous8
      (VP8) in d2003 mutant, which resulted in a premature stop codon. Further genetic
      allelism tests confirmed that d2003 mutation is a novel allele of VP8. VP8 is
      mainly expressed in the stem apex, young leaves, and developing vascular tissues,
      and its expression levels in nodes are significantly higher than that in
      internodes at 12-leaf stage. Subcellular localization demonstrated that the VP8
      protein is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and the N-terminal 26 amino
      acids (aa) of VP8 protein are essential to its localization in ER. Further
      transgenic experiments showed that lack of the 26 aa leads to loss of VP8
      function in Arabidopsis amp1 phenotype rescue. These results strongly suggested
      that the N-terminal 26 aa is critical for VP8 protein localization, and the
      correct protein localization of VP8 in ER is necessary for its function. 

PMID- 24214125
TI  - Controlled synthesis of multi-arm star polyether-polycarbonate polyols based on
      propylene oxide and CO2.
AB  - Multi-arm star copolymers based on a hyperbranched poly(propylene oxide)
      polyether-polyol (hbPPO) as a core and poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) arms are
      synthesized in two steps from propylene oxide (PO), a small amount of glycidol
      and CO2 . The PPC arms are prepared via carbon dioxide (CO2 )/PO
      copolymerization, using hbPPO as a multifunctional macroinitiator and the (R,R)
      (salcy)CoOBzF5 catalyst. Star copolymers with 14 and 28 PPC arms, respectively,
      and controlled molecular weights in the range of 2700-8800 g mol(-1) are prepared
      (Mw /Mn = 1.23-1.61). Thermal analysis reveals lowered glass transition
      temperatures in the range of -8 to 10  degrees C for the PPC star polymers
      compared with linear PPC, which is due to the influence of the flexible polyether
      core. Successful conversion of the terminal hydroxyl groups with phenylisocyanate
      demonstrates the potential of the polycarbonate polyols for polyurethane
      synthesis.

PMID- 24214126
TI  - Reactive haemophagocytic syndrome in a patient with adult-onset Still's disease:
      beta-lactams as trigger?

PMID- 24214127
TI  - Incidence of herpes zoster in patients with altered immune function.
AB  - PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) and rates of post-zoster
      pain in both the total study population and separately in patients with selected
      conditions/treatments associated with altered immune function. METHODS: The
      health administrative claims databases for commercially insured, Medicare, and
      Medicaid populations, together accounting for approximately 51 million insured
      individuals, were analyzed between 2005 and 2009 in a retrospective cohort study.
      Incidence of HZ episodes per 1,000 person-years (PY) was estimated in all study
      populations as well as within nine potentially immune-altering conditions. Among
      patients with HZ, the 6-month rate of persistent post-zoster pain was estimated.
      RESULTS: Analysis of 90.2 million PY at risk revealed that the incidence of HZ in
      the total study population was 4.82/1,000 PY. The incidence of HZ was highest
      among patients with bone marrow or stem cell transplant (43.03 %) followed by
      solid organ transplant, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and systemic
      lupus erythematosus [95 % confidence interval (CI) 15.19-17.41 %]. HZ incidence
      rates were higher among persons on immunosuppressants/chemotherapy than among non
      users. In the total study population, HZ incidence increased with age (18-49
      years: 3.37/1,000 PY; 65+ years: 8.43/1,000 PY; P < 0.01) and female gender
      (incidence ratio vs. male 1.39, 95 % CI 1.38-1.40 %). The 6-month rate of
      persistent post-zoster pain was 4.29 % (95 % CI 4.22-4.36 %), which was higher in
      patients with the selected conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Despite providing a
      relatively small fraction of overall HZ cases, persons with immune function
      altering conditions make a large contribution to the societal healthcare burden
      because they have a higher risk of developing HZ and persistent post-zoster pain.
      These risk factors should be considered in HZ prevention efforts.

PMID- 24214129
TI  - Commentary: a return to origins.

PMID- 24214128
TI  - Ribonucleotide reductase M2B inhibits cell migration and spreading by early
      growth response protein 1-mediated phosphatase and tensin homolog/Akt1 pathway in
      hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Ribonucleotide reductase (RR)M2B is an enzyme belonging to the ribonucleotide
      reductase enzyme family, which is essential for DNA synthesis and repair. RRM2B
      plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis; however, little is
      known about the expression and underlying molecular mechanisms of RRM2B in
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we report that down
      regulation of RRM2B in HCC is negatively associated with intrahepatic metastasis,
      regardless of p53 status. Moreover, the ectopic overexpression of RRM2B decreased
      HCC cell migration and invasion in vitro, whereas silencing RRM2B expression
      resulted in increased migration and invasion in vitro and intrahepatic and lung
      metastasis in vivo. Additionally, knockdown of RRM2B by short hairpin RNA (shRNA)
      in HCC cells was associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT),
      including the down-regulation of E-cadherin, and the concomitant up-regulation of
      N-cadherin and slug. A further experiment showed that RRM2B inhibited cell
      migration and spreading through regulation of the early growth response protein 1
      (Egr-1)/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/Akt1 pathway. Consistently, we also
      detected a significant correlation between RRM2B and E-cadherin protein
      expression in HCC tissues. Furthermore, Egr-1 also directly bound to the RRM2B
      promoter and repressed RRM2B transcription, thereby establishing a negative
      regulatory feedback loop. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that RRM2B
      suppresses cell migration and spreading by way of modulation of the Egr
      1/PTEN/Akt1 pathway.

PMID- 24214130
TI  - Childhood cancer in Africa.
AB  - The majority of children with cancer live in low- and middle-income countries
      (LMICs) with little or no access to cancer treatment. The purpose of the paper is
      to describe the current status of childhood cancer treatment in Africa, as
      documented in publications, dedicated websites and information collected through
      surveys. Successful twinning programmes, like those in Malawi and Cameroon, as
      well as the collaborative clinical trial approach of the Franco-African Childhood
      Cancer Group (GFAOP), provide good models for childhood cancer treatment. The
      overview will hopefully influence health-care policies to facilitate access to
      cancer care for all children in Africa.

PMID- 24214131
TI  - Photoswitching of ortho-substituted azonium ions by red light in whole blood.

PMID- 24214132
TI  - Heavy metals in freshwater snails of Kuala Klawang's rice field, Negeri Sembilan,
      Malaysia.
AB  - A study of heavy metal contents in freshwater snails from rice fields have been
      made. The results indicate that the levels of heavy metals, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd,
      are low and within the permissible limit of Malaysian Food Regulations. The
      results can serve as background data for further reference. 

PMID- 24214133
TI  - Electrostatic precipitation in atmospheric aerosols.
AB  - The use of electrostatic force mechanisms can make a substantial contribution to
      control the pollution from air solids arising naturally, or from human
      development. In the present investigation we discuss the efficiency of a
      technique to precipitate the atmospheric aerosol of a size <5 um, by energizing
      metal mesh (Por=0.7) collectors (+, N, and -) using low D.C. voltage (0-30 V or 
      1.224*10(2) Vm(-1)). 

PMID- 24214134
TI  - A shortened algal growth potential test.
AB  - The Algal Growth Potential Test has been an accepted standard test for measuring
      the bioavailability of nutrients in water bodies. A shortened seven day test has
      been developed, tested, and shown to have a strong correlation relationship with
      algal tests grown to maximum dry weight yields. The new test will save time in
      processing the samples and processing of test data. 

PMID- 24214135
TI  - Factor analysis of trace-element data from tree-bark samples in The Netherlands.
AB  - Monte Carlo-assisted factor analysis has been applied to a data set of 20 trace
      element concentrations in tree-bark samples obtained from 123 locations in The
      Netherlands, with the aim to investigate the suitability of bark as a biomonitor
      for air pollution. A Monte Carlo approach was used to give more insight to the
      uncertainties and significance levels of the factor analysis results. Notwith
      standing a rather strong influence of soil material on the concentration levels,
      factor analysis enabled the identification of five significant pollution source
      types, all of which corresponded with source types found in an earlier
      biomonitoring study in The Netherlands using epiphytic lichens. A more detailed
      comparison with the lichen results showed a remarkable difference in lead
      concentrations between bark and lichen. It was concluded that bark can be
      successfully employed as a biomonitor for air pollution. The power of factor
      analysis to adequately determine the soil contribution may render extensive
      sample washing procedures superfluous. 

PMID- 24214136
TI  - Risk assessment for salmon from water quality changes following timber
      harvesting.
AB  - Land use activities may affect surface water quantity and quality. Water quality
      changes (concentration increases) from land use activities that are above
      background but below the water quality standard or criteria have always been
      considered benign. Increased public interest and recent legislation and
      management regarding threatened, or endangered, salmon populations suggest that
      environmental influences on these populations need to be reevaluated.As one
      approach, we developed a risk assessment (toxicity and exposure) for salmon from
      water quality changes following timber harvesting. Toxicity relationships for
      nitrate-nitrogen (as an LC50) using chloride, suspended sediment, and exposure
      were developed from the literature and data from the Alsea Watershed Study in the
      Oregon Coast Range. These relationships were used to predict the probable risk to
      coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) to nitrate-nitrogen exposure.The control or
      reference catchment, Flynn Creek, had higher nitrate-nitrogen concentrations, but
      showed little likelihood of risk to salmon because of lower suspended sediment
      concentrations. The treated catchment, Needle Branch (harvested 27 years ago),
      had lower nitrate-nitrogen concentrations and was expected to have less risk to
      salmon. However, the risk assessment relationship exhibited sensitivity to
      suspended sediment concentrations. This smaller catchment had higher suspended
      sediment transport and thus a higher risk of nitrate-nitrogen exposure to salmon.
      The suspended sediment transport functions were based on post-treatment
      monitoring (1966-1973) and are not considered to represent the current situation.
      These findings are not meant to be categorical, but merely illustrative of this
      risk assessment application. 

PMID- 24214137
TI  - Mercury accumulation in sediment and fish from rivers affected by alluvial gold
      mining in the Brazilian Madeira River basin, Amazon.
AB  - The degree and distribution of mercury (Hg) accumulation in sediment and fish
      from a tributary affected by alluvial small-scale gold mining in the Madeira
      River/Amazon is studied, in relation to a reference site. The results obtained so
      far agree well with previous studies and confirm that a tremendous contamination
      of main food web compartments occurs in these highly exposed, but vulnerable
      tropical waters. An essential part of the released metallic Hg may still exist as
      macroscopic liquid Hg drops in the sediment. Both global (0.4 mg/kg of Hg) and
      local (0.1 mg/kg of Hg) background sediment values as well as safety levels for
      fish (0.5 mg/kg of Hg) are considerably exceeded by a factor of up to 25, 100,
      and 4, respectively, and give rise to serious concern, not least with regard to
      the formation of the very toxic monomethyl-Hg. It is further discussed that
      atmospheric transport and deposition of Hg in water reservoirs built for
      hydroelectric power generation may act as critical pathways for longterm Hg
      accumulation, even in unexposed riverine systems. 

PMID- 24214138
TI  - In-situ measurement of photosynthetic oxygen production in the water column.
AB  - A novel hardware device is described to determine photosynthetic and respiratory
      oxygen uptake and release, respectively, in organisms in their natural habitat
      even under the rough conditions of their marine environment. Both macroalgae and
      phytoplankton can be utilized and oxygen exchange can be determined in solar
      radiation. The chamber can be used at or above the water surface or can be
      lowered into the water column. The data of oxygen concentration, irradiance and
      temperature are constantly monitored by a laptop computer and stored in disk
      files. The experimental data measured in some macroalgae as well as in
      phytoplankton indicate that the irradiance window for positive net photosynthetic
      oxygen production is fairly limited under natural conditions; at too low
      irradiances respiration exceeds photosynthesis and at too high irradiances
      photosynthesis is shut down by photoinhibition, at least in species not adapted
      to unattenuated solar radiation. 

PMID- 24214139
TI  - Use of cluster and principal component analyses to profile areas in California
      where ground water has been contaminated by pesticides.
AB  - An empirical approach to profiling areas of ground water contamination by
      pesticides was devised that did not rely upon determining the level of
      vulnerability between land areas and that did not assume any particular pathway
      for ground water contamination. Climatic and soil data were obtained for 1-square
      mile sections of land in California where pesticide residues had been found in
      well water samples and the detection was attributed to legal agricultural
      applications. These sections were designated as known contaminated (KC) sections.
      Climate and soil data were also obtained for sections which lacked either well
      sampling data or a positive pesticide detection. These sections were designated
      as candidate sections. Statistical procedures were used to cluster groups of KC
      sections first with respect to climate characteristics and then with respect to
      soil characteristics. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to construct a
      statistical profile of soil variables for each cluster of KC sections. A method
      based on the PCA was developed to compare the similarity of soil profiles derived
      for each KC section cluster to individual candidate sections. Since the profiling
      scheme was based only on data from KC sections, candidate sections that did not
      match any KC cluster profile could only be considered dissimilar to contaminated
      sections, receiving a status of not-classified. This profiling method is flexible
      and it can be revised to incorporate updated well sampling information. 

PMID- 24214140
TI  - Role of brimonidine in the treatment of clinically significant macular edema with
      ischemic changes in diabetic maculopathy.
AB  - To evaluate the role of brimonidine (BMD), an alpha-2 agonist, in the management
      of clinically significant macular edema (CSME) in diabetic maculopathy with
      ischemic changes. A prospective, randomized controlled trial including 30 eyes of
      30 metabolically stable diabetic patients with CSME showing fundus fluorescein
      angiography documented ischemic changes. Group I included 17 eyes of patients who
      received topical BMD (0.2 %) twice daily for 6 months while Group II included 13
      eyes of age-matched patients who were kept under observation and acted as
      controls. The mean change in logMAR visual acuity and any change in the grade of
      the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size, outline, capillary non-perfusion, or
      capillary dilatation was noted in the two groups and compared at the end of 6
      months. The FAZ area and radius was significantly less in the study group than
      the control group. However, no significant difference in FAZ capillary outline,
      FAZ capillary loss, FAZ capillary dilatation and overall grade of ischemia
      between the two groups was seen. There was improvement in visual acuity from
      baseline to 6 months but it was comparable between the two groups (p = 0.02). BMD
      may have a role in the treatment of ischemic macula in CSME since the FAZ area
      and radius were significantly less in the study group. However, a larger sample
      size and a longer follow-up are needed to further authenticate the results of
      this pilot study.

PMID- 24214141
TI  - The effect of CYP2C19 genotype on the time course of platelet aggregation
      inhibition after clopidogrel administration.
AB  - We evaluated the effect of CYP2C19 genotype over time on the antiplatelet
      response of clopidogrel in healthy subjects. Seventy subjects enrolled for a
      pharmacodynamic study and 22 subjects for a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
      study took 300 mg clopidogrel on the first day and 75 mg once daily for six
      consecutive days. The subjects with CYP2C19 poor metabolizers (PM, N = 22) and
      intermediate metabolizers (IM, N = 37) had significantly delayed time to
      inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) compared with CYP2C19 extensive
      metabolizers (EM, N = 33) (12 vs. 9 vs. 2 hours as median Tmax , P < .05) after a
      300 mg of clopidogrel. During maintenance doses of clopidogrel, IPA values of
      only CYP2C19 PM subjects were gradually decreased from 30.0 +/- 21.9% on day 2 to
      23.7 +/- 16.6% on day 8 (P > .05 for time effect; P < .05 for time and genotype
      interaction effect). CYP2C19 PM had decreased Cmax and AUC of thiol metabolite
      compared with CYP2C19 EM (0.42- and 0.37-fold on day 1, P < .01; 0.39- and 0.34
      fold on day 7, P < .01, respectively). Delayed time to reach maximal IPA as well
      as decreased IPA may influence the increased risk of the acute cardiac events in
      CYP2C19 PM and IM. 

PMID- 24214142
TI  - Inhibition of Niemann-Pick-type C1-like1 by ezetimibe activates autophagy in
      human hepatocytes and reduces mutant alpha1-antitrypsin Z deposition.
AB  - Autophagy can degrade aggregate-prone proteins, but excessive autophagy can have
      adverse effects. It would be beneficial if autophagy could be enhanced in a cell
      type-specific manner, but this has been difficult because the basic mechanism of
      autophagy is common. In the present study we found that inhibition of Niemann
      Pick-type C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) by ezetimibe activates autophagy only in hepatocytes
      and small intestinal epithelia, but not in other cells. Ezetimibe induced
      accumulation of free cholesterol in the late endosome/lysosome and increased
      partitioning of a Ragulator component, LAMTOR1, in rafts. The latter change led
      to down-regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)C1 activity by
      decreasing mTOR recruitment to the late endosome/lysosome and activated
      autophagy. A primary effect of ezetimibe was found to be a decrease of free
      cholesterol in the plasma membrane, because all the results caused by ezetimibe
      were suppressed by supplementation of cholesterol as a methyl-beta-cyclodextrin
      complex. By enhancing autophagy in human primary hepatocytes with ezetimibe,
      insoluble mutant alpha1-antitrypsin Z was reduced significantly. CONCLUSION:
      Inhibition of NPC1L1 by ezetimibe activates autophagy in human hepatocytes by
      modulating cholesterol homeostasis. Ezetimibe may be used to ameliorate liver
      degeneration in alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.

PMID- 24214143
TI  - Air lead concentrations in Birmingham, England - a comparison between levels
      inside and outside inner-city homes.
AB  - Air lead concentrations were monitored for seven consecutive days at two
      locations inside and one location immediately outside 97 houses in inner-city
      Birmingham. Concentrations in the bedroom and playroom were similar to each
      other, but usually lower than those found outdoors. The mean internal air lead
      concentration was 0.26 MUg/m(3) (n=1206) and the mean external concentration,
      0.43 MUg/m(3) (n=605). The mean of the individual internal:external ratios was
      0.61 and similar to others cited in the literature. The study indicates that, in
      the absence of any major internal sources of lead, the mean external air lead
      concentration is a good predictor of the mean air internal air lead
      concentration. 

PMID- 24214144
TI  - Soil compaction in topsoil replacement during mining reclamation.
AB  - Current U.S. mining regulations require revegetation in reclaiming surface mines.
      Excessive soil compaction can be an impediment to successful revegetation in poor
      soil conditions common to Eastern U.S. coal mine sites. A field study was
      performed to determine the bulk densities of soils that had been spread by either
      bulldozers or scrapers at a strip mine site. Moisture-density relationships for
      the soils were determined from the field samples. These were compared with
      samples compacted by the Standard Proctor compaction test. The results of the
      study indicate that the degree of compaction, could be lessened through proper
      soil handling procedures. 

PMID- 24214145
TI  - Toxicity of root-applied sulphite in Zea mays.
AB  - Zea mays was grown in nutrient solution with different concentrations of sulphite
      and sulphate (0, 5, and 10 mM) at pH 5 or 7, with or without aeration, for five
      days. Sulphite injured the plants, especially at low pH. Lack of aeration
      increased the sulphite injury of the plants at the high pH. in the aerated
      solutions, sulphite concentrations approached zero after five hours, while the
      unaerated solutions still contained sulphite after four days. Very little
      sulphite was found in the plants. The results indicate that the toxicity to the
      plants of the different chemical species of the sulphite in the solution
      decreases in the following order: SO2 (aq) > HSO3 (-) > SO3 (2-). 

PMID- 24214146
TI  - Modelling of leachates from dolomitic mine tailings.
AB  - The REDEQL.EPAK computer model was used to study speciation of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Ca
      in leachates from dolomitic Pb mine tailings. By allowing or disallowing
      precipitation of solids and equilibration of the modelled leachate with
      atmospheric C02, comparison of fresh and aged leachates was made. The effects of
      treatment of the tailings with phosphate containing fertilizer were studied
      through addition of P04 (3-) to the modelled solution. Equilibrium constants
      pertaining to metal ion-humic acid complexation were added to the thermodynamic
      data base of the model in order to study the effects of decaying plant material
      on tailings leachate.Initial leachate of the tailings is found to be
      supersaturated with Cd and Zn. Non-complexed ("free") Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) is
      predicted to comprise most of the soluble form of these metals in the leachate;
      Pb is predicted to be present largely as PbCO3 ion pair. Equilibration of the
      leachate with the atmosphere is predicted to lead to extensive precipitation of
      CdCO3 and ZnSiO3. Precipitation of Pb5(PO4)3Cl is predicted at high PO4 (3-)
      concentration and at low pH. Complexation by the humic acid is predicted to
      compete effectively with other ligands in the leachate for the metal ions. The
      results are compared with experimental findings. 

PMID- 24214147
TI  - Detection of an ABCA1 variant associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus
      susceptibility for biochemistry and genetic laboratory courses.
AB  - We selected diabetes mellitus for this laboratory exercise to provide students
      with an explicit model for scientific research concerning the association between
      the R230C polymorphism and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is
      highly prevalent in the Mexican population. We used a collaborative project-based
      learning to engage students to direct their own learning process. Students worked
      in small groups with the same learning goal to research, organize data, and
      present seminars to experimentally genotype the C230 variant and correctly
      interpret their results. At the conclusion of this laboratory exercise, the
      students were able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the relevant
      biological molecular principles to genotype the C230 variant, showed technical
      competency to carry out the experimental protocols with proficiency, and
      interpret their results using statistical analyses. The students discussed their
      understanding of the genetic technologies and the broader social and ethical
      implications of the research. A randomly selected team was trained to work as a
      "sentinel" to monitor their classmates and ensure the proper application of
      techniques. Moreover, the evaluation of this exercise is shared between the
      students and the instructors; the students evaluate their own work and the
      performance of their classmates. At the end of the course, the students complete
      a questionnaire to anonymously provide feedback and information regarding their
      perception of the learning outcomes. Overall, the student feedback was positive,
      indicating that the exercise was useful and that it would help to prepare the
      students for professional practice.

PMID- 24214148
TI  - "Because I am worth it": a theoretical framework and empirical review of a
      justification-based account of self-regulation failure.
AB  - Self-regulation failure is often explained as being overwhelmed by impulse. The
      present article proposes a novel pathway, presenting a theoretical framework and
      empirical review of a justification-based account of self-regulation failure.
      With justification we refer to making excuses for one's discrepant behavior, so
      that when experiencing a self-regulation dilemma between immediate impulses and
      long-term intentions, people resolve the conflict by developing and employing
      justifications that allow violations of the goal they endorse. Accordingly,
      rather than inhibiting motivations from the impulsive system, the reflective
      system can also facilitate them, leading to self-regulation failure. We bring
      together empirical evidence from various domains demonstrating that
      justifications can instigate self-regulation failure and rule out alternative
      accounts. Having established that justification processes contribute to self
      regulation failure, we then propose several mechanisms that may fuel the effect.
      Finally, routes for future research and the conceptual and practical implications
      of these novel insights for self-regulation are discussed. 

PMID- 24214149
TI  - Improving the dependability of research in personality and social psychology:
      recommendations for research and educational practice.
AB  - In this article, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) Task
      Force on Publication and Research Practices offers a brief statistical primer and
      recommendations for improving the dependability of research. Recommendations for
      research practice include (a) describing and addressing the choice of N (sample
      size) and consequent issues of statistical power, (b) reporting effect sizes and
      95% confidence intervals (CIs), (c) avoiding "questionable research practices"
      that can inflate the probability of Type I error, (d) making available research
      materials necessary to replicate reported results, (e) adhering to SPSP's data
      sharing policy, (f) encouraging publication of high-quality replication studies,
      and (g) maintaining flexibility and openness to alternative standards and
      methods. Recommendations for educational practice include (a) encouraging a
      culture of "getting it right," (b) teaching and encouraging transparency of data
      reporting, (c) improving methodological instruction, and (d) modeling sound
      science and supporting junior researchers who seek to "get it right." 

PMID- 24214150
TI  - Curious case of missing (A) in coeliac disease with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - Coeliac screening in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is universally recommended,
      but not all authorities recommend serum IgA estimation before using an IgA-based
      test. We report a case of T1DM with poor glycaemic control and recurrent episodes
      of hypoglycaemias and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Recurrent oromucosal and
      respiratory infections further complicated the course of illness, resulting in
      the increasing proneness to DKA. The patient was screened for coeliac disease but
      the IgA-based screening test was negative (IgA tissue transglutaminase) due to
      the low IgA level, whereas the IgG antigliadin was positive. The patient
      benefited from initiation of a gluten-free diet. 

PMID- 24214151
TI  - Deconditioning the athletic heart.

PMID- 24214152
TI  - Dermoid cyst: an unusual location.

PMID- 24214153
TI  - Behcet's disease with major vascular involvement.
AB  - A 40-year-old Chinese man was admitted for haemoptysis and progressive deep vein
      thrombosis involving the inferior vena cava (IVC) despite anticoagulation. An IVC
      filter had been placed earlier at an outside hospital. CT angiography revealed
      two pulmonary artery aneurysms. The patient was found to have a history of oral
      and genital ulcers, uveitis and erythema nodosum, thus meeting criteria for
      Behcet's disease. Other causes of the haemoptysis and thrombophilia were
      excluded. He underwent successful coil embolisation of the pulmonary artery
      aneurysms and responded well to immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide
      and steroids. Anticoagulation was cautiously continued to limit the long-term
      risk of secondary thrombosis from his IVC filter. The patient remains well 5
      months after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy. Making a diagnosis of
      Behcet's disease in the setting of thrombosis is crucial, as treatment must
      include immunosuppression, and, thus, fundamentally differs from the management
      of most other thrombotic disorders. 

PMID- 24214154
TI  - Acute bilateral putaminal haemorrhagic necrosis in methanol poisoning.

PMID- 24214155
TI  - Isolated caecal tuberculosis mimicking a neoplastic tumour in an immunocompetent
      woman.
AB  - Although tuberculosis is endemic in Tunisia, only a few cases of intestinal
      disease have been reported. This entity is usually associated with pulmonary
      tuberculosis. Any part of the gastrointestinal tract may be affected but usually
      with ileocaecal involvement. Diagnosis is extremely difficult because the
      clinical presentation is so variable. The disease frequently mimics other chronic
      inflammatory intra-abdominal diseases or even malignancy. We report a case of
      isolated colonic tuberculosis presenting as circumferential ulcerovegetative
      lesions in the caecal region. 

PMID- 24214156
TI  - Treatment of anxiety from musical obsessions with a cognitive behaviour therapy
      tool.
AB  - Musical obsessions and hallucinations are disturbing experiences of repeating
      internal music. Antipsychotic medication can sometimes reduce these symptoms but
      can also trigger or augment them. We report the case of a female patient with
      schizophrenia with drug-resistant obsessive musical hallucinations. The patient
      volunteered to participate in a 9-month pilot study to follow the development of
      the condition using an involuntary music and mood inventory. The patient
      perceived benefits from the intervention, including reduced anxiety, increased
      feeling of being in control and understanding the condition better. Findings from
      this case study suggest that cognitive therapy can be a useful complementary
      method of care for persons with musical obsessions. The presented tool requires
      further investigations among those with this rare condition. 

PMID- 24214157
TI  - An unusual cause of sustained ventricular tachycardia in a 27-year-old man.
AB  - We present an interesting, unusual and complex case of a young man who initially
      presented with symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis and later developed malignant
      ventricular arrhythmias. A diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis was made only after
      histological evidence was paired with his presentation of monomorphic ventricular
      tachycardia. In this case we highlight the current challenges faced in the choice
      of investigations and diagnostic criteria. Additionally, we have identified the
      difficulties in treatment and long-term management of such a multisystem
      disorder. Ultimately by doing so, we hope to encourage clinicians to be aware of
      making a diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. 

PMID- 24214158
TI  - Peculiar MRI findings of intracranial hypotension in patients with abducens nerve
      palsy.

PMID- 24214159
TI  - Subdivisions and connectional networks of the lateral prefrontal cortex in the
      macaque monkey.
AB  - Neuroanatomical studies have long indicated that corticocortical connections are
      organized in networks that relate distinct sets of areas. Such networks have been
      emphasized by development of functional imaging methods for correlating activity
      across the cortex. Previously, two networks were recognized in the orbitomedial
      prefrontal cortex, the "orbital" and "medial" networks (OPFC and MPFC,
      respectively). In this study, three additional networks are proposed for the
      lateral prefrontal cortex: 1) a ventrolateral network (VLPFC) in and ventral to
      the principal sulcus; 2) a dorsal network (DPFC) in and dorsal to the principal
      sulcus and in the frontal pole; 3) a caudolateral network (CLPFC) in and rostral
      to the arcuate sulcus and the caudal principal sulcus. The connections of the
      first two networks are described here. Areas in each network are connected
      primarily with other areas in the same network, with overlaps around the
      principal sulcus. The VLPFC and DPFC are also connected with the OPFC and MPFC,
      respectively. Outside the prefrontal cortex, the VLPFC connects with specific
      areas related to somatic/visceral sensation and vision, in the frontoparietal
      operculum, insula, ventral bank/fundus of the superior temporal sulcus, inferior
      temporal gyrus, and inferior parietal cortex. In contrast, the DPFC connects with
      the rostral superior temporal gyrus, dorsal bank of the superior temporal sulcus,
      parahippocampal cortex, and posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex. Area
      45a, in caudal VLPFC, is unique, having connections with all the networks. Its
      extrinsic connections resemble those of the DPFC. In addition, it has connections
      with both auditory belt/parabelt areas, and visual related areas.

PMID- 24214160
TI  - Cost-effectiveness analyses of osteoarthritis oral therapies: a systematic
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) have been performed for oral non
      disease-altering osteoarthritis (OA) treatments for well over a decade. During
      that period the methods for performing these analyses have evolved as
      pharmacoeconomic methods have advanced, new treatments have been introduced, and
      the knowledge of associated adverse events (AEs) has improved. OBJECTIVE: The
      objective of this systematic review was to trace the development of CEAs for oral
      non-disease-altering treatments in OA. METHODS: A systematic search for CEAs of
      OA oral treatments was performed of the English-language medical literature using
      the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE In-Process, EconLit, and
      Cochrane. Key requirements for inclusion were that the population described
      patients with OA or arthritis and that the analysis reported at least one
      incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Each identified publication was assessed
      for inclusion. Thirteen characteristics and all AEs appearing in each included
      CEA were extracted and organized. Reference lists from these CEAs were also
      searched. A chronology of key CEAs in the field was compiled, noting the
      characteristics that advanced the state of the art in modeling oral OA
      treatments. RESULTS: Thirty publications of 28 CEAs were identified and
      evaluated. Developments in CEAs included an expanded set of comparators that
      broadened from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) only to NSAIDs plus
      gastroprotective agents, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and opioids. In turn, AEs
      expanded from gastrointestinal (GI) events to also include cardiovascular (CV)
      and neurological events. Efficacy, which initially was presumed to be equivalent
      for all treatments, evolved to treatment-specific efficacies. Decision-tree
      analyses were generally replaced by Markov models or, occasionally, stochastic or
      discrete event simulation. Finally, outcomes have progressed from GI-centric
      measures to also include quality-adjusted life-years. CONCLUSION: Methods used by
      CEAs of oral non-disease-altering OA treatments have evolved in response to
      changing treatments with different safety profiles and efficacies as well as
      technical advances in the application of decision science to health care.

PMID- 24214161
TI  - Race, risk, and recreation in personal genomics: the limits of play.
AB  - Despite the mantra that genetics has moved beyond race, the burgeoning industry
      of genetic ancestry reveals how genetics has offered new technology through which
      individuals can link to intersections in time and space in complex ways that
      recapitulate understandings of racial order, origins, and group membership. This
      article focuses on the trope of "recreation" asserted in the marketing of
      ancestry genetic tests and examines the suggestion of self-discovery through the
      recovery of lost kin. Themes of recreation and re-creation paradoxically suggest
      both passivity of self-revelation and the power to re-act and re-create one's
      self in light of a different, more enlightened future. Direct-to-consumer
      personal genetics testing companies play guardian to this consumer play,
      providing tailored genetic scripts and highlighting how consumers might use their
      information. This article critically examines the play with concepts of ancestry,
      ethnicity, and genetic variation and their implications for public understanding
      of the relationship between race and genetics. 

PMID- 24214162
TI  - Epoxides as reducing agents for low-catalyst-concentration atom transfer radical
      polymerization.
AB  - Activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization
      (ARGET ATRP) conditions utilizing a low concentration of catalyst are
      successfully applied for the preparation of well-defined poly(glycidyl
      methacrylate) without the addition of external reducing agents. The living
      character of polymerization is evidenced by successful chain extensions with
      methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate, again, in the absence of additional
      reducing agents, yielding block copolymers. The epoxide groups in glycidyl
      methacrylate or the corresponding polymer can serve as an intrinsic reducing
      agent to continuously regenerate the Cu(I) -based ATRP activator from the Cu(II)
      halide complex present in the systems. The reactivity of various epoxides in the
      reduction of the Cu(II) Br2 complex of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine is compared. 

PMID- 24214163
TI  - Structure-based design of an RNA-binding p-terphenylene scaffold that inhibits
      HIV-1 Rev protein function.

PMID- 24214165
TI  - An intervention for sensory difficulties in children with autism: a randomized
      trial.
AB  - This study evaluated a manualized intervention for sensory difficulties for
      children with autism, ages 4-8 years, using a randomized trial design. Diagnosis
      of autism was confirmed using gold standard measures. Results show that the
      children in the treatment group (n = 17) who received 30 sessions of the
      occupational therapy intervention scored significantly higher (p = 0.003, d =
      1.2) on Goal Attainment Scales (primary outcome), and also scored significantly
      better on measures of caregiver assistance in self-care (p = 0.008 d = 0.9) and
      socialization (p = 0.04, d = 0.7) than the Usual Care control group (n = 15). The
      study shows high rigor in its measurement of treatment fidelity and use of a
      manualized protocol, and provides support for the use of this intervention for
      children with autism. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for
      practice and future research.

PMID- 24214166
TI  - A thermoreversible poly(choline phosphate) based universal biomembrane adhesive.
AB  - A new monomer, 2-(2-(2-(2-azidoethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl methacrylate (AEO4 MA),
      and its direct atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) into poly(AEO4 MA),
      then "clicked" with prop-2-ynyle choline phosphate (CP) to produce a poly(choline
      phosphate) are described. This polymer exhibits a lower critical solution
      temperature (LCST) at ~ 32  degrees C, and provides a universal thermally
      reversible biomembrane adhesive, which can rapidly both bind to any mammalian
      cell membrane and internalize into the cytoplasm of nucleated cells below the
      LCST. Moving above the LCST reverses cell surface binding. The use of ATRP
      implies that such polymers can be applied to modify the surfaces of a wide range
      of biomaterials. The capacity to bind and immobilize cells at room temperature
      and release them above the LCST should be particularly useful for in vitro cell
      manipulation and tissue engineering applications.

PMID- 24214167
TI  - Determination of monoisotopic masses and ion populations for large biomolecules
      from resolved isotopic distributions.
AB  - The coupling of electrospray ionization with Fourier-transform mass spectrometry
      allows the analysis of large biomolecules with mass-measuring errors of less than
      1 ppm. The large number of atoms incorporated in these molecules results in a low
      probability for the all-monoisotopic species. This produces the potential to
      misassign the number of heavy isotopes in a specific peak and make a mass error
      of +/-1 Da, although the certainty of the measurement beyond the decimal place is
      greater than 0.1 Da. Statistical tests are used to compare the measured isotopic
      distribution with the distribution for a model molecule of the same average
      molecular mass, which allows the assignment of the monoisotopic mass, even in
      cases where the monoisotopic peak is absent from the spectrum. The statistical
      test produces error levels that are inversely proportional to the number of
      molecules in a distribution, which allows an estimation of the number of ions in
      the trapped ion cell. It has been determined, via this method that 128 charges
      are required to produce a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1, which correlates well
      with previous experimental methods. 

PMID- 24214168
TI  - Complete sequence confirmation of large peptides by high energy collisional
      activation of multiply protonated ions.
AB  - High energy collisional activation on a tandem four-sector mass spectrometer
      produces fragmentation throughout the peptide backbone of multiply protonated
      peptides in the 4-5-ku molecular weight range, which enables complete sequence
      confirmation from these peptides, including leucine-isoleucine determinations.
      The resolutions provided by this type of mass spectrometer permit the charge
      state of the fragment ions to be determined by identifying their isotopic
      spacing. This eliminates the complexity in spectral interpretation caused by the
      presence of fragment ions in various charge states. The reliable mass assignments
      from a sector mass spectrometer permit identification of amino acids that differ
      by as little as a single unit in these large peptides. The combination of
      excellent mass accuracy with the ability to assign charge states is expected to
      greatly facilitate the interpretation of tandem mass spectra from unknown
      peptides, and permit their sequences to be deduced. These results lead us to
      propose tandem mass spectrometric analysis of multiply charged precursor ions on
      a tandem four-sector instrument as a direct strategy for determination of the
      complete amino acid sequence of peptides up to 5 ku. 

PMID- 24214169
TI  - Tandem mass spectrometric characterization of a specific cysteic acid residue in
      oxidized human apoprotein B-100.
AB  - The oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in vivo may result in its
      unregulated uptake by macrophages, with the consequent accumulation of
      cholesterol that is characteristic of the development of atherosclerosis. This
      paper describes initial experiments to elucidate structural changes that occur in
      an in vitro model of LDL oxidation. LDL was isolated from human blood and
      oxidized in the presence of copper ion. Lipid was removed and the isolated
      apoprotein was subjected to tryptic hydrolysis. The hydrolysate was separated by
      high performance liquid chromatography and individual fractions were screened by
      amino acid analysis to detect cysteic acid residues. Appropriate fractions were
      analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and hybrid tandem mass
      spectrometry. In this manner a tryptic fragment was identified that corresponded
      to residues 4187-4195 (EELCTMFIR), in which the cysteine and methionine residues
      were oxidized to cysteic acid and methionine sulfoxide, respectively. Identical
      analysis of LDL not subjected to in vitro oxidation revealed no evidence for this
      oxidized peptide. Earlier work established a surface location for this cysteine
      residue (Cys24) on the LDL particle, which suggested that its modification may
      significantly affect the properties of LDL, such as the propensity to
      intermolecular interaction via disulfide bridges. The analytical protocol
      developed here (involving proteolysis, screening of peptide fragments, and tandem
      mass spectrometry analysis) constitutes a strategy of general applicability to
      the characterization of targeted modifications of large proteins via mass
      spectrometry. 

PMID- 24214170
TI  - Low energy tandem mass spectrometry of deoxynucleoside adducts of polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbon dihydrodiol-epoxides.
AB  - The use of fast-atom bombardment ionization-tandem mass spectrometry approaches,
      with collision energies on the order of 30-50 eV, was developed for the analysis
      of low picomole quantities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon dihydrodiol-epoxide
      deoxynucleoside adducts. This strategy combines three experimental techniques:
      (1) product ion scans, (2) constant neutral loss scans, and (3) precursor ion
      scans. Product ion scans of the protonated molecule or the BH 2 (+) ion that
      results from loss of the deoxyribose were dominated by fragments associated with
      cleavage of the sigma bond between the dihydrodiol-epoxide moiety and the
      nucleobase. Constant neutral loss scans were based upon the loss of deoxyribose
      (116 u) or the combined loss of the deoxynucleoside, water, and carbon monoxide
      (313 u); precursor ion scans utilized the latter fragment. The formation of
      trimethylsilyl derivatives increased the sensitivity of analysis, which allowed
      the simultaneous detection of DNA adducts in a mixture. 

PMID- 24214171
TI  - Design and performance of an in-line surface-induced dissociation device in a
      four-sector mass spectrometer.
AB  - A new in-line surface-induced dissociation device has been designed and
      characterized in a high performance four-sector tandem mass spectrometer. The
      design incorporates a target electrode parallel to the ion beam axis and an
      angled deflector plate (45 degrees  relative to the ion beam) to provide large
      collision angles. In addition, an extraction electrode (parallel to the target
      electrode) is employed to efficiently extract product ions from the target
      surface. Results obtained with this device indicate high internal energy
      deposition (up to 16. 3 eV) as measured with the thermometer ions W(CO) 6 (+.)
      and Si(C2H5)4/+., as evidenced by extensive dissociation of the refractory pyrene
      molecular ion, and as indicated by the b 3/y 2 ratio in the product ion spectrum
      of leucine enkephalin. High resolution provided by the four-sector instrument for
      both precursor ions and product ions allows the observation of previously
      unobserved dissociation products in the surface-induced dissociation spectra of
      Si(C2H5)4/+. and novel ion-surface reaction products in spectra of W(CO)6/+. ions
      after collisions with hydrocarbon-covered surfaces. Both hydrogen atom and
      hydrocarbon abstraction products are observed. The dissociation efficiencies
      measured with the in-line device are approximately 1% when hydrocarbon-coated
      surfaces are used and increase fivefold with a fluorinated surface. 

PMID- 24214172
TI  - Novel perfluoroacyl derivatives of corticosteroids and related substances for
      potential use in quantitative gas chromatography mass spectrometry.
AB  - We investigated the potential of perfluoroacylation for gas chromatographic mass
      spectrometric determination of corticosteroids and related substances. Structure
      elucidation of the reaction products was performed with high and low resolution
      mass spectrometry and with proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectrometry. Besides the well known 3-enol ester formation, 17beta-methyl-18-nor
      13(14)-ene steroids were formed via loss of the 17-alpha hydroxyl group followed
      by a Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement. Compounds that bear an 11beta-hydroxy group
      formed additionally a 9(11) double bond when acetone was used as solvent, whereas
      acetonitrile or cyclohexane led to formation of 11beta-perfluoroacyl esters. In
      particular, perfluoroacylation of cortisol led to a clearly defined product
      instead of complex mixtures observed before, which thus makes it a valuable
      alternative to methoxime formation-silylation of cortisol for quantitative gas
      chromatographic mass spectrometric analyses. 

PMID- 24214174
TI  - Gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based drug delivery and molecular imaging for biomedical
      applications.
AB  - Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be readily synthesized and modified with chemical
      and biological molecules, making them attractive inorganic biomaterials for drug
      delivery and molecular diagnostics. The surface of AuNPs supports the efficient
      attachment of various biomacromolecules via chemisorption, chemical conjugation
      and electrostatic interaction. Based on advantages of facile surface modification
      and unique optical properties, AuNPs have been extensively used as drug carriers
      for the intracellular delivery of therapeutics as well as molecular nanoprobes
      for detection and monitoring of the target molecules of interest. In this review,
      we highlight advanced approaches in the biomedical applications of AuNPs such as
      gene and drug therapy, molecular diagnostics and imaging.

PMID- 24214175
TI  - Extracellular stability of nanoparticulate drug carriers.
AB  - Nanoparticulate (NP) drug carrier systems are attractive vehicles for selective
      drug delivery to solid tumors. Ideally, NPs should evade clearance by the
      reticuloendothelial system while maintaining the ability to interact with tumor
      cells and facilitate cellular uptake. Great effort has been made to fulfill these
      design criteria, yielding various types of functionalized NPs. Another important
      consideration in NP design is the physical and functional stability during
      circulation, which, if ignored, can significantly undermine the promise of
      intelligently designed NP drug carriers. This commentary reviews several NP
      examples with stability issues and their consequences, ending in a discussion of
      experimental methods for reliable prediction of NP stability. 

PMID- 24214176
TI  - Combined corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-agonist in one inhaler versus
      placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroids
      (ICS) have been recommended in guidelines for the treatment of chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their coadministration in a combination
      inhaler may facilitate adherence to medication regimens and improve efficacy.
      OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of combined ICS and LABA for
      stable COPD in comparison with placebo. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane
      Airways Group Specialised Register of trials, reference lists of included studies
      and manufacturers' trial registries. The date of the most recent search was June
      2013. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised and double-blind studies of at
      least four weeks' duration. Eligible studies compared combined ICS and LABA
      preparations with placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors
      independently assessed study risk of bias and extracted data. Dichotomous data
      were analysed as fixed-effect odds ratios (OR) or rate ratios (RR) with 95%
      confidence intervals (95% CI), and continuous data as mean differences with 95%
      confidence intervals. MAIN RESULTS: Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria
      (with 10,400 participants randomly assigned, lasting between 4 and 156 weeks,
      mean 42 weeks). Studies used three different combined preparations
      (fluticasone/salmeterol, budesonide/formoterol or mometasone/formoterol). The
      studies were generally at low risk of bias for blinding but at unclear or high
      risk for attrition bias because of participant dropouts. Compared with placebo,
      both fluticasone/salmeterol and budesonide/formoterol reduced the rate of
      exacerbations. Mometasone/formoterol reduced the number of participants
      experiencing one or more exacerbation. Pooled analysis of the combined therapies
      indicated that exacerbations were less frequent when compared with placebo (Rate
      Ratio 0.73; 95% CI 0.69 to 0.78, 7 studies, 7495 participants); the quality of
      this evidence when GRADE criteria were applied was rated as moderate.
      Participants included in these trials had on average one or two exacerbations per
      year, which means that treatment with combined therapy would lead to a reduction
      of one exacerbation every two to four years in these individuals. An overall
      reduction in mortality was seen, but this outcome was dominated by the results of
      one study (TORCH) of fluticasone/salmeterol. Generally, deaths in the smaller,
      shorter studies were too few to contribute to the overall estimate. Further
      longer studies on budesonide/formoterol and mometasone/formoterol are required to
      clarify whether this is seen more widely. When a baseline risk of death of 15.2%
      from the placebo arm of TORCH was used, the three-year number needed to treat for
      an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) with fluticasone/salmeterol to prevent
      one extra death was 42 (95% CI 24 to 775). All three combined treatments led to
      statistically significant improvement in health status measurements, although the
      mean differences observed are relatively small in relation to the minimum
      clinically important difference. Furthermore, symptoms and lung function
      assessments favoured combined treatments. An increase in the risk of pneumonia
      was noted with combined inhalers compared with placebo treatment (OR 1.62, 95% CI
      1.36 to 1.94), and the quality of this evidence was rated as moderate, but no
      dose effect was seen. The three-year NNTH for one extra case of pneumonia was 17,
      based on a 12.3% risk of pneumonia in the placebo arm of TORCH. Fewer
      participants withdrew from the combined treatment arms for adverse events or lack
      of efficacy. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Combined inhaler therapy led to around a
      quarter fewer COPD exacerbations than were seen with placebo. A significant
      reduction in all-cause mortality was noted, but this outcome was dominated by one
      trial (TORCH), emphasising the need for further trials of longer duration.
      Increased risk of pneumonia is a concern; however, this did not translate into
      increased exacerbations, hospitalisations or deaths. Current evidence does not
      suggest any major differences between inhalers in terms of effects, but nor is
      the evidence strong enough to demonstrate that all are equivalent. To permit
      firmer conclusions about the effects of combined therapy, more data are needed,
      particularly in relation to the profile of adverse events and benefits in
      relation to different formulations and doses of inhaled ICS. Head-to-head
      comparisons are necessary to determine whether one combined inhaler is better
      than the others.

PMID- 24214177
TI  - Quantifying 'problematic' DIF within an IRT framework: application to a cancer
      stigma index.
AB  - PURPOSE: DIF detection within an IRT framework is highly powerful, often
      identifying significant DIF that is of little clinical importance. This paper
      introduces two metrics for IRT DIF evaluation that can discern potentially
      problematic DIF among items flagged with statistically significant DIF. METHODS:
      Computation of two DIF metrics-(1) a weighted area between the expected score
      curves (wABC) and (2) a difference in expected a posteriori scores across item
      response categories (dEAP)-is described. Their use is demonstrated using data
      from a 27-item cancer stigma index fielded to four adult samples: (1) Arabic (N =
      633) and (2) English speakers (N = 324) residing in Jordan and Egypt, and (3)
      English (N = 500) and (4) Mandarin speakers (N = 500) residing in China. We used
      IRTPRO's DIF module to calculate IRT-based Wald chi-square DIF statistics
      according to language within each region. After standard p value adjustments for
      multiple comparisons, we further evaluated DIF impact with wABC and dEAP.
      RESULTS: There were a total of twenty statistically significant DIF comparisons
      after p value adjustment. The wABCs for these items ranged from 0.13 to 0.90.
      Upon inspection of curves, DIF comparisons with wABCs >0.3 were deemed
      potentially problematic and were considered further for removal. The dEAP metric
      was also informative regarding impact of DIF on expected scores, but less
      consistently useful for narrowing down potentially problematic items.
      CONCLUSIONS: The calculations of wABC and dEAP function as DIF effect size
      indicators. Use of these metrics can substantially augment IRT DIF evaluation by
      discerning truly problematic DIF items among those with statistically significant
      DIF.

PMID- 24214178
TI  - Fatigue in patients with spinal muscular atrophy type II and congenital
      myopathies: evaluation of the fatigue severity scale.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the fatigue severity scale
      (FSS) is an appropriate instrument to assess fatigue in patients with spinal
      muscular atrophy type II (SMA II) and congenital myopathies (CM). METHODS: FSS
      and visual analog scale (VAS) were administered to 33 SMA II- and 72 CM patients.
      The psychometric properties of the FSS were evaluated by means of classical test
      theories for each of the disease groups. If abnormal fatigue was present in the
      disease group, the construct of fatigue was evaluated by means of focus group
      interviews. RESULTS: Fatigue was rare in SMA II patients, but very frequent in
      patients with CM. The cut-off score designating abnormal fatigue (FSS score >= 4)
      was exceeded by 10% of the SMA II patients in contrast to 76% of the CM patients,
      of whom 52% suffered from severe fatigue (FSS score >= 5). Focus group interviews
      demonstrated that fatigue had an adverse effect on motor function, level of
      energy, social relations, and identity, four themes that could be captured by the
      FSS. The FSS and VAS were strongly correlated in SMA II patients, but only
      moderately in CM patients. The psychometric properties indicated that the
      original FSS with nine items measures more than one construct of fatigue,
      eliminating the first two items improved scale properties. CONCLUSION: This study
      demonstrates that fatigue is characteristic in patients with CM, but not in
      patients with SMA II, in whom fatigue does not seem to impact daily life. While
      fatigue in CM and SMA II can be captured by FSS, omitting the first two items of
      the scale will improve its properties and content validity, along with
      comprehension of the scale itself.

PMID- 24214179
TI  - Development and testing of item response theory-based item banks and short forms
      for eye, skin and lung problems in sarcoidosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease that can negatively impact health
      related quality of life (HRQL) across generic (e.g., physical, social and
      emotional wellbeing) and disease-specific (e.g., pulmonary, ocular, dermatologic)
      domains. Measurement of HRQL in sarcoidosis has largely relied on generic patient
      reported outcome tools, with little disease-specific measures available. The
      purpose of this paper is to present the development and testing of disease
      specific item banks and short forms of lung, skin and eye problems, which are a
      part of a new patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument called the sarcoidosis
      assessment tool. METHODS: After prioritizing and selecting the most important
      disease-specific domains, we wrote new items to reflect disease-specific problems
      by drawing from patient focus group and clinician expert survey data that were
      used to create our conceptual model of HRQL in sarcoidosis. Item pools underwent
      cognitive interviews by sarcoidosis patients (n = 13), and minor modifications
      were made. These items were administered in a multi-site study (n = 300) to
      obtain item calibrations and create calibrated short forms using item response
      theory (IRT) approaches. RESULTS: From the available item pools, we created four
      new item banks and short forms: (1) skin problems, (2) skin stigma, (3) lung
      problems, and (4) eye Problems. We also created and tested supplemental forms of
      the most common constitutional symptoms and negative effects of corticosteroids.
      CONCLUSIONS: Several new sarcoidosis-specific PROs were developed and tested
      using IRT approaches. These new measures can advance more precise and targeted
      HRQL assessment in sarcoidosis clinical trials and clinical practice.

PMID- 24214180
TI  - High incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease after myeloablative
      allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Sweden:
      graft-versus-leukemia effect protects against relapse.
AB  - Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is a potentially
      curative treatment option for eligible patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
      (CLL). However, it is known that cure of CLL is only possible if a graft-versus
      leukemia effect is present. Between 1994 and 2007, 48 adults underwent allo-SCT
      for poor-risk CLL in Sweden. Of these, ten (21%) patients aged 24-53 years
      (median: 46 years) received myeloablative conditioning (MAC), based on TBI and
      cyclophosphamide. All MAC patients had refractory, poorly controlled CLL before
      allo-SCT (partial remission in 9/10 patients and progressive disease in one). The
      cumulative incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grades II-IV was
      30%. Nine patients developed chronic GVHD; extensive in four. Rates of nonrelapse
      mortality at 1, 3 and 10 years were 0, 10 and 20%, respectively. Two patients
      relapsed 36 and 53 months after transplantation. Six patients were still alive
      after a median follow-up time of 11.5 years (range 5.9-13.7). The probabilities
      of relapse-free and overall survival from 1, 3 and 5 years after transplantation
      were 100, 90 and 70%, and 100, 90 and 80%, respectively. Nevertheless, our
      analysis of long-term outcome after MAC allo-SCT for CLL suggests that younger
      patients with poorly controlled CLL may benefit from MAC allo-SCT.

PMID- 24214181
TI  - Osteopontin binding to lipopolysaccharide lowers tumor necrosis factor-alpha and
      prevents early alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.
AB  - Although osteopontin (OPN) is induced in alcoholic patients, its role in the
      pathophysiology of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains unclear. Increased
      translocation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the gut is key for the onset of
      ALD because it promotes macrophage infiltration and activation, tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNFalpha) production, and liver injury. Since OPN is protective for
      the intestinal mucosa, we postulated that enhancing OPN expression in the liver
      and consequently in the blood and/or in the gut could protect from early alcohol
      induced liver injury. Wild-type (WT), OPN knockout (Opn(-/-)), and transgenic
      mice overexpressing OPN in hepatocytes (Opn(HEP) Tg) were fed either the control
      or the ethanol Lieber-DeCarli diet. Ethanol increased hepatic, plasma, biliary,
      and fecal OPN more in Opn(HEP) Tg than in WT mice. Steatosis was less in ethanol
      treated Opn(HEP) Tg mice as shown by decreased liver-to-body weight ratio,
      hepatic triglycerides, the steatosis score, oil red-O staining, and lipid
      peroxidation. There was also less inflammation and liver injury as demonstrated
      by lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, hepatocyte ballooning
      degeneration, LPS levels, the inflammation score, and the number of macrophages
      and TNFalpha(+) cells. To establish if OPN could limit LPS availability and its
      noxious effects in the liver, binding studies were performed. OPN showed binding
      affinity for LPS which prevented macrophage activation, reactive oxygen, and
      nitrogen species generation and TNFalpha production. Treatment with milk OPN (m
      OPN) blocked LPS translocation in vivo and protected from early alcohol-induced
      liver injury. CONCLUSION: Natural induction plus forced overexpression of OPN in
      the liver or treatment with m-OPN protect from early alcohol-induced liver injury
      by blocking the gut-derived LPS and TNFalpha effects in the liver.

PMID- 24214183
TI  - The effect of rehabilitation on the rate of oxidation of pyrite in a mine waste
      rock dump.
AB  - Temperature profiles within a mine waste rock dump undergoing pyritic oxidation
      have been used to estimate the rate of oxidation and the sites where oxidation
      was occurring. The waste rock dump is located at the abandoned Rum Jungle mine
      site in Northern Australia and was a major source of pollution to the local river
      system. The dump was rehabilitated in 1983-84 by reshaping to reduce erosion and
      covering with clay and soil to reduce infiltration of water.Heat source
      distributions were derived from temperature profiles measured in the dump. The
      oxidation of pyritic material is the main cause of heat in the dump, hence the
      rate and location of oxidation can be obtained from the distribution of heat
      sources. A comparison of the heat source distributions before and after
      rehabilitation showed that rehabilitation greatly reduced or stopped the
      oxidation of pyrite in the dump. 

PMID- 24214182
TI  - Over the counter drugs (and dietary supplement) exercise: a team-based
      introduction to biochemistry for health professional students.
AB  - For successful delivery of basic science topics for health-professional students,
      it is critical to reduce apprehension and illustrate relevance to clinical
      settings and everyday life. At the beginning of the Biochemistry course for
      Physician Assistants, a team-based assignment was designed to develop an
      understanding of the mechanism of action, effectiveness, and toxicity of five
      common over the counter (OTC) drugs and dietary supplements, and place these
      familiar medicines in a political and historical context. The objectives of this
      exercise were to stimulate interest in biochemistry; to provide basic information
      on enzymes and enzyme inhibitors related to these drugs to be expanded upon later
      in the course; and to encourage active and interactive learning. Teams of five
      students were formed, and each student was given an information sheet on aspirin,
      alpha-galactosidase, orlistat, dextromethorphan, or simvastatin, a low dose
      statin, which was previously available without prescription at pharmacies in the
      UK. After each member of the team acquired information on one OTC drug/dietary
      supplement by reading an assigned information sheet, the team was asked to go
      through a series of questions, and then submit answers to a quiz as a group. A
      high rate of success on the quiz, an overwhelmingly positive response on formal
      course evaluations, and enthusiastic exchanges during class suggested this team
      based session accomplished its goals.

PMID- 24214184
TI  - Lead and potential health risks from subsistence food crops in urban Kenya.
AB  - Lead, zinc and cadmium were analysed in a range of subsistence crops cultivated
      in and around Nairobi city centre. Lead was found to be the only contaminant of
      concern, being widely dispersed with elevated levels found in crops and soils
      from both suburban and city centre areas. Extremely high concentrations were
      recorded in the edible portions of a variety of crops, and high soil Pb levels
      were recorded within 30m of busy roads. Based on these data, it is estimated that
      subsistence on a diet of crops cultivated in and around Nairobi could increase Pb
      intake by 10-100 times the FAO/WHO maximum tolerable levels, potentially
      contributing substantially to existing health problems. 

PMID- 24214185
TI  - Lead in food and the diet.

PMID- 24214186
TI  - The selenium status of sheep in Britain as indicated by wool selenium
      concentration.
AB  - A correlation between the selenium concentration in wool and blood erythrocyte
      glutathione peroxidase activity (GSHPx) from sheep in W. Derbyshire, a high
      selenium area and N. Wales and Romney Marsh, low/marginal selenium areas is
      reported.Soil and herbage selenium concentrations were significantly correlated
      with wool selenium levels and GSHPx activity.A significant difference was found
      between wool selenium concentrations and between GSHPx activities from sheep in
      W. Derbyshire and those animals sampled in N. Wales and Romney Marsh. 90% of wool
      samples from the low/marginal areas gave concentrations below 0.125 MUg Se/g.
      6.125 MUg Se/g wool is suggested as a threshold value for selenium in wool from
      sheep grazing low/marginal areas.Seasonal peaks in wool selenium concentrations
      and GSHPx activities are found in March and June respectively. Supplementary
      feeds, which contain added selenium, given to livestock during the winter season
      may be responsible for these seasonal differences.GSHPx activity data reported in
      this study records higher sheep selenium levels than those reported in the 1979
      survey by Andersonet al. This increase is attributed to the addition since 1979
      of selenium to feeds and drenches.Wool is proposed as an accurate and less costly
      measure of sheep selenium status. 

PMID- 24214189
TI  - QT/QTc study conducted in Japanese adult healthy subjects: a novel xanthine
      oxidase inhibitor topiroxostat was not associated with QT prolongation.
AB  - A QT/QTc study was conducted in compliance with ICH E14 guideline to evaluate the
      effects of a new xanthine oxidase inhibitor topiroxostat in Japanese healthy
      subjects. Forty-eight Japanese healthy subjects (males 24; females 24) received a
      single oral dose of topiroxostat (60 or 180 mg), moxifloxacin (400 mg) or placebo
      in a single-center, double-blind, four-period crossover design. Fridericia's
      formula (QTcF = QT/RR(0.33) ) was used as a primary method for QT-interval
      correction. The mean QTcF was prolonged by moxifloxacin, of which largest time
      matched difference from placebo administration was 13.6 milliseconds with 90%
      confidence interval (CI) of 11.2 and 15.9 milliseconds at 4 hours post-dose. The
      mean QTcF was hardly affected by either dose of topiroxostat, of which largest
      time-matched difference from placebo administration was 2.9 milliseconds with 90%
      CI of 0.6 and 5.3 milliseconds at 4 hours post-dose for 60 mg, and 2.3
      milliseconds with 90% CI of 0 and 4.7 milliseconds at 1 hour post-dose for 180
      mg. The results were essentially the same in the sex subgroup analysis.
      Moxifloxacin can be used as a positive control for QT/QTc studies in Japanese
      subjects; and topiroxostat may not cause QT-interval prolongation in males as
      well as females. 

PMID- 24214190
TI  - Digestive enzyme activities and their distribution in the alimentary canal of
      larvae of the three extant lamprey families.
AB  - The activities of trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4), chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1), lipase (EC
      3.1.1.3) and amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) were measured in different regions of the
      alimentary tract of ammocoetes from each of the three extant lamprey families. In
      the southern hemisphere speciesGeotria australis (Geotriidae), and even more
      particularlyMordacia mordax (Mordaciidae), enzymatic activity was almost entirely
      confined to prominent diverticular extensions which arise at the oesophageal
      intestinal junction. However, in the holarcticLampetra richardsoni
      (Petromyzontidae), which does not possess a diverticulum, the enzymatic activity
      was highest in the upper anterior intestine. It is not clear whether the presence
      of significantly higher amylolytic and lower lipolytic activities in the
      diverticulum ofG. australis than in the exocrine tissue of the other two species
      reflects interspecific differences in the composition of their diets. The
      capacity of exocrine tissue extracts for chymotryptic and tryptic digestion was
      assayed before and afterin vitro exposure to trypsin and enteropeptidase, their
      respective catalytic activators. Prior to exposure to these exogenous activators,
      both proteolytic enzymes were fully active inL. richardsoni, partially active
      inG. australis and totally inactive inM. mordax. Maximal chymotryptic activity
      was greater inM. mordax than inL. richardsoni andG. australis. In contrast,
      maximal tryptic activity was greater inL. richardsoni than inG. australis and was
      very low inM. mordax. Since trypsin is the only known activator of
      chymotrypsinogen, the negligible activity of trypsin inM. mordax would appear
      anomalous unless a trypsin inhibitor is present in the protopancreas of this
      species. Differences in the distribution of enzymatic activity within the
      alimentary tract of the three species is discussed in relation to proposed
      phylogenetic relationships amongst the extant lamprey families. 

PMID- 24214191
TI  - Effect of feeding and fasting on plasma tryptophan and tryptophan to large
      neutral amino acid ratio, and on brain serotonin turnover in rainbow
      trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss.
AB  - Two time-course experiments were conducted to determine the effect of feeding and
      fasting on the plasma ratio of tryptophan (trp) to the large neutral amino acids
      (LNAA), (trp/LNAA ratio) and brain serotonin (5-HT) turnover in rainbow
      trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss. Trout were fasted overnight or for 3 days and were
      then either fed or continued to be fasted for up to a further 3 days. Changes in
      plasma trp, plasma trp/LNAA ratio, brain trp, brain 5-HT, brain 5
      hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and brain 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio were determined
      over time. Feeding decreased the plasma trp/LNAA ratio, brain trp and the brain 5
      HIAA/5-HT ratio. In addition, in fish sampled over 3 days, there appeared to be a
      rhythm in plasma trp and the brain 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio which was independent of
      feeding. These results indicate that in rainbow trout, feeding is a sufficient
      physiological event to decrease brain 5-HT turnover. Furthermore, feeding
      independent changes in the brain 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio, which were evident in fasted
      fish sampled over 3 days, also suggest an additional, non-feeding-related
      modulator(s) of brain 5-HT turnover in rainbow trout. 

PMID- 24214192
TI  - Protein synthesis in trout liver is stimulated by both feeding and fasting.
AB  - The response of protein synthesis in the liver of the rainbow trout to feeding
      and fasting was investigated in 3 experiments. In the first experiment, the
      fractional rate of protein synthesis (k s ), %/day) appeared to cycle with daily
      feeding events being increased by 46%, 123%, and 72% at 1.5h, 3h, and 6h, after a
      meal. In Experiment 2, liver protein synthesis fell progressively with fasting to
      a basal level at 4d which was only 20% of the value at 3h after feeding. Liver
      weight (hepatosomatic index, HSI, % body weight), total RNA and total protein
      also fell gradually. Between 4d and 6d, both the RNA/protein ratio and the rate
      of protein synthesis were significantly increased (11% and 74%). At this time,
      however, there was also a large loss of liver protein suggesting a concomitant
      increase in protein breakdown. In the last experiment, when trout were pre-fed a
      low ration (0.6%/d for 2 wks, LR group), the HSI and liver total RNA and protein
      were largely unaffected by the 6d fast (i.e., relative to the body weight). In
      this group, however, protein synthesis at 3h was significantly higher than in
      fish pre-fed a high ration (1.5%/d, HR group). In addition, at 6d after feeding,
      protein synthesis had increased back to fed levels in the LR group only. It is
      concluded that protein synthesis in the liver of the trout is influenced both by
      feeding events and by ration size and also by the degree to which the trout is
      fasted. 

PMID- 24214193
TI  - Requirement for tryptophan by milkfish (Chanos chanos Forsskal) juveniles.
AB  - Groups of milkfish juveniles (mean initial weight 7.7 g) were fed semipurified
      diets containing 0.9, 1.4, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 6.1 g tryptophan/kg dry diet for 12
      weeks. The mean crude protein content of the diets (containing white fishmeal,
      gelatin and free amino acid mixture to simulate the pattern of hydrolysed
      milkfish protein) was 49%. On the basis of the growth response, the tryptophan
      requirement of milkfish juveniles was estimated to be 3.1 g/kg diet. Fish fed low
      levels of tryptophan exhibited low weight gains and poor feed conversion ratios.
      Survival (92-100%) was consistently high in all treatments. Fish fed diets
      containing tryptophan levels greater than 3.1 g/kg had slightly lower survival
      rates. The activity of hepatic tryptophan pyrrolase showed no significant
      differences with increasing dietary tryptophan levels. No nutritional deficiency
      signs were observed other than the depression in growth rates in fish given the
      tryptophan deficient diets. 

PMID- 24214194
TI  - Metallothionein induction in cultured fibroblasts and liver of a marine flatfish,
      the turbot,Scophthalmus maximus.
AB  - Intraperitoneal injection of turbot with Cd induced the synthesis of a low
      molecular weight hepatic Cd-binding protein and a 500bp mRNA, which hybridised to
      a plaice metallothionein (MT) cRNA probe. The Cd-binding protein displayed cross
      reactivity in a competitive ELISA with antiserum raised against rainbow trout MT
      and had the characteristic amino acid composition, metal stoichiometry and
      spectral characteristics of a Class I MT. Only one isoform was apparent on ion
      exchange chromatography. Southern blot analysis of DNA cleaved with four
      restriction enzymes suggested that only a single MT gene is present in turbot.In
      an established turbot fibroblast cell line, Cd induced MT mRNA and MT levels in a
      dose and time-dependent manner. MT was also induced by Cu, Hg and Zn but not Pb
      exposure. Physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids and sex hormones did
      not induce MT synthesis, although at high concentrations a positive response to
      corticosterone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone or progesterone was observedin
      vitro indicating the possible presence of a functional steroid regulatory element
      in the fish MT gene. 

PMID- 24214195
TI  - The biliary accumulation of corticosteroids in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,
      during acute and chronic stress.
AB  - The accumulation of immunoreactive corticosteroids in the bile of rainbow trout
      during stress was monitored by radioimmunoassay and GUMS. Although plasma
      cortisol levels were elevated by confinement for 1 hour, biliary levels of free
      and conjugated steroids in the bile were unaffected. However, after 24 hours
      confinement, in addition to elevated plasma cortisol levels, free and conjugated
      steroids in the bile were also significantly higher than in control, unstressed
      fish. The time-course of change in plasma and biliary corticosteroid levels was
      determined in rainbow trout subject to 96 hours confinement stress. Free steroid
      levels in the bile of stressed fish were elevated within 2 hours of the onset of
      stress, while levels of conjugated steroids were significantly elevated within 4
      hours of the onset of confinement. Analysis of bile from stressed fish, by GC/MS,
      established the major conjugated steroids present to be tetrahydrocortisone (230
      MUg ml(-1) bile), tetrahydrocortisol (75 MUg ml(-1)), cortisone (33.5 MUg ml(
      1)), cortisol (25 MUg ml(-1)) and beta-cortolone (5 MUg ml(-1)). The data are
      discussed with reference to the role of cortisone and conjugating enzymes in the
      clearance of cortisol, and further data are presented to suggest that the
      analysis of biliary steroid content may provide a suitable means of identifying
      stressed fish under conditions in which an additional sampling stress is
      unavoidable. 

PMID- 24214196
TI  - Plasma growth hormone levels in fed and fasted rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
      mykiss) are decreased following handling stress.
AB  - Plasma growth hormone concentrations of rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, fasted
      for six weeks, were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than in comparable fed
      animals; in the fasted fish, the levels fell progressively following acute stress
      (by displacing the fish within their home aquarium), with significant differences
      from pre-stressed fish evident between one and thirty-two hours after application
      of the stressor. Plasma growth hormone concentrations also fell significantly in
      the fed group, but differences were evident only between two and eight hours
      after stressor application.Plasma cortisol concentrations in pre- and post
      stressed fed and fasted fish were similar. There was a bimodal response to
      stressor application in both groups, with significantly higher values relative to
      the pre-stressed sample evident one and eight hours after disturbance, but not
      after two, four or thirty-two hours. The changes in plasma cortisol levels
      between the initial (09:00h) sample and the sample taken eight hours later
      resembles the diet pattern seen in trout given access to self-demand
      feeders.Plasma glucose concentrations in pre-stressed fed animals were higher
      than in pre-stressed fasted fish. This relationship was also evident between one
      and four hours and thirty-two hours after stressor application. The post-stress
      rise in plasma glucose concentration was evident between one and four hours in
      the fed group, and between four and eight hours in fasted fish.The diel changes
      in plasma growth hormone and glucose concentrations could not be attributed to
      normal circadian patterns, and there was no apparent correlation between changes
      in plasma growth hormone and cortisol concentrations. There was a significant
      inverse correlation between plasma glucose and growth hormone concentrations when
      the total data set were analyzed, but these correlations were not apparent when
      the treatment groups were analyzed separately. 

PMID- 24214197
TI  - Effects of ambient ion concentrations on gill ATPases in fresh water eel,Anguilla
      anguilla.
AB  - Branchial activities of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase (ouabain sensitive), Mg(2+) ATPase
      (ouabain insensitive) and kinetic analysis of high and low affinity Ca(2+) ATPase
      were measured inAnguilla anguilla that had been acclimated to demineralized water
      (DW, Ca < 10 MUM), freshwater (FW, Ca = 2 mM), and Low calcium freshwater (L-Ca,
      Ca = 0.9 mM). Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity decreased while ouabain insensitive
      activity increased when ambient Ca(2+) decreased. Two kinetic forms of Ca(2+)
      ATPase could be resolved in each environmental condition. The stimulation
      coefficients of both sites or enzymes were not affected by ambient Ca(2+)
      concentrations. The maximal velocity of both the high and the low affinity Ca(2+)
      ATPase was increased when external Ca(2+) was decreased during acclimation. The
      low affinity Ca(2+) ATPase and the Mg(2+) stimulated enzyme could be a non
      specific enzyme accepting either Ca(2+) or Mg(2+). Results are compared with
      previous results in the literature and in relation to the branchial morphology
      and ionic exchanges in fish. 

PMID- 24214198
TI  - For the sake of others: reciprocal webs of obligation and the pursuit of
      transplantation as a caring act.
AB  - This article highlights reciprocal webs of care and moral obligations toward kin
      during transplantation, using an expansive notion of "care" to include both its
      obvious and more hidden forms. Evidence from 24 months of ethnographic fieldwork
      among transplant patients, their loved ones, and clinical personnel in the U.S.
      Midwest suggests that patients are simultaneously caregivers to others and are
      considered vital members of reciprocal webs of care without whom their kin
      networks could not effectively operate. Transplantation can become a person's
      main, perhaps only hope of fulfilling ongoing obligations to others, so pursuing
      a transplant becomes not a matter of choice, but rather a moral orientation. A
      potential implication of these findings is that rather quotidian and conventional
      (even if contested) notions of what kin ought to do and be for each other may be
      among the underpinnings of high-tech biomedical practices like transplantation. 

PMID- 24214200
TI  - Connectivity of somatosensory cortical area 1 forms an anatomical substrate for
      the emergence of multifinger receptive fields and complex feature selectivity in
      the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus).
AB  - Converging evidence shows that interaction of digit-specific input, which is
      required to form global tactile percepts, begins as early as area 3b in the
      primary somatosensory cortex with the involvement of intrinsic lateral
      connections. How tactile processing is further elaborated in area 1, the next
      stage of the somatosensory cortical hierarchy, is less understood. This question
      was investigated by studying the tangential distribution of intrinsic and
      interareal connections of finger representations of area 1. Retrogradely labeled
      cell densities and anterogradely labeled fibers and terminal patches were plotted
      and quantified with respect to the hand representation by combining tract tracing
      with electrophysiological mapping and intrinsic signal optical imaging in
      somatosensory areas. Intrinsic connections of distal finger pad representations
      of area 1 spanned the representation of multiple digits indicating strong cross
      digit connectivity. Area 1 distal finger pad regions also established high
      density connections with homotopic regions of areas 3b and 2. Although similar to
      area 3b, connections of area 1 distributed more widely and covered a larger
      somatotopic representation including more proximal parts of the finger
      representations. The lateral connectivity pattern of area 1 is a suitable
      anatomical substrate of the emergence of multifinger receptive fields, complex
      feature selectivity, and invariant stimulus properties of the neurons.

PMID- 24214201
TI  - Effect of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on body composition and insulin
      resistance in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the effect of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y
      gastric bypass (LRYGB) on body composition, fat distribution, and insulin
      resistance (IR) in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. METHODS:
      Eighteen patients with T2DM were studied before and 3 months post LRYGB. Fasting
      plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), and triglyceride (TG) were
      measured. IR index was determined using the homeostasis model assessment of
      insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Body composition and fat distribution were measured
      by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fat mass (FM), muscle mass (MM), bone
      mineral content (BMC), and percent fat mass (%FM) at the whole body and five body
      regions including the arms, legs, trunk, android, and gynoid were obtained from
      DXA scans. RESULTS: HOMA-IR decreased from 5.02 at baseline to 1.43 3 months post
      LRYGB (p < 0.05). There was significant decrease in total and regional body mass
      and body fat (all p < 0.05). A significant reduction was observed in %FM at every
      tested body region (all p < 0.05). There was more fat mass loss (31.03 %) in
      android region than any other tested body region. Preoperative android %FM was
      significantly correlated with IR (r = 0.49, p < 0.05). Changes in android FM
      showed significant correlations with changes in IR, FPG, FINS, and TG (r = 0.54,
      0.64, 0.54, and 0.67, respectively; all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Body composition
      in Chinese T2DM patients is rebalanced after LRYGB. Reduction of central obesity
      can result in improvement of IR, and android fat distribution may be a good
      indicator of postoperative benefits for LRYGB.

PMID- 24214202
TI  - Early impact of bariatric surgery on type II diabetes, hypertension, and
      hyperlipidemia: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression on 6,587
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the 12-24-month impact of bariatric
      surgery on the foremost modifiable traditional risk factors of cardiovascular
      disease. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective
      interventional studies reporting the most commonly performed laparoscopic
      surgical procedures, i.e., Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), adjustable gastric
      banding (AGB), and cardiovascular risk reduction after surgery. RESULTS: The
      bibliographic research conducted independently by two authors yielded 18 records.
      When looking at RYGB and AGB separately, we observed a relevant heterogeneity (I
      (2) index >=87 %) when BMI reduction was considered as the main outcome. When
      hypertension, type II diabetes, and hyperlipidemia risk reduction was estimated,
      a highly significant beneficial effect was found. The risk reduction was 0.33
      [0.26; 0.42] for type II diabetes, 0.52 [0.42; 0.64] for hypertension, and
      0.39[0.27; 0.56] for hyperlipidemia (P < 0.0001 for all outcomes considered).
      When looking at surgical technique separately, a higher but not statistically
      significant risk reduction for all outcomes considered was found. Results from
      the meta-regression approach showed an inverse relation between cardiovascular
      risks and BMI reduction. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed an overall
      reduction of cardiovascular risk after bariatric surgery. According to our
      analysis a BMI reduction of 5 after surgery corresponds to a type II diabetes
      reduction of 33 % (as reported by Peluso and Vanek (Nutr Clin Pract 22(1):22-28,
      2007); SAS Institute Inc., (2000-2004)), a hypertension reduction of 27 % (as
      reported by Buchwald and Oien (Obes Surg 23(4):427-436, 2013); Valera-Mora et al.
      (Am J Clin Nutr 81(6):1292-1297, 2005)), and a hyperlipidemia reduction of 20
      %(as reported by Adams et al. (JAMA 308(11):1122-31, 2012)); Alexandrides et al.
      (Obes Surg 17(2):176-184, 2007). In summary, our study showed that laparoscopic
      bariatric surgery is an effective therapeutic option to reduce the cardiovascular
      risk in severe obese patients.

PMID- 24214204
TI  - Oxidative dehydrogenation on nanocarbon: identification and quantification of
      active sites by chemical titration.

PMID- 24214203
TI  - Prevalence and predictors of atrial fibrillation among patients undergoing
      bariatric surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While AF is a disease of the elderly, it can occur earlier in the
      presence of risk factors such as obesity. Bariatric surgery patients are
      significantly younger and more obese than previously described populations with
      AF. Therefore, it remains to be determined whether current estimates of the
      prevalence and predictors for AF remain true in the bariatric surgery population.
      METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 1,341 consecutive patients
      who underwent bariatric surgery from January 2008 to October 2012. Baseline
      characteristics were compared between patients with and without AF. For
      additional comparison, 176 patients with AF and body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m(2)
      were identified from the Vanderbilt AF Registry. A multivariable logistic
      regression was performed to identify predictors of AF within the bariatric
      surgery cohort. RESULTS: The prevalence of AF in the bariatric surgery cohort was
      1.9 % (25/1,341). Patients with AF were older (median 56 years (interquartile
      range [52-64) vs.46 [38-56] years, p < 0.001), were more often male (48 vs. 23 %,
      p = 0.004), had more comorbidities, but had no difference in BMI (50 kg/m(2) [44
      58] vs. 48 [43-54], p = 0.4). In multivariable analysis, the odds of AF increased
      2.2-fold by age per decade (95 % CI, 1.4-3.5; p < 0.001) and 2.4-fold by male
      gender (1.1-5.4, p = 0.03) when adjusted for BMI. BMI was not independently
      associated with AF (OR 1.15 [95 % CI, 0.98-1.41], p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The
      prevalence of AF is 1.9 % among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Risk of AF
      was found to increase with age and male gender, but not with higher BMI.

PMID- 24214206
TI  - A quantitative comparison between diet and body fatty acid composition in wild
      northern pike (Esox lucius L.).
AB  - The fatty acid compositions of wild female northern pike (Esox lucius L.) and
      their principle prey species were compared to assess the extent to which pike
      modify the relative abundance of dietary fatty acids during assimilation and to
      indicate the optimum dietary content of essential fatty acids (EFAs) for pike.
      Only minor differences existed between the estimated whole body fatty acid
      composition of pike and diet fatty acid composition as calculated from the
      contribution of each prey species to the pike's diet. Saturated fatty acids
      comprised a slightly higher percentage of diet lipids (25% wt) than of pike
      lipids (21% wt) whereas monounsaturated fatty acids were less abundant in diet
      lipids (26% wt) than in pike (29% wt). Percentages of total polyunsaturated fatty
      acids (PUFAs), n - 3 fatty acids, and n - 6 fatty acids were approximately 43,
      30, and 13% wt respectively and differed by less than 1% wt between pike and diet
      lipids. Among individual PUFAs, the largest differences occurred in 20:5 (n-3)
      and 22:6(n-3) which comprised, on average, 9.6 and 14.7% wt respectively of diet
      lipids and 5.9 and 18.3% wt respectively of pike lipids. The close similarity in
      fatty acid composition between pike and their diet suggests that pike may have
      limited abilities to elongate and desaturate 18 carbon PUFAs and may require
      specific long chain PUFAs in the diet. The n-3 PUFA content of the pike's natural
      diet may exceed the minimum EFA requirements of better studied species such as
      rainbow trout and turbot. 

PMID- 24214207
TI  - The incorporation and metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids
      of cultured cells from chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta).
AB  - The incorporation and metabolism of (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids
      were studied in a cell line derived from chum salmon heart (CHH-1). Supplementing
      media with 25 MUM fatty acid considerably altered the cellular fatty acid
      composition but did not affect the lipid class composition or cause the
      appearance of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. CHH-1 cells exhibited considerable
      Delta-6-desaturase activity but showed no preference between (n-3) and (n-6)PUFA
      substrates. CHH-1 cells also possess Delta-5-desaturase activity which showed
      preference towards (n-3)PUFA, but Delta-4-desaturase activity was totally absent.
      Elongation of 20-carbon PUFA was especially active in CHH-1 cells with 22-carbon
      PUFA being specifically incorporated into PE and PS lipid classes. The fatty acid
      composition of PI indicated specific incorporation of 20-carbon PUFA into this
      lipid class. Supplementation with 22:6(n-3) generated fatty acid compositions
      more closely resembling those of intact salmonid hearts. Substantial chain
      shortening of 22:6(n-3) to 20:5(n-3) occurred. 

PMID- 24214205
TI  - Wnt-signaling and planar cell polarity genes regulate axon guidance along the
      anteroposterior axis in C. elegans.
AB  - During the development of the nervous system, neurons encounter signals that
      inform their outgrowth and polarization. Understanding how these signals
      combinatorially function to pattern the nervous system is of considerable
      interest to developmental neurobiologists. The Wnt ligands and their receptors
      have been well characterized in polarizing cells during asymmetric cell division.
      The planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway is also critical for cell polarization in
      the plane of an epithelium. The core set of PCP genes include members of the
      conserved Wnt-signaling pathway, such as Frizzled and Disheveled, but also the
      cadherin-domain protein Flamingo. In Drosophila, the Fat and Dachsous cadherins
      also function in PCP, but in parallel to the core PCP components. C. elegans also
      have two Fat-like and one Dachsous-like cadherins, at least one of which, cdh-4,
      contributes to neural development. In C. elegans Wnt ligands and the conserved
      PCP genes have been shown to regulate a number of different events, including
      embryonic cell polarity, vulval morphogenesis, and cell migration. As is also
      observed in vertebrates, the Wnt and PCP genes appear to function to primarily
      provide information about the anterior to posterior axis of development. Here, we
      review the recent work describing how mutations in the Wnt and core PCP genes
      affect axon guidance and synaptogenesis in C. elegans.

PMID- 24214208
TI  - Circadian pattern of hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen and lipid content,
      plasma non-esterified fatty acid, glucose, T3, T 4, growth hormone and cortisol
      concentrations in Oncorhynchus mykiss held under different photoperiod regimes
      and fed using demand-feeders.
AB  - The circadian patterns of several tissue and plasma metabolites, and several
      plasma hormone concentrations are described in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
      mykiss) that were held in groups under three different photoperiod regimes, and
      given free access to a demand-feeder. Regardless of photoperiod regime, all the
      measured parameters showed significant diel rhythms that appeared to be
      synchronized by dawn; dawn was represented by the concomitant onset of both light
      and feeding. The diel increases in hepatic glycogen content, and plasma T4 and
      cortisol concentrations were in phase with the main period of feeding activity,
      whereas the peaks in plasma T3 and glucose concentrations that may also be
      triggered by feeding activity, were delayed by several hours. The peaks in
      hepatosomatic index, plasma non-esterified fatty acids and plasma growth hormone
      concentrations were 180 degrees  out of phase with the main period of feeding
      activity, and associated with periods of hypophagia and low activity. 

PMID- 24214209
TI  - Qualitative modification of muscle metabolic organization with thermal
      acclimation of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.
AB  - Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were acclimated to 4 and 18 degrees C and fed
      at rations levels which led to an equal change in mass at these temperatures
      during the six week acclimation. Thermal acclimation markedly modified the
      metabolic organization of red and white muscle. Cold-acclimated fish had
      activities of beta-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase in both red and white muscle
      that were twice those of warm-acclimated fish. By contrast, the activities of
      cytochrome oxidase were unchanged by thermal acclimation. Thus, the capacity for
      beta-oxidation of lipids is specifically enhanced in the muscle of cold
      acclimated trout. In white muscle, citrate synthase and phosphofructokinase
      activities were also enhanced by cold acclimation (increases of 125% and 35%
      respectively), while cytochrome oxidase levels were unchanged. The non-parallel
      changes in the activities of mitochondrial enzymes strongly suggest that trout
      muscle mitochondria undergo qualitative reorganization during cold acclimation.
      The relative activities of mitochondrial enzymes suggest that mitochondria from
      red muscle have a threefold greater capacity to oxidize lipids than those from
      white muscle. 

PMID- 24214210
TI  - Myosin, parvalbumin and myofibril expression in barbel (Barbus barbus L.) lateral
      white muscle during development.
AB  - Histo- and immunohistochemical techniques have recently been used to study the
      fibre type and myosin expression in fish muscle during development. In the
      present work, embryonic, larval and adult myosin isozymes (heavy and light
      chains) and parvalbumin isotypes were analyzed, from fertization to the adult
      stage, by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of barbel (Barbus barbus L.) trunk
      muscle extracts. The examined myosins display the sequential transitions from
      embryonic to larval and adult forms characteristic of higher vertebrates. They
      are characterized by specific heavy chains but their light chains differ only by
      the LC1/LC3 stoichiometry with LC3 exceeding LC1 after 10 days. Sarcoplasmic
      parvalbumins show considerable and unforeseen developmental transitions in their
      isotype distribution: the PA II isotype first appears after hatching and becomes
      the predominant form until the length reaches about 6 cm. One month after
      hatching, the amount of PA II then decreases and the synthesis of PA III and IV
      further increases to reach the typical adult pattern at a size of 18 cm. These
      observations show that the distribution of parvalbumin isotypes reflects the
      stage of development. It suggests a specific role for each isotype in relation to
      muscle activity. Microscopy illustrates the progressive development of somites,
      muscles cells, and myofibrils, which accelerates at hatching when movements
      increase. 

PMID- 24214211
TI  - Effect of low sea water temperature on water balance in the Atlantic salmon,
      (Salmo salar L.).
AB  - The water balance in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) overwintering in sea water
      (34 0/00) was investigated. With a decrease of temperature from 5.6 to 1.0
      degrees C the drinking rate decreased from 13.9 to 5.7 ml/kg/day, and the
      absolute amount of water absorbed decreased from 8.9 to 5.0 ml/kg/day. A decrease
      in temperature led, however, to an increase in the proportion of water absorbed
      in the intestines from 60 to 96%. Blood serum osmolarity increased from 320 to
      440 mosm/1 with decreasing temperature and there was a reduction in tissue water
      content from 75 to 69% The disturbance of water balance at low temperature may be
      one of the factors responsible for mortality of salmon overwintering in sea
      water. 

PMID- 24214212
TI  - Swimming performance, whole body ions, and gill Al accumulation during
      acclimation to sublethal aluminium in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
      mykiss).
AB  - Juvenile rainbow trout (2-5 g) were chronically exposed (for 22 days) to
      acidified softwater (Ca(2+) = 25 MUEq/l, pH 5.2) in the presence or absence
      sublethal Al (30 MUg/l). Al-exposed fish (5.2/Al group) suffered 20% whole body
      Na(+) and Cl(-) losses and a 30% reduction in the maximum sustainable swimming
      speed (Ucrit) over the initial 7 days. These disturbances were approximately 2
      fold greater than those observed in the fish exposed to low pH alone (5.2/0
      group). However, whole body ion levels were completely restored in the 5.2/Al
      fish by day 22, whereas they merely stabilized at a new reduced level in the
      5.2/0 group. Increased resistance to acutely lethal Al (200 MUg/l at pH 5.2) was
      observed from day 17 onwards in the 5.2/Al fish. Despite this acclimation and
      recovery of whole body ions, Ucrit remained significantly lower than in the 5.2/0
      group throughout. Growth on a restricted diet of 1% body wt. /day was normal in
      the 5.2/0 group compared with controls maintained in pH 6.5 softwater, whereas
      5.2/Al fish suffered a 50% reduction in growth rate on the same diet. The 5.2/Al
      fish accumulated large amounts of Al on the gills, reaching an initial peak after
      4 days, followed by a decline at 7 days, and a secondary rise thereafter.
      Therefore acclimation and recovery of whole body ionic status was not associated
      with a reduction in the gill Al burden. Some of the metabolic costs of
      acclimation to Al, namely a continued impairment of swimming speed and growth,
      are discussed in light of the physiological and structural changes reported to
      occur at the gills. 

PMID- 24214213
TI  - Drinking behaviour in sea water and fresh water teleosts, the role of the renin
      angiotensin system.
AB  - Basal drinking rate and responses to administered angiotensin were examined in 12
      species of fish. The responses of representative euryhaline, stenohaline marine
      and fresh water species to pharmacological manipulation of endogenous renin
      angiotensin system (RAS) activity were also investigated.Basal drinking rates
      were consistently low in stenohaline and euryhaline fresh water fish, and all
      species examined showed an increased imbibition in response to administered
      angiotensin. Marine fish drank large volumes of water, rates varying considerably
      between species, with euryhaline species exhibiting lower rates than stenohaline
      groups. The extremely high drinking rates observed in the sea scorpion were
      associated with a high plasma osmolality. With the exception of the sea scorpion,
      all other species examined in sea water showed a further rise in drinking in
      response to exogenous angiotensin.Although the freshwater stenohaline carp showed
      a dipsogenic response to angiotensin, it was apparently unable to evoke this
      response when fish were acclimated to brackish water. The high drinking rates of
      both euryhaline and stenohaline fish held in sea water appeared dependent upon an
      activated endogenous RAS, and were lowered following inhibition of Al to All
      conversion by Captopril. Drinking was further stimulated in these marine species
      following stimulation of endogenous RAS activity by the administration of the
      hypotensive agent Papaverine. The study endorses a role for the RAS in the
      control of adaptive drinking in euryhaline and stenohaline marine teleosts. 

PMID- 24214214
TI  - Gill morphometry of the red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus.
AB  - The structure and morphometry of the gills of the marine teleost, red drum, have
      been studied. The present analysis of gas exchange area of fish gills is one of
      the most intensive and the results are compared to less intense averaging
      methods. Based on the gill area estimates, red drum falls into the category of a
      fish of intermediate activity. Its gill clearly has an exchange area less than
      that of the tunas, but is slightly greater than that of trout or bass. The three
      components that contribute to total exchange area (filament length, lamellar
      density, and area of individual lamellae) are not all greater in species with a
      greater total exchange area. The best correlate is total filament length. 

PMID- 24214215
TI  - How do we process event-based and time-based intentions in the brain? an fMRI
      study of prospective memory in healthy individuals.
AB  - Prospective memory (PM) refers to the ability to remember to do something in the
      future, either in response to an event (event-based) or after a certain amount of
      time has elapsed (time-based). While the distinction between event- and time
      based PM is widely acknowledged in the literature, little is known about the
      processes they share and those they do not. This is particularly true concerning
      their brain substrates, as almost all neuroimaging studies so far have focused on
      event-based PM. We proposed a functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm
      assessing both event-based and time-based PM to 20 healthy young individuals.
      Analyses revealed that event- and time-based PM both induced activation in the
      posterior frontal and parietal cortices, and deactivation in the medial rostral
      prefrontal cortex. In addition, activation more specific to each condition, which
      may underlie differences in strategic monitoring, was highlighted. Thus,
      occipital areas were more activated during event-based PM, probably reflecting
      target-checking, while a network comprising the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,
      the cuneus/precuneus and, to a lesser extent, the inferior parietal lobule,
      superior temporal gyrus, and the cerebellum, was more activated in time-based PM,
      which may reflect the involvement of time-estimation processes. These results
      confirm the allocation of attentional resources to the maintenance of intention
      for event-based and time-based PM, as well as the engagement of distinct
      mechanisms reflecting the monitoring strategies specific to each condition.

PMID- 24214216
TI  - Continuous in vitro evolution of a ribozyme ligase: a model experiment for the
      evolution of a biomolecule.
AB  - Evolution is a defining criterion of life and is central to understanding
      biological systems. However, the timescale of evolutionary shifts in phenotype
      limits most classroom evolution experiments to simple probability simulations. In
      vitro directed evolution (IVDE) frequently serves as a model system for the study
      of Darwinian evolution but produces noticeable phenotypic shifts in a matter of
      hours. An IVDE demonstration lab would serve to both directly demonstrate how
      Darwinian selection can act on a pool of variants and introduce students to an
      essential method of modern molecular biology. To produce an IVDE demonstration
      lab, continuous IVDE of a T500 ribozyme ligase population has been paired with a
      fluorescent strand displacement reporter system to visualize the selection of
      improved catalytic function. A ribozyme population is taken through rounds of
      isothermal amplification dependent on the self-ligation of a T7 promoter. As the
      population is selectively enriched with better ligase activity, the strand
      displacement system allows for the monitoring of the population's ligation rate.
      The strand displacement reporter system permits the detection of ligated
      ribozyme. Once ligated with the T7 promoter, the 5' end of the ribozyme displaces
      paired fluorophore-quencher oligonucleotides, in turn, generating visible signal
      upon UV light excitation. As the ligation rate of the population increases, due
      to the selection for faster ligating species, the fluorescent signal develops
      more rapidly. The pairing of the continuous isothermal system with the
      fluorescent reporting scheme allows any user, provided with minimal materials, to
      model the continuous directed evolution of a biomolecule.

PMID- 24214217
TI  - A model-based approach to analyze the influence of UGT2B15 polymorphism driven
      pharmacokinetic differences on the pharmacodynamic response of the PPAR agonist
      sipoglitazar.
AB  - The pharmacokinetics of sipoglitazar, a peroxisome proliferator activated
      receptor agonist, are subject to high inter-individual variability resulting from
      a polymorphism of the UGT2B15 genotype. The aim of the current analysis was to
      apply a PK-PD model-based approach to evaluate the influence of UGT2B15 driven
      pharmacokinetic differences on the clinical response. Efficacy and safety of
      sipoglitazar compared to placebo were assessed in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
      patients in two Phase II randomized, double-blind studies (sipoglitazar once
      daily: 8, 16, 32, or 64 mg; sipoglitazar twice daily: 16 or 32 mg; rosiglitazone
      8 mg once daily and placebo for 13 weeks; n = 780). Changes in fasting plasma
      glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels over time were described
      as a function of individual drug exposure using a simultaneous, cascading
      indirect response model structure. The effects on FPG and HbA1c could
      successfully be described for placebo, rosiglitazone, and sipoglitazar treated
      groups in all three UGT2B15 genotypes. Differences in drug effects between
      genotypes were fully explained by differences in drug exposure. The current PK-PD
      analysis confirms that UGT2B15 genotype is a major determinant for differences in
      FPG and HbA1c response to sipoglitazar treatment between Type 2 Diabetes mellitus
      patients, due to related differences in drug exposure. 

PMID- 24214218
TI  - Overview of current standpoints in profiling of circulating tumor cells.
AB  - The goal of this review is summarizing current technologies developed as the in
      vitro prognostic/diagnostic systems that can rapidly separate and detect
      circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from cancer patient's blood (1-10 CTCs of 1
      billion red blood cells) by labeled and non-labeled method. The review is focused
      on three major areas of CTC research (1) Summary of previous research on
      capturing of CTCs, (2) New development of the in vitro prognostic diagnosis
      system of cancer that is capable of rapid separation of CTCs, (3) Future
      direction on development of new technologies for CTC profiling. Current CTC
      researches have helped on identifying patients who may benefit from chemotherapy
      before treatment, patients who may benefit from continued chemotherapy, and
      leading to clinical development of CTC-guided chemotherapy strategies. We analyze
      the feasibility of clinical application of these current CTC research for the
      ultimate goal of increasing the survivability of cancer patient. The biomolecular
      assays of viable CTCs from cancer patient may elucidate the mechanism of
      metastasis and tumor initiating cells and also may have high impact on the
      development of personalized medicine to overcome the incurable diseases. 

PMID- 24214219
TI  - Acute decompensated heart failure: evolving literature and implications for
      future practice.
AB  - Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is associated with substantial morbidity
      and mortality, and represents a considerable financial burden to society.
      Historically, few prospective, randomized, double-blinded trials have
      investigated the optimal management of ADHF, and most guideline recommendations
      are based primarily on expert opinion. However, in the last decade, a
      considerable amount of research has added to the understanding of the management
      of ADHF in both patients with fluid overload and low cardiac output. In addition,
      as mechanical circulatory support devices and heart transplantation continue to
      evolve, significant advances have also been made with regard to the proper
      selection of patients for advanced surgical options. Finally, several novel
      pharmacologic agents have shown promise in early trials and may represent the
      next steps in ADHF management. Although advances have been made over the past
      decade, many questions remain.

PMID- 24214220
TI  - Open access atmospheric pressure chemical ionization Mass spectrometry for
      routine sample analysis.
AB  - We report the introduction and use of an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization
      liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry instrument that has been designed
      specifically for use by the synthetic chemist on an open access, walk-in basis.
      This instrument has been configured with an easy-to-use sample log-in terminal
      that requires the user to provide only a sample identification number and a user
      name. Sample analysis takes approximately 4 min and provides the synthetic and
      medicinal chemist with rapid and reliable mass spectrometry analysis. Since
      installation of the system, it has analyzed an average of about 80 samples per
      day and has the capacity to run over 100 samples per day without the intervention
      of a specialist operator. This capability has eliminated the need for an operator
      to analyze routine samples and allows the mass spectroscopist more time to deal
      with problem solving. 

PMID- 24214221
TI  - Putting mass spectrometry in the hands of the end user.
AB  - The ease of use of the newer liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry interfaces
      has made possible the automated acquisition of spectra from large batch queues of
      samples. This fact, combined with the realization that unit molecular mass
      determination was the only datum desired by a majority of drug discovery
      synthetic chemists, led us to develop open access mass spectrometry in the early
      1990s. Open access spectrometers now scan over 100,000 samples per year from
      synthesis laboratories at Pfizer. Our experiences with this novel use of mass
      spectrometry in a large research facility are discussed and we detail some of the
      pitfalls we believe to be common to this approach. In addition, we offer some
      reflection on the cultural changes we have observed in our research environment
      since this experiment began. 

PMID- 24214222
TI  - An inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometer for elemental
      analysis. Part II: Direct current quadrupole lens system for improved
      performance.
AB  - An electrostatic quadrupole lens has been substituted for a cylindrical lens
      system used in the original inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass
      spectrometer (ICP-TOFMS). With an improved vacuum system also installed, the
      cylindrical and quadrupole lenses are compared to each other and to the
      performance of the prototype ICP-TOFMS. The quadrupole lens requires no tradeoff
      between ion throughput and resolving power as was encountered with cylindrical
      lenses. The background noise in both ion-optical systems is within the same order
      of magnitude. Images of the ion beam formed by each ion-optical system have been
      obtained on a microchannel plate-phosphor screen. The quadrupole lens shows a
      higher ion-beam flux and produces a slitlike focus required in the orthogonal ICP
      TOFMS instrument. Signal-to-noise ratios in the ICP-TOFMS can be improved by
      using a technique called pulsed-ion injection that is particularly convenient
      with the quadrupole lens. In this technique, one quadrupole electrode is pulsed
      to prevent ions from entering the extraction zone except when an ion packet is to
      be extracted for mass analysis. This technique significantly reduces the noise
      over continuous ion injection. In the orthogonal ICP-TOFMS with pulsed-ion
      injection, 0.5 frnol of analyte could be detected in 1.4 ms with a proper data
      acquisition system. Overall, the combination of a quadrupole lens and pulsed-ion
      injection may provide detection limits for the ICP-TOFMS that are competitive
      with those of quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
      instruments. 

PMID- 24214223
TI  - An inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometer for elemental
      analysis. Part III: Analytical performance.
AB  - A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) was evaluated as a mass analyzer for
      inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The long-term drift of
      signals was in the range of 7-8% relative standard deviation, whereas the short
      term precision was between 5 and 20%, somewhat worse than is typically reported
      for commercial ICP-MS instruments (5%). However, precision can be improved
      considerably in the TOFMS by ratioing isotopic peaks or through internal
      standardization, a consequence of its ability to extract all measured ions
      simultaneously from the inductively coupled plasma. This feature was demonstrated
      by monitoring the (206)Pb/(208)Pb ratio with boxcar averagers. In this ratioing
      mode, precision was improved to approximately 0. 5%. Detection limits were
      measured with two alternative signal processing systems: (1) discriminator-gated
      integration and (2) integration of digitized spectra. Both methods improved the
      signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of from 10 to 100, although detection limits
      were still 1-2 orders of magnitude poorer for most elements than from the best
      commercial ICP-MS instruments. The dynamic range of the discriminator-gated
      integration system is over 4 orders of magnitude, but can be extended to 10(6)
      with planned increases in primary ion-beam current, which is currently 10-100
      times lower than is found in other instruments. Virtually simultaneous
      multielement and multiisotope analysis is possible for masses from (7)Li to
      (209)Bi with minimal mass bias and detection limits on the 0. 4-2-ppb level. 

PMID- 24214224
TI  - Comparison of charged derivatives for high energy collision-induced dissociation
      tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Fixed-charge derivatives have been used to direct the fragmentation pattern of
      high energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectra for several years.
      It has been noted that a fixed-charge placed at a terminus of a peptide will
      simplify the pattern of fragment ions that are produced in collision-induced
      dissociation. Trimethylammoniumacetyl, dimethyloctylammoniumacetyl, and
      triphenylphosphoniumethyl derivatives have been cited in the literature for this
      purpose and many other structures are possible. This work compares the cited
      derivatives as well as some new structures. The criteria used include the ease of
      synthesis and purification of the derivatized peptide and the effects of the
      derivative on the peptide sequence fragment ion yield and ionization efficiency.
      The trimethylammoniumacetyl derivative is concluded to be the most practical for
      general use, whereas the dimethyloctylammoniumacetyl derivative is found to be
      desirable for use with hydrophilic peptides. 

PMID- 24214225
TI  - False positives and the detection of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes by
      electrospray mass spectrometry.
AB  - The results of previous works that have claimed to detect cyclodextrin inclusion
      complexes via the "soft" ionization technique of electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry are revisited. A more extensive study of cyclodextrin mixtures with
      amino acids and small peptides demonstrates that amino acid and peptide
      "complexes" are detected by electrospray mass spectrometry regardless of the
      presence (or not) of an aromatic moiety on the side chain. Amino acids that may
      be least likely to form hydrophobic inclusion complexes with cyclodextrin in
      solution generally show the most intense complex ions. The data suggest that
      these "complexes" are, in all likelihood, electrostatic adducts formed during the
      electrospray process. Systematic controls are suggested to ensure that "false
      positives" do not negate many of the claims concerning the detection of solution
      derived noncovalent compounds. 

PMID- 24214228
TI  - The 11th Asilomar conference on mass spectrometry.

PMID- 24214226
TI  - Simplified application of quadrupolar excitation in Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
AB  - A new method for application of quadrupolar excitation to the trapped ion cell of
      a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer is
      presented. Quadrupolar excitation is conventionally applied to the two pairs of
      opposed electrodes that normally perform the excitation and detection functions
      in the FTICR experiment. Symmetry arguments and numerically calculated
      isopotential contours within the trapped ion cell lead to the conclusion that
      quadrupolar excitation can be applied to a single pair of opposed side
      electrodes. Examples of effective quadrupolar axialization via this method
      include a sevenfold signal-to-noise enhancement derived from 50 remeasurements of
      a single population of trapped bovine insulin ions and the selective isolation of
      a single charge state of horse heart myoglobin after an initial measurement that
      revealed the presence of 14 charge states. 

PMID- 24214230
TI  - Correlation of cefpodoxime susceptibility with cephalothin and cefuroxime for
      urinary tract isolates.
AB  - This study attempted to determine whether cefuroxime was superior to cephalothin
      as a surrogate marker for cefpodoxime among urinary tract isolates. The MicroScan
      system (Siemens) was used to determine susceptibility for cephalothin and
      cefuroxime on consecutive cultures with a colony count of >=50 000 organisms.
      Simultaneously, an Etest (bioMerieux) for cefpodoxime was conducted. The
      cefpodoxime interpretation was compared to that of the other two agents, and the
      categorical agreement was calculated, defined as the percentage of identical
      susceptibility interpretations. Cefuroxime (83 %) had a significantly higher
      categorical agreement than cephalothin (63 %) among 300 isolates (P<0.01). The
      major error rate was 16 % for cephalothin and 3 % for cefuroxime. The very major
      error rate was 7 % for cephalothin and 14 % for cefuroxime among the 14
      cefpodoxime-resistant isolates. For Escherichia coli, the major error rates were
      15 % and 1 % for cephalothin and cefuroxime, respectively. Very major error rates
      were 9 % for both agents. Cefuroxime was a better predictor of cefpodoxime
      susceptibility than cephalothin, and appears to be the preferred surrogate agent
      for the MicroScan system, particularly for E. coli. 

PMID- 24214231
TI  - Visible light mediated fast iterative RAFT synthesis of amino-based reactive
      copolymers in water at 20  degrees C.
AB  - The attempts to mediate iterative RAFT polymerization of ionic monomers through
      visible light irradiation in water at 20  degrees C is reported, in which
      complete conversions are attained in several tens of minutes and the propagation
      suspends/restarts immediately for multiple times on cycling irradiation. This
      technique suits the one-pot synthesis of NH2 /imidazole-based polymers with tuned
      structures from homo to random, block, random-block, and block-random-block, thus
      is robust and promising to control the sequence of the ionized water-soluble
      reactive copolymers. 

PMID- 24214233
TI  - Survey of chemical constituents of Tehran's groundwater.
AB  - One hundred and forty wells throughout the City of Tehran and its environs were
      sampled to determine the chemical quality of the groundwater. Total alkalinity,
      pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, hardness and detergent concentrations
      were determined as well as levels of bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sulphate,
      chloride, sodium, potassium, fluoride, iodide and nitrate. Generally, chemical
      pollution of the water supplies was low. There were, however, regional elevations
      in nitrate, chloride and fluoride. Elevated fluoride levels were primarily in the
      northern regions of the city while high nitrates and chlorides were found
      primariiy in industrial areas. The health implications of chemical constituents
      in drinking water are discussed. 

PMID- 24214232
TI  - Cost effectiveness of paricalcitol versus cinacalcet with low-dose vitamin D for
      management of secondary hyperparathyroidism in haemodialysis patients in the USA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The IMPACT SHPT [Improved Management of Intact Parathyroid Hormone
      (iPTH) with Paricalcitol-Centered Therapy Versus Cinacalcet Therapy with Low-Dose
      Vitamin D in Hemodialysis Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism] study
      compared the effectiveness of paricalcitol and cinacalcet in the management of
      secondary hyperparathyroidism in haemodialysis patients but did not report the
      costs or cost effectiveness of these treatments. AIM: The aim of this study was
      to compare the cost effectiveness of a paricalcitol-based regimen versus
      cinacalcet with low-dose vitamin D for management of secondary
      hyperparathyroidism in haemodialysis patients from a US payer perspective, using
      a 1-year time horizon. METHODS: This was a post hoc cost-effectiveness analysis
      of data collected for US patients enrolled in the IMPACT SHPT study-a 28-week,
      randomized, open-label, phase 4, multinational study (ClinicalTrials.gov
      identifier: NCT00977080). Patients eligible for the IMPACT SHPT study were
      aged>=18 years with stage 5 chronic kidney disease, had been receiving
      maintenance haemodialysis three times weekly for at least 3 months before
      screening and were to continue haemodialysis during the study. Only US patients
      who reached the evaluation period (weeks 21-28) were included in this secondary
      analysis. US subjects in the IMPACT SHPT study were randomly assigned to receive
      intravenous paricalcitol, or oral cinacalcet plus fixed-dose intravenous
      doxercalciferol, for 28 weeks. Patients in the paricalcitol group could also
      receive supplemental cinacalcet for hypercalcaemia. The primary effectiveness
      endpoint in the IMPACT SHPT study was the proportion of subjects who achieved a
      mean intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level of 150-300 pg/mL during the
      evaluation period. In this secondary analysis, we estimated the incremental cost
      effectiveness ratio (ICER), comparing paricalcitol-treated patients with
      cinacalcet-treated patients on the basis of this primary endpoint and several
      secondary endpoints. Costs were estimated by examining the dosage of the study
      drug (paricalcitol or cinacalcet) and phosphate binders used by each participant
      during the trial. Nonparametric bootstrap analysis was used to examine the
      accuracy of the ICER point estimates. RESULTS: The percentages of patients
      achieving the treatment goal of a mean iPTH level between 150-300 pg/mL during
      weeks 21-28 of therapy were 56.9% in the paricalcitol group and 34.0% in the
      cinacalcet group (a difference of 23%, p=0.0235). Paricalcitol was also more
      effective for each of the secondary endpoints. When annualized, the total drug
      costs were US$10,153 in the paricalcitol group and US$15,967 in the cinacalcet
      group, a difference of US$5,814 (57.3%, p=0.0053). Because the paricalcitol-based
      treatment was less expensive and more effective, it was 'dominant', compared with
      cinacalcet, in this cost-effectiveness analyses. In our bootstrap analysis, 99.1%
      of bootstrap replicates for the ICER of the primary endpoint fell within the
      lower right quadrant of the cost-effectiveness plane-where paricalcitol is
      considered dominant. For all of the other endpoints, paricalcitol was dominant in
      100% of replicates. CONCLUSION: On the basis of dosing and effectiveness data
      from US patients in the IMPACT SHPT study, we found that a regimen of intravenous
      paricalcitol was more cost effective than cinacalcet plus low-dose vitamin D in
      the management of iPTH in patients with SHPT requiring haemodialysis.

PMID- 24214234
TI  - A role forAmanita muscaria L. in the circulation of cadmium and vanadium in a non
      polluted woodland.
AB  - The sporophore of the fungusAmanita muscaria L. contains greatiy elevated levels
      of cadmium (29.9 MUg g(-1) dwt) and vanadium (344.9 MUg g(-1) dwt) in comparison
      with the soil in a birch woodland (total (HNO3-extractabie Cd 0.4 MUg g(-1) dwt,
      V 11.7 MUg g(-1) dwt). The significance of this remarkable concentration of
      normally rare and dispersed elements in terms of their circulation in the
      woodland has been investigated. Both elements are released from sporophore tissue
      in a form which can be taken up by a test plant (lettuce), cultivated in the
      woodland soil amended with different quantities of sporophore tissue, Cadmium
      levels in all plant tissues were elevated in comparison to the non-amended
      controls; only root vanadium levels responded to the amendment of the soil. The
      results are discussed in terms of their significance for the natural cycling of
      both elements. It is calculated that an abundant population of sporophores could
      circulate 1.4% of the total cadmium and 0.65% of the total vanadium pool found in
      the litter layer and 0-5 cm soil horizon in the sampled woodland over a period of
      14 days (mean life span of a sporophore). 

PMID- 24214235
TI  - The influence of house age on lead levels in dusts and soils in Brighton,
      England.
AB  - An earlier nationwide reconnaissance study had indicated that lead levels in
      housedusts in Brighton and Hove were high compared with the general mean for the
      United Kingdom (1110 MUg/g versus 507 MUug/g). A more rigorous study, with sample
      selection based on house age, has revealed a lower mean value of 705 MUg/g. Lead
      levels in 35 houses from the original study which were revisited had not changed
      significantly over the intervening 5 year period. The results suggest that the
      high mean value obtained previously was a reflection of the uneven age
      distribution in the sample population. The mean lead concentrations in soil and
      road dust samples, also obtained, were 404 and 794 MUg/g, respectively. Lead
      levels in ail three sample types (housedust, soil and road dust) were
      significantly correlated with each other and all showed a tendency to increase
      with increasing age of property. 

PMID- 24214236
TI  - Radon from drinking water - evaluation of water-borne transfer into house air.
AB  - To determine the transfer of(222)Rn from domestic water into air, nine houses
      were measured for(222)Rnt, house volume, water use and air exchange by SF6 and
      radon. Measurements were done in Maine during April and May, 1986, when sealed up
      for the winter. Radon in water concentration ranged from 35,000 to 1,250,000
      pCi/l. Air peaks of(222)Rn ranged from 13 to 200 pCi/l due to a water use burst
      experiment. Use of water filters was also examined by repeats with filters on and
      off. Water use ranged from 200 to 1922 litres/day. House volumes ranged from 380
      to 999 m(3). Air exchange rates measured by SF6 was twice as large as air
      exchange rate measured by(222)Rn. 

PMID- 24214237
TI  - Temporal trends in urban and rural blood lead concentrations.
AB  - A long term programme to assess the impact of reduced lead emissions in the UK
      has been established in central London and rural Suffolk. Blood lead
      concentrations of 5 and 6 year old children and their mothers both show an urban
      rural difference of about 1.5 MUg/dl, which is related to the urban-rural
      differences in air and dust lead concentrations between areas. 

PMID- 24214238
TI  - Lead from dust and water as exposure sources for children.
AB  - Data from the Edinburgh Lead Study are used to estimate the respective
      contributions of water and dust lead to blood lead in 6-9 year old children. Both
      sources are significantly related to blood lead. An exposure of 100 MUg/l in
      kitchen cold water is estimated to be equivalent to 2700 MUg/g of lead in dust.
      In this population water is a more important source of lead than dust for the
      bulk of the population. 

PMID- 24214239
TI  - Lead-based paint in dwellings: The potential for contamination of the home
      environment during renovation.
AB  - The quantity and particle size characteristics of lead in dust released during
      three different paint removal techniques was determined under controlled
      conditions and in situ in a dwelling. Air-lead and deposited dust-lead levels
      were highest after sanding but 'burning-off' and 'hot-air' removal methods also
      produced significant contamination. The importance of dust particle-size and lead
      is discussed in relation to the potential hazard to home renovators via
      inhalation and to children via the 'hand-to-mouth' route. 

PMID- 24214240
TI  - Experimental boundaries of the quantum rotor induced polarization (QRIP) in
      liquid state NMR.
AB  - The Haupt-effect is a rather seldom used hyperpolarization method. It is based on
      the interdependence between nuclear spin states and rotational states of nearly
      free rotating methyl groups having C3 symmetry. A sudden change in temperature
      from 4.2 K to room temperature by fast dissolution yields considerably enhanced
      (13)C and (1)H resonance signals. This phenomenon is now termed quantum rotor
      induced polarization. More than 40 substances have been studied by this approach
      in order to identify them as polarizable by the 'Haupt-effect in the liquid
      state'. Influencing factors have been analyzed systematically. It could be
      concluded that substances having a high tunneling frequency, which is due to a
      small and narrow potential barrier, are most likely to feature quantum rotor
      induced polarization-enhanced signals.

PMID- 24214241
TI  - Impaired social processing in autism and its reflections in memory: a deeper view
      of encoding and retrieval processes.
AB  - Previous studies of memory in autism spectrum conditions (ASC) have consistently
      shown that persons with ASC have reduced memories for social information,
      relative to a spared memory for non-social facts. The current study aims to
      reproduce these findings, while examining the possible causes leading to this
      difference. Participants' memory for trait-words was tested after they had viewed
      the words in three study contexts: visuo-motor, letter-detection, and social
      judgment. While participants with ASC showed a levels-of-processing effect, such
      that their memory for words viewed in the social judgment context was greater
      than their memory for words viewed in the letter-detection context, their memory
      for socially-processed words was reduced relative to comparison participants.
      This interaction effect could not be explained by a speed/accuracy trade-off, nor
      could it be explained solely by differences in encoding. These results suggest
      that social memory deficits in ASC arise from difficulties both in orienting
      towards and encoding social content, as well as retaining and retrieving it.
      Implications for theory and clinical practice are discussed. 

PMID- 24214242
TI  - Thalamic relay or cortico-thalamic processing? Old question, new answers.
AB  - What are the functions implemented by neurons in the sensory nuclei of the
      thalamus? It seems that this question has accompanied cortical and thalamic
      studies since their onset some 6 decades ago. Over the years, the simplistic,
      traditional view of thalamic neurons as mere relays of sensory information has
      given way to more sophisticated views, of which several alternative hypotheses
      have been proposed. This commentary briefly reviews the 2 current major
      hypotheses and shows how a new, pioneering experiment, published in Cerebral
      Cortex by Groh, Acsady and colleagues, discriminates between them. The commentary
      further elaborates on the thalamo-cortical processing suggested by the new
      findings, the general sensory-motor scheme to which these findings may be
      relevant, and the possible roles such thalamo-cortical processing may have in
      sensory-motor control. 

PMID- 24214244
TI  - The impact of sustained engagement on cognitive function in older adults: the
      Synapse Project.
AB  - In the research reported here, we tested the hypothesis that sustained engagement
      in learning new skills that activated working memory, episodic memory, and
      reasoning over a period of 3 months would enhance cognitive function in older
      adults. In three conditions with high cognitive demands, participants learned to
      quilt, learned digital photography, or engaged in both activities for an average
      of 16.51 hr a week for 3 months. Results at posttest indicated that episodic
      memory was enhanced in these productive-engagement conditions relative to
      receptive-engagement conditions, in which participants either engaged in
      nonintellectual activities with a social group or performed low-demand cognitive
      tasks with no social contact. The findings suggest that sustained engagement in
      cognitively demanding, novel activities enhances memory function in older
      adulthood, but, somewhat surprisingly, we found limited cognitive benefits of
      sustained engagement in social activities. 

PMID- 24214246
TI  - BVA appoints a new chief executive.

PMID- 24214243
TI  - Regulation of pyruvate metabolism in metabolic-related diseases.
AB  - Pyruvate is an obligatory intermediate in the oxidative disposal of glucose and a
      major precursor for the synthesis of glucose, glycerol, fatty acids, and non
      essential amino acids. Stringent control of the fate of pyruvate is critically
      important for cellular homeostasis. The regulatory mechanisms for its metabolism
      are therefore of great interest. Recent advances include the findings that (a)
      the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier is sensitive to inhibition by
      thiazolidinediones; (b) pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases induce the Warburg effect
      in many disease states; and (c) pyruvate carboxylase is an important determinate
      of the rates of gluconeogenesis in humans with type 2 diabetes. These enzymes are
      potential therapeutic targets for several diseases. 

PMID- 24214245
TI  - Below-baseline suppression of competitors during interference resolution by
      younger but not older adults.
AB  - Resolving interference from competing memories is a critical factor in efficient
      memory retrieval, and several accounts of cognitive aging suggest that difficulty
      resolving interference may underlie memory deficits such as those seen in the
      elderly. Although many researchers have suggested that the ability to suppress
      competitors is a key factor in resolving interference, the evidence supporting
      this claim has been the subject of debate. Here, we present a new paradigm and
      results demonstrating that for younger adults, a single retrieval attempt is
      sufficient to suppress competitors to below-baseline levels of accessibility even
      though the competitors are never explicitly presented. The extent to which
      individual younger adults suppressed competitors predicted their performance on a
      memory span task. In a second experiment, older adults showed no evidence of
      suppression, which supports the theory that older adults' memory deficits are
      related to impaired suppression. 

PMID- 24214247
TI  - Rabies confirmed in an imported kitten in France.

PMID- 24214248
TI  - Annual report indicates fall in veterinary antimicrobial sales in Europe in 2011.

PMID- 24214251
TI  - Agricultural collaboration to focus on sustainable food production.

PMID- 24214252
TI  - EFRACom announces food security inquiry.

PMID- 24214253
TI  - Proposals for halal assurance scheme open for consultation.

PMID- 24214257
TI  - Antimicrobial resistance: getting the message across.

PMID- 24214258
TI  - Thrombotic meningoencephalitis leads to sudden death in calves.

PMID- 24214259
TI  - The benefits of a strong hypothesis for retrospective research.

PMID- 24214260
TI  - Pathogen profiles in clinical mastitis cases.

PMID- 24214261
TI  - Providing assurance on food.

PMID- 24214262
TI  - Curbing livestock emissions.

PMID- 24214269
TI  - Postnatal development of auditory central evoked responses and thalamic cellular
      properties.
AB  - During development, the sense of hearing changes rapidly with age, especially
      around hearing onset. During this period, auditory structures are highly
      sensitive to alterations of the acoustic environment, such as hearing loss or
      background noise. This sensitivity includes auditory temporal processing, which
      is important for processing complex sounds, and for acquiring reading and
      language skills. Developmental changes can be observed at multiple levels of
      brain organization-from behavioral responses to cellular responses, and at every
      auditory nucleus. Neuronal properties and sound processing change dramatically in
      auditory cortex neurons after hearing onset. However, development of its primary
      source, the auditory thalamus, or medial geniculate body (MGB), has not been well
      studied over this critical time window. Furthermore, to understand how temporal
      processing develops, it is important to determine the relative maturation of
      temporal processing not only in the MGB, but also in its inputs. Cellular
      properties of rat MGB neurons were studied using in vitro whole-cell patch-clamp
      recordings, at ages postnatal day (P) 7-9; P15-17, and P22-32. Auditory evoked
      potentials were measured in P14-17 and P22-32 rats. MGB action potentials became
      about five times faster, and the ability to generate spike trains increased with
      age, particularly at frequencies of 50 Hz and higher. Evoked potential responses,
      including auditory brainstem responses (ABR), middle latency responses (MLR), and
      amplitude modulation following responses, showed increased amplitudes with age,
      and ABRs and MLRs additionally showed decreased latencies with age. Overall,
      temporal processing at subthalamic nuclei is concurrently maturing with MGB
      cellular properties.

PMID- 24214270
TI  - Relationship between metabolic rate in vitro and body mass in a marine teleost,
      porgy Pagrus major.
AB  - The rate of oxygen consumption of minced whole body was determined
      volumetrically, as an indication of metabolic rate in vitro (M in vitro ), at 20
      degrees C in porgy Pagrus major ranging from 0.0002 g (just after hatch) to 2.9 g
      (67 days old) in body mass. A triphasic relationship was found between M in vitro
      of individual fish (MUl.min(-1)) and wet body mass W (g). During the prolarval
      stage accompanied with the transitional period to the postlarval stage (0.00020
      0.00023 g, 0-6 days old), the mass-specific metabolic rate in vitro (M in vitro
      /W in MUl.g(-1).min(-1)) increased with age (D in days) as expressed by an
      equation M in vitro /W = 3.88 + 0.74/D. During the postlarval stage (0.00031
      0.003 g, 8-22 days old), M in vitro /W remained almost constant, independent of
      body mass following an equation M in vitro /W = 5.24 W(-0.085). During the
      juvenile and adolescent stages (0.0047-2.9 g, 30-67 days old), M in vitro /W
      decreased with increasing body mass following an equation M in vitro /W = 1.66 W(
      0.235). These results correspond with the triphasic relationship between
      metabolism in vivo and body mass observed in intact porgy of 0.0002-270 g (Oikawa
      et al. 1991). It is concluded, therefore, that the dependence of mass-specific
      metabolic rate on body size exists in vitro as well as in vivo, during the early
      stages in the porgy. Based on these results, factors controlling the metabolism
      size relationship are discussed. 

PMID- 24214268
TI  - The Thellungiella salsuginea tonoplast aquaporin TsTIP1;2 functions in protection
      against multiple abiotic stresses.
AB  - Examination of aquaporin (AQP) membrane channels in extremophile plants may
      increase our understanding of plant tolerance to high salt, drought or other
      conditions. Here, we cloned a tonoplast AQP gene (TsTIP1;2) from the halophyte
      Thellungiella salsuginea and characterized its biological functions. TsTIP1;2
      transcripts accumulate to high levels in several organs, increasing in response
      to multiple external stimuli. Ectopic overexpression of TsTIP1;2 in Arabidopsis
      significantly increased plant tolerance to drought, salt and oxidative stresses.
      TsTIP1;2 had water channel activity when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. TsTIP1;2
      was also able to conduct H2O2 molecules into yeast cells in response to oxidative
      stress. TsTIP1;2 was not permeable to Na(+) in Xenopus oocytes, but it could
      facilitate the entry of Na(+) ions into plant cell vacuoles by an indirect
      process under high-salinity conditions. Collectively, these data showed that
      TsTIP1;2 could mediate the conduction of both H2O and H2O2 across membranes, and
      may act as a multifunctional contributor to survival of T. salsuginea in highly
      stressful habitats.

PMID- 24214271
TI  - Dietary rutin has limited synergistic effects on vitamin C nutrition of
      fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).
AB  - A study was conducted to determine the possible synergistic effects between
      dietary rutin (a bioflavonoid) and vitamin C, and to evaluate their antioxidant
      effects in fingerling channel catfish. Purified casein/gelatin diets containing
      two levels of rutin (0 and 1000 mg/kg diet) and three levels of L-ascorbic acid
      (0, 1500 and 3000 mg/kg diet) in a factorial arrangement were fed to fingerling
      channel catfish for 16 weeks. Fish fed the diets without supplemental vitamin C
      showed deformed spinal columns, external hemorrhages and fin erosion after 10 to
      12 weeks. Also these fish had significantly (p < 0.05) depressed body weight
      gain, feed efficiency, hematocrit, hepatosomatic index (% liver weight), as well
      as reduced liver, fillet and plasma vitamin concentrations after 16 weeks. Liver,
      fillet and plasma vitamin C concentrations were correlated with dietary vitamin C
      levels. Forced oxidation of fillet samples significantly (p < 0.05) increased 2
      thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values of fillets from fish fed diets without vitamin C
      and rutin. However, results from the present study indicated only limited
      synergistic effects of dietary rutin on vitamin C nutrition of channel catfish. 

PMID- 24214272
TI  - Glucose-stimulated lipolysis in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, liver.
AB  - Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were used to characterize further the
      influence of glucose on hepatic lipolysis. Liver was removed from fed fish, cut
      into 1 mm(3) pieces and incubated for up to 5 h in Hanks medium containing either
      2 mM, 5.5 mM, 10 mM, or 25 mM glucose. Glucose-stimulated lipolysis was indicated
      by tissue triacylglycerol (TG) lipase activity and by medium concentrations of
      glycerol and fatty acids (FA). Triacylglycerol lipase activity in liver pieces
      incubated in the presence of higher concentrations (25 mM) of glucose was
      significantly higher than that in liver pieces incubated in lower concentrations
      (2 mM) of glucose, rising from 0.075 +/- 0.002 (mean +/- SEM) nmol FA
      released/h/mg protein to 0.092 +/- 0.004 units. Similarly, higher concentrations
      of glucose stimulated significantly more FA release and glycerol release from
      liver pieces than that stimulated by lower concentrations of glucose. Glycerol
      release from liver pieces incubated in the presence of 10 mM glucose and 25 mM
      glucose was ca. 2-fold to 2.8-fold, respectively, higher than that from liver
      pieces incubated in the presence of either 2 mM or 5.5 mM glucose. Fatty acid
      release from liver pieces incubated in the presence of 10 mM or 25 mM glucose was
      ca. 1.8-fold higher than that from liver pieces incubated in the presence of
      either 2 mM or 5.5 mM glucose. Notably, increased glycerol release was not
      accompanied by a parallel increase in FA. Fatty acid reesterification was more
      pronounced in liver pieces exposed to higher glucose (10 mM and 25 mM) than in
      liver pieces exposed to lower glucose (2 mM and 5.5 mM). (14)C-incorporation
      studies indicated that glucose serves as a carbon source for reesterified FA in
      trout liver. The route of reesterification appears to be from glucose to
      glycerophosphate to phosphatidic acid to diacylglycerol to TG. Increasing
      concentrations of glucose did not affect glycerol kinase activity, indicating
      that glucose-stimulated lipolysis was not accompanied by increased glycerol
      recycling within the liver. These results suggest that glucose stimulates fatty
      acid reesterification and directly enhances net lipolysis in trout liver
      incubated in vitro. 

PMID- 24214273
TI  - Gluconeogenesis in trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) white muscle: purification and
      characterization of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activity in vitro.
AB  - Studies of the enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) of rainbow trout
      (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have been undertaken in order to illuminate aspects of
      skeletal muscle gluconeogenesis in these animals. Maximal activities in crude
      homogenates of several organs suggest that the liver possesses the greatest
      FBPase activity on a unit g(-1) tissue basis but that the white muscle, owing to
      its bulk, contributes substantially to whole body FBPase activity. Studies of
      fructose-6-phosphate-1-kinase (PFK) and FBPase in crude homogenates of several
      organs suggests an important role for intracellular pH in regulating the relative
      carbon flux through the FBPase/PFK locus in vivo. Furthermore, a three-step
      purification scheme is described for trout white muscle FBPase by which a stable
      and homogeneous (by SDS PAGE) enzyme preparation (isoelectric point = 7.2;
      molecular weight = 37.6 kd) was obtained. Kinetic studies of the purified enzyme
      were undertaken at 20 degrees C under conditions reflective of "rest" and
      "exercise/recovery" intramuscular pH in vivo. Affinity for substrate (F-1,6-P2)
      was increased (Km = 6.88 versus 2.44 MUmol 1-(-1) as was enzyme activity when pH
      was lowered from 7.0 to 6.5. Various inhibitor metabolites are identified
      including F-2,6-P2 (mixed-type inhibitor, Ki = 0.201 MUmol 1(-1), pH 7.0) and AMP
      (non-competitive inhibitor, Ki = 0.438 MUmol 1(-1), pH 7.0). Inhibition by F-2,6
      P2 was strongly alleviated by a reduction in pH from 7.0 to 6.5 (I50 increased
      from 0.14 to 0.32 MUmol 1(-1)). AMP on the other hand was a more potent inhibitor
      at pH 6.5 but this inhibition was totally reversed under conditions of citrate,
      NH4 (+) and AMP typical of muscle during recovery from exercise in vivo. In
      purified white muscle enzyme preparations, FBPase demonstrated maximal activity
      at pH 6.5 whereas the optimal pH of PFK was 7.0 or greater. Indeed, it appears
      from these in vitro data that regulation by metabolite levels as well as pH are
      required for net FBPase flux in vivo. It is concluded, therefore that trout white
      muscle FBPase demonstrates the potential to play an important enzymatic role in
      the control of intramuscular gluconeogenesis in these animals. The results are
      discussed in relation to present knowledge regarding the metabolic responses of
      trout white muscle to, and its subsequent recovery from, exhaustive exercise. 

PMID- 24214274
TI  - Arachidonic acid metabolism in gill homogenate and isolated gill cells from
      rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss: the effect of osmolality, electrolytes and
      prolactin.
AB  - An assay method based on thin layer chromatography to study the arachidonic acid
      (AA) metabolism in gill tissues was optimized and the effect of osmotically
      different incubation mediums on AA metabolism was evaluated. Rainbow trout gill
      tissues metabolize AA into PGE2 in highest concentration followed by PGD2,
      PGF2alpha and 6-keto-PGF1alpha (the stable metabolite of PGI2) among the
      prostanoids tested. Approximately 40% of PGE2 is synthesized within the first
      minute of incubation and is directly dependent on the substrate concentration
      (AA). As in mammalian tissues, PGE2 synthesis in fish gills is inhibited by the
      cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. PGE2 synthesis in gill homogenate and
      isolated gill cells incubated in trout Ringer was 0.45 and 1.9 ng/mg protein,
      respectively, and increased to 8.9 and 4.3 ng/mg protein, respectively, when
      incubated in KPO4 buffer, due to a ten-fold increase in the free AA. The hydroxy
      acid synthesis of the gill homogenate was higher (13%), and that of the isolated
      gill cells incubated in KPO4 buffer was lower (44%) compared to gill homogenate
      and cells incubated in trout Ringer. Gill homogenate incubated in 50 mM phosphate
      buffer with increasing sodium or potassium concentrations (up to 250 mM)
      exhibited a concentration-dependent increase in PGE2 synthesis (220% and 72%,
      respectively). Prolactin stimulated the PGE2 synthesis up to 30% while PGD2,
      PGF2alpha and 6-keto-PGF1alpha synthesis was not affected. This effect of
      prolactin was maximal when PGE2 synthesis was estimated 30 minutes after
      prolactin addition and diminished after two hours. These results suggest that
      rainbow trout gills possess the ability to metabolize AA through the
      cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. PGE2 synthesis may be under the
      influence of ion balance and prolactin availability, indicating the probable
      involvement of AA metabolites in the regulation of ion balances across the gill
      membrane. 

PMID- 24214275
TI  - Effect of insulin in the diet on the growth of European eels (Anguilla anguilla
      L.).
AB  - The effect of oral administration of insulin, in various concentrations, on the
      growth of European eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) was studied. In order to determine
      whether the insulin penetrated through the stomach or gills to the blood system,
      5 ml insulin, suspended in an 0.6% solution of NaCl, was inserted via the mouth
      of eels, and the insulin content in the blood measured by radioimmunoassay
      immediately, and at one and two hours after administration. A control group was
      given 0.6% NaCl alone. Significantly increased levels of insulin in the blood
      plasma were found in eels which received high insulin concentrations compared to
      the control group. Eels administered 20 ppm and 40 ppm insulin in the diet grew
      significantly faster than a control group fed a diet without insulin, and a group
      fed 5 ppm insulin. 

PMID- 24214276
TI  - Histological changes in insulin-immunoreactive pancreatic beta-cells, and
      suppression of insulin secretion and somatotrope activity in brook trout
      (Salvelinus fontinalis) maintained on reduced food intake or exposed to acidic
      environment.
AB  - Immature brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were randomly divided into a pH
      control, a pH and food control and an acid-stressed group. Fish in the first two
      groups were held at neutral pH and those in the last group were maintained at pH
      4.2 for up to two months. The food supply to the pH and food control group was
      restricted to simulate the reduction in food intake demonstrated for acid
      stressed trout. Plasma insulin levels were significantly decreased from 5-20
      ng/ml to 1-2 ng/ml and plasma cortisol levels were significantly increased from 5
      10 ng/ml to as high as 70 ng/ml in the acid-stressed brook trout. Concomitantly,
      a significant decrease of 21-39% in the proportion (volume density) of insulin
      immunoreactive beta-cells was observed within the principal pancreatic islets.
      Somatic growth was stunted and ultrastructural morphometry revealed the
      suppression of somatotrope secretory activity in the acid-stressed fish.
      Restriction of food supply induced a smaller but still significant decrease in
      circulating levels of insulin which was however not accompanied by a reduction in
      insulin immunoreactive beta-cells. The rise in plasma cortisol levels was not
      significant, and the plasma levels of glucose and protein were unaffected.
      Nevertheless, somatotrope secretory activity was suppressed and somatic growth
      was stunted. This study demonstrates for the first time the complexity of the
      endocrine response to acid stress and that some of the response to acid stress
      can be attributed to the lowering of food intake. 

PMID- 24214277
TI  - Temporal changes in plasma thyroid hormone, growth hormone and free fatty acid
      concentrations, and hepatic 5'-monodeiodinase activity, lipid and protein content
      during chronic fasting and re-feeding in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
AB  - Temporal changes in growth, plasma thyroid hormone, cortisol, growth hormone (GH)
      and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, hepatic T3 content and
      hepatic 5'-monodeiodinase activity were measured in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
      mykiss) subjected to a sustained fast for up to eight weeks, and during a four
      week re-feeding period. The purpose of the study was to examine aspects of the
      endocrine control of energy partitioning processes characteristic of short-term
      (acute; fasting) and long-term (chronic; starvation) food-deprivation states in
      fish, and to explore the role of the thyroid hormones, cortisol and GH in the
      energy repartitioning that takes place during an acute anabolic (re-feeding)
      state following chronic food deprivation.Differences in growth rate between fed
      and fasted groups were evident after two weeks, but significant weight loss by
      the fasted groups was not evident until between four and six weeks into the fast.
      Hepatosomatic indices (HSIs) were significantly reduced in the fasted fish within
      seven days, and as early as two days in one study; recovery of the HSI in fasted
      fish was evident within three days of re-feeding. Liver protein content
      (expressed as % wet weight) was consistently depressed in the fasted fish in only
      one of the three studies. Liver total lipid content (expressed as % wet weight)
      was depressed in the fasted fish within two days of food deprivation. Because of
      the rapid and sustained decrease in the HSI of fasted fish, the hepatic total
      protein and lipid reserves, when considered on a body weight basis, were markedly
      lowered within the first few days of the fast. Plasma GH concentrations exhibited
      a bi-modal pattern of change, with a transient fall in levels, followed by a
      sustained increase in fasted fish. The indicators of interrenal activity were
      suggestive of a depressed pituitary-interrenal axis in fasted animals; plasma
      cortisol levels were elevated to levels of fed animals within one day of re
      feeding. The indicators of thyroid hormone economy (plasma thyroid hormone
      levels, liver triiodothyronine content, hepatic 5'-monodeiodinase (MD) activity,
      thyroid epithelial cell height) were similarly indicative of a depressed
      pituitary-thyroid axis in fasted animals, with recovery to levels of the fed
      animals within one week. Despite the compensatory changes in accumulation of
      reserves (as indicated by a compensatory increase in HSI), there were no apparent
      compensatory changes in any of the endocrine parameters evident during the re
      feeding period. 

PMID- 24214278
TI  - Freerunning circasemilunar spawning rhythm of Fundulus grandis and its
      temperature compensation.
AB  - Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, exhibit rhythmic reproductive activities that
      are synchronized with semilunar tidal fluctuations in their Gulf coast habitat.
      These cyclic activities, monitored through daily egg collections, persist in the
      laboratory for as long as four months with periods near the tidal period of 13.7
      days. In nature, a specific semilunar spawning phase is maintained with respect
      to tidal cycles. However, in the laboratory, the phase may gradually advance or
      delay. These phase changes occur as a result of small differences between the
      periods of the spawning cycle and concurrent tidal cycle. Changes in the phase of
      the spawning cycle can be produced after several cycles by exposing fish to
      different temperatures (21 and 27 degrees C). However, the period of the spawning
      cycle changes only slightly with temperature. Q10 calculations produce a value
      not significantly different from 1.0, indicating nearly complete temperature
      compensation. These results provide evidence for an endogenous circasemilunar
      cycle that is temperature-compensated and freeruns in the laboratory. 

PMID- 24214279
TI  - Highly efficient phase boundary biocatalysis with enzymogel nanoparticles.
AB  - The enzymogel nanoparticle made of a magnetic core and polymer brush shell
      demonstrates a novel type of remote controlled phase-boundary biocatalysis that
      involves remotely directed binding to and engulfing insoluble substrates, high
      mobility, and stability of the catalytic centers. The mobile enzymes reside in
      the polymer brush scaffold and shuttle between the enzymogel interior and surface
      of the engulfed substrate in the bioconversion process. Biocatalytic activity of
      the mobile enzymes is preserved in the enzymogel while the brush-like
      architecture favors the efficient interfacial interaction when the enzymogel
      spreads over the substrate and extends substantially the reaction area as
      compared with rigid particles. 

PMID- 24214280
TI  - Targeting intensive glycaemic control versus targeting conventional glycaemic
      control for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) have an increased risk
      of cardiovascular disease and mortality compared to the background population.
      Observational studies report an association between reduced blood glucose and
      reduced risk of both micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with T2D.
      Our previous systematic review of intensive glycaemic control versus conventional
      glycaemic control was based on 20 randomised clinical trials that randomised 29
      ,986 participants with T2D. We now report our updated review. OBJECTIVES: To
      assess the effects of targeted intensive glycaemic control compared with
      conventional glycaemic control in patients with T2D. SEARCH METHODS: Trials were
      obtained from searches of The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation
      Index Expanded, LILACS, and CINAHL (all until December 2012). SELECTION CRITERIA:
      We included randomised clinical trials that prespecified targets of intensive
      glycaemic control versus conventional glycaemic control targets in adults with
      T2D. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed the risk of
      bias and extracted data. Dichotomous outcomes were assessed by risk ratios (RR)
      and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Health-related quality of life and costs of
      intervention were assessed with standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% Cl.
      MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-eight trials with 34,912 T2D participants randomised 18,717
      participants to intensive glycaemic control versus 16,195 participants to
      conventional glycaemic control. Only two trials had low risk of bias on all risk
      of bias domains assessed. The duration of the intervention ranged from three days
      to 12.5 years. The number of participants in the included trials ranged from 20
      to 11,140. There were no statistically significant differences between targeting
      intensive versus conventional glycaemic control for all-cause mortality (RR 1.00,
      95% CI 0.92 to 1.08; 34,325 participants, 24 trials) or cardiovascular mortality
      (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.21; 34,177 participants, 22 trials). Trial sequential
      analysis showed that a 10% relative risk reduction could be refuted for all-cause
      mortality. Targeting intensive glycaemic control did not show a statistically
      significant effect on the risks of macrovascular complications as a composite
      outcome in the random-effects model, but decreased the risks in the fixed-effect
      model (random RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.02; and fixed RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to
      0.99; P = 0.02; 32,846 participants, 14 trials). Targeting intensive versus
      conventional glycaemic control seemed to reduce the risks of non-fatal myocardial
      infarction (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.98; P = 0.02; 30,417 participants, 14
      trials), amputation of a lower extremity (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.94; P = 0.02;
      11,200 participants, 11 trials), as well as the risk of developing a composite
      outcome of microvascular diseases (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.95; P = 0.0008;
      25,927 participants, 6 trials), nephropathy (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.95; P =
      0.02; 28,096 participants, 11 trials), retinopathy (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.92;
      P = 0.002; 10,300 participants, 9 trials), and the risk of retinal
      photocoagulation (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.97; P = 0.03; 11,212 participants, 8
      trials). No statistically significant effect of targeting intensive glucose
      control could be shown on non-fatal stroke, cardiac revascularization, or
      peripheral revascularization. Trial sequential analyses did not confirm a
      reduction of the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction but confirmed a 10%
      relative risk reduction in favour of intensive glycaemic control on the composite
      outcome of microvascular diseases. For the remaining microvascular outcomes,
      trial sequential analyses could not establish firm evidence for a 10% relative
      risk reduction. Targeting intensive glycaemic control significantly increased the
      risk of mild hypoglycaemia, but substantial heterogeneity was present; severe
      hypoglycaemia (RR 2.18, 95% CI 1.53 to 3.11; 28,794 participants, 12 trials); and
      serious adverse events (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.10; P = 0.007; 24,280
      participants, 11 trials). Trial sequential analysis for a 10% relative risk
      increase showed firm evidence for mild hypoglycaemia and serious adverse events
      and a 30% relative risk increase for severe hypoglycaemia when targeting
      intensive versus conventional glycaemic control. Overall health-related quality
      of life, as well as the mental and the physical components of health-related
      quality of life did not show any statistical significant differences. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: Although we have been able to expand the number of participants by
      16% in this update, we still find paucity of data on outcomes and the bias risk
      of the trials was mostly considered high. Targeting intensive glycaemic control
      compared with conventional glycaemic control did not show significant differences
      for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Targeting intensive
      glycaemic control seemed to reduce the risk of microvascular complications, if we
      disregard the risks of bias, but increases the risk of hypoglycaemia and serious
      adverse events.

PMID- 24214281
TI  - Rebanding for slippage after gastric banding: should we do it?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a commonly
      performed bariatric procedure. LAGB is frequently complicated by slippage.
      Possible treatment for slippage is rebanding, but long-term effects are unknown.
      The aim of this study was to investigate whether rebanding after gastric band
      slippage is associated with weight loss failure. METHODS: This was a post hoc
      analysis of a prospectively collected database of 627 consecutive LAGB patients.
      Rebanding for slippage was performed in 81 patients. The effect of rebanding on
      weight loss was evaluated by three analyses: (1) in 81 rebanded patients, weight
      loss was compared before and after rebanding, separately for patients in whom
      primary LAGB was successful or unsuccessful; (2) 81 rebanded patients were
      matched to 81 patients without slippage for prognostic variables and compared for
      weight loss after rebanding; (3) multivariate logistic regression was performed
      whether rebanding was independently associated with weight loss failure. RESULTS:
      The chance of a fair result of rebanding for patients following primary
      successful (n = 34) and unsuccessful LAGB (n = 22) was 62 and 27 % after median
      follow-up of 113 and 97 months, respectively. There was no difference in weight
      loss failure between 81 rebanded patients and 81 matched patients: 54 vs 59 % (P
      = 0.43). In multivariate analysis, rebanding was not significantly associated
      with weight loss failure: adjusted odds ratio 1.42; 95 % confidence interval 0.85
      2.38; P = 0.18. CONCLUSION: In general, rebanding after LAGB has no negative
      effect on weight loss. However, patients in whom LAGB was unsuccessful prior to
      rebanding have poor long-term weight loss results.

PMID- 24214282
TI  - Pre-operative dietary restriction for patients undergoing bariatric surgery in
      the UK: observational study of current practice and dietary effects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is effective at achieving weight loss in the
      severely obese, with the majority of procedures performed laparoscopically. A
      short-term pre-operative energy restrictive diet is widely adopted to enable
      surgery by reducing liver size and improving liver flexibility. However, the
      dietary approach is not standardised. This observational study reports on pre
      operative restrictive diets in use across bariatric services in the UK. METHODS:
      Between September and November 2012, information was collected from bariatric
      services on current or past pre-operative diets, and any research providing
      evidence for the use or modification of their diets. RESULTS: Around one third of
      bariatric services (28) in the UK responded, with a total of 49 diets in current
      use. Types of diet include low energy, low carbohydrate and liquid, with 59 %
      offering low energy/low carbohydrate food-based, 21 % milk/yoghurt, 18 % meal
      replacement (liquid) and 2 % clear liquid. Diet duration varies between 7 and 42
      days. Limited anecdotal evidence was provided by services evaluating the pre
      operative diet, and its alternative approaches, with dietary choice primarily
      clinician-led. CONCLUSIONS: This study has highlighted variability and lack of
      consensus in the form of pre-bariatric surgery diet used across different
      centres. Further research comparing outcomes for alternative diets would support
      best practice in the future.

PMID- 24214283
TI  - Efficacy of a laparoscopic gastric restrictive device in an obese canine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery using laparoscopic techniques is the most effective
      treatment for morbid obesity. The objective of the study is to assess the safety
      and efficacy of a novel laparoscopic reversible gastric restrictive (RGR) device
      in a group of obese dogs. An implant was also performed in a cadaver to assess
      implant feasibility in a human. METHODS: Four obese mongrel dogs were subjected
      to RGR implantation for 3 months followed by recovery for an additional 6 weeks
      after device removal. Food intake, body weight, radiographic barium imaging, and
      gastric endoscopy were used to monitor RGR performance before implant, after
      implant, and implant removal. An additional RGR laparoscopic implantation
      procedure was performed in a human cadaver. RESULTS: The implanted obese dogs
      exhibited a significant decrease in food intake and body weight over 3 months
      with the RGR device. The reduction of food intake was sustained at an average of
      46 % after implant and the excess weight loss reached an average of 75 % at the
      end of 12 weeks with recovery to approximately 78 % of baseline after 6 weeks of
      implant removal. Barium imaging and gastric endoscopy both confirmed passage for
      food through the restrictive device channel in the stomach. The RGR device was
      successfully implanted laparoscopically on the cadaver stomach in less than an
      hour. CONCLUSIONS: The RGR device is laparoscopically deliverable and removable
      with effective and sustainable weight loss over a 12-week period in an obese dog
      model. The implant is also technically feasible in man.

PMID- 24214284
TI  - Shortening of the QT interval is observed soon after sleeve gastrectomy in
      morbidly obese patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Morbidly obese patients have an increased risk of sudden cardiac
      death. It is well known that obesity prolongs the QT interval, which in turn may
      cause ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. The objective of this
      study was to establish whether sleeve gastrectomy shortens the QT interval.
      METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy at our
      institution between September 2010 and March 2011 and were included in the study.
      The indications for bariatric surgery were in accordance with French national
      guidelines. For each patient, an electrocardiogram was recorded before and then 3
      months after surgery. The corrected QT (QTc) was determined independently by two
      physicians. RESULTS: The mean body mass index was 45.27 +/- 6.09 kg/m(2) before
      surgery and 38.32 +/- 5.19 kg/m(2) 3 months after surgery. The mean weight loss
      over this period was 20.71 +/- 7.57 kg. The QTc interval was 427 +/- 18.6 ms
      (415.7 +/- 12.06 in men and 428.4 +/- 18.96 in women) prior to surgery and was
      significantly lower 3 months after surgery (398.6 +/- 15.5 ms overall, 391.3 +/-
      7.63 in men, and 399.6 +/- 16.02 in women). The QTc interval decreased in all
      individual patients (by an average of 28.5 +/- 15.6 ms overall, 24.3 +/- 8.38 in
      men, and 29 +/- 16.23 in women). Weight loss and decreased QTc interval were not
      significantly correlated (p = 0.88). CONCLUSION: Sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly
      obese patients was associated with a significantly lower QTc interval 3 months
      after surgery. These findings imply that bariatric surgery might reduce the risk
      of sudden cardiac death in this patient population.

PMID- 24214285
TI  - Mechanism and clinical evidence of lipocalin-2 and adipocyte fatty acid-binding
      protein linking obesity and atherosclerosis.
AB  - Obesity is considered to be a chronic inflammatory state in which the dysfunction
      of adipose tissue plays a central role. The adipokines, which are cytokines
      secreted by adipose tissue, are key links between obesity and related diseases
      such as metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis. LCN2 and A-FABP, both of which
      are major adipokines predominantly produced in adipose tissue, have recently been
      shown to be pivotal modulators of vascular function. However, different
      adipokines modulate the development of atherosclerosis in distinctive manners,
      which are partly attributable to their unique regulatory mechanisms and
      functions. This review highlights recent advances in the understanding of the
      role of two adipokines in mediating chronic inflammation and the pathogenesis of
      atherosclerosis.

PMID- 24214286
TI  - Transient epileptic amnesia: clinical report of a cohort of patients.
AB  - Transient epileptic amnesia is a seizure disorder, usually with onset in the
      middle-elderly and good response to low dosages of antiepileptic drugs. We
      describe the clinical, electroencephalography (EEG), and neuroimaging features of
      11 patients with a temporal lobe epilepsy characterized by amnesic seizures as
      the sole or the main symptom. We outline the relevance of a detailed clinical
      history to recognize amnesic seizures and to avoid the more frequent
      misdiagnoses. Moreover, the response to monotherapy was usually good, although
      the epileptic disorder was symptomatic of acquired lesions in the majority of
      patients.

PMID- 24214287
TI  - A promising method to distinguish vascular dementia from Alzheimer's disease with
      standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography and quantitative
      EEG.
AB  - In clinical settings, it is difficult to distinguish Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      from vascular dementia (VD). The present study summarizes a clinical method to
      distinguish VD and AD at the early stage of the diseases. This study evaluated
      the possibility of differentiating 25 VD, 25 AD, and 25 healthy individuals
      (control, CN) by means of power spectral analysis and standardized low-resolution
      brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) within alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1, beta
      2, delta, and theta frequency bands. Electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral analysis
      and sLORETA indicated that higher diffuse delta/theta and lower central/
      posterior fast frequency bands were present in AD compared with CN. VD showed
      diffuse increased theta power compared with CN and lower delta than AD. AD also
      presented diffuse higher theta on spectral analysis and decreased alpha 2 and
      beta 1 values in central/temporal regions by sLORETA. Mini Mental State
      Examination (MMSE) scores were significantly associated with frontal alpha 1
      sLORETA solutions (r = 0.91616, P < .001) and relative power (r = 0.87322, P <
      .01) in AD, but no correlations were found in VD. In conclusion, EEG spectral and
      sLORETA together could be a tool to distinguish the different EEG rhythmic
      activities in AD and VD.

PMID- 24214288
TI  - Triptycene-based microporous polymer with pending tetrazole moieties for CO2 
      capture application.
AB  - Triptycene-based micorporous polymer is functionalized with CO2 -philic tetrazole
      moieties via ZnCl2 -catalyzed post-polymerization. Gas adsorption experiments
      indicate that it possesses high CO2 uptake capacity, reaching 134 cm(3) g(-1)
      (26.5 wt%) at 1.0 bar and 273 K, along with high selectivity towards CO2 over N2
      and CH4 . The porous polymeric networks present the promising potentials as
      efficient adsorbents in clean energy applications. 

PMID- 24214289
TI  - Economic evaluation of the impact of medication errors reported by U.S. clinical
      pharmacists.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Medication errors defined as "any preventable event that may cause or
      lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm" have been highlighted as a
      top national priority in a report issued by the Institute of Medicine. However,
      little information is available on precise costs of medication errors. This study
      estimated the cost of medication errors reported by clinical pharmacists using a
      modified societal perspective. METHODS: Information on 779 medication errors was
      collected in the Medication Error Detection, Amelioration and Prevention (MEDAP)
      study that documented medication errors observed by clinical pharmacists during a
      consecutive 14-day period. The rate of medication errors, outcomes (number of
      errors resulting in temporary/permanent patient harm, prolonged hospitalization,
      or life-sustaining therapy), and interventions (communication, medication
      changes, patient monitoring, and treatment referrals) were collected. A decision
      model was developed to estimate the economic impact of medication errors reported
      by clinical pharmacists. Event probabilities were derived from MEDAP data. Direct
      costs were obtained through reviews of the literature, hospital charge data, and
      Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. One-way and Monte Carlo sensitivity analyses
      were used to explore uncertainty in the values. RESULTS: In the base case, the
      mean expected cost of a medication error was $88.57. In the Monte Carlo
      simulation, the mean cost was $89.35 (+/- $30.17 SD). One-way sensitivity
      analysis revealed that changes in the probability of medication errors causing
      hospitalization and the cost of hospitalization had the greatest variability on
      the outcome ($50.44-$155.81 [probability of hospitalization], $32.59-$136.40
      [cost of hospitalization]). CONCLUSIONS: Medication errors are costly to the
      health care system. A better understanding of medication error costs may be used
      to justify initiatives to reduce the risk and inefficiency associated with these
      errors.

PMID- 24214291
TI  - PKG in honey bees: spatial expression, Amfor gene expression, sucrose
      responsiveness, and division of labor.
AB  - Division of labor is a hallmark of social insects. In honey bees, division of
      labor involves transition of female workers from one task to the next. The most
      distinct tasks are nursing (providing food for the brood) and foraging
      (collecting pollen and nectar). The brain mechanisms regulating this form of
      behavioral plasticity have largely remained elusive. Recently, it was suggested
      that division of labor is based on nutrition-associated signaling pathways. One
      highly conserved gene associated with food-related behavior across species is the
      foraging gene, which encodes a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent
      protein kinase (PKG). Our analysis of this gene reveals the presence of
      alternative splicing in the honey bee. One isoform is expressed in the brain.
      Expression of this isoform is most pronounced in the mushroom bodies, the
      subesophageal ganglion, and the corpora allata. Division of labor and sucrose
      responsiveness in honey bees correlate significantly with foraging gene
      expression in distinct brain regions. Activating PKG selectively increases
      sucrose responsiveness in nurse bees to the level of foragers, whereas the same
      treatment does not affect responsiveness to light. These findings demonstrate a
      direct link between PKG signaling in distinct brain areas and division of labor.
      Furthermore, they demonstrate that the difference in sensory responsiveness
      between nurse bees and foragers can be compensated for by activating PKG. Our
      findings on the function of PKG in regulating specific sensory responsiveness and
      social organization offer valuable indications for the function of the cGMP/PKG
      pathway in many other insects and vertebrates.

PMID- 24214292
TI  - Darwin and the puzzle of primogeniture : An essay on biases in parental
      investment after death.
AB  - A historical survey of the inheritance practices of farming families in North
      America and elsewhere indicates that resource allocations among children differed
      through time and space with regard to sex bias and equality. Tensions between
      provisioning all children and maintaining a productive economic entity (the farm)
      were resolved in various ways, depending on population pressures, the family's
      relative resource level, and the number and sex of children.Against a backdrop of
      generalized son preference, parents responded to ecological circumstances by
      investing in offspring differentially within and between the sexes. Vesting the
      preponderance of family resources in one heir increased the likelihood of at
      least one line surviving across several generations, whereas varying degrees of
      parental investment in emigrating sons or out-marrying daughters might yield boom
      or bust harvests of grandchildren according to circumstances in more remote
      locales. Primogeniture (eldest son as primary heir) allowed early identification
      of heirs and appropriate socialization, as well as more time for parents to
      contribute to the heir's reproductive success. Son bias and unigeniture decreased
      as numbers of children per family declined, as land became less critical to
      economic success, and as legal changes improved the resource-holding potential of
      females. We suggest that changing ecological conditions affected parental
      decisions regarding resource allocation among children at least as much as did
      changing ideologies of parent-child relations. 

PMID- 24214290
TI  - Concise review: Leukemia stem cells in personalized medicine.
AB  - Despite increased comprehension of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) pathogenesis,
      current treatment strategies have done little to improve upon standard induction
      chemotherapy to induce long-term remissions. Since the identification of the
      leukemic stem cell, efforts have been placed on identifying therapeutically
      actionable pathways that distinguish this increasingly important cellular
      compartment. With the advent of increased genome sequencing efforts and
      phenotypic characterization, opportunities for personalized treatment strategies
      are rapidly emerging. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the
      understanding of leukemic stem cell biology and their potential for translation
      into clinically relevant therapeutics. NF-kappa B activation, Bcl-2 expression,
      oxidative and metabolic state, and epigenetic modifications all bear their own
      clinical implications. With advancements in genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic
      profiling, personalized strategies may be feasible in the near future to improve
      outcomes for AML patients.

PMID- 24214293
TI  - The evolution of sexuality in chimpanzees and bonobos.
AB  - The evolution of nonconceptive sexuality in bonobos and chimpanzees is discussed
      from a functional perspective. Bonobos and chimpanzees have three functions of
      sexual activity in common (paternity confusion, practice sex, and exchange for
      favors), but only bonobos use sex purely for communication about social
      relationships. Bonobo hypersexuality appears closely linked to the evolution of
      female-female alliances. I suggest that these alliances were made possible by
      relaxed feeding competition, that they were favored through their effect on
      reducing sexual coercion, and that they are ultimately responsible for the
      relaxed social conditions that allowed the evolution of "communication sex." 

PMID- 24214294
TI  - Cultivating male allies : A focus on primate females, includingHomo sapiens.
AB  - Females make large investments in their children and compete among themselves to
      establish and maintain privileged relationships with male allies who demonstrate
      both an ability and a willingness to provide fitness-enhancing advantages.
      Various "strategies" and their more numerous, associated "tactics" are utilized
      in the competition. Alleged strategies include using sexuality, producing
      offspring, assisting the male in his own intrasexual contests, and harassing
      female competitors. The strategies in question are documented in multiple primate
      species, including humans living in various times and places. Some variables are
      discussed that influence the degree to which human females rely upon them. 

PMID- 24214295
TI  - Objective approach for analysis of noise source characteristics and acoustic
      conditions in noisy computerized embroidery workrooms.
AB  - It is highly important to analyze the acoustic properties of workrooms in order
      to identify best noise control measures from the standpoint of noise exposure
      limits. Due to the fact that sound pressure is dependent upon environments, it
      cannot be a suitable parameter for determining the share of workroom acoustic
      characteristics in producing noise pollution. This paper aims to empirically
      analyze noise source characteristics and acoustic properties of noisy embroidery
      workrooms based on special parameters. In this regard, reverberation time as the
      special room acoustic parameter in 30 workrooms was measured based on ISO 3382-2.
      Sound power quantity of embroidery machines was also determined based on ISO 9614
      3. Multiple linear regression was employed for predicting reverberation time
      based on acoustic features of the workrooms using MATLAB software. The results
      showed that the measured reverberation times in most of the workrooms were
      approximately within the ranges recommended by ISO 11690-1. Similarity between
      reverberation time values calculated by the Sabine formula and measured values
      was relatively poor (R (2) = 0.39). This can be due to the inaccurate estimation
      of the acoustic influence of furniture and formula preconditions. Therefore, this
      value cannot be considered representative of an actual acoustic room. However,
      the prediction performance of the regression method with root mean square error
      (RMSE) = 0.23 s and R (2) = 0.69 is relatively acceptable. Because the sound
      power of the embroidery machines was relatively high, these sources get the
      highest priority when it comes to applying noise controls. Finally, an objective
      approach for the determination of the share of workroom acoustic characteristics
      in producing noise could facilitate the identification of cost-effective noise
      controls. 

PMID- 24214296
TI  - Accessing indoor fungal contamination using conventional and molecular methods in
      Portuguese poultries.
AB  - Epidemiological studies showed increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and
      adverse changes in pulmonary function parameters in poultry workers,
      corroborating the increased exposure to risk factors, such as fungal load and
      their metabolites. This study aimed to determine the occupational exposure threat
      due to fungal contamination caused by the toxigenic isolates belonging to the
      complex of the species of Aspergillus flavus and also isolates from Aspergillus
      fumigatus species complex. The study was carried out in seven Portuguese
      poultries, using cultural and molecular methodologies. For conventional/cultural
      methods, air, surfaces, and litter samples were collected by impaction method
      using the Millipore Air Sampler. For the molecular analysis, air samples were
      collected by impinger method using the Coriolis MU air sampler. After DNA
      extraction, samples were analyzed by real-time PCR using specific primers and
      probes for toxigenic strains of the Aspergillus flavus complex and for detection
      of isolates from Aspergillus fumigatus complex. Through conventional methods, and
      among the Aspergillus genus, different prevalences were detected regarding the
      presence of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus species complexes,
      namely: 74.5 versus 1.0 % in the air samples, 24.0 versus 16.0 % in the surfaces,
      0 versus 32.6 % in new litter, and 9.9 versus 15.9 % in used litter. Through
      molecular biology, we were able to detect the presence of aflatoxigenic strains
      in pavilions in which Aspergillus flavus did not grow in culture. Aspergillus
      fumigatus was only found in one indoor air sample by conventional methods. Using
      molecular methodologies, however, Aspergillus fumigatus complex was detected in
      seven indoor samples from three different poultry units. The characterization of
      fungal contamination caused by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus
      raises the concern of occupational threat not only due to the detected fungal
      load but also because of the toxigenic potential of these species. 

PMID- 24214297
TI  - Tolerance values of benthic macroinvertebrates for stream biomonitoring:
      assessment of assumptions underlying scoring systems worldwide.
AB  - Tolerance values (TVs) based on benthic macroinvertebrates are one of the most
      widely used tools for monitoring the biological impacts of water pollution,
      particularly in streams and rivers. We compiled TVs of benthic macroinvertebrates
      from 29 regions around the world to test 11 basic assumptions about pollution
      tolerance, that: (1) Arthropoda are < tolerant than non-Arthropoda; (2) Insecta <
      non-Insecta; (3) non-Oligochaeta < Oligochaeta; (4) other macroinvertebrates <
      Oligochaeta + Chironomidae; (5) other macroinvertebrate taxa < Isopoda +
      Gastropoda + Hirudinea; (6) Ephemeroptera + Plecoptera + Trichoptera (EPT) <
      Odonata + Coleoptera + Heteroptera (OCH); (7) EPT < non-EPT insects; (8) Diptera
      < Insecta; (9) Bivalvia < Gastropoda; (10) Baetidae < other Ephemeroptera; and
      (11) Hydropsychidae < other Trichoptera. We found that the first eight of these
      11 assumptions were supported despite regional variability. In addition, we
      examined the effect of Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) and non-independence of
      TVs among countries by performing all analyses using subsets of the original
      dataset. These subsets included a group based on those systems using TVs that
      were derived from techniques other than BPJ, and groups based on methods used for
      TV assignment. The results obtained from these subsets and the entire dataset are
      similar. We also made seven a priori hypotheses about the regional similarity of
      TVs based on geography. Only one of these was supported. Development of TVs and
      the reporting of how they are assigned need to be more rigorous and be better
      described. 

PMID- 24214298
TI  - Dissociation of tetrameric ions of noncovalent streptavidin complexes formed by
      electrospray ionization.
AB  - The noncovalent tetrameric association of the protein streptavidin formed by
      electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry has been observed intact and
      dissociated in the gas phase. An extended mass-to-charge ratio range quadrupole
      mass spectrometer was employed to examine the effects of harsher conditions in
      the ESI atmosphere-vacuum interface region on the streptavidin tetramer.
      Thermally induced dissociation caused the mass spectra to exhibit a series of
      complementary monomer and trimer ions that correspond to decomposition of the
      tetrameric species. Similar results were obtained with tandem mass spectrometric
      experiments on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer by
      application of sustained off-resonance irradiation (SORI) on a selected
      tetrameric charge state. The technique of single-frequency quadrupole excitation
      was used to accomplish selected-ion accumulation of the 14 + charge state of the
      tetramer during ion injection. Subsequent low energy SORI combined with broadband
      quadrupole cooling produced the 7 + monomer and 7 + trimer species, as well as
      the 6 + monomer and 8 + trimer complementary ions. The observed asymmetric
      breakup of the tetramer is qualitatively explained by using physical models. 

PMID- 24214299
TI  - The bimolecular hydrogen-deuterium exchange behavior of protonated alkyl
      dipeptides in the gas phase.
AB  - As part of an ongoing characterization of the intrinsic chemical properties of
      peptides, thermal hydrogen-deuterium exchange has been studied for a series of
      fast-atom-bombardment-generated protonated alkyldipeptides and related model
      compounds in the reaction with D2O, CH3OD, and ND3 in a Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Despite the very large basicity difference
      between the dipeptides and the D2O and CH3OD exchange reagents, efficient
      exchange of all active hydrogen atoms occurs. From the kinetic data it appears
      that exchange of the amino, amide, and hydroxyl hydrogens proceeds with different
      efficiencies, which implies that the proton in thermal protonated dipeptides is
      immobile. The selectivity of the exchange at the different basic sites is
      governed by the nature of both the dipeptide and the exchange reagent. The
      results indicate that reversible proton transfer in the reaction complexes, which
      effectuates the deuterium incorporation, is assisted by formation of multiple
      hydrogen bonds between the reagents. Exchange is considered to proceed via the
      intermediacy of different competing intermediate complexes, each of which
      specifically leads to deuterium incorporation at different basic sites. The
      relative stabilization of the competing intermediate complexes can be related to
      the relative efficiencies of deuterium incorporation at different basic sites in
      the dipeptide. For all protonated dipeptides studied, the exchange in the
      reaction with ND3 proceeds with unit efficiency, whereas all active hydrogen
      atoms are exchanged equally efficiently. Evidently specific multiple hydrogen
      bond formations are far less important in the reversible proton transfers with
      the relatively basic ammonia, which allows effective randomization of all active
      hydrogen atoms in the reaction complexes. 

PMID- 24214300
TI  - Fingerprinting proteins coupled with polymers by mass spectrometry: Investigation
      of polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase.
AB  - Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry was
      investigated as a method for the rapid determination of the extent of polymer
      coupling in polyethylene glycol- (PEG) conjugated superoxide dismutase (SOD). PEG
      conjugated SOD, an antioxidant with an extended in vivo circulation lifetime
      compared to that of superoxide dismutase, is being evaluated as an effective
      therapeutic agent for the treatment of injuries and arthritis. The mass spectra
      of a standard batch of PEG-conjugated bovine SOD showed the presence of
      identifiable and well resolved peaks that correspond to 0-7 PEG molecules
      attached to bovine SOD. The area of each of the peaks provides a determination of
      the amount of PEG-conjugated SOD with a given number of bound PEG groups. SOD is
      a noncovalent dimer of two identical subunits that dissociates in MALDI. The
      information obtained in the mass spectra thus corresponds to a monomer of SOD.
      Each SOD monomer contains 10 lysines, which are the sites of PEG-conjugation.
      Multiple MALDI determinations of two batches of samples indicated good
      reproducibility for routine determination of the extent of polymer content. The
      amount of PEG-conjugated SOD that contained a given number of PEG molecules,
      determined by MALDI, was compared with the value deduced from the amount of PEG
      conjugation at each attachment site measured by a peptide mapping method.
      Agreement between the data obtained in the two techniques (MALDI and peptide
      mapping) indicates that MALDI may be used to obtain quantitative information on
      PEG-conjugated SOD to determine the amounts of PEG-conjugated protein each with a
      different number of PEG groups attached. Measurement of several batches of
      samples stored at a higher temperature showed a lower extent of PEG-conjugation
      in PEG-conjugated SOD. This reduction in the PEG content resulted from the PEG
      deconjugation of PEG-conjugated SOD at a higher temperature. Thus, MALDI can be
      used to examine the stability of PEG-conjugated SOD. The high sensitivity,
      relatively straightforward data interpretation, speed of analyses, and good
      reproducibility in measurements make this technique a useful analytical tool for
      fingerprinting PEG-conjugated SOD as well as potentially other polymer-conjugated
      proteins. 

PMID- 24214301
TI  - Fragmentation of protonated O,O-dimethyl O-aryl phosphorothionates in tandem mass
      spectral analysis.
AB  - A study was carried out on the fragmentation of 12 protonated O,O-dimethyl O-aryl
      phosphorothionates by tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry. Some of the studied
      compounds are used in agriculture as pesticides. Energy-resolved and pressure
      resolved experiments were performed on the [M + H](+) ions to investigate the
      dissociation behavior of the ions with various amounts of internal energy. On
      collisionally activated dissociation, the [M + H](+) ions decompose to yield the
      [M + H - CH3OH](+), (CH3O)2PS(+) (m/z 125), and (CH3O)2PO(+) (m/z 109) ions as
      major fragments. The ions [M + H - CH3OH](+) and (CH3O)2PS(+) probably arise from
      the [M + H](+) ions of the O,O-dimethyl O-aryl phosphorothionates with the proton
      on the sulfur or on the oxygen of the phenoxy group. The origin of the hydroxy
      proton of the methanol fragment was in many cases, surprisingly, the phenyl group
      and not the reagent gas. This was confirmed by using deuterated isobutane, C4D10,
      as reagent gas in Cl. The fragment ions (CH3O)2PO(+) and [ZPhS](+) are the
      results of thiono-thiolo rearrangement reaction. The precursor ion for the ion
      (CH3O)2PO(+) arises from most compounds upon chemical ionization, whereas the
      precursor ion for the ion [ZPhS](+) arises only from a few compounds upon
      chemical ionization. The observed fragments imply that several sites carry the
      extra proton and that these sites get the proton usually upon ionization. The
      stability order and some characteristics of three protomers of O,O-dimethyl O
      phenyl phosphorothionate were investigated by ab initio calculations at the RHF/3
      21G* level of theory. 

PMID- 24214302
TI  - Fragmentation of conjugate bases of esters derived from multifunctional alcohols
      including triacylglycerols.
AB  - Enolate anions of esters from 1,2 and 1,3 diols undergo an internal nucleophilic
      substitution reaction that produces a beta-ketoester and an alkoxide ion within
      the molecular species. These intermediate ions undergo two competitive
      fragmentation pathways. The first pathway corresponds to a second nucleophilic
      substitution of the ketoester by the alkoxide that yields a neutral cyclic ether
      and the beta-ketoacid carboxylate. The latter then loses carbon dioxide and
      produces the enolate anion of the corresponding ketone. The second proposed
      pathway is stepwise: it starts with a proton transfer from the methylene group
      between the two carbonyls to the alkoxide anion that produces an alcohol and the
      enolate ion of the beta-ketoester inside the molecular species. The latter
      undergoes cleavage of the ester bond induced by the negative charge to yield an
      ion-dipole complex composed of a neutral acylketene and an alkoxide ion. The
      direct dissociation of this ion-dipole complex competes with an internal proton
      exchange to yield a new complex that consists of an alcohol molecule and the
      anion of the acylketene, which can also dissociate. The fragmentation pathway
      that leads to the ketone enolate is sensitive to the relative positions (1,2 or
      1,3) of the esters on the molecular backbone. This position-sensitive reaction is
      useful for the assignment of the primary and secondary positions in
      triacylglycerols, even in mixtures, as shown by some examples. 

PMID- 24214303
TI  - Optimization of the Hewlett-Packard particle-beam liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry interface by statistical experimental design.
AB  - Optimization of both sensitivity and ionization softness for the Hewlett-Packard
      particle-beam liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry interface has been achieved
      by using a statistical experimental design with response surface modeling.
      Conditions for both optimized sensitivity and ionization softness were found to
      occur at 55-lb/in.(2) nebulizer flow, 35 degrees C desolvation chamber
      temperature with approximately 45% organic modifier in the presence of 0.02-F
      ammonium acetate and a liquid chromatography flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. 

PMID- 24214304
TI  - Ab initio calculations on 1,2-hydrogen shifts in the benzene radical cation and
      on carbon scrambling via an isomerization to the fulvene structure.
AB  - Multireference configuration interaction (MRCI//6-31G**) ab initio calculations
      show that the barrier for hydrogen scrambling in the benzene radical cation is
      about 50 kcal mol(-1). Once the internal energy is sufficient for a 1,2-hydrogen
      shift, the moving hydrogen can go to any position in the ring. The barrier for
      carbon scrambling via an isomerization to the fulvene structure is about 17 kcal
      mol(-1) higher than that for hydrogen scrambling. Both of these values are far
      below the dissociation limit. 

PMID- 24214305
TI  - Determination of the anomeric configuration of glycosyl esters of nucleoside
      pyrophosphates by fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Very low energy collision-induced dissociation of the deprotonated molecules of
      glycosyl esters of nucleoside pyrophosphates results in distinct fragmentation
      patterns that depend on the cis-trans configuration of the phosphodiester and 2"
      hydroxyl groups of the glycosyl residue. In tandem mass spectrometry, sugar
      nucleotides with cis configuration produce only one, very abundant fragment that
      corresponds to nucleoside monophosphate, whereas nucleotides with trans
      configuration give weak signals for the nucleoside di- and monophosphates and
      their dehydration products. This empirical rule holds for sugar nucleotides that
      have a free 2"-hydroxyl group and no alternative charge location. Owing to its
      simplicity, sensitivity, and tolerance of impurities, fast-atom bombardment
      tandem mass spectrometry represents a suitable method for determination of the
      anomeric linkage of glycosyl esters of nucleoside pyrophosphates if the absolute
      configuration of glycosyl residue is known and the compound fulfills the above
      mentioned requirements. 

PMID- 24214306
TI  - An electrospray ionization mass spectrometry study of copper adducts of
      protonated ubiquitin.
AB  - A study of the addition of Cu(II) to a ubiquitin electrospray solution shows that
      the copper ion in the ubiquitin remains doubly charged and displaces two protons
      on the protonated protein molecule. This observation indicates a chelating bond
      between the protein and the Cu(II) species. The addition of Cu(I) also was
      studied and significant intensity was observed for adducts with up to four Cu(I)
      species attached, with each Cu(I) bonded to one basic site on the protein. 

PMID- 24214307
TI  - Pentafluorobenzyl chloroformate derivatization for enhancement of detection of
      amino acids or alcohols by electron capture negative ion chemical ionization mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Pentafluorobenzyl chloroformate (PFB-chloroformate) has been utilized as a
      derivatization reagent to impart electron affinity and provide structurally
      relevant fragmentation in electron capture negative ion chemical ionization mass
      spectrometry (ECNICI-MS). Phenylalanine (Phe) and decanol were used as model
      analytes. The conditions used for their derivatization and the chromatographic
      and mass spectrometric properties of the derivatives are reported. Phenylalanine
      in aqueous solution was derivatized in one step by using PFB-chloroformate and a
      mixture of water, ethanol, and pyridine. The phenylalanine N-pentafluorobenzyl
      oxycarbonyl ethyl ester (N-PFBC-Phe-OEt) exhibited good gas chromatographic
      properties and in ECNICI-MS, a dominant [M - 181](-) fragment carries most of the
      ion current. Selected ion monitoring experiments on N-PFBC-Phe-OEt resulted in
      the facile detection of 400 fmol of material. Decanol was derivatized by using
      anhydrous conditions, and the resultant pentafluorobenzyl carbonate also
      exhibited a predominant [M - 181](-) ion in ECNICI-MS. Initial results indicate
      that the ECNICI-MS molar response of the decyl pentafluorobenzyl carbonate
      derivative is six-fold that of the decyl pentafluorobenzoate. 

PMID- 24214308
TI  - Ion-ion reactions in the gas phase: Proton transfer reactions of protonated
      pyridine with multiply charged oligonucleotide anions.
AB  - Isolated triply and doubly charged anions of the single-stranded deoxynucleotide
      5'-d(AAAA)-3' were allowed to undergo ion-ion proton transfer reactions with
      protonated pyridine cations within a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer.
      Sufficiently high ion number densities and spatial overlap of the oppositely
      charged ion clouds could be achieved to yield readily measurable rates. Three
      general observations were made: (1) the ion-ion reaction rate constants were
      estimated to be 10(- (7 - 8)) cm(3) ion(-1) s(-1); (2) the ion-ion reaction rates
      were found to be dependent on the reactant ion number density, which could be
      controlled by both the reactant ion number and the pseudopotential well depth,
      and (3) very little fragmentation, if any, was observed, as might normally be
      expected with highly exothermic proton transfer reactions. 

PMID- 24214309
TI  - High-resolution ion isolation with the ion cyclotron resonance capacitively
      coupled open cell.
AB  - For ion cyclotron resonance, a capacitively coupled open cell variant with
      fourfold radial symmetry was constructed and tested for axial excitation-ejection
      of large ions at high resolution. With a reverse of frequency sweep direction,
      this cell gave substantial improvements in signal-to-noise ratio due to
      linearization of the excitation electric field. Single isotopic peaks of
      ubiquitin (8.6-kDa) and carbonic anhydrase (29-kDa) molecular ions could be
      isolated by selective stored waveform inverse Fourier transform excitation, which
      yielded an order of magnitude higher isolation resolving power than previously
      achieved at high mass-to-charge ratio values. 

PMID- 24214310
TI  - MS fundamentals self-paced training, version B : Produced by Hewlett-Packard,
      Palo Alto, CA Available through SAVANT Audiovisuals, Inc. 801 East Chapman
      Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92634 1993, 1995, $595.

PMID- 24214312
TI  - 3-Methylflavones characterization revisited: complete assignment of 1H and 13C
      NMR data.
AB  - Ten 3-methylflavone derivatives were studied. Previously reported NMR data of
      some derivatives were corrected and/or completed, including the complete
      assignment of the two known natural derivatives. The complete (1)H and (13)C NMR
      assignments were achieved by combination of one-dimensional and two-dimensional
      NMR experiments.

PMID- 24214315
TI  - Similar relationship between the time course of bone mineral density improvement
      and vertebral fracture risk reduction with denosumab treatment in postmenopausal
      osteoporosis and prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy.
AB  - Denosumab has received approval in many countries and indications include
      treating women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) at increased or high risk
      for fracture and men at high risk for fracture receiving androgen deprivation
      therapy (ADT) for non-metastatic prostate cancer. Increases in total hip bone
      mineral density (BMD) with denosumab explained a large percentage of new
      vertebral fracture risk reduction in women with PMO; however, this effect has not
      been studied in men with prostate cancer receiving ADT. We compared the
      relationship between the time course of BMD changes and new vertebral fracture
      risk reduction with denosumab in women with PMO and men with prostate cancer.
      After adjusting for different baseline hazards, a significant and similar
      relationship between time course of total hip and lumbar spine BMD changes and
      new vertebral fracture risk was observed in both patient populations. Time course
      of total hip BMD changes with denosumab was the best predictor for changes in
      fracture risk and explained 88% of the new vertebral fracture risk reduction in
      women with PMO and 91% in men with prostate cancer. Therefore, total hip BMD is a
      useful surrogate to measure the clinical impact of denosumab on fracture risk
      reduction in both patient populations. 

PMID- 24214316
TI  - Systems biology-embedded target validation: improving efficacy in drug discovery.
AB  - The pharmaceutical industry is faced with a range of challenges with the ever
      escalating costs of drug development and a drying out of drug pipelines. By
      harnessing advances in -omics technologies and moving away from the standard,
      reductionist model of drug discovery, there is significant potential to reduce
      costs and improve efficacy. Embedding systems biology approaches in drug
      discovery, which seek to investigate underlying molecular mechanisms of potential
      drug targets in a network context, will reduce attrition rates by earlier target
      validation and the introduction of novel targets into the currently stagnant
      market. Systems biology approaches also have the potential to assist in the
      design of multidrug treatments and repositioning of existing drugs, while
      stratifying patients to give a greater personalization of medical treatment.

PMID- 24214318
TI  - The unmet need for philanthropic funding of early career cardiovascular
      investigators.
AB  - Philanthropic donations have funded scientific investigations of cardiovascular
      disease for much of human history, and the patrons who enabled them are
      indirectly responsible for major breakthroughs in the field. Today, however, the
      lion's share of funding for cardiovascular research in Western countries comes
      from the government, professional agencies, and industry. Rapid budget cuts at
      these traditional sources of financial support are having a devastating impact on
      the cardiovascular research infrastructure by slashing funding for investigators.
      A particularly unfortunate consequence is the discouraging effect this is having
      on early career investigators, who are the life-blood of future breakthroughs in
      the field, leading to the potential loss of an entire generation of researchers.
      Here, we summarize the challenges faced by emerging cardiovascular investigators,
      make a case for the unmet need for appropriately targeted philanthropic support
      for cardiovascular research, and provide a roadmap for solving the funding
      shortfall for these investigators. 

PMID- 24214317
TI  - Towards quantitation of the effects of renal impairment and probenecid inhibition
      on kidney uptake and efflux transporters, using physiologically based
      pharmacokinetic modelling and simulations.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The kidney is a major drug-eliminating organ. Renal
      impairment or concomitant use of transporter inhibitors may decrease active
      secretion and increase exposure to a drug that is a substrate of kidney secretory
      transporters. However, prediction of the effects of patient factors on kidney
      transporters remains challenging because of the multiplicity of transporters and
      the lack of understanding of their abundance and specificity. The objective of
      this study was to use physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling to
      evaluate the effects of patient factors on kidney transporters. METHODS: Models
      for three renally cleared drugs (oseltamivir carboxylate, cidofovir and
      cefuroxime) were developed using a general PBPK platform, with the contributions
      of net basolateral uptake transport (T up,b) and apical efflux transport (T
      eff,a) being specifically defined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the
      practical use of PBPK models to: (1) define transporter-mediated renal secretion,
      using plasma and urine data; (2) inform a change in the system-dependent
      parameter (>=10-fold reduction in the functional 'proximal tubule cells per gram
      kidney') in severe renal impairment that is responsible for the decreased
      secretory transport activities of test drugs; (3) derive an in vivo, plasma
      unbound inhibition constant of T up,b by probenecid (<=1 MUM), based on observed
      drug interaction data; and (4) suggest a plausible mechanism of probenecid
      preferentially inhibiting T up,b in order to alleviate cidofovir-induced
      nephrotoxicity.

PMID- 24214319
TI  - Women, resources, and dispersal in nineteenth-century Sweden.
AB  - In a recent study, female dispersal in nineteenth-century Sweden has been found
      to correlate negatively with access to resources: women with limited access to
      local resources tended to migrate more frequently. In this paper I review the
      literature to explore whether this observed correlation was derived from a
      relationship in which a woman's limited access to resources worsened her position
      in the marriage market and led to migration, as a strategy to improve resources
      and this position. Many studies within a variety of disciplines indicate that a
      woman's propensity to disperse from her parish of birth variedinversely with her
      propensity to inherit resources. My review of the literature suggests that the
      less likely a woman was to inherit resources, the lower her probability of
      marriage, the later her expected age at marriage, and the earlier she left home,
      presumably to improve her resource base for marriage. 

PMID- 24214320
TI  - Trivers-willard rules for sex allocation : When do they maximize expected
      grandchildren in humans?
AB  - We present a quantitative model of sex allocation to investigate whether the
      simple "rules of thumb" suggested by Trivers and Willard (1973) would really
      maximize numbers of grandchildren in human populations. Using demographic data
      from the !Kung of southern Africa and the basic assumptions of the Trivers
      Willard hypothesis, we calculate expected numbers of grandchildren based on age-
      and sex-specific reproductive value. Patterns of parental investment that would
      maximize numbers of expected grandchildren often differ from the Trivers-Willard
      rules. In particular, the optimum parental behavior is sensitive to population
      dynamics, type of parental investment, and, most important, relative ages of sons
      and daughters. It is doubtful whether a parent blindly following the simple
      Trivers-Willard rules would maximize numbers of expected grandchildren, on
      average. In addition, we show that sex-specific infanticide will almost never
      achieve the goal of maximizing expected numbers of grandchildren. 

PMID- 24214321
TI  - Relationships between the human sex ratio and the woman's microenvironment : Four
      tests.
AB  - Independent samples of women were surveyed to test Trivers and Willard's
      hypothesis that the mother's condition and her ability to invest in her offspring
      affect the (secondary) sex ratio of her offspring. Patterns of sex ratios (number
      of males per 100 females) were analyzed in conjunction with four attributes of a
      mother's microenvironment: level of health in her community, family structure,
      relative access to resources, and her birthing history. The results inferentially
      support the hypothesis that the microenvironment of the woman would act to bias
      the sex ratio of her offspring. These specific data lend support to Trivers and
      Willard's general hypothesis. 

PMID- 24214322
TI  - Tattoos and male alliances.

PMID- 24214323
TI  - Hormonal changes accompanying sexual maturation in captive milkfish (Chanos
      chanos Forsskal).
AB  - Steroid hormone profiles accompanying sexual maturation in captive milkfish are
      described. There were no significant differences in levels of serum estradiol 17
      beta (E2) and testosterone (T) between immature male and female fish. Mean E2
      levels rose from 0.54+/-0.11 ng/ml in immature females (Stage 1) to 4.53+/-1.16
      ng/ml in vitellogenic females (Stage 5), while T levels increased from 2.06+/
      0.28 ng/ml to 38.4+/-9.26 ng/ml. E2 and T levels were positively correlated to
      GSI and oocyte diameter. In males, serum T levels increased from 2.5+/-0.40 ng/ml
      in immature males to 27.73+/-5.02 ng/ml in spermiating males. A significantly
      higher T level was found in males with thick and scantly milt (spermiation index,
      SPI, 2) compared to males with scanty milt (SPI, 1) or males with copious, fluid
      milt (SPI, 3).Serum levels of E2 and T, and the GSI in females rose significantly
      during the breeding season (April-June 1983). The levels of both steroids dropped
      below 1 ng/ml in spent females sampled in succeeding months. In immature males, T
      levels ranged from 1.11 ng/ml to 2.78 ng/ml and rose significantly to 21.52+/
      8.38 ng/ml during the breeding season when GSI peaked. Serum T levels dropped to
      around 10 ng/ml in the succeeding months when only spent or regressed males were
      sampled. 

PMID- 24214324
TI  - Angiotensins stimulate in vitro ovulation and contraction of brook trout
      (Salvelinus fontinalis) follicles.
AB  - The effects of salmon angiotensin I (sAI) and human angiotensin II (hAII) on in
      vitro ovulation of preovulatory (preOV) brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
      follicles were investigated. Both angiotensins increased levels of ovulation
      above that in controls after 12 hours of incubation. The increase was
      statistically significant in incubates with greater than 1 MUM hAII. The effects
      of the angiotensins on follicle contraction were also studied indirectly by
      measuring the decrease in weight of punctured follicles taken prior to germinal
      vesicle breakdown. At 1 MUM, both angiotensins significantly decreased the weight
      of punctured follicles after 16 hours of incubation. The angiotensin-stimulated
      decrease in weight was not blocked by indomethacin (10 MUg/ml), indicating that
      follicle contraction was not prostaglandin-dependent. The data indicate that
      angiotensins might be directly involved in brook trout ovulation and the
      stimulatory effects of angiotensins on ovulation may be attributed to their
      effects on follicle contraction. 

PMID- 24214325
TI  - Monosaccharides as energy resources during motility of spermatozoa in Leuciscus
      cephalus (Cyprinidae, Teleostei).
AB  - Spermatozoa of Leuciscus cephalus have the enzymatic outfit for glycolysis but
      lack lipase, phospholipase and glucosidase activities. Therefore, they are not
      able to utilize lipids and polysaccharides as energy resources. During motility
      they use monosaccharides as energy reservoirs: the intracellular glucose,
      galactose and fructose levels decrease significantly while lactate levels
      increase. 

PMID- 24214326
TI  - The cytochrome P450 system of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): II. Variations in
      hepatic catalytic activities and isozyme patterns during an annual reproductive
      cycle.
AB  - A group of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was followed through their first year of
      maturation and spawning. At monthly intervals, starting with juvenile fish in
      December, 5-7 fish of each sex were killed, and liver and plasma were sampled.
      The last sampling point was of spawning fish in November a year later. Variables
      in the cytochrome P450 (P450) system were studied in hepatic microsomes, and
      estradiol 17beta was measured in the plasma of females to assess the maturational
      status. The P450 1A1-mediated 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) started at
      high levels in winter, but decreased to non-detectable activities in pre-spawning
      females. Decreases, but not to the same extent, were also observed during this
      period in total cytochrome P450, cytochrome b5, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase,
      and in the content of two immunochemically determined P450 isozymes. At the same
      time, LSI levels increased in maturing females (starting in July), and GSI levels
      increased in both sexes (starting in May). Sex specific differences were observed
      in pre-spawning fish in September and October, with levels of total P450, b5,
      NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, EROD and P450 isozymes significantly lower in
      females. At the same time, plasma estradiol-17beta levels reached peak values in
      females. The results point to the important role of sex steroids such as
      estradiol-17beta as major factors in the regulation of final sexual maturation.
      However, this study also indicates that there may be estradiol-17beta independent
      events of equal importance in the early stages of gonadal maturation that may
      involve the P450 system. The changes observed in the P450 system (as a major drug
      and steroid metabolizing system) of Atlantic salmon during sexual maturation may
      be of importance both in the endogenous transduction of hormonal signals, and as
      a pharmacological basis for designing therapeutic treatment of diseases in the
      aquaculture industry. 

PMID- 24214327
TI  - Utilization of dietary starch and glucose tolerance in juvenile chinook salmon
      (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) of different strains in seawater.
AB  - Juvenile chinook salmon of three strains responded to inclusion of 28.7% of
      gelatinized starch in the diet with different degrees of reduction in growth rate
      and feed efficiency relative to control fish of the respective strains fed a low
      starch, high-lipid diet of similar protein (46%) and estimated metabolizable
      energy content (16 mJ/kg). The productive protein value of the diet was not
      reduced to the same extent by the high intake of starch. Carcasses of fish fed
      the high-starch diet contained higher concentrations of protein and lower
      concentrations of lipid than control fish. The accumulation of liver glycogen in
      response to the high-starch diet differed among strains. Glucose tolerance curves
      also varied among strains but were poorly correlated with plasma concentrations
      of insulin. Tolerance to glucose loading was improved in fish previously fed the
      high-starch diet. 

PMID- 24214328
TI  - The minimum dietary requirement of vitamin C in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry
      using Ca ascorbate-2-monophosphate as dietary source.
AB  - The minimum dietary vitamin C requirement for optimal growth and normal
      development in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry at the onset of feeding was
      studied, using Ca ascorbate-2-monophosphate (AP) as dietary source. The
      requirement was established by means of a feeding study lasting for 23 weeks from
      the beginning of feeding. The practical diets used were supplemented with AP at
      levels of 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg ascorbic acid (AA) equivalents/kg. Growth,
      mortality, hydroxyproline content in skin and backbone, and AA in liver were
      recorded to evaluate the results. The results suggest that the minimum dietary
      requirement for optimal growth and normal development is in the range of 10-20 mg
      AA equivalents/kg dry diet during the period studied. 

PMID- 24214329
TI  - The influence of dietary energy levels with and without PCB induction on the
      growth of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticos x O. aureus.
AB  - The effects of three dietary energy levels, 323, 365 and 408 Kcal/100g diet, on
      the growth performance of hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus, were
      studied. The experiment was carried out for 3 months in a recirculating rearing
      system. Growth and feed conversion ratios were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in
      fish exposed to 100 ppm polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), fed high energy diets
      (365 and 408 Kcal/100g diet). The hepatic cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome c
      reductase activities were also significantly (p<0.05) lower in PCB-treated fish
      fed high energy diets (365 and 408 Kcal/100g diet) than fish fed lower energy
      diet (323 Kcal/100g diet). The malic enzyme activity and the body lipid content
      in fish generally increased as the dietary energy level increased. 

PMID- 24214330
TI  - Interrelationships between gill chloride cell morphology and calcium uptake in
      freshwater teleosts.
AB  - The involvement of the freshwater fish gill chloride cells (CCs) in trans
      branchial calcium uptake (JinCa(2+)) was investigated. This was accomplished by
      assessing the interspecific relationships between the apical surface area of CCs
      exposed to the external environment and JinCa(2+). Three species of freshwater
      teleosts, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), the American eel (Anguilla
      rostrata) and the brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus), were used.
      Chronic (ten-day) treatment with cortisol in each species was used as a tool to
      evoke variations in both JinCa(2+) and gill CC morphology in order to assess
      intraspecific relationships between CC surface area and JinCa(2+). The results of
      quantitative morphometry, based on analysis of scanning electron micrographs,
      demonstrated that catfish possessed the lowest fractional area of exposed CC
      (CCFA) on the gill filament epithelium (12,744 +/- 2248 MUm(2)/mm(2)) and was
      followed, in increasing order, by American eel (21,355 +/- 981 MUm(2)/mm(2)) and
      rainbow trout (149,928 +/- 26,545 MUm(2)/mm(2)). With the exception of catfish,
      chronic treatment with cortisol caused significant increases in CCFA owing to
      proliferation of CCs and/or enlargement of individual CCs (eel only). The rates
      of JinCa(2+) closely reflected the CC fractional area in each species. The
      results of correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between CC
      fractional area and JinCa(2+) in trout and eel. Owing to the absence of an effect
      of cortisol treatment, there was no significant correlation in catfish because of
      insufficient variation in CC fractional area in this species. CC fractional area
      was significantly correlated with JinCa(2+) among the three species examined.
      These results suggest that CC is involved in calcium uptake in freshwater
      teleosts and that both intra- and interspecific differences in the rates of
      calcium uptake can be accounted for by variability in the surface area of exposed
      CCs on the gill epithelia. 

PMID- 24214331
TI  - A specific inhibitor of mammalian kallikrein, Phe-Phe-Arg-chloromethyl ketone,
      inhibits the production of vasoactive substances from trout plasma by kallikrein
      and blocks endogenous kallikrein-like activity in trout gills.
AB  - The cardiovascular effects of the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) have not been
      completely characterized in lower vertebrates. In the present study, a specific,
      irreversible kallikrein inhibitor, Phe-Phe-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (PPACMK) was
      used to examine: 1. the role of the KKS in blood pressure regulation in vivo; 2.
      the nature of the pressor substance formed by the action of kallikrein on trout
      plasma in vivo and in vitro; and 3. the presence of kallikrein in trout gills and
      kidney. Dorsal aortic cannulated rainbow trout were used for in vivo blood
      pressure assays and two colorimetric serine-protease assays were used to examine
      tissue kallikrein activity. PPACMK alone had no effect on blood pressure in vivo.
      Pretreatment of porcine kallikrein with PPACMK inhibited the enzyme's pressor
      effect in trout by 80% and significantly attenuated the synthesis of vasopressor
      substance(s) from heat-treated trout plasma in vitro. Approximately 30% of gill
      serine protease activity was inhibited by pretreatment with PPACMK; no PPACMK
      sensitive kallikrein activity was observed in the kidney. Salt water adaptation
      did not affect kallikrein-specific activity in the gill. These results show that
      the salmonid KKS does not appear to be involved in the regulation of systemic
      blood pressure. Further, the formation of pressor substances from trout plasma in
      vivo and in vitro is due to kallikrein activity and the peptides generated are
      similar. A kallikrein, similar to the mammalian enzyme, is found in trout gills,
      suggesting that the salmonid KKS may be a local mediator of gill function. 

PMID- 24214332
TI  - Temperature shifts induce adaptive changes in the physical state of carp
      (Cyprinus carpio L.) erythrocyte plasma membranes in vitro.
AB  - Blood, freshly collected from warm- and cold-acclimated carp, Cyprinus carpio L.,
      was cooled to 5 degrees C for 4h or warmed to 25 degrees C for 4h, respectively,
      and the fluorescence anisotropy of washed red blood cells was recorded using the
      fluorescent dye 3-(p-(6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatrienyl) phenyl propionic acid [DPH-PA]
      (which is restricted to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane) before and
      after the temperature shift. Despite individual variation, the plasma membrane of
      cold-exposed erythrocytes became more fluid while that of warm-exposed cells
      became more rigid following the temperature shift. This response was rapid and
      reversible. Cold-exposed cells from warm-acclimated fish became more fluid within
      40-60 minutes and reverted to their original fluidity within the same time on
      warming, at a rate of 1 degrees C/min; erythrocytes, from cold-adapted carp
      displayed an opposite change in fluidity over a similar time period. Cells from
      warm-acclimated, temperature down-shifted carp hyperfluidized their plasma
      membranes in the cold, whereas cells from cold-acclimated fish up-shifted in
      temperature showed no similar effect. These cells showed a complete adjustment of
      membrane physical state to the temperature. Total phospholipids obtained from
      warm-acclimated temperature down-shifted cells became more rigid than they were,
      when assayed at the acclimation temperature. In contrast, phospholipids obtained
      from cold-acclimated cells became more rigid when exposed to increasing
      temperatures. No significant changes occurred to the polar head groups, or to the
      fatty acid composition of the total phospholipids. It was concluded that the
      lipids play only a secondary role in the control of the physical state of plasma
      membrane in carp erythrocytes, and that some non-lipid components of these
      structures might be involved in these regulatory processes. 

PMID- 24214333
TI  - Chiral-at-metal octahedral iridium catalyst for the asymmetric construction of an
      all-carbon quaternary stereocenter.

PMID- 24214334
TI  - N2 and P3 potentials in early-onset and late-onset patients with obsessive
      compulsive disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Impaired cognitive control processes may be central in the
      pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Our objective was to
      evaluate cognitive control processes with event-related potentials in early-onset
      OCD (EO) and late-onset OCD (LO), which are suggested to have distinct
      characteristics. METHODS: Participants were unmedicated EO (n = 26) and LO
      patients (n = 33) without comorbid psychopathology and healthy controls (n = 54).
      Go/No-go tasks with 50 and 80% Go trial probabilities were implemented to
      manipulate the strength of response conflict and inhibitory demands. RESULTS: LO
      patients had shorter N2 latencies than controls and did not show the N2 amplitude
      increase seen in controls with the increase in Go trial probability as suggestive
      of abnormal conflict monitoring processes. Both EO and LO patients showed smaller
      P3 increase than controls with the increase in Go trial probability, suggesting
      problems in modifying attentional control with changes in task demands. P3 was
      more anteriorly distributed in LO patients than controls. Additionally, P3
      increase, with the increase in Go trial probability, was larger in frontal and
      central sites than in parietal sites in controls, whereas in EO patients it was
      almost homogenous across anteroposterior sites. CONCLUSIONS: N2 processes were
      affected only in LO, whereas P3 processes were affected in both EO and LO,
      although, somewhat differently. P3 distributions suggest that EO and LO patients
      have differences concerning the contributions of frontal and parietal components
      of attentional networks to the execution of Go/No-go tasks. Our results imply
      that EO and LO are distinct subtypes affecting the cognitive control systems
      differently.

PMID- 24214335
TI  - Drug-induced angioedema: experience of Italian emergency departments.
AB  - Acute angioedema represents a cause of admission to the emergency department
      requiring rapid diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent airway
      obstruction. Several drugs, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
      (ACE-I), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral antidiabetics,
      have been reported to induce angioedema. The aim of this prospective
      observational study conducted in a setting of routine emergency care was to
      evaluate the incidence and extent of drug-induced non-histaminergic angioedema in
      this specific clinical setting, and to identify the class of drugs possibly
      associated with angioedema. Patients admitted to seven different emergency
      departments (EDs) in Rome with the diagnosis of angioedema and urticaria were
      enrolled during a 6-month period. Of the 120,000 patients admitted at the EDs,
      447 (0.37 %) were coded as having angioedema and 655 (0.5 %) as having urticaria.
      After accurate clinical review, 62 cases were defined as drug-induced, non
      histaminergic angioedema. NSAIDs were the most frequent drugs (taken by 22 out of
      62 patients) associated with the angioedema attack. Of the remaining patients, 15
      received antibiotic treatment and 10 antihypertensive treatment. In addition, we
      observed in our series some cases of angioedema associated with drugs (such as
      antiasthmatics, antidiarrheal and antiepileptics) of which there are few
      descriptions in the literature. The present data, which add much needed
      information to the existing limited literature on drug-induced angioedema in the
      clinical emergency department setting, will provide more appropriate diagnosis
      and management of this potentially life-threatening adverse event. 

PMID- 24214336
TI  - Serum uric acid is inversely proportional to estimated stroke volume and cardiac
      output in a large sample of pharmacologically untreated subjects: data from the
      Brisighella Heart Study.
AB  - Serum uric acid is representative for xanthine-oxidase, the key enzyme involved
      in the production of uric acid, which is up-regulated in the failing heart, and
      may play an important role in the pathophysiologic process that leads to heart
      failure. In our study, we investigated the relation between stroke volume,
      cardiac output and serum uric acid in a large sample of overall healthy
      pharmacologically untreated subjects. The Brisighella Heart Study included 2,939
      men and women between the ages of 14-84 without prior coronary heart disease or
      cerebrovascular disease who were not taking antihypertensive therapy at baseline.
      For this study, we selected 734 adult subjects enrolled in the last Brisighella
      population survey not taking antihypertensive, antidiabetic, lipid-lowering and
      uric acid-lowering drugs, and who were also not affected by chronic heart failure
      or by gout. The main predictors of cardiac functionality parameters were mean
      arterial pressure (MAP), HR, SUA and age (all p < 0.001), while gender, BMI, LDL
      cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, creatinine,
      estimated glomerular filtration rate, physical activity and smoking habit were
      not significantly associated (all p > 0.05). In particular, there is a strong
      relation between estimated cardiac output and serum uric acid (B = -0.219, p <
      0.001) and between stroke volume and serum uric acid (B = -3.684, p < 0.001).
      These observations might have an impact on future considerations about serum uric
      acid as an early inexpensive marker of heart function decline in the general
      population.

PMID- 24214337
TI  - Meloxicam-induced thrombocytopenia.
AB  - Immune thrombocytopenia can have several causes including the use of certain
      drugs. Thrombocytopenia has been documented as a rare adverse effect of some
      nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including diclofenac, naproxen, and
      ibuprofen. However, only one previously documented case of meloxicam-associated
      thrombocytopenia has been reported in the literature. We describe an 84-year-old
      woman who developed a case of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia that was
      attributed to meloxicam therapy. The patient's platelet count decreased from a
      baseline of 267 * 10(3) /mm(3) to 2 * 10(3) /mm(3) 1 week after she received her
      first lifetime dose of meloxicam. She also experienced black stools and bruising
      that coincided with the meloxicam administration. The almost immediate onset of
      thrombocytopenia and symptoms after initiation of meloxicam, as well as the
      marked reduction in her platelet count, suggest an idiosyncratic reaction.
      According to the Hill criteria for assessing causality of adverse drug events, it
      is plausible that this reaction was due to meloxicam. Health care providers
      should be aware of the possibility of thrombocytopenia secondary to NSAID therapy
      including meloxicam. Immune thrombocytopenia can be life threatening if it is not
      identified and treated promptly. A thorough medication history is particularly
      important when patients present with unusual symptoms, with a focus on those
      drugs that have been recently initiated. Although thrombocytopenia is a rare
      adverse effect of NSAID therapy, it should be considered a potential cause in
      patients receiving these drugs who have signs and symptoms consistent with this
      blood dyscrasia. 

PMID- 24214338
TI  - DNA methylation and demethylation: a pathway to gametogenesis and development.
AB  - The generation of gametes falls between two reprogramming phases. These phases
      are characterised by profound periods of transcriptional activity, which define
      and reinforce lineage decisions. The control of these transcriptional programs
      and the interpretation of the underlying genetic instruction is the task of the
      epigenome. As such, dynamic processes during reprogramming are critical for the
      development of the germ line and its resetting, which propels that developmental
      process forward and provides the transfer of genetic and epigenetic information
      between generations. Central in this reprogramming is the addition and
      subtraction of DNA methylation and its oxidative products, coupled to the
      mechanisms at play to achieve this goal. The activities competent to add DNA
      methylation, and identification of those enzymes able to modify it, have heralded
      a new chapter in our understanding of the complexities that dictate and direct
      cellular fates. How the early embryos makes use of these marks and how they are
      modulated will give us insight into cellular differentiation and reprogramming
      critical for health and into the process of aging. This review details some of
      these processes and the activities essential to achieve the immortality of the
      mammalian germ line.

PMID- 24214339
TI  - Recombination and annealing pathways compete for substrates in making rrn
      duplications in Salmonella enterica.
AB  - Tandem genetic duplications arise frequently between the seven directly repeated
      5.5-kb rrn loci that encode ribosomal RNAs in Salmonella enterica. The closest
      rrn genes, rrnB and rrnE, flank a 40-kb region that includes the purHD operon.
      Duplications of purHD arise by exchanges between rrn loci and form at a high rate
      (10(-3)/cell/division) that remains high in strains blocked for early steps in
      recombination (recA, recB, and/or recF), but drops 30-fold in mutants blocked for
      later Holliday junction resolution (ruvC recG). The duplication defect of a ruvC
      recG mutant was fully corrected by an added mutation in any one of the recA,
      recB, or recF genes. To explain these results, we propose that early
      recombination defects activate an alternative single-strand annealing pathway for
      duplication formation. In wild-type cells, rrn duplications form primarily by the
      action of RecFORA on single-strand gaps. Double-strand breaks cannot initiate rrn
      duplications because rrn loci lack Chi sites, which are essential for
      recombination between two separated rrn sequences. A recA or recF mutation allows
      unrepaired gaps to accumulate such that different rrn loci can provide single
      strand rrn sequences that lack the RecA coating that normally inhibits annealing.
      A recB mutation activates annealing by allowing double-strand ends within rrn to
      avoid digestion by RecBCD and provide a new source of rrn ends for use in
      annealing. The equivalent high rates of rrn duplication by recombination and
      annealing pathways may reflect a limiting economy of gaps and breaks arising in
      heavily transcribed, palindrome-rich rrn sequences. 

PMID- 24214340
TI  - Implicating SCF complexes in organogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - Development of the Caenorhabditis elegans foregut (pharynx) is regulated by a
      network of proteins that includes the Retinoblastoma protein (pRb) ortholog LIN
      35; the ubiquitin pathway components UBC-18 and ARI-1; and PHA-1, a cytoplasmic
      protein. Loss of pha-1 activity impairs pharyngeal development and body
      morphogenesis, leading to embryonic arrest. We have used a genetic suppressor
      approach to dissect this complex pathway. The lethality of pha-1 mutants is
      suppressed by loss-of-function mutations in sup-35/ztf-21 and sup-37/ztf-12,
      which encode Zn-finger proteins, and by mutations in sup-36. Here we show that
      sup-36 encodes a divergent Skp1 family member that binds to several F-box
      proteins and the microtubule-associated protein PLT-1/tau. Like SUP-35, SUP-36
      levels were negatively regulated by UBC-18-ARI-1. We also found that SUP-35 and
      SUP-37 physically associated and that SUP-35 could bind microtubules. Thus, SUP
      35, SUP-36, and SUP-37 may function within a pathway or complex that includes
      cytoskeletal components. Additionally, SUP-36 may regulate the subcellular
      localization of SUP-35 during embryogenesis. We carried out a genome-wide RNAi
      screen to identify additional regulators of this network and identified 39 genes,
      most of which are associated with transcriptional regulation. Twenty-three of
      these genes acted via the LIN-35 pathway. In addition, several S-phase kinase
      associated protein (Skp)1-Cullin-F-Box (SCF) components were identified, further
      implicating SCF complexes as part of the greater network controlling pharyngeal
      development. 

PMID- 24214341
TI  - Dual phosphorylation of cdk1 coordinates cell proliferation with key
      developmental processes in Drosophila.
AB  - Eukaryotic organisms use conserved checkpoint mechanisms that regulate Cdk1 by
      inhibitory phosphorylation to prevent mitosis from interfering with DNA
      replication or repair. In metazoans, this checkpoint mechanism is also used for
      coordinating mitosis with dynamic developmental processes. Inhibitory
      phosphorylation of Cdk1 is catalyzed by Wee1 kinases that phosphorylate tyrosine
      15 (Y15) and dual-specificity Myt1 kinases found only in metazoans that
      phosphorylate Y15 and the adjacent threonine (T14) residue. Despite partially
      redundant roles in Cdk1 inhibitory phosphorylation, Wee1 and Myt1 serve
      specialized developmental functions that are not well understood. Here, we
      expressed wild-type and phospho-acceptor mutant Cdk1 proteins to investigate how
      biochemical differences in Cdk1 inhibitory phosphorylation influence Drosophila
      imaginal development. Phosphorylation of Cdk1 on Y15 appeared to be crucial for
      developmental and DNA damage-induced G2-phase checkpoint arrest, consistent with
      other evidence that Myt1 is the major Y15-directed Cdk1 inhibitory kinase at this
      stage of development. Expression of non-inhibitable Cdk1 also caused chromosome
      defects in larval neuroblasts that were not observed with Cdk1(Y15F) mutant
      proteins that were phosphorylated on T14, implicating Myt1 in a novel mechanism
      promoting genome stability. Collectively, these results suggest that dual
      inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdk1 by Myt1 serves at least two functions during
      development. Phosphorylation of Y15 is essential for the premitotic checkpoint
      mechanism, whereas T14 phosphorylation facilitates accumulation of dually
      inhibited Cdk1-Cyclin B complexes that can be rapidly activated once checkpoint
      arrested G2-phase cells are ready for mitosis. 

PMID- 24214342
TI  - Environment determines epistatic patterns for a ssDNA virus.
AB  - Despite the accumulation of substantial quantities of information about epistatic
      interactions among both deleterious and beneficial mutations in a wide array of
      experimental systems, neither consistent patterns nor causal explanations for
      these interactions have yet emerged. Furthermore, the effects of mutations depend
      on the environment in which they are characterized, implying that the environment
      may also influence epistatic interactions. Recent work with beneficial mutations
      for the single-stranded DNA bacteriophage ID11 demonstrated that interactions
      between pairs of mutations could be understood by means of a simple model that
      assumes that mutations have additive phenotypic effects and that epistasis arises
      through a nonlinear phenotype-fitness map with a single intermediate optimum. To
      determine whether such a model could also explain changes in epistatic patterns
      associated with changes in environment, we measured epistatic interactions for
      these same mutations under conditions for which we expected to find the wild-type
      ID11 at different distances from its phenotypic optimum by assaying fitnesses at
      three different temperatures: 33 degrees , 37 degrees , and 41 degrees .
      Epistasis was present and negative under all conditions, but became more
      pronounced as temperature increased. We found that the additive-phenotypes model
      explained these patterns as changes in the parameters of the phenotype-fitness
      map, but that a model that additionally allows the phenotypes to vary across
      temperatures performed significantly better. Our results show that ostensibly
      complex patterns of fitness effects and epistasis across environments can be
      explained by assuming a simple structure for the genotype-phenotype relationship.

PMID- 24214343
TI  - Estimation of the spontaneous mutation rate per nucleotide site in a Drosophila
      melanogaster full-sib family.
AB  - We employed deep genome sequencing of two parents and 12 of their offspring to
      estimate the mutation rate per site per generation in a full-sib family of
      Drosophila melanogaster recently sampled from a natural population. Sites that
      were homozygous for the same allele in the parents and heterozygous in one or
      more offspring were categorized as candidate mutations and subjected to detailed
      analysis. In 1.23 * 10(9) callable sites from 12 individuals, we confirmed six
      single nucleotide mutations. We estimated the false negative rate in the
      experiment by generating synthetic mutations using the empirical distributions of
      numbers of nonreference bases at heterozygous sites in the offspring. The
      proportion of synthetic mutations at callable sites that we failed to detect was
      <1%, implying that the false negative rate was extremely low. Our estimate of the
      point mutation rate is 2.8 * 10(-9) (95% confidence interval = 1.0 * 10(-9) - 6.1
      * 10(-9)) per site per generation, which is at the low end of the range of
      previous estimates, and suggests an effective population size for the species of
      ~1.4 * 10(6). At one site, point mutations were present in two individuals,
      indicating that there had been a premeiotic mutation cluster, although
      surprisingly one individual had a G->A transition and the other a G->T
      transversion, possibly associated with error-prone mismatch repair. We also
      detected three short deletion mutations and no insertions, giving a deletion
      mutation rate of 1.2 * 10(-9) (95% confidence interval = 0.7 * 10(-9) - 11 * 10(
      9)). 

PMID- 24214345
TI  - General triallelic frequency spectrum under demographic models with variable
      population size.
AB  - It is becoming routine to obtain data sets on DNA sequence variation across
      several thousands of chromosomes, providing unprecedented opportunity to infer
      the underlying biological and demographic forces. Such data make it vital to
      study summary statistics that offer enough compression to be tractable, while
      preserving a great deal of information. One well-studied summary is the site
      frequency spectrum-the empirical distribution, across segregating sites, of the
      sample frequency of the derived allele. However, most previous theoretical work
      has assumed that each site has experienced at most one mutation event in its
      genealogical history, which becomes less tenable for very large sample sizes. In
      this work we obtain, in closed form, the predicted frequency spectrum of a site
      that has experienced at most two mutation events, under very general assumptions
      about the distribution of branch lengths in the underlying coalescent tree. Among
      other applications, we obtain the frequency spectrum of a triallelic site in a
      model of historically varying population size. We demonstrate the utility of our
      formulas in two settings: First, we show that triallelic sites are more sensitive
      to the parameters of a population that has experienced historical growth,
      suggesting that they will have use if they can be incorporated into demographic
      inference. Second, we investigate a recently proposed alternative mechanism of
      mutation in which the two derived alleles of a triallelic site are created
      simultaneously within a single individual, and we develop a test to determine
      whether it is responsible for the excess of triallelic sites in the human genome.

PMID- 24214346
TI  - The psychophysical assessment of odor valence: does an anchor stimulus influence
      the hedonic evaluation of odors?
AB  - Olfactory stimuli are experienced primarily in terms of their hedonic tone and
      the assessment of olfactory hedonic estimates is a prevalent task in scientific
      and industrial contexts. However, measuring conditions are poorly standardized.
      Our study aims to fill this gap, focusing on the influence of anchor stimuli on
      olfactory hedonic evaluations, frequency of anchor presentation, and temporal
      stability of results. In n = 31 subjects, hedonic estimates for the 16 odors of
      the Sniffin' Sticks identification task were assessed on a visual analog rating
      scale under 4 measuring conditions (nonanchor, pleasant anchor, neutral anchor,
      unpleasant anchor). To test for stability over time, n = 10 subjects were
      reassessed 2, 4, and 6 months after original testing. To analyze for possible
      effects of single versus repeated anchor presentation, n = 15 subjects were
      retested 2 months after the original session in a multiple anchor presentation
      format. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the 4
      anchor conditions, thus highlighting the necessity of specifying assessment
      methods in scientific research. No significant differences between timepoints
      were observed, indicating a high temporal stability of olfactory hedonic
      evaluations, especially from timepoint T2 onward. No overall significant effects
      of single versus multiple anchor presentation were detected. Findings might help
      to further standardize testing procedures. 

PMID- 24214344
TI  - Insights into dynamic mitotic chromatin organization through the NIMA kinase
      suppressor SonC, a chromatin-associated protein involved in the DNA damage
      response.
AB  - The nuclear pore complex proteins SonA and SonB, the orthologs of mammalian RAE1
      and NUP98, respectively, were identified in Aspergillus nidulans as cold
      sensitive suppressors of a temperature-sensitive allele of the essential mitotic
      NIMA kinase (nimA1). Subsequent analyses found that sonB1 mutants exhibit
      temperature-dependent DNA damage sensitivity. To understand this pathway further,
      we performed a genetic screen to isolate additional conditional DNA damage
      sensitive suppressors of nimA1. We identified two new alleles of SonA and four
      intragenic nimA mutations that suppress the temperature sensitivity of the nimA1
      mutant. In addition, we identified SonC, a previously unstudied binuclear zinc
      cluster protein involved with NIMA and the DNA damage response. Like sonA and
      sonB, sonC is an essential gene. SonC localizes to nuclei and partially disperses
      during mitosis. When the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) undergoes mitotic
      condensation and removal from the nucleolus, nuclear SonC and histone H1 localize
      in a mutually exclusive manner with H1 being removed from the NOR region and SonC
      being absent from the end of the chromosome beyond the NOR. This region of
      chromatin is adjacent to a cluster of nuclear pore complexes to which NIMA
      localizes last during its progression around the nuclear envelope during
      initiation of mitosis. The results genetically extend the NIMA regulatory system
      to include a protein with selective large-scale chromatin location observed
      during mitosis. The data suggest a model in which NIMA and SonC, its new
      chromatin-associated suppressor, might help to orchestrate global chromatin
      states during mitosis and the DNA damage response. 

PMID- 24214347
TI  - Loss of memory CD4+ T-cells in semi-wild mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) naturally
      infected with species-specific simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmnd-1.
AB  - Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection is found in a number of African
      primate species and is thought to be generally non-pathogenic. However, studies
      of wild primates are limited to two species, with SIV infection appearing to have
      a considerably different outcome in each. Further examination of SIV-infected
      primates exposed to their natural environment is therefore warranted. We
      performed a large cross-sectional study of a cohort of semi-wild mandrills with
      naturally occurring SIV infection, including 39 SIV-negative and 33 species
      specific SIVmnd-1-infected animals. This study was distinguished from previous
      reports by considerably greater sample size, examination of exclusively naturally
      infected animals in semi-wild conditions and consideration of simian T
      lymphotropic virus (STLV) status in addition to SIVmnd-1 infection. We found that
      SIVmnd-1 infection was associated with a significant and progressive loss of
      memory CD4(+) T-cells. Limited but significant increases in markers of immune
      activation in the T-cell populations, significant increases in plasma neopterin
      and changes to B-cell subsets were also observed in SIV-infected animals.
      However, no increase in plasma soluble CD14 was observed. Histological
      examination of peripheral lymph nodes suggested that SIVmnd-1 infection was not
      associated with a significant disruption of the lymph node architecture. Whilst
      this species has evolved numerous strategies to resist the development of AIDS,
      significant effects of SIV infection could be observed when examined in a natural
      environment. STLVmnd-1 infection also had significant effects on some markers
      relevant to understanding SIV infection and thus should be considered in studies
      of SIV infection of African primates where present. 

PMID- 24214349
TI  - 3q29 microdeletion syndrome: Cognitive and behavioral phenotype in four patients.
AB  - The 3q29 microdeletion syndrome is a rare, recurrent genomic disorder, associated
      with a variable phenotype, despite the same deletion size, consisting in
      neurodevelopmental features, such as intellectual disability (ID), schizophrenia,
      autism, bipolar disorder, depression and mild facial morphological
      anomalies/congenital malformations. A thorough neuropsychiatric evaluation has
      never been reported in patients with such syndrome. We analyzed the clinical
      phenotype of four individuals with 3q29 microdeletion syndrome, with special
      emphasis on the cognitive and behavioral assessment, in order to delineate the
      neuropsychiatric phenotype related to this condition. We assessed these patients
      with standardized scales or checklists measuring the cognitive (WISC III or LIPS
      R), behavioral (CBCL) and adaptive (VABS) performances. An accurate evaluation in
      our sample highlights different degrees of ID, variable behavioral disorders, and
      a preservation of communicative skills among remaining adaptive areas, as the
      neuropsychiatric hallmark of 3q29 microdeletion syndrome.

PMID- 24214348
TI  - Studies to analyse the relationship between IFNalpha2b gene dosage and its
      expression, using a Pichia pastoris-based expression system.
AB  - Human interferon alpha2b (hIFNalpha2b) is the most important member of the
      interferon family. Escherichia coli, yeasts, mammalian cell cultures and
      baculovirus-infected insect cells have been used for expressing recombinant human
      interferon. Recently a Pichia pastoris-based expression system has emerged as an
      attractive system for producing functional human recombinant IFNalpha2b. In this
      regard, gene dosage is considered an important factor in obtaining the optimum
      expression of recombinant protein, which may vary from one protein to another. In
      the present study we have shown the effect of IFNalpha2b gene dosage on
      extracellular expression of IFNalpha2b recombinant protein from P. pastoris.
      Constructs containing from one to five repeats of IFNalpha2b-expressing cassettes
      were created via an in vitro multimerization approach. P. pastoris host strain X
      33 was transformed using these expression cassettes. Groups of P. pastoris clones
      transformed with different copies of the IFNalpha2b expression cassette were
      screened for intrachromosomal integration. The IFNalpha2b expression level of
      stable transformants was checked. The copy number of integrated IFNalpha2b was
      determined by performing qPCR of genomic DNA of recombinant P. patoris clones. It
      was observed that an increase in copy number generally had a positive effect on
      the expression level of IFNalpha2b protein. Regarding the performance of
      multicopy strains, those obtained from transformation of multicopy vectors showed
      relatively high expression, compared to those generated using transformation
      vector having only one copy of IFNalpha2b. It was also observed that an increase
      in drug resistance of a clone did not guarantee its high expression, as
      integration of a marker gene did not always correlate with integration of the
      gene of interest.

PMID- 24214351
TI  - Collisional relaxation of metastable electronic states of Fe(+).
AB  - The overall rate constants for collisional relaxation of metastable excited
      states of Fe(+) by He, Ar, Kr, H2, (2)H2, CO, N2, NO, CH4, and CH3OH have been
      studied by using charge-exchange ion-molecule reaction chemistry. The rate
      constants vary according to the nature of the quenching reagent as well as the
      energy level and electron configuration of the Fe(+) ions. In general, NO, CH4,
      and CH3OH are the most efficient quenching reagents with rate constants that
      approach the Langevin collision rate, whereas the reaction rates for the rare gas
      atoms are slow and vary depending upon the specific electron configuration of the
      Fe(+) ion. The mechanism of collisional relaxation is discussed with emphasis on
      a curve-crossing. mechanism for the rare gas atoms. An electron-transfer
      mechanism is described for the relaxation of high lying (Fe(+))*. 

PMID- 24214352
TI  - The ionized methylene transfer from the distonic radical cation (+)CH 2-O-CH 2 to
      heterocyclic compounds. A pentaquadrupole mass spectrometric study.
AB  - Ion-molecule reactions of the mass-selected distonic radical cation (+)CH2-O-CH 2
      (.) (1) with several heterocyclic compounds have been investigated by multiple
      stage mass spectro- metric experiments performed in a pentaquadrupole mass
      spectrometer. Reactions with pyridine, 2-, 3-, and 4-ethyl, 2-methoxy, and 2-n
      propyl pyridine occur mainly by transfer of CH 2 (+.) to the nitrogen, which
      yields distonic N-methylene-pyridinium radical cations. The MS(3) spectra of
      these products display very characteristic collision-induced dissociation
      chemistry, which is greatly affected by the position of the substituent in the
      pyridine ring. Ortho isomers undergo a delta-cleavage cyclization process induced
      by the free-radical character of the N-methylene group that yields bicyclic
      pyridinium cations. On the other hand, extensive CH 2 (+.) transfer followed by
      rapid hydrogen atom loss, that is, a net CH(+) transfer, occurs not to the
      heteroatoms, but to the aromatic ring of furan, thiophene, pyrrole, and N-methyl
      pyrrole. The reaction proceeds through five- to six-membered ring expansion,
      which yields the pyrilium, thiapyrilium, N-protonated, and N-methylated pyridine
      cations, respectively, as indicated by MS(3) scans. Ion 1 fails to transfer CH 2
      (+.) to tetrahydrofuran, whereas a new alpha-distonic sulfur ion is formed in
      reactions with tetrahydrothiophene. Unstable N-methylene distonic ions, likely
      formed by transfer of CH 2 (+.) to the nitrogen of piperidine and pyrrolidine,
      undergo rapid fragmentation by loss of the alpha-NH hydrogen to yield closed
      shell immonium cations. The most thermodynamically favorable products are formed
      in these reactions, as estimated by ab initio calculations at the MP2/6
      31G(d,p)//6-31G(d,p) + ZPE level of theory. 

PMID- 24214353
TI  - Remeasurement at high resolving power in fourier transform ion cyclotron
      resonance mass spectrometry.
AB  - The Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry remeasurement
      experiment is demonstrated and evaluated under high resolution conditions. Signal
      to-noise enhancement is observed for isotopically resolved bovine insulin peaks
      at a resolution of ~ 31,000 (full width at half height). The experiment is
      sensitive to spacecharge effects and resultant changes in scan-to-scan signal-to
      noise and resolution. Coulombic repulsion in the ion cloud during the high
      resolution remeasurement experiment can cause the cyclotron frequency to shift
      through the duration of the experiment, which results in broadened peak shapes
      when individual remeasurement spectra are coadded. By either reducing the number
      of ions in the cell or allowing the ion cloud to diffuse during the lifetime of
      the experiment, high resolution remeasurement spectra can be coadded without peak
      broadening or degradation of signal-to-noise ratio. 

PMID- 24214350
TI  - Longitudinal in vivo two-photon fluorescence imaging.
AB  - Fluorescence microscopy is an essential technique for the basic sciences,
      especially biomedical research. Since the invention of laser scanning confocal
      microscopy in the 1980s, which enabled imaging both fixed and living biological
      tissue with 3D precision, high-resolution fluorescence imaging has revolutionized
      biological research. Confocal microscopy, by its very nature, has one fundamental
      limitation. Due to the confocal pinhole, deep tissue fluorescence imaging is not
      practical. In contrast (no pun intended), two-photon fluorescence microscopy
      allows, in principle, the collection of all emitted photons from fluorophores in
      the imaged voxel, dramatically extending our ability to see deep into living
      tissue. Since the development of transgenic mice with genetically encoded
      fluorescent protein in neocortical cells in 2000, two-photon imaging has enabled
      the dynamics of individual synapses to be followed for up to 2 years. Since the
      initial landmark contributions to this field in 2002, the technique has been used
      to understand how neuronal structure are changed by experience, learning, and
      memory and various diseases. Here we provide a basic summary of the crucial
      elements that are required for such studies, and discuss many applications of
      longitudinal two-photon fluorescence microscopy that have appeared since 2002.

PMID- 24214354
TI  - Low flow high-performance liquid chromatography solvent delivery system designed
      for tandem capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
AB  - A solvent delivery system is described that is designed to increase the
      efficiency of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analyses. Gradients
      formed by using two low pressure syringe pumps are stored in a length of narrow
      bore tubing (gradient loop) mounted on a standard high pressure switching valve.
      The preformed gradient is pushed through the column by using a high pressure
      syringe pump. The system is fully automated and can be controlled with either a
      personal computer or the mass spectrometer data system. Advantages include
      gradient operation without the use of split flows, pressure programed flow
      control for rapid sample loading and recycling to initial conditions, and a flow
      rate range of 0.1-20 MUL/min, which is suitable for packed capillary columns 50
      500 MUm in diameter. The system has been used extensively for rapid molecular
      weight determinations of intact protein samples, as well as LC/MS and liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses of complex peptide mixtures. 

PMID- 24214355
TI  - Photodissociation of high molecular weight peptides and proteins in a two-stage
      linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer.
AB  - A two-stage linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer is used to investigate the
      requirements for performance of laser photodissociation of peptide and protein
      ions. Results are presented that demonstrate that desorption and dissociation
      laser pulses can be synchronized to irradiate ions that travel at high velocities
      down the drift tube of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. For example, 193-nm
      photodissociation of bovine insulin and doubly charged lysozyme is demonstrated,
      and laser power studies suggest that dissociation is initiated by the absorption
      of a single 193-nm photon. These results are encouraging because they suggest
      that laser photodissociation of high molecular weight proteins can lead to
      fragmentation on time scales compatible with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 24214356
TI  - Fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry and low energy collision-induced tandem
      mass spectrometry of tauroconjugated bile acid anions.
AB  - Fragmentation of negative ions produced by fast-atom bombardment (FAB) from 14
      tauroconjugated bile acids and some of their deuterated analogs has been studied
      by mass spectrometry and by collision-induced dissociation (CED) tandem mass
      spectrometry at low energy.Low energy collision-induced dissociation of the
      deprotonated molecules [M - H](-) of these tauroconjugated bile acids leads to
      both charge-driven and charge-remote fragmentations (CRF). The former yields
      neutral loss from the side chain with charge migration during the fragmentation
      process. These fragments dominate the CID spectra, but are absent from the FAB
      spectra. Their relative abundances are dependent on the number and the positions
      of the hydroxyl groups in the steroid nucleus and thus permit distinction among
      some positional isomers.The CRF fragments correspond to cleavages in the side
      chain up to fragmentations across the steroid rings with charge retention on the
      sulfonate group. These CRF fragments, which also are useful for structural
      identification, are less intense in CID than in FAB spectra. It appears that
      these charge-remote fragments are favored by unsaturation in the steroid rings,
      either as keto groups or as endocyclic double bonds. Tandem mass spectrometry
      combined with the use of deuterated analogs demonstrates that the structures of
      the survivor pseudomolecular ions and of the CRF fragments are not rearranged. 

PMID- 24214357
TI  - Measurement of high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils by
      particle beam high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
AB  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) comprise a class of potentially hazardous
      com- pounds of concern to the U.S. EPA. The application of particle-beam (PB)
      liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to the measurement of high
      molecular-weight PAHs was investigated. Instrument performance was evaluated for
      16 PAHs in the molecular weight range 300-450 u. The PAHs were separated by
      reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography via a polymeric
      octadecylsilica (C-18) packing and gradient elution with methanol
      tetrahydrofuran. On-column instrument detection limits, as measured by selected
      ion monitoring on the singly charged molecular ion of each PAH, were found to be
      0.15-0.60 ng for PAHs with molecular weights up to 352 u and 2-4 ng for PAHs with
      molecular weights greater than 352 u. Instrument response was generally linear
      for PAHs with molecular weights 300-352 u and generally nonlinear for PAHs with
      molecular weights greater than 352 u. The PB electron impact mass spectra of the
      PAHs were found to vary with the ion distribution ratio of the singly charged
      molecular ion to the doubly charged molecular ion, dependent on molecular weight,
      ion source temperature, and concentration. Analysis by PB LC-MS was applied to
      extracts of PAH-spiked soil and a PAH-contaminated soil from the Pacific
      Northwest. Target analyte concentrations in the PAH-contaminated soil ranged from
      0.85 to 84 ug/g. Quantitative estimates for nontarget PAHs also were determined.
      Analysis of a second soil extract from a hazardous waste site in the northeast
      part of the United States displayed isomeric patterns of high-molecular-weight
      PAHs similar to those of the Pacific Northwest extract. 

PMID- 24214358
TI  - On the use of scans at a constant ratio of B/E for studying decompositions of
      peptide metal(II)-ion complexes formed by electrospray ionization.
AB  - The use of sector mass spectrometers to study metastable ion decompositions of
      peptide metal-ion complexes formed by electrospray ionization is discussed.
      Products that are formed by charge-separation reactions are characterized by
      large kinetic energy release distributions. This causes scans at a constant B/E
      to give incorrect product ion abundances and possibly incorrect mass assignments.
      Two instrumental methods exist that can be used either to detect the ions or to
      estimate relative ion abundances: a floated collision cell or mass-analyzed ion
      kinetic energy spectrometry (MIKES) scans. The floated collision cell, by virtue
      of an altered B/E scan law, however, discriminates against important metastable
      ion reactions that occur outside the cell. MIKES scans provide a clearer estimate
      of product ions that arise by metastable ion charge-separation reactions.
      Problems with pseudotandem (first field-free region) experiments are also
      discussed. 

PMID- 24214359
TI  - Mass spectrometry PittCon '95.

PMID- 24214361
TI  - A structure-guided approach for protein pocket modeling and affinity prediction.
AB  - Binding affinity prediction is frequently addressed using computational models
      constructed solely with molecular structure and activity data. We present a
      hybrid structure-guided strategy that combines molecular similarity, docking, and
      multiple-instance learning such that information from protein structures can be
      used to inform models of structure-activity relationships. The Surflex-QMOD
      approach has been shown to produce accurate predictions of binding affinity by
      constructing an interpretable physical model of a binding site with no
      experimental binding site structural information. We introduce a method to
      integrate protein structure information into the model induction process in order
      to construct more robust physical models. The structure-guided models accurately
      predict binding affinities over a broad range of compounds while producing more
      accurate representations of the protein pockets and ligand binding modes.
      Structure-guidance for the QMOD method yielded significant performance
      improvements, both for affinity and pose prediction, especially in cases where
      predictions were made on ligands very different from those used for model
      induction. 

PMID- 24214362
TI  - Robotic modified radical neck dissection by bilateral axillary breast approach
      for papillary thyroid carcinoma with lateral neck metastasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of robotic
      modified radical neck dissection compared to open modified radical neck
      dissection. METHODS: We enrolled 78 patients who were diagnosed with papillary
      thyroid cancer and underwent total thyroidectomy, bilateral central neck
      dissection, and modified radical neck dissection between March 2011 and February
      2013. Of these patients, 65 underwent an open procedure and 13 underwent a
      robotic procedure using the bilateral axillary breast approach (BABA). These 2
      groups were retrospectively compared. RESULTS: The mean age, sex, body mass index
      (BMI), and tumor size were not significantly different between groups. There were
      no differences in the number of retrieved lymph nodes, metastatic lymph nodes, or
      stimulated thyroglobulin level between the 2 groups. The operation time was
      longer in the robotic group than in the open group. CONCLUSION: Robotic modified
      radical neck dissection using BABA is safe and shows oncologic and postoperative
      outcomes comparable to those of the open procedure.

PMID- 24214363
TI  - Similarity of geleophysic dysplasia and Weill-Marchesani syndrome.
AB  - The acromelic dysplasias comprise short stature, hands and feet, and stiff
      joints. Three disorders are ascribed to this group, namely Weill-Marchesani
      syndrome, geleophysic dysplasia, and acromicric dysplasia, although similar in
      phenotype, can be distinguished clinically. Weill-Marchesani syndrome, on the
      basis of microspherophakia and ectopia lentis; geleophysic dysplasia by
      progressive cardiac valvular thickening, tracheal stenosis, and/or
      bronchopulmonary insufficiency, often leading to early death. Microspherophakia
      has not been reported previously in geleophysic dysplasia. Mutations in FBN1,
      ADAMTS10, or ADAMTS17 cause Weill-Marchesani syndrome by disrupting the
      microfibrillar environment, while geleophysic dysplasia is associated with
      enhanced TGF-beta signaling mediated through mutations in FBN1 or ADAMTSL2. We
      studied a 35-year-old woman with geleophysic dysplasia, with short stature, small
      hands and feet, limitation of joint mobility, mild skin thickening, cardiac
      valvular disease, restrictive pulmonary disease, and microspherophakia.
      Sequencing of ADAMTSL2 demonstrated two changes: IVS8-2A>G consistent with a
      disease-causing mutation, and IVS14-7G>A with potential to generate a new splice
      acceptor site and result in aberrant mRNA processing. The unaffected mother
      carries only the IVS8-2A>G transition providing evidence that the two changes are
      in trans-configuration in our patient.

PMID- 24214365
TI  - Sexual selection and physical attractiveness : Implications for mating dynamics.
AB  - Sexual selection processes have received much attention in recent years,
      attention reflected in interest in human mate preferences. Among these mate
      preferences are preferences for physical attractiveness. Preferences in and of
      themselves, however, do not fully explain the nature of the relationships that
      individuals attain. A tacit negotiation process underlies relationship formation
      and maintenance. The notion that preferences for physical attractiveness evolved
      under parasite-driven "good genes" sexual selection leads to predictions about
      the nature of trade-offs that individuals make between mates' physical
      attractiveness and investment potential. These predictions and relevant data are
      explored, with a primary emphasis on women's preferences for men's qualities. In
      addition, further implications of trade-offs are examined, most notably (a) the
      impact of environmental variations on the nature of mating and (b) some effects
      of trade-offs on infidelity and male attempts to control women. 

PMID- 24214364
TI  - Should mild COPD be treated? Evidence for early pharmacological intervention.
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and often progressive
      inflammatory disease of the airways that is both preventable and treatable. It is
      well established that those with mild-to-moderate disease severity represent the
      majority of patients with COPD, yet this subpopulation is relatively under
      studied. Because of an insidious pre-clinical phase, COPD is both under-diagnosed
      and under-treated. Recent studies have confirmed that even patients with mild,
      grade 1 COPD [i.e. those with a reduced forced expiratory volume in one second
      (FEV1)/forced vital capacity ratio but normal FEV1], have measurable
      physiological impairment with increased morbidity and a higher risk of mortality
      compared with non-smoking healthy controls. Beyond the imperative of smoking
      cessation-the pivotal intervention in all COPD stages-the role of pharmacotherapy
      for prevention of disease progression has yet to be established. The main
      objective of this review is to provide a concise overview of the heterogeneous
      pathophysiology of COPD with only mild airway obstruction on spirometry and
      obstacles for early diagnosis. We emphasize that the absence of sufficiently
      powered trials involving a large number of patients precludes definitive
      recommendations in support of (or against) long-term pharmacological treatment in
      mild COPD. Despite these limitations, we present a rationale for earlier
      pharmacological intervention derived from recent physiological studies performed
      in symptomatic patients with mild COPD. 

PMID- 24214366
TI  - Human facial beauty : Averageness, symmetry, and parasite resistance.
AB  - It is hypothesized that human faces judged to be attractive by people possess two
      features-averageness and symmetry-that promoted adaptive mate selection in human
      evolutionary history by way of production of offspring with parasite resistance.
      Facial composites made by combining individual faces are judged to be attractive,
      and more attractive than the majority of individual faces. The composites possess
      both symmetry and averageness of features. Facial averageness may reflect high
      individual protein heterozygosity and thus an array of proteins to which
      parasites must adapt. Heterozygosity may be an important defense of long-lived
      hosts against parasites when it occurs in portions of the genome that do not code
      for the essential features of complex adaptations. In this case heterozygosity
      can create a hostile microenvironment for parasites without disrupting
      adaptation. Facial bilateral symmetry is hypothesized to affect positive beauty
      judgments because symmetry is a certification of overall phenotypic quality and
      developmental health, which may be importantly influenced by parasites. Certain
      secondary sexual traits are influenced by testosterone, a hormone that reduces
      immunocompetence. Symmetry and size of the secondary sexual traits of the face
      (e.g., cheek bones) are expected to correlate positively and advertise
      immunocompetence honestly and therefore to affect positive beauty judgments.
      Facial attractiveness is predicted to correlate with attractive, nonfacial
      secondary sexual traits; other predictions from the view that parasite-driven
      selection led to the evolution of psychological adaptations of human beauty
      perception are discussed. The view that human physical attractiveness and
      judgments about human physical attractiveness evolved in the context of parasite
      driven selection leads to the hypothesis that both adults and children have a
      species-typical adaptation to the problem of identifying and favoring healthy
      individuals and avoiding parasite-susceptible individuals. It is proposed that
      this adaptation guides human decisions about nepotism and reciprocity in relation
      to physical attractiveness. 

PMID- 24214367
TI  - Criteria of facial attractiveness in five populations.
AB  - The theory of sexual selection suggests several possible explanations for the
      development of standards of physical attractiveness in humans. Asymmetry and
      departures from average proportions may be markers of the breakdown of
      developmental stability. Supernormal traits may present age- and sex-typical
      features in exaggerated form. Evidence from social psychology suggests that both
      average proportions and (in females) "neotenous" facial traits are indeed more
      attractive. Using facial photographs from three populations (United States,
      Brazil, Paraguayan Indians), rated by members of the same three populations, plus
      Russians and Venezuelan Indians, we show that age, average features, and (in
      females) feminine/neotenous features all play a role in facial attractiveness. 

PMID- 24214368
TI  - Body shape and women's attractiveness : The critical role of waist-to-hip ratio.
AB  - This paper examines the role of body fat distribution as measured by waist-to-hip
      ratio (WHR) on the judgment of women's physical attractiveness. It presents
      evidence that WHR is correlated with a woman's reproductive endocrinological
      status and long-term health risk. Three studies were conducted to investigate
      whether humans have perceptual and cognitive mechanisms to utilize the WHR to
      infer attributes of women's health, youthfulness, attractiveness, and
      reproductive capacity. College-age as well as older subjects of both sexes rank
      female figures with normal weight and low WHR as attractive and assign to them
      higher reproductive capability. The study concludes that WHR is a reliable and
      honest signal of a woman's reproductive potential. The adaptive significance of
      body fat distribution and its role in mate selection is also discussed. 

PMID- 24214369
TI  - Organization and cellular arrangement of two neurogenic regions in the adult
      ferret (Mustela putorius furo) brain.
AB  - In the adult mammalian brain, two neurogenic regions have been characterized, the
      subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle (LV) and the subgranular zone
      (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG). Despite remarkable knowledge of rodents, the
      detailed arrangement of neurogenic regions in most mammals is poorly understood.
      In this study, we used immunohistochemistry and cell type-specific antibodies to
      investigate the organization of two germinal regions in the adult ferret, which
      belongs to the order Carnivora and is widely used as a model animal with a
      gyrencephalic brain. From the SVZ to the olfactory bulb, doublecortin-positive
      cells tended to organize in chain-like clusters, which are surrounded by a
      meshwork of astrocytes. This structure is homologous to the rostral migratory
      stream (RMS) described in other species. Different from rodents, the horizontal
      limb of the RMS emerges directly from the LV, and the anterior region of the LV
      extends rostrally and reached the olfactory bulb. In the DG, glial fibrillary
      acidic protein-positive cells with long radial processes as well as doublecortin
      positive cells are oriented in the SGZ. In both regions, doublecortin-positive
      cells showed characteristic morphology and were positive for polysialylated
      neural cell adhesion molecule, beta-III tubulin, and lamin B1 (intense staining).
      Proliferating cells were detected in both regions using antibodies against
      proliferating cell nuclear antigen and phospho-histone H3. These observations
      demonstrate that the two neurogenic regions in ferrets have a similar cellular
      composition as those of other mammalian species despite anatomical differences in
      the brain.

PMID- 24214372
TI  - Successful treatment of fulminant pulmonary embolism with extracorporeal life
      support and simultaneous systemic thrombolytic therapy after 1 h of
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
AB  - Here we describe a patient with a fulminant pulmonary embolism, who has been
      successfully treated with an extracorporeal life support system and simultaneous
      systemic thrombolytic therapy after 1 h of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

PMID- 24214371
TI  - Modeling thrombin generation: plasma composition based approach.
AB  - Thrombin has multiple functions in blood coagulation and its regulation is
      central to maintaining the balance between hemorrhage and thrombosis. Empirical
      and computational methods that capture thrombin generation can provide
      advancements to current clinical screening of the hemostatic balance at the level
      of the individual. In any individual, procoagulant and anticoagulant factor
      levels together act to generate a unique coagulation phenotype (net balance) that
      is reflective of the sum of its developmental, environmental, genetic,
      nutritional and pharmacological influences. Defining such thrombin phenotypes may
      provide a means to track disease progression pre-crisis. In this review we
      briefly describe thrombin function, methods for assessing thrombin dynamics as a
      phenotypic marker, computationally derived thrombin phenotypes versus determined
      clinical phenotypes, the boundaries of normal range thrombin generation using
      plasma composition based approaches and the feasibility of these approaches for
      predicting risk.

PMID- 24214373
TI  - The effect of CYP3A4*1G allele on the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin in Chinese
      Han patients with coronary heart disease.
AB  - The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of CYP3A4*1G allele on the
      pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin in the Chinese Han patients with coronary heart
      disease (CHD). Twenty male patients of CHD with different CYP3A4*1G genotypes
      were orally administered a single 20 mg dose of atorvastatin. Plasma
      concentrations of atorvastatin and 2-hydroxyatorvastatin were measured by high
      performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The mean area under
      the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC0-infinity ) of
      atorvastatin in subjects with the CYP3A4*1G/*1G genotype were 36% or 25% lower
      than in those with the wild-type or the *1/*1G genotype, respectively. The time
      to peak plasma concentration (Tmax ) and oral clearance of atorvastatin (CL/F)
      were significantly different between subjects with the CYP3A4*1G/*1G genotype and
      the wild-type. The AUC0-infinity for 2-hydroxyatorvastatin in subjects with the
      CYP3A4*1G/*1G genotype was 44% or 31% lower than in those with the wild-type or
      the *1/*1G genotype, respectively. The peak plasma concentration, Tmax and
      apparent clearance of 2-hydroxyatorvastatin (CL/Fm) were significantly different
      between subjects with the CYP3A4*1G/*1G genotype and the wild-type. This study
      indicates that the CYP3A4*1G allele is associated with the pharmacokinetics of
      atorvastatin and its metabolites in those Chinese Han patients with CHD after a
      single oral dose. 

PMID- 24214374
TI  - The effect of dietary lecithin and lipase, as a function of age, on n-9 fatty
      acid incorporation in the tissue lipids of Sparus aurata larvae.
AB  - The present study tested the effect of dietary lecithin and exogenous lipase on
      the incorporation of oleic acid in the tissue lipids of gilthead seabream larvae
      (Sparus aurata). Two of four microdiets were prepared by the addition of
      [(14)C]oleic acid as free fatty acid (FFA) to diets containing either 5%
      cuttlefish liver oil (CLO) or 5% soybean lecithin. Glycerol tri[1-(14)C]oleate
      was similarly incorporated in two other diets identical in lipid (4% cuttlefish
      liver oil, 1% soybean lecithin) and non-lipid composition but differed in that
      one contained a supplement of 0.05% porcine lipase. The effect of these diets was
      tested by following the incorporation of the label (dpm/mg larvae DBW) in the
      neutral and phospholipid fractions of seabream larvae at four different ages (21,
      27, 32 and 45 days after hatching).A significant (p<0.05) effect of dietary
      lecithin on the incorporation of labelled FFA in both larval neutral and
      phospholipid fractions was demonstrated at all ages. This was particularly
      pronounced during early development (day 21) where fish fed the lecithin
      supplement incorporated 6.75 times more label than the diet containing
      [(14)C]oleic acid in CLO. The dietary lecithin enhancing effect diminished with
      age but was still significant at day 45 (2.17 times more label). In addition, the
      label was considerably higher in the phospholipid fraction compared to the
      neutral lipid, reflecting the high demand for membrane synthesis during rapid
      growth. Lecithin fed larvae demonstrated a higher consumption rate and efficiency
      of incorporation than fish consuming the cuttlefish liver oil diet, suggesting an
      emulsifying function for dietary phospholipid.In contrast, the supplementation
      with lipase showed a clear effect only in older fish where 45 day old larvae fed
      the lipase diet demonstrated a 3.42 times increase in radioactivity in their
      tissue lipids. This late lipase response may be the result of an insufficient
      level of dietary lecithin (M) and a short intestinal length being ineffective, in
      the early larval stages, in incorporating labelled free fatty acid from dietary
      glycerol tri[1-(14)C]oleate breakdown. 

PMID- 24214375
TI  - Changes in tissue and plasma free amino acid concentrations after feeding in
      Atlantic cod.
AB  - Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, were maintained on a diet of sandeel and after a 6
      day fast were refed a single meal. Concentrations of free amino acids (AAs) were
      measured in hepatic portal and cardiac blood as well as in the stomach and white
      muscle at intervals of 6h up to 24h post-feeding. The appearance of both
      essential and non-essential AAs in the hepatic portal blood was significantly
      correlated, up to 12h after feeding, to their abundance in the diet. There was a
      significant decline in total AA concentration in cardiac blood after 6h, followed
      by a significant increase at 12h. No significant changes in total AA
      concentration were observed in the other tissues, although mean concentration
      increased at 12 or 18h. At a more detailed level, the post-prandial changes in
      concentration of some essential AAs were consistent with their having a role in
      the stimulation of protein synthesis after feeding. 

PMID- 24214376
TI  - Influence of oral administration of estradiol-17beta and testosterone on growth,
      digestion, food conversion and metabolism in the underyearling red sea bream,
      Chrysophrys major.
AB  - Estradiol-17beta (E2) administered in the diet to the red sea bream Chrysophrys
      major did not affect appetite, food conversion efficiency, protein efficiency
      ratio and specific growth rate. Serum concentrations of total protein, albumin,
      globulin, vitellogenin, alpha-amino acids, total lipid, free fatty acids,
      cholesterol and calcium were elevated. The hepatosomatic index was also
      increased. Activities of hepatic enzymes including lactate dehydrogenase,
      isocitrate dehydrogenase and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase were higher than
      found in untreated control fish. Intestinal activity of leucine aminopeptidase
      was augmented. However, there were no changes in muscle water, protein, lipid and
      glycogen content. In contrast, testosterone (T) given by the same route increased
      appetite, food conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and specific
      growth rate. There were no alterations in serum protein and calcium
      concentrations but serum glucose, ammonia and triglyceride levels were elevated.
      Hepatic glycogen content was increased. The activities of hepatic fructose- 1,6
      diphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase and glycogen synthetase and intestinal
      activities of alkaline phosphatase and tau-glutamyltransferase were higher than
      noted on control fish. The results reveal that estradiol-17beta and testosterone
      exerted different metabolic effects in the red sea bream and they suggest that
      testosterone exerts its anabolic actions by increasing appetite, food conversion
      efficiency and activities of digestive enzymes. 

PMID- 24214377
TI  - Steroidogenesis by ovaries and testes of the European catfish, the wels (Silurus
      glanis), in vitro.
AB  - Testosterone, 3alpha,17-dihydroxy-5beta-pregnen-20-one, 17,20beta-dihydroxy-4
      pregnen-3-one (17,20betaP) and 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17,20beta-triol were
      identified as the major metabolites of [(3)H] 17-hydroxyprogesterone in ovarian
      incubations of the European catfish Silurus glanis. 17,20betaP and the reduced
      triol were present only in ovaries from fish primed with carp hypophysial
      homogenate (chh) while testosterone yields were significantly higher in controls
      than in treated fish. 11-Ketotestosterone, 11beta-hydroxytestosterone and
      17,20alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20alphaP) were identified as the major
      metabolites of [(3)H]17-hydroxyprogesterone in in vitro incubations of testes of
      a spermiating catfish. There was no significant production of conjugates or other
      water soluble metabolites by either sex. The stimulation of plasma 17,20alphaP,
      17,20betaP and 11beta-hydroxytestosterone by chh in primed but not control males
      suggests that the role of these steroids in spermiation should be further
      examined. 

PMID- 24214378
TI  - Influence of gonadotropic hormone-releasing hormone analog (GnRH-A) on plasma sex
      steroid profiles and milt production in male winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes
      americanus (Walbaum).
AB  - The effects of gonadotropic hormone-releasing hormone analog (GnRH-A) treatment
      on the onset and duration of increases in plasma sex steroids and milt production
      (milt volume and number of spermatozoa) were investigated in prespawning male
      winter flounder. After treatment of maturing males during the winter with a
      single injection of either 20 or 200 MUg/kg [D-Ala(6), Pro(9)-NHEt]LHRH (GnRH-A),
      plasma levels of testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone were increased within 12h
      and the steroid hormone levels remained elevated for long periods lasting several
      days. The androgenic steroid response of males was delayed after the
      administration of a lower dose of GnRH-A (2 MUg/kg). Although a single GnRH-A
      injection in December or January advanced the onset of spermiation in some males,
      only small amounts (<50 MUl) of milt could be collected. By March, all males were
      in spermiating condition following GnRH-A treatment; however, significant
      increases in sperm production, particularly increases in milt volume, occurred in
      fish twice treated with GnRH-A. 

PMID- 24214379
TI  - Purification of gonadotropins (PmGTH I and II) from red seabream (Pagrus major)
      and development of a homologous radioimmunoassay for PmGTH II.
AB  - Two gonadotropic glycoproteins (PmGTH I and II) were purified by ion-exchange
      chromatography, gel filtration and preparative SDS-PAGE, from pituitaries of red
      seabream, a marine teleost which has an asynchronous-type ovary and spawns almost
      daily during the spawning season. The glycoproteins were composed of distinct
      subunits and the molecular weights were estimated to be 32 and 38 kDa for PmGTH I
      and PmGTH II, respectively. Both PmGTH I and II were active in two homologous
      bioassays: in vitro oocyte maturation and/or in vitro estradiol-17beta production
      assays. These two GTHs were distinct in electrostatic properties, molecular
      weight, stability and yields from pituitaries during the spawning season. These
      properties suggest that PmGTH I and II correspond to salmon GTH I and II,
      respectively.A homologous radioimmunoassay with which to measure PmGTH II was
      developed using a rabbit antiserum against the beta subunit of PmGTH II and
      intact PmGTH II as standards and radioactive competitors. Competition curves for
      red seabream plasma and pituitary extract were parallel to the standard curve,
      while PmGTH I had low cross-reactivity (3.1 %) with the antibody. This specific
      RIA system showed an in vivo LHRHa induced GTH surge in the plasma of female red
      seabream. 

PMID- 24214380
TI  - Stimulation of acetylcholinesterase activity by triiodothyronine in the brain of
      Singi fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch).
AB  - Three consecutive days of injections of triiodothyronine (T3)(0.038, 0.075, 0.15
      and 1.54 nmoles/g) significantly elevated the acetylcholinesterase (AchE)
      activity in the brain of Singi fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). The higher
      doses of 0.075, 0.15 and 1.54 nmoles of T3/g induced a greater increase in enzyme
      activity than 0.038 nmoles/g. A T3 dose of 0.019 nmoles/g was found to be
      ineffective. The T3 action on AchE activity was blocked by cycloheximide.
      Thiourea treatment for 30 days decreased the AchE activity below the control
      level. This reduced level of the enzyme activity was brought back even above the
      control level by T3 injections. It is, therefore, suggested that thyroid hormone
      is involved in the sustenance of AchE activity in fish brain. 

PMID- 24214381
TI  - Annual cyclic, and castration and cyproterone acetate-induced, changes in sialic
      acid content of the seminal vesicle of the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis
      (Bloch).
AB  - In this study, the presence of sialic acid is demonstrated in the seminal vesicle
      (SV) of Heteropneustes fossilis. Sialic acid levels show an annual variation that
      was correlated with the secretory activity of the SV (expressed as the SV somatic
      index (SV-SI)) with the index being lowest in resting phase (January) and highest
      in spawning phase (July). Sialic acid was not detectable from November to March
      (resting to mid-preparatory phases). Castration (3 weeks) induced a significant
      rise in both SV-SI and SV sialic acid content possibly due to an elevated local
      production of androgens under the influence of increased gonadotropin secretion.
      Cyproterone acetate treatment caused a significant decrease in both SV-SI and SV
      sialic acid content. The results suggest that secretion of sialic acid in the SV
      is influenced by androgens and its measurement can be used as a simple and
      reliable index for quantitative assessment of the functional testicular state. 

PMID- 24214382
TI  - Comparison of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine and L-thyroxine absorption from the
      intestinal lumen of the fasted rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.
AB  - The absorptions of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and L-thyroxine (T4) from the
      intestinal lumen of the rainbow trout were compared in vivo. Tracer doses of
      [(125)I]T4 ((+)T4) or [(125)I]T3 ((*)T3) were injected through an anal cannula
      into the duodenum of trout fasted for 3 days at 12 degrees C, and radioactivity
      was measured in blood and tissues at 4-48 h. (*)T3 was removed more extensively
      than (*)T4 from the intestinal lumen and more radioactivity was absorbed into the
      blood and tissues of u+T3-injected trout than (*)T4-injected trout. HPLC analysis
      showed that a high proportion of the radioactivity in the plasma, liver, kidney
      and intestinal lumen of (*)T3-injected trout remained as the parent (*)T3.
      However, in (*)T4-injected trout most plasma radioactivity was in the form of
      (125)I(-), and by 24 h a high proportion of luminal radioactivity was (125)I(-).
      By 48 h, over 4% of the injected (*)T3 and 1% of the injected (*)T4 dose resided
      in the gall bladder, primarily as derivatives of (*)T3 or (*)T4. We conclude that
      T3 is absorbed more effectively than T4 from the intestinal lumen of fasted
      trout, indicating the potential for an enterohepatic T3 cycle. 

PMID- 24214383
TI  - B2S2O9: a boron sulfate with phyllosilicate topology.

PMID- 24214384
TI  - Neanderthal hand and foot remains from Moula-Guercy, Ardeche, France.
AB  - The hand and foot remains from Moula-Guercy cave (Ardeche, France) comprise 24
      specimens of Eemian age (ca. 120 ka). The specimens include primarily complete
      elements, which are rare among the Moula-Guercy postcrania. The hand remains have
      several characteristic Neanderthal traits including a laterally facing
      (parasagittally oriented) second metacarpal-capitate articulation, a short
      styloid process, a wide proximal articular surface on the third metacarpal, and
      absolutely expanded apical tuberosities on the distal hand phalanges relative to
      modern humans. The foot remains include several incomplete elements along with an
      antimeric pair of naviculars, a medial cuneiform and cuboid, and a single
      complete element from each of the distal segments (one each: metatarsal, proximal
      foot phalanx, intermediate foot phalanx, distal foot phalanx). Consistent among
      the specimens are relatively wide diaphyses for length in the metatarsals and
      phalanges and large and prominent muscle attachments, both consistent with
      previously published Neanderthal morphology. The hand and foot collection from
      Moula-Guercy is an important dataset for future studies of Neanderthal functional
      morphology, dexterity, and behavior as it represents a previously undersampled
      time period for European Neanderthals.

PMID- 24214385
TI  - Neanderthal axial and appendicular remains from Moula-Guercy, Ardeche, France.
AB  - Excavations carried out during the 1990s at Moula-Guercy cave Ardeche, France,
      yielded 108 hominid specimens dating to 100-120 Ka. In this paper, we describe
      and compare the 39 axial and appendicular specimens not including hand and foot
      bones. Among these remains are a large adult femur, several clavicles, a likely
      antimeric pair of radial heads, and a nearly complete superior pubic ramus.
      Analyses of this material indicate a clear affinity with Neanderthals by the
      presence of large and robust muscle attachments, thick long bone cortices, a long
      pubic ramus, and a superoinferiorly flattened clavicle shaft. The recovered
      remains reveal the presence of a mature male, a smaller mature individual,
      possibly a reproductive age female, an immature individual of age 10-12, and a
      second immature individual of age 4. Future analyses on the Moula-Guercy remains
      will illuminate ties to other known Neanderthal populations and contribute to the
      ongoing debate over the relative rate of Neanderthal metric growth.

PMID- 24214387
TI  - Design and calibration of an electrostatic energy analyzer-time-of-flight mass
      spectrometer for measurement of laser-desorbed ion kinetic energies.
AB  - The design of a hybrid electrostatic energy analyzer-time-of-flight mass
      spectrometer for measurement of ion kinetic energies produced by laser desorption
      ionization is presented. The need for experimental evaluation of the calibration
      and performance of the instrument is discussed and a novel laser multiphoton
      ionization technique, which allows experimental calibration of the energy
      bandpass of the electrostatic energy analyzer, is described. Laser multiphoton
      ionization at varying electric field strengths also allows the effects of
      electric field distortions on energy resolution of the instrument to be probed.
      Measurement of the translational energies of ions produced by 266-nm laser
      desorption ionization at 48 mJ/cm(2) of material adsorbed to a stainless steel
      probe by using this instrument also is presented. Ion translational energies of
      +19+/-5, +10+/-5, and +10+/-5 eV are found for adsorbed Na(+), K(+), and m-xylene
      M(+), respectively. 

PMID- 24214388
TI  - Evaluation of steric and substituent effects in phenols by competitive reactions
      of dimethyl ether ions in a quadrupole ion trap.
AB  - Competitive reactions of dimethyl ether ions are used to probe the steric and
      substituent effects of substituted phenols and anisoles in a quadrupole ion trap.
      The relative percentages of protonation and methylene substitution from the
      reactions of dimethyl ether ions show a correlation with size, location, and
      number of subsrituents on the aromatic ring. Although gas-phase basicity
      measurements of the phenols show no discernible correlation with the percentages
      of competitive reactions, semiempirical calculations show a good correlation
      between the trend in heats of formation and the trend in methylene substitution
      percentage. Reactions with deuterated compounds show that the methylene
      substitution reaction occurs on the ring. 

PMID- 24214386
TI  - Trans-thylakoid ?pH dependent oscillation of F(PSI)/F(PSII) under continuous
      irradiance in isolated thylakoids.
AB  - Energy distribution between photosystems (PSI & PSII) under prolonged and
      continuous white light irradiance was assessed by monitoring the progress of
      their fluorescence emission (FPSI/FPSII) at 77 K. Our observations indicate
      FPSI/FPSII to oscillate with the progress of irradiance treatments at all
      intensities tested (100, 200, 500, and 800 MUE m(-2) S(-1)). The amplitude of the
      oscillation increased with the progress, whereas the periodicity of the
      oscillation increased with the intensity of the incident irradiance. Spectral
      analysis indicated fluctuation of FPSI to be the major determinant of the
      observed oscillation. The first rise and fall of FPSI/FPSII overlapped with
      phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of LHCII, but oscillation of FPSI/FPSII
      continued for several cycles without any further phosphorylation of LHCII.
      Moreover, in presence of DCMU where linear electron flow (LEF) is suppressed and
      LHCII phosphorylation is completely abolished, the oscillation of FPSI/FPSII was
      not abolished. These data indicated that LHCII phosphorylation was not essential
      for the observed oscillation of energy distribution between the photosystems. In
      contrast, in the presence of inhibitors of cyclic electron flow (CEF) like
      Antimycin A (AA) and rotenone, the oscillation of FPSI/FPSII was either abolished
      or severely dampened. Additionally, the oscillation was also abolished in
      presence of uncouplers like NH4Cl and nigericin that cancels the trans-thylakoid
      ?pH. Thus, trans-thylakoid ?pH, generated through CEF, appear to be an important
      determinant of oscillation of FPSI/FPSII in isolated thylakoids. The phenomenon
      of oscillation could be associated with a CEF mediated chromatic adaptation of
      PSI in presence of excess irradiance. 

PMID- 24214389
TI  - Neighboring group participation in the electrospray ionization tandem mass
      spectra of polyamine toxins of spiders. Part 1: alpha, omega-diaminoalkane
      compounds.
AB  - The fragmentation pattern of N-(4-aminobutyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enamide
      (1) is characterized by an ion formed by neighboring group participation. The
      phenolic hydrogen is transferred to the primary amino group via a 15-membered
      ring. This has been proven by H/D exchange reactions and by analyzing homologues
      and derivatives. 

PMID- 24214390
TI  - Characterization of disulfide linkages and disulfide bond scrambling in
      recombinant human macrophage colony stimulating factor by fast-atom bombardment
      mass spectrometry of enzymatic digests.
AB  - Fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry was used to study disulfide bonding
      patterns in heat-denatured human recombinant macrophage colony stimulating factor
      (rhM-CSF). The heat-denaturated protein was studied by analysis of the pattern of
      peptides in the proteolytic digests. Native rhM-CSF is a homodimer with
      intramolecular disulfide linkages between Cys7-Cys90, Cys48-Cys139, and Cys102
      Cys146 and intermolecular linkages between Cys31-Cys31, and the pairs Cys157 and
      Cys159. Brief heating for 1 min leads to partial disulfide bond scrambling. In
      addition to the native disulfide bonds between Cys7-Cys90, Cys48-Cys139, and
      Cys31-Cys31, nonnative disulfide bonds were detected between Cys48-Cys90 and
      Cys48-Cys102. When heated for 5 min the disulfide bonds of rhM-CSF are completely
      scrambled and lead to nonnative intramolecular disulfide bonds between Cys48
      Cys102 and Cys90-Cys102 and one intermolecular disulfide bond between Cys102
      Cys102. 

PMID- 24214391
TI  - Chemical substructure identification by mass spectral library searching.
AB  - A library-search procedure that identifies structural features of an unknown
      compound from its electron-ionization mass spectrum is described. Like other
      methods, this procedure first retrieves library compounds whose spectra are most
      similar to the spectrum of an unknown compound. It then deduces structural
      features of the unknown compound from the chemical structures of the retrievals.
      Unlike other methods, the significance of each retrieved spectrum is weighted
      according to its similarity to the spectrum of the unknown compound. Also, a
      "peaks-in-common" screening step serves to reduce search times and an optimized
      dot product function provides the match factor. If the molecular weight of the
      unknown compound is provided, the identification of certain substructures can be
      improved by including "neutral loss" peaks. Correlations between the presence of
      a substructure in a test compound and its presence among library retrievals were
      derived from the results of searching the NIST/EPA/NIH reference library with a
      7891 compound test set. These correlations allow the estimation of probabilities
      of substructure occurrence and absence in an unknown compound from the results of
      a library search. This method may be viewed as an optimization of the "K-nearest
      neighbor" method of Isenhour and co-workers, with improvements that arise from
      spectrum screening, peak scaling, an optimal distance measure, a relative
      distance weighting scheme, and a larger reference library. 

PMID- 24214392
TI  - Comparative study of different thermospray interfaces with carbamate pesticides:
      Influence of the ion source geometry.
AB  - Sixteen carbamate pesticides that belong to four chemical classes (oxime-N
      methylcarbamates, aryl N-methylcarbamates, N-phenylcarbamates, and methyl esters
      of substituted carbamic acids) were investigated via three different commercially
      available thermospray interfaces and ion sources that exhibit wide differences in
      source geometry. Comparisons were made between the three interfaces with respect
      to ion formation and sensitivity of detection. Experimental parameters were
      standardized to obtain comparable experimental conditions. Very similar mass
      spectra for most carbamates were obtained that illustrate independence from the
      geometry of the ionization and desolvation chambers of the interfaces. These
      findings are in sharp contrast to several literature reports. However, thermally
      labile carbamates gave unsatisfactory results with regard to spectral
      compatibility between the interfaces. Such differences were due to thermally
      assisted hydrolysis reactions that occur in the vaporizer probe prior to
      ionization and reflect differences in the vaporizer designs. The study proves
      conclusively that comparable spectra can be obtained under thermospray with
      different interfaces and mass spectrometers. 

PMID- 24214394
TI  - Discovery of recurrent structural variants in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - We present the discovery of genes recurrently involved in structural variation in
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the identification of a novel type of somatic
      structural variant. We identified the variants with high complexity mate-pair
      libraries and a novel computational algorithm specifically designed for tumor
      normal comparisons, SMASH. SMASH combines signals from split reads and mate-pair
      discordance to detect somatic structural variants. We demonstrate a >90%
      validation rate and a breakpoint reconstruction accuracy of 3 bp by Sanger
      sequencing. Our approach identified three in-frame gene fusions (YAP1-MAML2,
      PTPLB-RSRC1, and SP3-PTK2) that had strong levels of expression in corresponding
      NPC tissues. We found two cases of a novel type of structural variant, which we
      call "coupled inversion," one of which produced the YAP1-MAML2 fusion. To
      investigate whether the identified fusion genes are recurrent, we performed
      fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to screen 196 independent NPC cases. We
      observed recurrent rearrangements of MAML2 (three cases), PTK2 (six cases), and
      SP3 (two cases), corresponding to a combined rate of structural variation
      recurrence of 6% among tested NPC tissues. 

PMID- 24214396
TI  - Formation of virions is strictly required for turnip yellows virus long-distance
      movement in plants.
AB  - Viral genomic RNA of the Turnip yellows virus (TuYV; genus Polerovirus; family
      Luteoviridae) is protected in virions formed by the major capsid protein (CP) and
      the minor component, the readthrough (RT*) protein. Long-distance transport, used
      commonly by viruses to systemically infect host plants, occurs in phloem sieve
      elements and two viral forms of transport have been described: virions and
      ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. With regard to poleroviruses, virions have
      always been presumed to be the long-distance transport form, but the potential
      role of RNP complexes has not been investigated. Here, we examined the
      requirement of virions for polerovirus systemic movement by analysing CP-targeted
      mutants that were unable to form viral particles. We confirmed that TuYV mutants
      that cannot encapsidate into virions are not able to reach systemic leaves. To
      completely discard the possibility that the introduced mutations in CP simply
      blocked the formation or the movement of RNP complexes, we tested in trans
      complementation of TuYV CP mutants by providing WT CP expressed in transgenic
      plants. WT CP was able to facilitate systemic movement of TuYV CP mutants and
      this observation was always correlated with the formation of virions. This
      demonstrated clearly that virus particles are essential for polerovirus systemic
      movement. 

PMID- 24214395
TI  - P23H opsin knock-in mice reveal a novel step in retinal rod disc morphogenesis.
AB  - Retinal rod photoreceptor cells have double membrane discs located in their outer
      segments (ROS) that are continuously formed proximally from connecting cilia (CC)
      and phagocytized distally by the retinal pigmented epithelium. The major
      component of these rod discs, the light-sensitive visual pigment rhodopsin (Rho),
      consists of an opsin protein linked to 11-cis-retinal. The P23H mutation of rod
      opsin (P23H opsin) is the most common cause of human blinding autosomal dominant
      retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). A mouse model of adRP with this mutation
      (Rho(P23H/+)) shows low levels of P23H opsin protein, partial misalignment of
      discs and progressive retinal degeneration. However, the impact of mutant P23H
      opsin on the formation of abnormal discs is unclear and it is still unknown
      whether this mutant pigment can mediate phototransduction. Using transretinal ERG
      recordings, we demonstrate that P23H mutant Rho can trigger phototransduction but
      Rho(P23H/P23H) rods are ~17 000-fold less sensitive to light than Rho(+/+) rods
      and produce abnormally fast photo-responses. By analyzing homozygous
      Rho(P23H/P23H) knock-in mice, we show that P23H opsin is transported to ciliary
      protrusions where it forms sagittally elongated discs. Transmission electron
      microscopy of postnatal day (PND) 14 Rho(P23H/+) mouse retina revealed disordered
      sagittally oriented discs before the onset of retinal degeneration. Surprisingly,
      we also observed smaller, immature sagittally oriented discs in PND14 Rho(+/)(-)
      and Rho(+/+) mice that were not seen in older animals. These findings provide
      fundamental insights into the pathogenesis of the P23H mutant opsin and reveal a
      novel early sagittally aligned disc formation step in normal ROS disc expansion. 

PMID- 24214397
TI  - Arabidopsis 56-amino acid serine palmitoyltransferase-interacting proteins
      stimulate sphingolipid synthesis, are essential, and affect mycotoxin
      sensitivity.
AB  - Maintenance of sphingolipid homeostasis is critical for cell growth and
      programmed cell death (PCD). Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), composed of LCB1
      and LCB2 subunits, catalyzes the primary regulatory point for sphingolipid
      synthesis. Small subunits of SPT (ssSPT) that strongly stimulate SPT activity
      have been identified in mammals, but the role of ssSPT in eukaryotic cells is
      unclear. Candidate Arabidopsis thaliana ssSPTs, ssSPTa and ssSPTb, were
      identified and characterized. Expression of these 56-amino acid polypeptides in a
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae SPT null mutant stimulated SPT activity from the
      Arabidopsis LCB1/LCB2 heterodimer by >100-fold through physical interaction with
      LCB1/LCB2. ssSPTa transcripts were more enriched in all organs and >400-fold more
      abundant in pollen than ssSPTb transcripts. Accordingly, homozygous ssSPTa T-DNA
      mutants were not recoverable, and 50% nonviable pollen was detected in
      heterozygous ssspta mutants. Pollen viability was recovered by expression of wild
      type ssSPTa or ssSPTb under control of the ssSPTa promoter, indicating ssSPTa and
      ssSPTb functional redundancy. SPT activity and sensitivity to the PCD-inducing
      mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) were increased by ssSPTa overexpression. Conversely,
      SPT activity and FB1 sensitivity were reduced in ssSPTa RNA interference lines.
      These results demonstrate that ssSPTs are essential for male gametophytes, are
      important for FB1 sensitivity, and limit sphingolipid synthesis in planta.

PMID- 24214398
TI  - A gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferase protects Arabidopsis plants from heavy metal
      toxicity by recycling glutamate to maintain glutathione homeostasis.
AB  - Plants detoxify toxic metals through a GSH-dependent pathway. GSH homeostasis is
      maintained by the gamma-glutamyl cycle, which involves GSH synthesis and
      degradation and the recycling of component amino acids. The enzyme gamma-glutamyl
      cyclotransferase (GGCT) is involved in Glu recycling, but the gene(s) encoding
      GGCT has not been identified in plants. Here, we report that an Arabidopsis
      thaliana protein with a cation transport regulator-like domain, hereafter
      referred to as GGCT2;1, functions as gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferase.
      Heterologous expression of GGCT2;1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced
      phenotypes that were consistent with decreased GSH content attributable to either
      GSH degradation or the diversion of gamma-glutamyl peptides to produce 5
      oxoproline (5-OP). 5-OP levels were further increased by the addition of arsenite
      and GSH to the medium, indicating that GGCT2;1 participates in the cellular
      response to arsenic (As) via GSH degradation. Recombinant GGCT2;1 converted both
      GSH and gamma-glutamyl Ala to 5-OP in vitro. GGCT2;1 transcripts were upregulated
      in As-treated Arabidopsis, and ggct2;1 knockout mutants were more tolerant to As
      and cadmium than the wild type. Overexpression of GGCT2;1 in Arabidopsis resulted
      in the accumulation of 5-OP. Under As toxicity, the overexpression lines showed
      minimal changes in de novo Glu synthesis, while the ggct2;1 mutant increased
      nitrogen assimilation by severalfold, resulting in a very low As/N ratio in
      tissue. Thus, our results suggest that GGCT2;1 ensures sufficient GSH turnover
      during abiotic stress by recycling Glu.

PMID- 24214399
TI  - FOXP1 mutations cause intellectual disability and a recognizable phenotype.
AB  - Mutations in FOXP1, located at 3p13, have been reported in patients with global
      developmental delay (GDD), intellectual disability (ID), and speech defects.
      Mutations in FOXP2, located at 7q31, are well known to cause developmental speech
      and language disorders, particularly developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD). FOXP2
      has been shown to work co-operatively with FOXP1 in mouse development. An overlap
      in FOXP1 and FOXP2 expression, both in the songbird and human fetal brain, has
      suggested that FOXP1 may also have a role in speech and language disorders. We
      report on a male child with a 0.19 MB intragenic deletion that is predicted to
      result in haploinsufficiency of FOXP1. Review of our patient and others reported
      in the literature reveals an emerging phenotype of GDD/ID with moderate to severe
      speech delay where expressive speech is most severely affected. DVD appears not
      to be a distinct feature in this group. Facial features include a broad forehead,
      downslanting palpebral fissures, a short nose with broad tip, relative or true
      macrocephaly, a frontal hair upsweep and prominent digit pads. Autistic traits
      and other behavioral problems are likely to be associated with haploinsufficiency
      of FOXP1. Congenital malformations may be associated.

PMID- 24214400
TI  - Birth management and perinatal care : Biosocial perspectives.
AB  - In the past four decades, obstetric and neonatal care practices have changed
      dramatically throughout the western world. As a result, humans now confront
      unprecedented situations for which they have no biological preparation or
      cultural experience. In these special issues, an integrated view of the evolving
      practices of birthing and infant care are discussed from a variety of
      perspectives. Contributors attempt to show how understanding of the biomedical
      and psychosocial issues can be informed by cross-cultural and cross-species
      evidence concerning birth management, neonatal care, and early development. The
      individual contributions are summarized in this introductory article. 

PMID- 24214401
TI  - Historical perspectives on parental investment and childbearing.
AB  - This article provides some historical perspectives on parental investment and
      childbearing. Scholars are debating whether parents always loved and nurtured
      their children. The historical record provides some support for both sides.
      Parents who abandoned their children often did so with the hope that someone else
      would be able to raise them. But others, like the ancient Carthagians, sacrificed
      their own children to appease the gods. Colonial Americans appear to have been
      particularly solicitous of the well-being of their children. The paper then
      traces the changes in the role of women in facilitating the process of childbirth
      in America. Scholars are cautioned not to idealize the childbirth experiences of
      women in the past as they experienced considerable pain and fear. 

PMID- 24214402
TI  - The evolutionary history of childbirth : Biology and cultural practices.
AB  - Consideration of the evolutionary and cross-cultural history of childbirth
      reveals many differences between the ways in which most human females have
      experienced childbirth and the ways in which most women in contemporary
      industrialized obstetric settings experience the event. In this paper I review
      two of these differences: the pain and anxiety of labor and delivery and the
      discontinuity of care provided for the mother and infant. I argue that much of
      the dissatisfaction with birth practices in the United States results from the
      failure of modern obstetric practice to meet the evolved needs of mothers and
      infants. 

PMID- 24214403
TI  - Oxytocin and the augmentation of labor : Human and medical perspectives.
AB  - At least a third of the women giving birth in the United States receive
      intravenous oxytocin for the induction and augmentation of labor. The problem of
      inactive or ineffective labor remains a major challenge for birth attendants,
      midwives, and physicians who practice obstetrics. Before the discovery of
      oxytocin, traditional approaches to augmentation ranged from magical and folk
      interventions to extensive bloodletting. Despite its wide use the effectiveness
      of oxytocin augmentation has not been well studied, and current research raises
      new questions about its effect on the brain. 

PMID- 24214404
TI  - Two trends in middle-class birth in the United States.
AB  - This discussion focuses on two important trends in American childbirth that have
      emerged in the past 30 years, the demand for a perfect baby and the desire for a
      perfect birth. These two trends are particularly important in the subgroup of
      middle-class women who have decided on delayed childbearing. Tremendous
      technological innovations, such as ultra-sound, prenatal genetic analysis, and
      fetal monitoring, have promoted the perception that physicians can control the
      prenatal environment and predict the pregnancy outcome. This expectation may lead
      to bitterness and anger in the event of an adverse pregnancy outcome. In
      contrast, women and their families have also come to desire more control over the
      birth experience. If the parents' birth plan is not achieved and their
      expectations not fulfilled, many parents feel they have not performed well. When
      the physician acts as a guide in the birth process, parents and physicians
      together may transcend the conflict to achieve a more satisfactory birth
      experience. 

PMID- 24214405
TI  - Defining reducible risk : Social dimensions of assessing birth technologies.
AB  - In maternity care, costly high-technology interventions that have never been
      shown to be clinically effective continue to be used in the United States, while
      inexpensive and effective low-technology interventions continue to be underused.
      Three high-technology approaches to risk reduction-electronic fetal monitoring,
      cesarean section, and home uterine activity monitoring are contrasted with three
      low-technology approaches-prenatal care, smoking cessation, and nutrition
      supplementation. These technologies are examined in terms of current
      controversies over their safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. Examination of
      these controversies illustrates how the medical technology industry, the
      regulatory process, and systems of social stratification contribute to social and
      cultural constructions of what are regarded as reducible birth risks. 

PMID- 24214406
TI  - Photodynamic diagnosis using 5-aminolevulinic acid during gastrectomy for gastric
      cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Five-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has received much
      attention recently as a new-generation photosensitive substance for photodynamic
      diagnosis (PDD). This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of
      intraoperative PDD using ALA to identify gastric cancer. METHODS: Intraoperative
      PDD was carried out in 26 lesions of 21 patients with gastric cancer. Before
      surgery, 1.0 g of ALA solution was given orally through a stomach tube. After
      tumor resection, resected specimens were investigated by an endoscopic PDD
      system, and red fluorescence-positive lesions were compared with the pathological
      result. RESULTS: Red fluorescence was detected in 15 lesions of 11 patients. The
      sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PDD using ALA in detecting gastric
      cancer were 57.7, 100, and 66.7%, respectively. The incidence of laparoscopic
      surgery was significantly lower in the PDD-positive group than in PDD-negative
      cases (18.2% vs. 60.0%; P = 0.049), while that of intestinal type tumor was
      significantly higher in PDD-positive compared to PDD-negative patients (93.3% vs.
      27.3%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fluorescence navigation by PDD provides good
      visualization and detection of gastric cancer lesions, and might be particularly
      useful for intestinal type gastric cancer. Thus, PDD using ALA seems to be a
      promising diagnostic tool for gastric cancer.

PMID- 24214407
TI  - Intuitive, but not simple: including explicit water molecules in protein-protein
      docking simulations improves model quality.
AB  - Characterizing the nature of interaction between proteins that have not been
      experimentally cocrystallized requires a computational docking approach that can
      successfully predict the spatial conformation adopted in the complex. In this
      work, the Hydropathic INTeractions (HINT) force field model was used for scoring
      docked models in a data set of 30 high-resolution crystallographically
      characterized "dry" protein-protein complexes and was shown to reliably identify
      native-like models. However, most current protein-protein docking algorithms fail
      to explicitly account for water molecules involved in bridging interactions that
      mediate and stabilize the association of the protein partners, so we used HINT to
      illuminate the physical and chemical properties of bridging waters and account
      for their energetic stabilizing contributions. The HINT water Relevance metric
      identified the "truly" bridging waters at the 30 protein-protein interfaces and
      we utilized them in "solvated" docking by manually inserting them into the input
      files for the rigid body ZDOCK program. By accounting for these interfacial
      waters, a statistically significant improvement of ~24% in the average hit-count
      within the top-10 predictions the protein-protein dataset was seen, compared to
      standard "dry" docking. The results also show scoring improvement, with medium
      and high accuracy models ranking much better than incorrect ones. These
      improvements can be attributed to the physical presence of water molecules that
      alter surface properties and better represent native shape and hydropathic
      complementarity between interacting partners, with concomitantly more accurate
      native-like structure predictions.

PMID- 24214408
TI  - Use of electrochemotherapy in a case of neck skin metastasis of oral squamous
      cell carcinoma: case report and considerations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common oral cavity
      malignant tumor. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have been the major
      options for its treatment. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a novel local treatment
      successfully used in secondary or primary skin or subcutaneous tumors. This new
      cancer treatment is a modality in which a locally applied electrical field
      enhances cell membrane permeability, thereby allowing greater intracellular
      accumulation of a chemotherapeutic agent. METHODS: We report a case of a man
      affected by an ulcerated SCC. The man was treated with ECT with good results.
      RESULTS: In our case, ECT was successful in the management of extensive
      metastasis of SCC in clinical conditions, whereas other approaches were rejected.
      CONCLUSION: This case shows good clinical results; however, other studies are
      necessary to show that ECT should be considered as a promising treatment option.

PMID- 24214410
TI  - CYP3A5*3 and bilirubin predict midazolam population pharmacokinetics in Asian
      cancer patients.
AB  - We aim to evaluate the influence of covariates, including cytochrome P450 3A
      (CYP3A) genetic polymorphisms, on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam (MDZ) in
      Asian cancer patients, using a population pharmacokinetic approach.
      Pharmacokinetic data were obtained from 24 adult cancer patients who received an
      intravenous bolus dose of 1 mg MDZ as a CYP3A phenotyping probe, 1-day before
      starting FOLFIRI chemotherapy. Concentrations of MDZ and its major metabolites,
      1'-hydroxymidazolam (1OHM) and 1'-hydroxymidazolam glucuronide (HMG) were
      measured using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The population
      pharmacokinetic study was conducted using NONMEM. Demographics, clinical
      characteristics, and genetic polymorphisms were screened as covariates. A two
      compartment model for MDZ and two sequential compartments representing 1OHM and
      HMG best described the data. The CYP3A5*3 and total bilirubin level significantly
      influenced MDZ clearance. The population typical MDZ clearance for CYP3A5*3
      expressers was 22% lower than non-expressers. Baseline bodyweight was a
      statistically significant covariate for clearance and distribution volume of
      1OHM. Creatinine clearance was positively correlated with HMG clearance. Our data
      indicate that CYP3A5*3, total bilirubin, bodyweight, and creatinine clearance are
      important predictors of MDZ and metabolite pharmacokinetics. Further studies in
      more patients are needed to explore the links between the identified covariates
      and the disposition of MDZ and its metabolites.

PMID- 24214409
TI  - Developing an international Pseudomonas aeruginosa reference panel.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major opportunistic pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF)
      patients and causes a wide range of infections among other susceptible
      populations. Its inherent resistance to many antimicrobials also makes it
      difficult to treat infections with this pathogen. Recent evidence has highlighted
      the diversity of this species, yet despite this, the majority of studies on
      virulence and pathogenesis focus on a small number of strains. There is a
      pressing need for a P. aeruginosa reference panel to harmonize and coordinate the
      collective efforts of the P. aeruginosa research community. We have collated a
      panel of 43 P. aeruginosa strains that reflects the organism's diversity. In
      addition to the commonly studied clones, this panel includes transmissible
      strains, sequential CF isolates, strains with specific virulence characteristics,
      and strains that represent serotype, genotype or geographic diversity. This
      focussed panel of P. aeruginosa isolates will help accelerate and consolidate the
      discovery of virulence determinants, improve our understanding of the
      pathogenesis of infections caused by this pathogen, and provide the community
      with a valuable resource for the testing of novel therapeutic agents. 

PMID- 24214412
TI  - Clinical Implications of Marker Expression of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts
      (CAFs) in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma After Treatment with
      Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.
AB  - Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in tumor initiation
      and progression. The aim of this study is to explore the role of 2 CAF markers,
      fibroblast activated protein (FAP) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA), in
      patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
      Sixty-six patients with the diagnosis of EOC treated with debulking surgery after
      neoadjuvant therapy were retrieved from the archives. Immunohistochemistry for
      FAP and alphaSMA antibodies were performed on paraffin-embedded tissue. Fisher's
      exact test was performed to test the association between FAP and alphaSMA
      expression and disease status. Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test was used to
      check the survival difference between different FAP tumor/stroma expressions. FAP
      stroma (pos) . expression was strongly associated with higher recurrences rate
      [OR: 15.95; 95 % CI: 1.521-835.206; p = 0.0072]. Cases with combined FAP stroma
      (pos) and FAP tumor (neg) had higher death rate [OR: 4.845; 95 % CI: 1.53-16.61;
      p = 0.0046] and higher recurrence rate [OR: 5.12; 95 % CI: 0.91-54.42; p =
      0.0487] compared to all the others. Cases with combined FAP stroma (neg) and FAP
      tumor (neg) were more likely to have lower recurrence rates [OR: 0.086; 95 % CI:
      0.001-0.997; p = 0.0248]. alphaSMA was expressed by tumor-associated stroma in 95
      % of cases and by tumor cells in 9 % of cases. No statistical power was found for
      alphaSMA and disease status. Our data indicate that FAP plays an important role
      in predicting tumor aggressiveness in patients with EOC post-neoadjuvant therapy,
      and its frequent expression in this malignancy implicates that FAP targeted
      therapy could be a very attractive strategy. 

PMID- 24214413
TI  - Evaluating long-term patient-centered outcomes following prostate cancer
      treatment: findings from the Michigan Prostate Cancer Survivor study.
AB  - CONTEXT: Advances in screening and treatment of prostate cancer have dramatically
      increased the number of survivors in the US population. Yet the effect of
      screening is controversial, and in some instances may not be beneficial. Previous
      studies have typically only reported outcomes of treatment and symptoms within a
      short time frame following treatment. The persistence of such symptoms over time
      necessitates an improvement of survivor care so that the medical and support
      needs of these patients are met. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to perform a patient
      centered survey of prostate cancer survivors in the Michigan Cancer Registry to
      identify treatment side effect rates, evaluate survivors' access to preventive
      care services post-prostate cancer treatment, and assess the informational needs
      of these survivors regarding their prostate cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PATIENTS: Linking case files of the Michigan Cancer Registry with records from
      the National Death Index, we identified prostate cancer patients diagnosed
      between 1985 and 2004 and alive on 31 December 2005. Participants were selected
      using a stratified cross-sectional sampling strategy to ensure adequate inclusion
      of survivors based upon race and ethnicity, urban versus rural location, and
      number of years since diagnosis of prostate cancer. A total of 2,499 surveys were
      completed and returned. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Physical symptoms--assessing
      bowel, sexual, urinary, and vitality symptoms by treatment modality. (2) Access
      to care--identifying whether diagnostic tests for prostate cancer (prostate
      specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination) were performed.
      Determining whether the survivors had knowledge of the "watchful waiting"
      paradigm for prostate cancer surveillance. (3) Informational needs--assessing
      whether the informational needs of patients were addressed by providers.
      Evaluating the significant predictors associated with seeking information about
      prostate cancer from any other source. Identifying what factors influenced a
      person to actively seek out information and what factors guide which primary
      information source a survivor would use. RESULTS: Median duration between
      prostate cancer diagnosis and survey response was 9 years. Of the study
      population, 80 % was diagnosed at an early stage. Survivors had reported
      significant problems in the 4 weeks prior to survey. Of the survivors, 88.1 %
      reported having a PSA test since diagnosis of prostate cancer, with 93 % of them
      having it done at least once per year. Of the survivors, 82.6 % reported that a
      healthcare provider gave them information on prostate cancer. Of this 82.6 %,
      86.4 % had this information provided by a urologist, 45.4 % by a primary care
      physician, and 29.2 % by an oncologist. The primary source of information for
      these survivors was "healthcare provider" (59.2 %). CONCLUSION: Persistent
      symptoms subsequent to prostate cancer treatment suggest a gap in symptom
      management. Future research should support long-term studies of active
      surveillance versus active treatment outcomes to understand the feasibility of
      minimizing the burden of long-term physical symptoms arising from prostate cancer
      treatment. Clinicians must assess post-treatment distress long after treatment
      has ended to identify when supportive care is needed. More informational
      resources should be allocated to prostate cancer survivors to ensure that they
      are well-educated about their prognosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This
      study is needed to ensure that the post-treatment symptoms of prostate cancer
      survivors are properly addressed and managed by healthcare providers over the
      long term.

PMID- 24214415
TI  - Comparative dynamics and distribution of influenza drug resistance acquisition to
      protein m2 and neuraminidase inhibitors.
AB  - Although efficient influenza vaccines are designed on a regular basis, the only
      protection of human populations against an unforeseen virus such as during the
      H1N1 pandemic in 2009 might be antiviral drugs. Adamantanes and neuraminidase
      inhibitors (Oseltamivir) represent two classes of such drugs that target the
      viral matrix protein 2 and neuraminidase, respectively. Although the emergence of
      resistance to both drugs has been described, the timing and spread of the
      acquisition of either single or dual resistances by different hosts is still
      unclear. Using a multilayered phylogenetic approach based on relaxed molecular
      clocks and large-scale maximum likelihood approaches, we show that Adamantane
      resistance evolved multiple times in various subtypes and hosts, possibly in
      breeding contexts (swine); and Oseltamivir resistance was also found in different
      subtypes and hosts, but its transmission is only sustained in humans.
      Furthermore, the dynamics of the emergence of antiviral resistance were examined
      for each drug. This showed that although the first mutations conferring
      resistance to Adamantanes precede US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval,
      general resistance emerged 15-38 years post-drug approval. This is in contrast to
      Oseltamivir resistance mutations that emerged at most 7 years after FDA approval
      of the drug. This study demonstrates the power of large-scale analyses to uncover
      and monitor the emergence dynamics of drug resistance. 

PMID- 24214416
TI  - Are researcher development interventions, alone or in any combination, effective
      in improving researcher behavior? A systematic review.
AB  - Academic institutions funded by the Clinical and Translational Science Awards
      (CTSA) Program of the National Institutes of Health were challenged recently by
      the Institute of Medicine to expand traditional mentoring of graduate and
      postdoctoral scholars to include training and continuing education for faculty,
      professional staff, and community partners. A systematic review was conducted to
      determine whether researcher development interventions, alone or in any
      combination, are effective in improving researcher behavior. PubMed, CINAHL, and
      Education Research Complete databases and select journals were searched for
      relevant articles published from January 2000 through October 2012. A total of
      3,459 papers were identified, and 114 papers were retrieved for in-depth
      analysis. None included randomization. Twenty-two papers reported subjects with
      professional degrees, interventions, and outcomes. Interventions were meetings,
      outreach visits, colleague mediation, audit and feedback, and multifaceted
      interventions. Most studies reported multifaceted interventions (68.2%), often
      involving mentored learning experiences, and meetings. All studies reported a
      change in performance, including numbers of publications or grant applications.
      Nine studies reported changes in competence, including writing, presentation, or
      analytic skills, and performance in research practice (40.9%). Even as, the
      quality of evidence was weak to establish causal linkages between researcher
      development and improved researcher behavior, nearly all the projects (81.8%)
      received funding from governmental agencies, professional societies, or other
      organizations. Those who design researcher development activities and those who
      evaluate the programs are challenged to develop tools and conduct studies that
      measure the effectiveness, costs, and sustainability of researcher development in
      the CTSA Program.

PMID- 24214411
TI  - Biological resonance for cancer metastasis, a new hypothesis based on comparisons
      between primary cancers and metastases.
AB  - Many hypotheses have been proposed to try to explain cancer metastasis. However,
      they seem to be contradictory and have some limitations. Comparisons of primary
      tumors and matched metastases provide new insight into metastasis. The results
      show high concordances and minor differences at multiple scales from organic
      level to molecular level. The concordances reflect the commonality between
      primary cancer and metastasis, and also mean that metastatic cancer cells derived
      from primary cancer are quite conservative in distant sites. The differences
      reflect variation that cancer cells must acquire new traits to adapt to foreign
      milieu during the course of evolving into a new tumor in second organs. These
      comparisons also provided new information on understanding mechanism of vascular
      metastasis, organ-specific metastasis, and tumor dormancy. The collective results
      suggest a new hypothesis, biological resonance (bio-resonance) model. The
      hypothesis has two aspects. One is that primary cancer and matched metastasis
      have a common progenitor. The other is that both ancestors of primary cancer
      cells and metastatic cancer cells are under similar microenvironments and receive
      similar or same signals. When their interactions reach a status similar to
      primary cancer, metastasis will occur. Compared with previous hypotheses, the bio
      resonance hypothesis seems to be more applicable for cancer metastasis to explain
      how, when and where metastasis occurs. Thus, it has important implications for
      individual prediction, prevention and treatment of cancer metastasis. 

PMID- 24214417
TI  - Establishing the Validity and Reliability of the Student Practice Evaluation Form
      Revised (SPEF-R) in Occupational Therapy Practice Education: A Rasch Analysis.
AB  - This study investigated construct validity and internal consistency of the
      Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised Edition Package (SPEF-R) which evaluates
      students' performance on practice education placements. The SPEF-R has 38 items
      covering eight domains, and each item is rated on a 5-point rating scale. Data
      from 125 students' final placement evaluations in their final year study were
      analyzed using the Rasch measurement model. The SPEF-R exhibited satisfactory
      rating scale performance and unidimensionality across the eight domains,
      providing construct validity evidence. Only 2 items misfit Rasch model's
      expectations (both related to students' performance with client groups, which
      were often rated as not observed). Additionally, the internal consistency of each
      SPEF-R domain was found to be excellent (Cronbach's alpha = .86 to .91) and all
      individual items had reasonable to excellent item-total correlation coefficients.
      The study results indicate that the SPEF-R can be used with confidence to
      evaluate students' performance during placements, but continued validation and
      refinement are required. 

PMID- 24214418
TI  - A new method for estimating the true score of subjects in the assessment based on
      the binary checklist.
AB  - Assessments of subjects by multiple raters are completed in several health
      research and practice arenas. As observed in interrater comparisons of checklists
      during assessment, raters generally make mistakes in assessment. Despite these
      errors, the average scores on all the checklists have been historically used to
      represent the subjects' true scores. The effect of the assessment rater error on
      these average scores has been seldom studied. In the present study, the effect of
      random rater error on subjects' average scores was investigated mathematically.
      The analysis based on a mathematical model revealed that average scores were
      truly representative only in special cases where raters made no assessment
      errors. In addition, average scores were poor estimates of the true score due to
      random assessment error. A new, more precise formula to estimate subjects' true
      scores was proposed. The method to apply this formula to actual checklist
      assessment data was demonstrated.

PMID- 24214420
TI  - An efficient palladium-catalyzed C-H alkoxylation of unactivated methylene and
      methyl groups with cyclic hypervalent iodine (i(3+) ) oxidants.
AB  - All the hype: The title reaction has been developed for the facile synthesis of a
      variety of complex alkyl ethers. Cyclic hypervalent iodine (I(3+) ) reagents
      serve as oxidants for this unique C?H alkoxylation reaction. The reaction
      demonstrates excellent reactivity, good functional-group tolerance, and high
      yields. Q=8-aminoquinoline-derived auxiliary. 

PMID- 24214421
TI  - Small area estimation for semicontinuous skewed spatial data: an application to
      the grape wine production in Tuscany.
AB  - Linear-mixed models are frequently used to obtain model-based estimators in small
      area estimation (SAE) problems. Such models, however, are not suitable when the
      target variable exhibits a point mass at zero, a highly skewed distribution of
      the nonzero values and a strong spatial structure. In this paper, a SAE approach
      for dealing with such variables is suggested. We propose a two-part random
      effects SAE model that includes a correlation structure on the area random
      effects that appears in the two parts and incorporates a bivariate smooth
      function of the geographical coordinates of units. To account for the skewness of
      the distribution of the positive values of the response variable, a Gamma model
      is adopted. To fit the model, to get small area estimates and to evaluate their
      precision, a hierarchical Bayesian approach is used. The study is motivated by a
      real SAE problem. We focus on estimation of the per-farm average grape wine
      production in Tuscany, at subregional level, using the Farm Structure Survey
      data. Results from this real data application and those obtained by a model-based
      simulation experiment show a satisfactory performance of the suggested SAE
      approach. 

PMID- 24214422
TI  - Disposition and metabolism of setipiprant, a selective oral CRTH2 antagonist, in
      humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Setipiprant, a tetrahydropyridoindole derivative, is a CRTH2
      (chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on T-helper [Th]-2 cells)
      antagonist that has the potential to be effective in the treatment of patients
      with diseases with an allergic etiology, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.
      OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the disposition, metabolism, and elimination
      of setipiprant. STUDY DESIGN: In this open-label study, a single oral dose of
      1,000 mg (14)C-labeled setipiprant was administered. PARTICIPANTS: Six healthy
      male subjects were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: The radioactive dose was
      almost completely recovered in feces (88.2 %) and to a smaller extent in urine
      (11.7 %). The main recovery route for unchanged setipiprant was feces (50 % of
      the radioactive dose). The recovered amount of unchanged setipiprant in urine
      accounted for 3.7 %. The two main metabolites were M7 and M9 with the intact
      tetrahydropyridoindole core of setipiprant. M7 and M9 are supposedly two distinct
      dihydroxy-dihydronaphthalene isomers assumed to be formed by intermediate
      epoxidation of the naphthyl ring followed by a hydrolytic epoxide ring-opening.
      M7 and M9 accounted for 20.0 and 15.3 % of the administered radioactive dose.
      Both metabolites were mainly excreted via feces and to a lesser extent via urine.
      M7 was the only metabolite quantifiable in plasma, but at concentrations
      consistently below 10 % of those of the parent drug. CONCLUSION: Setipiprant is
      mainly excreted in feces in the form of the parent drug and in smaller amounts as
      its metabolites M7 and M9.

PMID- 24214423
TI  - Relative collision cross sections of organic ions.
AB  - The relative collision cross sections sigma c of selected precursor ions that
      collide with helium at high ion kinetic energies (kiloelectronvolts) have been
      obtained by monitoring the ion beam attenuation at different collision pressures.
      A value for the total collision cross section is obtained, which includes
      contributions from different processes that lead to fragmentation, scattering,
      charge exchange, charge inversion, and stripping. For n-alkanes and n
      alkylbenzenes the sigma c value increases linearly by 0.1 per methylene group.
      Linear relationships exist between relative collision cross section and
      ionization cross section sigma i, and polarizability alpha of the corresponding
      neutral molecule, but different equations are required for the description of
      sigma c in each chemical series. A simple relationship, which requires only the
      chemical formula of the precursor ion, has been determined that can predict all
      relative collision cross sections with an average error of 3.5%. The total
      relative collision cross section increases with the size of the ion. The
      experimental results are in agreement with the predictions of the hard-sphere
      collision theory. The approach can be applied to determine the relative collision
      cross sections at different ion kinetic energy regimes and collisions with
      different target gases. 

PMID- 24214424
TI  - High performance fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry via
      a single trap electrode.
AB  - An open-ended cylindrical cell with a single annular trap electrode located at
      the center of the excitation and detection region is demonstrated for Fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. A trapping well is created
      by applying a static potential to the trap electrode of polarity opposite the
      charge of the ion to be trapped, after which conventional dipolar excitation and
      detection are performed. The annular trap electrode is axially narrow to allow
      the creation of a potential well without excessively shielding excitation and
      detection. Trapping is limited to the region of homogeneous excitation at the
      cell centerline without the use of capacitive coupling. Perfluorotributylamine
      excitation profiles demonstrate negligible axial ejection throughout the entire
      excitation voltage range even at an effective centerline potential of only -0.009
      V. High mass resolving power in the single-trap electrode cell is demonstrated by
      achievement of mass resolving power of 1.45 * 10(6) for benzene during an
      experiment in which ions created in a high pressure source cubic cell are
      transferred to the low pressure analyzer single-trap electrode cell for
      detection. Such high performance is attributed to the negligible radius dependent
      radial electric field for ions cooled to the center of the potential well and
      accelerated to less than 60% of the cell radius. An important distinction of the
      single-trap electrode geometry from all previous open and closed cell
      arrangements is exhibition of combined gated and accumulated trapping. Because
      there is no potential barrier, all ions penetrate into the trapping region
      regardless of their translational energy as in gated trapping, but additional
      ions may accumulate over time, as in accumulated trapping. Ions of low
      translational kinetic energy are demonstrated to be preferentially trapped in the
      single-trap electrode cell. In a further demonstration of the minimal radial
      electric field of the single-trap electrode cell, positive voltages can be
      applied to the annular trap electrode as well as the source cell trap electrode
      to achieve highly efficient transfer of ions between cells. 

PMID- 24214425
TI  - A comparison of the peptide fragmentation obtained from a reflector matrix
      assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight and a tandem four sector mass
      spectrometer.
AB  - The types, extent, and overall distribution of peptide fragmentation produced by
      matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-postsource decay (MALDI-PSD) on a
      reflector time-of-flight mass spectrometer were compared with those obtained from
      high and low energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) on a four-sector mass
      spectrometer and from liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS) ion source
      fragmentation and LSIMS metastable ion (MI) decomposition on a two-sector mass
      spectrometer. The model peptides studied had sequences and compositions that
      yielded predominantly either N- or C-terminal fragmentation from CID. For des
      Arg(1) and des-Arg(9) bradykinin (i.e., H-PPGFSPFR-OH and H-RP-PGFSPF-OH,
      respectively), the types of fragment ions and the extent to which each type is
      formed in both MALDI-PSD and low energy CID spectra are remarkably similar. This
      observation suggests that both methods deposit comparable internal energies (IE)
      into [M + H](+) precursor ions. The distribution of N-terminal, C-terminal,
      immonium, and internal fragmentation from MALDI-PSD spectra of des-Arg(1) and des
      Arg(9) bradykinin did not change dramatically with respect to the terminal
      arginine position, contrary to those from LSIMS MI decomposition, high and low
      energy CID spectra. This observation in combination with the prominent immonium,
      internal, and minus 17 fragment ion types in PSD indicates that the imparted IE
      from MALDI and the 14 us of flight time may promote steady-state decomposition
      kinetics. Fragmentation distributions of MALDI-PSD spectra are also similar to
      those in LSIMS spectra. This implies that the distribution of protonation sites
      in [M + H](+) is comparable for both techniques. 

PMID- 24214426
TI  - On the collision-activated fragmentation of proferrioxamines: Evidence for a
      succinimide-mediated mechanism.
AB  - The fragmentation mechanism of acyclic proferrioxamines has been studied by
      tandem mass spectrometry in a triple stage quadrupole mass analyzer by using
      activation in the collision cell as well as in the high pressure region prior to
      the first mass analyzer. The data suggest that proferrioxamines fragment
      preferentially at the hydroxamate bonds via cyclic rearrangement to succinimide
      derivatives. This pattern was observed most clearly for the peracetyl
      derivatives, in which the influence of terminal functional groups was masked.
      Free amino or carboxylic acid functions may modify this basic fragmentation
      pattern. Using hydrogen-deuterium exchange, we also were able to show that the
      hydrogen atoms that are "recruited" in the formation of ammonium ions are
      "acidic" ones from elsewhere in the molecule or the matrix. At the same time,
      this rules out that they originate from "activated" methylene groups, as
      previously proposed. 

PMID- 24214427
TI  - Tandem mass spectrometry study of C-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone spin adducts from
      in vitro rat liver microsomal metabolism of bromotrichloromethane and carbon
      tetrachloride.
AB  - Electron ionization and thermospray were used in conjunction with tandem mass
      spectrometry methods to identify trichloromethyl/C-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone
      (PBN) spin adducts produced in rat liver microsomal dispersions that had been
      treated with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)
      generating system and BrCCl3 (or CCl4). In the identification of PBN spin
      adducts, a scan of precursors of m / z 57 was utilized to confirm the presence of
      PBN spin adducts, because PBN spin adducts produce m / z 57 from tert-butyl as a
      characteristic fragment. Use of deuterated PBN (PBN-d9 deuterated at tert-butyl;
      PBN-d 14 deuterated at both phenyl and tert-butyl) improved the recognition of
      PBN adducts in mixtures by precursor ion scans, because m / z 66 (which
      corresponds to the deuterated tert-butyl group) is characteristic and, unlike m /
      z 57, it is not a common fragment for any other compounds. Two new PBN spin
      adducts that were not detected before by electron paramagnetic resonance or mass
      spectrometry were identified by these methods for the first time. 

PMID- 24214428
TI  - Analysis of serum protein precipitated with antiserum by matrix-assisted laser
      desorption ionization/time-of-flight and electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry as a clinical laboratory test.
AB  - Serum transferrin precipitated with specific antisera was analyzed by matrix
      assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF
      MS) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). When analyzed by
      MALDI, transferrin showed signal peaks that clearly could be separated from ions
      of IgG present in the immunoprecipitate. By ESI-MS, when the immunoprecipitates
      were loaded through a microcapillary polymeric reversed-phase column connected to
      the electrospray ionization probe, the mass spectra of transferrin were observed
      with a high signal-to-noise ratio and good resolution. By MALDI/TOF-MS, the
      observed molecular weight of normal transferrin was ~ 1.2 ku smaller when
      analyzed in the reflectron mode than in the linear mode. The observed molecular
      weight of transferrin treated with sialidase was approximately the same in both
      modes. A comparison between the results obtained in both modes may help to
      estimate the number of sialic acids on the protein molecule. A transferrin
      isoform with a molecular weight of ~2.2 ku less than the normal species was
      identified in the serum of patients with a carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein
      syndrome as well as in heavy alcohol consumers. 

PMID- 24214429
TI  - Electrospray mass spectrometry of borane salts: The electrospray needle as an
      electrochemical cell.
AB  - Two borane salts ([(Me)4N][B3H8] and Cs[B3H8]) were examined by electrospray mass
      spectrometry in the positive ion mode. Acetonitrile solutions provided the most
      informative spectra; the salts exhibited a remarkable degree of clustering under
      electrospray conditions, and virtually all signals corresponded to cationic
      cluster ions of the general formula {[cation (m+)] x [anion (n-)] y }((mx -
      ny)+). In contrast, methanol solutions of these salts produced only B(OCH3) 4 (-)
      cluster ions under otherwise identical conditions. (11)B NMR analyses corroborate
      the identities of the methanol solution species that enter the electrospray
      source and the reaction product generated during the electrospray process. 

PMID- 24214430
TI  - Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric study of encapsulation of amino acids
      by cyclodextrins.
AB  - Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry has been used to study inclusion
      (host-guest) complexes of cyclodextrins (CDs) with amino acids. Host-guest
      complexes formed in solution are stable for characterization by ESI mass
      spectrometry: The relative abundances and the stoichiometry of the complexes
      formed in solution can, thus, be determined in the gas phase. The studies
      verified that beta- and gamma-cyclodextrin better accommodate protonated amino
      acids than alpha-cyclodextrin, and that chemically modified cyclodextrins such as
      heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CD) may show profound
      improvement in complexation. The preferential formation of DM-beta-CD-aromatic
      amino acid over DM-beta-CD-aliphatic amino acid complexes is confirmed by the
      experiments, and the relative gas-phase stabilities determined by repeller
      collimator collision-induced dissociation show an identical trend to the
      complexation in solution. Although molecular mechanics studies also may predict
      the encapsulation preference of protonated amino acids by cyclodextrins, only
      small differences in the total complexation energies are obtained because of the
      inability of the calculations to consider hydrophobic interactions. An
      experimental approach based on ESI mass spectrometry is, therefore, more reliable
      in predicting host-guest interactions that involve cyclodextrins and amino acids
      than the theoretical calculations that employ molecular mechanics models. 

PMID- 24214431
TI  - Bond-selective photodissociation of aliphatic disulfides.
AB  - The photochemistry of aliphatic disulfides is presented. The photolysis products
      are photoionized with coherent vacuum ultraviolet radiation and analyzed by time
      of-flight mass spectrometry. With 248-nm excitation, the predominant dissociation
      pathway is S-S bond cleavage. With 193-nm excitation, S-S bond cleavage, C-S bond
      cleavage, and molecular rearrangements are all observed as primary processes. The
      branching ratio for S-S bond cleavage relative to C-S bond cleavage is typically
      1-2 orders of magnitude greater at 248 run than 193 run. This wavelength
      dependence cannot be explained readily by photodissociation from the ground
      electronic state. The ground state S-S bond energy, ~ 280 kJ/mol, is much larger
      than the C-S bond energy, ~ 235 kJ/mol. If dissociation occurred from the ground
      state, higher wavelength radiation would be expected to favor the lower energy
      process, but the opposite effect is observed. Thus, excited state photochemistry
      is indicated. These results are discussed with respect to the differences between
      low and high energy collision-induced dissociation of peptides that contain
      disulfide linkages and to the possibility of achieving bond-selective
      photodissociation of such ions. 

PMID- 24214433
TI  - Pediatric Exercise Science: back to the future.

PMID- 24214434
TI  - Oxygen uptake and endurance fitness in children, revisited.

PMID- 24214435
TI  - Large-scale youth physical fitness testing in the United States: a 25-year
      retrospective review.

PMID- 24214436
TI  - Changes in aerobic fitness in boys and girls over a period of 25 years: data from
      the Amsterdam Growth And Health Longitudinal Study revisited and extended.
AB  - In the Amsterdam Growth And Health Longitudinal Study (AGAHLS), a group of
      approximately 650 12- to 14-year-old boys and girls was followed in their growth,
      and development of their health their lifestyle including diet, physical activity
      and smoking. One of the main interests was the change in their aerobic fitness.
      From 12 to 36 years of age in total, eight repeated measurements were performed
      to measure peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2). In this study the data of peak VO2 are
      revisited and extended: We made use of all collected data as a mixed longitudinal
      design including cross-sectionally measured subjects as well as longitudinally
      measured subjects. This led to the availability of 1,194 boys and 1356 girls.
      With Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) the longitudinal changes with
      chronological age and differences between boys and girls were analyzed. Teenage
      boys and girls increased their peak VO2 (ml/min) significantly (p < .001) until
      age 14 in girls and until age 17 in boys. However peak VO2 relative to bodyweight
      (peak VO2/BW) had significantly (p < .001) decreased over the whole age range
      from 12 to 36 in both sexes. Vigorous physical activity (VPA) also showed a
      decrease and was significantly (p < .001) related with lower peak VO2/BW (Beta =
      0.001). This relation was stronger in boys than in girls. Because at the start of
      AGAHLS no fast responding metabolic instruments were available, future
      longitudinal studies about aerobic fitness should include also measurement of VO2
      kinetics. 

PMID- 24214437
TI  - Activity measurement: not simply child's play.

PMID- 24214438
TI  - Aerobic fitness and physical activity in children.
AB  - In Volume 1 of Pediatric Exercise Science (PES), a paper by Fenster et al. (25)
      investigated the relationship between peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and physical
      activity (PA) in 6- to 8-year-old children. They used both questionnaires and
      large-scale integrated activity monitors (LSIs) to estimate daily PA and
      determined peak VO2 using an incremental treadmill test to volitional exhaustion.
      They concluded that peak VO2 correlated well with PA as measured by LSIs but
      commented that questionnaire data were only weakly and nonsignificantly
      associated with LSI and peak VO2 data. Peak VO2 and PA are the most researched
      and reported variables in the 25-year history of PES. Yet, the assessment and
      interpretation of young people's aerobic fitness and PA remain problematic and
      any meaningful relationship between them during childhood and adolescence is
      shrouded with controversy. The present paper uses Fenster et al.'s (25) report as
      an indicator of where we were 25 years ago, outlines how far we have advanced
      since then, and suggests future directions of research in the study of aerobic
      fitness and PA. In the first volume of PES, Fenster, Freedson, Washburn, and
      Ellison (25) investigated the relationship between 6- to 8-year-old children's
      peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and physical activity (PA). Five boys and 13 girls
      participated in the study and their data were pooled for analysis. Peak VO2 was
      determined during an incremental treadmill test to voluntary exhaustion and PA
      was estimated using both questionnaires and large-scale integrated activity
      monitors (LSIs). On the basis of a significant interclass correlation coefficient
      of r = .59 between peak VO2 and the log of LSI average counts per hour Fenster et
      al. (25) concluded that "aerobic capacity, as measured by peak VO2 correlated
      well with physical activity as measured by LSI" (p.134). They also commented that
      questionnaire data were only weakly and nonsignificantly associated with LSI and
      peak VO2 data. Young people's peak VO2 and PA are the most researched and
      reported variables in the 25-year history of PES and yet the assessment and
      interpretation of peak VO2 and PA and any meaningful relationship between them
      during growth and maturation are still shrouded with controversy. The present
      paper uses Fenster et al.'s (25) work as an indicator of our understanding of
      young people's peak VO2 and PA in 1989, briefly reviews what we know in 2013, and
      suggests future directions of research.

PMID- 24214439
TI  - Back to the future: research trends in youth motivation and physical activity.

PMID- 24214440
TI  - Body composition in children.

PMID- 24214441
TI  - Youth resistance training: past practices, new perspectives, and future
      directions.
AB  - Since the publication of the seminal review on youth resistance training by
      Kraemer and colleagues in 1989, a compelling body of evidence has found that
      resistance training can be a safe, effective, and worthwhile method of
      conditioning for children and adolescents. New perspectives for promoting
      resistance exercise as part of a long-term approach to youth physical development
      highlight the importance of integrating resistance training into youth fitness
      programs. Youth who do not enhance their muscular strength and motor skill
      proficiency early in life may not develop the prerequisite skills and abilities
      that would allow them to participate in a variety of activities and sports with
      confidence and vigor later in life. The identification of asymptomatic children
      with muscular weaknesses or imbalances may facilitate the development of a
      management plan which should rectify movement limitations and educate children
      and their families about the importance of daily physical activity. 

PMID- 24214442
TI  - The endocrine response to exercise and training in young athletes.
AB  - The manuscript "Plasma Somatomedin-C in 8- to 10-Year-Old Swimmers" by Denison
      and Ben-Ezra published in the first issue of Pediatric Exercise Science in 1989
      was among the first to address the relationship between growth, the growth
      hormone (GH)/Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis, and exercise. Since their
      pioneering article, this topic has become of great interest to pediatricians and
      pediatric exercise researchers, and today our understanding of the effects of
      exercise training on the growth axis during childhood and puberty, on differences
      between systemic and local (i.e., muscle) responses to exercise, and our ability
      to use these responses to assist the adolescent competitive athlete in the
      evaluation of the training load have markedly improved. The aim of the present
      review is to summarize our current knowledge on this topic. 

PMID- 24214443
TI  - Exercise and Cystic Fibrosis (CF) 2.0.
AB  - In 1989 we knew that exercise, including regular prescribed physical activity,
      could be safely performed and described some of the physiological responses to
      exercise in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Also in 1989, the genetic defect
      causing cystic fibrosis (CF) was identified leading to improvements in treatment
      that greatly extended the life span for these patients. Increased understanding
      of the factors limiting exercise capacity and of the important role of regular
      exercise in slowing the progression of CF and in modulating some of the effects
      of the genetic defect on airway function has led to the consensus that regular
      exercise should be part of the standard of care for this disease. 

PMID- 24214444
TI  - Incorporation and metabolism of (14)C-labelled polyunsaturated fatty acids in
      juvenile gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata L. in vivo.
AB  - The incorporation, and the capacity for desaturation and elongation in vivo, of
      intraperitoneally-injected, (14)C-labelled n-3 and n-6 C18 and C20 PUFAs were
      investigated in juvenile gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata. The results indicate
      that juvenile gilthead sea bream have only limited ability to convert CH PUFAs to
      C20 and C22 HUFAs in vivo. The data are consistent with the results from
      nutritional studies on larvae, postlarvae and fingerlings that have shown that
      gilthead sea bream require the provision of preformed eicosapentaenoic and
      docosahexaenoic acids in the diet. The impairment in the desaturase/elongase
      pathway was quantitatively and qualitatively similar to that found in turbot,
      Scophthalmus maximus, being at the level of the Delta5-desaturase. The low
      activity of Delta5-desaturase combined with the consistent finding that
      arachidonic acid is selectively retained in membrane phosphatidylinositol
      suggests that, in addition to eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids,
      gilthead sea bream may also have a requirement for preformed arachidonic acid in
      the diet. 

PMID- 24214445
TI  - Dietary carbohydrate utilization in cod (Gadus morhua): metabolic responses to
      feeding and fasting.
AB  - Moist diets with increasing amounts of carbohydrate (0.5%, 10% and 21% on a dry
      weight basis) were each fed to duplicate groups of cod (initial weight 370 g) for
      8 weeks, after which all groups were fasted for 4 weeks. Protein energy was high
      and accounted for more than 70% of the gross energy content in all feeds, and the
      diets were maintained isocaloric by substituting lipid energy for carbohydrate
      energy. No indigestible binder was added. Excellent growth and feed conversion
      were obtained in all groups. After 4 weeks of fasting, fish previously fed diets
      with either 10% or 21% carbohydrate showed significantly higher weight loss than
      fish fed the diet without carbohydrate. Liver glycogen reached 10% of liver wet
      weight in fish fed diets containing 10% or 21% carbohydrate and 5% in fish
      receiving 0.5% carbohydrate after 8 weeks. Following 4 weeks of fasting, liver
      glycogen was reduced to similar levels in all fish. Plasma glucose levels 4 h
      after feeding were higher in fish fed the diets with 10% or 21% carbohydrate and
      plasma free amino acid levels (FAA) were lower, than in fish fed the diet
      containing 0.5% carbohydrate. Blood lactate concentrations were unaffected during
      the first 24 h after feeding. After 4 weeks of food deprivation, the levels were
      significantly reduced only in the 21% carbohydrate group. A link between glucagon
      and protein metabolism is suggested because plasma glucagon concentration
      followed the same pattern as the concentrations of plasma FAA throughout the
      study. Insulin and glucagon-like peptide (GLP) showed a covariation throughout
      the experiment. Reduced plasma insulin levels were seen after fasting concomitant
      with reduction in the levels of FAA and glucose. It is suggested that insulin
      secretion in cod is affected both by plasma FAA and glucose and that cod meets
      food deprivation by slowing down metabolism. 

PMID- 24214446
TI  - Interaction of low density lipoproteins with liver cells in rainbow trout.
AB  - Liver is the main catabolic tissue for low density lipoprotein in rainbow trout
      (Gjoen and Berg 1992). We have investigated the interaction of LDL with isolated
      trout liver cells and liver membranes. (125)I-TC labelled trout LDL bound to
      isolated trout liver cells in a time dependent and saturable manner with an
      apparant Kd of 20.1 MUg/ml, suggesting the existence of a specific binding site
      on the surface of these cells. The binding was Ca(2+) dependent assessed by the
      50% reduction obtained by 5 mM EDTA. Saturable binding to isolated trout liver
      membranes could also be demonstrated, but with lower affinity as compared to
      intact cells. Degradation of (125)I-TC-LDL in hepatocytes was also saturable as
      degradation could be inhibited about 60% by a 100 fold surplus of unlabelled LDL.
      The rate of degradation increased with temperature up to 20 degrees C. Both cell
      association (binding + uptake) and degradation were reduced down to 20% of
      control in the presence of microtubular and lysosomal inhibitors. Hepatic
      catabolism of trout LDL therefore seems to depend on receptormediated
      endocytosis, followed by lysosomal degradation. 

PMID- 24214447
TI  - Hypoosmoregulation of larvae of the turbot, Scophthalamus maximus: drinking and
      gut function in relation to environmental salinity.
AB  - Measurement of blood osmolarity of pre-metamorphic turbot larvae demonstrated
      that hypoosmoregulation is well established in larvae 6 days post-hatch (121
      degree-days) and older. Blood osmolarity of 121-420 degree-day larvae reared in
      100% seawater was significantly greater than blood osmolarity of larvae reared in
      50% seawater. Hypoosmoregulation involved drinking, but instantaneous drinking
      rates of 340 degree-day larvae reared in 100% seawater were only slightly more
      than those of similarly aged larvae reared in 50% seawater. Adaptation to
      environmental salinity involved changes in gut water absorption; 65-74% water
      absorption occurred in larvae reared in seawater compared to 30-35% water
      absorption in larvae reared in 50% seawater. Gastrointestinal water absorption
      occurred prior to the rectum. In seawater this occurred alongside a decrease in
      gut fluid osmolarity but desalting was apparently less significant than in adult
      fish. Absolute water absorption by the gut of 340 degree-day larvae reared in
      seawater was about 2-fold that of larvae held in 50% seawater, while the osmotic
      gradient between internal body fluids and environmental media differed by 4-fold,
      which implies changes the in water permeability of skin and/or developing gills. 

PMID- 24214448
TI  - The role of cAMP in regulating the beta-adrenergic response of rainbow trout
      (Oncorhynchus mykiss) red blood cells.
AB  - The beta-adrenergic response of teleost red blood cells (RBCs) enables the fish
      to maintain or even enhance the oxygen affinity of haemoglobin during various
      stress situations. The role of CAMP in the pronounced beta-adrenergic response of
      hypoxic rainbow trout RBCs was studied. Rainbow trout RBCs were incubated with
      three different beta-agonists (noradrenaline, adrenaline and isoproterenol, 10(
      9) - 10(-4) M) at two oxygen tensions (PO 2, 155 and 8 mmHg), and thereafter cAMP
      accumulation and cellular water content were measured.The cAMP concentration of
      non-stimulated trout RBCs was ca. 1200 nmol/kg dw. Of the three beta-agonists
      used, isoproterenol was the most effective in formation of cAMP, followed by
      noradrenaline and adrenaline. Oxygen tension affected the accumulation of cAMP in
      two ways. At physiological catecholamine levels (1-100 nM) there was either no
      difference between normoxic and hypoxic cells or a slight increase in the
      normoxic ones. At high catecholamine concentrations the accumulation of cAMP was
      greater in the hypoxic than in the normoxic cells. Oxygen tension also affected
      the magnitude of cell swelling but had no effect on the catecholamine
      concentrations causing half-maximal swelling (EC50-values). The results indicate
      that, at physiological catecholamine levels, the beta-adrenergic response of
      rainbow trout RBCs is mainly regulated on the level of the Na(+)/H(+) exchange. 

PMID- 24214449
TI  - Stanniocalcin kinetics in freshwater and seawater european eel (Anguilla
      anguilla).
AB  - The kinetics and hypocalcemic potency of stanniocalcin (STC) were examined in
      freshwater and seawater eels. The secretion rate and the metabolic clearance rate
      of STC were calculated from the STC disappearance curve after intra-arterial
      injection of trout STC. Basal plasma STC concentrations in freshwater and
      seawater eels did not differ but the STC secretion rate and metabolic clearance
      rate in seawater eel were 70-75% higher than in FW eel. The increased STC
      distribution space in seawater eels suggests that the STC receptor density was
      increased. STC had a higher hypocalcemic potency in seawater than in freshwater
      eels. These observations support the hypothesis that seawater fish require more
      hormonal control over transcellular influx of calcium than freshwater fish. 

PMID- 24214450
TI  - Seasonal changes in cortisol sensitivity and glucocorticoid receptor affinity and
      number in leukocytes of coho salmon.
AB  - To determine if there were organ-specific changes in immune responses or immune
      endocrine interaction, we monitored in vitro immune response, cortisol
      sensitivity and number and affinity of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in
      leukocytes from freshwater-adapted juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
      during the physiological changes that prepare them to enter the marine
      environment. During this period, absolute immune response declined, but splenic
      leukocytes generated more antibody-producing cells than did cells from anterior
      kidney. Splenic leukocytes were initially more sensitive to the suppressive
      effects of cortisol and had fewer GR than leukocytes from the anterior kidney.
      Leukocytes from the anterior kidney were initially insensitive to cortisol but
      developed sensitivity at about the same time as the dissociation constant and
      number of GR increased. In vitro incubation of anterior kidney leukocytes in
      cortisol altered GR variables when experiments were conducted during March
      through September but not during November through February. In some years,
      changes in GR or immune responses were correlated with plasma cortisol titers,
      but in other years there was no correlation. Thus, the exact relation between
      cortisol, GR and immune response in anadromous salmonids is unclear and other
      factors are involved. 

PMID- 24214451
TI  - Effects of changes in plasma pH, CO2 and ammonia on ventilation in trout.
AB  - We investigated ventillatory responses to a plasma alkaloids and hypocapnia,a nd
      the basis for the ventilatory response to sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) infusion in
      rainbow trout. Plasma alkalosis and hypocapnia created by infusion of sodium
      hydroxide (NaOH) did not cause hypoventilation, whereas infusion of hydrochloric
      acid (HCl) caused vigorous hyperventilation, associated with an acidosis, a
      reduction in blood O2 content (CaO 2) and a release of circulating
      catecholamines. Infusion of NaHCO3 stimulated ventilation and caused an increase
      in plasma pH, total carbon dioxide content (CaCO 2) and catecholamine levels, and
      a reduction in oxygen tension (PaO 2). Infusion of ammonium bicarbonate (NH
      4HCO3) caused hyperventilation and was associated with an increase in CaCO 2 and
      plasma total ammonia (Camm) and ammonia gas (NH3) concentration. Infusion of
      sodium chloride (NaClI) and Cortland's saline had no effect on ventilation. The
      results indicate that trout do not exhibit the ventilatory sensitivity to pH seen
      in terrestrial vertebrates. Ventilatory responses to NaHCO3 appear to have been a
      result of reductions in PaO 2, a release of catecholamines and an increase in
      CaCO 2 whereas responses to NH4HCO3 appear to have been a result of increases in
      CaCO 2 and Camm. 

PMID- 24214453
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24214452
TI  - Referees of articles submitted to the journal in 1992.

PMID- 24214454
TI  - Contents, vol. 10, Nos. 1-6, April 1993.

PMID- 24214456
TI  - Giant breast tumors in a patient with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.
AB  - Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is an overgrowth disorder with increased risk
      of embryonal tumors, such as Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, neuroblastoma, and
      rhabdomyosarcoma. We report on a patient with BWS that developed a giant
      fibroadenoma of the breast that was surgically removed. The tumor relapsed 8
      months after the surgery and the patient underwent partial mastectomy. Although
      the patient presented several clinical features of BWS, a molecular diagnosis was
      not achieved despite extensive molecular investigations on both blood and tumor
      tissue. A SNP array revealed a de novo 7p22.1 loss in both blood and breast tumor
      involving the mismatch repair gene PMS2 gene that may be potentially associated
      with the breast tumor. In conclusion, it remains unclear whether BWS patients
      have an increased risk of breast lesions or a yet unknown molecular defect is
      responsible for the rare occurrence of this tumor in BWS.

PMID- 24214457
TI  - Competent care through the lens of the vascular patient: next steps in quality.

PMID- 24214458
TI  - Renewal and growth at JSFA in 2014.

PMID- 24214459
TI  - Innate humoral immune parameters in Tilapia zillii under acute stress by low
      temperature and crowding.
AB  - Redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zillii; Gervais, 1848) is one of the most valuable
      freshwater species in North Africa representing an important part of the
      continental production, especially in brackish lakes. In Algeria, T. zillii is
      distributed in several lakes and tributaries of some rivers in the south. Though
      some attempts are in progress to culture this species, many investigations
      covering its biology and farm management are still needed. In this sense, this is
      the first study attempting to evaluate some of the T. zillii immune parameters
      and valuable data to assess their health and well-being status. Thus, we have
      determined the levels of serum peroxidases as well as the alternative complement,
      antiprotease and bactericidal activities. Furthermore, we have also evaluated the
      potential impact of two acute stress factors, commonly found in fish farms, in
      these parameters. Although it was assessed that fish exposed to low temperatures
      or crowding were stressed, as indicated by their increased serum levels of
      cortisol and glucose, both acute stressors failed to significantly affect serum
      peroxidases as well as antiprotease and complement activities. However, the
      bactericidal activity was reduced in general but only in those exposed to
      crowding reached statistical significance. Further studies are needed to
      characterise the immune response in T. zillii as well as the effects that farming
      stresses may produce. 

PMID- 24214460
TI  - Complications of mechanical chest compression devices.

PMID- 24214461
TI  - Recurrent repolarisation abnormalities in an athlete.

PMID- 24214462
TI  - Experiment and illusion in reproductive medicine.
AB  - The diffusion of medical technology is largely determined by the marketplace
      demands supported by national and historical contexts. Using the cases of
      cesarean delivery and newborn intensive care in the United States, this article
      presents the argument that the interaction of four factors accounts for the rapid
      diffusion of untested technologies. These factors are economic expansion in an
      unrestricted market, the vulnerability of the patient population, a social
      disposition towards emergency medicine, and the vested interest of medical
      specialists. 

PMID- 24214464
TI  - Mother-infant bonding : A scientific fiction.
AB  - A study of the research on postpartum mother-infant bonding shows that results
      from poorly constructed research programs were published in major journals and
      became a part of hospital policy because the bonding concept was politically
      useful in the struggle between advocates of natural childbirth and managers of
      the medical model of birth. The concept was also uncritically accepted because it
      was consistent with a longstanding ideology of motherhood that sees women as the
      prime architects of their children's personalities. 

PMID- 24214465
TI  - Predicting the future for newborns requiring intensive care.
AB  - When intensive care for newborns was introduced thirty years ago its primary goal
      was to improve the rates of survival of sick and premature infants. Medicine has
      been successful in attaining this goal; however, as more infants survive, the
      cost of intensive care and the additional cost of services and care for
      handicapped survivors continue to escalate. In order to curb the increasing cost
      of newborn intensive care, heightened initiatives directed at the prevention of
      premature births will be necessary. 

PMID- 24214463
TI  - Methodological challenges in the study of fetal growth.
AB  - Several conceptual and methodological challenges must be solved in order to
      create knowledge that can be useful to pregnant women, their families, and any
      clinicians who serve them: (1) going beyond nominal and ordinal hypotheses and
      presenting estimates of conditional probabilities; (2) focusing on clearly
      defined outcomes; (3) modeling the relationship of fetal growth and length of
      gestation; (4) understanding the process of fetal growth even though most of our
      data is cross-sectional; (5) estimating the independent effects of genetics,
      race, ethnicity, maternal risk behaviors, medical prenatal care, and
      socioeconomic status on fetal growth and length of gestation; and (6) estimating
      the independent effects of maternal pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain during
      pregnancy, and nutrition on fetal growth and length of gestation. 

PMID- 24214466
TI  - An exploration of the experience of Huntington's disease in family dyads: an
      interpretative phenomenological analysis.
AB  - Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary, late onset, neurodegenerative
      disorder. Children of affected parents have a 50 % chance of inheriting HD.
      Research into the psychological consequences of HD for the family has focussed on
      individual family members, but little is known about the ways in which its impact
      is jointly experienced by members of these families. This is particularly
      important due to the hereditary nature of HD. To address this, the current study
      examined the experiences of dyads within affected families. Seven parent/adult
      child dyads were interviewed jointly about their experiences and relationships
      with their family and each other and interpretative phenomenological analysis was
      used to analyse the resultant data. Identified themes were: "A spectre hanging
      over us": HD as a presence within the family, "Us against the world": Protection,
      knowledge and control, and "That could be me in 50 years": Cyclical changes in
      identity and role. These findings are examined in relation to previous research
      and indicate the need for an increased understanding of the needs of HD families.
      Clinical implications and suggestions for further research are discussed. 

PMID- 24214468
TI  - 3D energetic metal-organic frameworks: synthesis and properties of high energy
      materials.

PMID- 24214467
TI  - High-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging for the separation of benign from
      malignant BI-RADS 4/5 lesions found on breast MRI at 3T.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion imaging
      (RESOLVE) improves separation of malignant versus benign lesions compared to
      standard single-shot echo-planar imaging (ss-EPI) on BI-RADS 4/5 lesions detected
      on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive 3T
      breast MRI studies with BI-RADS 4/5 designation and subsequent biopsy or benign
      mastectomy were retrospectively identified. Freehand regions of interest (ROIs)
      were drawn on lesions and also on normal background fibroglandular tissue for
      comparison. Lesion-to-background contrast was evaluated by normalizing signal
      intensity of the lesion ROI by the normal background tissue ROI at b = 800.
      Statistical analysis used the Mann-Whitney/Wilcoxon rank-sum test for unpaired
      and Wilcoxon signed-rank for paired comparisons. RESULTS: Of 38 lesions in 32
      patients, 10 were malignant. Lesion-to-background contrast was higher on RESOLVE
      than ss-EPI (1.80 +/- 0.71 vs. 1.62 +/- 0.63, P = 0.03). Mean apparent diffusion
      coefficient (ADC) was the same or lower on RESOLVE than ss-EPI, and this effect
      was largest in malignant lesions (RESOLVE 0.90 +/- 0.13; ss-EPI 1.00 +/- 0.13;
      median difference -0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.17, -0.02) * 10(-3)
      mm(2) /sec; P = 0.014). By either diffusion method, there was a statistically
      significant difference between benign and malignant mean ADC (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Increased lesion-to-background contrast and improved separation of
      benign from malignant lesions by RESOLVE compared to standard diffusion suggests
      that RESOLVE may show promise as an adjunct to clinical breast MRI.

PMID- 24214469
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24214470
TI  - On the selection of signals.
AB  - In a previous paper, it was argued that alertness, selectivity (set), and
      processing capacity (consciousness) could be identified and studied as separate
      components of attention. The current paper develops this theme by showing that
      alertness does not affect the buildup of information within the memory system but
      only the rate at which a later system responds to that information. Thus, in
      standard reaction-time tasks, increased alertness produces a reduction in
      reaction 'time but no decrease in errors. In contrast, providing a model of the
      signal the S is to process improved both speed and accuracy. The,. presence of a
      model of what the S is to process varies the vertex neural response to that
      specific signal as compared to a mismatching signal in the first 200-300 msec
      after its presentation. Three accounts of this effect are: speeded processing of
      a matching stimulus, habituation of the electrical response to a matching
      stimulus, and prolonged or enhanced processing of a mismatch. Evidence favors the
      first of these explanations, but the other two cannot be dismissed as possible
      contributors to this effect. 

PMID- 24214471
TI  - Some confounding factors in the study preparatory set in reaction time.
AB  - In Experiment I. the effects of the range of the distribution of preparatory
      intervals (Pls) on the effect of PI on RT was demonstrated, and disparate
      conclusions about the development of preparatory set were thereby accounted for
      to some degree. In Experiment II. both range of the PIs and their average value
      were examined in a factorial design for their effects on RT. and it was concluded
      that, for any average value, greater range will result in greater PI effects; and
      for any range, greater average values will result in smaller PI effects on RT. 

PMID- 24214472
TI  - Critical issues in interference theory.
AB  - Critical issues in the theoretical and experimental analysis of interference
      processes in retention are reviewed. The evolution of classical two-factor theory
      is traced, and the strengths and weaknesses of the contemporary version of this
      p6sition are examined. Recent critiques of Current interference theories by
      Martin (1971a) and Greeno, James, and Da Polito (1971) are reviewed and examind.
      New conceptualizations of interference proposed by these authors, which place
      major emphasis on retrieval dependencies and on the role of encoding and
      retrieval processes, are considered and evaluated. 

PMID- 24214473
TI  - Race vs belief as determinants of attraction, in a group interaction context.
AB  - Three experiments which tested the' effects of race vs belief similarity as
      determinants of prejudiced responding in a live interaction situation,are
      reported. Two black and two white confederates engaged a white S in a discussion
      of an issue (ROTC in Experiments I and II and abortion in III). One white and one
      black confederate agreed with the S's position and the other pair disagreed. Ss
      then rated all four confederates on a variety of scales. Results showed strong
      belief effects in all three experiments but very few race effects. A few measures
      showed a "renegade effect" against dissimilar white confederates. It was
      concluded that simply increasing the power and realism of the experimental
      situation does not in any important way increase the number of racially
      prejudiced responses. Some conditions which may elicit strong and consistent race
      prejudice effects are discussed. 

PMID- 24214474
TI  - Stimulus-naming effects at different stages of motor paired-associate learning.
AB  - In a combined verbal and motor paired-associate task, nonsense names and button
      pushing responses were learned for three random shapes, with verbal training
      beginning after 3, 12, or 24 motor learning trials. Earlier studies indicated
      that concurrent verbal and motor learning produce a strong tendency for the
      naming and button-pushing responses to be learned in "consistent" pairs.
      According to the theoretical analysis presented, the verbal-motor consistency is
      explained by the development of name-button associations. It was predicted that
      these associations affect both motor errors and correct responses, that their
      effects are greater for correct responses, and that attenuation of the effects
      due to delay in verbal training is gr, eater for motor errors. The results are in
      good agreement with the predictions, and they suggest that name-button
      associations develop rapidly even under delayed verbal training. 

PMID- 24214475
TI  - Effects of serial position and set size in auditory recognition memory.
AB  - Auditorially presented lists of from one to six digits were memorized by Ss with
      instructions to scan the memory set to determine the presen'ce or absence of a
      single auditorially presented probe digit. Results showed cooccurrence of
      parallel linear increases in decision time with list length for positive and
      negative responses and effects of serial position of probes in the memory lists.
      A comparison with two previous studies using visual presentation of materials
      suggests faster encoding of auditorially presented probes but similarity in
      processing time in memory once probes have been encoded. 

PMID- 24214476
TI  - Perceived frequency of concrete and abstract words.
AB  - Studies are reported which show that concrete and abstract words of equal
      objective frequency (based on available , word counts) are not perceived as being
      equal. The abstract word has greater perceived frequency than the concrete word.
      The judged variety of contexts in which a word appears correlates very highly
      with perceived frequency. The results have relevance to the design of learning
      studies in which concrete and abstract words are used. and also to the
      interpretation of such experiments. 

PMID- 24214477
TI  - Degree of training and the novelty transfer effect.
AB  - Four groups of 40 Ss were given transfer tests following 2.4, 6, or 8 14-trial
      blocks of paired-associate training with unequal stimulus frequencies and then
      retested after a further training period in which the same compound stimuli were
      presented at equal frequencies. The novelty effect, in which Ss respond to new
      combinations of training components by giving the response associated with the
      least frequent component, was obtained in every transfer test. It was concluded
      that the novelty effect is a mode of responding that is produced by differential
      frequencies during early learning and which, once adopted, is retained by Ss
      regardless of whether the frequency differential is maintained. 

PMID- 24214478
TI  - The role of configuration and target discriminability in a visual search task.
AB  - Ss sorted through decks of cards bearing five-element patterns, separating those
      in which all five were identical from those in which one of the five was
      different from the remaining four. Sorting time depended on the configuration and
      size of the pattern in which the elements were arranged but was independent of
      the goodness of these patterns. It was concluded that Ss did not attend to the
      patterns themselves, but just to the elements comprising them in searching for
      the discrepant element. The differences owing to the patterns appear to be due in
      part to the compactness of the configurations. 

PMID- 24214479
TI  - Transformations on sets in short-term memory: Temporal and spatial factors
      influencing deletion.
AB  - An individual's ability to perform a deletion operation on sets in short-term
      memory was explored in a reaction time (RT) experiment. Special attention was
      given to the importance, for deletion, of temporal and spatial variables. Ss did
      perform a deletion operation. The speed of correct recognition was influenced by
      both the delay between the deletion (D) set and a test item and the serial order
      correspondence between identical items in the to-be-remembered or positive (P)
      set and the D set. 

PMID- 24214480
TI  - Set size and order requirements in immediate memory.
AB  - Three types of order requirements in the immediate recall of number sequences
      were investigated in two experiments. Experiment I examined written recall and
      Experiment II spoken recall. Natural serial recall was found to be superior to
      same order and free recall (a) in Experiment I because repeated correct
      intrusions were reduced, and (b) in Experiment II because more responses were
      produced. Implications for the analysis of mnemonic devices were briefly
      introduced. 

PMID- 24214481
TI  - Isolation of massed- and distributed-practice items.
AB  - In four experiments, massed-practice (MP) or distributed-practice (DP) items were
      isolated from other items in a list presented either visually or auditorially for
      free recall. For three independent groups, the first, second, or both
      presentations of an item were isolated. Locus of isolation had a marginal
      influence on recall. When MP items were isolated, they were recalled better than
      DP items. Isolating the DP items enhanced the MP-DP effect. The results are
      congruent with the idea that the MP-DP effect in free recall results, in part,
      from differential rehearsal. 

PMID- 24214482
TI  - Perceptual encoding in comparative judgments of race.
AB  - Ss made comparative judgments along the black-white racial dimension using
      opposite response sets ("Which is blacker?" or "Which is whiter?"). Three classes
      of pictures were used: B (black),W (white), and M (racially mixed). I or the BM
      judgments. "Which is whiter?" took significantly longer. The MW and BW judgments
      showed no difference between response instructions. Analysis of the stimuli
      showed that skin tone was not the primary perceptual attribute used in racial
      encoding. The observation of a funnel effect in the judgment latencies is shown
      to be consistent with other research demonstrating the effect of response set in
      comparative judgments Further. the results support sociological observations
      about the cultural use of the linguistic labels "black" and "white" 

PMID- 24214483
TI  - Processing demands of sequential information.
AB  - Three experiments examined the processing capacity required to use sequential
      information in a serial reaction time task with partially predictable sequences.
      The first two experiments varied the response stimulus interval (RSI) between 0
      and 500 msec and found the relative advantage of the high-probability stimulus to
      be independent of the length of the RSI. The third experiment compared
      utilization of sequential information either with or without a secondary task.
      The secondary task did not affect the high-probability stimulus but did increase
      the amount of time required to respond to the low-probability events. The results
      are discussed in terms of the attentional demands of memory access. 

PMID- 24214484
TI  - On the nature of central processing in choice reactions.
AB  - A procedure for generating values of central processing uncertainty was developed
      from positive response data in a varied-set version of the Sternberg choice
      reaction task. This is a logical extension of a previously validated procedure
      for data from a fixed-set version of the same task. Both procedures provide
      information on the additive components of reaction time. It was concluded that S
      resolves more uncertainty in the varied-set than in the fixed-set situation. It
      was concluded also that S performs a rechecking operation prior to emitting a
      negative response, and this rechecking apparently involves less information than
      does the original testing for stimulus classification. This, in turn, suggests
      that rechecking is a self-terminating process with regard to display information.
      The results also imply that stimulus classification is partially serial and
      partially parallel, so a hybrid model may be appropriate for this task. 

PMID- 24214485
TI  - Accuracy of three novel predictive methods for measurements of fat mass in
      healthy older subjects.
AB  - This study evaluated the agreement of novel anthropometric equations and
      established indirect methods (skinfold thickness and bioimpedance analysis) with
      reference methods [dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air displacement
      plethysmography (ADP)] for fat mass assessment (FM) in older subjects. METHODS:
      Forty subjects (M/F = 15/25, age = 61-84 years, BMI = 18-37 kg/m(2)) were
      recruited. The agreement of the following predictive equations was evaluated:
      body adiposity index (BAI), BAI-Fels and Clinica Universidad de Navarra-body
      adiposity estimator (CUN-BAE). RESULTS: BAI estimates were comparable to DXA
      (Delta +/- 2SD = 0.4 +/- 6.0 kg, p > 0.05) but not to ADP (Delta +/- 2SD = -2.8
      +/- 7.2 kg, p < 0.001); BAI-Fels estimates were comparable to DXA (Delta +/- 2SD
      = 0.8 +/- 5.5 kg, p > 0.05) but not to ADP (Delta +/- 2SD = -4.0 +/- 6.9 kg, p <
      0.001). The difference between CUN-BAE and ADP was not significant (Delta +/- 2SD
      = -0.4 +/- 5.6 kg, p > 0.05), whereas it significantly overestimated DXA (Delta
      +/- 2SD = 2.8 +/- 5.4 kg, p < 0.001). ADP significantly overestimated FM compared
      to DXA (Delta +/- 2SD = 3.2 +/- 5.4 kg, p < 0.001) and the measurement bias was
      significantly correlated with BMI in men (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy
      of the three anthropometric indexes is dependent on the choice of the reference
      method. The variability of the FM estimates was large and these indexes cannot be
      recommended for the assessment of FM in older subjects.

PMID- 24214486
TI  - Linking physiology to toxicity using DILIsym(r), a mechanistic mathematical model
      of drug-induced liver injury.
AB  - The drug development industry faces multiple challenges in the realization of
      safe effective drugs. Computational modeling approaches can be used to support
      these efforts. One approach, mechanistic modeling, is new to the realm of drug
      safety. It holds the promise of not only predicting toxicity for novel compounds,
      but also illuminating the mechanistic underpinnings of toxicity. To increase the
      scientific community's familiarity with mechanistic modeling in drug safety, this
      article seeks to provide perspective on the type of data used, how they are used
      and where they are lacking. Examples are derived from the development of
      DILIsym((r)) software, a mechanistic model of drug-induced liver injury (DILI).
      DILIsym((r)) simulates the mechanistic interactions and events from compound
      administration through the progression of liver injury and regeneration. Modeling
      mitochondrial toxicity illustrates the type and use of in vitro data to represent
      biological interactions, as well as insights on key differences between in vitro
      and in vivo conditions. Modeling bile acid toxicity illustrates a case in which
      the over-arching mechanism is well accepted, but many mechanistic details are
      lacking. Modeling was used to identify measurements predicted to strongly impact
      toxicity. Finally, modeling innate immune responses illustrates the importance of
      time-series data, particularly in the presence of positive and negative feedback
      loops, as well as the need for data from different animal species for better
      translation. These concepts are germane to most mechanistic models, although the
      details will vary. The use of mechanistic models is expected to improve the
      rational design of new drugs.

PMID- 24214487
TI  - Serial progression of cortical and medullary thymic epithelial microenvironments.
AB  - Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide key instructive signals for T-cell
      differentiation. Thymic cortical (cTECs) and medullary (mTECs) epithelial cells
      constitute two functionally distinct microenvironments for T-cell development,
      which derive from a common bipotent TEC progenitor. While seminal studies have
      partially elucidated events downstream of bipotent TECs in relation to the
      emergence of mTECs and their progenitors, the control and timing of the emergence
      of the cTEC lineage, particularly in relation to that of mTEC progenitors, has
      remained elusive. In this review, we describe distinct models that explain
      cTEC/mTEC lineage divergence from common bipotent progenitors. In particular, we
      summarize recent studies in mice providing evidence that mTECs, including the
      auto-immune regulator(+) subset, derive from progenitors initially endowed with
      phenotypic properties typically associated with the cTEC lineage. These
      observations support a novel "serial progression" model of TEC development, in
      which progenitors serially acquire cTEC lineage markers, prior to their
      commitment to the mTEC differentiation pathway. Gaining a better understanding of
      the phenotypic properties of early stages in TEC progenitor development should
      help in determining the mechanisms regulating cTEC/mTEC lineage development, and
      in strategies aimed at thymus reconstitution involving TEC therapy. 

PMID- 24214488
TI  - Plasmid-mediated transformation tropism of chlamydial biovars.
AB  - Chlamydia trachomatis and C. muridarum are human and mouse pathogens,
      respectively, which show high conservation of gene order and content. Both
      species contain a common 7.5-kb plasmid that is an important virulence factor.
      Recently described transformation systems have been used to characterize C.
      trachomatis L2 plasmid gene functions; however, similar studies have not been
      reported for C. trachomatis ocular tropic serovar A or the mouse strain, C.
      muridarum. Here, we have conducted genetic experiments with C. trachomatis
      serovar A and C. muridarum and report the following: (1) successful
      transformation of C. muridarum and C. trachomatis serovar A is restricted to a
      shuttle vector with a C. muridarum or C. trachomatis serovar A plasmid backbone,
      respectively; (2) transformation of plasmid-deficient C. muridarum with the C.
      muridarum-based shuttle vector complement glycogen accumulation and inclusion
      morphology; and (3) C. muridarum plasmid-encoded Pgp4 is a regulator of
      chromosomal (glgA) and plasmid (pgp3) virulence genes. In summary, our findings
      show a previously unrecognized and unexpected role for the chlamydial plasmid in
      its transformation tropism and confirm the plasmids regulatory role of virulence
      genes in C. muridarum. 

PMID- 24214489
TI  - Family history and clefting as major criteria for CHARGE syndrome.
AB  - CHARGE syndrome is an autosomal dominant malformation syndrome associated with
      mutations in CHD7. The condition is typically sporadic with few familial cases
      reported. The diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome is based on a combination of major and
      minor criteria comprised of structural and functional abnormalities, most of
      which are part of the original CHARGE acronym, although additional anomalies have
      been added. To date, family history has not been considered in the diagnostic
      criteria. Here we report a family with a previously unreported missense mutation
      in exon 31 of CHD7, in which family history played a role in the diagnosis of
      CHARGE syndrome. Given the tremendous phenotypic variability and the dominant
      nature of CHARGE syndrome, we propose that family history be included as a major
      diagnostic criterion. A positive family history would include any individual with
      an apparently isolated unilateral major CHARGE anomaly or someone with a few of
      the minor features. Our cases support this proposal; had family history not been
      considered in this case, CHD7 testing might not have been pursued, leading to
      incomplete medical follow-up and erroneous genetic counseling. Additionally, with
      the increased incidence of orofacial clefting in this family, as well as in the
      literature, we suggest that cleft lip and/or palate be added to the major
      diagnostic criteria for CHARGE syndrome.

PMID- 24214490
TI  - Salt effects on hydrophobic-core formation in folding of a helical miniprotein
      studied by molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - We have investigated effects of salt ions on folding events of a helical
      miniprotein chicken villin headpiece subdomain HP36. Low concentrations of ions
      alter electrostatic interactions between charged groups of a protein and can
      change the populations of conformers. Here, we compare two data sets of folding
      simulations of HP36 in explicit water solvent with or without ions. For efficient
      sampling of the conformational space of HP36, the multicanonical replica-exchange
      molecular dynamics method was employed. Our analyses suggest that salt alters
      salt-bridging nature of the protein at later stages of folding at room
      temperature. Especially, more nonnative, nonlocal salt bridges are formed at near
      native conformations in pure water. Our analyses also show that such salt-bridge
      formation hinders the fully native hydrophobic-core packing at the final stages
      of folding.

PMID- 24214491
TI  - Sex dependent pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence--time for a change.
AB  - Bioequivalence studies have historically been performed largely in young males
      and then extrapolated to be applicable to both sexes at any age. This tendency
      continues today, yet a number of studies have shown that drug pharmacokinetics
      can be significantly different in women than in men, even as regards intra
      patient variability. Some of our assumptions when treating women may not be
      accurate if we base our decisions on information obtained from studies conducted
      in men. Furthermore, women can have various physiological states that can affect
      drug disposition, and one of the most significant is pregnancy. 

PMID- 24214492
TI  - Orthostatic hypotension is associated with lower cognitive performance in adults
      aged 50 plus with supine hypertension.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between orthostatic
      hypotension (OH), supine hypertension (SH), and cognitive performance. METHODS:
      Four thousand six hundred and ninety participants of The Irish Longitudinal Study
      on Ageing (TILDA) were studied. SH was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP)
      greater than or equal to 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater
      than or equal to 90 mmHg, measured following supine rest (10 minutes). OH was
      defined as a sustained drop of greater than or equal to 20 mmHg SBP or greater
      than or equal to 10 mmHg DBP at 20, 30, 60, and 90 seconds following orthostasis.
      Cognitive performance tests assessed global function, executive function,
      processing speed, memory, and attention from which z-scores were computed.
      Multivariate adjusted analysis was performed comparing cognitive scores by OH
      status overall and in SH and non-SH groups separately. RESULTS: Thirty-nine
      percent had baseline SH (n = 1,868) and demonstrated a greater orthostatic fall
      in SBP (p < .0001) and DBP (p < .0001). This group had a higher prevalence of OH
      at all time-points, and scored lower in tests across all cognitive domains. No
      overall association between OH and cognitive performance was seen. However, SH
      subjects with OH scored significantly worse (adjusted) than SH subjects without
      OH, in domains of global cognition (30 seconds poststand beta = -0.15; 99%
      confidence interval -0.29, -0.14; p = .004) and executive function (20 seconds
      poststand; beta = -0.11; 99% confidence interval -0.22, -0.01; p = .006). There
      was also an indication toward lower cognition in all nonsignificant analyses. OH
      was not associated with cognitive performance in non-SH subjects. CONCLUSION: In
      conclusion, individuals with SH (defined as BP > 140/90 mmHg) coupled with OH
      measured using phasic BP had lower global and executive cognitive performance
      than those with SH but without OH.

PMID- 24214493
TI  - The risk/safety assessment of transgenic crops: the transportability of data.
AB  - This paper presents the activities and publications of Organisation for Economic
      Co-operation and Developments (OECD's) Working Group on Harmonisation of
      Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology and the Task Force for the Safety of Novel
      Foods and Feeds. The main outputs of the work are the Series of "consensus
      documents" of the respective groups. These documents compile information which is
      intended to be used by those involved in the business of risk/safety assessment.
      These documents are one means of ensuring the transportability of data amongst
      authorities. An increasing trend in both the Working Group and Task Force is to
      consider crop species which are relevant to tropical regions and therefore to
      countries that are not necessarily members of the OECD. For example, the Working
      Group has recently published a consensus document on bananas and plantains while
      the Task Force has published a document on cassava. This trend towards crops of
      greater interest in the tropics is likely to continue into the future. 

PMID- 24214494
TI  - Inducible, tightly regulated and non-leaky neuronal gene expression in mice.
AB  - The Tetracycline (Tet)-controlled inducible system is the most widely used
      reversible system for transgene expression in mice with over 500 lines created to
      date. Although this system has been optimized over the years, it still has
      limitations such as residual transgene expression when turned off, referred to as
      leakiness. Here, we present a series of new Tet-OFF transgenic mice based on the
      second generation tetracycline-responsive transactivator system. The tTA-Advanced
      (tTA2(S)) is expressed under control of the neuron-specific Thy1.2 promoter (Thy
      OFF), to regulate expression in the mouse brain. In addition, we generated a lacZ
      reporter line, utilizing the P tight Tet-responsive promoter (P(tight)-lacZ), to
      test our system. Two Thy-OFF transgenic lines displaying two distinct patterns of
      expression were selected. Oral doxycycline treatment of Thy-OFF/P tight-lacZ mice
      demonstrated tight transgene regulation with no leak expression. These new Thy
      OFF mice are valuable for studies in a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases
      such as Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia, where control of
      transgene expression is critical to understanding mechanisms underlying the
      disease. Furthermore, P tight-lacZ reporter mice may be widely applicable.

PMID- 24214495
TI  - Assessing unintended effects of a mammary-specific transgene at the whole animal
      level in host and non-target animals.
AB  - Risk assessment in transgenic plants is intrinsically different than that for
      transgenic animals; however both require the verification of proper transgene
      function and in conjunction, an estimate of any unintended effects caused by
      expression of the transgene. This work was designed to gather data regarding
      methodologies to detect pleiotropic effects at the whole animal level using a
      line of transgenic goats that produce the antimicrobial protein human lysozyme
      (hLZ) in their milk with the goal of using the milk to treat childhood diarrhea.
      Metabolomics was used to determine the serum metabolite profile of both the host
      (lactating does) and non-target organism (kid goats raised on control or hLZ
      milk) prior to weaning (60 days), at weaning (90 days) and 1 month post-weaning
      (120 days). In addition, intestinal histology of the kid goats was also carried
      out. Histological analysis of intestinal segments of the pre-weaning group
      revealed significantly wider duodenal villi (p = 0.014) and significantly longer
      villi (p = 0.028) and deeper crypts (p = 0.030) in the ileum of kid goats
      consuming hLZ milk. Serum metabolomics was capable of detecting differences over
      time but revealed no significant differences in metabolites between control and
      hLZ fed kids after correction for false discovery rate. Serum metabolomics of
      control or hLZ lactating does showed only one significant difference in an
      unknown metabolite (q = 0.0422). The results as a whole indicate that consumption
      of hLZ milk results in positive or insignificant intestinal morphology and
      metabolic changes. This work contributes to the establishment of the safety and
      durability of the hLZ mammary-specific transgene.

PMID- 24214496
TI  - Employment following chemoradiotherapy in glioblastoma: a prospective case
      series.
AB  - PURPOSE: Radiotherapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ) for glioblastoma (GBM) has
      resulted in longer survival. Uncertainties exist regarding quality of survival.
      This study aims to determine the rate of patients returning to previous
      employment (EM) following treatment. METHODS: Eligible patients were diagnosed
      with GBM, aged 18-70 years, and treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy to
      60 Gray and TMZ (EORTC Protocol) between July 2007 and July 2011. EM was defined
      as paid work. Exclusion criteria included patients without histological
      confirmation of WHO grade IV glioblastoma, those not in paid employment in the 2
      month period prior to diagnosis, or mothers of pre-school aged children not
      working. Data were collected on EM prior (EM pre) and after RT at 6 and 12 months
      (EM 6 m, EM 12 m). Rate of EM was analysed in regards to baseline performance
      status (ECOG), neurological deficits (MRC scale) and median survival. RESULTS:
      One hundred twelve patients were identified with median follow-up of 15.5 months
      and median survival 18 months (95%CI, 15-21 months). Seventy-one patients were
      working prior to diagnosis and eligible for analysis. Twenty patients returned to
      work (28 %) by EM 6 months and 19 patients (27 %) by EM 12 months. EM 6 months
      was strongly associated with ECOG and MRC status, with only 1 of 37 patients (3
      %) with neurological deficit returning to work compared with 21 of 36 (58 %)
      intact patients. Of good performance status patients not returning to work,
      factors included presence of income insurance, family financial support or
      treatment-related symptoms. CONCLUSION: A modest proportion of patients with GBM
      return back to work at 6 and 12 months following radiotherapy with the majority
      demonstrating the lowest level of neurological deficit prior to RT. IMPLICATIONS
      FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Return to work following treatment does occur but it is not
      a common outcome.

PMID- 24214497
TI  - Supporting cancer survivors' participation in peer review: perspectives from
      NCI's CARRA program.
AB  - PURPOSE: Including cancer survivors in the peer review of cancer-related research
      is increasingly valued as a strategy for bringing the "patient perspective" to
      discussions of research merit and human subject protection. Because integrating
      lay stakeholders into peer review poses challenges, this qualitative study
      explored the perspectives of experienced patient advocates to identify
      programmatic supports for survivors' participation. METHODS: Semi-structured
      telephone interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 19 cancer
      survivors and 6 administrators involved in the National Cancer Institute's
      Consumer Advocates in Research and Related Activities program. Audio-recorded
      interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed via thematic content analysis.
      Participants were highly educated and included survivors of breast, prostate, and
      blood-related cancers. RESULTS: Interviewees emphasized the importance of
      adequately preparing survivors to serve as advocates. Given the intellectual
      challenge of peer review, interviewees noted the need for intensive and ongoing
      training on how to review proposals, and they identified mock reviews and peer
      mentoring as effective strategies to complement didactic instruction.
      Participants also stressed the need to address social challenges inherent in
      advocate-scientist encounters. In addition to training for both advocates and
      scientists, participants reported that opportunities for informal social
      interaction were important for facilitating collaboration. Finally, participants
      recommended structuring advocates' role so as to give them a voice via equal
      voting privileges and protected opportunities to speak. CONCLUSIONS: Programs
      that seek to include cancer survivors in peer review can prepare advocates for
      the intellectual and social challenges of working with scientists through careful
      attention to training, networking, and programmatic design. IMPLICATIONS FOR
      CANCER SURVIVORS: Cancer survivors have been leaders in developing a role for
      patient advocates in the peer review of research. As the concept of patient
      centered outcomes continues to gain currency, lessons learned from early programs
      for patient inclusion in peer review can help to inform future efforts aimed at
      giving patients a voice in shaping agendas for health-related research.

PMID- 24214498
TI  - Breast cancer experience and survivorship among Asian Americans: a systematic
      review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Asian American women,
      and the number of Asian American breast cancer survivors is rapidly increasing.
      Although Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing and most heterogeneous
      ethnic groups in the United States, limited data exist in regard to their breast
      cancer experience and survivorship. METHODS: A systematic review of the breast
      cancer experience literature was conducted and included studies of Asian
      Americans or their subgroups as a major category of study participants. Of the
      125 studies reviewed, 10 qualitative studies, 10 quantitative studies, 5 studies
      that used a mixed-method approach, and 1 intervention study met the criteria for
      inclusion. RESULTS: Qualitatively, Asian Americans reported unmet physical and
      emotional needs and challenges during survivorship. Quantitative studies
      consistently found that socioeconomic status, cultural health beliefs,
      immigration stress, acculturation level, English proficiency, social support, and
      spirituality associated with Asian American breast cancer patients' health
      behaviors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Studies also revealed
      significant variation in breast cancer reaction and HRQOL within Asian American
      subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Although research on Asian American breast cancer
      experience and survivorship is sparse, we concluded that Asian Americans
      experience disrupted HRQOL following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment,
      interwoven with their cultural and socio-ecological system, and that programs
      focused on improving cancer survivorship outcomes among this ethnic minority
      group are limited. Most studies have concentrated on the West coast population,
      and there is significant underrepresentation of longitudinal and intervention
      studies. Implications for study design, measurement, and future research areas
      are also included. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The results highlight a
      need to understand ethnic differences and to take into account social, cultural,
      and linguistic factors in breast cancer survivorship experiences among Asian
      American subgroups as a means to develop culturally relevant and linguistically
      appropriate interventions designed to improve HRQOL.

PMID- 24214499
TI  - FATE-HD: a spatially and temporally explicit integrated model for predicting
      vegetation structure and diversity at regional scale.
AB  - During the last decade, despite strenuous efforts to develop new models and
      compare different approaches, few conclusions have been drawn on their ability to
      provide robust biodiversity projections in an environmental change context. The
      recurring suggestions are that models should explicitly (i) include
      spatiotemporal dynamics; (ii) consider multiple species in interactions and (iii)
      account for the processes shaping biodiversity distribution. This article
      presents a biodiversity model (FATE-HD) that meets this challenge at regional
      scale by combining phenomenological and process-based approaches and using well
      defined plant functional groups. FATE-HD has been tested and validated in a
      French National Park, demonstrating its ability to simulate vegetation dynamics,
      structure and diversity in response to disturbances and climate change. The
      analysis demonstrated the importance of considering biotic interactions, spatio
      temporal dynamics and disturbances in addition to abiotic drivers to simulate
      vegetation dynamics. The distribution of pioneer trees was particularly improved,
      as were all undergrowth functional groups.

PMID- 24214500
TI  - The effects of familiarity and practice on naming pictures of objects.
AB  - Ss were given a paired-associate learning task, using nonsense shapes as stimuli
      and object names which varied in Thorndike-Lorge frequency as responses. Between
      each block of learning trials, Ss named the nonsense shapes and a set of line
      drawings of objects. While naming latencies for the shapes were unaffected by
      name frequency, there was an effect of frequency on naming a control set of
      pictures of objects. The frequency effect for the pictures decreased
      significantly with practice. When the Ss were asked to name pictures of the
      objects having the names previously learned for the nonsense shapes, an effect of
      frequency appeared, the size of the effect being the same as that found for the
      control pictures after practice. The frequency effect disappeared when the shapes
      were reintroduced. 

PMID- 24214501
TI  - The Stroop phenomenon and its use in the stlldy of perceptual, cognitive, and
      response processes.
AB  - The present review summarizes empirical findings and theoretical views related to
      the Stroop color-word test. Lyperimental findings were emphasized in contrast to
      the results of correlational studies, and the bulk of the material was produced
      since the 1966 review of Jensen and Rohwer. One purpose of the review was to
      illustrate use of the Stroop paradigm as a too! for the stud)' of other
      psychological processes. The incompleteness, and in some cases the
      mappropnateness, of existing explanatisons of the Stroop phenomenon also were
      discussed. nt]mis|The author is grateful to E. C. Dalrymple-Alford. George S.
      Harker, and Anne Treisman for their comments on an earlier draft of the paper. 

PMID- 24214502
TI  - Must overlearned lists be scanned?
AB  - Ss were presented given names as test items and asked either to indicate whether
      each test name was a member of a previously memorized list of names or whether
      each test name was the name of one of their siblings. The data indicated that the
      memorized hst of names was scanned in a serial fashion but that (disregarding the
      case where S had just one sibling) S did not have to scan the list of his own
      siblings' names to decide about a test name. 

PMID- 24214503
TI  - Competing responses and the processing of irrelevant information.
AB  - A number of studies have shown that performance of identification and
      discrimination tasks is detrimentally affected by irrelevant information, yet
      other studies have failed to find such decrements. It is suggested that these
      contradictory findings depend on whether S must make difficult discriminations
      among the relevant stimuli, the irrelevant stimuli, or between the relevant and
      irrelevant stimuli. The role of irrelevant information in these tasks is to
      enhance or amplify the competihg responses engendered by the difficult
      discriminations. Irrelevant information enhances competing responses by
      increasing the information processing requirements of a task. The results of
      various studies of irrelevant information seem to be in good agreement with the
      assertions. 

PMID- 24214504
TI  - Storage and retrieval of low-frequency words*.
AB  - Retneval of words as a function of their language frequency was studied by having
      Ss attempt to recogruze the words, recall the words after one presentation, or
      produce (think of) the words from their initial bigrams. It was found that one
      reason many low-frequency words could not be thought of (often necessary in
      anagram and other problem-solving tasks) was because they were not stored by S.
      as measured by failure to recognize them as words. Those low-frequency words that
      were stored were more difficult to retrieve than high-frequency words, both in
      production and in recall. High-frequency words did not exhibit failure of
      storage. but showed considerable difficulty in retrieval. both in recall and in
      production. 

PMID- 24214505
TI  - Context effects and the recall of comparative sentences.
AB  - Clark and Card (1969) have proposed that semantic components underlie memory for
      comparative (C) sentences. To test this hypothesis, six groups of 15 Ss each were
      given different sets of C sentences. In line with the theory, Ss tended to
      remember unmarked adjectives better than marked ones and positive constructions
      better than negatives. However, contrary to the theory, they also tended to bias
      their responding either toward the negative or the equative form. A two-stage
      theory of recall, based on the memory schema-memory trace distinction, is
      proposed to account for these data. 

PMID- 24214506
TI  - Role of response imagery on stimulus recognition*.
AB  - This experiment investigated the role of response imagery on recognition of
      stimulus terms following associative training. Ss learned to associate 12 high
      imagery or low-imagery responses with trigram stimuli by the study-associative
      matching procedure. Half the pairs were consistently paired and half were re
      paired anew on each trial. Following associative training, Ss were given a
      stimulus recognition and an associative matching task The results indicated that
      the probability of stimulus recognition, given correct associative matching, was
      greater when the responses were high-imagery rather than low-imagery. In
      contrast, no rehable response imagery effects were found for the probability of
      stimulus recognition, given incorrect associative matching. It was argued that
      the locus of the response imagery effect was primarily during retrieval rather
      than during encoding. 

PMID- 24214507
TI  - Ready-signal effects as a function of experimental design in simple reaction
      time.
AB  - In the between-S design, 20 Ss had a visual ready signal presented on each trial;
      for another 20 Ss, the ready signal was always absent. The within-S design
      consisted of 40 Ss that experienced both ready-signal conditions in semirandom
      order. Two intensities of a 1,000-Hz tone were used as the response signals Ready
      signal manipulation had pronounced effects under the within-S but not the between
      S design irrespective of response-signal intensity. 

PMID- 24214508
TI  - A sequential analysis of the partial reinforcement extinction effect in
      children*.
AB  - In a series of studies employing children between the ages of 7.6 and 10.6 years
      of age guessing on a modified Humphreys's board, extinction training was
      administered following either continuous reinforcement or various schedules of
      partial reinforcement training. Besides the observation of a partial
      reinforcement extinction effect, it was found that resistance to extinction
      appeared to be regulated by those sequential variables specified by extensions of
      Capaldi's theory of instrumental learning. 

PMID- 24214509
TI  - On the independence of judged frequencies for items presented in successive
      lists*.
AB  - In an experiment examining retroactive interference effects in a frequency
      judging task, all Ss were presented with a list of words occurring varying
      numbers of times according to either a massed- or distributed-practive (MP or DP)
      schedule. They were then asked to judge how often each word had occurred.
      Following this, Ss were given one of four types of second tasks a second list
      with different items followed by a frequency-judging task for that list
      (Condition New): a second list with items repeated from the first list but with
      different frequencies for each item, while either maintaining items as either MP
      or DP items (Condition Same) or switching MP items to DP, and vice versa
      (Condition Reverse): followed by a frequency-judging task for the second-list
      frequencies only: or a puzzle task for the amount of time required for second
      list presentation and judgment in the other conditions (Condition None). Finally,
      all Ss were asked to recall List 1 frequencies, List 2 frequencies were less
      discriminable in Conditions Same and Reverse than in Condition New. Recall of
      List 1 frequencies, however, was not different for these three groups, but was
      poorer than in List 2 frequency judgments were not independent of List 1
      frequencies. 

PMID- 24214510
TI  - Perceptual vs conceptual categorization.
AB  - The study considered whether Ss use the same strategies in categorizing
      biographical descriptions as in perceptual classifications. A biographical
      description consisted of a person's age, income, number of children, and years of
      education. The Ss were asked to classify these descriptions as residents of two
      different suburbs in order to compare the results with a previous study using
      schematic faces. The 123 Ss were assigned to one of three alternative
      organizations of the descriptions: a table, a "name" organized paragraph in which
      each person was successively described, or an "attribute" organized paragraph in
      which each attribute was successively described. Essentially the same results
      were obtained for schematic faces and biographical descriptions, except for a few
      differences which were attributed to the use of more realistic categories
      (suburbs) in the present study. When more realistic categories are used, a S's
      prior experience can influence which attributes he emphasizes and possibly his
      formation of an abstract prototype. 

PMID- 24214511
TI  - The effects of auditory shadowing on recognition of information received
      visually.
AB  - When Ss attend to one auditory message, they have no permanent memory for a
      second auditory message received simultaneously. Generally, it has been argued
      that a similar effect would occur crossmodally. This hypothesis was tested in the
      present experiment for messages presented to visual and auditory modalities. All
      Ss were tested for recognition of information presented either while shadowing or
      while hearing but not shadowing a passage of prose presented to one ear. One
      group heard a list of concrete nouns in their other ear. Three other groups
      received (1) printed words. (2) pictures of objects easily labeled, or (3)
      pictures of objects difficult to label. The shadowing task produced a decrement m
      recognition scores for the first three groups but not for the group receiving
      pictures of objects difficult to label. Further, the shadowing task interfered
      more with information received auditorily than with any form of visual
      information. These results suggest that information received visually is stored
      in a long-term modality-specific memory that may operate independently of the
      auditory modality. 

PMID- 24214512
TI  - Linear representation of temporal location and Stevens's law.
AB  - Ss were asked to indicate points 1 week, 7 months, 3 years, and 9 years in the
      past and future on two time lines representing birth to present and present to
      death. Data for 90 college-age Ss fit a psychophysical power function following
      Stevens's law. with negatively accelerated growth indicating proportionately
      greater linear representation of periods nearer to the present. Variability was
      greater for the representations of the future than of the past, with monotonic
      increases in variability as distance from the present increased. 

PMID- 24214513
TI  - Part-list recall following part-whole learning.
AB  - Following five trials of part-list free recall learning and six trials of whole
      list free recall learning, Ss were asked to recall the part-list items on two
      successive trials. Experimental Ss whose whole list contained all of the part
      list items recalled more part-list items than did control Ss whose whole list
      contained none of the part-list items. The data are inconsistent with current
      notion of subjective organization. 

PMID- 24214514
TI  - The Ranschburg effect: Stimulus variables and scoring criterion*.
AB  - The influence of stimulus variables on recall of intraserially repeated items was
      investigated with a parametric manipulation of the rate of presentation (.4, .8,
      or 1.6 sec/item), modality of presentation (auditory or visual), and sequence
      length (7 or 10 items long). The results indicated that the Ranschburg effect,
      poorer recall of repeated items than of corresponding control items, is
      relatively insensitive to stimulus manipulations. The Ranschburg effect was found
      to be localized primarily at the position of the second occurrence of the
      repeated item. The influence of the repeated items did not generalize to the
      other (nonrepeated) items of the sequence. Differences in the Ranschburg effect
      as a function of the scoring criterion were discussed. The results were
      interpreted as being consistent with a guessing bias interpretation of the
      Ranschburg effect. 

PMID- 24214515
TI  - Repetition and laterality effects on recognition memory for words and pictures*.
AB  - Recognition memory for a list of words was tested by presenting a series of items
      with Ss instructed to make positive responses to targets (list items) and
      negative responses to distractors (nonlist items). The test items were either
      words or pictures, and they were presented tachistoscopically either to the left
      or right visual field. The results showed mean response latencies to be generally
      faster for stimuli presented to the right visual field. Response times were
      faster for target and distractor stimuli on their second test presentations than
      on initial tests, but this effect was much larger for targets. Repetitions were
      shown to decrease the amount of time necessary to execute the stimulus encoding
      and initial retrieval stages of recognition. This was also true, although to a
      lesser extent, if different stimulus forms (words or pictures) were used on the
      two tests. Subsequent recognition stages, including memory search and decision
      processes. were apparently independent of test stimulus form. 

PMID- 24214516
TI  - Attention decrement, temporal variation, and the primacy effect in impression
      formation.
AB  - Three experiments which tested the attention decrement explanation of the primacy
      effect in impression formation are reported. A memory-crowding interpretation of
      attention decrement would predict a decrease in primacy as the interval between
      traits is increased. Mild support was obtained in Experiment I but not in II or
      III. Overall. the magnitude of the primacy effect was independent of intertrait
      temporal variation. Decrement in attention is the most attractive theoretical
      explanation for the commonly obtained primacy effect. However, the results of the
      present series of studies suggest that this explanation is not tenable and that
      other theoretical mechanisms will be required to account for primacy effects. 

PMID- 24214517
TI  - Influence of marihuana on storage and retrieval processe in memory.
AB  - Following presentation and immediate free recall testing of 10 20-word lists, 48
      Ss were divided into two groups, one of which received an oral dose of marihuana
      extract calibrated to 20 mg of Delta(1)-THC and one of which received placebo.
      One hour later, all Ss were administered delayed recall, recognition, and order
      tests on the first set of words. Presentation of another set of 10 lists
      followed, and there were immediate recall and delayed recall, recognition, and
      order tests on these words. Performance of drug and placebo Ss did not differ
      significantly for any of the first delayed tests. However, the performance of
      drug Ss was poorer than that of placebo Ss on immediate recall, delayed recall,
      and delayed recognition of the second set of lists. We concluded that retrieval
      of information relevant to the occurrence or nonocurrence of an event was not
      affected by marihuana intoxication. Storage difficulties probably account for
      memory deficits due to the drug, and these difficulties appear to occur in the
      process of transferring information from short-term to long-term memory. 

PMID- 24214518
TI  - The accuracy of a disposable noninvasive core thermometer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Perioperative hypothermia is still a common occurrence, and it can be
      difficult to measure a patient's core temperature accurately, especially during
      regional anesthesia, with placement of a laryngeal mask airway device, or
      postoperatively. We evaluated a new disposable double-sensor thermometer and
      compared the resulting temperatures with those of a distal esophageal thermometer
      and a bladder thermometer in patients undergoing general and regional anesthesia,
      respectively. Furthermore, we compared the accuracy of the thermometer between
      regional and general anesthesia, since forehead microcirculation might differ
      between the two types of anesthesia. METHODS: We assessed core temperature in 36
      general anesthesia patients and 20 patients having regional anesthesia for
      orthopedic surgery. The temperatures obtained using the double-sensor thermometer
      were compared with those obtained with the distal esophageal thermometer in the
      general anesthesia population and those obtained with the bladder thermometer in
      regional anesthesia patients. RESULTS: In our general anesthesia patients, 90%
      (95% confidence interval [CI] 85 to 95) of all double-sensor values were within
      0.5 degrees C of esophageal temperatures. The average difference (bias) between
      the esophageal and double-sensor temperatures was -0.01 degrees C. In patients
      undergoing regional anesthesia 89% (95% CI 80 to 97) of all double-sensor values
      were within 0.5 degrees C of bladder temperatures. The average difference (bias)
      between the bladder and double-sensor temperatures was -0.13 degrees C, limits of
      agreement were -0.65 to 0.40 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: In a perioperative patient
      population undergoing general or regional anesthesia, the accuracy of the
      noninvasive disposable double-sensor thermometer is comparable with that of the
      distal esophageal and bladder thermometers in routine clinical practice.
      Furthermore, the sensor performed comparably in patients undergoing regional and
      general anesthesia.

PMID- 24214519
TI  - Bioinspired total synthesis of montanine-type Amaryllidaceae alkaloids.

PMID- 24214521
TI  - Clinical practice guideline: CYP2D6 genotyping for safe and efficacious codeine
      therapy.
AB  - This guideline is intended to provide a basis for informed decision-making
      regarding genetic testing to identify those individuals who will not benefit from
      codeine therapy, as well as those who are at an increased risk for codeine
      induced toxicity. This guideline addresses the following key questions: 1) Should
      genetic testing for CYP2D6 be performed in patients prior to the initiation of
      codeine therapy? 2) How should patients with an indication for codeine therapy be
      managed based on their genotyping results for CYP2D6? 

PMID- 24214522
TI  - Tibio-pedal arterial minimally invasive retrograde revascularization in patients
      with advanced peripheral vascular disease: the TAMI technique, original case
      series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A tibial-pedal access method is needed for patients with advanced
      peripheral artery disease (PAD) unable to tolerate common femoral artery (CFA)
      access and intervention due to body habitus or comorbidities. This is the first
      case series reporting an alternative technique to revascularize such patients.
      Using ultrasound (US) and the tibio-pedal arterial minimally invasive retrograde
      revascularization (TAMI) technique, operators accessed, and revascularized the
      lower extremity completely via tibial-pedal arterial access. METHODS: This
      retrospective, single-center, case series recorded on 23 patients who underwent
      TAMI revascularization during a seven-month period in 2012, demonstrating the
      feasibility and safety of the TAMI technique. Eighty-three percent had Rutherford
      Classification IV-VI. Ultrasound guidance aided all tibial access. Demographics,
      vascular symptoms, disease characteristics, success, procedure length, time to
      discharge, immediate and 30-day complications were collected. Comparison was
      sought with 201 unmatched patients treated via traditional CFA access over a
      similar period. RESULTS: Arterial access was successful in all patients. Thirty
      six lesions were treated. Lesion success (ability to cross lesion and achieve
      post treatment stenosis <30%) was achieved in 95% of patients. 25% of lesions
      were above the knee. Average prestenosis was 92.5%; average poststenosis 12%. No
      major complications were noted. Two patients presented within 30 days with access
      site pain. Access site peroneal artery pseudo-aneurysms were diagnosed and
      treated percutaneously with covered stents. Both recovered with no sequelae.
      CONCLUSION: Retrograde tibio-pedal intervention appears to be safe and effective.
      The TAMI technique offers an alternate revascularization method for critically
      ill advanced PAD patients.

PMID- 24214523
TI  - HIV-Mycobacterium tuberculosis co-infection: a 'danger-couple model' of disease
      pathogenesis.
AB  - Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection interfere and
      impact the pathogenesis phenomena of each other. Owing to atypical clinical
      presentations and diagnostic complications, HIV/TB co-infection continues to be a
      menace for healthcare providers. Although the increased access to highly active
      antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to a reduction in HIV-associated
      opportunistic infections and mortality, the concurrent management of HIV/TB co
      infection remains a challenge owing to adverse effects, complex drug
      interactions, overlapping toxicities and tuberculosis -associated immune
      reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Several hypotheses have been put forward
      for the exacerbation of tuberculosis by HIV and vice versa supported by
      immunological studies. Discussion on the mechanisms produced by infectious
      cofactors with impact on disease pathology could shed light on how to design
      potential interventions that could decelerate disease progression. With no
      vaccine for HIV and lack of an effective vaccine for tuberculosis, it is
      essential to design strategies against HIV-TB co-infection. 

PMID- 24214524
TI  - Plasma paraoxonase 1 arylesterase activity in D-galactose-induced aged rat model:
      correlation with LDL oxidation and redox status.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is much evidence linking the involvement of oxidative stress in
      the pathogenesis of aging. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an HDL-associated antioxidant
      enzyme that inhibits the oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins
      (LDL). We have investigated the changes in plasma PON1 activity, LDL oxidation,
      radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation in D-galactose-induced aging
      rat model and also compared the results with 24-month naturally aged rats.
      METHOD: Arylesterase activity of PON1, susceptibility of LDL for oxidation,
      plasma radical scavenging activity and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive
      substances (TBARS) were measured in normal control rats (4-months-old control
      rats subjected to D-galactose-induced experimental aging, and 24-month-old
      naturally aged rats). RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in plasma PON1
      arylesterase activity in both subcutaneous D-galactose-treated groups and 24
      month-old aged rats (P < 0.05, for each). TBARS, an oxidative stress marker, was
      seen to increase in the experimental groups (P < 0.01). In both subcutaneous
      galactose-treated and naturally aged rats, there was a significant rise in plasma
      LDL oxidation (P < 0.05, for each). However, radical scavenging activity was
      decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in both groups, as compared to control.
      CONCLUSIONS: The D-galactose-induced rat model of aging mimics the naturally aged
      rat with reference to PON1 arylesterase activity and susceptibility to LDL
      oxidation. The results emphasize the importance of PON1 with respect to aging and
      its association with redox balance of the body.

PMID- 24214525
TI  - Prevalence and risk factors associated with goat gastrointestinal helminthiasis
      in the Sertao region of Paraiba State, Brazil.
AB  - Gastrointestinal helminthiasis represents an obstacle to goat raising, causing
      severe damage to herds such as growth retardation, weight loss, and even death.
      In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated
      to goat gastrointestinal helminthiasis in the Sertao region of Paraiba State,
      Brazil. A total of 256 goats from 54 farms were systematically sampled. Blood and
      fecal samples were collected from each animal for egg per gram (EPG), larval
      culture, and packed cell volume (PCV) analyses. We found that 79.3% of the goats
      investigated were parasitized with gastrointestinal helminths. Significant
      correlation (p = 0.004) was observed between the EPG and PCV of the animals
      studied, and it was observed that the EPG increases as the PCV decreases. In the
      larval culture, the most prevalent helminth was Haemonchus sp. (83.2%). Age and
      sex were significant variables (p <= 0.20) for the development of
      gastrointestinal helminths: 86.8% of animals over 36 months of age and 81.7% of
      females were infected. The variable type of animal exploitation was also
      significant, with 90.3% (p <= 0.20) of the animals presenting double suitability
      (milk and meat). The Sertao region of Paraiba State presents high prevalence of
      gastrointestinal helminthiasis in goats, and age and type of animal exploitation
      are the most relevant risk factors to the development of these parasites.

PMID- 24214527
TI  - Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) and congenital heart defects.

PMID- 24214526
TI  - Quantification of amide proton transfer effect pre- and post-gadolinium contrast
      agent administration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare quantification of the amide proton transfer (APT) effect pre-
      and post-gadolinium contrast agent (Gd) administration in order to establish to
      what extent Gd alters quantification of the APT effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Four patients with internal carotid stenosis were recruited. APT imaging was
      acquired pre- and post-contrast in two sessions (before and after surgery) to
      assess the extent of relaxation time, T1 , change on APT effect calculated using
      magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry analysis at offsets of +/-3.5 ppm relative
      to water resonance. Statistical and modeling evaluations were performed on the
      pre- and post-contrast APT effect to study the sensitivity to contrast
      administration. RESULTS: Before surgery, the post-contrast T1 was estimated to
      drop <10% of the pre-value for the majority of the patients. After surgery,
      higher post-contrast T1 reductions were observed in all the patients (maximum
      decrease was about 20% of the pre-value). Consistent differences between pre- and
      post-contrast were seen in the APT effect quantified using the asymmetry measure
      in most regions of the brain, with significant differences found in the white
      matter at the group level and in 25% of the individual patient results.
      CONCLUSION: APT imaging should be performed prior to Gd administration to avoid
      potential misinterpretation of the APT effect.

PMID- 24214528
TI  - Stigma and psychiatric morbidity among mothers of children with epilepsy in
      Zambia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epilepsy-associated stigma contributes substantially to the social,
      medical, and economic burden of disease for people with epilepsy (PWE), but
      little is known about its impact on caregivers of PWE. METHODS: To better
      understand stigma experienced by caregivers of PWE, factors that influence
      caregiver stigma, and the effect of stigma on a caregiver's psychologic well
      being, we interviewed 100 caregivers of children with epilepsy in Zambia.
      Questions assessed maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to
      epilepsy, maternal stigma, mother's proxy report of child stigma, and maternal
      psychiatric morbidity. RESULTS: Of 100 mothers, 39 (39%) indicated that their
      child was stigmatized because of his or her epilepsy. Maternal proxy report of
      child stigma was highly correlated with maternal stigma (OR: 5.4, p=0.04),
      seizure frequency (p=0.03) and seizure severity (p=0.01). One in five of 100
      mothers (20%) reported feeling stigmatized because of their child's epilepsy.
      Higher maternal stigma was associated with lower familial and community support
      (ORs: 65.2 and 34.7, respectively; both p<0.0001) as well as higher psychiatric
      morbidity (OR: 1.2; p=0.002). Formal education and epilepsy knowledge were
      associated with decreased maternal stigma (ORs: 0.8 and 0.7, respectively; both
      p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One in five mothers of PWE feel stigmatized because of
      their child's epilepsy. As maternal stigma is associated with psychiatric
      morbidity, educating caregivers about epilepsy and screening for anxiety and
      depression are warranted.

PMID- 24214529
TI  - Opportunities to improve domestic hygiene practices through new enabling
      products: a study of handwashing practices and equipment in rural Cambodia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lack of a dedicated place and equipment for handwashing has been
      associated with poor practice of handwashing with soap in the home in developing
      communities where the practice is needed to reduce diarrhea diseases and
      respiratory infections. METHODS: We conducted formative research on handwashing
      knowledge, attitudes, practices and equipment and investigated the need and
      demand for dedicated handwashing equipment to enable improved hygiene practices
      and enhance handwashing performance for health in rural Cambodian homes where
      water is collected and stored. Responses to closed and open-ended questions and
      structured observation of a demonstration of handwashing by the mother or another
      female adult child caretaker in 79 households were used to identify handwashing
      occasions, evaluate handwashing equipment and competency, investigate attitudes
      and structural barriers to handwashing with soap, and assess use of and interest
      in dedicated handwashing equipment. RESULTS: We found significant evidence of the
      need for handwashing enabling equipment to eliminate unsafe domestic water
      handling during handwashing and reduce structural barriers to routine handwashing
      with soap in Cambodian homes dependent on stored water supplies. Substantial
      interest in dedicated handwashing equipment and in specific equipment features
      was measured. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest household demand for and uptake of
      affordable household handwashing facilities incorporating desired features and
      functionality could be generated in Cambodia to support improved domestic hygiene
      practices.

PMID- 24214530
TI  - Mucosal delivery of antigen-coated nanoparticles to lungs confers protective
      immunity against tuberculosis infection in mice.
AB  - Mucosal boosting of BCG-immunised individuals with a subunit tuberculosis (TB)
      vaccine would be highly desirable, considering that the lungs are the principal
      port of entry for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and the site of the primary
      infection and reactivation. However, the main roadblock for subunit TB vaccine
      development is the lack of suitable adjuvants that could induce robust local and
      systemic immune responses. Here, we describe a novel vaccine delivery system that
      was designed to mimic, in part, the MTB pathogen itself. The surface of yellow
      carnauba wax nanoparticles was coated with the highly immunogenic Ag85B Ag of MTB
      and they were directed to the alveolar epithelial surfaces by the incorporation
      of the heparin-binding hemagglutinin adhesion (HBHA) protein. Our results showed
      that the i.n. immunisation of BCG-primed BALB/c mice with nanoparticles adsorbed
      with Ag85B-HBHA (Nano-AH vaccine) induced robust humoral and cellular immune
      responses and IFN-gamma production, and multifunctional CD4+ T cells expressing
      IFN-gamma, IL-2 and TNF-alpha. Mice challenged with H37Rv MTB had a significantly
      reduced bacterial load in their lungs when compared with controls immunised with
      BCG alone. We therefore conclude that this immunisation approach is an effective
      means of boosting the BCG-induced anti-TB immunity.

PMID- 24214531
TI  - Flowering phenology and its implications for management of big-leaf mahogany
      Swietenia macrophylla in Brazilian Amazonia.
AB  - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Flowering phenology is a crucial determinant of
      reproductive success and offspring genetic diversity in plants. We measure the
      flowering phenology of big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla, Meliaceae), a
      widely distributed neotropical tree, and explore how disturbance from logging
      impacts its reproductive biology. METHODS: We use a crown scoring system to
      estimate the timing and duration of population-level flowering at three forest
      sites in the Brazilian Amazon over a five-year period. We combine this
      information with data on population structure and spatial distribution to
      consider the implications of logging for population flowering patterns and
      reproductive success. KEY RESULTS: Mahogany trees as small as 14 cm diam
      flowered, but only trees > 30 cm diam flowered annually or supra-annually. Mean
      observed flowering periods by focal trees ranged from 18-34 d, and trees flowered
      sequentially during 3-4 mo beginning in the dry season. Focal trees demonstrated
      significant interannual correlation in flowering order. Estimated population
      level flowering schedules resembled that of the focal trees, with temporal
      isolation between early and late flowering trees. At the principal study site,
      conventional logging practices eliminated 87% of mahogany trees > 30 cm diam and
      an estimated 94% of annual pre-logging floral effort. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent
      interannual patterns of sequential flowering among trees create incompletely
      isolated subpopulations, constraining pollen flow. After harvests, surviving
      subcommercial trees will have fewer, more distant, and smaller potential
      partners, with probable consequences for post-logging regeneration. These results
      have important implications for the sustainability of harvesting systems for
      tropical timber species.

PMID- 24214532
TI  - Susceptibility of human and avian influenza viruses to human and chicken saliva.
AB  - Oral cavity can be an entry site of influenza virus and saliva is known to
      contain innate soluble anti-influenza factors. Influenza strains were shown to
      vary in their susceptibility to those antiviral factors. Whether the
      susceptibility to the saliva antiviral factors plays any role in the host species
      specificity of influenza viruses is not known. In this study, the antiviral
      activity of human and chicken saliva against human and the H5N1 avian influenza
      viruses were investigated by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralization
      (NT) assays. In comparison to human influenza viruses, H5N1 isolates showed
      reduced susceptibility to human saliva as measured by HI and NT assays.
      Interestingly, an H5N1 isolate that bind to both alpha2,3- and alpha2,6-linked
      sialic acid showed much higher HI titers with human saliva, suggesting that the
      susceptibility profile was linked to the receptor-binding preference and the
      presence of alpha2,6-linked sialic in human saliva. On the other hand, the H5N1
      isolates showed increased HI titers but reduced NT titers to chicken saliva as
      compared to human influenza isolates. The human salivary antiviral components
      were characterized by testing the sensitivity to heat, receptor destroying enzyme
      (RDE), CaCl2/EDTA dependence, and inhibition by mannan, and shown to be alpha-
      and gamma-inhibitors. These data suggest that the H5N1 HPAI influenza virus had
      distinctive susceptibility patterns to human and chicken saliva, which may play
      some roles in its infectivity and transmissibility in these hosts.

PMID- 24214533
TI  - RBF1, a plant homolog of the bacterial ribosome-binding factor RbfA, acts in
      processing of the chloroplast 16S ribosomal RNA.
AB  - Plastids (chloroplasts) possess 70S ribosomes that are very similar in structure
      and function to the ribosomes of their bacterial ancestors. While most components
      of the bacterial ribosome (ribosomal RNAs [rRNAs] and ribosomal proteins) are
      well conserved in the plastid ribosome, little is known about the factors
      mediating the biogenesis of plastid ribosomes. Here, we have investigated a
      putative homolog of the bacterial RbfA (for ribosome-binding factor A) protein
      that was identified as a cold-shock protein and an auxiliary factor acting in the
      5' maturation of the 16S rRNA. The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas
      reinhardtii and the vascular plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) both encode
      a single RbfA-like protein in their nuclear genomes. By generating specific
      antibodies against this protein, we show that the plant RbfA-like protein
      functions exclusively in the plastid, where it is associated with thylakoid
      membranes. Analysis of mutants for the corresponding gene (termed RBF1) reveals
      that the gene function is essential for photoautotrophic growth. Weak mutant
      alleles display reduced levels of plastid ribosomes, a specific depletion in 30S
      ribosomal subunits, and reduced activity of plastid protein biosynthesis. Our
      data suggest that, while the function in ribosome maturation and 16S rRNA 5' end
      processing is conserved, the RBF1 protein has assumed an additional role in 3'
      end processing. Together with the apparent absence of a homologous protein from
      plant mitochondria, our findings illustrate that the assembly process of the 70S
      ribosome is not strictly conserved and has undergone some modifications during
      organelle evolution. 

PMID- 24214534
TI  - Deletion mutagenesis identifies a haploinsufficient role for gamma-zein in
      opaque2 endosperm modification.
AB  - Quality Protein Maize (QPM) is a hard kernel variant of the high-lysine mutant
      opaque2. Using gamma-irradiation, we created opaque QPM variants to identify
      opaque2 modifier genes and to investigate deletion mutagenesis combined with
      Illumina sequencing as a maize (Zea mays) functional genomics tool. A K0326Y QPM
      deletion mutant was null for the 27- and 50-kD gamma-zeins and abolished vitreous
      endosperm formation. Illumina exon and RNA sequencing revealed a 1.2-megabase
      pair deletion encompassing the 27- and 50-kD gamma-zein genes on chromosome 7 and
      a deletion of at least 232 kb on chromosome 9. Protein body number was reduced by
      over 90%, while protein body size is similar to the wild type. Kernels hemizygous
      for the gamma-zein deletion had intermediate 27- and 50-kD gamma-zein levels and
      were semivitreous, indicating haploinsufficiency of these gene products in
      opaque2 endosperm modification. The gamma-zein deletion further increased lysine
      in QPM in its homozygous and hemizygous states. This work identifies 27-kD gamma
      zein as an opaque2 modifier gene within the largest QPM quantitative trait locus
      and may suggest the 50-kD gamma-zein also contributes to this quantitative trait
      locus. It further demonstrates that genome-wide deletions in nonreference maize
      lines can be identified through a combination of assembly of Illumina reads
      against the B73 genome and integration of RNA sequencing data. 

PMID- 24214536
TI  - Population genomic analysis reveals no evidence for GC-biased gene conversion in
      Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - Gene conversion is the nonreciprocal exchange of genetic material between
      homologous chromosomes. Multiple lines of evidence from a variety of taxa
      strongly suggest that gene conversion events are biased toward GC-bearing
      alleles. However, in Drosophila, the data have largely been indirect and unclear,
      with some studies supporting the predictions of a GC-biased gene conversion model
      and other data showing contradictory findings. Here, we test whether gene
      conversion events are GC-biased in Drosophila melanogaster using whole-genome
      polymorphism and divergence data. Our results provide no support for GC-biased
      gene conversion and thus suggest that this process is unlikely to significantly
      contribute to patterns of polymorphism and divergence in this system. 

PMID- 24214535
TI  - Leaf oil body functions as a subcellular factory for the production of a
      phytoalexin in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Oil bodies are intracellular structures present in the seed and leaf cells of
      many land plants. Seed oil bodies are known to function as storage compartments
      for lipids. However, the physiological function of leaf oil bodies is unknown.
      Here, we show that leaf oil bodies function as subcellular factories for the
      production of a stable phytoalexin in response to fungal infection and
      senescence. Proteomic analysis of oil bodies prepared from Arabidopsis
      (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves identified caleosin (CLO3) and alpha-dioxygenase
      (alpha-DOX1). Both CLO3 and alpha-DOX1 were localized on the surface of oil
      bodies. Infection with the pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum higginsianum promoted
      the formation of CLO3- and alpha-DOX1-positive oil bodies in perilesional areas
      surrounding the site of infection. alpha-DOX1 catalyzes the reaction from alpha
      linolenic acid (a major fatty acid component of oil bodies) to an unstable
      compound, 2-hydroperoxy-octadecatrienoic acid (2-HPOT). Intriguingly, a
      combination of alpha-DOX1 and CLO3 produced a stable compound, 2-hydroxy
      octadecatrienoic acid (2-HOT), from alpha-linolenic acid. This suggests that the
      colocalization of alpha-DOX1 and CLO3 on oil bodies might prevent the degradation
      of unstable 2-HPOT by efficiently converting 2-HPOT into the stable compound 2
      HOT. We found that 2-HOT had antifungal activity against members of the genus
      Colletotrichum and that infection with C. higginsianum induced 2-HOT production.
      These results defined 2-HOT as an Arabidopsis phytoalexin. This study provides,
      to our knowledge, the first evidence that leaf oil bodies produce a phytoalexin
      under a pathological condition, which suggests a new mechanism of plant defense. 

PMID- 24214538
TI  - Conservation by native peoples : Prey choice in a depleted habitat.
AB  - Native peoples have often been portrayed as natural conservationists, living a
      "balanced" existence with nature. It is argued that this perspective is a result
      of an imprecise operational definition of conservation. Conservation is defined
      here in contrast to the predictions of foraging theory, which assumes that
      foragers will behave to maximize their short-term harvesting rate. A behavior is
      deemed conservation when a short-term cost is paid by the resource harvester in
      exchange for long-term benefits in the form of sustainable harvests. An example
      of the usefulness of such an operational definition is presented using data on
      patch and prey choice decisions of a group of subsistence hunters, the Piro of
      Amazonian Peru. Results indicate that the area around the Piro village is
      depleted of prey, and that hunters allocate more time to patches where return
      rates are highest. This response is consistent with both a conservation strategy
      and foraging theory. Contrary to the expectation of the conservation strategy,
      however, hunters do not restrain from pursing opportunistically encountered prey
      in the depleted areas. The implications for conservation policy are briefly
      discussed. 

PMID- 24214537
TI  - A guide for the design of evolve and resequencing studies.
AB  - Standing genetic variation provides a rich reservoir of potentially useful
      mutations facilitating the adaptation to novel environments. Experimental
      evolution studies have demonstrated that rapid and strong phenotypic responses to
      selection can also be obtained in the laboratory. When combined with the next
      generation sequencing technology, these experiments promise to identify the
      individual loci contributing to adaption. Nevertheless, until now, very little is
      known about the design of such evolve & resequencing (E&R) studies. Here, we use
      forward simulations of entire genomes to evaluate different experimental designs
      that aim to maximize the power to detect selected variants. We show that low
      linkage disequilibrium in the starting population, population size, duration of
      the experiment, and the number of replicates are the key factors in determining
      the power and accuracy of E&R studies. Furthermore, replication of E&R is more
      important for detecting the targets of selection than increasing the population
      size. Using an optimized design, beneficial loci with a selective advantage as
      low as s = 0.005 can be identified at the nucleotide level. Even when a large
      number of loci are selected simultaneously, up to 56% can be reliably detected
      without incurring large numbers of false positives. Our computer simulations
      suggest that, with an adequate experimental design, E&R studies are a powerful
      tool to identify adaptive mutations from standing genetic variation and thereby
      provide an excellent means to analyze the trajectories of selected alleles in
      evolving populations. 

PMID- 24214539
TI  - Extinction and descent.
AB  - The probability of lineal extinction is sensitive to all the moments of the
      reproductive success probability distribution. In particular, high variance in
      reproductive success is associated with high probability of lineal extinction.
      Where male variance in reproductive success exceeds female variance, strictly
      patrilineal lines of descent will become extinct more rapidly than strictly
      matrilineal lines of descent. Patrilineal genealogies will be expected to be
      shallower and broader than matrilineal genealogies under such conditions.
      Potential implications of this genealogical asymmetry for human descent systems
      include the greater information content of patrilineal kinship reckoning compared
      with any other unilineal system and the greater effectiveness of patrilineal
      kinship as a vehicle for corporate action. 

PMID- 24214541
TI  - The family in a changing world : A prolegomenon to an evolutionary analysis.
AB  - Increasing numbers of young mothers in the work force, more and more children
      requiring extrafamilial care, high rates of divorce, lower rates of remarriage,
      increasing numbers of female-headed households, growing numbers of zero-parent
      families, and significant occurrences of child maltreatment are just some of the
      social indicators indicative of the family in a changing world. These trends and
      their consequences for children are described and then examined from the
      perspectives of microeconomic theory, the relative-income hypothesis, sex-ratio
      theory, and one form of modernization theory. The paper concludes with a
      preliminary examination of the added explanatory power provided by evolutionary
      theory. 

PMID- 24214540
TI  - Environmental tracking by females : Sexual lability.
AB  - Human females are generally reserved in their sexuality, in keeping with their
      heavy investment in reproduction. Males tend to be less reserved. Relative to
      males, however, females demonstrate more variability in sexuality and are more
      likely to inhibit or express high levels of sexuality. The heightened variability
      may in part originate with genetic mechanisms that predispose females toward
      greater variability (the Lyon hypothesis). Menarche, menstrual cycles, menopause,
      food reactions, responses to living conditions, reactions to cultural factors,
      and responses to sexual stimuli and potential mates are unique to or are more
      variable among females than males. There is a correlation between the variation
      expressed and female reproductive potential-females tend to shift dramatically
      from sexual inhibition to sexual expression. Females apparently track the quality
      of the environment and link their sexuality to reproductive opportunities.
      Successful male reproduction depends less on quality environments and more on the
      availability of females. In short, females track the environment; males track the
      females. 

PMID- 24214542
TI  - The addition of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol prevents the aggregation of guanidinium
      around protein and impairs its denaturation ability: a molecular dynamics
      simulation study.
AB  - TFE, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and guanidinium (Gdm(+) ) are two typical osmolytes.
      A great number of experimental and theoretical studies have shown that TFE and
      Gdm(+) can accumulate on protein surface and thus exert their effects on protein
      structure in their respective solutions. Their accumulation manners are, however,
      different: the hydrophobic property of TFE makes its accumulation more
      preferential around hydrophobic side chains than other types whereas Gdm(+)
      prefers to stack strongly against the planar side chains but only weakly binds to
      the hydrophobic groups. The present molecular dynamics simulation study shows a
      novel test to investigate the combined effects of TFE and Gdm(+) on protein
      structure in mixed guanidinium/TFE solution. The results indicate that the
      accumulation of TFE is more competitive than Gdm(+) in either GdmSCN/TFE or
      GdmCl/TFE solution. The preceding accumulation of TFE around protein surface
      limits the approach of Gdm(+) and water to protein. As a result, the hydrogen
      bonding between Gdm(+) and water to protein is highly forbidden and the secondary
      structure stability of protein is strongly enhanced. In contrast, without the
      presence of TFE, the protein structure is largely denatured in similarly
      concentrated GdmSCN or GdmCl solution.

PMID- 24214544
TI  - Cognitive masking in rapid sequential processing: The effect of an emotional
      picture on preceding and succeeding pictures.
AB  - This experiment assessed the effect of an emotional pictorial input on the
      processing of preceding and succeeding pictorial inputs. Thirty-nine individual
      pictures were successively presented for 165 msec, with a 500-msec dark interval
      between each item. The 20th input item was either an emotional or a neutral
      picture; the remaining 38 items were neutral sketches. Postinput recognition data
      indicated a processing disruption of several pictorial items following the
      emotional as compared to the neutral input and a possible processing disruption
      of the item immediately preceding the emotional stimulus. The outcome suggests
      nonindependence in the processing of separate picture inputs in rapid sequential
      presentations. 

PMID- 24214543
TI  - Overexpression of MTA1 promotes invasiveness and metastasis of ovarian cancer
      cells.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the effect of metastasis-associated gene MTA1 on
      proliferation and invasion potential of ovarian cancer cell line A2780. METHODS:
      The eukaryotic expressing vector pcDNA3. 1-MTA1 was introduced into A2780 cells
      by gene transfection in vitro. The MTA1 mRNA and protein level in cancer cells
      were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and
      western blot, respectively. The growth activities of cancer cells were detected
      by trypan blue stain method. The clone formation assay in soft agar was used to
      observe the proliferation of cancer cells. Wound healing assay and Transwell
      assay were used to evaluate migration and invasion abilities of cancer cells. And
      the protein level of bcl-xL in ovarian cancer cells was measured by
      immunohistochemistry and western blot. The TUNEL assay was performed to study the
      apoptosis of tumor cells. RESULTS: Seventy-two hours after transfection, the MTA1
      expression increased significantly (P < 0.01). The up-regulation of MTA1 did not
      affect the growth activities of cancer cells (P > 0.05), but it promoted clone
      formation, migration and invasion abilities of cancer cells (P < 0.01). The
      cellular expression of bcl-xL increased 65.22 %, with a PI value of (71.64 +/-
      5.96) %. With the up-regulation of MTA1 and bcl-xL level, the apoptotic rate of
      A2780 cell was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: MTA1 gene plays an important role in
      progression and metastasis of ovarian cancers, which provides an ideal strategy
      for gene therapy of ovarian cancers.

PMID- 24214545
TI  - Memory for noun pairs in the same or different underlying strings.
AB  - A number of studies have shown that children learn noun pairs faster when they
      have been presented in a noun-verb-noun context than when they are presented in a
      noun-conjunction-noun context. Suzuki and Rohwer (1969) hypothesized that the
      underlying strings of sentences correspond to memory units, making it easier to
      recall two nouns from the same underlying string than from two different
      underlying strings. They reported that data from fifth graders supported this
      hypothesis but that data from college students did not. The experiments reported
      here were done to determine whether the hypothesis would be supported (a) if the
      test rate were faster than that used by Suzuki and Rohwer or (b) if sentences
      longer and more complex than those used by them were employed. The recall data
      accorded with some predictions derived from the hypothesis. However, data from
      Ss' posttraining reports on how they learned the pairs suggest that Ss,
      particularly adults, often made up their own strings rather than using those
      provided, and raise the question of the adequacy of Suzuki and Rohwer's procedure
      for testing this hypothesis, particularly in adults. 

PMID- 24214546
TI  - Relationship of visual and name similarity of visually presented letters.
AB  - Pairs of letters were orthogonally varied with regard to the degree of their
      visual and name similarities. Each pair was repeatedly presented, alternating
      with a masking field, until the S gave an identification response. When
      similarity is high for one feature, the number of correct identifications
      increases as an inverse linear function of similarity of the other feature. When
      visual similarity is low, correct identifications increase as a direct linear
      function of name similarity. However, when name similarity is low,
      correctddentifications do not vary consistently with visual similarity. The
      results at high similarity of one feature are interpreted as a reflection of
      encoding processes, while the results at low similarity levels of the visual
      feature are interpreted as a reflection of decoding into response form. 

PMID- 24214547
TI  - Retrieval difficulty and subsequent recall.
AB  - The notion that difficult initial retrieval facilitates subsequent recall was
      tested in a situation similar to Brown and McNeill's (1966) tip-of-the-tongue
      (TOT) paradigm. After 50 trials, Ss were unexpectedly asked to recall all the
      target words. It was found that words retrieved with difficulty in the definition
      session were relatively well recalled in the final test. Further analyses
      revealed that the critical factor for good recall was the presence of a TOT
      state, or a strong feeling of knowing the word, during initial retrieval. An
      explanation in terms of activation of the word's attributes was suggested. 

PMID- 24214548
TI  - Letter identification in relation to linguistic context and masking conditions.
AB  - With a two-choice detection procedure, identifiability of signal letters was
      determined in backgrounds of words, nonword letter strings, or homogeneous noise
      characters. Under high performance conditions of exposure duration and pre- and
      postmasks, there was a substantial advantage in identifiability of letters
      presented alone over letters embedded in words; under low performance conditions
      there were generally no differences between the two types of context, but some
      interactive effects appeared involving particular letters with serial position
      and type of background. No differences were obtained between word and nonword
      contexts. The disparities between these findings and those reported by Reicher
      (1969) and Wheeler (1970) may be related to the more complete elimination under
      the present procedures of effects of redundancy on response selection. 

PMID- 24214549
TI  - Effects of information relevance on decision making in complex environments.
AB  - Previous research based on predictions of complexity theory has often varied
      information load and measured characteristics of group decision making. A
      reinterpretation of related data on success and failure effects suggests that the
      obtained load effects may be confounded by simultaneous variation of information
      load and information relevance. To begin studying the separate effects of the two
      variables, information load was held constant at the previously determined
      optimal level and information relevance was varied as a proportion of load. It
      was found that integrated decision making (a complex decision response) was
      modified by changes in information relevance; but that respondent decision making
      and information search (simple decision responses) did not change. The results
      were tentatively interpreted to suggest that complex decision making varies with
      relevance, while simple decision making varies with information load. It was
      suggested that complexity theory might be correspondingly modified. 

PMID- 24214550
TI  - Self-perception and characteristics of premanipulation attitudes: A test of Bem's
      theory.
AB  - In a study to provide evidence for the assumption of self-perception theory that
      premanipulation attitudes are not salient to postmanipulation phenomenology, Bem
      and McConnell (1970) performed two forced-compliance experiments. One experiment
      was a typical forced-compliance experiment in which Ss indicated their
      postmanipulation attitudes. In the other experiment, the Ss were asked to recall
      their premanipulation attitude after the essay writing task. It was found that
      the recall ratings were essentially the same as the postmanipulation attitude
      ratings. The present study was a partial replication of the Bern and McConnell
      experiment. The results of this study indicate that premanipulation attitudes are
      salient to the postmanipulation phenomenology of Ss for whom these attitudes are
      highly relevant. 

PMID- 24214551
TI  - Learning effects in information integration: Manipulation of cue validity in an
      impression formation task.
AB  - In Stage 1, Ss predicted whether the majority of students in a previous study
      liked or disliked each of a series of hypothetical persons described by pairs of
      personality trait adjectives. One trait within each pair was highly polarized on
      a social desirability dimension, and the other was highly polarized on an
      intellectual desirability dimension. In Stage 2, new person descriptions were
      presented and Ss either predicted likabihty ratings for the reference group or
      gave their own personal ratings. Responses on Stage 2 varied as a function of
      feedback mampulations on Stage 1. The effect of feedback was to increase the
      relative weight of the dimension associated with reinforcement on Stage 1. This
      effect was more pronounced for Ss predcting the ratings of the reference group on
      Stage 2 than for Ss making personal ratings. These results illustrate how the
      weighting of information in an integration task can be manipulated through
      reinforcement contingencies. 

PMID- 24214552
TI  - Obedience as a function of experimenter competence.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate obedience to an E's commands as a
      function of E competency. Based upon Orne's (1962, 1969) discussion of the demand
      characteristics inherent in the typical aggression study, it was hypothesized
      that E incompetence would decrease S obedience. Competence was manipulated by:
      (1) presenting some Ss with a nervous and inexperienced E, and (2)"accidentally"
      killing the victim (a rat) midway through the experiment. Thirty-two
      undergraduate female Ss participated in the experiment-supposedly a study on the
      physiological effects of stress. Obedi6nce was operationalized as the difference,
      in simple reaction time, between trials on which Ss were told that their response
      might result in shock to the rat and trials on which they were told that their
      response might save the rat from shock. Significant differences in obedience were
      obtained between competent and incompetent E conditions, and a significant "kill"
      effect was found in the competent E conditidn. The results of this study
      suggested that the extreme acts of obedience observed in the laboratory (e.g.,
      Milgram, 1963) occur only when E is perceived as competent. This finding imposes
      limits on the generalizability of laboratory studies of obedience. 

PMID- 24214553
TI  - The time required to prepare for a rotated stimulus.
AB  - Average time required to determine whether an alphanumeric character was
      presented in its normal version or as its mirror image increased from 500 msec to
      1,000 msec as its angular departure from upright increased from 0 to 180 deg.
      However, when Ss already knew the identity of the upcoming character and when
      advance information as to its orientation was available for 1,000 msec, this
      reaction time was reduced to about 400 msec regardless of the orientation of the
      test stimulus. In this case, Ss claimed that they could prepare for the rotated
      stimulus by imagining the normal version of the designated character rotated into
      the indicated orientation and that they could then rapidly test for a match
      against the ensuing stimulus. 

PMID- 24214554
TI  - Sex composition and group performance in a visual signal detection task.
AB  - Forty-eight Ss (24 males, 24 females) were run in groups of 4 on 720 trials of a
      16-alternative forced-choice visual signal detection task requiring both
      individual and group decisions. Four types of groups were formed: all male, all
      female, mixed-alternate (seated in the order male-female-male-female), and mixed
      adjacent (seated in the order male-male-female-female). There were no differences
      in performance between all-male and all-female groups, but mixed-sex groups had
      poorer performance, with mixed-adjacent groups having significantly lower
      sensitivity than homogeneous-sex groups. The results were interpreted as
      indicating that heterogeneity of groups with regard to sex interacts with seating
      pattern in affecting performance, probably due to the formation of information
      coalitions between like-sex group members when the seating pattern encourages
      such coalitions. 

PMID- 24214555
TI  - Recognition memory and the recall of spatial location.
AB  - It is argued that memory for events should depend on the ability to recall their
      attributes. Two experiments suggest that this is so for the attribute of spatial
      location. When words presented in spatial arrays were later re-presented in a
      joint test of recognition memory and location recall, it was found that the surer
      one's recognition, the greater the accuracy of location recall. Instructions to
      attend to a word's location resulted in poorer recognition memory and marginally
      poorer location recall than were obtained when location was "incidentally"
      learned. Finally, when words were presented in color as well as in space,
      recognition memory was best when both attributes were recalled, was better when
      only location, was recalled than when only color was recalled, and was poorest
      when neither attribute was recalled. 

PMID- 24214556
TI  - Effect of forget instructions with and without the conditions for selective
      search*.
AB  - A PA probe experiment was conducted to determine whether a mechanism other than
      selective search is involved in the Only effect of directed forgetting. To
      accomplish this, a small number of trials which tested all pairs in the list
      successively ("all" trials) were intermixed with the standard single-probe
      trials. On "single" trials, both pretest mechanisms and selective search may
      operate, but on "all" trials, selective search was eliminated. The analysis
      compared the Only effect and intrusion data under these two conditions and
      examined the fate of to-be-forgotten (TBF) recall on "all" trials. The evidence
      confirmed the major role of selective search in producing the Only effect. It was
      concluded that if a pretest mechanism was operative, it did not have the
      properties of a voluntary forgetting mechanism and it had only a small effect on
      the first half of the list. 

PMID- 24214557
TI  - Attention and the measurement of perceptual learning.
AB  - Novel and familiar letters were presented to Ss under conditions which controlled
      momentary attention states. The latencies of letter matching for the novel and
      familiar letters did not differ when Ss were expecting the particular letters
      which were presented. However, latencies to the two types of letters differed
      significantly when Ss were not expecting the particular letters which were
      presented. Additional exposures significantly reduced this difference, thereby
      generating a perceptual learning curve in terms of response latency. The main
      findings were interpreted in terms of a model of perceptual processing which
      involves mechanisms for hierarchical coding, selective attention, and automatic
      processing. 

PMID- 24214558
TI  - The interaction of perceptual processes and ambiguous sentences.
AB  - General principles of speech perception resolve several experimental conflicts
      about whether listeners interpret one or all meanings of an ambiguous sentence We
      argue that during all ambiguous clause, both meanings are processed, but
      immediately after the clause over, it recoded with only one meaning retained This
      model resolves the apparently conflicting results of previous experimental, it
      also predicts that underlying structure ambiguity m incomplete clauses increases
      Comprehension time In complete clauses, ambiguity does not increase relative
      comprehension time; it mayreduce comprehension time for ambiguities whose
      interpretations are perceptually distinct in those tasks where either meaning is
      appropriate Two new experiments offer preliminary confirmation of these
      predictions. 

PMID- 24214559
TI  - I recognize your face but I can't remember your name: Further evidence on the tip
      of-the-tongue phenomenon.
AB  - Fifty faces of "famous" persons were used as stimuli to precipitate the tip-of
      the-tongue (TOT) experience. Results showed that Ss in TOT states searched for
      target's name by locating first his profession, where he was most often seen, and
      how recently. Ss also had accurate knowledge of the initial letters of target
      names, initial letters of similar sounding names, and numbers of syllables in
      target names. It was concluded that TOT states for to-be-remembered names are
      retrieved from semantic and episodie memory systems on the basis of verbal and
      imaginal encodings. 

PMID- 24214560
TI  - Semantic and associative factors in probability learning with words.
AB  - Using a probability-learning technique with a single word as the cue and with the
      probability of a given event following this word fixed at .80, it was found (1)
      that neither high nor low associates to the original word and (2) that neither
      synonyms nor antonyms showed differential learning curves subsequent to original
      learning when the probability for the following event was shifted to .20. In a
      second study when feedback, in the form of knowledge of results, was withheld,
      there was a clear-cut similarity of predictions to the originally trained word
      and the synonyms of both high and low association value and a dissimilarity of
      these words to a set of antonyms of both high and low association value. Two
      additional studies confirmed the importance of the semantic dimension as compared
      with association value as traditionally measured. 

PMID- 24214561
TI  - Encoding differences in recognition and recall.
AB  - After practice consisting of the free recall of five blocked categorized lists,
      Ss were presented a sixth list and then unexpectedly tested for recognition.
      After practice at recognition of the same five lists, Ss were unexpectedly tested
      for recall following presentation of the sixth test. Recognition performance was
      superior when items were encoded in anticipation of a recognition test.
      Intracategory serial position functions for Ss anticipating recall tests were
      different from those anticipating recognition tests regardless of the retention
      test employed. The role of control processes in recall and recognition testing is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24214562
TI  - Short-term retention of superimposed and of spatially distinct multiletter visual
      arrays.
AB  - On each trial, Ss attempted to retain a series of five visually presented letters
      while concurrently "shadowing" (repeating aloud) a rapid series of aurally
      presented letters. If serial-position accuracy is ignored, they were able to
      store more than only the last letter of a typical series, even though all five
      letters appeared on the same screen, and that performance was superior to the
      retention of five auditorily presented letters. Together, these findings suggest
      that a form of visual storage might have been employed for the retention of
      visual stimuli and, specifically, one that was relatively immune to erasure as
      compared to "iconic" storage. In further support of that hypothesis, retention of
      such visual series as measured by free-recall accuracy was not inferior to that
      of five letters, each of which was presented on a separate screen. 

PMID- 24214563
TI  - Failure to find a syllabic effect in number naming.
AB  - Experiment I replicated the number-naming studies of Eriksen, Pollack, and
      Montague (1970) and Klapp (1971) but failed to find consistent evidence of a
      syllabic effect in naming latencies. Experiment II employed a different set of
      numbers to investigate sources of confounding in the original stimuli. Again, no
      syllabic effect was obtained. Both studies provided some evidence that the
      decades are processed faster. 

PMID- 24214564
TI  - The concreteness of attributes in concept learning strategies.
AB  - Ss were presented with conjunctive concept learning tasks using geometric stimuh
      in two experiments and using combinations of abstract characteristics in two
      other experiments. Evidence indicated that the conjunctive hypotheses for
      geometric stimuli were not mediated by component values but were sampled as
      unitized wholes. In contrast, conjunctive hypotheses for abstract attributes were
      sampled via independent combinations of component values. The differential
      processing was not found to be associated with the variation of stimuli on the
      verbal-nonverbal dimension. 

PMID- 24214565
TI  - Search reaction time for single targets in multiletter stimuli with brief visual
      displays.
AB  - The same set of Ss was run In an LT (single late target letter followed an earher
      multiletter display) and an ET (single early target preceded a later multiletter
      display) condition. On one-half the trials, the multiletter set included the
      target. and on the other half, the target was absent. The task of S was to push
      the "yes" ("no") button if the target was present (absent), and reaction times
      were recorded. The most plausible processing model assumed that LT comparisons
      took place in a verbal-acoustic store and that ET comparisons took place in a
      visual store. It further assumed that processing within these stores was self
      terminating, with rates that differed on "same" and "different" comparisons and
      which changed as the multiletter set increased. Classes of serial and parallel
      models that are falsified or supported by the present and similar data are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24214566
TI  - A detailed examination of mediation in PA learning.
AB  - This paper reports a single experiment in which verbal and imaginal mediators
      were compared in paired-associate learning. Pair concreteness and delay of recall
      (immediate vs 1-week delay) were also manipulated. The dependent variables
      included the latencies of mediator discovery and mediator production, response
      recall, mediator recall, and recall latency. A variety of differences between
      verbal and imaginal codes were found in the dependent measures. In addition, a
      profound effect of immediate recall on subsequent recall was discovered. The
      results are discussed in terms of the differences between the two modalities of
      memory. 

PMID- 24214567
TI  - On catching on to idiomatic expressions.
AB  - These experiments concern the comprehension of idiomatic expressions. The
      hypothesis was that there are distinct idiomatic and literal modes of processing
      sentences. In two experiments, 414 undergraduates read a series of sentences
      containing either literal or idiomatic ambiguities and then a test which had both
      a literal and an idiomatic meaning. Ss recorded, which meaning they perceived
      first. Taken together, the experiments indicate that inducing a set to perceive
      idioms can increase the proportion of people seeing the idiomatic meaning of test
      sentence first and a set to perceive literal meanings can reduce this proportion
      compared to a no-set baseline. Since the procedures to induce set did not involve
      grammatical or semantic information relevant to comprehension of the test
      sentence, these results suggest the existence of distinct literal and idiomatic
      processing strategies. 

PMID- 24214568
TI  - Remembering operations.
AB  - Two commonplace assumptions about encoding are that sentences are encoded and
      recognized on the basis of their semantic features primarily and that information
      regarding form features such as typography is typically ignored or discarded.
      These assumptions were tested m the present experiment where, within a signal
      detection paradigm, S sorted sentences according to whether he had seen them
      before or not (old vs new) and, if they were old, whether their reappearance was
      in the same typography as on the first occurrence or a different one. Of the two
      typographies, one was familiar and the other unfamiliar. Results show that a
      considerable amount of information regarding surface features is stored for many
      minutes and that ease of initial encoding is inversely related to likelihood of
      subsequent recognition: sentences in the unfamiliar typography were remembered
      better. The results are probably not due to time spent encoding; control tests
      suggest that time spent encoding a difficult typography does not by itself
      increase recognition of the semantic content embodied in the typography. Other
      control tests show that pictorial features or images of the sentences play no
      significant role in their subsequent recognition. One interpretation of the
      results is that the analytic activities or cognitive operations that characterize
      initial acquisition play a significant role in subsequent recognition. 

PMID- 24214569
TI  - An adding result in impression formation.
AB  - Ss were presented with a highly polarized piece of information, followed by a
      same-signed moderately polarized piece of information, and were asked whether the
      second piece of information led them to like the person describedmore, less, or
      just the same. The obtained percentage ofadding responses was 65%; that is, most
      of the responses indicated that Ss impression of the person described became more
      polarized following addition of moderately polarized information (p <.001). More
      adding was obtained for negatively than for positively evaluated adjectives (p
      <.05). 

PMID- 24214570
TI  - Confidence ill stimulus predictions and choice reaction time.
AB  - In two choice reaction time (RT) experiments, a stimulus prediction and a
      confidence judgment in the prediction preceded each occurrence of one of two
      stimulus alternatives. Ss identified each stimulus presentation by pressing a
      left-hand or right-hand telegraph key. In Experiment I the source of the stimulus
      predictions and confidence estimates was varied between groups of 20 Ss. For each
      condition, RT to correctly predicted stimuli was an inverse function of
      prediction confidence. Following incorrectly predicted stimuli, RT was not
      reliably influenced by confidence when S gave both predictions and confidence
      judgments; but RT to incorrectly predicted stimuli was an increasing function of
      confidence when E verbalized the predictions and confidence estimates or when S
      predicted and E indicated confidence. In Experiment II Ss made predictions and
      the validity of Es confidence estimate was manipulated between Ss. When Es
      confidence was perfectly related to the probability of a correct prediction,
      choice RT to nonpredicted stimuli was inversely related to confidence. However,
      choice RT to nonpredicted stimuli was not affected by prediction confidence when
      Es judgments were random. 

PMID- 24214571
TI  - Organization and long-term memory search.
AB  - A recognition RT paradigm was used to assess a number of plausible search
      strategies in LTM for categorized lists. List length was determined by
      factorially combining two, three, or five categories with two, three, or five
      words per category, and test items could be one of four types: (1) positive, (2)
      a repeated positive, (3) a related negative, or (4) an unrelated negative. It was
      found that RT increased linearly with category size for both positive and related
      negatives (about 30-40 msec/item); whereas the increase was much smaller for the
      unrelated negatives, especially for three and five categories (about 9
      msec/item). With an increase in the number of categories, RT increased at the
      rate of about 40 msec/category for all three test items. A theory of .high-speed
      scanning for categorized material was proposed in which a serial and exhaustive
      search of the categories, is first undertaken. If a positive category match is
      found, a serial and exhaustive search within the contents of the positive
      category is initiated; if no category match is found, the search is simply
      terminated. Some evidence was presented that categories recently probed may
      provide for a short-circuiting of the category search. 

PMID- 24214572
TI  - The effect of stimulus complexity on retrieval of information frown memory.
AB  - Eighteen Ss performed an item recognition task involving memorized lists of one,
      two, and three nonsense forms at one of two levels of stimulus complexity.
      Analysis of RT-set size functions and serial position functions suggested that
      (a) when the memorized list consisted of simple figures, Ss engaged in a serial
      exhaustive search of items stored in memory prior to responding and (b) when the
      memorized items were complex, an increase in set size was accompanied by a change
      in search strategy from a backward self-terminating search to a random self
      terminating search. 

PMID- 24214573
TI  - Mental set and mental arithmetic.
AB  - State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14226 Ss performed mental
      arithmetic problems in which they added, subtracted, or multiplied two one-digit
      numbers. The presentation order of the operator symbol and the digits was varied.
      With three possible operators, presentation of the operator prior to the digits
      (OD) led to faster RTs. With two possible operators, the opposite order (digits
      prior to operator, DO) led to faster RTs, because RTs in the OD condition were
      unaffected by the number of possible operators. These results are discussed in
      terms of the trade off between accessing active memory for a small number of
      items in the DO condition vs retrieving information from relatively large tables
      in long-term memory in the OD condition. 

PMID- 24214574
TI  - Recoding processes in recognition: Some effects of presentation rate.
AB  - Character classification time was studied in a situation in which Ss sometimes
      had to decide whether a probe item was a translation of a remembered item
      according to a previously learned translation scheme. When translation between
      probe and remembered items was necessary, the rate at which the to-be-remembered
      items had been presented affected the form of the memory-scanning functions. This
      result seemed to contradict Cruse and Clifton's (1973) hypothesis that Ss
      translated all remembered items into the form of the probe after the probe was
      presented. An alternative model claimed that, when time permits, Ss translate to
      be-remembered items into their alternate form at the time of presentation and
      scan the resulting translated items at a relatively slow rate if the probe
      matches them in form. If Ss are unable to translate the to-be-remembered items
      when they are presented, they resort to the strategy of translating the probe
      item into the form in which the remembered items had been presented. 

PMID- 24214575
TI  - Memory for modality of presentation: Within-modality discrimination.
AB  - Two experiments demonstrated that Ss are capable of making within-modality memory
      discriminations in both visual and auditory modalities. In Experiment I Ss
      studied mixed lists of pictures and labels representing common objects and were
      subsequently required to judge whether the original presentation was pictorial or
      verbal The high level of performance achieved on this task was unaffected by
      degree of categorical relatedness of items within method of presentation or by
      instructions to produce visual images when items were presented verbally. In
      Experiment II Ss demonstrated the ability to remember whether a sentence was
      originally presented by a male or a female speaker. Some strategies by which
      within-modality discrimination in memory might be accomplished are discussed. 

PMID- 24214576
TI  - From projected species distribution to food-web structure under climate change.
AB  - Climate change is inducing deep modifications in species geographic ranges
      worldwide. However, the consequences of such changes on community structure are
      still poorly understood, particularly the impacts on food-web properties. Here,
      we propose a new framework, coupling species distribution and trophic models, to
      predict climate change impacts on food-web structure across the Mediterranean
      Sea. Sea surface temperature was used to determine the fish climate niches and
      their future distributions. Body size was used to infer trophic interactions
      between fish species. Our projections reveal that 54 fish species of 256 endemic
      and native species included in our analysis would disappear by 2080-2099 from the
      Mediterranean continental shelf. The number of feeding links between fish species
      would decrease on 73.4% of the continental shelf. However, the connectance of the
      overall fish web would increase on average, from 0.26 to 0.29, mainly due to a
      differential loss rate of feeding links and species richness. This result masks a
      systematic decrease in predator generality, estimated here as the number of prey
      species, from 30.0 to 25.4. Therefore, our study highlights large-scale impacts
      of climate change on marine food-web structure with potential deep consequences
      on ecosystem functioning. However, these impacts will likely be highly
      heterogeneous in space, challenging our current understanding of climate change
      impact on local marine ecosystems. 

PMID- 24214577
TI  - Trienamines derived from interrupted cyclic 2,5-dienones: remote delta,epsilon
      C=C bond activation for asymmetric inverse-electron-demand aza-Diels-Alder
      reaction.

PMID- 24214578
TI  - B-type natriuretic peptide levels in preterm neonates with bronchopulmonary
      dysplasia: a marker of severity?
AB  - RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone released
      in response to stretching of the ventricular wall. The role of BNP as a biomarker
      of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has not been clarified. OBJECTIVE: To
      determine if plasma BNP concentrations correlate with the severity of BPD.
      METHODS: This prospective observational case control study included 60 preterm
      infants (<=32 weeks); 27 infants had no/mild BPD, 19 had moderate and 14 had
      severe BPD. BNP levels were measured at 36 +/- 2 weeks PMA or within a week of
      discharge home. Groups were compared using Mann-Whitney's U-test, Kruskal-Wallis,
      and bivariate regression. RESULTS: Median (IQR) plasma levels of BNP in infants
      with moderate/severe BPD infants (n = 33) were higher as compared to those with
      no/mild BPD (n = 27); 27.1 (12.1-43.5) pg/ml versus 9.3 (6-18.5) pg/ml; P < 0.05
      (Mann Whitney U). Median (IQR) BNP levels in infants with severe BPD (n = 14),
      43.5 (28.4-189) pg/ml differed significantly from levels in those with moderate
      (n = 19), 22.8 (10.3-27.7) pg/ml; mild (n = 16), 11.5 (6.6-44.5 pg/ml); or no (n
      = 11), 8.1 (5-12.6 pg/ml) BPD (P < 0.001 Kruskal-Wallis). Based on receiver
      operating characteristic curves, BNP > 24.4 pg/ml at 36 +/- 2 weeks PMA or
      discharge home was 85.7% sensitive and 76.1% specific for severe BPD.
      CONCLUSIONS: An elevation in plasma BNP was significantly associated with severe
      BPD. We speculate that plasma BNP measurement in infants with BPD may aid in risk
      stratification and further targeted therapies.

PMID- 24214579
TI  - Hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia-epilepsy syndrome with 1q44 microdeletion: causal or
      chance association.
AB  - Hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia-epilepsy (HHE) syndrome is a rare syndrome
      characterized by childhood onset partial motor convulsions, hemiplegia, and
      epilepsy in sequence. Exact pathogenesis is not clear. Here we are describing a 3
      year-old girl with HHE syndrome with cytogenetic microarray (CMA) showing
      deletion of 1.8 Mb in 1q44 region. Along with HHE syndrome, the patient also had
      global developmental delay, subtle facial dysmorphism, and preaxial polydactyly.
      Clinical phenotype of 1q44 microdeletion syndrome is quite variable. Main
      clinical features are microcephaly, seizures, and abnormality of corpus callosum.
      We compared the patient's phenotype with other patients in 10 previously
      published papers of 1q44 microdeletion syndrome. HNRNPU and FAM36A are two
      important genes in the deleted region. HNRNPU gene mediate long range control of
      SHH gene which is likely explanation of preaxial polydactyly in the present
      patient. HHE may be a chance co-occurrence.

PMID- 24214580
TI  - Significance of the learning curve in left atrial appendage occlusion with two
      different devices.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of learning on outcome with use of two
      different left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion devices. BACKGROUND: Two self
      expanding devices, the Watchman and the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP), have been
      used for LAA occlusion in the last few years. It has been demonstrated that
      complications associated with implantation decrease in frequency with operator
      experience. However, the role of operator experience has not been compared across
      the two device types. METHODS: The study comprises 31 consecutive patients who
      underwent LAA occlusion. We compare the first 10 patients in whom an ACP was
      implanted with the subsequent eleven patients who underwent ACP implantation and
      with 10 cases where a Watcthman device was implanted. The composite safety end
      point comprised procedure-related events and excessive bleeding events. We also
      performed 3 months echocardiographic and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: There were
      not significant differences in the basal clinical and echocardiographical
      characteristics across the three groups. Cardiac complications only occurred in
      the ACP initial experience group (9% vs. 0% vs. 0% P = 0.04). Echocardiographic
      and clinical follow-up at 3 months was completed in all patients. No significant
      residual leak was detected. One patient in the ACP initial experience group
      developed a thrombus on the device. One patient in ACP late experience presented
      an ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Complications associated with LAA occlusion
      cluster early in the peri-procedural period and significantly decrease in
      frequency with operator experience. Initial experience gained with one of device
      may improve outcome with use of alternative LAA occlusion devices.

PMID- 24214581
TI  - Major abdominal cancer resections in cirrhotic patients: how frequent is
      postoperative hepatocellular decompensation?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The reported incidence of postoperative liver failure in cirrhotic
      patients is highly varied with diverse risk factors identified to predict risk,
      mainly drawn from organ or disease-specific studies. We aimed to assess risk
      factors for the development of postoperative liver failure in a specific cohort
      of patients with cirrhosis undergoing abdominal cancer resection. METHODS: From
      November 2007 to October 2012, 30 cirrhotic patients who underwent curative
      resection for abdominal cancer were analyzed. The postoperative trends in liver
      function were followed and the incidence of postoperative liver failure was
      demonstrated. RESULTS: Among the 30 patients, the tumors were located in the
      stomach (n = 5), pancreas (n = 5), colon/rectum (6), liver (n = 11), gallbladder
      (n = 1), and retroperitoneum (n = 2). Eighteen (60 %) patients experienced
      postoperative liver failure of which 7 (23 %) patients required deviation from
      the clinical course or management. There was one mortality due to grade C liver
      failure and hepatorenal syndrome. On multivariate analysis, only age (>55 years)
      was found to be statistically significant to predict postoperative liver failure
      (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Liver dysfunction remains a major problem during the
      postoperative phase of major gastrointestinal cancer resections. However, less
      than one fourth of well-selected patients will develop significant postoperative
      liver failure. This incidence may be further reduced if the selection is
      restricted to younger patients.

PMID- 24214582
TI  - Is superior mesenteric artery reimplantation during surgery for
      pancreaticoduodenal tumors an underutilized procedure?
AB  - Resection and reimplantation of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) as part of a
      pancreaticoduodenal resection for cancer is rarely performed even in high-volume
      centers because of the risks inherent in this procedure and the perceived lack of
      oncological benefit associated with arterial resection during
      pancreaticoduodenectomy. The role of arterial resection during
      pancreaticoduodenectomy has recently been reevaluated, and this procedure may be
      of greater benefit than previously believed in selected patients. It also has a
      definite role when necessary to resect low-grade pancreatic and peripancreatic
      malignancies or to salvage intraoperative injury to the SMA. This small case
      series presents the authors experience with this procedure. 

PMID- 24214583
TI  - Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis: a case series.
AB  - Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a relatively rare cause of
      intestinal obstruction characterized by total or partial encapsulation of the
      small intestine by a thick fibrous membrane and is a difficult preoperative
      diagnosis. A series of seven cases of SEP is reported. Modalities of preoperative
      diagnosis along with clinical presentation, operative findings, and
      histopathology are discussed. 

PMID- 24214585
TI  - Comparison of intravenous pantoprazole with intravenous ranitidine in peptic
      ulcer bleeding.
AB  - Following successful endoscopic therapy in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding,
      rebleeding occurs in 4% to 30% of cases. Rebleeding remains the most important
      determinant of poor prognosis. The aim of our study is to compare the efficacy of
      intravenous pantoprazole and ranitidine for prevention of rebleeding of peptic
      ulcers following initial endoscopic hemostasis. In our study patients who had
      gastric or duodenal ulcers with bleeding received combined endoscopy therapy with
      injection of epinephrine and thermocoagulation. Patients with initial hemostasis
      were randomly assigned to two groups. One group (45 patients) was treated with
      intravenous pantoprazole, with an initial dose of 40 mg and subsequently with 40
      mg every twelve hours during the first three days, followed by 40 mg a day
      orally. The other group (44 patients) was treated with intravenous ranitidine,
      with an initial dose of 50 mg and subsequently every eight hours during the first
      three days, followed by 150 mg ranitidine every 12 h. In all case of rebleeding
      repeated endoscopy was performed. One patient (2,2%) had rebleeding in
      pantoprazole group. Bleeding could not be blocked by repeated endoscopic
      intervention, thus the patient underwent emergency surgery. 6 patients (13,6%)
      from ranitidine group had recurrence of bleeding. Repeated endoscopy was
      performed in all these patients: bleeding was stopped in 3 cases endoscopically,
      other 3 patients were surgically treated urgently as endoscopic hemostasis was
      not successful. None of the patients died of uncontrolled rebleeding. The
      frequency of rebleeding was significantly low in the group of pantoprazole
      compared to ranitidine group (2,2% vs 13,6% P=0,046). There were no statistically
      significant differences between the groups with regard to need for emergency
      surgery (2,2% vs 6,8%), the length of hospital stay (6,7+/-3,3 vs 7,4+/-4,3 d)
      and mortality (0%vs 0%). After endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers,
      intravenous pantoprazole is more effective than ranitidine for the prevention of
      rebleeding. 

PMID- 24214586
TI  - [Pathogenetic percularities of fetal distress in pregnant women with
      preeclampsia].
AB  - It was performed the investigation of the fetal regulatory systems condition with
      the heart rate variability method application in 94 women with preeclampsia. It
      was established that preeclamptic patients had thrombophilia that was accompanied
      by increased reversible aggregation of platelets in response to low doses of ADP
      and collagen stimulation. The fetal deterioration in this group was characterized
      by decreased fetal heart rate variability fractal components with a relative
      predominance of the central sympathetic control circuit. The augmented
      sympathetic tone played the significant role in fetal rigid rhythm and
      decelerations appearance and has formed the fetal myocardium hypoxic injury and
      the suppressed sinus node response. The usage of semisynthetic diosmin 1 tablet
      (600 mg) 2 times daily in preeclamptic ladies has a pronounced disaggregant
      effect and improved fetal autonomic nervous regulation in its projections on
      hemodynamics. The restoration of the fetal cardiorespiratory synchronization
      periods has made it possible to consider that diosmine has neuroprotective effect
      that was directed on the fetal regulatory systems condition optimization. 

PMID- 24214584
TI  - Multifaceted leptin network: the molecular connection between obesity and breast
      cancer.
AB  - High plasma levels of leptin, a major adipocytokine produced by adipocytes, are
      correlated with increased fat mass in obese state. Leptin is emerging as a key
      candidate molecule linking obesity with breast cancer. Acting via endocrine,
      paracrine, and autocrine manner, leptin impacts various stages of breast
      tumorigenesis from initiation and primary tumor growth to metastatic progression.
      Leptin also modulates the tumor microenvironment mainly through supporting
      migration of endothelial cells, neo-angiogenesis and sustaining recruitment of
      macrophage and monocytes. Various studies have shown that hyperactive leptin
      signaling network leads to concurrent activation of multiple oncogenic pathways
      resulting in enhanced proliferation, decreased apoptosis, acquisition of
      mesenchymal phenotype, potentiated migration and enhanced invasion potential of
      tumor cells. Furthermore, the capability of leptin to interact with other
      molecular effectors of obese state including, estrogen, IGF-1, insulin, VEGF and
      inflammatory cytokines further increases its impact on breast tumor progression
      in obese state. This article presents an overview of the studies investigating
      the involvement of leptin in breast cancer. 

PMID- 24214587
TI  - Peculiarities of cyclin D1 expression in reproductive and menopausal women with
      cervical hyperkeratosis.
AB  - Morphological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplastic (CIN) lesions
      sometimes requires an additional study of molecular markers. Cyclin D1 is a key
      regulatory protein, which regulates cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase.
      Disruption of G1/S regulatory mechanisms is basic mechanism of HPV mediated
      malignant transformation of cervical epithelium. The aim of the research was to
      study the peculiarities of cyclin D1 protein expression in reproductive and
      menopausal women with cervical hyperkeratosis. We examined cyclin D1 protein
      expression in 381 reproductive and 233 menopausal women with cyto-colposcopically
      detected and histologically proved hyperkeratosis, using immunohistochemical
      method. Monoclonal ready to use (RTU) antibody against cyclin D1 antigen (Dako)
      was used. Cyclin D1 positivity in <=50% of cells considered as low and in >=50% -
      as high expression. High expression of cyclin D1 was present in CIN1 of 93,3%
      reproductive and 66,7% menopausal women, whilst in CINII the high expression was
      revealed in 53,3% and 43,8% respectively. The weak expression of cyclin D1 was
      present in only one cases of CINIII, other CINIII cases were all negative. The
      expression of cyclin D1 protein in cervical intraepithelial neoplastic lesions is
      not regular, however the overexpression of cyclin D1 is almost always present in
      CIN1 of reproductive women, in which it might be considered as an additional
      diagnostic marker. 

PMID- 24214588
TI  - [The influence of the element status on mineralization of dental hard tissues in
      young children].
AB  - Child's organism is a kind of marker of increased sensitivity to environmental
      conditions. Lack of vital (essential) elements may lead to disease occurrence,
      caused by deficiency, excess or imbalance of micro- and macro elements in the
      organism. To assess the level of trace elements content in the human body, the
      hair is a good informative material as it concentrates trace elements and most
      fully reflects the level of both toxic and essential elements content. In order
      to conduct a comparative analysis of the elemental composition of hair in
      children and assess the relationship between the elemental composition of hair
      and the state of oral health status, we have examined 28 patients who underwent
      simultaneous determination of 28 chemical elements in the hair. According to the
      obtained data, in elemental composition of hair in children of group I, living in
      the regions with moderate environmental contamination, there was a minimal
      decrease of essential elements (except Ca), a slight increase of toxic chemical
      elements - Pb and Cd and decompensated form of dental caries have been observed.
      Investigation of the second group of children living in environmentally
      unfavorable regions showed that children with decompensated form of caries
      prevalence are characterized by the significant reduction of hair essential
      chemical elements in average of 28- to 56% and by a high content of toxic
      elements such as Pb, Hg, and Zr. The fact indicates enhanced excretion of
      essential elements under the influence of heavy metals, which in its turn affects
      the whole body and dental health. 

PMID- 24214589
TI  - [Experimental basis of a new material for the manufacture of bases dentures].
AB  - The author studied the problem of improving the quality of prosthetic removable
      prostheses through the development of new basic material based on polypropylene
      copolymer. To this end, we examined the physical and chemical structure and
      hygienic properties of the produced material. The studies found that the
      developed material of polypropylene optimal solution for the partial plate
      denture bases, without flaws acrylic prosthesis and improves the properties of
      the previously used polypropylene plastics. 

PMID- 24214590
TI  - [Improvement of rosacea treatment based on the morphological and functional
      features of the skin].
AB  - Rosacea - a widespread disease sometimes aleak with severe complications, mainly
      affecting the skin. Irrational and inadequate treatment leads to chronicity of
      diseases and psychosocial disadaptation of patients. Lately, a clear upward trend
      in the number of patients in whom in the process of complex treatment
      manifestations (with the varying degrees of severity) of impaired barrier
      function of the skin are observed and they need the protection and restoration of
      the damaged stratum corneum. In patients with rosacea in order to study the
      function of the facial skin's horny layer we used the skin analyzer BIA
      (bioimpedance analysis, which in duration of 6 seconds determines the moisture
      content, oiliness and the softness of the skin) and significant deviations from
      the norm (decrease in moisture content, fatness and increased roughness) was
      revealed. These changes were most clearly pronounced in patients with steroid
      rosacea. To restore the skin barrier the drug "Episofit A" (Laboratory of
      Evolutionary Dermatology, France) has been used (1-2 times a day for 6 weeks).
      Evaluation of treatment efficacy was conducted every 2 weeks by means of a scale
      from 0 to 5 for parameters of dryness, erythema, peeling and expression of
      subjective feelings. In accordance with received results, using of Episofit A
      emulsion, especially on the baskground of long-term treatment with topical
      steroids, had a pronounced therapeutic effect. Thus, treatment of patients with
      consideration of morphological and functional features of facial skin, helps to
      improve the results traditional therapy, and the drug is highly effective means
      of the new direction in skin care - corneotherapy aimed to reconstruct and
      protect damaged stratum corneum.

PMID- 24214591
TI  - [Genetic aspects of atrial fibrillation in coronary artery disease patients].
AB  - To examine the relationship I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme
      (ACE) gene and polymorphism A1166S of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT2R1) gene
      with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with coronary artery
      disease (CAD), the residents of Kharkiv region. The study involved 318 patients
      with CAD, of whom 54 (17,0%) patients with CHD and AF were included in group I,
      264 (93,0%) patients without AF - in group II. The control group included 35
      people without atherosclerotic and morphological changes of spacecraft. Study of
      ACE gene I/D polymorphism and A1166S polymorphism of AT2R1 gene was performed by
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with electrophoretic pattern of result detection.
      Established that the AF development in patients with CAD, residents of Kharkiv
      region was associated with carriage of C allele of AT2R1 gene A1166S polymorphism
      and the presence of DD genotype of the ACE gene I / D polymorphism. Proved that
      the risk of AF development in patients with coronary heart disease independently
      associated with the presence of C allele of AT2R1 gene A1166S polymorphism,
      hypertension, type II diabetes and obesity. 

PMID- 24214592
TI  - [Ultrasonic diagnosis of functional and organic changes of colon in patients
      suffering from chronic constipation].
AB  - The aim of the study was to define the informative significance of USI in the
      diagnosis of functional and organic changes in patients suffering from chronic
      constipation (CC). 96 patients with CC were evaluated and treated. There were 67
      women and 29 men (79) aged 33-55 years. 11 patients were in compensated stage of
      CC, 32 patients were in subcompensated stage, 53 patients-in decompensated stage
      of CC. Before investigation under USI control a colon was filled with 2 l of
      physiologic solution heated up to 37o. Sonographically in normotonic type of CC a
      colonic wall tonus was reserved, no changes in colonic transition were observed,
      while there is a delay in rectum. In subcompensated stage of atonic type of CC
      there was observed a noticeable enlargement of colonic diameter in transverse
      colon, descending colon and also in sigmoid colon. It is likely, that the wall of
      all portions of colon was thickened. The reduction of height of transverse folds
      and the increase of distance between them was traced in colon. In spastic type of
      CC a colonic wall tonus has been increased in all portions, there are spastic
      segments in colon, the distance of fecal particles' displacement from spastic
      region is enlarged. It is obviously that for atonic type of CC sonographically it
      is typical the attenuation of colonic wall tonus in all portions of colon, the
      reduction of distance of colonic content displacement and also the reduction of
      height of natural transverse folds and haustra fundus flattening. 

PMID- 24214593
TI  - [Almaty club "KAIRAT" young football players' health].
AB  - The aim of the investigation was to study young football players' health. The
      study was conducted on 161 football players (mean age 12.3) of six children
      football teams of Almaty club "KAIRAT" during the competition period. It was
      found that 55,5% of the football players are practically healthy; 18,6% of
      football players have iron deficiency anemia. 32,6% of football players have
      caries; 5% of football players have problems of cardiopulmonary system.
      Investigation reveal, that in a junior sportsman was body weigh surging with
      downtrend during contest, testify to portability of aerobic load and in childhood
      unconformable of metabolism' level. This tendency was retain also in the oldest
      sportsman, this testify to most emulative aerobic load in comparison with junior
      sportsman. According as the age increases it is emulative load's extension and
      free occurrence of body weigh subsequent reduction but in the oldest sportsman
      with prevalence macrosomia. Concurrently with improvement of the anthropometric
      profile as far as increase of age in soccer players it is forming of a high
      training level. In spite of lowering of energy resources and the physical load
      organism's adaptation there are these phenomena. According as the age increases
      in a soccer player's performance of cardiac and respiratory system are improved. 

PMID- 24214594
TI  - The role of parvovirus in the etiology of somatic pathology.
AB  - The scope of the present research was to study parvovirus circulation in Tbilisi
      population and its role in etiology of somatic pathologies. Parvovirus
      circulation in persons with autism and disorder of the nervous system was
      examined. Blood of 110 patients was examined. Among them 35 were children (up to
      15 years old) and 75 adults, mainly with different somatic pathologies such as
      mineral metabolism disorder, allergic reactions, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy
      and autism. Almost all the children came from the so called frequently ill
      category and suffered from disbacteriosis. Among adults, 16 were parents of the
      ill children, while the rest came with hepatitis, mineral metabolism disorder of
      different type and psoriasis. Blood serum of 30 adults was taken as an adult
      control group. Their age varied from 18 to 25 years. 10 children aged 2-15
      constituted a children control group. Preventive examination was made and there
      were practically, absolutely healthy persons. A total of 150 persons were
      involved in the research. Frequency of parvoviral antibody detection in the ill
      children and adults is much higher than in healthy individuals. Consequently,
      positive results for the presence of M and G immunoglobulins in children equals
      to 54% and 85% respectively. In adults these indicator stand at 24% and 60%
      respectively. At the same time in 25% and 70% of parents of positive children
      were found to be positive for M immunoglobulin and G immunoglobulin respectively.
      Thus our investigation made it clear that parvoviral infection actively
      circulates in Georgia. The present research did not study manifested parvoviral
      infection, i.e. 5th disease. If it had than the number of positive results
      probably would have been much higher. In autistic children presence of parvoviral
      infection is consistent with the literature data. 

PMID- 24214596
TI  - [Pharmakological characteristic of some amide local anesthetics, currently used
      in dental clinics].
AB  - Along with the brief history of amide local anesthetics development, their most
      important properties (from the viewpoint of use in clinical dental practice), are
      also reviewed. In particular, some properties of most commonly used local
      anesthetics, such as lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, bupivacaine and
      articaine are analysed. The most important data concerning pharmacological
      mechanisms of mentioned anesthetics' action, that cause certain features and
      peculiarities of their clinical application are given in condensed form. Besides,
      some precaution measures that must be taken into account in specific clinical
      cases together with the history and current status of each patient are mentioned
      as well. 

PMID- 24214595
TI  - beta2-adrenergic regulation of T lymphocites function (in vitro study).
AB  - The aim of our study was to establish the influence of beta2AR agonists and
      antagonists on Th1/Th2 subpopulation balance in intact and activated CD4+ T
      lymphocyte. Jurkat leukemic T cell line was used as a model for studying T cell
      activation conditions under the influence of beta2AR ligands. As follows from the
      results of our studies, after the influence of beta2AR agonist isoproterenol on
      intact Jurkat cells expression of IL-2 was not changed in comparison to control
      level. Under the PHA-stimulation level of IL-2 production in Jurkat cells
      increased significantly; isoproterenol caused decrease level of IL-2 expression
      in the PHA-stimulated Jurkat cells. Adding of beta2AR antagonist propranolol to
      the Jurkat cells pre-incubated with isoproterenol didn't change expression of IL
      2. beta2AR antagonist propranolol induced slight increase of IL-2 expression in
      PHA-stimulated Jurkat cells pre-incubated with isoproterenol. Neither
      isoproterenol nor propranolol didn't change intensity of IL-10 expression in
      intact Jurkat cells. In the PHA-stimulated Jurkat cells level of IL-10 production
      decreased in comparison to control level. Isoproterenol induced sharp
      intensification of IL-10 expression in these cells. Propranolol prevented
      increase of IL-10 expression in the PHA-stimulated Jurkat cells pre-incubated
      with beta2AR agonist. It was concluded that beta2ARs in dose-dependent manner
      regulate cytokine profile in intact and mitogen activated CD4+ T lymphocyte and
      by this way induce dose-dependent alterations of lymphocyte proliferation and
      immune response. This indicated existence of a link among immune response and
      sympathetic nervous system activity.

PMID- 24214597
TI  - [The impact of pregnancy and postnatal period on the development of generalized
      convulsive activity in experiment].
AB  - Interrelation between pregnancy and epilepsy is one of the pressing problems of
      current neurology. Those mechanisms, which suppress or amplify the seizure
      reactions in pregnancy, have not been yet determined experimentally. The goal of
      present work was investigation of impact of gestation and the postpartum period
      on initiation and development of convulsive reactions in the experimental animal
      model. Epileptic reactions were significantly suppressed during gestation (2 and
      3 weeks). The data showed changes in behavioral reactions and EEG seizure
      activity. In the period of gestation the development of audiogenic kindling in
      response to repetitive acoustic stimulation is markedly reduced. This indicates
      the strengthening of inhibitory processes in the brain. It is supposed that in
      the period of gestation in rats with genetically determined audiogenic seizures
      excess of sexual hormones and enhancement of GABA-ergic transmission causes
      marked reduction of development of audiogenic kindling. 

PMID- 24214598
TI  - Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy for detection of erlikh adenocarcinoma (a
      pilot study).
AB  - Current diagnostic methods, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), have not been able to
      provide accurate diagnosis in early stage disease, either by failing to identify
      small lesions or accurately differentiating masses as adenoma or cancer. On the
      other hand, optical spectroscopic techniques examine different types of light
      tissue interactions and provide biochemical and morphological information that
      can be used to characterize changes that take place as tissues become diseased.
      The combined use of intrinsic fluorescence, diffuse reflectance and light
      scattering spectroscopy yields complementary information which can be used to
      detect even precancers. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of
      laser examination in diagnose of oral mucosa tumors. This method gives us
      possibility of precise diagnostic in just few minutes. Our pilot survey has shown
      the efficacy of using laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy for
      diagnostic oral mucosa pathology. 

PMID- 24214599
TI  - [Reparative osteogenesis of tubular bones in the conditions of violation of water
      salt exchange].
AB  - The purpose of the article was to study the bone reparative regeneration in
      disorders caused by the dehydration of organism. Studies were conducted on 72
      white laboratory young male rats. The structural and metabolic displays of
      reparative osteogenesis were studied by means of histological research of
      defected area, morphometry of histological preparations by means of the computer
      programs "Video Test 5,0" and "Video size 5,0". Quantitative disorders of
      regenerated cellular composition were found on the 3-rd day. Atypical granulation
      tissue was found on the 15-th day. The delay of regeneration - on the 24th day.
      It was concluded that the inhibition of reparative osteogenesis occurred under
      the influence of dehydration. The strongest impact on the process of bone
      regeneration was caused by an extracellular dehydration.

PMID- 24214600
TI  - Ubiquitin in combination with alcohol stimulates proliferative activity of
      hepatocytes.
AB  - There are several factors involved in aetiology of Alcoholic Liver Disease. The
      one of the most important role in regulation of intracellular transformations
      belongs to ubiquitin proteasome system that is comparably well studied, but less
      is known about the functions of extracellular ubiquitin. The goal of presented
      work is to study the effect of extracellular ubiquitin on partially
      hepatectomized alcoholic liver regeneration. Experiments were carried out on
      white female rats. Proliferative activity of hepatocytes was determined by
      colchicine mitotic index and immunohistochemical staining on Ki67. We have shown
      that in vivo injected extracellular ubiquitin stimulates proliferative activity
      of hepatocytes in partially hepatectomized alcoholic liver whereas in non
      alcoholic rats hepatocytes proliferative activity was decreased. The main
      attraction of the experiment is the combination of alcohol and ubiquitin, as
      without alcohol ubiquitin inhibits proliferative activity of hepatocytes and
      blood cells. Further investigation of its action will provide new insights into
      possible pathway of ubiquitilation involved in stimulation of proliferative
      activity in alcoholic liver. 

PMID- 24214601
TI  - [Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and plasmatic level of melatonin
      in simple and complex endometrial hyperplasia].
AB  - The goal of our research was to find the prognostic significance of the epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the hyperplastic endometrium.
      Immunohistochemical study of morphological material (endometrial scrap) was
      conducted in order to reveal the EGFR expression (in 35 patients). The study of
      consistence of melatonin (universal antiproliferative and anticancerogenic
      hormone) in patients' blood serum was performed as well (using ELISA method). The
      numeric data of investigation were processed statistically using the SPSS-12
      program and IBM SPSS Statistics, 20. According to received results, the more
      complicated the type of endometrial hyperplasia is, the stronger EGFR expression
      is and the more melatonin consistence is reduced in blood plasma. However,
      sometimes much lower level of melatonin not only in case of complex hyperplasia
      (with atypia), but also in case of simple hyperplasia (without atypia) was
      observed. In addition, melatonin consistence is in norm not only in case of
      simple hyperplasia, but also in case of complex hyperplasia. Also, unimportant
      reduction of melatonin level is seen in plasma in case of both types of
      endometrial hyperplasia (without atypia): if, for example, in simple hyperplasia,
      this slight reduction of melatonin level in plasma is seen in condition of sharp
      EGFR expression, the same amount reduction of plasmatic melatonin in complex
      hyperplasia is seen in condition of weak EGFR expression. To sum up: in case of
      simple endometrial hyperplasia without atypia, reduction of plasma melatonin
      level should be a bad prognostic indicator and this condition can be followed by
      transformation of hyperplasia into atypical form; the normal plasmatic level of
      melatonin in complex endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (in condition of weak
      EGFR expression) should be a good prognostic indicator; unimportant reduction of
      plasma melatonin level and in addition, EGFR sharp expression in simple
      hyperplasia, is probably the sign, that hyperplasia can change and become
      complex; however, the same indicators of plasma melatonin level (on the
      background of weak EGFR expression) in complex hyperplasia (without atypia)
      should not indicate the poor prognosis. 

PMID- 24214602
TI  - [The study of properties of textile wipes "LNR"].
AB  - The aim of the research was to investigate the toxicity of textile wipes "LNR".
      The wipes coated with polymer as well as wipes coated with polymer and drug
      substance were studied on CBA mice. It was found that both types of "LNR "
      napkins do not cause any toxic effect, mortality or changes of internal organs of
      mice in acute and in chronic experiments. The study of the cytotoxic effect of
      "LNR" wipes according to test of cell survival in tissue culture showed that
      during contact exposure of the samples on cell wipes "LC" significant inhibition
      of culture growth observed in sample 1. If to accept for pronounced effect on the
      growth inhibition of 50% or more, such action has the napkin 1. If to accept for
      pronounced effect on the growth inhibition of 50% or more, such action has the
      napkin 1. If to accept for pronounced effect on the growth inhibition of 50% or
      more, such action has the napkin 1. 

PMID- 24214603
TI  - Synthesis and evaluation of novel 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin- and
      indolealkylamine derivatives as potential antidepressants.
AB  - A series of 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin- and indolealkylamine derivatives were
      synthesized and the target compounds were evaluated for their binding affinities
      at the 5-HT1A receptor and serotonin transporter. Antidepressant-like activities
      of the compounds were screened using the tail suspension and forced swim tests in
      mice. Preliminary results indicated that the target compounds exhibited high
      binding affinities at the 5-HT1A receptor and serotonin transporter, and produced
      marked antidepressant-like effects. The best example from this study, compound 5,
      exhibited high binding affinities for the 5-HT1A receptor (Ki  = 96 nM) and
      serotonin transporter (Ki  = 9.8 nM). The intrinsic activity of compound 5 showed
      agonistic property to the 5-HT1A receptor and inhibition of the 5-HT transporter.
      Furthermore, compound 5 exhibited greater antidepressant efficacy than fluoxetine
      and showed acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. 

PMID- 24214604
TI  - Immunochemical cross-reactivity ofbeta-naphthoflavone-inducible cytochrome P450
      (P450IA) in liver microsomes from different fish species and rat.
AB  - Antibodies prepared against the major beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-inducible
      cytochrome P450 (P450) forms from three species of fish (rainbow trout, Atlantic
      cod, and scup) well separated in teleost phylogeny, were used to investigate the
      immunochemical relatedness of liver microsomal P450 in different species of BNF
      treated fish and rat. Rabbit polyclonal IgG against all three P450s and mouse
      monoclonal antibodies prepared against scup P450E were employed in this study.
      Liver microsomes were prepared from BNF-treated specimens of hagfish, herring,
      rainbow trout, cod, scup, perch, plaice and rat. With Western blotting it was
      shown that the various antibodies cross-reacted with a protein band in liver
      microsomes in the P450-region of each of the BNF-treated fish species. The
      apparent molecular weight of the cross-reacting proteins showed differences
      within the range 54,000-59,000 daltons. The effects of the different antibodies
      on the microsomal BNF-inducible 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity
      gave inhibition patterns that reflected to a certain extent the phylogenetic
      relationship of the species investigated. In rat microsomes a protein band of
      relative molecular mass similar to rat P450c (Mr=54,000) was recognized by all
      antibodies. In addition, a second band of lower molecular mass was strongly
      recognized by anti-cod P450c antibodies, and faintly stained with anti-rainbow
      trout P450LM4b IgG and anti-scup P450E MAb 1-12-3. This band could correspond to
      rat P450d, the isosafrole-inducible rat isoenzyme. Considering the long separate
      evolutionary history of some of these fishes (50-200 million years), the results
      demonstrate that certain antigenic epitopes in the BNF-inducible P450 isoenzymes
      have been strongly conserved during the evolution of fish species. These
      conserved epitopes seem however not to be directly involved in the measured EROD
      activities. Furthermore, the results suggest that the BNF-inducible P450s in fish
      contain regions with structural similarity to the homologous counterpart that has
      evolved through gene duplication into a P450 family in mammals containing at
      least two gene products (the P450IA gene family). 

PMID- 24214605
TI  - The effect of water pH on swimming performance in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri,
      Richardson).
AB  - A Brett-type respirometer was used to measure the effect of water pH on swimming
      performance of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Variations in water pH between 6
      and 9 had no measurable effect on maximum aerobic swimming speed. At water pH 4,
      5, and 10, however, the critical velocity was only 55, 67, and 61% respectively
      of that recorded for fish in water of pH 7. Exposure to acid conditions increased
      coughing and breathing frequency. Acid exposure resulted in a decrease whereas
      alkaline exposure resulted in an increase in both whole blood and red blood cell
      pH. Blood gas and acid-base characteristics showed little change during swimming
      at ~2.0 BL/second, but exhaustive swimming resulted in a marked and immediate
      drop in blood pH in fish in acid, alkaline and neutral water. The blood acid-base
      status was restored to resting levels after exercise in neutral and alkaline
      water, but the acidosis was maintained following exercise in acid water. Fatigue
      occurred earlier and blood lactate levels increased to a higher level in fish
      swum to exhaustion in acid or alkaline water, compared with fish in neutral
      water. 

PMID- 24214606
TI  - The effect of acid water on oxygen consumption, circulating catecholamines and
      blood ionic and acid-base status in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri, Richardson).
AB  - Chronically cannulated rainbow trout were exposed in acid water (pH 4.0) for 72h.
      The gill potential was strongly dependent on water pH, being blood side negative
      in neutral water, but positive in acid water. Catecholamine levels increased
      irregularly during acid exposure, and the Bohr and Root effects were not
      completely erased by the effect of catecholamines during acid exposure. Long term
      exposure to low water pH, although causing an acidosis in the fish, did not
      suppress resting oxygen consumption. Prolonged exposure to acid conditions,
      however, resulted in an increase in ammonia excretion. Changes in plasma sodium
      and chloride were similar to that reported previously for trout exposed to low
      calcium, acid water. We conclude that exposure of trout to pH 4 soft water,
      although impairing oxygen transport, does not limit resting oxygen consumption
      but does reduce the scope for activity. More extreme acid conditions do impair
      resting oxygen uptake. 

PMID- 24214607
TI  - Effects of diet on amylase expression in the mosquitofish.
AB  - Diets high in various carbohydrates were fed to mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis
      holbrooki, to determine the effects on amylase expression. Both amylase activity
      and amount of amylase protein were used as measures of amylase expression. Fish
      were fed for 21 days in one experiment, seven days in a second experiment and 24
      h in a third. The first experiment compared responses of fish fed on a high
      starch diet relative to a control diet. The second and third experiments compared
      responses on four diets relative to the control diet: maltose, starch, glucose,
      and glucose + cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). In the first two experiments
      whole visceral extracts were used. In the third experiment, gut and
      hepatopancreatic extracts were examined separately. Diet had a significant affect
      on the amount of amylase in all three experiments but affected amylase activity
      only in the 24 h experiment. Generally, glucose decreased amylase expression
      while maltose or cAMP + glucose increased it. Length of feeding period and tissue
      type also had significant effects on amylase expression. 

PMID- 24214608
TI  - Size and hematological impact of the splenic erythrocyte reservoir in rainbow
      trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss.
AB  - Fish were sampled individually, at rest, following air exposures of up to 8 min,
      during recovery from a 5 min air exposure or after a 5 minute chase. The spleen
      was photographedin vivo at rest and following 5 min air exposure in one fish. The
      effect of individual versus serial sampling from the same tank and of MS222
      anaesthesia was also examined. Spleen hemoglobin content (SpHb), spleen somatic
      index (100 * spleen weight/body weight; SSI), blood hemoglobin concentration
      (Hb), and hematocrit (Ht), were measured. Mean cell hemoglobin concentration
      (MCHC), erythrocyte reservoir size, and relative contributions of reservoir
      release, erythrocyte swelling, and plasma water loss to hemoconcentration were
      calculated. The splenic reservoir contained 0.54 g Hb/kg body (21% of total body
      Hb), most of which it released between 1 and 3 minutes after the onset of air
      exposure. The spleen released more than 95% of the erythrocytes it contained at
      rest within 8 min. The release accounted for 31% of the 5.65 g/dl rise in Hb and
      23% of the 26.6% observed increase in Ht after 8 minutes of air exposure. The
      balance of the increase was caused by erythrocyte swelling and fluid shifts
      reducing plasma volume. Animals exercised for 5 min showed changes similar to
      those in fish air exposed for 5 min. Recovery of all parameters was complete in 3
      to 6 h, with the exception of MCHC which recovered in 30 min. Serial sampling
      produced a decrease in SpHb, and R1Wt and induced a significant
      hemoconcentration. MS222 did not cause erythrocyte release, but failed to prevent
      it after handling. Many previous reports of Ht and Hb in resting fish are
      probably high because they were taken under conditions that would cause the
      spleen to release its contents. 

PMID- 24214609
TI  - Changes in gonadal hormones during oocyte development in the striped bass,Morone
      saxatilis.
AB  - Wild striped bass,Morone saxatilis, were collected from coastal waters and
      spawning areas to describe the endocrine correlates of oocyte development in non
      captive, migratory fish. The fish were classified according to their most
      advanced oocytes. Serum levels of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and 17alpha
      20beta-dihydroxyprogesterone (DHP) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).
      Females in the primary growth phase and early secondary growth phase (pre
      vitellogenic) had low levels of plasma steroids, ovarian lipid content and
      gonadosomatic indices (GSIs). Significant increases in E2, T, ovarian lipid
      content and GSIs occurred during the vitellogenic phase. Maximum levels of all
      reproductive parameters were found in prespawning fish sampled in the Hudson
      River. Mean levels of E2, T, ovarian lipids and GSIs for these fish were 2.0+/
      0.5 ng/ml, 3.0+/-0.3 ng/ml, 24+/-1 mg/g, and 5.6+/-0.3% (mean+/-SEM),
      respectively. In fish induced to spawn with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG),
      DHP levels (1.9+/-0.4 ng/ml) were significantly elevated. Similar levels were
      found in two fish captured during the spawning season, suggesting that DHP may
      serve as the maturation-inducing steroid in this species. 

PMID- 24214610
TI  - Osmoregulation in the mudskipper,Boleophthalmus boddaerti I. Responses of
      branchial cation activated and anion stimulated adenosine triphosphatases to
      changes in salinity.
AB  - The mudskipperB. boddaerti, was able to survive in waters of intermediate
      salinities (4-270/00). Fish submerged in dechlorinated tap water suffered 60%
      mortality by the fifth day while 60% of those in 100% sea-water (sw) died after
      the third day of exposure. After being submerged in 50% or 80% sw for 7 days, the
      plasma osmolality, plasma Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations and the branchial Na(+)
      and K(+) activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+),K(+)-ATPase) activity were
      significantly higher than those of fish submerged in 10% sw for the same period.
      However, the activities of the branchial HCO3 (-) and Cl(-) stimulated adenosine
      triphosphatase (HCO3 (-),Cl(-)-ATPase) and carbonic anhydrase of the latter fish
      were significantly greater than those of the former. Such correlation suggests
      that Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is important for hyperosmotic adaptation in this fish
      while HCO3 (-)-Cl(-)-ATPase and carbonic anhydrase may be involved in hypoosmotic
      survival. 

PMID- 24214611
TI  - Osmoregulation in the mudskipper,Boleophthalmus boddaerti II. transepithelial
      potential and hormonal control.
AB  - Boleophthalmus boddaerti submerged in 10%, 50% and 80% seawater (sw) for 7 days,
      had whole body transepithelial potentials (TEP) of 3.3, 18.3 and 22.9 mV,
      respectively. Hypophysectomy significantly decreased the TEP ofB. boddaerti and
      reversed the polarity of the TEP of the fish exposed to 10% sw.Hypophysectomy
      also significantly decreased the branchial Na(+)-K(+) activated adenosine
      triphosphatase (Na(+),K(+)-ATPase) activity but increased the activity of
      branchial HCO3 (-)-Cl(-) stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (HCO3 (-),Cl(-)
      ATPase) inB. boddaerti exposed to 10% sw. However, survival in 10% sw was not
      significantly impaired by hypophysectomy and no significant change in plasma
      osmolality and plasma Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations was observed.Various doses
      of ovine-prolactin or salmon-prolactin were unable to restore the TEP of
      hypophysectomizedB. boddaerti in 10% sw to that of the sham-operated fish.
      However, cortisol increased TEP to a positive value in hypophysectomizedB.
      boddaerti, though it was still lower than the sham-operated control. Cortisol
      treatment also affected the plasma osmolality, plasma Na(+) and Cl(-) contents
      and branchial Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and HCO3 (-),Cl(-)-ATPase activities. Overall,
      the hormonal control of osmoregulation inB. boddaerti appeared to differ from
      that of other teleosts. 

PMID- 24214612
TI  - Effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, 5-hydroxytryptamine,
      met-enkephalin and neurotensin on the swimbladder smooth muscle of two teleost
      species,Gadus morhua andAnguilla anguilla.
AB  - The effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P (SP), 5
      hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), neurotensin (NT) and met-enkephalin (mEnk) on the
      smooth muscles of the teleost swimbladder were studied in two teleost species,
      the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and the eel (Anguilla anguilla). The study was
      made on isolated strip preparations of the muscularis mucosae, using putative
      transmitters corresponding to the immunoreactive materials that have previously
      been localized by immunohistochemical methods in nerves or endocrine/paracrine
      cells of the teleost swimbladder and/or the gastrointestinal canal. VIP was
      relaxatory on both cod and eel swimbladder smooth muscle, SP and 5-HT were
      constrictory in both species, and mEnk was excitatory on the eel swimbladder
      smooth muscle. Clear effects of these agents were usually seen at a concentration
      ofca. 10 nM in cumulative concentration/effect experiments. NT had no effect in
      either species. In the eel, the effects on the pneumatic duct were generally
      greater than on the swimbladder proper. The study indicates that the 5-HT and
      peptides previously observed by immunohistochemistry have physiological functions
      in the swimbladder. 

PMID- 24214613
TI  - Actions of epinephrine on the contractility of fast and slow skeletal muscle
      fibres in teleosts.
AB  - Fast and slow muscle fibers were isolated from the myotomes of atlantic cod
      (Gadus morhua L.) and sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius L.). Epinephrine was found
      to have no effect on twitch or sub-tetanic contractions in fast muscle fibres.
      Isoprenaline (10(-6)M) had no effect on the contractility of slow muscle fibres.
      In contrast, epinephrine elicited a dose-dependent decrease in the half-time for
      twitch relaxation (t1/2r), and in most cases a decrease in twitch amplitude. The
      maximum decrease in t1/2r was around 5-20% of control values (at 10(-6)M
      epinephrine), with a half maximal response at about 30 nmol l(-1). Responses to
      epinephrine were unaffected by propranolol and reversed by phentolamine,
      consistent with the stimulation of alpha-adrenoreceptors. 10(-6)M epinephrine
      produced a rise in cAMP levels from 1.8 to 3.1 pmol mg dry wt(-1) in cod slow
      fibres. However, the cellular mechanism underlying the action of epinephrine is
      unclear since forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase activity, where
      it has been investigated, was found to increase not decrease twitch duration and
      amplitude. The responses of fast and slow fibres to epinephrine and its
      antagonists were similar in summer (13 degrees C) and winter acclimatized (5-6
      degrees C) sculpin.It is suggested that epinephrine may act to modulate the
      active state of slow muscle fibres at high cruising speeds and thereby increase
      swimming performance. 

PMID- 24214614
TI  - The use of T cells in hazard characterization of chemical and drug allergens and
      integration in testing strategies. Foreword.

PMID- 24214615
TI  - Activation of the TCR complex by peptide-MHC and superantigens.
AB  - Drug hypersensitivity reactions are immune mediated, with T lymphocytes being
      stimulated by the drugs via their T-cell antigen receptor (TCR). In the
      nonpathogenic state, the TCR is activated by foreign peptides presented by major
      histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHC). Foreign pMHC binds with sufficient
      affinity to TCRalphabeta and thereby elicits phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic
      tails of the TCRalphabeta-associated CD3 subunits. The process is called TCR
      triggering. In this review, we discuss the current models of TCR triggering and
      which drug properties are crucial for TCR stimulation. The underlying molecular
      mechanisms mostly include pMHC-induced exposure of the CD3 cytoplasmic tails or
      alterations of the kinase-phosphatase equilibrium in the vicinity of CD3. In this
      review, we also discuss triggering of the TCR by small chemical compounds in
      context of these general mechanisms. 

PMID- 24214616
TI  - Activation of the TCR complex by small chemical compounds.
AB  - Small chemical compounds and certain metal ions can activate T cells, resulting
      in drug hypersensitivity reactions that are a main problem in pharmacology.
      Mostly, the drugs generate new antigenic epitopes on peptide-major
      histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules that are recognized by the T-cell
      antigen receptor (TCR). In this review we discuss the molecular mechanisms of how
      the drugs alter self-peptide-MHC, so that neo-antigens are produced. This
      includes (1) haptens covalently bound to peptides presented by MHC, (2) metal
      ions and drugs that non-covalently bridge self-pMHC to the TCR, and (3) drugs
      that allow self-peptides to be presented by MHCs that otherwise are not
      presented. We also briefly discuss how a second signal-next to the TCR-that naive
      T cells require to become activated is generated in the drug hypersensitivity
      reactions. 

PMID- 24214617
TI  - T cell responses to contact allergens.
AB  - T lymphocytes are instrumental in the prevention of infections. With their
      antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR), these cells recognize short peptides in
      the peptide-binding groove on MHC molecules of antigen-presenting cells. However,
      conventional T cells can also recognize non-peptide antigens including
      carbohydrates, phosphate groups, organic chemicals, and metal ions. The molecular
      basis of the interaction of TCR with these structures in the context of MHC has
      been partly solved. Organic chemicals and carbohydrates are recognized when bound
      to MHC-associated peptides, whereas metal ions are recognized due to their
      ability to form non-covalent coordination bonds with MHC molecules, bound
      peptides, and TCR. Peptide-independent metal ion recognition has also been
      described. 

PMID- 24214618
TI  - Contact hypersensitivity: quantitative aspects, susceptibility and risk factors.
AB  - The development of allergic sensitisation by environmental chemicals results in
      allergic contact dermatitis and highly undesirable morbidity and disability. This
      form of hypersensitivity is mediated by specific T lymphocytes that recognise the
      chemical sensitiser bound to self-proteins. Use of deliberate experimental
      contact sensitisation with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) has been used to
      investigate the human immune system which exhibits dose-related responses. Many
      factors contribute to whether sensitisation occurs and the nature and magnitude
      of the immune response. Chemicals vary in sensitising potency, mainly reflecting
      their intrinsic protein-binding properties. The amount of sensitiser reaching the
      immune system is determined by many factors of which the concentration (dose per
      unit area), the relative lipid solubility and molecular weight are the most
      critical. Host-related factors contributing to the nature and magnitude of immune
      responses are mainly genetically determined including gender, age, the
      biochemical/physical integrity of the epidermal barrier and the quality of the
      innate and adaptive immune systems. The underlying mechanisms must be elucidated
      before it will be possible to make reliable predictions of whether a given
      individual will develop allergic sensitisation by a given chemical. 

PMID- 24214619
TI  - Tools and methods for identification and analysis of rare antigen-specific T
      lymphocytes.
AB  - T lymphocytes are essential as effector and memory cells for immune defense
      against infections and as regulatory T cells in the establishment and maintenance
      of immune tolerance. However, they are also involved in immune pathology being
      effectors in autoimmune and allergic diseases or suppressors of immunity in
      cancer, and they often cause problems in transplantation. Therefore, strategies
      are being developed that allow the in vivo amplification or isolation, in vitro
      expansion and genetic manipulation of beneficial T cells for adoptive cell
      therapies or for the tolerization, or elimination of pathogenic T cells. The
      major goal is to make use of the exquisite antigen specificity of T cells to
      develop targeted strategies and to develop techniques that allow for the
      identification and depletion or enrichment of very often rare antigen-specific
      naive as well as effector and memory T cells. Such techniques are very useful for
      immune monitoring of T cell responses in diagnostics and vaccination and for the
      development of T cell-based assays for the replacement of animal testing in
      immunotoxicology to identify contact allergens and drugs that cause adverse
      reactions. 

PMID- 24214620
TI  - Human T cell priming assay: depletion of peripheral blood lymphocytes in CD25(+)
      cells improves the in vitro detection of weak allergen-specific T cells.
AB  - To develop an in vitro assay that recapitulates the key event of allergic contact
      dermatitis (ACD), that is the priming of effector T cells by hapten-presenting
      dendritic cells, and then allows for the sensitive detection of chemical
      allergens represents a major challenge. Classical human T cell priming assays
      (hTCPA) that have been developed in the past, using hapten-loaded monocyte
      derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) as antigen-presenting cells and peripheral blood
      lymphocytes (PBLs) as responding cells, were not efficient to prime T cells to
      common allergens with moderate/weak sensitizing properties. Recent progress in
      the understanding of the effector and regulatory mechanisms of ACD have shown
      that T cell priming requires efficient uptake of allergens by immunogenic DCs and
      that it is controlled by several subsets of regulatory cells including CD25(+)
      Tregs. We therefore analyzed various parameters involved in allergen-specific T
      cell activation in vitro and showed that priming of allergen-specific T cells is
      hampered by several subsets of immune cells comprising CD1a(neg) DCs, CD25(+) T
      cells, and CD56(+) regulatory cells.CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Tregs prevented the in
      vitro T cell priming to moderate/weak allergens, and depletion of human PBLs in
      CD25(+) cells significantly increased specific T cell proliferation and IFN-gamma
      secretion. CD56(+) cells exerted an additional control of T cell priming since co
      depletion of both CD56(+) and CD25(+) cells improved the magnitude of chemical
      specific T cell activation. Finally, CD1a(low) MDDCs were able to inhibit T cell
      activation obtained by allergen-pulsed CD1a(high) MDDC. Moreover, we showed that
      uptake by DC of allergen-encapsulated nanoparticles significantly increased their
      activation status and their ability to prompt specific T cell activation. Hence,
      by combining the different strategies, i.e., depletion of CD25(+) and CD56(+)
      cells, use of CD1a(high) MDDC, and nanoparticle encapsulation of allergens, it
      was possible to induce T cell priming to most of the moderate/weak allergens,
      including lipophilic molecules highly insoluble in culture media. Therefore, the
      present optimized in vitro human T cell priming assay is a valuable method to
      detect the sensitizing properties of chemical allergens. 

PMID- 24214621
TI  - Correlation of contact sensitizer potency with T cell frequency and TCR
      repertoire diversity.
AB  - Allergic contact dermatitis is a T cell-mediated skin disease. Many hundreds of
      organic chemicals and some metal ions are contact sensitizers. They induce an
      innate inflammatory immune response in the skin that results in the priming of
      contact sensitizer-specific T cells by dendritic cells in the draining lymph
      nodes. The factors that determine the strength of this T cell response and
      thereby define the potency of a contact sensitizer are largely unknown. This
      chapter highlights different variables such as precursor frequency of antigen
      specific T cells, possible bystander activation, and T cell receptor diversity or
      avidity of the TCR/peptide-MHC interactions, which might impact the quality and
      strength of T cell responses to contact sensitizers. In addition, different
      methods available to determine both the frequency of antigen-specific T cells and
      T cell receptor repertoires are discussed. Identification of the factors
      determining potency may allow for the development of suitable in vitro assays for
      potency assessment of contact sensitizers. 

PMID- 24214622
TI  - On the role of co-inhibitory molecules in dendritic cell: T helper cell coculture
      assays aimed to detect chemical-induced contact allergy.
AB  - T cells play a pivotal role in sensitization and elicitation of type IV allergic
      reactions. While T helper cells sustain and maintain the differentiation of
      further effector cells, regulatory T cells are involved in control of cytokine
      release and proliferation, and T killer cells execute cellular lysis, thereby
      leading to certain levels of tissue damage. According to their central role, the
      widely applied and OECD-supported test method for the assessment of the
      sensitization potential of a chemical, i.e., the local lymph node assay (LLNA),
      relies on the detection of the immune-responsive proliferation of lymphocytes.
      However, most sensitization assays recently developed take advantage of the
      initiators of sensitization, dendritic cells (DCs) or DC-like cell lines. Here,
      we focus on inhibitory molecules expressed on the surface of DCs and their
      corresponding receptors on T cells. We summarize insight into the function of
      CTLA-4, the ligands of inducible co-stimulators (ICOSs), and on the inhibitory
      receptor programmed death (PD). The targeting of immune cell surface receptors by
      inhibitory molecules holds some promise with regard to the development of T cell
      based sensitization assays. Firstly, a broader and more sensitive dynamic range
      of detection could be achieved by blocking inhibitors or by removing inhibiting
      regulatory T cells from the assays. Secondly, the actual expression levels of
      inhibitory molecules could be also a valuable indicator for the process of
      sensitization. Finally, inhibitory molecules in coculture test systems are
      supposed to have a major influence on DCs by reverse signaling, thereby affecting
      their differentiation and maturation status in a feedback loop. In conclusion,
      inhibitory ligands of DC surface receptors and/or their cognate receptors on T
      cells could serve as useful tools in cell-based assays, directly influencing
      toxicological endpoints such as sensitization. 

PMID- 24214623
TI  - T cell responses to drugs and drug metabolites.
AB  - Understanding the chemical mechanisms by which drugs and drug metabolites
      interact with cells of the immune system is pivotal to our knowledge of drug
      hypersensitivity as a whole.In this chapter, we will discuss the currently
      accepted mechanisms where there is scientific and clinical evidence to support
      the ways in which drugs and their metabolites interact with T cells. We will also
      discuss bioanalytical platforms, such as mass spectrometry, and in vitro test
      assays such as the lymphocyte transformation test that can be used to study drug
      hypersensitivity; the combination of such techniques can be used to relate the
      chemistry of drug antigen formation to immune function. Ab initio T cell priming
      assays are also discussed with respect to predicting the potential of a drug to
      cause hypersensitivity reactions in humans in relation to the chemistry of the
      drug and its ability to form haptens, antigens and immunogens in patients. 

PMID- 24214624
TI  - Hypersensitivity reactions to beta-lactams.
AB  - Beta-lactam antibiotics (BLs) are the most frequent cause of hypersensitivity
      reactions mediated by specific immunological mechanisms, with two main types, IgE
      reactions or T-cell-dependent responses. From a practical point of view, these
      reactions can be classified into immediate, for those appearing within 1 h after
      drug intake, and non-immediate, for those appearing at least 1 h after and
      usually within 24 h of BL administration. The clinical symptoms differ according
      to this classification. Urticaria and anaphylaxis are the most frequently
      recorded symptoms in immediate reactions and maculopapular exanthema and delayed
      urticaria in non-immediate reactions. Although the exact diagnostic approach
      differs depending on the underlying mechanism, it is based on the performance of
      skin testing, laboratory tests, and drug provocation tests.T cells are a key
      factor in all types of hypersensitivity reactions to BLs, regulating both IgE
      production or acting as effector cells, with a different profile of cytokine
      production. A Th1 pattern is observed in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) peripheral T
      cells in non-immediate reactions, whereas a Th2 pattern is expressed in CD4(+) T
      cells in immediate reactions. 

PMID- 24214625
TI  - Men in the demographic transition.
AB  - Women's fertility is the focus of most demographic analyses, for in most mammals,
      and in many preindustrial societies, variance in male fertility, while an
      interesting biological phenomenon, is irrelevant. Yet in monogamous societies,
      the reproductive ecology of men, as well as that of women, is important is
      creating reproductive patterns. In nineteenth-century Sweden, the focus of this
      study, male reproductive ecology responded to resource conditions: richer men had
      more children than poorer men. Men's fertility also interacted with local and
      historical factors in complex ways to have significant impact on population
      growth. As a result, "the" demographic transition was local, and locally
      reversible, in Sweden. Results cannot be simply translated from nineteenth
      century studies to current attempts to promote fertility decline, because today,
      male and female resource-fertility curves differ in shape, not only in magnitude.
      When we translate studies of fertility decline, it is important to study
      individual fertility and to discern whether, in any particular case, male and
      female patterns are similar. 

PMID- 24214626
TI  - Mate choice in modern societies : Testing evolutionary hypotheses with behavioral
      data.
AB  - Most research on mate choice in modern societies is based on data that may or may
      not reflect actual mating behavior (e.g., stated preferences, personal
      advertisements). In the present study, real-life matings were reported by a large
      representative sample of men and women (N = 1,133). These data were used to test
      an evolutionary model in which mate choice is hypothesized to depend on resources
      potentially contributed to reproduction by each sex. Consistent with the model,
      it was found that (a) men (but not women) of higher social status acquire more
      mating partners, suggesting that male status is an important criterion in female
      choice; (b) women's (but not men's) number of partners decreases linearly with
      age, suggesting that female reproductive potential is an important criterion in
      male choice; and (c) women (but not men) display a significant relationship
      between marital dissolution and promiscuity, suggesting that female sexual
      exclusivity is an important criterion in male choice. These results are discussed
      in relation to understanding mate choice mechanisms from behavioral data. 

PMID- 24214627
TI  - A sensitive period for learning about food.
AB  - It is proposed here that there is a sensitive period in the first two to three
      years of life during which humans acquire a basic knowledge of what foods are
      safe to eat. In support of this, it is shown that willingness to eat a wide
      variety of foods is greatest between the ages of one and two years, and then
      declines to low levels by age four. These data also show that children who are
      introduced to solids unusually late have a narrower diet breadth throughout
      childhood, perhaps because the duration of the sensitive period has been
      shortened. By reducing the costs associated with learning, a sensitive period for
      food learning should be adaptive for any omnivore (including early humans) that
      remains in the same environment throughout its life. 

PMID- 24214628
TI  - Psychosocial stress and infertility : Cause or effect?
AB  - Experimental, theoretical, psychological, and economic barriers have caused
      physicians to rely on biomedical treatments for infertility at the exclusion of
      more environmentally oriented ones (e.g., psychosocial stress therapy). An
      evolutionary model is described for the origin of reproductive failure,
      suggesting why mammals evolved to be reproductively responsive to the environment
      and why psychosocial stress should have an especially strong impact on fertility
      problems. A study of the causal role of psychosocial stress in infertility is
      then summarized. The paper concludes with implications for future directions for
      the treatment of infertility and related human reproductive problems. 

PMID- 24214629
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24214630
TI  - Seroprevalence rates of BKV, JCV, and MCPyV polyomaviruses in the general Czech
      Republic population.
AB  - JC and BK polyomaviruses (JCV and BKV) infect humans and can cause severe
      illnesses in immunocompromised patients. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) can be
      found in skin carcinomas. In this study, we assessed the occurrence of serum
      antibodies against MCPyV, BKV, and JCV polyomaviruses in a healthy population of
      the Czech Republic. Serum samples from 991 healthy individuals (age range: 6-64
      years) were examined by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) using virus-like
      particles (VLPs) based on the major VP1 capsid proteins of these viruses.
      Overall, serum antibodies against MCPyV, JCV, and BKV were found in 63%, 57%, and
      69%, respectively, of this population. For all three viruses, these rates were
      associated with age; the occurrence of antibodies against MCPyV and JCV was
      highest for those older than 59 years, while the occurrence of antibodies against
      BKV was highest in those aged 10-19 years and 20-29 years. This is the first
      large study to determine the seroprevalence rates for BKV, JCV, and MCPyV
      polyomaviruses in the general Czech Republic population.

PMID- 24214632
TI  - Processing demands during mental operations.
AB  - Man possesses a central system of limited capacity. Theorists at first described
      this system as a single limited capacity channel Two current theoretical
      alternatives to single-channel theory are (1) the undifferentiated capacity
      hypothesis that man possesses a pool of capacity units so that interference
      occurs oniy if the total number of capacity units that mental operations demand
      exceeds the system limit and (2) the hypothesis that some, but not all, mental
      operations require space in a limited capacity central mechanism and that any
      operation that requires space will interfere with any other operation that also
      demands space. Time on task fails as a sensitive measure of capacity demands
      because some task components require time but not full processing capacity. The
      secondary task technique uses the interference between a primary task and a
      secondary task to assess the extent to which the primary task makes processing
      demands on the central limited system. Processing demands have been measured for
      five categories of mental operation: (1) encoding, (2) multiple input, (3)
      rehearsal, (4) transformation, and (5) responding. 

PMID- 24214631
TI  - FoxP3 provides competitive fitness to CD4+CD25+ T cells in leprosy patients via
      transcriptional regulation.
AB  - Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. FoxP3
      have been shown to have important implications in various diseases. The present
      study describes the mechanism of action of FoxP3 in CD4+CD25+ T cells derived
      from leprosy patients. Increased molecular interactions of FoxP3 with histone
      deacetylases 7/9 in the nucleus of CD4+CD25+ T cells derived from borderline
      lepromatous leprosy/lepromatous leprosy (BL/LL) patients were found to be
      responsible for FoxP3-driven immune suppression activities during the progression
      of leprosy. Further, downregulation of CTLA-4 and CD25 genes in siFoxP3-treated
      PBMCs derived from BL/LL patients elucidated the transcription-activating nature
      of FoxP3. This observation was supported by direct binding of FoxP3 to the
      promoter region of the CTLA-4 and CD25 genes, and FoxP3's molecular interaction
      with histone acetyl transferases. The study also revealed that the increased
      expression of miR155 in CD4+CD25+ cells from BL/LL governs the competitive
      fitness of these cells. Again, reduced Annexin V & propidium iodide staining and
      Nur77 expression, and concomitantly increased Ki-67 positivity suggested that
      CD4+CD25+ cells derived from BL/LL patients are more competitively fit than those
      from borderline tuberculoid leprosy/tuberculoid leprosy and healthy controls.
      Taken together, the study shows the orchestration of FoxP3 leading to competitive
      fitness of Treg cells in leprosy.

PMID- 24214633
TI  - Differcntial feature analysis in the recognition memory of reflective and
      impulsive children.
AB  - Seventy-two children. 18 reflective, and 18 impulsive first and fifth graders
      were tested in a forced-choice recognition memory task. Experimental conditions
      systematically varied the possibility that correct responses could be made on the
      basis of verbal labels, visual feature analyses, or both. Although reflective
      children made more correct recognition choices than did impulsive children under
      all experimental conditions, this difference was, as predicted, significant only
      in a condition in which the sole basis for correct response depended on a purely
      visual feature analysis. Order of condition difficulty indicated that visual
      feature analysis independent of verbal processes was responsible for successful
      recognition performance in these Ss. Results were discussed with reference to the
      feature-testing model for recognition proposed by Selfridge and Neisser. 

PMID- 24214634
TI  - Social comparison, attraction, and choice of a comparison other.
AB  - The effects of attitudinal similarity and task-relevant affiliative status,
      together with three situational factors (presence or absence of a monetary
      reward, choice of information source or work partner, and choice made before or
      after Ss completed preliminary work on the task), on the choice of comparison
      others were examined. The most significant determinant of the comparison other
      chosen was attitude similarity (p < .01). There was also a significant
      interaction between attitude similarity, task-relevant affifliative status, and
      time of choice (p < .05). The nature of the interaction suggested that general
      impressions such as conveyed by general attitudinal information may be more
      important in the selection of referent others than comparability on situation
      specific factors. 

PMID- 24214635
TI  - Stimulus encoding selectivity at high degrees of paired-associate learning.
AB  - Sixty-two Ss learned six CCC trigram-digit pairs by the study-test method; 21 Ss
      continued the PA acquisition trials to a learning criterion of one errorless
      trial, while 41 Ss were carded to 300% overlearning or 24 trials, whichever came
      first. The Ss were then shown individual letters of the trigrams, with position
      cues provided, and were tested for their ability to provide the digit and produce
      the additional letters. Digit recall was much better to initial letters than to
      those in the second or third positions of the trigrams; with oveflearning, digit
      recall improved to the initial letters but not to letters in second and third
      positions. Production of additional letters of the trigrams was not appreciably
      related to either cue position or degree of PA learning. There was some evidence
      ofincreased selectivity with higher degrees of PA learning. 

PMID- 24214636
TI  - Spacing effects in picture memory.
AB  - Three experiments were conducted to capitalize on the conclusion of Shaffer and
      Shiffrin (1972) that complex visual scenes are not rehearsed in testing the
      hypothesis that the effect of spacing on memory is due to rehearsal. In
      Experiment I, a list of vacation slides was presented in which both the number of
      repetitions and the spacing of repetitions were varied. Subsequent frequency
      judgments showed an effect of spacing much like that found using verbal
      materials. In Experiments II and III, effects of filled and unfilled spacing
      intervals were compared, and it was concluded that the spacing effect is
      primarily a function of the duration of the spacing interval. No evidence was
      found to support the notion that pictures are rehearsed. Rehearsal apparently
      cannot play the key role in an adequate, completely general explanation of the
      spacing effect. 

PMID- 24214637
TI  - Prior induced affect and sex differences in attraction.
AB  - Male (N = 90) and female(N = 90) Ss were shown either 12 humorous or 12 serious
      TV commercials and were asked to rate each commercial on six 7-point personal
      feelings scales as well as on a 6-point evaluative (like-dislike) scale. The Ss
      were then shown the purported evaluative responses of a same-sex stranger which
      were .17, .50, or .83 similar to their own. Analysis of the personal feelings
      scales indicated expected differences (p < .001) in affect associated with the
      two sets of commercials. Females who viewed the serious commercials evidenced
      greater attraction toward the stranger than did females who saw the humorous
      commercials (p < .05). The similarity attraction function for males in the
      humorous condition had a greater slope and a lower y intercept than the
      similarity attraction function for males in the serious condition. A factor
      analysis of female affective responses to five socially relevant commercials in
      the serious set suggested the operation of two affective dimensions, one of which
      appeared to reflect feelings of social concern. 

PMID- 24214638
TI  - Presentation modality and proactive interference in short-term retention using a
      mixed-morality distractor task.
AB  - Two experiments investigated the release from PI following a shift in mode of
      presentation of the study words. In each experiment, the interpolated task
      required processing of both auditory (A) and visual (V) information. The results
      were the same with mixed lists (Experiment I) and with independent groups
      (Experiment II): A release from PI was obtained following an A to V shift but not
      following a V to A shift. It was concluded that the mixed-modality filler task
      has functional characteristics very similar to those of an A filler and that the
      filler task influences the memory code for study items. 

PMID- 24214639
TI  - Effects of short-term memory contents on short-and long-term memory searches.
AB  - The Ss memorized a long-term set (LT set) of 20 words before participating in a
      recognition memory test. On each trial Ss were given a new short-term set (ST
      set) of from one to four words or one to four digits. The Ss gave a positive
      response to a test item that was a member of either the ST or the LT set and gave
      a negative response to a test item not in either set; both words and digits were
      used as test stimuli. The results indicated that reaction time (RT) to positive
      test items from the ST set was an increasing function 0f the size of the ST set;
      the same was also true for negative responses to test digits when the ST set was
      composed of digits. RT to other test stimuli, however, did not depend on ST set
      size. These results are consistent with the view that Ss access long-term memory
      (LTM) and short-term memory (STM) simultaneously rather than sequentially. The
      results also showed that Ss responded more quickly to test items from the LT set
      when the ST set contained digits than when it contained words. Negative test
      items that were words, however, were rejected more slowly when the ST set
      contained digits than when it contained words. These results suggest that the
      search of LTM was affected by the contents of STM. 

PMID- 24214640
TI  - An analysis of the visual component in recognition memory for verbal stimuli.
AB  - Forty Ss were given a continuous recognition memory test in which each word was
      presented twice, either in the same print or in different print on the two
      occasions. The results showed that (a) recognition performance was facilitated to
      a small but statistically significant extent in the same-print condition and that
      (b) Ss could reliably report first presentation print for recognized items for at
      least 1(1/2) rain. In a second experiment, the stimuli used were nonsense strings
      of. from five to seven letters instead of words. This manipulation increased the
      same-print advantage in recognition but reduced Ss' ability to report first print
      form. The results indicate that information about the physical features of verbal
      stimuli is retained in a visual code that is partially' or wholly independent of
      the verbal code for the same stimuli. The results are inconsistent with the
      conclusion that the visual code is stored only as a dependent attribute of the
      verbal code in memory. 

PMID- 24214641
TI  - Sequence redundancy, rating dimensions, and the exposure effect.
AB  - Two experiments investigated Zajone's (1968) hypothesis that mere repeated
      exposure to stimuli is a sufficient condition to enhance individuals' attitudes
      toward those stimuli. In the first experiment, no significant differences in
      preference were obtained following exposure to high- and low-redundancy sequences
      of nonsense syllables. In the second study, the effects of repeated exposure were
      measured along several rating dimensions, revealing significant differences
      between dimensions. These results were discussed in terms of the limiting
      conditions of the exposure effect. 

PMID- 24214642
TI  - The perception of identity in simultaneously presented complex visual displays.
AB  - Two experiments were conducted in order to examine the information processing in
      a visual matching task, using digit sequences of varying complexity as the
      stimuli. Traditionally, reaction times for "same" judgments do not fit into a
      single-process self-terminating feature testing model, while those for
      "different" judgments do. Bamber (1969) proposed a two-stage model to account for
      the data, and the results of these experiments support this type of model. Strong
      evidence implying that Bamber's "identity reporter" has a limited capacity in
      terms of stimulus complexity was also found. This complexity seems to be deemed
      by stimulus discriminability and the number of "chunks" of information rather
      than by "bits" of information being transmitted (Miller, 1956). 

PMID- 24214643
TI  - Memory for redundant information.
AB  - Ss learned a paragraph consisting of two four-term linear orderings. Such an
      ordering is comprised of six pairwise relations, three of which (the adjacent
      pairs) are essential to the establishment of the ordering and three of which (the
      remote pairs) are redundant. For one of the orderings only the three Adjacent
      pairs were presented, for the other all six pairs were presented. Previous work
      indicated that, when Ss are asked to determine whether a test sentence is true
      (consistent with the ordering) or false (inconsistent with the ordering),
      proportion correct is higher on the remote pairs than on the adjacent pairs. The
      present experiment examined Ss' ability to determine whether a particular test
      sentence had actually been presented. For false sentences the above effect was
      replicated; for true sentences the effect was reversed. This result supports the
      argument that Ss store "semantic descriptions" rather than individual sentences. 

PMID- 24214644
TI  - Passage organization and imposed learning strategies in comprehension and recall
      of connected discourse.
AB  - Ninety-nine Ss were assigned randomly to learn a passage comprised of six
      paragraphs in which the statements were organized by concept name, or concept
      attribute, or in which the statements were scrambled. Each complete passage
      contained the same 36 statements. These treatments were orthogonally crossed with
      instructions to employ a name clustering strategy, an attribute clustering
      strategy, or a subjectively determined organizing strategy. Three learning trials
      were administered, each of which was followed by free recall. Passages organized
      by concept name were found to result in greater recall than passages organized by
      attributes. The name clustering strategy was more dominant than the attribute
      clustering strategy, lncongruence between passage organization and advocated
      clustering strategy resulted in greater recall than did congruency. Implications
      of these results for cognitive processing of information are discussed. 

PMID- 24214645
TI  - Can characters be classified directly as digits vs letters or must they be
      identified first?
AB  - Two experiments were addressed to the question of whether or not Ss can
      distinguish between letters and digits without identifying the characters. In
      Experiment I Ss attempted to identify noisy characters; a character was said to
      be implicitly classified correctly if the identification response, whether
      correct or incorrect, was in the same category vis-a-vis the letter-digit
      distinction as the stimulus. Implicit classification of characters for which the
      identification response was incorrect was very little better than chance. The
      task in Experiment II was to classify the characters directly. The explicit
      classification performance in this case was poorer than the implicit
      classification performance of Experiment I. The results were taken as evidence
      that Ss could not distinguish between letters and digits unless they could
      identify the characters. 

PMID- 24214646
TI  - Some characteristics of word encoding.
AB  - This paper presents the results of a series of experiments using the release from
      proactive inhibition technique for identifying the salient encoding attributes of
      words. The technique uses the Brown-Peterson paradigm, but, after three trials on
      words of one class, a fourth trial is given with words of another class. The
      power of the class encoding is inferred from the extent of gain (release from PI)
      found on the shift trial. The studies reported show a high degree of
      effectiveness for semantic variables; practically no effectiveness for
      grammatical variables; a moderate amount for physical variables (i.e., figure
      ground shift); and varying amounts for other shifts such as word frequency,
      imagery, language of the presentation to bilingual Ss. Some evidence is also
      given for the occurrence of simultaneous multiple encoding. 

PMID- 24214647
TI  - Higher order encoding: Process or state?
AB  - While prior data has seemed to suggest that learning occurs as a result of
      encoding information into higher order memory units, rather than the formation of
      interitem associations, the process whereby the encoding occurs has been left
      relatively unspecified. Two encoding models were outlined which differed to the
      extent that one assumed that encoding occurred as an active process after the
      specific items of information were registered in memory, while the other assumed
      that information is initially registered in memory in the encoded state. The
      results from two studies seem to offer the most support for the second of these
      two models. 

PMID- 24214648
TI  - Memory codes and negative transfer.
AB  - A view of transfer phenomena in terms of composite memory codes, code
      independence, and modification of sampling probability over a stimulus-defined
      retrieval search space is discussed. 

PMID- 24214649
TI  - Coding of nonsense vs the detection of patterns.
AB  - Two theories are contrasted: coding information into arbitrary characters vs
      extracting patterns from a flux of stimulation. It is argued that coding is the
      process people use to memorize nonsense and, for that reason, is a poor model for
      the applied psychology of learning. The contrasting idea, that Ss perceive
      patterns and extract information. can be used to improve education by leading
      teachers to organize their material. It is also argued that most demonstrations
      of coding can be interpreted as examples of pattern perception. 

PMID- 24214650
TI  - Experimental analysis of coding processes.
AB  - The first part of the paper reports an investigation of the effects of the
      concreteness-imagery (C-I) value of stimuli and responses on the long-term
      retention of paired-associate lists. With degree of learning equated, the
      measures of retention after a 1-week interval showed a significant interaction of
      Stimulus by Response C-I: When the responses had a high value, recall was
      substantially better with low than with high stimuli; when the responses were
      low, there was no reliable difference as a function of stimulus value. Recall was
      best when abstract stimuli were paired with concrete responses. The second part
      of the paper is addressed to some current issues in the analysis of coding
      processes. Major emphasis is placed on the experimental and theoretical
      differentiation of encoding and decoding processes. 

PMID- 24214651
TI  - The concept of coding in learning-memory theory.
AB  - The concept of coding, which refers to what is stored in memory during learning,
      is defended, as an important and necessary conceptual advance in learning-memory
      theory during the last decade. It is maintained that the concept covers a wide
      variety of functionally different coding operations, with many specifics of its
      operation still to be experimentally determined, and that attempts to restrict
      its meaning to arbitrary transformational coding, as suggested by Restle, should
      be rejected. The paper comments on the empirical contributions to coding theory
      by Johnson, Wickens, Martin, and Postman and Bums in the symposium for which it
      served a discussant function. 

PMID- 24214652
TI  - Percutaneous management of late leak after lariat transcatheter ligation of the
      left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk for
      stroke.
AB  - Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion or ligation is a novel approach to stroke
      prevention in atrial fibrillation that may obviate the need for long-term
      anticoagulation. The Lariat device has received Food and Drug Administration 510K
      clearance for the approximation of soft tissue and has been applied to
      transcatheter LAA ligation using a combined trans-pericardial and transseptal
      approach. The occurrence of late leak after transcatheter LAA ligation and its
      percutaneous management has not been previously reported. Herein, we report three
      cases of late leak with reconstitution of the LAA after initially successful
      Lariat closure, and present a simple percutaneous technique for leak closure.

PMID- 24214654
TI  - Understanding older adults' motivators and barriers to participating in organized
      programs supporting exercise behaviors.
AB  - Little is known about older adults' perceptions of organized programs that
      support exercise behavior. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 39 older
      adults residing in King County, Washington, who either declined to join, joined
      and participated, or joined and then quit a physical activity-oriented program.
      We sought to explore motivators and barriers to physical activity program
      participation and to elicit suggestions for marketing strategies to optimize
      participation. Two programs supporting exercise behavior and targeting older
      persons were the source of study participants: Enhance((r))Fitness and Physical
      Activity for a Lifetime of Success. We analyzed interview data using standard
      qualitative methods. We examined variations in themes by category of program
      participant (joiner, decliner, quitter) as well as by program and by race.
      Interview participants were mostly females in their early 70s. Approximately half
      were non-White, and about half had graduated from college. The most frequently
      cited personal factors motivating program participation were enjoying being with
      others while exercising and desiring a routine that promoted accountability. The
      most frequent environmental motivators were marketing materials, encouragement
      from a trusted person, lack of program fees, and the location of the program. The
      most common barriers to participation were already getting enough exercise, not
      being motivated or ready, and having poor health. Marketing messages focused on
      both personal benefits (feeling better, social opportunity, enjoyability) and
      desirable program features (tailored to individual needs), and marketing
      mechanisms ranged from traditional written materials to highly personalized
      approaches. These results suggest that organized programs tend to appeal to those
      who are more socially inclined and seek accountability. Certain program features
      also influence participation. Thoughtful marketing that involves a variety of
      messages and mechanisms is essential to successful program recruitment and
      continued attendance. 

PMID- 24214653
TI  - Detection of single photons by toad and mouse rods.
AB  - Amphibian and mammalian rods can both detect single photons of light even though
      they differ greatly in physical dimensions, mammalian rods being much smaller in
      diameter than amphibian rods. To understand the changes in physiology and
      biochemistry required by such large differences in outer segment geometry, we
      developed a computational approach, taking into account the spatial organization
      of the outer segment divided into compartments, together with molecular dynamics
      simulations of the signaling cascade. We generated simulations of the single
      photon response together with intrinsic background fluctuations in toad and mouse
      rods. Combining this computational approach with electrophysiological data from
      mouse rods, we determined key biochemical parameters. On average around one
      phosphodiesterase (PDE) molecule is spontaneously active per mouse compartment,
      similar to the value for toad, which is unexpected due to the much smaller
      diameter in mouse. A larger number of spontaneously active PDEs decreases dark
      noise, thereby improving detection of single photons; it also increases cGMP
      turnover, which accelerates the decay of the light response. These constraints
      explain the higher PDE density in mammalian compared with amphibian rods that
      compensates for the much smaller diameter of mammalian disks. We further find
      that the rate of cGMP hydrolysis by light-activated PDE is diffusion limited,
      which is not the case for spontaneously activated PDE. As a consequence, in the
      small outer segment of a mouse rod only a few activated PDEs are sufficient to
      generate a signal that overcomes noise, which permits a shorter lifetime of
      activated rhodopsin and greater temporal resolution. 

PMID- 24214655
TI  - Analyses of the folding properties of ferredoxin-like fold proteins by means of a
      coarse-grained Go model: relationship between the free energy profiles and
      folding cores.
AB  - The folding mechanisms of proteins with multi-state transitions, the role of the
      intermediate states, and the precise mechanism how each transition occurs are
      significant on-going research issues. In this study, we investigate ferredoxin
      like fold proteins which have a simple topology and multi-state transitions. We
      analyze the folding processes by means of a coarse-grained Go model. We are able
      to reproduce the differences in the folding mechanisms between U1A, which has a
      high-free-energy intermediate state, and ADA2h and S6, which fold into the native
      structure through two-state transitions. The folding pathways of U1A, ADA2h, S6,
      and the S6 circular permutant, S6_p54-55, are reproduced and compared with
      experimental observations. We show that the ferredoxin-like fold contains two
      common regions consisting folding cores as predicted in other studies and that
      U1A produces an intermediate state due to the distinct cooperative folding of
      each core. However, because one of the cores of S6 loses its cooperativity and
      the two cores of ADA2h are tightly coupled, these proteins fold into the native
      structure through a two-state mechanism.

PMID- 24214657
TI  - Airways obstruction and pulmonary capillary blood volume in children with sickle
      cell disease.

PMID- 24214658
TI  - Mesenchymal origin of multipotent human testis-derived stem cells in human
      testicular cell cultures.
AB  - In contrast to mouse germ cell-derived pluripotent stem cells, the pluripotent
      state of human testis-derived embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like that spontaneously
      arise in primary testicular cell cultures remains controversial. Recent studies
      have shown that these cells closely resemble multipotent mesenchymal stem cells
      (MSCs), raising the question of their origin and designating these cell
      populations as multipotent human testis-derived stem cells (mhtSCs) rather than
      truly ESC-like cells. Here, we evaluate the origin of mhtSCs in vitro by
      culturing selected testicular cell types. We demonstrate that mhtSCs can be
      obtained equally efficiently in cultures of pure testicular somatic cells devoid
      of germ cells. Conversely, cultures with a purified population of germ
      cells/spermatogonia do not produce any mhtSCs. Based on common molecular
      characteristics of the somatic starting population and mhtSCs, we conclude that
      mhtSCs colonies originate from somatic mesenchymal progenitors present in primary
      testicular cell cultures and do not arise from germ cells undergoing incomplete
      reprogramming in vitro. 

PMID- 24214659
TI  - A highly stretchable, fiber-shaped supercapacitor.

PMID- 24214656
TI  - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
AB  - Over the last two decades, there have been numerous technical and methodological
      advances available to clinicians and researchers to better understand attention
      deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its etiology. Despite the growing body
      of literature investigating the disorder's pathophysiology, ADHD remains a
      complex psychiatric disorder to characterize. This chapter will briefly review
      the literature on ADHD, with a focus on its history, the current genetic
      insights, neurophysiologic theories, and the use of neuroimaging to further
      understand the etiology. We address some of the major concerns that remain
      unclear about ADHD, including subtype instability, heterogeneity, and the
      underlying neural correlates that define the disorder. We highlight that the
      field of ADHD is rapidly evolving; the descriptions provided here will hopefully
      provide a sturdy foundation for which to build and improve our understanding of
      the disorder. 

PMID- 24214660
TI  - Morphology and function: MR pineal volume and melatonin level in human saliva are
      correlated.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the relation between circadian saliva melatonin levels
      and pineal volume as determined by MRI. Plasma melatonin levels follow a
      circadian rhythm with a high interindividual variability. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      In 103 healthy individuals saliva melatonin levels were determined at four time
      points within 24 h and MRI was performed once (3.0 Tesla, including three
      dimensional T2 turbo spin echo [3D-T2-TSE], susceptibility-weighted imaging
      [SWI]). Pineal volume as well as cyst volume were assessed from multiplanar
      reconstructed 3D-T2-TSE images. Pineal calcification volume tissue was determined
      on SWI. To correct for hormonal inactive pineal tissue, cystic and calcified
      areas were excluded. Sleep quality was assessed with the Landeck Inventory for
      sleep quality disturbance. RESULTS: Solid and uncalcified pineal volume
      correlated to melatonin maximum (r = 0.28; P < 0.05) and area under the curve (r
      = 0.29; P < 0.05). Of interest, solid and uncalcified pineal volume correlated
      negatively with the sleep rhythm disturbances subscore (r = -0.17; P < 0.05)
      despite a very homogenous population. CONCLUSION: Uncalcified solid pineal tissue
      measured by 3D-T2-TSE and SWI is related to human saliva melatonin levels. The
      analysis of the sleep quality and pineal volume suggests a linkage between better
      sleep quality and hormonal active pineal tissue.

PMID- 24214661
TI  - Evaluation and the NIH clinical and translational science awards: a "top ten"
      list.
AB  - Since 2006, a total of 61 Clinical and Translational Science Institutes (CTSAs)
      have been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with the aim of
      reducing translation time from a bench discovery to when it impacts patients.
      This special issue of Evaluation & the Health Professions focuses on evaluation
      within and across the large, complex system of the CTSA Program of NIH. Through
      insights gained by reading the articles in this special edition and the
      experience of the authors, a "top ten" list of lessons learned and insights
      gained is presented. The list outlines issues that face those who evaluate the
      influence of the CTSA Program, as they work to anticipate what will be needed for
      continuing success. Themes include (1) considering the needs of stakeholders, (2)
      the perspective of the evaluators, (3) the importance of service improvement, (4)
      the importance of teams and people, (5) costs and return on investments, (6)
      methodology considerations to evaluate the CTSA enterprise, (7) innovation in
      evaluation, (8) defining the transformation of research, (9) evaluating the long
      term impact of the CTSAs on public health, and (10) contributing to science
      policy formulation and implementation. The establishment of the CTSA Program,
      with its mandated evaluation component, has not only influenced the
      infrastructure and nature of translational research but will continue to impact
      policy and management in science. 

PMID- 24214662
TI  - Heterogeneity at work: implications of the 2012 Clinical Translational Science
      Award evaluators survey.
AB  - The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program is an ambitious
      multibillion dollar initiative sponsored by the National Institutes of Health
      (NIH) organized around the mission of facilitating the improved quality,
      efficiency, and effectiveness of translational health sciences research across
      the country. Although the NIH explicitly requires internal evaluation, funded
      CTSA institutions are given wide latitude to choose the structure and methods for
      evaluating their local CTSA program. The National Evaluators Survey was developed
      by a peer-led group of local CTSA evaluators as a voluntary effort to understand
      emerging differences and commonalities in evaluation teams and techniques across
      the 61 CTSA institutions funded nationwide. This article presents the results of
      the 2012 National Evaluators Survey, finding significant heterogeneity in
      evaluation staffing, organization, and methods across the 58 CTSAs institutions
      responding. The variety reflected in these findings represents both a liability
      and strength. A lack of standardization may impair the ability to make use of
      common metrics, but variation is also a successful evolutionary response to
      complexity. Additionally, the peer-led approach and simple design demonstrated by
      the questionnaire itself has value as an example of an evaluation technique with
      potential for replication in other areas across the CTSA institutions or any
      large-scale investment where multiple related teams across a wide geographic area
      are given the latitude to develop specialized approaches to fulfilling a common
      mission. 

PMID- 24214663
TI  - Bilateral and unilateral stenting for malignant hilar obstruction: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stents are used for palliating inoperable malignant bile duct hilar
      obstruction. It is not clear if bilateral stenting provides any advantage over
      unilateral stenting in these patients. Compare bilateral and unilateral stenting
      in malignant hilar obstruction. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies using stents
      for palliation in patients with malignant hilar obstruction were selected. DATA
      COLLECTION AND EXTRACTION: Articles were searched in MEDLINE, PubMed, Ovid
      journals, CINAH, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, OLDMEDLINE, MEDLINE
      nonindexed citations, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and
      Database of Systematic Reviews. Two reviewers independently searched and
      extracted data. Any differences were resolved by mutual agreement. STATISTICAL
      METHODS: Pooled proportions were calculated using both the Mantel-Haenszel method
      (fixed effects model) and DerSimonian-Laird method (random effects model). The
      heterogeneity among studies was tested using Cochran's Q test based upon inverse
      variance weights. The initial search identified 1,640 reference articles, of
      which 169 were selected and reviewed. Thirteen studies (n = 340) for bilateral
      metallic stents, eight studies (n = 575) for unilateral metallic stents, eight
      studies (n = 367) for bilateral plastic stenting, and seven studies (n = 850) for
      unilateral plastic stenting which met the inclusion criteria were included in
      this analysis. Pooled data are shown in Tables 1 and 2. The pooled estimates by
      the fixed and random effect models were similar. The p for chi-squared
      heterogeneity for all the pooled accuracy estimates was >0.10. Bilateral metal
      stenting seems to have lower odds of overall complications when compared to
      unilateral metallic stenting. Bilateral metal stents seem to have higher odds of
      lowering bilirubin than unilateral metal stents, but the 30-day mortality was no
      different. For metal stents, bilateral metal stents are superior in palliating
      symptoms due to hyperbilirubinemia. Unilateral plastic stenting seems to have
      similar odds of overall complications, cholangitis, and 30-day mortality when
      compared to bilateral plastic stenting for malignant hilar strictures. In
      patients with malignant hilar stricture, unilateral plastic stenting is
      comparable to bilateral plastic stenting for adverse events.

PMID- 24214664
TI  - Actual status of clinical diagnosis in patients with primary gallbladder cancer
      associated with adenomyomatosis.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this study was to reveal differences in clinical diagnosis of
      gallbladder cancer among patients with or without adenomyomatosis (ADM) by
      analyzing demonstrated tumor patterns on imaging and diagnostic opportunities.
      METHODS: Ninety-seven patients with gallbladder cancer were enrolled.
      Demonstrated imaging patterns were classified into mass lesion (ML), wall
      thickening (WT), and papillary lesion (PL). Clinical status during periodic
      follow up and other diagnostic opportunities were determined from medical
      records. RESULTS: All adenomyomatosis-associated cases were diagnosed at the T2
      or higher stage. The distribution of demonstrated imaging patterns was
      significantly different between the adenomyomatosis-associated and non
      adenomyomatosis-associated groups (p = 0.0002). No adenomyomatosis-associated
      gallbladder cancer had the PL pattern, which was readily identifiable and
      characteristic of early-stage cancer. The WT pattern presented difficulties for
      diagnosis, and the ML pattern was relatively specific, although most of these
      cases were at advanced stages. Approximately 40% of ADM patients were found to be
      in advanced stages of gallbladder cancer, in spite of undergoing periodic follow
      up. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the difficulty of early diagnosis of primary
      gallbladder cancer in the setting of concurrent ADM. Current results suggest the
      possible utility of preventive cholecystectomy for management of asymptomatic ADM
      patients.

PMID- 24214665
TI  - Structure and magnetism of epitaxial PrVO3 films.
AB  - The interplay between charge, spin, orbital and lattice degrees of freedom in
      transition metal oxides has motivated extensive research aiming to understand the
      coupling phenomena in these multifunctional materials. Among them, rare earth
      vanadates are Mott insulators characterized by spin and orbital orderings
      strongly influenced by lattice distortions. Using epitaxial strain as a means to
      tailor the unit cell deformation, we report here on the first thin films of PrVO3
      grown on (001)-oriented SrTiO3 substrate by pulsed laser deposition. An extensive
      structural characterization of the PrVO3 films, combining x-ray diffraction and
      high-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies, reveals the presence of
      oriented domains and a unit cell deformation tailored by the growth conditions.
      We have also investigated the physical properties of the PrVO3 films. We show
      that, while PrVO3 exhibits an insulating character, magnetic measurements
      indicate low-temperature hard-ferromagnetic behavior below 80 K. We discuss these
      properties in view of the thin-film structure. 

PMID- 24214666
TI  - Green synthesis and biological evaluation of new di-alpha-aminophosphonate
      derivatives as cytotoxic agents.
AB  - A series of novel di-alpha-aminophosphonate derivatives were synthesized by a one
      pot method in the presence of PEG-H2 O under ultrasonic irradiation and were
      characterized by IR, (1) H NMR, (13) C NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental
      analysis. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic
      activities against the human lung cancer cell line H1299 and the human breast
      cancer cell line MCF7 in vitro by the MTT method. All compounds showed moderate
      cytotoxic activity on both cell lines, and compounds 4b and 4c showed marked
      activity. 

PMID- 24214667
TI  - Comparative study of acetylcholine synthesis in organs of freshwater teleosts.
AB  - The activity of acetylcholine (ACh) synthesizing enzyme, choline
      acetyltransferase (ChAT), and the content of ACh were determined in the brain,
      heart, red trunk muscle and midgut of 12 freshwater teleost species belonging to
      eight families: carp (Cyprinus carpio), tench (Tinca tinca), silver carp
      (Hypophthalmichtys molitrix), bighead (Hypophthalmichtys nobilis), wels (Silurus
      glanis), cat fish (Ictalurus nebulosus), eel (Anguilla anguilla), rainbow trout
      (Oncorhynchus mykiss), pike (Esox lucius), pike-perch (Stizosteidon lucioperca),
      ruffe (Acerina cernua) and pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus). The rate of ACh
      degradation in the same tissues was characterized by measuring the activity of
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Comparisons by statistical evaluation of cholinergic
      parameters in the corresponding organs were made between the species or families.
      The highest ACh concentration was found in the brain (between 9.6 and 16.0
      nmol/g), and the gut (4.6 to 17.4 nmol/g), followed by the heart (1.4 to 3.9
      nmol/g) and trunk muscle (1.2 to 3.8 nmol/g). Good correlations were found
      between the ACh content and the ChAT activity in all the organs studied. The
      correlation coefficients were 0.92 and 0.72 for the brain and heart,
      respectively. The activity of ChAT and the amount of ACh found in the brain and
      trunk muscle varied considerably from one family to another, but was of
      comparable degree within one family. It was concluded that differences in the
      cholinergic parameters may reflect different feeding and swimming behavioral
      patterns. 

PMID- 24214668
TI  - An enkephalin analog stimulates growth of tilapia.
AB  - A synthetic enkephalin analog (Tyr-D-Trp-Ala-D-Phe-NH2) was administered to
      juvenile hybrid tilapia (Tilapia nilotica *T. aurea) by immersing the fish for 15
      minutes per week into one of two doses of the hormone for 8 weeks. Growth, food
      conversion efficiency, body weight, specific growth rate, food conversion
      efficiency and feed consumption were all significantly increased as a result of
      enkephalin treatment. The low dose (10ug/100 ml water) of enkephalin analog had a
      better stimulation effect than that of the high dose (100ug/100 ml water). Liver
      protein and protein/DNA ratio were higher in both treatment groups than in the
      control group. Tissue-body indices and muscle proximate composition were similar
      in the treatment and control groups. The growth stimulation in fish treated with
      the enkephalin analog was possibly mediated by an increase in growth hormone
      secretion. 

PMID- 24214669
TI  - Changes in plasma glucagon and insulin associated with fasting in sea bass
      (Dicentrarchus labrax).
AB  - Juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were fasted for 22 days and changes in
      plasma insulin, glucagon and glucose levels, as well as glycogen and protein
      content in liver and muscle were analyzed. Glucagon increased initially on the
      4th day of fasting. The glucagon/insulin ratio (G/I) increased from a value of
      0.11+/-0.02 (24h of fasting) to 0.21+/-0.05 (4th day of fasting). Thereafter,
      both glucagon and insulin levels decreased and remained at low concentrations
      until the 22nd day of fasting. Plasma glucose levels fell at the beginning of
      fasting, stabilized between the 4th and 8th day, and gradually declined during
      the rest of the experiment. There was a body weight loss of 15% and a significant
      decrease in both the hepatosomatic index and mesenteric fat. The decrease in the
      percentage of muscle proteins was not significant, while liver glycogen content
      showed a sharp decline. 

PMID- 24214670
TI  - Intracellular transport of ovalbumin afterin vivo endocytosis in rainbow trout
      liver.
AB  - The intracellular handing of a mannose-terminated glycoprotein taken up in
      rainbow trout liver cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis has been studied. The
      intracellular transport and degradation of ovalbumin (OA) were studied by means
      of subcellular fractionation in Nycodenz gradients and by differential
      centrifugation following intravenous injection of the ligand. By using OA
      labelled with(125)I-tyramine cellobiose ((125)I-TC), the subcellular distribution
      of labelled degradation products could be studied, since they are trapped
      intracellularly in the organelle where the degradation takes place. (125)I-TC-OA
      was shortly after injection (45 min) localized in a homogenous population of
      endosomes. Labelled degradation products firs appeared in an organelle with the
      same density distribution as the endosomes. In livers homogenized 2h after
      injection the degradation products appeared in organelles with increasing size
      and density. After 24h, the degradation products were recovered in at least two
      populations of lysosomes with a distribution profile which coincided with that of
      the lysosomal enzyme beta-acetylglucosaminidase.The heterogeneous distribution of
      the late degradation products seemed not to be due to uptake of ligand in
      different liver cell types as only the parenchymal liver cells took up labelled
      OA after intravenous injection of the ligand. 

PMID- 24214671
TI  - Demonstration of putative membrane and cytosol steroid receptors for 17alpha,
      20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in brook troutSalvelinus fontinalis oocytes by
      photoaffinity labelling using synthetic progestin 17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-pregn-4,9
      diene-3,20-dione (R5020).
AB  - Cytosol from brook trout ovarian follicles (stages 1-3) was photoaffinity (PA)
      labelled using synthetic progestin 17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-pregn-4,9-diene-3,20
      dione ([(3)H]R5020). The covalently bound cytosol protein had a relative mass of
      501,000 Mr following Sephacryl S-300 column chromatography. The zona radiata
      membrane fraction from brook trout oocytes which had gone through the first phase
      of meiotic maturation (stages 6-7) was isolated by ultracentrifugation of the
      whole oocytes. The zona radiata solubilized protein presumably from the oocyte
      membrane was also PA labelled and found to give a peak at 355,000 Mr. The SDS
      PAGE of the cytosol and zona radiata PA labelled protein gave very similar
      subunits indicating that the membrane protein and the cytosol protein, both of
      which bind the maturation inducing steroid (MIS) 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4
      pregnen-3-one (17alpha,20beta-DHP), have similar subunit structures. The isolated
      zona radiata protein showed cooperativity of binding to [(3)H]17alpha,20beta-DHP
      and PA labelling to [(3)H]R5020. The association constant (Ka) was 2.0*10(7)M(-1)
      and maximum binding capacity (Nmax) 427 fmoles/mg protein with MIS
      [(3)H]17alpha,20beta-DHP.No evidence for nuclear binding of MIS
      [(3)H]17alpha,20beta-DHP or PA labelling of [(3)H]R5020 to nuclei was observed.
      The nuclei were isolated from stages 1 and 3 fresh ovarian follicles of brook
      trout. The experimental evidence presented demonstrates the presence of MIS
      17alpha,20beta-DHP receptor-like protein from the zona radiata membranes by PA
      labelling in brook trout oocytes during final stages of maturation. 

PMID- 24214672
TI  - Transport of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in brook troutSalvelinus
      fontinalis ovarian follicles.
AB  - Extremely low levels of the maturation inducing steroid (MIS) 17alpha,20beta
      dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha,20beta-DHP) were found in the ooplasm and
      ovarian follicle membranes of Atlantic salmonSalmo salar ouananiche, a finding
      that is at variance with the elevated blood levels of the steroid. The uptake of
      MIS at physiological concentrations into brook trout follicles occurred by
      passive diffusion. Uptake of the steroid into the ovarian follicle membrane,
      consisting of zona radiata and the attached follicle cells, deviated from
      linearity in a double reciprocal plot. These results suggest that 17alpha,20beta
      DHP is binding to a receptor-like protein in the ovarian follicle or the zona
      radiata membrane surrounding the oocyte, and extend our previous demonstration of
      17alpha,20beta-DHP receptor-like activity in the zona radiata membrane of the
      late stage brook trout oocytes. An oocyte cytoplasmic receptor gave subunits on
      SDS PAGE that were similar to the membrane and cytosol receptors previously
      described. 

PMID- 24214673
TI  - Dosage-dependent differences in the effect of aromatizable and nonaromatizable
      androgens on the resulting phenotype of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).
AB  - This study was conducted to investigate whether aromatization to estrogen could
      be the cause for the paradoxical feminization of gonads of sexually
      undifferentiated fish after treatment with androgen at either high doses or for
      long periods. The aromatizable androgen 17alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) and the
      nonaromatizable androgen 17alpha-methyldihydrotestosterone (MDHT) were
      administered to groups of newly hatched coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in a
      single 2h immersion at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 6,400ug/l. The effects
      of treatment were evaluated by determining the resultant proportion of males in
      each experimental group. The effects of steroid administration on the final mean
      weight, length and condition factor were also determined. An increase in all
      these three variables was observed in the groups treated with the higher doses of
      MT. Regarding the resultant sexual phenotype, the response to both androgens was
      similar at the majority of doses tested. However, at the highest dose, the
      proportion of females increased with respect to that of males for MT, but not for
      MDHT. Since the major difference between the two androgens tested is their
      capacity to be aromatized, it seems that aromatization to estrogen, rather than
      inhibition of the biosynthesis of endogenous androgen, may explain the
      paradoxical feminization encountered. 

PMID- 24214674
TI  - Lipids of arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus (L.) I. Dietary induced changes in
      lipid class and fatty acid composition.
AB  - Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) were fed either a commercial diet or six
      experimental test diets containing coconut oil and different polyunsaturated
      fatty acids (PUFA) at a level of 1% by dry weight. Best growth rates were
      observed with the commercial diet, worst with diet containing coconut oil with no
      PUFA. An increase in hepatic lipid, hepatic sterol esters and muscular moisture
      content, and a decrease in muscular lipid was generally found in fish fed the
      test diets compared to those maintained on the commercial
      diet.Phosphatidylcholine was the dominant polar lipid (PL) class in all tissues
      examined. Extensive modification of dietary saturated fatty acids into 18:1 (n-9)
      was observed in tissue triacylglycerols (TAG) of fish fed test diets. No changes
      occurred with the commercial diet.Dietary PUFA were essentially incorporated
      unchanged into tissue TAG of all fish in the present study. PUFA composition of
      hepatic phospholipids was significantly influenced by that contained in the
      diets. However both 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3) in the test diets were extensively
      elongated and desaturated prior to incorporation into PL. The (n-9) PUFA content
      was always higher in liver of fish fed the test diets. When 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3
      (n-3) were supplied together, the level of (n-3) PUFA exceeded those of (n-6)
      PUFA. Muscle PL were less influenced by diet than liver. In muscle (n-3) PUFA
      were always the predominant PUFA irrespective of diet. Only low amounts of (n-9)
      PUFA were found. It is suggested that (n-3) PUFA are the prime essential fatty
      acids for Arctic charr, and that they are used in preference to (n-6) PUFA for
      elongation, desaturation and incorporation into PL. The results suggest that the
      quantitative requirement of Arctic charr for EFA is may be higher than that of
      other salmonids. 

PMID- 24214676
TI  - On the blood volume of the Mediterranean dogfish,Scyliorhinus canicula.
AB  - The blood volume of the Mediterranean dogfish,Scyliorhinus canicula was
      determined to be 4.06+/-0.92 ml/100 g body weight. This result is discussed in
      relation with the dye dilution technique used, the degree of dye binding with
      circulating plasma proteins and the values and techniques used by other authors. 

PMID- 24214675
TI  - Magnesium status in freshwater fish, common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.) and the
      dietary protein-magnesium interaction.
AB  - Common carp juveniles were fed for 9 weeks one of the eight semipurified diets
      containing graded levels of magnesium, 0.08, 0.6, 1.1, 3, 2 g Mg kg(-1) and 25 or
      44% protein.Fish growth and feed utilization were significantly affected by both
      Mg and protein levels in the diets. Significant interaction between these two
      studied variables existed in relation to the fish performance as well as to mean
      deposition rate of several minerals in common carp body. The fish fed diets
      containing 0.08 g Mg kg(-1) had reduced growth and developed deficiency signs
      such as muscle flaccidity and skin hemorrhages.Results indicated that a minimum
      Mg level of 0.6 g Mg kg(-1) was required to elevate plasma and bone magnesium
      content and to reduce the whole body Ca concentration (hypercalcinosis symptom).
      Further increase of dietary Mg up to 3.2 g Mg kg(-1) improved growth rate of fish
      insignificantly, but the deposition rate of dietary Mg fell to as low as 7.4 and
      10.7 percent in low- and high-protein diet fed fish, respectively. In Mg
      deficient fish, considerable amount of magnesium was absorbed via extra-oral
      routes, however, this way of the covering magnesium need becomes insufficient in
      fast growing fish. 

PMID- 24214677
TI  - The effects of temperature on benzo[a]pyrene metabolism and adduct formation in
      the gulf toadfish,Opsanus beta.
AB  - In order to examine the effects of temperature on benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) metabolism
      and adduct formation in the absence of the effects of temperature on uptake, gulf
      toadfish,Opsanus beta, were given a dose of 0.05 mg/kg(3)H-BaPvia caudal vein
      cannulae at their acclimation temperatures. (18 or 28 degrees C) or following an
      acute temperature change (18 to 28 degrees C or 28 to 18 degrees C). After 72h,
      BaP-derived radioactivity was detected in all tissues examined and, as in otherin
      vivo studies of fish, the highest levels were found in the bile, the liver and
      the kidney. Temperature did not affect the total amount of BaP metabolized and
      excreted to the bile, but there were significant quantitative differences between
      temperature treatments in the classes of Phase I metabolites accumulated. Fish
      acclimated to high temperature accumulated more BaP triols and tetrols (breakdown
      products of highly carcinogenic BaP diol epoxides) than fish acclimated at low
      temperature regardless of exposure temperature: the proportion of biliary
      metabolites as tetrols and triols in each of the four temperature treatments
      (acclimation: exposure temperature), 28:18, 28:28, 18:18 and 18:28 degrees C were
      21.3+/-3.6, 58.1+/-6.1, 14.2+/-1.8 and 20.9+/-3.2% (mean+/-SEM, n=4),
      respectively. Significant quantities of BaP-DNA and BaP-hemoglobin adducts were
      detected; however, only the amounts of BaP-DNA adducts showed sensitivity to
      temperature. As predicted from our metabolite data, high acclimation or exposure
      temperature led to a significant increase in the amount of BaP-DNA adducts
      formed: adduct formation in the temperature treatments, 28:18, 28:28, 18:18 and
      18:28 degrees C were 342+/-52, 526+/-51, 155+/-42 and 252+/-55 fg BaP/ ug DNA
      (mean+/-SEM, n=4), respectively. These results are discussed in the context of
      mechanisms of high temperature-enhancement of carcinogenesis in fish. 

PMID- 24214678
TI  - Exploring extra-cellular proteins in methicillin susceptible and methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus by liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains cause several diseases in humans from
      minor skin infections to severe lethal infections. To explore the virulence
      determinants of this important microorganism, two clinical isolates of
      methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin resistant S. aureus
      (MRSA) were subjected to proteomic analysis of their extracellular products using
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The numbers of proteins
      identified in MSSA and MRSA extracellular products were 168 and 261;
      respectively, from them 117 were shared, while 144 proteins were unique to MRSA.
      The shared proteins, having a higher protein score with increased number of
      peptide matches in MRSA over MSSA, reflect the relatively active secretory state
      of MRSA rather than biased analytical variances. Characteristic determinants for
      MRSA were identified; mostly found to play a role in the virulence. We conclude
      that MRSA produces distinct proteins considered as its virulence determinants and
      we found that the shared extracellular products are more abundant in MRSA than
      MSSA that supporting the high invasiveness of MRSA over MSSA in pathogenesis. 

PMID- 24214679
TI  - Pyocyanin: production, applications, challenges and new insights.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic, Gram-negative bacterium and is one of
      the most commercially and biotechnologically valuable microorganisms. Strains of
      P. aeruginosa secrete a variety of redox-active phenazine compounds, the most
      well studied being pyocyanin. Pyocyanin is responsible for the blue-green colour
      characteristic of Pseudomonas spp. It is considered both as a virulence factor
      and a quorum sensing signalling molecule for P. aeruginosa. Pyocyanin is an
      electrochemically active metabolite, involved in a variety of significant
      biological activities including gene expression, maintaining fitness of bacterial
      cells and biofilm formation. It is also recognised as an electron shuttle for
      bacterial respiration and as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. This review
      summarises recent advances of pyocyanin production from P. aeruginosa with
      special attention to antagonistic property and bio-control activity. The review
      also covers the challenges and new insights into pyocyanin from P. aeruginosa. 

PMID- 24214681
TI  - Influence of temperature, pH and metal ions on guaiacol oxidation of purified
      laccase from Leptographium qinlingensis.
AB  - The bark beetle Dendroctonus armandi is able to kill living Pinus armandi and has
      caused serious damage to pine forest in Northern China. As the most important
      symbiotic fungus of D. armandi, Leptographium qinlingensis plays an important
      role in the invasion process of the bark beetle. The laccase secreted by it are
      involved in lignin degradation to provide utilizable nutrition for D. armandi,
      and catalyze some biochemical reactions, causing the damages of tree tissue. In
      present study, the extracellular laccase of L. qinlingensis was purified by using
      the ammonium sulfate precipitation and DEAE-cellulose (DE-52) column
      chromatography. Furthermore, the effects of temperature, pH value and metal ions
      on it were investigated and characterized. The purified enzyme exerted its
      optimal activity with guaiacol. The catalytic efficiencies K(m) and V(max)
      determined for substrate guaiacol were 15.4 MUM and 372.9 IU mg-1, respectively.
      The optimum pH and temperature for the purified enzyme was 4.4 and 45  degrees C,
      respectively, with the highest enzyme specific activity of 7,000 IU mg-1.
      Moreover, the metal ions, Co2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+ and Cd2+, especially Hg2+,
      showed significantly inhibition effects on its activity. To understand the
      characteristics of this laccase might provide an opportunity and theoretical
      basis to promote integrated pest management of D. armandi.

PMID- 24214682
TI  - Duplication of exon 2 of the GPC3 gene in a case of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel
      syndrome.

PMID- 24214683
TI  - From opportunism to nascent conservation : The case of the Siona-Secoya.
AB  - Siona-Secoya hunters of the northwest Amazon strive to maximize short-term yields
      to provision their households with meat. The observed patterns of hunting more
      closely resemble the predictions of optimal foraging theory (OFT) than they do a
      conservation ethic. In the past the Siona-Secoya worried little about
      conservation because they believed that good shamans attracted abundant game.
      When hunting was poor, shamans performedyage ceremonies and appealed to
      supernatural gamekeepers for the release of more animals from the underworld. The
      sustainability of Siona-Secoya hunting was aided by factors such as low human
      population density, dispersed settlements within large hunting territories,
      settlement movement, and limited hunting technology. Today, increasing
      involvement in the national economy is leading the Siona-Secoya to invest more
      time in agriculture and wage labor, and less in traditional foraging activities.
      Colonization, deforestation, and industrial pollution now pose the greatest
      threats to wildlife in eastern Ecuador. Because of these changes, the Siona
      Secoya are becoming interested in environmental protection and conservation.
      Several of their efforts to protect forest resources and mitigate pollution are
      discussed and evaluated. 

PMID- 24214684
TI  - "Only slaves climb trees" : Revisiting the myth of the ecologically noble savage
      in Amazonia.
AB  - Professional and popular publications have increasingly depicted native peoples
      of Amazonia as "natural" conservationists or as people with an innate
      "conservation ethic." A few classic examples are cited repeatedly to advance this
      argument with the result that these cases tend to be generalized to all
      indigenous peoples. This paper explores the premise that many of these systems of
      resource conservation come from areas of Amazonia where human survival depends on
      careful management of the subsistence base and not from a culturally imbedded
      "conservation ethic." Where resource constraints do not pertain, as in the case
      of the Yuqui of lowland Bolivia, such patterns are unknown. Finally, the negative
      consequences of portraying all native peoples as natural conservationists is
      having some negative consequences in terms of current struggles to obtain
      indigenous land rights. 

PMID- 24214680
TI  - Composition and variation of sediment bacterial and nirS-harboring bacterial
      communities at representative sites of the Bohai Gulf coastal zone, China.
AB  - With rapid urbanization, anthropogenic activities are increasingly influencing
      the natural environment of the Bohai Bay. In this study, the composition and
      variation of bacterial and nirS-harboring bacterial communities in the coastal
      zone sediments of the Bohai Gulf were analyzed using PCR-based clone libraries. A
      total of 95 genera were detected in the bacterial communities, with
      Proteobacteria (72.1 %), Acidobacteria (10.5 %), Firmicutes (1.7 %),
      Bacteroidetes (1.4 %), Chloroflexi (0.7 %) and Planctomycetes (0.7 %) being the
      dominated phyla. The NirS sequences were divided into nine Clusters (A-I).
      Canonical correlation analysis showed that the bacterial or denitrifying
      communities were correlated with different environmental factors, such as total
      organic carbon, total nitrogen, ammonium, sulfate, etc. Furthermore, bacterial
      communities' composition and diversity are influenced by oil exploration, sewage
      discharge and other anthropogenic activities in the coastal area of the Bohai
      Sea. Thus, this study provided useful information on further research on regional
      or global environmental control and restore. 

PMID- 24214685
TI  - Aboriginal overkill : The role of Native Americans in structuring western
      ecosystems.
AB  - Prior to European influence, predation by Native Americans was the major factor
      limiting the numbers and distribution of ungulates in the Intermountain West.
      This hypothesis is based on analyses of (1) the efficiency of Native American
      predation, including cooperative hunting, use of dogs, food storage, use of
      nonungulate foods, and hunting methods; (2) optimal-foraging studies; (3) tribal
      territory boundary zones as prey reservoirs; (4) species ratios, and sex and age
      of aboriginal ungulate kills; (5) impact of European diseases on aboriginal
      populations; and (6) synergism between aboriginal and carnivore predation. Native
      Americans had no effective conservation practices, and the manner in which they
      harvested ungulates was the exact opposite of any predicted conservation
      strategy. Native Americans acted in ways that maximized their individual fitness
      regardless of the impact on the environment. For humans, conservation is seldom
      an evolutionarily stable strategy. By limiting ungulate numbers and purposefully
      modifying the vegetation with fire, Native Americans structured entire plant and
      animal communities. Because ecosystems with native peoples are entirely different
      than those lacking aboriginal populations, a "hands-off" or "natural regulation"
      approach by today's land managers will not duplicate the ecological conditions
      under which those ecosystems developed. The modern concept of wilderness as areas
      without human influence is a myth. North America was not a "wilderness" waiting
      to be discovered, instead it was home to tens of millions of aboriginal peoples
      before European-introduced diseases decimated their numbers. 

PMID- 24214686
TI  - Improving the affinity of an antibody for its antigen via long-range
      electrostatic interactions.
AB  - To address how long-range electrostatic force can affect antibody-antigen
      binding, we focused on the interactions between human cardiac troponin I and its
      specific single-chain antibodies (scFvs). We first isolated two scFvs against two
      linear epitopes with distinct isoelectric points. For the scFv against the acidic
      epitope (A1scFv), we mutated five residues of framework region 3 of the light
      chain to Lys or Arg, designated as the K- or R-mutant, respectively. For the scFv
      against the basic epitope (A2scFv), we mutated four or three residues in
      framework region 3 of the light or heavy chain to Asp, to generate the VL- and VH
      mutant, respectively. Surface plasmon resonance analyses showed that the kon
      values of all of the mutants were greater than that of wild type, even though
      framework region 3 does not make direct contact with the epitope. The affinity of
      the K-mutant was pM range, and that of the R-mutant improved further by more than
      two orders of magnitude due to a decrease in the dissociation rate constant. For
      the A2scFv mutants, the affinity of the VL-mutant for its target improved through
      an increase in the kon value without a decrease in the koff value. The stability
      slightly decreased in all mutants. These results suggest that introducing
      electrostatic interaction can improve the affinity of an antibody for its target,
      even if the mutation reduces stability of the antibody.

PMID- 24214688
TI  - Complexes with nitrogen-centered radical ligands: classification, spectroscopic
      features, reactivity, and catalytic applications.
AB  - The electronic structure, spectroscopic features, and (catalytic) reactivity of
      complexes with nitrogen-centered radical ligands are described. Complexes with
      aminyl ([M(NR2)]), nitrene/imidyl ([M(NR)]), and nitridyl radical ligands
      ([M(N)]) are detectable and sometimes even isolable species, and despite their
      radical nature frequently reveal selective reactivity patterns towards a variety
      of organic substrates. A classification system for complexes with nitrogen
      centered radical ligands based on their electronic structure leads to their
      description as one-electron-reduced Fischer-type systems, one-electron-oxidized
      Schrock-type systems, or systems with a (nearly) covalent M-N pi bond.
      Experimental data relevant for the assignment of the radical locus (i.e. metal or
      ligand) are discussed, and the application of complexes with nitrogen-centered
      radical ligands in the (catalytic) syntheses of nitrogen-containing organic
      molecules such as aziridines and amines is demonstrated with recent examples.
      This Review should contribute to a better understanding of the (catalytic)
      reactivity of nitrogen-centered radical ligands and the role they play in tuning
      the reactivity of coordination compounds.

PMID- 24214687
TI  - Proteinuria in preeclampsia from a podocyte injury perspective.
AB  - Preeclampsia is a frequent cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality
      worldwide. The underlying causes of this hypertensive complication have remained
      elusive. The placenta seems to be at the origin of the disease, as its removal
      appears to be the only effective treatment available. Many organs can potentially
      be affected. Nonetheless, kidney alterations are always present: proteinuria is
      one of the hallmarks for a preeclampsia diagnosis. VEGF is pivotal for
      maintaining glomerular filtration barrier function; hence, the elevated
      concentrations of placental-derived VEGF inhibitors, such as sFlt-1, may largely
      explain the renal alterations observed. Classically, glomerular endothelial
      injury was considered responsible for the renal impairment present in
      preeclampsia. Recent findings, however, have shown that podocytes are crucial in
      explaining the loss of filtration capacity of the preeclamptic kidney. The aims
      of this manuscript are to detail the main findings that associate podocyte injury
      with proteinuria in preeclampsia, and discuss the eventual applications of
      podocyte damage biomarkers in clinical practice. 

PMID- 24214689
TI  - Salience of similarity awareness and attraction: A comparison of balance vs
      reinforcement predictions.
AB  - Reinforcement and balance theory are both viable explanatory contenders for
      attraction processes. Differential predictions were derived and tested. Ss rated
      their attraction toward five strangers who were .00, .25, .50, .75, or 1.00
      similax in attitudes. Half of the Ss rated perceived similarity to the strangers
      prior to making the attraction ratings (similarity]then liking condition) and the
      other half rated attraction prior to similarity ratings (liking/then similarity
      condition). Balance theory would predict an interaction between order of rating
      conditions and proportion of similar attitudes in determining attraction. Results
      showed that the only significant effect was due to proportion of similar
      attitudes. Factor analyses of the rating data showed that attraction and
      similarity ratings loaded on different factors. This result indicates that
      perceived similarity does not necessarily mediate attraction. Trend analyses
      suggested that the reverse may hold to some extent; perception of attraction may
      partially determine perceived similarity. This result suggests that a restricted
      balance model may be viable. However, the preponderance of the evidence supported
      reinforcement theory. 

PMID- 24214691
TI  - Frequency and coding responses in verbal discrimination learning.
AB  - Ss were given a verbal discrimination task where correct and incorrect stimuli
      appeared in one, two. or four different pairs in a within-Ss design. For a group
      tested with the usual anticipation procedure, correct repetitions helped and
      incorrect repetitions hurt performance. The pattern of results suggested that
      frequency is a salient cue in verbal discrimination learning but that coding or
      paired-associate processing may occur at the same time. Data from a second group
      of Ss for which frequency was a less salient cue gave more direct evidence for
      coding. 

PMID- 24214690
TI  - Feature similarity and feature bias in identification of visually presented
      letters.
AB  - Reaction time IRT) to correct identification (ID) was measured for pairs of
      different letters presented on a memory drum. There were two types of lists. In
      Type I, visual and name similarity varied orthogonally at two levels. In Type II,
      one feature was constant at one level, while the other varied at two levels of
      similarity. For both types of lists, RT is a function of the feature that is more
      easily extracted from the stimulus. Relative vivaal and name modality biases were
      estimated, and name bias is relatively more salient than visual bias under these
      experimental conditions. Specific letters differ in the amount of feature
      processing required for correct ID and in the relative contribution of visual and
      name feature effects on this processing. 

PMID- 24214692
TI  - The Declining course of recognition memory.
AB  - Recognition memory for words can decline, sometimes precipitously, over the
      course of the recognition test. Decrements of as much as 75% in d' have been
      observed from the first quarter of testing to the last. and decrements of 40%-50%
      are not uncommon. Proactive mechanisms, imperfectly understood, appear to
      underlie such declines: Processing early input renders late input less
      recognizable, and making early recognition judgments renders later judgments more
      difficult. At the same time, the processing of late-input words fails to inhibit
      the recognition of the words that preceded them. 

PMID- 24214693
TI  - Stroop interference with response, comparison, and encoding stages in a sentence
      picture comparison task.
AB  - The paper discusses a Stroop variant of the word-picture comparison task analyzed
      by Chase and Clark (1971). The locatives above or below were printed at the
      center of a reference square, and Ss reported "Yes" if there was a word or an
      array of Xs in the location specified and "No" if there was not. Under the
      control (Xs) conditions, above displays were classified faster than below
      displays and true displays faster than false displays. These effects were
      unaltered when the words "yes" or "no" or "right" or "wrong" were printed in
      place of the Xs, although there was a small overall increase in response latency
      under these Stroop conditions that was independent of agreement or disagreement
      between the distractor and the response to be made. When the locatives up and
      down were printed on the display, a substantial Stroop effect was observed, and
      the above-below and true-false effects were eliminated. These results are
      discussed in relation to theories about the nature of Stroop interference and
      processes involved in sentence-picture comparisons. 

PMID- 24214694
TI  - Sensory stores and high-speed scanning.
AB  - A model of scanning based on separate sensory and short-term stores was suggested
      and tested. The experiment used a probe recognition method, with set size varied
      from 1 to 8 and a fast presentation rate. A masking procedure was used to vary
      the number of items available in a possible sensory store. Although conditions
      were such as to maximize the chances of detecting an effect, none was found: the
      possible size of the sensory store had no effect on reaction time whatsoever.
      Other aspects of the data lent little support to a serial exhaustive scanning
      model, but a previously proposed parallel processing model fared better. Finally,
      not only was the function for positive probes steeper than that for negative
      probes but also there was a crossover effect as well. This crossover is not
      without precedent and may indicate the need for consideration of both accuracy
      and latency in high-speed scanning studies. 

PMID- 24214695
TI  - Comprehension of prenominal adjective orders.
AB  - In two experiments, phrases descrying a referent object contained two prenominal
      adjectives in either normal or inverted order. The time to identify the position
      of the referent in a display was a function of both the adjective order and the
      nortreferent context. If the referent appeared with a nonreferent differing from
      it only in size or number, the normal order of adjectives facilitated responding.
      However. if the referent appeared with a nonreferent differing from it only in
      color, the inverted order of adjectives resulted in faster identification times.
      These results support a pragmatic communication rule that. when the more
      discriminating adjectives are ordered earlier in a series, comprehension is
      facilitated. 

PMID- 24214696
TI  - Attribution of intention as a function of physiognomy.
AB  - Ss agree in attributing character traits to strangers' photographs, but there has
      been no explication of what such labels imply. Presumably. trait names either
      mediate or reflect Ss' expectations of such strangers" likely social behaviors:
      but that remains undemonstrated, and we may be able to study such physiognomy
      tied expectations directly. Sampling problems confront trait studies and
      intention studies alike, but the present research showed that Ss' expectations of
      a person's behavioral intentions, as measured by alternative interpretations of
      short "scenarios," were reliably influenced by that person's photograph. 

PMID- 24214697
TI  - Effects of response requirements on the location of clicks superimposed on
      sentences.
AB  - Two methods of identifying the location of clicks superimposed on sentences were
      compared. When Ss first wrote out the entire sentence and then marked the
      location of the clicks, the perceived clicks tended to migrate toward the major
      constituent breaks of the sentences. This trend was not observed when Ss
      responded by marking the position of clicks on prepared scripts of the stimulus
      sentence. In addition, both response procedures resulted in a significant trend
      for the perceived clicks to be located before the actual click locations. The
      findings of this study resolved the conflicting results obtained from previous
      investigations in this area. 

PMID- 24214698
TI  - Memory for words recently classified.
AB  - This paper describes research whose goal is to determine the implications of
      verba] classificatory, judgments for recognition memory and recall. Toward this
      end, St were required to answer 100 queries of attribution and superordination ds
      a TWINGE sudden? Is SPINACH ecstatic? Is a CORKSCREW an opener? Is a DUNGEON a
      scholar? before being tested unexpectedly on their ability to remember either the
      uppercase "keywords" or the lowercase "descriptors." Lexical memory did not
      depend on whether a word had been part of an attributive or a superordinate
      query. But words from "incongruous" queries almost invariably were more poorly
      remembered-under conditions of free recall, cued recall, and recognition memory
      than words from "congruous" queries. Congruous cues, but not incongruous ones,
      greatly facilitated recall, with keywords being more effective cues than
      descriptors. Recognition memory of keywords was uniformly superior to that of
      descriptors. It is argued that the large and pervasive memorial advantages of
      congruity arise because a congruous query, unlike an incongruous one, fosters a
      relational encoding of keyword and descriptor. 

PMID- 24214699
TI  - Item concreteness vs spatial organization as predictors of visual imagery.
AB  - The relative contributions of item concreteness and interitem spatial
      organization to recall processes were studied by attempting to induce modality
      specific interference between recall and response. Separate groups of 12 Ss
      learned lists of items that varied in physical or referential visual
      characteristics. They later signaled information about them either vocally or via
      a visually guided response. Some ways of presenting lists for learning that are
      traditionally regarded as increasing reliance on mediating imagery were effective
      in generating conflict between recall and the visually guided response. This
      effectiveness was limited to presentation conditions and list types that
      introduced spatial organization into the stimulus material. The concreteness of
      individual items was not useful in predicting visual conflict. 

PMID- 24214700
TI  - Attitudinal maintenance of cognitive categorization.
AB  - Two experiments were performed that investigated attitudinal influences on
      cognitive categorization. The studies assessed categorization as a dynamic
      process with a multiple-sort (MS) technique, having Ss recategorize sentences
      unti! they ran out of meaningful categories. Condition I allowed Ss to use any
      dimensions they chose, and Condition It imposed the restraint of the "favorable
      unfavorable" dimension. No effects of involvement were found when unrestricted
      sorting was allowed but were found when the evaluative dimension was imposed.
      There appeared to be a tendency for attitudinal involvement to maintain
      complexity across sorts. Results were discussed in terms of the influence of
      dimensions and the possible effects of certain stimulus properties on the
      maintenance of categorization complexity. 

PMID- 24214701
TI  - Some psycholinguistic aspects of person perception.
AB  - Adjective-noun combinations in person perception are analyzed from an integration
      theoretical view, with special reference to judgments of likableness,
      occupational proficiency, and social value. Different theoretical considerations
      are shown to apply to these three judgment dimensions, but all can be
      conceptualized in terms of the valuation and integration operations of
      integration theory. Experimental support for this conceptual analysis is given
      for likableness and occupational proficiency. Advantages of the integration
      theoretical analysis over congruity formulations are pointed out. 

PMID- 24214702
TI  - The attribute selection process in pattern perception: The effect of constraint
      redundancy and stimulus exposure time on the classification of spatially
      represented Markov patterns.
AB  - A transfer paradigm was used to study the effect of constraint redundancy (Rc)
      and stimulus exposure time (ET) on the "same-different" classifications of pairs
      of spatially represented Markov patterns (Vargus 7 stimuli; Evans & Mueller,
      1966). In the training phase, each S classified, without feedback, pairs of
      Vargus 7 stimuli generated as deviations from three prototypes (i.e., most
      probable sequences). Each S received stimuli generated at one of three levels of
      Rc and exposed for one of three durations. In the test phase, all Ss classified
      different deviations from the same three prototypes at a single Rc level and a
      single ET level. Unsupervised classification performance was above chance in both
      training and transfer and increased slightly over trials. Significant Rc and ET
      effects were found. These results supported two models of attribute selection and
      utilization; discussions of these models and their relationships to the findings
      were directed toward the analysis of the "schema plus correction" hypothesis. 

PMID- 24214703
TI  - Communicator credibility and persuasian.
AB  - Prior research has usually found a positive relationship between a communicator's
      perceived credibility and his persuasiveness. An experiment was designed to test
      the hypothesis that the perceived vested interest of a speaker, the position the
      speaker advocated, and the social similarity between audience and speaker would
      influence attributions of credibility and affect the speaker's persuasiveness.
      Three variables were manipulated in a 2 by 2 by 2 factorial design. Ss read a
      speech that either favored (pro) or opposed (con) student voting rights; the
      speech was attributed to a speaker who was either similar (student) or dissimilar
      (townie) to the stndent audience and who either had a vested interest (running
      for elective office) or had no vested interest (merely giving his opinion) :in
      the position he advocated. As predicted, the similarity of the speaker to the
      audience, the vested interest of the speaker, and the position advocated in the
      speech strongly influenced attributions of credibility. However, in contrast to
      much previous research, persuasion was found to be relatively independent of the
      variation in the speaker's perceived credibility. It was suggested that the
      failure of attributions of credibility to relate to persuasion may have been due
      to the high degree of ego involvement for the Ss in the topic of student voting
      rights. 

PMID- 24214704
TI  - Prevarication: Reasoning from false assumptions.
AB  - This paper examines the strategies t~sed in solving prevaricative reasoning
      problems. The task consisted of a noncontradictory set of propositions followed
      by an assumption that introduced an inconsistency. Ss were required to restore
      consistency by assigning truth values to propositions. When reasoning from false
      assumptions, Ss exhibit a specific strategy in assigning truth values: If forced
      to choose between the truth of a generality (e.g., All As are Bs) and that of a
      particular fact (e.g., This Y is a Z), the Ss assign the generality TRUE and the
      fact FALSE. Affirmative generalities are assigned TRUE more often than are
      negative ones, and those expressing class inclusion are assigned TRUE more often
      than those expressing property assignment. The data show that the selection of a
      "path" through this hypothetical reasoning problem cannot be attributed to either
      the syntactic form or the preexperimental credibility of the propositions. A
      generality coding model was discussed in terms of strategies sho~ in
      prevaricative reasoning problems as well as in other inference tasks. 

PMID- 24214705
TI  - Memory in reading and listening to discourse.
AB  - After reading or listening to short passages, Ss attempted to recognize
      semantically changed sentences and paraphrases (syntactically and lexically
      changed sentences). The intervals between the original presentation and test
      ranged from 1 to 23 sec. In general, paraphrases were poorly detected after a
      brief time, supporting earlier findings that the exact wording of sentences is
      not stored in long-term memory. An exception was the high recognition of active
      passive changes with the visual presentation. Recognition at the first test
      interval was significantly better after listening than after reading, although
      the eventual level of recognition memory was not different in the two modes. This
      result, consistent with other studies of modality effects in short-term memory,
      suggests that acoustic-phonetic memory played a role in the storage of the
      auditorally presented material. 

PMID- 24214706
TI  - Perceptual coding strategies in the formation and verification of descriptions.
AB  - Three experiments were carried out to study the "picture coding" process implicit
      both in making up descriptions of pictures and in verifying descriptions against
      pictures. In the first experiment, Ss were asked simply to describe pictures of
      one object above another; some pictures were symmetrical vertically and some were
      not. In the other two experiments, other Ss were timed as they judged whether
      sentences likeStar isn't below line were true or false of such pictures.
      According to the results, Ss comply to three ordered "preference" rules in
      describing the two objects, rules that are conditional on characteristics of the
      picture and demands of the task. Furthermore, Ss in the verification task comply
      to the same three rules when they view and encode the picturebefore they read the
      sentence to be verified, but to only one of the rules when they view the
      pictureafter they read the sentence. The results also reconfirm two recently
      proposed models for the process of verifying sentences against pictures. 

PMID- 24214707
TI  - Serial position effects for tonal stimuli.
AB  - Serial position effects for tones were studied in a recognition memory experiment
      The S was given a stimulus list consisting of several tone bursts followed by a
      number of test tones. Accuracy of recognition of stimulus items as a function of
      input position followed the classical bowed serial position curve. Memory
      strength was a monotonically decreasing function of position in the test list.
      The data were fitted with a strength theory model of memory. The fit yielded
      decay parameters corresponding to stimulus- and response-induced interference,
      which were comparable to the parameters reported for meaningful verbal material. 

PMID- 24214708
TI  - Time to read semantically related sentences*.
AB  - Ss read sentences specifying relations among concepts, with the sentences related
      to each other in different hierarchical structures. In the case where sentences
      had implicative relationships, time to read sentences low in the hierarchy was
      less if sentences higher in the hierarchy had been read previously, and sentences
      inconsistent with expectations based on earlier items took longer. However, when
      structural relations did not involve implication about content, time to read the
      sentences was not very different regardless of whether related sentences had been
      read previously. 

PMID- 24214709
TI  - Learning numerical progressions.
AB  - Learning of simple numerical progressions and compound progressions formed by
      combining two or three simple progressions is investigated. In two experiments,
      time to solution was greater for compound vs simple progressions; greater the
      higher the progression's solution level; and greater if the progression consisted
      of large vs small numbers. A set of strategies is proposed to account for
      progression learning based on the assumption S computes differences between
      integers, differences between differences, etc., in a hierarchical fashion. Two
      measures of progression difficulty, each a summary of the strategies, are
      proposed; C1 is a count of the number of differences needed to solve a
      progression; C2 is the same count with higher level differences given more
      weight. The measures accurately predict in both experiments the mean time to
      solve 16 different progressions with C2 being somewhat superior. The measures
      also predict the learning difficulty of 10 other progressions reported by Bjork
      (1968). 

PMID- 24214710
TI  - Categories, subcategories, and the attenuation of proactive inhibition in free
      recall.
AB  - In two experiments, "proactive inhibition" was observed in the free recall of a
      succession of 15-word lists. Recall performancc declined across lists when all
      lists were drawn from the same taxonomic category (e.g., occupations). But this
      decline did not appear when the successive lists were drawn from discrete
      subcategories (such as "professional" and "skilled manual" occupations). The
      findings clarify the conditions in which proactive inhibition effects in free
      recall are likely to occur. Specifically, when the set of items on any one list
      is more homogeneous than the set of items from all lists taken together,
      "proactive inhibition" will be attenuated. 

PMID- 24214711
TI  - Context effects in sentence comprehension: A study of the subjective lexicon.
AB  - These studies explore the role of context in determining what information about
      the meanings of words is activated in memory at the time a word is encountered in
      a sentence. Using a color-naming paradigm, it was shown that both meanings of a
      word that has two distinct meanings are activated in memory at the time the word
      is heard in a sentence. This activation occurs even when there is sufficient
      contextual information to indicate which meaning was intended by the speaker.
      These results support the hypothesis that there exists in memory an isolable
      subjective lexicon. They suggest that context which is effective in
      disambiguating lexical ambiguities in the language has its effect only at a
      relatively late stage in the cognitive processing involved in language
      comprehension. 

PMID- 24214712
TI  - Reconstructive processes in the free recall of categories.
AB  - Three experiments, involving three different groups of Ss, were conducted. For
      each experiment, one group of Ss never saw the stimulus materials but produced
      "recall outputs" on the basis of someone else's description of the input list. A
      second group produced a description of, and then recalled, the list, while a
      third group recalled the list under standard conditions. Each experiment involved
      different materials: for Experiment I, exhaustive categories were used; for
      Experiment 11, high-frequency category items were used; and for Experiment III,
      low-frequency items were used. Results showed all lists were reconstructible with
      the degree of reconstructibility following the order of experiments. An
      examination of descriptions produced indicated significant differences between
      those leading to lengthy outputs and those leading to less extensive outputs;
      basically, these differed in terms of the degree to which specific information
      was or was not present in the description. Results were discussed in terms of
      Bartlett's theory of remembering. 

PMID- 24214713
TI  - Memory load and latency in recognition of pictures.
AB  - Color photographs of common scenes were used as memory and test items in two
      memory search experiments. Memory load varied from 2 to 24 items in one
      experiment and from 4 to 64 in the other. Latency of classification of test items
      increased with memory load. The increase is verb' close to linear for loads up to
      six items, but for the full range of memory loads, it is negatively accelerated
      and approximately logarithmic. Sternberg's (1966, 1969) serial theory of memory
      search, which predicts linear functions, holds for small memory loads of
      pictures. If serial search takes place for large memory loads, the speed of
      search must be faster than for small loads. It is also possible that items in
      memory loads of all sizes are accessed by a single process that generates a
      negatively accelerated relation between size of load and latency. 

PMID- 24214714
TI  - A developmental study of the pragmatic communication rule for prenominal
      adjective ordering*.
AB  - First-, fourth-, and eighth-grade children and college undergraduates indicated
      preference for either normal or inverted orders of prenominal adjectives (for
      example,the large red car or the red large car, respectively) to describe a
      pictorial referent. Preference for the normal order of adjectives first appeared
      with the fourth graders. When communication context was vaxied by presenting a
      nonreferent that required a color adjective for discrimination from the referent,
      college students increased their preference for the inverted order. This
      separation of the acquisition of a linguistic rule from its utilization in
      communication was discussed. 

PMID- 24214715
TI  - Memory and the experience of duration in retrospect.
AB  - Two experiments investigated the relationship between long-term memory for events
      occurring during an interval and the experience of duration of the interval in
      retrospect. In both, Ss attended to a sequence consisting of a standard, an
      experimental, and a second standard interval. Then unexpected comparative
      duration and memory judgments were requested. In Experiment I, either 30 or 60
      unrelated words occurred during the 180-see experimental interval. When more
      words had occurred, judgments of duration of the experimental interval, judgments
      of number of words presented, and number of words recognized all increased, but
      free recall of words was unaffected. In Experiment II, 80 categorized words
      occurred during the 160-see experimental interval, with category instances in
      either blocked or random order. When words were blocked by category, judgments of
      duration of the experimental interval, free recall, and recognition all
      increased, but judgments of number of words were unaffected. Results were
      discussed in terms of Ornstein's (1969) "storage size" hypothesis. 

PMID- 24214716
TI  - The encoding of ignored information.
AB  - An experiment was conducted to study the dimensions of encoding of verbal
      material in short-term memory as a function of other demands placed on Ss
      attention. Eighty Ss shadowed one of two simultaneous lists, under instructions
      to remember the shadowed or the nonshadowed list, A single recognition probe
      followed each shadowing trial. Ss judged whether the probed item was (1)
      identical to, (2) a rhyme of, or (3) a synonym of one of the to be remembered
      items. Results indicated that acoustic information was encoded from all inputs,
      regardless of the focus of attention. Evidence for semantic encoding, however,
      was limited to those conditions in which retention of shadowed material was
      required. The data were interpreted as contradicting "late selection" theories of
      attention, which propose that all inputs are analyzed for meaning prior to the
      focusing of attention. 

PMID- 24214717
TI  - Imagery and sentence mediators in verbal discrimination learning.
AB  - The effect of instructions to use imagery and sentence strategies in verbal
      discrimination learning (VDL) was investigated in two experiments. In Experiment
      I, both imaging to and constructing a sentence for the correct item of each pair
      facilitated VDL relative to an uninstructed control condition. Incorporating both
      words of the pair into a compound image or compound sentence had no effect, a
      result that was replicated in Experiment It. Of the two compound instructions,
      only compound sentences consistently facilitated associative recall of the VDL
      pairs, suggesting that compound imagery instructions were not always adhered to
      by the Ss. 

PMID- 24214718
TI  - A tactile suffix effect.
AB  - Evidence for a representational tactile memory was obtained from a tactile
      analogue of the auditory suffix effect. In two experiments, a short sequence of
      tactile stimuli applied to the fingers was followed by an acoustic (control) or
      tactile (suffix) recall signal. The serial position curves for the two conditions
      were compared. They revealed similar and strong primacy effects, but recall of
      the last few stimuli was higher in the control condition. This terminal control
      advantage was attributed to the retention of raw tactile information. 

PMID- 24214719
TI  - Effects of search criterion upon unanticipated free recall of categorically
      related words.
AB  - Ss determined whether words in a list were members of a relatively general or
      specific category (e.g., foods vs vegetables), and then they were given an
      unanticipated free recall test. Assumptions were that: (1) evaluating a word
      against a general criterion (e.g., food) results in the detection of fewer
      semantic elements than would evaluating it against a specific criterion (e.g.,
      vegetable), and (2) detecting more semantic elements primes memory. In three
      studies, free recall scores were highest for the specific search. Instructions to
      form an image or to think of an association for each word did not improve recall.
      Telling Ss, just before recall, what categories composed the list increased
      recall clustering, but not recall. 

PMID- 24214720
TI  - Memory for the intentions of sentences.
AB  - Memory for the intentions of sentences was studied in two recognition tasks. In
      each study, Ss first acted out a dialogue written for two people. They then
      judged whether certain sentences in a second dialogue were the same as or
      different from previons sentences (Experiment I) or chose between two intentions
      suggested for some previous sentences (Experiment II) Sentences which were
      repeated with the same intention across the two dialogues were judged as being
      the same significantly more often than were sentences repeated with a different
      intention. The appropriate intention for each of these sentences was also usually
      chosen. In both studies, Ss appeared to remember more accurately the sentences
      they had spoken themselves than they did those that were addressed to them. 

PMID- 24214721
TI  - The influence of meaningfulness upon intentional and incidental learning of
      verbal material.
AB  - The present investigation concerned the relationship between intentional and
      incidental learning of verbal material. Both task meaningfulness (sequential
      dependency of the material) and shifts in performance over time were examined for
      differential patterns under both types of learning conditions. Cover task
      performance consisted of the search for typographical errors across four
      paragraphs of a narrative, learning the recall and recognition of examples of
      categories of objects in the text. There was lack of support for the argument
      that incidental and intentional learning represent two distinct types; rather Ss
      responded similarly to increased task meaningfulness under both learning
      conditions and evidenced identical performance patterns over time. Results were
      interpreted within an intentional-attentional hypothesis of incidental learning. 

PMID- 24214722
TI  - The effects of learning instructions and cueing on free recall.
AB  - Eighty unrelated high-imagery words were presented for free recall learning in
      groups of four words each. Learning instructions were varied, with one group told
      to relate the words in each input group by means of images, another group told to
      use verbal (sentence) mediators, and the control group not given specific
      learning instructions. During recall, list items were presented as retrieval cues
      in some conditions. In comparison with the control condition, imagery and verbal
      mediation instructions produced greater recall, more clustering, and a largez
      number of instances per group recalled. When the retrieval cues were selected
      such that one cue came from each of the input groups and when the strength of
      within-group organization was quite high, Ss recalled more words and a larger
      number of input groups. It was concluded that instructions and cueing conditions
      influenced different aspects of the free recall process. Instructions influenced
      the organization of individual words into units, and cueing affected the
      retrieval of specific units. 

PMID- 24214723
TI  - Complexity of noninvasive prenatal screening and diagnostic testing for an
      unbalanced translocation involving chromosomes 5 and 18.

PMID- 24214724
TI  - Behavioral responses in rats submitted to chronic administration of branched
      chain amino acids.
AB  - Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inborn metabolism error caused by a
      deficiency of branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex activity. This
      blockage leads to an accumulation of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA)
      leucine, isoleucine, and valine, as well as their corresponding alpha-keto and
      alpha-hydroxy acids. Previous reports suggest that MSUD patients are at high risk
      for chronic neuropsychiatric problems. Therefore, in this study, we assessed
      variables that suggest depressive-like symptoms (anhedonia as measured by sucrose
      intake, immobility during the forced swimming test and body and adrenal gland
      weight) in rats submitted to chronic administration of BCAA during development.
      Furthermore, we determined if these parameters were sensitive to imipramine and N
      acetylcysteine/deferoxamine (NAC/DFX). Our results demonstrated that animals
      subjected to chronic administration of branched-chain amino acids showed a
      decrease in sucrose intake without significant changes in body weight. We also
      observed an increase in adrenal gland weight and immobility time during the
      forced swimming test. However, treatment with imipramine and NAC/DFX reversed
      these changes in the behavioral tasks. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a
      link between MSUD and depression in rats. Moreover, this investigation reveals
      that the antidepressant action of NAC/DFX and imipramine might be associated with
      their capability to maintain pro-/anti-oxidative homeostasis. 

PMID- 24214725
TI  - Secondary Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Defect Can Delay Accurate PFIC2
      Diagnosis.
AB  - Multiple respiratory chain deficiencies represent a common cause of mitochondrial
      diseases and often result in hepatic failure. There is no gold-standard test for
      diagnosing mitochondrial disease, and the current diagnosis relies on
      establishing a consistent pattern of evidence from clinical data, neuroimaging,
      tissue biopsy, and biochemical investigations. In some patients, the
      mitochondrial respiratory chain defect (MRCD) diagnosis is confirmed by genetic
      investigations. In most cases, genetic investigations are not informative and a
      number of cases remain unexplained.Here, we report on two children presenting
      with liver disease in whom first investigations suggested MRCD, due to decreased
      liver respiratory chain activities and decreased mitochondrial DNA copy number.
      However, sequencing of the genes known to be associated with mitochondrial DNA
      instability did not identify any pathogenic mutations. Further investigations
      including exome analysis, biliary bile salt analysis, and/or BSEP immunostaining
      detected a defect in the bile salt export pump (BSEP). Diagnosis of progressive
      familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2), a hereditary disorder in bile
      formation due to BSEP deficiency was confirmed by ABCB11 gene sequencing.
      Deleterious mutations were identified in both patients: one harboring compound
      heterozygous mutations (p.Arg470*/c.1308+2T>A) and the other homozygous nonsense
      mutation (p.Tyr354*). This report increases awareness of a possible secondary
      mitochondrial respiratory chain defect in the liver tissue associated with other
      underlying causes such as PFIC2. 

PMID- 24214726
TI  - Bisphenol A-associated alterations in the expression and epigenetic regulation of
      genes encoding xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in human fetal liver.
AB  - Alterations in xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme (XME) expression across the life
      course, along with genetic, nutritional, and environmental regulation, can
      influence how organisms respond to toxic insults. In this study, we investigated
      the hypothesis that in utero exposure to the endocrine active compound, bisphenol
      A (BPA), influences expression and epigenetic regulation of phase I and II XME
      genes during development. Using healthy 1st to 2nd trimester human fetal liver
      specimens quantified for internal BPA levels, we examined XME gene expression
      using PCR Array (n = 8) and RNA-sequencing (n = 12) platforms. Of the greater
      than 160 XME genes assayed, 2 phase I and 12 phase II genes exhibited
      significantly reduced expression with higher BPA levels, including isoforms from
      the carboxylesterase, catechol O-methyltransferase, glutathione S-transferase,
      sulfotransferase, and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase families. When the promoters of
      these candidate genes were evaluated in silico, putative binding sites for the E
      twenty-six (ETS) and activator protein1 (AP1) related transcription factor
      families were identified and unique to 97% of all candidate transcripts.
      Interestingly, many ETS binding sites contain cytosine-guanine dinucleotides
      (CpGs) within their consensus sequences. Thus, quantitative analysis of CpG
      methylation of three candidate genes was conducted across n = 50 samples. Higher
      BPA levels were associated with increased site-specific methylation at COMT (P <
      0.005) and increased average methylation at SULT2A1 (P < 0.020) promoters. While
      toxicological studies have traditionally focused on high-dose effects and
      hormonal receptor mediated regulation, our findings suggest the importance of low
      dose effects and nonclassical mechanisms of endocrine disruption during
      development.

PMID- 24214727
TI  - Neighborhoods and racial/ethnic disparities in adolescent sexual risk behavior.
AB  - Understanding the determinants of racial/ethnic disparities in adolescent sexual
      risk behavior is important given its links to the differential risk of teen
      pregnancy, childbearing, and sexually transmitted infections. This article tests
      a contextual model that emphasizes the concentration of neighborhood disadvantage
      in shaping racial/ethnic disparities in sexual risk behavior. We focus on two
      risk behaviors that are prevalent among Black and Hispanic youth: the initiation
      of sexual activity in adolescence and the number of sex partners. Using data from
      the 1997 National Longitudinal Study of Youth (N = 6,985; 48% female; 57% non
      Hispanic White) evidence indicates that neighborhood disadvantage--measured by
      concentrated poverty, unemployment rates, and the proportion of female-headed
      households--partially explains Black and Hispanic disparities from Whites in the
      odds of adolescent sexual debut, although the prevalence of female-headed
      households in neighborhoods appears to be the main driver in this domain.
      Likewise, accounting for neighborhood disadvantage reduces the Black-White and
      Hispanic-White disparity in the number of sexual partners, although less so
      relative to sexual debut. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of
      these findings.

PMID- 24214729
TI  - Gene network and proteomic analyses of cardiac responses to pathological and
      physiological stress.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanisms underlying similarities and differences
      between physiological and pathological left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) are of
      intense interest. Most previous work involved targeted analysis of individual
      signaling pathways or screening of transcriptomic profiles. We developed a
      network biology approach using genomic and proteomic data to study the molecular
      patterns that distinguish pathological and physiological LVH. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: A network-based analysis using graph theory methods was undertaken on
      127 genome-wide expression arrays of in vivo murine LVH. This revealed phenotype
      specific pathological and physiological gene coexpression networks. Despite >1650
      common genes in the 2 networks, network structure is significantly different.
      This is largely because of rewiring of genes that are differentially coexpressed
      in the 2 networks; this novel concept of differential wiring was further
      validated experimentally. Functional analysis of the rewired network revealed
      several distinct cellular pathways and gene sets. Deeper exploration was
      undertaken by targeted proteomic analysis of mitochondrial, myofilament, and
      extracellular subproteomes in pathological LVH. A notable finding was that mRNA
      protein correlation was greater at the cellular pathway level than for individual
      loci. CONCLUSIONS: This first combined gene network and proteomic analysis of LVH
      reveals novel insights into the integrated pathomechanisms that distinguish
      pathological versus physiological phenotypes. In particular, we identify
      differential gene wiring as a major distinguishing feature of these phenotypes.
      This approach provides a platform for the investigation of potentially novel
      pathways in LVH and offers a freely accessible protocol
      (http://sites.google.com/site/cardionetworks) for similar analyses in other
      cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 24214731
TI  - Successful outside-the-stent stenting for an occluded primary stented superficial
      femoral artery.
AB  - A 61-year-old man with in-stent occlusion of the superficial femoral artery (SFA)
      underwent the endovascular therapy using a subintimal technique. The wire was
      intentionally advanced into the subintimal space next to the occluded stent in
      the SFA, and a stent was implanted in a double barrel fashion outside of the in
      stent occlusion site. The procedure was performed without any complications and
      with the successful angiographic and intravascular ultrasound imaging results. At
      1-year follow-up, the patient still had no leg complaints and the stent was still
      shown as patent. The procedure might be a useful technique when the
      recanalization was proved impossible after several attempts to recanalize the
      primary occluded stent in the SFA.

PMID- 24214732
TI  - Synthesis and antioxidant activity of bis and tris heterocycles.
AB  - A variety of bis heterocycles, oxazolyl/thiazolyl/imidazolyl oxadiazoles having a
      styryl sulfonylmethyl group at the 5-position of oxadiazole and tris heterocycles
      having a pyrrolyl/pyrazolyl sulfonylmethyl group at the 5-position of oxadiazole
      were prepared adopting simple and versatile synthetic methodologies. All the
      compounds were screened for their antioxidant activities. Compound 5b displayed
      radical scavenging activity in all the three methods greater than the standard
      ascorbic acid, whereas compounds 8b and 14b showed activities equal to the
      standard ascorbic acid. 

PMID- 24214733
TI  - Rhodium(III)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation, amidoarylation, and Heck
      type reaction: three distinct pathways determined by an amide directing group.

PMID- 24214734
TI  - Response to chemotherapy in gastric adenocarcinoma with diffusion-weighted MRI
      and (18) F-FDG-PET/CT: correlation of apparent diffusion coefficient and partial
      volume corrected standardized uptake value with histological tumor regression
      grade.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess whether changes in diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and (18) F
      fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18) F
      FDG PET/CT), correlate with treatment response to neoadjuvant therapy (NT), as
      expressed by tumor regression grade (TRG), from locally advanced gastric
      adenocarcinoma (GA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients underwent both DW
      MRI and (18) F-FDG-PET/CT scans before and after the end of NT. Apparent
      diffusion coefficient (ADC) and mean standardized uptake value (SUV) corrected
      for partial volume effect (PVC-SUVBW-mean ) were evaluated and compared with
      histopathological TRG. RESULTS: Pre- and post-NT and percentage changes for ADC
      and PVC-SUVBW-mean were assessed. Post-NT ADC and DeltaADC showed a significant
      inverse correlation with TRG (r = -0.71; P = 0.0011 and r = -0.78; P = 0.00020,
      respectively) and significant differences in their mean values were found between
      responders (TRG 1-2-3) and nonresponders (TRG 4-5) (P = 0.0009; P = 0.000082,
      respectively). No correlations with TRG were found for pre-NT ADC and for all PVC
      SUVBW-mean values as well as between DeltaADC and Delta PVC-SUVBW-mean .
      CONCLUSION: DW-MRI seems more accurate than (18) F-FDG-PET/CT and ADC
      modifications may represent a reproducible tool to assess tumor response for GA.

PMID- 24214735
TI  - Optimization of iterative reconstruction parameters with attenuation correction,
      scatter correction and resolution recovery in myocardial perfusion SPECT/CT.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the optimal reconstruction
      parameters for ordered-subset expectation maximization (OSEM) with attenuation
      correction, scatter correction, and depth-dependent resolution recovery
      (OSEMACSCRR). We assessed the optimal parameters for OSEMACSCRR in an
      anthropomorphic torso phantom study, and evaluated the validity of the
      reconstruction parameters in the groups of normal volunteers and patients with
      abnormal perfusion. METHODS: Images of the anthropomorphic torso phantom, 9
      normal volunteers and 7 patients undergoing myocardial perfusion SPECT were
      acquired with a SPECT/CT scanner. SPECT data comprised a 64*64 matrix with an
      acquisition pixel size of 6.6 mm. A normalized mean square error (NMSE) of the
      phantom image was calculated to determine both optimal OSEM update and a full
      width at half maximum (FWHM) of Gaussian filter. We validated the myocardial
      count, contrast and noise characteristic for clinical subjects derived from
      OSEMACSCRR processing. OSEM with depth-dependent resolution recovery (OSEMRR) and
      filtered back projection (FBP) were simultaneously performed to compare
      OSEMACSCRR. RESULTS: The combination of OSEMACSCRR with 90-120 OSEM updates and
      Gaussian filter with 13.2-14.85 mm FWHM yielded low NMSE value in the phantom
      study. When we used OSEMACSCRR with 120 updates and Gaussian filter with 13.2 mm
      FWHM in the normal volunteers, myocardial contrast showed significantly higher
      value than that derived from 120 updates and 14.85 mm FWHM. OSEMACSCRR with the
      combination of 90-120 OSEM updates and 14.85 mm FWHM produced lowest % root mean
      square (RMS) noise. Regarding the defect contrast of patients with abnormal
      perfusion, OSEMACSCRR with the combination of 90-120 OSEM updates and 13.2 mm
      FWHM produced significantly higher value than that derived from 90-120 OSEM
      updates and 14.85 mm FWHM. OSEMACSCRR was superior to FBP for the % RMS noise
      (8.52+/-1.08 vs. 9.55+/-1.71, p=0.02) and defect contrast (0.368+/-0.061 vs.
      0.327+/-0.052, p=0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically optimized the
      number of OSEM updates and FWHM of Gaussian filter were (1) 120 updates and 13.2
      mm, and (2) 90-120 updates and 14.85 mm on the OSEMACSCRR processing,
      respectively. Further assessment may be required to determine the optimal
      iterative reconstruction parameters in a larger patient population.

PMID- 24214736
TI  - The impact of regulatory approval and Medicare coverage on outcomes of carotid
      stenting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) was introduced in the United States
      nearly a decade ago as a novel treatment of severe carotid stenosis. Voluminous
      and high-quality prospective data permit analysis of longitudinal trends in CAS
      outcomes. METHODS: Outcomes from all prospective trials with the Food and Drug
      Administration (FDA) oversight from 2000-2011 were reviewed, as were the subset
      of studies using a single CAS system. All studies shared common
      inclusion/exclusion criteria, endpoints, independent assessment/adjudication of
      neurological events, and were conducted in accordance with FDA regulations. Death
      and stroke (DS) rates from FDA-approved studies in high-surgical-risk patients
      were assessed. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2011, two distinct periods with
      clustered and differentiated outcomes in CAS IDE trials were observed, separated
      by FDA approval and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) coverage in
      2004-2005. The mean 30-day DS rate in the first wave (2000-2004) of CAS trials
      was 5.3% (95% CI: 4.6-6.2%), and fell significantly to 2.6% (95% CI: 1.9-3.7%; P
      = 0.0001) in the second wave (2006-2011). This decline occurred during a
      simultaneous, independent 24-fold increase in monitored CAS activity. This
      decline in DS rates was observed in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, alike
      independent of device tested. CONCLUSIONS: Declines in periprocedural DS rates in
      CAS appear linked to regulatory and coverage approvals leading to increased
      operator experience along with continued regulatory oversight, and provide
      insight into the introduction of other novel therapies.

PMID- 24214728
TI  - Weaver syndrome and EZH2 mutations: Clarifying the clinical phenotype.
AB  - Weaver syndrome, first described in 1974, is characterized by tall stature, a
      typical facial appearance, and variable intellectual disability. In 2011,
      mutations in the histone methyltransferase, EZH2, were shown to cause Weaver
      syndrome. To date, we have identified 48 individuals with EZH2 mutations. The
      mutations were primarily missense mutations occurring throughout the gene, with
      some clustering in the SET domain (12/48). Truncating mutations were uncommon
      (4/48) and only identified in the final exon, after the SET domain. Through
      analyses of clinical data and facial photographs of EZH2 mutation-positive
      individuals, we have shown that the facial features can be subtle and the
      clinical diagnosis of Weaver syndrome is thus challenging, especially in older
      individuals. However, tall stature is very common, reported in >90% of affected
      individuals. Intellectual disability is also common, present in ~80%, but is
      highly variable and frequently mild. Additional clinical features which may help
      in stratifying individuals to EZH2 mutation testing include camptodactyly, soft,
      doughy skin, umbilical hernia, and a low, hoarse cry. Considerable phenotypic
      overlap between Sotos and Weaver syndromes is also evident. The identification of
      an EZH2 mutation can therefore provide an objective means of confirming a subtle
      presentation of Weaver syndrome and/or distinguishing Weaver and Sotos syndromes.
      As mutation testing becomes increasingly accessible and larger numbers of EZH2
      mutation-positive individuals are identified, knowledge of the clinical spectrum
      and prognostic implications of EZH2 mutations should improve.

PMID- 24214738
TI  - Nanopore-based sequencing and detection of nucleic acids.
AB  - Nanopore-based techniques, which mimic the functions of natural ion channels,
      have attracted increasing attention as unique methods for single-molecule
      detection. The technology allows the real-time, selective, high-throughput
      analysis of nucleic acids through both biological and solid-state nanopores. In
      this Minireview, the background and latest progress in nanopore-based sequencing
      and detection of nucleic acids are summarized, and light is shed on a novel
      platform for nanopore-based detection. 

PMID- 24214737
TI  - Anatomical features and clinical importance of left atrial diverticula: MDCT
      findings.
AB  - To assess the anatomical features and clinical importance of left atrial
      diverticula and atrial accessory appendages in patients undergoing cardiac
      computed tomography with multidetector computed tomography. A total of 1305
      consecutive patients (385 female, 29.5%; 920 male, 70.5%) were assessed using
      electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography between May 2010 and June 2013. The
      anatomical features and the prevalences of left atrial diverticula and left
      atrial accessory appendages were retrospectively assessed by four radiologists.
      The relationships between the prevalence and size of the diverticula and the age
      and gender of the patients were assessed. Among the 1305 patients, 610 (46.7%)
      exhibited 708 left atrial diverticula, and 62 (4.8%) exhibited left atrial
      accessory appendages. The most common locations of the left atrial diverticula
      were the right anterior superior wall (n = 328, 46.3%) and the lateral superior
      wall (n = 96, 13.5%). In addition to classical cystic and tubular diverticula, 49
      (3.7%) of the patients exhibited mixed (cystic-tubular), conical, or hook-shaped
      diverticula and diverticular forms containing mural calcifications. There was no
      significant relationship between the prevalence of diverticula and the age and
      gender of the patients (P > 0.05). In addition to tubular and cystic diverticula,
      the left atrial wall can host different diverticular forms (such as mixed,
      conical, calcific, and hook shaped). It could be beneficial to assess the left
      atrium using MDCT to determine the source of emboli in cryptogenic embolism and
      to reduce complications associated with interventional procedures performed for
      left atrial arrhythmias.

PMID- 24214739
TI  - Application of multiplex SNaPshot assay in measurement of PLAC4 RNA-SNP allelic
      ratio for noninvasive prenatal detection of trisomy 21.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: For the samples in which the fetus was heterozygous for the placenta
      specific 4 (PLAC4) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), our research is to
      develop a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective assay for the noninvasive prenatal
      detection of fetal trisomy 21 (T21). METHOD: Maternal plasma samples were
      prepared from 60 euploid pregnancies (range: 15-23 weeks) to 17 T21 pregnancies
      (range: 19-26 weeks). With the application of the SNaPshot assay in measuring the
      PLAC4 RNA-SNP allelic ratio, we can achieve noninvasive prenatal detection of
      T21. Also we detected the genotypes of SNP located in gene PLAC4 in samples
      collected in Southeast China of 216 volunteers. RESULTS: Of all 77 singleton
      pregnancies, 21 gravidas were found heterozygous for the PLAC4 SNP. Among them,
      four pregnancies with a T21 fetus and 17 pregnancies with a euploid fetus were
      detected. The SNPs with higher heterozygosity rates on gene PLAC4 were Rs8130833
      and Rs4818219, which were estimated to be 0.278 and 0.343, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: For samples with heterozygous SNPs, the PLAC4 RNA-SNP allelic ratio
      approach can be used for noninvasive prenatal detection of T21 by the multiplex
      SNaPshot assay. The two SNPs with higher frequency of heterozygosity on gene
      PLAC4 were Rs8130833 and Rs4818219 in population of Southeast China.

PMID- 24214741
TI  - What day is today? An inquiry into the process of time orientation.
AB  - In each of the 6 work days of a 2-week period, approximately equal numbers of
      passers-by were presented with the question "What day is today?" The experiment
      took place in Israel, using a total of 273 Ss. Average RT for the production of a
      correct response revealed a clear curvilinear relationship with the ordinal
      position of the day of the week, with longest RTs obtained with midweek target
      days. Errors revealed a similar curvilinear relationship, being most frequent in
      the middle of the week. These results are discussed in terms of the utilization
      of temporal landmarks (e.g., the Sabbath) in the process of time orientation.
      Additional data regarding the distribution of errors and Ss' introspective
      reports are presented and speculations regarding the mechanism involved are
      offered. 

PMID- 24214742
TI  - Two-phase model analysis of the effects of interstimulus interval and masking
      task in human aversive classical conditioning.
AB  - Three levels (.5, 1.0, and 2.0 sec) of interstimulus interval (ISI) and presence
      vs absence of a masking task were manipulated in a human eyelid reflex
      conditioning situation. Through the use of a two-phase model of conditioning
      performance, it was concluded that (1) increasing the ISI and introducing a
      masking task increased the duration of Phase 1, (2) as ISI increased, the amount
      of conditioning decreased, (3) the trial-by-trial rate of change in response
      probability increased as a function of ISI, and (4) the masking task reduced
      operator limits. It was also noted that the typical ISI function is composed of
      rate effects at short ISis and conditioning limit effects at long ISIs and that
      the larger 0 at larger ISis does not follow from a model of the stimulus trace
      hypothesis. 

PMID- 24214740
TI  - Pain and depression: an integrative review of neurobiological and psychological
      factors.
AB  - The comorbidity of pain and depression has been well established in the
      literature and is associated with a greater burden to the individual and society
      than either condition alone. The relationship between pain and depression is
      quite complex and multiple factors must be considered when trying to disentangle
      the pain-depression link including shared neurobiology, precipitating
      environmental factors and cognitive influences. This article aims to provide an
      overview of the leading neurobiological and psychosocial theories that have
      advanced our understanding of the link between pain and depression. To this end
      we describe the shared neurobiological mechanisms in the brain thought to explain
      the overlap and consider psychological processes and how they inform a cognitive
      behavioral model. The article also provides an overview of the evidence based
      treatment for comorbid pain and depression. 

PMID- 24214743
TI  - Mechanisms of aural encoding: VII. Differences in consonant and vowel recall in a
      Peterson and Peterson short-term memory paradigm.
AB  - Ss either saw or heard lists of three syllables which differed by their initial
      consonant phoneme or their final vowel phoneme. After 5 or 15 sec of mental
      arithmetic, Ss were required to recall the syllables. Following auditory
      presentation, vowels were recalled more accurately than consonants in all serial
      positions and at both delays. In addition, spoken consonants and vowels showed
      primacy and recency effects. Following visual presentation, consonants and vowels
      were recalled with equal accuracy at both delays, and no recency effects were
      observed. These data suggest that superior recall of vowels over consonants
      results from differential decay of these stimuli in an acoustic storage. These
      data are consistent with previous experiments showing that, during serial recall,
      the final vowels in a sequence are recalled more accurately than the final
      consonants. 

PMID- 24214744
TI  - Effects of percentage occurrence of response members and its method of
      presentation on verbal discrimination learning and transfer.
AB  - Each of 144 Ss learned two verbal discrimination (VD) lists for six trials. Two
      levels of percentage occurrence of response members (100% or 50%) were combined
      factorially with two methods of presentation and three transfer paradigms (C1-I2,
      C2-I1, C2-I2). In first-list learning, with one method of presentation in the
      50,% ORM entire list was presented with only half the correct (C) items
      designated on each study trial, while in the second method only half the list was
      presented with all C items underlined. There were no differences between the two
      methods in the 100% ORM condition. The results indicated that % ORM was a
      significant variable in first-list learning, supporting the findings of Newby and
      Young (1972). No effect was found for method of presentation. Also, no real
      significant effect of these two variables was found in VD transfer. All results
      were interpreted in terms of the frequency theory of VD learning. 

PMID- 24214745
TI  - Coding position in a sequence by rhythmic grouping.
AB  - It has been suggested that a perceived rhythmic organization may mediate
      remembering musical and other stimuli. This experiment examined whether or not Ss
      could register and remember position in a sequence using rhythmic grouping.
      Sixteen Ss heard tapped sequences 24-63 beats long, accented to encourage
      grouping by 4s. Ss tapped responses revealing whether or not they remembered the
      sequence length-the last tap's position. Significantly more incorrect responses
      were off by multiples of 4 beats than by adjacent amounts; these frequent errors
      of whole rhythmic groups of 4 showed that Ss coded sequence length rhythmically.
      Ss proved 53% accurate over four response conditions, with individual's scores
      ranging from 8% to 87%. It was concluded that Ss could count with rhythmic
      hierarchies, essentially equivalent to counting with a nonstandard number base,
      to code sequential position. 

PMID- 24214746
TI  - Generation of a pictorial code.
AB  - In Experiments I and II direct measures were obtained of the time required to
      convert a picture or a sentence to a report of visualization or to a simple
      drawing, latencies were faster for pictures than for sentences and were affected
      by the surface form of the sentence. In Experiment Ill, Ss matched pictures or
      sentences against a test picture under conditions of simultaneous or successive
      presentation. "Yes" and "No" response times were affected by sentence form under
      both conditions, although the difference between sentence-picture and picture
      picture comparisons was virtually eliminated under the successive condition. In
      Experiment IV, Ss held a sentence or picture in memory over a 1,500-msec interval
      at the end of which a test picture or an instruction to draw the design was
      presented. Construction latencies were shorter in response to pictures than
      sentences, and there were effects of sentence form on verification time. Some
      implications of these results are discussed. 

PMID- 24214747
TI  - Invariance of inference time when information was presented in different
      linguistic formats.
AB  - Ss read paragraphs varying in syntactic complexity, contiguity of information
      that was conceptually related, and amount of information relating to quantitative
      variables. Paragraphs were presented too briefly to allow full reading in many
      cases. In questions requiring use of the quantitative information, proportion of
      correct responses was influenced by syntax, contiguity, and number of variables
      from the paragraph. However, neither syntax nor contiguity influenced latency of
      correct answers, while number of variables, a factor affecting complexity of the
      process of answering, did influence correct response latency. The findings
      confirm and extend earlier results by Kintsch and Monk (1972) and give further
      support to the proposition that assimilation of information in linguistic input
      involves storing the semantic content of the message. 

PMID- 24214748
TI  - The total time hypothesis, recall strategies, and memory for rapidly presented
      word strings.
AB  - In three experiments the free recall of rapidly presented word strings was
      studied. The word strings were shown either in grammatical order or a scrambled
      order. It was found that the invariance of recall with various presentation times
      for grammatical sequences breaks down at presentation times between 175 and 250
      msec. The order of recall, however, remains consistent with the type of sequence
      presented irrespective of presentation time. The amount of time requked to
      utilize syntactic information fully in free recall is of approximately the same
      order of magnitude as that required to read the words. 

PMID- 24214749
TI  - An attribute frequency model for the abstraction of prototypes.
AB  - An attribute frequency model for the abstraction of prototypes is proposed as an
      alternative to the prototype-plus-transformation model. A specific model is
      tested in a Franks and Bransford visual pattern paradigm under conditions in
      which the two models generate contrasting predictions. The results support the
      attribute frequency model. Application of the model to reported data obtained in
      other paradigms is illustrated and discussed. 

PMID- 24214750
TI  - Rule use in character classification: Are serial and parallel processing
      discrete?
AB  - Contrary to predictions of a stochastic self-terminating search model, choice
      reaction times were lower for rulebound positive sets than for nonrulebound
      positive sets when memory set sizes were varied and stimulus probabilities were
      held constant. The result suggests that rule use and chunking, as opposed to
      probability alone, facilitate character classification. As a corollary, it is
      proposed that serial and parallel processing differ in degree rather than in
      kind. The extent to which the memory set has been chunked is the critical
      variable affecting Ss' scanning practices. 

PMID- 24214751
TI  - Retrieval of information from multiple ensembles in short-term memory.
AB  - A recognition memory experiment investigated Ss' ability to organize information
      in short-term memory. A paradigm similar to that used by Sternberg was employed.
      A sequentially presented series of six digits (positive set) was shown with each
      digit appearing on a red, green, or amber background. The colors defined
      different ensembles, and responding to a test digit was contingent upon an item's
      membership in the positive set and the color-defined ensemble. Reaction time (RT)
      to the test digits indicated that Ss did organize information into ensembles.
      Furthermore, when informative cues were presented prior to the test item, Ss
      directed and confined their search to the cued subset. 

PMID- 24214752
TI  - Inhibiting effects of recall.
AB  - Evidence is reviewed indicating that output interference&#x2014;the deleterious
      effects of recall of some information on information recalled later&#x2014;occurs
      both in primary and secondary memory. It appears that output interference
      provides at least a partial account for the disparity between information
      available in memory and its accessibility at recall. It is argued that
      consideration of output interference may provide a helpful perspective in
      resolving problems in the study of episodic and semantic memory, including the
      negative effects of part-list cueing and the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon. 

PMID- 24214753
TI  - Stimulus selection and memory strategies in concept problems.
AB  - Ss were allowed to use zero, one, two, four, or eight markers to signify the
      category (positive or negative) of previously selected stimuli in an attribute
      identification problem. The more markers available and used, the fewer trials
      were required for problem solution. Ss were indifferent to marker valence
      (positive or negative) in disjunctive problems but showed a definite preference
      for (the more informative) negative markers in conditionals. Performance of Ss
      was correlated with their tendency to move markers from lesser to more
      informative instances. An interpretation of results based on individual
      differences in information processing activities is suggested. 

PMID- 24214754
TI  - Eye fixations in prediction of recognition and recall.
AB  - Eye fixations were recorded at viewing of picture-label stimuli presented under
      either recall or recognition instructions; both retention tests were
      administered. Ss performed substantially better on the retention test of which
      they were informed, indicating differential encoding of the same stimuli in
      anticipation of test type. There was no correlation between recognition and
      recall of items, evidence that different information from the encoded stimuli was
      utilized in performing each test. Encoding strategies had no effect on how Ss
      regarded the stimuli, but viewing patterns were related to memory performance:
      More word fixations was associated with better verbal recall, while fewer picture
      fixations was associated with better recall and with better picture recognition. 

PMID- 24214755
TI  - Anchoring and relational judgments by young children and retardates.
AB  - In five experiments using as dimensions brightness, texture, facial happiness,
      height, and weight, young children (ages 3.4 to 5.3 years) rendered bipolar
      judgments of stimuli intermediate in value between alternately given extreme
      anchors. Consistent relational shifts away from the anchors were found for all
      dimensions judged, and these effects proved virtually independent of children's
      ages, the sequential orders of stimulus and anchor presentation, or the provision
      of overt visual memory props. Evidence of relational judgment within the narrower
      range of the test stimuli alone was also found. Essentially similar relational
      judgments were replicated with a sample of severe adult mental retardates. 

PMID- 24214756
TI  - A comparison of the effects of formal similarity among trigrams and among word
      triads.
AB  - The central question of this report concerned the role of formal similarity in
      free recall of lists of trigrams and lists of three-letter word triads.
      Similarity was manipulated among trigrams by duplicating letters and among triads
      by duplicating words. An initial study showed that lists of 16 letters were
      learned more rapidly than a list of 16 three-letter words. Therefore, in the
      major experiment, the Ss were given all appropriate elements on test trials so
      that only associative learning was required. Increases in formal similarity
      caused decreases in rate of learning for both types of lists, and the mechanisms
      of the interference seemed to be the same for both types of lists, However, the
      learning of the trigram lists was more rapid than the learning of the triad
      lists, the difference being maximal with low similarity. 

PMID- 24214757
TI  - Effects of association and repetition in memory for temporal order.
AB  - Temporal order recognition memory has been examined previously with tasks
      involving a recency judgment between a pair of items in a preceding string.
      Recency judgments are impaired when the earlier item is repeated. The present
      study employed the comparative recency judgment paradigm, with the lists composed
      of words. The effect of the inclusion in the list of a high associate of the
      earlier test item was examined and compared to the effect of repetition.
      Associative interference was observed, but not in all conditions. Direction of
      association was a significant factor. The results were interpreted in terms of a
      model of word recognition proposed by Morton. 

PMID- 24214758
TI  - Incentives, information, rehearsal, and the negative recency effect.
AB  - The negative recency effect is generally attributed to inadequate rehearsal of
      terminal input items during study. In two experiments, Ss were encouraged to
      increase rehearsal of initial or terminal input items by offers of incentives for
      remembering these items and information that there would be a delayed memory test
      (Experiment I) or by explicit instructions to rehearse terminal items and
      provision of added rehearsal time (Experiment II). Serial position curves in
      immediate and delayed recall were little affected by these manipulations. These
      results are more in line with models that give rehearsal the role of maintaining
      items in a short-term store than with models that accord rehearsal a role in
      transfer of information to a more permanent store. 

PMID- 24214759
TI  - The von Restorff effect and measures of organization in normals and retardates.
AB  - Thirty-two noninstitutionalized retardates and 32 normals of equal mental age
      (approximately 8 years) heard 10 orders of 10 nouns when the decibel (dB) level
      of the stimuli was the same and when the dB level of the sixth item was higher.
      The yon Restorff effect was demonstrated by both groups. The normals' overall
      recall was superior to that of the retardates' recall. Differences in recall were
      attributed to the normals' tendency to recall items in the same serial order more
      consistently. The subjective organization of lists, as measured by order of
      recall, differed for the normals and retardates; the normal group was more
      adaptable than the retarded group in adjusting their strategy to different list
      conditions. 

PMID- 24214760
TI  - Differential effects of repetition on pre- and postcategorical memory traces.
AB  - The effect of list repetition on immediate recall for aurally presented nine
      letter lists was studied under two conditions. In the first, a redundant stimulus
      item was presented as the tenth item in each list, while the suffix was not
      included in a control condition. As in previous research (Crowder & Morton,
      1969), the stimulus suffix selectively interfered with recall at the terminal
      presentation serial positions, indicating the presence of precategorical acoustic
      storage. Repetition had a nonselective effect on performance. This result and an
      analysis of acoustic errors support the inference that qualitative differences in
      the memory code may lead to differences in other functional properties of the
      memory trace, such as responsiveness to repetition. 

PMID- 24214761
TI  - Functions of graphemic and phonemic codes in visual word-recognition.
AB  - Previous investigators have argued that printed words are recognized directly
      from visual representations and/or phonological representations obtained through
      phonemic recoding. The present research tested these hypotheses by manipulating
      graphemic and phonemic relations within various pairs of letter strings. Ss in
      two experiments classified the pairs as words or nonwords. Reaction times and
      error rates were relatively small for word pairs (e.g., BRIBE-TRIBE) that were
      both graphemically, and phonemically similar. Graphemic similarity alone
      inhibited performance on other word pairs (e.g., COUCH-TOUCH). These and other
      results suggest that phonological representations play a significant role in
      visual word recognition and that there is a dependence between successive
      phonemic-encoding operations. An encoding-bias model is proposed to explain the
      data. 

PMID- 24214762
TI  - Serial learning: A multilevel access analysis.
AB  - In Experiment I the lists were 36 and 48 unrelated words. Each was divided into
      successive groups of four words and learned to a perfect criterion. In Experiment
      II the lists were made up of six categorical groups of five exemplars each.
      Degree of learning was varied. In both experiments serial anticipation learning
      was followed by ordinary free recall and free recall under speed stress. Analyses
      of acquisition and of both recall tests indicate that group access is a marked
      function of serial position but that within-group retrieval given group access is
      constant over serial position. It is argued that serial learning proceeds
      simultaneously at different levels of representation. 

PMID- 24214763
TI  - Structural descriptions and the limitations of visual images*.
AB  - Two experiments are reported that require Ss to judge whether or not the second
      of two sequentially presented patterns is a part of the first pattern. The
      results suggest that Ss code the pattern as a structural description and find it
      difficult to recognize a part of the pattern which does not match the
      description. It is proposed that a structural description is a combination of
      visual and verbal codes and that visual images lack detail when not supported by
      verbal concepts. 

PMID- 24214764
TI  - Repetition and practice effects in a lexical decision task.
AB  - Ss classified visually presented verbal units into the categories "in your
      vocabulary" or "not in your vocabulary." The primary concern of the experiment
      was to determine if making a prior decision on a given item affects the latency
      of a subsequent lexical decision for the same item. Words of both high and low
      frequency showed a systematic reduction in the latency of a lexical decision as a
      consequence of prior decisions (priming) but did not show any reduction due to
      nonspecific practice effects. Nonwords showed no priming effect but did show
      shorter latencies due to nonspecific practice. The results also indicated that
      many (at least 36) words can be in the primed state simultaneously and that the
      effect persists for at least 10 min. The general interpretation was that priming
      produces an alteration in the representation of a word in memory and can
      facilitate the terminal portion of the memory search process which is assumed to
      be random. 

PMID- 24214765
TI  - The retrieval of abstract and concrete materials as functions of imagery,
      mediation, and mnemonic aids.
AB  - Department of Educational Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University,
      University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 This study is a report of an investigation of
      the interaction between imagery ability and processes employed for facilitating
      recall. The tasks were assumed to involve contrasting processes through the use
      of imaginal or verbal mediators and concrete or abstract jingles (mnemonic aids)
      in memorizing two concrete and two abstract lists of 10 words in each list. The
      dependent variables were latencies in arriving at an association, number of
      errors and omissions on immediate recall, and number of errors and omissions on
      delayed recall. The main effects of imagery ability, favoring high imagers, and
      of kind of lists favoring concrete lists were significant. In delayed recall
      there was a significant interaction of mnemonic aid and kind of list. Imagery
      ability interacted with mediators to influence Ss' recall. The results were
      discussed as supporting Paivio's two-stage association model. 

PMID- 24214766
TI  - Isolation of items and the stimulus suffix effect.
AB  - Thirty Ss heard and serially recalled 36 different nine-digit series. The recall
      cue was a buzzer, the wordzero read in the same voice that read the first seven
      digits, or the wordzero read in a voice different from the one that read the
      first seven digits. In half the series, all nine digits were read in the same
      voice. The final two digits of the remaining series were isolated by having them
      read in a voice different from the one that read the first seven digits. Zero
      suffixes disrupted recall of the terminal digits more than the buzzer (the
      stimulus suffix effect) and had a greater degrading effect when they were in the
      same voice as the final two digits than when the zero suffixes and the final
      digits were read in different voices. Isolated digits were more likely to be
      recalled than nonisolated digits. Results suggest the importance of perceptual
      analysis in both the stimulus suffix effect and the isolation effect. 

PMID- 24214767
TI  - Attention and memory cues in concept learning as a function of task complexity
      and age.
AB  - The effects of attention and memory cues on concept learning performance were
      investigated as a function of task complexity and grade level of Ss. It was found
      that: (1) the attention and memory cues were closely interrelated in their
      effects upon performance with both significantly improving performance at all but
      the lowest levels of complexity; (2) both types of cues considerably lessened the
      effect of stimulus complexity upon performance; and (3) the attention cue
      elicited the best performance from Ss in the first through ninth grades, while
      the memory cue elicited the best performance from 4-year-old and kindergarten Ss.

PMID- 24214768
TI  - Retention functions for syntactic and lexical vs semantic information in sentence
      recognition memory.
AB  - In a continuous recognition memory design, Ss judged whether each sentence was
      identical in form and meaning to some previously presented sentence, then judged
      whether the sentence was identical in meaning irrespective of form, and, finally,
      rated the likelihood of recognizing the sentence ff it was presented an hour
      later (memorability). The Ss were given sentences that were new, identical to, or
      paraphrased from some previously presented sentence, at delays ranging from 0 sec
      to 2 h. Long-term memory for both semantic information and syntactic-lexical
      information decayed according to the same exponential-power retention function
      previously found to be characteristic of the decay of simpler verbal materials
      (nonsense items, letters, digits, words, and word pairs). Semantic memory
      primarily differed from syntactic-lexical memory in that the semantic information
      had a far higher degree of learning, but the decay rate for syntactic-lexical
      information was also approximately 5 0% greater than the decay rate for semantic
      information. 

PMID- 24214769
TI  - Implicit alternatives to a stimulus, difficulty of encoding, and schema-plus
      correction representation.
AB  - Garner has hypothesized that a S exposed to a stimulus infers alternatives to it.
      Data are reviewed which establish a close correlation between the number of
      implicit alternatives to a stimulus and the difficulty of encoding that stimulus.
      This correlation provides a datum to be explained and suggests that the
      identification of specific implicit alternatives may provide clues to the
      encoding process. For dot patterns of a certain kind, it has been suggested that
      the rotations and reflections of a stimulus are its only alternatives, but a
      close examination of certain data indicates that, for many of these patterns, the
      alternatives also include one or more other patterns which differ from the
      stimulus only in the position of a single dot and which locate that dot in a
      position where it is more predictable from the other dots. It is suggested that
      the one-dot-different alternatives represent schemas used in schema-plus
      correction encoding. 

PMID- 24214770
TI  - Verbal discrimination reversal in a whole/part re-pairing transfer paradigm.
AB  - Whole/part transfer and re-pairing of rights and wrongs were employed in a study
      of verbal discrimination reversal learning. The whole/part and re-pairing
      procedures were used to create reversal conditions (0%, 50%, or 100% reversal)
      that were similar at the outset of reversal learning in that all correct
      alternatives on the reversal list were higher in situational frequency than their
      respective incorrect alternatives. Similarly, reversal lists were constructed
      that were similar in that all incorrect alternatives on the reversal list were
      higher in situational frequency than their respective correct alternatives. The
      results were consistent with the existing literature on verbal discrimination
      reversal, as performance was impaired when items reversed functions (50% and 100%
      reversal). There was little evidence that uniform frequency relations between
      rights and wrongs affected ease of reversal learning. 

PMID- 24214771
TI  - The effect of correlated linguistic dimensions on speeded classification of
      visually presented trigrams.
AB  - The influence of two types of linguistic dimensions, word-nonword and consonant
      pronunciation, on classification speed of trigrams in card-sorting tasks of two
      levels of complexity was examined. In complex grouping tasks, which required the
      evaluation of more than one letter to classify each stimulus, sorting times were
      faster when the linguistic dimension was correlated with, rather than orthogonal
      to, the response categories. For tasks in which each stimulus could be classified
      on the basis of a single letter, no effect of the correlated vs orthogonal
      linguistic dimension was observed, even when performance was degraded by visual
      noise. These results provide further evidence that, while linguistic properties
      of visual stimuli may influence classification time in complex tasks, they are of
      little importance in the performance of tasks only requiring the discriminalion
      of a single visual feature. 

PMID- 24214772
TI  - Visual recognition memory in reflective and impulsive children.
AB  - Twenty-nine reflective and 29 impulsive fifth-grade boys were tested in a forced
      choice visual recognition memory task. In three of the experimental conditions
      (1FD, 2FD, 4FD) the number of visual feature differences between the correct and
      incorrect test stimuli was 1, 2, or 4, and correct response could not be based on
      the name of the stimulus; in the fourth condition (DO) the correct and incorrect
      test stimuli had different names. As predicted, performance on DO and 4FD was
      equivalent and was superior to that on 1FD and 2FD. Although reflective Ss made
      more correct responses than impulsive Ss in all four conditions, only the
      performance difference in Condition 1FD was significant. Mean correct response
      latencies mirrored the correct response data. These results were consistent with
      the Selfridge-Neisser feature-testing model of recognition memory, and it was
      argued that the primary underlying basis for the dimension of reflection
      impulsivity was that reflective Ss tend to engage in a more detailed visual
      feature analysis of stimulus arrays. Strong inferential evidence was provided
      that visual feature analysis independent of verbal labeling was responsible for
      successful recognition performance in these Ss. 

PMID- 24214773
TI  - Enactive imagery in paired-associate learning.
AB  - Three experiments were conducted to study the effects of enactive imagery (EI) on
      associative learning. In Experiment I, groups of Ss rated 226 verbs on EI and
      frequency. In Experiments II and III, Ss learned a 24- and a 16-item list,
      respectively. The lists consisted of the four possible stimulus-response
      combinations of high (H) and low (L) EI verb pairs: H-H, H-L, L-H, L-L. In both
      experiments, EI was found to be a significant factor on the stimulus side,
      performance being superior when the stimulus was of high EI. In Experiment III,
      the response EI main effect and the Stimulus by Response EI interaction were also
      found to be significant. The results indicated that like the imagery evoked by
      nouns, the EI evoked by verbs facilitates learning. 

PMID- 24214774
TI  - Response selection in paired-associate learning.
AB  - Ss were presented pairs of items on study cycles; on test cycles Ss were
      presented the stimulus items and required either to recall the correct response
      or to indicate the correct response from three alternatives. It was demonstrated
      that Ss who chose the correct responses from the alternatives tended to select
      from both stimulus and response compounds so that the association was between
      stimulus and response components. The amount of selection from the response
      compounds was comparable to that from the stimulus compounds. 

PMID- 24214775
TI  - Discrimination learning as a function of differences in materials: A proposed
      explanation.
AB  - The present study affords an explanation for the consistent, but not always
      statistically significant, pattern showing superior verbal discrimination
      learning performance for low- as compared to high-frequency words. In a frequency
      judgment task, it was found that relative to high-frequency words, low-frequency
      words for which Ss (sixth graders) knew the meanings produced apparent frequency
      measures consistent with superior verbal discrimination learning, while low
      frequency words that were unknown to the children did not. These results, taken
      together with those based on comparisons of pictures and high-frequency words,
      lend themselves to a modified Weber's law interpretation of stimulus material
      differences in discrimination learning. 

PMID- 24214776
TI  - First-principles investigation of quantum transport through an endohedral N@C60
      in the Coulomb blockade regime.
AB  - We report an investigation of Coulomb blockade transport through an endohedral
      N@C60 weakly coupled with aluminum leads, employing the first-principles method
      combined with the Keldysh non-equilibrium Green's function derived from the
      equation of motion beyond the Hartree-Fock approximation. The differential
      conductance characteristics of the molecular device are calculated within the
      Coulomb blockade regime, which shows the Coulomb diamond as observed
      experimentally. When the gate voltage is less than that of the degeneracy point,
      there are two peaks in the differential conductance with an excited state induced
      by the change of the exchange interaction between the spin of C60 and the
      encapsulated nitrogen atom due to the transition from N@C(1-)(60) to N@C(2-)(60),
      while for a gate voltage larger than that of the degeneracy point, no excited
      state is available due to the quenching of exchange energy. As a result, there is
      only one Coulomb blockade peak in the differential conductance from the electron
      tunneling through the highest energy level below the Fermi level. Our first
      principles results are in good agreement with experimental data obtained by an
      endohedral N@C60 molecular device.

PMID- 24214777
TI  - Effects of piperine in experimental intestinal ischemia reperfusion model in
      rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Piperine is a spice principle, and its protective role against
      oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation has been reported. In this study, we
      aimed to investigate the effects of piperine in the prevention of ischemia
      reperfusion injury to the small intestine. METHODS: Rats were allocated to three
      groups of 8 rats each. Rats in the sham group underwent laparotomy and
      observation only. Animals in the control and study groups underwent 45 minutes
      ischemia followed by 60 minutes reperfusion. In the study group, 10 mg/kg
      piperine was administered intraperitoneally just before the reperfusion
      procedure. Blood samples were obtained for measurement of lactate levels, and
      resection of the terminal ileum was performed to evaluate the histopathologic
      specimens and tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione
      activities. All results were expressed as mean+/-SD. Comparisons between groups
      were made by using the one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Lactate and
      malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the control group than the
      study and sham groups (p<0.001). In the study group, superoxide dismutase, and
      glutathione activities were significantly higher than in the control group
      (p<0.001). The sham group had the highest activities. Histopathologic examination
      showed disruption of villous pattern and lamina propria in the control group.
      CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg piperine just before the
      reperfusion may reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury to the small intestine.

PMID- 24214778
TI  - [The wounding potential of free-falling bullets].
AB  - BACKGROUND: It was aimed in this study to clarify the wounding potential of free
      falling bullets fired at 90 degrees  or close to right angles. MEHTOHDS: In this
      study, 9x19 mm and 7.65x17 mm bullets, which are commonly used among civilians,
      were used. The muzzle velocities of these ammunitions were measured. According to
      the muzzle velocity data, the free-falling motion and strike velocity of the 9x19
      mm and 7.65x17 mm bullets were simulated using the EBV4(r) External Ballistics
      Software at angles of 65 degrees -90 degrees  with firings at 5 degrees 
      intervals. The simulation results were compared with critical velocity of
      tissues. In addition, the judicial records and press reports on this type of
      wound were examined and evaluated in light of the literature. RESULTS: The strike
      velocity and kinetic energy of free-falling bullets, which were fired into the
      air at 5 degrees  intervals between 65 degrees -90 degrees , were measured. The
      average strike velocity and kinetic energy of 9x19 mm bullets were 92.25 m/sec
      and 34.05 J and of 7.65x17 mm bullets were 79.66 m/sec and 14.91 J, respectively.
      As a result of the archives examination, 65 such wounds were detected between
      2000 and 2012, and 27 of them resulted in death. DISCUSSION: According to these
      results, the strike velocity of free-falling 9x19 mm and 7.65x17 mm bullets,
      which were fired into the air, exceeds the threshold and critical velocity limits
      of skin and flat bones, and the kinetic energy of the bullets is able to cause
      significant wounding. Even though the symptoms and features of these types of
      wounds may not be similar to those of ordinary gunshot wounds in the first
      medical examination, the first responders should be aware of the possibility of
      gunshot wounds, and they should take into account the criminal investigation
      phase during the treatment process; the necessary precautions should be taken in
      order to preserve the evidence.

PMID- 24214779
TI  - Acute pain management with intravenous 0.10 mg/kg vs. 0.15 mg/kg morphine sulfate
      in limb traumatized patients: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare pain relief and safety of two doses of morphine
      in adult emergency department (ED) patients with acute limb trauma pain. METHODS:
      A total of 200 adult ED patients over 20 years of age requiring opioid analgesia
      were randomly allocated to two groups. Following a first dose of intravenous
      morphine sulfate at 0.10 mg/kg, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled
      trial of intravenous morphine sulfate at 0.05 mg/kg versus the same amount of
      placebo was performed. Measurement of visual analogue scale pain intensity and
      assessment of adverse effects were performed at baseline (before morphine at 0.10
      mg/kg), 30 minutes from baseline (just before study drug administration), and at
      60 minutes from baseline (30 minutes after study drug). RESULTS: No significant
      difference was found between groups at 30 minutes from baseline. There was
      significant reduction in final pain after 1 hour in the 0.15 mg/kg compared to
      0.10 mg/kg group (p<0.05). In addition, there was a significant improvement in
      the mean score of pain in the same group (p<0.05). The percent of pain reduction
      in the intervention and control group relative to the basic measures was 52.70%
      and 35.82%, respectively. Adverse effects were present in both groups; however,
      there was no statistically significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION:
      Using two doses of morphine instead of one is a safe and effective method for
      pain reduction in isolated limb trauma. We recommend performing a second
      injection of 0.05 mg/kg morphine 30 minutes after the initial standard dose of
      0.10 mg/kg to decrease pain in these patients.

PMID- 24214781
TI  - Microsurgical reconstruction in pediatric patients: a series of 30 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Free flap surgery in the pediatric population has gained widespread
      acceptance regarding its technical utility and reliability. Initial concerns as
      to the feasibility and reliability of the procedure in children were resolved
      over time. METHODS: Thirty children (15 boys, 15 girls) were treated in Sisli
      Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic.
      Their mean age was 10.8 years. Defects were located on the lower extremity
      (n=22), head and neck (n=5) and upper extremity (n=3). The etiologies of the
      defects included vehicle accident, sequelae of burn, traumatic contractures,
      crush injury, epulis in the maxilla, and gunshot wound. RESULTS: The free flaps
      performed in our series were latissimus dorsi muscle flap, combined latissimus
      dorsi and serratus muscle flaps, serratus anterior muscle flap, cross latissimus
      dorsi muscle flap, scapular osteomyocutaneous flap, parascapular fasciocutaneous
      flap, fibular osteocutaneous flap, anterolateral thigh flap, medial circumflex
      femoral artery perforator flap, and crista iliaca osteocutaneous flap.
      CONCLUSION: The advantages of free flaps in children, which include better
      adaptation of the flap growth and better learning capacity of the children,
      provide the surgeon with more satisfactory functional and aesthetic results.

PMID- 24214780
TI  - Management of penetrating injuries of the upper extremities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Routine surgical exploration after penetrating upper extremity trauma
      (PUET) to exclude arterial injury leads to a large number of negative
      explorations and iatrogenic injuries. Selective non-operative management (SNOM)
      is gaining in favor for patients with PUET. The present study was undertaken to
      assess the validity of SNOM in PUET and to present a practical management
      algorithm. METHODS: All consecutive patients presenting to a tertiary referral
      center following PUET were included in this prospective observational cohort
      study. Patients were managed along Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS(c))
      guidelines, and based on clinical manifestations, either underwent emergency
      surgery or were treated conservatively with or without additional diagnostic
      investigations. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was indicated by a preset
      protocol based on the physical examination. RESULTS: During the four-month study
      period, 161 patients with PUET were admitted. Sixteen (9.9%) patients underwent
      emergency surgery, revealing 14 vascular injuries. Another 8 (5.0%) patients
      underwent vascular exploration following CTA. The remaining patients (n=137) were
      managed non-operatively for vascular matters. Eighteen (11.2%) patients required
      semi-elective surgical intervention for fractures or nerve injuries. During the
      follow- up, no missed vascular injuries were detected. CONCLUSION: Neither
      routine exploration nor routine CTA is indicated after PUET. Stable patients
      should undergo additional investigation based on clinical findings only. SNOM is
      a feasible and safe strategy after PUET.

PMID- 24214782
TI  - Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics and outcomes of scorpion sting in the
      southeastern region of Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scorpion sting resulting in envenomation is a life-threatening
      emergency and causes serious health problems in tropical and subtropical regions.
      The aim of this study was to present the epidemiologic and clinical features of
      123 cases presenting with symptoms of scorpion poisoning, a cause of preventable
      mortality and morbidity. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the
      epidemiologic and demographic features of a total of 123 patients who presented
      to Diyarbakir State Hospital Emergency Service with scorpion sting between
      January 2008 and December 2009. RESULTS: Among 123 patients who presented to
      Diyarbakir State Hospital Emergency Service with scorpion sting between January
      2008 and January 2009, 62.6% (n=77) were female and 37.4% (n=46) were male. The
      mean age of the patients was 33.5+/-17.3 years (2-80), and 27 (22%) patients were
      younger than 18 years. The place of residence was rural region in 98 (79.7%)
      patients and the city center in 25 (20.3%). The majority of victims were stung by
      scorpions while they were at active work (42.3%) or asleep (19.5%) in bed. Eleven
      (8.95%) patients were stung by a scorpion while putting on their own clothes.
      CONCLUSION: This simple descriptive study will hopefully help healthcare
      providers take measures to prevent scorpion stings, which should take into
      consideration local epidemiological features.

PMID- 24214783
TI  - Details of motorcycle accidents and their impact on healthcare costs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Of overall traffic accidents in 2011 in Turkey, 7.58% (n=21,107) were
      motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accidents and their impact on healthcare costs
      are investigated in our study. METHODS: Motorcycle accidents that occurred
      with/without a collision between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011 were studied
      prospectively through the inspection of patients visiting the Emergency Service.
      The healthcare costs relevant to each person injured in a motorcycle accident
      were investigated via forms. Data were analyzed using frequencies, Kolmogorov
      Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests on the SPSS v16.0 program. RESULTS:
      Ninety-one people involved in accidents, with a mean age of 28.47 years, were
      studied. The average healthcare expenditure for the 91 patients studied between
      reception and discharge was US$253.02 (median, US$55.90; range, US$11.52 -
      7137.19). According to our study, there was no definitive correlation between the
      healthcare costs and the time of the accident, motorcycle type, nature of the
      road surface, protective equipment, weather, or daylight. CONCLUSION: According
      to the current study, the risk of an accident increases with young adults.
      Concordantly, healthcare costs increase. Thus, it is important that the legal
      rules with respect to the age and education necessary for receiving a license to
      operate a motorcycle should be redefined, and if necessary, regulated.

PMID- 24214784
TI  - The reflection of the Syrian civil war on the emergency department and assessment
      of hospital costs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the present study, it was aimed to assess the demographics,
      clinical features, and treatment costs of cases referred to our hospital after
      the Syrian civil war. METHODS: Of 1355 Syrian civil war victims referred to our
      hospital during the 14-month period between June 2011 and July 2012, 482 cases
      presenting to the emergency department were included in the study. The electronic
      data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of 482 cases, 428
      were male (88.8%) and 54 (11.2%) were female, with a mean age of 30.4+/-14.9
      years (1-79 years). The mean age was 30.8+/-17.2 years (1-79 years) in males and
      27.3+/-16.9 years (1.5-66 years) in females. There was a significant difference
      in terms of sex (p=0.007). It was found that the majority of the cases (41.1%)
      were aged 21-30 years. The highest number of admissions was recorded in June 2011
      (159 patients, 33%), whereas the lowest number of admissions was in September
      2011 (5 patients, 1%). All cases were transported to our hospital from nearby
      district hospitals and camps by emergency medical services. The most frequent
      presenting complaint was gunshot injury (338 cases, 70.1%). The most common
      diagnosis was extremity injury (153 cases, 31.7%). The number of forensic cases
      was found as 364 (75.5%). Of all the cases, 136 cases (28.2%) were managed in the
      emergency service, and the remaining cases were admitted to other services. They
      were most frequently admitted to the orthopedics ward (146 cases, 30.3%). The
      mean length of the hospital stay was 9.9 days (1-141).Overall, 456 cases (94.6%)
      were discharged, 22 cases died, and 4 cases were transferred to other facilities.
      The mean cost per case was estimated as 3723Turkish lira (TL) (15-69556). A
      positive correlation was found between cost and length of hospital stay.
      CONCLUSION: Among all Syrian cases, the majorities of young males and gunshot
      injuries was striking. Most of the cases were discharged after appropriate
      management. Preventive measures can avoid these negative outcomes and so
      avoidable costs will not occur, and this can preclude the damage to the budgets
      of the countries.

PMID- 24214785
TI  - The synergy between endoscopic assistance and extraoral approach in subcondylar
      fracture repair: a report of 13 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to present the primary experience of one surgeon with a new
      surgical technique performed on the first 13 cases and to evaluate outcomes
      following an extraoral endoscopic approach to subcondylar fractures. METHODS:
      Fifteen subcondylar fractures in 13 patients, who were treated at Ondokuz Mayis
      University Hospital between January 2010 and June 2011, were included in this
      study. Patients were operated on using either endoscopic or open approach.
      RESULTS: Rigid plate fixation was completed endoscopically using extraoral
      approach in nine fractures, while six fractures were plated by conversion to a
      full-open approach. In all six fractures that could not be fixed endoscopically,
      the proximal fragments were medially displaced, whereas seven of nine fractures
      that were successfully fixed endoscopically were laterally displaced. CONCLUSION:
      An extraoral endoscopic approach for subcondylar fractures is feasible and can be
      carried out with decreased morbidity. This approach is recommended for those with
      limited experience in endoscopy to treat low laterally displaced subcondylar
      fractures as their initial cases.

PMID- 24214786
TI  - Three-year experience in the Emergency Department: the approach to patients with
      spinal trauma and their prognosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injuries result in critical pecuniary and/or non
      pecuniary losses due to the developing neurological problems. The objective of
      this study was to evaluate spinal injuries in terms of clinical severity and
      prognosis. Spinal injuries lead to serious clinical results due to the high rates
      of morbidity and mortality; however, there is a lack of reliable information on
      spinal injuries in our country. METHODS: Following the approval of the Faculty
      Ethics Committee, this retrospective study was conducted on 91 patients aged ?18
      (59 male, 32 female) with spinal trauma who were admitted to the Emergency
      Department of Ondokuz Mayis University over three years. The patients were
      assessed in terms of demographics, clinical severity, developing complications,
      and mortality. RESULTS: Forty-three patients had complete injuries, while 48 had
      incomplete injuries. Forty-six patients suffered spinal injuries due to fall from
      height, 35 patients due to traffic accidents, and 10 patients due to other
      reasons. Several complications were observed in 52 patients, while no
      complication occurred in 39 patients. We determined that 19 of 92 patients
      involved in this study died, while 72 were discharged from the hospital.
      CONCLUSION: Spinal cord injuries generally result in unfavorable clinical
      results. Therefore, an appropriate approach (early diagnosis and true treatment)
      in emergency services has great significance.

PMID- 24214787
TI  - Retrospective analysis of 132 patients with orbital fracture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and
      epidemiological features of 132 patients with orbital wall fracture who were
      treated at Sisli Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital, Istanbul, between 2005
      2012. METHODS: The medical records of the patients with a diagnosis of orbital
      fracture were reviewed and analyzed. The patients were evaluated by age, gender,
      etiology, symptoms, examination findings, fracture location, associated injuries,
      treatment, and complications. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 9 (6-16)
      months. The male-to-female ratio was 5.3-1. The average age was 32 (6-82) years.
      The leading causes of orbital fractures were traffic accidents (36%) followed by
      assaults (32%). The most frequently affected orbital wall was the medial wall
      (33%). The main symptom was throbbing pain in the traumatized area (100%), and
      the main examination finding was periorbital edema and ecchymosis (100%). The
      most frequent associated injury was cerebral trauma (14%). Sixty-seven patients
      (50.1%) were managed with medical treatment, and 65 patients (49.9%) underwent
      surgical treatment. The most common complication in the late period was
      dermatomal sensory loss (11%). CONCLUSION: This study makes clear that the
      frequency of orbital injuries may be decreased by preventing traffic accidents,
      by taking precautions in the event they occur, and by promulgating social and
      educational work against violence.

PMID- 24214788
TI  - [Results of anterior and posterior capsular approaches in bipolar
      hemiarthroplasty patients with femoral neck fractures].
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated the functional status and postoperative complications of
      bipolar hemiarthroplasty patients with femoral neck fractures, which we operated
      using anterior and posterior approaches. MEHTOHDS: Between November 2007 and
      February 2011, 224 patients were evaluated according to their surgical exposure
      type in two groups. The first group, which was approached anteriorly to the joint
      capsule, included 92 patients, and the second group, approached posteriorly,
      included 132 patients. The mean follow-up period for group 1 was 16.4 months and
      for group 2 was 18.9 months. RESULTS: Harris hip score of group 1 was 81.7 and of
      group 2 was 79.2. In group 1, 19 patients had very good, 52 patients good, 15
      patients moderate, and 6 patients insufficient results. In group 2, 29 patients
      had very good, 74 patients good, 21 patients moderate, and 8 patients
      insufficient results. Although we had higher hip dislocation and infection rates
      in group 2, there were no statistical differences between the two groups.
      DISCUSSION: Surgical exposure type does not affect functional outcome in bipolar
      hip arthroplasty patients. Although statistically insignificant, we had higher
      hip dislocation and infection rates using the posterior approach in the selected
      femoral neck fracture patients. An anterior approach to the joint capsule appears
      to be more reliable.

PMID- 24214789
TI  - [General approach to penetrating abdominal traumas of Turkish general surgeons:
      survey of practice].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with penetrating abdominal traumas (PATs), selective non
      operative management (SNOM) has been widely accepted. This study was designed to
      investigate the practice trends among Turkish surgeons regarding SNOM. MEHTOHDS:
      The study was conducted as an online survey. Participants' demographic
      characteristics and their management trends and opinions regarding patients with
      PATs and SNOM were studied. Data were recorded using MS Excel(r) and analyzed.
      RESULTS: A total of 180 surgeons participated in the survey. SNOM approach rate
      in patients with stab injuries (SI) was 64%, whereas in patients with gunshot
      injuries (GSI), this rate was 52%. However, more than 90% of the surgeons
      declared that additional diagnostic studies were required before selecting SNOM
      approach in both SI and GSI. In addition, most of the surgeons who did not use
      SNOM in practice reported that they did not want to risk the patients' lives or
      their careers. DISCUSSION: Although our surgeons have constructive opinions and
      tendencies regarding contemporary approaches in the management of PATs, it is
      seen that nearly half of them prefer not to perform SNOM in practice for various
      reasons. We believe that approval of trauma and emergency surgery disciplines as
      subspecialties and funding- centralized trauma centers might correct this
      deficiency.

PMID- 24214790
TI  - Emergency abdominal surgery in a patient anticoagulated with dabigatran.
AB  - Dabigatran is a newer oral anticoagulant, indicated for chronic atrial
      fibrillation anticoagulation. Experience with an emergent laparotomy in a patient
      on dabigatran is presented. Difficulties of this medication and strategies to
      deal with the coagulopathy from this direct thrombin inhibitor are described. 

PMID- 24214791
TI  - Posttraumatic tricuspid valve injury and severe tricuspid valve regurgitation.
AB  - A 66-year-old male was brought to our hospital following a car accident. He had
      subarachnoid hemorrhage, multiple rib fractures, and left hemopneumothorax. He
      was referred to the Cardiology Department for elevated troponin levels (42 ng/ml,
      reference 0-1 ng/ml). The electrocardiogram was free of ischemia, whereas the
      transthoracic echocardiography revealed dilated right heart chambers, enlarged
      tricuspid annulus and coaptation failure of the tricuspid valvular leaflets.
      There was rupture on the subvalvular apparatus of the anterior leaflet of the
      tricuspid valve with accompanying prolapse, causing severe tricuspid valvular
      regurgitation. The patient did not present right ventricular failure signs and
      symptoms; he was referred to surgery after the resolution of associated thoracic
      and cranial injuries. 

PMID- 24214792
TI  - A case report of multiple fractures with arterial vasospasm associated with
      ergotamine use.
AB  - Vasospasm that develops in association with ergotamine use is a rarely seen but
      well-understood complication. A case is presented here of multiple fractures in
      which arteriospasm affecting all the arteries of the lower limb on the same side
      occurred 10 days post-trauma. In this case, the arteriospasm resulting from
      ergotamine addiction and high doses of ergotamine, which may be confused with
      post-traumatic angiospasm, was treated with a marcaine infusion by epidural
      catheter and heparin, iliomedin and nitronal infusion intravenously. This
      clinical condition should be borne in mind for all trauma cases determined to
      have arterial vasospasm, and the use of ergotamine must be queried when taking
      the anamnesis from the patient. 

PMID- 24214793
TI  - Hepatic duct confluence injury in blunt abdominal trauma - a diagnostic dilemma.
AB  - Isolated hepatic duct confluence injury due to trauma is unusual. Two cases of
      isolated bile duct injury are presented, which were diagnosed and managed
      successfully at our institution. 

PMID- 24214794
TI  - Long-term follow-up results of a pediatric brachial plexus laceration.
AB  - A rare case of pediatric brachial plexus laceration is presented. A five-year-old
      boy who sustained a sharp laceration on his right axillary region was immediately
      operated. The axillary artery, radial, ulnar and musculocutaneous nerve branches
      of the brachial plexus, and the lateral root of the median nerve were totally
      lacerated. The medial root of the median nerve was partially transected. All of
      the lacerated brachial plexus elements and axillary artery were immediately
      repaired. Significant functional recovery was determined even six months after
      the repair. Motor and sensory functions of the affected extremity were almost
      totally restored at the postoperative 21st month, except for the ulnar nerve
      motor functions. There was no cold intolerance or trophic change at the injured
      extremity. Primary repair of a brachial plexus laceration injury in the pediatric
      population can be expected to produce successful functional recovery results,
      even in a relatively short period after the repair. 

PMID- 24214795
TI  - [Should appendectomy be performed in Amyand's hernia?: two case reports].
AB  - The presence of appendix vermiformis in an inguinal hernia sac is called Amyand's
      hernia. The disease is named after Claudius Amyand, who performed the first
      documented and successful appendectomy during a hernioplasty in 1975. Finding an
      appendix within an inguinal hernia is reported at a rate of 0.51%-1% in the adult
      population, whereas there is no reported frequency of Amyand's hernia in children
      due to its rare occurrence. Here, we report two cases of Amyand's hernia. The
      first is a newborn, diagnosed with strangulated Amyand's hernia by preoperative
      ultrasound examination of the groin. In this case, the appendix had compromised
      blood supply, so we performed appendectomy during the hernioplasty. The second
      patient was diagnosed with Amyand's hernia during elective hernioplasty. In this
      case, the appendix had no evidence of circulatory or inflammatory disorders, so
      we performed simple hernioplasty and left the appendix in the abdominal cavity.
      In Amyand's hernia, there are no standards in approaching the appendix.
      Appendectomy is not a necessity unless there are circulatory or inflammatory
      injuries. 

PMID- 24214797
TI  - The impact of facecards on patients' knowledge, satisfaction, trust, and
      agreement with hospital physicians: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Simple interventions such as facecards can improve patients'
      knowledge of names and roles of hospital physicians, but the effect on other
      aspects of the patient-physician relationship is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To pilot
      an intervention to improve familiarity with physicians and assess its potential
      to improve patients' satisfaction, trust, and agreement with physicians. DESIGN:
      Cluster randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of physician facecards.
      Physician facecards included pictures of physicians and descriptions of their
      roles. We performed structured interviews of randomly selected patients to assess
      outcomes. SETTING: One of 2 similar hospitalist units and 1 of 2 teaching-service
      units in a large teaching hospital were randomly selected to implement the
      intervention. MEASUREMENTS: Satisfaction with physician communication and overall
      hospital care was assessed using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare
      Providers and Systems. Trust and agreement were each assessed through instruments
      used in prior research. RESULTS: Overall, 138 patients completed interviews, with
      no differences in age, sex, or race between those receiving facecards and those
      not. More patients who received facecards correctly identified >=1 hospital
      physician (89.1% vs 51.1%; P < 0.01) and their role (67.4% vs 16.3%; P < 0.01)
      than patients who had not received facecards. Patients had high baseline levels
      of satisfaction, trust, and agreement with hospital physicians, and we found no
      significant differences with the use of facecards. CONCLUSIONS: Physician
      facecards improved patients' knowledge of the names and roles of hospital
      physicians. Larger studies are needed to assess the impact on satisfaction,
      trust, and agreement with physicians.

PMID- 24214796
TI  - Prevalence, patterns and predictors of nursing care left undone in European
      hospitals: results from the multicountry cross-sectional RN4CAST study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known of the extent to which nursing-care tasks are left
      undone as an international phenomenon. AIM: The aim of this study is to describe
      the prevalence and patterns of nursing care left undone across European hospitals
      and explore its associations with nurse-related organisational factors. METHODS:
      Data were collected from 33 659 nurses in 488 hospitals across 12 European
      countries for a large multicountry cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Across
      European hospitals, the most frequent nursing care activities left undone
      included 'Comfort/talk with patients' (53%), 'Developing or updating nursing care
      plans/care pathways' (42%) and 'Educating patients and families' (41%). In
      hospitals with more favourable work environments (B=-2.19; p<0.0001), lower
      patient to nurse ratios (B=0.09; p<0.0001), and lower proportions of nurses
      carrying out non-nursing tasks frequently (B=2.18; p<0.0001), fewer nurses
      reported leaving nursing care undone. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing care left undone was
      prevalent across all European countries and was associated with nurse-related
      organisational factors. We discovered similar patterns of nursing care left
      undone across a cross-section of European hospitals, suggesting that nurses
      develop informal task hierarchies to facilitate important patient-care decisions.
      Further research on the impact of nursing care left undone for patient outcomes
      and nurse well-being is required.

PMID- 24214798
TI  - Cultured beef: medical technology to produce food.

PMID- 24214799
TI  - Anticancer bioactive peptide-3 inhibits human gastric cancer growth by
      suppressing gastric cancer stem cells.
AB  - In the present study, the effective components of anticancer bioactive peptide-3
      (ACBP-3), a novel antitumor agent isolated from goat liver, were analyzed. The
      CD44 (+) fraction of the human gastric cancer cell line was isolated, and the
      cells within this fraction that could form spheroid colonies (SCs) were
      identified as gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs). Subsequently, the antitumor
      effect of ACBP-3 on GCSCs was investigated in vitro and in vivo. ACBP-3 dose
      dependently decreased the percentage of CD44 (+) cells, suppressed the
      proliferation of the SC cells and inhibited their clone-forming capacity. Tumor
      formation from inoculated SC cells took substantially longer when the cells were
      treated with ACBP-3 in vivo. ACBP-3 alone or in combination with cisplatin
      suppressed xenograft tumor growth. The antitumor efficacy of cisplatin, when
      combined with ACBP-3, was enhanced even using half of the normal cisplatin
      dosage. The combination of cisplatin and ACBP-3 could partially alleviate the
      body weight loss in the mice. Moreover, treatment with ACBP-3 alone could prevent
      the body weight loss in the mice. Our study indicated that ACBP-3 inhibited
      gastric cancer cell growth by suppressing the proliferation of CSCs. ACBP-3 could
      be a potential CSC-targeting agent, and combined with cisplatin therapy, might be
      an effective way to clinically treat patients with cancer with a lower dose and
      reduced toxicity.

PMID- 24214800
TI  - A framework for the study of filial imprinting and the development of attachment.
AB  - Filial imprinting is the process through which early attachment behavior becomes
      restricted to the mother and siblings. In the present paper it will be shown that
      the processes underlying imprinting in chicks (Gallus gallus) can be fruitfully
      analyzed by referring to the same mechanisms as are generally assumed to play a
      role in perceptual and associative learning. This can be achieved within a
      framework formulated to study the development of behavior in general. This offers
      the opportunity to apply the same general framework to the study of filial
      imprinting and the further development of attachment. The involvement of
      perceptual and associative processes in imprinting is discussed in some detail,
      while the broader implications of the present approach are indicated only
      briefly. 

PMID- 24214801
TI  - Brain size and cognitive ability: Correlations with age, sex, social class, and
      race.
AB  - Using data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), autopsy, endocranial
      measurements, and other techniques, we show that (1) brain size is correlated
      with cognitive ability about .44 using MRI; (2) brain size varies by age, sex,
      social class, and race; and (3) cognitive ability varies by age, sex, social
      class, and race. Brain size and cognitive ability show a curvilinear relation
      with age, increasing to young adulthood and then decreasing; increasing from
      women to men; increasing with socioeconomic status; and increasing from Africans
      to Europeans to Asians. Although only further research can determine if such
      correlations represent cause and effect, it is clear that the direction of the
      brain-size/cognitive-ability relationships described by Paul Broca (1824-1880),
      Francis Galton (1822-1911), and other nineteenth-century visionaries is true, and
      that the null hypothesis of no relation, strongly advocated over the last half
      century, is false. 

PMID- 24214802
TI  - Global matching models of recognition memory: How the models match the data.
AB  - We present a review of global matching models of recognition memory, describing
      their theoretical origins and fundamental assumptions, focusing on two defining
      properties: (1) recognition is based solely on familiarity due to a match of test
      items to memory at a global level, and (2) multiple cues are combined
      interactively. We evaluate the models against relevant data bearing on issues
      including the representation of associative information, differences in verbal
      and environmental context effects, list-length, list-strength, and global
      similarity effects, and ROC functions. Two main modifications to the models are
      discussed: one based on the representation of associative information, and the
      other based on the addition of recall-like retrieval mechanisms. 

PMID- 24214803
TI  - Heuristics and invariants in dynamic event perception: Immunized concepts or
      nonstatements?
AB  - There is ample evidence showing that observers are able to judge dynamic
      properties of moving objects on the basis of visual kinematics. It is, however,
      widely disputed as to how to explain this body of data. While direct
      perceptionists claim that observers have direct access to the underlying dynamics
      of the event (kinematic specification of dynamics, or KSD, principle), contenders
      of the perceptual heuristics approach (PH) suggest that observers use the visual
      equivalent of a heuristic to arrive at their judgments about dynamics. First, the
      critical assumptions of the KSD principle are discussed in order to motivate the
      claim that the KSD principle cannot be falsified and is thus immune to empirical
      criticism. Then the same scrutiny is applied to the PH approach. It is, in its
      general form at least, afflicted with a similar lack of falsifiability. In
      comparing the concepts underlying invariants and perceptual heuristics, my
      conclusion is that a critical experiment aimed at deciding between the two
      approaches is impossible, and that KSD and PH can be regarded as nonstatements.
      The findings reported in the event-perception literature must therefore be
      reevaluated on these grounds. 

PMID- 24214804
TI  - Evidence that blocking is due to associative deficit: Blocking history affects
      the degree of subsequent associative competition.
AB  - Rats were trained on an appetitive discriminated operant procedure according to a
      blocking design, in which training with a compound stimulus (A + B) was given
      with or without prior training with A alone. Stimulus B was then presented in
      compound with a new stimulus (B + C compound). The ability of Stimulus B to block
      acquisition of control by Stimulus C was decreased by B having itself been
      blocked by A during the prior training. The results imply that the mechanism of
      blocking during the initial blocking procedure was a reduced association between
      Stimulus B and the reinforcer, and not a performance deficit such as that
      postulated by comparator models of learning. 

PMID- 24214805
TI  - Late influences on perceptual grouping: Amodal completion.
AB  - Perceptual grouping is generally assumed to be an early visual process that
      operates on a previously unorganized image-based representation. The present
      experiment shows that elements perceived as occluded by a closer surface tend to
      be grouped with elements having the same shape as the amodally completed percept
      rather than with those having the same retinal shape as the incomplete stimulus.
      It is therefore concluded that perceptual grouping by shape similarity either
      occurs after amodal completion or is a temporally extended process that occurs
      both before and after it. 

PMID- 24214806
TI  - Spatial cuing in a stereoscopic display: Evidence for a "depth-blind" attentional
      spotlight.
AB  - This experiment explored whether attentional selection observed in a spatial
      cuing task is based on a representation that includes depth information or not.
      Targets were presented inside placeholders appearing at the samex,y location on a
      stereoscopic display, but on different depth planes, or at differentx,y locations
      on the same depth plane. A peripheral precue produced significant cuing effects
      in the latter but not in the former condition. In a control experiment,
      significant cuing effects were found for targets appearing at differentx,y
      coordinates within the fovea, confirming that the lack of cuing effects in the
      depth condition was not due to foveal presentation. Together, the results suggest
      that spatial selection in spatial cuing tasks operates on a representation that
      does not include depth information. 

PMID- 24214807
TI  - Varieties of positive and negative priming.
AB  - Numerous recent investigations have focused on a particular relation between the
      roles a stimulus plays in successive displays: when a stimulus ignored by a
      subject on one occasion is to be attended on a succeeding occasion, reaction time
      to that stimulus is slowed relative to a control condition. But this is but one
      possible case ofnegative priming. There are other ways in which negative priming
      might occur, and there are several varieties of positive priming as well. All
      these possibilities were explored in the present experiment. 

PMID- 24214808
TI  - Does negative priming imply preselective identification of irrelevant stimuli?
AB  - Responses to recently ignored stimuli are often slower than responses to new
      stimuli (negative priming). This slowing is thought to imply that the irrelevant
      stimuli were identified before the relevant stimuli were selected. The slowing
      may, however, reflect processing that occurred after the selection process had
      already begun. In two experiments, the opportunity for preselective
      identification of irrelevant stimuli was eliminated by presenting the irrelevant
      stimuli late within the trial. Negative priming failed to occur under these
      conditions. 

PMID- 24214809
TI  - Induction and category coherence.
AB  - In studies of category formation, subjects rarely construct family resemblance
      categories. Instead, they divide objects into categories using a single
      dimension. This is a puzzling result given the widely accepted view that natural
      categories are organized in terms of a family resemblance principle. The
      observation that natural categories support inductive inferences is used here to
      test the hypothesis that family resemblance categories would be constructed if
      stimuli were first used to generate inductive inferences. In two experiments,
      subjects answered either induction questions, which made interproperty
      relationships more salient, or frequency questions, which required information
      only about individual properties, before they performed a sorting task. Subjects
      were likely to produce family resemblance sorts if they had first answered
      induction questions but not if they had answered frequency questions. 

PMID- 24214810
TI  - Delay-discounting probabilistic rewards: Rates decrease as amounts increase.
AB  - The independence of delay-discounting rate and monetary reward size was tested by
      offering subjects (N = 621) a series of choices between immediate rewards and
      larger, delayed rewards. In contrast to previous studies, in which hypothetical
      rewards have typically been employed, subjects in the present study were entered
      into a lottery in which they had a chance of actually receiving one of their
      choices. The delayed rewards were grouped into small ($30-$35), medium ($55-$65),
      and large amounts ($70-$85). Using a novel parameter estimation procedure, we
      estimated discounting rates for all three reward sizes for each subject on the
      basis of his/her pattern of choices. The data indicated that the discounting rate
      is a decreasing function of the size of the delayed reward (p < .0001), whether
      hyperbolic or exponential discounting functions are assumed. In addition, a
      reliable gender difference was found (p = .005), with males discounting at higher
      rates than females, on average. 

PMID- 24214811
TI  - From a passing thought to a false memory in 2 minutes: Confusing real and
      illusory events.
AB  - The frequency with which subjects erroneously included a nonpresented word in
      their recall of a study list was explored in two experiments. The intrusion error
      was recalled by as many as 80% of the subjects, and when it was perceived to have
      been presented early in the study list, it was assigned confidence ratings and
      phenomenological retrieval characteristics equivalent to those for presented
      words. As a result, subjects were often unable to discriminate memories of real
      study words from their memories of a related but nonpresented word. Manipulations
      of encoding, but not of retrieval, conditions altered both the frequencies of
      illusory memories and their metamemorial characteristics. The results and
      paradigm are discussed in terms of their relevance to the "memory-recovery"
      debate. 

PMID- 24214812
TI  - Implications of aging, lexicality, and item length for the mechanisms underlying
      memory span.
AB  - Hulme, Maughan, and Brown (1991) provided evidence that the contribution of long
      term memory to memory span performance was additive to the contribution of
      rehearsal rate (e.g., Baddeley, 1986). The present study further explored the
      relationship between these two contributions in younger and older adults. Speech
      rates and spans for short, medium, and long words and nonwords were obtained from
      subjects. Older adults had slower speech rates and smaller spans than did younger
      adults. Both groups' data were fit well by linear functions relating speech rates
      to spans. However, the slope of the function that relates speech rate to memory
      span was greater for words than for nonwords. This finding supports the idea that
      long-term memory, as well as rehearsal rate, contributes to span performance, and
      that this contribution is not simply additive. 

PMID- 24214813
TI  - [Happy birthday, anaesthesia!].

PMID- 24214814
TI  - Performance evaluation of stationary and semi-stationary acquisition with a non
      stationary small animal multi-pinhole SPECT system.
AB  - PURPOSE: Step-and-shoot mode with many angular steps results in long frame
      duration limiting the capability of single-photon emission computed tomography
      (SPECT) for fast dynamic scans. The present study evaluates acquisition with
      reduced angular sampling for fast imaging in preclinical research with the
      nanoSPECT/CTplus four-head multi-pinhole system. PROCEDURES: Measurements with
      line sources, homogeneity phantoms and a Jaszczak phantom filled with (99m)Tc or
      (123)I were performed to evaluate the 'stationary' and 'semi-stationary'
      acquisition mode (one or two detector positions, respectively) with respect to
      spatial resolution, quantification, noise properties and image artefacts. An in
      vivo mouse study was performed with (99m)Tc-MAG3. RESULTS: The fast acquisition
      modes resulted in only minor degradation of spatial resolution and quantification
      accuracy. Statistical noise in reconstructed images was significantly reduced
      compared to conventional SPECT, particularly at low count statistics. Stationary
      acquisition resulted in streak artefacts and spatial distortion. CONCLUSIONS: The
      semi-stationary acquisition mode of the nanoSPECT/CTplus allows fast dynamic
      SPECT with tolerable loss of image quality.

PMID- 24214815
TI  - Cancer prevention and control: where are the kids?

PMID- 24214816
TI  - Short and sweet: a short course on concise medical writing.

PMID- 24214818
TI  - High-frequency vibrational density of states of a disordered solid.
AB  - We investigate the high-frequency behavior of the density of vibrational states
      in three-dimensional elasticity theory with spatially fluctuating elastic moduli.
      At frequencies well above the mobility edge, instanton solutions yield an
      exponentially decaying density of states. The instanton solutions describe
      excitations, which become localized due to the disorder-induced fluctuations,
      which lower the sound velocity in a finite region compared to its average value.
      The exponentially decaying density of states (known in electronic systems as the
      Lifshitz tail) is governed by the statistics of a fluctuating-elasticity
      landscape, capable of trapping the vibrational excitations. 

PMID- 24214817
TI  - Reducing smoking in pregnancy among Maori women: "aunties" perceptions and
      willingness to help.
AB  - Maori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) women have high rates of smoking
      during pregnancy and 42 % register with a lead maternity carer (LMC) after their
      first trimester, delaying receipt of cessation support. We used a participatory
      approach with Maori community health workers ("Aunties") to determine their
      willingness and perceived ability to find pregnant Maori smokers early in
      pregnancy and to provide cessation support. Three meetings were held in three
      different regions in New Zealand. The aunties believed they could find pregnant
      women in first trimester who were still smoking by using their networks, the
      'kumara-vine' (sweet potato vine), tohu (signs/omens), their instinct and by
      looking for women in the age range most likely to get pregnant. The aunties were
      willing to provide cessation and other support but they said they would do it in
      a "Maori way" which depended on formed relationships and recognised roles within
      families. The aunties' believed that their own past experiences with pregnancy
      and/or smoking would be advantageous when providing support. Aunties' knowledge
      about existing proven cessation methods and services and knowledge about how to
      register with a LMC ranged from knowing very little to having years of experience
      working in the field. They were all supportive of receiving up-to-date
      information on how best to support pregnant women to stop smoking. Aunties in
      communities believe that they could find pregnant women who smoke and they are
      willing to help deliver cessation support. Our ongoing research will test the
      effectiveness of such an approach.

PMID- 24214819
TI  - Incorporating natural enemy units into a dynamic action threshold for the soybean
      aphid, Aphis glycines (Homoptera: Aphididae).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recommended action thresholds for soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, do
      not adjust for natural enemy impact, although natural enemies contribute
      important biological control services. Because individual natural enemy species
      have varied impacts on pest population dynamics, incorporating the impact of a
      diverse predator guild into an action threshold can be cumbersome. RESULTS: Field
      surveys identified an aphidophagous natural enemy complex dominated by Orius
      insidiosus, Coccinella septempunctata, Harmonia axyridis and Aphelinus certus.
      Functional responses of O. insidiosus were determined in the laboratory, while
      predation rates of all other natural enemies were obtained from the literature.
      Natural enemy impacts were normalized using natural enemy units (NEUs), where 1
      NEU = 100 aphids consumed or parasitized. A dynamic action threshold (DAT) was
      developed by combining NEUs with an A. glycines population growth model. With the
      DAT, an insecticide application was only triggered if natural enemy numbers were
      insufficient to suppress pest populations. In field experiments, DAT provided
      equivalent yields to the conventional action threshold and reduced the average
      number of pesticide applications. CONCLUSION: The DAT approach has the potential
      to reduce pesticide use, will help preserve natural enemy populations and can be
      applied to other pest systems with diverse natural enemy guilds.

PMID- 24214820
TI  - Current controversies in prenatal diagnosis 2: should incidental findings arising
      from prenatal testing always be reported to patients?

PMID- 24214822
TI  - The changing demographics of knee dislocation: a retrospective database review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knee dislocations are uncommon but devastating orthopaedic injuries.
      Little is known about their frequency and the types of patients who are affected.
      QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Using a large national insurance database, we determined (1)
      the incidence of knee dislocation in patients with orthopaedic injuries and
      examined the incidence as a function of (2) year of diagnosis, (3) dislocation
      type (open versus closed, direction), and (4) patient demographic factors (sex,
      age). METHODS: We searched the PearlDiver database, a national database of
      private insurance records consisting of 11 million patients with orthopaedic
      diagnoses, using diagnosis (ICD-9-CM) codes for knee dislocation between the
      years 2004 and 2009. The PearlDiver database does not include Medicare, Medicaid,
      or uninsured patients. Patients were stratified by age, sex, and year of
      diagnosis. Incidence was defined as the number of dislocation events per 100
      patient-years. RESULTS: We identified 8050 dislocations, representing an
      incidence of 0.072 events per 100 patient-years between 2004 and 2009. Annual
      dislocation incidence did not increase during the 6-year study period. Of the
      8050 dislocations, 1333 (17%) were open and 6717 (83%) were closed, representing
      an incidence of 0.060 per 100 for closed dislocations and 0.012 per 100 for open
      dislocations. The most common direction of dislocation was unspecified or other
      (65%), followed by anterior (13%), lateral (11%), posterior (6%), and medial
      (5%). Of the patients sustaining dislocations, 4172 (52%) were female and 3878
      (48%) were male. Males displayed an increased risk of knee dislocation compared
      to females (odds ratio = 1.09). The mean patient age was 35 years, and patient
      age was inversely correlated to the incidence of knee dislocation (10-year odds
      ratio = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that knee dislocation might
      represent a significantly larger burden among orthopaedic injuries than
      previously thought. The finding that males and females have a nearly equal risk
      of knee dislocation enhances the diagnosing physician's clinical suspicion of
      this injury. Future large prospective studies analyzing the various causes of
      knee dislocation could provide insight into the changing demographics of this
      injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic study. See Instructions for
      Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 24214823
TI  - Surgical treatment of trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis: a historical
      perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint's unique anatomy and biomechanics
      render it susceptible to degeneration. For 60 years, treatment of the painful
      joint has been surgical when nonoperative modalities have failed. Dozens of
      different operations have been proposed, including total or subtotal resection of
      the trapezium or resection and implant arthroplasty. Proponents initially report
      high levels of patient satisfaction, but longer-term reports sometimes fail to
      support initial good results. To date, no one procedure has been shown to be
      superior to another. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: This review sought to identify factors
      responsible for the development of many different procedures to treat the same
      pathology and factors influencing whether procedures remain in the armamentarium
      or are abandoned. METHODS: I performed a nonsystematic historical review of
      English-language surgical journals using the key words "carpometacarpal
      arthritis", or "trapeziometacarpal arthritis", and "surgery" in combination with
      "history" using the PubMed database. In addition, bibliographies of pertinent
      articles were reviewed. RESULTS: The factors that led to many surgical
      innovations appear to be primarily theoretical concerns about the shortcomings of
      previously described procedures, especially about proximal migration of the thumb
      metacarpal after trapezial resection. Longevity of a particular procedure seems
      to be related to simplicity of design, especially for prosthetic arthroplasty.
      The evolution of surgery for TMC joint arthritis both parallels and diverges from
      that in other joints. For example, for most degenerated joints (even many in the
      hand), treatment evolved from resection arthroplasty to implant arthroplasty. In
      contrast, for the TMC joint, the 60-year-old procedure of trapezial resection
      continues to be performed by a majority of surgeons; many modifications of that
      procedure have been offered, but none have shown better pain reduction or
      increased function over the original procedure. In parallel, many differently
      designed prosthetic total or hemijoint arthroplasties have been proposed and
      performed, again with as yet unconvincing evidence that this technology improves
      results over those obtained by simple resection arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Many
      procedures have been described to treat TMC joint arthritis, from simple
      trapezial resection to complex soft tissue arthroplasty to prosthetic
      arthroplasty. In the absence of evidence for the superiority of any one
      procedure, surgeons should consider using established procedures rather than
      adopting novel ones, though novel procedures can and should be tested in properly
      designed clinical trials. Tissue-engineered solutions are an important area of
      current research but have not yet reached the clinical trial stage.

PMID- 24214824
TI  - Classifications in brief: Letournel classification for acetabular fractures.

PMID- 24214825
TI  - Binding of mazindol and analogs to the human serotonin and dopamine transporters.
AB  - Mazindol has been explored as a possible agent in cocaine addiction
      pharmacotherapy. The tetracyclic compound inhibits both the dopamine transporter
      and the serotonin transporter, and simple chemical modifications considerably
      alter target selectivity. Mazindol, therefore, is an attractive scaffold for both
      understanding the molecular determinants of serotonin/dopamine transporter
      selectivity and for the development of novel drug abuse treatments. Using
      molecular modeling and pharmacologic profiling of rationally chosen serotonin and
      dopamine transporter mutants with respect to a series of mazindol analogs has
      allowed us to determine the orientation of mazindol within the central binding
      site. We find that mazindol binds in the central substrate binding site, and that
      the transporter selectivity can be modulated through mutations of a few residues
      in the binding pocket. Mazindol is most likely to bind as the R-enantiomer.
      Tyrosines 95 and 175 in the human serotonin transporter and the corresponding
      phenylalanines 75 and 155 in the human dopamine transporter are the primary
      determinants of mazindol selectivity. Manipulating the interaction of
      substituents on the 7-position with the human serotonin transporter Tyr175 versus
      dopamine transporter Phe155 is found to be a strong tool in tuning the
      selectivity of mazindol analogs and may be used in future drug design of cocaine
      abuse pharmacotherapies. 

PMID- 24214826
TI  - Cross-modulation and molecular interaction at the Cav3.3 protein between the
      endogenous lipids and the T-type calcium channel antagonist TTA-A2.
AB  - T-type calcium channels (T/Ca(v)3-channels) are implicated in various physiologic
      and pathophysiologic processes such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, hypertension,
      and cancer. T-channels are the target of endogenous signaling lipids including
      the endocannabinoid anandamide, the omega3-fatty acids, and the lipoamino-acids.
      However, the precise molecular mechanism by which these molecules inhibit T
      current is unknown. In this study, we provided a detailed electrophysiologic and
      pharmacologic analysis indicating that the effects of the major N-acyl
      derivatives on the Ca(v)3.3 current share many similarities with those of TTA-A2
      [(R)-2-(4-cyclopropylphenyl)-N-(1-(5-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-2
      yl)ethyl)acetamide], a synthetic T-channel inhibitor. Using radioactive binding
      assays with the TTA-A2 derivative [(3)H]TTA-A1 [(R)-2-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-N-(1
      (5-methoxypyridin-2-yl)ethyl)acetamide], we demonstrated that polyunsaturated
      lipids, which inhibit the Ca(v)3.3 current, as NAGly (N-arachidonoyl glycine),
      NASer (N-arachidonoyl-l-serine), anandamide, NADA (N-arachidonoyl dopamine),
      NATau (N-arachidonoyl taurine), and NA-5HT (N-arachidonoyl serotonin), all
      displaced [(3)H]TTA-A1 binding to membranes prepared from cells expressing
      Ca(v)3.3, with Ki in a micromolar or submicromolar range. In contrast, lipids
      with a saturated alkyl chain, as N-arachidoyl glycine and N-arachidoyl
      ethanolamine, which did not inhibit the Ca(v)3.3 current, had no effect on
      [(3)H]TTA-A1 binding. Accordingly, bio-active lipids occluded TTA-A2 effect on
      Ca(v)3.3 current. In addition, TTA-Q4 [(S)-4-(6-chloro-4-cyclopropyl-3-(2,2
      difluoroethyl)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazolin-4-yl)benzonitrile], a positive
      allosteric modulator of [(3)H]TTA-A1 binding and TTA-A2 functional inhibition,
      acted in a synergistic manner to increase lipid-induced inhibition of the
      Ca(v)3.3 current. Overall, our results demonstrate a common molecular mechanism
      for the synthetic T-channel inhibitors and the endogenous lipids, and indicate
      that TTA-A2 and TTA-Q4 could be important pharmacologic tools to dissect the
      involvement of T-current in the physiologic effects of endogenous lipids.

PMID- 24214827
TI  - Response stratification and survival analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma
      patients treated with intra-arterial therapy using MR imaging-based arterial
      enhancement fraction.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility that arterial enhancement fraction (AEF)
      is associated with response of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following intra
      arterial therapy (IAT) and to compare AEF response with currently used tumor
      response metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The AEF, Response Evaluation Criteria in
      Solid Tumors (RECIST), modified RECIST (mRECIST), and European Association for
      the Study of the Liver (EASL) of the largest treated index lesion and AEF of the
      tumor-free hepatic parenchyma was measured on representative axial images in 131
      patients (108 male; mean age, 61.9 years). Clinical measures and patient survival
      were assessed. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the
      COX proportional hazards model. RESULTS: After IAT, the mean AEF of the tumor
      decreased by 22% (66.7-44.8%, P < 0.0001), while the mean AEF of the tumor-free
      parenchyma remained unchanged (27.2-26.5%, P = 0.50). Median survival of all 131
      patients with liver cancer was 17 months. Patients were stratified into AEF
      responders if they had an AEF-decrease >=35% (AEF-responders: n = 67; AEF
      nonresponders: n = 64). AEF-responders survived longer than nonresponders (34.8
      months versus 10.8 months, hazard ratio = 0.39; P < 0.0001). Responders according
      to RECIST, mRECIST, or EASL did not survive significantly longer compared with
      nonresponders. CONCLUSION: Evaluating the AEF values based on tri-phasic MRI is
      associated with tumor response in patients with unresectable HCC treated with
      IAT.

PMID- 24214828
TI  - Written-in conductive patterns on robust graphene oxide biopaper by
      electrochemical microstamping.
AB  - The silk road: By employing silk fibroin as a binder between graphene oxide films
      and aluminum foil for a facile, highly localized reduction process, conductive
      paper is reinvented. The flexible, robust biographene papers have high toughness
      and electrical conductivity. This electrochemical written-in approach is readily
      applicable for the fabrication of conductive patterned papers with complex
      circuitries. 

PMID- 24214829
TI  - The cross-dehydrogenative coupling of C(sp3)-H bonds: a versatile strategy for C
      C bond formations.
AB  - Over the last decade, substantial research has led to the introduction of an
      impressive number of efficient procedures which allow the selective construction
      of C?C bonds by directly connecting two different C?H bonds under oxidative
      conditions. Common to these methodologies is the generation of the reactive
      intermediates in situ by activation of both C?H bonds. This strategy was
      introduced by the group of Li as cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) and
      discloses waste-minimized synthetic alternatives to classic coupling procedures
      which rely on the use of prefunctionalized starting materials. This Review
      highlights the recent progress in the field of cross-dehydrogenative C sp 3?C
      formations and provides a comprehensive overview on existing procedures and
      employed methodologies. 

PMID- 24214830
TI  - Tensile properties of a morphologically split supraspinatus tendon.
AB  - The supraspinatus tendon consists morphologically of two sub-regions, anterior
      and posterior. The anterior sub-region is thick and tubular while the posterior
      is thin and strap-like. The purpose of this study was to compare the structural
      and mechanical properties of the anterior and posterior sub-regions of the
      supraspinatus tendon. The supraspinatus tendons from seven human cadaveric
      shoulders were morphologically divided into the anterior and posterior sub
      regions. Length, width, and thickness were measured. A servo-hydraulic testing
      machine (MTS Systems Corporation, Minneapolis, MN) was used for tensile testing.
      The maximal load at failure, modulus of elasticity and ultimate tendon stress
      were calculated. Repeated measures were used for statistical comparisons. The
      mean anterior tendon cross-sectional area was 47.3 mm(2) and the posterior was
      32.1 mm(2) . Failure occurred most often at the insertion site: anterior (5/7)
      and posterior (6/7). All parameters of the anterior sub-region were significantly
      greater than those of the posterior sub-region. The moduli of elasticity at the
      insertion site were 592.4 MPa in the anterior sub-region and 217.7 MPa in the
      posterior (P = 0.01). The ultimate failure loads were 779.2 N in the anterior sub
      region and 335.6 N in the posterior (P = 0.003). The ultimate stresses were 22.1
      MPa in the anterior sub-region and 11.6 MPa in the posterior (P = 0.008). We
      recognized that the anterior and posterior sub-regions of the SSP tendon have
      significantly different mechanical properties. In a future study, we need to
      evaluate how best to repair an SSP tendon considering these region-specific
      properties.

PMID- 24214831
TI  - Isoliquiritigenin induces caspase-dependent apoptosis via downregulation of HPV16
      E6 expression in cervical cancer Ca Ski cells.
AB  - Flavonoids have antitumoral properties and may be attractive candidates as
      anticancer therapy. Isoliquiritigenin which is a constituent of licorice
      (Glycyrrhiza inflata), a plant commonly used in traditional Uyghur medicine in
      Xinjiang, China, was studied for antiproliferative and apoptotic activity in
      human cervical cancer cells, Ca Ski, SiHa, HeLa, and C-33A. Its molecular
      mechanism of action was specifically examined in Ca Ski cells. Isoliquiritigenin
      decreased cell viability, induced cell accumulation in G2/M and morphological and
      biochemical features of apoptosis in the four cancer cell lines. In Ca Ski cells,
      isoliquiritigenin led to a downregulation of HPV16 E6 expression associated with
      an increase of p53 and p21 levels, enhanced expression of Bax and decreased
      expression of Bcl-2 and Bid proform triggering dissipation of the mitochondrial
      membrane potential, released cytochrome c to the cytosol followed by activation
      of caspase cascade with cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP. Caspase-8 was
      also cleaved. Moreover treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor prevented
      apoptosis. As Ca Ski cells are representative of carcinoma naturally occurring in
      the cervix, our results suggest a potential benefit of isoliquiritigenin for
      cervical cancer prevention and treatment. 

PMID- 24214832
TI  - Cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside from Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruit inhibits
      metastasis by downregulating MMP-9 in breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231.
AB  - Anthocyanins play an important role in physiological functions related to human
      health. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of cyanidin-3-O
      sambubioside isolated from Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruit on cancer cell
      metastasis. The inhibitory effect of cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside on angiogenesis
      was assessed by chorioallantoic membrane and tube formation assays. Cyanidin-3-O
      sambubioside interrupted the formation of neovasculature and tube-like structures
      in a dose-dependent manner. It inhibited the wound healing migration and invasion
      of MDA-MB-231 cells through reconstituted extracellular matrix (Matrigel).
      Gelatin zymography revealed that cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside significantly
      decreased the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and inhibited matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 expression. In additional, cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside exerted
      an inhibitory effect on Akt phosphorylation. These results suggest that cyanidin
      3-O-sambubioside inhibits metastasis processes, such as angiogenesis and
      invasion, in breast cancer cells through regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9
      activity. 

PMID- 24214833
TI  - Differences in pharmacokinetics and anti-inflammatory effects between decoction
      and maceration of Sanhuang Xiexin Tang in rats and mice.
AB  - The pharmacokinetics and anti-inflammatory effects of Sanhuang Xiexin Tang,
      composed of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix, and Coptidis Rhizoma,
      prepared by decoction and maceration, were investigated and compared. Rats were
      orally administered with the decoction and maceration of Sanhuang Xiexin Tang at
      30 g/kg. The concentrations of 10 active constituents (berberine, palmatine,
      jatrorrhizine, coptisine, wogonin, baicalin, wogonoside, emodin, aloe-emodin, and
      rhein) in plasma were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. Mice were orally administered
      decoctions and macerations of Sanhuang Xiexin Tang continuously for 7 days at
      three doses and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The plasma concentrations of
      IL-10 and TNF-alpha were determined by ELISA. Different preparation methods
      resulted in significant differences in the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the
      SXT constituents, especially the protoberberine alkaloids. Maceration decreased
      the absorption of flavones while promoting the absorption of anthraquinones.
      Bioavailability of both flavones and anthraquinones increased after
      administration of macerated Sanhuang Xiexin Tang, especially those of baicalin
      and rhein, which increased by 3.27 and 7.10 times. Results of ELISA indicated
      that both the decoction and maceration of Sanhuang Xiexin Tang could
      significantly increase IL-10 production (p < 0.01) as well as decrease TNF-alpha
      production (p < 0.01). Macerated Sanhuang Xiexin Tang has a slightly higher anti
      inflammatory effect than the Sanhuang Xiexin Tang decoction. Different
      preparation methods affected the pharmacokinetic characteristics and anti
      inflammatory effects of Sanhuang Xiexin Tang's active constituents. 

PMID- 24214834
TI  - Effects of praeruptorin A and praeruptorin C, a racemate isolated from Peucedanum
      praeruptorum, on MRP2 through the CAR pathway.
AB  - Praeruptorin A and praeruptorin C, racemic to each other, are main bioactive
      constituents of the species Peucedanum praeruptorum, traditionally used as a
      Chinese herbal medicine (also known as Bai-Hua Qian Hu). In the present study,
      the ability of praeruptorins A and C to activate the constitutive androstane
      receptor and induce human multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 expressions
      in HepG2 cells was investigated. The changes in mRNA level, protein expression,
      and transport activity of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 were
      determined by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and the CDF uptake assay,
      respectively. The effects of constitutive androstane receptor knockdown on
      multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 mRNA and protein expression were also
      measured by transient transfection of a specific constitutive androstane receptor
      siRNA. The results showed that praeruptorin A and praeruptorin C significantly
      induced the multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 mRNA and protein
      expression, and enhanced the transport activity of multidrug resistance
      associated protein 2. A further study showed that mRNA and protein upregulation
      were attenuated by transient transfection of a specific constitutive androstane
      receptor siRNA, suggesting that the upregulation of multidrug resistance
      associated protein 2 was mediated by the constitutive androstane receptor. Taken
      together, our findings indicate that praeruptorin A and praeruptorin C can
      significantly upregulate multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 expression via
      the constitutive androstane receptor-mediated pathway in vitro, and this should
      be taken as an herb-drug interaction. 

PMID- 24214835
TI  - Topical application of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).
AB  - St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been intensively investigated for its
      antidepressive activity, but dermatological applications also have a long
      tradition. Topical St. John's wort preparations such as oils or tinctures are
      used for the treatment of minor wounds and burns, sunburns, abrasions, bruises,
      contusions, ulcers, myalgia, and many others. Pharmacological research supports
      the use in these fields. Of the constituents, naphthodianthrones (e.g.,
      hypericin) and phloroglucinols (e.g., hyperforin) have interesting
      pharmacological profiles, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer,
      and antimicrobial activities. In addition, hyperforin stimulates growth and
      differentiation of keratinocytes, and hypericin is a photosensitizer which can be
      used for selective treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer. However, clinical
      research in this field is still scarce. Recently, sporadic trials have been
      conducted in wound healing, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and herpes simplex
      infections, partly with purified single constituents and modern dermatological
      formulations. St. John's wort also has a potential for use in medical skin care.
      Composition and stability of pharmaceutical formulations vary greatly depending
      on origin of the plant material, production method, lipophilicity of solvents,
      and storage conditions, and this must be regarded with respect to practical as
      well as scientific purposes. 

PMID- 24214836
TI  - Daphniphyllum alkaloids: recent findings on chemistry and pharmacology.
AB  - The unique polycyclic fused ring systems of Daphniphyllum alkaloids, along with
      their extensive bioactivities, make this family of alkaloids especially
      attractive targets for total synthesis and biogenetic studies. Successive
      discoveries of new alkaloids with unprecedented skeletons have made a great
      contribution to structural diversities of alkaloids elaborated by plants of the
      genus Daphniphyllum. By the end of 2008, more than 200 alkaloids belonging to 14
      different skeletal types have been isolated from different parts of plants of
      thirteen Daphniphyllum species. These alkaloids show cytotoxic, antioxidant,
      vasorelaxant, and antiplatelet activating factor effects. The plausible
      biosynthetic pathways for Daphniphyllum alkaloids have been proposed and
      biomimetic total syntheses of some alkaloids completed. To provide an update of
      the previous reviews published in 2009, new structures, synthesis, and
      bioactivity of Daphniphyllum alkaloids reported in recent years are presented in
      this article. In the meantime, an additional 54 novel alkaloids have been
      isolated and identified. Among them, some possess unprecedented frameworks.
      Several inspired organic syntheses were completed. 

PMID- 24214837
TI  - Effects of bacteriophage on the quality and shelf life of Paralichthys olivaceus
      during chilled storage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The microbiological spoilage of fishery foods is mainly due to
      specific spoilage organisms (SSOs), with Shewanella putrefaciens being the SSO of
      most chilled marine fish. Bacteriophages have shown excellent capability to
      control micro-organisms. The aim of this study was to determine a specific
      bacteriophage to prevent spoilage by reducing SSO (S. putrefaciens) levels in the
      marine fish Paralichthys olivaceus (olive flounder) under chilled storage.
      RESULTS: Chilled flounder fillets were inoculated with S. putrefaciens and
      treated with different concentrations of bacteriophage Spp001 ranging from 10(4)
      to 10(8) plaque-forming units (pfu) mL(-1) . Bacterial growth (including total
      viable count and SSO) of the bacteriophage-treated groups was significantly
      inhibited compared with that of the negative control group (P < 0.05). Sensory
      evaluation and biochemical parameters revealed that the bacteriophage could
      extend the shelf life of chilled flounder fillets (from <4 to 14 days) with good
      esthetic quality, even at low temperature (4  degrees C). Furthermore,
      bacteriophage concentrations of 10(6) and 10(8) pfu mL(-1) were more effective
      than the chemical preservative potassium sorbate (5 g L(-1) ). CONCLUSION: The
      bacteriophage Spp001 offered effective biocontrol of S. putrefaciens under
      chilled conditions, retaining the quality characteristics of spiked fish fillets,
      and thus could be a potential candidate for use in chilled fish fillet
      biopreservation.

PMID- 24214838
TI  - Update in hospital palliative care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Seriously ill patients frequently receive care in hospitals, and
      palliative care is a core competency for hospitalists. We aimed to summarize and
      critique recent research that has the potential to impact the clinical practice
      of palliative care in the hospital. METHODS: We reviewed articles published
      between January 2012 and May 2013, identified through a hand-search of leading
      journals and PubMed. The authors collectively selected 9 articles based on their
      scientific rigor and relevance to hospital practice. We review their findings,
      strengths, and limitations and make recommendations for practice. RESULTS: Key
      findings include: indwelling pleural catheters and talc pleurodesis provide
      similar relief of dyspnea in patients with malignant pleural effusions; oxygen
      many not be needed to prevent dyspnea in many dying patients; docusate may not be
      needed in addition to sennosides to treat opioid-induced constipation; atropine
      is no more effective than placebo in treating respiratory rattles in dying
      patients; many older adult survivors of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation
      (CPR) are alive up to 1 year after discharge; observing CPR may decrease family
      post-traumatic stress; surrogates of intensive care unit patients often interpret
      prognostic information optimistically; many patients with metastatic cancer feel
      that chemotherapy may cure their disease; viewing a goals-of-care video may
      decrease preference for CPR in patients being admitted to skilled nursing
      facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Recent research provides important insights into the
      effectiveness of medications and interventions for symptom management, outcomes
      of CPR for patients and families, and Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:715
      720. (c) 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 24214839
TI  - Augmenting aquatic species sensitivity distributions with interspecies toxicity
      estimation models.
AB  - Species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) are cumulative distribution functions of
      species toxicity values. The SSD approach is being used increasingly in
      ecological risk assessment but is often limited by available toxicity data needed
      for diverse species representation. In the present study, the authors evaluate
      augmenting aquatic species databases limited to standard test species using
      toxicity values extrapolated from interspecies correlation estimation (ICE)
      models for SSD development. The authors compared hazard concentrations at the 5th
      centile (HC5) of SSDs developed using limited measured data augmented with ICE
      toxicity values (augmented SSDs) with those estimated using larger measured
      toxicity datasets of diverse species (reference SSDs). When SSDs had similar
      species composition to the reference SSDs, 0.76 of the HC5 estimates were closer
      to the reference HC5; however, the proportion of augmented HC5s that were within
      5-fold of the reference HC5s was 0.94, compared with 0.96 when predicted SSDs had
      random species assemblages. The range of toxicity values among represented
      species in all SSDs also depended on a chemical's mode of action. Predicted HC5
      estimations for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors showed the greatest discrepancies
      from the reference HC5 when SSDs were limited to commonly tested species. The
      results of the present study indicate that ICE models used to augment datasets
      for SSDs do not greatly affect HC5 uncertainty. Uncertainty analysis of risk
      assessments using SSD hazard concentrations should address species composition,
      especially for chemicals with known taxa-specific differences in toxicological
      effects. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the
      USA.

PMID- 24214840
TI  - Promoting gynecologic cancer awareness at a critical juncture--where women and
      providers meet.
AB  - Given the absence of effective population-based screening tests for ovarian,
      uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers, early detection can depend on women and
      health care providers recognizing the potential significance of symptoms. In
      2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Inside Knowledge
      campaign began distributing consumer education materials promoting awareness of
      gynecologic cancer symptoms. We investigated providers' in-office use of CDC
      gynecologic cancer materials and their recognition of the symptoms highlighted in
      the materials. We analyzed data from a national 2012 survey of US primary care
      physicians, nurse practitioners, and gynecologists (N = 1,380). Less than a
      quarter of providers (19.4%) reported using CDC gynecologic cancer education
      materials in their offices. The provider characteristics associated with the use
      of CDC materials were not consistent across specialties. However, recognition of
      symptoms associated with gynecologic cancers was consistently higher among
      providers who reported using CDC materials. The possibility that providers were
      educated about gynecologic cancer symptoms through the dissemination of materials
      intended for their patients is intriguing and warrants further investigation.
      Distributing consumer education materials in health care provider offices remains
      a priority for the Inside Knowledge campaign, as the setting where women and
      health care providers interact is one of the most crucial venues to promote
      awareness of gynecologic cancer symptoms.

PMID- 24214841
TI  - Structure elucidation of ACE-inhibitory and antithrombotic peptides isolated from
      mackerel skin gelatine hydrolysates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The fish-processing industry generates significant amounts of waste
      and by-products that are usually discarded. This study investigated the
      preparation of bioactive gelatine peptides from fish skin. Gelatine was extracted
      from mackerel (Scomber scombrus) skin and hydrolysed by pepsin for 1, 2, 6 and 24
      h. All hydrolysates were screened for antioxidant, ACE-inhibitory and
      antithrombotic activities. RESULTS: Gelatine peptides obtained after 24 h of
      hydrolysis exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH reduction ~80%, FRAP
      ~130 umol Trolox equivalent L(-1) ). These hydrolysates had high ACE-inhibitory
      activity (>70%) and were able to significantly (P < 0.05) inhibit platelet
      aggregation by about 30%, corresponding to moderate antithrombotic activity.
      CONCLUSION: The bioactive properties were mainly due to the presence of low
      molecular-weight peptides of 337 and 423 Da.

PMID- 24214842
TI  - Morphological analysis of the branches of the dorsal pancreatic artery and their
      clinical significance.
AB  - The dorsal pancreatic artery (DP), characterized by a course that crosses behind
      the proximal part of the splenic vein. It is regarded as clinically important,
      providing essential distribution to the pancreas. However, the origin of the DP
      is extremely variable and therefore cannot provide a sufficient basis for
      identifying it. The DPs of 11 cadavers were investigated in terms of origin,
      course and distribution. A total of 45 branches of the DP are classified into
      seven types on the basis of course and distribution. One of these seven types was
      consistently observed among the specimens: it ran to the right, passed behind the
      superior mesenteric vein and anterior surface of the posterior part of the head
      of the pancreas, and then distributed to the uncinate process and the posterior
      part of the head of the pancreas. Variations in the branching pattern of the DP
      can be explained from the following perspective: the consistent branch (#5) is
      the stem of the DP, and other branches originate from it. It is advisable for
      surgeons to pay attention to this consistent branch of the dorsal pancreatic
      artery when performing a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PMID- 24214843
TI  - Genistein alleviates the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in ApoE(-/-)
      mice fed a high-fat diet.
AB  - SCOPE: Genistein (GEN) is a compound that has been shown to alleviate hepatic
      steatosis. Here, we investigated its protective effects against non-alcoholic
      steatohepatitis (NASH) development in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-) )
      mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Wild-type and ApoE(-/-) mice
      were fed an HFD with or without GEN (0.5 g/kg diet) for 24 weeks. Body weights
      were reduced and fecal cholesterol excretion was increased by GEN. GEN
      supplementation lowered serum and hepatic cholesterol and lipid peroxidation
      levels, and hepatic heme oxygenase 1 protein levels in ApoE(-/-) mice. Hepatic
      expressions of scavenger receptors involved in oxidized LDL uptake, CD36 and
      scavenger receptor A, were downregulated by GEN. GEN reduced serum alanine
      aminotransferase and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels, and hepatic
      nuclear factor-kappaB-mediated inflammatory gene expressions in ApoE(-/-) mice.
      These levels were higher in ApoE(-/-) mice fed an HFD than their corresponding
      wild-type mice. GEN also alleviated hepatic steatosis by reducing mRNA levels of
      monoacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1, a target gene of peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor gamma. CONCLUSION: GEN alleviated NASH as well as
      hypercholesterolemia and obesity in ApoE(-/-) mice fed an HFD. Restoration of
      altered cholesterol metabolism and oxidative stress may be involved in the
      protective effect of GEN against NASH development.

PMID- 24214844
TI  - Aqueductal cerebrospinal fluid pulsatility in healthy individuals is affected by
      impaired cerebral venous outflow.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in the aqueduct of
      Sylvius (AoS) in chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI)-positive and 
      negative healthy individuals using cine phase contrast imaging. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Fifty-one healthy individuals (32 CCSVI-negative and 19 age-matched
      CCSVI-positive subjects) were examined using Doppler sonography (DS). Diagnosis
      of CCSVI was established if subjects fulfilled >=2 venous hemodynamic criteria on
      DS. CSF flow and velocity measures were quantified using a semiautomated method
      and compared with clinical and routine 3T MRI outcomes. RESULTS: CCSVI was
      associated with increased CSF pulsatility in the AoS. Net positive CSF flow was
      32% greater in the CCSVI-positive group compared with the CCSVI-negative group (P
      = 0.008). This was accompanied by a 28% increase in the mean aqueductal
      characteristic signal (ie, the AoS cross-sectional area over the cardiac cycle)
      in the CCSVI-positive group compared with the CCSVI-negative group (P = 0.021).
      CONCLUSION: CSF dynamics are altered in CCSVI-positive healthy individuals, as
      demonstrated by increased pulsatility. This is accompanied by enlargement of the
      AoS, suggesting that structural changes may be occurring in the brain parenchyma
      of CCSVI-positive healthy individuals.

PMID- 24214846
TI  - First-principles study of the BiMO4 antisite defect in the Bi12MO20 (M=Si, Ge,
      Ti) sillenite compounds.
AB  - Structural, electronic and optical properties of the antisite BiMO4 defect in
      Bi12MO20 sillenites (BMO, M=Si, Ge, Ti) were investigated using density
      functional theory. The defect is studied in neutral, positively and negatively
      charged states. It is demonstrated that within the neutral defect the Bi 6s(2)
      lone pair is broken and the valence state of the Bi is 4+ (6s(1)). Within the
      charged defects, the Bi 6s orbital is found to be either full (Bi(3+): 6s(2)) or
      empty (Bi(5+): 6s(0)). All three charged states introduce energy bands within the
      BMO gap. By analyzing possible transitions between them we deduced a simple model
      of functioning of the BiMO4 defect that is able to explain the photochromic and
      photorefractive effect in sillenites and that reproduces almost all known
      experimental facts. 

PMID- 24214845
TI  - Synthesis and applications of alpha-trifluoromethylated alkylboron compounds.
AB  - RBF3 K is a chemist's BFF: A metal-free synthetic route to unprecedented
      organoboron compounds bearing an alpha-trifluoromethyl substituent, employing a
      variety of trifluoroborate (RBF3 K) starting materials, is reported. These
      substrates represent the first isolated alpha-trifluoromethylated alkylboron
      building blocks, and these reagents lead to a variety of useful bench-stable,
      synthetic intermediates. Pin=pinacol. 

PMID- 24214847
TI  - Comment on the association between sarcopenia and the risk of serious infection
      among adults undergoing liver transplantation.

PMID- 24214848
TI  - Author's response to letter to the editor (JOR-13-0436) that refers to "Molecular
      mechanisms of cell sheet fragment in enhancing bone formation in mandibular
      distraction".

PMID- 24214849
TI  - Nickel cluster growth on defect sites of graphene: a computational study.

PMID- 24214850
TI  - DBD dyes as fluorescence lifetime probes to study conformational changes in
      proteins.
AB  - Previously, [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-f][1,3]benzodioxole (DBD)-based fluorophores used as
      highly sensitive fluorescence lifetime probes reporting on their
      microenvironmental polarity have been described. Now, a new generation of DBD
      dyes has been developed. Although they are still sensitive to polarity, in
      contrast to the former DBD dyes, they have extraordinary spectroscopic properties
      even in aqueous surroundings. They are characterized by long fluorescence
      lifetimes (10-20 ns), large Stokes shifts (~100 nm), high photostabilities, and
      high quantum yields (>0.56). Here, the spectroscopic properties and synthesis of
      functionalized derivatives for labeling biological targets are described.
      Furthermore, thio-reactive maleimido derivatives of both DBD generations show
      strong intramolecular fluorescence quenching. This mechanism has been
      investigated and is found to undergo a photoelectron transfer (PET) process.
      After reaction with a thiol group, this fluorescence quenching is prevented,
      indicating successful bonding. Being sensitive to their environmental polarity,
      these compounds have been used as powerful fluorescence lifetime probes for the
      investigation of conformational changes in the maltose ATP-binding cassette
      transporter through fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy. The differing tendencies
      of the fluorescence lifetime change for both DBD dye generations promote their
      combination as a powerful toolkit for studying microenvironments in proteins.

PMID- 24214851
TI  - Toxic compounds in honey.
AB  - There is a wealth of information about the nutritional and medicinal properties
      of honey. However, honey may contain compounds that may lead to toxicity. A
      compound not naturally present in honey, named 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), may
      be formed during the heating or preservation processes of honey. HMF has gained
      much interest, as it is commonly detected in honey samples, especially samples
      that have been stored for a long time. HMF is a compound that may be mutagenic,
      carcinogenic and cytotoxic. It has also been reported that honey can be
      contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium. Honey
      produced from the nectar of Rhododendron ponticum contains alkaloids that can be
      poisonous to humans, while honey collected from Andromeda flowers contains
      grayanotoxins, which can cause paralysis of limbs in humans and eventually leads
      to death. In addition, Melicope ternata and Coriaria arborea from New Zealand
      produce toxic honey that can be fatal. There are reports that honey is not safe
      to be consumed when it is collected from Datura plants (from Mexico and Hungary),
      belladonna flowers and Hyoscamus niger plants (from Hungary), Serjania lethalis
      (from Brazil), Gelsemium sempervirens (from the American Southwest), Kalmia
      latifolia, Tripetalia paniculata and Ledum palustre. Although the symptoms of
      poisoning due to honey consumption may differ depending on the source of toxins,
      most common symptoms generally include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, convulsions,
      headache, palpitations or even death. It has been suggested that honey should not
      be considered a completely safe food.

PMID- 24214852
TI  - Genetic assessment of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) accessions by
      peroxidase gene-based markers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peroxidase, a plant-specific oxidoreductase, is a heme-containing
      glycoprotein encoded by a large multigenic family in plants. Plant peroxidases
      (POXs, EC 1.11.1.7) play important roles in many self-defense interactions in
      plants. Here, 67 common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes were studied using
      a POX gene-based marker method. Comparison of POX genes could resolve
      evolutionary relationships in common bean. RESULTS: Eighty fragments were
      obtained with 20 primer pairs that amplified one (POX8c) to eight (ATP29) bands,
      with a mean of four bands per primer pair. The average (polymorphic information
      content) PIC value for the POX products was 0.40. The maximum variation (93%) was
      found between Turkey (#33) and India (#52) and between Antalya (#33) and India
      (#53). The minimum variation (0%) was found among four pairs: Bozdag (#2) and
      Karadeniz (#38), Kirklareli (#11) and Turkey (#15, 16, 43), Bandirma (#13) and
      Turkey (#15, 16, 43), and Kirklareli (#10) and Bandirma (#22). UPGMA was used to
      discriminate the common bean genotypes into five clusters, while STRUCTURE
      software was used to investigate the genetic population structure. CONCLUSION:
      The results showed that POX gene family markers can be used to study genotypic
      diversity and provide new information for breeding programs and common bean
      improvement practices.

PMID- 24214853
TI  - Patient-centered perspectives on the access to educational opportunities specific
      to lifestyle modification in men at risk for primary or secondary prostate
      cancer.
AB  - Educating men at risk for primary or secondary prostate cancer on lifestyle
      modification may help prevent the development of the disease, reduce the risk of
      recurrence in those treated for cancer, and slow the progression of active
      disease. To date, substantial literature on male patient attitudes towards risk
      modification does not exist. In this project, we evaluate the attitudes and
      educational needs of men at high-risk for primary or secondary prostate cancer to
      assess the need for a dedicated clinic focused on education and prevention. Two
      clinic nurses administered surveys to 76 male patients seen at the University
      Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) and Urology clinics. Survey responses showed the
      patients' perspectives and desire for more support and education regarding late
      effects of treatment, management of risk, and lifestyle modification. Findings
      from this survey inspired the establishment of the Burns & McDonnell High-Risk
      Prostate Cancer Prevention Program at KUCC. 

PMID- 24214854
TI  - Comparison of anti-inflammatory potential of four different dibenzocyclooctadiene
      lignans in microglia; action via activation of PKA and Nrf-2 signaling and
      inhibition of MAPK/STAT/NF-kappaB pathways.
AB  - SCOPE: The aim of our study was to determine the signaling pathways associated
      with the antineuroinflammatory and neuroprotective responses induced by
      dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans in microglia. METHODS AND RESULTS: We employed
      ELISA, gelatin zymography, transient transfection, Western blot, chromatin
      immunoprecipitation, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP
      biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assays to characterize the effects of
      dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans on microglia. We found that dibenzocyclooctadiene
      lignans suppress TLR 2/4 agonist-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and
      chemokines, PGE2 , nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and MMP-9
      enzymatic activity through the suppression of MAPK, NF-kappaB, and JAK-STAT
      activation. We next demonstrated that dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans induced the
      expression of phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes and suppressed the iNOS
      and ROS activation induced by TLR 2/4 agonists. Interestingly, we also found that
      dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans induced PKA/CREB/Nrf-2 activation in microglia and
      that activation of phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes via stimulation of
      the PKA/CREB/Nrf-2 pathway attenuated TLR 2/4 agonist-induced iNOS and ROS
      activation. Furthermore, dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans protected primary cortical
      neurons against microglia-mediated neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      indicate that phase II detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes and their upstream
      effectors, PKA/CREB/Nrf-2, play a pivotal role in the antineuroinflammatory and
      neuroprotective effects of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans in TLR 2/4 agonist
      stimulated microglia.

PMID- 24214855
TI  - Nano-TiO(2) improve the photosynthesis of tomato leaves under mild heat stress.
AB  - Nano-TiO(2) has been reported to promote photosynthesis in some crops; however,
      the mechanism behind this action remains unknown. In this research, the effects
      of nano-TiO(2) on leaf photosynthesis under mild heat stress were investigated.
      Results showed that the net photosynthetic rate, conductance to H2O, and
      transpiration rate of tomato leaves increased after application of an appropriate
      concentration of nano-TiO(2). Nano-TiO(2) also significantly decreased the
      minimum chlorophyll fluorescence and relative electron transport in leaves. Under
      mild heat stress, Nano-TiO(2) increased regulated photosystem II (PS II) energy
      dissipation and decreased non-regulated PS II energy dissipation. These results
      indicate that nano-TiO(2) plays a positive role in promoting photosynthesis in
      tomato leaves under mild heat stress.

PMID- 24214856
TI  - Selenium attenuates high glucose-induced ROS/TLR-4 involved apoptosis of rat
      cardiomyocyte.
AB  - The potential mechanism of high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and
      selenium's protective effects were investigated in this study. Myocytes isolated
      from neonate rats were cultured in high-glucose medium (25.5 mmol/L glucose) to
      mimic sustained hyperglycemia. Before high-glucose incubation, myocytes were
      pretreated by sodium selenite solution. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by annexin
      V/propidium iodide (PI) staining and caspase activation. Expression of Toll-like
      receptor 4 (TLR-4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD-88) was examined at
      both mRNA and protein levels. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      production and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in myocytes were also
      detected. We found high glucose-induced cell apoptosis and activation of TLR
      4/MyD-88/caspase-8/caspase-3 signaling, accompanied by increased production of
      ROS. Selenium pretreatment attenuated apoptosis in high glucose-incubated
      myocytes, and mechanically, this protective effect was found to be associated
      with attenuating oxidative status by increasing activity of GPx, decreasing the
      generation of ROS, as well as inhibition of the activation of TLR-4/MyD
      88/caspase-8/caspase-3 signaling in myocytes. These results suggest that
      activation of TLR-4/MyD-88 signaling pathway plays an important role in high
      glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Additionally, by modulating TLR-4/MyD-88
      signaling pathway, which is linked to ROS formation, selenium exerts its
      antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects in high glucose-incubated myocytes.

PMID- 24214857
TI  - The influence of growth conditions on strain differentiation within the
      Lactobacillus acidophilus group using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
      time-of-flight mass spectrometry profiling.
AB  - RATIONALE: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) profiling of bacteria is often used to distinguish
      isolates beyond the species level, even to the level of individual strains.
      However, the influence of bacterial growth conditions on the discriminatory power
      of the method to the strain level has not yet been properly evaluated. METHODS:
      For the purpose of this study, we used an extraction protocol recommended for
      clinical laboratories for MALDI-TOF MS profiling of bacteria. Seventeen closely
      related strains of the Lactobacillus acidophilus group were cultivated under
      various growth conditions (growth medium, time, and temperature) and analyzed.
      RESULTS: Out of a total of 327 samples, 80 % were correctly assigned to the
      species level and 13 % only to the genus level. When using data obtained from
      strains cultured for lengthy periods (7 days), the identification success rate
      was reduced due to poor signal quality, whereas with shorter cultivation times
      there was no influence of growth conditions on the assignment of particular
      strains to their corresponding species. However, variations in certain
      cultivation parameters were found to influence identification and differentiation
      of most of the examined strains. Strain discrimination was frequently found to be
      dependent on the selection of culture conditions. MALDI-TOF MS data treatment
      (strain-specific peak detection, BioTyper scoring, subtyping, or cluster
      analysis) also contributed to the discriminatory power of the method.
      CONCLUSIONS: When MALDI-TOF MS profiling of bacteria is used for strain
      discrimination, the cultivation conditions should be properly optimized and
      controlled as they significantly contribute to the discriminatory power of the
      method.

PMID- 24214858
TI  - A specific method of 34S labelling provides evidence that sulphate assimilation
      occurs in developing seeds and pod walls of Brassica napus L. subjected to ample
      or limited S nutrition.
AB  - RATIONALE: Seeds from different species actively assimilate sulphur (S) from
      sulphate. This has never been proved for Brassica napus L., a high S demanding
      plant, especially with regard to S limitation. The role of pod walls in the
      assimilation and allocation of S in well-fed and sulphate-limited conditions also
      needs to be clarified. METHODS: Freshly harvested seeds and pod walls from plants
      well-supplied (HS) or limited with sulphate (LS) from the 'visible buds' stage
      were subjected to a nutrient solution containing (34)S-sulphate (10 atom% excess)
      for 24 h. The (34)S labelling of the sulphate and protein fractions was
      determined with an elemental analyser connected to a continuous flow isotope
      ratio mass spectrometer. The amino acid profiles of seeds and pod walls were also
      determined by ion-exchange chromatography. RESULTS: The 24 h of (34)S-sulphate
      feeding treatment leads to an important production of proteins in HS and LS
      seeds, associated with a decrease in numerous amino acid contents. The treatment
      also leads to an incorporation of (34)S in seeds and pod walls proteins in both
      HS and LS conditions. The incorporation of (34)S in proteins was not different
      between HS and LS seeds, but was lower in LS than in HS pod walls, related to a
      higher incorporation in the other organic S compounds. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      provides evidence that Brassica napus seeds and pod walls are able to assimilate
      sulphate in HS and LS conditions, and that the LS condition leads to enhancement
      of the sulphate assimilation capacity of pod walls, which may be of crucial
      importance for the allocation of S to developing seeds.

PMID- 24214859
TI  - Cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry microscope mode mass spectrometry
      imaging.
AB  - RATIONALE: Microscope mode imaging for secondary ion mass spectrometry is a
      technique with the promise of simultaneous high spatial resolution and high-speed
      imaging of biomolecules from complex surfaces. Technological developments such as
      new position-sensitive detectors, in combination with polyatomic primary ion
      sources, are required to exploit the full potential of microscope mode mass
      spectrometry imaging, i.e. to efficiently push the limits of ultra-high spatial
      resolution, sample throughput and sensitivity. METHODS: In this work, a C60
      primary source was combined with a commercial mass microscope for microscope mode
      secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging. The detector setup is a pixelated
      detector from the Medipix/Timepix family with high-voltage post-acceleration
      capabilities. The system's mass spectral and imaging performance is tested with
      various benchmark samples and thin tissue sections. RESULTS: The high secondary
      ion yield (with respect to 'traditional' monatomic primary ion sources) of the
      C60 primary ion source and the increased sensitivity of the high voltage detector
      setup improve microscope mode secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging. The
      analysis time and the signal-to-noise ratio are improved compared with other
      microscope mode imaging systems, all at high spatial resolution. CONCLUSIONS: We
      have demonstrated the unique capabilities of a C60 ion microscope with a Timepix
      detector for high spatial resolution microscope mode secondary ion mass
      spectrometry imaging.

PMID- 24214860
TI  - Quantitative analysis of gamma- and delta-lactones in wines using gas
      chromatography with selective tandem mass spectrometric detection.
AB  - RATIONALE: Aroma relevant gamma- and delta-lactones are important flavor
      compounds in various foodstuffs. Their quantitative determination is essential
      for evaluating food sensory properties as well as food authenticity studies.
      METHODS: High-throughput head-space solid-phase microextraction as sample
      preparation, separation by capillary gas chromatography coupled with triple stage
      quadrupole mass spectrometry has been evaluated as the analytical method.
      RESULTS: Monitoring selected reaction mass fragments allowed sub-ug/L
      quantification of gamma- and delta-lactones in complex wine matrices.
      CONCLUSIONS: Tandem mass spectrometry improves specific detection of gamma- and
      delta-lactones, a prerequisite for reliable quantification at low-ug/L
      concentration levels in complex wine matrices.

PMID- 24214861
TI  - Alternating current corona discharge/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - RATIONALE: Although alternating current (ac) corona discharge has been widely
      used in the fields of material science and technology, no reports have been
      published on its application to an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization
      (APCI) ion source. In this work, ac corona discharge for an APCI ion source has
      been examined for the first time. METHODS: The ambient atmospheric pressure ac
      corona discharge (15 kHz, 2.6 kVptp ) was generated by using a stainless steel
      acupuncture needle. The generated ions were measured using an ion trap mass
      spectrometer. A comparative study on ac and direct current (dc) corona APCI ion
      sources was carried out using triacetone triperoxide and trinitrotoluene as test
      samples. RESULTS: The ac corona discharge gave ion signals as strong as dc corona
      discharge for both positive and negative ion modes. In addition, softer
      ionization was obtained with ac corona discharge than with dc corona discharge.
      The erosion of the needle tip induced by ac corona was less than that obtained
      with positive mode dc corona. CONCLUSIONS: A good 'yardstick' for assessing ac
      corona is that it can be used for both positive and negative ion modes without
      changing the polarity of the high-voltage power supply. Thus, ac corona can be an
      alternative to conventional dc corona for APCI ion sources.

PMID- 24214862
TI  - Combined phospho- and glycoproteome enrichment in nephrocalcinosis tissues of
      phytate-fed rats.
AB  - RATIONALE: Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) are directly involved
      in protein function and cellular activities. Among them, glycosylation and
      phosphorylation are particularly important modifications on proteins located at
      extracellular and intracellular domains, respectively. However, the combined
      detection using phospho- and glycoproteomics is limited mainly due to protocol
      differences. METHODS: In this study, we developed a novel method for both phospho
      and glycoproteome detection from a single sample batch, in which a titanium
      dioxide cartridge was used to capture the phosphoproteome, and the flow-through
      solution was processed for capturing N-linked glycopeptides using hydrazide
      resin. RESULTS: By using 1 mg of protein from kidney tissue lysates from normal
      and diseased rats, we concurrently identified 437 glycosites/358 phosphosites and
      468 glycosites/369 phosphosites in normal and disease kidneys, respectively, by
      liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Compared
      with individual PTM analyses, the combined PTM analysis clearly provides more
      broad implications for PTMs related to the pathological status and discovery of
      biomarker candidates. Furthermore, the combined protocol thoroughly showed its
      advantages in enrichment efficiency and biological interpretation compared with
      current methods.

PMID- 24214863
TI  - Quantitative analysis of polysorbates 20 and 40 by matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
AB  - RATIONALE: Polysorbates are nonionic surfactants that consist primarily of fatty
      acid esters of polyethoxy sorbitan. This study proved that polysorbates can be
      quantitatively analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of
      flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Using MALDI-TOF MS, relative intensity
      and concentration ratios were correlated, and extensive research was conducted to
      understand the influencing factors. METHODS: Polysorbate 20 and 40 were mixed in
      the desired ratios and irradiated with a N2 laser. MALDI-TOF mass spectra were
      recorded in positive ion mode to test the linearity. All commercial polysorbates
      were analyzed to determine the relative concentration of the components using the
      same method. RESULTS: The relative peak intensity ratio as a function of the
      relative concentration ratio was analyzed, and a reasonably good linearity (R(2)
      = 0.987 for polysorbate 20) was obtained. This study illustrates the process of
      converting the analyte signal response into the concentration, supporting the
      notion that quantitative MALDI-TOF MS can be used to analyze polymers. MALDI-TOF
      MS analysis of commercial polysorbate formulations revealed a complex mixture of
      oligomers that was related to the fatty acid composition. CONCLUSIONS:
      Polysorbates 20 and 40 were characterized, and the simultaneous quantitative
      analysis of polysorbate 20 was reported. This method requires no tedious sample
      pretreatment. Therefore, it is a promising method for the rapid simultaneous
      quantitation of polysorbates 20 and 40.

PMID- 24214864
TI  - Unleashing radical sites in non-covalent complexes: the case of the protonated S
      nitrosocysteine/18-crown-6 complex.
AB  - RATIONALE: Introducing radicals onto gas-phase non-covalent complexes and
      studying their chemistry is a relatively unexplored frontier. In generating these
      radicals via bond homolysis reactions, it is important that the energy necessary
      for forming the radical does not exceed the energy required for dissociating the
      complex itself. Based on this consideration, new approaches for creating these
      radicals will probably have to involve incorporation of weak bonds that can
      easily undergo homolysis. METHODS: The formation of a radical cation, via
      collision-induced dissociation, of protonated S-nitrosocysteine non-covalently
      bound to the crown ether 18-crown-6 is described here. The radical cation of this
      complex was isolated and subjected to collisional activation and ion-molecule
      reactions with allyl iodide. The results were compared with those of the radical
      cation of 'bare' cysteine. RESULTS: Collisional activation of the radical cation
      of the cysteine/crown complex led to fragmentation of cysteine as well as of the
      crown ether. Ion-molecule reactions of the radical cation of the complex with
      allyl iodide led to products arising from I and allyl abstraction. Isolation and
      CID of the former product ion led to the loss of iodocysteine. CONCLUSIONS:
      Cleavage of the weak S-NO bond has allowed the formation of a radical site onto a
      non-covalent complex. Ion-molecule reactions and collisional activation were
      utilized to probe the chemistry of this radical cation. The approach adopted here
      for incorporating a radical onto a cysteine/crown complex shows promise for the
      introduction of radical sites onto other biological non-covalent complexes.

PMID- 24214865
TI  - A sensitive method for the sulfur isotope analysis of dimethyl sulfide and
      dimethylsulfoniopropionate in seawater.
AB  - RATIONALE: Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is the major volatile sulfur species emitted to
      the atmosphere from the oceans. The sulfur isotope ratio ((34)S/(32)S) of DMS may
      offer a way to calculate the contribution of marine DMS to global sulfur cycling.
      The S-isotopic analysis of DMS is difficult due to its low concentrations in
      natural seawater and high chemical reactivity. Here we present a sensitive,
      precise and accurate method for determining the S-isotopic composition of natural
      DMS and its precursor, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), in seawater. METHODS:
      The method was based on a purge of DMS from aqueous solutions or natural seawater
      to a cryogenic trap and subsequent separation of DMS by gas chromatography. The
      separated DMS was then transferred from the gas chromatograph to a multicollector
      inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (GC/MC-ICPMS system) for measurement
      of (34)S/(32)S ratios. Correction for mass bias was accomplished using standard
      sample bracketing with peaks of SF6 as a reference gas. RESULTS: Results obtained
      from synthetic DMS and DMSP dissolved in artificial seawater show >98% recovery
      of DMS and very good precision (0.1 to 0.30/00), accuracy and linearity (0.20/00)
      for the 26-179 picomoles (pmol) of DMS or DMSP injected. The system was tested
      with natural seawater from Eilat (Red Sea, Israel) and similar precision and
      accuracy for both DMS and DMSP were obtained. The delta(34)S values of DMS and
      DMSP from Eilat seawater were 19.2 +/- 0.20/00 and 19.7 +/- 0.20/00,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The coupling of a purge-and-trap system with a GC/MC
      ICPMS system was shown to be a sensitive, accurate and robust approach for the S
      isotope analysis of nanomolar (nM) concentrations of DMS and DMSP from aqueous
      solutions and natural seawater.

PMID- 24214866
TI  - Reagent assessment for detection of ammonium ion-molecule complexes.
AB  - RATIONALE: Ammonia (NH3) is an important chemical target in sensor applications
      such as trace explosives detection of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and environmental
      monitoring. Ion-molecule reagent chemistries show potential to increase
      sensitivity in detection systems relying on atmospheric pressure ionization (API)
      of reagent-ammonium (M + NH4(+)) complexes. Gas-phase reagent selection
      assessment is based on mass spectrometric (MS) determination of binding constants
      relative to competitive ions and critical energies for ion-molecule complex
      dissociation. METHODS: Eight ammonium complexation reagents were identified and
      gas-phase ion-molecule interactions were studied using electrospray ionization.
      Binding constants were determined, in Log(K), using the competition method for
      one host molecule with three guests (NH4(+), Na(+), and K(+)) in single
      quadrupole MS. Critical energy determination was based on calibration of
      threshold activation voltage using collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem
      mass spectrometry (MS/MS). RESULTS: This assessment informs selective binding
      affinity and intrinsic ion-molecule critical energy for dissociation. Relative
      NH4(+) binding affinity was highest for sucrose and 4-tert-butylcalix[6]arene,
      while 4-tert-butylcalix[6]arene and methyl acetoacetate showed the highest
      preferential binding of NH4(+) versus Na(+) and K(+). The intrinsic critical
      energy for NH4(+) binding was highest for crown ethers, tetraglyme and methyl
      acetoacetate. CONCLUSIONS: An MS-based framework was developed to quantitatively
      assess API ion-molecule reagent chemistries based on ammonium selectivity versus
      competing ions, and intrinsic ammonium binding strength and complex survivability
      for detection. Methyl acetoacetate is an attractive ammonium reagent for vapor
      phase API techniques given its high vapor pressure, preferential selectivity, and
      high critical energy for dissociation.

PMID- 24214867
TI  - Femtosecond laser-induced ionization/dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (fsLID
      MS/MS) of deprotonated phosphopeptide anions.
AB  - RATIONALE: Radical-directed dissociation techniques provide structural
      information which is complementary to that from conventional collision-induced
      dissociation (CID). The analysis of phosphopeptide anions is warranted due to
      their relatively acidic character. As femtosecond laser-induced
      ionization/dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (fsLID-MS/MS) is uniquely
      initiated by field ionization, an investigation is warranted to determine whether
      fsLID may provide novel analytical utility for phosphopeptide anions. METHODS:
      Twenty-three synthetic deprotonated phosphopeptide anions were introduced into a
      three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer via electrospray
      ionization. The ion trap was interfaced with a near-IR (802 nm) ultrashort-pulsed
      (35 fs FWHM) ultrahigh-powered (peak power ~10(14)  W/cm(2)) laser system.
      Performance comparisons are made with other techniques applied to phosphopeptide
      anion analysis, including CID, electron detachment dissociation (EDD), negative
      electron transfer dissociation (NETD), activated electron photodetachment
      dissociation (activated-EPD), and ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD). RESULTS:
      FsLID-MS/MS of multiply deprotonated phosphopeptide anions provides sequence
      information via phosphorylation-intact a/x ions in addition to other sequence
      ions, satellite ions, and side-chain losses. Novel fragmentation processes
      include selective c-ion formation N-terminal to Ser/Thr and a phosphorylation
      specific correlation between xn -98 ion abundances and phosphorylation at the
      n(th) residue. Sequencing-quality data required about 30 s of signal averaging.
      fsLID-MS/MS of singly deprotonated phosphopeptides did not yield product anions
      with stable trajectories, despite significant depletion of the precursor.
      CONCLUSIONS: Multiply deprotonated phosphopeptide anions were sequenced via
      negative-mode fsLID-MS/MS, with phosphosite localization facilitated by a/x ion
      series in addition to diagnostic x(n)-98 ions. fsLID-MS/MS is qualitatively
      competitive with other techniques. Further efficiency enhancements (e.g.,
      implementation on a linear trap or/and higher pulse frequencies) may permit
      sequence analyses on chromatographic timescales.

PMID- 24214868
TI  - On-line HfF5(-)/WF5(-) separation in an O2-filled radiofrequency quadrupole gas
      cell.
AB  - RATIONALE: An experimental Isobar Separator for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry
      (ISAMS) instrument has been used to demonstrate an on-line separation of HfF5(-)
      from its isobar WF5(-). This is necessary, in addition to sample preparation
      chemistry, for measuring (182)Hf at natural levels by Accelerator Mass
      Spectrometry (AMS). METHODS: The device utilizes a radiofrequency quadrupole
      (RFQ) controlled gas cell, wherein anion-gas reactions at eV energies attenuate
      the interfering isobars of the analyte molecular anions, leaving HfF5(-) for AMS
      analysis. The RFQ also helps to control the multiple scattering resulting from
      the ion-gas collisions. RESULTS: O2 gas was used in the HfF5(-)/WF5(-) separation
      and WF5(-) was attenuated by nearly 3 orders of magnitude while maintaining ~75%
      transmission of HfF5(-). It is expected that the transmission and attenuation can
      be increased by further research. CONCLUSIONS: This result advances the
      possibility of detecting natural (182)Hf when AMS is supplemented with an isobar
      separator in the injection system.

PMID- 24214869
TI  - New tetrads formed by deprotonated guanosine molecules and stabilized by alkali
      earth metal cations, as studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

PMID- 24214870
TI  - Dual-beam versus single-beam depth profiling: same sample in same instrument.

PMID- 24214871
TI  - Kinetic resolution of allyl fluorides by enantioselective allylic
      trifluoromethylation based on silicon-assisted C-F bond cleavage.
AB  - Two birds, one stone! The first kinetic resolution of allyl fluorides was
      achieved by the development of an organocatalyzed enantioselective allylic
      trifluoromethylation. Two kinds of chiral fluorinated compounds, which
      incorporate C*?F and C*?CF3 units, respectively, can thus be accessed by a single
      transformation. 

PMID- 24214872
TI  - Development and validation of a novel method to derive central aortic systolic
      pressure from the MR aortic distension curve.
AB  - PURPOSE: Central aortic systolic pressure (CASP) is a more accurate measure of
      load and cardiovascular risk than brachial pressure. Unfortunately, CASP is
      difficult to measure using current methods. In this study we report three methods
      of determining CASP by combining MR-derived aortic area curves with different
      models of the pressure-area relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CASP was derived
      by calibrating aortic area curves to the brachial mean and diastolic pressure,
      using: linear, exponential, and arctangent models in 20 volunteers using a high
      temporal resolution spiral PC-MR flow sequence. The arctangent model also
      required calibration with pulse wave velocity. Carotid tonometry CASP was used as
      the reference standard. RESULTS: Brachial systolic pressure correlated only
      moderately with carotid CASP r(2)  = 0.46 (P = 0.01). However, arctangent,
      exponential, and linear CASP correlated strongly with carotid CASP, r(2)  = 0.90,
      r(2)  = 0.86, r(2)  = 0.85, respectively (P < 0.0001). There was excellent
      agreement between carotid CASP and both arctangent (bias 1.5; SD 3.3) and
      exponential CASP (bias 0.6; SD 3.6). There was a slight underestimation using the
      linear model (bias -2.3; SD 3.8) and poor agreement and overestimation using
      brachial systolic pressure (bias 12.9; SD 8.0). CONCLUSION: We have shown that
      CASP can be derived from MR data: arctangent and exponential methods being
      superior to the linear method. The superior correlation of MR derived CASP over
      brachial systolic BP suggests these measures will allow more comprehensive
      assessment of systemic arterial hypertension.

PMID- 24214873
TI  - Selecting patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation: who
      should receive priority?

PMID- 24214874
TI  - MicroRNA-21 in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury.
AB  - Acute kidney injury (AKI), associated with significant morbidity and mortality,
      is widely known to involve epithelial apoptosis, excessive inflammation, and
      fibrosis in response to ischemia or reperfusion injury, which results in either
      chronic pathological changes or death. Therefore, it is imperative that
      investigations are conducted in order to find effective, early diagnoses, and
      therapeutic targets needed to help prevent and treat AKI. However, the mechanisms
      modulating the pathogenesis of AKI still remain largely undetermined. MicroRNAs
      (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules, play an important role in several
      fundamental biological and pathological processes by a post transcriptional
      regulatory function of gene expression. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is a recently
      identified, typical miRNA that is functional as a regulator known to be involved
      in apoptosis as well as inflammatory and fibrotic signaling pathways in AKI. As a
      result, miR-21 is now considered a novel biomarker when diagnosing and treating
      AKI. This article reviews the correlative literature and research progress
      regarding the roles of miR-21 in AKI. 

PMID- 24214875
TI  - Developing controllable hypermutable Clostridium cells through manipulating its
      methyl-directed mismatch repair system.
AB  - Development of controllable hypermutable cells can greatly benefit understanding
      and harnessing microbial evolution. However, there have not been any similar
      systems developed for Clostridium, an important bacterial genus. Here we report a
      novel two-step strategy for developing controllable hypermutable cells of
      Clostridium acetobutylicum, an important and representative industrial strain.
      Firstly, the mutS/L operon essential for methyldirected mismatch repair (MMR)
      activity was inactivated from the genome of C. acetobutylicum to generate
      hypermutable cells with over 250-fold increased mutation rates. Secondly, a
      proofreading control system carrying an inducibly expressed mutS/L operon was
      constructed. The hypermutable cells and the proofreading control system were
      integrated to form a controllable hypermutable system SMBMutC, of which the
      mutation rates can be regulated by the concentration of anhydrotetracycline
      (aTc). Duplication of the miniPthl-tetR module of the proofreading control system
      further significantly expanded the regulatory space of the mutation rates,
      demonstrating hypermutable Clostridium cells with controllable mutation rates are
      generated. The developed C. acetobutylicum strain SMBMutC2 showed higher survival
      capacities than the control strain facing butanol-stress, indicating greatly
      increased evolvability and adaptability of the controllable hypermutable cells
      under environmental challenges. 

PMID- 24214876
TI  - IL-21 accelerates xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease correlated with increased
      B-cell proliferation.
AB  - Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a prevalent and potential complication of
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. An animal model, xenogeneic GVHD (X
      GVHD), that mimics accurately the clinical presentation of GVHD would provide a
      tool for investigating the mechanism involved in disease pathogenesis. Murine
      models indicated that inhibiting IL-21 signaling was a good therapy to reduce
      GVHD by impairing T cell functions. We sought to investigate the effect of
      exogenous human IL-21 on the process of X-GVHD. In this study, human IL-21 was
      expressed by hydrodynamic gene delivery in BALB/c-Rag2-/- IL-2RGammac-/- (BRG)
      immunodeficient mice which were intravenously transplanted human peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (hPBMCs). We found that human IL-21 exacerbated X-GVHD and
      resulted in rapid fatality. As early as 6 days after hPBMCs transplanted to BRG
      mice, a marked expansion of human CD19+ B cells, but not T cells, was observed in
      spleen of IL-21-treated mice. Compared with control group, IL-21 induced robust
      immunoglobulin secretion, which was accompanied by increased accumulation of
      CD19+ CD38(high) plasma cells in spleen. In addition, we demonstrated that B-cell
      depletion was able to ameliorate X-GVHD. These results are the first to find in
      vivo expansion and differentiation of human B cells in response to IL-21, and
      reveal a correlation between the expansion of B cells and the exacerbation of
      xenogeneic GVHD. Our findings show evidence of the involvement of B cells in X
      GVHD and may have implications in the treatment of the disease.

PMID- 24214878
TI  - Carbonyl oxides--rising stars in tropospheric chemistry.
AB  - The X factor of tropospheric oxidation: Formaldehyde oxide, the smallest "Criegee
      intermediate", has been observed spectroscopically in the gas phase. Field
      studies provide increasing evidence that Criegee intermediates play a key role in
      tropospheric oxidation. 

PMID- 24214877
TI  - CD1d(hi)CD5+ B cells differentiate into antibody-secreting cells under the
      stimulation with calreticulin fragment.
AB  - Calreticulin (CRT) is a multifunctional molecule in both intracellular and
      extracellular environment. We have previously found that a recombinant CRT
      fragment (rCRT/39-272) could modulate T cell-mediated immunity in mice via
      activation and expansion of CD1d(hi)CD5+ B cells as well as induction of CRT
      specific regulatory antibodies. Antibody secreting cells (ASCs) are terminally
      differentiated B cells responsible for producing antibodies to participate in
      positive immune response as well as immune regulation. In this study, we
      demonstrate that rCRT/39-272 differentiates murine CD1d(hi)CD5+ B cells into ASCs
      marked by increased expression of plasma cell-associated transcription factors
      and production of polyreactive antibodies against DNA and CRT in vitro.
      Intraperitoneal administration of rCRT/39-272 augmented differentiation of
      CD1d(hi)CD5+ B cells into ASCs in naive mice or mice with experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis. Thus, we propose that ASC differentiation and subsequent
      antibody production of CD1d(hi)CD5+ B cells are key steps in CRT-mediated
      immunoregulation on inflammatory T cell responses.

PMID- 24214880
TI  - Modeling population health: reflections on the performativity of epidemiological
      techniques in the age of genomics.
AB  - Risk reasoning has become the common-sense mode of knowledge production in the
      health sciences. Risk assessment techniques of modern epidemiology also co-shape
      the ways genomic data are translated into population health. Risk computations
      (e.g., in preventive medicine, clinical decision-support software, or web-based
      self-tests), loop results from epidemiological studies back into everyday life.
      Drawing from observations at various European research sites, I analyze how
      epidemiological techniques mediate and enact the linkages between genomics and
      public health. This article examines the epidemiological apparatus as a
      generative machine that is socially performative. The study design and its
      reshuffling of data and categories in risk modeling recombine old and new
      categories from census to genomics and realign genes/environment and
      nature/culture in novel and hybrid ways. In the Euro-American assemblage of risk
      reasoning and related profiling techniques, the individual and the population are
      no longer separate but intimately entangled. 

PMID- 24214881
TI  - Vitamin D-binding protein, circulating vitamin D and risk of renal cell
      carcinoma.
AB  - Cell culture experiments suggest that vitamin D may inhibit renal carcinogenesis,
      but human studies of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the accepted
      measure of vitamin D status, and kidney cancer have been null. Limited research
      has examined the role of circulating vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) in the
      association between 25(OH)D and disease risk, and it is unclear whether free
      25(OH)D in circulation is a better measure of effective exposure, or if DBP may
      independently impact outcomes. We conducted a nested case-control analysis within
      the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study to examine
      whether circulating DBP concentration was prospectively associated with risk of
      renal cell carcinoma, and whether it modified the association with 25(OH)D. Renal
      cell carcinoma cases (n = 262) were matched 1:1 to controls on age (+/-1 year)
      and date of blood collection (+/- 30 days). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and
      95% confidence intervals (CIs) of renal cell carcinoma risk by quartiles of
      25(OH)D, DBP and the molar ratio of 25(OH)D:DBP, a proxy for free circulating
      25(OH)D. Men with higher DBP concentrations were at significantly decreased risk
      of kidney cancer (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.08-0.33; p-trend < 0.0001), a
      finding unchanged by adjustment for 25(OH)D. Although we observed no association
      with total 25(OH)D, we found slightly increased risk with higher levels of
      estimated free 25(OH)D [Q4 vs. Q1 of the 25(OH)D:DBP ratio, OR = 1.61, 95% CI =
      0.95-2.73; p-trend = 0.09]. The strong protective association observed between
      higher circulating DBP concentration and kidney cancer risk requires replication
      but suggests a vitamin D-independent influence of DBP.

PMID- 24214884
TI  - Transesophageal echocardiography in cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale:
      analysis of putative high-risk features from the risk of paradoxical embolism
      database.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with cryptogenic stroke
      (CS), although the pathogenicity of a discovered PFO in the setting of CS is
      typically unclear. Transesophageal echocardiography features such as PFO size,
      associated hypermobile septum, and presence of a right-to-left shunt at rest have
      all been proposed as markers of risk. The association of these transesophageal
      echocardiography features with other markers of pathogenicity has not been
      examined. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used a recently derived score based on clinical
      and neuroimaging features to stratify patients with PFO and CS by the probability
      that their stroke is PFO-attributable. We examined whether high-risk
      transesophageal echocardiography features are seen more frequently in patients
      more likely to have had a PFO-attributable stroke (n=637) compared with those
      less likely to have a PFO-attributable stroke (n=657). Large physiologic shunt
      size was not more frequently seen among those with probable PFO-attributable
      strokes (odds ratio [OR], 0.92; P=0.53). The presence of neither a hypermobile
      septum nor a right-to-left shunt at rest was detected more often in those with a
      probable PFO-attributable stroke (OR, 0.80; P=0.45; OR, 1.15; P=0.11,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that the proposed
      transesophageal echocardiography risk markers of large PFO size, hypermobile
      septum, and presence of right-to-left shunt at rest are associated with clinical
      features suggesting that a CS is PFO-attributable. Additional tools to describe
      PFOs may be useful in helping to determine whether an observed PFO is incidental
      or pathogenically related to CS.

PMID- 24214885
TI  - Rationale and design of a multicenter echocardiographic study to assess the
      relationship between cardiac structure and function and heart failure risk in a
      biracial cohort of community-dwelling elderly persons: the Atherosclerosis Risk
      in Communities study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heart failure is an important public health concern, particularly
      among persons>65 years of age. Women and blacks are critically understudied
      populations that carry a sizeable portion of the heart failure burden. Limited
      normative and prognostic data exist on measures of cardiac structure, diastolic
      function, and novel measures of systolic deformation in older adults living in
      the community. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities
      (ARIC) study is a large, predominantly biracial, National Heart, Lung, and Blood
      Institute-sponsored epidemiological cohort study. Between 2011 and 2013, ~6000
      surviving participants, now in their seventh to ninth decade of life, are
      expected to return for a fifth study visit during which comprehensive 2
      dimensional, Doppler, tissue Doppler, and speckle-tracking echocardiography will
      be performed uniformly in all cohort clinic visit participants. The following
      objectives will be addressed: (1) to characterize cardiac structural and
      functional abnormalities among the elderly and to determine how they differ by
      sex and race/ethnicity, (2) to determine the relationship between ventricular and
      vascular abnormalities, and (3) to prospectively examine the extent to which
      these noninvasive measures associate with incident heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: We
      describe the design, imaging acquisition and analysis methods, and quality
      assurance metrics for echocardiography in visit 5 of the ARIC cohort. A better
      understanding of the differences in cardiac structure and function through the
      spectrum of heart failure stages in elderly persons generally, and between sexes
      and racial/ethnic groups specifically, will deepen our understanding of the
      pathophysiology driving heart failure progression in these at-risk populations
      and may inform novel prevention or therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 24214886
TI  - Evaluation of vegetation size and its relationship with embolism in infective
      endocarditis: a real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography studies have shown that the
      maximum length of vegetation (MLV)>=10 mm is a predictor of embolic events (EEs)
      in patients with infective endocarditis. However, 2D measurements probably
      underestimate the vegetation dimensions. In this study, we evaluated the
      feasibility of real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3DTEE)
      in determining MLV and its accuracy in identifying the risk for EEs compared with
      2D transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE). METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed 60
      patients with vegetations. RT3DTEE measurement of MLV was obtained with Advanced
      QLAB Quantification Software by cropping the 3D volume with the appropriate 2D
      plane to obtain the largest value. The standard 2DTEE images were also evaluated
      to determine the MLV. Major EEs were registered from medical records, and a
      logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between
      MLV and EEs. The RT3DTEE MLV was larger than the 2DTEE value with a mean
      difference of 3.2 mm (95% confidence interval, 2.1-4.2 mm). The best cut-off
      value for prediction of EEs was MLV>=20 mm with RT3DTEE and MLV>=16 mm with
      2DTEE. The positive predictive value increased from 59.1% to 65.2% when RT3DTEE
      was used. The accuracy of classification of patients with EEs increased from 65%
      to 70% with this new technique. CONCLUSIONS: RT3DTEE is a feasible technique for
      the analysis of vegetation morphology and size that may overcome the shortcoming
      of 2DTEE, leading to a better prediction of the embolism risk in patients with
      infective endocarditis.

PMID- 24214889
TI  - Effects of Ni vacancies and crystallite size on the O 1s and Ni 2p x-ray
      absorption spectra of nanocrystalline NiO.
AB  - We have studied the electronic structure of nanocrystalline NiO thin films, grown
      by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering under different experimental conditions,
      using x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The O 1s and Ni 2p spectra showed distinct
      changes as a function of O2 content in the plasma, which were reproduced with
      cluster model calculations. These changes are attributed to the incrementing of
      the surface contribution due to a decrease of the crystallite size as the O2
      content in the plasma increases, and to the presence of induced nickel vacancies.
      Thus, the changes in the electronic structure can be related to the modification
      of structural and transport properties of these nanocrystalline films. 

PMID- 24214887
TI  - Thyroid hormones differentially regulate phosphorylation of ERK and Akt via
      integrin alphavbeta3 receptor in undifferentiated and differentiated PC-12 cells.
AB  - The effects of 3,5,3'-triiodo-l-thyronine (T3) and l-thyroxine (T4) on the
      integrin alphavbeta3 receptor of thyroid hormones (TH) were investigated in
      pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells. Differentiation was induced by treatment of PC-12
      cells with fisetin and the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal
      regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt in cytoplasm, as well as the content of FoxO6
      transcription factor in nuclei was analysed in undifferentiated and
      differentiated conditions. We have found that in undifferentiated PC-12 cells,
      tetraiodothyroacetic acid (TETRAC), a known inhibitor of binding of T4 and T3 to
      plasma membrane integrin alphavbeta3 receptor inhibits T4-dependent
      phosphorylation of ERK, whereas in differentiated PC-12 cells, TETRAC abolishes
      the effect of T3. In undifferentiated PC-12 cells, both TH increase the level of
      p-Akt, and this enhancement is not sensitive to TETRAC. In differentiated PC-12
      cells, both TH increase the level of p-Akt; however, only T3-dependent activation
      of Akt is sensitive to the TETRAC. Furthermore, our results have shown that in
      differentiated PC-12 cells, the expression of FoxO6 was higher than in
      undifferentiated PC-12 cells, and this elevation has not changed under the action
      of TH. Only in undifferentiated PC-12 cells the T3-dependent expression of FoxO6
      was sensitive to the TETRAC. We propose that PC-12 cells contain integrin
      alphavbeta3 receptor, which T3 and T3/T4 sites are differentially regulated by TH
      in undifferentiated and differentiated conditions.

PMID- 24214890
TI  - Navigator flip angle optimization for free-breathing T1-weighted hepatobiliary
      phase imaging with gadoxetic acid.
AB  - PURPOSE: To characterize and optimize the navigator-flip angle (FA), and the
      influence of imaging-FA on optimizing liver/lung contrast of the navigator
      profile, while avoiding visible navigator saturation artifacts, for hepatobiliary
      phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten volunteers; six
      men, four women; ages 37.1 +/- 11.0 years underwent navigator-gated three
      dimensional (3D) -spoiled-gradient-echo sequences in randomized combinations of
      imaging-FA (10 degrees /30 degrees ) and navigator-FA (10-90 degrees ) before
      contrast and 20 min after injection of gadoxetic acid at 3 Tesla. The signal
      intensities of the liver and lung were measured from navigator profiles.
      Furthermore, the intensity of saturation artifacts for each navigator FA was
      quantified using measurements of relative contrast at the artifact location.
      RESULTS: For the postcontrast images, the optimal navigator FA was 90 degrees .
      However, saturation artifacts were highly dependent on the imaging-FA and the
      presence of gadolinium contrast. A smaller imaging-FA of 10 degrees  led to
      greater saturation artifacts for both pre- and postcontrast, and saturation
      artifacts worsen with increasing navigator-FA. Using a higher imaging-FA of 30
      degrees , saturation artifacts are ignorable over the entire range of navigator
      FA. CONCLUSION: For navigator-gated gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary
      imaging, navigator-FA of 90 degrees  and imaging-FA of 30 degrees  provide an
      optimal balance with maximum navigator liver/lung contrast while avoiding visible
      imaging saturation artifacts.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:1129-1136. (c) 2013
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 24214891
TI  - Feasibility of using auto Mod-MPI system, a novel technique for automated
      measurement of fetal modified myocardial performance index.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reproducibility of measurement of the fetal left
      modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) determined using a novel
      automated system. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 116 ultrasound
      examinations from 110 normal singleton pregnancies at 12 + 1 to 37 + 1 weeks'
      gestation. Two experienced operators each measured the left Mod-MPI twice
      manually and twice automatically using the Auto Mod-MPI system. Intra- and
      interoperator reproducibility were assessed using intraclass correlation
      coefficients (ICCs) and the manual and automated measurements obtained by the
      more experienced operator were compared using Bland-Altman plots and ICCs.
      RESULTS: Both operators successfully measured the left Mod-MPI in all cases using
      the Auto Mod-MPI system. For both operators, intraoperator reproducibility was
      higher when performing automated measurements (ICC = 0.967 and 0.962 for
      Operators 1 and 2, respectively) than when performing manual measurements (ICC =
      0.857 and 0.856 for Operators 1 and 2, respectively). Interoperator agreement was
      also better for automated than for manual measurements (ICC = 0.930 vs 0.723,
      respectively). There was good agreement between the automated and manual values
      measured by the more experienced operator. CONCLUSIONS: The Auto Mod-MPI system
      is a reliable technique for measuring fetal left Mod-MPI and demonstrates
      excellent reproducibility.

PMID- 24214893
TI  - Interaction between Rice stripe virus disease-specific protein and host PsbP
      enhances virus symptoms.
AB  - Rice stripe virus (RSV) causes severe diseases in Oryza sativa (rice) in many
      Eastern Asian countries. Disease-specific protein (SP) of RSV is a non-structural
      protein and its accumulation level in rice plant was shown to determine the
      severity of RSV symptoms. Here, we present evidence that expression of RSV SP
      alone in rice or Nicotiana benthamiana did not produce visible symptoms.
      Expression of SP in these two plants, however, enhanced RSV- or Potato virus X
      (PVX)-induced symptoms. Through yeast two-hybrid screening, GST pull-down, and
      bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, we demonstrated that RSV SP
      interacted with PsbP, a 23-kDa oxygen-evolving complex protein, in both rice and
      N. benthamiana. Furthermore, our investigation showed that silencing of PsbP
      expression in both plants increased disease symptom severity and virus
      accumulation. Confocal microscopy using N. benthamiana protoplast showed that
      PsbP accumulated predominantly in chloroplast in wild-type N. benthamiana cells.
      In the presence of RSV SP, most PsbP was recruited into cytoplasm of the assayed
      cells. In addition, accumulation of SP during RSV infection resulted in
      alterations of chloroplast structure and function. Our findings shed light on the
      molecular mechanism underlying RSV disease symptom development. 

PMID- 24214892
TI  - Salt stress in Arabidopsis: lipid transfer protein AZI1 and its control by
      mitogen-activated protein kinase MPK3.
AB  - A plant's capability to cope with environmental challenges largely relies on
      signal transmission through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. In
      Arabidopsis thaliana, MPK3 is particularly strongly associated with numerous
      abiotic and biotic stress responses. Identification of MPK3 substrates is a
      milestone towards improving stress resistance in plants. Here, we characterize
      AZI1, a lipid transfer protein (LTP)-related hybrid proline-rich protein (HyPRP),
      as a novel target of MPK3. AZI1 is phosphorylated by MPK3 in vitro. As documented
      by co-immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation
      experiments, AZI1 interacts with MPK3 to form protein complexes in planta.
      Furthermore, null mutants of azi1 are hypersensitive to salt stress, while AZI1
      overexpressing lines are markedly more tolerant. AZI1 overexpression in the mpk3
      genetic background partially alleviates the salt-hypersensitive phenotype of this
      mutant, but functional MPK3 appears to be required for the full extent of AZI1
      conferred robustness. Notably, this robustness does not come at the expense of
      normal development. Immunoblot and RT-PCR data point to a role of MPK3 as
      positive regulator of AZI1 abundance. 

PMID- 24214894
TI  - Fifteen million years of evolution in the Oryza genus shows extensive gene family
      expansion.
AB  - In analyzing gene families in the whole-genome sequences available for O. sativa
      (AA), O. glaberrima (AA), and O. brachyantha (FF), we observed large size
      expansions in the AA genomes compared to FF genomes for the super-families F-box
      and NB-ARC, and five additional families: the Aspartic proteases, BTB/POZ
      proteins (BTB), Glutaredoxins, Trypsin alpha-amylase inhibitor proteins, and Zf
      Dof proteins. Their evolutionary dynamic was investigated to understand how and
      why such important size variations are observed between these closely related
      species. We show that expansions resulted from both amplification, largely by
      tandem duplications, and contraction by gene losses. For the F-box and NB-ARC
      gene families, the genes conserved in all species were under strong purifying
      selection while expanded orthologous genes were under more relaxed purifying
      selection. In F-box, NB-ARC, and BTB, the expanded groups were enriched in genes
      with little evidence of expression, in comparison with conserved groups. We also
      detected 87 loci under positive selection in the expanded groups. These results
      show that most of the duplicated copies in the expanded groups evolve neutrally
      after duplication because of functional redundancy but a fraction of these genes
      were preserved following neofunctionalization. Hence, the lineage-specific
      expansions observed between Oryza species were partly driven by directional
      selection. 

PMID- 24214895
TI  - Import determinants of organelle-specific and dual targeting peptides of
      mitochondria and chloroplasts in Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - Most of the mitochondrial and chloroplastic proteins are synthesized in the
      cytosol as precursor proteins carrying an N-terminal targeting peptide (TP)
      directing them specifically to a correct organelle. However, there is a group of
      proteins that are dually targeted to mitochondria and chloroplasts using an
      ambiguous N-terminal dual targeting peptide (dTP). Here, we have investigated
      pattern properties of import determinants of organelle-specific TPs and dTPs
      combining mathematical multivariate data analysis (MVDA) with in vitro organellar
      import studies. We have used large datasets of mitochondrial and chloroplastic
      proteins found in organellar proteomes as well as manually selected data sets of
      experimentally confirmed organelle-specific TPs and dTPs from Arabidopsis
      thaliana. Two classes of organelle-specific TPs could be distinguished by MVDA
      and potential patterns or periodicity in the amino acid sequence contributing to
      the separation were revealed. dTPs were found to have intermediate sequence
      features between the organelle-specific TPs. Interestingly, introducing
      positively charged residues to the dTPs showed clustering towards the
      mitochondrial TPs in silico and resulted in inhibition of chloroplast, but not
      mitochondrial import in in vitro organellar import studies. These findings
      suggest that positive charges in the N-terminal region of TPs may function as an
      'avoidance signal' for the chloroplast import. 

PMID- 24214896
TI  - Optimizing trial design in pharmacogenetics research: comparing a fixed parallel
      group, group sequential, and adaptive selection design on sample size
      requirements.
AB  - Two-stage clinical trial designs may be efficient in pharmacogenetics research
      when there is some but inconclusive evidence of effect modification by a genomic
      marker. Two-stage designs allow to stop early for efficacy or futility and can
      offer the additional opportunity to enrich the study population to a specific
      patient subgroup after an interim analysis. This study compared sample size
      requirements for fixed parallel group, group sequential, and adaptive selection
      designs with equal overall power and control of the family-wise type I error
      rate. The designs were evaluated across scenarios that defined the effect sizes
      in the marker positive and marker negative subgroups and the prevalence of marker
      positive patients in the overall study population. Effect sizes were chosen to
      reflect realistic planning scenarios, where at least some effect is present in
      the marker negative subgroup. In addition, scenarios were considered in which the
      assumed 'true' subgroup effects (i.e., the postulated effects) differed from
      those hypothesized at the planning stage. As expected, both two-stage designs
      generally required fewer patients than a fixed parallel group design, and the
      advantage increased as the difference between subgroups increased. The adaptive
      selection design added little further reduction in sample size, as compared with
      the group sequential design, when the postulated effect sizes were equal to those
      hypothesized at the planning stage. However, when the postulated effects deviated
      strongly in favor of enrichment, the comparative advantage of the adaptive
      selection design increased, which precisely reflects the adaptive nature of the
      design.

PMID- 24214898
TI  - Myo-inositol trispyrophosphate-mediated hypoxia reversion controls pancreatic
      cancer in rodents and enhances gemcitabine efficacy.
AB  - Hypoxia and dysfunctional tumor vessels represent a prominent feature of
      pancreatic cancer, being, at least in part, responsible for chemotherapy
      resistance and immune suppression in these tumors. We tested whether the increase
      of oxygen delivery induced in vivo by myo-inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP) can
      reverse hypoxia, control tumor growth and improve chemotherapy response. Tumor
      size, metastatic development (microcomputed tomography scan follow-up) and the
      survival of rats and nude or NOD.SCID mice, (bearing syngenic rat and MiaPaCa2-
      or patient-derived pancreatic tumors), were determined on ITPP and/or gemcitabine
      treatment. Partial oxygen pressure, expression of angiogenic factors and tumor
      histology were evaluated. Infiltration and oxidative status of immune cells, as
      well as chemotherapy penetration in tumors, were determined by fluorescence
      activated cell sorting, fluorometry, nitric oxide release assays, Western blot
      and confocal microscopy. Weekly intravenous ITPP application resulted in the
      inhibition of metastasis development and restricted primary tumor growth, showing
      a superior effect on the rats' survival compared with gemcitabine. ITPP treatment
      restored tumor normoxia and caused a reduction in hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha
      levels, with subsequent VEGF and Lox downregulation, resulting in improved vessel
      structure and decreased desmoplasia. The latter effects translated into elevated
      immune cells influx and improved susceptibility to gemcitabine treatment. Growth
      of human pancreatic tumor xenografts was strongly inhibited by administration of
      ITPP. ITPP exploits a two-stage mechanism causing rapid, early and sustainable
      late stage normoxia. This is due to the angiogenic factor modulation and vascular
      normalization, leading to enhanced chemotherapy delivery and synergistic life
      prolongation, on combination with low doses of gemcitabine.

PMID- 24214899
TI  - In vitro and in vivo supramolecular modification of biomembranes using a
      lipidated coiled-coil motif.

PMID- 24214900
TI  - Laser versus conventional fenestration in stapedotomy for otosclerosis: a
      systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To assess hearing results and complications following
      primary stapedotomy in otosclerosis patients comparing the use of laser and
      conventional techniques for fenestration. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic literature
      review. METHODS: A systematic bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed,
      Embase, the Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
      Literature, and Scopus. Studies reporting original data on the effect of laser
      fenestration, compared to conventional techniques, on closure of air-bone gap in
      patients undergoing primary stapedotomy were included. Directness of evidence and
      risk of bias of the selected articles were assessed. Studies with low directness
      of evidence, high risk of bias, or both were not further analyzed. The absolute
      risks, risk differences, and 95% confidence intervals were extracted only for
      studies with moderate to high directness of evidence and moderate to low risk of
      bias. RESULTS: In total, 383 unique studies were retrieved. Eight of these
      (including 999 procedures) provided high or moderate directness of evidence and
      carried a moderate risk of bias, and were considered eligible for data
      extraction. The included studies show no consistent difference in postoperative
      air-bone gap closure or immediate postoperative vertigo. CONCLUSIONS: Both
      footplate fractures and sensorineural hearing loss appear to occur more
      frequently in the conventional group than in the laser group. Therefore, we
      prefer laser above conventional methods for footplate fenestration in primary
      stapedotomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

PMID- 24214902
TI  - A detailed study of the magnetic phase transition in CuCrO2.
AB  - The phase transition in CuCrO2 to an ordered magnetic state is studied with bulk
      measurements and elastic and inelastic neutron scattering techniques. The
      reported onset of spontaneous electric polarization at T = 23.5 K coincides with
      the appearance, on cooling, of elastic magnetic scattering. At higher
      temperatures long range magnetic correlations gradually develop but they are
      dynamic. The ground state is characterized by three-dimensional long range
      magnetic ordering but along the c direction the correlation length remains
      limited to ~200 A. 

PMID- 24214901
TI  - Prevalence and prognostic importance of changes in renal function after
      mechanical circulatory support.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The long-term durability and prognostic significance of improvement
      in renal function after mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has yet to be
      characterized in a large multicenter population. The primary goals of this
      analysis were to describe serial post-MCS changes in estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (eGFR) and determine their association with all-cause mortality.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Adult patients enrolled in the Interagency Registry for
      Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) with serial creatinine
      levels available (n=3363) were studied. Early post-MCS, eGFR improved
      substantially (median improvement, 48.9%; P<0.001) with 22.3% of the population
      improving their eGFR by >=100% within the first few weeks. However, in the
      majority of patients, this improvement was transient, and by 1 year, eGFR was
      only 6.7% above the pre-MCS value (P<0.001). This pattern of early improvement
      followed by deterioration in eGFR was observed with both pulsatile and continuous
      flow devices. Interestingly, poor survival was associated with both marked
      improvement (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19
      2.26; P=0.002) and worsening in eGFR (adjusted HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.15-2.13;
      P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Post-MCS, early improvement in renal function is common
      but seems to be largely transient and not necessarily indicative of an improved
      prognosis. This pattern was observed with both pulsatile and continuous-flow
      devices. Additional research is necessary to better understand the mechanistic
      basis for these complex post-MCS changes in renal function and their associated
      survival disadvantage. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL:
      http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00119834.

PMID- 24214903
TI  - Selective palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation of olefins with aromatic amines
      and nitroarenes.

PMID- 24214904
TI  - Gadolinium-free T1 contrast agents for MRI: tunable pharmacokinetics of a new
      class of manganese porphyrins.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate a new class of manganese porphyrins with tunable
      pharmacokinetics as potential gadolinium (Gd)-free T1 agents for contrast
      enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two new
      contrast agents, MnTCP and MnP2, were evaluated in four female rats. MRI was
      performed daily up to 3 days postinjection (0.05 mmol/kg) on a 3 T clinical
      scanner. T1 relaxation times and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI were performed to
      assess contrast enhancement and clearance in blood, heart, liver, kidney, and
      muscle. RESULTS: Relative T1 decreases were similar for MnTCP and Gd-DTPA in all
      tissues but were significantly larger (P < 0.05) for MnP2 in blood, heart,
      kidney, and liver (2-6-fold larger). Clearance of MnTCP was similar to Gd-DTPA,
      with T1 returning to baseline by 40 minutes and complete elimination in 1 day.
      MnP2 was cleared from blood after 2 days and sustained a lowered T1 in other
      tissues for at least 1 hour (P < 0.05). The maximum enhancement, slope, and time
      to-peak were similar between contrast agents. Only the parameter AUC60 differed,
      with MnP2 yielding the largest AUC60 values primarily through longer retention in
      tissue. CONCLUSION: MnTCP and MnP2 offer distinct applications as Gd-free T1
      contrast agents. MnTCP behaves like a Gd-DTPA analog, while MnP2 provides
      significantly greater and longer positive signal enhancement.

PMID- 24214905
TI  - Reduced subcutaneous tissue distribution of cefazolin in morbidly obese versus
      non-obese patients determined using clinical microdialysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: As morbidly obese patients are prone to surgical site infections,
      adequate blood and subcutaneous tissue concentrations of prophylactic antibiotic
      agents during surgery are imperative. In this study we evaluated cefazolin
      subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution in morbidly obese and non-obese
      patients, thereby quantifying the influence of morbid obesity on cefazolin
      pharmacokinetics and enabling Monte Carlo simulations for subsequent dose
      adjustments. METHODS: Nine morbidly obese patients [body mass index (BMI) 47 +/-
      6 kg/m(2)], of whom eight were evaluable, and seven non-obese patients (BMI 28 +/
      3 kg/m(2)) received cefazolin 2 g intravenously before surgery (NCT01309152).
      Using microdialysis, interstitial space fluid (ISF) samples of subcutaneous
      adipose tissue were collected together with total and unbound plasma cefazolin
      samples until 240 min after dosing. Using NONMEM, population pharmacokinetic
      modelling, covariate analysis and Monte Carlo simulations were performed.
      RESULTS: The unbound (free) cefazolin ISF penetration ratio
      (fAUC(tissue)/fAUC(plasma)) was 0.70 (range 0.68-0.83) in morbidly obese patients
      versus 1.02 (range 0.85-1.41) in non-obese patients (P < 0.05). A two-compartment
      model with saturable protein binding was identified in which the central volume
      of distribution and cefazolin distribution from the central compartment to the
      ISF compartment proved dependent on body weight (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01,
      respectively). Monte Carlo simulations showed reduced probability of target
      attainment for morbidly obese versus non-obese patients for MIC values of 2 and 4
      mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that cefazolin tissue distribution is lower
      in morbidly obese patients and reduces with increasing body weight, and that dose
      adjustments are required in this patient group.

PMID- 24214906
TI  - Introduction: public health genomics-anthropological interventions in the quest
      for molecular medicine.
AB  - We introduce this special issue of Medial Anthropology Quarterly on public health
      genomics by exploring both the unique contribution of ethnographic sensibility
      that medical anthropologists bring to the study of genomics and some of the key
      insights offered by the essays in this collection. As anthropologists, we are
      concerned with the power dynamics and larger cultural commitments embedded in
      practices associated with public health. We seek to understand, first, the broad
      significance of genomics as a cultural object and, second, the social action set
      into motion as researchers seek to translate genomic knowledge and technology
      into public health benefits. 

PMID- 24214908
TI  - Monte Carlo calculation of artificial radionuclide radiation dose rates for
      marine species in the Western Pacific.
AB  - After the Fukushima nuclear accident, there is a widespread concern over the
      radioactive contamination of the marine environment. To protect non-human
      species, a radiation dose rate calculation model for Western Pacific marine
      species was established. Ten kinds of marine species in the Western Pacific were
      modelled by Geant4 for Monte Carlo simulation. Organisms were modelled with two
      ellipsoids: one represented organs and the other represented muscle. The enhanced
      dose rates by 10 main kinds of nuclides were calculated. According to the
      reported activities of three main nuclides ((134)Cs, (137)Cs and (131)I) in
      seawater near Fukushima coastal, the radiation risks of marine species were
      estimated. The results showed that the marine species near the Fukushima accident
      drain outlets might be at risk. But organisms that were >15 km away from the
      drain outlets were relatively safe. 

PMID- 24214907
TI  - Solution properties of gamma-crystallins: compact structure and low frictional
      ratio are conserved properties of diverse gamma-crystallins.
AB  - gamma-crystallins are highly specialized proteins of the vertebrate eye lens
      where they survive without turnover under high molecular crowding while
      maintaining transparency. They share a tightly folded structural template but
      there are striking differences among species. Their amino acid compositions are
      unusual. Even in mammals, gamma-crystallins have high contents of sulfur
      containing methionine and cysteine, but this reaches extremes in fish gammaM
      crystallins with up to 15% Met. In addition, fish gammaM-crystallins do not
      conserve the paired tryptophan residues found in each domain in mammalian gamma
      crystallins and in the related beta-crystallins. To gain insight into important,
      evolutionarily conserved properties and functionality of gamma-crystallins,
      zebrafish (Danio rerio) gammaM2b and gammaM7 were compared with mouse gammaS and
      human gammaD. For all four proteins, far UV CD spectra showed the expected beta
      sheet secondary structure. Like the mammalian proteins, gammaM7 was highly
      soluble but gammaM2b was much less so. The heat and denaturant stability of both
      fish proteins was lower than either mammalian protein. The ability of full-length
      and truncated versions of human alphaB-crystallin to retard aggregation of the
      heat denatured proteins also showed differences. However, when solution behavior
      was investigated by sedimentation velocity experiments, the diverse gamma
      crystallins showed remarkably similar hydrodynamic properties with low frictional
      ratios and partial specific volumes. The solution behavior of gamma-crystallins,
      with highly compact structures suited for the densely packed environment of the
      lens, seems to be highly conserved and appears largely independent of amino acid
      composition. 

PMID- 24214909
TI  - Determination of gamma radioactivity levels and associated dose rates of soil
      samples of the Akkuyu/Mersin using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry.
AB  - In this study several soil samples were collected from the Buyukeceli district
      where Turkey's first nuclear power plant will be built and radioactivity
      concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs were determined by gamma
      spectrometry using a high-purity germanium detector. The measured activity
      concentrations in soil samples ranged from 9.8 +/- 0.7 to 258.6 +/- 15.8, 11.7 +/
      0.9 to 85.6 +/- 5.0, 173.8 +/- 2.1 to 1949.5 +/- 14.7 and 0.4 +/- 0.1 to 72.2 +/
      2.2 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs, respectively. Findings
      are in good agreement with the published results of neighbouring areas. The
      absorbed gamma dose rate (D) in air and the annual effective dose of soil samples
      were calculated to be 80.2 nGy h(-1) and 98.3 mSv y(-1), respectively. The
      results show that the radiation hazard in the Buyukeceli district is
      insignificant. The data presented in this study would be very useful to determine
      the future effects of the nuclear power plant to the environment. 

PMID- 24214910
TI  - A fast and simple approach for the estimation of a radiological source from
      localised measurements after the explosion of a radiological dispersal device.
AB  - After an explosion of a radiological dispersal device, decision-makers need to
      implement countermeasures as soon as possible to minimise the radiation-induced
      risks to the population. In this work, the authors present a tool, which can help
      providing information about the approximate size of source term and radioactive
      contamination based on a Gaussian Plume model with the use of available
      measurements for liquid or aerosolised radioactivity. For two-field tests, the
      source term and spatial distribution of deposited radioactivity are estimated. A
      sensitivity analysis of the dependence on deposition velocity is carried out. In
      case of weak winds, a diffusive process along the wind direction is retained in
      the model. 

PMID- 24214911
TI  - A survey of gross alpha and gross beta activity in soil samples in Kinta
      District, Perak, Malaysia.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine the gross alpha and gross beta
      activity concentrations from the different soil types found in the Kinta
      District, Perak, Malaysia. A total of 128 soil samples were collected and their
      dose rates were measured 1 m above the ground. Gross alpha and gross beta
      activity measurements were carried out using gas flow proportional counter,
      Tennelec Series 5 LB5500 Automatic Low Background Counting System. The alpha
      activity concentration ranged from 15 to 9634 Bq kg(-1) with a mean value of
      1558+/-121 Bq kg(-1). The beta activity concentration ranged from 142 to 6173 Bq
      kg(-1) with a mean value of 1112+/-32 Bq kg(-1). High alpha and beta activity
      concentrations are from the same soil type. The results of the analysis show a
      strong correlation between the gross alpha activity concentration and dose rate
      (R = 0.92). The data obtained can be used as a database for each soil type. 

PMID- 24214912
TI  - Gamma spectrometry efficiency calibration using Monte Carlo methods to measure
      radioactivity of 137Cs in food samples.
AB  - A simple method of efficiency calibration for gamma spectrometry was performed.
      This method, which focused on measuring the radioactivity of (137)Cs in food
      samples, was based on Monte Carlo simulations available in the free-of-charge
      toolkit GEANT4. Experimentally, the efficiency values of a high-purity germanium
      detector were calculated for three reference materials representing three
      different food items. These efficiency values were compared with their
      counterparts produced by a computer code that simulated experimental conditions.
      Interestingly, the output of the simulation code was in acceptable agreement with
      the experimental findings, thus validating the proposed method. 

PMID- 24214913
TI  - T-cell factor 4 and beta-catenin chromatin occupancies pattern zonal liver
      metabolism in mice.
AB  - beta-catenin signaling can be both a physiological and oncogenic pathway in the
      liver. It controls compartmentalized gene expression, allowing the liver to
      ensure its essential metabolic function. It is activated by mutations in 20%-40%
      of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with specific metabolic features. We decipher
      the molecular determinants of beta-catenin-dependent zonal transcription using
      mice with beta-catenin-activated or -inactivated hepatocytes, characterizing in
      vivo their chromatin occupancy by T-cell factor (Tcf)-4 and beta-catenin,
      transcriptome, and metabolome. We find that Tcf-4 DNA bindings depend on beta
      catenin. Tcf-4/beta-catenin binds Wnt-responsive elements preferentially around
      beta-catenin-induced genes. In contrast, genes repressed by beta-catenin bind Tcf
      4 on hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (Hnf-4)-responsive elements. beta-Catenin, Tcf
      4, and Hnf-4alpha interact, dictating beta-catenin transcription, which is
      antagonistic to that elicited by Hnf-4alpha. Finally, we find the drug/bile
      metabolism pathway to be the one most heavily targeted by beta-catenin, partly
      through xenobiotic nuclear receptors. CONCLUSIONS: beta-catenin patterns the
      zonal liver together with Tcf-4, Hnf-4alpha, and xenobiotic nuclear receptors.
      This network represses lipid metabolism and exacerbates glutamine, drug, and bile
      metabolism, mirroring HCCs with beta-catenin mutational activation.

PMID- 24214915
TI  - Gating charge recombination rates through dynamic bridges in tetrathiafulvalene
      fullerene architectures.

PMID- 24214914
TI  - Mesenchymal stromal cells induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human
      colorectal cancer cells through the expression of surface-bound TGF-beta.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) are multipotent precursors endowed with the
      ability to home to primary and metastatic tumor sites, where they can integrate
      into the tumor-associated stroma. However, molecular mechanisms and outcome of
      their interaction with cancer cells have not been fully clarified. In this study,
      we investigated the effects mediated by bone marrow-derived MSC on human
      colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in vitro and in vivo. We found that MSC triggered
      epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor cells in vitro, as indicated
      by upregulation of EMT-related genes, downregulation of E-cadherin and
      acquisition of mesenchymal morphology. These effects required cell-to-cell
      contact and were mediated by surface-bound TGF-beta newly expressed on MSC upon
      coculture with tumor cells. In vivo tumor masses formed by MSC-conditioned CRC
      cells were larger and characterized by higher vessel density, decreased E
      cadherin expression and increased expression of mesenchymal markers. Furthermore,
      MSC-conditioned tumor cells displayed increased invasiveness in vitro and
      enhanced capacity to invade peripheral tissues in vivo. Thus, by promoting EMT
      related phenomena, MSC appear to favor the acquisition of an aggressive phenotype
      by CRC cells.

PMID- 24214916
TI  - Two-photon-triggered drug delivery in cancer cells using nanoimpellers.
AB  - A therapy of cancer cells: Two-photon-triggered camptothecin delivery with
      nanoimpellers was studied in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. A fluorophore with a high
      two-photon absorption cross-section was first incorporated in the nanoimpellers.
      Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the fluorophore to the
      azobenzene moiety was demonstrated. 

PMID- 24214918
TI  - The magnetocaloric effect in Er2Fe17 near the magnetic phase transition.
AB  - Recent investigations in R2Fe17 intermetallic compounds have evidenced that these
      materials present a moderate magnetocaloric effect (MCE) near room temperature. A
      series of accurate magnetization measurements was carried out to show that the
      value of the demagnetizing factor has a significant influence on the absolute MCE
      value of Er2Fe17. In addition, the critical exponents determined from heat
      capacity and magnetization measurements allow us to describe the field dependence
      of the observed MCE around the Curie temperature. 

PMID- 24214917
TI  - Porcine small intestine submucosal grafts for post-tumor resection orbital
      reconstruction.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Removal of the medial orbital wall for sinonasal tumor
      involvement is required to obtain complete oncologic resection. However, orbital
      fat herniation can produce significant morbidity, including enophthalmos and
      diplopia. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate outcomes following use
      of porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS) grafts for orbital reconstruction
      following extirpation of sinonasal malignancies. STUDY DESIGN: Case series in a
      tertiary hospital setting. METHODS: Review of prospectively collected data
      regarding orbital reconstruction using SIS was performed. Demographics, tumor
      histology, size of orbital defect, adjuvant treatment, clinical status, and
      complications were recorded. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (average age, 58 years;
      range, 27-82 years) had SIS grafting of the medial orbital wall over a 5-year
      period at our tertiary academic institution. The average orbital wall defect size
      was 4.6 cm(2) (range, 1 cm(2)-24 cm(2)). Tumor histopathology included
      esthesioneuroblastoma (n = 5), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 4), adenocarcinoma (n
      = 2), sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (n = 2), melanoma (n = 3), and
      neuroendocrine carcinoma (n = 1). Surgical goals were curative intent in all
      patients. Ten patients had postoperative radiation therapy, whereas five
      individuals had surgical extirpation following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and
      radiation. All patients had complete locoregional control at last clinical follow
      up (average, 16 months; range, 2-54 months), although three patients developed
      distant metastases. The only orbital complications noted were enophthalmos (n =
      1), periorbital cellulitis (n = 1), and orbital wall crusting (n = 1).
      CONCLUSIONS: SIS reconstruction of orbital wall defects was effective in the
      current series of patients, with only one patient developing noticeable
      enophthalmos and a low incidence of surgical complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 24214919
TI  - Quantification of cerebral blood flow in healthy volunteers and type 1 diabetic
      patients: comparison of MRI arterial spin labeling and [(15)O]H2O positron
      emission tomography (PET).
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare cerebral blood flow (CBF) values measured using magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) arterial spin labeling (ASL) with those obtained with
      [(15)O]H2O positron emission tomography (PET), the gold standard for measuring
      CBF in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected in 11 healthy men and in
      20 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched type 1 diabetic men. Pseudo-continuous
      ASL (PCASL) data were acquired at 3 T and [(15)O]H2O PET scans were acquired
      using a high-resolution PET scanner. Input functions were obtained using on-line
      arterial blood sampling. Whole brain and regional CBF values were compared.
      RESULTS: For both modalities, whole brain CBF was similar in both subject groups.
      In groups combined, average whole brain CBF was 0.30 +/- 0.05 mL . cm(-3) . min(
      1) for [(15)O]H2O PET and 0.34 +/- 0.05 mL . cm(-3) . min(-1) for ASL MRI (P <
      0.01). A significant correlation between methods was observed for whole brain,
      gray and white matter. In 12 out of 33 brain regions a significant difference
      between methods was observed. CONCLUSION: PCASL provides CBF values that
      correlate with [(15)O]H2O PET-derived values, but is less accurate. PCASL may be
      an attractive alternative when absolute quantification is not needed.

PMID- 24214920
TI  - Using surveillance data to determine treatment rates and outcomes for patients
      with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
AB  - The aim of this work was to develop and validate an algorithm to monitor rates
      of, and response to, treatment of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV)
      across England using routine laboratory HCV RNA testing data. HCV testing
      activity between January 2002 and December 2011 was extracted from the local
      laboratory information systems of a sentinel network of 23 laboratories across
      England. An algorithm based on frequency of HCV RNA testing within a defined time
      period was designed to identify treated patients. Validation of the algorithm was
      undertaken for one center by comparison with treatment data recorded in a
      clinical database managed by the Trent HCV Study Group. In total, 267,887 HCV RNA
      test results from 100,640 individuals were extracted. Of these, 78.9% (79,360)
      tested positive for viral RNA, indicating an active infection, 20.8% (16,538) of
      whom had a repeat pattern of HCV RNA testing suggestive of treatment monitoring.
      Annual numbers of individuals treated increased rapidly from 468 in 2002 to 3,295
      in 2009, but decreased to 3,110 in 2010. Approximately two thirds (63.3%; 10,468)
      of those treated had results consistent with a sustained virological response,
      including 55.3% and 67.1% of those with a genotype 1 and non-1 virus,
      respectively. Validation against the Trent clinical database demonstrated that
      the algorithm was 95% sensitive and 93% specific in detecting treatment and 100%
      sensitive and 93% specific for detecting treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS:
      Laboratory testing activity, collected through a sentinel surveillance program,
      has enabled the first country-wide analysis of treatment and response among HCV
      infected individuals. Our approach provides a sensitive, robust, and sustainable
      method for monitoring service provision across England.

PMID- 24214922
TI  - Are we refereeing ourselves to death? The peer-review system at its limit.

PMID- 24214921
TI  - Temporal and spatial neural dynamics in the perception of basic emotions from
      complex scenes.
AB  - The different temporal dynamics of emotions are critical to understand their
      evolutionary role in the regulation of interactions with the surrounding
      environment. Here, we investigated the temporal dynamics underlying the
      perception of four basic emotions from complex scenes varying in valence and
      arousal (fear, disgust, happiness and sadness) with the millisecond time
      resolution of Electroencephalography (EEG). Event-related potentials were
      computed and each emotion showed a specific temporal profile, as revealed by
      distinct time segments of significant differences from the neutral scenes. Fear
      perception elicited significant activity at the earliest time segments, followed
      by disgust, happiness and sadness. Moreover, fear, disgust and happiness were
      characterized by two time segments of significant activity, whereas sadness
      showed only one long-latency time segment of activity. Multidimensional scaling
      was used to assess the correspondence between neural temporal dynamics and the
      subjective experience elicited by the four emotions in a subsequent behavioral
      task. We found a high coherence between these two classes of data, indicating
      that psychological categories defining emotions have a close correspondence at
      the brain level in terms of neural temporal dynamics. Finally, we localized the
      brain regions of time-dependent activity for each emotion and time segment with
      the low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography. Fear and disgust showed
      widely distributed activations, predominantly in the right hemisphere. Happiness
      activated a number of areas mostly in the left hemisphere, whereas sadness showed
      a limited number of active areas at late latency. The present findings indicate
      that the neural signature of basic emotions can emerge as the byproduct of
      dynamic spatiotemporal brain networks as investigated with millisecond-range
      resolution, rather than in time-independent areas involved uniquely in the
      processing one specific emotion. 

PMID- 24214923
TI  - Long axis strain by MRI and echocardiography in a postmyocardial infarct
      population.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare long axis strain (LAS) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      and echocardiography in a postinfarct patient population. Long axis left
      ventricle (LV) function is a sensitive index of incipient heart failure by
      echocardiography, but is less well established in MRI. LAS is an index of global
      LV function, which is easily assessed in cine loops provided by most cardiac MRI
      protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 116 patients (57 +/- 9 years) were
      studied the same day using echocardiography and MRI 7.4 +/- 4.1 months after a
      first myocardial infarction. LV length was measured in end diastole and end
      systole in conventional cine images with a temporal resolution of 50 msec or
      less, and LAS (%) was calculated as the change in LV length, relative to end
      diastole. Infarct mass was assessed by contrast-enhanced MRI. RESULTS: LAS was
      progressively reduced in patients with larger infarcts, and demonstrated good
      correlations with infarct mass (r = 0.55, P < 0.01). There was a good agreement
      between LAS assessed by echocardiography and MRI (r = 0.77, P < 0.01), and
      between LAS by MRI and speckle tracking strain by echocardiography (r = 0.74, P <
      0.01). CONCLUSION: LAS is an index that allows measurement of LV long axis
      function by conventional cine MRI.

PMID- 24214924
TI  - Does chronic hepatitis E virus infection exist in immunocompetent patients?

PMID- 24214925
TI  - Short-term exercise-induced changes in hydration state of healthy Achilles
      tendons can be visualized by effects of off-resonant radiofrequency saturation in
      a three-dimensional ultrashort echo time MRI sequence applied at 3 Tesla.
AB  - PURPOSE: Off-resonant RF saturation influences signal intensity dependent on free
      and bound water fractions as well as the macromolecular content. The extent of
      interaction between these compartments can be evaluated by using the off
      resonance saturation ratio (OSR). Combined with UTE sequences quantification of
      OSR even in tendinous tissues with extremely fast signal decay is possible. The
      aim of this prospective study was to investigate short-term exercise-induced
      effects of hydration state of the Achilles tendon by means of OSR and tendon
      volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Measurements of OSR and tendon volume before and
      after ankle-straining activity were performed in seven healthy male volunteers
      (median age 29 years) using a 3D UTE sequence with implemented off-resonance
      saturation pulse at 3T (off-resonance frequency 2/3 kHz) and by an automated
      contour detection in isotropic T2-weighted MR images with sub-millimeter
      resolution, respectively. Different tendon regions were evaluated.
      Reproducibility of OSR was measured in subsequent imaging sets. Root-mean-square
      deviation (RMSD) and coefficient of variations (CV) were determined. RESULTS:
      RMSD of OSR in resting position were between 0.006 and 0.01 for different tendon
      regions and off-resonance frequencies (CV 2 to 3%). A significant increase (P <
      0.05) of OSR after exercise was seen in all tendon regions except at the
      insertion (off-resonance frequency 3 kHz). Tendon volume was decreased
      significantly after ankle-straining activity (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The
      observed decreased tendon volume and increased OSR directly after exercise
      indicates a short-term change in tendinous proton compartments, most likely a
      loss of free water molecules within the tendon.

PMID- 24214926
TI  - Ultra-low velocity knee dislocations: patient characteristics, complications, and
      outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knee dislocations resulting in multiligament knee injuries (MLIs) are
      usually associated with high-energy mechanisms such as motor vehicle accidents or
      sports injuries; however, obese patients are at risk of MLIs from simple falls.
      Termed "ultra-low velocity" (ULV) dislocations, these injuries occur in obese
      patients during activities of daily living and may be associated with higher
      associated risks and complications. HYPOTHESIS: Ultra-low velocity knee
      dislocations occur more commonly in obese female patients, are associated with
      higher risks of neurovascular injuries, and have more significant perioperative
      complications compared with other MLIs. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of
      evidence, 4. METHODS: The records of 215 consecutive patients with MLIs were
      identified over a 12-year period. Their charts were reviewed to identify a cohort
      of patients with mechanisms consistent with ULV dislocations (n = 23). This
      cohort was compared with all patients with MLIs. Additionally, ULV patients with
      neurovascular injuries were compared with those without neurovascular injuries.
      RESULTS: The average body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in the ULV
      cohort (49.1 kg/m2) compared with all patients with MLIs (34.1 kg/m2). Injuries
      occurred more commonly in female patients in the ULV cohort (69.6%) compared with
      all patients with MLIs (24.3%). Peroneal nerve injuries occurred more commonly in
      the ULV cohort (39.1%) compared with all patients with MLIs (8.4%), as did
      vascular injuries (28.1% vs. 4.7%, respectively). Postoperative complications
      were common among all ULV-MLI patients regardless of neurovascular injury status.
      Seventeen patients (6/12 in the intact group and 11/11 in the neurovascular
      injury group) had significant complications postoperatively. A significantly
      higher overall complication rate was noted in the ULV-MLI group (73.9%) compared
      with the entire MLI cohort (21.4%). Additionally, the ULV-MLI cohort had a higher
      reoperation rate, wound infection rate, deep venous thrombosis rate, and presence
      of vascular claudication. CONCLUSION: Ultra-low velocity knee injuries occur in
      patients with a greater BMI, more frequently in female patients, and with higher
      rates of concomitant neurovascular injuries compared with other MLIs.
      Additionally, a significantly greater incidence of postoperative complications
      can be expected after ligament reconstruction in this population compared with
      other MLIs.

PMID- 24214927
TI  - Hip and glenohumeral rotational range of motion in healthy professional baseball
      pitchers and position players.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research suggests that limitations in the hip motion of baseball
      players may lead to altered motion at the glenohumeral joint to maintain throwing
      velocity, thereby predisposing the upper extremity to injury. PURPOSE: To measure
      and evaluate the correlation between hip and shoulder rotational range of motion
      (ROM) in healthy professional baseball players. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive
      laboratory study. METHODS: Ninety-nine professional baseball players (50 pitchers
      and 49 position players; mean age +/- standard deviation [SD], 22 +/- 2.8 years;
      mean height +/- SD, 187 +/- 5.4 cm; mean weight +/- SD, 81.6 +/- 7.7 kg) with no
      history of hip or shoulder injury were tested. Dominant and nondominant hip and
      glenohumeral joints were measured for the following passive ROM variables: (1)
      hip internal rotation (IR), (2) hip external rotation (ER), (3) total hip
      rotational ROM (IR + ER), (4) isolated glenohumeral IR, (5) isolated glenohumeral
      ER, and (6) total glenohumeral rotational ROM (IR + ER). RESULTS: Statistically,
      hip ER and total hip rotational ROM were greater in position players than in
      pitchers and less in the lead leg compared with the stance leg hip with groups
      combined; however, differences are not clinically meaningful. Pitchers had more
      glenohumeral rotational ROM than did position players. For all players,
      glenohumeral motion had less IR and greater ER in the throwing arm than the
      nonthrowing arm, but total glenohumeral rotational ROM was equivalent between
      sides. The correlations between hip and glenohumeral ROM were little, if any, and
      ranged from r = -0.19 to 0.11 (P = .006-.94) for all players and r = -0.29 to
      0.23 (P = .04-.97) for pitchers only. CONCLUSION: These data suggest no
      clinically meaningful differences in hip ROM between pitchers and position
      players and between lead leg and stance legs of all players. There is little or
      no relationship between hip and glenohumeral ROM in healthy professional baseball
      players. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study findings add to the growing body of
      evidence that suggests an absence of chronic hip ROM adaptations. It is therefore
      suggested that in the hip, unlike the glenohumeral joint, symmetry in ROM between
      player positions and dominant and nondominant sides should be expected in healthy
      professional baseball pitchers and position players.

PMID- 24214928
TI  - Arthroscopic meniscus allograft transplantation in male professional soccer
      players: a 36-month follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) is an option for symptomatic
      patients who have undergone subtotal meniscectomy and can potentially result in
      pain relief and increased function. HYPOTHESIS: Professional soccer players would
      benefit from arthroscopic MAT in terms of pain, knee function, and return to play
      at 36-month follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS:
      Twelve male patients who had undergone MAT (6 medial, 6 lateral) were
      prospectively evaluated at 12- and 36-month follow-up. The mean age at the time
      of surgery was 24.5 +/- 3.6 years (range, 19-29 years), and the mean time from
      meniscectomy to surgery was 37 +/- 31 months (range, 2-82 months). The
      transplantation was performed in patients who had undergone subtotal meniscectomy
      using an arthroscopic bone plug-free technique with a single tibial tunnel plus
      "all-inside" meniscus sutures. The anterior horn of the transplanted meniscus was
      sutured to the capsule and to the remnant of the anterior horn of the native
      meniscus. Seven patients (58%) underwent concurrent procedures. All patients were
      evaluated at follow-up by the Tegner, Lysholm, International Knee Documentation
      Committee (IKDC) subjective, IKDC objective, Western Ontario and McMaster
      Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain
      scores. Information regarding rehabilitation, return to play, and return to
      official competition was recorded. RESULTS: Eleven of the 12 patients (92%)
      returned to play soccer. At 36-month follow-up, 9 patients (75%) were still
      playing as professionals (Tegner score of 10), whereas 2 patients (17%) were
      playing as semiprofessionals (Tegner score of 9). The mean time from surgery to
      the end of rehabilitation was 7.5 +/- 2 months, whereas the mean time to official
      competition was 10.5 +/- 2.6 months. Patients demonstrated significant
      improvements on the median Tegner score from 8 (interquartile range, 3-10) to 10
      (interquartile range, 9-10) (P = .0391); the mean Lysholm score from 67 +/- 14 to
      92 +/- 10 (P = .0021); the mean IKDC subjective score from 61.8 +/- 16.3 to 85.3
      +/- 9.8 (P = .0026); the mean IKDC objective score from 1 A, 8 B, 1 C, and 2 D to
      7 A and 5 B (P = .0077); the mean WOMAC score from 77.1 +/- 15.9 to 92.2 +/- 9.1
      (P = .0242); and the mean VAS score from 61 +/- 16 to 29 +/- 32 (P = .0029) at 12
      month follow-up. There were no significant improvements in these outcomes at 36
      month follow-up. One patient developed a knee infection after MAT plus anterior
      cruciate ligament allograft reconstruction. This complication was successfully
      treated, but the patient stopped playing soccer (Tegner score of 3 at 36-month
      follow-up), and this was considered a failure (8%). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic MAT
      in professional soccer players allowed a return to play at the same level (Tegner
      score of 10) in 75% of the cases at 36-month follow-up.

PMID- 24214929
TI  - Anterior cruciate ligament injury and radiologic progression of knee
      osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has
      previously been reported. However, there has been no meta-analysis reporting the
      development and progression of osteoarthritis. PURPOSE: We present the first meta
      analysis reporting on the development and progression of osteoarthritis after ACL
      injury at a minimum mean follow-up of 10 years, using a single and widely
      accepted radiologic classification, the Kellgren & Lawrence classification. STUDY
      DESIGN: Meta-analysis. METHOD: Articles were included for systematic review if
      they reported radiologic findings of ACL-injured knees and controls using the
      Kellgren & Lawrence classification at a minimum mean follow-up period of 10
      years. Appropriate studies were then included for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Nine
      studies were included for systematic review, of which 6 studies were further
      included for meta-analysis. One hundred twenty-one of 596 (20.3%) ACL-injured
      knees had moderate or severe radiologic changes (Kellgren & Lawrence grade III or
      IV) compared with 23 of 465 (4.9%) uninjured ACL-intact contralateral knees.
      After ACL injury, irrespective of whether the patients were treated operatively
      or nonoperatively, the relative risk (RR) of developing even minimal
      osteoarthritis was 3.89 (P < .00001), while the RR of developing moderate to
      severe osteoarthritis (grade III and IV) was 3.84 (P < .0004). Nonoperatively
      treated ACL-injured knees had significantly higher RR (RR, 4.98; P < .00001) of
      developing any grade of osteoarthritis compared with those treated with
      reconstructive surgery (RR, 3.62; P < .00001). Investigation of progression to
      moderate or severe osteoarthritis (grade III or IV only) after 10 years showed
      that ACL-reconstructed knees had a significantly higher RR (RR, 4.71; P < .00001)
      compared with nonoperative management (RR, 2.41; P = .54). It was not possible to
      stratify for return to sports among the patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.
      CONCLUSION: Results support the proposition that ACL injury predisposes knees to
      osteoarthritis, while ACL reconstruction surgery has a role in reducing the risk
      of developing degenerative changes at 10 years. However, returning to sports
      activities after ligament reconstruction may exacerbate the development of
      arthritis.

PMID- 24214930
TI  - Meniscus allograft transplantation: a comparison of medial and lateral
      procedures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because of the anatomic and biomechanical differences between the
      lateral and medial menisci, it is believed that the indications, combined
      injuries, techniques, and outcomes of the 2 meniscus allograft transplantation
      (MAT) procedures may be different. HYPOTHESIS: Medial meniscus transplantation
      (medial group) usually combines concomitant surgeries, such as anterior cruciate
      ligament (ACL) reconstruction, so the medial group will have worse clinical
      results than the lateral group (lateral meniscus transplantation). STUDY DESIGN:
      Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted
      on 91 patients who underwent MAT (lateral group, n = 56; medial group, n = 35).
      There were 33 patients with an absence of a concurrent injury (isolated group)
      and 58 patients with the presence of a concurrent injury (combined group). The
      mean follow-up was 40 months (range, 24-125 months). Clinical outcomes for range
      of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score, International Knee
      Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Lysholm score, and Tegner
      activity score were evaluated, and an objective evaluation was performed using
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and second-look arthroscopic surgery. RESULTS:
      At final follow-up, the mean results for ROM, VAS score, IKDC subjective score,
      Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, and patient subjective satisfaction were
      not statistically different between the lateral and medial groups (P > .05). The
      VAS and Lysholm scores of the isolated group were significantly better than those
      of the combined group. Follow-up MRI was performed on 35 patients (24 in the
      lateral group and 11 in the medial group). Mean graft extrusion was 1.7 mm in the
      lateral group and 2.6 mm in the medial group (P = .075). The relative percentage
      of extrusion was 19.4% in the lateral group and 32.0% in the medial group (P =
      .011). Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction occurred more commonly in the
      medial group, and cartilage procedures occurred more commonly in the lateral
      group. CONCLUSION: The clinical results of the lateral group were not different
      from those of the medial group. More graft extrusion was found in the medial
      group on MRI, and second-look arthroscopic surgery results of the lateral group
      were not as good as those of the medial group. The VAS and Lysholm scores of the
      combined group were worse than those of the isolated group. With regard to
      concomitant surgery, ACL reconstruction was most common in the medial group and
      cartilage procedures in the lateral group.

PMID- 24214931
TI  - The reliability and validity of the MATRICS functional assessment battery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in
      Schizophrenia (MATRICS) initiative was designed to encourage the development of
      cognitive enhancing agents for schizophrenia. For a medication to receive this
      indication, regulatory agencies require evidence of improvement in both cognition
      and functional outcome. Functional capacity measures typically used in clinical
      trials as intermediate measures of functional outcome must be adapted to fit
      different cultural contexts for use internationally. We examined the psychometric
      properties of the MATRICS Functional Assessment Battery (MFAB), comprised of 2
      subtests from the UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA) and one from
      the Test of Adaptive Behavior in Schizophrenia (TABS) that were rated by experts
      in a previous study to be the most appropriate functional capacity assessments
      across different cultural contexts. METHOD: Four sites in India administered the
      MFAB, a brief version of the UPSA, the MATRICS Cognitive Consensus Battery,
      measures of symptomatology, and a measure of global functional outcome to 141
      individuals with schizophrenia at a baseline assessment and at 4 weeks later.
      RESULTS: Test-retest reliability based on the intraclass correlation coefficient
      was significantly better for the UCSD Performance-Based Skills Assessment-Brief
      (UPSA-B). Pearson correlation coefficients over time were not significantly
      different for the 2 measures. Only the MFAB was significantly correlated with
      functional outcome as measured by the Specific Levels of Functioning Scale.
      CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric properties of the MFAB and UPSA-B were similar. The
      MATRICS scientific board chose to translate the MFAB into multiple languages for
      potential use in studies of novel medications seeking an indication for improving
      cognition in schizophrenia.

PMID- 24214932
TI  - Identifying cognitive remediation change through computational modelling--effects
      on reinforcement learning in schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Converging research suggests that individuals with schizophrenia show
      a marked impairment in reinforcement learning, particularly in tasks requiring
      flexibility and adaptation. The problem has been associated with dopamine reward
      systems. This study explores, for the first time, the characteristics of this
      impairment and how it is affected by a behavioral intervention-cognitive
      remediation. METHOD: Using computational modelling, 3 reinforcement learning
      parameters based on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) trial-by-trial
      performance were estimated: R (reward sensitivity), P (punishment sensitivity),
      and D (choice consistency). In Study 1 the parameters were compared between a
      group of individuals with schizophrenia (n = 100) and a healthy control group (n
      = 50). In Study 2 the effect of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) on these
      parameters was assessed in 2 groups of individuals with schizophrenia, one
      receiving CRT (n = 37) and the other receiving treatment as usual (TAU, n = 34).
      RESULTS: In Study 1 individuals with schizophrenia showed impairment in the R and
      P parameters compared with healthy controls. Study 2 demonstrated that
      sensitivity to negative feedback (P) and reward (R) improved in the CRT group
      after therapy compared with the TAU group. R and P parameter change correlated
      with WCST outputs. Improvements in R and P after CRT were associated with working
      memory gains and reduction of negative symptoms, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Schizophrenia reinforcement learning difficulties negatively influence
      performance in shift learning tasks. CRT can improve sensitivity to reward and
      punishment. Identifying parameters that show change may be useful in experimental
      medicine studies to identify cognitive domains susceptible to improvement.

PMID- 24214933
TI  - Reduced mirror neuron activity in schizophrenia and its association with theory
      of mind deficits: evidence from a transcranial magnetic stimulation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The "mirror-neuron system" has been proposed to be a
      neurophysiological substrate for social cognition (SC) ability. We used
      transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) paradigms to compare putative mirror
      neuron activity (MNA) in 3 groups: antipsychotic-naive, medicated schizophrenia
      patients, and healthy comparison subjects. We also explored the association
      between MNA and SC ability in patients. METHODS: Fifty-four consenting right
      handed schizophrenia patients (33 antipsychotic naive) and 45 matched healthy
      comparison subjects completed a TMS experiment to assess putative premotor MNA.
      We used 4 TMS paradigms of eliciting motor-evoked potentials (MEP) in the right
      first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle. These were applied while the subjects
      observed a goal-directed action involving the FDI (actual action and its video)
      and a static image. The difference in the amplitude of the MEP while they
      observed the static image and the action provided a measure of MNA. Subjects also
      underwent SC assessments (theory of mind [ToM], emotion processing, and social
      perception). RESULTS: Two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant group
      * occasion interaction effect in 3 TMS paradigms, indicating deficient motor
      facilitation during action observation relative to rest state in antipsychotic
      naive schizophrenia patients as compared with the other two groups. Among
      patients, there were significant direct correlations between measures of MNA and
      ToM performance. CONCLUSIONS: Antipsychotic-naive schizophrenia patients have
      poorer MNA than medicated patients and healthy controls. Measures of putative MNA
      had significant and consistent associations with ToM abilities. These findings
      suggest a possibility of deficient mirror neuron system underlying SC deficits in
      schizophrenia.

PMID- 24214934
TI  - No evidence for local adaptation in an invasive alien plant: field and greenhouse
      experiments tracing a colonization sequence.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Local adaptation enables plant species to persist under
      different environmental conditions. Evolutionary change can occur rapidly in
      invasive annual species and has been shown to lead to local adaptation. However,
      the patterns and mechanisms of local adaptation in invasive species along
      colonization sequences are not yet understood. Thus, in this study the alien
      annual Impatiens glandulifera was used to investigate local adaptation to
      distinct habitats that have been consecutively invaded in central Europe.
      METHODS: A reciprocal transplant experiment was performed using 15 populations
      from alluvial deciduous forests, fallow meadows and coniferous upland forests,
      and a greenhouse experiment was performed in which plants from these habitats
      were grown under treatments reflecting the main habitat differentiators (shade,
      soil acidity, competition). KEY RESULTS: Biomass production, specific leaf area,
      plant height and relative growth rate differed between habitats in the field
      experiment and between treatments in the greenhouse, but not between seed
      origins. Overall, there was no indication of local adaptation in either
      experiment. CONCLUSIONS: Since I. glandulifera is a successful invader in many
      habitats without showing local adaptation, it is suggested that the species is
      coping with environmental variation by means of high phenotypic plasticity. The
      species seems to follow a 'jack-and-master' strategy, i.e. it is able to maintain
      high fitness under a wide range of environmental conditions, but performs
      particularly well in favourable habitats. Therefore, the proposed colonization
      sequence is likely to be based primarily on changes in propagule pressure. It is
      concluded that invasive alien plants can become dominant in distinct habitats
      without local adaptation.

PMID- 24214935
TI  - Wound healing during a heat wave.

PMID- 24214936
TI  - Returning to ourselves: Palestinian complementary healers in Israel.
AB  - Studies of traditional healers in various cultures describe their initiation into
      the healing profession as a climax that constructs their professional and
      personal identity. Literature emphasizes the healers' intense association with
      the culture in which they work, as reflected in the initiation narratives that
      healers in various cultures recount. In this article we reveal unique initiation
      stories and identity formation from Palestinian nonconventional healers in Israel
      who described a cross-cultural journey: After studying healing traditions of
      foreign cultures and on returning to their own cultural environment, they
      developed a unique and complex combination of healing values and traditions. We
      examine the stories of these healers, whose personal and professional identities
      are affected by cultural, political, and social contexts. We note the blending of
      healing traditions and practices, and the changes in identity, assessing them
      against cultural processes that many Palestinians in Israel have been undergoing
      over the past few decades. 

PMID- 24214939
TI  - Predictors of recurrent appendicitis after non-operative management of children
      with perforated appendicitis presenting with an appendicular inflammatory mass.
AB  - AIM: To determine clinical and imaging predictors of recurrent appendicitis after
      non-operative management for children with perforated appendicitis presenting
      with an appendicular inflammatory mass. METHODS: A case-control study was carried
      out of children with clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of an appendicular
      inflammatory mass. Patients were divided into two groups according to the
      presence or not of recurrent appendicitis (or predisposing pathological findings
      during interval appendectomy). Several clinical and imaging factors were compared
      between both groups using an independent and progressive analysis to identify
      which were the most relevant predictors. RESULTS: The persistence of symptoms
      after resolution of the appendicular inflammatory mass, as well as its time of
      resolution (p<0.001), were the most relevant factors during group classification.
      The identification of an ultrasonographic image of an appendicolith and the
      initial size of the mass were also identified as independent predictors (p<0.018
      and p<0.01). The presence of the first two factors in a patient was strongly
      associated with recurrent appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent symptoms after
      the recovery of the initial episode, associated with a slow resolution of the
      appendicular inflammatory mass, are indications for an interval appendectomy. A
      previous history of appendicitis or detection of an ultrasonographic image of an
      appendicolith is the other indication for an interval appendectomy.

PMID- 24214940
TI  - Meeting the physical health needs of our looked after children.

PMID- 24214941
TI  - Geranylgeranyl reductase and ferredoxin from Methanosarcina acetivorans are
      required for the synthesis of fully reduced archaeal membrane lipid in
      Escherichia coli cells.
AB  - Archaea produce membrane lipids that typically possess fully saturated isoprenoid
      hydrocarbon chains attached to the glycerol moiety via ether bonds. They are
      functionally similar to, but structurally and biosynthetically distinct from, the
      fatty acid-based membrane lipids of bacteria and eukaryotes. It is believed that
      the characteristic lipid structure helps archaea survive under severe conditions
      such as extremely low or high pH, high salt concentrations, and/or high
      temperatures. We detail here the first successful production of an intact
      archaeal membrane lipid, which has fully saturated isoprenoid chains, in
      bacterial cells. The introduction of six phospholipid biosynthetic genes from a
      methanogenic archaeon, Methanosarcina acetivorans, in Escherichia coli enabled
      the host bacterium to synthesize the archaeal lipid, i.e., diphytanylglyceryl
      phosphoglycerol, while a glycerol modification of the phosphate group was
      probably catalyzed by endogenous E. coli enzymes. Reduction of the isoprenoid
      chains occurred only when archaeal ferredoxin was expressed with geranylgeranyl
      reductase, suggesting the role of ferredoxin as a specific electron donor for the
      reductase. This report is the first identification of a physiological reducer for
      archaeal geranylgeranyl reductase. On the other hand, geranylgeranyl reductase
      from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius could, by itself,
      replace both its orthologue and ferredoxin from M. acetivorans, which indicated
      that an endogenous redox system of E. coli reduced the enzyme. 

PMID- 24214942
TI  - Modulation of the Bacillus anthracis secretome by the immune inhibitor A1
      protease.
AB  - The Bacillus anthracis secretome includes protective antigen, lethal factor, and
      edema factor, which are the components of anthrax toxin, and other proteins with
      known or potential roles in anthrax disease. Immune inhibitor A1 (InhA1) is a
      secreted metalloprotease that is unique to pathogenic members of the Bacillus
      genus and has been associated with cleavage of host proteins during infection.
      Here, we report the effect of InhA1 on the B. anthracis secretome. Differential
      in-gel electrophoresis of proteins present in culture supernatants from a parent
      strain and an isogenic inhA1-null mutant revealed multiple differences. Of the
      1,340 protein spots observed, approximately one-third were less abundant and one
      third were more abundant in the inhA1 secretome than in the parent strain
      secretome. Proteases were strongly represented among those proteins exhibiting a
      9-fold or greater change. InhA1 purified from a B. anthracis culture supernatant
      directly cleaved each of the anthrax toxin proteins as well as an additional
      secreted protease, Npr599. The conserved zinc binding motif HEXXH of InhA1
      (HEYGH) was critical for its proteolytic activity. Our data reveal that InhA1
      directly and indirectly modulates the form and/or abundance of over half of all
      the secreted proteins of B. anthracis. The proteolytic activity of InhA1 on
      established secreted virulence factors, additional proteases, and other secreted
      proteins suggests that this major protease plays an important role in virulence
      not only by cleaving mammalian substrates but also by modulating the B. anthracis
      secretome itself. 

PMID- 24214943
TI  - The twin arginine translocation system is essential for aerobic growth and full
      virulence of Burkholderia thailandensis.
AB  - The twin arginine translocation (Tat) system in bacteria is responsible for
      transporting folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane, and in some
      bacteria, Tat-exported substrates have been linked to virulence. We report here
      that the Tat machinery is present in Burkholderia pseudomallei, B. mallei, and B.
      thailandensis, and we show that the system is essential for aerobic but not
      anaerobic growth. Switching off of the Tat system in B. thailandensis grown
      anaerobically resulted in filamentous bacteria, and bacteria showed increased
      sensitivity to some beta-lactam antibiotics. In Galleria mellonella and zebrafish
      infection models, the Tat conditional mutant was attenuated. The aerobic growth
      restricted phenotype indicates that Tat substrates may play a functional role in
      oxygen-dependent energy conservation. In other bacteria, aerobic growth
      restriction in Tat mutants has been attributed to the inability to translocate
      PetA, the Rieske iron-sulfur protein which forms part of the quinol-cytochrome c
      oxidoreductase complex. Here, we show that PetA is not responsible for aerobic
      growth restriction in B. thailandensis. However, we have identified an operon
      encoding 2 proteins of unknown function (BTH_I2176 and BTH_I2175) that play a
      role in aerobic growth restriction, and we present evidence that BTH_I2176 is Tat
      translocated. 

PMID- 24214944
TI  - Characterization of novel virulent broad-host-range phages of Xylella fastidiosa
      and Xanthomonas.
AB  - The xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is the causal agent of several
      plant diseases, most notably Pierce's disease of grape and citrus variegated
      chlorosis. We report the isolation and characterization of the first virulent
      phages for X. fastidiosa, siphophages Sano and Salvo and podophages Prado and
      Paz, with a host range that includes Xanthomonas spp. Phages propagated on
      homologous hosts had observed adsorption rate constants of ~4 * 10(-12) ml cell(
      1) min(-1) for X. fastidiosa strain Temecula 1 and ~5 * 10(-10) to 7 * 10(-10) ml
      cell(-1) min(-1) for Xanthomonas strain EC-12. Sano and Salvo exhibit >80%
      nucleotide identity to each other in aligned regions and are syntenic to phage
      BcepNazgul. We propose that phage BcepNazgul is the founding member of a novel
      phage type, to which Sano and Salvo belong. The lysis genes of the Nazgul-like
      phage type include a gene that encodes an outer membrane lipoprotein endolysin
      and also spanin gene families that provide insight into the evolution of the
      lysis pathway for phages of Gram-negative hosts. Prado and Paz, although
      exhibiting no significant DNA homology to each other, are new members of the
      phiKMV-like phage type, based on the position of the single-subunit RNA
      polymerase gene. The four phages are type IV pilus dependent for infection of
      both X. fastidiosa and Xanthomonas. The phages may be useful as agents for an
      effective and environmentally responsible strategy for the control of diseases
      caused by X. fastidiosa.

PMID- 24214945
TI  - Protection from oxidative stress relies mainly on derepression of OxyR-dependent
      KatB and Dps in Shewanella oneidensis.
AB  - Shewanella thrives in redox-stratified environments where accumulation of H2O2
      becomes inevitable because of the chemical oxidation of reduced metals, sulfur
      species, or organic molecules. As a research model, the representative species
      Shewanella oneidensis has been extensively studied for its response to various
      stresses. However, little progress has been made toward an understanding of the
      physiological and genetic responses of this bacterium to oxidative stress, which
      is critically relevant to its application as a dissimilatory metal-reducing
      bacterium. In this study, we systematically investigated the mechanism underlying
      the response to H2O2 at cellular, genomic, and molecular levels. Using
      transcriptional profiling, we found that S. oneidensis is hypersensitive to H2O2
      in comparison with Escherichia coli, and well-conserved defense genes such as
      ahpCF, katB, katG, and dps appear to form the first line of defense, whereas iron
      sulfur-protecting proteins may not play a significant role. Subsequent
      identification and characterization of an analogue of the E. coli oxyR gene
      revealed that S. oneidensis OxyR is the master regulator that mediates the
      bacterial response to H2O2-induced oxidative stress by directly repressing or
      activating the defense genes. The sensitivity of S. oneidensis to H2O2 is likely
      attributable to the lack of an inducible manganese import mechanism during
      stress. To cope with stress, major strategies that S. oneidensis adopts include
      rapid removal of the oxidant and restriction of intracellular iron
      concentrations, both of which are achieved predominantly by derepression of the
      katB and dps genes. 

PMID- 24214946
TI  - Enteric YaiW is a surface-exposed outer membrane lipoprotein that affects
      sensitivity to an antimicrobial peptide.
AB  - yaiW is a previously uncharacterized gene found in enteric bacteria that is of
      particular interest because it is located adjacent to the sbmA gene, whose bacA
      ortholog is required for Sinorhizobium meliloti symbiosis and Brucella abortus
      pathogenesis. We show that yaiW is cotranscribed with sbmA in Escherichia coli
      and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Typhimurium strains. We present
      evidence that the YaiW is a palmitate-modified surface exposed outer membrane
      lipoprotein. Since BacA function affects the very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA)
      modification of S. meliloti and B. abortus lipid A, we tested whether SbmA
      function might affect either the fatty acid modification of the YaiW lipoprotein
      or the fatty acid modification of enteric lipid A but found that it did not.
      Interestingly, we did observe that E. coli SbmA suppresses deficiencies in the
      VLCFA modification of the lipopolysaccharide of an S. meliloti bacA mutant
      despite the absence of VLCFA in E. coli. Finally, we found that both YaiW and
      SbmA positively affect the uptake of proline-rich Bac7 peptides, suggesting a
      possible connection between their cellular functions. 

PMID- 24214947
TI  - Biochemical and biophysical characterization of the two isoforms of cbb3-type
      cytochrome c oxidase from Pseudomonas stutzeri.
AB  - The cbb3-type cytochrome c oxidases (cbb3-CcOs) are members of the heme-copper
      oxidase superfamily that couple the reduction of oxygen to translocation of
      protons across the membrane. The cbb3-CcOs are present only in bacteria and play
      a primary role in microaerobic respiration, being essential for nitrogen-fixing
      endosymbionts and for some human pathogens. As frequently observed in
      Pseudomonads, Pseudomonas stutzeri contains two independent ccoNO(Q)P operons
      encoding the two cbb3 isoforms, Cbb3-1 and Cbb3-2. While the crystal structure of
      Cbb3-1 from P. stutzeri was determined recently and cbb3-CcOs from other
      organisms were characterized functionally, less emphasis has been placed on the
      isoform-specific differences between the cbb3-CcOs. In this work, both isoforms
      were homologously expressed in P. stutzeri strains from which the genomic version
      of the respective operon was deleted. We purified both cbb3 isoforms separately
      by affinity chromatography and increased the yield of Cbb3-2 to a similar level
      as Cbb3-1 by replacing its native promoter. Mass spectrometry, UV-visible (UV
      Vis) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, as well as oxygen reductase
      and catalase activity measurements were employed to characterize both cbb3
      isoforms. Differences were found concerning the thermal stability and the
      presence of subunit CcoQ. However, no significant differences between the two
      isoforms were observed otherwise. Interestingly, a surprisingly high turnover of
      at least 2,000 electrons s(-1) and a high Michaelis-Menten constant (Km ~ 3.6 mM)
      using ascorbate-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (TMPD)
      as the electron donor were characteristic for both P. stutzeri cbb3-CcOs. Our
      work provides the basis for further mutagenesis studies of each of the two cbb3
      isoforms specifically.

PMID- 24214948
TI  - Simultaneous involvement of a tungsten-containing aldehyde:ferredoxin
      oxidoreductase and a phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase in anaerobic phenylalanine
      metabolism.
AB  - Anaerobic phenylalanine metabolism in the denitrifying betaproteobacterium
      Aromatoleum aromaticum is initiated by conversion of phenylalanine to
      phenylacetate, which is further metabolized via benzoyl-coenzyme A (CoA). The
      formation of phenylacetate is catalyzed by phenylalanine transaminase,
      phenylpyruvate decarboxylase, and a phenylacetaldehyde-oxidizing enzyme. The
      presence of these enzymes was detected in extracts of cells grown with
      phenylalanine and nitrate. We found that two distinct enzymes are involved in the
      oxidation of phenylacetaldehyde to phenylacetate, an aldehyde:ferredoxin
      oxidoreductase (AOR) and a phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase (PDH). Based on
      sequence comparison, growth studies with various tungstate concentrations, and
      metal analysis of the enriched enzyme, AOR was shown to be a tungsten-containing
      enzyme, necessitating specific cofactor biosynthetic pathways for molybdenum- and
      tungsten-dependent enzymes simultaneously. We predict from the genome sequence
      that most enzymes of molybdopterin biosynthesis are shared, while the
      molybdate/tungstate uptake systems are duplicated and specialized paralogs of the
      sulfur-inserting MoaD and the metal-inserting MoeA proteins seem to be involved
      in dedicating biosynthesis toward molybdenum or tungsten cofactors. We also
      characterized PDH biochemically and identified both NAD(+) and NADP(+) as
      electron acceptors. We identified the gene coding for the enzyme and purified a
      recombinant Strep-tagged PDH variant. The homotetrameric enzyme is highly
      specific for phenylacetaldehyde, has cooperative kinetics toward the substrate,
      and shows considerable substrate inhibition. Our data suggest that A. aromaticum
      utilizes PDH as the primary enzyme during anaerobic phenylalanine degradation,
      whereas AOR is not essential for the metabolic pathway. We hypothesize a function
      as a detoxifying enzyme if high aldehyde concentrations accumulate in the
      cytoplasm, which would lead to substrate inhibition of PDH. 

PMID- 24214949
TI  - The ResD response regulator, through functional interaction with NsrR and fur,
      plays three distinct roles in Bacillus subtilis transcriptional control.
AB  - The ResD response regulator activates transcription of diverse genes in Bacillus
      subtilis in response to oxygen limitation. ResD regulon genes that are the most
      highly induced during nitrate respiration include the nitrite reductase operon
      (nasDEF) and the flavohemoglobin gene (hmp), whose products function in nitric
      oxide (NO) metabolism. Transcription of these genes is also under the negative
      control of the NO-sensitive NsrR repressor. Recent studies showed that the NsrR
      regulon contains genes with no apparent relevance to NO metabolism and that the
      ResD response regulator and NsrR coordinately regulate transcription. To
      determine whether these genes are direct targets of NsrR and ResD, we used
      chromatin affinity precipitation coupled with tiling chip (ChAP-chip) and ChAP
      followed by quantitative PCR (ChAP-qPCR) analyses. The study showed that ResD and
      NsrR directly control transcription of the ykuNOP operon in the Fur regulon. ResD
      functions as an activator at the nasD and hmp promoters, whereas it functions at
      the ykuN promoter as an antirepressor of Fur and a corepressor for NsrR. This
      mechanism likely participates in fine-tuning of transcript levels in response to
      different sources of stress, such as oxygen limitation, iron limitation, and
      exposure to NO. 

PMID- 24214950
TI  - Use of abdominal field block injections with liposomal bupivicaine to control
      postoperative pain after abdominoplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is well known that improving postoperative pain control in plastic
      surgery procedures leads to earlier mobilization, shortened hospital stay,
      reduced hospital costs, and increased patient satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: The
      authors evaluate the use of abdominal field block injections with liposomal
      bupivicaine (Exparel; Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc, San Diego, California) in
      postoperative pain management in patients undergoing abdominoplasty with rectus
      plication. METHODS: Case records from 64 female patients who underwent
      abdominoplasty with rectus plication were reviewed. We performed a total of 118
      abdominoplasties with rectus plication, alone or in combination with other
      surgical procedures, from August 2012 to December 2012, but 54 patients were
      excluded from the series due to inadequate follow-up. Patients received liposomal
      bupivicaine injections in an abdominal field block fashion. Patient age, height,
      weight, and smoking status were recorded. Delivery of standardized postoperative
      intramuscular or intravenous injections and oral pain pills was recorded.
      Postoperative data and questionnaires were used to evaluate clinical efficacy.
      RESULTS: The average number of procedures (including abdominoplasty with rectus
      plication) per patient was 7. Average patient body mass index was 27 kg/m(2).
      Average pain scores were 3.5 (postoperative visit 1) and 2.8 (visit 2). The
      average number of oral pain pills required was 14 at the first postoperative
      visit and 11.5 at the second postoperative visit. Patients were able to resume
      normal activity at an average of 6.4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with
      liposomal bupivicaine injections for regional blocks in abdominoplasty with
      rectus plication indicates that patients experienced reduced postoperative pain,
      required less postoperative narcotic medication, and resumed both earlier
      ambulation and normal activity. Further investigation is warranted with more
      clinical cases to recommend the use of this medication for routine pain
      management after an abdominoplasty.

PMID- 24214951
TI  - The impact of body mass index on reduction mammaplasty: a multicenter analysis of
      2492 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reduction mammaplasty is commonly performed in women who are
      considered obese by the body mass index (BMI) classification of the World Health
      Organization. OBJECTIVES: The authors compare complication rates among breast
      reduction patients, stratified by BMI, across multiple institutions. METHODS: A
      retrospective analysis was performed of all reduction mammaplasties in the
      database of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for 2006 through
      2010. Demographic, comorbidity, and BMI data were collected. Data on medical and
      surgical complications, reoperation, and mortality were collected through 30 days
      postsurgery. RESULTS: Of 2492 patients, 55% were considered obese (BMI >30). The
      overall rate of surgical complications was 4.0%, increasing from 2.4% for BMI <25
      to 7.1% for BMI >45 (P = .006), with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.97 for BMI >45
      versus BMI <25. The most common surgical complication was superficial surgical
      site infection; it was found in 2.9% of patients, increasing from 2.1% for BMI
      <25 to 5.1% for BMI >45 (P = .03). The medical complication rate was 0.6%, and
      the reoperation rate was 2.1%. There were no deaths. A maximal point analysis
      showed that BMI >=39 was associated with a significantly higher complication
      rate, with an odds ratio of 2.38. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction mammaplasty is a safe
      surgical procedure, even when performed on obese patients. However, patients with
      higher BMI have a greater risk of surgical site complications. This risk should
      be discussed preoperatively with obese patients.

PMID- 24214952
TI  - Association of variant rs7903146 (C/T) single nucleotide polymorphism of TCF7L2
      gene with impairment in wound healing among north Indian type 2 diabetes
      population: a case-control study.
AB  - The variants of transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene have been shown to be
      associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its several secondary
      complications. Here, we aimed to examine the possible role of one of the common
      variant of this gene, rs7903146 (C/T), with impairment of wound healing in cases
      with T2DM. A total of 750 individuals, including 322 patients with T2DM and 120
      patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and 308 controls, were analyzed for
      rs7903146 variant of the TCF7L2 gene. Genotyping was done by polymerase chain
      reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. For rs7903146 variant, TT
      genotype frequency in patients with DFU was 10.8% and in controls was 5.2%. Risk
      genotype (TT) frequencies showed statistically significant difference between the
      DFU patients versus non-DM control group (odds ratio = 2.44, P = .037, 95%
      confidence interval = 1.05-5.64) compared with nonrisk genotype (CC + CT). In the
      present study, a positive significant association between DFU and the TT genotype
      of rs7903146 (C/T) variant of TCF7L2 gene was found. 

PMID- 24214953
TI  - Squamous cell carcinoma and ledderhose disease: a case report.
AB  - Ledderhose disease is disorder of the plantar aponeurosis. This disease is not so
      common and can be tackled with a surgical or conservative approach. A case of a
      73-year-old man came to our attention who had a 26-year history of painless
      bilateral plantar nodules coalescing into an indurated mass. An ulcerative nodule
      had been noted in the last 16 months on the right foot, in the absence of trauma,
      not responsive to conservative treatment, so we decided to perform a biopsy. The
      histopatologic examination showed squamous cell carcinoma, with warty, well
      differentiated, low-grade malignancy. Surgical treatment was suggested, so, in
      pneumoischemia, we made a surgical incision including the skin lesion. Then we
      proceeded to sculpture the anterolateral thigh fasciacutaneous flap to obtain
      adequate soft tissue coverage. The tumor was completely removed. Current
      reconstructive possibilities comprise a good anatomofunctional recovery even in
      the case of large demolition requests for the therapy of advanced cases of the
      disease described in this article. Correlation between Ledderhose disease and the
      formation of malignant tumors has not been made as yet, but perhaps an element
      that could unite these pathologies can be researched in the lively cell
      proliferation that characterizes both. It would be interesting to analyze the
      biological substrate, as well as the systemic and local levels, in patients where
      both diseases are manifested. 

PMID- 24214954
TI  - A case of fatal necrotizing fasciitis arising from chronic lymphedema.
AB  - Chronic lymphedema and lymphangitis are common adverse effects following
      treatment for gynecological cancer. Because the early symptoms of necrotizing
      fasciitis are similar to those of lymphangitis, fatal outcome can occur if
      patients or physicians underestimate this condition. Here, we present a case of
      necrotizing fasciitis in a patient with chronic lymphedema. 

PMID- 24214955
TI  - TFBSshape: a motif database for DNA shape features of transcription factor
      binding sites.
AB  - Transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) are most commonly characterized by the
      nucleotide preferences at each position of the DNA target. Whereas these sequence
      motifs are quite accurate descriptions of DNA binding specificities of
      transcription factors (TFs), proteins recognize DNA as a three-dimensional
      object. DNA structural features refine the description of TF binding
      specificities and provide mechanistic insights into protein-DNA recognition.
      Existing motif databases contain extensive nucleotide sequences identified in
      binding experiments based on their selection by a TF. To utilize DNA shape
      information when analysing the DNA binding specificities of TFs, we developed a
      new tool, the TFBSshape database (available at
      http://rohslab.cmb.usc.edu/TFBSshape/), for calculating DNA structural features
      from nucleotide sequences provided by motif databases. The TFBSshape database can
      be used to generate heat maps and quantitative data for DNA structural features
      (i.e., minor groove width, roll, propeller twist and helix twist) for 739 TF
      datasets from 23 different species derived from the motif databases JASPAR and
      UniPROBE. As demonstrated for the basic helix-loop-helix and homeodomain TF
      families, our TFBSshape database can be used to compare, qualitatively and
      quantitatively, the DNA binding specificities of closely related TFs and, thus,
      uncover differential DNA binding specificities that are not apparent from
      nucleotide sequence alone. 

PMID- 24214956
TI  - Distinct substrate specificities of Arabidopsis DCL3 and DCL4.
AB  - In Arabidopsis thaliana, Dicer-like 3 (DCL3) and Dicer-like 4 (DCL4) cleave long,
      perfect double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) into 24 and 21 nucleotides (nt) small
      interfering RNAs, respectively, which in turn function in RNA-directed DNA
      methylation and RNA interference, respectively. To reveal how DCL3 and DCL4
      individually recognize long perfect dsRNAs as substrates, we biochemically
      characterized DCL3 and DCL4 and compared their enzymatic properties. DCL3
      preferentially cleaves short dsRNAs with 5' phosphorylated adenosine or uridine
      and a 1 nt 3' overhang, whereas DCL4 cleaves long dsRNAs with blunt ends or with
      a 1 or 2 nt 3' overhang with similar efficiency. DCL3 produces 24 nt RNA duplexes
      with 2 nt 3' overhangs by the 5' counting rule. Inorganic phosphate, NaCl and KCl
      enhance DCL3 activity but inhibit DCL4 activity. These results indicate that
      plants use DCLs with distinct catalytic profiles to ensure each dsRNA substrate
      generates only a specific length of siRNAs that trigger a unique siRNA-mediated
      response. 

PMID- 24214957
TI  - bNAber: database of broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies.
AB  - The discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) has provided an enormous
      impetus to the HIV vaccine research and to entire immunology. The bNAber database
      at http://bNAber.org provides open, user-friendly access to detailed data on the
      rapidly growing list of HIV bNAbs, including neutralization profiles, sequences
      and three-dimensional structures (when available). It also provides an extensive
      list of visualization and analysis tools, such as heatmaps to analyse
      neutralization data as well as structure and sequence viewers to correlate bNAbs
      properties with structural and sequence features of individual antibodies. The
      goal of the bNAber database is to enable researchers in this field to easily
      compare and analyse available information on bNAbs thereby supporting efforts to
      design an effective vaccine for HIV/AIDS. The bNAber database not only provides
      easy access to data that currently is scattered in the Supplementary Materials
      sections of individual papers, but also contributes to the development of general
      standards of data that have to be presented with the discovery of new bNAbs and a
      universal mechanism of how such data can be shared. 

PMID- 24214959
TI  - BacDive--the Bacterial Diversity Metadatabase.
AB  - BacDive-the Bacterial Diversity Metadatabase (http://bacdive.dsmz.de) merges
      detailed strain-linked information on the different aspects of bacterial and
      archaeal biodiversity. Currently (release 9/2013), BacDive contains entries for
      23 458 strains and provides information on their taxonomy, morphology,
      physiology, sampling and concomitant environmental conditions as well as
      molecular biology. Where available, links to access the respective biological
      resources are given. The majority of the BacDive data is manually annotated and
      curated. The BacDive portal offers an easy-to-use simple search and in addition
      powerful advanced search functionalities allowing to combine more than 30 search
      fields for text and numerical data. The user can compile individual sets of
      strains to a download selection that can easily be imported into nearly all
      spreadsheet applications. 

PMID- 24214958
TI  - Comparative analysis of affinity-based 5-hydroxymethylation enrichment
      techniques.
AB  - The epigenetic modification of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is receiving great
      attention due to its potential role in DNA methylation reprogramming and as a
      cell state identifier. Given this interest, it is important to identify reliable
      and cost-effective methods for the enrichment of 5hmC marked DNA for downstream
      analysis. We tested three commonly used affinity-based enrichment techniques; (i)
      antibody, (ii) chemical capture and (iii) protein affinity enrichment and
      assessed their ability to accurately and reproducibly report 5hmC profiles in
      mouse tissues containing high (brain) and lower (liver) levels of 5hmC. The
      protein-affinity technique is a poor reporter of 5hmC profiles, delivering 5hmC
      patterns that are incompatible with other methods. Both antibody and chemical
      capture-based techniques generate highly similar genome-wide patterns for 5hmC,
      which are independently validated by standard quantitative PCR (qPCR) and
      glucosyl-sensitive restriction enzyme digestion (gRES-qPCR). Both antibody and
      chemical capture generated profiles reproducibly link to unique chromatin
      modification profiles associated with 5hmC. However, there appears to be a slight
      bias of the antibody to bind to regions of DNA rich in simple repeats.
      Ultimately, the increased specificity observed with chemical capture-based
      approaches makes this an attractive method for the analysis of locus-specific or
      genome-wide patterns of 5hmC. 

PMID- 24214960
TI  - High-resolution microbial community reconstruction by integrating short reads
      from multiple 16S rRNA regions.
AB  - The emergence of massively parallel sequencing technology has revolutionized
      microbial profiling, allowing the unprecedented comparison of microbial diversity
      across time and space in a wide range of host-associated and environmental
      ecosystems. Although the high-throughput nature of such methods enables the
      detection of low-frequency bacteria, these advances come at the cost of
      sequencing read length, limiting the phylogenetic resolution possible by current
      methods. Here, we present a generic approach for integrating short reads from
      large genomic regions, thus enabling phylogenetic resolution far exceeding
      current methods. The approach is based on a mapping to a statistical model that
      is later solved as a constrained optimization problem. We demonstrate the utility
      of this method by analyzing human saliva and Drosophila samples, using Illumina
      single-end sequencing of a 750 bp amplicon of the 16S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic
      resolution is significantly extended while reducing the number of falsely
      detected bacteria, as compared with standard single-region Roche 454
      Pyrosequencing. Our approach can be seamlessly applied to simultaneous sequencing
      of multiple genes providing a higher resolution view of the composition and
      activity of complex microbial communities. 

PMID- 24214961
TI  - Data, information, knowledge and principle: back to metabolism in KEGG.
AB  - In the hierarchy of data, information and knowledge, computational methods play a
      major role in the initial processing of data to extract information, but they
      alone become less effective to compile knowledge from information. The Kyoto
      Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) resource (http://www.kegg.jp/ or
      http://www.genome.jp/kegg/) has been developed as a reference knowledge base to
      assist this latter process. In particular, the KEGG pathway maps are widely used
      for biological interpretation of genome sequences and other high-throughput data.
      The link from genomes to pathways is made through the KEGG Orthology system, a
      collection of manually defined ortholog groups identified by K numbers. To better
      automate this interpretation process the KEGG modules defined by Boolean
      expressions of K numbers have been expanded and improved. Once genes in a genome
      are annotated with K numbers, the KEGG modules can be computationally evaluated
      revealing metabolic capacities and other phenotypic features. The reaction
      modules, which represent chemical units of reactions, have been used to analyze
      design principles of metabolic networks and also to improve the definition of K
      numbers and associated annotations. For translational bioinformatics, the KEGG
      MEDICUS resource has been developed by integrating drug labels (package inserts)
      used in society. 

PMID- 24214962
TI  - The eukaryotic linear motif resource ELM: 10 years and counting.
AB  - The eukaryotic linear motif (ELM http://elm.eu.org) resource is a hub for
      collecting, classifying and curating information about short linear motifs
      (SLiMs). For >10 years, this resource has provided the scientific community with
      a freely accessible guide to the biology and function of linear motifs. The
      current version of ELM contains ~200 different motif classes with over 2400
      experimentally validated instances manually curated from >2000 scientific
      publications. Furthermore, detailed information about motif-mediated interactions
      has been annotated and made available in standard exchange formats. Where
      appropriate, links are provided to resources such as switches.elm.eu.org and KEGG
      pathways. 

PMID- 24214963
TI  - Manually curated database of rice proteins.
AB  - 'Manually Curated Database of Rice Proteins' (MCDRP) available at
      http://www.genomeindia.org/biocuration is a unique curated database based on
      published experimental data. Semantic integration of scientific data is essential
      to gain a higher level of understanding of biological systems. Since the majority
      of scientific data is available as published literature, text mining is an
      essential step before the data can be integrated and made available for computer
      based search in various databases. However, text mining is a tedious exercise and
      thus, there is a large gap in the data available in curated databases and
      published literature. Moreover, data in an experiment can be perceived from
      several perspectives, which may not reflect in the text-based curation. In order
      to address such issues, we have demonstrated the feasibility of digitizing the
      experimental data itself by creating a database on rice proteins based on in
      house developed data curation models. Using these models data of individual
      experiments have been digitized with the help of universal ontologies. Currently,
      the database has data for over 1800 rice proteins curated from >4000 different
      experiments of over 400 research articles. Since every aspect of the experiment
      such as gene name, plant type, tissue and developmental stage has been digitized,
      experimental data can be rapidly accessed and integrated. 

PMID- 24214964
TI  - DriverDB: an exome sequencing database for cancer driver gene identification.
AB  - Exome sequencing (exome-seq) has aided in the discovery of a huge amount of
      mutations in cancers, yet challenges remain in converting oncogenomics data into
      information that is interpretable and accessible for clinical care. We
      constructed DriverDB (http://ngs.ym.edu.tw/driverdb/), a database which
      incorporates 6079 cases of exome-seq data, annotation databases (such as dbSNP,
      1000 Genome and Cosmic) and published bioinformatics algorithms dedicated to
      driver gene/mutation identification. We provide two points of view, 'Cancer' and
      'Gene', to help researchers to visualize the relationships between cancers and
      driver genes/mutations. The 'Cancer' section summarizes the calculated results of
      driver genes by eight computational methods for a specific cancer type/dataset
      and provides three levels of biological interpretation for realization of the
      relationships between driver genes. The 'Gene' section is designed to visualize
      the mutation information of a driver gene in five different aspects. Moreover, a
      'Meta-Analysis' function is provided so researchers may identify driver genes in
      customer-defined samples. The novel driver genes/mutations identified hold
      potential for both basic research and biotech applications. 

PMID- 24214965
TI  - The ChEMBL bioactivity database: an update.
AB  - ChEMBL is an open large-scale bioactivity database
      (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chembl), previously described in the 2012 Nucleic Acids
      Research Database Issue. Since then, a variety of new data sources and
      improvements in functionality have contributed to the growth and utility of the
      resource. In particular, more comprehensive tracking of compounds from research
      stages through clinical development to market is provided through the inclusion
      of data from United States Adopted Name applications; a new richer data model for
      representing drug targets has been developed; and a number of methods have been
      put in place to allow users to more easily identify reliable data. Finally,
      access to ChEMBL is now available via a new Resource Description Framework
      format, in addition to the web-based interface, data downloads and web services. 

PMID- 24214966
TI  - DOOR 2.0: presenting operons and their functions through dynamic and integrated
      views.
AB  - We have recently developed a new version of the DOOR operon database, DOOR 2.0,
      which is available online at http://csbl.bmb.uga.edu/DOOR/ and will be updated on
      a regular basis. DOOR 2.0 contains genome-scale operons for 2072 prokaryotes with
      complete genomes, three times the number of genomes covered in the previous
      version published in 2009. DOOR 2.0 has a number of new features, compared with
      its previous version, including (i) more than 250,000 transcription units,
      experimentally validated or computationally predicted based on RNA-seq data,
      providing a dynamic functional view of the underlying operons; (ii) an integrated
      operon-centric data resource that provides not only operons for each covered
      genome but also their functional and regulatory information such as their cis
      regulatory binding sites for transcription initiation and termination, gene
      expression levels estimated based on RNA-seq data and conservation information
      across multiple genomes; (iii) a high-performance web service for online operon
      prediction on user-provided genomic sequences; (iv) an intuitive genome browser
      to support visualization of user-selected data; and (v) a keyword-based Google
      like search engine for finding the needed information intuitively and rapidly in
      this database.

PMID- 24214967
TI  - The mechanism of pseudouridine synthases from a covalent complex with RNA, and
      alternate specificity for U2605 versus U2604 between close homologs.
AB  - RluB catalyses the modification of U2605 to pseudouridine (Psi) in a stem-loop at
      the peptidyl transferase center of Escherichia coli 23S rRNA. The homolog RluF is
      specific to the adjacent nucleotide in the stem, U2604. The 1.3 A resolution
      crystal structure of the complex between the catalytic domain of RluB and the
      isolated substrate stem-loop, in which the target uridine is substituted by 5
      fluorouridine (5-FU), reveals a covalent bond between the isomerized target base
      and tyrosine 140. The structure is compared with the catalytic domain alone
      determined at 2.5 A resolution. The RluB-bound stem-loop has essentially the same
      secondary structure as in the ribosome, with a bulge at A2602, but with 5-FU2605
      flipped into the active site. We showed earlier that RluF induced a frame-shift
      of the RNA, moving A2602 into the stem and translating its target, U2604, into
      the active site. A hydrogen-bonding network stabilizes the bulge in the RluB-RNA
      but is not conserved in RluF and so RluF cannot stabilize the bulge. On the basis
      of the covalent bond between enzyme and isomerized 5-FU we propose a Michael
      addition mechanism for pseudouridine formation that is consistent with all
      experimental data. 

PMID- 24214968
TI  - Deep sequencing of large library selections allows computational discovery of
      diverse sets of zinc fingers that bind common targets.
AB  - The Cys2His2 zinc finger (ZF) is the most frequently found sequence-specific DNA
      binding domain in eukaryotic proteins. The ZF's modular protein-DNA interface has
      also served as a platform for genome engineering applications. Despite decades of
      intense study, a predictive understanding of the DNA-binding specificities of
      either natural or engineered ZF domains remains elusive. To help fill this gap,
      we developed an integrated experimental-computational approach to enrich and
      recover distinct groups of ZFs that bind common targets. To showcase the power of
      our approach, we built several large ZF libraries and demonstrated their
      excellent diversity. As proof of principle, we used one of these ZF libraries to
      select and recover thousands of ZFs that bind several 3-nt targets of interest.
      We were then able to computationally cluster these recovered ZFs to reveal
      several distinct classes of proteins, all recovered from a single selection, to
      bind the same target. Finally, for each target studied, we confirmed that one or
      more representative ZFs yield the desired specificity. In sum, the described
      approach enables comprehensive large-scale selection and characterization of ZF
      specificities and should be a great aid in furthering our understanding of the ZF
      domain. 

PMID- 24214969
TI  - Are There Executive Dysfunction Subtypes Within ADHD?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Children with ADHD have heterogeneous behavioral and
      neuropsychological profiles. The aim of this study was to examine the possible
      utility of executive function (EF) subtypes within ADHD. METHOD: Participants
      were 357 children aged 6 through 13 with a diagnosis of ADHD. Children completed
      a brief laboratory battery measuring EF, including response inhibition, response
      variability, speed, and set-shifting. Children also completed standardized
      intelligence and achievement testing. RESULTS: Two-way cluster analysis of EF
      profiles of children with ADHD produced a three-cluster solution, labeled poor
      inhibitory control, poor set-shifting/speed, and intact task performance.
      Clusters significantly differed in measures of intelligence, academic
      achievement, and other disruptive behavior and anxiety/mood symptoms. CONCLUSION:
      These findings further support the idea that children with ADHD have
      heterogeneous EF profiles and suggest that the theory of ADHD should consider
      these individual differences in EF profiles within the ADHD diagnostic category.

PMID- 24214970
TI  - Increased Erythrocyte Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Are
      Associated With Improved Attention and Behavior in Children With ADHD in a
      Randomized Controlled Three-Way Crossover Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3
      PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on attention,
      literacy, and behavior in children with ADHD. METHOD: Ninety children were
      randomized to consume supplements high in EPA, DHA, or linoleic acid (control)
      for 4 months each in a crossover design. Erythrocyte fatty acids, attention,
      cognition, literacy, and Conners' Parent Rating Scales (CPRS) were measured at 0,
      4, 8, 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty-three children completed the treatment. Outcome
      measures showed no significant differences between the three treatments. However,
      in children with blood samples (n = 76-46), increased erythrocyte EPA + DHA was
      associated with improved spelling (r = .365, p < .001) and attention (r = -.540,
      p < .001) and reduced oppositional behavior (r = -.301, p < .003), hyperactivity
      (r = -.310, p < .001), cognitive problems (r = -.326, p < .001), Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) hyperactivity (r = 
      .270, p = .002) and DSM-IV inattention (r = -.343, p < .001). CONCLUSION:
      Increasing erythrocyte DHA and EPA via dietary supplementation may improve
      behavior, attention, and literacy in children with ADHD.

PMID- 24214971
TI  - Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) protein is involved in
      centrosome separation through the regulation of NIMA (never in mitosis gene A)
      related kinase 2 (NEK2) protein activity.
AB  - Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is overexpressed in most
      human cancers and has been described as being involved in the progression of
      several human malignancies via the inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)
      activity toward c-Myc. However, with the exception of this role, the cellular
      function of CIP2A remains poorly understood. On the basis of yeast two-hybrid and
      coimmunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrate here that NIMA (never in mitosis
      gene A)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is a binding partner for CIP2A. CIP2A exhibited
      dynamic changes in distribution, including the cytoplasm and centrosome,
      depending on the cell cycle stage. When CIP2A was depleted, centrosome separation
      and the mitotic spindle dynamics were impaired, resulting in the activation of
      spindle assembly checkpoint signaling and, ultimately, extension of the cell
      division time. Our data imply that CIP2A strongly interacts with NEK2 during G2/M
      phase, thereby enhancing NEK2 kinase activity to facilitate centrosome separation
      in a PP1- and PP2A-independent manner. In conclusion, CIP2A is involved in cell
      cycle progression through centrosome separation and mitotic spindle dynamics. 

PMID- 24214972
TI  - Ceramides and glucosylceramides are independent antagonists of insulin signaling.
AB  - Inhibitors of sphingolipid synthesis protect mice from diet induced-insulin
      resistance, and sphingolipids such as ceramides and glucosylated-ceramides (e.g.,
      GM3) are putative nutritional intermediates linking obesity to diabetes risk.
      Herein we investigated the role of each of these sphingolipids in muscle and
      adipose tissue and conclude that they are independent and separable antagonists
      of insulin signaling. Of particular note, ceramides antagonize insulin signaling
      in both myotubes and adipocytes, whereas glucosyceramides are only efficacious in
      adipocytes: 1) In myotubes exposed to saturated fats, inhibitors of enzymes
      required for ceramide synthesis enhance insulin signaling, but those targeting
      glucosylceramide synthase have no effect. 2) Exogenous ceramides antagonize
      insulin signaling in myotubes, whereas ganglioside precursors do not. 3)
      Overexpression of glucosylceramide synthase in myotubes induces glucosylceramide
      but enhances insulin signaling. In contrast, glucosylated ceramides have profound
      effects in adipocytes. For example, either ganglioside addition or human
      glucosylceramide synthase overexpression suppresses insulin signaling in
      adipocytes. These data have important mechanistic implications for understanding
      how these sphingolipids contribute to energy sensing and the disruption of
      anabolism under conditions of nutrient oversupply. 

PMID- 24214973
TI  - Effect of molecular characteristics on cellular uptake, subcellular localization,
      and phototoxicity of Zn(II) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins.
AB  - Tetra-cationic Zn(II) meso-tetrakis(N-alkylpyridinium-2 (or -3 or -4)
      yl)porphyrins (ZnPs) with progressively increased lipophilicity were synthesized
      to investigate how the tri-dimensional shape and lipophilicity of the
      photosensitizer (PS) affect cellular uptake, subcellular distribution, and
      photodynamic efficacy. The effect of the tri-dimensional shape of the molecule
      was studied by shifting the N-alkyl substituent attached to the pyridyl nitrogen
      from ortho to meta and para positions. Progressive increase of lipophilicity from
      shorter hydrophilic (methyl) to longer amphiphilic (hexyl) alkyl chains increased
      the phototoxicity of the ZnP PSs. PS efficacy was also increased for all
      derivatives when the alkyl substituents were shifted from ortho to meta, and from
      meta to para positions. Both cellular uptake and subcellular distribution of the
      PSs were affected by the lipophilicity and the position of the alkyl chains on
      the periphery of the porphyrin ring. Whereas the hydrophilic ZnPs demonstrated
      mostly lysosomal distribution, the amphiphilic hexyl derivatives were associated
      with mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and plasma membrane. A comparison of
      hexyl isomers revealed that cellular uptake and partition into membranes followed
      the order para > meta > ortho. Varying the position and length of the alkyl
      substituents affects (i) the exposure of cationic charges for electrostatic
      interactions with anionic biomolecules and (ii) the lipophilicity of the
      molecule. The charge, lipophilicity, and the tri-dimensional shape of the PS are
      the major factors that determine cellular uptake, subcellular distribution, and
      as a consequence, the phototoxicity of the PSs. 

PMID- 24214974
TI  - Mutating a conserved proline residue within the trimerization domain modifies Na+
      binding to excitatory amino acid transporters and associated conformational
      changes.
AB  - Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are crucial for glutamate homeostasis
      in the mammalian central nervous system. They are not only secondary active
      glutamate transporters but also function as anion channels, and different EAATs
      vary considerably in glutamate transport rates and associated anion current
      amplitudes. A naturally occurring mutation, which was identified in a patient
      with episodic ataxia type 6 and that predicts the substitution of a highly
      conserved proline at position 290 by arginine (P290R), was recently shown to
      reduce glutamate uptake and to increase anion conduction by hEAAT1. We here used
      voltage clamp fluorometry to define how the homologous P259R mutation modifies
      the functional properties of hEAAT3. P259R inverts the voltage dependence,
      changes the sodium dependence, and alters the time dependence of hEAAT3
      fluorescence signals. Kinetic analysis of fluorescence signals indicate that
      P259R decelerates a conformational change associated with sodium binding to the
      glutamate-free mutant transporters. This alteration in the glutamate uptake cycle
      accounts for the experimentally observed changes in glutamate transport and anion
      conduction by P259R hEAAT3. 

PMID- 24214975
TI  - Several cis-regulatory elements control mRNA stability, translation efficiency,
      and expression pattern of Prrxl1 (paired related homeobox protein-like 1).
AB  - The homeodomain transcription factor Prrxl1/DRG11 has emerged as a crucial
      molecule in the establishment of the pain circuitry, in particular spinal cord
      targeting of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) axons and differentiation of nociceptive
      glutamatergic spinal cord neurons. Despite Prrxl1 importance in the establishment
      of the DRG-spinal nociceptive circuit, the molecular mechanisms that regulate its
      expression along development remain largely unknown. Here, we show that Prrxl1
      transcription is regulated by three alternative promoters (named P1, P2, and P3),
      which control the expression of three distinct Prrxl1 5'-UTR variants, named 5'
      UTR-A, 5'-UTR-B, and 5'-UTR-C. These 5'-UTR sequences confer distinct mRNA
      stability and translation efficiency to the Prrxl1 transcript. The most conserved
      promoter (P3) contains a TATA-box and displays in vivo enhancer activity in a
      pattern that overlaps with the zebrafish Prrxl1 homologue, drgx. Regulatory
      modules present in this sequence were identified and characterized, including a
      binding site for Phox2b. Concomitantly, we demonstrate that zebrafish Phox2b is
      required for the expression of drgx in the facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagal
      cranial ganglia. 

PMID- 24214976
TI  - Two distinct determinants of ligand specificity in T1R1/T1R3 (the umami taste
      receptor).
AB  - Umami taste perception in mammals is mediated by a heteromeric complex of two G
      protein-coupled receptors, T1R1 and T1R3. T1R1/T1R3 exhibits species-dependent
      differences in ligand specificity; human T1R1/T1R3 specifically responds to L
      Glu, whereas mouse T1R1/T1R3 responds more strongly to other L-amino acids than
      to L-Glu. The mechanism underlying this species difference remains unknown. In
      this study we analyzed chimeric human-mouse receptors and point mutants of
      T1R1/T1R3 and identified 12 key residues that modulate amino acid recognition in
      the human- and mouse-type responses in the extracellular Venus flytrap domain of
      T1R1. Molecular modeling revealed that the residues critical for human-type
      acidic amino acid recognition were located at the orthosteric ligand binding
      site. In contrast, all of the key residues for the mouse-type broad response were
      located at regions outside of both the orthosteric ligand binding site and the
      allosteric binding site for inosine-5'-monophosphate (IMP), a known natural umami
      taste enhancer. Site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the newly identified
      key residues for the mouse-type responses modulated receptor activity in a manner
      distinct from that of the allosteric modulation via IMP. Analyses of multiple
      point mutants suggested that the combination of two distinct determinants, amino
      acid selectivity at the orthosteric site and receptor activity modulation at the
      non-orthosteric sites, may mediate the ligand specificity of T1R1/T1R3. This
      hypothesis was supported by the results of studies using nonhuman primate T1R1
      receptors. A complex molecular mechanism involving changes in the properties of
      both the orthosteric and non-orthosteric sites of T1R1 underlies the
      determination of ligand specificity in mammalian T1R1/T1R3.

PMID- 24214977
TI  - Functional identification of the hypoxanthine/guanine transporters YjcD and YgfQ
      and the adenine transporters PurP and YicO of Escherichia coli K-12.
AB  - The evolutionarily broad family nucleobase-cation symporter-2 (NCS2) encompasses
      transporters that are conserved in binding site architecture but diverse in
      substrate selectivity. Putative purine transporters of this family fall into one
      of two homology clusters: COG2233, represented by well studied xanthine and/or
      uric acid permeases, and COG2252, consisting of transporters for adenine,
      guanine, and/or hypoxanthine that remain unknown with respect to structure
      function relationships. We analyzed the COG2252 genes of Escherichia coli K-12
      with homology modeling, functional overexpression, and mutagenesis and showed
      that they encode high affinity permeases for the uptake of adenine (PurP and
      YicO) or guanine and hypoxanthine (YjcD and YgfQ). The two pairs of paralogs
      differ clearly in their substrate and ligand preferences. Of 25 putative
      inhibitors tested, PurP and YicO recognize with low micromolar affinity N(6)
      benzoyladenine, 2,6-diaminopurine, and purine, whereas YjcD and YgfQ recognize 1
      methylguanine, 8-azaguanine, 6-thioguanine, and 6-mercaptopurine and do not
      recognize any of the PurP ligands. Furthermore, the permeases PurP and YjcD were
      subjected to site-directed mutagenesis at highly conserved sites of transmembrane
      segments 1, 3, 8, 9, and 10, which have been studied also in COG2233 homologs.
      Residues irreplaceable for uptake activity or crucial for substrate selectivity
      were found at positions occupied by similar role amino acids in the Escherichia
      coli xanthine- and uric acid-transporting homologs (XanQ and UacT, respectively)
      and predicted to be at or around the binding site. Our results support the
      contention that the distantly related transporters of COG2233 and COG2252 use
      topologically similar side chain determinants to dictate their function and the
      distinct purine selectivity profiles. 

PMID- 24214978
TI  - O-GlcNAcylation of cofilin promotes breast cancer cell invasion.
AB  - O-GlcNAcylation is a post-translational modification that regulates a broad range
      of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins and is emerging as a key regulator of various
      biological processes. Previous studies have shown that increased levels of global
      O-GlcNAcylation and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) are linked to the incidence of
      metastasis in breast cancer patients, but the molecular basis behind this is not
      fully known. In this study, we have determined that the actin-binding protein
      cofilin is O-GlcNAcylated by OGT and mainly, if not completely, mediates OGT
      modulation of cell mobility. O-GlcNAcylation at Ser-108 of cofilin is required
      for its proper localization in invadopodia at the leading edge of breast cancer
      cells during three-dimensional cell invasion. Loss of O-GlcNAcylation of cofilin
      leads to destabilization of invadopodia and impairs cell invasion, although the
      actin-severing activity or lamellipodial localization is not affected. Our study
      provides insights into the mechanism of post-translational modification in fine
      tuning the regulation of cofilin activity and suggests its important implications
      in cancer metastasis. 

PMID- 24214979
TI  - Using mutagenesis and structural biology to map the binding site for the
      Plasmodium falciparum merozoite protein PfRh4 on the human immune adherence
      receptor.
AB  - To survive and replicate within the human host, malaria parasites must invade
      erythrocytes. Invasion can be mediated by the P. falciparum reticulocyte-binding
      homologue protein 4 (PfRh4) on the merozoite surface interacting with complement
      receptor type 1 (CR1, CD35) on the erythrocyte membrane. The PfRh4 attachment
      site lies within the three N-terminal complement control protein modules (CCPs 1
      3) of CR1, which intriguingly also accommodate binding and regulatory sites for
      the key complement activation-specific proteolytic products, C3b and C4b. One of
      these regulatory activities is decay-accelerating activity. Although PfRh4 does
      not impact C3b/C4b binding, it does inhibit this convertase disassociating
      capability. Here, we have employed ELISA, co-immunoprecipitation, and surface
      plasmon resonance to demonstrate that CCP 1 contains all the critical residues
      for PfRh4 interaction. We fine mapped by homologous substitution mutagenesis the
      PfRh4-binding site on CCP 1 and visualized it with a solution structure of CCPs 1
      3 derived by NMR and small angle x-ray scattering. We cross-validated these
      results by creating an artificial PfRh4-binding site through substitution of
      putative PfRh4-interacting residues from CCP 1 into their homologous positions
      within CCP 8; strikingly, this engineered binding site had an ~30-fold higher
      affinity for PfRh4 than the native one in CCP 1. These experiments define a
      candidate site on CR1 by which P. falciparum merozoites gain access to human
      erythrocytes in a non-sialic acid-dependent pathway of merozoite invasion. 

PMID- 24214980
TI  - Histone deacetylase sirtuin 1 deacetylates IRF1 protein and programs dendritic
      cells to control Th17 protein differentiation during autoimmune inflammation.
AB  - The type III histone deacetylase Sirt1 has recently emerged as a critical immune
      regulator by suppressing T cell immunity and macrophage activation during
      inflammation, but its role in dendritic cells (DCs) remains unknown. Here, we
      show that mice with genetic Sirt1 deletion specifically in DCs are resistant to
      MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Loss of Sirt1 functions in
      DCs enhances their ability to produce IL-27 and interferon beta (IFN-beta). Co
      cultivation of Sirt1-null DCs with CD4(+) T cells inhibited Th17 differentiation,
      which is reversed by anti-IL27 and anti-IFN-beta neutralization antibodies. Sirt1
      antagonizes acetylation of IRF1, a transcription factor that drives IL-27
      production. Genetic deletion of IRF1 in Sirt1-null DCs abolishes IL-27 production
      and suppresses Th17 differentiation. Our results show that the histone
      deacetylase Sirt1 programs DCs to regulate Th17 differentiation during
      inflammation. 

PMID- 24214981
TI  - A phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1
      (SGK1) pathway promotes Kv7.1 channel surface expression by inhibiting Nedd4-2
      protein.
AB  - Epithelial cell polarization involves several kinase signaling cascades that
      eventually divide the surface membrane into an apical and a basolateral part. One
      kinase, which is activated during the polarization process, is phosphoinositide 3
      kinase (PI3K). In MDCK cells, the basolateral potassium channel Kv7.1 requires
      PI3K activity for surface-expression during the polarization process. Here, we
      demonstrate that Kv7.1 surface expression requires tonic PI3K activity as PI3K
      inhibition triggers endocytosis of these channels in polarized MDCK.
      Pharmacological inhibition of SGK1 gave similar results as PI3K inhibition,
      whereas overexpression of constitutively active SGK1 overruled it, suggesting
      that SGK1 is the primary downstream target of PI3K in this process. Furthermore,
      knockdown of the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2 overruled PI3K inhibition, whereas a
      Nedd4-2 interaction-deficient Kv7.1 mutant was resistant to both PI3K and SGK1
      inhibition. Altogether, these data suggest that a PI3K-SGK1 pathway stabilizes
      Kv7.1 surface expression by inhibiting Nedd4-2-dependent endocytosis and thereby
      demonstrates that Nedd4-2 is a key regulator of Kv7.1 localization and turnover
      in epithelial cells. 

PMID- 24214982
TI  - Evidence that GH115 alpha-glucuronidase activity, which is required to degrade
      plant biomass, is dependent on conformational flexibility.
AB  - The microbial degradation of the plant cell wall is an important biological
      process that is highly relevant to environmentally significant industries such as
      the bioenergy and biorefining sectors. A major component of the wall is
      glucuronoxylan, a beta1,4-linked xylose polysaccharide that is decorated with
      alpha-linked glucuronic and/or methylglucuronic acid (GlcA/MeGlcA). Recently
      three members of a glycoside hydrolase family, GH115, were shown to hydrolyze
      MeGlcA side chains from the internal regions of xylan, an activity that has not
      previously been described. Here we show that a dominant member of the human
      microbiota, Bacteroides ovatus, contains a GH115 enzyme, BoAgu115A, which
      displays glucuronoxylan alpha-(4-O-methyl)-glucuronidase activity. The enzyme is
      significantly more active against substrates in which the xylose decorated with
      GlcA/MeGlcA is flanked by one or more xylose residues. The crystal structure of
      BoAgu115A revealed a four-domain protein in which the active site, comprising a
      pocket that abuts a cleft-like structure, is housed in the second domain that
      adopts a TIM barrel-fold. The third domain, a five-helical bundle, and the C
      terminal beta-sandwich domain make inter-chain contacts leading to protein
      dimerization. Informed by the structure of the enzyme in complex with GlcA in its
      open ring form, in conjunction with mutagenesis studies, the potential substrate
      binding and catalytically significant amino acids were identified. Based on the
      catalytic importance of residues located on a highly flexible loop, the enzyme is
      required to undergo a substantial conformational change to form a productive
      Michaelis complex with glucuronoxylan. 

PMID- 24214983
TI  - A novel family of human leukocyte antigen class II receptors may have its origin
      in archaic human species.
AB  - HLA class II alpha and beta chains form receptors for antigen presentation to
      CD4(+) T cells. Numerous pairings of class II alpha and beta subunits from the
      wide range of haplotypes and isotypes may form, but most of these combinations,
      in particular those produced by isotype mixing, yielded mismatched dimers. It is
      unclear how selection of functional receptors is achieved. At the atomic level,
      it is not known which interactions of class II residues regulate selection of
      matched alphabeta heterodimers and the evolutionary origin of matched isotype
      mixed dimer formation. In this study we investigated assembly of isotype-mixed
      HLA class II alpha and beta heterodimers. Assembly and carbohydrate maturation of
      various HLA-class II isotype-mixed alpha and beta subunits was dependent on the
      groove binding section of the invariant chain (Ii). By mutation of polymorphic
      DPbeta sequences, we identified two motifs, Lys-69 and GGPM-(84-87), that are
      engaged in Ii-dependent assembly of DPbeta with DRalpha. We identified five
      members of a family of DPbeta chains containing Lys-69 and GGPM 84-87, which
      assemble with DRalpha. The Lys/GGPM motif is present in the DPbeta sequence of
      the Neanderthal genome, and this ancient sequence is related to the human allele
      DPB1*0401. By site-directed mutagenesis, we inspected Neanderthal amino acid
      residues that differ from the DPB1*0401 allele and aimed to determine whether
      matched heterodimers are formed by assembly of DPbeta mutants with DRalpha.
      Because the *0401 allele is rare in the sub-Saharan population but frequent in
      the European population, it may have arisen in modern humans by admixture with
      Neanderthals in Europe. 

PMID- 24214984
TI  - Complex N-glycosylation stabilizes surface expression of transient receptor
      potential melastatin 4b protein.
AB  - N-glycosylation is important for the function and regulation of ion channels. We
      examined the role of N-glycosylation of transient receptor potential melastatin
      (Trpm) 4b, a membrane glycoprotein that regulates calcium influx. Trpm4b was
      expressed in vivo in all rat tissues examined. In each tissue, Trpm4b had a
      different molecular mass, between ~129 and ~141 kDa, but all reverted to ~120 kDa
      following treatment with peptide:N-glycosidase F, consistent with N-glycosylation
      being the principal form of post-translational modification of Trpm4b in vivo. In
      six stable isogenic cell lines that express different levels of Trpm4b, two forms
      were found, high mannose, core-glycosylated and complex, highly glycosylated
      (HG), with HG-Trpm4b comprising 85% of the total Trpm4b expressed. For both
      forms, surface expression was directly proportional to the total Trpm4b
      expressed. Complex N-glycosylation doubled the percentage of Trpm4b at the
      surface, compared with high mannose N-glycosylation. Mutation of the single N
      glycosylation consensus sequence at Asn-988 (Trpm4b-N988Q), located near the pore
      forming loop between transmembrane helices 5 and 6, prevented glycosylation, but
      did not prevent surface expression, impair formation of functional membrane
      channels, or alter channel conductance. In transfection experiments, the time
      courses for appearance of HG-Trpm4b and Trpm4b-N988Q on the surface were similar.
      In experiments with cycloheximide inhibition of protein synthesis, the time
      course for disappearance of HG-Trpm4b from the surface was much slower than that
      for Trpm4b-N988Q. We conclude that N-glycosylation is not required for surface
      expression or channel function, but that complex N-glycosylation plays a crucial
      role in stabilizing surface expression of Trpm4b.

PMID- 24214985
TI  - Control of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation state via cooperative two-step
      demethylation by Jumonji domain containing 1A (JMJD1A) homodimer.
AB  - Post-translational histone methylation is a dynamic and reversible process that
      is involved in the spatio-temporal regulation of gene transcription and
      contributes to various cellular phenotypes. Methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9
      (H3K9), which is generally a transcriptional repression mark, is demethylated by
      H3K9-specific demethylases, leading to transcriptional activation. However, how
      multiple demethylases with the same substrate specificity differ in their
      chromatin targeting mechanisms has not been well understood. Unlike other H3K9
      specific demethylases, it has been reported that JMJD1A likely forms a homodimer,
      but a detailed mode of dimerization and the possible link between structure and
      enzymatic activity have remained unresolved. Here, we report the structure
      function relationship of JMJD1A in detail. First, JMJD1A forms a homodimer
      through its catalytic domains, bringing the two active sites close together.
      Second, increasing the concentration of JMJD1A facilitates efficient production
      of unmethylated product from dimethyl-H3K9 and decreases the release of the
      monomethylated intermediate. Finally, substituting one of the two active sites
      with an inactive mutant results in a significant reduction of the demethylation
      rate without changing the affinity to the intermediate. Given this evidence, we
      propose a substrate channeling model for the efficient conversion of dimethylated
      H3K9 into the unmethylated state. Our study provides valuable information that
      will help in understanding the redundancy of H3K9-specific demethylases and the
      complementary activity of their unique structures and enzymatic properties for
      appropriate control of chromatin modification patterns. 

PMID- 24214986
TI  - Myosin 3A kinase activity is regulated by phosphorylation of the kinase domain
      activation loop.
AB  - Class III myosins are unique members of the myosin superfamily in that they
      contain both a motor and kinase domain. We have found that motor activity is
      decreased by autophosphorylation, although little is known about the regulation
      of the kinase domain. We demonstrate by mass spectrometry that Thr-178 and Thr
      184 in the kinase domain activation loop and two threonines in the loop 2 region
      of the motor domain are autophosphorylated (Thr-908 and Thr-919). The kinase
      activity of MYO3A 2IQ with the phosphomimic (T184E) or phosphoblock (T184A)
      mutations demonstrates that kinase activity is reduced 30-fold as a result of the
      T184A mutation, although the Thr-178 site only had a minor impact on kinase
      activity. Interestingly, the actin-activated ATPase activity of MYO3A 2IQ is
      slightly reduced as a result of the T178A and T184A mutations suggesting coupling
      between motor and kinase domains. Full-length GFP-tagged T184A and T184E MYO3A
      constructs transfected into COS7 cells do not disrupt the ability of MYO3A to
      localize to filopodia structures. In addition, we demonstrate that T184E MYO3A
      reduces filopodia elongation in the presence of espin-1, whereas T184A enhances
      filopodia elongation in a similar fashion to kinase-dead MYO3A. Our results
      suggest that as MYO3A accumulates at the tips of actin protrusions,
      autophosphorylation of Thr-184 enhances kinase activity resulting in
      phosphorylation of the MYO3A motor and reducing motor activity. The differential
      regulation of the kinase and motor activities allows for MYO3A to precisely self
      regulate its concentration in the actin bundle-based structures of cells. 

PMID- 24214987
TI  - UniHI 7: an enhanced database for retrieval and interactive analysis of human
      molecular interaction networks.
AB  - Unified Human Interactome (UniHI) (http://www.unihi.org) is a database for
      retrieval, analysis and visualization of human molecular interaction networks.
      Its primary aim is to provide a comprehensive and easy-to-use platform for
      network-based investigations to a wide community of researchers in biology and
      medicine. Here, we describe a major update (version 7) of the database previously
      featured in NAR Database Issue. UniHI 7 currently includes almost 350,000
      molecular interactions between genes, proteins and drugs, as well as numerous
      other types of data such as gene expression and functional annotation. Multiple
      options for interactive filtering and highlighting of proteins can be employed to
      obtain more reliable and specific network structures. Expression and other
      genomic data can be uploaded by the user to examine local network structures.
      Additional built-in tools enable ready identification of known drug targets, as
      well as of biological processes, phenotypes and pathways enriched with network
      proteins. A distinctive feature of UniHI 7 is its user-friendly interface
      designed to be utilized in an intuitive manner, enabling researchers less
      acquainted with network analysis to perform state-of-the-art network-based
      investigations.

PMID- 24214988
TI  - SAbDab: the structural antibody database.
AB  - Structural antibody database (SAbDab; http://opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/webapps/sabdab)
      is an online resource containing all the publicly available antibody structures
      annotated and presented in a consistent fashion. The data are annotated with
      several properties including experimental information, gene details, correct
      heavy and light chain pairings, antigen details and, where available, antibody
      antigen binding affinity. The user can select structures, according to these
      attributes as well as structural properties such as complementarity determining
      region loop conformation and variable domain orientation. Individual structures,
      datasets and the complete database can be downloaded. 

PMID- 24214989
TI  - Assembly information services in the European Nucleotide Archive.
AB  - The European Nucleotide Archive (ENA; http://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena) is a repository
      for the world public domain nucleotide sequence data output. ENA content covers a
      spectrum of data types including raw reads, assembly data and functional
      annotation. ENA has faced a dramatic growth in genome assembly submission rates,
      data volumes and complexity of datasets. This has prompted a broad reworking of
      assembly submission services, for which we now reach the end of a major programme
      of work and many enhancements have already been made available over the year to
      components of the submission service. In this article, we briefly review ENA
      content and growth over 2013, describe our rapidly developing services for genome
      assembly information and outline further major developments over the last year. 

PMID- 24214990
TI  - Eukaryotic rpL10 drives ribosomal rotation.
AB  - Ribosomes transit between two conformational states, non-rotated and rotated,
      through the elongation cycle. Here, we present evidence that an internal loop in
      the essential yeast ribosomal protein rpL10 is a central controller of this
      process. Mutations in this loop promote opposing effects on the natural
      equilibrium between these two extreme conformational states. rRNA chemical
      modification analyses reveals allosteric interactions involved in coordinating
      intersubunit rotation originating from rpL10 in the core of the large subunit
      (LSU) through both subunits, linking all the functional centers of the ribosome.
      Mutations promoting rotational disequilibria showed catalytic, biochemical and
      translational fidelity defects. An rpL3 mutation promoting opposing structural
      and biochemical effects, suppressed an rpL10 mutant, re-establishing rotational
      equilibrium. The rpL10 loop is also involved in Sdo1p recruitment, suggesting
      that rotational status is important for ensuring late-stage maturation of the
      LSU, supporting a model in which pre-60S subunits undergo a 'test drive' before
      final maturation. 

PMID- 24214991
TI  - EKPD: a hierarchical database of eukaryotic protein kinases and protein
      phosphatases.
AB  - We present here EKPD (http://ekpd.biocuckoo.org), a hierarchical database of
      eukaryotic protein kinases (PKs) and protein phosphatases (PPs), the key
      molecules responsible for the reversible phosphorylation of proteins that are
      involved in almost all aspects of biological processes. As extensive experimental
      and computational efforts have been carried out to identify PKs and PPs, an
      integrative resource with detailed classification and annotation information
      would be of great value for both experimentalists and computational biologists.
      In this work, we first collected 1855 PKs and 347 PPs from the scientific
      literature and various public databases. Based on previously established
      rationales, we classified all of the known PKs and PPs into a hierarchical
      structure with three levels, i.e. group, family and individual PK/PP. There are
      10 groups with 149 families for the PKs and 10 groups with 33 families for the
      PPs. We constructed 139 and 27 Hidden Markov Model profiles for PK and PP
      families, respectively. Then we systematically characterized ~50,000 PKs and
      >10,000 PPs in eukaryotes. In addition, >500 PKs and >400 PPs were
      computationally identified by ortholog search. Finally, the online service of the
      EKPD database was implemented in PHP + MySQL + JavaScript.

PMID- 24214992
TI  - Redox-active quinones induces genome-wide DNA methylation changes by an iron
      mediated and Tet-dependent mechanism.
AB  - DNA methylation has been proven to be a critical epigenetic mark important for
      various cellular processes. Here, we report that redox-active quinones, a
      ubiquitous class of chemicals found in natural products, cancer therapeutics and
      environment, stimulate the conversion of 5 mC to 5 hmC in vivo, and increase 5
      hmC in 5751 genes in cells. 5 hmC increase is associated with significantly
      altered gene expression of 3414 genes. Interestingly, in quinone-treated cells,
      labile iron-sensitive protein ferritin light chain showed a significant increase
      at both mRNA and protein levels indicating a role of iron regulation in
      stimulating Tet-mediated 5 mC oxidation. Consistently, the deprivation of
      cellular labile iron using specific chelator blocked the 5 hmC increase, and a
      delivery of labile iron increased the 5 hmC level. Moreover, both Tet1/Tet2
      knockout and dimethyloxalylglycine-induced Tet inhibition diminished the 5 hmC
      increase. These results suggest an iron-regulated Tet-dependent DNA demethylation
      mechanism mediated by redox-active biomolecules.

PMID- 24214993
TI  - CPLM: a database of protein lysine modifications.
AB  - We reported an integrated database of Compendium of Protein Lysine Modifications
      (CPLM; http://cplm.biocuckoo.org) for protein lysine modifications (PLMs), which
      occur at active epsilon-amino groups of specific lysine residues in proteins and
      are critical for orchestrating various biological processes. The CPLM database
      was updated from our previously developed database of Compendium of Protein
      Lysine Acetylation (CPLA), which contained 7151 lysine acetylation sites in 3311
      proteins. Here, we manually collected experimentally identified substrates and
      sites for 12 types of PLMs, including acetylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation,
      methylation, butyrylation, crotonylation, glycation, malonylation,
      phosphoglycerylation, propionylation, succinylation and pupylation. In total, the
      CPLM database contained 203,972 modification events on 189,919 modified lysines
      in 45,748 proteins for 122 species. With the dataset, we totally identified 76
      types of co-occurrences of various PLMs on the same lysine residues, and the most
      abundant PLM crosstalk is between acetylation and ubiquitination. Up to 53.5% of
      acetylation and 33.1% of ubiquitination events co-occur at 10 746 lysine sites.
      Thus, the various PLM crosstalks suggested that a considerable proportion of
      lysines were competitively and dynamically regulated in a complicated manner.
      Taken together, the CPLM database can serve as a useful resource for further
      research of PLMs.

PMID- 24214994
TI  - Timing of GTP binding and hydrolysis by translation termination factor RF3.
AB  - Protein synthesis in bacteria is terminated by release factors 1 or 2 (RF1/2),
      which, on recognition of a stop codon in the decoding site on the ribosome,
      promote the hydrolytic release of the polypeptide from the transfer RNA (tRNA).
      Subsequently, the dissociation of RF1/2 is accelerated by RF3, a guanosine
      triphosphatase (GTPase) that hydrolyzes GTP during the process. Here we show that
      -in contrast to a previous report--RF3 binds GTP and guanosine diphosphate (GDP)
      with comparable affinities. Furthermore, we find that RF3-GTP binds to the
      ribosome and hydrolyzes GTP independent of whether the P site contains peptidyl
      tRNA (pre-termination state) or deacylated tRNA (post-termination state). RF3-GDP
      in either pre- or post-termination complexes readily exchanges GDP for GTP, and
      the exchange is accelerated when RF2 is present on the ribosome. Peptide release
      results in the stabilization of the RF3-GTP-ribosome complex, presumably due to
      the formation of the hybrid/rotated state of the ribosome, thereby promoting the
      dissociation of RF1/2. GTP hydrolysis by RF3 is virtually independent of the
      functional state of the ribosome and the presence of RF2, suggesting that RF3
      acts as an unregulated ribosome-activated switch governed by its internal GTPase
      clock.

PMID- 24214995
TI  - TPM analyses reveal that FtsK contributes both to the assembly and the activation
      of the XerCD-dif recombination synapse.
AB  - Circular chromosomes can form dimers during replication and failure to resolve
      those into monomers prevents chromosome segregation, which leads to cell death.
      Dimer resolution is catalysed by a highly conserved site-specific recombination
      system, called XerCD-dif in Escherichia coli. Recombination is activated by the
      DNA translocase FtsK, which is associated with the division septum, and is
      thought to contribute to the assembly of the XerCD-dif synapse. In our study,
      direct observation of the assembly of the XerCD-dif synapse, which had previously
      eluded other methods, was made possible by the use of Tethered Particle Motion, a
      single molecule approach. We show that XerC, XerD and two dif sites suffice for
      the assembly of XerCD-dif synapses in absence of FtsK, but lead to inactive XerCD
      dif synapses. We also show that the presence of the gamma domain of FtsK
      increases the rate of synapse formation and convert them into active synapses
      where recombination occurs. Our results represent the first direct observation of
      the formation of the XerCD-dif recombination synapse and its activation by FtsK. 

PMID- 24214996
TI  - Negatome 2.0: a database of non-interacting proteins derived by literature
      mining, manual annotation and protein structure analysis.
AB  - Knowledge about non-interacting proteins (NIPs) is important for training the
      algorithms to predict protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and for assessing the
      false positive rates of PPI detection efforts. We present the second version of
      Negatome, a database of proteins and protein domains that are unlikely to engage
      in physical interactions (available online at http://mips.helmholtz
      muenchen.de/proj/ppi/negatome). Negatome is derived by manual curation of
      literature and by analyzing three-dimensional structures of protein complexes.
      The main methodological innovation in Negatome 2.0 is the utilization of an
      advanced text mining procedure to guide the manual annotation process. Potential
      non-interactions were identified by a modified version of Excerbt, a text mining
      tool based on semantic sentence analysis. Manual verification shows that nearly a
      half of the text mining results with the highest confidence values correspond to
      NIP pairs. Compared to the first version the contents of the database have grown
      by over 300%. 

PMID- 24214997
TI  - Alternative splicing of a group II intron in a surface layer protein gene in
      Clostridium tetani.
AB  - Group II introns are ribozymes and retroelements found in bacteria, and are
      thought to have been the ancestors of nuclear pre-mRNA introns. Whereas nuclear
      introns undergo prolific alternative splicing in some species, group II introns
      are not known to carry out equivalent reactions. Here we report a group II intron
      in the human pathogen Clostridium tetani, which undergoes four alternative
      splicing reactions in vivo. Together with unspliced transcript, five mRNAs are
      produced, each encoding a distinct surface layer protein isoform. Correct fusion
      of exon reading frames requires a shifted 5' splice site located 8 nt upstream of
      the canonical boundary motif. The shifted junction is accomplished by an altered
      IBS1-EBS1 pairing between the intron and 5' exon. Growth of C. tetani under a
      variety of conditions did not result in large changes in alternative splicing
      levels, raising the possibility that alternative splicing is constitutive. This
      work demonstrates a novel type of gene organization and regulation in bacteria,
      and provides an additional parallel between group II and nuclear pre-mRNA
      introns. 

PMID- 24214998
TI  - COLOMBOS v2.0: an ever expanding collection of bacterial expression compendia.
AB  - The COLOMBOS database (http://www.colombos.net) features comprehensive organism
      specific cross-platform gene expression compendia of several bacterial model
      organisms and is supported by a fully interactive web portal and an extensive web
      API. COLOMBOS was originally published in PLoS One, and COLOMBOS v2.0 includes
      both an update of the expression data, by expanding the previously available
      compendia and by adding compendia for several new species, and an update of the
      surrounding functionality, with improved search and visualization options and
      novel tools for programmatic access to the database. The scope of the database
      has also been extended to incorporate RNA-seq data in our compendia by a
      dedicated analysis pipeline. We demonstrate the validity and robustness of this
      approach by comparing the same RNA samples measured in parallel using both
      microarrays and RNA-seq. As far as we know, COLOMBOS currently hosts the largest
      homogenized gene expression compendia available for seven bacterial model
      organisms. 

PMID- 24214999
TI  - Just desserts from our poor food safety culture?

PMID- 24215002
TI  - Importance of handwashing in food handling.

PMID- 24215003
TI  - Offshore installations benefit from nutrition training programmes.

PMID- 24215005
TI  - RSPH Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony: diversity and change - better health
      in the United Kingdom.

PMID- 24215004
TI  - Food security in America.

PMID- 24215006
TI  - Transforming food culture in schools, communities and throughout the life course.

PMID- 24215007
TI  - Using silver to help combat Campylobacter and other bacteria.

PMID- 24215008
TI  - The risk assessment: an intrinsic part of environmental health, public health -
      and life.

PMID- 24215009
TI  - Mixed messages in food safety: killing us softly?

PMID- 24215010
TI  - HEY! A practical example of promoting healthy lifestyles in the early years.

PMID- 24215011
TI  - The hygiene hypothesis: identifying microbial friends and protecting against
      microbial enemies.

PMID- 24215012
TI  - Developing food safety cultures - are small catering businesses being neglected?

PMID- 24215013
TI  - Reactions, regulation and risk: protecting consumers with food allergies and
      intolerances.

PMID- 24215014
TI  - Can a school-based intervention increase children's fruit and vegetable
      consumption in the home setting?
AB  - AIMS: Although previous research has shown the Food Dudes programme increases
      children's fruit and vegetable consumption at school, the evidence for the
      effectiveness in the home setting is more equivocal. The school environment is
      identified as a logical setting for targeting children's fruit and vegetable
      consumption; however, to produce sustainable changes in behaviour, it is equally
      important that interventions target consumption in the home setting. This study
      aimed to establish whether the Food Dudes intervention can influence home
      consumption of fruit and vegetables and the extent to which any changes in eating
      behaviour following the intervention were maintained in the long term. METHODS: A
      total of 34 children aged 4-11 years from eight primary schools (four
      intervention and four control groups) in the West Midlands, United Kingdom,
      completed a 7-day photographic food diary at baseline (prior to the
      intervention), a 3-month follow-up (post-intervention) and a 12-month follow-up.
      RESULTS: The Food Dudes programme did not influence either short- or long-term
      changes in children's consumption of fruit and vegetables at home during weekdays
      or at the weekend. CONCLUSIONS: The Food Dudes programme had no effect on
      changing children's fruit and vegetable consumption in the home environment.
      Further development of the programme could consider how parental and home
      environmental factors may be combined with the principles of the Food Dudes
      programme to influence children's fruit and vegetable consumption in this
      setting.

PMID- 24215016
TI  - Long-term enzyme replacement therapy is associated with reduced proteinuria and
      preserved proximal tubular function in women with Fabry disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by
      mutations in the GLA gene. Deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A)
      causes intracellular accumulations of globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) and related
      glycosphingolipids in all organs, including the kidney, often leading to end
      stage renal failure. In women with Fabry disease, accumulation of GL-3 in the
      glomerular podocytes and other renal cells induces progressive, proteinuric
      nephropathy, but not as severe as in men. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with
      recombinant alpha-Gal A reduces cellular GL-3 deposits in podocytes and tubular
      epithelial cells. We have previously shown that alpha-Gal A is delivered to these
      cells by different pathways involving different receptors. This study
      investigated the long-term changes in albuminuria, estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary markers of both glomerular and tubular
      dysfunction in women with Fabry disease treated with ERT. METHODS: A
      retrospective, single centre, cohort study evaluated the long-term association
      between ERT, albuminuria and eGFR in 13 women with Fabry disease and mild renal
      involvement. In particular, we analysed the changes in the proteinuric profile,
      including the glomerular marker IgG, the tubular markers alpha1-microglobulin and
      retinol-binding protein (RBP), and the shared tubular and glomerular markers
      albumin and transferrin. RESULTS: ERT was associated with a significant reduction
      in albuminuria and a relatively stable eGFR. The decrease in albuminuria was
      paralleled by a decrease in both glomerular and tubular urine protein markers.
      CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that long-term ERT is associated with a reduction
      in albuminuria and glomerular and tubular urinary protein markers in women with
      Fabry disease and mild renal manifestations.

PMID- 24215017
TI  - Time-averaged level of fibroblast growth factor-23 and clinical events in chronic
      kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A single time-point fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) level is a
      strong, well-established risk factor for clinical events in chronic kidney
      disease (CKD). This study investigated whether repeated measurements of FGF23
      after 2 years, allowing the calculation of time-averaged FGF23 and the rate of
      change in FGF23, provided a better prediction of clinical events in CKD than a
      single time-point value. METHODS: A post-hoc analysis was performed in a subset
      of 439 adult patients with a median estimated glomerular filtration rate of 36
      (interquartile range 28-48) mL/min per 1.73 m(2) of the prospective multicentre
      MASTERPLAN study, in which paired samples to measure FGF23 were available. The
      primary outcome was defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke and
      cardiovascular mortality and secondary end points, which were overall mortality,
      congestive heart failure (CHF) and start of renal replacement therapy. Only
      events occurring after Month 24 were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Analysis
      of different FGF23 measures showed that a single time-point value and time
      averaged FGF23 were positively associated with the primary end point, and also
      with overall mortality, start of renal replacement therapy and CHF. The adjusted
      hazard ratios of a single value of FGF23 and of time-averaged FGF23 for the
      composite end points were 1.71 (CI 1.20-2.43) and 1.91 (CI 1.29-2.82),
      respectively. Change in FGF23 was not associated with any outcome except for the
      initiation of renal replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that
      FGF23 is an important cardiovascular risk factor. Two measurements of FGF23 have
      no added value over a single value to predict the cardiovascular outcome. This
      study demonstrates that, under routine clinical practice, the variability of
      FGF23 in 2 years' time is small. Concomitantly, this study showed no benefit of
      consecutive FGF23 testing for estimating the risk of a clinical event in an
      individual patient.

PMID- 24215018
TI  - Extra-renal manifestations of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
      (ADPKD): considerations for routine screening and management.
AB  - Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a systemic disease,
      marked by progressive increase of bilateral renal cysts, resulting in chronic
      kidney disease (CKD) and often leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Apart
      from renal cysts, patients often have extra-renal disease, involving the liver,
      heart and vasculature. Other less common but equally important extra-renal
      manifestations of ADPKD include diverticular disease, hernias, male infertility
      and pain. Extra-renal disease burden is often asymptomatic, but may result in
      increased morbidity and mortality. If the disease burden is significant,
      screening may prove beneficial. We review the rationale for current screening
      recommendations and propose some guidelines for screening and management of ADPKD
      patients. 

PMID- 24215020
TI  - Development of a domain-specific genetic language to design Chlamydomonas
      reinhardtii expression vectors.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Expression vectors used in different biotechnology applications are
      designed with domain-specific rules. For instance, promoters, origins of
      replication or homologous recombination sites are host-specific. Similarly,
      chromosomal integration or viral delivery of an expression cassette imposes
      specific structural constraints. As de novo gene synthesis and synthetic biology
      methods permeate many biotechnology specialties, the design of application
      specific expression vectors becomes the new norm. In this context, it is
      desirable to formalize vector design strategies applicable in different domains.
      RESULTS: Using the design of constructs to express genes in the chloroplast of
      Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as an example, we show that a vector design strategy
      can be formalized as a domain-specific language. We have developed a graphical
      editor of context-free grammars usable by biologists without prior exposure to
      language theory. This environment makes it possible for biologists to iteratively
      improve their design strategies throughout the course of a project. It is also
      possible to ensure that vectors designed with early iterations of the language
      are consistent with the latest iteration of the language. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: The context-free grammar editor is part of the GenoCAD
      application. A public instance of GenoCAD is available at http://www.genocad.org.
      GenoCAD source code is available from SourceForge and licensed under the Apache
      v2.0 open source license.

PMID- 24215021
TI  - A MATLAB-based tool for accurate detection of perfect overlapping and nested
      inverted repeats in DNA sequences.
AB  - SUMMARY: Palindromic sequences, or inverted repeats (IRs), in DNA sequences
      involve important biological processes such as DNA-protein binding, DNA
      replication and DNA transposition. Development of bioinformatics tools that are
      capable of accurately detecting perfect IRs can enable genome-wide studies of IR
      patterns in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Different from conventional string
      comparison approaches, we propose a novel algorithm that uses a cumulative score
      system based on a prime number representation of nucleotide bases. We then
      implemented this algorithm as a MATLAB-based program for perfect IR detection. In
      comparison with other existing tools, our program demonstrates a high accuracy in
      detecting nested and overlapping IRs. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The source
      code is freely available on
      (http://bioinfolab.miamioh.edu/bioinfolab/palindrome.php) CONTACT:
      liangc@miamioh.edu or karroje@miamioh.edu SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
      Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 24215022
TI  - Rapid detection of expanded short tandem repeats in personal genomics using
      hybrid sequencing.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Long expansions of short tandem repeats (STRs), i.e. DNA repeats of 2
      6 nt, are associated with some genetic diseases. Cost-efficient high-throughput
      sequencing can quickly produce billions of short reads that would be useful for
      uncovering disease-associated STRs. However, enumerating STRs in short reads
      remains largely unexplored because of the difficulty in elucidating STRs much
      longer than 100 bp, the typical length of short reads. RESULTS: We propose ab
      initio procedures for sensing and locating long STRs promptly by using the
      frequency distribution of all STRs and paired-end read information. We validated
      the reproducibility of this method using biological replicates and used it to
      locate an STR associated with a brain disease (SCA31). Subsequently, we sequenced
      this STR site in 11 SCA31 samples using SMRT(TM) sequencing (Pacific
      Biosciences), determined 2.3-3.1 kb sequences at nucleotide resolution and
      revealed that (TGGAA)- and (TAAAATAGAA)-repeat expansions determined the
      instability of the repeat expansions associated with SCA31. Our method could also
      identify common STRs, (AAAG)- and (AAAAG)-repeat expansions, which are remarkably
      expanded at four positions in an SCA31 sample. This is the first proposed method
      for rapidly finding disease-associated long STRs in personal genomes using hybrid
      sequencing of short and long reads. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Our TRhist
      software is available at http://trhist.gi.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/. CONTACT: moris@cb.k.u
      tokyo.ac.jp SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at
      Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 24215023
TI  - RNAseqViewer: visualization tool for RNA-Seq data.
AB  - SUMMARY: With the advances of RNA sequencing technologies, scientists need new
      tools to analyze transcriptome data. We introduce RNAseqViewer, a new
      visualization tool dedicated to RNA-Seq data. The program offers innovative ways
      to represent transcriptome data for single or multiple samples. It is a handy
      tool for scientists who use RNA-Seq data to compare multiple transcriptomes, for
      example, to compare gene expression and alternative splicing of cancer samples or
      of different development stages. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: RNAseqViewer is
      freely available for academic use at
      http://bioinfo.au.tsinghua.edu.cn/software/RNAseqViewer/ CONTACT:
      zhangxg@tsinghua.edu.cn SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are
      available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 24215024
TI  - SBML and CellML translation in antimony and JSim.
AB  - MOTIVATION: The creation and exchange of biologically relevant models is of great
      interest to many researchers. When multiple standards are in use, models are more
      readily used and re-used if there exist robust translators between the various
      accepted formats. SUMMARY: Antimony 2.4 and JSim 2.10 provide translation
      capabilities from their own formats to SBML and CellML. All provided unique
      challenges, stemming from differences in each format's inherent design, in
      addition to differences in functionality. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Both
      programs are available under BSD licenses; Antimony from
      http://antimony.sourceforge.net/and JSim from http://physiome.org/jsim/. CONTACT:
      lpsmith@u.washington.edu.

PMID- 24215025
TI  - RelateAdmix: a software tool for estimating relatedness between admixed
      individuals.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Pairwise relatedness plays an important role in a range of genetic
      research fields. However, currently only few estimators exist for individuals
      that are admixed, i.e. have ancestry from more than one population, and these
      estimators fail in some situations. RESULTS: We present a new software tool,
      RelateAdmix, for obtaining maximum likelihood estimates of pairwise relatedness
      from genetic data between admixed individuals. We show using simulated data that
      it gives rise to better estimates than three state-of-the-art software tools,
      REAP, KING and Plink, while still being fast enough to be applicable to large
      datasets. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The software tool, implemented in C
      and R, is freely available from www.popgen.dk/software.

PMID- 24215026
TI  - PTMTreeSearch: a novel two-stage tree-search algorithm with pruning rules for the
      identification of post-translational modification of proteins in MS/MS spectra.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Tandem mass spectrometry has become a standard tool for identifying
      post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins. Algorithmic searches for
      PTMs from tandem mass spectrum data (MS/MS) tend to be hampered by noisy data as
      well as by a combinatorial explosion of search space. This leads to high
      uncertainty and long search-execution times. RESULTS: To address this issue, we
      present PTMTreeSearch, a new algorithm that uses a large database of known PTMs
      to identify PTMs from MS/MS data. For a given peptide sequence, PTMTreeSearch
      builds a computational tree wherein each path from the root to the leaves is
      labeled with the amino acids of a peptide sequence. Branches then represent PTMs.
      Various empirical tree pruning rules have been designed to decrease the search
      execution time by eliminating biologically unlikely solutions. PTMTreeSearch
      first identifies a relatively small set of high confidence PTM types, and in a
      second stage, performs a more exhaustive search on this restricted set using
      relaxed search parameter settings. An analysis of experimental data shows that
      using the same criteria for false discovery, PTMTreeSearch annotates more
      peptides than the current state-of-the-art methods and PTM identification
      algorithms, and achieves this at roughly the same execution time. PTMTreeSearch
      is implemented as a plugable scoring function in the X!Tandem search engine.
      AVAILABILITY: The source code of PTMTreeSearch and a demo server application can
      be found at http://net.icgeb.org/ptmtreesearch

PMID- 24215027
TI  - Bayesian network prior: network analysis of biological data using external
      knowledge.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Reverse engineering GI networks from experimental data is a
      challenging task due to the complex nature of the networks and the noise inherent
      in the data. One way to overcome these hurdles would be incorporating the vast
      amounts of external biological knowledge when building interaction networks. We
      propose a framework where GI networks are learned from experimental data using
      Bayesian networks (BNs) and the incorporation of external knowledge is also done
      via a BN that we call Bayesian Network Prior (BNP). BNP depicts the relation
      between various evidence types that contribute to the event 'gene interaction'
      and is used to calculate the probability of a candidate graph (G) in the
      structure learning process. RESULTS: Our simulation results on synthetic,
      simulated and real biological data show that the proposed approach can identify
      the underlying interaction network with high accuracy even when the prior
      information is distorted and outperforms existing methods. AVAILABILITY:
      Accompanying BNP software package is freely available for academic use at
      http://bioe.bilgi.edu.tr/BNP. CONTACT: hasan.otu@bilgi.edu.tr SUPPLEMENTARY
      INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 24215028
TI  - AVIA: an interactive web-server for annotation, visualization and impact analysis
      of genomic variations.
AB  - MOTIVATION: The plethora of information that emerges from large-scale genome
      characterization studies has triggered the development of computational
      frameworks and tools for efficient analysis, interpretation and visualization of
      genomic data. Functional annotation of genomic variations and the ability to
      visualize the data in the context of whole genome and/or multiple genomes has
      remained a challenging task. We have developed an interactive web-based tool,
      AVIA (Annotation, Visualization and Impact Analysis), to explore and interpret
      large sets of genomic variations (single nucleotide variations and
      insertion/deletions) and to help guide and summarize genomic experiments. The
      annotation, summary plots and tables are packaged and can be downloaded by the
      user from the email link provided. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION:
      http://avia.abcc.ncifcrf.gov.

PMID- 24215029
TI  - HPC-CLUST: distributed hierarchical clustering for large sets of nucleotide
      sequences.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Nucleotide sequence data are being produced at an ever increasing
      rate. Clustering such sequences by similarity is often an essential first step in
      their analysis-intended to reduce redundancy, define gene families or suggest
      taxonomic units. Exact clustering algorithms, such as hierarchical clustering,
      scale relatively poorly in terms of run time and memory usage, yet they are
      desirable because heuristic shortcuts taken during clustering might have
      unintended consequences in later analysis steps. RESULTS: Here we present HPC
      CLUST, a highly optimized software pipeline that can cluster large numbers of pre
      aligned DNA sequences by running on distributed computing hardware. It allocates
      both memory and computing resources efficiently, and can process more than a
      million sequences in a few hours on a small cluster. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: Source code and binaries are freely available at
      http://meringlab.org/software/hpc-clust/; the pipeline is implemented in Cpp and
      uses the Message Passing Interface (MPI) standard for distributed computing.

PMID- 24215030
TI  - Parallel content-based sub-image retrieval using hierarchical searching.
AB  - MOTIVATION: The capacity to systematically search through large image collections
      and ensembles and detect regions exhibiting similar morphological characteristics
      is central to pathology diagnosis. Unfortunately, the primary methods used to
      search digitized, whole-slide histopathology specimens are slow and prone to
      inter- and intra-observer variability. The central objective of this research was
      to design, develop, and evaluate a content-based image retrieval system to assist
      doctors for quick and reliable content-based comparative search of similar
      prostate image patches. METHOD: Given a representative image patch (sub-image),
      the algorithm will return a ranked ensemble of image patches throughout the
      entire whole-slide histology section which exhibits the most similar morphologic
      characteristics. This is accomplished by first performing hierarchical searching
      based on a newly developed hierarchical annular histogram (HAH). The set of
      candidates is then further refined in the second stage of processing by computing
      a color histogram from eight equally divided segments within each square annular
      bin defined in the original HAH. A demand-driven master-worker parallelization
      approach is employed to speed up the searching procedure. Using this strategy,
      the query patch is broadcasted to all worker processes. Each worker process is
      dynamically assigned an image by the master process to search for and return a
      ranked list of similar patches in the image. RESULTS: The algorithm was tested
      using digitized hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained prostate cancer specimens. We
      have achieved an excellent image retrieval performance. The recall rate within
      the first 40 rank retrieved image patches is ~90%. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: Both the testing data and source code can be downloaded from
      http://pleiad.umdnj.edu/CBII/Bioinformatics/.

PMID- 24215031
TI  - A model-based correction for outcome reporting bias in meta-analysis.
AB  - It is often suspected (or known) that outcomes published in medical trials are
      selectively reported. A systematic review for a particular outcome of interest
      can only include studies where that outcome was reported and so may omit, for
      example, a study that has considered several outcome measures but only reports
      those giving significant results. Using the methodology of the Outcome Reporting
      Bias (ORB) in Trials study of (Kirkham and others, 2010. The impact of outcome
      reporting bias in randomised controlled trials on a cohort of systematic reviews.
      British Medical Journal 340, c365), we suggest a likelihood-based model for
      estimating the effect of ORB on confidence intervals and p-values in meta
      analysis. Correcting for bias has the effect of moving estimated treatment
      effects toward the null and hence more cautious assessments of significance. The
      bias can be very substantial, sometimes sufficient to completely overturn
      previous claims of significance. We re-analyze two contrasting examples, and
      derive a simple fixed effects approximation that can be used to give an initial
      estimate of the effect of ORB in practice. 

PMID- 24215032
TI  - Two-year outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for macular oedema
      secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion.
AB  - AIM: To determine the 2-year outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB)
      injections in eyes with macular oedema (ME) following branch retinal vein
      occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Of 105 consecutive eyes (105 treatment-naive patients)
      with ME following BRVO, 89 eyes were followed for 2 years after the first
      injection. During the 2-year follow-up period, patients were examined at least
      every 3 months and received an IVB injection (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) if they met
      prespecified retreatment criteria. Rescue grid laser was permitted based on the
      findings of the Branch Vein Occlusion Study. RESULTS: The baseline logarithm of
      the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (VA) was 0.64+/-0.24 (mean+/-SD),
      which significantly (p=0.001) improved 1 month after the first injection to
      0.39+/-0.22. One year after the first injection, VA improved significantly
      (p=0.001) to 0.33+/-0.21 and remained 0.34+/-0.21 until 2 years after the first
      injection (p=0.001). The changes in foveal thickness were correlated with those
      of VA during the 2-year follow-up period with a mean of 3.8+/-1.5 injections
      (including the first injection). CONCLUSIONS: This relatively large case series
      study showed favourable 2-year outcomes using bevacizumab to treat ME following
      BRVO. Bevacizumab provides substantial long-term benefits in the treatment of ME
      following BRVO.

PMID- 24215034
TI  - How I treat unexplained refractory iron deficiency anemia.
AB  - Endoscopic gastrointestinal workup fails to establish the cause of iron
      deficiency anemia (IDA) in a substantial proportion of patients. In patients
      referred for hematologic evaluation with unexplained or refractory IDA, screening
      for celiac disease, autoimmune gastritis, Helicobacter pylori, and hereditary
      forms of IDA is recommended. About 4% to 6% of patients with obscure refractory
      IDA have celiac disease, and autoimmune gastritis is encountered in 20% to 27% of
      patients. Stratification by age cohorts in autoimmune gastritis implies a disease
      presenting as IDA many years before the establishment of clinical cobalamin
      deficiency. Over 50% of patients with unexplained refractory IDA have active H
      pylori infection and, after excluding all other causes of IDA, 64% to 75% of such
      patients are permanently cured by H pylori eradication. In young patients with a
      history suggestive of hereditary iron deficiency with serum ferritin higher than
      expected for IDA, mutations involving iron trafficking and regulation should be
      considered. Recognition of the respective roles of H pylori, autoimmune
      gastritis, celiac disease, and genetic defects in the pathogenesis of iron
      deficiency should have a strong impact on the current diagnostic workup and
      management of unexplained, or refractory, IDA. 

PMID- 24215033
TI  - Human proT-cells generated in vitro facilitate hematopoietic stem cell-derived T
      lymphopoiesis in vivo and restore thymic architecture.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is followed by a period of immune
      deficiency due to a paucity in T-cell reconstitution. Underlying causes are a
      severely dysfunctional thymus and an impaired production of thymus-seeding
      progenitors in the host. Here, we addressed whether in vitro-derived human
      progenitor T (proT)-cells could not only represent a source of thymus-seeding
      progenitors, but also able to influence the recovery of the thymic
      microenvironment. We examined whether co-transplantation of in vitro-derived
      human proT-cells with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) was able to facilitate HSC
      derived T-lymphopoiesis posttransplant. A competitive transfer approach was used
      to define the optimal proT subset capable of reconstituting immunodeficient mice.
      Although the 2 subsets tested (proT1, CD34(+)CD7(+)CD5(-); proT2,
      CD34(+)CD7(+)CD5(+)) showed thymus engrafting function, proT2-cells exhibited
      superior engrafting capacity. Based on this, when proT2-cells were coinjected
      with HSCs, a significantly improved and accelerated HSC-derived T-lymphopoiesis
      was observed. Furthermore, we uncovered a potential mechanism by which receptor
      activator of nuclear factor kappab (RANK) ligand-expressing proT2-cells induce
      changes in both the function and architecture of the thymus microenvironment,
      which favors the recruitment of bone marrow-derived lymphoid progenitors. Our
      findings provide further support for the use of Notch-expanded progenitors in
      cell-based therapies to aid in the recovery of T-cells in patients undergoing
      HSCT. 

PMID- 24215035
TI  - How I treat nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.
AB  - Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is an uncommon entity
      that, in contrast to classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), universally expresses
      CD20, a hallmark of the disease. The majority of the patients present with early
      stage disease, and treatment with local radiation provides excellent disease
      control and overall survival (OS). For locally extensive or advanced stages,
      paradigms used for cHL have been employed, with similar outcomes. Unlike cHL,
      late relapses may occur, as well as a propensity to transform to an aggressive B
      cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that underscores the importance of long-term follow-up
      and rebiopsy at the time of relapse. Deaths caused by NLPHL are uncommon, and in
      older series, secondary malignancies and other treatment-related toxicities
      contributed appreciably to overall mortality. Expression of CD20 in NLPHL has led
      to the evaluation of rituximab as a therapeutic option. Although results with
      single-agent rituximab in the front-line setting are inferior to conventional
      therapy, rituximab is a reasonable choice for relapsed disease because of the
      high overall response rate and excellent tolerability. Most patients have a long
      OS; therefore, overall goals of therapy should be to minimize the risk for
      relapse and long-term toxicity. 

PMID- 24215036
TI  - The high cost to health and social care of managing falls in older adults living
      in the community in Scotland.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Estimate costs for health and social care services in
      managing older people in the community who fall. METHOD AND RESULTS: Analyses of
      predominantly national databases using cost of illness methodologies. In
      Scotland, 294,000 (34%) of people over 65 years and living in the community fall
      at least once a year. Of these 20%, almost 60,000 people contacted a medical
      service for assistance. There were almost 30,000 attendances at GP practices,
      over 36,100 calls to the Scottish Ambulance Service and 46,816 people presenting
      at A&E, with 16,549 admitted, 30% with a hip fracture. Mortality was high, 7%
      during the hospital stay, rising to over 12% at 1 year. Over 20% of patients were
      unable to return to their homes. Associated costs were over L470 million, with
      60% incurred by social services, mainly providing long-term care. Cost per person
      falling was over L1720, rising to over L8600 for those seeking medical
      assistance. A hip fracture admission cost L39,490, compared with L21,960 for
      other falls-related admissions. CONCLUSIONS: Transparent, robust cost information
      demonstrates the substantial burden of falls for health and social care services
      and should be a driver for implementing evidence-based interventions to reduce
      falls.

PMID- 24215037
TI  - Learning safe practice by improving care: student-led intervention on oxygen
      prescribing in a respiratory ward.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this intervention was to improve
      oxygen prescribing in accordance with the 2008 British Thoracic Society
      guidelines for the prescription of emergency oxygen in adults. METHODS: Eight
      final year medical students reviewed the drug charts of all patients admitted to
      the respiratory ward on a daily basis in order to collect data on five audit
      questions: (1) Has oxygen (O2) been prescribed? (2) Has an O2 target saturation
      level been indicated? (3) Has O2 been prescribed as an 'as required' (PRN) or
      'continuous therapy'? (4) Has the prescription been signed? (5) Has O2 been
      signed for in every drug round since the original prescription? Following an
      initial audit cycle an educational poster was distributed to all clinical staff
      via email and hard copies of the poster were placed strategically throughout the
      ward before its effectiveness was measured. RESULTS: During the pre-intervention
      phase, compliance with all five measures varied from 0 to 25%. There was an
      increase in the variation in compliance after the poster intervention to 14-44%;
      however, this masked better overall compliance with all five investigative
      questions with figures of 44%, 39% and 42% being recorded in three of the four
      post-intervention days. Overall there was increased compliance with four of the
      five audit questions. Indeed compliance with question 3 rose from 14% to 83%.
      CONCLUSIONS: The poster intervention was marginally effective while also showing
      that students can improve prescribing in a clinical setting.

PMID- 24215038
TI  - Peri-operative renal morbidity secondary to gentamicin and flucloxacillin
      chemoprophylaxis for hip and knee arthroplasty.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This retrospective cohort study uses serum creatinine levels to
      assess the effect of gentamicin and flucloxacillin on renal function in hip and
      knee arthroplasty patients. METHODS: Serum creatinine levels were recorded pre
      operatively and at two points post-operatively (sample 1 and sample 2) for all
      patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty. Either cefuroxime, or gentamicin
      and flucloxacillin were used for chemoprophylaxis. The Risk, Injury, Failure,
      Loss, End Stage classification was used to assess renal injury. RESULTS: The
      differences in mean percentage change between the two groups were 5.86% (p =
      0.077) and 11.34% (p = 0.030) at sample 1 and sample 2, respectively. Two
      patients (1.62%) receiving cefuroxime were exposed to renal risk or worse at some
      point. A total of nine patients (6.04%) receiving flucloxacillin and gentamicin
      were exposed to renal risk. Of these, three (2.01%) sustained renal injury and
      two (1.34%) sustained renal failure. The risk of being exposed to renal risk was
      3.75 times greater for the gentamicin and flucloxacillin group. The risks of
      sustaining a significant deterioration of renal function were 1.9 and 17 times
      greater for the gentamicin and flucloxacillin group at the first and second post
      operative samples, respectively. DISCUSSION: Flucloxacillin and gentamicin
      significantly worsens renal function post-operatively compared with cefuroxime.

PMID- 24215039
TI  - The first 100 thrombolysis cases in a novel Scottish mesh telestroke system.
AB  - Stroke thrombolysis has been a major driver for change within stroke services.
      However, until recently its widespread application has been limited to tertiary
      centres. Transfer to tertiary care can lead to significant delays in
      thrombolysis. We developed a novel mesh telestroke network, which allows stroke
      specialists to make videoconference-based thrombolysis decisions either from one
      of three stroke units or from home. We report data on the first 100 patients
      treated using this model and retrospectively review the first 100 strokes
      thrombolysed with tissue plasminogen activator across three stroke units.
      Prospectively collected data were extracted from the Stroke Audit In Lanarkshire
      database. Case notes were retrieved for clarification when necessary. Outcome
      measures were timings from symptom onset to infusion, post-thrombolysis
      symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage and death. Fifty-one percent of cases were
      assessed by telestroke link. Median symptom onset to thrombolysis was 160 min
      (IQR 125-190). There were two symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhages, both in
      patients assessed face-to-face. Overall mortality was 14%. Our experience of
      tissue plasminogen activator is comparable to UK data extracted from SITS-MOST in
      overall timings and complication rates. This model of telemedicine could be
      replicated to provide safe thrombolysis to areas with challenging infrastructure,
      geography or insufficient stroke specialist cover. 

PMID- 24215040
TI  - An epidemiological study of the association of coffee with chronic liver disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic liver disease affects 855 people per million in the
      UK. Previous studies have reported that coffee appears protective against the
      development of abnormal liver enzymes, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. The aim of
      this study, the first in a Scottish population, was to compare coffee consumption
      in patients with liver disease and that of control populations to determine
      correlations between coffee intake and the incidence of non-cancerous liver
      disease and with Child's-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)
      scores. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-six patients attending the
      liver outpatient department at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh completed a
      questionnaire regarding coffee consumption and lifestyle factors. Control
      questionnaires were also completed by 100 orthopaedic outpatients and 120 medical
      students. Patients with cirrhosis (n = 95) drank significantly less coffee than
      those without cirrhosis (p = <0.001). There was no correlation between Child's
      Pugh (-0.018) and MELD scores (-0.132) with coffee consumption. CONCLUSION:
      Coffee drinking is associated with a reduced prevalence of cirrhosis in patients
      with chronic liver disease. However, there was no significant difference in the
      amount of coffee drunk by liver patients and the control groups. It is possible
      that by changing the amount of coffee drunk, the development of cirrhosis in
      liver disease could be postponed.

PMID- 24215041
TI  - Total knee replacement in patients with haemophilia: the Scottish experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with haemophilia commonly develop arthropathy secondary to
      recurrent haemarthroses. Although modern treatment with replacement coagulation
      factors has reduced the prevalence of end-stage arthropathy, total joint
      replacement is still required in a small group of patients. These patients may be
      at higher risk of complications and the outcome of surgery may not be comparable
      to reports of outcomes of total joint replacement in the general population. The
      purpose of this study was to describe the change in function in patients
      undergoing total knee replacement for haemophilic arthropathy. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty in a tertiary centre had
      prospective evaluations of patient reported outcome measures and range of
      movement. Their post-operative function was evaluated in a combined orthopaedic
      haematology clinic. Eight male patients underwent 13 total knee replacements from
      1999 to 2007 and were followed up for a median of 78 months (range 17-116).
      RESULTS: The median Oxford knee score improved from 45.5 pre-operatively to 28 (p
      = 0.049). There was a similar improvement in SF-12 physical (p = 0.017) and Knee
      Society scores (objective p = 0.001; function p = 0.002). Four total knee
      replacements were performed in patients with inhibitor antibodies and were
      treated with recombinant activated factor VIIa. These patients had reduced range
      of movement (p = 0.047). No patients suffered deep infection. CONCLUSIONS: Total
      knee replacement in patients with haemophiliac arthropathy resulted in
      improvement in range of movement and function. The presence of factor VIII
      inhibitors resulted in reduced range of movement, but similar patient reported
      outcome measures.

PMID- 24215042
TI  - Antidepressants for mothers: what are psychiatrists prescribing?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Depressive illness in the perinatal period is common and can
      be associated with detrimental effects to both mother and child. The evolving
      evidence base on the safety of antidepressants in pregnancy and breastfeeding can
      make prescribing decisions challenging. This study aimed to investigate current
      prescribing practices and attitudes of hospital psychiatrists towards depression
      in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. METHODS AND RESULTS: This qualitative
      survey was conducted by way of e-mail survey to 95 psychiatrists, of all grades
      and specialities, based within The Royal Edinburgh Hospital. A majority of
      psychiatrists are choosing and avoiding antidepressants in accordance with the
      National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines. A minority of
      respondents are selecting classes of antidepressants, which raises concern about
      the safety of such prescribing decisions. The majority of psychiatrists expressed
      a lack of confidence when prescribing and expressed a wish for further training
      in this area. CONCLUSION: This study indicates a degree of uncertainty amongst
      psychiatrists of all grades when prescribing to these special groups. We would
      recommend increased training in this area to all psychiatrists and an increased
      emphasis placed upon incorporating perinatal psychiatry within the postgraduate
      psychiatric curriculum.

PMID- 24215043
TI  - Neurology liaison services in the acute medical receiving unit.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Guidelines from the Association of British Neurologists and
      National Health Service Quality Improvement Scotland suggest that neurologists
      should be involved in the early management of patients presenting to hospital
      with acute neurological illness. AIM: We chose to evaluate whether regular
      neurology review in an acute medical receiving unit in a busy city hospital was
      feasible, and whether it would have an impact on patient care. METHODS: Over a 5
      week period from Monday to Friday, all neurology patients admitted to an acute
      medical receiving unit were identified and all headaches and blackouts were
      reviewed. RESULTS: Fourteen (24%) were headache patients, 37 (63%) presumed
      seizure and 8 (13%) had another neurological illness. Diagnosis was made by the
      admitting physician in six headache patients (43%). The remaining eight headache
      patients were diagnosed by the visiting neurologist and two physician diagnoses
      were revised. The diagnosis made by the admitting physician was clarified by the
      visiting neurologist in 13 blackout patients (35%) and nine other diagnoses were
      revised (24%). Appropriate outpatient follow-up or transfer was arranged.
      CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a daily neurology review service is useful
      in medical receiving units by clarifying diagnoses, directing tests and limiting
      inappropriate follow-up.

PMID- 24215044
TI  - Hand-assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: initial Glasgow experience.
AB  - AIMS: The study presents the early results of hand-assisted laparoscopic living
      donor nephrectomy (HALDN) carried out in West of Scotland from June 2009 to
      October 2010. METHODS: The first 20 HALDN procedures carried out in our unit are
      presented. The outcomes reported are warm ischaemia time, operative time, delayed
      graft function, recipient renal function and one-month morbidity and mortality of
      donor and recipient. SPSS 15.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The
      mean age of the donors was 44 +/- 10 years, predominantly females (n = 13),
      median operative time 135 +/- 33 min and warm ischaemia time 41 +/- 16 s. The
      length of the incision used was 65 mm in all cases. Duration of hospital stay was
      5 +/- 1 days. Patient mortality was 0 and morbidity minimal with two donors
      developing minor wound infection and no other clinically significant
      postoperative morbidity. Among the recipients, 18/20 (90%) transplants worked
      primarily with two delayed graft functions, one due to early surgical
      complications in a small paediatric recipient and one due to recipient renal
      artery thrombosis. CONCLUSION: HALDN is safe and associated with minimal
      morbidity; further analysis aims to confirm excellent cosmetic results and quick
      return to activity compared with the standard open nephrectomy technique.

PMID- 24215046
TI  - Edinburgh, the Scottish pioneers of anatomy and their lasting influence in South
      Africa.
AB  - The history of the origin of anatomy education in South Africa is the history of
      an arduous journey through time. The lasting influence of Edinburgh came in the
      form of Robert Black Thomson. He was a student and assistant of Sir William
      Turner who gave rise to the first chair of anatomy and the establishment of a
      department at the South African College, known today as University of Cape Town.
      Thomson was later succeeded by Matthew Drennan, a keen anthropologist, who was
      revered by his students. This Scottish link prevailed over time with the
      appointment of Edward Philip Stibbe as the chair of anatomy at the South African
      School of Mines and Technology, which later became the University of the
      Witwatersrand. Stibbe's successor, Raymond Arthur Dart, a graduate of the
      University of Sydney, was trained in an anatomy department sculpted on that of
      Edinburgh by Professor James Thomas Wilson. Wilson's influence at the University
      of Sydney can be traced back to Edinburgh and William Turner through Thomas
      Anderson Stuart. Both Dart and Robert Broom, another Scot, were considered as
      Africa's wild men by the late Professor Tobias. Here, the authors explore the
      Scottish link and origins of anatomy pedagogy in South Africa. 

PMID- 24215045
TI  - Gentamicin use in neonates: should we have a change of practice?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gentamicin, one of the most commonly used antibiotics in neonates,
      has potential toxicity. This study was performed to determine the incidence of
      potential toxicity of gentamicin in term and preterm neonates. METHODS: A one
      year retrospective study in neonates admitted to Special Baby Care Units at
      University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospitals. We
      reviewed each admission and looked through the case notes in detail to document
      information about gentamicin administration, dosage and elevated gentamicin
      levels in the blood. Pre-third dose gentamicin levels >2 mg/L were classified as
      elevated. RESULTS: Overall, 192 babies (83 term and 109 preterm) had documented
      gentamicin levels. Of these, 43% (84/192) manifested elevated gentamicin levels.
      Of the babies with elevated gentamicin levels, 67% (56/84) weighed less than 2.5
      kg. When a combination of gestation period and weight was considered, 61% (51/84)
      of preterm infants weighing <2.5 kg had elevated levels whereas only one term
      infant <2.5 kg exhibited elevated levels. CONCLUSION: Preterm neonates and
      specifically low birth weight neonates tolerate gentamicin poorly. Dosage and/or
      interval of administration of the medication may need modification in this group
      to minimise toxicity.

PMID- 24215047
TI  - The management of primary hyperparathyroidism.

PMID- 24215049
TI  - Post-operative cyclizine misuse.
AB  - Cyclizine is commonly prescribed as an anti-emetic post-operatively. We report a
      case of a 51-year-old woman who developed addiction to intravenous cyclizine
      following regular administration at recommended doses. This is the first report
      of cyclizine misuse post-operatively. We compare this case to cyclizine abuse
      reported amongst other populations. Prescribers should be aware of the potential
      of cyclizine as a drug of abuse. 

PMID- 24215050
TI  - Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in chronic infection.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is the acquired, reversible syndrome
      characterised by apical ballooning and base hypercontractility and probably
      precipitated by emotional and physical stressors that cause a hyperadrenergic
      state. It presents as an acute coronary event without there being coronary
      disease. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 73-year-old woman who
      developed takotsubo cardiomyopathy with concomitant septic shock from a chronic
      hemiarthroplasty site infection. The prosthesis had been removed, the surgical
      site drained twice and multiple antibiotics prescribed. She also had a previous
      episode of sepsis from she recovered with vasopressor support. CONCLUSION: To the
      author's knowledge, this is the first case of this syndrome occurring in such a
      prolonged septic process and where the primary focus was a surgical wound. This
      may indicate continued myocardial injury secondary to a sustained hyperadrenergic
      state as a possible mechanism for takotsubo cardiomyopathy, rather than a one
      time catecholamine surge.

PMID- 24215051
TI  - Treating tuberculosis in the elderly population: a lesson in multi-disciplinary
      care.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that the risk of reactivation of previously
      untreated healed or latent tuberculosis is around 0.04 cases per 100 person
      years. The incidence of active tuberculosis in Peterborough is 28.0 per 100,000
      population compared with 8.3 in the East of England region. The majority of
      patients are of Indian or Pakistani origin and aged between 15 and 65. CASE
      PRESENTATION: Here, we present the case of an 88-year-old gentleman who
      successfully completed anti-tuberculous therapy for smear-negative tuberculosis
      and discuss some of the issues encountered in his management, with particular
      emphasis on drug surveillance, tolerance of anti-tuberculous therapy and drug
      interactions. CONCLUSION: Elderly persons presenting with tuberculosis are more
      likely to present atypically and may need a staged initiation of therapy with
      continued pharmacist advice, due to high risk of interactions.

PMID- 24215052
TI  - Langerhans cell sarcoma of the nasopharynx: a rare case.
AB  - Langerhans cell sarcoma, a tumour with markedly malignant cytological features
      that originates from Langerhans cells, is a very rare disease. We report the
      first case of 39-year-old male with Langerhans cell sarcoma arising in the
      nasopharynx. We chose the 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CDA) regimen as first-line
      chemotherapy, and clinical improvement of Langerhans cell sarcoma was obtained.
      After the fourth cycle of 2-CDA therapy, however, disease progression was
      observed, and we administered ESHAP regimen (etoposide, carboplatin, cytarabine,
      methylprednisolone) as a second-line therapy. After we administered two cycles of
      ESHAP, however, the patient developed aggressive progression and he died. The
      importance of immunohistochemical findings is obvious in Langerhans cell sarcoma
      diagnosis. Considering that Langerhans cell sarcoma behaves in a very malignant
      fashion, a more aggressive treatment approach is necessary for patients with
      Langerhans cell sarcoma. 

PMID- 24215053
TI  - Massive atrial myxoma: surgical treatment for an incidentaloma causing dyspnoea.
AB  - A patient presented having a one-week history of recurrent falls and confusion
      and weight loss over an unspecified period of time. A chest radiograph revealed
      bilateral pleural effusions and the patient was treated for community acquired
      pneumonia. His weight loss and suspicion of malignant disease prompted computer
      tomography to be conducted. This revealed widespread mediastinal and oesophageal
      adenopathy. An echocardiogram showed a large hyperechoic mobile mass. Coronary
      angiography showed complete occlusion of the left anterior descending and right
      coronary arteries. He underwent two-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting and an
      atriotomy to excise the myxoma. He experienced no operative complications and no
      neurological deterioration and was discharged home three weeks later in sinus
      rhythm. Myxomas can duplicate a broad array of cardiorespiratory symptoms and
      signs and can often escape detection by being picked up as an incidentaloma. 

PMID- 24215054
TI  - Orofacial granulomatosis related to amalgam fillings.
AB  - This paper reports on a case of Orofacial Granulomatosis (OFG) in which the
      presence of amalgam fillings appears to have played a part in the aetiology. Once
      these restorations were removed and replaced with an alternative composite
      restorative material, all symptoms and signs of OFG resolved completely. This
      case highlights the necessity to include dental metals in the patch test battery
      when performing delayed patch testing on patients with OFG. 

PMID- 24215055
TI  - Large solitary fibrous tumour of the retroperitoneum: a case report and review of
      the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This report describes an unusual case of a large solitary fibrous
      tumour (SFT) arising in the retroperitoneum. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old
      woman presented at the Emergency Department with urinary retention and lumbar
      pain. The urological examination was negative, whereas a presacral
      retroperitoneal mass was disclosed on ultrasound. The laboratory studies,
      including tumour markers, were negative. On laparotomy, it was not possible to
      remove the mass completely due to the difficulty of dissecting it free of the
      sacrum. Grossly, the fragment had a yellowish-white surface, with areas of
      necrosis and haemorrhage. On immunohistochemistry, tumour cells were positive for
      CD34, CD99 and Bcl-2 and negative for CD45, synaptophysin, chromogranin, S100,
      neuron-specific enolase, CK AE1-AE3, CK7, Wilms' tumour 1, smooth muscle actin,
      factor VIII, myogenin, epithelial membrane antigen, thyroid transcription factor
      1 and CD117, leading to a diagnosis of SFT. Molecular investigation ruled out
      synovial sarcoma. CONCLUSION: Although SFT usually has a favourable prognosis,
      close follow-up is recommended due to the limited information on its long-term
      behaviour.

PMID- 24215056
TI  - Intentional overdose of azathioprine in a patient with systemic lupus
      erythematosus.
AB  - A 14-year-old girl with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with a mixed
      overdose of paracetamol, ibuprofen and azathioprine (1500 mg) following a
      deliberate self-harm attempt. The patient was admitted and monitored. No adverse
      effects were observed. A review of the literature showed very few reported
      azathioprine overdoses. Lupus patients are at risk of developing low mood and
      depression (and related self-harm including overdose of medication). This can be
      as a consequence of the disease process itself or in reaction to the stresses of
      living with a chronic disease, which are perhaps particularly acute in some
      adolescents with the disease. An intentional overdose in a patient with lupus is
      clearly a cry for help and should be appropriately managed. Counselling of young
      people and their parents about possible mood disorders is an important part of
      the management of this chronic disease. Despite the theoretical risk of
      significant myelosuppression as well as other potential adverse effects,
      azathioprine in acute overdose seems to be generally well tolerated. 

PMID- 24215057
TI  - Cavernous haemangioma of the testis mimicking testicular malignancy in an
      adolescent.
AB  - Haemangioma of the testis is a rare condition. This benign vascular neoplasm may
      arise either within the testicular parenchyma (intratesticular) as in this case
      or from adnexal structures of the testis (extratesticular). Intratesticular
      haemangioma is rarer than extratesticular form. Intratesticular vascular
      neoplasms are extremely rare tumours and mostly seen in children or young adults.
      There are 21 reported testicular haemangioma cases in the literature as indexed
      in PubMed. Since 2007, only 19 cases of cavernous haemangioma have been reported
      in the literature in PubMed and other indexed sites. We report a case of
      cavernous haemangioma of the testis to attract attention to testicular
      haemangioma and also to prevent invasive surgery of the testis.

PMID- 24215058
TI  - Massive mesenteric and portal venous thrombosis secondary to hormone replacement
      therapy.
AB  - Hormone replacement therapy increases risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) mainly
      in the extremities and lungs. There are reports of mesenteric ischemia secondary
      to oral contraceptive pills but no reports on hormone replacement therapy and
      mesenteric thrombosis. The authors present a case of a 44-year-old obese (BMI 32)
      woman, on long-term hormone replacement therapy, presented with thrombosis of
      portal, splenic and superior mesenteric veins. She underwent surgical resection
      of ischemic bowel and planned re-look laparotomies with further resections and
      jejuno-ileal anastomosis at final laparotomy. Thorough haematological
      investigations were normal. The authors conclude that hormone replacement therapy
      in obese patients with no other risk factors can cause a catastrophic mesenteric
      thrombosis. Aggressive surgical resection with re-look laparotomies and further
      resections can be lifesaving. 

PMID- 24215059
TI  - Comparative impact of genetically modified and non modified maize (Zea mays L.)
      on succeeding crop and associated weed.
AB  - This research work documents the comparative impact of genetically modified (GM)
      (insect resistance) and non modified maize (Zea mays L.) on growth and
      germination of succeeding crop wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and associated weed
      (Avena fatua L.). The aqueous extracts of both the GM and non-GM maize exhibited
      higher phenolic content than that of methanolic extracts. Germination percentage
      and germination index of wheat was significantly decreased by GM methanolic
      extract (10%) as well as that of non-GM maize at 3% aqueous extract. Similarly
      germination percentage of weed (Avena fatua L.) was significantly reduced by
      application of 3% and 5% methanolic GM extracts. All extracts of GM maize showed
      non-significant effect on the number of roots, root length and shoot length per
      plant but 5% and 10% methanolic extracts of non-GM maize significantly increased
      the number of roots per plant of wheat seedling. Similarly, 10% methanolic
      extract of GM maize significantly increased the number of roots per plant of weed
      seedling. Methanolic extracts of GM and non-GM maize (3% and 5%) significantly
      decreased the protease activity in wheat as compared to untreated control.

PMID- 24215060
TI  - Investigation of cytotoxic, genotoxic and oxidative properties of carvacrol in
      human blood cells.
AB  - Carvacrol (CVC), a major constituent of genera Origanum and Thymus, is such a
      substance that has attracted attention because of its wide variety of beneficial
      biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer effects.
      However, there are limited data on the cytogenetic and antioxidant effects of CVC
      in cultured human blood cells. The aim of this study was to investigate for the
      first time the genetic, oxidative, and cytotoxic effects of CVC in cultured human
      blood cells (n= 5). Human blood cells were treated with CVC (0-200 mg/L) for 24
      and 48 h and then cytotoxicity detected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release
      and (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay,
      while DNA damage was also analyzed by micronucleus (MN) assay, chromosomal
      aberration (CA) assay and 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) level. In addition,
      biochemical parameters (total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and total oxidative
      stress [TOS]) were examined to determine the oxidative effects. The results of
      LDH and MTT assays showed that CVC (at concentrations above 100 mg/L) decreased
      cell viability. In our in vitro test systems, it was observed that CVC had no
      mutagenic effects on human lymphocytes. On the other hand, CVC (at 50, 75, and
      100 mg/L) treatment caused statistically important (p< 0.05) increases in TAC and
      TOS levels (at 150 and 200 mg/L) on human lymphocytes. In conclusion, CVC can be
      a new resource of therapeutics as recognized in this study with their
      nonmutagenic and antioxidant features.

PMID- 24215061
TI  - Antispasmodic and antidiarrheal activities of rhizomes of Polygonatum
      verticillatum maneuvered predominately through activation of K+ channels:
      Components identification through TLC.
AB  - Polygonatum verticillatum has traditionally been used for various purposes. The
      present study was aimed to validate the antispasmodic and antidiarrheal
      properties of crude methanolic extract of rhizomes of P. verticillatum (PR).
      Isolated rabbit jejunum preparations were suspended in tissue baths to measure
      the isotonic responses using Power Lab data acquisition system for the
      antispasmodic activity of PR, while the antidiarrheal activity was conducted in
      vivo in mice. PR caused complete relaxation of the spontaneous contractions of
      isolated rabbit jejunum preparations in a dose-dependent mode. A complete
      inhibition was observed against low potassium (K(+); 25 mM)-induced contractions,
      while the plant extract partially inhibited the high K(+)(80 mM)-induced
      contractions. From a mechanistic point of view, the spasmolytic effect of PR
      against low K(+)was antagonized by glibenclamide similar to the effect of
      cromakalim, thus showing the presence of constituents in PR mediating spasmolytic
      activity predominantly through the activation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive
      K(+)channels. When tested against castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice, oral
      administration of the plant extract manifested marked antidiarrheal activity at
      the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg similar to loperamide. This study provided a
      pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of PR in abdominal colic and
      diarrhea.

PMID- 24215062
TI  - Anti-inflammatory Montelukast prevents toxic effects of 2,3,7,8
      tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: Oxidative stress, histological alterations in liver,
      and serum cytokine levels.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the potential beneficial effects of the
      montelukast (ML) on oxidative stress and histological alterations in liver
      tissues and cytokine levels in rats intoxicated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p
      dioxin (TCDD). Rats were divided randomly into four equal groups (control, TCDD,
      ML, TCDD + ML). TCDD were administered by gavages dissolved in corn oil at the
      doses of 2 ug/kg/week, and ML was given intraperitoneally at the dose of 10
      mg/kg/day. Oxidative status, histological alterations, and cytokine levels were
      analyzed on day 60. The results showed that although TCDD induced oxidative
      stress via significant increase in formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive
      substance, it caused a significant decline in glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT),
      and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in liver. Besides, TCDD led to significant
      histopathological damage in liver and serum cytokine levels alterations (increase
      in tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1beta levels). In contrast, ML
      treatment reversed oxidative effects of TCDD by increasing the levels of GSH,
      CAT, and SOD and decreasing the formation of TBARS. Also, it can normalize the
      levels of histological and cytokine alterations induced by TCDD. In conclusion,
      it was determined that TCDD exposure caused adverse effects on cytokine levels,
      histological alterations, and oxidative stress in rats. However, ML treatment
      partially eliminated toxic effects of TCDD. Thus, it was judged that
      coadministration of ML with TCDD may be useful to attenuate the negative effects
      of TCDD. 

PMID- 24215063
TI  - Alterations in the fatty acid profile, antioxidant enzymes and protein pattern of
      Biomphalaria alexandrina snails exposed to the pesticides diazinon and profenfos.
AB  - The use of pesticides is widespread in agricultural activities. These pesticides
      may contaminate the irrigation and drainage systems during agriculture activities
      and pests' control and then negatively affect the biotic and a biotic component
      of the polluted water courses. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of
      the pesticides diazinon and profenfos on some biological activities of
      Biomphalaria alexandrina snails such as fatty acid profile, some antioxidant
      enzymes (thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), superoxide
      dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) as well as glutathione reductase (GR) and lipid
      peroxidation (LP)) and protein patterns in snails' tissues exposed for 4 weeks to
      LC10 of diazinon and profenfos. The results showed that the two pesticides caused
      considerable reduction in survival rates and egg production of treated snails.
      Identification of fatty acid composition in snail tissues treated with diazinon
      and profenfos pesticides was carried out using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC).
      The results declared alteration in fatty acid profile, fluctuation in percentage
      of long chain and short chain fatty acid contributions either saturated or
      unsaturated ones, and a decrease in total lipid content in tissues of snails
      treated with these pesticides. The data demonstrate that there was a significant
      inhibition in the activities of tissues SOD, CAT, glutathione reductase (GR),
      TrxR, and SDH in tissues of treated snails, while a significant elevation was
      detected in LP as compared to the normal control. On the other hand, the
      electrophoretic pattern of total protein showed differences in number and
      molecular weights of protein bands due to the treatment of snails. It was
      concluded that the residues of diazinon and profenfos pesticides in aquatic
      environments have toxic effects onB. alexandrina snails.

PMID- 24215064
TI  - Comet assay with gill cells of Mytilus galloprovincialis end point tools for
      biomonitoring of water antibiotic contamination: Biological treatment is a
      reliable process for detoxification.
AB  - This article investigates the ability of Pseudomonas peli to treat industrial
      pharmaceuticals wastewater (PW). Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS
      analysis revealed the presence, in this PW, of a variety of antibiotics such as
      sulfathiazole, sulfamoxole, norfloxacine, cloxacilline, doxycycline, and
      cefquinome.P. peli was very effective to be grown in PW and inducts a remarkable
      increase in chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand (140.31 and
      148.51%, respectively). On the other hand, genotoxicity of the studied effluent,
      before and after 24 h of shaking incubation with P. peli, was evaluated in vivo
      in the Mediterranean wild mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis using comet assay for
      quantification of DNA fragmentation. Results show that PW exhibited a
      statistically significant (p< 0.001) genotoxic effect in a dose-dependent manner;
      indeed, the percentage of genotoxicity was 122.6 and 49.5% after exposure to 0.66
      ml/kg body weight (b.w.); 0.33 ml/kg b.w. of PW, respectively. However,
      genotoxicity decreased strongly when tested with the PW obtained after incubation
      with P. peli We can conclude that using comet assay genotoxicity end points are
      useful tools to biomonitor the physicochemical and biological quality of water.
      Also, it could be concluded that P. peli can treat and detoxify the studied PW.

PMID- 24215065
TI  - Cytotoxic effect of chlorpyrifos ethyl and its degradation derivatives by
      Pseudomonas peli strain isolated from the Oued Hamdoun River (Tunisia).
AB  - A bacterium was isolated from the river of Oued Hamdoun (Tunisia), and its
      phenotypic features, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics and
      phylogenetic analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA sequence revealed it as Pseudomonas
      peli (P. peli). Chlorpyrifos ethyl (CP) was used as the sole source of carbon and
      energy by P. peli, and it was cometabolised in the presence of glucose. CP was
      completely degraded by P. peli after 96 h of shake incubation. High-performance
      liquid chromatography analysis indicated that the biodegradation kinetics was not
      affected by the addition of glucose into the culture medium. In the present
      study, only transient accumulation of one major no-identified product was
      observed after 48 h of incubation, with no other persistent metabolites detected.
      Cytotoxicity of CP, before and after biodegradation with P. peli, was evaluated
      in vitro using the MTT-colorimetric assay against three human cancer cell lines
      (A549, lung cell carcinoma, HT29, colon adenocarcinoma and MCF7, breast
      adenocarcinoma). CP reduced viability of all human cell lines in a dose-dependent
      manner. Its activity was very remarkable against A549 cell line. However,
      cytotoxicity strongly decreased in CP obtained after incubation with P. peli
      Hence, we conclude that when incubated under appropriate conditions,P. peli has a
      metabolism that completely detoxifies CP.

PMID- 24215066
TI  - Studies on fate and toxicity of nanoalumina in male albino rats: Some
      haematological, biochemical and histological aspects.
AB  - The work aimed to evaluate the nanoalumina toxicity on the histological
      architecture, some haematological and biochemical aspects in male albino rats,
      during acute and sublethal experiments. Rats, in acute experiments, were injected
      with a single-acute dose of 3.9 g or 6.4 g or 8.5 g of aluminium oxide (Al2O3)
      kg(-) (1), whereas those of sublethal were injected with 1.3 g of Al2O3 kg(-)
      (1)2 days(-) (1) One-way analysis of variance indicated that injected doses and
      the experimental periods were significantly affected by haemoglobin (Hb) content;
      haematocrit value (Hct); white blood cell (WBC) count; blood platelet (Plt)
      count; mean corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) and MCH
      concentration (MCHC). In acute experiments, Hct, WBC count, MCV and Plt were
      significantly higher than the corresponding controls, whereas Hb, MCH and MCHC
      markedly decreased. In comparison with the related controls after 1, 3 and 7 days
      post-injection, red blood cell count, Hb, Hct, WBC count, Plt and MCV were
      significantly increased, but begun to decrease after 14 or/and 28 days and were
      associated with a marked decrease in MCH and MCHC. In serum of rats injected with
      acute or sublethal dose, the concentrations of total protein (TP) and total lipid
      (TL) were significantly lesser than the corresponding controls, whereas the
      levels of urea, uric acid, creatinine and the activities of aspartate
      aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were markedly increased. The
      injected doses were directly proportional with all the studied biochemical
      parameter, except the TL and TP that exhibited a negative correlation.
      Histologically, the highest acute and sublethal doses of nanoalumina caused
      hepatic irregular disarray, necrosis to the hepatic and Kupffer cells that are
      associated with congested blood sinusoids. The renal tissues characterized by the
      appearance of inter-tubular congestion that is accompanied by the dilation of the
      vascular glomeruli that completely occupied Bowman's capsule and accompanied with
      partial disappearance of the renal tubule's brush border. The brain showed a
      progressive degeneration of neurons in both the experiments.

PMID- 24215067
TI  - Protective effects of ethyl acetate fraction of Lawsonia inermis fruits extract
      against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative damage in rat liver.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant properties of different fractions
      obtained from the fruits of Lawsonia inermis, a widely used medicinal plant,
      against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress in rat liver. The
      results show that several fractions obtained from L. inermis fruits possessed
      important antioxidant activity. Among them, the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction
      showed the highest antioxidant activity. Then, EA fraction was selected for the
      purification of potential antioxidant compounds. The hepatoprotective effects of
      EA fraction and its most active constituent, gallic acid (GA), were evaluated
      against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. CCl4 induced oxidative stress by a
      significant rise in serum marker enzymes. However, pretreatment of rats with EA
      fraction of fruits of L. inermis at a dose of 250 mg kg(-1)body weight and GA
      significantly lowered some serum biochemical parameters (alanine
      aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate
      dehydrogenase) in treated rats. A significant reduction in hepatic thiobarbituric
      acid reactive substances and an increase in antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide
      dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase by treatment with plant extract
      and GA, against CCl4-treated rats, were observed. Histopathological examinations
      showed extensive liver injuries, characterized by extensive hepatocellular
      necrosis, vacuolization, and inflammatory cell infiltration. This potential
      antioxidant activity is comparable to those of the major purified antioxidant
      compound, GA. Based on these results, it was observed that fruits of L. inermis
      protect liver from oxidative stress induced by CCl4 and thus help in evaluation
      of traditional claim on this plant.

PMID- 24215068
TI  - The endocrine disruptor effect of the herbicides atrazine and glyphosate on
      Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.
AB  - Atrazine (AZ) and glyphosate (GL) are herbicides that are widely applied to
      cereal crops in Egypt. The present study was designed to investigate the response
      of the snailBiomphalaria alexandrina(Mollusca: Gastropoda) as a bioindicator for
      endocrine disrupters in terms of steroid levels (testosterone (T) and 17beta
      estradiol (E)), alteration of microsomal CYP4501B1-like immunoreactivity, total
      protein (TP) level, and gonadal structure after exposure to sublethal
      concentrations of AZ or GL for 3 weeks. In order to study the ability of the
      snails' recuperation, the exposed snails were subjected to a recovery period for
      2 weeks. The results showed that the level of T, E, and TP contents were
      significantly decreased (p <= 0.05) in both AZ- and GL-exposed groups compared
      with control (unexposed) group. The level of microsomal CYP4501B1-like
      immunoreactivity increased significantly (p <= 0.05) in GL- and AZ-exposed snails
      and reach nearly a 50% increase in AZ-exposed group. Histological investigation
      of the ovotestis showed that AZ and GL caused degenerative changes including
      azoospermia and oocytes deformation. Interestingly, all the recovered groups did
      not return back to their normal state. It can be concluded that both herbicides
      are endocrine disrupters and cause cellular toxicity indicated by the decrease of
      protein content and the increase in CYP4501B1-like immunoreactivity. This
      toxicity is irreversible and the snail is not able to recover its normal state.
      The fluctuation of CYP4501B1 suggests that this vertebrate-like enzyme may be
      functional also in the snail and may be used as a biomarker for insecticide
      toxicity.

PMID- 24215069
TI  - Cholesterol depletion inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation
      by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells. Role of cholesterol-rich
      microdomains and focal adhesions in angiotensin II signaling.

PMID- 24215073
TI  - A Nobel Prize for membrane traffic: vesicles find their journey's end.
AB  - Cell biologists everywhere rejoiced when this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or
      Medicine was awarded to James Rothman, Randy Schekman, and Thomas Sudhof for
      their contributions to uncovering the mechanisms governing vesicular transport.
      In this article, we highlight their achievements and also pay tribute to the
      pioneering scientists before them who set the stage for their remarkable
      discoveries.

PMID- 24215077
TI  - Auxin and the ubiquitin pathway. Two players-one target: the cell cycle in
      action.
AB  - Plants are sessile organisms that have to adapt their growth to the surrounding
      environment. Concomitant with this adaptation capability, they have adopted a
      post-embryonic development characterized by continuous growth and differentiation
      abilities. Constant growth is based on the potential of stem cells to divide
      almost incessantly and on a precise balance between cell division and cell
      differentiation. This balance is influenced by environmental conditions and by
      the genetic information of the cell. Among the internal cues, the cross-talk
      between different hormonal signalling pathways is essential to control this
      division/differentiation equilibrium. Auxin, one of the most important plant
      hormones, regulates cell division and differentiation, among many other
      processes. Amazing advances in auxin signal transduction at the molecular level
      have been reported, but how this signalling is connected to the cell cycle is, so
      far, not well known. Auxin signalling involves the auxin-dependent degradation of
      transcription repressors by F-box-containing E3 ligases of ubiquitin. Recently,
      SKP2A, another F-box protein, was shown to bind auxin and to target cell-cycle
      repressors for proteolysis, representing a novel mechanism that links auxin to
      cell division. In this review, a general vision of what is already known and the
      most recent advances on how auxin signalling connects to cell division and the
      role of the ubiquitin pathway in plant cell cycle will be covered. 

PMID- 24215076
TI  - Comprehensive insights on how 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid retards senescence
      in post-harvest citrus fruits using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches.
AB  - Auxin-like 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a high-efficiency anti
      stalling agent for the post-harvest fresh fruit industry, has had its use
      restricted due to environmental concerns. However, no other substitutes for 2,4-D
      are available to the post-harvest industry. Insights into the molecular mechanism
      underlying the effects of 2,4-D on fruit quality preservation will provide a
      theoretical basis for exploring new safe and effective anti-stalling agents. This
      study comprehensively analysed changes in the peel of Olinda Valencia orange
      [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] induced by 500 ppm 2,4-D using 'omic'-driven
      approaches. Transcriptional profiling revealed that transcriptional factor
      (mainly AP2/ERF, WRKY, and NAC family members), transport, and hormone metabolism
      genes were over-represented and up-regulated within 24h post-treatment (HPT).
      Stress defence genes were up-regulated, while cell wall metabolism genes were
      down-regulated after 48 HPT. However, secondary metabolism genes, especially
      phenylpropanoid and lignin biosynthesis-related genes, were over-represented at
      all the time points. Comparative proteomic analysis indicated that the expression
      of proteins implicated in stress responses (25%), hormone metabolism, and signal
      transduction (12%) significantly accumulated at the post-transcriptional level.
      Hormone levels detected by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) showed that abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and 2,4-D
      significantly increased, while ethylene production (detected by gas
      chromatography) decreased after 2,4-D treatment. In addition, lignin and water
      content in the fruit peel also increased and the epicuticle wax ultrastructure
      was modified. In conclusion, 2,4-D retarded fruit senescence by altering the
      levels of many endogenous hormones and by improving stress defence capabilities
      by up-regulating defence-related genes and proteins. 

PMID- 24215078
TI  - Evidence of positive selection for a glycogen synthase (GYS1) mutation in
      domestic horse populations.
AB  - A dominantly inherited gain-of-function mutation in the glycogen synthase (GYS1)
      gene, resulting in excess skeletal muscle glycogen, has been identified in more
      than 30 horse breeds. This mutation is associated with the disease Equine
      Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy Type 1, yet persists at high frequency in some
      breeds. Under historical conditions of daily work and limited feed, excess muscle
      glycogen may have been advantageous, driving the increase in frequency of this
      allele. Fine-scale DNA sequencing in 80 horses and genotype assays in 279 horses
      revealed a paucity of haplotypes carrying the mutant allele when compared with
      the wild-type allele. Additionally, we found increased linkage disequilibrium,
      measured by relative extended haplotype homozygosity, in haplotypes carrying the
      mutation compared with haplotypes carrying the wild-type allele. Coalescent
      simulations of Belgian horse populations demonstrated that the high frequency and
      extended haplotype associated with the GYS1 mutation were unlikely to have arisen
      under neutrality or due to population demography. In contrast, in Quarter Horses,
      elevated relative extended haplotype homozygosity was associated with multiple
      haplotypes and may be the result of recent population expansion or a popular sire
      effect. These data suggest that the GYS1 mutation underwent historical selection
      in the Belgian, but not in the Quarter Horse. 

PMID- 24215080
TI  - Benefits of surgical incision management now available to more patients.

PMID- 24215079
TI  - ISSFAL editorial (PLEFA).

PMID- 24215081
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23121116.

PMID- 24215082
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23346992.

PMID- 24215083
TI  - Economic rewards for blood donation: validity of the donor questionnaire as
      litmus test.

PMID- 24215084
TI  - Education and Imaging. Gastrointesinal: colonic amyloidosis causing submucosal
      haematoma and bleeding from straining.

PMID- 24215085
TI  - Education and Imaging. Gastrointestinal: gastric hemangiopericytoma: an unusual
      cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

PMID- 24215086
TI  - Education and Imaging. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic: adenomyomatosis of the
      gallbladder.

PMID- 24215087
TI  - Retraction.

PMID- 24215089
TI  - [Commentary on "Early repolarization pattern and risk for arrhythmia death. A
      meta-analysis"].

PMID- 24215088
TI  - [Therapeutic guidelines on ulcerative colitis: a GRADE methodology based effort
      of GETECCU].

PMID- 24215090
TI  - Steering clear? Few systems have signed up to be 'navigators'.

PMID- 24215091
TI  - Premier's strong performance. Shares up 17% on second day of trading.

PMID- 24215092
TI  - Preparing for PrEP.

PMID- 24215093
TI  - Hospitals say outpatient list prices irrelevant. Insurers, consumer groups could
      leverage latest CMS data for better deals.

PMID- 24215094
TI  - On the defense. AHA says most mergers aren't anti-competitive.

PMID- 24215095
TI  - Evaluation of anti-epileptic property of Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. in maximal
      electroshock and pentylenetetrazole-induced rat models of epilepsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-epileptic effects of methanolic extract of Marsilea
      quadrifolia Linn. (MQ) in maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)
      induced rat models of epilepsy. METHOD: A total of 84 adult male Wistar rats were
      used. An acute oral toxicity study was conducted on 36 rats and the remaining
      were used for other experiments. Each model had 24 rats which were allotted into
      four groups (n = 6). Group I (Control) received 1% carboxymethyl cellulose
      solution, Group II (Positive control) received phenytoin 300 mg kg(-1) b.w. in
      the MES model; sodium valproate 200 mg kg(-1) b.w. in the PTZ model, Group III
      (MQ) received 400 mg kg(-1) b.w. MQ extract and Group IV (MQ) received 600 mg kg(
      1) b.w. MQ extract. Hind limb extension (HLE) time and recovery time were noted
      in the MES model. Latency for myoclonic jerk, seizures and EEG was recorded in
      the PTZ model. RESULTS: When compared to control, the phenytoin received group
      did not show HLE. In MQ pre-treated groups only 50% of rats showed HLE. Sodium
      valproate and various doses of MQ significantly increased the latency for onset
      of clonus and seizures. PTZ-induced EEG alterations were significantly attenuated
      by MQ administration and this was comparable to that of the sodium valproate
      effect. CONCLUSION: Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. showed significant anti-epileptic
      efficacy against various epilepsy models.

PMID- 24215096
TI  - Near-infrared colorimetric and fluorescent Cu(2+) sensors based on indoline
      benzothiadiazole derivatives via formation of radical cations.
AB  - The donor-acceptor system of indoline-benzothiadiazole is established as the
      novel and reactive platform for generating amine radical cations with the
      interaction of Cu(2+), which has been successfully exploited as the building
      block to be highly sensitive and selective near infrared (NIR) colorimetric and
      fluorescent Cu(2+) sensors. Upon the addition of Cu(2+), an instantaneous red
      shift of absorption spectra as well as the quenched NIR fluorescence of the
      substrates is observed. The feasibility and validity of the radical cation
      generation are confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and electron paramagnetic
      resonance spectra. Moreover, the introduction of an aldehyde group extends the
      electron spin density and changes the charge distribution. Our system
      demonstrates the large scope and diversity in terms of activation mechanism,
      response time, and property control in the design of Cu(2+) sensors. 

PMID- 24215097
TI  - Update: repeat DWI offenders involvement in fatal crashes in 2010.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This analysis is an update of a Traffic Tech published by the National
      Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in March 1992. Drivers with prior
      driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) convictions are overrepresented in fatal crashes
      and the relative risk of fatal crash involvement is greater for these repeat DWI
      offenders. METHODS: Although it is estimated that 2.1 percent of licensed drivers
      had a prior arrest for DWI within the past 3 years in 2010, 8.0 percent of
      intoxicated drivers (blood alcohol concentration [BAC] >= 0.08 g/dL) involved in
      fatal crashes had at least one prior DWI conviction in the past 3 years during
      that same year. RESULTS: Drivers with prior DWI convictions are overrepresented
      in fatal crashes by a factor of 1.62 or are 62 percent more likely to be in a
      fatal crash. Similarly, drivers with prior DWI convictions are also
      overrepresented as drinking drivers in fatal crashes: those with low BACs (0.01
      0.07) by a factor of 2.38 and those with high BACs (0.08+) by a factor of 3.81.
      CONCLUSION: Though repeat DWI offenders are at a substantially higher risk of
      fatal crash involvement, the vast majority of intoxicated drivers in fatal
      crashes do not have a DWI conviction in the past 3 years (11 out of 12) according
      to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System records for the year 2010.

PMID- 24215099
TI  - Electrically driven tuning of the dielectric constant in MoS2 layers.
AB  - The properties of two-dimensional materials, such as molybdenum disulfide, will
      play an important role in the design of the next generation of electronic
      devices. Many of those properties are determined by the dielectric constant which
      is one of the fundamental quantities used to characterize conductivity,
      refractive index, charge screening, and capacitance. We predict that the
      effective dielectric constant (epsilon) of few-layer MoS2 is tunable by an
      external electric field (Eext). Through first-principles electronic structure
      calculations, including van der Waals interactions, we show that at low fields
      (Eext < 0.01 V/A) epsilon assumes a nearly constant value ~4 but increases at
      higher fields to values that depend on the layer thickness. The thicker the
      structure, the stronger the modulation of epsilon with the electric field.
      Increasing of the external field perpendicular to the dichalcogenide layers
      beyond a critical value can drive the system to an unstable state where the
      layers are weakly coupled and can be easily separated. The observed dependence of
      epsilon on the external field is due to charge polarization driven by the bias.
      Implications on the optical properties as well as on the electronic excitations
      are also considered. Our results point to a promising way of understanding and
      controlling the screening properties of MoS2 through external electric fields. 

PMID- 24215098
TI  - Toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intrastromal injection of amphotericin B in a
      rabbit model.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intrastromal
      injection of amphotericin B (AmB) in a rabbit model. METHODS: Forty albino
      rabbits were randomly divided into five groups (eight per group). The rabbits
      were anesthetized before they received the medication. Intrastromal injection of
      0.1 ml balanced salt solution containing 0, 5, 10, 20 or 30 MUg of AmB was
      performed on eyes of each group five times (once per four days), respectively.
      The presence of possible corneal clouding, epithelial erosion and corneal
      neovascularization was monitored with a slit-lamp biomicroscope. Corneal
      ultrasonic pachymetry was used to detect the corneal thickness of intrastromal
      injected eyes. Thirty days after the last injection, the corneal transparency as
      well as the number and ultrastucture of corneal endothelial cells were examined.
      The concentrations of the AmB in the cornea and aqueous humor were evaluated at
      30 min, 6 h and at 1, 3 and 7 days after the intrastromal injection of 10 ug AmB.
      RESULTS: Intrastromal injection of AmB at concentrations of 5 and 10 MUg per 0.1
      ml did not induce obvious toxicity to the cornea when compared with the controls.
      However, when the concentration of AmB increased to 20 MUg per 0.1 ml or more,
      corneal edema, corneal epithelial erosion and severe neovascularization appeared.
      A single intrastromal injection of 10 MUg AmB achieved an effective drug level in
      corneas which was maintained for up to 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: Intrastromal
      injection of AmB at a concentration of less than 10 MUg per 0.1 ml is safe to the
      rabbit corneas. Intrastromal injection of AmB may be an adjunctive treatment for
      deep recalcitrant fungal keratitis.

PMID- 24215100
TI  - Ligand- and structure-based virtual screening for clathrodin-derived human
      voltage-gated sodium channel modulators.
AB  - Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) are attractive targets for drug discovery
      because of the broad therapeutic potential of their modulators. On the basis of
      the structure of marine alkaloid clathrodin, we have recently discovered novel
      subtype-selective VGSC modulators I and II that were used as starting points for
      two different ligand-based virtual screening approaches for discovery of novel
      VGSC modulators. Similarity searching in the ZINC database of drug-like compounds
      based on compound I resulted in five state-dependent Na(v)1.3 and Na(v)1.7
      modulators with improved activity compared to I (IC50 < 20 MUM). Compounds 2 and
      16 that blocked sodium permeation in Na(v)1.7 with IC50 values of 7 and 9 MUM,
      respectively, are among the most potent clathrodin analogs discovered so far. In
      the case of compound II, 3D similarity searching in the same database was
      followed by docking of an enriched compound library into our human Na(v)1.4 open
      pore homology model. Although some of the selected compounds, e.g., 31 and 32
      displayed 21% and 22% inactivated state I(peak) block of Na(v)1.4 at 10 MUM,
      respectively, none showed better Na(v)1.4 modulatory activity than compound II.
      Taken together, virtual screening yielded compounds 2 and 16, which represent
      novel scaffolds for the discovery of human Na(v)1.7 modulators.

PMID- 24215103
TI  - Humiliation as an intense emotional experience: evidence from the electro
      encephalogram.
AB  - Humiliation, the emotion associated with being lowered in status in the eyes of
      others, seems to be very intense. As such, humiliation has been implied to play
      an important role in the escalation of inter-individual and inter-group conflict.
      Here, we provide the first clear empirical evidence that humiliation is indeed a
      very intense experience. Based on the electro-encephalogram recorded from people
      reading scenarios that evoked humiliation, anger, or happiness,
      electrophysiological measures of cognitive intensity were derived for each of the
      emotion types. The late positive potential (LPP), a measure of the level of
      perceived (negative), affect was markedly increased in humiliation scenarios
      compared to happiness and anger scenarios. In addition, event-related
      desynchronization (ERD) in the alpha-frequency range, a measure of the overall
      intensity of cortical activation, was significantly more pronounced for
      humiliation than for happiness and anger scenarios. Our findings support the idea
      that humiliation is a particularly intense experience that is likely to have far
      reaching consequences. 

PMID- 24215101
TI  - Association between hemoglobin levels and arterial stiffness for general Japanese
      population in relation to body mass index status: The Nagasaki Islands study.
AB  - AIM: To investigate associations between hemoglobin levels and arterial stiffness
      accounting for body mass index (BMI) in a large-scale cross-sectional study.
      METHODS: We investigated the association between hemoglobin levels and
      atherosclerosis evaluated by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), which can assess
      arterial stiffness independently from blood pressure, while taking BMI status
      into account. Separate models were constructed for participants with or without
      anemia. In our main investigation for the association between hemoglobin levels
      and increased arterial stiffness, only participants without anemia (1064 men and
      1886 women) were included to avoid the influence of chronic disease. RESULTS: We
      found significantly positive associations between increased arterial stiffness
      and hemoglobin levels for both men and women, and that such associations were
      limited to subjects with BMI <25 kg/m(2) . The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios
      (OR) and 95% coincidence intervals (CI) of 1-standard deviation increments in
      hemoglobin levels for increased arterial stiffness were 1.17 (95% CI 1.00-1.38)
      for men and 1.17 (95% CI1.02-1.34) for women. For participants with BMI <25
      kg/m(2) , the corresponding values were 1.40 (95% CI 1.14-1.73) and 1.19 (95% CI
      1.02-1.40), and for those with BMI >=25 kg/m(2) , they were 0.88 (95% CI 0.67
      1.15) and 1.12 (95% CI 0.86-1.46). CONCLUSIONS: Independent positive associations
      between hemoglobin levels and increased arterial stiffness were observed both for
      Japanese men and women, and those associations were limited to participants with
      BMI <25 kg/m(2) .

PMID- 24215104
TI  - Erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic viral hepatitis: a systematic
      review of the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This article reviews the literature on epidemiology and
      pathogenetic factors of erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic viral
      hepatic (CVH) diseases in men and the potential implications for diagnosis and
      treatment. AREAS COVERED: A search to identify original articles, reviews and any
      other article suitable for the purposes of this review was conducted by combining
      the following terms: erectile dysfunction and/or sexual dysfunction, chronic
      viral hepatitis, hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis C virus infection.
      EXPERT OPINION: The results of this review have led to the following main
      observations: i) there is scarce documentation on the association between CVH and
      sexual dysfunction; ii) hormonal impairment seems to be a major component in the
      development of erectile dysfunction in CVH; however, published evidence
      concerning the contribution of other pathogenetic factors is rare and
      inconclusive and iii) available treatment options for CVH potentially contribute
      to the development of sexual dysfunction in these patients. Due to the scarce
      body of evidence, more research is needed to better clarify the mechanisms
      underlying the association between CVH and sexual dysfunction, the impact of
      therapy and associated comorbidities on sexual dysfunction and the role of
      pharmacological treatments in the management of these patients.

PMID- 24215105
TI  - Muscle force distribution during forward and backward locomotion.
AB  - Backward walking (BW) is a common technique employed in the treatment of a
      variety of orthopedic and neurological diseases. BW training may offer some
      benefits especially in balance and motor control ability beyond those experienced
      through forward walking (FW). The purpose of this study was to determine whether
      BW represented a simple reversal of FW and, hence muscle force distribution is
      the same. The study involved one male healthy student of physical education (22
      years, h = 185 cm, m = 80 kg). Measurements of spatial-temporal gait parameters
      were conducted using eight Vicon system cameras, and Kistler plates. Noraxon EMG
      was used to obtain muscles activity. OpenSim software was used to compute muscle
      force distribution during both types of gait. During FW and BW there is small
      difference for force curves produced by m. gluteus maximus (RMS = 0.04), m.
      biceps femoris short head (RMS = 0.19) and m. tibialis anterior (RMS = 0.16).
      Good validation by EMG signal was obtained for m. rectus femoris, m. biceps
      femoris short head, m. tibialis posterior during FW and BW. For m. iliacus, only
      during BW good validation was achived. 

PMID- 24215108
TI  - Gold network structures in rhombohedral and monoclinic Sr2Au6(Au,T)3 (T = Zn,
      Ga). A transition via relaxation.
AB  - Quantitative syntheses, structure determinations and interpretations, and band
      calculations are reported for the nonstoichiometric rhombohedral (R3c) and
      monoclinic (C2/c) Sr2Au6(Au(3-x)T(x)) (T = Zn, Ga) compounds. Several different
      compositions of the two Sr phases were similarly refined from single crystal X
      ray diffraction data as R3c: a ~ 8.43 A, c ~ 21.85 A, Z = 6 and C2/c: a ~ 14.70
      A, b ~ 8.47 A, c ~ 8.70 A, beta ~ 123.2 degrees , Z = 4. The R3c Zn phase is
      stable in the composition region x ~ 2.5-2.9 whereas its C2/c neighbor is the
      major product at x ~ 2.2-2.3. Gallium versions of both were also identified. Both
      R3c and C2/c structural types contain hexagonal-diamond-like gold superlattices
      stuffed with strings of interstitial Sr and disordered triangular (Au,T)3 units.
      The latter space group is a maximal, nonisomorphic subgroup of the former, and
      the decrease in interstitial radius from Ba to Sr (~0.08 A experimentally)
      evidently drives the symmetry reduction, relaxation, and small distortions,
      principally around the Sr sites. Au-Au bonding among the Au hexagons in the host
      lattices and with gold components in the triangular interstitials is dominant and
      reflected in their tight packing and short interatomic separations.

PMID- 24215109
TI  - Porous orbital implant exposure: the influence of surgical technique.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine orbital implant exposure rates following enucleation and
      evisceration. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent
      an evisceration or enucleation in a single centre over a 5-year period was
      performed. The indication for surgery, the type and size of orbital implant used,
      details of the surgical technique adopted and the postoperative complications
      observed, in particular orbital implant exposure, were recorded. RESULTS: Over a
      5-year period 24 patients had enucleation and 14 had evisceration; 22 of these
      procedures were performed by an ophthalmic surgeon with a special interest in
      orbit and oculoplastics while the remaining 16 procedures were performed by 5
      ophthalmic surgeons with other sub-specialty interests. Orbital implant exposure
      occurred in 8 cases. One case had been performed by the first of these surgeons
      described. Implant exposure occurred in 4% of cases performed by this surgeon.
      The remaining 7 cases had been performed by the group of surgeons with sub
      specialty interests outside of orbit and oculoplastics. Implant exposure occurred
      in 48% of cases performed by this group. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital implant exposure
      remains a significant cause of morbidity in patients undergoing enucleation and
      evisceration. Rates of orbital implant exposure were significantly lower when
      surgery was performed by an orbital surgeon. Differences in surgical technique
      are the most likely explanation.

PMID- 24215110
TI  - Development of nanoparticles-in-microparticles system for improved local
      retention after intra-articular injection.
AB  - To increase the intra-articular (IA) retention time of osteoarthritis drugs in
      the synovial cavity and slow down the burst release of microspheres (MPs), we
      prepared a novel drug delivery system named nanoparticles-in-microspheres (NiMs).
      The system was constructed by dispersing the brucine-loaded nanoparticle, which
      was prepared by an emulsification method in the MPs. The NiMs were characterized
      by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectra and
      differential scanning calorimetry. After investigating the biocompatibility with
      synovium of NiMs in rats, the pharmacokinetics was studied and FX-imaging was
      used to visualize the transmission of nanoparticles after IA administration in
      rats. From the results, we know that the NiMs were spherical, there was no
      chemical bond between the drug and the polymer, and the drug was dispersed in the
      polymer in an amorphous form. Compared with MPs (41%), the burst release of NiMs
      could be slowed down to 9%. After that, the drug was released from NiMs by
      diffusion. The results of FX imaging in rats showed that the NiMs could stay in
      the articular cavity for over 11 d. The studies of pharmacokinetics revealed that
      the NiMs could slow down the burst release and improve retention in vivo. This
      study demonstrates the feasibility of using NiMs to slow down the burst release
      and increase the retention of therapeutic agents in articular joints.

PMID- 24215111
TI  - Molecular mechanism of stabilization of thin films for improved water evaporation
      protection.
AB  - All-atom molecular dynamics simulations and experimental characterization have
      been used to examine the structure and dynamics of novel evaporation-suppressing
      films where the addition of a water-soluble polymer to an ethylene glycol
      monooctadecyl ether monolayer leads to improved water evaporation resistance.
      Simulations and Langmuir trough experiments demonstrate the surface activity of
      poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP). Subsequent MD simulations performed on the thin
      films supported by the PVP sublayer show that, at low surface pressures, the
      polymer tends to concentrate at the film/water interface. The simulated atomic
      concentration profiles, hydrogen bonding patterns, and mobility analyses of the
      water-polymer-monolayer interfaces reveal that the presence of PVP increases the
      atomic density near the monolayer film, improves the film stability, and reduces
      the mobility of interfacial waters. These observations explain the molecular
      basis of the improved efficacy of these monolayer/polymer systems for evaporation
      protection of water and can be used to guide future development of organic thin
      films for other applications. 

PMID- 24215112
TI  - A glimpse into the world of battered ultra-Orthodox Jewish women in Israel: a
      follow-up study on women who resided in a shelter.
AB  - Using a mixed-methods approach to content analysis, we interviewed 88 ultra
      Orthodox Jewish women who had endured spousal abuse and chose to find refuge in
      the only shelter in Israel specifically designated for religious women. All had
      experienced some type of spousal abuse for several years. The majority summarized
      the period they spent in the shelter in positive terms and reported that they had
      developed personal strength and that their social and family relationships had
      improved. About half of them described the postshelter period in positive terms,
      while the rest described it in both positive and negative terms or in negative
      terms only. Negative themes were mostly related to the women's economic situation
      and to emotional and behavioral problems of their children. Further research is
      required to expand existing knowledge regarding this population. 

PMID- 24215113
TI  - Finding the active genes in deep RNA-seq gene expression studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early application of second-generation sequencing technologies to
      transcript quantitation (RNA-seq) has hinted at a vast mammalian transcriptome,
      including transcripts from nearly all known genes, which might be fully measured
      only by ultradeep sequencing. Subsequent studies suggested that low-abundance
      transcripts might be the result of technical or biological noise rather than
      active transcripts; moreover, most RNA-seq experiments did not provide enough
      read depth to generate high-confidence estimates of gene expression for low
      abundance transcripts. As a result, the community adopted several heuristics for
      RNA-seq analysis, most notably an arbitrary expression threshold of 0.3 - 1 FPKM
      for downstream analysis. However, advances in RNA-seq library preparation,
      sequencing technology, and informatic analysis have addressed many of the
      systemic sources of uncertainty and undermined the assumptions that drove the
      adoption of these heuristics. We provide an updated view of the accuracy and
      efficiency of RNA-seq experiments, using genomic data from large-scale studies
      like the ENCODE project to provide orthogonal information against which to
      validate our conclusions. RESULTS: We show that a human cell's transcriptome can
      be divided into active genes carrying out the work of the cell and other genes
      that are likely the by-products of biological or experimental noise. We use
      ENCODE data on chromatin state to show that ultralow-expression genes are
      predominantly associated with repressed chromatin; we provide a novel
      normalization metric, zFPKM, that identifies the threshold between active and
      background gene expression; and we show that this threshold is robust to
      experimental and analytical variations. CONCLUSIONS: The zFPKM normalization
      method accurately separates the biologically relevant genes in a cell, which are
      associated with active promoters, from the ultralow-expression noisy genes that
      have repressed promoters. A read depth of twenty to thirty million mapped reads
      allows high-confidence quantitation of genes expressed at this threshold,
      providing important guidance for the design of RNA-seq studies of gene
      expression. Moreover, we offer an example for using extensive ENCODE chromatin
      state information to validate RNA-seq analysis pipelines.

PMID- 24215114
TI  - Chemotherapeutic efficacy of an ethanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract against
      chromium-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
AB  - This study was conducted to determine the mechanism underlying the
      chemotherapeutic efficacy of an ethanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLEE)
      against chromium-induced impairments of rat testes using biochemical methods.
      Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group
      I (control), group II injected potassium dichromate (8 mg kg(-1) ) i.p., group
      III gastrogavaged MOLEE (500 mg kg(-1) ) p.o. and group IV received (potassium
      dichromate plus MOLEE) by the same doses for 60 days. After the blood samples
      were collected, the animals were sacrificed to determine the testicular
      antioxidant status and sperm parameters. The chromium-treated group exhibited a
      significant decrease in testicular antioxidant enzymatic activities, local
      immunity and sperm parameters as well as an increase in inflammatory markers when
      compared with the control and MOLEE-treated group. However, concurrent
      administration of chromium and MOLEE significantly ameliorated the chromium
      effects on the sperm parameters, local immunity, inflammatory markers and
      antioxidant enzymatic activities compared with rats exposed to chromium alone.
      This study concludes that chronic exposure to chromium produces clear testicular
      toxicity, which can either be prevented or at least decreased by concomitant
      administration of MOLEE. Interestingly, the metal ion chelation could attribute
      partly the antioxidant activities of MOLEE. 

PMID- 24215115
TI  - Asymmetric NHC-catalyzed redox alpha-amination of alpha-aroyloxyaldehydes.
AB  - Asymmetric alpha-amination through an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed
      redox reaction of alpha-aroyloxyaldehydes with N-aryl-N-aroyldiazenes to form
      alpha-hydrazino esters with high enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) is reported.
      The hydrazide products are readily converted into enantioenriched N-aryl amino
      esters through samarium(II) iodide mediated N-N bond cleavage. 

PMID- 24215116
TI  - Infrared LED irradiation photobiomodulation of oxidative stress in human dental
      pulp cells.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the effect of infrared light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation
      on the oxidative stress induced in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) by
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODOLOGY: Human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) were
      harvested from sound primary teeth that were near exfoliation. Cells were seeded
      (10(5)  cells cm(-2) ) using alpha-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS and after 24 h,
      were placed in contact with LPS (10 MUg mL(-1) of culture medium). Immediately
      afterwards, HDPCs were subjected to a single irradiation with an infrared LED
      (855 nm) delivering different doses of energy (0, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30 J cm(-2) ).
      For each dose, there was a control group without LPS application. Twenty-four
      hours after irradiation, groups were tested for nitric oxide (NO) quantification,
      cell viability (MTT assay) and qualitative assessment of reactive oxygen species
      (ROS). Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (alpha =
      0.05). RESULTS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced stress resulted in significant
      increase in NO production by HDPC without causing damage to cell respiratory
      metabolism. Irrespective of energy dose delivered, NO production was
      significantly reduced when LPS-stressed cells were irradiated with infrared LED
      (2 J cm(-2) , P = 0.003; 95% CI = 5.84-27.71; 4 J cm(-2) , P = 0.001; 95% CI =
      7.52-26.39; 8 J cm(-2) , P = 0.0195; 95% CI = -2.86-16.01; 15 J cm(-2) , P =
      0.0001; 95% CI = 12.10-30.96; 30 J cm(-2) , P = 0.007; 95% CI = 5.84-24.71). The
      highest decrease in NO production was observed when 15 J cm(-2) was delivered to
      cells. Infrared LED irradiation resulted in a decrease in ROS production, whilst
      HDPC metabolism was not significantly affected. CONCLUSION: Biomodulation of
      oxidative stress of HPDC can be achieved by irradiation with a single dose of
      infrared LED. Within the range investigated, 15 J cm(-2) resulted in the least
      production of NO.

PMID- 24215117
TI  - Obstetrician-initiated counseling and testing for HIV infection: a cross
      sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the practice of provider-initiated counseling and testing
      (PICT) for HIV infection by Nigerian Obstetricians and estimate missed
      opportunities at the gynecological and family planning clinics. METHODS: Online
      cross-sectional survey of members of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of
      Nigeria (SOGON) over a 4-week period using SurveyMonkey(r). Frequencies were used
      to present responses of participants. RESULTS: There were 201 (29%) respondents.
      Participants' mean age was 46 +/- 7.2 (SD) years and majority (93.3%) held
      consultant positions. Most respondents (92.2%) cared for HIV-infected pregnant
      women with dedicated HIV counselors (77.4%), and in dedicated counseling rooms
      (71%). Majority (75.7%) had been trained on HIV management in pregnancy and 95.3%
      routinely counseled and tested women attending the booking antenatal clinic.
      Fourteen per cent (14%) and 16% of respondents conducted routine counseling and
      testing for women attending the gynecological and family planning clinics,
      respectively, for the first time. For every 100 women tested at the antenatal
      clinic, 317 women were missed at each of the two clinics. CONCLUSIONS: PICT of
      HIV infection in Nigeria has focused on pregnancy. To eliminate new HIV
      infections in children, PICT should be routine at the gynecological and family
      planning clinics.

PMID- 24215118
TI  - Prognostic and diagnostic implications of epithelial cell adhesion/activating
      molecule (EpCAM) expression in renal tumours: a retrospective clinicopathological
      study of 948 cases using tissue microarrays.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression and prognostic value of epithelial cell
      adhesion/activating molecule (EpCAM) in a large set of renal cell carcinomas
      (RCCs) using a tissue microarray (TMA) approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied
      the immunohistochemical expression and overexpression of EpCAM on TMAs containing
      formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of 948 patients with documented renal
      tumours. EpCAM expression was defined as the presence of a specific membranous
      staining in >5% of the tumour cells. EpCAM overexpression was specified by
      calculating a total staining score (score range 0-12) as the product of a
      proportion score and an intensity score, and defined as a score >4. RESULTS: Of
      948 cases, 927 (97.8%) were evaluable morphologically (haematoxylin and eosin
      stain). EpCAM expression was found in 233/642 (36.3%), 126/155 (81.3%), 54/68
      (78.3%), 17/45 (37.8%), 13/30 (43.3%) of clear-cell RCC, papillary RCC (pRCC),
      chromophobe RCC (cpRCC), oncocytomas and other unclassified tumour types,
      respectively. Log-rank tests showed a significantly longer overall survival (OS
      [P = 0.047]) and a trend of EpCAM expression to be associated with a longer
      progression-free survival (PFS) in all RCC entities (P = 0.065). EpCAM
      overexpression was significantly correlated with a better PFS in all RCC
      subtypes, cpRCC and pRCC (P = 0.011, 0.043 and 0.025, respectively). In
      multivariate analysis EpCAM overexpression was an independent marker for longer
      PFS in all RCC entities as well as in high grade RCC (P = 0.009 and P = 0.010,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The histological subtypes associated with a high rate
      of EpCAM expression were cpRCC and pRCC. This retrospective analysis demonstrated
      a trend towards longer OS and PFS for all major RCC subtypes. EpCAM expression
      had significant prognostic value in patients with cpRCC and pRCC. Furthermore,
      EpCAM overexpression in high grade RCC may be a helpful marker for
      prognostication.

PMID- 24215119
TI  - Precision of jaw-closing movements for different jaw gaps.
AB  - Jaw-closing movements are basic components of physiological motor actions
      precisely achieving intercuspation without significant interference. The main
      purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that, despite an imperfect
      intercuspal position, the precision of jaw-closing movements fluctuates within
      the range of physiological closing movements indispensable for meeting
      intercuspation without significant interference. For 35 healthy subjects,
      condylar and incisal point positions for fast and slow jaw-closing, interrupted
      at different jaw gaps by the use of frontal occlusal plateaus, were compared with
      uninterrupted physiological jaw closing, with identical jaw gaps, using a
      telemetric system for measuring jaw position. Examiner-guided centric relation
      served as a clinically relevant reference position. For jaw gaps <=4 mm, no
      significant horizontal or vertical displacement differences were observed for the
      incisal or condylar points among physiological, fast, and slow jaw-closing.
      However, the jaw positions under these three closing conditions differed
      significantly from guided centric relation for nearly all experimental jaw gaps.
      The findings provide evidence of stringent neuromuscular control of jaw-closing
      movements in the vicinity of intercuspation. These results might be of clinical
      relevance to occlusal intervention with different objectives. 

PMID- 24215121
TI  - Shape optimisation of a ventricular assist device using a VADFEM computer
      program.
AB  - The Polish ventricular assist device, POLVAD_EXT, is made of a polymer designed
      to be covered with a nanocoating of titanium nitride to improve
      haemocompatibility. A loss of cohesion can occur between the coating and the
      substrate. An analysis of stress and strain states in a multi-scale model of the
      blood chamber was performed in the finite element computer program, VADFEM. The
      multiscale model is composed of a macro model of the blood chamber and a micro
      model of the titanium nitride (TiN) deposited on the polymer. The finite element
      method and the goal function, based on the triaxiality factor, are used to solve
      the problems formulated. The theories of non-linear elasticity and elasto
      plasticity are applied. The goal of the paper is to optimise the construction of
      the POLVAD_EXT with respect to shape parameters. 

PMID- 24215120
TI  - Evaluating differential developmental trajectories to adolescent-onset mood and
      psychotic disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is an open question as to whether differential developmental
      trajectories, potentially representing underlying pathophysiological processes,
      can form the basis of a more useful typology in young persons who present for
      mental health care. METHODS: A cohort of 605 young people was recruited from
      youth mental health services that target the early phases of anxiety, mood or
      psychotic disorders. Participants were assigned to one of three clinical sub
      types (anxious-depression; mania-fatigue; developmental-psychotic) according to
      putative developmental trajectories. RESULTS: The distribution of subtypes was:
      51% anxiety-depression, 25% mania-fatigue and 24% developmental-psychotic, with
      key differences in demographic, clinical, family history and neuropsychological
      characteristics. When analyses were limited to 286 cases with 'attenuated' or sub
      threshold syndromes, the pattern of differences was similar. Multinomial logistic
      regression demonstrated that compared to the developmental-psychotic subtype,
      both the mania-fatigue and anxiety-depression subtypes were younger and more
      depressed at presentation, but less functionally impaired. Other discriminating
      variables between the developmental-psychotic and mania-fatigue sub-types were
      that the latter were significantly more likely to have a family history of
      bipolar disorder but have less likelihood of impaired verbal learning; whilst the
      anxious-depression group were more anxious, more likely to have a family history
      of depression, and had a higher premorbid IQ level. CONCLUSIONS: This cross
      sectional evaluation provides preliminary support for differing developmental
      trajectories in young persons presenting for mental health care. Prospective
      follow-up is needed to examine the predictive validity of this approach and its
      relationships to underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

PMID- 24215123
TI  - Making concrete construals mindful: a novel approach for developing mindfulness
      and self-compassion to assist weight loss.
AB  - Research on the usefulness of mindfulness and self-compassion for dieting has
      focused on meditative practices. However, meditation can be difficult to
      maintain, especially while dieting. Thus, the present research attempted to
      induce mindfulness and self-compassion by using food diaries that required the
      participant to either focus on concrete (i.e. how they are eating) construals or
      abstract (i.e. why they are eating) construals. The concrete construals were
      expected to increase mindfulness and self-compassion, as well as decrease
      avoidance and negative thoughts (which would further aid the development of
      mindfulness and self-compassion). Study 1 found that mindfulness and self
      compassion mediated the inverse relationship of avoidance and negative thoughts
      with weight loss. Study 2 showed that concrete construal diaries increased
      mindfulness and self-compassion, decreased avoidance and negative thoughts, and
      supported weight loss significantly more than the abstract construal diaries.
      Study 3, then, compared the concrete construal diaries with a mindful self
      compassionate meditation programme. There was no difference in weight loss at the
      end of the intervention, but at a three-month follow-up, the diaries performed
      better at weight maintenance. Thus, the concrete construal diaries may promote
      mindfulness and self-compassion and potentially promote long-term weight loss. 

PMID- 24215124
TI  - Arginine-stabilized mPEG-PDLLA (50/50) polymeric micelles of docetaxel by
      electrostatic mechanism for tumor-targeted delivery.
AB  - Arginine-stabilized, docetaxel-loaded polymeric micelles (AR-DTX-PM) were
      prepared to enhance the physical stability of micelles and control the
      degradation of docetaxel (DTX). Amphiphilic diblock copolymers, methoxy
      (Polyethylene Glycol)-block-Poly (D, L-lactide) (mPEG-PDLLA) were synthesized and
      used for the formulation of lyophilized DTX-PM powders. The micelles were found
      to have diameters of 20-30 nm with narrow polydispersity, and the entrapment
      efficiency was 90-100%. The accumulative release of AR-DTX-PM was higher than
      that of glucose-dispersed DTX-PM (Glu-DTX-PM). The results of both physical and
      chemical stability studies showed that the concentration of arginine required for
      optimum stability was 2.0 mg/ml. Preliminary investigation of the mechanisms of
      stabilization by arginine suggested that it is due to the electrostatic
      interaction as well as hydrogen bonds between DTX and arginine. The acute
      toxicity studies demonstrated that AR-DTX-PM was better tolerated in beagle dogs
      than DTX injection. However, the pharmacokinetic studies revealed no significant
      difference in Cmax and AUC of AR-DTX-PM compared to DTX injection. When AR-DTX-PM
      was administrated at a dose of 30 mg/kg, the antitumor effect was stronger than
      that of commercial DTX injection at 10 mg/kg, and the increase of administration
      dose did not cause higher toxicity. The in vivo imaging test showed that the
      residence time of AR-DTX-PM at tumor sites was longer than its commercial
      formulation. In a word, it is expected that AR-DTX-PM can reduce systemic
      toxicity while retaining antitumor efficacy in cancer patients.

PMID- 24215126
TI  - Highly enantioselective synthesis of tetrahydrocarbolines via iridium-catalyzed
      intramolecular Friedel-Crafts type allylic alkylation reactions.
AB  - A highly enantioselective synthesis of substituted tetrahydrocarbolines via Ir
      catalyzed Friedel-Crafts type intramolecular asymmetric allylic alkylation of 2
      indolyl allyl carbonates has been developed. This strategy features excellent
      chemoselectivity and enantioselectivity, mild reaction conditions, and an easily
      accessed chiral ligand. 

PMID- 24215125
TI  - GSK3 alpha and beta are new functionally relevant targets of tivantinib in lung
      cancer cells.
AB  - Tivantinib has been described as a potent and highly selective inhibitor of the
      receptor tyrosine kinase c-MET and is currently in advanced clinical development
      for several cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, recent
      studies suggest that tivantinib's anticancer properties are unrelated to c-MET
      inhibition. Consistently, in determining tivantinib's activity profile in a broad
      panel of NSCLC cell lines, we found that, in contrast to several more potent c
      MET inhibitors, tivantinib reduces cell viability across most of these cell
      lines. Applying an unbiased, mass-spectrometry-based, chemical proteomics
      approach, we identified glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) alpha and beta as novel
      tivantinib targets. Subsequent validation showed that tivantinib displayed higher
      potency for GSK3alpha than for GSK3beta and that pharmacological inhibition or
      simultaneous siRNA-mediated loss of GSK3alpha and GSK3beta caused apoptosis. In
      summary, GSK3alpha and GSK3beta are new kinase targets of tivantinib that play an
      important role in its cellular mechanism-of-action in NSCLC. 

PMID- 24215127
TI  - Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for treatment of age-related macular
      degeneration: effects on serum VEGF concentration.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate potential adverse ranibizumab-related systemic events through
      analysis of variations in serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients before and
      after a single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. METHODS: Thirty-nine
      patients with neovascular AMD and 39 healthy control subjects were enrolled in
      the study. Patients received a single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (0.5
      mg) in one eye. Venous blood was collected and placed in coagulation-promoting
      tubes 1 day before and on post-injection days 1, 3, 7 and 30. Serum
      concentrations of VEGF were measured by ELISA at each time point. RESULTS: VEGF
      concentrations were 323.64 pg/ml in AMD patients and 392.94 pg/ml in control
      subjects before injection (p > 0.05). VEGF significantly decreased to 304.65
      pg/ml 1 day later (p < 0.05) in AMD patients, then increased to 310.77 (p >
      0.05), 317.89 (p > 0.05) and 311.79 pg/ml (p > 0.05) on post-injection days 3, 7
      and 30, respectively. CONCLUSION: No significant changes in serum levels of VEGF
      were found from 3 to 30 days following a single intravitreal ranibizumab
      injection. Although certain influences existed 24-h post-injection, effect(s) of
      a single intravitreal ranibizumab injection on the homeostasis of the
      cardiovascular system during such a brief period is unknown.

PMID- 24215128
TI  - Mechanical behaviour of the implant used in human hernia repair under
      physiological loads.
AB  - In laparoscopic operations of abdominal hernias some recurrences still take
      place, even when applying a surgical mesh. This is usually caused by a failure of
      the connection between the tissue and the implant. The study deals with the
      influence of an implant's orientation on forces in joints, which connect the mesh
      to human tissues. In the paper, the implant is modelled as a membrane structure
      within framework of the Finite Element Method. Two models are analysed: in the
      first one interaction between the mesh and a fascia is taken into account, in the
      second this interaction is not considered. Computations are conducted for two
      different material types of the implants: one with isotropic properties and
      second one with orthotropic properties. The models are validated by comparing
      dynamic numerical analysis with experimental outcomes, where load was simulating
      intraabdominal pressure during postoperative cough. Due to displacements of
      joints during activities like bending sideways or torsion of an abdomen,
      influence of kinematic extortions on forces in the joints is analysed. The
      outcome shows that position of the orthotropic implants is crucial and may
      strongly change the level of forces in the joints. 

PMID- 24215129
TI  - Radical versus partial nephrectomy for a small renal mass: does saving nephrons
      save lives?

PMID- 24215131
TI  - Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome with overlapping Perlman syndrome manifestation.
AB  - Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is an overgrowth syndrome known as exomphalos
      macroglossia - gigantism syndrome. Prognosis is good, prenatal diagnosis is
      important for pregnancy management but might be difficult due to clinical overlap
      with other syndromes. Perlman syndrome is an overgrowth syndrome with high
      perinatal mortality, most frequent antenatal findings include polyhydramnios,
      macrosomia, visceromegaly, nephromegaly and foetal ascites. Authors present a
      case of prenatally diagnosed BWS with severe ascites as first antenatal finding
      and lethal course, signs more typical of Perlman syndrome. This combination of
      clinical signs has not been published yet and may contribute to specification of
      possible prenatal manifestation of BWS.

PMID- 24215130
TI  - Genomic and physiological responses to strong selective pressure during late
      organogenesis: few gene expression changes found despite striking morphological
      differences.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adaptations to a new environment, such as a polluted one, often
      involve large modifications of the existing phenotypes. Changes in gene
      expression and regulation during critical developmental stages may explain these
      phenotypic changes. Embryos from a population of the teleost fish, Fundulus
      heteroclitus, inhabiting a clean estuary do not survive when exposed to sediment
      extract from a site highly contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) while embryos derived from a population inhabiting a PAH polluted estuary
      are remarkably resistant to the polluted sediment extract. We exposed embryos
      from these two populations to surrogate model PAHs and analyzed changes in gene
      expression, morphology, and cardiac physiology in order to better understand
      sensitivity and adaptive resistance mechanisms mediating PAH exposure during
      development. RESULTS: The synergistic effects of two model PAHs, an aryl
      hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist (beta-naphthoflavone) and a cytochrome P4501A
      (CYP1A) inhibitor (alpha-naphthoflavone), caused significant developmental
      delays, impaired cardiac function, severe morphological alterations and failure
      to hatch, leading to the deaths of reference embryos; resistant embryos were
      mostly unaffected. Unexpectedly, patterns of gene expression among normal and
      moderately deformed embryos were similar, and only severely deformed embryos
      showed a contrasting pattern of gene expression. Given the drastic morphological
      differences between reference and resistant embryos, a surprisingly low
      percentage of genes, 2.24% of 6,754 analyzed, show statistically significant
      differences in transcript levels during late organogenesis between the two embryo
      populations. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates important contrasts in responses
      between reference and resistant natural embryo populations to synergistic effects
      of surrogate model PAHs that may be important in adaptive mechanisms mediating
      PAH effects during fish embryo development. These results suggest that
      statistically significant changes in gene expression of relatively few genes
      contribute to the phenotypic changes and large morphological differences
      exhibited by reference and resistant populations upon exposure to PAH pollutants.
      By correlating cardiac physiology and morphology with changes in gene expression
      patterns of reference and resistant embryos, we provide additional evidence for
      acquired resistance among embryos whose parents live at heavily contaminated
      sites.

PMID- 24215133
TI  - Optically controlled thermophoretic trapping of single nano-objects.
AB  - Brownian motion is driven by thermal fluctuations and becoming more efficient for
      decreasing size and elevated temperatures. Here, we show that despite the
      increased fluctuations local temperature fields can be used to localize and
      control single nano-objects in solution. By creating strong local temperature
      gradients in a liquid using optically heated gold nanostructures, we are able to
      trap single colloidal particles. The trapping is thermophoretic in nature, and
      thus no restoring body force is involved. The simplicity of the setup allows for
      an easy integration and scalability to large arrays of traps. 

PMID- 24215132
TI  - Peptide amphiphile containing arginine and fatty acyl chains as molecular
      transporters.
AB  - Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are promising tools for the intracellular delivery of
      numerous drugs. PAs are known to be biodegradable systems. Here, four PA
      derivatives containing arginine and lysine conjugated with fatty acyl groups with
      different chain lengths, namely, PA1: R-K(C14)-R, PA2: R-K(C16)-R, PA3: K(C14)-R
      K(C14), and PA4: K(C16)-R-K(C16), where C16 = palmitic acid and C14 = myristic
      acid, were synthesized through Fmoc chemistry. Flow cytometry studies showed
      that, among all synthesized PAs, only K(C16)-R-K(C16), PA4 was able to enhance
      the cellular uptake of a fluorescence-labeled anti-HIV drug 2',3'-dideoxy-3'
      thiacythidine (F'-3TC, F' = fluorescein) and a biologically important
      phosphopeptide (F'-PEpYLGLD) in human leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM) after 2 h
      incubation. For example, the cellular uptake of F'-3TC and F'-PEpYLGLD was
      enhanced approximately 7.1- and 12.6-fold in the presence of the PA4 compared to
      those of the drugs alone. Confocal microscopy of F'-3TC and F'-PEpYLGLD loaded
      PA4 in live cells showed significantly higher intracellular localization than the
      drug alone in human ovarian cells (SK-OV-3) after 2 h incubation. The high
      performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results showed that loading of Dox by
      the peptide amphiphile was 56% after 24 h. The loaded Dox was released (34%)
      within 48 h intracellularly. The circular dichrosim (CD) results exhibited that
      the secondary structure of the peptide was changed upon interactions with Dox.
      Mechanistic studies revealed that endocytosis is the major pathway of the
      internalization. These studies suggest that PAs containing the appropriate
      sequence of amino acids, chain length, charge, and hydrophobicity can be used as
      cellular delivery tools for transporting drugs and biomolecules. 

PMID- 24215134
TI  - Sport and nonsport etiologies of mild traumatic brain injury: similarities and
      differences.
AB  - Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has recently gained appreciation as a
      significant public health problem, which has highlighted just how little is known
      about its proximal and long-term effects. A major challenge in the study of mTBI
      is the heterogeneity of the condition. Research on mTBI has historically
      separated sport and nonsport etiologies, and the extent to which research from
      one of these samples translates to the other is unclear. This review examines the
      literature on mTBI, with a focus on comparing sport and nonsport etiologies with
      regard to the latest research on biomechanics, pathophysiology, neurocognitive
      effects, and neuroimaging. Issues of particular relevance to sports injuries,
      such as exercise, repetitive injuries, subconcussive blows, and chronic injury
      effects, are also reviewed. 

PMID- 24215136
TI  - Free-floating pyogenic granuloma of the lacrimal sac.
AB  - The authors report a 13-month-old girl with chronic dacryocystitis, and history
      of three times probing and once inferior turbinate infracture. She underwent
      dacryocystorhinostomy due to failure of previous procedures. During surgery a
      free floating reddish mass was extracted from the lacrimal sac. Histopathologic
      examination revealed the mass to be a pyogenic granuloma.

PMID- 24215135
TI  - Understanding factors that influence protective glove use among automotive spray
      painters.
AB  - Dermal contact with isocyanate-based coatings may lead to systemic respiratory
      sensitization. The most common isocyanates found in sprayed automotive coatings
      are monomeric and oligomeric 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and isophorone
      diisocyanate (IPDI). Most spray painters use thin (4-5 mil) latex gloves that are
      not effective at preventing dermal exposures when spraying isocyanate paints.
      Personal interviews with collision repair industry personnel and focus groups
      with spray painters were held to characterize risk awareness, to examine
      perceptions and challenges concerning protective glove use and selection, and to
      generate ideas for protective glove use interventions. The most popular gloves
      among spray painters were thin (4-5 mil) and thick (14 mil) latex. We found that
      medium to thick (6-8 mil) nitrile were not always perceived as comfortable and
      were expected to be more expensive than thin (4-5 mil) latex gloves. Of concern
      is the user's difficulty in distinguishing between nitrile and latex gloves;
      latex gloves are now sold in different colors including blue, which has
      traditionally been associated with nitrile gloves. Even though spray painters
      were familiar with the health hazards related to working with isocyanate paints,
      most were not always aware that dermal exposure to isocyanates could contribute
      to the development of occupational asthma. There is a need for more research to
      identify dermal materials that are protective against sprayed automotive
      coatings. Automotive spray painters and their employers need to be educated in
      the selection and use of protective gloves, specifically on attributes such as
      glove material, color, and thickness. 

PMID- 24215137
TI  - Wells-Dawson cages as molecular refrigerants.
AB  - Five clusters with the general formula [Ni6Gd6(MU3-OH)2(MU2
      OAc)2(O3PR)6(O2C(t)Bu)16], where R = methyl (1), phenyl (2), n-hexyl (3), benzyl
      (4), n-octyl (5), have been prepared. All of the clusters have a {Ni6Gd6P6} core
      that can be related to the Wells-Dawson ion. We have also prepared analogues
      where the gadolinium is replaced with diamagnetic yttrium: [Ni6Y6(MU3-OH)2(MU2
      OAc)2(O3PR)6(O2C(t)Bu)16] (R = methyl (6), n-hexyl (7), benzyl (8), n-octyl (9)),
      allowing the magnetic exchange within the {Ni3} units to be analyzed by modeling
      as the sum of two noninteracting isosceles triangles. The variation in the
      magnetic entropy changes for magnetization (-DeltaSM) among compounds 1-5 could
      be attributed not only to the molecular weight of the compounds but also to
      intramolecular magnetic interactions. 

PMID- 24215138
TI  - Perception of masculinity amongst young Malaysian men: a qualitative study of
      university students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perception of Masculinity plays an important role in men's lifestyles
      and health behaviors. Although, the importance of masculinity has been widely
      discussed in men's health literature, very little is known about the meanings of
      masculinity in the Malaysian setting. This research aimed to explore the meanings
      of masculinity among Malaysian university men. METHODS: This qualitative study
      utilized in-depth interviews with 34 young Malaysian university men, aged 20-30
      years from three main ethnic groups in Malaysia (Malay, Chinese and Indian).
      Thematic analysis approach was used to extract data. NVIVO v8 qualitative
      software was used for data management. RESULTS: From the data collected several
      concepts emerged that reflected the meanings of masculinity from the
      participants' view points. These meanings were associated with a combination of
      traditional and non-traditional norms that generally benefit men who behave
      according to culturally dominant role expectations. These included: "Having a
      good body shape", "being respected", "having success with women", "being a family
      man", and "having financial independence". Socio-cultural factors, such as family
      environment, religion, public media and popular life style patterns helped to
      shape and reinforce the meanings of masculinities among university men.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the university context provided a
      particular culture for construction and reinforcement of the meanings of
      masculinities, which should be considered by the educators to help in development
      of healthy masculinities.

PMID- 24215139
TI  - Recent insights into NF-kappaB signalling pathways and the link between
      inflammation and prostate cancer.
AB  - Inflammation is involved in regulation of cellular events in prostate
      carcinogenesis through control of the tumour micro-environment. A variety of bone
      marrow-derived cells, including CD4+ lymphocytes, macrophages and myeloid-derived
      suppressor cells, are integral components of the tumour micro-environment. On
      activation by inflammatory cytokines, NF-kappaB complexes are capable of
      promoting tumour cell survival through anti-apoptotic signalling in prostate
      cancer (PCa). Positive feedback loops are able to maintain NF-kappaB activation.
      NF-kappaB activation is also associated with the metastatic phenotype and PCa
      progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). A novel role for
      inhibitor of NF-kappaB kinase (IKK)-alpha in NF-kappaB-independent PCa
      progression to metastasis and CRPC has recently been uncovered, providing a new
      mechanistic link between inflammation and PCa. Expansion of PCa progenitors by
      IKK-alpha may be involved in this process. In this review, we offer the latest
      evidence regarding the role of the NF-kappaB pathway in PCa and discuss
      therapeutic attempts to target the NF-kappaB pathways. We point out the need to
      further dissect inflammatory pathways in PCa in order to develop appropriate
      preventive measures and design novel therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 24215140
TI  - Relationship between fear of falling and mobility varies with visual function
      among older adults.
AB  - AIM: The present study examined the association between vision, fear of falling
      and fear-related activity restriction, and assessed the effect of vision on the
      relationship between fear of falling and mobility, using data from a nationally
      representative sample of community-dwelling adults aged >= 50 years. METHODS:
      Participants (n=5003) completed an interview and health assessment (including
      Timed Up-and-Go, vision and cognitive tests). Visual acuity and contrast
      sensitivity were assessed using an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study
      logMAR chart and Functional Vision Analyzer, respectively. Participants self
      reported their vision as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor. They were
      assigned to no fear of falling, fear without activity restriction and fear with
      activity restriction groups. Logistic regression models examined the relationship
      between vision, fear of falling and activity restriction. Linear regression
      models were used to examine the main and interaction effects of fear of falling,
      self-reported vision, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity on mobility after
      adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Poorer self-reported vision was independently
      associated with fear of falling and fear-related activity restriction (P<0.05),
      but visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were not. Participants with the lowest
      visual acuity and contrast sensitivity levels, combined with fear-related
      activity restriction, had slower Timed Up-and-Go than those in the highest visual
      performance quartiles (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Participants' perceptions of visual
      function were related to fear of falling and activity restriction, but this was
      not explained by other visual factors measured here. However, poorer visual
      acuity and contrast sensitivity did moderate the relationship between fear
      related activity restriction and mobility, highlighting the importance of a
      comprehensive vision assessment especially in individuals with fear of falling.

PMID- 24215141
TI  - Microparticles of rifampicin: comparison of pulmonary route with oral route for
      drug uptake by alveolar macrophages, phagocytosis activity and toxicity study in
      albino rats.
AB  - CONTEXT: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease with increasing
      incidence of drug resistance. Oral treatment for TB and multidrug resistance
      (MDR)-TB can have serious side effects. The causative agent of TB, Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis, resides in alveolar macrophages (AM). Pulmonary administration of
      anti-TB drugs can help in delivery of high concentration to AM. The ability of AM
      to phagocytose can also be utilized to generate mycobactericidal nitric oxide
      (NO) to improve efficacy of anti-TB drugs. OBJECTIVE: To compare the uptake of
      rifampicin (RIF) by AM post oral and pulmonary administration of RIF
      microparticles (RM) and to compare hepatotoxicity and phagocytosis activity.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: RM were produced by spray drying process. RM were
      administered to rats through oral as well as intratracheal route. The uptake of
      RIF by AM and liver was measured. NO was measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
      fluid. SGOT and SGPT levels were measured in serum. RESULTS: Significantly higher
      (p < 0.05) concentration of RIF was found in AM post intratracheal
      administration. NO production was also significantly higher but less than toxic
      level. SGOT and SGPT levels as well as uptake of RIF by liver were indicative of
      no hepatotoxicity post intratracheal administration. DISCUSSION: Phagocytosis of
      RM post intratracheal administration leads to significantly higher drug level in
      AM as well as production of significantly higher levels of NO. CONCLUSION: The
      administration of RM as dry powder inhalation (DPI) formulation may reduce
      treatment time of TB and chances of drug resistance TB.

PMID- 24215142
TI  - The development of a national children's formulary.
AB  - The British National Formulary has been in existence for over 30 years. The
      prescribing of medicines for children has been less well organized. Many
      medicines used in children have never been tested in the appropriate age groups
      and have been prescribed 'off-label'. This has led to safety issues and concerns
      that children continued to be treated as second-class citizens. The first attempt
      at the development of a national formulary specifically for prescribing in
      children occurred in 1999 with the publication of 'Medicines for Children'. This
      generated much national and international interest resulting in the government
      agreeing to fund the development and production of the first British National
      Formulary for Children in 2005. This article charts the process and progress of
      the formulary to the present day.

PMID- 24215143
TI  - The relationship between sub-clinical obsessive-compulsive symptoms and social
      cognition in chronic schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Comorbid obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms in individuals with a
      primary diagnosis of schizophrenia are related to poorer cognitive performance
      and functional outcomes, but no study to date has assessed whether this
      comorbidity might also have implications for social cognition. The aim of the
      present study was to provide the first test of this possibility. DESIGN AND
      METHODS: Individuals with schizophrenia (n = 34) and demographically matched non
      clinical controls (n = 44) were assessed on two of the most important aspects of
      social cognitive function (1) facial affect recognition and (2) theory of mind,
      alongside more standard measures of cognitive function. RESULTS: The presence of
      OC symptoms was related to poorer performance on some of the cognitive measures,
      as well as one of the social cognitive measures (facial affect recognition).
      However, these relationships disappeared after controlling for scores on more
      general indices of schizophrenia psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of OC
      symptoms in schizophrenia is not only associated with increased cognitive
      impairment but also increased difficulties with at least some aspects of social
      cognitive function. However, these relationships appear to reflect the elevated
      levels of psychopathology seen in this cohort more generally, rather than being
      uniquely attributable to OC symptomatology.

PMID- 24215144
TI  - Interpersonal problems across anxiety, depression, and eating disorders: a
      transdiagnostic examination.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Integrative models of psychopathology suggest that quality of
      interpersonal relationships is a key determinant of psychological well-being.
      However, there is a relative paucity of research evaluating the association
      between interpersonal problems and psychopathology within cognitive behavioural
      therapy. Partly, this may be due to lack of brief, well-validated, and easily
      interpretable measures of interpersonal problems that can be used within clinical
      settings. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric
      properties, factor invariance, and external validity of the Inventory of
      Interpersonal Problems 32 (IIP-32) across anxiety, depression, and eating
      disorders. METHODS: Two treatment-seeking samples with principal anxiety and
      depressive disorders (AD sample, n = 504) and eating disorders (ED sample, n =
      339) completed the IIP-32 along with measures of anxiety, depression, and eating
      disorder symptoms, as well as quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: The previously
      established eight-factor structure of the IIP-32 provided the best fit for both
      the AD and ED groups, and was robustly invariant across the two samples. The IIP
      32 also demonstrated excellent external validity against well-validated measures
      of anxiety, depression, and eating disorder symptoms, as well as QoL. CONCLUSION:
      The IIP-32 provides a clinically useful measure of interpersonal problems across
      emotional and ED.

PMID- 24215145
TI  - Why self-critical patients present with more severe eating disorder pathology:
      the mediating role of shame.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Gilbert (Compassion: Conceptualisations, Research, and Use in
      Psychotherapy. London: Routledge, 2005) theorized that self-critical individuals
      have more severe psychopathology due in part to their elevated feelings of shame.
      We sought to test this model in a sample of eating disorder sufferers. METHOD:
      Seventy-four patients admitted to a specialized day or inpatient eating disorders
      treatment programme completed the Forms of Self-Criticism and Self-Reassurance
      Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory, Experience of Shame Scale, Beck
      Depression Inventory, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Eating Disorder
      Examination Questionnaire. RESULTS: We tested our mediational model with Preacher
      and Hayes' (Behavior Research Methods, 40, 879, 2008) bootstrapping approach
      entering self-criticism as a predictor, self-esteem as a covariate, and shame,
      negative affect, positive affect, and depressive symptoms as simultaneous
      mediators. Applying a 95% confidence interval, the total indirect effect of self
      criticism on eating disorder pathology was significantly different from zero
      suggesting that its influence occurred through the proposed set of mediators.
      Specific indirect effects revealed that shame was the only mediator to contribute
      significantly to the model. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the theory that among
      eating disorder patients, higher self-criticism is associated with elevated
      eating disorder pathology through feelings of shame. Interventions that target
      the shame of self-critical patients might therefore facilitate their recovery.

PMID- 24215146
TI  - The contribution of shame to post-psychotic trauma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The current study examined shame in a clinical sample recovering from
      a first episode of psychosis by focusing on the contribution of different types
      of shame to post-psychotic trauma while controlling for current affective
      symptoms. DESIGN: The study used a cross-sectional correlational design. METHOD:
      Fifty individuals who met the criteria for a psychotic disorder whose acute
      psychotic symptoms were in remission completed measures of internal and external
      shame associated with psychosis, general shame, post-psychotic trauma, and
      depression. RESULTS: Post-psychotic trauma symptoms were correlated with internal
      and external shame associated with psychosis and general shame. However, the
      relation between post-psychotic trauma and external shame associated with
      psychosis remained after controlling for general shame and current affective
      symptoms. In addition, internal shame had a stronger association with depression.
      Thus, internal and external shame due to psychosis had different associations
      with different types of post-psychotic emotional dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results support the importance of assessing shame as a multi-faceted construct
      and suggest that assessing shame directly associated with mental illness is a
      worthwhile endeavour.

PMID- 24215147
TI  - The mental health, emotional literacy, cognitive ability, literacy attainment and
      'resilience' of 'looked after children': a multidimensional, multiple-rater
      population based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Existing research studies suggest that children who are looked after
      by the State experience high levels of mental health difficulties and
      underachieve in many other domains. Few studies, however, aim to reflect the
      heterogeneity of these children and those who are performing well may be under
      represented in the findings. This study aims to provide a more representative
      picture, offering novel data on resilience. DESIGN: A multidimensional, multiple
      rater population-based study of looked after children. METHOD: The entire
      population of looked after children aged 7-15 years (n = 193) in one local
      authority was assessed in core domains; mental health, emotional literacy,
      cognitive ability and literacy attainment. Measures included the Strength and
      Difficulties questionnaire, Emotional Literacy Assessment and Intervention
      Inventory, and the British Ability Scales. The children's data were compared with
      general population norms and existing research studies. The incidence of
      resilience, defined by the fulfilment of positive exception criteria, was
      recorded. Children fulfilling positive exception criteria were then compared to
      the remaining children on key factors. RESULTS: The looked after children
      performed less well in all domains compared with general population norms.
      Sixteen per cent of children met the positive exception criteria. Positive
      performance on individual measures varied from 34% to 76%. A statistically
      significant association was found between positive exception classification and
      two factors; parental contact and mainstream schooling. CONCLUSIONS: In general
      terms, this study supports the findings of previous research studies. However,
      evidence of positive exceptions across and within all domains cautions against
      overgeneralization of findings. The findings also implicate parental contact and
      mainstream education in the promotion of resilience.

PMID- 24215148
TI  - Exploring change processes in compassion focused therapy in psychosis: results of
      a feasibility randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Compassion focused therapy (CFT) was developed to stimulate
      capacities for soothing and affiliation to self and others as a way to regulate
      the threat system. This feasibility study aimed to assess the safety, the
      acceptability, the potential benefits, and associated change processes of using
      group CFT with people recovering from psychosis. DESIGN: A prospective,
      randomized, open-label, blinded end point evaluation design was used. METHOD:
      Forty adult patients with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder were randomized to
      CFT plus treatment as usual (TAU; n = 22) or to TAU alone (n = 18). Group CFT
      comprised 16 sessions (2 hr each, 1 x week). Participants were assessed prior to
      randomization and at the end of treatment. Assessments included semi-structured
      interviews to elicit narratives of recovery from psychosis and self-report
      measures. At the end of treatment, participants were rated on the Clinical Global
      Impression Scale. Narratives were coded using the Narrative Recovery Style Scale
      to provide measures of change in compassion and avoidance. Change processes were
      correlated with changes in depression, personal beliefs about illness, fear of
      recurrence, and positive and negative affect. RESULTS: Group CFT was associated
      with no adverse events, low attrition (18%), and high acceptability. Relative to
      TAU, CFT was associated with greater observed clinical improvement (p < 0.001)
      and significant increases in compassion (p = 0.015) of large magnitude. Relative
      to TAU, increases in compassion in the CFT group were significantly associated
      with reductions in depression (p = 0.001) and in perceived social marginalization
      (p = 0.002). DISCUSSION: Findings support the feasibility of group CFT in
      psychosis and suggest that changes in compassion can be achieved, which appear to
      reduce depression in particular. This is the first randomized controlled
      evaluation of CFT. CONCLUSION: Compassion focused therapy appears as a safe,
      acceptable, promising, and evolving intervention for promoting emotional recovery
      from psychosis.

PMID- 24215149
TI  - Emotional differentiation and parental bonding in inpatients suffering from
      eating disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed (1) to determine whether inpatients with eating
      disorders (EDs) have difficulty differentiating their emotions and being aware of
      the emotions of others; (2) to investigate the link between actual skills in
      emotional awareness and the sense of self-efficacy concerning these skills; and
      (3) to assess the impact of the quality of parental bonding on patients' levels
      of emotional awareness. METHODS: A sample of 44 inpatients with EDs, including a
      subgroup of 25 patients with restricting type anorexia nervosa (AR) and a
      subgroup of 19 patients with purging symptoms (PUR), were compared with 37
      controls. All participants completed measures on emotional awareness (using the
      Level of Emotional Awareness Scale [LEAS]), alexithymia (using the Toronto
      Alexithymia Scale-20 [TAS-20]), and parental bonding (using the Parental Bonding
      Inventory). RESULTS: Inpatients with EDs reported difficulties in identifying and
      describing their feelings when using the self-report questionnaire (TAS-20).
      However, using a performance-based instrument (LEAS), inpatients with ED
      exhibited no deficits in differentiating their emotional states, although AR
      patients experienced difficulties when differentiating the emotional states of
      others. Moreover, there was no significant association between the TAS-20 and the
      LEAS scores, suggesting that the two measurements provide insight into different
      aspects of emotional processing. Regression analyses showed that maternal care
      had a positive influence on emotional awareness in the AR subgroup, whereas
      maternal overprotection had a negative influence on emotional awareness in PUR
      subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatients with EDs do not present with deficits in
      personal emotional awareness despite their self-perception. AR patients showed
      deficits in the emotional awareness of others. In patients with EDs, perceived
      maternal bonding influenced the development of emotional awareness, and this
      influence was dependent on the type of ED. Psychotherapies that focus on maternal
      bonding and emotional communication within the family unit may enhance emotional
      awareness in patients with anorexia or subclinical eating pathologies as an
      alternative.

PMID- 24215150
TI  - Adolescent loneliness and psychiatric morbidity in Northern Ireland.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous research has identified an association between loneliness and
      psychiatric morbidity, but many of the studies have been based on small
      convenience samples and have not always used standardized measures. AIMS AND
      METHODS: This study aimed to assess the association between standardized measures
      of loneliness and psychiatric morbidity using data from a large sample of
      adolescents from Northern Ireland (Young Life and Times Survey, 2011). A total of
      1,434 participants completed the survey. RESULTS: The prevalence of loneliness
      and psychiatric morbidity was 15.6% and 28.4% respectively. A multivariate binary
      logistic regression was used to identify the significant correlates of
      psychiatric morbidity. Demographic and loneliness variables were entered as
      covariates and female gender and perceptions of familial poverty were
      significantly associated with GHQ caseness. Loneliness increased the likelihood
      of GHQ caseness by more than five times. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent loneliness is
      significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity for Northern Irish
      adolescents. School-based screening and interventions to reduce loneliness may
      reduce the prevalence of loneliness.

PMID- 24215151
TI  - Therapeutic effect of farnesylthiosalicylic acid on adjuvant-induced arthritis
      through suppressed release of inflammatory cytokines.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by pronounced
      inflammation and leucocyte infiltration in affected joints. Despite significant
      therapeutic advances, a new targeted approach is needed. Our objective in this
      work was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Ras inhibitor
      farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS) on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats, an
      experimental model for RA. Following AIA induction in Lewis rats by intradermal
      injection of heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis, rats were treated with
      either FTS or dexamethasone and assessed daily for paw swelling. Joints were
      imaged by magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography and analysed
      histologically. The anti-inflammatory effect of FTS was assessed by serum assay
      of multiple cytokines. After adjuvant injection rats demonstrated paw swelling,
      leucocyte infiltration, cytokine secretion and activation of Ras-effector
      pathways. Upon FTS treatment these changes reverted almost to normal.
      Histopathological analysis revealed that the synovial hyperplasia and leucocyte
      infiltration observed in the arthritic rats were alleviated by FTS. Periarticular
      bony erosions were averted. Efficacy of FTS treatment was also demonstrated by
      inhibition of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell proliferation and of interferon (IFN)
      gamma, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17 release.
      The Ras effectors PI3K, protein kinase B (AKT), p38, and extracellular-regulated
      kinase (ERK) were significantly attenuated and forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)
      transcription factor, a marker of regulatory T cells, was significantly
      increased. Thus, FTS possesses significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic
      properties and accordingly shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for RA.
      Its effects are apparently mediated, at least in part, by a decrease in
      proinflammatory cytokines. 

PMID- 24215152
TI  - The psychometric properties of the sexual excitation/sexual inhibition inventory
      for women (SESII-W) within a Dutch population.
AB  - According to the dual control model, sexual arousal is dependent on the
      disposition for both sexual excitation (SE) and sexual inhibition (SI; Bancroft,
      1999). Individual variability in sexual inhibition and sexual excitation could
      partly explain individual differences in sexual arousability and the likelihood
      of experiencing sexual problems (Bancroft, Graham, Janssen, & Sanders, 2009). The
      Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) is a
      questionnaire developed to measure the factors sexual excitation and sexual
      inhibition (Graham, Sanders, & Milhausen, 2006). This study describes the
      validation of the Dutch version of the SESII-W in a sample of 445 women. Using
      confirmatory factor analysis, we determined that the eight lower-order factor
      model achieved adequate fit to the data. A decrement in fit was noted when the
      two higher-order factors SE and SI were included in the model. The measure
      demonstrated good construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest
      reliability. Furthermore, the scores of women with sexual problems differed from
      those without sexual problems, providing evidence for the discriminant validity
      of the SESII-W.

PMID- 24215153
TI  - Applanation pressure function in Goldmann tonometry and its correction.
AB  - So far applanation tonometry has not worked out any theoretical basis for
      correcting the result of intraocular pressure measurement carried out on a cornea
      with noncalibration dimensions by means of the Goldmann tonometer. All the tables
      of instrument reading corrections for cornea thickness or cornea curvature radius
      are based exclusively on measurements. This paper represents an attempt at
      creating a mechanical description of corneal apex deformation in Goldmann
      applanation tonometry. The functional dependence between intraocular pressure and
      the pressure exerted on the corneal apex by the tonometer was determined from a
      biomechanical model. Numerical GAT simulations, in which this function was also
      interrelated with the cornea's curvature radius and thickness were run and a
      constitutive equation for applanation tonometry, i.e. a full analytical
      description of intraocular pressure as a function of the above variables, was
      derived on this basis. The correction factors were defined and an algorithm for
      correcting the measured pressure was formulated. The presented formalism puts the
      results of experimental tonometry in new light. Analytical correction factors
      need not to come exclusively from measurements. A geometric interdependence
      between them and their dependence on pressure have been revealed. The theoretical
      description of applanation tonometry contained in the constitutive equation
      consists of a pressure function developed for a cornea with calibration
      dimensions and a coefficient correcting this calibration function, dependent
      exclusively on the cornea's actual thickness and curvature radius. The
      calibration function is a generalization of the Imbert-Fick law. 

PMID- 24215154
TI  - Constitutive expression of HCA(2) in human retina and primary human retinal
      pigment epithelial cells.
AB  - PURPOSE/AIM: HCA2, a receptor of beta-hydroxybutyrate and niacin, has recently
      been described in mouse retina and immortalized human retinal pigment epithelial
      (RPE) cell lines. As HCA2 might be a pharmacologic target, e.g. in diabetic
      retinopathy, we studied its expression in human retina and primary human RPE
      cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin sections of human retina and primary human
      RPE cells were obtained from human donor eyes. Expression of HCA2 in human retina
      was investigated by immunohistochemistry of paraffin sections and by RT-PCR. HCA2
      expression in primary human RPE cells was examined by immunocytochemistry and by
      Western-blot analysis. RESULTS: Positive immunohistochemical staining for HCA2
      was found in paraffin sections of human retina, and positive immunocytochemical
      staining for HCA2 in primary human RPE cells. RT-PCR analysis detected mRNA
      expression of HCA2 in human retina. The expression of HCA2 protein was found in
      primary human RPE cells. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, HCA2 appears to be
      constitutively expressed in human retina and in primary human RPE cells. Although
      its functional role is still unknown, HCA2 may be potentially involved in the
      pathogenesis of various retinopathies and may offer a new therapeutic target.

PMID- 24215155
TI  - Guidelines for gastroenterological endoscopy in patients undergoing
      antithrombotic treatment.
AB  - Guidelines for gastroenterological endoscopy in patients undergoing
      antithrombotic treatment have been produced by the Japan Gastroenterological
      Endoscopy Society in collaboration with the Japan Circulation Society, the
      Japanese Society of Neurology, the Japan Stroke Society, the Japanese Society on
      Thrombosis and Hemostasis and the Japan Diabetes Society. Previous guidelines
      from the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society have focused primarily on
      prevention of hemorrhage after gastroenterological endoscopy as a result of
      continuation ofantithrombotic therapy, without considering the associated risk of
      thrombosis. The new edition of the guidelines includes discussions of
      gastroenterological hemorrhage associated with continuation of antithrombotic
      therapy, as well as thromboembolism associated with withdrawal of antithrombotic
      therapy. 

PMID- 24215156
TI  - "Homeopathic" palladium nanoparticle catalysis of cross carbon-carbon coupling
      reactions.
AB  - Catalysis by palladium derivatives is now one of the most important tools in
      organic synthesis. Whether researchers design palladium nanoparticles (NPs) or
      nanoparticles occur as palladium complexes decompose, these structures can serve
      as central precatalysts in common carbon-carbon bond formation. Palladium NPs are
      also valuable alternatives to molecular catalysts because they do not require
      costly and toxic ligands. In this Account, we review the role of "homeopathic"
      palladium catalysts in carbon-carbon coupling reactions. Seminal studies from the
      groups of Beletskaya, Reetz, and de Vries showed that palladium NPs can catalyze
      Heck and Suzuki-Miyaura reactions with aryl iodides and, in some cases, aryl
      bromides at part per million levels. As a result, researchers coined the term
      "homeopathic" palladium catalysis. Industry has developed large-scale
      applications of these transformations. In addition, chemists have used Crooks'
      concept of dendrimer encapsulation to set up efficient nanofilters for Suzuki
      Miyaura and selective Heck catalysis, although these transformations required
      high PdNP loading. With arene-centered, ferrocenyl-terminated dendrimers
      containing triazolyl ligands in the tethers, we designed several generations of
      dendrimers to compare their catalytic efficiencies, varied the numbers of Pd
      atoms in the PdNPs, and examined encapsulation vs stabilization. The catalytic
      efficiencies achieved "homeopathic" (TON = 540 000) behavior no matter the PdNP
      size and stabilization type. The TON increased with decreasing the Pd/substrate
      ratio, which suggested a leaching mechanism. Recently, we showed that water
      soluble arene-centered dendrimers with tri(ethylene glycol) (TEG) tethers
      stabilized PdNPs involving supramolecular dendritic assemblies because of the
      interpenetration of the TEG branches. Such PdNPs are stable and retain their
      "homeopathic" catalytic activities for Suzuki-Miyaura reactions for months. (TONs
      can reach 2.7 * 10(6) at 80  degrees C for aryl bromides and similar values for
      aryl iodides at 28  degrees C.) Sonogashira reactions catalyzed by these PdNPs
      are quantitative with only 0.01% Pd/mol substrate. Kato's group has reported
      remarkable catalytic efficiencies for mesoporous catalysts formed by
      polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer polymerizations. These and other mesoporous
      structures could allow for catalyst recycling, with efficiencies approaching the
      "homeopathic" behavior. In recent examples of Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of aryl
      chlorides, chemists achieved truly "homeopathic" catalysis when a surfactant such
      as a tetra-n-butylammonium halide or an imidazolium salt was used in
      stoichiometric quantities with substrate. These results suggest that the reactive
      halide anion of the salt attacks the neutral Pd species to form a palladate. In
      the case of aryl chlorides, the reaction may occur through the difficult, rate
      limiting oxidative-addition step. 

PMID- 24215157
TI  - Improved virological suppression in children on antiretroviral treatment
      receiving community-based adherence support: a multicentre cohort study from
      South Africa.
AB  - Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is a challenge in childhood, and
      children on ART have reduced virological suppression compared to adults. This
      study evaluated the effect of community-based adherence support (CBAS) on
      virological outcomes amongst children receiving ART in four South African
      provinces. Patient Advocates are lay CBAS workers who provide adherence and
      psychosocial support for patients, undertaking home visits to address household
      challenges affecting adherence. Patient Advocates provide counselling for
      children's carers regarding adherence and psychosocial problems. A multicentre
      cohort study using routinely collected data was conducted at 57 public ART sites
      including ART-naive children (<16 years) starting ART. Virological suppression
      until four years of ART was compared between children who received and did not
      receive CBAS. Analyses were by intention-to-treat, controlling for confounding
      using multivariable generalised estimating equations. A total of 4853 children
      were included, of whom 982 (20.2%) received CBAS. The median baseline age was 6.3
      years and the baseline CD4 cell percentage was 12.0%; both were equivalent
      between the two groups. CBAS children had more advanced baseline clinical disease
      (62.1% vs. 52.6% World Health Organisation stages III or IV; P < 0.0001). A total
      of 5908 viral load results were analysed. Virological suppression was 65.6% (95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 62.7-68.4%) vs. 55.5% (95% CI: 54.1-57.0%) in CBAS and
      non-CBAS children, respectively, at any time-point on treatment (P < 0.0001). In
      analyses controlling for baseline clinical, demographic, site-related variables
      and time on ART, children receiving CBAS were more likely to achieve virological
      suppression, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.60 (95% CI: 1.35-1.89; P < 0.0001). The
      effect of CBAS increased in magnitude with increasing durations of ART, and CBAS
      particularly improved virological suppression in a higher-risk subgroup (children
      younger than two years, aOR 2.47 [95% CI: 1.59-3.84]). CBAS was associated with
      improved virological suppression in children receiving ART. Expanded
      implementation of this low-cost intervention should be considered in resource
      poor settings. 

PMID- 24215158
TI  - Immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma: where are
      we now?
AB  - Immunotherapy with cytokines was the first effective treatment in metastatic
      renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Long-term responders and complete remissions were
      observed, but efficacy in the overall population was limited with the consequence
      that targeted agents replaced cytokines. The discovery of tumor associated
      antigens as direct targets paved the way from theses rather unspecific to
      specific immunotherapeutic strategies, which are discussed in this review.
      Autologous or dendritic cell (DC) based tumor vaccination with vitespen or AGS
      003, adoptive T-cell transfer and synthetic peptide vaccination with IMA901 are
      new and promising approaches. Besides that the more passive strategies of
      antibody dependent cytotoxicity with the VEGF antibody bevacizumab or the
      carbonic anhydrase IX antibody girentuximab are discussed. Immunomodulation by
      cyclophosphamide, tyrosine kinase inhibitors or nivolumab, which targets the PD-1
      axis, further promote T-cell activation and combinatory strategies with these
      agents are outlined. 

PMID- 24215159
TI  - Attachment security in young foster children: continuity from 2 to 3 years of
      age.
AB  - The present study investigated attachment patterns among 60 foster children (FC)
      and 42 comparison children (CC) at 2 years (T1) and again at 3 years (T2) of age,
      as well as stability from T1 to T2. Descriptive analyses, including cross
      tabulation, were used to present attachment patterns, group differences and
      stability from T1 to T2. Most FC were securely attached at T1, and no group
      differences were identified; neither the FC nor CC differed from typical children
      in their attachment patterns. Furthermore, the majority of children in both
      groups received the same classification at both time points. Among FC who were
      securely attached at T1, a majority remained so at T2, while among those
      classified as disorganized at T1, significantly less remained so at T2. The study
      suggests that young FC have the possibility to form enduring secure attachments
      when placed in stable and well-functioning foster homes. 

PMID- 24215160
TI  - Measurement of factor IX activity in plasma-derived and recombinant concentrates:
      insights from thrombin generation and activation-based assays.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemophilia B, resulting from a deficiency of coagulation factor IX,
      is treated effectively with either recombinant FIX (r-FIX) or plasma-derived FIX
      (pd-FIX) concentrates, although differences in pharmacokinetics are observed. FIX
      is activated in vivo by both activated FXI (FXIa) and tissue factor (TF)
      activated FVII (FVIIa); however, conventional activated partial thromboplastin
      time (APTT)-based assays assess only activation by FXIa. OBJECTIVES: To examine
      the differences between pd-FIX and r-FIX concentrates with respect to their
      thrombogenicity and activation. METHODS AND RESULTS: FIX ELISA was used to
      quantify antigenic FIX. Calibrated automated thrombography was performed to
      evaluate the effect of FIX on thrombin generation. FIXa was quantified by the
      cleavage of FIXa-specific chromogenic substrate. FIX activation was studied in a
      purified system. RESULTS: We found that r-FIX had ~ 1.6-fold greater specific
      activity than pd-FIX. r-FIX generated a markedly higher thrombin peak than pd-FIX
      at an equivalent antigen level when coagulation was initiated by TF, but this was
      not seen in contact activation-triggered thrombin generation (TG). Interestingly,
      the amount of FIXa in r-FIX concentrate was 10 times higher than that in pd-FIX
      concentrate. In a purified system, the amount of r-FIXa generated by FXIa in the
      first 10 min of activation was 1.37-fold that of pd-FIXa, whereas no difference
      between the concentrates was observed when triggered by TF-FVIIa. CONCLUSIONS:
      Clear differences were observed between pd-FIX and r-FIX concentrates, including
      the proportion of FIXa and the activation by FXIa. These may explain some of the
      discrepancies observed clinically, and suggest that the APTT may not reflect
      their resultant in vivo properties.

PMID- 24215161
TI  - Whole genome comparative analysis of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) with
      four model fish species.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Comparative mapping is a powerful tool to study evolution of genomes.
      It allows transfer of genome information from the well-studied model species to
      non-model species. Catfish is an economically important aquaculture species in
      United States. A large amount of genome resources have been developed from
      catfish including genetic linkage maps, physical maps, BAC end sequences (BES),
      integrated linkage and physical maps using BES-derived markers, physical map
      contig-specific sequences, and draft genome sequences. Application of such genome
      resources should allow comparative analysis at the genome scale with several
      other model fish species. RESULTS: In this study, we conducted whole genome
      comparative analysis between channel catfish and four model fish species with
      fully sequenced genomes, zebrafish, medaka, stickleback and Tetraodon. A total of
      517 Mb draft genome sequences of catfish were anchored to its genetic linkage
      map, which accounted for 62% of the total draft genome sequences. Based on the
      location of homologous genes, homologous chromosomes were determined among
      catfish and the four model fish species. A large number of conserved syntenic
      blocks were identified. Analysis of the syntenic relationships between catfish
      and the four model fishes supported that the catfish genome is most similar to
      the genome of zebrafish. CONCLUSION: The organization of the catfish genome is
      similar to that of the four teleost species, zebrafish, medaka, stickleback, and
      Tetraodon such that homologous chromosomes can be identified. Within each
      chromosome, extended syntenic blocks were evident, but the conserved syntenies at
      the chromosome level involve extensive inter-chromosomal and intra-chromosomal
      rearrangements. This whole genome comparative map should facilitate the whole
      genome assembly and annotation in catfish, and will be useful for genomic studies
      of various other fish species.

PMID- 24215162
TI  - Multiple magnetic mode-based Fano resonance in split-ring resonator/disk
      nanocavities.
AB  - Plasmonic Fano resonance, enabled by the weak interaction between a bright super
      radiant and a subradiant resonance mode, not only is fundamentally interesting,
      but also exhibits potential applications ranging from extraordinary optical
      transmission to biosensing. Here, we demonstrate strong Fano resonances in split
      ring resonators/disk (SRR/D) nanocavities. The high-order magnetic modes are
      observed in SRRs by polarization-resolved transmission spectroscopy. When a disk
      is centered within the SRRs, multiple high-order magnetic modes are coupled to a
      broad electric dipole mode of SRR/D, leading to significant Fano resonance
      spectral features in near-IR regime. The strength and line shape of the Fano
      resonances are tuned through varying the SRR split-angle and interparticle
      distance between SRR and disk. Finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) simulations
      are conducted to understand the coupling mechanism, and the results show good
      agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, the coupled structure gives a
      sensitivity of ~282 nm/RIU with a figure of merit ~4. 

PMID- 24215163
TI  - Assessing National Institutes of Health funding and scholarly impact in
      neurological surgery.
AB  - OBJECT: Research productivity is increasingly important in academic neurological
      surgery and can be measured through a variety of methods, such as publications,
      objective bibliometrics, and securing external grant support. The authors'
      objectives were to determine whether there is an association between scholarly
      impact, as measured by the h index, and successful National Institutes of Health
      (NIH) grant funding awarded to faculty in neurological surgery departments.
      METHODS: Primary investigators receiving National Institutes of Health (NIH)
      awards from Fiscal Years 2011-2013 were organized by academic rank, terminal
      degree, and their h index, as calculated from the Scopus database. These data
      were also obtained for nonfunded faculty from 15 randomly selected departments
      for comparison, and the average h index for each group was calculated. RESULTS:
      National Institutes of Health-funded faculty had higher average h indices than
      their nonfunded colleagues (23.6 vs 10.8, p < 0.0001), a finding that persisted
      upon controlling for academic rank. The mean h index increased with successive
      academic rank in both cohorts; greater funding totals were seen with successive
      academic position (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.05). National Institutes of Health
      funded MDs had higher h indices than their PhD colleagues (p = 0.04), although
      funding levels did not differ significantly. There was a trend of increasing h
      index with higher NIH-funding ranges (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The authors'
      findings demonstrate a strong relationship between scholarly impact and securing
      NIH funding among faculty in academic neurosurgical departments. Faculty
      receiving a greater amount of funding tended to have a higher h index. Mean
      scholarly impact, as measured by the h index, increased with successive academic
      rank among both NIH-funded and nonfunded faculty, suggesting that this
      bibliometric may have utility as an adjunct in the academic appointment and
      promotion process in academic neurological surgery.

PMID- 24215164
TI  - Use of D-mannose in prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in
      women.

PMID- 24215165
TI  - Osmotically controlled pulsatile release capsule of montelukast sodium for
      chronotherapy: statistical optimization, in vitro and in vivo evaluation.
AB  - The purpose of present study was to design, optimize and evaluate osmotically
      controlled pulsatile release capsule (PRC) of montelukast sodium (MKS) for the
      prevention of episodic attack of asthma in early morning and associated allergic
      rhinitis. Assembly of the capsular systems consisted of push, active and plug
      tablet arranged from bottom to top in hard gelatin capsule. The capsule system
      was coated with a semi-permeable membrane of cellulose acetate and drilled
      towards plug side in cap. A three-factor, three-level central composite design
      (CCD) with alpha = 1 was introduced to execute the experiments and quadratic
      polynomial model was generated to predict and assess the independent variables
      with respect to the dependent variables. The composition of optimal formulation
      was determined as weight of push tablet 138 mg (coded value: +0.59), plug tablet
      60 mg (coded value: +0.49) and coating weight gain of 8.4 mg (coded value: 
      0.82). The results showed that the optimal formulation of PRCs had lag time of
      4.5 h, release at 6 and 12 h are 61.95% and 96.29%, respectively. The X-ray
      radiographic imaging study was carried out to monitor the in vivo behavior of
      developed barium sulfate-loaded PRCs in rabbits under fasting conditions. In vivo
      pharmacokinetic study revealed Tmax of 2 h for marketed tablets; however 7 h for
      PRCs with initial lag time of 4 h. Thus designed capsular system may be helpful
      for patients with episodic attack of asthma in early morning and associated
      allergic rhinitis.

PMID- 24215166
TI  - Anhydrous proton conducting materials based on sulfonated
      dimethylphenethylchlorosilane grafted mesoporous silica/ionic liquid composite.
AB  - Efficient membrane proton conductivity at elevated temperatures (>100  degrees C)
      and reduced humidification conditions is a critical issue hindering fuel cell
      commercialization. Herein, proton conducting materials consisting of high surface
      area acid catalyzed mesoporous silica functionalized with sulfonated
      dimethylphenethylchlorosilane was investigated under anhydrous conditions. The
      organic moiety covalently bonded to the silica substrate via active hydroxyl
      groups on the silica pore surface. The structure and dynamic phases of the
      attached organic molecule were characterized and qualitatively determined by XRD,
      TEM, FT-IR, and solid state NMR. The amount of grafted organic molecules was
      estimated to be 2.45 MUmol m(-2) by carbon elemental analysis. The so-formed
      composite materials showed adequate thermal stability up to 300  degrees C as
      determined by TGA. Under anhydrous conditions, ionic conductivity of the
      composite material upon ionic liquid impregnation reaches a peak value of 1.14 *
      10(-2) S cm(-1) at 160  degrees C associated with the activation energy of 9.24
      kJ mol(-1) for proton transport. 

PMID- 24215167
TI  - The cultural context of nondisclosure of alcohol-involved acquaintance rape among
      Asian American college women: a qualitative study.
AB  - With high college enrollment and increasing alcohol use, Asian American (AA)
      college women may be at particular risk for experiencing alcohol-involved
      acquaintance rape. Although AA women have expressed the weakest intentions to
      report rape when compared to other ethnic groups, cultural factors influencing
      these intentions remain unexamined. Guided by grounded theory, 17 self-identified
      AA college women were interviewed about how the average AA college woman would
      respond to an alcohol-involved acquaintance rape. Despite awareness of benefits
      of disclosing rape, participants emphasized that nondisclosure would be the
      normative response. Three themes emerged from participants: institutional,
      sociocultural, and psychological contexts of nondisclosure. At an institutional
      level, nondisclosure referenced mental health and police services, which included
      Asian stereotypes and mistrust of police. Within a sociocultural context, rape
      nondisclosure focused on negative consequences on relationships with parents and,
      to a lesser extent, on friendships. Emotional avoidance and not labeling an
      acquaintance rape as rape were psychological strategies for rape nondisclosure.
      Participant's conceptualizations of mental and physical health concerns,
      specifically post-rape concerns, were framed within sociocultural/macrostructural
      contexts and may not match that of the more individualistic U.S. mainstream
      conceptualizations of health. Culturally sensitive rape education may be more
      effective in increasing rape prevention and support. 

PMID- 24215169
TI  - Ocular sparganosis mimicking an orbital idiopathic inflammatory syndrome.
AB  - Sparganosis is an infection by the parasitic tapeworm larvae of Spirometra
      species. Ocular sparganosis is a rare disease that is easily misdiagnosed. We
      reported a rare case of ocular sparganosis mimicking orbital idiopathic
      inflammatory syndrome at initial presentation. A 34-year-old female presented
      with rapid progressive swelling of her left eyelid and mild proptosis for the
      duration of one month. The other ocular examinations were normal and the thyroid
      function was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a fusiform enlargement
      and mild heterogenous enhancement of the superior oblique muscle of the left
      orbit. First she received prednisolone therapy and the proptosis partially
      improved. Six months later, a white, flat and wrinkled string like worm wriggled
      out from the caruncular conjunctiva of the left eye. The pathology results
      confirmed that the worm was a Spirometra species larva. After removal of the
      larva and treatment with praziquantel, the proptosis was resolved without
      recurrence. Ocular sparganosis is a rare disease and only a few case reports have
      been reported. The drug therapy has not been effective and the surgical removal
      is the principal therapy. Despite its rarity, ocular sparganosis should be
      considered as a possible cause of orbital inflammation in patients.

PMID- 24215168
TI  - A myelopoiesis gene signature during remission in anti-neutrophil cytoplasm
      antibody-associated vasculitis does not predict relapses but seems to reflect
      ongoing prednisolone therapy.
AB  - A myelopoiesis gene signature in circulating leucocytes, exemplified by increased
      myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3) mRNA levels, has been reported in
      patients with active anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis
      (AAV), and to a lesser extent during remission. We hypothesized that this
      signature could predict disease relapse. mRNA levels of PR3, MPO, selected
      myelopoiesis transcription factors [CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBP
      alpha), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (CEBP-beta), SPI1/PU.1-related
      transcription factor (SPIB), spleen focus forming virus proviral integration
      oncogene, PU.1 homologue (SPI1)] and microRNAs (miRNAs) from patient and control
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) were
      analysed and associated with clinical data. Patients in stable remission had
      higher mRNA levels for PR3 (PBMC, PMN) and MPO (PBMC). PR3 and SPIB mRNA
      correlated positively in controls but negatively in patient PBMC. Statistically
      significant correlations existed between PR3 mRNA and several miRNAs in controls,
      but not in patients. PR3/MPO mRNA levels were not associated with previous or
      future relapses, but correlated with steroid treatment. Prednisolone doses were
      negatively linked to SPIB and miR-155-5p, miR-339-5p (PBMC) and to miR-221, miR
      361 and miR-505 (PMN). PR3 mRNA in PBMC correlated with time since last flare,
      blood leucocyte count and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Our results show
      that elevated leucocyte PR3 mRNA levels in AAV patients in remission do not
      predict relapse. The origin seems multi-factorial, but to an important extent
      explainable by prednisolone action. Gene signatures in patients with AAV
      undergoing steroid treatment should therefore be interpreted accordingly. 

PMID- 24215170
TI  - Role of nitric oxide synthase genes in hepatitis E virus infection.
AB  - Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of endemic and epidemic acute
      hepatitis. A correlation between iNOS, eNOS polymorphisms, levels and severity of
      disease has been reported, and here, we examined the role of iNOS and eNOS gene
      polymorphisms and their levels in HEV-related acute viral hepatitis and acute
      liver failure. Hepatitis E virus-related cases of acute hepatitis (294 patients)
      and liver failure (82 patients) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (331
      subjects) were included in the study. PCR-RFLP was performed to identify the
      polymorphisms in the iNOS and eNOS genes. iNOS and eNOS levels were studied using
      ELISA assays and HEV viral load, genotype and combined effects of iNOS genotype,
      levels and parameters for disease severity were examined. The frequency of iNOS
      (CT + TT) and eNOS (GT + TT) genotypes was higher in subjects with liver failure
      compared with controls. iNOS and eNOS levels in patients with acute liver failure
      (55.51 +/- 6.33 IU/mL, 60.2 +/- 3.69) cases were significantly increased as
      compared to patients with acute viral hepatitis (17.8 +/- 6.08 IU/mL, 23.7 +/-
      6.57) and controls (P < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed
      between the iNOS and eNOS levels in our study population when compared with the
      severity of disease parameters. Hence, the iNOS C150T polymorphism and the eNOS
      G894T polymorphism and high levels of iNOS and eNOS are associated with an
      increased risk of HEV-related acute hepatitis and liver failure. This study
      supports the possible role of nitric oxide synthase genes (iNOS and eNOS) in
      determining the severity of HEV infection.

PMID- 24215171
TI  - The H3 antagonist ABT-288 is tolerated at significantly higher exposures in
      subjects with schizophrenia than in healthy volunteers.
AB  - AIMS: ABT-288 is a potent and selective H3 receptor antagonist with procognitive
      effects in several preclinical models. In previous studies, 3 mg once daily was
      the maximal tolerated dose in healthy volunteers. This study characterized the
      safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of ABT-288 in stable subjects with
      schizophrenia. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled,
      dose-escalating study of ABT-288 (10 dose levels, from 1 to 60 mg once daily for
      14 days) in stable subjects with schizophrenia treated with an atypical
      antipsychotic. In each dose group, five to seven and two to three participants
      were assigned to ABT-288 and placebo, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 67
      participants enrolled, nine participants (on ABT-288) were prematurely
      discontinued, in seven of these due to adverse events. ABT-288 was generally safe
      and tolerated at doses up to 45 mg once daily. The most common adverse events, in
      decreasing frequency (from 31 to 5%), were abnormal dreams, headache, insomnia,
      dizziness, somnolence, dysgeusia, dry mouth, psychotic disorder, parosmia and
      tachycardia. Adverse events causing early termination were psychotic events
      (four) and increased creatine phosphokinase, pyrexia and insomnia (one each). The
      half-life of ABT-288 ranged from 28 to 51 h, and steady state was achieved by day
      12 of dosing. At comparable multiple doses, ABT-288 exposure in subjects with
      schizophrenia was 45% lower than that previously observed in healthy subjects. At
      trough, ABT-288 cerebrospinal fluid concentrations were 40% of the total plasma
      concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: ABT-288 was tolerated at a 15-fold higher dose and
      12-fold higher exposures in subjects with schizophrenia than previously observed
      in healthy volunteers. The greater ABT-288 tolerability was not due to limited
      brain uptake.

PMID- 24215172
TI  - The prevalence and contents of advance directives in patients with pacemakers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the use of advance directives (ADs) in patients
      who have implantable cardiac pacemakers (PMs). METHODS: We conducted a
      retrospective review of the medical records of residents of Olmsted County,
      Minnesota, who underwent implantation of a cardiac PM at Mayo Clinic (Rochester,
      Minnesota) during 2006 and 2007, and determined the prevalence and contents of
      ADs in these patients. RESULTS: During the study period, 205 residents of Olmsted
      County (men, 53%) underwent PM implantation (mean age [standard deviation] at
      implantation, 77 [15] years). Overall, 120 patients (59%) had ADs. Of these, 63
      ADs (53%) were executed more than 12 months before and 33 (28%) were executed
      after PM implantation. Many patients specifically mentioned life-prolonging
      treatments in their ADs: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 76 (63%); mechanical
      ventilation, 56 (47%); and hemodialysis, 31 (26%). Pain control was mentioned in
      79 ADs (66%) and comfort measures were mentioned in 42 ADs (35%). Furthermore,
      the AD of many patients contained a general statement about end-of-life care
      (e.g., no "heroic measures"). However, only one AD (1%) specifically addressed
      the end-of-life management of the PM. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the patients
      with PMs in our study had executed an AD, but only one patient specifically
      mentioned her PM in her AD. These results suggest that patients with PMs should
      be encouraged to execute ADs and specifically address end-of-life device
      management in their ADs. Doing so may prevent end-of-life ethical dilemmas
      related to PM management.

PMID- 24215173
TI  - Physical inactivity prevalence and trends among Mexican adults: results from the
      National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2006 and 2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lifestyles such as unhealthy diets and the lack of physical activity
      have been contributed to the increased prevalence of obesity. In 2012, the world
      health organization published the first global recommendation for physical
      activity and health. People who do not meet at least 150 minutes of moderate-to
      vigorous physical activity are considered to be physically inactive. The
      prevalence of physical inactivity worldwide is 31%, however there is insufficient
      data from prevalence and trends of physical inactivity in Mexican population. The
      purposes of this study are to describe the physical inactivity prevalence and
      recent trends in Mexican adults and to examine the association between physical
      inactivity with biologic and sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS:
      Representative samples of 17,183 and 10,729 adults (aged 20 to 69 years) who
      participated in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) in 2006 and
      2012, respectively. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed
      using the short form version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
      (IPAQ), which was administered in face-to-face interviews. Self-reported IPAQ
      MVPA levels were adjusted using an equation derived from a previous validation
      study. Participants were considered inactive if they engaged in <150-minutes/week
      of moderate physical activity or <75 minutes/week of vigorous physical activity
      according to WHO classification criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical
      inactivity was significantly higher in 2012 (19.4%, 95% CI: 18.1, 20.7) than in
      2006 (13.4%, 95% CI: 12.5, 14.5). Adults in the obese category, 60-69 age group,
      and those in the highest socioeconomic status tertile were more likely to be
      physically inactive. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of the Mexican adult population
      who do not meet the minimum WHO physical activity criteria has increased by 6%
      points between 2006 and 2012. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity, the
      aging of the population, and the shift in socioeconomic status in Mexico,
      physical inactivity could continue to increase in the coming years unless
      effective public health interventions are implemented.

PMID- 24215174
TI  - Exposure of pregnant women to cookstove-related household air pollution in urban
      and periurban Trujillo, Peru.
AB  - Although evidence suggests associations between maternal exposure to air
      pollution and adverse birth outcomes, pregnant women's exposure to household air
      pollution in developing countries is understudied. Personal exposures of pregnant
      women (N = 100) in Trujillo, Peru, to air pollutants and their indoor
      concentrations were measured. The effects of stove-use-related characteristics
      and ambient air pollution on exposure were determined using mixed-effects models.
      Significant differences in 48-hour kitchen concentrations of particulate matter
      (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations were
      observed across fuel types (p < 0.05). Geometric mean PM2.5 concentrations where
      112 MUg/m(3) (confidence limits [CLs]: 52, 242 MUg/m(3)) and 42 MUg/m(3) (21, 82
      MUg/m(3)) in homes where wood and gas were used, respectively. PM2.5 exposure was
      at levels that recent exposure-response analyses suggest may not result in
      substantial reduction in health risks even in homes where cleaner burning gas
      stoves were used.

PMID- 24215175
TI  - Vision-related quality of life tends to be more severely impaired in patients
      with dysthyroid optic neuropathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) is the most severe condition in
      thyroid eye disease (TED); however, no study has been conducted to assess quality
      of life in these patients to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate vision
      related quality of life in TED patients with DON using a Chinese version of the
      25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (CHI-VFQ-25).
      METHODS: The CHI-VFQ-25 scores were compared for 23 TED patients with DON and 13
      TED patients without DON. The correlations between the clinical characteristics
      and subscale scores on the CHI-VFQ-25 and the floor and ceiling effects of the
      CHI-VFQ-25 were also assessed. RESULTS: Patients with DON scored significantly
      lower than patients without DON on the CHI-VFQ-25 (composite score: 54 versus 77,
      respectively, p = 0.001). Many subscales were significantly correlated with the
      severity and activity of the disease (p < 0.05). In patients with DON, no floor
      effects were found, and ceiling effects were only observed for Color vision,
      Peripheral vision and Social function. Role limitations and Mental health were
      the lowest scores in all the subscales. CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed
      that vision-related quality of life tended to be more severely impaired in TED
      patients with DON than in patients without DON. The CHI-VFQ-25 may be a promising
      tool to estimate the benefits of interventions in patients with DON.

PMID- 24215176
TI  - Relationship between small cerebral white matter lesions and cognitive function
      in patients with Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
AB  - AIM: The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of
      small cerebral white matter lesions on cognitive functions, and its difference by
      clinical stage. METHODS: A total of 160 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 40
      older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment were enrolled in the present
      study. The Fazekas rating scale was used for the semi-quantitative measurement of
      white matter lesions. Participants whose scales were more than grade 2 were
      excluded. Associations between the degree of small white matter lesions and
      cognitive functions including memory, verbal fluency, working memory, processing
      speed, and executive function were examined. RESULTS: We found that small white
      matter lesions influenced the performances of neuropsychological tests
      differently between Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
      Analysis of covariance showed significant effects of interaction on a test that
      assessed categorical verbal fluency. In the amnestic mild cognitive impairment
      group, small periventricular white matter hyperintensities were significantly
      associated with poor performances in categorical verbal fluency; whereas in the
      Alzheimer's disease group, such associations were not observed. Deep white matter
      hyperintensities did not influence any cognitive functions examined in both
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested the involvement of periventricular
      small white matter lesions on impairment in verbal fluency, and such influence
      might be different depending on an individual's clinical stage.

PMID- 24215177
TI  - Hemodynamic impacts of left coronary stenosis: a patient-specific analysis.
AB  - This study analyses the hemodynamic variations surrounding stenoses located at
      the left coronary bifurcation, and their influence on the wall shear stress (WSS)
      in realistic coronary geometries. Four patients with suspected coronary artery
      disease were chosen, and coronary models were reconstructed based on high
      resolution CT data. The coronary stenoses were observed at the left circumflex
      and left anterior descending branches, resulting in a lumen narrowing of >50%.
      Flow analysis was performed using computational fluid dynamics, to simulate the
      cardiac flow conditions of the realistic individual patient geometry. Blood flow
      and WSS changes in the left coronary artery were calculated throughout the entire
      cardiac phases. Our results revealed that the recirculation regions were found at
      the poststenotic locations. WSS was found to increase at the stenotic positions
      in all four patients. There is a strong correlation between coronary stenosis and
      the hemodynamic changes, which are reflected in blood flow pattern and WSS, based
      on the realistic left coronary geometries. 

PMID- 24215179
TI  - Structures and chemical properties of silicene: unlike graphene.
AB  - The discovery of graphene and its remarkable and exotic properties have aroused
      interest in other elements and molecules that form 2D atomic layers, such as
      metal chalcogenides, transition metal oxides, boron nitride, silicon, and
      germanium. Silicene and germanene, the Si and Ge counterparts of graphene, have
      interesting fundamental physical properties with potential applications in
      technology. For example, researchers expect that silicene will be relatively easy
      to incorporate within existing silicon-based electronics. In this Account, we
      summarize the challenges and progress in the field of silicene research.
      Theoretical calculations have predicted that silicene possesses graphene-like
      properties such as massless Dirac fermions that carry charge and the quantum spin
      Hall effect. Researchers are actively exploring the physical and chemical
      properties of silicene and tailoring it for wide variety of applications. The
      symmetric buckling in each of the six-membered rings of silicene differentiates
      it from graphene and imparts a variety of interesting properties with potential
      technological applications. The pseudo-Jahn-Teller (PJT) distortion breaks the
      symmetry and leads to the buckling in silicenes. In graphene, the two sublattice
      structures are equivalent, which does not allow for the opening of the band gap
      by an external electric field. However, in silicene where the neighboring Si
      atoms are displaced alternatively perpendicular to the plane, the intrinsic
      buckling permits a band gap opening in silicene in the presence of external
      electric field. Silicene's stronger spin orbit coupling than graphene has far
      reaching applications in spintronic devices. Because silicon prefers sp(3)
      hybridization over sp(2), hydrogenation is much easier in silicene. The
      hydrogenation of silicene to form silicane opens the band gap and increases the
      puckering angle. Lithiation can suppress the pseudo-Jahn-Teller distortion in
      silicene and hence can flatten silicene's structure while opening the band gap.
      So far, chemists have not successfully synthesized and characterized a free
      standing silicene. But recently chemists have successfully produced silicene
      sheets and nanoribbons over various substrates such as silver, diboride thin
      films, and iridium. The supporting substrate critically controls the electronic
      properties of silicene, and the match of the appropriate support and its use is
      critical in applications of silicene. 

PMID- 24215178
TI  - Selective importance of the rat anterior thalamic nuclei for configural learning
      involving distal spatial cues.
AB  - To test potential parallels between hippocampal and anterior thalamic function,
      rats with anterior thalamic lesions were trained on a series of biconditional
      learning tasks. The anterior thalamic lesions did not disrupt learning two
      biconditional associations in operant chambers where a specific auditory stimulus
      (tone or click) had a differential outcome depending on whether it was paired
      with a particular visual context (spot or checkered wall-paper) or a particular
      thermal context (warm or cool). Likewise, rats with anterior thalamic lesions
      successfully learnt a biconditional task when they were reinforced for digging in
      one of two distinct cups (containing either beads or shredded paper), depending
      on the particular appearance of the local context on which the cup was placed
      (one of two textured floors). In contrast, the same rats were severely impaired
      at learning the biconditional rule to select a specific cup when in a particular
      location within the test room. Place learning was then tested with a series of
      go/no-go discriminations. Rats with anterior thalamic nuclei lesions could learn
      to discriminate between two locations when they were approached from a constant
      direction. They could not, however, use this acquired location information to
      solve a subsequent spatial biconditional task where those same places dictated
      the correct choice of digging cup. Anterior thalamic lesions produced a
      selective, but severe, biconditional learning deficit when the task incorporated
      distal spatial cues. This deficit mirrors that seen in rats with hippocampal
      lesions, so extending potential interdependencies between the two sites. 

PMID- 24215180
TI  - Ultrafast excited-state dynamics and vibrational cooling of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'
      deoxyguanosine in D2O.
AB  - Nguyen and Burrows recently demonstrated that UV-B irradiation of 8-oxo-7,8
      dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a signature product of oxidatively damaged
      DNA, can repair cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in double-stranded DNA (J. Am.
      Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 14586 - 14589). In order to test the hypothesis that repair
      occurs by photoinduced electron transfer, it is critical to determine basic
      photophysical parameters of 8-oxodG including the excited-state lifetime. Here,
      femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy was used to study the ultrafast
      excited-state dynamics of 8-oxodG with excitation in the UV and probing at
      visible and mid-IR wavelengths. The excited-state lifetimes of both neutral and
      basic forms of 8-oxodG in D2O are reported for the first time by monitoring the
      disappearance of excited-state absorption at 570 nm. The lifetime of the first
      excited state of the neutral form is 0.9 +/- 0.1 ps, or nearly twice as long as
      that of 2'-deoxyguanosine. The basic form of 8-oxodG exhibits a much longer
      excited-state lifetime of 43 +/- 3 ps. Following ultrafast internal conversion by
      neutral 8-oxodG, a vibrationally hot ground state is created that dissipates its
      excess vibrational energy to the solvent on a time scale of 2.4 +/- 0.4 ps.
      Femtosecond time-resolved IR experiments provide additional insights into excited
      state dynamics and the vibrational relaxation of several modes in the fingerprint
      region.

PMID- 24215181
TI  - Synthesis of polyhydroxylated quinolizidines and azaspiro[4.5]decanes from D
      xylose.
AB  - The synthesis of novel polyhydroxylated quinolizidines and azaspiro[4.5]decanes
      is reported. A key step of this transformation involved an addition of
      allylmagnesium bromide to an omega-bromonitrile derived from D-xylose followed by
      an intramolecular displacement of a bromide. The resulting cyclic imine was
      treated either with allylmagnesium bromide or with NaBH4, to provide 2,2-diallyl-
      or 2-allylpiperidine, respectively. The desired bicyclic framework was
      constructed via a ring-closing metathesis reaction. The Ru catalysts were reused
      in the following syn-dihydroxylation step.

PMID- 24215182
TI  - A validation of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures
      scale (ECR-RS) in adolescents.
AB  - Emerging evidence points toward a two-dimensional attachment construct: avoidance
      and anxiety. The Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures scale
      (ECR-RS; Fraley, Heffernan, Vicary, & Brumbaugh, 2011) is a questionnaire
      assessing two-dimensional relationship-specific attachment structures in adults
      and, hence, moves beyond the traditional focus on romantic relationships. The
      present article explored the psychometric abilities of the ECR-RS across parental
      and best friend domains in a sample of 15 to 18-year-olds (n = 1999). Two oblique
      factors were revealed across domains, exhibiting satisfactory construct validity,
      including factor-specific links to the model of adult attachment (Bartholomew &
      Horowitz, 1991), and independent factor discrimination between subgroups. A
      robust validation supports the application of the ECR-RS to assessing
      relationship-specific adolescent attachment structures. 

PMID- 24215183
TI  - HIV risk perception among pregnant women in western India: need for reducing
      vulnerabilities rather than improving knowledge!
AB  - Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in India, pregnant women attending
      antenatal clinics (ANC) have been considered as a low HIV risk population. Yet, a
      substantial proportion of new HIV infections are occurring among stable
      heterosexual couples. This paper sought to investigate the proportion and profile
      of women who, within the low-risk population, are potentially at higher risk of
      HIV infection. HIV risk perception of pregnant women enrolled within the ANRS
      12127 Prenahtest trial was described and associated socio-behavioral
      characteristics, husband's characteristics, and HIV-related characteristics were
      analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Among 484
      women enrolled, baseline data were collected for 479 women and 460 women with
      completed data were considered for the present analysis (96%). Eighty-nine
      (19.4%) women perceived themselves at risk of HIV. Women with educational level
      <11years (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR = 2.4 [CI = 1.28-4.53]), who stayed in joint
      families (AOR = 1.89 [CI = 1.12-3.12]), who had experienced insult or hurt from
      the partner (AOR = 1.91 [CI = 1.11-3.27]) and whose partner were alcoholic (AOR =
      2.19 [CI = 1.31-3.66]) were significantly more likely to perceive themselves at
      risk of HIV. Women who had heard about sexually transmitted infections were also
      more likely to report HIV risk perception (AOR = 3.36 [CI = 1.83-6.18]).
      Substantial proportion of women (one out of five) perceived themselves at risk of
      HIV and most of these have reported some form of vulnerability in their couple
      relationship such as intimate partner violence, alcoholic partner, lack of
      communication, and spaces for communication with partner. Though awareness and
      knowledge is the first step for prevention, considering the vulnerabilities
      associated with HIV risk perception, HIV prevention interventions in India should
      target overall sources of vulnerability to HIV. Targeted risk reduction for women
      in ANC should be considered for primary HIV prevention among couples.

PMID- 24215184
TI  - Brain uptake of a fluorescent vector targeting the transferrin receptor: a novel
      application of in situ brain perfusion.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting blood-brain barrier (BBB) transporters are
      being developed for brain drug targeting. However, brain uptake quantification
      remains a challenge, particularly for large compounds, and often requires the use
      of radioactivity. In this work, we adapted an in situ brain perfusion technique
      for a fluorescent mAb raised against the mouse transferrin receptor (TfR) (clone
      Ri7). We first confirmed in vitro that the internalization of fluorolabeled Ri7
      mAbs is saturable and dependent on the TfR in N2A and bEnd5 cells. We next showed
      that the brain uptake coefficient (Clup) of 100 MUg (~220 nM) of Ri7 mAbs
      fluorolabeled with Alexa Fluor 750 (AF750) was 0.27 +/- 0.05 MUL g(-1) s(-1)
      after subtraction of values obtained with a control IgG. A linear relationship
      was observed between the distribution volume VD (MUL g(-1)) and the perfusion
      time (s) over 30-120 s (r(2) = 0.997), confirming the metabolic stability of the
      AF750-Ri7 mAbs during perfusion. Co-perfusion of increasing quantities of
      unlabeled Ri7 decreased the AF750-Ri7 Clup down to control IgG levels over 500
      nM, consistent with a saturable mechanism. Fluorescence microscopy analysis
      showed a vascular distribution of perfused AF750-Ri7 in the brain and
      colocalization with a marker of basal lamina. To our knowledge, this is the first
      reported use of the in situ brain perfusion technique combined with
      quantification of compounds labeled with near-infrared fluorophores. Furthermore,
      this study confirms the accumulation of the antitransferrin receptor Ri7 mAb in
      the brain of mice through a saturable uptake mechanism. 

PMID- 24215185
TI  - Synteny analysis provides a route to design genus-specific PCR primers for rapid
      identification of all Saccharomyces species.
AB  - The genus Saccharomyces comprises seven single-genome species (S. arboricola, S.
      cerevisiae, S. eubayanus, S. kudriavzevii, S. mikatae, S. paradoxus and S.
      uvarum) and two hybrid species - S. pastorianus (S. cerevisiae plus S. eubayanus)
      and S. bayanus (mostly S. uvarum plus S. eubayanus). Species-specific primers
      have already been developed for the identification of each of the single-genome
      species, and these primers can usually detect both genomes in hybrids. It would
      be advantageous if a single reaction could detect any member of the clade. We
      have investigated three potentially generic approaches to design genus-specific
      primers. Two methods that both use sequence alignment differences for primer
      design were only partly successful. A third method used synteny data to identify
      136 target genes that are potentially present only in all species of the
      Saccharomyces clade. HSP30 (YCR021C) was fully successful; different primer pairs
      were developed with high G+C content for use at 63  degrees C. In < 3 h, using a
      robust colony-PCR followed by gel electrophoresis, the method can reliably detect
      any member of the genus. This novel approach still uses conventional sequence
      alignment mismatches but relies principally on the presence of the target gene
      only within the genus Saccharomyces. 

PMID- 24215186
TI  - Thrombosis in congenital heart disease.

PMID- 24215188
TI  - ICDs in adults with congenital heart disease: an overview.

PMID- 24215187
TI  - Left atrial appendage occlusion for stroke prevention in patients with atrial
      fibrillation: ready for the prime time?

PMID- 24215190
TI  - Searching the place of pitavastatin in the current treatment of patients with
      dyslipidemia.
AB  - Pitavastatin is the last marketed statin. Different studies have shown that
      pitavastatin is more potent than pravastatin and simvastatin in reducing LDL
      cholesterol levels, and equivalent to atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Moreover,
      pitavastatin provides a significant and sustained increase of HDL-cholesterol
      levels. Remarkably, as pitavastatin is minimally metabolized by CYP, the risk of
      interactions with other drugs is low. Additionally, pitavastatin does not
      interfere with glucose metabolism in diabetics and non-diabetics, and exerts a
      beneficial effect in patients with renal dysfunction. However, although available
      information may suggest that pitavastatin can improve cardiovascular prognosis,
      data coming from specifically designed clinical trials are still warranted. The
      aim of this review was to update the available evidence about efficacy and safety
      of pitavastatin, and to analyze the place of pitavastatin in the current
      armamentarium for the treatment of patients with hypercholesterolemia.

PMID- 24215191
TI  - Transapical access and closure devices: rationale and current status.
AB  - In the past years transcatheter aortic valve implantation became a highly
      standardized option for the treatment of high-risk patients suffering from severe
      aortic stenosis. The number of transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures
      is increasing exponentially worldwide. In this context the transapical approach
      should be considered as a safe and reproducible alternative access to the left
      ventricle with some specific advantages compared with transfemoral, transaortic
      and transsubclavian approach due to its antegrade nature. To further ease the
      transapical access first apical closure devices have been developed and entered
      first clinical trials.

PMID- 24215192
TI  - Balancing bleeding and thrombotic risk with new oral anticoagulants in patients
      with atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation (AF) markedly increases the risk of stroke. Warfarin is
      highly effective for the prevention of stroke in such patients, but it is
      difficult to use and causes bleeding. Three new oral anticoagulants have been
      approved for stroke prevention in AF patients, and are at least as effective as
      warfarin with better bleeding profiles. These new agents have changed and
      simplified our approach to stroke prevention, as the threshold for initiation of
      oral anticoagulation is lower. All patients with AF should be risk assessed using
      the CHA2DS2-VASc score, and all patients with a score of 1 or above (except women
      with female sex as their only risk factor on the CHA2DS2-VASc score) should be
      considered for oral anticoagulation with one of the new agents. Formal bleeding
      risk assessment is essential, and can be done by using the well-validated HAS
      BLED score.

PMID- 24215193
TI  - Thrombolysis for iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis.
AB  - Patients with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) comprise a subset of
      patients with DVT who are at significant risk for developing the postthrombotic
      syndrome (PTS) following treatment with anticoagulation alone. PTS can have
      debilitating effects on patients' quality of life. Its symptoms range from pain
      and heaviness to venous ulceration. Treatment techniques that eliminate the
      thrombus burden from the lower extremity have been shown to reduce the incidence
      of postthrombotic symptoms by restoring venous patency to the iliofemoral venous
      system and preserving valvular function. Treatment techniques include operative
      thrombectomy, catheter-directed thrombolysis and pharmacomechanical thrombolysis.
      This paper focuses on the latter two techniques and reviews the evidence for
      adopting the strategy of thrombus removal in patients with iliofemoral DVT.

PMID- 24215194
TI  - Patient selection for thromboprophylaxis in medical inpatients.
AB  - Acutely ill medical patients may be at increased risk of venous thromboembolism,
      both during hospitalization and after discharge. International guidelines
      recommend thromboprophylaxis for high-risk medical patients with low bleeding
      risk for a maximum of 14 days. There are two approaches to identify the high-risk
      patient: adhering to the inclusion criteria used in randomized clinical trials or
      using risk assessment models. With both approaches, about 40% of medical
      inpatients should result at increased risk of venous thrombosis. However, in the
      real world, medical inpatients are more fragile than patients enrolled in
      clinical trials, and thus also require a careful assessment of the individual
      bleeding risk. The complex balance between risks and benefits of
      thromboprophylaxis has become particularly relevant in studies assessing extended
      prophylaxis beyond hospitalization in this setting. In the present review, we
      will summarize the most recent evidence on this topic.

PMID- 24215195
TI  - Should we anticoagulate after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement?
AB  - There is a lack of consensus as to the ideal antithrombotic strategy after
      bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. Herein, the authors review the literature
      on this topic and find that most of the evidence is comprised of small
      observational data, with a few prospective trials. The bulk of the evidence is in
      favor of no anticoagulation after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement in
      patients at low risk of thromboembolism. Most studies suggest using only
      antiplatelet therapy with the exception of two studies that advocate
      anticoagulation. One study suggests that no antithrombotic therapy at all may be
      safe. One study evaluated the question mechanistically, showing no increased
      microembolic signals on transcranial Doppler in patients receiving aspirin
      compared to patients who were anticoagulated. Based on the evidence presented,
      the authors recommend using aspirin only after bioprosthetic aortic valve
      replacement in patients at low risk of thromboembolism.

PMID- 24215196
TI  - Role of imaging in interventions on structural heart disease.
AB  - Recent technological progresses have led to the development of new devices and
      procedures which have greatly improved the chance to effectively treat structural
      heart diseases in both children and adults. Interventional cardiology has been
      receiving fast and wide implementation as an effective alternative treatment to
      surgery for several congenital and acquired diseases. The advent of transcatheter
      valve implantation/repair techniques constitutes one of the main breakthroughs of
      the last decades. Such development and implementation is strictly related to a
      continuous progress in cardiac imaging as well. Indeed, multimodality cardiac
      imaging (such as X-ray, echocardiography, MRI, multidetector computed tomography)
      has become essential in providing accurate patient selection and in monitoring
      the interventional procedures in order to optimize the success rate and minimize
      the frequency of complications. The current article aims at reviewing the role of
      multimodality imaging for planning and guiding interventions in several
      structural heart diseases.

PMID- 24215197
TI  - Heart transplantation in pediatric cardiomyopathies.
AB  - Cardiomyopathies represent an uncommon but serious cause of heart disease in the
      pediatric population and can be categorized as dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive
      and left ventricular non-compaction. Each of these subtypes has multiple
      potential genetic etiologies in addition to possible non-genetic causes. Many
      patients with cardiomyopathies can benefit from transplantation, although there
      is not insignificant morbidity and mortality for those patients. Outcomes both
      prior to and following transplantation depend on the underlying etiology, the
      amount of support needed prior to transplantation and the illness severity of the
      patient prior to transplantation. Mechanical circulatory support is frequently
      used to bridge patients to transplantation, and newer technologies are currently
      in development.

PMID- 24215198
TI  - Shunt choice in single right ventricle patients: an update.
AB  - Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the most common complex congenital heart
      malformation, is characterized by underdeveloped left-sided heart structures. The
      Norwood procedure followed by two-staged operations has permitted the extended
      survival of many of these patients. Survival, however, remains suboptimal with
      most of the morbidity and mortality occurring during the Norwood procedure
      hospitalization. The modified Blalock-Taussig shunt has been implicated in
      contributing to the mortality risk due to decreased systemic diastolic blood
      pressure and coronary perfusion. Therefore, the right ventricle-to-pulmonary
      artery shunt was recently reevaluated as a lower-risk source of pulmonary blood
      flow in the Norwood procedure. The Pediatric Heart Network Single Ventricle
      Reconstruction trial, sponsored by the NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood
      Institute, evaluated the two types of shunts during the Norwood procedure. This
      randomized clinical trial has yielded important insight into the effects of shunt
      selection on morbidity, mortality, hemodynamics and overall current outcomes for
      hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

PMID- 24215199
TI  - Creating the bioartificial myocardium for cardiac repair: challenges and clinical
      targets.
AB  - The association of stem cells with tissue-engineered scaffolds constitutes an
      attractive approach for the repair of myocardial tissue with positive effects to
      avoid ventricular chamber dilatation, which changes from a natural elliptical to
      spherical shape in heart failure patients. Biohybrid scaffolds using
      nanomaterials combined with stem cells emerge as new therapeutic tool for the
      creation of 'bioartificial myocardium' and 'cardiac wrap bioprostheses' for
      myocardial regeneration and ventricular support. Biohybrids are created
      introducing stem cells and self-assembling peptide nanofibers inside a porous
      elastomeric membrane, forming cell niches. Our studies lead to the creation of
      semi-degradable 'ventricular support bioprostheses' for adaptative LV and/or RV
      wrapping, designed with the concept of 'helical myocardial bands'. The goal is to
      restore LV elliptical shape, and contribute to systolic contraction and diastolic
      filling (suction mechanism). Cardiac wrapping with ventricular bioprostheses may
      reduce the risk of heart failure progression and the indication for heart
      transplantation.

PMID- 24215200
TI  - Prehypertension and the cardiometabolic syndrome: pathological and clinical
      consequences.
AB  - Prehypertension is the category of blood pressure (BP) defined as systolic BP
      between 120 and 139 mmHg and diastolic BP between 85 and 89 mmHg. Prehypertension
      is a continuum to hypertension and is emerging as an important risk factor for
      cardiovascular disease. The definition of the cardiometabolic syndrome is a
      cluster of several risk factors such as abdominal obesity, prehypertension or
      hypertension, dyslipidemia and prediabetes. Prevention by lifestyle intervention
      and also treatment of individual components is recommended, given that most
      subjects with metabolic syndrome fall into the high-risk category. There are
      several studies with dietary approaches, which showed that these approaches
      helped in stopping the progression of hypertension and also improved the
      metabolic conditions. Several large trials are under way to study several
      antihypertensive drugs to delay the development of hypertension. Identifying
      early cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic individuals provides a better guide
      to the need for individualized preventive therapy than traditional risk factor
      assessment.

PMID- 24215201
TI  - Dimensional changes during early healing after a subepithelial connective tissue
      graft procedure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The subepithelial connective tissue graft (CTG) is a popular means to
      treat gingival recession and augment keratinized tissue. Studies exist that
      examine long-term outcomes of this procedure; however, changes in tissue
      dimensions during early healing (0 to 21 days postoperatively) are unknown. The
      aim of this study is to examine bucco-lingual tissue dimension (gingival tissue
      thickness [GT]) changes during early CTG healing using a non-invasive technique.
      METHODS: Thirteen patients who had treatment planned for CTG on a single tooth
      were recruited for the study. Using a customized acrylic stent, GT was measured
      preoperatively, at surgery completion, and at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days
      postoperatively. CTG was performed using an envelope technique. GT changes were
      analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: All CTG procedures
      were considered successful with no postoperative complications. GT increased 1.5
      mm immediately after surgery (baseline) compared to the preoperative measurement.
      GT increased on average 96%, 47%, and 2% compared to baseline at days 3, 7, and
      14, respectively. Day 3 and day 7 measurements were significantly different from
      baseline (P <0.001). At day 21, GT decreased 15% compared to baseline, with an
      average increase of 1.29 mm from preoperative measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The
      early postoperative healing of CTGs used for root coverage exhibits a significant
      but transient increase in bucco-lingual tissue dimension. The observed increase
      in bucco-lingual tissue dimension subsides by the end of the second postoperative
      week.

PMID- 24215202
TI  - Crestal bone changes at teeth and implants in periodontally healthy and
      periodontally compromised patients. A 10-year comparative case-series study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the longitudinal crestal bone changes around
      teeth compared with implants in partially edentulous patients. This study sought
      to compare the 10-year radiographic crestal bone changes (bone level [BL]) around
      teeth and implants in periodontally compromised (PCPs) and periodontally healthy
      (PHPs) patients. METHODS: A total of 120 patients were evaluated for the
      radiographic crestal BL around dental implants and adjacent teeth at time of
      implant crown insertion and at the 10-year follow-up. Sixty patients had a
      previous history of periodontitis (PCPs), and the remaining 60 were PHPs. In each
      category (PCP and PHP), two different implant systems were used. The mean BL
      change at the implant and at the adjacent tooth at the interproximal area was
      calculated by subtracting the radiographic crestal BL at the time of crown
      cementation from the radiographic crestal BL at the 10-year follow-up. RESULTS:
      At 10 years after therapy, the survival rate ranged from 80% to 95% for subgroups
      for implants, whereas it was 100% for the adjacent teeth. In all eight different
      patient categories evaluated, teeth demonstrated a significantly more stable
      radiographic BL compared with adjacent dental implants (teeth BL, 0.44 +/- 0.23
      mm; implant BL, 2.28 +/- 0.72 mm; P <0.05). Radiographic BL changes around teeth
      seemed not to be influenced by the presence or absence of advanced bone loss (>=3
      mm) at the adjacent implants. CONCLUSIONS: Natural teeth yielded better long-term
      results with respect to survival rate and marginal BL changes compared with
      dental implants. Moreover, these findings also extend to teeth with an initial
      reduced periodontal attachment level, provided adequate periodontal treatment and
      maintenance are performed. As a consequence, the decision of tooth extraction
      attributable to periodontal reasons in favor of a dental implant should be
      carefully considered in partially edentulous patients.

PMID- 24215203
TI  - Epigallocatechin-3-gallate attenuates Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide
      enhanced matrix metalloproteinase-1 production through inhibition of interleukin
      6 in gingival fibroblasts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a
      major constituent of green tea extract, exhibits effects of anti-inflammation and
      antioxidation on periodontal inflammation. The present in vitro study examines
      the effect of EGCG on Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      enhanced expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1,
      as well as the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). Furthermore, the
      role of IL-6 on LPS-enhanced MMP-1 production is evaluated using human gingival
      fibroblasts (HGFs). METHODS: HGFs were primary cultured from human gingiva
      specimens. The cytotoxicities of EGCG and LPS were tested by cell viability
      tests. The cellular mRNA expression of IL-6 was determined by reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction, and the protein expression of MMP-1 and
      IL-6 was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cytosol expression
      and nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB was evaluated by immunocytochemistry
      followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: Pg LPS significantly
      increased MMP-1 production in HGFs, whereas adding EGCG significantly attenuated
      this enhanced production of MMP-1. LPS treatment also increased the mRNA and
      protein expression of IL-6 and stimulated NF-kappaB activation in HGFs. However,
      the addition of EGCG significantly attenuated the IL-6 expression and NF-kappaB
      activation. Supplemental addition of IL-6 significantly enhanced cellular MMP-1
      production, whereas anti-IL-6 antibody inhibited LPS-enhanced MMP-1 production.
      CONCLUSION: EGCG could attenuate Pg LPS-enhanced production of MMP-1 in HGFs,
      whereas this attenuation might be due to the inhibition of IL-6 by EGCG.

PMID- 24215204
TI  - Tooth loss strongly associates with malnutrition in chronic kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In chronic kidney disease (CKD), inadequate nutritional intake,
      inflammation, and increased oxidative stress have been the major contributing
      factors in malnutrition pathogenesis. However, there is still a paucity of
      evidence assessing the magnitude of the effect of tooth loss on malnutrition in
      CKD populations. The authors hypothesize that among patients with CKD, tooth loss
      may affect nutritional status, using the National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey 1988 to 1994 (NHANES III). METHODS: Glomerular filtration rate
      (GFR) was estimated based on cystatin C levels using the relevant equation.
      Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (albuminuria) was calculated in milligrams
      per gram with a cutoff point of 30 mg/g. CKD was defined based on estimated GFR
      <60 mL/minute/1.73m(2) and albuminuria >=30 mg/g. The cutoff point for serum
      albumin was set at 3.7 g/dL. Tooth loss categories were based on the number of
      missing and replaced teeth. RESULTS: A total of 2,749 patients was included and
      stratified based on their oral health status. There was a statistically
      significant correlation between tooth loss and the proportion of patients with
      low protein and caloric intake (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). Serum albumin
      reached a frequency peak in the fully edentulous group without dentures (group 4,
      19.2%). In the same group, individuals had lower protein (30.1%) and caloric
      intake (30.2%) (P = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Furthermore, logistic
      regression analysis confirmed the significant role of tooth loss on serum albumin
      and protein and energy intake in this population even after adjusting for
      confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Tooth loss independently predicts low energy
      and protein intake, as well as serum albumin levels, biomarkers of malnutrition
      in CKD.

PMID- 24215205
TI  - Bibliometrics study on authorship trends in periodontal literature from 1995 to
      2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biomedical research has grown considerably in the last few decades,
      and the authorship characteristics of the dental literature as a whole and of its
      specialty fields has changed significantly. Unfortunately, the bibliometrics of
      the periodontal literature have not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this
      study is to investigate the bibliometrics of periodontal literature, assessing
      the geographic origin, study design, and topics investigated in periodontal
      research published from 1995 to 2010. METHODS: Articles published in periodontal
      journals during 1995 to 2010 were retrieved through hand search.
      Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. The following variables were
      extrapolated from each article: number of authors, study design, topic
      investigated, financial support, and geographic origin. The general linear model
      assessed the influence of independent variables on number of authors per article,
      and chi(2) test assessed the statistical difference of the variables over years
      1995 to 2010. RESULTS: A total of 2,260 articles were reviewed; 2,076 met the
      inclusion criteria. The number of authors per article increased (P <0.001) from
      4.0 (1995) to 5.1 (2010). The proportion of articles published from North America
      and Europe decreased (P <0.001) from 84.3% (1995) to 58.6% (2010), whereas for
      Asia and South America the article proportion increased (P <0.001) from 13.8%
      (1995) to 40% (2010). Research targeting prevention and treatment of periodontal
      disease is decreasing (P <0.001) in favor of implant-related research.
      Governmental research funding is increasing (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Periodontal
      research significantly changed during the last 15 years.

PMID- 24215206
TI  - Prevalence and characterization of Salmonella enterica from the feces of cattle,
      poultry, swine and hedgehogs in Burkina Faso and their comparison to human
      Salmonella isolates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Production and wild animals are major sources of human salmonellosis
      and animals raised for food also play an important role in transmission of
      antimicrobial resistant Salmonella strains to humans. Furthermore, in sub-Saharan
      Africa non-typhoidal Salmonella serotypes are common bloodstream isolates in
      febrile patients. Yet, little is known about the environmental reservoirs and
      predominant modes of transmission of these pathogens. The purpose of this study
      was to discover potential sources and distribution vehicles of Salmonella by
      isolating strains from apparently healthy slaughtered food animals and wild
      hedgehogs and by determining the genetic relatedness between the strains and
      human isolates. For this purpose, 729 feces samples from apparently healthy
      slaughtered cattle (n = 304), poultry (n = 350), swine (n = 50) and hedgehogs (n
      = 25) were examined for the presence of Salmonella enterica in Burkina Faso. The
      isolates were characterized by serotyping, antimicrobial-susceptibility testing,
      phage typing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with XbaI and BlnI
      restriction enzymes. RESULTS: Of the 729 feces samples, 383 (53%) contained
      Salmonella, representing a total of 81 different serotypes. Salmonella was
      present in 52% of the cattle, 55% of the poultry, 16% of the swine and 96% of the
      hedgehog feces samples. Antimicrobial resistance was detected in 14% of the
      isolates. S. Typhimurium isolates from poultry and humans (obtained from a
      previous study) were multiresistant to the same antimicrobials (ampicillin,
      chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamides and trimethoprim), had the same phage
      type DT 56 and were closely related in PFGE. S. Muenster isolates from hedgehogs
      had similar PFGE patterns as the domestic animals. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our
      results it seems that production and wild animals can share the same Salmonella
      serotypes and potentially transmit some of them to humans. As the humans and
      animals often live in close vicinity in Africa and the hygiene control of the
      meat retail chain is defective, high Salmonella carriage rates of the animals can
      pose a major public health risk in Burkina Faso. This underlines the necessity
      for a joint and coordinated surveillance and monitoring programs for
      salmonellosis in Africa.

PMID- 24215207
TI  - Elastin-like polypeptides and their applications in anticancer drug delivery
      systems: a review.
AB  - Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are large molecular weight biopolymers. They
      have been widely studied as macromolecular carriers for targeted delivery of
      drugs. The aim of the present article is to review the available information on
      ELPs (including our recent investigations), their properties, drug delivery
      applications to tumor sites and future perspectives. This review also provides
      information on the use of short synthetic ELPs for making ELP-drug conjugates,
      for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. In the present review we also focus on
      the point that short ELPs can also be used for targeting anticancer drugs to
      tumor sites as they behave similar to long ELPs regarding their capacity to
      undergo inverse temperature transition (ITT) behavior.

PMID- 24215208
TI  - Lymphedema in a patient with distichiasis.

PMID- 24215210
TI  - Assessing the cost-effectiveness of finding cases of hepatitis C infection in UK
      migrant populations and the value of further research.
AB  - Hepatitis C (HCV) infection can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer and death in the
      absence of treatment. Many people living in the UK but born overseas are believed
      to be infected with HCV although many are unlikely to know they are infected. The
      aim of this study is to assess the potential for a case-finding approach to be
      cost-effective and to estimate the value of further research. An economic
      evaluation and value of information analysis was undertaken by developing a model
      of HCV disease progression and by populating it with evidence from the published
      literature. They were performed from a UK National Health Services cost
      perspective, and outcomes were expressed in terms of quality-adjusted life-years
      (QALYs). The comparator intervention was defined as the background rate of
      testing (i.e. no intervention). The base case results generated an incremental
      cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of about L23,200 per additional QALY. However,
      the ICER was shown to be particularly sensitive to HCV seroprevalence, the
      intervention effect / cost and the probability of treatment uptake. The value of
      information analysis suggested that approximately L4 million should be spent on
      further research. This evaluation demonstrates that testing UK migrants for HCV
      could be cost-effective. However, further research, particularly to refine
      estimates of the probability of treatment uptake once identified, the utility
      associated with sustained virological response and the cost of the intervention,
      would help to increase the robustness of this conclusion.

PMID- 24215209
TI  - Prognostic impact of baseline serum C-reactive protein in patients with
      metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with sunitinib.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of baseline serum C-reactive protein (CRP)
      level on outcome in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated
      with sunitinib. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts of patients with
      mRCC who started sunitinib as a first targeted treatment between 2005 and 2012 in
      three hospitals in Belgium and France. Collected data included known prognostic
      factors for mRCC, anatomical location of metastatic sites, response rate (RR),
      progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of
      200 eligible patients were identified by retrospective chart review. The median
      PFS and OS were 12 and 20 months, respectively. We observed a clear impact of
      baseline CRP levels on outcome: the median PFS was 25 months in the group with
      baseline CRP <=5 mg/L and 8 months in the group with baseline CRP >5 mg/L (hazard
      ratio [HR] 2.48, 95% CI 1.74-3.59). The median OS in each group was 50 vs 12
      months, respectively (HR 3.17, 2.20-4.68). In the group with baseline CRP <=5
      mg/L, 61% of patients experienced a partial response compared with 32% of
      patients in the group with baseline CRP >5 mg/L (difference = 29%, 95% CI 15-42).
      When adding baseline CRP (with a log transformation) to the six variables of the
      International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) model in a multivariable
      Cox regression model, baseline CRP was independently associated with poor PFS (HR
      for each doubling in CRP level: 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.26; P = 0.01) and OS (HR:
      1.29, 95% CI 1.16-1.43; P < 0.001). Adding baseline CRP to the model increased
      the c-statistic of PFS at 5 years from 0.63 (0.59-0.68) to 0.69 (0.65-0.73), and
      the c-statistic of OS at 5 years from 0.65 (0.60-0.69) to 0.70 (0.66-0.74).
      Patients with elevated baseline CRP levels had a poor prognosis independent of
      the IMDC risk group, whereas patients with a low baseline CRP in the IMDC
      favourable risk group had a very good outcome. CONCLUSION: Baseline serum CRP
      level is a strong independent variable linked with RR, PFS and OS in patients
      with mRCC treated with sunitinib.

PMID- 24215211
TI  - Infarct characteristics by CMR identifies substrate for monomorphic VT in post-MI
      patients with relatively preserved systolic function and ns-VT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The extent of peri-infarct zone (PIZ) by contrast-enhanced cardiac
      magnetic resonance (ce-CMR) has been related to inducibility of ventricular
      arrhythmia in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. However, this relationship
      has not been established in postmyocardial infarction (post-MI) patients with
      relatively reserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function yet. In this study,
      we investigated myocardial scar size and characteristics and its relationship
      with ventricular arrhythmia inducibility in patients with relatively preserved LV
      systolic function. METHODS: This study enrolled 28 post-MI patients with a left
      ventricular ejection fraction between 40% and 50% and nonsustained ventricular
      tachycardia who underwent programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) for risk
      stratification. Cine and gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
      was performed before PVS. A computer-assisted algorithm quantified the total scar
      (TS) size and divided it into the dense scar (DS) and the PIZ based on signal
      intensity thresholds (>6 standard deviations [SDs] and 2 to 6 SDs above remote
      normal myocardium, respectively). Scar measurements were determined and compared
      among noninducible (n = 19) and inducible patients (n = 9). RESULTS: The groups
      had similar baseline clinical characteristics. The LV masses, volumes, and
      ejection fractions did not differ significantly between the groups. For the
      inducible versus noninducible patients, DS percent was similar (3.11 +/- 1.02% vs
      3.44 +/- 0.79%, P = NS). PIZ percent (28.02 +/- 7.49% vs 19.86 +/- 7.82%, P =
      0.01) and TS percent (31.14 +/- 7.96% vs 23.31 +/- 8.21%, P = 0.02) were
      associated with inducibility of monomorphic VT. Multivariate analysis
      demonstrated that PIZ percent (P = 0.021, OR [odds ratio] 1.18, 95% CI
      [confidence interval] 1.03-1.35), and TS percent (P = 0.03, OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01
      1.30) were independent predictors of inducibility. CONCLUSIONS: Higher PIZ
      percent and TS percent were correlated with increased ventricular inducibility.
      These data support the hypothesis that ce-CMR may be used to identify the
      substrate for ventricular arrhythmia in this cohort.

PMID- 24215212
TI  - Histological features associated with occult lymph node metastasis in FIGO
      clinical stage I, grade I endometrioid carcinoma.
AB  - AIMS: Lymph node involvement affects prognosis/treatment in endometrial carcinoma
      patients. We assessed various histological features associated with nodal
      metastasis in patients with grade I, stage I endometrial endometrioid carcinoma
      (EEC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen stage I EECs with occult positive lymph
      nodes and 36 controls were assessed for depth of myoinvasion; microcystic,
      elongated and fragmented (MELF) pattern of myometrial invasion; lymphovascular
      invasion (LVI); and epithelial metaplasia. Nodal metastases were subclassified as
      isolated tumour cells (ITCs; <=0.2 mm), micrometastasis (>0.2 mm and <2 mm), or
      macrometastasis (>=2 mm). Node-positive cases had significantly higher rates of
      LVI (P < 0.001) and MELF invasion (P = 0.003) on univariate analysis. Only LVI
      was associated significantly with nodal metastasis on multivariate analysis (P =
      0.002). Tumours with MELF invasion demonstrated reduced E-cadherin expression.
      Macrometastases were identified in seven cases (39%) with or without
      micrometastasis/ITCs. Eight (44%) contained only ITCs. Eleven (61%) had
      histiocyte-like nodal metastases. Biopsy material from four of six (67%) and five
      of 17 (29%) cases with and without nodal metastasis showed detached eosinophilic
      tumour cell buds. Of the former, three were associated with histiocyte-like nodal
      metastases - a feature absent in biopsies without tumour budding. CONCLUSIONS:
      Lymph nodes from grade I EEC exhibiting cellular budding or LVI should be
      examined for occult metastases, especially in the form of histiocyte-like cells.

PMID- 24215213
TI  - Atypical mature bone in the otosclerotic otic capsule as the differentiated zone
      of an invasive osseous neoplasm.
AB  - CONCLUSION: A large proportion of the mature otic capsule bone in cases of
      otosclerosis lies in plaques in direct contiguity with active otosclerosis and,
      because it shows significant structural defects, it should be regarded as part of
      the otosclerotic process. These appearances support our previously described
      suggestion that otosclerosis is an invasive osseous neoplasm, the mature atypical
      bone representing differentiation of earlier-formed invasive neoplastic osseous
      tissue. OBJECTIVES: We sought structural features in differentiated bone within
      the otic capsules of cases of otosclerosis that might indicate a relation to the
      underlying disease process. METHODS: Fifty temporal bones from 42 adult patients
      with otosclerosis were processed into stained histological sections and the
      appearance of the otic capsule was compared with that of the same tissue,
      processed in the same way, in 10 cases that did not show otosclerosis. RESULTS:
      In the cochlear otic capsules of otosclerotic temporal bones, when traced back
      along the otosclerotic plaque from the invasive front, atypical shapes and
      arrangements of osteons were seen, often with otospongiosis (severe dilatation of
      multiple Volkmann's canals), culminating in larger differentiated osteons with
      irregularities in structure. In the medial region of the otosclerotic cochlear
      otic capsule, at a similar position to that where giant normal osteons are
      present in the normal temporal bone, differentiated, giant abnormal osteons were
      seen. In the otosclerotic vestibular otic capsule there were changes similar to
      those of the otosclerotic cochlea (apart from the giant osteons) and many osteons
      composed of clusters of atypical osteoblast-like cells around highly atypical
      Volkmann's canals.

PMID- 24215214
TI  - Phonological outcome of laryngeal framework surgery by different anesthesia
      protocols: a single-surgeon experience.
AB  - CONCLUSION: Similar to combined arytenoid adduction and medialization
      laryngoplasty (i.e. combined surgery) under local anesthesia, general anesthesia
      by intubation or by the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) method significantly improves
      phonological outcome. Thus, laryngeal framework surgery under general anesthesia
      is a promising surgical approach for selected patients with unilateral vocal cord
      paralysis (UVCP). OBJECTIVE: The advantages of laryngeal framework surgery under
      local anesthesia have been described, but no studies exist concerning the
      difference in phonological outcome of laryngeal framework surgery performed under
      general anesthesia. To add new information, we retrospectively investigated the
      phonological outcome of the combined surgery performed under three different
      anesthesia protocols. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with severe UVCP
      underwent the combined surgery under three anesthesia protocols performed by a
      single surgeon: (1) under general anesthesia by intubation, (2) under general
      anesthesia using LMA, and (3) under local anesthesia. RESULTS: Under all
      anesthesia protocols, the vocal cords of most patients could be positioned such
      that the best vocal outcome could be expected. Statistical analyses demonstrated
      improved maximum phonation time and mean airflow rate, and grade, roughness,
      breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) scale in all patients, regardless of
      their anesthesia protocol. Furthermore, of the three protocols, local anesthesia
      had the shortest operation time.

PMID- 24215215
TI  - Antimicrobial prophylaxis in tonsillectomy: the efficacy of preoperative single
      dose oral administration of azithromycin in preventing surgical site infection.
AB  - CONCLUSION: The results indicate that oral administration of azithromycin (AZM)
      is equivalent to intravenous administration of cefazolin (CEZ) for preventing
      surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing tonsillectomy, and should be
      used as cost-effective antimicrobial prophylaxis. OBJECTIVE: Staphylococcus
      aureus, Streptococcus spp., and pharyngeal anaerobes have been described as major
      pathogens causing SSI in transpharyngeal operations such as tonsillectomy. The
      purpose of this study was to explore whether administration of AZM, an oral
      antimicrobial agent, might be equivalent to intravenous administration of a first
      generation cefem antimicrobial agent for preventing SSI in patients undergoing
      tonsillectomy. METHODS: Patients undergoing tonsillectomy were divided into an
      AZM-treated group and a CEZ-treated group, for intergroup comparison of
      responses. AZM was administered once orally, 2 days before the operation, whereas
      patients in the CEZ-treated group received CEZ intravenously 30 min before the
      operation, 4 h postoperatively, and then twice daily for 3 consecutive days
      beginning the day after the operation. RESULTS: There were no significant
      intergroup differences in mean duration of hospitalization after the operation,
      incidence of postoperative hemorrhage, postoperative analgesic effect, or
      hematologic/blood biochemical findings. The incidence of postoperative fever was
      significantly lower in the AZM-treated group. Diarrhea occurred as an adverse
      drug reaction in the AZM-treated group, but no clinically significant adverse
      reactions were noted.

PMID- 24215216
TI  - Correlation between maximum phonetically balanced word recognition score and pure
      tone auditory threshold in elder presbycusis patients over 80 years old.
AB  - CONCLUSIONS: The maximum phonetically balanced word recognition score (PBmax)
      showed poor correlation with pure-tone thresholds in presbycusis patients older
      than 80 years. OBJECTIVES: To study the characteristics of monosyllable
      recognition in presbycusis patients older than 80 years of age. METHODS: Thirty
      presbycusis patients older than 80 years were included as the test group (group
      80+). Another 30 patients aged 60-80 years were selected as the control group
      (group 80-) . PBmax was tested by Mandarin monosyllable recognition test
      materials with the signal level at 30 dB above the averaged thresholds of 0.5, 1,
      2, and 4 kHz (4FA) or the maximum comfortable level. The PBmax values of the test
      group and control group were compared with each other and the correlation between
      PBmax and predicted maximum speech recognition scores based on 4FA (PBmax
      predict) were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Under the optimal test conditions,
      the averaged PBmax was (77.3 +/- 16.7) % for group 80- and (52.0 +/- 25.4) % for
      group 80+ (p < 0.001). The PBmax of group 80- was significantly correlated with
      PBmax-predict (Spearman correlation = 0.715, p < 0.001). The score for group 80+
      was less statistically correlated with PBmax-predict (Spearman correlation =
      0.572, p = 0.001).

PMID- 24215217
TI  - Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical stimulation for chronic tinnitus.
AB  - CONCLUSION: Based on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and visual analog
      scale (VAS) scores, transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) can provide
      relief from tinnitus. Response to electrical stimulation was best seen in
      patients with low-frequency tinnitus and with mild hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: TENS
      is known to alleviate symptoms of tinnitus. However, study of the effectiveness
      of TENS for tinnitus has produced variable results, and it is still unclear what
      kind of patients with tinnitus would respond best to TENS. Here, we assessed the
      effects of TENS on the perception of tinnitus using the THI and VAS
      questionnaires. METHODS: A total of 65 patients with tinnitus were divided into
      two groups: 45 patients received TENS and 20 patients received placebo (sham
      stimulation) twice a week over 4 weeks. THI and VAS scores were assessed before
      and after electrical stimulation. We also evaluated the effects of TENS on the
      degree of initial hearing loss and tinnitus frequency. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of
      45 patients (62.2%) revealed subjective improvement in tinnitus with TENS. TENS
      was more effective in patients with low-frequency tinnitus or with mild hearing
      loss. Symptomatic improvement in the electrical stimulation group was achieved
      for 1 month in most patients.

PMID- 24215218
TI  - Gentamicin-induced structural damage of human and artificial (biomimetic)
      otoconia.
AB  - CONCLUSIONS: Gentamicin causes irreversible structural damage of human and
      artificial otoconia by progressive dissolution of calcite. The inner architecture
      of otoconia is strongly affected by degradation scenarios during gentamicin
      exposure. Artificial otoconia can be used as a model system mimicking the
      chemical attacks for detailed investigations. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the
      chemical interactions of gentamicin with natural calcite and human and artificial
      otoconia under in vivo conditions. METHODS: Pure calcite crystals and artificial
      and human otoconia were exposed to gentamicin injection solutions at various
      concentrations. Morphological changes were observed in time steps by the use of
      environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). RESULTS: Dissolution of pure
      calcite crystals results in the formation of well oriented nanoshoots indicating
      an irreversible chemical reaction with gentamicin. Human and artificial otoconia
      reveal irreversible structural changes of their surface areas as well as of their
      inner structure, resulting in characteristic changes at different gentamicin
      concentrations. Minor changes are first observed by surface alterations and
      dissolution of calcite in the belly region. Major changes result in further
      reduction of the belly area reaching the center of symmetry. Finally, a complete
      dissolution of the branches takes place. Artificial otoconia provide detailed
      insight into surface alterations.

PMID- 24215219
TI  - Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials induced by bone-conducted vibration
      in patients with unilateral inner ear disease.
AB  - CONCLUSION: Patients with vestibular neuritis (VN) with complete canal paresis
      (CP) showed a higher rate of abnormal ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential
      (oVEMP) than those with partial CP. From these results, it is speculated that the
      superior vestibular nerve function mainly affects oVEMP. Significant correlation
      was found between the grades of the hearing outcome and oVEMP in sudden
      sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). OBJECTIVE: We attempted to correlate the
      results of oVEMP with the results of cervical VEMP (cVEMP), results of subjective
      visual vertical (SVV), and clinical course in patients with various vestibular
      disorders. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with VN, 65 with SSHL, and 22 with
      Meniere's disease (MD), were enrolled in this study. We compared the results of
      oVEMP with those of cVEMP, SVV, and the caloric test. Furthermore, the oVEMP
      results were compared with the initial hearing threshold, presence of vertigo,
      and hearing recovery in the patients with SSHL. RESULTS: The patients with VN
      with complete CP showed a higher rate of abnormal oVEMP than those with partial
      CP. In the patients with SSHL, the hearing recovery rate was lower in the
      patients with abnormal oVEMP than in those with normal oVEMP.

PMID- 24215220
TI  - Ten-year changes in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity
      among the Chinese adults in urban Shanghai, 1998-2007 - comparison of two cross
      sectional surveys.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In China, obesity is expected to increase rapidly in both urban and
      rural areas. However, there have been no comprehensive reports on secular trends
      in obesity prevalence among Chinese adults in urban Shanghai, which is the
      largest city in southern China. METHODS: In 1998-2001 and again in 2007-2008, two
      independent population-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Shanghai
      to investigate the prevalence of metabolic disorders. These surveys obtained
      height, waist circumference (WC), and weight measurements for Chinese adults aged
      between 20 and 74 years who lived in urban communities. From the 1998-2001
      survey, 4,894 participants (2,081 men and 2,813 women, mean age: 48.9 years) were
      recruited, and 4,395 participants (1,599 men and 2,796 women, mean age: 49.8
      years) were recruited from the 2007-2008 survey. Using the World Health
      Organization criteria, overweight was defined as 25 kg/m2 <= BMI < 30 kg/m2 and
      obesity as BMI >= 30 kg/m2. Central obesity was defined as WC >= 90 cm in men or
      >=85 cm in women. The differences in prevalence of obesity, central obesity and
      overweight between the two surveys were tested using multivariable logistic
      regression analyses. RESULTS: Compared to the 1998-2001 survey, in the 2007-2008
      survey the BMI distribution for men and the WC distribution for both genders is
      shifted significantly to the right along the x-axis (all p < 0.001). Over the ten
      years, the prevalence of combined overweight and obesity increased 24% (from
      31.5% to 39.1%, p < 0.001) in men, but decreased 8% (from 27.3% to 25.0%; p <
      0.01) in women. The prevalence of central obesity increased 40% in men (from
      19.5% to 27.3%; p < 0.01), but the increase was not significant in women (15.0%
      to 17.1%; p = 0.051). In the total population, only central obesity showed a
      significant change between the populations in the two surveys, increasing 29%
      (from 17.3% to 22.4%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Over this 10 year period, central
      obesity increased significantly in the Shanghai adult population. However, the
      prevalence of combined overweight and obesity was significantly increased in men
      but not in women.

PMID- 24215221
TI  - Electroretinogram and visual-evoked potential assessment of retinal and central
      visual function in a rat ocular hypertension model of glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE/AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the long-term functional
      changes that may occur in the retina and visual cortex in a rat ocular
      hypertension (OHT) model of glaucoma, used in our lab for treatment studies,
      using electroretinogram (ERG) and visual-evoked potential (VEP) cortical
      recordings in order to test the hypothesis that experimental glaucoma has
      differential retinal and central effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental
      glaucoma was induced unilaterally in Dark Agouti rats using hypertonic saline
      injection into the episcleral veins. After 3, 8, 16 and 26 weeks, ERGs and VEPs
      were recorded under scotopic conditions using brief full-field white flashes (10
      MUcd s m(-2) to 10.4 cd s m(-2)) and under photopic conditions using a rod
      adapting background and white light flashes (0.13-10.4 cd s m(-2)). RESULTS: At
      16 and 26 weeks after OHT induction, there was a significant reduction in the
      amplitudes of the a- (50% and 30% of unoperated eye values, respectively) and b
      waves (55% and 40%, respectively) of the scotopic ERG and the b-waves of the
      photopic ERG (55% and 45%, respectively) in the glaucomatous eyes. However, no
      significant changes in the VEPs simultaneously recorded over the visual cortex
      were seen at any of the time points. CONCLUSIONS: The reductions in ERG
      amplitudes suggest that this model of glaucoma not only causes retinal ganglion
      cell (RGC) degeneration but also degeneration of the outer retinal cells, and
      this was confirmed by histology showing a reduction in the outer retinal layers
      in the glaucomatous eyes. Cortical VEPs did not show detrimental effects
      suggesting that the retinal damage in this model was not extensive enough to be
      detected with the VEP methods used or that there could be central compensation in
      this model of glaucoma.

PMID- 24215222
TI  - The role of perceived peer prejudice and teacher discrimination on adolescent
      substance use: a social determinants approach.
AB  - Although Black adolescents have reported a lower prevalence of substance use
      relative to non-Hispanic Whites, Black youth are disproportionately affected by
      adverse social outcomes. Social scientists have highlighted that using a
      framework that includes perceived peer prejudice and teacher discrimination as
      social determinants of adolescent risk behaviors is essential to fully
      understanding substance use behaviors in adolescents. However, this area of
      research remains underdeveloped. This study examined whether and to what extent
      perceived peer prejudice and teacher discrimination affect binge drinking and
      marijuana use by Black (n = 514) and non-Hispanic White (n = 2,818) adolescents
      using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, Wave 2,
      Public Use dataset. Findings suggest that peer prejudice increased the risk of
      substance use in non-Hispanic White youth only, whereas experiences of teacher
      discrimination increased the risk of substance use in both Black and non-Hispanic
      White youth. The study's limitations are noted, and implications for future
      research are discussed.

PMID- 24215223
TI  - The social norms and beliefs of teenage male electronic cigarette use.
AB  - Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are novel, battery-operated inhalation
      devices that provide warm, vaporized nicotine, and often propylene glycol, to
      users without the inclusion of tobacco smoke. Because men, in general, are more
      likely to use cigarettes and illicit drugs than women, a qualitative study was
      undertaken to investigate the beliefs and perceived social norms regarding this
      issue among 47 teenage boys who self-identified themselves as current e-cigarette
      smokers. The majority of respondents reported that they used e-cigarettes because
      of expeditious consumption and concealment. Furthermore, the most common places
      respondents self-reported using e-cigarettes were everywhere, in school
      bathrooms, at home, and in school staircases. Interestingly, respondents stated
      that e-cigarettes are popular because they are accessible, healthier than tobacco
      cigarettes, and more aesthetically pleasing. Because of the growing popularity
      and uncertainty regarding the social and physical consequences of e-cigarettes,
      this study shows a need for additional research discovery. 

PMID- 24215224
TI  - Acculturation stress and drinking problems among urban heavy drinking Latinos in
      the Northeast.
AB  - This study investigates the relationship between the level of acculturation and
      acculturation stress and the extent to which each predicts problems related to
      drinking. Hispanics who met criteria for hazardous drinking completed measures of
      acculturation, acculturation stress, and drinking problems. Sequential multiple
      regression was used to determine whether the levels of self-reported
      acculturation stress predicted concurrent alcohol problems after controlling for
      the predictive value of the acculturation level. Acculturation stress accounted
      for a significant variance in drinking problems, while adjusting for
      acculturation, income, and education. Choosing to drink in response to
      acculturation stress should be an intervention target with Hispanic heavy
      drinkers. 

PMID- 24215225
TI  - Evaluating a bilingual voluntary community-based healthcare organization.
AB  - The current study compared traditional recovery homes for individuals with
      substance use disorders with homes that had been modified to feature culturally
      congruent communication styles. Findings indicated significant increases in
      employment income, with the size of the change significantly greater in the
      culturally modified houses. Significant decreases in alcohol use over time were
      also found, with larger decreases over time in the traditional recovery homes.
      Use of prescribed medications and days using drugs significantly decreased over
      time, but not differentially for those in the two types of recovery homes. The
      implications of these findings are discussed. 

PMID- 24215226
TI  - Travellers accessing addiction services in Ireland (2007 to 2010): analysis of
      routine surveillance data.
AB  - By accessing addiction treatment services recorded in routine national drug
      treatment data, the characteristics of Irish Travellers were analyzed to
      understand their needs and develop policies to tackle issues faced by this
      community. The number of Traveller cases accessing services increased by 163%
      between 2007 and 2010. Alcohol and opiates were the most common problem
      substances reported. Traveller women reported high rates of problem opiate use
      and risky injecting behaviors, contrary to the perception that problem substance
      use is a predominantly male issue. This presents a challenge to services to
      provide targeted, effective services to Travellers with problem substance use. 

PMID- 24215227
TI  - Culturally adapted motivational interviewing for Latino heavy drinkers: results
      from a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - A randomized clinical trial of culturally adapted and unadapted motivational
      interviewing to reduce drinking and related problems among heavy drinking Latinos
      assessed 57 participants at baseline and at 2 (86% retention) and 6 months (84%
      retention) after treatment. Significant decreases across both treatments were
      found in heavy drinking days per month and drinking consequences (p < .001), with
      greater reductions for drinking consequences for culturally adapted motivational
      interviewing at 2 months (p = .009) and continuing reductions in culturally
      adapted motivational interviewing at 6 months. Findings provide preliminary
      support for the value of cultural adaptation to enhance the efficacy of
      motivational interviewing with Latino heavy drinkers.

PMID- 24215228
TI  - Patient navigation to promote smoking cessation among low-income primary care
      patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
AB  - We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial to determine the feasibility and
      acceptability of a patient navigation intervention. Forty-seven smokers from one
      safety-net hospital were randomized to either a control group, in which they
      received a smoking cessation brochure and a list of smoking cessation resources,
      or a navigation group, in which they received the smoking cessation brochure, a
      list of smoking cessation resources, and patient navigation. Follow-up data were
      obtained for 33 participants. Nine (47.4%) of 19 of navigation group participants
      had engaged in smoking cessation treatment by 3 months versus 6 (42.9%) of 14
      control group participants (chi-square p = ns). Patient navigation to promote
      engagement in smoking cessation treatment was feasible and acceptable to
      participants.

PMID- 24215230
TI  - Pathogenic immune mechanisms at the neuromuscular synapse: the role of specific
      antibody-binding epitopes in myasthenia gravis.
AB  - Autoantibodies against three different postsynaptic antigens and one presynaptic
      antigen at the neuromuscular junction are known to cause myasthenic syndromes.
      The mechanisms by which these antibodies cause muscle weakness vary from
      antigenic modulation and complement-mediated membrane damage to inhibition of
      endogenous ligand binding and blocking of essential protein-protein interactions.
      These mechanisms are related to the autoantibody titre, specific epitopes on the
      target proteins and IgG autoantibody subclass. We here review the role of
      specific autoantibody-binding epitopes in myasthenia gravis, their possible
      relevance to the pathophysiology of the disease and potential implications of
      epitope mapping knowledge for new therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 24215231
TI  - Balancing the costs of carbon gain and water transport: testing a new theoretical
      framework for plant functional ecology.
AB  - A novel framework is presented for the analysis of ecophysiological field
      measurements and modelling. The hypothesis 'leaves minimise the summed unit costs
      of transpiration and carboxylation' predicts leaf-internal/ambient CO2 ratios (ci
      /ca ) and slopes of maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax ) or leaf nitrogen (Narea )
      vs. stomatal conductance. Analysis of data on woody species from contrasting
      climates (cold-hot, dry-wet) yielded steeper slopes and lower mean ci /ca ratios
      at the dry or cold sites than at the wet or hot sites. High atmospheric vapour
      pressure deficit implies low ci /ca in dry climates. High water viscosity (more
      costly transport) and low photorespiration (less costly photosynthesis) imply low
      ci /ca in cold climates. Observed site-mean ci /ca shifts are predicted
      quantitatively for temperature contrasts (by photorespiration plus viscosity
      effects) and approximately for aridity contrasts. The theory explains the
      dependency of ci /ca ratios on temperature and vapour pressure deficit, and
      observed relationships of leaf delta(13) C and Narea to aridity. 

PMID- 24215232
TI  - Experimental biomechanical assessment of plate stabilizers for treatment of
      pectus excavatum.
AB  - The paper discusses results of experimental research involving new generation of
      plate stabilizers used for the treatment of deformation of the front chest wall.
      Previous clinical monitoring revealed instances of minimal rotation, which caused
      destabilization of the anastomosis and pain in patients. In order to prevent
      this, transverse stabilizing plates were introduced to the structure of the
      stabilizer. The new structure of stabilizers was tested using two specially
      prepared research posts: 1 - which enables fastening of the plate stabilizers to
      a platform simulating human ribs, 2 - using a pig chest, to which plates were
      fastened according to the stabilization conditions in the stabilizer-chest
      structure. The tests recorded displacement values in selected areas of the plates
      in response to applied loading forces. 

PMID- 24215234
TI  - A two-step synthesis of alpha-keto vinyl carbinols from ketones.
AB  - Conjugate addition of lithium enolates onto terminal alkynyl- and allenyl
      sulfoxides furnishes the corresponding allylic sulfoxides. The latter readily
      undergo a Mislow-Braverman-Evans rearrangement to yield the targeted alpha-keto
      vinyl carbinols. This two-step procedure does not require purification of the
      intermediates and constitutes the shortest approach to alpha-keto vinyl
      carbinols. 

PMID- 24215235
TI  - Use of anthropometry--its importance and critical use in the assessment of
      growth.

PMID- 24215236
TI  - Molecular mobility of amorphous S-flurbiprofen: a dielectric relaxation
      spectroscopy approach.
AB  - Amorphous S-flurbiprofen was obtained by the melt quench/cooling method.
      Dielectric measurements performed in the isochronal mode, conventional and
      temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) studies showed a
      glass transition, recrystallization, and melting. The different parameters
      characterizing the complex molecular dynamics of amorphous S-flurbiprofen that
      can have influence on crystallization and stability were comprehensively
      characterized by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy experiments (isothermal mode)
      covering a wide temperature (183 to 408 K) and frequency range (10(-1) to 10(6)
      Hz): width of the alpha-relaxation (betaKWW), temperature dependence of alpha
      relaxation times (taualpha), fragility index (m), relation of the alpha
      relaxation with the beta-secondary relaxation, and the breakdown of the Debye
      Stokes-Einstein (DSE) relationship between the structural relaxation time and dc
      conductivity (sigmadc) at deep undercooling close to Tg. The beta-relaxation,
      observed in the glassy as well as in the supercooled state was identified as the
      genuine Johari-Goldstein process, attributed to localized motions and regarded as
      the precursor of the alpha-relaxation as suggested in the coupling model. A
      separation of about 6 decades between the alpha- and beta-relaxation was observed
      at Tg; this decoupling decreased on increasing temperature, and both processes
      merged at Talphabeta = 295 K. The temperature dependence of the alpha-relaxation
      time, taualpha, was described by two Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann-Hesse equations, which
      intercept at a crossover temperature, TB = 290 K, close to the splitting
      temperature between the alpha- and beta-relaxation. From the low temperature VFTH
      equation, a Tg(DRS) = 265.2 was estimated (at taualpha =100 s) in good agreement
      with the calorimetric value (Tg,onset,TMDSC = 265.6 K), and a fragility or
      steepness index m = 113 was calculated allowing to classify S-flurbiprofen as a
      fragile glass former. The alpha-relaxation spectra were found to be characterized
      by a relatively large degree of nonexponentiality (betaKWW = 0.52). A breakdown
      of the DSE log10 sigmadc - log10 tau relation was observed revealing an
      enhancement of translational ionic motions in comparison with the orientational
      molecular motions as the glass transition temperature Tg is approached from
      above. 

PMID- 24215233
TI  - Aging related changes of retina and optic nerve of Uromastyx aegyptia and Falco
      tinnunculus.
AB  - Aging is a biological phenomenon that involves gradual degradation of the
      structure and function of the retina and optic nerve. To our knowledge, little is
      known about the aging-related ocular cell loss in avian (Falco tinnunculus) and
      reptilian species (Uromastyx aegyptia). A selected 90 animals of pup, middle, and
      old age U. aegyptia (reptilian) and F. tinnunculus (avian) were used. The retinae
      and optic nerves were investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy
      (TEM) and assessments of neurotransmitters, antioxidant enzymes (catalase,
      superoxide dismustase and glutathione s transferase), caspase-3 and -7,
      malonadialdhyde, and DNA fragmentation. Light and TEM observations of the senile
      specimens revealed apparent deterioration of retinal cell layers, especially the
      pigmented epithelium and photoreceptor outer segments. Their inclusions of
      melanin were replaced by lipofuscins. Also, vacuolar degeneration and
      demyelination of the optic nerve axons were detected. Concomitantly, there was a
      marked increase of oxidative stress involved reduction of neurotransmitters and
      antioxidant enzymes and an increase of lipid peroxidation, caspase-3 and -7,
      subG0/G1 apoptosis, and P53. We conclude that aging showed an inverse
      relationship with the neurotransmitters and antioxidant enzymes and a linear
      relationship of caspases, malondialdhyde, DNA apoptosis, and P53 markers of cell
      death. These markers reflected the retinal cytological alterations and lipofuscin
      accumulation within inner segments.

PMID- 24215237
TI  - Discovery and characterization of a novel dihydroisoxazole class of alpha-amino-3
      hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor potentiators.
AB  - Positive allosteric modulators ("potentiators") of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl
      4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors (AMPAR) enhance excitatory
      neurotransmission and may improve the cognitive deficits associated with various
      neurological disorders. The dihydroisoxazole (DHI) series of AMPAR potentiators
      described herein originated from the identification of 7 by a high-throughput
      functional activity screen using mouse embryonic stem (mES) cell-derived neuronal
      precursors. Subsequent structure-based drug design using X-ray crystal structures
      of the ligand-binding domain of human GluA2 led to the discovery of both PF
      04725379 (11), which in tritiated form became a novel ligand for characterizing
      the binding affinities of subsequent AMPAR potentiators in rat brain homogenate,
      and PF-04701475 (8a), a prototype used to explore AMPAR-mediated pharmacology in
      vivo. Lead series optimization provided 16a, a functionally potent compound
      lacking the potentially bioactivatable aniline within 8a, but retaining desirable
      in vitro ADME properties. 

PMID- 24215238
TI  - Alcohol use and HIV disease management: the impact of individual and partner
      level alcohol use among HIV-positive men who have sex with men.
AB  - Alcohol use among HIV-positive (HIV+) individuals is associated with decreased
      adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and consequently poorer HIV treatment
      outcomes. This study examined the independent association of individual and
      partner-level alcohol use with HIV disease management among men who have sex with
      men (MSM) in primary partnerships. In total, 356 HIV+ MSM and their male primary
      partners completed a baseline visit for a longitudinal study examining the role
      of couple-level factors in HIV treatment. The Alcohol Use Disorders
      Identification Test (AUDIT) was administered to assess the individual and the
      partner-level alcohol use. Primary outcome variables included self-reported ART
      adherence, ART adherence self-efficacy, and HIV viral load. Results demonstrated
      that abstainers, compared to hazardous drinkers, had higher self-efficacy to
      integrate and persevere in HIV treatment and a lower odds of having a detectable
      viral load. Participants with a partner-abstainer, versus a partner-hazardous
      drinker, had less self-efficacy to persevere in HIV treatment, a lower odds of
      100% three-day adherence and a higher viral load. Together, these findings
      suggest that assessment and treatment of both the patient's and the patient's
      primary partner's pattern of alcohol consumption is warranted when attempting to
      optimize HIV care among MSM.

PMID- 24215239
TI  - Ionic and tautomeric composition of cytosine in aqueous solution: resonance and
      non-resonance Raman spectroscopy study.
AB  - A complex experimental and theoretical study of the structural composition of
      cytosine in water was performed. Raman and resonance Raman spectra of cytosine in
      acidic, neutral, and alkaline water solutions (pH = 3, 7, and 10, respectively)
      were recorded at excitation wavelengths of 514, 266, 218, and 200 nm. The
      temperature dependence of the frequencies and intensities of the resonance Raman
      bands was obtained in the temperature interval of 4-80  degrees C. To interpret
      the experimental Raman and resonance Raman spectra and to determine the
      structural composition of the water solution of cytosine, the spectra of cytosine
      and its cation, anion, oxoimine, and hydroxoamine forms were calculated at the
      B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level using the SCRF method. The electronic spectra and
      geometric parameters of the cytosine and its molecular forms in the excited
      electronic states close to the excitation wavelengths of the resonance Raman
      spectra were calculated using the DFT method. The cation exists in the acidic
      solution together with cytosine and its oxoimine and hydroxoamine tautomeric
      forms. Cytosine with a small amount of anion dominates in the alkaline medium.
      The structural composition of the water solution of cytosine is confirmed by the
      results of quantum-mechanical calculations of the intensity distribution in the
      resonance Raman spectra. 

PMID- 24215240
TI  - The management of antimicrobial-resistant enteric fever.

PMID- 24215241
TI  - Recent advances in experimental models of osteomyelitis.

PMID- 24215243
TI  - Sofosbuvir (GS-7977), a pan-genotype, direct-acting antiviral for hepatitis C
      virus infection.
AB  - Given the global importance of chronic hepatitis C virus infection as a major
      health burden, there is still a need for treatment options that are more
      efficient, safer, simpler, more convenient and preferably interferon-free.
      Sofosbuvir (GS-7977; formerly PSI-7977) is a direct-acting antiviral agent that
      has met many of these attributes. This novel nucleotide analogue has demonstrated
      a consistently potent antiviral activity across several hepatitis C virus
      genotypes, and has been found to be safe and well tolerated when administered
      alone or with ribavarin +/- pegylated interferon. The clinical data evaluating
      the safety, tolerability and antiviral activity of sofosbuvir in various
      treatment regimens are presented in this article. Sofosbuvir is a major
      breakthrough in the care of HCV infection, making it possible that thousands of
      HCV infected patients around the world achieve cures, and preventing HCV
      associated morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 24215244
TI  - Is there a role for statins in fungal infections?
AB  - It has been hypothesized that statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, may be used
      to treat fungal infections. Here we review data on antifungal properties of
      statins, effects on the host inflammatory response as well as available clinical
      evidence. We conclude that: statins exhibit antifungal properties in vitro
      although at supraphysiological concentrations; statins appear to have anti
      inflammatory effects on host cells in vitro; statins have effects on fungal
      physiology beyond direct growth inhibition; clinical studies are scarce (n = 5),
      and their design is retrospective and observational, which is associated with a
      high risk of bias. Given the limited evidence for a beneficial effect of statins
      in fungal infection, randomized and controlled trials are highly warranted in
      this field.

PMID- 24215246
TI  - Exposure to bisphenol A affects lipid metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in rodents was shown to induce obesity, yet the
      mechanism by which BPA might induce obesity is still unclear. We employed the
      genetically tractable model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, to test the
      effects of raising them on food containing various concentrations of BPA. Of
      note, raising males on food containing BPA were susceptible to starvation,
      possibly by inhibiting their ability to perform lipolysis during starvation,
      leading to significantly increased lipid content after 24 hr of fasting.
      Furthermore, feeding males with BPA significantly inhibited the expression of
      insulin-like peptides. From these results, we conclude that BPA may inhibit lipid
      recruitment during starvation in Drosophila. 

PMID- 24215248
TI  - All for one and one for all.

PMID- 24215249
TI  - Determinants of the effect of existential behavioral therapy for bereaved
      partners: a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Informal caregivers of palliative patients took part in existential
      behavioral therapy (EBT), a group intervention comprising mindfulness exercises
      to reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life. OBJECTIVES: This
      study examined what the participants perceived as helpful to cope with their loss
      during the first year of bereavement, particularly with regard to the EBT
      intervention. DESIGN: Sixteen problem-centered, semi-structured interviews were
      evaluated with content analysis. RESULTS: Two main categories were found: social
      support and self-regulation. Social support includes sense of belonging as well
      as emotional, cognitive, and practical help experienced from others. Mindfulness
      and acceptance, a clear focus on the positive, and orientation toward the future
      were helpful strategies of self-regulation; these were also part of the EBT
      intervention. Mindfulness was understood as permitting emotions and acceptance of
      one's inner processes, even if they were not pleasant, and was found to be
      helpful to stop ruminative thinking. CONCLUSIONS: The categories considered as
      being helpful parallel core elements of EBT and recent grief theories. The
      intervention was found to be supportive and met the needs of the participants.
      The interviewees appreciated the continuity of EBT support from palliative care
      into bereavement.

PMID- 24215250
TI  - Is it appropriate to withdraw antibiotics in terminal patients with cancer with
      infection?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antibiotic administration is frequent in terminal patients with
      cancer, yet the effects on survival are still under debate. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
      this study was to examine the status of infection and the benefit/burden of
      antibiotic administration on the survival of terminal patients with cancer with
      infection. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING/SUBJECTS: We
      studied 799 patients with terminal cancer who were admitted to a palliative care
      unit in Taiwan between January 2008 and the end of April 2010. Survival was
      calculated from the first day of admission to the day of death in the palliative
      care unit or under home care. MEASUREMENTS: A specially designed assessment tool
      was used daily to evaluate clinical conditions. Afterwards, it was analyzed at
      different time points in a weekly team meeting. Multivariate Cox proportional
      hazard analyses were used to examine the benefit/burden of antibiotic
      administration on survival. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-five patients were
      diagnosed as having at least one episode of infection after first admission. A
      total of 295 of the 378 (78.0%) with infection received antibiotic treatment upon
      admission. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that antibiotic
      administration was related to improved survival for patients who were still alive
      1 week after admission (hazard ratio: 0.66, 95% confidence interfal [CI]: 0.46
      0.95). However, antibiotics would be a hazard to patients' survival if used in
      the time 2 days prior to death (hazard ratio: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.22-1.94).
      CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that with good communication between patients,
      families, and medical staff, withdrawal of antibiotics should be considered if
      signs of death appear, in order to avoid unnecessary risks. The possible benefit
      of prolonged survival should be in line with the goal of care, and also take into
      account preparing the patient for a dignified death.

PMID- 24215251
TI  - Evaluation of quality of life in complete locked-in syndrome patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are few studies where quality of life (QOL) and contributive
      factors are assessed in locked-in syndrome (LIS) patients with complete physical
      and functional disability and dependence on caregivers. OBJECTIVE: The study's
      objective was evaluation of QOL in LIS patients. DESIGN: We have compared QOL in
      LIS patients with QOL in healthy controls (control group). SETTING/SUBJECTS: We
      have included 19 LIS patients, most of them with vascular etiologies or terminal
      course of ALS, and 20 healthy controls comparable with LIS patients for age; none
      of them was in a caregiving position. MEASUREMENTS: Administered to patients and
      controls were the McGill Quality of Life Single Item Scale (MQOL-SIS) Part A;
      Short Form survey (SF-36), Mental Component Summary (MCS) and Physical Component
      Summary (PCS); Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II); and Toronto Alexithymia
      Scale (TAS). RESULTS: Mean MQOL-SIS and MCS SF-36 were not significantly
      different between the LIS group and healthy controls. PCS SF-36 score was
      significantly higher in controls. There were no significant differences between
      the two groups for TAS scores. Frequency of depressive symptoms was significantly
      higher in LIS patients than in controls. CONCLUSION: In our study, QOL in LIS
      patients was not significantly altered compared to control subjects in MQOL-SIS
      and in the MCS SF-36 scale; these results match previous studies published in the
      literature. Several factors may have an impact on QOL in LIS patients, such as
      family support and patient-computer communication devices; these may have
      contributed to improve QOL in LIS patients in this study.

PMID- 24215252
TI  - The increase of vasomotor tone avoids the ability of the dynamic preload
      indicators to estimate fluid responsiveness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of vasoconstrictor can affect the dynamic indices to predict
      fluid responsiveness. We investigate the effects of an increase of vascular tone
      on dynamic variables of fluid responsiveness in a rabbit model of hemorrhage, and
      to examine the ability of the arterial pressure surrogates dynamic indices to
      track systolic volume variation (SVV) during hypovolemia under increased
      vasomotor tone. METHODS: Eighteen anesthetized and mechanically ventilated
      rabbits were studied during normovolemia (BL) and after blood progressive removal
      (15 mL/kg, BW). Other two sets of data were obtained during PHE infusion with
      normovolemia (BL + PHE) and during hypovolemia (BW + PHE). We measured central
      venous and left ventricular (LV) pressures and infra diaphragmatic aortic blood
      flow (AoF) and pressure. Pulse pressure variation (PPV), systolic pressure
      variation (SPV) and SVV were estimated manually by the variation of beat-to-beat
      PP, SP and SV, respectively. We also calculated PPVapnea as 100 * (PPmax
      PPmin)/PP during apnea. The vasomotor tone was estimated by total peripheral
      resistance (TPR = mean aortic pressure/mean AoF), dynamic arterial elastance
      (Eadyn = PPV/SVV) and arterial compliance (C = SV/PP). We assessed LV preload by
      LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). We compared the trending abilities between SVV
      and pressure surrogate indices using four-quadrant plots and polar plots.
      RESULTS: Baseline PPV, SPV, PPVapnea, and SVV increased significantly during
      hemorrhage, with a decrease of AoF (P < 0.05). PHE induced significant TPR and
      Eadyn increase and C decrease in bled animals, and a further decrease in AoF with
      a significant decrease of all dynamic indices. There was a significant
      correlation between SVV and PPV, PPVapnea and SPV in normal vasomotor tone (r2 >=
      0.5). The concordance rate was 91%, 95% and 76% between SVV and PPV, PPVapnea and
      SPV, respectively, in accordance with the polar plot analysis. During PHE
      infusion, there was no correlation between SVV and its surrogates, and both four
      quadrant plot and polar plot showed poor trending. CONCLUSION: In this animal
      model of hemorrhage and increased vasomotor tone induced by phenylephrine the
      ability of dynamic indices to predict fluid responsiveness seems to be impaired,
      masking the true fluid loss. Moreover, the arterial pressure surrogates have not
      the reliable trending ability against SVV.

PMID- 24215253
TI  - Evaluating the efficacy of subcutaneous C1-esterase inhibitor administration for
      use in rat models of inflammatory diseases.
AB  - CONTEXT: C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-inh) therapy is currently administered to
      patients with C1-inh deficiency through intravenous injections. The possibility
      of subcutaneous administration is currently being explored since this would
      alleviate need for hospitalization and increase mobility and well-being of
      patients. Recently, it was observed in pigs that C1-inh indeed can effectively be
      applied by subcutaneous injection. For studies on the effectiveness of C1-inh
      therapy for other indications than acquired and hereditary angioedema, rats are
      commonly used as model animal. For rats, however, subcutaneous C1-inh
      administration has never been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy
      of subcutaneous C1-inh administration in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three boli
      of 100 U/kg human plasma-derived C1-inh were administered to Wistar rats on three
      consecutive days through subcutaneous injection or intravenous injection. Blood
      samples were collected from the tail veins 3, 4.5 or 6 h after C1-inh
      administration for measurement of C1-inh plasma levels. Antigen and activity
      levels of C1-inh of each plasma sample were determined by means of a specific
      ELISA. RESULTS: For both C1-inh antigen and C1-inh activity, 21- to 119-fold
      higher plasma levels were measured after intravenous administration compared with
      subcutaneous administration. Subcutaneous administration also resulted in C1-inh
      plasma levels that were less stable and with decreased relative activity.
      CONCLUSION: These combined results indicate that in rats, subcutaneous injections
      in the present formulation are not effective as alternative administration route
      for C1-inh.

PMID- 24215254
TI  - Cross-national patterns of intergenerational continuities in childbearing in
      developed countries.
AB  - Earlier work has shown that the association between the fertility of parents and
      the fertility of children has become stronger over time in some societies. This
      article updates and broadens the geographic coverage to assess the magnitude of
      intergenerational continuities in childbearing in developed and middle-income
      societies using data for 46 populations from 28 developed countries drawn from a
      number of recent large-scale survey programs. Robust positive intergenerational
      fertility correlations are found across these countries into the most recent
      period, and although there is no indication that the strength of the relationship
      is declining, the increasing trend does not appear to be continuing. 

PMID- 24215255
TI  - Health, retirement, and migration from metro counties: evidence from the health
      and retirement study.
AB  - Event history analyses and difference-in-proportions tests are used to analyze
      1994-2003 data from the Health and Retirement Survey. For young-old metropolitan
      adults who had never retired, self-rated health (SRH) was unrelated to the odds
      of becoming a migrant, but for those who had retired, better SRH raised the odds.
      Neither SRH nor its interwave change was related to the risk of a nonmetro or
      metro destination. Metro-metro and metro-nonmetro migrants were indistinguishable
      in their recalled reasons for migration. The implications of the findings for
      theory and future research are discussed. 

PMID- 24215256
TI  - Income gains and very low-weight birth among low-income black mothers in
      California.
AB  - We test the hypothesis suggested in the literature that an acute income gain in
      the form of the earned income tax credit reduces the odds of a very low-weight
      birth among low-income non-Hispanic black mothers. We apply ecological time
      series and supplemental individual-level logistic regression methods to monthly
      birth data from California between 1989 and 1997. Contrary to our hypothesis, the
      odds of very low-weight birth increases above its expected value two months after
      mothers typically receive the credit. We discuss our findings in relation to the
      epidemiologic literature concerned with ambient events during pregnancy and
      recommend further investigation. 

PMID- 24215257
TI  - Understanding how family socioeconomic status mediates the maternal intelligence
      child cognitive outcomes relationship: a moderated mediation analysis.
AB  - In a model of moderated mediation using matched data from the 1979 National
      Longitudinal Survey of Youth and the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth,
      Children and Young Adults, I test (1) whether family socioeconomic status (SES)
      mediates the maternal intelligence-child cognitive outcomes relationship and (2)
      the extent to which this mediating impact is dependent on the level of maternal
      intelligence. Results reveal that the mediating impact of SES on the maternal
      intelligence-child cognitive outcomes relationship varies as a function of the
      level of maternal intelligence. The positive effect of higher SES on children's
      academic ability decreases as the cognitive ability of mothers increases, such
      that children in low IQ households benefit most from higher SES, while children
      in high IQ households benefit somewhat less. 

PMID- 24215258
TI  - Influenza as a proportion of pneumonia mortality: United States, 1959-2009.
AB  - As causes of death, influenza and pneumonia are typically analyzed together. We
      quantify influenza's contribution to the combined pneumonia and influenza
      mortality time series for the United States, 1959-2009. A key statistic is I/(P +
      I), the proportion of pneumonia and influenza mortality accounted for by
      influenza. Year-to-year, I/(P + I) is highly variable and shows long-term
      decline. Extreme values of I/(P + I) are associated with extreme P + I death
      rates and vice versa, but I/(P + I) is a weak predictor of P + I mortality
      overall. Prominence of influenza in the medical news is associated with high I/(P
      + I). Influenza and pneumonia should be analyzed as a combined cause. 

PMID- 24215259
TI  - Are stepparents always evil? Parental death, remarriage, and child survival in
      demographically saturated Krummhorn (1720-1859) and expanding Quebec (1670-1750).
AB  - Parental death precipitates a cascade of events leading to more or less
      detrimental exposures, from the sudden and dramatic interruption of parental care
      to cohabitation with stepparents and siblings in a recomposed family. This
      article compares the effect of early parental loss on child survival in the past
      in the Krummhorn region of East Frisia (Germany) and among the French Canadian
      settlers of the Saint Lawrence Valley (Quebec, Canada). The Krummhorn region was
      characterized by a saturated habitat, while the opportunities for establishing a
      new family were virtually unlimited for the French Canadian settlers. Early
      parental loss had quite different consequences in these dissimilar environments.
      Event history analyses with time-varying specification of family structure are
      used on a sample of 7,077 boys and 6,906 girls born between 1720 and 1859 in the
      Krummhorn region and 31,490 boys and 33,109 girls whose parents married between
      1670 and 1750 in Quebec. Results indicate that in both populations, parental loss
      is associated with increased infant and child mortality. Maternal loss has a
      universal and consistent effect for both sexes, while the impact of paternal loss
      is less easy to establish and interpret. On the other hand, the effect of the
      remarriage of the surviving spouse is population-specific: the mother's
      remarriage has no effect in Krummhorn, while it is beneficial in Quebec. In
      contrast, the father's remarriage in Krummhorn dramatically reduces the survival
      chances of the children born from his former marriage, while such an effect is
      not seen for Quebec. These population-specific effects appear to be driven by the
      availability of resources and call into question the universality of the
      "Cinderella" effect. 

PMID- 24215260
TI  - The reproductive transition in an indigenous population of northern Argentina.
AB  - Latin America has been registering a fast decrease in fertility rates since the
      mid-twentieth century. This change can be linked to the modernization process
      these populations have been undergoing. However, research with Latin American
      indigenous populations, which are undergoing relatively similar lifestyle
      changes, shows very different trends in fertility. The aim of this study was to
      analyze fertility patterns in the indigenous Toba community of Cacique Sombrero
      Negro, which is experiencing a rapid process of economic and social
      Westernization. Fertility patterns were analyzed between 1981 and 1999, the
      period for which the most accurate records were found. Results showed an overall
      increase in fertility rates and changes in the age of peak fertility across time
      periods. It is hypothesized that the lifestyle transition this population is
      experiencing leads to better access to resources that, in the absence of
      contraception, allow for a higher number of offspring. Nevertheless, this higher
      resource availability would be differential, affecting mostly the fertility of
      younger mothers. 

PMID- 24215262
TI  - Ibudilast reduces alcohol drinking in multiple animal models of alcohol
      dependence.
AB  - Neuroinflammatory signaling pathways in the central nervous system are of current
      interest as potential pharmacotherapy targets for alcohol dependence. In this
      study, we examined the ability of ibudilast, a non-selective phosphodiesterase
      inhibitor, to reduce alcohol drinking and relapse in alcohol-preferring P rats,
      high-alcohol drinking HAD1 rats, and in mice made dependent on alcohol through
      cycles of alcohol vapor exposure. When administered twice daily, ibudilast
      reduced alcohol drinking in rats by approximately 50% and reduced drinking by
      alcohol-dependent mice at doses which had no effect in non-dependent mice. These
      findings support the viability of ibudilast as a possible treatment for alcohol
      dependence. 

PMID- 24215263
TI  - A subset of Rosai-Dorfman disease cases show increased IgG4-positive plasma
      cells: another red herring or a true association with IgG4-related disease?

PMID- 24215265
TI  - Overcoming fixed mindsets: the role of affect.
AB  - When there is an established strategy to solve a problem, we often approach the
      problem with a mindset that makes us blind for more efficient solutions. We
      examined the role of affect in overcoming such blinding effects of mindsets. As
      positive affect is known to broaden and negative affect to narrow thought-action
      repertoires, we speculated that positive affect facilitates and negative affect
      impedes the overcoming of a current mindset. To induce a mindset, participants
      initially solved 60 similar problems which were only solvable using the same
      complex strategy. After a short break in which positive or negative affect was
      induced, participants continued to work on the problems. Critically, there now
      was an additional simple way to solve the problems. Participants experiencing
      positive affect were more likely to detect the simple solution than participants
      experiencing negative affect. These findings reveal that affect modulates how
      much we are constrained by current mindsets. 

PMID- 24215264
TI  - Impact of human papillomavirus-related genital diseases on quality of life and
      psychosocial wellbeing: results of an observational, health-related quality of
      life study in the UK.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data on the psychosocial burden of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related
      diseases other than cervical cancer are scarce. The objectives of this study were
      to measure and compare the psychosocial burden and the impact on health-related
      quality of life (HRQoL) of HPV-related lower genital tract diseases and genital
      warts (GW) using several generic and disease-specific instruments. METHODS:
      Overall, 842 individuals with normal cervical cytology (n = 241), borderline
      nuclear abnormalities and/or mild dyskaryosis (n = 23), cervical intraepithelial
      neoplasia (CIN)1 (n = 84), CIN2/3 (n = 203), vulval intraepithelial neoplasia
      (VIN)2/3 (n = 43), GW (n = 186) and a history of GW (non-current) (n = 62) were
      included. The generic European Quality of Life Index Version 5D (EQ-5D)
      questionnaire was completed by patients with GW and VIN2/3. Sexual functioning
      was evaluated using the Change in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ).
      Psychosocial impact was measured in women using the HPV Impact Profile (HIP)
      questionnaire. HRQoL was assessed using a GW-specific questionnaire, the
      Cuestionario Especifico en Condilomas Acuminados (CECA) (completed by patients
      with GW and history of GW). For each instrument, scores were compared between
      groups using the Student's t-test. In addition, utility loss due to GW and VIN2/3
      was evaluated by comparing mean EQ-5D scores weighted by age and sex with the UK
      general population normal values. RESULTS: A significant psychosocial impact was
      found in women diagnosed with HPV-related genital diseases, particularly in those
      with GW. The health state of younger adults with GW was significantly impaired
      compared with UK normal values (mean EQ-5D index score 0.86 vs 0.94, p < 0.001
      for 18-24-year-olds; 0.87 vs 0.93, p = 0.030 for 25-34-year-olds). VIN2/3 was
      found to have a significant negative impact on sexual functioning, and women with
      VIN2/3 had a highly impaired health state compared with women in the UK general
      population (weighted mean EQ-5D index score 0.72 vs 0.89, p < 0.001; weighted
      mean Visual Analogue Scale score 62 vs 85, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HPV-related
      lower genital tract lesions and GW significantly impair psychosocial wellbeing
      and HRQoL. The psychosocial aspects of HPV-related diseases need to be considered
      when evaluating the potential benefit of HPV vaccination.

PMID- 24215266
TI  - Chronic cocaine effects in retinal metabolism and electrophysiology: treatment
      with topiramate.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cocaine abuse is a major public health problem with multiple-related
      complications. Indeed, cocaine can affect almost every organ of the human body,
      but little is known about its effects on the visual system. The main purpose of
      this work was to study if topiramate was able to reverse changes in retinal
      metabolism and retinal function induced by chronic cocaine exposure in adult
      rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen Wistar rats were treated with a daily oral
      dose of cocaine during 36 days. Sixteen rats receiving NaCl 0.9% served as
      controls. Eight control and eight cocaine animals were administered topiramate
      from day 18 to day 36 of the experiment. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH)
      and glutamate content, as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in retina
      tissue homogenates were determined. Retinal function was assessed by
      electroretinogram (ERG). RESULTS: Glutamate concentration was increased in the
      retinas of cocaine-treated rats. No changes in oxidative stress parameters were
      observed in the retinas of cocaine-treated rats when compared with the control
      ones. Cocaine induced a decrease in the a-wave and b-wave ERG amplitude. The
      administration of topiramate reversed cocaine-induced increase in glutamate
      concentration and had little effect on a-wave and b-wave ERG amplitude.
      Topiramate, a drug used during the last decade for the treatment of epileptic
      seizures, is able to reverse the cocaine-induced alterations observed in retinal
      glutamate concentration. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that retinal glutamate
      metabolism and function may be affected by exposure to cocaine. We confirm that
      topiramate, a treatment recently proposed for cocaine dependence, is also able to
      recover partially cocaine-induced changes in the retina.

PMID- 24215267
TI  - The effect of anxiety and depression on symptoms attributed to atrial
      fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Symptoms attributed to atrial fibrillation (AF) are nonspecific, and
      it remains unclear what influences perception of symptoms. Anxiety or depression
      may be important in modulating perception of AF symptoms. However, few
      longitudinal studies have addressed this effect. METHODS: A total of 378 patients
      with AF completed anxiety and depression severity questionnaires as well as AF
      symptom and frequency severity questionnaires. Patients were offered treatment
      strategies including catheter ablation or antiarrhythmic or rate-controlling
      medications. Patients were followed at 3-month intervals and completed follow-up
      questionnaires including repeat assessment of anxiety, depression, and AF
      symptoms. A method of generalized estimating equations was used for longitudinal
      analyses. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that increased anxiety or depression was
      associated with increased AF symptom severity (AFSS), after adjusting for
      potential confounders. In both unadjusted and adjusted follow-up analyses,
      antiarrhythmic drug therapy or catheter ablation reduced AFSS (P < 0.001).
      However, none of anxiety severity, depression severity, or the perception of AF
      frequency severity improved significantly with AF treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results extend previous studies demonstrating that anxiety and depression are
      associated with worsened AFSS. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy or catheter ablation
      reduces AFSS but does not affect depression and anxiety symptoms. To achieve more
      comprehensive AF symptom relief, treatment of both AF and psychological
      comorbidities may be beneficial.

PMID- 24215268
TI  - Canine antimicrobial peptides are effective against resistant bacteria and
      yeasts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small proteins present in most
      living species and they are involved in the defence against pathogenic organisms.
      beta-Defensins and cathelicidin are the most frequently studied AMPs in both
      people and dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to determine the
      minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration of two
      canine beta-defensins and a cathelicidin against antibiotic-sensitive and
      antibiotic-resistant bacteria and yeasts using a broth microdilution method.
      METHODS: The micro-organisms tested were ATCC strains of meticillin-sensitive and
      meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA, respectively),
      meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MSSP), Escherichia coli,
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Malassezia pachydermatis. Field
      strains of meticillin-resistant S, pseudintermedius (MRSP, n = 1) and MSSP (n =
      11) were also tested. Mann-Whitney U-test and Friedman test were used for
      statistical analysis. RESULTS: The MSSP and MRSP were more susceptible to canine
      AMPs than MSSA and MRSA. Malassezia pachydermatis was more sensitive than C.
      albicans to canine AMPs. The beta-defensin cBD103 was most effective against
      Staphylococci and P. aeruginosa, while the cathelicidin cCath was the most
      effective AMP against E. coli. Additionally, cBD103 was the most effective AMP
      for both yeasts studied, with M. pachydermatis being more susceptible than C.
      albicans. All AMPs tested exhibited killing within 2 h of exposure. CONCLUSIONS
      AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We demonstrated that natural canine AMPs are effective
      against canine-specific pathogens, are equally effective against meticillin
      resistant or -susceptible strains, and are more effective against M.
      pachydermatis than against C. albicans organisms.

PMID- 24215269
TI  - The ecology of sexual conflict: ecologically dependent parallel evolution of male
      harm and female resistance in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - The prevalence of sexual conflict in nature, along with the potentially
      stochastic nature of the resulting coevolutionary trajectories, makes it an
      important driver of phenotypic divergence and speciation that can operate even in
      the absence of environmental differences. The majority of empirical work
      investigating sexual conflict's role in population divergence/speciation has
      therefore been done in uniform environments and any role of ecology has largely
      been ignored. However, theory suggests that natural selection can constrain
      phenotypes influenced by sexual conflict. We use replicate populations of
      Drosophila melanogaster adapted to alternative environments to test how ecology
      influences the evolution of male effects on female longevity. The extent to which
      males reduce female longevity, as well as female resistance to such harm, both
      evolved in association with adaptation to the different environments. Our results
      demonstrate that ecology plays a central role in shaping patterns of population
      divergence in traits under sexual conflict. 

PMID- 24215270
TI  - Mock-up in hip arthroplasty pre-operative planning.
AB  - The correct estimation of stem boundary conditions in hip arthroplasty cannot be
      performed simply by subtracting the prosthesis volume from the bone volume: the
      stem implant path needs to be taken into account. Digital mock-up is a technique
      commonly applied in the automotive field which can be used for this aim. Given a
      certain femur, a stem, and an implantation path, the volume of the removed bone
      stock can be evaluated, as well as the final contact area between the bone and
      the stem, and, section by section, the residual cortical bone thickness. The
      technique proved to be useful: if the stem implant path is not considered, the
      removed bone stock volume can be underestimated up to 6%, while the contact area
      extension can be overestimated up to 28%. On the whole, a new methodology has
      been set up and tested, which can be usefully employed to accurately establish
      stem boundary conditions in the pre-operative planning stage, and in order to
      perform a reliable structural stress analysis. The methodology implemented here
      by experienced researchers can be made available to surgeons, setting up an
      apposite software suite. 

PMID- 24215271
TI  - Time perspective and perceived risk as related to mammography screening.
AB  - The present study explored the relation of time perspective to perceived risk for
      breast cancer and mammography screening. Women free from breast cancer (N = 194),
      eligible for mammography screening in terms of age, completed the Zimbardo Time
      Perspective Inventory (Zimbardo & Boyd, 1999) and measures of perceived risk,
      attitude toward performing mammography screening, intention to get a mammogram,
      and mammography screening behavior. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis
      revealed that perceived risk of breast cancer (beta= .18, p < .01) and intention
      to be screened (beta = .35, p < .01) were significantly associated with
      mammography screening, after controlling for the effects of sociodemographic
      (e.g., age, education, and economic level) and health-related variables (e.g.,
      family history of breast cancer and previous benign breast disease). Path
      analyses including the main psychological variables indicated that perceived risk
      was indirectly related to intention via attitude (beta = .17, p < .01), and to
      mammography screening through attitude and intention (beta = .06, p < .01).
      Attitude was indirectly related to mammography screening via intention (beta =
      .20, p < .01). Also, a significant indirect association was observed between
      future orientation and mammography screening, via perceived risk (beta = .10, p <
      .01). Theoretical implications of study findings and suggestions for future
      research on use of mammography are presented.

PMID- 24215272
TI  - Consideration of abortion in pregnancy: demographic characteristics, mental
      health, and protective factors.
AB  - This study examined demographic characteristics, available resources, and mental
      health outcomes of women who did and did not consider abortion in pregnancy.
      Using data collected between 1998 and 2000 from 2,937 mothers recruited for the
      Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study, this study examined whether women
      who did and did not consider abortion differed in terms of sociodemographic
      characteristics and resources at the birth of their children and mental health
      outcomes when their children were one year old. This study further examined
      protective factors associated with low parenting stress at one year postpartum,
      despite initial abortion consideration. Compared to women who did not consider
      abortion, women who did consider abortion tended to be younger, have less
      education and lower income, and report higher levels of substance use, higher
      perceived support, and lower received support. A subset of women who had higher
      education, more income, and lower substance use reported lower parenting stress
      at year one despite abortion consideration in pregnancy. Promotion of education
      and employment assistance may be particularly important among women experiencing
      unplanned pregnancies as these services may contribute to lower parenting stress
      and improved child outcomes. 

PMID- 24215274
TI  - Psychopathological symptoms and locus of control in women with low-risk
      pregnancies.
AB  - This study investigated the role of locus of control in the development of
      psychopathological symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum in women with low
      risk pregnancies. Pregnant women participated during the first trimester of
      pregnancy (n = 285), third trimester (n = 122), and in the postpartum (n = 116).
      Participants were assessed for locus of control (first and third trimesters) and
      psychopathological symptoms (first and third trimesters and postpartum).
      Sociodemographic and pregnancy variables (previous childbirth, previous
      miscarriage, and whether the pregnancy was planned) were also assessed.
      Significant differences were observed in the development of somatization and
      obsessive-compulsive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum. Both increased in
      the third trimester and decreased after delivery. Previous births, planned
      pregnancy, having a job, and increasing age were protective variables. As
      pregnancy progressed, locus of control was significantly externalized. In the
      first trimester, significant differences were found for locus of control
      (internal vs. external) among almost all the psychopathological symptoms, but in
      the third trimester, significant differences were only found in obsessive
      compulsiveness and interpersonal sensitivity. In two trimesters, internal locus
      of control was a protective health variable. Regression analysis showed that
      external locus of control was related only to phobic anxiety in the third
      trimester. Adoption of a bio-psycho-social model, such as internal locus of
      control, may increase personal resources in pregnant women. 

PMID- 24215273
TI  - Fear of violent consequences and condom use among women attending an STD clinic.
AB  - Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been associated with risk for HIV infection.
      This cross-sectional study tested the hypothesis that fear of violent
      consequences when negotiating condom use mediated the relation between IPV and
      condom use. Participants (n = 478) were recruited between March 1, 2004 and June
      30, 2006 from a public clinic that treats sexually transmitted diseases in
      upstate New York as part of a randomized controlled trial. They completed an
      audio, computer-assisted, self-administered questionnaire with items on risky
      sexual behavior, intimate relationships, and related covariates and confounding
      variables. Seventeen percent of the sample reported IPV in the past three months.
      Recent IPV was associated with fear of violent consequences to requests for
      condom use, and such fear was associated with inconsistent condom use. Women who
      reported IPV also reported greater difficulties in negotiating safer sex
      behaviors with their abusers. So fear of violent consequences appeared to hinder
      their ability to protect themselves against HIV infection. The results were
      consistent with fear of violent consequences mediating the relationship between
      IPV and condom use. Health care providers involved in HIV prevention and sexual
      risk reduction interventions need to address IPV and, more specifically, fear of
      IPV when negotiating safer sex as part of their services for providing more
      comprehensive care to the women they serve. 

PMID- 24215275
TI  - Information needs, seeking behaviors, and support among low-income expectant
      women.
AB  - Previous studies have consistently found associations between low income and
      infant health outcomes. Moreover, although health information-seeking is a
      maternal behavior related to improved health outcomes, little is known about the
      health information-seeking behaviors and information needs of low-income pregnant
      women. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the information
      needs, information-seeking behaviors, and perceived informational support of low
      income pregnant women. Accordingly, the study recruited 63 expectant women
      enrolled in a subsidized prenatal care program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during
      two time periods: March-May 2011 and October-December 2011. Results indicated
      that participants relied heavily upon interpersonal sources of information,
      especially family and the father of the baby; rarely used the Internet for health
      related information; and desired information beyond infant and maternal health,
      such as finding jobs and accessing community/government resources. Participants
      who used family members as primary sources of information also had significantly
      increased levels of perceived informational support and reduced uncertainty about
      pregnancy. Our findings have implications for the dissemination of pregnancy
      related health information among low-income expectant women. 

PMID- 24215276
TI  - Association between females' perceptions of college aerobic class motivational
      climates and their responses.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between female college
      students' perceptions of the motivational climate in their aerobics classes to
      their adaptive exercise responses. Data were collected from university group
      exercise classes in spring 2008. The participants (N = 213) responded to a
      questionnaire measuring perceptions of the climate (i.e., caring, task-, and ego
      involving), correlates of intrinsic motivation (i.e., interest/enjoyment,
      perceived competence, effort/importance, and tension/pressure), commitment to
      exercise, and reasons for exercising. Canonical correlation analyses revealed
      that participants who perceived a predominately caring, task-involving climate
      reported higher interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, effort/importance, and
      commitment to exercise, as well as lower tension/pressure. Further, those who
      perceived a high caring, task-involving, and low ego-involving climate were also
      more likely to report more health-related reasons for exercise versus appearance
      focused reasons. Results suggested that important motivational benefits might
      exist when women perceive caring, task-involving climates in their aerobics class
      settings. Aerobics class instructors who intentionally create caring, task
      involving climates may promote more adaptive motivational responses among their
      female participants. 

PMID- 24215277
TI  - Synthesis and library construction of privileged tetra-substituted Delta5-2
      oxopiperazine as beta-turn structure mimetics.
AB  - In this study, we developed an efficient and practical procedure for the
      synthesis of tetra-substituted Delta5-2-oxopiperazine that mimics the bioactive
      beta-turn structural motif of proteins. This synthetic route is robust and
      modular enough to accommodate four different substituents to obtain a high level
      of molecular diversity without any deterioration in stereochemical enrichment of
      the natural and unnatural amino acids. Through the in silico studies, including a
      distance calculation of side chains and a conformational overlapping of our model
      compound with a native beta-turn structure, we successfully demonstrated the
      conformational similarity of tetra-substituted Delta5-2-oxopiperazine to the beta
      turn motif. For the library construction in a high-throughput manner, the
      fluorous tag technology was adopted with the use of a solution-phase parallel
      synthesis platform. A 140-membered pilot library of tetra-substituted Delta5-2
      oxopiperazines was achieved with an average purity of 90% without further
      purification.

PMID- 24215278
TI  - Internet-delivered acceptance and values-based exposure treatment for
      fibromyalgia: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a promising treatment
      option for fibromyalgia (FM). Studies have shown that many cognitive behavioral
      protocols can be transferred to the Internet with sustained efficacy. However, no
      study has investigated the effect on an Internet-delivered ACT-based protocol for
      FM. This study evaluated the efficacy, acceptability, and the health economic
      effects of an Internet-delivered acceptance and values-based exposure treatment
      for FM. METHODS: This open pilot trial included 41 self-referred women with a FM
      diagnosis. The 10-week Internet-delivered treatment included acceptance,
      mindfulness, work with life-values, and systematic exposure to FM symptoms and FM
      related situations. Participants also had regular contact with an assigned online
      therapist. Assessments were made at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 6-month
      follow-up. RESULTS: The treatment was completed by 70% of the participants.
      Attrition rates were low, with 98% completing the post-treatment assessment and
      90% completing the 6-month follow-up assessment. Multiple imputations were used
      to replace missing values. Pre- to post-treatment within-group effect sizes were
      in the moderate to large range (Cohen's d = 0.62-1.56) on measures of FM symptoms
      and impact, disability, quality of life, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and
      psychological flexibility. All improvements were maintained at follow-up.
      Economical analyses revealed significant societal cost reductions that offset the
      treatment costs within 2 months of treatment completion. CONCLUSIONS: An Internet
      delivered psychological treatment based on acceptance and exposure principles
      seems to be an efficacious, acceptable, and cost-effective treatment for FM.
      Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

PMID- 24215279
TI  - 2-Methylenetetrahydropyrans: efficient partners in the carbonyl ene reaction.
AB  - The carbonyl ene reaction of 2-methylenetetrahydropyrans provides a rapid, high
      yielding route for the preparation of beta-hydroxydihydropyrans under mild
      conditions. This process provides a new entry for the synthesis of 2-substituted
      tetrahydropyrans and for the direct introduction of oxygen heterocycles into
      molecular frameworks. 

PMID- 24215282
TI  - Tools for assessing quality of life in epilepsy patients.
AB  - In this review, we attempt to bring the reader up to date with recent
      developments in the area of assessment of quality of life (QOL) of patients with
      epilepsy, in both the research and clinical contexts. We present evidence from
      recent publications on the major and most commonly used QOL instruments for both
      adults and children with epilepsy, including both strengths and limitations. We
      discuss both generic measures and ones that have been developed specifically for
      use in the epilepsy population. We draw attention to some of the broader issues
      that render the QOL assessment endeavor a somewhat complex one - in particular,
      that epilepsy is not a single condition, with a common clinical trajectory; and
      that QOL measures as currently configured almost universally focus on its
      negative impacts, largely neglecting the possibility of those affected being able
      to retain reasonable social adjustment and life satisfaction. Finally, we suggest
      that further work needs to focus on plugging the current evidence gaps in
      relation to psychometric and cross-cultural applicability issues; and on the
      value of QOL instruments in the clinical care setting. We conclude by
      highlighting a number of issues from the QOL literature that will, in our view,
      be the focus of increasing research interest in the next few years. 

PMID- 24215281
TI  - Demographic and clinical factors correlating with high levels of psychological
      distress in HIV-positive women living in Ontario, Canada.
AB  - The concept of psychological distress includes a range of emotional states with
      symptoms of depression and anxiety and has yet to be reported in HIV-positive
      women living in Ontario, Canada, who are known to live with contributing factors.
      This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and correlates of
      psychological distress among women accessing HIV care participating in the
      Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study using the Kessler Psychological
      Distress Scale (K10). The K10 is a 10-item, five-level response scale. K10 values
      range from 10 to 50 with values less than or equal to 19 categorized as not
      clinically significant, scores between 20 and 24 as moderate levels, 25-29 as
      high, and 30-50 as very high psychological distress. Correlates of psychological
      distress were assessed using the Pearson's chi-square test and univariate and
      multivariate logistic regression analysis. Moderate, high, and very high levels
      of psychological distress were experienced by 16.9, 10.4, and 15.1% of the 337
      women in our cohort, respectively, with 57.6% reporting none. Psychological
      distress levels greater than 19, correlated with being unemployed (vs.
      employed/student/retired; AOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.83), living in a household
      without their child/children (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.33-4.52), CD4 counts < 200
      cells/mm(3) (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 0.89-4.80), and to a lesser degree an education
      of some college or less (vs. completed college or higher; AOR=1.71, 95% CI: 0.99
      2.95). Age and ethnicity, a priori variables of interest, did not correlate with
      psychological distress. Findings suggest that socioeconomic factors which shape
      the demography of women living with HIV in Ontario, low CD4 counts, and losing
      the opportunity to care for their child/children has a significant relationship
      with psychological distress. Approaches to manage psychological distress should
      address and make considerations for the lived experiences of women since they can
      act as potential barriers to improving psychological well-being.

PMID- 24215280
TI  - Nanotechnologies for noninvasive measurement of drug release.
AB  - A wide variety of chemotherapy and radiotherapy agents are available for treating
      cancer, but a critical challenge is to deliver these agents locally to cancer
      cells and tumors while minimizing side effects from systemic delivery.
      Nanomedicine uses nanoparticles with diameters in the range of ~1-100 nm to
      encapsulate drugs and target them to tumors. The nanoparticle enhances local drug
      delivery efficiency to the tumors via entrapment in leaky tumor vasculature,
      molecular targeting to cells expressing cancer biomarkers, and/or magnetic
      targeting. In addition, the localization can be enhanced using triggered release
      in tumors via chemical, thermal, or optical signals. In order to optimize these
      nanoparticle drug delivery strategies, it is important to be able to image where
      the nanoparticles distribute and how rapidly they release their drug payloads.
      This Review aims to evaluate the current state of nanotechnology platforms for
      cancer theranostics (therapeutic and diagnostic particles) that are capable of
      noninvasive measurement of release kinetics. 

PMID- 24215283
TI  - Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in glioma.
AB  - Glioblastoma is the most prevalent form of gliomas with high aggressive nature
      and high recurrence. Despite aggressive therapy, including surgery, chemotherapy
      and radiotherapy, median patient survival is only about 15 months. Hence,
      developing novel and efficient therapies seem urgent. Many fields have begun
      their work in preclinical studies but gained limited success in clinical phases.
      One of the most notable reasons is tumor-induced immunosuppression. In recent
      decade, efforts to dissect this immunosuppressive network have been done vastly.
      In a number of malignancies such as glioma, myeloid-derived suppressor cells
      (MDSCs) have been shown to infiltrate malignant tissues having critical role in
      the network. Many studies, most of them on lab models, were conducted to
      understand how MDSCs take part in immunosuppression. Here, we reviewed MDSC
      relations with other immunocellular components like T cell and natural killer
      cell. 

PMID- 24215284
TI  - New targets for deep brain stimulation treatment of Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the globus
      pallidus pars interna (GPi) has been shown to be an effective treatment for
      patients with Parkinson's disease. Strong clinical evidence supports the
      improvement of motor and non-motor complications and quality of life, with some
      data suggesting that GPi DBS might be less effective than STN DBS. However,
      neither STN nor GPi stimulation provides a satisfactory control of non
      dopaminergic symptoms, such as gait and balance impairment and cognitive decline,
      which are frequent and disabling symptoms in advanced Parkinson's disease
      patients. Therefore, several efforts have been made to discover alternative and
      new targets to overcome these current DBS limitations. Among these new targets,
      the stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus has initially appeared
      encouraging. However, findings from different double-blind trials have mitigated
      the enthusiasm. A multi-target strategy aimed at improving symptoms with
      different pathogenetic mechanisms might be a promising approach in the next
      years. 

PMID- 24215285
TI  - Effect of nitazoxanide on erythrocytes.
AB  - Nitazoxanide, a drug effective against a variety of pathogens, triggers apoptosis
      and is thus considered to be employed against malignancy. Similar to nucleated
      cells, erythrocytes may undergo an apoptosis-like suicidal cell death or
      eryptosis. Hallmarks of eryptosis include cell shrinkage and phospholipid
      scrambling of the cell membrane with translocation of phosphatidylserine to the
      erythrocyte surface. Stimulators of eryptosis include increase in cytosolic
      Ca(2+) -activity ([Ca(2+) ]i ). The Ca(2+) -sensitivity of eryptosis is increased
      by ceramide. This study explored whether nitazoxanide triggers eryptosis. [Ca(2+)
      ]i was estimated from Fluo3-fluorescence, cell volume from forward scatter,
      phosphatidylserine exposure from annexin-V-binding, ceramide abundance utilizing
      fluorescent antibodies and haemolysis from haemoglobin release. A 48-hr exposure
      to nitazoxanide (1-50 MUg/ml) did not significantly modify [Ca(2+) ]i but
      significantly increased ceramide formation, decreased forward scatter (>=10
      MUg/ml), increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding erythrocytes (>=10 MUg/ml)
      and, at higher concentrations (>=20 MUg/ml), stimulated haemolysis. The
      stimulation of annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted in the absence of
      calcium. Nitazoxanide thus stimulates eryptosis, an effect in part due to
      ceramide formation. 

PMID- 24215286
TI  - New application of indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) technique using latex
      particles coupled with verotoxin 2 from Escherichia coli O157:H7 in order to
      determine colostral antibody titers in immunized dairy cows.
AB  - A simple and novel assay method for determining colostral and serum against
      soluble verotxin 2 (VT2) titers by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay
      using latex sensitized with VT2 was devised. The latex particles did not auto
      fluoresce, and non specific reactions disappeared after washing with phosphate
      buffered saline containing 3 M Nacl. The highest titer measured by neutralizing
      test was observed at 1 day after delivery. The highest titer for each
      immunoglobulin class measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or IFA
      using latex sensitized with VT2 was also observed at 1 day after delivery. The
      changes in titer measured by each method showed similar patterns. Furthermore,
      the titers for IgG antibody were higher than those for IgM or IgA antibodies.
      Thus, the titers of bovine immune colostral antibody and each immunoglobulin
      class could be measured by IFA using latex sensitized with VT2. 

PMID- 24215288
TI  - Enhanced oral bioavailability of acyclovir by inclusion complex using
      hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin.
AB  - The therapeutic potential of acyclovir is limited by the low oral bioavailability
      owing to its limited aqueous solubility and low permeability. The present study
      was a systematic investigation on the development and evaluation of inclusion
      complex using hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin for the enhancement of oral
      bioavailability of acyclovir. The inclusion complex of acyclovir was prepared by
      kneading method using drug: hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (1:1 mole). The
      prepared inclusion complex was characterized by Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, NMR spectroscopy and evaluated
      in vitro by dissolution studies. In vivo bioavailability of acyclovir was
      compared for inclusion complex and physical mixture in rat model. Phase
      solubility studies indicate the formation of acyclovir-hydroxypropyl-beta
      cyclodextrin complex with higher stability constant and linear enhancement in
      drug solubility with increase in hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin concentration.
      Characterization of the prepared formulation confirms the formation of acyclovir
      hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex. Dissolution profile of
      inclusion complex demonstrated rapid and complete release of acyclovir in 30 min
      with greater dissolution efficiency (90.05 +/- 2.94%). In vivo pharmacokinetic
      data signify increased rate and extent of acyclovir absorption (relative
      bioavailability ~160%; p < 0.0001) from inclusion complex, compared to physical
      mixture. Given the promising results in the in vivo studies, it can be concluded
      that the inclusion complex of acyclovir could be an effective and promising
      approach for successful oral therapy of acyclovir in the treatment of herpes
      viruses.

PMID- 24215287
TI  - Chlamydia prevalence in the general population: is there a sex difference? a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The focus of Chlamydia trachomatis screening and testing lies more on
      women than on men. The study aim was to establish by systematic review the
      prevalence of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in men and women in the
      general population. METHODS: Electronic databases and reference lists were
      searched from 2000 to 2013 using the key words "Chlamydia trachomatis",
      "population-based study" and "disease prevalence". Reference lists were checked.
      Studies were included in the analysis if Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence was
      reported for both men and women in a population-based study. Prevalence rates for
      men and women were described as well as highest prevalence rate by age and sex.
      The difference in prevalence between the sexes in each study was calculated.
      RESULTS: Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria and quality assessment
      for the review. In nine of the twenty-five studies there was a statistically
      significant sex difference in the chlamydia prevalence. In all nine studies the
      prevalence of chlamydia was higher in women than in men. The prevalence for women
      varied from 1.1% to 10.6% and for men from 0.1% to 12.1%. The average chlamydia
      prevalence is highly variable between countries. The highest prevalence of
      chlamydia occurred predominantly in younger age groups (< 25 years). The absence
      of symptoms in population-based urogenital chlamydia infection is common in men
      and women (mean 88.5% versus 68.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The urogenital chlamydia
      trachomatis prevalence in the general population is more similar than dissimilar
      for men and women. A modest sex difference is apparent. The prevalence rates can
      be used to inform chlamydia screening strategies in general practice.

PMID- 24215289
TI  - Changes in chemical composition of frozen coated fish products during deep
      frying.
AB  - This work evaluates the influence of deep-frying coated fish products on total
      fat, fatty acid (FA) and amino acid profile, and on the formation of volatile
      compounds, with special attention on furan and its derivatives due to their
      potential harmful characteristics. As expected, deep-frying in sunflower oil
      increased linoleic acid content, but total fat amount increased only by 2% on a
      dry basis. Eicosapentanoic and docosahexanoic acids were preserved while gamma-
      and alpha-linoleic acids were oxidised. Deep-frying also induces proteolysis,
      releasing free AA, and the formation of volatile compounds, particularly
      aldehydes and ketones arising from polyunsaturated FA. In addition, high
      quantities of furanic compounds, particularly furan and furfuryl alcohol, are
      generated during deep-frying coated fish. The breaded crust formed could
      contribute simultaneously for the low uptake of fat, preservation of long chain n
      3 FA, and for the high amounts of furanic compounds formed during the deep-frying
      process.

PMID- 24215290
TI  - Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour of the breast showing peculiar
      endovascular spread.

PMID- 24215291
TI  - Cardiac perforation and lead dislodgement after implantation of a MR-conditional
      pacing lead: a single-center experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine if the rate of lead-related
      complications was increased with the Medtronic CapSureFix MRITM SureScanTM 5086
      MRI pacing lead (5086; Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) compared to the
      previous generation of Medtronic CapSureFix NovusTM 5076 pacing lead (5076).
      BACKGROUND: The 5086 lead is a newly introduced active-fixation pacemaker lead
      designed to be used conditionally in a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. This lead
      has specific design changes compared to the previous generation of 5076 pacing
      leads. METHODS: This study was a retrospective case control study of 65
      consecutive patients implanted with two 5086 leads compared to 92 consecutive
      control patients implanted with two 5076 leads over a 14-month period at a high
      volume tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: Pericarditis, pericardial effusion,
      cardiac tamponade, or death within 30 days of implant were seen in eight patients
      from the 5086 cohort and two from the 5076 cohort (odds ratio 6.3, 95% confidence
      interval 1.3-30.8, P = 0.02). Lead dislodgement occurred in four of the 5086
      patients and in none of the 5076 patients (P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In a high
      volume center, the incidence of pericarditis, cardiac perforation, tamponade,
      death, and lead dislodgement was significantly higher with the MR-conditional
      Medtronic 5086 lead when compared to the previous generation Medtronic 5076 lead.

PMID- 24215292
TI  - Different dynamic movements of wild-type and pathogenic VCPs and their cofactors
      to damaged mitochondria in a Parkin-mediated mitochondrial quality control
      system.
AB  - VCP/p97 is a hexameric ring-shaped AAA(+) ATPase that participates in various
      ubiquitin-associated cellular functions. Mis-sense mutations in VCP gene are
      associated with the pathogenesis of two inherited diseases: inclusion body
      myopathy associated with Paget's disease of the bone and front-temporal dementia
      (IBMPFD) and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These pathogenic VCPs
      have higher affinities for several cofactors, including Npl4, Ufd1 and p47. In
      Parkin-dependent mitochondrial quality control systems, VCP migrates to damaged
      mitochondria (e.g., those treated with uncouplers) to aid in the degradation of
      mitochondrial outer membrane proteins and to eliminate mitochondria. We showed
      that endogenous Npl4 and p47 also migrate to mitochondria after uncoupler
      treatment, and Npl4, Ufd1 or p47 silencing causes defective mitochondria
      clearance after uncoupler treatment. Moreover, pathogenic VCPs show impaired
      migration to mitochondria, and the exogenous pathogenic VCP expression partially
      inhibits Npl4 and p47 localization to mitochondria. These results suggest that
      the increased affinities of pathogenic VCPs for these cofactors cause the
      impaired movement of pathogenic VCPs. In adult flies, exogenous expression of
      wild-type VCP, but not pathogenic VCPs, reduces the number of abnormal
      mitochondria in muscles. Failure of pathogenic VCPs to function on damaged
      mitochondria may be related to the pathogenesis of IBMPFD and ALS. 

PMID- 24215293
TI  - Anti-VEGF therapy (bevacizumab) for sulfur mustard-induced corneal
      neovascularization associated with delayed limbal stem cell deficiency in
      rabbits.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the involvement of VEGF in corneal neovascularization
      (CNV) following sulfur mustard (SM) exposure and to test the therapeutic effects
      of bevacizumab (Avastin) in respect to dose, route of administration and timing.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Topical bevacizumab (6 or 25 mg/ml, *2/day) was applied to
      rabbit eyes, before or after appearance of NV, following SM vapor exposure, and
      was compared with subconjunctival injection (25 mg/ml, *2/week) and topical
      dexamethasone (1%, *4/day). Treatments were given for 3 weeks. VEGF levels were
      monitored by immunohistochemistry and ELISA assay. Clinical evaluations included
      slit-lamp examination, impression cytology for diagnosis of Limbal Stem Cell
      Deficiency (LSCD), pachymetry, measurement of NV length and histology. RESULTS:
      Corneal NV was developed, as early as 2 weeks after exposure, in 50-70% of the
      eyes, associated with increased levels of VEGF. Topical bevacizumab treatment
      with both doses, starting at 4 weeks, reduced vascularization. Subconjunctival
      injection and topical dexamethasone were more potent. A combined treatment of
      dexamethasone and bevacizumab improved the anti-angiogenic efficacy, yet, there
      was no effect on LSCD. Topical bevacizumab treatment starting at 1 week, when
      VEGF was elevated but before appearance of NV, had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF
      was involved in corneal angiogenesis in SM-induced ocular injury. Bevacizumab was
      beneficial in reducing CNV by both, topical or subconjunctival injection, when
      given as a symptomatic therapy with or without dexamethasone, however with no
      effect on SC deficiency. Further studies on the pathological mechanism of SM
      induced ocular surface disorder may direct towards improved therapy.

PMID- 24215294
TI  - How does emotional content affect lexical processing?
AB  - Even single words in isolation can evoke emotional reactions, but the mechanisms
      by which emotion is involved in automatic lexical processing are unclear.
      Previous studies using extremely similar materials and methods have yielded
      apparently incompatible patterns of results. In much previous work, however,
      words' emotional content is entangled with other non-emotional characteristics
      such as frequency of occurrence, familiarity and age of acquisition, all of which
      have potential consequences for lexical processing themselves. In the present
      study, the authors compare different models of emotion using the British Lexicon
      Project, a large-scale freely available lexical decision database. After
      controlling for the potentially confounding effects of non-emotional variables, a
      variety of statistical approaches revealed that emotional words, whether positive
      or negative, are processed faster than neutral words. This effect appears to be
      categorical rather than graded; is not modulated by emotional arousal; and is not
      limited to words explicitly referring to emotions. The authors suggest that
      emotional connotations facilitate processing due to the grounding of words'
      meanings in emotional experience. 

PMID- 24215295
TI  - Simplified production and concentration of lentiviral vectors to achieve high
      transduction in primary human T cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lentiviral vectors have emerged as efficient vehicles for transgene
      delivery in both dividing and non-dividing cells. A number of different
      modifications in vector design have increased biosafety and transgene expression.
      However, despite these advances, the transduction of primary human T cells is
      still challenging and methods to achieve efficient gene transfer are often
      expensive and time-consuming. RESULTS: Here we present a simple optimised
      protocol for the generation and transduction of lentivirus in primary human
      CD45RA+ T cells. We show that generation of high-titre lentivirus with improved
      primary T cell transduction is dependent upon optimised ultracentrifuge speed
      during viral concentration. Moreover, we demonstrate that transduction efficiency
      can be increased with simple modifications to the culturing conditions. Overall,
      a transduction efficiency of up to 89% in primary human CD45RA+ cells is
      achievable when these modifications are used in conjunction. CONCLUSION: The
      optimised protocol described here is easy to implement and should facilitate the
      production of high-titre lentivirus with superior transduction efficiency in
      primary human T cells without the need for further purification methods.

PMID- 24215296
TI  - Transcriptomes of isolated Oryza sativa gametes characterized by deep sequencing:
      evidence for distinct sex-dependent chromatin and epigenetic states before
      fertilization.
AB  - The formation of a zygote by the fusion of egg and sperm involves the two gametic
      transcriptomes. In flowering plants, the embryo sac embedded within the ovule
      contains the egg cell, whereas the pollen grain contains two sperm cells inside a
      supporting vegetative cell. The difficulties of collecting isolated gametes and
      consequent low recovery of RNA have restricted in-depth analysis of gametic
      transcriptomes in flowering plants. We isolated living egg cells, sperm cells and
      pollen vegetative cells from Oryza sativa (rice), and identified transcripts for
      approximately 36 000 genes by deep sequencing. The three transcriptomes are
      highly divergent, with about three-quarters of those genes differentially
      expressed in the different cell types. Distinctive expression profiles were
      observed for genes involved in chromatin conformation, including an unexpected
      expression in the sperm cell of genes associated with active chromatin.
      Furthermore, both the sperm cell and the pollen vegetative cell were deficient in
      expression of key RNAi components. Differences in gene expression were also
      observed for genes for hormonal signaling and cell cycle regulation. The egg cell
      and sperm cell transcriptomes reveal major differences in gene expression to be
      resolved in the zygote, including pathways affecting chromatin configuration,
      hormones and cell cycle. The sex-specific differences in the expression of RNAi
      components suggest that epigenetic silencing in the zygote might act
      predominantly through female-dependent pathways. More generally, this study
      provides a detailed gene expression landscape for flowering plant gametes,
      enabling the identification of specific gametic functions, and their
      contributions to zygote and seed development.

PMID- 24215297
TI  - Carrier-mediated magnetoelectric coupling in functionalized graphene.
AB  - Materials in which magnetic order and electric fields can be coupled are of high
      fundamental and technological interests. Electrical control of magnetism is not
      only important for ultralow power consumption applications, but also enables
      control over intrinsic material properties that may have a major step in new
      developments in spintronic and magnetoelectric devices. Here we show that the
      magnetism induced by aryl-radicals covalently functionalized on top of multilayer
      graphene is sensitive to external electric fields which coupled to the interlayer
      charge-imbalance yields a strong magnetoelectric coupling. We used first
      principles simulations, taking into account van der Waals dispersion forces, to
      show that this effect is thickness-dependent: it increases dramatically to
      thicker graphene structures reaching magnetoelectric coefficients comparable to
      perovskite interfaces. The interplay between electric fields and magnetism also
      leads functionalized graphene layers to a fully polarized spin state (half
      metallicity). Efficiency nearly to 100% spin-polarization is observed at low
      electric bias, and the selection of the spin-conducting channel is determined by
      the field polarization. 

PMID- 24215298
TI  - Tracking young talented swimmers: follow-up of performance and its biomechanical
      determinant factors.
AB  - The aim of the study was to follow-up the stability of young talented swimmers'
      performance and its biomechanical determinant factors (i.e., anthropometrics,
      kinematics, hydrodynamics and efficiency) during a competitive season. Thirty
      three (15 boys and 18 girls) young swimmers (overall: 11.81 +/- 0.75 years old
      and Tanner stages 1-2 by self-evaluation) were evaluated. Performance,
      anthropometrics, hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency variables were assessed
      at three moments during a competitive season. Performance had a significant
      improvement (with minimum effect size) and a moderate-very high stability
      throughout the season. In the anthropometrics domain all variables increased
      significantly (ranging from without to minimum effect size) between moments and
      had a moderate-very high stability. Hydrodynamics presented no variations between
      all moments and had a low-very high stability throughout the season. In the
      kinematics domain, there were no variations between moment one and three, except
      for an increase in stroke frequency (without size effect). Speed fluctuation
      remained constant, with no significant variations. All kinematic variables had a
      low-very high stability. Efficiency variables did not present variations between
      moment one and three and had a low-moderate stability. Overall, young swimmers
      showed a minimum improvement in performance and in anthropometric factors; and a
      moderate stability of performance and its determinant factors (i.e.,
      anthropometrics, hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency) during the competitive
      season. 

PMID- 24215299
TI  - Sequential targeted delivery of paclitaxel and camptothecin using a cross-linked
      "nanosponge" network for lung cancer chemotherapy.
AB  - The applicability of a HVGGSSV peptide targeted "nanosponge" drug delivery system
      for sequential administration of a microtubule inhibitor (paclitaxel) and
      topoisomerase I inhibitor (camptothecin) was investigated in a lung cancer model.
      Schedule-dependent combination treatment with nanoparticle paclitaxel (NP PTX)
      and camptothecin (NP CPT) was studied in vitro using flow cytometry and confocal
      imaging to analyze changes in cell cycle, microtubule morphology, apoptosis, and
      cell proliferation. Results showed significant G2/M phase cell cycle arrest,
      changes in microtubule dynamics that produced increased apoptotic cell death and
      decreased proliferation with initial exposure to NP PTX, followed by NP CPT in
      lung cancer cells. In vivo molecular imaging and TEM studies validated HVGGSSV-NP
      tumor binding at 24 h and confirmed the presence of Nanogold labeled HVGGSSV-NPs
      in tumor microvascular endothelial cells. Therapeutic efficacy studies conducted
      with sequential HVGGSSV targeted NP PTX and NP CPT showed 2-fold greater tumor
      growth delay in combination versus monotherapy treated groups, and 4-fold greater
      delay compared to untargeted and systemic drug controls. Analytical HPLC/MS
      methods were used to quantify drug content in tumor tissues at various time
      points, with significant paclitaxel and camptothecin levels in tumors 2 days
      postinjection and continued presence of both drugs up to 23 days postinjection.
      The efficacy of the NP delivery system in sequential treatments was corroborated
      in both in vitro and in vivo lung cancer models showing increased G2/M phase
      arrest and microtubule disruption, resulting in enhanced apoptotic cell death,
      decreased cell proliferation and vascular density. 

PMID- 24215300
TI  - Universal dark quencher based on "clicked" spectrally distinct azo dyes.
AB  - The first synthesis of an heterotrifunctional molecular scaffold derived from the
      popular DABCYL azo dye quencher has been achieved. The sequential derviatization
      of this trivalent azobenzene derivative with two other nonfluorescent azo dyes
      (Black Hole Quencher BHQ-1 and BHQ-3) and through effective reactions from the
      "bioconjugation chemistry" repertoire has led to an universal dark quencher
      (UDQ). This "clicked" poly azo dye is able to turn off an array of fluorophores
      covering the UV/NIR (300-750 nm) spectral range. 

PMID- 24215301
TI  - Mineralocorticoid receptor modulators: a patent review (2007 - 2012).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Considered for years as a 'renal hormone' leading to the control of
      renal excretion of minerals (explaining the term 'mineralocorticoid' used to
      describe this hormone), aldosterone is now recognized as a key factor in several
      diseases including hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmia, metabolic and kidney
      diseases, to cite only a few of them. AREAS COVERED: In this review article, the
      authors aim to cover information provided by patents of the years 2007 through
      2012. The rationale of writing this article is to cover the most important
      patents that can progress the field with new important discoveries. EXPERT
      OPINION: The recognition of its proinflammatory and fibrogenic effects and the
      discovery of extrarenal sites of expression of its receptor (the
      mineralocorticoid receptor or MR) support a broader implication in diseases of MR
      activation than previously anticipated and the possible novel therapeutic
      indications of MR antagonists.

PMID- 24215302
TI  - Are changes in worry associated with treatment response in cognitive behavioral
      therapy for insomnia?
AB  - AIM: Little is known about why some patients respond to cognitive behavioral
      therapy for insomnia, whereas other patients do not. To understand differences in
      treatment response, there is a dire need to examine processes of change. The
      purpose was to investigate the long-term association between insomnia-related
      worry and outcomes following cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia. METHODS:
      Sixty patients with early insomnia (3-12 months duration) received group
      cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. At pretreatment and at a 1-year follow
      up, the patients completed questionnaires indexing two domains of insomnia
      related worry (sleeplessness and health), insomnia severity, anxiety, and
      depression as well as sleep diaries. RESULTS: Decreases in the two worry domains
      were associated with improvements in all of the outcomes, except for sleep onset
      latency (SOL), at a medium to large level. Reductions in insomnia-related worry
      were associated with improvements in insomnia severity, wake after sleep onset
      (WASO), total sleep time (TST), and depression, but not in SOL or anxiety. While
      reductions in worry for sleeplessness were related to improvements in insomnia
      severity and TST, decreases in worry for health were associated with enhancements
      in WASO and depression. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that reductions in
      insomnia-related worry might be one process route in which cognitive behavioral
      therapy operates to improve insomnia symptomatology. The results are discussed in
      relation to theory, clinical implications, and future research.

PMID- 24215304
TI  - Serum creatinine and albumin decline predict the contraction of nosocomial
      aspiration pneumonia in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
AB  - Aspiration pneumonia (AP) is prevalent in older adults and the hemodialysis (HD)
      population has been getting older. Therefore, it is speculated that increasing
      number of HD patients would suffer from AP. However, the clinical aspects of AP
      in HD patients have not been elucidated. Consecutive HD patients with nosocomial
      AP hospitalized in our university hospital from April 2007 to December 2008 were
      recruited. Their clinical characteristics, risk factors for contraction, and the
      fatality of AP and treatment options were described. Nineteen out of 356
      hospitalized HD patients had AP and 8 out of 19 AP patients died, indicating the
      incidence rate and fatality rate were 5.34% and 42.1%, respectively. Multiple
      regression analysis revealed that the risk factors for contracting AP included
      age, body mass index, serum creatinine levels (Cre) and the monthly decline rate
      of Cre. It also revealed that serum albumin (Alb) and basal total cholesterol
      levels, the decline rate of Alb and Cre levels, and the duration of AP were
      independent risk factors for fatality. Survivors were most often treated with
      tube feeding. Both contraction rate and fatality of nosocomial AP were high among
      HD patients. Both the malnutrition as well as the decline rate for nutrition and
      muscle volume indicated by falls in Alb and Cre, respectively, had clinical
      relevance in AP. Maintaining nutritional state by tube feeding and muscle volume
      seems to be the mainstay for the prevention and the treatment of AP in HD
      patients. 

PMID- 24215305
TI  - The effect of Mn(II) on the autoinducing growth inhibition factor in Deinococcus
      radiodurans.
AB  - Decreases in cell division at the stationary phase in bacterial cultures are
      often due to the depletion of nutrients and/or accumulation of toxic waste
      products. Yet, during the stationary phase, the highly radiation-resistant
      bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans undergoes new rounds of cell division when
      Mn(II) is added to the medium in a phenomenon known as manganese-induced cell
      division (MnCD). When cells were cultured in medium without Mn(II)-enrichment, a
      heat-resistant, proteinase K-resistant factor (or factors) with a molecular mass
      less than 10 kD accumulated in the spent medium. Inclusion of the concentrated
      spent medium in fresh medium could inhibit the growth of D. radiodurans
      significantly, and the degree of inhibition was dose dependent. However, the
      relative stimulatory effect of MnCD was also dose dependent-the higher the
      inhibition, the stronger was the MnCD response. Previous studies have shown that
      nutrients were not limiting and deinococcal cells would continue metabolizing its
      nutrients at stationary phase. Cells became more sensitive to radiation when
      nutrients in the medium eventually became depleted. We speculated that D.
      radiodurans might produce this factor in the medium to control its population
      density. The reduction in cell population would conserve the nutrients that in
      turn might enhance the survival of the species.

PMID- 24215306
TI  - Dynamics of malaria transmission and susceptibility to clinical malaria episodes
      following treatment of Plasmodium falciparum asymptomatic carriers: results of a
      cluster-randomized study of community-wide screening and treatment, and a
      parallel entomology study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In malaria-endemic countries, large proportions of individuals
      infected with Plasmodium falciparum are asymptomatic and constitute a reservoir
      of parasites for infection of newly hatched mosquitoes. METHODS: Two studies were
      run in parallel in Burkina Faso to evaluate the impact of systematic
      identification and treatment of asymptomatic carriers of P. falciparum, detected
      by rapid diagnostic test, on disease transmission and susceptibility to clinical
      malaria episodes. A clinical study assessed the incidence of symptomatic malaria
      episodes with a parasite density >5,000/MUL after three screening and treatment
      campaigns ~1 month apart before the rainy season; and an entomological study
      determined the effect of these campaigns on malaria transmission as measured by
      entomological inoculation rate. RESULTS: The intervention arm had lower
      prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of asexual parasites and lower prevalence of
      gametocyte carriers during campaigns 2 and 3 as compared to the control arm.
      During the entire follow-up period, out of 13,767 at-risk subjects, 2,516
      subjects (intervention arm 1,332; control arm 1,184) had symptomatic malaria.
      Kaplan-Meier analysis of the incidence of first symptomatic malaria episode with
      a parasite density >5,000/MUL showed that, in the total population, the two
      treatment arms were similar until Week 11-12 after campaign 3, corresponding with
      the beginning of the malaria transmission season, after which the probability of
      being free of symptomatic malaria was lower in the intervention arm (logrank p <
      0.0001). Similar trends were observed in infants and children <5 years and in
      individuals >=5 years of age. In infants and children <5 years old who
      experienced symptomatic malaria episodes, the geometric mean P. falciparum
      density was lower in the intervention arm than the control arm. This trend was
      not seen in those individuals aged >=5 years. Over the year, monthly variation in
      mosquito density and entomological inoculation rate was comparable in both arms,
      with September peaks in both indices. CONCLUSION: Community screening and
      targeted treatment of asymptomatic carriers of P. falciparum had no effect on the
      dynamics of malaria transmission, but seemed to be associated with an increase in
      the treated community's susceptibility to symptomatic malaria episodes after the
      screening campaigns had finished. These results highlight the importance of
      further exploratory studies to better understand the dynamics of disease
      transmission in the context of malaria elimination.

PMID- 24215307
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of chitosan quaternary ammonium salt and its
      application as drug carrier for ribavirin.
AB  - N-(2-hydroxyl) propyl-3-trimethyl ammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC) is hydro
      soluble chitosan (CS) derivative, which can be obtained by the reaction between
      epoxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (ETA) and CS. The preparation parameters
      for the synthesis of HTCC were optimized by orthogonal experimental design. ETA
      was successfully grafted into the free amino group of CS. Grafting of ETA with CS
      had great effect on the crystal structure of HTCC, which was confirmed by the XRD
      results. HTCC displayed higher capability to form nanoparticles by crosslinking
      with negatively charged sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Ribavrin- (RIV-) loaded
      HTCC nanoparticles were positively charged and were spherical in shape with
      average particle size of 200 nm. More efficient drug encapsulation efficiency and
      loading capacity were obtained for HTCC in comparison with CS, however, HTCC
      nanoparticles displayed faster release rate due to its hydro-soluble properties.
      The results suggest that HTCC is a promising CS derivative for the encapsulation
      of hydrophilic drugs in obtaining sustained release of drugs.

PMID- 24215308
TI  - Effect of smoking on choroidal thickness in healthy smokers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the acute and chronic effects of cigarette smoking on the
      choroidal thickness of young male smokers with smoking histories exceeding 10
      years using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The right eyes of 40 never-smoking and 30 smoking healthy subjects were
      included in this study. We measured the choroidal thicknesses of the never
      smoking subjects as a control group. The choroidal thicknesses of the smoking
      subjects were measured before, 5, 30 and 60 min after smoking. Choroidal
      thickness measurements were taken at the fovea and at two points that were 1500
      um nasal and temporal to the fovea. RESULTS: No significant difference was found
      for the retinal thickness, choroidal thicknesses, spherical equivalent,
      intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness of the smokers and non-smokers
      (p > 0.05 for all). In the measurements that were taken after smoking, a
      statistically significant increase was found in choroidal thickness that was
      observed between 0 and 5 min for the central, nasal and temporal segments (p <
      0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking caused acute, significant increase in
      choroidal thickness that returned to baseline levels after 1 h. The choroidal and
      retinal thicknesses did not differ significantly between the healthy young
      smokers and non-smokers.

PMID- 24215309
TI  - Diabetes, cancer and treatment - a mini-review.
AB  - AIM: To conduct a systematic review of the published pre-clinical in vitro and in
      vivo evidence for plausible mechanisms underlying the risk of cancer associated
      with insulin and insulin analogues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The review was
      developed according to the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of Pubmed was
      performed using the key words: "insulin analogue", "insulin derative", "insulin
      homologue", "glargine", "Lantus", "degludec", "tresiba", "NPH", "lispro",
      "humalog", "detemir", "levemir", "glulisine", "apidra", "aspart", "novolog",
      "insulin treatment", "diabetes treatment", "insulin therapy" or "diabetes
      therapy" combined with "neoplasia", "tumor", "cancer", "carcinoma", "malignan*",
      "carcinog*" or " mitoge*". Eligible studies were those reporting on potential
      biological mechanisms, studies reporting on statistical or epidemiological
      associations were excluded. RESULTS: Per October 8, 2013, the search produced
      28,276 hits in Pubmed. All studies were either mechanistic speculations based on
      epidemiological association studies, a few randomized controlled trials (several
      unpublished), or non-human studies (cell cultures or animal studies). The
      evidence level in human terms was low. CONCLUSION: In general many studies on pre
      clinical in vitro and in vivo evidence for plausible mechanisms underlying the
      risk of cancer associated with insulin and insulin analogues exist. However, the
      level of evidence of a causal association between diabetes and the treatment of
      diabetes and cancer is low.

PMID- 24215310
TI  - Use of biguanides and the risk of colorectal cancer: a register-based cohort
      study.
AB  - Observational studies have shown conflicting results on the potential protecting
      effect of biguanide use with the risk of colorectal neoplasms. In addition, the
      cellular mechanism can either support or oppose biguanides influence on
      colorectal carcinoma. Our objective was to evaluate the association between
      biguanide use and colorectal carcinoma. A population-based cohort study using
      healthcare data from the Danish National database (1996-2007), was conducted.
      Oral antidiabetic drug users (n = 177,281) were matched 1:3 with a population
      based reference group. Cox proportional hazard models estimated hazard ratios
      (HRs) of colorectal carcinoma. Stratification was performed to analyse the risk
      of colorectal cancer in current biguanide users. Two sub-analyses were performed,
      to investigate the risk of colorectal cancer associated with discontinuous and
      prolonged use of biguanides. Instead of a protective effect, we found that
      current biguanide users had a 1.2-fold increased risk of colorectal cancer (HR =
      1.19, 95% CI = 1.08-1.30) as compared with the non-diabetes reference group.
      Prolonged use was not inversely associated with colorectal cancer either. When
      studying colorectal risk with biguanides, the underlying T2DM should be taken
      into account since a 1.3-1.6-fold increased risk was found in oral antidiabetic
      drug users compared to controls unexposed to diabetic medication. This study
      could not detect a protective effect of biguanide use with colorectal cancer.
      Therefore, this study does not support a further investigation of the
      effectiveness of biguanides to prevent colorectal carcinoma in clinical studies. 

PMID- 24215311
TI  - Use of insulin and insulin analogs and risk of cancer - systematic review and
      meta-analysis of observational studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An association of insulin use and risk of cancer has been reported
      but evidence is conflicting and methodological issues have been identified.
      OBJECTIVE: To summarize results regarding insulin use and cancer risk by a
      systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies examining
      risk of cancer associated with insulin use in patients with diabetes. DATA
      SOURCES: Systematic literature search in 5 databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of
      Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (PICOS):
      POPULATION: diabetes patients. EXPOSURE: Users of any exogenous insulin.
      Comparison: Diabetes patients with or without use of antidiabetic drugs. OUTCOME:
      Any incident cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort and case-control studies. RESULTS: 42
      eligible studies examined risk of any cancer and 27 site-specific cancers.
      Results of individual studies were heterogeneous. Meta-analyses were significant
      for: Insulin vs No Insulin: Increased risk for pancreas, liver, kidney, stomach
      and respiratory cancer, decreased risk for prostate cancer. Insulin vs Non
      Insulin Antidiabetics: Increased risk for any, pancreatic and colorectal cancer.
      Glargine vs Non-Glargine Insulin: Increased risk for breast cancer, decreased
      risk for colon cancer. LIMITATIONS: Few studies available for most cancer sites
      and exposure contrasts, and few assess effect of dose and duration of exposure.
      Methodological issues in several studies. Availability of confounders.
      CONCLUSIONS: Insulin use was associated with risk of cancer at several sites.
      Cautious interpretation of results is warranted as methodological issues and
      limitations in several of the included studies have been identified. Choice of
      study design may have a profound effect on estimated cancer risk.

PMID- 24215313
TI  - Editorial: diabetes and cancer - disease, drugs or deception?

PMID- 24215314
TI  - The post hoc use of randomised controlled trials to explore drug associated
      cancer outcomes: methodological challenges.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Drug-induced cancer risk is of increasing interest. Both
      observational studies and data from clinical trials have linked several widely
      used treatments to cancer. When a signal for a potential drug-cancer association
      is generated, substantiation is required to assess the impact on public health
      before proper regulatory action can be taken. This paper aims to discuss
      challenges of exploring drug-associated cancer outcomes by post-hoc analyses of
      Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) designed for other purposes. METHODOLOGICAL
      CHALLENGES TO CONSIDER: We set out to perform a post-hoc nested case-control
      analysis in the ADVANCE trial in order to examine the association between insulin
      use and cancer. We encountered several methodological challenges that made the
      results difficult to interpret, including short duration of exposure of interest,
      lack of power, and correlation between exposure and potential confounders.
      Considering these challenges, we concluded that using the data would not
      enlighten the discussion about insulin use and cancer risk and only serve to
      further complicate any understanding. Therefore, we decided to use our experience
      to illustrate methodological challenges, which need to be addressed when re
      analysing trial data for cancer related outcomes. CONCLUSION: Substantial amount
      of information on cancer outcomes is available from RCTs. Hence, making use of
      such data could save time and spare patients from inclusion in further trials.
      However, methodological challenges must be addressed to enhance the likelihood of
      reliable conclusions. Advantages of post-hoc analyses of RCTs include quality of
      data collected and sometimes randomisation to exposure of interest. Limitations
      include confounding and sample size, which is fixed to suit the purposes of the
      trial, insufficient duration of exposure and identification of underlying
      biological mechanisms relating treatment to cancer to formulate the most
      appropriate post-hoc study design.

PMID- 24215315
TI  - Use of thiazolidinediones and risk of bladder cancer: disease or drugs?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pioglitazone, a drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
      has been associated with bladder cancer in observational studies. Diabetes
      mellitus itself has also been linked with bladder cancer. The objective was to
      estimate the risk of bladder cancer for diabetic patients using
      thialozidinediones (TZDs) compared with patients in other treatment stages of the
      disease. METHODS: We performed a population-based cohort study (1996-2007) in the
      Danish National Health Registers. Oral antidiabetic drug users (n=179,056) were
      matched 1:3 by sex and year of birth to non-users. Hazard ratios (HRs) of bladder
      cancer were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Time-dependent
      adjustments were made for age, comorbidity, and drug use. Four different
      treatment stages were defined: current use of either a biguanide or a
      sulfonylureum (stage 1), current use of a biguanide and a sulfonylureum at the
      same time (stage 2), current use of TZDs (stage 3) and current use of insulin
      (stage 4). RESULTS: Compared with non-diabetic controls, patients using
      antidiabetic medication experienced a 1.3-fold increased risk of bladder cancer
      (adjusted HR 1.3 [95%CI 1.2-1.4]). No major differences were observed between the
      different treatment stages. The risk of bladder cancer varied between 1.2 [95%CI
      1.0-1.4] in stage 4 and 1.4 [95%CI 1.3-1.6] in stage 1. The risk of bladder
      cancer with TZD use (stage 3) was similar to the other groups (adjusted HR 1.3
      [95%CI 0.6-2.7]). INTERPRETATION: The association between TZD use and bladder
      cancer is probably confounded by the underlying disease.

PMID- 24215312
TI  - CARING (CAncer Risk and INsulin analoGues): the association of diabetes mellitus
      and cancer risk with focus on possible determinants - a systematic review and a
      meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) may experience an
      increased risk of cancer; however, it is not certain whether this effect is due
      to diabetes per se. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between DM and cancers
      by a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA guidelines. DATA
      SOURCES: The systematic literature search includes Medline at PubMed, Embase,
      Cinahl, Bibliotek.dk, Cochrane library, Web of Science and SveMed+ with the
      search terms: "Diabetes mellitus", "Neoplasms", and "Risk of cancer". STUDY
      ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The included studies compared the risk of cancer in
      diabetic patients versus non-diabetic patients. All types of observational study
      designs were included. RESULTS: Diabetes patients were at a substantially
      increased risk of liver (RR=2.1), and pancreas (RR=2.2) cancer. Modestly elevated
      significant risks were also found for ovary (RR=1.2), breast (RR=1.1), cervix
      (RR=1.3), endometrial (RR=1.4), several digestive tract (RR=1.1-1.5), kidney
      (RR=1.4), and bladder cancer (RR=1.1). The findings were similar for men and
      women, and unrelated to study design. Meta-regression analyses showed limited
      effect modification of body mass index, and possible effect modification of age,
      gender, with some influence of study characteristics (population source, cancer-
      and diabetes ascertainment). LIMITATIONS: Publication bias seemed to be present.
      Only published data were used in the analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic review
      and meta-analysis confirm the previous results of increased cancer risk in
      diabetes and extend this to additional cancer sites. Physicians in contact with
      patients with diabetes should be aware that diabetes patients are at an increased
      risk of cancer.

PMID- 24215316
TI  - Use of metformin and survival of diabetic women with breast cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was set out to determine whether metformin use influences
      survival in breast cancer patients treated with antidiabetic drugs as compared to
      non-users. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used data from the Danish national
      registries (1996-2008) to identify adult female patients diagnosed with breast
      cancer who were prescribed antidiabetic medication. We performed multivariate
      Coxproportional hazard regression to assess all-cause and breast cancer-specific
      mortality risks associated with metformin exposure. In a secondary analysis, we
      stratified use of metformin according to the cumulative number of prescriptions.
      RESULTS: Of the 1058 breast cancer patients 349 died during follow-up, with
      breast cancer listed as the primary cause of death for 152 cases. Compared to non
      use, current metformin treatment was associated with a significant reduction in
      overall mortality (adjusted HR 0.74, 95% CI, 0.58-0.96). For breast cancer
      specific mortality, a non-significant risk reduction (adjusted HR 0.88, 95% CI,
      0.59-1.29) was observed, which became significant after stratification according
      to cumulative number of prescriptions. An increased risk of both overall and
      breast cancer-specific mortality was observed in the first 12 months after
      discontinuation of metformin. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a nonsignificant reduction
      in breast cancer-specific mortality associated with metformin exposure among
      breast cancer patients treated with antidiabetic drugs. However, our findings
      suggest that long-term metformin use may have a beneficial effect on survival in
      patients with breast cancer. Further confirmation of these findings is needed.

PMID- 24215317
TI  - Revisiting the acute performance of the 5086 MRI lead: coincidences or signs?

PMID- 24215318
TI  - The interaction between signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPalpha) and CD47:
      structure, function, and therapeutic target.
AB  - CD47 is a broadly expressed membrane protein that interacts with the myeloid
      inhibitory immunoreceptor SIRPalpha (also termed CD172a or SHPS-1). SIRPalpha is
      the prototypic member of the SIRP paired receptor family of closely related SIRP
      proteins. Engagement of SIRPalpha by CD47 provides a downregulatory signal that
      inhibits host cell phagocytosis, and CD47 therefore functions as a "don't-eat-me"
      signal. Here, we discuss recent structural analysis of CD47-SIRPalpha
      interactions and implications of this for the function and evolution of SIRPalpha
      and paired receptors in general. Furthermore, we review the proposed roles of
      CD47-SIRPalpha interactions in phagocytosis, (auto)immunity, and host defense, as
      well as its potential significance as a therapeutic target in cancer and
      inflammation and for improving graft survival in xenotransplantation. 

PMID- 24215320
TI  - Nano-gold diggers: Au-assisted SiO(2)-decomposition and desorption in supported
      nanocatalysts.
AB  - An investigation of the thermal stability of size-selected Au nanoparticles (NPs)
      synthesized via inverse micelle encapsulation and deposited on SiO2(4 nm)/Si(100)
      is presented. The size and mobility of individual Au NPs after annealing at
      elevated temperatures in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) was monitored via atomic force
      microscopy (AFM). An enhanced thermal stability against coarsening and lack of NP
      mobility was observed up to 1343 K. In addition, a drastic decrease in the
      average NP height was detected with increasing annealing temperature, which was
      not accompanied by the sublimation of Au atoms/clusters in UHV. The apparent
      decrease in the Au NP height observed is assigned to their ability to dig
      vertical channels in the underlying SiO2 support. More specifically, a
      progressive reduction in the thickness of the SiO2 support underneath and in the
      immediate vicinity of the NPs was evidenced, leading to NPs partially sinking
      into the SiO2 substrate. The complete removal of silicon oxide in small patches
      was observed to take place around the Au NPs after annealing at 1343 K in UHV.
      These results reveal a Au-assisted oxygen desorption from the support via reverse
      oxygen spillover to the NPs. 

PMID- 24215321
TI  - The sense of position and movement in the knee joint during voluntary movements.
AB  - The aim of the paper was to assess body position reproduction as well as jump
      height during an intended movement, together with an assessment of the influence
      of factors that disturb this process. Factors disturbing the jump were related to
      with the reproduction of different knee joint angles (90 degrees  or 120 degrees
      ); different muscle activity in performed jumps: SJ with no countermovement and
      CMJ with countermovement; as well as with and without visual (VC) of control
      movement (nVC) - eyes covered. Nineteen subjects aged twenty-one years
      participated in the experiment. Jump height (h) was calculated on the basis of a
      reaction force (R) of the base, as registered with a tensometric platform. Two
      dimensional cinematographic analysis was used to assess the reproduction of
      angular position in the knee joint. A significant factor determining the level of
      position reproduction during voluntary movements was the imposed angle as well as
      the character of muscle activity. The biggest difficulty of developing maximum
      heights occurred during jumps with disturbed visual control (eyes shut). 

PMID- 24215322
TI  - Round cell sarcomas beyond Ewing: emerging entities.
AB  - Primitive small blue round cell tumours (SBRCT) of childhood and young adults
      have been problematic to diagnose and classify. Diagnosis is also complicated in
      cases with atypical morphology, aberrant immunoprofiles and unusual clinical
      presentations. Even with the increased use of ancillary techniques in archival
      material, such as immunohistochemistry and molecular/genetic methods, a
      proportion of these tumours cannot be subclassified into specific histological
      types. A subset of tumours resembling microscopically the Ewing sarcoma family of
      tumours (EFT), being composed of primitive small round cells and occurring in
      paediatric or young adult age groups, remain unclassified, being negative for
      EWSR1, SS18(SYT), DDIT3(CHOP) and FOXO1(FKHR) gene rearrangements by FISH/RT-PCR.
      A small number of cases sharing the undifferentiated EFT appearance have been
      characterized recently carrying BCOR-CCNB3 or CIC-DUX4 fusions. However, based on
      the somewhat limited number of cases, it remains unclear if these newly defined
      genetic entities belong to any of the pre-existing clinicopathological disorders
      or represent altogether novel conditions. This review presents the latest
      molecular findings related to these SBRCTs, beyond the common EWSR1-ETS fusions.
      Specific attention has been paid to morphological features not associated
      typically with classic EFT, and the value of ancillary tests that can be applied
      when dealing with EWSR1-negative SBRCTs is discussed. 

PMID- 24215323
TI  - Applications of collaborative helping maps: supporting professional development,
      supervision and work teams in family-centered practice.
AB  - Collaborative, family-centered practice has become an influential approach in
      helping efforts across a broad spectrum of human services. This article draws
      from previous work that presented a principle-based, practice framework of
      Collaborative Helping and highlighted the use of Collaborative Helping maps as a
      tool both to help workers think their way through complex situations and to
      provide a guideline for constructive conversations between families and helpers
      about challenging issues. It builds on that work to examine ways to utilize
      Collaborative Helping maps at worker, supervisory, and organizational levels to
      enhance and sustain collaborative, family-centered practice and weave its core
      values and principles into the everyday fabric of organizational cultures in
      human service agencies and government agencies that serve poor and marginalized
      families and communities.

PMID- 24215324
TI  - When does action comprehension need motor involvement? Evidence from upper limb
      aplasia.
AB  - Motor theories of action comprehension claim that comprehending the meaning of an
      action performed by a conspecific relies on the perceiver's own motor
      representation of the same action. According to this view, whether an action
      belongs to the motor repertoire of the perceiver should impact the ease by which
      this action is comprehended. We tested this prediction by assessing the ability
      of an individual (D.C.) born without upper limbs to comprehend actions involving
      hands (e.g., throwing) or other body parts (e.g., jumping). The tests used a
      range of different visual stimuli differing in the kind of information provided.
      The results showed that D.C. was as accurate and fast as control participants in
      comprehending natural video and photographic presentations of both manual and
      nonmanual actions, as well as pantomimes. However, he was selectively impaired at
      identifying point-light animations of manual actions. This impairment was not due
      to a difficulty in processing kinematic information per se. D.C. was indeed as
      accurate as control participants in two additional tests requiring a fine-grained
      analysis of an actor's arm or whole-body movements. These results challenge motor
      theories of action comprehension by showing that the visual analysis of body
      shape and motion provides sufficient input for comprehending observed actions.
      However, when body shape information is sparsely available, motor involvement
      becomes critical to interpret observed actions. We suggest that, with natural
      human movement stimuli, motor representations contribute to action comprehension
      each time visual information is incomplete or ambiguous. 

PMID- 24215325
TI  - Novel angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides derived from an edible
      mushroom, Pleurotus cystidiosus O.K. Miller identified by LC-MS/MS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been reported
      to reduce mortality in patients with hypertension. Compared to chemosynthetic
      drugs, ACE inhibitors derived from natural sources such as food proteins are
      believed to be safer for consumption and to have fewer adverse effects. Some
      edible mushrooms have been reported to significantly reduce blood pressure after
      oral administration. In addition, mushrooms are known to be rich in protein
      content. This makes them a potential source of ACE inhibitory peptides. Hence,
      the objective of the current study was to isolate and characterise ACE inhibitory
      peptides from an edible mushroom, Pleurotus cystidiosus. METHODS: ACE inhibitory
      proteins were isolated from P. cystidiosus based on the bioassay guided
      purification steps, i.e. ammonium sulphate precipitation, reverse phase high
      performance liquid chromatography and size exclusion chromatography. Active
      fraction was then analysed by LC-MS/MS and potential ACE inhibitory peptides
      identified were chemically synthesized. Effect of in vitro gastrointestinal
      digestions on the ACE inhibitory activity of the peptides and their inhibition
      patterns were evaluated. RESULTS: Two potential ACE inhibitory peptides, AHEPVK
      and GPSMR were identified from P. cystidiosus with molecular masses of 679.53 and
      546.36 Da, respectively. Both peptides exhibited potentially high ACE inhibitory
      activity with IC50 values of 62.8 and 277.5 MUM, respectively. SEC chromatograms
      and BIOPEP analysis of these peptides revealed that the peptide sequence of the
      hexapeptide, AHEPVK, was stable throughout gastrointestinal digestion. The
      pentapeptide, GPSMR, was hydrolysed after digestion and it was predicted to
      release a dipeptide ACE inhibitor, GP, from its precursor. The Lineweaver-Burk
      plot of AHEPVK showed that this potent and stable ACE inhibitor has a competitive
      inhibitory effect against ACE. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that the
      peptides from P. cystidiosus could be potential ACE inhibitors. Although these
      peptides had lower ACE inhibitory activity compared to commercial
      antihypertensive drugs, they are derived from mushroom which could be easily
      obtained and should have no side effects. Further in vivo studies can be carried
      out to reveal the clear mechanism of ACE inhibition by these peptides.

PMID- 24215326
TI  - Enantioselective [4 + 2] cycloaddition of cyclic N-sulfimines and acyclic enones
      or ynones: a concise route to sulfamidate-fused 2,6-disubstituted piperidin-4
      ones.
AB  - A concise route to valuable sulfamate-fused 2,6-disubstituted piperidin-4-ones or
      2,3-dihydropyridin-4(1H)-ones in good yield with high diastereo- and
      enantioselectivity is presented. The combination of chiral primary amine and o
      fluorobenzoic acid efficiently promoted an asymmetric [4 + 2] cycloaddition
      reaction of N-sulfonylimines and enones or ynones. The cycloaddition reaction
      between cyclic N-sulfonylimines and ynones is first reported. 

PMID- 24215327
TI  - Sleep/wake patterns and circadian typology in preschool children based on
      standardized parental self-reports.
AB  - We studied the sleep/wake patterns and circadian typology of Japanese preschool
      children living in the Tokyo metropolitan area (193 boys and 190 girls, 4-6 years
      of age) from June to July 2012 based on a standardized parental self-reporting
      questionnaire. Our major findings are as follows: (1) sleep/wake timing was
      delayed, and the duration of nocturnal sleep (sleep period as well as time in
      bed) increased from that on scheduled days (weekdays) to that on free days
      (weekends) for all ages. (2) The duration of daily sleep (24 h), including
      daytime nap, was longer for 4-year-old children compared with that in 5- to 6
      year-old children, but not significantly different between scheduled and free
      days within each age group. (3) The distribution of chronotypes was 36.3% for
      morning (M)-type, 48.8% for neither (N)-type and 11.2% for evening (E)-type, and
      this distribution was independent of sex or age. (4) Sleep/wake timing delays
      were observed from M-type and N-type to E-type during scheduled and free days.
      (5) The duration of nocturnal sleep decreased but increased for 24-h sleep time
      from M-type and N-type to E-type on scheduled days. (6) Sleep durations did not
      differ among chronotypes on free days. (7) Chronotypes were associated with
      parents' diurnal preferences, mealtimes and attendance at kindergartens or
      childcare centers but not with sex, age, season of birth, exposure to multimedia
      or exposure to morning sunlight in their bedrooms. When these results were
      compared with those for older children and adolescents, similar sleep/wake
      patterns and circadian typology were observed, although to a lesser degree, in
      children as young as 4-6 years of age. Napping may compensate, in part, for an
      accumulated weekday sleep deficit. The distribution of chronotypes was associated
      with differences in sleep/wake timing and duration and was influenced by the
      parents' diurnal preferences and lifestyles. Further research on preschool
      children is required to investigate whether circadian typology affects their
      behavioral, emotional and cognitive development.

PMID- 24215328
TI  - Novel thiazole derivatives: a patent review (2008 - 2012; Part 1).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Thiazole is a well-known five-membered heterocyclic compound.
      Various methods have been worked out for its synthesis. In the last few decades,
      a lot of work has been done on thiazole ring in order to find new compounds
      related to this scaffold acting as an antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory,
      antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, diuretic, anticonvulsant, neuroprotective
      and antitumor or cytotoxic drugs with lesser side effects. This review presents
      the up to date development of different thiazole derivatives. AREAS COVERED: This
      review gives an account of the recent therapeutic patent literature (2008 - 2012)
      describing the applications of thiazole and its derivatives on selected
      activities. In this review, many of the therapeutic applications of thiazole
      derivatives reported in international patents have been discussed. In addition to
      selected biological data, some of pharmaceutical applications are also
      summarized. Because of the large number of patents registered in this period
      relative to thiazole derivatives the attention was focused, in this first part of
      the review, on inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, inhibitors of protein
      kinase and derivatives modulating enzymes related to metabolism. EXPERT OPINION:
      This review of patented products presents the thiazole ring as the nucleus of the
      derivatives considered from a medicinal chemistry perspective. The applications
      are based firstly on the specific enzyme target with very low development in the
      disease treatment. Most of the described compounds are shown to have beneficial
      therapeutic effects but at the same time these compounds, selective for 'multi
      signaling pathway' targets, may also increase the side-effect potential.

PMID- 24215329
TI  - Treatment with corticosteroids and the risk of anastomotic leakage following
      lower gastrointestinal surgery: a literature survey.
AB  - AIM: Background Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication in colorectal
      surgery. Treatment with corticosteroids is known to impair wound healing but
      their effect on the healing of a colorectal anastomosis remains unclear, and
      studies have reported conflicting results. Objective The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the current evidence regarding the effect of corticosteroids on the risk
      of anastomotic leakage following colorectal surgery. METHOD: Search strategy A
      systematic review was conducted following a search of PubMed and Embase.
      Selection criteria Inclusion criteria were studies published in English and
      involving humans. A minimum cohort of 50 patients was required and anastomoses
      involving the ileum, colon and rectum were included. Studies that investigated
      corticosteroids as a risk factor for anastomotic leakage were included regardless
      of the duration and the dose of corticosteroids. Data Collection and analysis A
      comparison was conducted between anastomotic leakage in noncorticosteroid- and
      corticosteroid-treated patients. The main outcome measure was the risk of
      anastomotic leakage. RESULTS: Twelve studies with a total of 9564 patients were
      included in the review. In total, 1034 patients received corticosteroids in the
      preoperative period, and 344 patients were diagnosed with anastomotic leakage, 70
      of whom had received corticosteroids. Six of the 12 studies showed an increased
      risk for anastomotic leakage in the corticosteroid group. Overall, the
      anastomotic leakage rate was 6.77% (95% CI: 5.48-9.06) in the corticosteroid
      group and 3.26% (95% CI: 2.94-3.58) in the noncorticosteroid group. CONCLUSION:
      Caution should be shown in patients scheduled for lower gastrointestinal surgery
      with anastomosis.

PMID- 24215330
TI  - Targeted exome sequencing for mitochondrial disorders reveals high genetic
      heterogeneity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial disorders are difficult to diagnose due to extreme
      genetic and phenotypic heterogeneities. METHODS: We explored the utility of
      targeted next-generation sequencing for the diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders
      in 148 patients submitted for clinical testing. A panel of 447 nuclear genes
      encoding mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, and other genes inducing
      secondary mitochondrial dysfunction or that cause diseases which mimic
      mitochondrial disorders were tested. RESULTS: We identified variants considered
      to be possibly disease-causing based on family segregation data and/or variants
      already known to cause disease in twelve genes in thirteen patients. Rare or
      novel variants of unknown significance were identified in 45 additional genes for
      various metabolic, genetic or neurogenetic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Primary
      mitochondrial defects were confirmed only in four patients indicating that
      majority of patients with suspected mitochondrial disorders are presumably not
      the result of direct impairment of energy production. Our results support that
      clinical and routine laboratory ascertainment for mitochondrial disorders are
      challenging due to significant overlapping non-specific clinical symptoms and
      lack of specific biomarkers. While next-generation sequencing shows promise for
      diagnosing suspected mitochondrial disorders, the challenges remain as the
      underlying genetic heterogeneity may be greater than suspected and it is further
      confounded by the similarity of symptoms with other conditions as we report here.

PMID- 24215331
TI  - Reduction of elevated cytokine levels in acute/acute-on-chronic liver failure
      using super-large pore albumin dialysis treatment: an in vitro study.
AB  - The removal of small water soluble toxins and albumin-bound toxins in acute liver
      failure patients (ALF) or acute-on-chronic liver failure (AocLF) patients has
      been established using extracorporeal liver support devices (e.g. Molecular
      Adsorbents Recirculating System; MARS). However, reduction of elevated cytokines
      in ALF/AocLF using MARS is still not efficient enough to lower patients' serum
      cytokine levels. New membranes with larger pores or higher cut-offs should be
      considered in extracorporeal liver support devices based on albumin dialysis in
      order to address these problems, as the introduction of super-large pore
      membranes could counterbalance high production rates of cytokines and further
      improve detoxification in vivo. Using an established in vitro two compartment
      albumin dialysis model, three novel membranes of different pore sizes were
      compared with the MARS Flux membrane for cytokine removal and detoxification
      qualities in vitro. Comparing the membranes, no improvement in the removal of
      water soluble toxins was found. Albumin-bound toxins were removed more
      efficiently using novel large (Emic2) to super-large pore sized membranes (S20;
      HCO Gambro). Clearance of cytokines IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was
      drastically improved using super-large pore membranes. The Emic2 membrane
      predominantly removed IL-6. In vitro data suggest that the usage of larger pore
      sized membranes in albumin dialysis can efficiently reduce elevated cytokine
      levels and liver failure toxins. Using large to super-large pore membranes might
      exert effects on patients' serum cytokine levels. Combined with increased
      detoxification this could lead to higher survival in ALF/AocLF. Promising
      membranes for clinical evaluation have been identified. 

PMID- 24215332
TI  - Depression as a risk factor for cancer: from pathophysiological advances to
      treatment implications.
AB  - Innate immune activation and inflammation have been posited to play a role in the
      pathophysiology of both depression and neoplastic growth. Cancer patients
      experience a threefold higher rate of depression than the general population
      within the first five years of diagnosis. Chronic depression is associated with
      increased cancer risk and shortened survival. Although the precise cellular and
      molecular mechanisms of this bidirectional relationship remain unclear, elevated
      concentrations of circulating plasma proinflammatory cytokines associated with
      depression may mediate the neuroendocrine, neural, and immune pathways that
      account for the relationship. Proinflammatory cytokines, in turn, are known to
      modulate key neurobiological correlates of depression including hypothalamic
      pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, monoamine neurotransmitter
      metabolism, and limbic system activity. Research is needed to determine whether
      optimal depression treatment improves cancer survival and to develop
      antidepressant strategies that target molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating
      inflammation and the neurobiological pathways influenced by the proinflammatory
      cytokines. 

PMID- 24215333
TI  - Incidence of postembolization syndrome after complete renal angioinfarction: a
      single-institution experience over four years.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Renal angioinfarction (RAI) has been used for various indications in
      the management of renal tumors. While historically used for palliation of local
      symptoms (pain or hematuria), this technique has theoretical use in facilitating
      radical nephrectomy by allowing early ligation of the renal vein, decreasing
      blood loss and creating edema in resection planes. A common impediment to
      embolization is the development of postembolization syndrome (PES), which has
      been reported to have an incidence as high as 89%. This study reports the
      authors' experience with RAI as a safe palliative and adjunctive procedure over 4
      years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2008 to 2011, 113 patients underwent complete
      RAI at Washington Hospital Center for palliative or adjunctive therapy by an
      interventional radiologist. Procedures were performed in a radiology suite using
      mild sedation with vascular access obtained by femoral artery puncture. RAI was
      performed by subsegmental injection of polyvinyl alcohol particles. RESULTS: All
      113 patients underwent successful RAI with confirmation of total arterial flow
      ablation via postprocedure arteriogram: 38 underwent embolization for
      preoperative adjunctive therapy, 34 for palliation of renal mass, 36 for
      trauma/hemorrhage and five for symptomatic renal artery pseudoaneurysm after
      partial nephrectomy. PES occurred in 33 out of 75 patients (44.0%), with
      symptomatic PES in only two patients (2.6%). No major complications (>Clavien
      grade III) occurred. Thirty-eight patients were excluded from analysis as they
      underwent radical nephrectomy within 24 h, preventing accurate assessment of PES.
      CONCLUSIONS: RAI is a safe and reliable procedure for palliation of renal masses,
      as an adjunctive procedure for radical nephrectomy, and for conservative
      management of renal hemorrhage or aneurysm. PES occurs in relatively few
      patients, with no major complications, and should not impede clinical
      consideration of this procedure.

PMID- 24215334
TI  - Quality by design approach for oral bioavailability enhancement of irbesartan by
      self-nanoemulsifying tablets.
AB  - The present investigation was aimed to develop self-nanoemulsifying tablets
      (SNETs) as novel nanosized solid oral dosage forms for Irbesartan (IRB). In the
      first part of the investigation, IRB-loaded self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery
      systems (SNEDDS) were developed using Capryol 90 - Cremophor RH40 - Transcutol P
      as three component (oil - surfactant - cosurfactant) SNEDDS system. On the basis
      of ternary phase diagram IRB-loaded SNEDDS were optimized by using Design of
      Experiments (DoE) and Principal component analysis (PCA) with amount of oil and
      surfactant: cosurfactant ratio (Km) as factors. The optimized batch of IRB-loaded
      SNEDDS comprised of 31.62% w/w of Capryol 90 as oil phase, 49.90% w/w Cremophor
      RH40 as surfactant and 18.48% w/w of Transcutol P as cosurfactant exemplified a
      mean globule size as 23.94 nm. Further, with an aim to provide enhanced patient
      compliance the optimized batch of liquid SNEDDS was transformed into SNETs by
      liquisolid compaction technique. Solid state characterization of IRB-loaded
      liquisolid mixtures revealed a decrease in the magnitude of crystallinity of IRB.
      The results of in vitro drug release study of optimized batch of IRB-loaded SNET
      illustrated a remarkable improvement in the dissolution rate as compared to
      marketed tablets (Avapro(r) 75). The results of in vivo pharmacokinetic study on
      Wister rats revealed 1.78-fold enhancement in oral bioavailability for IRB-loaded
      SNETs against marketed tablets. The present study proposed SNEDDS as one of the
      suitable approach for developing nanosized solid oral dosage forms of poorly
      water soluble drugs like Irbesartan.

PMID- 24215335
TI  - The effect of bevacizumab on wound healing modulation in an experimental
      trabeculectomy model.
AB  - PURPOSE: Glaucoma filtration surgery remains the most effective surgical
      procedure for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in uncontrolled glaucoma.
      Modulation of wound healing is critical to ensure long-term surgical success.
      This study aimed to determine if bevacizumab is an alternative agent for wound
      modulation in glaucoma surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight eyes of New
      Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups undergoing standard trabeculectomy
      surgery in the right eye. In group 1, balanced salt solution injections (0.1 ml)
      were performed into the bleb. Bevacizumab (0.1 ml, 1.25 mg) was injected into the
      bleb in group two and into the vitreous body in group three. Subconjunctival
      injections of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were performed into the non-bleb area in
      group four. Postoperatively; IOP, bleb size, bleb height, bleb vascularity were
      evaluated. Right eyes of two animals from each group were enucleated in 10th,
      20th and 30th d postoperatively and evaluated histopathologically for
      inflammation, neovascularization and fibrosis. RESULTS: The length, the width and
      the height of the bleb in the group two were greater than other groups. Mean IOP
      values were lower in group two. IOP measurements in the operated eyes of group
      two were statistically significantly lower than the other groups until the 28th
      d. Inflammation (p = 0.030), neovascularization (p = 0.004) and fibrosis (p <
      0.000) in group two were lower in histopathological evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Post
      operative subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab is more effective than
      intravitreal bevacizumab or subconjunctival 5-FU injections for bleb survival.
      Furthermore, IOP is lower for a long period with lower level of fibrosis, which
      increases the success of trabeculectomy.

PMID- 24215336
TI  - An unusual cause of automatic mode switching in the absence of an atrial
      tachyarrhythmia.

PMID- 24215337
TI  - Late-onset bolus intravenous beta-lactam antibiotic adverse reaction: short-lived
      symptoms during drug administration and associated laboratory abnormalities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the 1970s, there were 2 reports of a late-onset adverse reaction
      during bolus infusions of benzyl penicillin, characterized by short-lived
      symptoms, most commonly abdominal pain. The mechanism is not known. We set out to
      further characterize this reaction. METHODS: We conducted a prospective
      observational study of all adult patients receiving bolus intravenous (IV) beta
      lactam antibiotics under the care of our Outpatient IV Antibiotic Service from 1
      August 2007 to 31 January 2010, focusing on those who developed infusion-related
      symptoms. RESULTS: During the 30-month study, 11 of the 163 patients (7%) treated
      with bolus IV beta-lactam antibiotics developed a late-onset infusion-related
      adverse reaction. Six of 30 patients (20%) treated with benzyl penicillin
      developed this adverse reaction compared to 5 of 133 (4%) treated with any other
      beta-lactam antibiotic (p = 0.006). The median duration of beta-lactam antibiotic
      before reaction onset was 25 days. Abdominal pain occurred in 9 patients (82%),
      fever in 3 (27%), and rash in 5 (45%). Seven patients (64%) developed a
      combination of thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and/or lymphopenia and 6 (55%),
      elevated liver enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: This adverse reaction, occurring late during
      prolonged IV bolus beta-lactam treatment, is most often characterized by short
      lived abdominal pain occurring at the time of infusion and is more common in
      patients receiving benzyl penicillin. It is frequently associated with cytopenias
      and elevated liver enzymes. It may have both immunological and non-immunological
      mechanisms.

PMID- 24215339
TI  - Modeling and stress analyses of a normal foot-ankle and a prosthetic foot-ankle
      complex.
AB  - Total ankle replacement (TAR) is a relatively new concept and is becoming more
      popular for treatment of ankle arthritis and fractures. Because of the high costs
      and difficulties of experimental studies, the developments of TAR prostheses are
      progressing very slowly. For this reason, the medical imaging techniques such as
      CT, and MR have become more and more useful. The finite element method (FEM) is a
      widely used technique to estimate the mechanical behaviors of materials and
      structures in engineering applications. FEM has also been increasingly applied to
      biomechanical analyses of human bones, tissues and organs, thanks to the
      development of both the computing capabilities and the medical imaging
      techniques. 3-D finite element models of the human foot and ankle from
      reconstruction of MR and CT images have been investigated by some authors. In
      this study, data of geometries (used in modeling) of a normal and a prosthetic
      foot and ankle were obtained from a 3D reconstruction of CT images. The
      segmentation software, MIMICS was used to generate the 3D images of the bony
      structures, soft tissues and components of prosthesis of normal and prosthetic
      ankle-foot complex. Except the spaces between the adjacent surface of the
      phalanges fused, metatarsals, cuneiforms, cuboid, navicular, talus and calcaneus
      bones, soft tissues and components of prosthesis were independently developed to
      form foot and ankle complex. SOLIDWORKS program was used to form the boundary
      surfaces of all model components and then the solid models were obtained from
      these boundary surfaces. Finite element analyses software, ABAQUS was used to
      perform the numerical stress analyses of these models for balanced standing
      position. Plantar pressure and von Mises stress distributions of the normal and
      prosthetic ankles were compared with each other. There was a peak pressure
      increase at the 4th metatarsal, first metatarsal and talus bones and a decrease
      at the intermediate cuneiform and calcaneus bones, in prosthetic ankle-foot
      complex compared to normal one. The predicted plantar pressures and von Misses
      stress distributions for a normal foot were consistent with other FE models given
      in the literature. The present study is aimed to open new approaches for the
      development of ankle prosthesis. 

PMID- 24215340
TI  - Particle carriers for combating multidrug-resistant cancer.
AB  - Multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumors accounts for significant treatment failure.
      Particle carriers offer potential benefits for treating cancer, including the
      ability to target tumors and to deliver multiple cargo, providing opportunities
      to overcome drug resistance. In this Perspective, we provide a brief introduction
      to the MDR mechanisms and implications of tumor heterogeneity that contribute to
      drug resistance. We also highlight recent advances in the design of particles
      aimed at treating resistant tumors through particle-based codelivery of
      therapeutics. Finally, we discuss future directions, where an increased
      understanding of the tumor biology can be leveraged to develop new and improved
      particle-based cancer therapies. 

PMID- 24215341
TI  - Toward relationship-directed parenting: an example of North American born second
      generation Korean-American mothers and their partners.
AB  - Historically, parenting has been constructed hierarchically; however,
      contemporary parenting models frequently emphasize parenting as relationship
      (Siegel & Hartzell [2004] Parenting from the inside out: How a deeper self
      understanding can help you raise children who thrive; Tuttle, Knudson-Martin, &
      Kim [2012] Family Process, 51, 73-89). Drawing on interviews with 20 North
      American born second-generation Korean-American mothers and their partners, and
      sensitized by TP-CRO, a social constructionist framework for conceptualizing
      parent-child relational orientations, this grounded theory analysis identified
      three main processes that facilitate relational connection as a parenting
      orientation rather than the rule-directed approach historically associated with
      first-generation immigrant Asian families. These include: (a) emphasizing
      dominant culture values; (b) inviting open communication; and (c) promoting
      mutuality. Results also show how parents integrate collectivist cultural values
      of their first generation immigrant parents' traditional culture into North
      American parenting ideals with which they primarily identify. The study
      demonstrates the usefulness of the TP-CRO for understanding parent-child
      relationships within multicultural parenting contexts and offers suggestions for
      working with second-generation Korean families.

PMID- 24215342
TI  - Chromatin remodeling: a new landscape to treat harmful alcohol-use disorders.

PMID- 24215344
TI  - A pharmacophore-based virtual screening approach for the discovery of Trypanosoma
      cruzi GAPDH inhibitors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chagas disease is a major cause of morbidity and death for millions
      of people in Latin America. The drugs currently available exhibit poor efficacy
      and severe side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new, safe and
      effective drugs against Chagas disease. The vital dependence on glycolysis as
      energy source makes the glycolytic enzymes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative
      agent of Chagas disease, attractive targets for drug design. In this work,
      glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from T. cruzi (TcGAPDH) was employed as
      molecular target for the discovery of new inhibitors as hits. RESULTS: Integrated
      protein-based pharmacophore and structure-based virtual screening approaches
      resulted in the identification of three hits from three chemical classes with
      moderate inhibitory activity against TcGAPDH. The inhibitors showed IC50 values
      in the high micromolar range. CONCLUSION: The new chemotypes are attractive
      molecules for future medicinal chemistry efforts aimed at developing new lead
      compounds for Chagas disease.

PMID- 24215345
TI  - 5-alkyl-1,3-oxazole derivatives of 6-amino-nicotinic acids as alkyl ester
      bioisosteres are antagonists of the P2Y12 receptor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, we reported ethyl nicotinates as antagonists of the P2Y12
      receptor, which is an important target in antiplatelet therapies. A potential
      liability of these compounds was their generally high in vivo clearance due to
      ethyl ester hydrolysis. RESULTS: Shape and electrostatic similarity matching was
      used to select five-membered heterocycles to replace the ethyl ester
      functionality. The 5-methyl and 5-ethyl-oxazole bioisosteres retained the sub
      micromolar potency levels of the parent ethyl esters. Many oxazoles showed a
      higher CYP450 dependent microsomal metabolism than the corresponding ethyl
      esters. Structure activity relationship investigations supported by ab initio
      calculations suggested that a correctly positioned alkyl substituent and a strong
      hydrogen bond acceptor were necessary structural motifs for binding. In rat
      pharmacokinetics, the low clearance was retained upon replacement of an ethyl
      ester with a 5-ethyl-oxazole. CONCLUSION: The use of shape and electrostatic
      similarity led to the successful replacement of a metabolically labile ethyl
      ester functionality with 5-alkyl-oxazole bioisosteres.

PMID- 24215346
TI  - Calpain-1 inhibitors for selective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: what is the
      future?
AB  - Effective small-molecule treatment of inflammatory diseases remains an unmet need
      in medicine. Current treatments are either limited in effectiveness or invasive.
      The latest biologics prevent influx of inflammatory cells to damaged tissue.
      Calpain-1 is a calcium-activated cysteine protease that plays an important role
      in neutrophil motility. It is, therefore, a potential target for intervention in
      inflammatory disease. Many inhibitors of calpains have been developed but most
      are unselective and so unsuitable for drug use. However, recent series of alpha
      mercaptoacrylate inhibitors target regulatory domains of calpain-1 and are much
      more specific. These compounds are effective in impairing the cell spreading
      mechanism of neutrophils in vitro and raise the possibility of treating
      rheumatoid arthritis with a pill; however, challenges still remain. Improved
      bioavailability is needed and solution of their precise mode of action should
      prompt the development of specific calpain-1 screens for novel classes of
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 24215347
TI  - Cucurbit[n]uril type hosts for the reversal of steroidal neuromuscular blocking
      agents.
AB  - The ideal neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) is regarded as being a non
      depolarizing equivalent of succinylcholine, having a rapid onset and short
      duration of action, with minimal side effects. In the absence of a single drug,
      the administration of an aminosteroid NMBA, such as rocuronium, followed by
      reversal using an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, such as neostigmine, is
      commonly employed. A different and safer approach to rapidly reversing the action
      of the NMBA, by encapsulating it with a macrocyclic or acyclic host molecule,
      such as the cyclodextrin sugammadex or more recently, cucurbituril-type hosts
      such as cyclic cucurbit[7]uril and the acyclic glycoluril tetramer calabadion 1,
      is described. 

PMID- 24215348
TI  - Naturally occurring plant polyphenols as potential therapies for inherited
      neuromuscular diseases.
AB  - There are several lines of laboratory-based evidence emerging to suggest that
      purified polyphenol compounds such as resveratrol, found naturally in red grapes,
      epigallocatechin galate from green tea and curcumin from turmeric, might be
      useful for the treatment of various inherited neuromuscular diseases, including
      spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth
      disease. Here, we critically examine the scientific evidence related to the known
      molecular effects that these polyphenols have on different models of inherited
      neuromuscular disease, with particular attention to problems with the validity of
      in vitro evidence. We also present proteomic evidence that polyphenols have in
      vitro effects on cells related to metal ion chelation in cell-culture media.
      Although their precise mechanisms of action remain somewhat elusive, polyphenols
      could be an attractive approach to therapy for inherited neuromuscular disease,
      especially since they may be safer to use on young children, compared with some
      of the other drug candidates. 

PMID- 24215349
TI  - Use of zebrafish in chemical biology and drug discovery.
AB  - The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a small, tropical, freshwater fish that has
      emerged as a powerful vertebrate model organism for studying genetics and
      development. Its small size, transparency, cost-effectiveness, close genome
      homology to humans compared with invertebrates, and capacity for genetic
      manipulation are all valuable attributes for an excellent animal model. There are
      additional advantages for using zebrafish specifically in drug discovery,
      including ease of exposure to chemicals in water. In effect, zebrafish can bridge
      a gap between in vitro and mammalian work, reducing the use of larger animals and
      attrition rates. In the drug-discovery process, zebrafish can be used at many
      stages, including target identification and validation, identification of lead
      compounds, studying structure-activity relationships and drug safety profiling.
      In this review, we highlight the potential for the zebrafish model to make the
      drug-discovery process simpler, more effective and cost-efficient. 

PMID- 24215351
TI  - Jumping to delusions in early psychosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with delusions typically seek less information when making
      decisions than controls ("jumping-to-conclusions", JTC) and paradoxically over
      adjust to counter-evidence on probabilistic reasoning tasks. Previous studies
      have examined JTC bias across the delusion-prone continuum, but have not
      considered the co-occurrence of both biases at early stages of psychosis. This
      was our aim. METHOD: Twenty-three early psychosis patients and 19 healthy
      controls completed two versions of the probabilistic reasoning task: a "draws-to
      decision" version (to assess JTC) and a "graded-estimates" version (to assess
      over-adjustment). Both versions have been used previously with clinically
      delusional people with schizophrenia. IQ, memory and executive function were also
      examined. RESULTS: Patients took fewer trials to reach a decision in the draws-to
      decision version and showed greater over-adjustment to counter-evidence in the
      graded-estimates version than controls. Across groups, those who jumped to
      conclusions showed greater over-adjustment. Poor executive function predicted
      more extreme biases in controls but not in patients. Task performances were
      unrelated to memory. Similar results were evident in patient and control
      subgroups matched on IQ, and years of formal education. CONCLUSIONS: A jumping-to
      conclusions bias and an over-adjustment bias co-occurred in the early psychosis
      patients. Implications are discussed concerning the role of such biases in
      delusion-proneness.

PMID- 24215352
TI  - Discovery of potent Mcl-1/Bcl-xL dual inhibitors by using a hybridization
      strategy based on structural analysis of target proteins.
AB  - Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL are crucial regulators of apoptosis, therefore dual inhibitors
      of both proteins could serve as promising new anticancer drugs. To design Mcl
      1/Bcl-xL dual inhibitors, we performed structure-guided analyses of the
      corresponding selective Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL inhibitors. A cocrystal structure of a
      pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivative with Mcl-1 protein was successfully determined
      and revealed the protein-ligand binding mode. The key structure for Bcl-xL
      inhibition was further confirmed through the substructural analysis of ABT-263, a
      representative Bcl-xL/Bcl-2/Bcl-w inhibitor developed by Abbott Laboratories. On
      the basis of the structural data from this analysis, we designed hybrid compounds
      by tethering the Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL inhibitors together. The results of X-ray
      crystallographic analysis of hybrid compound 10 in complexes with both Mcl-1 and
      Bcl-xL demonstrated its binding mode with each protein. Following further
      optimization, compound 11 showed potent Mcl-1/Bcl-xL dual inhibitory activity
      (Mcl-1, IC50 = 0.088 MUM; and Bcl-xL, IC50 = 0.0037 MUM). 

PMID- 24215353
TI  - Total synthesis of (-)-ecklonialactone B.
AB  - The total synthesis of (-)-ecklonialactone B as well as the 9,10-dihydro
      derivative by two different strategies is reported. The catalytic asymmetric
      Claisen rearrangement of Gosteli-type allyl vinyl ethers delivered elaborated
      alpha-keto ester building blocks. Ring-closing metatheses, including a notable
      diastereotopos-differentiating variant, a B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling
      reaction and a regio- and diastereoselective last-step epoxidation are key
      contributors. 

PMID- 24215354
TI  - Cytotoxic effect of Alpinia scabra (Blume) Naves extracts on human breast and
      ovarian cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alpinia scabra, locally known as 'Lengkuas raya', is an aromatic,
      perennial and rhizomatous herb from the family Zingiberaceae. It is a wild
      species which grows largely on mountains at moderate elevations in Peninsular
      Malaysia, but it can also survive in the lowlands like in the states of
      Terengganu and Northern Johor. The present study reports the cytotoxic potential
      of A. scabra extracts from different parts of the plant. METHODS: The
      experimental approach in the present study was based on a bioassay-guided
      fractionation. The crude methanol and fractionated extracts (hexane, chloroform
      and water) from different parts of A. scabra (leaves, rhizomes, roots and pseudo
      stems) were prepared prior to the cytotoxicity evaluation against human ovarian
      (SKOV-3) and hormone-dependent breast (MCF7) carcinoma cells. The identified
      cytotoxic extracts were then subjected to chemical investigations in order to
      identify the active ingredients. A normal human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5)
      was used to determine the specificity for cancerous cells. The cytotoxic extracts
      and fractions were also subjected to morphological assessment, DNA fragmentation
      analysis and DAPI nuclear staining. RESULTS: The leaf (hexane and chloroform) and
      rhizome (chloroform) extracts showed high inhibitory effect against the tested
      cells. Ten fractions (LC1-LC10) were yielded after purification of the leaf
      chloroform extract. Fraction LC4 which showed excellent cytotoxic activity was
      further purified and resulted in 17 sub-fractions (VLC1-VLC17). Sub-fraction VLC9
      showed excellent cytotoxicity against MCF7 and SKOV-3 cells but not toxic against
      normal MRC-5 cells. Meanwhile, eighteen fractions (RC1-RC18) were obtained after
      purification of the rhizome chloroform extract, of which fraction RC5 showed
      cytotoxicity against SKOV-3 cells with high selectivity index. There were marked
      morphological changes when observed using phase-contrast inverted microscope,
      DAPI nuclear staining and also DNA fragmentations in MCF7 and SKOV-3 cells after
      treatment with the cytotoxic extracts and fractions which were indicative of cell
      apoptosis. Methyl palmitate and methyl stearate were identified in the hexane
      leaf extract by GC-MS analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained from the current
      study demonstrated that the cell death induced by cytotoxic extracts and
      fractions of A. scabra may be due to apoptosis induction which was characterized
      by apoptotic morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. The active ingredients
      in the leaf sub-fraction VLC9 and rhizome fraction RC5 may lead to valuable
      compounds that have the ability to kill cancer cells but not normal cells.

PMID- 24215355
TI  - Varenicline induced acute interstitial nephritis in the setting of idiopathic
      membranous glomerulonephritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Varenicline is a nicotinic receptor partial agonist indicated for the
      cessation of smoking. It is regarded as having no or minimal renal toxicity. A
      single case report has linked it to acute interstitial nephritis. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 56 year-old female with a long-standing history of idiopathic
      membranous glomerulonephritis presented on routine follow-up with an unexpected
      rise in her serum creatinine from a stable baseline of 225 umol/L to 319 umol/L
      Biopsy revealed acute interstitial nephritis. There were no preceding clinical
      events other than the initiation of varenicline therapy three months prior. This
      was discontinued with no improvement in renal function. A ten week course of
      prednisone was initiated and creatinine levels returned to baseline. Shortly
      after prednisone therapy was completed, renal function worsened but the patient
      declined further immunosuppressive therapy. Exposure to varenicline therapy two
      years prior had also resulted in a reversible decline in kidney function.
      CONCLUSION: This is only the second case report to document varenicline-induced
      acute interstitial nephritis. A careful medication history and renal biopsy were
      essential in identifying the etiology of the acute kidney injury in this patient
      with a complex renal history.

PMID- 24215357
TI  - A wogonin-loaded glycyrrhetinic acid-modified liposome for hepatic targeting with
      anti-tumor effects.
AB  - Liver cancer has become one of the most common fatal cancers worldwide, with
      morbidity rates increasing each year. Wogonin (WG) is an attractive candidate for
      the development of new anti-cancer drugs. In this study, a novel glycyrrhetinic
      acid (GA)-modified WG liposome was developed for use in targeted anti-cancer
      therapy. Three types of WG preparations were investigated: free wogonin in
      solution (WG), passively targeted wogonin liposomes (WG-Lip) and GA-modified
      wogonin liposomes (GA-WG-Lip). The entrapment efficiency, size and zeta potential
      were measured. Cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, in vivo bio-distribution and anti
      tumor efficacy were also investigated. Addition of GA to the liposomes did not
      diminish the high entrapment efficiency observed in the liposomes without GA. GA
      WG-Lip showed the greatest uptake and had an IC50 value 1.46 times higher than
      that of WG-Lip. The GA-modified liposomes rapidly accumulated in the liver with a
      long retention time, and also displayed a better tumor inhibitory ratio than that
      of the unmodified liposomes. Overall, the data indicated that use of the GA
      modified WG liposomes conferred improvements in bio-distribution, accumulation at
      the tumor and therapeutic efficacy, perhaps due to increased receptor-mediated
      uptake of liposomes by liver-targeted cells. Together, these data show that GA-WG
      Lip is a promising means of targeted therapy for liver cancer.

PMID- 24215358
TI  - Revealing the binding structure of the protein corona on gold nanorods using
      synchrotron radiation-based techniques: understanding the reduced damage in cell
      membranes.
AB  - Regarding the importance of the biological effects of nanomaterials, there is
      still limited knowledge about the binding structure and stability of the protein
      corona on nanomaterials and the subsequent impacts. Here we designed a hard serum
      albumin protein corona (BSA) on CTAB-coated gold nanorods (AuNRs) and captured
      the structure of protein adsorption using synchrotron radiation X-ray absorption
      spectroscopy, microbeam X-ray fluorescent spectroscopy, and circular dichroism in
      combination with molecular dynamics simulations. The protein adsorption is
      attributed to at least 12 Au-S bonds and the stable corona reduced the
      cytotoxicity of CTAB/AuNRs. These combined strategies using physical, chemical,
      and biological approaches will improve our understanding of the protective
      effects of protein coronas against the toxicity of nanomaterials. These findings
      have shed light on a new strategy for studying interactions between proteins and
      nanomaterials, and this information will help further guide the rational design
      of nanomaterials for safe and effective biomedical applications. 

PMID- 24215359
TI  - Comparison of ICD implantation in obese and nonobese patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Implantable defibrillator (ICD) therapy improves mortality in
      patients at risk for sudden cardiac death. Obese patients pose challenges during
      ICD implantation and may have an increased risk of procedure-related
      complications. The comparison of acute procedural success and safety of ICD
      implantation in obese and nonobese patients has not been previously reported.
      METHODS: A total of 181 patients underwent ICD implantation at a single
      institution. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal
      to 30 kg/m(2) . Acute safety and efficacy data were collected and analyzed from a
      prospectively maintained database, with retrospective chart review, as required.
      RESULTS: Among the 181 patients, 58 (32.0%) were obese. Mean BMI was 36.7 +/- 6.3
      kg/m(2) among obese patients and was 24.6 +/- 3.1 kg/m(2) among nonobese patients
      (P < 0.001). Successful ICD implantation occurred in 58 of 58 (100%) obese
      patients and 122 of 123 (99.2%) nonobese patients (P = 1.0). A complication was
      observed in three of 58 (5.2%) obese patients and in seven of 123 (5.7%) nonobese
      patients (P = 1.0). Similarly, there was no difference in acute procedural
      success and safety in patients receiving a cardiac resynchronization therapy
      (CRT)-ICD. CONCLUSIONS: Acute success and safety of ICD implantation is similar
      in both obese and nonobese patients. This finding extended to patients treated
      with a CRT-ICD and among patients with extreme obesity. Obesity should probably
      not be a factor in determining whether a patient is a candidate for ICD
      implantation.

PMID- 24215360
TI  - Bulbourethral gland adenocarcinoma in a 25-year-old man without comorbidities:
      radical resection of proximal urethrae with Mitrofanoff-type
      appendicovesicostomy.
AB  - Adenocarcinoma of the paraurethral gland is a rare tumour with no published
      prevalence in male patients. This report presents a case of bulbourethral gland
      adenocarcinoma in a 25-year-old man without comorbidities. After resection of the
      proximal urethra, sphincter and prostate, Mitrofanoff-type appendicovesicostomy
      was performed. In this case, chemotherapy or radiation was not included in the
      treatment as the surgery was estimated to be radical. The patient achieved good
      surgical and quality of life results. This case shows that macroscopic haematuria
      should be examined even in young age groups without comorbidities.

PMID- 24215356
TI  - Risk of clinically significant depression in HIV-infected patients: effect of
      antiretroviral drugs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterize depression in newly diagnosed HIV-infected
      patients, to determine the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on its
      incidence, and to investigate whether efavirenz use was associated with a higher
      risk, compared with non-efavirenz-containing regimens, in the Spanish CoRIS
      cohort. METHODS: CoRIS is a contemporary, multicentre cohort of HIV-infected
      patients, antiretroviral-naive at entry, launched in 2004. Poisson regression
      models were used to investigate demographic, clinical and treatment-related
      factors associated with a higher incidence of clinically significant depression
      to October 2010. RESULTS: In total, 5185 patients (13 089 person-years)
      participated in the study, of whom 3379 (65.2%) started ART during follow-up. The
      incidence rates of depression before and after starting ART were 11.68 [95%
      confidence interval (CI) 9.01-15.15] and 7.06 (95% CI 5.45-9.13) cases per 1000
      person-years, respectively. After adjustment, there was an inverse association
      between the occurrence of depression and the initiation of ART [incidence rate
      ratio (IRR) 0.53; 95% CI 0.28-0.99], while the likelihood of depression increased
      in patients of age > 50 years (IRR 1.94; 95% CI 1.21-3.12). Longer exposure to
      ART was associated with a decreased IRR of depression in unadjusted and adjusted
      analyses. The IRR for patients receiving < 2, 2-4 and > 4 years of ART was 0.72
      (95% CI 0.36-1.44), 0.10 (95% CI 0.04-0.25) and 0.05 (95% CI 0.01-0.17),
      respectively, compared with ART-naive patients. This protective effect was also
      observed when durations of exposure to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase
      inhibitor-based regimens and efavirenz-containing regimens were analysed
      separately. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of clinically significant depression was
      lower among HIV-infected patients on ART. The protective effect of ART was also
      observed with efavirenz-containing regimens.

PMID- 24215361
TI  - Translational perspectives on perfusion-diffusion mismatch in ischemic stroke.
AB  - Magnetic resonance imaging has tremendous potential to illuminate ischemic stroke
      pathophysiology and guide rational treatment decisions. Clinical applications to
      date have been largely limited to trials. However, recent analyses of the major
      clinical studies have led to refinements in selection criteria and improved
      understanding of the potential implications for the risk vs. benefit of
      thrombolytic therapy. In parallel, preclinical studies have provided
      complementary information on the evolution of stroke that is difficult to obtain
      in humans due to the requirement for continuous or repeated imaging and
      pathological verification. We review the clinical and preclinical advances that
      have led to perfusion-diffusion mismatch being applied in phase 3 randomized
      trials and, potentially, future routine clinical practice. 

PMID- 24215363
TI  - What is the reason for conflicting results for vancomycin minimum inhibitory
      concentration values of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

PMID- 24215362
TI  - Zinc finger protein in severe dry eye syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: Zinc finger protein known to induce squamous metaplasia and regulate
      vitamin A expression has been few investigated as tear protein. We investigated
      tear protein variations in patients with dry eye syndrome (DES). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Tears from healthy subjects as control and patients with DES were
      collected. Tear proteins were separated by one-dimensional electrophoresis. The
      protein bands were analyzed by nano liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
      RESULTS: Compared to the controls, significant down-regulation of lactoferrin and
      lysozyme was detected, while significant up-regulation was observed for serum
      albumin in patients with DES. DES grade 4 patients showed different protein
      patterns. Zinc-finger motif-enhancer binding-protein-1 gamma and bromodomain
      adjacent to zinc finger domain 2B were detected in DES grade 4 patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: Tear protein changes are valuable to diagnosis DES. Zinc finger
      proteins may be associated with pathophysiology of severe DES. Further studies
      are needed to better understand the relationship of zinc finger proteins in tear
      of patients with DES.

PMID- 24215364
TI  - The effect of short- and long-term vibration training on postural stability in
      men.
AB  - The study aimed to establish the short- and long-term effects of vibration on
      postural stability in young men. A single set of exercises and a 4-week vibration
      training were assessed for their impact on the center of foot pressure (COP)
      sway. The sample consisted of 49 male subjects randomly allocated to seven
      comparative groups, six of which exercised on a vibration platform whose
      parameters were set individually for the groups. Group VII was the control group.
      The stabilographic signal was recorded before the test commenced, after a single
      application of vibration, before the last set of exercises of the 4-week
      vibration training, immediately afterwards, as well as one week and one month
      after the training ended. The subjects were exposed to vibration 3 times a week
      for 4 weeks. Both a single application of vibration and the 4-week vibration
      training had an effect on all parameter values, but most changes were
      statistically insignificant. Group III was the only one where the COP sway in the
      anterior-posterior direction significantly increased after a single exposure to
      vibration and significantly decreased in both anterior-posterior and medio
      lateral planes one week after vibration training compared with the pre-test
      recordings. 

PMID- 24215365
TI  - Effects of polymorphisms and haplotypes within the MSTN gene on duck growth
      trait.
AB  - Abstract 1. Polymorphisms of the duck MSTN gene were investigated in 413
      individuals by DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment
      length polymorphism. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (G129A, C324T, A981G
      and C1002A), with A981G and C1002A completely linked, were found in the coding
      region. 2. Association analysis showed that different genotypes of all the
      identified SNPs were significantly associated with duck growth rate from week 5,
      6 and 2 for G129A, C324T and A981G (C1002A), respectively. The greatest
      difference in body weight was 180 g at week 9, 106 g at week 8 and 123 g at week
      8, respectively, for the three SNP's. 3. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis
      indicated that C324T, A981G and C1002A were in strong LD. Nine main diplotypes
      from the reconstructed five main haplotypes were observed, and different
      diplotypes were significantly associated with growth rate from week 1. Birds with
      the h1h1 diplotype exhibited the largest body weight from week 1 onwards. 4. It
      was concluded that the duck MSTN gene was associated with body weight and is an
      important candidate gene for duck growth. traits and marker-assisted selection. 

PMID- 24215366
TI  - Three new compounds from the leaves of Liquidambar formosana.
AB  - Two new flavan glycosides, (2S)-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavan-7-O-beta-D
      glucopyranoside and (2S)-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavan-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and
      a new neolignan, (7S,8S)-3-methoxyl-3'-O-beta-D-glucopyrannosyl-4':8,5':7
      diepoxyneolignan-4,9'-diol, were isolated from the leaves of Liquidambar
      formosana Hance. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic
      data and chemical evidence.

PMID- 24215367
TI  - Failure to benefit from target novelty during encoding contributes to working
      memory deficits in schizophrenia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although working memory (WM) impairments are well documented in
      schizophrenic patients (PSZ), the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.
      The aim of this study was to investigate the role of target salience during
      encoding to determine whether impaired visual attention in PSZ leads to poor WM.
      METHODS: Thirty-one PSZ and 28 demographically matched healthy controls (HC)
      performed a spatial delayed-response task. Attentional demands were manipulated
      during WM encoding by presenting high salient (novel) or low salient (familiar)
      targets. Participants also rated their level of response confidence at the end of
      each trial, allowing us to analyse different response types. RESULTS: WM was
      impaired in PSZ. Increasing target salience by increasing novelty improved WM
      performance in HC but not in PSZ. Poor WM performance in PSZ was largely due to
      an increase in the proportion of incorrect but high confident responses most
      likely reflecting a failure to encode the correct target. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings suggest that dysfunctions of non-mnemonic attentional processes during
      encoding contribute to WM impairments in schizophrenia and may represent an
      important target for cognitive remediation strategies.

PMID- 24215368
TI  - Azaindoles: noncovalent DprE1 inhibitors from scaffold morphing efforts, kill
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis and are efficacious in vivo.
AB  - We report 1,4-azaindoles as a new inhibitor class that kills Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis in vitro and demonstrates efficacy in mouse tuberculosis models. The
      series emerged from scaffold morphing efforts and was demonstrated to
      noncovalently inhibit decaprenylphosphoryl-beta-D-ribose2'-epimerase (DprE1).
      With "drug-like" properties and no expectation of pre-existing resistance in the
      clinic, this chemical class has the potential to be developed as a therapy for
      drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis.

PMID- 24215369
TI  - Engaging students and faculty: implications of self-determination theory for
      teachers and leaders in academic medicine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Much of the work of teachers and leaders at academic health centers
      involves engaging learners and faculty members in shared goals. Strategies to do
      so, however, are seldom informed by empirically-supported theories of human
      motivation. DISCUSSION: This article summarizes a substantial body of
      motivational research that yields insights and approaches of importance to
      academic faculty leaders. After identification of key limitations of traditional
      rewards-based (i.e., incentives, or 'carrots and sticks') approaches, key
      findings are summarized from the science of self-determination theory. These
      findings demonstrate the importance of fostering autonomous motivation by
      supporting the fundamental human needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
      In turn, these considerations lead to specific recommendations about approaches
      to engaging autonomous motivation, using examples in academic health centers.
      SUMMARY: Since supporting autonomous motivation maximizes both functioning and
      well-being (i.e., people are both happier and more productive), the approaches
      recommended will help academic health centers recruit, retain, and foster the
      success of learners and faculty members. Such goals are particularly important to
      address the multiple challenges confronting these institutions.

PMID- 24215370
TI  - Characterization of associations and development of atazanavir resistance after
      unplanned treatment interruptions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although current guidelines recommend resistance testing prior to
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) reinitiation after treatment interruptions,
      virological failure of first-line ritonavir-boosted, protease-inhibitor (PI/r)
      containing ART is associated with low emergent PI resistance. In patients
      experiencing unscheduled treatment interruptions (UTrIs) on ritonavir-boosted
      atazanavir (ATV/r) ART regimens, we hypothesized low emergence of PI mutations
      conferring resistance to ATV/r. METHODS: In a retrospective assessment of HIV
      infected patients initiating ATV/r-containing ART, using logistic regression we
      determined factors associated with UTrI, the prevalence of emergent resistance
      mutations and virological response after ART reinitiation. RESULTS: A total of
      202 patients [median age 33 years (interquartile range (IQR) 29-40 years); 52%
      female; median CD4 count 184 cells/MUL (IQR 107-280 cells/MUL); median HIV RNA
      4.6 log10 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL (IQR 3.2-5.1 copies/mL)] initiated ATV/r between
      2004 and 2009; 80 (43%) were ART naive. One hundred and ten patients (55%)
      underwent 195 UTrIs after a median (IQR) 25 (10-52) weeks on ART, with a median
      (IQR) UTrI duration of 10 (3-31) weeks. Fifty-four of 110 patients (49%)
      underwent more than one UTrI. The commonest reasons for UTrI were nonadherence
      (52.7%) and drug intolerance (20%). Baseline HIV RNA > 100 000 copies?mL [odds
      ratio (OR) 3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-9.95] and being HCV positive, an
      injecting drug user or on methadone (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.3-4.4) were independently
      associated with UTrI. In 39 patients with at least two resistance assays during
      UTrIs, 72 new mutations emerged; four nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
      (NRTI), two nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) and 66 protease
      inhibitor (PI) resistance mutations. All emergent PI resistance mutations were
      minor mutations. At least 65% of patients were re-suppressed on ATV/r
      reinitiation. CONCLUSIONS: In this PI-treated cohort, UTrIs are common. All
      emergent PI resistance mutations were minor and ATV/r retained activity and
      efficacy when reintroduced, even after several UTrIs, raising questions regarding
      the need for routine genotypic resistance assays in PI/r-treated patients prior
      to ART reinitiation after UTrI.

PMID- 24215372
TI  - Donor-substituted nitrocyclopropanes: immediate ring-enlargement to cyclic
      nitronates.
AB  - The reaction of donor-substituted alkenes with alpha-diazo-alpha-nitro ethyl
      acetate under Rh catalysis was investigated; respective nitrocyclopropanes with a
      geminal ester functionality were generated in situ. Strong electron donors
      immediately led to ring-enlargement. In all cases, the nitro group was inserted
      forming cyclic nitronates whereas the ester moiety was not incorporated into the
      ring system. DFT studies revealed that the formation of cyclic nitronates is
      kinetically as well as thermodynamically favored over the formation of cyclic
      ketene acetals. 

PMID- 24215371
TI  - Long-term outcome of vertebral artery origin stenosis in patients with acute
      ischemic stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vertebral artery origin (VAO) stenosis is occasionally observed in
      patients who have acute ischemic stroke. We investigated the long-term outcomes
      and clinical significance of VAO stenosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
      METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study using a single stroke
      center registry to investigate the risk of recurrent stroke and vascular outcomes
      in patients with acute ischemic stroke and VAO stenosis. To relate the clinical
      significance of VAO stenosis to the vascular territory of the index stroke,
      patients were classified into an asymptomatic VAO stenosis group and a
      symptomatic VAO stenosis group. RESULTS: Of the 774 patients who had acute
      ischemic stroke, 149 (19.3%) of them had more than 50% stenosis of the VAO.
      During 309 patient-years of follow-up (mean, 2.3 years), there were 7 ischemic
      strokes, 6 hemorrhagic strokes, and 2 unknown strokes. The annual event rates
      were 0.97% for posterior circulation ischemic stroke, 4.86% for all stroke, and
      6.80% for the composite cardiovascular outcome. The annual event rate for
      ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation was significantly higher in patients
      who had symptomatic VAO stenosis than in patients who had asymptomatic stenosis
      (1.88% vs. 0%, p = 0.046). In a multivariate analysis, the hazard ratio, per one
      point increase of the Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS) for the composite
      cardiovascular outcome, was 1.46 (95% CI, 1.02-2.08, p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS:
      Long-term outcomes of more than 50% stenosis of the VAO in patients with acute
      ischemic stroke were generally favorable. Additionally, ESRS was a predictor for
      the composite cardiovascular outcome. Asymptomatic VAO stenosis may not be a
      specific risk factor for recurrent ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation.
      However, VAO stenosis may require more clinical attention as a potential source
      of recurrent stroke when VAO stenosis is observed in patients who have concurrent
      ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation.

PMID- 24215373
TI  - Effects of poly(ethylene glycol) grafting density on the tumor targeting efficacy
      of nanoparticles with ligand modification.
AB  - To evaluate the effects of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafting density on the
      tumor targeting efficacy of nanoparticles (NPs) with ligand modification, various
      amounts of PEG were conjugated to linoleic acid and poly(beta-malic acid) double
      grafted chitosan (LMC) NPs bearing similar substitution degree of folate (FA).
      Increased particle size, decreased surface charge, reduced contact angle,
      retarded drug release and suppressed protein adsorption of LMC NPs were detected
      after surface modification. Compared to LMC NPs, FA-modified LMC NPs (FA-LMC NPs)
      remarkably enhanced tumor specificity. For PEG-modified FA-LMC NPs, increased
      drug accumulation in tumor tissues and reduced cellular uptake were observed with
      the increase of PEG grafting density. In regard to in vivo antitumor efficacy, FA
      LMC NPs with moderate PEG grafting density (8.9%) significantly outperformed FA
      LMC NP. Therefore, PEG modification with moderate grafting density could be a
      promising approach to coordinating with the tumor targeting efficacy of ligand
      modified NPs.

PMID- 24215374
TI  - The benefit of a second burst antitachycardia sequence for fast ventricular
      tachycardia in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), an
      empirical burst of antitachycardia pacing (ATP) is moderately effective in
      terminating fast ventricular tachycardias (FVTs). It is unknown whether, in the
      case of failure of a first burst, a second burst attempt increases the efficacy
      of the intervention, without increasing morbidity. Our aim was to evaluate the
      safety and efficacy of a strategy of programming successive ATP sequences for FVT
      episodes. METHODS: A prospective study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of
      programming successive ATP sequences for termination of FVT episodes (cycle
      lengths [CLs] 250-320 ms) treated by one ATP sequence and, in the event of
      failure, by successive ATP attempts or shocks. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up
      of 54 months, 267 FVT episodes (mean CL of 295 +/- 18 ms) were detected in 35
      patients. Effectiveness of the first burst ATP was 64% (65% GEE-adjusted, where
      GEE is generalized estimating equation) and increased significantly to 83% (75%
      GEE-adjusted) with the second burst ATP sequence (P = 0.01). In the remaining 17%
      of FVT episodes with failure of the second ATP, successive bursts and shocks were
      required. Multivariate analysis showed that primary prevention ICD (odds ratio
      [OR] 5.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-14.5, P = 0.001), sinus rhythm (OR
      4.34, 95% CI 1.4-13.4, P = 0.01), nonischemic cardiomyopathy (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.2
      4.8, P = 0.02), and longer VT CL (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.1-1.6, P = 0.002) were
      independently associated with effectiveness of the first or second burst pacing
      sequence. CONCLUSION: The addition of a second burst pacing attempt increases the
      effectiveness of ATP for FVT and, therefore, reduces the need for high-energy
      shocks.

PMID- 24215375
TI  - The physiologist Ewald Hering (1834-1918): curriculum vitae.

PMID- 24215376
TI  - Second isirv antiviral group conference: overview.

PMID- 24215377
TI  - Ventilatory strategies and supportive care in acute respiratory distress
      syndrome.
AB  - While antiviral therapy is an important component of care in patients with the
      acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following influenza infection, it is
      not sufficient to ensure good outcomes, and additional measures are usually
      necessary. Patients usually receive high levels of supplemental oxygen to
      counteract the hypoxemia resulting from severe gas exchange abnormalities. Many
      patients also receive invasive mechanical ventilation for support for
      oxygenation, while in resource-poor settings, supplemental oxygen via face mask
      may be the only available intervention. Patients with ARDS receiving mechanical
      ventilation should receive lung-protective ventilation, whereby tidal volume is
      decreased to 6 ml/kg of their predicted weight and distending pressures are
      maintained <= 30 cm H2 O, as well as increased inspired oxygen concentrations and
      positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to prevent atelectasis and support
      oxygenation. While these measures are sufficient in most patients, a minority
      develop refractory hypoxemia and may receive additional therapies, including
      prone positioning, inhaled vasodilators, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,
      recruitment maneuvers followed by high PEEP, and neuromuscular blockade, although
      recent data suggest that this last option may be warranted earlier in the
      clinical course before development of refractory hypoxemia. Application of these
      "rescue strategies" is complicated by the lack of guidance in the literature
      regarding implementation. While much attention is devoted to these strategies,
      clinicians must not lose sight of simple interventions that affect patient
      outcomes including head of bed elevation, prophylaxis against venous
      thromboembolism and gastrointestinal bleeding, judicious use of fluids in the
      post-resuscitative phase, and a protocol-based approach to sedation and
      spontaneous breathing trials.

PMID- 24215378
TI  - Detection and management of antiviral resistance for influenza viruses.
AB  - Neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) are first-line agents for the treatment and
      prevention of influenza virus infections. As for other antivirals, the
      development of resistance to NAIs has become an important concern particularly in
      the case of A(H1N1) viruses and oseltamivir. The most frequently reported change
      conferring oseltamivir resistance in that viral context is the H275Y
      neuraminidase mutation (N1 numbering). Recent studies have shown that, in the
      presence of the appropriate permissive mutations, the H275Y variant can retain
      virulence and transmissibility in some viral backgrounds. Most oseltamivir
      resistant influenza A virus infections can be managed with the use of inhaled or
      intravenous zanamivir, another NAI. New NAI compounds and non-neuraminidase
      agents as well as combination therapies are currently in clinical evaluation for
      the treatment for severe influenza infections. 

PMID- 24215380
TI  - Advances in antivirals for non-influenza respiratory virus infections.
AB  - Progress in the development of antivirals for non-influenza respiratory viruses
      has been slow with the result that many unmet medical needs and few approved
      agents currently exist. This commentary selectively reviews examples of where
      specific agents have provided promising clinical benefits in selected target
      populations and also considers potential therapeutics for emerging threats like
      the SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronaviruses. Recent studies have
      provided encouraging results in treating respiratory syncytial virus infections
      in lung transplant recipients, serious parainfluenza virus and adenovirus
      infections in immunocompromised hosts, and rhinovirus colds in outpatient
      asthmatics. While additional studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and
      safety of the specific agents tested, these observations offer the opportunity to
      expand therapeutic studies to other patient populations. 

PMID- 24215381
TI  - Influenza vaccines: an Asia-Pacific perspective.
AB  - This article provides an overview of some aspects of seasonal, pre-pandemic and
      pandemic influenza vaccines and initiatives aimed to increase influenza vaccine
      use within the Asia-Pacific region. Expanding the use of influenza vaccines in
      the Asia-Pacific region faces many challenges. Despite the recent regional
      history for the emergence of novel viruses, SARS, the H5N1 and H7N9, and the
      generation of and global seeding of seasonal influenza viruses and initiatives by
      WHO and other organisations to expand influenza awareness, the use of seasonal
      influenza vaccines remains low. The improvement in current vaccine technologies
      with the licensing of quadrivalent, live-attenuated, cell culture-based,
      adjuvanted and the first recombinant influenza vaccine is an important step. The
      development of novel influenza vaccines able to provide improved protection and
      with improved manufacturing capacity is also advancing rapidly. However, of
      ongoing concern are seasonal influenza impact and the low use of seasonal
      influenza vaccines in the Asia-Pacific region. Improved influenza control
      strategies and their implementation in the region are needed. Initiatives by the
      World Health Organization (WHO), and specifically the Western Pacific Regional
      Office of WHO, are focusing on consistent vaccine policies and guidelines in
      countries in the region. The Asian-Pacific Alliance for the Control of Influenza
      (APACI) is contributing through the coordination of influenza advocacy initiates.

PMID- 24215379
TI  - Viral-bacterial interactions-therapeutic implications.
AB  - Viral and bacterial respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of morbidity
      and mortality worldwide, despite the development of vaccines and potent
      antibiotics. Frequently, viruses and bacteria can co-infect the same host,
      resulting in heightened pathology and severity of illness compared to single
      infections. Bacterial superinfections have been a significant cause of death
      during every influenza pandemic, including the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. This review
      will analyze the epidemiology and global impact of viral and bacterial co
      infections of the respiratory tract, with an emphasis on bacterial infections
      following influenza. We will next examine the mechanisms by which viral
      infections enhance the acquisition and severity of bacterial infections. Finally,
      we will discuss current management strategies for diagnosing and treating
      patients with suspected or confirmed viral-bacterial infections of the
      respiratory tract. Further investigation into the interactions between viral and
      bacterial infections is necessary for developing new therapeutic approaches aimed
      at mitigating the severity of co-infections. 

PMID- 24215382
TI  - Adjunctive therapies and immunomodulating agents for severe influenza.
AB  - The value of adjunctive immunomodulatory therapies in treating severe influenza
      and other respiratory viral infections remains uncertain. Although often used,
      systemic corticosteroids may increase the risk of mortality and morbidity (e.g.
      secondary infections) in severe influenza and other viral infections, especially
      if there is delay or lack of effective antiviral therapy. Non-randomized studies
      suggest that convalescent plasma appears useful as add-on therapy for patients
      with severe acute respiratory syndrome, avian influenza A(H5N1), and influenza A
      (H1N1) 2009 pandemic [A(H1N1)pdm09), but it is limited by its availability. A
      recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing hyperimmune globulin prepared
      from convalescent plasma against normal intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG)
      manufactured before 2009 as control in patients with severe A(H1N1)pdm09
      infection on standard antiviral treatment has shown that the hyperimmune globulin
      group who received treatment within 5 days of symptom onset had a lower viral
      load and reduced mortality compared with the controls. A number of agents with
      immunomodulatory effects (e.g. acute use of statins, N-acetylcysteine,
      macrolides, PPAR agonists, IVIG, celecoxib, mesalazine) have been proposed for
      influenza management. However, more animal and detailed human observational
      studies and preferably RCTs controlling for the effects of antiviral therapy and
      disease severity are needed for evaluating these agents. The role of
      plasmapheresis and hemoperfusion as rescue therapy also merits more
      investigation.

PMID- 24215383
TI  - Influenza prevention and treatment in transplant recipients and immunocompromised
      hosts.
AB  - The host immune response is critical for the control and clearance of influenza
      virus after initial infection. Unfortunately, key components of the innate and
      adaptive responses to influenza are compromised in solid organ and hematopoietic
      stem cell transplant recipients. As a result, influenza in these key patient
      populations is associated with prolonged viral shedding, more frequent
      complications, including bacterial and fungal superinfections and rejection, and
      increased mortality. While vaccine is the critical prophylaxis strategy in other
      populations, response rates are diminished, particularly early post-transplant,
      among immunocompromised patients. Prospective data suggest that antiviral
      prophylaxis represents an effective and safe alternative to vaccine in patients
      who would be predicted to have poor responses to influenza vaccine. While there
      have not been randomized, controlled studies of antiviral therapy completed in
      solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell patient populations, observational data
      suggest that early therapy is associated with reduced rates of progression to
      lower airway involvement, morbidity, and mortality. Further studies are needed to
      define the optimal regimen, dose, duration, and endpoint to define successful
      treatment. 

PMID- 24215384
TI  - Influenza encephalopathy and related neuropsychiatric syndromes.
AB  - Influenza is occasionally complicated by CNS disorders, in particular impairment
      of consciousness. Severe disorders encompass multiple, distinct syndromes
      manifesting acute encephalopathy, whereas mild disorders represent multiple, ill
      defined neuropsychiatric syndromes. Acute encephalopathy is manifested with
      seizures and coma, with or without multi-organ involvement. The outcome varies
      from death or neurologic sequelae to recovery and differs among syndromes.
      Transient neuropsychiatric disorders are manifested with delirium and/or abnormal
      behavior. There also are multiple syndromes. The outcome is usually favorable,
      although occasional fatal accidents warrant caution. 

PMID- 24215385
TI  - Antivirals in the 2009 pandemic--lessons and implications for future strategies.
AB  - The World Health Organization's declaration of an imminent swine-origin influenza
      A pandemic in April 2009 triggered the global launch of national pandemic
      preparedness plans. An integral component of pandemic preparedness in many
      countries was the targeted use of antiviral therapy for containment, disease
      mitigation, and treatment. The 2009 pandemic marked the first pandemic during
      which influenza antivirals were available for global use. Although most national
      pandemic plans included provisions for antiviral treatment, these pre-determined
      protocols required frequent updating as more information became available about
      the virus, and its susceptibility to antiviral agents, the epidemiology of
      infection, and the population groups that were most susceptible to severe
      disease. National public health agencies in countries with both plans for use of
      antivirals and pre-existing stockpiles, including those in Japan, the United
      Kingdom, and the United States, operated distinctly different antiviral
      distribution and treatment programs from one another. In the 3 years following
      the pandemic, there is still little comparison of the diversity of national
      antiviral treatment policies and drug distribution mechanisms that were
      implemented, whether they had any mitigating effects and which might be most
      efficient. The purpose of this study is to outline roles of antiviral medicines
      in a pandemic period, provide insights into the diversity of antiviral treatment
      and distribution policies applied by selected countries between April 2009-July
      2010, and to stimulate discussion on whether these policies remain appropriate
      for implementation in future pandemics.

PMID- 24215386
TI  - Effects of changes in lunch-time competitive foods, nutrition practices, and
      nutrition policies on low-income middle-school children's diets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The School Nutrition Advances Kids project tested the effectiveness
      of school-initiated and state-recommended school nutrition practice and policy
      changes on student dietary intake in low-income middle schools. METHODS: Schools
      recruited by an application for grant funding were randomly assigned to (1)
      complete an assessment of nutrition education, policies, and environments using
      the Healthy School Action Tools (HSAT) and implement an action plan, (2) complete
      the HSAT, implement an action plan, and convene a student nutrition action team,
      (3) complete the HSAT and implement an action plan and a Michigan State Board of
      Education nutrition policy in their cafeteria a la carte, or (4) a control group.
      All intervention schools were provided with funding and assistance to make self
      selected nutrition practice, policy, or education changes. Block Youth Food
      Frequency Questionnaires were completed by 1176 seventh-grade students from 55
      schools at baseline and during eighth-grade follow-up. Nutrient density and food
      group changes for the intervention groups were compared to the control group,
      controlling for baseline dietary intake values, gender, race/ethnicity, school
      kitchen type, urbanization, and percent of students eligible for free or reduced
      price meals. Analyses were conducted by randomization and based on changes the
      schools self-selected. RESULTS: Improvements in students' nutrient density and
      food group intake were found when schools implemented at least three new
      nutrition practice changes and established at least three new nutrition policies.
      Students in schools that introduced mostly healthful foods in competitive venues
      at lunch demonstrated the most dietary improvements. CONCLUSIONS: New USDA
      nutrition standards for a la carte and vending will likely increase the
      healthfulness of middle school children's diets.

PMID- 24215387
TI  - Impaired decision making on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task as a result of long
      term alcohol use.
AB  - The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) is an experimental measure of risk taking
      that has commonly been employed to measure the risk taking behavior of
      nonclinical populations. Previous research has indicated that the task measures a
      unique aspect of behavioral disinhibition, but there has not as yet been focus
      upon the possible impact of other aspects of cognitive processing on performance.
      The current study investigated the cognitive factors related to performance of
      the BART in an alcohol-using sample. Seventeen individuals with long-term alcohol
      use were matched for age and education to a group of 17 nonusing participants.
      The results indicated that the alcohol-using group pumped the balloons on the
      BART to a lesser extent than did the nonusing group across all trials on the
      task. The results indicate that the alcohol-using group made less "optimal"
      decisions on the BART most notably due to neuropsychological impairment in the
      domains of immediate memory and executive functioning. 

PMID- 24215389
TI  - The comparison of density-elastic modulus equations for the distal ulna at
      multiple forearm positions: a finite element study.
AB  - The accuracy of an empirically derived density-modulus equation for bone depends
      upon the loading conditions and anatomic site of bone specimens used for
      experimentation. A recent study used FE modeling to compare the ability of three
      density-modulus relationships to predict strain during bending in neutral forearm
      rotation in the distal ulna; however, due to the inhomogeneous nature of these FE
      models, the performance of each equation is not necessarily consistent throughout
      forearm rotation. This issue is addressed in the present study, which compares
      the performance of these equations in pronation and supination. Strain gauge data
      were collected at six discreet locations of six ulna specimens loaded in bending
      at 40 degrees  of pronation and supination. Three FE models of each specimen were
      made, one for each density-modulus relation, and the strain output compared to
      the experimental data. The equation previously shown to be most accurate in
      predicting ulnar strain in neutral forearm rotation was also most accurate in
      pronation and supination. These results identify this one equation as the most
      appropriate for future FE analysis of the ulna (including adaptive remodeling,
      and further show that isotropic and inhomogeneous FE bone models may provide
      consistent results in different planes of bending. 

PMID- 24215388
TI  - A randomized clinical trial comparing 4-port, 3-port, and single-incision
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: Despite increasing trend in single incision laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy (SILC), there is still controversy regarding its global
      acceptance as a routine practice. Our study aimed to compare surgical events,
      early in-hospital and later outcomes of SILC with conventional multiport
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: Through a randomized controlled trial
      (RCT) between June and December 2011, 90 consecutive patients with documented
      biliary diseases waiting for LC were equally allocated to 3-port, 4-port, and
      single incision LC group. Operative time, surgical adverse events, postoperative
      pain according to visual analogue scale (VAS), total morphine administration,
      length of hospital stay, and cosmetic outcomes were compared between these three
      groups. RESULTS: A total of 27 males (30%) and 63 females (70%) were enrolled in
      this study. The average patients' age and BMI were 42.6 +/- 12.1 years and 26.2
      +/- 2.7 kg/m(2), respectively. Operative time in SILC group was significantly
      longer than other groups. Total intraoperative adverse events and postoperative
      complications did not differ significantly between the three groups. Mean +/- SD
      VAS score at rest was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in SILC group. The average
      VAS at coughing was significantly lower in SILC group in all time intervals
      except the first 6 hr (p < 0.05). In addition, total morphine dose showed
      significantly lower amount in SILC group (p = 0.02). 12-month follow-up did not
      reveal significant difference between the study groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      SILC is associated with less postoperative pain in later hours, reduces in
      hospital analgesic dosages, has longer procedure time, but does not increase
      intraoperative and postoperative adverse events It seems that SILC has no obvious
      advantages in terms of later outcomes.

PMID- 24215390
TI  - Combined diffraction and density functional theory calculations of halogen-bonded
      cocrystal monolayers.
AB  - This work describes the combined use of synchrotron X-ray diffraction and density
      functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand the cocrystal formation or
      phase separation in 2D monolayers capable of halogen bonding. The solid monolayer
      structure of 1,4-diiodobenzene (DIB) has been determined by X-ray synchrotron
      diffraction. The mixing behavior of DIB with 4,4'-bipyridyl (BPY) has also been
      studied and interestingly is found to phase-separate rather than form a
      cocrystal, as observed in the bulk. DFT calculations are used to establish the
      underlying origin of this interesting behavior. The DFT calculations are
      demonstrated to agree well with the recently proposed monolayer structure for the
      cocrystal of BPY and 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (DITFB) (the perfluorinated
      analogue of DIB), where halogen bonding has also been identified by diffraction.
      Here we have calculated an estimate of the halogen bond strength by DFT
      calculations for the DITFB/BPY cocrystal monolayer, which is found to be ~20
      kJ/mol. Computationally, we find that the nonfluorinated DIB and BPY are not
      expected to form a halogen-bonded cocrystal in a 2D layer; for this pair of
      species, phase separation of the components is calculated to be lower energy, in
      good agreement with the diffraction results. 

PMID- 24215391
TI  - Species versus guild level differentiation revealed across the annual cycle by
      isotopic niche examination.
AB  - Interspecific competitive interactions typically result in niche differentiation
      to alleviate competition through mechanisms including character displacement.
      However, competition is not the sole constraint on resource partitioning, and its
      effects are mediated by factors including the environmental context in which
      species coexist. Colonial seabirds provide an excellent opportunity to
      investigate the importance of competition in shaping realized niche widths
      because their life histories lead to variation in intra- and interspecific
      competition across the annual cycle. Dense breeding aggregations result in
      intense competition for prey in surrounding waters, whereas non-breeding
      dispersal to larger geographical areas produces lower densities of competitors.
      Bayesian hierarchical models of the isotopic niche, closely aligned to the
      trophic niche, reveal the degree of segregation between species and functional
      groups during both time periods. Surprisingly, species explained far more of the
      variance in the isotopic niche during the non-breeding than the breeding period.
      Our results underline the key role of non-breeding dynamics in alleviating
      competition and promoting distinctions between species through the facilitation
      of resource partitioning. Such situations may be common in a diverse range of
      communities sustained by ephemeral but abundant food items. This highlights how
      consideration of the hierarchical grouping of competitive interactions alongside
      consideration of abiotic constraints across the complete annual cycle allows a
      full understanding of the role of competition in driving patterns of character
      displacement. 

PMID- 24215392
TI  - Response to comment by Rabilloud on "Prevented mortality and greenhouse gas
      emissions from historical and projected nuclear power".

PMID- 24215393
TI  - Analytical methods in lipidomics and their applications.

PMID- 24215394
TI  - Implicit transfer of reversed temporal structure in visuomotor sequence learning.
AB  - Some spatio-temporal structures are easier to transfer implicitly in sequential
      learning. In this study, we investigated whether the consistent reversal of
      triads of learned components would support the implicit transfer of their
      temporal structure in visuomotor sequence learning. A triad comprised three
      sequential button presses ([1][2][3]) and seven consecutive triads comprised a
      sequence. Participants learned sequences by trial and error, until they could
      complete it 20 times without error. Then, they learned another sequence, in which
      each triad was reversed ([3][2][1]), partially reversed ([2][1][3]), or switched
      so as not to overlap with the other conditions ([2][3][1] or [3][1][2]). Even
      when the participants did not notice the alternation rule, the consistent
      reversal of the temporal structure of each triad led to better implicit transfer;
      this was confirmed in a subsequent experiment. These results suggest that the
      implicit transfer of the temporal structure of a learned sequence can be
      influenced by both the structure and consistency of the change. 

PMID- 24215395
TI  - TGIF1 is a potential candidate gene for high myopia in ethnic Kashmiri
      population.
AB  - PURPOSE: High myopia is a complex disorder that imposes serious consequences on
      ocular health. Linkage analysis has identified several genetic loci with a series
      of potential candidate genes that reveal an ambiguous pattern of association with
      high myopia due to population heterogeneity. We have accordingly chosen to
      examine the prospect of association of one such gene [transforming growth beta
      induced factor 1 (TGIF1)] in population that is purely ethnic (Kashmiri) and
      represents a homogeneous cohort from Northern India. METHODS: Cases with high
      myopia with a spherical equivalent of >=-6 diopters (D) and emmetropic controls
      with spherical equivalent within +/-0.5 D in one or both eyes represented by a
      sample size of 212 ethnic Kashmiri subjects and 239 matched controls. Genomic DNA
      was genotyped for sequence variations in TGIF1 gene and allele frequencies tested
      for Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium. Potential association was evaluated using
      chi(2) or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Two previously reported missense
      variations C > T, rs4468717 (first base of codon 143) changing proline to serine
      and rs2229333 (second base of codon 143) changing proline to leucine were
      identified in exon 10 of TGIF1. Both variations exhibited possibly significant (p
      < 0.05) association with the disease phenotype. Since the variant allele
      frequency of both the single-nucleotide polymorphisms in cases is higher than
      controls with odds ratio greater than 1.Therefore, variant allele of both the
      single-nucleotide polymorphisms represents the possible risk factor for myopia in
      the Kashmiri population. In silico predictions show that substitutions are likely
      to have an impact on the structure and functional properties of the protein,
      making it imperative to understand their functional consequences in relation to
      high myopia. CONCLUSIONS: TGIF1 is a relevant candidate gene with potential to
      contribute in the genesis of high myopia.

PMID- 24215396
TI  - Bias-dependent molecular-level structure of electrical double layer in ionic
      liquid on graphite.
AB  - Here we report the bias-evolution of the electrical double layer structure of an
      ionic liquid on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite measured by atomic force
      microscopy. We observe reconfiguration under applied bias and the orientational
      transitions in the Stern layer. The synergy between molecular dynamics simulation
      and experiment provides a comprehensive picture of structural phenomena and long
      and short-range interactions, which improves our understanding of the mechanism
      of charge storage on a molecular level. 

PMID- 24215397
TI  - Five new stilbene glycosides from the roots of Polygonum multiflorum.
AB  - Five new stilbene glycosides (1-5), together with six known ones, were isolated
      from the roots of Polygonum multiflorum. Their structures were elucidated on the
      basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. 

PMID- 24215398
TI  - Sorbicillamines A-E, nitrogen-containing sorbicillinoids from the deep-sea
      derived fungus Penicillium sp. F23-2.
AB  - Five new nitrogen-containing sorbicillinoids named sorbicillamines A-E (1-5) were
      isolated from an agitated culture of the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium sp.
      F23-2, which has previously produced indole alkaloids and terpenoids when
      cultured under static conditions. The structures of 1 to 5, including absolute
      configurations, were determined based on MS, NMR, and circular dichroism (CD)
      data. The cytotoxicities of the five new sorbicillin alkaloids against the HeLa,
      BEL-7402, HEK-293, HCT-116, and P388 cell lines were evaluated. 

PMID- 24215399
TI  - Coreceptor tropism determined by genotypic assay in HIV-1 circulating in
      Thailand, where CRF01_AE predominates.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5 (CCR5) inhibitors are a novel class
      of antiretroviral agents that are promising for treatment of patients who harbour
      the HIV-1 R5 strain. Data on coreceptor tropism in non-B HIV-1 subtypes are
      limited. We studied coreceptor tropism in HIV-1 circulating in Thailand, where
      CRF01_AE predominates, using a genotypic assay. METHODS: We compiled V3 sequences
      of HIV-1 strains circulating in Thailand during 2010-2012. Coreceptor tropism was
      predicted based on V3 sequences using geno2pheno version 2.5
      (http://coreceptor.bioinf.mpi-inf.mpg.de). RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-five
      HIV-1-infected patients were enrolled in this study. Ninety-nine patients (63.9%)
      were antiretroviral-naive, and the remainder had virological failure. The median
      (interquartile range) CD4 cell count and HIV-1 RNA were 220 (74-379) cells/MUL
      and 75,374 (14,127-226,686) HIV-1 RNA copies/mL, respectively. Of the sequences
      obtained from these patients, 119 (76.8%) were CRF01_AE and 22 (14.2%) were
      subtype B. At a false positive rate of < 5%, 61 (39.4%) HIV-1-infected
      individuals were predicted to harbour the X4 phenotype. X4 viruses were detected
      more frequently in the treatment-failure group compared with the treatment-naive
      group (30.3 vs. 55.4%, respectively; P = 0.002). Those with CRF01_AE had a higher
      proportion of X4 viruses compared with non-AE subtypes (47.9 vs. 11.1%,
      respectively; P < 0.001). By multivariate logistic regression, CRF01_AE and
      treatment failure were independently associated with predicted X4 phenotype [odds
      ratio (OR) 7.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.57-24.50; P < 0.001, and OR 3.10;
      95% CI 1.50-6.42; P = 0.002, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: CRF01_AE and treatment
      failure are associated with the predicted X4 phenotype. In regions where CRF01_AE
      predominates, use of CCR5 inhibitors must be considered with caution. The
      phenotypic assay and its correlation with genotypes should be further
      investigated in CRF01_AE.

PMID- 24215400
TI  - Noninnocent counterion effect on the rearrangements of cationic intermediates in
      a gold(I)-catalyzed alkenylsilylation reaction.
AB  - A mechanistic DFT study of the gold(I)-catalyzed alkenylsilylation reaction of a
      silyl-tethered 1,6-enyne system is reported. A novel pathway involving
      bistriflimide counterion-assisted rearrangements of carbocation and silyl cation
      intermediates corroborates the experimental observations. The results suggest the
      important role of the counterion in modulating the reactivity of cationic
      intermediates in gold catalysis. 

PMID- 24215401
TI  - Corruption, inequality and population perception of healthcare quality in Europe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evaluating the quality of healthcare and patient safety using general
      population questionnaires is important from research and policy perspective.
      Using a special wave of the Eurobarometer survey, we analysed the general
      population's perception of health care quality and patient safety in a cross
      country setting. METHODS: We used ordered probit, ordinary least squares and
      probit analysis to estimate the determinants of health care quality, and ordered
      logit analysis to analyse the likelihood of being harmed by a specific medical
      procedure. The models used population weights as well as country-clustered
      standard errors. RESULTS: We found robust evidence for the impact of socio
      demographic variables on the perception of quality of health care. More
      specifically, we found a non-linear impact of age on the perception of quality of
      health care and patient safety, as well as a negative impact of poverty on both
      perception of quality and patient safety. We also found robust evidence that
      countries with higher corruption levels were associated with worse perceptions of
      quality of health care. Finally, we found evidence that income inequality affects
      patients' perception vis-a-vis safety, thus feeding into the poverty/health care
      quality nexus. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-demographic factors and two macro variables
      (corruption and income inequality) explain the perception of quality of health
      care and likelihood of being harmed by adverse events. The results carry
      significant policy weight and could explain why targeting only the health care
      sector (without an overall reform of the public sector) could potentially be
      challenging.

PMID- 24215402
TI  - Increased leptin and A-FABP levels in relapsing and progressive forms of MS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leptin and adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) are produced
      by white adipose tissue and may play a role in chronic inflammation in Multiple
      Sclerosis (MS). To assess leptin and A-FABP in relapsing and progressive forms of
      MS. METHODS: Adipokine levels were measured in untreated adult relapsing
      remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS), primary progressive MS
      (PPMS) and Healthy control (HC). Pediatric-onset MS (POMS) and pediatric healthy
      controls (PHC) were also assessed. Leptin and A-FABP levels were measured in
      serum by ELISA. Groups were compared using linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS:
      Excluding two patients with Body Mass Index (BMI) > 50, a significant difference
      in leptin level was found between RRMS and HC controlling for age (p = 0.007),
      SPMS and HC controlling for age alone (p = 0.002), or age and BMI (p = 0.007). A
      FABP levels were higher in SPMS than HC (p = 0.007), controlling for age and BMI.
      Differences in A-FABP levels between POMS and PHC was observed after controlling
      for age (p = 0.019), but not when BMI was added to the model (p = 0.081).
      CONCLUSION: Leptin and A-FABP levels are highest in SPMS compared to HC,
      suggesting a role in pathogenesis of this disease subtype. A-FABP levels are
      increased in POMS patients and may play a role in the early stages of disease.

PMID- 24215403
TI  - The clinical potential for koff-rate measurement in adoptive immunotherapy.

PMID- 24215404
TI  - Do Tregitopes have the potential to impact the current treatment landscape of
      autoimmune diseases?

PMID- 24215406
TI  - Certolizumab pegol in axial spondyloarthritis.
AB  - The axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) classification criteria cover both patients
      with ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial SpA. After failure of
      NSAIDs TNF-alpha-inhibitors (TNF-blockers) can be given to patients with active
      axial SpA. Until recently, the TNF-blockers infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept
      and golimumab are labeled for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis
      while for active nr-axSpA only adalimumab has been approved in Europe. The TNF
      blocker certolizumab pegol has recently been evaluated in the RAPID-axSpA trial
      which is the first placebo-controlled randomized-controlled trial in the entire
      group of axial SpA. An elevated C-reactive protein and/ or evidence of bone
      marrow edema on MRI of the sacroiliac joints were required for inclusion in RAPID
      axSpA, and patients could have been preexposed to TNF-blockers. The interesting
      data of this important trial in the context of the emerging therapeutic field of
      non-radiographic axial SpA therapy is discussed in this review. 

PMID- 24215407
TI  - Predictors of progression to Type 1 diabetes: preparing for immune interventions
      in the preclinical disease phase.
AB  - Type 1 diabetes is an incurable disease associated with risk of serious acute and
      chronic complications. It is caused by a marked loss in insulin-producing beta
      cells. Immune intervention at clinical onset can transiently suppress a further
      decline in residual functional beta cell mass, particularly in young patients
      with a higher residual insulin producing capacity at start of treatment. It might
      achieve a higher effect during the preclinical phase when the beta cell mass is
      not yet severely affected. Such prevention trials can be prepared by identifying
      individuals at very high risk to develop diabetes within 3 years and presenting
      signs of declining, yet relatively preserved, functional beta cell mass. This
      article reviews biomarker screening strategies to select these participants and
      discusses developments that can facilitate rapid and straightforward conclusions
      from novel clinical studies.

PMID- 24215408
TI  - The case for measuring antibodies to specific citrullinated antigens.
AB  - Anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA) are the principal
      autoantibody system associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with diagnostic
      sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 95%. Current testing for ACPA uses the anti
      cyclic citrullinated peptide assay (anti-CCP) which measures a generalized
      reactivity with citrulline-containing peptides, thus giving no insight into
      reactivity to specific RA antigens. Of these, the best characterized are, alpha
      enolase, fibrinogen/fibrin, vimentin, Type 2 collagen and filaggrin, antibodies
      to each of which are found in approximately 30-60% of RA cases. Given reports of
      cross-reactivity between citrullinated antigens, we discuss whether or not
      measuring these specific antibodies could aid: clinical diagnosis, identification
      of clinical subsets and drug responses, or provide insight into pathogenic
      mechanisms or etiology of RA.

PMID- 24215409
TI  - Accelerated telomere shortening in rheumatic diseases: cause or consequence?
AB  - Accelerated aging of the immune system (immune aging), represented by telomere
      shortening, has been implicated in a variety of rheumatic diseases. Studies
      addressing telomere shortening in rheumatic diseases so far yielded controversial
      results. The current review aims to provide an overview on the role of immune
      aging in a plethora of immune-mediated conditions including systemic sclerosis,
      rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and osteoarthritis. The main
      question this review aims to answer is whether rheumatic diseases cause
      accelerated aging or that accelerated aging drives rheumatic diseases.

PMID- 24215410
TI  - Agammaglobulinemia: causative mutations and their implications for novel
      therapies.
AB  - Agammaglobulinemias are primary (inherited) immunodeficiencies characterized by
      the lack of functional B-cells and antibodies, and are caused by mutations in
      genes encoding components of the pre-B-cell or B-cell receptor, or their
      signaling pathways. The known genetic defects do not account for all
      agammaglobulinemic patients, suggesting that novel mutations underlying the
      disease remain to be found. While efficient, the current life-maintaining therapy
      with immunoglobulins and antibiotics is non-curative, prompting research into
      alternative treatment strategies that aim at rescuing the expression of the
      affected protein, thus giving rise to functional B-cells. These include gene
      therapy, which could be used to correct the defective gene or replace it with a
      functional copy. For a number of genetic defects, another alternative is to
      modulate the splicing of the affected transcripts. While these technologies are
      not yet ready for clinical trials in agammaglobulinemia, advances in genomic
      targeting are likely to make this option viable in the near future.

PMID- 24215411
TI  - Advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura and
      the implications for improving its diagnosis.
AB  - Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a leukocytoclastic vasculitis classically
      characterized by palpable purpura, arthritis, abdominal pain and renal disease.
      In this article, we summarize our current understanding of the pathogenesis of
      HSP and the implications for improving its diagnosis. Although the pathogenesis
      of HSP is not fully understood yet, exciting new information has emerged in
      recent years, leading to a better understanding of its pathogenesis. Here, we
      discuss genetic predisposition, immunoglobulins with a particular emphasis on
      IgA1, activated complements, cytokines and chemokines, abnormal coagulation and
      autoantibodies in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Finally, diagnostic
      criteria for HSP developed by institutions such as the American College of
      Rheumatology and the European League against Rheumatism/Paediatric Rheumatology
      European Society were proposed to improve early detection and diagnosis.

PMID- 24215412
TI  - Toll-like receptor signaling in neonatal sepsis and inflammation: a matter of
      orchestration and conditioning.
AB  - Altered neonatal Toll-like receptor (TLR) function is hypothesized to contribute
      to the heightened susceptibility to infection and perpetuated inflammation in
      term and preterm neonates, clinically evident in neonatal sepsis and increased
      rates of inflammatory disorders. Current data indicate that basal TLR expression
      in term neonates equals adult expression patterns, while expression in preterm
      infants seems to increase, depending on gestational age. Regarding TLR signaling,
      some studies suggest TLR incompetence in neonates associated with impaired pro
      inflammatory responses, others describe neonatal TLR function well developed and
      allude to its hyper-inflammation tendency. We discuss the competing positions and
      considerable limitations of research approaches and conclude that neonatal innate
      immunity is not generally less able to respond to TLR stimulation. Moreover, we
      describe pre-conditioning factors other than immaturity having a comparable
      impact. In the long term, better understanding of the complex interplay of pre-
      and postnatal conditions and maturation-dependent neonatal TLR function may
      provide new therapeutic approaches.

PMID- 24215413
TI  - The impact of breastfeeding on lung development and function: a systematic
      review.
AB  - With the global trend of increasing asthma and allergic disorders there is strong
      interest regarding early life nutrition as a potentially modifiable risk factor
      for lung disease. This systematic review includes 10 studies that assessed the
      effect of breastfeeding on lung growth and function. The review found
      breastfeeding to be beneficial for lung function, with the most consistent effect
      on increased forced vital capacity. There was no clear evidence that the
      relationship between breastfeeding and lung function was mediated through other
      factors. Furthermore, the findings from the few studies that investigated if
      maternal asthma modified the effect of breastfeeding on lung function were
      inconsistent. Further research is needed to determine the specific details such
      as duration and type (exclusive vs partial) of breastfeeding that leads to
      improved lung function.

PMID- 24215414
TI  - Prevention of asthma: where are we in the 21st century?
AB  - Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood and, in the latter part of
      the 20th century, reached epidemic proportions. Asthma is generally believed to
      result from gene-environment interactions. There is consensus that a 'window of
      opportunity' exists during pregnancy and early in life when environmental factors
      may influence its development. We review multiple environmental, biologic and
      sociologic factors that may be important in the development of asthma. Meta
      analyses of studies have demonstrated that multifaceted interventions are
      required in order to develop asthma prevention. Multifaceted allergen reduction
      studies have shown clinical benefits. Asthma represents a dysfunctional
      interaction with our genes and the environment to which they are exposed,
      especially in fetal and early infant life. The increasing prevalence of asthma
      also may be an indication of increased population risk for the development of
      other chronic non-communicable autoimmune diseases. This review will focus on the
      factors which may be important in the primary prevention of asthma. Better
      understanding of the complex gene-environment interactions involved in the
      development of asthma will provide insight into personalized interventions for
      asthma prevention.

PMID- 24215415
TI  - Prediction of hypersensitivity to antibiotics: what factors need to be
      considered?
AB  - This review focuses on the epidemiology and different risk factors related to the
      development of hypersensitivity reactions to antibiotics, with a focus on
      betalactams and fluoroquinolones, the compounds most frequently involved in these
      reactions, due to their high level of consumption. The true prevalence of
      allergic drug reactions is unknown and the corresponding morbidity, mortality and
      associated economic costs are often underestimated. It is reported that multiple
      risk factors, related to both the drug and the patient, can modify the clinical
      expression of immune-mediated drug reactions. These include the chemical
      properties, molecular weight and administration route of the drug and the age,
      gender, concomitant diseases and genetic factors of the patient.

PMID- 24215416
TI  - Celiac disease and endocrine autoimmune disorders in children: an update.
AB  - Celiac disease (CD) is a life-long inflammatory condition of the gut that occurs
      in genetically susceptible individuals. Several autoimmune diseases (AI) are
      associated with CD. To date, no conclusive evidence is available that proves if
      the relationship between CD and AI is mediated by gluten exposure, or if CD and
      AI could co-occur due to other causes, in particular the loss of the intestinal
      barrier function and the common genetic background. Furthermore, it is not clear
      yet if CD needs a regular screening program for AI. This review will cover the
      key studies on both the pathogenetic and clinical evidence explaining this
      association. We will review the reports including patients aged <18 years with CD
      and endocrine AI.

PMID- 24215417
TI  - Optimizing the use of regulatory T cells in allotransplantation: recent advances
      and future perspectives.
AB  - Apart from clonal deletion of self-reactive T cells in the thymus, Tregs are the
      major regulators of immune responses in the periphery and maintain a state of
      self-tolerance free from autoimmune diseases. Due to their inherent suppressive
      function, Tregs are being explored for their therapeutic potential in preventing
      autoimmunity and improving survival of allografts. This review provides recent
      updates on Treg biology and their use in animal as well as clinical models of
      transplantation. We discuss potential problems that limit the widespread clinical
      application of Tregs and provide future perspectives on how to optimize their
      medical use. Special consideration is given to methods by which Tregs should be
      isolated and expanded in order to facilitate clinical therapies. We also focus on
      recent discussions of Treg stability and plasticity, with specific insights into
      preventing the loss of Treg suppression by allotransplant-mediated inflammation.

PMID- 24215418
TI  - Restraint stress enhances arterial thrombosis in vivo--role of the sympathetic
      nervous system.
AB  - Stress is known to correlate with the incidence of acute myocardial infarction.
      However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this correlation are not known. This
      study was designed to assess the effect of experimental stress on arterial
      thrombus formation, the key event in acute myocardial infarction. Mice exposed to
      20 h of restraint stress displayed an increased arterial prothrombotic potential
      as assessed by photochemical injury-induced time to thrombotic occlusion. This
      increase was prevented by chemical sympathectomy performed through 6
      hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Blood-born tissue factor (TF) activity was enhanced by
      stress and this increase could be prevented by 6-OHDA treatment. Vessel wall TF,
      platelet count, platelet aggregation, coagulation times (PT, aPTT), fibrinolytic
      system (t-PA and PAI-1) and tail bleeding time remained unaltered. Telemetric
      analysis revealed only minor hemodynamic changes throughout the stress protocol.
      Plasma catecholamines remained unaffected after restraint stress. Tumor necrosis
      factor alpha (TNF-alpha) plasma levels were unchanged and inhibition of TNF-alpha
      had no effect on stress-enhanced thrombosis. These results indicate that
      restraint stress enhances arterial thrombosis via the sympathetic nervous system.
      Blood-borne TF contributes, at least in part, to the observed effect whereas
      vessel wall TF, platelets, circulating coagulation factors, fibrinolysis and
      inflammation do not appear to play a role. These findings shed new light on the
      understanding of stress-induced cardiovascular events.

PMID- 24215419
TI  - The relationship between paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and coronary artery
      spasm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary artery spasm has recently been reported as a complication of
      the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). It may be induced by cardiac autonomic
      nervous dysfunction during radiofrequency catheter ablation of AF. However, the
      underlying mechanism is not clear. We hypothesized that patients with paroxysmal
      AF coincidentally exhibit coronary artery spasm. METHODS: A total of 51 patients
      were enrolled in a case control study to clarify the relationship between
      paroxysmal AF and coronary artery spasm. We evaluated 17 patients with paroxysmal
      AF (AF group) and 34 patients without paroxysmal AF (control group). Drug-induced
      coronary artery spasm provocation tests were performed by intracoronary
      administration of acetylcholine or ergonovine. RESULTS: The AF group consisted of
      nine males and eight females, mean age 67 +/- 10 years. The control group
      consisted of 16 males and 18 females, mean age 60 +/- 14 years. In the AF group,
      coronary artery spasm was induced in 13 patients (76.5%) before AF ablation. In
      the control group, coronary artery spasm was induced in three patients (8.8%).
      Coronary artery spasm was more frequently induced in patients with AF (76.5% vs
      8.8%; odds ratio, 33.583; 95% confidence interval, 6.5732-171.58; P < 0.0001). In
      the AF group, ventricular fibrillation and AF were recorded immediately after
      right coronary artery spasm induction in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Paroxysmal AF
      patients have high positive rates of drug-provoked coronary artery spasm.
      Patients with paroxysmal AF may coincidentally exhibit coronary artery spasm.

PMID- 24215420
TI  - The assessment of pulsed dye laser treatment of port-wine stains with reflectance
      confocal microscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive technique for
      evaluating cutaneous lesions with cellular level resolution close to conventional
      histopathology. The aim of this study is to observe the vascular changes in Port
      wine (PWS) lesions and assess the clinical efficacy of Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)
      treatment by examining vessel diameter and density with RCM. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Eleven adult patients with PWS, each had four test patches carried out
      with different pulse durations (1.5, 3, 6, and 10 ms), respectively; fluences of
      9-12 J/cm2; and a spot size of 7 mm. The PDL treatment was repeated 3-5 times at
      a 2-month interval. Photographs and measurements with RCM were taken before each
      treatment and 2 months after the last treatment. RESULTS: The PDL treatment
      exhibited increasing clearance with reducing pulse durations. Vessel diameters
      and densities were significantly decreased in the same pulse-duration groups
      after treatment. There was significant difference between 1.5 ms pulse-duration
      group and other pulse-duration groups in reducing blood vessel diameter at the
      depth of 150 MUm. CONCLUSIONS: RCM can be used to assess the clinical efficacy of
      PDL treatment.

PMID- 24215421
TI  - The use of infrared radiation in the treatment of skin laxity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cosmetic surgery and medicine are extremely interesting fields for a
      plastic surgeon. Lasers and lights determine ablation, contraction and
      regenerating stimulus in skin tissues. The aim of this study is to examine the
      use of infrared lights in treating facial and body skin laxity. METHODS: Between
      2007 and 2011, in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the
      Hospital San Camillo-Forlanini, 303 patients were enrolled in the study and
      underwent laser therapy. The laser operates in wavelength from 1100 to 1800 nm.
      The treated areas are: face, neck, eyebrows, abdomen, legs and buttocks. RESULTS:
      We have noticed no systemic complications. A case of a patient with a three days
      lasting erythema on both lower eyelids caused by laser therapy healed without any
      pharmacological therapy. Neither hyper- nor hypopigmentation of the skin was
      found. The satisfaction degree of patients has been: facial, neck and eyebrow
      lifting "very satisfactory" for 70% of the patients, "satisfactory" for 10%,
      "unsatisfactory" for 20%; for the other areas it was "very satisfactory" for 40%,
      "satisfactory" for 20% and "unsatisfactory" for 40%. CONCLUSION: The use of
      infrared radiation represents a valid alternative to surgical lifting, but cannot
      replace it. The infrared light technique used has turned out to be useful in
      contrasting skin laxity of the face and other parts of the body. The absence of
      scars and surgical risk makes this technique useable for a large number of
      patients.

PMID- 24215422
TI  - Fractional Q-switched 1,064-nm laser for the treatment of photoaged-photodamaged
      skin.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Q-switched 1064-nm laser is associated with rapid vaporization
      and thermal expansion stresses leading to skin mechanical damage and is typically
      used for correction of exogenous and endogenous deep pigmentation. Giving the
      common place of fractional, infrared-domain milliseconds non-ablative lasers in
      aesthetic dermatology, a novel non-ablative fractional Q-switched 1,064-nm laser
      was studied for photoaged skin concerns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy
      female subjects (Age range: 35-53 years, mean: 44.3) and skin types I-IV were
      diagnosed with mild-to-moderate facial photo-damage, hyper-pigmentation,
      telangiectasia, laxity, skin roughness, and actinic keratosis. Subjects were
      treated with a new non-ablative fractional Q-Switched 1,064-nm Nd: YAG laser
      (Harmony XL, Alma Lasers Ltd.). Treatments consisted of four sessions at 2-4 week
      intervals. Follow-up (FU) visits were 1 and 3 months following the final
      treatment. RESULTS: Utilizing the Glogau scale, six Subjects were graded Type II
      (means wrinkles in motion), and four Subjects were graded Type III (means
      wrinkles at rest) at Baseline. At the FU2, 3-month post final treatment, 60% of
      the subjects were graded with at least a one-point improvement in the overall
      Glogau global assessment. Between baseline and FU2, Investigator assessments
      showed the following improvements: Hyperpigmentation 70%, Telangiectasias 80%,
      Laxity 80%, Tactile Roughness 60%, and actinic keratoses 60%. Pain assessment was
      reported between 0 and 2 in all treatments (scale 0-10). Of expected side
      effects, erythema was most common, occasionally being reported as high as a
      2(scale 0-10). No unexpected adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION: The non
      ablative fractional Q-Switched 1,064-nm Nd: YAG laser is safe and effective in
      improving signs of mild-to-moderate photodamage skin irregularities with no
      downtime, no pain to only minimal pain, and without any adverse side effects.

PMID- 24215423
TI  - Biomechanical study of the influence of the weight of equipment on selected trunk
      muscles.
AB  - Overexertion and pain of the musculoskeletal system may occur partly owing to
      load application by the equipment. Both the weight of equipment and the duration
      of loading are relevant. The aim of the present study was to examine the extent
      of loading and resultant strain in the trunk muscles. Therefore, the trunk
      posture of soldiers and muscular activity in reaction to different equipment
      components (helmet, load-carrying equipment, gun and backpack) were evaluated.
      Electromyography was performed and a visual assessment of body axis was conducted
      based on standardised planar images. Data indicate that the activity of the trunk
      muscles examined (latissimus dorsi, trapezius and pectoralis major) is dependent
      on the weight and distribution of the equipment components. Activity in the
      trapezius muscle, for instance, was doubled during specific load application.
      Moreover, the method of carrying the rifle had a significant influence on the
      activity of the trapezius muscle (one-sided decrease of activity by 50%).
      Subjects were able to stabilise the body axis in the coronal plane through
      increased muscle activity, however, in the sagittal plane a compensatory ventral
      inclination of the body was observed. Uneven load distribution can lead to an
      irregular strain on the musculoskeletal system. 

PMID- 24215424
TI  - Smaller splenium in children with nonverbal learning disability compared to
      controls, high-functioning autism and ADHD.
AB  - The current study investigated morphological differences in the corpus callosum
      in children ages 8 to 18 years old with nonverbal learning disability (NLD; n =
      19), high-functioning autism (HFA; n = 23), predominantly inattentive ADHD
      (ADHD:PI; n = 23), and combined type ADHD (ADHD:C; n = 25), as well as those
      demonstrating typical development (n = 57). Midsagittal area of the corpus
      callosum and five midsagittal anterior-to-posterior corpus callosum segments were
      examined using magnetic resonance imaging. Controlling for midsagittal brain area
      and age, no group differences were found for total corpus callosum area. This
      finding indicates that higher functioning children on the autistic spectrum do
      not have smaller corpus callosi as has been found in previous research with
      heterogeneous samples. Following segmentation of the corpus callosum, the NLD
      group was observed to have significantly smaller splenia compared to all other
      groups. Smaller splenia in the NLD group was associated with lower WASI PIQ
      scores but not WASI VIQ scores. Children with HFA were observed to have larger
      midbody areas than children with NLD and neurotypically developing children.
      Children with HFA and NLD demonstrated behavioral symptoms of inattention and
      hyperactivity similar to the ADHD groups indicating that corpus callosum
      differences seen in the NLD and HFA groups are not related to these behaviors.

PMID- 24215425
TI  - Smoking association with influenza infection in renal transplant recipients.
AB  - We identified 22 cases of influenza infection among renal transplant recipients
      and matched them with 66 controls by influenza season to explore risk factors for
      influenza infection. Active cigarette smoking was associated with influenza
      infection in this population (adjusted odds ratio 13.1; 95% confidence interval
      2.3-76; P = 0.004).

PMID- 24215426
TI  - Microfluidic platform for combinatorial synthesis and optimization of targeted
      nanoparticles for cancer therapy.
AB  - Taking a nanoparticle (NP) from discovery to clinical translation has been slow
      compared to small molecules, in part by the lack of systems that enable their
      precise engineering and rapid optimization. In this work we have developed a
      microfluidic platform for the rapid, combinatorial synthesis and optimization of
      NPs. The system takes in a number of NP precursors from which a library of NPs
      with varying size, surface charge, target ligand density, and drug load is
      produced in a reproducible manner. We rapidly synthesized 45 different
      formulations of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) NPs of
      different size and surface composition and screened and ranked the NPs for their
      ability to evade macrophage uptake in vitro. Comparison of the results to
      pharmacokinetic studies in vivo in mice revealed a correlation between in vitro
      screen and in vivo behavior. Next, we selected NP synthesis parameters that
      resulted in longer blood half-life and used the microfluidic platform to
      synthesize targeted NPs with varying targeting ligand density (using a model
      targeting ligand against cancer cells). We screened NPs in vitro against prostate
      cancer cells as well as macrophages, identifying one formulation that exhibited
      high uptake by cancer cells yet similar macrophage uptake compared to nontargeted
      NPs. In vivo, the selected targeted NPs showed a 3.5-fold increase in tumor
      accumulation in mice compared to nontargeted NPs. The developed microfluidic
      platform in this work represents a tool that could potentially accelerate the
      discovery and clinical translation of NPs. 

PMID- 24215427
TI  - Nanoparticle-protein interactions: a thermodynamic and kinetic study of the
      adsorption of bovine serum albumin to gold nanoparticle surfaces.
AB  - Investigating the adsorption process of proteins on nanoparticle surfaces is
      essential to understand how to control the biological interactions of
      functionalized nanoparticles. In this work, a library of spherical and rod-shaped
      gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was used to evaluate the process of protein adsorption
      to their surfaces. The binding of a model protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) to
      GNPs as a function of particle shape, size, and surface charge was investigated.
      Two independent comparative analytical methods were used to evaluate the
      adsorption process: steady-state fluorescence quenching titration and affinity
      capillary electrophoresis (ACE). Although under favorable electrostatic
      conditions kinetic analysis showed a faster adsorption of BSA to the surface of
      cationic GNPs, equilibrium binding constant determinations indicated that BSA has
      a comparable binding affinity to all of the GNPs tested, regardless of surface
      charge. BSA was even found to adsorb strongly to GNPs with a pegylated/neutral
      surface. However, these fluorescence titrations suffer from significant
      interference from the strong light absorption of the GNPs. The BSA-GNP
      equilibrium binding constants, as determined by the ACE method, were 10(5) times
      lower than values determined using spectroscopic titrations. While both
      analytical methods could be suitable to determine the binding constants for
      protein adsorption to NP surfaces, both methods have limitations that complicate
      the determination of protein-GNP binding constants. The optical properties of
      GNPs interfere with Ka determinations by static fluorescence quenching analysis.
      ACE, in contrast, suffers from material compatibility issues, as positively
      charged GNPs adhere to the walls of the capillary during analysis. Researchers
      seeking to determine equilibrium binding constants for protein-GNP interactions
      should therefore utilize as many orthogonal techniques as possible to study a
      protein-GNP system. 

PMID- 24215429
TI  - spads 1.0: a toolbox to perform spatial analyses on DNA sequence data sets.
AB  - SPADS 1.0 (for 'Spatial and Population Analysis of DNA Sequences') is a
      population genetic toolbox for characterizing genetic variability within and
      among populations from DNA sequences. In view of the drastic increase in genetic
      information available through sequencing methods, spads was specifically designed
      to deal with multilocus data sets of DNA sequences. It computes several summary
      statistics from populations or groups of populations, performs input file
      conversions for other population genetic programs and implements locus-by-locus
      and multilocus versions of two clustering algorithms to study the genetic
      structure of populations. The toolbox also includes two MATLAB and r functions,
      GDISPAL and GDIVPAL, to display differentiation and diversity patterns across
      landscapes. These functions aim to generate interpolating surfaces based on
      multilocus distance and diversity indices. In the case of multiple loci, such
      surfaces can represent a useful alternative to multiple pie charts maps
      traditionally used in phylogeography to represent the spatial distribution of
      genetic diversity. These coloured surfaces can also be used to compare different
      data sets or different diversity and/or distance measures estimated on the same
      data set.

PMID- 24215430
TI  - Characterization of fullerene-modified silica as a complement to graphite-like
      phases for use in two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - Carbonaceous sorbents have a long and rich history of development and application
      in all areas of separation science. Interest in these materials has been fueled
      by observations that solute-sorbent interactions are mainly adsorptive in nature
      and thus selectivities are frequently quite different from what is observed with
      small organic ligands bonded to porous substrates. However, despite over four
      decades of intense study and development of these materials for use in reversed
      phase liquid chromatography, wide adoption continues to be hindered by a few
      significant, negative attributes of these materials, most notably irreversible
      adsorption and poor peak shape and separation efficiency for some classes of
      compounds. In this work we describe the results of a study aimed at
      characterization of C60 fullerene-modified silica (FMS) materials that we believe
      nicely complement existing graphite-like carbonaceous phases for use in liquid
      chromatography. Since their first synthesis about 20 years ago, FMS materials
      have received surprisingly little attention, which has been focused mainly on the
      separation of highly aromatic compounds. Here, we use retention data for well
      established sets of both nonionizable and ionizable low molecular weight probe
      solutes to demonstrate that FMS both exhibits graphite-like characteristics
      (i.e., selectivity for structural isomers and enhanced retention of polar
      compounds) and has selectivity characteristics that are largely unique in
      comparison to over 600 other materials used for reversed-phase liquid
      chromatography. In addition, FMS exhibits much improved peak shape and separation
      efficiency for compounds that are known to be problematic when separated by use
      of graphite-like phases. This combination of attributes makes FMS an excellent
      complement to graphite-like phases for use in two-dimensional liquid
      chromatography, where unique selectivity compared to conventional bonded reversed
      phase materials, along with good peak shape and separation efficiency are of
      paramount importance for successful two-dimensional liquid chromatographic
      separations. 

PMID- 24215428
TI  - Structural and biochemical characterization of the bilin lyase CpcS from
      Thermosynechococcus elongatus.
AB  - Cyanobacterial phycobiliproteins have evolved to capture light energy over most
      of the visible spectrum due to their bilin chromophores, which are linear
      tetrapyrroles that have been covalently attached by enzymes called bilin lyases.
      We report here the crystal structure of a bilin lyase of the CpcS family from
      Thermosynechococcus elongatus (TeCpcS-III). TeCpcS-III is a 10-stranded beta
      barrel with two alpha helices and belongs to the lipocalin structural family.
      TeCpcS-III catalyzes both cognate as well as noncognate bilin attachment to a
      variety of phycobiliprotein subunits. TeCpcS-III ligates phycocyanobilin,
      phycoerythrobilin, and phytochromobilin to the alpha and beta subunits of
      allophycocyanin and to the beta subunit of phycocyanin at the Cys82-equivalent
      position in all cases. The active form of TeCpcS-III is a dimer, which is
      consistent with the structure observed in the crystal. With the use of the UnaG
      protein and its association with bilirubin as a guide, a model for the
      association between the native substrate, phycocyanobilin, and TeCpcS was
      produced. 

PMID- 24215431
TI  - Hemisynthesis and structural and chromatic characterization of delphinidin 3-O
      glucoside-vescalagin hybrid pigments.
AB  - During red wine maturation in the presence of oak wood, reactions involving
      anthocyanins and ellagitannins might affect wine organoleptic properties such as
      color and astringency. In this work, the condensation reaction between myrtillin
      (delphinidin 3-O-glucoside) and vescalagin has been performed to determine the
      behavior of this anthocyanin in this kind of reaction and to assess the possible
      impact of such a reaction in wine color modulation. Two different hybrid pigments
      have been hemisynthetized and characterized by HPLC-DAD-MS and NMR spectroscopy.
      These pigments have been identified as 1-deoxyvescalagin-(1beta->8)-myrtillin
      (major) and 1-deoxyvescalagin-(1beta->6)-myrtillin (minor). The minor pigment
      could be formed both by the condensation reaction and by a regioisomerization
      process from the major pigment. Moreover, the chromatic properties of these
      pigments have been studied and compared to those of myrtillin. The hybrid
      pigments showed an important bathochromic shift (ca. 20 nm) in the maximum
      absorbance wavelength and lower molar absorption coefficients. 

PMID- 24215432
TI  - Interaction of cationic protoberberine alkaloids with human serum albumin. No
      spectroscopic evidence on binding to Sudlow's site 1.
AB  - Physicochemical studies on drug interactions with human serum albumin (HSA) are
      relevant for elucidation, at the molecular level, of the processes occurring in
      vivo. In this work using optical spectroscopic methods (fluorescence, absorption,
      circular dichroism), we have investigated aqueous HSA solutions containing
      pharmaceutically important isoquinoline alkaloids, berberine and palmatine. The
      primary objective was to verify whether the two compounds are located in the
      subdomain IIA of the secondary HSA structure as reported in literature. We prove
      that the excited state of Trp214 residue is not quenched by the alkaloids; all
      observed changes in fluorescence spectra are due to inner filter effects.
      Furthermore, differential absorption spectra indicate that the ligands remain in
      a waterlike microenvironment. We infer that bound alkaloid molecules are located
      at the protein/water interface. Yet, such binding mode can induce some unfolding
      of the HSA molecule detectable in the far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectra. We
      have also performed, for the first time, pulse radiolysis studies of hydrated
      electron scavenging in the HSA/alkaloid systems and have measured steady-state
      absorption spectra of irradiated samples. The results reveal that neither
      berberine nor palmatine is effectively protected by the protein against one
      electron reduction, which is consistent with the aforementioned conclusion. 

PMID- 24215433
TI  - Language helps children succeed on a classic analogy task.
AB  - Adult humans show exceptional relational ability relative to other species. In
      this research, we trace the development of this ability in young children. We
      used a task widely used in comparative research-the relational match-to-sample
      task, which requires participants to notice and match the identity relation: for
      example, AA should match BB instead of CD. Despite the simplicity of this
      relation, children under 4 years of age failed to pass this test (Experiment 1),
      and their performance did not improve even with initial feedback (Experiment 2).
      In Experiments 3 and 4, we found that two kinds of symbolic-linguistic experience
      can facilitate relational reasoning in young children. Our findings suggest that
      children learn to become adept analogical thinkers, and that language fosters
      this learning in at least two distinct ways. 

PMID- 24215434
TI  - Life-time prevalence and psychosocial correlates of adolescent direct self
      injurious behavior: a comparative study of findings in 11 European countries.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and associated psychosocial factors of
      occasional and repetitive direct self-injurious behavior (D-SIB), such as self
      cutting, -burning, -biting, -hitting, and skin damage by other methods, in
      representative adolescent samples from 11 European countries. METHODS: Cross
      sectional assessment of adolescents was performed within the European Union
      funded project, Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE), which was
      conducted in 11 European countries. The representative sample comprised 12,068
      adolescents (F/M: 6,717/5,351; mean age: 14.9 +/- 0.89) recruited from randomly
      selected schools. Frequency of D-SIB was assessed by a modified 6-item
      questionnaire based on previously used versions of the Deliberate Self-Harm
      Inventory (DSHI). In addition, a broad range of demographic, social, and
      psychological factors was assessed. RESULTS: Overall lifetime prevalence of D-SIB
      was 27.6%; 19.7% reported occasional D-SIB and 7.8% repetitive D-SIB. Lifetime
      prevalence ranged from 17.1% to 38.6% across countries. Estonia, France, Germany,
      and Israel had the highest lifetime rates of D-SIB, while students from Hungary,
      Ireland, and Italy reported low rates. Suicidality as well as anxiety and
      depressive symptoms had the highest odds ratios for both occasional and
      repetitive D-SIB. There was a strong association of D-SIB with both
      psychopathology and risk-behaviors, including family related neglect and peer
      related rejection/victimization. Associations between psychosocial variables and
      D-SIB were strongly influenced by both gender and country. Only a minor
      proportion of the adolescents who reported D-SIB ever received medical treatment.
      CONCLUSION: These results suggest high lifetime prevalence of D-SIB in European
      adolescents. Prevalence as well as psychosocial correlates seems to be
      significantly influenced by both gender and country. These results support the
      need for a multidimensional approach to better understand the development of SIB
      and facilitate culturally adapted prevention/intervention.

PMID- 24215435
TI  - Comments on "Prevented mortality and greenhouse gas emissions from historical and
      projected nuclear power".

PMID- 24215437
TI  - Effects of quercetin on hemoglobin-dependent redox reactions: relationship to
      iron-overload rat liver injury.
AB  - Flavonoids have been widely reported to protect liver injury in iron-overload
      diseases, where the mechanism of this therapeutic action is dependent on their
      antioxidant effects, including free radical scavenging and metal-chelating. In
      this study, in contrast to the significant decrease in iron content, quercetin
      (Qu) from lower diet (0.3%, w/w) showed pro-oxidant ability on protein carbonyl
      formation and exhibited unobvious effect on iron-overload rat liver injury.
      Furthermore, the anti- and pro-oxidant activities of Qu on hemoglobin (Hb)
      dependent redox reactions (i.e. the oxidative stability of Hb and its cytotoxic
      ferryl intermediate, Hb-induced protein oxidation) were investigated to
      illustrate the elevated protein oxidation in lower Qu-treated iron-overload rat.
      It was found that superoxide (O2.-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were generated
      during the reaction between Qu and Hb. Qu, however, effectively reduced ferryl
      intermediate back to ferric Hb in a biphasic kinetic reaction. Moreover, Qu could
      significantly aggravate Hb-H2O2-induced protein oxidation at low concentrations
      and exhibit protective effects at high concentrations. Different from the classic
      antioxidant mechanisms of Qu, the dual effects on Hb redox reactions in vitro,
      therefore, may provide new insights into the physiological and pharmacological
      implications of Qu with iron-overload disease.

PMID- 24215438
TI  - Immunisation coverage and its associations in rural Tanzanian infants.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In Tanzania, vaccination rates (VRs) range from 80% to 90% for
      standard vaccines, but little information is available about rural populations
      and nomadic pastoralists. This study investigates levels and trends of the
      immunisation status of infants at eight mobile reproductive-and-child-health
      (RCH) clinics in a rural area in northern Tanzania (with a large multi-tribal
      population that has a significant population of nomadic pastoralists) for the
      years 1998, 1999, 2006 and 2007. In addition, the influence of tribal affiliation
      and health system-related factors on the immunisation status in this population
      is analysed. METHODS: Vaccination data of 3868 infants for the standard bacillus
      Calmette-Guerin (BCG), poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and measles
      vaccines were obtained from the RCH clinic records retrospectively, and coverage
      for both single vaccines and full vaccination by the end of first year of life
      were calculated. These results were correlated with data on predominant tribal
      affiliation at the clinic site, skilled attendance at birth, service provision
      and vaccine availability as independent variables. RESULTS: In 1998, the full
      vaccination rate (FVR) across all RCH clinics was 72%, significantly higher than
      in the other years (1999: 58%; 2006: 58%; 2007: 57%) (p<0.0001). BCG and measles
      VRs were highest in 1998 and 1999, whereas VR was lowest for poliomyelitis in
      1999, and for diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus in 2007 (all p<0.001). Measles VR
      showed a declining trend (1998: 72%; 1999: 73%; 2006: 62%; 2007: 59%) affecting
      the FVR, except in 1999 when poliomyelitis VR was lower (67%). FVR > 80% was only
      achieved at one clinic during 3 years. No clinic showed a consistent increase of
      VRs over time. In univariate analysis, predominant tribal affiliation (Datoga
      tribe) was associated with a low FVR (odds ratio (OR) 4.6 (95% confidence
      interval (CI) 3.8-5.5)), as were low rates of skilled attendance at birth (OR 3.6
      (CI 2.9-4.4)). Other health system-related factors associated with low FVRs
      included interruption of scheduled monthly immunisation clinics (OR 9.8 (CI 2.1
      45.5)) and lack of vaccines (OR 1.2-2.9, depending on vaccine). In multivariate
      analysis, predominant Datoga tribal affiliation and lack of vaccines retained
      their association with the risk of low rates of vaccination. CONCLUSIONS:
      Vaccination rates in this difficult-to-reach population are markedly lower than
      the national average for almost all years and clinics. Affiliation to the nomadic
      Datoga tribe and lack of vaccines determine VRs in this rural population.
      Improvements in immunisation service delivery, vaccine availability, stronger
      involvement of the nomadic communities and special outreach services for this
      population are required to improve VRs in these remote areas of Tanzania.

PMID- 24215436
TI  - In vivo confocal microscopy of the ocular surface: from bench to bedside.
AB  - In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is an emerging technology that provides
      minimally invasive, high resolution, steady-state assessment of the ocular
      surface at the cellular level. Several challenges still remain but, at present,
      IVCM may be considered a promising technique for clinical diagnosis and
      management. This mini-review summarizes some key findings in IVCM of the ocular
      surface, focusing on recent and promising attempts to move "from bench to
      bedside". IVCM allows prompt diagnosis, disease course follow-up, and management
      of potentially blinding atypical forms of infectious processes, such as
      acanthamoeba and fungal keratitis. This technology has improved our knowledge of
      corneal alterations and some of the processes that affect the visual outcome
      after lamellar keratoplasty and excimer keratorefractive surgery. In dry eye
      disease, IVCM has provided new information on the whole-ocular surface
      morphofunctional unit. It has also improved understanding of pathophysiologic
      mechanisms and helped in the assessment of prognosis and treatment. IVCM is
      particularly useful in the study of corneal nerves, enabling description of the
      morphology, density, and disease- or surgically induced alterations of nerves,
      particularly the subbasal nerve plexus. In glaucoma, IVCM constitutes an
      important aid to evaluate filtering blebs, to better understand the conjunctival
      wound healing process, and to assess corneal changes induced by topical
      antiglaucoma medications and their preservatives. IVCM has significantly enhanced
      our understanding of the ocular response to contact lens wear. It has provided
      new perspectives at a cellular level on a wide range of contact lens
      complications, revealing findings that were not previously possible to image in
      the living human eye. The final section of this mini-review provides a focus on
      advances in confocal microscopy imaging. These include 2D wide-field mapping, 3D
      reconstruction of the cornea and automated image analysis.

PMID- 24215439
TI  - Nanosoldering carbon nanotube junctions by local chemical vapor deposition for
      improved device performance.
AB  - The performance of carbon nanotube network (CNN) devices is usually limited by
      the high resistance of individual nanotube junctions (NJs). We present a novel
      method to reduce this resistance through a nanoscale chemical vapor deposition
      (CVD) process. By passing current through the devices in the presence of a
      gaseous CVD precursor, localized nanoscale Joule heating induced at the NJs
      stimulates the selective and self-limiting deposition of metallic nanosolder. The
      effectiveness of this nanosoldering process depends on the work function of the
      deposited metal (here Pd or HfB2), and it can improve the on/off current ratio of
      a CNN device by nearly an order of magnitude. This nanosoldering technique could
      also be applied to other device types where nanoscale resistance components limit
      overall device performance. 

PMID- 24215441
TI  - Emerging roles of orphan nuclear receptors in cancer.
AB  - A growing body of evidence suggests that a subset of orphan nuclear receptors are
      amplified and prognostic for some human cancers. However, the specific roles of
      these orphan nuclear receptors in tumor progression and their utility as drug
      targets are not fully understood. In this review, we summarize recent progress in
      elucidating the direct and indirect involvement of orphan nuclear receptors in
      cancer as well as their therapeutic potential in a variety of human cancers.
      Furthermore, we contrast the role of orphan nuclear receptors in cancer with the
      known roles of estrogen receptor and androgen receptor in hormone-dependent
      cancers. 

PMID- 24215440
TI  - Trafficking of epidermal growth factor receptor ligands in polarized epithelial
      cells.
AB  - A largely unilamellar epithelial layer lines body cavities and organ ducts such
      as the digestive tract and kidney tubules. This polarized epithelium is composed
      of biochemically and functionally separate apical and basolateral surfaces. The
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is a critical regulator
      of epithelial homeostasis and is perturbed in a number of epithelial disorders.
      It is underappreciated that in vivo EGFR signaling is most often initiated by
      cell-surface delivery and processing of one of seven transmembrane ligands,
      resulting in release of the soluble form that binds EGFR. In polarized epithelial
      cells, EGFR is restricted largely to the basolateral surface, and apical or
      basolateral ligand delivery therefore has important biological consequences. In
      vitro approaches have been used to study the biosynthesis, cell-surface delivery,
      proteolytic processing, and release of soluble EGFR ligands in polarized
      epithelial cells. We review these results, discuss their relevance to normal
      physiology, and demonstrate the pathophysiological consequences of aberrant
      trafficking. These studies have uncovered a rich diversity of apico-basolateral
      trafficking mechanisms among the EGFR ligands, provided insights into the
      pathogenesis of an inherited magnesium-wasting disorder of the kidney (isolated
      renal hypomagnesemia), and identified a new mode of EGFR ligand signaling via
      exosomes. 

PMID- 24215444
TI  - Repeat antenatal HIV testing in the third trimester: a study of feasibility and
      maternal uptake rates.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of third
      trimester antenatal HIV testing within our service after two cases of HIV
      seroconversion in pregnancy were noted in 2008. North American Guidelines
      recommend universal third-trimester HIV testing in areas with an HIV prevalence
      of more than 1 per 1000. The HIV prevalence rate in our area is 3.01 per 1000.
      METHODS: Pregnant women prior to 28 weeks of gestation were recruited at booking
      between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009 and offered an additional third
      trimester HIV test. Consent was obtained and testing was performed by hospital
      and community midwives. Information was entered into a modified existing
      electronic maternity database. A qualitative e-mail survey of midwives
      investigated barriers to participation in the study. RESULTS: A total of 4134
      women delivered; three (< 0.1%) declined first-trimester testing. Twenty-two
      women (0.5%) tested HIV positive, of whom six were newly diagnosed. Overall, 2934
      of 4134 women (71%) were offered and accepted a third-trimester HIV test and had
      results available. Data were unavailable for 195 women (4.7%). A total of 663 of
      4131 women (16%) were not offered a third-trimester test. Of 3273 women
      documented as having been offered a test, 3177 (97.1%) accepted. There were no
      positive third-trimester tests. Forty of 50 (80%) midwives surveyed responded
      with questionnaire feedback and cited lack of national policy and extra workload
      as barriers to performing third-trimester testing. CONCLUSIONS: Third-trimester
      testing was feasible and consent rates were high in those offered repeat testing.
      Third-trimester testing has the potential to prevent paediatric HIV infection and
      universal testing should be considered in high-prevalence areas.

PMID- 24215445
TI  - Obesity and high waist circumference are associated with low circulating
      pentraxin-3 in acute coronary syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a component of the pentraxin superfamily
      and a potential marker of vascular damage and inflammation, associated with
      negative outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Obesity is a
      risk factor for cardiovascular disease and PTX3 production is reported in
      abdominal adipose tissue. Low PTX3 is however reported in the obese population,
      and obesity per se may be associated with less negative ACS outcome. METHODS: We
      investigated the potential impact of obesity and high waist circumference
      (reflecting abdominal fat accumulation) on plasma PTX3 concentration in ACS
      patients (n = 72, 20 obese) compared to age-, sex- and BMI-matched non-ACS
      individuals. RESULTS: Both obese and non-obese ACS patients had higher PTX3 than
      matched non-ACS counterparts, but PTX3 was lower in obese than non-obese
      individuals in both groups (all P < 0.05). PTX3 was also lower in ACS subjects
      with high than in those with normal waist circumference (WC). Plasma PTX3 was
      accordingly associated negatively with BMI and WC, independently of age and
      plasma creatinine. No associations were observed between PTX3 and plasma insulin,
      glucose or the short pentraxin and validated inflammation marker C-reactive
      protein, that was higher in ACS than in non-ACS individuals independently of BMI
      or WC. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with low circulating PTX3 in ACS. This
      association is also observed in the presence of abdominal fat accumulation as
      reflected by elevated waist circumference. Low PTX3 is a novel potential
      modulator of tissue damage and outcome in obese ACS patients.

PMID- 24215443
TI  - Plasticity of dendritic spines: subcompartmentalization of signaling.
AB  - The ability to induce and study neuronal plasticity in single dendritic spines
      has greatly advanced our understanding of the signaling mechanisms that mediate
      long-term potentiation. It is now clear that in addition to compartmentalization
      by the individual spine, subcompartmentalization of biochemical signals occurs at
      specialized microdomains within the spine. The spatiotemporal coordination of
      these complex cascades allows for the concomitant remodeling of the postsynaptic
      density and actin spinoskeleton and for the regulation of membrane traffic to
      express functional and structural plasticity. Here, we highlight recent findings
      in the signaling cascades at spine microdomains as well as the challenges and
      approaches to studying plasticity at the spine level. 

PMID- 24215442
TI  - Nanoparticles, lung injury, and the role of oxidant stress.
AB  - The emergence of engineered nanoscale materials has provided significant
      advancements in electronic, biomedical, and material science applications. Both
      engineered nanoparticles and nanoparticles derived from combustion or incidental
      processes exhibit a range of physical and chemical properties that induce
      inflammation and oxidative stress in biological systems. Oxidative stress
      reflects the imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species and the
      biochemical mechanisms to detoxify and repair the damage resulting from reactive
      intermediates. This review examines current research on incidental and engineered
      nanoparticles in terms of their health effects on lungs and the mechanisms by
      which oxidative stress via physicochemical characteristics influences toxicity or
      biocompatibility. Although oxidative stress has generally been thought of as an
      adverse biological outcome, this review also briefly discusses some of the
      potential emerging technologies to use nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress to
      treat disease in a site-specific fashion. 

PMID- 24215446
TI  - Understanding childbirth practices as an organizational cultural phenomenon: a
      conceptual framework.
AB  - Understanding the main values and beliefs that might promote humanized birth
      practices in the specialized hospitals requires articulating the theoretical
      knowledge of the social and cultural characteristics of the childbirth field and
      the relations between these and the institution. This paper aims to provide a
      conceptual framework allowing examination of childbirth practices through the
      lens of an organizational culture theory. A literature review performed to
      extrapolate the social and cultural factors contribute to birth practices and the
      factors likely overlap and mutually reinforce one another, instead of complying
      with the organizational culture of the birth place. The proposed conceptual
      framework in this paper examined childbirth patterns as an organizational
      cultural phenomenon in a highly specialized hospital, in Montreal, Canada.
      Allaire and Firsirotu's organizational culture theory served as a guide in the
      development of the framework. We discussed the application of our conceptual
      model in understanding the influences of organizational culture components in the
      humanization of birth practices in the highly specialized hospitals and explained
      how these components configure both the birth practice and women's choice in
      highly specialized hospitals. The proposed framework can be used as a tool for
      understanding the barriers and facilitating factors encountered birth practices
      in specialized hospitals. 

PMID- 24215448
TI  - Atrial electromechanical conduction delay in patients with neurocardiogenic
      syncope.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to investigate the presence of atrial electromechanical conduction
      delay in patients with neurocardiogenic syncope, which was diagnosed with head-up
      tilt table test (HUTT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients (mean age:
      30.6 +/- 15.9 years) with vasovagal syncope, as diagnosed by HUTT, and 23 healthy
      control subjects (mean age: 34.7 +/- 16.3 years) with a negative HUTT were
      enrolled to the study. Atrial electromechanical conduction delay was defined as
      the time elapsed from the beginning of the P wave in the electrogardiogram to the
      beginning of the Am wave in tissue Doppler. RESULTS: There was no statistically
      significant difference between the groups in terms of interatrial conduction
      delay, whereas the difference was significant with regard to the right
      intraatrial electromechanical conduction delay (P < 0.01) and the left
      intraatrial electromechanical conduction delay (P < 0.0001). There was a negative
      correlation between the left intraatrial electromechanical conduction delay and
      the right intraatrial electromechanical conduction delay (r = -0.486, P = 0.001),
      whereas a positive correlation was present with the interatrial electromechanical
      conduction delay (r = 0.507, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, the tissue
      Doppler method revealed that there is left and right intraatrial
      electromechanical conduction delay in patients with vasovagal syncope. The impact
      and role of atrial conduction delay as a pathophysiological determinant should be
      confirmed in further studies.

PMID- 24215450
TI  - Physicochemical properties of the novel biphasic hydroxyapatite-magnesium
      phosphate biomaterial.
AB  - Besides high-temperature calcium phosphates (CaPs), low-temperature calcium
      phosphate bone cements (CPCs), due to excellent biological properties:
      bioactivity, biocompability and osteoconductivity, are successfully used as bone
      substitutes. However, some disadvantages, related mainly to their low resorption
      rate and poor mechanical properties result in limited range of applications of
      these implant materials to non-loaded places in the skeletal system. To overcome
      this problem, magnesium phosphate cements (MPCs) with high strength have been
      considered as biomaterials. The main disadvantage of MPCs is that the acid-base
      setting reaction is an exothermic process that must be strictly controlled to
      avoid tissue necrosis. In this work, a new composite bone substitute
      (Hydroxyapatite Magnesium Phosphate Material - HMPM) based on hydroxyapatite (HA)
      and magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) with sodium pyrophosphate applied as a
      retardant of setting reaction was obtained. Its setting time was adequate for
      clinical applications. Combining properties of HA and MPC has made it possible to
      obtain microporous (showing bimodal pore size distribution in the range of 0.005
      1.700 micrometers) potential implant material showing good surgical handiness and
      sufficient mechanical strength. Effectiveness of sodium pyrophosphate as a
      retardant of exothermic setting reaction of the new cement formulation was
      confirmed. After setting and hardening, the material consisted of hydroxyapatite
      and struvite as crystalline phases. Unreacted magnesium oxide was not detected. 

PMID- 24215451
TI  - Neuroimaging training among neuropsychologists: a survey of the state of current
      training and recommendations for trainees.
AB  - Neuroimaging has gained widespread use in neuropsychological research and
      practice. However, there are neither established guidelines on how
      neuropsychologists might become competent researchers or consumers of
      neuroimaging data, nor any published studies describing the state of neuroimaging
      training among neuropsychologists. We report the results of two online surveys,
      one of 13 expert neuropsychologist-neuroimagers whose responses informed the
      formulation of a second, larger survey to neuropsychologists-at-large that were a
      random selection of a third of the members of the International
      Neuropsychological Society and American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology. A
      total of 237 doctoral-level neuropsychologists, or 15.3% of potential
      participants, provided complete responses. Most respondents (69.2%) received
      training in neuroimaging, mostly at the post-doctoral level, largely through
      independent study, clinical conferences, instruction by clinical supervisors, and
      individualized mentoring, on topics such as neuroimaging modalities in neurology,
      neuroanatomy, and the appropriate information to glean from neuroradiology
      reports. Of the remaining respondents who did not receive training in
      neuroimaging, 64.4% indicated that such training would be very or extremely
      beneficial to one's career as a neuropsychologist. Both neuropsychologist
      neuroimagers and neuropsychologists-at-large provided specific recommendations
      for training. Findings from this initial effort will guide trainees who seek to
      develop competence in neuroimaging, and inform future formulations of
      neuropsychological training. 

PMID- 24215447
TI  - Intranasal insulin therapy for cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration:
      current state of the art.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Growing evidence supports the concept that insulin resistance plays
      an important role in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment and
      neurodegeneration, including in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The metabolic
      hypothesis has led to the development and utilization of insulin- and insulin
      agonist-based treatments. Therapeutic challenges faced include the ability to
      provide effective treatments that do not require repeated injections and also the
      ability to minimize the potentially hazardous off-target effects. AREAS COVERED:
      This review covers the role of intranasal insulin therapy for cognitive
      impairment and neurodegeneration, particularly AD. The literature reviewed
      focuses on data published within the past 5 years as this field is evolving
      rapidly. The review provides evidence that brain insulin resistance is an
      important and early abnormality in AD, and that increasing brain supply and
      utilization of insulin improves cognition and memory. Emphasis was placed on
      discussing outcomes of clinical trials and interpreting discordant results to
      clarify the benefits and limitations of intranasal insulin therapy. EXPERT
      OPINION: Intranasal insulin therapy can efficiently and directly target the brain
      to support energy metabolism, myelin maintenance, cell survival and neuronal
      plasticity, which begin to fail in the early stages of neurodegeneration. Efforts
      must continue toward increasing the safety, efficacy and specificity of
      intranasal insulin therapy.

PMID- 24215452
TI  - Dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia in renal transplant recipients: more prevalent
      than previously thought.
AB  - BACKGROUND: After an outbreak of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in our nephrology
      unit, dapsone was used as the second-line chemoprophylactic agent. Dapsone is the
      most common cause of drug-induced methemoglobinemia (MHb). Its prevalence is
      poorly described in the renal transplant population. Because dapsone is excreted
      by the kidneys, we hypothesized that the rate of MHb in these patients would be
      higher than previously reported. We aimed to describe the demographics, risk
      factors, and presenting features of MHb in these renal transplant patients.
      METHODS: Twenty-six transplant recipients commenced on dapsone for
      chemoprophylaxis against PCP from February to September 2011. All patients had
      normal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels before treatment. Characteristics
      of patients with MHb were compared with those of the rest of the cohort to
      determine potential risk factors. RESULTS: Twelve (46%) patients developed MHb
      (levels 6.4 +/- 4.1%). Six (50%) of the patients with MHb were asymptomatic on
      presentation. Cases had a mean drop in hemoglobin of 19 +/- 7%. MHb led to five
      admissions (median length of stay 5 days, range 1-10 days). MHb level showed a
      strong correlation with the length of stay (correlation coefficient 0.762, P =
      0.002). CONCLUSION: This is the highest reported prevalence of MHb, to our
      knowledge, in patients receiving dapsone, and its use led to significant
      hospitalization in this population. This study raises concerns about the use of
      dapsone as chemoprophylaxis in renal transplant recipients.

PMID- 24215453
TI  - Suppression of quenching in plasmon-enhanced luminescence via rapid intraparticle
      energy transfer in doped quantum dots.
AB  - We show the suppression of luminescence quenching by metal nanoparticles (MNPs)
      in the plasmon enhancement of luminescence via fast sensitized energy transfer in
      Mn-doped quantum dots (QDs). The rapid intraparticle energy transfer between
      exciton and Mn, occurring on a few picoseconds time scale, separates the absorber
      (exciton) from the emitter (Mn), whose emission is detuned far from the plasmon
      of the MNP. The rapid temporal separation of the absorber and emitter combined
      with the reduced spectral overlap between Mn and plasmonic MNP suppresses the
      quenching of the luminescence while taking advantage of the plasmon-enhanced
      excitation. We compared the plasmon enhancement of exciton and Mn luminescence
      intensities in undoped and doped QDs simultaneously as a function of the distance
      between MNP and QD layers in a multilayer structure to examine the expected
      advantage of the reduced quenching in the sensitized luminescence. At the optimum
      MNP-QD layer distance, Mn luminescence exhibits stronger net enhancement than
      that of the exciton, which can be explained with a model incorporating fast
      sensitization along with reduced emitter-MNP spectral overlap. This study
      demonstrates that materials exhibiting fast sensitized luminescence that is
      sufficiently red-shifted from that of the sensitizer can be superior to usual
      luminophores in harvesting plasmon enhancement of luminescence by suppressing
      quenching. 

PMID- 24215454
TI  - Morphological control of multihollow polymer latex particles through a controlled
      phase separation in the seeded emulsion polymerization.
AB  - In this work, we first reported that the phase separation can take place both
      inside and outside of a multihollow-structured cross-linked seed microspheres
      swollen by styrene monomers in water during the radiation-induced seeded emulsion
      polymerization. The phase separation process in these two opposite directions
      will determine the morphology of final latex particles. First, sulfonated cross
      linked polystyrene (SCPS) seed microspheres were swollen by styrene in water.
      Water will permeate into the SCPS seed microspheres during the swelling process,
      forced by the osmotic pressure produced by the strong hydrophilicity of the
      sulfonic acid groups. New aqueous phases are created and stabilized by the
      hydrophilic -SO3H groups, resulting in a multihollow structure of swollen SCPS
      seed microspheres. When the polymerization of styrene is induced by (60)Co gamma
      ray radiation, the phase separation of newly formed polystyrene phase will occur
      at the seed microsphere-water interface inside and/or outside of the SCPS seed
      microspheres through adjusting the diameter of seed microsphere, the content of
      cross-link agent, and the sulfonation degree of SCPS seed microspheres. As a
      result, SCPS latex particles with a variety of special morphologies, such as
      spherical multihollow, plum-like, and walnut-like latex particles were obtained.
      The results of this study provide not only a simple and interesting way to design
      and synthesize multihollow polymer latex particles with controllable surface
      morphologies but also a better understanding on phase separation mechanism during
      the swelling and polymerization of monomers in cross-linked amphiphilic polymer
      networks. 

PMID- 24215456
TI  - Isothermally sensitive detection of serum circulating miRNAs for lung cancer
      diagnosis.
AB  - Tumor-derived miRNAs in serum are emerging as the new noninvasive biomarkers for
      the diagnosis of human cancers, especially at their early stage. An ideal method
      with high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, a simple procedure, and small
      amounts of starting materials is imperative for the detection of clinic
      circulating miRNAs. Here, we develop a new method for isothermally sensitive
      detection of serum miRNAs using hairpin probe-based rolling circle amplification
      (HP-RCA). This method exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity toward lung cancer-related
      miR-486-5p with a detection limit of as low as 10 fM and a large dynamic range of
      6 orders of magnitude, and it can even discriminate miR-486-5p from both miRNAs
      with high sequence homology and its precursors (pre-miRNAs). More importantly,
      this method can directly and accurately distinguish the expression of serum miR
      486-5p among six nonsmall-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients and six healthy
      persons, holding a great potential for further applications in the clinical
      diagnosis of lung cancers. 

PMID- 24215455
TI  - The cellular environment stabilizes adenine riboswitch RNA structure.
AB  - There are large differences between the intracellular environment and the
      conditions widely used to study RNA structure and function in vitro. To assess
      the effects of the crowded cellular environment on RNA, we examined the structure
      and ligand binding function of the adenine riboswitch aptamer domain in healthy,
      growing Escherichia coli cells at single-nucleotide resolution on the minute time
      scale using SHAPE (selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension).
      The ligand-bound aptamer structure is essentially the same in cells and in buffer
      at 1 mM Mg(2+), the approximate Mg(2+) concentration we measured in cells. In
      contrast, the in-cell conformation of the ligand-free aptamer is much more
      similar to the fully folded ligand-bound state. Even adding high Mg(2+)
      concentrations to the buffer used for in vitro analyses did not yield the
      conformation observed for the free aptamer in cells. The cellular environment
      thus stabilizes the aptamer significantly more than does Mg(2+) alone. Our
      results show that the intracellular environment has a large effect on RNA
      structure that ultimately favors highly organized conformations. 

PMID- 24215457
TI  - Development of a Nasonia vitripennis outbred laboratory population for genetic
      analysis.
AB  - The parasitoid wasp genus Nasonia has rapidly become a genetic model system for
      developmental and evolutionary biology. The release of its genome sequence led to
      the development of high-resolution genomic tools, for both interspecific and
      intraspecific research, which has resulted in great advances in understanding
      Nasonia biology. To further advance the utility of Nasonia vitripennis as a
      genetic model system and to be able to fully exploit the advantages of its fully
      sequenced and annotated genome, we developed a genetically variable and well
      characterized experimental population. In this study, we describe the
      establishment of the genetically diverse HVRx laboratory population from strains
      collected from the field in the Netherlands. We established a maintenance method
      that retains genetic variation over generations of culturing in the laboratory.
      As a characterization of its genetic composition, we provide data on the standing
      genetic variation and estimate the effective population size (N(e)) by
      microsatellite analysis. A genome-wide description of polymorphism is provided
      through pooled resequencing, which yielded 417,331 high-quality SNPs spanning all
      five Nasonia chromosomes. The HVRx population and its characterization are freely
      available as a community resource for investigators seeking to elucidate the
      genetic basis of complex trait variation using the Nasonia model system.

PMID- 24215458
TI  - Ratio of "A-type" to "B-type" proanthocyanidin interflavan bonds affects extra
      intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli invasion of gut epithelial cells.
AB  - Gut colonization by extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC)
      increases the risk of subsequent infections, including urinary tract infection
      and septicemia. Previous work suggests that cranberry proanthocyanidins (PAC)
      interact with bacterial surface factors, altering bacterial interaction with host
      cells. Methods were developed to determine if ratios of "A-type" to "B-type"
      interflavan bonds in PAC affect ExPEC agglutination and invasion of enterocytes.
      In cranberries, 94.5% of PAC contain one or more "A-type" bonds, whereas in
      apples, 88.3% of PAC contain exclusively "B-type" bonds. Results show that
      cranberry "A-type" PAC have greater bioactivity than apple "B-type" PAC for
      increasing ExPEC agglutination and decreasing ExPEC epithelial cell invasion. 

PMID- 24215459
TI  - Effect of aging the glass of isotactic polybutene-1 on form II nucleation and
      cold crystallization.
AB  - The effect of aging initially fully amorphous isotactic polybutene-1 (iPB-1) at
      temperatures between 243 and 283 K on form II nucleation and cold crystallization
      has been quantified by fast scanning chip calorimetry. Aging of amorphous iPB-1
      at temperatures close to the glass transition temperature leads to formation of
      nuclei which accelerate subsequent cold crystallization. Analysis of the enthalpy
      of cold crystallization on heating differently aged samples revealed a maximum
      rate of nucleation at around 265 K. In contrast, the maximum rate of form II
      crystallization is observed at distinctly higher temperature of 330-340 K. It is
      suggested that formation of form II crystal nuclei in the glassy state requires
      prior densification of the glass since acceleration of cold crystallization on
      heating the aged glass is detected only after completion of the enthalpy
      relaxation. The analysis of the rates of nucleation and cold crystallization of
      iPB-1 at low temperatures is a necessary completion of prior work on the phase
      transition behavior, and contributes to further understanding of mechanisms of
      crystal nucleation in polymers. 

PMID- 24215460
TI  - Pathogenic mutation of UBQLN2 impairs its interaction with UBXD8 and disrupts
      endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation.
AB  - Protein aggregation is a common feature of several neurodegenerative diseases,
      including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar
      degeneration. How protein aggregates are formed and contribute to
      neurodegeneration, however, is not clear. Mutation of Ubiquilin 2 (UBQLN2) has
      recently been linked to ALS and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Therefore, we
      examined the effect of ALS-linked UBQLN2 mutation on endoplasmic reticulum
      associated protein degradation (ERAD). Compared to its wild-type counterpart,
      mutated UBQLN2 caused greater accumulation of the ERAD substrate Hong Kong
      variant of alpha-1-antitrypsin, although ERAD was disturbed by both UBQLN2 over
      expression and knockdown. Also, UBQLN2 interacted with ubiquitin regulatory X
      domain-containing protein 8 (UBXD8) in vitro and in vivo, and this interaction
      was impaired by pathogenic mutation of UBQLN2. As UBXD8 is an endoplasmic
      membrane protein involved in the translocation of ubiquitinated ERAD substrates,
      UBQLN2 likely cooperates with UBXD8 to transport defective proteins from the
      endoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol for degradation, and this cell-protective
      function is disturbed by pathogenic mutation of UBQLN2.

PMID- 24215461
TI  - In vitro susceptibility of dermatomycoses agents to six antifungal drugs and
      evaluation by fractional inhibitory concentration index of combined effects of
      amorolfine and itraconazole in dermatophytes.
AB  - To investigate the antifungal drug susceptibility of fungi responsible for
      dermatomycoses, minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) tests were performed in 44
      strains of dermatophytes, including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton
      mentagrophytes, Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum
      canis, Microsporum gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum, with six antifungal
      drugs (amorolfine, terbinafine, butenafine, ketoconazole, itraconazole and
      bifonazole) by broth microdilution assay according to Clinical Laboratory
      Standard Institute protocols. Six possible dermatomycosis-causing non
      dermatophytic fungi were also tested. The two major causes of tinea, T. rubrum
      and T. mentagrophytes, showed significantly different sensitivities to
      ketoconazole and bifonazole. Clinically derived dermatophytes were sensitive to
      the six antifungal drugs tested. However, non-dermatophytes, especially Fusarium
      spp., tended to be resistant to these antifungal drugs. In Trichophyton spp., the
      MICs of non-azole drugs had narrower distributions than those of azoles. To
      evaluate the effects of antifungal drug combinations, the fractional inhibitory
      concentration index was calculated for the combination of amorolfine and
      itraconazole as representative external and internal drugs for dermatophytes. It
      was found that this combination had synergistic or additive effects on most
      dermatophytes, and had no antagonistic effects. The variation in susceptibility
      of clinically derived fungal isolates indicates that identification of causative
      fungi is indispensable for appropriately choosing effective antifungal drugs in
      the early stages of infection. The results of combination assay suggest that
      multiple drugs with different antifungal mechanisms against growth of
      dermatophytes should be used to treat refractory dermatomycoses, especially
      onychomycosis. 

PMID- 24215462
TI  - Mechanotransduction channels of the trabecular meshwork.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether the trabecular meshwork (TM), like the other organs
      engaged in filter like activities (such as kidneys), show the expression of known
      mechanotransduction channels at protein level. METHODS: Human donor eye globes (n
      = 20), Donor eye derived TM tissue and primary TM cells were utilized for these
      studies. Commercially available antibodies to channels, immunohisto- and
      immunocytochemistry, Western blot and mass spectrometric analyses were performed
      to determine the presence of mechanosensitive channels at protein level. The
      study was performed adhering to tenets of declaration of Helsinki. RESULTS: We
      demonstrate here the presence of 11 mechanotransduction channels (Piezo1, Piezo2,
      TASK1, TREK1, TRPA1, TRPC1, TRPC2, TRPC3, TRPC6, TRPM2, TRPP2) as expressed
      protein in the TM tissue and at the isolated TM cell level. Presence of at least
      one known isoform of these channels was demonstrated using Western blot analyses.
      CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the presence of 11 mechanotransduction channels in
      the TM and in isolated TM cells at protein level. Demonstration of these channels
      as proteins at tissue and cellular level will pave the way for further
      experimentation.

PMID- 24215463
TI  - Secondary metabolites from marine-derived microorganisms.
AB  - In the search for novel and bioactive molecules for drug discovery, marine
      derived natural resources, especially marine microorganisms are becoming an
      important and interesting research area. This study covers the literature
      published after 2008 on secondary metabolites of marine-derived microorganisms.
      The emphasis was on new compounds with the relevant biological activities, strain
      information, and country of origin. New compounds without biological activity
      were not included. 

PMID- 24215464
TI  - Potential involvement of intracellular pH in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis.

PMID- 24215465
TI  - Clinical malaria diagnosis in pregnancy in relation to early perinatal mother-to
      child transmission of HIV: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We prospectively investigated fever symptoms and maternal diagnosis
      of malaria in pregnancy (MIP) in relation to child HIV infection among 2368
      pregnant HIV-positive women and their infants, followed up from pregnancy until 6
      weeks post-delivery in Tanzania. METHODS: Doctors clinically diagnosed and
      treated MIP and fever symptoms during prenatal health care. Child HIV status was
      determined via DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Multivariable logistic
      regression models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) for HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) by the 6th week of
      life. RESULTS: Mean gestational age at enrolment was 22.2 weeks. During follow
      up, 16.6% of mothers had at least one MIP diagnosis, 15.9% reported fever
      symptoms and 8.7% had both fever and MIP diagnosis. Eleven per cent of HIV
      exposed infants were HIV-positive by 6 weeks. The RR of HIV MTCT was
      statistically similar for infants whose mothers were ever vs. never clinically
      diagnosed with MIP (RR 1.24; 95% CI 0.94-1.64), were diagnosed with one vs. no
      clinical MIP episodes (RR 1.07; 95% CI 0.77-1.48) and had ever vs. never reported
      fever symptoms (RR 1.04; 95% CI 0.78-1.38) in pregnancy. However, the HIV MTCT
      risk increased by 29% (95% CI 4-58%) per MIP episode. Infants of women with at
      least two vs. no MIP diagnoses were 2.1 times more likely to be HIV infected by 6
      weeks old (95% CI 1.31-3.45). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical MIP diagnosis, but not
      fevers, in HIV-positive pregnant women was associated with an elevated risk of
      early HIV MTCT, suggesting that malaria prevention and treatment in pregnant HIV
      positive women may enhance the effectiveness of HIV prevention in MTCT programmes
      in this setting. Future studies using a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of malaria
      are needed to confirm this association.

PMID- 24215466
TI  - The electronic structure of CdSe/CdS core/shell seeded nanorods: type-I or quasi
      type-II?
AB  - The electronic structure of CdSe/CdS core/shell seeded nanorods of experimentally
      relevant size is studied using a combination of molecular dynamics and
      semiempirical pseudopotential techniques with the aim to address the transition
      from type-I to a quasi-type-II band alignment. The hole is found to be localized
      in the core region regardless of its size. The overlap of the electron density
      with the core region depends markedly on the size of the CdSe core. For small
      cores, we observe little overlap, consistent with type-II behavior. For large
      cores, significant core-overlap of a number of excitonic states can lead to type
      I behavior. When electron-hole interactions are taken into account, the core
      overlap is further increased. Our calculations indicate that the observed
      transition from type-II to type-I is largely due to simple volume effects and not
      to band alignment. 

PMID- 24215467
TI  - Enhanced activation of the left hemisphere promotes normative decision making.
AB  - Previous studies have reported that enhanced activation of the left cerebral
      hemisphere reduces risky-choice, attribute, and goal-framing effects relative to
      enhanced activation of the right cerebral hemisphere. The present study sought to
      extend these findings and show that enhanced activation of the left hemisphere
      also reduces violations of other normative principles, besides the invariance
      principle. Participants completed ratio bias (Experiment 1, N = 296) and base
      rate neglect problems (Experiment 2, N = 145) under normal (control) viewing or
      with the right or left hemisphere primarily activated by imposing a
      unidirectional gaze. In Experiment 1 we found that enhanced left hemispheric
      activation reduced the ratio bias relative to normal viewing and a group
      experiencing enhanced right hemispheric activation. In Experiment 2 enhanced left
      hemispheric activation resulted in using base rates more than normal viewing, but
      not significantly more than enhanced right hemispheric activation. Results
      suggest that hemispheric asymmetries can affect higher-order cognitive processes,
      such as decision-making biases. Possible theoretical accounts are discussed as
      well as implications for dual-process theories. 

PMID- 24215468
TI  - Attempt to improve the performance of pyrrole-containing dyes in dye sensitized
      solar cells by adjusting isolation groups.
AB  - Four new pyrrole-based organic sensitizers with different isolation groups were
      conveniently synthesized and applied to dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The
      introduction of isolation group in the side chain could both suppress the
      formation of dye aggregates and electron recombination. Especially, when two
      pieces of D-pi-A chromophore moieties shared one isolation group to construct the
      "H" type dye, the performance was further improved. Consequently, in the
      corresponding solar cell of LI-57, a short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) was
      tested to be 13.85 mA cm(-2), while 0.72 V for the open-circuit photovoltage
      (Voc), 0.64 for the fill factor (FF), and 6.43% for the overall conversion
      efficiency (eta), exceeding its analogue LI-55 (5.94%) with the same isolation
      group. The results demonstrated that both the size (bulk and shape) and the
      linkage mode between the D-pi-A chromophores and the isolation groups, could
      affect the performance of sensitizers in DSCs in a large degree, providing a new
      approach to optimize the chemical structure of dyes to achieve high conversion
      efficiencies. 

PMID- 24215469
TI  - Plasma copeptin levels are inversely associated with intima-media-thickness in
      men: the population-based KORA F4 study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated plasma preprovasopressin (copeptin) levels are associated
      with cardiovascular complications as well as with an increased risk for type 2
      diabetes (T2D). Here, we studied, whether plasma copeptin is related to carotid
      intima-media thickness (IMT), a measure of early atherosclerosis, and may thus be
      one explanation for the high cardiovascular risk in T2D. METHODS: Plasma
      concentrations of copeptin and IMT of the common carotid artery were determined
      in 1275 participants of the population-based KORA F4 study. We used linear
      regression models to investigate associations between copeptin levels and IMT.
      RESULTS: In the whole study group, copeptin levels were not significantly
      associated with IMT after adjustment for age and sex. Copeptin and IMT were
      significantly inversely associated after multivariable adjustment in the total
      cohort (beta = -0.020 mm, 95% CI: -0.037 mm; -0.003 mm), in men (beta = -0.035
      mm, 95% CI: -0.061 mm; -0.009 mm) and in study participants with prediabetes
      (beta = -0.041 mm, 95% CI: -0.078 mm; -0.005 mm) comparing quartile 4 vs quartile
      1. The negative association of copeptin and IMT in men was present after
      adjustment for age alone. In women and patients with T2D, copeptin was not
      significantly associated with IMT. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma copeptin was not
      associated with an increased IMT in our study cohort. In contrast, copeptin
      levels were related to a lower IMT in men and subjects with prediabetes,
      suggesting that elevated copeptin concentrations do not exert proatherogenic
      effects on carotid arteries.

PMID- 24215471
TI  - ZnO nanofertilizer and He Ne laser irradiation for promoting growth and yield of
      sweet basil plant.
AB  - This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of zinc nanofertilizer
      strategy on sweet basil yield, through alone application or combined with pre
      sowing laser irradiation. Furthermore, evaluate the growth of plant and the level
      of active essential oil constituents. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were
      synthesized, and transmission electron microscope revealed particle size of
      approximately 10.5-15.5 nm. ZnO NPs were applied to sweet basil plants by foliar
      spray at varying concentrations (10, 20 and 30 mg/L); He Ne laser of power 3mW
      was used for red light irradiation of sweet basil seeds for 2 min. exposure time.
      Total chlorophyll, total carbohydrate, essential oil levels, zinc content, plant
      height, branches/plant and fresh weight were measured. In general, the combined
      foliar spray application of ZnO nanofertilizer with pre-sowing He Ne laser
      irradiation showed more effectiveness than ZnO nanofertilizer alone and 20mg/L
      concentration gave the highest results of all measured traits. Statistical
      analysis (t-test) showed significant differences among the effects of the various
      concentrations of zinc oxide NPs on these attributes. The results showed an
      inverse relationship between the total carbohydrate content and the percentage of
      essential oil in the leaves. Together these findings support the usefulness and
      effectiveness of zinc oxide nanofertilizer and laser irradiation treatment to
      enhance the growth and yield of sweet basil plants. The article presents some
      promising patents on ZnO nanofertilizer and He Ne laser irradiation. 

PMID- 24215470
TI  - Survey of calcium supplementation to prevent preeclampsia: the gap between
      evidence and practice in Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and
      mortality worldwide and especially in Latin America. High quality evidence
      indicates that calcium supplementation during pregnancy significantly reduces the
      incidence of preeclampsia and its consequences, including severe maternal
      morbidity and death. Few studies have assessed the implementation of this
      intervention in clinical practice. The study aimed to assess the proportion of
      pregnant women who received calcium supplements in Brazilian public antenatal
      care clinics. METHODS: This cross-sectional study interviewed women waiting for
      antenatal care visits in 9 public clinics in 4 Brazilian cities in 2010-2012.
      Trained interviewers used a standardized anonymous questionnaire to collect socio
      demographic and obstetric data, information on ingestion of dairy products and on
      prescriptions received during current pregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 788 valid
      questionnaires were analyzed. Participants were young (mean age 25.9), mostly
      multiparous (71.3%) and in the 2nd or 3rd trimesters of pregnancy at the time of
      interview (87.6%). Only 5.1% (40/788) had received a prescription for calcium
      supplements. Based on their reported ingestion of dairy products, the mean daily
      dietary calcium intake of the participants was 210 (+ 265) mg/day and over 90%
      consumed less than 1 g of calcium/day. CONCLUSIONS: Despite good quality evidence
      indicating the benefits of this practice especially for women with low calcium
      diets, less than 6% of a sample of women receiving antenatal care in Brazilian
      public clinics received a prescription for calcium supplements. There is an
      urgent need to upscale the implementation of this life-saving intervention.

PMID- 24215472
TI  - The effect of 0.5% tropicamide/0.5% phenylephrine mixed eye drop in Chinese
      adults with myopia and its inter-eye difference in refractive outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of 0.5% tropicamide/0.5% phenylephrine mixed
      eye drop and make the inter-eye comparison of refractive outcomes in Chinese
      adults with myopia. METHODS: Refractive measurements were performed without
      cycloplegia and repeated 30 minutes later with 0.5% tropicamide/0.5%
      phenylephrine mixed eye drop (Mydrin-P*) on 341 myopic adults. Vector analysis
      was used to analyze the data. Changes of spherical equivalent (M) and astigmatism
      for both J0 and J45 components between these two refractions were calculated as
      Error_M, Error_J0 and Error_J45. Inter-eye correlations were studied. The inter
      eye difference after cycloplegics were described as Diff M, Diff J0 and Diff J45.
      The effect of anisometropia, age and the higher order aberrations (HOAs) on inter
      eye differences toward the cycloplegic agent were analyzed. RESULTS: Difference
      was found only for the Error_J45 component between the two eyes (p=0.0040).
      Pearson correlation coefficients between the two eyes for Error_M, Error_J0, and
      Error_J45 were 0.3140 (p<0.0001), 0.1464 (p=0.0068), and 0.0099 (p=0.8558),
      respectively. The inter-eye differences (Diff) in response to cycloplegic agent
      increased with the amount of anisometropia. The oldest group had the highest Diff
      M values. However, HOAs were found not to be related to the inter-eye
      differences. CONCLUSIONS: Accommodation was still relaxed by
      tropicamide/phenylephrine eye drops in myopic adults. The changes of refraction
      due to cycloplegia were not well correlated between the two eyes in myopic
      patients. Anisometropia and ocular dominance might be an important factor for the
      inter-eye difference.

PMID- 24215473
TI  - Combating multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections, especially those
      caused by Gram-negative pathogens, have emerged as one of the world's greatest
      health threats. The development of novel antibiotics to treat MDR Gram-negative
      bacteria has, however, stagnated over the last half century. AREAS COVERED: This
      review provides an overview of recent R&D activities in the search for novel
      antibiotics against MDR Gram-negatives. It provides emphasis in three key areas.
      First, the article looks at new analogs of existing antibiotic molecules such as
      beta-lactams, tetracyclines, and aminoglycoside as well as agents against novel
      bacterial targets such as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and peptide deformylase.
      Second, it also examines alternative strategies to conventional approaches
      including cationic antimicrobial peptides, siderophores, efflux pump inhibitors,
      therapeutic antibodies, and renewed interest in abandoned treatments or those
      with limited indications. Third, the authors aim to provide an update on the
      current clinical development status for each drug candidate. EXPERT OPINION: The
      traditional analog approach is insufficient to meet the formidable challenge
      brought forth by MDR superbugs. With the disappointing results of the genomics
      approach for delivering novel targets and drug candidates, alternative strategies
      to permeate the bacterial cell membrane, enhance influx, disrupt efflux, and
      target specific pathogens via therapeutic antibodies are attractive and
      promising. Coupled with incentivized business models, governmental policies, and
      a clarified regulatory pathway, it is hoped that the antibiotic pipeline will be
      filled with an effective armamentarium to safeguard global health.

PMID- 24215474
TI  - Relaxometry studies of a highly stable nanoscale metal-organic framework made of
      Cu(II), Gd(III), and the macrocyclic DOTP.
AB  - The macrocyclic ligand DOTP is used to assemble a porous, heterometallic metal
      organic framework (MOF). This MOF is miniaturizable down to the nanoscale to form
      stable colloids, is stable in physiological saline solution and cell culture
      media, and is not cytotoxic. It shows interesting relaxometric properties with r1
      at high field (500 MHz) of 5 mM(-1).s(-1) and a maximum r1 = 15 mM(-1).s(-1) at
      40 MHz, which remains constant over a wide pH range and increases with
      temperature. 

PMID- 24215475
TI  - Topical photodynamic therapy of actinic keratoses with 5-aminolevulinic acid:
      randomized controlled trial with six months follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an
      effective treatment for actinic keratosis (AK) with some transient adverse
      events. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and side
      effects of two different light doses when treating AKs with ALA-PDT on the
      face/scalp. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with two histologically confirmed AKs
      were enrolled in the within-patient comparison study. ALA-PDT was performed twice
      with two weeks interval for each AK. Patients were randomized to receive a light
      dose of 70 or 100 J/cm2 as their first split face/scalp treatment. Follow-up
      examinations were carried out at months 3 and 6. Efficacy end point included
      clinical/histological AK clearance rate. RESULTS: No significant difference in
      therapeutic efficacy and adverse events of ALA-PDT was found between the two
      light doses at both follow-up visits. At months 3 and 6 after PDT the RATE of
      complete remission were respectively 100% and 92.1% for 70 J/cm2, 92.1% and 84.2%
      for 100 J/cm2. The adverse events of the treatment were rosacea 5/76 (6.58%),
      hyperpigmentation 4/76 (5.26%), hypopigmentation 4/76 (5.26%), transient milia
      3/76 (3.95%). CONCLUSIONS: The topical ALA-PDT with the red light dose of 70
      J/cm2 is an effective treatment for mild and moderate AKs on the face/scalp with
      expected adverse events of pigmentation changes, rosacea and transient milia.

PMID- 24215476
TI  - Dentinogenesis imperfecta - hardness and Young's modulus of teeth.
AB  - Dentinogenesis imperfecta type II (DI-II) is the most common dental genetic
      disease with reported incidence 1 in 8000. Elasticity and hardness of the enamel
      of teeth are important values which are connected with their resistance to
      attrition. It is hypothesized that values of physical properties for healthy
      teeth and teeth with DI-II are different. The aim of the study was to investigate
      some physical properties of teeth extracted from patients with DI-II in
      comparison with normal teeth. The material of the study was six teeth: three
      lower molars, with clinical signs of DI-II, which were extracted due to
      complications of pulp inflammation and three other lower molars which were
      extracted for orthodontic reasons - well formed, without any signs of pathology.
      The surfaces of DI-II and normal teeth were tested on the CSM Instruments Scratch
      Tester machine (producer CSEM Switzerland) by Oliver and Pharr method. The
      indenter used was Vicker's VG-73 diamond indenter. Additionally, the Scanning
      Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of the surface of the teeth with DI-II was
      made. Vickers hardness of the teeth with dental pathology (DI-II) was seven times
      smaller, and Young's modulus six times smaller than those of healthy teeth. The
      parameters of hardness and elasticity of enamel of teeth with clinical diagnosis
      of DI-II were very much smaller than in normal teeth and because of that can be
      responsible for attrition. 

PMID- 24215477
TI  - Validation of conventional fluoroscopic and ECG criteria for right ventricular
      pacemaker lead position using cardiac computed tomography.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It is hypothesized that pacing the right ventricular (RV) septum is
      associated with less deleterious outcomes than RV apical pacing. Our aim was to
      validate fluoroscopic and electrocardiography (ECG) criteria for describing
      pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator RV "septal" lead position
      against the proposed gold standard: cardiac computed tomography (CT). METHODS:
      Using the conventional fluoroscopic criteria, we intended to place RV nonapical
      leads on the interventricular septum. Lead positions were later retrospectively
      analyzed with CT and correlated with ECGs and fluoroscopic projections: posterior
      anterior, 40 degrees  left anterior oblique (LAO), 40 degrees  right anterior
      oblique (RAO), and left lateral. RESULTS: Only 21% (nine of 35) of presumed
      "septal" RV nonapical leads using the conventional fluoroscopic criteria were on
      the true septum. A schema developed to define septal position in the RAO
      fluoroscopic view had high agreement with CT images. ECG criteria had only fair
      to moderate agreement with CT. The paced QRS duration was significantly longer (P
      < 0.001) with RV apical pacing (176 +/- 10.7 ms), compared to RV nonapical pacing
      (144.5 +/- 14.3 ms). CONCLUSION: Using the conventional fluoroscopic criteria,
      only a minority of RV leads were implanted on the true RV septum. Instead, aiming
      for the middle of the cardiac silhouette in the RAO fluoroscopic view, confirming
      rightward orientation in the LAO view, and having a paced QRS duration <140 ms
      may allow the implanting cardiologist a simple, more accurate method to achieve
      true RV septal lead positioning.

PMID- 24215478
TI  - Self-assembly and bilayer-micelle transition of fatty acids studied by replica
      exchange constant pH molecular dynamics.
AB  - Recent interest in the development of surfactant-based nanodelivery systems
      targeting tumor sites has sparked our curiosity in understanding the detailed
      mechanism of the self-assembly and phase transitions of pH-sensitive surfactants.
      Toward this goal, we applied a state-of-the-art simulation technique, continuous
      constant pH molecular dynamics (CpHMD) with the hybrid-solvent scheme and pH
      based replica-exchange protocol, to study the de novo self-assembly of 30 and 40
      lauric acids, a simple model titratable surfactant. We observed the formation of
      a gel-state bilayer at low and intermediate pH and a spherical micelle at high
      pH, with the phase transition starting at 20-30% ionization and being completed
      at 50%. The degree of cooperativity for the transition increases from the 30-mer
      to the 40-mer. The calculated apparent or bulk pKa value is 7.0 for the 30-mer
      and 7.5 for the 40-mer. Congruent with experiment, these data demonstrate that
      CpHMD is capable of accurately modeling large conformational transitions of
      surfactant systems while allowing the simultaneous proton titration of
      constituent molecules. We suggest that CpHMD simulations may become a useful tool
      in aiding in the design and development of pH-sensitive nanocarriers for a
      variety of biomedical and technological applications. 

PMID- 24215479
TI  - High incidence of post-transplant cytomegalovirus reactivations in myeloma
      patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation after treatment with
      bortezomib-based regimens: a survey from the Rome transplant network.
AB  - The incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivations in patients with multiple
      myeloma (MM) receiving autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is relatively
      low. However, the recent increased use of novel agents, such as bortezomib and/or
      immunomodulators, before transplant, has led to an increasing incidence of
      Herpesviridae family virus infections. The aim of the study was to establish the
      incidence of post-engraftment symptomatic CMV reactivations in MM patients
      receiving ASCT, and to compare this incidence with that of patients treated with
      novel agents or with conventional chemotherapy before transplant. The study was a
      survey of 80 consecutive patients who underwent ASCT after treatment with novel
      agents (Group A). These patients were compared with a cohort of 89 patients
      treated with VAD regimen (vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone) before
      ASCT (Group B). Overall, 7 patients (4.1%) received an antiviral treatment for a
      symptomatic CMV reactivation and 1 died. The incidence of CMV reactivations was
      significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (7.5% vs. 1.1%; P = 0.048). When
      compared with Group B, the CMV reactivations observed in Group A were
      significantly more frequent in patients who received bortezomib, whether or not
      associated with immunomodulators (9.4% vs. 1.1%; P = 0.019), but not in those
      treated with immunomodulators only (3.7% vs. 1.1%; P = 0.396). These results
      suggest that MM patients treated with bortezomib-based regimens are at higher
      risk of developing a symptomatic CMV reactivation after ASCT.

PMID- 24215481
TI  - Occupations, habits, and routines: perspectives from persons with diabetes.
AB  - CONTEXT: Almost all of the management of diabetes is the direct responsibility of
      the person with diabetes. While many studies have attempted to examine issues of
      management of diabetes and compliance with medical recommendations, little has
      been done to examine daily diabetic care from an occupational perspective. The
      purpose of this research was to examine and describe how persons with diabetes
      perceive the occupations related to the management of their diabetes. METHODS: A
      qualitative methods approach was used including photo elicitation and interviews.
      A team of student researchers recruited participants for a sample of convenience.
      RESULTS: The following themes emerged from qualitative cross-case analysis:
      "Changes over time"; "What to eat"; "Habits and routines"; and "Family:
      Occupational impacts". DISCUSSION: Findings highlight the importance of
      considering the individual experience of diabetes self-management occupations and
      the need to develop habits and routines to support management of diabetes.
      Further research is needed to expand our understanding of how daily routines and
      habits can affect health in persons with diabetes.

PMID- 24215480
TI  - Hydrogen exchange-mass spectrometry measures stapled peptide conformational
      dynamics and predicts pharmacokinetic properties.
AB  - Peptide drugs have traditionally suffered from poor pharmacokinetic properties
      due to their conformational flexibility and the interaction of proteases with
      backbone amide bonds. "Stapled Peptides" are cyclized using an all-hydrocarbon
      cross-linking strategy to reinforce their alpha-helical conformation, yielding
      improved protease resistance and drug-like properties. Here we demonstrate that
      hydrogen exchange-mass spectrometry (HX-MS) effectively probes the conformational
      dynamics of Stapled Peptides derived from the survivin-borealin protein-protein
      interface and predicts their susceptibility to proteolytic degradation. In
      Stapled Peptides, amide exchange was reduced by over five orders-of-magnitude
      versus the native peptide sequence depending on staple placement. Furthermore,
      deuteration kinetics correlated directly with rates of proteolysis to reveal the
      optimal staple placement for improved drug properties. 

PMID- 24215483
TI  - Evaluation of ocular surface temperature in patients with pterygium.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate ocular surface temperature in eyes with pterygium and dry
      eye disease. METHODS: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients with pterygium (group 1), 18
      eyes of 18 patients diagnosed with dry eye disease (group 2), and 22 eyes of 22
      healthy subjects with no signs of dry eye (group 3), were included in this
      prospective study. Schirmer's test I and II, and tear film break up time (BUT)
      were evaluated. Infrared thermal imaging (Tomey TG 1000, Tomey Corp, Nagoya,
      Japan) was used to study the temperature of the ocular surface. All measurements
      were performed by one examiner only. RESULTS: No significant difference in
      temperature course over ten seconds of eye opening was present between groups 1
      and 2 (p=0.551). However, a significant difference was present between groups 1
      and 3 (p=0.001) and between groups 2 and 3 (p=0.003). Comparing group 1 and group
      2, statistically significant differences in Schirmer's test I (p<0.001) and II
      (p<0.001) and BUT (p=0.04) were present. There were also significant differences
      in Schirmer's test I (p<0.001) and II (p<0.001) and BUT (p<0.001) between group 2
      and group 3. No significant difference in Schirmer's test I (p=0.785) and II
      (p=0.871) was present between group 1 and group 3. However, a statistically
      significant difference in BUT was noted (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: During sustained
      eye opening, a significant decrease in corneal surface temperature occurred in
      eyes with pterygium and dry eye disease. Thermography, in addition to other
      investigations, might be used to objectively identify dry eye symptoms in
      patients with pterygium. In addition to cosmetic appearance, increasing
      astigmatism, and expanding growth towards the center of the cornea, this new
      supplementary data may help to determine the proper time for intervention.

PMID- 24215482
TI  - Hydrogel-forming and dissolving microneedles for enhanced delivery of
      photosensitizers and precursors.
AB  - We present "one-step application" dissolving and hydrogel-forming microneedle
      arrays (MN) for enhanced delivery of photosensitizers/precursors. MN (280 MUm)
      prepared from 20% w/w poly(methylvinylether/maelic acid) and cross-linked with
      glycerol by esterification to form hydrogels upon skin insertion, or allowed to
      dissolve rapidly in skin, were combined with patches containing 19 mg cm(-2) of 5
      aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or meso-tetra (N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphine tetra
      tosylate (TMP) for drug delivery. Both MN types were mechanically robust, with
      compression forces of 20.0 N only causing height reductions of 14%. Application
      forces as low as 8.0 N per array allowed >95% of the MN in each array type to
      penetrate excised porcine skin, with the MN penetrating to approximately 220 MUm.
      MN significantly enhanced transdermal delivery of ALA and TMP in vitro, with the
      hydrogel-forming system comparable with the dissolving system for ALA delivery
      (approximately 3000 nmol cm(-2) over 6 h), but superior for delivery of the much
      larger TMP molecule (approximately 14 nmol cm(-2) over 24 h, compared to 0.15
      nmol cm(-2)). As this technology clearly has potential in enhanced photodynamic
      therapy of neoplastic skin lesions, we are currently planning animal studies, to
      be followed by preliminary human evaluations. GMP manufacturing scale-up is
      ongoing.

PMID- 24215484
TI  - Broadband optical modulators based on graphene supercapacitors.
AB  - Optical modulators are commonly used in communication and information technology
      to control intensity, phase, or polarization of light. Electro-optic,
      electroabsorption, and acousto-optic modulators based on semiconductors and
      compound semiconductors have been used to control the intensity of light. Because
      of gate tunable optical properties, graphene introduces new potentials for
      optical modulators. The operation wavelength of graphene-based modulators,
      however, is limited to infrared wavelengths due to inefficient gating schemes.
      Here, we report a broadband optical modulator based on graphene supercapacitors
      formed by graphene electrodes and electrolyte medium. The transparent
      supercapacitor structure allows us to modulate optical transmission over a broad
      range of wavelengths from 450 nm to 2 MUm under ambient conditions. We also
      provide various device geometries including multilayer graphene electrodes and
      reflection type device geometries that provide modulation of 35%. The graphene
      supercapacitor structure together with the high-modulation efficiency can enable
      various active devices ranging from plasmonics to optoelectronics.

PMID- 24215485
TI  - A simplified combination antiretroviral therapy regimen enhances adherence,
      treatment satisfaction and quality of life: results of a randomized clinical
      trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a simplified
      regimen, in terms of reducing pill burden, dietary requirements and possible
      adverse effects, on patients' adherence, treatment satisfaction and quality of
      life (QoL). METHODS: Antiretroviral-naive patients who achieved a viral load < 50
      HIV-1 RNA copies/ml after induction therapy with twice-daily (bid)
      lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and fixed-dose zidovudine (ZDV)/lamivudine (3TC)
      (CBV) were randomly assigned to continue CBV/LPV/r or switch to fixed-dose
      ZDV/3TC/abacavir (TZV). Patients completed standardized questionnaires on
      adherence, treatment satisfaction and QoL at randomization (between weeks 12 and
      24) and at weeks 48, 72 and 96. RESULTS: Patients on CBV/LPV/r were more likely
      to have skipped medicines in the last week (P = 0.035) and during the preceding
      weekend (P = 0.027) than patients on TZV. Patients on CBV/LPV/r were
      significantly less satisfied with the convenience of their treatment (P = 0.004)
      and tended to be less satisfied with the side effects of their treatment (P =
      0.091) and continuation of their present treatment (P = 0.056) than patients on
      TZV. Patients on CBV/LPV/r reported significantly lower levels of role
      functioning (P = 0.013) than patients on TZV. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized
      controlled trial, simplification of therapy to fixed-dose TZV among patients with
      suppressed HIV RNA was perceived to be more convenient, and resulted in improved
      adherence and better role functioning, than continuing treatment with CBV/LPV/r.

PMID- 24215486
TI  - Suppression of allergic reactions in ovalbumin-sensitized mice by yam storage
      proteins dioscorins.
AB  - To study the biomedical functions of dioscorins isolated from various species of
      Dioscorea , we investigated their antiallergic potential using an OVA-induced
      allergy mouse model. All the dioscorins suppressed allergic reactions by
      decreasing the serum IgE and histamine levels. The serum IFN-gamma and IgG2a
      levels increased in all the dioscorin-treated mice. The spleen cells from the
      dioscorin-treated mice also exhibited an up-regulation of IFN-gamma secretion in
      response to ConA stimulation. Although dioscorins did not affect the IgG1 levels,
      the IL-5 levels decreased to basal levels in mice treated with dioscorins of D.
      alata or D. japonica and in most of the lymphoid cells of the dioscorin-treated
      mice in response to ConA stimulation. The decrease of IgE and histamine levels
      was concomitant with an increase in IFN-gamma and IgG2a levels and with a
      decrease in IL-5 levels, suggesting that dioscorins suppressed the OVA-induced
      allergic reactions, possibly through modulating an imbalanced Th1/Th2 immune
      response. 

PMID- 24215487
TI  - Human herpesvirus-6A gQ1 and gQ2 are critical for human CD46 usage.
AB  - Based on genetic and antigenic differences and on their cell tropism, human
      herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) has been classified into two variants, HHV-6A and HHV-6B.
      Recently, these variants were re-classified as two different species. The HHV-6A
      glycoprotein complex, gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 binds to its cellular receptor, CD46;
      however, the corresponding complex in HHV-6B rarely binds to CD46. To determine
      which viral molecules in the glycoprotein complex determine HHV-6A-CD46 binding,
      each molecule of the HHV-6A complex (i.e., gH, gL, gQ1, or gQ2) was replaced with
      the corresponding HHV-6B molecule, and the ability of the replaced protein to be
      incorporated into the complex and the ability of the complex to bind CD46 were
      examined. It was found that when all four glycoproteins were expressed, they were
      able to form a tetrameric complex. However, a complex formed by HHV-6A
      gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 complexes replaced with HHV-6B gQ1 or gQ2 scarcely bind CD46,
      whereas HHV-6A complexes in which gH or gL was replaced with the HHV-6B molecules
      did bind it. These results indicate that HHV-6A gQ1 and gQ2 play an important
      role in CD46 binding. 

PMID- 24215488
TI  - Osteopontin is a prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In a previously published report we characterized the expression of
      the metastasis-associated proteins S100A4, osteopontin (OPN) and ephrin-A1 in a
      prospectively collected panel of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors. The
      aim of the present follow-up study was to investigate the prognostic impact of
      these potential biomarkers in the same patient cohort. In addition, circulating
      serum levels of OPN were measured and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in
      the -443 position of the OPN promoter were analyzed. METHODS: Associations
      between immunohistochemical expression of S100A4, OPN and ephrin-A1 and relapse
      free and overall survival were examined using univariate and multivariate
      analyses. Serum OPN was measured by ELISA, polymorphisms in the -443 position of
      the tumor OPN promoter were analyzed by PCR, and associations between OPN levels
      and promoter polymorphisms and clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome
      were investigated. RESULTS: High expression of OPN in NSCLC tumors was associated
      with poor patient outcome, and OPN was a strong, independent prognostic factor
      for both relapse free and overall survival. Serum OPN levels increased according
      to tumor pT classification and tumor size, and patients with OPN-expressing
      tumors had higher serum levels than patients with OPN-negative tumors. S100A4 was
      a negative prognostic factor in several subgroups of adenocarcinoma patients, but
      not in the overall patient cohort. There was no association between ephrin-A1
      expression and patient outcome. CONCLUSIONS: OPN is a promising prognostic
      biomarker in NSCLC, and should be further explored in the selection of patients
      for adjuvant treatment following surgical resection.

PMID- 24215489
TI  - Two new 20alpha(H)-ursane-type triterpenoids from Ilex cornuta and their
      cytotoxic activities.
AB  - Two new 20alpha-ursane-type triterpenoids (1-2) were isolated from the roots of
      Ilex cornuta, along with three known triterpenoids (3-5). The structures of
      compounds 1-2 were determined as 3beta, 23-dihydroxy-20alpha(H)-urs-12-en-28-oic
      acid (1), 3beta,19alpha,23-trihydroxy-20alpha(H)-urs-12-en-28-oic acid 3beta-O
      alpha-l-arabinopyranoside (2), on the basis of hydrolysis and spectral evidence,
      including 1D- and 2D-NMR and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry analyses. These pure isolates (1-5) were tested for their cytotoxic
      activities by MTT assay. 

PMID- 24215490
TI  - Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH): two cases successfully treated with
      adalimumab.
AB  - Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH), also known as dermatitis repens or
      acrodermatitis perstans, is a rare acropustular eruption, characterized by
      sterile pustules, paronychia and atrophic skin changes, onychodystrophy and
      osteolysis of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes. While some consider
      ACH a distinct entity, many believe it to be a variant of pustular psoriasis,
      especially as cases of ACH progressing to generalized pustular psoriasis. The
      treatment options used are various; however, its typical cyclic recurrences,
      which induce important physical and psychological morbidity, may render this
      pathology difficult to treat. Hence, it was considered important to review the
      evolution of treatment options available thus far including use of biologics.
      Hereby, we report two patients with ACH who were successfully treated with
      adalimumab. By analogy to the efficacy of TNF-alpha antagonists in the treatment
      of generalized pustular psoriasis, the two patients we report illustrate the long
      term efficacy and safety of adalimumab in the treatment of  Hallopeau's
      acrodermatitis refractory to therapies.

PMID- 24215491
TI  - Identification of Swedish mosquitoes based on molecular barcoding of the COI gene
      and SNP analysis.
AB  - Mosquito-borne infectious diseases are emerging in many regions of the world.
      Consequently, surveillance of mosquitoes and concomitant infectious agents is of
      great importance for prediction and prevention of mosquito-borne infectious
      diseases. Currently, morphological identification of mosquitoes is the
      traditional procedure. However, sequencing of specified genes or standard genomic
      regions, DNA barcoding, has recently been suggested as a global standard for
      identification and classification of many different species. Our aim was to
      develop a genetic method to identify mosquitoes and to study their relationship.
      Mosquitoes were captured at collection sites in northern Sweden and identified
      morphologically before the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of
      14 of the most common mosquito species were determined. The sequences obtained
      were then used for phylogenetic placement, for validation and benchmarking of
      phenetic classifications and finally to develop a hierarchical PCR-based typing
      scheme based on single nucleotide polymorphism sites (SNPs) to enable rapid
      genetic identification, circumventing the need for morphological
      characterization. The results showed that exact phylogenetic relationships
      between mosquito taxa were preserved at shorter evolutionary distances, but at
      deeper levels, they could not be inferred with confidence using COI gene sequence
      data alone. Fourteen of the most common mosquito species in Sweden were
      identified by the SNP/PCR-based typing scheme, demonstrating that genetic typing
      using SNPs of the COI gene is a useful method for identification of mosquitoes
      with potential for worldwide application. 

PMID- 24215492
TI  - Osmolyte effects on the self-association of concanavalin A: testing theoretical
      models.
AB  - The formation and stability of protein-protein interfaces are of obvious
      biological importance. While a large body of literature exists describing the
      effect of osmolytes on protein folding, very few studies address the effect of
      osmolytes on protein association and binding. The plant lectin concanavalin A
      (ConA), which undergoes a reversible tetramer-to-dimer equilibrium as a function
      of pH, was used as a model system to investigate the influence of nine osmolytes
      on protein self-association. The stabilizing or destabilizing impacts of the
      osmolytes were evaluated from pH titrations combined with circular dichroism
      spectroscopy. Relative to the dimer, trimethylamine N-oxide, betaine, proline,
      sarcosine, sorbitol, sucrose, and trehalose all stabilized the ConA tetramer to
      varying extents. Glycerol had a negligible effect, and urea destabilized the
      tetramer. From multiple titrations in different osmolyte concentrations, an m
      value (a thermodynamic parameter describing the change in the association free
      energy per molar of osmolyte) was determined for each osmolyte. Experimental m
      values were compared with those calculated using two theoretical models. The
      Tanford transfer model, with transfer free energies determined by Bolen and co
      workers, failed to accurately predict the m-values in most cases. A model
      developed by Record and co-workers, currently applicable only to urea, betaine,
      and proline, more accurately predicted our experimental m-values, but significant
      discrepancies remained. Further theoretical work is needed to develop a
      thermodynamic model to predict the effect of osmolytes on protein-protein
      interfaces, and further experimental work is needed to determine if there is a
      general stabilization by osmolytes of such interfaces. 

PMID- 24215493
TI  - Reversible actuation of polyelectrolyte films: expansion-induced mechanical force
      enables cis-trans isomerization of azobenzenes.
AB  - Fabrication of light-driven actuators that can prolong their deformation without
      constant irradiation poses a challenge. This study shows the preparation of
      polymeric actuators that are capable of reversible bending/unbending movements
      and prolonging their bending deformation without UV irradiation by releasing
      thermally cross-linked azobenzene-containing polyelectrolyte films with a limited
      free volume from substrates. Layer-by-layer assembly of poly{1-4[4-(3-carboxy-4
      hydroxyphenylazo)benzenesulfonamido]-1,2-ethanediyl sodium salt} (PAZO)
      poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) complexes (noted as PAZO-PAA) with poly(allylamine
      hydrochloride) (PAH) produces azobenzene-containing PAZO-PAA/PAH films. UV
      irradiation induces trans-cis isomerization of azobenzenes and allows large-scale
      bending deformation of the actuators. The actuators prolong the bending
      deformation even under visible light irradiation because the cis-trans back
      isomerization of azobenzenes is inhibited by the limited free volume in the
      actuators. Unbending of actuators is attained by exposing the actuators to a
      humid environment at room temperature. Film expansion in a humid environment
      produces a mechanical force that is sufficiently strong to enable the cis-trans
      back isomerization of azobenzenes and restore the bent actuators to their
      original configuration. The capability of the force produced by film expansion
      for cis-trans azobenzene isomerization can be helpful for designing novel
      polymeric actuators. 

PMID- 24215494
TI  - Detection and quantification of montmorillonite nanoclay in water-ethanol
      solutions by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.
AB  - Organo-modified montmorillonite (O-MMT) was detected in various water-ethanol
      solutions by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, based on the
      simultaneous elemental analysis of silicon (Si) and aluminium (Al). The
      quantification limits of the method were 0.03 mg L-1 for Si and 0.01 mg L-1 for
      Al, but can be improved to 8 MUg L-1 for Si and 3 MUg L-1 by using the
      concentration function of the instrument. A stability test of O-MMT in suspension
      was conducted by considering the solvent type (i.e., water and/or ethanol) and a
      surfactant. A good dispersion of O-MMT was achieved in suspensions with water and
      ethanol at 1:2 (v/v) or with pure ethanol, while the addition of a surfactant
      improved the dispersion of O-MMT in water. The Si and Al concentrations in the
      suspensions were correlated with O-MMT concentrations. The Si and Al contents in
      the O-MMT were determined by using graphite furnace atomic absorption
      spectrometry to be 22% +/- 1.1% and 9.3% +/- 0.5% wt/wt, respectively, which was
      in agreement with values obtained by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry method
      performed in this study.

PMID- 24215495
TI  - Risk factors for conversion from unipolar psychotic depression to bipolar
      disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Patients with unipolar psychotic depression (PD) are at high risk of
      developing bipolar disorder (BD). This conversion has important implications for
      the choice of treatment. This study, therefore, aimed to identify risk factors
      associated with diagnostic conversion from PD to BD. METHODS: We conducted a
      population-based, historical prospective cohort study by merging data from Danish
      registers. Patients assigned an ICD-10 diagnosis of PD between 1 January 1995 and
      31 December 2007 were identified in the Danish Central Psychiatric Research
      Register and were followed until the development of BD, death, loss to follow-up,
      or 31 December 2007. Potential risk factors for conversion to BD, also defined
      through various Danish registers, were tested in multiple logistic regression
      analyses with risk expressed as adjusted odds ratios (AOR). RESULTS: We
      identified 8,588 patients with PD, of whom 609 (7.1%) developed BD during follow
      up. The following characteristics were significantly associated with diagnostic
      conversion from PD to BD: early onset of PD [AOR = 0.99 (per year of increasing
      age), p = 0.044], recurrent depression [AOR = 1.02 (per episode), p = 0.036],
      living alone (AOR = 1.29, p = 0.007), receiving a disability pension (AOR = 1.55,
      p < 0.001), and the highest educational level being a technical education (AOR =
      1.55, p < 0.001), short-cycle higher education (AOR = 2.65, p < 0.001), or medium
      cycle higher education (AOR = 1.75, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic
      conversion to BD was prevalent among patients with PD. The following
      characteristics were significantly associated with this conversion: early onset
      of PD, recurrent depression, living alone, receiving a disability pension, and
      the highest educational level being a technical education, short-cycle higher
      education, or medium-cycle higher education.

PMID- 24215496
TI  - Enhancing the performance of solution-processed bulk-heterojunction solar cells
      using hydrogen-bonding-induced self-organization of small molecules.
AB  - Small-molecule solar-cell performance is highly sensitive to the crystallinity
      and intermolecular connectivity of the molecules. In order to enhance the
      crystallinity for the solution-processed small molecule, it is possible to make
      use of carboxylic acid end-functional groups to drive hydrogen-bonding-induced pi
      pi stacking of conjugated molecules. Herein, we report the synthesis and
      characterization of quarterthiophenes with carboxylic acid as end groups. The
      formation of hydrogen bonds between neighboring acid groups gives rise to a
      pseudo-polymeric structure in the molecules, which leads to substantial
      improvement in the organization and crystallinity of the active layers. This
      resulted in a four-fold increase in the hole mobility and a two-fold improvement
      in the performance of the solar cell device for the acid-functionalized molecule,
      compared to its ester analogue. More importantly, optimal device performance for
      the acid-functionalized molecule was achieved for the as-cast film, thereby
      reducing the reliance on thermal annealing and solvent additives. 

PMID- 24215497
TI  - Appearance concerns and psychosocial adjustment following head and neck cancer: A
      cross-sectional study and nine-month follow-up.
AB  - Psychosocial difficulties have been reported in head and neck cancer (HNC)
      patients, yet only few studies have assessed the impact of altered appearance
      following HNC treatment using theoretically selected measures of appearance
      related distress. This study investigated appearance-related adjustment following
      HNC, and demographic and socio-cognitive predictors of adjustment. HNC patients
      (n=49) completed baseline questionnaires and a nine-month postal follow-up
      (n=20). Participants showed considerable variation in appearance-related
      adjustment, with females reporting higher levels of appearance-related distress
      (derriford appearance scale [DAS-24]) than females in the general population and
      male HNC survivors. Depression scores on the hospital anxiety and depression
      scale were higher than UK norms whilst anxiety was similar to UK norms. There
      were no significant differences between baseline and follow-up data. Fear of
      negative evaluation (a central feature of social anxiety) was a significant
      predictor of appearance-related adjustment at baseline, whilst dispositional
      optimism was a significant predictor of appearance-related adjustment at baseline
      and follow-up. Qualitative responses showed themes of appearance and disability,
      and coping strategies. Findings suggest that appearance-related adjustment post
      HNC varies considerably and psychosocial services working with HNC patients
      should consider this broad pattern of response. Future research to examine the
      role of socio-cognitive predictors of appearance-related adjustment could
      progress development of effective psychological interventions.

PMID- 24215498
TI  - Infection with Haemoproteus iwa affects vector movement in a hippoboscid fly-
      frigatebird system.
AB  - Haemosporidian parasites, which require both a vertebrate and invertebrate host,
      are most commonly studied in the life stages occurring in the vertebrate.
      However, aspects of the vector's behaviour and biology can have profound effects
      on parasite dynamics. We explored the effects of a haemosporidian parasite,
      Haemoproteus iwa, on a hippoboscid fly vector, Olfersia spinifera. Olfersia
      spinifera is an obligate ectoparasite of the great frigatebird, Fregata minor,
      living among bird feathers for all of its adult life. This study examined the
      movements of O. spinifera between great frigatebird hosts. Movement, or host
      switching, was inferred by identifying host (frigatebird) microsatellite
      genotypes from fly bloodmeals that did not match the host from which the fly was
      collected. Such host switches were analysed using a logistic regression model,
      and the best-fit model included the H. iwa infection status of the fly and the
      bird host sex. Uninfected flies were more likely to have a bird genotype in their
      bloodmeal that was different from their current host's genotype (i.e. to have
      switched hosts) than infected flies. Flies collected from female birds were more
      likely to have switched hosts than those collected on males. Reduced movement of
      infected flies suggests that there may be a cost of parasitism for the fly. The
      effect of host sex is probably driven by differences in the sex ratio of bird
      hosts available to moving flies. 

PMID- 24215499
TI  - Determination of optimal cyclic uniaxial stretches for stem cell-to-tenocyte
      differentiation under a wide range of mechanical stretch conditions by evaluating
      gene expression and protein synthesis levels.
AB  - We examined optimal cyclic uniaxial stretches for stem cell-to-tenocyte
      differentiation by applying a wide range of cyclic mechanical stimuli. Human bone
      marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were subjected to three types of cyclic
      elongation of 5%, 10%, or 15% at a cyclic frequency of 1 Hz for 24 h or 48 h, and
      differentiation into tenocytes was assessed by two methods: real-time polymerase
      chain reaction determination of gene expression levels and western blotting
      analysis of protein expression levels. The gene expression levels of the
      differentiation markers type I collagen (Col I), type III collagen (Col III),
      tenascin-C (Tnc), and scleraxis (Scx), all of which are constituents of tendon
      tissue, were increased when cells were exposed to 10% stretching stimulation. The
      levels of Col I and Tnc protein synthesis levels were also higher in the cells
      with 10% stretching stimulation than in those subjected to other stimuli. The
      results indicated that 10% stretching stimulus was efficient to induce the
      differentiation of hBMSCs into tenocytes. In addition, the changes in gene and
      protein expression levels were strongly correlated with cell orientation angle.
      The results presented here suggest that mesenchymal stem cell-to-tenocyte
      differentiation is strongly associated with cumulative elongation load on the
      cells. This work provides novel insights into the differentiation of tenogenesis
      in a strain-induced environment and supports the therapeutic potential of hBMSCs.

PMID- 24215500
TI  - Absence of Ce3+ sites in chemically active colloidal ceria nanoparticles.
AB  - The catalytic performance of ceria nanoparticles is generally attributed to
      active sites on the particle surface. The creation of oxygen vacancies and thus
      nonstoichiometric CeO(2-delta) has been proposed to result in Ce(3+) sites with
      unpaired f electrons which can be oxidized to spinless Ce(4+) ions during
      catalytic reactions. We monitored the Ce electronic structure during the
      synthesis and catalase mimetic reaction of colloidal ceria nanoparticles under in
      situ conditions. By means of high-energy resolution hard X-ray spectroscopy, we
      directly probed the Ce 4f and 5d orbitals. We observe pronounced changes of the
      Ce 5d bands upon reduction of the particle size and during the catalytic
      reaction. The Ce 4f orbitals, however, remain unchanged, and we do not observe
      any significant number of spin-unpaired Ce(3+) sites even for catalytically
      active small (3 nm) particles with large surface to bulk ratio. This confirms
      strong orbital mixing between Ce and O, and the Ce spin state is conserved during
      the reaction. The particles show an increase of the interatomic distances between
      Ce and O during the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The redox
      partner is therefore not a local Ce(3+) site, but the electron density that is
      received and released during the catalytic reaction is delocalized over the atoms
      of the nanoparticle. This invokes the picture of an electron sponge.

PMID- 24215501
TI  - An approach to facilitate healthcare professionals' readiness to support
      technology use in everyday life for persons with dementia.
AB  - Everyday technologies (ETs) like microwave ovens and automatic telephone services
      as well as assistive technologies (ATs) are often used in the performance of
      everyday activities. As a consequence, the ability to manage technology is
      important. This pilot study aimed to clarify the applicability of a model for
      knowledge translation to support healthcare professionals, to support technology
      use among older adults with dementia and their significant others. An additional
      aim was to explore the process of translating the model into practice. The
      applicability of the model (comprising a one-day course, including introduction
      and provision of tools, followed by interviews during and after a period of
      practice) was clarified for 11 healthcare professionals using a constant
      comparative approach. The content of the model gave the participants an eye
      opening experience of technology use among persons with dementia. They also
      described how they had incorporated the model as a new way of thinking which
      supported and inspired new investigations and collaborations with colleagues and
      significant others. This study provided an applicable model of how research
      knowledge about technology use can be translated into clinical practice and be
      used by healthcare professionals to support the use of technology for persons
      with dementia.

PMID- 24215502
TI  - Assessment of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced cardiotoxicity.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including selective
      cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (coxibs) and traditional NSAIDs (tNSAIDs), have been
      widely used for the treatment of pain and rheumatic disease. The use of NSAIDs
      has been linked to increased cardiovascular toxicity in both healthy individuals
      and patients with established cardiovascular disease. Various recently published
      studies have raised concerns about the cardiovascular safety of NSAIDs; this
      review is focused on the cardiotoxic effects of NSAIDs. AREAS COVERED: This
      review focuses on arthritis trials, placebo-controlled trials, meta-analyses,
      preclinical and observational studies associated with the use of NSAIDs-induced
      cardiotoxicity. It analyses the data given in these studies and discusses the
      cardiotoxic risk of NSAIDs. EXPERT OPINION: Analysis of various clinical,
      preclinical, meta-analysis and observational studies showed that coxibs and
      tNSAIDs increase the risk of cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxic risk depends on dose,
      duration and frequency of NSAID administration. Most studies were based on large
      medical databases with miscellaneous populations and pointed to an increase risk
      of cardiotoxicity under NSAID medication. The cardiotoxicity associated with use
      of NSAIDs might be due to inhibition of prostacyclin synthesis, oxidative stress,
      increase in blood pressure and impaired endothelial function.

PMID- 24215503
TI  - Leaf cuticular lipids on the Shandong and Yukon ecotypes of saltwater cress,
      Eutrema salsugineum, and their response to water deficiency and impact on cuticle
      permeability.
AB  - The impact of water-deficit stress on leaf cuticular waxes and cutin monomers,
      and traits associated with cuticle permeability were examined in Shandong and
      Yukon ecotypes of Eutrema salsugineum (syn. Thellungiella salsuginea). Although
      Shandong exhibits glaucous leaves, and Yukon is non-glaucous, wax amounts on non
      stressed Yukon leaves were 4.6-fold higher than on Shandong, due mainly to
      Yukon's eightfold higher wax fatty acids, especially the C22 and C24 acid
      homologues. Water deficit caused a 26.9% increase in total waxes on Shandong
      leaves, due mainly to increased C22 and C24 acids; and caused 10.2% more wax on
      Yukon, due mainly to an increase in wax alkanes. Total cutin monomers on non
      stressed leaves of Yukon were 58.3% higher than on Shandong. Water deficit caused
      a 28.2% increase in total cutin monomers on Shandong, whereas total cutin
      monomers were not induced on Yukon. With or without stress, more abundant cuticle
      lipids were generally associated with lower water loss rates, lower chlorophyll
      efflux rates and an extended time before water deficit-induced wilting. In
      response to water deficit, Shandong showed elevated transcription of genes
      encoding elongase subunits, consistent with the higher stress induction of acids
      by Shandong. Yukon's higher induction of CER1 and CER3 transcripts may explain
      why alkanes increased most on Yukon after water deficit. Eutrema, with its
      diverse cuticle lipids and responsiveness, provides a valuable genetic resource
      for identifying new genes and alleles effecting cuticle metabolism, and lays
      groundwork for studies of the cuticle's role in extreme stress tolerance. 

PMID- 24215504
TI  - Effects of three commonly used anesthetics on intraocular pressure in mouse.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of three commonly used general anesthetics on
      intraocular pressure (IOP) in mouse. METHODS: Fifteen 2-3-month-old C57BL/6J mice
      were randomly divided into three groups (each group, n=5). A non-invasive TonoLab
      tonometer (Icare LAB, Icare Finland Oy, Espoo, Finland) was used to measure IOP
      at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 min after mice were anesthetized, respectively, by
      intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital (150 mg/kg), chloral hydrate
      (500 mg/kg) and a mixture of ketamine and xylazine (75 mg/kg and 13.6 mg/kg). IOP
      were obtained in the daytime and nighttime. Anterior segment was photographed and
      palpebral fissure height was measured offline. RESULTS: Immediately after
      anesthesia, the averaged IOPs in the three groups were 17.2 +/- 1.5, 16.7 +/- 1.4
      and 17.3 +/- 2.4 mmHg in the daytime and 19.3 +/- 2.1, 21.3 +/- 1.1 and 21.7 +/-
      1.5 mmHg in the nighttime. Thereafter, the averaged IOPs in sodium pentobarbital
      and chloral hydrate groups showed a trend of decline. Then IOPs became stable at
      10-15 min after anesthesia. In contrast, the IOPs of ketamine and xylazine
      injected group increased to 23.7-25.1 mmHg at 10-15 min in the daytime and 26.1
      27.7 mmHg in the nighttime. Compared to chloral hydrate and sodium pentobarbital
      treated mice (2.4 +/- 0.1 mm, 1.7 +/- 0.0 mm), ketamine and xylazine injected
      animals had significantly increased palpebral fissure height (3.6 +/- 0.3 mm,
      p<0.01). CONCLUSION: General anesthetics have a large impact on mouse IOP. Sodium
      pentobarbital and chloral hydrate reduce but the ketamine and xylazine mixture
      increases mouse IOP. IOP levels become stabilized at 10 to 15 min after
      anesthesia. The ketamine and xylazine cocktail mediated elevation of palpebral
      fissure height may be associated with an increasing of intraorbital pressure.
      Measurement performs at 10-15 min after anesthesia may obtain more reliable IOPs.

PMID- 24215505
TI  - Time-resolved probes based on guanine/thymine-rich DNA-sensitized luminescence of
      terbium(III).
AB  - In this study, we have developed a novel strategy to highly sensitize the
      luminescence of terbium(III) (Tb(3+)) using a designed guanine/thymine-rich DNA
      (5'-[G3T]5-3') as an antenna ligand, in which [G3T]5 improved the luminescence of
      Tb(3+) by 3 orders of magnitude due to energy transfer from nucleic acids to
      Tb(3+) (i.e., antenna effect). Furthermore, label-free probes for the luminescent
      detection of biothiols, Ag(+), and sequence-specific DNA in an inexpensive,
      simple, and mix-and-read format are presented based on the [G3T]5-sensitized
      luminescence of Tb(3+) (GTSLT). The long luminescence lifetime of the probes
      readily enables time-resolved luminescence (TRL) experiments. Hg(2+) can
      efficiently quench the luminescence of Tb(3+) sensitized by [G3T]5
      (Tb(3+)/[G3T]5); however, biothiols are readily applicable to selectively grab
      Hg(2+) for restoration of the luminescence of Tb(3+)/[G3T]5 initially quenched by
      Hg(2+), which can be used for "turn on" detection of biothiols. With the use of
      cytosine (C)-rich oligonucleotide c[G3T]5 complementary to [G3T]5, the formed
      [G3T]5/c[G3T]5 duplex cannot sensitize the luminescence of Tb(3+). However, in
      the presence of Ag(+), Ag(+) can combine the C base of c[G3T]5 to form C-Ag(+)-C
      complexes, leading to the split of the [G3T]5/c[G3T]5 duplex and then release of
      [G3T]5. The released [G3T]5 acts as an antenna ligand for sensitizing the
      luminescence of Tb(3+). Therefore, the Tb(3+)/[G3T]5/c[G3T]5 probe can be applied
      to detect Ag(+) in a "turn on" format. Moreover, recognition of target DNA via
      hybridization to a molecular beacon (MB)-like probe (MB-[G3T]5) can unfold the MB
      [G3T]5 to release the [G3T]5 for sensitizing the luminescence of Tb(3+),
      producing a detectable signal directly proportional to the amount of target DNA
      of interest. This allows the development of a fascinating label-free MB probe for
      DNA sensing based on the luminescence of Tb(3+). Results and methods reported
      here suggest that a guanine/thymine-rich DNA-sensitized luminescence probe of
      Tb(3+) represents a new opportunity for versatile background-free biosensing
      applications. 

PMID- 24215507
TI  - Three new basidiomycetous yeasts, Pseudozyma alboarmeniaca sp. nov., Pseudozyma
      crassa sp. nov. and Pseudozyma siamensis sp. nov. isolated from Thai patients.
AB  - We previously reported the first isolation of Pseudozyma species from the blood
      of Thai patients. In this study, three additional new Pseudozyma species were
      isolated from clinical specimens from Thai patients. The Pseudozyma species
      showed relatively low sensitivity to azole antifungal agents. The names proposed
      for these isolates are Pseudozyma alboarmeniaca (DMST 17135(T)  = JCM 12454(T ) =
      CBS 9961(T)), Pseudozyma crassa (DMST 17136(T ) = JCM 12455(T)  = CBS 9959(T))
      and Pseudozyma siamensis (DMST 17137(T ) = JCM 12456(T) CBS 9960(T)), where DMST
      is Department of Medical Sciences Culture Collection, JCM is Japan Collection of
      Microorganisms and CBS is Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures.

PMID- 24215508
TI  - Colombia's racial crucible: Y chromosome evidence from six admixed communities in
      the Department of Bolivar.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the African, European and Native-American paternal
      contributions in genetic samples from the Department of Bolivar (Colombia) with
      the aims of establishing (1) possible population substructures, and (2) the
      proportion of biological African heritage in admixed populations of European,
      Amerindian, and African descent. METHODS: Y-SNPs were typed in samples from six
      communities, including Palenque (renowned for its African linguistic and cultural
      heritage). RESULTS: Findings reveal a high diversity of Y-haplogroups. With the
      exception of Palenque, the sum of European male lineages uniformly exceeded 57%.
      In Palenque, African lineages accounted for 57.7% of its chromosomes, with
      European male lineages constituting a mere 38.5%. In Pinillos, a significant
      proportion (23.8%) of the chromosomes belongs to the Native American haplogroup
      Q1a3a*-M3. Genetic differentiation analyses reveal significant divergences in
      most pairwise comparisons among the Bolivar municipalities, and the same holds
      between Bolivar and other South American populations. CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneous
      patterns of admixture reveal a genetic substructure within the Department of
      Bolivar. On the paternal side, five out of the six communities studied exhibit a
      predominantly European gene pool. The exception is Palenque, where European input
      (38%) is more significant than we had expected.

PMID- 24215509
TI  - Metal-free enantioselective hydroxyamination of aldehydes with nitrosocarbonyl
      compounds catalyzed by an axially chiral amine.
AB  - The first example of a highly regio- and enantioselective hydroxyamination of
      aldehydes with in situ generated nitrosocarbonyl compounds from hydroxamic acid
      derivatives was realized by combined use of TEMPO and BPO as the oxidant in the
      presence of a binaphthyl-modified amine catalyst. 

PMID- 24215506
TI  - Topical antimicrobials for burn infections - an update.
AB  - The relentless rise in antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria and fungi,
      coupled with the high susceptibility of burn wounds to infection, and the
      difficulty of systemically administered antibiotics to reach damaged tissue,
      taken together have made the development of novel topical antimicrobials for burn
      infections a fertile area of innovation for researchers and companies. We
      previously covered the existing patent literature in this area in 2010, but the
      notable progress made since then, has highlighted the need for an update to bring
      the reader up to date on recent developments. New patents in the areas of
      topically applied antibiotics and agents that can potentiate the action of
      existing antibiotics may extend their useful lifetime. Developments have also
      been made in biofilm-disrupting agents. Antimicrobial peptides are nature's way
      for many life forms to defend themselves against attack by pathogens. Silver has
      long been known to be a highly active antimicrobial but new inorganic metal
      derivatives based on bismuth, copper and gallium have emerged. Halogens such as
      chlorine and iodine can be delivered by novel technologies. A variety of
      topically applied antimicrobials include chitosan preparations, usnic acid,
      ceragenins and XF porphyrins. Natural product derived antimicrobials such as
      tannins and essential oils have also been studied. Novel techniques to deliver
      reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in situ have been developed. Light
      mediated techniques include photodynamic therapy, ultraviolet irradiation, blue
      light, low-level laser therapy and titania photocatalysis. Passive immunotherapy
      employs antibodies against pathogens and their virulence factors. Finally an
      interesting new area uses therapeutic microorganisms such as phages, probiotic
      bacteria and protozoa to combat infections. 

PMID- 24215510
TI  - Effect of corchorusin-D, a saikosaponin like compound, on B16F10 melanoma cells
      (in vitro and in vivo).
AB  - Corchorusin-D (COR-D), isolated from Corchorus acutangulus, was reported to
      induce apoptosis in leukemic cells. However, no studies concerning its activity
      on melanoma cells have been reported. We have evaluated its in vitro anti-cancer
      activity on melanoma cells (B16F10, SK-MEL-28, and A375). The results demonstrate
      that COR-D showed maximum inhibition of B16F10 cells in vitro. COR-D induced
      mitochondrial dysfunction and altered the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio with down regulation of
      pro-caspases 9 and activation of caspase 3 in B16F10 cells, triggering intrinsic
      pathway of apoptosis. Moreover, it inhibited the in vivo B16F10 tumor growth and
      increased the survival rate of mice. Greater number of Annexin V-FITC and
      propidium iodide (PI)-positive tumor cells signified that COR-D induced apoptosis
      in vivo also. The reduction in tumor growth is well correlated with decreased
      microvascular density of the tumor cells in treated mice. In conclusion, this
      study reveals that COR-D-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is responsible for the
      induction of apoptotic cell death. 

PMID- 24215512
TI  - Sub 60 mV/decade switch using an InAs nanowire-Si heterojunction and turn-on
      voltage shift with a pulsed doping technique.
AB  - We report changes of turn-on voltage in InAs-Si heterojunction steep subthreshold
      slope transistors by the Zn-pulsed doping technique for InAs nanowire channels.
      The doping of the nanowire channel moderately changes turn-on voltage from
      negative to positive voltage, while keeping a steep subthreshold-slope of 30
      mV/decade under reverse bias direction. The formation of pseudointrinsic InAs
      segment is found to be important to make a normally off transistor with a steep
      subthreshold slope. 

PMID- 24215511
TI  - Gene aberrations of RRM1 and RRM2B and outcome of advanced breast cancer after
      treatment with docetaxel with or without gemcitabine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate
      whether copy number changes of the genes encoding the ribonucleotide reductase
      subunit M1 (RRM1) and/or subunit M2B (RRM2B) predict sensitivity to gemcitabine
      administered in combination with docetaxel compared to single agent docetaxel in
      advanced breast cancer patients. METHODS: Primary tumor samples from patients
      randomly assigned to gemcitabine plus docetaxel or docetaxel alone were analyzed
      for RRM1 and RRM2B copy number changes using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
      (FISH) technology with probes covering respectively RRM1 at 11p15.5 and a
      reference probe covering the centromere of chromosome 11 (CEN-11), and RRM2B at
      8q22.3 and a reference probe covering the centromere of chromosome 8 (CEN-8). The
      assays were validated in a material of 60 normal breast samples. Time to
      progression (TTP) was the primary endpoint. Overall survival (OS) and response
      rate (RR) were secondary endpoints. Associations between RRM1/CEN-11 and/or
      RRM2B/CEN-8 ratios and time-to-event endpoints were analyzed by unadjusted and
      adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models. Heterogeneity of treatment
      effects on TTP and OS according to gene status were investigated by subgroup
      analyses, and the Wald test was applied. All statistical tests were two-sided.
      RESULTS: FISH analysis for both RRM1 and RRM2B was successful in 251 patients.
      RRM1 and RRM2B aberrations (deletions and amplifications) were observed in 15.9%
      and 13.6% of patients, respectively. RRM1 aberrations were associated with a
      decreased OS in the time interval 1.5-7.4 years (hazard ratio = 1.72, 95%
      confidence interval = 1.05-2.79, P = 0.03). RRM2B aberrations alone or in
      combination with RRM1 aberrations had no prognostic impact in terms of TTP or OS.
      RR was not different by gene status. No significant differences were detected in
      TTP or OS within subgroups according to gene status and chemotherapy regimen.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the presence of RRM1 and RRM2B copy number
      changes in primary breast tumor specimens. Nevertheless, we found no support of
      the hypothesis that aberrations of RRM1 or RRM2B, neither individually nor in
      combination, are associated with an altered clinical outcome following
      chemotherapy with gemcitabine in combination with docetaxel compared to docetaxel
      alone in advanced breast cancer patients.

PMID- 24215513
TI  - Wine metabolomics: objective measures of sensory properties of semillon from GC
      MS profiles.
AB  - The contribution of volatile aroma compounds to the overall composition and
      sensory perception of wine is well recognized. The classical targeted measurement
      of volatile compounds in wine using GC-MS is laborious and only a limited number
      of compounds can be quantified at any time. Application of an automated
      multivariate curve resolution technique to nontargeted GC-MS analysis of wine
      makes it possible to detect several hundred compounds within a single analytical
      run. Hunter Valley Semillon (HVS) is recognized as a world class wine with a
      range of styles. Subtle characters reliant upon the development of bottle
      maturation characteristics are a feature of highly esteemed HVS. In this
      investigation a metabolomic approach to wine analysis, using multivariate curve
      resolution techniques applied to GC-MS profiles coupled with full descriptive
      sensory analysis, was used to determine the objective composition of various
      styles of HVS. Over 250 GC-MS peaks were extracted from the wine profiles.
      Sensory scores were analyzed using PARAFAC prior to development of predictive
      models of sensory features from the extracted GC-MS peak table using PLS
      regression. Good predictive models of the sensorial attributes honey, toast,
      orange marmalade, and sweetness, the defining traits for HVS, could be determined
      from the extracted peak tables. Compound identification for these rated
      attributes indicated the importance of a range of ethyl esters, aliphatic
      alcohols and acids, ketones, aldehydes, furanic derivatives, and norisoprenoids
      in the development of HVS and styles. The development of automated metabolomic
      data analysis of GC-MS profiles of wines will assist in the development of wine
      styles for specific consumer segments and enhance understanding of production
      processes on the ultimate sensory profiles of the product. 

PMID- 24215515
TI  - Identifying core NANDA-I nursing diagnoses, NIC interventions, NOC outcomes, and
      NNN linkages for heart failure.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify the core nursing diagnoses,
      interventions, outcomes, and linkages using standardized nursing terminologies
      for patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS: For this study a retrospective
      descriptive design was used. The frequently used NANDA-I, NIC, NOC, and NNN
      linkages were identified through 272 inpatient records of patients discharged
      with HF in a midwestern community. FINDINGS: The findings indicate that the top
      10 NANDA-I, NIC, and NOC accounted for more than 50% of nursing diagnoses,
      interventions, and outcomes. The most frequently used top 10 NNN linkages were
      identified for patients with HF. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The
      identified core NANDA-I, NIC, NOC, and NNN linkages for HF from this study
      provide scope of practice of nurses working in HF clinics.

PMID- 24215514
TI  - Angiotensin type 1a receptor-deficient mice develop diabetes-induced cardiac
      dysfunction, which is prevented by renin-angiotensin system inhibitors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes-induced organ damage is significantly associated with the
      activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Recently, several studies have
      demonstrated a change in the RAS from an extracellular to an intracellular
      system, in several cell types, in response to high ambient glucose levels. In
      cardiac myocytes, intracellular angiotensin (ANG) II synthesis and actions are
      ACE and AT1 independent, respectively. However, a role of this system in diabetes
      induced organ damage is not clear. METHODS: To determine a role of the
      intracellular ANG II in diabetic cardiomyopathy, we induced diabetes using
      streptozotocin in AT1a receptor deficient (AT1a-KO) mice to exclude any effects
      of extracellular ANG II. Further, diabetic animals were treated with a renin
      inhibitor aliskiren, an ACE inhibitor benazeprilat, and an AT1 receptor blocker
      valsartan. RESULTS: AT1a-KO mice developed significant diastolic and systolic
      dysfunction following 10 wks of diabetes, as determined by echocardiography. All
      three drugs prevented the development of cardiac dysfunction in these animals,
      without affecting blood pressure or glucose levels. A significant down regulation
      of components of the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) was observed in diabetic
      animals, which was largely prevented by benazeprilat and valsartan, while
      aliskiren normalized kininogen expression. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicated that
      the AT1a receptor, thus extracellular ANG II, are not required for the
      development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The KKS might contribute to the
      beneficial effects of benazeprilat and valsartan in diabetic cardiomyopathy. A
      role of intracellular ANG II is suggested by the inhibitory effects of aliskiren,
      which needs confirmation in future studies.

PMID- 24215516
TI  - On the mechanism of phase transfer catalysis in Brust-schiffrin synthesis of
      metal nanoparticles.
AB  - The two-phase Brust-Schiffrin method (BSM) is used to synthesize highly stable
      nanoparticles of noble metals. A phase transfer catalyst (PTC) is used to bring
      in aqueous phase soluble precursors into the organic phase to enable particle
      synthesis there. Two different mechanisms for phase transfer are advanced in the
      literature. The first mechanism considers PTC to bring in an aqueous phase
      soluble precursor by complexing with it. The second mechanism considers the ionic
      species to be contained in inverse micelles of PTC, with a water core inside. A
      comprehensive experimental study involving measurement of interfacial tension,
      viscosity, water content by Karl-Fischer titration, static light scattering, (1)H
      NMR, and small-angle X-ray scattering is reported in this work to establish that
      the phase transfer catalyst tetraoctylammonium bromide transfers ions by
      complexing with them, instead of encapsulating them in inverse micelles. The
      findings have implications for particle synthesis in two-phase methods such as
      BSM and their modification to produce more monodispersed particles. 

PMID- 24215517
TI  - Variation in the hindgut microbial communities of the Florida manatee, Trichechus
      manatus latirostris over winter in Crystal River, Florida.
AB  - The Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, is a hindgut-fermenting
      herbivore. In winter, manatees migrate to warm water overwintering sites where
      they undergo dietary shifts and may suffer from cold-induced stress. Given these
      seasonally induced changes in diet, the present study aimed to examine variation
      in the hindgut bacterial communities of wild manatees overwintering at Crystal
      River, west Florida. Faeces were sampled from 36 manatees of known sex and body
      size in early winter when manatees were newly arrived and then in mid-winter and
      late winter when diet had probably changed and environmental stress may have
      increased. Concentrations of faecal cortisol metabolite, an indicator of a stress
      response, were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Using 454-pyrosequencing, 2027
      bacterial operational taxonomic units were identified in manatee faeces following
      amplicon pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3/V4 region. Classified sequences
      were assigned to eight previously described bacterial phyla; only 0.36% of
      sequences could not be classified to phylum level. Five core phyla were
      identified in all samples. The majority (96.8%) of sequences were classified as
      Firmicutes (77.3 +/- 11.1% of total sequences) or Bacteroidetes (19.5 +/- 10.6%).
      Alpha-diversity measures trended towards higher diversity of hindgut microbiota
      in manatees in mid-winter compared to early and late winter. Beta-diversity
      measures, analysed through PERMANOVA, also indicated significant differences in
      bacterial communities based on the season.

PMID- 24215518
TI  - Periocular photodynamic therapy for squamous intra-epidermal carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the response of Metvix photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the
      treatment of periocular Bowen's disease. METHODS: Four patients with biopsy
      proven Bowen' disease were treated with Metvix PDT between November 2010 and
      January 2012. A detailed description of the technique used is described. RESULTS:
      All of the patients tolerated the PDT well. All had some clinical response to the
      treatment, although there was not complete, lasting resolution beyond one year in
      three out of the four cases. CONCLUSION: PDT can be a good treatment in its own
      right in selected cases of periocular Bowen's disease.

PMID- 24215519
TI  - Screening and determination of sibutramine in adulterated herbal slimming
      supplements by HPTLC-UV densitometry.
AB  - The adulteration of herbal supplements is of growing importance, especially when
      they contain undeclared compounds like sibutramine that are unsafe drugs.
      Sibutramine was withdrawn from US and European markets in 2010. In this study, an
      HPTLC-UV densitometric method was developed for the quantification of sibutramine
      in herbal diet foods. Sample extracts were directly applied onto HPTLC silica gel
      plates and separated with a mobile phase made of a toluene-methanol mixture.
      Sibutramine was quantified at 225 nm and its unequivocal identification was
      confirmed by MS using a TLC-MS interface. During two surveys, 52 weight loss
      supplements obtained via the Internet were screened. Half of those were
      adulterated with sibutramine at amounts reaching up to 35 mg per capsule. The
      results of this validated HPTLC method were compared with those obtained by HPLC
      UV and HPLC-MS/MS. The results were not significantly different with the three
      methods.

PMID- 24215520
TI  - Expression profile and regulation of spore and parasporal crystal formation
      associated genes in Bacillus thuringiensis.
AB  - Bacillus thuringiensis, a Gram-positive endospore-forming bacterium, is
      characterized by the formation of parasporal crystals consisting of insecticidal
      crystal proteins (ICPs) during sporulation. We reveal gene expression profiles
      and regulatory mechanisms associated with spore and parasporal crystal formation
      based on transcriptomics and proteomics data of B. thuringiensis strain CT-43.
      During sporulation, five ICP genes encoded by CT-43 were specifically
      transcribed; moreover, most of the spore structure-, assembly-, and maturation
      associated genes were specifically expressed or significantly up-regulated, with
      significant characteristics of temporal regulation. These findings suggest that
      it is essential for the cell to maintain efficient operation of transcriptional
      and translational machinery during sporulation. Our results indicate that the RNA
      polymerase complex delta and omega subunits, cold shock proteins, sigma factors,
      and transcriptional factors as well as the E2 subunit of the pyruvate
      dehydrogenase complex could cooperatively participate in transcriptional
      regulation via different mechanisms. In particular, differences in processing and
      modification of ribosomal proteins, rRNA, and tRNA combined with derepression of
      translational inhibition could boost the rate of ribosome recycling and assembly
      as well as translation initiation, elongation, and termination efficiency,
      thereby compensating for the reduction in ribosomal levels. The efficient
      operation of translational machineries and powerful protein-quality controlling
      systems would thus ensure biosyntheses of a large quantity of proteins with
      normal biological functions during sporulation. 

PMID- 24215522
TI  - Refugia, colonization and diversification of an arid-adapted bird: coincident
      patterns between genetic data and ecological niche modelling.
AB  - Phylogeographical studies are common in boreal and temperate species from the
      Palaearctic, but scarce in arid-adapted species. We used nuclear and
      mitochondrial markers to investigate phylogeography and to estimate chronology of
      colonization events of the trumpeter finch Bucanetes githagineus, an arid-adapted
      bird. We used 271 samples from 16 populations, most of which were fresh samples
      but including some museum specimens. Microsatellite data showed no clear grouping
      according to the sampling locations. Microsatellite and mitochondrial data showed
      the clearest differentiation between Maghreb and Canary Islands and between
      Maghreb and Western Sahara. Mitochondrial data suggest differentiation between
      different Maghreb populations and among Maghreb and Near East populations,
      between Iberian Peninsula and Canary Islands, as well as between Western Sahara
      and Maghreb. Our coalescence analyses indicate that the trumpeter finch colonized
      North Africa during the humid Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS5) period of the Sahara
      region 125 000 years ago. We constructed an ecological niche model (ENM) to
      estimate the geographical distribution of climatically suitable habitats for the
      trumpeter finch. We tested whether changes in the species range in relation to
      glacial-interglacial cycles could be responsible for observed patterns of genetic
      diversity and structure. Modelling results matched with those from genetic data
      as the species' potential range increases in interglacial scenarios (in the
      present climatic scenario and during MIS5) and decreases in glacial climates
      (during the last glacial maximum, LGM, 21 000 years ago). Our results suggest
      that the trumpeter finch responded to Pleistocene climatic changes by expanding
      and contracting its range. 

PMID- 24215523
TI  - Psychometric evaluation of the Danish version of Satisfaction with Daily
      Occupations (SDO).
AB  - AIMS: The Satisfaction with Daily Occupations (SDO) scale assesses satisfaction
      within the domains of work, leisure, domestic tasks, and self-care. The aim was
      to investigate the psychometric properties of the Danish version of the SDO when
      used with asylum seekers. METHODS: The participants were 93 Danes without known
      ill health and 43 asylum seekers. They completed the SDO and rated their
      perceived health, activity level, and general satisfaction with daily
      occupations. Translation into Danish and back-translation into Swedish was made
      by professional interpreters. RESULTS: Internal consistency was alpha = 0.75 for
      the Danish sample and alpha = 0.79 for the asylum seekers. The SDO distinguished
      between asylum seekers and the Danish sample, suggesting criterion validity.
      Concurrent validity, analysed against general satisfaction with daily
      occupations, was indicated for both samples. Discriminant validity was indicated
      against self-rated health for both samples and against activity level for the
      Danish sample. There was, however, a correlation of 0.65 between the SDO
      satisfaction score and activity level for the asylum seekers. CONCLUSION: The SDO
      exhibited satisfactory internal consistency and criterion and concurrent
      validity. The findings regarding discriminant validity were somewhat
      inconclusive. The Danish SDO may be regarded as psychometrically sound but
      further psychometric testing is needed.

PMID- 24215524
TI  - An "alternating instructions" version of the Autobiographical Memory Test for
      assessing autobiographical memory specificity in non-clinical populations.
AB  - There is limited research regarding how executive processes contribute to key
      cognitive deficits in depression, particularly impoverished retrieval of
      autobiographical memory. This study tested a novel version of the
      Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT), the "Alternating Instructions" AMT (AMT-AI),
      to determine how participants could flexibly retrieve specific and categoric
      autobiographical memories. The AMT-AI consisted of a standard AMT (AMT-S), a
      categoric version of the AMT (AMT-R), and a section of alternating instructions
      (AI) in which the rules required the participant to alternate between retrieval
      of categoric and specific memories. A total of 49 university students completed
      the AMT-AI, and self-report measures of depressive symptomatology and ruminative
      thinking. Results showed that the mean proportion of specific memories recalled
      on the AMT-AI was significantly lower than on the AMT-S. Also, reduced memory
      specificity on the AMT-AI, but not the AMT-S, was significantly negatively
      correlated with increased scores on measures of depressive symptomatology and
      ruminative thinking. Collectively the data suggested that the AMT-AI, relative to
      the traditional AMT, may be more sensitive to memory specificity in non-clinical
      populations. Future research is warranted to further determine the psychometric
      properties and utility of the AMT-AI. 

PMID- 24215525
TI  - Systemic allergic dermatitis caused by thiamine after iontophoresis.

PMID- 24215526
TI  - Allergic contact dermatitis caused by menthoxypropanediol in a lip cosmetic.

PMID- 24215527
TI  - Allergic contact dermatitis caused by self-adhesive electrocardiography
      electrodes in an infant.

PMID- 24215528
TI  - Patch test reaction to p-phenylenediamine can persist for more than 1 month.

PMID- 24215529
TI  - Glyceryl (mono)caprylate - a new contact allergen.

PMID- 24215530
TI  - Henna stone: a lesser-known solid material from which to obtain black henna
      paste.

PMID- 24215531
TI  - Does cobalt spot testing of copper items result in false-positive test reactions?

PMID- 24215532
TI  - Eltrombopag for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with malignant and
      non-malignant hematologic disorders.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Eltrombopag (EP) is an orally bioavailable, non-peptide,
      thrombopoietin receptor (TPO-R) agonist developed to stimulate platelet
      production. EP is a small hydrazone molecule which interacts with the
      transmembrane domain of TPO-R and promotes megakaryopoiesis, and a subsequent
      increase in platelet number. To date, multiple large clinical trials have
      demonstrated the ability of EP to reduce the burden of thrombocytopenia and its
      associated side effects in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia purpura
      and patients with hepatitis-C related thrombocytopenia. Given these promising
      results and the morbidity associated with thrombocytopenia in cancer patients,
      there is significant interest in investigating the role of EP for
      thrombocytopenia secondary to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML). AREAS COVERED: In this review, the authors address the potential
      utility of EP for patients with AML and MDS with thrombocytopenia. The review
      provides an overview of the rationale for the development of EP in AML and MDS,
      and the mechanism(s) of action of EP. The authors focus on preclinical data
      describing the effectiveness of EP as both a platelet-stimulating, and an anti
      leukemia agent and describe the use of EP in clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION: EP
      has the potential to be an effective supportive care agent, improving platelet
      counts and decreasing thrombocytopenia-related morbidity, in patients with AML
      and MDS. Large, randomized clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy of
      EP in reducing the duration and severity of thrombocytopenia, as well assess the
      clinical utility of EP as an anti-leukemia agent.

PMID- 24215533
TI  - Patients' direction, empowerment and quality of life in haemodialysis.
AB  - The maintenance of an adequate of quality of life (QoL) represents a critical
      issue in the management of patients in haemodialysis and is also used to assess
      the effectiveness of health care programmes. The Consumer Direction Theory of
      Empowerment (CDTE) implies that greater patient direction in policy formulation
      and services delivery, together with an increased community integration, endorses
      a process which leads to a better QOL. The aim of the study was to test a
      contextualized version of CDTE in an ambulatory for patients in haemodialysis.
      Sixty-nine patients completed a questionnaire measuring the following variables:
      Patient direction, family integration, self-efficacy in managing the disease,
      mental and physical health. The results showed that patient direction and family
      integration have an indirect effect on QoL, through self-efficacy in managing the
      disease. The hypotheses were thus confirmed, providing support for the potential
      of CDTE in the context of health services for haemodialysis patients.
      Implications for the implementation of health programmes aimed at improving QoL
      of patients in haemodialysis are discussed, including interventions focused on
      psychological and contextual factors. 

PMID- 24215535
TI  - Calpain protease causes hypoxia-induced proteolysis in cultured human retina.
AB  - PURPOSE/AIM: Calpain proteases are known to be involved in retinal cell death in
      animal models. The purpose of the present study was to test for calpain
      activation in human retinas cultured under hypoxic conditions. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Calpain activation was detected by immunoblotting for calpain substrates
      in human and monkey retinas cultured in gas generating pouches to reduce oxygen.
      RESULTS: Hypoxia caused activation of calpains as measured by accumulation of the
      calpain-specific 145 kDa alpha-spectrin breakdown product. Opsin-1 (photoreceptor
      marker) and vimentin (Muller cell marker) were degraded. Calpain inhibitor SNJ
      1945 ameliorated these changes. Results were similar to comparative data from
      cultured monkey retinas. CONCLUSIONS: In cultured human retina, hypoxia caused
      activation of calpain and subsequent proteolysis of critical substrates. The
      efficacy of SNJ-1945 in ameliorating these changes indicated that it might be
      useful to test as a drug for protecting against pathologic proteolysis of
      photoreceptor and Muller cells.

PMID- 24215534
TI  - Oxygen reduction catalyzed by Au-TiO2 nanocomposites in alkaline media.
AB  - Au-TiO2 nanocomposites were prepared by chemical deposition of gold nanoparticles
      onto TiO2 nanocolloids that were synthesized by a hydrothermal method.
      Transmission electron microscopic measurements showed that the TiO2 colloids
      exhibited an average diameter of about 5 nm and clearly defined lattice fringes
      that were consistent with those of anatase TiO2 and formed rather large
      agglomerates that spanned a few hundred nanometers in length. Additionally, gold
      nanoparticles were found to be embedded within the TiO2 matrices, and the size
      increased with increasing gold loading but all ranged from 10 to 50 nm in
      diameter. Consistent results were obtained in X-ray diffraction measurements.
      Electrochemical studies demonstrated that the resulting Au-TiO2 nanocomposites
      exhibited apparent electrocatalytic activity in oxygen reduction that was
      markedly improved as compared to that of TiO2 particles alone, as reflected in
      the onset potential, number of electron transfers involved, and kinetic current
      density. Among the series, the best catalyst for oxygen reduction was identified
      with the Au/Ti atomic ratio of 5.2%. The enhanced oxygen reduction kinetics was
      ascribed to the dissociation of water and formation of surface-adsorbed hydroxyl
      moieties that was facilitated by the loading of gold nanoparticles onto the TiO2
      colloids. 

PMID- 24215536
TI  - Sensitive electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on Au-ITO hybrid bipolar
      electrode amplification system for cell surface protein detection.
AB  - Here we developed a novel hybrid bipolar electrode (BPE)-electrochemiluminescence
      (ECL) biosensor based on hybrid bipolar electrode (BPE) for the measurement of
      cancer cell surface protein using ferrocence (Fc) labeled aptamer as signal
      recognition and amplification probe. According to the electric neutrality of BPE,
      the cathode of U-shaped ITO BPE was electrochemically deposited by Au
      nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance its conductivity and surface area, decrease the
      overpotential of O2 reduction, which would correspondingly increase the oxidation
      current of Ru(bpy)3(2+)/tripropylamine (TPA) on the anode of BPE and resulting a
      ~4-fold enhancement of ECL intensity. Then a signal amplification strategy was
      designed by introducing Fc modified aptamer on the anode surface of BPE through
      hybridization for detecting the amount of mucin-1 on MCF-7 cells. The presence of
      Fc could not only inhibit the oxidation of Ru(bpy)3(2+) because of its lower
      oxidation potential, its oxidation product Fc(+) could also quench the ECL of
      Ru(bpy)3(2+)/TPA by efficient energy-transfer from the excited-state
      Ru(bpy)3(2+)* to Fc(+), making the ECL intensity greatly quenched. On the basis
      of the cathodic Au NPs induced ECL enhancing coupled with anodic Fc induced
      signal quenching amplification, the approach allowed detection of mucin-1 aptamer
      at a concentration down to 0.5 fM and was capable of detecting a minimum of 20
      MCF-7 cells. Besides, the amount of mucin-1 on MCF-7 cells was calculated to be
      9041 +/- 388 molecules/cell. This approach therefore shows great promise in
      bioanalysis. 

PMID- 24215537
TI  - The impact of smoking status on 9.3 years incidence of cardiovascular and all
      cause mortality among Iranian men.
AB  - AIM: To examine the association of different smoking groups with cardiovascular
      disease (CVD), coronary heart diseases (CHD) and CVD attributed death and death
      due to all causes in a male Tehranian population. METHODS: From a population
      based study 3059 male individuals, aged >=30 years, free of CVD at baseline were
      evaluated for a median of 9.3 years. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for
      incident CVD/CHD, total and CVD mortality regarding their smoking status were
      calculated using Cox proportional regression analysis, considering never smoking
      as reference. RESULTS: A total of 158 deaths, in which 78 were CVD attributable,
      occurred. Considering CVD and CHD events, this study identified 299 and 257
      events, respectively. Being a past smoker significantly increased the risk of CVD
      events (HR = 2.42, CI = 1.28-0.56), however, it has no effect on CHD events,
      total and CVD mortality. Being a current smoker (more than 10 cigarettes a day)
      dramatically increased the risk of CVD/CHD events and total/CVD mortality.
      However, smoking less than 10 cigarettes per day only increased the risk of CVD
      (HR = 2.12, CI = 1.14-3.95) and its mortality (HR = 4.57, CI = 1.32-15.79).
      CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that smoking increases the risk of incident
      CVD/CHD, total and CVD mortality, particularly CVD mortality. These outcomes were
      attributable to the daily amount of cigarettes smoked. Past smokers still had
      higher risk for CVD events, which cessation may not reduce.

PMID- 24215538
TI  - Impact of roadside tree lines on indoor concentrations of traffic-derived
      particulate matter.
AB  - Exposure to airborne particulate pollution is associated with premature mortality
      and a range of inflammatory illnesses, linked to toxic components within the
      particulate matter (PM) assemblage. The effectiveness of trees in reducing urban
      PM10 concentrations is intensely debated. Modeling studies indicate PM10
      reductions from as low as 1% to as high as ~60%. Empirical data, especially at
      the local scale, are rare. Here, we use conventional PM10 monitoring along with
      novel, inexpensive magnetic measurements of television screen swabs to measure
      changes in PM10 concentrations inside a row of roadside houses, after temporarily
      installing a curbside line of young birch trees. Independently, the two
      approaches identify >50% reductions in measured PM levels inside those houses
      screened by the temporary tree line. Electron microscopy analyses show that leaf
      captured PM is concentrated in agglomerations around leaf hairs and within the
      leaf microtopography. Iron-rich, ultrafine, spherical particles, probably
      combustion-derived, are abundant, form a particular hazard to health, and likely
      contribute much of the measured magnetic remanences. Leaf magnetic measurements
      show that PM capture occurs on both the road-proximal and -distal sides of the
      trees. The efficacy of roadside trees for mitigation of PM health hazard might be
      seriously underestimated in some current atmospheric models.

PMID- 24215539
TI  - Iron-catalyzed ortho-allylation of aromatic carboxamides with allyl ethers.
AB  - Arenes possessing an N-(quinolin-8-yl)amide directing group are ortho-allylated
      with allyl phenyl ether in the presence of an iron/diphosphine catalyst and an
      organometallic base at 50-70  degrees C. The reaction proceeds via fast iron
      catalyzed C-H activation, followed by reaction of the resulting iron intermediate
      with the allyl ether in gamma-selective fashion. 

PMID- 24215540
TI  - The presence of antibodies against the AD2 epitope of cytomegalovirus
      glycoprotein B is associated with acute rejection after renal transplantation.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between antibodies against
      cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B (gB) and acute rejection after
      transplantation. Seventy-seven consecutive renal transplant recipients in a D +
      /R+ setting were studied. Biopsy-proven rejection occurred in 35% of the
      recipients. Among these recipients, 85% had antibodies against CMV gB. The rate
      of acute rejection was significantly higher in recipients with antibodies against
      gB than in those without them. Antibodies against gB can be a useful predictor of
      acute rejection in renal transplant recipients in a D + /R+ setting. 

PMID- 24215541
TI  - Synthesis and cytotoxicity of novel 20-O-linked homocamptothecin ester
      derivatives as potent topoisomerase I inhibitors.
AB  - In an attempt to improve the antitumor activity of homocamptothecins (hCPTs), a
      series of novel 20-O-linked hCPT ester derivatives were first designed and
      synthesized based on a synthetic route, by which hCPTs are acylated with
      different substituted phenoxyacetic acid ester derivatives. Most of the
      derivatives were assayed for in vitro cytotoxicity against six human cancer cell
      lines KB, KB/VCR, A549, HCT-8, Bel7402, and A2780, and most of the assayed
      compounds exhibited good antiproliferative activity on these tumor cell lines
      especially on KB. 

PMID- 24215542
TI  - Synthesis of rhodium concave tetrahedrons by collectively manipulating the
      reduction kinetics, facet-selective capping, and surface diffusion.
AB  - This paper describes a facile synthesis of Rh tetrahedrons with concave side
      faces by collectively manipulating the reaction kinetics, facet-selective
      capping, and surface diffusion of atoms. Specifically, a combination of Na3RhCl6,
      triethylene glycol, l-ascorbic acid, and citric acid provides the right
      conditions for generating the concave tetrahedrons. After the formation of small
      Rh tetrahedral seeds through self-nucleation, the subsequently generated Rh atoms
      were selectively deposited onto the corner sites to generate Rh tetrapods. At the
      same time, the deposited atoms could diffuse from the corners to edges to
      generate concave side faces because the diffusion to face sites was restrained by
      the citric acid adsorbed on the {111} facets. This study offers deep insight into
      the growth mechanism involved the formation of noble-metal nanocrystals with
      concave surfaces. The Rh concave tetrahedrons were encased by a mix of {111} and
      {110} facets, showing great potential for catalytic applications. 

PMID- 24215543
TI  - Separate episodes of capillary leak syndrome and pulmonary hypertension after
      adjuvant gemcitabine and three years later after nab-paclitaxel for metastatic
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare disease with a high
      mortality rate. This syndrome is characterised by generalised edema, hypotension,
      hemoconcentration, and hypoproteinemia. The cause is the sudden onset of
      capillary hyperpermeability with extravasations of plasma from the intravascular
      to the extravascular compartment. We present the case of a patient who
      experienced two episodes of systemic capillary leak syndrome and pulmonary
      hypertension; the first after gemcitabine in an adjuvant setting and the second
      three years later after treatment with nab-paclitaxel for metastatic disease.
      CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old patient underwent a pancreatectomy in January
      2010 for ductal carcinoma (pT3 N0 M0, stage IIa), followed by adjuvant
      chemotherapy. Seven days after the last cycle, she developed dyspnea associated
      with orthopnea and cough. A transthoracic cardiac ecocolordoppler was performed,
      with evidence of pulmonary hypertension (58 mmHg). Blood tests showed an increase
      in creatinine, pro-BNP and D-Dimer. She began high-dose diuretic therapy combined
      with cortisone. After a month, the patient was eupneic and the anasarca had
      resolved. We decided gradually to reduce the steroid and diuretic therapy. After
      ten days of the reduction, the patient began to re-present the same symptoms
      after treatment with gemcitabine. Corticosteroid therapy was restored with rapid
      clinical benefit and decreased pro-BNP after a week of treatment. After two
      years, the disease returned. As a first line treatment, it was decided to use nab
      paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 weekly. After two doses, followed by approximately 14 days
      of treatment, the patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. The
      clinical suspicion was a relapse of capillary leak syndrome and treatment with a
      high-dose diuretic (furosemide 250 mg daily) was started combined with cortisone
      (40 mg methylprednisolone). The patient showed a progressive clinical benefit.
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel who
      experience a sudden onset of diffuse edema with respiratory distress, capillary
      leak syndrome should be suspected. Immediate treatment with corticosteroids may
      be life-saving.

PMID- 24215545
TI  - Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the quantitative determination
      of residues of selected veterinary hormones in powdered ingredients derived from
      bovine milk.
AB  - A rugged, quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with
      modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) sample
      preparation for 17 selected veterinary hormones in six different powdered
      ingredients derived from bovine milk was developed and comprehensively validated.
      A universal post-extraction spiked matrix-matching approach based on whole milk
      powder has been successfully implemented. Three validation runs based on four
      levels of pre-extraction spiked quality control (QC) samples have been conducted.
      Overall accuracy (86-117%), overall precision (<20% RSD), selectivity, absolute
      extraction recovery (62-82%), matrix effect (<15% for most compounds), limits of
      detection (0.1-0.8 MUg/kg, except for diethylstilbestrol at 3.8 MUg/kg), limits
      of quantitation (0.2-2.0 MUg/kg, except for diethylstilbestrol at 10.0 MUg/kg),
      and extract stability (48 h) have been determined. The method is proposed for the
      routine analysis of hormones potentially present in powdered ingredients derived
      from bovine milk.

PMID- 24215546
TI  - Synthesis of 2-methoxy benzoquinone and 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone by selected
      lactic acid bacteria during sourdough fermentation of wheat germ.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the last decade, several studies described the promising cytotoxic
      activity of fermented wheat germ towards cancer cell lines and during in vivo
      clinical trials. Recent data suggested that the antiproliferative, antimetastatic
      and immunological effects of this preparation are mainly attributed to quinones.
      This study aimed at exploiting the potential of sourdough lactic acid bacteria
      fermentation to release 2-methoxy benzoquinone, and 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone,
      which are naturally present in wheat germ as glycosylated and non-physiologically
      active form. RESULTS: Preliminarily, forty strains of lactic acid bacteria,
      previously isolated from wheat germ, were in vitro screened based on beta
      glucosidase activity. Lactobacillus plantarum LB1 and Lactobacillus rossiae LB5
      were selected based on the highest enzyme activity and on technology features.
      These strains were used in combination to ferment wheat germ. Raw wheat germ,
      without bacterial inoculum, was subjected to the same incubation and used as the
      control. The sourdough fermented wheat germ was characterized based on
      microbiological, physico-chemical and biochemical features. During incubation,
      the release of the non-glycosylated and physiologically active 2-methoxy
      benzoquinone, and 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone was almost completed during 24 h.
      Compared to the control, the concentration of the above bioactive compounds
      increased almost 4 and 6-folds. Both raw wheat germ (control) and sourdough
      fermented wheat germ were ex vivo assayed for the anti-proliferative activity
      towards various cell lines of germ cell tumor, colon carcinoma and ovarian
      carcinoma. While no effect was found for the raw wheat germ, the sourdough
      fermented preparation markedly and variously affected the human tumor cell lines.
      The values of IC50 ranged from 0.105 +/- 0.005 to 0.556 +/- 0.071 mg/ml, with a
      median value of IC50 of 0.302 mg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: These results are comparable to
      those found for other well-known pharmaceutical preparations, and may disclose
      the use of the sourdough fermented wheat germ as an ingredient, nutritional
      supplement and/or anticancer drug.

PMID- 24215547
TI  - Does documentation in nursing records of nutritional screening on admission to
      hospital reflect the use of evidence-based practice guidelines for malnutrition?
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the documentation of nutrition-related data and wards
      referral to dieticians in a Belgian university hospital. METHOD: Retrospective
      analysis of 506 nursing records. FINDINGS: Body weight and height are documented
      in 22%. "Feeding assistance" and "usual food intake pattern" are documented in
      68% of all cases, and in 71% it is marked whether the patient is on a diet. Eight
      percent of the patients are referred to a dietician, but the indications for
      these referrals are not clear. CONCLUSION: Given the poor documentation, most
      likely these patients are not adequately screened for malnutrition as
      recommended. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses' documentation of
      nutrition-related data should be improved to facilitate treatment of malnutrition
      with tailored multidisciplinary interventions.

PMID- 24215548
TI  - Dispersions of attractive semiflexible fiberlike colloidal particles from
      bacterial cellulose microfibrils.
AB  - We prepared dispersions from bacterial cellulose microfibrils (CMF) of a
      commercial Nata de Coco source. We used an ultra-high-energy mechanical
      deagglomeration process that is able to disperse the CMFs from the pellicle in
      which they are organized in an irregular network. Because of the strong
      attractions between the CMFs, the dispersion remained highly heterogeneous,
      consisting of fiber bundles, flocs, and voids spanning tens to hundreds of
      micrometers depending on concentration. The size of these flocs increased with
      CMF concentration, the size of the bundles stayed constant, and the size of the
      voids decreased. The observed percolation threshold in MFC dispersions is lower
      than the theoretical prediction, which is accounted for by the attractive
      interactions in the system. Because bacterial cellulose is chemically very pure,
      it can be used to study the interaction of attractive and highly shape
      anisotropic, semiflexible fiberlike colloidal particles. 

PMID- 24215544
TI  - PPAR agonists as therapeutics for CNS trauma and neurological diseases.
AB  - Traumatic injury or disease of the spinal cord and brain elicits multiple
      cellular and biochemical reactions that together cause or are associated with
      neuropathology. Specifically, injury or disease elicits acute infiltration and
      activation of immune cells, death of neurons and glia, mitochondrial dysfunction,
      and the secretion of substrates that inhibit axon regeneration. In some diseases,
      inflammation is chronic or non-resolving. Ligands that target PPARs (peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptors), a group of ligand-activated transcription
      factors, are promising therapeutics for neurologic disease and CNS injury because
      their activation affects many, if not all, of these interrelated pathologic
      mechanisms. PPAR activation can simultaneously weaken or reprogram the immune
      response, stimulate metabolic and mitochondrial function, promote axon growth and
      induce progenitor cells to differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes. PPAR
      activation has beneficial effects in many pre-clinical models of
      neurodegenerative diseases and CNS injury; however, the mechanisms through which
      PPARs exert these effects have yet to be fully elucidated. In this review we
      discuss current literature supporting the role of PPAR activation as a
      therapeutic target for treating traumatic injury and degenerative diseases of the
      CNS. 

PMID- 24215549
TI  - Dental erosion due to GERD in patients with developmental disabilities: case
      theory.
AB  - Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common finding among individuals in
      our society. Unfortunately, the condition is even more prevalent in individuals
      with developmental disabilities. There are significant comorbidities that can
      affect the upper gastrointestinal tract. Erosion of tooth surfaces may be the
      first comorbidity that is detected in individuals unable to express physical
      discomfort associated with GERD. The dentist should be aware of these findings
      and able to refer the patient for medical management. In addition, an awareness
      of preventive regimens and restorative options is essential in maintaining a
      healthy dentition for these individuals. 

PMID- 24215550
TI  - Economic outcomes of sequences which include monoclonal antibodies against
      vascular endothelial growth factor and/or epidermal growth factor receptor for
      the treatment of unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with unresectable, metastatic colorectal cancer with wild
      type Kirsten ras mutational status are eligible for sequential treatments which
      include monoclonal antibodies as first line (1L), second line (2L), or third line
      (3L) regimens. OBJECTIVE: To compare the economic outcomes of different sequences
      which include monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of unresectable metastatic
      colorectal cancer. METHODS: Individual drug regimens for 1L, 2L, and 3L
      treatments were compiled according to the clinical studies in the Summary of
      Product Characteristics for monoclonal antibodies. They were combined into
      plausible treatment sequences. Health outcomes were approximated using additive
      median PFS benefit, and economic outcomes were calculated with a treatment
      sequencing costing tool. Limitations of the analysis include the clinical trial
      data sources, cost assumptions, and the additive PFS approach. RESULTS: Seventeen
      sequences were evaluated. Results of the analysis show that sequences including
      1L anti-EGFRs generally have relatively low-to-medium health outcomes at the
      highest comparative sequence costs compared to sequences including 2L anti-EGFRs,
      which have lower health outcomes at the lowest cost. Sequences including 3L anti
      EGFRs (sequential bevazicumab-based 1L and 2L) have the highest health outcomes,
      with potential cost savings of ?5972-?11,676 if replacing 2L anti-EGFRs or an
      additional cost of ?5909-?12,708 if replacing 1L anti-EGFR regimens. CONCLUSION:
      Clinical sequences consisting of 1L and 2L line bevacizumab followed by 3L anti
      EGFR potentially yield the greatest health outcomes associated with a reasonable
      trade-off in additional cost when replacing 1L anti-EGFRs and are potentially
      cost-saving if replacing 2L anti-EGFRs, per patient per lifetime. To maximize
      health outcomes, optimal sequences include anti-EGFRs as 3L regimen, with an
      approximately equivalent trade-off in costs between the most costly (anti-EGFR
      2L) and least costly (anti-EGFR 1L) sequences.

PMID- 24215551
TI  - Analytical screening studies on irradiated food packaging.
AB  - Foods may be irradiated in their final packaging and this process may affect the
      composition of the packaging and in turn affect the migration of substances into
      food. Headspace and liquid injection GC-MS and HPLC with time-of-flight MS have
      been used to identify and estimate levels of radiolytic products in irradiated
      finished plastic packaging materials. Fifteen retail packaging materials were
      studied. Investigations were carried out into the effect of different irradiation
      types (gamma and electron beam), irradiation doses (1, 3, 7 and 10 kGy) and dose
      rates (5 kGy s(-1) for electron beam and 0.4 and 1.85 kGy h(-1) for gamma) on the
      radiolytic products. Any differences seen in comparing the two ionising radiation
      types were attributed largely to the very different dose rates; for electron beam
      a 10 kGy dose was delivered in just 2 s whereas using gamma it took 5.4 h.
      Differences were also seen when comparing the same samples irradiated at
      different doses. Some substances were not affected by irradiation, others
      decreased in concentration and others were formed upon increasing doses of
      irradiation. These results confirm that irradiation-induced changes do occur in
      substances with the potential to migrate and that the safety of the finished
      packaging material following irradiation should be assessed. 

PMID- 24215553
TI  - Maternal sexual interactions affect offspring survival and ageing.
AB  - In many species, females exposed to increased sexual activity experience
      reductions in longevity. Here, in Drosophila melanogaster, we report an
      additional effect on females brought about by sexual interactions, an effect that
      spans generations. We subjected females to a sexual treatment consisting of
      different levels of sexual activity and then investigated patterns of mortality
      in their offspring. We found reduced probabilities of survival, increases in the
      rate of senescence and a pattern of reduced mean longevities, for offspring
      produced by mothers that experienced higher levels of sexual interaction. We
      contend that these effects constitute trans-generational costs of sexual conflict
      -the existence or implications of which have rarely been considered previously.
      Our results indicate that ongoing exposure by mothers to male precopulatory
      interactions is itself sufficient to drive trans-generational effects on
      offspring mortality. Thus, we show that increases in maternal sexual activity can
      produce trans-generational effects that permeate through to latter life stages in
      the offspring. This helps to elucidate the complex interplay between sex and
      ageing and provides new insights into the dynamics of adaptation under sexual
      selection.

PMID- 24215554
TI  - Effects of a soft prefabricated thumb orthosis in carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.
AB  - AIMS: To explore the feasibility and assess the effect of a prefabricated soft
      thumb-base orthosis on pain, hand strength, and activity performance in persons
      with osteoarthritis of the CMC joint. METHODS: In this randomized controlled
      trial, 29 patients received hand exercises only (control group) and 30 patients
      received hand exercises and an orthosis (orthosis group). The primary outcome was
      pain, while secondary outcomes included grip and pinch strength, and self
      reported symptoms and activity performance. Outcome assessments, and measures of
      grip strength and pain with and without orthosis in the orthosis group, were made
      after two months. RESULTS: 55 participants (mean age 70.5 years) completed all
      assessments. There were no significant differences between the groups in primary
      or secondary outcomes after two months. However, in the orthosis group, pain was
      significantly less when wearing the orthosis than when not wearing it.
      Participants reported that the orthosis felt uncomfortable during activities
      involving water and one-third wanted more support of the CMC joint. CONCLUSIONS:
      A soft prefabricated orthosis seems to have an immediate pain-relieving effect
      during use, but no effects in terms of less hand pain, or improved strength or
      activity performance when not worn.

PMID- 24215555
TI  - Mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets in allergic inflammation: recent
      insights.
AB  - Deeper insight into pathogenetic pathways and into the biological effects of
      immunomodulatory agents will help to optimize or adopt therapeutic strategies for
      atopic disorders. In this article, we highlight selected findings of potential
      therapeutic relevance that emerged from recent mechanistic studies with focus on
      molecular and cellular aspects of allergic inflammation. Furthermore, the often
      complex mechanisms of action of pleiotropic immunomodulatory agents, such as
      glucocorticoids, vitamin D, or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), are discussed,
      as their dissection might reveal targets for novel therapeutics or lead to a more
      rational use of these compounds. Besides reporting novel evidence, this article
      points to areas of current debate or uncertainty and aims at stimulating
      scientific discussion and experimental work. 

PMID- 24215556
TI  - Review of laquinimod and its therapeutic potential in multiple sclerosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immunological disease of the
      central nervous system characterized by early inflammatory demyelination and
      subsequent neurodegeneration. Although major progress has occurred, MS is still
      an incurable disease. Further, parenteral application and/or safety issues of the
      currently licensed drugs are associated with low patient compliance. Thus, there
      remains an unmet need for the development of more effective and well-tolerated
      oral therapies for the treatment of MS. At this point in time, different oral
      available substances are under investigation and hold promise in the treatment of
      relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). AREAS COVERED: The physical, chemical and
      pharmacological properties of laquinimod , as well as its suggested mechanisms of
      action, clinical efficacy and side-effect profile are reviewed. EXPERT OPINION:
      Laquinimod is a new orally administered synthetic drug designed as an
      immunomodulator. Its mechanisms of action are not yet fully elucidated. Studies
      in mice and humans revealed different mechanisms of action, including anti
      inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. So far, Phase II and Phase III clinical
      trials have shown its efficacy on magnetic resonance imaging based measures of
      disease activity, annualized relapse rate and disability progression in RRMS
      patients. Current data suggest a relatively modest efficacy by measures of
      relapse rate and there seems to be no superiority in comparison to established
      disease-modifying agents in relapsing-remitting MS. Further studies are necessary
      to evaluate both neuroprotective efficacy and optimal dosage of laquinimod in
      more detail.

PMID- 24215557
TI  - Inflammatory bowel diseases and psychological issues: A new approach for a
      systematic analysis of the academic debate.
AB  - Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has received increasing attention in recent
      years within the literature, due to its incidence and prevalence. The
      pathogenesis of IBD is still unclear, but the research community is increasingly
      suggesting that psychological issues may play a role in its aetiology and in
      exacerbation of symptoms. However, the literature regarding the psychological
      factors associated with IBD remains controversial and fragmented. The aim of the
      present study is twofold: (1) to identify, through a bibliometric analysis, the
      current state of the ongoing scientific debate regarding the relationship between
      IBD and psychological/psychiatric factors; (2) to analyse, through a qualitative
      software-based thematic analysis, the main themes characterizing the literature
      on this topic from 1988 to 2012. This study highlighted increasing number of
      academic publications in recent years regarding the multiplicity of factors
      related to the disease process in IBD, thus confirming the growing interest in
      this issue. IBD is becoming increasingly recognized by the medical literature as
      being exacerbated by a multi-componential process that needs to be studied
      through a biopsychosocial theoretical perspective which ables to orient
      multidisciplinary healthcare organizations and clinical interventions aimed at
      addressing IBD patient needs at different levels. This study also sheds light on
      two possible theoretical perspectives through which the academic community has
      considered IBD: A biomedical point of view that addresses the need for an
      etiological explanation of IBD and a behavioural point of view that aims at
      describing the observable symptoms and measurable health outcomes of clinical
      interventions such as patient adherence and engagement in the care and treatment
      process. 

PMID- 24215558
TI  - Effects of the cycloplegic, cyclopentolate, on measurements of refraction in eyes
      of a strain of wild-type juvenile guinea pig (Cavia porcellus): a comparative
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect(s) of the cycloplegic, cyclopentolate, on
      measurements of refraction in eyes of a strain of wild-type guinea pig. METHODS:
      Both eyes of 13 wild-type juvenile guinea pigs (n=26 eyes) were examined both pre
      and post-mydriasis, using streak retinoscopy (SR) and eccentric infrared
      photoretinoscopy (EIP). On the day of measurement, three SR measurements were
      taken for each eye at 0900, 1000, 1100, 1400, 1500 and 1600, and three EIP
      measurements for each eye at 0930, 1030, 1130, 1430, 1530 and 1630.
      Cyclopentolate hydrochloride (1%) was topically administered three times to each
      eye at 5-min intervals: 1300, 1305 and 1310. RESULTS: Repeated measurements made
      by either method revealed that mydriasis did not significantly affect refractive
      stability (repeated measures, p>0.05). Depending on the stage of mydriasis,
      however, there were significant differences in measured refractive changes both
      SR and EIP (0.27 +/- 0.65 D, tSR=-2.095, PSR=0.04 and 0.73 +/- 1.06 D, tEIP=
      3.494, PEIP=0.002, respectively) measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclopentolate had
      only limited effects on measurements of refraction, indicating that direct SR or
      EIP measurements of refraction in this wild-type strain of juvenile guinea pig,
      without the use of a cycloplegic, yield reliable and stable results.

PMID- 24215559
TI  - 3D cross-linked nanoweb architecture of binder-free TiO(2) electrodes for lithium
      ion batteries.
AB  - The nanoweb structure of TiO2 anode, cross-linked between electrospun nanofibers,
      is directly fabricated on the current collector by utilizing the fluidity of low
      glass transition temperature polymer, poly(vinyl acetate), at room temperature.
      This characteristic enables us to fabricate the nanoweb structure by direct
      electrospinning on the current collector, followed by uniaxial pressing. This
      proposed structure facilitates electron transport through the direct conducting
      pathways between TiO2 active materials and current collector as well as provides
      strong adhesion strength to the current collector without polymeric binders.
      Consequently, we could achieve stable cycle performance up to 100 cycles and the
      excellent rate capability of ~60% at high rate charge/discharge condition of 10
      C. 

PMID- 24215560
TI  - Portable thermo-powered high-throughput visual electrochemiluminescence sensor.
AB  - This paper describes a portable thermo-powered high-throughput visual
      electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for the first time. This sensor is composed
      of a tiny power supply device based on thermal-electrical conversion and a facile
      prepared array electrode. The ECL detection could be conducted with thermo-power,
      which is easily accessible. For example, hot water, a bonfire, or a lighted
      candle enables the detection to be conducted. And the assay can be directly
      monitored by the naked eye semiquantitatively or smart phones quantitatively.
      Combined with transparent electrode and array microreactors, a portable high
      throughput sensor was achieved. The portable device, avoiding the use of an
      electrochemical workstation to generate potential and a photomultiplier tube to
      receive the signal, is not only a valuable addition for traditional methods but
      also a suitable device for field operation or point-of-care testing. 

PMID- 24215561
TI  - Enantioselective photoredox catalysis enabled by proton-coupled electron
      transfer: development of an asymmetric aza-pinacol cyclization.
AB  - The first highly enantioselective catalytic protocol for the reductive coupling
      of ketones and hydrazones is reported. These reactions proceed through neutral
      ketyl radical intermediates generated via a concerted proton-coupled electron
      transfer (PCET) event jointly mediated by a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst and
      the photoredox catalyst Ir(ppy)2(dtbpy)PF6. Remarkably, these neutral ketyl
      radicals appear to remain H-bonded to the chiral conjugate base of the Bronsted
      acid during the course of a subsequent C-C bond-forming step, furnishing syn 1,2
      amino alcohol derivatives with excellent levels of diastereo- and
      enantioselectivity. This work provides the first demonstration of the feasibility
      and potential benefits of concerted PCET activation in asymmetric catalysis. 

PMID- 24215562
TI  - Membrane lipids are key modulators of the endocannabinoid-hydrolase FAAH.
AB  - Lipid composition is expected to play an important role in modulating membrane
      enzyme activity, in particular if the substrates are themselves lipid molecules.
      A paradigmatic case is FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), an enzyme critical in
      terminating endocannabinoid signalling and an important therapeutic target. In
      the present study, using a combined experimental and computational approach, we
      show that membrane lipids modulate the structure, subcellular localization and
      activity of FAAH. We report that the FAAH dimer is stabilized by the lipid
      bilayer and shows a higher membrane-binding affinity and enzymatic activity
      within membranes containing both cholesterol and the natural FAAH substrate AEA
      (anandamide). Additionally, co-localization of cholesterol, AEA and FAAH in mouse
      neuroblastoma cells suggests a mechanism through which cholesterol increases the
      substrate accessibility of FAAH. 

PMID- 24215563
TI  - Genetic analysis of 15 STR loci from a Xibe population in Liaoning, Northeast of
      China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In view of their high level of variability, autosomal short tandem
      repeats (STRs) are very useful as markers in the disciplines of forensic and
      population genetics studies. AIM: To investigate the diversity distributions of
      allelic frequencies of 15 loci from a sample from the Chinese Xibe ethnic group
      in Liaoning. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen STR loci for 150 unrelated Xibe
      individuals from Liaoning, China were amplified simultaneously in a fluorescence
      based reaction using a 2720 Thermal cycler (ABI). Separation and detection of the
      amplified product were conducted with the Li-COR 4300 DNA Analyzer. RESULTS: In
      total, 117 alleles were observed, with the corresponding allele frequencies
      ranging from 0.001 to 0.507. D18S51 had the highest polymorphism (PIC = 0.840)
      among all 15 STR loci, whereas TPOX had the lowest (PIC = 0.590). The power of
      discrimination ranged from 0.801 for TH01 locus to 0.957 for D18S51 locus,
      whereas the power of exclusion ranged from a minimum 0.316 for TPOX locus to a
      maximum 0.720 for D21S11 locus. The phylogenetic tree established among worldwide
      populations showed that the Xibe population is far from other populations.
      CONCLUSION: Databases for the 15 STR loci will be useful for personal
      identification and paternity tests in the Xibe population and for the
      establishment of phylogenetic relationships between populations.

PMID- 24215564
TI  - An investigation of cognitive test performance across conditions of silence,
      background noise and music as a function of neuroticism.
AB  - The present study investigates the role of trait neuroticism on cognitive
      performance under distraction. Seventy participants were given a personality test
      and then undertook a number of different cognitive tasks in silence, in the
      presence of popular music and in background noise. It was predicted that
      performance on a general intelligence test, a test of abstract reasoning, and a
      mental arithmetic task would be adversely affected by background sounds. It was
      predicted that neuroticism would be negatively correlated with performance on the
      mental arithmetic task but only when the individuals were working in the presence
      of background sound. Stable vs. unstable participant's performance on a mental
      arithmetic task during noise was significantly higher as predicted. The results
      provided partial support for the hypotheses and are discussed with respect to
      previous findings in the literature on personality (particularly introversion
      extraversion) and distraction on cognitive task performance. Limitations are
      noted.

PMID- 24215565
TI  - Artemisinin-naphthoquine combination versus chloroquine-primaquine to treat vivax
      malaria: an open-label randomized and non-inferiority trial in Yunnan Province,
      China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plasmodium vivax is the main malaria parasite in China, and China is
      now making efforts to eliminate malaria by 2020. Radical cure of vivax malaria is
      one of challenges for malaria elimination. The purpose is to evaluate the
      efficacy and safety of artemisinin-naphthoquine (ANQ) versus chloroquine
      primaquine (CQ-PQ) in treatment of vivax malaria in Yunnan Province, China.
      METHODS: An open-label randomized and non-inferiority design, eligible patients
      with monoinfections of P. vivax were randomly assigned to receive either a total
      target dose of ANQ 24.5 mg/kg (naphthoquine 7 mg/kg and artemisinin 17.5 mg/kg),
      once a day for three days, or a total CQ dose of 24 mg base/kg, once a day for
      three days plus a PQ dose of 0.45 mg base/kg/day, once a day for eight days.
      Patients were followed up for one year. The difference in efficacy between ANQ
      and CQ-PQ was compared via Wilson's test. RESULTS: By day 42, the number of
      patients free of recurrence was 125 (98.4%; 95% Confidence interval, 94.4-99.8%)
      for ANQ arm and 123 (96.1%; 95%CI, 91.1-98.7%) for CQ-PQ, and non-significant (P
      = 0.4496). By day 365, the number was 101 (79.5%; 95%CI, 71.8-85.9%) for ANQ and
      106 (82.8%; 95%CI, 75.1-88.9%) for CQ-PQ, and non-significant (P = 0.610). So the
      proportions of patients free of recurrence had no significant difference between
      ANQ and CQ-PQ groups by day 28, 42 and 365; compared with CQ-PQ, the side effect
      of ANQ was mild. CONCLUSION: ANQ is non-inferior to CQ-PQ in terms of patients
      free of recurrence, and safer than CQ-PQ.

PMID- 24215566
TI  - Factors related to cognitive function among elementary school children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate cognitive functioning
      among elementary school children in Jordan. METHODS: A total of 468 children aged
      6-12 years were recruited to participate in this study. Cognitive functioning was
      assessed using the LOTCA battery (Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive
      Assessment; Itzkovich et al., 2000). Information obtained from the parents
      included demographics, work and income data and child's daily behavior and school
      achievement. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the cognitive
      functioning increased by 3.8 points for each increase in the child's GPA and
      increased by 2.35 points when the child ate breakfast regularly. By contrast,
      living in rural areas and smoking by a parent decreased cognitive functioning.
      CONCLUSIONS: Understanding of the child's cognitive abilities is critical to
      establishing intervention goals and to planning therapeutic activities. Screening
      of cognitive abilities and associated factors is essential for a comprehensive
      and accurate understanding of the child's abilities and limitations. Further
      research is recommended to investigate other factors in different populations.

PMID- 24215567
TI  - Tunable photoluminescence of monolayer MoS2 via chemical doping.
AB  - We demonstrate the tunability of the photoluminescence (PL) properties of
      monolayer (1L)-MoS2 via chemical doping. The PL intensity of 1L-MoS2 was
      drastically enhanced by the adsorption of p-type dopants with high electron
      affinity but reduced by the adsorption of n-type dopants. This PL modulation
      results from switching between exciton PL and trion PL depending on carrier
      density in 1L-MoS2. Achievement of the extraction and injection of carriers in 1L
      MoS2 by this solution-based chemical doping method enables convenient control of
      optical and electrical properties of atomically thin MoS2. 

PMID- 24215568
TI  - Synthesis of a thiol-beta-cyclodextrin, a potential agent for controlling
      enzymatic browning in fruits and vegetables.
AB  - A thiol-beta-cyclodextrin was synthesized by a simple and environmentally
      friendly three-step method comprising epoxy activation of beta-cyclodextrin,
      thiosulfate-mediated oxirane opening, and further reduction of the S-alkyl
      thiosulfate to a thiol group. The final step was optimized by using thiopropyl
      agarose, a solid phase reducing agent with many advantages over soluble ones.
      beta-Cyclodextrin thiolation was confirmed by titration with a thiol-reactive
      reagent, NMR studies, and MALDI-TOF/TOF. Thiolated cyclodextrin had an average
      value of one thiol group per molecule. Thiol-beta-cyclodextrin proved to be an
      excellent agent for controlling polyphenol oxidase activity. This copper
      containing enzyme is responsible for browning in fruits and vegetables. Under the
      same conditions, thiol-beta-cyclodextrin generated a reductive microenvironment
      that increased the antibrowning effect on Red Delicious apples compared to
      unmodified beta-cyclodextrin. 

PMID- 24215569
TI  - Troponin assays in the assessment of the equine myocardium.
AB  - In 2000, troponin assays were adopted as the test of choice for detection of
      myocardial injury in man. This decision was made after extensive testing and
      followed a 60 year search for a biomarker of myocardial damage with sufficient
      analytical sensitivity and specificity. This has led to proliferation of assays
      for use in human medicine, each requiring extensive testing and validation before
      it could be made available on the open market for human use. The search for ever
      more analytically sensitive assays and for a standard reference material
      continues. The adoption of troponin testing in veterinary medicine followed
      shortly after its development for use in man, providing a much-needed means of
      detecting and monitoring myocardial damage in horses. However, application of
      these tests in veterinary medicine has exclusively involved use of assays
      designed for and clinically validated in human patients. There is no mandated
      requirement for test validation in veterinary medicine and, while many of these
      assays have been shown to be capable of detecting equine troponin, the wide
      diversity of available tests, lack of validation, absence of protocols for their
      use and lack of standardisation make their application problematic. The objective
      of this review article is to address this issue, offering guidance where data are
      available and encouraging caution where there are none. Ultimately, the overall
      goal of this review is to examine critically the use of troponin assays in the
      horse and to promote the accurate and appropriate interpretation of valid
      results. 

PMID- 24215570
TI  - Few-layer graphene shells and nonmagnetic encapsulates: a versatile and nontoxic
      carbon nanomaterial.
AB  - In this work a simple and scalable approach to coat nonmagnetic nanoparticles
      with few-layer graphene is presented. In addition, the easy processing of such
      nanoparticles to remove their core, leaving only the 3D graphene nanoshell, is
      demonstrated. The samples are comprehensively characterized, as are their
      versatility in terms of functionalization and as a material for electrochemical
      storage. Indeed, these 3D graphene nanostructures are easily functionalized much
      as is found with carbon nanotubes and planar graphene. Electrochemical
      investigations indicate these nanostructures are promising for stable long-life
      battery applications. Finally, initial toxicological investigations suggest no
      acute health risk from these 3D graphene nanostructures. 

PMID- 24215571
TI  - Psychometric properties and validation of the Polish CP QOL-Child questionnaire:
      a pilot study.
AB  - AIM: Translate, determine the psychometric properties and validate the Polish CP
      QOL-Child questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double translation of the
      questionnaire from English into Polish and back was executed. The questionnaire
      was distributed to 55 parents/legal guardians of children with cerebral palsy
      aged 4-12 years. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were determined
      on the basis of its internal consistency and the internal consistency of each of
      the investigated aspects, as well as on the assessment of the relationship
      between quality of life and such data as child's age, parent's age, place of
      residence and GMFCS level. RESULTS: The results showed high levels of internal
      consistency of the Polish version of the CP QOL-Child questionnaire - Cronbach's
      alpha was between 0.77 and 0.82, which is comparable to the original scale, where
      it was 0.74-0.92. In addition, we found no relationship between child's age and
      parent's age and the child's quality of life. Whereas we determined dependencies
      between the child's GMFCS level and quality of life in areas such as emotional
      state (p = 0.025), pain and the effects of disability (p = 0.033), and to a
      lesser extent participation in social life (p = 0.045). However, Spearman test
      presented that only domain pain and impact of disability reported positive
      correlation r = 0.43. CONCLUSION: Studies showed that English language the CP QOL
      Child questionnaire was successful translated into Polish which is confirmed by
      the results of the assessment of the psychometric properties and validation of
      the Polish language questionnaire. The results of our study indicate that the
      Polish language version of the CP QOL-Child questionnaire is an appropriate tool
      to assess the quality of life of Polish-speaking children with cerebral palsy
      aged 4-12 years.

PMID- 24215572
TI  - Quantifying on-road emissions from gasoline-powered motor vehicles: accounting
      for the presence of medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks.
AB  - Vehicle emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), fine
      particulate matter (PM2.5), organic aerosol (OA), and black carbon (BC) were
      measured at the Caldecott tunnel in the San Francisco Bay Area. Measurements were
      made in bore 2 of the tunnel, where light-duty (LD) vehicles accounted for >99%
      of total traffic and heavy-duty trucks were not allowed. Prior emission studies
      conducted in North America have often assumed that route- or weekend-specific
      prohibitions on heavy-duty truck traffic imply that diesel contributions to
      pollutant concentrations measured in on-road settings can be neglected. However,
      as light-duty vehicle emissions have declined, this assumption can lead to biased
      results, especially for pollutants such as NOx, OA, and BC, for which diesel
      engine emission rates are high compared to corresponding values for gasoline
      engines. In this study, diesel vehicles (mostly medium-duty delivery trucks with
      two axles and six tires) accounted for <1% of all vehicles observed in the tunnel
      but were nevertheless responsible for (18 +/- 3)%, (22 +/- 6)%, and (45 +/- 8)%
      of measured NOx, OA, and BC concentrations. Fleet-average OA and BC emission
      factors for light-duty vehicles are, respectively, 10 and 50 times lower than for
      heavy-duty diesel trucks. Using measured emission factors from this study and
      publicly available data on taxable fuel sales, as of 2010, LD gasoline vehicles
      were estimated to be responsible for 85%, 18%, 18%, and 6% of emissions of CO,
      NOx, OA, and BC, respectively, from on-road motor vehicles in the United States. 

PMID- 24215573
TI  - Influence of orthostasis and daytime on retinal thickness in uveitis-associated
      cystoid macular edema.
AB  - AIM: To identify influence of orthostasis and daytime on retinal-thickness in
      cystoid-macular-edema (CME) using SD-OCT. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study
      18 eyes with uveitis-associated CME (uvCME) were included. Orthostatic-changes of
      retinal-thickness were analyzed using a CirrusTM SD-OCT. Retinal-thickness was
      measured with patients lying horizontally on their side, followed by a fast
      sitting-up and OCT-measurement in sitting-position. Diurnal-change in thicknesses
      were assessed by SpectralisTM OCT between 8 AM and 8 PM. RESULTS: Approximately
      20 s elapsed between position-change and the following OCT-measurement. In
      horizontal-position, the mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was 496 +/- 37 um,
      in upright position, the mean CRT was reduced to 412 +/- 43 um (p=0.032), thus
      position-change led to a 17% decrease in CRT. None of the other ETDRS-subfields
      showed a statistically significant decrease in thicknesses (p>0.05). In the
      second experiment, diurnal-CRT decreased over time, whereas the main decrease
      happened in the morning (8 a.m. 559 +/- 35 um, 12 p.m. 533 +/- 36 um, 4 p.m. 538
      +/- 32 um, 8 p.m.551 +/- 38 um, p=0.01). Thicknesses in all other ETDRS-subgrids
      did not decrease statistically significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Intraretinal-fluid in
      uvCME may show a high mobility: CRT decreases within seconds after a patient
      changes position, indicating that position effects retinal-thickness. Main
      diurnal-decrease in CRT occurs before noon, which is likely due to a position
      change in the morning. Patient-population (walk-in patients versus hospitalized,
      lying patients) and previous waiting-position should be considered when
      interpreting retinal-thickness in clinical-practice.

PMID- 24215574
TI  - Reduction in hospital reattendance due to improved preoperative patient education
      following hemorrhoidectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To improve quality of healthcare, patient information must be
      thorough and easy to understand. This is important in day surgery where patients
      are seen less often by health practitioners. We looked at the impact of improving
      patient information in the setting of day-case hemorrhoidectomy in terms of
      patient satisfaction and whether medical attention was sought after the
      operation. METHODS: A retrospective, comparative study was performed on 60
      patients undergoing day-case hemorrhoidectomy and on 60 patients undergoing the
      same operation with improved patient information. Comparisons were made between
      the groups regarding patient satisfaction scores, those seeking medical
      attention, the numbers of patients requesting a 6-week outpatient follow-up and
      the reasons for seeking medical advice. RESULTS: There was a significant
      improvement in the patient satisfaction scores in the second study group who
      received the improved information. This group sought medical attention
      significantly less and they felt less need for a routine follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study has shown that by improving the quality of patient information for day
      case hemorrhoidectomy, patient satisfaction was higher and fewer patients sought
      medical attention, which has beneficial financial indications for the NHS Trust
      and improvement of healthcare for the patient.

PMID- 24215575
TI  - Amygdala opioid receptors mediate the electroacupuncture-induced deterioration of
      sleep disruptions in epilepsy rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical and experimental evidence demonstrates that sleep and
      epilepsy reciprocally affect each other. Previous studies indicated that epilepsy
      alters sleep homeostasis; in contrast, sleep disturbance deteriorates epilepsy.
      If a therapy possesses both epilepsy suppression and sleep improvement, it would
      be the priority choice for seizure control. Effects of acupuncture of Feng-Chi
      (GB20) acupoints on epilepsy suppression and insomnia treatment have been
      documented in the ancient Chinese literature, Lingshu Jing (Classic of the
      Miraculous Pivot). Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect
      of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi acupoints on sleep
      disruptions in rats with focal epilepsy. RESULTS: Our result indicates that
      administration of pilocarpine into the left central nucleus of amygdala (CeA)
      induced focal epilepsy and decreased both rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non
      REM (NREM) sleep. High-frequency (100 Hz) EA stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi
      acupoints, in which a 30-min EA stimulation was performed before the dark period
      of the light:dark cycle in three consecutive days, further deteriorated
      pilocarpine-induced sleep disruptions. The EA-induced exacerbation of sleep
      disruption was blocked by microinjection of naloxone, MU- (naloxonazine), kappa-
      (nor-binaltorphimine) or delta-receptor antagonists (natrindole) into the CeA,
      suggesting the involvement of amygdaloid opioid receptors. CONCLUSION: The
      present study suggests that high-frequency (100 Hz) EA stimulation of bilateral
      Feng-Chi acupoints exhibits no benefit in improving pilocarpine-induced sleep
      disruptions; in contrast, EA further deteriorated sleep disturbances. Opioid
      receptors in the CeA mediated EA-induced exacerbation of sleep disruptions in
      epileptic rats.

PMID- 24215576
TI  - Preoperative serum CA 72.4 as prognostic factor of recurrence and death,
      especially at TNM stage II, for colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nowadays, evaluation of colorectal cancer prognosis and decision
      making for treatment continues to be based primarily on TNM tumour stage.
      Administration of adjuvant chemotherapy is especially challenging for stage II
      patients that can have very different disease-related outcomes. Therefore, more
      reliable prognostic markers need to be developed to improve the selection of
      stage II patients at high risk for recurrence. Our purpose is to assess the
      prognostic value of preoperative serum CA 72.4 to improve the risk stratification
      of CRC patients. METHODS: Preoperative sera collected from 71 unselected patients
      between January 1994 and February 1997 was assayed for CA 72.4 and CEA levels.
      Patients were followed-up for at least 30 months or until relapse. Survival
      curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the prognostic value was
      determined using Log-Rank test and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Preoperative
      CA 72.4 levels above 7 U/mL correlate with a worse prognosis, with associated
      recurrence and death percentages exceeding the displayed by CEA. In a
      multivariate analysis, its combination with CEA proved the most important
      independent factor predicting survival. Remarkably, at stage II CA 72.4 also
      discriminates better than CEA those patients that will relapse or die from those
      with a favourable prognosis; however, CEA has not a negligible effect on
      survival. CONCLUSIONS: The most outstanding finding of the present work is the
      correct classification of nearly every patient with bad prognosis (relapse or
      death) at TNM stage II when CEA and CA 72.4 are used altogether. This could
      improve the decision-making involved in the treatment of stage II colon cancer.
      Certainly further large-scale studies must be performed to determine whether CA
      72.4 can be effectively used in the clinical setting.

PMID- 24215577
TI  - Acute and long-term management of food allergy: systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allergic reactions to food can have serious consequences. This
      systematic review summarizes evidence about the immediate management of reactions
      and longer-term approaches to minimize adverse impacts. METHODS: Seven
      bibliographic databases were searched from their inception to September 30, 2012,
      for systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, quasi-randomized controlled
      trials, controlled clinical trials, controlled before-and-after and interrupted
      time series studies. Experts were consulted for additional studies. There was no
      language or geographic restrictions. Two reviewers critically appraised the
      studies using the appropriate tools. Data were not suitable for meta-analysis due
      to heterogeneity so were narratively synthesized. RESULTS: Eighty-four studies
      were included, but two-thirds were at high risk of potential bias. There was
      little evidence about acute management for non-life-threatening reactions. H1
      antihistamines may be of benefit, but this evidence was in part derived from
      studies on those with cross-reactive birch pollen allergy. Regarding long-term
      management, avoiding the allergenic food or substituting an alternative was
      commonly recommended, but apart from for infants with cow's milk allergy, there
      was little high-quality research on this management approach. To reduce symptoms
      in children with cow's milk allergy, there was evidence to recommend alternatives
      such as extensively hydrolyzed formula. Supplements such as probiotics have not
      proved helpful, but allergen-specific immunotherapy may be disease modifying and
      therefore warrants further exploration. CONCLUSIONS: Food allergy can be
      debilitating and affects a significant number of people. However, the evidence
      base about acute and longer-term management is weak and needs to be strengthened
      as a matter of priority.

PMID- 24215578
TI  - What role does African ancestry play in how hypertensive patients respond to
      certain antihypertensive drug therapy?
AB  - This article is a summary of the response of the four commonly used
      antihypertensive agents in African ancestry patients. They are thiazide like
      diuretics or indapamide, calcium channel blockers (CCB), angiotensin converting
      enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers, and beta-adrenergic
      blockers (ARB). Response was superior in African ancestry patients on a thiazide
      like diuretic or indapamide and CCB, while the response to beta-adrenergic
      blockers and ACEI are attenuated. Available data are very limited but self
      defined ancestry seems to be the best predictor of individual responses to
      antihypertensive drugs. Knowledge of the factors like economic and social
      consideration affect the lower rate of detection, treatment and control of
      hypertension in the African ancestry population of the USA. For regions in which
      health care resources are particularly scarce, investment in population-based
      primary prevention strategies may yield the largest benefit. 

PMID- 24215579
TI  - Risk factors of postoperative urinary retention after hip surgery for femoral
      neck fracture in elderly women.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate risk factors for postoperative
      urinary retention (POUR) in female patients with femoral neck fractures. METHODS:
      We recruited 72 female patients (age 86.5 +/- 6.7 years) from among 90 cases of
      hip surgery carried out between January and December 2011 at Goto Chuo Hospital.
      We evaluated the risk factors for POUR, including the administration of
      anticholinergic drugs, diabetes mellitus, preoperative dementia and/or delirium,
      neurological disorders, age, hypertension, overactive bladder, and the
      postoperative duration of the use of an indwelling urethral catheter using a
      multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In the present study, POUR
      occurred in eight out of 72 cases (11.1%). The multivariate analysis showed that
      the indwelling period of the urethral catheter (per 1-day increase; P = 0.04, OR
      0.33 95% CI 0.11-0.96), and preoperative dementia and/or delirium (P = 0.03,
      OR10.4, 95%CI 1.21-89.2) correlated with the occurrence of POUR. Diabetes
      mellitus (P = 0.78), anticholinergic agents (P = 0.23), neurological disorders (P
      = 0.83), age (P = 0.86), hypertension (P = 0.76) and overactive bladder (P =
      0.34) did not significantly correlate with the occurrence of POUR. CONCLUSIONS:
      The present study showed that the early removal of the urethral catheter, and
      preoperative dementia and/or delirium had significant correlations with POUR. The
      femoral neck fractures and the surgical procedure used for the hip surgery do not
      induce damage to the bladder and nerve system related to the voiding function,
      and the voiding function in all of the patients recovered after short-term
      intermittent catheterization. Physicians should not place permanent indwelling
      urethral catheters without carrying out urological assessments.

PMID- 24215580
TI  - Steric-induced effects on stabilizing a lamellar structure.
AB  - We investigate the behavior of multilamellar phases composed of lecithin and a
      commercial cosurfactant (Simusol), which is a mixture of ethoxylated fatty acids.
      Using X-ray scattering and a new procedure to fit the data, relevant parameters
      characterizing the lamellar structure were determined as a function of membrane
      composition, varying from 100% of lecithin to 100% of Simulsol. Scattering data
      illustrating the swelling of the lamellae for different amounts of cosurfactant
      are presented with the respective behavior of the Caille parameter. With this
      experimental approach, we show that the incorporation of ethoxy brushes onto the
      lipid surface enhances repulsive interactions arising from membrane fluctuations
      and changes the interactions at the interface between bilayers. 

PMID- 24215581
TI  - Evaluation of vitamin B12 effects on DNA damage induced by paclitaxel.
AB  - Paclitaxel (PAC) is an anticancer drug that has been shown to generate free
      radicals leading to irreversible cell injury. Vitamin B12 has antioxidative
      properties and can protect DNA from free radicals. In this study, we examined the
      possible genotoxic effect of PAC on DNA as well as the possible protective effect
      of vitamin B12 on DNA damage induced by paclitaxel. Sister chromatid exchanges
      (SCEs), chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)
      levels were measured in cultured human blood lymphocytes treated with PAC (10 uM)
      and/or vitamin B12 (2.7 mg/mL). Our results showed that PAC significantly
      increased the frequencies of SCEs (p < 0.001) and CAs (p < 0.001) in human blood
      lymphocytes, as compared to controls. These DNA damages, caused by PAC drug, were
      prevented by pretreatment of cells with vitamin B12. In addition, we showed that
      PAC induced an increase in 8-OHdG, a marker of oxidative DNA damage, and that
      this increase was prevented by vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 seems to protect against
      genotoxicity induced by PAC in human blood lymphocytes.

PMID- 24215582
TI  - Obstetricians' attitudes and beliefs regarding umbilical cord clamping.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although delayed umbilical cord clamping has been demonstrated to
      reduce the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage and neonatal sepsis, and
      decrease the need for neonatal transfusions (without affecting cord pH, Apgar
      scores or the need for phototherapy), the extent to which this practice is being
      employed is unknown. We conducted a survey of US obstetricians to assess their
      attitudes and beliefs about cord clamping. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaires were
      randomly mailed to members of the American College of Obstetricians and
      Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (CARN).
      The data were analyzed using Chi-square and Student t tests. RESULTS: The
      response rates for the CARN and other ACOG members were 47% and 21%,
      respectively. Most (88%) responders reported their hospital had no umbilical cord
      clamping policy. The most frequent response for optimal timing of umbilical cord
      clamping, regardless of gestational age, was "don't know". Potential for neonatal
      red blood cell transfusion was the only concern cited as a reason for being
      somewhat or very inclined to delay umbilical cord clamping (51%). Delayed
      neonatal resuscitation (76%) was listed as a reason to clamp the cord
      immediately, despite the paucity of literature to support immediate cord clamping
      in this cohort. CONCLUSION: Despite substantial evidence supporting the practice
      of delayed cord clamping, few institutions have policies regarding this practice.
      Moreover, obstetricians' beliefs about the appropriate timing for umbilical cord
      clamping are not consistent with the evidence that demonstrates its beneficial
      impact on neonatal outcomes.

PMID- 24215583
TI  - Room temperature self-healing thermoset based on the Diels-Alder reaction.
AB  - A self-healing epoxy-amine thermoset based on the compatible functionalization of
      the thermoset and encapsulated healing agent has been successfully developed.
      Healing of the thermoset resulted from the reaction of furans in the thermoset
      and multimaleimides (MMIs) in the healing agent solution. The healing agent, MMI
      dissolved in phenyl acetate, was encapsulated using a urea-formaldehyde
      encapsulation method. Autonomic healing of the thermoset was achieved by
      incorporating microcapsules filled with the healing agent solution within a furan
      functionalized epoxy-amine thermoset. The resulting self-healing thermoset
      recovered 71% of its initial load after fracture. 

PMID- 24215584
TI  - Development of a new modelling tool (FACET) to assess exposure to chemical
      migrants from food packaging.
AB  - The approach used to obtain European Union-wide data on the usage and
      concentration of substances in different food packaging materials is described.
      Statistics were collected on pack sizes and market shares for the different
      materials used to package different food groups. The packaging materials covered
      were plastics (both flexible and rigid), metal containers, light metal packaging,
      paper and board, as well as the adhesives and inks used on them. An explanation
      as to how these data are linked in various ways in the FACET exposure modelling
      tool is given as well as an overview of the software along with examples of the
      intermediate tables of data. The example of bisphenol A (BPA), used in resins
      that may be incorporated into some coatings for canned foodstuffs, is used to
      illustrate how the data in FACET are combined to produce concentration
      distributions. Such concentration distributions are then linked probabilistically
      to the amounts of each food item consumed, as recorded in national food
      consumption survey diaries, in order to estimate exposure to packaging migrants.
      Estimates of exposure are at the level of the individual consumer and thus can be
      expressed for various percentiles of different populations and subpopulations
      covered by the national dietary surveys. 

PMID- 24215586
TI  - Understanding self-awareness in palliative care.
AB  - Exploring the spiritual and psychological realms is more difficult than simply
      addressing the physical dimension of palliative care. Knowing oneself is
      essential to align one's work within the hospice philosophy. Giving and receiving
      love are equally important. This case study examines importance of self-awareness
      in managing escalating suffering at the end of life.

PMID- 24215585
TI  - Integrated electroosmotic perfusion of tissue with online microfluidic analysis
      to track the metabolism of cystamine, pantethine, and coenzyme A.
AB  - We have developed an approach that integrates electroosmotic perfusion of tissue
      with a substrate-containing solution and online microfluidic analysis of
      products, in this case thiols. Using this approach we have tracked the metabolism
      of cystamine, pantethine and CoA in the extracellular space of organotypic
      hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs). Currently, little is known about coenzyme A
      (CoA) biodegradation and even less is known about the regulation and kinetic
      characteristics for this sequential multienzyme reaction. We found that the
      steady state percentage yields of cysteamine from cystamine and pantethine during
      the transit through OHSCs were 91% +/- 4% (SEM) and 0.01%-0.03%, respectively.
      The large difference in the yields of cysteamine can be used to explain the
      drugs' different toxicities and clinical effectiveness against cystinosis. The
      kinetic parameters of the enzyme reaction catalyzed by the ectoenzyme
      pantetheinase are KM,C/alpha = 4.4 +/- 1.1 mM and Vmax,C = 29 +/- 3 nM/s, where
      alpha is the percentage yield of pantethine to pantetheine through disulfide
      exchange. We estimate that the percentage yield of pantethine to pantetheine
      through disulfide exchange is approximately 0.5%. Based on the formation rate of
      cysteamine in the OHSCs, we obtained the overall apparent Michaelis constant and
      maximum reaction rate for sequential, extracellular CoA degradation in an in situ
      environment, which are K'M = 16 +/- 4 MUM, V'max = 7.1 +/- 0.5 nM/s. Kinetic
      parameters obtained in situ, although difficult to measure, are better
      representations of the biochemical flux in the living organism than those from
      isolated enzymes in vitro.

PMID- 24215587
TI  - Canine oral mucosal mast cell tumours.
AB  - Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are the most common cutaneous tumours of dogs, however
      rarely they can arise from the oral mucosa. This subset of MCT is reported to
      demonstrate a more aggressive clinical course than those tumours on the haired
      skin and the authors hypothesised that dogs with oral, mucosal MCT would have a
      high incidence of local lymph node metastasis at presentation and that this would
      be a negative prognostic factor. An additional hypothesis was that mitotic index
      (MI) would be prognostic. This retrospective study examines 33 dogs with MCTs
      arising from the oral mucosa. The results suggest that oral mucosal MCTs in the
      dog have a high incidence of lymph node metastasis at diagnosis (55%) which
      results in a poor prognosis. MI and nodal metastasis is highly prognostic. Loco
      regional progression is common in these patients and dogs with adequate local
      control of their tumour had an improved outcome. Despite a more aggressive
      clinical course, treatment can result in protracted survivals, even when
      metastasis is present. 

PMID- 24215589
TI  - Rosiglitazone may reduce thyroid cancer risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether rosiglitazone use in patients with type 2 diabetes may affect
      thyroid cancer risk has not been investigated. METHODS: The reimbursement
      databases of all diabetic patients under oral anti-diabetic agents or insulin
      from 1996 to 2009 were retrieved from the National Health Insurance of Taiwan. An
      entry date was set at 1 January 2006, and 887,665 patients with type 2 diabetes
      were followed for thyroid cancer incidence until the end of 2009 for ever-users,
      never-users, and subgroups of rosiglitazone exposure using tertile cut-offs for
      time since starting rosiglitazone, duration of therapy, and cumulative dose.
      Hazard ratios were estimated by Cox regression. RESULTS: There were 103,224 ever
      users and 784,441 never-users, with respective numbers of incident thyroid cancer
      of 84 (0.08%) and 764 (0.10%), and respective incidence of 23.12 and 28.09 per
      100,000 person-years. The overall multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio was not
      significant. However, in dose-response analyses, the adjusted hazard ratios (95%
      confidence intervals) were significant for the third tertile of duration of
      therapy (>= 14 months) and cumulative dose (>= 1,800 mg) for age >= 50 years:
      0.53 (0.31-0.89) and 0.50 (0.29-0.87), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      suggests that rosiglitazone use in patients with type 2 diabetes may reduce the
      risk of thyroid cancer.

PMID- 24215590
TI  - State-of-the-art high-speed atomic force microscopy for investigation of single
      molecular dynamics of proteins.

PMID- 24215588
TI  - Reconciliation of chemical, enzymatic, spectroscopic and computational data to
      assign the absolute configuration of the DNA base lesion spiroiminodihydantoin.
AB  - The diastereomeric spiroiminodihydantoin-2'-deoxyribonucleoside (dSp) lesions
      resulting from 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) or 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine
      (dOG) oxidation have generated much attention due to their highly mutagenic
      nature. Their propeller-like shape leads these molecules to display mutational
      profiles in vivo that are stereochemically dependent. However, there exist
      conflicting absolute configuration assignments arising from electronic circular
      dichroism (ECD) and NOESY-NMR experiments; thus, providing definitive assignments
      of the 3D structure of these molecules is of great interest. In the present body
      of work, we present data inconsistent with the reported ECD assignments for the
      dSp diastereomers in the nucleoside context, in which the first eluting isomer
      from a Hypercarb HPLC column was assigned to be the S configuration, and the
      second was assigned the R configuration. The following experiments were
      conducted: (1) determination of the diastereomer ratio of dSp products upon one
      electron oxidation of dG in chiral hybrid or propeller G-quadruplexes that expose
      the re or si face to solvent, respectively; (2) absolute configuration analysis
      using vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy; (3) reinterpretation of
      the ECD experimental spectra using time-dependent density functional theory
      (TDDFT) with the inclusion of 12 explicit H-bonding waters around the Sp free
      bases; and (4) reevaluation of calculated specific rotations for the Sp
      enantiomers using the hydration model in the TDDFT calculations. These new
      insights provide a fresh look at the absolute configuration assignments of the
      dSp diastereomers in which the first eluting from a Hypercarb-HPLC column is (-)
      (R)-dSp and the second is (+)-(S)-dSp. These assignments now provide the basis
      for understanding the biological significance of the stereochemical dependence of
      enzymes that process this form of DNA damage. 

PMID- 24215591
TI  - Muscle disuse atrophy is not accompanied by changes in skeletal muscle satellite
      cell content.
AB  - Muscle disuse leads to a considerable loss in skeletal muscle mass and strength.
      However, the cellular mechanisms underlying disuse-induced muscle fibre atrophy
      remain to be elucidated. Therefore we assessed the effect of muscle disuse on the
      CSA (cross-sectional area), muscle fibre size, satellite cell content and
      associated myocellular signalling pathways of the quadriceps muscle. A total of
      12 healthy young (24+/-1 years of age) men were subjected to 2 weeks of one
      legged knee immobilization via a full-leg cast. Before and immediately after the
      immobilization period and after 6 weeks of natural rehabilitation, muscle
      strength [1RM (one-repetition maximum)], muscle CSA [single slice CT (computed
      tomography) scan] and muscle fibre type characteristics (muscle biopsies) were
      assessed. Protein and/or mRNA expression of key genes [i.e. MYOD (myogenic
      differentiation), MYOG (myogenin) and MSTN (myostatin)] in the satellite cell
      regulatory pathways were determined using Western blotting and RT-PCR (real-time
      PCR) analyses respectively. The present study found that quadriceps CSA declined
      following immobilization by 8+/-2% (P<0.05). In agreement, both type I and type
      II muscle fibre size decreased 7+/-3% and 13+/-4% respectively (P<0.05). No
      changes were observed in satellite cell content following immobilization in
      either type I or type II muscle fibres. Muscle MYOG mRNA expression doubled
      (P<0.05), whereas MSTN protein expression decreased 30+/-9% (P<0.05) following
      immobilization. Muscle mass and strength returned to the baseline values within 6
      weeks of recovery without any specific rehabilitative programme. In conclusion, 2
      weeks of muscle disuse leads to considerable loss in skeletal muscle mass and
      strength. The loss in muscle mass was attributed to both type I and type II
      muscle fibre atrophy, and was not accompanied by a decline in satellite cell
      content.

PMID- 24215593
TI  - Complete Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease and Holmes-Adie syndrome: case report.
AB  - We report a 37-year-old woman with uveitic phase of Vogt Koyanagi Harada disease
      and tonic pupil, the tonic pupil persisted after other clinical features of this
      syndrome had disappeared; neurological evaluation shows absent knee and arm
      tendon reflexes and positive cholinergic supersensitivity test with Pilocarpine
      0.125% confirming the diagnosis of Holmes Adie Syndrome.

PMID- 24215592
TI  - Alternate day fasting for weight loss in normal weight and overweight subjects: a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alternate day fasting (ADF; ad libitum "feed day", alternated with
      25% energy intake "fast day"), is effective for weight loss and cardio-protection
      in obese individuals. Whether these effects occur in normal weight and overweight
      individuals remains unknown. This study examined the effect of ADF on body weight
      and coronary heart disease risk in non-obese subjects. METHODS: Thirty-two
      subjects (BMI 20-29.9 kg/m2) were randomized to either an ADF group or a control
      group for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Body weight decreased (P < 0.001) by 5.2 +/- 0.9 kg
      (6.5 +/- 1.0%) in the ADF group, relative to the control group, by week 12. Fat
      mass was reduced (P < 0.001) by 3.6 +/- 0.7 kg, and fat free mass did not change,
      versus controls. Triacylglycerol concentrations decreased (20 +/- 8%, P < 0.05)
      and LDL particle size increased (4 +/- 1 A, P < 0.01) in the ADF group relative
      to controls. CRP decreased (13 +/- 17%, P < 0.05) in the ADF group relative to
      controls at week 12. Plasma adiponectin increased (6 +/- 10%, P < 0.01) while
      leptin decreased (40 +/- 7%, P < 0.05) in the ADF group versus controls by the
      end of the study. LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, homocysteine and resistin
      concentrations remained unchanged after 12 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION: These
      findings suggest that ADF is effective for weight loss and cardio-protection in
      normal weight and overweight adults, though further research implementing larger
      sample sizes is required before solid conclusion can be reached.

PMID- 24215594
TI  - A novel intermolecular synthesis of gamma-lactones via visible-light photoredox
      catalysis.
AB  - Direct gamma-lactone formation via visible-light photoredox catalysis has been
      achieved efficiently including hydroxylalkylation of aromatic alkenes and
      transesterification. The present photocatalytic protocol has good
      regioselectivity and substrate compatibility, affording a novel way to
      intermolecular gamma-lactone synthesis by the reaction of styrenes with alpha
      bromo esters in the absence of any external oxidants. 

PMID- 24215595
TI  - Parental stress and dyadic consensus in early parenthood among mothers and
      fathers in Sweden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parental stress can negatively affect the parent-child relationship
      and reduce the well-being of the whole family. Family disagreement is associated
      with parental divorce and with psychological problems in children. AIMS: The aim
      was to examine perceived parental stress and draw comparisons among mothers and
      among fathers, in relation to educational level, parental experience, existence
      of a parental role model and sense of coherence. The aim was also to examine
      perceived dyadic consensus and its association with perceived parental stress
      within couples. METHODS: Questionnaires were completed by 320 mothers and 315
      fathers at 1 week and 18 months post-partum. The Swedish Parenthood Stress
      Questionnaire, the Sense of Coherence Scale and the Dyadic Consensus Subscale
      were used. RESULTS: Low education, lack of a role model and poor sense of
      coherence promoted stress in mothers in the subareas social isolation and spouse
      relationship problems, while lack of a role model and poor sense of coherence
      promoted stress in fathers in the subarea social isolation. Furthermore, parental
      experiences promoted stress among mothers in the subarea incompetence while this
      was not seen among fathers. Mothers perceived a higher level of dyadic consensus
      than fathers in the items recreational activities, friends, aims and life goals,
      time spent together, and decisions regarding career and personal development.
      Household tasks was the only item where fathers perceived a higher level of
      dyadic consensus than mothers. Additionally, there were associations between
      perceived parental stress and dyadic consensus in several items and in the total
      score. CONCLUSIONS: To promote parents' health and family stability, health
      professionals should consider factors affecting stress and stress reactions, and
      take gender roles into account.

PMID- 24215596
TI  - Real-time monitoring of emissions from monoethanolamine-based industrial scale
      carbon capture facilities.
AB  - We demonstrate the capabilities and properties of using Proton Transfer Reaction
      time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) to real-time monitor gaseous
      emissions from industrial scale amine-based carbon capture processes. The
      benchmark monoethanolamine (MEA) was used as an example of amines needing to be
      monitored from carbon capture facilities, and to describe how the measurements
      may be influenced by potentially interfering species in CO2 absorber stack
      discharges. On the basis of known or expected emission compositions, we
      investigated the PTR-ToF-MS MEA response as a function of sample flow humidity,
      ammonia, and CO2 abundances, and show that all can exhibit interferences, thus
      making accurate amine measurements difficult. This warrants a proper sample
      pretreatment, and we show an example using a dilution with bottled zero air of
      1:20 to 1:10 to monitor stack gas concentrations at the CO2 Technology Center
      Mongstad (TCM), Norway. Observed emissions included many expected chemical
      species, dominantly ammonia and acetaldehyde, but also two new species previously
      not reported but emitted in significant quantities. With respect to concerns
      regarding amine emissions, we show that accurate amine quantifications in the
      presence of water vapor, ammonia, and CO2 become feasible after proper sample
      dilution, thus making PTR-ToF-MS a viable technique to monitor future carbon
      capture facility emissions, without conventional laborious sample pretreatment. 

PMID- 24215597
TI  - Hypervalent iodine reagent mediated reaction of [60]fullerene with amines.
AB  - The hypervalent iodine reagent mediated reaction of C60 with various readily
      available amines for the easy preparation of iminofullerenes has been developed.
      The reaction between C60 and sulfonamides can be effectively controlled to
      selectively synthesize azafulleroids or aziridinofullerenes under PhI(OAc)2/I2 or
      PhIO/I2/CuCl/lutidine conditions, respectively. For phosphamide and urea, only
      one isomer is obtained. However, carbamate gives three kinds of products.
      Interestingly, the reaction of C60 with alkylamines allows the effective
      synthesis of aziridinofullerenes and regioselective cis-1-bisaziridinofullerenes.

PMID- 24215598
TI  - Epitaxial Bi5Ti3FeO15-CoFe2O4 pillar-matrix multiferroic nanostructures.
AB  - Epitaxial self-assembled ferro(i)magnetic spinel (CoFe2O4 (CFO)) and
      ferroelectric bismuth layered perovskite (Bi5Ti3FeO15 (BTFO)) pillar-matrix
      nanostructures are demonstrated on (001) single-crystalline strontium titanate
      substrates. The CFO remains embedded in the BTFO matrix as vertical pillars (~50
      nm in diameter) up to a volume fraction of 50%. Piezoresponse force microscopy
      experiments evidence a weak out-of-plane and a strong in-plane ferroelectricity
      in the BTFO phase, despite previously reported paraelectricity along the c-axis
      in a pure BTFO film. Phenomenological Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire-based
      thermodynamic computations show that the radial stress induced by the CFO
      nanopillars can influence these ferroelectric phases, thus signifying the
      importance of the nanopillars. The CFO pillars demonstrate robust ferromagnetic
      hysteresis loops with little degradation in the saturation magnetization (ca. 4
      MUB/f.u.). Thus BTFO-CFO nanocomposites show significant promise as a lead-free
      magnetoelectric materials system. 

PMID- 24215599
TI  - In vivo validation of the new Tonopen AVIA tonometer using manometers placed in
      the anterior chamber and the vitreous cavity under various vitreous conditions.
AB  - PURPOSE: To validate intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements using the new
      Tonopen AVIA(r) tonometer by comparing values obtained with those measured by
      manometers placed in the anterior chamber (AC) and the vitreous cavity (VC).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine consecutive patients awaiting phacovitrectomy
      for epiretinal membrane (ERM) or macular hole (MH) (n=29), vitreous hemorrhage
      (DMVH) (n=27) or silicone oil removal (n=23) were included in this prospective
      observational study. A clinician masked to patient information performed a
      complete ophthalmologic examination, including measurements of corneal thickness
      (CT), AC depth and axial length. Another examiner simultaneously measured
      conventional IOP using the Tonopen AVIA(r) (TIOP) and AC and VC IOPs (ACIOP and
      VCIOP) using two transducers. RESULTS: The mean TIOP, ACIOP and VCIOP were 16.1
      +/- 3.8, 16.1 +/- 4.4 and 15.5 +/- 4.6 mmHg, respectively. There was a good
      agreement between the TIOP and ACIOP; however, the agreement between TIOP and
      VCIOP was relatively poor in subgroup analysis. VCIOP was significantly higher
      than TIOP in the ERM and MH group, with a mean difference of 1.0 mmHg (p=0.042);
      however, they were significantly lower in the DMVH group, with a mean difference
      of -0.7 mmHg (p=0.026) and in the silicone oil group (mean difference, -2.3 mmHg)
      (p<0.0001). In multivariate analysis, TIOP correlated significantly only with CT
      (p<0.037) and increased by 2.7 mmHg per 100 MUm increase in CT. CONCLUSIONS: IOP
      measurements using the Tonopen AVIA(r) tonometer showed good agreement with ACIOP
      values, although TIOP measurements were affected by CT. However, the VCIOP values
      using the transducer may have over- or underestimated IOP relative to TIOP and
      ACIOP under various vitreous conditions. Further validation of VCIOP using a
      cannular type of manometer should be considered.

PMID- 24215600
TI  - Arthrogryposis in infancy, multidisciplinary approach: case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is an etiopathogenetically
      heterogeneous disorder characterised by non-progressive multiple intra-articular
      contractures, which can be recognised at birth. The frequency is estimated at 1
      in 3,000 newborns. Etiopathogenesis of arthrogryposis is multifactorial. CASE
      PRESENTATION: We report first 26 weeks of life of a boy with severe
      arthrogryposis. Owing to the integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopaedic
      treatment a visible improvement in the range of motion as well as the
      functionality of the child was achieved. This article proposes a cooperation of
      various specialists: paediatrician, orthopaedist, specialist of medical
      rehabilitation and physiotherapist. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation of a child with
      arthrogryposis should be early, comprehensive and multidisciplinary. Corrective
      treatment of knee and hip joints in infants with arthrogryposis should be
      preceded by the ultrasound control. There are no reports in the literature on the
      ultrasound imaging techniques which can be used prior to the planned orthopaedic
      and rehabilitative treatment in infants with arthrogryposis. The experience of
      our team indicates that such an approach allows to minimise the diagnostic errors
      and to maintain an effective treatment without the risk of joint destabilisation.

PMID- 24215601
TI  - Advanced method for evaluation of gastric cancer risk by serum markers:
      determination of true low-risk subjects for gastric neoplasm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with negative anti-Helicobacter pylori antibody titer and
      high pepsinogen (PG) level (group A) are regarded as having a low risk for
      gastric cancer. However, gastric cancer cases are occasionally observed in this
      group. We aimed to elucidate the clinical features of gastric neoplasm in group A
      patients and reviewed advanced methods for mass screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      A total of 271 gastric epithelial neoplasm patients were enrolled. We classified
      them according to the H. pylori-PG system and determined the number of patients
      in each group. After excluding true H. pylori-negative cases from group A (group
      A'), we examined the differences between group A' and group non-A. RESULTS: Group
      A included 30 (11%) patients, and only three of these were true negative for H.
      pylori. All patients in group A' (n = 27) exhibited endoscopic atrophy in the
      gastric corpus. Serologically, these patients showed low gastrin, low PG II and
      high PG I/II ratio, indicative of post-eradication. Histologically, 24 (89%) of
      these had little inflammation, and 26 (96%) were negative for H. pylori by
      immunohistochemistry. No difference was observed in the incidence of metachronous
      gastric tumors between group A' and group non-A. The discriminant function using
      gastrin and PGs could distinguish these 27 patients from true H. pylori-negative
      controls with 85% sensitivity and 84% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Group A included
      a certain number of patients with atrophic gastritis who were potentially at risk
      of gastric neoplasm development. Although evaluation of corpus atrophy is
      necessary for the identification of these patients, the discriminant function may
      be useful.

PMID- 24215602
TI  - LysoTracker is a marker of differentiated alveolar type II cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: LysoTracker Green DND-26 is a fluorescent dye that stains acidic
      compartments in live cells and has been shown to selectively accumulate in
      lamellar bodies in alveolar type II (AT2) cells in the lung. The aim of this
      study was to determine whether the accumulation of LysoTracker in lamellar bodies
      can be used to isolate viable AT2 cells by flow cytometry and track their
      differentiation in live-cell culture by microscopy. METHODS: Mouse lung cells
      were sorted on the basis of CD45(neg)CD31(neg)EpCAM(pos)LysoTracker(pos)
      expression and characterized by immunostaining for SP-C and cultured in a three
      dimensional epithelial colony-forming unit (CFU-Epi) assay. To track AT2 cell
      differentiation, lung epithelial stem and progenitor cells were cultured in a CFU
      Epi assay with LysoTracker-supplemented media. RESULTS: The purity of sorted AT2
      cells as determined by SP-C staining was 97.4% and viability was 85.3%.
      LysoTracker(pos) AT2 cells generated SP-C(pos) alveolar epithelial cell colonies
      in culture, and when added to the CFU-Epi culture medium, LysoTracker marked the
      differentiation of stem/progenitor-derived AT2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      describes a novel method for isolating AT2 cells from mouse lungs. The high
      purity and viability of cells attained by this method, makes them suitable for
      functional analysis in vitro. The application of LysoTracker to live cell
      cultures will allow better assessment of the cellular and molecular mechanisms
      that regulate AT2 cell differentiation.

PMID- 24215603
TI  - Association of knee-extension strength with instrumental activities of daily
      living in community-dwelling older adults.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between
      knee-extension (KE) strength and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL),
      and to examine the risk of IADL disability in relation to KE strength in
      community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: The participants were 1235 community
      dwelling older adults (261 men and 974 women) in Tokyo who underwent a
      comprehensive health survey in 2009. The health survey included measurement of KE
      strength and a questionnaire on the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
      (TMIG)-IADL. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and partial
      correlation coefficients were calculated separately for each sex for four
      parameters representing quadriceps muscle strength and TMIG-IADL. Pearson's
      chi(2)-test of independence and the Cochran-Armitage test of trend were also
      carried out to determine the relationship between KE strength and IADL
      disability. RESULTS: In women, all correlations between the quadriceps muscle
      strength parameters and the TMIG-IADL score were statistically significant (P <
      0.0005). The significance persisted remained even after factors regarding
      cognition or depression were taken into consideration. Furthermore, the
      percentage of female participants with IADL disability was dependent on KE
      strength; there was an inverse trend between KE strength and the percentage of
      people with IADL disability. In men, no significant relationship was found
      between KE strength and IADL. CONCLUSIONS: KE strength and IADL correlated
      positively, and the percentage of people with IADL disability decreased with
      increasing KE strength in women.

PMID- 24215604
TI  - Evaluation of the antidepressant, anxiolytic and memory-improving efficacy of
      aripiprazole and fluoxetine in ethanol-treated rats.
AB  - Some study results indicate a positive effect of aripiprazole (ARI) on impaired
      cognitive functions caused by brain damage resulting from chronic EtOH abuse.
      However, other research shows that to manifest itself, an ARI antidepressant
      effect requires a combined therapy with another selective serotonin reuptake
      inhibitor antidepressant, namely, fluoxetine (FLX). The aim of this article was
      to assess antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of ARI as well as its effect on
      spatial memory in ethanol-treated (alcoholized) rats. On the basis of alcohol
      consumption pattern, groups of (1) ethanol-preferring rats, with mean ethanol
      intake above 50%, and (2) ethanol-nonpreferring rats (EtNPRs), with mean ethanol
      intake below 50% of total daily fluid intake, were formed. The group of EtNPRs
      was used for this study, subdivided further into three groups administered ARI,
      FLX and a combination of both, respectively. Behavioral tests such as Porsolt's
      forced swimming test, the Morris water maze test and the two-compartment
      exploratory test were employed. Behavioral test results demonstrated (1) no
      antidepressant effect of ARI in EtNPRs in subchronic treatment and (2) no
      procognitive effect of ARI and FLX in EtNPRs in combined single administration.
      Combined administration of both drugs led to an anxiogenic effect and spatial
      memory deterioration in study animals. ARI had no antidepressant effect and
      failed to improve spatial memory in rats. However, potential antidepressant,
      anxiolytic and procognitive properties of the drug resulting from its mechanism
      of action encourage further research aimed at developing a dose of both ARI and
      FLX that will prove such effects in alcoholized EtNPRs.

PMID- 24215606
TI  - Fabrication of high-quality VO2 thin films by ion-assisted dual ac magnetron
      sputtering.
AB  - The technique of cathodic ac dual magnetron sputtering along with the high energy
      ionic bombardment is known to yield high-quality thin films in terms of their
      uniformity and high density. This technique has been applied for the first time
      to achieve thermochromic VO2 thin films that show a high optical and electrical
      contrast between normal and switched states. In this two-step process Vanadium
      metal films were deposited and subsequently oxidized in optimum conditions to
      achieve stoichiometric VO2 films. Typical films switched between more than 40 %
      to less than 5 % transmission in the infrared region while undergoing an
      electrical sheet resistance change between 1 * 10(5) and 1 * 10(2) Omega/cm(2).
      The application potential of such VO2 films in integrated optics is deemed high. 

PMID- 24215605
TI  - Optimal use of phosphate binders in chronic kidney disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hyperphosphatemia is one of the major factors associated with the
      development of vascular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease
      (CKD). Since phosphate is retained in such patients, pharmacological treatment
      and other measures are necessary to control hyperphosphatemia. Several phosphate
      binders (calcium salts, magnesium salts, non-calcium-based binders and aluminium)
      are available for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. Nevertheless, none of the
      above mentioned agents has shown an overall superiority over others, while
      potency and side effects are quite variable among them creating difficulties in
      choosing the optimal drug for each patient. AREAS COVERED: The authors discuss
      the disturbed phosphate metabolism, the available phosphate binders, as well as
      the general therapeutic principles of treating hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients.
      The literature used for this review had been retrieved from PubMed and covers a
      large number of original and retrospective studies as well as prospective cohort
      studies, meta-analyses and international clinical guidelines. EXPERT OPINION:
      Lowering serum phosphate levels in CKD patients may potentially have a positive
      impact on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Factors that should be taken
      into consideration when selecting a specific drug include CKD stage,
      cardiovascular disease, severity of secondary hyperparathyroidism, concomitant
      medications, life expectancy and patient compliance. Therefore, when selecting a
      specific phosphate binder, individualisation is mandatory.

PMID- 24215607
TI  - Outcomes of tracheostomy in the neonatal intensive care unit: is there an optimal
      time?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare short-term outcomes of infants who underwent early versus
      late tracheostomy during their initial hospitalization after birth and determine
      the association, if any, between tracheostomy timing and outcomes. STUDY DESIGN:
      Retrospective chart review of infants who underwent a tracheostomy during their
      initial hospitalization at a single site. RESULTS: The median (range) gestational
      age of our cohort (n = 127) was 28 (23-42) weeks and birth weight was 988 (390
      4030) g. Tracheostomy indications included airway lesions (47%), bronchopulmonary
      dysplasia (25%), both (22%) and others (6%). Median postmenstrual age (PMA) at
      tracheostomy was 45 (35-75) weeks. Death occurred in 27 (21%) infants and 65
      (51%) infants were mechanically ventilated. G-tube was present at discharge in 42
      (33%) infants. Infants who underwent early tracheostomy (<45 weeks PMA) (n = 66)
      had significantly lower gestational ages, weights and respiratory support than
      the late (>=45 weeks PMA) (n = 61) group. Death (29.5% versus 14%), home
      ventilation (41% versus 21%) and G tube (44% versus 14%) were significantly more
      frequent in the late tracheostomy group. On bivariate regression, outcomes were
      not independently associated with tracheostomy timing, after adjustment for
      gestational age and respiratory support. CONCLUSIONS: Of infants who underwent
      tracheostomy during the initial hospitalization after birth, 21% died. On
      adjusted analysis, tracheostomy timing was not independently associated with
      outcomes.

PMID- 24215608
TI  - Cocrystals of nicotinamide and (R)-mandelic acid in many ratios with anomalous
      formation properties.
AB  - We report a remarkable system of cocrystals containing nicotinamide (NIC) and (R)
      mandelic acid (RMA) in numerous stoichiometric ratios (4:1, 1:1 in two
      polymorphs, and 1:2) with anomalous formation properties. The formation of these
      cocrystals decreases energy but expands volume, in contrast to most physical
      processes, but similar to water freezing. The decrease of energy upon
      cocrystallization agrees with the exothermic mixing of NIC and RMA liquids (a
      base and an acid). Volume expansion is general for the formation of all NIC
      cocrystals for which data exist (n = 40): +3.9 A(3)/molecule or +17 cm(3)/kg on
      average, corresponding to a 2% expansion. This volume expansion correlates with
      the shortening and strengthening of hydrogen bonds upon cocrystallization,
      analogous to water freezing. The NIC-RMA binary phase diagram was constructed
      that contains the congruent and incongruent melting of six crystalline phases.
      These results are relevant for understanding the nature of cocrystallization and
      why some molecules are prolific cocrystal formers. 

PMID- 24215609
TI  - Antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis and
      Streptococcus dysgalactiae from dairy cows with mastitis.
AB  - AIMS: To determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobials
      for common mastitis pathogens from dairy cows in New Zealand; and to assess the
      effect of source of the isolates, i.e. commercial veterinary laboratories or
      collected as part of research studies; the clinical status of the cow, i.e.
      subclinical or clinical mastitis; cow age and herd on the distribution of the
      MIC. METHODS: Minimal inhibitory concentrations for Staphylococcus aureus
      (n=364), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (n=65) and Streptococcus uberis (n=102)
      isolated from milk samples from dairy cows were determined for a variety of
      antimicrobials using broth microdilution. Isolates of S. aureus were sourced from
      research studies from both subclinically (n=161) and clinically (n=104) affected
      cows, as well as from commercial veterinary laboratories (n=101); while all the
      streptococcal isolates were from commercial laboratories. Resistance was defined
      using the cut-points provided by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
      (CLSI). RESULTS: The distribution of MIC varied among the bacterial species for
      every antimicrobial tested (p<0.001). Of the S. aureus isolates, 28, 2 and 0.5%
      were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole,
      respectively. For S. dysgalactiae and S. uberis isolates, 17 and 13% were
      resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, respectively. One isolate (1%) of S.
      uberis was resistant to penicillin. The distribution of MIC of S. aureus varied
      with clinical status, between herds, and with age of cow (p<0.05). The
      distribution of MIC for S. aureus for penicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid,
      cloxacillin and ampicillin were lower from clinical than subclinical cases, and
      those for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and oxytetracycline from isolates from
      veterinary laboratories were lower than for those from research studies.
      CONCLUSIONS: Resistance to some beta-lactam antimicrobials and
      trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were found in isolates from cases of bovine
      mastitis. The distribution of MIC for isolates of S. aureus varied with clinical
      status of the cow, the age of the cow, the herd and with the source of isolate.
      CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Resistance to penicillin was found in a quarter of S.
      aureus isolates, but in virtually no Streptococcus isolates; therefore microbial
      identification and sensitivity testing would be beneficial when assessing
      treatment options. The source of the isolates affected the estimated MIC,
      suggesting that selection of isolates for monitoring of resistance requires care
      and that use of routine submissions to commercial laboratories to assess
      antimicrobial resistance patterns may result in biased estimates of prevalence of
      resistance.

PMID- 24215610
TI  - Monitoring dynamic interactions of tumor cells with tissue and immune cells in a
      lab-on-a-chip.
AB  - A complementary cell analysis method has been developed to assess the dynamic
      interactions of tumor cells with resident tissue and immune cells using optical
      light scattering and impedance sensing to shed light on tumor cell behavior. The
      combination of electroanalytical and optical biosensing technologies integrated
      in a lab-on-a-chip allows for continuous, label-free, and noninvasive probing of
      dynamic cell-to-cell interactions between adherent and nonadherent cocultures,
      thus providing real-time insights into tumor cell responses under physiologically
      relevant conditions. While the study of adherent cocultures is important for the
      understanding and suppression of metastatic invasion, the analysis of tumor cell
      interactions with nonadherent immune cells plays a vital role in cancer
      immunotherapy research. For the first time, the direct cell-to-cell interactions
      of tumor cells with bead-activated primary T cells were continuously assessed
      using an effector cell to target a cell ratio of 10:1. 

PMID- 24215611
TI  - Choice both affects and reflects preferences.
AB  - The free-choice paradigm is a widely used paradigm in psychology. It has been
      used to show that after a choice between two similarly pleasant stimuli, the
      pleasantness of the chosen one tends to increase, whereas the pleasantness of the
      rejected one tends to decrease-a spreading of alternatives. However, the
      methodological validity of the free-choice paradigm to study choice-induced
      preference change has recently been seriously questioned [Chen, K. M., & Risen,
      J. L. (2010). How choice affects and reflects preferences: Revisiting the free
      choice paradigm. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 99, 573-594.
      doi:10.1037/a0020217]. According to this criticism, the classically reported
      spreading of alternatives between the first and second rating sessions cannot be
      unambiguously interpreted to reflect a true change in preferences and can be
      observed even for completely static preferences. Here, we used two measurement
      sequences, a classical Rating 1-choice-Rating 2 sequence and a control Rating 1
      Rating 2-choice sequence, to disentangle the spreading of alternatives driven by
      the effect of choice from the artefactual effect highlighted by Chen and Risen.
      In two studies using different stimulus material (faces and odours), we find that
      choice has a robust modulatory impact on preferences for rejected odours, but not
      for chosen odours and not for faces.

PMID- 24215612
TI  - Phosphine-catalyzed reactions of activated olefins tethered to cycloalkanones.
      substrate- and solvent-controlled synthesis of bicyclo[3.2.1]octanones, mixed
      acetals, and Morita-Baylis-Hillman products.
AB  - The n-Bu3P organocatalyzed reaction of cycloalkanones, i.e., cyclopentanones or
      1,3-cyclopentanediones tethered to actived olefins, afforded selectively and in
      high yields three different types of products: bicyclo[3.2.1]octanones, mixed
      acetals, and Morita-Baylis-Hillman products. The progress of the reaction was
      closely related to the reaction medium and to the length of the tether located
      between the cyclopentanone (-dione) and the activated olefin. 

PMID- 24215613
TI  - Surveillance of road crash injuries in Cambodia: an evaluation of the Cambodia
      Road Crash and Victim Information System (RCVIS).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Worldwide, 1.24 million deaths and 20-50 million road crash injuries
      occur annually, with a disproportionate burden on low- and middle-income
      countries. Facing continued growth in motorized vehicles, Cambodia has begun to
      address road safety, including the creation of a nationwide road crash
      surveillance system, the Road Crash and Victim Information System (RCVIS). This
      study evaluates the RCVIS to understand whether road crash injuries are being
      monitored efficiently and effectively and to identify areas for improvement.
      METHODS: We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Guidelines for
      Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems" (CDC 2001) as an evaluation
      framework. To assess system attributes, we conducted in-person interviews with
      Cambodian road safety stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministries
      of Health and Interior, and reviewed RCVIS annual reports and system operation
      documents. Characteristics assessed include usefulness, flexibility,
      acceptability, sensitivity, representativeness, data quality, and timeliness.
      RESULTS: The Cambodian government uses RCVIS data extensively for road safety
      planning purposes. RCVIS participation varies by type of data source, with 100
      percent of police districts and 65 percent of hospitals reporting in 2010.
      Representativeness over time is a limitation-between 2007 and 2008, the number of
      reporting hospitals decreased from 65 to 42. From 2007 to 2010, the number of
      nonfatal injuries reported to RCVIS decreased by 35 percent, despite rapid growth
      in vehicle registrations. The system is timely, with annual reports disseminated
      within 10 months to more than 250 stakeholders. CONCLUSION: The RCVIS provides a
      strong foundation for the surveillance of road crash injuries and fatalities in
      Cambodia. Differences in participation by data source and reduced hospital
      participation over time affect data representativeness and may indicate issues
      with acceptability. Recommendations include working with hospitals to standardize
      reporting procedures and to increase awareness about the usefulness of the data
      they collect.

PMID- 24215615
TI  - Epigenetics and the IRFs: a complex interplay in the control of immunity and
      autoimmunity.
AB  - Effective immune responses require the coordinated activation and differentiation
      of several cell types, including T-cells, B-cells and myeloid cells.
      Abnormalities in the appropriate regulation of these processes underlie the
      pathogenesis of many autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus
      (SLE). Recent studies have revealed that, in addition to sequence-specific DNA
      binding factors, the chromatin landscape of a cell can play a pivotal role in
      controlling these processes and in regulating the onset of autoimmunity.
      Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are emerging as critical regulators of the
      activation and differentiation of immune cells and deregulation in the expression
      and/or function of members of the IRF family has increasingly been linked to the
      pathogenesis of lupus. In this review, we will provide a brief overview of the
      role of different IRFs in immune responses and SLE development and discuss
      studies, which highlight the intricate relationship of this family of
      transcription factors with the epigenetic machinery.

PMID- 24215614
TI  - The anti-erbB3 antibody MM-121/SAR256212 in combination with trastuzumab exerts
      potent antitumor activity against trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated expression of erbB3 receptor has been reported to induce
      resistance to therapeutic agents, including trastuzumab in erbB2-overexpressing
      breast cancer. Our recent studies indicate that erbB3 interacts with both erbB2
      and IGF-1 receptor to form a heterotrimeric complex in trastuzumab-resistant
      breast cancer cells. Herein, we investigate the antitumor activity of MM
      121/SAR256212, a fully human anti-erbB3 antibody (Ab), against two erbB2
      overexpressing breast cancer cell lines resistant to trastuzumab. METHODS: MTS
      based proliferation assays were used to determine cell viability upon treatment
      of trastuzumab and/or MM-121/SAR256212. Cell cycle progression was examined by
      flow cytometric analysis. Western blot analyses were performed to determine the
      expression and activation of proteins. Tumor xenografts were established by
      inoculation of the trastuzumab-resistant BT474-HR20 cells into nude mice. The
      tumor-bearing mice were treated with trastuzumab and/or MM-121/SAR256212 via i.p
      injection to determine the Abs' antitumor activity. Immunohistochemical analyses
      were carried out to study the Abs' inhibitory effects on tumor cell proliferation
      and induction of apoptosis in vivo. RESULTS: MM-121 significantly enhanced
      trastuzumab-induced growth inhibition in two sensitive and two resistant breast
      cancer cell lines. MM-121 in combination with trastuzumab resulted in a dramatic
      reduction of phosphorylated erbB3 (P-erbB3) and Akt (P-Akt) in the in vitro
      studies. MM-121 combined with trastuzumab did not induce apoptosis in the
      trastuzumab-resistant cell lines under our cell culture condition, rather induced
      cell cycle G1 arrest mainly associated with the upregulation of p27(kip1).
      Interestingly, in the tumor xenograft model established from the trastuzumab
      resistant cells, MM-121 in combination with trastuzumab as compared to either
      agent alone dramatically inhibited tumor growth correlated with a significant
      reduction of Ki67 staining and increase of cleaved caspase-3 in the tumor
      tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of MM-121 and trastuzumab not only inhibits
      erbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cell proliferation, but also promotes the
      otherwise trastuzumab-resistant cells undergoing apoptosis in an in vivo
      xenografts model. Thus, MM-121 exhibits potent antitumor activity when combined
      with trastuzumab under the studied conditions. Our data suggest that further
      studies regarding the suitability of MM-121 for treatment of breast cancer
      patients whose tumors overexpress erbB2 and become resistant to trastuzumab may
      be warranted.

PMID- 24215616
TI  - Iridium(III) hydrido N-heterocyclic carbene-phosphine complexes as catalysts in
      magnetization transfer reactions.
AB  - The hyperpolarization (HP) method signal amplification by reversible exchange
      (SABRE) uses para-hydrogen to sensitize substrate detection by NMR. The catalyst
      systems [Ir(H)2(IMes)(MeCN)2(R)]BF4 and [Ir(H)2(IMes)(py)2(R)]BF4 [py = pyridine;
      R = PCy3 or PPh3; IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene], which
      contain both an electron-donating N-heterocyclic carbene and a phosphine, are
      used here to catalyze SABRE. They react with acetonitrile and pyridine to produce
      [Ir(H)2(NCMe)(py)(IMes)(PPh3)]BF4 and [Ir(H)2(NCMe)(py)(IMes)(PCy3)]BF4,
      complexes that undergo ligand exchange on a time scale commensurate with
      observation of the SABRE effect, which is illustrated here by the observation of
      both pyridine and acetonitrile HP. In this study, the required symmetry breaking
      that underpins SABRE is provided for by the use of chemical inequivalence rather
      than the previously reported magnetic inequivalence. As a consequence, we show
      that the ligand sphere of the polarization transfer catalyst itself becomes
      hyperpolarized and hence that the high-sensitivity detection of a number of
      reaction intermediates is possible. These species include
      [Ir(H)2(NCMe)(py)(IMes)(PPh3)]BF4, [Ir(H)2(MeOH)(py)(IMes)(PPh3)]BF4, and
      [Ir(H)2(NCMe)(py)2(PPh3)]BF4. Studies are also described that employ the
      deuterium-labeled substrates CD3CN and C5D5N, and the labeled ligands P(C6D5)3
      and IMes-d22, to demonstrate that dramatically improved levels of HP can be
      achieved as a consequence of reducing proton dilution and hence polarization
      wastage. By a combination of these studies with experiments in which the magnetic
      field experienced by the sample at the point of polarization transfer is varied,
      confirmation of the resonance assignments is achieved. Furthermore, when
      [Ir(H)2(pyridine-h5)(pyridine-d5)(IMes)(PPh3)]BF4 is examined, its hydride ligand
      signals are shown to become visible through para-hydrogen-induced polarization
      rather than SABRE. 

PMID- 24215617
TI  - Administrative coding is specific, but not sensitive, for identifying
      eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB  - The use of administrative databases to conduct population-based studies of
      eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in the United States is limited because it is
      unknown whether the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD
      9) code for EoE, 530.13, accurately identifies those who truly have the disease.
      The aim of this retrospective study was to validate the ICD-9 code for
      identifying cases of EoE in administrative data. Confirmed cases of EoE as per
      consensus guidelines (symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and >=15 eosinophils per
      high-power field on biopsy after 8 weeks of twice daily proton pump inhibitor
      therapy) were identified in the University of North Carolina (UNC) EoE
      Clinicopathologic Database from 2008 to 2010; 2008 was the first year in which
      the 530.13 code was approved. Using the Carolina Data Warehouse, the
      administrative database for patients seen in the UNC system, all diagnostic and
      procedure codes were obtained for these cases. Then, with the EoE cases as the
      reference standard, we re-queried the Carolina Data Warehouse over the same time
      frame for all patients seen in the system (n=308,372) and calculated the
      sensitivity and specificity of the ICD-9 code 530.13 as a case definition of EoE.
      To attempt to refine the case definition, we added procedural codes in an
      iterative fashion to optimize sensitivity and specificity, and restricted our
      analysis to privately insured patients. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis
      with 2011 data to identify trends in the operating parameters of the code. We
      identified 226 cases of EoE at UNC to serve as the reference standard. The ICD-9
      code 530.13 yielded a sensitivity of 37% (83/226; 95% confidence interval: 31
      43%) and specificity of 99% (308,111/308,146; 95% confidence interval: 98-100%).
      These operating parameters were not substantially altered if the case definition
      required a procedure code for endoscopy or if cases were limited to those with
      commercial insurance. However, in 2011, the sensitivity of the code had increased
      to 61%, while the specificity remained at 99%. The ICD-9 code for EoE, 530.13,
      had excellent specificity for identifying cases of EoE in administrative data,
      although this high specificity was achieved at an academic center. Additionally,
      the sensitivity of the code appears to be increasing over time, and the threshold
      at which it will stabilize is not known. While use of this administrative code
      will still miss a number of cases, those identified in this manner are highly
      likely to have the disease.

PMID- 24215619
TI  - Early dynamic PET/CT shows open portocaval shunt in a patient with liver
      cirrhosis.

PMID- 24215618
TI  - Importance of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in elderly diabetic
      individuals with type IIb dyslipidemia: A 2-year survey of cardiovascular events.
AB  - AIM: The risk factors for ischemic heart disease (IHD) or cerebrovascular
      accident (CVA) in elderly diabetic individuals with type IIb dyslipidemia are not
      fully known. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between lipid levels and
      IHD and CVA in diabetic individuals with type IIb dyslipidemia. METHOD: The Japan
      Cholesterol and Diabetes Mellitus Study is a prospective cohort study of 4014
      type 2 diabetic patients (1936 women; age 67.4 +/- 9.5 years). The primary end
      points were the onset of IHD or CVA. Lipid and glucose levels, and other factors
      were investigated in relation to the occurrence of IHD or CVA. A total of 462
      participants were included in the group of patients with type IIb dyslipidemia.
      RESULTS: The 462 diabetic participants with type IIb dyslipidemia were divided
      into those who were aged <65 years, 65-74 years and >75 years (n=168, 190 and
      104, respectively). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol/HDL-C were significantly associated with the risk of
      cardiovascular events in diabetic individuals with type IIb dyslipidemia who were
      aged <65 years, and HDL-C and diastolic blood pressure was significantly
      associated with cardiovascular events in patients aged 65-74 years. Non-HDL-C was
      not significantly associated with the risk of cardiovascular events. Multiple
      regression analysis showed that lower HDL-C was significantly associated with the
      risk of cardiovascular events in diabetic individuals with type IIb dyslipidemia
      who were aged <65 years and 65-74 years. CONCLUSIONS: Lower HDL-C was an
      important risk factor for cardiovascular events in diabetic individuals with type
      IIb dyslipidemia who were aged <75 years.

PMID- 24215620
TI  - Poor responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a child with precursor B-cell
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia with SNX2-ABL1 chimeric transcript.
AB  - In addition to BCR, various rare fusion partners for the ABL1 gene have been
      reported in leukemia. We have identified the fusion gene SNX2-ABL1 in a pediatric
      case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which has only once previously been
      reported in an adult patient. Cytogenetic analysis detected this fusion gene
      arising from a t(5;9)(q22;q34) translocation. ALL cells carrying a SNX2-ABL1
      fusion exhibited a BCR-ABL1+ ALL-like gene expression profile. The patient poorly
      responded to dasatinib but partially responded to imatinib. Treatment using
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors requires further investigation to optimize the
      genotype-based treatment stratification for patients with SNX2-ABL1 fusion. 

PMID- 24215621
TI  - Base-mediated chemo- and stereoselective addition of 5-aminoindole/tryptamine and
      histamines onto alkynes.
AB  - Transition-metal-free chemo- and stereoselective addition of 5-aminoindole (1a),
      tryptamine (1b), and histamine (1c) to alkynes 2a-s to synthesize the
      indolyl/imidazolyl enamines 3a-p, 5a-o, and 6a-e using superbasic solutions of
      alkali-metal hydroxides in DMSO is described. The addition of N-heterocycles onto
      alkynes takes places chemoselectively without affecting the 1 degrees  amino
      groups (aromatic and aliphatic) of 5-aminoindole, tryptamine, and histamine. The
      stereochemistry of the products was found to be dependent upon reaction time; an
      increase in reaction time leads to the formation of a mixture of E/Z isomers and
      the thermodynamically stable E addition product. The chemoselective addition of N
      heterocycle 1a onto alkyne over thiophenol 7 and phenol 8 is supported by control
      experiments. Competitive experiments showed that 5-aminoindole was more reactive
      than tryptamine, and histamine was found to be the least reactive. The present
      methodology provides an efficient chemoselective method to synthesize a variety
      of (Z)-enamines of 5-aminoindole, tryptamine, and histamine without affecting the
      1 degrees  amino group. The presence of the free amino group in enamines could be
      further used for synthetic elaboration, which proved to be highly advantageous
      for structural and biological activity assessments. 

PMID- 24215623
TI  - Assessment of tear meniscus with optical coherence tomography in thyroid
      associated ophtalmopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the tear-film meniscus with optical coherence tomography
      (OCT) in patients with Graves' disease (GD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with
      GD without clinical features of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) (Group 1,
      n=35), patients with signs of TAO (Group 2, n=31) and healthy participants (Group
      3, n=31) were enrolled. Palpebral fissure width, Schirmer test, tear break-up
      time (TBUT) test and tear-film meniscus height and area obtained with Fourier
      domain-OCT were analyzed. RESULTS: TBUT test scores were 8 s (2-25) in Group 1, 8
      s (2-15) in Group 2 (p=0.380); and 10 s (5-17) in Group 3 (p=0.000 Group 1 versus
      3, and 0.000 for Group 2 versus 3). Tear-film meniscus height did not
      significantly differ between Groups 1 and 2 (257.5 um (86-962) and 258 um (99
      1340), respectively, p=0.980). In Group 3, tear-film meniscus height was 316 um
      (122-720) (p=0.005 Group 1 versus 3 and 0.004 for Group 2 versus 3). Tear-film
      meniscus area did not significantly differ between Groups 1 and 2 (0.025 mm(2)
      (0.004-0.250) and 0.024 mm(2) (0.003-0.316), respectively, p=0.850). In Group 3,
      tear-film meniscus area was 0.048 mm(2) (0.006-0.75) (p=0.000 Group 1 versus 3
      and 0.000 for Group 2 versus 3). CONCLUSION: Tear function is significantly
      disturbed in GD. OCT is an effective way to assess the tearing function also in
      patients with GD.

PMID- 24215622
TI  - Fusion of the C-terminal triskaidecapeptide of hirudin variant 3 to alpha1
      proteinase inhibitor M358R increases the serpin-mediated rate of thrombin
      inhibition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (API) is a plasma serpin superfamily
      member that inhibits neutrophil elastase; variant API M358R inhibits thrombin and
      activated protein C (APC). Fusing residues 1-75 of another serpin, heparin
      cofactor II (HCII), to API M358R (in HAPI M358R) was previously shown to
      accelerate thrombin inhibition over API M358R by conferring thrombin exosite 1
      binding properties. We hypothesized that replacing HCII 1-75 region with the 13 C
      terminal residues (triskaidecapeptide) of hirudin variant 3 (HV354-66) would
      further enhance the inhibitory potency of API M358R fusion proteins. We therefore
      expressed HV3API M358R (HV354-66 fused to API M358R) and HV3API RCL5 (HV354-66
      fused to API F352A/L353V/E354V/A355I/I356A/I460L/M358R) API M358R) as N
      terminally hexahistidine-tagged polypeptides in E. coli. RESULTS: HV3API M358R
      inhibited thrombin 3.3-fold more rapidly than API M358R; for HV3API RCL5 the rate
      enhancement was 1.9-fold versus API RCL5; neither protein inhibited thrombin as
      rapidly as HAPI M358R. While the thrombin/Activated Protein C rate constant ratio
      was 77-fold higher for HV3API RCL5 than for HV3API M358R, most of the increased
      specificity derived from the API F352A/L353V/E354V/A355I/I356A/I460L API RCL 5
      mutations, since API RCL5 remained 3-fold more specific than HV3API RCL5. An HV3
      54-66 peptide doubled the Thrombin Clotting Time (TCT) and halved the binding of
      thrombin to immobilized HCII 1-75 at lower concentrations than free HCII 1-75.
      HV3API RCL5 bound active site-inhibited FPR-chloromethyl ketone-thrombin more
      effectively than HAPI RCL5. Transferring the position of the fused HV3
      triskaidecapeptide to the C-terminus of API M358R decreased the rate of thrombin
      inhibition relative to that mediated by HV3API M358R by 11-to 14-fold.
      CONCLUSIONS: Fusing the C-terminal triskaidecapeptide of HV3 to API M358R
      containing serpins significantly increased their effectiveness as thrombin
      inhibitors, but the enhancement was less than that seen in HCII 1-75-API M358R
      fusion proteins. HCII 1-75 was a superior fusion partner, in spite of the greater
      affinity of the HV3 triskaidecapeptide, manifested both in isolated and API-fused
      form, for thrombin exosite 1. Our results suggest that HCII 1-75 binds thrombin
      exosite 1 and orients the attached serpin scaffold for more efficient interaction
      with the active site of thrombin than the HV3 triskaidecapeptide.

PMID- 24215624
TI  - Assessment of bone health in preterm infants through quantitative ultrasound and
      biochemical markers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess bone status in preterm infants with quantitative ultrasound
      and to search for biochemical markers of bone health. METHODS: Metacarpus bone
      transmission time (mcBTT) was prospectively performed during hospitalization,
      together with biochemical and clinical outcomes analysis. RESULTS: 154 patients
      were studied. At 3rd week of life mcBTT positively correlated with serum
      phosphate. Urinary excretion of calcium and phosphate were assessed in a subgroup
      of 55 patients: on day 21 mcBTT positively correlated with phosphaturia,
      negatively with calciuria. Gestational age (GA), weight and length at 3rd week
      and at 36 weeks of GA correlated positively with mcBTT. We found negative
      correlation between mcBTT at 3rd week and days of parenteral nutrition,
      mechanical ventilation period and days to reach 1800 g. CONCLUSIONS: Serum
      phosphate, phosphaturia and calciuria correlate most with mcBTT. Further studies
      are necessary to verify the possible influence of early bone status on future
      bone health.

PMID- 24215625
TI  - Adult self-reported and objectively monitored physical activity and sedentary
      behavior: NHANES 2005-2006.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It remains unclear what people are attempting to communicate, in
      terms of objectively monitored behavior, when describing their physical activity
      and sedentary behavior through self-report. The purpose of this study was to
      examine various objectively monitored accelerometer variables (e.g., moderate-to
      vigorous physical activity [MVPA], steps/day, sedentary time, etc.) across
      categories of self-reported MVPA (< 150 vs. >= 150 minutes/week), usual
      occupational/domestic activity (UODA; "mostly sitting" vs. "stand, walk, lift, or
      carry"), and leisure-time sedentary behavior (LTSB; >= 3 vs. < 3 hours/day) in a
      nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (>= 20 years). METHODS: This is a
      secondary analysis of 3,725 participants from the 2005-2006 National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) who provided relevant questionnaire
      responses and >= 1 day of valid accelerometer data. Descriptive statistics were
      computed for various objectively monitored accelerometer variables across
      categories of self-reported MVPA, UODA, and LTSB. Pairwise comparisons were
      conducted to examine differences in objectively monitored behavior between
      categories of self-reported MVPA, UODA, and LTSB. RESULTS: On average, adults
      reporting compliance with physical activity guidelines (>= 150 minutes/week of
      MVPA) accumulated more objectively measured physical activity and similar amounts
      of sedentary time relative to those reporting not achieving guidelines. Adults
      reporting their daily UODA as "mostly sitting" or accruing >= 3 hours/day of LTSB
      accumulated less objectively monitored physical activity and more sedentary time
      than those who described their UODA as "stand, walk, lift, or carry" or accrued <
      3 hours/day of LTSB. The most active cross-classified category (7,935 steps/day;
      >= 150 minutes/week of self-reported MVPA, "stand, walk, lift, or carry" UODA,
      and < 3 hours/day of LTSB) accumulated more than twice as many daily steps as the
      least active cross-classified category (3,532 steps/day; < 150 minutes/week of
      self-reported MVPA, "mostly sitting" UODA, and >= 3 hours/day of LTSB).
      CONCLUSIONS: A number of objectively monitored physical activity indicators
      varied significantly between self-reported MVPA, UODA, and LTSB categories, while
      objectively monitored sedentary time only varied between UODA and LTSB
      categories. Cross-classifications of self-reported MVPA, UODA, and LTSB responses
      depict a greater range of physical activity than viewing dichotomous responses
      for these variables one-at-a-time.

PMID- 24215626
TI  - Growth of infants fed formula supplemented with Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 or
      Lactobacillus GG: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Growth is an essential outcome measure for evaluating the safety of
      any new ingredients, including probiotics, added to infant formulae. The aim of
      this systematic review was to determine the effects of supplementation of infant
      formulae with Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 (B lactis) and/or Lactobacillus
      rhamnosus GG (LGG) compared with unsupplemented formula on the growth of healthy
      infants. METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were
      searched in June 2013 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted
      in healthy term infants. Unpublished data were obtained from the manufacturer of
      B lactis-supplemented formula. The primary outcome measures were weight, length,
      and head circumference. RESULTS: Nine eligible trials were identified. Compared
      with unsupplemented controls, supplementation of infant formula with B lactis had
      no effect on weight gain [4 RCTs, n = 266, mean difference (MD) 0.96 g/day, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) -0.70 to 2.63)], length gain (4 RCTs, n = 261, MD -0.39
      mm/month, 95% CI -1.32 to 0.53), or head circumference gain (3 RCTs, n = 207, MD
      0.56 mm/month, 95% CI -0.17 to 1.30). Data limited to one small (n = 105) trial
      suggest that infants who received standard infant formula supplemented with LGG
      grew significantly better. No such effect was observed in infants fed hydrolyzed
      formula supplemented with LGG. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of infant formula
      with B lactis results in growth similar to what is found in infants fed
      unsupplemented formula. Limited data do not allow one to reach a conclusion
      regarding the effect of LGG supplementation on infant growth.

PMID- 24215627
TI  - Ab initio modeling of excitonic and charge-transfer states in organic
      semiconductors: the PTB1/PCBM low band gap system.
AB  - A detailed quantum chemical simulation of the excitonic and charge-transfer (CT)
      states of a bulk heterojunction model containing poly(thieno[3,4-b]thiophene
      benzodithiophene) (PTB1)/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is
      reported. The largest molecular model contains two stacked PTB1 trimer chains
      interacting with C60 positioned on top of and lateral to the (PTB1)3 stack. The
      calculations were performed using the algebraic diagrammatic construction method
      to second order (ADC(2)). One main result of the calculations is that the CT
      states are located below the bright inter-chain excitonic state, directly
      accessible via internal conversion processes. The other important aspects of the
      calculations are the formation of discrete bands of CT states originating from
      the lateral C60's and the importance of inter-chain charge delocalization for the
      stability of the CT states. A simple model for the charge separation step is also
      given, revealing the energetic feasibility of the overall photovoltaic process. 

PMID- 24215628
TI  - Doxorubicin -eluting beads in the treatment of liver carcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Doxorubicin and especially doxorubicin-eluting beads (DEBs) have
      become an intensive study subject in the locoregional therapy of liver carcinoma
      over the past 6 years. Since sorafenib has become the new standard in the
      treatment of advanced liver carcinoma and has been combined with DEB in clinical
      studies to evaluate safety and efficacy, it has shown promising results. Thus,
      the authors have investigated the evidence that DEB is a potential drug in the
      treatment of intermediate liver carcinoma, even in combination with systemic
      therapies. AREAS COVERED: Evaluation of published articles in English using
      metadatabase such as PubMed. EXPERT OPINION: Since there is no standard therapy
      regimen in the locoregional transarterial treatment of intermediate liver
      carcinoma, DEBs were designed to offer an attempt to homogenize the use of
      cytostatic and embolic agents. The development of so-called doxorubicin-eluting
      beads in the past few years is an effort to minimize systemic toxicity and
      increase local drug concentration. In the therapy of liver carcinoma, doxorubicin
      should not be systemically administered due to its high toxicity. Clinical trials
      indicate that the administration of DEB is safe and effective for the treatment
      of liver carcinoma and can even be combined with systemic drugs such as
      sorafenib.

PMID- 24215629
TI  - 1-Azadienes as regio- and chemoselective dienophiles in aminocatalytic asymmetric
      Diels-Alder reaction.
AB  - Electron-deficient 1-aza-1,3-butadienes containing a 1,2-benzoisothiazole-1,1
      dioxide or 1,2,3-benzoxathiazine-2,2-dioxide motif act as regio- and
      chemoselective dienophiles in normal-electron-demand Diels-Alder reactions with
      HOMO-raised trienamines, rather than typical 4pi-participation in inverse
      electron-demand versions. The enantioenriched cycloadducts could be efficiently
      converted to spiro or fused frameworks with high structural and stereogenic
      complexity by a sequential aza-benzoin reaction or other transformations. 

PMID- 24215630
TI  - High-strength nanocellulose-talc hybrid barrier films.
AB  - Hybrid organic-inorganic films mimicking natural nacre-like composite structures
      were fabricated from cellulose nanofibers obtained from sequential periodate
      chlorite oxidation treatment and talc platelets, using a simple vacuum-filtration
      method. As a pretreatment, commercial talc aggregates were individualized into
      well-dispersed talc platelets using a wet stirred media mill with high-shear
      conditions to promote the homogeneity and mechanical characteristics of hybrids.
      The nanofiber-talc hybrids, which had talc contents from 1 to 50 wt %, were all
      flexible in bending, and possessed tensile strength and Young's modulus values up
      to 211 +/- 3 MPa and 12 +/- 1 GPa, respectively, the values being remarkably
      higher than those reported previously for nanofibrillated cellulose-talc films.
      Because of the lamellar and well-organized structure of hybrids in which the talc
      platelets were evenly embedded, they possessed a small pore size and good oxygen
      barrier properties, as indicated by the preliminary results. The talc platelets
      decreased the moisture adsorption of highly talc-loaded hybrids, although they
      still exhibited hydrophilic surface characteristics in terms of contact angles. 

PMID- 24215631
TI  - Changing rates for liver and lung cancers in Qidong, China.
AB  - Residents of Qidong, China are undergoing a rapid fluctuation in cancer incidence
      rates at many organ sites, reflecting a dynamic interplay of socio-behavioral,
      economic, and environmental factors. This Perspective On Statistical Trends
      examines the China age-standardized incidence rates (CASR), as tracked by the
      Qidong Cancer Registry for the past 40 years, for the two leading cancer killers
      in Qidong, liver and lung. Both cancer types are strongly influenced by
      environmental factors. The CASR for liver cancer has dropped nearly 50% in the
      last 4 decades, in part from access to deep-well drinking water in the 1970s with
      consequent diminished exposure to tumor promoting microcystins produced by blue
      green algae. There have also been substantive reductions in exposures to dietary
      aflatoxins, as economic reform in the mid-1980s fostered a wholesale change in
      dietary staple from maize to rice. In men, lung cancer CASR has trebled over this
      period, likely driven by a high prevalence of smokers (~65%) and an ever
      increasing smoking frequency in this population. Qidong women, by contrast,
      rarely smoke and have exhibited a flat CASR until the past decade where lung
      cancer rates have now doubled. This upturn may reflect an increasing burden of
      indoor and outdoor air pollution. 

PMID- 24215633
TI  - Modeling the frequency of opposing left-turn conflicts at signalized
      intersections using generalized linear regression models.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to identify whether the
      frequency of traffic conflicts at signalized intersections can be modeled. The
      opposing left-turn conflicts were selected for the development of conflict
      predictive models. METHODS: Using data collected at 30 approaches at 20
      signalized intersections, the underlying distributions of the conflicts under
      different traffic conditions were examined. Different conflict-predictive models
      were developed to relate the frequency of opposing left-turn conflicts to various
      explanatory variables. The models considered include a linear regression model, a
      negative binomial model, and separate models developed for four traffic
      scenarios. The prediction performance of different models was compared. RESULTS:
      The frequency of traffic conflicts follows a negative binominal distribution. The
      linear regression model is not appropriate for the conflict frequency data. In
      addition, drivers behaved differently under different traffic conditions.
      Accordingly, the effects of conflicting traffic volumes on conflict frequency
      vary across different traffic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrences of traffic
      conflicts at signalized intersections can be modeled using generalized linear
      regression models. The use of conflict predictive models has potential to expand
      the uses of surrogate safety measures in safety estimation and evaluation.

PMID- 24215632
TI  - 6-Shogaol induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells through a process involving
      caspase-mediated cleavage of eIF2alpha.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 6-Shogaol is a promising antitumor agent isolated from dietary ginger
      (Zingiber officinale). However, little is known about the efficacy of 6-shogaol
      on leukemia cells. Here we investigated the underlying mechanism of 6-shogaol
      induced apoptosis in human leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Three
      leukemia cell lines and primary leukemia cells were used to investigate the
      apoptosis effect of 6-shogaol. A shotgun approach based on label-free proteome
      with LC-CHIP Q-TOF MS/MS was employed to identify the cellular targets of 6
      shogaol and the differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by bioinformatics
      protocols. RESULTS: The present study indicated that 6-shogaol selectively
      induced apoptosis in transformed and primary leukemia cells but not in normal
      cells. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2alpha), a key
      regulator in apoptosis signaling pathway, was significantly affected in both
      Jurkat and U937 proteome profiles. The docking results suggested that 6-shogaol
      might bind well to eIF2alpha at Ser51 of the N-terminal domain. Immunoblotting
      data indicated that 6-shogaol induced apoptosis through a process involving
      dephosphorylation of eIF2alpha and caspase activation-dependent cleavage of
      eIF2alpha. Furthermore, 6-shogaol markedly inhibited tumor growth and induced
      apoptosis in U937 xenograft mouse model. CONCLUSION: The potent anti-leukemia
      activity of 6-shogaol found both in vitro and in vivo in our study make this
      compound a potential anti-tumor agent for hematologic malignancies.

PMID- 24215634
TI  - Using sodium molybdate to treat chronic copper toxicity in dairy cows: A
      practical approach.
AB  - Abstract CASE HISTORY: A Jersey herd of 350 cows and 70 heifers located in the
      Taranaki region of New Zealand ceased milking in June 2011. Ten cows died during
      the subsequent 14 days. For at least 9 months, the cows had received palm kernel
      expeller (PKE) and molasses supplements. Additional Cu supplementation was
      provided through the water system. Total Cu intake was calculated to be 400
      mg/day/cow. CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Half of the cows died suddenly
      while others presented with anorexia, depression and ataxia, which progressed to
      recumbency and death after 1 to 3 days. Clinical signs were mild dehydration,
      cyanosis and firm faeces which were covered in dark blood. Mean concentrations of
      Cu in liver and kidney in three of the dead cows were 3,900 and 440 umol/kg fresh
      weight (FW), respectively. Haemorrhages were observed throughout the alimentary
      tracts and in muscles, and there were ecchymotic haemorrhages on the epi- and
      endocardia. The livers were swollen and the gall bladder walls were inflamed.
      DIAGNOSIS: High concentrations of Cu in the liver and kidney are characteristic
      findings of chronic Cu toxicity. TREATMENT: The remaining herd was fed 200 mg Mo,
      as sodium molybdate, per cow per day and all Cu supplements were removed
      including those provided by the water supply. This reduced mean concentrations of
      Cu in liver from 3,100 to 1,320 umol/kg FW within 26 days in the five live
      animals that were biopsied. There were no further deaths. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In
      dairy herds where excessive Cu intakes have resulted in high liver Cu
      concentrations and caused chronic Cu toxicity, the removal of all Cu supplements
      and provision of high intakes of Mo (200 mg/cow/day) can markedly reduce liver Cu
      stores within 4 weeks.

PMID- 24215635
TI  - The protective effect of thiamine pyrophosphate, but not thiamine, against
      cardiotoxicity induced with cisplatin in rats.
AB  - This study investigated the effect of thiamine pyrophosphate on oxidative damage
      associated with cardiotoxicity caused by cisplatin (CIS), an antineoplastic
      agent, in rats, and compared this with thiamine. Animals used in the study were
      divided into four groups of 6 rats each. These represented a control group
      receiving 5 mg/kg of CIS, study groups receiving 20 mg/kg of thiamine
      pyrophosphate plus 5 mg/kg of cisplatin (CTPG) or 20 mg/kg of thiamine plus 5
      mg/kg of cisplatin and a healthy (H) group. All doses were administered
      intraperitoneally once a day for 14 days. Malondialdehyde, total glutathione and
      products of DNA injury results were similar in the CTPG and H groups (p > 0.05).
      Creatinine kinase, creatine kinase MB and troponin 1 levels were similar in the
      CTPG and H groups (p > 0.05). Thiamine pyrophosphate prevented CIS-associated
      oxidative stress and heart injury, whereas thiamine did not prevent these.

PMID- 24215636
TI  - DNA quantification via ICP-MS using lanthanide-labeled probes and ligation
      mediated amplification.
AB  - The combination of lanthanide-tagged oligonucleotide probes with inductively
      coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as the detection technique is a novel
      labeling and analysis strategy for heterogeneous nucleic acid quantification
      assays. We describe a hybridization assay based on biotin-streptavidin affinity
      using lanthanide-labeled reporter probes and biotinylated capture probes. For the
      basic sandwich type assay, performed in streptavidin-coated microtitration wells,
      the limit of detection (LOD) was 7.2 fmol of DNA target, corresponding to a final
      concentration of 6 pM terbium-labeled probes detectable by ICP-MS after elution
      from the solid support. To improve the sensitivity and sequence specificity of
      the approach, it was combined with established molecular biological techniques,
      i.e., elution with a restriction endonuclease and signal and target amplification
      by the ligase detection reaction (LDR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR),
      respectively. Initial experiments showed that the enzymes facilitated the
      discrimination of single-base mismatches within the recognition or ligation site.
      Furthermore, LCR as a target amplification step resulted in a 6000-fold increase
      of sensitivity, and finally an LOD of 2.6 amol was achieved with an artificial
      double-stranded DNA target. 

PMID- 24215637
TI  - BioTechniques: Celebrating 30 years of methods development.

PMID- 24215638
TI  - Establishing isogenic inducible cell lines using founder reporter lines and
      recombinase-mediated cassette exchange.
AB  - Manipulating gene expression in mammalian cell lines is one of the most widely
      used methods for studying gene function. Tetracycline- and doxycycline-inducible
      systems are sensitive, reproducible, relatively inexpensive, and proven to work
      well in both cell lines and mouse models. However, obtaining homogeneous
      transgene expression or uniform knockdown by short hairpin RNA requires time
      consuming and labor-intensive single-cell cloning to derive stable cell lines.
      For this reason, Tet-inducible cell systems have yet to be widely adopted. Here
      we describe the XT-cell method, a novel system for establishing isogenic
      inducible cell lines using founder reporter lines and recombinase-mediated
      cassette exchange. We demonstrate that, using this XT-cell method, isogenic
      stable Tet-inducible cell lines can be efficiently created with much less effort
      and time as compared with conventional methods. The XT-plasmids and the XT
      founder cell lines will be a valuable resource to researchers interested in
      versatile modulation of gene expression in cell culture systems, and this method
      has the potential to expedite many aspects of biomedical research.

PMID- 24215639
TI  - Correlative light microscopy for high-content screening.
AB  - High-throughput microscopy is an effective tool for rapidly collecting data on a
      large scale. However, high throughput comes at the cost of low spatial
      resolution. Here we introduce correlative light microscopy by combining fast
      automated widefield imaging, confocal microscopy and super-resolution microscopy.
      We demonstrate the potential of this approach for scalable experiments. The
      workflow consists of a robust approach for selecting cells of interest on a wide
      field screening microscope at low resolution and subsequently re-localizing those
      cells with micrometer precision for confocal and super-resolution imaging. As a
      case study, we visualized and quantified cis- and trans-Golgi markers at
      increasing resolution.

PMID- 24215640
TI  - Microsatellite marker discovery using single molecule real-time circular
      consensus sequencing on the Pacific Biosciences RS.
AB  - Microsatellite sequences are important markers for population genetics studies.
      In the past, the development of adequate microsatellite primers has been
      cumbersome. However with the advent of next-generation sequencing technologies,
      marker identification in genomes of non-model species has been greatly
      simplified. Here we describe microsatellite discovery on a Pacific Biosciences
      single molecule real-time sequencer. For the Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser
      albifrons), we identified 316 microsatellite loci in a single genome shotgun
      sequencing experiment. We found that the capability of handling large insert
      sizes and high quality circular consensus sequences provides an advantage over
      short read technologies for primer design. Combined with a straightforward
      amplification-free library preparation, PacBio sequencing is an economically
      viable alternative for microsatellite discovery and subsequent PCR primer design.

PMID- 24215641
TI  - New vectors for epitope tagging and gene disruption in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
AB  - We describe a series of new vectors for PCR-based epitope tagging and gene
      disruption in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, an exceptional model
      organism for the study of cellular processes. The vectors are designed for
      amplification of gene-targeting DNA cassettes and integration into specific
      genetic loci, allowing expression of proteins fused to 12 tandem copies of the Pk
      (V5) epitope or 5 tandem copies of the FLAG epitope with a glycine linker. These
      vectors are available with various antibiotic or nutritional markers and are
      useful for protein studies using biochemical and cell biological methods. We also
      describe new vectors for fluorescent protein-tagging and gene disruption using
      ura4MX6, LEU2MX6, and his3MX6 selection markers, allowing researchers in the S.
      pombe community to disrupt genes and manipulate genomic loci using primer sets
      already available for the widely used pFA6a-MX6 system. Our new vectors may also
      be useful for gene manipulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PMID- 24215642
TI  - Single step BP/LR combined Gateway reactions.
AB  - The Gateway recombination system is characterized by its ability to transfer DNA
      sequences back and forth between an intermediate clone (the entry clone) and a
      variety of destination vectors. However, a number of applications do not need to
      exploit the advantages offered by the entry clone. Here we report reaction
      conditions for cloning DNA fragments into destination vectors in a single step
      reaction, thus reducing the cost and overall time needed to obtain an expression
      clone from three days to one. 

PMID- 24215643
TI  - Terminator oligo blocking efficiently eliminates rRNA from Drosophila small RNA
      sequencing libraries.
AB  - A large number of methods are available to deplete ribosomal RNA reads from high
      throughput RNA sequencing experiments. Such methods are critical for sequencing
      Drosophila small RNAs between 20 and 30 nucleotides because size selection is not
      typically sufficient to exclude the highly abundant class of 30 nucleotide 2S
      rRNA. Here we demonstrate that pre-annealing terminator oligos complimentary to
      Drosophila 2S rRNA prior to 5' adapter ligation and reverse transcription
      efficiently depletes 2S rRNA sequences from the sequencing reaction in a simple
      and inexpensive way. This depletion is highly specific and is achieved with
      minimal perturbation of miRNA and piRNA profiles.

PMID- 24215644
TI  - Survivors of brain injury through the eyes of the public: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is known that knowledge and attitudes are important in determining
      whether society stigmatize and discriminate against specific groups. However,
      there has been no systematic review of the literature measuring these factors
      towards acquired brain injury (ABI). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to
      systematically evaluate the literature measuring the public's (1) knowledge of
      ABI and (2) attitudes towards survivors. METHODS: Four databases were searched
      between December 2011 and March 2012. Studies meeting the selection criteria were
      included and a manual search of studies' reference lists undertaken to identify
      any remaining. The quality of studies was assessed using an adapted tool.
      RESULTS: Twenty studies were reviewed, with quality assessment ratings ranging
      from 47.83-91.3%. The public lacked awareness of some post-injury symptoms.
      Misconceptions concerning recovery, memory difficulties and vulnerability to
      second injuries were also commonly endorsed. The public demonstrated more
      negative attitudes towards survivors of ABI than those with other injuries,
      particularly if they deemed the individual responsible for their ABI.
      CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of ABI are vulnerable to stigma and discrimination. It is
      therefore essential that Government and media campaigns prioritize educating the
      public about ABI and promote the inclusion of survivors.

PMID- 24215645
TI  - SagE induces highly effective protective immunity against Streptococcus iniae
      mainly through an immunogenic domain in the extracellular region.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Streptococcus iniae is a Gram-positive bacterium and a severe
      pathogen of a wide range of farmed fish. S. iniae possesses a virulence
      associated streptolysin S cluster composed of several components, one of which is
      SagE. SagE a transmembrane protein with one major extracellular region named ECR.
      This study aimed to develop a SagE-based DNA candidate vaccine against
      streptococcosis and examine the immunoprotective mechanism of the vaccine.
      RESULTS: We constructed a DNA vaccine, pSagE, based on the sagE gene and examined
      its immunological property in a Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) model.
      The results showed that at 7 days post-vaccination, expression of SagE at
      transcription and translation levels was detected in the tissues of the
      vaccinated fish. After challenge with S. iniae at one and two months post
      vaccination, pSagE-vaccinated fish exhibited relative percent survival (RPS) of
      95% and 88% respectively. Immunological analysis showed that (i) pSagE
      significantly upregulated the expression of a wide range of immune genes, (ii)
      pSagE induced the production of specific serum antibodies that bound whole-cell
      S. iniae, and (iii) treatment of S. iniae with pSagE-induced antibodies blocked
      bacterial invasion of host cells. To localize the immunoprotective domain of
      SagE, the ECR-expressing DNA vaccine pSagEECR was constructed. Immunization
      analysis showed that flounder vaccinated with pSagEECR exhibited a RPS of 68%,
      and that pSagEECR induced serum antibody production and immune gene expression in
      a manner similar to, though to lower magnitudes than, those induced by pSagE.
      CONCLUSIONS: We in this study developed a DNA vaccine, pSagE, which induces
      highly protective immunity against S. iniae. The protective effect of pSagE is
      probably due to its ability to elicit systemic immune response, in particular
      that of the humoral branch, which leads to production of specific serum
      antibodies that impair bacterial infection. These results add insights to the
      immunoprotective mechanism of fish DNA vaccine.

PMID- 24215646
TI  - Digermylene oxide complexes: facile synthesis and reactivity.
AB  - A simple heating of aminotroponiminate (ATI) ligand stabilized germylene
      monochlorides [(R)2ATIGeCl] (R = t-Bu 1, i-Bu 2) with an excess of potassium
      hydroxide in toluene resulted in the first ATI ligand stabilized digermylene
      oxides [{(R)2ATIGe}2O] (R = t-Bu 3, i-Bu 4), respectively. Reaction of compound 3
      with elemental sulfur and selenium gave the first germaacid anhydride complexes
      [{(t-Bu)2ATIGe(E)}2O] (E = S 5, Se 6) with (S)Ge-O-Ge(S) and (Se)Ge-O-Ge(Se)
      moieties, respectively. The digermylene oxide complexes 3 and 4 and germaacid
      anhydride complexes 5 and 6 were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy
      and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In its (77)Se NMR spectrum,
      compound 6 showed a resonance at -78.9 ppm. The Ge-O-Ge bond angles in compounds
      5 and 6 are 178.66(2) degrees  and 179.81(2) degrees , respectively. To
      understand further the bonding features, DFT calculations followed by MO, AIM,
      and NBO analysis were carried out on compounds 3, 5, and 6. The computed Wiberg
      bond indices of Ge-O bonds are slightly less than 0.5 in all the aforementioned
      compounds, and the same for the Ge?E bonds in compounds 5 and 6 are close to 1.4.

PMID- 24215647
TI  - Beyond intensity: Spectral features effectively predict music-induced subjective
      arousal.
AB  - Emotions in music are conveyed by a variety of acoustic cues. Notably, the
      positive association between sound intensity and arousal has particular
      biological relevance. However, although amplitude normalization is a common
      procedure used to control for intensity in music psychology research, direct
      comparisons between emotional ratings of original and amplitude-normalized
      musical excerpts are lacking. In this study, 30 nonmusicians retrospectively
      rated the subjective arousal and pleasantness induced by 84 six-second classical
      music excerpts, and an additional 30 nonmusicians rated the same excerpts
      normalized for amplitude. Following the cue-redundancy and Brunswik lens models
      of acoustic communication, we hypothesized that arousal and pleasantness ratings
      would be similar for both versions of the excerpts, and that arousal could be
      predicted effectively by other acoustic cues besides intensity. Although the
      difference in mean arousal and pleasantness ratings between original and
      amplitude-normalized excerpts correlated significantly with the amplitude
      adjustment, ratings for both sets of excerpts were highly correlated and shared a
      similar range of values, thus validating the use of amplitude normalization in
      music emotion research. Two acoustic parameters, spectral flux and spectral
      entropy, accounted for 65% of the variance in arousal ratings for both sets,
      indicating that spectral features can effectively predict arousal. Additionally,
      we confirmed that amplitude-normalized excerpts were adequately matched for
      loudness. Overall, the results corroborate our hypotheses and support the cue
      redundancy and Brunswik lens models.

PMID- 24215648
TI  - Non-invasive ventilation for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: intubation rate
      and risk factors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We assessed rates and predictive factors of non-invasive
      ventilation (NIV) failure in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU)
      for non-hypercapnic acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). METHODS: This is
      an observational cohort study using data prospectively collected over a three
      year period in a medical ICU of a university hospital. RESULTS: Among 113
      patients receiving NIV for AHRF, 82 had acute respiratory distress syndrome
      (ARDS) and 31 had non-ARDS. Intubation rates significantly differed between ARDS
      and non-ARDS patients (61% versus 35%, P = 0.015) and according to clinical
      severity of ARDS: 31% in mild, 62% in moderate, and 84% in severe ARDS (P =
      0.0016). In-ICU mortality rates were 13% in non-ARDS, and, respectively, 19%, 32%
      and 32% in mild, moderate and severe ARDS (P = 0.22). Among patients with
      moderate ARDS, NIV failure was lower among those having a PaO2/FiO2 >150 mmHg
      (45% vs. 74%, p = 0.04). NIV failure was associated with active cancer, shock,
      moderate/severe ARDS, lower Glasgow coma score and lower positive end-expiratory
      pressure level at NIV initiation. Among intubated patients, ICU mortality rate
      was 46% overall and did not differ according to the time to intubation.
      CONCLUSIONS: With intubation rates below 35% in non-ARDS and mild ARDS, NIV
      stands as the first-line approach; NIV may be attempted in ARDS patients with a
      PaO2/FiO2 > 150. By contrast, 84% of severe ARDS required intubation and NIV did
      not appear beneficial in this subset of patients. However, the time to intubation
      had no influence on mortality.

PMID- 24215649
TI  - Direct and indirect effects of nutritional status, physical function and
      cognitive function on activities of daily living in Japanese older adults
      requiring long-term care.
AB  - AIM: To identify the direct and indirect effects of nutritional status, physical
      function, and cognitive function on activities of daily living in Japanese older
      adults requiring long-term care. METHODS: In total, 179 participants aged >= 65
      years who were eligible for long-term care insurance (mean age 85.5 +/- 7.8
      years) were recruited for this study. Nutritional status (Mini Nutritional
      Assessment, Short Form) and physical function (Short Physical Performance
      Battery) were examined. Activities of daily living, cognitive function and
      frailty were assessed using the Barthel Index, Mini-Mental State Examination and
      Clinical Frailty Scale, respectively. Path analysis was used to determine
      relationships between these factors and the activities of daily living. RESULTS:
      For Japanese older adults requiring long-term care, pathways were modeled for
      nutritional status, physical function and the activities of daily living. The
      total effect of nutritional status was 0.516 (P<0.001). The indirect effect of
      nutritional status through physical function on the activities of daily living
      was 0.458 (P<0.001). Finally, no significant direct effect of nutritional status
      on activities of daily living was observed (b=0.058, P=0.258). CONCLUSIONS: The
      present study identified the complex pathway from nutritional status to the
      activities of daily living through physical function in aged Japanese people
      requiring long-term care. These findings suggest that maintaining good
      nutritional status and nutritional support might delay physical function decline,
      and prolong the activities of daily living.

PMID- 24215650
TI  - Fast automated yeast cell counting algorithm using bright-field and fluorescence
      microscopic images.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The faithful determination of the concentration and viability of
      yeast cells is important for biological research as well as industry. To this
      end, it is important to develop an automated cell counting algorithm that can
      provide not only fast but also accurate and precise measurement of yeast cells.
      RESULTS: With the proposed method, we measured the precision of yeast cell
      measurements by using 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% viability samples. As a result,
      the actual viability measured with the proposed yeast cell counting algorithm is
      significantly correlated to the theoretical viability (R2 = 0.9991). Furthermore,
      we evaluated the performance of our algorithm in various computing platforms. The
      results showed that the proposed algorithm could be feasible to use with low-end
      computing platforms without loss of its performance. CONCLUSIONS: Our yeast cell
      counting algorithm can rapidly provide the total number and the viability of
      yeast cells with exceptional accuracy and precision. Therefore, we believe that
      our method can become beneficial for a wide variety of academic field and
      industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceutical and alcohol production.

PMID- 24215651
TI  - Comparative genomics analysis of Streptococcus agalactiae reveals that isolates
      from cultured tilapia in China are closely related to the human strain A909.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Streptococcus agalactiae, also referred to as Group B Streptococcus
      (GBS), is a frequent resident of the rectovaginal tract in humans, and a major
      cause of neonatal infection. In addition, S. agalactiae is a known fish pathogen,
      which compromises food safety and represents a zoonotic hazard. The complete
      genome sequence of the piscine S. agalactiae isolate GD201008-001 was compared
      with 14 other piscine, human and bovine strains to explore their virulence
      determinants, evolutionary relationships and the genetic basis of host tropism in
      S. agalactiae. RESULTS: The pan-genome of S. agalactiae is open and its size
      increases with the addition of newly sequenced genomes. The core genes shared by
      all isolates account for 50 ~ 70% of any single genome. The Chinese piscine
      isolates GD201008-001 and ZQ0910 are phylogenetically distinct from the Latin
      American piscine isolates SA20-06 and STIR-CD-17, but are closely related to the
      human strain A909, in the context of the clustered regularly interspaced short
      palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), prophage, virulence-associated genes and
      phylogenetic relationships. We identified a unique 10 kb gene locus in Chinese
      piscine strains. CONCLUSIONS: Isolates from cultured tilapia in China have a
      close genomic relationship with the human strain A909. Our findings provide
      insight into the pathogenesis and host-associated genome content of piscine S.
      agalactiae isolated in China.

PMID- 24215652
TI  - Straight video blades are advantageous than curved blades in simulated pediatric
      difficult intubation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is still controversial which laryngoscope may be a better option
      in unanticipated difficult airway in pediatric patients. The aim of the present
      study was to compare two direct and two video-assisted laryngoscope devices for
      the management of difficult pediatric airway. METHODS: Forty-five anesthesiology
      residents and nurse anesthetists participated in the study. Macintosh, Miller,
      Storz Miller, and McGrath Mac curved laryngoscopes were used for tracheal
      intubation of 3-6-month Airsim Pierre Robin manikin. We compared the duration of
      successful intubation, number of attempts, glottic view grades, severity of
      dental trauma, the use of optimization maneuvers, and the difficulty of use of
      the devices with straight and curved laryngoscope blades. RESULTS: Successful
      intubation duration was significantly lower in Storz Miller device, and the
      number of intubation attempts was significantly higher in the Macintosh
      laryngoscope (P < 0.01). According to the Cormack and Lehane classification,
      Grades 1 and 2 glottic view was 20% for Macintosh and 40% for Miller
      laryngoscope, while it was 100% for Storz Miller and 80% for McGrath (P < 0.001).
      Difficulty VAS scores of Storz Miller device were significantly lower than the
      scores of Macintosh, Miller, and McGrath laryngoscopes (15.7 +/- 14.89, 34.7 +/-
      26.44, 31.5 +/- 26.74, 33.4 +/- 26.67 mm, respectively; P < 0.01). The severity
      of dental trauma was significantly lower in Storz Miller compared with Macintosh,
      Miller, and McGrath laryngoscopes (0.96 +/- 1.04, 1.67 +/- 1.15, 1.38 +/- 1.05,
      1.42 +/- 1.27, respectively; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Storz Miller laryngoscope was
      found to have advantages over the other laryngoscopes in regard to glottic view,
      duration of successful intubation, number of attempts, dental trauma severity,
      need for additional maneuvers, and ease of use.

PMID- 24215653
TI  - Symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, and body image distress in female
      victims of physical and sexual assault: exploring integrated responses.
AB  - While body image concerns and interpersonal violence exposure are significant
      issues for women, their interrelationship has rarely been explored. We examined
      the associations between severity of acute injuries, symptoms of posttraumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and body image distress within a sample of
      predominantly African American victims of interpersonal violence (N = 73).
      Severity of body image distress was significantly associated with each outcome.
      Moreover, body image distress was a significant, unique predictor of depression
      but not PTSD severity. We recommend continued exploration of body image concerns
      to further integrated research on violence against women. 

PMID- 24215654
TI  - Analysis of catalase SNP rs1001179 in Saudi patients with primary open angle
      glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether the g.4760C > T mutation in the catalase gene
      (CAT) is a risk factor for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in the Saudi
      population. METHODS: A cohort of 225 unrelated POAG patients and 403 unrelated
      control subjects from Saudi Arabia were genotyped for a single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP; rs1001179; g.4760C > T) in the CAT gene utilizing Taq-Man(r)
      assay. The association between mutant genotypes and various clinical indices
      important for POAG was also investigated. RESULTS: The distribution of different
      genotypes was comparable between both study groups. The genotype "C/C" was
      predominant among cases; 169 (75.1%) as well as among the controls; 289 (71.7%).
      As for the heterozygous mutated genotype "C/T", it was present in 52 (23.1%) of
      cases and 103 (25.6%) of controls, where the homozygous fully mutated genotype
      was present in only 4 (1.8%) of cases and 11 (2.7%) of the controls. The
      distribution of mutant allele was similar in both study groups (p = 0.218).
      Interestingly, there was a trend of association between the type of the mutation
      (homozygous versus heterozygous) and three clinical parameters important for
      predicting the severity of the disease. These parameters include mean age of
      onset, mean level of intraocular pressure (IOP) and mean months of duration of
      encountering glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant
      differences between cases and controls in terms of the different genotype
      distribution. This mutation is possibly associated with various clinical indices
      important for POAG and thus may be used as a parameter for assessing POAG
      severity, at least in this population.

PMID- 24215655
TI  - A feasibility study of expert patient and community mental health team led
      bipolar psychoeducation groups: implementing an evidence based practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Group psychoeducation is a cost effective intervention which reduces
      relapse and improves functioning in bipolar disorder but is rarely implemented.
      The aim of this study was to identify the acceptability and feasibility of a
      group psychoeducation programme delivered by community mental health teams
      (CMHTs) and peer specialist (PS) facilitators. Organisational learning was used
      to identify and address systematically barriers and enablers, at organisational,
      health professional and patient levels, to its implementation into a routine
      service. METHODS: A systematic examination of barriers and enablers to a three
      day training process informed the delivery of a first treatment group and a
      similar process informed the delivery of the second treatment group.
      Triangulation of research methods improved its internal validity: direct
      observation of training, self-rated surveys of participant experiences, group
      discussion, and thematically analysed individual participant and facilitator
      interviews were employed. RESULTS: Barriers and enablers were identified at
      organisational, educational, treatment content, facilitator and patient levels.
      All barriers under the control of the research team were addressed with
      subsequent improvements in patient knowledge about the condition and about local
      service. In addition, self-management, agency and altruism were enhanced.
      Barriers that could not be addressed required senior clinical and education
      leadership outside the research team's control. PS and professional facilitators
      were successfully trained and worked together to deliver groups which were
      generally reported as being beneficial. CONCLUSION: Psychoeducation groups
      involving CMHT and PS facilitators is acceptable and feasible but their
      sustainment requires senior leadership within and outside the organisation that
      control finance and education services.

PMID- 24215656
TI  - Carnosine mitigates apoptosis and protects testicular seminiferous tubules from
      gamma-radiation-induced injury in mice.
AB  - This study investigated the radioprotective effects of a naturally occurring
      dipeptide, carnosine, on testicular damage. Carnosine was administered (10, 50
      and 100 mg kg(-1) body weight) to male mice via intraperitoneal injection for 4
      days prior to gamma irradiation (2 Gy). Apoptosis with the TUNEL assay and
      histopathological parameters were evaluated 12-h and 14-day post-irradiation. Pre
      treatment with carnosine before irradiation significantly reduced the frequency
      of TUNEL-positive cells induced by radiation treatment at all doses by reduction
      factors of 1.8, 2.47 and 2.23 for carnosine at 10, 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) bw,
      respectively, unlike that observed in the radiation alone group. Exposure to
      ionising radiation decreased sperm count and reduced the height and diameter of
      seminiferous epithelial tubules. Pre-treatment with all doses of carnosine
      significantly augmented seminiferous epithelial height and tubule diameter and
      also increased the number of germinal cells in comparison to the group treated
      with radiation only. These results indicate that carnosine prevents testicular
      dysfunction induced by gamma-irradiation via an anti-apoptotic effect; this
      restoration of proper testicular function ultimately leads to the recovery of
      spermatogenesis. 

PMID- 24215657
TI  - OCT1 genetic variants are associated with long term outcomes in imatinib treated
      chronic myeloid leukemia patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: One third of CML patients treated with first line imatinib have
      suboptimal responses or treatment failures with increased risk for disease
      progression. Imatinib is actively transported into cells by the SLC22A1
      transporter (hOCT1) and its genetic variants may affect intracellular drug
      import. We studied the effect of SLC22A1 genetic variants on long-term outcomes
      of imatinib treated patients. METHODS: A total of 167 patients, 94% in chronic
      phase, were analyzed for rs41267797, rs683369, rs12208357, and rs628031 variants
      using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. RESULTS: Rates of CHR, MCyR, CCyR, and
      MMolR were not significantly different according to allelic variants. However,
      patients with AA or GA rs628031 genotypes had a higher incidence of poor response
      to imatinib compared to the GG genotype (47% compared to 29%, P = 0.06), and a
      higher rate of KD mutation discovery (8/16 vs. 5/27, P = 0.04), suggesting that
      secondary resistance was more common in these genotypes. Median EFS was shorter
      for rs628031 genotype AA/AG compared with the GG genotype (61 months and not
      reached, respectively, P = 0.05), and 5 yr OS rates were lower for patients with
      the rs628031 genotypes AA/AG compared with the GG genotype (88% and 97%,
      respectively, P = 0.03). Patients with AA/GA rs628031 and additional rare
      genotypes had worse EFS and OS compared to patients with only AA/GA rs628031 (P =
      0.02 for EFS and 0.01 for OS). There was no difference in pretreatment SLC22A1
      mRNA expression levels in patients with rs628031 genotypes GG/AA or GA.
      CONCLUSIONS: Studying SLC22A1 genetic variants prior to TKI initiation could
      influence treatment decisions.

PMID- 24215658
TI  - The rice RING E3 ligase, OsCTR1, inhibits trafficking to the chloroplasts of
      OsCP12 and OsRP1, and its overexpression confers drought tolerance in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - Plant growth under low water availability adversely affects many key processes
      with morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular consequences. Here,
      we found that a rice gene, OsCTR1, encoding the RING Ub E3 ligase plays an
      important role in drought tolerance. OsCTR1 was highly expressed in response to
      dehydration treatment and defense-related phytohormones, and its encoded protein
      was localized in both the chloroplasts and the cytosol. Intriguingly, the OsCTR1
      protein was found predominantly targeted to the cytosol when rice protoplasts
      transfected with OsCTR1 were treated with abscisic acid (ABA). Several
      interacting partners were identified, which were mainly targeted to the
      chloroplasts, and interactions with OsCTR1 were confirmed by using biomolecular
      fluorescence complementation (BiFC). Interestingly, two chloroplast-localized
      proteins (OsCP12 and OsRP1) interacted with OsCTR1 in the cytosol, and
      ubiquitination by OsCTR1 led to protein degradation via the Ub 26S proteasome.
      Heterogeneous overexpression of OsCTR1 in Arabidopsis exhibited hypersensitive
      phenotypes with respect to ABA-responsive seed germination, seedling growth and
      stomatal closure. The ABA-sensitive transgenic plants also showed improvement in
      their tolerance against severe water deficits. Taken together, our findings lend
      support to the hypothesis that the molecular functions of OsCTR1 are related to
      tolerance to water-deficit stress via ABA-dependent regulation and related
      systems. 

PMID- 24215659
TI  - Evaluation of the clinical photographs in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial
      Surgery: from readers' perspectives.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate clinical photographs published in
      the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (JOMS) and understand the current
      status of oral and maxillofacial surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,317
      photographs from the JOMS Volume 69 were assessed. These photographs were scored
      from 1 to 10 for the following parameters: sharpness; depth of field; exposure;
      composition; color or grayscale; background; position; distortion; label
      consistency; and white balance. Then, the distributions of scores were analyzed.
      Each score was compared with the average score. The effects of different
      subjects; emergency or nonemergency situations; and intraoperative, preoperative,
      or postoperative conditions on the quality of photographs were analyzed by
      conducting a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The total score of each
      photograph showed a left-skewed distribution, varying from 3 to 10, with an
      average score of 6.82. Four parameters, including sharpness, depth of field,
      exposure, and white balance, scored less than the average score. Photographs with
      an intraoral subject yielded the lowest score, with a significant difference (P <
      .05). The score of photographs taken during a nonemergency situation was
      significantly higher than that during an emergency situation (6.84 vs 6.03; P <
      .001). Photographs of an intraoperative condition yielded a score significantly
      lower than those of pre- and postoperative conditions (6.53 vs 7.11 and 6.75,
      respectively; P < .001). Approximately 45.5% of photographs (148 of 325)
      displayed uncovered eyes and 57.1% of specimens (40 of 70) did not appear with a
      plotting scale. CONCLUSIONS: Sharpness, depth of field, exposure, and white
      balance should be considered to a greater extent than the other parameters when
      oral and maxillofacial photographs are taken, particularly for intraoral
      conditions, emergency situations, and intraoperative conditions. Enhanced
      parameters and protection of a patient's identity may significantly improve the
      average level of photographic quality.

PMID- 24215660
TI  - A rare case of intraoral nodular fasciitis: diagnosis and immunohistochemical
      profile.
AB  - Nodular fasciitis is a benign, idiopathic, reactive proliferation of
      myofibroblasts found in the subcutaneous fascia; intraoral occurrence is very
      rare. An 18-year-old woman was referred to the oral diagnosis service with a 1
      month history of a nodular mass in the gingiva. Clinical examination disclosed a
      well-circumscribed, mobile, pedunculated mass in the left mandibular gingiva. The
      clinical diagnoses included pyogenic granuloma. She underwent an excisional
      biopsy under local anesthesia through an intraoral approach. Microscopic
      examination showed a proliferation of spindle cells arranged in intersecting
      fascicles. The spindle cells exhibited plump, vesicular nuclei without
      significant pleomorphism. Scattered multinucleated giant cells also were present.
      Immunohistochemical stains showed that the lesional cells were positive for
      smooth muscle actin and vimentin and negative for S-100 protein. The features
      were those of an inflammatory, benign myofibroblastic lesion, consistent with
      intraoral nodular fasciitis. 

PMID- 24215661
TI  - Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma in oral cavity: two case reports and review of
      the literature.
AB  - Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a tumor that occurs in different locations,
      particularly the lungs and larynx. The oral cavity is a rare site for a primary
      NEC. This report describes 2 cases of primary NEC in the oral cavity. Case 1
      occurred in the anterior mandibular gingiva in a 25-year-old woman and presented
      with a special histologic appearance. This patient showed no evidence of
      recurrence 13 months after marginal resection of the anterior mandible. Case 2
      was a primary NEC with some foci of squamous cell differentiation arising in the
      right buccal region in a 38-year-old woman. This patient showed no evidence of
      disease 8 months after tumor resection and postoperative iodine-125
      brachytherapy. To the best of the authors' knowledge, case 1 is the youngest
      patient with NEC reported in the oral cavity to date in the English-language
      literature, and case 2 is the first report of a primary NEC in the buccal region.

PMID- 24215662
TI  - A novel model mouth system for evaluation of In Vitro release of nicotine from
      moist snuff.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pouch moist snuff, as a form of oral smokeless tobacco products, is
      becoming increasingly popular in North America, Scandinavia (where it is known as
      Snus), South Asia and parts of Africa. User usually places a pouch between the
      upper jaw and cheek to obtain euphoria from tobacco, leading to partial intake of
      tobacco constituents. To evaluate user exposure to tobacco, an approach with a
      novel model mouth system was developed and applied to evaluate release of
      nicotine from the pouch. RESULTS: A novel model mouth system has been developed
      to evaluate release behavior of tobacco constituents in pouch moist snuff. The
      system consists of the release medium reservoir module, the flow speed control
      module, the temperature control module, nicotine release module, and release
      solution collection module, and simulates buccal condition in terms of
      temperature, saliva compositions, and the rate of saliva production, etc.
      Artificial saliva was used as the release medium to evaluate release of nicotine
      in pouch moist snuff. The optimized test condition was that the release
      temperature of 37 degrees C and the flow rate performed at 0.2 mL min-1 in the
      first 5 min and 0.1 mL min-1 in the next 55 min. The performance of the model
      mouth system was compared with in vivo data of nicotine release in human
      volunteers. Data from 23 brands of moist snuff indicated that nicotine release
      rates increased with extraction time and approximately 60-90% of nicotine was
      released after 30 min of extraction in most of the samples, and the release
      behavior of nicotine was affected by product weights, nicotine concentration, and
      product pH, etc. CONCLUSION: The model mouth system can be used to evaluate the
      release behavior of constituents in pouch moist snuff, especially those directly
      related to human health such as nicotine and tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA),
      etc. This indicated that the system is an alternative tool to evaluate user
      exposure to tobacco. With further testing and validation, the model mouth system
      can be applied in risk evaluation of smokeless tobacco products.

PMID- 24215664
TI  - The patient experience with fatigue and content validity of a measure to assess
      fatigue severity: qualitative research in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
      (AS).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized
      by inflammation of the spine and large joints. Fatigue is a common symptom that
      many AS patients find significantly impacts their health-related quality of life.
      The Worst Fatigue - Numeric Rating Scale (WF-NRS) assesses the severity of this
      symptom during the previous 24-hour period. The objective of this study was to
      perform qualitative research to support the development and content validity of
      the WF-NRS. METHODS: Patients with AS were recruited from clinical sites in the
      U.S. for a qualitative study which first entailed concept elicitation interviews
      to gain understanding of the patients' experience with AS and fatigue.
      Subsequently, cognitive debriefing interviews were undertaken to assess the
      understandability, clarity, and appropriateness from the patient's perspective,
      of the content of a measure of fatigue severity. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with
      AS participated in concept elicitation interviews and cognitive debriefing of the
      Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) fatigue severity subscale. The WF-NRS was developed
      from the worst fatigue item of the BFI as patients generally reported it to be
      understandable and covered an important concept, the completion instructions were
      modified, but the response scale remained as it was familiar and readily
      completed, and the recall period was appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: Patient responses
      resulted in the development of and supported the content validity of the WF-NRS.
      Further quantitative evaluation of the WF-NRS is warranted in order to assess its
      psychometric properties and confirm its usefulness as a clinical trial tool.

PMID- 24215665
TI  - Supplemental care from a bioethical perspective.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze, from the perspective of Intervention
      Bioethics, the legal, institutional and ethical contexts, the conflicts and
      regulations of supplemental health care in Brazil, since the approval of the
      regulatory law in 1998 until 2010. METHODS: Qualitative research, using
      Intervention Bioethics as the theoretical reference. Bibliographical and
      documental study of the legislation, regulations and assistential framework, as
      well as interviews with members of the Supplemental Health Board. RESULTS: There
      was improvement in the records and rules of action in private health companies,
      as well as flow of information, contractual and financial guarantees provided to
      consumers. Conflicts persist regarding access to services and procedures, price
      increases, policies on autonomy and medical fees. There is a dispute with the
      public sector regarding the network of health services, with rising costs and no
      improvement in quality of care. DISCUSSION: Private participation in health
      demands comparative assessments and improvement of public-private care
      regulation, as well as promoting greater balance in the funding and reevaluation
      of the health care model. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to review the regulatory
      framework considering the supplementary, complementary or duplicate
      characteristic of assistance, the social actors involved, bioethical and
      political issues regarding associations between Supplemental Health Care and the
      National Health System (SUS).

PMID- 24215663
TI  - Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in acute kidney injury
      superimposed on chronic kidney disease after cardiac surgery: a multicenter
      prospective study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is
      reportedly useful for post-cardiac surgery acute kidney injury (AKI). Although
      chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a strong risk factor for AKI development, no
      clinical evaluation of plasma NGAL has specifically examined AKI occurring in
      patients with CKD. This study evaluated plasma NGAL in AKI superimposed on CKD
      after cardiac surgery. METHODS: This study prospectively evaluated 146 adult
      patients with scheduled cardiac surgery at 2 general hospitals. Plasma NGAL was
      measured before surgery, at ICU arrival after surgery (0 hours), and 2, 4, 12,
      24, 36, and 60 hours after ICU arrival. RESULTS: Based on the Kidney Disease
      Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD guideline, 72 (49.3%) were diagnosed as
      having CKD. Of 146 patients, 53 (36.3%) developed AKI after surgery. Multiple
      logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative plasma NGAL, estimated
      glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and operation time are significantly
      associated with AKI occurrence after surgery. Plasma NGAL in AKI measured after
      surgery was significantly higher than in non-AKI irrespective of CKD
      complication. However, transient decrease of plasma NGAL at 0 to 4 hours was
      observed especially in AKI superimposed on CKD. Plasma NGAL peaked earlier than
      serum creatinine and at the same time in mild AKI and AKI superimposed on CKD
      with increased preoperative plasma NGAL (>300 ng/ml). Although AKI superimposed
      on CKD showed the highest plasma NGAL levels after surgery, plasma NGAL alone was
      insufficient to discriminate de novo AKI from CKD without AKI after surgery.
      Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed different cutoff values of
      AKI for CKD and non-CKD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Results show the distinct features
      of plasma NGAL in AKI superimposed on CKD after cardiac surgery: 1) increased
      preoperative plasma NGAL is an independent risk factor for post-cardiac surgery
      AKI; 2) plasma NGAL showed an earlier peak than serum creatinine did, indicating
      that plasma NGAL can predict the recovery of AKI earlier; 3) different cutoff
      values of post-operative plasma NGAL are necessary to detect AKI superimposed on
      CKD distinctly from de novo AKI. Further investigation is necessary to confirm
      these findings because this study examined a small number of patients.

PMID- 24215666
TI  - Content validation of the 'Mosaic of Opinions About Abortion' (Mosai).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate the contents of the Mosaico
      de Opinioes Sobre o Aborto Induzido (Mosai), a structured questionnaire intended
      to be used as a tool to collect information about the views of health
      professionals about the morality of abortion. METHODS: The contents of the first
      version of the questionnaire was developed based on the technique of thematic
      content analysis of books, articles, films, websites and newspapers reporting
      cases of abortion and arguing about their practice. The Mosai was composed of 6
      moral dilemmas (vignettes) related to induced abortion, whose outcomes should be
      chosen by the respondents and could be justified by the classification of 15
      patterns of arguments about the morality of abortion. In order to validate its
      contents, the questionnaire was submitted to the scrutiny of a panel of 12
      experts, an intentional sample consisted of doctors, lawyers, ethicists,
      sociologists, nurses and statisticians, who evaluated the criteria of clarity of
      writing, relevance, appropriateness to sample and suitability to the fields.
      These scores were analyzed by the method of concordance rate, while the free
      comments were analyzed using the analysis technique content. RESULTS: All the
      moral dilemmas and arguments were considered valid according to the rate of
      agreement, however, some comments led to the exclusion of a dilemma about
      emergency contraception, among other changes. CONCLUSION: The content of Mosai
      was considered valid to serve as a tool to collect the opinions of healthcare
      professionals regarding the morality of abortion.

PMID- 24215667
TI  - Proposal for a unified selection to medical residency programs.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper proposes the unification of entrance exams to medical
      residency programs (MRP) in Brazil. Problems related to MRP and its interface
      with public health problems in Brazil are highlighted and how this proposal are
      able to help solving these problems. METHODS: The proposal is to create a
      database to be applied in MRP unified exams. Some advantages of using the Item
      Response Theory (IRT) in this database are highlighted. RESULTS: The MRP entrance
      exams are developed and applied decentralized where each school is responsible
      for its examination. These exams quality are questionable. Reviews about items
      quality, validity and reliability of appliances are not common disclosed.
      CONCLUSION: Evaluation is important in every education system bringing on
      required changes and control of teaching and learning. The proposal of MRP
      entrance exams unification, besides offering high quality exams to institutions
      participants, could be as an extra source to rate medical school and cause
      improvements, provide studies with a database and allow a regional mobility.

PMID- 24215668
TI  - Temperature Changes in Cortical Bone after Implant Site Preparation Using a
      Single Bur versus Multiple Drilling Steps: An In Vitro Investigation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study aims to test the hypothesis of no differences in
      temperature variation by using a single bur for implant site preparation as
      compared with conventional drilling sequence using multiple burs with incremental
      diameter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Synthetic blocks of bone (type I density) were
      used for drilling procedures. THREE GROUPS WERE EVALUATED: Group 1 and Group 2 -
      drilling with three consecutive burs for a 4.1 mm cylindrical implant and for a
      4.3 mm conical implant, respectively; Group 3 - drilling with a single bur for a
      4.2 mm conical implant. For each group, 20 drilling procedures were performed
      without irrigation and 20 with external irrigation. The temperature in the
      cortical bone during osteotomy for implant site preparation was measured through
      a thermocouple. RESULTS: The mean temperatures and standard deviations for the
      drilling without irrigation were: 25.5 +/- 1.24 degrees C for Group 1; 28.1 +/-
      1.76 degrees C for Group 2; 26.5 +/- 1.79 degrees C for Group 3. Considering the
      drilling with irrigation, the mean values and standard deviations were: 20.4 +/-
      1.17 degrees C for Group 1; 22.2 +/- 1.38 degrees C for Group 2; 20.2 +/- 0.83
      degrees C for Group 3. Groups 1 and 3 yielded similar results, while Group 2
      displayed significantly higher temperature increase than the other two groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: The single bur drilling protocol did not produce greater bone
      heating than the conventional protocol and may be considered a safe procedure.

PMID- 24215669
TI  - 3D reconstruction techniques of human coronary bifurcations for shear stress
      computations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity in plaque composition in human coronary artery
      bifurcations is associated with blood flow induced shear stress. Shear stress is
      generally determined by combing 3D lumen data and computational fluid dynamics
      (CFD). We investigated two new procedures to generate 3D lumen reconstructions of
      coronary artery bifurcations for shear stress computations. METHODS: We imaged 10
      patients with multislice computer tomography (MSCT) and intravascular ultrasound
      (IVUS). The 3D reconstruction of the main branch was based on the fusion of MSCT
      and IVUS. The proximal part of side branch was reconstructed using IVUS data or
      MSCT data, resulting in two different reconstructions of the bifurcation region.
      The distal part of the side branch was based on MSCT data alone. The
      reconstructed lumen was combined with CFD to determine the shear stress. Low and
      high shear stress regions were defined and shear stress patterns in the
      bifurcation regions were investigated. RESULTS: The 3D coronary bifurcations were
      successfully generated with both reconstruction procedures. The geometrical
      features of the bifurcation region for the two reconstruction procedures did not
      reveal appreciable differences. The shear stress maps showed a qualitative
      agreement, and the low and high shear stress regions were similar in size and
      average shear stress values were identical. The low and high shear stress regions
      showed an overlap of approximately 75%. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of the side
      branch with MSCT data alone is an adequate technique to study shear stress and
      wall thickness in the bifurcation region. The reconstruction procedure can be
      applied to further investigate the effect of shear stress on atherosclerosis in
      coronary bifurcations.

PMID- 24215671
TI  - [A new way to assess the risk during neurosurgical procedures].

PMID- 24215670
TI  - The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in focal therapy for prostate
      cancer: recommendations from a consensus panel.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish a consensus on the utility of multiparametric magnetic
      resonance imaging (mpMRI) to identify patients for focal therapy. METHODS:
      Urological surgeons, radiologists, and basic researchers, from Europe and North
      America participated in a consensus meeting about the use of mpMRI in focal
      therapy of prostate cancer. The consensus process was face-to-face and specific
      clinical issues were raised and discussed with agreement sought when possible.
      All participants are listed among the authors. Topics specifically did not
      include staging of prostate cancer, but rather identifying the optimal
      requirements for performing MRI, and the current status of optimally performed
      mpMRI to (i) determine focality of prostate cancer (e.g. localising small target
      lesions of >=0.5 mL), (ii) to monitor and assess the outcome of focal ablation
      therapies, and (iii) to identify the diagnostic advantages of new MRI methods. In
      addition, the need for transperineal template saturation biopsies in selecting
      patients for focal therapy was discussed, if a high quality mpMRI is available.
      In other words, can mpMRI replace the role of transperineal saturation biopsies
      in patient selection for focal therapy? RESULTS: Consensus was reached on most
      key aspects of the meeting; however, on definition of the optimal requirements
      for mpMRI, there was one dissenting voice. mpMRI is the optimum approach to
      achieve the objectives needed for focal therapy, if made on a high quality
      machine (3T with/without endorectal coil or 1.5T with endorectal coil) and judged
      by an experienced radiologist. Structured and standardised reporting of prostate
      MRI is paramount. State of the art mpMRI is capable of localising small tumours
      for focal therapy. State of the art mpMRI is the technique of choice for follow
      up of focal ablation. CONCLUSIONS: The present evidence for MRI in focal therapy
      is limited. mpMRI is not accurate enough to consistently grade tumour
      aggressiveness. Template-guided saturation biopsies are no longer necessary when
      a high quality state of the art mpMRI is available; however, suspicious lesions
      should always be confirmed by (targeted) biopsy.

PMID- 24215672
TI  - Involvement of the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 in the effect of PCBs, DDT and
      DDE on the secretion of steroid hormones and oxytocin from bovine granulosa
      cells.
AB  - Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolite (DDE) belong to estrogen
      like endocrine disruptors. However, though their activity is approximately 1000
      fold lower than the activity of estradiol (E2), this steroid's high concentration
      in follicular fluid and incubation media does not inhibit the influence of these
      xenobiotics. It was hypothesized that these xenobiotics might affect
      Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1) and impair ovary function. To test this hypothesis,
      granulosa cells were obtained from ovarian follicles >1 or <1cm in diameter,
      which were treated with PCB-77, PCB-153, DDT or DDE (each at 10ng/ml), alone or
      jointly with an SF-1 antagonist (F0160). Treatment with the SF-1 antagonist
      inhibited (P<0.05) the secretion of P4 from cells of both sizes of follicles, as
      induced (P<0.05) by an SF-1 activator (HxP), DDE or PCB-153. All xenobiotics and
      HxP stimulated (P<0.05) the synthesis and secretion of oxytocin (OT). However,
      the effect on mRNA expression for NP-I/OT, which is OT precursor, was inhibited
      (P<0.05) by F0160 in all cultures treated with PCB-77, except for granulosa cells
      derived from follicles <1cm. Moreover, F0160 inhibited the effect on OT secretion
      of HxP, as well as all xenobiotics except for PCB-77 and DDE, in granulosa cells
      derived from follicles <1cm. Xenobiotic treatment did not affect (P>0.05) the
      expression for SF-1 mRNA. It is suggested that the SF-1 receptor may be involved
      in the adverse effects of xenobiotics on P4 secretion as well as the synthesis
      and secretion of OT. 

PMID- 24215673
TI  - Rohitukine, a chromone alkaloid and a precursor of flavopiridol, is produced by
      endophytic fungi isolated from Dysoxylum binectariferum Hook.f and Amoora
      rohituka (Roxb).Wight & Arn.
AB  - Rohitukine, a chromone alkaloid, has gained considerable international attention
      in recent years because of its novel semi-synthetic derivative, flavopiridol and
      P-276-00. Both these molecules are in advanced stages of clinical development and
      trial for cancer treatment. Recently, flavopiridol was approved as an orphan drug
      for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cancer. The natural occurrence of
      rohitukine is restricted to only four plant species, Amoora rohituka and
      Dysoxylum binectariferum (both from the Meliaceae family) and from
      Schumanniophyton magnificum and Schumanniophyton problematicum (both from the
      Rubiaceae family). Recently, an endophytic fungi isolated from D. binectariferum
      was reported to produce rohitukine in culture. In this study, we report the
      production of rohitukine and its subsequent attenuation by endophytic fungi,
      Fusarium oxysporum (MTCC-11383), Fusarium oxysporum (MTCC-11384) and Fusarium
      solani (MTCC-11385), all isolated from D. binectariferum and Gibberella fujikuroi
      (MTCC-11382) isolated from Amoora rohituka. The fungal rohitukine which was
      analyzed by HPLC, LC-MS and LC-MS/MS was identical to reference rohitukine and
      that produced by the plant. The rohitukine content in the mycelial samples ranged
      from 192.78MUg to 359.55MUg100g(-1) of dry weight of and in broth it ranged from
      14.10 to 71.90MUg100ml(-1). In all the fungal cultures, the production declined
      from first to fourth sub-culture. Studies are underway to unravel the mechanism
      by which the fungi produce the host metabolite in culture. 

PMID- 24215674
TI  - Novel synthetic oleanane triterpenoid AMR-MeOAc inhibits K-Ras through ERK, Akt
      and survivin in pancreatic cancer cells.
AB  - K-Ras activating mutations are a major problem that drives aggressive tumor
      growth and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Currently, there are no effective
      targeted therapies for this genetically defined subset of cancers harboring
      oncogenic K-Ras mutations that confer drug resistance, aggressive tumor growth,
      metastasis and poor clinical outcome. We identified a novel synthetic oleanane
      triterpenoid compound designated AMR-MeOAc that effectively kills K-Ras mutant
      pancreatic cancer HPAF-II cells. The cytotoxic effects correlated with apoptosis
      induction, as was evidenced by increase of apoptosis cells upon the treatment of
      AMR-MeOAc in HPAF-II cells. Our studies revealed that AMR-MeOAc treatment
      inhibits cancer associated survival gene survivin. Moreover, AMR-MeOAc also led
      to down regulation of Akt, ERK1/2 and survivin protein levels. Our results
      indicate that AMR-MeOAc or its active analogs could be a novel class of
      anticancer agents against K-Ras driven human pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 24215675
TI  - Antiproliferation activity of Devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) and anticancer
      agents on human pancreatic cancer multicellular spheroids.
AB  - Devil's club (DC, Oplopanax horridus) is an important medicinal herb of the
      Pacific Northwest which has significant antiproliferation activity against a
      variety of human tumor cell lines in vitro. This study compared the
      antiproliferation activity of DC extract alone, and in combination with
      chemotherapeutic agents gemcitabine (GEM), cisplatin (CDDP), and paclitaxel (PTX)
      on human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 3D spheroids and 2D monolayer cells. 3D tumor
      spheroids were prepared with a rotary cell culture system. PANC-1 3D spheroids
      were significantly more resistant to killing by DC extract, GEM and PTX compared
      to 2D cells, with IC50 levels closer to that observed in vivo. DC extract
      significantly enhanced the antiproliferation activity of CDDP and GEM at some
      concentrations. The bioactive compound identified as a polyacetylene showed
      strong antiproliferation activity against PANC-1 2D cells and 3D spheroids with
      IC50 at 0.73+/-0.04 and 3.15+/-0.16MUM, respectively. 3D spheroids and 2D cells
      differentially expressed a number of apoptosis related genes. Cell cycle analysis
      showed that the proportion of cells in S phase was increased and in G2/M phase
      reduced in 3D spheroids compared to 2D cells. DC extract can potentially be used
      to enhance the activity of chemotherapeutic agents against pancreatic cancer
      cells. Use of 3D spheroid model for screening of natural products can potentially
      increase the efficiency in discovering in vivo bioactive compounds. 

PMID- 24215676
TI  - A new HLA-A*03 null allele - A*03:162N caused by an exon 4 insertion and
      discovered during an external quality assessment exercise.
AB  - HLA-A*03:162N differs from A*03:01:01:01 by an exon 4, 664-665insCATG causing
      E198A and A199X. 

PMID- 24215677
TI  - A comprehensive meta QTL analysis for fiber quality, yield, yield related and
      morphological traits, drought tolerance, and disease resistance in tetraploid
      cotton.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in cotton (Gossypium spp.)
      is focused on traits of agricultural significance. Previous studies have
      identified a plethora of QTL attributed to fiber quality, disease and pest
      resistance, branch number, seed quality and yield and yield related traits,
      drought tolerance, and morphological traits. However, results among these studies
      differed due to the use of different genetic populations, markers and marker
      densities, and testing environments. Since two previous meta-QTL analyses were
      performed on fiber traits, a number of papers on QTL mapping of fiber quality,
      yield traits, morphological traits, and disease resistance have been published.
      To obtain a better insight into the genome-wide distribution of QTL and to
      identify consistent QTL for marker assisted breeding in cotton, an updated
      comparative QTL analysis is needed. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 1,223 QTL
      from 42 different QTL studies in Gossypium were surveyed and mapped using
      Biomercator V3 based on the Gossypium consensus map from the Cotton Marker
      Database. A meta-analysis was first performed using manual inference and
      confirmed by Biomercator V3 to identify possible QTL clusters and hotspots. QTL
      clusters are composed of QTL of various traits which are concentrated in a
      specific region on a chromosome, whereas hotspots are composed of only one trait
      type. QTL were not evenly distributed along the cotton genome and were
      concentrated in specific regions on each chromosome. QTL hotspots for fiber
      quality traits were found in the same regions as the clusters, indicating that
      clusters may also form hotspots. CONCLUSIONS: Putative QTL clusters were
      identified via meta-analysis and will be useful for breeding programs and future
      studies involving Gossypium QTL. The presence of QTL clusters and hotspots
      indicates consensus regions across cultivated tetraploid Gossypium species,
      environments, and populations which contain large numbers of QTL, and in some
      cases multiple QTL associated with the same trait termed a hotspot. This study
      combines two previous meta-analysis studies and adds all other currently
      available QTL studies, making it the most comprehensive meta-analysis study in
      cotton to date.

PMID- 24215678
TI  - Functional outcomes in patients with Borrelia burgdorferi reinfection.
AB  - When Lyme disease is treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy in the early
      stages, long-term outcomes are good. However, a few patients have persistent
      symptoms despite appropriate therapy. Whether these patients' symptoms are any
      different from those of patients with reinfection is unclear. Our objective was
      to compare long-term symptoms and functional outcomes of patients with Borrelia
      burgdorferi reinfection with those of patients with only 1 episode of infection
      and with no history of infection. We compared outcomes of Lyme reinfection
      patients, characterized by recurrent erythema migrans (EM) lesions, with those of
      patients with 1 episode of Lyme disease (Lyme control) and with no history of
      Lyme disease (non-Lyme control) by retrospective medical record review and a
      survey consisting of a 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and a 10-item
      symptom questionnaire. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for continuous variables and
      chi(2) analysis for categorical variables were used. In cases of low cell counts,
      Fisher's exact tests were used. Bonferroni correction was used for multiple
      comparisons when ANOVA was significant. Reinfection was identified in 23/673
      (3.4%) patients who had a diagnosis of Lyme disease in our health system during
      2000-2004. Of the 23, 15 had long-term follow-up data and were age- and sex
      matched to 45 Lyme control and 60 non-Lyme control group patients. Clinical
      characteristics were similar in the reinfection and Lyme control groups. SF-36
      results were similar between groups for all domains except energy/vitality (VT).
      The SF-36 domain of VT was significantly different between groups: 63.0 vs. 54.5
      vs. 64.5 in the reinfection, Lyme control, and non-Lyme control groups,
      respectively (p=0.047). Clinical features and long-term outcomes of patients with
      recurrent EM lesions were similar to those of the control groups and consistent
      with B. burgdorferi reinfection, not persistent infection. Patients with Lyme
      reinfection should be treated with antibiotic regimens similar to those used for
      patients with an initial episode of Lyme disease. 

PMID- 24215679
TI  - Effect of sodium bicarbonate and beta-alanine supplementation on maximal sprint
      swimming.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examined the effect of simultaneous supplementation of
      extracellular buffer sodium bicarbonate (SB) and intracellular buffer beta
      alanine (BA) on maximal sprint swimming. METHODS: Thirteen competitive male
      swimmers completed 4 different treatments (placebo [PL], SB, BA + PL, and BA +
      SB) in a crossover procedure. PL or SB supplementation (0.3 g/kg body weight) was
      ingested 60 min before two maximal 100-m freestyle swims that were performed with
      a passive recovery of 12-min between each swim. Because of the known long washout
      period for carnosine, four weeks of BA supplementation (4.8 g per day) was
      started after the first week of PL or SB supplementation and performance testing.
      RESULTS: The first maximal swims were similar, but the increase in time of the
      second versus the first 100-m swimming time was 1.5 s more (p < 0.05) in PL than
      in SB. Blood pH values were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in the SB and in the
      BA + SB groups compared to the PL and BA + PL values. There were no differences
      in peak blood lactate between the treatments. CONCLUSION: Supplementing with SB
      prior to performing maximal sprint swimming with repetitions under 60 s improves
      performance. However, co-supplementation with SB and BA did not confer any added
      benefit on maximal swim performance.

PMID- 24215680
TI  - Adult recollections of childhood memories: What details can be recalled?
AB  - In a memory survey, adult respondents recalled, dated, and described two earliest
      positive and negative memories that they were highly confident were memories.
      They then answered a series of questions that focused on memory details such as
      clothing, duration, weather, and so on. Few differences were found between
      positive and negative memories, which on average had 4/5 details and dated to the
      age of 6/6.5 years. Memory for details about activity, location, and who was
      present was good; memory for all other details was poorer or at floor. Taken
      together, these findings indicate that (full) earliest memories may be
      considerably later than previously thought and that they rarely contain the sort
      of specific details targeted by professional investigators. The resulting
      normative profile of memory details reported here can be used to evaluate overly
      specific childhood autobiographical memories and to identify memory details with
      a low probability of recall.

PMID- 24215681
TI  - Cardiovascular risk factors in a Mexican middle-class urban population. The
      Lindavista Study. Baseline data.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this communication is to describe the
      cardiovascular risk factors affecting a Mexican urban middle-class population.
      METHODS: A convenience sample of 2602 middle class urban subjects composed the
      cohort of the Lindavista Study, a prospective study aimed to determine if
      conventional cardiovascular risks factors have the same prognosis impact as in
      other populations. For the baseline data, several measurements were done: obesity
      indexes, smoking, blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, total cholesterol, HDL
      c, LDL-c and triglycerides. This paper presents the basal values of this
      population, which represents a sample of the Mexican growing urban middle-class.
      RESULTS: The mean age in the sample was 50 years; 59% were females. Around 50% of
      the entire group were overweighed, while around 24% were obese. 32% smoked; 32%
      were hypertensive with a 20% rate of controlled pressure. 6% had diabetes, and
      14% had impaired fasting glucose; 66% had total cholesterol >= 200 mg/dL; 62%
      showed HDL-c levels<40 mg/dL; 52% triglycerides>150 mg/dL, and 34% levels of LDL
      c >= 160 mg/dL. Half of the population studied had the metabolic syndrome.
      CONCLUSION: These data show a population with a high-risk profile, secondary to
      the agglomeration of several cardiovascular risk factors.

PMID- 24215682
TI  - [Cardiopulmonary complications in sickle cell anemia].
AB  - Sickle cell anemia, considered the most prevalent genetic disease among African
      Americans, is a disease with autosomal recessive inheritance pattern,
      characterized by the production of hemoglobin S. This abnormal protein
      polymerizes and facilitates the formation of fibrillar aggregates that alters the
      erythrocyte morphology. The stiffness of the red blood cells hinders the adequate
      transit across microcirculation, leading to hemolysis and increased blood
      viscosity, which ease thrombogenesis and vascular occlusion, resulting in tissue
      ischemia and microinfarcts. This disease has a high rate of morbidity and
      mortality, especially in the first three years of life, when a rapid diagnosis
      and appropriate treatment are essential. Cardiovascular complications such as
      heart failure and pulmonary hypertension may develop independently, and each one
      contributes to increased mortality, being the combination of both risk factors,
      an important aggravating factor for prognosis and a determinant indicator of
      mortality. 

PMID- 24215684
TI  - Effect of spinach cultivar and bacterial adherence factors on survival of
      Escherichia coli O157:H7 on spinach leaves.
AB  - Similar to phytopathogens, human bacterial pathogens have been shown to colonize
      the plant phylloplane. In addition to environmental factors, such as temperature,
      UV, relative humidity, etc., the plant cultivar and, specifically, the leaf blade
      morphological characteristics may affect the persistence of enteropathogens on
      leafy greens. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cultivar
      dependent leaf topography and the role of strain phenotypic characteristics on
      Escherichia coli O157:H7 persistence on organic spinach. Spinach cultivars
      Emilia, Lazio, Space, and Waitiki were experimentally inoculated with the
      foodborne E. coli O157:H7 isolate EDL933 and its isogenic mutants deficient in
      cellulose, curli, or both curli and cellulose production. Leaves of 6-week-old
      plants were inoculated with 6.5 log CFU per leaf in a biosafety level 2 growth
      chamber. At 0, 1, 7, and 14 days, E. coli O157:H7 populations were determined by
      plating on selective medium and verified by laser scanning confocal microscopy.
      Leaf morphology (blade roughness and stoma density) was evaluated by low
      temperature and variable-pressure scanning electron microscopy. E. coli O157:H7
      persistence on spinach was significantly affected by cultivar and strain
      phenotypic characteristics, specifically, the expression of curli. Leaf blade
      roughness and stoma density influenced the persistence of E. coli O157:H7 on
      spinach. Cultivar Waitiki, which had the greatest leaf roughness, supported
      significantly higher E. coli O157:H7 populations than the other cultivars. These
      two morphological characteristics of spinach cultivars should be taken into
      consideration in developing intervention strategies to enhance the microbial
      safety of leafy greens. 

PMID- 24215683
TI  - Contributing factors in restaurant-associated foodborne disease outbreaks,
      FoodNet sites, 2006 and 2007.
AB  - An estimated 48 million cases of foodborne illness occur each year in the United
      States, resulting in approximately 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.
      Over half of all foodborne disease outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention are associated with eating in restaurants or
      delicatessens. We reviewed data from restaurant-associated foodborne disease
      outbreaks to better understand the factors that contribute to these outbreaks.
      Data on restaurant-associated foodborne disease outbreaks reported by sites
      participating in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet)
      were analyzed to characterize contributing factors reported in foodborne disease
      outbreaks and the levels of evidence used to identify these factors. Of 457
      foodborne disease outbreaks reported in 2006 and 2007 by FoodNet sites, 300 (66%)
      were restaurant associated, and of these 295 (98%) had at least one reported
      contributing factor. One to nine (with a median of two) contributing factors were
      reported per outbreak. Of the 257 outbreaks with a single etiology reported,
      contributing factors associated with food worker health and hygiene were reported
      for 165 outbreaks (64%), factors associated with food preparation practices
      within the establishment were reported for 88 outbreaks (34%), and factors
      associated with contamination introduced before reaching the restaurant were
      reported for 56 outbreaks (22%). The pronounced role of food workers in
      propagating outbreaks makes it clear that more work is needed to address
      prevention at the local level. Food workers should be instructed not to prepare
      food while ill to prevent the risk of transmitting pathogens. 

PMID- 24215685
TI  - Efficacy of commercial produce sanitizers against nontoxigenic Escherichia coli
      O157:H7 during processing of iceberg lettuce in a pilot-scale leafy green
      processing line.
AB  - Chemical sanitizers are routinely used during commercial flume washing of fresh
      cut leafy greens to minimize cross-contamination from the water. This study
      assessed the efficacy of five commercial sanitizer treatments against Escherichia
      coli O157:H7 on iceberg lettuce, in wash water, and on equipment during simulated
      commercial production in a pilot-scale processing line. Iceberg lettuce (5.4 kg)
      was inoculated to contain 10(6) CFU/g of a four-strain cocktail of nontoxigenic,
      green fluorescent protein-labeled, ampicillin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 and
      processed after 1 h of draining at ~22  degrees C. Lettuce was shredded using a
      commercial slicer, step-conveyed to a flume tank, washed for 90 s using six
      different treatments (water alone, 50 ppm of peroxyacetic acid, 50 ppm of mixed
      peracid, or 50 ppm of available chlorine either alone or acidified to pH 6.5 with
      citric acid [CA] or T-128), and then dried using a shaker table and centrifugal
      dryer. Various product (25-g) and water (50-ml) samples collected during
      processing along with equipment surface samples (100 cm(2)) from the flume tank,
      shaker table, and centrifugal dryer were homogenized in neutralizing buffer and
      plated on tryptic soy agar. During and after iceberg lettuce processing, none of
      the sanitizers were significantly more effective (P <= 0.05) than water alone at
      reducing E. coli O157:H7 populations on lettuce, with reductions ranging from
      0.75 to 1.4 log CFU/g. Regardless of the sanitizer treatment used, the
      centrifugal dryer surfaces yielded E. coli O157:H7 populations of 3.49 to 4.98
      log CFU/100 cm(2). Chlorine, chlorine plus CA, and chlorine plus T-128 were
      generally more effective (P <= 0.05) than the other treatments, with reductions
      of 3.79, 5.47, and 5.37 log CFU/ml after 90 s of processing, respectively. This
      indicates that chlorine-based sanitizers will likely prevent wash water
      containing low organic loads from becoming a vehicle for cross-contamination.

PMID- 24215686
TI  - Pickled egg production: inactivation rate of Salmonella, Escherichia coli
      O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus during acidification
      step.
AB  - Based on current U.S. Food and Drug Administration acidified foods guidelines,
      regulatory approval of commercial pickled egg production without a final heat
      treatment requires challenge studies. We conducted challenge studies to verify
      common pickled egg processing parameters. Hard-boiled eggs were acidified in
      ambient temperature brine at a 60:40 egg/brine ratio. Four acidification
      treatments were studied in triplicate: 5% acetic acid (AA) or 2.5% AA brine with
      and without 0.05% sodium benzoate. These treatments resulted in 2% or 1% AA with
      or without 0.02% sodium benzoate, respectively, in the total system. Samples were
      stored at 7  degrees C until pH at the yolk center was <= 4.6; subsequently,
      samples were held at ambient temperature. Egg pH was measured at 24- to 48-h
      intervals until equilibrium pH was reached (4.0 and 4.4). Eggs and jar lids were
      challenged with separate pathogen cocktails (six strains and/or serovars) of
      Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and
      Staphylococcus aureus. After 5 and 9 days, the pH fell below 4.6 in 2% AA and 1%
      AA eggs, respectively. Sodium benzoate did not affect acidification rate for
      these brine treatments (P >= 0.05), nor did sodium benzoate affect pathogen die
      off. E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes were undetectable (<1
      CFU/g) in pickled eggs in 2% AA at 72 h; S. aureus was undetectable after 7 days.
      In 1% AA eggs, Salmonella was undetectable after 10 days. No pathogens were
      detectable after 14 days. No pathogens were detectable on lids within 72 h for
      the 2% AA treatment. Only S. aureus was detectable on lids after 72 h in the 1%
      AA treatment and died off rapidly at ambient temperature. Although pathogens
      began die-off under refrigeration, heat treatment (ambient temperature storage)
      was required to reach undetectable levels. Minimal inversion was adequate
      treatment for lids. Pickled eggs should be held under refrigeration for the
      length of time needed to acidify them to <= 4.6 and then held at ambient
      temperatures to ensure pathogen inactivation.

PMID- 24215687
TI  - Postenrichment population differentials using buffered Listeria enrichment broth:
      implications of the presence of Listeria innocua on Listeria monocytogenes in
      food test samples.
AB  - The recovery of low levels of Listeria monocytogenes from foods is complicated by
      the presence of competing microorganisms. Nonpathogenic species of Listeria pose
      a particular problem because variation in growth rate during the enrichment step
      can produce more colonies of these nontarget cells on selective and/or
      differential media, resulting in a preferential recovery of nonpathogens,
      especially Listeria innocua. To gauge the extent of this statistical barrier to
      pathogen recovery, 10 isolates each of L. monocytogenes and L. innocua were
      propagated together from approximately equal initial levels using the current U.
      S. Food and Drug Administration's enrichment procedure. In the 100 isolate pairs,
      an average 1.3-log decrease was found in the 48-h enrichment L. monocytogenes
      population when L. innocua was present. In 98 of the 100 isolate pairs, L.
      innocua reached higher levels at 48 h than did L. monocytogenes, with a
      difference of 0.2 to 2.4 log CFU/ml. The significance of these population
      differences was apparent by an increase in the difficulty of isolating L.
      monocytogenes by the streak plating method. L. monocytogenes went completely
      undetected in 18 of 30 enrichment cultures even after colony isolation was
      attempted on Oxoid chromogenic Listeria agar. This finding suggests that although
      both Listeria species were present on the plate, the population differential
      between them restricted L. monocytogenes to areas of the plate with confluent
      growth and that isolated individual colonies were only L. innocua. 

PMID- 24215688
TI  - Listeria monocytogenes in five Sardinian swine slaughterhouses: prevalence,
      serotype, and genotype characterization.
AB  - In a 3-year study (2008 to 2011) to estimate the prevalence and the contamination
      sources of Listeria monocytogenes in pork meat in Sardinia, Italy, 211 samples
      were collected from five Sardinian swine slaughterhouses: 171 samples from
      slaughtered pigs and 40 from the slaughterhouse environment. Fifty L.
      monocytogenes isolates were characterized by PCR-based serotyping, presence of
      virulence-associated genes, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis restriction
      analysis. The overall prevalence of L. monocytogenes was 33% in swine carcasses,
      7% in cecal material, 23% on meat contact surfaces, and 25% on noncontact
      surfaces. Only two serotypes were detected: 1/2c (78%) and 1/2a (22%). In all,
      based on the presence of virulence-associated genes, eight pathogenic profiles
      were detected. Only 42% of all isolates carried the full complement of virulence
      associated genes and were allotted to profile 1. Six pulsed-field gel
      electrophoresis profiles persisted in the slaughterhouses; restriction profiles
      appeared to be specific to each plant. 

PMID- 24215689
TI  - Mathematical models to predict kinetic behavior and growth probabilities of
      Listeria monocytogenes on pork skin at constant and dynamic temperatures.
AB  - In this study, mathematical models were developed to predict the growth
      probability and kinetic behavior of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh pork skin
      during storage at different temperatures. A 10-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes
      was inoculated on fresh pork skin (3 by 5 cm) at 4 log CFU/cm(2). The inoculated
      samples were stored aerobically at 4, 7, and 10  degrees C for 240 h, at 15 and
      20  degrees C for 96 h, and at 25 and 30  degrees C for 12 h. The Baranyi model
      was fitted to L. monocytogenes growth data on PALCAM agar to calculate the
      maximum specific growth rate, lag-phase duration, the lower asymptote, and the
      upper asymptote. The kinetic parameters were then further analyzed as a function
      of storage temperature. The model simulated growth of L. monocytogenes under
      constant and changing temperatures, and the performances of the models were
      evaluated by the root mean square error and bias factor (Bf). Of the 49
      combinations (temperature * sampling time), the combinations with significant
      growth (P < 0.05) of L. monocytogenes were assigned a value of 1, and the
      combinations with nonsignificant growth (P > 0.05) were given a value of 0. These
      data were analyzed by logistic regression to develop a model predicting the
      probabilities of L. monocytogenes growth. At 4 to 10  degrees C, obvious L.
      monocytogenes growth was observable after 24 h of storage; but, at other
      temperatures, the pathogen had obvious growth after 12 h of storage. Because the
      root mean square error value (0.184) and Bf (1.01) were close to 0 and 1,
      respectively, the performance of the developed model was acceptable, and the
      probabilistic model also showed good performance. These results indicate that the
      developed model should be useful in predicting kinetic behavior and calculating
      growth probabilities of L. monocytogenes as a function of temperature and time.

PMID- 24215690
TI  - Combined inhibitory effect against postharvest storage rots and their effects on
      postharvest quality parameters in cherry tomatoes by cassia oil and calcium
      chloride.
AB  - The inhibitory effect of cassia oil alone or in combination with calcium chloride
      (CaCl2) against Alternaria alternata in vitro and in vivo was assessed on cherry
      tomatoes. The results demonstrated that concentrations of CaCl2 ranging from 0.25
      to 3% enhanced the inhibitory effects of 200 MUl of cassia oil per liter on the
      growth of A. alternata in vitro. The combination of 0.25% CaCl2 and 500 MUl of
      cassia oil per liter showed a significant inhibition effect on decay development
      in both wounded artificially infected and unwounded naturally infected fruit.
      Importantly, these treatments did not reduce the overall quality of tomatoes.
      Defense-related enzyme activities were also evaluated. The results indicated that
      cassia oil alone or in combination with CaCl2 significantly enhanced defense
      related enzyme activities, such as peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Together,
      these data suggest that the combination of cassia oil and CaCl2 may be an
      efficient method to limit cherry tomato decay caused by fungi. 

PMID- 24215691
TI  - Control of postharvest fungal pathogens by antifungal compounds from Penicillium
      expansum.
AB  - The fungicidal effects of secondary metabolites produced by a strain of
      Penicillium expansum (R82) in culture filtrate and in a double petri dish assay
      were tested against one isolate each of Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum
      acutatum, and Monilinia laxa and six isolates of P. expansum, revealing
      inhibitory activity against every pathogen tested. The characterization of
      volatile organic compounds released by the R82 strain was performed by solid
      phase microextraction-gas chromatographic techniques, and several compounds were
      detected, one of them identified as phenethyl alcohol (PEA). Synthetic PEA,
      tested in vitro on fungal pathogens, showed strong inhibition at a concentration
      of 1,230 MUg/ml of airspace, and mycelium appeared more sensitive than conidia;
      nevertheless, at the concentration naturally emitted by the fungus (0.726 +/-
      0.16 m g/ml), commercial PEA did not show any antifungal activity. Therefore, a
      combined effect between different volatile organic compounds produced
      collectively by R82 can be hypothesized. This aspect suggests further
      investigation into the possibility of exploiting R82 as a nonchemical alternative
      in the control of some plant pathogenic fungi. 

PMID- 24215692
TI  - Food protective effects of the active constituent isolated from Ostericum
      praeteritum against the stored food mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae.
AB  - The acaricidal effects of the active constituent isolated from Ostericum
      praeteritum oil and its derivatives were compared with that of benzyl benzoate
      using fumigant and contact toxicity bioassays against Tyrophagus putrescentiae
      mites. The active compound of O. praeteritum was isolated by various
      chromatographic techniques and was identified as 3-methylphenol (C7H8O). On the
      basis of 50 % lethal dose values, 3-methylphenol (1.42 MUg/cm(2)) was determined
      to be 9.18 times more effective than benzyl benzoate (13.04 MUg/cm(2)), followed
      by 6-fluoro-3-methylphenol (2.18 MUg/cm(2)), 4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol (2.53
      MUg/ cm(2)), and 6-chloro-3-methylphenol (4.03 MUg/cm(2)), against Tyrophagus
      putrescentiae mites in the fumigant bioassay. In the contact toxicity bioassay, 3
      methylphenol (1.03 MUg/cm(2)) was the most-toxic compound against T.
      putrescentiae mites, followed by 6-fluoro-3-methylphenol (2.09 MUg/cm(2)), 4
      isopropyl-3-methylphenol (2.11 MUg/cm(2)), 6-chloro-3-methylphenol (3.78
      MUg/cm(2)), and benzyl benzoate (10.33 MUg/cm(2)). These results indicate that
      the introduction of chloro, isopropyl, and fluoro functional groups to the 3
      methylphenol skeleton increased the acaricidal activity. Therefore, 3
      methylphenol and its derivatives could potentially be used as natural acaricides
      against T. purescentiae. 

PMID- 24215693
TI  - Screening of extracts of leaves and stems of Psychotria spp. (Rubiaceae) against
      Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda
      (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for maize protection.
AB  - Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda
      (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are important economic pests of corn, Zea mays
      (Poaceae). Psychotria spp. (Rubiaceae) plants are rich in secondary metabolites
      that could be toxic against such pests. We have screened extracts from four
      species of Psychotria abundant in the Cerrado (Savannah-type) biome of Brazil for
      the toxicity to two insects. We found that extracts from leaves and stems had
      significant effects on the hatching rate, parameters of caterpillar body (weight
      and length and width of head capsule), repellency, and mortality of these two
      pests, although the effects varied according to the Psychotria species and plant
      source (stem or leaf). Extracts of the stems of Psychotria hoffmannseggiana and
      of Psychotria capitata were more toxic to S. zeamais and the stems of Psychotria
      goyazensis to S. frugiperda; therefore, such extracts could have the potential
      for use in integrated pest management schemes. 

PMID- 24215694
TI  - Four-year monitoring of foodborne pathogens in raw milk sold by vending machines
      in Italy.
AB  - Prevalence data were collected from official microbiological records monitoring
      four selected foodborne pathogens (Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes,
      Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Campylobacter jejuni) in raw milk sold by self
      service vending machines in seven Italian regions (60,907 samples from 1,239
      vending machines) from 2008 to 2011. Data from samples analyzed by both culture
      based and real-time PCR methods were collected in one region. One hundred raw
      milk consumers in four regions were interviewed while purchasing raw milk from
      vending machines. One hundred seventy-eight of 60,907 samples were positive for
      one of the four foodborne pathogens investigated: 18 samples were positive for
      Salmonella, 83 for L. monocytogenes, 24 for E. coli O157:H7, and 53 for C. jejuni
      in the seven regions investigated. No significant differences in prevalence were
      found among regions, but a significant increase in C. jejuni prevalence was
      observed over the years of the study. A comparison of the two analysis methods
      revealed that real-time PCR was 2.71 to 9.40 times more sensitive than the
      culture-based method. Data on consumer habits revealed that some behaviors may
      enhance the risk of infection linked to raw milk consumption: 37% of consumers
      did not boil milk before consumption, 93% never used an insulated bag to
      transport raw milk home, and raw milk was consumed by children younger than 5
      years of age. These results emphasize that end-product controls alone are not
      sufficient to guarantee an adequate level of consumer protection. The beta
      distribution of positive samples in this study and the data on raw milk consumer
      habits will be useful for the development of a national quantitative risk
      assessment of Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157, and C. jejuni infection
      associated with raw milk consumption. 

PMID- 24215695
TI  - Microbiological quality of milk in Tanzania: from Maasai stable to African
      consumer table.
AB  - In Tanzania, pastoralists such as the Maasai and small urban farmers are
      responsible for the country's milk production, and 95% of the national milk
      supply is sold without regulation. This study was conducted using hygiene
      checklists and milk sampling to investigate milk quality and safety at various
      steps throughout the milk production chain. In regions of Dar es Salaam and Lake
      Victoria, 196 milk samples were collected: 109 samples of raw milk, 41 samples of
      packed or open served heat-treated products, and 46 samples of fermented
      products. Samples were taken from (i) the production level (pastoralists and
      urban farmers), (ii) the collection level (middlemen and depots), (iii)
      processors (dairies), and (iv) retailers (kiosks). Samples were analyzed for
      hygiene criteria (total bacteria, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and
      coagulase-positive staphylococci) and foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella,
      enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes. Adequate heating
      of milk for drinking was determined via heat labile alkaline phosphatase and
      lactoperoxidase analysis. Total bacterial counts indicated that only 67% (73 of
      109) of raw milk samples and 46% (19 of 41) of heat-treated samples met national
      Tanzanian standards. Bulk milk samples taken from the traditional milking vessels
      of Maasai pastoralists had the lowest total bacterial counts: >= 1 * 10(2)
      CFU/ml. Foodborne pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella were isolated
      from 10.1% (11 of 109) of raw milk samples but were not detected in heat-treated
      or fermented products, and 83% of heat-treated milk samples were lactoperoxidase
      negative, indicating overpasteurization. Coliforms were detected in 41% (17 of
      41) of processed milk samples, thus indicating a high rate of recontamination. A
      progressive decrease in microbial quality along the milk production chain was
      attributed to departures from traditional methods, inadequate milk containers,
      long transport distances, lack of cooling, and lack of a basic understanding of
      hygiene.

PMID- 24215696
TI  - Assessing the freshness of meat by using quantum-behaved particle swarm
      optimization and support vector machine.
AB  - To improve the performance of meat freshness identification systems, we present a
      new identification method based on quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization
      (QPSO) and the support vector machine (SVM). Fresh pork, beef, mutton, and shrimp
      samples were stored in a hypobaric chamber for several days, and the conventional
      indices of meat freshness, including total volatile basic nitrogen content,
      aerobic plate count, pH value, and sensory scores, were determined to achieve the
      identification of sample freshness. However, the experiments showed that it was
      difficult to obtain an ideal freshness assessment by any single physicochemical
      or sensory property. Therefore, SVM was introduced to use these data to build a
      freshness model. Furthermore, QPSO was proposed to seek the optimal parameter
      combination of SVM. The experimental results indicated that the hybrid SVM model
      with QPSO could be used to predict meat freshness with 100 % classification
      accuracy. 

PMID- 24215697
TI  - Microbial stability and quality of seasoned cracked green Alorena table olives
      packed in diverse chloride salt mixtures.
AB  - This work was conducted to determine the effect of the partial replacement of
      NaCl by KCl and CaCl2 (expressed as percentages, wt/vol) on the microbial
      stability and physicochemical characteristics of seasoned cracked olives using a
      simplex centroid mixture design. Neither Enterobacteriaceae nor lactic acid
      bacteria were found during the 50 days that olive packages were monitored.
      Therefore, microbial instability was considered due to the growth of yeasts,
      which were the only detected microorganisms; Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia
      membranifaciens were the most relevant species. Yeasts decreased during the first
      21 to 30 days after packing, but their populations rose to 3.5 log CFU/ml by the
      end of the storage period, clearly causing product deterioration. The partial
      substitution of NaCl with the other chloride salts slightly altered the phase of
      microbial inhibition and regrowth. Most of the quality characteristics were not
      affected by the use of the alternative salt mixtures, but the pH values and Cl(-)
      concentrations in brine decreased as the CaCl2 concentration increased. Hence,
      seasoned cracked table olives can be produced using a lower proportion of NaCl
      without causing significant changes in the shelf life and product quality,
      although further detailed studies are necessary to guarantee the stability of
      products packed with specific salt mixtures. 

PMID- 24215698
TI  - Analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration food allergen recalls after
      implementation of the food allergen labeling and consumer protection act.
AB  - To avoid potentially life-threatening reactions, food allergic consumers rely on
      information on food labels to help them avoid exposure to a food or ingredient
      that could trigger a reaction. To help consumers in the United States obtain the
      information that they need, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection
      Act of 2004 defined a major food allergen as being one of eight foods or food
      groups and any ingredient that contains protein from one of these foods or food
      groups. A food that contains an undeclared major food allergen is misbranded
      under the U.S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and is subject to recall. Food
      allergen labeling problems are the most common cause of recalls for U.S. Food and
      Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated food products. To help understand why food
      allergen recalls continue to occur at a high rate, information on each food
      allergen recall that occurred in fiscal years 2007 through 2012 was obtained from
      the FDA recall database. This information was analyzed to identify the food,
      allergen, root cause, and mode of discovery for each food allergen recall. Bakery
      products were the most frequently recalled food type, and milk was the most
      frequently undeclared major food allergen. Use of the wrong package or label was
      the most frequent problem leading to food allergen recalls. These data are the
      first reported that indicate the importance of label and package controls as
      public health measures. 

PMID- 24215699
TI  - Food safety practices among Norwegian consumers.
AB  - An informed consumer can compensate for several potential food safety violations
      or contaminations that may occur earlier in the food production chain. However, a
      consumer can also destroy the work of others in the chain by poor food handling
      practices, e.g., by storing chilled ready-to-eat foods at abusive temperatures.
      To target risk-reducing strategies, consumer groups with high-risk behavior
      should be identified. The aim of this study was to identify demographic
      characteristics associated with high-risk food handling practices among Norwegian
      consumers. More than 2,000 randomly selected Norwegian consumers were surveyed,
      and the results were analyzed with a risk-based grading system, awarding demerit
      points for self-reported food safety violations. The violations were categorized
      into groups, and an ordinary multiple linear regression analysis was run on the
      summarized demerit score for each group and for the entire survey group as a
      whole. Young and elderly men were identified as the least informed consumer
      groups with the most unsafe practices regarding food safety. Single persons
      reported poorer practices than those in a relationship. People with higher
      education reported poorer practices than those with lower or no education, and
      those living in the capital of Norway (Oslo) reported following more unsafe food
      practices than people living elsewhere in Norway. Men reported poorer food safety
      practices than women in all categories with two exceptions: parboiling raw
      vegetables before consumption and knowledge of refrigerator temperature. These
      findings suggest that risk-reducing measures should target men, and a strategy is
      needed to change their behavior and attitudes. 

PMID- 24215700
TI  - Customizable PCR-microplate array for differential identification of multiple
      pathogens.
AB  - Customizable PCR-microplate arrays were developed for the rapid identification of
      Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Saintpaul, Salmonella Typhi, Shigella
      dysenteriae, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis,
      Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus,
      Yersinia pestis, and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Previously, we identified
      highly specific primers targeting each of these pathogens. Here, we report the
      development of customizable PCR-microplate arrays for simultaneous identification
      of the pathogens using the primers identified. A mixed aliquot of genomic DNA
      from 38 strains was used to validate three PCR-microplate array formats.
      Identical PCR conditions were used to run all the samples on the three formats.
      Specific amplifications were obtained on all three custom plates. In preliminary
      tests performed to evaluate the sensitivity of these assays in samples inoculated
      in the laboratory with Salmonella Typhimurium, amplifications were obtained from
      1 g of beef hot dog inoculated at as low as 9 CFU/ml or from milk inoculated at
      as low as 78 CFU/ml. Such microplate arrays could be valuable tools for initial
      identification or secondary confirmation of contamination by these pathogens. 

PMID- 24215701
TI  - Prevalence and quantitative detection of Salmonella in retail raw chicken in
      Shaanxi, China.
AB  - Quantitative Salmonella concentrations and prevalence of Salmonella in raw
      chicken at the retail level in Shaanxi province, China, was determined in this
      study. Two hundred forty samples were collected in Yangling and the surrounding
      cities, in Shaanxi Province, China, for data collection over 12 successive months
      from April 2011 to March 2012. During the whole surveillance year, the overall
      Salmonella contamination rate of retail raw chicken was identified as 43.3%, the
      most-probable-number (MPN) values ranged from 0.0036 to 0.8596 MPN per g, and the
      average value was 0.1655 MPN per g, except in 11 of the samples, which had MPN
      values of more than 11 MPN per g. In April 2011, the highest prevalence rate,
      which was 80.0%, was observed, and the corresponding MPN value was 0.8596 MPN per
      g. Observed in November 2011, the lowest prevalence rate and the corresponding
      MPN value were 5.0% and 0.0036 MPN per g, respectively. Prevalence of Salmonella
      in chicken collected from the supermarket (49.2%) was higher but not
      significantly different from that in the wet markets (37.5%), although the MPN
      value of samples in the wet market (0.1912 MPN per g) was higher than that in the
      supermarket (0.1396 MPN per g). Prevalence of Salmonella was the highest in the
      frozen chicken (53.3%) compared with chilled chicken (45.0%) and freshly
      slaughtered chicken (37.5%); however, the MPN value of the freshly slaughtered
      chicken (0.1912 MPN per g) was higher than those of either frozen chicken (0.1804
      MPN per g) or the chilled chicken (0.0988 MPN per g). 

PMID- 24215702
TI  - Comparison of enrichment broths for the recovery of healthy and heat-injured
      Salmonella typhimurium on raw duck wings.
AB  - This study was performed to optimiz eSalmonella Typhimurium recovery from raw
      duck wings with five nonselective broths (buffered peptone water, tryptic soy
      broth, lactose broth, universal preenrichment broth, nutrient broth) and four
      selective broths (selenite broth, BAX System MP media [MP], Salmonella AD media
      [AD], ONE broth-Salmonella [OB]). Healthy or heat-injured (50 and 85% injury)
      cells were inoculated at a level of 10(2), 10(1), or 10(0) CFU/25 g on raw duck
      wings. Growth was modeled using DMfit with four growth parameters: lag-phase
      duration, maximum growth rate, doubling time, and maximum population density.
      Most enrichments were able to recover Salmonella Typhimurium to greater than 6
      log CFU/ml. AD, MP, and OB had significantly (P < 0.05) higher maximum growth
      rate (0.9 to 1.0/h) and lower doubling time (0.7 to 0.8 h). Buffered peptone
      water, AD, MP, and OB recovered healthy and 50%-injured cells at low inoculum
      levels to more than 6.0 log CFU/ml; OB achieved the greatest recovery (7.6 and
      7.9 log CFU/ml), following 24 h of incubation. The 85%-injured cells at 10(0) and
      10(1) CFU/25 g, however, were only recovered in OB, reaching 7.3 and 7.5 log
      CFU/ml, respectively. These results suggest that OB may be an appropriate
      enrichment broth for the recovery of Salmonella Typhimurium from raw duck wings
      in standard diagnostic tests or other rapid detection methods, to avoid false
      negative results. 

PMID- 24215703
TI  - Use of germicidal UV light to reduce low numbers of Listeria monocytogenes on raw
      chicken meat.
AB  - Listeria monocytogenes is a common constituent of the microbiological community
      in poultry processing plants and can be found in low numbers on raw poultry. Raw
      meat is the most important source of this pathogen in commercial cooking
      facilities. Germicidal UV light was tested as a means to kill L. monocytogenes
      inoculated onto broiler breast fillets. Treatments at 800 MUW/ cm(2) for 5 s to 5
      min of exposure were tested against inocula of 35 to 60 cells per fillet. All
      fillets were sampled by rinsing in enrichment broth, and surviving pathogens were
      quantified using most-probable-number (MPN) analysis. Five replications each with
      5 fillets per treatment were analyzed to achieve 25 sample fillets per treatment.
      All treatment times resulted in a significant decrease in L. monocytogenes
      numbers compared with paired untreated controls. Treated samples retained 0.2 to
      1.5 MPN L. monocytogenes per fillet, and exposure time had no significant effect
      on the number of surviving cells. A 5-s treatment with germicidal UV light has
      potential as an intervention method to limit the transfer of L. monocytogenes on
      raw skinless breast fillets from a slaughter plant to a cooking plant. 

PMID- 24215704
TI  - Inhibition of Clostridium perfringens growth by potassium lactate during an
      extended cooling of cooked uncured ground turkey breasts.
AB  - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service
      compliance guideline known as Appendix B specifies chilling time and temperature
      limits for cured and uncured meat products to inhibit growth of spore-forming
      bacteria, particularly Clostridium perfringens. Sodium lactate and potassium
      lactate inhibit toxigenic growth of Clostridium botulinum, and inhibition of C.
      perfringens has been reported. In this study, a cocktail of spores of three C.
      perfringens strains (ATCC 13124, ATCC 12915, and ATCC 12916) were inoculated into
      100-g samples of ground skinless, boneless turkey breast formulated to represent
      deli-style turkey breast. Three treatment groups were supplemented with 0
      (control), 1, or 2% potassium lactate (pure basis), cooked to 71  degrees C, and
      assayed for C. perfringens growth during 10 or 12 h of linear cooling to 4 
      degrees C. In control samples, populations of C. perfringens increased 3.8 to 4.7
      log CFU/g during the two chilling protocols. The 1% potassium lactate treatment
      supported only a 2.5- to 2.7-log increase, and the 2% potassium lactate treatment
      limited growth to a 0.56- to 0.70-log increase. When compared with the control,
      2% potassium lactate retarded growth by 2.65 and 4.21 log CFU/g for the 10- and
      12-h cooling protocols, respectively. These results confirm that the addition of
      2% potassium lactate inhibits growth of C. perfringens and that potassium lactate
      can be used as an alternative to sodium nitrite for safe extended cooling of
      uncured meats.

PMID- 24215705
TI  - Decontamination treatments for psychrotrophic microorganisms on chicken meat
      during storage at different temperatures.
AB  - The antimicrobial effectiveness of five chemical decontaminants (12 % trisodium
      phosphate [TSP], 1,200 ppm acidified sodium chlorite [ASC], 2 % citric acid [CA],
      220 ppm of peroxyacids [PA], or 50 ppm of chlorine dioxide [CD]) against
      psychrotrophic populations on skinned chicken legs was assessed throughout 120 h
      of storage under various temperature abuse scenarios. Three different simulated
      cold chain disruptions were used: T1 (12 h at 1 +/- 1  degrees C, 6 h at 15 +/- 1
      degrees C, and 102 h at 4 +/- 1  degrees C), T2 (18 h at 1 +/- 1  degrees C, 6 h
      at 15 +/- 1  degrees C, and 96 h at 10 +/- 1  degrees C), or T3 (18 h at 4 +/- 1 
      degrees C, 6 h at 20 +/- 1  degrees C, and 96 h at 7 +/- 1  degrees C).
      Microbiological analyses were carried out at 0, 24, 72, and 120 h of storage.
      Substantial microbial reductions, with respect to control (untreated) samples,
      were obtained in legs treated with TSP, ASC, and CA, with average values ranging
      from 1.54 +/- 1.52 to 2.02 +/- 2.19 log CFU/cm(2). TSP was the most effective
      compound under mild abuse temperature conditions (T1), with mean reductions of
      2.01 +/- 1.67 log CFU/cm(2), whereas ASC, followed by CA, proved to be
      particularly useful under moderate abuse conditions (T3; average reductions of
      2.99 +/- 2.27 and 1.98 +/- 1.65 log CFU/cm(2), respectively). Treatment with PA
      or CD resulted in minimal microbial reductions.

PMID- 24215706
TI  - Microbiological quality of Burrata cheese produced in Puglia region: southern
      Italy.
AB  - Burrata cheese is a popular typical Italian food product, produced in Puglia (an
      administrative region of southern Italy), and this study investigated the
      microbiological quality of 404 samples of this cheese. The samples were analyzed
      in order to quantify Escherichia coli and to detect the presence of
      Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes. No sample
      exceeded the values of E. coli set by EC Regulation 1441/07 for some dairy
      products, while 15 (3.7%) samples tested coagulase-positive staphylococci
      positive, with values greater than 10(3) CFU/g. One strain of S. aureus was
      identified and characterized from each of these positive samples, and of these
      strains, 7 (46.6%) produced staphylococcal enterotoxin A, 5 (33.3%) produced
      staphylococcal enterotoxin C, 2 (13.3%) produced staphylococcal enterotoxin D,
      and 1 (6.6%) produced both staphylococcal enterotoxins A and D. All strains were
      mecA negative. The 15 S. aureus isolates were tested for their antimicrobial
      resistance patterns, and all analyzed strains showed antimicrobial resistance
      properties for at least one of the tested antibiotics. Testing for the other
      pathogens mentioned above gave negative results. The results of our study mean
      that the microbiological quality of Burrata cheese can be assumed to be good,
      although care must be taken with raw materials and good hygiene during processing
      in order to guarantee greater food safety. 

PMID- 24215707
TI  - Di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate in selected total diet food composite samples.
AB  - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) food-wrapping films plasticized with di-(2-ethylhexyl)
      adipate (DEHA) are commonly used by grocery stores in Canada to rewrap meat,
      poultry, fish, cheese, and other foods. DEHA was assessed as part of the
      Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan. The main source of exposure for
      most age groups was expected to be food. Although the margin of exposure from
      food and beverages is considered to be adequately protective, the Government of
      Canada committed to performing targeted surveys of DEHA in foods and food
      packaging materials to better define Canadian exposure to DEHA through dietary
      intake. In order to determine whether more-comprehensive targeted surveys on DEHA
      in foods should be conducted, 26 food composite samples from the 2011 Canadian
      total diet study were selected and analyzed for DEHA using a method based on
      solvent and dispersive solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry. These 26 food composites include cheese, meat, poultry, fish, and
      fast foods, and PVC films were likely used in packaging the individual foods used
      to make the composites. DEHA was detected in most of the meat, poultry, and fish
      composite samples, with the highest concentration found in ground beef (11
      MUg/g), followed by beef steak (9.9 MUg/g), freshwater fish (7.8 MUg/g), poultry
      liver pate (7.4 MUg/g), fresh pork (6.9 MUg/g), cold cuts and luncheon meats (2.8
      MUg/g), veal cutlets (2.1 MUg/g), roast beef (1.3 MUg/g), lamb (1.2 MUg/g), and
      organ meats (0.20 MUg/g). Targeted surveys should be conducted to investigate the
      presence of DEHA in various foods packaged with PVC films in more detail and
      provide updated occurrence data for accurate human exposure assessment. 

PMID- 24215708
TI  - Survey of food safety practices on small to medium-sized farms and in farmers
      markets.
AB  - As produce consumption has increased, so have foodborne disease outbreaks
      associated with fresh produce. Little research has addressed food safety
      practices used on small to medium-sized farms selling locally or in farmers
      markets. This study evaluated current food safety practices used by farmers on
      small to medium-sized farms and managers of farmers markets in Georgia, Virginia,
      and South Carolina based on responses to surveys. Surveys were developed,
      pretested, and revised before implementation with target audiences and were
      implemented via mail and the Web to maximize participation, with reminders sent
      to nonrespondents. Data were collected from 226 farmers and 45 market managers.
      Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all response variables. Responses
      from farmers indicated that more than 56% of them use manures. Of those who use
      manures, 34% use raw or mixtures of raw and composted manure, and over 26% wait
      fewer than 90 days between application of raw manure and harvest. Over 27% use
      water sources that have not been tested for safety for irrigation, and 16% use
      such water sources for washing produce. Over 43% do not sanitize surfaces that
      touch produce at the farm. Only 33% of farmers always clean transport containers
      between uses. Responses from market managers indicated that over 42% have no food
      safety standards in place for the market. Only 2 to 11% ask farmers specific
      questions about conditions on the farm that could affect product safety. Less
      than 25% of managers sanitize market surfaces. Only 11% always clean market
      containers between uses. Over 75% of markets offer no sanitation training to
      workers or vendors. While farmers and market managers are using many good
      practices, the results indicate that some practices being used may put consumers
      at risk of foodborne illness. Consequently, there is a need for training for both
      farmers and market managers. 

PMID- 24215709
TI  - El Proceso Continuo de la caries: Oportunidades para Detectar, Tratar y
      Monitorear la Remineralizacion de las Lesiones de Caries en Estadio Temprano.

PMID- 24215711
TI  - Perforated duodenal ulcer presenting with a subphrenic abscess revealed by plain
      abdominal X-ray films and confirmed by multi-detector computed tomography: a case
      report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Peptic ulcer disease is still the major cause of gastrointestinal
      perforation despite major improvements in both diagnostic and therapeutic
      strategies. While the diagnosis of a perforated ulcer is straightforward in
      typical cases, its clinical onset may be subtle because of comorbidities and/or
      concurrent therapies. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 53-year-old
      Caucasian man with a history of chronic myeloid leukemia on maintenance therapy
      (100mg/day) with imatinib who was found to have a subphrenic abscess resulting
      from a perforated duodenal ulcer that had been clinically overlooked. Our patient
      was febrile (38.5 degrees C) with abdominal tenderness and hypoactive bowel
      sounds. On the abdominal plain X-ray films, a right subphrenic abscess could be
      seen. On contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography, a huge air-fluid
      collection extending from the subphrenic to the subhepatic anterior space was
      observed. After oral administration of 500cm3 of 3 percent diluted diatrizoate
      meglumine, an extraluminal leakage of the water-soluble iodinated contrast media
      could then be appreciated as a result of a perforated duodenal ulcer. During
      surgery, the abscess was drained and extensive adhesiolysis had to be performed
      to expose the duodenal bulb where the ulcer was first identified by methylene
      blue administration and then sutured. CONCLUSIONS: While subphrenic abscesses are
      well known complications of perforated gastric or duodenal ulcers, they have
      nowadays become rare thanks to advances in both diagnostic and therapeutic
      strategies for peptic ulcer disease. However, when peptic ulcer disease is not
      clinically suspected, the contribution of imaging may be substantial.

PMID- 24215710
TI  - Cellular mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias in a mouse model of Timothy
      syndrome (long QT syndrome 8).
AB  - Ca(2+) flux through l-type CaV1.2 channels shapes the waveform of the ventricular
      action potential (AP) and is essential for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling.
      Timothy syndrome (TS) is a disease caused by a gain-of-function mutation in the
      CaV1.2 channel (CaV1.2-TS) that decreases inactivation of the channel, which
      increases Ca(2+) influx, prolongs APs, and causes lethal arrhythmias. Although
      many details of the CaV1.2-TS channels are known, the cellular mechanisms by
      which they induce arrhythmogenic changes in intracellular Ca(2+) remain unclear.
      We found that expression of CaV1.2-TS channels increased sarcolemmal Ca(2+)
      "leak" in resting TS ventricular myocytes. This resulted in higher diastolic
      [Ca(2+)]i in TS ventricular myocytes compared to WT. Accordingly, TS myocytes had
      higher sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) load and Ca(2+) spark activity, larger
      amplitude [Ca(2+)]i transients, and augmented frequency of Ca(2+) waves. The
      large SR Ca(2+) release in TS myocytes had a profound effect on the kinetics of
      CaV1.2 current in these cells, increasing the rate of inactivation to a high,
      persistent level. This limited the amount of influx during EC coupling in TS
      myocytes. The relationship between the level of expression of CaV1.2-TS channels
      and the probability of Ca(2+) wave occurrence was non-linear, suggesting that
      even low levels of these channels were sufficient to induce maximal changes in
      [Ca(2+)]i. Depolarization of WT cardiomyocytes with a TS AP waveform increased,
      but did not equalize [Ca(2+)]i, compared to depolarization of TS myocytes with
      the same waveform. We propose that CaV1.2-TS channels increase [Ca(2+)] in the
      cytosol and the SR, creating a Ca(2+)overloaded state that increases the
      probability of arrhythmogenic spontaneous SR Ca(2+) release. 

PMID- 24215712
TI  - Wild type and mutant amyloid precursor proteins influence downstream effects of
      proteasome and autophagy inhibition.
AB  - Cells rely on complementary proteolytic pathways including the ubiquitin
      proteasome system and autophagy to maintain proper protein degradation. There is
      known to be considerable interplay between them, whereby the loss of one
      clearance system results in compensatory changes in other proteolytic pathways of
      the cell. Disturbances in proteolysis are known to occur in Alzheimer's disease,
      and potentially contribute to neurophysiological and neurodegenerative processes.
      Currently, few data are available on how the presence of wild type and mutant
      amyloid precursor protein (APPwt and APPmut) potentially alters the reciprocal
      interplay between the different intracellular proteolytic pathways. This study
      used human SH-SY5Y neuronal cell lines, and SH-SY5Y transfected with either APPwt
      or APPmut (valine-to-glycine substitution at position 717), in order to explore
      if the presence of APPwt or APPmut altered the downstream effects of
      pharmacological proteasome or autophagy inhibition. The occurrence of APPwt or
      APPmut was observed to disturb proteasome or autophagy activities upon treatment
      with proteasome inhibitors or authophagy inhibitors. Interestingly, APPwt and
      APPmut expression was observed to significantly and robustly enhance the
      induction in cathepsin B following the administration of an established
      proteasome inhibitor. The presence of APPwt and APPmut also significantly reduced
      the elevation in ubiquitinated proteins following proteasome inhibitor
      treatments. Our data strongly suggest that APP is able to affect the downstream
      effects of protease inhibition in neural cells including enhancement of cathepsin
      B activity, with these changes in cathepsin B significantly and inversely related
      to the levels of ubiquitinated protein.

PMID- 24215714
TI  - Chronic myeloid leukemia in lymphoid blast crisis.

PMID- 24215713
TI  - Classical NF-kappaB activation impairs skeletal muscle oxidative phenotype by
      reducing IKK-alpha expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Loss of quadriceps muscle oxidative phenotype (OXPHEN) is an evident
      and debilitating feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We
      recently demonstrated involvement of the inflammatory classical NF-kappaB pathway
      in inflammation-induced impairments in muscle OXPHEN. The exact underlying
      mechanisms however are unclear. Interestingly, IkappaB kinase alpha (IKK-alpha: a
      key kinase in the alternative NF-kappaB pathway) was recently identified as a
      novel positive regulator of skeletal muscle OXPHEN. We hypothesised that
      inflammation-induced classical NF-kappaB activation contributes to loss of muscle
      OXPHEN in COPD by reducing IKK-alpha expression. METHODS: Classical NF-kappaB
      signalling was activated (molecularly or by tumour necrosis factor alpha: TNF
      alpha) in cultured myotubes and the impact on muscle OXPHEN and IKK-alpha levels
      was investigated. Moreover, the alternative NF-kappaB pathway was modulated to
      investigate the impact on muscle OXPHEN in absence or presence of an inflammatory
      stimulus. As a proof of concept, quadriceps muscle biopsies of COPD patients and
      healthy controls were analysed for expression levels of IKK-alpha, OXPHEN markers
      and TNF-alpha. RESULTS: IKK-alpha knock-down in cultured myotubes decreased
      expression of OXPHEN markers and key OXPHEN regulators. Moreover, classical NF
      kappaB activation (both by TNF-alpha and IKK-beta over-expression) reduced IKK
      alpha levels and IKK-alpha over-expression prevented TNF-alpha-induced
      impairments in muscle OXPHEN. Importantly, muscle IKK-alpha protein abundance and
      OXPHEN was reduced in COPD patients compared to controls, which was more
      pronounced in patients with increased muscle TNF-alpha mRNA levels. CONCLUSION:
      Classical NF-kappaB activation impairs skeletal muscle OXPHEN by reducing IKK
      alpha expression. TNF-alpha-induced reductions in muscle IKK-alpha may accelerate
      muscle OXPHEN deterioration in COPD.

PMID- 24215715
TI  - Immediate Loading of Two Dental Implants, in Edentulous Mandibles, with
      Locator(r) Attachments or Dolder(r) Bars: First Results from a Prospective
      Randomized Clinical Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate survival and the incidence of complications
      for pairs of implants placed in the frontal area of edentulous mandibles and
      immediately loaded with either bar or Locator(r) (Zest Anchors LLC, Escondido,
      CA, USA) attachments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-six patients (mean age 69.4
      years; 73.9% male) with edentulous mandibles each received two immediately loaded
      implants in the interforaminal area of the symphysis. Immediately after implant
      placement, Dolder(r) bar (Sub-Tec Wirobond; BEGO Implant Systems GmbH & Co. KG,
      Bremen, Germany) or Locator(r) attachments, allocated randomly, were attached,
      and both clips and a framework were incorporated into the denture by the dental
      technician. The implants were loaded within 72 hours. RESULTS: During a mean
      observation period of 6 months (maximum 24 months, SD 0.43) eight implants in
      five patients were lost. Survival was 93.5% for the Locator(r) group and 89.1%
      for the bar group. Estimated cumulative survival after 1 year of function was
      93.4% for the Locator(r) group and 87.1% for the bar group. During the
      observation period, 12 prosthetic complications required aftercare. No
      superstructure was lost or had to be remade for prosthetic reasons, but five
      dentures had to be removed or reworked after implant failure. Survival of the
      original dentures was, therefore, 95.7% for the Locator(r) group and 93.5% for
      the bar group. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, immediate
      loading of two implants in the edentulous mandible with either Locator(r) or bar
      attachments did hardly differ. Ease of repair and cleaning, in particular, might
      be arguments for choosing the single attachment system.

PMID- 24215716
TI  - Evidence for a stimulatory role of high doses of recombinant human follicle
      stimulating hormone in the treatment of male-factor infertility.
AB  - The efficacy of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rhFSH) in the
      treatment of normogonadotropic patients with male-factor infertility was
      assessed. Forty-five infertile men with moderate/severe oligoasthenozoospermia
      and normal FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) levels were treated
      with high rhFSH dose (300 IU) on alternate days for >=4 months. In all, the
      seminal parameters, endocrine profile (FSH, LH, prolactin (PRL), total and free T
      and estradiol) and pregnancy rate were evaluated before, during and after rhFSH
      treatment. Fifteen infertile men were treated with placebo and studied in the
      same way, as control group. rhFSH treatment induced a marked increase in sperm
      count and no change in sperm motility, morphology and viability. No changes in
      seminal parameters were observed in the placebo group. FSH levels increased
      during treatment with rhFSH and not with placebo. No variations in LH, PRL, free
      and total T and estradiol were evidenced during treatment. A significant
      pregnancy rate in rhFSH versus placebo patients was also highlighted. Prolonged
      treatment with high rhFSH doses leads to increase sperm count and improve the
      spontaneous pregnancy rate in normogonadotropic infertile patients with
      oligoasthenozoospermia. rhFSH may represent a rational and useful tool in the
      treatment of male-factor infertility. 

PMID- 24215717
TI  - Are empathic abilities learnable? Implications for social neuroscientific
      research from psychometric assessments.
AB  - Empathy is defined as an individually varying but stable personality trait. To
      our knowledge this notion seems questionable considering recent studies proving
      neuronal plasticity not only in childhood and adolescence but over the whole
      lifespan. We propose a model in which an individual's basic empathic abilities
      arising from genetic factors, brain maturation, and early attachment experiences 
      are continually modulated by the intensity, continuity, and frequency of
      interpersonal socio-emotional stimulation and challenges. We assume neural
      processes and their underlying neural structures being modified by social and
      socio-emotional stimulation. Continuous social interactions should produce
      noticeable effects on the empathic abilities of an individual independent of age
      or brain maturation level. In particular, empathic abilities should be learnable
      and expandable beyond specific developmental windows. To elucidate this
      hypothesis we surveyed empathy measures of students of various professions with
      the help of a new instrument, the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective
      Empathy (QCAE) categorizing them into three different groups depending on their
      subsequent occupational fields: medical students, students of academic social
      professions, and a control group. Results indicate that continuous socio
      emotional stimulation could increase empathic abilities potentially leading to
      learning effects. 

PMID- 24215718
TI  - Large-scale fabrication of nanopatterned sapphire substrates by annealing of
      patterned Al thin films by soft UV-nanoimprint lithography.
AB  - Large-scale nanopatterned sapphire substrates were fabricated by annealing of
      patterned Al thin films. Patterned Al thin films were obtained by soft UV
      nanoimprint lithography and reactive ion etching. The soft mold with 550-nm-wide
      lines separated by 250-nm space was composed of the toluene-diluted
      polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer supported by the soft PDMS. Patterned Al thin
      films were subsequently subjected to dual-stage annealing due to the melting
      temperature of Al thin films (660 degrees C). The first comprised a low
      temperature oxidation anneal at 450 degrees C for 24 h. This was followed by a
      high-temperature annealing in the range of 1,000 degrees C and 1,200 degrees C
      for 1 h to induce growth of the underlying sapphire single crystal to consume the
      oxide layer. The SEM results indicate that the patterns were retained on sapphire
      substrates after high-temperature annealing at less than 1,200 degrees C.
      Finally, large-scale nanopatterned sapphire substrates were successfully
      fabricated by annealing of patterned Al thin films for 24 h at 450 degrees C and
      1 h at 1,000 degrees C by soft UV-nanoimprint lithography. 

PMID- 24215719
TI  - Locomotor behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae exposed to perfluoroalkyl
      acids.
AB  - Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent organic contaminants that have been
      detected in wildlife, humans and the environment. Studies have shown that the
      toxicity of PFAAs is determined by the carbon chain length as well as the
      attached functional group. The locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae has become
      widely used for evaluation of chemicals with neurotoxic properties. In the
      present study the behavioral effects of seven structurally different PFAAs (i.e.
      TFAA, PFBA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFBS and PFOS) were evaluated in zebrafish larvae.
      Exposure to high concentrations of TFAA, PFNA, PFBS and PFOS resulted in distinct
      changes in behavioral patterns. Based on redundancy analysis, our results
      demonstrate three main factors affecting zebrafish larval locomotor behavior. The
      strongest effect on behavior was determined by the carbon chain length and the
      attached functional group. PFAAs with longer carbon chain length as well as PFAAs
      with attached sulfonic groups showed larger potential to affect locomotor
      behavior in zebrafish larvae. Also the concentration of the PFAAs determined the
      behavior responses. The results of the present study are in agreement with
      previous studies showing correlations between the chemical structure of PFAAs and
      the toxicological effects. 

PMID- 24215720
TI  - Urinary proteomic and non-prefractionation quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis
      during pregnancy and non-pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Progress in the fields of protein separation and identification
      technologies has accelerated research into biofluids proteomics for protein
      biomarker discovery. Urine has become an ideal and rich source of biomarkers in
      clinical proteomics. Here we performed a proteomic analysis of urine samples from
      pregnant and non-pregnant patients using gel electrophoresis and high-resolution
      mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we also apply a non-prefractionation quantitative
      phosphoproteomic approach using mTRAQ labeling to evaluate the expression of
      specific phosphoproteins during pregnancy comparison with non-pregnancy. RESULTS:
      In total, 2579 proteins (10429 unique peptides) were identified, including 1408
      from the urine of pregnant volunteers and 1985 from the urine of non-pregnant
      volunteers. One thousand and twenty-three proteins were not reported in previous
      studies at the proteome level and were unique to our study. Furthermore, we
      obtained 237 phosphopeptides, representing 105 phosphoproteins. Among these
      phosphoproteins, 16 of them were found to be significantly differentially
      expressed, of which 14 were up-regulated and two were down-regulated in urine
      samples from women just before vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Taken together,
      these results offer a comprehensive urinary proteomic profile of healthy women
      during before and after vaginal delivery and novel information on the
      phosphoproteins that are differentially regulated during the maintenance of
      normal pregnancy. Our results may provide a better understanding of the
      mechanisms of pregnancy maintenance, potentially leading to the development of
      biomarker-based sensitive assays for understanding pregnancy.

PMID- 24215721
TI  - Effectiveness and tolerance of anti-inflammatory drugs' add-on therapy in major
      mental disorders: a systematic qualitative review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic review of the literature regarding the
      efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs in three major mental disorders [major
      depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia and bipolar disorders]. METHOD: Four
      databases were explored, without any year or language restrictions. The baseline
      search paradigm was limited to open-labelled clinical and randomized controlled
      trials (RCTs). RESULTS: Four major classes of anti-inflammatory drugs were
      identified, namely polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), cyclooxygenase (COX)
      inhibitors, anti-TNFalpha and minocycline. Effectiveness and benefit/risk ratio
      of each class in MDD, bipolar disorders and schizophrenia was detailed when data
      were available. Several meta-analyses indicated effectiveness of PUFAs in MDD
      with a good tolerance profile. One meta-analysis indicated that COX-2 specific
      inhibitors showed effectiveness in schizophrenia. Anti-TNFalpha showed important
      effectiveness in resistant MDD with blood inflammatory abnormalities. Minocycline
      showed effectiveness in schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: Polyunsaturated fatty acids
      seem to have the best benefit/risk ratio profile but proved their effectiveness
      only in MDD. A number of anti-inflammatory drugs are available as adjunct
      treatment for treatment-resistant patients with MDD, schizophrenia and bipolar
      disorder. If used with caution regarding their possible side-effects, they may be
      reasonable therapeutic alternatives for resistant symptomatology.

PMID- 24215722
TI  - An integrated microfluidic device utilizing vancomycin conjugated magnetic beads
      and nanogold-labeled specific nucleotide probes for rapid pathogen diagnosis.
AB  - A PCR-free assay for rapid pathogen diagnosis was implemented on an integrated
      microfluidic system in this study. Vancomycin-conjugated magnetic beads were used
      to capture multiple strains of bacteria and nucleotide probes labeled gold
      nanoparticles were used to specify and detect a specific strain by hybridization
      induced color change. The assay was entirely automated within an integrated
      microfluidic device that was composed of suction-type micropumps, microvalves,
      microchannels, and microchambers that fabricated by microfluidic technology.
      Multiple strains of bacteria could be captured simultaneously by vancomycin
      conjugated magnetic beads, with capturing efficiency exceeding 80%. Subsequently,
      sensitive and strain-specific detection against target bacteria could be achieved
      by using nanogold labeled specific nucleotide probes. The limit of detection of
      10(2)CFU bacteria was achieved. Importantly, nucleic acid amplification was not
      involved in the diagnostic procedures; the entire analytic process required only
      25min. The developed platform may provide a promising tool for rapid diagnosis of
      bacterial infections. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: In this novel study, a PCR-free
      pathogen detection method is demonstrated. After vancomycin-conjugated magnetic
      beads captured bacteria, nucleotide probes-labeled gold nanoparticles were
      employed to specify and detect specific strains via hybridization-induced color
      change. Multiple strains of bacteria could be captured simultaneously with an
      efficiency exceeding 80%, enabling the detection of as low as 10(2) CFU of
      bacteria.

PMID- 24215723
TI  - Repair of giant subcostal hernia using porcine acellular dermal matrix
      (StratticeTM) with bone anchors and pedicled omental flap coverage: a case
      report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Giant abdominal wall hernias represent a major challenge to the
      hernia surgeon in practice today. Of the common abdominal wall hernias, those
      located in the subcostal region are among the most difficult to repair, and have
      historically been plagued by higher recurrence rates than other locations, such
      as the midline. No technique has been identified as the clearly superior choice
      for hernias of this type. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a successful repair of a
      giant, multiply recurrent subcostal hernia with loss of domain in a 45-year-old
      obese Caucasian man. This was accomplished in a novel fashion, using a porcine
      acellular dermal matrix (StratticeTM) as the floor of the repair, which was fixed
      to the costal margin using orthopedic bone anchors (MitekTM), then covered with a
      pedicled omental flap to eliminate dead space and facilitate a more rapid
      revascularization of the porcine acellular dermal matrix implant. CONCLUSIONS:
      This case emphasizes the need for a thorough understanding of the challenges of
      the specific type of hernia defect encountered, as well as knowledge of any
      available techniques that may be adjunctively employed to enhance the chances of
      achieving a successful result.

PMID- 24215725
TI  - New world of 3-D printing offers "completely new ways of thinking": Q&A with
      author, engineer, and 3-D printing expert Hod Lipson.
AB  - With stories about everything from a three-?dimensional (3-D)-printed tracheal
      implant used in an infant to a 3-D-printed replacement for 75% of a man?s skull,
      a media firestorm is swirling around this seemingly new technology, but what
      exactly is 3-D printing? How is it being used today, and what is its true
      potential in the biomedical arena? Renowned robotics engineer Hod Lipson,
      coauthor of Fabricated: The New World of 3D Printing [1], and director of the
      Creative Machines Lab at Cornell University?s Sibley School of Mechanical and
      Aerospace Engineering in Ithaca, New York, spent some time with IEEE Pulse in a
      wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of 3-D printing and
      its implications for biomedical engineering. 

PMID- 24215726
TI  - EMAS position statement: Fertility preservation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The increasing incidence of malignant diseases that often require
      gonadotoxic treatment and the tendency to become a parent later in life result in
      an increased need for fertility preservation. AIMS: The aim of this position
      statement is to provide and critically appraise evidence on available options for
      fertility preservation in both pre-pubertal and post-pubertal men and women.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature review and consensus of expert opinion. RESULTS
      AND CONCLUSIONS: Fertility preservation should be a priority when treating
      children or adults of reproductive age with agents that may have hazardous
      effects on the reproductive system. Gonadotoxicity should be kept at a minimum.
      If gonadotoxic treatment has to be used, methods of fertility preservation should
      be discussed, as early as possible.

PMID- 24215727
TI  - Nutrition and breast cancer.
AB  - Breast cancer incidence is rising worldwide with an increase in aggressive
      neoplasias in young women. Suspected factors responsible for the global increase
      include lifestyle changes, notably diet. Currently accepted risk factors directly
      linked to diet are greater body weight and alcohol consumption. Weight gain in
      adulthood is associated with increased risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal
      women, suggesting that weight gain before and around menopausal age may be
      determinant for breast cancer development among postmenopausal women. Numerous
      studies also show an impact of specific diets and nutrients - fatty acids,
      carbohydrates, vitamins B, D, carotenoids, phytoestrogens, fiber - on breast
      cancer risk, and evidence supports a mechanistic basis for an influence of
      specific nutrients. However, these studies are plagued with conflicting results.
      In this review, a new examination of the relationship between nutrition and
      breast cancer is proposed in light of recent epidemiological studies. Successful
      development of breast cancer prevention strategies will require identification of
      biological markers of dietary exposure, and to coordinate worldwide research to
      discern the effects of diet. 

PMID- 24215728
TI  - Re. 'Left renal vein division during open surgery of abdominal aortic disease: a
      propensity score-matched case-control study'.

PMID- 24215724
TI  - Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) - focus on receptor-receptor-interactions
      and their physiological and pathophysiological impact.
AB  - Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) are a subfamily of G protein-coupled
      receptors (GPCRs) with four members, PAR1, PAR2, PAR3 and PAR4, playing critical
      functions in hemostasis, thrombosis, embryonic development, wound healing,
      inflammation and cancer progression. PARs are characterized by a unique
      activation mechanism involving receptor cleavage by different proteinases at
      specific sites within the extracellular amino-terminus and the exposure of amino
      terminal "tethered ligand" domains that bind to and activate the cleaved
      receptors. After activation, the PAR family members are able to stimulate complex
      intracellular signalling networks via classical G protein-mediated pathways and
      beta-arrestin signalling. In addition, different receptor crosstalk mechanisms
      critically contribute to a high diversity of PAR signal transduction and receptor
      trafficking processes that result in multiple physiological effects.In this
      review, we summarize current information about PAR-initiated physical and
      functional receptor interactions and their physiological and pathological roles.
      We focus especially on PAR homo- and heterodimerization, transactivation of
      receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and receptor serine/threonine kinases (RSTKs),
      communication with other GPCRs, toll-like receptors and NOD-like receptors, ion
      channel receptors, and on PAR association with cargo receptors. In addition, we
      discuss the suitability of these receptor interaction mechanisms as targets for
      modulating PAR signalling in disease. 

PMID- 24215729
TI  - A novel nickel-chelated surfactant for affinity-based aqueous two-phase micellar
      extraction of histidine-rich protein.
AB  - Aqueous two-phase micellar systems (ATPMSs) composed of nonionic surfactants are
      considered promising for the separation and purification of proteins. To improve
      the specificity of ATPMSs, a novel nickel-chelated surfactant was prepared by
      successive modifications of Triton X-114 (TX). Characterizations by Fourier
      transformation infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the successful synthesis of the
      nickel-chelated surfactant (TX-Ni). The cloud point, critical micelle
      concentration (CMC), molecular interaction parameter and micelle size were
      measured for the mixed surfactant system of TX-Ni and TX to achieve a full
      understanding of their aggregation behaviors. The results showed that mixed
      micelles were formed, and the cloud point increased with the mole fraction of TX
      Ni because TX-Ni had a more hydrophilic head group than TX. Moreover, the
      reduction of micelle size revealed by light scattering experiments indicated that
      the insertion of TX-Ni inhibited the micellar growth due to the increased steric
      and electrostatic repulsion. Finally, the efficiency of TX-Ni as an affinity
      surfactant was demonstrated by the affinity partitioning of histidine-tagged
      enhanced green fluorescent protein with an over 20-fold increase of the partition
      coefficient (from 0.60 to 12.42). This affinity-based ATPMS is thus considered
      promising for providing a versatile platform for the separation of histidine-rich
      proteins. 

PMID- 24215730
TI  - Comparing three CPR feedback devices and standard BLS in a single rescuer
      scenario: a randomised simulation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Efficiently performed basic life support (BLS) after cardiac arrest
      is proven to be effective. However, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is
      strenuous and rescuers' performance declines rapidly over time. Audio-visual
      feedback devices reporting CPR quality may prevent this decline. We aimed to
      investigate the effect of various CPR feedback devices on CPR quality. METHODS:
      In this open, prospective, randomised, controlled trial we compared three CPR
      feedback devices (PocketCPR, CPRmeter, iPhone app PocketCPR) with standard BLS
      without feedback in a simulated scenario. 240 trained medical students performed
      single rescuer BLS on a manikin for 8min. Effective compression (compressions
      with correct depth, pressure point and sufficient decompression) as well as
      compression rate, flow time fraction and ventilation parameters were compared
      between the four groups. RESULTS: Study participants using the PocketCPR
      performed 17+/-19% effective compressions compared to 32+/-28% with CPRmeter,
      25+/-27% with the iPhone app PocketCPR, and 35+/-30% applying standard BLS
      (PocketCPR vs. CPRmeter p=0.007, PocketCPR vs. standard BLS p=0.001, others: ns).
      PocketCPR and CPRmeter prevented a decline in effective compression over time,
      but overall performance in the PocketCPR group was considerably inferior to
      standard BLS. Compression depth and rate were within the range recommended in the
      guidelines in all groups. CONCLUSION: While we found differences between the
      investigated CPR feedback devices, overall BLS quality was suboptimal in all
      groups. Surprisingly, effective compression was not improved by any CPR feedback
      device compared to standard BLS. All feedback devices caused substantial delay in
      starting CPR, which may worsen outcome.

PMID- 24215731
TI  - Applying lessons from commercial aviation safety and operations to resuscitation.
AB  - Both commercial aviation and resuscitation are complex activities in which team
      members must respond to unexpected emergencies in a consistent, high quality
      manner. Lives are at stake in both activities and the two disciplines have
      similar leadership structures, standard setting processes, training methods, and
      operational tools. Commercial aviation crews operate with remarkable consistency
      and safety, while resuscitation team performance and outcomes are highly
      variable. This commentary provides the perspective of two physician-pilots
      showing how commercial aviation training, operations, and safety principles can
      be adapted to resuscitation team training and performance. 

PMID- 24215732
TI  - Lateral boundary mechanosensing by adherent cells in a collagen gel system.
AB  - Cell adhesion responses to in-depth physical properties such as substrate
      roughness and topography are well described but little is known about the
      influence of lateral physical cues such as tissue boundaries on the function of
      adherent cells. Accordingly, we developed a model system to examine remote cell
      sensing of lateral boundaries. The model employs floating thin collagen gels
      supported by rigid grids of varying widths. The dynamics, lengths, and numbers of
      cell extensions were regulated by grid opening size, which in turn determined the
      distance of cells from rigid physical boundaries. In smaller grids (200 MUm and
      500 MUm wide), cell-induced deformation fields extended to, and were resisted by,
      the grid boundaries. However, in larger grids (1700 MUm wide), the deformation
      field did not extend to the grid boundaries, which strongly affected the mean
      length and number of cell extensions (~60% reduction). The generation of cell
      extensions in collagen gels required expression of the beta1 integrin, focal
      adhesion kinase and actomyosin activity. We conclude that the presence of
      physical boundaries interrupts the process of cell-mediated collagen compaction
      and fiber alignment in the collagen matrix and enhances the formation of cell
      extensions. This new cell culture platform provides a geometry that more closely
      approximates the native basement membrane and will help to elucidate the roles of
      cell extensions and lateral mechanosensing on extracellular matrix remodeling by
      invasion and degradation. 

PMID- 24215733
TI  - Effects of bound versus soluble pentosan polysulphate in PEG/HA-based hydrogels
      tailored for intervertebral disc regeneration.
AB  - Previous reports in the literature investigating chondrogenesis in mesenchymal
      progenitor cell (MPC) cultures have confirmed the chondro-inductive potential of
      pentosan polysulphate (PPS), a highly sulphated semi-synthetic polysaccharide,
      when added as a soluble component to culture media under standard aggregate-assay
      conditions or to poly(ethylene glycol)/hyaluronic acid (PEG/HA)-based hydrogels,
      even in the absence of inductive factors (e.g. TGFbeta). In this present study,
      we aimed to assess whether a 'bound' PPS would have greater activity and
      availability over a soluble PPS, as a media additive or when incorporated into
      PEG/HA-based hydrogels. We achieved this by covalently pre-binding the PPS to the
      HA component of the gel (forming a new molecule, HA-PPS). We firstly investigated
      the activity of HA-PPS compared to free PPS, when added as a soluble factor to
      culture media. Cell proliferation, as determined by CCK8 and EdU assay, was
      decreased in the presence of either bound or free PPS whilst chondrogenic
      differentiation, as determined by DMMB assay and histology, was enhanced. In all
      cases, the effect of the bound PPS (HA-PPS) was more potent than that of the
      unbound form. These results alone suggest wider applications for this new
      molecule, either as a culture supplement or as a coating for scaffolds targeted
      at chondrogenic differentiation or maturation. We then investigated the
      incorporation of HA-PPS into a PEG/HA-based hydrogel system, by simply
      substituting some of the HA for HA-PPS. Rheological testing confirmed that
      incorporation of either HA-PPS or PPS did not significantly affect gelation
      kinetics, final hydrogel modulus or degradation rate but had a small, but
      significant, effect on swelling. When encapsulated in the hydrogels, MPCs
      retained good viability and rapidly adopted a rounded morphology. Histological
      analysis of both GAG and collagen deposition after 21 days showed that the
      incorporation of the bound-PPS into the hydrogel resulted in increased matrix
      formation when compared to the addition of soluble PPS to the hydrogel, or the
      hydrogel alone. We believe that this new generation injectable, degradable
      hydrogel, incorporating now a covalently bound-PPS, when combined with MPCs, has
      the potential to assist cartilage regeneration in a multitude of therapeutic
      targets, including for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. 

PMID- 24215734
TI  - Electrospun gelatin scaffolds incorporating rat decellularized brain
      extracellular matrix for neural tissue engineering.
AB  - The fabrication of an instructive bioabsorbable scaffold is one of the main goals
      for tissue engineering applications. In this regard, genipin cross-linked gelatin
      scaffolds, produced by electrospinning, were tested as a platform to include
      decellularized rat brain extracellular matrix as an active agent to provide
      fundamental biochemical cues to the seeded cells. This approach is expected to
      furnish a suitable natural-based polymeric scaffold with sufficient temporal
      stability to support cell attachment and spreading, also providing tissue
      specific signals that can contribute to the expression of the requested cellular
      phenotype. We first demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed
      decellularization protocol and the cytocompatibility of the resulting brain
      matrix. Then, the in vitro biological assays of the conditioned electrospun
      scaffolds, using rat allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells, confirmed their
      biocompatibility and showed a differentiative potential in presence of just 1%
      w/w decellularized rat brain extracellular matrix. 

PMID- 24215735
TI  - Early pharmaceutical profiling to predict oral drug absorption: current status
      and unmet needs.
AB  - Preformulation measurements are used to estimate the fraction absorbed in vivo
      for orally administered compounds and thereby allow an early evaluation of the
      need for enabling formulations. As part of the Oral Biopharmaceutical Tools
      (OrBiTo) project, this review provides a summary of the pharmaceutical profiling
      methods available, with focus on in silico and in vitro models typically used to
      forecast active pharmaceutical ingredient's (APIs) in vivo performance after oral
      administration. An overview of the composition of human, animal and simulated
      gastrointestinal (GI) fluids is provided and state-of-the art methodologies to
      study API properties impacting on oral absorption are reviewed. Assays performed
      during early development, i.e. physicochemical characterization, dissolution
      profiles under physiological conditions, permeability assays and the impact of
      excipients on these properties are discussed in detail and future demands on
      pharmaceutical profiling are identified. It is expected that innovative
      computational and experimental methods that better describe molecular processes
      involved in vivo during dissolution and absorption of APIs will be developed in
      the OrBiTo. These methods will provide early insights into successful pathways
      (medicinal chemistry or formulation strategy) and are anticipated to increase the
      number of new APIs with good oral absorption being discovered. 

PMID- 24215736
TI  - Physicochemical characterization and aerosol dispersion performance of organic
      solution advanced spray-dried microparticulate/nanoparticulate antibiotic dry
      powders of tobramycin and azithromycin for pulmonary inhalation aerosol delivery.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to systematically design pure antibiotic drug dry
      powder inhalers (DPIs) for targeted antibiotic pulmonary delivery in the
      treatment of pulmonary infections and comprehensively correlate the
      physicochemical properties in the solid-state and spray-drying conditions effects
      on aerosol dispersion performance as dry powder inhalers (DPIs). The two
      rationally chosen model antibiotic drugs, tobramycin (TOB) and azithromycin
      (AZI), represent two different antibiotic drug classes of aminoglycosides and
      macrolides, respectively. The particle size distributions were narrow, unimodal,
      and in the microparticulate/nanoparticulate size range. The SD particles
      possessed relatively spherical particle morphology, smooth surface morphology,
      low residual water content, and the absence of long-range molecular order. The
      emitted dose (ED%), fine particle fraction (FPF%) and respirable fraction (RF%)
      were all excellent. The MMAD values were in the inhalable range (<10 MUm) with
      smaller MMAD values for SD AZI powders in contrast to SD TOB powders. Positive
      linear correlations were observed between the aerosol dispersion performance
      parameter of FPF with increasing spray-drying pump rates and also with the
      difference between thermal parameters expressed as Tg-To (i.e. the difference
      between the glass transition temperature and outlet temperature) for SD AZI
      powders. The aerosol dispersion performance for SD TOB appeared to be influenced
      by its high water vapor sorption behavior (hygroscopicity) and pump rates or To.
      Aerosol dispersion performance of SD powders were distinct for both antibiotic
      drug aerosol systems and also between different pump rates for each system.

PMID- 24215737
TI  - Development of transdermal therapeutic formulation of CNS5161, a novel NMDA
      receptor antagonist, by utilizing pressure-sensitive adhesives II: improved
      transdermal absorption and evaluation of efficacy and safety.
AB  - The aim of this study was to prepare a transdermal therapeutic formulation of
      CNS5161, an NMDA receptor antagonist developed as a drug for neuropathic pain.
      Since a silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) was found to be the best PSA
      for CNS5161 among six different PSAs examined in our previous study, the effects
      of the loading concentration of CNS5161 on release and rat skin permeability were
      investigated using silicone PSAs. The release of CNS5161 was elevated with an
      increase in the drug concentration from 1% to 14%. The transdermal flux at the
      steady state reached a plateau at 8% and over, while crystallization of CNS5161
      was not observed for any formulation even at high drug concentrations. The drug
      concentration in rat skin at the steady state was also saturated at 8% and over,
      which correlated well with the transdermal flux at the steady state. Therefore,
      skin permeation clearance defined to the skin concentration at the steady state
      was almost constant at 0.21/h from 2% to 14% of CNS5161, which suggests that drug
      concentrations in the skin would be a driving force for transport of the drug to
      the receptor side. Since increasing the concentration of CNS5161 in the PSA patch
      was not able to elevate the transdermal flux, 12 formulations containing several
      permeation enhancers were examined to improve the transdermal transport of
      CNS5161. Among them, the formulation containing propylene glycol, diisopropyl
      adipate, and polyvinylpyrrolidone significantly increased the transdermal flux by
      approximately 1.8-fold by improving the diffusivity of CNS5161 in the skin, and
      also significantly enhanced the analgesic effect of CNS5161. This formulation
      caused only slight skin irritation, which indicated that it would be a promising
      transdermal therapeutic system for CNS5161. 

PMID- 24215738
TI  - Relaxant effect of proton pump inhibitors on in vitro myometrium from pregnant
      women.
AB  - AIM: In this study we investigate in in vitro myometrial tissue samples of
      pregnant women: (a) the effects of proton pomp inhibitors (PPIs) (omeprazole,
      esomeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole and rabeprazole) on spontaneous
      contractions; (b) the muscle-relaxant efficacy of the most active PPI considered
      (pantoprazole) in comparison with that of other known tocolytics (nifedipine,
      atosiban, MgSO4, isoxsuprine); (c) the effect of pantoprazole on contractions
      induced by calcium (Ca(++)), KCl, oxytocin and prostaglandin (PGE2); (d) the
      possible mediators of pantoprazole relaxant effect. METHODS: Organ bath studies
      were performed on myometrial tissue samples (40*10*10 mm) from pregnant women (38
      42 weeks of gestational age) undergoing elective caesarian section. RESULTS: All
      the PPIs studied reduce the spontaneous contraction of the myometrial smooth
      muscle. Pantoprazole is the most effective and most potent inhibitor among those
      analyzed. Pantoprazole also reduces the contractions induced by Ca(++), KCl,
      oxytocin and PGE2. Neither NO, nor PGs, or the activation of Ca(++)-dependent
      K(+) currents mediate the muscle-relaxant effect of this PPI. CONCLUSION: These
      data, together with the fact that PPIs almost do not present side effects,
      suggest that these drugs can offer new therapeutic strategies for preterm
      delivery. Undoubtedly, further investigations and clinical studies are necessary
      before adding PPIs to the list of drugs available for the treatment of preterm
      delivery.

PMID- 24215739
TI  - Th9 cells, new players in adaptive immunity.
AB  - Upon antigen-specific stimulation, naive CD4+ T cells have the potential to
      differentiate into various T helper (Th) cell subsets. Earlier models of Th cell
      differentiation focused on IFN-gamma-producing Th1 cells and IL-4-secreting Th2
      cells. The discovery of additional CD4+ Th cell subsets has extended our
      understanding of Th cell differentiation beyond this dichotomy. Among these is
      the recently described Th9 cell subset, which preferentially produces interleukin
      (IL)-9. Here, we review the latest developments in Th9 cell development and
      differentiation, focusing on contributing environmental signals, and discuss
      potential physiological and pathophysiological functions of these cells. We
      describe the challenges inherent to unambiguously defining roles for Th9 cells
      using the available experimental animal models, and suggest new experimental
      models to address these concerns.

PMID- 24215740
TI  - The changing of the guards: can family doctors contain worker absenteeism?
AB  - Using administrative data from Norway, we examine the extent to which family
      doctors influence their clients' propensity to claim sick-pay. The analysis
      exploits exogenous switches of family doctors occurring when physicians quit,
      retire, or for other reasons sell their patient lists. We find that family
      doctors have significant influence on their clients' absence behavior,
      particularly on absence duration. Their influence is stronger in geographical
      areas with weaker competition between physicians. We conclude that it is possible
      for family doctors to contain sick-pay expenditures to some extent, and that
      there is a considerable variation in the way they perform this task. 

PMID- 24215741
TI  - Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography Angle for Predicting the Outcome of
      Horizontal Bone Augmentation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of ridge morphology
      on the amount of horizontal bone augmentation achieved with the sandwich bone
      augmentation (SBA) technique in the reconstruction of buccal dehiscence defects
      on dental implants. METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to
      assess bone width changes in 26 patients who participated in a randomized
      controlled trial conducted in 2008 to 2011. The amount of horizontal bone gain
      was evaluated at four different levels (3, 6, 9, and 12 mm apical to the alveolar
      crest) and three different time points (T1: baseline, T2: at time of graft
      placement, and T3: 6 months later). Different morphological characteristics of
      the alveolar ridge were also evaluated to determine their influence on horizontal
      bone augmentation. A total of 78 CBCT scans were assessed. RESULTS: Comparison of
      the changes in ridge morphology at all measurement locations showed an overall
      ridge width gain of 2.30 +/- 2.20 mm after 6 months. The use of membranes and the
      angulation of the concavity played a role in influencing the outcomes of the SBA
      technique. Critical crest angulation (CA) is 150 degrees  for bone gain at 9 mm
      apical to the crest. When CA is smaller than 150 degrees , the horizontal bone
      gain was 4.3 +/- 2.2 mm; if CA is greater than 150 degrees , the gain was
      significantly lower at 1.3 +/- 1.7 mm (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: SBA is a reliable
      and predictable technique to gain horizontal ridge width with simultaneous
      implant placement. Crest ridge angulation can be used as a tool to predict bone
      gain at 9 mm apical to the bone crest.

PMID- 24215743
TI  - Ambulatory ECG monitoring: 50 years later.

PMID- 24215742
TI  - Autoimmunity to citrullinated proteins and the initiation of rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - Clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the second most common
      human autoimmune disease, are primarily focused on the joints, causing disability
      and requiring life-long treatment to ameliorate signs and symptoms. The etiology
      of RA is unknown; however, important discoveries in two areas have been made
      which provide hope that the causal mechanisms can be identified. First, the most
      severe form of this disease is associated with the presence of humoral and
      cellular autoimmunity to citrullinated proteins and peptides. Second, in the
      natural history of RA, autoimmunity to citrullinated antigens appears years
      before the onset of clinically apparent disease. Herein is described a model in
      which to consider how these two features are linked during very early disease
      development. 

PMID- 24215744
TI  - The evolution of ambulatory ECG monitoring.
AB  - Ambulatory Holter electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring has undergone continuous
      technological evolution since its invention and development in the 1950s era.
      With commercial introduction in 1963, there has been an evolution of Holter
      recorders from 1 channel to 12 channel recorders with increasingly smaller
      storage media, and there has evolved Holter analysis systems employing
      increasingly technologically advanced electronics providing a myriad of data
      displays. This evolution of smaller physical instruments with increasing
      technological capacity has characterized the development of electronics over the
      past 50 years. Currently the technology has been focused upon the conventional
      continuous 24 to 48 hour ambulatory ECG examination, and conventional extended
      ambulatory monitoring strategies for infrequent to rare arrhythmic events.
      However, the emergence of the Internet, Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and broad-band
      transmission has positioned these modalities at the doorway of the digital world.
      This has led to an adoption of more cost-effective strategies to these
      conventional methods of performing the examination. As a result, the emergence of
      the mobile smartphone coupled with this digital capacity is leading to the recent
      development of Holter smartphone applications. The potential of point-of-care
      applications utilizing the Holter smartphone and a vast array of new non-invasive
      sensors is evident in the not too distant future. The Holter smartphone is
      anticipated to contribute significantly in the future to the field of global
      health.

PMID- 24215745
TI  - Prognostic significance of ambulatory ECG monitoring for ventricular arrhythmias.
AB  - Ventricular arrhythmia can be detected in ambulatory ECG monitoring in
      individuals with or without cardiac disease, and its prognostic value varies,
      depending on the underlying condition. The use of continuous or intermittent
      ambulatory ECG monitoring can be helpful for diagnosis when there is a high pre
      test probability of identifying a transient arrhythmia. In addition, Holter
      monitoring can be used for risk stratification of patients, in the context of the
      prognostic value of non-sustained ventricular arrhythmias in various clinical
      settings, as discussed in detail. 

PMID- 24215746
TI  - Ambulatory ECG monitoring in atrial fibrillation management.
AB  - Ambulatory ECG monitoring technology has rapidly evolved over the last few
      decades and has been shown to identify life-threatening and non-life threatening
      arrhythmias and provide actionable data to guide clinical decision making. Atrial
      fibrillation episodes can often be asymptomatic, even after catheter ablation for
      atrial fibrillation, creating a disconnect between symptoms and actual arrhythmia
      burden which may alter clinical management. In this review, we aim to provide a
      comprehensive overview of invasive and non-invasive ECG monitoring strategies in
      patients with atrial fibrillation, with a special focus on the diagnosis of
      atrial fibrillation, and on follow-up of patients after catheter ablation for
      atrial fibrillation ablation. 

PMID- 24215747
TI  - Heart rate variability in risk stratification of cardiac patients.
AB  - Heart rate (HR) variability has been extensively studied in cardiac patients,
      especially in patients surviving an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and also in
      patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) or left ventricular (LV)
      dysfunction. The majority of studies have shown that patients with reduced or
      abnormal HR variability have an increased risk of mortality within a few years
      after an AMI or after a diagnosis of CHF/LV dysfunction. Various measures of HR
      dynamics, such as time-domain, spectral, and non-linear measures of HR
      variability have been used in risk stratification. The prognostic power of
      various measures, except of those reflecting rapid R-R interval oscillations, has
      been almost identical, albeit some non-linear HR variability measures, such as
      short-term fractal scaling exponent have provided somewhat better prognostic
      information than the others. Abnormal HR variability predicts both sudden and non
      sudden cardiac death. Because of remodeling of the arrhythmia substrate after
      AMI, early measurement of HR variability to identify those at high risk should
      likely be repeated later in order to assess the risk of fatal arrhythmia events.
      Future randomized trials using HR variability/turbulence as one of the pre
      defined inclusion criteria will show whether routine measurement of HR
      variability/turbulence will become a routine clinical tool for risk
      stratification of cardiac patients. 

PMID- 24215748
TI  - Heart rate turbulence.
AB  - Heart rate turbulence (HRT) is a baroreflex-mediated biphasic reaction of heart
      rate in response to premature ventricular beats. Heart rate turbulence is
      quantified by: turbulence onset (TO) reflecting the initial acceleration of heart
      rate following premature beat and turbulence slope (TS) describing subsequent
      deceleration of heart rate. Abnormal HRT identifies patients with autonomic
      dysfunction or impaired baroreflex sensitivity due to variety of disorders, but
      also may reflect changes in autonomic nervous system induced by different
      therapeutic modalities such as drugs, revascularization, or cardiac
      resynchronization therapy. More importantly, impaired HRT has been shown to
      identify patients at high risk of all-cause mortality and sudden death,
      particularly in postinfarction and congestive heart failure patients. It should
      be emphasized that abnormal HRT has a well-established role in stratification of
      postinfarction and heart failure patients with relatively preserved left
      ventricular ejection fraction. The ongoing clinical trials will document whether
      HRT can be used to guide implantation of cardioverter-defibrillators in this
      subset of patients, not covered yet by ICD guidelines. This review focuses on the
      current state-of-the-art knowledge regarding clinical significance of HRT in
      detection of autonomic dysfunction and regarding the prognostic significance of
      this parameter in predicting all-cause mortality and sudden death. 

PMID- 24215749
TI  - Ambulatory ECG-based T-wave alternans monitoring for risk assessment and guiding
      medical therapy: mechanisms and clinical applications.
AB  - Identification of individuals at risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD), the main
      cause of adult mortality in developed countries, remains a major challenge. The
      main contemporary noninvasive marker, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),
      has not proved adequately reliable, as the majority of individuals who die
      suddenly have relatively preserved cardiac mechanical function. Monitoring of T
      wave alternans (TWA), a beat-to-beat fluctuation in ST-segment or T-wave
      morphology, on ambulatory electrocardiogram (AECG) is an attractive approach on
      both scientific and clinical grounds. Specifically, TWA's capacity to assess risk
      for malignant arrhythmias has been shown to rest on sound electrophysiologic
      principles and AECG-based TWA monitoring can be performed in the flow of routine
      clinical evaluation. This review addresses: (1) electrophysiologic and ionic
      mechanisms underlying TWA's predictivity, (2) principles and practical aspects of
      AECG-based TWA monitoring, (3) clinical evidence supporting this approach to SCD
      risk stratification, and (4) current and potential applications in guiding
      medical therapy. 

PMID- 24215750
TI  - QT Variability Index.
AB  - The QT Variability Index (QTVI) is a non-invasive measure of repolarization
      lability that has been applied to a wide variety of subjects with cardiovascular
      disease. It is a ratio of normalized QT variability to normalized heart rate
      variability, and therefore includes an assessment of autonomic nervous system
      tone. The approach assesses beat-to-beat variability in the duration of the QT
      and U wave in conventional surface electrocardiographic recordings, as well as
      determines the heart rate variability (HRV) from the same recording. As opposed
      to T wave alternans, QTVI assesses variance in repolarization at all frequencies.
      Nineteen studies have published data on QTVI in healthy individuals, while 20
      have evaluated its performance in cohorts with cardiovascular disease. Six
      studies have assessed the utility of QTVI in predicting VT/VF, cardiac arrest, or
      cardiovascular death. A prospective study utilizing QTVI to determine therapy
      allocation has not been performed, and therefore the final determination of the
      value of the metric awaits definitive exploration. 

PMID- 24215752
TI  - ECG monitoring in syncope.
AB  - Electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring is a well-established procedure in the work
      up of patients with syncope or for diagnosing arrhythmias. The investigation of
      syncope remains, however, challenging and physicians have an increasing
      armamentarium of diagnostic tools available and with advances in technology the
      role of these tools has to be continuously evaluated. The gold standard for the
      diagnosis of syncope is a symptom-ECG correlation, and while many studies have
      investigated the use and indications of both short-term and long-term monitoring;
      there is still some uncertainty in their clinical utility and practical approach.
      The use of ECG monitoring and other diagnostic tools is often subject to a "shot
      gun approach" rather than a strict guideline algorithm. A systematic approach and
      selection of ECG monitoring tools helps permit an effective usage of the limited
      health care resources available for the management of unexplained syncope. In
      this review we aim to focus and clarify the role of short-term (Holter and
      external loop recorders) and long-term (implantable loop recorders) ECG
      monitoring in the diagnosis and management of patients with unexplained syncope. 

PMID- 24215751
TI  - The clinical significance of continuous ECG (ambulatory ECG or Holter) monitoring
      of the ST-segment to evaluate ischemia: a review.
AB  - Silent ischemia is a common manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD).
      Continuous ECG (cECG) monitoring is an effective tool for assessing the frequency
      and duration of silent ischemic episodes for patients with CAD and for risk
      stratifying asymptomatic patients or those after an acute coronary syndrome by
      identifying those at increased risk for future cardiovascular events or death.
      cECG also allows monitoring of the effectiveness of therapy in patients with CAD.
      Treatment strategies targeted toward the elimination of silent ischemia have
      shown that revascularization was better than medical therapy in eliminating
      silent ischemia, but large scale, prospective studies targeting silent ischemia
      as a treatment endpoint are still lacking. Future research is warranted to study
      the effects of newer medical agents or the selected use of revascularization in
      those patients with persistent silent ischemia despite current medical regiments.

PMID- 24215753
TI  - Holter in monitoring of cardiac pacing.
AB  - The Holter function of implanted devices will record events with characteristics
      meeting criteria determined by the manufacturer or programmed by the physician.
      It does not show a continuous ECG. It is reliable, provided the basic functions
      of the device are operating correctly. This is an ideal tool for assessing the
      electrophysiologic profile of heart disease patients with implants and to assess
      the efficacy of various treatments (anti-arrhythmic drugs, ablation procedures).
      Combined with telemedicine technology, it can provide early alerts to the
      physician about deterioration in the rhythmic or hemodynamic status of their
      patients and thus prevent complications that would otherwise have led to costly
      hospitalizations. It is a very reliable tool to assess ICD function (diagnostic
      capabilities by the discrimination algorithms and efficacy of the delivered
      therapies). The technology will evolve and offer extended data in the future,
      such as sensor information or repolarization data (ST segment, QT duration,
      variability, &c.). 

PMID- 24215754
TI  - ECG patch monitors for assessment of cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
AB  - The primary goal of long-term monitoring is the improvement of diagnostic yield.
      Despite the clear utility of Holter monitoring in clinical cardiology, issues of
      relatively low diagnostic yield, cost and inconvenience have motivated the
      development of ultra-portable devices referred to as ECG patch monitors. Although
      the "gold standard" for assessing cardiac rhythm abnormalities remains a 12-lead
      Holter, there is an increasing interest in portable monitoring devices that
      provide the opportunity for evaluating cardiac rhythm in real-world environments
      such as the workplace or home. To facilitate patient acceptance these monitors
      underwent a radical miniaturization and redesign to include wireless
      communication, water proofing and a patch carrier for attaching devices directly
      to the skin. We review recent developments in the field of "patch" devices
      primarily designed for very long-term monitoring of cardiac arrhythmic events. As
      the body of supporting clinical validation data grows, these devices hold promise
      for a variety of cardiac monitoring applications. From a clinical and research
      standpoint, the capacity to obtain longitudinal cardiac activity data by patch
      devices may have significant implications for device selection, monitoring
      duration, and care pathways for arrhythmia evaluation and atrial fibrillation
      surveillance. From a research standpoint, the new devices may allow for the
      development of novel diagnostic algorithms with the goal of finding patterns and
      correlations with exercise and drug regimens. 

PMID- 24215755
TI  - Modifications of mesenteric adipose tissue during moderate experimental colitis
      in mice.
AB  - AIMS: Adipose tissue secretes various proteins referred to as adipokines, being
      involved in inflammation. It was recognized that mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT)
      is altered by inflammation, and pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease
      (IBD). The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of the mesenteric
      adipose tissue in two experimental colitis models in mice adapted to obtain
      moderate colonic inflammation. MAIN METHODS: Colonic inflammation was obtained
      using two models, either DSS dissolved in drinking water or intra-colonic
      instillation of DNBS. The expression of adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) and
      inflammatory markers (IL-6, MCP-1, F4/80) was studied by qRT-PCR in the MAT of
      treated and control mice. KEY FINDINGS: Observations of the colon and IL-6 plasma
      level determination demonstrated that DNBS treatment led to stronger
      inflammation. Colitis induced a decrease of mRNA encoding to leptin and
      adiponectin in MAT. In contrast, colonic inflammation led to an increase of mRNA
      encoding to IL-6, MCP-1 and F4/80, a specific marker of macrophages.
      SIGNIFICANCE: The mesenteric adipose tissue, in two models of moderate colitis,
      shows a loss of adipose profile and a strong increase of inflammatory pattern,
      close to the observations made in MAT of IBD patients. These data suggest that
      these pro-inflammatory modifications of MAT have to be taken into account in the
      pathophysiology of IBD.

PMID- 24215756
TI  - The changing paradigm in EUS-guided tissue acquisition.
AB  - The diagnostic performance of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration
      is strongly dependent on the availability of an onsite cytopathologist. The
      diagnosis of some rare tumors may require ancillary testing for which a
      histologic core biopsy is required. There is increasing interest in evaluating
      core tissue for molecular markers that may serve as prognostic predictors and
      targets for focused chemotherapy in patients with cancer. If core tissue can be
      procured efficiently and reliably at endoscopic ultrasound, this will eliminate
      the need for an onsite cytopathologist, accurately diagnose tumors that are
      occasionally missed by fine-needle aspiration cytology, and enable the assessment
      for molecular markers. 

PMID- 24215757
TI  - Beyond cytology: why and when does the oncologist require core tissue?
AB  - There are 2 main reasons why oncologists may require additional tissue and a
      histologic section in addition to cytopathology from FNA specimens: improved
      diagnostic accuracy and molecular characterization of tumors. Rather than
      mutually exclusive diagnostic procedures, EUS-FNA and EUS-CNB must be viewed as
      supplementary techniques and both approaches should be incorporated as essential
      tools in the current endoscopic armamentarium. 

PMID- 24215758
TI  - Definitions in tissue acquisition: core biopsy, cell block, and beyond.
AB  - This article identifies key fundamentals of tissue acquisition, sample
      preparation, and staining. It defines the understanding of different aspects of
      sample preparations, such as types of smear-preparation techniques, touch
      preparations, types of fixative, and newer technologies such as liquid-based
      preparations. 

PMID- 24215759
TI  - How can an endosonographer assess for diagnostic sufficiency and options for
      handling the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration specimen and
      ancillary studies.
AB  - Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has become well
      established as a minimally invasive technique in diagnosing and staging various
      gastrointestinal, pancreaticobiliary, and retroperitoneal malignancies. The
      diagnostic accuracy of this procedure is significantly enhanced by the presence
      of on-site cytopathology. However, in many EUS centers, cytopathology is not
      readily available for on-site evaluation. This article is intended to assist the
      independent endosonographer in the assessment of diagnostic sufficiency and in
      specimen handling. 

PMID- 24215760
TI  - Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration needles: which one and in
      what situation?
AB  - Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is increasingly
      used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for pancreatic and other
      gastrointestinal disorders. Several factors affect the outcome of EUS-FNA, one of
      which is needle size. The decision to use a specific needle depends on factors
      including location, consistency, and type of the lesion; presence of onsite
      cytopathologist; and need for additional tissue procurement for histology. This
      review provides a balanced perspective on the use of different needle sizes
      available, highlighting the differences among them and potential niche
      applications of each to maximize diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA. 

PMID- 24215761
TI  - Techniques for EUS-guided FNA cytology.
AB  - This article addresses the technique of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle
      aspiration of solid lesions to obtain cytologic specimens. The technique can be
      broken down into a sequence of steps. The ultimate goal is to maximize the
      likelihood of obtaining adequate tissue for diagnostic purposes. This requires a
      technique that ensures that the needle can be moved inside the lesion, under
      ultrasound guidance, as widely as possible, as easily as possible, and safely.
      The other variables such as suction, needle type, and stylet use are of secondary
      importance. 

PMID- 24215762
TI  - Techniques for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy.
AB  - Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is the
      method of choice to obtain samples to reach definitive diagnosis of lesions of
      the gastrointestinal tract and of adjacent organs, it cannot fully characterize
      certain neoplasms. The lack of cytology expertise has hindered the dissemination
      of EUS, limiting its widespread use. The obtainment of a tissue specimen through
      EUS fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) may overcome the limitations of EUS-FNA. EUS-FNB
      is expected to move the practice of EUS from cytology to histology, expanding the
      use of EUS and facilitating targeted therapies and monitoring of treatment
      response in a more biologically driven manner. 

PMID- 24215763
TI  - Tips to overcome technical challenges in EUS-guided tissue acquisition.
AB  - The diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA depends on several factors, such as the
      experience of the endosonographer, the characteristics of the lesion, the
      clinical status of the patient, the size and type of needles, the methods of
      specimen preparation, as well as cytopathologist expertise. The endosonographic
      technique can be improved when several tips and tricks useful to overcome
      challenges of FNA are known. Technical challenges of FNA are related to the
      characteristics of the lesion and its surroundings, sonographic imaging, and
      limitations related to the needle. Several tips and tricks necessary to overcome
      them are presented in this review. 

PMID- 24215764
TI  - Pitfalls in EUS FNA.
AB  - Although endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a safe and
      accurate procedure, the diagnostic yield varies. Factors contributing to the
      diagnostic accuracy of EUS FNA include endosonographer and cytopathologist
      experience, EUS image recognition, accurate FNA targeting of the lesion, proper
      specimen collection and handling, use of ancillary techniques, and accurate
      cytologic interpretation. Errors in performance or judgment made before, during,
      or after the procedure may affect the results of the EUS FNA. The authors discuss
      the potential pitfalls of EUS FNA and methods to avoid their occurrence to
      optimize the diagnostic yield, efficiency, and safety of the procedure. 

PMID- 24215765
TI  - Future directions in EUS-guided tissue acquisition.
AB  - Endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration is considered the technique of
      choice for acquisition of tissue in and around the digestive tract. The emergence
      of selective, targeted therapies, directed toward a particular molecular
      characteristic of an individual patient's tumor is driving the need for biomarker
      identification and testing in several cancer types. The technique needs
      improvement to provide more material, in fewer passes, with more flexible, sharp,
      and clearly echovisible needles, and with a similar safety. Another trend is the
      avoidance of tissue acquisition, or a more targeted puncture with the help of
      ancillary techniques, such as optical biopsies with needle-based confocal laser
      endomicroscopy, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and elastography. 

PMID- 24215766
TI  - New methods to obtain better tissue samples with EUS-guided FNA.

PMID- 24215767
TI  - Preface: EUS-guided tissue acquisition.

PMID- 24215768
TI  - A novel osmotic pressure control fed-batch fermentation strategy for improvement
      of erythritol production by Yarrowia lipolytica from glycerol.
AB  - The effect of osmotic pressure on erythritol and mannitol production by an
      osmophilic yeast strain of Yarrowia lipolytica CICC 1675 using glycerol as the
      sole carbon source was investigated. Appropriately high osmotic pressure was
      found to enhance erythritol production and inhibit mannitol formation. A novel
      two-stage osmotic pressure control fed-batch strategy based on the kinetic
      analysis was developed for higher erythritol yield and productivity. During the
      first 96 h, the osmotic pressure was maintained at 4.25 osmol/kg by feeding
      glycerol to reduce the inhibition of cell growth. After 132 h, the osmotic
      pressure was controlled at 4.94 osmol/kg to maintain a high dp(ery)/dt. Maximum
      erythritol yield of 194.3g/L was obtained with 0.95 g/L/h productivity, which
      were 25.7% and 2.2%, respectively, improvement over the best results in one-stage
      fed-batch fermentation. This is the first report that a novel osmotic pressure
      control fed-batch strategy significantly enhanced erythritol production.

PMID- 24215769
TI  - A novel kinetic model for polysaccharide dissolution during atmospheric acetic
      acid pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse.
AB  - Acetic acid (AcH) pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse with the catalysis of
      sulfuric acid (SA) could greatly enhance the enzymatic digestibility of
      cellulose. However, polysaccharide dissolution happened inevitably during the
      pretreatment. It was found that the simplest model, which assumes that the total
      polysaccharides were reactive to be dissolved, could not well describe the
      kinetic behavior of polysaccharide dissolution. A novel pseudo-homogenous kinetic
      model was thus developed by introducing a parameter termed as "potential
      dissolution degree" (delta(d)) based on the multilayered structure of cell wall.
      It was found that solid xylan and glucan dissolutions were a first-order reaction
      with respect to the dissolvable fraction. Due to the delignification action of
      AcH, polysaccharide dissolutions were enhanced in AcH media compared with those
      in aqueous system. Acetylizations of cellulose and sugars were also observed, and
      AcH concentration showed a significant influence on the degree of acetylization.

PMID- 24215770
TI  - The re-use of Waste-Activated Sludge as part of a "zero-sludge" strategy for
      wastewater treatments in the pulp and paper industry.
AB  - The possibility of introducing the thermo-alkali hydrolysis of Waste-Activated
      Sludge (WAS) was investigated, in order to enable the use of its solid residue as
      a raw material in cardboard production and the use of its liquid portion for
      anaerobic digestion in an UASB reactor. The evaluation of the hydrolysis at pH>12
      and T=70 degrees C showed that the microbe cells were disrupted with more than
      90% efficiency in less than 2h. The solid portion was hygienised, therefore
      making it possible to integrate it into the cardboard production as a raw
      material for less demanding cardboards. Up to 6% addition of the liquid portion
      of hydrolysed WAS to wastewater decreased the specific biogas production in a
      pilot-scale UASB from 0.236 to 0.212 m(3)/kg(COD), while the efficiency of the
      COD removal decreased from 80.4% to 76.5%. These values still guarantee an
      adequate treatment of the wastewater and an increased biogas production by 16%.

PMID- 24215772
TI  - High-performance solid-state supercapacitors based on graphene-ZnO hybrid
      nanocomposites.
AB  - In this paper, we report a facile low-cost synthesis of the graphene-ZnO hybrid
      nanocomposites for solid-state supercapacitors. Structural analysis revealed a
      homogeneous distribution of ZnO nanorods that are inserted in graphene
      nanosheets, forming a sandwiched architecture. The material exhibited a high
      specific capacitance of 156 F g-1 at a scan rate of 5 mV.s-1. The fabricated
      solid-state supercapacitor device using these graphene-ZnO hybrid nanocomposites
      exhibits good supercapacitive performance and long-term cycle stability. The
      improved supercapacitance property of these materials could be ascribed to the
      increased conductivity of ZnO and better utilization of graphene. These results
      demonstrate the potential of the graphene-ZnO hybrid nanocomposites as an
      electrode in high-performance supercapacitors. 

PMID- 24215771
TI  - Microbial community composition of a down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor
      combined with an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for the
      treatment of municipal sewage.
AB  - The microbial community composition of a down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor
      in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB)-DHS system used for the treatment
      of municipal sewage was investigated. The clone libraries showed marked
      differences in microbial community composition at different reactor heights and
      in different seasons. The dominant phylotypes residing in the upper part of the
      reactor were likely responsible for removing organic matters because a
      significant reduction in organic matter in the upper part was observed.
      Quantification of the amoA genes revealed that the proportions of ammonia
      oxidizing bacteria (AOB) varied along the vertical length of the reactor, with
      more AOB colonizing the middle and lower parts of the reactor than the top of the
      reactor. The findings indicated that sewage treatment was achieved by a
      separation of microbial habitats responsible for organic matter removal and
      nitrification in the DHS reactor. 

PMID- 24215773
TI  - Methodology and interpretation of acute tryptophan depletion studies.

PMID- 24215775
TI  - Technology-facilitated depression care management among predominantly Latino
      diabetes patients within a public safety net care system: comparative
      effectiveness trial design.
AB  - Health disparities in minority populations are well recognized. Hispanics and
      Latinos constitute the largest ethnic minority group in the United States; a
      significant proportion receives their care via a safety net. The prevalence of
      diabetes mellitus and comorbid depression is high among this group, but the
      uptake of evidence-based collaborative depression care management has been
      suboptimal. The study design and baseline characteristics of the enrolled sample
      in the Diabetes-Depression Care-management Adoption Trial (DCAT) establishes a
      quasi-experimental comparative effectiveness research clinical trial aimed at
      accelerating the adoption of collaborative depression care in safety net clinics.
      The study was conducted in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department
      of Health Services at eight county-operated clinics. DCAT has enrolled 1406 low
      income, predominantly Hispanic/Latino patients with diabetes to test a
      translational model of depression care management. This three-group study
      compares usual care with a collaborative care team support model and a technology
      facilitated depression care model that provides automated telephonic depression
      screening and monitoring tailored to patient conditions and preferences. Call
      results are integrated into a diabetes disease management registry that delivers
      provider notifications, generates tasks, and issues critical alerts. All subjects
      receive comprehensive assessments at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months by
      independent English-Spanish bilingual interviewers. Study outcomes include
      depression outcomes, treatment adherence, satisfaction, acceptance of assessment
      and monitoring technology, social and economic stress reduction, diabetes self
      care management, health care utilization, and care management model cost and cost
      effectiveness comparisons. DCAT's goal is to optimize depression screening,
      treatment, follow-up, outcomes, and cost savings to reduce health disparities.

PMID- 24215774
TI  - Design and implementation of a randomized controlled social and mobile weight
      loss trial for young adults (project SMART).
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the theoretical rationale, intervention design, and clinical
      trial of a two-year weight control intervention for young adults deployed via
      social and mobile media. METHODS: A total of 404 overweight or obese college
      students from three Southern California universities (M(age) = 22( +/- 4) years;
      M(BMI) = 29( +/- 2.8); 70% female) were randomized to participate in the
      intervention or to receive an informational web-based weight loss program. The
      intervention is based on behavioral theory and integrates intervention elements
      across multiple touch points, including Facebook, text messaging, smartphone
      applications, blogs, and e-mail. Participants are encouraged to seek social
      support among their friends, self-monitor their weight weekly, post their health
      behaviors on Facebook, and e-mail their weight loss questions/concerns to a
      health coach. The intervention is adaptive because new theory-driven and
      iteratively tailored intervention elements are developed and released over the
      course of the two-year intervention in response to patterns of use and user
      feedback. Measures of body mass index, waist circumference, diet, physical
      activity, sedentary behavior, weight management practices, smoking, alcohol,
      sleep, body image, self-esteem, and depression occur at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.
      Currently, all participants have been recruited, and all are in the final year of
      the trial. CONCLUSION: Theory-driven, evidence-based strategies for physical
      activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary intake can be embedded in an
      intervention using social and mobile technologies to promote healthy weight
      related behaviors in young adults.

PMID- 24215776
TI  - Challenges and prospects for dengue and malaria control in Thailand, Southeast
      Asia.
AB  - Despite significant advances in the search for potential dengue vaccines and new
      therapeutic schemes for malaria, the control of these diseases remains difficult.
      In Thailand, malaria incidence is falling whereas that of dengue is rising, with
      an increase in the proportion of reported severe cases. In the absence of
      antiviral therapeutic options for acute dengue, appropriate case management
      reduces mortality. However, the interruption of transmission still relies on
      vector control measures that are currently insufficient to curtail the cycle of
      epidemics. Drug resistance in malaria parasites is increasing, compromising
      malaria control and elimination. Deficiencies in our knowledge of vector biology
      and vectorial capacity also hinder public health efforts for vector control.
      Challenges to dengue and malaria control are discussed, and research priorities
      identified. 

PMID- 24215778
TI  - Comparison of PCR and conventional blood culture to analyze blood from dogs with
      suspected sepsis.
AB  - Sepsis carries a poor prognosis in critically ill dogs. PCR-based diagnostics
      could be more sensitive for detecting bacteremia than conventional blood culture,
      allowing earlier initiation of appropriate therapy. Molecular techniques have
      been considered as ancillary tools for detecting bacteremia and identifying
      pathogens in humans and in dogs with bacterial endocarditis. This study compared
      PCR analysis and blood culture for detecting bacteremia in six dogs with
      suspected sepsis and six healthy control dogs. One blood culture from a dog with
      suspected sepsis was positive but none from the healthy controls. PCR was
      negative for extracts from all dogs. This pilot study does not support the
      hypothesis that culture-independent PCR-based techniques used directly on small
      samples of blood are useful for diagnosing bacteremia in dogs with suspected
      sepsis. 

PMID- 24215779
TI  - A loud right-apical systolic murmur is associated with the diagnosis of secondary
      pulmonary arterial hypertension: retrospective analysis of data from 201
      consecutive client-owned dogs (2006-2007).
AB  - Canine pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains under-recognized and under
      treated despite being prevalent. This retrospective study investigated whether
      selected historical and physical examination findings were associated with the
      diagnosis of canine PAH, defined as tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with a confirmed
      systolic pressure gradient >= 35 mm Hg. Two hundred and one client-owned dogs
      (PAH group, n=96; control group, n=105) were studied. Dogs in the control group
      had TR with a confirmed systolic gradient <35 mm Hg. All dogs underwent a
      complete physical examination and a complete echocardiographic assessment. A loud
      systolic right-apical murmur (RAM) was significantly associated with TR >= 35 mm
      Hg. The proportion of dogs with PAH significantly increased as the RAM grade
      increased, with odds ratios of 4.4-37.6 for Grades 3/6-5/6 (P=0.004 to <0.001),
      respectively. A stronger right-than-left apical-murmur had a positive predictive
      value (PPV) of 83% and was 96% specific for TR >= 35 mm Hg, and when combined
      with syncope, it had a PPV of 92% and was 92% specific. A Grade >= 4/6 RAM had a
      PPV of 85% and was 93% specific. Syncope with a Grade >= 4/6 RAM had a PPV of 94%
      and was 92% specific. Ascites combined with a Grade >= 4 or >= 5/6 RAM had a PPV
      of 100% and was 100% specific for TR >= 35 mm Hg. For each of these three murmur
      categories (Grades >= 4/6, >= 5/6, and a louder-right-than-left murmur), when
      detected with no concurrent ascites or syncope, the positive likelihood ratio
      varied from 4.6 to 6.4. A loud systolic RAM in dogs with degenerative valve
      disease is highly suggestive of concurrent PAH.

PMID- 24215777
TI  - Chemical genomics for studying parasite gene function and interaction.
AB  - With the development of new technologies in genome sequencing, gene expression
      profiling, genotyping, and high-throughput screening of chemical compound
      libraries, small molecules are playing increasingly important roles in studying
      gene expression regulation, gene-gene interaction, and gene function. Here we
      briefly review and discuss some recent advancements in drug target identification
      and phenotype characterization using combinations of high-throughput screening of
      small-molecule libraries and various genome-wide methods such as whole-genome
      sequencing, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and genome-wide expression
      analysis. These approaches can be used to search for new drugs against parasite
      infections, to identify drug targets or drug resistance genes, and to infer gene
      function. 

PMID- 24215780
TI  - Blood glucose, acid-base and electrolyte changes during loading doses of alpha2
      adrenergic agonists followed by constant rate infusions in horses.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in blood glucose
      concentration ([Glu]B), acid-base status and electrolyte concentrations during
      constant rate infusions (CRI) of two alpha2-adrenergic agonists in seven horses
      treated in a blinded, randomised, crossover design with xylazine or romifidine.
      An intravenous (IV) bolus of xylazine (1mg/kg) or romifidine (80 MUg/kg) was
      administered followed by an IV CRI of xylazine (0.69 mg/kg/h) or romifidine (30
      MUg/kg/h) for 2h. Blood samples were collected from the pulmonary artery before
      and after loading doses, during the CRI, and for 1h after discontinuing drugs.
      Blood glucose, base excess (BE), pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pv-CO2),
      strong ion difference (SIDest) and bicarbonate concentration ( [Formula: see
      text] ) increased significantly during the CRI with both alpha2-adrenergic
      agonists. Chloride concentration ([Cl(-)]B) and anion-gap (AG) decreased
      significantly compared to baseline. The decrease in sodium concentration
      ([Na(+)]B) was only significant with xylazine. From 1h after starting the CRI
      onwards, [Glu]B was significantly higher with romifidine compared to xylazine.
      Except [Glu]B, SIDest, and Pv-CO2, all variables returned to normal values 1h
      after discontinuing xylazine. After stopping romifidine, all variables except pH
      remained altered for at least 1h. It was concluded that loading doses of alpha2
      adrenergic agonists followed by CRIs produce [Glu]B, acid-base and electrolyte
      changes. The clinical significance of the reported changes remains to be
      investigated and absolute values should be interpreted with caution, as fluid
      boli were used for cardiac output measurements, but may become important during
      prolonged infusion and in critically ill patients.

PMID- 24215781
TI  - Absence of KHDC3L mutations in Chinese patients with recurrent and sporadic
      hydatidiform moles.
AB  - To date, two maternal-effect genes have been shown to play causal roles in
      recurrent hydatidiform moles (RHMs). NLRP7, a major gene for this condition,
      codes for a nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor and is
      mutated in 48 to 60% of patients with RHMs. KHDC3L is a recently identified gene
      that is mutated in 14% of NLRP7-negative patients. We screened KHDC3L for
      mutations in a total of 101 Chinese patients, 15 with at least two hydatidiform
      moles, 16 with at least two reproductive losses including one hydatidiform mole,
      and 70 with one hydatidiform mole and no other form of reproductive loss, but did
      not find any mutation. Our data favor the causal role of KHDC3L in a minority of
      RHM cases, demonstrate its noninvolvement in other forms of reproductive loss,
      and indicate the presence of other unidentified genes that cause or increase
      patients' susceptibility to RHMs in the Chinese population. 

PMID- 24215782
TI  - Review: putative roles for the macrophage migratory inhibitory factor at the
      maternal fetal interface.
AB  - Complex and dynamic networks of molecules participate in the essential
      interactions between maternal organism, placenta and fetus in a healthy and
      successful pregnancy. Macrophage migratory inhibitory factor (MIF) is one of
      several molecules produced at implantation sites; MIF is mostly expressed by
      trophoblast cells. This has led to expectations of MIF's relevance as a partner
      in the maternal/fetal dialog. MIF is known by its biological interactions and
      functional roles as an activator of innate immunity, regulating subsequent
      adaptive responses, which include inhibition of migration of mononuclear cells in
      vitro, antagonism of glucocorticoids, and regulation of expression of Toll-like
      receptor 4. Beyond roles in the inflammatory response, MIF can interfere with
      proliferative activities in different cell types, as well as with cell death
      pathways. This intriguing factor found at the human, porcine, ovine, bovine and
      rodent maternal-fetal interfaces is present in a time- and spatially-dependent
      manner, indicating regulatory roles in the process of embryo implantation,
      placental development, maintenance of pregnancy and birth. Here, we will review
      MIF participation in placental physiology, including new evidence for a dialog
      with uterine cells, and a potential role in protection of uterine decidual cells.

PMID- 24215783
TI  - Gellan gum nanohydrogel containing anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs: a
      multi-drug delivery system for a combination therapy in cancer treatment.
AB  - During the last decades, it has become evident that inflammation plays a critical
      role in tumorigenesis: tumor microenvironment is largely orchestrated by
      inflammatory cells. In the present work, a novel gellan gum nanohydrogel system
      (NH) able to carry and deliver simultaneously anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory
      drugs was developed. Prednisolone was chemically linked to the carboxylic groups
      of gellan gum to serve as a hydrophobic moiety promoting nanohydrogel formation,
      whereas paclitaxel was then physically entrapped in it. NH improved drug
      performances, acting as paclitaxel and prednisolone solubility enhancer and
      favoring the drug uptake in the cells. Moreover, NH allowed an increased
      cytotoxic effect in vitro on several types of cancer cells due to the synergistic
      effect of the combination of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs. Thus, NH
      can be useful in a combination therapy that attacks both, malignant cells and
      tumor inflammatory components. 

PMID- 24215784
TI  - Chronic kidney disease and hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction: the chicken
      or the egg?
AB  - Hormonal derangements at the level of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis are often
      seen with the worsening of kidney function. This may not be surprising given the
      role of the kidney in synthesis, metabolism and elimination of many of these
      hormones. Traditionally, these derangements have been understood as a consequence
      of kidney failure. Conversely, recent evidence points towards the implication of
      such hormonal disorders in the genesis of CKD. In this review we present
      arguments supporting both the role of hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction as
      a consequence of uremic complications and a culprit in disease incidence and
      progression. Focus is given to evidence regarding thyroidal, adrenal and gonadal
      axes. 

PMID- 24215785
TI  - Multidisciplinary strategies in the management of early chronic kidney disease.
AB  - Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide epidemic especially in developing
      countries, with clear deficiencies in identification and treatment. Better care
      of CKD requires more than only economic resources, utilization of health research
      in policy-making and health systems changes that produce better outcomes. A
      multidisciplinary approach may facilitate and improve management of patients from
      early CKD in the primary health-care setting. This approach is a strategy for
      improving comprehensive care, initiating and maintaining healthy behaviors,
      promoting teamwork, eliminating barriers to achieve goals and improving the
      processes of care. A multidisciplinary intervention may include educational
      processes guided by health professional, use of self-help groups and the
      development of a CKD management plan. The complex and fragmented care management
      of patients with CKD, associated with poor outcome, enhances the importance of
      implementing a multidisciplinary approach in the management of this disease from
      the early stages. Multidisciplinary strategies should focus on the needs of
      patients (to increase their empowerment) and should be adapted to the resources
      and health systems prevailing in each country; its systematic implementation can
      help to improve patient care and slow the progression of CKD. 

PMID- 24215786
TI  - Peritoneal fluid transport: mechanisms, pathways, methods of assessment.
AB  - Fluid removal during peritoneal dialysis is controlled by many mutually dependent
      factors and therefore its analysis is more complex than that of the removal of
      small solutes used as markers of dialysis adequacy. Many new tests have been
      proposed to assess quantitatively different components of fluid transport
      (transcapillary ultrafiltration, peritoneal absorption, free water, etc.) and to
      estimate the factors that influence the rate of fluid transport (osmotic
      conductance). These tests provide detailed information about indices and
      parameters that describe fluid transport, especially those concerning the problem
      of the permanent loss of ultrafiltration capacity (ultrafiltration failure).
      Different theories and respective mathematical models of mechanisms and pathways
      of fluid transport are presently discussed and applied, and some fluid transport
      issues are still debated. 

PMID- 24215788
TI  - Retirement of Wolfgang Sachse as Editor-in-Chief of Ultrasonics.

PMID- 24215789
TI  - Challenges in the diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning.
AB  - Ethylene glycol poisoning, while uncommon, is clinically significant due to the
      associated risk of severe morbidity or lethality and it continues to occur in
      many countries around the world. The clinical presentation of ethylene glycol
      toxicity, while classically described in three phases, varies widely and when
      combined with the range of differential diagnoses that must be considered makes
      diagnosis challenging. Early and accurate detection is important in these
      patients, however, as there is a need to start antidotal treatment early to
      prevent serious harm. In this article, we will review the literature and provide
      guidance regarding the diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning. While gas
      chromatography is the gold standard, the usefulness of this test is hampered by
      delays in access due to availability. Consequently, there are several surrogate
      markers that can give an indication of ethylene glycol exposure but these must be
      interpreted with caution and within the clinical context. An in-depth review of
      these tests, particularly the detection of a raised osmolar gap or an raised
      anion gap acidosis, will form the main focus of this article. 

PMID- 24215787
TI  - A patient with medication-resistant epilepsy featuring psychosensorial and
      psychotic symptoms presenting with significant functional improvement on
      psychotherapeutic treatment: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Partial complex epilepsy with psychosensorial and psychotic symptoms
      remains a relatively rare condition that can sometimes be mistaken for an axis I
      psychiatric disorder. There is no specific treatment for this particular type of
      epilepsy, anti-epileptic medication being the cornerstone of therapeutic
      intervention with the occasional addition of neuroleptics. Lack of response to
      anti-epileptic agents is often a sign of poor prognosis and requires risky and
      sometimes invasive interventions with high morbidity for patients. CASE
      PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 21-year-old right-handed Caucasian man of
      French-Canadian descent who was living with his mother immediately before being
      hospitalized in a psychiatric setting for the first time. He seemed obsessed with
      developing new concepts to reach a more 'perfect' existence. He also claimed
      feeling odd sensations in his mind and in his body that could be linked to some
      sort of 'evolutionary' process resulting from spiritual uplift. He reported non
      specific visual hallucinations and what sounded like auditory hallucinations and
      telepathic powers. The first diagnosis was a possible schizophreniform disorder
      and our patient was hospitalized. Shortly afterwards, an electroencephalogram
      showed an important subcortical epileptic activity, compatible with partial
      complex epilepsy with psychosensorial and psychotic symptoms. Despite a negative
      response to medication, symptoms proper to this type of epilepsy were
      substantially alleviated using a psychotherapeutical treatment intended for
      patients with psychotic disorders, namely integrated psychological therapy (IPT).
      Significant functional improvement in our patient has been achieved since then.
      CONCLUSIONS: This case report illustrates that despite a negative response to
      medication, symptoms proper to this type of epilepsy could be substantially
      alleviated using psychotherapeutical treatment modalities. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first time such a finding has been reported in the
      scientific literature. This could open the way for new research themes and
      therapeutic interventions for such patients.

PMID- 24215790
TI  - Sunitinib effects on the radiation response of endothelial and breast tumor
      cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endothelial cells are suggested regulators of tumor response to
      radiation. Anti-vascular targeting agents can enhance tumor response by targeting
      endothelial cells. Here, we have conducted experiments in vitro to discern the
      effects of radiation combined with the anti-angiogenic Sunitinib on endothelial
      (HUVEC) and tumor (MDA-MB-231) cells, and further compared findings to results
      obtained in vivo. METHODS: In vitro and in vivo treatments consisted of single
      dose radiation therapy of 2, 4, 8 or 16 Gy administered alone or in combination
      with bFGF or Sunitinib. In vitro, in situ end labeling (ISEL) was used to assess
      24-hour apoptotic cell death, and clonogenic assays were used to assess long-term
      response. In vivo MDA-MB-231 tumors were grown in CB-17 SCID mice. The vascular
      marker CD31 was used to assess 24-hour acute response while tumor clonogenic
      assays were used to assess long-term tumor cell viability following treatments.
      RESULTS: Using in vitro studies, we observed an enhanced endothelial cell
      response to radiation doses of 8 and 16 Gy when compared to tumor cells.
      Administering Sunitinib alone significantly increased HUVEC cell death, while
      having modest additive effects when combined with radiation. Sunitinib also
      increased tumor cell death when combined with 8 and 16 Gy radiation doses. In
      comparison, we found that the clonogenic response of in vivo treated tumor cells
      more closely resembled that of in vitro treated endothelial cells than in vitro
      treated tumor cells. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the endothelium is an
      important regulator of tumor response to radiotherapy, and that Sunitinib can
      enhance tumor radiosensitivity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
      time that Sunitinib is investigated in combination with radiotherapy on the MDA
      MB-231 breast cancer cell line.

PMID- 24215791
TI  - Sexual interest in children among an online sample of men and women: prevalence
      and correlates.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to explore the extent to which men and women
      in the general population report sexual interest in children and to examine
      distinct developmental experiences associated with self-reported sexual interest.
      Participants (262 females and 173 males) were recruited online and completed a
      questionnaire assessing sexual interest and adverse childhood experiences. Among
      men, 6% indicated some likelihood of having sex with a child if they were
      guaranteed they would not be caught or punished, as did 2% of women. Nine percent
      of males and 3% of females indicated some likelihood of viewing child pornography
      on the Internet. Overall, nearly 10% of males and 4% of females reported some
      likelihood of having sex with children or viewing child pornography. Males and
      females with any sexual interest in children reported higher likelihoods of
      engaging in other antisocial or criminal behaviors and also reported more
      dysfunctional childhoods (i.e., histories of sexual abuse, insecure parent-child
      attachments). Theoretical implications of the findings and suggestions for
      preventing the sexual victimization of children are provided. 

PMID- 24215792
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA variations associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary disorder, characterized by
      unexplained hypertrophy of the left ventricle that frequently involved in the
      inter-ventricular septum. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and haplogroups
      have been found to be associated with several diseases. Therefore, in the present
      study, we have sequenced the complete mtDNA of 114 clinically well-characterized
      HCM patients to look for the role of mtDNA variations and haplogroups in HCM
      phenotype among Indian patients. Complete mtDNA analysis revealed 28 novel
      variations, 25 disease-associated and 50 private mutations. We found 13 (11.40%)
      HCM patients having novel non-synonymous and/or MT-tRNA variations, of which two
      (m.4797C>M and m.8728T>Y) were in heteroplasmic condition. In silico prediction
      showed that a few mutations are pathogenic, which may affect the energy
      production in the heart. Unlike some of the other studies, we did not find
      association of mitochondrial haplogroup with HCM. 

PMID- 24215794
TI  - How much evidence is required for a paradigm shift in mental health?

PMID- 24215793
TI  - Insulin resistance alters islet morphology in nondiabetic humans.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes is characterized by poor glucose uptake in metabolic tissues and
      manifests when insulin secretion fails to cope with worsening insulin resistance.
      In addition to its effects on skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue
      metabolism, it is evident that insulin resistance also affects pancreatic beta
      cells. To directly examine the alterations that occur in islet morphology as part
      of an adaptive mechanism to insulin resistance, we evaluated pancreas samples
      obtained during pancreatoduodenectomy from nondiabetic subjects who were insulin
      resistant or insulin-sensitive. We also compared insulin sensitivity, insulin
      secretion, and incretin levels between the two groups. We report an increased
      islet size and an elevated number of beta- and alpha-cells that resulted in an
      altered beta-cell-to-alpha-cell area in the insulin- resistant group. Our data in
      this series of studies suggest that neogenesis from duct cells and
      transdifferentiation of alpha-cells are potential contributors to the beta-cell
      compensatory response to insulin resistance in the absence of overt diabetes. 

PMID- 24215796
TI  - The role of allopregnanolone in depression and anxiety.
AB  - Neuroactive steroids such as allopregnanolone do not only act as transcriptional
      factors in the regulation of gene expression after intracellular back-oxidation
      into the 5-alpha pregnane steroids but may also alter neuronal excitability
      through interactions with specific neurotransmitter receptors. In particular,
      certain 3alpha-reduced metabolites of progesterone such as 3alpha,5alpha
      tetrahydroprogesterone (allopregnanolone) and 3alpha,5beta-tetrahydroprogesterone
      (pregnanolone) are potent positive allosteric modulators of the GABA(A) receptor
      complex. During the last years, the downregulation of neurosteroid biosynthesis
      has been intensively discussed to be a possible contributor to the development of
      anxiety and depressive disorder. Reduced levels of allopregnanolone in the
      peripheral blood or cerebrospinal fluid were found to be associated with major
      depression, anxiety disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, negative symptoms
      in schizophrenia, or impulsive aggression. The importance of allopregnanolone for
      the regulation of emotion and its therapeutical use in depression and anxiety may
      not only involve GABAergic mechanisms, but probably also includes enhancement of
      neurogenesis, myelination, neuroprotection, and regulatory effects on HPA axis
      function. Certain pharmacokinetic obstacles limit the therapeutic use of natural
      neurosteroids (low bioavailability, oxidation to the ketone). Until now synthetic
      neuroactive steroids could not be established in the treatment of anxiety
      disorders or depression. However, the translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) which
      is important for neurosteroidogenesis has been identified as a potential novel
      target. TSPO ligands such as XBD 173 increase neurosteroidogenesis and have
      anxiolytic effects with a favorable side effect profile.

PMID- 24215797
TI  - The international view of envenoming in Brazil: myths and realities.
AB  - Being distant from Brazil's great natural diversity, from its long tradition in
      the study of snakebites and from the fact that it is one of the few countries
      which has a national information system for monitoring incidents involving
      venomous animals, non-Brazilian researchers face risks when estimating the
      incidence of these accidents in the country. The present work offers a critical
      review of the main estimates undertaken since 1954. It is interesting to note
      contradictions between textual and graphic information within the same article,
      variations over time in the work of a same researcher and differences among
      distinct authors, and that all these issues remain unmentioned or undiscussed.
      Comparison among such estimates and the data available at the Brazilian
      Information System on Diseases of Compulsory Declaration (Sistema de Informacao
      de Agravos de Notificacao - SINAN) creates an opportunity to identify the degree
      of imprecision present in those articles, and draws attention to the need for the
      production of studies at both the regional and national levels, based on concrete
      data collected at national, state and municipal levels, which has been available
      on the internet since 2001. 

PMID- 24215798
TI  - Epidemiology and genetic diversity of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in East
      Africa.
AB  - Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an emerging problem in many parts of
      the world, and levels of MDR-TB among new TB patients are increasing in sub
      Saharan Africa. We reviewed the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of MDR-TB
      in East Africa, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. In 16
      epidemiologic surveys, the prevalence of MDR among new cases ranges from 0.4% in
      Tanzania to 4.4% in Uganda, and among recurrent cases ranges from 3.9% in
      Tanzania to 17.7% in Uganda. There is a gap of 5948 cases between the estimated
      number of MDR-TB cases in East Africa and the number actually diagnosed. The only
      confirmed risk factors for MDR-TB are prior treatment for TB and refugee status.
      HIV has not been reported as a risk factor, and there are no reports of
      statistical association between spoligotype and drug resistance pattern.
      Increased capacity for diagnosis and treatment of MDR-TB is needed, with an
      emphasis on recurrent TB cases and refugees. 

PMID- 24215799
TI  - Orexin in sleep, addiction and more: is the perfect insomnia drug at hand?
AB  - Orexins A and B (hypocretins 1 and 2) and their two receptors (OX1R and OX2R)
      were discovered in 1998 by two different groups. Orexin A and B are derived from
      the differential processing of a common precursor, the prepro-orexin peptide. The
      neuropeptides are expressed in a few thousand cells located in the lateral
      hypothalamus (LH), but their projections and receptor distribution are widespread
      throughout the brain. Remarkably, prepro peptide and double (OX1R/OX2R) receptor
      knock out (KO) mice reproduce a sleep phenotype known in humans and dogs as
      narcolepsy/cataplexy. In humans, this disease is characterized by the absence of
      orexin producing cells in the LH, and severely depleted levels of orexin the
      cerebrospinal fluid. Null mutation of the individual OX1R or OX2R in mice
      substantially ameliorates the narcolepsy/cataplexy phenotype compared to the
      OX1R/OX2R KO, and highlights specific roles of the individual receptors in sleep
      architecture, the OX1R KO demonstrating an a attenuated sleep phenotype relative
      to the OX2R KO. It has therefore been suggested that orexin is a master regulator
      of the sleep-wake cycle, with high activity of the LH orexin cells during wake
      and almost none during sleep. Less than 10years later, the first orexin
      antagonist, almorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA), was reported to
      be effective in inducing sleep in volunteers and insomnia patients. Although
      development was stopped for almorexant and for Glaxo's DORA SB-649868, no less
      than 4 orexin receptor antagonists have reached phase II for insomnia, including
      Filorexant (MK-6096) and Suvorexant (MK-4305) from Merck. Suvorexant has since
      progressed to Phase III and dossier submission to the FDA. These four compounds
      are reported as DORAs, however, they equilibrate very slowly at one and/or the
      other orexin receptor, and thus at equilibrium may show more or less selectivity
      for OX1R or OX2R. The appropriate balance of antagonism of the two receptors for
      sleep is a point of debate, although in rodent models OX2R antagonism alone
      appears sufficient to induce sleep, whereas OX1R antagonism is largely devoid of
      this effect. Orexin is involved in a number of other functions including reward
      and feeding, where OX1R (possibly OX2R) antagonists display anti-addictive
      properties in rodent models of alcohol, smoking, and drug self-administration.
      However, despite early findings in feeding and appetite control, orexin receptor
      antagonists have not produced the anticipated effects in models of increased food
      intake or obesity in rodents, nor have they shown marked effects on weight in the
      existing clinical trials. The role of orexin in a number of other domains such as
      pain, mood, anxiety, migraine and neurodegenerative diseases is an active area of
      research. The progress of the orexin field is thus extraordinary, and the
      community awaits the clinical testing of more receptor selective antagonists in
      sleep and other disorders, as well as that of orexin agonists, with the latter
      expected to produce positive outcomes in narcolepsy/cataplexy and other
      conditions. 

PMID- 24215800
TI  - Neuropeptides and hippocampal neurogenesis.
AB  - Hippocampal neurogenesis is important for modulating the behavioural responses to
      stress and for certain forms of learning and memory. The mechanisms underlying
      the necessary coupling of neuronal activity to neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC)
      function remain poorly understood. Within the dentate subgranular stem cell
      niche, local interneurons appear to play an important part in this excitation
      neurogenesis coupling via GABAergic transmission, which promotes neuronal
      differentiation and integration. Neuropeptides such as neuropeptide Y (NPY),
      vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and galanin have emerged as important
      mediators for signalling local and extrinsic interneuronal activity to
      subgranular zone precursors. Here we review the distribution of these
      neuropeptides and their receptors in the neurogenic area of the hippocampus and
      their precise effects on hippocampal neurogenesis. We also discuss neuropeptides'
      potential involvement in functional aspects of hippocampal neurogenesis
      particularly their involvement in the modulation of learning and memory and
      behavior responses. 

PMID- 24215801
TI  - Increasing the number of chews before swallowing reduces meal size in normal
      weight, overweight, and obese adults.
AB  - Eating slowly contributes to a lower risk of obesity, probably because it could
      aid appetite control. Chewing thoroughly is an effective strategy to reduce
      eating rate; however, insufficient data are available to demonstrate the
      relationship between such an eating behavior and energy intake. To investigate
      the effect of increasing the number of chews before swallowing on meal size, a
      randomized cross-over trial was conducted in 18- to 45-year-old normal-weight,
      overweight, and obese participants (n=45) who were recruited from the local
      community (Ames, IA). After assessment of baseline number of chews, participants
      were asked to attend three test sessions to eat pizza for lunch until comfortably
      full by chewing each portion of food either 100%, 150%, or 200% of their baseline
      number of chews before swallowing. Two-way analysis of variance was used to test
      the effect of treatment and body-weight status, as well as their interactions on
      food intake, meal duration, eating rate, and appetite at meal termination.
      Appetite data during 60 minutes were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of
      variance. Food intake in the sessions with 150% and 200% of their baseline number
      of chews was reduced significantly, by 9.5% and 14.8%, respectively, compared
      with the 100% session. Increasing the number of chews also prolonged meal
      duration and reduced eating rate. However, subjective appetite at meal
      termination or during the immediate postprandial period did not differ. These
      data indicate that increasing the number of chews before swallowing might be a
      behavioral strategy to reduce food intake and potentially aid body-weight
      management.

PMID- 24215802
TI  - Pupil size and anisocoria in children measured by the plusoptiX photoscreener.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate pupil size and the incidence of anisocoria in children at
      a single community-based practice using the plusoptiX A04 and A09 photoscreeners
      (plusoptiX GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany). METHODS: The medical records of consecutive
      patients <1 to 17 years of age who had received a comprehensive ophthalmological
      examination that included photoscreening with the plusoptiX were retrospectively
      reviewed. Data collected included sizes of both pupils, age, sex, laterality, and
      magnitude of anisocoria. RESULTS: A total of 1,306 patient records were reviewed.
      Of these, 1,057 (80.9%) had 0-0.4 mm of anisocoria; 219 (16.8%), 0.5-0.9 mm; 20
      (1.5%), 1.0-1.4 mm; and 10 (0.8%), >=1.5 mm. Magnitude of anisocoria appears to
      increase with age (P = 0.0073). Pupil size and age were positively correlated (P
      < 0.0001), that is, older children had larger pupils. Average pupil size of
      children <1 year of age was 5.0 mm; of children >=16 years of age, 6.1 mm. When
      sorted into age buckets of 0-3, 4-7, 8-11, 12-15, and 16-17, this increase
      becomes apparent. There is no significant relationship between pupil size and sex
      (P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Our study of 1,306 children shows that pupil size
      increases through childhood, and that 19.1% of children in a clinical population
      have anisocoria >0.4 mm.

PMID- 24215803
TI  - Preoperative cataract surgery use of an intravitreal dexamethasone implant
      (Ozurdex) in a patient with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and chronic anterior
      uveitis.
AB  - We report a 6-year-old boy with anterior uveitis associated with juvenile
      idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who underwent cataract extraction in his right eye.
      One month before surgery he received an intravitreal sustained-release
      dexamethasone implant. During 10 months' follow-up, his uveitis remained quiet.
      To our knowledge this is the first report using an intravitreal sustained-release
      dexamethasone implant as a perioperative anti-inflammatory medication. 

PMID- 24215804
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23791404.

PMID- 24215805
TI  - Management of large V-pattern exotropia with minimal or no inferior oblique
      overaction.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of patients with large V-pattern exotropia and
      minimal inferior overaction who underwent bilateral lateral rectus recession
      combined with full-tendon-width upward transposition of the lateral rectus
      muscles or bilateral inferior oblique myectomy. METHODS: The medical records of
      consecutive patients with V-pattern exotropia (at least 20(Delta) greater in
      upgaze than in downgaze) with minimal inferior oblique overaction who underwent
      either of the above procedures and who had at least 6 months' follow-up were
      retrospectively reviewed. Pre- and postoperative ductions, versions, pattern
      strabismus, stereoacuity and fundus torsion were analyzed. Success was defined as
      esophoria <8(Delta)/tropia <=5(Delta) to exophoria/tropia <=8(Delta) in primary
      gaze. RESULTS: A successful outcome was achieved in 9 patients (56%) in the
      transposition group and 13 (72%) in the myectomy group (P = 0.48). Reduction of V
      pattern to <10(Delta) was achieved in 7 cases (44%) in the transposition group
      and 14 (78%) in the myectomy group (P = 0.04), with mean reductions of 16(Delta)
      +/- 5(Delta) and 25(Delta) +/- 5(Delta), respectively (P = 0.03). In the myectomy
      group, 4 patients (22%) had overcorrection with consecutive A patterns of
      2(Delta)-6(Delta). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a V pattern exotropia and
      minimal inferior oblique over action, bilateral lateral rectus recessions plus
      bilateral inferior oblique myectomy can successfully eliminate the V pattern but
      the surgery may occasionally result in overcorrection with consecutive A pattern.

PMID- 24215806
TI  - Pediatric traumatic hyphema: a review of 138 consecutive cases.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the demographics and outcomes in children (<18 years of age)
      who developed hyphema from ocular trauma and were subsequently cared for at a
      tertiary medical center. METHODS: The medical records of consecutive patients
      seen at Children's Hospital Colorado diagnosed with traumatic hyphema between
      September 1, 2003, and December 31, 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. The
      following data were recorded: patient age, parent/guardian-reported ethnicity,
      sex, injury location, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure (IOP) at
      presentation and follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 138 cases of unilateral hyphema
      were included, with 88% occurring in boys (mean age, 10.1 years; range, 1-19).
      Over 90% of injuries occurred in the home setting, with the most common
      mechanisms of injury being general play, projectiles from guns, and sports
      injuries occurring during games or practice. Only 3 patients had visual acuity
      <20/40 at 1 month's follow-up, and no patient experienced a rebleeding event.
      Most of the 33 patients with elevated IOP were managed medically; 4 (12%)
      required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of children with traumatic hyphema in
      this patient cohort were injured in the home setting. Very few patients underwent
      surgery for ocular hypertension, but higher IOP at presentation was associated
      with the need for surgical intervention. Outpatient care with activity
      restriction and topical medications usually led to resolution of hyphema without
      serious complications or visual loss.

PMID- 24215807
TI  - Retinal hemorrhage and brain injury patterns on diffusion-weighted magnetic
      resonance imaging in children with head trauma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate associations between retinal hemorrhage severity and hypoxic
      ischemic brain injury (HII) patterns by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance
      imaging (DW-MRI) in young children with head trauma. METHODS: DW-MRI images of a
      consecutive cohort study of children under age 3 years with inflicted or
      accidental head trauma who had eye examinations were analyzed by two independent
      masked examiners for type, severity, and location of primary lesions attributable
      to trauma, HII secondary to trauma, and mixed injury patterns. Retinal hemorrhage
      was graded retrospectively on a scale from 1 (none) to 5 (severe). RESULTS:
      Retinal hemorrhage score was 3-5 in 6 of 7 patients with predominantly post
      traumatic HII pattern and 4 of 32 who had traumatic injury without HII (P <
      0.001) on DW-MRI imaging. Severe retinal hemorrhage was observed in absence of
      HII but only in inflicted injury. Retinal hemorrhage severity was correlated with
      HII severity (rho = 0.53, P < 0.001) but not traumatic injury severity (rho = 
      0.10, P = 0.50). HII severity was associated with retinal hemorrhage score 3-5 (P
      = 0.01), but traumatic injury severity was not (P = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: During
      inflicted head injury, a distinct type of trauma occurs causing more global brain
      injury with HII and more severe retinal hemorrhages. HII is not a necessary
      factor for severe retinal hemorrhage to develop from inflicted trauma.

PMID- 24215808
TI  - Risk factors influencing the outcome of strabismus surgery following retinal
      detachment surgery with scleral buckle.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine factors associated with surgical success in patients
      undergoing strabismus surgery after retinal detachment repair with scleral
      buckle. METHODS: The medical records of consecutive patients who underwent
      strabismus surgery after repair of retinal detachment with scleral buckle were
      retrospectively reviewed. A successful "motor" outcome was defined as horizontal
      deviation <10(Delta) and vertical deviation <4(Delta) in the primary position;
      successful "sensory" outcome was no diplopia in the primary position. Various
      factors such as removing the scleral buckle at the time of strabismus surgery,
      the macula structural status, size of the preoperative deviation, presence of
      restriction to passive movement, and whether the eye with the scleral buckle was
      the operated eye were compared among groups based on motor success. RESULTS: A
      total of 25 patients were included. The overall motor success rate was 72% after
      1.8 +/- 0.9 operations, with 62% of patients diplopia free in the primary
      position. Horizontal deviation <10(Delta) (P = 0.005) and minimal restriction on
      forced duction test were associated with motor success after the first surgery (P
      = 0.05). Partial or entire scleral buckle removal (n = 15) and fellow-eye surgery
      were not significantly correlated with motor success in our cohort. There were no
      retinal redetachments after scleral buckle removal. CONCLUSIONS: A small
      preoperative horizontal deviation, and minimally restricted ocular rotations were
      associated with better results. Removing the scleral buckle did not improve
      results.

PMID- 24215810
TI  - Modulating caspase activity: beyond the active site.
AB  - Caspases are a family of aspartate-specific cysteine proteases that regulate
      cellular homeostasis through the mediation of apoptosis and inflammation. Despite
      keen interest in caspases as therapeutic targets for cancer, inflammatory, and
      neurodegenerative diseases, no active-site directed small molecule has yet
      succeeded in navigating human clinical trials. At the same time, recent
      biochemical and biophysical studies have revealed caspases to be highly dynamic
      proteases possessing a remarkable diversity of activation mechanisms. In
      addition, many caspases possess an allosteric circuit linking key active site
      loops with a distal allosteric site located at the dimer interface. Accordingly,
      small molecule binding at this allosteric site directly impacts structural
      organization of the active site and thus catalytic activity. Both cysteine
      tethered and non-covalent reversible small molecules have recently been
      identified for these allosteric sites, with binding producing a variety of
      functional effects. Surprising new examples of caspase modulation have also been
      described recently, including a small molecule that binds caspase-6-substrate
      complexes uncompetitively and a short peptide that stabilizes an inactive,
      tetrameric form of procaspase-6. The confluence of recent biochemical,
      biophysical and pharmacological data has revealed exciting new avenues for the
      modulation of caspase activity via binding beyond the active site. 

PMID- 24215809
TI  - The proinsulin/insulin (PI/I) ratio is reduced by postprandial targeting therapy
      in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a small-scale clinical study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An elevated PI/I ratio is attributable to increased secretory demand
      on beta-cells. However, the effect of postprandial targeting therapy on
      proinsulin level is unknown. We evaluated the metabolic effect of glinide and
      sulfonylurea (SU) using the meal tolerance test (MTT). METHODS: MTT was applied
      to previously untreated Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) subjects. Twenty-two
      participants were given a test meal (450 kcal). Plasma glucose and insulin were
      measured at 0 (fasting), 30, 60, 120, and 180 min. Serum proinsulin and C-peptide
      immunoreactivity (CPR) were measured at 0 and 120 min. Postprandial profile was
      assessed at baseline and following 3 months treatment with either mitiglinide or
      glimepiride. RESULTS: Plasma glucose level at 30, 60, 120, and 180 min was
      significantly improved by mitiglinide. Whereas, glimepiride showed a significant
      improve plasma glucose at 0, 180 min. Peak IRI shifted from 120 to 30 min by
      mitiglinide treatment. The pattern of insulin secretion was not changed by
      glimepiride treatment. Whereas mitiglinide did not affect the PI/I ratio,
      glimepiride tended to increase the PI/I ratio. Moreover, although mitiglinide did
      not affect PI/I ratio as a whole, marked reduction was noted in some patients
      treated by mitiglinide. PI/I ratio was reduced significantly in the responder
      group. The responder subgroup exhibited less insulin resistance and higher
      insulinogenic index at baseline than non-responders. Moreover, the triglyceride
      level of responders was significantly lower than that of non-responders.
      CONCLUSIONS: Mitiglinide improved postprandial insulin secretion pattern and
      thereby suppressed postprandial glucose spike. In T2DM patients with low insulin
      resistance and low triglyceride, mitiglinide recovered impaired beta-cell
      function from the viewpoint of the PI/I ratio. TRIAL REGISTRATION UMIN-CTR:
      UMIN000010467.

PMID- 24215812
TI  - The VANILLA sensor as a beam monitoring device for X-ray radiation therapy.
AB  - Cancer treatments such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) require
      increasingly complex methods to verify the accuracy and precision of the
      treatment delivery. In vivo dosimetry based on measurements made in an electronic
      portal imaging device (EPID) has been demonstrated. The distorting effect of the
      patient anatomy on the beam intensity means it is difficult to separate changes
      in patient anatomy from changes in the beam intensity profile. Alternatively,
      upstream detectors scatter and attenuate the beam, changing the energy spectrum
      of the beam, and generate contaminant radiation such as electrons. We used the
      VANILLA device, a Monolithic Active Pixel Sensor (MAPS), to measure the 2D beam
      profile of a 6 MV X-ray beam at Bristol Hospital in real-time in an upstream
      position to the patient without clinically significant disturbance of the beam
      (0.1% attenuation). MAPSs can be made very thin (~20 MUm) with still a very good
      signal-to-noise performance. The VANILLA can reconstruct the collimated beam edge
      with approximately 64 MUm precision.

PMID- 24215811
TI  - Postmortem detection of 25I-NBOMe [2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2
      methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine] in fluids and tissues determined by high
      performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry from a traumatic
      death.
AB  - We present a traumatic fatality of a 19-year-old man who had ingested blotter
      paper containing 25I-NBOMe [2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2
      methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine]. Postmortem specimens were analyzed by high
      performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS).
      Toxicology findings for fluids based upon blood or urine calibrators were as
      follows: peripheral blood, 405 pg/mL; heart blood, 410 pg/mL; urine, 2.86 ng/mL;
      and vitreous humor, 99 pg/mL. While findings based upon the method of standard
      additions were: gastric contents, 7.1 MUg total; bile, 10.9 ng/g; brain, 2.54
      ng/g and liver, 7.2 ng/g. To our knowledge the presented case is the first
      postmortem case of 25I-NBOMe intoxication documented by toxicological analysis of
      tissues and body fluids.

PMID- 24215813
TI  - Investigation of the relationships between seismic activities and radon level in
      western Turkey.
AB  - The distribution of radon activity is determined from pre-earthquake data.
      Analysis using Normal, Gamma, Weibull and Rayleigh distributions indicates that
      the variation of radon levels in seismically active regions is best described by
      a normal distribution. It was observed that radon levels would change in
      compressive fault lines prior to earthquake. Besides that it tended to increase
      before the earthquake and then decrease towards the time of earthquake
      occurrences. 

PMID- 24215814
TI  - Activation cross-sections of long lived products of deuteron induced nuclear
      reactions on dysprosium up to 50 MeV.
AB  - Activation cross-sections for production of (162m,161,155)Ho, (165,159,157,155)Dy
      and (161,160,156,155)Tb radionuclides in deuteron induced nuclear reactions on
      elemental dysprosium were measured up to 50 MeV for practical application and the
      test of the predictive power of nuclear reaction model codes. A stacked-foil
      irradiation technique and off-line gamma-ray spectrometry were used to determine
      the activities. No earlier cross-section data were found in the literature. The
      experimental data are compared with the predictions of the ALICE-D, EMPIRE-D and
      TALYS codes. Integral production yields were calculated from the fitted
      experimental data.

PMID- 24215815
TI  - Activation cross-sections of deuteron induced reactions on (nat)Gd up to 50 MeV.
AB  - Activation cross-sections are presented for the first time for
      (nat)Gd(d,xn)(161,160,156(m+)), (154,154m1,154m2,153,152(m+),151(m+))Tb,
      (nat)Gd(d,x)(159,153,151)Gd and (nat)Gd(d,x)(156)Eu reactions from their
      respective thresholds up to 50 MeV. The cross-sections were measured by the
      stacked-foil irradiation technique and by using high resolution gamma-ray
      spectrometry. The measured values were compared with the results of theoretical
      models calculated by the computer codes ALICE-D, EMPIRE-D and TALYS (data from
      TENDL library). Integral yields of the reaction products were deduced from the
      excitation functions.

PMID- 24215816
TI  - A survey of medical students on their attitudes towards face transplantation.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess and analyse the attitudes of medical students
      towards face transplantation. Medical students at the University of Cape Town
      were prospectively surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. There were
      402 participants; the mean age was 21 years (range 16-37 years), 35% were male
      and 65% were female. Only 12% were registered organ donors and 33% were
      interested in a surgical career. Two thirds of the respondents were in favour of
      face transplantation. Registered organ donors were the most willing to donate
      their face in the event of brain death (P = 0.00). Seventy-four percent of the
      respondents stated 'identity issues' as their main concern and 33% mentioned cost
      as a critical factor when considering the procedure. Personal experience with
      facial disfigurement and involvement in the care of a patient with facial
      disfigurement did not affect the willingness to donate or accept a face
      transplant, or the amount of support for the procedure (P > 0.05). This is the
      first study that exclusively describes the attitudes of medical students towards
      face transplantation.

PMID- 24215817
TI  - Identification of the relationships between sagittal plane and coronal plane
      curvature in guppy models.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between sagittal plane and coronal plane
      curvatures in guppies by investigating the curvature angles of sagittal and
      sagittal-coronal guppies. METHODS: After mating between 1000 spinal curvature
      guppies, 124 guppies (3-month old) were screened from progenies for the present
      study. Photos of all fishes were taken and the sagittal and coronal angles were
      calculated via angle measure tool of Photoshop 12.0 software. All data were
      analyzed by SPSS 11.0. RESULTS: In sagittal and sagittal-coronal curvature
      guppies, there was a significant linear correlation between sagittal angles and
      coronal angles. In 48 sagittal-coronal curvatures, their sagittal angles were
      above 40 degrees , meanwhile, in 76 sagittal guppies, their sagittal angles were
      mostly below 40 degrees . CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that the
      occurrence of coronal curvature might be later than sagittal curvature and could
      be influenced by other factors. Sagittal angles 40 degrees  might be involved in
      the onset of coronal curvature.

PMID- 24215818
TI  - Overman rearrangement and Pomeranz-Fritsch reaction for the synthesis of
      benzoazepinoisoquinolones to discover novel antitumor agents.
AB  - The B-ring of Benzoazepinoisoquinolones 1a-b was successfully constructed by
      Pomeranz-Fritsch reaction. The key intermediates 5a-b could be transformed from
      9a-b via Overman rearrangement. The bioassay showed that 11 compounds are more
      active than sorafenib (IC50 = 7.56 MUM) against A375 melanoma cell line, among
      which 1a, 5a, 8a and 10c with IC50 values of 0.59, 0.20, 0.17 and 0.11 MUM,
      respectively, showed potent cytotoxicity close to or even stronger than the anti
      melanoma drug vemurafenib (IC50 = 0.18 MUM). In addition, 5a, 8a and 10c are more
      active than both vemurafenib and sorafenib on HCT116 colon cell line (IC50
      values: 0.86, 0.65, 0.42, >30 and 5.65 MUM for 5a, 8a, 10c, vemurafenib and
      sorafenib). Therefore, these compounds are promising candidates for further drug
      development.

PMID- 24215819
TI  - Identification of sulfonic acids as efficient ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitors.
AB  - Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) is well known for its implication in cancer.
      Inhibition of ecto-5'-nucleotidases is thought to provide an attractive approach
      to cancer therapy. This study identifies sulfonic acid compounds as efficient
      inhibitors of ecto-5'-nucleotidases. The compounds were tested against
      recombinant human and rat ecto-5'-nucleotidases. The most potent new sulfonic
      acid inhibitor 6-amino-4-hydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid (1) of ecto-5'
      nucleotidase had an IC50 of 1.32 +/- 0.09 MUM for the human and 10.4 +/- 3.3 MUM
      for the rat enzyme. Generally, all compounds were more active against the human
      enzyme. Plausible binding mode models were developed for this new class of
      inhibitors. Furthermore, several sulfonic acid inhibitors were efficient
      cytotoxic agents when tested on H157 cancer cell lines. Hence, new ecto-5'
      nucleotidases inhibitors displayed significant potential for further development
      as compounds for anti-cancer therapy.

PMID- 24215820
TI  - Bimanual coordination with three hands: is the mirror hand of any help?
AB  - The mirror paradigm has been used extensively both as a research tool for
      studying kinesthesia in healthy individuals and as a therapeutic tool for
      improving recovery and/or alleviating symptoms in patients. The present study of
      healthy participants assessed the contribution of the mirror paradigm to motor
      control in a bimanual coordination task performed under sensorimotor disturbance
      conditions. In Experiment 1, the participants were required to produce
      symmetrical circles with both hands/arms at the same time. In Experiment 2, the
      task consisted of synchronous extension-flexion movements of both arms in the
      sagittal plane. These tasks were performed under four different visual
      conditions: (i) mirror vision (i.e. with the non-dominant arm reflected in a
      mirror--the third hand--and the dominant arm hidden), (ii) full vision (i.e. both
      arms visible), (iii) with only the non-dominant arm visible and (iv) with the
      eyes closed. In Experiments 1 and 2, sensorimotor disturbance was applied to the
      participant's dominant arm by co-vibrating antagonistic muscles (the biceps and
      the triceps). In the complex circle drawing task, bimanual performance was better
      in the mirror condition than when participants saw their non-dominant arm only.
      However, motor performance in the mirror vision condition was little better than
      in the eyes closed condition, regardless of whether or not sensorimotor
      disturbance was applied. In Experiment 2, there were no differences between the
      "eyes closed" and "mirror vision" conditions. Although mirror reflection of one
      arm has been shown to induce consistent, vivid, perceptual illusions (kinesthetic
      illusion), our results suggest that it is less effective in modulating motor
      behavior.

PMID- 24215821
TI  - Anaerostipes rhamnosivorans sp. nov., a human intestinal, butyrate-forming
      bacterium.
AB  - A novel butyrate-producing bacterium, strain 1y-2(T), was isolated from a stool
      sample of a 1-year-old, healthy Dutch infant. The isolate was obtained by using
      lactate and acetate as sources of carbon and energy. The strain was Gram
      variable, strictly anaerobic and spore-forming and formed curly rod-shaped cells
      that fermented glucose into butyrate, lactate, formate and acetate as main
      products. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 44.5 mol% and its major cellular
      fatty acids were C12:0, iso-C19:1 I and C16:0. Strain 1y-2(T) was related to
      Anaerostipes caccae DSM 14662(T) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, with
      3% divergence, but hybridization studies of their genomic DNA revealed only 33%
      relatedness. Moreover, strain 1y-2(T) showed marked physiological and biochemical
      differences from known species of the genus Anaerostipes. Based on phylogenetic,
      chemotypic and phenotypic criteria, we propose that strain 1y-2(T) should be
      classified in the genus Anaerostipes within a novel species, Anaerostipes
      rhamnosivorans sp. nov. The type strain is 1y-2(T) ( = DSM 26241(T) = KCTC
      15316(T)).

PMID- 24215822
TI  - Meiothermus terrae sp. nov., isolated from a geothermally heated soil sample.
AB  - A Gram-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated strain YIM 77755(T), was isolated
      from a geothermally heated soil sample collected at Rehai National Park,
      Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west China. Cells of the strain were rod-shaped
      and colonies were yellow and circular. Growth occurred in 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH
      6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 35-55  degrees C (optimum, 50  degrees C). The
      predominant menaquinone was MK-8 and the DNA G+C content was 68.9 mol%. Major
      fatty acids (>10 %) were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The polar lipids
      consisted of an uncharacterized phospholipid and four glycolipids. Based on 16S
      rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain YIM 77755(T) formed a cluster with
      Meiothermus chliarophilus ALT-8(T) and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence
      similarity to M. chliarophilus ALT-8(T) (98.23 %). DNA-DNA relatedness between
      YIM 77755(T) and M. chliarophilus DSM 9957(T) was 54.9+/-4.1 %. On the basis of
      the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics as well as genotypic data,
      it is proposed that strain YIM 77755(T) represents a novel species of the genus
      Meiothermus, named Meiothermus terrae sp. nov. The type strain is YIM 77755(T) (
      = DSM 26712(T) = CCTCC AB 2012942(T)). 

PMID- 24215823
TI  - Pseudoxanthomonas wuyuanensis sp. nov., isolated from saline-alkali soil.
AB  - A bacterium, designated XC21-2(T), was isolated from a saline-alkaline soil
      sample from China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile and grew
      optimally at 35-37  degrees C, pH 6.0-7.0 and in the presence of 0.5% (w/v) NaCl.
      Growth occurred in the range pH 5.5-9.0 and in the presence of up to 4 % (w/v)
      NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 :
      1omega9c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine,
      phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an uncharacterized amino-group
      containing polar lipid. The major quinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) and the G+C
      content of the genomic DNA was 66.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA
      gene sequences showed that strain XC21-2(T) formed a tight phylogenetic lineage
      with Pseudoxanthomonas dokdonensis KCTC 12543(T) within the genus
      Pseudoxanthomonas and was most closely related to P. dokdonensis KCTC 12543(T)
      and P. mexicana ATCC 700993(T), with 97.9 and 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence
      similarity, respectively. On the basis of the unique physiological profile of the
      isolate and its phylogenetic divergence from known species, strain XC21-2(T)
      represents a novel species within the genus Pseudoxanthomonas, for which the name
      Pseudoxanthomonas wuyuanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XC21-2(T)
      ( = CGMCC 1.10978(T) = KCTC 23877(T)).

PMID- 24215824
TI  - Pelolinea submarina gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic, filamentous bacterium of
      the phylum Chloroflexi isolated from subseafloor sediment.
AB  - A novel, anaerobic filamentous bacterium, strain MO-CFX1(T), was isolated from a
      methanogenic community, which was originally established from subseafloor
      sediments collected from off the Shimokita Peninsula, Japan. Cells were non-spore
      forming, non-motile, Gram-stain-negative and filamentous. The filaments were
      longer than 10 um and 130-150 nm in width. Growth of the strain was observed at
      10-37  degrees C (optimum 25-30  degrees C), at pH 5.5-8.5 (optimum pH 7.0) and
      in 0-50 g NaCl l(-1) (optimum 15 g NaCl l(-1)). The strain was able to grow with
      a number of carbohydrates in the presence of yeast extract. The major cellular
      fatty acids were monounsaturated C18 : 1omega9, C16 : 1omega7 and saturated C18 :
      0 and C16 : 0. The intact polar lipids of the strain were dominated by
      diacylglyceride and sphingolipid core lipid structures with monoglycosidic, mixed
      phosphomonoglycosidic and fatty-acid-modified monoglycosidic polar head groups.
      The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 52.4 mol%. Based on the comparative 16S
      rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MO-CFX1(T) was affiliated with the class
      Anaerolineae within the phylum Chloroflexi and was most closely related to
      Leptolinea tardivitalis YMTK-2(T) (sequence identity of 91.0 %). Based on
      phenotypic and genetic properties of the novel isolate, we propose a novel
      species representing a new genus Pelolinea submarina gen. nov., sp. nov., for
      strain MO-CFX1(T) ( = JCM 17238(T), = KCTC 5975(T)). This is the first formal
      description, to our knowledge, of an isolate of the phylum Chloroflexi from the
      deep-sea sedimentary environment. 

PMID- 24215825
TI  - Paenibacillus selenitireducens sp. nov., a selenite-reducing bacterium isolated
      from a selenium mineral soil.
AB  - A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated
      strain ES3-24(T), was isolated from a selenium mineral soil. The isolate was
      endospore-forming, nitrate-reducing and motile by means of peritrichous flagella.
      The major menaquinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7) and the predominant fatty acids
      (>5%) were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, C16:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The major polar
      lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown
      aminophospholipids. Strain ES3-24(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the
      cell-wall peptidoglycan and the DNA G+C content was 49.6 mol%. According to
      phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain ES3-24(T) was
      most closely related to Paenibacillus terrigena A35(T), with 16S rRNA gene
      sequence identity of 98.3%, while the other members of the genus Paenibacillus
      had 16S rRNA gene sequence identities of less than 95.0%. DNA-DNA relatedness
      between strain ES3-24(T) and P. terrigena CCTCC AB206026(T) was 39.3 %. In
      addition, strain ES3-24(T) showed obvious differences from closely related
      species in major polar lipids, nitrate reduction and other physiological and
      biochemical characteristics. The data from our polyphasic taxonomic study reveal
      that strain ES3-24(T) represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for
      which the name Paenibacillus selenitireducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type
      strain is ES3-24(T) ( = KCTC 33157(T) = CCTCC AB2013097(T)).

PMID- 24215826
TI  - Family participation during intensive care unit rounds: attitudes and experiences
      of parents and healthcare providers in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the experiences and attitudes of healthcare providers and
      parents regarding parental participation in morning rounds, in particular to
      evaluate for differences in perception of parental comprehension of rounds
      content and parental comfort with attendance, and to identify subgroups of
      parents who are more likely to report comfort with attending rounds. STUDY
      DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of 100 parents and 131 healthcare providers in a
      tertiary care pediatric medical/surgical intensive care unit. Descriptive
      statistics were used to analyze survey responses; univariate and multivariate
      analyses were performed to compare parent and healthcare provider responses.
      RESULTS: Of parents, 92% reported a desire to attend rounds, and 54% of
      healthcare providers reported a preference for parental presence. There were
      significant discrepancies in perception of understanding between the 2 groups,
      with healthcare providers much less likely to perceive that parents understood
      both the format (30% vs 73%, P < .001) and content (21% vs 84%, P < .001) of
      rounds compared with parents. Analysis of parent surveys did not reveal
      characteristics correlated with increased comfort or desire to attend rounds.
      CONCLUSIONS: A majority of parents wish to participate in morning rounds, whereas
      healthcare provider opinions are mixed. Important discrepancies exist between
      parent and healthcare provider perceptions of parental comfort and comprehension
      on rounds, which may be important in facilitating parental presence.

PMID- 24215828
TI  - Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the cavus foot: surgical implications.
AB  - The key to successful management of the cavovarus foot is identifying the
      pathoanatomy and dysfunction that are driving the deformity and producing the
      symptoms. There is no substitute for a thorough clinical evaluation of the foot,
      evaluating the static alignment and dynamic function. Plain films alone are not
      sufficient to determine the diagnosis, but they are necessary for procedure
      selection and correction planning. This is especially true for assessing the
      degree of hindfoot varus. Some issues are difficult to diagnose, and imaging
      plays an important role. 

PMID- 24215827
TI  - Knockdown of TrkA in cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) inhibits EGF-induced cumulus
      expansion by down-regulation of IL-6.
AB  - Tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA), the high-affinity receptor of nerve growth
      factor (NGF), is known to play key roles in ovarian follicular development, such
      as assembly of early follicles and follicular ovulation. However, little is known
      about the roles of TrkA in cumulus oocyte complex (COC) expansion. In this study,
      we found that TrkA was abundant in large antral follicles and knockdown of TrkA
      in COCs attenuated epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced COC expansion and
      further decreased the ovulation rate. The effect of TrkA on COC expansion was not
      mediated through downstream EGF effectors, phosphorylation of extracellular
      regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) or drosophila mothers against
      decapentaplegic protein (SMAD), or through up-regulation of COC expansion-related
      transcripts such as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2), hyaluronan
      synthase 2 (Has2), TNF-induced protein 6 (Tnfaip6) or pentraxin 3 (Ptx3).
      However, pharmacological blockade of TrkA transducing activity (K252alpha) in
      COCs decreased the mRNA expression and protein secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6),
      identified from mRNA microarray of K252alpha-treated COCs. Meanwhile, knockdown
      of IL-6 attenuated EGF-induced COC expansion. In addition, IL-6 rescued the
      inhibitory effect of K252alpha on EGF-induced cumulus expansion. Therefore, IL-6
      may act as a new potential cumulus expansion-related transcript, which may be
      involved in the integration of TrkA and EGF signaling in affecting COC expansion.
      Here, we provide mechanistic insights into the roles of TrkA in EGF-induced
      cumulus expansion. Understanding potential cross-points between TrkA and EGF
      affecting cumulus expansion will help in the discovery of new therapeutic targets
      in ovulation-related diseases. 

PMID- 24215829
TI  - The idiopathic cavus foot-not so subtle after all.
AB  - Idiopathic cavus deformity even in its mild form can result in several associated
      symptoms. Management of these symptoms without addressing the underlying
      biomechanical abnormality may result in failure of treatment. A careful clinical
      assessment is paramount. 

PMID- 24215830
TI  - Treatment of ankle instability with an associated cavus deformity.
AB  - This article reviews the role of cavus in foot and ankle injury and summarizes
      the current surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Recognition of foot position is
      crucial in the management of ankle instability associated with cavovarus.
      Correcting foot alignment with orthoses or surgery improves the mechanics of the
      ankle, reducing the risk of instability and potentially delaying the onset of
      posttraumatic ankle arthritis. Progressive steps in the correction alignment are
      described, with technical tips and strategies for dealing with chronic
      instability. 

PMID- 24215831
TI  - Joint-sparing correction for idiopathic cavus foot: correlation of clinical and
      radiographic results.
AB  - Adult cavovarus deformity patients present with rigid cavovarus deformity, where
      the correction can no longer be obtained using soft tissue procedures alone, and
      corrective arthrodesis or osteotomy must be performed to realign the deformity.
      Reconstructive surgeries for cavovarus foot deformities are variable and include
      hindfoot or midfoot osteotomy or arthrodesis, soft tissue release or lengthening,
      and tendon transfers. Recently adult cavovarus foot deformities have been more
      commonly addressed with joint preservation osteotomies and adjunctive soft tissue
      surgeries and less with triple arthrodesis. Clinical and radiographic outcomes
      are overall favorable. 

PMID- 24215832
TI  - Joint sparing correction of cavovarus feet in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: what
      are the limits?
AB  - Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited neuropathy that results in lower limb
      muscle imbalance and a resultant cavovarus deformity of the foot. With recognized
      poor outcomes of triple arthrodeses in the young patient, joint sparing surgery
      is preferred, which takes the form of osteotomies, soft-tissue releases, and
      tendon transfers to achieve a plantigrade and balanced foot. Due to the
      variability in muscle involvement and the presence of both mobile and fixed
      deformities, surgery must be individualized to each patient. 

PMID- 24215833
TI  - What is the role of tendon transfer in the cavus foot?
AB  - Cavovarus deformity results from an imbalance of the foot's extrinsic
      musculature. Conditions leading to weakness of an isolated muscle result from
      nerve injury or sequelae of a compartment syndrome. When weakness of a muscle
      group presents, an underlying neurologic disorder must be suspected. Patients
      with hereditary sensory motor neuropathy present with a progressive pattern of
      imbalance and deformity. The deformity starts out flexible but becomes rigid over
      time. Rebalance muscle pull to realign the foot and ankle is important.
      Osteotomies and arthrodesis to realign the hindfoot will not maintain alignment
      as long as the agonist-antagonist pattern is not re-established. 

PMID- 24215834
TI  - What is the role and limit of calcaneal osteotomy in the cavovarus foot?
AB  - Calcaneal osteotomy is a commonly used tool in cavovarus foot reconstructions.
      Understanding the indications and limitations of such an osteotomy is critical to
      success in reconstruction. We present a comprehensive review of surgical
      calcaneal osteotomy techniques and the currently available state of literature
      for their indications and limitations. 

PMID- 24215835
TI  - Flexible cavovarus foot in children and adolescents.
AB  - Flexible cavovarus feet in children and adolescents can be challenging. A careful
      history and physical examination are paramount for determining the best treatment
      strategy and a multitude of options are available. Specific treatment strategies
      should be individualized and any bony correction must be in conjunction with a
      muscle balancing procedure. Well-timed soft tissue and occasionally bony
      procedures can delay the progression of deformity. These patients are monitored
      long term because further treatment may be required. 

PMID- 24215836
TI  - Management of the rigid cavus foot in children and adolescents.
AB  - This article reviews historical approaches to the various osteotomies in the
      treatment of rigid cavus feet in children, with an emphasis on the biplanar
      nature of historical osteotomies. The Akron dome midfoot osteotomy is performed
      at the apex of the rigid cavus deformity and allows for maximum correction in any
      plane, and for varus, valgus, dorsal, plantar, and rotational correction. In that
      regard, the Akron dome midfoot osteotomy provides the greatest amount of
      multiplanar correction. It does not, however, provide correction of hindfoot
      deformities or deformity distal to the neck of the metatarsal. 

PMID- 24215837
TI  - The indications and technique for surgical correction of pes cavus with external
      fixation.
AB  - Cavovarus is a deformity commonly associated with a variety of underlying
      disorders, and treatment of severe cavovarus foot with an underlying progressive
      disorder is very challenging. Often patients have undergone some prior surgery at
      least once, with increased potential risk of neurovascular injury and breakdown
      of soft tissue. In addition, concomitant problems such as torsional malalignment
      and leg-length discrepancy should also be addressed to prevent recurrence and
      treatment failure. In this article, indications and an algorithmic approach with
      various osteotomies for the treatment of cavovarus deformity using external
      fixation are discussed in detail. 

PMID- 24215838
TI  - Arthrodesis for the cavus foot: when, where, and how?
AB  - When the cavus foot has become rigid, midfoot and triple arthrodesis may be the
      only reasonable surgical options left. The apex of the deformity is multiplanar
      and some deformities may have more than one apex. The best outcomes are achieved
      with minimal shortening of the foot, so correction should be by rotation and
      translation and with minimal wedge resection wherever possible. Posterior tibial
      tendon transfer and peroneus longus transfer are nearly always required for
      correction. If the principles of soft tissue balancing are followed, arthrodesis
      is an excellent procedure despite the literature that states to the contrary. 

PMID- 24215839
TI  - The cavus foot.

PMID- 24215841
TI  - On the impoverishment of scientific education.
AB  - Hannah Arendt, one of the foremost political philosophers of the twentieth
      century, has argued that it is the responsibility of educators not to leave
      children in their own world but instead to bring them into the adult world so
      that, as adults, they can carry civilization forward to whatever challenges it
      will face by bringing to bear the learning of the past. In the same collection of
      essays, she discusses the recognition by modern science that Nature is
      inconceivable in terms of ordinary human conceptual categories - as she writes,
      'unthinkable in terms of pure reason'. Together, these views on scientific
      education lead to an educational process that transforms children into adults,
      with a scientific adult being one who has the ability to conceptualize scientific
      systems independent of ordinary physical intuition. This article begins with
      Arendt's basic educational and scientific points and develops from them a
      critique of current scientific education in conjunction with an appeal to educate
      young scientists in a manner that allows them to fulfill their potential 'on the
      shoulders of giants'. While the article takes a general philosophical
      perspective, its specifics tend to be directed at biomedical education, in
      particular, how such education pertains to translational science. 

PMID- 24215840
TI  - Activation of GILZ gene by photoactivated 8-methoxypsoralen: potential role of
      immunoregulatory dendritic cells in extracorporeal photochemotherapy.
AB  - Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) is a widely used method for either
      immunization against cutaneous T cell lymphoma or immunosuppression of graft
      versus-host disease and organ transplant rejection (OTR). Leukapheresed blood is
      routed through a chamber, in which 8-methoxypsoralen is activated by ultraviolet
      energy (PUVA), thereby causing DNA crosslinks in processed leukocytes. Return of
      ECP-processed mononuclear leukocytes to the patient then modulates aberrant T
      cell immunity. Since interaction with the ECP flow chamber induces monocyte-to
      dendritic antigen presenting cell (DC) maturation, we examined the possibility
      that PUVA may direct the most heavily exposed monocytes to differentiate into
      tolerogenic DC, while the least exposed DC might remain immunogenic. Expression
      of the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) gene is a distinguishing
      marker of tolerogenic DC. We report that PUVA directly stimulates GILZ
      expression. PUVA-exposed DC up-regulated GILZ, down-regulated costimulatory CD80
      and CD86, became resistant to Toll-like receptor-induced maturation, increased IL
      10 production and decreased IL-12p70 production, all features of
      immunosuppressive DC. Knockdown of GILZ with siRNA reduced IL-10 and increased IL
      12p70 production, demonstrating that GILZ is critical for this profile. PUVA
      induction of GILZ expression by DC may help explain how ECP suppresses GVHD and
      OTR. Conversely, those ECP-processed monocytes minimally exposed to PUVA may
      mediate ECP's immunogenic effects. 

PMID- 24215842
TI  - Validation of miRNA-mRNA interactions by electrophoretic mobility shift assays.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in gene expression
      regulation by targeting specific regions in the 3'-UTR of the mRNA of their
      target genes. This binding leads to a decrease in the protein levels of such
      genes either by mRNA degradation or mRNA destabilization and translation
      inhibition. The interaction between a miRNA and its target mRNAs is usually
      studied by co-transfection of a reporter expression vector containing the 3'-UTR
      region of the mRNA and an inhibitory or precursor molecule for the miRNA. This
      approach, however, does not measure the direct and physical interaction between a
      miRNA and a specific mRNA. FINDINGS: RNA molecules corresponding to miR-224 and
      to the 3'-UTR of SLC4A4 were incubated together and their interaction studied
      under different binding conditions using electrophoretic mobility shift assays. A
      direct and specific interaction between miR-224 and SLC4A4 mRNA was observed.
      This interaction was abolished in the presence of competitors. CONCLUSIONS: In
      this study, we explored a new application for the electrophoretic mobility shift
      assay and we demonstrated that it is a useful alternative method to assess, in a
      direct and specific manner, whether a miRNA binds to a specific predicted target
      mRNA.

PMID- 24215844
TI  - Occurrence and survival of synchronous pulmonary metastases in colorectal cancer:
      a nationwide cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of synchronous colorectal cancer
      metastases (SCCM) confined to the lungs, risk factors for these metastases and
      their impact on survival. METHODS: In a nationwide cohort study of 26,200
      patients data were prospectively entered into the Danish Colorectal Cancer
      Group's (DCCG's) database between May 2001 and December 2011. The recorded data
      were merged with data from the Danish Pathology Registry and the National Patient
      Registry. Multivariable logistic- and extended Cox regression analyses were used
      to adjust for confounding variables. RESULTS: In total, 1970 patients (7.5%) had
      pulmonary SCCM of whom 736 (37%) had metastases exclusively in the lungs.
      Advanced age, recent years of diagnosis and a rectal index cancer were
      significantly associated with pulmonary SCCM. Adjustment for excess use of
      thoracic CT scans in rectal cancer patients did not alter this association
      (adjusted OR=1.81 (95% CI: 1.46-2.25, P<0.001)). Patients subjected to pulmonary
      metastasectomy, resection of primary tumour and chemotherapy had a superior
      overall survival compared with non-treated patients, especially when these
      therapeutic modalities were combined. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of pulmonary
      SCCM was higher than previously reported and had a severe impact on survival. Our
      analyses suggest that pulmonary metastasectomy, resection of the primary tumour
      and chemotherapy may be a sound strategy in patients with confined pulmonary
      SCCM, but the risk of selection bias and consequent exaggeration of the treatment
      effect should be kept in mind. This study may serve as a reliable un-biased
      reference for future evaluation on detection strategies and potential therapeutic
      interventions.

PMID- 24215843
TI  - Altered dynamics of a lipid raft associated protein in a kidney model of Fabry
      disease.
AB  - Accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and other neutral glycosphingolipids
      with galactosyl residues is the hallmark of Fabry disease, a lysosomal storage
      disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-gal A).
      These lipids are incorporated into the plasma membrane and intracellular
      membranes, with a preference for lipid rafts. Disruption of raft mediated cell
      processes is implicated in the pathogenesis of several human diseases, but little
      is known about the effects of the accumulation of glycosphingolipids on raft
      dynamics in the context of Fabry disease. Using siRNA technology, we have
      generated a polarized renal epithelial cell model of Fabry disease in Madin-Darby
      canine kidney cells. These cells present increased levels of Gb3 and enlarged
      lysosomes, and progressively accumulate zebra bodies. The polarized delivery of
      both raft-associated and raft-independent proteins was unaffected by alpha-gal A
      knockdown, suggesting that accumulation of Gb3 does not disrupt biosynthetic
      trafficking pathways. To assess the effect of alpha-gal A silencing on lipid raft
      dynamics, we employed number and brightness (N&B) analysis to measure the
      oligomeric status and mobility of the model glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)
      anchored protein GFP-GPI. We observed a significant increase in the oligomeric
      size of antibody-induced clusters of GFP-GPI at the plasma membrane of alpha-gal
      A silenced cells compared with control cells. Our results suggest that the
      interaction of GFP-GPI with lipid rafts may be altered in the presence of
      accumulated Gb3. The implications of our results with respect to the pathogenesis
      of Fabry disease are discussed. 

PMID- 24215845
TI  - Brostallicin versus doxorubicin as first-line chemotherapy in patients with
      advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma: an European Organisation for Research
      and Treatment of Cancer Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group randomised phase II
      and pharmacogenetic study.
AB  - AIM: Brostallicin is a DNA minor groove binder that has shown activity in
      patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) failing first-line therapy. The present
      study assessed the safety and efficacy of first-line brostallicin in patients
      with advanced or metastatic STS >60 years or not fit enough to receive
      combination chemotherapy. A prospective explorative pharmacogenetic analysis was
      undertaken in parallel. METHODS: Patients were randomised in a 2:1 ratio between
      IV brostallicin 10mg/m(2) and doxorubicin 75 mg/m(2) once every 3 weeks for a
      maximum of six cycles. Disease stabilisation at 26 weeks (primary end-point) was
      considered a 'success'. Further testing of brostallicin was warranted if >= 35
      'successes' were observed in the first 72 eligible patients treated with
      brostallicin. In addition, patients were genotyped for glutathione S transferase
      (GST) polymorphisms. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen patients were included (79
      brostallicin and 39 doxorubicin). Brostallicin was well tolerated in comparison
      to doxorubicin with less grade 3-4 neutropenia (67% versus 95%), grade 2-3
      systolic dysfunction (0% versus 11%), alopecia (17% versus 61%) and grade 2-3
      mucositis (0% versus 18%). For brostallicin versus doxorubicin, 'successes' were
      observed in 5/77 versus 10/36, progression free survival at 1 year was 6.5%
      versus 15.6%, objective response rate was 3.9% versus 22.2% and overall survival
      at 1 year was 50.5% versus 57.9%, respectively. Only GSTA1 genotype was
      significantly associated with success rate of doxorubicin treatment. CONCLUSION:
      Brostallicin cannot be recommended at this dose and schedule in this patient
      population as first-line therapy. GSTA1 genotype may be predictive for
      doxorubicin efficacy but warrants further study.

PMID- 24215846
TI  - Improved overall survival after implementation of targeted therapy for patients
      with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: results from the Danish Renal Cancer Group
      (DARENCA) study-2.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the implementation of targeted therapy on overall survival (OS)
      in a complete national cohort of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
      (mRCC). METHODS: All Danish patients with mRCC referred for first line treatment
      with immunotherapy, TKIs or mTOR-inhibitors between 2006 and 2010 were included.
      Baseline and outcome data were collected retrospectively. Prognostics factors
      were identified using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard model.
      Differences in distributions were tested with the Chi-square test. RESULTS: 1049
      patients were referred; 744 patients received first line treatment. From 2006 to
      2010 we observed a significant increase in the number of referred patients; a
      significant increase in treated patients (64% versus 75%, P=0.0188); a
      significant increase in first line targeted therapy (22% versus 75%, P<0.0001); a
      significant increase in second line treatment (20% versus 40%, P=0.0104), a
      significant increased median OS (11.5 versus 17.2 months, P=0.0435) whereas
      survival for untreated patients remained unchanged. Multivariate analysis
      validated known prognostic factors. Moreover, treatment start years 2008 (HR
      0.74, 95% CI, 0.55-0.99; P=0.0415), 2009 (HR 0.72, 95% CI, 0.54-0.96; P=0.0277)
      and 2010 (HR 0.63, 95% CI, 0.47-0.86; P=0.0035) compared to 2006, and more than
      two treatment lines received for patients with performance status 0-1 (HR 0.76,
      95% CI, 0.58-0.99; P=0.0397) and performance status 2-3 (HR 0.19, 95% CI, 0.06
      0.60; P=0.0051) were significantly associated with longer OS. CONCLUSION: This
      retrospective study documents that the implementation of targeted therapy has
      resulted in significantly improved treatment rates and overall survival in a
      complete national cohort of treated mRCC patients.

PMID- 24215847
TI  - The economic impact of cytoreductive surgery and tyrosine kinase inhibitor
      therapy in the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours: a Markov
      chain decision analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The current first-line treatment for patients with recurrent or
      metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) is management with tyrosine
      kinase inhibition (TKI). There is an undefined role for surgery in the management
      of these patients. This study uses a cost analysis to examine the economic impact
      of treating patients with TKI in combination with surgery at different time
      points in their treatment trajectories. METHODS: A Markov chain decision analysis
      was modelled over a 2-year time horizon to determine costs associated with
      surgery in combination with imatinib mesylate (IM) or sunitinib malate (SU) in
      seven scenarios varied by TKI agent, dose and disease status (stable versus
      localised progressive disease). Rates of disease progression, surgical morbidity,
      mortality and adverse drug reactions were extracted from the existing literature.
      Deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed to examine changes in cost due
      to variations in key variables. RESULTS: The least-costly scenario was to perform
      no surgery. The most costly scenario was to perform surgery on patients with
      localised progressive disease on IM 800 mg. The overall range of costs clustered
      within approximately $47,000 (USD). Variations in surgical cost, surgical
      mortality and cost of IM demonstrated thresholds for changing the least-costly
      scenario within plausible tested ranges. CONCLUSION: Costs of surgical
      intervention at different time-points within the treatment course of patients
      with advanced GIST fluctuate within a relatively narrow range, suggesting that
      costs arise primarily from the administration of TKI. The decision to pursue
      cytoreductive surgery should not be based on cost alone. Future studies should
      incorporate health-state utilities when available.

PMID- 24215848
TI  - The cost effectiveness of bevacizumab when added to capecitabine, with or without
      mitomycin-C, in first line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: results
      from the Australasian phase III MAX study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Based on the clinical data, bevacizumab has been approved in
      Australia and globally for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. However,
      limited evidence exists for its cost-effectiveness. The purpose of this study was
      to evaluate the cost effectiveness of adding bevacizumab to capecitabine
      monotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, using data from the
      prospective economic evaluation conducted alongside the MAX trial. METHODS:
      Individual patient level data on resource use and progression free survival were
      prospectively collected in the phase III MAX trial. Resource use data were
      collected for the period between randomisation and disease progression, and unit
      costs were assigned from the perspective of the Australian health care funder.
      Effectiveness was measured in quality adjusted progression free survival years,
      with utility scores obtained from both the community valued EQ-5D questionnaire
      and the patient valued UBQ-C questionnaire. Progression free survival was used as
      a secondary effectiveness measure. RESULTS: The addition of bevacizumab to
      capecitabine monotherapy cost approximately $192,156 (95% confidence interval
      [CI], $135,619 to $326,894) per quality adjusted progression free survival year
      gained when using publicly listed pharmaceutical prices and utility values from
      the EQ-5D questionnaire. This decreased to $149,455 (95% CI, $100,356 to
      $245,910) when values from the UBQ-C questionnaire were applied. The incremental
      cost per progression free survival year was $145,059 (95% CI, $106,703 to
      $233,225). CONCLUSIONS: Bevacizumab was not found to be cost effective at its
      listed price, based on results from the MAX trial.

PMID- 24215849
TI  - The use of diplopods in soil ecotoxicology - a review.
AB  - Diplopods play an important role in the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems,
      actively participating in the decomposition of organic matter and soil aeration.
      They have gained increased attention from ecotoxicology research because they are
      continuously exposed to soil contaminants and biological effects of chemical
      stressors can be measurable at various levels of biological organization. This
      paper is the first review on the use of diplopods as soil bioindicators and
      compiles the effects of the different toxic chemical agents on these animals.
      Special emphasis is given on the interpretation of the effects of heavy metals
      and complex mixtures in target organs of diplopods. 

PMID- 24215850
TI  - Misoprostol for intrauterine device insertion in nulliparous women: a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of preprocedure misoprostol on intrauterine
      device (IUD) placement in nulliparous women. STUDY DESIGN: In this randomized
      controlled double-blind trial at the University of New Mexico reproductive health
      clinic, nulliparous women requesting an IUD were randomized to 400 mcg of buccal
      misoprostol or placebo 2-8 hours before insertion. Primary outcomes included pain
      on a 10-cm visual analog scale and women's perception of the value of delaying
      insertion for an effective medication. Provider ease of insertion and need for
      adjunctive insertion measures were also assessed, on a visual analog scale.
      Participants indicated maximum pain after IUD insertion, pain level they would
      tolerate to avoid delay in IUD insertion, and preference for IUD insertion
      without delay if an effective medication was available. RESULTS: Of 85 women
      enrolled, 3 were ineligible; 42 were randomized to misoprostol and 40 to placebo.
      There were no differences between groups in worst insertion pain, (5.8 +/- 2.0 vs
      5.9 +/- 2.0, P = .94), provider ease of insertion (2.2 +/- 2.2 vs 2.5 +/- 2.2; P
      = .54) or adjunctive measures (14% vs 25%; P = .27). The groups were willing to
      tolerate the same mean pain (4.9 +/- 2.5 vs 5.7 +/- 2.4, P = .18) to avoid
      waiting for medication. The majority of women (85%) preferred to wait for an
      effective medication. CONCLUSION: Misoprostol for nulliparous women did not
      decrease pain or improve the ease of insertion of an IUD. Most women were willing
      to wait for a medication that decreases pain, indicating a need to pursue
      alternatives for pain control with IUD insertion.

PMID- 24215851
TI  - Serum leptin levels and reproductive function during the menstrual cycle.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of leptin on
      reproductive hormones and ovulation. STUDY DESIGN: The BioCycle Study (2005-2007)
      followed 259 healthy premenopausal women not using hormonal contraceptives for
      <=2 menstrual cycles (n = 509 cycles). Serum leptin, estradiol, progesterone,
      luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone were
      measured <=8 times per cycle. The association of time-varying leptin and
      reproductive hormones over the cycle was estimated with the use of linear mixed
      models that were adjusted for percent body fat and age with inverse probability
      weighting for time-varying physical activity, caloric intake, and other
      reproductive hormones. The odds ratio for sporadic anovulation (n = 42 cycles)
      was estimated with the use of generalized linear models that were adjusted for
      percent body fat and age. RESULTS: Geometric mean serum leptin levels increased
      from menses to the late luteal phase (16.7-20.4 ng/mL; P < .01), with a mid-cycle
      peak (21.7 ng/mL) at the time of the LH surge (P < .01). A 10% higher leptin
      level across the menstrual cycle was associated with higher estradiol levels
      (2.2%; 95% CI, 1.5-3.0), luteal progesterone levels (2.1%; 95% CI, 0.5-3.7),
      ovulatory LH levels (1.2%; 95% CI, 0-2.3), testosterone levels (0.6%; 95% CI, 0.3
      0.9), and lower follicle-stimulating hormone levels (-0.7%; 95% CI, -1.1 to 
      0.4). Leptin at the time of the expected LH surge was moderately inversely
      associated with sporadic anovulation (per log increase in leptin; adjusted odds
      ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.28-1.22). CONCLUSION: The association that was observed
      between leptin level and reproductive function points to a possible relationship
      between serum leptin level and enhanced fertility.

PMID- 24215852
TI  - The influence of maternal body mass index on fetal weight estimation in twin
      pregnancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Sonographic estimated fetal weight (EFW) is important in the
      management of high-risk pregnancies. The possibility that increased maternal body
      mass index (BMI) adversely affects EFW assessments in twin pregnancies is
      controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal
      BMI on the accuracy of EFW assessments in twin gestations prospectively recruited
      for the ESPRiT (Evaluation of Sonographic Predictors of Restricted growth in
      Twins) study. STUDY DESIGN: One thousand one twin pair pregnancies were
      recruited. After exclusion, BMI, birthweights, and ultrasound determination of
      EFW (within 2 weeks of delivery) were available for 943 twin pairs. The accuracy
      of EFW determination was defined as the difference between EFW and actual
      birthweight for either twin (absolute difference and percent difference). Cells
      with less than 5% of the population were combined for analysis resulting in the
      following 3 maternal categories: (1) normal/underweight, (2) overweight, and (3)
      obese/extremely obese. RESULTS: Analysis of the 3 categories revealed mean
      absolute variation values of 184 g (8.0%) in the normal/underweight group (n =
      531), 196 g (8.5%) in the overweight group (n = 278), and 206 g (8.6%) in the
      obese/extremely obese group (n = 134) (P = .028, which was nonsignificant after
      adjustment for multiple testing). Regression analysis showed no linear or log
      linear relationship between BMI and the accuracy of EFW (P value for absolute
      difference = .11, P value for percentage difference = .27). CONCLUSION: Contrary
      to a commonly held clinical impression, increasing maternal BMI has no
      significant impact on the accuracy of EFW in twin pregnancy.

PMID- 24215853
TI  - Ultrasound assessment of uterine cavity remodeling after surgical correction of
      subseptations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the postoperative restoration of a normal uterine cavity,
      uterine cavity measurements were obtained in patients with arcuate or septate
      uteri in the periods before and after resection. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-eight women
      diagnosed with arcuate or septate uteri were evaluated with 3-dimensional
      ultrasound before and after undergoing surgical resection by hysteroscopic
      resection, in a university center. In addition to the conventional parameters,
      measurements of the subseptum's length and width, and cavity width, were obtained
      on a frozen coronal view of the uterus. Postoperatively, uterine cavity width was
      measured. RESULTS: Twelve patients were diagnosed with arcuate uterus and 16 with
      septate uterus and subsequently underwent surgical correction. Of them, 50% had a
      retroverted uterus and 61% had a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (7/28, or
      25%, had both). Uterine length, width, and height, before and after resection,
      were similar between arcuate and septate, as were the subsepti base widths,
      despite the different lengths. However, cavity width was significantly decreased
      after resection only in the septate uterus group: 3.6 cm, 95% confidence
      interval, 3.3-3.9, preoperatively vs 2.8 cm, 95% confidence interval, 2.5-3.1,
      postoperatively, respectively; P < .001. The postoperative difference in cavity
      width was directly correlated with the length of the subseptation (r -0.59, P =
      .05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative measurements of the uterine cavity revealed a
      remarkable uterine remodeling capacity: we speculate this could represent the
      most important single change to explain improved pregnancy outcomes after
      surgical correction of subseptations.

PMID- 24215854
TI  - Birth by vacuum extraction delivery and school performance at 16 years of age.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate cognitive competence,
      as indicated by school performance, at 16 years of age, in children delivered by
      vacuum extraction. STUDY DESIGN: This was a register study of a national cohort
      of 126,032 16 year olds born as singletons, with a vertex presentation, at a
      gestational age of 34 weeks or older, with Swedish-born parents, delivered
      between 1990 and 1993 without major congenital malformations. Linear regression
      was used to analyze mode of delivery in relation to mean scores from national
      tests in mathematics (40.2; scale, 10-75; SD, 14.9) and mean average grades
      (223.8; scale, 10-320; SD, 52.3), with adjustment for perinatal and
      sociodemographic confounders. RESULTS: Children delivered by vacuum extraction (
      0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.76 to 0.26) as well as by nonplanned
      cesarean section (-0.51; 95% CI, -0.82 to -0.20) had slightly lower mean
      mathematics test scores than children born vaginally without instruments, after
      adjustment for major confounders. Mean average grades in children delivered by
      vacuum extraction were -1.05 (95% CI, -1.87 to -0.23) and -1.20 (95% CI,-2.24 to 
      0.16) in children delivered by nonplanned cesarean section compared with children
      born vaginally. CONCLUSION: Children delivered by vacuum extraction had slightly
      lower grades at age 16 years compared with those born by noninstrumental vaginal
      delivery but very similar to those delivered by nonplanned cesarean. This
      suggests that vacuum extraction and nonplanned cesarean are equivalent
      alternatives for terminating deliveries with respect to cognitive outcomes.

PMID- 24215855
TI  - Recurrence of ovarian endometrioma after second-line, conservative, laparoscopic
      cyst enucleation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the cumulative recurrence rate of endometrioma
      after a second-line, conservative, laparoscopic endometriotic cyst enucleation
      and to analyze the factors that influence the recurrence of endometrioma. STUDY
      DESIGN: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed at 3 gynecologic
      surgery centers from January 2000 through December 2010. Patients surgically
      treated by laparoscopic enucleation of endometriotic cysts on 2 previous
      occasions were selected. All patients were aged <40 years at the time of the
      primary surgery and were followed up for at least 6 months. Endometrioma
      recurrence was considered when transvaginal sonography indicated a cystic mass
      with a diameter of >=20 mm. RESULTS: In total, 183 patients were followed up for
      33.2 +/- 27.7 months (range, 6-121 months). Thirty-eight (20.8%) patients
      experienced recurrence after the second-line surgery and 24 (13.1%) patients
      underwent a third surgery. The median time to recurrence was 24 +/- 3.36 months
      (SEM) (range, 3-72 months). The cumulative recurrence rates per patient at 12,
      24, 36, and 60 months after the second-line surgery were 7.7%, 13.7%, 21.3%, and
      37.5%, respectively. After multivariate analysis and analysis of covariance, the
      revised American Fertility Society score and stage were significantly higher in
      patients who experience a third recurrence of endometrioma. CONCLUSION: The
      cumulative recurrence rate of ovarian endometrioma after a second-line surgery
      appears to be correlated to the duration of follow-up. Severe endometriosis at
      the second-line surgery seems to be a factor associated with a high recurrence
      risk. Physicians should be cautious with regard to the postoperative management
      of these patients.

PMID- 24215856
TI  - Interpregnancy body mass index change and success of term vaginal birth after
      cesarean delivery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of interpregnancy body mass index (BMI)
      change on success of term vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) among normal,
      overweight and obese women. STUDY DESIGN: Using 1992-2009 Washington State birth
      certificate data linked with hospitalization records, we conducted a population
      based retrospective cohort study of nulliparous women (BMI >=18.5 kg/m(2)) with a
      primary cesarean in their first birth and a term trial of labor in their second.
      Interpregnancy weight change (difference between first and second prepregnancy
      BMIs) was categorized as maintenance (<1 BMI unit change), loss (>=1 unit),
      moderate gain (>=1 and <2 units), high gain (>=2 units). We estimated relative
      risks of VBAC success using generalized linear models with a log-link function,
      adjusting for maternal age, race/ethnicity, nativity, marital status, education,
      smoking, primary cesarean indication, interpregnancy interval, birth year for
      second birth, and prenatal care adequacy. RESULTS: Among 8302 women who attempted
      a term trial of labor, 65% had a successful VBAC. Women with normal BMI before
      their first pregnancy experienced an 8% decrease in VBAC success with moderate
      gain (relative risk [RR], 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87-0.98) and a
      12% decrease in success with high gain (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.83-0.93), compared
      with normal weight women who maintained weight. Weight loss increased VBAC
      success in women who were overweight (RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.25) or obese
      before their first delivery (RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.04-1.49), compared with
      overweight and obese women, respectively, who maintained weight. CONCLUSION:
      Women can improve their chance of successful VBAC through interpregnancy weight
      management.

PMID- 24215857
TI  - Impaired steroidogenesis and apoptosis of granulosa-luteal cells in primary
      culture induced by cis-platinum.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the
      cytotoxic drug cis-platinum (CP) induces premature ovarian failure by reducing
      the viability of human granulosa cells. STUDY DESIGN: We incubated cultured human
      granulosa-luteal cells (GLCs) with varying concentrations of CP for 48 hours.
      Steroidogenesis and apoptosis were assessed by progesterone and estradiol,
      annexin V/propidium iodide, phase contrast, and transmission electron microscopy.
      RESULTS: CP caused impaired production of progesterone and estradiol in a dose-
      and a time-dependent fashion. The estradiol production was more pronounced than
      progesterone for each concentration of CP that was studied. The phase contrast
      microscopy of CP-treated GLCs showed loss of cell number with condensed nuclei.
      CP-induced apoptosis was maximum at 20 MUg/mL compared with a 10-MUg/mL
      concentration (79.9% +/- 4.6% vs 58.3% +/- 3.9%; P < .01). The hallmark of
      apoptosis (ie, nuclear condensation, cell size shrinkage) was seen in CP-treated
      cells by transmission electron microscopy. CONCLUSION: CP induces apoptosis of
      human GLCs in culture with impaired steroidogenesis, which may be one mechanism
      by which a CP-containing regime induces premature ovarian failure.

PMID- 24215858
TI  - Menopausal quality of life: RCT of yoga, exercise, and omega-3 supplements.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of 3
      nonhormonal therapies for the improvement of menopause-related quality of life in
      women with vasomotor symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a 12-week 3 * 2
      randomized, controlled, factorial design trial. Peri- and postmenopausal women,
      40-62 years old, were assigned randomly to yoga (n = 107), exercise (n = 106), or
      usual activity (n = 142) and also assigned randomly to a double-blind comparison
      of omega-3 (n = 177) or placebo (n = 178) capsules. We performed the following
      interventions: (1) weekly 90-minute yoga classes with daily at-home practice, (2)
      individualized facility-based aerobic exercise training 3 times/week, and (3)
      0.615 g omega-3 supplement, 3 times/day. The outcomes were assessed with the
      following scores: Menopausal Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) total and
      domain (vasomotor symptoms, psychosocial, physical and sexual). RESULTS: Among
      355 randomly assigned women who average age was 54.7 years, 338 women (95%)
      completed 12-week assessments. Mean baseline vasomotor symptoms frequency was
      7.6/day, and the mean baseline total MENQOL score was 3.8 (range, 1-8 from better
      to worse) with no between-group differences. For yoga compared to usual activity,
      baseline to 12-week improvements were seen for MENQOL total -0.3 (95% confidence
      interval, -0.6 to 0; P = .02), vasomotor symptom domain (P = .02), and sexuality
      domain (P = .03) scores. For women who underwent exercise and omega-3 therapy
      compared with control subjects, improvements in baseline to 12-week total MENQOL
      scores were not observed. Exercise showed benefit in the MENQOL physical domain
      score at 12 weeks (P = .02). CONCLUSION: All women become menopausal, and many of
      them seek medical advice on ways to improve quality of life; little evidence
      based information exists. We found that, among healthy sedentary menopausal
      women, yoga appears to improve menopausal quality of life; the clinical
      significance of our finding is uncertain because of the modest effect.

PMID- 24215860
TI  - Bile acids in a multicenter, population-based case-control study of stillbirth.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare bile acids in women with and without stillbirth
      in a population-based study. STUDY DESIGN: The Stillbirth Collaborative Research
      Network conducted a multisite, population-based case-control study of stillbirth
      (fetal deaths >=20 weeks). Maternal sera were obtained at the time of enrollment
      and frozen at -80 degrees C until assay for bile acids. RESULTS: Assays were
      performed in 581 women with stillbirth and 1546 women with live births. Bile acid
      levels were slightly higher in women with stillbirth (geometric mean [95%
      confidence interval {CI}] = 3.2 [3.0-3.5]) compared to live births (2.9 [2.7
      3.1], P = .0327). However, the difference was not significant after adjustment
      for baseline risk factors for stillbirth. The proportion of women with elevated
      levels (>=10 or >=40 MUmol/L) was similar in stillbirths and live births. Results
      were similar when the analysis was limited to subsets of stillbirths and live
      births. In women with stillbirths not associated with fetal anomalies or
      obstetric complications bile acid levels were higher than in women with term live
      births (geometric mean [95% CI] = 3.4 [3.0-3.8] vs 2.9 [2.7-3.0], P = .0152,
      unadjusted; P = .06, adjusted). However, a similar proportion of women in both
      groups had levels >=10 MUmol/L (10.7 vs 7.2%; odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% CI, 0.97
      2.44; adjusted OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.78-2.15) and >=40 MUmol/L (1.7 vs 0.7%; OR,
      2.58; 95% CI, 0.85-7.84; adjusted OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 0.79-6.56). CONCLUSION: Our
      data do not support testing for bile acids in cases of stillbirth in the absence
      of clinical evidence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

PMID- 24215861
TI  - Angiopoietin 1 and 2 serum concentrations in first trimester of pregnancy as
      biomarkers of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and the Ang
      1/Ang-2 ratio levels in the first trimester of pregnancy, their association with
      adverse pregnancy outcomes, and their predictive accuracy. STUDY DESIGN: This
      cohort study measured serum Ang-1 and Ang-2 levels in 4785 women with singleton
      pregnancies attending first trimester screening in New South Wales, Australia.
      Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association and
      predictive accuracy of serum biomarkers with subsequent adverse pregnancy
      outcomes (small for gestational age, preterm birth, preeclampsia, miscarriage >10
      weeks, and stillbirth). RESULTS: Median (interquartile range) levels for Ang-1,
      Ang-2, and the Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio for the total population were 19.6 ng/mL (13.6
      26.4), 15.5 ng/mL (10.3-22.7), and 1.21 (0.83-1.73), respectively. Maternal age,
      weight, country of birth, and socioeconomic status significantly affected Ang-1,
      Ang-2, and the Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio levels. After adjusting for maternal and
      clinical risk factors, women with low Ang-2 levels (<10th percentile) and high
      Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio (>90th percentile) had increased risk of developing most
      adverse pregnancy outcomes. Compared with the Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio alone, maternal
      and clinical risk factors had better predictive accuracy for most adverse
      pregnancy outcomes. The exception was miscarriage (Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio area under
      receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.70; maternal risk factors = 0.58).
      Overall, adding the Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio to maternal risk factors did not improve
      the ability of the models to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our
      findings suggest that the Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio in first trimester is associated with
      most adverse pregnancy outcomes, but do not predict outcomes any better than
      clinical and maternal risk factor information.

PMID- 24215859
TI  - Association of cord blood digitalis-like factor and necrotizing enterocolitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Endogenous digoxin-like factor (EDLF) has been linked to
      vasoconstriction, altered membrane transport, and apoptosis. Our objective was to
      determine whether increased EDLF in the cord sera of preterm infants was
      associated with an increased incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). STUDY
      DESIGN: Cord sera from pregnant women enrolled in a randomized trial of MgSO4 for
      fetal neuroprotection were analyzed for EDLF using a red cell Rb(+) uptake assay
      in which the inhibition of sodium pump-mediated Rb(+) transport was used as a
      functional assay of EDLF. Specimens were assayed blinded to neonatal outcome.
      Cases (NEC, n = 25) and controls (neonates not developing stage 2 or 3 NEC, n =
      24) were matched by study center and gestational age. None of the women had
      preeclampsia. Cases and controls were compared using the Wilcoxon test for
      continuous and the Fisher exact test for categorical variables. A conditional
      logistic regression analysis was used to assess the odds of case vs control by
      EDLF level. RESULTS: Cases and controls were not significantly different for
      gestational age, race, maternal steroid use, premature rupture of membranes, or
      MgSO4 treatment. In logistic models adjusted for treatment group, race, premature
      rupture of membranes, and gestational age, cord sera EDLF was significantly
      associated with development of NEC (P = .023). CONCLUSION: These data
      demonstrated an association between cord sera EDLF and NEC.

PMID- 24215862
TI  - Lactose autoinduction with enzymatic glucose release: characterization of the
      cultivation system in bioreactor.
AB  - The lactose autoinduction system for recombinant protein production was combined
      with enzymatic glucose release as a method to provide a constant feed of glucose
      instead of using glycerol as a carbon substrate. Bioreactor cultivation confirmed
      that the slow glucose feed does not prevent the induction by lactose. HPLC
      studies showed that with successful recombinant protein production only a very
      low amount of lactose was metabolized during glucose-limited fed-batch conditions
      by the Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3)pLysS in well-aerated conditions, which
      are problematic for glycerol-based autoinduction systems. We propose that slow
      enzymatic glucose feed does not cause a full activation of the lactose operon.
      However recombinant PDI-A protein (A-domain of human disulfide isomerase) was
      steadily produced until the end of the cultivation. The results of the
      cultivations confirmed our earlier observations with shaken cultures showing that
      lactose autoinduction cultures based on enzymatic glucose feed have good
      scalability, and that this system can be applied also to bioreactor cultivations.

PMID- 24215864
TI  - Soluble production of a biologically active single-chain antibody against murine
      PD-L1 in Escherichia coli.
AB  - Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), is an important regulator of T-cell activation
      and has emerged as an important target for cancer immunotherapy. Single chain
      variable fragments (scFvs) have several desirable characteristics and are an
      attractive alternative to monoclonal antibodies for experimental or therapeutic
      purposes. Three chickens were immunized against murine PD-L1, and mRNA isolated
      from their spleens was used to generate an immunized immunoglobulin variable
      region library. Using splice-overlap extension PCR, variable region cDNAs were
      combined to generate full-length scFvs. M13 phage display of the resulting scFv
      library identified a functional scFv against PD-L1 (alphaPD-L1 scFv). The scFv
      was expressed as soluble protein in the periplasm and culture supernatant of
      recombinant Escherichia coli and purified with a 6*-His tag using immobile metal
      affinity chromatography. The dissociation constant of alphaPD-L1 scFv was
      determined to be 7.11*10(-10)M, and the scFv demonstrated inhibitory biological
      activity comparable to an antagonistic monoclonal antibody, providing an
      alternative agent for blocking PD-1/PD-L1 signaling. 

PMID- 24215865
TI  - Neurological complications of infective endocarditis: new breakthroughs in
      diagnosis and management.
AB  - Neurological complications are frequent in infective endocarditis (IE) and
      increase morbidity and mortality rates. A wide spectrum of neurological disorders
      may be observed, including stroke or transient ischemic attack, cerebral
      hemorrhage, mycotic aneurysm, meningitis, cerebral abscess, or encephalopathy.
      Most complications occur early during the course of IE and are a hallmark of left
      sided abnormalities of native or prosthetic valves. Ischemic lesions account for
      40% to 50% of IE central nervous system complications. Systematic brain MRI may
      reveal cerebral abnormalities in up to 80% of patients, including cerebral
      embolism in 50%, mostly asymptomatic. Neurological complications affect both
      medical and surgical treatment and should be managed by an experimented
      multidisciplinary team including cardiologists, neurologists, intensive care
      specialists, and cardiac surgeons. Oral anticoagulant therapy given to patients
      presenting with cerebral ischemic lesions should be replaced by unfractionated
      heparin for at least 2 weeks, with a close monitoring of coagulation tests.
      Recently published data suggest that after an ischemic stroke, surgery indicated
      for heart failure, uncontrolled infection, abscess, or persisting high emboli
      risk should not be delayed, provided that the patient is not comatose or has no
      severe deficit. Surgery should be postponed for 2 to 3 weeks for patients with
      intracranial hemorrhage. Endovascular treatment is recommended for cerebral
      mycotic aneurysms, if there is no severe mass effect. Recent data suggests that
      neurological failure, which is associated with the location and extension of
      brain injury, is a major determinant for short-term prognosis. 

PMID- 24215863
TI  - Developments in purification methods for obtaining and evaluation of collagen
      derived endogenous angioinhibitors.
AB  - Collagen constitutes one of the vital components of the basement membrane
      scaffolds. Non-collagenous domains (NC1) derived from collagens exhibit potent
      anti-angiogenic properties, thus attaining significance in regulation of
      angiogenesis promoted diseases. Individual NC1 domains essential for anti
      angiogenic evaluations are generally obtained through purification of individual
      non-collagenous domains, which have undergone steady developments for enhancing
      the yields, purpose of biological evaluations and solubility based on the nature
      of different NC1 domains. This review focuses on the method developments in
      obtaining biologically active NC1 domains and for specific evaluations in
      different scenarios. 

PMID- 24215866
TI  - Metastasis-associated protein S100A4 induces a network of inflammatory cytokines
      that activate stromal cells to acquire pro-tumorigenic properties.
AB  - Tumor cells have the ability to exploit stromal cells to facilitate metastasis.
      By using malignant melanoma as a model, we show that the stroma adjacent to
      metastatic lesions is enriched in the known metastasis-promoting protein S100A4.
      S100A4 stimulates cancer cells to secrete paracrine factors, such as inflammatory
      cytokines IL8, CCL2 and SAA, which activate stromal cells (endothelial cells and
      monocytes) so that they acquire tumor-supportive properties. Our data establishes
      S100A4 as an inducer of a cytokine network enabling tumor cells to engage
      angiogenic and inflammatory stromal cells, which might contribute to pro
      metastatic activity of S100A4.

PMID- 24215867
TI  - Targeted therapy against chemoresistant colorectal cancers: Inhibition of
      p38alpha modulates the effect of cisplatin in vitro and in vivo through the tumor
      suppressor FoxO3A.
AB  - Chemoresistance is a major obstacle to effective therapy against colorectal
      cancer (CRC) and may lead to deadly consequences. The metabolism of CRC cells
      depends highly on the p38 MAPK pathway, whose involvement in maintaining a
      chemoresistant behavior is currently being investigated. Our previous studies
      revealed that p38alpha is the main p38 isoform in CRC cells. Here we show that
      p38alpha pharmacological inhibition combined with cisplatin administration
      decreases colony formation and viability of cancer cells and strongly increases
      Bax-dependent apoptotic cell death by activating the tumor suppressor protein
      FoxO3A. Our results indicate that FoxO3A activation up-regulates transcription of
      its target genes (p21, PTEN, Bim and GADD45), which forces both chemosensitive
      and chemoresistant CRC cells to undergo apoptosis. Additionally, we found that
      FoxO3A is required for apoptotic cell death induction, as confirmed by RNA
      interference experiments. In animal models xenografted with chemoresistant HT29
      cells, we further confirmed that the p38-targeted dual therapy strategy produced
      an increase in apoptosis in cancer tissue leading to tumor regression. Our study
      uncovers a major role for the p38-FoxO3A axis in chemoresistance, thereby
      suggesting a new therapeutic approach for CRC treatment; moreover, our results
      indicate that Bax status may be used as a predictive biomarker.

PMID- 24215868
TI  - Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor LT-626: Sensitivity correlates with MRE11
      mutations and synergizes with platinums and irinotecan in colorectal cancer
      cells.
AB  - Some colorectal cancers (CRC) display microsatellite instability (MSI) leading to
      mutations in genes such as MRE11. The aim of this study was to determine whether
      MSI or MRE11 mutational status correlates with sensitivity to the PARP inhibitor
      LT-626 and whether LT-626 synergizes with DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents.
      CRC cells harboring biallelic MRE11 mutations were more sensitive to LT-626 and
      stable overexpression or knock-down of MRE11 in cell lines correlated with
      sensitivity. Synergism was evident between LT-626 and cisplatin, oxaliplatin and
      SN-38 suggesting that PARP inhibitors in combination with DNA damaging agents may
      be a successful strategy for treatment of CRC. 

PMID- 24215869
TI  - Aneurysm formation associated with ionizing radiation.

PMID- 24215870
TI  - A balanced perspective on the role of endoscopy in the surgical management of
      trigeminal neuralgia.

PMID- 24215871
TI  - Functional pituitary adenoma recurrence after surgical resection.

PMID- 24215872
TI  - Genome-wide association studies of common obesity: now and future.

PMID- 24215874
TI  - Serum 25(OH)D and lipid levels in Chinese obese and normal weight males before
      and after oral vitamin D supplementation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of oral vitamin D (VD) supplementation on VD
      status and serum lipid in Chinese obese and healthy normal-weight men. METHODS:
      Twenty-one obese men with their body mass index (BMI)>28 kg/m(2) served as an
      obese group and 22 healthy normal-weight men with their BMI<24 kg/m(2) served as
      a control group in this study. After they were given 50 000 IU of oral VD, once a
      week for 8 weeks, the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration was
      measured with an enzyme-immunoassay kit. RESULTS: After oral VD supplementation,
      the serum 25(OH)D concentration significantly increased from 46.1+/-9.1 nmol/L to
      116.7+/-20.3 nmol/L in the obese subjects (P<0.01) and from 52.8+/-17.8 nmol/L to
      181.3+/-30.2 nmol/L in the control ones (P=0.13). The serum high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was reduced within the normal reference
      range in the obese group. However, no significant change was observed in the
      level of other serum lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol) in either of the two groups. CONCLUSION: The effect of
      high-dose oral VD supplementation is weaker on VD status in the obese group than
      in the control group. High-dose oral VD supplementation has no side effect on
      serum lipid level in obese and control groups.

PMID- 24215873
TI  - Relationship of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction with risks to
      cardiovascular disease among people in Inner Mongolia of China.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of inflammation and endothelial
      dysfunction with risks to cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: Blood pressure,
      body weight, body height, waist circumference and lifestyle risk factors were
      measured and studied among 2589 participants in Inner Mongolia of China, and
      biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction including high-sensitivity
      C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1),
      soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), and angiotensin II were investigated. RESULTS:
      Subjects with metabolic risk factors for CVD had higher levels of hsCRP, sE
      selectin and sICAM-1 than those without such risk factors (all P<0.05). Levels of
      all biomarkers positively and significantly increased with aggregation of the
      metabolic risk factors among the subjects (all P for trend <0.001). Data from the
      multivariate analysis showed that participants with high levels of hsCRP [odds
      ratio (OR): 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.52-2.53], sE-selectin (OR:
      1.35, 95% CI: 1.05-1.72), and angiotensin II (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.40-2.33) were
      more likely to develop hypertension; participants with high levels of hsCRP (OR:
      2.33, 95% CI: 1.85-2.94), sE-selectin (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.00-1.54), and sICAM-1
      (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.30-2.22) were more likely to develop dyslipidemia, and those
      with high levels of hsCRP (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 2.27-3.83) and sICAM-1(OR: 2.80, 95%
      CI: 2.06-3.80) were more likely to develop hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: Biomarkers
      of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were separately associated with
      relevant metabolic risk factors for CVD. And appropriate measures should be taken
      to control inflammation and improve endothelial function among individuals with
      different metabolic risk factors for CVD.

PMID- 24215875
TI  - Quantitative study of iron metabolism-related genes expression in rat.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the multiple iron metabolism-related genes expression,
      its regulation by iron and the expression correlation among the genes in rat
      tissues. METHODS: Two groups (n=30) of Sprague-Dawley female weanling rats were
      fed with a control diet and an iron deficient diet respectively for 4 weeks. All
      rats were then sacrificed, and blood and tissue samples were collected. The
      routine blood examination was performed with a veterinary automatic blood cell
      analyzer. Elemental iron levels in liver, spleen and serum were determined by
      atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mRNA expression of genes was detected by
      real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, the hemoglobin
      (Hb) level and red blood cell (RBC) count were significantly lower in the iron
      deficient group compared with those in the control group. The iron levels in
      liver, spleen and serum in the iron deficient group were significantly lower than
      those in the control group. In reference to small intestine, the relative
      expression of each iron-related gene varied in the different tissues. Under the
      iron deficiency, the expression of these genes changed in a tissue-specific
      manner. The expression of most of the genes significantly correlated in
      intestine, spleen and lung, but few correlated in liver, heart and kidney.
      CONCLUSION: Findings from our study provides new understandings about the
      relative expression, regulation by iron and correlation among the mRNA
      expressions of transferrin receptors 1 and 2, divalent metal transporter 1,
      ferritin, iron regulation proteins 1 and 2, hereditary hemochromatosis protein,
      hepcidin, ferroportin 1 and hephaestin in intestine, liver, spleen, kidney,
      heart, and lung of rat.

PMID- 24215876
TI  - Mitochondrial modulation of apoptosis induced by low-dose radiation in mouse
      testicular cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether apoptosis induced by low-dose radiation (LDR)
      is regulated by mitochondrial pathways in testicular cells. METHODS: Male mice
      were exposed to whole-body LDR, and changes in mitochondrial function and in
      expression of apoptotic factors were analyzed in the testicular cells as follows.
      Total nitric-oxide synthase (T-NOS) and Na+/K+ ATPase activities were
      biochemically assayed. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane
      potential (Deltapsim) were determined by flow cytometry using fluorescent probes.
      Levels of mRNAs encoding cytochrome c (Cyt c) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF)
      were quantified by real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Expression of
      Cyt c, AIF, caspase-9, and caspase-3 at the protein level was assessed by western
      blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: LDR induced an increase in T-NOS
      activity and ROS levels, and a decrease in Na+/K+ ATPase activity and
      mitochondrial Deltapsim, in the testicular cells. The intensity of these effects
      increased with time after irradiation and with dose. The cells showed remarkable
      swelling and vacuolization of mitochondria, and displayed a time- and dose
      dependent increase in the expression of Cyt c, AIF, procaspase-9, and procaspase
      3. Activation of the two procaspases was confirmed by detection of the cleaved
      caspases. The changes in expression of the four apoptotic factors were mostly
      limited to spermatogonia and spermatocytes. CONCLUSION: LDR can induce testicular
      cell apoptosis through mitochondrial signaling pathways.

PMID- 24215877
TI  - Plasticity of regulation of mannitol phosphotransferase system operon by CRP-cAMP
      complex in Vibrio cholerae.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The complex of the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) and cAMP is an
      important transcriptional regulator of numerous genes in prokaryotes. The
      transport of mannitol through the phosphotransferase systems (PTS) is regulated
      by the CRP-cAMP complex. The aim of the study is to investigate how the CRP-cAMP
      complex acting on the mannitol PTS operon mtl of the Vibrio cholerae El Tor
      biotype. METHODS: The crp mutant strain was generated by homologous recombination
      to assess the need of CRP to activate the mannitol PTS operon of V. cholerae El
      Tor. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and the reporter plasmid
      pBBRlux were used to confirm the role that the CRP-cAMP complex playing on the
      mannitol PTS operon mtl. RESULTS: In this study, we confirmed that CRP is
      strictly needed for the activation of the mtl operon. We further experimentally
      identified five CRP binding sites within the promoter region upstream of the
      mannitol PTS operon mtl of the Vibrio cholerae El Tor biotype and found that
      these sites display different affinities for CRP and provide different
      contributions to the activation of the operon. CONCLUSION: The five binding sites
      collectively confer the strong activation of mannitol transfer by CRP in V.
      cholerae, indicating an elaborate and subtle CRP activation mechanism.

PMID- 24215878
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological analysis of experimental muscle
      injuries in a rabbit.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      with histopathological changes, and to evaluate T2 mapping in assessing muscle
      trauma in a rabbit model of muscle injury. METHODS: We divided 35 rabbits into
      seven groups that each represented a different time point after intramuscular
      hemorrhage and muscle injury. Hemorrhage was created by injecting autologous
      blood into the left legs, and muscle injury was created by scalpel incision of
      the biceps femoris of the right legs. At different time points, the rabbits
      underwent T1-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging (T1WI and T2WI) and T2
      mapping. T2 relaxation times were measured, and the corresponding samples were
      evaluated for pathological changes RESULTS: After 2 h, the intramuscular
      hemorrhage model demonstrated an increased signal intensity on both T1WI and
      T2WI. Histological examination showed erythrocytes within the muscle bundle. On
      days 1 and 3, the MRI signals were decreased, and there were no significant
      changes after day 7. From 2 h to 3 days, the muscle-injury model showed a high
      signal on both T1WI and T2WI. Corresponding pathological changes included rupture
      and edema of muscle fibers, and inflammation. The abnormal signals were reduced
      on day 7. After day 14, the T2WI intensity remained high. T1WI showed no abnormal
      changes, but some models showed a high signal, representing fresh bleeding and
      fatty tissue. T2 relaxation times were significantly different between the
      central and marginal regions, and between the marginal and normal regions.
      CONCLUSION: MRI clearly demonstrates intramuscular hemorrhage and muscle injury,
      which correlate well with histopathological changes. T2 mapping is useful in
      assessing the extent of injury.

PMID- 24215879
TI  - Association of metabolic syndrome with inflammation in Chinese adults with
      different kidney function.

PMID- 24215880
TI  - Pedestrian mortality between 2006 and 2010 in China: findings from non-police
      reported data.
AB  - Pedestrian safety in China is an important but largely neglected issue, in part
      due to the substantial under-reporting within police data. In this study we aimed
      to examine changes in pedestrian fatality between 2006 and 2010 in China using
      non-police reported data. A multi-year study was conducted based on the mortality
      data during 2006-2010 from the Disease Surveillance Points (DSP) data in China.
      Between 2006 and 2010, the crude pedestrian mortality increased from 7.0 to 10.5
      per 100 000 populations. Annual pedestrian mortality from DSP data was 13 times
      in 2006 and 55 times in 2010 mortality for pedestrians and passengers from police
      reported data in the corresponding years. After controlling for sex, age, and
      urban/rural, the mortality increased by 44% from 2006 to 2010 (adjusted mortality
      rate ratio (MRR)=1.11, 95% CI 1.10-1.12). The problem of pedestrian deaths is
      much more serious in China than that officially reported by the police.
      Significant and urgent efforts are needed to save lives of pedestrian in China.

PMID- 24215881
TI  - Diurnal temperature range and daily emergency room admissions among the elderly
      in Beijing, China.

PMID- 24215882
TI  - Cronobacter carriage in neonate and adult intestinal tracts.
AB  - A total of 7 Cronobacter strains were isolated from 703 fecal samples collected
      in Jinan from June 13 to December 30, 2011, with the positive rate of Cronobacter
      spp. being 1.0% (95% confidence interval 0.6%-1.4%). Three Cronobacter sakazakii
      stains were isolated from 157 fecal samples of healthy neonates (95% confidence
      interval 0.4%-5.5%). This number was slightly higher than that isolated from 273
      fecal samples of healthy adults, in which 1 strain of C. sakazakii and 1 strain
      of Cronobacter malonaticus were isolated, and that from 173 fecal samples of
      adults with acute diarrhea, in which 1 strain of C. sakazakii and 1 strain of C.
      malonaticus were isolated, but the differences were not statistically significant
      (P>0.05). The Cronobacter isolates were all from different genetic sources. It
      should be noted that Cronobacter carriage may cause infection under certain
      conditions, especially in neonates.

PMID- 24215883
TI  - Inactivation and regrowth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by PAA disinfection in
      the secondary effluent of a municipal wastewater treatment plant.
AB  - Inactivation and microbial regrowth of penicillin-, ampicillin-, cefalexin-,
      tetracycline-, chloramphenicol-, and rifampicin-resistant bacteria were studied
      to explore risks associated with selection and regrowth of antibiotic-resistant
      bacteria after PAA disinfection. The results showed that after exposure to 20
      mg/L PAA for 10 min, inactivation of ampicillin-resistant bacteria reached 2.3
      log, which was significantly higher than that of total heterotrophic bacteria
      with a decrease of 2.0-log. In contrast, inactivation of tetracycline- resistant
      bacteria was significantly less efficient, reaching only 1.1-log. Chloramphenicol
      and tetracycline-resistant bacteria, as well as total heterotrophic bacteria
      regrew more than 10 fold compared to those in the untreated wastewater sample
      with 22 h stilling culture after exposure to 2 or 5 mg/L PAA as for 10 min.
      Selection and potential regrowth of tetracycline-and chloramphenicol-resistant
      bacteria are potential risks when utilizing PAA disinfection, which may induce
      the spread of specific antibiotic-resistant bacteria in reclaimed water.

PMID- 24215885
TI  - National data of Class A, B, and C communicable diseases in September 2013 in
      China.

PMID- 24215884
TI  - Hypobaric-hypoxia induces alteration in microbes and microbes-associated enzyme
      profile in rat colonic samples.
AB  - Present study deals with the straight impact of hypobaric hypoxia on the quantity
      and composition of some predominant fecal microflora and its functional aspects.
      For that, isolated fecal contents of rat were exposed to two different simulated
      air pressures (70 kPa and 40 kPa) for different time durations (1, 3, and 5 h)
      and the bacterial community composition was compared with normobaric groups
      (101.3 kPa). It was found that the total anaerobes, Escherichia coli,
      Enterbacters spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Clostridium spp. were increased whereas
      total aerobes were decreased at both hypobaric treatments. The increased number
      of amplicon was detected in the pressure-treated groups than the control that
      clearly mentioned the disruption of microbiota structure at different simulated
      hypobaric-hypoxia. The amylase, protease, tannase, beta-glucuronidase, and
      alkaline phosphatase activities were increased at these atmospheric pressures.
      Thus, the present investigation demonstrates that the hypobaric hypoxia is an
      important environmental factor which can strongly modulate the composition of
      intestinal flora as well as microflora-derived functional aspects.

PMID- 24215887
TI  - Parasite infection drives the evolution of state-dependent dispersal of the host.
AB  - Dispersal plays a fundamental role in shaping the ecological processes such as
      host-parasite interactions, and the understanding of host dispersal tendency
      leads to that of parasites. Here, we present the result of our study on how the
      evolutionarily stable dispersal of a host would depend on parasite infection,
      considering kin competition among neighbours. We show that the evolving dispersal
      rate might be higher for susceptible than for infected individuals (S-biased
      dispersal) or vice versa (I-biased dispersal). S-biased dispersal is favoured by
      strong virulence affecting competitive ability, by high rate of parasite release
      during dispersal, and by low virulence for infected emigrants (i.e. low virulence
      affecting dispersal ability), whereas I-biased dispersal is favoured in the
      opposite situation. We also discuss population structure or between-deme genetic
      differentiation of the host measured with Wright's FST. In I-biased dispersal,
      between-deme genetic differentiation decreases with the infection rate, while in
      S-biased dispersal, genetic differentiation increases with infection rate.

PMID- 24215888
TI  - Comparative study of Se oxyanions retention on three argillaceous rocks: Upper
      Toarcian (Tournemire, France), Black Shales (Tournemire, France) and Opalinus
      Clay (Mont Terri, Switzerland).
AB  - A comparative study of selenium oxyanion sorption was carried out by means of
      batch sorption experiments on three argillaceous rocks that differ in their
      mineralogical compositions and textural properties. The results show no selenate
      (Se(VI)) sorption onto the argillaceous rocks after 60 days, but clear sorption
      of selenite (Se(IV)), the extent being closely related to the initial Se(IV)
      concentration. At the lowest concentration ([Se(IV)]eq < 10(-8) mol L(-1)), the
      ranking of rock affinity for Se(IV) is Black Shales > Opalinus Clay (OPA) > Upper
      Toarcian, with Rd values of 910 +/- 70, 600 +/- 65 and 470 +/- 70 mL g(-1)
      respectively. The Se(IV) sorption isotherms acquired for the three argillaceous
      rocks can be reproduced well by means of Langmuir formalism, particularly with a
      two-site Langmuir model. The comparison of the Se(IV) sorption isotherms obtained
      for these three rocks led to identification of pyrite associated with natural
      organic matter (NOM) as one of the main phases involved in selenium retention.
      While the desorption results suggested a significant Se(IV) reduction in the
      Upper Toarcian samples, the reversible sorption shown on the Black Shales and OPA
      samples was correlated with a sulfate increase, symptomatic of surface oxidation
      of pyrite which could limit the Se(IV) reduction in favor of sorption. 

PMID- 24215889
TI  - Metabolism-guided discovery of a potent and orally bioavailable urea-based
      calcimimetic for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism.
AB  - A series of urea based calcimimetics was optimized for potency and oral
      bioavailability. Crucial to this process was overcoming the poor pharmacokinetic
      properties of lead thiazole 1. Metabolism-guided modifications, characterized by
      the use of metabolite identification (ID) and measurement of time dependent
      inhibition (TDI) of CYP3A4, were essential to finding a compound suitable for
      oral dosing. Calcimimetic 18 exhibited excellent in vivo potency in a 5/6
      nephrectomized rat model and cross-species pharmacokinetics. 

PMID- 24215890
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of nimesulide based new class of triazole
      derivatives as potential PDE4B inhibitors against cancer cells.
AB  - A new class of 1,2,3-triazol derivatives derived from nimesulide was designed as
      potential inhibitors of PDE4B. Synthesis of these compounds was carried out via a
      multi-step sequence consisting of copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition
      (CuAAC) as a key step in aqueous media. The required azide was prepared via the
      reaction of aryl amine (obtained from nimesulide) with alpha-chloroacetyl
      chloride followed by displacing the alpha-chloro group by an azide. Some of the
      synthesized compounds showed encouraging PDE4B inhibitory properties in vitro
      that is >50% inhibition at 30 MUM that were supported by the docking studies of
      these compounds at the active site of PDE4B enzyme (dock scores ~ -28.6 for a
      representative compound). Two of these PDE4 inhibitors showed promising cytotoxic
      properties against HCT-15 human colon cancer cells in vitro with IC50 ~ 21-22
      MUg/mL.

PMID- 24215891
TI  - Function-regulating pharmacophores in a sulfonamide class of glucocorticoid
      receptor agonists.
AB  - A class of alpha-methyltryptamine sulfonamide glucocorticoid receptor (GR)
      modulators was optimized for agonist activity. The design of ligands was aided by
      molecular modeling, and key function-regulating pharmacophoric points were
      identified that are critical in achieving the desired agonist effect in cell
      based assays. Compound 27 was profiled in vitro and in vivo in models of
      inflammation. Analogs could be rapidly prepared in a parallel approach from
      aziridine building blocks. 

PMID- 24215892
TI  - Discovery of 2,5-diarylnicotinamides as selective orexin-2 receptor antagonists
      (2-SORAs).
AB  - The orexin (or hypocretin) system has been identified as a novel target for the
      treatment of insomnia due to the wealth of biological and genetic data discovered
      over the past decade. Recently, clinical proof-of-concept was achieved for the
      treatment of primary insomnia using dual (OX1R/OX2R) orexin receptor antagonists.
      However, elucidation of the pharmacology associated with selective orexin-2
      receptor antagonists (2-SORAs) has been hampered by the lack of orally
      bioavailable, highly selective small molecule probes. Herein, the discovery and
      optimization of a novel series of 2,5-diarylnicotinamides as potent and orally
      bioavailable orexin-2 receptor selective antagonists is described. A compound
      from this series demonstrated potent sleep promotion when dosed orally to EEG
      telemetrized rats. 

PMID- 24215893
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of polyacids from palm acid oil and sunflower oil
      via addition reaction.
AB  - In this study aliphatic polyacids were synthesized using palm acid oil (PAO) and
      sunflower oil (SFO) via addition reaction technique. The synthesized materials
      were characterized using Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear
      magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS) and thermo
      gravimetric analysis (TGA). Mixing formic acid and hydrogen peroxide with PAO or
      SFO at the ratio 3:10:1 produced the lowest iodine value of 10.57 and 9.24
      respectively, indicating the increase in epoxidization of both oils. Adding
      adipic acid to the epoxidized oils at a ratio of 1:10 increases the acid values
      of SFO and PAO to 11.22 and 6.73 respectively. The existence of multi-acid groups
      present in synthesized polyacid was confirmed by MALD-ToF-MS. This feature
      indicates a possible value to the biomaterials development. 

PMID- 24215894
TI  - p21-Activated kinase 5: a pleiotropic kinase.
AB  - The PAKs (p21-activated kinases) are highly conserved serine/threonine protein
      kinases which comprise six mammalian PAKs. PAK5 (p21-activated kinase 5) is the
      least understood member of PAKs that regulate many intracellular processes when
      they are stimulated by activated forms of the small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac. PAK5
      takes an important part in multiple signal pathways in mammalian cells and
      controls a variety of cellular functions including cytoskeleton organization,
      cell motility and apoptosis. The main goal of this review is to describe the
      structure, mechanisms underlying its activity regulation, its role in apoptosis
      and the likely directions of further research. 

PMID- 24215895
TI  - Investigating the genetic variation underlying episodicity in major depressive
      disorder: suggestive evidence for a bipolar contribution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Highly recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) has reportedly
      increased risk of shifting to bipolar disorder; high recurrence frequency has,
      therefore, featured as evidence of 'soft bipolarity'. We aimed to investigate the
      genetic underpinnings of total depressive episode count in recurrent MDD.
      METHODS: Our primary sample included 1966 MDD cases with negative family history
      of bipolar disorder from the RADIANT studies. Total episode count was adjusted
      for gender, age, MDD duration, study and center before being tested for
      association with genotype in two separate genome-wide analyses (GWAS), in the
      full set and in a subset of 1364 cases with positive family history of MDD (FH+).
      We also calculated polygenic scores from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium MDD
      and bipolar disorder studies. RESULTS: Episodicity (especially intermediate
      episode counts) was an independent index of MDD familial aggregation, replicating
      previous reports. The GWAS produced no genome-wide significant findings. The
      strongest signals were detected in the full set at MAGI1 (p=5.1*10(-7)),
      previously associated with bipolar disorder, and in the FH+ subset at STIM1
      (p=3.9*10(-6) after imputation), a calcium channel signaling gene. However, these
      findings failed to replicate in an independent Munich cohort. In the full set
      polygenic profile analyses, MDD polygenes predicted episodicity better than
      bipolar polygenes; however, in the FH+ subset, both polygenic scores performed
      similarly. LIMITATIONS: Episode count was self-reported and, therefore, subject
      to recall bias. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings lend preliminary support to the
      hypothesis that highly recurrent MDD with FH+ is part of a 'soft bipolar
      spectrum' but await replication in larger cohorts.

PMID- 24215896
TI  - Cognitive dysfunction in unipolar depression: implications for treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this review is to examine the literature
      assessing abnormalities in neural circuitry and cognition early in the course of
      major depressive disorder (MDD) and the impact of these features on treatment
      selection and long-term outcomes. DATA SOURCES: English language and peer
      reviewed publications were obtained by PubMed/Medline (www.pubmed.org) searches
      using combinations of major depressive disorder, major depression, or unipolar
      depression and "first episode", early, cognition, cognitive, executive function
      and memory. The terms bipolar and psychosis were excluded from the searches.
      These searches yielded 409 records. STUDY SELECTION: A total of 12 studies,
      systematic reviews and meta-analyses were selected that evaluated learning,
      memory and executive function in individuals with major depressive disorder.
      Additional publications meeting these criteria were identified from the
      bibliographies of the 12 selected articles and from the "related citations"
      section of PubMed. RESULTS: Difficulty in concentrating and indecisiveness are
      reported as among the most troubling symptoms by patients with MDD and may limit
      functional recovery. Cognitive deficits in memory and decision-making are present
      early in the course of MDD and may be accompanied by structural abnormalities in
      the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex involved in cognitive functions. Although
      resolution of cognitive symptoms of depression lags behind recovery from mood
      symptoms in many patients, preliminary evidence suggests they may improve with
      antidepressant therapy, but can also persist residually. CONCLUSIONS: New
      strategies that target cognitive symptoms of depression in addition to mood
      symptoms are needed to improve long-term outcomes, particularly functional
      recovery.

PMID- 24215897
TI  - Affective temperaments and antidepressant response in the clinical management of
      mood disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of a
      relationship between affective temperament and antidepressant treatment response
      in mood disorder patients. METHODS: The lifetime history of antidepressant
      response of 90 bipolar disorder patients and 88 major depressive disorder
      patients were retrospectively evaluated and then assigned to one of four
      subgroups: complete response (CR), partial response (PR), no response (NR), and
      antidepressant associated mania response (AAMR). Using TEMPS-Rio de Janeiro - the
      brief Brazilian version of TEMPS-A - we compared affective temperament subscale
      scores across these groups. RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant
      relationship between depressive and anxious affective temperaments and no
      antidepressant response. In bipolar disorder patients, cyclothymic temperament
      (p<0.01) and hyperthymic temperament (p<0.05) were associated with antidepressant
      associated mania. Hyperthymic temperament was associated with complete
      antidepressant responses in major depressive disorder patients. LIMITATIONS: The
      evaluation of antidepressant response was retrospective. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      are consistent with the theory that affective temperament traits are factors that
      can influence the antidepressant response and the recovery from depressive
      episodes, but more longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this theory and our
      findings.

PMID- 24215898
TI  - An examination of resilience cross-culturally in child and adolescent survivors
      of the 2008 China earthquake using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD
      RISC).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China destroyed towns and village,
      displaced over a million people and caused thousands of deaths. There is a need
      to understand how children and adolescents are able to bounce back after this
      distressing event. This study conducts a psychometric assessment of the Connor
      Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the measure's validity among children and
      adolescent survivors in order to identify the factors associated with resilience
      in this socio-cultural setting. METHODS: Translated and culturally verified
      versions of the CD-RISC, UCLA-PTSD Index and Birleson Self-rating Depression
      Scale were used to collect data from 2132 children and adolescents located in
      post-disaster areas 1 year after the event. RESULTS: Through exploratory factor
      analysis, a 2-factor model was found and defined by Chinese scholars as Rational
      Thinking and Self-Awareness. Internal consistency of total CD-RISC was 0.86, 0.91
      for Rational Thinking and 0.74 for Self-Awareness. Convergent validity between
      items ranged from 0.17-0.69 and 0.12-0.20 to the total score. Items related to
      post-traumatic stress disorder loaded separately than CD-RISC items,
      demonstrating discriminant validity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that
      resilience may be understood and manifested dissimilarly in different socio
      cultural settings. This study confirms the applicability of the CD-RISC scale to
      Chinese children and adolescent earthquake survivors, and adds to the richness of
      resilience research cross-culturally.

PMID- 24215900
TI  - Hypokalemia mimicking a herniated vertebral disc.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: A herniated vertebral disc is a common cause of paralysis.
      Other causes include infections, tumors, and neurologic diseases. A rare and
      dangerous but in most cases easily treatable cause is hypokalemia. Clinically,
      the acute symptoms may resemble a herniated vertebral disc, but hypokalemia per
      se is life-threatening by causing heart arrest through ventricular tachycardia or
      fibrillation. PURPOSE: A patient with back pain and neurologic deficit in the
      lower extremities after a history of a herniated vertebral disc presented, who
      finally receives the diagnosis of hypokalemia. STUDY DESIGN: Case report.
      METHODS: A 25-year-old female patient presenting after a fall with muscle
      weakness in both legs was followed clinically and radiographically. RESULTS:
      Neurological examination showed a lower extremity muscle weakness with three
      fifths muscular strength of the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscle on both
      sides. Reflexes were diminished bilaterally, anal sphincter tone was normal.
      Plain radiography suggested a posterior rim fracture of L5, but computed
      tomography did not confirm this diagnosis. The laboratory investigation revealed
      a hypokalemia of 1.7 mEq/L. On electrolyte replacement, the patient recovered
      immediately. CONCLUSION: This report describes a misleading diagnostic case of
      back pain and neurologic deficit after a trauma and sensitizes for the possible
      life-threatening diagnosis hypokalemia, which is rare but easily treatable.

PMID- 24215899
TI  - Perinatal factors and the risk of bipolar disorder in Finland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Complications during the perinatal period have been associated with
      neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia and autism. However, similar
      studies on bipolar disorder (BPD) have been limited and the findings are
      inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the association between
      perinatal risk factors and BPD. METHODS: This nested case-control study, based on
      the Finnish Prenatal Study of Bipolar Disorders (FIPS-B), identified 724 cases
      and 1419 matched controls from population based registers. Conditional logistic
      regression was used to examine the associations between perinatal factors and BPD
      adjusting for potential confounding due to maternal age, psychiatric history and
      educational level, place of birth, number of previous births and maternal smoking
      during pregnancy. RESULTS: Children delivered by planned cesarean section had a
      2.5-fold increased risk of BPD (95% CI: 1.32-4.78, P<0.01). No association was
      seen between other examined perinatal risk factors and BPD. LIMITATIONS: The
      limitations of this study include: the restriction in the sample to treated cases
      of BPD in the population, and usage of hospital based clinical diagnosis for case
      ascertainment. In addition, in spite of the large sample size, there was low
      power to detect associations for certain exposures including the lowest birth
      weight category and pre-term birth. CONCLUSIONS: Birth by planned cesarean
      section was associated with risk of BPD, but most other perinatal risk factors
      examined in this study were not associated with BPD. Larger studies with greater
      statistical power to detect less common exposures and studies utilizing
      prospective biomarker-based exposures are necessary in the future.

PMID- 24215901
TI  - The effect of neighboring segments on the measurement of segmental stiffness in
      the intact lumbar spine.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Degeneration, injury, and surgical interventions may alter
      the mechanical properties of spinal motion segments, but the quantification of
      these alterations in vivo is problematic. Manual or instrumented loading of
      single segments in the intact spine as applied intraoperatively may overestimate
      the mechanical properties of this segment, because the applied load is partly
      sustained by the adjacent segments. PURPOSE: The distribution of stiffness values
      of individual spinal segments within and across spines was determined so as to
      use these data as input to a model simulation of segment stiffness tests in
      intact spines, to assess measurement errors. STUDY DESIGN: Biomechanical
      stiffness measurements on human cadaveric spines and model simulation to assess
      measurement errors. METHODS: Seventeen human cadaveric lumbar spines were loaded
      with pure moments in flexion/extension, lateral bending, and torsion. An optical
      system was used to measure the angular rotations of each motion segment and load
      displacement curves were used to determine stiffness. With the distribution of
      measured stiffness data as input, a stochastic mechanical model was constructed
      to investigate how the stiffness of adjacent segments influences stiffness
      estimates obtained by loading a single segment in the intact spine. RESULTS: The
      variance in stiffness values was high for all directions, but covaried between
      segments within a spine. Model simulations indicated that stiffness estimates
      obtained by loading a single segment in an intact spine are highly correlated
      with actual stiffness, but overestimate stiffness by a median of 18% with peak
      errors of close to 400%. CONCLUSION: Current measurement devices and manual
      assessment substantially overestimate segmental stiffness due to the effect of
      adjacent spinal levels. In addition, the variance in stiffness within spines can
      occasionally cause large errors, which might lead to erroneous surgical
      decisions.

PMID- 24215902
TI  - Lessons learnt from the development of the Patient Safety Incidents Reporting an
      Learning System for the Spanish National Health System: SiNASP.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the development process and characteristics of a patient
      safety incidents reporting system to be implemented in the Spanish National
      Health System, based on the context and the needs of the different stakeholders.
      DESIGN: Literature review and analysis of most relevant reporting systems,
      identification of more than 100 stakeholder's (patients, professionals, regional
      governments representatives) expectations and requirements, analysis of the legal
      context, consensus of taxonomy, development of the software and pilot test.
      RESULTS: Patient Safety Events Reporting and Learning system (Sistema de
      Notificacion y Aprendizajepara la Seguridad del Paciente, SiNASP) is a generic
      reporting system for all types of incidents related to patient safety, voluntary,
      confidential, non punitive, anonymous or nominative with anonimization, system
      oriented, with local analysis of cases and based on the WHO International
      Classification for Patient Safety. The electronic program has an on-line form for
      reporting, a software to manage the incidents and improvement plans, and a
      scoreboard with process indicators to monitor the system. CONCLUSIONS: The
      reporting system has been designed to respond to the needs and expectations
      identified by the stakeholders, taking into account the lessons learned from the
      previous notification systems, the characteristics of the National Health System
      and the existing legal context. The development process presented and the
      characteristics of the system provide a comprehensive framework that can be used
      for future deployments of similar patient safety systems.

PMID- 24215903
TI  - Low-dose aspirin-associated upper gastric and duodenal ulcers in Japanese
      patients with no previous history of peptic ulcers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long-term administration of low-dose aspirin (LDA) is associated with
      a greater risk of adverse events, including gastroduodenal ulcers. The purpose of
      this study was to identify the risk factors for and assess the role of medication
      use in the development of peptic ulcer disease in Japanese patients with no
      history of peptic ulcers. METHODS: Consecutive outpatients receiving LDA (75
      mg/day) who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January and December
      2010 were enrolled. Clinical parameters, peptic ulcer history, concomitant drugs,
      the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection, reason for endoscopy, and
      endoscopic findings were analysed. RESULTS: Of 226 total patients, 14 (6.2%) were
      endoscopically diagnosed with peptic ulcer. Age, sex, current smoking status,
      current alcohol consumption, endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy, and abdominal
      symptoms were not significantly associated with peptic ulcers. Diabetes mellitus
      was more frequent (42.9% vs. 16.5%; P = 0.024) in patients with peptic ulcers
      than in those without peptic ulcers. Using multiple logistic regression analysis,
      co-treatment with anticoagulants or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was
      significantly associated with increased and decreased risk for peptic ulcer,
      respectively (odds ratio [OR], 5.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 - 28.99;
      P = 0.03 and OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02 - 0.73; P = 0.02, respectively). Co-treatment
      with additional antiplatelet agents, H2-receptor antagonists, angiotensin II Type
      1 receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, 3-hydroxy-3
      methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
      was not associated with peptic ulcer development. CONCLUSION: The use of PPIs
      reduces the risk of developing gastric or duodenal ulcers in Japanese patients
      taking LDA without pre-existing gastroduodenal ulcers. However, this risk is
      significantly increased in both patients ingesting anticoagulants and patients
      with diabetes. These results may help identify patients who require intensive
      prophylaxis against aspirin-induced peptic ulcers.

PMID- 24215904
TI  - Low-dose computed tomography of the lumbar spine: a phantom study on imaging
      parameters and image quality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lumbar spine radiography has limited diagnostic value but low
      radiation dose compared with computed tomography (CT). The average effective
      radiation dose from lumbar spine radiography is about 1.1 mSv. Low-dose lumbar
      spine CT may be an alternative to increase the diagnostic value at low radiation
      dose, around 1 mSv. PURPOSE: To determine the optimal settings for low-dose
      lumbar spine CT simultaneously aiming for the highest diagnostic image quality
      possible. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An ovine lower thoracic and lumbar spine phantom,
      with all soft tissues around the vertebrae preserved except the skin, was placed
      in a 20 L plastic container filled with water. The phantom was scanned repeatedly
      with various technical settings; different tube potential, reference mAs, and
      with different convolution filters. Five radiologists evaluated the image quality
      according to a modification of the European guidelines for multislice computed
      tomography (MSCT) quality criteria for lumbar spine CT 2004. In a visual
      comparison the different scans were also ranked subjectively according to
      perceived image quality. Image noise and contrast were measured. RESULTS: A tube
      potential of 120 kV with reference mAs 30 and medium or medium smooth convolution
      filter gave the best image quality at a sub-millisievert dose level, i.e. with an
      effective dose comparable to that from lumbar spine radiography. CONCLUSION: Low
      dose lumbar spine CT thus opens a possibility to substitute lumbar spine
      radiography with CT without obvious increase in radiation dose.

PMID- 24215905
TI  - Usefulness of monochromatic imaging with metal artifact reduction software for
      computed tomography angiography after intracranial aneurysm coil embolization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, a newly developed fast-kV switching dual energy CT scanner
      with a gemstone detector generates virtual high keV images as monochromatic
      imaging (MI). Each MI can be reconstructed by metal artifact reduction software
      (MARS) to reduce metal artifact. PURPOSE: To evaluate the degree of metal
      artifacts reduction and vessel visualization around the platinum coils using dual
      energy CT with MARS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dual energy CT was performed using a
      Discovery CT750 HD scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). In a phantom
      study, we measured the mean standard deviation within regions of interest around
      a 10-mm-diameter platinum coil mass on MI with and without MARS. Thirteen
      patients who underwent CTA after endovascular embolization for cerebral aneurysm
      with platinum coils were included in a clinical study. We visually assessed the
      arteries around the platinum coil mass on MI with and without MARS. RESULTS: Each
      standard deviation near the coil mass on MI with MARS was significantly lower
      than that without MARS in a phantom study. On CTA of a clinical study, better
      visibility of neighboring arteries was obtained in 11 of 13 patients on MI with
      MARS compared to without MARS due to metal artifact reduction. CONCLUSION: Dual
      energy CT with MARS reduces metal artifact of platinum coils, resulting in
      favorable vessel visualization around the coil mass on CTA after embolization.

PMID- 24215906
TI  - Dynamic Toll-like receptor expression predicts outcome of sclerotherapy for
      lymphatic malformations with OK-432 in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sclerotherapy with OK-432 is recommended as a first-line treatment
      for lymphatic malformations. However, 40% of patients show poor response, defined
      by involution to <50% of the original size. It has been suggested that the OK-432
      effect is highly dependent on the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-dependent expression
      of TLR7 in antigen-presenting cells. We hypothesized that the ability for TLR
      expression in monocytes after treatment with the TLR4-ligand lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS) can be used to predict successful OK-432 treatment. METHODS: Blood was
      taken from children with low responder (LR, n = 6) and high responder (HR, n = 5)
      of previous OK-432 treatment. Monocytes were stimulated with LPS for 20 h. TLR
      expression was analyzed with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (mean
      fluorescence intensity). The level of significance was P <= 0.05. RESULTS: The
      mean age of patients in the HR group was 1.4 +/- 0.9 y and in the LR group 2.8 +/
      2.9 y (P = 0.31). The mean TLR4 upregulation after LPS stimulation in the HR
      group was significantly higher than in the LR group (factor 3.6 versus factor 1
      compared with nonstimulated controls; P = 0.037). The mean TLR7 expression did
      not show significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic TLR4
      expression represents most probably a predictive parameter for the treatment of
      lymphatic malformations with OK-432 and should be further investigated.

PMID- 24215907
TI  - Molecular and immunological characterization of beta'-component (Onc k 5), a
      major IgE-binding protein in chum salmon roe.
AB  - Salmon roe has a high allergic potency and often causes anaphylaxis in Japan. The
      major allergic protein of salmon roe is beta'-component, which is a 35kDa
      vitellogenin fragment consisting of two subunits. To elucidate structural
      information and immunological characteristics, beta'-component and the subunit
      components were purified from chum salmon (Onchorhincus keta) roe and
      vitellogenin-encoding mRNA was used to prepare beta'-component subunit-encoding
      cDNA. This was PCR-amplified, cloned and sequenced and the deduced amino acid
      sequence compared with partial sequences of beta'-component obtained by peptide
      mapping. The recombinant beta'-component subunit was produced by bacterial
      expression in Escherichia coli and its IgE-binding ability was measured by ELISA
      using the sera of a patient allergic to salmon roe. This was then compared with
      that of the native beta'-component with and without carboxymethylation. Following
      successful cloning of the cDNA encoding the beta'-component subunit, 170 amino
      acid residues were deduced and matched with the amino acid sequences of 121 and
      88 residues in the 16kDa and 18kDa subunits, respectively. The sequences of both
      beta'-component subunits were almost identical, and the predicted secondary
      structure of the beta'-component showed a high content of beta-pleated sheets and
      no alpha-helices. There was no difference in IgE-binding ability between the
      native and recombinant beta'-component subunits at the same protein
      concentration, regardless of carboxymethylation. In conclusion, beta'-component
      is a homodimer protein composed of two isoform subunits having the same level of
      IgE-binding ability and, therefore, allergenic identity. 

PMID- 24215908
TI  - Preparation of stabilized magnetic nanoparticles with polymerizable lipid and
      anchor compounds.
AB  - Although the lipid-based method for coating of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is
      rapid and simple, the unstable state of the lipid layer is a major limitation for
      the practical application of this method. We devised a method to prepare
      stabilized MNPs by covalent modifications such as lipid polymerization and
      anchoring of the lipid layer. The stability of the modified lipid layer was
      demonstrated by the stable status of enzymes immobilized on the MNPs and the
      resistance of the MNPs to aggregation. We also determined the maximum ratio of
      nonpolymerizable lipophilic compounds that can be included in the layer without
      significantly reducing stability. 

PMID- 24215909
TI  - Microsphere-based immunoassay for the detection of azaspiracids.
AB  - Azaspiracids (AZAs) are a group of lipophilic toxins discovered in mussels from
      Ireland in 1995 following a human poisoning incident. Nowadays the regulatory
      limit for AZAs in many countries is set at 160 MUg of azaspiracid equivalents per
      kilogram of shellfish meat. In this work a microsphere-based immunoassay has been
      developed for the detection of AZAs using a Luminex system. This method is based
      on the competition between AZA-2 immobilized onto the surface of microspheres and
      free AZAs for the interaction with a monoclonal anti-azaspiracid antibody (mAb
      8F4). In this inhibition immunoassay the amount of mAb 8F4 bound to AZA-2
      microspheres was quantified using a phycoerythrin-labeled anti-mouse antibody,
      and the fluorescence was measured with a Luminex analyzer. Simple
      acetate/methanol or methanol extractions yielded final extracts with no matrix
      interferences and adequate recovery rates of 86.5 and 75.8%, respectively. In
      summary, this work presents a sensitive and easily performed screening method
      capable of detecting AZAs at concentrations below the range of the European
      regulatory limit using a microsphere/flow cytometry system.

PMID- 24215911
TI  - The impacts of handling and air exposure on immune parameters, gene expression,
      and susceptibility to vibriosis of European abalone Haliotis tuberculata.
AB  - Wild or farmed abalone are regularly exposed to stressors, such as air exposure
      and handling. Immune and transcriptional responses as well as susceptibility to
      vibriosis of sexually mature or immature European abalone acclimated at 16 or 19 
      degrees C were determined following handling or air exposure. Hemocyte density
      and H2O2 production increased while hemocyte viability and phagocytic index
      decreased following handling. Air exposure induces a decrease of hemocyte density
      and phagocytic index. Measurement of the expression of genes implicated in
      general metabolic, immunological and stress responses in gills, foot-muscle and
      hemocytes by real time q-PCR suggested that both stressors lead to a metabolic
      rate depression, characterized by a general inhibition of transcription. Finally,
      following handling a Vibrio harveyi challenge enhances almost 100% mortality of
      sexually immature animals at 19  degrees C while it has been previously
      demonstrated that only mature are susceptible to vibriosis. 

PMID- 24215910
TI  - Weak protein-protein interactions revealed by immiscible filtration assisted by
      surface tension.
AB  - Biological mechanisms are often mediated by transient interactions between
      multiple proteins. The isolation of intact protein complexes is essential to
      understanding biochemical processes and an important prerequisite for identifying
      new drug targets and biomarkers. However, low-affinity interactions are often
      difficult to detect. Here, we use a newly described method called immiscible
      filtration assisted by surface tension (IFAST) to isolate proteins under defined
      binding conditions. This method, which gives a near-instantaneous isolation,
      enables significantly higher recovery of transient complexes compared to current
      wash-based protocols, which require reequilibration at each of several wash
      steps, resulting in protein loss. The method moves proteins, or protein
      complexes, captured on a solid phase through one or more immiscible-phase
      barriers that efficiently exclude the passage of nonspecific material in a single
      operation. We use a previously described polyol-responsive monoclonal antibody to
      investigate the potential of this new method to study protein binding. In
      addition, difficult-to-isolate complexes involving the biologically and
      clinically important Wnt signaling pathway were isolated. We anticipate that this
      simple, rapid method to isolate intact, transient complexes will enable the
      discoveries of new signaling pathways, biomarkers, and drug targets. 

PMID- 24215912
TI  - Determination of sialic acids in immune system cells (coelomocytes) of sea
      urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, using capillary LC-ESI-MS/MS.
AB  - Coelomocytes are considered to be immune effectors of sea urchins. Coelomocytes
      are the freely circulating cells in the body fluid contained in echinoderm coelom
      and mediate the cellular defence responses to immune challenges by phagocytosis,
      encapsulation, cytotoxicity and the production of antimicrobial agents.
      Coelomocytes have the ability to recognize self from non-self. Considering that
      sialic acids play important roles in immunity, we determined the presence of
      sialic acid types in coelomocytes of Paracentrotus lividus. Homogenized
      coelomocytes were kept in 2 M aqueous acetic acid at 80  degrees C for 3 h to
      liberate sialic acids. Sialic acids were determined by derivatization with 1,2
      diamino-4,5-methylenediaoxy-benzene dihydrochloride (DMB) followed by capillary
      liquid-chromatography-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry (CapLC-ESI
      MS/MS). Standard sialic acids; Neu5Ac, Neu5Gc, KDN and bovine submaxillary mucin
      showing a variety of sialic acids were used to confirm sialic acids types. We
      found ten different types of sialic acids (Neu5Gc, Neu5Ac, Neu5Gc9Ac, Neu5Gc8Ac,
      Neu5,9Ac2, Neu5,7Ac2, Neu5,8Ac2, Neu5,7,9Ac3, Neu5Gc7,9Ac2, Neu5Gc7Ac) isolated
      in limited amounts from total coelomocyte population. Neu5Gc type of sialic acids
      in coelomocytes was the most abundant type sialic acid when compared with other
      types. This is the first report on the presence of sialic acid types in
      coelomocytes of P. lividus using CapLC-ESI-MS/MS-Ion Trap system (Capillary
      Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization/Tandem Mass Spectrometry). 

PMID- 24215915
TI  - History of acupuncture research.
AB  - The acupuncture has been practiced in China for more than 3000 years and was
      spread to Europe and American from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. The
      history of acupuncture research was initiated in the eighteenth century and
      developed rapidly since then. In the past, physicians tried hard to apply
      acupuncture into clinical practice, while scientists were focused on the possible
      characteristics of acupoints and meridians. In the modern time, scientists have
      strived hard to evaluate the real effectiveness of acupuncture and the underlying
      physiological and biological mechanisms of acupuncture. Reviewing research
      history from past to present, we are delighted to witness this wonderful
      development. Accumulated evidences that acupuncture is beneficial in various
      conditions significantly enhanced our understanding the mechanisms of acupuncture
      treatment. However, there is still no conclusive evidence in acupuncture clinical
      studies. The clinical research still needs great improving, while the basic
      research results need to be appropriately transformed into clinical outcomes.
      Based on current achievements, we believe that although the challenges and
      difficulties exist, a more collaborative, innovative, and integrated approach
      will help us to achieve further progress in future acupuncture research. 

PMID- 24215914
TI  - The thyroid hormone triiodothyronine controls macrophage maturation and
      functions: protective role during inflammation.
AB  - The endocrine system participates in regulating macrophage maturation, although
      little is known about the modulating role of the thyroid hormones. In vitro
      results demonstrate a negative role of one such hormone, triiodothyronine (T3),
      in triggering the differentiation of bone marrow-derived monocytes into
      unpolarized macrophages. T3-induced macrophages displayed a classically activated
      (M1) signature. A T3-induced M1-priming effect was also observed on polarized
      macrophages because T3 reverses alternatively activated (M2) activation, whereas
      it enhances that of M1 cells. In vivo, circulating T3 increased the content of
      the resident macrophages in the peritoneal cavity, whereas it reduced the content
      of the recruited monocyte-derived cells. Of interest, T3 significantly protected
      mice against endotoxemia induced by lipopolysaccharide i.p. injection; in these
      damaged animals, decreased T3 levels increased the recruited (potentially
      damaging) cells, whereas restoring T3 levels decreased recruited and increased
      resident (potentially beneficial) cells. These data suggest that the anti
      inflammatory effect of T3 is coupled to the modulation of peritoneal macrophage
      content, in a context not fully explained by the M1/M2 framework. Thyroid hormone
      receptor expression analysis and the use of different thyroid hormone receptor
      antagonists suggest thyroid hormone receptor beta1 as the major player mediating
      T3 effects on macrophages. The novel homeostatic link between thyroid hormones
      and the pathophysiological role of macrophages opens new perspectives on the
      interactions between the endocrine and immune systems. 

PMID- 24215913
TI  - HCV infection selectively impairs type I but not type III IFN signaling.
AB  - A stable and persistent Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication cell culture model
      was developed to examine clearance of viral replication during long-term
      treatment using interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), IFN-lambda, and ribavirin (RBV).
      Persistently HCV-infected cell culture exhibited an impaired antiviral response
      to IFN-alpha+RBV combination treatment, whereas IFN-lambda treatment produced a
      strong and sustained antiviral response that cleared HCV replication. HCV
      replication in persistently infected cells induced chronic endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) stress and an autophagy response that selectively down-regulated the
      functional IFN-alpha receptor-1 chain of type I, but not type II (IFN-gamma) or
      type III (IFN-lambda) IFN receptors. Down-regulation of IFN-alpha receptor-1
      resulted in defective JAK-STAT signaling, impaired STAT phosphorylation, and
      impaired nuclear translocation of STAT. Furthermore, HCV replication impaired RBV
      uptake, because of reduced expression of the nucleoside transporters ENT1 and
      CNT1. Silencing ER stress and the autophagy response using chemical inhibitors or
      siRNA additively inhibited HCV replication and induced viral clearance by the IFN
      alpha+RBV combination treatment. These results indicate that HCV induces ER
      stress and that the autophagy response selectively impairs type I (but not type
      III) IFN signaling, which explains why IFN-lambda (but not IFN-alpha) produced a
      sustained antiviral response against HCV. The results also indicate that
      inhibition of ER stress and of the autophagy response overcomes IFN-alpha+RBV
      resistance mechanisms associated with HCV infection. 

PMID- 24215916
TI  - Effects of acupuncture needling with specific sensation on cerebral hemodynamics
      and autonomic nervous activity in humans.
AB  - Effective therapeutic factors in acupuncture therapy include specific stimulation
      points, called acupoints, and specific sensations, called de-qi, that are induced
      by needling manipulation. Human neuroimaging studies have reported that
      acupuncture stimulation with de-qi sensations induced specific activity patterns
      in the brain and modulated autonomic nervous activity. However, acupoints and
      nonacupoints have been reported to induce de-qi sensations. Thus, it remains
      unclear whether these physiological responses induced by acupuncture and
      associated with therapeutic efficacy are related to specific stimulation sites
      (acupoints) or unique de-qi sensations. This review focuses on the cerebral
      hemodynamic responses and autonomic nervous activity changes induced by
      acupuncture stimulation at acupoints and nonacupoints with and without de-qi
      sensations. We argue that the specific sensations induced by acupuncture are more
      important than the specific stimulation sites for inducing cerebral hemodynamic
      and autonomic responses and that autonomic responses during acupuncture, which
      might be important for therapeutic efficacy, might be mediated though the brain
      activity changes exemplified by the cerebral hemodynamic responses during
      acupuncture. 

PMID- 24215917
TI  - Acupuncture point specificity.
AB  - Acupuncture, as a modality treatment, has gained increasing popularity and
      acceptance between public and health-care professionals worldwide. Recently,
      there has been intensive debate about the efficacy of acupuncture therapy due to
      the conflicting outcome of clinical trials. Acupoint specificity was regarded as
      one of the core scientific issues with respect to acupuncture practice at the
      Society for Acupuncture Research international symposium held in 2007. In this
      chapter, we reviewed the recent development in basic science and clinical studies
      on the role of acupoint specificity. The evidence cumulated from brain imaging
      and many biological studies showed that the point specificity in acupuncture does
      exist, although acupoint specificity-related issues such as sham acupoint and
      placebo phenomenon need to be seriously considered. How to optimize the efficacy
      of acupoint and minimize the impact of sham acupuncture is an urgent issue faced
      by acupuncture community, and more studies are warranted on the subjects. 

PMID- 24215918
TI  - Acupuncture stimulation induces neurogenesis in adult brain.
AB  - The discovery of adult neurogenesis was a turning point in the field of
      neuroscience. Adult neurogenesis offers an enormous possibility to open a new
      therapeutic paradigm of neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. Recently, several
      studies suggested that acupuncture may enhance adult neurogenesis. Acupuncture
      has long been an important treatment for brain diseases in the East Asia. The
      scientific mechanisms of acupuncture treatment for the diseases, such as
      Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke, have not been clarified
      yet; however, the neurogenic effect of acupuncture can be a possible reason.
      Here, we have reviewed the studies on the effect of stimulation at various
      acupoints for neurogenesis, such as ST36 and GV20. The suggested mechanisms are
      also discussed including upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial
      cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and
      neuropeptide Y, and activation of the function of primo vascular system. 

PMID- 24215919
TI  - Acupuncture and neurotrophin modulation.
AB  - The Western explanation for acupuncture effectiveness is based upon more than
      half a century of basic and clinical research, which identified the activation of
      sensory system and the subsequent activity-dependent regulation of
      neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and several classes of neuromodulators as
      plausible mechanism for the acupuncture's therapeutic properties. The regulation
      of neurotrophins' expression and activity is one of the possible
      neurophysiological mechanisms underlying acupuncture's effects on neuropathic
      pain, nerve injury, neurodegeneration, and even in the regulation of gonadal
      functions. The present work will review the scientific literature produced by a
      decade of investigations on the relationship between acupuncture and
      neurotrophins. This scientific production and the current knowledge about the
      neural and neurohormonal activity-dependent regulation of neurotrophin
      expression/action suggest the existence of a link between the ability of
      acupuncture in regulating neural physiology and its effects on the neurotrophic
      milieu in different disease states. 

PMID- 24215920
TI  - Acupuncture stimulation and neuroendocrine regulation.
AB  - Acupuncture has been used to treat different conditions for at least 3000 years
      in China and has gained increasing acceptance worldwide. The acupuncture needle
      inserted into the muscle layer at the acupoint produces the so-called obtaining
      qi sensation that causes the excitation of A-delta and C-fibers of the muscle
      tissue, resulting in afferent signals. The afferent signals pass through the
      dorsal horn cells of the spinal cord ascending to the brain, such as the
      hypothalamus, enhancing the release of neuropeptides and hormones, and these
      afferent signals in the spinal segment may innervate the visceral organ, inducing
      effect on visceral function. Here, we reviewed the effect of acupuncture
      stimulation on neuropeptides and hormones, including beta-endorphin, serotonin,
      oxytocin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone,
      corticotrophin-releasing hormone, cholecystokinin, and acetylcholine, as well as
      insulin sensitivity, immunomodulation (anti-inflammation), and autonomic nerve
      activity. 

PMID- 24215921
TI  - Current development of acupuncture research in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Parkinson's disease is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disease. The
      etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms that cause PD are still not fully
      understood. The available treatments to PD are only symptomatic relief.
      Acupuncture is used to treat many medical conditions for 1000 years in China and
      has gained wider and increasing acceptance within both public and medical
      profession because it has been a very safe and well-tolerated treatment. In this
      chapter, we reviewed relevant laboratory findings regarding acupuncture mechanism
      on Parkinson's. We showed that acupuncture stimulation in Parkinson's models had
      generated valuable mechanistic insight of Parkinson's and showed that acupuncture
      treatment is in fact a neuroprotective therapy that increase the release of
      various neuroprotective agents such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial
      cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and cyclophilin A. In addition,
      acupuncture therapy slows cell death process and attenuates oxidative stress to
      dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Further, acupuncture therapy
      modulates neuronal activity of the basal ganglia output structures. These results
      suggest that early application of acupuncture therapy to Parkinson's patients may
      be helpful for the best efficacy of acupuncture treatment. It is hopeful that
      translation of achievement in acupuncture research in Parkinson's models will
      maximize the potentials of acupuncture treatment. 

PMID- 24215922
TI  - Acupuncture therapy for stroke patients.
AB  - Acupuncture is one of the most important parts of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
      has been used for more than 3000 years as prevention and treatment for various
      diseases in China as well as in adjacent regions, and is widely accepted in
      western countries in recent years. More and more clinical trials revealed that
      acupuncture shows positive effect in stroke, not only as a complementary and
      alternative medicine for poststroke rehabilitation but also as a preventive
      strategy which could induce cerebral ischemic tolerance, especially when combined
      with modern electrotherapy. Acupuncture has some unique characteristics, which
      include acupoint specificity and parameter-dependent effect. It also involves
      complicated mechanism to exert the beneficial effect on stroke. Series of
      clinical trials have shown that acupuncture primarily regulates the release of
      neurochemicals, hemorheology, cerebral microcirculation, metabolism, neuronal
      activity, and the function of specific brain region. Animal studies showed that
      the effects of acupuncture therapy on stroke were possibly via inhibition of
      postischemic inflammatory reaction, stimulation of neurogenesis and angiogenesis,
      and influence on neural plasticity. Mechanisms for its preconditioning effect
      include activity enhancement of antioxidant, regulation of the endocannabinoid
      system, and inhibition of apoptosis. Although being controversial, acupuncture is
      a promising preventive and treatment strategy for stroke, but further high
      quality clinical trials would be needed to provide more confirmative evidence. 

PMID- 24215923
TI  - Effect and mechanism of acupuncture on Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia diagnosed in the aging
      population worldwide. The cause of Alzheimer's is still not clear. There is no
      cure for the disease and current treatments are only symptomatic relieve. The
      search for new treatment is made ever more urgent due to increasing population
      aging. Acupuncture has been in practice in China for more than 3000 years and
      used to treat a wide variety of conditions including cardiovascular and
      psychiatric diseases, acute, and chronic pain. In this chapter, we review recent
      development on the effects and mechanisms of acupuncture on Alzheimer's disease.
      In Alzheimer's animal models, acupuncture stimulation at acupoints enhances
      cholinergic neurotransmission, trophic factor releasing, reduces apoptotic and
      oxidative damages, improves synaptic plasticity and decreases the levels of Abeta
      proteins in the hippocampus and relevant brain regions. The biochemical
      modulations by acupuncture in the brains of Alzheimer's models are correlated
      with the cognitive improvement. In Alzheimer's patients, functional brain images
      demonstrated that acupuncture increased in the activity in the temporal lobe and
      prefrontal lobe which are related to the memory and cognitive function. Although
      only a few acupuncture clinical studies with a small number of participants are
      reported, they represent an important step forward in the research of both
      acupuncture and Alzheimer's. Translation of acupuncture research in animal model
      studies into the human subjects will undoubtedly enhance acupuncture efficacy in
      clinical study and treatment which could eventually lead to a safer, well
      tolerated and inexpensive form of care for Alzheimer's patients. 

PMID- 24215924
TI  - Acupuncture therapy for psychiatric illness.
AB  - Acupuncture has traditionally been used for problems including anxiety, insomnia,
      stress, and depression in China and other East Asian countries. A range of
      different neurobiological responses to acupuncture have been investigated
      including modulation of serotonergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic systems;
      effects on GABA and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; and inflammatory
      responses. Interpretation of the findings is challenging because the neurobiology
      of psychiatric disorders has yet to be fully elucidated. Limitations also arise
      from the use of animal models and the selection of appropriate control
      treatments. Further complexity is added by acupuncture treatment being
      nonstandardized with acupuncture points often selected on the basis on
      traditional practice and theory. Potentially promising findings require further
      investigation and substantiation. 

PMID- 24215925
TI  - Acupuncture for the treatment of insomnia.
AB  - Insomnia appears to be a fast-spreading problem in the modern days, which not
      only affects people's living quality but also impairs people's working efficiency
      even causing disability. Pharmacological treatment is effective but frequently
      with significant side effects. Acupuncture is traditionally used for the
      treatment of insomnia in China and now is widely accepted in the Western
      countries. Many research works on clinical applications of acupuncture in the
      treatment of insomnia and the potential mechanisms underlying the acupuncture
      treatment have been reported. This chapter will try to provide a systematic
      review on the research findings. A number of clinical studies, mainly randomized
      controlled clinical trials, have shown positive effects in acupuncture treatment
      of insomnia. Some of the studies demonstrated that acupuncture treatment appeared
      to be better than conventional pharmacological drugs in the improvement of
      insomnia. These encouraging findings are limited by the qualities problems of the
      methodology used in these clinical studies. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture
      appeared to be supported by evidence obtained from basic neuroendocrinological
      studies. A number of studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may modulate a
      wide range of neuroendocrinological factors following stimulation of acupoints.
      Evidence has suggested that the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treatment of
      insomnia is potentially mediated by a variety of neurotransmitters including
      norepinephrine, melatonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and beta-endorphin. However,
      due to the complexity, these findings are far from conclusive. More research is
      necessary. More rigors methodology and integrated approach to evaluate both
      clinical and basic research evidence are required for future studies. 

PMID- 24215926
TI  - Acupuncture for the treatment of drug addiction.
AB  - Over the last four decades, there has been an increasing interest in acupuncture
      treatment of substance abuse around the world. Three important steps can be
      identified in this field. Dr. Wen of Hong Kong was the first (1972) to report
      that acupuncture at four body points and two ear points combined with electric
      stimulation can relieve opioid withdrawal signs in the addicts. The second major
      step was made by Dr. M. Smith in New York, the head of the National Acupuncture
      Detoxification Association (NADA) of the United States, who finalized a protocol
      (1985), using only ear points without electric stimulation for the treatment of
      cocaine dependence. The recent advance in this field was made by Dr. Han of the
      Peking University, Beijing, who characterized a protocol (2005), using electric
      stimulation of identified frequencies on body points to ameliorate heroin
      withdrawal signs and reduce relapse of heroin use. In this chapter, the efficacy
      of acupuncture and related techniques for the treatment of drug dependence in
      experimental settings and clinical practice will be reviewed, and the possible
      mechanisms underlying this effect be discussed. 

PMID- 24215927
TI  - Acupuncture regulation of blood pressure: two decades of research.
AB  - Although mechanisms underlying acupuncture regulation of pain have been studied
      by a number of laboratories in many countries, much less is known about its
      ability to modulate cardiovascular function. In the last two decades, our
      laboratory has systematically investigated the peripheral and central neural
      mechanisms underlying acupuncture regulation of blood pressure. These
      observations account for acupuncture's distant actions and, to some extent, its
      local actions, with respect to the site of needling. Four fundamental findings
      have advanced our knowledge. First, point-specific effects of acupuncture
      underlie its cardiovascular actions. Second, variable regions in the supraspinal
      and spinal central nervous system that receive input from somatic afferent
      stimulation account for acupuncture's ability to modulate blood pressure. Thus,
      depending on the underlying situation, for example, high or low blood pressure,
      acupuncture modifies autonomic outflow by reducing activity in brain stem nuclei
      that participate in the primary response. Third, repetitive acupuncture through a
      molecular mechanism can cause prolonged cardiovascular effects that far outlast
      acupuncture stimulation. Fourth, there is a range of cardiovascular
      responsiveness to acupuncture that depends, at least in part, on interactions
      between neural modulators that synaptically regulate autonomic function in the
      brain stem. Thus, acupuncture has the capability of profoundly regulating
      cardiovascular function in patients with disease, for example, hypertension, and
      the experimental laboratory is directing best approaches to study its actions in
      humans. 

PMID- 24215928
TI  - Effect and mechanism of acupuncture on gastrointestinal diseases.
AB  - Acupuncture modulates various biomechanical responses, such as prokinetic,
      antiemetic, and antinociceptive effects. Acupuncture treatment involves the
      insertion of thin needles into the skin and underlying muscle and the needles are
      stimulated manually or electrically. Thus, acupuncture stimulates the somatic
      afferent nerves of the skin and muscles. The somatic sensory information from the
      body is carried to the cortex area of the brain. Somatic sensory fibers also
      project to the various nuclei, including the brain stem, periaqueductal gray
      (PAG), and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. Somatosensory
      pathways stimulated by acupuncture activate these nuclei. Activation of the brain
      stem modulates the imbalance between sympathetic activity and parasympathetic
      activity. Opioid released from the PAG is involved in mediating antiemetic and
      antinociceptive effects of acupuncture. Oxytocin release from the PVN mediates
      antistress and antinociceptive effects of acupuncture. Acupuncture may be
      effective in patients with functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders because of
      its effects on GI motility and visceral pain. It is expected that acupuncture is
      used in the treatment of patients with functional GI disorders. 

PMID- 24215929
TI  - Acupuncture is a fundamental part of traditional Chinese medicine. Preface.

PMID- 24215930
TI  - Arabidopsis cysteine-rich receptor-like kinase 45 positively regulates disease
      resistance to Pseudomonas syringae.
AB  - Arabidopsis cysteine-rich receptor-like protein kinase 45 (CRK45) was found to be
      involved in ABA signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana previously. Here, we reported
      that it also positively regulates disease resistance. The CRK45 overexpression
      plants increased expression of the defense genes, and enhanced resistance to
      Pseudomonas syringae whereas the crk45 mutant were more sensitive to P. syringae
      and weakened expression of the defense genes, compared to the wild type. We also
      found that treatment with P. syringae leads to a declined expression of CRK45 in
      the npr1 mutant and the NahG transgenic plants. At the same time, significantly
      decreased expression of CRK45 transcript in the wrky70 mutant than that in the
      wild type was also detected. Our results suggested that CRK45 acted as a positive
      regulator in Arabidopsis disease resistance, and was regulated downstream of NPR1
      and WRKY70 at the transcriptional level. 

PMID- 24215931
TI  - Genome-wide analysis and expression profiling of the Solanum tuberosum
      aquaporins.
AB  - Aquaporins belongs to the major intrinsic proteins involved in the transcellular
      membrane transport of water and other small solutes. A comprehensive genome-wide
      search for the homologues of Solanum tuberosum major intrinsic protein (MIP)
      revealed 41 full-length potato aquaporin genes. All potato aquaporins are grouped
      into five subfamilies; plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs), tonoplast
      intrinsic proteins (TIPs), NOD26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs), small basic
      intrinsic proteins (SIPs) and x-intrinsic proteins (XIPs). Functional predictions
      based on the aromatic/arginine (ar/R) selectivity filters and Froger's positions
      showed a remarkable difference in substrate transport specificity among
      subfamilies. The expression pattern of potato aquaporins, examined by qPCR
      analysis, showed distinct expression profiles in various organs and tuber
      developmental stages. Furthermore, qPCR analysis of potato plantlets, subjected
      to various abiotic stresses revealed the marked effect of stresses on expression
      levels of aquaporins. Taken together, the expression profiles of aquaporins imply
      that aquaporins play important roles in plant growth and development, in addition
      to maintaining water homeostasis in response to environmental stresses. 

PMID- 24215933
TI  - Rapid determination of alendronate to quality evaluation of tablets by high
      resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - Determination of alendronate is crucial to routine quality control of alendronate
      tablets. However, tedious sample treatment processes such as derivatization were
      generally required by chromatographic separation of alendronate as its high
      polarity and no chromophore in the molecular structure. Here, we describe the use
      of (1)H NMR for the quantification of alendronate sodium in tablets. Linearity,
      recovery, selectivity and sensitivity of the assay were validated to be
      satisfactory with quick sample preparation and acquisition. The contents of
      alendronate sodium in tablets from five manufacturers were determined, the
      results showed that all assayed tablets fell within the range of 90.0-110.0% of
      the label claim and the relative standard deviation was less than 6.0%. The
      method was also successfully employed for alendronate tablet dissolution assay in
      this study. 

PMID- 24215934
TI  - Translation invariant directional framelet transform combined with Gabor filters
      for image denoising.
AB  - This paper is devoted to the study of a directional lifting transform for wavelet
      frames. A nonsubsampled lifting structure is developed to maintain the
      translation invariance as it is an important property in image denoising. Then,
      the directionality of the lifting-based tight frame is explicitly discussed,
      followed by a specific translation invariant directional framelet transform
      (TIDFT). The TIDFT has two framelets psi1, psi2 with vanishing moments of order
      two and one respectively, which are able to detect singularities in a given
      direction set. It provides an efficient and sparse representation for images
      containing rich textures along with properties of fast implementation and perfect
      reconstruction. In addition, an adaptive block-wise orientation estimation method
      based on Gabor filters is presented instead of the conventional minimization of
      residuals. Furthermore, the TIDFT is utilized to exploit the capability of image
      denoising, incorporating the MAP estimator for multivariate exponential
      distribution. Consequently, the TIDFT is able to eliminate the noise effectively
      while preserving the textures simultaneously. Experimental results show that the
      TIDFT outperforms some other frame-based denoising methods, such as contourlet
      and shearlet, and is competitive to the state-of-the-art denoising approaches. 

PMID- 24215932
TI  - Altered subcellular localization of the NeuN/Rbfox3 RNA splicing factor in HIV
      associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).
AB  - The anti-NeuN antibody has been widely used for over 15 years to unambiguously
      identify post-mitotic neurons in the central nervous system of a wide variety of
      vertebrates including mice, rats and humans. In contrast to its widely reported
      nuclear localization, we found significantly higher NeuN reactivity in the
      cytoplasm of neurons in brain sections from HIV-infected individuals with
      cognitive impairment compared to controls. The protein target of anti-NeuN
      antisera was recently identified as the neuron-specific RNA splicing factor,
      Rbfox3, but its significance in diseases affecting the brain has not been
      previously reported. RNA splicing occurs in the nucleus hence, the altered
      localization of RbFox3 to the cytoplasm may lead to the downregulation of
      neuronal gene expression. 

PMID- 24215936
TI  - Fatigue on the flight deck: the consequences of sleep loss and the benefits of
      napping.
AB  - The detrimental effects of fatigue in aviation are well established, as evidenced
      by both the number of fatigue-related mishaps and numerous studies which have
      found that most pilots experience a deterioration in cognitive performance as
      well as increased stress during the course of a flight. Further, due to the
      nature of the average pilot's work schedule, with frequent changes in duty
      schedule, early morning starts, and extended duty periods, fatigue may be
      impossible to avoid. Thus, it is critical that fatigue countermeasures be
      available which can help to combat the often overwhelming effects of sleep loss
      or sleep disruption. While stimulants such as caffeine are typically effective at
      maintaining alertness and performance, such countermeasures do nothing to address
      the actual source of fatigue - insufficient sleep. Consequently, strategic naps
      are considered an efficacious means of maintaining performance while also
      reducing the individual's sleep debt. These types of naps have been advocated for
      pilots in particular, as opportunities to sleep either in the designated rest
      facilities or on the flight deck may be beneficial in reducing both the
      performance and alertness impairments associated with fatigue, as well as the
      subjective feelings of sleepiness. Evidence suggests that strategic naps can
      reduce subjective feelings of fatigue and improve performance and alertness.
      Despite some contraindications to implementing strategic naps while on duty, such
      as sleep inertia experienced upon awakening, both researchers and pilots agree
      that the benefits associated with these naps far outweigh the potential risks.
      This article is a literature review detailing both the health and safety concerns
      of fatigue among commercial pilots as well as benefits and risks associated with
      strategic napping to alleviate this fatigue. 

PMID- 24215935
TI  - Modelling binding between CCR5 and CXCR4 receptors and their ligands suggests the
      surface electrostatic potential of the co-receptor to be a key player in the HIV
      1 tropism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: CCR5 and CXCR4 are the two membrane-standing proteins that, along
      with CD4, facilitate entry of HIV particles into the host cell. HIV strains
      differ in their ability to utilize either CCR5 or CXCR4, and this specificity,
      also known as viral tropism, is largely determined by the sequence of the V3 loop
      of the viral envelope protein gp120. RESULTS: With statistical and docking
      approaches we have computationally analyzed binding preferences of CCR5 and CXCR4
      to both V3 loop sequences of virus strains of different tropism and endogenous
      ligands. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the tropism cannot be satisfactorily
      explained by amino-acid interactions alone, and suggest a two-step mechanism, by
      which initial coreceptor selection and approach of the ligand to the binding
      pocket is dominated by charge and glycosylation pattern of the viral envelope.

PMID- 24215937
TI  - Invasive Streptococcus anginosus group infection-does the species predict the
      outcome?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an association between the species of
      Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) bacteria and the clinical outcome. METHODS:
      Isolates from invasive infections caused by SAG bacteria at our institution
      between January 2004 and February 2009 were identified phenotypically to the
      taxonomic level of species. Clinical data from the medical records of the
      patients from whom these isolates were recovered were obtained retrospectively
      and analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with invasive Streptococcus intermedius
      infections had a significantly longer hospital stay than patients infected with
      S. anginosus (p = 0.024) and a significantly higher 30-day all-cause mortality
      than patients infected with Streptococcus constellatus (p = 0.049). CONCLUSION:
      Identification of SAG bacteria to the taxonomic level of species may be of
      prognostic importance.

PMID- 24215938
TI  - Iron supplementation at high altitudes induces inflammation and oxidative injury
      to lung tissues in rats.
AB  - Exposure to high altitudes is associated with hypoxia and increased vulnerability
      to oxidative stress. Polycythemia (increased number of circulating erythrocytes)
      develops to compensate the high altitude associated hypoxia. Iron supplementation
      is, thus, recommended to meet the demand for the physiological polycythemia. Iron
      is a major player in redox reactions and may exacerbate the high altitudes
      associated oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to explore the potential
      iron-induced oxidative lung tissue injury in rats at high altitudes (6000ft above
      the sea level). Iron supplementation (2mg elemental iron/kg, once daily for
      15days) induced histopathological changes to lung tissues that include severe
      congestion, dilatation of the blood vessels, emphysema in the air alveoli, and
      peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration. The levels of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha), lipid peroxidation product and protein
      carbonyl content in lung tissues were significantly elevated. Moreover, the
      levels of reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity were significantly
      reduced. Co-administration of trolox, a water soluble vitamin E analog (25mg/kg,
      once daily for the last 7days of iron supplementation), alleviated the lung
      histological impairments, significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines,
      and restored the oxidative stress markers. Together, our findings indicate that
      iron supplementation at high altitudes induces lung tissue injury in rats. This
      injury could be mediated through excessive production of reactive oxygen species
      and induction of inflammatory responses. The study highlights the tissue injury
      induced by iron supplementation at high altitudes and suggests the co
      administration of antioxidants such as trolox as protective measures. 

PMID- 24215939
TI  - Telomerase reverse transcriptase gene promoter mutations help discern the origin
      of urogenital tumors: a genomic and molecular study.
AB  - Activation of telomerase can be observed in almost all human tumor histotypes and
      detection of the urinary telomerase activities is useful for the diagnosis and
      surveillance of bladder cancer. In this study, we screened, by Sanger sequencing,
      302 patients with various urogenital cancers for somatic mutations in the
      promoter of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene and determined the
      clinical relevance of TERT promoter mutations in urogenital cancer. In vitro
      assays were also performed to evaluate the functional influence of the discovered
      mutations. We found that the frequencies of somatic mutations in the TERT
      promoter varied substantially between different types of urogenital tumors
      (range: 0-63.7%), with urothelial carcinomas showing the highest mutation
      frequency and prostate cancer showing no mutation. The mutations upregulated the
      expression of TERT and enhanced the invasiveness of the tumor cells. The
      mutations were more prevalent in older patients with invasive diseases and
      advanced tumor stages, and were associated with significantly shorter survival
      time. Moreover, we also observed a significant co-occurrence of mutations between
      the TERT promoter and the tumor protein 51/retinoblastoma1 (TP53/RB1) signaling
      pathway. Hence, TERT promoter mutations may serve as important markers for the
      differential diagnosis and surveillance of urogenital tumors. 

PMID- 24215940
TI  - A progress report on a prospective randomised trial of open and robotic
      prostatectomy.
AB  - A randomised trial of robotic and open prostatectomy commenced in October 2010
      and is progressing well. Clinical and quality of life outcomes together with
      economic costs to individuals and the health service are being examined
      critically to compare outcomes. 

PMID- 24215941
TI  - Coal-tar-based sealcoated pavement: a major PAH source to urban stream sediments.
AB  - We used land-use analysis, PAH concentrations and assemblages, and multivariate
      statistics to identify sediment PAH sources in a small (~1303 km(2)) urbanizing
      watershed located in South-Central, Pennsylvania, USA. A geographic information
      system (GIS) was employed to quantify land-use features that may serve as PAH
      sources. Urban PAH concentrations were three times higher than rural levels, and
      were significantly and highly correlated with combined
      residential/commercial/industrial land use. Principal components analysis (PCA)
      was used to group sediments with similar PAH assemblages, and correlation
      analysis compared PAH sediment assemblages to common PAH sources. The strongest
      correlations were observed between rural sediments (n = 7) and coke-oven
      emissions sources (r = 0.69-0.78, n = 5), and between urban sediments (n = 22)
      and coal-tar-based sealcoat dust (r = 0.94, n = 47) suggesting that coal-tar
      based sealcoat is an important urban PAH source in this watershed linked to
      residential and commercial/industrial land use.

PMID- 24215942
TI  - Understanding partnership practice in primary health as pedagogic work: what can
      Vygotsky's theory of learning offer?
AB  - Primary health policy in Australia has followed international trends in promoting
      models of care based on partnership between professionals and health service
      users. This reform agenda has significant practice implications, and has been
      widely adopted in areas of primary health that involve supporting families with
      children. Existing research shows that achieving partnership in practice is
      associated with three specific challenges: uncertainty regarding the role of
      professional expertise, tension between immediate needs and longer-term capacity
      development in families, and the need for challenge while maintaining
      relationships based on trust. Recently, pedagogic or learning-focussed elements
      of partnership practice have been identified, but there have been no systematic
      attempts to link theories of learning with the practices and challenges of
      primary health-care professionals working with families in a pedagogic role. This
      paper explores key concepts of Vygotsky's theory of learning (including
      mediation, the zone of proximal development, internalisation, and double
      stimulation), showing how pedagogic concepts can provide a bridge between the
      policy rhetoric of partnership and primary health practice. The use of this
      theory to address the three key challenges is explicitly discussed. 

PMID- 24215943
TI  - Designing interactivity on consumer health websites: PARAFORUM for spinal cord
      injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper addresses the issue of interactivity on health consumer
      websites powered by health organizations, by presenting the design of PARAFORUM,
      an interactive website in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: The
      design of PARAFORUM is based on different streams of research in online health
      communication, web-based communities, open innovation communities and formative
      evaluation with stakeholders. RESULTS: PARAFORUM implements a model of
      diversified interactivity based on individuals with SCI and their families,
      health professionals, and researchers sharing their expertise in SCI. In addition
      to traditional health professional/researcher-to-consumer and peer-to-peer
      interactions, through PARAFORUM consumers, health professionals and researchers
      can co-design ideas for the enhancement of practice and research on SCI.
      CONCLUSION: There is the need to reflect on the conceptualization and
      operationalization of interactivity on consumer health websites. Interactions
      between different users can make these websites important platforms for promoting
      self-management of chronic conditions, organizational innovation, and
      participatory research. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Interactivity on consumer health
      websites is a main resource for health communication. Health organizations are
      invited to build interactive websites, by considering, however, that the
      exploitation of interactivity require users' collaboration, processes and
      standards for managing content, creating and translating knowledge, and
      conducting internet-based studies.

PMID- 24215944
TI  - Slowly progressive folate-deficiency myelopathy: report of a case.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Folate deficiency is known to be associated with subacute combined
      degeneration of the spinal cord; however, reports of long-standing cases are
      rare. Although neurological deficits due to folate deficiency have been reported
      to respond to folic acid supplementation, the functional outcomes have not been
      fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical
      features and response to folate supplementation in a patient with folate
      deficiency manifested over 10 years as a slowly progressive myelopathy. METHODS:
      We performed comprehensive clinical screening, electrophysiological testing, and
      posturography before and after folate supplementation. RESULTS: A 49-year-old man
      had a slowly progressive gait disturbance for 10 years. He had not eaten fresh
      green vegetables for more than 10 years. Neurological examination revealed
      spastic paraplegia and absence of any vibration sense in the lower limbs
      accompanied by a positive Romberg's sign. Serum folate level was low, and plasma
      homocysteine level was elevated. Levels of blood thiamine and serum cobalamin
      were normal. We diagnosed the patient with myelopathy due to folate deficiency.
      Folic acid supplementation led to improvement of his symptoms; posturography and
      walking speed tests showed partial improvement, while the somatosensory-evoked
      potentials and central motor conduction time remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS:
      Folate deficiency should be considered as a differential diagnosis of chronic
      slowly progressive myelopathy. The present case suggests the importance of early
      diagnosis and treatment before the adverse neurological manifestations of folate
      deficiency become irreversible.

PMID- 24215945
TI  - Non-paraneoplastic voltage-gated calcium channels antibody-mediated cerebellar
      ataxia responsive to IVIG treatment.
AB  - Non-paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia associated with voltage-gated calcium
      channel (VGCC) antibodies is a rare entity with only few cases reported in
      literature. We describe a 60 year-old man with subacute cerebellar ataxia and
      subclinical Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in whom VGCC antibodies were
      detected at high titer in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Screening for underlying
      malignancies was negative. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment led to the
      improvement of clinical picture and reduction of serum antibody titer over a 13
      month follow-up period. We emphasize that VGCC antibodies should be included in
      the diagnostic work-up of patients with subacute cerebellar ataxia and that
      treatment with IVIG can improve the clinical picture and prevent disability.

PMID- 24215947
TI  - Time well spent: the duration of foster care and early adult labor market,
      educational, and health outcomes.
AB  - Individuals who spent time in foster care as children fare on average worse than
      non-placed peers in early adult life. Recent research on the effect of foster
      care placement on early adult life outcomes provides mixed evidence. Some studies
      suggest negative effects of foster care placement on early adult outcomes, others
      find null effects. This study shows that differences in the average duration of
      foster care stays explain parts of these discordant findings and then test how
      foster care duration shapes later life outcomes using administrative data on 7220
      children. The children experienced different average durations of foster care
      because of differences in exposure to a reform. Later born cohorts spent on
      average 3 months longer in foster care than earlier born cohorts. Isolating
      exogenous variation in duration of foster care, the study finds positive effects
      of increased duration of foster care on income and labor market participation. 

PMID- 24215946
TI  - Hypothiocyanous acid oxidation of tubulin cysteines inhibits microtubule
      polymerization.
AB  - Thiol oxidation is a probable outcome of cellular oxidative stress and is linked
      to degenerative disease progression. In addition, protein thiol redox reactions
      are increasingly identified as a mechanism to regulate protein structure and
      function. We assessed the effect of hypothiocyanous acid on the cytoskeletal
      protein tubulin. Total cysteine oxidation by hypothiocyanous and hypochlorous
      acids was monitored by labeling tubulin with 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein and by
      detecting higher molecular weight inter-chain tubulin disulfides by Western blot
      under nonreducing conditions. Hypothiocyanous acid induced nearly stoichiometric
      oxidation of tubulin cysteines (1.9 mol cysteine/mol oxidant) and no methionine
      oxidation was observed. Because disulfide reducing agents restored all the
      polymerization activity that was lost due to oxidant treatment, we conclude that
      cysteine oxidation of tubulin inhibits microtubule polymerization.
      Hypothiocyanous acid oxidation of tubulin cysteines was markedly decreased in the
      presence of 4% glycerol, a component of the tubulin purification buffer. Due to
      its instability and buffer- and pH-dependent reactivity, hypothiocyanous acid
      studies require careful consideration of reaction conditions.

PMID- 24215948
TI  - Developmental trajectories of romantic stages and associations with problem
      behaviours during adolescence.
AB  - Normative romantic development is theorized to progress through a series of
      stages: affiliative activities, group-based dating, and romantic relationships.
      The objectives of this research were threefold: empirically examine this
      progression of romantic stages during adolescence, determine normative and
      atypical trajectories, and examine links with internalizing and externalizing
      symptoms. An eight-wave longitudinal study was conducted with 698 adolescents
      (53.6% female; M(age) = 11.8 years at start of study). A group-based trajectory
      approach was employed to identify prototypical trajectories of romantic
      development and a model with three distinct romantic trajectories (i.e., On-time,
      Early Starters and Late Bloomers) was identified. Both timing and sequencing of
      romantic activity differed among trajectory groups. Analysis of Variance (ANOVAs)
      identified associations between Early Starters and externalizing behaviours in
      early, middle and later adolescence. The findings support progression through
      theorized stages of romantic activity and highlight the problems that are linked
      to early-starting and non-sequenced romantic development.

PMID- 24215949
TI  - The impact of sleep on adolescent depressed mood, alertness and academic
      performance.
AB  - The present study developed and tested a theoretical model examining the inter
      relationships among sleep duration, sleep quality, and circadian chronotype and
      their effect on alertness, depression, and academic performance. Participants
      were 385 adolescents aged 13-18 years (M = 15.6, SD = 1.0; 60% male) were
      recruited from eight socioeconomically diverse high schools in South Australia.
      Participants completed a battery of questionnaires during class time and recorded
      their sleep patterns in a sleep diary for 8 days. A good fit was found between
      the model and the data (chi(2)/df = 1.78, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .04). Circadian
      chronotype showed the largest association with on adolescent functioning, with
      more evening-typed students reporting worse sleep quality (beta = .50, p < .001)
      and diminished alertness (beta = .59, p < .001). Sleep quality was significantly
      associated with poor outcomes: adolescents with poorer sleep quality reported
      less sleep on school nights (beta = -.28, p < .001), diminished daytime alertness
      (beta = .33, p < .001), and more depressed mood (beta = .47, p < .001).
      Adolescents with poor sleep quality and/or more evening chronotype were also more
      likely to report worse grades, through the association with depression. Sleep
      duration showed no direct effect on adolescent functioning. These results
      identified the importance of two lesser-studied aspects of sleep: circadian
      chronotype and sleep quality. Easy-to-implement strategies to optimize sleep
      quality and maintain an adaptive circadian body clock may help to increase
      daytime alertness, elevate mood, and improve academic performance.

PMID- 24215950
TI  - Brief report: youth pathways out of homelessness - preliminary findings.
AB  - While there exists an extensive body of knowledge regarding the risks associated
      with youth homelessness, very little work has addressed the process of exiting
      street contexts. This paper reports baseline findings from an ongoing
      longitudinal study assessing factors associated with a successful transition out
      of homelessness. Fifty-one formerly homeless youth who obtained stable housing in
      the past 2 months to 2 years participated in this study which took place in two
      Canadian urban centres. Findings include poorer functioning across all domains
      for youth residing in housing contexts without supports, a lack of relationship
      between psychological and behavioural aspects of community integration, and the
      central role of self-concept in mental health and quality of life. These findings
      suggest the need for ongoing support for youth exiting street spaces and social
      contexts, with attention to the importance of self-concept and psychological
      aspects of community integration. 

PMID- 24215951
TI  - Mothers' marital history and the physical and mental health of young adults: an
      investigation over the early life course.
AB  - Using survey data from 12,424 adolescents and their mothers over 13 years in the
      nationally representative National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the
      purpose of this study was to examine a life course model exploring the pathways
      linking mothers' marital history (identified as latent classes) and young adult
      health outcomes. During young adulthood (Wave 4), respondents ranged in age from
      19 to 32. The results demonstrated unique long-term influences of stressful
      marital history typologies of mothers (prior to 1995) on the physical and mental
      health of young adults (2008) with reference to consistently married mothers
      after controlling for health status in 2001. These influences operated through
      family processes (economic pressure and parental rejection) and adolescent
      psychosocial adjustment (self-esteem, academic performance, and delinquent
      behavior). Our findings show that vulnerable groups of youth, in terms of
      mothers' marital history, can be identified early for appropriate intervention
      efforts. 

PMID- 24215952
TI  - The role of gender and race in the relation between adolescent distress tolerance
      and externalizing and internalizing psychopathology.
AB  - Distress tolerance (DT) is an established construct contributing to the onset and
      maintenance of psychopathology in adulthood; however, few studies have examined
      the role of DT in older adolescent psychopathology. Emerging data suggest that
      gender and race may influence this relation. Therefore, the current study
      examined the relation between gender, race, and DT on parent-reported
      internalizing and externalizing DSM-oriented symptoms among a community sample of
      128, 14-18 year old adolescents. Results indicated a moderating effect of gender
      on affective problems, such that females with low DT, but not males, displayed
      significantly greater affective problems. Findings also indicated a significant
      moderating effect of race, such that Caucasians with low DT, but not African
      Americans, displayed significantly higher somatic, oppositional defiant, and
      conduct problems. These findings suggest that DT is an important clinical
      variable in older adolescence, particularly among Caucasians and females. 

PMID- 24215954
TI  - Brief report: the adolescent Child-to-Parent Aggression Questionnaire: an
      examination of aggressions against parents in Spanish adolescents.
AB  - The objective of this study was to develop a questionnaire to assess child-to
      parent aggression in adolescents and to document the extent of the problem. The
      questionnaire developed in this study, the Child-to-Parent Aggression
      Questionnaire (CPAQ), includes forms of physical and psychological aggression
      directed at both the mother and the father. It also includes open questions about
      the reasons for the aggressive acts. The CPAQ was completed by a sample of 2719
      adolescents (age range: 13-18 years old, 51.4% girls). Confirmatory factor
      analysis supported a four-factor correlated structure (physical aggression
      against mother, physical aggression against father, psychological aggression
      against mother, and psychological aggression against father). Psychological and
      physical aggression against the mother was more frequent than against the father.
      However, there were no differences with regard to severe forms of aggression.
      Girls scored significantly higher on all indicators of psychological aggression,
      including severe psychological aggression. Nevertheless, except for the
      prevalence of physical aggression against mothers, which was higher in females,
      there were no significant differences in physical aggression against parents.
      Finally, the reasons provided by the adolescents for the aggression included both
      instrumental (e.g., to obtain permission to get home late and to access their
      computers) and reactive reasons (e.g., anger and self-defense). These findings
      highlight the complexity of child-to-parent aggression in adolescence. 

PMID- 24215953
TI  - Internalizing symptoms and rumination: the prospective prediction of familial and
      peer emotional victimization experiences during adolescence.
AB  - Adolescence is marked by increases in stressful life events. Although research
      has demonstrated that depressed individuals generate stress, few studies
      investigate the generation of emotional victimization. The current study examined
      the effects of rumination and internalizing symptoms on experiences of peer
      victimization and familial emotional abuse. Participants were 216 adolescents (M
      = 14-years-old; 58% female; 47% African-American) who completed two assessments.
      Results showed that rumination predicted peer victimization and emotional abuse.
      The effect of rumination on emotional victimization is heightened for those who
      have higher levels of depression symptoms. That is, individuals who ruminate and
      who have depression symptoms experience increases in both peer emotional
      victimization and parental emotional abuse. This study builds upon prior research
      and indicates that rumination may be a stronger predictor of emotional
      victimization than symptoms of depression or anxiety. Identifying underlying
      mechanisms may yield targets for interventions aimed at addressing the chronic
      nature of depression.

PMID- 24215955
TI  - Addressing career barriers for high risk adolescent girls: the PATHS curriculum
      intervention.
AB  - The study evaluated a gender-specific comprehensive career development curriculum
      designed to target career barriers faced by high risk adolescent girls - those
      with disabilities and at risk for school failure. The goal of the curriculum was
      to promote social cognitive career and self determination outcomes associated
      with adaptive career development and adjustment. A pre-post control group design
      was used to evaluate the curriculum. Findings suggest that participation in the
      curriculum resulted in significant and large gains in autonomy and in disability
      and gender-related knowledge. Meaningful gains were noted in perceptions of
      social support and relevance of school. Participants in a high fidelity sample
      made significant and large gains in vocational skills self-efficacy and
      disability and gender-related knowledge. Meaningful improvements were noted in
      self-advocacy, autonomy, and vocational outcome expectations. The findings
      suggest that the curriculum can improve important indicators of positive career
      development and adjustment in high risk adolescent girls. 

PMID- 24215956
TI  - Warm and harsh parenting as mediators of the relation between maternal and
      adolescent emotion regulation.
AB  - Maternal hostility/rejection and warmth were considered as potential mediators of
      the relation between mothers' and adolescents' emotion regulation. Participants
      were first-year high school students living in Ankara, Turkey and their mothers
      (N = 365). Scales assessing emotion regulation difficulties and maternal
      hostility/rejection and warmth were administered to both the adolescents and
      their mothers. Maternal hostility/rejection, but not warmth, mediated the
      relation between maternal and adolescent emotion regulation. For girls there was,
      additionally, a direct effect of maternal emotion regulation. The different roles
      played by parental rejection and parental warmth in the development of
      adolescents' emotion regulation accord with arguments that socialization occurs
      in different domains and that rejection and warmth are not aspects of the same
      domain.

PMID- 24215957
TI  - Sleep patterns and psychological functioning in families in northeastern Iran;
      evidence for similarities between adolescent children and their parents.
AB  - Sleep and well-being of adolescents and their parents are related, but data from
      non-Western countries are scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate
      the relationship between adolescents' and their parents' sleep patterns and
      psychological functioning in northeastern Iran. A total of 81 families (81
      mothers, 78 fathers, 130 children aged 12-20 years) took part in the study. They
      individually and separately completed questionnaires related to sleep and
      psychological functioning. Sleep quality was related within families. Poor sleep
      among children and parents was related in each case to more depressive symptoms
      and stress. Mothers' sleep and psychological functioning were more related to
      adolescent children's sleep and psychological functioning than were those of
      fathers. Results confirm research showing that adolescent's and parents' sleep
      and psychological functioning are inter-related. This association holds also true
      for families in northeastern Iran, suggesting that the association reflects
      universal features of family functioning. 

PMID- 24215958
TI  - International note: temperament and character's relationship to subjective well
      being in Salvadorian adolescents and young adults.
AB  - The present study investigated the relationship between personality and
      Subjective Well-Being in a sample of 135 Salvadorian adolescents and young adults
      (age mean = 21.88 sd. = 4.70). Personality was assessed through self-reports
      using the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised. Subjective Well-Being was
      also self-reported using the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule and the
      Satisfaction With Life Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to determine
      relationships between personality and Subjective Well-Being. Regarding
      temperament dimensions, Harm Avoidance was positively associated to negative
      affect and negatively associated to positive affect, while Persistence was
      positively associated to positive affect. Regarding character dimensions, only
      Self-directedness was related to Subjective Well-Being: positively related to
      life satisfaction and positive affect. The results presented here mirror findings
      using the temperament and character model of personality among European and North
      American adolescents.

PMID- 24215960
TI  - Overall and unique similarities between parents' values and adolescent or
      emerging adult children's values.
AB  - The transmission of values between generations has gained more and more research
      interest over the last few years. One important outcome of the process of value
      transmission is the degree of similarity between parents and their children, that
      may vary across child's developmental stages. This study aimed to estimate the
      cultural stereotype effect on parent-child value similarity in adolescence and in
      emerging adulthood. Participants were 423 Italian fathers, mothers, and their
      adolescent (56.7%) or emerging adult (43.3%) children, who were asked to fill out
      the Portrait Values Questionnaire. Parent-child value similarity was small in
      size among families with adolescents, and significantly higher among families
      with emerging adults. Nevertheless, after removing stereotype effects, this
      difference disappeared, suggesting that the higher parent-emerging adult value
      similarity was to a great extent socially derived. Implications of this finding
      were discussed. 

PMID- 24215961
TI  - Exposure to life adversity in high school and later work participation: a
      longitudinal population-based study.
AB  - This paper investigates whether exposure to violence, sexual abuse, or bullying
      is associated with later work participation and whether high school completion
      has a potential mediating role. Self-reported junior high school questionnaire
      data were linked for eight consecutive years to prospective registry data for the
      demographics, educational progress, employment activity, and social benefits of
      11,874 individuals. Ordinal regression analysis showed that violence and/or
      bullying at 15 years of age predicted negative work participation outcomes eight
      years later, independent of high school completion and other relevant factors.
      Although increasing educational level may have some preventive effect, these
      results indicate that prevention efforts should be initiated at an early age and
      should target adverse life experiences. 

PMID- 24215959
TI  - Are sexual media exposure, parental restrictions on media use and co-viewing TV
      and DVDs with parents and friends associated with teenagers' early sexual
      behaviour?
AB  - Sexual content in teenagers' media diets is known to predict early sexual
      behaviour. Research on sexual content has not allowed for the social context of
      media use, which may affect selection and processing of content. This study
      investigated whether sexual media content and/or contextual factors (co-viewing,
      parental media restrictions) were associated with early sexual behaviour using
      2251 14-15 year-olds from Scotland, UK. A third (n = 733) reported sexual
      intercourse. In multivariable analysis the likelihood of intercourse was lower
      with parental restriction of sexual media and same-sex peer co-viewing; but
      higher with mixed-sex peer co-viewing. Parental co-viewing, other parental
      restrictions on media and sexual film content exposure were not associated with
      intercourse. Findings suggest the context of media use may influence early sexual
      behaviour. Specific parental restrictions on sexual media may offer more
      protection against early sex than other restrictions or parental co-viewing.
      Further research is required to establish causal mechanisms.

PMID- 24215962
TI  - Testing the Index of Problematic Online Experiences (I-POE) with a national
      sample of adolescents.
AB  - This article assesses the utility of the Index of Problematic Online Experiences
      (I-POE) in a national sample of adolescents in the United States. The study was
      based on a cross-sectional national telephone survey of 1560 Internet users, ages
      10 through 17. Data were collected between August, 2010 and January, 2011. The I
      POE is an 18-item binary response index which can be used to assess problematic
      internet use across multiple behaviors and activities. Exploratory and
      confirmatory factor analysis supported a revised index with two factors: a 9-item
      "excessive use" scale and a 9-item "online social and communication problems"
      scale among this population. The I-POE showed favorable psychometric properties
      including adequate internal consistency for the overall scale and for the two
      subscales. Scores correlate with offline emotional and behavioral difficulties
      and the I-POE could have value for use as a part of broad mental health
      assessment procedures in clinical or school settings. 

PMID- 24215963
TI  - Self-concept in adolescence: a longitudinal study on reciprocal effects of self
      perceptions in academic and social domains.
AB  - Fostering social and academic self-concepts are central educational goals. During
      mid-adolescence academic engagement and success seem to be devalued by peers and
      to be negatively associated with students' social standing. For this age group,
      is the development of a positive academic self-concept compatible with the
      development of a positive social self-concept? We investigated relations among
      academic self-concept, social self-concept, and academic achievement. 1282
      students (47.60% female) participated in three-waves of measurement in Grade 5,
      6, and 8. Earlier social self-concept of acceptance negatively predicted changes
      in academic self-concept over time while earlier social self-concept of assertion
      positively predicted changes in academic self-concept. There were no significant
      relations between social self-concepts and achievement but positive reciprocal
      relations between academic self-concept and achievement. Results indicate that
      fostering adolescents self-concept in social and academic domains are compatible
      goals. However, some students need support in managing the challenge to
      coordinate social and academic goals. 

PMID- 24215964
TI  - Making a difference in adult-child relationships: evidence from an adult-child
      communication intervention in Botswana, Malawi, and Mozambique.
AB  - Girls are vulnerable to HIV in part because the social systems in which they live
      have failed to protect them. This study evaluates a program aimed at
      strengthening adult-child relationships to reduce girls' vulnerability to HIV in
      Botswana, Malawi, and Mozambique. In addition to an extensive process evaluation,
      a cross-sectional post-intervention survey was conducted in the three countries.
      The total sample size was 1418 adolescent girls (ages 11-18). Bivariate and
      multilevel, multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the association
      between adult program exposure and adult-child relationship improvement. In
      Botswana, Malawi, and Mozambique, girls whose mothers and fathers participated in
      the program, as compared to those whose parents did not participate in the
      program, were significantly more likely to report that their relationships with
      their parents had improved. Research has shown the important role that adults can
      play in the mitigation of youth risk taking behavior. 

PMID- 24215965
TI  - Happiness and health behaviour in Iranian adolescent girls.
AB  - This study was conducted to examine the association of happiness in adolescent
      females with leisure time and health related behaviours namely diet, physical
      activity and first or second hand smoking. Using a self-administered
      questionnaire, data were collected from 8159 female high school students ages 11
      19 years. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed statistically
      significant associations between happiness and weight, regular exercise, exposure
      to second-hand tobacco smoke, daily fruit or vegetable consumption and the way
      participants spent their leisure time. Happiness was associated with lower BMI,
      regular physical activity, absence of exposure to second-hand smoke, higher
      consumption of fruits and vegetables, and spending leisure time with family (all
      P < 0.005). These exploratory findings suggest that encouraging children and
      adolescents to adopt healthy behaviours, providing family time and a smoke-free
      environment may make them not only healthier but also happier.

PMID- 24215966
TI  - Developmental trajectories of religiosity, sexual conservatism and sexual
      behavior among female adolescents.
AB  - Understanding the role of socio-sexual cognitions and religiosity on adolescent
      sexual behavior could guide adolescent sexual health efforts. The present study
      utilized longitudinal data from 328 young women to assess the role of religion
      and socio-sexual cognitions on sexual behavior accrual (measuring both coital and
      non-coital sexual behavior). In the final triple conditional trajectory
      structural equation model, religiosity declined over time and then increased to
      baseline levels. Additionally, religiosity predicted decreased sexual
      conservatism and decreased sexual conservatism predicted increased sexual
      behavior. The final models are indicative of young women's increasing accrual of
      sexual experience, decreasing sexual conservatism and initial decreasing
      religiosity. The results of this study suggest that decreased religiosity affects
      the accrual of sexual experience through decreased sexual conservatism. Effective
      strategies of sexual health promotion should include an understanding of the
      complex role of socio-sexual attitudes with religiosity. 

PMID- 24215967
TI  - Coming of age on the streets: survival sex among homeless young women in
      Hollywood.
AB  - This study examined childhood physical or sexual abuse, involvement in dependency
      or delinquency systems, psychiatric hospitalization, and suicide as possible risk
      factors for survival sex among homeless young women. Homeless young women were
      found to have similarly high rates of childhood sexual abuse, dependency and
      delinquency systems involvement, and psychiatric hospitalization. Homeless young
      women involved in survival sex disclosed higher rates of attempted suicide and
      reported marginally higher rates of childhood physical abuse. Analysis of
      qualitative data showed that those engaged in survival sex were motivated
      primarily by desperation to meet basic needs including a place to stay, food and
      money, and one third mentioned that peers commonly were influential in decisions
      to engage in survival sex. Others were influenced by coercion (10%) or pursuit of
      drugs (10%). Young women engaged in survival sex generally experienced regret and
      shame about their experience. 

PMID- 24215968
TI  - The measurement of reflective function in adolescents with and without borderline
      traits.
AB  - Reflective function refers to the capacity to reflect on the mind of self and
      others in the context of the attachment relationship. Reflective function (and
      its conceptual neighbor, mentalizing) has been shown to be an important correlate
      of a variety of disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD). The
      current study examined the construct validity of the Reflective Function
      Questionnaire for Youths (RFQY) in an inpatient sample of adolescents. Adequate
      internal consistency was established for the RFQY. Significant positive
      associations with an interview-based measure of reflective function and an
      experimental-based assessment of mentalization were found for the RFQY. Strong
      negative relations with BPD features were found and adolescent patients who
      scored above clinical cut-off for BPD symptoms demonstrated significantly poorer
      reflective function compared to patients without the disorder. These findings
      provide preliminary support for the notion that reflective function can be
      validly and reliably assessed in adolescent populations. 

PMID- 24215969
TI  - Suicidal ideations and attempts among adolescents subjected to childhood sexual
      abuse and family conflict/violence: the mediating role of anger and depressed
      mood.
AB  - Based on a sample of 9085 16- to 19-year-old students attending all high schools
      in Iceland in 2004, the current study examines depressed mood and anger as
      potential mediators between family conflict/violence and sexual abuse, on the one
      hand, and suicidal ideations and suicide attempts on the other. Agnew's general
      strain theory provides the theoretical framework for the study. Structural
      equation modelling (SEM) was conducted allowing explicit modelling of both direct
      and mediating effects using observed and latent variables. The findings showed
      that both depressed mood and anger mediated the relationship between family
      conflict/violence and sexual abuse and suicidal attempts. However, when testing
      the mediating pathways between sexual abuse and family conflict/violence and
      suicidal ideations, only depressed mood but not anger turned out to be a
      significant mediator. The authors discuss how these finding may inform and
      facilitate the design and development of interventions to reduce the likelihood
      of suicide attempts among young people. 

PMID- 24215970
TI  - Comparing reports of peer rejection: associations with rejection sensitivity,
      victimization, aggression, and friendship.
AB  - Perceiving that one is rejected is an important correlate of emotional
      maladjustment. Yet, self-perceptions can substantially differ from classmate
      reports of who is rejected. In this study, discrepancies between self- and
      classmate-reports of rejection were identified in 359 Australian adolescents (age
      10-12 years). As expected, adolescents who overestimated rejection reported more
      rejection sensitivity and felt more victimized by their peers, but were not seen
      by peers as more victimized. Adolescents who underestimated rejection identified
      themselves as high in overt aggression, and their peers identified them as high
      in overt and relational aggression and low in prosocial behavior. Yet,
      underestimators' feelings of friendship satisfaction did not seem to suffer and
      they reported low rejection sensitivity. Results suggest that interventions to
      promote adolescent health should explicitly recognize the different needs of
      those who do and do not seem to perceive their high rejection, as well as
      adolescents who overestimate their rejection. 

PMID- 24215971
TI  - Incidence and risk factors for first line anti retroviral treatment failure among
      Ugandan children attending an urban HIV clinic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early recognition of antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure in resource
      limited settings is a challenge given the limited laboratory facilities and
      trained personnel. This study aimed at describing the incidence, risk factors and
      the resistance associated mutations (RAMs) of first line treatment failure among
      HIV-1-infected children attending the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC),
      Kampala, Uganda. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 701 children who had been
      initiated on ART between January 2004 and September 2009 at the JCRC was studied.
      Data of children aged 6 months up to 18 years who had been started on ART for at
      least 6 months was extracted from the clinic charts. The children who failed the
      first-line ART were taken as cases and those who did not fail as the controls.
      Data was analysed using STATA version10. RESULTS: Of 701 children, 240(34%)
      failed on first line ART (cases) and 461(66%) did not fail (controls). The
      overall median time (IQR) to first line ART failure was 26.4 (18.9 - 39.1)
      months. The factors associated with treatment failure were poor adherence [(OR =
      10, 95 CI: 6.4 - 16.7) p < 0.001], exposure to single dose nevirapine (sdNVP)
      [(OR = 4.2, 95% CI:1.8-9.4), p = 0.005] and a NVP containing regimen [(OR =
      2.2,95% CI:1.4-3.6), p < 0.001]. Of 109 genotypic resistance profiles analyzed,
      the commonest non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) resistance
      associated mutations (RAM) were: K103N (59; 54%)), Y181C (36; 27%)) and G190A
      (26; 24%)) while the commonest nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)
      RAM was the M184V (89; 81%). Thymidine analogue- mutations (TAMs) were detected
      in 20% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: One in three children on first-line ART are
      likely to develop virological treatment failure after the first 24 months of
      therapy. Poor adherence to ART, a NVP based first-line regimen, prior exposure to
      sdNVP were associated with treatment failure.

PMID- 24215972
TI  - Understanding systemic problems in providing mental health services to people
      with an intellectual disability and co-morbid mental disorders in Victoria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper explores the difficulties the services system in Victoria
      has in responding to people with intellectual disability (ID) and mental health
      problems and identifies the underlying assumptions that have led to these. These
      issues are discussed and where possible put into a Victorian context with the
      intention of informing service development in the area of Dual Disability (co
      morbid mental disorders in people with intellectual disability). CONCLUSIONS:
      People with ID have high levels of mental health need. Generic services have
      difficulty responding to these needs due to a range of patient, professional and
      service system factors as well as some of the conceptual issues underpinning
      policy and legislation.

PMID- 24215973
TI  - Neural mechanisms supporting the extraction of general knowledge across episodic
      memories.
AB  - General knowledge acquisition entails the extraction of statistical regularities
      from the environment. At high levels of complexity, this may involve the
      extraction, and consolidation, of associative regularities across event memories.
      The underlying neural mechanisms would likely involve a hippocampo-neocortical
      dialog, as proposed previously for system-level consolidation. To test these
      hypotheses, we assessed possible differences in consolidation between associative
      memories containing cross-episodic regularities and unique associative memories.
      Subjects learned face-location associations, half of which responded to complex
      regularities regarding the combination of facial features and locations, whereas
      the other half did not. Importantly, regularities could only be extracted over
      hippocampus-encoded, associative aspects of the items. Memory was assessed both
      immediately after encoding and 48 h later, under fMRI acquisition. Our results
      suggest that processes related to system-level reorganization occur
      preferentially for regular associations across episodes. Moreover, the build-up
      of general knowledge regarding regular associations appears to involve the
      coordinated activity of the hippocampus and mediofrontal regions. The putative
      cross-talk between these two regions might support a mechanism for regularity
      extraction. These findings suggest that the consolidation of cross-episodic
      regularities may be a key mechanism underlying general knowledge acquisition.

PMID- 24215974
TI  - Does experience in talking facilitate speech repetition?
AB  - Speech is unique among highly skilled human behaviors in its ease of acquisition
      by virtually all individuals who have normal hearing and cognitive ability. Vocal
      imitation is essential for acquiring speech, and it is an important element of
      social communication. The extent to which age-related changes in cognitive and
      motor function affect the ability to imitate speech is poorly understood. We
      analyzed the distributions of response times (RT) for repeating real words and
      pseudowords during fMRI. The average RT for older and younger participants was
      not different. In contrast, detailed analysis of RT distributions revealed age
      dependent differences that were associated with changes in the time course of the
      BOLD response and specific patterns of regional activation. RT-dependent activity
      was observed in the bilateral posterior cingulate, supplementary motor area, and
      corpus callosum. This approach provides unique insight into the mechanisms
      associated with changes in speech production with aging. 

PMID- 24215975
TI  - Effect of prenatal methamphetamine exposure and challenge dose of the same drug
      in adulthood on epileptiform activity induced by electrical stimulation in female
      rats.
AB  - Our previous study demonstrated that chronic prenatal methamphetamine (MA)
      exposure and a single dose of MA in adulthood decrease focally induced
      epileptiform activity in adult male rats. As seizures are known to be dependent
      on sex and female estrous cycle, the goal of the present study was to examine the
      combined effect of prenatal MA exposure (5mg/kg) and the MA challenge dose
      (1mg/kg) in adulthood on electroencephalography (EEG) recordings and consequences
      of brain stimulation in freely moving adult female rats with respect to the
      estrous cycle. Overall, 12 groups of adult female rats were tested: prenatally MA
      exposed, prenatally saline-exposed and rats without prenatal injections, each of
      these groups was either postnatally challenged with MA or with saline injection
      (MA-MA, MA-S; S-MA, S-S; C-MA, C-S) and further divided according to the stage of
      the estrous cycle to metestrus/diestrus (M/D) or proestrus/estrus (P/E). Seizures
      were induced by repetitive electrical stimulation (15s/8Hz) of sensorimotor
      cortex. Stimulation threshold, duration of afterdischarges (ADs), and presence
      and duration of spontaneous ADs (SADs) were evaluated. Additionally, behavior
      associated with stimulation and ADs, and occurrence of wet-dog-shakes (WDS) were
      analyzed. The present study demonstrates that the prenatal MA exposure decreased
      the seizure threshold in females in M/D, but not in females in P/E. In addition,
      prenatally MA-exposed M/D females injected with saline in adulthood had increased
      the duration of ADs as well as SADs. The challenge dose of MA also decreased the
      seizure threshold. Moreover, prenatal as well as adult MA administration
      decreased the number and occurrence of WDS, respectively. Thus, the present study
      demonstrates that the effect of prenatal MA exposure and challenge dose of the
      same drug on focally induced epileptiform activity in adult female rats depends
      on the estrous cycle. 

PMID- 24215976
TI  - Novel anticonvulsive effects of progesterone in a mouse model of hippocampal
      electrical kindling.
AB  - Progesterone is a known anticonvulsant, with its inhibitory effects generally
      attributed to its secondary metabolite, 5alpha,3alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone
      (THP), and THP's enhancement of GABAA receptor activity. Accumulating evidence,
      however, suggests that progesterone may have non-genomic actions independent of
      the GABAA receptor. In this study, we explored THP/GABAA-independent
      anticonvulsive actions of progesterone in a mouse model of hippocampal kindling
      and in mouse entorhinal slices in vitro. Specifically, we examined the effects of
      progesterone in kindled mice with or without pretreatments with finasteride, a
      5alpha-reductase inhibitor known to block the metabolism of progesterone to THP.
      In addition, we examined the effects of progesterone on entorhinal epileptiform
      potentials in the presence of a GABAA receptor antagonist picrotoxin and
      finasteride. Adult male mice were kindled via a daily stimulation protocol.
      Electroencephalographic (EEG) discharges were recorded from the hippocampus or
      cortex to assess "focal" or "generalized" seizure activity. Kindled mice were
      treated with intra-peritoneal injections of progesterone (10, 35, 100 and
      160mg/kg) with or without finasteride pretreatment (50 or 100mg/kg), THP (1, 3.5,
      10 and 30mg/kg), midazolam (2mg/kg) and carbamazepine (50mg/kg). Entorhinal
      cortical slices were prepared from naive young mice, and repetitive epileptiform
      potentials were induced by 4-aminopyridine (100MUM), picrotoxin (100MUM) and
      finasteride (1MUM). Pretreatment with finasteride did not abolish the
      anticonvulsant effects of progesterone. In finasteride-pretreated mice,
      progesterone at 100 and 160mg/kg decreased cortical but not hippocampal
      afterdischarges (ADs). Carbamazepine mimicked the effects of progesterone with
      finasteride pretreatments in decreasing cortical discharges and motor seizures,
      whereas midazolam produced effects similar to progesterone alone or THP in
      decreasing hippocampal ADs and motor seizures. In brain slices, progesterone at
      1MUM inhibited entorhinal epileptiform potentials in the presence of picrotoxin
      and finasteride. We suggest that progesterone may have THP/GABAA-dependent and
      independent anticonvulsive actions in the hippocampal-kindled mouse model. 

PMID- 24215978
TI  - Expression of beta1- and beta2-adrenoceptors in different subtypes of
      interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice.
AB  - Noradrenaline acting via beta-adrenoceptors (beta-ARs) in the CNS plays an
      important role in learning/memory and cognitive functions. beta-ARs have been
      shown to be expressed in cortical pyramidal and subcortical principal cells.
      However, little is known about beta-AR expression in different subtypes of
      GABAergic neurons. Here, we report that both beta1- and beta2-ARs are expressed
      in a majority of GABAergic interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice,
      including parvalbumin (PV)-, calretinin (CR)-, calbindin D-28k (CB)-,
      somatostatin (SST)- and Reelin-immunoreactive (ir) interneurons. Relative to PV-,
      CB-, SST- and Reelin-ir interneurons, CR-ir interneurons are less likely to
      express beta1- and beta2-ARs. SST-ir interneurons are more likely to express
      beta2-AR compared with the other subtypes of interneurons. The present results
      are of significance for understanding the role of beta-ARs in prefrontal cortical
      functions. 

PMID- 24215977
TI  - Differential cortical neurotrophin and cytogenetic adaptation after voluntary
      exercise in normal and amnestic rats.
AB  - Voluntary exercise (VEx) has profound effects on neural and behavioral
      plasticity, including recovery of CNS trauma and disease. However, the unique
      regional cortical adaption to VEx has not been elucidated. In a series of
      experiments, we first examined whether VEx would restore and retain neurotrophin
      levels in several cortical regions (frontal cortex [FC], retrosplenial cortex
      [RSC], occipital cortex [OC]) in an animal model (pyrithiamine-induced thiamine
      deficiency [PTD]) of the amnestic disorder Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. In
      addition, we assessed the time-dependent effect of VEx to rescue performance on a
      spontaneous alternation task. Following 2-weeks of VEx or stationary housing
      conditions (Stat), rats were behaviorally tested and brains were harvested either
      the day after VEx (24-h) or after an additional 2-week period (2-wk). In both
      control pair-fed (PF) rats and PTD rats, all neurotrophin levels (brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor [BDNF], nerve growth factor [NGF], and vascular endothelial
      growth factor) increased at the 24-h period after VEx in the FC and RSC, but not
      OC. Two-weeks following VEx, BDNF remained elevated in both FC and RSC, whereas
      NGF remained elevated in only the FC. Interestingly, VEx only recovered cognitive
      performance in amnestic rats when there was an additional 2-wk adaptation period
      after VEx. Given this unique temporal profile, Experiment 2 examined the cortical
      cytogenetic responses in all three cortical regions following a 2-wk adaptation
      period after VEx. In healthy (PF) rats, VEx increased the survival of progenitor
      cells in both the FC and RSC, but only increased oligodendrocyte precursor cells
      (OLPs) in the FC. Furthermore, VEx had a selective effect of only recovering OLPs
      in the FC in PTD rats. These data reveal the therapeutic potential of exercise to
      restore cortical plasticity in the amnestic brain, and that the FC is one of the
      most responsive cortical regions to VEx. 

PMID- 24215979
TI  - GABA-induced uncoupling of GABA/benzodiazepine site interactions is mediated by
      increased GABAA receptor internalization and associated with a change in subunit
      composition.
AB  - Persistent activation of GABAA receptors triggers compensatory changes in
      receptor function that are relevant to physiological, pathological and
      pharmacological conditions. Chronic treatment of cultured neurons with GABA for
      48h has been shown to produce a down-regulation of receptor number and an
      uncoupling of GABA/benzodiazepine site interactions with a half-time of 24-25h.
      Down-regulation is the result of a transcriptional repression of GABAA receptor
      subunit genes and depends on activation of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels.
      The mechanism of this uncoupling is currently unknown. We have previously
      demonstrated that a single brief exposure of rat primary neocortical cultures to
      GABA for 5-10min (t1/2=3min) initiates a process that results in uncoupling hours
      later (t1/2=12h) without a change in receptor number. Uncoupling is contingent
      upon GABAA receptor activation and independent of voltage-gated calcium influx.
      This process is accompanied by a selective decrease in subunit mRNA levels. Here,
      we report that the brief GABA exposure induces a decrease in the percentage of
      alpha3-containing receptors, a receptor subtype that exhibits a high degree of
      coupling between GABA and benzodiazepine binding sites. Initiation of GABA
      induced uncoupling is prevented by co-incubation of GABA with high concentrations
      of sucrose suggesting that it is dependent on a receptor internalization step.
      Moreover, results from immunocytochemical and biochemical experiments indicate
      that GABA exposure causes an increase in GABAA receptor endocytosis. Together,
      these data suggest that the uncoupling mechanism involves an initial increase in
      receptor internalization followed by activation of a signaling cascade that leads
      to selective changes in receptor subunit levels. These changes might result in
      the assembly of receptors with altered subunit compositions that display a lower
      degree of coupling between GABA and benzodiazepine sites. Uncoupling might
      represent a homeostatic mechanism that negatively regulates GABAergic
      transmission under physiological conditions in which synaptic GABAA receptors are
      transiently activated for several minutes. 

PMID- 24215980
TI  - Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression and NMJ plasticity
      in skeletal muscle following endurance exercise.
AB  - Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) supports and maintains the
      neuromuscular system during development and through adulthood by promoting
      neuroplasticity. The aim of this study was to determine if different modes of
      exercise can promote changes in GDNF expression and neuromuscular junction (NMJ)
      morphology in slow- and fast-twitch muscles. Rats were randomly assigned to a run
      training (run group), swim training (swim group), or sedentary control group.
      GDNF protein content was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. GDNF
      protein content increased significantly in soleus (SOL) following both training
      protocols (P<0.05). Although not significant, an increase of 60% in the extensor
      digitorum longus (EDL) followed swim-training (NS; P<0.06). NMJ morphology was
      analyzed by measuring alpha-bungarotoxin labeled post-synaptic end plates. GDNF
      content and total end plate area were positively correlated. End plate area
      decreased in EDL of the run group and increased in SOL of the swim group. The
      results indicate that GDNF expression and NMJ morphological changes are activity
      dependent and that different changes may be observed by varying the exercise
      intensity in slow- and fast-twitch fibers. 

PMID- 24215982
TI  - Patient information on breast reconstruction in the era of the world wide web. A
      snapshot analysis of information available on youtube.com.
AB  - Breast cancer patient's expectation and choice of reconstruction is increasing
      and patients often satisfy their information needs outside clinic time by
      searching the world wide web. The aim of our study was to analyse the quality of
      content and extent of information regarding breast reconstruction available on
      YouTube videos and whether this is an appropriate additional source of
      information for patients. A snapshot qualitative and quantitative analysis of the
      first 100 videos was performed after the term 'breast reconstruction' was input
      into the search window of the video sharing website www.youtube.com on the 1st of
      September 2011. Qualitative categorical analysis included patient, oncological
      and reconstruction factors. It was concluded that although videos uploaded onto
      YouTube do not provide comprehensive information, it is a useful resource that
      can be utilised in patient education provided comprehensive and validated videos
      are made available. 

PMID- 24215983
TI  - Primary and secondary distant metastatic breast cancer: two sides of the same
      coin.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the differences between breast cancer (BC)
      patients who present with primary distant metastatic disease (PMD) and those who
      develop distant metastases during the course of their illness (secondary
      metastatic disease [SMD]) with regard to clinicopathological characteristics,
      patterns of metastatic sites, palliative therapy and survival. PATIENTS &
      METHODS: Based on a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed BC (n = 1459), we
      analyzed all patients who had PMD (n = 92, 6.3%) and those who developed SMD (n =
      277, 20.3%). RESULTS: There were no significant differences with regard to the
      patient's age in which metastatic disease had been diagnosed (PMD/SMD: 64
      years/66 years, p = 0.19). The SMD group had more often triple-negative
      carcinomas (25.5%/7.3%, p = 0.019); there were no significant differences with
      regard to grading (p = 0.61), HER2 status (p = 0.67) and hormonal receptor status
      (p = 1.00). The mean number of metastatic locations was similar (2.3/2.3, p =
      0.91). While patients with PMD usually initiated systemic therapy, patients with
      SMD received systemic therapy after diagnosis of metastatic disease less often
      (16.4%/2.6%, p < 0.001). Both groups received palliative chemotherapy similarly
      often (PMD/SMD: 62.8%/63.3%, p = 1.00). The mean number of palliative therapy
      lines was similar (PMD/SMD: 2.8/3.2, p = 0.39). Compared to patients with SMD,
      patients who had PMD had a significantly improved metastatic disease survival (p
      < 0.001). The one-year, two-year and five-year survival rates were as follows:
      76.9%/60.3%, 58.2%/43.0%, 23.1%/10.6%. The median survival times were 18.5 months
      and 32 months. CONCLUSION: The poorer prognosis of patients with SMD may be
      explained by differences in clinicopathological features of the tumor, metastatic
      patterns, the use palliative therapy and drug resistance of the tumor cells which
      occurs in therapy-naive PMD patients at a later phase of the disease course.

PMID- 24215981
TI  - Ingestion of bacterial lipopolysaccharide inhibits peripheral taste responses to
      sucrose in mice.
AB  - A fundamental role of the taste system is to discriminate between nutritive and
      toxic foods. However, it is unknown whether bacterial pathogens that might
      contaminate food and water modulate the transmission of taste input to the brain.
      We hypothesized that exogenous, bacterially-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS),
      modulates neural responses to taste stimuli. Neurophysiological responses from
      the chorda tympani nerve, which innervates taste cells on the anterior tongue,
      were unchanged by acute exposure to LPS. Instead, neural responses to sucrose
      were selectively inhibited in mice that drank LPS during a single overnight
      period. Decreased sucrose sensitivity appeared 7days after LPS ingestion, in
      parallel with decreased lingual expression of Tas1r2 and Tas1r3 transcripts,
      which are translated to T1R2+T1R3 subunits forming the sweet taste receptor.
      Tas1r2 and Tas1r3 mRNA expression levels and neural responses to sucrose were
      restored by 14 days after LPS consumption. Ingestion of LPS, rather than contact
      with taste receptor cells, appears to be necessary to suppress sucrose responses.
      Furthermore, mice lacking the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 for LPS were resistant
      to neurophysiological changes following LPS consumption. These findings
      demonstrate that ingestion of LPS during a single period specifically and
      transiently inhibits neural responses to sucrose. We suggest that LPS drinking
      initiates TLR4-dependent hormonal signals that downregulate sweet taste receptor
      genes in taste buds. Delayed inhibition of sweet taste signaling may influence
      food selection and the complex interplay between gastrointestinal bacteria and
      obesity.

PMID- 24215984
TI  - Emerging nanotherapeutic strategies in breast cancer.
AB  - Nanoparticle-based drug delivery platforms are emerging as powerful
      chemotherapeutic modalities in breast cancer. Doxorubicin and paclitaxel
      nanoparticle formulations are currently used clinically, yielding distinct
      pharmacokinetic parameters that prolong blood circulation times, enhance drug
      accumulation in tumors, and limit adverse side effects to patients. And while
      these nanoconstructs have shown substantial improvements in patient tolerability
      and survival, several emerging trends stand to make a significant impact on
      future generations of nanoparticle platforms for breast cancer therapy. Firstly,
      there is a heightened understanding of several processes involved in tumor
      growth, potentiation, and invasion, resulting in the identification of several
      attractive molecular targets. This in turn has given rise to antibody-based
      therapeutics, drug repositioning, and the burgeoning field of RNA interference
      (RNAi). Secondly, an enhanced understanding of transport phenomena involved in
      delivery of chemotherapeutics has led to a rethinking and retooling of nanoscale
      drug carrier designs. Nanoparticle platforms are now incorporating features meant
      to overcome biological barriers and enhance drug accumulation within tumors, all
      the while incorporating unique chemistries that enable for controlled release of
      therapeutic payloads. This review aims to detail the current clinical state of
      nanoparticle-based therapeutics in breast cancer, as well as highlight several
      platforms that exemplify the future generation of innovative approaches to
      chemotherapy in breast cancer. 

PMID- 24215985
TI  - Erythrocyte membrane cholesterol and lipid core growth in a rabbit model of
      atherosclerosis: modulatory effects of rosuvastatin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lipid core expansion is partly responsible for the conversion of a
      stable atherosclerotic lesion to a rupture-prone plaque. Intraplaque hemorrhage
      contributes to the accumulation of cholesterol within unstable plaques. In the
      present study, we investigated, using a rabbit model of atherosclerosis, the
      extent to which diet-induced increases in cholesterol content of erythrocyte
      membranes (CEM) contribute to lipid core expansion and the modulatory effect of
      rosuvastatin use. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rabbits fed with atherogenic diet (0.75%
      cholesterol) for 5 months exhibited advanced atherosclerotic lesions (mean plaque
      area, 0.39 +/- 0.03 mm(2)), and lipid core size was associated with the
      concentration-time integral (CTI) of CEM levels (r=0.567, P=0.004) independent of
      other established predictors of lipid core size. Further experiments were
      performed by feeding rabbits atherogenic diet (1% cholesterol) for 3 months,
      followed by either normal diet or normal diet plus rosuvastatin for the next 3
      months. Although no differences were observed in total plaque area between both
      groups, administration of rosuvastatin was associated with significantly smaller
      lipid cores, fewer macrophages within the lipid core, less microvessels as well
      as with lower CTI of CEM levels compared to normal diet alone. Moreover,
      intraplaque erythrocyte membranes covered a smaller lipid core area in rabbits
      under rosuvastatin plus normal diet as opposed to rabbits under diet alone.
      CONCLUSIONS: Increased CEM levels, induced by high-cholesterol diet, are
      associated with lipid core growth. Ingestion of a potent HMG-CoA reductase
      inhibitor (rosuvastatin) may decrease CEM levels, and this effect may contribute
      to regression of the lipid core.

PMID- 24215986
TI  - Temporal texture of associative encoding modulates recall processes.
AB  - Binding aspects of an experience that are distributed over time is an important
      element of episodic memory. In the current study, we examined how the temporal
      complexity of an experience may govern the processes required for its retrieval.
      We recorded event-related potentials during episodic cued recall following pair
      associate learning of concurrently and sequentially presented object-picture
      pairs. Cued recall success effects over anterior and posterior areas were
      apparent in several time windows. In anterior locations, these recall success
      effects were similar for concurrently and sequentially encoded pairs. However, in
      posterior sites clustered over parietal scalp the effect was larger for the
      retrieval of sequentially encoded pairs. We suggest that anterior aspects of the
      mid-latency recall success effects may reflect working-with-memory operations or
      direct access recall processes, while more posterior aspects reflect recollective
      processes which are required for retrieval of episodes of greater temporal
      complexity. 

PMID- 24215987
TI  - A verified spider bite and a review of the literature confirm Indian ornamental
      tree spiders (Poecilotheria species) as underestimated theraphosids of medical
      importance.
AB  - Literature on bird spider or tarantula bites (Theraphosidae) is rare. This is
      astonishing as they are coveted pets and interaction with their keepers (feeding,
      cleaning the terrarium or taking them out to hold) might increase the possibility
      for bites. Yet, this seems to be a rare event and might be why most theraphosids
      are considered to be harmless, even though the urticating hairs of many American
      species can cause disagreeable allergic reactions. We are describing a case of a
      verified bite by an Indian ornamental tree spider (Poecilotheria regalis), where
      the patient developed severe, long lasting muscle cramps several hours after the
      bite. We present a comprehensive review of the literature on bites of these
      beautiful spiders and conclude that a delayed onset of severe muscle cramps,
      lasting for days, is characteristic for Poecilotheria bites. We discuss
      Poecilotheria species as an exception from the general assumption that
      theraphosid bites are harmless to humans. 

PMID- 24215988
TI  - [Treatment of primary bone lymphomas].
AB  - Primary bone lymphoma constitutes a rare entity. They are often localized. The
      studies published are retrospective, using definitions and different
      classifications. The populations of the studied patients are often heterogeneous.
      The therapeutic modalities used are also different. Consequently, the prognostic
      stratification and the analysis of the therapeutic results are difficult. We
      review the literature and discuss the therapeutic modalities and the results as
      well as the prognosis of the primary bone lymphomas. 

PMID- 24215989
TI  - Honorary authorship: frequency and associated factors in physical medicine and
      rehabilitation research articles.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalences of perceived honorary authorship and
      International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)-defined honorary
      authorship, and identify factors affecting each rate in the physical medicine and
      rehabilitation literature. DESIGN: Internet-based survey. SETTING: Not
      applicable. PARTICIPANTS: First authors of articles published in 3 major physical
      medicine and rehabilitation journals between January 2009 and December 2011 were
      surveyed in June and July 2012 (N=1182). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: The reported prevalences of perceived and ICMJE-defined
      honorary authorship were the primary outcome measures, and multiple factors were
      analyzed to determine whether they were associated with these measures. RESULTS:
      The response rate was 27.3% (248/908). The prevalences of perceived and ICMJE
      defined honorary authorship were 18.0% (44/244) and 55.2% (137/248),
      respectively. Factors associated with perceived honorary authorship in the
      multivariate analysis included the suggestion that an honorary author should be
      included (P<.0001), being a medical resident or fellow (P=.0019), listing
      "reviewed manuscript" as 1 of the nonauthorship tasks (P=.0013), and the most
      senior author deciding the authorship order (P=.0469). Living outside North
      America was independently associated with ICMJE-defined honorary authorship
      (P=.0079) in the multivariate analysis. In the univariate analysis, indicating
      that the most senior author decided authorship order was significantly associated
      with ICMJE-defined honorary authorship (P=<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that honorary authorship does occur in a significant proportion of the
      physical medicine and rehabilitation literature. Additionally, we found several
      factors associated with perceived and ICMJE-defined honorary authorship and a
      discrepancy between the 2 rates. Further studies with larger response rates are
      recommended to further explore this topic.

PMID- 24215990
TI  - Honorary authorship.
AB  - This issue of Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation includes an
      article by Rajasekaran et al that addresses the persistent, difficult, and
      unsettled issue of unwarranted authorship as it applies to physical medicine and
      rehabilitation. The findings that it exists and that its frequency is similar to
      the 25% to 50% rates reported in other medical specialties are discouraging but,
      unfortunately, not surprising. They do, however, warrant discussion. This
      commentary attempts to do so and begins with a review of Rajasekaran's findings.
      It then proceeds to compare them with other work in the literature and concludes
      with a discussion of (1) why unwarranted authorship matters; (2) if it matters,
      why does it matter; and (3) what we as authors, editors, and the publishing world
      can do about it. Our goal is to give us all an improved understanding of the
      situation as well a little more backbone when dealing with the pressures
      associated with both overt and covert suggestions for the inclusion of authors
      that we may believe are unwarranted. 

PMID- 24215991
TI  - Level of mobility limitations and falls status in persons with multiple
      sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether fall rates are constant across levels of
      mobility limitations. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of baseline assessments from a
      stratified randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Persons
      with multiple sclerosis (N=365) were divided into 5 groups based on the mobility
      section of the Guy's Neurological Disability Scale (GNDS): no walking impairment
      (n=82); impaired walking, no aid (n=87); unilateral support (n=76); bilateral
      support to walk (n=78); or occasional wheelchair user (n=42). INTERVENTIONS: Not
      applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported fall history (ie, retrospective)
      in the preceding 3 months. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-four persons in the
      overall sample reported falling in the last 3 months (fall prevalence, 33.97%).
      Of the total sample, 17.8% reported 2 or more falls in the last 3 months. Chi
      square analysis revealed a significant difference in the proportion of fallers
      across GNDS categories (chi(2)=42.64, P<.001). Post hoc analysis revealed that
      the group who walked with bilateral support had the greatest proportion of
      fallers (52.6%), while the group without walking impairment had the lowest
      proportion (15.9%). An examination of recurrent fallers as a function of group
      found that there were more recurrent fallers (70%) in the group that had a
      walking impairment but used no aid, relative to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      The current findings highlight that fall rates including recurrent fall
      prevalence are not uniform across mobility aid categories in persons with MS.
      Those using bilateral assistance for gait have the highest prevalence of fallers,
      and those with walking limitations and not yet using an aid had the greatest
      prevalence of multiple falls.

PMID- 24215992
TI  - Humeral head reconstruction for Hill-Sachs defects: a biomechanical comparison of
      2 fixation techniques for bone grafting.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this biomechanical study was to compare anterograde with
      retrograde screw fixation for allograft reconstruction of Hill-Sachs defects.
      METHODS: In 8 pairs of fresh-frozen humeral heads, a 40% Hill-Sachs defect was
      created. The resultant wedge-shaped osteochondral fragment was used as allograft.
      For each technique, two 3.75-mm screws were used for fixation. To test the
      strength of fixation, a custom tool was used that would apply load to the graft.
      By use of a materials testing machine, a staircase cyclic loading protocol was
      performed (500 cycles at 10, 20, 30, and 40 N) and then load to failure. Graft
      displacement was measured by an optical tracking system. RESULTS: For the 2
      techniques, graft displacement increased with increasing load and increasing
      number of cycles up to a mean of 0.9 +/- 0.42 mm for anterograde fixation and 1.1
      +/- 0.79 mm for retrograde fixation. This increase was significant within each
      technique across all 4 loading levels (P < .05). However, there were no
      significant differences in graft displacement between the 2 techniques at any
      loading level or number of cycles (P = .16 to P = .96). In addition, the load to
      failure between the anterograde and retrograde techniques (98.5 N and 95.6 N,
      respectively) was not significantly different (P = .706). CONCLUSIONS: The
      initial fixation and failure strength of anterograde and retrograde graft
      fixation techniques for substantial Hill-Sachs defects do not significantly
      differ in a biomechanical cadaveric model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This biomechanical
      study supports that in an engaging Hill-Sachs defect, both anterograde and
      retrograde screw fixation techniques can be used for fixation of humeral head
      allografts.

PMID- 24215993
TI  - 70 degrees  frontal visualization of lateral compartment of the elbow allows
      extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon release with preservation of the radial
      lateral collateral ligament.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether the radial component of the lateral collateral
      ligament (R-LCL) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) are consistently
      visible, using a 70 degrees  arthroscope, as parallel structures in the extra
      articular space of the elbow, and to evaluate the clinical outcomes of these
      techniques in a series of patients. METHODS: An arthroscopic ECRB tendon release
      was performed between 2008 and 2010. Eighteen patients were retrospectively
      evaluated at a minimum of 24 months' follow-up. The surgeon performed the ECRB
      release while protecting the R-LCL and viewing the structures extra-articularly
      with a 70 degrees  arthroscope through the anteromedial portal. Patients
      underwent surgery if they presented with localized tenderness and pain not
      responding to conservative treatment for 12 months and had magnetic resonance
      imaging scans indicating tendinopathy or degeneration. Arthritis, posterolateral
      rotatory instability, trauma, and previous surgeries were exclusion criteria.
      Intraoperative videos were reviewed and a clinical examination was performed by
      an independent reviewer at 24 months postoperatively. Patients were also
      evaluated with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score; Andrews-Carson score; and
      shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire. Direct varus
      stress was applied in extension and flexion (40 degrees ), and the posterolateral
      pivot-shift and chair tests were performed. RESULTS: Visualization with the 70
      degrees  arthroscope through the anteromedial portal was successful in all of the
      cases (100%). Visualization of the residual ECRB tendon stump, as well as the
      posterior common extensor tendon, was also achieved 94% of the time. The final
      mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Andrews-Carson score were 82.5 (range, 60
      to 100) and 185.3 (range, 125 to 200), respectively. The mean postoperative score
      on the shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire was
      20.14 (range, 5 to 57.5). Clinical tests showed stability in all the cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: The 70 degrees  arthroscope allows visualization of the ECRB
      insertion and R-LCL frontally and in parallel. A surgical plane could be created
      between the structures. The clinical outcome was good or excellent in 78% of the
      cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

PMID- 24215995
TI  - Physiological energetics of the fourth instar of Chinese horseshoe crabs
      (Tachypleus tridentatus) in response to hypoxic stress and re-oxygenation.
AB  - Hypoxia associated with eutrophication is a potential threat to the Chinese
      horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus which inhabits intertidal sand flats in
      Asia. This study investigated the effect of dissolved oxygen level (DO) (6, 4 and
      2 mg O2 l(-1)) on the physiological energetics in the juvenile T. tridentatus.
      They were exposed to various oxygen levels for three days and then transferred to
      normoxia for three days to examine the recovery from low oxygen stress. Feeding
      rate, respiration rate and scope for growth were reduced at lower DO levels while
      absorption efficiency and excretion rate were independent of DO levels. Although
      full recovery of the physiological responses and scope for growth from hypoxis
      stress was observed when normoxia resumed, their long term survival in suboptimal
      habitats with frequent occurrence of hypoxia deserves a close monitoring as
      hypoxia may be even more common in future in a warming world.

PMID- 24215996
TI  - Metal concentrations and detoxification mechanisms in Solea solea and Solea
      senegalensis from NW Mediterranean fishing grounds.
AB  - The common sole, Solea solea and the Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis are two
      important commercial species that coexist in the NW Mediterranean Sea. The
      present field survey was designed to assess the role of kidney in metal handling
      and detoxification in the two sole species collected at six fishing grounds along
      the Catalan coast. Metallothionein (MT) and selenium (Se) were analysed in
      relation to toxic metal loads in kidney as potential protective mechanisms.
      Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities as well as
      lipid peroxidation (LP) levels were measured in several tissues as general
      markers of toxicity. AChE was measured in brain muscle and gills, LDH in plasma
      and LP in muscle and gills. The protective role of MT and Se was indicated by the
      positive correlations with Hg and Cd levels as well as with the high Se:Hg ratio,
      in a species-dependent way. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) considering all
      chemical and biomarker variables discriminated individuals collected at the
      different fishing grounds. 

PMID- 24215997
TI  - Homology modeling and docking studies of BjGL, a novel (+) gamma-lactamase from
      Bradyrhizobium japonicum.
AB  - (+) Gamma-lactamases are enantioselective hydrolysis enzymes that can be used to
      produce optically pure (-) gamma-lactam, an important pharmaceutical intermediate
      for the anti-AIDS drug Abacavir. In this study, homology modeling and molecular
      dynamic simulation studies of a 3D homology model of BjGL, a novel (+) gamma
      lactamase from Bradyrhizobium japonicum, were constructed and refined. The
      specific substrate (+) gamma-lactam and its enantiomer (-) gamma-lactam which can
      not be hydrolyzed was docked into the active site respectively, and the catalytic
      triad and other crucial residues that participate in the formation of the
      hydrophobic binding pocket, hydrogen bonds, and the oxyanion hole were
      identified. Furthermore, possible reasons for the high diastereoselectivity of
      BjGL binding with the substrate are proposed. 

PMID- 24215999
TI  - Foreword to the special issue on LASCON 2012.

PMID- 24215998
TI  - Insight into the interaction between DNA bases and defective graphenes: covalent
      or non-covalent.
AB  - Although some metal clusters and molecules were found to more significantly bind
      to defective graphenes than to pristine graphenes, exhibiting chemisorptions on
      defective graphenes, the present investigation shows that the adsorption of DNA
      bases on mono- and di-vacant defective graphenes does not show much difference
      from that on pristine graphene, and is still dominantly driven by noncovalent
      interactions. In the present study the adsorptions of the nucleobases, adenine
      (A), cytosine (C), guanine, (G), and thymine (T) on pristine and defective
      graphenes, are fully optimized using a hybrid-meta GGA density functional theory
      (DFT), M06-2X/6-31G*, and the adsorption energies are then refined with both M06
      2X and B97-D/6-311++G**. Graphene is modeled as nano-clusters of C72H24, C71H24,
      and C70H24 for pristine, mono- and di-vacant defective graphenes, respectively,
      supplemented by a few larger ones. The result shows that guanine has the maximum
      adsorption energy in all of the three adsorption systems; and the sequence of the
      adsorption strength is G>A>T>C on the pristine and di-vacant graphene and G>T>A>C
      on the mono-vacant graphene. In addition, the binding energies of the DNA bases
      with the pristine graphene are less than the corresponding ones with di-vacant
      defective graphene; however, they are greater than those of mono-vacant graphene
      with guanine and adenine, while it is dramatic that the binding energies of mono
      vacant graphene with thymine and cytosine appear larger than those of pristine
      graphene.

PMID- 24216000
TI  - Safety and effectiveness of the GenousTM endothelial progenitor cell-capture
      stent in the first year following ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction: A
      single center experience and review of the literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: The GenousTM stent (GS) is designed to accelerate endothelization, which
      is potentially useful in the pro-thrombotic environment of ST-elevation acute
      myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness
      of the GS in the first year following primary percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PCI) and to compare our results with the few previously published studies.
      METHODS AND MATERIALS: All patients admitted to a single center due to STEMI that
      underwent primary PCI using exclusively GS, between May 2006 and January 2012,
      were enrolled. The primary study endpoints were major adverse cardiac events
      (MACEs), defined as the composite of cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction
      and target vessel revascularization, at one and 12 months. RESULTS: In the cohort
      of 109 patients (73.4% male, 59 +/- 12 years), 24.8% were diabetic. PCI was
      performed in 116 lesions with angiographic success in 99.1%, using 148 GS with
      median diameter of 3.00 mm (2.50-4.00) and median length of 15 mm (9-33).
      Cumulative MACEs were 2.8% at one month and 6.4% at 12 months. Three stent
      thromboses (2.8%), all subacute, and one stent restenosis (0.9%) occurred. These
      accounted for the four target vessel revascularizations (3.7%). At 12 months,
      33.9% of patients were not on dual antiplatelet therapy. CONCLUSIONS: GS was safe
      and effective in the first year following primary PCI in STEMI, with an
      apparently safer profile comparing with the previously published data. SUMMARY:
      We report the safety and effectiveness of the GenousTM stent (GS) in the first
      year following primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-elevation acute
      myocardial infarction. A comprehensive review of the few studies that have been
      published on this subject was included and some suggest a less safe profile of
      the GS. Our results and the critical review included may add information and
      reinforce the safety and effectiveness of the GS in ST-elevation in acute
      myocardial infarction.

PMID- 24216001
TI  - Perforated Sinus of Valsalva (PSOV) aneurysm closure with a muscular VSD
      occluder.
AB  - We report a case of a Perforated Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm (PSOV) closure using
      an Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect occluder (mVSD) device and
      describe a novel and potentially safer way for defect sizing. A literature review
      of the endovascular treatment of this disease is presented. 

PMID- 24216002
TI  - Levothyroxin replacement therapy restores hypothyroidism induced impairment of L
      LTP induction: critical role of CREB.
AB  - Cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB) is a transcription factor
      crucial for late phase long-term potentiation (L-LTP) induction and maintenance.
      Upon multiple high frequency stimulation (MHFS), large Ca(2+) influx activates
      adenylyl cyclase. This, in turn, activates PKA, which by itself or through MAPK
      p42/p44 can activate (phosphorylate) CREB. Upon phosphorylation, P-CREB activates
      multiple genes essential for L-LTP generation. Calcium calmodulin kinase IV
      (CaMKIV) is also activated by calcium and can directly activate CREB. We have
      shown previously that hypothyroidism impairs L-LTP and reduces the basal protein
      levels of CREB, MAPK p42/p44, and CaMKIV in area CA1 of the hippocampus. In the
      present study, levels of these signaling molecules were determined in area CA1
      during the induction and maintenance phases of L-LTP. Standard MHFS was used to
      evoke L-LTP in the CA1 area of hypothyroid, levothyroxin treated hypothyroid and
      sham control anesthetized adult rats. Chronic levothyroxin treatment reversed
      hypothyroidism-induced L-LTP impairment. Five minutes after MHFS, western
      blotting showed an increase in the levels of P-CREB, and P-MAPK p42/p44 in sham
      operated control, and levothyroxin treated hypothyroid animals, but not in
      hypothyroid animals. The protein levels of total CREB, total MAPK p42/p44, BDNF
      and CaMKIV were not altered in all groups five minutes after MHFS. Four hours
      after MHFS, the levels of P-CREB, and P-MAPK p42/p44 remained unchanged in
      hypothyroid animals, while they were elevated in sham-operated control, and
      levothyroxin treated hypothyroid animals. We conclude that respective normalized
      phosphorylation of essential kinases such as P-CREB and P-MAPK p42/p44 is
      correlated with restoration of normal L-LTP induction and maintenance in the CA1
      area of levothyroxin-treated hypothyroid animals. 

PMID- 24216003
TI  - Female mate choice in convict cichlids is transitive and consistent with a self
      referent directional preference.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: One of the most important decisions that an animal has to make in
      its life is choosing a mate. Although most studies in sexual selection assume
      that mate choice is rational, this assumption has not been tested seriously. A
      crucial component of rationality is that animals exhibit transitive choices: if
      an individual prefers option A over B, and B over C, then it also prefers A over
      C. RESULTS: We assessed transitivity in mate choice: 40 female convict cichlids
      had to make a series of binary choices between males of varying size. Ninety
      percent of females showed transitive choices. The mean preference index was
      significantly higher when a female chose between their most preferred and least
      preferred male (male 1 vs. male 3) compared to when they chose between males of
      adjacent ranks (1 vs. 2 or 2 vs. 3). The results are consistent with a simple
      underlying preference function leading to transitive choice: females preferred
      males about one third larger than themselves. This rule of thumb correctly
      predicted which male was preferred in 67% of the cases and the ordering in binary
      choices in 78% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first evidence for
      strong stochastic transitivity in a context of mate choice. The females exhibited
      ordinal preferences and the direction and magnitude of these preferences could be
      predicted from a simple rule. The females do not necessarily compare two males to
      choose the best; it is sufficient to use a self-referent evaluation. Such a
      simple decision rule has important implications for the evolution of the mating
      strategies and it is consistent with patterns of assortative mating repeatedly
      observed at population level.

PMID- 24216004
TI  - Pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma in Addison's disease: a case report.

PMID- 24216005
TI  - Concurrent asymptomatic inflammatory aneurysm and ischemic stroke due to
      cysticercal arteritis.

PMID- 24216006
TI  - Interactions of chromatic and lens-induced defocus during visual control of eye
      growth in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).
AB  - It was recently demonstrated that chromaticity could affect eye growth and
      refractive development in guinea pigs but it remained unclear whether correction
      with spectacle lenses could balance these effects and how retinal responses
      change with different spectral compositions of light. Three illumination
      conditions were tested: blue, red and white light. Animals were raised without or
      with monocular spectacle lenses from three to seven weeks of age. Luminance
      electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded to explore retinal responses with the
      different spectral compositions. In our special colony of pigmented guinea pigs,
      characterized by residual hyperopia, spontaneous myopia and poor emmetropization,
      red light induced early thinning of the choroid and relative myopia, compared to
      white light. Effects of red light could not be suppressed if positive spectacle
      lenses were worn. ERGs showed that red light failed to elicit robust retinal
      responses. Blue light inhibited axial eye growth, even when animals were reared
      with negative lenses. Intensity-matched blue and white light elicited similar a
      waves but different b-waves, suggesting that the wavelength of light affects
      visual control of eye growth through different processing in the inner retina. We
      hypothesize that blue light might stimulate preferentially the ON pathway to
      inhibit myopia induced by negative lenses, at least in guinea pigs. 

PMID- 24216007
TI  - The role of the foreshortening cue in the perception of 3D object slant.
AB  - Slant is the degree to which a surface recedes or slopes away from the observer
      about the horizontal axis. The perception of surface slant may be derived from
      static monocular cues, including linear perspective and foreshortening, applied
      to single shapes or to multi-element textures. It is still unclear the extent to
      which color vision can use these cues to determine slant in the absence of
      achromatic contrast. Although previous demonstrations have shown that some
      pictures and images may lose their depth when presented at isoluminance, this has
      not been tested systematically using stimuli within the spatio-temporal passband
      of color vision. Here we test whether the foreshortening cue from surface
      compression (change in the ratio of width to length) can induce slant perception
      for single shapes for both color and luminance vision. We use radial frequency
      patterns with narrowband spatio-temporal properties. In the first experiment,
      both a manual task (lever rotation) and a visual task (line rotation) are used as
      metrics to measure the perception of slant for achromatic, red-green isoluminant
      and S-cone isolating stimuli. In the second experiment, we measure slant
      discrimination thresholds as a function of depicted slant in a 2AFC paradigm and
      find similar thresholds for chromatic and achromatic stimuli. We conclude that
      both color and luminance vision can use the foreshortening of a single surface to
      perceive slant, with performances similar to those obtained using other strong
      cues for slant, such as texture. This has implications for the role of color in
      monocular 3D vision, and the cortical organization used in 3D object perception. 

PMID- 24216008
TI  - Contour interaction in foveal vision: a response to Siderov, Waugh, and Bedell
      (2013).

PMID- 24216009
TI  - Identification of three new Alu Yb subfamilies by source tracking of recently
      integrated Alu Yb elements.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alu elements are the most abundant mobile elements in the human
      genome, with over 1 million copies and constituting more than 10% of the genome.
      The majority of these Alu elements were inserted into the primate genome 35 to 60
      million years ago, but certain subfamilies of Alu elements are relatively very
      new and suspected to be still evolving. We attempted to trace the source/master
      copies of all human-specific members of the Alu Yb lineage using a computational
      approach by clustering similar Yb elements and constructing an evolutionary
      relation among the members of a cluster. RESULTS: We discovered that one copy of
      Yb8 at 10p14 is the source of several active Yb8 copies, which retrotransposed to
      generate 712 copies or 54% of all human-specific Yb8 elements. We detected eight
      other Yb8 elements that had generated ten or more copies, potentially acting as
      'stealth drivers'. One Yb8 element at 14q32.31 seemed to act as the source copy
      for all Yb9 elements tested, having producing 13 active Yb9 elements, and
      subsequently generated a total of 131 full-length copies. We identified and
      characterized three new subclasses of Yb elements: Yb8a1, Yb10 and Yb11. Their
      copy numbers in the reference genome are 75, 8 and 16. We analysed personal
      genome data from the 1000 Genome Project and detected an additional 6 Yb8a1, 3
      Yb10 and 15 Yb11 copies outside the reference genome. Our analysis indicates that
      the Yb8a1 subfamily has a similar age to Yb9 (1.93 million years and 2.15 million
      years, respectively), while Yb10 and Yb11 evolved only 1.4 and 0.71 million years
      ago, suggesting a linear evolutionary path from Yb8a1 to Yb10 and then to Yb11.
      Our preliminary data indicate that members in Yb10 and Yb11 are mostly
      polymorphic, indicating their young age. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that
      the Yb lineage is still evolving with new subfamilies being formed. Due to their
      very young age and the high rate of being polymorphic, insertions from these
      young subfamilies are very useful genetic markers for studying human population
      genetics and migration patterns, and the trend for mobile element insertions in
      the human genome.

PMID- 24216010
TI  - Responding to Australia's National Hepatitis B Strategy 2010-13: gaps in
      knowledge and practice in relation to Indigenous Australians.
AB  - The Australian National Hepatitis B Strategy 2010-13 outlines five priority areas
      for developing a comprehensive response to the hepatitis B virus (HBV): building
      partnerships and strengthening community action; preventing HBV transmission;
      optimising diagnosis and screening; clinical management of people with chronic
      hepatitis B (CHB); and developing health maintenance, care and support for people
      with HBV. A scoping study was used to map the main sources and types of evidence
      available on the epidemiology and natural history of HBV among Indigenous
      Australians as well as public health responses published since 2001 (January 2001
      May 2013). Gaps in current knowledge were identified. While the literature
      documents the success of universal infant immunisation and indicates the
      potential for screening initiatives to identify infected and susceptible
      individuals, prevalence of CHB and hepatocellular cancer remain high in
      Indigenous Australians. Significant gaps in knowledge and practice were
      identified in relation to each of the five National Hepatitis B Strategy priority
      action areas. Successful implementation of the strategy in Indigenous communities
      and reducing the burden of HBV and hepatocellular cancer in Indigenous
      Australians will require increased investment in research and knowledge transfer
      across all priority areas. 

PMID- 24216011
TI  - [How to write a medical report for the assessment of disability].
AB  - The present article revises practical aspects on the format and content of the
      clinical reports used for the evaluation of disability for the Spanish Disability
      Grants System. As a framework for understanding how these clinical reports should
      be, the review includes also a short overview of the different types of
      disability grants and the administrative and court mechanisms for granting. 

PMID- 24216012
TI  - [Spanish validation of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment
      interview to assess patients competence to consent treatment].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To validate the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool
      for Treatment (MacCAT-T) Spanish version, which assesses the mental capacity of
      patients to consent treatment, by examining 4 areas (Understanding, Appreciation,
      Reasoning and Expressing a choice). PATIENTS AND METHOD:  SAMPLE: 160 subjects
      (80 Internal Medicine inpatients, 40 Psychiatric inpatients and 40 healthy
      controls). INSTRUMENTS: MacCAT-T, Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE).
      PROCEDURE: Feasibility study, reliability and validity calculations (against to
      gold standard of clinical expert). RESULTS: Mean duration of the MacCAT-T
      interview was 18min. Inter-rater reliability: Intraclass correlation coefficient
      for Understanding=0.98, Appreciation=0.97, Reasoning=0.98, Expressing a
      choice=0.91. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha): Understanding=0.87, for
      Appreciation=0.76, for Reasoning=0.86. Patients considered to be incapable (gold
      standard) scored lower in all the MacCAT-T areas. Poor performance on the MacCAT
      T was related to cognitive impairment assessed by MMSE. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish
      version of the MacCAT-T is feasible, reliable, and valid for assessing the
      capacity of patients to consent treatment.

PMID- 24216013
TI  - [Risk of pharmacological interactions due to the co-administration of statins and
      cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 3A4-metabolized drugs: multicentre, crossover study].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Statins are safe but have a significant potential for
      pharmacological interactions. The objective of the study was to evaluate the
      prevalence of potential interactions throughout the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 3A4
      (CYP3A4) system in a large sample of statin-treated subjects and to determine
      which factors, from the patient and the physician, were associated with a higher
      risk of interactions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is an observational, cross-over,
      population study that included 7,880 subjects treated with statins. Both data
      from patients and from the1,681 participating physicians were recorded and
      analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-nine percent of the participants were receiving a statin
      metabolized by the CYP3A4, and 21.5% of all participants received a drug,
      different from a statin, metabolized by the CYP3A4. There were no differences in
      the frequency of utilization of statins metabolized or not by the CYP3A4 in
      relation to the simultaneous prescription of drugs metabolized by the same
      pathway (22 vs. 21%, respectively). Globally, 12.9% of all participants were at
      risk of an interaction. These patients were older, received a higher number of
      drugs and had more comorbidity. Sixty percent of the physicians mentioned that
      the possibility of an interaction greatly conditioned their selection of a
      particular statin. Likewise, 56% of them had software that alerted of possible
      interactions. These aspects, however, did not influence the number of patients at
      risk of interactions. CONCLUSION: The proportion of statin-treated patients at
      risk of interaction is elevated. Physicians do not usually pay attention to this
      possibility despite having available alert software and therapeutic alternatives.

PMID- 24216014
TI  - [Pharmacogenetic use in clinical practice: treatment of pain].

PMID- 24216015
TI  - [Is it posible to reduce the human immunodeficiency virus-associated chronic
      inflammation?].

PMID- 24216016
TI  - [Use of laser for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis induced by
      radiotherapy and chemotherapy for head and neck cancer].
AB  - One of the complications of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is oral mucositis.
      Since the low energy laser is one of the most frequently recommended
      interventions by authors and international societies, the aim of this study is to
      review the scientific evidence on the use of lasers as a preventive and
      therapeutic in oral mucositis associated with treatment of cancer. We performed a
      literature search in PubMed and The Cochrane Collaboration Library, limiting the
      search to the last 20 years. We finally included 29 articles that contained 30
      studies. Low energy laser phototherapy seems a promising intervention in both the
      prevention and treatment of oral mucositis associated with cancer treatment.
      Virtually all studies reviewed showed good results with no adverse effects and
      reductions in both incidence and severity of mucositis in all types of cancer
      treatments. 

PMID- 24216017
TI  - [Usefulness of cystatin C as a prognostic marker in venous thromboembolism].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cystatin C (cysC) is a prognostic marker in patients
      with hypertension, coronary heart disease and heart failure. The aim of this
      study was to determine the prognostic value of cysC levels obtained at the time
      of diagnosis in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). MATERIAL AND METHOD:
      Retrospective study of a cohort of 226 consecutive patients with VTE, followed
      for 6 months. Serum samples were obtained for the determination of cysC,
      creatinine, and the N-terminal fraction of the brain natriuretic peptide (NT
      proBNP) at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: The highest discriminating power value
      of dying at 6 months for cysC was 1,175mg/dl (sensitivity 76%, specificity 65%,
      positive predictive value 26%, negative predictive value 94%). Above the cut-off,
      17/48 patients died, versus 9/152 that had lower levels (odds ratio: 5.98, 95%
      confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.50-14.29, P<.001). The adjusted hazard ratio in a
      multivariate model was 3.76 (95% CI 1.46-9.66). The accuracy of this parameter
      was similar to that for creatinine (1.24mg/dl) but lower than the NT-proBNP
      (435pg/ml). Patients who exceeded the limit values of cysC and NT-proBNP together
      had no greater risk of death than those above NT-proBNP only (odds ratio: 9.43,
      95% CI 3.90-22.81, P<.001). There was no value, which was significantly
      associated with bleeding episodes or recurrent thromboembolism. CONCLUSION: CysC
      concentration at the time of diagnosis in VTE patients has prognostic value,
      which is similar to that of serum creatinine and lower than that of NT-proBNP.

PMID- 24216018
TI  - [Relationship between vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome are 2 very
      common health problems in the Spanish population. It has been suggested that
      patients with metabolic syndrome may be vitamin D deficient more often than
      subjects without it and that low vitamin D levels may predispose to metabolic
      syndrome development. However, the results of prospective and intervention
      studies have been different and such relationship remains unclear. We assessed
      the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the prevalence and
      incidence of metabolic syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We undertook a population
      based cohort study in Spain. At baseline (1996-1998), 1,226 subjects were
      evaluated. Follow-up visits were performed in 2002-2004 and 2005-2007.At baseline
      and follow-up, participants underwent an interview and a standardized clinical
      examination with an oral glucose tolerance test in those subjects without known
      diabetes. At the second visit, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and intact parathyroid
      hormone levels were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome at
      the second and third visit was 29.4 and 42.5%, respectively. Mean levels of 25
      hydroxyvitamin D were lower in subjects with metabolic syndrome: 21.7 (6.21) vs
      23.35 (6.29) ng/ml, P<.001.The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25
      hydroxyvitamin D<20 ng/ml) at the second evaluation was 34.7%, with significant
      differences between subjects with and without metabolic syndrome(34.6 vs 26.5%,
      P<.01). Men with vitamin D deficiency had more frequently hypertension and
      metabolic syndrome than men with normal levels. Women with vitamin D deficiency
      had more frequently hyperglycemia, hypertension, increased waist circumference
      and hypertriglyceridemia. In a prospective study, 25-hydroxyvitamin D values<20
      ng/ml were not significantly associated with an increased risk of developing
      metabolic syndrome in the next 5 years (odds ratio 0,99, 95% confidence interval
      0.57-1.7, P=.97) after adjusting by sex and age. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D
      deficiency is associated with an increased prevalence but not with an increased
      incidence of metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 24216019
TI  - Massive difference in synonymous substitution rates among mitochondrial, plastid,
      and nuclear genes of Phaeocystis algae.
AB  - We are just beginning to understand how mutation rates differ among
      mitochondrial, plastid, and nuclear genomes. In most seed plants the
      mitochondrial mutation rate is estimated to be lower than those of the plastid
      and nucleus, whereas in the red alga Porphyra the opposite is true, and in
      certain green algae all three genomes appear to have similar rates of mutation.
      Relative rate statistics of organelle vs nuclear genes, however, are lacking for
      lineages that acquired their plastids through secondary endosymbiosis, but recent
      organelle DNA analyses suggest that they may differ drastically from what is
      observed in lineages with primary plastids, such as green plants and red algae.
      Here, by measuring synonymous nucleotide substitutions, we approximate the
      relative mutation rates within the haptophyte genus Phaeocystis, which has a red
      algal-derived, secondary plastid. Synonymous-site divergence data indicate that
      for Phaeocystis antarctica and P. globosa the mitochondrial mutation rate is 10
      and 3 times that of the plastid and nucleus, respectively. This differs
      drastically from relative rate estimates for primary-plastid-bearing lineages and
      presents a much more dynamic view of organelle vs nuclear mutation rates across
      the eukaryotic domain. 

PMID- 24216020
TI  - [Paediatric anaesthesia outside the operating theatre suite: the situation in
      Germany and Quebec].
AB  - The authors describe the way pediatric anesthesia is organized outside the
      operating theatre in their country. In Germany, children can be anesthetized
      outside the operating theater in the hospital but also outside the hospital
      according to the concept of office-based anesthesia. National recommendations
      have been published and their revision is currently underway. In Quebec,
      pediatric anesthesia outside the operating theatre is well organized in order to
      ensure quality of care, patient's safety and efficiency of the system.

PMID- 24216021
TI  - Do people automatically track others' beliefs? Evidence from a continuous
      measure.
AB  - Recent findings suggest that tracking others' beliefs is not always effortful and
      slow, but may rely on a fast and implicit system. An untested prediction of the
      automatic belief tracking account is that own and others' beliefs should be
      activated in parallel. We tested this prediction measuring continuous movement
      trajectories in a task that required deciding between two possible object
      locations. We independently manipulated whether participants' belief about the
      object location was true or false and whether an onlooker's belief about the
      object location was true or false. Manipulating whether or not the agent's belief
      was ever task relevant allowed us to compare performance in an explicit and
      implicit version of the same task. Movement parameters revealed an influence of
      the onlooker's irrelevant belief in the implicit version of the task. This
      provides evidence for parallel activation of own and others' beliefs. 

PMID- 24216023
TI  - Developing virtual patients for medical microbiology education.
AB  - The landscape of medical education is changing as students embrace the
      accessibility and interactivity of e-learning. Virtual patients are e-learning
      resources that may be used to advance microbiology education. Although the
      development of virtual patients has been widely considered, here we aim to
      provide a coherent approach for clinical educators. 

PMID- 24216022
TI  - Decoding the complexity of type I interferon to treat persistent viral
      infections.
AB  - Type I interferons (IFN-I) are a broad family of cytokines that are central to
      the innate immune response. These proteins have long been appreciated for the
      critical roles they play in restraining viral infections and shaping antiviral
      immune responses. However, in recent years there has been increased awareness of
      the immunosuppressive actions of these proteins as well. Although there are many
      current therapeutic applications to manipulate IFN-I pathways, we have limited
      understanding of the mechanisms by which these therapies are actually
      functioning. In this review, we highlight the diversity and temporal impact of
      IFN-I signaling, discuss the current therapeutic uses of IFN-I, and explore the
      strategy of blocking IFN-I to alleviate immune dysfunction in persistent virus
      infections. 

PMID- 24216024
TI  - Oxidoreduction properties of bound ubiquinone in Complex I from Escherichia coli.
AB  - The exploration of the redox chemistry of bound ubiquinone during catalysis is a
      prerequisite for the understanding of the mechanism by which Complex I
      (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH):ubiquinone oxidoreductase) transduces
      redox energy into an electrochemical proton gradient. Studies of redox dependent
      changes in the spectrum of Complex I from Escherichia coli in the mid- and near
      ultraviolet (UV) and visible areas were performed to identify the spectral
      contribution, and to determine the redox properties, of the tightly bound
      ubiquinone. A very low midpoint redox potential (<-300mV) was found for the bound
      ubiquinone, more than 400mV lower than when dissolved in a phospholipid membrane.
      This thermodynamic property of bound ubiquinone has important implications for
      the mechanism by which Complex I catalyzes proton translocation. 

PMID- 24216025
TI  - Partnerships for health: decimating tuberculosis in the Cook Islands, 1920-1975.
AB  - How did the Cook Islands manage to achieve a significant reduction in
      tuberculosis from a high rate in the early 20th century to low rates by 1975?
      With the mid-century invention of effective drug therapy there was a widespread
      belief around the Western world that TB could be eradicated. The Cook Islands was
      one place which almost reached this goal. Based on primary and secondary
      historical and anthropological research, we argue that the geo-political
      emplacement of the Cook Islands and development of multi-scale partnerships were
      crucial to success. Our research indicates the value of understanding and
      engaging with local community networks and culturally appropriate partnerships in
      dealing with health issues. 

PMID- 24216026
TI  - Examining the role of location-specific associations between ambient air
      pollutants and adult asthma in the United States.
AB  - This study examined the association between ozone and fine particulate (PM2.5)
      exposure and asthma risk by place of residence. We linked 412,832 adult
      respondents from the 2009 U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to
      their residence counties. Observed and interpolated ozone and PM2.5 concentration
      data from 2006 to 2009 were used as exposures. We linked self-reported current
      asthma status and other individual risk factors to county-level risk factors in
      multilevel logistic regressions. Results indicated spatially varied asthma risks
      and spatially varied associations between ambient air pollution and asthma risk.
      Residents in counties not located within a metropolitan statistical area (MSA)
      and in inner ring suburbs had a relatively higher asthma risk. Positive ozone
      asthma associations were detected across all spatial settings, while positive
      PM2.5-asthma associations were detected only in central cities of an MSA and in
      outer ring suburbs, indicating that residence location modified the relationship
      between ambient air pollution and asthma risk. 

PMID- 24216027
TI  - Food, eating and body image in the lives of low socioeconomic status rural
      Mexican women living in Queretaro State, Mexico.
AB  - Qualitative research using semi-structured interviews and key informant
      interviews were used to explore how women from low socioeconomic rural households
      in Queretaro State, Mexico perceived and reacted to their obesogenic environment.
      Reduced availability of healthy food options and household financial constraints
      along with reduced agency of women in this setting were factors that limited
      women's ability to access and consume diets consistent with the promotion of good
      health. The cultural values that emphasised obesity as a desirable state for
      women and the women's social networks that promoted these values were also
      identified as playing a role in reinforcing certain behaviours. Public health
      advocates wanting to design interventions in such settings need to be sensitive
      to the cultural as well as the environmental context described for rural Mexican
      women. 

PMID- 24216028
TI  - British Columbia's pay-for-performance experiment: part of the solution to reduce
      emergency department crowding?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding continues to be a well
      publicized problem in a number of countries. In British Columbia, a province in
      Canada, an ED pay-for-performance (ED P4P) program was initiated in 2007 to
      create financial incentives for hospitals to reduce patients' ED length of stay
      (ED LOS). This study's objectives are to determine if the ED P4P program is
      associated with decreases in ED LOS, and to address the ED P4P program's
      limitations. METHODS: We analyze monthly hospital-level ED LOS time data since
      the inception of the financial incentives. Since the ED P4P program was phased in
      at different hospitals from different health authorities over time, hospitals'
      data from only two regional health authorities are included in the study.
      RESULTS: We find association between the implementation of ED P4P and ED LOS time
      data. However, due to the lack of control data, the findings cannot demonstrate
      causality. Furthermore, our findings are from hospitals in the greater Vancouver
      area only. INTERPRETATION: BC's ED P4P was introduced to create incentives for
      hospitals to reduce ED LOS by providing incremental incentive funding. Available
      data indicate that the ED P4P program is associated with mixed successes in
      reducing ED LOS among participating hospitals.

PMID- 24216029
TI  - Ulcerating type 1 lepra reaction mimicking lazarine leprosy: an unusual
      presentation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in an HIV-infected
      patient.
AB  - Leprosy maybe "unmasked" in the context of immune reconstitution inflammatory
      syndrome and treating dermatologists, particularly in highly endemic areas for
      Hansen's disease, need to be cognizant to this possibility. It may also reflect
      emergence of a previously clinically silent infection in the course of
      immunologic restoration. 

PMID- 24216030
TI  - Incidence and progression of cervical lesions in women with HIV: a systematic
      global review.
AB  - Global data on cervical lesion incidence and progression in HIV-positive women
      are essential for understanding the natural history of cervical neoplasia and
      informing screening policy. A systematic review was performed summarizing the
      incidence and progression of cervical lesions in HIV-positive women. Of 5882 HIV
      positive women from 15 studies, incidence ranged from 4.9 to 21.1 cases per 100
      woman-years for any cervical lesion and 0.4 to 8.8 cases per 100 woman-years for
      high-grade cervical lesions. HIV-positive women showed a median three-fold higher
      incidence of cervical lesions compared to HIV-negative women. Of 1099 HIV
      positive women from 11 studies, progression from low- to high-grade lesions
      ranged from 1.2 to 26.2 cases per 100 woman-years. Both incidence and progression
      rates increased with lower CD4 counts. The effect of antiretroviral therapy on
      the natural history of cervical neoplasia remains unclear. HIV-positive women
      have higher incidence and progression of cervical neoplasia. Cervical cancer
      screening should be integrated into HIV treatment programmes.

PMID- 24216031
TI  - The role of implementation intention formation in promoting hepatitis B
      vaccination uptake among men who have sex with men.
AB  - This study assessed the separate and joint effects of having a goal intention and
      the completeness of implementation intention formation on the likelihood of
      attending an appointment to obtain vaccination against the hepatitis B virus
      among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands. Extending previous
      research, it was hypothesized that to be effective in promoting vaccination,
      implementation intention formation not only requires a strong goal intention, but
      also complete details specifying when, where and how to make an appointment to
      obtain hepatitis B virus vaccination among MSM. MSM at risk for hepatitis B virus
      (N = 616), with strong or weak intentions to obtain hepatitis B virus
      vaccination, were randomly assigned to form an implementation intention or not.
      Completeness of implementation intentions was rated and hepatitis B virus uptake
      was assessed through data linkage with the joint vaccination registry of the
      collaborating Public Health Services. Having a strong goal intention to obtain
      hepatitis B virus vaccination and forming an implementation intention, each
      significantly and independently increased the likelihood of MSM obtaining
      hepatitis B virus vaccination. In addition, MSM who formed complete
      implementation intentions were more successful in obtaining vaccination (p <
      0.01). The formation of complete implementation intentions was promoted by strong
      goal intentions (p < 0.01). 

PMID- 24216032
TI  - Rapid loss of vaccine-acquired hepatitis B surface antibody after three doses of
      hepatitis B vaccination in HIV-infected persons.
AB  - HIV-infected individuals have poor responses to hepatitis B vaccine and may have
      decreased durability of post-vaccination immunity. Retrospective chart review was
      conducted for HIV-1 positive individuals aged >=18 years who received hepatitis B
      vaccine at an urban HIV clinic. A total of 309 patients completed three doses and
      178 had post-vaccine serology testing after the third dose. In multivariate
      analysis, time between the third dose and the first post-vaccine serology testing
      at 180-359 days (OR = 0.077, p = 0.049) and at >=360 days (OR = 0.065, p = 0.019)
      were associated with poor vaccine responses. A significant decrease in
      seropositivity appeared as early as 180 days after the third vaccine dose,
      suggesting a rapid loss of vaccine-acquired hepatitis B surface antibody in HIV
      infected persons. Our findings suggest that hepatitis B surface antibody should
      be tested at 6 to 12 months after completing primary vaccine series in order to
      detect early secondary vaccine failure.

PMID- 24216033
TI  - Guidance and practice on frequency of HIV and sexually transmitted infection
      testing in men who have sex with men - what is the European situation?
AB  - Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at particular risk for HIV/sexually
      transmitted infections (STI). To investigate the European guidance used for MSM
      STI and HIV screening, risk level profiling and how this translated to practice,
      we conducted a questionnaire survey of leading physicians in the European branch
      of the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI). We
      identified that most European countries have limited guidance on screening
      intervals for MSM. Where risk profiling is advised, it is often left to
      clinicians to weight different behaviours and decide on screening frequency. Our
      results suggest that European MSM STI and HIV testing guidelines be developed
      with clear and specific recommendations around screening intervals and risk
      profiling. These guidelines will be particularly helpful due to rapidly evolving
      models of sexual healthcare, and the emergence of new providers who may benefit
      from guidelines that require less interpretation.

PMID- 24216034
TI  - Switching to darunavir/ritonavir monotherapy vs. triple-therapy on body fat
      redistribution and bone mass in HIV-infected adults: the Monarch randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - Changes in body fat distribution and bone mass in HIV-infected patients may be
      associated with long-term use of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
      (NRTIs). The Monarch trial recruited 30 patients receiving non-nucleoside reverse
      transcriptase inhibitor or protease inhibitor-based highly active antiretroviral
      therapy, with HIV RNA <40 copies/mL. Patients were randomized to either
      darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg once daily monotherapy or darunavir/ritonavir
      800/100 mg once daily + two NRTIs. Bone mass, peripheral lipoatrophy and central
      fat accumulation were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning,
      supplemented by computed tomography scans. Median age was 43 years, 77% were men.
      Visceral adipose tissue remained stable from baseline to Week 48 in the whole
      group (p = 0.261) with no significant difference between arms (p = 0.56). There
      was a significant reduction in insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, p = 0.013) over 48
      weeks in the whole group, but not of body mass index (p = 0.24). In the
      darunavir/ritonavir monotherapy arm, there was a small but significant increase
      in both lumbar and femur bone mineral density at 48 weeks and was observed after
      correction for baseline values. The absolute change in lumbar bone mineral
      density at 48 weeks was more pronounced in the darunavir/ritonavir arm compared
      with the darunavir/ritonavir + 2NRTIs arm. In this study, discontinuing
      nucleoside analogues and switching to darunavir/ritonavir monotherapy was
      associated with a small but statistically significant increase in bone mineral
      density, but stable levels of limb fat and visceral adipose tissue.

PMID- 24216035
TI  - 2012 European guideline for the management of pelvic inflammatory disease.
AB  - This guideline was produced by the European region of the International Union
      against sexually transmitted infections (IUSTI) and refers to ascending
      infections in the female genital tract unrelated to delivery and surgery and does
      not include actinomyces-related infection. 

PMID- 24216036
TI  - Prevalence of HIV, human papillomavirus type 16 and herpes simplex virus type 2
      among female sex workers in Guinea and associated factors.
AB  - Female sex workers are at high risk for HIV infection. Sexually transmitted
      infections are known to be co-factors for HIV infection. Our aims were (1) to
      assess the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in this
      population; (2) to determine the association between sociodemographic
      characteristics, behavioural variables, and variables related to HIV prevention
      and HIV infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Conakry, Guinea,
      among a convenience sample of 223 female sex workers. A questionnaire on
      sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, and exposure to prevention was
      administered. Screening for HIV, herpes simplex virus type 2, human
      papillomavirus type 16, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Chlamydia trachomatis was
      performed. Prevalences of HIV, herpes simplex virus type 2, human papillomavirus
      type 16, N. gonorrhoeae, and C. trachomatis were 35.3%, 84.1%, 12.2%, 9.0%, and
      13.6%, respectively. Having a child, lubricant use, and human papillomavirus type
      16 infection were associated with HIV infection. Interventions that promote
      screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections are needed in order to
      achieve successful interventions to prevent HIV among female sex workers in
      resource-limited settings. 

PMID- 24216037
TI  - Bubonic lymphogranuloma venereum with multidrug treatment failure.
AB  - A patient with proctitis and inguinal buboes diagnosed with lymphogranuloma
      venereum (LGV) was treated with doxycycline 21 days, azithromycin 20 days and
      moxifloxacin for a further 12 days because of progressive worsening of inguinal
      symptoms. Despite extensive antibiotic treatment, the inguinal LGV lesions
      persisted; however, the patient recovered spontaneously after three months. 

PMID- 24216039
TI  - 2014 and 2015, two important landmarks on the global health and development
      agenda.

PMID- 24216040
TI  - Women's worries in first pregnancy: results from a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - It has been suggested that participation in an antenatal education programme will
      increase the level of worry in pregnant women. This randomised controlled trial,
      investigated women's worries in late pregnancy as a secondary outcome depending
      on their attendance in an antenatal education programme. We found that women
      attending the education programme reported a lower level of worry in late
      pregnancy, especially worries related to birth issues, compared to those who did
      not attend the antenatal education programme. 

PMID- 24216038
TI  - Lack of evidence for retroviral infections formerly related to chronic fatigue in
      Spanish fibromyalgia patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The etiology of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (FM/CFS) is
      currently unknown. A recurrent viral infection is an attractive hypothesis
      repeatedly found in the literature since it would explain the persistent pain and
      tiredness these patients suffer from. The initial striking link of two distinct
      orphan retroviruses: the gamma retroviruses murine leukemia virus (MLV)-related
      virus and the delta retrovirus T-lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-2) to chronic
      fatigue have not been confirmed to date. RESULTS: Genomic DNA (gDNA) from 75
      fibromyalgia patients suffering from chronic fatigue and 79 age-matched local
      healthy controls were screened for the presence of MLV-related and HTLV-2 related
      proviral sequences. The XMRV env gene was amplified in 20% of samples tested (24%
      patients/15% healthy controls). Unexpectedly, no PCR amplifications from
      independent gDNA preparations of the same individuals were obtained. None of the
      positive samples showed presence of contaminating murine sequences previously
      reported by other investigators, neither contained additional regions of the
      virus making us conclude that the initial env amplification came from spurious
      air-driven amplicon contaminants. No specific HTLV-2 sequences were obtained at
      any time from any of the 154 quality-controlled gDNA preparations screened.
      CONCLUSIONS: Previous associations between MLV-related or HTLV-2 retrovirus
      infection with chronic fatigue must be discarded. Thus, studies showing positive
      amplification of HTLV-2 sequences from chronic fatigue participants should be
      revised for possible undetected technical problems.To avoid false positives of
      viral infection, not only extreme precautions should be taken when nested-PCR
      reactions are prepared and exhaustive foreign DNA contamination controls
      performed, but also consistent amplification of diverse regions of the virus in
      independent preparations from the same individual must be demanded.The fact that
      our cohort of patients did not present evidence of any of the two types of
      retroviral infection formerly associated to chronic fatigue does not rule out the
      possibility that other viruses are involved in inciting or maintaining
      fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue conditions.

PMID- 24216041
TI  - Maternal development experiences of women hospitalized to prevent preterm birth.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine ways that women's experience of hospitalization with bed
      rest to prevent preterm birth impacts prenatal maternal development. METHOD:
      Interviews based on the Interview Schedules for Dimensions of Maternal
      Development in Psychosocial Adaptation to Pregnancy were conducted at a hospital
      in the southwestern United States with a convenience sample of 41 women during
      confinement to bed rest to prevent preterm birth. The interviews were recorded,
      and verbatim transcripts were submitted to thematic analysis. RESULTS: Five
      themes were mapped from the women's narratives: (1) acceptance of pregnancy, but
      with fears specific to elevated risks to self and baby; (2) heightened
      identification with motherhood and fatherhood protector roles; (3) renewal or
      deepening of mother-daughter closeness intensified by high-risk pregnancy; (4)
      enhanced couple support and collaboration; and (5) acceptance of responsibility
      to perform in remaining pregnant and preparing for labor, but willingness to
      accept help from doctors and nurses. CONCLUSIONS: This study of hospitalization
      to prevent preterm birth showed that women experience hospitalization as a burden
      to be endured to meet future goals, but that it also can facilitate prenatal
      maternal development in psychosocial adaptation to high risk pregnancy.
      Implications for research and practice are discussed.

PMID- 24216042
TI  - An exploration of obese pregnant women's views of being referred by their midwife
      to a weight management service.
AB  - Midwives have previously reported concerns about discussing and referring obese
      pregnant women to weight management services, with some women stating that this
      referral can be upsetting. The current study interviewed obese women who had
      declined a weight management service during pregnancy to explore if it was the
      referral process that made them decline the service. Fifteen women participated
      and reported that being informed about and referred to a service by their midwife
      was acceptable to them. Participants also mentioned they would expect this
      information from their midwife. No participants reported being upset by this
      referral. 

PMID- 24216043
TI  - Care seeking during the latent phase of labour--frequencies and birth outcomes in
      two delivery wards in Sweden.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the frequency of women seeking care during the latent phase
      of labour at two delivery wards. Also, to investigate interventions during labour
      and birth outcomes in relation to parity and remaining in hospital or not during
      the latent phase. METHODS: A retrospective, population-based cohort study in two
      delivery wards in Sweden. The sample was based on electronic childbirth records
      of all births with spontaneous onset. RESULTS: Of 5797 women, 17.6% (n=1023)
      sought care during the latent phase. Of these, 57.8% (n=591) remained at the
      hospital, and 50.5% (n=517) had a prolonged latent phase. Nulliparae remaining in
      hospital had a lower rate of spontaneous vaginal births (p=0.007), more emergency
      Caesarean sections (CSs) (p<0.001) and more babies with Apgar <7 at 5 min
      (p=0.045) compared with those returning home. Nulliparae having a prolonged
      latent phase and remaining in hospital had fewer spontaneous vaginal births
      (p=0.045), more emergency CSs (p=0.002) and more babies with Apgar <7 at 5 min
      (p=0.023) compared with those returning home. For multiparous women with a
      previous vaginal birth, with or without prolonged latent phase, mode of delivery
      was not influenced by remaining in hospital or not. CONCLUSION: These findings
      indicate a need for different guidelines for nulliparous and multiparous women
      seeking hospital care during the latent phase, and for special attention to be
      given to nulliparous with a prolonged latent phase remaining in hospital during
      the latent phase.

PMID- 24216044
TI  - A qualitative study of new fathers' experiences of care in relation to
      complicated childbirth.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to describe new fathers' experiences
      with care related to complicated childbirth. METHODS: A qualitative approach
      consisting of individual interviews using a semi-structured interview guide with
      open-ended questions was applied. A purposive sample of eight fathers
      participated. The interview text was subjected to qualitative thematic content
      analysis. RESULTS: Analysis revealed the following three categories: (1) feeling
      scared and uncared for during acute situations; (2) appreciating the opportunity
      to participate in care and becoming a family; and (3) needing continued care.
      Based on these three categories, a recurring theme was identified: struggling to
      be recognized by care staff as a partner in the family was revealed. CONCLUSION:
      Although fathers lack support and understanding from care staff, they strive to
      fulfill their roles as fathers by guarding their families and keeping them
      together. Caregivers involved in the childbirth process should realize that by
      acknowledging and encouraging fathers in these roles, they in turn support the
      entire family unit. Interventions developed for fathers and family care requires
      further development. Additional research concerning how midwives and critical
      care nurses (CCNs) view the presence of fathers in the emergency situations that
      may accompany childbirth is also needed.

PMID- 24216045
TI  - The influence of breastfeeding beliefs on the sexual behavior of the Tarok in
      north-central Nigeria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The paper investigated some of the beliefs around the breastfeeding
      norm of the postpartum abstinence and how these influence sexual behavior. It was
      based on a larger project which explored how gender relations affect reproductive
      processes and the reproductive health of Tarok women in north-central Nigeria.
      METHODS: Research was conducted in four Tarok communities using qualitative
      instruments, namely in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussion (FGD)
      guides. Participants were female and male community members of 15 years and
      above. Sixteen IDIs (four per community) were conducted with women, religious and
      traditional leaders as well as senior health providers. Twenty-four FGD sessions
      (six per community) were held with different groups in the community and data
      were descriptively analyzed. RESULTS: Findings demonstrated customary double
      standards in sexual matters; the significance and influence of certain unfounded
      traditional beliefs around breastfeeding on sexual behavior and choices; as well
      as some of the changes that characterize sexual relationships among modern Tarok
      couples brought about by Christianity, Western education and modernity.
      CONCLUSION: Traditional breastfeeding norms and beliefs seek to overly control
      women's sexuality while giving precedence to the interest of the child and its
      father. The study calls for a change in attitude to meet the demands of the
      current reality in order to strengthen marital unions and guarantee healthy
      families.

PMID- 24216046
TI  - Reference chart of inspiratory muscle strength: a new tool to monitor the effect
      of pre-operative training.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop a reference chart to monitor inspiratory muscle strength
      during pre-operative inspiratory muscle training for patients at high risk of
      developing postoperative pulmonary complications awaiting coronary artery bypass
      graft (CABG) surgery. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis using patients from the
      intervention arm of a randomised clinical trial. SETTING: University medical
      centre. PARTICIPANTS: Patients at high risk of developing postoperative pulmonary
      complications awaiting CABG surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients performed
      inspiratory muscle training seven times per week for at least 2 weeks before
      surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximal inspiratory muscle strength. RESULTS: A
      new reference chart was produced using a non-linear time trend model with a
      normal error structure. CONCLUSIONS: The chart is a novel tool for monitoring the
      progress of inspiratory muscle training for physiotherapy practice. Wider use of
      this chart is recommended.

PMID- 24216048
TI  - Monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy of ovarian cancer: targeting ovarian
      cancer cells with the B7-H3-specific mAb 376.96.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The high rate of relapse in patients with advanced ovarian cancer
      likely reflects the chemoresistance of cancer initiating cells (CICs). We
      evaluated the anti-tumor activity of monoclonal antibody (mAb) 376.96, which
      recognizes a B7-H3 epitope expressed on ovarian carcinoma cells (OCCs), in
      combination with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Sunitinib and chemotherapy on
      chemosensitive and chemoresistant cells and CICs. METHODS: Eight ovarian cancer
      cell lines including platinum- and taxane-resistant cell lines were analyzed by
      flow cytometry to establish expression of the mAb 376.96-defined-B7-H3-epitope on
      differentiated ovarian cancer cells and CICs. Samples from 10 ovarian cancer
      patients were analyzed via immunohistochemistry for mAb 376.96-defined-B7-H3
      epitope expression. In vitro studies assessed mAb 376.96 alone and in combination
      with Sunitinib on the growth of chemosensitive and chemoresistant cell lines and
      on the content of CICs. RESULTS: The mAb-376.96-defined-B7-H3 epitope is
      expressed on both differentiated cells and CICs in chemosensitive and
      chemoresistant ovarian cancer cell lines and 10 patient derived ovarian cancer
      tumors. In vitro treatment of chemoresistant cell lines with mAb 376.96 resulted
      in decreased cell viability. mAb 376.96 enhanced the cytotoxicity of Sunitinib
      and reduced the content of CICs. CONCLUSION: The mAb-376.96-defined-B7-H3-epitope
      was found to be expressed on both differentiated ovarian cancer cells and CICs in
      chemosensitive and chemoresistant ovarian cancer cell lines. mAb 376.96 inhibited
      the in vitro growth of chemosensitive and chemoresistant OCCs and reduced the
      content of CICs when used with Sunitinib. Further studies examining B7-H3 as a
      potential target of mAb-based immunotherapy for this type of malignancy are
      warranted.

PMID- 24216049
TI  - Modified gluteal fold advancement V-Y flap for vulvar reconstruction after
      surgery for vulvar malignancies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to assess the feasibility and complications of
      the modified V-Y advancement gluteal flap in the vulvo-perineal reconstruction
      among women operated for vulvar malignancies. METHODS: From December 2008 to
      April 2012 women who underwent radical surgery for invasive vulvar cancer were
      considered for the study. Patients after demolitive procedure were submitted to
      reconstructive step (Group A) consisting of bilateral or monolateral V-Y
      advancement fascio-cutaneous flap, from gluteal fold. Surgical results were
      compared to those of a historical group of patients (Group B) with the same
      characteristics but not submitted to the reconstructive step. RESULTS: Twenty
      nine patients were considered for the study and submitted to radical surgery
      followed by V-Y flap. Surgical results were compared to those of 78 patients
      submitted to demolitive surgery only. There were no differences in terms of
      clinical characteristics between the two groups. The average length of hospital
      stay was 7 and 10 days, respectively for Groups A and B (P=0.0067). Mean
      operating time was higher in Group A, 210 vs 120 min (P<0.00001). Among women
      with tumor size larger than 4 cm (27 Group A, 30 Group B), Group A had lower
      complication rate (dehiscence 11% vs 40%; P=0.0172). CONCLUSIONS: Modified
      gluteal fold advancement V-Y flap is a safe and simple procedure and can be
      harvested in a single surgery session. It could be able to reduce hospital stay
      and in patients with large loss of substance could reduce rate of complications.

PMID- 24216050
TI  - Geranylated 2-arylbenzofurans from Morus alba var. tatarica and their alpha
      glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activities.
AB  - Ten new geranylated 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives, including two monoterpenoid 2
      arylbenzofurans (1 and 2), two geranylated 2-arylbenzofuran enantiomers (3a and
      3b), and six geranylated 2-arylbenzofurans (4-9), along with four known 2
      arylbenzofurans (10-13) were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba var.
      tatarica. Their structures and relative configurations were established on the
      basis of spectroscopic data analysis. Compounds 3-7 with one asymmetric carbon at
      C-7" were supposed to be enantiomeric mixtures confirmed by chiral HPLC analysis,
      and the absolute configurations of each enantiomer in 3-7 were determined by
      Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced CD and Snatzke's method. The enantiomers with the
      substituting group at C-2' exhibited better resolutions on a Chiralpak AD-H
      column than those with the substituting group at C-4'. Compounds 1-7, 10, 11 and
      13, showed alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 11.9-131.9
      MUM, and compounds 1 and 9-13 inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B)
      with IC50 values of 7.9-38.1 MUM.

PMID- 24216051
TI  - Cycloartane glycosides from Astragalus plumosus var. krugianus and evaluation of
      their antioxidant potential.
AB  - The methanol extracts of Astragalus plumosus var. krugianus Chamb. & Matthews
      afforded sixteen cycloartane glycosides among which krugianoside A, was never
      reported before. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity in
      human skin fibroblast WS1 cells. For compounds exhibiting no significant effect
      on WS1 viability, the antioxidant potential was examined. Compounds 1 and 8
      prevented elevation of ROS induced by t-BOOH, suggesting the potential activity
      of these compounds to protect fibroblasts from oxidative stress. 

PMID- 24216052
TI  - [How to improve supervision of carbapenem's prescriptions? Development of a cross
      disciplinary computerized system].

PMID- 24216053
TI  - Successful cardiac resynchronisation therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a 5
      year follow-up.

PMID- 24216054
TI  - [Letter on the article: "senile systemic amyloidosis: definition, diagnosis, why
      thinking about?"].

PMID- 24216055
TI  - Nucleus tractus solitarii A(2a) adenosine receptors inhibit cardiopulmonary
      chemoreflex control of sympathetic outputs.
AB  - Previously we have shown that stimulation of inhibitory A1 adenosine receptors
      located in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) attenuates cardiopulmonary
      chemoreflex (CCR) evoked inhibition of renal, adrenal and lumbar sympathetic
      nerve activity and reflex decreases in arterial pressure and heart rate.
      Activation of facilitatory A2a adenosine receptors, which dominate over A1
      receptors in the NTS, contrastingly alters baseline activity of regional
      sympathetic outputs: it decreases renal, increases adrenal and does not change
      lumbar nerve activity. Considering that NTS A2a receptors may facilitate release
      of inhibitory transmitters we hypothesized that A2a receptors will act in concert
      with A1 receptors differentially inhibiting regional sympathetic CCR responses
      (adrenal>lumbar>renal). In urethane/chloralose anesthetized rats (n=38) we
      compared regional sympathetic responses evoked by stimulation of the CCR with
      right atrial injections of serotonin 5HT3 receptor agonist, phenylbiguanide, (1
      8MUg/kg) before and after selective stimulation, blockade or combined blockade
      and stimulation of NTS A2a adenosine receptors (microinjections into the NTS of
      CGS-21680 0.2-20pmol/50nl, ZM-241385 40pmol/100nl or ZM-241385+CGS-21680,
      respectively). We found that stimulation of A2a adenosine receptors uniformly
      inhibited the regional sympathetic and hemodynamic reflex responses and this
      effect was abolished by the selective blockade of NTS A2a receptors. This
      indicates that A2a receptor triggered inhibition of CCR responses and the
      contrasting shifts in baseline sympathetic activity are mediated via different
      mechanisms. These data implicate that stimulation of NTS A2a receptors triggers
      unknown inhibitory mechanism(s) which in turn inhibit transmission in the CCR
      pathway when adenosine is released into the NTS during severe hypotension. 

PMID- 24216056
TI  - Examining associations between anxiety and cortisol in high functioning male
      children with autism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in
      communication and social ability, as well as restricted interests and repetitive
      behavior. Anxiety is a persistent anticipation or apprehension about one or more
      situations to which a person is exposed, and affects many people, including
      children with ASD. Stress, by contrast, is a response to situations that are
      threatening, uncontrollable, or unexpected. Indices of anxiety are often measured
      through informants, with parents and teachers serving as the primary sources of
      reported anxiety in children. However, self-report measures exist, allowing
      current (state) and persistent (trait) anxiety to be assessed. The current study
      was designed to evaluate whether children with autism could identify their own
      levels of anxiety and the degree to which these levels were associated with
      symptom profile and physiological arousal. METHODS: Self-reported state and trait
      anxiety were collected during exposure to different stress paradigms for 40
      children (21 typically developing, 19 with autistic disorder) and compared to
      parent reported social ability (Social Responsiveness Scale) and stress
      responsivity (cortisol). RESULTS: Significant differences were found between
      typically developing and children with autism for both state and trait anxiety
      across all conditions. Associations were identified between severity of parent
      reported social impairment and both types of self-report anxiety. No relationship
      was found between stress (salivary cortisol) and anxiety in children with autism.
      CONCLUSIONS: Children with autism are able to consistently report their
      persistent level of anxiety symptoms in stressful situations of benign character.
      Therefore, the inclusion of such measures may be useful in identifying and
      tracking symptoms in children with autism under appropriate circumstances.

PMID- 24216057
TI  - Osteoarthritis bone marrow lesions at the knee and large artery characteristics.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is evidence to suggest vascular involvement in the initiation
      and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). The relationship between large artery
      characteristics and pathogenesis of OA has not been investigated and was the aim
      of this study. DESIGN: Large artery characteristics (i.e., aortic stiffness,
      brachial and central blood pressure (BP) variables) and bone marrow lesions
      (BMLs; measured by magnetic resonance imaging as a surrogate index of OA) were
      recorded in 208 participants (aged 63 +/- 7 years; mean +/- SD) with symptomatic
      knee OA. Relationships between large artery characteristics and BML were assessed
      by multiple regression adjusting for age, sex and body mass index. RESULTS: There
      was a high prevalence of BML presence in the study population (70%), but no
      significant difference between participants with and without BML for all large
      artery and BP variables (P > 0.05 all). Furthermore, there were no significant
      relationships between BML size and aortic stiffness (r = -0.033, P = 0.71),
      central pulse pressure (r = 0.028, P = 0.74), augmentation index (r = 0.125, P =
      0.14), brachial pulse pressure (r = 0.005, P = 0.95) or brachial systolic BP (r =
      -0.066, P = 0.44). When participants were stratified according to high or low
      aortic stiffness, there was no significant difference between groups regarding
      the proportion of those with a BML (64% vs. 70% respectively; P = 0.69).
      CONCLUSIONS: Variables indicative of large artery characteristics are not
      significantly correlated with BML size or presence in people with symptomatic
      knee OA. Thus, large artery characteristics may not have a causative influence in
      the development of OA, but this needs to be confirmed in prospective studies.

PMID- 24216058
TI  - Osteoarthritis--a case for personalized health care?
AB  - For both economic and ethical reasons, identification of the optimal treatment
      for each individual patient is a pressing concern, not only for the patients and
      their physician, but also health care payers and the pharmaceutical industry. In
      the field of osteoarthritis (OA) this is of particular relevance, due to the
      heterogeneity of the disease and the very large number of affected individuals.
      There is a need to pair the right patients with the right therapeutic modes of
      action. At present, the clinical trial failures in OA may be a consequence of
      both bona fide treatment failures and trial failures due to clinical design
      deficiencies. Tools are needed for characterization and segregation of patients
      with OA. Key lessons may be learned from advances with another form of arthritis,
      namely rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Personalized health care (PHC) may be more
      advantageous for a number of specific indications which are characterized by
      costly therapy, low response rates and significant problems associated with trial
      and error prescription, including the risk of serious side effects. We discuss
      the use of diagnostic practices guiding RA treatment, which may serve as a source
      of key insights for diagnostic practices in OA. We discuss the emerging concept
      of PHC, and outline the opportunities and current successes and failures across
      the RA field, as the OA field collects further data to support the hypothesis. We
      attempt to outline a possible path forward to assist patients, physicians, payers
      and the pharmaceutical industry in assuring the 'right' patients are treated with
      the 'right drug' in OA. Finally we highlight methods for possible segregation of
      OA patients that would allow identification of patient subtypes, such as OA
      driven by inflammation that may be ideally suited for PHC and for targeted
      therapies. 

PMID- 24216059
TI  - Identification and characterisation of osteoarthritis patients with inflammation
      derived tissue turnover.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease with a subset of
      patients experiencing joint inflammation, but C-reactive protein (CRP) has shown
      limited use in OA as a diagnostic marker. The aim was to identify subpopulations
      of patients with high or low levels of acute (high sensitive CRP (hsCRP)) and/or
      matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) derived inflammation (CRPM) and investigate the
      subpopulations' association with biomarkers of collagen degradation and Kellgren
      Lawrence (KL) score. METHODS: hsCRP, CRPM and MMP-degraded type I, II and III
      collagen (type I collagen degraded by MMP (C1M), type II collagen degraded by MMP
      (C2M) and type III collagen degraded by MMP (C3M)) were quantified by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in serum of 342 patients with symptomatic
      knee OA of which 60 underwent total knee replacement (TKR). KL was obtained.
      Patients were divided into quartiles by hsCRP and CRPM levels, where Q1 and Q4
      were low or high in both. The biomarker levels of healthy adults provided in the
      ELISA kits were used as reference level. RESULTS: hsCRP was elevated in TKR
      (5.9(3.6-8.2 95% confidence interval (CI)) MUg/mL) compared to reference level (3
      MUg/mL), while CRPM was highly elevated with OA independent of KL (10-14 ng/mL)
      compared to reference level (5 ng/mL). Q4 had higher KL than Q1 (P < 0.001), Q2
      (P = 0.017) and Q3 (P < 0.001). C1M, C2M and C3M were lowest in Q1. C1M was
      elevated in Q3 compared to Q2 (P < 0.001), whereas C3M was lower (P = 0.019).
      CONCLUSION: A bigger proportion of patients were elevated in CRPM compared to
      hsCRP, indicating MMP-derived inflammation as a component of OA. Moreover, the
      levels of MMP-degraded collagens differed between the subgroups segregated by
      inflammation, indicating distinctively different subpopulation selected by
      inflammation.

PMID- 24216060
TI  - Measurement properties of performance-based outcome measures to assess physical
      function in young and middle-aged people known to be at high risk of hip and/or
      knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To systematically appraise the evidence on measurement properties of
      performance-based outcome measures to assess physical function in young and
      middle-aged people known to be at high risk of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis
      (OA). METHODS: Electronic searches were performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus and
      SPORTDiscus in May 2013. Two reviewers independently rated the measurement
      properties using the 4-point COSMIN checklist. Best evidence synthesis was made
      using COSMIN quality, consistency and direction of findings and sample size.
      RESULTS: Twenty of 2736 papers were eligible for inclusion and 24 different
      performance-based outcome measures knee or obese populations were evaluated. No
      tests related to hip populations were included. Twenty-five measurement
      properties including reliability (nine studies), construct validity (hypothesis
      testing) (nine studies), measurement error (three studies), structural validity
      (two studies), interpretability (one study) and responsiveness (one study) were
      evaluated. A positive rating was given to 12.5% (30/240) of all possible
      measurement ratings. Tests were grouped into two categories based on the
      population characteristics. The one-legged hop for distance, followed by the 6-m
      timed hop and cross over hop for distance were the best-rated tests for the knee
      injured population. Whereas the 6-min walk test was the only included test for
      the obese population. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the many gaps in
      knowledge about the measurement properties of performance-based outcome measures
      for young and middle-aged people known to be at high risk of hip and/or knee OA.
      There is a need for consensus on which outcome measures should be used and/or
      combined when assessing physical function in this population. Further good
      quality research is required.

PMID- 24216061
TI  - Trabecular bone texture detected by plain radiography is associated with an
      increased risk of knee replacement in patients with osteoarthritis: a 6 year
      prospective follow up study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between trabecular bone texture and knee
      joint replacement (KJR) measured using a variance orientation transform (VOT)
      method. METHODS: The association of trabecular bone texture and KJR was examined
      prospectively over 6 years in 123 subjects with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
      (OA): data regarding KJR was available for 114 (93%). At baseline, weight-bearing
      anteroposterior tibio-femoral radiographs were acquired. Trabecular bone texture
      regions were selected from the medial and lateral subchondral tibia. The VOT
      method was applied to each region and five fractal bone texture parameters, i.e.,
      mean fractal dimension (FDMEAN), fractal dimensions in the horizontal (FDH) and
      vertical (FDV) directions, and along the roughest part of trabecular bone
      (FD(Sta)), and texture aspect ratio (Str) were calculated. The association
      between groups with increasing baseline fractal parameters (defined using
      tertiles) with risk of JR was examined using logistic regression. RESULTS: 28
      (25%) participants' study knees underwent KJR over 6 years. Participants with KJR
      had lower medial FD(MEAN) and FD(H) parameters (P = 0.02 for difference). With
      increasing FD(MEAN), adjusted for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), osteophyte
      grade, joint space narrowing (JSN) grade and WOMAC pain score, the odds of KJR
      was reduced (P = 0.04 for trend). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the
      texture of medial tibial trabecular bone measured from plain radiographs is
      related to the risk of KJR: with increasing FD(MEAN) (the overall measure of bone
      texture roughness) the risk of KJR was reduced, independent of other clinical
      predictors of joint replacement. Tibial trabecular bone texture may be a useful
      marker of disease progression and a target of therapy in OA.

PMID- 24216062
TI  - Dynamical structure of the short multifunctional peptide BP100 in membranes.
AB  - BP100 is a multifunctional membrane-active peptide of only 11 amino acids, with a
      high antimicrobial activity, an efficient cell-penetrating ability, and low
      hemolytic side-effects. It forms an amphiphilic alpha-helix, similar to other
      antimicrobial peptides like magainin. However, BP100 is very short and thus
      unlikely to form membrane-spanning pores as proposed for longer peptides as a
      mechanism of action. We thus studied the conformation, membrane alignment and
      dynamical behavior of BP100 in lipid bilayers (DMPC/DMPG), using oriented
      circular dichroism (OCD) and solid-state (19)F and (15)N NMR. According to OCD
      and (15)N NMR, the BP100 helix is oriented roughly parallel to the membrane
      surface, but these methods yield no information on the azimuthal alignment angle
      or the dynamics of the molecule. To address these questions, a systematic (19)F
      NMR analysis was performed, which was not straightforward for this short peptide.
      Only a limited number of positions could be (19)F-labeled, all of which are
      located on one face of the helix, which was found to lead to artifacts in the
      data analysis. It was nevertheless possible to reconcile the (19)F NMR data with
      the OCD and (15)N NMR data by using an advanced dynamical model, in which peptide
      mobility is described by fluctuating tilt and azimuthal angles with Gaussian
      distributions. (19)F NMR thus confirmed the regular alpha-helical conformation of
      BP100, revealed its azimuthal angle, and described its high mobility in the
      membrane. Furthermore, the very sensitive (19)F NMR experiments showed that the
      alignment of BP100 does not vary with peptide concentration over a peptide-to
      lipid molar ratio from 1:10 to 1:3000. 

PMID- 24216063
TI  - Neuropsychological outcomes of stereotactic radiotherapy for cerebral
      arteriovenous malformations.
AB  - To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate cognitive outcome in
      patients with large or surgically inaccessible cerebral arteriovenous
      malformations (AVMs), who were treated with hypo-fractionated stereotactic
      radiotherapy (HSRT). A sample of 10 patients with AVMs was assessed up to 3.5
      years post-HSRT. All patients were treated with HSRT to a total dose of 55 Gy in
      11 fractions over a treatment period of 2.5 weeks. Neuropsychological assessments
      were given prior to radiotherapy and then at three time points following
      radiotherapy: 6 weeks, 6 months and 2.5-3.5 years post-treatment. The cognitive
      domains of attention, processing speed, learning, memory, semantic processing,
      naming, verbal fluency, visuospatial and executive function were assessed.
      Findings revealed that prior to radiotherapy the patient group was impaired in
      five of the nine cognitive domains. Post-treatment performances remained stable
      in the majority of domains; however, there was some fluctuation in semantic
      processing and memory performances. At 6 weeks post-treatment, a mild decrement
      was found in semantic processing ability; however, restoration to baseline levels
      was observed from 6 months onwards. At 2.5-3.5 years post-treatment, improvement
      was seen in the cohort's ability to remember new information when performances
      were compared with earlier time points. This study demonstrated improvements in
      memory several years after HSRT treatment. Further, this form of treatment was
      not associated with long-term, harmful cognitive side effects for these 10
      patients encouraging further study of this treatment method. Further evaluation
      of the entire cohort is required to assess efficacy in terms of AVM obliteration
      and other potential side effects.

PMID- 24216064
TI  - Predictive value of the Royal Melbourne Hospital Falls Risk Assessment Tool (RMH
      FRAT) for post-stroke patients.
AB  - Falls after stroke are common and carry a significant disease burden. Several
      scores aim to identify patients who are at risk of falls to implement primary
      prevention therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of the
      commonly used Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) developed at the Royal Melbourne
      Hospital (RMH) in 1995 for predicting falls after a stroke. The RMH FRAT was
      administered within 2 weeks after discharge post-stroke. Occurrence of falls was
      recorded at 3 and 6 months post-stroke in 202 and 152 patients, respectively. In
      our study 90% of patients were placed in the RMH FRAT high risk or medium risk
      group. In these two groups the RMH FRAT did not provide sufficient predictive
      value.

PMID- 24216065
TI  - Effects of the osmolyte TMAO (Trimethylamine-N-oxide) on aqueous hydrophobic
      contact-pair interactions.
AB  - Osmolytes are small, soluble organic molecules produced by living organisms for
      maintaining cell volume. These molecules have also been shown to have significant
      effects on the stability of proteins. Perhaps one of the most studied osmolytes
      is Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). Thermodynamic studies of the effects of TMAO on
      proteins have shown that this molecule is a strong stabilizer of the protein
      folded state, thus being able to counteract the effects of protein denaturants
      such as urea and guanidine hydrochloride. Most studies of TMAO effects on bio
      molecular stability have until now been focused on how the osmolyte reduces the
      solubility of polypeptide backbones, while the effects of TMAO on hydrophobic
      interactions are still not well understood. In fact, there are few experimental
      data measuring the effect of TMAO on hydrophobic interactions. This work studies
      phenyl and alkyl contact pairs as model hydrophobic contact pairs. The formation
      of these contact pairs is monitored using fluorescence, i.e., through the
      quenching of phenol fluorescence by carboxylate ions; and a methodology is
      developed to isolate hydrophobic contributions from other interactions. The data
      demonstrate that the addition of TMAO to the aqueous solvent destabilizes
      hydrophobic contact pairs formed between alkyl and phenyl moieties. In other
      words, TMAO acts as a "denaturant" for hydrophobic interactions. 

PMID- 24216066
TI  - Releasing polysaccharide and protein from yeast cells by ultrasound: selectivity
      and effects of processing parameters.
AB  - A 20 kHz high-intensity ultrasound was employed for the selective release of
      polysaccharide and protein from yeast cells. While the release of polysaccharide
      and protein was affected by most of the processing parameters, the release
      selectivity, which is the ratio of the amount of polysaccharide released to that
      of protein, designated as T/P value, was only influenced by sonication time,
      temperature and ionic strength, among which temperature had the greatest
      influence. The T/P value at 85  degrees C was a factor of 9.3 of the one at 25 
      degrees C. The underlying mechanism of this selectivity is speculated to be
      thermal denaturation and aggregation of protein within yeast cells at elevated
      temperatures leading to the decrease of protein release by ultrasound. This
      finding may be useful in exploring a novel selective process for producing
      polysaccharide and protein fractions from yeast biomass.

PMID- 24216067
TI  - Stabilizing in vitro ultrasound-mediated gene transfection by regulating
      cavitation.
AB  - It is well known that acoustic cavitation can facilitate the inward transport of
      genetic materials across cell membranes (sonoporation). However, partially due to
      the unstationary behavior of the initiation and leveling of cavitation, the
      sonoporation effect is usually unstable, especially in low intensity conditions.
      A system which is able to regulate the cavitation level during sonication by
      modulating the applied acoustic intensity with a feedback loop is implemented and
      its effect on in vitro gene transfection is tested. The regulated system provided
      better time stability and reproducibility of the cavitation levels than the
      unregulated conditions. Cultured hepatoma cells (BNL) mixed with 10 MUg
      luciferase plasmids are exposed to 1-MHz pulsed ultrasound with or without
      cavitation regulation, and the gene transfection efficiency and cell viability
      are subsequently assessed. Experimental results show that for all exposure
      intensities (low, medium, and high), stable and intensity dependent, although not
      higher, gene expression could be achieved in the regulated cavitation system than
      the unregulated conditions. The cavitation regulation system provides a better
      control of cavitation and its bioeffect which are crucial important for clinical
      applications of ultrasound-mediated gene transfection.

PMID- 24216068
TI  - Sample preparation for combined chemical analysis and in vitro bioassay
      application in water quality assessment.
AB  - The combination of in vitro bioassays and chemical screening can provide a
      powerful toolbox to determine biologically relevant compounds in water extracts.
      In this study, a sample preparation method is evaluated for the suitability for
      both chemical analysis and in vitro bioassays. A set of 39 chemicals were spiked
      to surface water, which were extracted using Oasis MCX cartridges. The extracts
      were chemically analyzed by liquid chromatography linear ion trap Orbitrap
      analysis and recoveries appeared to be on average 61% Compounds with logK(ow)
      values in the range between 0 and 4 are recovered well using this method. In a
      next step, the same extracts were tested for genotoxic activity using the Comet
      assay and Ames fluctuation test and for specific endocrine receptor activation
      using a panel of CALUX assays, for estrogenic (ER), androgenic (AR),
      glucocorticoid (GR), progestagenic (PR), and thyroidogenic (TR) agonistic
      activities. The results of the genotoxicity assays indicated that spiked
      genotoxic compounds were preserved during sample preparation. The measured
      responses of the GR CALUX and ER CALUX assays were similar to the predicted
      responses. The measured responses in the AR CALUX and PR CALUX assays were much
      lower than expected from the analytical concentration, probably due to
      antagonistic effects of some spiked compounds. Overall, the presented sample
      preparation method seems to be suitable for both chemical analysis and specific
      in vitro bioassay applications.

PMID- 24216069
TI  - Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in patients with
      chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy is an inflammatory disease that
      occurs in approximately 30% of patients infected by the protozoan Trypanosoma
      cruzi, and it has a profile of high morbidity and mortality. The worst prognosis
      and the progression of this cardiomyopathy are associated with an exacerbated
      immune response and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which also occur
      in other cardiomyopathies. Some nutrients, including omega-3 polyunsaturated
      fatty acids (PUFAs), promote the inhibition and/or stimulation of cytokine
      production. The objective of this trial is to study the effects of omega-3 PUFA
      supplementation on the inflammatory response and lipid profile in patients with
      chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a parallel, randomized,
      placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial with 40 patients that will be
      conducted at a reference unit for Chagas disease patients, where the patients
      will be selected. The study will include patients with chronic chagasic
      cardiomyopathy who are 18 years of age or older. The exclusion criteria are (a)
      ongoing diarrheal disease, (b) inflammatory bowel disease, (c) diabetes or other
      endocrine disease, (d) use of fibrates, niacin, or statins, (e) use of anti
      inflammatory drugs, (f) pregnant and lactating women, (g) use of vitamin,
      mineral, or omega-3 supplementation during the previous 30 days, (h) hospital
      admission during the study, and (i) other associated cardiomyopathies. The
      intervention will be treatment with omega-3 PUFAs at a dose of 3 g/day for 8
      weeks, compared to placebo (corn oil). The primary endpoints will be the
      concentrations of inflammatory markers (interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL
      10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, interferon (IFN)gamma, and transforming
      growth factor (TGF)beta). Secondary endpoints will be the fasting glucose, lipid,
      and anthropometric profiles. For statistical analysis, we plan to run either a t
      test or Wilcoxon test (numerical variables) and Pearson's chi2 or Fisher's exact
      test (categorical data), as appropriate. DISCUSSION: Evidence suggests that the
      anti-inflammatory action of omega-3 PUFAs may have beneficial effects on chronic
      chagasic cardiomyopathy, as shown for other cardiomyopathies, due to improved
      control of the inflammatory response. At the end of the study, we predict that
      patients will have lower inflammatory markers and an improved metabolic and
      anthropometric profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials
      NCT01863576.

PMID- 24216070
TI  - Parents' first concerns about toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: effect of
      sibling status.
AB  - Symptoms of autism spectrum disorders may appear as early as 6 months, but parent
      concern, which can precipitate evaluation, often lags significantly. The presence
      of typical or atypical older siblings can change parents' sensitivity to
      departures from typical development. This study investigated type and age of
      parent's first concerns in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder, prior to
      diagnosis. Participants had (1) at least one older sibling with autism spectrum
      disorder (Sibs-ASD); (2) only typically developing older siblings (Sibs-TD), or
      (3) were only/oldest (No-Sibs). Specific autism spectrum disorder diagnoses and
      symptom severity were similar among groups. Developmentally, No-Sibs showed the
      largest delays, followed by Sibs-TD, followed by Sibs-ASD. Mean age of first
      concern was 16 months for No-Sibs, 14 months for Sibs-TD, and 10 months for Sibs
      ASD. Age of first concern differed significantly by group, even after controlling
      for mother's age and education. Concern about language was prevalent in all
      groups. Thus, the presence of an older child with typical or, especially,
      atypical development was associated with earlier concerns for the affected child,
      despite milder developmental delays. These findings underscore the importance of
      encouraging parents to report concerns to pediatricians, routine standardized
      screening for autism spectrum disorder, and the need for pediatrician vigilance,
      especially for only or oldest children. 

PMID- 24216071
TI  - Post-traumatic growth in mothers of children with autism: a phenomenological
      study.
AB  - While the adverse effects of raising a child with autism are well demonstrated,
      there have been few reports of the post-traumatic growth of mothers of children
      with autism. The purpose of this research was to explore dimensions of post
      traumatic growth in this population in Mainland China and identify the factors
      facilitating post-traumatic growth. A total of 11 mothers of pre-school children
      were recruited from five rehabilitation centres of children with disabilities in
      Shanghai. The semi-structured interviews were conducted between August 2012 and
      October 2012 and analysed using thematic analysis. The data partially confirmed
      Tedeschi and Calhoun's model of post-traumatic growth. A new philosophy of life,
      appreciation of life, relating to others, personal strength and spiritual change
      were five domains of post-traumatic growth in mothers of children with autism.
      Perceived social support, peer example, effective coping style and self-efficacy
      enhancement were facilitating factors of post-traumatic growth. Further studies
      are needed to understand how to promote the post-traumatic growth of mothers of
      children with autism. 

PMID- 24216075
TI  - Evaluation of apoptosis in long-term culture of vitrified mouse whole ovaries.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to investigate the development of follicles
      and incidence of apoptosis in vitrified neonatal mouse ovaries cultured in vitro
      in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The vitrified and non
      vitrified ovaries of 1-week-old mouse were cultured in the presence or absence of
      LIF for 7 days. At the beginning and at the end of culture period in each ovary
      of all groups of study the mean area and the development of ovarian follicles
      were analyzed; moreover, the incidence of apoptosis was assessed by transmission
      electron microscopy, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine
      triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method, DNA laddering and caspase-3/7
      activity technique. The hormonal assay was done on the conditioned media
      collected during culture period. The proportion of preantral follicles and the
      levels of hormones increased in all cultured groups and it was significantly
      higher in LIF treated groups than in their control (P<0.001). The ultrastructural
      characteristics of cell death, DNA fragmentation and TUNEL positive signals were
      prominent in vitrified cultured ovaries. The level of caspase-3/7 activity was
      higher in vitrified cultured ovaries. LIF supplementation during 7 days of
      culture appeared to significantly preserve cells function and increase the
      follicular development of both vitrified and non-vitrified ovaries.

PMID- 24216076
TI  - Improving communication between health-care professionals and patients with
      limited English proficiency in the general practice setting.
AB  - Quality service provision and patient safety and satisfaction in encounters with
      health-care professionals relies on effective communication between the
      practitioner and patient. This study aimed to identify effective practices for
      improving communication between clinical staff in general practice and patients
      with limited English proficiency, and to promote their implementation in general
      practice. Effective interventions and strategies were identified from a review of
      international research. Experiences with their use in practice were explored via
      focus group discussions with general practitioners and practice nurses. The
      results suggest that, wherever possible, communication in the patient's primary
      language is preferable; use of a qualified medical interpreter should be
      promoted, and practices should have a standardised and documented procedure for
      accessing interpreter services. General practice staff must increase their
      awareness about services that are available to facilitate communication with
      patients with limited English proficiency, and also develop attitudes, both
      individual and organisational, that will maximise the effectiveness of these
      strategies. These findings were used to develop brief, evidence-based practice
      guidelines that were disseminated to focus group participants for evaluation of
      utility and general feedback. This evidence-based guidance is now available to
      assist clinical and administrative general practice staff across regional and
      metropolitan South Australia. 

PMID- 24216077
TI  - Management of lung nodules in 2013.

PMID- 24216078
TI  - Statistical identifiability and convergence evaluation for nonlinear
      pharmacokinetic models with particle swarm optimization.
AB  - The statistical identifiability of nonlinear pharmacokinetic (PK) models with the
      Michaelis-Menten (MM) kinetic equation is considered using a global optimization
      approach, which is particle swarm optimization (PSO). If a model is statistically
      non-identifiable, the conventional derivative-based estimation approach is often
      terminated earlier without converging, due to the singularity. To circumvent this
      difficulty, we develop a derivative-free global optimization algorithm by
      combining PSO with a derivative-free local optimization algorithm to improve the
      rate of convergence of PSO. We further propose an efficient approach to not only
      checking the convergence of estimation but also detecting the identifiability of
      nonlinear PK models. PK simulation studies demonstrate that the convergence and
      identifiability of the PK model can be detected efficiently through the proposed
      approach. The proposed approach is then applied to clinical PK data along with a
      two-compartmental model. 

PMID- 24216079
TI  - Equity, socioeconomic inequalities and cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 24216080
TI  - Anemia and iron deficiency in heart failure.
AB  - Heart failure is a common problem and a major cause of mortality, morbidity and
      impaired quality of life. Anemia is a frequent comorbidity in heart failure and
      further worsens prognosis and disability. Regardless of anemia status, iron
      deficiency is a common and usually unidentified problem in patients with heart
      failure. This article reviews the mechanisms, impact on outcomes and treatment of
      anemia and iron deficiency in patients with heart failure. 

PMID- 24216081
TI  - Early handling effect on female rat spatial and non-spatial learning and memory.
AB  - This study aims at providing an insight into early handling procedures on
      learning and memory performance in adult female rats. Early handling procedures
      were started on post-natal day 2 until 21, and consisted in 15 min, daily
      separations of the dams from their litters. Assessment of declarative memory was
      carried out in the novel-object recognition task; spatial learning, reference-
      and working memory were evaluated in the Morris water maze (MWM). Our results
      indicate that early handling induced an enhancement in: (1) declarative memory,
      in the object recognition task, both at 1h and 24h intervals; (2) reference
      memory in the probe test and working memory and behavioral flexibility in the
      "single-trial and four-trial place learning paradigm" of the MWM. Short-term
      separation by increasing maternal care causes a dampening in HPA axis response in
      the pups. A modulated activation of the stress response may help to protect brain
      structures, involved in cognitive function. In conclusion, this study shows the
      long-term effects of a brief maternal separation in enhancing object recognition
      , spatial reference- and working memory in female rats, remarking the impact of
      early environmental experiences and the consequent maternal care on the
      behavioral adaptive mechanisms in adulthood.

PMID- 24216082
TI  - Sleep duration is affected by social relationships among sleeping partners in
      wild Japanese macaques.
AB  - Co-sleeping behaviour, such as sharing a sleeping site or bed, should play an
      important role in determining sleep structure in mammals by mitigating predation
      pressure and harsh abiotic conditions during sleep. Although environmental
      factors surrounding sleeping sites have been studied, there is very little
      information on the effects of the social environment within the site on sleep in
      animals other than humans. Here, we quantified the duration of nighttime sleep of
      wild primates during behavioural observations. Wild Japanese macaques (Macaca
      fuscata yakui) form clusters at sleeping sites, where they huddle with group
      members. Macaques slept for longer when huddled in sleeping clusters with natal
      members than in those with non-natal members. A high degree of synchronisation of
      wakefulness in pairs of macaques huddling in non-natal clusters suggested that
      their sleep was often interrupted by the wakefulness of huddling members at
      night. Our results suggest that familiarity and closeness to huddling partners
      influence sleep duration. 

PMID- 24216083
TI  - Selfish mothers? An empirical test of parent-offspring conflict over extended
      parental care.
AB  - Parent-offspring conflict (POC) theory is an interesting conceptual framework for
      understanding the dynamics of parental care. However, this theory is not easy to
      test empirically, as exact measures of parental investment in an experimental set
      up are difficult to obtain. We have used free-ranging dogs Canis familiaris in
      India, to study POC in the context of extended parental care. We observed females
      and their pups in their natural habitat for the mother's tendency to share food
      given by humans with her pups in the weaning and post-weaning stages. Since these
      dogs are scavengers, and depend largely on human provided food for their
      sustenance, voluntary sharing of food by the mother with her pups is a good
      surrogate for extended parental care. Our behavioural observations convincingly
      demonstrate an increase of conflict and decrease of cooperation by the mother
      with her offspring over given food within a span of 4-6 weeks. We also
      demonstrate that the competition among the pups in a litter scales with litter
      size, an indicator of sib-sib competition. 

PMID- 24216084
TI  - Cultural Validation of the Turkish Version of the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale
      Short Form (TISE-SF).
AB  - PURPOSE: To translate and test the psychometric properties of the Turkish version
      of the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (TISE-SF). METHODS: The
      convenience sample consisted of 120 infertile women. A psychometric research
      design was used with content and construct validity and reliability. RESULTS:
      Cronbach's alpha of .78 showed moderate reliability, whereas item-total
      correlations ranged from .30 to .54. Factor analysis extracted a single
      component, explaining 40.3% of the variance. Kendall W showed agreement with each
      expert regarding the appropriateness of the items, confirming the content
      validity of the translated TISE-SF. CONCLUSION: The results supported the
      construct validity and reliability of the TISE-SF for measuring infertility self
      efficacy in a population of Turkish women. IMPLICATIONS: Evaluating infertile
      women's perception of self-efficacy with the TISE-SF may be useful in clinical
      studies in Turkey. TISE-SF can be used by professionals as a counseling tool to
      help guide women in managing their treatments at infertility centers.

PMID- 24216085
TI  - Nursing Students in a Global Learning Environment: Creative Teaching Methods on
      Culture, Emotion, and Communication.
AB  - PURPOSE: Two tools were created to help international students to better
      understand culture by becoming more astute observers of nonverbal behaviors,
      particularly behaviors depicting emotions among Norwegian students.
      DESIGN/METHOD: The two tools were a trilingual list of words illustrating
      emotions and an exercise with images to practice verbalizing their observations
      of emotional expression. FINDINGS: Students compared the subdued behaviors of
      Norwegians to the Israelis' very vivid behaviors. The intense emotional
      expression of Israelis influenced their interpretations. By making comparisons
      and through the experiences with Israelis, they learned more about culture and
      their own emotional expression. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: Creative strategies
      can contribute to students understanding and reflection of patients in a
      different culture. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Encouraging students to grasp the
      nuances of emotional expression is part of understanding a different culture.
      Students, like faculty, learn that self-exploration is an evolving process that
      requires checking out one's assumptions and interpretations.

PMID- 24216086
TI  - Effects of polysaccharides from Pholiota nameko on maturation of murine bone
      marrow-derived dendritic cells.
AB  - This paper studied some structure characters of the Pholiota nameko
      polysaccharides (PNPS-1), including morphology under SEM and AFM, also the
      effects of PNPS-1 on the maturation of bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs) via
      concrete changes both inside and outside BMDCs. These impacts on BMDCs were
      assessed with use of inverted phase contrast microscope for morphology, flow
      cytometry for key surface molecules, mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) for
      allogeneic T cells proliferation, and bio-assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA) for cytokine production. We found that PNPS-1 could inhibit
      phenotypic maturation as evidenced by decreasing expression of CD11c, CD40, CD80,
      CD83, CD86, and I-A/I-E. Functional maturation inhibition was further confirmed
      by decreased naive T cell stimulatory activity of BMDCs. Finally, PNPS-1 also
      stimulated production of more cytokine IL-10 and less IL-12 and TNF-alpha. These
      data indicated that PNPS-1 could markedly inhibit the maturation of BMDCs and had
      potential significant down-regulation immunity.

PMID- 24216087
TI  - DNA modifications repaired by base excision repair are epigenetic.
AB  - CREB controls ~25% of the mammalian transcriptome. Small changes in binding to
      its consensus (CRE) sequence are likely to be amplified many fold in initiating
      transcription. Here we show that DNA lesions repaired by the base excision repair
      (BER) pathway modulate CREB binding to CRE. We generated Kd values by
      electrophoretic mobility shift assays using purified human CREB and a 39-mer
      double-stranded oligonucleotide containing modified or wild-type CRE. CRE
      contains two guanine residues per strand, one in a CpG islet. Alterations in CRE
      resulted in positive or negative changes in Kd over two orders of magnitude
      depending on location and modification. Cytosine methylation or oxidation of both
      guanines greatly diminished binding; a G/U mispair in the CpG context enhanced
      binding. Intermediates in the BER pathway at one G residue or the other resulted
      in reduced binding, depending on the specific location, while there was no change
      in binding when the single G residue outside of the CpG islet was oxidized. CREB
      recruits other partners after dimers form on DNA. Only UpG increased DNA.CREB
      dimer formation. Since oxidation is ongoing and conversion of cytosine to uracil
      occurs spontaneously or at specific times during differentiation and development,
      we propose that BER substrates are epigenetic and modulate transcription factor
      recognition/binding. 

PMID- 24216088
TI  - Dopa-decarboxylase gene polymorphisms affect the motor response to L-dopa in
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Parkinson's disease (PD), the response to L-dopa is highly
      variable and unpredictable. The major pathway for dopamine synthesis from L-dopa
      is decarboxylation by aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD, encoded by the
      DDC gene). OBJECTIVE: To determine the motor response to L-dopa in PD patients as
      a function of the DDC gene promoter polymorphisms (rs921451 T > C polymorphism
      (DDC(T/C)) and rs3837091 AGAG del (DDC(AGAG/-))). METHODS: Thirty-three Caucasian
      PD patients underwent an acute l-dopa challenge together with the peripheral AAAD
      inhibitor benserazide and were genotyped for rs921451 and rs3837091. The primary
      efficacy criterion was the motor response to L-dopa, as estimated by the area
      under the curve for the change in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
      part III (UPDRS) score relative to baseline (AUCDeltaUPDRS) in the 4 h following
      L-dopa administration. Secondary endpoints were pharmacokinetic parameters for
      plasma levels of L-dopa and dopamine. Investigators and patients were blinded to
      genotypes data throughout the study. RESULTS: When adjusted for the L-dopa dose,
      the AUCDeltaUPDRS was significantly lower in DDC(CC/CT) patients (n = 14) than in
      DDC(TT) patients (n = 19) and significantly lower in DDC(-/- or AGAG/-) patients
      (n = 8) than in DDC(AGAG/AGAG) patients (n = 25). There were no significant
      intergroup differences in plasma pharmacokinetic parameters for L-dopa and
      dopamine. DISCUSSION: The rs921451 and rs3837091 polymorphisms of the DDC gene
      promoter influence the motor response to L-dopa but do not significantly change
      peripheral pharmacokinetic parameters for L-dopa and dopamine. Our results
      suggest that DDC may be a genetic modifier of the l-dopa response in Parkinson's
      disease.

PMID- 24216089
TI  - Tyrosinase and Layer-by-Layer supported tyrosinases in the synthesis of
      lipophilic catechols with antiinfluenza activity.
AB  - Catechol derivatives with lipophilic properties have been selectively synthesized
      by tyrosinase in high yield avoiding long and tedious protection/deprotection
      steps usually required in traditional procedures. The synthesis was effective
      also with immobilized tyrosinase able to perform for more runs. The novel
      catechols were evaluated against influenza A virus, that continue to represent a
      severe threat worldwide. A significant antiviral activity was observed in
      derivatives characterized by antioxidant activity and long carbon alkyl side
      chains, suggesting the possibility of a new inhibition mechanism based on both
      redox and lipophilic properties. 

PMID- 24216090
TI  - Heptaoxygenated xanthones as anti-austerity agents from Securidaca
      longepedunculata.
AB  - In a course of our search for anticancer agent based on a novel anti-austerity
      strategy, we found that the CHCl3 extract of the roots of Securidaca
      longepedunculata (Polygalaceae), collected at Democratic Republic of Congo,
      killed PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells preferentially in nutrient-deprived
      medium (NDM). Phytochemical investigation on the CHCl3 extract led to the
      isolation of 28 compounds including five new polymethoxylated xanthones [1,6,8
      trihydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetramethoxyxanthone (1), 1,6-dihydroxy-2,3,4,5,8
      pentamethoxyxanthone (2), 8-hydroxy-1,4,5,6-tetramethoxy-2,3
      methylenedioxyxanthone (3), 4,6,8-trihydroxy-1,2,3,5-tetramethoxyxanthone (4),
      4,8-dihydroxy-1,2,3,5,6-pentamethoxyxanthone (5)] and a new benzyl benzoate
      [benzyl 3-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzoate (6)]. Among them, 1,6,8-trihydroxy-2,3,4,5
      tetramethoxyxanthone (1) and 1,6-dihydroxy-2,3,4,5,8-pentamethoxyxanthone (2)
      displayed the potent preferential cytotoxicity with PC50 of 22.8 and 17.4 MUM,
      respectively. They triggered apoptosis-like PANC-1 cell death in NDM with a
      glucose-sensitive mode.

PMID- 24216091
TI  - Structure-based design, synthesis, and evaluation of imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine and
      imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as novel dual c-Met and VEGFR2 kinase
      inhibitors.
AB  - To identify compounds with potent antitumor efficacy for various human cancers,
      we aimed to synthesize compounds that could inhibit c-mesenchymal epithelial
      transition factor (c-Met) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2
      (VEGFR2) kinases. We designed para-substituted inhibitors by using co-crystal
      structural information from c-Met and VEGFR2 in complex with known inhibitors.
      This led to the identification of compounds 3a and 3b, which were capable of
      suppressing both c-Met and VEGFR2 kinase activities. Further optimization
      resulted in pyrazolone and pyridone derivatives, which could form intramolecular
      hydrogen bonds to enforce a rigid conformation, thereby producing potent
      inhibition. One compound of particular note was the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine
      derivative (26) bearing a 6-methylpyridone ring, which strongly inhibited both c
      Met and VEGFR2 enzyme activities (IC50=1.9, 2.2 nM), as well as proliferation of
      c-Met-addicted MKN45 cells and VEGF-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial
      cells (IC50=5.0, 1.8 nM). Compound 26 exhibited dose-dependent antitumor efficacy
      in vivo in MKN45 (treated/control ratio [T/C]=4%, po, 5mg/kg, once-daily) and
      COLO205 (T/C=13%, po, 15 mg/kg, once-daily) mouse xenograft models.

PMID- 24216092
TI  - Synthesis of vitamin D3 analogues with A-ring modifications to directly measure
      vitamin D levels in biological samples.
AB  - C-3-substituted 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 analogues were synthesized as tools to
      directly measure levels of vitamin D in biological samples. The strategy involves
      vinyloxycarbonylation of the 3beta-hydroxy group and formation of a carbamate
      bond with a hydroxyl or amino group at the end of the alkyl chain. Biotinylated
      conjugates of synthesized derivatives were generated to be linked with vitamin D
      binding protein (DBP). The spacer group present in the alkyl chain is important
      in the binding of antibodies to the analogue-DBP complex. When compared to 25
      hydroxyvitamin D3-DBP, the binding of some antibodies to the analogue-DBP complex
      of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 derivative 10 that posses an 8-aminoctyl alkyl chain
      is significantly reduced, but this analogue displaced [26,27-(3)H]-25
      hydroxyvitamin D3 from DBP. In contrast, the 8-hydroxyoctyl alkyl chain analogue
      9 showed less displacement. 

PMID- 24216093
TI  - Effect of Ala replacement with Aib in amphipathic cell-penetrating peptide on
      oligonucleotide delivery into cells.
AB  - A number of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been characterized and their
      usefulness as delivery tools has been clarified. As one of the CPPs, model
      amphipathic peptide (MAP) was developed by integrating both hydrophobic and
      hydrophilic amino acids in its sequence. In our previous work, we designed
      MAP(Aib) by replacing five alanine (Ala) residues on the hydrophobic face of the
      helix in the MAP sequence with alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues, and the
      replacement resulted in higher helix propensity, stronger resistance to protease,
      and higher cell membrane permeability than MAP. As a next step, we examined the
      efficiency of oligonucleotide (ODN) delivery into cells by MAP(Aib) in comparison
      with that by MAP. The electrostatically formed MAP(Aib)/ODN complex was more
      easily taken up by cells than the MAP/ODN complex, and the ODN delivery by
      MAP(Aib) was via an endocytic pathway. We demonstrated that the incorporation of
      Aib residues into CPPs enhances the delivery of hydrophilic molecules, such as
      ODN, into cells. 

PMID- 24216094
TI  - Isoquinoline derivatives as potent CRTH2 antagonists: design, synthesis and SAR.
AB  - In this study, we describe the synthesis and structure-activity relationship
      (SAR) of a series of isoquinoline chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule
      expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) antagonists. TASP0376377 (15-20), one of the most
      potent compounds, showed a potent binding affinity (IC50=19 nM) in addition to
      the excellent functional antagonist activity (IC50=13 nM). Moreover, the efficacy
      of this compound in a chemotaxis assay (IC50=23 nM) was in good agreement with
      its potency as a CRTH2 antagonist. In addition, 15-20 exhibited greater
      selectivity in binding to CRTH2 than to the DP1 prostanoid receptor (IC50 >1 MUM)
      or the enzymes COX-1 and COX-2 (IC50 >10 MUM).

PMID- 24216095
TI  - Antioxidant activities of 5-hydroxyoxindole and its 3-hydroxy-3-phenacyl
      derivatives: the suppression of lipid peroxidation and intracellular oxidative
      stress.
AB  - The antioxidant activities of 5-hydroxyoxindole (1) and newly synthesized 3,5
      dihydroxy-3-phenacyl-2-oxindole derivatives against rat liver microsome/tert
      butylhydroperoxide system-induced lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide
      induced intracellular oxidative stress were investigated. Compound 1 and its
      derivatives showed significant suppression of lipid peroxidation and an
      intracellular oxidative stress. The effects of the more lipophilic derivatives
      tended to be greater than that of the original compound 1. The cytotoxicity of
      all of the oxindole derivatives on human promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cells was
      lower than that of 2,6-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT), a widely used
      phenolic antioxidant. These results show that compound 1 and its 3-substituted
      derivatives could be good lead candidates for future novel antioxidant
      therapeutics. 

PMID- 24216100
TI  - Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on left ventricular diastolic
      function: implications for clinical outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The definition of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
      remains controversial, with variable rates of response depending on the criteria
      used. Our aim was to analyze the impact of CRT on diastolic function in different
      degrees of response, particularly in patients with positive clinical but no
      echocardiographic response. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 250 CRT patients clinical
      evaluation and echocardiography were performed before and after CRT. Absolute
      response to CRT was defined as a reduction in left ventricular (LV) end-systolic
      volume of >=15% at 1-year follow-up. Additionally, patients were classified into
      4 subgroups according to their amount of response: extensive reverse remodeling
      (RR), slight RR, clinical response without RR, and neither clinical response nor
      RR. An improvement in estimates of LV filling pressure and a decrease in left
      atrial dimensions were observed only in responders to CRT. Patients with clinical
      but no echocardiographic response had significant improvement in E-wave and
      deceleration time and nonsignificant improvement in other parameters.
      CONCLUSIONS: LV diastolic function improves with CRT. Clinical responders without
      echocardiographic response show improvement in parameters of diastolic function.
      That suggests that clinical-only response to CRT is secondary to a real effect of
      the therapy, rather than a placebo effect.

PMID- 24216101
TI  - Worsening renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure
      treated with ultrafiltration: predictors and outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultrafiltration (UF) is used to treat patients with diuretic
      resistant acute decompensated heart failure. The aim of this study was to
      identify predictors and the effect of worsening renal failure (WRF) on mortality
      in patients treated with UF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on changes in serum
      creatinine, 99 patients treated with UF were divided into WRF and control groups.
      Overall creatinine increased from 1.9 +/- 9.7 to 2.2 +/- 2.0 mg/dL (P < .001),
      and WRF developed in 41% of the subjects. The peak UF rate was higher in the WRF
      group in univariate analysis (174 +/- 45 vs 144 +/- 42 mL/h; P = .03). Based on
      multivariate analysis, aldosterone antagonist treatment (odds ratio [OR] 3.38,
      95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-13.46, P = .04), heart rate <=65 beats/min (OR
      6.03, 95% CI 1.48-48.42; P = .03), and E/E' >=15 (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.26-17.55; P =
      .04) at hospital admission were associated with WRF. Patients with baseline
      glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <=60 mg/dL who developed WRF during UF had a 75%
      1-year mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: WRF occurred frequently during UF. Increased
      LV filling pressures, lower heart rate, and treatment with aldosterone antagonist
      at hospital admission can identify patients at increased risk for WRF. Patients
      with baseline GFR <=60 mg/dL and WRF during UF have an extremely high 1-year
      mortality rate.

PMID- 24216102
TI  - Large changes in NAD levels associated with CD38 expression during HL-60 cell
      differentiation.
AB  - NAD is an important cofactor involved in multiple metabolic reactions and as a
      substrate for several NAD-dependent signalling enzymes. One such enzyme is CD38
      which, alongside synthesising Ca(2+)-releasing second messengers and acting as a
      cell surface receptor, has also been suggested to play a key role in NAD(+)
      homeostasis. CD38 is well known as a negative prognostic marker in B-CLL but the
      role of its enzymatic activity has not been studied in depth to date. We have
      exploited the HL-60 cell line as a model of inducible CD38 expression, to
      investigate CD38-mediated regulation intracellular NAD(+) levels and the
      consequences of changes in NAD(+) levels on cell physiology. Intracellular NAD(+)
      levels fell with increasing CD38 expression and this was reversed with the CD38
      inhibitor, kuromanin confirming the key role of CD38 in NAD(+) homeostasis. We
      also measured the consequences of CD38 expression during the differentiation on a
      number of functions linked to NAD(+) and we show that some but not all NAD(+)
      dependent processes are significantly affected by the lowered NAD(+) levels.
      These data suggest that both functional roles of CD38 might be important in the
      pathogenesis of B-CLL. 

PMID- 24216103
TI  - Highly stable maintenance of a mouse artificial chromosome in human cells and
      mice.
AB  - Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) and mouse artificial chromosomes (MACs)
      display several advantages as gene delivery vectors, such as stable episomal
      maintenance that avoids insertional mutations and the ability to carry large gene
      inserts including the regulatory elements. Previously, we showed that a MAC
      vector developed from a natural mouse chromosome by chromosome engineering was
      more stably maintained in adult tissues and hematopoietic cells in mice than HAC
      vectors. In this study, to expand the utility for a gene delivery vector in human
      cells and mice, we investigated the long-term stability of the MACs in cultured
      human cells and transchromosomic mice. We also investigated the chromosomal copy
      number-dependent expression of genes on the MACs in mice. The MAC was stably
      maintained in human HT1080 cells in vitro during long-term culture. The MAC was
      stably maintained at least to the F8 and F4 generations in ICR and C57BL/6
      backgrounds, respectively. The MAC was also stably maintained in hematopoietic
      cells and tissues derived from old mice. Transchromosomic mice containing two or
      four copies of the MAC were generated by breeding. The DNA contents were
      comparable to the copy number of the MACs in each tissue examined, and the
      expression of the EGFP gene on the MAC was dependent on the chromosomal copy
      number. Therefore, the MAC vector may be useful not only for gene delivery in
      mammalian cells but also for animal transgenesis. 

PMID- 24216104
TI  - Carvedilol, a third-generation beta-blocker prevents oxidative stress-induced
      neuronal death and activates Nrf2/ARE pathway in HT22 cells.
AB  - Carvedilol, a nonselective beta-adrenoreceptor blocker with pleiotropic
      activities has been shown to exert neuroprotective effect due to its antioxidant
      property. However, the neuroprotective mechanism of carvedilol is still not fully
      uncovered. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element
      (ARE) pathway is an important cellular stress response pathway involved in
      neuroprotection. Here we investigated the effect of carvedilol on oxidative
      stress-induced cell death (glutamate 2mM and H2O2 600 MUM) and the activity of
      Nrf2/ARE pathway in HT22 hippocampal cells. Carvedilol significantly increased
      cell viability and decreased ROS in HT22 cells exposed to glutamate or H2O2.
      Furthermore, carvedilol activated the Nrf2/ARE pathway in a concentration
      dependent manner, and increased the protein levels of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and
      NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1(NQO-1), two downstream factors of the Nrf2/ARE
      pathway. Collectively, our results indicate that carvedilol protects neuronal
      cell against glutamate- and H2O2-induced neurotoxicity possibly through
      activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

PMID- 24216105
TI  - Vasopressin activates Akt/mTOR pathway in smooth muscle cells cultured in high
      glucose concentration.
AB  - Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex is a key regulator of autophagy,
      cell growth and proliferation. Here, we studied the effects of arginine
      vasopressin (AVP) on mTOR activation in vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in
      high glucose concentration. AVP induced the mTOR phosphorylation in A-10 cells
      grown in high glucose, in contrast to cells cultured in normal glucose; wherein,
      only basal phosphorylation was observed. The AVP-induced mTOR phosphorylation was
      inhibited by a PI3K inhibitor. Moreover, the AVP-induced mTOR activation
      inhibited autophagy and increased thymidine incorporation in cells grown in high
      glucose. This increase was abolished by rapamycin which inhibits the mTORC1
      complex formation. Our results suggest that AVP stimulates mTOR phosphorylation
      by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and, subsequently, inhibits
      autophagy and raises cell proliferation in A-10 cells maintained in high glucose
      concentration. 

PMID- 24216106
TI  - Alpha-lipoic acid protects cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by
      inhibiting autophagy.
AB  - Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) is an important in vitro model for exploring the
      molecular mechanisms and functions of autophagy during myocardial
      ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Alpha-lipoic acid (LA) plays an important role in the
      etiology of cardiovascular disease. Autophagy is widely implicated in myocardial
      I/R injury. We assessed the degree of autophagy by pretreatment with LA exposed
      to H/R in H9c2 cell based on the expression levels of Beclin-1, LC3II/LC3I, and
      green fluorescent protein-labeled LC3 fusion proteins. Autophagic vacuoles were
      confirmed in H9c2 cells exposed to H/R using transmission electron microscopy.
      Our findings indicated that pretreatment with LA inhibited the degree of
      autophagy in parallel to the enhanced cell survival and decreased total cell
      death in H9c2 cells exposed to H/R. We conclude that LA protects cardiomyocytes
      against H/R injury by inhibiting autophagy. 

PMID- 24216107
TI  - Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide induces ABCA1 expression by LXRalpha activation in
      murine macrophages.
AB  - Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) removes excess cholesterol from macrophages
      to prevent atherosclerosis. ATP-binding cassette, subfamily A, member 1 (ABCA1)
      is a crucial cholesterol transporter involved in RCT to produce high density
      lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC), and is transcriptionally regulated by liver X
      receptor alpha (LXRalpha), a nuclear receptor. Quercetin is a widely distributed
      flavonoid in edible plants which prevented atherosclerosis in an animal model. We
      found that quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Q3GA), a major quercetin metabolite after
      absorption from the digestive tract, enhanced ABCA1 expression, in vitro, via
      LXRalpha in macrophages. In addition, leaf extracts of a traditional Asian edible
      plant, Nelumbo nucifera (NNE), which contained abundant amounts of quercetin
      glycosides, significantly elevated plasma HDLC in mice. We are the first to
      present experimental evidence that Q3GA induced ABCA1 in macrophages, and to
      provide an alternative explanation to previous studies on arteriosclerosis
      prevention by quercetin. 

PMID- 24216108
TI  - Down-regulation of Fas-mediated apoptosis by plasma transglutaminase factor XIII
      that catalyzes fetal-specific cross-link of the Fas molecule.
AB  - The Fas antigen, also designated as APO-1 or CD95, is a member of the tumor
      necrosis factor receptor superfamily and can mediate apoptotic cell death in
      various cells. We report here that blood coagulation factor XIII (plasma
      transglutaminase, fibrin stabilizing factor) inhibits apoptosis induced by a
      cytotoxic anti-Fas monoclonal antibody in Jurkat cells. When cells were treated
      with the antibody in fetal calf serum-containing media, higher-molecular-weight
      (180K) polypeptides containing Fas molecule were detected by immunoblotting.
      Under conditions where the transglutaminase activity was eliminated or
      suppressed, the cross-link of Fas was not observed, and concurrently cell death
      was hastened. Moreover, an antibody against factor XIII strongly accelerated the
      Fas-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, addition of partially purified factor XIII
      neutralized the apoptosis-promoting effect of anti-factor XIII antibody,
      indicating that this enzyme is involved in cross-link of Fas and down-regulates
      Fas-mediated apoptotic cell death. Significantly, the cross-link of Fas was seen
      only in fetal calf serum but not in newly-born calf serum, 1-year-old calf serum
      or adult bovine serum. These data suggest that plasma transglutaminase factor
      XIII may play a key role in fetal development of vertebrates via cross-link of
      Fas antigen. 

PMID- 24216109
TI  - Cytochrome c(6B) of Synechococcus sp. WH 8102--crystal structure and basic
      properties of novel c(6)-like family representative.
AB  - Cytochromes c are soluble electron carriers of relatively low molecular weight,
      containing single heme moiety. In cyanobacteria cytochrome c6 participates in
      electron transfer from cytochrome b6f complex to photosystem I. Recent
      phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of a few families of proteins
      homologous to the previously mentioned. Cytochrome c6A from Arabidopsis thaliana
      was identified as a protein responsible for disulfide bond formation in response
      to intracellular redox state changes and c550 is well known element of
      photosystem II. However, function of cytochromes marked as c6B, c6C and cM as
      well as the physiological process in which they take a part still remain
      unidentified. Here we present the first structural and biophysical analysis of
      cytochrome from the c6B family from mesophilic cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. WH
      8102. Purified protein was crystallized and its structure was refined at 1.4 A
      resolution. Overall architecture of this polypeptide resembles typical I-class
      cytochromes c. The main features, that distinguish described protein from
      cytochrome c6, are slightly red-shifted alpha band of UV-Vis spectrum as well as
      relatively low midpoint potential (113.2+/-2.2 mV). Although, physiological
      function of cytochrome c6B has yet to be determined its properties probably
      exclude the participation of this protein in electron trafficking between b6f
      complex and photosystem I.

PMID- 24216110
TI  - Functional roles of BCAR3 in the signaling pathways of insulin leading to DNA
      synthesis, membrane ruffling and GLUT4 translocation.
AB  - Breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance 3 (BCAR3) is an SH2-containing signal
      transducer and is implicated in tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells. In this
      study, we found that BCAR3 mediates the induction of ERK activation and DNA
      synthesis by insulin, but not by IGF-1. Specifically, the SH2 domain of BCAR3 is
      involved in insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis. Differential tyrosine
      phosphorylated patterns of the BCAR3 immune complex were detected in insulin and
      IGF-1 signaling, suggesting that BCAR3 is a distinct target molecule of insulin
      and IGF-1 signaling. Moreover, microinjection of BCAR3 inhibitory materials
      inhibited membrane ruffling induced by insulin, while this did not affect insulin
      mediated GLUT4 translocation. Taken together, these results demonstrated that
      BCAR3 plays an important role in the signaling pathways of insulin leading to
      cell cycle progression and cytoskeleton reorganization, but not GLUT4
      translocation. 

PMID- 24216111
TI  - The interaction of Hsp104 with yeast prion Sup35 as analyzed by fluorescence
      cross-correlation spectroscopy.
AB  - Prions are self-propagating amyloids. Yeast prion [PSI(+)] is a protein-based
      heritable element, in which amyloid aggregates of the Sup35 protein are
      transmitted to daughter cells. Hsp104, an ATP-dependent disaggregase, and other
      chaperones are essential to maintain [PSI(+)]. Although previous reports have
      demonstrated the physical interactions of Hsp104 and Sup35 amyloids, the
      mechanism how Hsp104 interacts with Sup35 amyloids remains to be elucidated. Here
      we investigated the interaction between Hsp104 and Sup35 in the lysates of
      [PSI(+)] cells using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS), which
      can analyze the codiffusion events of different fluorophores. FCCS analysis
      showed a strong interaction between Hsp104 and Sup35 in [PSI(+)] lysates, but not
      in [psi(-)] lysates, suggesting that Hsp104 recognizes the amyloid aggregates of
      Sup35. Although the interaction was retained in ATP-depleted [PSI(+)] lysates,
      addition of ATP or guanidine hydrochloride, which is an inhibitor of Hsp104, to
      [PSI(+)] lysates weakened the interaction. 

PMID- 24216112
TI  - Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril maleate) accelerates recovery
      of mouse skin from UVB-induced wrinkles.
AB  - Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and angiotensin II signaling
      regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue remodeling, as well as
      blood pressure, while in skin, angiotensin II signaling is involved in wound
      healing, inflammation, and pathological scar formation. Therefore, we
      hypothesized that angiotensin II is also involved in photoaging of skin. In this
      study, we examined the effect of enalapril maleate, an ACE inhibitor, on recovery
      of wrinkled skin of hairless mice exposed to long-term UVB irradiation.
      Immunohistochemical observation revealed that expression of ACE, angiotensin II,
      and angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors in the skin was
      increased after UVB irradiation (3 times/week at increasing intensities for 8
      weeks). Administration of enalapril maleate (5 times/week for 6 weeks, starting 1
      week after 10-week irradiation) accelerated recovery from UVB-induced wrinkles,
      epidermal hyperplasia and epidermal barrier dysfunction, as compared with the
      vehicle control. Our results indicate that ACE and angiotensin II activity are
      involved in skin photoaging, and suggest that ACE inhibitor such as enalapril
      maleate may have potential for improvement of photoaged skin.

PMID- 24216113
TI  - Acupuncture for patients with mild hypertension: study protocol of an open-label
      multicenter randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies using acupuncture to treat essential hypertension
      have been carried out. However, whether acupuncture is efficacious for
      hypertension is still controversial. Therefore, this trial aims to evaluate the
      efficacy and safety of acupuncture for patients with mild hypertension.
      METHODS/DESIGN: This is a large scale, open-label, multicenter, randomized
      controlled clinical trial with four parallel arms. We will recruit 428
      hypertensive patients with systolic blood pressure (SBP) between 140 and 159
      mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 90 and 99 mmHg. The participants
      will be randomly assigned to four different groups (three acupuncture groups and
      one waiting list group) (1).The affected meridian acupuncture group (n = 107) is
      treated with acupoints on the affected meridians (2).The non-affected meridian
      acupuncture group (n = 107) is treated with acupoints on the non-affected
      meridians (3).The invasive sham acupuncture group (n = 107) is provided with sham
      acupoints treatment (4).The waiting-list group (n = 107) is not offered any
      intervention until they complete the trial. Each patient allocated to acupuncture
      groups will receive 18 sessions of acupuncture treatment over 6 weeks. This trial
      will be conducted in 11 hospitals in China. The primary endpoint is the change in
      average 24-hSBP before and 6 weeks after randomization. The secondary endpoints
      are average SBP and average DBP during the daytime and night-time, and 36-Item
      Short Form Survey (SF-36), and so on. DISCUSSION: This is the first large scale,
      multicenter, randomized, sham controlled trial of acupuncture for essential
      hypertension in China. It may clarify the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment
      for mild hypertension. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:
      NCT01701726.

PMID- 24216117
TI  - Growth and characterisation of crystals of a new organic complex of thiourea with
      quinine sulphate dihydrate: an NLO material.
AB  - An organic complex of thiourea and quinine sulphate dihydrate (TQS) has been
      grown for the first time by gel method. The structure determination was done by
      the single crystal XRD technique. The crystal belongs to monoclinic system, P21
      space group with cell dimensions a=6.228 (3) A, b=20.4051 (4) A, c=11.0600 (6) A,
      beta=101.9811(2) degrees . The crystal structure is stabilized by the hydrogen
      bonding. The functional groups present in the complex were analysed by the
      Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic method. The stoichiometry of the complex
      was confirmed by the elemental analysis. Thermal properties of the complex were
      determined by TGA and DTA methods and the complex melts at 222.53 degrees C. The
      optical transparency of the crystal was studied using UV-Visible absorption
      spectra. The optical band gap is found to be 2.5 eV. The SHG conversion
      efficiency of TQS was investigated using Kurtz and Perry method and found to be
      higher than that of the reference material, potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP).

PMID- 24216118
TI  - Spectroscopy analysis of chitosan-glibenclamide hydrogels.
AB  - The structure of glibenclamide, 5-chloro-N-(2-{4-[(cyclohexylamino)carbonyl]
      aminosulfonyl}phenyl) ethyl)-2-methoxybenzamide, an important antidiabetic drug,
      has been studied both chitosan using theoretical calculations like Gibbs free
      energy, electrostatic potential, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Fourier transform
      infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy reveals information about the molecular
      interactions of chemical components and is useful to characterization of
      hydrogel. Nucleophilic and electrophilic regions were calculated using the
      electrostatic potential. 

PMID- 24216119
TI  - Application properties of oral gels as media for administration of minitablets
      and pellets to paediatric patients.
AB  - Modern solid multiparticulate drug forms (minitablets, pellets, granules) can
      provide the possibility of precise dosing or modified drug release or taste
      masking for medicines used in children. However, these solid particles require an
      adequate medium to ease swallowing. The aim of the research was to design a
      universal semisolid dispersing medium for administration of minitablets and
      pellets. High viscosity sodium carmellose and carbomer were considered as gelling
      agents. The hydrogels were prepared with sucrose, glycerol, and potassium sorbate
      or parabens. Preliminary studies were undertaken to estimate the application
      properties of the gels under conditions where a medicine is administered to a
      child. Besides standard tests (viscosity, sedimentation) the following
      measurements were conducted: gel ductility, mass of the gel removed from a spoon
      under shaking, ability of the gels to disperse solid particles, and
      disintegration of minitablets in the gels. The oral hydrogels prepared either
      with 1.0% and 1.5% carmellose or 0.25% and 0.5% (w/w) carbomer were suitable for
      dispersing and delivery of minitablets or pellets. Not only viscosity but also
      ductility was an essential criterion in selecting the best vehicle. The in vivo
      perceptibility test for pellets and minitablets did not confirm that gels are
      more advantageous than syrups. 

PMID- 24216120
TI  - [Community health: action needed].

PMID- 24216121
TI  - [Farewell to paper in Gaceta Sanitaria].

PMID- 24216122
TI  - Impact of early adversity on glucocorticoid regulation and later mental
      disorders.
AB  - Early adverse experiences such as abuse or neglect can influence brain
      development and consequently bring forth a predisposition toward mental and
      behavioral disorders. Many authors suggest that long-term changes in the
      functionality of the HPA axis might be involved in mediating this relationship.
      The direction of change and its consequences have not been clarified though: Do
      early adverse experiences yield a stable glucocorticoid hyperfunction or a long
      term glucocorticoid hypofunction, and how is this change of functionality
      associated with mental or behavioral disorders? This review summarizes
      correlative findings and illustrates inconsistencies of current research
      literature. It focuses on the specific neurochemical milieu accompanying early
      adverse experiences and discusses possible interactions of the glucocorticoid
      system with oxytocin and components of the serotonergic system. On the basis of
      this physiological view, a novel two-pathway model is presented, according to
      which specific early experiences are associated with characteristic early changes
      in the functionality of these systems and result in a predisposition to distinct
      mental and behavioral disorders. 

PMID- 24216123
TI  - Comparison of transesophageal echocardiography versus computed tomography for
      detection of left atrial appendage filling defect (thrombus).
AB  - Patients with atrial fibrillation, who are referred for radiofrequency pulmonary
      vein antral isolation, frequently undergo transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
      to detect and/or exclude left atrial or left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and
      cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) to define and/or evaluate left
      atrial and pulmonary venous anatomy. Previous studies have reported CCTA to have
      high sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for detecting thrombus in
      the LAA. Previous studies determining an optimal LAA/ascending aorta (AA)
      Hounsfield unit (HU) density ratio for detection of LAA thrombus have been small,
      with limited numbers of thrombi. We thus sought to determine both the optimal
      cutoff for LAA HU density and LAA/AA HU density ratio in detecting LAA thrombus
      compared with TEE in a multicenter population. We included 84 patients who had
      undergone CCTA and TEE. LAA was evaluated by 64-row CCTA qualitatively (visual
      filling defect) and quantitatively (measurement of LAA HU density and LAA/AA HU
      density ratio), using a 1-cm area of interest in the same axial plane. Results
      were compared with TEE visualization of thrombus or spontaneous echo contrast.
      Qualitative identification of thrombus in LAA by CCTA compared with TEE detection
      of thrombus had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 77.9%, a positive
      predictive value (PPV) of 51.6%, an NPV of 100%, and a total accuracy of 82.1%.
      The optimal LAA HU density cutoff for thrombus detection was 119 with a
      sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 86%, PPV 56%, and an area under the curve of
      0.923 (p = 0.0004). The optimal LAA/aorta HU ratio was 0.242 with a sensitivity
      of 87%, a specificity of 88%, a PPV of 64%, and an area under the curve of 0.921
      (p = 0.0011). There is no significant difference (p = 0.72) between both areas
      under the curve, and both measurements improved the specificity and PPV compared
      with qualitative measures. Multidetector computed tomography is an imaging
      technique that can exclude LAA thrombus with very high NPV. Quantitative
      measurement of LAA HU density (cutoff 119) or LAA/aorta HU density ratio (cutoff
      0.242) improves accuracy of positively detecting LAA thrombus. This technique is
      especially useful when delayed scanning is not performed and LAA is found
      incidentally after the patient scanning is complete.

PMID- 24216124
TI  - Influence of age-related versus non-age-related renal dysfunction on survival in
      patients with left ventricular dysfunction.
AB  - Normal aging results in a predictable decrease in glomerular filtration rate
      (GFR), and low GFR is associated with worsened survival. If this survival
      disadvantage is directly caused by the low GFR, as opposed to the disease causing
      the low GFR, the risk should be similar regardless of the underlying mechanism.
      Our objective was to determine if age-related decreases in estimated GFR (eGFR)
      carry the same prognostic importance as disease-attributable losses in patients
      with ventricular dysfunction. We analyzed the Studies Of Left Ventricular
      Dysfunction limited data set (n = 6,337). The primary analysis focused on
      determining if the eGFR-mortality relation differed by the extent to which the
      eGFR was consistent with normal aging. Mean eGFR was 65.7 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (SD =
      19.0). Across the range of age in the population (27 to 80 years), baseline eGFR
      decreased by 0.67 ml/min/1.73 m(2)/year (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63 to
      0.71). The risk of death associated with eGFR was strongly modified by the degree
      to which the low eGFR could be explained by aging (p for interaction <0.0001).
      For example, in a model incorporating the interaction, uncorrected eGFR was no
      longer significantly related to mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.0 per 10
      ml/min/1.73 m(2), 95% CI 0.97 to 1.1, p = 0.53), whereas a disease-attributable
      decrease in eGFR above the median carried significant risk (adjusted hazard ratio
      2.8, 95% CI 1.6 to 4.7, p <0.001). In conclusion, in the setting of left
      ventricular dysfunction, renal dysfunction attributable to normal aging had a
      limited risk for mortality, suggesting that the mechanism underlying renal
      dysfunction is critical in determining prognosis.

PMID- 24216125
TI  - Comparison of prognosis in unrecognized versus recognized myocardial infarction
      in men versus women >55 years of age (from the Rotterdam Study).
AB  - Unrecognized myocardial infarction (MI) is frequent in the general population.
      Its prognosis is reported to be at least as unpropitious as that of recognized
      MI, particularly in men. However, contemporary data with long follow-up are
      lacking. The aims of this study were to investigate the long-term prognosis of
      unrecognized MI with respect to all-cause and cause-specific mortality and to
      investigate possible differences in prognosis by gender. In the population-based
      Rotterdam Study (2,672 men and 3,862 women), the presence of unrecognized MI and
      recognized MI was determined at baseline (1990 to 1993). The cohort was followed
      for nearly 2 decades for all-cause and cause-specific mortality. During 82,268
      patient-years of follow-up (median 15.6 years) 3,412 patients died (1,300 from
      cardiovascular causes). Men and women with recognized and unrecognized MIs had
      increased total mortality rates compared with those without MIs. Hazard ratios
      (HRs) for men and women were 1.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36 to 1.81) and
      1.89 (95% CI 1.56 to 2.30) for recognized MI and 1.72 (95% CI 1.43 to 2.07) and
      1.36 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.61) for unrecognized MI. Unrecognized MI was associated
      with increased risks for cardiovascular mortality (men: HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.66 to
      2.91; women: HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.81) and noncardiovascular mortality (men:
      HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.89; women: HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.75). In
      conclusion, the long-term prognosis of patients with unrecognized MIs is worse
      compared with those without MIs and applies not only to cardiovascular mortality
      but also to noncardiovascular mortality. In men, the prognosis is as unfavorable
      as that of patients with recognized MIs. 

PMID- 24216126
TI  - Prevalence, correlates, and temporal trends in antiarrhythmic drug use at
      discharge after implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement (from the
      National Cardiovascular Data Registry [NCDR]).
AB  - Patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can require
      antiarrhythmic drugs to manage arrhythmias and prevent device shocks. We sought
      to determine the prevalence, clinical correlates, and institutional variation in
      the use of antiarrhythmic drugs over time after ICD implantation. From the ICD
      Registry (2006 to 2011), we analyzed the trends in the use of antiarrhythmic
      agents prescribed at hospital discharge for patients undergoing first-time ICD
      placement. The patient, provider, and facility level variables associated with
      antiarrhythmic use were determined using multivariate logistic regression models.
      A median odds ratio was calculated to assess the hospital-level variation in the
      use of antiarrhythmic drugs. Of the cohort (n = 500,995), 15% had received an
      antiarrhythmic drug at discharge. The use of class III agents increased modestly
      (13.9% to 14.9%, p <0.01). Amiodarone was the most commonly prescribed drug (82%)
      followed by sotalol (10%). Among the subgroups, the greatest increase in
      prescribing was for patients who had received a secondary prevention ICD (26% in
      2006% and 30% in 2011, p <0.01) or with a history of ventricular tachycardia (23%
      to 27%, p <0.01). The median odds ratio for antiarrhythmic prescription was 1.45,
      indicating that 2 randomly selected hospitals would have had a 45% difference in
      the odds of treating identical patients with an antiarrhythmic drug. In
      conclusion, antiarrhythmic drug use, particularly class III antiarrhythmic drugs,
      is common among ICD recipients at hospital discharge and varies by hospital,
      suggesting an influence from local treatment patterns. The observed hospital
      variation suggests a role for augmentation of clinical guidelines regarding the
      use of antiarrhythmic drugs for patients undergoing implantation of an ICD.

PMID- 24216127
TI  - Electron microscopy of primary cell cultures in solution and correlative optical
      microscopy using ASEM.
AB  - Correlative light-electron microscopy of cells in a natural environment of
      aqueous liquid facilitates high-throughput observation of protein complex
      formation. ASEM allows the inverted SEM to observe the wet sample from below,
      while an optical microscope observes it from above quasi-simultaneously. The
      disposable ASEM dish with a silicon nitride (SiN) film window can be coated
      variously to realize the primary-culture of substrate-sensitive cells in a few
      milliliters of culture medium in a stable incubator environment. Neuron
      differentiation, neural networking, proplatelet-formation and phagocytosis were
      captured by optical or fluorescence microscopy, and imaged at high resolution by
      gold-labeled immuno-ASEM with/without metal staining. Fas expression on the cell
      surface was visualized, correlated to the spatial distribution of F-actin. Axonal
      partitioning was studied using primary-culture neurons, and presynaptic induction
      by GluRdelta2-N-terminus-linked fluorescent magnetic beads was correlated to the
      presynaptic-marker Bassoon. Further, megakaryocytes secreting proplatelets were
      captured, and P-selectins with adherence activity were localized to some of the
      granules present by immuno-ASEM. The phagocytosis of lactic acid bacteria by
      dendritic cells was also imaged. Based on these studies, ASEM correlative
      microscopy promises to allow the study of various mesoscopic-scale dynamics in
      the near future. 

PMID- 24216128
TI  - MAVIS: an integrated system for live microscopy and vitrification.
AB  - Cryo-electron microscopy of vitrified biological samples can provide three
      dimensional reconstructions of macromolecules and organelles within bacteria and
      cells at nanometer scale resolution, even in native conditions. Localization of
      specific structures and imaging of cellular dynamics in cellular cryo-electron
      microscopy is limited by (i) the use of cryo-fixation to preserve cellular
      structures, (ii) the restricted availability of electron dense markers to label
      molecules inside cells and (iii) the inherent low contrast of cryo electron
      microscopy. These limitations can be mitigated to a large extend by correlative
      light and electron microscopy, where the sample is imaged by both light and
      electron microscopy. Here we present a Microscopy and Vitrification Integrated
      System (MAVIS) that combines a light microscope with a plunger to vitrify thin
      specimens. MAVIS provides the capability for fluorescence light microscopic
      imaging of living cells and bacteria that are adhered to an electron microscopy
      grid and subsequent vitrification within a time frame of seconds. The instrument
      allows targeting of dynamic biological events in time and space by fluorescence
      microscopy for subsequent cryo light and electron microscopy. Here we describe
      the design and performance of the MAVIS, illustrated with biological examples. 

PMID- 24216129
TI  - Value of anatomic site, histology and clinicopathological parameters for
      prediction of lymph node metastasis and overall survival in head and neck
      melanomas.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Head and neck melanoma compromises a group of aggressive tumours
      with varying clinical courses. This analysis was performed to find anatomic and
      clinicopathological parameters predictive for lymph node metastasis and overall
      survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data and outcome of 246 patients with a malignant
      melanoma in the head and neck region were retrospectively analyzed for predictive
      parameters. RESULTS: Lentigo maligna melanoma (n = 115) was the most frequent
      histology, followed by superficial spreading (n = 63) and nodular melanoma (n =
      52). More than half of the melanomas (n = 138) were in the face. Tumours of the
      face and anterior scalp metastasized to lymph nodes of the neck and parotid
      gland, whereas tumours of the posterior scalp and neck also metastasized to the
      nuchal region. Advanced Clark level, presence of tumour ulceration and younger
      age were the strongest predictors of lymph node metastasis in multivariate
      regression analysis (p < 0.05), but anatomic site, histological subtype and
      tumour thickness were also associated with lymph node metastasis. Lymph node
      metastases, distant metastases, ulceration, nodular subtype and non-facial site
      of origin were the strongest negative prognostic parameters for disease-specific
      overall survival (p < 0.05). In contrast, the width of resection margin (<1 cm
      vs. 1-2 cm vs. >2 cm) did not correlate with tumour recurrence and overall
      survival (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Histological subtype diagnosis, anatomic site of
      origin as well as the established factors tumour thickness, ulceration and depth
      of invasion are prognostic indicators of cervical lymph node metastasis and
      overall survival. A resection margin of at least 1 cm seems sufficient in head
      and neck melanoma. The status of sentinel lymph node biopsy and neck dissection
      has to be proven within the next years.

PMID- 24216130
TI  - MicroRNA-10b overexpression promotes non-small cell lung cancer cell
      proliferation and invasion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules that play an
      important role in the pathogenesis of human diseases through negative regulation
      of gene expression. Although miRNA-10b (miR-10b) has been implicated in other
      tumors, its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unknown. The aim
      of the present study was to investigate the role of miR-10b in NSCLC. METHODS:
      Expression of miR-10b was analyzed in NSCLC cell line A549 by qRT-PCR. Cell
      viability was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8. Cell migration and
      invasion were evaluated by wound healing assay and transwell assays. Cell cycle
      and apoptosis analyses were performed. Western blotting was used to predicate the
      target of miR-10b. RESULTS: The A549 cell line transfected with the miR-10b
      exhibited significantly increased proliferation, migration, and invasion
      capacities when compared with the control cells (P < 0.05). Kruppel-like factor 4
      (KLF4) may be indirectly targeted by miR-10b during the proliferation increasing
      of A549 cells. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that miR-10b is a tumor
      enhancer in NSCLC. Thus, miR-10b may represent a potential therapeutic target for
      NSCLC intervention.

PMID- 24216131
TI  - Intercellular communications within the rat anterior pituitary. XVI: postnatal
      changes of distribution of S-100 protein positive cells, connexin 43 and LH-RH
      positive sites in the pars tuberalis of the rat pituitary gland. An
      immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study.
AB  - The architecture of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) nerve ends and
      the S-100 protein containing folliculo-stellate cells forming gap junctions in
      the pars tuberalis is basically important in understanding the regulation of the
      hormone producing mechanism of anterior pituitary glands. In this study, intact
      male rats 5-60 days old were prepared for immunohistochemistry and electron
      microscopy. From immunostained sections, the S-100 containing cells in pars
      tuberalis were first detected on day 30 and increased in number to day 60; this
      was parallel to the immunohistochemical staining of gap junction protein,
      connexin 43. LH-RH positive sites were clearly observed on just behind the optic
      chiasm and on the root of pituitary stalk on day 30. On day 60, the width of
      layer increased, while follicles and gap junctions were frequently observed
      between agranular cells in 10 or more layers of pars tuberalis. In the present
      study, we investigated the sexual maturation of the anterior pituitary glands
      through the postnatal development of S-100 positive cells, connexin 43 and LH-RH
      nerves. It is suggested that the folliculo-stellate cell system including the LH
      RH neurons in the pars tuberalis participates in the control of LH secretion
      along with the portal vein system. 

PMID- 24216132
TI  - Botanical insecticides inspired by plant-herbivore chemical interactions.
AB  - Plants have evolved a plethora of secondary chemicals to protect themselves
      against herbivores and pathogens, some of which have been used historically for
      pest management. The extraction methods used by industry render many
      phytochemicals ineffective as insecticides despite their bioactivity in the
      natural context. In this review, we examine how plants use their secondary
      chemicals in nature and compare this with how they are used as insecticides to
      understand why the efficacy of botanical insecticides can be so variable. If the
      commercial production of botanical insecticides is to become a viable pest
      management option, factors such as production cost, resource availability, and
      extraction and formulation techniques need be considered alongside innovative
      application technologies to ensure consistent efficacy of botanical insecticides.

PMID- 24216133
TI  - Neural regulatory mechanism of desire for food: revealed by
      magnetoencephalography.
AB  - Currently, little is known about the brain function that allows individuals to
      suppress eating behavior. The present study used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to
      examine changes in neural activity over time that were related to suppression of
      motivation to eat in 11 healthy males. The MEG experiment consisted of four
      motivation sessions and four suppression sessions in an alternating and
      counterbalanced order. During MEG recordings, participants viewed a set of food
      pictures and mosaic pictures projected onto a screen, and were then asked to rate
      their motivation to eat and the suppression of the motivation to eat during the
      recordings. The present study demonstrated a higher beta-band (13-25 Hz) event
      related synchronization (ERS) level during the suppression sessions relative to
      the motivation sessions in the left supplementary motor area (SMA) 200-300 ms
      after the start of food picture presentation. Similar differences were also
      observed in theta-band (4-8 Hz) event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the left
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) after 500-600 ms. Negative relationships
      were observed between these levels of MEG responses and the number of food items
      for which the participants reported the motivation to eat during the MEG
      recordings. These findings indicate that the left DLPFC and SMA, particularly the
      DLPFC, play prominent roles in the suppression of motivation to eat. This may
      help to clarify the temporal aspects of the neural basis of self-control of
      appetitive motivation as well as aid development of self-control strategies such
      as cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with disordered appetite.

PMID- 24216134
TI  - Oxytocin and the social brain: neural mechanisms and perspectives in human
      research.
AB  - The present paper summarizes functional imaging studies investigating the effects
      of intranasal oxytocin (OT) on brain responses to social stimuli. We aim to
      integrate previous research, point to unresolved issues and highlight
      perspectives for future studies. The studies so far have focused on identifying
      neural circuits underlying social information processing which are particularly
      sensitive to modulations by exogenous OT. Most consistently, stimulus-related
      responses of the amygdala and associated areas within the prefrontal and temporal
      cortices have been found to be modulated by OT administration. However, there are
      a number of unresolved issues related to the possible role of sex differences and
      hormonal status, genetic variability, and individual differences in socio
      cognitive functioning. Future studies focusing on these open questions are
      expected to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the role of the central
      OT system in humans and may provide the basis for novel treatment approaches for
      mental disorders characterized by social deficits. This article is part of a
      Special Issue entitled Oxytocin and Social Behav. 

PMID- 24216135
TI  - The behavioral effects of acute Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and heroin
      (diacetylmorphine) exposure in adult zebrafish.
AB  - The use of psychotropic drugs in clinical and translational brain research
      continues to grow, and the need for novel experimental models and screens is
      becoming widely recognized. Mounting evidence supports the utility of zebrafish
      (Danio rerio) for studying various pharmacological manipulations, as an
      alternative model complementing the existing rodent paradigms in this field.
      Here, we explore the effects of acute 20-min exposure to two commonly abused
      psychotropic compounds, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and heroin, on adult
      zebrafish behavior in the novel tank test. Overall, THC administration (30 and 50
      mg/L) produces an anxiogenic-like reduction of top swimming, paralleled with a
      slower, continuous bottom swimming. In contrast, heroin exposure (15 and 25 mg/L)
      evoked a hyperlocomotor response (with rapid bouts of bottom swimming and
      frequent 'bouncing' motions) without altering anxiety-sensitive top/bottom
      endpoints. The behavioral effects of these two compounds in zebrafish seem to
      parallel the respective rodent and human findings. Collectively, this emphasizes
      the growing significance of novel emerging aquatic models in translational drug
      abuse research and small molecule screening.

PMID- 24216136
TI  - Hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in the ipsilateral thalamus after focal
      cortical infarction in rats.
AB  - Hyperphosphorylation of tau has been considered as an important risk factor for
      neurodegenerative diseases. It has been found also in the cortex after focal
      cerebral ischemia. The present study is aimed at investigating changes of tau
      protein expression in the ipsilateral thalamus remote from the primary ischemic
      lesion site after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The number of
      neurons in the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus (VPN) was evaluated using Nissl
      staining and neuronal nuclei (NeuN) immunostaining. Total tau and phosphorylated
      tau at threonine 231 (p-T231-tau) and serine 199 (p-S199-tau) levels,
      respectively, in the thalamus were measured using immunostaining and
      immunoblotting. Moreover, apoptosis was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl
      transferase-mediated digoxigenin-dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. It
      was found that the numbers of intact neurons and NeuN(+) cells within the
      ipsilateral VPN were reduced significantly compared with the sham-operated group,
      but the levels of p-T231-tau and p-S199-tau in the ipsilateral thalamus were
      increased significantly in rats subjected to ischemia for 3 days, 7 days and 28
      days. Furthermore, the number of TUNEL-positive cells was increased in the
      ipsilateral VPN at 7 days and 28 days after MCAO. Thus, hyperphosphorylated tau
      protein is observed in ipsilateral thalamus after focal cerebral infarction in
      this study. Our findings suggest that the expression of hyperphosphorylated tau
      protein induced by ischemia may be associated with the secondary thalamic damage
      after focal cortical infarction via an apoptotic pathway. 

PMID- 24216138
TI  - Comment on "Morphogenetic action through flux-limited spreading" by Verbeni,
      Sanchez, Mollica, Siegl-Cachedenier, Carleton, Guerrero, Ruiz i Altaba, and
      Soler.

PMID- 24216140
TI  - Isomorphisms between psychological processes and neural mechanisms: from stimulus
      elements to genetic markers of activity.
AB  - Traditional learning theory has developed models that can accurately predict and
      describe the course of learned behavior. These "psychological process" models
      rely on hypothetical constructs that are usually thought to be not directly
      measurable or manipulable. Recently, and mostly in parallel, the neural
      mechanisms underlying learning have been fairly well elucidated. The argument in
      this essay is that we can successfully uncover isomorphisms between process and
      mechanism and that this effort will help advance our theories about both
      processes and mechanisms. We start with a brief review of error-correction
      circuits as a successful example. Then we turn to the concept of stimulus
      elements, where the conditional stimulus is hypothesized to be constructed of a
      multitude of elements only some of which are sampled during any given experience.
      We discuss such elements with respect to how they explain acquisition of
      associative strength as an incremental process. Then we propose that for fear
      conditioning, stimulus elements and basolateral amygdala projection neurons are
      isomorphic and that the activational state of these "elements" can be monitored
      by the expression of the mRNA for activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein (ARC).
      Finally we apply these ideas to analyze recent data examining ARC expression
      during contextual fear conditioning and find that there are indeed many
      similarities between stimulus elements and amygdala neurons. The data also
      suggest some revisions in the conceptualization of how the population of stimulus
      elements is sampled from. 

PMID- 24216141
TI  - Radical pleurectomy/decortication followed by high dose of radiation therapy for
      malignant pleural mesothelioma. Final results with long-term follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: We have previously shown the feasibility of delivering high doses of
      radiotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients who underwent
      radical pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) or surgical biopsy. In this report, we
      present the long-term results of MPM patients treated with radical P/D followed
      by high doses of radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty consecutive MPM
      patients were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent radical P/D
      followed by high dose radiotherapy. The clinical target volume was defined as the
      entire hemithorax excluding the intact lung. The dose prescribed was 50 Gy in 25
      fractions. Any FDG-avid areas or regions of particular concern for residual
      disease were given a simultaneous boost to 60 Gy. Nineteen patients received
      cisplatin/pemetrexed chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate
      rates of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and loco
      regional control (LRC). RESULTS: The median follow-up was of 27 months. The
      median OS and PFS were 33 and 29 months, respectively. The median LRC was not
      reached. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of OS at 2 and 3 years were 70% and 49%,
      respectively. The estimates of PFS at 2 and 3 years were 65% and 46%,
      respectively. The estimates of LRC at 2 and 3 years were 68% and 59%,
      respectively. The predominant pattern of failure was distant: 7 patients
      developed distant metastases as the first site of relapse, whereas only 3
      patients experienced an isolated loco-regional recurrence. No fatal toxicity was
      reported. Five Grades 2-3 pneumonitis were documented. CONCLUSIONS: High dose
      radiation therapy following radical P/D led to excellent loco-regional control
      and survival results in MPM patients. A median OS of 33 months and a 3-year OS
      rate of 49% are among the best observed in recent studies, supporting the idea
      that this approach represents a concrete therapeutic option for malignant pleural
      mesothelioma.

PMID- 24216142
TI  - Aminoglycosides and ototoxicity in neonates: is there a relation with serum
      concentrations?

PMID- 24216139
TI  - Decision Aid to Technologically Enhance Shared decision making (DATES): study
      protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinicians face challenges in promoting colorectal cancer screening
      due to multiple competing demands. A decision aid that clarifies patient
      preferences and improves decision quality can aid shared decision making and be
      effective at increasing colorectal cancer screening rates. However, exactly how
      such an intervention improves shared decision making is unclear. This study,
      funded by the National Cancer Institute, seeks to provide detailed understanding
      of how an interactive decision aid that elicits patient's risks and preferences
      impacts patient-clinician communication and shared decision making, and
      ultimately colorectal cancer screening adherence. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a two
      armed single-blinded randomized controlled trial with the target of 300 patients
      per arm. The setting is eleven community and three academic primary care
      practices in Metro Detroit. Patients are men and women aged between 50 and 75
      years who are not up to date on colorectal cancer screening. ColoDATES Web
      (intervention arm), a decision aid that incorporates interactive personal risk
      assessment and preference clarification tools, is compared to a non-interactive
      website that matches ColoDATES Web in content but does not contain interactive
      tools (control arm). Primary outcomes are patient uptake of colorectal cancer
      screening; patient decision quality (knowledge, preference clarification,
      intent); clinician's degree of shared decision making; and patient-clinician
      concordance in the screening test chosen. Secondary outcome incorporates a
      Structural Equation Modeling approach to understand the mechanism of the causal
      pathway and test the validity of the proposed conceptual model based on Theory of
      Planned Behavior. Clinicians and those performing the analysis are blinded to
      arms. DISCUSSION: The central hypothesis is that ColoDATES Web will improve
      colorectal cancer screening adherence through improvement in patient behavioral
      factors, shared decision making between the patient and the clinician, and
      concordance between the patient's and clinician's preferred colorectal cancer
      screening test. The results of this study will be among the first to examine the
      effect of a real-time preference assessment exercise on colorectal cancer
      screening and mediators, and, in doing so, will shed light on the patient
      clinician communication and shared decision making 'black box' that currently
      exists between the delivery of decision aids to patients and subsequent patient
      behavior. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01514786.

PMID- 24216143
TI  - microRNA expression profiles distinguish colorectal cancer patients in two
      regions of Austria.

PMID- 24216144
TI  - A systems pharmacology approach to improve drug therapy in NSCLC: establishing a
      CESAR network.

PMID- 24216145
TI  - Circulating tumor cell composition and outcome in patients with solid tumors.

PMID- 24216146
TI  - How is intensive care reimbursed? A review of eight European countries.
AB  - Reimbursement schemes in intensive care are more complex than in other areas of
      healthcare, due to special procedures and high care needs. Knowledge regarding
      the principles of functioning in other countries can lead to increased
      understanding and awareness of potential for improvement. This can be achieved
      through mutual exchange of solutions found in other countries. In this review,
      experts from eight European countries explain their respective intensive care
      unit reimbursement schemes. Important conclusions include the apparent
      differences in the countries' reimbursement schemes-despite all of them
      originating from a DRG system-, the high degree of complexity found, and the
      difficulties faced in several countries when collecting the data for this
      collaborative work. This review has been designed to assist the intensivist
      clinician and researcher in understanding neighbouring countries' approaches and
      in putting research into the context of a European perspective. In addition,
      steering committees and decision makers might find this a valuable source to
      compare different reimbursement schemes. 

PMID- 24216147
TI  - A medical education as an investment: financial food for thought.
AB  - Every year that the training period can be shortened increases the value of a
      medical education. Tuition covers only a fraction of the cost of medical
      education, making the societal investment in older students less financially
      robust. Shortening training periods would immediately solve the shortage of
      residency training positions. With a few exceptions, a medical education is a
      good investment for women. We are skeptical of the proposals to address the
      skyrocketing student debt because they do not confront the primary problem. The
      best way to minimize debt is thrift, and the best way to make a career in
      medicine more desirable is to shorten the training time. 

PMID- 24216148
TI  - Pediatric fronto-orbital cemento-ossifying fibroma: a report of two cases.

PMID- 24216149
TI  - Immunohistochemical study of pseudohypertrophy of the inferior olivary nucleus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pathogenesis of pseudohypertrophy of the inferior olivary nucleus (PH
      IO) was analyzed based on immunohistochemical study. METHODS: Immunostained
      medullas with PH-IO were observed with confocal laser microscopy. RESULTS: alphaB
      crystallin (alphaBC) was frequently expressed in the neurons and co-localized
      with microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). The neurons were occasionally
      positive for SMI-31. alphaBC and SMI-31 were co-localized in some neurons.
      Synaptophysin (SYP)-immunoreactive dots were present around MAP2-positive
      hypertrophic neurons and hypertrophic thick neurites. Periphery-stained Lys-Asp
      Glu-Leu (KDEL)-positive neurons were shown. Central chromatolytic neurons were
      found with Kluver-Barrera staining, which indicated that the rough endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) was distributed to the periphery of the cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS:
      alphaBC prevents microtubule disassembly and phosphorylation of the
      neurofilaments under stressful conditions. Our results indicated that alphaBC
      protected microtubules and neurofilaments in PH-IO. The retrograde transport of
      KDEL receptors from the Golgi complex to the ER is increased under stressful
      conditions. We considered that KDEL receptors were retro-transported to ER, and
      then the ER containing KDEL receptors was distributed to the periphery of the
      cytoplasm. PH-IO showed various immunohistochemical changes due to trans-synaptic
      degeneration.

PMID- 24216150
TI  - Ion Beam Induced Luminescence capabilities for the analysis of coarse-grained
      river sediments.
AB  - In this work the Ion Beam Induced Luminescence (IBIL) capabilities for the
      analysis of geological mobile sediment samples from the beds of three major
      rivers flowing in the Veneto Region (North-Eastern Italy) is presented in the
      first application of this technique to characterize such samples. Diffuse
      Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) spectra were also
      measured and discussed to give indications for the identification of the main
      luminescence features. The evolution of the different IBIL components with the
      irradiation dose was studied and their correlation to matrix defects outlined.
      Finally, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the IBIL evolving spectra was
      performed to verify the capability of this approach to discriminate among the
      different samples. 

PMID- 24216151
TI  - Spectroscopy and visible frequency upconversion in Er3+-Yb3+: TeO2-ZnO glass.
AB  - The UV-Vis-NIR absorption studies of the Er(3+)/Er(3+)-Yb(3+) doped/codoped TeO2
      ZnO (TZO) glasses fabricated by the melting and quenching method has been
      performed. The spectroscopic radiative parameters viz. radiative transition
      probabilities, branching ratios and lifetimes have been determined from the
      absorption spectrum by using Judd-Ofelt theory. The near infrared (NIR) to
      visible frequency upconversion (UC) have been monitored by using an excitation of
      976 nm wavelength radiation from a CW diode laser. The effect of codoping with
      Yb(3+) ions on the intensity of the UC emission bands from the Er(3+) ions
      throughout visible region has been studied. The mechanism responsible for the
      observed upconversion emissions in the prepared samples have been explained on
      the basis of excited state absorption and efficient energy transfer processes.

PMID- 24216152
TI  - Common Prairie feeds with different soluble and insoluble fractions used for CPM
      diet formulation in dairy cattle: impact of carbohydrate-protein matrix structure
      on protein and other primary nutrient digestion.
AB  - An experiment was conducted to investigate the relationship of carbohydrates
      molecular spectral characteristics to rumen degradability of primary nutrients in
      Prairie feeds in dairy cattle. In total, 12 different types of feeds were
      selected, each type of feed was from three different source with total 37
      samples. Six types of them were energy-sourced feeds and the others were protein
      sourced feeds. The carbohydrates molecular spectral intensity of various
      functional groups were collected using Fourier transform infrared attenuated
      total reflectance (ATR-FT/IR) spectroscopy. In the in situ study, the results
      showed that the rumen digestibility and digestible fractions of primary nutrients
      (DM, OM, NCP, and CP) were significantly different (P<0.05) among the feeds. The
      spectral bands features were significantly different (P<0.05) among the feeds.
      Spectral intensities of A_Cell, H_1415 and H_1370 were weakly positively
      correlated with in situ rumen digestibility and digestible fractions of DM, OM
      and NCP. Spectral intensities of H_1150, H_1015, A_1, and A_3 were weakly
      negatively associated with in situ rumen degradation of CP. Spectral intensities
      of A_1240 and H_1240, mainly associated with cellulosic compounds, were
      correlated with rumen CP degradation. The multiple regression analysis
      demonstrated that the spectral intensities of A_3 and H_1415 played the most
      important role and could be used as a potential tool to predict rumen protein
      degradation of feeds in dairy cattle. In conclusion, this study showed that the
      carbohydrates as a whole have an effect on protein rumen degradation, rather than
      cellulose alone, indicating carbohydrate-protein matrix structure impact protein
      utilization in dairy cattle. The non-invasive molecular spectral technique (ATR
      FT/IR) could be used as a rapid potential tool to predict rumen protein
      degradation of feedstuffs by using molecular spectral bands intensities in
      carbohydrate fingerprint region. 

PMID- 24216154
TI  - How to link pyrene to its host lipid to minimize the extent of membrane
      perturbations and to optimize pyrene dimer formation.
AB  - We study how lipid probes based on pyrene-labeling could be designed to minimize
      perturbations in lipid bilayers, and how the same design principles could be
      exploited to develop probes which gauge lipid dynamics primarily within a single
      lipid monolayer or between them. To this end, we use atomistic molecular dynamics
      simulations to consider membranes where pyrene moieties are attached to lipid
      acyl chains in varying positions. We find that in a DOPC bilayer the
      conformational ordering of lipids around di-pyrenyl-PC probes is altered to a
      largely similar extent regardless of where the pyrene moiety is attached to the
      hydrocarbon chain. This is in contrast to saturated membranes, where pyrene
      induced perturbations have been observed to be more prominent. Meanwhile, the
      formation of pyrene dimers depends on the linkage point between pyrene and its
      host lipid. Membrane-spanning dimers between lipids in different membrane
      leaflets are observed only if the pyrene moiety is attached to the latter half of
      the acyl chain. A seemingly minor change to link pyrene to an acyl chain that is
      two carbons shorter leads to a situation where membrane-spanning dimers are no
      longer observed. Further, simulations suggest that formation of dimers is a slow
      process, where the rate is limited by both lateral diffusion and the dimerization
      process once the two probes are neighbors to one another. Typical lifetimes of
      pyrene dimers turn out be of the order of nanoseconds. The results are expected
      to pave the way for designing ways to consider experimentally topics such as
      intraleaflet lateral diffusion, motion of lipids within and between membrane
      domains, and membrane domain registration across bilayers. 

PMID- 24216153
TI  - Modulated photophysics of a cationic DNA-staining dye inside protein bovine serum
      albumin: study of binding interaction and structural changes of protein.
AB  - The binding affinity of cationic DNA-staining dye, propidium iodide, with
      transport protein, bovine serum albumin, has been explored using UV-vis
      absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Steady state and
      time resolved fluorescence studies authenticate that fluorescence quenching of
      bovine serum albumin by propidium iodide is due to bovine serum albumin-propidium
      iodide complex formation. Thermodynamic parameters obtained from temperature
      dependent spectral studies cast light on binding interaction between the probe
      and protein. Site marker competitive binding has been encountered using
      phenylbutazone and flufenamic acid for site I and site II, respectively. Energy
      transfer efficiency and distance between bovine serum albumin and propidium
      iodide have been determined using Forster mechanism. Structural stabilization or
      destabilization of protein by propidium iodide has been investigated by urea
      denaturation study. The circular dichroism study as well as FT-IR measurement
      demonstrates some configurational changes of the protein in presence of the dye.
      Docking studies support the experimental data thereby reinforcing the binding
      site of the probe to the subdomain IIA of bovine serum albumin. 

PMID- 24216155
TI  - Isolation, pathogenicity and disinfection of Staphylococcus aureus carried by
      insects in two public hospitals of Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil.
AB  - Currently, hospital infection is a serious public health problem, and several
      factors may influence the occurrence of these infections, including the presence
      of insects, which are carriers of multidrug-resistant bacterial species. The aim
      of this study was to isolate staphylococci carried by insects in two public
      hospitals of Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia and to identify the resistance profile,
      pathogenicity and efficacy of disinfection of the premises. A total of 91 insects
      were collected in 21 strategic points of these hospitals, and 32 isolated strains
      of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated. Based on antibiogram and Minimum
      Inhibitory Concentration results, 95% of these strains were susceptible to
      oxacillin. These strains were also evaluated for the presence of resistance genes
      encoding resistance to oxacillin/methicillin by polymerase chain reaction, but
      the sample was negative for this gene. Pathogenicity tests were performed in
      vitro biofilm formation induced by glucose, where it was found that eight
      (27.58%) strains were classified as biofilm producers and 21 (72.4%) as stronger
      producers. In addition, we performed PCR for their virulence genes: Sea
      (enterotoxin A), SEB (B), Sec (C), PVL (Panton-Valentine Leukocidin), ClfA
      (clumping factor A) and Spa (protein A). Of these, Sea, Spa PVL were positive in
      7 (21.8%), 2 (6.3%) and 1 (3.1%) samples, respectively. The analysis of cytokine
      induction in the inflammatory response of J774 macrophages by isolates from the
      two hospitals did not show statistical difference at the levels of IL-6, TNF
      alpha, IL-1 and IL-10 production. In addition, we verified the antimicrobial
      activity of disinfecting agents on these strains, quaternary ammonium, 0.5%
      sodium hypochlorite, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% sodium hypochlorite, 2%
      glutaraldehyde, Lysoform((r)), 70% alcohol solution of chlorhexidine digluconate,
      2% peracetic acid, and 100% vinegar. Resistance was seen in only for the
      following two disinfectants: 70% alcohol in 31 (96.8%) samples tested and vinegar
      in 30 (93.8%) samples. The study demonstrated the presence of resistant and
      pathogenic organisms conveyed by insects, thus suggesting improvement in efforts
      to control these vectors. 

PMID- 24216156
TI  - Chlamydia trachomatis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected men treated at a
      referral hospital for sexually transmitted diseases in the Amazonas, Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the Chlamydia
      trachomatis prevalence and to identify the demographic, behavioural and clinical
      factors associated with C. trachomatis in human immunodeficiency virus infected
      men. STUDY: This was a cross-sectional study of C. trachomatis prevalence among
      human immunodeficiency virus-infected men enrolled at the Outpatient clinic of
      acquired immunodeficiency syndrome of the Fundacao de Medicina Tropical Dr.
      Heitor Vieira Dourado in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. C. trachomatis
      deoxyribonucleic acid from urethral samples was purified and submitted to real
      time polymerase chain reaction to identify the presence of C. trachomatis.
      RESULTS: A total of 276 human immunodeficiency virus-infected men were included
      in the study. The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 12% (95% confidence
      interval 8.1%-15.7%). The mean age of the participants was 34.63 (standard
      deviation 10.80) years. Of the 276 human immunodeficiency virus-infected men, 93
      (56.2%) had more than one sexual partner in the past year and 105 (38.0%)
      reported having their first sexual intercourse under the age of 15 years. Men
      having sex with men and bisexuals amounted to 61.2% of the studied population. A
      total of 71.7% had received human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis in the last
      three years and 55.1% were using antiretroviral therapy. Factors associated with
      C. trachomatis infection in the logistic model were being single (p<0.034), men
      having sex with men (p<0.021), and having previous sexually transmitted diseases
      (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of C. trachomatis infection among
      human immunodeficiency virus-infected men highlights that screening human
      immunodeficiency virus-infected men for C. trachomatis, especially among men
      having sex with men, is paramount to control the spread of C. trachomatis
      infection.

PMID- 24216157
TI  - No surprise in the first Born approximation for electron scattering.
AB  - In a recent article it is argued that the far-field expansion of electron
      scattering, a pillar of electron diffraction theory, is wrong (Treacy and Van
      Dyck, 2012). It is further argued that in the first Born approximation of
      electron scattering the intensity of the electron wave is not conserved to first
      order in the scattering potential. Thus a "mystery of the missing phase" is
      investigated, and the supposed flaw in scattering theory is seeked to be resolved
      by postulating a standing spherical electron wave (Treacy and Van Dyck, 2012). In
      this work we show, however, that these theses are wrong. A review of the
      essential parts of scattering theory with careful checks of the underlying
      assumptions and limitations for high-energy electron scattering yields: (1) the
      traditional form of the far-field expansion, comprising a propagating spherical
      wave, is correct; (2) there is no room for a missing phase; (3) in the first Born
      approximation the intensity of the scattered wave is conserved to first order in
      the scattering potential. The various features of high-energy electron scattering
      are illustrated by wave-mechanical calculations for an explicit target model, a
      Gaussian phase object, and for a Si atom, considering the geometric conditions in
      high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.

PMID- 24216158
TI  - Maternal mortality due to pandemic influenza A H1N1 2009 virus in Colombia.
AB  - AIMS: The 2009 H1N1 pandemic illustrated the higher morbidity and mortality from
      viral infections in peripartum women. We describe clinical features of women who
      recently died of H1N1 in Colombia. METHODS: This is a case series study that was
      gathered through a retrospective record review of all maternal H1N1 deaths in the
      country. The national mortality database of confirmed mortality from H1N1 in
      pregnancy and up to 42 days after delivery was reviewed during the H1N1 season in
      2009. Women with H1N1 infections were confirmed by the laboratory of virology.
      Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were reviewed. Statistical analyses
      were performed and median values of non-parametric data were reported with inter
      quartile range (IQR). RESULTS: A total of 23 H1N1 maternal deaths were
      identified. Eighty-three percent occurred in the third trimester. None of the
      mothers who died had received influenza vaccination. The median time from symptom
      onset to the initiation of antiviral treatment was 8.8 days (IQR 5.8-9.8). Five
      fatalities did not receive any anti-viral therapy. Median PaO2/FiO2 on day 1 was
      80 (IQR, 60-98.5). All patients required inotropic support and mechanical
      ventilation with barotrauma-related complications of mechanical ventilation
      occurring in 35% of patients. CONCLUSION: In Colombia, none of the women
      suffering H1N1-related maternal deaths had received vaccination against the
      disease and most had delayed or had no anti-viral therapy. Given the lack of
      evidence-based clinical predictors to identify women who are prone to die from
      H1N1 in pregnancy, following international guidelines for vaccination and
      initiation of antiviral therapy in suspected cases would likely improve outcomes
      in developing countries.

PMID- 24216159
TI  - Evaluation of the role of first-trimester obstetric ultrasound in the detection
      of major anomalies: a systematic review.
AB  - AIM: To perform a systematic review to assess the accuracy of first-trimester
      ultrasound (US) in the diagnoses of major structural malformations in
      chromosomally normal fetuses. METHODS: References were obtained from the MEDLINE
      database, without time range limitations. For each, the risk of bias was
      evaluated and the important data were extracted. Only studies that used first
      trimester US to diagnose major structural malformations were included. We
      evaluated the sensitivity of US over a low-risk unselected population of pregnant
      women carrying euploid fetuses. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were included,
      contributing to 126,937 fetuses and 1399 major malformations. The prevalence of
      lethal and severe malformations obtained was 1.2% [95% confidence interval (CI),
      1.0-1.4]. Both averaged and pooled sensitivity, 50.0% (95% CI 44.1-55.9) and
      45.2%, respectively, presented a moderate value for first-trimester US in the
      detection of structural malformations. CONCLUSION: Based on our analysis of the
      data, the average sensitivity of first-trimester US to detect structural
      malformations was 50%. It is our conviction that US has the potential to evolve
      in this role by exploiting the natural history of malformations and the
      development of US techniques.

PMID- 24216161
TI  - Reply to: Ismail AQT, Lahiri S. Management of prelabor rupture of membranes
      (PROM) at term. J Perinat Med. 2013.

PMID- 24216162
TI  - Application of microbiological quantitative methods for evaluation of changes in
      the amount of bacteria in patients with wounds and purulent fistulas subjected to
      phage therapy and for assessment of phage preparation effectiveness (in vitro
      studies).
AB  - PURPOSE: Quantitative microbiological studies may provide important information
      required for successful phage therapy (PT), however methods for PT monitoring of
      purulent wounds and fistulas has never been reported before. Therefore our goal
      was to determine and apply microbiological quantitative methods (MQMs) for
      monitoring experimental PT. METHODS: Samples from agar plates with growing
      bacteria were collected using dry and wet sterile compresses, or swabs. After
      shaking the sample in saline the amount of bacteria in suspension was determined.
      The method was standardized. The MQM using compress was applied for comparison of
      in vitro activity of phage preparations with other agents for wound rinsing. The
      usefulness of this swabbing method was tested in the Phage Therapy Unit for
      monitoring of experimental PT of patients with chronic wounds or purulent
      fistulas. RESULTS: Minimum, maximum and standard deviation values used for
      standardization of the studied method showed that data repeatability was good;
      thus the method was used for quantitation of bacteria taken both from plates in
      vitro and patients samples. Effectiveness of phage preparations was compared to
      gentamicin in vitro. Phages were as effective as antibiotics in reducing the
      amount of bacteria on agar plates, and this effect was not only due to simple
      mechanical removal of bacteria, but dependent on their antibacterial activity. We
      have also observed that the results of bacteria quantitation may correlate with
      the local status of a wound/fistula in a particular stage of PT. CONCLUSION: The
      standardized swabbing method of bacteria quantitation can be used for PT
      monitoring. Presented MQMs are simple and may help to monitor the therapy process
      and to decide on its duration, frequency and a kind of the phage applied. They
      can also be applied in other antibacterial treatment strategies.

PMID- 24216160
TI  - Psychosocial stress in pregnancy and preterm birth: associations and mechanisms.
AB  - AIMS: Psychosocial stress during pregnancy (PSP) is a risk factor of growing
      interest in the etiology of preterm birth (PTB). This literature review assesses
      the published evidence concerning the association between PSP and PTB,
      highlighting established and hypothesized physiological pathways mediating this
      association. METHOD: The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched using
      the keywords "psychosocial stress", "pregnancy", "pregnancy stress", "preterm",
      "preterm birth", "gestational age", "anxiety", and "social support". After
      applying the exclusion criteria, the search produced 107 articles. RESULTS: The
      association of PSP with PTB varied according to the dimensions and timing of PSP.
      Stronger associations were generally found in early pregnancy, and most studies
      demonstrating positive results found moderate effect sizes, with risk ratios
      between 1.2 and 2.1. Subjective perception of stress and pregnancy-related
      anxiety appeared to be the stress measures most closely associated with PTB.
      Potential physiological pathways identified included behavioral, infectious,
      neuroinflammatory, and neuroendocrine mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Future research
      should examine the biological pathways of these different psychosocial stress
      dimensions and at multiple time points across pregnancy. Culture-independent
      characterization of the vaginal microbiome and noninvasive monitoring of
      cholinergic activity represent two exciting frontiers in this research.

PMID- 24216163
TI  - Immunosuppressive activity of an aqueous Viola tricolor herbal extract.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Heartsease (Viola tricolor L.), a member of the
      Violaceae family, has a long history as a medicinal plant and has been documented
      in the Pharmacopoeia of Europe. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties it is
      regarded as a traditional remedy against skin diseases, for example for the
      treatment of scabs, itching, ulcers, eczema or psoriasis, and it is also used in
      the treatment of inflammation of the lungs and chest such as bronchitis or
      asthma. Because T-cells play an important role in the pathological process of
      inflammatory diseases we investigated the effect of an aqueous Viola extract on
      lymphocyte functions and explored the 'active' principle of the extract using
      bioactivity-guided fractionation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An aqueous Viola extract
      was prepared by C18 solid-phase extraction. Effects on proliferation of activated
      lymphocytes (using the cell membrane permeable fluorescein dye CFSE), apoptosis
      and necrosis (using annexin V and propidium iodide staining), interleukin-2 (IL
      2) receptor expression (using fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies) and IL-2
      cytokine secretion (using an ELISA-based bead array system) were measured by flow
      cytometry. Influence on lymphocyte polyfunctionality was characterized by Viola
      extract-induced production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, as well as its influence
      on lymphocyte degranulation activity. Fractionation and phytochemical analysis of
      the extract were performed by RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The aqueous
      Viola extract inhibited proliferation of activated lymphocytes by reducing IL-2
      cytokine secretion without affecting IL-2 receptor expression. Similarly,
      effector functions were affected as indicated by the reduction of IFN-gamma and
      TNF-alpha production; degranulation capacity of activated lymphocytes remained
      unaffected. Bioassay-guided fractionation and phytochemical analysis of the
      extract led to identification of circular plant peptides, so called cyclotides,
      as bioactive components. CONCLUSION: An aqueous Viola extract contains bioactive
      cyclotides, which inhibit proliferation of activated lymphocytes in an IL-2
      dependent manner. The findings provide a rationale for use of herbal Viola
      preparations in the therapy of disorders related to an overactive immune system.
      However, further studies to evaluate its clinical potency and potential risks
      have to be performed.

PMID- 24216164
TI  - Pharmacokinetic study on costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone after oral
      administration of traditional medicine Aucklandia lappa Decne. by LC/MS/MS.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Radix Aucklandiae (RA), a well known traditional
      Chinese medicine, is widely used for treating various problems in digestive
      system. A selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography coupled
      with mass spectrometry method was first developed and validated for simultaneous
      quantification of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone in rat plasma with
      diazepam as internal standard after oral administration of RA extraction.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma samples were extracted via solid-phase extraction
      and detected by multiple-reaction monitoring mode under positive electrospray.
      Chromatographic separation was accomplished on an Agilent C18 column (2.1 mm *
      150 mm, 5 um), with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile (1:1) as the mobile phase
      at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. RESULTS: The quantification was performed using the
      transitions of m/z 233/187 for costunolide, m/z 231/185 for dehydrocostuslactone
      and m/z 285/193 for diazepam, respectively. Calibration curves were linear over
      the concentration range of 0.7-769.7 ng/mL for costunolide and 0.9-956.0 ng/mL
      for dehydrocostuslactone. The intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD%) for two
      compounds was less than 8.76% and 9.70% and the accuracy (RE%) range from 6.14%
      to 5.35%. The time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) was 10.46 h
      for costunolide, 12.39 h dehydrocostuslactone. The elimination half-time (t1/2)
      of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone was 5.54 +/- 0.81 and 4.32 +/- 0.71 (h).
      The AUC of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone was 308.83 and 7884.51
      respectively (ngh/mL). CONCLUSIONS: It was the first report for the study of
      pharmacokinetic profile of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone in rat plasma
      after oral administration of RA extract. These results provided a meaningful
      basis for better understanding the absorption of traditional medicine, RA, and
      provide useful scientific data for clinical application.

PMID- 24216165
TI  - Safety and toxicity issues associated with lead-based traditional herbo-metallic
      preparations.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Herbal and herbo-mineral preparations are being
      traditionally used in Indian medicines. The herbo-mineral preparations have
      several benefits that have been instrumental in their widespread use in treatment
      of different disorders by traditional medicinal practitioners. These include
      better stability, lower dosage, ease of storability and sustained availability.
      Naga bhasma (lead sulphide ash), a traditional Indian herbo-mineral medication
      prepared using lead and several herbal ingredients, has been used as an oral
      medicine in India for many years for the treatment of diabetes, spleen
      enlargement, diarrhoea and various skin diseases. The elaborate preparation
      protocol involved in the traditional medicines is believed to modify the toxic
      nature of the precursor (metal) and adds therapeutic value. But modern scientists
      claim that these preparations are toxic to health as they contain large amount of
      metal. Many factors such as preparation based factors, chemical nature based
      factors, vehicle used, therapy associated factors, pharmacological factors, etc,
      determine whether the traditional medicines are toxic or not. This review focuses
      on the safety and critical issues associated with Naga bhasma-a lead based
      ayurvedic medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The detailed review of literature
      about Naga bhasma apart from other lead based formulations are carried out by
      utilizing the resources including, classical Indian text books, databases such as
      Pub med, Scopus, Science direct and few other web sources. RESULTS: Though
      metallic lead is known to be toxic to the biological system, no compelling
      evidence has been put forth to suggest any toxic manifestations of Naga bhasma.
      The elemental characterization of preparations containing Naga bhasma has shown
      extremely high levels of lead content and various parameters must be taken into
      consideration in deciding the safety and critical issues present in traditional
      medicines. As there are no molecular targets available for most of the
      traditional medicine, it is difficult to assure the safety in using this
      traditional preparation. Highly intensive research encompassing physico-chemical,
      engineering as well as biological aspects need to be carried out to understand
      the applicability of such preparations in a modern context. CONCLUSION: As there
      are no molecular targets available for most of the traditional medicine, it is
      difficult to assure the safety in using this traditional preparation. Highly
      intensive research encompassing physico-chemical, engineering as well as
      biological aspects need to be carried out to understand the applicability of such
      preparations in a modern context.

PMID- 24216166
TI  - Single-agent obatoclax (GX15-070) potently induces apoptosis and pro-survival
      autophagy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: More than half of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
      patients are initially treated with curative intent, but will relapse over the
      course of their disease and have poor prognosis with a median survival of
      approximately 6months. Novel therapeutic approaches are in desperate need for
      this patient population. The anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins such as BCL-2,
      BCL-XL, and MCL-1 are involved in oncogenesis and chemoresistance and are
      overexpressed in HNSCC. Obatoclax is a small-molecule antagonist of the BH3
      binding groove of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family. We evaluated the activity of
      obatoclax against 4 HNSCC cell lines (UMSCC-1, Cal33, 1483, UMSCC-22A). METHODS:
      Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, cell cycle status by propidium iodide
      staining, and apoptosis by Annexin-V staining and immunoblotting. Autophagy was
      assessed by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. RESULTS: All four HNSCC cell
      lines were highly sensitive to single-agent obatoclax with IC50's ranging from 46
      to 177nM. Obatoclax induced apoptosis in all four HNSCC cell lines as evidenced
      by increases in sub-G1 DNA content, Annexin-V staining, and PARP cleavage. In
      addition, obatoclax induced autophagy in all 4 cell lines, and the addition of
      the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine enhanced obatoclax cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION:
      Our findings demonstrate potent monotherapeutic activity of obatoclax against
      HNSCC cells, and enhancement of this activity in the presence of chloroquine.
      This preclinical study suggests that obatoclax might have therapeutic value in
      the treatment of HNSCC, either alone or in combination with inhibitors of
      autophagy.

PMID- 24216167
TI  - A brief review of 50 years of perioperative thrombosis and hemostasis management.
AB  - Perioperative thrombosis and hemostasis management has changed dramatically over
      the past 50 years. From two anticoagulants and one anti-aggregant, the number of
      currently available drugs has recently increased several-fold, leaving clinicians
      with the problem of choosing the optimal agent. Individualized preoperative
      assessment of bleeding risk based on bleeding history and testing limited to high
      risk patients is an emerging concept. Based on the identification of risk factors
      for venous thromboembolism (VTE), pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies
      for perioperative VTE prophylaxis have had a major impact on patient outcome. For
      patients undergoing surgery who are treated with anticoagulants and anti
      aggregants, "bridging" strategies have been proposed. Bleeding management
      strategies have shifted focus from replacing lost blood volume to new approaches
      aimed at preventing blood loss, reducing the potential complications of blood
      loss, and preventing the transfusion of blood products. For some areas of
      perioperative thrombosis and hemostasis management, randomized controlled trial
      (RCT) data are emerging, but the database remains insufficient to date. Clearly,
      more RCTs need to be published for perioperative thrombosis and hemostasis
      management to become an evidence-based approach. 

PMID- 24216168
TI  - Mouse medicine and human biology.

PMID- 24216169
TI  - Modeling human hematopoietic stem cell biology in the mouse.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the immense task of supplying an organism
      with enough blood to sustain a lifespan. Much of what is known about how this
      scant population of cells can meet the varying demand of producing more than
      10(11) cells per day comes from studies conducted in an animal that is a fraction
      of our size and lives roughly 1/30th of our lifespan. The differences in
      longevity can be expected to impose different demands on a cell essential for
      existence. It is therefore unsurprising that while the mouse has proven
      invaluable in defining the organizing principals of how hematopoiesis is
      governed, mediators of cell localization as well as a range of experimental
      methods, the differences in cell cycling, DNA repair and specific molecular
      features of HSCs in humans are evident and important. Here, the utility and
      drawbacks of the mouse as an experimental model for human HSC biology are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24216171
TI  - Advances in the development of animal models of myeloid leukemias.
AB  - The ideal in vivo models for studies of leukemia pathogenesis and treatment would
      have several important features. First, these animals would have phenotypes that
      are robust and reproducible. Second, these models would reliably develop
      phenotypes that accurately recapitulate disease observed in the clinic with short
      latency and high penetrance sufficient for informative preclinical therapeutic
      studies. Leukemia models based on retroviral transduction of oncogenes followed
      by transplantation into irradiated syngeneic hosts offer a rapid and cost
      efficient way to evaluate the effects of a gene or mutation of interest but in
      some cases result in inconsistent phenotypes due to non-physiological levels of
      expression and random genomic integration. Xenotransplantation models enable the
      propagation and analysis of primary human samples but may be difficult to
      interpret due to variability of genetic background, the effects of immune
      recognition, a limited knowledge of genetic alterations in samples before and
      after xenotransplantation, and incomplete interaction with the microenvironment.
      Genetically engineered mice represent tractable models of human myeloid
      malignancies, and in many cases empower the study of the molecular pathogenesis
      of leukemia and evaluation of novel chemotherapeutics. Our understanding of the
      molecular pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies relies largely on the knowledge of
      cytogenetic abnormalities and recurrent chromosomal translocations, many of which
      have been successfully modeled in laboratory animals. In addition, as our
      knowledge of the genetics of myeloid leukemia improves with additional integrated
      profiling efforts, it will lead to more accurate animal models and facilitate
      translational efforts in the leukemia field. Here we review the most recent
      advances in the generation of mouse models of myeloid leukemias. 

PMID- 24216172
TI  - Aplastic anemia: what have we learned from animal models and from the clinic.
AB  - Aplastic anemia (AA) is currently perceived as an immune-mediated disease in
      which aberrant effector cells recognize and destroy primitive marrow elements,
      resulting in pancytopenia. The immune hypothesis is based on clinical
      observations of responsiveness of AA to immunomodulatory agents such as anti
      thymocyte globulin (ATG) and the requirement of cyclosporine to maintain
      response; evidence of an immune system in disarray provided by abnormal
      regulatory, TH1, TH17, and expanded CD8(+) T-cell populations, and animal models
      of immune-mediated marrow destruction, where many of the observed clinical and in
      vitro alterations can be confirmed and expanded. Murine models mimicking AA have
      used exposure to agents that result in marrow destruction through a direct toxic
      effect, but models that explore antigenic disparities between strains have
      resulted in immune-mediated destruction of the marrow, more closely modeling
      human AA. Many experiments in mice have helped confirm and elucidate specific
      mechanisms of marrow destruction. However, clinical development of regimens in AA
      has not relied on establishing their success in murine model. Instead, drugs and
      their combinations investigated in AA were those shown clinically to be active in
      AA, in other hematologic diseases, or in other specialties such as in
      rheumatology, and solid and bone marrow transplantation. In this review, the
      evolution of murine models and their clinical relevance in AA are discussed. 

PMID- 24216173
TI  - Re-assessment of selected Baby-Friendly maternity facilities in Accra, Ghana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) has been implemented in
      Ghana since 1995. At the end of 2011, about 325 maternity facilities in Ghana had
      been designated Baby Friendly. However, none had been re-assessed for adherence
      to the Ten Steps to successful breastfeeding (Ten Steps). The current study re
      assessed six maternity facilities in Accra for adherence to the Ten Steps and the
      International Code of Marketing of breast milk substitutes (the Code). METHODS:
      Three independent assessors performed the re-assessment using the revised
      WHO/UNICEF external re-assessment tool (ERT) between April and June, 2011. All
      sections of the ERT were implemented, except for the HIV/infant feeding section.
      Assessors interviewed 90 clinical staff of the facilities, 60 pregnant women, and
      150 women who had given birth and waiting to be discharged from the hospital.
      Additionally, observations were completed on neonate feeding and compliance with
      the Code. Data was analyzed to assess adherence to the Ten Steps and the Code.
      RESULTS: In 2010, the six facilities recorded a total of 26,339 deliveries. At
      discharge, the weighted exclusive breastfeeding rate was 93.8%. None of the
      facilities adhered completely to the Ten Steps. Overall, the rate of adherence to
      the Ten Steps was 42% (range = 30 - 70%). No facility met the criteria for Steps
      One and Two. Only Step Seven was adhered to by all facilities. Overall compliance
      with the Code was about 54%. Trained staff attrition, high client-staff ratios,
      inadequate in-service training for new staff, and inadequate support for regional
      and national program monitoring were identified as barriers to adherence.
      CONCLUSION: Poor adherence to Baby-Friendly practices in designated BFHI
      facilities was observed in urban Accra. Renewed efforts to support monitoring of
      designated facilities is recommended.

PMID- 24216170
TI  - Mouse models in bone marrow transplantation and adoptive cellular therapy.
AB  - Mouse models of transplantation have been indispensable to the development of
      bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Their role in the generation of basic science
      knowledge is invaluable and is subject to discussion below. However, this article
      focuses on the direct role and relevance of mouse models towards the clinical
      development and advances in BMT and adoptive T-cell therapy for human diseases.
      The authors aim to present a thoughtful perspective on the pros and cons of mouse
      models while noting that despite imperfections these models are obligatory for
      the development of science-based medicine. 

PMID- 24216174
TI  - Regulatory B cells: the new "it" cell.
AB  - Regulatory B cells (Breg) are a subpopulation of B cells that play a suppressive
      role in the immune system. The mechanism of how these immune cells perform their
      effects has been explored by experiments in mice and in humans. Intracellular
      staining for interleukin 10 continues to be a consistent and reproducible method
      of identifying Breg in mouse and human studies. The lack of Breg is associated
      with a worsening of several autoimmune diseases such as collagen-induced
      arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis in murine studies. The purpose of this review is to provide a
      concise summary of the role of Breg in the immune system, including the most
      recently studied cell surface markers associated with Breg, and to describe the
      role of Breg in the etiology of several autoimmune diseases, the current
      understanding of Breg development, their role in the development of autoimmune
      diseases, and their role in inducing tolerance after transplantation. 

PMID- 24216175
TI  - A more than 20% increase in deceased-donor organ procurement and transplantation
      activity after the use of donation after circulatory death.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Organ procurement and transplant activity from controlled donation
      after circulatory death (DCD) was evaluated over an 11-year period to determine
      whether this program influenced the transplant and donation after brain death
      (DBD) activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Deceased donor (DD) procurement and
      transplant data were prospectively collected in a local database for
      retrospective review. RESULTS: There was an increasing trend in the potential and
      actual DCD numbers over time. DCD accounted for 21.9% of the DD pool over 11
      years, representing 23.7% and 24.2% of the DD kidney and liver pool,
      respectively. The DBD retrieval and transplant activity increased during the same
      time period. Mean conversion rate turning potential into effective DCD donors was
      47.3%. Mean DCD donor age was 54.6 years (range, 3-83). Donors >=60 years old
      made up 44.1% of the DCD pool. Among referred donors, reasons for nondonation
      were medical contraindications (33.7%) and family refusals (19%). Mean organ
      yield per DCD donor was 2.3 organs. Mean total procurement warm ischemia time was
      19.5 minutes (range, 6-39). In 2012, 17 DCD and 37 DBD procurements were
      performed in the Liege region, which has slightly >1 million inhabitants.
      CONCLUSIONS: This DCD program implementation enlarged the DD pool and did not
      compromise the development of DBD programs. The potential DCD pool might be
      underused and seems to be a valuable organ donor source.

PMID- 24216176
TI  - MicroRNAs in T helper cell differentiation and plasticity.
AB  - Understanding how T cells generate productive and long-lasting responses, and how
      these mechanisms are dysregulated in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders is
      crucial for prevention and treatment of these diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are
      short noncoding RNA species able to suppress gene expression post
      transcriptionally. Hundreds of different miRNAs are produced in a cell starting
      from longer precursors. While the role of miRNAs has been clearly established in
      the regulation of the differentiation, proliferation and effector functions of a
      variety of immune cells, here I will focus specifically on miRNAs known to be
      involved in regulating the biology of CD4 T helper lymphocytes. 

PMID- 24216178
TI  - Prevalence of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) among patients with severe
      burns.

PMID- 24216179
TI  - Tinbergen's four questions, organized: a response to Bateson and Laland.

PMID- 24216177
TI  - Neural circuits with long-distance axon tracts for determining functional
      connectivity.
AB  - The cortical circuitry in the brain consists of structurally and functionally
      distinct neuronal assemblies with reciprocal axon connections. To generate cell
      culture-based systems that emulate axon tract systems of an in vivo neural
      network, we developed a living neural circuit consisting of compartmentalized
      neuronal populations connected by arrays of two millimeter-long axon tracts that
      are integrated on a planar multi-electrode array (MEA). The millimeter-scale node
      to-node separation allows for pharmacological and electrophysiological
      manipulations to simultaneously target multiple neuronal populations. The results
      show controlled selectivity of dye absorption by neurons in different
      compartments. MEA-transmitted electrical stimulation of targeted neurons shows
      ~46% increase of intracellular calcium levels with 20 Hz stimulation, but ~22%
      decrease with 2k Hz stimulation. The unique feature of long distance axons
      promotes in vivo-like fasciculation. These axon tracts are determined to be
      inhibitory afferents by showing increased action potential firing of downstream
      node upon selective application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to the upstream
      node. Together, this model demonstrates integrated capabilities for assessing
      multiple endpoints including axon tract tracing, calcium influx, network
      architecture and activities. This system can be used as a multi-functional
      platform for studying axon tract-associated CNS disorders in vitro, such as
      diffuse axonal injury after brain trauma.

PMID- 24216180
TI  - A role for p38 MAPK in head and neck cancer cell growth and tumor-induced
      angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
AB  - We have recently gained a remarkable understanding of the mutational landscape of
      head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the nature of the
      dysregulated signaling networks contributing to HNSCC progression is still poorly
      defined. Here, we have focused on the role of the family of mitogen activated
      kinases (MAPKs), extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun terminal kinase
      (JNK) and p38 MAPK in HNSCC. Immunohistochemical analysis of a large collection
      of human HNSCC tissues revealed that the levels of the phosphorylated active form
      of ERK1/2 and JNK were elevated in less than 33% and 16% of the cases,
      respectively. Strikingly, however, high levels of active phospho-p38 were
      observed in most (79%) of hundreds of tissues analyzed. We explored the
      biological role of p38 in HNSCC cell lines using three independent approaches:
      treatment with a specific p38 inhibitor, SB203580; a retro-inhibition strategy
      consisting in the use of SB203580 combined with the expression of an inhibitor
      insensitive mutant form of p38alpha; and short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting
      p38alpha. We found that specific blockade of p38 signaling significantly
      inhibited the proliferation of HNSCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Indeed, we
      observed that p38 inhibition in HNSCC cancer cells reduces cancer growth in tumor
      xenografts and a remarkable decrease in intratumoral blood and lymphatic vessels.
      We conclude that p38alpha functions as a positive regulator of HNSCC in the
      context of the tumor microenvironment, controlling cancer cell growth as well as
      tumor-induced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. 

PMID- 24216181
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of three scoring methods for the Davidson Trauma Scale among
      U.S. military veterans.
AB  - Self-report questionnaires are frequently used to identify PTSD among U.S.
      military personnel and Veterans. Two common scoring methods used to classify PTSD
      include: (1) a cut score threshold and (2) endorsement of PTSD symptoms meeting
      DSM-IV-TR symptom cluster criteria (SCM). A third method requiring a cut score in
      addition to SCM has been proposed, but has received little study. The current
      study examined the diagnostic accuracy of three scoring methods for the Davidson
      Trauma Scale (DTS) among 804 Afghanistan and Iraq war-era military Service
      Members and Veterans. Data were weighted to approximate the prevalence of PTSD
      and other Axis I disorders in VA primary care. As expected, adding a cut score
      criterion to SCM improved specificity and positive predictive power. However, a
      cut score of 68-72 provided optimal diagnostic accuracy. The utility of the DTS,
      the role of baseline prevalence, and recommendations for future research are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24216182
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cells versus mesenchymal stem cells combined with cord blood for
      engraftment failure after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a
      pilot prospective, open-label, randomized trial.
AB  - Engraftment failure (EF) after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
      is a serious complication. We prospectively evaluated the effects and safeties of
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alone and MSCs combined with cord blood (CB) for
      EF. Twenty-two patients were randomized to receive MSCs (MSC group; n = 11) or
      MSCs plus CB (CB group; n = 11). Patients with no response (NR) to MSCs received
      the therapeutic schedule in the CB group, and those patients with partial
      response (PR) in the MSC group and patients without complete remission (CR) in
      the CB group received another cycle of MSC treatment. Patients who did not
      achieve CR after 2 cycles of treatments received other treatments, including
      allogeneic HSCT. After the first treatment cycle, response was seen in 7 of 11
      patients in the MSC group and in 9 of 11 in the CB group (P = .635), with a
      significant difference in neutrophil reconstruction between the 2 groups (P =
      .030). After 2 treatment cycles, 16 patients achieved CR, 3 achieved PR, and 3
      had NR. No patient experienced graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). With a median
      follow-up of 345 d (range, 129 to 784 d) post-transplantation, 18 patients
      remained alive and 4 had died (3 from primary disease relapse and 1 from
      cytomegalovirus pneumonia). The 2-year overall survival, disease-free survival,
      and cumulative incidence of tumor relapse post-transplantation were 75.2% +/-
      12.0%, 79.5% +/- 9.4%, and 20.5% +/- 9.4%, respectively. Our data indicate that
      the 2 strategies are effective for EF and do not result in GVHD or increase the
      risk of tumor relapse, but the MSC plus CB regimen has a superior effect on
      neutrophil reconstruction. 

PMID- 24216183
TI  - CMV and relapse: what has conditioning to do with it?

PMID- 24216184
TI  - Long-term outcomes of alemtuzumab-based reduced-intensity conditioned
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome and acute
      myelogenous leukemia secondary to myelodysplastic syndrome.
AB  - Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with reduced-intensity
      conditioning (RIC) offers a potential cure for patients with myelodysplastic
      syndrome (MDS) who are ineligible for standard-intensity regimens. Previously
      published data from our institution suggest excellent outcomes at 1 yr using a
      uniform fludarabine, busulfan, and alemtuzumab-based regimen. Here we report long
      term follow-up of 192 patients with MDS and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
      secondary to MDS (MDS-AML) transplanted with this protocol, using sibling (n =
      45) or matched unrelated (n = 147) donors. The median age of the cohort was 57 yr
      (range, 21 to 72 yr), and median follow-up was 4.5 yr (range, 0.1 to 10.6 yr).
      The 5-yr overall survival (OS), event-free survival, and nonrelapse mortality
      were 44%, 33%, and 26% respectively. The incidence of de novo chronic graft
      versus-host disease (GVHD) was low at 19%, illustrating the efficacy of
      alemtuzumab for GVHD prophylaxis. Conversely, the 5-yr relapse rate was 51%. For
      younger patients (age <50 yr), the 5-yr OS and relapse rates were 58% and 39%,
      respectively. On multivariate analysis, advanced age predicted significantly
      worse outcomes, with patients age >60 yr having a 5-yr OS of 15% and relapse rate
      of 66%. Patients receiving preemptive donor lymphocyte infusions had an
      impressive 5-yr OS of 67%, suggesting that this protocol may lend itself to the
      incorporation of immunotherapeutic strategies. Overall, these data demonstrate
      good 5-yr OS for patients with MDS and MDS-AML undergoing alemtuzumab-based RIC
      HSCT. The low rate of chronic GVHD is encouraging, and comparative studies with
      other RIC protocols are warranted.

PMID- 24216185
TI  - Allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cell therapy (remestemcel-L, Prochymal) as a
      rescue agent for severe refractory acute graft-versus-host disease in pediatric
      patients.
AB  - Severe steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is related to
      significant mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
      Early clinical trials of therapy with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in
      pediatric patients with severe aGVHD resistant to multiple immunosuppressive
      agents showed promising results. In this study, we evaluated the risk/benefit
      profile of remestemcel-L (Prochymal), a third-party, off-the-shelf source of
      hMSCs, as a rescue agent for treatment-resistant aGVHD in pediatric patients.
      Children with grade B-D aGVHD failing steroids and, in most cases, other
      immunosuppressive agents were eligible for enrollment. Patients received 8
      biweekly i.v. infusions of 2 * 10(6) hMSCs/kg for 4 weeks, with an additional 4
      weekly infusions after day +28 for patients who achieved either a partial or
      mixed response. The enrolled patients compose a very challenging population with
      severe disease that was nonresponsive to the standard of care, with 88% of the
      patients experiencing severe aGVHD (grade C or D). Seventy-five patients (median
      age, 8 yr; 58.7% male; and 61.3% Caucasian) were treated in this study. Sixty
      four patients (85.3%) had received an unrelated hematopoietic stem cell graft,
      and 28 patients (37.3%) had received a cord blood graft. At baseline, the
      distribution of aGVHD grades B, C, and D was 12.0%, 28.0%, and 60.0%,
      respectively. The median duration of aGVHD before enrollment was 30 d (range, 2
      to 1639 d), and patients failed a median of 3 immunosuppressive agents. Organ
      involvement at baseline was 86.7% gastrointestinal, 54.7% skin, and 36.0% liver.
      Thirty-six patients (48.0%) had 2 organs involved, and 11 patients (14.7%) had
      all 3 organs involved. When stratified by aGVHD grade at baseline, the rate of
      overall response (complete and partial response) at day +28 was 66.7% for aGVHD
      grade B, 76.2% for grade C, and 53.3% for grade D. Overall response for
      individual organs at day +28 was 58.5% for the gastrointestinal system, 75.6% for
      skin, and 44.4% for liver. Collectively, overall response at day +28 for patients
      treated for severe refractory aGVHD was 61.3%, and this response was correlated
      with statistically significant improved survival at day +100 after hMSC infusion.
      Patients who responded to therapy by day +28 had a higher Kaplan-Meier estimated
      probability of 100-d survival compared with patients who did not respond (78.1%
      versus 31.0%; P < .001). Prochymal infusions were generally well tolerated, with
      no evidence of ectopic tissue formation. 

PMID- 24216186
TI  - Validity and reliability of a novel written examination to assess knowledge and
      clinical decision making skills of medical students on the surgery clerkship.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Surgery Clerkship Clinical Skills Examination (CSE) is a novel
      written examination developed to assess the surgical knowledge, clinical decision
      making, communication skills, and professionalism of medical students on the
      surgery clerkship. This study was undertaken to determine its validity. METHODS:
      Data were prospectively collected from July 2011 through February 2013.
      Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to assess score
      trend; convergent validity with National Board of Medical Examiners surgery and
      medicine subject scores, United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and
      Step 2 Clinical Knowledge scores, and evaluation of clinical reasoning and fund
      of knowledge; and the effect of clerkship order. Exam reliability was assessed
      using a modified Cronbach's alpha statistic. RESULTS: During the study period,
      262 students completed the CSE, with a normal distribution of performance. United
      States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 Clinical Knowledge score and end-of
      clerkship evaluations of fund of knowledge and clinical reasoning predicted CSE
      score. Performance on the CSE was independent of clerkship order or prior
      clerkships. The modified Cronbach's alpha value for the exam was .67.
      CONCLUSIONS: The CSE is an objective, valid, reliable instrument for assessing
      students on the surgery clerkship, independent of clerkship order.

PMID- 24216187
TI  - Do more with less: a surgery directed institutional model for resident central
      line training.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Simulation training can improve proficiency in central line
      placement, but it is expensive and resource intensive. The authors developed a 3
      phase approach to central venous catheter placement training, including an online
      module, mannequin-based simulation using a single faculty member, followed by
      department directed clinical observation. The hypothesis was that standardizing
      institutional central venous catheter placement training would maintain training
      efficiency and reduce faculty and resource demands. METHODS: Preintervention and
      postintervention assessments of the trainees' performance were collected to
      evaluate program effectiveness. Program surveys were collected to evaluate
      residents' satisfaction and comfort with the procedure. Resource utilization was
      compared between the period before program implementation and the 2 following
      years. RESULTS: Mean pretest to posttest scores for the online module improved
      significantly from 7.0 to 8.4 in 2010 and from 7.1 to 8.4 in 2011. Video
      evaluation demonstrated significant improvement across all postgraduate year
      levels. Surveys revealed high resident satisfaction and increased procedural
      confidence. Overall resource costs and faculty requirements decreased.
      CONCLUSIONS: A standardized training program for an entire institution can
      maintain quality while being more cost effective than traditional central venous
      catheter placement training.

PMID- 24216188
TI  - Hand motion patterns of Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery certified and
      noncertified surgeons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With the increasing use of simulation in surgical training there is
      an increasing need for low cost methods of objective assessment. METHODS: Hand
      motion data (3 degrees of freedom) were acquired using microelectromechanical
      gyroscope tracking devices worn on both hands during an intracorporeal
      suture/knot-tying laparoscopic task performed by FLS-certified and non-FLS
      certified surgeons. Each data sample was processed into a symbolic time series,
      and the Lempel-Ziv complexity metric was calculated for each hand for the whole
      task and the first 60 seconds of the task from the dominant hand. RESULTS: FLS
      certified surgeons had more complex hand-motion patterns. This was statistically
      significant only for the dominant hand (P = .02) but was still statistically
      significant when calculated from the first 60 seconds of the task (P = .04) and
      therefore independent of the total time taken to complete the task. CONCLUSIONS:
      Hand-motion patterns were quantified and shown to be different between FLS
      certified and non-FLS-certified surgeons using low-cost microelectromechanical
      technology and the Lempel-Ziv complexity metric.

PMID- 24216190
TI  - Patient involvement in quality improvement: is it time we let children, young
      people and families take the lead?
AB  - It is vital to involve children, young people and families in the design,
      delivery and improvement of their care. Their involvement can range from
      individuals giving feedback, such as patient stories, to collaborative work
      including patient groups and communities helping to develop and commission
      services. The methods for involving individuals and families include
      questionnaires and innovative ideas such as feedback Apps. Other methods include
      the 15 Steps Challenge which helps an organisation to view the care it delivers
      through a patients eyes and includes a 'walk around' involving a patient, carer,
      staff member and board member. The Experience Based Design approach is another
      method of reviewing a service and involves assessing how staff and patients feel
      when delivering and receiving care. Involving patient groups can be facilitated
      by working with schools and children's centres. The type of involvement will
      vary, but if carefully designed can allow meaningful participation and
      improvement of services. 

PMID- 24216191
TI  - Biodiversity, conservation biology, and rational choice.
AB  - This paper critically discusses two areas of Sahotra Sarkar's recent work in
      environmental philosophy: biodiversity and conservation biology and roles for
      decision theory in incorporating values explicitly in the environmental policy
      process. I argue that Sarkar's emphasis on the practices of conservation
      biologists, and especially the role of social and cultural values in the choice
      of biodiversity constituents, restricts his conception of biodiversity to
      particular practical conservation contexts. I argue that life scientists have
      many reasons to measure many types of diversity, and that biodiversity metrics
      could be value-free. I argue that Sarkar's emphasis on the limitations of
      normative decision theory is in tension with his statement that decision theory
      can "put science and ethics together." I also challenge his claim that multi
      criteria decision tools lacking axiomatic foundations in preference and utility
      theory are "without a rational basis," by presenting a case of a simple
      "outranking" multi-criteria decision rule that can violate a basic normative
      requirement of preferences (transitivity) and ask whether there may nevertheless
      be contexts in which such a procedure might assist decision makers. 

PMID- 24216192
TI  - This issue features research presented at the 20th RACI Research and Development
      Topics Conference in Analytical and Environ-mental Chemistry (11th-14th December
      2012, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia). Foreword.

PMID- 24216193
TI  - Applications of resistive heating in gas chromatography: a review.
AB  - Gas chromatography is widely applied to separate, identify, and quantify
      components of samples in a timely manner. Increasing demand for analytical
      throughput, instrument portability, environmental sustainability, and more
      economical analysis necessitates the development of new gas chromatography
      instrumentation. The applications of resistive column heating technologies have
      been espoused for nearly thirty years and resistively heated gas chromatography
      has been commercially available for the last ten years. Despite this lengthy
      period of existence, resistively heated gas chromatography has not been
      universally adopted. This low rate of adoption may be partially ascribed to the
      saturation of the market with older convection oven technology, coupled with
      other analytical challenges such as sampling, injection, detection and data
      processing occupying research. This article assesses the advantages and
      applications of resistive heating in gas chromatography and discusses practical
      considerations associated with adoption of this technology. 

PMID- 24216195
TI  - Phosphomolybdate-doped-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) coated gold
      nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic reduction of
      bromate.
AB  - Phosphomolybdate, H3PMo12O40, (PMo12)-doped-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)
      (PEDOT) coated gold nanoparticles have been synthesized in aqueous solution by
      reduction of AuCl4(-) using hydroxymethyl EDOT as a reducing agent in the
      presence of polystyrene sulfonate and PMo12. The resulting PMo12-doped-PEDOT
      stabilized Au nanoparticles are water soluble and have been characterized by UV
      visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemistry. Glassy
      carbon electrodes modified with these Au nanoparticles show excellent stability
      and catalytic activity towards the reduction of bromate in an aqueous electrolyte
      solution containing 10mM H2SO4 and 0.1M Na2SO4. 

PMID- 24216194
TI  - Flow injection analysis as a tool for enhancing oceanographic nutrient
      measurements--a review.
AB  - Macronutrient elements (C, N and P) and micronutrient elements (Fe, Co, Cu, Zn
      and Mn) are widely measured in their various physico-chemical forms in open
      ocean, shelf sea, coastal and estuarine waters. These measurements help to
      elucidate the biogeochemical cycling of these elements in marine waters and
      highlight the ecological and socio-economic importance of the oceans. Due to the
      dynamic nature of marine waters in terms of chemical, biological and physical
      processes, it is advantageous to make these measurements in situ and in this
      regard flow injection analysis (FIA) provides a suitable shipboard platform. This
      review, therefore, discusses the role of FIA in the determination of macro- and
      micro-nutrient elements, with an emphasis on manifold design and detection
      strategies for the reliable shipboard determination of specific nutrient species.
      The application of various FIA manifolds to oceanographic nutrient determinations
      is discussed, with an emphasis on sensitivity, selectivity, high throughput
      analysis and suitability for underway analysis and depth profiles. Strategies for
      enhancing sensitivity and minimizing matrix effects, e.g. refractive index
      (schlieren) effects and the important role of uncertainty budgets in underpinning
      method validation and data quality are discussed in some detail. 

PMID- 24216196
TI  - Electrochemical and microfabrication strategies for remotely operated smart
      chemical sensors: application of anodic stripping coulometry to calibration-free
      measurements of copper and mercury.
AB  - Remote unattended sensor networks are increasingly sought after to monitor the
      drinking water distribution grid, industrial wastewater effluents, and even
      rivers and lakes. One of the biggest challenges for application of such sensors
      is the issue of in-field device calibration. With this challenge in mind, we
      report here the use of anodic stripping coulometry (ASC) as the basis of a
      calibration-free micro-fabricated electrochemical sensor (CF-MES) for heavy metal
      determinations. The sensor platform consisted of a photo-lithographically
      patterned gold working electrode on SiO2 substrate, which was housed within a
      custom stopped-flow thin-layer cell, with a total volume of 2-4 MUL. The behavior
      of this platform was characterized by fluorescent particle microscopy and
      electrochemical studies utilizing Fe(CN)6(3-/4-) as a model analyte. The average
      charge obtained for oxidation of 500 MUM ferrocyanide after 60s over a 10 month
      period was 176 MUC, corresponding to a volume of 3.65 MUL (RSD = 2.4%). The
      response of the platform to copper concentrations ranging from 50 to 7500 ppb was
      evaluated, and the ASC results showed a linear dependence of charge on copper
      concentrations with excellent reproducibility (RSD <= 2.5%) and accuracy for most
      concentrations (<= 5-10% error). The platform was also used to determine copper
      and mercury mixtures, where the total metallic content was measurable with
      excellent reproducibility (RSD <= 4%) and accuracy (<= 6% error).

PMID- 24216197
TI  - An evaluation of ferrihydrite- and MetsorbTM-DGT techniques for measuring
      oxyanion species (As, Se, V, P): effective capacity, competition and diffusion
      coefficients.
AB  - This study investigated several knowledge gaps with respect to the diffusive
      gradients in thin films (DGT) technique for measurement of oxyanions (As(III),
      As(V), Se(IV), Se(VI), PO4(3-), and V(V)) using the ferrihydrite and MetsorbTM
      binding layers. Elution efficiencies for each binding layer were higher with 1:20
      dilutions, as analytical interferences for ICP-MS were minimised. Diffusion
      coefficients measured by diffusion cell and by DGT time-series experiments were
      found to agree well and generally agreed with previously reported values,
      although a range of diffusion coefficients have been reported for inorganic As
      and Se species. The relative binding affinity for both ferrihydrite and MetsorbTM
      was PO4(3-) ~ As(V)>V(V) ~ As(III)>Se(IV) >>> Se(VI) and effective binding
      capacities were measured in single ion solutions, and spiked synthetic freshwater
      and seawater, advising practical decisions about DGT monitoring. Under the
      conditions tested the performance of both ferrihydrite and MetsorbTM binding
      layers was directly comparable for As(V), As(III) Se(IV), V(V) and PO4(3-) over a
      deployment spanning <= 2 days for both freshwater and seawater. In order to
      return quantitative data for several analytes we recommend that the DGT method
      using either ferrihydrite or MetsorbTM be deployed for a maximum of 2 days in
      marine waters likely to contain high levels of the most strongly adsorbing
      oxyanions contaminants. The high pH, the competitive ions present in seawater and
      the identity of co-adsorbing ions affect the capacity of each binding layer for
      the analytes of interest. In freshwaters, longer deployment times can be
      considered but the concentration and identity of co-adsorbing ions may impact on
      quantitative uptake of Se(IV). This study found ferrihydrite-DGT outperformed
      Metsorb-DGT while previous studies have found the opposite, with variation in
      binding materials masses used being a likely reason. Clearly, preparation of both
      binding layers should always be optimised to produce the highest capacity
      possible, especially for seawater deployments.

PMID- 24216198
TI  - Silica-based ionic liquid coating for 96-blade system for extraction of
      aminoacids from complex matrixes.
AB  - 1-Vinyl-3-octadecylimidazolium bromide ionic liquid [C18VIm]Br was prepared and
      used for the modification of mercaptopropyl-functionalized silica (Si-MPS)
      through surface radical chain-transfer addition. The synthesized
      octadecylimidazolium-modified silica (SiImC18) was characterized by
      thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (IR), (13)C NMR and
      (29)Si NMR spectroscopy and used as an extraction phase for the automated 96
      blade solid phase microextraction (SPME) system with thin-film geometry using
      polyacrylonitrile (PAN) glue. The new proposed extraction phase was applied for
      extraction of aminoacids from grape pulp, and LC-MS-MS method was developed for
      separation of model compounds. Extraction efficiency, reusability, linearity,
      limit of detection, limit of quantitation and matrix effect were evaluated. The
      whole process of sample preparation for the proposed method requires 270min for
      96 samples simultaneously (60min preconditioning, 90min extraction, 60min
      desorption and 60min for carryover step) using 96-blade SPME system. Inter-blade
      and intra-blade reproducibility were in the respective ranges of 5-13 and 3-10%
      relative standard deviation (RSD) for all model compounds. Limits of detection
      and quantitation of the proposed SPME-LC-MS/MS system for analysis of analytes
      were found to range from 0.1 to 1.0 and 0.5 to 3.0MUgL(-1), respectively.
      Standard addition calibration was applied for quantitative analysis of aminoacids
      from grape juice and the results were validated with solvent extraction (SE)
      technique. 

PMID- 24216199
TI  - Solid phase microextraction fills the gap in tissue sampling protocols.
AB  - Metabolomics and biomarkers discovery are an integral part of bioanalysis.
      However, untargeted tissue analysis remains as the bottleneck of such studies due
      to the invasiveness of sample collection, as well as the laborious and time
      consuming sample preparation protocols. In the current study, technology
      integrating in vivo sampling, sample preparation and global extraction of
      metabolites--solid phase microextraction was presented and evaluated during liver
      and lung transplantation in pig model. Sampling approaches, including selection
      of the probe, transportation, storage conditions and analyte coverage were
      discussed. The applicability of the method for metabolomics studies was
      demonstrated during lung transplantation experiments.

PMID- 24216200
TI  - The use of a polymer inclusion membrane for separation and preconcentration of
      orthophosphate in flow analysis.
AB  - A highly sensitive flow analysis system has been developed for the trace
      determination of reactive phosphate in natural waters, which uses a polymer
      inclusion membrane (PIM) with Aliquat 336 as the carrier for on-line analyte
      separation and preconcentration. The system operates under flow injection (FI)
      and continuous flow (CF) conditions. Under optimal FI conditions the system is
      characterised by a linear concentration range between 0.5 and 1000 MUg L(-1)P, a
      sampling rate of 10h(-1), a limit of detection of 0.5 MUgL(-1)P and RSDs of 3.2%
      (n = 10, 100 MUg L(-1)) and 7.7% (n = 10, 10 MUg L(-1)). Under CF conditions with
      10 min stop-flow time and sample solution flow rate of 1.32 mL min(-1) the flow
      system offers a limit of detection of 0.04 MUg L(-1)P, a sampling rate of 5h(-1)
      and an RSD of 3.4% (n=5, 2.0 MUg L(-1)). Interference studies revealed that
      anions commonly found in natural waters did not interfere when in excess of at
      least one order of magnitude. The flow system, operating under CF conditions, was
      successfully applied to the analysis of natural water samples containing
      concentrations of phosphate in the low MUg L(-1)P range, using the multipoint
      standard addition method.

PMID- 24216201
TI  - Analysis of organic aerosols collected on filters by Aerosol Mass Spectrometry
      for source identification.
AB  - Aerosol Mass Spectrometers (AMS) are powerful tools in the analysis of the
      chemical composition of airborne particles, particularly organic aerosols which
      are gaining increasing attention. However, the advantages of AMS in providing on
      line data can be outweighed by the difficulties involved in its use in field
      measurements at multiple sites. In contrast to the on-line measurement by AMS, a
      method which involves sample collection on filters followed by subsequent
      analysis by AMS could significantly broaden the scope of AMS application. We
      report the application of such an approach to field studies at multiple sites. An
      AMS was deployed at 5 urban schools to determine the sources of the organic
      aerosols at the schools directly. PM1 aerosols were also collected on filters at
      these and 20 other urban schools. The filters were extracted with water and the
      extract run through a nebulizer to generate the aerosols, which were analyzed by
      an AMS. The mass spectra from the samples collected on filters at the 5 schools
      were found to have excellent correlations with those obtained directly by AMS,
      with r(2) ranging from 0.89 to 0.98. Filter recoveries varied between the schools
      from 40 to 115%, possibly indicating that this method provides qualitative rather
      than quantitative information. The stability of the organic aerosols on Teflon
      filters was demonstrated by analysing samples stored for up to two years.
      Application of the procedure to the remaining 20 schools showed that secondary
      organic aerosols were the main source of aerosols at the majority of the schools.
      Overall, this procedure provides accurate representation of the mass spectra of
      ambient organic aerosols and could facilitate rapid data acquisition at multiple
      sites where AMS could not be deployed for logistical reasons. 

PMID- 24216202
TI  - Liquid-liquid extraction combined with differential isotope dimethylaminophenacyl
      labeling for improved metabolomic profiling of organic acids.
AB  - A large fraction of the known human metabolome belong to organic acids. However,
      comprehensive profiling of the organic acid sub-metabolome is a major analytical
      challenge. In this work, we report an improved method for detecting organic acid
      metabolites. This method is based on the use of liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) to
      selectively extract the organic acids, followed by using differential isotope p
      dimethylaminophenacyl (DmPA) labeling of the acid metabolites. The (12)C-/(13)C
      labeled samples are analyzed by liquid chromatography Fourier-transform ion
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (LC-FTICR-MS). It is shown that this LLE
      DmPA labeling method offers superior performance over the method of direct DmPA
      labeling of biofluids such as human urine. LLE of organic acids reduces the
      interference of amine-containing metabolites that may also react with DmPA. It
      can also remove water in a biofluid that can reduce the labeling efficiency.
      Using human urine as an example, it is demonstrated that about 2500 peak pairs or
      putative metabolites could be detected in a 30-min gradient LC-MS run, which is
      about 3 times more than that detected in a sample prepared using direct DmPA
      labeling. About 95% of the 1000 or so matched metabolites to the Human Metabolome
      Database (HMDB) are organic acids. It is further shown that this method can be
      used to handle as small as 10 MUL of urine. We believe that this method opens the
      possibility of generating a very comprehensive profile of the organic acid sub
      metabolome that will be useful for comparative metabolomics applications for
      biological studies and disease biomarker discovery.

PMID- 24216203
TI  - The use of a polymer inclusion membrane in a paper-based sensor for the selective
      determination of Cu(II).
AB  - A disposable paper-based sensor (PBS) is described for the determination of
      Cu(II) in natural and waste waters at approximately 2 cents per measurement. The
      device makes use of a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) to provide the selectivity
      for Cu(II). The PIM consists of 40 wt% di(2-ethlyhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA)
      as the carrier, 10 wt% dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as a plasticizer, 49.5 wt%
      poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as the base polymer and 0.5 wt% (mm(-1)) 1-(2'
      pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as the colourimetric reagent. High selectivity under
      mildly acidic conditions (HCl, pH 2.0) is achieved for Cu(II) in the presence of
      frequently encountered metal ions in natural and waste waters such as Fe(III),
      Al(III), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Ca(II), Mg(II), and Ni(II). The laminated PBS
      consists of a PIM sensing disc (2mm in diameter) attached to the centre of a
      circular hydrophilic zone (7 mm in diameter) pretreated with 0.01 M HCl. This
      hydrophilic zone separates the sample port (a circular hole in the plastic cover)
      from the PIM sensing disc. After introducing 19.2 MUL of a sample/standard
      solution to the sample port, Cu(II) diffuses across the hydrophilic zone and is
      extracted into the PIM disc as the Cu(II)-D2EHPA complex which subsequently
      reacts with PAN to produce the red-purple coloured Cu(II)-PAN complex. The colour
      intensity of the PIM disc is measured 15 min after sample/standard introduction
      by scanning using a flatbed scanner. Under optimal conditions the device is
      characterized by a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of
      0.06 and 0.21 mg L(-1) Cu(II), respectively, with two linear ranges together
      covering the Cu(II) concentration range from 0.1 to 30.0 mg L(-1). The PBS was
      successfully applied to the determination of Cu(II) in hot tap water and mine
      tailings water.

PMID- 24216204
TI  - Analytical performance of molecular beacons on surface immobilized gold
      nanoparticles of varying size and density.
AB  - The high quenching efficiency of metal nanoparticles has facilitated its use as
      quenchers in molecular beacons. To optimize this system, a good understanding of
      the many factors that influence molecular beacon performance is required. In this
      study, molecular beacon performance was evaluated as a function of gold
      nanoparticle size and its immobilization characteristics. Gold nanoparticles of 4
      nm, 15 nm and 87 nm diameter, were immobilized onto glass slides. Each size
      regime offered distinctive optical properties for fluorescence quenching of
      molecular dyes that were conjugated to oligonucleotides that were immobilized to
      the gold nanoparticles. Rigid double stranded DNA was used as a model to place
      fluorophores at different distances from the gold nanoparticles. The effect of
      particle size and also the immobilization density of nanoparticles was evaluated.
      The 4 nm and 87 nm gold nanoparticles offered the highest sensitivity in terms of
      the change in fluorescence intensity as a function of distance (3-fold
      improvement for Cy5). The optical properties of the molecular fluorophore was of
      significance, with Cy5 offering higher contrast ratios than Cy3 due to the red
      shifted emission spectrum relative to the plasmon peak. A high density of gold
      nanoparticles reduced contrast ratios, indicating preference for a monolayer of
      immobilized nanoparticles when considering analytical performance. Molecular
      beacon probes were then used in place of the double stranded oligonucleotides.
      There was a strong dependence of molecular beacon performance on the length of a
      linker used for attachment to the nanoparticle surface. The optimal optical
      performance was obtained with 4 nm gold nanoparticles that were immobilized as
      monolayers of low density (5.7*10(11)particles cm(-2)) on glass surfaces. These
      nanoparticle surfaces offered a 2-fold improvement in analytical performance of
      the molecular beacons when compared to other nanoparticle sizes investigated. The
      principles developed in this study would assist in the design of solid phase
      molecular beacons using gold nanoparticles.

PMID- 24216205
TI  - Reprint of: Use of a mobile phone for potentiostatic control with low cost paper
      based microfluidic sensors.
AB  - By exploiting its ability to play sounds, a mobile phone with suitable software
      installed can serve the basic functions of a potentiostat in controlling an
      applied potential to oxidise ECL-active molecules, while the resultant photonic
      signal is monitored using the camera in video mode. In combination with paper
      microfluidic sensors this opens significant new possibilities for low-cost,
      instrument-free sensing. 

PMID- 24216206
TI  - Self-assembly of core-satellite gold nanoparticles for colorimetric detection of
      copper ions.
AB  - Molecule-coated nanoparticles are hybrid materials which can be engineered with
      novel properties. The molecular coating of metal nanoparticles can provide
      chemical functionality, enabling assembly of the nanoparticles that are important
      for applications, such as biosensing devices. Herein, we report a new self
      assembly of core-satellite gold nanoparticles linked by a simple amino acid l
      Cysteine for biosensing of Cu(2+). The plasmonic properties of core-satellite
      nano-assemblies were investigated, a new red shifted absorbance peak from about
      600 to 800 nm was found, with specific wavelength depending on ratios with
      assembly of large and small gold nanoparticles. The spectral features obtained
      using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) provided strong evidence for the
      assembly of the Cu(2+) ions to the L-Cysteine molecules leading to the successful
      formation of the core-satellite Cu(l-Cysteine) complex on the gold surfaces. In
      addition, a linear relationship between the concentration of mediating Cu(2+) and
      absorbance of self-assembled gold nanoparticles (GNPs) at 680 nm was obtained.
      These results strongly address the potential strategy for applying the
      functionalized GNPs as novel biosensing tools in trace detections of certain
      metal ions.

PMID- 24216207
TI  - Analytical isotachophoresis of lactate in human serum using dry film photoresist
      microfluidic chips compatible with a commercially available field-deployable
      instrument platform.
AB  - A dry film resist (DFR) chip compatible with the Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100 was
      designed and fabricated for use in the analysis of lactate in serum by chip
      isotachophoresis (ITP). The Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100 is a commercially available
      field deployable analytical instrument originally developed for the
      electrophoretic analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins. The DFR chip was designed for
      the ITP separation of lactate in human serum within 1 min and was made compatible
      with the Bioanalyzer after packaging in the plastic caddies normally used for the
      DNA chips. A 20-fold improvement in sensitivity was obtained for the DFR chips in
      comparison with the standard chips used in earlier work. The limit of detection
      and limit of quantification for lactate were 24 MUM and 80 MUM, respectively.
      This new approach enables the use of commercial platforms like the Agilent
      Bioanalyzer for new applications including the analysis of small molecules.

PMID- 24216208
TI  - Ion-exchange and hydrophobic interactions affecting selectivity for neutral and
      charged solutes on three structurally similar agglomerated ion-exchange and mixed
      mode stationary phases.
AB  - The nature and extent of mixed-mode retention mechanisms evident for three
      structurally related, agglomerated, particle-based stationary phases were
      evaluated. These three agglomerated phases were Thermo Fisher ScientificIon
      PacAS11-HC - strong anion exchange, Thermo Fisher Scientific IonPac CS10--strong
      cation-exchange PS-DVB, and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Acclaim Trinity P1silica
      based substrate, which is commercially marketed as a mixed-mode stationary phase.
      All studied phases can exhibit zwitterionic and hydrophobic properties, which
      contribute to the retention of charged organic analytes. A systematic approach
      was devised to investigate the relative ion-exchange capacities and
      hydrophobicities for each of the three phases, together with the effect of eluent
      pH upon selectivity, using a specifically selected range of anionic, cationic and
      neutral aromatic compounds. Investigation of the strong anion-exchange column and
      the Trinity P1 mixed-mode substrate, in relation to ion-exchange capacity and pH
      effects, demonstrated similar retention behaviour for both the anionic and
      ampholytic solutes, as expected from the structurally related phases. Further
      evaluation revealed that the ion-exchange selectivity of the mixed-mode phase
      exhibited properties similar to that of the strong anion-exchange column, with
      secondary cation-exchange selectivity, albeit with medium to high anion-exchange
      and cation-exchange capacities, allowing selective retention for each of the
      anionic, cationic and ampholytic solutes. Observed mixed-mode retention upon the
      examined phases was found to be a sum of anion- and cation-exchange interactions,
      secondary ion-exchange and hydrophobic interactions, with possible additional
      hydrogen bonding. Hydrophobic evaluation of the three phases revealed logP values
      of 0.38-0.48, suggesting low to medium hydrophobicity. These stationary phases
      were also benchmarked against traditional reversed-phase substrates namely,
      octadecylsilica YMC-Pac Pro C18 and neutral MUPS-DVB resin IonPac NS1-5u,
      yielding logP values of 0.57 and 0.52, respectively.

PMID- 24216209
TI  - Parallel segmented outlet flow high performance liquid chromatography with
      multiplexed detection.
AB  - We describe a new approach to multiplex detection for HPLC, exploiting parallel
      segmented outlet flow - a new column technology that provides pressure-regulated
      control of eluate flow through multiple outlet channels, which minimises the
      additional dead volume associated with conventional post-column flow splitting.
      Using three detectors: one UV-absorbance and two chemiluminescence systems
      (tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(III) and permanganate), we examine the relative
      responses for six opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) alkaloids under conventional
      and multiplexed conditions, where approximately 30% of the eluate was distributed
      to each detector and the remaining solution directed to a collection vessel. The
      parallel segmented outlet flow mode of operation offers advantages in terms of
      solvent consumption, waste generation, total analysis time and solute band volume
      when applying multiple detectors to HPLC, but the manner in which each detection
      system is influenced by changes in solute concentration and solution flow rates
      must be carefully considered. 

PMID- 24216210
TI  - Multiplexed dual second-dimension column comprehensive two-dimensional gas
      chromatography (GC * 2GC) using thermal modulation and contra-directional second
      dimension columns.
AB  - A multiplexed dual-secondary column comprehensive two-dimensional gas
      chromatography approach (GC*2GC) designed for complex sample analysis is
      introduced. The approach splits the first-dimension column effluent into two
      second-dimension columns with different stationary phases, and recombines the two
      streams into one detector post-separation. The approach produces two single two
      dimensional chromatograms for each injection. Careful manipulation of thermal
      modulator timing parameters combined with a novel contra-directional modulation
      regime facilitates this approach. A selection of 34 laboratory reference
      compounds containing n-alkanes, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters
      and halogenated hydrocarbons were analysed to demonstrate the approach. The dual
      two-dimensional chromatogram from this single detector system provides
      complementary information due to the unique selectivity of the three separation
      columns. The results of this proof-of-principle investigation provide significant
      impetus for further development of GC*2GC-MS methodology. 

PMID- 24216211
TI  - Characterisation of capillary ionic liquid columns for gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry analysis of fatty acid methyl esters.
AB  - Due to their distinct chemical properties, the application of ionic liquid (IL)
      compounds as gas chromatography (GC) stationary phases offer unique GC separation
      especially in the analysis of geometric and positional fatty acid methyl ester
      (FAME) isomers. Elution behaviour of FAME on several commercialised IL capillary
      columns including phosphonium based SLB-IL59, SLB-IL60, SLB-IL61 and SLB-IL76 and
      imidazolium based SLB-IL82, SLB-IL100, and SLB-IL111 as well as a general purpose
      column SLB-5ms, were evaluated in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
      analysis. The phases were further characterised by using a linear solvation
      energy relationship (LSER) approach according to the equivalent chain length
      (ECL) index of FAME. Among all tested IL columns, elution temperatures of
      saturated FAME increased as their McReynolds' polarity value decreased, except
      for IL60. ECL values increased markedly as the stationary phase polarity
      increased, particularly for the polyunsaturated FAME. The LSER study indicated a
      lowest l/e value at 0.864 for IL111, displaying phase selectivity towards
      unsaturated FAME, with higher peak capacity within a carbon number isomer group.
      s and e descriptors calculated from LSER were validated by excellent correlation
      with dipole moments and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies, with
      R(2) values of 0.99 and 0.92 respectively, calculated using GAUSSIAN. 

PMID- 24216212
TI  - Evaluation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with flame
      photometric detection: potential application for sulfur speciation in shale oil.
AB  - Flame photometric detection in the sulfur channel has been evaluated for sulfur
      speciation and quantification in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography
      [GC * GC-FPD(S)] for S-compound speciation in shale extracts. Signal non
      linearity and potential quenching effects were reportedly major limitations of
      this detector for analysis of sulfur in complex matrices. However, reliable
      linear relationships with correlation coefficient >0.99 can be obtained if the
      sum of the square root of each modulation slice in GC * GC is plotted vs. sulfur
      concentration. Furthermore, the quenching effects are reduced due to essentially
      complete separation of S-containing components from the hydrocarbon matrix. An
      increase of S/N of up to 150 times has been recorded for benzothiophene and
      dibenzothiophene in GC * GC-FPD when compared to GC-FPD due to the modulation
      process. As a consequence, 10 times lower detection limits were observed in the
      former mode. The applicability of the method was demonstrated using shale oil
      sample extracts. Three sulfur classes were completely separated and the target
      class (thiophenes) was successfully quantified after the rest of the sample was
      diverted to the second detector by using a heart-cut strategy. Based on the
      proposed method, 70% of the sulfur in the shale oil was assigned to the
      thiophenes, 24% to benzothiophenes, and 5% to dibenzothiophene compounds.

PMID- 24216213
TI  - Quantitation of hindered amine light stabilizers in plastic materials by high
      performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometric detection using
      electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure photoionization.
AB  - In this work new high performance liquid chromatographic methods in combination
      with mass spectrometry have been developed for the quantitation of hindered amine
      light stabilizers (HALS) which are commonly used as monomeric and oligomeric
      species for stabilization of plastic materials. These analytes are difficult to
      separate under traditional reversed phase conditions. In the present study new
      silica-based pH stable reversed phases that had become available recently were
      investigated for HALS analysis, and turned out to be well suited employing mobile
      phases at a pH of around 11 adjusted by addition of ammonia. Detection was done
      by mass spectrometry employing both time-of-flight and triple quadrupole mass
      analyzers. The performance of electrospray ionization (ESI) as well as
      atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) was investigated and compared.
      Despite the high pH of the mobile phase, an excellent ionization could be
      obtained in the positive ion mode. ESI provided slightly lower limits of
      quantitation (on average a factor of 2) in comparison with APPI. The method
      allowed the quantitation of a range of different HALS down to 0.05-0.005%
      (depending on the HALS) in polymeric materials. Sample preparation consisted in
      dissolving the sample in toluene and precipitation of the polymer with acetone.
      The procedure can be routinely applied to aging tests of plastic materials in
      order to predict the lifetime of plastic components. 

PMID- 24216214
TI  - Comprehensive sample analysis using high performance liquid chromatography with
      multi-detection.
AB  - Herein we assess the separation space offered by a liquid chromatography system
      with an optimised uni-dimensional separation for the determination of the key
      chemical entities in the highly complex matrix of a tobacco leaf extract.
      Multiple modes of detection, including UV-visible absorbance, chemiluminescence
      (acidic potassium permanganate, manganese(IV), and tris(2,2'
      bipyridine)ruthenium(III)), mass spectrometry and DPPH radical scavenging were
      used in an attempt to systematically reduce the data complexity of the sample
      whilst obtaining a greater degree of molecule-specific information. A large
      amount of chemical data was obtained, but several limitations in the ability to
      assign detector responses to particular compounds, even with the aid of
      complementary detection systems, were observed. Thirty-three compounds were
      detected via MS on the tobacco extract and 12 out of 32 compounds gave a peak
      height ratio (PHR) greater than 0.33 on one or more detectors. This paper serves
      as a case study of these limitations, illustrating why multidimensional
      chromatography is an important consideration when developing a comprehensive
      chemical detection system. 

PMID- 24216215
TI  - Towards identification of traditional European and indigenous Australian paint
      binders using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry.
AB  - We report a pyrolysis GC-MS method capable of analysing Indigenous Australian and
      European binders typically used in the manufacture of culturally important
      painted works. Eleven different traditional European binders and ten different
      Indigenous Australian binders were examined. The method allows discrimination
      between highly complex and impure lipid, resin, polysaccharide, wax, and protein
      based binders. Each was found to have characteristic pyrolysis products that were
      unique to the binder material, demonstrating the potential for differentiation of
      these binders on Australian Aboriginal artworks towards identification and
      conservation of cultural heritage. 

PMID- 24216216
TI  - Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress response
      is associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB) might participate in the
      pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, the
      exact mechanism of polyp formation in CRSwNP remains unclear. Since the
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is closely associated with chronic
      inflammation, we investigated the association between ER stress and SEB in the
      pathogenesis of CRSwNP. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-three CRSwNP patients with
      eosinophilic polyps (EP) or non-eosinophilic polyps (NEP) and 10 healthy subjects
      who were undergoing septoplasty were enrolled in this study. ER stress response
      was investigated using immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.
      RESULTS: We show in this study that there are significantly more SEB-positive
      cells and higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the epithelial
      layer of EP than NEP or control tissue. Both SEB and protein A were detected
      strongly in tissues from patients with CRSwNP. We observed SEB induced the ER
      stress response in RPMI 2650 cells. GRP78 elevation by SEB was reduced by ROS
      scavenger pretreatment. In addition, the induction of GRP78 and p47 phox was
      increased significantly in EP compared with NEP or control mucosa. CONCLUSIONS:
      SEB may induce ER stress via ROS production in CRSwNP. Therefore, we suggest that
      SEB-induced ER stress may play important roles in the pathogenesis of nasal
      polyposis.

PMID- 24216217
TI  - Treating Alzheimer's disease with monoclonal antibodies: current status and
      outlook for the future.
AB  - In the past decade, Alzheimer's disease drug discovery has been directed at
      'disease modifying drugs' that are able to counteract the progression of
      Alzheimer's disease by intervening in specific parts of its neuropathological
      process. Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) may be able to
      clear toxic amyloid-beta species either directly or through microglia or
      complement activation, thereby halting the amyloid cascade and preventing
      neurodegeneration and cognitive and functional decline. Thus far, results from
      two large phase 3 trial programs with bapineuzumab and solaneuzumab,
      respectively, have brought rather disappointing results. Possible explanations
      could be that these compounds were either targeting the wrong amyloid-beta
      species, or were given too late in the disease process. Several new mAbs
      targeting various amyloid-beta epitopes are now being tested in ongoing phase 2
      and 3 clinical trials. The present review discusses the various mAbs aimed at
      amyloid-beta, summarizes trial results and provides an outlook for the future. 

PMID- 24216220
TI  - The role of red cell distribution width in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: a
      retrospective case-controlled study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to seek whether red cell distribution width
      (RDW) has a role in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. It was also aimed to
      show the relationship of RDW with leukocyte count and C-reactive protein (CRP)
      level. METHODS: This study was conducted via retrospective assessment of the
      hospital records of the adult patients who were operated for acute appendicitis
      between January 2010 and February 2013 and had a pathology report that confirmed
      the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The patients in the control group were
      selected from healthy adults of similar age who applied to check-up clinic. Age,
      gender, leukocyte count, CRP, and RDW values were recorded. This study is a case
      controlled retrospective clinical study. RESULTS: A total of 590 patients in the
      acute appendicitis group and 121 patients in the control group were included,
      making up a total of 711 subjects. The mean RDW levels were 15.4 +/- 1.5% in the
      acute appendicitis group, while 15.9 +/- 1.4% in the control group. CRP,
      leukocyte count were significantly higher in the acute appendicitis group, and
      RDW level were significantly lower in the acute appendicitis group (p < 0.001, p
      < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). RDW, leukocyte count, and CRP had a
      sensitivity and specificity of 47% and 67%; 91% and 74%; and 97% and 41%,
      respectively in acute appendicitis. RDW was not correlated with CRP and leukocyte
      levels. However, we found a correlation between CRP and leukocyte levels.
      CONCLUSION: RDW level was lower in patients with acute appendicitis. The
      magnitude of difference in RDW seen between acute appendicitis and controls was
      so slight as to be of no utility in diagnostic testing.

PMID- 24216219
TI  - A randomized trial of the clinical utility of genetic testing for obesity: design
      and implementation considerations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity rates in the United States have escalated in recent decades
      and present a major challenge in public health prevention efforts. Currently,
      testing to identify genetic risk for obesity is readily available through several
      direct-to-consumer companies. Despite the availability of this type of testing,
      there is a paucity of evidence as to whether providing people with personal
      genetic information on obesity risk will facilitate or impede desired behavioral
      responses. PURPOSE: We describe the key issues in the design and implementation
      of a randomized controlled trial examining the clinical utility of providing
      genetic risk information for obesity. METHODS: Participants are being recruited
      from the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative, an ongoing, longitudinal
      research cohort study designed to determine the utility of personal genome
      information in health management and clinical decision making. The primary focus
      of the ancillary Obesity Risk Communication Study is to determine whether genetic
      risk information added value to traditional communication efforts for obesity,
      which are based on lifestyle risk factors. The trial employs a 2 * 2 factorial
      design in order to examine the effects of providing genetic risk information for
      obesity, alone or in combination with lifestyle risk information, on
      participants' psychological responses, behavioral intentions, health behaviors,
      and weight. RESULTS: The factorial design generated four experimental arms based
      on communication of estimated risk to participants: (1) no risk feedback
      (control), (2) genetic risk only, (3) lifestyle risk only, and (4) both genetic
      and lifestyle risk (combined). Key issues in study design pertained to the
      selection of algorithms to estimate lifestyle risk and determination of
      information to be provided to participants assigned to each experimental arm to
      achieve a balance between clinical standards and methodological rigor. Following
      the launch of the trial in September 2011, implementation challenges pertaining
      to low enrollment and differential attrition became apparent and required
      immediate attention and modifications to the study protocol. Although monitoring
      of these efforts is ongoing, initial observations show a doubling of enrollment
      and reduced attrition. LIMITATIONS: The trial is evaluating the short-term impact
      of providing obesity risk information as participants are followed for only 3
      months. This study is built upon the structure of an existing personalized
      medicine study wherein participants have been provided with genetic information
      for other diseases. This nesting in a larger study may attenuate the effects of
      obesity risk information and has implications for the generalizability of study
      findings. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial examines value of obesity genetic
      information, both when provided independently and when combined with lifestyle
      risk assessment, to motivate individuals to engage in healthy lifestyle
      behaviors. Study findings will guide future intervention efforts to effectively
      communicate genetic risk information.

PMID- 24216221
TI  - Months of asynchrony in offspring production but synchronous adult emergence: the
      role of diapause in an ectoparasite's life cycle.
AB  - Off-host stages of temperate zone ectoparasites must overcome two challenges:
      coping with unfavorable seasons and synchronizing their life cycles with host
      availability. In general, little is known about the seasonal cycles of insect
      ectoparasites of warm-blooded animals. The current study investigates the unusual
      phenology of a viviparous hippoboscid fly, the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi L.),
      that parasitizes boreal cervids. Despite months of asynchrony in offspring
      production, the adults emerge synchronously in mid-August across the northern
      boreal zone. We examined the role of diapause variation in the synchronization of
      life cycles by testing adult emergence success and time in relation to offspring
      birth month (October to April) and with respect to chilling time and photoperiod.
      Unexpectedly, we found that photoperiod had no role in regulating the life cycle,
      but diapause was maintained as long as pupae were exposed to cold. Pupae born
      before February needed a slightly longer exposure to high temperatures to
      terminate diapause if the cold period was short. Despite the apparent importance
      of a long period of chilling for life cycle synchrony, it was not required to
      terminate diapause. This finding of cold mainly preventing, rather than
      promoting, diapause termination is not novel among temperate insects, but it is
      rare. Slow diapause termination as a response to exceptionally long exposure to
      high, not low, temperatures seems to be a cornerstone for synchronizing the life
      cycle in the deer ked. 

PMID- 24216222
TI  - Threats and opportunities of plant pathogenic bacteria.
AB  - Plant pathogenic bacteria can have devastating effects on plant productivity and
      yield. Nevertheless, because these often soil-dwelling bacteria have evolved to
      interact with eukaryotes, they generally exhibit a strong adaptivity, a versatile
      metabolism, and ingenious mechanisms tailored to modify the development of their
      hosts. Consequently, besides being a threat for agricultural practices,
      phytopathogens may also represent opportunities for plant production or be useful
      for specific biotechnological applications. Here, we illustrate this idea by
      reviewing the pathogenic strategies and the (potential) uses of five very
      different (hemi)biotrophic plant pathogenic bacteria: Agrobacterium tumefaciens,
      A. rhizogenes, Rhodococcus fascians, scab-inducing Streptomyces spp., and
      Pseudomonas syringae. 

PMID- 24216218
TI  - Recruitment and retention of participants for an international type 1 diabetes
      prevention trial: a coordinators' perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Trial to Reduce Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus in the
      Genetically at Risk (TRIGR) is the first multicenter international type 1
      diabetes (T1D) prevention trial to be undertaken. A unique feature of TRIGR has
      been recruitment of eligible pregnant women and enrollment of newborns for long
      term follow-up assessments. PURPOSE: Our purpose is to summarize the recruitment
      and retention strategies used to conduct TRIGR from the perspective of the study
      coordinators. METHODS: TRIGR was designed to test whether weaning to formula
      containing hydrolyzed versus intact cow's milk protein would be efficacious in
      decreasing risk for development of T1D-associated autoantibodies and T1D among
      infants identified to be at increased risk for T1D based on their human leukocyte
      antigen (HLA) profile and family history. Multiple strategies tailored to local
      issues were required to enroll and follow the target number of infants. RESULTS:
      This study was conducted in the United States, Canada, Australia, and 12
      countries in Europe. Of the 5606 mothers registered worldwide, 5000 of their
      infants were randomized. Of these, 2159 were HLA eligible and enrolled in the 8
      month intervention and 10-year follow-up phases of this study. The TRIGR study
      met the accrual goal after 4.7 years of recruitment, 2.7 years longer than
      projected initially. Challenges included difficulty in finding fathers with T1D,
      a higher than expected rate of premature delivery among T1D mothers, and
      implementation of new privacy regulations mid-trial. The majority of participants
      were recruited from primary care antenatal clinics located near the study centers
      and from a general hospital or pediatric center that was affiliated with a TRIGR
      Study center. Internet and magazine advertisements were found to be useful for
      recruitment of families. Alternative follow-up strategies are offered to families
      who wish to reduce or discontinue participation. LIMITATIONS: Our experience is
      limited to a single international multicenter trial. CONCLUSIONS: TRIGR
      coordinators played key roles in the recruitment and intervention periods and
      continue to be instrumental in retaining families and children during the 10-year
      follow-up period for each child.

PMID- 24216224
TI  - The heterothallic sugarbeet pathogen Cercospora beticola contains exon fragments
      of both MAT genes that are homogenized by concerted evolution.
AB  - Dothideomycetes is one of the most ecologically diverse and economically
      important classes of fungi. Sexual reproduction in this group is governed by
      mating type (MAT) genes at the MAT1 locus. Self-sterile (heterothallic) species
      contain one of two genes at MAT1 (MAT1-1-1 or MAT1-2-1) and only isolates of
      opposite mating type are sexually compatible. In contrast, self-fertile
      (homothallic) species contain both MAT genes at MAT1. Knowledge of the
      reproductive capacities of plant pathogens are of particular interest because
      recombining populations tend to be more difficult to manage in agricultural
      settings. In this study, we sequenced MAT1 in the heterothallic Dothideomycete
      fungus Cercospora beticola to gain insight into the reproductive capabilities of
      this important plant pathogen. In addition to the expected MAT gene at MAT1, each
      isolate contained fragments of both MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 at ostensibly random
      loci across the genome. When MAT fragments from each locus were manually
      assembled, they reconstituted MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 exons with high identity,
      suggesting a retroposition event occurred in a homothallic ancestor in which both
      MAT genes were fused. The genome sequences of related taxa revealed that MAT gene
      fragment pattern of Cercospora zeae-maydis was analogous to C. beticola. In
      contrast, the genome of more distantly related Mycosphaerella graminicola did not
      contain MAT fragments. Although fragments occurred in syntenic regions of the C.
      beticola and C. zeae-maydis genomes, each MAT fragment was more closely related
      to the intact MAT gene of the same species. Taken together, these data suggest
      MAT genes fragmented after divergence of M. graminicola from the remaining taxa,
      and concerted evolution functioned to homogenize MAT fragments and MAT genes in
      each species. 

PMID- 24216223
TI  - Functional connectivity and graph theory in preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a long preclinical phase in which amyloid and tau
      cerebral pathology accumulate without producing cognitive symptoms. Resting state
      functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging has demonstrated that brain
      networks degrade during symptomatic AD. It is unclear to what extent these
      degradations exist before symptomatic onset. In this study, we investigated graph
      theory metrics of functional integration (path length), functional segregation
      (clustering coefficient), and functional distinctness (modularity) as a function
      of disease severity. Further, we assessed whether these graph metrics were
      affected in cognitively normal participants with cerebrospinal fluid evidence of
      preclinical AD. Clustering coefficient and modularity, but not path length, were
      reduced in AD. Cognitively normal participants who harbored AD biomarker
      pathology also showed reduced values in these graph measures, demonstrating brain
      changes similar to, but smaller than, symptomatic AD. Only modularity was
      significantly affected by age. We also demonstrate that AD has a particular
      effect on hub-like regions in the brain. We conclude that AD causes large-scale
      disconnection that is present before onset of symptoms. 

PMID- 24216225
TI  - Current challenges and clinical investigations of epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR)- and ErbB family-targeted agents in the treatment of head and
      neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
AB  - Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a common
      characteristic of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Cetuximab is a
      chimeric anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb) with multiple approved indications
      in HNSCC, including with radiation therapy (RT) for locoregionally advanced
      disease, as monotherapy after platinum progression, and with platinum/5
      fluorouracil for recurrent or metastatic disease. There remain, however, numerous
      unanswered questions regarding the optimal use of cetuximab in HNSCC, including
      patient selection, its mechanisms of action and resistance, the effect of human
      papillomavirus status on outcomes, its role when combined with induction
      chemotherapy or adjuvant radiation, and optimal management of skin toxicity and
      hypersensitivity reactions. In addition, a variety of other anti-EGFR agents (the
      multitargeted small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs] lapatinib,
      dacomitinib, and afatinib and the anti-EGFR mAbs zalutumumab, nimotuzumab, and
      panitumumab) are currently under investigation in phase II and III clinical
      trials in different HNSCC therapeutic settings. The anti-EGFR TKI erlotinib is
      currently in phase III development for oral cancer prevention. Numerous other
      drugs are in earlier stages of development for HNSCC treatment, including novel
      anti-EGFR mAbs (MEHD7945A, necitumumab, and RO5083945), small-molecule TKIs
      (vandetanib, icotinib, and CUDC-101), EGFR antisense, various add-on therapies to
      radiation and chemotherapy (bevacizumab, interleukin-12, lenalidomide, alisertib,
      and VTX-2337), and drugs (temsirolimus, everolimus, OSI-906, dasatinib, and PX
      866) intended to overcome resistance to anti-EGFR agents. Overall, a wealth of
      clinical trial data is expected in the coming years, with the potential to modify
      significantly the approach to anti-EGFR therapy for HNSCC. 

PMID- 24216226
TI  - Liposomal nanomedicines in the treatment of prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the most common cancer type and the second leading cause of
      death from cancer in males. In most cases, no curative treatment options are
      available for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer as these tumors are
      highly resistant to chemotherapy. Targeted drug delivery, using liposomal drug
      delivery systems, is an attractive approach to enhance the efficacy of anticancer
      drugs and prevent side effects, thereby potentially increasing the therapeutic
      index. In most preclinical prostate cancer studies, passive liposomal targeting
      of anticancer drugs (caused by enhanced permeability and retention of the
      therapeutic compound) leads to an increased antitumor efficacy and decreased side
      effects compared to non-targeted drugs. As a result, the total effective dose of
      anticancer drugs can be substantially decreased. Active (ligand-mediated)
      liposomal targeting of tumor cells and/or tumor-associated stromal cells display
      beneficial effects, but only limited preclinical studies were reported. To date,
      clinical studies in prostate carcinoma have been performed with liposomal
      doxorubicin only. These studies showed that long-circulating, PEGylated,
      liposomal doxorubicin generally outperforms conventional short-circulating
      liposomal doxorubicin, stressing the importance of passive tumor targeting for
      this drug in prostate carcinoma. In this review, we provide an overview of the
      (pre)clinical studies that focus on liposomal drug delivery in prostate
      carcinoma. 

PMID- 24216227
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23790348.

PMID- 24216228
TI  - A mathematical model to predict the effect of heat recovery on the wastewater
      temperature in sewers.
AB  - Raw wastewater contains considerable amounts of energy that can be recovered by
      means of a heat pump and a heat exchanger installed in the sewer. The technique
      is well established, and there are approximately 50 facilities in Switzerland,
      many of which have been successfully using this technique for years. The planning
      of new facilities requires predictions of the effect of heat recovery on the
      wastewater temperature in the sewer because altered wastewater temperatures may
      cause problems for the biological processes used in wastewater treatment plants
      and receiving waters. A mathematical model is presented that calculates the
      discharge in a sewer conduit and the spatial profiles and dynamics of the
      temperature in the wastewater, sewer headspace, pipe, and surrounding soil. The
      model was implemented in the simulation program TEMPEST and was used to evaluate
      measured time series of discharge and temperatures. It was found that the model
      adequately reproduces the measured data and that the temperature and thermal
      conductivity of the soil and the distance between the sewer pipe and undisturbed
      soil are the most sensitive model parameters. The temporary storage of heat in
      the pipe wall and the exchange of heat between wastewater and the pipe wall are
      the most important processes for heat transfer. The model can be used as a tool
      to determine the optimal site for heat recovery and the maximal amount of
      extractable heat. 

PMID- 24216229
TI  - Drivers of microbial community composition in mesophilic and thermophilic
      temperature-phased anaerobic digestion pre-treatment reactors.
AB  - Temperature-phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD) is an emerging technology that
      facilitates improved performance and pathogen destruction in anaerobic sewage
      sludge digestion by optimising conditions for 1) hydrolytic and acidogenic
      organisms in a first-stage/pre-treatment reactor and then 2) methogenic
      populations in a second stage reactor. Pre-treatment reactors are typically
      operated at 55-65  degrees C and as such select for thermophilic bacterial
      communities. However, details of key microbial populations in hydrolytic
      communities and links to functionality are very limited. In this study,
      experimental thermophilic pre-treatment (TP) and control mesophilic pre-treatment
      (MP) reactors were operated as first-stages of TPAD systems treating activated
      sludge for 340 days. The TP system was operated sequentially at 50, 60 and 65 
      degrees C, while the MP rector was held at 35  degrees C for the entire period.
      The composition of microbial communities associated with the MP and TP pre
      treatment reactors was characterised weekly using terminal-restriction fragment
      length polymorphism (T-RFLP) supported by clone library sequencing of 16S rRNA
      gene amplicons. The outcomes of this approach were confirmed using 454
      pyrosequencing of gene amplicons and fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH).
      TP associated bacterial communities were dominated by populations affiliated to
      the Firmicutes, Thermotogae, Proteobacteria and Chloroflexi. In particular there
      was a progression from Thermotogae to Lutispora and Coprothermobacter and
      diversity decreased as temperature and hydrolysis performance increased. While
      change in the composition of TP associated bacterial communities was attributable
      to temperature, that of MP associated bacterial communities was related to the
      composition of the incoming feed. This study determined processes driving the
      dynamics of key microbial populations that are correlated with an enhanced
      hydrolytic functionality of the TPAD system.

PMID- 24216230
TI  - Permeability and selectivity of reverse osmosis membranes: correlation to
      swelling revisited.
AB  - Membrane swelling governs both rejection of solutes and permeability of polymeric
      membranes, however very few data have been available on swelling in water of salt
      rejecting reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. This study assesses swelling, thickness
      and their relation to water permeability for four commercial polyamide (PA) RO
      membranes (SWC4+, ESPA1, XLE and BW30) using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and
      attenuated total reflection Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). ATR
      FTIR offered a significantly improved estimate of the actual barrier thickness of
      PA, given AFM is biased by porosity ("fluffy parts") or wiggling of the active
      layer or presence of a coating layer. Thus obtained intrinsic permeability
      (permeability times thickness) and selectivity of aromatic polyamides plotted
      versus swelling falls well on a general trend, along with previously reported
      data on several common materials showing RO and NF selectivity. The observed
      general trend may be rationalized by viewing the polymers as a random composite
      medium containing molecularly small pores. The results suggest that the
      combination of a rigid low dielectric matrix, limiting the pore size, with
      multiple hydrophilic H-bonding sites may be a common feature of RO/NF membranes,
      allowing both high permeability and selectivity. 

PMID- 24216232
TI  - Behaviour and fate of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in
      drinking water treatment: a review.
AB  - This article reviews perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)
      characteristics, their occurrence in surface water, and their fate in drinking
      water treatment processes. PFASs have been detected globally in the aquatic
      environment including drinking water at trace concentrations and due, in part, to
      their persistence in human tissue some are being investigated for regulation.
      They are aliphatic compounds containing saturated carbon-fluorine bonds and are
      resistant to chemical, physical, and biological degradation. Functional groups,
      carbon chain length, and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity are some of the important
      structural properties of PFASs that affect their fate during drinking water
      treatment. Full-scale drinking water treatment plant occurrence data indicate
      that PFASs, if present in raw water, are not substantially removed by most
      drinking water treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation,
      sedimentation, filtration, biofiltration, oxidation (chlorination, ozonation,
      AOPs), UV irradiation, and low pressure membranes. Early observations suggest
      that activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange, and high pressure membrane
      filtration may be effective in controlling these contaminants. However, branched
      isomers and the increasingly used shorter chain PFAS replacement products may be
      problematic as it pertains to the accurate assessment of PFAS behaviour through
      drinking water treatment processes since only limited information is available
      for these PFASs. 

PMID- 24216231
TI  - Extremely elevated methyl mercury levels in water, sediment and organisms in a
      Romanian reservoir affected by release of mercury from a chlor-alkali plant.
AB  - We examined mercury (Hg) biogeochemistry and biomagnification in the Babeni
      Reservoir, a system strongly affected by the release of Hg from a chlor-alkali
      plant. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in river water reached 88 ng L(-1) but
      decreased rapidly in the reservoir (to 9 ng L(-1)). In contrast,
      monomethylmercury (MMHg) concentrations increased from the upstream part of the
      reservoir to the central part (0.7 ng L(-1)), suggesting high methylation within
      the reservoir. Moreover, vertical water column profiles of THg and MMHg indicated
      that Hg methylation mainly occurred deep in the water column and at the sediment
      water interface. The discharge of Hg from a chlor-alkali plant in Valcea region
      caused the highest MMHg concentrations ever found in non-piscivorous fish
      worldwide. MMHg concentrations and bioconcentration factors (BCF) of plankton and
      macrophytes revealed that the highest biomagnification of MMHg takes place in
      primary producers. 

PMID- 24216233
TI  - Editorial: Microbial ecology.

PMID- 24216234
TI  - Optimization of interferon gamma ELISPOT assay to detect human cytomegalovirus
      specific T-cell responses in solid organ transplants.
AB  - Assessing the CMV specific CMI in transplant subjects represents a promising
      strategy to determine the risk of infection on individual basis. In this study 61
      adult CMV IgG seropositive solid organ transplant recipients were examined in
      order to improve the efficacy of CMI detection. For this purpose, pair-wise
      comparisons were conducted comparing positive control stimuli PWM and PMA/iono
      and CMV stimuli, pp65 peptide pool and whole CMV particle. Rosette pre-depletion
      of blood was also investigated for detecting CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell responses using
      the IFN-g ELISPOT assay. In the time-points 30-180 days after transplantation,
      PMA/iono produced statistically significant higher responses compared to PWM,
      probably because PMA/iono activation pathway is independent from the effect of
      immunosuppressive drugs. The data showed that 11% of transplant patients
      displayed very low or undetectable responses to pp65 peptide pool antigen while
      having sustained high responses to whole CMV particle. In addition, in all the
      subjects analyzed, CMI responses to CMV particle produced a statistically
      significant higher number of spots compared to pp65 peptide pool antigen. Rosette
      pre-depletion of whole blood proved to be effective in detecting CD4+ or CD8+ T
      cell responses similarly to flow cytometry. Taken together, the following
      recommendations are suggested to optimize the CMV-ELISPOT for transplantation
      settings: (1) use PMA/iono as positive control; (2) whole virus particle should
      be used to avoid peptide-related false negative responses; (3) a rosette pre
      depletion step may be useful to detect CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell responses. 

PMID- 24216235
TI  - High-yield soluble expression of recombinant influenza virus antigens from
      Escherichia coli and their potential uses in diagnosis.
AB  - Although antiviral drugs and vaccines have been successful for mitigating
      influenza virus infections, the lack of general technical platform for the timely
      supply of soluble and highly purified influenza viral antigens presents a serious
      bottleneck for the subsequent analysis for the effective control of the viral
      disease. Using the Escherichia coli (E. coli) lysyl tRNA synthetase (LysRS) as a
      novel fusion partner, this study reports the soluble expression of influenza
      viral proteins in E. coli host, construction of antibody library against the
      virus, and detection of anti-influenza antibodies using the expressed viral
      antigens. When influenza A and B viral proteins were fused with the LysRS, the
      fusion proteins were expressed predominantly as soluble forms and their
      production yields were high enough to be amenable to immunization protocols in
      rabbits for antibody generation. The produced antibodies showed high level
      binding specificity against the respective viral proteins, with cross-reactivity
      across heterologous viruses within the same type of influenza viruses. In
      addition, LysRS-HA fusion protein could bind specifically to anti-HA antibodies
      in the virus-infected mouse serum in widely accepted two detection methods,
      Western blot and ELISA. These results present a convenient tool for the
      production of antibodies specific to the virus as well as the rapid detection of
      influenza viral infections, ultimately contributing to the control of influenza
      viruses including highly pathogenic H5N1, pandemic H1N1, or the recent H7N9
      influenza viruses. 

PMID- 24216236
TI  - Diagnostic validity of human papillomavirus E6/E7 mRNA test in cervical
      cytological samples.
AB  - Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA tests tend to show high sensitivity, but poor
      specificity in detecting high-grade cervical lesions. This study aimed to explore
      the clinical performance of QuantiVirus((r)) HPV E6/E7 mRNA in identifying
      >=Grade 2 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Thin-prep((r)) liquid based
      cytology test (LBC) samples were collected from October 2009 to October 2011 from
      women who underwent outpatient hospital-based gynecological screening. LBC
      samples were processed for E6/E7 mRNA detection and HPV DNA detection. Of 335
      patients, 135 (40.3%) were HPV E6/E7 mRNA positive for high-risk HPV subtypes.
      The positivity rate of HPV E6/E7 mRNA increased with the severity of cytological
      and histological evaluation. An optimal cut-off value of >=567copies/ml was
      determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and positive
      predictive value and negative predictive value of cut-off value (>=567copies/ml)
      were higher than those of E6/E7 mRNA positivity only, but not significant.
      QuantiVirus((r)) HPV E6/E7 mRNA testing may be a valuable tool in triage for
      identifying >=Grade 2 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. A high specificity and
      a low positivity rate of E6/E7mRNA testing as a triage test in HPV DNA-positive
      women can be translated into a low referral for colposcopy. Studies composed of
      large population-based samples of women and with rigorous disease ascertainment,
      are needed to establish the optimal cut-off point based on ROC curve analysis. 

PMID- 24216237
TI  - The potential of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein to predict the severity and
      prognosis of cirrhotic patients with severe sepsis.

PMID- 24216238
TI  - Comments on the EMA draft guideline: final steps towards a harmonized view
      between regulators and industry.

PMID- 24216239
TI  - MODRIC - Manipulation of drugs in children.

PMID- 24216240
TI  - Mixing medicines with foods and drinks - latest regulatory considerations.

PMID- 24216241
TI  - Evidence based design of face masks for infants.

PMID- 24216242
TI  - Challenges of pediatric formulations: a FDA science perspective.

PMID- 24216243
TI  - Buccolam: the first centralized paediatric use marketing authorization.

PMID- 24216244
TI  - Successful development of an orphan drug for the pediatric population.

PMID- 24216245
TI  - Microparticulates as drug carriers for pediatric use.

PMID- 24216246
TI  - Prevention of vitamin D insufficiency in Switzerland: a never-ending story.

PMID- 24216247
TI  - European Study of Neonatal Exposure to Excipients: an update.

PMID- 24216248
TI  - Impairment of alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated calcium influx in contralateral
      carotids following balloon injury: beneficial effect of superoxide anions.
AB  - There are many evidences indicating a compensatory mechanism in contralateral
      carotids following balloon injury. Previously it was observed alpha1-adrenoceptor
      mediated hyper-reactivity and impairment of calcium influx in contralateral
      carotids 4 days after injury. At a later stage, alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated
      contraction is similar to the control and we hypothesized that downstream
      signaling was normal. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate alpha1
      adrenoceptor-mediated calcium influx in contralateral carotids 15 days after
      balloon injury. Concentration-response curves for CaCl2 in presence of the alpha1
      adrenoceptor agonist (phenylephrine), measurement of the intracellular calcium
      transient and the levels of reactive oxygen species using fluorescent dyes were
      performed in control and contralateral carotids. Phenylephrine-induced
      intracellular calcium mobilization in contralateral carotids was not altered,
      while phenylephrine-induced calcium influx was reduced in the contralateral
      artery. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, L-NAME or L-NNA, restored this
      response, but nitrite and nitrate levels were decreased in contralateral
      carotids. Additionally, a rise in oxygen free radicals was observed in
      contralateral carotids. Furthermore, Tiron, a superoxide anion scavenger,
      restored alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated calcium influx in contralateral carotids to
      the control level. Similar results were observed with the selective potassium
      channels blockers 4-aminopyridine and charybdotoxin. In conclusion, data showed
      that balloon catheter injury resulted in increased superoxide anions levels,
      activation of potassium channels (Kv and BKCa), inhibition of calcium channels
      (Cav) and preservation of alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction at a later
      stage after injury. 

PMID- 24216249
TI  - Quantitative pharmacological analyses of the interaction between flumazenil and
      midazolam in monkeys discriminating midazolam: Determination of the functional
      half life of flumazenil.
AB  - The duration of action of a drug is commonly estimated using plasma
      concentration, which is not always practical to obtain or an accurate estimate of
      functional half life. For example, flumazenil is used clinically to reverse the
      effects of benzodiazepines like midazolam; however, its elimination can be
      altered by other drugs, including some benzodiazepines, thereby altering its half
      life. This study used Schild analyses to characterize antagonism of midazolam by
      flumazenil and determine the functional half life of flumazenil. Four monkeys
      discriminated 0.178mg/kg midazolam while responding under a fixed-ratio 10
      schedule of stimulus-shock termination; flumazenil was given at various times
      before determination of a midazolam dose-effect curve. There was a time-related
      decrease in the magnitude of shift of the midazolam dose-effect curve as the
      interval between flumazenil and midazolam increased. The potency of flumazenil,
      estimated by apparent pA2 values (95% CI), was 7.30 (7.12, 7.49), 7.17 (7.03,
      7.31), 6.91 (6.72, 7.10) and 6.80 (6.67, 6.92) at 15, 30, 60 and 120min after
      flumazenil administration, respectively. The functional half life of flumazenil,
      derived from potency estimates, was 57+/-13min. Thus, increasing the interval
      between flumazenil and midazolam causes orderly decreases in flumazenil potency;
      however, across a broad range of conditions, the qualitative nature of the
      interaction does not change, as indicated by slopes of Schild plots at all time
      points that are not different from unity. Differences in potency of flumazenil
      are therefore due to elimination of flumazenil and not due to pharmacodynamic
      changes over time. 

PMID- 24216250
TI  - DataHigh: graphical user interface for visualizing and interacting with high
      dimensional neural activity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Analyzing and interpreting the activity of a heterogeneous population
      of neurons can be challenging, especially as the number of neurons, experimental
      trials, and experimental conditions increases. One approach is to extract a set
      of latent variables that succinctly captures the prominent co-fluctuation
      patterns across the neural population. A key problem is that the number of latent
      variables needed to adequately describe the population activity is often greater
      than 3, thereby preventing direct visualization of the latent space. By
      visualizing a small number of 2-d projections of the latent space or each latent
      variable individually, it is easy to miss salient features of the population
      activity. APPROACH: To address this limitation, we developed a Matlab graphical
      user interface (called DataHigh) that allows the user to quickly and smoothly
      navigate through a continuum of different 2-d projections of the latent space. We
      also implemented a suite of additional visualization tools (including playing out
      population activity timecourses as a movie and displaying summary statistics,
      such as covariance ellipses and average timecourses) and an optional tool for
      performing dimensionality reduction. MAIN RESULTS: To demonstrate the utility and
      versatility of DataHigh, we used it to analyze single-trial spike count and
      single-trial timecourse population activity recorded using a multi-electrode
      array, as well as trial-averaged population activity recorded using single
      electrodes. SIGNIFICANCE: DataHigh was developed to fulfil a need for
      visualization in exploratory neural data analysis, which can provide intuition
      that is critical for building scientific hypotheses and models of population
      activity.

PMID- 24216251
TI  - Wall paintings studied using Raman spectroscopy: a comparative study between
      various assays of cross sections and external layers.
AB  - This work describes a comparative study between in situ applications of portable
      Raman spectroscopy and direct laboratory measurements using micro-Raman
      spectroscopy on the surface of small samples and of cross sections. The study was
      performed using wall paintings from different sites of the Alcazar of Seville.
      Little information was obtained using a portable Raman spectrometer due to the
      presence of an acrylic polymer, calcium oxalate, calcite and gypsum that was
      formed or deposited on the surface. The pigments responsible for different
      colours, except cinnabar, were not detected by the micro-Raman spectroscopy study
      of the surface of small samples taken from the wall paintings due to the presence
      of surface contaminants. The pigments and plaster were characterised using cross
      sections. The black colour consisted of carbon black. The red layers were formed
      by cinnabar and white lead or by iron oxides. The green and white colours were
      composed of green emerald or atacamite and calcite, respectively. Pb3O4 has also
      been characterised. The white layers (plaster) located under the colour layers
      consisted of calcite, quartz and feldspars. The fresco technique was used to
      create the wall paintings. A wall painting located on a gypsum layer was also
      studied. The Naples yellow in this wall painting was not characterised due to the
      presence of glue and oils. This study showed the advantage of studying cross
      sections to completely characterise the pigments and plaster in the studied wall
      paintings. 

PMID- 24216252
TI  - Spectral properties of highly selective chemosensor for Hg2+.
AB  - A (E)-2-(2-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)vinyl)-4H-chromen-4-ylidene)malononitrile (dye 1)
      was synthesized and its cation sensing properties in DMSO were investigated by UV
      vis spectroscopy. Upon the addition of Hg2+, the solution of dye 1 showed color
      change and the absorption band shows a formation of a 1:1 dye 1-Hg2+ coordination
      complex. The dye 1 exhibited high selectivity for Hg2+ as compared with other
      cations. Interestingly, the dye 1-F- complex also could be recovered by adding
      Hg2+. We have investigated the ability of complex formation based on the
      association constant, Kass; the binding ability for the complex formation of dye
      1-F- and Hg2+ is greater than that of the dye 1 with F-.

PMID- 24216253
TI  - Chromogenic sensing of biological thiols using squarylium dye.
AB  - A new highly selective probe for biothiols, squarylium dye (SQ), was designed and
      synthesized. The probe displayed a color change from blue to colorless upon
      reaction with biothilos such as cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy) and
      glutathione (GSH). The competition experiments revealed that no obvious
      interference was observed by performing the titration with the mixtures of Cys
      and other amino acids. The results indicated that SQ was highly selective for Cys
      detection. Moreover, SQ could also serve as a "naked-eye" probe for Cys with a
      minimum detectable concentration of approximately 4 MUM.

PMID- 24216254
TI  - Delayed drainage versus autotransfusion drainage and routine drainage after total
      knee arthroplasty: a comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research is to compare the clinical results of
      different drainage methods in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: This
      retrospective comparative study included 55 patients who accepted primary
      unilateral TKA between October 2010 and November 2012. The patients were
      classified according to the drainage method used: 25 patients in the
      autotransfusion drainage group, 12 patients in the delayed drainage group, and 18
      patients in the routine drainage group. Otherwise, the same operative procedures
      and postoperative care were applied to all patients. The variables recorded
      included total amount of postoperative drainage (including intraoperative blood
      loss); cases of allogenic blood transfusion; body temperatures on postoperative
      days 1, 3, and 7; and pre- and postoperative hemoglobin level. Some other
      elements such as postoperative swelling, range of motion, and wound healing were
      also compared. RESULTS: Patients who underwent autotransfusion were found to have
      an amount of drainage (799.2 +/- 196.7 mL) significantly greater than that in the
      routine drainage group (666.1 +/- 155.0 mL), which in turn was significantly
      greater than that in the delayed drainage group (381.7 +/- 129.2 mL). The
      postoperative hemoglobin level in the delayed drainage group (91.5 +/- 7.9 g/L)
      was similar to that in the autotransfusion group (92.0 +/- 9.6 g/L), while that
      in the routine drainage group (81.3 +/- 9.9 g/L) was significantly lower. The
      patients in the autotransfusion group were observed to have higher body
      temperatures than those in the other two groups. In the routine drainage group,
      eight cases accepted allogenic blood transfusion, and the percentage (44.4%) was
      significantly higher than that in the other two groups. There were no significant
      between-group differences in swelling, healing qualities, and range of motion.
      CONCLUSIONS: Delayed postoperative drainage may reduce blood loss and the chance
      of allogenic blood transfusion compared with routine drainage and may also reduce
      the chance of postoperative fever and extra costs compared with autotransfusion.

PMID- 24216255
TI  - Protein/energy debt in critically ill children in the pediatric intensive care
      unit: acute kidney injury as a major risk factor.
AB  - Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)
      patients. In this clinical setting, the risk of protein-energy wasting is high
      because of the metabolic derangements of the uremic syndrome, the difficulties in
      nutrient needs estimation, and the possible negative effects of renal replacement
      therapy itself on nutrient balance. No specific guidelines on nutritional support
      in PICU patients with AKI are currently available. The present review is aimed at
      evaluating the role of AKI as a risk condition for inadequate protein/energy
      intake in these patients, on the basis of literature data on quantitative aspects
      of nutritional support in PICU. Current evidence suggests that a relevant
      protein/energy debt, a widely accepted concept in the literature on adult
      intensive care unit patients with its negative implications for patients' major
      outcomes, is also likely to develop in pediatric critically ill patients, and
      that AKI represents a key factor for its development. 

PMID- 24216256
TI  - Effects of tea consumption on renal function in a metropolitan Chinese
      population: the Guangzhou biobank cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Green tea consumption has been associated with many prophylactic
      health benefits. This study examined for the first time associations between tea
      consumption and renal function in a Chinese population. DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross
      sectional baseline data including demographics, and lifestyle and weekly
      consumption of green, black, and oolong tea were analyzed from 12,428 ambulatory
      subjects aged 50 to 85 years (67.3% female) that were randomly selected from the
      membership list of a community social and welfare association in Guangzhou,
      China. INTERVENTION: Associations between tea consumption and renal function were
      assessed using regression analyses to adjust for potential confounding factors.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Renal function was assessed using the estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (eGFR) and in a subcohort of 1,910 participants using a spot
      urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio. RESULTS: Six thousand eight hundred and
      seventy-two participants drank at least 1 type of tea. Oolong tea consumption was
      negatively associated with eGFR (beta-coefficient -0.019, P = .025), but in a
      gender-stratified analysis this was not the case. In men, black tea was
      positively associated with eGFR (beta-coefficient 0.037, P = .013), but not in
      women (beta-coefficient -0.002, P = .856). Otherwise, no statistically
      significant consistent associations between the measures of renal function and
      consumption of green tea, black tea, or oolong tea individually or total tea
      consumption were identified. CONCLUSION: Overall there was no clear evidence to
      suggest any consistent association between renal function and tea consumption in
      this large population-based study of older Chinese individuals.

PMID- 24216257
TI  - Effectiveness of a nutrition education program for the prevention and treatment
      of malnutrition in end-stage renal disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, malnutrition is mainly
      addressed from a pharmacological but not educational point of view. Therefore,
      the objective of this study was to implement a nutritional education program
      (NEP) and to evaluate and compare its effectiveness in the treatment and
      prevention of malnutrition with oral supplementation (OS)-the standard treatment
      in these patients. DESIGN: This study was a longitudinal, 4-month prospective
      study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted from January to May 2012 in the
      Hemodialysis Fresenius Medical Care Clinic of Murcia. SUBJECTS: One hundred
      twenty patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis were randomly assigned to a NEP
      or to OS. INTERVENTION: Patients assigned to the NEP group followed an
      educational program for 4 months that aimed to improve general nutritional
      knowledge and included culinary recommendations and an elaboration of balanced
      menus. The OS group received a nutritional supplement during the hemodialysis
      procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was certain biochemical
      markers of nutritional and metabolic status. Nutrition knowledge was also
      evaluated. RESULTS: After 4 months of intervention, nutritional knowledge was
      increased in all patients (P < .050) after the NEP, which was reflected in a
      decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition, especially in this group. Creatinine
      clearance, total protein serum values, and other biochemical parameters improved
      significantly in both groups (P < .050 in all cases), although other parameters
      such as C-reactive protein were impaired only in the NEP group. CONCLUSION: The
      NEP was at least as effective as OS for preventing and even treating malnutrition
      in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis, improving their
      nutritional status, which may result in a long-term decrease in the mortality and
      morbidity of these patients.

PMID- 24216258
TI  - Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and effects of supplementation with
      cholecalciferol in patients with chronic kidney disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the vitamin D status, the effect of
      cholecalciferol supplementation, and the factors associated with vitamin D
      restoration in nondialytic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). DESIGN:
      The present study was a prospective open-label trial. SETTING: This study took
      place at the Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center. SUBJECTS: Patients
      with nondialytic CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 10-59 mL/min
      per 1.73 m(2)) participated in this study. INTERVENTION: Vitamin D status in 210
      CKD patients was assessed and the patients with vitamin D deficiency (<30 ng/mL)
      were administered cholecalciferol (1,000 IU/day) for 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE: The restoration rate of vitamin D deficiency at 3 and 6 months and the
      response-related factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D
      deficiency was 40.7% in CKD Stage 3, 61.5% in Stage 4, and 85.7% in Stage 5. The
      subgroup with vitamin D deficiency had a greater proportion of patients with
      diabetes, lower eGFR, and higher proteinuria. With the supplementation, 52
      patients (76.5%) reached levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) of 30 ng/mL or
      greater at 3 months, and the restoration of vitamin D was observed in 61 patients
      (89.7%) at 6 months. Lower levels of 25(OH)D and a higher amount of proteinuria
      at baseline were the factors associated with lower response to vitamin D
      supplementation. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency rate was high in nondialytic
      CKD patients, and the proportion increased as renal function decreased. A higher
      amount of proteinuria was the independent risk factor of nonresponse with
      supplementation. Vitamin D was replenished in most patients with cholecalciferol
      supplementation without any significant adverse effects.

PMID- 24216259
TI  - Dietary and pharmacological modification of fibroblast growth factor-23 in
      chronic kidney disease.
AB  - Increased levels of phosphorus and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) are
      strong predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. From a physiological
      perspective and supported by some data, phosphorus is the main driver for FGF-23
      secretion. Therefore, it is conceivable that interventions aiming at restriction
      of phosphorus uptake from the gastrointestinal tract may lower serum FGF-23
      levels and improve cardiovascular risk and subsequently survival. It is not
      currently known to what extend phosphorus and FGF-23 are independent risk
      factors, and therefore both need to be targeted. However, their respective
      metabolisms are tightly connected. Control of phosphorus levels in chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) patients is attempted mainly by restriction of dietary intake and
      the use of phosphorus binders. In this review, it is outlined that not just the
      amount of dietary phosphorus intake is important but also its type (organic vs.
      inorganic), its source (animal vs. plant derived), and the protein-to-phosphorus
      ratio in the bioavailability of phosphorus from food. This qualitative aspect of
      diet is likely a neglected aspect of dietary counseling in CKD. However, in more
      advanced stages of CKD, dietary restriction of phosphorus alone is usually not
      sufficient to control hyperphosphatemia, and phosphorus binders are indicated.
      The inexpensive, calcium-containing dietary phosphorus binders are used commonly
      worldwide. However, they are not suitable for every patient because of the
      association with elevated serum calcium, increase in vascular and valvular
      calcification scores, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The calcium
      content itself in these binders has recently been implicated to upregulate FGF
      23. For that reason, the noncalcium, aluminum-free agents such as sevelamer and
      lanthanum are being advocated. However, these drugs do not have a clearly defined
      effect on circulating levels of FGF-23. Although it is conceivable that targeting
      FGF-23 may lead to improved clinical outcomes, this remains speculative.
      Therefore, more studies are needed to answer the question if this can be achieved
      with any of the phosphorus binders, or by another (additional) pharmacological
      intervention. 

PMID- 24216260
TI  - Degradation of chlorophenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, two representative
      textile chemicals, in water by advanced oxidation processes: the state of the art
      on transformation products and toxicity.
AB  - Advanced oxidation processes based on the generation of reactive species
      including hydroxyl radicals are viable options in eliminating a wide array of
      refractory organic contaminants in industrial effluents. The assessment of
      transformation products and toxicity should be, however, the critical point that
      would allow the overall efficiency of advanced oxidation processes to be better
      understood and evaluated since some transformation products could have an
      inhibitory effect on certain organisms. This article reviews the most recent
      studies on transformation products and toxicity for evaluating advanced oxidation
      processes in eliminating classes of compounds described as "textile chemicals"
      from aqueous matrices and poses questions in need of further investigation. The
      scope of this paper is limited to the scientific studies with two classes of
      textile chemicals, namely chlorophenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, whose use in
      textile industry is a matter of debate due to health risks to humans and harm to
      the environment. The article also raises the critical question: What is the state
      of the art knowledge on relationships between transformation products and
      toxicity? 

PMID- 24216261
TI  - Effects of low molecular weight organic acids on the immobilization of aqueous
      Pb(II) using phosphate rock and different crystallized hydroxyapatite.
AB  - Understanding the effects of low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) on the
      transformation of Pb(II) to geochemically stable pyromorphite (PY) by apatite
      materials (AMs), has considerable benefits for risk assessment and remediation
      strategies for contaminated water and soil. In this study, we systematically
      investigated the immobilization of Pb(II) from aqueous solution by natural
      phosphate rock (PR) and different crystallized hydroxyapatite (HAp) in the
      absence and presence of LMWOAs (oxalic, malic and citric acids). The results
      indicated that the effectiveness of PR and HAp in immobilizing Pb(II) followed in
      descending order by HAp2 (the poorly crystallized HAp), HAp1 (the well
      crystallized HAp) and PR, regardlessof the presence of LMWOAs. The presence of
      malic and citric acids significantly decreased the immobilizationefficiency of
      Pb(II) by HAp1 and PR, clarifying the lower adsorption affinities of Pb(II)
      organic acid complexes on HAp1 and PR rather than Pb(II) ion. On thecontrary,
      oxalic acid could markedly enhance the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution by
      HAp1 and PR through the formation of lead oxalate, which was confirmed by FT-IR
      and XRDanalysis. Results also showed that LMWOAs had little promoting or
      inhibiting effect on the immobilization of Pb(II) by HAp2. This study suggested
      that the ubiquity of LMWOAs in natural environments could retard the
      transformation efficiency of Pb(II) to PY by AMs, especiallyin thepresenceof
      oxalic acid, and the poorly crystallized HAp2 had great potential to remediate
      Pb(II)-contaminated water and soil due to its insusceptibility to LMWOAs. 

PMID- 24216262
TI  - Investigation of cannabis biomarkers and transformation products in waters by
      liquid chromatography coupled to time of flight and triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - 11-Nor-9-carboxy-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) is commonly selected as
      biomarker for the investigation of cannabis consumption through wastewater
      analysis. The removal efficiency of THC-COOH in wastewater treatment plants
      (WWTPs) has been reported to vary between 31% and 98%. Accordingly, possible
      transformation products (TPs) of this metabolite might be formed during treatment
      processes or in receiving surface water under environmental conditions. In this
      work, surface water was spiked with THC-COOH and subjected to hydrolysis,
      chlorination and photo-degradation (both ultraviolet and simulated sunlight)
      experiments under laboratory-controlled conditions. One hydrolysis, eight
      chlorination, three ultraviolet photo-degradation and seven sunlight photo
      degradation TPs were tentatively identified by liquid chromatography coupled to
      quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LC-QTOF MS). In a subsequent step,
      THC-COOH and the identified TPs were searched in wastewater samples using LC
      coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with triple quadrupole. THC-COOH
      was found in all influent and effluent wastewater samples analyzed, although at
      significant lower concentrations in the effluent samples. The removal efficiency
      of WWTP under study was approximately 86%. Furthermore, THC-COOH was also
      investigated in several surface waters, and it was detected in 50% of the samples
      analyzed. Regarding TPs, none were found in influent wastewater, while one
      hydrolysis and five photo-degradation (simulated sunlight) TPs were detected in
      effluent and surface waters. The most detected compound, resulting from sunlight
      photo-degradation, was found in 60% of surface waters analyzed. This fact
      illustrates the importance of investigating these TPs in the aquatic environment.

PMID- 24216263
TI  - Development and validation of theoretical linear solvation energy relationship
      models for toxicity prediction to fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas).
AB  - The acute toxicity predictive models are vitally important for the toxicological
      information used in the ecological risk assessments. In this study, we used
      Verhaar classification scheme to group compounds into five modes of toxic action.
      The quantum chemical descriptors that characterize the electron donor-acceptor
      property of the compounds were introduced into the theoretical linear solvation
      energy relationship (TLSER) models. The predictive models have relatively larger
      data sets, which imply that they cover a wide applicability domain (AD). All
      models were developed following the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
      Development (OECD) QSAR models development and validation guidelines. The
      adjusted determination coefficient (Radj(2)) and external explained variance
      (QEXT(2)) of the models were ranging from 0.707 to 0.903 and 0.660 to 0.858,
      respectively, indicating high goodness-of-fit, robustness and predictive
      capacity. The cavity term (McGowans volume) was the most significant descriptor
      in the models. Moreover, the electron donor-acceptor (E-TLSER) models are
      comparable to the TLSER models for the toxicity prediction to fathead minnow.
      Thus, the E-TLSER models developed can be used to predict acute toxicity of new
      compounds within the AD. 

PMID- 24216264
TI  - Increased level of organochlorine pesticides in chronic kidney disease patients
      of unknown etiology: role of GSTM1/GSTT1 polymorphism.
AB  - Chronic kidney disease (CKD) of unknown etiology represents about 16% of CKD
      patients in Indian subcontinents and 10% worldwide. The aetiology of CKD of
      unknown etiology remains unclear though epidemiological studies indicate the
      involvement of the environmental toxins. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have
      been detected in general population in India. It is possible that polymorphism of
      xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) may play an important role in this
      process. In this we intend to find out blood levels of OCPs in CKD patients of
      unknown etiology and to evaluate the consequence of glutathione S-transferase
      (GST) gene polymorphism on the same. We have assessed 270 CKD patients and 270
      age-sex-matched healthy controls for this study. The blood OCP levels were
      analyzed by gas chromatograph. GSTM1, GSTT1 genotyping were carried out by
      multiplex PCR. Blood levels of HCH, endosulfan and total pesticides were
      significantly higher in CKD patients and negatively correlated with eGFR. The
      combined frequency of GSTM1(-)/GSTT1(-) genotype increased the risk of CKD by 1.8
      fold as compared to healthy controls. To find out the dependence of blood OCPs
      level on genotype, we carried out logistic regression analysis and results
      revealed that GSTM1(-)/GSTT1(-) genotype associated significantly with a number
      of OCPs namely gamma-HCH, p,p'-DDT and total pesticides. Polymorphism of XMEs not
      only increased accumulation of pesticides but also aggravates kidney dysfunction
      as evident from significant decrease in eGFR. 

PMID- 24216265
TI  - DNA damage in grasshoppers' larvae--comet assay in environmental approach.
AB  - The comet assay that provides a quantitative measure of the DNA-strand breaks may
      be used for assessing the 'genotoxic potential' of the environment. Young adults
      of Chorthippus brunneus (Orthoptera), collected at three sites in Southern
      Poland, differing in the level of pollution, particularly with heavy metals:
      Pilica (reference), Olkusz (moderately polluted) and Szopienice (heavily
      polluted) - were allowed to mate under laboratory conditions that were free from
      any pollution. Egg-pods were collected and, after diapause, brain cells from one
      day old larvae were used for the comet assay. We compared the level of DNA damage
      in the larvae originating from these sites and also measured time-dependent DNA
      repair after single 10min. application of H2O2 (20MUM final concentration). The
      DNA damage was relatively low in larval cells irrespectively of the site
      pollution their parents came from. However, measured comet parameters - tail DNA
      content (TDNA), tail length (TL), and olive tail moment (OTM) - were
      significantly higher in larvae originating from the Szopienice site than in those
      from the reference site. Incubation of cells with H2O2 resulted in significantly
      higher values of the comet parameters in the insects from all the study sites
      with the highest ones observed in the offspring of grasshoppers from Szopienice.
      Moreover, DNA repair, following the treatment, did not occur in the latter group.
      These data contribute to almost unexplored subject of genotoxic effects of
      environmental pollutants in insects. They are discussed in the light of the
      concept of adaptive strategies in energy allocation depending on the level of
      biotope pollution. 

PMID- 24216266
TI  - Cross effect of temperature, pH and free ammonia on autotrophic denitrification
      process with sulphide as electron donor.
AB  - Autotrophic denitrification is a suitable technology to simultaneously remove
      oxidised nitrogen compounds and reduced sulphur compounds yielding nitrogen gas,
      sulphur and sulphate as the main products. In this work, several batch tests were
      conducted to investigate the cross effect of temperature, pH and free ammonia on
      the autotrophic denitrification. Denitrification efficiencies above 95% were
      achieved at 35 degrees C and pH 7.5-8.0 with maximum specific autotrophic
      denitrifying activities up to 188mgN2g(-1)VSSd(-1). Free ammonia did not show any
      effect on denitrification at concentrations up to 53mg NH3-NL(-1). Different
      sulphide concentrations were also tested with stoichiometric nitrite and nitrate
      concentrations. Sulphide inhibited denitrification at concentrations higher than
      200mgS(2-)L(-1). A 50% inhibition was also found at nitrite concentrations above
      48mg NO2(-)-NL(-1). The maximum specific activity decreased until a value of
      25mgN2g(-1) VSSd(-1) at 232mg NO2(-)-NL(-1). The Haldane model was used to
      describe denitrification inhibition caused by nitrite. Kinetic parameters
      determined from the fitting of experimental data were rmax=176mgN2g(-1)VSSd(-1),
      Ks=10.7mg NO2(-)-NL(-1) and Ki=34.7mg NO2(-)-NL(-1). The obtained model allowed
      optimising an autotrophic denitrification process by avoiding situations of
      inhibition and thus obtaining higher denitrification efficiencies. 

PMID- 24216267
TI  - Physicochemical properties and biodegradability of organically functionalized
      colloidal silica particles in aqueous environment.
AB  - Engineered sub-micron particles are being used in many technical applications,
      leading to an increasing introduction into the aquatic environment. Only a few
      studies have dealt with the biodegradability of non-functionalized organic
      particles. In fact the knowledge of organically surface functionalized colloids
      is nearly non-existent. We have investigated the biodegradability of organically
      surface functionalized silica (SiO2) particles bearing technically relevant
      groups such as amino-, carboxyl-, benzyl-, sulfonate-, chloro-, and
      phosphatoethyl-derivatized alkyls. Essential physicochemical properties including
      zeta potential, isoelectric point, morphology, surface area, porosity, surface
      density, and elemental composition of the particles were investigated, followed
      by biodegradability testing using the Closed Bottle Test (OECD 301D). None of the
      particles met the biodegradability threshold value of 60%. Only a slight
      biodegradation was revealed for SiO2-Benzyl (13.7+/-6.7%) and for SiO2-3
      Chlorpropane (10.8+/-1.5%). For the other particles biodegradability was below
      the normal background fluctuation of 5%. The results were different of those
      obtained from structurally similar chemicals not being functionalized on the
      particle surface and from general rules of structure-biodegradation prediction of
      organic molecules. Therefore, our results suggest that the attachment of the
      organic groups heavily reduces their biodegradability, increases their residence
      time and possibility for adverse effects to environmental species. 

PMID- 24216268
TI  - Effects of chronic stress in adolescence on learned fear, anxiety, and synaptic
      transmission in the rat prelimbic cortex.
AB  - The prelimbic cortex and amygdala regulate the extinction of conditioned fear and
      anxiety, respectively. In adult rats, chronic stress affects the dendritic
      morphology of these brain areas, slowing extinction of learned fear and enhancing
      anxiety. The aim of this study was to determine whether rats subjected to chronic
      stress in adolescence show changes in learned fear, anxiety, and synaptic
      transmission in the prelimbic cortex during adulthood. Male Sprague Dawley rats
      were subjected to seven days of restraint stress on postnatal day forty-two (PND
      42, adolescence). Afterward, the fear-conditioning paradigm was used to study
      conditioned fear extinction. Anxiety-like behavior was measured one day (PND 50)
      and twenty-one days (PND 70, adulthood) after stress using the elevated-plus maze
      and dark-light box tests, respectively. With another set of rats, excitatory
      synaptic transmission was analyzed with slices of the prelimbic cortex. Rats that
      had been stressed during adolescence and adulthood had higher anxiety-like
      behavior levels than did controls, while stress-induced slowing of learned fear
      extinction in adolescence was reversed during adulthood. As well, the field
      excitatory postsynaptic potentials of stressed adolescent rats had significantly
      lower amplitudes than those of controls, although the amplitudes were higher in
      adulthood. Our results demonstrate that short-term stress in adolescence induces
      strong effects on excitatory synaptic transmission in the prelimbic cortex and
      extinction of learned fear, where the effect of stress on anxiety is more
      persistent than on the extinction of learned fear. These data contribute to the
      understanding of stress neurobiology. 

PMID- 24216269
TI  - "Ring" in the solo child singing voice.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Listeners often describe the voices of solo child singers
      as being "pure" or "clear"; these terms would suggest that the voice is not only
      pleasant but also clearly audible. The audibility or clarity could be attributed
      to the presence of high-frequency partials in the sound: a "brightness" or
      "ring." This article aims to investigate spectrally the acoustic nature of this
      ring phenomenon in children's solo voices, and in particular, relating it to
      their "nonring" production. Additionally, this is set in the context of
      establishing to what extent, if any, the spectral characteristics of ring are
      shared with those of the singer's formant cluster associated with professional
      adult opera singers in the 2.5-3.5kHz region. METHODS: A group of child solo
      singers, acknowledged as outstanding by a singing teacher who specializes in
      teaching professional child singers, were recorded in a major UK concert hall
      performing Come unto him, all ye that labour, from the aria He shall feed his
      flock from The Messiah by GF Handel. Their singing was accompanied by a recording
      of a piano played through in-ear headphones. Sound pressure recordings were made
      from well within the critical distance in the hall. The singers were observed to
      produce notes with and without ring, and these recordings were analyzed in the
      frequency domain to investigate their spectra. RESULTS: The results indicate that
      there is evidence to suggest that ring in child solo singers is carried in two
      areas of the output spectrum: first in the singer's formant cluster region,
      centered around 4kHz, which is more than 1000Hz higher than what is observed in
      adults; and second in the region around 7.5-11kHz where a significant
      strengthening of harmonic presence is observed. A perceptual test has been
      carried out demonstrating that 94% of 62 listeners label a synthesized version of
      the calculated overall average ring spectrum for all subjects as having ring when
      compared with a synthesized version of the calculated overall average nonring
      spectrum. CONCLUSIONS: The notion of ring in the child solo voice manifests
      itself not only with spectral features in common with the projection peak found
      in adult singers but also in a higher frequency region. It is suggested that the
      formant cluster at around 4kHz is the children's equivalent of the singers'
      formant cluster; the frequency is higher than in the adult, most likely due to
      the smaller dimensions of the epilaryngeal tube. The frequency cluster observed
      as a strong peak at about 7.5-11kHz, when added to the children's singers'
      formant cluster, may be the key to cueing the notion of ring in the child solo
      voice.

PMID- 24216270
TI  - Statistical analysis of the reliability of acoustic and electroglottographic
      perturbation parameters for the detection of vocal roughness.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to verify whether the electroglottography
      (EGG) perturbation parameters could be superior indicators to traditional
      acoustic (Ac) measures, particularly for the detection of mild vocal roughness.
      METHODS: Thirty-nine participants with muscle tension dysphonia (the MTD group),
      48 dysphonic participants with vocal fold lesions (the organic group), and 40
      nondysphonic participants (the control group) were enrolled in the study. Based
      on the severity of vocal roughness, each of the two dysphonic groups was divided
      into mildly and severely dysphonic subgroups. The Ac and EGG signals during
      sustained /e:/ phonation were recorded simultaneously. The period and amplitude
      perturbation quotients of both signals (Ac-PPQ/-APQ and EGG-PPQ/-APQ) were
      calculated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were applied to
      evaluate the discriminative capabilities. RESULTS: In the analyses between the
      control and each of the two dysphonic groups, the values of the areas under the
      curve (AUC) for EGG-PPQ were significantly higher than those for Ac-PPQ. Next,
      the ROC analyses between the control and mildly dysphonic MTD subgroup
      demonstrated that the AUC values for EGG-PPQ/EGG-APQ were significantly higher
      than those for Ac-PPQ/Ac-APQ. In the analyses of the mildly dysphonic organic
      group, the AUC value for EGG-PPQ was significantly higher than that for Ac-PPQ.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that both the period and the
      amplitude perturbation parameters of the EGG signals showed higher diagnostic
      accuracies than those of Ac signals, especially for the detection of mild vocal
      roughness. These results suggest that the EGG perturbation parameters could
      provide better information than the traditional Ac perturbations.

PMID- 24216271
TI  - Differences between self-assessment and external rating of voice with regard to
      sex characteristics, age, and attractiveness.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study investigates differences between the self-assessment and
      external rating of a person's voice with regard to sex characteristics, age, and
      attractiveness of the voice and mean fundamental frequency (F0). STUDY DESIGN:
      Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A group of 47 participants with a balanced sex
      distribution was recruited and the following data were collected:
      videostroboscopy, voice range profile, F0, self-assessment questionnaire
      (attractiveness, masculinity or femininity of voice, and appearance), Voice
      Handicap Index, and questionnaires to determine levels of depression and quality
      of life. External rating was performed by four experts and four laymen. RESULTS:
      In both sexes, fair to moderate significant correlations between the self
      assessment of masculinity (men)/femininity (women) of voice and
      masculinity/femininity of appearance could be found, but not between the self
      assessment of attractiveness of voice and appearance. In men, a statistically
      significant correlation was found between external ratings and self-assessment of
      attractiveness and, with the exception of the female rating group, of
      masculinity. In women, self-assessment of femininity and attractiveness of voice
      did not correlate to a statistically significant extent with the evaluation of
      the external rater. Additionally, the statistical correlation between estimated
      and real ages was high. CONCLUSIONS: Although the objective parameters of age and
      gender identification could be rated with a high degree of accuracy, subjective
      parameters showed significant differences between self-assessment and external
      rating, in particular in rating women's voices. Taking these findings into
      account in treatments for modifying voice could impede successful interventions.
      As one consequence, we recommend summarizing target agreements in detail before
      the treatment.

PMID- 24216272
TI  - Vocal fold atrophy in a Japanese tertiary medical institute: status quo of the
      most aged country.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Voice problems in the geriatric population are increasing worldwide.
      Since the demographic research of geriatric voice patients in Japan, the country
      of the most advanced Aging Society, is missing, the authors assessed the current
      trend of geriatric voice patients, especially patients with presbylarynx at a
      tertiary medical institute of Japan. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS:
      From a review of the medical records of newly referred patients, patients aged 65
      years and older and patients with vocal fold atrophy were selected, and
      demographic data, questionnaires, and parameters of aerodynamic and acoustic
      study, and videostroboscopy were analyzed in terms of age and gender.
      Subsequently, the difference between patients with presbylarynx and 20 vocally
      healthy elderly subjects were assessed with multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of
      1157 newly referred patients seen at the Voice Outpatient Clinic between 2006 and
      2012, patients aged 65 years and older accounted for 37% (428 patients): there
      was 7% increase during the past 7 years and the prevalence was considerably
      higher than any other previous reports. Vocal fold atrophy accounted for 11% (128
      patients) of all patients: dysphonia in patients with vocal fold atrophy
      aggravated as age advanced; there was a gender difference; and multivariate
      analysis revealed that reflux laryngitis, chronic medical condition, and vocal
      abuse were risk factors of presbylarynx. CONCLUSION: In Japan, elderly dysphonic
      patients were prevalent and rapidly increasing in recent years. Age- and gender
      related differences should receive attention. Preventive approach on risk factors
      such as reflux laryngitis, chronic medical condition, and vocal abuse should be
      considered in the management of presbylarynx.

PMID- 24216273
TI  - Simultaneous detection of 22 toxic plant alkaloids (aconitum alkaloids,
      solanaceous tropane alkaloids, sophora alkaloids, strychnos alkaloids and
      colchicine) in human urine and herbal samples using liquid chromatography-tandem
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous
      detection of 22 toxic plant alkaloids, including aconitum alkaloids and their
      hydrolyzed products (aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine, yunaconitine,
      crassicauline A, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypaconine,
      deacetylyunaconitine, deacetylcrassicauline A), solanaceous tropane alkaloids
      (atropine, anisodamine, scopolamine, anisodine), sophora alkaloids (matrine,
      sophoridine, oxymatrine, cytisine, N-methylcytisine), strychnos alkaloids
      (brucine, strychnine) and colchicine, in herbal and urine samples was developed
      and validated. Following sample preparation by liquid-liquid extraction,
      chromatographic separation was achieved on Eclipse XDB C8 column. Identification
      was based on two multiple reaction monitoring transitions and the relative ion
      intensity. Method selectivity was demonstrated. The limits of detection were
      5ng/mL for all analytes, except 50ng/mL for cytisine. The herbal matrix effects
      ranged from 89% to 118%, whereas the urine matrix effects were between 91% and
      109% for all analytes except cytisine (57%) and N-methylcytisine (67%). The urine
      extraction recovery ranged from 74% to 110% for all analytes, except cytisine
      (15%) and oxymatrine (30%). With the good extraction efficiency of the other
      major sophora alkaloids, the relatively low extraction recovery of the minor
      sophora alkaloids cytisine and oxymatrine did not affect identification of
      sophora alkaloids as a group. Carry-over was minimal at less than 0.1%. The
      method was successfully applied in analysis of 170 cases of suspected herbal
      poisoning, with aconitum alkaloids, sophora alkaloids, solanaceous tropane
      alkaloids, and strychnos alkaloids being detected in 53, 42, 18, and 6 cases,
      respectively. 

PMID- 24216274
TI  - Preclinical pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion studies of a
      potential analgesics - corydaline using an ultra performance liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - A rapid resolution ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with
      electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry method was developed and
      validated for the quantitative analysis of corydaline in rats' plasma and various
      tissues for pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion studies of
      corydaline. The analytes were separated on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column
      (2.1mm*100mm, 1.7MUm) and detected with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer
      using positive ion ESI in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The MS/MS
      ion transitions monitored were m/z 370.0->192.0 for corydaline and 354.1->188.0
      for IS, respectively. Calibration curves (1/x(2) weighted) offered satisfactory
      linearity (r(2)>0.9984) within 1-1000ng/mL. The accuracy and precision ranged
      from -7.4% to 8.5% and 3.4% to 12.8%, respectively. The absolute matrix effect
      (94.2-119.2%), relative matrix effect (1.7-9.6%) and recoveries (81.4-93.7%) were
      satisfactory in all the biological matrices examined. The assay was successfully
      applied to the plasma pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion studies
      of corydaline in rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as half-life (t1/2),
      mean residence time (MRT) and maximum concentration (Cmax) were determined. These
      preclinical data of corydaline would be useful for the clinical reference. 

PMID- 24216275
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of a novel marine fibrinolytic compound
      in Wistar rat following intravenous administrations.
AB  - We investigated a novel marine fibrinolytic compound for use in thrombolytic
      therapy. Pharmacokinetics and the tissue distribution of this novel marine
      fibrinolytic compound, FGFC1(2) (fungi fibrinolytic compound 1), were
      investigated in Wistar rats after intravenous (IV) bolus administration of two
      concentrations (10 and 20mg/kg). Plasma FGFC1 and tissue extracts were measured
      using HPLC with UV detection. FGFC1 was detected using a C18 column with a
      gradient eluted mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid),
      1.0mL/min. Chromatograms were monitored at 265nm (column temperature: 40 degrees
      C). Pharmacokinetic data indicate that FGFC1 fitted well to a two-compartment
      model. Elimination half-lives (t1/2) of FGFC1 were 21.51+/-2.17 and 23.22+/
      2.11min for 10 and 20mg/kg, respectively. AUC0-t were 412.19+/-19.09, 899.09+/
      35.86MUg/mLmin, systemic clearance (CL) was 0.023+/-0.002, 0.022+/-0.002
      ((mg/kg)/(MUg/mL)/min) and the mean residence time (MRT) was 10.15+/-0.97, 9.65+/
      1.40min at 10 and 20mg/kg, respectively. No significant differences were observed
      in the systemic clearance and mean residence time at the tested doses, suggesting
      linear pharmacokinetics in rats. Tissue distribution data reveal that FGFC1
      distributed rapidly in most tissues except the brain and that the highest
      concentration of the drug was in the liver. In the small intestine, FGFC1
      initially increased and then declined, but remained comparatively high 60min
      after administration, suggesting that enterohepatic circulation may exist. 

PMID- 24216276
TI  - Determination of naloxone-3-glucuronide in human plasma and urine by HILIC-MS/MS.
AB  - A hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (HILIC-MS/MS)
      method was developed for the direct determination of naloxone-3-glucuronide (N3G)
      in human plasma and urine. After a straightforward sample preparation by protein
      precipitation, N3G was analyzed directly without the need for hydrolysis.
      Chromatographic separation was performed on a HILIC column. The mobile phase was
      composed of acetonitrile-10mmol/L ammonium formate (86:14, v/v), with a flow rate
      of 0.4mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass
      spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode via positive electrospray
      ionisation (ESI+) source. The linear calibration range was 0.5 to 200ng/mL in
      plasma and 10 to 5000ng/mL in urine (r(2)>0.99). The intra- and inter-day
      precision (relative standard deviation, RSD) values were below 15% and the
      accuracies (relative error, RE) were -7.1% to 2.8% in plasma and -1.3% to 10.3%
      in urine at three quality control levels. In human subjects receiving 100mg
      tilidine and 8mg naloxone, mean AUC0-24 of N3G was 160.93+/-52.77ng/mLh and mean
      Cmax was 75.33+/-25.27ng/mL. In 24-h urine samples, 8.0% of the dose was excreted
      in the form of N3G in urine. These results demonstrated a new method suitable for
      in vivo pharmacokinetic studies of N3G. 

PMID- 24216277
TI  - Metabolic engineering of Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum for n-butanol
      production.
AB  - The thermophilic anaerobe Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum JW/SL-YS485 was
      investigated as a host for n-butanol production. A systematic approach was taken
      to demonstrate functionality of heterologous components of the clostridial n
      butanol pathway via gene expression and enzymatic activity assays in this
      organism. Subsequently, integration of the entire pathway in the wild-type strain
      resulted in n-butanol production of 0.85 g/L from 10 g/L xylose, corresponding to
      21% of the theoretical maximum yield. We were unable to integrate the n-butanol
      pathway in strains lacking the ability to produce acetate, despite the
      theoretical overall redox neutrality of n-butanol formation. However, integration
      of the n-butanol pathway in lactate deficient strains resulted in n-butanol
      production of 1.05 g/L from 10 g/L xylose, corresponding to 26% of the
      theoretical maximum.

PMID- 24216278
TI  - Analysis of chlorthalidone polymorphs in raw materials and tablets and the effect
      of forms I and II on the dissolution properties of drug products.
AB  - Chlorthalidone (CTD) is an antihypertensive drug and exhibits four crystalline
      forms: I, II, III and IV. In this paper, the incidence of CTD polymorphs in raw
      materials and in tablets as well as the solubility and dissolution properties of
      forms I and II have been studied. Raw materials were named as A, B, C, D, and E
      and tablets as Reference, G1, G2 and S. Using powder X-ray diffraction and
      infrared spectroscopy analyses we found that A, B, E, Reference and G1 contain
      CTD form I; C, D and S contain predominantly form II; and G2 contain a mixture of
      both forms. Solubility experiments showed that form II is up to 49% more soluble
      than form I and dissolution studies showed a significantly effect of the
      polymorphism on the dissolution of CTD from tablets. Based on these results, it
      was concluded that only the CTD form I is acceptable for preparation of tablet
      form. Moreover, we proposed the polymorphic quality control of CTD raw materials
      and tablets. 

PMID- 24216279
TI  - Development of novel chiral capillary electrophoresis methods for the serotonin
      receptor (5-HT2A) antagonist MDL 100,907 (volinanserin) and for its key
      intermediate compound.
AB  - Enantioselective capillary electrophoretic methods were elaborated for the
      determination of the enantiomeric purity of (R)-MDL 100,907 and its preparatively
      resolved key intermediate compound during the synthesis route. The pKa values of
      the intermediate compound and the end product determined by CE were 10.5+/-0.1
      and 9.0+/-0.1, respectively. The enantiopurity of the intermediate compound can
      be monitored in fully protonated state by applying 15mM sulfobutylether-beta
      cyclodextrin at pH 5 when the peak belonging to the impurity migrates before the
      main component. The fact that the consecutive steps of the synthesis do not
      affect the enantiomeric purity was verified by the other, newly developed CE
      method. The enantiomers of rac-MDL 100,907 were resolved by 15mM carboxymethyl
      gamma-cyclodextrin at pH 3. The applicability (selectivity, LOD, LOQ,
      repeatability, precision and accuracy) of the methods was studied as well. 

PMID- 24216280
TI  - Quantification of phenolic acids and their methylates, glucuronides, sulfates and
      lactones metabolites in human plasma by LC-MS/MS after oral ingestion of soluble
      coffee.
AB  - Chlorogenic acids and derivatives like phenolic acids are potentially bioactive
      phenolics, which are commonly found in many foods. Once absorbed, chlorogenic and
      phenolic acids are highly metabolized by the intestine and the liver, producing
      glucuronidated and/or sulphated compounds. These metabolites were analyzed in
      human plasma using a validated liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization
      tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method. After protein precipitation,
      phenolic acids and their metabolites were extracted by using ethanol and
      chromatographic separation was achieved by reversed-phase using an Acquity UPLC
      BEH C18 column combined with a gradient elution system using 1% acetic acid
      aqueous solution and 1% acetic acid with 100% acetonitrile. The method was able
      to quantify 56 different compounds including 24 phenolic acids, 4 lactones, 15
      sulfates and 13 glucuronides metabolites between 5 and 1000nM in plasma for most
      of them, except for m-dihydrocoumaric acid, 5-ferulloylquinic-glucuronide, 4
      methoxycinnamic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propionic acid
      (25 to 1000nM) and p-dihydrocoumaric acid (50-1000nM). Values of repeatability
      and intermediate reproducibility were below 15% of deviation in general, and
      maximum 20% for the lowest concentrations. The validated method was successfully
      applied to quantify phenolic acids and their metabolites in plasma obtained after
      oral ingestion of soluble coffee. In conclusion, the developed and validated
      method is proved to be very sensitive, accurate and precise for the
      quantification of these possible dietary phenols. 

PMID- 24216281
TI  - Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric assay for the PARP inhibitor
      rucaparib in plasma.
AB  - A quantitative bioanalytical liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC
      MS/MS) assay for the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibitor rucaparib was
      developed and validated. Plasma samples were pre-treated using protein
      precipitation with acetonitrile containing gefitinib as internal standard.
      Diluted extract was directly injected into the reversed-phase chromatographic
      system. The eluate was transferred into the electrospray interface with positive
      ionization and the analyte was detected in the selected reaction monitoring mode
      of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The assay was validated in a 1.25
      2000ng/ml calibration range with r(2)=0.9958+/-0.0012 for linear regression with
      quadratic weighting (n=6). Within day precisions (n=18) were 2.0-5.4%, between
      day (3 days; n=18) precisions 3.2-8.0% and accuracies (n=18) were 89.7-93.2%. At
      the lower limit of quantification (1.25ng/ml) these parameters were 9.6%, 13.7%
      and 85.3%, respectively. The drug was sufficiently stable under all relevant
      analytical conditions. Finally, the assay was successfully used to determine drug
      pharmacokinetics in female FVB wild type mice. 

PMID- 24216282
TI  - Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem
      mass spectrometry assay quantifying vemurafenib in human plasma.
AB  - Vemurafenib is an inhibitor of mutated serine/threonine-protein kinase B-Raf
      (BRAF) and is registered as Zelboraf((r)) for the treatment of adult patients
      with BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma. To support
      Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) and clinical trials, we developed and validated
      a method for the quantification of vemurafenib in human plasma. Additionally two
      LC-MS systems with different detectors were tested: the TSQ Quantum Ultra and the
      API3000. Human plasma samples were collected in the clinic and stored at
      nominally -20 degrees C. Vemurafenib was isolated from plasma by liquid-liquid
      extraction, separated on a C18 column with gradient elution, and analysed with
      triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in positive-ion mode. A stable isotope was
      used as internal standard for the quantification. Ranging from 1 to 100MUg/ml the
      assay was linear with correlation coefficients (r(2)) of 0.9985 or better. Inter
      assay and intra-assay accuracies were within +/-7.6% of the nominal
      concentration; inter-assay and intra-assay precision were within <=9.3% of the
      nominal concentration. In addition all results were within the acceptance
      criteria of the US FDA and the latest EMA guidelines for method validation for
      both MS detectors. In conclusion, the presented analytical method for vemurafenib
      in human plasma was successfully validated and the performance of the two LC-MS
      systems for this assay was comparable. In addition the method was successfully
      applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetic quantification of vemurafenib in cancer
      patients treated with vemurafenib. 

PMID- 24216283
TI  - Reversed- and normal-phase liquid chromatography in quantitative structure
      retention-property relationships of newly synthesized seco-androstene
      derivatives.
AB  - The rational preselection of drug candidates includes also correlation between
      physico-chemical properties (lipophilicity, as the key one) and pharmacokinetic
      properties, as well as pharmacodynamic activity. Lipophilicity can be determined
      alternatively by chromatographic methods. Chromatographic behavior of nineteen
      newly synthesized derivatives of 16-cyano-16,17-seco-5-androstene has been
      studied by reversed-phase and normal-phase thin-layer chromatography (RP- and NP
      TLC). Commercial plates RP-C18-HPTLC and water-dioxane and water-acetonitrile, as
      well as Lux((r)) silica gel plates and toluene-dioxane and toluene-acetonitrile
      mixtures with different volume fractions of the solvents were used. Retention
      constants RM(0) and C0 for each compound were determined and correlated with (i)
      theoretical log P values and (ii) pharmacokinetic predictors determined in
      silico. Significant linear relationship was found between RP TLC retention
      constants, RM(0), and computational logP values as well as between NP TLC
      retention constants, C0, and logP. Lipophilicity values for the analytes,
      determined by RP TLC and NP TLC, were also correlated with computer calculated
      absorption constants, affinity for plasma proteins, volume of distribution and
      logarithm of blood-brain permeation. Significant linear relationships were
      obtained. These relations were further improved by introducing other regressors,
      as molecular size descriptors (molecular mass and/or volume) and a molecular
      polarity descriptor (total polar surface area). Retention parameters, RM(0) and
      C0, are recommended for lipophilicity expression of analyzed compounds. In silico
      pharmacokinetic descriptors for the analytes can be expressed as function of the
      lipophilicity determined by chromatographic methods, the size and the polarity of
      the molecules expressed as molecular mass/volume and total polar surface area.
      The analyzed seco-androstene derivatives have adequate lipophilicity which should
      provide druglikeness and good pharmacokinetic profiles and they can be
      recommended for further studies in which their biological activity would be
      examined. 

PMID- 24216284
TI  - Factors associated with recurrent fifth metatarsal stress fracture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many surgeons agree that fifth metatarsal stress fractures have a
      tendency toward delayed union, nonunion, and possibly refracture. Difficulty
      healing seems to be correlated with fracture classification. However, refracture
      sometimes occurs after low-grade fracture, even long after apparent resolution.
      METHODS: The records of 168 consecutive cases of fifth metatarsal stress fracture
      (163 patients) treated by modified tension band wiring from March 2002 to June
      2011 were evaluated retrospectively. Mean length of follow-up was 23.6 months
      (range, 10-112 months). Forty-nine cases classified as Torg III were bone grafted
      initially also. All enrolled patients were elite athletes. Eleven patients
      experienced nonunion and 18 refracture. The 11 nonunion cases were bone grafted.
      The 157 patients (excluding nonunion cases) were allocated to either a refracture
      group or a union group. Clinical features, such as age, weight, fracture
      classification, time to union, and reinjury history, were compared. Radiological
      parameters representing cavus deformity and fifth metatarsal head protrusion were
      compared to evaluate the influence of structural abnormalities. RESULTS: Mean
      group weights were significantly different (P = .041), but mean ages (P = .879),
      fracture grades (P = .216, P = .962), and time from surgery to rehabilitation (P
      = .539) were similar. No significant intergroup differences were found for
      talocalcaneal (TC) angle (P = .470), calcaneal pitch (CP) angle (P = .847), or
      talo-first metatarsal (T-MT1) angle (P = .407) on lateral radiographs; for fifth
      metatarsal lateral deviation (MT5-LD) angle (P = .623) on anteroposterior (AP)
      radiographs; or for MT5-LD angle (P = .065) on the 30-degree medial oblique
      radiographs. However, the mean fourth-fifth intermetatarsal (IMA4-5) angle on AP
      radiographs was significantly greater in the refracture group, and for Torg II
      cases, mean weight (P = .042), IMA4-5 angle on AP radiographs (P = .014), and MT5
      LD angle (P = .043) on 30-degree medial oblique radiographs were significantly
      greater in the refracture group. For B2 cases (incomplete fracture and a plantar
      gap of 1 mm or larger), mean weight (P = .046), IMA4-5 angle on AP radiographs (P
      = .019), and MT5-LD angle (P = .045) on 30-degree medial oblique radiographs were
      significantly greater in the refracture group. All cases of refracture had a
      traumatic history after bone union. Refracture developed within 6 months of
      starting rehabilitation in 13 cases and within 3 months in 8 cases. CONCLUSION:
      The development of refracture after the surgical treatment of fifth metatarsal
      stress fractures was found to be associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and
      with radiological parameters (IMA4-5 on AP radiographs, MT5-LD on oblique
      radiographs) associated with protrusion of the fifth metatarsal head. The study
      indicates that patients with a protruding fifth metatarsal head and a high BMI
      should approach rehabilitation with care before considering a return to previous
      sporting activity levels. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative
      series.

PMID- 24216285
TI  - A prospective randomized trial of everolimus-eluting stents versus bare-metal
      stents in octogenarians: the XIMA Trial (Xience or Vision Stents for the
      Management of Angina in the Elderly).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether drug-eluting stents
      (DES) are superior to bare-metal stents (BMS) in octogenarian patients with
      angina. BACKGROUND: Patients >=80 years of age frequently have complex coronary
      disease warranting DES but have a higher risk of bleeding from prolonged dual
      antiplatelet therapy. METHODS: This multicenter randomized trial was conducted in
      22 centers in the United Kingdom and Spain. Patients >=80 years of age underwent
      stent placement for angina. The primary endpoint was a 1-year composite of death,
      myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, target vessel revascularization,
      or major hemorrhage. RESULTS: In total, 800 patients (83.5 +/- 3.2 years of age)
      were randomized to BMS (n = 401) or DES (n = 399) for treatment of stable angina
      (32%) or acute coronary syndrome (68%). Procedural success did not differ between
      groups (97.7% for BMS vs. 95.4% for DES; p = 0.07). Thirty-eight percent of
      patients had >=2-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention, and 66% underwent
      complete revascularization. Patients who received BMS had shorter stent implants
      (24.0 +/- 13.4 mm vs. 26.6 +/- 14.3 mm; p = 0.01). Rates of dual antiplatelet
      therapy at 1 year were 32.2% for patients in the BMS group and 94.0% for patients
      in the DES group. The primary endpoint occurred in 18.7% of patients in the BMS
      group versus 14.3% of patients in the DES group (p = 0.09). There was no
      difference in death (7.2% vs. 8.5%; p = 0.50), major hemorrhage (1.7% vs. 2.3%; p
      = 0.61), or cerebrovascular accident (1.2% vs. 1.5%; p = 0.77). Myocardial
      infarction (8.7% vs. 4.3%; p = 0.01) and target vessel revascularization (7.0%
      vs. 2.0%; p = 0.001) occurred more often in patients in the BMS group.
      CONCLUSIONS: BMS and DES offer good clinical outcomes in this age group. DES were
      associated with a lower incidence of myocardial infarction and target vessel
      revascularization without increased incidence of major hemorrhage. (Xience or
      Vision Stent-Management of Angina in the Elderly [XIMA]; ISRCTN92243650).

PMID- 24216286
TI  - Pertussis epidemic despite high levels of vaccination coverage with acellular
      pertussis vaccine.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We describe the pertussis epidemic, based only on confirmed
      whooping cough cases. We have analyzed data on the diagnosis, epidemiology and
      vaccine history in order to understand the factors that might explain the trends
      of the disease. METHODS: A descriptive study of the confirmed pertussis cases
      reported during 2011 in the Valles region (population 1,283,000). Laboratory
      criteria for confirmed pertussis cases include isolation of Bordetella pertussis
      from a clinical specimen or detection of B. pertussis by PCR in nasopharyngeal
      swabs. RESULTS: A total of 421 pertussis confirmed cases were reported, which was
      the highest incidence reported in the last decade (33 cases/100,000 people/year
      in 2011). The highest incidence rate was among infants less than 1 year old
      (448/100,000), followed by children 5-9 years old (154/100,000). Pertussis cases
      aged 2 months-1 year were 90% vaccinated following the current DTaP schedule for
      their age group in Catalonia, and cases of 5-9 years were 87% fully vaccinated
      with 5 doses of DTaP vaccine. There were no deaths, although 8% of cases were
      hospitalized. Pertussis was more severe in infants, 30% required hospitalization
      despite having received the vaccine doses corresponding to their age. Children of
      5-9 years were most often identified as primary cases in households or school
      clusters. CONCLUSION: Despite high levels of vaccination coverage, pertussis
      circulation cannot be controlled at all. The results question the efficacy of the
      present immunization programmes.

PMID- 24216287
TI  - [Treatment of symptomatic focal nodular hyperplasia by arterial embolization].

PMID- 24216288
TI  - Wind-borne dispersal of a parasitoid: the process, the model, and its validation.
AB  - The aphelinid parasitoid Eretmocerus hayati Zolnerowich & Rose (Hymenoptera:
      Aphelinidae) was recently released in Australia as a biocontrol agent against the
      crop pest Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). It was found that
      the parasitoid can spread over several kilometers in a single generation and
      continue laying eggs for over a fortnight. A simple wind-advection model was
      fitted to emergence data from a first release between Fassifern and Kalbar,
      Queensland, and its predictive ability was tested against the second release near
      Carnarvon, Western Australia. The fitting of the model was used to develop
      several hypotheses about the dispersal of E. hayati, which were validated by the
      second release: E. hayati flies in the same direction as the wind to a distance
      proportional to the wind speed; this wind-borne flight takes place at any time
      during daylight hours; a flight is attempted every day after emergence unless
      there are high wind conditions during that day; and the high wind condition that
      will delay flight is wind speeds in excess of ?2 m/s. This model of E. hayati
      dispersal may be contrasted with previous models fitted for Eretmocerus species,
      for which dispersal was dominated by diffusion processes, and parasitoid spread
      was constrained to the scales of tens and hundreds of meters. 

PMID- 24216289
TI  - Role of isothiocyanate conjugate of pterostilbene on the inhibition of MCF-7 cell
      proliferation and tumor growth in Ehrlich ascitic cell induced tumor bearing
      mice.
AB  - Naturally occurring pterostilbene (PTER) and isothiocyanate (ITC) attract great
      attention due to their wide range of biological properties, including anti
      cancer, anti-leukemic, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. A novel
      class of hybrid compound synthesized by introducing an ITC moiety on PTER
      backbone was evaluated for its anti-cancer efficacy in hormone-dependent breast
      cancer cell line (MCF-7) in vitro and Ehrlich ascitic tumor bearing mice model in
      vivo. The novel hybrid molecule showed significant in vitro anti-cancer activity
      (IC50=25 +/- 0.38) when compared to reference compound PTER (IC50=65 +/- 0.42).
      The conjugate molecule induced both S and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest as
      indicated by flow cytometry analysis. In addition, the conjugate induced cell
      death was characterized by changes in cell morphology, DNA fragmentation,
      activation of caspase-9, release of cytochrome-c into cytosol and increased Bax:
      Bcl-2 ratio. The conjugate also suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK.
      The conjugate induced cell death was significantly increased in presence of A6730
      (a potent Akt1/2 kinase inhibitor) and PD98059 (a specific ERK inhibitor).
      Moreover, the conjugated PTER inhibited tumor growth in Ehrlich ascitic cell
      induced tumor bearing mice as observed by reduction in tumor volume compared to
      untreated animals. Collectively, the pro-apoptotic effect of conjugate is
      mediated through the activation of caspases, and is correlated with the blockade
      of the Akt and ERK signaling pathways in MCF-7 cells.

PMID- 24216291
TI  - A sociotechnical perspective of health information technology.

PMID- 24216290
TI  - Lapatinib-induced NF-kappaB activation sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer
      cells to proteasome inhibitors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast cancer
      with negative expressions of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human
      epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), is frequently diagnosed in younger
      women and has poor prognosis for disease-free and overall survival. Due to the
      lack of known oncogenic drivers for TNBC proliferation, clinical benefit from
      currently available targeted therapies is limited, and new therapeutic strategies
      are urgently needed. METHODS: Triple-negative breast cancer cell lines were
      treated with proteasome inhibitors in combination with lapatinib (a dual
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor). Their in
      vitro and in vivo viability was examined by MTT assay, clonogenic analysis, and
      orthotopic xenograft mice model. Luciferase reporter gene, immunoblot, and RT
      qPCR, immunoprecipitation assays were used to investigate the molecular
      mechanisms of action. RESULTS: Our data showed that nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB
      activation was elicited by lapatinib, independent of EGFR/HER2 inhibition, in
      TNBCs. Lapatinib-induced constitutive activation of NF-kappaB involved Src family
      kinase (SFK)-dependent p65 and IkappaBalpha phosphorylations, and rendered these
      cells more vulnerable to NF-kappaB inhibition by p65 small hairpin RNA. Lapatinib
      but not other EGFR inhibitors synergized the anti-tumor activity of proteasome
      inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that treatment of TNBCs
      with lapatinib may enhance their oncogene addiction to NF-kappaB, and thus
      augment the anti-tumor activity of proteasome inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings suggest that combination therapy of a proteasome inhibitor with
      lapatinib may benefit TNBC patients.

PMID- 24216292
TI  - Facilitation of memory encoding in primate hippocampus by a neuroprosthesis that
      promotes task-specific neural firing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Memory accuracy is a major problem in human disease and is the primary
      factor that defines Alzheimer's, ageing and dementia resulting from impaired
      hippocampal function in the medial temporal lobe. Development of a hippocampal
      memory neuroprosthesis that facilitates normal memory encoding in nonhuman
      primates (NHPs) could provide the basis for improving memory in human disease
      states. APPROACH: NHPs trained to perform a short-term delayed match-to-sample
      (DMS) memory task were examined with multi-neuron recordings from synaptically
      connected hippocampal cell fields, CA1 and CA3. Recordings were analyzed
      utilizing a previously developed nonlinear multi-input multi-output (MIMO)
      neuroprosthetic model, capable of extracting CA3-to-CA1 spatiotemporal firing
      patterns during DMS performance. MAIN RESULTS: The MIMO model verified that
      specific CA3-to-CA1 firing patterns were critical for the successful encoding of
      sample phase information on more difficult DMS trials. This was validated by the
      delivery of successful MIMO-derived encoding patterns via electrical stimulation
      to the same CA1 recording locations during the sample phase which facilitated
      task performance in the subsequent, delayed match phase, on difficult trials that
      required more precise encoding of sample information. SIGNIFICANCE: These
      findings provide the first successful application of a neuroprosthesis designed
      to enhance and/or repair memory encoding in primate brain.

PMID- 24216293
TI  - Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytokine profiles in neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia
      of infancy and follicular bronchiolitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia of Infancy (NEHI) and Follicular
      Bronchiolitis (FB) are rare pediatric diffuse lung diseases with poorly
      understood pathogenesis and similar clinical presentations. We sought to
      determine if cellular and cytokine profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
      (BALF) from subjects with NEHI and FB would differ from pediatric disease
      controls. METHODS: BALF was obtained from forty-one subjects classified into four
      disease groups: NEHI, Cystic Fibrosis (CF), other airway disease controls (DC),
      and FB during clinically indicated procedures. BALF cellular profiles and ten
      cytokines were measured and values compared across groups using descriptive and
      nonparametric statistics. RESULTS: Significant BALF cellular and cytokine
      differences were seen across all groups. NEHI subjects exhibited the lowest total
      absolute white blood cell (WBC) levels with a higher percentage of BALF alveolar
      macrophages compared to controls. NEHI also had lower levels of IL-1beta, MIP
      1beta and IL-8 and FB had higher levels of IL-1ra, G-CSF and VEGF compared to all
      groups. IL-6 was elevated in CF and FB. CONCLUSIONS: BALF cytokine and cellular
      profiles differed between NEHI, FB, CF and DC subjects. This pilot data suggests
      different and distinguishing inflammatory responses in the airway, with the least
      inflammatory being NEHI. These data could have diagnostic implications.

PMID- 24216294
TI  - Association between proinflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation in patients
      with severe dengue disease around defervescence.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Proinflammatory cytokines and the oxidative stress response are
      reported to be involved in dengue viral disease. The present study investigated
      the correlation of proinflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation with dengue
      severity. METHODS: Clinical samples from 27 dengue fever (DF) cases, 30 dengue
      haemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases, and 24 dengue shock syndrome (DSS) cases were
      studied around defervescence, along with samples from 30 healthy controls. Plasma
      samples were analysed for tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon
      gamma (IFN-gamma) by ELISA and for malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid
      assay. RESULTS: Dengue-infected individuals had significantly higher levels of
      TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and MDA in comparison to controls. The ratio of TNF-alpha
      to IFN-gamma was significantly higher in DHF and DSS than in DF. A TNF-alpha/IFN
      gamma ratio value of 5.69 around defervescence predicted DHF and DSS with
      moderate accuracy and thus may serve as an indicator to study dengue severity.
      The study observed a significant positive correlation of lipid peroxides with TNF
      alpha levels and the TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma ratio in severe dengue cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: We propose that the oxidative stress response induced by the dengue
      virus may trigger the inflammatory cytokine responses in dengue severity and
      thereby contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease; however the interplay
      between the oxidative response and inflammatory activity in disease virulence
      needs further study.

PMID- 24216295
TI  - Monocyte-derived dendritic cells: targets as potent antigen-presenting cells for
      the design of vaccines against infectious diseases.
AB  - Monocytes play important roles in the inflammatory response, which is essential
      for the innate response to pathogens. Monocytes are able to differentiate to
      dendritic cells (DCs) under inflammatory situations. In recent decades, the
      heterogeneity of monocytes and their different traffic pathways have been
      identified in both human and murine systems. Different monocyte subsets show
      distinct inflammatory cytokine profiles and differentiation potential under
      steady-state and inflammatory situations. We discuss the biology of monocytes,
      their relationship with DCs, and the potential of monocyte-derived dendritic
      cells (moDCs) in the design of vaccines against certain chronic infectious
      diseases. 

PMID- 24216296
TI  - Reproducibility for linear and nonlinear micro-finite element simulations with
      density derived material properties of the human radius.
AB  - Finite element (FE) simulations based on high-resolution peripheral quantitative
      computed-tomography (HRpQCT) measurements provide an elegant and direct way to
      estimate bone strength. Parallel solvers for nonlinear FE simulations allow the
      assessment not only of the initial linear elastic behavior of the bone but also
      materially and geometrically nonlinear effects. The reproducibility of HRpQCT
      measurements, as well as their analysis of microarchitecture using linear-elastic
      FE simulations with a homogeneous elastic modulus has been investigated before.
      However, it is not clear to which extent density-derived and nonlinear FE
      simulations are reproducible. In this study, we introduced new mechanical indices
      derived from nonlinear FE simulations that describe the onset of yielding and the
      behavior at maximal load. Using 14 embalmed forearms that were imaged three
      times, we found that in general the in vitro reproducibility of the nonlinear FE
      simulations is as good as the reproducibility of linear FE. For the nonlinear
      simulations precision errors (PEs) ranged between 0.4 and 3.2% and intraclass
      correlation coefficients were above 0.9. In conclusion, nonlinear FE simulations
      with density derived material properties contain important additional information
      that is independent from the results of the linear simulations. 

PMID- 24216297
TI  - Relative efficacy of hyaluronic acid in comparison with NSAIDs for knee
      osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid
      (IAHA) in comparison with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for knee
      osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: We searched Medline, EMBASE, Google Scholar, ISI
      Web of Science, and Cochrane Database from inception until February 2013.
      Randomized controlled trials comparing HA with NSAIDs for knee OA were included
      if they reported at least one pain outcome. Two reviewers abstracted data and
      determined quality. Outcomes included pain, function, and stiffness. Random
      effects meta-analyses were performed. RESULTS: Five trials (712 participants)
      contributed to the pain analysis. Both groups showed improvement from baseline.
      The analysis found an effect size (ES) of -0.07 (95% CI: -0.24 to 0.10) at trial
      end, favoring neither treatment. There were no statistically significant
      differences between the groups at 4 and 12 weeks in function [ES = -0.08 (95% CI:
      -0.39 to 0.23)] or stiffness [ES = 0.03 (95% CI: -0.27 to 0.34)] analyses based
      on two trials. Injection site pain was the most common adverse event reported in
      the HA group, and gastrointestinal adverse events were more common in the NSAIDs
      group. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that IAHA is not significantly
      different from continuous oral NSAIDs at 4 and 12 weeks. Our study detected no
      safety concerns; however, the included trials had only a short follow-up
      duration. Given the favorable safety profile of IAHA over NSAIDs, this result
      suggests that IAHA might be a viable alternative to NSAIDs for knee OA,
      especially for older patients at greater risk for systemic adverse events.

PMID- 24216298
TI  - In vitro evaluation of the resistance of a 2.0-mm titanium fixation system in the
      sectioned angle without continuity of the inferior border of the mandible.
AB  - The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the mechanical resistance of a 2.0
      mm titanium system applied to the mandibular angle, either with or without
      continuity of the inferior border of the mandible. Polyurethane mandibles were
      used as substrates and divided into two groups: unfavourable and favourable to
      treatment. A single cut was made through the retromolar region, simulating an
      angle fracture either unfavourable or favourable to treatment. In addition, a
      small fragment of the inferior border of the mandible was removed in some of the
      mandibles, creating a discontinuity. The fragments were stabilized in accordance
      with the technique of Champy et al. The substrates were adapted to a universal
      mechanical testing machine and submitted to a constant load applied at three
      different points; load values were obtained at three different moments of
      displacement: 1mm, 2mm, and fixation failure. The value of the tip dislocation at
      final displacement was obtained. When the load was applied at the first molars,
      regardless of the side, no statistically significant difference was observed
      between the groups. When the load was applied at the central incisors, a
      statistically significant difference was observed at fixation failure in the
      unfavourable to treatment group, with better results in the subgroup with
      continuity of the inferior border of the mandible compared to the subgroup
      without continuity. Discontinuity of the inferior border of the mandible did not
      decrease the mechanical resistance of the fixation.

PMID- 24216299
TI  - Estrogen receptors are involved in polychlorinated biphenyl-induced apoptosis on
      mouse spermatocyte GC-2 cell line.
AB  - Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread persistent environmental
      contaminants which have been shown to have reproductive toxicity and to disturb
      spermatogenesis. But the precise mechanism is not clear. A mouse pachytene
      spermatocyte-derived cell line, GC-2 cells were used in the present study to
      investigate the toxic effect of PCBs (Aroclor 1254) and explore the underlying
      molecular mechanism. Results showed that Aroclor 1254 inhibited cell
      proliferation, caused the arrest of cells in G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis
      which might be partly explained by the decreased expression of Bcl-2 and cell
      cycle regulator cyclin D1 together with the activation of caspase-3. Besides, the
      treatment of Aroclor 1254 decreased the protein expression of estrogen receptor
      (ER)-alpha while increasing that of ERbeta. Then the administration of selective
      ERalpha agonist PPT partly reversed Aroclor 1254-induced alteration in Bcl-2,
      caspase-3 and cyclin D1 protein expression while selective ERbeta agonist DPN
      accelerated it. These results suggest that Aroclor 1254, working through ERalpha
      and ERbeta, interferes with the expression of proteins involved in the balance
      between cellular apoptosis and proliferation. 

PMID- 24216300
TI  - Feasibility of a 3D human airway epithelial model to study respiratory
      absorption.
AB  - The respiratory route is an important portal for human exposure to a large
      variety of substances. Consequently, there is an urgent need for realistic in
      vitro strategies for evaluation of the absorption of airborne substances with
      regard to safety and efficacy assessment. The present study investigated
      feasibility of a 3D human airway epithelial model to study respiratory
      absorption, in particular to differentiate between low and high absorption of
      substances. Bronchial epithelial models (MucilAirTM), cultured at the air-liquid
      interface, were exposed to eight radiolabeled model substances via the apical
      epithelial surface. Absorption was evaluated by measuring radioactivity in the
      apical compartment, the epithelial cells and the basolateral culture medium.
      Antipyrine, caffeine, naproxen and propranolol were highly transported across the
      epithelial cell layer (>5%), whereas atenolol, mannitol, PEG-400 and insulin were
      limitedly transported (<5%). Results indicate that the 3D human airway epithelial
      model used in this study is able to differentiate between substances with low and
      high absorption. The intra-experimental reproducibility of the results was
      considered adequate based on an average coefficient of variation (CV) of 15%. The
      inter-experimental reproducibility of highly absorbed compounds was in a similar
      range (CV of 15%), but this value was considerably higher for those compounds
      that were limitedly absorbed. No statistical significant differences between
      different donors and experiments were observed. The present study provides a
      simple method transposable in any lab, which can be used to rank the absorption
      of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and is ready for further validation with
      respect to reproducibility and capacity of the method to predict respiratory
      transport in humans.

PMID- 24216301
TI  - Evaluation of simple in vitro to in vivo extrapolation approaches for
      environmental compounds.
AB  - As part of an effort to support in silico/in vitro based risk assessment, we
      evaluated the accuracy associated with conducting simple in vitro to in vivo
      extrapolation (IVIVE) for environmental compounds using available in vitro human
      metabolism data. The IVIVE approach was applied to a number of compounds with a
      wide range of properties spanning the diversity of characteristics of
      environmental compounds, and where possible the resulting estimates of the in
      vivo steady-state blood concentration were compared with estimates derived on the
      basis of human in vivo kinetic data. There appears to be a systematic bias in the
      estimation of intrinsic clearance (Clint) from in vitro versus in vivo data, with
      in vitro based estimates underestimating in vivo clearance for small values of
      Clint but with the opposite relationship at large values of Clint. Nevertheless,
      the resulting estimates of Css were in good agreement. The chief drawback of the
      simple approach used in this study, which performs the IVIVE prediction for the
      parent compound only, is that it is not applicable for toxicity associated with a
      metabolite.

PMID- 24216302
TI  - [Prenatal management of isolated IUGR].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of different antenatal tools for the
      monitoring of fetuses with isolated intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). To
      define the prenatal management of IUGR and indications for delivery before and
      after 32 weeks of gestation. METHOD: PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane databases
      were searched using the keywords "IUGR", "fetal growth restriction",
      "cardiotocography", "amniotic fluid", "ultrasound assessment", "biophysical
      profile", "Doppler ultrasonography", "randomized trial", "meta-analysis". These
      terms were also combined together. RESULTS: Fetal monitoring of isolated IUGR
      should be based on the combined use of fetal heart rate (FHR) and ultrasound
      Doppler. The use of computerized FHR, with short-term variability (STV)
      measurement allows longitudinal monitoring and provides objective values upon
      which to decide very premature delivery (LE3). The use of umbilical Doppler is
      associated with a decrease in perinatal morbidity, especially in IUGR (LE1). It
      should be the first-line mean for the monitoring of SGA and IUGR fetuses (LE1).
      The additional use of cerebral Doppler is associated with a better predictive
      value for a poor perinatal outcome than the umbilical Doppler alone (LE3).
      Therefore, cerebral Doppler should be used in fetuses with IUGR, whether the
      umbilical Doppler is normal or not. As morbidity and mortality is increased in
      IUGR with pathological ductus venosus, the use of this Doppler should be
      considered in the monitoring of IUGR at before 32 weeks (professional consensus).
      Routine hospitalization is not mandatory for the monitoring of fetuses with
      IUGR/SGA. However, tertiary referral is advisable in cases of severe IUGR at
      between 26 to 32 weeks (professional consensus). The decision for delivery cannot
      be standardized and should be based on the combined analysis of gestational age,
      fetal heart rate analysis and Doppler study (professional consensus). CONCLUSION:
      Monitoring of fetuses with IUGR and decision for delivery should be based on the
      combined analysis of gestational age, fetal heart rate analysis and Doppler study
      before 32 weeks, this should ideally be performed by the association of
      computerized FHR and arterial and venous Doppler.

PMID- 24216303
TI  - [Prevention of IUGR].
AB  - AIM: Prevention of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) should be addressed
      before conception ideally for all women, or at least for those with a medical
      risk factor or with a history of poor perinatal outcome or obstetrical
      complication. The aim of this section is to assess available evidence on IUGR
      prevention and elaborate clinical guidelines. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Bibliographic
      research on PubMed and Cochrane Database. RESULTS: Maternal age above 40
      increases the risk of IUGR (Experts opinion). Encouraging women to start
      pregnancy when their Body Mass Index (BMI) is between extremes (grade B) and
      aiming for recommended weight gain according to their preconceptional BMI
      (professional consensus) reduce the risk of IUGR. When possible, avoiding
      multiple pregnancies (grade A), stabilizing chronic diseases that can influence
      placenta vascularization (professional consensus), stopping smoking as soon as
      possible before or at the beginning of pregnancy (grade A), limiting hypoglycemia
      during pregnancy (grade C) and tolerating mild maternal hypertension throughout
      pregnancy (professional consensus) also limit the risks of IUGR. In women with a
      prior preeclampsia<34 WG or an IUGR <5th centile due to placental dysfunction,
      aspirin given ideally in the second part of the day (grade B) can be a useful
      option and should be started before 16 WG (grade A). CONCLUSIONS: There are few
      methods to prevent IUGR, and some simple recommendations seem useful. Aspirin
      seems a useful option in women identified as at risk of IUGR. More research is
      needed on prevention of IUGR.

PMID- 24216304
TI  - [Termination of pregnancy and palliative care in case of vascular intra-uterine
      growth retardation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Discuss the place of medical termination of pregnancy and palliative
      care in case of vascular intra uterine growth retardation. METHODS: Bibliographic
      review using the Medline and PubMed databases and the guidelines of the
      international professional societies. RESULTS: The prognostic evaluation in case
      of IUGR is essential. It is based on several criteria, including gestational age
      and ultrasound (estimated fetal weight and Doppler). In some situations,
      postnatal prognosis may seem so pejorative that absence of active care can be
      decided with the parents. The choice can then be focused on a decision not to
      proceed with fetal extraction while Doppler or fetal heart rate abnormalities
      could justify it and "wait" for spontaneous fetal death or have a more active
      attitude of medical termination of pregnancy (TOP) with or without feticide or
      palliative care after birth. In some cases, IUGR is accompanied by maternal
      complications such as preeclampsia. The severity of the maternal disease may
      sometimes justify a termination of pregnancy for maternal rescue. That either
      maternal or fetal indication, these situations are often difficult to manage
      because of the difficulty in establishing fetal prognosis, particularly when the
      maternal condition requires urgent decision. CONCLUSION: In these difficult
      situations, ultrasound assessment must be conducted by a senior and the
      discussion should always be multidisciplinary. If TOP is requested by the
      parents, it must be discussed in a multidisciplinary center for prenatal
      diagnosis in accordance with French law. Maternal emergency is the only
      derogatory status.

PMID- 24216305
TI  - [Prevalence, risk factors, maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality of
      intrauterine growth restriction and small-for-gestational age].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and small
      for gestational age (SGA) in France and other populations, the risk factors
      associated with SGA and its impact on fetal well-being and obstetrical outcome.
      METHODS: A critical review of studies identified from searches of PubMed and the
      Cochrane libraries using the following keywords "intra-uterine growth
      retardation", "intra-uterine growth restriction", "small for gestational age",
      "epidemiology", "risk factors", "pregnancy outcome", "maternal morbidity",
      "perinatal death". RESULTS: Studies of FGR use multiple definitions, both with
      respect to cutoffs for defining restricted growth as well as growth norms;
      however the most common definition for epidemiological research was SGA using a
      birthweight less than the 10 th percentile. Following this definition, SGA births
      accounted for 8.9% of all live births in 2010 in France. Major risk factors
      identified in the literature were previous SGA birth (4 fold increase in risk)
      (LE2), diabetes and vascular diseases (5 fold) (LE3), chronic hypertension (2
      fold) (LE2), preeclampsia (5 to 12 fold according to severity) (LE2), pregnancy
      induced hypertension (2 fold) (LE2), smoking (2-3 fold) (LE2), drug and alcohol
      use (2-4 fold) (LE2), maternal age over 35 (3 fold) (LE2) and ethnic origin (2-3
      fold for African-American or Asian origins) (LE2). Other risk factors with
      adjusted odds ratios around 1.5 were primiparity (LE2), multiple pregnancy (but
      only starting at 30 weeks of gestation) (LE2), socioeconomic disadvantage (LE2)
      and body mass index (BMI<18.5 kg/m(2)) (LE2) SGA is associated with a four-fold
      increased risk of stillbirth (LE2) as well as higher rates of cesarean and
      induced labor before 37 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: FGR is a complication of pregnancy
      with adverse consequences for fetal wellbeing. Sociodemographic and clinical risk
      factors can help to identify pregnant women at risk for this complication.

PMID- 24216306
TI  - [Intra-uterine growth retardation: guidelines for clinical practice--Short text].

PMID- 24216307
TI  - Two nuclear export signals of Cdc6 are differentially associated with CDK
      mediated phosphorylation residues for cytoplasmic translocation.
AB  - Cdc6 is cleaved at residues 442 and 290 by caspase-3 during apoptosis producing
      p49-tCdc6 and p32-tCdc6, respectively. While p32-tCdc6 is unable to translocate
      into the cytoplasm, p49-tCdc6 retains cytoplasmic translocation activity, but it
      has a lower efficiency than wild-type Cdc6. We hypothesized that a novel nuclear
      export signal (NES) sequence exists between amino acids 290 and 442. Cdc6
      contains a novel NES in the region of amino acids 300-315 (NES2) that shares
      sequence similarity with NES1 at residues 462-476. In mutant versions of Cdc6, we
      replaced leucine with alanine in NES1 and NES2 and co-expressed the mutant
      constructs with cyclin A. We observed that the cytoplasmic translocation of these
      mutants was reduced in comparison to wild-type Cdc6. Moreover, the cytoplasmic
      translocation of a mutant in which all four leucine residues were mutated to
      alanine was significantly inhibited in comparison to the translocation of wild
      type Cdc6. The Crm1 binding activities of Cdc6 NES mutants were consistent with
      the efficiency of its cytoplasmic translocation. Further studies have revealed
      that L468 and L470 of NES1 are required for cytoplasmic translocation of Cdc6
      phosphorylated at S74, while L311 and L313 of NES2 accelerate the cytoplasmic
      translocation of Cdc6 phosphorylated at S54. These results suggest that the two
      NESs of Cdc6 work cooperatively and distinctly for the cytoplasmic translocation
      of Cdc6 phosphorylated at S74 and S54 by cyclin A/Cdk2. 

PMID- 24216308
TI  - Effect of Mg and Si co-substitution on microstructure and strength of tricalcium
      phosphate ceramics.
AB  - Magnesium and silicon co-doped tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramics with
      compositions corresponding to 0, 5 and 10wt% CaMg(SiO3)2 in the system Ca3(PO4)2
      CaMg(SiO3)2 were obtained by conventional sintering of compacted mixtures of
      Ca3(PO4)2, MgO, SiO2 and CaCO3 powders at temperatures between 1100 and 1450
      degrees C. Microstructural analyses were performed by X-ray diffraction and field
      emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. Major
      phases in the obtained ceramics were beta- or alpha+beta-tricalcium phosphate
      containing Mg and Si in solid solution. Certain amounts of liquid were formed
      during sintering depending on composition and temperature. There were found
      significant differences in distributions of strength determined by the diametral
      compression of disc tests (DCDT). Failure strengths were controlled by
      microstructural defects associated with phase development. Mg and Si additions
      were found to be effective to improve densification and associated strength of
      TCP bioceramics due to the enhancement of sintering by the low viscosity liquids
      formed. The highest density and strength were obtained for the TCP ceramic
      containing 5wt% CaMg(SiO3)2 sintered at 1300 degrees C. Cracking and porosity
      increased at higher temperatures due to grain growth and swelling. 

PMID- 24216309
TI  - A biomimetic approach for designing stent-graft structures: Caterpillar cuticle
      as design model.
AB  - Stent-graft (SG) induced biomechanical mismatch at the aortic repair site forms
      the major reason behind postoperative hemodynamic complications. These
      complications arise from mismatched radial compliance and stiffness property of
      repair device relative to native aortic mechanics. The inability of an
      exoskeleton SG design (an externally stented rigid polyester graft) to achieve
      optimum balance between structural robustness and flexibility constrains its
      biomechanical performance limits. Therefore, a new SG design capable of
      dynamically controlling its stiffness and flexibility has been proposed in this
      study. The new design is adopted from the segmented hydroskeleton structure of a
      caterpillar cuticle and comprises of high performance polymeric filaments
      constructed in a segmented knit architecture. Initially, conceptual design models
      of caterpillar and SG were developed and later translated into an experimental SG
      prototype. The in-vitro biomechanical evaluation (compliance, bending moment,
      migration intensity, and viscoelasticity) revealed significantly better
      performance of hydroskeleton structure than a commercial SG device (Zenith(TM)
      Flex SG) and woven Dacron((r)) graft-prosthesis. Structural segmentation improved
      the biomechanical behaviour of new SG by inducing a three dimensional volumetric
      expansion property when the SG was subjected to hoop stresses. Interestingly,
      this behaviour matches the orthotropic elastic property of native aorta and hence
      proposes segmented hydroskeleton structures as promising design approach for
      future aortic repair devices. 

PMID- 24216310
TI  - Fatigue behavior of Ti6Al4V and 316 LVM blasted with ceramic particles of
      interest for medical devices.
AB  - Grit blasting is used as a cost-effective method to increase the surface
      roughness of metallic biomaterials, as Ti6Al4V and 316 LVM, to enhance the
      osteointegration, fixation and stability of implants. Samples of these two alloys
      were blasted by using alumina and zirconia particles, yielding rough (up to
      Ra~8MUm) and nearly smooth (up to Ra~1MUm) surfaces, respectively. In this work,
      we investigate the sub-surface induced microstructural effects and its
      correlation with the mechanical properties, with special emphasis in the fatigue
      behavior. Blasting with zirconia particles increases the fatigue resistance
      whereas the opposite effect is observed using alumina ones. As in a conventional
      shot penning process, the use of rounded zirconia particles for blasting led to
      the development of residual compressive stresses at the surface layer, without
      zones of stress concentrators. Alumina particles are harder and have an angular
      shape, which confers a higher capability to abrade the surface, but also a high
      rate of breaking down on impact. The higher roughness and the presence of a high
      amount of embedded alumina particles make the blasted alloy prone to crack
      nucleation. Interestingly, the beneficial or detrimental role of blasting is more
      intense for the Ti6Al4V alloy than for the 316 steel. It is proposed that this
      behavior is related to their different strain hardening exponents and the higher
      mass fraction of particles contaminating the surface. The low value of this
      exponent for the Ti6Al4V alloy justifies the expected low sub-surface hardening
      during the severe plastic deformation, enhancing its capability to soft during
      cyclic loading. 

PMID- 24216312
TI  - Nitrogen washout/washin, helium dilution, and computed tomography in the
      assessment of end-expiratory lung volume.

PMID- 24216311
TI  - Failure mode analysis of silicon-based intracortical microelectrode arrays in non
      human primates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) using chronically implanted
      intracortical microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have the potential to restore lost
      function to people with disabilities if they work reliably for years. Current
      sensors fail to provide reliably useful signals over extended periods of time for
      reasons that are not clear. This study reports a comprehensive retrospective
      analysis from a large set of implants of a single type of intracortical MEA in a
      single species, with a common set of measures in order to evaluate failure modes.
      APPROACH: Since 1996, 78 silicon MEAs were implanted in 27 monkeys (Macaca
      mulatta). We used two approaches to find reasons for sensor failure. First, we
      classified the time course leading up to complete recording failure as acute
      (abrupt) or chronic (progressive). Second, we evaluated the quality of electrode
      recordings over time based on signal features and electrode impedance. Failure
      modes were divided into four categories: biological, material, mechanical, and
      unknown. MAIN RESULTS: Recording duration ranged from 0 to 2104 days (5.75
      years), with a mean of 387 days and a median of 182 days (n = 78). Sixty-two
      arrays failed completely with a mean time to failure of 332 days (median = 133
      days) while nine array experiments were electively terminated for experimental
      reasons (mean = 486 days). Seven remained active at the close of this study (mean
      = 753 days). Most failures (56%) occurred within a year of implantation, with
      acute mechanical failures the most common class (48%), largely because of
      connector issues (83%). Among grossly observable biological failures (24%), a
      progressive meningeal reaction that separated the array from the parenchyma was
      most prevalent (14.5%). In the absence of acute interruptions, electrode
      recordings showed a slow progressive decline in spike amplitude, noise amplitude,
      and number of viable channels that predicts complete signal loss by about eight
      years. Impedance measurements showed systematic early increases, which did not
      appear to affect recording quality, followed by a slow decline over years. The
      combination of slowly falling impedance and signal quality in these arrays
      indicates that insulating material failure is the most significant factor.
      SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first long-term failure mode analysis of an emerging
      BCI technology in a large series of non-human primates. The classification system
      introduced here may be used to standardize how neuroprosthetic failure modes are
      evaluated. The results demonstrate the potential for these arrays to record for
      many years, but achieving reliable sensors will require replacing connectors with
      implantable wireless systems, controlling the meningeal reaction, and improving
      insulation materials. These results will focus future research in order to create
      clinical neuroprosthetic sensors, as well as valuable research tools, that are
      able to safely provide reliable neural signals for over a decade.

PMID- 24216313
TI  - Do risky friends change the efficacy of a primary care brief intervention for
      adolescent alcohol use?
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine if peer risk (having friends who drink or approve of
      drinking) modifies the effects of a computer-facilitated screening and provider
      brief advice (cSBA) intervention on adolescent alcohol use. METHODS: We assessed
      the intervention effect using logistic regression modeling with generalized
      estimating equations on a sample of 2,092 adolescents. Effect modification by
      peer risk was analyzed separately for alcohol initiation (drinking at follow-up
      in baseline nondrinkers) and cessation (no drinking at follow-up in baseline
      drinkers) by testing an interaction term (treatment condition by peer risk).
      Interpretation of the interaction effect was further clarified by subsequent
      stratification by peer risk. RESULTS: The intervention effect on alcohol
      cessation was significantly greater among those with peer risk (adjusted relative
      risk ratios; risk 1.44, 1.18-1.76 vs. no risk .98, .41-2.36) at 3 months' follow
      up. There was no such finding for alcohol initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol
      screening and brief provider counseling may differentially benefit adolescent
      drinkers with drinking friends.

PMID- 24216314
TI  - Nrf2 signaling is impaired in the aging RPE given an oxidative insult.
AB  - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) represents the leading cause of blindness
      in the elderly, yet no definitive therapy exists for early, dry disease. Several
      lines of evidence have implicated oxidative stress-induced damage to the retinal
      pigment epithelium (RPE) in the pathogenesis of AMD, suggesting that the aging
      RPE may exhibit increased susceptibility to cell damage induced by exogenous
      stressors. The transcription factor Nrf2 serves as the master regulator of a
      highly coordinated antioxidant response in virtually all cell types. We compared
      Nrf2 signaling in the RPE of young (2 months) and old (15 months) mice under
      unstressed and stressed (sodium iodate) conditions. The aging RPE expressed
      higher levels of the Nrf2 target genes NQO1, GCLM, and HO1 compared with the RPE
      of younger mice under unstressed conditions, suggesting an age-related increase
      in basal oxidative stress. Moreover, the RPE of older mice demonstrated impaired
      induction of the protective Nrf2 pathway following oxidative stress induced with
      sodium iodate. The RPE of old mice exposed to sodium iodate also exhibited higher
      levels of superoxide anion and malondialdehyde than young mice, suggesting
      inadequate protection against oxidative damage. Induction of Nrf2 signaling in
      response to sodium iodate was partially restored in the RPE of aging mice with
      genetic rescue, using conditional knockdown of the Nrf2 negative regulator Keap1
      (Tam-Cre; Keap1loxP) compared to Keap1loxP mice. These data indicate that the
      aging RPE is vulnerable to oxidative damage due to impaired Nrf2 signaling, and
      that Nrf2 signaling is a promising target for novel pharmacologic or genetic
      therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 24216315
TI  - Expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma:
      low p27 expression predicts poor prognosis.
AB  - Prognosis of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma is largely unpredictable and there
      are few practically available markers for predicting patients' prognosis.
      Dysregulation of cell cycle progression is strongly associated with the
      development of cancer and the cancer prognosis. We investigated the expression of
      cell cycle regulatory proteins in eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma and estimate
      their value as prognostic predictors. Forty-three cases of eyelid sebaceous gland
      carcinoma were included in this study. Immunohistochemistry for the p53, p21,
      p27, cyclin E, p16, cyclin D1, and phosphorylated Rb (pRb) proteins was performed
      using archival paraffin blocks. Correlations between clinical features and
      protein expression were evaluated statistically. Nine patients showed lymph node
      or distant metastasis, and the remaining patients showed localized disease. High
      expression of p21, p27, cyclin E, and p16 was found in the majority of tumor cell
      nuclei, whereas these proteins were rarely expressed in the normal sebaceous
      glands. However, pRb was focally lost in a subset of cases. Patients showing
      diffuse p27 expression developed metastasis less commonly than those with
      negative or focal p27 expression (log-rank test, p = 0.008). Aberrant expression
      of cell cycle regulatory proteins was observed in eyelid sebaceous gland
      carcinoma, suggesting that cell cycle dysregulation is involved in the
      pathogenesis of this tumor. Decreased p27 expression is a predictive biomarker of
      an unfavorable prognosis of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma. 

PMID- 24216316
TI  - Long-term follow-up of stentless prosthesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stentless prostheses have an interesting hemodynamic performance when
      compared to stented prostheses and are recommended in cases of small aortic
      annulus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1996 to January 2004, 138 patients
      suffering from aortic disease, underwent aortic valve replacement. * Group A: 93
      patients underwent stentless aortic valve implantation [stentless Biocor (Biocor
      Industria e Pesguisa Ltda, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) and stentless Sorin (Sorin
      Group, Saluggia, Italy)]. * Group B: 45 patients underwent stented aortic valve
      implantation (stented Biocor). Patients were assessed by clinical evaluation and
      echocardiography after a mean follow up of 124.5 +/- 58.2 months. RESULTS: There
      was a significant difference in terms of time of extracorporeal circulation and
      aortic cross clamp. The actuarial survival at 4, 8, 12, and 15 years is 77%, 50%,
      21%, and 18%, respectively. Freedom from reoperation at 4, 8, 12, and 14 years
      was 92%, 83%, 73%, and 63%, respectively. Freedom from all events, death, and
      reoperation at 4, 8, 12, and 14 years was 70%, 39%, 13%, and 8%, respectively.
      There is no statistical difference among the two groups in terms of actuarial
      survival, freedom from reoperation, and freedom from re-hospitalization for
      prosthesis-related causes. DISCUSSION: There was a significantly higher incidence
      of pacemaker implantation in Group A and the causes are not known. The rate of
      freedom from reoperation is high in both groups for the patients who remained
      alive. There was no statistical difference about prosthesis dysfunction between
      the two groups. The higher incidence of death in Group A cannot be explained by
      causes related to the prosthesis because there is no difference in terms of
      causes of death. Rates of reoperation did not differ between the two groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained with stentless prostheses are encouraging even
      in long-term follow-up.

PMID- 24216317
TI  - Preloading with atorvastatin before percutaneous coronary intervention in statin
      naive Asian patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: A randomized
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data on atorvastatin pretreatment in Asian patients with acute
      coronary syndromes (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are
      limited. However, there have been studies in other populations in Asia which
      demonstrated that statins can reduce the risk of periprocedural myocardial
      infarction (MI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Statin-naive patients with non-ST-segment
      elevation (NSTE)-ACS scheduled for PCI were randomized to usual care or
      atorvastatin preloading groups. All patients received usual care including
      atorvastatin 40 mg/day. The atorvastatin group received atorvastatin 80 mg 12 h
      and 40 mg 2 h pre-PCI. Of 499 patients randomized, 247 were assigned to
      atorvastatin preloading. Following coronary angiography, 335 patients (163
      atorvastatin) received PCI. During the 30 days post-PCI, major adverse cardiac
      events (death, MI, and target vessel revascularization) occurred in 24 (15%)
      atorvastatin and 27 (16%) usual care patients (p=NS). Post hoc analyses showed
      that at 8 h post-PCI, 3.82% of the atorvastatin group and 7.22% of the usual care
      group had a post-procedural creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) above 3 times
      the upper limit of normal (p=0.27) and at 24 h post-PCI, the rate was 7.64%
      versus 9.47% (p=1.0). Safety profile suggests that high-dose atorvastatin (40 mg)
      for up to 1 month, in conjunction with usual care, is relatively safe and well
      tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: This study of statin-naive Korean and Chinese patients
      with NSTE-ACS who received additional atorvastatin loading doses of 80 mg at 12
      h, and 40 mg at 2 h, pre-PCI did not find a beneficial effect compared with usual
      post-PCI atorvastatin 40 mg/day treatment. Atorvastatin was found to be well
      tolerated in Asian patients with NSTE-ACS undergoing PCI. Results of the current
      study merit further investigation of the early use of statins in patients with
      NSTE-ACS to delineate patient subgroups who may benefit from this therapy.

PMID- 24216318
TI  - Lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus mutans interacts with Toll-like receptor 2
      through the lipid moiety for induction of inflammatory mediators in murine
      macrophages.
AB  - Streptococcus mutans is a pathogenic Gram-positive bacterium that is closely
      associated with dental caries and subsequent pulpal inflammation. Although
      lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is considered a major virulence factor of Gram-positive
      bacteria, little is known about the innate immunity to S. mutans LTA. In this
      study, we purified LTA from S. mutans (Sm.LTA) through n-butanol extraction,
      hydrophobic interaction column chromatography, and ion-exchange column
      chromatography to investigate its immunological properties using murine
      macrophages. The Sm.LTA preparation had no detectable contamination with
      endotoxins, proteins, or nucleic acids. Upon exposure to Sm.LTA, the murine
      macrophage cell-line RAW 264.7 cells produced TNF-alpha and nitric oxide (NO) in
      a dose-dependent manner. Sm.LTA preferentially bound to and activated
      CHO/CD14/TLR2 cells rather than CHO/CD14/TLR4 cells, which are stable
      transfectants expressing CD14 and TLR2 or CD14 and TLR4, respectively. Sm.LTA
      could not induce TNF-alpha or NO production in macrophages derived from TLR2
      deficient mice whereas it dose-dependently induced those inflammatory mediators
      in wild-type macrophages. TLR2-dependent induction of NO by Sm.LTA was also
      confirmed in RAW 264.7 cells using specific antibodies blocking TLR2.
      Furthermore, Sm.LTA deacylated by alkaline hydrolysis neither stimulated TLR2 nor
      induced TNF-alpha or NO production, suggesting that Sm.LTA lipid moieties are
      crucial for the immuno-stimulatory activity of Sm.LTA. Unlike Staphylococcus
      aureus LTA, which has potent immuno-stimulating activity, Sm.LTA showed a modest
      induction of NO production comparable to LTAs of other oral bacteria Enterococcus
      faecalis and Lactobacillus plantarum. In conclusion, our results suggest that the
      Sm.LTA interacts with TLR2 through the lipid moiety for the induction of
      inflammatory mediators in macrophages.

PMID- 24216319
TI  - Prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes among non-pregnant women of reproductive age
      in the United States, 1999-2010.
AB  - Undiagnosed diabetes has particularly harmful consequences among women of
      reproductive age. We assessed the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes among non
      pregnant women of reproductive age. In our data 30 women had A1C >= 6.5 and 28
      had FPG >= 126 mg/dl values suggesting approximately 300,000 women of
      reproductive age nationwide may have undiagnosed diabetes.

PMID- 24216320
TI  - Current status and future prospects of toxicogenomics in drug discovery.
AB  - In drug discovery and development (DDD), the efficacy, safety and cost of new
      chemical entities are the main concerns of the pharmaceutical industry.
      Continuously updated and stricter recommendations imposed by regulatory
      authorities result in greater challenges being faced by the industry. Reliable
      high-throughput techniques integrated with well-designed analytical tools at all
      stages of DDD (termed 'next-generation DDD') could be a possible approach to
      obtaining new drug approval by cutting costs as well as ensuring the highest
      level of patient safety. In this review, we describe the various components of
      holistic toxicogenomics with examples of applications, and discuss the various
      analytical tools and platforms to illustrate the current status and prospects of
      next-generation DDD. 

PMID- 24216322
TI  - Soluble P-selectin: the next step.

PMID- 24216323
TI  - Fulminant encephalitis associated with a vaccine strain of rubella virus.
AB  - Involvement of the central nervous system is common in measles, but rare in
      rubella. However, rubella virus (RV) can cause a variety of central nervous
      system syndromes, including meningitis, encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome and
      sub acute sclerosing panencephalitis. We report the occurrence of one fatal case
      of the encephalitis associated with measles-rubella (MR) vaccine during an
      immunization campaign in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A 31 year-old-man, previously in good
      health, was admitted at emergency room, with confusion, agitation, inability to
      stand and hold his head up. Ten days prior to admission, he was vaccinated with
      combined MR vaccine (Serum Institute of India) and three days later he developed
      'flu-like' illness with fever, myalgia and headache. Results of clinical and
      laboratory exams were consistent with a pattern of viral encephalitis. During
      hospitalization, his condition deteriorated rapidly with tetraplegia and
      progression to coma. On the 3rd day of hospitalization he died. Histopathology
      confirmed encephalitis and immunohistochemistry was positive for RV on brain
      tissue. RV was also detected by qPCR and virus isolation in cerebrospinal fluid,
      brain and other clinical samples. The sequence obtained from the isolated virus
      was identical to that of the RA 27/3 vaccine strain. 

PMID- 24216324
TI  - Combined effect of temperature and controlled atmosphere on storage and shelf
      life of 'Rocha' pear treated with 1-methylcyclopropene.
AB  - The combination of temperature and atmosphere composition for storage of Pyrus
      communis L. 'Rocha' treated with 1-methylcyclopropene was investigated. Fruits
      treated with 312 nl l(-1) 1-methylcyclopropene were stored at 0 C and 2.5 C in
      air and controlled atmosphere (CA) (3.04 kPa O2+ 0.91 kPa CO2). Fruits were
      removed from storage after 14, 26 and 35 weeks, transferred to shelf-life at
      approximately 22 C and assessed for ripening and quality, symptoms of superficial
      scald and internal browning and the accumulation of biochemical compounds related
      to scald after 0, 1 and 2 weeks. Superficial scald occurred only in fruits stored
      for 35 weeks in air at 2.5 C. Levels of conjugated trienols and alpha-farnesene
      increased during the first 26 weeks in storage, remaining constant thereafter.
      During shelf-life, conjugated trienols were higher in fruits stored in air at 2.5
      C. Internal browning developed in shelf-life after 26 weeks at 2.5 C. Pears in
      air at 2.5 C were not able to stand a 2-week shelf-life after 35 weeks of
      storage, while fruits stored at 0 C under CA ripened slowly after the same
      storage period. The retention of firmness during shelf-life of 1
      methylcyclopropene-treated 'Rocha' pear can be overcome by elevating the storage
      temperature from 0 C to 2.5 C, but CA is a required complement to avoid excessive
      softening after long-term storage. The ratio carotenoid/chlorophyll increased
      during storage and shelf-life, as plastids senesced. CA reduced the rate of
      chlorophyll loss during the first 14 weeks in storage, but its effect was reduced
      afterwards. 'Rocha' pear treated with 1-methylcyclopropene had a similar post
      harvest behaviour during long-term storage at 0 C in air or at 2.5 C under CA.

PMID- 24216325
TI  - Ontogeny and stand condition influence the dispersal behavior of a defoliating
      specialist caterpillar.
AB  - A 4-yr field study was carried out to study the dispersal behavior of young
      larvae of the eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens)
      (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) within and between crowns of balsam fir (Abies
      balsamea (L.) Miller), through the peak to decline of an outbreak. Newly hatched
      neonates, searching for overwintering sites in the fall, were frequently captured
      in sticky traps as they dispersed via "ballooning" (on silken threads) between
      and within tree crowns. A relatively small proportion of neonates were also
      captured on sticky tapes as they walked down the trunk toward the lower crown,
      where most larvae overwinter. In the spring, second-instar larvae (L2) searching
      for feeding sites also ballooned within and between trees, but were also
      frequently captured on traps on all crown levels as they walked up trunks. Over
      the course of our study, defoliation in our study trees increased, and current
      year shoot availability decreased significantly, perhaps influencing L2 in search
      of food to disperse more frequently among hosts via ballooning. Results of our
      study suggest that the foraging priorities of neonates and L2 significantly
      influence larval dispersal behaviors and that spruce budworm larvae may vary
      behaviors in response to changing host condition during an outbreak. 

PMID- 24216321
TI  - Modelling three-dimensional protein structures for applications in drug design.
AB  - A structural perspective of drug target and anti-target proteins, and their
      molecular interactions with biologically active molecules, largely advances many
      areas of drug discovery, including target validation, hit and lead finding and
      lead optimisation. In the absence of experimental 3D structures, protein
      structure prediction often offers a suitable alternative to facilitate structure
      based studies. This review outlines recent methodical advances in homology
      modelling, with a focus on those techniques that necessitate consideration of
      ligand binding. In this context, model quality estimation deserves special
      attention because the accuracy and reliability of different structure prediction
      techniques vary considerably, and the quality of a model ultimately determines
      its usefulness for structure-based drug discovery. Examples of G-protein-coupled
      receptors (GPCRs) and ADMET-related proteins were selected to illustrate recent
      progress and current limitations of protein structure prediction. Basic
      guidelines for good modelling practice are also provided.

PMID- 24216326
TI  - Dietary fiber intake reduces risk for colorectal adenoma: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Reports on the association between dietary fiber intake and
      risk of colorectal adenoma (CRA), the precursor of colorectal cancer, have been
      inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies to
      analyze this association. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases
      to identify relevant studies published through July 2013. A random-effects model
      was used to estimate summary relative risks (SRRs) and 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs) for associations between fiber intake and CRA risk. Heterogeneity among
      studies was assessed using the Cochran Q and I(2) statistics. RESULTS: Our meta
      analysis included 20 studies involving 10,948 subjects with CRA. The SRRs of CRA
      for total dietary fiber were 0.72 (95% CI, 0.63-0.83) in a high- vs low-intake
      analysis and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.87-0.95) per 10-g/day increase in fiber intake in a
      dose-response model. Subgroup analyses indicated a significant inverse
      association between total fiber intake and CRA risk in case-control studies (SRR,
      0.66; 95% CI, 0.56-0.77), but not in cohort studies (SRR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.76
      1.10). The SRRs of CRA were 0.84 for fruit fiber (95% CI, 0.76-0.94; n = 6
      studies), 0.93 for vegetable fiber (95% CI, 0.84-1.04; n = 6 studies), and 0.76
      for cereal fiber (95% CI, 0.62-0.92; n = 9 studies) in high- vs low-intake
      analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis that high dietary
      fiber intake is associated inversely with CRA risk. Further studies with
      prospective designs that use validated questionnaires and control for important
      confounders are warranted.

PMID- 24216327
TI  - Fiberoptic confocal raman spectroscopy for real-time in vivo diagnosis of
      dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

PMID- 24216328
TI  - Multilocus sequence typing of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli strains
      isolated from environmental waters in the Mediterranean area.
AB  - Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are important animal-related
      waterborne pathogens that are distributed worldwide. To further understand
      Campylobacter populations in water from the Mediterranean area, the genetic
      diversity of environmental strains was analyzed using multilocus sequence typing
      (MLST). MLST was also used to determine the potential geographical differences
      between these bacterial strains and other campylobacters isolated worldwide. The
      typing study was conducted using 58 strains isolated from the Llobregat river and
      other water sources, such as urban sewage, animal wastewater and clinical
      samples. Thirty-nine different sequence types were obtained; eight of these
      sequences were described for the first time in this study, suggesting the
      presence of local strains. The identified C. jejuni strains were the most diverse
      population, whereas the identified C. coli strains showed a high clonal
      structure, which clustered most of the sequence types into a few clonal
      complexes. The strains were not exclusively related to specific water sources.
      However, comparing the identified strains with an international database showed
      that most of the Mediterranean strains that were exclusively isolated from
      environmental waters have previously been isolated from similar sources,
      particularly those obtained from river water. Additional studies, including those
      in different geographical areas using a wide range of Campylobacter sources, are
      required to improve the global knowledge concerning Campylobacter dissemination
      in the environment. 

PMID- 24216330
TI  - The Durban declaration.

PMID- 24216329
TI  - The glial-neuronal GRK2 pathway participates in the development of trigeminal
      neuropathic pain in rats.
AB  - This study examined the role of the glial-neuronal G protein-coupled receptor
      kinase 2 (GRK2) pathway in the development of trigeminal neuropathic pain. Male
      Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 220 to 240 g, were anesthetized with ketamine (0.2
      g/kg) and xylazine (0.02 g/kg). Under anesthesia, the left lower second molar was
      extracted, followed by the placement of a mini-dental implant to intentionally
      injure the inferior alveolar nerve. This injury produced mechanical allodynia
      along with the downregulation of neuronal GRK2 expression in the medullary dorsal
      horn. On the other hand, early intracisternal treatment with MDL28170, a calpain
      inhibitor, produced prolonged antiallodynic effects and blocked this
      downregulation of neuronal GRK2 expression. The intracisternal infusion of
      minocycline, a microglia inhibitor, and l-alpha-aminoadipic acid, an astrocytic
      specific inhibitor, also blocked the induced mechanical allodynia and
      downregulated neuronal GRK2 expression, respectively. Double immunofluorescence
      showed that the interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-1R signals colocalize with the
      astrocytes and neurons, respectively, in the medullary dorsal horn following an
      inferior alveolar nerve injury. In addition, the intracisternal infusion of an IL
      1 receptor antagonist also produced antiallodynic effects and blocked the
      downregulation of neuronal GRK2 expression. These results suggest that the glial
      neuronal GRK2 pathway is a potentially important new target for treating
      neuropathic pain. Moreover, the IL-1beta expressed in astrocytes plays a
      significant role in modulating this pathway. PERSPECTIVE: This study showed that
      the glial-neuronal GRK2 pathway participates in the development of trigeminal
      neuropathic pain in rats. These results suggest that the glial-neuronal GRK2
      pathway is a potentially important new target for the treatment of neuropathic
      pain.

PMID- 24216331
TI  - Can we predict pneumococcal bacteremia in patients with severe community-acquired
      pneumonia?
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the role of biomarkers as markers of
      pneumococcal bacteremia in severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A prospective, single-center, observational cohort study of 108
      patients with SCAP admitted to the intensive care department of a university
      hospital in Portugal was conducted. Leucocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP),
      lactate, procalcitonin (PCT), d-dimer, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and
      cortisol were measured within 12 hours after the first antibiotic dose. RESULTS:
      Fifteen patients (14%) had bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (BPP). They had
      significantly higher levels of median CRP (301 [interquartile range, or IQR], 230
      350] mg/L vs 201 [IQR, 103-299] mg/L; P = .023), PCT (40 [IQR, 25-102] ng/mL vs 8
      [IQR, 2-26] ng/mL; P < .001), BNP (568 [IQR, 478-2841] pg/mL vs 407 [IQR, 175
      989] pg/mL; P = .027), and lactate (5.5 [IQR, 4.5-9.8] mmol/L vs 3.1 [IQR, 1.9
      6.2] mmol/L; P = .009) than did patients without BPP. The discriminatory power
      evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (aROC)
      for PCT (aROC, 0.79) was superior to lactate (aROC, 0.71), BNP (aROC, 0.67), and
      CRP (aROC, 0.70). At a cutoff point of 17 ng/mL, PCT showed a sensitivity of 87%,
      a specificity of 67%, a positive predictive value of 30% and a negative
      predictive value of 97%, as a marker of pneumococcal bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: In
      this cohort, significantly higher PCT, BNP, lactate, and CRP levels were found in
      BPP, and PCT presented the best ability to identify pneumococcal bacteremia. A
      PCT serum level lower than 17 ng/mL could identify patients with SCAP unlikely to
      have pneumococcal bacteremia.

PMID- 24216332
TI  - Complement C3 depletion links to the expansion of regulatory T cells and
      compromises T-cell immunity in human abdominal sepsis: a prospective pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Complement depletion commonly occurred in septic patients, but this
      problem was often underestimated during the treatment process. This study was
      designed to determine the association between complement depletion and T-cell
      immunosuppression. METHODS: From November 2011 to March 2012, patients with
      severe abdominal sepsis were prospectively enrolled in a single center. The
      baseline levels of complement C3 were used to stratify subjects into 2 groups.
      Plasma levels of complement components, percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs),
      and T-cell immunity indexes were monitored at times after admission. The
      relationship between C3 depletion and T-cell response was investigated, with
      clinical outcomes explored meanwhile. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients aged 43.9
      +/- 11.3 years were included within the period. C3 depletion, occurring in 65% of
      enrolled subjects, was strongly correlated with Treg expansion (P = .001) and
      decreased CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio (P = .008). This depletion was also related to
      prolonged hospital stay (P = .001), delayed time to operation (P < .001),
      increased postoperative complications (P = .036), and hospital expenditure (P <
      .001). CONCLUSIONS: Complement C3 depletion was found to be linked to the
      expansion of Tregs during abdominal sepsis. Such depletion and associated
      immunosuppression should be paid close attention in the critical care.

PMID- 24216333
TI  - Bedside rule secondary response in metabolic acid-base disorders is unreliable.

PMID- 24216334
TI  - More nutritional research needed to prevent and treat Acinetobacter infections.

PMID- 24216336
TI  - Combining central venous-to-arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide
      difference and central venous oxygen saturation to guide resuscitation in septic
      shock.
AB  - PURPOSE: Central venous oxygen saturation (Scvo2) is a useful therapeutic target
      when treating septic shock. We hypothesized that combining Scvo2 and central
      venous-to-arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide difference (?Pco2) may
      provide additional information about survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      performed a retrospective analysis of 172 patients treated for septic shock. All
      patients were treated using goal-directed therapy to achieve Scvo2 >= 70%. After
      6 hours of treatment, we divided patients into 4 groups based on Scvo2 (<70% or
      >= 70%) and ?Pco2 (<6 mm Hg or >= 6 mm Hg). RESULTS: Overall, 28-day mortality
      was 35.5%. For patients in whom the Scvo2 target was not achieved at 6 hours,
      mortality was 50.0%, compared with 29.5% in those in whom Scvo2 exceeded 70% (P =
      .009). In patients with Scvo2 >= 70%, mortality was lower if ?Pco2 was <6 mm Hg
      than if ?Pco2 was >= 6 mm Hg (56.1% vs 16.1%, respectively; P < .001) and 6-hour
      lactate clearance was superior (0.01 +/- 0.61 vs 0.21 +/- 0.31, respectively; P =
      .016). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Scvo2 and ?Pco2 appears to predict outcome
      in critically ill patients resuscitated from septic shock better than Scvo2
      alone. Patients who meet both targets appear to clear lactate more efficiently.

PMID- 24216338
TI  - The intersection of intimate partner violence and HIV in U.S. women: a review.
AB  - The purposes of this study were to (a) review original research in the United
      States on the intersection of HIV risk and intimate partner violence (IPV) in
      women, and (b) identify trends that promote nursing and public health prevention
      and intervention strategies. Twenty-three original, peer-reviewed articles in the
      medical literature from 2008 to April 2012 were reviewed. Articles were eligible
      for inclusion if they addressed both HIV and IPV in women. Studies identified
      relationships between intimate partner victimization and HIV risk behaviors.
      Other factors compounding the complex relationship between IPV and increased HIV
      risk in women included sexual decision-making, male behavior, and substance use.
      A promising trend was found in the publication of studies addressing
      interventions. Prospective studies are needed to determine causality and temporal
      associations. Nursing interventions should focus on identifying women at risk for
      IPV, assessing HIV exposure risks, and providing culturally sensitive
      interventions and preventive measures. 

PMID- 24216339
TI  - Robust spike classification based on frequency domain neural waveform features.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We introduce a new spike classification algorithm based on frequency
      domain features of the spike snippets. The goal for the algorithm is to provide
      high classification accuracy, low false misclassification, ease of
      implementation, robustness to signal degradation, and objectivity in
      classification outcomes. APPROACH: In this paper, we propose a spike
      classification algorithm based on frequency domain features (CFDF). It makes use
      of frequency domain contents of the recorded neural waveforms for spike
      classification. The self-organizing map (SOM) is used as a tool to determine the
      cluster number intuitively and directly by viewing the SOM output map. After
      that, spike classification can be easily performed using clustering algorithms
      such as the k-Means. MAIN RESULTS: In conjunction with our previously developed
      multiscale correlation of wavelet coefficient (MCWC) spike detection algorithm,
      we show that the MCWC and CFDF detection and classification system is robust when
      tested on several sets of artificial and real neural waveforms. The CFDF is
      comparable to or outperforms some popular automatic spike classification
      algorithms with artificial and real neural data. SIGNIFICANCE: The detection and
      classification of neural action potentials or neural spikes is an important step
      in single-unit-based neuroscientific studies and applications. After the
      detection of neural snippets potentially containing neural spikes, a robust
      classification algorithm is applied for the analysis of the snippets to (1)
      extract similar waveforms into one class for them to be considered coming from
      one unit, and to (2) remove noise snippets if they do not contain any features of
      an action potential. Usually, a snippet is a small 2 or 3 ms segment of the
      recorded waveform, and differences in neural action potentials can be subtle from
      one unit to another. Therefore, a robust, high performance classification system
      like the CFDF is necessary. In addition, the proposed algorithm does not require
      any assumptions on statistical properties of the noise and proves to be robust
      under noise contamination.

PMID- 24216337
TI  - A role for orexin in cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced fatigue.
AB  - Fatigue is the most common symptom related to cytotoxic chemotherapeutic
      treatment of cancer. Peripheral inflammation associated with cytotoxic
      chemotherapy is likely a causal factor of fatigue. The neural mechanisms by which
      cytotoxic chemotherapy associated inflammation induces fatigue behavior are not
      known. This lack of knowledge hinders development of interventions to reduce or
      prevent this disabling symptom. Infection induced fatigue/lethargy in rodents is
      mediated by suppression of hypothalamic orexin activity. Orexin is critical for
      maintaining wakefulness and motivated behavior. Though there are differences
      between infection and cytotoxic chemotherapy in some symptoms, both induce
      peripheral inflammation and fatigue. Based on these similarities we hypothesized
      that cytotoxic chemotherapy induces fatigue by disrupting orexin neuron activity.
      We found that a single dose of a cytotoxic chemotherapy cocktail
      (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil - CAF) induced fatigue/lethargy in
      mice and rats as evidenced by a significant decline in voluntary locomotor
      activity measured by telemetry. CAF induced inflammatory gene expression - IL-1R1
      (p<0.001), IL-6 (p<0.01), TNFalpha (p<0.01), and MCP-1 (p<0.05) - in the rodent
      hypothalamus 6-24h after treatment during maximum fatigue/lethargy. CAF decreased
      orexin neuron activity as reflected by decreased nuclear cFos localization in
      orexin neurons 24h after treatment (p<0.05) and by decreased orexin-A in
      cerebrospinal fluid 16 h after treatment (p<0.001). Most importantly, we found
      that central administration of 1 MUg orexin-A restored activity in CAF-treated
      rats (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that cytotoxic chemotherapy induces
      hypothalamic inflammation and that suppression of hypothalamic orexin neuron
      activity has a causal role in cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced fatigue in rodents.

PMID- 24216340
TI  - Kinetic model of Chlorella vulgaris growth with and without extremely low
      frequency-electromagnetic fields (EM-ELF).
AB  - Chlorella vulgaris was grown in two bench-scale photobioreactors with and without
      the application of a low intensity, low frequency electromagnetic field (EM-ELF)
      of about 3mT. Cell concentration and tendency of cells to form aggregates inside
      the reactor were recorded over a 30 days-time period at 0.5L-constant medium
      volume in the temperature range 289-304K. At 304K, after a cultivation period of
      15 days, the rate of cell death became predominant over that of growth. In the
      temperature range 289-299K, a two step-kinetic model based on the mitotic
      division and the clusterization processes was developed and critically discussed.
      The best-fitted curves turned out to have a sigmoid shape, and the competition
      between mitosis and clusterization was investigated. Without EM-ELF, the
      temperature dependence of the specific rate constant of the mitotic step yielded
      an apparent total enthalpy of 15+/-6kJmol(-1), whose value was not influenced by
      the EM-ELF application. The electromagnetic field was shown to exert a
      significant effect on the exothermic clusterization step. The heat exchange due
      to binding between cells and liquid medium turned out to be -44+/-5kJmol(-1) in
      the absence of EM-ELF and -68+/-8kJmol(-1) when it was active. Optical microscopy
      observations were in agreement with the model predictions and confirmed that EM
      ELF was able to enhance cell clusterization. 

PMID- 24216341
TI  - Tools for advanced and targeted genetic manipulation of the beta-lactam
      antibiotic producer Acremonium chrysogenum.
AB  - Acremonium chrysogenum is the major producer of the beta-lactam antibiotic
      cephalosporin C and therefore of great importance for the pharmaceutical
      industry. However, this filamentous fungus is known to reproduce solely by
      asexual means, shows only sporadic conidiospore production, and has gradual
      fragmentation of the vegetative mycelium into arthrospores. Due to these peculiar
      growth characteristics and life style, strain improvement by recombinant
      technologies is much more challenging than for other biotechnologically relevant
      fungi. Here, we describe several molecular tools for genetic engineering of A.
      chrysogenum, including a DeltaAcku70 deletion strain for homologous
      recombination. No physiological or morphological changes occurred due to deletion
      of the ku70 gene or integration of the nat1 cassette in this recipient strain. We
      also used a xylose-inducible promoter from Sordaria macrospora (Smxyl) to
      demonstrate induction of the gfp reporter gene in A. chrysogenum. The Smxyl
      promoter was used for construction of a vector molecule to develop a one-step
      FLP/FRT recombination system in A. chrysogenum. This system was then used in the
      DeltaAcku70 deletion strain to construct a marker-free recipient strain for
      targeted DNA insertion into genomic DNA. The applicability of our tools was
      demonstrated by construction of a marker-free transgenic strain, lacking any
      foreign genes. 

PMID- 24216342
TI  - Effect of immediate and continuous mother-infant skin-to-skin contact on
      breastfeeding self-efficacy of primiparous women: a randomised control trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of mother-infant immediate skin-to-skin contact
      on primiparous mother's breastfeeding self-efficacy. STUDY DESIGN: A randomised
      control trial. SETTINGS: The study was conducted in Omolbanin obstetrics hospital
      (large tertiary hospital), Mashhad, Iran. PARTICIPANTS: 114 18-35 year-old
      primiparous, Iranian, healthy and full term mothers who anticipated normal
      vaginal delivery and intended to breastfeed their babies. INTERVENTION: Skin-to
      skin contact immediately after birth and then controlling breastfeeding self
      efficacy at 28 days postpartum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Maternal breastfeeding self
      efficacy at 28 days postpartum and success in first breastfeeding and mean time
      of first breastfeeding initiation. RESULTS: A total of 92 mother-infant dyads (47
      dyads in skin-to-skin care skin-to-skin contact group and 45 dyads in routine
      care group) were monitored and analysed. In skin-to-skin contact group,
      breastfeeding self-efficacy was 53.42+/-8.57 SD as compared to 49.85+/-5.50 SD in
      routine care group which is significantly higher in skin-to-skin contact group
      (p=0.0003). Successful breastfeeding initiation rate was 56.6% in skin-to-skin
      contact group as compared to 35.6% in routine care group (p=0.02). Time to
      initiate first feed was 21.98+/-9.10 SD min in SSC group vs. 66.55+/-20.76 min in
      routine care group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Mother-infant immediate skin-to-skin
      contact is an easy and available method of enhancing maternal breastfeeding self
      efficacy. High breastfeeding self-efficacy increases exclusive breastfeeding
      duration.

PMID- 24216343
TI  - Physical activity practice, body image and visual impairment: a comparison
      between Brazilian and Italian children and adolescents.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze the physical activity and body image of
      children and adolescents with visual impairment (VI) in Brazil and Italy. For
      this, 41 children and adolescents with VI (19 Brazilian and 22 Italian) aged
      10.22 +/- 2.19 years old (18 girls and 23 boys) answered the Physical Activity
      Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ),
      and an instrument with information about the disability, body weight and height.
      We analyzed the relationship between data from PAQ-C and OSIQ, as well as the
      gender, level of disability (blindness or low vision) and country using
      independent Mann-Whitney test. Body mass index (BMI) values were higher for
      Brazilian youths, with more than half of them classified as overweight and obese.
      Italian youths exhibited values of body image that were more positive and only
      27% presented overweight or obesity. Blind children and adolescents were less
      active than those with low vision, but no differences were found between
      countries or genders. In Brazil, we detected significant correlations (p>0.05)
      between physical activity, body image and BMI, which more active youths
      presenting lower values of BMI and a better perception of body image. Physical
      activity seems to have a positive influence on body image and BMI for children
      and adolescents with VI, thus it should be encouraged especially for those with
      higher disability degrees.

PMID- 24216344
TI  - Enumeration of small and large numerosities in adolescents with mathematical
      learning disorders.
AB  - The accuracy and speed in an enumeration task were investigated in adolescents
      with typical and atypically poor development of arithmetic skills. The number
      naming performances on small and large non-symbolic numerosities of 18
      adolescents with mathematical learning disorders (MLD) and 28 typically achieving
      age-matched (TA) adolescents were compared. A mixed logistic regression model
      showed that adolescents with MLD were not significantly less accurate on numbers
      within the subitizing range than control peers. Moreover, no significant
      differences in reaction times were found between both groups. Nevertheless, we
      found that within the control group adolescents with higher ability tended to
      respond faster when taking into account the whole range (1-9) of numerosities.
      This correlation was much weaker in the MLD group. When looking more closely at
      the data, however, it became clear that the correlation between accuracy and
      speed within the control group differed in direction dependent on the range
      (subitizing or counting) of the numerosities. As such, our findings did not
      support a limited capacity of subitizing in MLD. However, the data stressed a
      different correlation between speed and accuracy for both groups of adolescents
      and a different behavioral pattern depending on the numerosity range as well.
      Implications for the understanding and approach of MLD are considered.

PMID- 24216345
TI  - Correlates of self-injurious, aggressive and destructive behaviour in children
      under five who are at risk of developmental delay.
AB  - AIM: Several behavioural correlates of self-injury, aggression and destructive
      behaviour have been identified in children and young adults with intellectual
      disabilities. This cross-sectional study aimed to further explore these
      correlates in very young children with developmental delay. METHODS: Parents of
      56 children (40 male) under the age of five years (mean age 2 years 10 months)
      completed a questionnaire about their child's behaviour and the presence of
      behavioural correlates, including repetitive, over-active or impulsive behaviour
      and more severe developmental delay. RESULTS: Parents reported very high
      prevalence of self-injurious, aggressive and destructive behaviour: 51%, 64% and
      51%, respectively. A binary logistic regression revealed that a higher score on a
      measure of overactive and impulsive behaviour significantly predicted the
      presence of destructive behaviour. A multiple linear regression revealed that
      both repetitive behaviour and number of health problems approached significance
      as independent predictors of severe self-injurious behaviour. INTERPRETATION:
      Despite the very small sample, several factors emerged as potential predictors of
      self-injurious, aggressive and destructive behaviour. These findings support the
      need for further investigation in a larger sample. Confirmation in this age group
      could help guide the development of targeted early intervention for these
      behaviours by identifying behavioural risk markers.

PMID- 24216346
TI  - Advances and challenges for nutrient management in china in the 21st century.
AB  - Managing agricultural nutrients to provide a safe and secure food supply while
      protecting the environment remains one of the great challenges for the 21st
      century. The fourth International Nutrient Management Symposium (INMS), held in
      2011 at the University of Delaware, addressed these issues via presentations,
      panel sessions, and field tours focused on latest technologies and policies
      available to increase nutrient use efficiency. Participants from the United
      States, Europe, Canada, and China discussed global trends and challenges,
      balancing food security and the environment in countries with struggling and
      emerging economics, nutrient management and transport at the catchment scale, new
      technologies for managing fertilizer and manure nutrients, and adaptive nutrient
      management practices for farm to watershed scales. A particular area of interest
      at the fourth INMS was nutrient management progress and challenges in China over
      the past 40 years. China's food security challenges and rapidly growing economy
      have led to major advances in agricultural production systems but also created
      severe nutrient pollution problems. This special collection of papers from the
      fourth INMS gives an overview of the remarkable progress China has made in
      nutrient management and highlights major challenges and changes in agri
      environmental policies and practices needed today. Lessons learned in China are
      of value to both developing and developed countries facing the common task of
      providing adequate food for an expanding world population, while protecting air
      and water quality and restoring damaged ecosystems. 

PMID- 24216347
TI  - An analysis of developments and challenges in nutrient management in china.
AB  - During the past 50 years, China has successfully realized food self-sufficiency
      for its rapidly growing population. Currently, it feeds 22% of the global
      population with 9% of the global area of arable land. However, these achievements
      were made at high external resource use and environmental costs. The challenge
      facing China is to further increase food production while drastically decreasing
      the environmental costs of food production. Here we review the major developments
      in nutrient management in China over the last 50 years. We briefly analyze the
      current organizational structure of the "advisory system" in agriculture, the
      developments in nutrient management for crop production, and the developments in
      nutrient management in animal production. We then discuss the nutrient management
      challenges for the next decades, considering nutrient management in the whole
      chain of crop production-animal production-food processing-food consumption by
      households. We argue that more coherent national policies and institutional
      structures are required for research extension education to be able to address
      the immense challenges ahead. Key actions include nutrient management in the
      whole food chain concomitant with a shift in objectives from food security only
      to food security, resource use efficiency, and environmental sustainability;
      improved animal waste management based on coupled animal production and crop
      production systems; and much greater emphasis on technology transfer from science
      to practice through education, training, demonstration, and extension services. 

PMID- 24216348
TI  - The driving forces for nitrogen and phosphorus flows in the food chain of china,
      1980 to 2010.
AB  - Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) use and losses in China's food chain have
      accelerated in the past three decades, driven by population growth, rapid
      urbanization, dietary transition, and changing nutrient management practice.
      There has been little detailed quantitative analysis of the relative magnitude of
      these driving forces throughout this period. Therefore, we analyzed changes in N
      and P flows and key drivers behind changes in the food (production and
      consumption) chain at the national scale from 1980 to 2010. Food (N and P)
      consumption increased by about fivefold in urban settings over this period but
      has decreased in rural settings since the 1990s. For urban settings, the
      integrated driving forces for increased food consumption were population growth,
      which accounted for ~60%, and changing urban diets toward a greater emphasis on
      the consumption of animal products. Nutrient inputs and losses in crop and animal
      productions have continuously increased from 1980 to 2010, but the rates of
      decadal increase were greatly different. Increased total inputs and losses in
      crop production were primarily driven by increased crop production for food
      demand (68-96%) in the 1980s but were likely offset in the 2000s by improved
      nutrient management practices, as evidenced by decreased total inputs to and
      losses from cropland for harvesting per nutrient in crop. The contributions of
      animal production to total N and P losses to waters from the food chain increased
      by 34 and 60% from 1980 to 2010. These increases were caused mainly by decreased
      ratios of manure returned to cropland. Our study highlights a larger impact of
      changing nutrient management practice than population growth on elevated nutrient
      flows in China's food chain. 

PMID- 24216349
TI  - An Analysis of China's Fertilizer Policies: Impacts on the Industry, Food
      Security, and the Environment.
AB  - China has made remarkable strides in recent decades to grow enough food to feed
      20% of the world's population with only 9% of the world's arable land. Meanwhile,
      the nation is experiencing exacerbated air and water pollution problems.
      Agricultural growth and the pollution aggravation are closely linked with
      policies affecting fertilizer production and use. Essentially nonexistent in
      1950, China's fertilizer industry is now a robust conglomerate producing
      fertilizers in amounts that not only meet domestic demand but also contribute to
      international trade. The industry's growth stemmed from a series of policy
      progressions, featuring (i) a total control system with state ownership and
      central planning (1949-1984), (ii) a dual system of central planning and market
      adjustment (1985-1997), (iii) a market-driven system with government-mandated
      price caps (1998-2009), and (iv) a complete market-oriented system (since 2009).
      In conjunction with the policy changes were massive subsidy programs totaling
      more than $18 billion in 2010. The support policies and subsidies helped grow the
      industry and safeguard an adequate supply of fertilizers at affordable costs to
      farmers, but the artificially low-priced fertilizers also contributed to a
      nationwide trend of fertilizer overuse, leading to nutrient pollution. China
      needs innovative policies and programs to address food security and
      sustainability challenges. In this study, we review and analyze policies and
      programs related to China's fertilizer production and use in a 60-yr span (1950
      2010) and discuss its impact on the development of the industry, food security,
      and pressing environmental issues. Finally, our study analyzes long-term trends
      in fertilizer use in China and offers some key viewpoints to stimulate debates
      among all stakeholders. 

PMID- 24216350
TI  - Phosphorus in China's Intensive Vegetable Production Systems: Overfertilization,
      Soil Enrichment, and Environmental Implications.
AB  - China's vegetable production has experienced a rapid growth in recent years.
      Total production amounted to 522.7 million Mg (1 Mg = 10 g) in 2009, which was
      more than nine times that in 1980 and represented >50% of the world production.
      Meanwhile, excessive use of animal manures and chemical fertilizers in vegetable
      fields has brought various production and environmental challenges, including
      excessive accumulation of nutrients in soils and accelerated water pollution
      problems. In this study, we have evaluated the current status of phosphorus (P)
      in China's intensive vegetable production systems based on data summarized from
      nearly 100 publications plus results from our recent experiments. Gross
      overfertilization occurred in greenhouse (571 kg P ha) and open-field (117 kg P
      ha) vegetable systems compared with P removal in harvested crops (44 and 25 kg P
      ha) per season. Excess P input led to soil enrichment of labile P, measured as
      Olsen-P, averaging 179 (greenhouses) and 100 mg P kg (open fields) in the 0- to
      20-cm soil depth, and in some cases led to P leaching, as evidenced by increases
      in Olsen-P and CaCl-P at the 40- to 60-cm soil depth. The vast majority of
      vegetable soils had Olsen-P exceeding the critical level (46.0-58.0 mg P kg) for
      optimum vegetable yield. Innovative policies and strategies are urgently needed
      to implement science-based nutrient management practices to attain sustainable
      vegetable production while protecting natural and environmental resources. 

PMID- 24216351
TI  - Nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies in dairy production in china.
AB  - Milk production has greatly increased in China recently, with significant impacts
      on the cycling of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). However, nutrient flows within
      the changing dairy production system are not well quantified. The aim of this
      study was to increase the quantitative understanding of N and P cycling and
      utilization in dairy production through database development and simulation
      modeling. In 2010, of the entire 1987 and 346 thousand tons (Gg) of N and P
      input, only 188 Gg N and 31 Gg P ended up in milk. The average N and P use
      efficiencies were 24 and 25%, respectively, at the whole system level.
      Efficiencies differed significantly between the four dairy systems. Losses of N
      from these systems occurred via NH volatilization (33%), discharge (27%),
      denitrification (24%), NO leaching and runoff (16%), and NO emission (1%).
      Industrial feedlots use less feed per kg milk produced than traditional systems,
      and rely more on high-quality feed from fertilized cropland; they have very poor
      recycling of manure nutrients to cropland. As industrial feedlot systems are
      booming, overall mean N and P use efficiencies will increase at herd level but
      will decrease at the whole dairy production system level unless manure N and P
      are used more efficiently through reconnecting China's feed and dairy production
      sectors. 

PMID- 24216352
TI  - A review of stream nutrient criteria development in the United States.
AB  - Elevated nutrients and sediments are the main factors contributing to the poor
      biological condition measured in over 40% of US waters, highlighting the need for
      criteria that can aid management efforts to protect or restore the quality of US
      waters. A large amount of literature on nutrient criteria has been generated
      since the USEPA called for their development in 1998. Our objective was to
      examine this peer-reviewed literature to evaluate two main approaches for
      criteria development in lotic ecosystems: percentile rank and bivariate
      predictive statistical analyses. The 25th percentile approach has been examined
      broadly across USEPA-aggregate nutrient ecoregions, and we found that USEPA
      suggested criteria for these aggregate ecoregions were often more conservative
      than criteria estimated using more current regionally focused data based on our
      compiled data set. Furthermore, 25th percentile estimates were often less than
      75th percentile estimates based on reference sites, suggesting that 75th
      percentile estimates were not more conservative than 25th percentile estimates.
      Predictive approaches have focused on establishing linear and nonlinear
      relationships between water quality and algae, macroinvertebrate, and fish
      communities; attributing causation; and determining whether threshold points
      exist that can aid in nutrient criteria development. Most of the predictive
      approaches have occurred at the state or watershed level and may not be directly
      comparable to USEPA aggregate ecoregions. However, percentile method estimates
      often fell within the confidence interval of biological threshold criteria
      estimates, suggesting overlap and some consensus between the two main approaches.

PMID- 24216353
TI  - Review of the application of near-infrared spectroscopy technology to determine
      the chemical composition of animal manure.
AB  - Animal manure contains a variety of chemical constituents that are highly
      valuable to agriculture, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and metal
      micronutrients. Although appropriately applied manure has numerous positive
      attributes, the excessive application of manure may lead to pollution of the
      atmosphere, water, or soil. To reconcile precision agriculture and the potential
      negative environmental influences of animal manure, it is necessary to develop
      rapid and robust methods to evaluate the chemical composition of animal manure.
      This paper summarizes recent advances in near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy
      (NIRS) in predicting moisture, dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus,
      carbon, and metal content in animal manure. The results indicate the high
      potential of NIRS as an efficient tool for monitoring the chemical composition of
      animal manure. Future prospects and needs related to increasing the feasibility
      of the industrial application of NIRS and improving NIRS prediction precision in
      determining the chemical composition of animal manure are discussed. 

PMID- 24216354
TI  - Particulate emissions calculations from fall tillage operations using point and
      remote sensors.
AB  - Soil preparation for agricultural crops produces aerosols that may significantly
      contribute to seasonal atmospheric particulate matter (PM). Efforts to reduce PM
      emissions from tillage through a variety of conservation management practices
      (CMPs) have been made, but the reductions from many of these practices have not
      been measured in the field. A study was conducted in California's San Joaquin
      Valley to quantify emissions reductions from fall tillage CMP. Emissions were
      measured from conventional tillage methods and from a "combined operations" CMP,
      which combines several implements to reduce tractor passes. Measurements were
      made of soil moisture, bulk density, meteorological profiles, filter-based total
      suspended PM (TSP), concentrations of PM with an equivalent aerodynamic diameter
      <=10 MUm (PM) and PM with an equivalent aerodynamic diameter <=2.5 MUm (PM), and
      aerosol size distribution. A mass-calibrated, scanning, three-wavelength light
      detection and ranging (LIDAR) procedure estimated PM through a series of
      algorithms. Emissions were calculated via inverse modeling with mass
      concentration measurements and applying a mass balance to LIDAR data. Inverse
      modeling emission estimates were higher, often with statistically significant
      differences. Derived PM emissions for conventional operations generally agree
      with literature values. Sampling irregularities with a few filter-based samples
      prevented calculation of a complete set of emissions through inverse modeling;
      however, the LIDAR-based emissions dataset was complete. The CMP control
      effectiveness was calculated based on LIDAR-derived emissions to be 29 +/- 2%, 60
      +/- 1%, and 25 +/- 1% for PM, PM, and TSP size fractions, respectively.
      Implementation of this CMP provides an effective method for the reduction of PM
      emissions. 

PMID- 24216355
TI  - A new approach to developing a fugitive road dust emission inventory and emission
      trend from 2006 to 2010 in the beijing metropolitan area, china.
AB  - The USEPA emission factor (AP-42) of fugitive road dust (FRD) is widely used in
      establishing emission inventories. However, road silt loading sampling for AP-42
      is expensive, time consuming, and dangerous. Therefore, a new method for
      establishing emission inventories based on road dust-fall (DF) monitors is
      described. Between January 2006 and December 2010, DF was monitored at 40 sites
      (80 samples), and background dust fall (DF) was monitored at 14 sites in the
      Beijing metropolitan area. Also during this period, 58 samples of road silt
      loadings were taken and used in the AP-42 emission factor equation to calculate
      FRD with particulate matter <=10 MUm in diameter [FRD(PM)] emission from the
      roads. Simultaneous measurement of FRD(PM) emissions calculated by AP-42 and
      DeltaDF (i.e., the difference between the DF and DF) measured using gauges showed
      that the FRD(PM) emission for road dust was proportional to the DeltaDF ( =
      0.92). The FRD(PM) emission (kg km * 30 d) was calculated using the monitored
      DeltaDF (t km * 30 d) by the formulation FRD(PM) = 278.3 * DeltaDF - 1151.2. The
      DeltaDF showed a general decline from 2006 to 2010. In particular, there was a
      sharp decline in August, September, and October 2008 due to strict dust controls
      enforced during the 2008 Olympic Games. Although there was a small increase in
      DeltaDF after the Games, by the end of 2010 values were still lower than those
      before the Games. Using the 2006 DeltaDF value as a benchmark, DeltaDF values
      declined by 24.7, 33.0, 38.3, and 31.4% in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010,
      respectively. Based on using AP-42 calculations from silt loading and traffic
      information in 2007, the FRD(PM) emission distribution in the Beijing
      metropolitan area was mapped, and there were 2.05 * 10 tons of FRD(PM) emitted in
      2007. The FRD(PM) from 2006 to 2010 was calculated by the DeltaDF values. 

PMID- 24216356
TI  - Nitrous oxide production from soils amended with biogas residues and cattle
      slurry.
AB  - The amount of residues generated from biogas production has increased
      dramatically due to the worldwide interest in renewable energy. A common way to
      handle the residues is to use them as fertilizers in crop production. Application
      of biogas residues to agricultural soils may be accompanied with environmental
      risks, such as increased NO emission. In 24-d laboratory experiments, NO dynamics
      and total production were studied in arable soils (sandy, clay, and organic)
      amended with one of two types of anaerobically digested biogas residues (BR-A and
      BR-B) generated from urban and agricultural waste and nondigested cattle slurry
      (CS) applied at rates corresponding to 70 kg NH-N ha. Total NO-N losses from the
      sandy soil were higher after amendment with BR-B (0.32 g NO-N m) than BR-A or CS
      (0.02 and 0.18 g NO-N m, respectively). In the clay soil, NO-N losses were very
      low for CS (0.02 g NO-N m) but higher for BR-A and BR-B (0.25 and 0.15 g NO-N m,
      respectively). In the organic soil, CS gave higher total NO-N losses (0.31 g NO-N
      m) than BR-A or BR-B (0.09 and 0.08 g NO-N m, respectively). Emission peaks
      differed considerably between soils, occurring on Day 1 in the organic soil and
      on Days 11 to 15 in the sand, whereas in the clay the peak varied markedly (Days
      1, 6, and 13) depending on residue type. In all treatments, NH concentration
      decreased with time, and NO concentration increased. Potential ammonium oxidation
      and potential denitrification activity increased significantly in the amended
      sandy soil but not in the organic soil and only in the clay amended with CS. The
      results showed that fertilization with BR can increase NO emissions and that the
      size is dependent on the total N and organic C content of the slurry and on soil
      type. In conclusion, the two types of BR and the CS are not interchangeable
      regarding their effects on NO production in different soils, and, hence, matching
      fertilizer type to soil type could reduce NO emissions. For instance, it could be
      advisable to avoid fertilization of organic soils with CS containing high amounts
      or organic C and instead use BR. In clay soil, however, the risk of NO emissions
      could be lowered by choosing a CS. 

PMID- 24216357
TI  - Methane emissions from drill-seeded, delayed-flood rice production on a silt-loam
      soil in arkansas.
AB  - Rice ( L.) production is unique among staple food crops because the majority of
      the growing season typically occurs under flooded-soil conditions. Flooding the
      soil leads to anaerobic conditions, which are a precursor to methane (CH)
      production. However, no known research has investigated CH emissions from the
      drill-seeded, delayed-flood rice production system common in Arkansas, the
      leading rice-producing state in the United States. Therefore, research was
      conducted in 2011 to determine the effects of vegetation (rice and bare soil),
      chamber location (in- and between-rice rows), and nitrogen (N) fertilization
      (optimal and no N) on CH emissions from a silt-loam soil. Methane fluxes measured
      weekly from flooding until flood release were affected by vegetation, chamber
      location, and sample date ( < 0.05). In-row CH fluxes were <0.7 mg CH-C m h until
      20 d after flooding (DAF) and <1.0 mg CH-C m h from between-row and bare soil
      until 41 DAF and were unaffected by fertilization over time. The largest weekly
      measured CH flux (31.9 mg CH-C m h) was observed from in-row rice at 41 DAF. Post
      flood-release CH fluxes were affected by vegetation, fertilization, chamber
      placement, and sample date ( < 0.05) and accounted for approximately 3 to 7% of
      the season-long CH emissions. Methane emissions averaged 195 kg CH-C ha per
      growing season and were unaffected by fertilization. Direct measurement of CH
      emissions from drill-seeded, delayed-flood rice grown on a silt-loam soil will
      improve the accuracy of assessments of the carbon footprint and long-term
      sustainability of rice. 

PMID- 24216358
TI  - Wavelet analysis of the variability of nitrous oxide emissions from soil at
      decameter to kilometer scales.
AB  - We analyzed data on nitrous oxide emissions and on soil properties that were
      collected on a 7.5-km transect across an agricultural landscape in eastern
      England using the discrete wavelet packet transform. We identified a wavelet
      packet "best basis" for the emission data. Wavelet packet basis functions are
      used to decompose the data into a set of coefficients that represent the
      variation in the data at different spatial frequencies and locations. The "best
      basis" for a set of data is adapted to the variability in the data by ensuring
      that the spatial resolution of local features is good at those spatial
      frequencies where variation is particularly intermittent. The best basis was
      shown to be adapted to represent such intermittent variation, most markedly at
      wavelengths of 100 m or less. Variation at these wavelengths was shown to be
      correlated particularly with chemical properties of the soil, such as nitrate
      content. Variation at larger wavelengths showed less evidence of intermittency
      and was found to be correlated with soil chemical and physical constraints on
      emission rates. In addition to frequency-dependent intermittent variation, it was
      found that the variance of emission rates at some wavelengths changed at
      particular locations along the transect. One factor causing this appeared to be
      contrasts in parent material. The complex variation in emission rates identified
      by these analyses has implications for how emission rates are estimated. 

PMID- 24216359
TI  - Short-term biodegradation of petroleum in planted and unplanted sandy soil.
AB  - A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effect of microbial
      populations and biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in Lam. 'Passerel Plus'
      planted and unplanted contaminated sandy soil. Plant adaptation, growth,
      photosynthesis, rhizosphere microbial population, and total petroleum hydrocarbon
      (TPH) degradation were determined. Petroleum contamination resulted in reduced
      plant growth, photosynthesis, and macro- and micronutrient content. Filamentous
      fungi populations were stimulated by the petroleum concentrations, especially
      when plants were exposed to intermediate to high petroleum contamination. In
      general, unplanted containers had lower bacterial colony forming units compared
      with planted containers. Thus, bacterial populations were stimulated by the
      rhizosphere effect of when compared with fungal populations. Degradation of TPH
      was greater in the lower petroleum concentration when compared with the higher
      petroleum concentrations in the soil and was not affected by plant presence.
      Nevertheless, the TPH biodegradation occurred at greater rates: 48 mg kg d for
      concentration of 3000 mg kg and 66 and 165 mg kg d for concentrations of 6000 and
      15,000 mg kg, respectively, which concurs with the high fungal and bacterial
      populations with increasing petroleum concentrations regardless of plant
      presence. 

PMID- 24216360
TI  - System dynamics modeling of nitrogen removal in a stormwater infiltration basin
      with biosorption-activated media.
AB  - Stormwater infiltration basins, one of the typical stormwater best management
      practices, are commonly constructed for surface water pollution control, flood
      mitigation, and groundwater restoration in rural or residential areas. These
      basins have soils with better infiltration capacity than the native soil;
      however, the ever-increasing contribution of nutrients to groundwater from
      stormwater due to urban expansion makes existing infiltration basins unable to
      meet groundwater quality criteria related to environmental sustainability and
      public health. This issue requires retrofitting current infiltration basins for
      flood control as well as nutrient control before the stormwater enters the
      groundwater. An existing stormwater infiltration basin in north-central Florida
      was selected, retrofitted, and monitored to identify subsurface physiochemical
      and biological processes during 2007-2010 to investigate nutrient control
      processes. This implementation in the nexus of contaminant hydrology and
      ecological engineering adopted amended soil layers packed with biosorption
      activated media (BAM; tire crumb, silt, clay, and sand) to perform nutrient
      removal in a partitioned forebay using a berm. This study presents an
      infiltration basin-nitrogen removal (IBNR) model, a system dynamics model that
      simulates nitrogen cycling in this BAM-based stormwater infiltration basin with
      respect to changing hydrologic conditions and varying dissolved nitrogen
      concentrations. Modeling outputs of IBNR indicate that denitrification is the
      biogeochemical indicator in the BAM layer that accounted for a loss of about one
      third of the total dissolved nitrogen mass input. 

PMID- 24216361
TI  - Simulation of Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Estimation of Global Warming Potential
      in Turfgrass Systems Using the DAYCENT Model.
AB  - Nitrous oxide (NO) emissions are an important component of the greenhouse gas
      budget for turfgrasses. To estimate NO emissions and global warming potential,
      the DAYCENT ecosystem model was parameterized and applied to turfgrass
      ecosystems. The annual cumulative NO emissions predicted by the DAYCENT model
      were close to the measured emission rates of Kentucky bluegrass ( L.) sites in
      Colorado (within 16% of the observed values). For the perennial ryegrass ( L.)
      site in Kansas, the DAYCENT model initially overestimated the NO emissions for
      all treatments (urea and ammonium sulfate at 250 kg N ha yr and urea at 50 kg N
      ha yr) by about 200%. After including the effect of biological nitrification
      inhibition in the root exudate of perennial ryegrass, the DAYCENT model correctly
      simulated the NO emissions for all treatments (within 8% of the observed values).
      After calibration and validation, the DAYCENT model was used to simulate NO
      emissions and carbon sequestration of a Kentucky bluegrass lawn under a series of
      management regimes. The model simulation suggested that gradually reducing
      fertilization as the lawn ages from 0 to 50 yr would significantly reduce long
      term NO emissions by approximately 40% when compared with applying N at a
      constant rate of 150 kg N ha yr. Our simulation indicates that a Kentucky
      bluegrass lawn in Colorado could change from a sink to a weak source of
      greenhouse gas emissions 20 to 30 yr after establishment. 

PMID- 24216362
TI  - Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis for the annual phosphorus loss estimator
      model.
AB  - Models are often used to predict phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural fields.
      Although it is commonly recognized that model predictions are inherently
      uncertain, few studies have addressed prediction uncertainties using P loss
      models. In this study we assessed the effect of model input error on predictions
      of annual P loss by the Annual P Loss Estimator (APLE) model. Our objectives were
      (i) to conduct a sensitivity analyses for all APLE input variables to determine
      which variables the model is most sensitive to, (ii) to determine whether the
      relatively easy-to-implement first-order approximation (FOA) method provides
      accurate estimates of model prediction uncertainties by comparing results with
      the more accurate Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method, and (iii) to evaluate the
      performance of the APLE model against measured P loss data when uncertainties in
      model predictions and measured data are included. Our results showed that for low
      to moderate uncertainties in APLE input variables, the FOA method yields
      reasonable estimates of model prediction uncertainties, although for cases where
      manure solid content is between 14 and 17%, the FOA method may not be as accurate
      as the MCS method due to a discontinuity in the manure P loss component of APLE
      at a manure solid content of 15%. The estimated uncertainties in APLE predictions
      based on assumed errors in the input variables ranged from +/-2 to 64% of the
      predicted value. Results from this study highlight the importance of including
      reasonable estimates of model uncertainty when using models to predict P loss. 

PMID- 24216363
TI  - Dependence of arsenic fate and transport on biogeochemical heterogeneity arising
      from the physical structure of soils and sediments.
AB  - Reduction of As(V) and Fe(III) is commonly the dominant process controlling the
      fate and transport of As in soils and sediments. However, the physical structure
      of such environments produces complex heterogeneity in biogeochemical processes
      controlling the fate and transport of As. To resolve the role of soil and
      sediment physical structure on the distribution of biogeochemical processes
      controlling the fate and transport of As, we examined the biogeochemical
      transformations of As and Fe within constructed aggregates-a fundamental unit of
      soil structure. Spherical aggregates were made with As(V)- or As(III)-bearing,
      ferrihydrite-coated quartz that was fused with agarose and placed in a
      cylindrical reactor; advective flow of anoxic solutes was then initiated around
      the aggregates to examine As release from a dual-pore domain system. To examine
      the impact of biotic As(V) and Fe(III) reduction, constructed aggregates having
      As(V)-bearing, ferrihydrite-coated quartz inoculated with sp. ANA-3 were placed
      in flow-through reactors under anoxic and aerated advective flow. Consistent with
      desorption from advective columns, As(III) is released to advecting water more
      prevalently than As(V) within abiotic aggregate systems, indicating a greater
      lability and concomitant enhanced propensity for transport of As(III) relative to
      As(V). During reaction with , As release to advecting water was similar between
      anoxic and aerated systems for the first 20 d; thereafter, the anoxic advecting
      solutes increased As release relative to the aerated counterpart. With aerated
      advecting solutes, Fe remained oxidized (or was oxidized) in the aggregate
      exterior, forming a protective barrier that limited As release to the advective
      channel. However, anaerobiosis within the aggregate interior, even with aerated
      advective flow, promotes internal repartitioning of As to the exterior region. 

PMID- 24216364
TI  - Arsenic mobility and speciation in a gleysol with petrogleyic properties: a field
      and laboratory approach.
AB  - Naturally elevated levels of As have been observed in some iron-enriched lowland
      soils of the southern Munsterland, Germany. To determine whether As is mobilized
      by the reductive dissolution of As-hosting Fe oxides at reducing soil conditions,
      the release of arsenate and arsenite was investigated in the field for 24 mo and
      in laboratory experiments. The grassland Gleysol consists of oximorphic soil
      horizons (Ah 0-15, Bg 15-35, CrBg 35-70 cm) developed from fluvial loam
      overlaying sand with reductomorphic properties (2Cr, +70 cm). The soil has
      petrogleyic properties due to enrichment of oxidic Fe in the Bg and CrBg horizons
      (275 and 390 g kg, respectively). Most of the petrogleyic Fe belonged to
      nanosized goethite, whereas ferrihydrite was dominant in the topsoil. Arsenic
      levels of 149 mg kg were found in the topsoil. Levels peaked in the oximorphic
      soil horizons (626 and 999 mg kg, respectively) and were lowest in the sand (12
      mg kg). Sequential fractionation revealed that 84 to 96% of the As in the
      oximorphic horizons was associated with Fe oxides. Water saturation in
      combination with soil temperatures above 5 to 10 degrees C resulted in a fast
      decrease of the redox potential (up to -120 mV) and release of As (up to 35 MUg
      L) with Fe into the soil solution only in the Ah horizon. Although the
      petrogleyic horizons were mostly water saturated with reducing conditions, no As
      release was observed. A lack of As mobilization was confirmed in experiments
      performed under fixed redox conditions; neither Fe nor As was released into
      solution at an appropriate redox potential. The As species distribution showed
      redox disequilibrium because arsenate was detected under reducing conditions and
      arsenite under oxidizing conditions. We conclude that microbial-mediated
      reductive dissolution of Fe oxides pushes the As mobilization in the topsoil;
      water saturation and soil temperature were key factors. The dominance of
      goethite, which is more resistant to microbial reduction, and/or the possible
      readsorption of released As onto remaining or newly formed Fe oxide surfaces is
      responsible for the absent As mobilization in the petrogleyic horizons. 

PMID- 24216365
TI  - Subcellular accumulation of different concentrations of cadmium, nickel, and
      copper in Indian mustard and application of a sigmoidal model.
AB  - Certain plant species can tolerate and even detoxify metallic elements. This
      detoxification ability has been shown to depend on how plants distribute the
      metallic elements in their tissues. In turn, this distribution may have an
      important impact on phytoremediation. Here, we investigated the effects of
      different single-metal concentrations (10, 50, 100, and 300 MUmol L) of cadmium
      (Cd), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) on their subcellular distribution in L. var.
      (Indian mustard). At the applied concentration of 300 MUmol L, 98% of the Cu and
      79% of Cd were retained in the roots, while Ni was distributed between leaves
      (32%), stems (29%), and roots (39%). The cell wall and soluble fractions were the
      dominant storage compartments for Cd and Cu in the stems and leaves, whereas the
      soluble fraction was the dominant storage compartment for Ni in stems and leaves.
      Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) X-ray micrographs showed a breakdown of
      epidermal, palisade, and spongy parenchyma cells following the 300 MUmol L Cd,
      Ni, and Cu treatment. A sigmoidal model is a powerful tool to describe the
      subcellular accumulation and tissue concentrations of Cd, Ni, and Cu following
      exposure to various concentrations of metals. The coefficients of determination
      () values for the description of the accumulation were high, although the
      membrane subcellular fraction did not fit the equation. Both the maximum
      accumulation capacity and the critical concentrations of metals were well
      described by the model. The results indicate that the use of a sigmoidal model is
      a promising method that could improve the understanding of metal accumulation at
      the subcellular level in Indian mustard. 

PMID- 24216366
TI  - Phosphorus loss from a mixed land use catchment in northwest Spain.
AB  - This work examined P loss from a mixed land use catchment in northwest Spain and
      how it was related to hydrological factors. A stream draining a mixed land use
      catchment of 16 km in northwest Spain was monitored for 5 yr. Water samples were
      taken more frequently with increased stream flows. A total of 132 runoff events
      of different magnitudes were analyzed in this study. Mean annual P loss from the
      catchment was 11.5 kg km, about 68% being transported during runoff events, which
      only contributed to 29% of the flow. The contribution of runoff events to
      particulate P and dissolved P losses was 76 and 46% of total losses during the
      study period, respectively. A high interannual variability in P loss was
      observed, the differences being related to rainfall amount and distribution. At a
      seasonal scale, the highest P loads and concentrations were observed during rainy
      seasons; the lowest P loads occurred in summer because they occurred with stream
      flow. Particulate P accounted for the greatest proportion (74%) of transported P.
      There was a high variability in P transported between runoff events, with maximum
      discharge and discharge increase being the most important variables explaining
      total P concentration in these events through their effect on suspended sediment
      concentration. 

PMID- 24216367
TI  - Effect of composting on the fate of steroids in beef cattle manure.
AB  - In this study, the fate of steroid hormones in beef cattle manure composting is
      evaluated. The fate of 16 steroids and metabolites was evaluated in composted
      manure from beef cattle administered growth promotants and from beef cattle with
      no steroid hormone implants. The fate of estrogens (primary detected as estrone),
      androgens, progesterone, and the fusarium metabolite and implant alpha-zearalanol
      was monitored in manure compost piles. First-order decay rates were calculated
      for steroid half-lives in compost and ranged from 8 d for androsterone to 69 d
      for 4-androstenedione. Other steroid concentration data could not be fit to first
      order decay models, which may indicate that microbial processes may result in
      steroid production or synthesis in composting systems. We demonstrate that
      composting is an effective strategy to remove steroid hormones from manure. Total
      steroid hormone removal in composted beef cattle manure ranged from 79 to 87%. 

PMID- 24216368
TI  - Sorption, Leaching, and Surface Runoff of Beef Cattle Veterinary Pharmaceuticals
      under Simulated Irrigated Pasture Conditions.
AB  - The use of veterinary pharmaceuticals in beef cattle has led to concerns
      associated with the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and
      endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms. Despite the potential negative
      consequences, data on the transport and mitigation of pharmaceuticals in grazed
      watersheds with irrigated pasture are scarce. The objective of this study was to
      assess the transport of common beef cattle pharmaceuticals (oxytetracycline,
      chlortetracycline, and ivermectin) via surface runoff and leachate from manure
      amended to grass-vegetated soil boxes under irrigated pasture conditions. The
      transport of pharmaceuticals from animal manure in surface runoff and soil
      leachate was relatively low and appears to be limited by desorption and transport
      of pharmaceuticals entrained in the manure. In surface runoff, less than 4.2% of
      applied pharmaceuticals in manure (initial concentration: 0.2 mg kg of manure)
      was detected after 3 wk of irrigation. Concentrations of pharmaceuticals in
      surface runoff and leachate never exceeded 0.5 MUg L. The major portion of
      pharmaceuticals (up to 99%) was retained in the manure or in the soil directly
      beneath the manure application site. Based on the minimal transport of
      oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, and ivermectin, the risk of significant
      transport for these targeted beef cattle pharmaceuticals to surface water and
      groundwater from manure on irrigated pasture appears to be relatively low. 

PMID- 24216369
TI  - Potential contributions of mature prairie and turfgrass to phosphorus in urban
      runoff.
AB  - Urban vegetative plantings are considered desirable to mitigate and filter
      stormwater runoff and nonpoint-source pollution. Phosphorus fertilization of
      turfgrass may enhance P in urban runoff; however, the amount of P from
      nonfertilized, native vegetation that could potentially replace some turf is not
      known. This study was conducted to measure the relative contributions of
      nonfertilized, native prairie vegetation and fertilized turfgrass to runoff water
      and P loads. Six replicates of side-by-side mature urban prairie and turfgrass
      were monitored for mean annual runoff volumes and P loads, biomass production,
      vegetative nutrient composition, and changes in soil moisture. Vegetation type
      did not significantly affect seasonal or annual runoff volumes or P loads. The
      mean annual total P loads of 0.46 kg ha for prairie and 0.28 kg ha for turfgrass
      were significant and comparable to those reported by other researchers when
      studied separately. Total P concentrations in runoff water from prairie and turf
      vegetation were above USEPA limits, averaging 1.86 and 1.63 mg L, respectively,
      over 2 yr. Averaged across 2 yr, 78% of runoff P was collected when the soil was
      frozen. Biomass P reductions over the period of November to April were strongly
      related to quantities of runoff total P from frozen soil ( = 0.874). Phosphorus
      losses from urban areas appeared to be primarily correlated with runoff depth,
      not vegetation type, because correlation coefficients revealed 86 and 45% of the
      Year 1 and Year 2 total P loads were directly accounted for by runoff volumes. 

PMID- 24216370
TI  - Update on the effects of a sierran wildfire on surface runoff water quality.
AB  - Wildfire has been shown to increase the short-term (1-3 yr) mobilization of
      mineral N and P in forest ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Lake
      Tahoe Basin. The ensuing effects on tributary and lake water quality are
      uncertain. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the impacts on runoff
      water quality over an intermediate time frame of 5 yr (2002-2007) after a
      wildfire event. Our design included fixed plots randomly placed within burned and
      unburned areas. Because each plot was sampled repeatedly during the study, we
      treated plots as repeated random effects in the analysis. We used a mixed model
      approach to analyze nutrient runoff concentrations and load for NH-N, NON and P
      in phosphate form (designated as ortho P or PO-P) where treatment (unburned vs.
      burned), time (pre-wildfire, post-wildfire year 1, year 2, etc.), and their
      interaction were fixed effects. Concentrations and loads of mineral N and P were
      higher in runoff from the burned areas immediately after wildfire. Because high
      water years may also contribute to higher runoff nutrient concentrations and
      loading, a wildfire followed by a high water year within the first season after a
      wildfire would likely have a much greater impact on runoff (and hence tributary)
      water quality than a wildfire followed by a low runoff water year. 

PMID- 24216371
TI  - New Conceptual Model for Soil Treatment Units: Formation of Multiple Hydraulic
      Zones during Unsaturated Wastewater Infiltration.
AB  - Onsite wastewater treatment systems are commonly used in the United States to
      reclaim domestic wastewater. A distinct biomat forms at the infiltrative surface,
      causing resistance to flow and decreasing soil moisture below the biomat. To
      simulate these conditions, previous modeling studies have used a two-layer
      approach: a thin biomat layer (1-5 cm thick) and the native soil layer below the
      biomat. However, the effect of wastewater application extends below the biomat
      layer. We used numerical modeling supported by experimental data to justify a new
      conceptual model that includes an intermediate zone (IZ) below the biomat. The
      conceptual model was set up using Hydrus 2D and calibrated against soil moisture
      and water flux measurements. The estimated hydraulic conductivity value for the
      IZ was between biomat and the native soil. The IZ has important implications for
      wastewater treatment. When the IZ was not considered, a loading rate of 5 cm d
      resulted in an 8.5-cm ponding. With the IZ, the same loading rate resulted in a
      9.5-cm ponding. Without the IZ, up to 3.1 cm d of wastewater could be applied
      without ponding; with the IZ, only up to 2.8 cm d could be applied without
      ponding. The IZ also plays a significant role in soil moisture distribution.
      Without the IZ, near-saturation conditions were observed only within the biomat,
      whereas near-saturation conditions extended below the biomat with the IZ.
      Accurate prediction of ponding is important to prevent surfacing of wastewater.
      The degree of water and air saturation influences pollutant treatment efficiency
      through residence time, volatility, and biochemical reactions. 

PMID- 24216372
TI  - Biochemical methane potential of beef feedlot manure: impact of manure age and
      storage.
AB  - Methane capture and use from intensive livestock industries is relatively new,
      and there is limited chemical and kinetic degradation information available for
      beef feedlot manure in Australia or internationally. This paper evaluates the
      biochemical methane (CH) potential, apparent first-order hydrolysis rate
      coefficient, and losses in organic content of manure as it ages on feedlot pads
      and in stockpiles. Chemical characterization of fresh, pad, and stockpiled manure
      is assessed. Biochemical CH potential on volatile solids (VS) almost always
      decreased significantly from fresh to pad and from pad to stockpile, ranging (in
      mL CH g VS) from 230 to 360 in fresh manure, from 70 to 280 in pads, and from 60
      to 200 in stockpiles. Kinetics of degradation also varied with manure age (fresh:
      0.12 +/- 0.01 d; pad: 0.06 +/- 0.02 d; and stockpiled: 0.05 +/- 0.04 d). At least
      50%, and up to 80%, of the original biochemical CH potential of the manure (i.e.,
      degradable material) was lost on drying in pads, and the loss after stockpiling
      was much greater (>85%). The loss of N was 15 to 60% as manure dried on pads and
      was much greater after stockpiling (40-90%). Phosphorus loss, though lower than
      nitrogenous losses, was still significant (25-65% on pads and 35-85% in
      stockpiles). Although digestion of stockpiled manure is still feasible to
      generate energy, collection of fresh manure is important to maximize outcomes,
      with a possible order of magnitude increase in CH production achievable. 

PMID- 24216373
TI  - Effluent Storage and Biomat Occurrence among Septic System Absorption Field
      Architectures in a Typic Fragiudult.
AB  - On-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are commonly used by households in
      areas of low population density to treat household wastewater and recycle it back
      to the environment. However, new absorption field products of differing
      architecture types have recently become available. A 3-yr field study was
      conducted in Bethel Heights, northwest Arkansas to assess several newer
      architecture types (i.e., chambers, polystyrene-aggregate, and gravel-less pipe)
      relative to the traditional pipe-and-gravel design under wet- and dry-soil
      conditions. Thirteen products of four different architecture types were installed
      in 46-cm-deep trenches in a Captina silt loam (fine-silty, siliceous, active,
      mesic Typic Fragiudult). Products were evaluated based on in-trench solution
      storage measured with an electronic water-level sensor approximately weekly from
      January 2009 through January 2012. Between May 2010 and January 2012, the
      thickness of any biomat formation was measured approximately weekly by insertion
      of a wooden dowel through in-trench monitoring ports. Architecture type alone did
      not affect ( > 0.05) in-trench solution storage. However, solution storage among
      individual products differed under wet- and dry-soil conditions ( < 0.05). When
      present, biomat thickness differed significantly ( < 0.05) among all four
      architecture types, ranging from 1.4 to 6.2 cm thick on average in the pipe-and
      aggregate and polystyrene-aggregate types, respectively. Regression analyses
      showed that biomat thickness increased in three products, did not change in nine
      products, and decreased in one product over time. Results showed that several
      currently approved alternative products had similar in-trench solution storage
      but that several alternative products also had greater solution storage than that
      of the traditional pipe-and-gravel system. With no observed effluent surfacing,
      the soil morphology approach appears to be adequate and appropriately
      environmentally conservative for assigning typical single-family loading rates to
      alternative OWTS products and to the traditional pipe-and-gravel system. 

PMID- 24216374
TI  - Effect of treated domestic wastewater on soil physicochemical and microbiological
      properties.
AB  - A main concern with reuse of treated domestic wastewater (DWW) in irrigation is
      its possible effect on the soil. Few studies have focused on DWW treated in on
      site settings, which generally use low-tech systems that can be constructed and
      serviced locally. One such system is the recirculating vertical flow constructed
      wetland (RVFCW). The aim of this study was to assess short- to midterm effects of
      irrigation with DWW treated in the RVFCW. Four groups of plastic barrels, filled
      with a sandy loam soil, were irrigated for 36 mo with fresh water (FW), FW with
      added fertilizer, raw DWW, or DWW treated in the RVFCW followed by ultraviolet
      disinfection. Principal component analysis revealed that the soil irrigated with
      treated DWW had physicochemical properties similar to those irrigated with FW
      amended with fertilizer. Levels of surfactants in soil irrigated with treated DWW
      were identical to those expected from standard irrigation practices, abating
      concerns for possible changes in soil hydraulic properties. was not detected in
      the soil irrigated with treated DWW, demonstrating the importance of disinfection
      of treated effluents before reuse in irrigation. Furthermore, irrigation with
      treated DWW did not alter the bacterial community structure according to terminal
      restriction fragment analysis. This 3-yr study suggests that the practice of
      irrigation with RVFCW effluents is safe. Continuation of the experiment is
      required to determine whether longer-term irrigation might show a different
      pattern. 

PMID- 24216375
TI  - Carbon sequestration in two created riverine wetlands in the midwestern United
      States.
AB  - Wetlands have the ability to accumulate significant amounts of carbon (C) and
      thus could provide an effective approach to mitigate greenhouse gas accumulation
      in the atmosphere. Wetland hydrology, age, and management can affect primary
      productivity, decomposition, and ultimately C sequestration in riverine wetlands,
      but these aspects of wetland biogeochemistry have not been adequately
      investigated, especially in created wetlands. In this study we investigate the
      ability of created freshwater wetlands to sequester C by determining the sediment
      accretion and soil C accumulation of two 15-yr-old created wetlands in central
      Ohio-one planted and one naturally colonized. We measured the amount of sediment
      and soil C accumulated over the parent material and found that these created
      wetlands accumulated an average of 242 g C m yr, 70% more than a similar natural
      wetland in the region and 26% more than the rate estimated for these same
      wetlands 5 yr before this study. The C sequestration of the naturally colonized
      wetland was 22% higher than that of the planted wetland (267 +/- 17 vs. 219 +/-
      15 g C m yr, respectively). Soil C accrual accounted for 66% of the aboveground
      net primary productivity on average. Open water communities had the highest C
      accumulation rates in both wetlands. This study shows that created wetlands can
      be natural, cost-effective tools to sequester C to mitigate the effect of
      greenhouse gas emissions. 

PMID- 24216376
TI  - Hydrologic connectivity to streams increases nitrogen and phosphorus inputs and
      cycling in soils of created and natural floodplain wetlands.
AB  - Greater connectivity to stream surface water may result in greater inputs of
      allochthonous nutrients that could stimulate internal nitrogen (N) and phosphorus
      (P) cycling in natural, restored, and created riparian wetlands. This study
      investigated the effects of hydrologic connectivity to stream water on soil
      nutrient fluxes in plots ( = 20) located among four created and two natural
      freshwater wetlands of varying hydrology in the Piedmont physiographic province
      of Virginia. Surface water was slightly deeper; hydrologic inputs of sediment,
      sediment-N, and ammonium were greater; and soil net ammonification, N
      mineralization, and N turnover were greater in plots with stream water classified
      as their primary water source compared with plots with precipitation or
      groundwater as their primary water source. Soil water-filled pore space, inputs
      of nitrate, and soil net nitrification, P mineralization, and denitrification
      enzyme activity (DEA) were similar among plots. Soil ammonification, N
      mineralization, and N turnover rates increased with the loading rate of ammonium
      to the soil surface. Phosphorus mineralization and ammonification also increased
      with sedimentation and sediment-N loading rate. Nitrification flux and DEA were
      positively associated in these wetlands. In conclusion, hydrologic connectivity
      to stream water increased allochthonous inputs that stimulated soil N and P
      cycling and that likely led to greater retention of sediment and nutrients in
      created and natural wetlands. Our findings suggest that wetland creation and
      restoration projects should be designed to allow connectivity with stream water
      if the goal is to optimize the function of water quality improvement in a
      watershed. 

PMID- 24216377
TI  - Simultaneous removal of nitrate and sulfate from greenhouse wastewater by
      constructed wetlands.
AB  - This study evaluated the effectiveness of C-enriched subsurface-flow constructed
      wetlands in reducing high concentrations of nitrate (NO) and sulfate (SO) in
      greenhouse wastewaters. Constructed wetlands were filled with pozzolana, planted
      with common cattail (), and supplemented as follows: (i) constructed wetland with
      sucrose (CW+S), wetland units with 2 g L of sucrose solution from week 1 to 28;
      (ii) constructed wetland with compost (CW+C), wetland units supplemented with a
      reactive mixture of compost and sawdust; (iii) constructed wetland with compost
      and no sucrose (CW+CNS) from week 1 to 18, and constructed wetland with compost
      and sucrose (CW+CS) at 2 g L from week 19 to 28; and (iv) constructed wetland
      (CW). During 28 wk, the wetlands received a typical reconstituted greenhouse
      wastewater containing 500 mg L SO and 300 mg L NO. In CW+S, CW+C, and CW+CS,
      appropriate C:N ratio (7:3.4) and redox potential (-53 to 39 mV) for
      denitrification resulted in 95 to 99% NO removal. Carbon source was not a
      limiting factor for denitrification in C-enriched constructed wetlands. In CW+S
      and CW+CS, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC)/SO ratios of 0.36 and 0.28 resulted
      in high sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) counts and high SO removal (98%), whereas
      low activities were observed at DOC/SO ratios of 0.02 (CW) to 0.11 (CW+C,
      CW+CNS). On week 19, when organic C content was increased by sucrose addition in
      CW+CS, SRB counts increased from 2.80 to 5.11 log[CFU+1] mL, resulting in a level
      similar to the one measured in CW+S (4.69 log[CFU+1] mL). Consequently, high
      sulfate reduction occurred after denitrification, suggesting that low DOC (38-54
      mg L) was the limiting factor. In CW, DOC concentration (9-10 mg L) was too low
      to sustain efficient denitrification and, therefore, sulfate reduction.
      Furthermore, the high concentration of dissolved sulfides observed in CW+S and
      CW+CS treated waters were eliminated by adding FeCl. 

PMID- 24216378
TI  - An optode sensor array for long-term in situ oxygen measurements in soil and
      sediment.
AB  - Long-term measurements of molecular oxygen (O) dynamics in wetlands are highly
      relevant for understanding the effects of water level changes on net greenhouse
      gas budgets in these ecosystems. However, such measurements have been limited due
      to a lack of suitable measuring equipment. We constructed an O optode sensor
      array for long-term in situ measurements in soil and sediment. The new device
      consists of a 1.3-m-long, cylindrical, spear-shaped rod equipped with 10 sensor
      spots along the shaft. Each spot contains a thermocouple fixed with a robust
      fiberoptic O optode made by immobilizing a layer of Pt(II) meso
      tetra(pentafluorophenyl)porphine in polystyrene at the end of a 2-mm polymethyl
      methacrylate plastic fiber. Temperature and O optode readings are collected
      continuously by a data logger and a multichannel fiberoptic O meter. The
      construction and measuring characteristics of the sensor array system are
      presented along with a novel approach for temperature compensation of O optodes.
      During in situ application over several months in a peat bog, we used the new
      device to document pronounced variations in O distribution after marked shifts in
      water level. The measurements showed anoxic conditions below the water level but
      also diel variations in O concentrations in the upper layer presumably due to
      rhizospheric oxidation by the main vegetation The new field instrument thus
      enables new and more detailed insights to the in situ O dynamics in wetlands. 

PMID- 24216379
TI  - Introducing the GRACEnet/REAP Data Contribution, Discovery, and Retrieval System.
AB  - Difficulties in accessing high-quality data on trace gas fluxes and performance
      of bioenergy/bioproduct feedstocks limit the ability of researchers and others to
      address environmental impacts of agriculture and the potential to produce
      feedstocks. To address those needs, the GRACEnet (Greenhouse gas Reduction
      through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network) and REAP (Renewable Energy
      Assessment Project) research programs were initiated by the USDA Agricultural
      Research Service (ARS). A major product of these programs is the creation of a
      database with greenhouse gas fluxes, soil carbon stocks, biomass yield, nutrient,
      and energy characteristics, and input data for modeling cropped and grazed
      systems. The data include site descriptors (e.g., weather, soil class, spatial
      attributes), experimental design (e.g., factors manipulated, measurements
      performed, plot layouts), management information (e.g., planting and harvesting
      schedules, fertilizer types and amounts, biomass harvested, grazing intensity),
      and measurements (e.g., soil C and N stocks, plant biomass amount and chemical
      composition). To promote standardization of data and ensure that experiments were
      fully described, sampling protocols and a spreadsheet-based data-entry template
      were developed. Data were first uploaded to a temporary database for checking and
      then were uploaded to the central database. A Web-accessible application allows
      for registered users to query and download data including measurement protocols.
      Separate portals have been provided for each project (GRACEnet and REAP) at
      nrrc.ars.usda.gov/slgracenet/#/Home and nrrc.ars.usda.gov/slreap/#/Home. The
      database architecture and data entry template have proven flexible and robust for
      describing a wide range of field experiments and thus appear suitable for other
      natural resource research projects. 

PMID- 24216380
TI  - Controlling runoff from subtropical pastures has differential effects on nitrogen
      and phosphorus loads.

PMID- 24216381
TI  - Trace elements in feed, manure, and manured soils.

PMID- 24216382
TI  - Electroencephalographic monitoring in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest.
AB  - Electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring is an important tool in the management of
      comatose survivors of cardiac arrest. The results serve to predict the
      neurological outcome, identify postanoxic status epilepticus, and assess the
      effectiveness of antiepileptic treatments. Continuous EEG monitoring might seem
      the most attractive option but is costly and requires the continuous availability
      of an expert to interpret the findings. Alvarez and colleagues compared repeated
      standard EEG to continuous EEG monitoring in comatose survivors of cardiac
      arrest. They found close agreement between these two strategies. However, their
      results do not constitute evidence of similar performance. In comatose survivors
      of cardiac arrest, repeated standard EEG should be used only when continuous EEG
      monitoring is unavailable. 

PMID- 24216383
TI  - Novel sounds as a psychophysiological measure of listening effort in older
      listeners with and without hearing loss.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether task-irrelevant novel sounds presented during
      an auditory task can provide information about the level of listening effort.
      METHODS: Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded for novel sounds presented
      during two Experiments, a frequency discrimination task and a speech-perception
      in-noise (SPIN) test, each with varying degrees of task difficulty (easy, medium,
      hard). Difficulty was adjusted to the individual frequency discrimination
      threshold and 50% speech recognition signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), respectively.
      Older listeners (age range 60-86 years) with either normal hearing for their age
      or a mild-to-moderate hearing loss participated. RESULTS: Amplitudes of Novelty
      P3 and late positive potential (LPP) increased with increasing task difficulty,
      whereas amplitudes of N1 and N2 decreased. Participants with hearing loss had
      significantly larger LPP amplitudes in the easy condition of the SPIN test than
      did normal-hearing listeners. Most correlations between ERP amplitudes and
      behavioral data were not significant suggesting that listening effort is not a
      simple equivalent of behavioral performance. CONCLUSIONS: LPP amplitude appeared
      to be the most sensitive component for capturing listening effort reflecting the
      arousal level of the listener. SIGNIFICANCE: ERPs to novel sounds could be easily
      recorded during hearing tests and provide an objective physiological measure of
      listening effort, thus supplementing behavioral performance data.

PMID- 24216384
TI  - Attention orienting dysfunction with preserved automatic auditory change
      detection in migraine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate automatic event-related potentials (ERPs) to an
      auditory change in migraine patients. METHODS: Auditory ERPs were recorded in 22
      female patients suffering from menstrually-related migraine and in 20 age-matched
      control subjects, in three sessions: in the middle of the menstrual cycle, before
      and during menses. In each session, 200 trains of tone-bursts each including two
      duration deviants were presented in a passive listening condition. RESULTS: In
      all sessions, duration deviance elicited a mismatch negativity (MMN) showing no
      difference between the two groups. However, migraine patients showed an increased
      N1 orienting component to all incoming stimuli and a prolonged N2b to deviance.
      They also presented a different modulation of P3a amplitude along the menstrual
      cycle, which tended to normalise during migraine attacks. None of the studied ERP
      components showed a default of habituation. CONCLUSIONS: This passive paradigm
      highlighted increased automatic attention orienting to auditory changes but
      normal auditory sensory processing in migraineurs. SIGNIFICANCE: Our observations
      suggest normal auditory processing up to attention triggering but enhanced
      activation of attention-related frontal networks in migraineurs.

PMID- 24216385
TI  - Standardized quality performance metrics: beware of the pitfalls.

PMID- 24216386
TI  - Novel technique to visualise pharyngeal free flap reconstructions.

PMID- 24216388
TI  - Calsequestrin 2 deletion causes sinoatrial node dysfunction and atrial
      arrhythmias associated with altered sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium cycling and
      degenerative fibrosis within the mouse atrial pacemaker complex1.
AB  - AIMS: Loss-of-function mutations in Calsequestrin 2 (CASQ2) are associated with
      catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). CPVT patients also
      exhibit bradycardia and atrial arrhythmias for which the underlying mechanism
      remains unknown. We aimed to study the sinoatrial node (SAN) dysfunction due to
      loss of CASQ2. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vivo electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring,
      in vitro high-resolution optical mapping, confocal imaging of intracellular
      Ca(2+) cycling, and 3D atrial immunohistology were performed in wild-type (WT)
      and Casq2 null (Casq2(-/-)) mice. Casq2(-/-) mice exhibited bradycardia, SAN
      conduction abnormalities, and beat-to-beat heart rate variability due to enhanced
      atrial ectopic activity both at baseline and with autonomic stimulation. Loss of
      CASQ2 increased fibrosis within the pacemaker complex, depressed primary SAN
      activity, and conduction, but enhanced atrial ectopic activity and atrial
      fibrillation (AF) associated with macro- and micro-reentry during autonomic
      stimulation. In SAN myocytes, CASQ2 deficiency induced perturbations in
      intracellular Ca(2+) cycling, including abnormal Ca(2+) release, periods of
      significantly elevated diastolic Ca(2+) levels leading to pauses and unstable
      pacemaker rate. Importantly, Ca(2+) cycling dysfunction occurred not only at the
      SAN cellular level but was also globally manifested as an increased delay between
      action potential (AP) and Ca(2+) transient upstrokes throughout the atrial
      pacemaker complex. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of CASQ2 causes abnormal sarcoplasmic
      reticulum Ca(2+) release and selective interstitial fibrosis in the atrial
      pacemaker complex, which disrupt SAN pacemaking but enhance latent pacemaker
      activity, create conduction abnormalities and increase susceptibility to AF.
      These functional and extensive structural alterations could contribute to SAN
      dysfunction as well as AF in CPVT patients.

PMID- 24216389
TI  - The gut microbiome as novel cardio-metabolic target: the time has come!
AB  - Recent studies reveal a potential contribution of intestinal microbes in the
      expression of certain human cardio-metabolic diseases. The mechanisms through
      which intestinal microbiota and/or their metabolic products alter systemic
      homoeostasis and cardio-metabolic disease risks are just beginning to be
      dissected. Intervention studies in humans aiming to either selectively alter the
      composition of the intestinal microbiota or to pharmacologically manipulate the
      microbiota to influence production of their metabolites are crucial next steps.
      The intestinal microbiome represents a new potential therapeutic target for the
      treatment of cardio-metabolic diseases. 

PMID- 24216390
TI  - Natriuretic peptide-guided heart failure management.
AB  - The natriuretic peptides are important tools to establish diagnosis and prognosis
      in heart failure (HF). With application of therapies for HF, changes in both B
      type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its amino terminal cleavage fragment (NT
      proBNP) parallel the benefits of the HF therapy applied. This dynamic nature of
      BNP and NT-proBNP relative to therapeutic intervention in HF has led to the
      concept of using the biomarkers as a 'guide' for intensification of HF care with
      a goal of not only achieving guideline-directed medical therapy goals accompanied
      by targeted natriuretic peptide suppression below prognostic thresholds. In
      studies achieving this combination of therapy optimization and BNP/NT-proBNP
      suppression, superior outcomes have been observed, and the approach was well
      tolerated. Natriuretic peptide-guided HF therapy has recently been given a
      recommendation in US HF guidelines to achieve guideline-directed medical therapy
      (Class IIa) and possibly improve outcome (Class IIb), while other clinical
      practice guidelines (including those from the European Society of Cardiology)
      await results from emerging clinical trial data. We will review lessons learned
      in the past regarding this novel concept of biomarker guided HF care, and discuss
      future directions for the approach. 

PMID- 24216391
TI  - State-of-the-art treatment of hypertension: established and new drugs.
AB  - The treatment of essential hypertension is based essentially on the prescription
      of four major classes of antihypertensive drugs, i.e. blockers of the renin-
      angiotensin system, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and beta-blockers. In
      recent years, very few new drug therapies of hypertension have become available.
      Therefore, it is crucial for physicians to optimize their antihypertensive
      therapies with the drugs available on the market. In each of the classes of
      antihypertensive drugs, questions have recently been raised: are angiotensin
      converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors superior to angiotensin II receptor blockers
      (ARB)? Is it possible to reduce the incidence of peripheral oedema with calcium
      antagonists? Is hydrochlorothiazide really the good diuretic to use in
      combination therapies? The purpose of this review is to discuss these various
      questions in the light of the most recent clinical studies and meta-analyses.
      These latter suggest that ACE inhibitors and ARB are equivalent except for a
      better tolerability profile of ARB. Third generation calcium channel blockers
      enable to reduce the incidence of peripheral oedema and chlorthalidone is
      certainly more effective than hydrochlorothiazide in preventing cardiovascular
      events in hypertension. At last, studies suggest that drug adherence and long
      term persistence under therapy is one of the major issues in the actual
      management of essential hypertension.

PMID- 24216392
TI  - Left ventricular lead implantation guided by sensor-based electromagnetic
      navigation in a patient with L-transposition of the great arteries.

PMID- 24216393
TI  - Gender differences in circumstances surrounding first injection experience of
      rural injection drug users in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research has demonstrated that there can be substantial gender
      differences in circumstances surrounding initiation of injection drug use;
      however, little is known about the gendered dynamics of first injection in rural
      areas where syringe exchange is inaccessible or among those who predominantly
      inject prescription medications. The present study examines gender differences in
      first injection experience among rural residents who predominantly inject
      prescription opioids. METHODS: Interview-administered questionnaires collected
      data from a sample of injection drug users (n=394) recruited from Appalachian
      Kentucky using respondent-driven sampling. RESULTS: Women were more likely to
      have initiated injection due to social-pressure (p=0.001), received the drugs as
      a gift (p=0.011), initiated in their partner's home (p=0.004) and in their
      partner's presence (p<0.001), been injected by their partner (p<0.001), used an
      unclean syringe (p=0.026), and received the syringe from their partner (p<0.001).
      Women were also more likely to report having engaged in sexual intercourse before
      or after initiation (p<0.001). Men were more likely to have personally purchased
      the drugs (p=0.002), to have acquired the syringe from a pharmacy/clinic
      (p=0.004), and to have injected with a friend (p=0.001) or family member
      (p=0.020). Men were also more likely to have a friend administer the first
      injection (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In this population of rural drug users, notable
      gender differences in injection initiation were observed. Social pressure played
      a more substantial role in women's first injection experience, and male partners
      had an integral role in women's initiation.

PMID- 24216394
TI  - Incidence and risk factors for perioperative visual loss after spinal fusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Perioperative visual loss (POVL) is a rare but devastating
      complication that may follow spinal surgeries. The incidence of POVL after spinal
      fusion is not well characterized during the past decade. PURPOSE: A population
      based database was analyzed to characterize the incidence and risk factors for
      POVL associated with spinal fusion surgery on a national level. STUDY DESIGN:
      This study consisted of a retrospective database analysis. PATIENT SAMPLE: A
      total of 541,485 patients from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database
      were included in the study. OUTCOME MEASURES: Study outcome measures included
      incidence of POVL, length of stay (LOS), in-hospital costs, mortality, and POVL
      risk factors. METHODS: Data from the NIS were obtained from 2002 to 2009.
      Patients undergoing spinal fusion for degenerative pathologies were identified.
      Patient demographics, comorbidities, LOS, costs, and mortality were assessed.
      Statistical analyses were conducted using an independent t test for discrete
      variables and the chi-square test for categorical data. Binomial logistic
      regression was used to identify independent predictors of POVL. A p value of less
      than or equal to .001 was used to denote statistical significance. No funds were
      received by any of the authors for production of this study. RESULTS: A total of
      541,485 spinal fusions were identified in the United States from 2002 to 2009.
      The overall incidence of POVL was 1.9 events per 10,000 cases. Of patients who
      had POVL, 56.2% underwent surgery for a diagnosis of spinal deformity. Patients
      with POVL were significantly younger on average compared with unaffected patients
      (37.6 years vs. 52.4 years; p<.001). Length of stay and hospital costs doubled
      for patients with POVL (p<.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that
      independent predictors of visual loss were deformity surgery (odds ratio
      [OR]=6.1), diabetes mellitus with end organ damage (OR=13.1), and paralysis
      (OR=6.0, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated an overall POVL
      incidence of 1.9 events per 10,000 spinal fusions. Patients undergoing thoracic
      fusion for deformity correction accounted for the majority of cases of POVL.
      Despite being a rare complication after spinal fusion, POVL is an adverse event
      that may not be entirely preventable. Patients undergoing long-segment fusions
      for deformity and those with certain risk factors should be counseled regarding
      the risks of POVL.

PMID- 24216395
TI  - Oswestry Disability Index is a better indicator of lumbar motion than the Visual
      Analogue Scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Lumbar pathology is often associated with axial pain or
      neurologic complaints. It is often presumed that such pain is associated with
      decreased lumbar motion; however, this correlation is not well established. The
      utility of various outcome measures that are used in both research and clinical
      practice have been studied, but the connection with range of motion (ROM) has not
      been well documented. PURPOSE: The current study was performed to assess
      objectively the postulated correlation of lumbar complaints (based on
      standardized outcome measures) with extremes of lumbar ROM and functional ROM
      (fROM) with activities of daily living (ADLs) as assessed with an
      electrogoniometer. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This study was a clinical cohort study.
      PATIENT SAMPLE: Subjects slated to undergo a lumbar intervention (injection,
      decompression, and/or fusion) were enrolled voluntarily in the study. OUTCOME
      MEASURES: The two outcome measures used in the study were the Visual Analogue
      Scale (VAS) for axial extremity, lower extremity, and combined axial and lower
      extremity, as well as the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). METHODS: Pain and
      disability scores were assessed with the VAS score and ODI. A previously
      validated electrogoniometer was used to measure ROM (extremes of motion in three
      planes) and fROM (functional motion during 15 simulated activities of daily
      living). Pain and disability scores were analyzed for statistically significant
      association with the motion assessments using linear regression analyses.
      RESULTS: Twenty-eight men and 39 women were enrolled, with an average age of 55.6
      years (range, 18-79 years). The ODI and VAS were associated positively (p<.001).
      Combined axial and lower extremity VAS scores were associated with lateral and
      rotational ROM (p<.05), but not with flexion/extension or any fROM. Similar
      findings were noted for separately analyzed axial and lower extremity VAS scores.
      On the other hand, the ODI correlated inversely with ROM in all planes, and fROM
      in at least one plane for 10 of 15 ADLs (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Extremes of lumbar
      motion and motions associated with ADLs are of increasing clinical interest.
      Although the ODI and VAS are associated with each other, the ODI appears to be a
      better predictor of these motion parameters than the VAS (axial extremity, lower
      extremity, or combined) and may be more useful in the clinical setting when
      considering functional movement parameters.

PMID- 24216396
TI  - Associations between lumbosacral transitional anatomy types and degeneration at
      the transitional and adjacent segments.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The relation between specific types of lumbosacral
      transitional vertebra and the degree of degeneration at and adjacent to the
      transitional level is unclear. It is also unknown whether the adjacent cephalad
      segment to a transitional vertebra is prone to greater degeneration than a normal
      L5-S1 level. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation
      between specific lumbosacral transitional vertebra subtypes according to the
      Castellvi classification, and to determine the severity of degeneration at the
      transitional level and the adjacent cephalad segment. STUDY DESIGN: This study
      was a retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLES: Ninety-two subjects with lumbosacral
      transitional vertebra grade 2 or higher and 94 control subjects without were
      retrieved from a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) search.
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Disc degeneration parameters at the transitional and at the
      adjacent cephalad level were measured. METHODS: After institutional review board
      approval, 92 subjects (42 men; mean age, 57+/-16 years) with lumbosacral
      transitional vertebra grade 2 or higher and 94 control subjects (41 men; mean
      age, 51+/-16 years) without were retrieved from a PACS search. Degeneration of
      the last two segments of the lumbar spine was quantified using the Pfirrmann and
      Modic classifications, along with documentation of annular tears, disc
      herniations, and disc height, and were compared between the two groups.
      Furthermore, L5-S1 levels in the control subjects were compared with the adjacent
      cephalad segments of the transitional vertebrae for the same parameters. RESULTS:
      Although the control subjects, at L5-S1, had moderate to severe degeneration by
      Pfirrmann grades (31%) and Modic changes ([MC] 20%), in comparison, the discs at
      the transitional level of the lumbosacral transitional vertebra group
      demonstrated significant less degeneration (3% and 1%, respectively; each p<.05).
      The adjacent cephalad segments of the lumbosacral transitional vertebra group
      showed significantly greater degeneration (Pfirrmann grade 5, 39%; MC, 30%)
      compared with the L4-L5 level in control subjects (16% and 11%, respectively;
      each p<.05). The severity of disc degeneration using all parameters correlated
      with the type of lumbosacral transitional vertebra. The degree of degeneration of
      L5-S1 in control subjects was similar to the adjacent cephalad segment in
      lumbosacral transitional vertebrae. CONCLUSION: Increasing the mechanical
      connection of a lumbosacral transitional vertebra protects the disc at the
      transitional level and predisposes the adjacent cephalad segment to greater
      degeneration. The adjacent cephalad segment had a comparable degree of
      degeneration as the L5-S1 level in control subjects.

PMID- 24216397
TI  - The incidence and patterns of hardware failure after separation surgery in
      patients with spinal metastatic tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spine metastases occur frequently in patients with cancer. A
      variety of surgical approaches, including anterior transcavitary, lateral
      extracavitary, posterolateral, and/or combined techniques are used for spinal
      cord decompression and restoration of spinal stability. The incidence of
      symptomatic hardware failure is unknown for the majority of these approaches.
      PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of symptomatic
      hardware failure and the associated risk factors in patients with metastatic
      epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This was a
      retrospective study. PATIENT SAMPLE: The current series analyzes a cohort of 318
      patients who underwent separation surgery, which involves single-stage
      posterolateral decompression and posterior segmental instrumentation for MESCC.
      OUTCOME MEASURES: The event of interest was hardware failure; the competing event
      was death resulting from any cause. All patients were monitored for survival
      analysis. A competing risk analysis was conducted to examine univariately a
      number of potential risk factors associated with hardware failure, including
      junctional level, gender, construct length, and the presence or absence of prior
      chest wall resection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis and chart review were
      performed for 318 consecutive patients who underwent posterolateral decompression
      and posterior screw-rod fixation without supplemental anterior fixation from
      March 2004 to June 2011 at our institution. The median follow-up time for
      survivors without hardware failure was 399 days (range, 9-2,828), with a mean
      operative time of 3 hours. A total of 78% of patients died during the 7-year
      study period. RESULTS: Of the 318 patients, nine (2.8%) exhibited signs and
      symptoms of hardware failure and required revision of the instrumentation.
      Patients with chest wall resection and those with initial construct length
      greater than six contiguous spinal levels exhibited a statistically significantly
      higher risk of symptomatic hardware failure than their counterparts. We observed
      a trend toward an increased risk of failure in women compared with men (p=.09).
      CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of hardware failure is low in patients with MESCC who
      undergo posterolateral decompression and posterior screw-rod instrumentation.
      Moreover, the short operative time and low morbidity profile associated with this
      approach make it a reliable and acceptable method for the surgical treatment of
      MESCC. Patients with constructs spanning six or more levels or those with prior
      chest wall resection are at higher risk for instrumentation failure.

PMID- 24216398
TI  - A systematic review of diagnostic imaging use for low back pain in the United
      States.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Various studies have reported on the increasing use and costs
      of diagnostic imaging for low back pain (LBP) in the United States. However, it
      is unclear whether the methods used in these studies allowed for meaningful
      comparisons or whether the reported use data can be used to develop evidence
      based use benchmarks. PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to review
      previous estimates of the use of diagnostic imaging for LBP in the United States.
      STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: The study design is a systematic review of published
      literature. METHODS: A search through May 2012 was conducted using keywords and
      free text terms related to health services and LBP in Medline and Health Policy
      Reference; results were screened for relevance independently, and full-text
      studies were assessed for eligibility. Only studies published in English since
      the year 2000 reporting on use of diagnostic imaging for LBP using claims data
      from the United States were included. Reporting quality was assessed using a
      modified Downs and Black tool for observational studies. RESULTS: The search
      strategy yielded 1,102 citations, seven of which met the criteria for
      eligibility. Studies reported use from commercial health plans (N=4) and Medicare
      (N=3), with sample sizes ranging from 13,760 to 740,467 members with LBP from
      specific states or across the United States. The number of diagnostic codes used
      to identify nonspecific LBP ranged from 2 to 66; other heterogeneity was noted in
      the methods used across these studies. In commercial health plans, use of
      radiography occurred in 12.0% to 32.2% of patients with LBP, magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) was used in 16.0% to 21.0%, computed tomography (CT) was used in
      1.4% to 3.0%, and MRI and/or CT was used in 10.9% to 16.1%. Findings in Medicare
      populations were 22.9% to 48.2% for radiography, 11.6% for MRI, and 10.4% to
      16.3% for MRI and/or CT. CONCLUSIONS: The reported use of diagnostic imaging for
      LBP varied across the studies reviewed; differences in methodology made
      meaningful comparisons difficult. Standardizing methods for performing and
      reporting analyses of claims data related to use could facilitate efforts by
      third-party payers, health care providers, and researchers to identify and
      address the perceived overuse of diagnostic imaging for LBP.

PMID- 24216399
TI  - Face mask removal is safer than helmet removal for emergent airway access in
      American football.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: In cases of possible cervical spine injury, medical
      professionals must be prepared to achieve rapid airway access while concurrently
      restricting cervical spine motion. Face mask removal (FMR), rather than helmet
      removal (HR), is recommended to achieve this. However, no studies have been
      reported that compare FMR directly with HR. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study
      was to compare motion, time, and perceived difficulty in two commonly used
      American football helmets between FMR and HR techniques, and when helmet air
      bladders were deflated before HR compared with inflated scenarios. STUDY
      DESIGN/SETTING: The study incorporated a repeated measures design and was
      performed in a controlled laboratory setting. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included
      22 certified athletic trainers (15 men and seven women; mean age, 33.9+/-10.5
      years; mean experience, 11.4+/-10.0 years; mean height, 172+/-9.4 cm; mean mass,
      76.7+/-14.9 kg). All participants were free from upper extremity or central
      nervous system pathology for 6 months and provided informed consent. OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Dependent variables included head excursion in degrees (computed by
      subtracting the minimum position from the maximum position) in each of the three
      planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse), time to complete the required task, and
      ratings of perceived exertion. To address our study purposes, we used two-by-two
      repeated-measures analysis of variance (removal technique*helmet type, helmet
      type*deflation status) for each dependent variable. METHODS: Independent
      variables consisted of removal technique (FMR and HR), helmet type (Riddell
      Revolution IQ [RIQ] and VSR4), and helmet deflation status (deflated [D],
      inflated, [I]). After familiarization, participants conducted two successful
      trials for each of six conditions in random order (RIQ-FMR, VSR4-FMR, RIQ-HR-D,
      VSR4-HR-D, RIQ-HR-I, and VSR4-HR-I). Face masks, helmets, and shoulder pads were
      removed from a live model wearing a properly fitted helmet and shoulder pads. The
      participant and an investigator stabilized the model's head. A six-camera three
      dimensional motion system and a three-point one-segment marker set were used to
      record motion of the head. RESULTS: Face mask removal resulted in less motion in
      all three planes, required less completion time, and was easier to perform than
      HR. The RIQ helmet resulted in less frontal plane motion and less time to task
      completion, and was easier to remove than VSR4 helmets. Inflated helmets
      regardless of helmet type-required less removal time but did not result in
      greater cervical spine motion or difficulty. CONCLUSIONS: It is safer to remove
      the face mask in the prehospital setting for the potential spine-injured American
      football player than to remove the helmet, based on results from both a
      traditional and newer football helmet designs. Deflating the air bladder inside
      the helmet does not provide an advantage.

PMID- 24216400
TI  - Reliability and measurement error of sagittal spinal motion parameters in 220
      patients with chronic low back pain using a three-dimensional measurement device.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: A basic premise for any instrument measuring spinal motion is
      that reliable outcomes can be obtained on a relevant sample under standardized
      conditions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the overall
      reliability and measurement error of regional spinal sagittal plane motion in
      patients with chronic low back pain (LBP), and then to evaluate the influence of
      body mass index, examiner, gender, stability of pain, and pain distribution on
      reliability and measurement error. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This study comprises a
      test-retest design separated by 7 to 14 days. PATIENT SAMPLE: The patient cohort
      consisted of 220 individuals with chronic LBP. OUTCOME MEASURES: Kinematics of
      the lumbar spine were sampled during standardized spinal extension-flexion
      testing using a 6-df instrumented spatial linkage system. METHODS: Test-retest
      reliability and measurement error were evaluated using interclass correlation
      coefficients (ICC(1,1)) and Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LOAs). RESULTS: The
      overall test-retest reliability (ICC(1,1)) for various motion parameters ranged
      from 0.51 to 0.70, and relatively wide LOAs were observed for all parameters.
      Reliability measures in patient subgroups (ICC(1,1)) ranged between 0.34 and
      0.77. In general, greater (ICC(1,1)) coefficients and smaller LOAs were found in
      subgroups with patients examined by the same examiner, patients with a stable
      pain level, patients with a body mass index less than below 30 kg/m(2), patients
      who were men, and patients in the Quebec Task Force classifications Group 1.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that sagittal plane kinematic data from patients
      with chronic LBP may be sufficiently reliable in measurements of groups of
      patients. However, because of the large LOAs, this test procedure appears
      unusable at the individual patient level. Furthermore, reliability and
      measurement error varies substantially among subgroups of patients.

PMID- 24216401
TI  - Interaction of potential risk factors for cancer.

PMID- 24216402
TI  - Black hole in the spine.

PMID- 24216403
TI  - Intraoperative systemic infusion of lidocaine reduces postoperative pain after
      lumbar surgery: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Analgesic effect of lidocaine infusion on postoperative pain.
      PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of lidocaine
      infusion on postoperative pain after lumbar microdiscectomy. STUDY DESIGN: This
      study used a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled
      clinical trial. PATIENT SAMPLE: Fifty-one patients participated in this
      randomized, double-blinded study. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the
      visual analog scale (VAS) (0-100 mm) pain score at 4 hours after surgery. The
      secondary outcomes were the VAS pain score at 2, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours after
      surgery, the frequency with which patients pushed the button (FPB) of the patient
      controlled analgesia system, and the fentanyl consumption at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and
      48 hours after surgery. Other outcomes were satisfaction scores regarding pain
      control and the overall recovery process, incidence of postoperative nausea and
      vomiting (PONV), and length of hospital stay (HS). METHODS: Preoperatively and
      throughout the surgery, Group L received intravenous lidocaine infusion (a 1.5
      mg/kg bolus followed by a 2-mg/kg/h infusion until the end of the surgical
      procedure) and Group C received normal saline infusion as a placebo. RESULTS: The
      VAS scores and fentanyl consumption were significantly lower in Group L compared
      with Group C except at 48 h after surgery (p<.05). Total fentanyl consumption,
      total FPB, length of HS, and satisfaction scores were also significantly lower in
      Group L compared with Group C (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative systemic
      infusion of lidocaine decreases pain perception during microdiscectomy, thus
      reducing the consumption of opioid and the severity of postoperative pain. This
      effect contributes to reduce the length of HS.

PMID- 24216404
TI  - Delirium in elderly vascular surgery patients.
AB  - The elderly represent a large percentage of patients seen in departments of
      vascular surgery. Delirium is a frequent perioperative complication in this
      population and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Prevention of
      problems associated with mental confusion rests in identifying comorbidities,
      their severity, and the risk factors associated with delirium syndrome. The aging
      of our population implies management of increasing numbers of older patients who
      often have concomitant pathologies and, consequently, polypharmacy. Optimization
      of their management rests on collaboration between surgeons, anesthetists, and
      geriatrists. 

PMID- 24216405
TI  - Ascending aorto-superior mesenteric artery bypass as a surgical option for
      revascularization in mesenteric ischemia associated with type B aortic
      dissection.
AB  - We report the case of an acute ischemia of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)
      after endovascular fenestration of a complicated acute type B aortic dissection.
      An initial attempt for endovascular revascularization of the SMA failed, and an
      ascending aorto-superior mesenteric artery bypass was urgently performed to
      salvage the small bowel. Surgery of patients in these specific settings is more
      complex because an adequate, more distal inflow vessel is often not present due
      to the dissected aorta and iliac arteries. This surgical option could be
      lifesaving and should be part of the vascular surgeon's armamentarium. 

PMID- 24216406
TI  - Deep venous thrombosis in a young woman with hypoplastic inferior vena cava.
AB  - We present a 33-year-old woman with deep venous thrombosis of the left iliac vein
      and the left lower limb. A computed tomography scan of her abdomen revealed a
      hypoplastic inferior vena cava and agenesis of the right kidney. Congenital
      anomalies of the inferior vena cava are uncommon and are sometimes an
      unrecognized cause of deep venous thrombosis. 

PMID- 24216407
TI  - How reading acquisition changes children's spoken language network.
AB  - To examine the influence of age and reading proficiency on the development of the
      spoken language network, we tested 6- and 9-years-old children listening to
      native and foreign sentences in a slow event-related fMRI paradigm. We observed a
      stable organization of the peri-sylvian areas during this time period with a left
      dominance in the superior temporal sulcus and inferior frontal region. A year of
      reading instruction was nevertheless sufficient to increase activation in regions
      involved in phonological representations (posterior superior temporal region) and
      sentence integration (temporal pole and pars orbitalis). A top-down activation of
      the left inferior temporal cortex surrounding the visual word form area, was also
      observed but only in 9year-olds (3years of reading practice) listening to their
      native language. These results emphasize how a successful cultural practice,
      reading, slots in the biological constraints of the innate spoken language
      network. 

PMID- 24216408
TI  - Environmental challenges threatening the growth of urban agriculture in the
      United States.
AB  - Urban agriculture, though often difficult to define, is an emerging sector of
      local food economies in the United States. Although urban and agricultural
      landscapes are often integrated in countries around the world, the establishment
      of mid- to large-scale food production in the U.S. urban ecosystem is a
      relatively new development. Many of the urban agricultural projects in the United
      States have emerged from social movements and nonprofit organizations focused on
      urban renewal, education, job training, community development, and sustainability
      initiatives. Although these social initiatives have traction, critical knowledge
      gaps exist regarding the science of food production in urban ecosystems.
      Developing a science-based approach to urban agriculture is essential to the
      economic and environmental sustainability of the movement. This paper reviews
      abiotic environmental factors influencing urban cropping systems, including soil
      contamination and remediation; atmospheric pollutants and altered climatic
      conditions; and water management, sources, and safety. This review paper seeks to
      characterize the limited state of the science on urban agricultural systems and
      identify future research questions most relevant to urban farmers, land-use
      planners, and environmental consultants. 

PMID- 24216409
TI  - Primary isolation of shiga toxigenic from environmental sources.
AB  - Since the time of the first microbe hunters, primary culture and isolation of
      bacteria has been a foundation of microbiology. Like other microbial methods,
      bacterial culture and isolation methodologies continue to develop. Although
      fundamental concepts like selection and enrichment are as relevant today as they
      were over 100 yr ago, advances in chemistry, molecular biology and bacterial
      ecology mean that today's culture and isolation techniques serve additional
      supporting roles. The primary isolation of Shiga toxigenic (STEC) from
      environmental sources relies on enriching the target while excluding extensive
      background flora. Due to the complexity of environmental substrates, no single
      method can be recommended; however, common themes are discussed. Brilliant Green
      Bile Broth, with or without antibiotics, is one of many broths used successfully
      for selective STEC enrichment. Stressed cells may require a pre-enrichment
      recovery step in a nonselective broth such as buffered peptone water. After
      enrichment, immunomagnetic separation with serotype specific beads drastically
      increases the chances for recovery of STEC from environmental or insect sources.
      Some evidence suggests that acid treating the recovered beads can further enhance
      isolation. Although it is common in human clinical, food safety, and water
      quality applications to plate the recovered beads on Sorbitol MacConkey Agar,
      other chromogenic media, such as modified CHROMagar, have proven helpful in field
      and outbreak applications, allowing the target to be distinguished from the
      numerous background flora. Optimum conditions for each sample and target must be
      determined empirically, highlighting the need for a better understanding of STEC
      ecology. 

PMID- 24216410
TI  - Phosphorus legacy: overcoming the effects of past management practices to
      mitigate future water quality impairment.
AB  - The water quality response to implementation of conservation measures across
      watersheds has been slower and smaller than expected. This has led many to
      question the efficacy of these measures and to call for stricter land and
      nutrient management strategies. In many cases, this limited response has been due
      to the legacies of past management activities, where sinks and stores of P along
      the land-freshwater continuum mask the effects of reductions in edge-of-field
      losses of P. Accounting for legacy P along this continuum is important to
      correctly apportion sources and to develop successful watershed remediation. In
      this study, we examined the drivers of legacy P at the watershed scale,
      specifically in relation to the physical cascades and biogeochemical spirals of P
      along the continuum from soils to rivers and lakes and via surface and subsurface
      flow pathways. Terrestrial P legacies encompass prior nutrient and land
      management activities that have built up soil P to levels that exceed crop
      requirements and modified the connectivity between terrestrial P sources and
      fluvial transport. River and lake P legacies encompass a range of processes that
      control retention and remobilization of P, and these are linked to water and
      sediment residence times. We provide case studies that highlight the major
      processes and varying timescales across which legacy P continues to contribute P
      to receiving waters and undermine restoration efforts, and we discuss how these P
      legacies could be managed in future conservation programs. 

PMID- 24216411
TI  - Tracking short-term effects of nitrogen-15 addition on nitrous oxide fluxes using
      fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.
AB  - Synthetic fertilizer N additions to soils have significantly increased
      atmospheric NO concentrations, and advanced methods are needed to track the
      amount of applied N that is transformed to NO in the field. We have developed a
      method for continuous measurement of NO isotopologues (NNO, NNO, NNO, and NNO)
      following 0.4 and 0.8 g N m of N-labeled substrate as KNO or urea [CO(NH)] using
      Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. We evaluated this method using
      two 4-wk experimental trials on a coastal floodplain site near Nowra, New South
      Wales, Australia, which is managed for silage production. We deployed an
      automated five-chamber system connected to a portable FTIR spectrometer with
      multipass cell to measure NO isotopologue fluxes. Emissions of all isotopologues
      were evident immediately following N addition. All isotopologues responded
      positively to rainfall events, but only for 7 to 10 d following N addition.
      Cumulative N-NO fluxes (sum of the three N isotopologues) per chamber for the 14
      d following N addition ranged from 1.5 to 10.3 mg N m. Approximately 1% (range
      0.7-1.9%) of the total amount of N applied was emitted as NO. Repeatability
      (1sigma) for all isotopologue measurements was better than 0.5 nmol mol for 1-min
      average concentration measurements, and minimum detectable fluxes for each
      isotopologue were <0.1 ng N m s. The results indicate that the portable FTIR
      spectroscopic technique can effectively trace transfer of N to the atmosphere as
      NO after N addition, allowing powerful quantification of NO emissions under field
      conditions. 

PMID- 24216412
TI  - Particulate emissions from a beef cattle feedlot using the flux-gradient
      technique.
AB  - Data on air emissions from open-lot beef cattle () feedlots are limited. This
      research was conducted to determine fluxes of particulate matter with an
      aerodynamic diameter <=10 MUm (PM) from a commercial beef cattle feedlot in
      Kansas using the flux-gradient technique, a widely used micrometeorological
      method for air emissions from open sources. Vertical PM concentration profiles
      and micrometeorological parameters were measured at the feedlot using tapered
      element oscillating microbalance PM samplers and eddy covariance instrumentations
      (i.e., sonic anemometer and infrared hygrometer), respectively, from May 2010
      through September 2011, representing feedlot conditions with air temperatures
      ranging from -24 to 39 degrees C. Calculated hourly PM fluxes varied diurnally
      and seasonally, ranging up to 272 mg m h, with an overall median of 36 mg m h.
      For warm conditions (air temperature of 21 +/- 10 degrees C), the highest hourly
      PM fluxes (range 116-146 mg m h) were observed during the early evening period,
      from 2000 to 2100 h. For cold conditions (air temperature of -2 +/- 8 degrees C),
      the highest PM fluxes (range 14-27 mg m h) were observed in the afternoon, from
      1100 to 1500 h. Changes in the hourly trend of PM fluxes coincided with changes
      in friction velocity, air temperature, sensible heat flux, and surface roughness.
      The PM emission was also affected by the pen surface water content, where a water
      content of at least 20% (wet basis) would be sufficient to effectively reduce PM
      emissions from pens by as much as 60%. 

PMID- 24216413
TI  - Hardwood tree growth after eight years on brown and gray mine soils in west
      virginia.
AB  - Surface coal mining in Appalachia disturbs hundreds of hectares of land every
      year with the removal of valuable and ecologically diverse eastern deciduous
      forests. After the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act in
      1977, coal mine operators began planting a variety of grasses and legumes as a
      fast and economical way to reestablish a permanent vegetative cover to meet
      erosion and site stabilization requirements. However, soil compaction and
      competitive forage species have arrested the recolonization of native hardwood
      tree species on these reclaimed sites. Three 2.8-ha demonstration plots were
      established at Catenary Coal's Samples Mine in Kanawha County, West Virginia, of
      weathered brown sandstone and unweathered gray sandstone. Half of each plot was
      compacted. Each plot was hydroseeded with a low-competition herbaceous cover and
      planted with 11 hardwood tree species. After eight growing seasons, average tree
      volume index was nearly 10 times greater for trees grown in the brown sandstone
      treatments, 3853 cm, compared with 407 cm in gray sandstone. Trees growing on
      compacted treatments had a lower mean volume index, 2281 cm, than trees growing
      on uncompacted treatments, 3899 cm. Average pH of brown sandstone was 5.2 to 5.7,
      while gray sandstone was 7.9. The gray sandstone had much lower fine soil
      fraction (<2-mm) content (40%) than brown sandstone (70%), which influenced
      nutrient- and water-holding capacity. Brown sandstone showed significantly
      greater tree growth and survival and at this stage is a more suitable topsoil
      substitute than gray sandstone on this site. 

PMID- 24216414
TI  - Hardwood tree growth on amended mine soils in west virginia.
AB  - Each year surface mining in Appalachia disrupts large areas of forested land. The
      Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act requires coal mine operators to
      establish a permanent vegetative cover after mining, and current practice
      emphasizes soil compaction and planting of competitive forage grasses to
      stabilize the site and control erosion. These practices hinder recolonization of
      native hardwood trees on these reclaimed sites. Recently reclamation scientists
      and regulators have encouraged re-establishment of hardwood forests on surface
      mined land through careful selection and placement of rooting media and proper
      selection and planting of herbaceous and tree species. To evaluate the effect of
      rooting media and soil amendments, a 2.8-ha experimental plot was established,
      with half of the plot being constructed of weathered brown sandstone and half
      constructed of unweathered gray sandstone. Bark mulch was applied to an area
      covering both sandstone types, and the ends of the plot were hydroseeded with a
      tree-compatible herbaceous seed mix, resulting in eight soil treatments. Twelve
      hardwood tree species were planted, and soil chemical properties and tree growth
      were measured annually from 2007 to 2012. After six growing seasons, average tree
      volume index was higher for trees grown on brown sandstone (5333 cm) compared
      with gray sandstone (3031 cm). Trees planted in mulch outperformed trees on
      nonmulched treatments (volume index of 6187 cm vs. 4194 cm). Hydroseeding with a
      tree-compatible mix produced greater ground cover (35 vs. 15%) and resulted in
      greater tree volume index than nonhydroseed areas (5809 vs. 3403 cm). Soil
      chemical properties were improved by mulch and improved tree growth, especially
      on gray sandstone. The average pH of brown sandstone was 5.0 to 5.4, and gray
      sandstone averaged pH 6.9 to 7.7. The mulch treatment on gray sandstone resulted
      in tree growth similar to brown sandstone alone and with mulch. After 6 yr, tree
      growth on brown sandstone was about double the tree growth on gray sandstone, and
      mulch was a successful amendment to improve tree growth. 

PMID- 24216415
TI  - Biochar and biosolids increase tree growth and improve soil quality for urban
      landscapes.
AB  - Urban soil quality is often degraded and a challenging substrate for trees. This
      study was conducted to assess the impacts of biochar (BC), biosolids (BS), wood
      chips (WC), compost (COM), aerated compost tea (ACT), and a nitrogen plus
      potassium fertilizer (NK) for improving three typical urban soils and tree
      sapling growth. Across the three soil types, the most significant changes in soil
      properties were observed with BS and BC. Biosolids decreased soil pH and
      increased available N, N mineralization, and microbial respiration. Biochar
      increased total organic C. Increases in microbial respiration were also observed
      with NK, COM, and WC in only the sand soil. Leachate concentrations of dissolved
      organic C were greater with BS and COM, but nitrate in leachates did not differ
      among the treatments. The greatest and most significant increases in and growth
      were found with BS and BC. Tree growth was modeled from plant-available N and
      microbial respiration. The N content in the treatments appeared to be a strong
      determinant of tree growth for all treatments except BC. Nitrogen fertilizer,
      COM, and WC are the most common urban soil amendments and mulches in use today.
      This study provides evidence that BS and BC are acceptable, and possibly
      preferred, alternatives for improving urban soil quality and tree growth. 

PMID- 24216416
TI  - Life-cycle assessment of the beef cattle production system for the northern great
      plains, USA.
AB  - A life-cycle assessment (LCA) model was developed to estimate the environmental
      impacts associated with four different U.S. Northern Great Plains (NPG) beef
      production systems. The LCA model followed a "cradle-to-gate" approach and
      incorporated all major unit processes, including mineral supplement production.
      Four distinct operation scenarios were modeled based on production strategies
      common to the NGP, and a variety of impacts were determined. The scenarios
      include a normal operation, early weaning of the calf, fast-tack backgrounding,
      and grassfed. Enteric emissions and manure emissions and handling were
      consistently the largest contributors to the LCA impacts. There was little
      variability between production scenarios except for the grassfed, where the
      greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 37% higher due to a longer finishing time and
      lower finishing weight. However, reductions to GHG emissions (15-24%) were
      realized when soil organic carbon accrual was considered and may be a more
      realistic estimate for the NGP. Manure emissions and handing were primary
      contributors to potential eutrophication and acidification impacts. Mitigation
      strategies to reduce LCA impacts, including diet manipulation and management
      strategies (i.e., treatment of manure), were considered from a whole-systems
      perspective. Model results can be used for guidance by NGP producers,
      environmental practitioners, and policymakers. 

PMID- 24216417
TI  - Indicate severe toxicity of highway runoff.
AB  - Road runoff is recognized as a substantial nonpoint source of contamination to
      the aquatic environment. Highway seasonal first flushes contain particularly high
      concentrations of pollutants. To fully account for the toxicity potential of the
      runoff, the cumulative effects of the pollutants should be assessed, ideally by
      biological analyses. Acute toxicity tests with were used to measure the toxicity
      of runoff from three major highway sections in Israel for 2 yr. Highway first
      flushes resulted in the mortality of all tested individuals within 24 to 48 h. A
      first flush collected from Highway 4 (traffic volume: 81,200 cars d) remained
      toxic even after dilution to <5% (48 h EC <5%). Synthetic solutions with metal
      concentrations corresponding to highways' first flushes revealed a synergistic
      adverse effect on survival and a potential additive effect of nonmetal pollutants
      in the runoff. Because daphnids and other invertebrates constitute the base of
      the aquatic food chain, detrimental effects of highway runoff may propagate to
      higher levels of biological organization. The observed high potential of
      environmental contamination warrants the control of highway runoff in proximity
      to natural watercourses. 

PMID- 24216418
TI  - Selenium Adsorption onto Iron Oxide Layers beneath Coal-Mine Overburden Spoil.
AB  - A field experimental study to determine the feasibility of sequestering dissolved
      selenium (Se) leached from coal-mine waste rock used an iron (Fe)-oxide amendment
      obtained from a mine-drainage treatment wetland. Thirty lysimeters (4.9 * 7.3 m),
      each containing 57.7 t (1.2-1.8 m thickness) of mine-run carbonaceous shale
      overburden, were installed at the Hobet mine in southeastern West Virginia. The
      fine-grained Fe-oxide was determined to be primarily metal oxides (91.5% ferric
      and 4.37% aluminous), with minor (<3%) SO and Ca, perhaps as gypsum. The
      mineralogy of the Fe was goethite, although residual ferrihydrite may have been
      present. Various thicknesses of this amendment (0.0064, 0.057, 0.229, and 0.457
      m, plus a zero-amendment control) were used, ranging from 0 to 2.2% weight
      percent of the spoil. The control and each treatment were replicated six times to
      estimate uncertainty due to compositional and hydrological variation.
      Infiltration of rainfall created leachate that drained to individual batch
      collection tanks that were sampled 46 times at approximately 2-wk intervals from
      2010 to 2012. Basal Fe-oxide layers in the three highest amendment categories
      removed up to 76.1% selenium (in comparison to unamended piles) from leachate by
      adsorption. Only lysimeters with very thin Fe-oxide layers showed no significant
      reduction compared with unamended piles. Reproducibility of replicates was within
      acceptable limits for amended and unamended lysimeters. Results indicate that in
      situ amendment using Fe-oxide obtained from treatment of mine water can sequester
      Se by adsorption on surfaces of goethite and possibly also ferrihydrite. This
      process is demonstrated to substantially reduce dissolved Se in leachate and
      improve compliance with regulatory discharge limits. 

PMID- 24216419
TI  - How paired is paired? Comparing nitrate concentrations in three iowa drainage
      districts.
AB  - Quantifying the effectiveness of perceived best management practices (BMPs) at
      the field and landscape-scale is difficult, so paired watershed studies are used
      to detect water quality improvements. We evaluated concentrations of NO-N
      discharged from three tiled Iowa watersheds during a 4-yr period to assess their
      suitability for a paired watershed approach. Our objectives were to evaluate
      similarities in physical characteristics, concentration patterns, and correlation
      among the three paired sites and perform a minimum detectable change (MDC)
      analysis on paired site configurations. The study results demonstrate that
      concentration variability within and between sample sites affected correlation
      among the paired basins, even though the physical characteristics of the basins
      are quite similar. Restricting comparisons to the active tile drainage period
      (March-July) improved correlations. The lack of a suitable correlation will
      impair the ability to detect changes expected to result from BMP implementation.
      The MDC for NO-N concentration change detection varied from 6.9 to 12.9% and
      averaged 8% for the best control-treatment pair. To ensure that conservation
      resources are being used effectively, implemented BMPs should focus on practices
      capable of achieving at least this magnitude of change. These practices may
      include reduced fertilizer applications, adoption of cover crops, and land use
      change. 

PMID- 24216420
TI  - SPARROW Models Used to Understand Nutrient Sources in the Mississippi/Atchafalaya
      River Basin.
AB  - Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading from the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River
      Basin (MARB) has been linked to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. To describe where
      and from what sources those loads originate, SPAtially Referenced Regression On
      Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models were constructed for the MARB using
      geospatial datasets for 2002, including inputs from wastewater treatment plants
      (WWTPs), and calibration sites throughout the MARB. Previous studies found that
      highest N and P yields were from the north-central part of the MARB (Corn Belt).
      Based on the MARB SPARROW models, highest N yields were still from the Corn Belt
      but centered over Iowa and Indiana, and highest P yields were widely distributed
      throughout the center of the MARB. Similar to that found in other studies,
      agricultural inputs were found to be the largest N and P sources throughout most
      of the MARB: farm fertilizers were the largest N source, whereas farm
      fertilizers, manure, and urban inputs were dominant P sources. The MARB models
      enable individual N and P sources to be defined at scales ranging from SPARROW
      catchments (~50 km) to the entire area of the MARB. Inputs of P from WWTPs and
      urban areas were more important than found in most other studies. Information
      from this study will help to reduce nutrient loading from the MARB by providing
      managers with a description of where each of the sources of N and P are most
      important, thus providing a basis for prioritizing management actions and
      ultimately reducing the extent of Gulf hypoxia. 

PMID- 24216421
TI  - Abiotic reduction of 1,3-dinitrobenzene by aqueous dissolved extracellular
      polymeric substances produced by microorganisms.
AB  - Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by microorganisms make up an
      important constituent of labile and semilabile dissolved organic matter in
      surface water. There are no literature reports on the capability of EPS to reduce
      organic pollutants. This study demonstrated that EPS could effectively reduce a
      probe nitroaromatic compound, 1,3-dinitrobenzene. In aqueous dissolved EPS (60.3
      mg L, produced by ), 1,3-dinitrobenzene (2.1 mg L) was completely reduced to 3
      hydroxylaminonitrobenzene and 3-nitroaniline within 45 h (30 degrees C; pH 5.6).
      The reduction of 1,3-dinitrobenzene followed pseudo-first-order kinetics (rate
      constant [], 4.3 * 10 h). Fourier transform infrared and C nuclear magnetic
      resonance spectroscopy analyses combined with Tollen's test suggest that
      hemiacetal of rhamnose structures and reduced phenolic groups in EPS acted as the
      reducing agents. The abiotic nature of the reaction was further verified by the
      electrochemical cell experiments where the measured quantity of electron transfer
      through the external circuit was in principle equal to the stoichiometric demand
      to reduce 1,3-dinitrobenzene. The reduction of 1,3-dinitrobenzene by EPS was
      markedly facilitated by the addition of model juglone (1 mg L), confirming the
      "electron shuttle" role of quinoid-like structures in EPS. Moreover, the reaction
      was dependent on the pH and the concentration of metal ions (Na, Zn, or Cu).
      Additional tests confirmed the universality of 1,3-dinitrobenzene reduction by
      other sources of EPS (, , , and natural freshwater biofilm). The results indicate
      that EPS are reductively labile and can contribute to the natural attenuation and
      remediation of environmental organic contaminants. 

PMID- 24216422
TI  - Effectiveness of Aluminum-based Drinking Water Treatment Residuals as a Novel
      Sorbent to Remove Tetracyclines from Aqueous Medium.
AB  - Low levels of various veterinary antibiotics (VAs) have been found in water
      resources across the United States as a result of nonpoint-source pollution. As
      the first phase of developing a potential green sorbent for tetracycline (TTC)
      and oxytetracycline (OTC), we examined the effects of solution chemistry, pH,
      ionic strength (IS), sorbate:sorbent ratio (SSR), and reaction time on TTC and
      OTC sorption by a waste byproduct of the drinking-water treatment process,
      namely, Al-based drinking-water treatment residuals (Al-WTR). The sorption of TTC
      and OTC on Al-WTR increased with increasing pH up to pH 7 and decreased in the pH
      range of 8 to 11. A concentration of 20 g L was deemed as optimum SSR, where more
      than 95% of the initially added TTC and OTC were sorbed and equilibrium was
      reached in 2 h. A pseudo-second-order model ( = 0.99) was used for Al-WTR
      sorption for TTC and OTC. The data best fit the linearized form of the Freundlich
      isotherm ( = 0.98). No significant effect ( > 0.05) of IS on sorption of TTC and
      OTC was observed between 0.05 and 0.5 mmol L. However, at higher initial
      concentrations (>1 mmol L), IS dependence on TTC and OTC sorption was observed.
      Surface complexation modeling and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
      analysis indicated the possibility of TTC and OTC forming a mononuclear
      monodentate surface complex through strong innersphere-type bonds on Al-WTR. The
      results show promising potential of Al-WTR for use as a "green" and cost
      effective sorbent to immobilize and stabilize TTC in soils and waters. 

PMID- 24216423
TI  - Sorption/Desorption of lincomycin from three arid-region soils.
AB  - The antibiotic lincomycin is commonly found in treated municipal waste water and
      in waste from swine and poultry production. Environmental disposal of these
      wastes has the potential to introduce a significant mass of lincomycin into the
      ecosystem. In the present study, a series of sorption and desorption experiments
      were conducted to determine the potential mobility of lincomycin in soils from
      arid environments. Sorption and desorption isotherms were obtained for lincomycin
      using three different soils. Isotherms were fit to the Freundlich equation.
      Adsorption of lincomycin was found to have a of 11.98 for a biosolid-treated soil
      (1.58% OC) and a of 210.15 for a similar unamended soil (1.42% OC). It was also
      found that for a low-organic-content soil the was 5.09. The differences in
      adsorption can be related to the soil pH and the pKa of lincomycin (7.5-7.8).
      When the soil solution pH is below the pKa, the cationic species of lincomycin
      dominates, resulting in increased water solubility. Interaction with the cation
      exchange complex is minimal due to a high solution cation concentration (Ca and
      Na). Desorption isotherms also indicate that when the solution pH is lower than
      the pKa, retention of lincomycin is reduced. Our results indicate that the
      mobility of lincomycin in these arid region soils is dependent on soil pH. 

PMID- 24216424
TI  - Quantifying climate and management effects on regional crop yield and nitrogen
      leaching in the north china plain.
AB  - Better water and nitrogen (N) management requires better understanding of soil
      water and N balances and their effects on crop yield under various climate and
      soil conditions. In this study, the calibrated Root Zone Water Quality Model
      (RZWQM2) was used to assess crop yield and N leaching under current and
      alternative management practices in a double-cropped wheat ( L.) and maize ( L.)
      system under long-term weather conditions (1970-2009) for dominant soil types at
      15 locations in the North China Plain. The results provided quantitative long
      term variation of deep seepage and N leaching at these locations, which
      strengthened the existing qualitative knowledge for site-specific management of
      water and N. In general, the current management practices showed high residual
      soil N and N leaching in the region, with the amounts varying between crops and
      from location to location and from year to year. Seasonal rainfall explained 39
      to 84% of the variability in N leaching (1970-2009) in maize across locations,
      while for wheat, its relationship with N leaching was significant ( < 0.01) only
      at five locations. When N and/or irrigation inputs were reduced to 40 to 80% of
      their current levels, N leaching generally responded more to N rate than to
      irrigation, while the reverse was true for crop yield at most locations. Matching
      N input with crop requirements under limited water conditions helped achieve
      lower N leaching without considerable soil N accumulation. Based on the long-term
      simulation results and water resources availability in the region, it is
      recommended to irrigate at 60 to 80% of the current water levels and fertilize
      only at 40 to 60% of the current N rate to minimizing N leaching without
      compromising crop yield. 

PMID- 24216425
TI  - Sediment and Phosphorus Accumulation Dynamics behind Newly Installed Low-Grade
      Weirs in Agricultural Drainage Ditches.
AB  - Low-grade weirs are controlled surface drainage management structures that are
      being advocated for improving water quality of downstream ecosystems within
      agricultural landscapes. Low-grade weirs are small controlled drainage structures
      that are placed in series in an agricultural drainage ditch to create
      biogeochemical conditions for enhanced nutrient retention but also to slow runoff
      velocities and encourage sedimentation. This study evaluated eight low-grade
      weirs for sediment and P accumulation in agricultural drainage ditches 1 yr after
      installation. On average, sediment (weir: 54 +/- 25cm; reference: 13 +/- 7 cm; <=
      0.001) and water (weir: 9 +/- 7cm; reference: 1.16 +/- 2 cm; <= 0.05) depth was
      greater upstream of weirs when compared within ditch references sites. There were
      no significant differences in total P concentrations of sediments or between any
      P fractions between 1-yr-old weirs and their respective references.
      Bioavailability ratios of P (i.e., the ratio of potentially bioavailable to
      nonbioavailable P fractions) were also found to be similar between weir and
      reference sites. Based on these results, weirs increase the hydrological capacity
      of drainage ditches and significantly retain more sediment and P within the
      drainage ditch within 1 yr of construction. Future research will examine temporal
      changes in weir sediments and associated P concentrations to aid our
      understanding of how maintenance of weirs should occur to maximize physical and
      chemical characteristics for greatest sediment and P retention. 

PMID- 24216426
TI  - Classification of Nitrate Polluting Activities through Clustering of Isotope
      Mixing Model Outputs.
AB  - Apportionment of nitrate (NO) sources in surface water and classification of
      monitoring locations according to NO polluting activities may help implementation
      of water quality control measures. In this study, we (i) evaluated a Bayesian
      isotopic mixing model (stable isotope analysis in R [SIAR]) for NO source
      apportionment using 2 yr of deltaN-NO and deltaO-NO data from 29 locations within
      river basins in Flanders (Belgium) and five expert-defined NO polluting
      activities, (ii) used the NO source contributions as input to an unsupervised
      learning algorithm (k-means clustering) to reclassify sampling locations into NO
      polluting activities, and (iii) assessed if a decision tree model of
      physicochemical data could retrieve the isotope-based and expert-defined
      classifications. Based on the SIAR and deltaB results, manure/sewage was
      identified as a major NO source, whereas soil N, fertilizer NO, and NH in
      fertilizer and rain were intermediate sources and NO in precipitation was a minor
      source. The k-means clustering algorithm allowed classification of NO polluting
      activities that corresponded well to the expert-defined classifications. A
      decision tree model of physicochemical parameters allowed us to correctly
      classify 50 to 100% of the sampling locations as compared with the k-means
      clustering approach. We suggest that NO polluting activities can be identified
      via clustering of NO source contributions from samples representing an entire
      river basin. Classification of future monitoring locations into these classes
      could use decision tree models based on physicochemical data. The latter approach
      holds a substantial degree of uncertainty but provides more inherent information
      for dedicated abatement strategies than monitoring of NO concentrations alone. 

PMID- 24216427
TI  - Extent, characterization, and sources of soil lead contamination in small-urban
      residential neighborhoods.
AB  - We present high spatial-resolution mapping of soil lead (Pb) concentrations in a
      small-urban residential setting. X-ray fluorescence was used to measure soil Pb
      at170 properties in the City Park neighborhood of Appleton, Wisconsin. Greater
      than two-thirds of soil samples collected from drip lines contained more than 400
      MUg g of Pb, and one third exceeded 1200 MUg g. Soils adjacent to homes built
      before 1960 contained significantly higher Pb levels than those near younger
      homes. Three front yard locations (drip line, mid-yard, and terrace) were sampled
      at 71 properties. A general decline in soil Pb with increasing distance from the
      house was observed. Detailed sampling of individual homes within a single
      residential block revealed Pb-contaminated soil radiating outward from homes in
      all directions, creating a "bulls-eye" pattern. Approximately 40% of yard space
      exceeded concentrations of 400 MUg g. These patterns of contamination are
      consistent with Pb paint as the main contributor of Pb to soil. This has
      important implications because spatial distribution of Pb contamination is
      fundamentally different if paint, rather than automobile exhaust, is the primary
      source. Selective sequential extraction analyses suggest that roughly half of the
      soil Pb resides in chemically reactive and bioavailable phases. The extent and
      persistence of soil Pb, the resurgence of home gardening, and the serious health
      consequences of Pb ingestion argue for attention to this problem, not just in
      dense urban centers but also in smaller urban settings across the country. 

PMID- 24216428
TI  - Denitrification and potential nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide production in
      brownfield wetland soils.
AB  - Brownfields, previously developed sites that are derelict, vacant, or underused,
      are ubiquitous in urban areas. Wetlands on brownfields often retain rain and
      stormwater longer than the surrounding landscape because they are low-lying; this
      increases the possibility for these areas to process waterborne contaminants from
      the urban environment. In the northeastern United States, atmospheric deposition
      of nitrate (NO) is high. Denitrification, a microbial process common in wetlands,
      is a means of removing excess NO. Nitrogen gas is the desired end product of
      denitrification, but incomplete denitrification results in the production of NO,
      a greenhouse gas. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential of
      brownfield wetlands to serve as sinks for inorganic nitrogen and sources of
      greenhouse gases. We examined limitations to denitrification and NO production in
      brownfield wetland soils in New Jersey. Soil C:N ratios were high (18-40) and
      intact core denitrification (-0.78 to 11.6 MUg NO-N kg dry soil d) and N
      mineralization (0.11-2.97 mg N kg dry soil d) were low for all sites. However,
      soil NO increased during dry periods. Nitrate additions to soil slurries
      increased denitrification rates, whereas labile C additions did not, indicating
      that soil denitrifiers were nitrogen limited. Incubations indicated that the end
      product of denitrification was primarily NO and not N. These results indicate
      that brownfield wetlands can develop significant denitrification capacity,
      potentially causing NO limitation. They might be significant sinks for
      atmospheric NO but may also become a significant source of NO if NO deposition
      were to increase. 

PMID- 24216429
TI  - Using the mehlich-3 soil test as an inexpensive screening tool to estimate total
      and bioaccessible lead in urban soils.
AB  - In cities nationwide, urban agriculture has been put on hold because of the high
      costs of soil testing for historical contaminants such as lead (Pb). The Mehlich
      3 soil test is commonly used to determine plant available nutrients, is
      inexpensive, and has the potential to estimate trace metals in urban soil. The
      objectives of this study are to evaluate the ability of the Mehlich-3 to estimate
      total Pb and bioaccessible Pb in vacant residential lots. Total and bioaccessible
      Pb were determined in 68 vacant residential lots in Cleveland, OH, using standard
      USEPA Method 3051A and the Relative Bioaccessibility Leaching Procedure (RBALP),
      respectively. The Mehlich-3 soil test was used to determine extractable Pb, and
      the results show Mehlich-3 was strongly correlated with total and bioaccessible
      Pb. The Mehlich-3 soil test could be used as a screening tool to not only
      estimate total Pb (slope 1.73, = 0.970) but also to estimate bioaccessible Pb
      when using RBALP at pH 1.5 (slope 1.67, = 0.975) and RBALP at pH 2.5 (slope 1.15,
      = 0.938). Additional samples were collected from the Thackeray Avenue site in
      Cleveland, OH, to demonstrate the ability of the Mehlich-3 soil test to screen
      soil for Pb. The results from the Thackeray site show good agreement between
      Mehlich-3 and the standard USEPA methods. A screening protocol for urban vacant
      residential lots using the Mehlich-3 soil test is proposed. 

PMID- 24216430
TI  - Trace metal contamination influenced by land use, soil age, and organic matter in
      montreal tree pit soil.
AB  - The short life span of many street trees in the Montreal downtown area may be due
      in part to higher than standard concentrations of trace metals in the tree pit
      soils. The effects of land use, soil organic matter, and time since tree planting
      in a given tree pit (soil age) were studied with respect to the total
      concentration of trace metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in soil collected from
      tree pits on commercial and residential streets. Contingency table analysis and
      multiple linear regression were applied to study how these variables were related
      to the total concentrations of trace metals in soil. Other variables, such as pH,
      street width, distance of the tree pit from the curb, and tree pit volume, were
      also used as input to statistical analysis to increase the analysis' explanatory
      power. Significantly higher concentrations of Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb were observed in
      soils from commercial streets, possibly as a result of heavier traffic as
      compared with residential streets. Soil organic matter was positively correlated
      with the concentrations of Cu and Pb, probably due to the ability of organic
      matter to retain these trace metals. Nickel, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were positively
      correlated with the soil age presumably because trace metals accumulate in the
      tree pit soil over time. This knowledge can be helpful in providing soil quality
      standards aimed at improving the longevity of downtown street trees. 

PMID- 24216431
TI  - Nutrient leaching from mixed-species Florida residential landscapes.
AB  - Nutrient losses from residential lawns and landscapes can negatively impact water
      quality. Information about nutrient leaching from established residential
      landscapes containing a mixture of woody ornamental plants and turfgrass is
      limited. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of vegetation
      cover (turfgrass vs. woody ornamental) on nutrient leaching from established
      landscapes. Nine drainage lysimeters were planted with three vegetation
      treatments with the following coverage: (i) 60% turfgrass, 40% ornamental; (ii)
      75% turfgrass, 25% ornamental; and (iii) 90% turfgrass, 10% ornamental. Daily
      leachate samples were collected and combined to produce weekly flow-weighted
      samples for 1 yr. Leachate samples were analyzed for total Kjeldahl N (TKN),
      nitrate (+ nitrite)-N (NO), ammonium-N (NH-N), and dissolved reactive phosphorus
      (DRP). The ratio of actual evapotranspiration (ET) to reference
      evapotranspiration (ET) was similar among treatments. However, drainage from the
      90% turfgrass lysimeters was periodically higher than from the 60 and/or 75%
      turfgrass treatments. In most cases, leachate N and P concentrations and loads
      followed the same trend as drainage. The addition of shrubs in the 60 and 75%
      turfgrass treatments reduced leachate when rainfall was low and irrigation was
      the main water input. We suggest that established woody ornamental plants are
      more effective at absorbing water and nutrients than turfgrass due, in part, to
      increased root biomass and deeper rooting of established woody plants, which
      allows for more efficient uptake of soil water and nutrients. The use of woody
      plants in residential landscapes can reduce nutrient leaching in urban areas. 

PMID- 24216432
TI  - Effectiveness of biochar for sorption of ammonium and phosphate from dairy
      effluent.
AB  - The use of biochar for recovery of excess nutrients in dairy manure effluent and
      the use of nutrient-enriched biochar as soil amendment can offer a robust
      solution for multiple environmental issues. In this study we determined the
      capacity of biochar, produced by pyrolyzing mixed hardwood feedstock at 300
      degrees C, to adsorb and retain or release two major nutrient ions: ammonium (NH)
      and phosphate (PO). We conducted the experiment using a range of nutrient
      concentrations that represent those commonly observed in dairy manure effluent (0
      50 mg L for PO and 0-1000 mg L for NH). Up to 5.3 mg g NH and 0.24 mg g PO was
      adsorbed from manure by biochar (18 and 50% of total amount in the manure slurry,
      respectively). During the desorption phase of the experiment, biochar retained 78
      to 91% of the sorbed NH and 60% of the sorbed PO at reaction times <24 h. Our
      findings confirm that biochar can be used for recovering excess nitrogen and
      phosphorus from agricultural water, such as dairy manure effluent. 

PMID- 24216433
TI  - Water and methyl isothiocyanate distribution in soil after drip fumigation.
AB  - Methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) generators, such as metam sodium (Met-Na), are used
      for soil fumigation of agricultural land. The ban on the fumigant methyl bromide
      has resulted in greater use of MITC generators. To understand the efficacy of
      MITC, it is necessary to assess its generation and disappearance kinetics when
      Met-Na is applied to soil. This study evaluated the movement of water and
      distribution and dissipation of MITC in soil after application of Met-Na through
      surface drip irrigation systems. The effects of varying water application volume
      (25, 50, and 75 mm) and rate (1.9, 5.0, and 7.5 L h m) were evaluated in a sandy
      loam soil. Good fumigant distribution within the sandy loam soil was observed
      under medium water application amount (50 mm) with slow to intermediate drip
      application rates (1.9-5.0 L h m). Low water application amount (25 mm) or high
      application rate (7.5 L h m) did not provide adequate MITC distribution
      throughout the soil bed width and rooting depth. Dissipation patterns of MITC in
      soil in all water application amounts and rates followed first-order kinetics,
      with a rate constant of 0.025 +/- 0.004 h and a half-life of 27 +/- 3 h.
      Simulated water distribution through the soil profile using HYDRUS 2D/3D fitted
      measured field data well, and the model accurately simulated MITC fumigant
      distribution in the soil. 

PMID- 24216434
TI  - Properties and degradability of hydrothermal carbonization products.
AB  - Biomass carbonized via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) yields a liquid and a
      carbon (C)-rich solid called hydrochar. In soil, hydrochars may act as
      fertilizers and promote C sequestration. We assumed that the chemical composition
      of the raw material (woodchips, straw, grass cuttings, or digestate) determines
      the properties of the liquid and solid HTC products, including their
      degradability. Additionally, we investigated whether easily mineralizable organic
      components adsorbed on the hydrochar surface influence the degradability of the
      hydrochars and could be removed by repetitive washing. Carbon mineralization was
      measured as CO production over 30 d in aerobic incubation experiments with loamy
      sand. Chemical analysis revealed that most nutrients were preferably enriched in
      the liquid phase. The C mineralization of hydrochars from woodchips (2% of total
      C added), straw (3%), grass (6%), and digestate (14%) were dependent on the raw
      material carbonized and were significantly lower (by 60-92%; < 0.05) than the
      mineralization of the corresponding raw materials. Washing of the hydrochars
      significantly decreased mineralization of digestate-hydrochar (up to 40%) but had
      no effect on mineralization rates of the other three hydrochars. Variations in C
      mineralization between different hydrochars could be explained by multiple
      factors, including differences in the O/C-H/C ratios, C/N ratios, lignin content,
      amount of oxygen-containing functional groups, and pH. In contrast to the solids,
      the liquid products were highly degradable, with 61 to 89% of their dissolved
      organic C being mineralized within 30 d. The liquids may be treated aerobically
      (e.g., for nutrient recovery). 

PMID- 24216435
TI  - Nutrient loss in leachate and surface runoff from surface-broadcast and
      subsurface-banded broiler litter.
AB  - Subsurface band application of poultry litter has been shown to reduce the
      transport of nutrients from fields in surface runoff compared with conventional
      surface broadcast application. Little research has been conducted to determine
      the effects of surface broadcast application and subsurface banding of litter on
      nutrients in leachate. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to determine
      the effects of subsurface band application and surface broadcast application of
      poultry litter on nutrient losses in leachate. Zero-tension pan and passive
      capillary fiberglass wick lysimeters were installed in situ 50 cm beneath the
      soil surface of an established tall fescue ( Schreb.) pasture on a sandy loam
      soil. The treatments were surface broadcast and subsurface-banded poultry litter
      at 5 Mg ha and an unfertilized control. Results of the rainfall simulations
      showed that the concentrations of PO-P and total phosphorus (TP) in leachate were
      reduced by 96 and 37%, respectively, in subsurface-banded litter treatment
      compared with the surface-applied litter treatment. There was no significant
      difference in PO-P concentration between control and subsurface-banded litter
      treatment in leachate. The trend in the loading of nutrients in leachate was
      similar to the trend in concentration. Concentration and loading of the nutrients
      (TP, PO-P, NH-N, and NO-N) in runoff from the subsurface-banded treatment were
      significantly less than for the surface-applied treatment and were similar to
      those from control plots. These results show that, compared with conventional
      surface broadcast application of litter, subsurface band application of litter
      can greatly reduce loss of P in surface runoff and leachate. 

PMID- 24216436
TI  - The characterization of microorganisms in dairy wastewater storage ponds.
AB  - Dairy wastewaters from storage ponds are commonly land applied to irrigate forage
      crops. Given that diverse microbial populations are associated with cattle feces,
      the objective of this study was to use a culture-independent approach to
      characterize bacteria and archaea in dairy wastewaters. Using domain-specific
      primers, a region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified from pooled DNA extracts
      from 30 dairy wastewaters and subsequently used to create a clone library. A
      total of 152 bacterial clones were examined and sequence matches were affiliated
      with the following groups: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes,
      Proteobacteria, and Synergistetes. Firmicutes was identified as the largest
      phylum, representing up to 69% of the clone sequences. Of 167 clones representing
      Archaea, seven genera were found to be closely related (91-100% sequence
      similarity) to isolates obtained from sediments and feces. Most of the putative
      sequence matches (98%) represented members from the class Methanomicrobia. With
      respect to the archaeal clones, only one of the putative sequence matches was
      affiliated with a methanogenic bacterium known to inhabit the rumen. 

PMID- 24216437
TI  - Photochemical and bacterial transformations of disinfection by-product precursors
      in water.
AB  - In situ grab sampling from source waters and water extraction from source
      materials are common methods for determining disinfection by-product (DBP)
      formation potential (FP) of water samples or reactivity of dissolved organic
      matter (DOM) in forming DBPs during chlorination. However, DOM, as the main DBP
      precursor, collected using these techniques may not represent the DOM reacting
      with disinfectants due to biogeochemical alterations during water conveyance to
      drinking water treatment facilities. In this study, we exposed leachates from
      fresh litter and associated decomposed duff to natural sunlight or K-12 for 14 d
      and evaluated the changes, if any, on the propensity to form trihalomethane
      (THM), haloacetonitrile (HAN), and chloral hydrate (CHD) during chlorination.
      Sunlight treatment did not significantly change dissolved organic carbon (DOC)
      concentration but caused a 24 to 43% decrease in the specific ultraviolet
      absorbance (SUVA) at 254 nm, indicating that UV-active chromophores were
      transformed or degraded. There were significant increases ( < 0.05) in specific
      HAN formation potential (HAN-FP) and specific CHD formation potential (CHD-FP)
      (i.e., HAN and CHD formation potentials per unit carbon), but no change in
      specific THM formation potential (THM-FP) after sunlight exposure. In contrast,
      bacterial treatment did not show any significant effect on SUVA, specific
      chlorine demand, or any specific DBP-FPs, although bacterial colony counts
      suggested DOM in leachates was utilized for bacterial growth. Results of this
      study confirmed that the reactivity of DOM in forming DBPs could be different
      after biogeochemical processes compared with its source materials. For this
      study, photochemical reactions had a greater effect on DBP-FPs than did microbial
      degradation. 

PMID- 24216438
TI  - Contamination in a brazilian river: a risk of exposure to untreated effluents.
AB  - Due to natural or anthropogenic activities, various chemical contaminants, such
      as toxic metals and organic compounds, enter water systems and can have multiple
      deleterious effects on many living organisms. The Todos os Santos River (TSR) in
      Brazil receives a high discharge of untreated effluents from various sources. The
      purpose of this study was to determine trace element concentrations in water
      samples from the TSR, evaluate the toxicological effects of these elements by
      using the (onion) test, and verify the physical-chemical parameters to establish
      the risk of exposure related to the contaminated river. The samples were taken in
      2011 at six selected points (two upstream of an urban area, two in the urban
      area, and two downstream of the urban area) with physical-chemical parameters
      evaluated. The concentrations of Al (21.63-1688.84 MUg L), P (38.59-1760.87 MUg
      L), and Fe (478.9-8296.3 MUg L) were above the maximum levels permitted under
      Brazilian law (and the World Health Organization); little dissolved O was
      observed. Based on the test, genotoxic and mutagenic effects may occur in the
      river and could be due to anthropogenic increases in metal content. These
      important results have serious implications for the ecosystem as well as the
      health of the people who use the water. 

PMID- 24216439
TI  - Groundwater science, 2nd edition.

PMID- 24216440
TI  - Update on new medicinal applications of gentamicin: evidence-based review.
AB  - Gentamicin (GM) was discovered in 1963 and was introduced into parenteral usage
      in 1971. Since then, GM has been widely used in medicinal applications. The Food
      and Drug Administration of the United States approved the routine prescription of
      GM to treat the following infectious disorders: infection due to Klebsiella
      pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter spp.,
      Enterobacteriaceae spp., Pseudomonas spp.; Staphylococcus infectious disease;
      bacterial meningitis; bacterial sepsis of newborns; bacterial septicemia;
      infection of the eye, bone, skin and/or subcutaneous tissue; infective
      endocarditis; peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis due to Pseudomonas and
      other gram-negative organisms; peritonitis due to gastrointestinal tract
      infections; respiratory tract infections; and urinary tract infectious disease.
      GM is an old antibiotic and is used widely beyond its FDA-labeled indications as
      follows: actinomycotic infection; Staphylococcus saprophyticus bacteremia with
      pyelonephritis; appendicitis; cystic fibrosis; diverticulitis; adjunct regimen
      for febrile neutropenia; female genital infection; uterine infection; postnatal
      infection; necrotizing enterocolitis in fetus or newborn; osteomyelitis; pelvic
      inflammatory disease; plague; gonorrhea; tularemia; prophylaxis of post
      cholecystectomy infection, transrectal prostate biopsy, and post-tympanostomy
      related infection; malignant otitis externa; and intratympanically or
      transtympanically for Meniere's disease. GM is also used in combination regimens,
      such as with beta-lactam antibiotics to treat mixed infection and with
      bacteriophage to treat Staphylococcus aureus infections. It is also added to
      medical materials, such as GM-loaded cement spacers for osteomyelitis and
      prosthetic joint-associated infections. Overall, there are many medicinal
      applications for GM. To reduce the development of GM-resistant bacteria and to
      maintain its effectiveness, GM should be used only to treat or prevent infections
      that are proven or strongly suspected as being caused by susceptible bacteria. In
      the future, we believe that GM will be used more widely in combination therapy
      and applied to medical materials for clinical applications. A definitive,
      appropriately powered study of this antibiotic and its clinical applications is
      now required, especially in terms of its effectiveness, safety, and cost. 

PMID- 24216441
TI  - Gender and eye colour prediction discrepancies: A reply to criticisms.

PMID- 24216442
TI  - Wolbachia play an important role in affecting mtDNA variation of Tetranychus
      truncatus (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae).
AB  - The prevalence of the endosymbiont Wolbachia and its effects on mitochondria
      variation were analyzed in seven natural populations of Tetranychus truncatus
      Ehara (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) in current study. Five Wolbachia strains
      (wtru1, wtru5, wtru7, wtru8, and wtru12) were detected based on the surface
      protein of Wolbachia (wsp) sequence data and the multiple locus sequences typing
      data, suggesting that multiple separate invasions have occurred. Part of
      mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene was sequenced from infected
      individuals revealing 10 different haplotypes. As predicted, the haplotype and
      nucleotide diversity were lower in infected individuals than that in uninfected
      individuals. Furthermore, phylogenetic and analysis of molecular variance
      analyses revealed that the distribution of mtDNA haplotypes is not associated
      with geography. Rather, it is strongly concordant with infection status. These
      data support the hypothesis that Wolbachia infection can affect the genetic
      structure and diversity of the host mites. 

PMID- 24216443
TI  - How to decide about liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular
      carcinoma: size and number of lesions or response to TACE?

PMID- 24216444
TI  - Reply to: "Sorafenib efficacy for treatment of HCC recurrence after liver
      transplantation is an open issue".

PMID- 24216445
TI  - Sorafenib efficacy for treatment of HCC recurrence after liver transplantation is
      an open issue.

PMID- 24216446
TI  - Survival after sorafenib: expect the unexpected.

PMID- 24216447
TI  - Reply to: "How to decide about liver transplantation in patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma: size and number of lesions or response to TACE?".

PMID- 24216448
TI  - Letter from the guest editor: Neuroimaging of the central skull base region.

PMID- 24216449
TI  - Practical anatomy of the central skull base region.
AB  - The central skull base region represents a complex intersection between the
      intracranial compartment, the osseous foundation of the skull base, the orbits,
      the paranasal sinuses, and the suprahyoid neck. A modern radiologic approach to
      this region should take into account the 3-dimensional complexity of the region
      as well as the cross-sectional anatomical detail available to today's
      radiologist. This analytical approach should permit identification of lesional
      anatomical subsites, establishment of lesional origins, and allow for an anatomy
      based differential diagnosis. In this article, we define a practical central
      skull base region that includes structures that directly affect neuroimaging of
      this dense landscape. By reframing the boundaries, the central skull base region
      becomes comprehensive, emphasizing the natural tendency for pathologic processes
      to involve contiguous anatomical subunits, and underscores the complexity and
      challenges of this region for neuroimaging specialists. 

PMID- 24216450
TI  - Endocranial lesions.
AB  - Numerous intracranial soft tissue and vascular structures are intimately related
      to the endocranial surface of the central skull base, including the pituitary
      gland, the pachymeninges, and multiple cranial nerves. These structures can give
      rise to pathologies that create imaging abnormalities along the bony surface of
      the skull base or result in gross changes of the underlying bone: hyperostosis,
      scalloping, permeation, erosion, or destruction. Large lesions with frank
      invasion may be difficult to differentiate from intrinsic bone lesions. This
      article reviews a variety of endocranial lesions affecting the central skull
      base, including the giant or invasive pituitary macroadenoma and skull base
      meningioma, and highlights the imaging features for a practical approach to their
      diagnosis. 

PMID- 24216451
TI  - Neuroimaging: intrinsic lesions of the central skull base region.
AB  - The sphenoid bone is the osseous foundation of the central skull base. The body
      of the sphenoid is cuboid in shape and its posterior margin is joined to the
      basilar occipital bone (basiocciput) via a synchondrosis to form the complete
      clivus. Traditionally, radiologic discussions of intrinsic disease of the central
      skull base emphasize marrow space-occupying lesions including metastatic disease,
      myeloma, and chordoma. Based on our practical experience and the anatomical
      boundaries of the central skull-based region put forth, we include lesions of the
      sphenoid sinus and petrous apex in our discussion. We describe lesions that might
      originate within, be confined to, or principally involve the skeletal foundation
      of the central skull base, including the pneumatized regions contained within.
      Intrinsic lesions affecting the central skull base are emphasized and the most
      important computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings that allow
      for effective diagnosis, planning, and treatment are highlighted. 

PMID- 24216452
TI  - Skull base lesions: extracranial origins.
AB  - A number of extracranial anatomical sites, including the nasopharynx, paranasal
      sinuses, and masticator space, may give rise to lesions involving the skull base.
      Implicit in the nature of an invasive lesion, the majority of these lesions are
      malignant. Accordingly, for optimal patient outcomes and treatment planning, it
      is imperative to include a search pattern for extracranial sites and to assess
      accurately the character and extent of these diverse lesions. Of particular
      importance to radiologists are lesions arising from each extracranial site, the
      search patterns, and relevant information important to convey to the referring
      clinician. 

PMID- 24216453
TI  - Perineural tumor spread involving the central skull base region.
AB  - Perineural spread of tumor is defined as extension of the primary tumor along
      tissues of the neural sheath (epineurium and perineurium) of a named nerve. Given
      the density of cranial nerves in the central skull base region and their
      extracranial communications, perineural tumor spread from a variety of sources
      can affect the central skull base region. Common malignancies with perineural
      tumor spread to central skull base include mucosal squamous cell carcinoma,
      adenoid cystic carcinoma, and cutaneous malignancies including melanoma. The
      presence and extent of tumor spread influence selection of treatment and
      prognosis. Appropriate imaging and interpretation, therefore, play a crucial role
      in detection and management of perineural tumor spread in the central skull base
      region. 

PMID- 24216454
TI  - Vascular lesions of the central skull base region.
AB  - The arterial and venous structures of the central skull base region form complex
      anatomical relationships with each other and with adjacent osseous and neural
      structures. Vascular structures including the cavernous sinuses and internal
      carotid arteries can be displaced, encased, or invaded by neoplastic,
      inflammatory, or infectious lesions of the central skull base. Consequently, the
      vascular structures have a unique role in determining the imaging appearance,
      clinical significance, and therapeutic options of lesions occurring in the
      central skull base. This article briefly reviews the basic anatomy of the
      cavernous sinus and the relationship of the internal carotid artery to the
      cavernous sinus and central skull base. The major imaging features of some common
      vascular lesions, including skull base aneurysm, carotid-cavernous fistula, and
      cavernous sinus thrombosis are presented. 

PMID- 24216455
TI  - Surgical approaches to central skull base and postsurgical imaging.
AB  - The close proximity to or intricate involvement of critical neurovascular
      structures in the central skull base region or both present unique surgical
      challenges. Varied surgical approaches may be used to remove tumors in this
      region, including open craniotomies and minimally invasive transnasal or
      transfacial endoscopic approaches. The ideal surgical technique is chosen based
      on multiple factors including the aggressiveness, histopathology, and location of
      the tumor with respect to regional neurovascular elements. Postsurgical image
      analysis of the central skull base requires an intimate understanding of
      preoperative and expected postoperative appearance in relation to the nature of
      the excision and surgical materials used. 

PMID- 24216456
TI  - Assessing the influence of reactor system design criteria on the performance of
      model colon fermentation units.
AB  - Fermentation reactor systems are a key platform in studying intestinal
      microflora, specifically with respect to questions surrounding the effects of
      diet. In this study, we develop computational representations of colon
      fermentation reactor systems as a way to assess the influence of three design
      elements (number of reactors, emptying mechanism, and inclusion of microbial
      immobilization) on three performance measures (total biomass density, biomass
      composition, and fibre digestion efficiency) using a fractional-factorial
      experimental design. It was determined that the choice of emptying mechanism
      showed no effect on any of the performance measures. Additionally, it was
      determined that none of the design criteria had any measurable effect on reactor
      performance with respect to biomass composition. It is recommended that model
      fermentation systems used in the experimenting of dietary effects on intestinal
      biomass composition be streamlined to only include necessary system design
      complexities, as the measured performance is not benefited by the addition of
      microbial immobilization mechanisms or semi-continuous emptying scheme.
      Additionally, the added complexities significantly increase computational time
      during simulation experiments. It was also noted that the same factorial
      experiment could be directly adapted using in vitro colon fermentation systems.

PMID- 24216457
TI  - Isolation of a selenite-reducing and cadmium-resistant bacterium Pseudomonas sp.
      strain RB for microbial synthesis of CdSe nanoparticles.
AB  - Bacteria capable of synthesizing CdSe from selenite and cadmium ion were enriched
      from a soil sample. After repeated transfer of the soil-derived bacterial
      cultures to a new medium containing selenite and cadmium ion 42 times (during 360
      days), an enrichment culture that can simultaneously remove selenite and cadmium
      ion (1 mM each) from the liquid phase was obtained. The culture's color became
      reddish-brown, indicating CdSe nanoparticle production, as confirmed by energy
      dispersive x-ray spectra (EDS). As a result of isolation operations, the
      bacterium that was the most responsible for synthesizing CdSe, named Pseudomonas
      sp. RB, was obtained. Transmission electron microscopy and EDS revealed that this
      strain accumulated nanoparticles (10-20 nm) consisting of selenium and cadmium
      inside and on the cells when cultivated in the same medium for the enrichment
      culture. This report is the first describing isolation of a selenite-reducing and
      cadmium-resistant bacterium. It is useful for CdSe nanoparticle synthesis in the
      simple one-vessel operation.

PMID- 24216458
TI  - Antioxidant properties of certain cereals as affected by food-grade bacteria
      fermentation.
AB  - The effects of fermentation by 2 food-grade bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and
      Lactobacillus plantarum) on antioxidant activities and the contents of phenolics
      and flavonoids in 4 cereals (specifically adlay, chestnut, lotus seed, and
      walnut) were determined and compared with those of their non-fermented
      counterparts. Results showed that antioxidant properties observed in the
      fermented and non-fermented cereals may vary with fermented starters.
      Fermentation was observed to increase the phenolic and flavonoid contents of the
      extracts. The effects on Bacillus-fermented cereals were stronger than on
      Lactobacillus-fermented cereals. In IC50 values (mg/mL) of extracts, the extracts
      of fermented cereal showed a stronger DPPH radical scavenging and ferric-reducing
      activities. Fermentation did not significantly alter the Fe(2+)-chelating
      activity in the extracts of chestnuts and lotus seeds. All cereals were shown
      significantly inhibited the production of LPS-induced intracellular reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) without creating obvious cytotoxic effects in the macrophage
      cells. These results suggest that the fermentation process enables cereal-based
      foods with enhanced antioxidant capacities to contribute to health and
      nutritional improvements in consumers.

PMID- 24216459
TI  - Single-cell-based breeding: Rational strategy for the establishment of cell lines
      from a single cell with the most favorable properties.
AB  - For efficient biomolecule production (e.g., antibodies, recombinant proteins),
      mammalian cells with high expression rates should be selected from cell
      libraries, propagated while maintaining a homogenous expression rate, and
      subsequently stabilized at their high expression rate. Clusters of isogenic cells
      (i.e., colonies) have been used for these processes. However, cellular
      heterogeneity makes it difficult to obtain cell lines with the highest expression
      rates by using single-colony-based breeding. Furthermore, even among the single
      cells in an isogenic cell population, the desired cell properties fluctuate
      stochastically during long-term culture. Therefore, although the molecular
      mechanisms underlying stochastic fluctuation are poorly understood, it is
      necessary to establish excellent cell lines in order to breed single cells to
      have higher expression, higher stability, and higher homogeneity while
      suppressing stochastic fluctuation (i.e., single-cell-based breeding). In this
      review, we describe various methods for manipulating single cells and
      facilitating single-cell analysis in order to better understand stochastic
      fluctuation. We demonstrated that single-cell-based breeding is practical and
      promising by using a high-throughput automated system to analyze and manipulate
      single cells.

PMID- 24216460
TI  - Hydrogen utilization rate: A crucial indicator for anaerobic digestion process
      evaluation and monitoring.
AB  - Hydrogenotrophic methanogens had been considered as key species for the anaerobic
      digestion (AD) of industrial wastewater and municipal sludge. However, how to
      evaluate the activity of the hydrogenotrophic methanogens was less studied. In
      this study, a volumetric device and a test procedure were developed for measuring
      the specific hydrogen utilization rate (HUR) of anaerobic sludge. Results showed
      that HUR values were highly influenced by sludge concentrations because of
      limitation on H2 mass transfer. The critical value of sludge concentration in the
      test bottle should not be higher than 1 gVSS/L. Under such condition, the
      kinetics of HUR would not be limited by H2 mass transfer and the maximal value of
      HUR could be obtained. Field survey confirmed that HUR exhibits a good
      relationship with specific methanogenic activity (SMA) and reactor performance.
      An anaerobic system with a relatively high HUR was found to be beneficial for
      maintaining H2 partial pressure in an appropriately low level. Moreover, such
      system was thermodynamically favourable for the syntrophic degradation of
      volatile fatty acids. As a crucial parameter of the anaerobic process, HUR could
      be used as a key indicator for evaluating and monitoring AD processes.

PMID- 24216461
TI  - Installation of orthogonality to the interface that assembles two modular domains
      in the Tetrahymena group I ribozyme.
AB  - Two modular elements (P5abc and DeltaP5) in the Tetrahymena group I ribozyme can
      be separated physically to generate a two-piece ribozyme derivative consisting of
      a separately prepared P5abc (P5 RNA) and the rest of the intron (DeltaP5 RNA).
      Molecular recognition in the interface assembling P5 RNA and DeltaP5 RNA is
      strong and specific, and the catalytic ability of the two-piece ribozyme is
      comparable to that of the parent unimolecular ribozyme. We designed alternative
      P14 (L5c-L2) interacting modules participating in the assembly of P5 and DeltaP5
      and investigated their ability in the context of complex formation of the two
      piece ribozyme and in vivo splicing of the unimolecular intron ribozyme. Combined
      use of alternative P14 and L5b-P6 interacting modules provided robust
      orthogonality to the P5/DeltaP5 assembly interface of the bimolecular complex.

PMID- 24216462
TI  - Evolutionary analysis of the functional plasticity of Staphylococcus aureus C30
      carotenoid synthase.
AB  - Most natural carotenoids have 40-carbon (C40) backbones, while some bacteria
      produce carotenoids with C30 backbones. Carotenoid backbone synthases, the enzyme
      that catalyze the first committed step in carotenoid biosynthesis, are known to
      be highly specific. Previously, using C30 backbone synthase (diapophytoene
      synthase, CrtM) from Staphylococcus aureus, we reported two size-shifting
      mutations, F26A and W38A, which confer C40 synthase activity at the cost of the
      original C30 synthase activity. In this study, we performed a directed evolution
      of the C40-specialist variant CrtMF26A in search of mutations that restore the
      original C30 synthase function. Examination of the resultant mutants, together
      with the site-directed mutagenesis study identified three new mutations (H12A,
      D27A and I240F) that affect the size specificity of this enzyme. After re
      defining the reading frame, we obtained CrtM variants that are highly active in
      C30 and C40 carotenoid synthesis.

PMID- 24216463
TI  - Acute skin graft-versus-host disease with molecular features mimicking herpes
      simplex virus-associated erythema multiforme: report of three cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute skin erythematous lesions that follow allogeneic hematopoietic
      stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and are histologically diagnosed as graft-versus
      host disease (GVHD) are often associated with reactivation of latent herpes
      simplex virus (HSV). OBJECTIVE: To further examine the relationship between
      reactivated HSV and GVHD development. METHODS: We present 3 patients with acute
      skin GVHD after allogeneic HSCT who were studied prospectively for expression of
      the HSV antigen Pol, which is involved in HSV-associated erythema multiforme.
      RESULTS: Pol was expressed in the GVHD lesions but not the pre-HSCT normal skin
      or peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Lesion severity correlated with the Pol
      levels but not the histopathologically defined GVHD grade. Lesion development was
      accompanied by increased numbers of Pol+ circulating/skin-infiltrating CD34+ stem
      cells and CD1a+ and other dermal dendritic cells. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical HSV
      infection of circulating CD34+ cells can contribute to some post-HSCT skin
      lesions histologically diagnosed as GVHD, with potential preventive and
      therapeutic implications.

PMID- 24216464
TI  - 2013 JRR Terashima Award.

PMID- 24216465
TI  - Experimental study of nuclear fragmentation of 200 and 400 MeV/u (12)C ions in
      water for applications in particle therapy.
AB  - Carbon ion beams in the energy range of about 100-450 MeV/u offer excellent
      conditions for tumour therapy, in particular for the treatment of deep-seated
      radio-resistant tumours. Their depth-dose distribution is characterized by a low
      dose in the entrance channel, small lateral beam spread and an elevated
      biological effectiveness in the Bragg peak region. In comparison to protons the
      radiation field of heavier ions stopping in tissue is however more complex due to
      nuclear fragmentation reactions occurring along their stopping path. This results
      in an attenuation of the primary beam flux and a build-up of lower-Z fragments
      with longer ranges causing the characteristic dose tail beyond the Bragg peak. In
      the present work the characteristics of secondary charged particles at various
      depths of water were investigated experimentally using (12)C ion beams of 200 and
      400 MeV/u delivered by the heavy-ion synchrotron SIS-18 at GSI Darmstadt. The
      nuclear charge Zf of secondary fragments was identified by combining energy loss
      and time-of-flight (TOF) measurements. Energy spectra and yields were recorded at
      lab angles of 0 degrees  - 10 degrees  and at seven different water depths
      corresponding to the entrance channel, the Bragg peak region and the tail of the
      Bragg curve.

PMID- 24216466
TI  - The Clinical Biomechanics Award 2013 -- presented by the International Society of
      Biomechanics: new observations on the morphology of the talar dome and its
      relationship to ankle kinematics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ankle passive kinematics is determined primarily by articular surface
      morphology and ligament constraints. Previous morphological studies concluded
      that the talar dome can be approximated by a truncated cone, whose apex is
      directed medially and whose major axis is the axis of rotation of the ankle. This
      and other functional morphology concepts were evaluated in this study whose goal
      was to describe and quantify the 3D morphology of the talus using 3D image-based
      bone models and engineering software tools. METHODS: CT data from 26 healthy
      adults were processed to produce 3D renderings of the talus and were followed by
      morphological measurements including the radii of curvature of circles fitted to
      the medial and lateral borders of the trochlea and radii of curvature of coronal
      sections. FINDINGS: The surfaces containing the medial and lateral borders of the
      trochlea are not parallel and the radius of curvature of the medial border is
      larger than the lateral border. In the coronal plane the trochlear surface was
      mostly concave. INTERPRETATION: The trochlear surface can be modeled as a skewed
      truncated conic saddle shape with its apex oriented laterally rather than
      medially as postulated by Inman. Such shape is compatible, as opposed to Inman's
      cone postulate, with the observed pronation/supination and provides stable
      congruency in movements of inversion/eversion. The results challenge the
      fundamental theories of functional morphology of the ankle and suggest that these
      new findings should be considered in future biomechanical research and in
      clinical applications such as design of total ankle replacements.

PMID- 24216467
TI  - Sessile serrated adenomas: an evidence-based guide to management.
AB  - The concept of serrated colorectal neoplasia and a serrated pathway to colorectal
      cancer (CRC) is relatively new and continuing to evolve, but it has become highly
      relevant to gastroenterologists, pathologist, and oncologists alike. Sessile
      serrated adenomas (SSA) are now thought to be the major precursor lesion of
      serrated pathway cancers, which represent up to one-third of all sporadic CRC
      cases. However, despite their increasingly recognized importance, relatively
      little is known about the epidemiology and natural history of SSAs, and the
      molecular and epigenetic aspects are incompletely understood. Endoscopists must
      be aware of the unique features of SSAs so that the practice of colonoscopic
      screening for CRC can include optimized detection, removal, and appropriate
      surveillance of SSAs and other serrated precursor lesions. In this review, we
      discuss the history, epidemiology, and pathologic aspects of SSAs, as well as a
      recommended management approach and a discussion of uncertainties and
      opportunities for future research. 

PMID- 24216468
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23357488.

PMID- 24216469
TI  - Eosinophilic esophagitis--emerging epidemic or misdiagnosed malady?

PMID- 24216471
TI  - Endogenous cellulase enzymes in the stick insect (Phasmatodea) gut.
AB  - High cellulase (endo-beta-1,4-glucanase) activity was detected in the anterior
      midgut of the walking stick (Phasmatodea) Eurycantha calcarata. The enzyme was
      isolated and analyzed via mass spectrometry. RT-PCR revealed two endoglucanase
      genes, EcEG1 and EcEG2. Mascot analysis of the purified enzyme confirms it to be
      the product of gene EcEG1. Homologous cDNAs were also isolated from a distantly
      related species, Entoria okinawaensis, suggesting a general distribution of
      cellulase genes in phasmids. Phasmid cellulases showed high homology to
      endogenously-produced glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) endoglucanases from
      insects, especially to those of termites, cockroaches, and crickets. The purified
      E. calcarata enzyme showed clear antigency against an anti-serum for termite GH9
      cellulase, which, together with the sequence homology, further suggests an
      endogenous origin of the enzyme. This discovery suggests a possible nutritive
      value for cellulose in the leaf-feeding phasmids, unlike in herbivorous
      Lepidoptera. 

PMID- 24216470
TI  - Silencing in Apolygus lucorum of the olfactory coreceptor Orco gene by RNA
      interference induces EAG response declining to two putative semiochemicals.
AB  - Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an agronomically important
      pest that causes severe economic damage to the cotton, fruit, and vegetable
      industries. Similar to other insects, A. lucorum can perceive and discriminate
      olfactory cues. A highly conserved and broadly expressed olfactory coreceptor
      (Orco) is crucial for insect olfaction, and Orco orthologs have been identified
      in several insect species. In this study, a homology-based polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) method was utilized to identify AlucOrco, an Orco ortholog
      essential for olfaction in A. lucorum. AlucOrco shares significant sequence
      homology with known Orco proteins in other insects. Quantitative real-time PCR
      (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that AlucOrco was abundantly expressed in adult A.
      lucorum. AlucOrco expression level was the highest in the antennae; by contrast,
      AlucOrco showed negligible expression level in other tissues. We injected
      AlucOrco siRNA into the conjunctivum between the prothorax and mesothorax of A.
      lucorum and evaluated its expression 36 h after RNA interference. The results of
      qRT-PCR demonstrated that the level of mRNA expression was significantly reduced
      (>90%) in AlucOrco siRNA-treated A. lucorum than in water-injected and non
      injected controls. The electroantennogram responses of A. lucorum to two putative
      semiochemicals, trans-2-hexenal and trans-2-hexenyl butyrate, were also reduced
      significantly (~80%) in RNAi-treated A. lucorum than in the controls. These
      results suggest that AlucOrco is crucial in mediating odorant perception of A.
      lucorum, especially in perceiving trans-2-hexenal and trans-2-hexenyl butyrate.

PMID- 24216472
TI  - Love beyond borders.

PMID- 24216473
TI  - The real cost of caring or not caring.

PMID- 24216474
TI  - Tolfenamic acid induces apoptosis and growth inhibition in anaplastic thyroid
      cancer: Involvement of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1
      expression and intracellular reactive oxygen species generation.
AB  - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually used for the treatment
      of inflammatory diseases. However, certain NSAIDs also have antitumor activities
      in various cancers, including head and neck cancer, through cyclooxygenase
      dependent or independent pathways. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated
      gene-1 (NAG-1), a TGF-beta superfamily protein, is induced by NSAIDs and has been
      shown to be induced by several antitumorigenic compounds and to exhibit
      proapoptotic and antitumorigenic activities. In this report, we demonstrate for
      the first time that tolfenamic acid (TA) transcriptionally induced the expression
      of NAG-1 during TA-induced apoptosis of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells. TA
      reduced the viability of ATC cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced
      apoptosis, findings that were coincident with NAG-1 expression. Overexpression of
      the NAG-1 gene using cDNA enhanced the apoptotic effect of TA, whereas
      suppression of NAG-1 expression by small interfering RNA attenuated TA-induced
      apoptosis. Subsequently, we found that intracellular ROS generation plays an
      important role in activating the proapoptotic protein NAG-1. Then, we confirmed
      antitumorigenic effects of TA in a nude mouse orthotopic ATC model, and this
      result accompanied the augmentation of NAG-1 expression and ROS generation in
      tumor tissue. Taken together, these results demonstrate that TA induces apoptosis
      via NAG-1 expression and ROS generation in in vitro and in vivo ATC models,
      providing a novel mechanistic explanation and indicating a potential
      chemotherapeutic approach for treatment of ATC. 

PMID- 24216475
TI  - Gene expression profiling of candidate genes in peripheral blood mononuclear
      cells for predicting toxicity of diesel exhaust particles.
AB  - To validate gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells
      (PBMCs) as a surrogate for monitoring tissue expression, this study using RT-PCR
      based TaqMan low-density array (TLDA) was initiated to investigate similarities
      in the mRNA expression of target genes altered by exposure to diesel exhaust
      particles (DEPs) in freshly prepared PBMCs and in lungs. Adult Wistar rats were
      treated transtracheally with a single dose of 7.5 or 15 or 30mg/kg DEPs and
      sacrificed 24h later. Blood and lungs were immediately taken out and processed
      for RT-PCR. DEP treatment induced similar patterns of increase in the expression
      of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-responsive cytochrome P450s, the phase II
      enzymes, and their associated transcription factors in both lungs and PBMCs, at
      all doses. Similar to that seen in lungs, a dose-dependent increase was observed
      in the expression of genes involved in inflammation, such as cytokines,
      chemokines, and adhesion molecules, in PBMCs. The expression of various genes
      involved in DNA repair and apoptosis was also increased in a dose-dependent
      manner in PBMCs and lungs. The present TLDA data indicating similarities in the
      responsiveness of candidate genes involved in the toxicity of DEPs between PBMCs
      and lungs after exposure to DEPs demonstrate that expression profiles of genes in
      PBMCs could be used as a surrogate for monitoring the acute toxicity of fine and
      ultrafine particulate matter present in vehicular emissions. 

PMID- 24216476
TI  - A microenvironment-mediated c-Myc/miR-548m/HDAC6 amplification loop in non
      Hodgkin B cell lymphomas.
AB  - A dynamic interaction occurs between the lymphoma cell and its microenvironment,
      with each profoundly influencing the behavior of the other. Here, using a
      clonogenic coculture growth system and a xenograft mouse model, we demonstrated
      that adhesion of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and other non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells
      to lymphoma stromal cells confers drug resistance, clonogenicity, and induction
      of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). Furthermore, stroma triggered a c-Myc/miR-548m
      feed-forward loop, linking sustained c-Myc activation, miR-548m downregulation,
      and subsequent HDAC6 upregulation and stroma-mediated cell survival and lymphoma
      progression in lymphoma cell lines, primary MCL and other B cell lymphoma cell
      lines. Treatment with an HDAC6-selective inhibitor alone or in synergy with a c
      Myc inhibitor enhanced cell death, abolished cell adhesion-mediated drug
      resistance, and suppressed clonogenicity and lymphoma growth ex vivo and in vivo.
      Together, these data suggest that the lymphoma-stroma interaction in the lymphoma
      microenvironment directly impacts the biology of lymphoma through genetic and
      epigenetic regulation, with HDAC6 and c-Myc as potential therapeutic targets.

PMID- 24216477
TI  - Interferon-dependent IL-10 production by Tregs limits tumor Th17 inflammation.
AB  - The capacity of IL-10 and Tregs in the inflammatory tumor microenvironment to
      impair anticancer Th1 immunity makes them attractive targets for cancer
      immunotherapy. IL-10 and Tregs also suppress Th17 activity, which is associated
      with poor prognosis in several cancers. However, previous studies have overlooked
      their potential contribution to the regulation of pathogenic cancer-associated
      inflammation. In this study, we investigated the origin and function of IL-10
      producing cells in the tumor microenvironment using transplantable tumor models
      in mice. The majority of tumor-associated IL-10 was produced by an activated Treg
      population. IL-10 production by Tregs was required to restrain Th17-type
      inflammation. Accumulation of activated IL-10+ Tregs in the tumor required type I
      IFN signaling but not inflammatory signaling pathways that depend on TLR adapter
      protein MyD88 or IL-12 family cytokines. IL-10 production limited Th17 cell
      numbers in both spleen and tumor. However, type I IFN was required to limit Th17
      cells specifically in the tumor microenvironment, reflecting selective control of
      tumor-associated Tregs by type I IFN. Thus, the interplay of type I IFN, Tregs,
      and IL-10 is required to negatively regulate Th17 inflammation in the tumor
      microenvironment. Therapeutic interference of this network could therefore have
      the undesirable consequence of promoting Th17 inflammation and cancer growth.

PMID- 24216478
TI  - Peptidases released by necrotic cells  control CD8+ T cell cross-priming.
AB  - Cross-priming of CD8+ T cells and generation of effector immune responses is
      pivotal for tumor immunity as well as for successful anticancer vaccination and
      therapy. Dead and dying cells produce signals that can influence Ag processing
      and presentation; however, there is conflicting evidence regarding the
      immunogenicity of necrotic cell death. We used a mouse model of sterile necrosis,
      in which mice were injected with sterile primary necrotic cells, to investigate a
      role of these cells in priming of CD8+ T cells. We discovered a molecular
      mechanism operating in Ag donor cells that regulates cross-priming of CD8+ T
      cells during primary sterile necrosis and thereby controls adaptive immune
      responses. We found that the cellular peptidases dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (DPP-3)
      and thimet oligopeptidase 1 (TOP-1), both of which are present in nonimmunogenic
      necrotic cells, eliminated proteasomal degradation products and blocked Ag cross
      presentation. While sterile necrotic tumor cells failed to induce CD8+ T cell
      responses, their nonimmunogenicity could be reversed in vitro and in vivo by
      inactivation of DPP-3 and TOP-1. These results indicate that control of cross
      priming and thereby immunogenicity of primary sterile necrosis relies on
      proteasome-dependent oligopeptide generation and functional status of peptidases
      in Ag donor cells.

PMID- 24216479
TI  - Isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase  deficiency exacerbates KRAS-driven 
      pancreatic neoplasia via Notch suppression.
AB  - RAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers. Despite decades of
      effort, anti-RAS therapies have remained elusive. Isoprenylcysteine
      carboxylmethyltransferase (ICMT) methylates RAS and other CaaX-containing
      proteins, but its potential as a target for cancer therapy has not been fully
      evaluated. We crossed a Pdx1-Cre;LSL-KrasG12D mouse, which is a model of
      pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), with a mouse harboring a floxed allele of
      Icmt. Surprisingly, we found that ICMT deficiency dramatically accelerated the
      development and progression of neoplasia. ICMT-deficient pancreatic ductal
      epithelial cells had a slight growth advantage and were resistant to premature
      senescence by a mechanism that involved suppression of cyclin-dependent kinase
      inhibitor 2A (p16INK4A) expression. ICMT deficiency precisely phenocopied Notch1
      deficiency in the Pdx1-Cre;LSL-KrasG12D model by exacerbating pancreatic
      intraepithelial neoplasias, promoting facial papillomas, and derepressing Wnt
      signaling. Silencing ICMT in human osteosarcoma cells decreased Notch1 signaling
      in response to stimulation with cell-surface ligands. Additionally, targeted
      silencing of Ste14, the Drosophila homolog of Icmt, resulted in defects in wing
      development, consistent with Notch loss of function. Our data suggest that ICMT
      behaves like a tumor suppressor in PDA because it is required for Notch1
      signaling.

PMID- 24216480
TI  - Lumbar disc degeneration is linked to a carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 variant.
AB  - Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is associated with both genetic and environmental
      factors and affects many people worldwide. A hallmark of LDD is loss of
      proteoglycan and water content in the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs.
      While some genetic determinants have been reported, the etiology of LDD is
      largely unknown. Here we report the findings from linkage and association studies
      on a total of 32,642 subjects consisting of 4,043 LDD cases and 28,599 control
      subjects. We identified carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 (CHST3), an enzyme that
      catalyzes proteoglycan sulfation, as a susceptibility gene for LDD. The strongest
      genome-wide linkage peak encompassed CHST3 from a Southern Chinese family-based
      data set, while a genome-wide association was observed at rs4148941 in the gene
      in a meta-analysis using multiethnic population cohorts. rs4148941 lies within a
      potential microRNA-513a-5p (miR-513a-5p) binding site. Interaction between miR
      513a-5p and mRNA transcribed from the susceptibility allele (A allele) of
      rs4148941 was enhanced in vitro compared with transcripts from other alleles.
      Additionally, expression of CHST3 mRNA was significantly reduced in the
      intervertebral disc cells of human subjects carrying the A allele of rs4148941.
      Together, our data provide new insights into the etiology of LDD, implicating an
      interplay between genetic risk factors and miRNA.

PMID- 24216481
TI  - Combined modulation of polycomb and trithorax genes rejuvenates beta cell
      replication.
AB  - Inadequate functional beta cell mass underlies both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
      beta Cell growth and regeneration also decrease with age through mechanisms that
      are not fully understood. Age-dependent loss of enhancer of zeste homolog 2
      (EZH2) prevents adult beta cell replication through derepression of the gene
      encoding cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2a (INK4a). We investigated whether
      replenishing EZH2 could reverse the age-dependent increase of Ink4a
      transcription. We generated an inducible pancreatic beta cell-specific Ezh2
      transgenic mouse model and showed that transgene expression of Ezh2 was
      sufficient to increase beta cell replication and regeneration in young adult
      mice. In mice older than 8 months, induction of Ezh2 was unable to repress Ink4a.
      Older mice had an enrichment of a trithorax group (TrxG) protein complex at the
      Ink4a locus. Knockdown of TrxG complex components, in conjunction with expression
      of Ezh2, resulted in Ink4a repression and increased replication of beta cells in
      aged mice. These results indicate that combined modulation of polycomb group
      proteins, such as EZH2, along with TrxG proteins to repress Ink4a can rejuvenate
      the replication capacity of aged beta cells. This study provides potential
      therapeutic targets for expansion of adult beta cell mass.

PMID- 24216482
TI  - Th9 cell development requires  a BATF-regulated transcriptional network.
AB  - T helper 9 (Th9) cells are specialized for the production of IL-9, promote
      allergic inflammation in mice, and are associated with allergic disease in
      humans. It has not been determined whether Th9 cells express a characteristic
      transcriptional signature. In this study, we performed microarray analysis to
      identify genes enriched in Th9 cells compared with other Th subsets. This
      analysis defined a transcriptional regulatory network required for the expression
      of a subset of Th9-enriched genes. The activator protein 1 (AP1) family
      transcription factor BATF (B cell, activating transcription factor-like) was
      among the genes enriched in Th9 cells and was required for the expression of IL-9
      and other Th9-associated genes in both human and mouse T cells. The expression of
      BATF was increased in Th9 cultures derived from atopic infants compared with Th9
      cultures from control infants. T cells deficient in BATF expression had a
      diminished capacity to promote allergic inflammation compared with wild-type
      controls. Moreover, mouse Th9 cells ectopically expressing BATF were more
      efficient at promoting allergic inflammation than control transduced cells. These
      data indicate that BATF is a central regulator of the Th9 phenotype and
      contributes to the development of allergic inflammation.

PMID- 24216483
TI  - Myelodysplastic syndromes are induced by histone methylation-altering ASXL1
      mutations.
AB  - Recurrent mutations in the gene encoding additional sex combs-like 1 (ASXL1) are
      found in various hematologic malignancies and associated with poor prognosis. In
      particular, ASXL1 mutations are common in patients with hematologic malignancies
      associated with myelodysplasia, including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), and
      chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Although loss-of-function ASXL1 mutations
      promote myeloid transformation, a large subset of ASXL1 mutations is thought to
      result in stable truncation of ASXL1. Here we demonstrate that C-terminal
      truncating Asxl1 mutations (ASXL1-MTs) inhibited myeloid differentiation and
      induced MDS-like disease in mice. ASXL1-MT mice displayed features of human
      associated MDS, including multi-lineage myelodysplasia, pancytopenia, and
      occasional progression to overt leukemia. ASXL1-MT resulted in derepression of
      homeobox A9 (Hoxa9) and microRNA-125a (miR-125a) expression through inhibition of
      polycomb repressive complex 2-mediated (PRC2-mediated) methylation of histone
      H3K27. miR-125a reduced expression of C-type lectin domain family 5, member a
      (Clec5a), which is involved in myeloid differentiation. In addition, HOXA9
      expression was high in MDS patients with ASXL1-MT, while CLEC5A expression was
      generally low. Thus, ASXL1-MT-induced MDS-like disease in mice is associated with
      derepression of Hoxa9 and miR-125a and with Clec5a dysregulation. Our data
      provide evidence for an axis of MDS pathogenesis that implicates both ASXL1
      mutations and miR-125a as therapeutic targets in MDS.

PMID- 24216485
TI  - A historical perspective: stereotactic lesions for the treatment of epilepsy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Most deep brain stimulation targets for movement disorders were derived
      from effective ablative surgery targets. Similarly effective lesion targets for
      epilepsy control may help refine brain stimulation targeting for epilepsy. A
      literature review of past stereotactic lesions for epilepsy treatment was
      performed to provide historical context and possible anatomical guidance for
      current and future attempts at controlling epilepsy with electrical stimulation.
      This work was undertaken to provide insights for electrical stimulation targets
      in epilepsy treatment based on outcomes from previous ablative therapies.
      METHODS: A MEDLINE search was conducted for studies with the words "stereotactic
      surgery" and "epilepsy." Post-operative results for 619 patients with
      stereotactic brain lesions targeting various anatomical foci were standardized
      using a modified Engel scale (1 'free of seizures' to 3 'no significant
      improvement'). Each individual patient was entered into a database as a unique
      data point. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in reported
      seizure control among the different procedures and seizure types. The procedures
      that produced the best seizure control outcomes were the hippocampectomy, pallido
      - amygdalotomy, and amygdalohippocampectomy. Simple partial motor and combined
      generalized tonic clonic with complex partial seizure types demonstrated the best
      outcomes following surgery; complex partial and generalized tonic had the worst
      outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the location of
      brain lesions has a significant effect on seizure control. Thus, future research
      designed to optimize brain stimulation targets for epilepsy control may be
      informed by previous ablative outcomes.

PMID- 24216484
TI  - Eating disorder predisposition is associated  with ESRRA and HDAC4 mutations.
AB  - Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are common and severe eating disorders (EDs)
      of unknown etiology. Although genetic factors have been implicated in the
      psychopathology of EDs, a clear biological pathway has not been delineated. DNA
      from two large families affected by EDs was collected, and mutations segregating
      with illness were identified by whole-genome sequencing following linkage mapping
      or by whole-exome sequencing. In the first family, analysis of twenty members
      across three generations identified a rare missense mutation in the estrogen
      related receptor alpha (ESRRA) gene that segregated with illness. In the second
      family, analysis of eight members across four generations identified a missense
      mutation in the histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) gene that segregated with illness.
      ESRRA and HDAC4 were determined to interact both in vitro in HeLa cells and in
      vivo in mouse cortex. Transcriptional analysis revealed that HDAC4 potently
      represses the expression of known ESRRA-induced target genes. Biochemical
      analysis of candidate mutations revealed that the identified ESRRA mutation
      decreased its transcriptional activity, while the HDAC4 mutation increased
      transcriptional repression of ESRRA. Our findings suggest that mutations that
      result in decreased ESRRA activity increase the risk of developing EDs.

PMID- 24216486
TI  - Enhancing children's vegetable consumption using vegetable-promoting picture
      books. The impact of interactive shared reading and character-product congruence.
AB  - The present study investigated whether and how a picture book promoting carrots
      can increase young children's carrot consumption. One hundred and four children
      (aged 4-6years) participated in shared reading sessions using the book on five
      consecutive days in school. These children were assigned randomly to one of four
      experimental conditions. In a 2*2 between-subjects design, the reading style and
      character in the book were manipulated. The reading style was either passive
      (listening to the story) or interactive (also answering questions about the
      story). The character in the book fitted either conceptually well with carrots (a
      rabbit) or not (a turtle). Compared to a baseline group of 56 children who were
      not exposed to the book, the children in the experimental groups consumed almost
      twice as much carrots (in proportion to other foods consumed), F(1,159)=7.08,
      p<.01. Results suggest that picture books are particularly effective when
      children are actively involved, answering questions about the story. Young
      children seem to enjoy this interactive shared reading style, triggering positive
      feelings that increase children's liking and consumption of the healthy food
      promoted in the book. 

PMID- 24216487
TI  - "You must eat the salad because it is nutritious". Argumentative strategies
      adopted by parents and children in food-related discussions at mealtimes.
AB  - At mealtimes, the evaluation of the appropriate (or not appropriate) behavior
      concerning the food is often assumed as a topic of discourse. The aim of this
      study is to single out the argumentative strategies used by parents with their
      children and by children with their parents in order to convince the other party
      to eat or not to eat a certain food. Within a data corpus constituted by 30 video
      recorded meals of 10 middle to upper-middle-class Swiss and Italian families, we
      selected a corpus of 77 argumentative discussions between parents and children
      arisen around a food-related issue. Data are presented through discursive
      excerpts of argumentative discussions that were found within the data corpus and
      analyzed through the pragma-dialectical model of critical discussion. The results
      of this study show that the feeding practices in families with young children
      during mealtimes are argumentatively co-constructed by participants. In most
      cases parents put forward arguments based on the quality (e.g., very good,
      nutritious, salty, or not good) and quantity (e.g., too little, quite enough, or
      too much) of food to convince their children to eat. Similarly, children put
      forward arguments based on the quality and quantity of food to convince their
      parents to change their standpoint, although their view on the issue is the
      opposite of that of their parents. 

PMID- 24216488
TI  - Behavioral response of grape root borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) neonates to grape
      root volatiles.
AB  - Grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris), is an oligophagous and
      potentially destructive pest of grape in commercial vineyards throughout much of
      the eastern United States. Larvae feed on vine roots, although little is known
      about their below-ground interactions with host plants. The behavioral response
      of groups of grape root borer neonates to stimuli from host and nonhost roots was
      evaluated in single and paired stimuli bioassays in which stimuli were presented
      in opposing wells attached to the bottom of petri dish arenas. Stimulus sources
      included root pieces and root headspace volatiles from 3309 and 420-A grape
      rootstocks (host) and apple (nonhost) and ethanol-based extracts of 3309 and 420
      A roots. In single stimulus assays, significantly more larvae were recovered from
      wells containing grape roots, apple roots, grape extracts, and grape root
      volatiles than from control wells, but there was no significant response to
      volatiles collected from the headspace of apple roots. In paired stimuli assays,
      significantly more larvae were recovered from wells containing grape than apple
      roots. There was no difference in larval distribution between wells when 420-A
      and 3309 roots were presented simultaneously, although a significantly greater
      response to 3309 than 420-A root extract was recorded. When soil was added to the
      assays, significantly more larvae were recovered from wells containing grape
      roots than from those containing only soil, but this response was not detected in
      assays using buried apple roots. These results are discussed in relation to the
      plant-insect interactions between grape root borer larvae and their Vitaceae
      hosts. 

PMID- 24216489
TI  - Molecular characterization of canine coronavirus strains circulating in Brazil.
AB  - To characterize canine coronavirus (CCoV) circulating in diarrheic puppies in
      Brazil, 250 fecal samples collected between 2006 and 2012 were tested. By using
      RT-PCR to partially amplify the M gene, CCoV RNA was detected in 30 samples.
      Sequence analysis of the M protein grouped eight strains with CCoV-I and another
      19 with CCoV-II prototypes. To genotype/subtype the CCoV strains and assess the
      occurrence of single or multiple CCoV infections, RT-PCR of the S gene was
      performed, and 25/30 CCoV-positive strains amplified with one or two primer
      pairs. For 17/25 samples, single infections were detected as follows: six CCoV-I,
      nine CCoV-IIa and two CCoV-IIb. Eight samples were positive for more than one
      genotype/subtype as follows: seven CCoV-I/IIa and one CCoV-I/IIb. Sequence
      analysis revealed that the CCoV-I and IIa strains shared high genetic similarity
      to each other and to the prototypes. The Brazilian strains of CCoV-IIb displayed
      an aminoacid insertion that was also described in CCoV-IIb-UCD-1 and TGEV
      strains. Among the 25 CCoV-positive puppies, five had a fatal outcome, all but
      one of which were cases of mixed infection. The current study is the first
      reported molecular characterization of CCoV-I, IIa and IIb strains in Brazil. 

PMID- 24216490
TI  - Decreased surgical time with a vessel sealing device versus a surgical stapler in
      performance of canine splenectomy.
AB  - The purpose of this retrospective study of 72 dogs was to compare a vessel
      sealing device with a surgical stapling device for performance of splenectomy.
      The results of this study demonstrate a statistically significant shorter
      surgical time for splenectomy, without an adverse effect on outcomes, performed
      in dogs with the vessel sealing device (mean time, 58.4 min +/- 3.3 min; median
      time, 60 min; range, 22-131 min) compared with a traditional stapling device
      (mean time, 66.9 min +/- 2.4 min; median time, 66 min; range, 40-100 min). No
      other significant differences were found between the two groups of patients. 

PMID- 24216491
TI  - A retrospective study of feline gastric lymphoma in 16 chemotherapy-treated cats.
AB  - The purposes of this study were to describe cases of feline gastric lymphoma with
      regards to signalment, clinical presentation, laboratory and ancillary study
      findings, response to therapy, and outcomes and to identify prognostic variables.
      Sixteen cats with stage I and II gastric lymphoma treated with chemotherapy were
      included in this study. Seventy-five percent of cats experienced remission.
      Overall, first remission duration was 108 days. Response to treatment was
      prognostic as in other types of feline lymphoma. Cats with a complete remission
      (CR) had longer survival times compared with cats with a partial remission (PR).
      Sex and treatment with a rescue protocol were found to be prognostic with
      castrated males having longer survivals than spayed females. Cats that received
      rescue chemotherapy had shorter first remission durations than those that did
      not. Prior treatment with steroids and stage were not found to be significant
      prognostic variables. This study characterizes gastric lymphoma treated with
      chemotherapy in cats. Further studies are needed to determine the comparative
      efficacy of surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments for feline gastric lymphoma.

PMID- 24216492
TI  - Use of linezolid to treat MRSP bacteremia and discospondylitis in a dog.
AB  - A 1.5 yr old male German shepherd dog was evaluated for recurrent intermittent
      episodes of fever and lethargy. Clinicopathologic abnormalities were suggestive
      of a discospondylitis at the seventh and eighth thoracic vertebrae. Blood and
      urine cultures yielded growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      pseudintermedius (MRSP) that was resistant to all commonly used antibiotics.
      Extralabel antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated susceptibility of both
      blood and urine isolates to linezolid. The prescribed dose was extrapolated from
      pharmacokinetic (PK) studies and the isolate's plasma minimum inhibitory
      concentration (MIC). Linezolid was administered for 23 wk and resulted in
      successful resolution of bacteremia, bacteriuria, and discospondylitis. When
      justified, linezolid should be considered to treat methicillin-resistant
      infections. 

PMID- 24216493
TI  - Hemorrhagic cystitis in a dog receiving carboplatin.
AB  - An 8 yr old castrated male Labrador retriever mixed-breed dog with osteosarcoma
      (OSA) of the left proximal humerus receiving carboplatin presented 10 days after
      the third chemotherapy treatment with hematuria, stranguria, and pollakiuria. A
      presumptive diagnosis of hemorrhagic cystitis was made based on clinical signs,
      urinalysis, and cytologic analysis of a traumatic catheterization sample.
      Carboplatin was removed from the chemotherapy treatment plan and was substituted
      with doxorubicin. The dog was treated with meloxicam for pain, and the cystitis
      signs subsided over a period of 4 wk. Carboplatin is commonly used as adjuvant
      chemotherapy for dogs with OSA following amputation and is not known to cause
      hematuria in dogs, although there are reports of this occurring in humans. To the
      authors' knowledge, there are no reports in the veterinary literature of this
      toxicity. 

PMID- 24216494
TI  - Postoperative adjuvant combination therapy with doxorubicin and noncytotoxic
      suramin in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.
AB  - Although conventional treatment of dogs with osteosarcoma (OSA) by amputation and
      chemotherapy results in reported survival times (STs) of 262-413 days, no major
      improvements in STs have occurred in the past 2 decades. Suramin is a
      polysulfonated napthylurea, which at noncytotoxic concentrations in vitro,
      increases tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy, including doxorubicin. The study
      authors evaluated the combination of noncytotoxic suramin and doxorubicin after
      amputation in dogs with OSA. The hypothesis was that treatment of dogs with
      appendicular OSA with amputation, adjuvant doxorubicin, and noncytotoxic suramin
      would be well tolerated and result in STs at least comparable to those of
      doxorubicin alone. Forty-seven dogs received 6.75 mg/kg of suramin IV followed by
      30 mg/m(2) of doxorubicin IV 4 hr later. Treatment was repeated q 2 wk for five
      doses. The median disease free time (DFI) was 203 days (range, 42-1,580+ days)
      and the median ST for all dogs was 369 days (range, 92-1,616+ days). There was no
      statistical difference in ST and DFI between greyhounds and nonngreyhounds.
      Adjuvant doxorubicin and noncytotoxic suramin was well tolerated in dogs with OSA
      following amputation. Additional studies are needed to determine if this
      combination treatment protocol provides additional clinical benefit compared with
      doxorubicin alone. 

PMID- 24216495
TI  - Comparison of propofol and propofol/ketamine anesthesia for evaluation of
      laryngeal function in healthy dogs.
AB  - Thiopental is an excellent choice for evaluation of laryngeal function.
      Unfortunately, thiopental is no longer manufactured. In its absence, the ideal
      anesthetic protocol for laryngoscopy has not been determined. Propofol and
      propofol/ketamine were compared for the evaluation of laryngeal function in 48
      healthy dogs. Laryngeal exposure was moderate to excellent in all dogs and not
      significantly different between protocols. Saturation of peripheral O2 (SPO2)
      readings were decreased in the propofol/ketamine group, and deeper respirations
      were more likely to correlate with normal laryngeal function regardless of
      treatment group. Doxapram was administered to apneic patients to stimulate
      respiration and allow for evaluation of laryngeal function. No significant
      difference in frequency of doxapram administration between groups was noted.
      Doxapram resulted in higher respiratory scores and significantly increased the
      ability to determine normal laryngeal function. Ketamine did not allow for a
      reduction in propofol dose and caused increased respiratory depression, making
      ketamine a poor addition to propofol for laryngeal function examination.
      Regardless of the protocol used, laryngeal function should be determined in
      conjunction with the respiratory phase and depth of respirations. Patients with
      either absent or shallow respirations should receive doxapram for accurate
      evaluation of laryngeal function. 

PMID- 24216496
TI  - Use of IV lipid emulsion for treatment of ivermectin toxicosis in a cat.
AB  - Ivermectin toxicosis in cats is infrequently reported. IV lipid emulsion (ILE) is
      a novel treatment in veterinary medicine that has been used for amelioration of
      adverse effects seen with multiple lipid soluble compounds. Previously, ILE has
      been investigated in experimental models with rats, rabbits, pigs, and dogs,
      mainly for resuscitation of cardiopulmonary arrest and treatment of hypotension
      due to local anesthetic drug overdose. There are few case reports in veterinary
      medicine of using ILE for drug toxicity. Only one feline case has been reported,
      with IV lipids used for treatment of lidocaine toxicity. This report describes a
      case of ivermectin toxicosis in a 1 yr old domestic shorthair that was safely and
      successfully treated using ILE. 

PMID- 24216497
TI  - The cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane after premedication of
      healthy dogs undergoing elective surgery.
AB  - Sevoflurane and isoflurane are commonly used in veterinary anesthesia. The
      objective of this prospective, randomized, open-label clinical study was to
      compare the cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane via direct
      arterial blood pressure measurements and the lithium dilution cardiac output
      (LDCO) on premedicated healthy dogs undergoing elective tibial plateau leveling
      osteotomy (TPLO). Nineteen client-owned dogs were included. All dogs were
      premedicated with hydromorphone (0.05 mg/kg IV and glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg/kg
      subcutaneously). Ten dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane and nine dogs were
      anesthetized with isoflurane. Eighteen dogs were instrumented with a dorsal pedal
      arterial catheter, and one dog had a femoral arterial catheter. All dogs had
      continuous, direct systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean arterial (MAP) blood
      pressure readings as well as heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index
      (CI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), systemic vascular resistance index
      (SVRI), stroke volume variation (SVV), and pulse pressure variation (PPV)
      recorded q 5 min during the surgical procedure. There was no significant
      statistical difference in all parameters between the sevoflurane and isoflurane
      treatment groups. Both sevoflurane and isoflurane inhalant anesthetics appear to
      have similar hemodynamic effects when used as part of a multimodal anesthetic
      protocol in premedicated healthy dogs undergoing an elective surgical procedure. 

PMID- 24216498
TI  - Absorption of transdermal and oral cyclosporine in six healthy cats.
AB  - Cyclosporine is commonly used orally to treat feline dermatoses. Due to
      difficulties administering oral medications, veterinarians sometimes prescribe
      compounded transdermal cyclosporine, despite studies showing limited absorption.
      The study objective was to compare cyclosporine blood concentrations after oral
      administration to concentrations after transdermal application of cyclosporine
      (prepared in pluronic lecithin organogel [PLO]) in six cats using a controlled,
      cross-over design with a 2 wk washout period. Cats were dosed at 5.1-7.4 mg/kg of
      cyclosporine q 24 hr either per os for 7 days or transdermally for 21 days.
      Cyclosporine blood concentrations were measured q 7 days and after the washout
      period. A monoclonal-based immunoassay (lower limit of quantitation was 25 ng/mL)
      was used. Median concentrations on the seventh day were 2,208 ng/mL (range, 1,357
      3,419 ng/mL) 2 hr after orally administered cyclosporine and 37 ng/mL (range, 25
      290 ng/mL) 2 hr after transdermally applied cyclosporine. Median concentration on
      day 21 was 58 ng/mL (range, 51-878 ng/mL) 2 hr after transdermally applied
      cyclosporine. Concentrations were quantifiable for transdermally applied
      cyclosporine, but considered therapeutic in only one of six cats. Based on those
      results, transdermally applied cyclosporine was not recommended in cats because
      of inconsistent absorption. 

PMID- 24216499
TI  - Combined use of intravesicular ureteroneocystostomy techniques to correct
      ureteral ectopia in a male cat.
AB  - A 2 yr old castrated male Himalayan presented for evaluation and treatment of
      persistent urinary incontinence that had been present since birth.
      Ultrasonographic evaluation of the urinary tract revealed suspected bilateral,
      extramural, ureteral ectopia that was confirmed at the time of surgical
      exploration. Marked left hydroureter and a normal right ureter were found
      entering the urethra ~ 2 cm caudal to the bladder neck. An intravesicular mucosal
      apposition (modified Leadbetter-Politano) and "drop-in" ureteroneocystostomy
      techniques were used for reimplantation of the left and right ureter,
      respectively. Postoperatively, the cat gained urinary continence and remained
      continent and clinically normal 6 mo following surgery. 

PMID- 24216500
TI  - Canine giant hypertrophic gastritis treated successfully with partial
      gastrectomy.
AB  - A 4 yr old castrated male Jack Russell terrier was presented with a 2 mo history
      of vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasound
      supported the diagnosis of gastric outflow obstruction. Celiotomy and gastrotomy
      revealed a large, narrowly based mass originating from the mucosa of the dorsal
      gastric body, occupying the lumen of the stomach and protruding through the
      pylorus into the duodenum. A partial gastrectomy was performed to excise the mass
      along with a 1 cm margin of grossly normal tissue. Giant hypertrophic gastritis
      was diagnosed via histopathology of the excised tissue. Giant hypertrophic
      gastritis is a rarely diagnosed disease of canines, characterized by giant
      gastric folds, hypoalbuminemia, and mucosal hypertrophy. Long-term treatment
      success has not been previously reported. In the case described herein, surgical
      excision of the affected gastric tissue provided complete resolution of clinical
      signs. Twelve mo following surgery, no recurrence of either vomiting or weight
      loss had been noted and the dog was clinically normal. 

PMID- 24216501
TI  - 2014 AAHA weight management guidelines for dogs and cats.
AB  - Communicating and implementing a weight management program for dogs and cats can
      be a challenging endeavor for veterinarians, but a rewarding one. An effective
      individualized weight loss program provides a consistent and healthy rate of
      weight loss to reduce risk of disease, prevent malnutrition, and improve quality
      of life. Weight loss is achieved with appropriate caloric restriction, diet
      selection, exercise, and strategies to help modify behavior of both the pet and
      client. This document offers guidelines and tools for the management of weight
      loss and long-term maintenance of healthy weight.

PMID- 24216502
TI  - Global exponential synchronization of memristor-based recurrent neural networks
      with time-varying delays.
AB  - This paper deals with the problem of global exponential synchronization of a
      class of memristor-based recurrent neural networks with time-varying delays based
      on the fuzzy theory and Lyapunov method. First, a memristor-based recurrent
      neural network is designed. Then, considering the state-dependent properties of
      the memristor, a new fuzzy model employing parallel distributed compensation
      (PDC) gives a new way to analyze the complicated memristor-based neural networks
      with only two subsystems. Comparisons between results in this paper and in the
      previous ones have been made. They show that the results in this paper improve
      and generalized the results derived in the previous literature. An example is
      also given to illustrate the effectiveness of the results.

PMID- 24216503
TI  - Increased survival in the red flour beetle after oral priming with bacteria
      conditioned media.
AB  - Immune priming is defined as enhanced protection upon secondary exposure to a
      pathogen. Such enhanced resistance after prior exposure has been demonstrated for
      a number of insect species including the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum.
      In testing this phenomenon, the majority of studies have focused on introducing
      the pathogen into the insect's hemocoel via septic wounding through the cuticle.
      Although such septic injury can occur in nature, many pathogens enter their hosts
      via the oral route, i.e. by ingestion. Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria are well
      known insect pathogens that infect their host orally. We found that T. castaneum
      larvae showed increased survival after oral exposure to B. thuringiensis, when
      they had been orally primed with filter-sterilized media in which spores of B.
      thuringiensis had been raised. Such priming was achieved only with a naturally
      pathogenic strain of B. thuringiensis and a strain that was made pathogenic by
      transfer of plasmids. Moreover, primed larvae were smaller in size 24 h after
      priming and had a longer developmental time, indicating that investment in such a
      response comes at a cost. However, the increased survival in primed larvae was
      not caused by larval size differences upon challenge.

PMID- 24216504
TI  - Compartmental analysis of washout effect in rat brain: in-beam OpenPET
      measurement using a (11)C beam.
AB  - In-beam positron emission tomography (PET) is expected to enable visualization of
      a dose verification using positron emitters (beta+ decay). For accurate dose
      verification, correction of the washout of the positron emitters should be made.
      In addition, the quantitative washout rate has a potential usefulness as a
      diagnostic index, but modeling for this has not been studied yet. In this paper,
      therefore, we applied compartment analyses to in-beam PET data acquired by our
      small OpenPET prototype, which has a physically opened field-of-view (FOV)
      between two detector rings. A rat brain was located at the FOV and was irradiated
      by a (11)C beam. Time activity curves of the irradiated field were measured
      immediately after the irradiations, and the washout rate was obtained based on
      two models: the two-washout model (medium decay, k2m; slow decay, k2s) developed
      in a study of rabbit irradiation; and the two-compartment model used in nuclear
      medicine, where efflux from tissue to blood (k2), influx (k3) and efflux (k4)
      from the first to second compartments in tissue were evaluated. The observed k2m
      and k2s were 0.34 and 0.005 min(-1), respectively, which was consistent with the
      rabbit study. Also k2m was close to the washout rate in cerebral blood flow (CBF)
      measurements by dynamic PET with (15)O-water, while, k2, k3, and k4 were 0.16,
      0.15 and 0.007 min(-1). Our present work suggested the dynamics of (11)C might be
      relevant to CBF or permeability of a molecule containing (11)C atoms might be
      regulated by a transporter because the k2 was relatively low compared with a
      simple diffusion tracer.

PMID- 24216505
TI  - Growth differentiation factor 15 in multiple myeloma: a microenvironment factor
      predictive of response to treatment?

PMID- 24216506
TI  - Can child temperament be related to early childhood caries?
AB  - Beyond the biological risk factors of early childhood caries (ECC) is child
      temperament. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of ECC to different
      traits of child temperament, directly and indirectly through the nutritional and
      oral hygiene habits. Through a multi-stage sampling, 373 kindergarten children
      aged 18-36 months participated in this study. The primary caregivers filled in
      the Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire (ECBQ) and a checklist containing
      demographic data and the dietary and oral hygiene habits of the children.
      Children were examined for dental caries. The frequency of ECC was 41.14%. With
      18 aspects of a child's temperament under consideration, attentional shifting,
      fear, frustration, low-intensity pleasure, sadness and shyness were significantly
      higher in the ECC group. Cuddliness, perceptual sensitivity, positive
      anticipation and soothability were significantly higher in caries-free children.
      Attentional shifting (p = 0.02), frustration (p = 0.02) and shyness (p = 0.03)
      were risk factors and cuddliness (p < 0.001) was a protecting factor for ECC. In
      the multiple regression model regarding nutritional and oral hygiene habits,
      easily soothable children were 0.69 times less likely to use sweetened liquids
      frequently [odds ratio (OR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-0.97, p =
      0.03], while sad children were 0.58 times less likely to brush (OR 0.58, 95% CI
      0.36-0.94, p = 0.02). Considering temperament traits along with socioeconomic
      status, positive anticipation was the most significant determinant of ECC (OR
      1.57, 95% CI 1.13-2.19, p = 0.007). However, considering temperament,
      socioeconomic measures and child habits among ECC risk factors, the most
      significant was the initiation of brushing habits (OR 5.41, 95% CI 2.81-12.98, p
      = 0.002).

PMID- 24216507
TI  - Induction of myelodysplasia by myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
AB  - Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are age-dependent stem cell malignancies that
      share biological features of activated adaptive immune response and ineffective
      hematopoiesis. Here we report that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), which
      are classically linked to immunosuppression, inflammation, and cancer, were
      markedly expanded in the bone marrow of MDS patients and played a pathogenetic
      role in the development of ineffective hematopoiesis. These clonally distinct
      MDSC overproduce hematopoietic suppressive cytokines and function as potent
      apoptotic effectors targeting autologous hematopoietic progenitors. Using
      multiple transfected cell models, we found that MDSC expansion is driven by the
      interaction of the proinflammatory molecule S100A9 with CD33. These 2 proteins
      formed a functional ligand/receptor pair that recruited components to CD33's
      immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM), inducing secretion of the
      suppressive cytokines IL-10 and TGF-beta by immature myeloid cells. S100A9
      transgenic mice displayed bone marrow accumulation of MDSC accompanied by
      development of progressive multilineage cytopenias and cytological dysplasia.
      Importantly, early forced maturation of MDSC by either all-trans-retinoic acid
      treatment or active immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-bearing (ITAM
      bearing) adapter protein (DAP12) interruption of CD33 signaling rescued the
      hematologic phenotype. These findings indicate that primary bone marrow expansion
      of MDSC driven by the S100A9/CD33 pathway perturbs hematopoiesis and contributes
      to the development of MDS.

PMID- 24216508
TI  - NADPH oxidase 4 limits bone mass  by promoting osteoclastogenesis.
AB  - ROS are implicated in bone diseases. NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), a constitutively
      active enzymatic source of ROS, may contribute to the development of such
      disorders. Therefore, we studied the role of NOX4 in bone homeostasis. Nox4(-/-)
      mice displayed higher bone density and reduced numbers and markers of
      osteoclasts. Ex vivo, differentiation of monocytes into osteoclasts with RANKL
      and M-CSF induced Nox4 expression. Loss of NOX4 activity attenuated
      osteoclastogenesis, which was accompanied by impaired activation of RANKL-induced
      NFATc1 and c-JUN. In an in vivo model of murine ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis,
      pharmacological inhibition or acute genetic knockdown of Nox4 mitigated loss of
      trabecular bone. Human bone obtained from patients with increased osteoclast
      activity exhibited increased NOX4 expression. Moreover, a SNP of NOX4 was
      associated with elevated circulating markers of bone turnover and reduced bone
      density in women. Thus, NOX4 is involved in bone loss and represents a potential
      therapeutic target for the treatment of osteoporosis.

PMID- 24216509
TI  - Type III TGF-beta receptor promotes  FGF2-mediated neuronal differentiation  in
      neuroblastoma.
AB  - Growth factors and their receptors coordinate neuronal differentiation during
      development, yet their roles in the pediatric tumor neuroblastoma remain unclear.
      Comparison of mRNA from benign neuroblastic tumors and neuroblastomas revealed
      that expression of the type III TGF-beta receptor (TGFBR3) decreases with
      advancing stage of neuroblastoma and this loss correlates with a poorer
      prognosis. Patients with MYCN oncogene amplification and low TGFBR3 expression
      were more likely to have an adverse outcome. In vitro, TbetaRIII expression was
      epigenetically suppressed by MYCN-mediated recruitment of histone deacetylases to
      regions of the TGFBR3 promoter. TbetaRIII bound FGF2 and exogenous FGFR1, which
      promoted neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. TbetaRIII and FGF2
      cooperated to induce expression of the transcription factor inhibitor of DNA
      binding 1 via Erk MAPK. TbetaRIII-mediated neuronal differentiation suppressed
      cell proliferation in vitro as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. These
      studies characterize a coreceptor function for TbetaRIII in FGF2-mediated
      neuronal differentiation, while identifying potential therapeutic targets and
      clinical biomarkers for neuroblastoma.

PMID- 24216510
TI  - Hirschsprung-like disease is exacerbated by reduced de novo GMP synthesis.
AB  - Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a partially penetrant oligogenic birth defect that
      occurs when enteric nervous system (ENS) precursors fail to colonize the distal
      bowel during early pregnancy. Genetic defects underlie HSCR, but much of the
      variability in the occurrence and severity of the birth defect remain
      unexplained. We hypothesized that nongenetic factors might contribute to disease
      development. Here we found that mycophenolate, an inhibitor of de novo guanine
      nucleotide biosynthesis, and 8 other drugs identified in a zebrafish screen
      impaired ENS development. In mice, mycophenolate treatment selectively impaired
      ENS precursor proliferation, delayed precursor migration, and induced bowel
      aganglionosis. In 2 different mouse models of HSCR, addition of mycophenolate
      increased the penetrance and severity of Hirschsprung-like pathology.
      Mycophenolate treatment also reduced ENS precursor migration as well as
      lamellipodia formation, proliferation, and survival in cultured enteric neural
      crest-derived cells. Using X-inactivation mosaicism for the purine salvage gene
      Hprt, we found that reduced ENS precursor proliferation most likely causes
      mycophenolate-induced migration defects and aganglionosis. To the best of our
      knowledge, mycophenolate is the first medicine identified that causes major ENS
      malformations and Hirschsprung-like pathology in a mammalian model. These studies
      demonstrate a critical role for de novo guanine nucleotide biosynthesis in ENS
      development and suggest that some cases of HSCR may be preventable.

PMID- 24216511
TI  - Allogeneic T cell responses are regulated  by a specific miRNA-mRNA network.
AB  - Donor T cells that respond to host alloantigens following allogeneic bone marrow
      transplantation (BMT) induce graft-versus-host (GVH) responses, but their
      molecular landscape is not well understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene
      (mRNA) expression and fine-tune the molecular responses of T cells. We stimulated
      naive T cells with either allogeneic or nonspecific stimuli and used argonaute
      cross-linked immunoprecipitation (CLIP) with subsequent ChIP microarray analyses
      to profile miR responses and their direct mRNA targets. We identified a unique
      expression pattern of miRs and mRNAs following the allostimulation of T cells and
      a high correlation between the expression of the identified miRs and a reduction
      of their mRNA targets. miRs and mRNAs that were predicted to be differentially
      regulated in allogeneic T cells compared with nonspecifically stimulated T cells
      were validated in vitro. These analyses identified wings apart-like homolog
      (Wapal) and synaptojanin 1 (Synj1) as potential regulators of allogeneic T cell
      responses. The expression of these molecular targets in vivo was confirmed in MHC
      mismatched experimental BMT. Targeted silencing of either Wapal or Synj1
      prevented the development of GVH response, confirming a role for these regulators
      in allogeneic T cell responses. Thus, this genome-wide analysis of miRNA-mRNA
      interactions identifies previously unrecognized molecular regulators of T cell
      responses.

PMID- 24216513
TI  - Sound preconditioning therapy inhibits ototoxic hearing loss in mice.
AB  - Therapeutic drugs with ototoxic side effects cause significant hearing loss for
      thousands of patients annually. Two major classes of ototoxic drugs are cisplatin
      and the aminoglycoside antibiotics, both of which are toxic to mechanosensory
      hair cells, the receptor cells of the inner ear. A critical need exists for
      therapies that protect the inner ear without inhibiting the therapeutic efficacy
      of these drugs. The induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) inhibits both
      aminoglycoside- and cisplatin-induced hair cell death and hearing loss. We
      hypothesized that exposure to sound that is titrated to stress the inner ear
      without causing permanent damage would induce HSPs in the cochlea and inhibit
      ototoxic drug-induced hearing loss. We developed a sound exposure protocol that
      induces HSPs without causing permanent hearing loss. We used this protocol in
      conjunction with a newly developed mouse model of cisplatin ototoxicity and found
      that preconditioning mouse inner ears with sound has a robust protective effect
      against cisplatin-induced hearing loss and hair cell death. Sound therapy also
      provided protection against aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. These data
      indicate that sound preconditioning protects against both classes of ototoxic
      drugs, and they suggest that sound therapy holds promise for preventing hearing
      loss in patients receiving these drugs.

PMID- 24216512
TI  - Chronic itch development in sensory neurons  requires BRAF signaling pathways.
AB  - Chronic itch, or pruritus, is associated with a wide range of skin abnormalities.
      The mechanisms responsible for chronic itch induction and persistence remain
      unclear. We developed a mouse model in which a constitutively active form of the
      serine/threonine kinase BRAF was expressed in neurons gated by the sodium channel
      Nav1.8 (BRAF(Nav1.8) mice). We found that constitutive BRAF pathway activation in
      BRAF(Nav1.8) mice results in ectopic and enhanced expression of a cohort of itch
      sensing genes, including gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and MAS-related GPCR
      member A3 (MRGPRA3), in nociceptors expressing transient receptor potential
      vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). BRAF(Nav1.8) mice showed de novo neuronal responsiveness to
      pruritogens, enhanced pruriceptor excitability, and heightened evoked and
      spontaneous scratching behavior. GRP receptor expression was increased in the
      spinal cord, indicating augmented coding capacity for itch subsequent to
      amplified pruriceptive inputs. Enhanced GRP expression and sustained ERK
      phosphorylation were observed in sensory neurons of mice with allergic contact
      dermatitis- or dry skin-elicited itch; however, spinal ERK activation was not
      required for maintaining central sensitization of itch. Inhibition of either BRAF
      or GRP signaling attenuated itch sensation in chronic itch mouse models. These
      data uncover RAF/MEK/ERK signaling as a key regulator that confers a subset of
      nociceptors with pruriceptive properties to initiate and maintain long-lasting
      itch sensation.

PMID- 24216515
TI  - High glucose concentration does not modulate the formation of arterial medial
      calcification in experimental uremic rats.
AB  - High phosphate-induced phenotypic switching of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) into
      osteogenic cells is critical for the formation of arterial medial calcification
      in chronic kidney disease. Because vascular calcification is also prevalent in
      type 2 diabetes, we examined whether glucose concentration affects high phosphate
      induced SMC phenotypic switching and calcification. First, the formation of
      arterial medial calcification was compared among 4 groups: adenine-fed uremic
      rats, streptozotocin-injected hyperglycemic rats, adenine-fed and streptozotocin
      injected uremic/hyperglycemic rats, and control rats. Calcification was obvious
      in uremic and uremic/hyperglycemic rats, whereas it was undetectable in the
      others. Aortic calcium contents were significantly elevated in uremic and
      uremic/hyperglycemic rats, but they were not different between the two groups.
      Moreover, hyperglycemia had no effects on the reduced expression of SMC
      differentiation markers including smooth muscle alpha-actin and SM22alpha and on
      the increased expression of osteogenic markers, such as Runx2, in uremic rats.
      Second, cultured SMCs were incubated in the medium with various concentrations of
      phosphate (0.9-4.5 mmol/l) and glucose (5-50 mmol/l), and calcium deposition was
      measured. Although high phosphate dose-dependently increased calcium contents,
      they were unaffected by glucose concentration. Results suggest that glucose
      concentration does not directly modulate high phosphate-induced SMC phenotypic
      switching and arterial medial calcification.

PMID- 24216516
TI  - Tularemia outbreaks in Kayseri, Turkey: an evaluation of the effect of climate
      change and climate variability on tularemia outbreaks.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological
      characteristics of tularemia outbreak and the effect of climate variability on
      this outbreak in Kayseri. METHODS: The outbreak places, infection dates, source
      of infection, and the number of cases were recorded and analyzed. This
      information was obtained from the Regional Public Health Department. Climate data
      were supplied by the Regional Meteorological Service. RESULTS: The first case in
      Sariz was recorded in 2005. Thereafter, 2 cases were reported in 2006 and 1 case
      in 2007. During 2010, 21 cases were recorded in 7 towns, 62 cases in 2011 and 27
      cases in 2012. A total number of 110 cases were recorded in 12 out of 16 towns in
      Kayseri Province between 2010 and 2012. The majority of cases were seen in the
      north-eastern, east and south-eastern parts of Kayseri Province; located in
      higher altitudes (over 1000m from sea level). It was accepted that the outbreak
      was originated from water sources and was confirmed by few number of water
      samples collected from outbreak areas. Considering climate variations, the
      outbreak occurred between 1988 and 2009 during a dry, low humid, high temperature
      period after rainy season. CONCLUSION: A tularemia outbreak was observed between
      2010 and 2012 with the initiation of rainy years. High temperature for a long
      period accompanied by low rainfall and low humidity may affect the vector's
      biology and initiate a tularemia outbreak in high plateaus in Kayseri Province
      and around.

PMID- 24216514
TI  - A recurrent dominant negative E47 mutation causes agammaglobulinemia and BCR(-) B
      cells.
AB  - Approximately 90% of patients with isolated agammaglobulinemia and failure of B
      cell development have mutations in genes required for signaling through the pre-B
      cell and B cell receptors. The nature of the gene defect in the majority of
      remaining patients is unknown. We recently identified 4 patients with
      agammaglobulinemia and markedly decreased numbers of peripheral B cells. The B
      cells that could be detected had an unusual phenotype characterized by the
      increased expression of CD19 but the absence of a B cell receptor. Genetic
      studies demonstrated that all 4 patients had the exact same de novo mutation in
      the broadly expressed transcription factor E47. The mutant protein (E555K) was
      stable in patient-derived EBV-transformed cell lines and cell lines transfected
      with expression vectors. E555K in the transfected cells localized normally to the
      nucleus and resulted in a dominant negative effect when bound to DNA as a
      homodimer with wild-type E47. Mutant E47 did permit DNA binding by a tissue
      specific heterodimeric DNA-binding partner, myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD).
      These findings document a mutational hot-spot in E47 and represent an autosomal
      dominant form of agammaglobulinemia. Further, they indicate that E47 plays a
      critical role in enforcing the block in development of B cell precursors that
      lack functional antigen receptors.

PMID- 24216517
TI  - The first reported case of possible Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine failure
      from Kuwait and literature-review.
AB  - A 17-month-old vaccinated Kuwaiti boy presented with meningitis. The Haemophilus
      influenzae type b (Hib) capsular antigen was detected in his blood, CSF and
      urine. The microorganism failed to grow in culture. This case represents the
      first report of possible Hib vaccine failure from Kuwait. This report examines
      the possible reasons for this failure by reviewing the literature and emphasizes
      the need to broaden the definition of vaccine failure with the aim of optimizing
      the timing of the vaccine booster dose for prematurely born children and
      establishing continuous surveillance for Hib vaccine failure. 

PMID- 24216518
TI  - Current status and future trends in the diagnosis and treatment of drug
      susceptible and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
AB  - The global burden of tuberculosis (TB) is still large. The increasing incidence
      of drug-resistant, multidrug-resistant (MDR) (resistant to at least rifampicin
      and isoniazid), and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) (additionally resistant to a
      fluoroquinolone and kanamycin/amikacin/capreomycin) strains of Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis and the association of active disease with human immunodeficiency
      virus coinfection pose a major threat to TB control efforts. The rapid detection
      of M. tuberculosis strains and drug susceptibility testing (DST) for anti-TB
      drugs ensure the provision of effective treatment. Rapid molecular diagnostic and
      DST methods have been developed recently. Treatment of drug-susceptible TB is
      effective in >=95% of disease cases; however, supervised therapy for >=6 months
      is challenging. Non-adherence to treatment often results in the evolution of drug
      resistant strains of M. tuberculosis due to mutations in the genes encoding drug
      targets. Sequential accumulation of mutations results in the evolution of MDR and
      XDR strains of M. tuberculosis. Effective treatment of MDR-TB involves therapy
      with 5-7 less effective, expensive, and toxic second-line and third-line drugs
      for >=24 months and is difficult in most developing countries. XDR-TB is
      generally an untreatable disease in developing countries. Some currently existing
      drugs and several new drugs with novel modes of action are in various stages of
      development to shorten the treatment duration of drug-susceptible TB and to
      improve the outcome of MDR-TB and XDR-TB. 

PMID- 24216519
TI  - The need for antimicrobial stewardship: a public health concern.

PMID- 24216520
TI  - A miniature optical neuronavigation system for CT-guided stereotaxy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Neuronavigation devices have progressed over the past 2
      decades, but logistical limitations remain for many stereotactic procedures. We
      describe our technique and accuracy for a novel miniature optical tracking system
      which overcomes these limitations. METHOD: The minioptical tracking system uses a
      miniature video camera mounted on a rigid cannula to determine cannula location
      and orientation relative to a patient-attached sticker containing reference
      markers. A CT scan is used to register these markers to the anatomy and a user
      selected target. A computer displays the cannula guidance information to the
      target. Bench testing was performed on 225 targets in a custom test phantom and
      additional testing was performed on 20 small targets in an anthropomorphic head
      phantom to determine the practical accuracy and workflow. RESULTS: The phantom
      study demonstrated that 3-D navigation accuracy is 1.41 +/- 0.53 mm. There was a
      100% head phantom study success rate for the 20 small targets. CONCLUSIONS: The
      resulting accuracy data demonstrated good correlation with the CT data, and the
      clinical simulation workflow indicated its potential usefulness for common
      neurosurgical applications. Furthermore, this small-footprint tracking technology
      does not experience the traditional environmentally induced issues or the
      requirement of pin-based head fixation, allowing for use in the neurointensive
      care unit and the emergency department.

PMID- 24216521
TI  - Successful ablation of a narrow complex tachycardia arising from a left
      ventricular false tendon: mapping and optimizing energy delivery.

PMID- 24216522
TI  - Esophageal nightmare: cancer recurrence after definitive chemoradiation. Is
      salvage esophagectomy possible?
AB  - Salvage esophagectomy is a rare treatment option in patients failing definitive
      treatment of esophageal cancer. The ideal patient has recurrent cancer with a
      long disease-free interval. R0 resection is necessary if long-term survival is to
      be realized. Patients with small recurrent cancers without M1, T4, or N+ disease
      are most likely to benefit from salvage esophagectomy. Complications are frequent
      and are typically pulmonary or anastomotic. Mortality is significant, with 25%
      35% survival at most following R0 resection. Most deaths are secondary to cancer
      or salvage esophagectomy. R1 and R2 resections are to be avoided. Better
      multimodality treatment planning would eliminate the "nightmare" of salvage
      esophagectomy.

PMID- 24216524
TI  - Lobar lung transplantation: emerging evidence for a viable option.
AB  - The field of lung transplantation has seen an exciting evolution recently, with
      novel approaches to increasing the number of organs available for patients with
      end-stage lung disease. We review 2 recent reports describing the approach of
      lobar lung transplant as a successful and viable option for those recipients who
      are challenged by size mismatch and clinical course decline while on the
      transplant waiting list. 

PMID- 24216523
TI  - Women and lung cancer: what is new?
AB  - In the last 20 years, there has been an increased focus on gender differences in
      health and disease. The earliest studies of lung cancer enrolled mainly men, as
      the incidence of lung cancer among women was exceedingly low. As social patterns
      changed around World War II and women began to smoke more, the epidemiology of
      lung cancer has changed. The higher percentage of lung cancer in nonsmoking women
      as compared with nonsmoking men suggests that lung cancer behaves differently in
      women. Studies of lung cancer in women indicate that there are differences in
      risk factors, histology, pathophysiology, treatment outcomes, and prognosis as
      compared with men. The purpose of this review is to provide a concise summary of
      the literature on lung cancer as it pertains to women, with an emphasis on new
      areas of research and treatment options. 

PMID- 24216525
TI  - Coronary artery bypass graft surgery remains the standard of care for patients
      with diabetes.
AB  - Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) are proven effective treatments of coronary artery disease
      (CAD), however, the optimal revascularization strategy remains unclear in certain
      patient subsets. The recently published "Future Revascularization Evaluation in
      Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Optimal Management of Multivessel Disease
      (FREEDOM)" trial is a randomized study evaluating the use of CABG vs PCI in
      diabetic patients with multivessel coronary disease. The purpose of this
      editorial is to review the FREEDOM trial and the available literature guiding
      clinicians to make evidence-based decisions when treating diabetic patients with
      multivessel coronary disease. The current evidence suggests that CABG should
      remain the standard of care for this patient population. 

PMID- 24216526
TI  - Berlin Heart EXCOR Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption
      Trial.

PMID- 24216527
TI  - Open aortic arch repair: state-of-the-art and future perspectives.
AB  - Surgical procedures for the treatment of complex aortic arch pathology remain
      among the most challenging cardiovascular operations, incurring considerable risk
      for death and stroke. The purpose of this article is to describe the evolution of
      our approach to open repair of the aortic arch. Our arterial cannulation strategy
      has shifted from femoral and direct aortic to right axillary and more recently
      innominate artery cannulation. This transition has facilitated the administration
      of continuous antegrade cerebral perfusion and more moderate levels of
      hypothermia during complex repairs. Modifications in surgical technique,
      including arch reconstruction with the trifurcated graft, and the classical and
      frozen elephant trunk techniques have simplified the conduct of the operation.
      Experimental and clinical research supporting the evolution of our approach is
      discussed in this paper.

PMID- 24216528
TI  - The state of the art in preventing postthoracotomy pain.
AB  - Pain after thoracic surgery can be intense and prolonged. Inadequate pain
      management can have several detrimental effects, including increased
      postoperative morbidity and delayed recovery as well as occurrence of
      postthoracotomy syndrome. Therefore, establishing an adequate analgesic regimen
      for thoracic surgery is critical. Thoracic paravertebral block or thoracic
      epidural analgesia is recommended as the first-choice therapies for
      postthoracotomy analgesia. When these techniques are either contraindicated or
      not possible, intercostal analgesia or intrathecal opioids are recommended. These
      techniques should be combined with nonopioid analgesics, such as acetaminophen,
      nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitors,
      administered on a regular "round-the-clock" basis, with opioids used as "rescue"
      analgesics. Finally, the integration of multimodal analgesia techniques with
      multidisciplinary rehabilitation program can enhance recovery, reduce hospital
      stay, and facilitate early convalescence.

PMID- 24216529
TI  - The state of the art in the technical performance of lung-sparing operations for
      malignant pleural mesothelioma.
AB  - Malignant pleural mesothelioma remains an incurable disease for which the role of
      surgery remains controversial. Though not yet clearly defined there does appear
      to be a subset of patients who benefit from a surgery-based multimodal treatment
      plan, beyond what would be expected with current nonoperative therapies. As with
      other pleural cancers it is probably not possible to achieve a microscopic
      complete resection with any operation. The goal of surgery in this setting,
      therefore, is to remove all visible and palpable disease - a macroscopic complete
      resection. There are basically two surgical approaches to achieve a macroscopic
      complete resection, lung-sacrificing and lung-sparing. Lung-sacrificing surgery,
      which likely leaves behind the least amount of microscopic disease, is
      accomplished as an extrapleural pneumonectomy. This is a well established and
      standardized operation. Lung-sparing surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma,
      on the other hand, does not currently enjoy any degree of consistency. Not only
      are the reported variations on the operation widely disparate, but even the
      nomenclature to describe the operation is highly variable. Often the selection of
      a lung-sparing approach is reported as an intraoperative decision that hinges on
      the bulk of the cancer and/or the degree of extension into the pulmonary
      fissures. This article describes the current evolution of a lung-sparing
      procedure, radical pleurectomy, which has been used to achieve a macroscopic
      complete resection in over a hundred patients. Many of these cases involved bulky
      cancers, some exceeding two liters in volume, and often with extensive invasion
      of the pulmonary fissures. With the described technique there has not yet been an
      instance where conversion to extrapleural pneumonectomy would have contributed to
      the ability to achieve a macroscopic complete resection. Whether or not radical
      pleurectomy is the optimal approach for any or all patients undergoing surgery
      based multimodal treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma is not known, but
      the described technique does offer an operation that can serve as a consistent
      foundation for any surgery-based treatment strategy where achieving a macroscopic
      complete resection, while sparing the lung, is desired.

PMID- 24216530
TI  - Current readings: The most influential and recent studies involving surgical
      management of thymoma.
AB  - Thymic epithelial tumors can be challenging to manage because of local invasion
      of mediastinal structures and high recurrence rates. Surgery is the mainstay of
      treatment and complete resection is associated with the best prognosis. Although
      practices vary, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is often used to improve resectability.
      Extended resections following neoadjuvant treatment have been safely performed
      for locally advanced tumors. R0 resection should be the goal and should dictate
      the surgical approach and extent of resection. Postoperative radiation therapy
      has often been used to reduce the risk of recurrence after resection. No study
      has definitively shown a recurrence or survival benefit with postoperative
      radiation therapy in completely resected tumors. However, there are some data to
      support its use in patients with residual disease. As our knowledge has largely
      been derived from small series, larger multicenter collaborative efforts are
      needed to improve our understanding of this disease.

PMID- 24216531
TI  - Current readings: Endoesophageal management of early esophageal cancer and
      dysplastic barrett esophagus: a review of recent and influential studies.

PMID- 24216532
TI  - Current readings: Surgical management of heart failure.
AB  - There are a myriad of surgical therapies for patients with end-stage congestive
      heart failure. Coronary revascularization and mitral valve repair have clear
      clinical benefits in appropriately selected patients. Further investigation is
      required before the widespread adoption of volume-reduction strategies. Cardiac
      stem cell therapies have yielded promising results in preclinical and phase I
      studies. 

PMID- 24216533
TI  - Current readings: Status of robotic cardiac surgery.
AB  - Robotic surgery has been applied to various fields in cardiac surgery. Despite
      excellent results published in the literature, critics have questioned procedure
      reproducibility, increased cost, and the real patient benefit. We reviewed 5
      recent articles to show that robotic cardiac surgery likely will play an
      important role in the new era of cardiac surgery. 

PMID- 24216534
TI  - Quality improvement in cardiac surgery: January 30, 2013, Los Angeles, CA.

PMID- 24216535
TI  - Determination by LC-MS/MS of colistins A and B in plasma and ultrafiltrate from
      critically ill patients undergoing continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colistin is a 50-year-old antibiotic, the use of which was ceased in
      the 70s and recently resumed as a "salvage therapy" against multidrug-resistant
      gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter
      baumannii. The narrow therapeutic range of colistin makes the choice of its
      correct dosage crucial, and monitoring of blood concentration is occasionally
      necessary for critically ill patients, including intensive care patients
      subjected to continuous renal replacement therapy. METHODS: Two LC-MS/MS methods
      were developed and fully validated for the quantitative determination of
      colistins A and B in plasma and dialysis ultrafiltrate (UF) samples, ultimately
      arising from 4 patients undergoing continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration
      (CVVHDF). RESULTS: The developed methods proved to be both specific and
      selective. They showed good fit and linearity over the entire range of interest.
      Trueness and accuracy proved satisfactory. Both methods have excellent intraassay
      precision (percent coefficient of variations were lower than 10%) and limit of
      detection values in the range 20-100 ng/mL, about 1-2 orders of magnitude below
      the concentrations commonly detected in real samples. The mean sieving
      coefficient (SC) values, measured after 10 minutes of CVVHDF, were 0.42 for
      colistin A and 0.48 for colistin B. SC values proved to be quite stable for 24
      hours, but then declined to 0.24 for colistin A and 0.32 for colistin B,
      respectively, after 48 hours. At the median blood flow and effluent flow rate of
      120 and 28 mL/min, clearance values for colistin B were higher than 15 mL/min.
      During the entire duration of CVVHDF sessions, the SC and clearance values for
      colistin A were significantly lower than colistin B. CONCLUSIONS: Two simple
      methods for the simultaneous determination of colistins A and B have been
      developed and validated. Their application in the clinical setting demonstrates
      that CVVHDF treatment lasting 48 hours produces a relatively constant and
      efficient removal of the drug.

PMID- 24216536
TI  - The detection of cortisol in human sweat: implications for measurement of
      cortisol in hair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hair cortisol analysis has been shown to be an effective measure of
      chronic stress. Cortisol is assumed to incorporate into hair via serum, sebum,
      and sweat sources; however, the extent to which sweat contributes to hair
      cortisol content is unknown. METHODS: Sweat and saliva samples were collected
      from 17 subjects after a period of intensive exercise and analyzed by salivary
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequently, an in vitro test on
      exposure of hair to hydrocortisone was conducted. Residual hair samples were
      immersed in a 50-ng/mL hydrocortisone solution for periods lasting 15 minutes to
      24 hours, followed by a wash or no-wash condition. Hair cortisol content was
      determined using our modified protocol for a salivary ELISA. RESULTS:
      Postexercise control sweat cortisol concentrations ranged from 8.16 to 141.7
      ng/mL and correlated significantly with the log-transformed time of day. Sweat
      cortisol levels significantly correlated with salivary cortisol concentrations.
      In vitro hair exposure to a 50-ng/mL hydrocortisone solution (mimicking sweat)
      for 60 minutes or more resulted in significantly increased hair cortisol
      concentrations. Washing with isopropanol did not affect immersion-increased hair
      cortisol concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Human sweat contains cortisol in
      concentrations comparable with salivary cortisol levels. This study suggests that
      perfuse sweating after intense exercise may increase cortisol concentrations
      detected in hair. This increase likely cannot be effectively decreased with
      conventional washing procedures and should be considered carefully in studies
      using hair cortisol as a biomarker of chronic stress.

PMID- 24216537
TI  - Development and validation of a new ultra-performance liquid chromatographic
      method for vancomycin assay in serum and its application to therapeutic drug
      monitoring.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and validate an ultra-performance
      liquid chromatographic (UPLC) method with photodiode array detector for the
      measurement of vancomycin in human serum samples for therapeutic drug monitoring
      or other applications. METHODS: The method included the extraction of vancomycin
      in serum by deproteinization with acetonitrile. The analyses were carried out
      using an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C(18) column (2.1 * 50 mm, 1.7 MUm) using acetonitrile
      and 0.005 M KH(2)PO(4) buffer (pH 2.5) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3
      mL/min, with photodiode array detection at 230 nm. The method was validated for
      extraction recovery, inter- and intraday precision (relative standard deviation,
      RSD%), and accuracy and stability of vancomycin in serum. Both the established
      UPLC method and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) were used to measure
      the prepared quality control (QC) samples (1.0, 7.0, 35.0, 75.0 mg/L) to validate
      the accuracy of UPLC. Furthermore, both methods were subsequently used to assay
      the vancomycin concentration in 172 clinical serum samples collected from
      patients receiving vancomycin in the hospitals localized in Shanghai (China) and
      32 control samples from United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment
      Service (UK NEQAS). RESULTS: The retention time of vancomycin was 2.6 minutes.
      The calibration curve for UPLC was linear over the range 1.0-100.0 mg/L (R(2) >
      0.999). The method was fully validated in terms of recovery, selectivity,
      accuracy, precision, and various conditions. The absolute difference% and RSD% of
      the prepared QC samples assayed by UPLC were all better than the results by FPIA.
      A paired t test of the results of the prepared QC samples indicated that the
      results of all the QC samples had significant difference (P < 0.05), except for
      the 7.0 mg/L QC samples, which suggested that UPLC was more accurate for the
      samples containing low or high concentration of vancomycin. A correlation with
      the Deming model provided a good linear relation between the results of the 2
      methods applied to 172 samples, with equation of UPLC = 0.99 * FPIA - 0.19 (R(2)=
      0.923), and the agreement of the 2 methods was illustrated using Bland-Altman
      plot with a mean difference (UPLC - FPIA) of -0.428 mg/L and 95% confidence
      interval of -8.33 to 7.47 mg/L, respectively. A Student t test comparing results
      obtained by the UPLC method and group mean results of control samples from UK
      NEQAS were not significant (P = 0.057). CONCLUSIONS: A short analysis time, small
      amount of serum needed, high specificity, and accuracy make the UPLC method
      developed in this study appropriate and practical for vancomycin therapeutic drug
      monitoring and could be applied to other nonserum applications or where requiring
      superior validation parameters such as for pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic
      studies.

PMID- 24216538
TI  - Abnormal default-mode network homogeneity in first-episode, drug-naive
      schizophrenia at rest.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dysconnectivity hypothesis posits that schizophrenia relates to
      abnormal resting-state connectivity within the default-mode network (DMN) and
      this aberrant connectivity is considered as contribution of difficulties in self
      referential and introspective processing. However, little is known about the
      alterations of the network homogeneity (NH) of the DMN in schizophrenia. In the
      present study, we used an automatic NH method to investigate the NH of the DMN in
      schizophrenia patients at rest. METHODS: Forty-nine first-episode, drug-naive
      schizophrenia patients and 50 age-, gender-, and education-matched healthy
      controls underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
      An automated NH approach was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Patients
      exhibited lower NH than controls in the left medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and
      the right middle temporal gyrus (MTG). Significantly higher NH values in the left
      posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the right cerebellum Crus I were found in
      the patient group than in the control group. No significant correlation was found
      between abnormal NH values and Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS)
      scores, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), age or years of education in the
      patient group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that abnormal NH of the DMN
      exists in first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia and further highlight the
      importance of the DMN in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

PMID- 24216539
TI  - Trajectory and correlates of growth of extremely-low-birth-weight adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Catch-up growth may predispose to obesity and metabolic sequelae. We
      sought to examine the trajectory and correlates of growth and catch up among
      extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) (<1 kg) adolescents. METHODS: A cohort study of
      148 neurologically normal ELBW children and 115 normal-birth-weight (NBW)
      controls born during the period 1992-1995 was conducted. Longitudinal measures of
      gender-specific growth of ELBW children from birth, in addition to growth and
      measures of obesity of ELBW and NBW children at 14 y, were evaluated. RESULTS:
      Following neonatal growth failure, ELBW children had accelerated growth, but at 8
      y, they still had lower weight and height z scores than NBW children. By 14 y,
      ELBW boys had caught up in growth to their NBW controls, but ELBW girls remained
      significantly smaller. ELBW children, however, did not differ from their controls
      in measures of obesity. In hierarchical multiple regression analyses, only
      maternal BMI and weight gain during infancy and childhood predicted the ELBW
      children's 14-y weight z scores, BMI z scores, and abdominal circumference.
      Perinatal risk factors, including intrauterine growth, only predicted growth up
      to 20 mo. CONCLUSION: Maternal BMI and rate of growth, rather than perinatal
      factors, predict 14-y obesity among neurologically normal ELBW adolescents.

PMID- 24216540
TI  - Metabolomics of prematurity: analysis of patterns of amino acids, enzymes, and
      endocrine markers by categories of gestational age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prematurity may influence the levels of amino acids, enzymes, and
      endocrine markers obtained through newborn screening. Identifying which analytes
      are the most affected by degree of prematurity could provide insight into how
      prematurity impacts metabolism. METHODS: Analytes from blood spots assayed by
      Newborn Screening Ontario between March 2006 and April 2009 were used in this
      analysis. We examined the associations between the degree of prematurity and the
      levels of amino acids, enzymes, and endocrine markers in all newborns with and
      without adjustment for birth weight, feeding status, sample timing, transfusion,
      and sex. RESULTS: Our analysis included the following cohorts: 373,819 children
      born at term (>36 wk gestation), 26,483 near-term children (33-36 wk gestation),
      4,354 very premature children (28-32 wk gestation), and 1,146 extremely premature
      children (<28 wk gestation). Of the amino acids showing consistent trends across
      categories of prematurity, the levels of three amino acids (arginine, leucine,
      and valine) were at least 50% different between the cohorts of extremely
      premature and term children. The levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone increased with
      increasing prematurity, while thyrotropin-stimulating hormone values consistently
      decreased with increasing prematurity. None of the three enzyme markers we
      examined showed a trend in levels across categories of prematurity. CONCLUSION:
      This study demonstrates that children at different stages of prematurity are
      metabolically distinct. Future research should focus on the mechanism by which
      specific analytes are influenced by prematurity.

PMID- 24216541
TI  - Pharmacodynamically optimized erythropoietin treatment combined with phlebotomy
      reduction predicted to eliminate blood transfusions in selected preterm infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preterm very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants weighing <1.5 kg at
      birth develop anemia, often requiring multiple red blood cell transfusions
      (RBCTx). Because laboratory blood loss is a primary cause of anemia leading to
      RBCTx in VLBW infants, our purpose was to simulate the extent to which RBCTx can
      be reduced or eliminated by reducing laboratory blood loss in combination with
      pharmacodynamically optimized erythropoietin (Epo) treatment. METHODS: Twenty-six
      VLBW ventilated infants receiving RBCTx were studied during the first month of
      life. RBCTx simulations were based on previously published RBCTx criteria and
      data-driven Epo pharmacodynamic optimization of literature-derived RBC life span
      and blood volume data corrected for phlebotomy loss. RESULTS: Simulated
      pharmacodynamic optimization of Epo administration and reduction in phlebotomy by
      >= 55% predicted a complete elimination of RBCTx in 1.0-1.5 kg infants. In
      infants <1.0 kg with 100% reduction in simulated phlebotomy and optimized Epo
      administration, a 45% reduction in RBCTx was predicted. The mean blood volume
      drawn from all infants was 63 ml/kg: 33% required for analysis and 67% discarded.
      CONCLUSION: When reduced laboratory blood loss and optimized Epo treatment are
      combined, marked reductions in RBCTx in ventilated VLBW infants were predicted,
      particularly among those with birth weights >1.0 kg.

PMID- 24216542
TI  - Quantitative modeling of clinical, cellular, and extracellular matrix variables
      suggest prognostic indicators in cancer: a model in neuroblastoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Risk classification and treatment stratification for cancer patients
      is restricted by our incomplete picture of the complex and unknown interactions
      between the patient's organism and tumor tissues (transformed cells supported by
      tumor stroma). Moreover, all clinical factors and laboratory studies used to
      indicate treatment effectiveness and outcomes are by their nature a
      simplification of the biological system of cancer, and cannot yet incorporate all
      possible prognostic indicators. METHODS: A multiparametric analysis on 184 tumor
      cylinders was performed. To highlight the benefit of integrating digitized
      medical imaging into this field, we present the results of computational studies
      carried out on quantitative measurements, taken from stromal and cancer cells and
      various extracellular matrix fibers interpenetrated by glycosaminoglycans, and
      eight current approaches to risk stratification systems in patients with primary
      and nonprimary neuroblastoma. RESULTS: New tumor tissue indicators from both
      fields, the cellular and the extracellular elements, emerge as reliable
      prognostic markers for risk stratification and could be used as molecular targets
      of specific therapies. CONCLUSION: The key to dealing with personalized therapy
      lies in the mathematical modeling. The use of bioinformatics in patient-tumor
      microenvironment data management allows a predictive model in neuroblastoma.

PMID- 24216543
TI  - Effects on growth and tolerance and hypoallergenicity of an amino acid-based
      formula with synbiotics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of an amino acid-based formula (AAF) with
      synbiotics on growth and tolerance in healthy infants. The hypoallergenicity of
      this AAF with synbiotics was evaluated in subjects with cow's milk allergy (CMA).
      METHODS: Study 1: 115 full-term, healthy infants randomly received an AAF with
      synbiotics or a commercially available AAF for 16 wk. Subjects' weight, length,
      and head circumference were primary outcome measures. Stool characteristics and
      gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were secondary outcome measures. Clinical
      examinations, dietary intake, clinical laboratory results, and adverse events
      were recorded. Study 2: hypoallergenicity of the AAF with synbiotics was
      evaluated in 30 infants and children with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated CMA
      using a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge, and a 7-d feeding
      period. RESULTS: Study 1: comparable results in growth parameters and tolerance
      were observed for both groups. Minimal differences were observed in stool
      characteristics and GI symptoms throughout the study. Study 2: all 30 subjects
      with IgE-mediated CMA completed the study with no allergic reactions detected to
      challenges. CONCLUSION: These studies demonstrate that an AAF with synbiotics is
      safe and well tolerated and promotes normal growth when fed to healthy full-term
      infants as the sole source of nutrition and is hypoallergenic in subjects with
      CMA.

PMID- 24216544
TI  - Abstracts of the 37th National Congress of the Italian Association for the Study
      of the Pancreas (AISP). Bologna, Italy. September 19-21, 2013.

PMID- 24216545
TI  - HBV- and HCV-related infections and risk of pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the most lethal cancers in humans. The poor
      prognosis of this malignancy depends on several factors, such as: lack of early
      symptoms, advanced stage at detection, early metastatic spread and no effective
      systemic treatment. To date, only few risk factors for this malignancy are known;
      therefore, considerable efforts are required to identify additional causative
      agents involved in the process of pancreatic carcinogenesis. In the last years, a
      large series of epidemiological investigations have suggested that both bacteria
      and viruses may play a important role in the initiation and progression of
      several animal and human cancers. In particular, some studies have showed that
      hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses, two hepatotropic pathogens with
      well-known oncogenic properties for liver, may be detected also in extra-hepatic
      tissues, such as pancreas. The aim of this paper is to briefly report the results
      of available studies, assessing the possible association between HBV/HCV and
      pancreatic cancer development as well as to discuss the limiting factors of these
      researches. 

PMID- 24216546
TI  - Administration of human recombinant activated protein C is not associated with
      pancreatic parenchymal haemorrhage in L-arginine-induced experimental acute
      pancreatitis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Microvascular thrombosis is a critical event in severe acute
      pancreatitis. Human recombinant activated protein C (Xigris(r), Eli Lilly,
      Indianapolis, IN, USA) modulates the interplay between pro-inflammatory and pro
      coagulant pathways and maintains microvascular patency. However, the
      anticoagulant properties of Xigris(r) may precipitate bleeding from the inflamed
      pancreas. OBJECTIVE: This study tests the hypothesis that Xigris(r) can
      ameliorate experimental acute pancreatitis without causing pancreatic
      haemorrhage. METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were allocated as follows: Group 1:
      control (n=7); Group 2: acute pancreatitis (n=6); Group 3: administration of
      Xigris(r) 500 ug/kg body weight before induction of acute pancreatitis (n=6); and
      Group 4: Administration of Xigris(r) 500 ug/kg body weight 30 minutes after
      induction of acute pancreatitis (n=6). Acute pancreatitis was induced by
      intraperitoneal administration of L-arginine 300 mg/100 g body weight. Animals
      were sacrificed at 48 hours and biochemical, haematological, and histological
      markers of pancreatic haemorrhage and inflammation assessed. RESULTS: Median
      lipase in animals with acute pancreatitis was 10 U/mL (range: 7-16 U/mL) compared
      to 5.5 (range: 3-8 U/mL) in controls (P=0.028). Lipase was also elevated in
      animals given Xigris(r) both before (12 U/mL, range: 8-22 U/mL; P=0.031 vs.
      control group) and after (46 U/mL, range: 9-71 U/mL; P=0.015 vs. control group)
      induction of acute pancreatitis). Haemoglobin levels were similar among all
      groups (P=0.323). There was no histological evidence of pancreatic haemorrhage in
      animals treated with Xigris(r). Pre-treatment with Xigris(r) was associated with
      a significant reduction in pancreatic injury. This effect was absent when
      Xigris(r) was administered after induction of acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSION:
      Xigris(r) did not lead to pancreatic haemorrhage in experimental acute
      pancreatitis. Administration of Xigris(r) prior to induction of acute
      pancreatitis was associated with amelioration of injury. This effect was not seen
      with administration of Xigris(r) after induction of acute pancreatitis.

PMID- 24216547
TI  - Neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy for patients with borderline resectable pancreatic
      cancer: a meta-analytical evaluation of prospective studies.
AB  - CONTEXT: For patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, the benefit
      of neoadjuvant therapy remains to be defined. OBJECTIVE: We did a systematic
      search of the literature on this topic. METHODS: Prospective studies where
      chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy was given before surgery to patients
      with borderline resectable cancer, were analyzed by a meta-analytical approach.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was surgical exploration and resection
      rates; tumor response, therapy-induced toxicity, and survival were secondary
      outcomes. Data were expressed as weighted pooled proportions with 95% confidence
      intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Ten studies with 182 participants were included.
      Following treatment, 69% of patients (95% CI: 56-80%) were brought to surgery and
      80% (95% CI: 66-90%) of surgically-explored patients were resected. Eighty-three
      percent (95% CI: 74-90%) of resected specimens were deemed R0 resections. The
      weighted fractions of resected patients alive at 1 and 2 years were 61% (95% CI:
      48-100%) and 44% (95% CI: 32-59%), respectively. At restaging following
      neoadjuvant therapy, weighted frequencies for complete/partial response were 16%
      (95% CI: 9-28%), 69% (95% CI: 60-76%) for stable disease, and 19% (95% CI: 13
      25%) for progressive cancer. Treatment-related grade 3-4 toxicity was 32% (95%
      CI: 21-45%). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis shows that downstaging of the lesion
      following neoadjuvant therapies is uncommon for patients with borderline
      resectable pancreatic cancer. A clear benefit of this regimen could be to spare
      surgery to patients with progressive disease during the frame-time chemo
      radiotherapy is being delivered.

PMID- 24216548
TI  - Recognition of complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer determines
      inpatient mortality.
AB  - CONTEXT: While perioperative mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy is
      decreasing, key factors remain to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this
      study was to investigate inpatient mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy in the
      Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a representative inpatient database in the
      USA. METHODS: Patient discharge data (diagnostic and procedure codes) and
      hospital characteristics were investigated for years 2009 and 2010. The inclusion
      criteria were a procedure code for pancreaticoduodenectomy, elective procedure,
      and a pancreatic or peripancreatic cancer diagnosis. Chi-square test determined
      statistical significance. A logistic regression model for mortality was created
      from significant variables. RESULTS: Two-thousand and 958 patients were
      identified with an average age of 65+/-12 years; 53% were male. The mean length
      of stay was 15+/-12 days with a mortality of 4% and a complication rate of 57%.
      Eighty-six percent of pancreaticoduodenectomy occurred in teaching hospitals.
      Pancreaticoduodenectomy performed in teaching hospitals in the first half of the
      academic year were associated with higher mortality than in the latter half (5.5%
      vs. 3.4%, P=0.005). On logistic regression analysis, non-surgical complications
      are the largest predictor of death (P<0.001) while operations in the latter half
      of the academic year are associated with decreased mortality (P<0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: The timing of pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer remained more
      predictive of mortality than age or length of stay; only complications were more
      predictive of death than time of year. This suggests that there remains a
      clinically and statistically significant learning curve for trainees in
      identifying complications; further study is needed to prove that identification
      of complications leads to a decrease in mortality rate by taking corrective
      actions.

PMID- 24216549
TI  - Uncommon lymphoepithelial cyst with sebaceous glands of the pancreas.
AB  - CONTEXT: Lymphoepithelial cysts with sebaceous glands of the pancreas are
      extremely rare, with only 7 cases, including this case, published in English
      literature. CASE REPORT: We herein present the case of a 67-year-old Asian man
      who underwent a resection of a lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas during the
      follow up care for lung cancer. Fourteen years previously he underwent a right
      lower lobectomy at the right segment nine for lung cancer. A 20 mm mass in the
      body of the pancreas was identified by CT scan 4 years ago, and the diagnosis was
      intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) at that time. Over a 5-year
      period, this mass grew to 42 mm without dilatation of the main pancreatic duct.
      The preoperative evaluation, including endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle
      aspiration (EUS-FNA), indicated a cystic neoplasm with suspicion of malignancy.
      Intraoperative frozen section revealed a squamous-lined cyst accompanied by
      sebaceous glands without any malignant findings. Following this pathological
      finding, resection of the cyst was performed. Consequently, microscopic
      examination revealed that it was a lymphoepithelial cyst with sebaceous glands of
      the pancreas. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic lymphoepithelial cysts can be cured by
      conservative resection, but if they are asymptomatic and are diagnosed before
      surgery, no treatment is necessary. To our knowledge, this is the first ever
      published case of a lymphoepithelial cyst with sebaceous glands of the pancreas,
      which was found during the follow up care for lung cancer.

PMID- 24216550
TI  - Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for multiple epithelial cysts in an
      intrapancreatic accessory spleen. A case report and review of literature.
AB  - CONTEXT: Accessory spleen is a congenital abnormality consisting of normal
      splenic tissue in ectopic sites that is found in approximately 10-15% of the
      general population. However, an intrapancreatic accessory spleen has seldom been
      reported and multiple epithelial cysts in the intrapancreatic accessory spleen
      are extremely rare. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old woman with no clinical
      manifestations presented with two cystic lesions in the tail of the pancreas. The
      tumor markers CA 19-9 (251 U/mL) and SPAN-1 (38 U/mL) were increased. Computed
      tomography showed a multilocular cyst, 40 mm in size, and a unilocular cyst, 20
      mm in size, in the tail of the pancreas and gallstones. The cystic component was
      hypointense on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images and hyperintense on T2
      weighted magnetic resonance images. A laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was
      performed with the presumptive diagnosis of a mucinous cystic neoplasm or an
      intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with gallstones. The pathological
      examination showed that the walls of the two cysts were covered with non
      keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, surrounded by normal splenic tissue.
      The final pathological diagnosis was two epithelial cysts originating from an
      intrapancreatic accessory spleen. CONCLUSIONS: Even though multiple masses were
      detected in the pancreatic tail, the possibility of epithelial cysts originating
      from an accessory spleen should be considered. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy
      might be a safe and effective procedure and provide good cosmetic result for a
      benign or low-grade malignant tumor in the pancreas.

PMID- 24216551
TI  - Solid and cystic papillary neoplasm of the pancreas in a 18-year-old female: a
      case report.
AB  - CONTEXT: Solid and cystic papillary neoplasm of the pancreas is an extremely rare
      neoplasm that mostly affects young females in the mean age of 25 years and
      accounts for about 0.2-2.7% of all pancreatic tumors. CASE REPORT: A 18-year-old
      female presented with progressively increasing mass in the left hypochondrium and
      epigastric regions and vague abdominal pain. There was no history of jaundice and
      vomiting. The mean diameter of the tumors was 17x24 cm. Preoperative core needle
      revealed solid and cystic papillary neoplasm. Distal pancreatectomy and
      splenectomy were performed. The patient did not receive adjuvant therapy and no
      tumor recurrence was detected in follow up. CONCLUSION: Solid and cystic
      papillary neoplasm may reach large dimensions with a benign behavior and is
      curable by surgical excision. Differential diagnosis from other tumors with
      aggressive behavior is therefore important.

PMID- 24216552
TI  - Kissing gastric ulcers causing acute pancreatitis and portal biliopathy: what's
      the link?
AB  - CONTEXT: Acute pancreatitis is often caused by acute alcoholic intoxication or
      biliary stone migration. Other etiologies are less frequent. CASE REPORT: We
      report an exceptional case of kissing ulcer as the cause of an acute pancreatitis
      due to the perforation of the posterior ulcus into the pancreas. More remarkable
      is the association of a left portal branch thrombosis and a portal biliopathy.
      CONCLUSION: We describe a case of acute pancreatitis of unusual origin,
      associated with an equally uncommon pathology which is portal cavernoma. A
      literature review is then exposed to try to ascertain if there is a connection
      between these two entities.

PMID- 24216553
TI  - Transpancreatic hepatomesenteric trunk complicating pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - CONTEXT: Standard celiac and hepatic arterial anatomy occur in approximately 60%
      of the patients; for the remaining, multiple variations have been described. A
      thorough knowledge of these anomalies is important in order to avoid unnecessary
      complications. In this report we describe one of the rarest arterial anomalies, a
      hepatomesenteric trunk supplying the liver. We attempt to elucidate its
      implications pertaining to the safe performance of a pancreaticoduodenectomy.
      CASE REPORT: A 45-year-old male with a one-month duration painless progressive
      jaundice was evaluated and diagnosed as having a periampullary growth.
      Preoperative imaging did not suggest any arterial anomalies. Intraoperatively,
      the common hepatic artery was found to originate from the superior mesenteric
      artery. He underwent a pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with a
      meticulous dissection and preservation of the aberrant hepatomesenteric trunk.
      His postoperative period was uneventful and is doing well on follow up.
      CONCLUSION: Variations in hepatic and celiac arterial anatomy are common, and may
      not get picked up on preoperative imaging. A high index of suspicion in every
      patient along with a precise knowledge of the normal anatomy and awareness of the
      aberrant anatomy is a sine qua non to the performance of a safe
      pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PMID- 24216554
TI  - Case report of pancreatic dermoid cyst: can fine needle aspiration make the
      diagnosis?
AB  - CONTEXT: Pancreatic dermoid cysts are rare, benign, germ cell tumors and part of
      the differential diagnosis for cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. CASE REPORT: A
      35-year-old man presented with an incidentally discovered, 2 cm cystic pancreatic
      neoplasm of the pancreatic tail identified on CT scan. Endoscopic ultrasound
      (EUS) revealed a complex, honeycomb lesion. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) yielded
      a sample of whitish, necrotic material containing histiocytes, benign epithelial
      cells, and lymphocytes. After distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was
      performed, histology revealed a cyst lined by stratified squamous epithelium with
      benign sebaceous units consistent with a pancreatic dermoid cysts. DISCUSSION:
      Although axial imaging reliably detects cystic neoplasms of the pancreas,
      diagnostic criteria for rare lesions are lacking; therefore alternative
      modalities such as EUS/FNA can be utilized. This case report highlights the EUS
      and FNA findings associated with pancreatic dermoid cysts.

PMID- 24216555
TI  - Squamoid cyst of pancreatic ducts: a challenging differential diagnosis among
      benign pancreatic cysts.
AB  - CONTEXT: In the last years, cystic pancreatic lesions are often detected when
      clinically silent, because of the wider use of diagnostic imaging techniques.
      First described by Othman in 2007, "squamoid cyst of pancreatic ducts" represents
      a cystic dilation of ducts, lined by non-keratinized squamous epithelium. We
      report the first case of squamoid cyst of pancreatic ducts in Italy. CASE REPORT:
      A 68-year-old woman presented a cystic lesion (4 cm) of the pancreatic tail as
      incidental finding at MRI. It had a thickened wall, no internal septa and no
      communication with the Wirsung duct were detected. A CT scan showed a lamellar
      calcification on its posterior wall. A 18F-FDG-PET was negative. Blood tests were
      normal, including CEA and CA 19-9. We performed a spleen-preserving distal
      pancreatectomy. Histology showed a unilocular cyst, with serous fluid and a
      fibrous wall, with multilayered epithelium without cytological atypias.
      Immunohistochemistry showed CK 7 positive and CK 5 negative. The patient is still
      alive and without disease after 42 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In the
      English literature only seven cases resected for this cyst type have been
      reported. No preoperative test can achieve a definitive diagnosis, so surgical
      resection remains the treatment of choice in order to exclude malignancy.
      However, after intraoperative frozen section, a limited pancreatic resection can
      be performed.

PMID- 24216556
TI  - Chin tremors associated with paroxetine in a patient with pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - CONTEXT: There have been many cases of medication-induced tremors. We report a
      patient who developed significant chin tremors after the administration of
      paroxetine. CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old Vietnamese female with a past medical
      history including GIST and pancreatic cancer status post Whipple procedure and
      six months of adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine presented with symptoms of
      anxiety for which she was treated with paroxetine. Within 2 weeks she developed
      chin tremors which resolved after paroxetine was discontinued. CONCLUSIONS: To
      our knowledge, this is the first case report of a temporary chin tremor
      associated with paroxetine. The exact mechanism of this phenomenon is unclear.
      However, it has been suggested that movement disorders such as chin tremors may
      be related to elevated serotonin levels causing an inhibition of central
      dopamine.

PMID- 24216557
TI  - Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for a pancreatic lymphoepithelial cyst: case
      report and review of literature.
AB  - CONTEXT: Lymphoepithelial cysts of the pancreas are a rare disease of true
      pancreatic cysts, the cause of which is unknown. The differential diagnosis is
      broad and includes many benign and malignant cystic lesions of the pancreas and
      surrounding organs. A combination of imaging modalities and fine needle
      aspiration might narrow the differential diagnosis. However, the final diagnosis
      can only be achieved with certainty after resection of the cyst. CASE REPORT: The
      present case report is a lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas that was resected
      laparoscopically. A 53-year-old man was incidentally found to have a cystic tumor
      in the tail of the pancreas after undergoing an abdominal ultrasound, which
      showed a 41x33 mm cystic mass in the pancreatic tail. He had no abdominal
      symptoms. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed.
      Histologic examination revealed a lymphoepithelial cyst. CONCLUSION: Herein, we
      discuss the diagnostic difficulties and management decisions that face surgeons
      treating pancreatic cysts.

PMID- 24216558
TI  - Unusual foreign body of pancreas: surgical management.
AB  - CONTEXT: The foreign ingestion is common occurrence but migration to pancreas is
      rare entity. Most of foreign bodies pass spontaneously through the anus but about
      1% can perforate the wall of stomach or duodenum to reach solid organ. Pancreatic
      foreign body can results in fatal complication. Pancreatic foreign body can be
      removed endoscopically or surgically. CASE REPORT: We are reporting a case of
      successful removal of pancreatic foreign body (sewing needle) by surgery.
      CONCLUSION: Pancreatic foreign body is a uncommon entity and surgical removal is
      warranted in majority of cases.

PMID- 24216559
TI  - Mucinous cystic neoplasm in heterotopic pancreas presenting as colonic polyp.
AB  - CONTEXT: Pancreatic heterotopia in itself is rare in the colon and to the best of
      our knowledge a neoplasm arising in a heterotopic tissue in the colon has not
      been reported. We herein report a pancreatic cystic neoplasm arising from
      heterotopic pancreatic tissue in colon. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-old lady presented
      with a history of lower abdominal colic, associated with mucoid loose stools 10
      15 times/day. Fecal occult blood was positive on two occasions. On examination, a
      vague mass was palpable in the left upper quadrant of abdomen. Colonoscopy showed
      a polypoid growth at the splenic flexure of colon, which on biopsy was reported
      to be an inflammatory polyp. She underwent a laparoscopic converted to open left
      hemicolectomy. Post-operatively she developed a intra-abdominal collection which
      formed a controlled pancreatic fistula after percutaneous drainage.
      Histopathology revealed pancreatic heterotopia with pancreatic mucinous cystic
      neoplasm. CONCLUSION: Despite advances in patient care, preoperative diagnosis of
      heterotopic pancreas is difficult.

PMID- 24216560
TI  - Secondary varicocele caused by pancreatic pseudocyst obstructing testicular
      venous drainage.
AB  - A pseudocyst is a fluid/debris collection that occurs as a complication of
      pancreatitis. It can be symptomatic and cause compression of the surrounding
      structures. Our case report highlights a 29-year-old male who presented with
      secondary varicocele on left side caused by a huge pseudocyst seen to compress
      the left renal and testicular veins. 

PMID- 24216561
TI  - Ototoxicity associated with oxaliplatin in a patient with pancreatic cancer.
AB  - CONTEXT: Oxaliplatin, a third-generation platinum derivative is commonly used for
      the treatment of colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, upper gastrointestinal
      cancer, hepatobiliary cancer, and ovarian cancer. Neurotoxicity is the dose
      limiting toxicity and ototoxicity is very rare, less than 1% of patients. CASE
      REPORT: We present a case of a female patient with locally advanced unresectable
      pancreatic cancer who developed hearing loss after receiving oxaliplatin and
      gemcitabine. The dose of oxaliplatin was reduced but continued due to clinical
      benefit and radiological response. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this
      is the third case report of oxaliplatin-induced ototoxicity. Ototoxicity seems to
      be a rare complication of oxaliplatin therapy. Regardless of its rare occurrence,
      clinicians should be aware of this severe complication and be diligent in
      monitoring patients's clinical symptoms.

PMID- 24216562
TI  - Accuracy of CA 19-9 and radiologic imaging in detecting recurrence after
      resection for pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 24216563
TI  - Is bortezomib a rare cause of acute pancreatitis?

PMID- 24216564
TI  - Gastric ectopic pancreas: not always an innocent bystander.

PMID- 24216565
TI  - U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves paclitaxel protein-bound particles
      (Abraxane(r)) in combination with gemcitabine as first-line treatment of patients
      with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 24216566
TI  - Comment on "Disruption of social approach by MK-801, amphetamine & fluoxetine in
      adolescent C57BL/6J mice"--by S. Moy et al.

PMID- 24216567
TI  - Dietary arachidonic and oleic acid intake in ulcerative colitis etiology: a
      prospective cohort study using 7-day food diaries.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Dietary fatty acids may be involved in the etiology of ulcerative
      colitis (UC). Arachidonic acid (AA), an n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, is a
      precursor of the proinflammatory cytokines prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4,
      and its metabolism is competitively inhibited by oleic acid (OA). This study
      aimed to prospectively investigate whether AA is positively and OA is negatively
      associated with incident UC development, using data from 7-day food diaries.
      METHODS: A total of 25 639 men and women, aged between 40 and 79 years, from
      Norfolk, UK, were recruited into the prospective European Prospective
      Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort between 1993 and 1997. At
      baseline, participants completed 7-day food diaries, checked by nutritionists
      using a database containing 11 000 foods and 55 000 portion sizes. The cohort was
      monitored until June 2004 to identify participants who developed UC. Each patient
      was matched for age and sex with four controls, and conditional logistic
      regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for AA and OA intakes, and
      UC association. RESULTS: Of the participants, 26 (58% men) developed incident UC
      (53% left sided) after a median follow-up time of 3.8 years (0.5-8.3 years). The
      highest AA tertile was positively associated with an odds ratio of 6.09 [95%
      confidence interval (CI) 1.05-35.23], with a trend across tertiles [odds ratio
      (OR) 2.43, 95% CI 1.06-5.61, P=0.04]. The highest tertile of OA intake was
      inversely associated with a 0.03 OR for UC (95% CI 0.002-0.56) and an inverse
      trend (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.10-0.90, P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Dietary AA was positively
      and OA was inversely associated with UC development, with large effect sizes in a
      dose-dependent manner. This supports roles for measuring these nutrients in
      future etiological studies and modifying intake in future interventional studies
      in patients with established disease.

PMID- 24216568
TI  - Patient knowledge in inflammatory bowel disease: the Crohn's and Colitis
      Knowledge Score.
AB  - In the UK, key professional organizations have joined to provide inflammatory
      bowel disease (IBD) standards to be delivered by the NHS, highlighting the
      importance of patient education and support. The Crohn's and Colitis Knowledge
      Score (CCKNOW) is a validated multiple-choice questionnaire on the subject of IBD
      that is able to objectively quantify the level of patient knowledge. The aim of
      this study was to summarize the findings of the CCKNOW, in particular, the
      current level of patient knowledge and the implications clinically. Literature
      search was conducted using Medline, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library,
      compiling results of studies using the CCKNOW to date. In the UK, a median score
      of 10 was achieved by participants with IBD in Leicestershire in 1999. Recent
      surveys in the Northwest and Pennine Trust achieved median scores of 9 and 7,
      respectively. Knowledge deficits regarding fertility and pregnancy were found, as
      seen in 1999. Studies in Canada and Iran achieved median scores of 13 and 4,
      respectively. Sri Lanka achieved a mean score of 6.86 (range 1-16). Higher CCKNOW
      scores were associated with the use of adaptive coping strategies. A significant
      positive link was found between patient knowledge and anxiety levels. There was
      no significant difference in CCKNOW scores between patients with the complication
      of colorectal cancer versus control populations. In the UK, patient knowledge of
      IBD may be no better than in 1999. The subjects of fertility and implications for
      pregnancy are particular areas of deficit. Further knowledge shortfalls may exist
      in the developing countries. Evidence suggests that improving knowledge may
      empower patients to use more adaptive coping strategies but may not be effective
      in reducing anxiety or the risk complications such as colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 24216569
TI  - Herpes zoster in Crohn's disease during treatment with infliximab.
AB  - Infliximab is widely used in both inducing and maintaining remission of patients
      with Crohn's disease (CD). The efficacy of infliximab has been undoubtedly
      proven; however, various opportunistic infections have emerged. Herpes virus
      infections (being a type of opportunistic infection) in CD patients treated with
      infliximab alone with no other concomitant medications are, however, rare and
      have not aroused enough attention. Gastroenterologists have limited knowledge of
      the immunization status of patients with CD, and rarely do they take an adequate
      immunization history before immunosuppressive therapy. Here we report two herpes
      zoster (HZ) events in CD patients while using infliximab alone: in the first
      case, HZ occurred during the patient's 12th infusion for maintance therapy, and
      in the second case, HZ occurred during the patient's first course of infliximab
      after surgery for therapy of inducing remission. We hope to increase the
      gastroenterologists' awareness of this potential infection in CD patients during
      treatment with infliximab. 

PMID- 24216570
TI  - A UK study assessing the population prevalence of self-reported gluten
      sensitivity and referral characteristics to secondary care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reports suggest that gluten sensitivity (GS) exists in the absence of
      coeliac disease (CD). This clinical entity has been termed noncoeliac gluten
      sensitivity (NCGS). OBJECTIVES: To determine the population prevalence of self
      reported GS and referral characteristics to secondary care. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      A UK population-based questionnaire screened for GS and related symptoms.
      Diagnostic outcomes were also analyzed in patients referred to secondary care
      with GS. CD diagnosis entailed a positive coeliac serology (endomysial and/or
      tissue transglutaminase antibodies) plus Marsh 1-3 on duodenal biopsies. NCGS
      diagnosis was based on exclusion of CD. Clinical comparisons were made between
      NCGS and CD. RESULTS: A total of 1002 adults in the population (female 55%, mean
      age 39 years). The self-reported prevalence for GS was 13% (female 79%, mean age
      39.5 years, P<0.0001), with 3.7% consuming a gluten-free diet and 0.8% known to
      have a doctor diagnosis of CD. Individuals with GS had an increased prevalence of
      fulfilling the Rome III criteria for irritable bowel syndrome, in comparison with
      those without GS (20 vs. 3.89%, odds ratio 6.23, P<0.0001).In secondary care 200
      GS patients (female 84%, mean age 39.6 years) were investigated, in whom 7% were
      found to have CD and 93% to have NCGS. All CD patients were human leucocyte
      antigen DQ2 or DQ8 positive compared with 53% of NCGS cases (P=0.0003).
      Nutritional deficiencies (P<=0.003), autoimmune disorders (23.1 vs. 9.7%,
      P=0.0001) and a lower mean BMI (23.7 vs. 25.8, P=0.001) were significantly
      associated with CD compared with NCGS. CONCLUSION: GS is commonly self-reported
      with symptoms suggesting an association with irritable bowel syndrome. The
      majority of patients have NCGS, an entity which demonstrates clinical and
      immunologic difference to CD.

PMID- 24216571
TI  - Birth-cohort patterns in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
AB  - AIM: To test the long-term time trends of mortality from inflammatory bowel
      disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), for
      the presence of birth-cohort phenomena. METHODS: We analyzed mortality data from
      the national statistical offices of Canada, England and Wales, Italy, the
      Netherlands, Switzerland, and the USA for the past 60-80 years. Age-specific
      rates of death were plotted against the period of death, as period-age contours,
      and against the period of birth, as cohort-age contours. RESULTS: In all six
      countries alike, the general time trends of IBD have been shaped by an underlying
      birth-cohort pattern. This pattern was also observed in the data of CD and UC
      analyzed separately. UC mortality increased in all generations born during the
      19th century. It peaked among generations born shortly before the turn of the
      century and then decreased in all subsequent generations born throughout the 20th
      century. Compared with UC, the birth-cohort pattern of CD was delayed by 30-50
      years. CONCLUSION: In addition to one risk factor responsible for the general
      occurrence of IBD and possibly UC alone, there exists at least one additional
      risk factor responsible for CD. Exposure to both separate risk factors must occur
      during early life.

PMID- 24216572
TI  - Hydrogen-atom-mediated electrochemistry.
AB  - Silicon dioxide thin films are widely used as dielectric layers in
      microelectronics and can also be engineered on silicon wafers. It seems
      counterintuitive that electrochemical reactions could occur on such an insulator
      without relying on tunnelling current. Here we report electrochemistry based on
      electron transfer through a thin insulating layer of thermally grown silicon
      dioxide on highly n-doped silicon. Under a negative electrical bias, protons in
      the silicon dioxide layer were reduced to hydrogen atoms, which served as
      electron mediators for electrochemical reduction. Palladium nanoparticles were
      preferentially formed on the dielectric layer and enabled another hydrogen-atom
      mediated electrochemistry, as their surfaces retained many electrogenerated
      hydrogen atoms to act as a 'hydrogen-atom reservoir' for subsequent
      electrochemical reduction. By harnessing the precisely controlled electrochemical
      generation of hydrogen atoms, palladium-copper nanocrystals were synthesized
      without any surfactant or stabilizer on the silicon dioxide layer. 

PMID- 24216573
TI  - Statistical power of multilevel modelling in dental caries clinical trials: a
      simulation study.
AB  - Outcome data from dental caries clinical trials have a naturally hierarchical
      structure, with surfaces clustered within teeth, clustered within individuals.
      Data are often aggregated into the DMF index for each individual, losing tooth-
      and surface-specific information. If these data are to be analysed by tooth or
      surface, allowing exploration of effects of interventions on different teeth and
      surfaces, appropriate methods must be used to adjust for the clustered nature of
      the data. Multilevel modelling allows analysis of clustered data using individual
      observations without aggregating data, and has been little used in the field of
      dental caries. A simulation study was conducted to investigate the performance of
      multilevel modelling methods and standard caries increment analysis. Data sets
      were simulated from a three-level binomial distribution based on analysis of a
      caries clinical trial in Scottish adolescents, with varying sample sizes,
      treatment effects and random tooth level effects based on trials reported in
      Cochrane reviews of topical fluoride, and analysed to compare the power of
      multilevel models and traditional analysis. 40,500 data sets were simulated.
      Analysis showed that estimated power for the traditional caries increment method
      was similar to that for multilevel modelling, with more variation in smaller data
      sets. Multilevel modelling may not allow significant reductions in the number of
      participants required in a caries clinical trial, compared to the use of
      traditional analyses, but investigators interested in exploring the effect of
      their intervention in more detail may wish to consider the application of
      multilevel modelling to their clinical trial data.

PMID- 24216574
TI  - Sensitivity improvement of resonator integrated optic gyroscope by double
      electrode phase modulation.
AB  - In this paper, a novel method to improve the sensitivity of RIOGs is demonstrated
      by double-electrode phase modulation (DPM) technology. The scale factor of RIOGs
      with single-electrode phase modulation (SPM) and DPM are theoretically analyzed
      and calculated. The relationship between the slope rate in the linear region
      adjacent to the zero-offset point and the amplitudes of the triangle waveform
      with SPM and DPM are obtained; the RIOG's highest sensitivity appears when the
      triangle waveforms have amplitudes of 45.9 and 22.95 V, respectively. Compared
      with the SPM, the DPM shows great advantage in improving the RIOG scale factor,
      as well as its bias stability. Moreover, in measurements using the RIOG
      experimental setup, the scale factor is significantly increased from 1.49 to
      2.76, which is coincident with the simulation result. The test results for long
      term bias stability demonstrate that the DPM has the advantage of improving the
      signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); significantly, the RIOG long-term bias stability is
      greatly improved from 0.61 to 0.49 deg/s, which is the best long-term stability
      result reported to date, to the best of our knowledge, for a waveguide-type
      integrated optical resonator (IOR). 

PMID- 24216575
TI  - Dynamics of an all-optical atomic spin gyroscope.
AB  - We present the transfer function of an all-optical atomic spin gyroscope through
      a series of differential equations and validate the transfer function by
      experimental test. A transfer function is the basis for further control system
      design. We build the differential equations based on a complete set of Bloch
      equations describing the all-optical atomic spin gyroscope, and obtain the
      transfer function through application of the Laplace transformation to these
      differential equations. Moreover, we experimentally validate the transfer
      function in an all-optical Cs-Xe129 atomic spin gyroscope through a series of
      step responses. This transfer function is convenient for analysis of the form of
      control system required. Furthermore, it is available for the design of the
      control system specifically to improve the performance of all-optical atomic spin
      gyroscopes. 

PMID- 24216576
TI  - Fabrication of channel waveguides in dye-doped polymer films by a beam-processing
      machine based on photo induced bleaching.
AB  - Irreversible changes in the refractive index of a dye-doped polymer film by photo
      induced bleaching were measured with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The decrease
      in the refractive index of the film for various laser powers and various
      radiation times has been investigated. A beam-processing machine with two
      simultaneous outputs has been designed to make use of this change in the
      refractive index to fabricate a channel waveguide. This method is simple and one
      step, and does not involve any solvent or mask; and also due to photobleaching,
      the pattern is not reversible. 

PMID- 24216577
TI  - Ultimate efficiency of spectral beam combining by volume Bragg gratings.
AB  - Spectral beam combining (SBC) by volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) recorded in photo
      thermo-refractive (PTR) glass is a powerful tool for laser applications that
      require higher radiance than a single laser unit can achieve. The beam-combining
      factor (BCF) is introduced as a tool to compare various beam-combining methods
      and experiments. It describes the change of radiance provided by a beam-combining
      system but is not affected by the initial beam quality of the combined lasers. A
      method of optimization of VBGs providing the maximum efficiency of SBC has been
      described for an arbitrary number of beams. An experiment confirming the proposed
      modeling for a two-beam SBC system by a single VBG has demonstrated a total
      combined power of 301 W with a channel separation of 0.25 nm, combining
      efficiency of 97%, close to diffraction limited divergence with M(2)=1.18, BCF of
      0.77, and spectral radiance of 770 TW/(sr.m(2).nm), the highest to date for SBC.

PMID- 24216578
TI  - Modeling angular-dependent spectral emissivity of snow and ice in the thermal
      infrared atmospheric window.
AB  - A model of angular-dependent emissivity spectra of snow and ice in the 8-14 MUm
      atmospheric window is constructed. Past field research revealed that snow
      emissivity varies depending on snow grain size and the exitance angle.
      Thermography images acquired in this study further revealed that not only welded
      snow particles such as sun crust, but also disaggregated particles such as
      granular snow and dendrite crystals exhibit high reflectivity on their crystal
      facets, even when the bulk snow surface exhibits blackbody-like behavior as a
      whole. The observed thermal emissive behaviors of snow particles suggest that
      emissivity of the bulk snow surface can be expressed by a weighted sum of two
      emissivity components: those of the specular and blackbody surfaces. Based on
      this assumption, a semi-empirical emissivity model was constructed; it is
      expressed by a linear combination of specular and blackbody surfaces'
      emissivities with a weighting parameter characterizing the specularity of the
      bulk surface. Emissivity spectra calculated using the model succeeded in
      reproducing the past in situ measured directional spectra of various snow types
      by employing a specific weighting parameter for each snow type.

PMID- 24216579
TI  - Tests and evaluation of a variable focus liquid lens for curvature wavefront
      sensors in astronomy.
AB  - Curvature wavefront sensors (WFSs), which obtain the wavefront aberrations from
      two defocused intensity images at each side of the pupil plane, have shown to be
      highly efficient for astronomical applications. We propose here an alternative
      defocusing mechanism for curvature sensors, based on an electrowetting-based
      variable focus liquid lens. Typically, the sampling rates of a WFS for active
      optics are of the order of 0.01 Hz, and the focus modulation can be done by
      simply moving the detector back and forth. On the other hand, adaptive optics may
      require speeds of up to several hundred hertz, and the modulation is then done by
      using a fast vibrating membrane mirror. We believe variable focus liquid lenses
      may be able to perform this focus modulation, reducing the overall size of the
      system and without the need of extra moving parts. We have done a full
      characterization of the Varioptic Arctic 416 liquid lens, and we have evaluated
      its potential performance in different curvature configurations. 

PMID- 24216580
TI  - Immersed transparent microsphere magnifying sub-diffraction-limited objects.
AB  - The resolution of an optical microscope is restricted by the diffraction limit,
      which is approximately 200 nm for a white light source. We report that sub
      diffraction-limited objects can be resolved in immersion liquids using a
      microsphere optical nanoscopy (MONS) technique. Image magnifications and
      resolutions were obtained experimentally and compared in different immersion
      liquids. We show that a 100 MUm diameter barium titanate (BaTiO(3)) glass
      microsphere combined with a standard optical microscope can image sub-diffraction
      limited objects with halogen light in three different media: water, 40% sugar
      solution, and microscope immersion oil. In this paper, the super-resolution
      imaging performance has been described with the three immersion liquid types and
      the mechanisms are discussed with Mie theory calculation in the field of a
      Poynting vector.

PMID- 24216581
TI  - Design of optical systems using derivatives of rays: derivatives of variable
      vector of spherical boundary surfaces with respect to system variable vector.
AB  - A computational scheme based on differential geometry was proposed in a previous
      study [Appl. Opt.52, 4151 (2013)] for determining the first- and second-order
      derivative matrices of a skew ray reflected/refracted at a flat boundary surface.
      The present study extends this methodology to the case of a skew ray
      reflected/refracted at a spherical boundary surface. The validity of the proposed
      approach is demonstrated using two retro-reflectors for illustration purposes.
      The results show that the proposed method provides an effective means of
      determining the search direction required to minimize the merit function during
      the optimization stage of the optical system design process. 

PMID- 24216583
TI  - Iterative method for optimal design of flat-spectral-response arrayed waveguide
      gratings.
AB  - A novel iterative projection-type optimal design algorithm of arrayed waveguide
      gratings (AWGs) with a flat spectral response is proposed based on the Fourier
      optics model of AWG. The enhancement of the spectral-response flatness of the AWG
      is demonstrated, with an analysis on the trade-off relationship between band
      flatness and crosstalk. 

PMID- 24216582
TI  - Embedded optical waveguides fabricated in SF10 glass by low-repetition-rate
      ultrafast laser.
AB  - Symmetric embedded waveguides were fabricated in heavy metal oxide SF10 glass
      using slit-shaped infrared femtosecond laser writing in the low-repetition
      frequency regime. The impact of the writing parameters on the waveguide formation
      in the transverse writing scheme was systemically studied. Results indicate that
      efficient waveguides can be inscribed in a wide parameter space ranging from 500
      fs to 1.5 ps pulse duration, 0.7-4.2 MUJ pulse energy, and 5 MUm/s to 640 MUm/s
      scan speed and pointing out the robustness of the photoinscription process. The
      refractive index profile reconstructed from the measured near field pattern goes
      up to 10(-3). In addition, propagation losses of the waveguides are tolerable,
      with the lowest propagation loss estimated at 0.7 dB/cm. With a 5 MUm/s scan
      speed and 3.5 MUJ pulse energy in a high-dose regime, few-mode guiding was
      achieved in the waveguide at 800 nm signal injection wavelength. This is due to a
      combination of increased refractive index in the core of the trace and the
      appearance of a depressed cladding.

PMID- 24216584
TI  - Stable and tunable single frequency Nd:GSAG laser around 943 nm.
AB  - Stable single frequency output around 943 nm was obtained from a quasi-continuous
      wave (qcw) diode-pumped, Q-switched Nd:GSAG laser. The Q-switched Nd:GSAG laser
      was injection seeded with a single mode laser diode. Its frequency was stabilized
      by an active-control loop specially designed for a strong qcw pump. The spectral
      linewidth of the Nd:GASG laser was 41 MHz and the frequency stability was 10 MHz.
      The single-frequency-pulsed laser generated 32 mJ pulse energy at 10 Hz
      repetition rate. When the repetition rate was increased to 100 Hz, 5.6 mJ pulse
      energy was obtained by a thermal dynamic stable resonator. By tuning the seed
      laser, the wavelength of the pulsed Nd:GASG laser can be continuously varied from
      942.1 to 943.1 nm.

PMID- 24216585
TI  - Method of misalignment aberrations removal in null test of cylindrical surface.
AB  - The removal of misalignment aberrations is a key problem in the null test of
      cylindrical surfaces. Although the quadratic polynomial with two variables and
      the orthogonal Chebyshev polynomials have been used to separate the misalignment
      aberrations from the extracted phase data, there is no physical meaning
      corresponding to the polynomials coefficients. Additionally, the Runge phenomenon
      may occur when the high-order polynomials are employed. In this paper, all the
      possible aberrations caused by the adjustment errors were analyzed. Based on the
      first-order approximate principle, the mathematical models, which describe the
      relationship between the misalignment aberrations and the possible adjustment
      errors, were deduced. With these mathematical expressions, all the possible
      adjustment errors can be estimated by using the least-squares fitting algorithm,
      and then the genuine surface deviations can be obtained by subtracting the
      misalignment aberrations from the extracted phase data. Computer simulations and
      experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the validity and feasibility,
      which show more than 96% misalignment aberrations can be removed. Compared with
      the existing methods, the proposed model provides a feasible way to estimate
      adjustment errors with better accuracy. 

PMID- 24216586
TI  - Noninvasive quantification of postocclusive reactive hyperemia in mouse thigh
      muscle by near-infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy.
AB  - Many vasculature-related diseases affecting skeletal muscle function have been
      studied in mouse models. Noninvasive quantification of muscle blood flow
      responses during postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) is often used to
      evaluate vascular function in human skeletal muscles. However, blood flow
      measurements during PORH in small skeletal muscles of mice are rare due to the
      lack of appropriate technologies coupled with the challenge of measurement setup
      resulting from the lack of large enough test sites. In this study, we explored
      adapting diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) for noninvasive measurement of
      the relative changes of blood flow (rBF) in mouse thigh muscles during PORH. A
      small fiber-optic probe was designed and glued on the mouse thigh to reduce the
      motion artifact induced by the occlusion procedure. Arterial occlusion was
      created by tying a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube around the mouse thigh while the
      muscle rBF was continuously monitored by DCS to ensure the success of the
      occlusion. After 5 min, the occlusion was rapidly released by severing the PVC
      tube using a cautery pen. Typical rBF responses during PORH were observed in all
      mice (n=7), which are consistent with those observed by arterial-spin-labeled
      magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) as reported in the literature. On average,
      rBF values from DCS during occlusion were lower than 10% (3.1+/-2.2%) of the
      baseline values (assigning 100%), indicating the success of arterial occlusion in
      all mice. Peak values of rBF during PORH measured by the DCS (357.6+/-36.3%) and
      ASL-MRI (387.5+/-150.0%) were also similar whereas the values of time-to-peak
      (the time duration from the end of occlusion to the peak rBF) were quite
      different (112.6+/-35.0  s versus 48.0+/-27.0  s). Simultaneous measurements by
      these two techniques are needed to identify the factors that may cause such
      discrepancy. This study highlights the utility of DCS technology to
      quantitatively evaluate tissue blood flow responses during PORH in mouse skeletal
      muscles. DCS holds promise as valuable tool to assess blood flow regulation in
      mouse models with a variety of vascular diseases (e.g., hypercholesterolemia,
      diabetes, peripheral artery disease).

PMID- 24216588
TI  - Supercontinuum generation in dispersion-managed tapered-rib waveguide.
AB  - We have designed a tapered-rib waveguide and numerically studied the generation
      of supercontinuum using such waveguides. The Air-SF57 glass-SiO(2) waveguide is 3
      cm long, with a varying etched depth to manage the total dispersion. Numerical
      simulations are conducted for input pulses at a wavelength of 1.55 MUm with a
      width of 150 fs and peak power of 5 kW. The proposed waveguide geometry greatly
      broadens the output spectrum, extending from ~1 to ~6  MUm, caused by the
      continuous modification of the phase-matching condition for the generated waves.

PMID- 24216587
TI  - High-peak-power, single-frequency, single-mode, linearly polarized, nanosecond
      all-fiber laser based on self-phase modulation compensation.
AB  - We demonstrated a high-peak-power, single-frequency, single-mode, linearly
      polarized, nanosecond all-fiber laser in master oscillator power amplifier
      configuration. The pulsed seed was generated by modulating a single-frequency
      continuous wave laser at 1064 nm. The short pulse width (~3.2  ns) of the pulsed
      seed prevented the onset of stimulated Brillouin scattering in the 10 MUm-core
      single-transverse-mode polarization-maintaining ytterbium-doped fiber of the main
      amplifier. In order to compensate self-phase modulation-induced spectral
      broadening, a phase modulator was employed to control the phase of the pulsed
      seed, and the linewidth of the output pulses were reduced from ~1.22  GHz to ~185
      MHz at the peak power of 1.47 kW.

PMID- 24216589
TI  - Lasers for coherent optical satellite links with large dynamics.
AB  - We present the experimental realization of a laser system for ground-to-satellite
      optical Doppler ranging at the atmospheric turbulence limit. Such a system needs
      to display good frequency stability (a few parts in 10<sup>-14</sup>) while
      allowing large and well-controlled frequency sweeps of +/-12  GHz at rates
      exceeding 100  MHz/s. Furthermore it needs to be sufficiently compact and robust
      for transportation to different astronomical observation sites, where it is to be
      interfaced with satellite ranging telescopes. We demonstrate that our system
      fulfills those requirements and should therefore allow operation of ground to low
      Earth orbit satellite coherent optical links limited only by atmospheric
      turbulence. 

PMID- 24216590
TI  - Femtosecond electron-lattice thermalization dynamics in a gold film probed by
      pulsed surface plasmon resonance.
AB  - The dynamics of electronic excitations and their relaxation in a gold film is
      studied on the femtosecond time scale with a pump-probe technique. For the pump
      beam we use pulses with wavelengths centered at 800 nm, 400 nm or both. The
      surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in Kretschmann's configuration is used as a
      sensitive and fast-response probe of the dynamics of the dielectric properties of
      the gold film. The quantity that is monitored is the intensity of the reflected
      light at an incidence angle close to the SPR. With changes of the dielectric
      properties induced by the pump beam and during subsequent relaxation, the amount
      of the reflected light of the probe beam, sent with a variable delay, also
      changes, thus providing information on the temporal characteristics of the
      thermalization process. Special features of SPR probing with short pulses are
      also accounted for in this work. The thermalization of the electronic subsystem
      and energy transfer to the lattice are discussed in connection with the two
      temperature relaxation model that takes into account temperature dependences of
      the electronic heat capacity and the electron-phonon coupling.

PMID- 24216591
TI  - Three-dimensional measurement of object surfaces with complex shape and color
      distribution based on projection of color fringe patterns.
AB  - A challenging issue associated with three-dimensional (3D) fringe patterns
      profilometry (FPP) is the unwrapping of phase maps resulting from color object
      surfaces. This paper proposes a new color-projection-based 3D FPP, making use of
      the three primary color channels [i.e., red, green, and blue (RGB)] associated
      with digital projectors. One channel (e.g., red) is used for projecting
      sinusoidal fringes required by phase shift profilometry (PSP); the other two
      channels are employed for generating binary stripe patterns. In order to achieve
      reliable phase unwrapping, each fringe of the sinusoidal patterns is identified
      by a unique binary sequence. These sequences are then encoded by a channel
      encoding scheme used in the area of communication. The encoded sequences are
      embedded in the binary coding stripe images, which are projected together with
      the sinusoidal patterns. The three image patterns are reflected by the object
      surface and captured by an RGB 3-CCD camera. The reflected sinusoidal patterns
      are employed to yield a wrapped phase map, and the binary stripe patterns are
      used to retrieve the encoded sequences, which are then decoded to yield the
      original binary sequences for phase unwrapping. Compared with existing color
      encoded algorithms, the proposed approach uses binary codes instead of fringe
      color to identify the fringes, which are less sensitive to the disturbances
      caused by object surface color and illumination noises. Furthermore, use of the
      channel-coding scheme provides extra resistance to the disturbances caused by
      object surface color and illumination noises. Experimental results are presented
      to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed technique. 

PMID- 24216592
TI  - Finite element method analysis of band gap and transmission of two-dimensional
      metallic photonic crystals at terahertz frequencies.
AB  - Photonic band gap and transmission characteristics of 2D metallic photonic
      crystals at THz frequencies have been investigated using finite element method
      (FEM). Photonic crystals composed of metallic rods in air, in square and
      triangular lattice arrangements, are considered for transverse electric and
      transverse magnetic polarizations. The modes and band gap characteristics of
      metallic photonic crystal structure are investigated by solving the eigenvalue
      problem over a unit cell of the lattice using periodic boundary conditions. A
      photonic band gap diagram of dielectric photonic crystal in square lattice array
      is also considered and compared with well-known plane wave expansion results
      verifying our FEM approach. The photonic band gap designs for both dielectric and
      metallic photonic crystals are consistent with previous studies obtained by
      different methods. Perfect match is obtained between photonic band gap diagrams
      and transmission spectra of corresponding lattice structure. 

PMID- 24216593
TI  - Improved CCT uniformity of white LED using remote phosphor with patterned
      sapphire substrate.
AB  - The light distribution of a light-emitting diode (LED), using remote phosphor
      with a patterned sapphire substrate, is evaluated in this study. Three kinds of
      substrates of the remote phosphors, including planar sapphire (PS), partially
      patterned sapphire (PPS), and fully patterned sapphire (FPS) are prepared. The
      LED with the remote phosphor of FPS delivers much better uniformity of the
      correlated color temperature (CCT) in a far-field pattern than the CCT obtained
      in the cases of PS and PPS. The results are majorly attributed to the improvement
      in the scattering ability of the blue light in the FPS; thereby increasing the
      excitation of the phosphor particles in comparison to the ability of the device
      assembled with the remote phosphor of PS or PPS. 

PMID- 24216594
TI  - Terahertz quantitatively distinguishing gasoline mixtures using multiparameter
      combined analysis.
AB  - Refined oil mixtures can be quantified using terahertz-absorption-coefficient
      spectra and dualistic linear regression fitting. However, when this method was
      used to quantify mixtures of 90# and 97# gasolines, the absolute error between
      the real and fitted value was large (25%), and this was due to the component
      similarity between 90# and 97# gasolines. To solve this problem, the present
      research addresses the possibility of developing a method that would allow
      direct, simple, and accurate determination of the 97# gasoline content in
      gasoline mixtures using a terahertz time-domain pulse coupled to a multiparameter
      combined analysis. The multiparameter represents the time delay and amplitude of
      the first transmission dip and peak in the time-domain pulse. The relationship
      between these four parameters and the 97# gasoline content in gasoline mixtures
      was thoroughly investigated, and four distinct calibration models for quantifying
      gasoline mixtures were built using least square fitting. To enable the
      development of an informative and accurate calibration model, the four individual
      models were given proper weights and combined. The weight was determined by the
      cosine-optimal method, which aimed to determine the most proper weight under the
      condition of the cosine of the angle between the fitted content vector and the
      real content vector that reaches the maximum. This method allows the
      determination of 97# gasoline content in gasoline mixtures with a low absolute
      error (6%), resulting in predictions that are more accurate and precise than
      those obtained by the terahertz-absorption-coefficient spectra and dualistic
      linear regression fitting. 

PMID- 24216595
TI  - Optical analysis of a curved-slats fixed-mirror solar concentrator by a forward
      ray-tracing procedure.
AB  - Fixed-mirror solar concentrators (FMSCs) use a static reflector and a moving
      receiver. They are easily installable on building roofs. However, for high
      concentration factors, several flat mirrors would be needed. If curved mirrors
      are used instead, high-concentration levels can be achieved, and such a solar
      concentrator is called a curved-slats fixed-mirror solar concentrator (CSFMSC),
      on which little information is available. Herein, a methodology is proposed to
      characterize the CSFMSC using 3D ray-tracing tools. The CSFMSC shows better
      optical characteristics than the FMSC, as it needs fewer reflector segments for
      achieving the same concentration and optical efficiency. 

PMID- 24216596
TI  - Triangular-range-intensity profile spatial-correlation method for 3D super
      resolution range-gated imaging.
AB  - We present a triangular-range-intensity profile (RIP) spatial-correlation method
      for 3D range-gated imaging with a depth of super resolution. In this method,
      spatial sampling volumes with triangular-RIPs are established by matching laser
      pulse width and sensor gate time, and then depth information collapsed in gate
      images can be reconstructed by spatial correlation of overlapped gate images
      corresponding to sampling volumes. Compared with super-resolution depth mapping
      under trapezoidal-RIPs, range accuracy and precision are improved, and a large
      range fluctuation due to noise disturbance is smoothed by noise suppression under
      triangular-RIPs. In this paper, a proof experiment is demonstrated with a range
      precision 2.5 times better than that obtained under trapezoidal-RIPs. 

PMID- 24216597
TI  - What is the 'self' in chronic disease self-management?

PMID- 24216598
TI  - Foot massage versus quiet presence on agitation and mood in people with dementia:
      a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in using complementary and alternative
      treatments to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia such as
      agitation, aggression and depressed mood. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of
      foot massage (intervention) and quiet presence (control) on agitation and mood in
      people with dementia. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial using a within
      subjects, crossover design. SETTINGS: Five long-term care facilities in Brisbane,
      Australia. The primary outcome was the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI)
      and the secondary outcome was the Observed Emotion Rating Scale (OERS). The
      screening and data collection research assistants, families, and care staff were
      blinded to participant allocation. PARTICIPANTS: Participants of the study were
      55 long-term care residents aged 74-103 years (mean age 86.5), with moderate to
      severe dementia and a history of agitated behaviour according to the Pittsburgh
      Agitation Scale. A computer-program randomised participants to 10-min foot
      massage (intervention) or quiet presence (control), every weekday for 3 weeks.
      RESULTS: A carry-over effect was identified in the data, and so the data was
      treated as a parallel groups RCT. The mean total CMAI increased in both groups
      (reflecting an increase in agitation) with this increase greater in the quiet
      presence group than the foot massage group (p=0.03). There was a trend towards a
      difference on OERS General Alertness, with a positive change in alertness for
      participants in the foot massage group (indicating reduced alertness) and a
      negative change for participants in the quiet presence group (indicating
      increased alertness) (F(1,51)=3.88, p=0.05, partial eta(2)=0.07). CONCLUSIONS:
      The findings highlight the need for further research on the specific conditions
      under which massage might promote relaxation and improve mood for people with
      dementia. The unfamiliar research assistants and variations in usual activity may
      have contributed to the increase in agitation and this needs further research.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12612000658819.

PMID- 24216599
TI  - The meaning of emotion work to student nurses: a Heideggerian analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Providing patients with emotional support can be challenging to
      student nurses, as it is seen as a less tangible aspect of care when compared to
      other acts of caring. OBJECTIVES: The underpinning objective of this study was to
      explore the meaning of emotional relationships between pre-registration nursing
      students and patients admitted to a clinical setting in the United Kingdom.
      DESIGN: Using an interpretive phenomenological approach data were collected using
      in depth unstructured interviews, with nine purposively recruited pre
      registration student nurses at a University in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: The
      structure of emotion work for these nurses, was found to consist of three
      constituents; (a) the need for an emotional "balance;" (b) feeling the need to
      cry; (c) feeling the need to talk. We portray this phenomenon as "emotional nurse
      being" using Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology. CONCLUSIONS: The insights
      gained from this study could be used to understand and support pre-registration
      student nurses in this aspect of their practice.

PMID- 24216600
TI  - Corrected VEGF levels based on platelet count should be calculated. Concerning
      the article by B.M. Levesque et al.: Low urine vascular endothelial growth factor
      levels are associated with mechanical ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and
      retinopathy of prematurity [Neonatology 2013;104:56-64].

PMID- 24216601
TI  - Mass-density compensation can improve the performance of a range of different
      detectors under non-equilibrium conditions.
AB  - Dosimeters often consist of several components whose mass densities differ
      substantially from water. These components cause small-field correction factors
      to vary significantly as lateral electronic equilibrium breaks down. Even amongst
      instruments designed for small-field dosimetry, inter-detector variation in the
      correction factors associated with very small (~0.5 cm) fields can amount to tens
      of per cent. For a given dosimeter, small-field correction factors vary not only
      with field size but also with detector azimuthal angle and position within the
      field. Furthermore the accurate determination of these factors typically requires
      time-intensive Monte Carlo simulations. Thus, if achievable, 'correction factor
      free' small-field dosimetry would be highly desirable. This study demonstrates
      that a new generation of mass-density compensated detectors could take us towards
      this goal. Using a 6 MV beam model, it shows that 'mass-density compensation' can
      be utilized to improve the performance of a range of different detectors under
      small-field conditions. Non-sensitive material of appropriate mass-density is
      incorporated into detector designs in order to make the instruments behave as if
      consisting only of water. The dosimeter perturbative effects are then reduced to
      those associated with volume averaging. An even better solution-which modifies
      detectors to obtain profiles that look like those measured by a point-like water
      structure-is also considered. Provided that adequate sensitivity can be achieved
      for a small measurement volume, this study shows that it may be possible to use
      mass-density compensation (and Monte Carlo-driven design) to produce a solid
      state dosimeter/ionization chamber with a near-perfect non-equilibrium response.

PMID- 24216602
TI  - Serum growth differentiation factor 15 levels in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological cancer associated with
      increased clonal malignant plasma cells. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF
      15) is a protein that is highly expressed in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem
      cells of patients with MM. This study investigated whether the clinical stage of
      the disease, treatment response and survival are affected by pretreatment serum
      GDF 15 levels. METHODS: Serum GDF 15 levels were measured in 35 newly diagnosed
      MM patients and 27 healthy controls. The correlation between serum GDF 15 levels
      and various clinical and laboratory parameters was analyzed. RESULTS: The study
      demonstrated significantly higher levels of GDF 15 in MM patients. There was a
      negative correlation between GDF 15 levels, hemoglobin and albumin levels, and a
      positive correlation between GDF 15 levels, CRP, creatinine, beta-2-microglobulin
      and stage. GDF 15 levels were lower in patients who could receive autologous stem
      cell transplantation compared to other groups, representing a statistically
      significant difference. However, in the survival analyses, GDF 15 level did not
      have an impact on survival. CONCLUSION: High serum levels of GDF 15 may indicate
      a poor treatment response. Our study supports the prognostic value of GDF 15 in
      MM.

PMID- 24216603
TI  - Three-dimensional accuracy of ECOG strip electrode localization using
      coregistration of preoperative MRI and intraoperative fluoroscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Algorithms that estimate implanted cortical strip electrode
      coordinates using postoperative skull X-ray coregistration with preoperative
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been proposed. However, when cortical strip
      electrodes are inserted for temporary use and removed prior to closure,
      intraoperative imaging - either fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT) - must be
      substituted. OBJECTIVES: To measure the accuracy of temporarily inserted subdural
      strip electrode coordinates using intraoperative fluoroscopic coregistration with
      preoperative MRI compared to intraoperative CT coregistration with preoperative
      MRI. METHODS: In 5 patients undergoing movement disorder surgery, preoperative
      MRI was used to generate a three-dimensional cortical surface manually scaled to
      fit an intraoperative skull fluorogram with an in situ six-contact subdural
      electrode strip. Individual contact coordinates were estimated using subjacent
      gyral and sulcal patterns. Estimated coordinates were compared to reference
      coordinates obtained by preoperative MRI coregistration with intraoperative CT in
      the same patients. RESULTS: Mean electrode coordinate distances between estimated
      and reference locations were 6.0 +/- 0.8 (x-axis, mediolateral), 3.3 +/- 0.5 (y
      axis, anterior-posterior) and 4.0 +/- 0.5 mm (z-axis, superior-inferior; n = 30).
      CONCLUSIONS: Localization of temporarily inserted subdural electrodes can be
      accomplished using preoperative MRI and intraoperative fluoroscopy. The accuracy
      of this approach is verified by preoperative MRI and intraoperative CT
      coregistration in the same patients.

PMID- 24216604
TI  - After the introduction into the national newborn screening program: who is
      receiving genetic counseling for hemoglobinopathies in the Netherlands?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Universal newborn screening for hemoglobinopathies started in The
      Netherlands in 2007. Herewith severe conditions, such as sickle cell disease,
      beta-thalassemia major and hemoglobin H disease are putatively identified.
      Additionally, at least 1,800 carriers of hemoglobin variants associated with
      severe conditions in homozygote or compound heterozygote forms are identified
      yearly. Thus far, approximately 60 patients and 800 healthy sickle cell (HbS)
      carriers are reported each year among 180,000 newborns. Results are sent to the
      general practitioner with the recommendation to inform and diagnose both parents
      of the healthy carriers to exclude genetic risk, while patients and their parents
      are referred directly to a pediatrician. This study was performed to determine
      how often parents of identified carriers and affected newborns are seen in
      genetic centers for counseling. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we
      collected anonymized data from 7 of the 8 Dutch clinical genetic centers from
      January 1, 2007, until December 31, 2010. RESULTS: After an initial general
      increase in total counseling intakes, a decline was noticed in the third year,
      while the requests for prenatal diagnoses remained relatively stable. In 2007 and
      2013, genetic counselors were asked for self-reported knowledge. They found
      hemoglobinopathy counseling complex, but by 2013, they indicated they had
      acquired sufficient knowledge on most hemoglobinopathy aspects. CONCLUSION: We
      could not observe a significant increase in genetic counseling for
      hemoglobinopathy after its introduction into newborn screening. Although 120 HbS
      carriers and 60 patients are expected to be born from couples at risk annually,
      only 33 at risk couples out of 540 families of diagnosed newborns received
      optimal care and information at a genetics center in 4 years.

PMID- 24216606
TI  - A solitary fibrous tumour of the eyelid.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report a case of palpebral solitary fibrous tumour (SFT). CLINICAL
      PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: An elderly man presented with a slow-growing
      painless mass in the lower conjunctival fornix in the left eye. The lesion was
      excised and it measured 0.9 cm in maximum diameter. The microscopic features were
      characteristic of a benign SFT, with immunohistochemical reactivity for vimentin,
      CD34 and Bcl-2 protein. Nuclear staining for progesterone receptor was also
      observed. CONCLUSION: This tumour displayed a benign course, with no recurrence
      after excision. CD34 immunohistochemistry proved to be a useful adjunct to the
      microscopic diagnosis.

PMID- 24216607
TI  - Oligomers based on weak hydrogen bond networks: a rotational study of the
      tetramer of difluoromethane.
AB  - We report the rotational spectrum of one conformer of the tetramer of
      difluoromethane (CH2F2)4 (the first pure rotational spectrum of a tetramer of an
      asymmetric rotor), and describe the network of weak hydrogen bonds which connect
      the four subunits. 

PMID- 24216608
TI  - Epigenetic and non-epigenetic regulation of syncytin-1 expression in human
      placenta and cancer tissues.
AB  - Syncytin-1 is a human endogenous retroviral envelope gene (HERVW1) product
      specifically expressed in placental trophoblasts. By mediating the formation of
      syncytiotrophoblasts through cell-cell fusion, syncytin-1 plays a critical role
      for the placental barrier, endocrine and exchange functions. During pregnancy,
      syncytin-1 expression is dynamically regulated by various pathophysiological
      factors and pathways. This review summarizes and examines published data on
      epigenetic and non-epigenetic regulation of syncytin-1 gene expression, with a
      focus on the changes of syncytin-1 DNA methylation and expression in placental
      trophoblasts under preeclamptic and hypoxic conditions. The functions of
      syncytiotrophoblasts, the fusogenic and non-fusogenic activities of syncytin-1,
      and aberrant activation of syncytin-1 expression in cancer cells are also
      discussed. New findings on the epigenetic regulation of syncytin-1 in placentas
      from monozygotic/dichorionic discordant twins are analyzed. The close correlation
      among changes of DNMTs expression, syncytin-1 gene methylation, and syncytin-1
      mRNA levels, in placentas associated with discordant fetal growth indicated a
      dynamic nature of syncytin-1 regulation. 

PMID- 24216609
TI  - Increased activity of mitogen activated protein kinase pathway in flotillin-2
      knockout mouse model.
AB  - Flotillins are highly conserved and widely spread proteins that function in
      receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and membrane trafficking processes. Flotillin
      1 and flotillin-2 have been shown to form both homo- and hetero-oligomers, and
      their cellular localization changes during signaling. Increased expression of
      flotillins has been detected in several types of cancer and shown to correlate
      with poor survival. Consistently, flotillin-2 knockout mice show a reduced
      formation of metastases in a breast cancer animal model. Our recent data have
      shown that flotillin-1 depletion results in diminished activation of the
      epidermal growth factor receptor and impairs its downstream signaling towards the
      mitogen activated protein kinases and the respective transcriptional response.
      Here we show that genetic ablation of flotillin-2 in a mouse model or its
      knockdown in cultured cells increases extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)
      activation. Furthermore, the downstream transcriptional targets of ERK and p53
      are upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels. These data suggest that opposite
      effects are obtained upon ablation of one of the two flotillins, with flotillin-2
      knockout/knockdown enhancing and flotillin-1 knockdown inhibiting ERK signaling.
      Due to their overexpression in cancers, flotillins may be considered as cancer
      therapy targets. However, our findings suggest that care needs to be taken when
      interfering with flotillin function, as undesired effects such as deregulation of
      growth-associated genes may emerge in certain cell types. 

PMID- 24216610
TI  - Akt and Rac1 signaling are jointly required for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake
      in skeletal muscle and downregulated in insulin resistance.
AB  - Skeletal muscle plays a major role in regulating whole body glucose metabolism.
      Akt and Rac1 are important regulators of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in
      skeletal muscle. However the relative role of each pathway and how they interact
      are not understood. Here we delineate how Akt and Rac1 pathways signal to
      increase glucose transport independently of each other and are simultaneously
      downregulated in insulin resistant muscle. Pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 and
      Akt signaling was used to determine the contribution of each pathway to insulin
      stimulated glucose uptake in mouse muscles. The actin filament-depolymerizing
      agent LatrunculinB was combined with pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 or Akt,
      to examine whether either pathway mediates its effect via the actin cytoskeleton.
      Akt and Rac1 signaling were investigated under each condition, as well as upon
      Akt2 knockout and in ob/ob mice, to uncover whether Akt and Rac1 signaling are
      independent and whether they are affected by genetically-induced insulin
      resistance. While individual inhibition of Rac1 or Akt partially decreased
      insulin-stimulated glucose transport by ~40% and ~60%, respectively, their
      simultaneous inhibition completely blocked insulin-stimulated glucose transport.
      LatrunculinB plus Akt inhibition blocked insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, while
      LatrunculinB had no additive effect on Rac1 inhibition. In muscles from severely
      insulin-resistant ob/ob mice, Rac1 and Akt signaling were severely dysregulated
      and the increment in response to insulin reduced by 100% and 90%, respectively.
      These findings suggest that Rac1 and Akt regulate insulin-stimulated glucose
      uptake via distinct parallel pathways, and that insulin-induced Rac1 and Akt
      signaling are both dysfunctional in insulin resistant muscle. There may thus be
      multiple treatment targets for improving insulin sensitivity in muscle. 

PMID- 24216611
TI  - MiR-365 induces gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer cells by targeting
      the adaptor protein SHC1 and pro-apoptotic regulator BAX.
AB  - The poor prognosis of invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is mainly
      due to its resistance against therapeutic agents. The molecular mechanism by
      which morbidity enhances cell survival has been extensively studied, but radical
      improvements in the therapeutic strategy have not yet been achieved. Recent
      reports have indicated the substantial contribution of miRNA in multiple cell
      functions by comprehensively targeting clusters of genes. We identified several
      miRNAs highly expressed in invasive ductal adenocarcinoma in our previous study,
      and clarified their contribution to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Among
      the differentially expressed miRNAs, miR-365 was highly expressed in invasive
      ductal adenocarcinoma, whose functional role has not been reported. In the
      current study, we found that miR-365 induced gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic
      cancer cells. MiR-365 directly targeted adaptor protein Src Homology 2 Domain
      Containing 1 (SHC1) and apoptosis-promoting protein BAX. The siRNA-based
      knockdown of SHC1 and BAX increased gemcitabine resistance, indicating the miR
      365/SHC1/BAX axis influences the survival of pancreatic cancer cells. In
      addition, miR-365 up-regulated cancer-promoting molecules such as Inhibitor of
      DNA binding 2 and S100P, suggesting the existence of cross-talk with other cancer
      promoting signals. MiR-365 could exert orchestrated effects on pancreatic cancer
      cell survival. 

PMID- 24216612
TI  - Role of extracellular matrix and YAP/TAZ in cell fate determination.
AB  - The mechanical signals transduced from cellular microenvironment can regulate
      cell shape and affect cell fate determination. However, how these mechanical
      signals are transduced to regulate biological processes of cells has remained
      elusive. Recent studies had elucidated a novel mechanism through which the
      interactions between mechanical signals from extracellular matrix and cell
      behavior regulation converged on the function of core components in Hippo
      signaling pathway, including YAP and TAZ in mammals. Moreover, several very
      recent studies have found a new crosstalk between Wnt and Hippo signaling in the
      regulation of cell fate determination. Such mechanism may explain how mechanical
      signals from microenvironment can regulate cell behavior and determine cell fate.

PMID- 24216613
TI  - Do Obsessions and Compulsions Play a Role in Social Anxiety Disorder?

PMID- 24216614
TI  - X-ray micro-beam characterization of lattice rotations and distortions due to an
      individual dislocation.
AB  - Understanding and controlling the behaviour of dislocations is crucial for a wide
      range of applications, from nano-electronics and solar cells to structural
      engineering alloys. Quantitative X-ray diffraction measurements of the strain
      fields due to individual dislocations, particularly in the bulk, however, have
      thus far remained elusive. Here we report the first characterization of a single
      dislocation in a freestanding GaAs/In0.2Ga0.8As/GaAs membrane by synchrotron X
      ray micro-beam Laue diffraction. Our experimental X-ray data agrees closely with
      textbook anisotropic elasticity solutions for dislocations, providing one of few
      experimental validations of this fundamental theory. On the basis of the
      experimental uncertainty in our measurements, we predict the X-ray beam size
      required for three-dimensional measurements of lattice strains and rotations due
      to individual dislocations in the material bulk. These findings have important
      implications for the in situ study of dislocation structure formation, self
      organization and evolution in the bulk. 

PMID- 24216615
TI  - An administrative data algorithm to identify traumatic spinal cord injured
      patients: a validation study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of different administrative data sources
      available for the identification of traumatic spinal cord injured (TSCI)
      patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective validation study. SETTING: Ontario, Canada.
      PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients seen in tertiary outpatient spinal cord
      rehabilitation clinics after 1 April 2002. OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity,
      specificity, positive and negative predicative values of diagnostic ICD10 codes
      from Canadian Institutes of Health Discharge Abstracts (CIHI-DAD), Rehabilitation
      Coding Groups (RCG) from that National Rehabilitation System (NRS), and spinal
      cord injury fee codes from the Ontario Healthcare Insurance Plan (OHIP).
      Secondary outcome was the agreement between actual lesion level and RCG/ICD10
      coded lesion level. RESULTS: The RCG codes in the NRS have high sensitivity (92%,
      95% confidence interval (CI): 87-95%) and specificity (97%, 95% CI: 94-99%) for
      the identification of true TSCI patients, whereas CIHI-DAD ICD10 codes are highly
      specific (99%, 95% CI: 95-100) and moderately sensitive (76%, 95% CI: 79-87%).
      OHIP fee codes had poor sensitivity (64%, 95% CI: 57-71%). Agreement between true
      lesion level and the NRS and CIHI-DAD coding is good (Kappa of 0.65-0.88 and 0.56
      0.70, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the NRS is able to
      accurately discriminate between patients with and without a TSCI. A large
      population of incident and prevalent TSCI patients are identifiable using
      administrative data. SPONSORSHIP: This study was funded by a grant from the
      Division of Urology, Western University.

PMID- 24216616
TI  - Two phase 3, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of
      fampridine-SR for treatment of spasticity in chronic spinal cord injury.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. OBJECTIVE:
      To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fampridine sustained-release tablets
      (fampridine-SR) 25 mg twice daily for moderate-to-severe spasticity in patients
      with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: United States and Canada.
      METHODS: Patients with incomplete chronic SCI were randomized to twice daily
      fampridine-SR 25 mg or placebo, with a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in, a 2
      week titration, 12 weeks of stable dosing, 2 weeks of downward titration and 2
      weeks of untreated follow-up. Co-primary end points were the change from
      baseline, averaged over the double-blind treatment period, for Ashworth score
      (bilateral knee flexors and extensors) and a 7-point Subject Global Impression of
      treatment (SGI; 1, terrible; 7, delighted). Secondary end points were: Penn Spasm
      Frequency Scale; the motor/sensory score from the International Standards for
      Neurological Classification of SCI; Clinician's Global Impression of Change of
      neurological status; and the International Index of Erectile Function (men) or
      the Female Sexual Function Index (women). RESULTS: The populations were 212 and
      203 patients in the two studies, respectively. Changes from baseline in Ashworth
      score were -0.15 (placebo) and -0.19 (fampridine-SR) in the first study, and 
      0.16 (placebo) and -0.28 (fampridine-SR) in the second study. The between
      treatment difference was not significant for either the Ashworth score or the SGI
      and, with few exceptions, neither were the secondary end points. Fampridine-SR
      was generally well tolerated; treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and
      serious TEAEs were reported with similar frequency between treatments.
      CONCLUSION: Fampridine-SR was well tolerated. No significant differences were
      observed between treatment groups for the primary end points of Ashworth score
      and SGI.

PMID- 24216617
TI  - Changes in substance P and NK1 receptor immunohistochemistry following human
      spinal cord injury.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: An immunohistological assessment of substance P (SP), its NK1
      receptor and claudin-5 in human spinal cord injury (SCI) tissue. OBJECTIVE: To
      determine whether SP and NK1 receptor immunoreactivity are altered following
      human traumatic SCI. SETTING: Australia. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: SP has been
      implicated in the development of neurogenic inflammation and subsequent edema
      development following both traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke. In these
      conditions, inhibition of its NK1 receptor has been shown to be neuroprotective
      as reflected in a reduction of edema and improved functional outcome. However,
      the role of SP following human SCI has not yet been assessed. METHODS: Archived
      human SCI tissue was grouped according to survival times: control (no injury;
      n=5); immediate (death within an hour of the incident; n=6); 2-5 h (n=3); 3 days
      (n=5); 1 week (n=3); and 3-4 weeks (n=6). Sections were assessed for SP, its NK1
      receptor and claudin-5 using immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: Following
      SCI, dorsal horn SP immunoreactivity demonstrated a profound decrease compared
      with control tissue, indicating the loss of SP with SCI. A marked increase in
      perivascular NK1 staining was demonstrated after SCI compared with control
      levels. No obvious change in claudin-5 immunoreactivity was present immediately
      following injury, however, by 1 week post-SCI, decreased levels were noted.
      CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that severe acute traumatic human SCI results
      in decreased SP and an immediate increase in NK1 receptor immunoreactivity,
      suggesting that there is a neurogenic inflammatory component following human SCI.

PMID- 24216618
TI  - A retrospective study on flap complications after pressure ulcer surgery in
      spinal cord-injured patients.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study reporting specific complications of certain
      skin flaps for treating pressure ulcers. OBJECTIVES: To describe the rate and
      type of complications after pressure ulcer surgery in patients with spinal cord
      injury. SETTING: Germany, Rheinland Pfalz. METHODS: We collected data from 352
      patients treated with 421 skin flaps to determine the rate and type of
      complications of each skin flap used. RESULTS: In this study, we analyzed the
      results of 421 skin flaps in 352 patients with a total of 657 pressure ulcers
      from January 2006 to December 2010. Our patients had ischial, pelvic, sacral,
      trochanteric and lower extremity ulcers. Ischial ulcers were most common,
      followed by sacral and trochanteric ulcers. There were 87 complications in 421
      flaps, which was an overall rate of 21%. Suture line dehiscence was the most
      common complication with 27 cases (31%), followed by 22 cases of infection
      (25.2%), 17 cases of hematoma (19.5%), 12 cases of partial necrosis (13.7%) and 9
      cases of total flap necrosis (10.3%). CONCLUSION: Pressure ulcers in spinal cord
      injured patients are very common and difficult and expensive to treat. The high
      rate of complications and the associated costs suggest the importance of
      evaluating the efficacy of treatment options. Conservative procedures have been
      standardized, but there still has been limited success in establishing guidelines
      on how to manage complications arising from flap surgery. Our extensive
      documentation of flap plastics will be useful managing complications after the
      surgical treatment of pressure ulcers in spinal cord-injured patients.

PMID- 24216619
TI  - Alumina-zirconia composites functionalized with laminin-1 and laminin-5 for
      dentistry: effect of protein adsorption on cellular response.
AB  - The present paper describes a study on laminin interaction with the surface of
      two alumina-zirconia composites with different percentages of ZrO2, both with
      submicrometric grain size. As major molecules within the basement membrane (BM),
      laminins are important protein fragments for epithelial cell adhesion and
      migration. On the other hand, alumina-zirconia composites are very attractive
      materials for dental applications due to their esthetic and mechanical
      properties. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were
      used to study the adsorption of two types of laminin, laminin-1 (Ln-1) and
      laminin-5 (Ln-5), onto the ceramics surfaces. The in vitro cell response was
      determined by intracellular phosphorylation of major kinases. Ceramics samples
      functionalized with laminins showed better cellular activation than untreated
      specimens; furthermore, cellular activation was found to be greater for the
      composite with higher percentage in zirconia when functionalized with Ln-5,
      whereas the adsorption of Ln-1 resulted in a greater activation for the alumina
      rich oxide. 

PMID- 24216621
TI  - Calcium-mediated modulation of Pseudomonas mendocina NR802 biofilm influences the
      phenanthrene degradation.
AB  - A potential biofilm forming and phenanthrene utilizing marine bacterium
      Pseudomonas mendocina NR802 was isolated from Rushukulya, Odisha, East Coast of
      India. The effect of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) on biofilm growth and phenanthrene
      degradation was evaluated. Among the various tested concentrations, 20 mM of
      Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) showed a significant enhancement in biofilm production by the
      bacterium. The SEM-EDAX study showed that the elemental composition of the
      biofilm varied significantly when grown in the presence of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+). The
      CSLM analysis of biofilms grown in the presence of 20 mM Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) reveal
      the critical role of these ions on biofilm architectural parameters such as total
      biomass, biofilm thickness, roughness coefficient and surface to biovolume ratio.
      Ca(2+) was found to enhance the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)
      production and phenanthrene degradation. Ca(2+) enhanced the biofilm growth in a
      dose dependent manner, whereas Mg(2+) significantly increased the cell growth in
      biofilm. More than 15% increase in phenanthrene degradation was observed when
      biofilm was grown in the presence of an additional 20 mM Ca(2+). This study also
      supports the fundamental role of Ca(2+) in biofilm growth, architecture as well
      as biofilm-mediated pollutant degradation.

PMID- 24216620
TI  - Shrinkage of pegylated and non-pegylated liposomes in serum.
AB  - An essential requisite for the design of nanodelivery systems is the ability to
      characterize the size, homogeneity and zeta potential of nanoparticles. Such
      properties can be tailored in order to create the most efficient drug delivery
      platforms. An important question is whether these characteristics change upon
      systemic injection. Here, we have studied the behavior of
      phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol liposomes exposed to serum proteins. The results
      reveal a serum-induced reduction in the size and homogeneity of both pegylated
      and non-pegylated liposomes, implicating the possible role of osmotic forces. In
      addition, changes to zeta-potential were observed upon exposing liposomes to
      serum. The liposomes with polyethylene glycol expressed different characteristics
      than their non-polymeric counterparts, suggesting the potential formation of a
      denser protein corona around the non-pegylated liposomes. 

PMID- 24216622
TI  - Effect of anionic surfactants on grafting density of gelatin modified with PDMS
      E.
AB  - The effect of anionic surfactants on the interfacial compatibility in mono epoxy
      terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-E) macromonomer and gelatin mixed system
      was studied by Gibbs free energy (DeltaGM), which played a crucial role in
      deciding the grafting density of immiscible polymer in heterogeneous system.
      Aggregation behavior of gelatin chains at boundary between gelatin phase and
      solvent phase was investigated using viscosity, surface tension and conductivity
      measurements. Viscosity analysis showed a regular increase in viscosity with the
      increasing alkyl chain length from C7 to C16 of the homologous alkyl sulfate
      surfactants. Changes of surface tension exhibited the regular curves of
      polyelectrolyte-anionic surfactant for alkyl sulfate surfactant systems. The
      results demonstrated that aggregate structure of gelatin-sulfate surfactants was
      dominated by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, which resulted in a self
      assembly process of the hydrophobic segments and hydrophilic segments among
      gelatin chains and surfactant molecules. However, the interactions between
      gelatin and alkyl sulfonate surfactants were mainly governed by hydrophobic
      interactions, which induced conformation change of gelatin molecules. Well
      ordered arrangement of gelatin chains at a fluid interface has observed by high
      resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). It is a key factor to
      contribute to the reduction of interfacial free energy, which mainly depends on
      the hydrophobic interaction between gelatin and alkyl sulfate/sulfonate
      surfactants. MD simulations conclusions are great agreement with our experimental
      results. 

PMID- 24216623
TI  - Investigating the influence of respiratory motion on the radiation induced
      bystander effect in modulated radiotherapy.
AB  - Respiratory motion introduces complex spatio-temporal variations in the dosimetry
      of radiotherapy and may contribute towards uncertainties in radiotherapy
      planning. This study investigates the potential radiobiological implications
      occurring due to tumour motion in areas of geometric miss in lung cancer
      radiotherapy. A bespoke phantom and motor-driven platform to replicate
      respiratory motion and study the consequences on tumour cell survival in vitro
      was constructed. Human non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines H460 and H1299 were
      irradiated in modulated radiotherapy configurations in the presence and absence
      of respiratory motion. Clonogenic survival was calculated for irradiated and
      shielded regions. Direction of motion, replication of dosimetry by multi-leaf
      collimator (MLC) manipulation and oscillating lead shielding were investigated to
      confirm differences in cell survival. Respiratory motion was shown to
      significantly increase survival for out-of-field regions for H460/H1299 cell
      lines when compared with static irradiation (p < 0.001). Significantly higher
      survival was found in the in-field region for the H460 cell line (p < 0.030).
      Oscillating lead shielding also produced these significant differences.
      Respiratory motion and oscillatory delivery of radiation dose to human tumour
      cells has a significant impact on in- and out-of-field survival in the presence
      of non-uniform irradiation in this in vitro set-up. This may have important
      radiobiological consequences for modulated radiotherapy in lung cancer.

PMID- 24216624
TI  - An in vitro and in vivo comparison of the effect of Stevia rebaudiana extracts on
      different caries-related variables: a randomized controlled trial pilot study.
AB  - The effect of Stevia extracts on in vitro Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation
      and in vivo plaque pH was evaluated in this paper. Three 10% solutions containing
      stevioside, rebaudioside A or sucrose were prepared. MTT assay was used to
      evaluate microbiological counts in vitro. Twenty volunteers rinsed for 1 min with
      each solutions, and plaque pH was measured at 7 time points after each rinse.
      Higher in vitro S. mutans biofilm formation was observed in sucrose solution (p <
      0.01). After 5, 10, 15 and 30 min, the sucrose in vivo rinse produced a
      statistically significantly lower pH value compared to the Stevia extracts (F =
      99.45, p < 0.01).Stevia extracts can be considered nonacidogenic.

PMID- 24216627
TI  - Spatiotemporal representations of rapid visual target detection: a single-trial
      EEG classification algorithm.
AB  - Brain computer interface applications, developed for both healthy and clinical
      populations, critically depend on decoding brain activity in single trials. The
      goal of the present study was to detect distinctive spatiotemporal brain patterns
      within a set of event related responses. We introduce a novel classification
      algorithm, the spatially weighted FLD-PCA (SWFP), which is based on a two-step
      linear classification of event-related responses, using fisher linear
      discriminant (FLD) classifier and principal component analysis (PCA) for
      dimensionality reduction. As a benchmark algorithm, we consider the hierarchical
      discriminant component Analysis (HDCA), introduced by Parra, et al. 2007. We also
      consider a modified version of the HDCA, namely the hierarchical discriminant
      principal component analysis algorithm (HDPCA). We compare single-trial
      classification accuracies of all the three algorithms, each applied to detect
      target images within a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP, 10 Hz) of images
      from five different object categories, based on single-trial brain responses. We
      find a systematic superiority of our classification algorithm in the tested
      paradigm. Additionally, HDPCA significantly increases classification accuracies
      compared to the HDCA. Finally, we show that presenting several repetitions of the
      same image exemplars improve accuracy, and thus may be important in cases where
      high accuracy is crucial. 

PMID- 24216628
TI  - Numerical safety study of currents induced in the patient during rotations in the
      static field produced by a hybrid MRI-LINAC system.
AB  - MRI-LINAC is a new image-guided radiotherapy treatment system that combines
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a linear particle accelerator (LINAC) into a
      single unit. Moving (i.e., rotating or translating) the patient inside the strong
      magnetic field of the split MRI-LINAC magnet can potentially induce high levels
      of electric fields and corresponding current densities in the conducting tissues.
      The prediction and assessment of patient safety in terms of electromagnetic field
      exposure have received very little attention for a split cylindrical MRI magnet
      configuration, especially in the vicinity of the gap region. In this novel
      numerical study, based on the quasi-static finite-difference method, rotation
      induced electric fields and current densities are calculated considering a split
      1-T magnet and a tissue-accurate 2-mm-resolution human body model. The patient
      was modeled in both axial and radial orientations relative to the magnet gap in a
      number of treatment/imaging scenarios. It was found that rotating the patient in
      the radial orientation produced an order of magnitude larger field exposure in
      the central nervous system than when the patient was rotated in the axial
      orientation. Also, rotating the patient with periods lower than about Trot = 43.3
      s may result in field exposures above the limits set out in the international
      safety guidelines. The novel results of this investigation can provide useful
      insights into the safe use of the MRI-LINAC technology and optimal orientations
      of the patient during the treatment. 

PMID- 24216625
TI  - Saussurea lappa alleviates inflammatory chemokine production in HaCaT cells and
      house dust mite-induced atopic-like dermatitis in Nc/Nga mice.
AB  - Saussurea lappa is a traditional herbal medicine used for to treat various
      inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of
      S. lappa against atopic dermatitis using human keratinocyte HaCaT cells, murine
      mast cell line MC/9 cells, and a house dust mite-induced atopic dermatitis model
      of Nc/Nga mice. Treatment with the S. lappa caused a significant reduction in the
      mRNA levels and production of inflammatory chemokines and cytokine, including
      thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), macrophage-derived chemokine
      (MDC), regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES),
      and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in tumor necrosis factor-alpha/interferone-gamma
      stimulated HaCaT cells. S. lappa exhibited the significant reduction in histamine
      production in MC/9 cells. In the atopic dermatitis model, S. lappa significantly
      reduced the dermatitis score and serum IgE and TARC levels. In addition, the back
      skin and ears of S. lappa-treated Nc/Nga mice exhibited reduced histological
      manifestations of atopic skin lesions such as erosion, hyperplasia of the
      epidermis and dermis, and inflammatory cell infiltration. In conclusion, an
      extract of S. lappa effectively suppressed the development of atopic dermatitis,
      which was closely related to the reduction of chemokines and cytokine. Our study
      suggests that S. lappa may be a potential treatment for atopic dermatitis. 

PMID- 24216629
TI  - Galvanic coupling transmission in intrabody communication: a finite element
      approach.
AB  - Galvanic coupling in intrabody communication (IBC) is a technique that couples
      low-power and low-frequency voltages and currents into the human body, which acts
      as a transmission medium, and thus constitutes a promising approach in the design
      of personal health devices. Despite important advances being made during recent
      years, the investigation of relevant galvanic IBC parameters, including the
      influence of human tissues and different electrode configurations, still requires
      further research efforts. The objective of this work is to disclose knowledge
      into IBC galvanic coupling transmission mechanisms by using a realistic 3-D
      finite element model of the human arm. Unlike other computational models for IBC,
      we have modeled the differential configuration of the galvanic coupling as a four
      port network in order to analyze the electric field distribution and current
      density through different tissues. This has allowed us to provide an insight into
      signal transmission paths through the human body, showing them to be considerably
      dependent on variables such as frequency and inter-electrode distance. In
      addition, other important variables, for example bioimpedance and pathloss, have
      also been analyzed. Finally, experimental measurements were also carried out for
      the sake of validation, demonstrating the reliability of the model to emulate in
      general forms some of the behaviors observed in practice. 

PMID- 24216630
TI  - Iterative method to detect atrial activations and measure cycle length from
      electrograms during atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation (AF) electrograms are characterized by varying morphologies,
      amplitudes, and cycle lengths (CLs), presenting a challenge for automated
      detection of individual activations and the activation rate. In this study, we
      evaluate an algorithm to detect activations and measure CLs from AF electrograms.
      This algorithm iteratively adjusts the detection threshold level until the mean
      CL converges with the median CL to detect all individual activations. A total of
      291 AF electrogram recordings from 13 patients (11 male, 58 +/- 10 years old)
      undergoing AF ablation were obtained. Using manual markings by two independent
      reviewers as the standard, we compared the cycle length iteration algorithm with
      a fixed threshold algorithm and dominant frequency (DF) for the estimation of CL.
      At segment lengths of 10 s, when comparing the algorithm detected to the manually
      detected activation, the undersensing, oversensing, and total discrepancy rates
      were 2.4%, 4.6%, and 7.0%, respectively, and with absolute differences in mean
      and median CLs were 7.9 +/- 9.6 ms and 5.6 +/- 6.8 ms, respectively. These
      results outperformed DF and fixed threshold-based measurements. This robust
      method can be used for CL measurements in either real-time and offline settings
      and may be useful in the mapping of AF.

PMID- 24216631
TI  - An integrated system for wireless capsule endoscopy in a liquid-distended
      stomach.
AB  - The design and development of a functional integrated system for gastroscopy is
      reported in this paper. The device takes advantage of four propellers enabling
      locomotion in a liquid environment and generating a maximum propulsive force of
      25.5 mN. The capsule has been equipped with a miniaturized wireless vision system
      that acquires images with a frame rate of 30 fps (frames per second). The overall
      size of the capsule is 32 mm in length and 22 mm in diameter, with the
      possibility of decreasing the diameter to swallowable dimensions. The capsule is
      remotely controlled by the user who can intuitively drive the device by looking
      at the video streaming on the graphical interface. The average speed of the
      device is 1.5 cm/s that allows for a fine control of the capsule motion as
      demonstrated in experimental tasks consisting of passing through circular
      targets. The video system performances have been characterized by evaluating the
      contrast, the focus, and the capability of acquiring and perceiving different
      colors. The usability of the device has been tested on bench and on explanted
      tissues by three users in real time target-identification tasks, in order to
      assess the success of the integration process. The lifetime of the capsule with
      active motors and vision system is 13 min, that is, a timeframe consistent with
      traditional gastroscopic examinations. 

PMID- 24216632
TI  - Perturbation amplitude affects linearly estimated neuromechanical wrist joint
      properties.
AB  - System identification techniques have been used to separate intrinsic muscular
      and reflexive contributions to joint impedance, which is an essential step in the
      proper choice of patient specific treatment. These techniques are, however, only
      well developed for linear systems. Assuming linearity prescribes the
      neuromuscular system to be perturbed only around predefined operating points. In
      this study, we test the validity of a commonly used linear model by analyzing the
      effects of flexion-extension displacement amplitude (2( degrees ), 4( degrees ),
      and 8( degrees )) on damping, stiffness, and reflex gain of the wrist joint, at
      different background torque levels (0, 1, and 2 N . m). With displacement
      amplitude, intrinsic damping increased, while intrinsic stiffness and reflex
      gains decreased. These changes were dependent on the level of wrist torque. The
      dependency of the neuromuscular system properties on even small variations in
      angular displacement is evident and has to be accounted for when comparing
      different studies and clinical interpretations using linear identification
      techniques. Knowledge of the behavior of the neuromuscular system around
      operating points is an essential step toward the development of nonlinear models
      that allow for discrimination between patients and controls in a larger range of
      loading conditions.

PMID- 24216633
TI  - Assessment of laparoscopic skills based on force and motion parameters.
AB  - Box trainers equipped with sensors may help in acquiring objective information
      about a trainee's performance while performing training tasks with real
      instruments. The main aim of this study is to investigate the added value of
      force parameters with respect to commonly used motion and time parameters such as
      path length, motion volume, and task time. Two new dynamic bimanual positioning
      tasks were developed that not only requiring adequate motion control but also
      appropriate force control successful completion. Force and motion data for these
      tasks were studied for three groups of participants with different experience
      levels in laparoscopy (i.e., 11 novices, 19 intermediates, and 12 experts). In
      total, 10 of the 13 parameters showed a significant difference between groups.
      When the data from the significant motion, time, and force parameters are used
      for classification, it is possible to identify the skills level of the
      participants with 100% accuracy. Furthermore, the force parameters of many
      individuals in the intermediate group exceeded the maximum values in the novice
      and expert group. The relatively high forces used by the intermediates argue for
      the inclusion of training and assessment of force application during tissue
      handling in future laparoscopic skills training programs. 

PMID- 24216634
TI  - Obesity stigma: a persistent problem, a possible solution.

PMID- 24216635
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23711562.

PMID- 24216636
TI  - Effect of parity on first-trimester uterine artery Doppler indices and their
      predictive value for pregnancy complications.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the relationship between parity and first-trimester uterine
      artery Doppler indices and determine their predictive value for pregnancy
      complications. METHODS: In 679 singleton pregnancies (388 parous and 291
      nulliparous) attending for routine care at 11-14 weeks of gestation, we recorded
      maternal characteristics, medical and obstetric history, the presence of
      protodiastolic notching and measured uterine artery resistance index (RI).
      RESULTS: Parous women had a lower prevalence of bilateral notches (64 vs. 77.6%;
      p = 0.0002), median level of RI did not show any significant difference. In
      parous cases complicated with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (0.78 vs.
      0.70; p = 0.0003) or miscarriage (0.86 vs. 0.71; p = 0.0003) mean levels of RI
      were significantly higher than in the nulliparous cases. By using mean RI we
      could predict the cases with PIH (area under curve (AUC) 0.63; p = 0.012), early
      PIH (AUC 0.84; p < 0.0001) and miscarriage (AUC 0.87; p < 0.0001) in the group of
      parous women. CONCLUSION: Parity has a significant effect on uterine artery
      Doppler findings in the first trimester of pregnancy. In the group of parous
      women the mean level of RI had a higher predictive value for miscarriage, early
      PIH and PIH.

PMID- 24216638
TI  - Multiring large-mode-area delivery fiber for high power.
AB  - The study presents a novel design of multiring delivery fiber with large mode
      area for high power. Using a FiberCAD method, we investigated a fiber whose core
      is surrounded by alternative low- and high-index rings. Based on our calculation,
      the effective area is 400 MUm2 at 1.08 MUm, larger than the ~280 MUm2 of
      conventional step-index fiber (20/400). The macrobending loss at 1.08 MUm is
      estimated to be 1*10(-3) dB/m, approximately one-third that of conventional step
      index fiber (20/400). The single-mode operation can be achieved by the
      macrobending loss contrast between the fundamental mode (<1 dB/m) and high-order
      mode (>100 dB/m). The results indicate that multiring delivery fiber fabricated
      by modified chemical vapor deposition process is a promising candidate for high
      power transmission.

PMID- 24216639
TI  - Electro-optical characteristics of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal
      gratings doped with nanosilver.
AB  - We report on the synthesis and characteristics of a holographic polymer dispersed
      liquid crystal (H-PDLC) switchable grating based on nano-Ag particles. The
      influence of doping different concentrations of nano-Ag on the diffraction
      efficiency, driving voltage, and response time of the H-PDLC grating is
      investigated. The best grating characteristics were achieved with 0.05% nano-Ag
      doping. Calculated and experimental results reveal that the improvement of the
      characteristics is likely due to the surface plasmon effect of nano-Ag. 

PMID- 24216640
TI  - Huygens-Feynman-Fresnel principle as the basis of applied optics.
AB  - The main relationships of wave optics are derived from a combination of the
      Huygens-Fresnel principle and the Feynman integral over all paths. The stationary
      phase approximation of the wave relations gives the correspondent relations from
      the point of view of geometrical optics. 

PMID- 24216641
TI  - Phase retrieval and Zernike decomposition using measured intensity data and the
      estimated electric field.
AB  - A new direct search phase retrieval technique for determining the optical
      prescription of an imaging system in terms of Zernike coefficients is described.
      The technique provides coefficient estimates without the need to defocus point
      source images to generate phase diversity by using electric field (E-field)
      estimates in addition to intensity data. Numerical analysis shows that E-field
      patterns in the image plane produced by the Zernike polynomials are less
      correlated with each other than the intensity patterns. Therefore, the E-field
      pattern provides more information for Zernike coefficient estimation than the
      intensity pattern alone. The phase retrieval is accomplished through an iterative
      process that uses the measured point source data to estimate the E-field pattern
      in the image plane with the Gerchberg-Saxton (GS) algorithm. The estimated E
      field is correlated with a modeled E-field to produce estimates of the Zernike
      coefficients. Then the coefficients that minimize the error between measured data
      and the intensity model are selected. By using E-field estimates rather than
      phase estimates from the GS algorithm, the limitations of phase unwrapping for
      Zernike decomposition are avoided. Simulated point source data shows the new
      phase retrieval algorithm avoids getting trapped in local minima over a wide
      range of random aberrations. Experimental point source data are used to
      demonstrate the phase retrieval effectiveness. 

PMID- 24216642
TI  - Gain optimization of fiber optical parametric amplifier based on genetic
      algorithm with pump depletion.
AB  - A method to optimize the gain of a fiber optical parametric amplifier (FOPA) is
      presented by using a genetic algorithm (GA), which can determine the parameters
      of FOPA and avoid the trouble of trial and error to achieve it. The effect of
      pump depletion on the gain characteristic of the FOPA is emphasized, and the
      effects of the fiber length, the wavelength, and the power of two pumps on
      bandwidth, flatness, and magnitude of the gain spectrum are also studied.
      According to the presentation, fiber length and the wavelength of the two pumps
      are selected to be the variable parameters in the GA. When the parameters of the
      fiber are determined, with the numerical simulation, the optimum combination
      scheme between those chosen variables could be obtained by the algorithms with
      the result of the gain optimization of FOPA. 

PMID- 24216643
TI  - Probability density functions of power-in-bucket and power-in-fiber for an
      infrared laser beam propagating in the maritime environment.
AB  - Irradiance fluctuations of an infrared laser beam from a shore-to-ship data link
      ranging from 5.1 to 17.8 km are compared to lognormal (LN), gamma-gamma (GG) with
      aperture averaging, and gamma-Laguerre (GL) distributions. From our data
      analysis, the LN and GG probability density function (PDF) models were generally
      in good agreement in near-weak to moderate fluctuations. This was also true in
      moderate to strong fluctuations when the spatial coherence radius was smaller
      than the detector aperture size, with the exception of the 2.54 cm power-in
      bucket (PIB) where the LN PDF model fit best. For moderate to strong
      fluctuations, the GG PDF model tended to outperform the LN PDF model when the
      spatial coherence radius was greater than the detector aperture size.
      Additionally, the GL PDF model had the best or next to best overall fit in all
      cases with the exception of the 2.54 cm PIB where the scintillation index was
      highest. The GL PDF model also appears to be robust for off-of-beam center laser
      beam applications.

PMID- 24216644
TI  - Multigas detection using a sample-grating distributed Bragg reflector diode
      laser.
AB  - A sample-grating distributed Bragg reflector (SG-DBR) laser with 18 preprogrammed
      channels operating at 1540-1580 nm is characterized and compared for use as a
      source of tunable diode laser gas absorption spectroscopy. Two gases, CO and CO2,
      were targeted in this study by direct absorption spectroscopy and wavelength
      modulation spectroscopy with second-harmonic detection. In addition, the
      detectability of sample optical thickness is reported. Potential extensions of
      this research in the future are assessed using the SG-DBR diode laser as a source
      for tunable diode laser gas absorption spectroscopy.

PMID- 24216645
TI  - Electrically controlled diffraction employing electrophoresis, supercapacitance,
      and total internal reflection.
AB  - The reflectance of a surface can be altered by controlling the concentration of
      dye ions in a region adjacent to an optically transparent and electrically
      conductive thin film. We present a method for nonmechanical light deflection
      achieved by altering the reflectance of a diffraction grating, an approach that
      creates new diffraction peaks that lie between those associated with the original
      grating spacing. We have demonstrated this effect by applying an electrical
      potential difference between interdigitated indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes and
      measuring the intensity of one of the new diffraction peaks. The measured
      diffraction peak intensities were found to reversibly deflect approximately 7% of
      the reflected light to previously nonexistent peaks. The diffraction grating was
      formed by patterning a thin film of planar, untreated ITO on a glass substrate
      using standard photolithography techniques. The size scale for this method of
      electrically controlled diffraction is limited only by the lithographic process;
      thus there is potential for the grating to deflect light to angles greater than
      those achievable using other methods. This approach could be used in applications
      such as telecommunications, where large deflection angles are required, or other
      applications where alternate beam-steering methods are cost prohibitive. 

PMID- 24216646
TI  - Transparency and stability of Ag-based metal-dielectric multilayers.
AB  - We fabricated and tested periodic metal (Ag)-dielectric (SiO2 or TiO2)
      multilayers with transparency bands in the visible range. For samples with Ag
      TiO2 interfaces, the optical properties exhibited relatively poor predictability,
      likely due to oxidation of the Ag layers. Ag/SiO2-based multilayers were found to
      be more predictable and stable, but the relatively low refractive index of SiO2
      limits their inherent transparency and pass-band bandwidth. We show that
      termination of the multilayer with a single high-index layer reduces the
      admittance mismatch with the ambient media, and thus improves the properties of
      the transparency band.

PMID- 24216647
TI  - Multiple-image encryption and authentication with sparse representation by space
      multiplexing.
AB  - A multiple-image encryption and authentication approach by space multiplexing has
      been proposed. The redundant spaces in the previous security systems employing
      sparse representation strategy are optimized. With the proposal the information
      of multiple images can be integrated into a synthesized ciphertext that is
      convenient for storage and transmission. Only when all the keys are correct can
      the information of the primary images be authenticated. Computer simulation
      results have demonstrated that the proposed method is feasible and effective.
      Moreover, the proposal is also proved to be robust against occlusion and noise
      attacks. 

PMID- 24216648
TI  - High-power diode-side-pumped rod Tm:YAG laser at 2.07 MUm.
AB  - We report a high-power diode-laser (LD) side-pumped rod Tm:YAG laser of around 2
      MUm. The laser was water-cooled at 8 degrees C and yielded a maximum output power
      of 267 W at 2.07 MUm, which is the highest output power for an all solid-state cw
      2.07 MUm rod Tm:YAG laser reported as far as we know. The corresponding optical
      optical conversion efficiency was 20.7%, and the slope efficiency was about
      29.8%, respectively.

PMID- 24216649
TI  - Ultrashort hybrid metal-insulator plasmonic directional coupler.
AB  - An ultrashort plasmonic directional coupler based on the hybrid metal-insulator
      slab waveguide is proposed and analyzed at the telecommunication wavelength of
      1550 nm. It is first analyzed using the supermode theory based on mode analysis
      via the transfer matrix method in the interaction region. Then the 2D model of
      the coupler, including transition arms, is analyzed using a commercial finite
      element method simulator. The hybrid slab waveguide is composed of a metallic
      layer of silver and two dielectric layers of silica (SiO2) and silicon (Si). The
      coupler is optimized to have a minimum coupling length and to transfer maximum
      power considering the layer thicknesses as optimization variables. The resulting
      coupling length in the submicrometer region along with a noticeable power
      transfer efficiency are advantages of the proposed coupler compared to previously
      reported plasmonic couplers.

PMID- 24216650
TI  - Study on active lap tool influence function in grinding 1.8 m primary mirror.
AB  - We present a theoretical modeling method to predict the ring tool influence
      function (TIF) based on the computer-controlled active lap process. The gap on
      the lap-grinding layer is considered, and its influence on the ring TIF is
      analyzed too. The relationship between the shape of the ring TIF and the lap
      workpiece rotation speed ratio is discussed in this paper. The recipe for
      calculating dwell time for axisymmetric fabrication is discussed. The grinding
      process of a 1.8 m primary mirror is improved based on these results. The
      grinding process is accomplished after 30 circles of grinding, and the surface
      shape error is from PV 82 MUm RMS 16.4 MUm reduced to PV 13.5 MUm RMS 2.5 MUm.

PMID- 24216651
TI  - Photonic generation of ultrawideband signals based on a gain-switched
      semiconductor laser with optical feedback.
AB  - A simple photonic approach to generate ultrawideband (UWB) pulse signals
      utilizing a gain-switched semiconductor laser with optical feedback is proposed
      and demonstrated. The RF spectrum of the generated chaotic UWB signals has a -10
      dB bandwidth of 9 GHz and central frequency of 6.6 GHz (fractional bandwidth of
      155%), which is consistent with the Federal Communications Commission indoor
      mask. The central frequency and -10 dB bandwidth can be tuned by adjusting the
      bias current and feedback strength of the semiconductor laser. After transmission
      through a 30 km single-mode fiber, the spectrum shape of the chaotic UWB signals
      is almost unaffected by the chromatic dispersion of the fiber.

PMID- 24216652
TI  - Tunable band notch filters by manipulating couplings of split ring resonators.
AB  - The couplings between single/dual split ring resonators (SRRs) and their mirror
      images in a rectangular waveguide are systematically investigated through
      theoretical analysis and experimental measurements. Such couplings can be
      manipulated mechanically by rotating the SRRs along a dielectric rod and/or
      shifting the SRRs up/down along the sidewall of the rectangular waveguide,
      resulting in shifts of the resonant frequencies and modulations of the resonant
      magnitudes. These controllable properties of SRRs pave the routers toward
      designing tunable band notch filters. In particular, it is experimentally
      demonstrated that the designed filters possess 7.5% tuning range in the X-band. 

PMID- 24216654
TI  - Electric-induced oxide breakdown of a charge-coupled device under femtosecond
      laser irradiation.
AB  - A femtosecond laser provides an ideal source to investigate the laser-induced
      damage of a charge-coupled device (CCD) owing to its thermal-free and localized
      damage properties. For conventional damage mechanisms in the nanosecond laser
      regime, a leakage current and degradation of a point spread function or
      modulation transfer function of the CCD are caused by the thermal damages to the
      oxide and adjacent electrodes. However, the damage mechanisms are quite different
      for a femtosecond laser. In this paper, an area CCD was subjected to Ti: sapphire
      laser irradiation at 800 nm by 100 fs single pulses. Electric-induced oxide
      breakdown is considered to be the primary mechanism to cause a leakage current,
      and the injured oxide is between the gate and source in the metal-oxide
      semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) structure for one CCD pixel.
      Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to investigate the
      damaged areas and the results show that the electrodes and the oxide underneath
      are not directly affected by the femtosecond laser, which helps to get rid of the
      conventional damage mechanisms. For the primary damage mechanism, direct damage
      by hot carriers, anode hole injection, and an enlarged electric field in the
      insulating layer are three possible ways to cause oxide breakdown. The leakage
      current is proved by the decrease of the resistance of electrodes to the
      substrate. The output saturated images and the dynamics of an area CCD indicate
      that the leakage current is from an electrode to a light sensing area (or gate to
      source for a MOSFET), which proves the oxide breakdown mechanism.

PMID- 24216655
TI  - Real-time visual sensing system achieving high-speed 3D particle tracking with
      nanometer resolution.
AB  - This paper presents a real-time visual sensing system, which is created to
      achieve high-speed three-dimensional (3D) motion tracking of microscopic
      spherical particles in aqueous solutions with nanometer resolution. The system
      comprises a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera, a field
      programmable gate array (FPGA), and real-time image processing programs. The CMOS
      camera has high photosensitivity and superior SNR. It acquires images of 128*120
      pixels at a frame rate of up to 10,000 frames per second (fps) under the white
      light illumination from a standard 100 W halogen lamp. The real-time image stream
      is downloaded from the camera directly to the FPGA, wherein a 3D particle
      tracking algorithm is implemented to calculate the 3D positions of the target
      particle in real time. Two important objectives, i.e., real-time estimation of
      the 3D position matches the maximum frame rate of the camera and the timing of
      the output data stream of the system is precisely controlled, are achieved. Two
      sets of experiments were conducted to demonstrate the performance of the system.
      First, the visual sensing system was used to track the motion of a 2 MUm
      polystyrene bead, whose motion was controlled by a three-axis piezo motion stage.
      The ability to track long-range motion with nanometer resolution in all three
      axes is demonstrated. Second, it was used to measure the Brownian motion of the 2
      MUm polystyrene bead, which was stabilized in aqueous solution by a laser
      trapping system.

PMID- 24216656
TI  - Study on effective cleaning of gold layer from fused silica mirrors using
      nanosecond-pulsed Nd:YAG laser.
AB  - A study on effective laser cleaning of gold layer deposited on fused silica
      substrates used in beamlines of synchrotron radiation (SR) sources using
      nanosecond-pulsed Nd:YAG laser has been carried out. The influence of pulse
      duration, beam incidence angle, spot overlapping, laser fluence, and number of
      passes on cleaning efficiency has been investigated. An approximately 48 nm thick
      gold layer from a mirror surface area of ~48 cm2 has been cleaned in 3 min. Laser
      clean quality and efficiency has been analyzed using microscope, scanning
      electron microscope (SEM), and angle-dependent reflectivity measurement
      techniques using SR beamline. Optimization of cleaning parameters resulted in a
      cleaning efficiency of ~98%. This study provides an alternate and low-cost
      solution for reuse of gold-coated, damaged mirrors.

PMID- 24216657
TI  - Optical-assembly periodic structure of ferrofluids in a liquid core/metal
      cladding optical waveguide.
AB  - We present a novel and simple mechanism for the fabrication of periodic
      microstructure based on a ferrofluids core/metal cladding optical waveguide chip.
      The ultrahigh-order modes excited in the millimeter scale guiding layer lead to
      the ordered particle aggregates in ferrofluids without applying a magnetic field.
      Since the absorption of photons by the extremely dilute ferrofluids is extremely
      small and the Soret effect is not noticeable, a tentative explanation in terms of
      the optical trapping effect is proposed. Furthermore, this scheme exhibits all
      optically tunable reflectivity and lateral Goos-Hanchen shift, which potentially
      may be for practical use in novel optical devices. 

PMID- 24216658
TI  - Calibrating a high-resolution wavefront corrector with a static focal-plane
      camera.
AB  - We present a method to calibrate a high-resolution wavefront (WF)-correcting
      device with a single, static camera, located in the focal-plane; no moving of any
      component is needed. The method is based on a localized diversity and
      differential optical transfer functions to compute both the phase and amplitude
      in the pupil plane located upstream of the last imaging optics. An experiment
      with a spatial light modulator shows that the calibration is sufficient to
      robustly operate a focal-plane WF sensing algorithm controlling a WF corrector
      with 40,000 degrees of freedom. We estimate that the locations of identical WF
      corrector elements are determined with a spatial resolution of 0.3% compared to
      the pupil diameter. 

PMID- 24216659
TI  - Retrieving controlled motion parameters using two speckle pattern analysis
      techniques: spatiotemporal correlation and the temporal history speckle pattern.
AB  - This paper presents simulation of speckle activity through controlling a moving
      plate. We present two procedures to extract the initial movement frequency and
      amplitude, either through correlation calculus or through processing the temporal
      history of the speckle pattern. We compare and discuss these two methods in terms
      of efficiency and the ability to retrieve motion parameters. The correlation
      technique seems to be more suitable for monitoring biospeckle activity as it
      provides more reliable parameter estimation than the temporal history of the
      speckle pattern. The evolution of temporal history of the speckle pattern
      parameters and their response sensibility with amplitude and frequency variations
      have been studied and quantified. Briers contrast appears to depend only on
      movement amplitude, whereas inertia moment varies with amplitude and frequency. 

PMID- 24216660
TI  - Study of the nonuniform behavior of temperature sensitivity in bare and embedded
      fiber Bragg gratings: experimental results and analysis.
AB  - This paper presents an experiment and analysis on the factors affecting nonlinear
      evolution of Bragg wavelength with change in temperature in typical bare and
      embedded fiber Bragg grating-based (FBG) temperature sensors. The purpose of the
      study was to find the constants in the function required to evaluate temperature
      from Bragg wavelength shift. The temperature sensitivity of bare FBGs was found
      to increase with temperature elevation, and is different for FBGs written in
      different fiber types. The average temperature sensitivity increased by about 20%
      when the bare FBG temperature was elevated from 25 degrees C to 525 degrees C.
      The average temperature sensitivity of the embedded FBG sensor, investigated in
      the temperature range of 30 degrees C-90 degrees C, was a factor of 2-3 times
      larger than for bare FBG, depending on its fastened length with the substrate.
      Analytically, it is shown that the nonuniform behavior of temperature sensitivity
      in bare FBGs is the result of both the thermal expansion effect of the fiber and
      the temperature derivatives of the effective refractive index. The strain
      transfer and temperature coefficients of thermal expansion of the substrate
      affect the nonuniform behavior of temperature sensitivity in embedded FBG
      sensors.

PMID- 24216661
TI  - Optical electric-field sensor based on angular optical bias using single beta
      BaB2O4 crystal.
AB  - A novel optical electric-field sensor is proposed and demonstrated in experiment
      by use of a single beta barium borate (beta-BaB2O4, BBO) crystal. The optical
      sensing unit is only composed of one BBO crystal and two polarizers. An optical
      phase bias of 0.5pi is provided by using natural birefringence in the BBO crystal
      itself. A small angle (e.g., 0.6 degrees ) between the sensing light beam and
      principal axis of the crystal is required in order to produce the above optical
      bias. Thus the BBO crystal is used as the electric-field-sensing element and
      quarter waveplate. The ac electric field in the range of (1.4-703.2) kV/m has
      been measured with measurement sensitivity of 1.39 mV/(kV/m) and nonlinear error
      of 0.6%. Compared with lithium niobate crystal used as an electric-field sensor,
      main advantages of the BBO crystal include higher measurement sensitivity,
      compact configuration, and no ferroelectric ringing effect.

PMID- 24216662
TI  - Mimicking bicolor by changing the reflectance of the substrate in a one
      dimensional periodic structure.
AB  - In nature, some beetles can display bicolor on their elytra. In order to explore
      the bicolor mechanism, we experimentally studied the optical and structural
      properties of the Carabus lafossei beetle. We found a multilayer structure in the
      cuticle of the beetle. Due to the different multilayer thicknesses in different
      areas, the beetle displayed bicolor. Here, we provide another approach to
      fabricate bicolor by depositing the same multilayer stack on a substrate with
      different reflectances at different areas. In this paper, the substrate with
      different reflectances is achieved by prefabricating sculpted hexagons (SU-8) on
      a silicon substrate. By coating a (ZnS/MgF2)3.5 multilayer, the sculpted
      structure displays green color at the ridges (SU-8/silicon area) and yellow color
      at the basins (silicon area).

PMID- 24216663
TI  - Stoichiometry of laser ablated brass nanoparticles in water and air.
AB  - We report on the stoichiometric analysis of laser ablated brass plasma
      nanoparticles (NPs) in water and ambient air. Morphological study of the
      deposited NPs in water showed smaller spherical NPs compared to micrometer sized
      spherical particles in air. The smaller particles were Zn enriched and the
      concentration decreased with increases in size. Photoluminescence of particles at
      380 nm corresponding to ZnO showed higher concentrations of Zn with smaller sized
      deposited NPs, whereas the micrometer sized particles showed multiple peaks at
      415 and 440 nm, which implied that there was an abundance of the Cu fraction in
      the NPs. Plasma plume parameters, electron temperature, electron density, and
      evolution of the plasma plume were studied using optical emission spectroscopy
      and 2-dimensional imaging of the plume. The mass ablation rate in water was
      observed to be greater than that in air. Higher electron density and temperature
      of the plasmoid in water was attributed to confinement of the plasma plume near
      the target surface in water.

PMID- 24216664
TI  - Analysis of diffraction wavefront in visible-light point-diffraction
      interferometer.
AB  - As a key element in point-diffraction interferometer (PDI), the diffraction
      pinhole determines the sphericity of the reference wavefront and achievable
      precision of the testing system. The point-diffraction wavefront error, aperture
      angle, and light transmittance in the PDI operating at visible light, which are
      determined by pinhole dimension, are analyzed based on finite difference time
      domain (FDTD) method. The study shows that an aperture angle about 75 degrees 
      can be obtained with a 1 MUm pinhole diameter, and the corresponding testing
      precision is better than root mean square lambda/1000 within 0.35 NA. Both the
      numerical simulation and experiments have been carried out to demonstrate the
      feasibility of the proposed analysis approach, and a good agreement is obtained
      between calculated and measured parameters in visible-light PDI. The proposed
      simulation approach with the FDTD method provides a feasible way to analyze the
      diffraction wavefront in visible-light PDI, as well as a powerful tool for the
      design and optimization of PDI system.

PMID- 24216665
TI  - Fast analyses and designs of long-period fiber grating devices with cosine-class
      apodizations by using Fourier mode coupling theory.
AB  - This paper presents an analytical approach to fast analyzing and designing long
      period fiber grating (LPFG) devices with cosine-class apodizations by using the
      Fourier mode coupling (FMC) theory. The LPFG devices include LPFGs, LPFG-based in
      fiber Mach-Zehnder and Michelson interferometers, which are apodized with the
      cosine-class windows of cosine, raised-cosine, Hamming, and Blackman. The
      analytic models (AMs) of the apodized LPFG devices are derived from the FMC
      theory, which are compared with the preferred transfer matrix (TM) method to
      confirm their efficiencies and accuracies. The AM-based analyses are achieved and
      verified to be accurate and efficient enough. The AM-based analysis efficiency is
      improved over 1318 times versus the TM-based one. Based on the analytic models,
      an analytic design algorithm is proposed and then applied to designing these LPFG
      devices, which has the complexity of O(N) and is far faster than the existing
      design methods. 

PMID- 24216666
TI  - Field-based dynamic light scattering microscopy: theory and numerical analysis.
AB  - We present a theoretical framework for field-based dynamic light scattering
      microscopy based on a spectral-domain optical coherence phase microscopy (SD
      OCPM) platform. SD-OCPM is an interferometric microscope capable of quantitative
      measurement of amplitude and phase of scattered light with high phase stability.
      Field-based dynamic light scattering (F-DLS) analysis allows for direct
      evaluation of complex-valued field autocorrelation function and measurement of
      localized diffusive and directional dynamic properties of biological and material
      samples with high spatial resolution. In order to gain insight into the
      information provided by F-DLS microscopy, theoretical and numerical analyses are
      performed to evaluate the effect of numerical aperture of the imaging optics. We
      demonstrate that sharp focusing of fields affects the measured diffusive and
      transport velocity, which leads to smaller values for the dynamic properties in
      the sample. An approach for accurately determining the dynamic properties of the
      samples is discussed. 

PMID- 24216667
TI  - Modified detection scheme for locating phase jumps and reducing detection errors.
AB  - Most phase unwrapping algorithms shift the 2pi phase jump pixels to obtain the
      unwrapped phases, while most filtering algorithms remove the noisy pixels to
      avoid the fault of unwrapped phases. Thus, finding the positions of phase jump
      pixels and noisy pixels is important. This study proposed a modified detection
      scheme developed from the originally published noise and phase jump detection
      scheme [Opt. Express 19, 3086 (2011)]. The original detection scheme finds the
      noise positions and phase jump positions, and then marks these pixels in two
      maps, namely, the noise map and the phase jump map. One 2pi phase jump contains a
      2pi-high position and a 0-low position. However, the original detection scheme
      usually finds a 2pi-high position and misses a corresponding 0-low position, or
      usually finds a 0-low position and misses a corresponding 2pi-high position.
      Moreover, the original detection scheme produces detection errors, containing the
      repeated pixels of phase jump or the wrong pixels generated by noise.
      Fortunately, the proposed modified detection scheme can find both the 2pi-high
      position and the corresponding 0-low position. Moreover, the detection errors are
      also reduced by the proposed modified detection scheme. The robustness of the
      modified detection scheme is demonstrated both numerically and experimentally.

PMID- 24216668
TI  - Process variation in silicon photonic devices.
AB  - An array of passive silicon-on-insulator optical devices is laid out in repeating
      patterns on four foundry-fabricated wafers. The physical and optical
      characterization of these microrings, racetrack resonators, and directional
      couplers are found to exhibit significant variation in optical response. A device
      heating experiment carried out on a number of different devices demonstrates that
      thermal effects are independent of the device's location on the wafer. An
      analysis of the variation of the optical responses of the room-temperature
      devices is used to determine the process variation. We find that if we form
      successive arrays of the values of a quantity of interest (the peak wavelength of
      a transfer function) at a single device at some point on the wafer, and then
      increase the size of the array by including the values of the devices at ever
      greater distances from the original, then the variance of the values of the
      successive arrays increases linearly with the linear extent of the sample. That
      is, the process variation exhibits "random walk" pattern with spatial extent. We
      express the process variation in units of variance per length and find that our
      measured values agree with others in the literature; that is, the process
      variation is approximately 1 nm2/cm.

PMID- 24216669
TI  - Fringe-projection profilometry based on two-dimensional empirical mode
      decomposition.
AB  - In 3D shape measurement, because deformed fringes often contain low-frequency
      information degraded with random noise and background intensity information, a
      new fringe-projection profilometry is proposed based on 2D empirical mode
      decomposition (2D-EMD). The fringe pattern is first decomposed into numbers of
      intrinsic mode functions by 2D-EMD. Because the method has partial noise
      reduction, the background components can be removed to obtain the fundamental
      components needed to perform Hilbert transformation to retrieve the phase
      information. The 2D-EMD can effectively extract the modulation phase of a single
      direction fringe and an inclined fringe pattern because it is a full 2D analysis
      method and considers the relationship between adjacent lines of a fringe
      patterns. In addition, as the method does not add noise repeatedly, as does
      ensemble EMD, the data processing time is shortened. Computer simulations and
      experiments prove the feasibility of this method. 

PMID- 24216670
TI  - Phase- and tilt-shift determinations by analysis of spectra sidebands for phase
      shift interferometers.
AB  - A spatial frequency domain method is presented to deal with tilt-shift errors and
      random phase shift in temporal phase-shift interferometry. The proposed method
      determines tilt shift and phase shift by analyzing positions and phase variances
      of sidebands in spatial frequency domain. The method is computationally fast for
      it is noniterative and needs only one 2D Fourier transform for each spatial
      carrier interferogram. No initial estimations are required and no ambiguous
      results are generated with the proposed method. Simulations indicate that the
      proposed method could detect tilt shift and piston phase shift with high
      accuracy. Results of experiments conducted in the presence of vibration
      demonstrate that the proposed method could alleviate fluctuations in the
      retrieved phase map. The method could be applied to interferometers that are
      uncalibrated or with an unbalanced piezoelectric transducer, besides
      interferometers in unsteady conditions. 

PMID- 24216671
TI  - GOES-R Advanced Baseline Imager: spectral response functions and radiometric
      biases with the NPP Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite evaluated for
      desert calibration sites.
AB  - The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), which will be launched in late 2015 on the
      National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Geostationary Operational
      Environmental Satellite R-series satellite, will be evaluated in terms of its
      data quality postlaunch through comparisons with other satellite sensors such as
      the recently launched Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aboard
      the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite. The ABI has completed
      much of its prelaunch characterization and its developers have generated and
      released its channel spectral response functions (response versus wavelength).
      Using these responses and constraining a radiative transfer model with ground
      reflectance, aerosol, and water vapor measurements, we simulate observed top of
      atmosphere (TOA) reflectances for analogous visible and near infrared channels of
      the VIIRS and ABI sensors at the Sonoran Desert and White Sands National Monument
      sites and calculate the radiometric biases and their uncertainties. We also
      calculate sensor TOA reflectances using aircraft hyperspectral data from the
      Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer to validate the uncertainties in
      several of the ABI and VIIRS channels and discuss the potential for validating
      the others. Once on-orbit, calibration scientists can use these biases to ensure
      ABI data quality and consistency to support the numerical weather prediction
      community and other data users. They can also use the results for ABI or VIIRS
      anomaly detection and resolution. 

PMID- 24216672
TI  - An editor's role and responsibility.
AB  - Following an editorial emphasizing the importance of reviewers, Applied Optics'
      Editor in Chief Joseph N. Mait explains the critical role of the editor. 

PMID- 24216673
TI  - Easy-to-use augmented reality neuronavigation using a wireless tablet PC.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Augmented reality (AR) technology solves the problem of view
      switching in traditional image-guided neurosurgery systems by integrating
      computer-generated objects into the actual scene. However, the state-of-the-art
      AR solution using head-mounted displays has not been widely accepted in clinical
      applications because it causes some inconvenience for the surgeon during surgery.
      METHODS: In this paper, we present a Tablet-AR system that transmits navigation
      information to a movable tablet PC via a wireless local area network and overlays
      this information on the tablet screen, which simultaneously displays the actual
      scene captured by its back-facing camera. With this system, the surgeon can
      directly observe the intracranial anatomical structure of the patient with the
      overlaid virtual projection images to guide the surgery. RESULTS: The alignment
      errors in the skull specimen study and clinical experiment were 4.6 pixels
      (approx. 1.6 mm) and 6 pixels (approx. 2.1 mm), respectively. The system was also
      used for navigation in 2 actual clinical cases of neurosurgery, which
      demonstrated its feasibility in a clinical application. CONCLUSIONS: The easy-to
      use Tablet-AR system presented in this study is accurate and feasible in clinical
      applications and has the potential to become a routine device in AR
      neuronavigation.

PMID- 24216674
TI  - Role of dialysis sodium gradient on intradialytic hypertension: an observational
      study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The causes of intradialytic hypertension (IDHyper) are not well
      understood and this condition can complicate the clinical management of
      hemodialysis (HD) patients. AIM: To evaluate the potential role of intradialytic
      sodium gradient (NaG) on blood pressure values and IDHyper during HD. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: 206 prevalent HD patients on 3 times weekly HD treatment for at
      least 6 months (dialytic vintage 6-240 months) followed at our institution were
      studied. Mean age was 68 +/- 14 years, 129 were men. For 2 consecutive months (24
      HD sessions) after the start of observation, the following variables were
      evaluated in predialysis after the long interdialysis interval: pre-HD plasma
      sodium (pNa, mmol/l) and potassium (pK, mmol/l) concentrations (mean value of 8
      determinations), pre- and post-HD systolic (SBP, mm Hg) and diastolic (DBP, mm
      Hg) blood pressure, dry body weight (dBW, kg), interdialytic weight gain (IDWG,
      kg), ultrafiltration rate (UFR, ml/kg/h), dialysis dose (Kt/V), protein catabolic
      rate (PCRn, g/kg/day), hemoglobin (Hb, g/dl). SBP, DBP, IDWG, UFR are the mean
      values of the 24 HD sessions. 76% of patients were on antihypertensive therapy,
      171 patients were on bicarbonate HD, and 35 on HDF. Dialysate Na concentration
      was set at 140 mmol/l in all patients. Duration of HD and the blood and dialysate
      flow rate were kept constant during observation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data are
      expressed as mean +/- SD; linear and multiple regression analysis and t test for
      unpaired data were employed. Significant differences were defined as p < 0.05.
      RESULTS: Pre-HD pNa was 138.1 +/- 2.3 mmol/l, pK 5.0 +/- 0.4 mmol/l, dBW 67 +/-
      14 kg, IDWG 2.9 +/- 0.8 kg, UFR 11.2 +/- 3.7 ml/kg/h, Kt/V 1.43 +/- 0.18, PCRn
      1.13 +/- 0.17 g/kg/day, and Hb 11.2 +/- 0.8 g/dl. Pre- and post-HD SBP values
      were 139 +/- 13 and 134 +/- 12 mm Hg (p < 0.0001); pre- and post-HD DBP did not
      change significantly. A dialysis Na gradient (NaG) (dialysate Na - pre-HD pNa)
      was calculated, as well as the delta of SBP (DeltaSBP) (post-HD SBP - pre-HD
      SBP). IDHyper was defined as DeltaSBP >0. A significant direct correlation was
      found between NaG and DeltaSBP (p < 0.0001) and multiple regression analysis with
      DeltaSBP as dependent variable confirmed the strong correlation with NaG (p <
      0.00001). According to DeltaSBP behavior, 171 patients (83%) had a decrease or no
      change in post-HD SBP (group 1; no IDHyper); 35 patients (17%) increased their
      post-HD SBP (group 2; IDHyper). NaG values were significantly greater in patients
      in group 2 (group 1: 1.5 +/- 2.2 vs. group 2: 3.3 +/- 2.5, p < 0.0001).
      CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the intradialytic DeltaSBP is independently
      and strongly associated with the dialytic NaG. The more positive the NaG (net
      intradialytic Na gain), the more positive the DeltaSBP and IDHyper.

PMID- 24216676
TI  - Paediatric intraocular lens placement: how clear is the way forward?

PMID- 24216675
TI  - Clinical analysis of five methods used to treat condylomata acuminata.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Treatments for condylomata acuminata (CA) include pharmacotherapy and
      surgical therapies, but each treatment has its limitations. The aim of this study
      was to investigate the virus clearance rate, wart cure rate and safety of 5
      methods on CA. METHODS: 361 patients diagnosed with CA were divided into groups A
      (<0.5 cm), B (0.5-2.0 cm) and C (>2.0-4.0 cm) according to the maximum diameter
      of their lesion. Five treatments were compared in each group, and the clinical
      outcomes were evaluated during follow-ups. RESULTS: A 5-aminolevulinic acid
      mediated photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is preferred if the maximum lesion
      diameter is <0.5 cm and an ALA-PDT plus cryotherapy treatment is preferred for
      lesions 0.5-2.0 cm. For lesions >2.0- 4.0 cm, an ALA-PDT retreatment (after
      cryotherapy or CO2 laser treatment) should be the first choice. CONCLUSIONS: The
      treatments for CA should be chosen according to the maximum diameter of each
      patient's lesion.

PMID- 24216677
TI  - Are preservatives necessary to improve efficacy of some glaucoma drops?

PMID- 24216682
TI  - 24-MHz scanner for optoacoustic imaging of skin and burn.
AB  - Optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging uniquely visualizes optical contrast in high
      resolution and comes with very attractive characteristics for clinical imaging
      applications. In this paper, we showcase the performance of a scanner based on a
      24 MHz center-frequency 128 element array, developed for applications in
      dermatology. We perform system characterization to examine the imaging
      performance achieved. We then showcase its imaging ability on healthy tissue and
      cancer. Finally, we image burns and human lesions in vivo and gain insights on
      the benefits and challenges of this approach as it is considered for diagnostic
      and treatment follow-up applications in dermatology and beyond. 

PMID- 24216681
TI  - Sparsity Constrained Mixture Modeling for the Estimation of Kinetic Parameters in
      Dynamic PET.
AB  - The estimation and analysis of kinetic parameters in dynamic positron emission
      tomography (PET) is frequently confounded by tissue heterogeneity and partial
      volume effects. We propose a new constrained model of dynamic PET to address
      these limitations. The proposed formulation incorporates an explicit mixture
      model in which each image voxel is represented as a mixture of different pure
      tissue types with distinct temporal dynamics. We use Cramer-Rao lower bounds to
      demonstrate that the use of prior information is important to stabilize parameter
      estimation with this model. As a result, we propose a constrained formulation of
      the estimation problem that we solve using a two-stage algorithm. In the first
      stage, a sparse signal processing method is applied to estimate the rate
      parameters for the different tissue compartments from the noisy PET time series.
      In the second stage, tissue fractions and the linear parameters of different time
      activity curves are estimated using a combination of spatial-regularity and
      fractional mixture constraints. A block coordinate descent algorithm is combined
      with a manifold search to robustly estimate these parameters. The method is
      evaluated with both simulated and experimental dynamic PET data. 

PMID- 24216683
TI  - Theoretical comparison of the iodine quantification accuracy of two spectral CT
      technologies.
AB  - We compare the theoretical limits of iodine quantification for the photon
      counting multibin and dual energy technologies. Dual energy systems by necessity
      have to make prior assumptions in order to quantify iodine. We explicitly allow
      the multibin system to make the same assumptions and also allow them to be wrong.
      We isolate the effect of technology from imperfections and implementation issues
      by assuming both technologies to be ideal, i.e., without scattered radiation,
      unity detection efficiency and perfect energy response functions, and by applying
      the Cramer-Rao lower bound methodology to assess the quantification accuracy.
      When priors are wrong the maximum likelihood estimates will be biased and the
      mean square error of the quantification error is a more appropriate figure of
      merit. The evaluation assumes identical X-ray spectra for both methodologies and
      for that reason a sensitivity analysis is performed with regard to the assumed X
      ray spectrum. We show that when iodine is quantified over regions of interest
      larger than 6 cm(2), multibin systems benefit by independent estimation of three
      basis functions. For smaller regions of interest multibin systems can increase
      quantification accuracy by making the same prior assumptions as dual energy
      systems. 

PMID- 24216685
TI  - Periodontitis and gingivitis in inflammatory bowel disease: a case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The oral cavity is frequently affected in patients with inflammatory
      bowel disease (IBD), especially in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).
      Periodontitis is thought to influence systemic autoimmune or inflammatory
      diseases. We aimed to analyze the relationship of periodontitis and gingivitis
      markers with specific disease characteristics in patients with IBD and to compare
      these data with healthy controls. METHODS: In a prospective 8-month study,
      systematic oral examinations were performed in 113 patients with IBD, including
      69 patients with CD and 44 patients with ulcerative colitis. For all patients, a
      structured personal history was taken. One hundred thirteen healthy volunteers
      served as a control group. Oral examination focussed on established oral health
      markers for periodontitis (bleeding on probing, loss of attachment, and
      periodontal pocket depth) and gingivitis (papilla bleeding index). Additionally,
      visible oral lesions were documented. RESULTS: Both gingivitis and periodontitis
      markers were higher in patients with IBD than in healthy control. In univariate
      analysis and logistic regression analysis, perianal disease was a risk factor for
      periodontitis. Nonsmoking decreased the risk of having periodontitis. No clear
      association was found between clinical activity and periodontitis in IBD. In only
      the CD subgroup, high clinical activity (Harvey-Bradshaw index > 10) was
      associated with 1 periodontitis marker, the loss of attachment at sites of
      maximal periodontal pocket depth. Oral lesions besides periodontitis and
      gingivitis were not common, but nevertheless observed in about 10% of patients
      with IBD. CONCLUSIONS: IBD, and especially perianal disease in CD, is associated
      with periodontitis. Optimal therapeutic strategies should probably focus on
      treating both local oral and systemic inflammation.

PMID- 24216686
TI  - Phenotypic characterization of very early-onset IBD due to mutations in the IL10,
      IL10 receptor alpha or beta gene: a survey of the Genius Working Group.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Early-onset inflammatory bowel disease starting within the first
      months of life could be due to a particular genetic defect. We set up the
      GENetically determined ImmUne-mediated enteropathieS (GENIUS) network and
      collected infants with a proven defect of the IL10 axis for accurate phenotyping
      of disease presentation and evolution. DESIGN: Ten patients with early-onset
      inflammatory bowel disease with confirmed mutations in IL10, IL10RA, or IL10RB
      genes were characterized on clinical, endoscopic-histological, immunobiological,
      and radiological findings. Functional assays to confirm defective responses to
      IL10 were performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: A functional
      defect in IL10 signaling was confirmed in all IL10R patients tested. Disease
      started with severe diarrhea within the first 12 weeks in all patients. All
      infants showed Crohn's disease-like ulcerations limited to the colon with marked
      perianal inflammation (fissures, abscess, and fistula); disease progression to
      the small bowel occurred in only 1 patient. Four of the 10 patients had
      granulomata on histology, and all patients showed Crohn's disease-like mesenteric
      infiltration on imaging. Disease pattern was indistinguishable between IL10R
      alpha or beta chain or IL10 defects; autoimmunity was not observed. Mutations in
      IL10 were more frequently associated with bacterial and viral infections.
      Patients responded partially to treatment with steroids or anti-tumor necrosis
      factor drugs, whereas hematopoietic stem cell transplantation proved efficacious.
      CONCLUSION: The importance of the IL10 pathway within the colonic mucosa is
      highlighted by the development of severe colitis within a few weeks in infants
      with mutations in IL10, IL10RA, or IL10RB. Immunosuppression failed to correct
      the defect in this pathway, which seems to be a key to controlling inflammation
      in the colon.

PMID- 24216687
TI  - Liver abscess in patients with underlying inflammatory bowel diseases.

PMID- 24216688
TI  - Risk factors for symptom relapse in collagenous colitis after withdrawal of short
      term budesonide therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral budesonide has been proven effective in short- and long-term
      treatment of collagenous colitis; however, symptom relapse frequently occurs
      after drug withdrawal. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for
      symptom relapse in patients with collagenous colitis after withdrawal of short
      term budesonide therapy. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three patients from 4
      randomized controlled studies who achieved clinical remission after short-term
      treatment with budesonide (9 mg/d) were analyzed, including 40 patients receiving
      subsequent budesonide maintenance therapy (6 mg/d) for 6 months and 83 patients
      without active maintenance treatment. Variables available for analysis were age,
      sex, baseline stool frequency, duration of diarrhea, collagenous band thickness,
      and lamina propria inflammation. Hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) were calculated by Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The
      overall symptom relapse rate was 61%. By multivariate analysis, a baseline stool
      frequency >5 per day (HR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.08-14.39), history of diarrhea >12
      months (HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.04-3.03), and the absence of budesonide maintenance
      therapy (HR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.37-5.38) were associated with symptom relapse. The
      time to relapse was shorter in patients with a baseline stool frequency >5 per
      day (56 versus 199 d, P = 0.024), as in those with history of diarrhea >12 months
      (56 versus 220 d, P = 0.009). Budesonide maintenance therapy delayed the time to
      relapse (56 versus 207 d, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that a
      high stool frequency at baseline and a long duration of diarrhea are risk factors
      for symptom relapse in collagenous colitis, whereas budesonide maintenance
      therapy is a protective factor against symptom relapse.

PMID- 24216689
TI  - The burden of comedication among patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is of growing concern in the chronically ill, including
      individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The authors aimed to describe
      the prevalence and predictors of non-IBD medication use and to compare drug use
      among individuals with and without IBD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study
      included members of health plans included in the Thomson Reuters MarketScan
      databases with continuous enrollment during 2009 and 2010. Patients with IBD were
      identified through diagnosis codes and IBD medication dispensings and matched to
      5 individuals without IBD. The prevalences of dispensed prescriptions for
      analgesics (narcotics, nonnarcotics), psychiatric medications
      (anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics, antidepressants), and broad drug classes
      defined by the Anatomic Therapeutic Classification system were estimated.
      Predictors of non-IBD medication use and comparisons of drug use by IBD status
      were evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of medication
      use was higher among patients with IBD than matched members of the general
      population for nearly every drug class examined, including narcotic analgesics
      (48.1% versus 34.1%), nonnarcotic analgesics (12.8% versus 8.1%),
      anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics (25.8% versus 16.7%), and antidepressants (28.3%
      versus 19.4%). Medicaid insurance, middle age, gastrointestinal surgery, Crohn's
      disease, and increasing number of inpatient, and outpatient, and prescription
      events were significantly associated with analgesic and psychiatric medication
      use among patients with IBD. Psychiatric drug dispensings were more common among
      female IBD patients than male patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBD have
      increased medication use, particularly of analgesic and psychiatric drugs. IBD
      care providers should be aware of polypharmacy and its potential for drug
      interactions.

PMID- 24216691
TI  - Efficient separation of the orbital angular momentum eigenstates of light.
AB  - Orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light is an attractive degree of freedom for
      fundamental studies in quantum mechanics. In addition, the discrete unbounded
      state-space of OAM has been used to enhance classical and quantum communications.
      Unambiguous measurement of OAM is a key part of all such experiments. However,
      state-of-the-art methods for separating single photons carrying a large number of
      different OAM values are limited to a theoretical separation efficiency of about
      77%. Here we demonstrate a method which uses a series of unitary optical
      transformations to enable the measurement of light's OAM with an experimental
      separation efficiency of >92%. Furthermore, we demonstrate the separation of
      modes in the angular position basis, which is mutually unbiased with respect to
      the OAM basis. The high degree of certainty achieved by our method makes it
      particularly attractive for enhancing the information capacity of multi-level
      quantum cryptography systems. 

PMID- 24216693
TI  - Synthesis of crambescin B carboxylic acid, a potent inhibitor of voltage-gated
      sodium channels.
AB  - The stereocontrolled synthesis of a racemic carboxylic acid of crambescin B, a
      marine alkaloid, is described. The synthesis features two highly stereoselective
      reactions: (I) palladium-catalyzed hydroxymethylation of an alkynyl aziridine
      having an N-guanidino group and (II) cascade bromocyclization providing a spiro
      hemiaminal structure. The cell-based colorimetric assay showed that the
      synthesized carboxylic acid exhibited a potent inhibitory activity on voltage
      gated sodium channels.

PMID- 24216694
TI  - Fully automatic detection of deep white matter T1 hypointense lesions in multiple
      sclerosis.
AB  - A novel method is presented for fully automatic detection of candidate white
      matter (WM) T1 hypointense lesions in three-dimensional high-resolution T1
      weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. By definition, T1 hypointense lesions
      have similar intensity as gray matter (GM) and thus appear darker than
      surrounding normal WM in T1-weighted images. The novel method uses a standard
      classification algorithm to partition T1-weighted images into GM, WM and
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). As a consequence, T1 hypointense lesions are assigned
      an increased GM probability by the standard classification algorithm. The GM
      component image of a patient is then tested voxel-by-voxel against GM component
      images of a normative database of healthy individuals. Clusters (>=0.1 ml) of
      significantly increased GM density within a predefined mask of deep WM are
      defined as lesions. The performance of the algorithm was assessed on voxel level
      by a simulation study. A maximum dice similarity coefficient of 60% was found for
      a typical T1 lesion pattern with contrasts ranging from WM to cortical GM,
      indicating substantial agreement between ground truth and automatic detection.
      Retrospective application to 10 patients with multiple sclerosis demonstrated
      that 93 out of 96 T1 hypointense lesions were detected. On average 3.6 false
      positive T1 hypointense lesions per patient were found. The novel method is
      promising to support the detection of hypointense lesions in T1-weighted images
      which warrants further evaluation in larger patient samples.

PMID- 24216695
TI  - Clinical Significance of CK19 Negative Breast Cancer.
AB  - Analysis of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) by means of One-Step Nucleic Acid
      Amplification (OSNA) is gaining widespread use as a quick and accurate method.
      This assay detects the expression level of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) which is present
      in some but not all breast tumors. In this study, the clinical significance of
      negative CK19 was investigated in 219 cases of primary breast cancer. In 179
      patients with clinically negative nodes, OSNA and imprint smear cytology of SLN
      were performed simultaneously. The OSNA revealed a node-positive rate of 24.6%.
      Negative CK19 correlated significantly with negative ER/PgR and higher Ki-67
      values, and marginally with higher nuclear grade and p53 overexpression. The
      triple negative subtype showed lower CK19 expression. OSNA revealed that one of
      the negative CK19 cases was actually a false negative but this was corrected with
      the use of the imprint smear cytology. In conclusion, CK19 negativity reflected
      the aggressiveness of primary breast cancer. OSNA assay used to analyze SLN was
      useful, but there is a possibility that it will mistakenly detect false negatives
      in CK19 negative tumors. Therefore, in tumors with negative CK19, the imprint
      smear cytology may be more useful in cases with macrometastasis. 

PMID- 24216696
TI  - The Critical Impact of HIF-1a on Gastric Cancer Biology.
AB  - Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) monitors the cellular response to the oxygen
      levels in solid tumors. Under hypoxia conditions, HIF-1a protein is stabilized
      and forms a heterodimer with the HIF-1beta subunit. The HIF-1 complex activates
      the transcription of numerous target genes in order to adapt the hypoxic
      environment in human cancer cells. In gastric cancer patients, HIF-1a activation
      following extended hypoxia strongly correlates with an aggressive tumor phenotype
      and a poor prognosis. HIF-1a activation has been also reported to occur via
      hypoxia-independent mechanisms such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and ROS
      production. This article argues for the critical roles of HIF-1a in glucose
      metabolism, carcinogenesis, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, cell survival and
      chemoresistance, focusing on gastric cancer. 

PMID- 24216698
TI  - Gastric cancer: current status of diagnosis and treatment.
AB  - Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of death from malignant disease
      worldwide and most frequently discovered in advanced stages. Because curative
      surgery is regarded as the only option for cure, early detection of resectable
      gastric cancer is extremely important for good patient outcomes. Therefore,
      noninvasive diagnostic modalities such as evolutionary endoscopy and positron
      emission tomography are utilized as screening tools for gastric cancer. To date,
      early gastric cancer is being treated using minimally invasive methods such as
      endoscopic treatment and laparoscopic surgery, while in advanced cancer it is
      necessary to consider multimodality treatment including chemotherapy,
      radiotherapy, and surgery. Because of the results of large clinical trials,
      surgery with extended lymphadenectomy could not be recommended as a standard
      therapy for advanced gastric cancer. Recent clinical trials had shown survival
      benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection compared with surgery
      alone. In addition, recent advances of molecular targeted agents would play an
      important role as one of the modalities for advanced gastric cancer. In this
      review, we summarize the current status of diagnostic technology and treatment
      for gastric cancer. 

PMID- 24216697
TI  - Integrin alpha5beta1, the Fibronectin Receptor, as a Pertinent Therapeutic Target
      in Solid Tumors.
AB  - Integrins are transmembrane heterodimeric proteins sensing the cell
      microenvironment and modulating numerous signalling pathways. Changes in integrin
      expression between normal and tumoral cells support involvement of specific
      integrins in tumor progression and aggressiveness. This review highlights the
      current knowledge about alpha5beta1 integrin, also called the fibronectin
      receptor, in solid tumors. We summarize data showing that alpha5beta1 integrin is
      a pertinent therapeutic target expressed by tumoral neovessels and tumoral cells.
      Although mainly evaluated in preclinical models, alpha5beta1 integrin merits
      interest in particular in colon, breast, ovarian, lung and brain tumors where its
      overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis for patients. Specific
      alpha5beta1 integrin antagonists will be listed that may represent new potential
      therapeutic agents to fight defined subpopulations of particularly aggressive
      tumors. 

PMID- 24216699
TI  - Molecular targeted agents for gastric cancer: a step forward towards personalized
      therapy.
AB  - Gastric cancer (GC) represents a major cancer burden worldwide, and remains the
      second leading cause of cancer-related death. Due to its insidious nature,
      presentation is usually late and often carries a poor prognosis. Despite having
      improved treatment modalities over the last decade, for most patients only modest
      improvements have been seen in overall survival. Recent progress in understanding
      the molecular biology of GC and its signaling pathways, offers the hope of
      clinically significant promising advances for selected groups of patients.
      Patients with Her-2 overexpression or amplification have experienced benefit from
      the integration of monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab to the standard
      chemotherapy. Additionally, drugs targeting angiogenesis (bevacizumab, sorafenib,
      sunitinib) are under investigation and other targeted agents such as mTOR
      inhibitors, anti c-MET, polo-like kinase 1 inhibitors are in preclinical or early
      clinical development. Patient selection and the development of reliable
      biomarkers to accurately select patients most likely to benefit from these
      tailored therapies is now key. Future trials should focus on these advances to
      optimize the treatment for GC patients. This article will review recent progress
      and current status of targeted agents in GC. 

PMID- 24216701
TI  - Chemoprevention of lung cancer: prospects and disappointments in human clinical
      trials.
AB  - Decreasing the risk of lung cancer, or preventing its development in high-risk
      individuals, would have a huge impact on public health. The most effective means
      to decrease lung cancer incidence is to eliminate exposure to carcinogens.
      However, with recent advances in the understanding of pulmonary carcinogenesis
      and the identification of intermediate biomarkers, the prospects for the field of
      chemoprevention research have improved dramatically. Here we review the most
      recent research in lung cancer chemoprevention-focusing on those agents that have
      been investigated in human clinical trials. These agents fall into three major
      categories. First, oxidative stress plays an important role in pulmonary
      carcinogenesis; and therefore, antioxidants (including vitamins, selenium, green
      tea extracts, and isothiocyanates) may be particularly effective in preventing
      the development of lung cancer. Second, inflammation is increasingly accepted as
      a crucial factor in carcinogenesis, and many investigators have focused on anti
      inflammatory agents, such as glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, statins, and PPARgamma
      agonists. Finally, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is recognized to play a central role
      in tobacco-induced carcinogenesis, and inhibitors of this pathway, including
      myoinositol and metformin, are promising agents for lung cancer prevention.
      Successful chemoprevention will likely require targeting of multiple pathways to
      carcinogenesis-both to minimize toxicity and maximize efficacy. 

PMID- 24216702
TI  - Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts are a promising therapeutic target.
AB  - Human carcinomas frequently exhibit significant stromal reactions such as the so
      called "desmoplastic stroma" or "reactive stroma", which is characterised by the
      existence of large numbers of stromal cells and extracellular matrix proteins.
      Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are rich in activated fibroblast
      populations exemplified by myofibroblasts, are among the predominant cell types
      present within the tumour-associated stroma. Increased numbers of stromal
      myofibroblasts are often associated with high-grade malignancies with poor
      prognoses in humans. CAF myofibroblasts possess abilities to promote primary
      tumour development, growth and progression by stimulating the processes of
      neoangiogenesis as well as tumour cell proliferation, survival, migration and
      invasion. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that CAFs serve as a niche
      supporting the metastatic colonisation of disseminated carcinoma cells in distant
      organs. Their contribution to primary and secondary malignancies makes these
      fibroblasts a potential therapeutic target and they also appear to be relevant to
      the development of drug resistance and tumour recurrence. This review summarises
      our current knowledge of tumour-promoting CAFs and discusses the therapeutic
      feasibility of targeting these cells as well as disrupting heterotypic
      interactions with other cell types in tumours that may improve the efficacy of
      current anti-tumour therapies. 

PMID- 24216700
TI  - Mouse models of gastric cancer.
AB  - Animal models have greatly enriched our understanding of the molecular mechanisms
      of numerous types of cancers. Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers
      worldwide, with a poor prognosis and high incidence of drug-resistance. However,
      most inbred strains of mice have proven resistant to gastric carcinogenesis. To
      establish useful models which mimic human gastric cancer phenotypes,
      investigators have utilized animals infected with Helicobacter species and
      treated with carcinogens. In addition, by exploiting genetic engineering, a
      variety of transgenic and knockout mouse models of gastric cancer have emerged,
      such as INS-GAS mice and TFF1 knockout mice. Investigators have used the
      combination of carcinogens and gene alteration to accelerate gastric cancer
      development, but rarely do mouse models show an aggressive and metastatic gastric
      cancer phenotype that could be relevant to preclinical studies, which may require
      more specific targeting of gastric progenitor cells. Here, we review current
      gastric carcinogenesis mouse models and provide our future perspectives on this
      field. 

PMID- 24216703
TI  - Mouse Genetic Models Reveal Surprising Functions of IkB Kinase Alpha in Skin
      Development and Skin Carcinogenesis.
AB  - Gene knockout studies unexpectedly reveal a pivotal role for IkB kinase alpha
      (IKKa) in mouse embryonic skin development. Skin carcinogenesis experiments show
      that Ikka heterozygous mice are highly susceptible to chemical carcinogen or
      ultraviolet B light (UVB) induced benign and malignant skin tumors in comparison
      to wild-type mice. IKKa deletion mediated by keratin 5 (K5).Cre or K15.Cre in
      keratinocytes induces epidermal hyperplasia and spontaneous skin squamous cell
      carcinomas (SCCs) in Ikka floxed mice. On the other hand, transgenic mice
      overexpressing IKKa in the epidermis, under the control of a truncated loricrin
      promoter or K5 promoter, develop normal skin and show no defects in the formation
      of the epidermis and other epithelial organs, and the transgenic IKKa represses
      chemical carcinogen or UVB induced skin carcinogenesis. Moreover, IKKa deletion
      mediated by a mutation, which generates a stop codon in the Ikka gene, has been
      reported in a human autosomal recessive lethal syndrome. Downregulated IKKa and
      Ikka mutations and deletions are found in human skin SCCs. The collective
      evidence not only highlights the importance of IKKa in skin development,
      maintaining skin homeostasis, and preventing skin carcinogenesis, but also
      demonstrates that mouse models are extremely valuable tools for revealing the
      mechanisms underlying these biological events, leading our studies from bench
      side to bedside. 

PMID- 24216704
TI  - Blood outgrowth endothelial cells increase tumor growth rates and modify tumor
      physiology: relevance for therapeutic targeting.
AB  - Endothelial cell precursors from human peripheral blood have been shown to home
      to areas of neovascularization and may assist tumor growth by increasing or
      fortifying blood vessel growth. In the present study, the influence of these
      cells on tumor growth and physiology was investigated and the role of these cells
      as a therapeutic target or in determining treatment sensitivity was tested. After
      isolation from human blood and expansion in vitro, actively growing cells with
      verified endothelial phenotype (Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cell, BOEC) were
      injected i.v. into tumor bearing mice for three consecutive days. The growth rate
      was significantly enhanced in relatively small RERF human lung tumors (i.e., less
      than 150 mm3) grown in immunocompromised mice by an average of 1.5-fold while it
      had no effect when injections were given to animals bearing larger tumors. There
      were no signs of toxicity or unwanted systemic effects. We also observed evidence
      of increased perfusion, vessel number, response to 15 Gy radiation and
      oxygenation in RERF tumors of animals injected with BOECs compared to control
      tumors. In addition, FSaII murine fibrosarcoma tumors were found to grow faster
      upon injection of BOECs. When FSaII tumors were subjected to a partial thermal
      ablation treatment using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) there was
      consistently elevated detection of fluorescently labeled and i.v. injected
      endothelial precursors in the tumor when analyzed with optical imaging and/or
      histological preparations. Importantly, we also observed that BOECs treated with
      the novel anti-angiogenic peptide anginex in-vitro, show decreased proliferation
      and increased sensitivity to radiation. In vivo, the normal increase in FSaII
      tumor growth induced by injected BOECs was blunted by the addition of anginex
      treatment. It appears that endothelial precursors may significantly contribute to
      tumor vessel growth, tumor progression and/or repair of tumor damage and may
      improve the oxygenation and subsequent radiation response of tumors. We surmise
      that these cells are preferentially stimulated to divide in the tumor
      microenvironment, thereby inducing the significant increase in tumor growth
      observed and that the use of injected BOECs could be a viable approach to
      modulate the tumor microenvironment for therapeutic gain. Conversely, agents or
      approaches to block their recruitment and integration of BOECs into primary or
      metastatic lesions may be an effective way to restrain cancer progression before
      or after other treatments are applied. 

PMID- 24216705
TI  - Histologic and genetic advances in refining the diagnosis of "undifferentiated
      pleomorphic sarcoma".
AB  - Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is an inclusive term used for sarcomas
      that defy formal sub-classification. The frequency with which this diagnosis is
      assigned has decreased in the last twenty years. This is because when
      implemented, careful histologic assessment, immunohistochemistry, and ultra
      structural evaluation can often determine lineage of differentiation. Further
      attrition in the diagnostic frequency of UPS may arise by using array-comparative
      genomic hybridization. Gene expression arrays are also of potential use as they
      permit hierarchical gene clustering. Appraisal of the literature is difficult due
      to a historical perspective in which specific molecular diagnostic methods were
      previously unavailable. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)
      classification has changed with different inclusion criteria. Taxonomy challenges
      also exist with the older term "malignant fibrous histiocytoma" being replaced by
      "UPS". In 2010 an analysis of multiple sarcoma expression databases using a 170
      gene predictor, re-classified most MFH and "not-otherwise-specified" (NOS) tumors
      as liposarcomas, leiomyosarcomas or fibrosarcomas. Interestingly, some of the
      classifier genes are potential molecular therapeutic targets including Insulin
      like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma
      (PPARgamma), Nerve growth factor beta (NGF beta) and Fibroblast growth factor
      receptor (FGFR). 

PMID- 24216706
TI  - The role of the immune response in merkel cell carcinoma.
AB  - Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. The
      Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is implicated in its pathogenesis. Immune
      mechanisms are also implicated. Patients who are immunosuppressed have an
      increased risk. There is evidence that high intratumoral T-cell counts and immune
      transcripts are associated with favorable survival. Spontaneous regressions
      implicate immune effector mechanisms. Immunogenicity is also supported by
      observation of autoimmune paraneoplastic syndromes. Case reports suggest that
      immune modulation, including reduction of immune suppression, can result in tumor
      regression. The relationships between MCPyV infection, the immune response, and
      clinical outcome, however, remain poorly understood. Circulating antibodies
      against MCPyV antigens are present in most individuals. MCPyV-reactive T cells
      have been detected in both MCC patients and control subjects. High intratumoral T
      cell counts are also associated with favorable survival in MCPyV-negative MCC.
      That the immune system plays a central role in preventing and controlling MCC is
      supported by several observations. MCCs often develop, however, despite the
      presence of humoral and cellular immune responses. A better understanding on how
      MCPyV and MCC evade the immune response will be necessary to develop effective
      immunotherapies. 

PMID- 24216707
TI  - Vitamin d: pharmacokinetics and safety when used in conjunction with the
      pharmaceutical drugs used in cancer patients: a systematic review.
AB  - Vitamin D has reported anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties modulated
      through gene transcription and non-genomic signaling cascades. The purpose of
      this review was to summarize the available research on interactions and
      pharmacokinetics between vitamin D and the pharmaceutical drugs used in patients
      with cancer. Hypercalcemia was the most frequently reported side effect that
      occurred in high dose calcitriol. The half-life of 25(OH)D3 and/or 1,25(OH)2D3
      was found to be impacted by cimetidine; rosuvastatin; prednisone and possibly
      some chemotherapy drugs. No unusual adverse effects in cancer patients; beyond
      what is expected from high dose 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation, were revealed
      through this review. While sufficient evidence is lacking, supplementation with
      1,25(OH)2D3 during chemotherapy appears to have a low risk of interaction.
      Further interactions with vitamin D3 have not been studied. 

PMID- 24216708
TI  - A Novel Three-Colour Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization Approach for the
      Detection of t(7;12)(q36;p13) in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Reveals New Cryptic
      Three Way Translocation t(7;12;16).
AB  - The t(7;12)(q36;p13) translocation is a recurrent chromosome abnormality that
      involves the ETV6 gene on chromosome 12 and has been identified in 20-30% of
      infant patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The detection of t(7;12)
      rearrangements relies on the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
      because this translocation is hardly visible by chromosome banding methods.
      Furthermore, a fusion transcript HLXB9-ETV6 is found in approximately 50% of
      t(7;12) cases, making the reverse transcription PCR approach not an ideal
      screening method. Considering the report of few cases of variant translocations
      harbouring a cryptic t(7;12) rearrangement, we believe that the actual incidence
      of this abnormality is higher than reported to date. The clinical outcome of
      t(7;12) patients is believed to be poor, therefore an early and accurate
      diagnosis is important in the clinical management and treatment. In this study,
      we have designed and tested a novel three-colour FISH approach that enabled us
      not only to confirm the presence of the t(7;12) in a number of patients studied
      previously, but also to identify a cryptic t(7;12) as part of a complex
      rearrangement. This new approach has proven to be an efficient and reliable
      method to be used in the diagnostic setting. 

PMID- 24216710
TI  - Changes in Candida spp., mutans streptococci and lactobacilli following treatment
      of early childhood caries: a 1-year follow-up.
AB  - Early childhood caries (ECC) is closely related to high numbers of mutans
      streptococci, lactobacilli and Candida albicans. Oral colonization of these
      microorganisms was monitored in a prospective clinical study in order to
      investigate the effect of comprehensive treatment under general anesthesia and
      the sustainability of microbial changes. Saliva samples were collected from 50
      healthy infants with ECC before and in regular intervals up to 12 months after
      treatment. Microorganisms were detected by cultivation on selective agars (CRT(r)
      bacteria and Sabouraud/CandiSelectTM) and scored. Additionally, plaque on upper
      front teeth and the dmft were recorded. Parents were repeatedly interviewed
      regarding the children's diet and oral hygiene, accompanied by corresponding
      advice. Plaque frequency and the numbers of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and
      yeasts were significantly reduced as a result of treatment (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon
      test). Nevertheless, this effect was not permanent. An ordinal regression model
      on the follow-up period revealed that the odds for bacteria and yeasts to reach a
      higher score increased linearly over time (p < 0.01) with an odds ratio of 2.244
      per year. One third (34%) of the children developed new dentinal lesions within 1
      year postoperatively. High scores of lactobacilli before treatment predicted
      caries relapse (p < 0.05). Nutritional and oral hygiene habits changed only
      slightly despite advising. Elimination and restoration of ECC lesions under
      general anesthesia proved to be an effective procedure in reducing cariogenic
      bacteria and yeasts. A satisfactory and sustainable success, however, could be
      achieved neither regarding microbiologic parameters nor with respect to the
      relapse rate. More suitable strategies are needed.

PMID- 24216711
TI  - Parental support for policy measures and school-based efforts to address weight
      based victimization of overweight youth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite research documenting weight-based victimization (WBV) toward
      overweight youth in the school setting, little work has examined parental
      perceptions of this problem or potential policy strategies to help protect youth
      who are teased and bullied about their weight. This study assessed parental
      reports of WBV in youth and parental support for potential measures to address
      this problem, including implementation of school-based resources, policies, and
      state and federal laws. METHODS: A national sample of parents in the United
      States (N=919) completed an online questionnaire about their perceptions of WBV
      in the school setting, including whether or not their child had experienced or
      witnessed WBV. Parents were also asked the degree to which they would support
      potential policy strategies to address WBV in schools, including school-based
      policies and state and federal laws to address weight-based bullying in youth.
      RESULTS: Parents perceived overweight youth to be vulnerable to WBV at school,
      but less than half of parents perceived schools to be prepared to deal with
      instances of WBV. Parents (both with and without overweight children) agreed that
      schools should implement anti-bullying policies that include specific protections
      for students who are overweight or obese, increase resources available to youth
      who experience WBV at school, and promote awareness about this problem. Over two
      thirds of parents agreed that state anti-bullying laws should include specific
      protections against weight-related bullying. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate
      that there is substantial support from parents, both with and without overweight
      children, to implement a range of policy measures to address this WBV at the
      school, state, and federal level.

PMID- 24216709
TI  - Nanomaterials and autophagy: new insights in cancer treatment.
AB  - Autophagy represents a cell's response to stress. It is an evolutionarily
      conserved process with diversified roles. Indeed, it controls intracellular
      homeostasis by degradation and/or recycling intracellular metabolic material,
      supplies energy, provides nutrients, eliminates cytotoxic materials and damaged
      proteins and organelles. Moreover, autophagy is involved in several diseases.
      Recent evidences support a relationship between several classes of nanomaterials
      and autophagy perturbation, both induction and blockade, in many biological
      models. In fact, the autophagic mechanism represents a common cellular response
      to nanomaterials. On the other hand, the dynamic nature of autophagy in cancer
      biology is an intriguing approach for cancer therapeutics, since during tumour
      development and therapy, autophagy has been reported to trigger both an early
      cell survival and a late cell death. The use of nanomaterials in cancer treatment
      to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs and target tumours is well known. Recently,
      autophagy modulation mediated by nanomaterials has become an appealing notion in
      nanomedicine therapeutics, since it can be exploited as adjuvant in chemotherapy
      or in the development of cancer vaccines or as a potential anti-cancer agent.
      Herein, we summarize the effects of nanomaterials on autophagic processes in
      cancer, also considering the therapeutic outcome of synergism between
      nanomaterials and autophagy to improve existing cancer therapies. 

PMID- 24216713
TI  - What is wrong with discharges against medical advice (and how to fix them).

PMID- 24216712
TI  - Differences in body composition between metabolically healthy obese and
      metabolically abnormal obese adults.
AB  - Potential differences in body composition between metabolically healthy obese
      (MHO) and metabolically abnormal obese (OA) adults were explored with 395 obese
      adults from the Pennington Center Longitudinal Study (18-68 years). Adults were
      classified as OA (>=2 risk factors: blood pressure >=130/85 mmHg; triglycerides
      >=150 mg dl(-1); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: men <40, women <50 mg dl(
      1); fasting glucose >=100 mg dl(-1); waist circumference: >=102 cm men, women
      >=88 cm) or MHO (<2 risk factors). Whole-body bone mineral density and content,
      percent body fat, fat mass, lean mass and trunk adipose tissue mass were measured
      with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Visceral (VAT), subcutaneous (SAT) and
      total abdominal adipose tissue (TAT) were measured with computed tomography.
      Gender-specific general linear regression models were used to determine
      differences in body composition between MHO and OA controlling for age, race,
      smoking status and menopause status. In men, MHO had lower fat mass (kg and %),
      trunk adipose tissue, VAT, SAT, TAT and lean mass compared with OA. MHO women had
      lower fat mass (kg), lean mass, trunk adipose tissue, VAT and TAT when compared
      with OA women. In conclusion, OA and MHO cardiometabolic profiles are
      characterized by differences in body composition consistent between genders.

PMID- 24216714
TI  - Motion-aware mesh-structured trellis for correlation modelling aided distributed
      multi-view video coding.
AB  - A joint source-channel coding has attracted substantial attention with the aim of
      further exploiting the residual correlation residing in the encoded video signals
      for the sake of improving the reconstructed video quality. In our previous paper,
      a first-order Markov process model was utilized as an error concealment tool for
      exploiting the intra-frame correlation residing in the Wyner-Ziv (WZ) frame in
      the context of pixel-domain distributed video coding. In this contribution, we
      exploit the interview correlation with the aid of an interview motion search in
      distributed multi-view video coding (DMVC). Initially, we rely on the system
      architecture of WZ coding invoked for multiview video. Then, we construct a novel
      mesh-structured pixel-correlation model from the inter-view motion vectors and
      derive its decoding rules for joint source-channel decoding. Finally, we
      benchmark the attainable system performance against the existing pixel-domain WZ
      coding based DMVC scheme, where the classic turbo codec is employed. Our
      simulation results show that substantial bitrate reductions are achieved by
      employing the proposed motion-aware mesh-structured correlation modelling
      technique in a DMVC scheme.

PMID- 24216715
TI  - A two dimensional optical input to one dimensional serial pulse transformation
      using confocal reflectors.
AB  - An optical approach using confocal parabolic reflectors is used to transform 2D
      input data based on spatial position to a 1D sequenced serial string. The optical
      input data are set up as a 2D array. Individual channels are established between
      the input array and the final output detector, which reads the data as a time
      based serial data. The transformation is achieved by changing the optical path
      length associated with each pixel and its channel to the output detector. The 2D
      data can be images or individual sources but the light must be parallel. This
      paper defines how to establish the channels and the calculations required to
      achieve the desired transformation.

PMID- 24216716
TI  - Configuration-Transition-Based Connected-Component Labeling.
AB  - This paper proposes a new approach to label-equivalence-based two-scan connected
      component labeling. We use two strategies to reduce repeated checking-pixel work
      for labeling. The first is that instead of scanning image lines one by one and
      processing pixels one by one as in most conventional two-scan labeling
      algorithms, we scan image lines alternate lines, and process pixels two by two.
      The second is that by considering the transition of the configuration of pixels
      in the mask, we utilize the information detected in processing the last two
      pixels as much as possible for processing the current two pixels. With our
      method, any pixel checked in the mask when processing the current two pixels will
      not be checked again when the next two pixels are processed; thus, the efficiency
      of labeling can be improved. Experimental results demonstrated that our method
      was more efficient than all conventional labeling algorithms. 

PMID- 24216717
TI  - Including the Size of Regions in Image Segmentation by Region-Based Graph.
AB  - Applying a fast over-segmentation algorithm to image and working on a region
      based graph (instead of the pixel-based graph) is an efficient approach to reduce
      the computational complexity of graph-based image segmentation methods.
      Nevertheless, some undesirable effects may arise if the conventional cost
      functions, such as Ncut, AverageCut, and MinCut, are employed for partitioning
      the region-based graph. This is because these cost functions are generally
      tailored to pixel-based graphs. In order to resolve this problem, we first
      introduce a new class of cost functions (containing Ncut and AverageCut) for
      graph partitioning whose corresponding suboptimal solution can be efficiently
      computed by solving a generalized eigenvalue problem. Then, among these cost
      functions, we propose one that considers the size of regions in the partitioning
      procedure. By simulation, the performance of the proposed cost function is
      quantitatively compared with that of the Ncut and AverageCut. 

PMID- 24216718
TI  - Seamless view synthesis through texture optimization.
AB  - In this paper, we present a novel view synthesis method named Visto, which uses a
      reference input view to generate synthesized views in nearby viewpoints. We
      formulate the problem as a joint optimization of inter-view texture and depth map
      similarity, a framework that is significantly different from other traditional
      approaches. As such, Visto tends to implicitly inherit the image characteristics
      from the reference view without the explicit use of image priors or texture
      modeling. Visto assumes that each patch is available in both the synthesized and
      reference views and thus can be applied to the common area between the two views
      but not the out-of-region area at the border of the synthesized view. Visto uses
      a Gauss-Seidel-like iterative approach to minimize the energy function.
      Simulation results suggest that Visto can generate seamless virtual views and
      outperform other state-of-the-art methods.

PMID- 24216719
TI  - A Unified Methodology for Computing Accurate Quaternion Color Moments and Moment
      Invariants.
AB  - In this paper, a general framework for computing accurate quaternion color
      moments and their corresponding invariants is proposed. The proposed unified
      scheme arose by studying the characteristics of different orthogonal polynomials.
      These polynomials are used as kernels in order to form moments, the invariants of
      which can easily be derived. The resulted scheme permits the usage of any
      polynomial-like kernel in a unified and consistent way. The resulted moments and
      moment invariants demonstrate robustness to noisy conditions and high
      discriminative power. Additionally, in the case of continuous moments, accurate
      computations take place to avoid approximation errors. Based on this general
      methodology, the quaternion Tchebichef, Krawtchouk, Dual Hahn, Legendre,
      orthogonal Fourier-Mellin, pseudo Zernike and Zernike color moments, and their
      corresponding invariants are introduced. A selected paradigm presents the
      reconstruction capability of each moment family, whereas proper classification
      scenarios evaluate the performance of color moment invariants. 

PMID- 24216720
TI  - Baseline predictors of adherence to positive airway pressure therapy for sleep
      apnea: a 10-year single-center observational cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is the standard treatment for
      obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study
      was to determine operational long-term adherence to PAP and its predictors.
      METHODS: In a retrospective single-center observational cohort study, we analyzed
      all patients referred to our center with suspected OSAS between November 2001 and
      November 2011. Baseline results and last follow-up data of each patient were
      analyzed. Kaplan-Meier estimates of adherence and Cox proportional hazard
      regression for age, gender, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) scores, body mass
      index, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) were
      performed. Evolution of adherence was analyzed in yearly cohorts comparing the
      proportion of patients discontinuing PAP within 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Of
      4,638 referrals, 2,187 confirmed OSAS patients started PAP, 297 (14%) were
      referred out to other centers to follow-up, 42 (2%) died, and 92 (5%) no longer
      needed PAP. Of 1,756 patients, the median follow-up was 36 months [95% confidence
      interval (CI) 33.6-37.8], and adherence at 1, 5 and 10 years was 74 (CI 71-75; n
      = 1,028), 55 (CI 53-58; n = 281) and 51% (CI 48-55; n = 10), respectively.
      Adherence is associated with ESS score [hazard ratio (HR) 0.60; CI 0.47-0.78],
      ODI (HR 0.50; CI 0.32-0.77) and AHI (HR 0.56; CI 0.37-0.85). In yearly cohorts
      according to inclusion date, the absconder rate at 6 and 12 months was 20 (CI 18
      22) and 27% (CI 25-30) for the first 8 years and improved to 10 (CI 7-15) and 14%
      (CI 10-19) for the last 2 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term adherence
      to PAP in OSAS is associated with baseline measures of disease severity. After
      2009, an improvement in the adherence rate was observed.

PMID- 24216721
TI  - Combined therapeutic effect of probucol and cilostazol on endothelial function in
      patients with silent cerebral lacunar infarcts and hypercholesterolemia: a
      preliminary study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of combined therapy with probucol
      and cilostazol on endothelial function in silent lacunar cerebral infarcts (SLCI)
      and mild hypercholesterolemia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Flow-mediated vasodilatation
      (FMD) and nitroglycerin-induced vasodilatation (NMD) were measured before and
      after 4 weeks of combined therapy with probucol (500 mg/day) and cilostazol (200
      mg/day) in 34 patients with a mean age of 72 +/- 7 years (range 57-80 years) with
      SLCI, mild hypercholesterolemia (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >100 mg/dl)
      and impaired endothelial function (FMD <6%). Patients were randomly allocated to
      one of the following two treatment groups: (1) aspirin (100 mg/day) with
      behavioral modifications, such as diet and/or exercise therapy (A group or
      control group, n = 17), and (2) probucol and cilostazol treatment (PC group, n =
      17), also with behavioral modifications. RESULTS: Although the baseline FMD was
      not different between the two treatment arms (2.7 +/- 1.5 vs. 2.6 +/- 1.5%,
      n.s.), the posttreatment FMD was significantly improved in the PC group (from 2.7
      +/- 1.5 to 3.5 +/- 1.7%, p < 0.05) but not in the A group (from 2.6 +/- 1.5 to
      2.9 +/- 1.4%, n.s.). No differences were observed between baseline and
      posttreatment NMD in either group. The effects of treatments on lipid profiles
      were more profound in the PC group. CONCLUSION: Combined treatment with probucol
      and cilostazol resulted in subacute improvement in FMD/endothelial function in
      patients with SLCI with mild hypercholesterolemia. This combination therapy has
      the potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events via improvements in
      endothelial function and lipid profiles.

PMID- 24216723
TI  - Maintaining a stationary laser footprint during angular scan in internal
      reflection experiments.
AB  - In internal-reflection metrology using prisms, the prism is usually mounted on a
      rotation/translation stage to enable adjusting angle and location of the laser
      footprint on the surface. If a visual inspection method is used to find the laser
      footprint, the task becomes impossible if invisible radiation in the near
      infrared is employed. In addition, it may be desirable to perform angular scan
      experiments with a stationary footprint on the surface during scans, or even to
      automatically probe specific points on an extended prism face for predetermined
      incidence angles. In this paper, a formulation is developed to determine the
      required translation along the prism face to allow maintaining the laser
      footprint stationary under a given rotation. A web-based app developed under the
      scope of this work demonstrates the applicability of the approach for silica, BK7
      and SF2 glasses, in the wavelength range from 500 to 1500 nm and for an arbitrary
      geometry of the glass prism.

PMID- 24216722
TI  - Perceptions of African-American health professionals and community members on the
      participation of children and pregnant women in genetic research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As genetic research gains more prominence in society, ethical
      concerns and the need for safeguards in the participation of children and
      pregnant women have increased. This study examined the perspectives of African
      American health professional and community members on genetic research involving
      children and pregnant women. METHODS: We used a mixed-methods approach to collect
      and analyze survey data and qualitative data from focus groups of community
      members and structured interviews of health professionals. RESULTS: We found that
      community members had significantly more favorable attitudes toward participation
      of children and pregnant women in genetic research than health professionals.
      Health professionals did not differ significantly from community members in their
      perceived understanding of genetic research. Emergent themes included limited
      knowledge of genetic research and distinction of biomedical research and clinical
      care, ethical concerns about confidentiality and potential harm, and the need to
      protect children and pregnant women. Participants expressed high interest and
      favorable attitude towards genetic research, despite limited genetic knowledge
      and concerns of potential harm to children and pregnant women. Some participants
      felt that genetic research findings could help dispel stigma and reduce
      discrimination, especially in mental illness. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that
      the recruitment of participants into genetic research should directly address
      privacy and benefit concerns, and limited knowledge of physical and mental
      illness genetic research. There is a critical need to invest and engage
      racial/ethnic communities early, provide education on genetics, mental illness,
      and translate and share research findings with these communities.

PMID- 24216724
TI  - Quantum dot infrared photodetector with gated-mode design for mid-IR single
      photon detection.
AB  - A novel design for a quantum dot infrared photodetector (QDIP) is proposed based
      on avalanche multiplication and is expected to be used as a single photon
      detector at mid-IR. A high field multiplication region is added to a conventional
      QDIP in separate absorption, charge, and multiplication structures to intensify
      incoming photocurrent generated in the absorption region. The absorption region
      of the photodetector consists of quantum dot layers that are responsible for
      absorption of mid-IR wavelengths. Because of higher operation voltages in gated
      mode operation, resonant tunneling barriers are also included in the absorption
      region to prevent higher dark currents. The absorption region is designed for
      operation at lambda=8 MUm. During the gate pulse period, photo-generated
      electrons can trigger an avalanche and produce an output pulse. For this
      detector, the dark count rate (DCR) and single photon quantum efficiency (SPQE)
      are calculated at different temperatures. SPQE with peak of about 0.3 for T=50  K
      is obtained. For higher temperatures, about T=120 K, SPQE is very low due to the
      contribution of dark carriers generated in the quantum dot absorption region.

PMID- 24216725
TI  - Calibration-free sensor for pressure and H2O concentration in headspace of
      sterile vial using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy.
AB  - Tunable diode laser absorption measurements of pressure and H2O concentration in
      the headspace of vials using a distributed-feedback (DFB) diode laser near 1.4
      MUm are reported. A H2O line located near 7161.41 cm(-1) is selected based on its
      strong absorption strength and isolation from interference of neighboring
      transitions. Direct absorption spectra of H2O are obtained for the measurement
      path as well as the reference path by scanning the laser wavelength. The pressure
      and H2O vapor concentration in the headspace of a vial are inferred from a
      differential absorption signal, which is the difference between the measured and
      the referenced absorbance spectra. This sensor is calibration-free and no purge
      gas is needed. The demonstrated capability would enable measurements of pressure
      and H2O concentration in the headspace of vials within 2.21% and 2.86%,
      respectively. A precision of 1.02 Torr and 390 ppm is found for the pressure and
      H2O concentration, respectively. A set of measurements for commercial freeze
      dried products are also performed to illustrate the usefulness of this sensor.

PMID- 24216726
TI  - Fracture mechanics of delamination defects in multilayer dielectric coatings.
AB  - During the fabrication of multilayer-dielectric (MLD) thin-film-coated optics,
      such as the diffraction gratings used in OMEGA EP's pulse compressors, acid
      piranha cleaning can lead to the formation of chemically induced delamination
      defects. We investigate the causes of these defects and describe a mechanism for
      the deformation and failure of the MLD coating in response to hydrogen peroxide
      in the cleaning solution. A fracture mechanics model is developed and used to
      calculate the crack path that maximizes the energy-release rate, which is found
      to be consistent with the characteristic fracture pattern observed in MLD coating
      delamination defects. 

PMID- 24216727
TI  - Graded-size microlens array by the pyro-electrohydrodynamic continuous printing
      method.
AB  - In the present work, the pyro-electrohydrodynamic technique was used for the
      realization of tunable-size microlens arrays. Poly(methyl methacrylate) dissolved
      in different solvent mixtures was used as the polymeric material for the
      realization of the microstructures. By controlling the experimental parameters
      and in particular, the volume of the drop reservoir, graded-size square arrays of
      tens of microlenses with focal length in the range 1.5-3 mm were produced.
      Moreover, the optical quality and geometrical features were investigated by
      profilometric and interferometric analysis.

PMID- 24216728
TI  - Arc fusion splicing effects in large-mode-area single-mode ytterbium-doped
      fibers.
AB  - For the first time the effects of arc fusion splicing on the residual stress and
      refractive index of large-mode-area single-mode ytterbium-doped fibers (YDFs) are
      investigated using a state-of-the-art three-dimensional concurrent stress-index
      measurement method. The results, based on a commercially available fiber,
      describe a host of perturbations that decrease the core/cladding refractive index
      difference by as much as 1.74 * 10(-3) over an axial length of many hundreds of
      wavelengths. Simulations indicate that these perturbations result in an expansion
      of the mode-field-diameter by 39.6% and, based on the measured sample, result in
      an extra splice loss of 20.8%. The results of this investigation will be useful
      in the design and optimization of high-power all-fiber YDF lasers and amplifiers.

PMID- 24216729
TI  - Reduction of backreflection noise in resonator micro-optic gyro by integer period
      sampling.
AB  - In resonator micro-optic gyros (RMOGs), the interference between the
      backreflection light beam of one pathway and the signal light beam of the other
      pathway deteriorates the gyro output waveforms, resulting in severe reduction in
      the gyro's accuracy. In this paper, an integer period sampling (IPS) method is
      introduced to minimize the sampling error caused by backreflection in RMOG for
      the first time to our knowledge. The experimental results show that both the bias
      repeatability and the short-term bias stability become better when the IPS
      condition is satisfied. A bias stability of 0.41 degrees /s over one hour with an
      integration time of 10 s has been realized in a RMOG that employs a silica
      waveguide ring resonator.

PMID- 24216730
TI  - Nonlinear calibration for generalized fringe projection profilometry under large
      measuring depth range.
AB  - A mathematical description of the absolute surface height distribution in
      generalized fringe projection profilometry under large measuring depth range is
      presented. Based on least-squares polynomial fitting, a nonlinear calibration to
      determine the mapping between phase change and surface height is proposed by
      considering the unequal height arrangement of the projector and the camera. To
      solve surface height from phase change, an iteration method is brought forward.
      Experiments are implemented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed
      calibration and an accuracy of 0.3 mm for surface profile under 300 mm measuring
      depth can be achieved.

PMID- 24216731
TI  - Error analyses and calibration methods with accelerometers for optical angle
      encoders in rotational inertial navigation systems.
AB  - By rotating a strapdown inertial navigation system (INS) over one or more axes, a
      number of error sources originating from the employed sensors cancel out during
      the integration process. Rotary angle accuracy has an effect on the performance
      of rotational INS (RINS). The application of existing calibration methods based
      on gyroscope measurements is restricted by the structure of the inertial
      measurement unit (IMU) and scale factor stability of the gyroscope. The
      multireadhead method has problems in miniaturization and cost. Hence, optical
      angle encoder calibration methods using accelerometers are proposed, on the basis
      of navigation error and accuracy requirement analyses for a single-axis RINS. The
      test results show that the accuracy of calibration methods proposed is higher
      than 4 arcsec (1sigma).

PMID- 24216732
TI  - Correction for reflected sky radiance in low-altitude coastal hyperspectral
      images.
AB  - Low-altitude coastal hyperspectral imagery is sensitive to reflections of sky
      radiance at the water surface. Even in the absence of sun glint, and for a calm
      water surface, the wide range of viewing angles may result in pronounced, low
      frequency variations of the reflected sky radiance across the scan line depending
      on the solar position. The variation in reflected sky radiance can be obscured by
      strong high-spatial-frequency sun glint and at high altitude by path radiance.
      However, at low altitudes, the low-spatial-frequency sky radiance effect is
      frequently significant and is not removed effectively by the typical corrections
      for sun glint. The reflected sky radiance from the water surface observed by a
      low-altitude sensor can be modeled in the first approximation as the sum of
      multiple-scattered Rayleigh path radiance and the single-scattered direct-solar
      beam radiance by the aerosol in the lower atmosphere. The path radiance from
      zenith to the half field of view (FOV) of a typical airborne spectroradiometer
      has relatively minimal variation and its reflected radiance to detector array
      results in a flat base. Therefore the along-track variation is mostly contributed
      by the forward single-scattered solar-beam radiance. The scattered solar-beam
      radiances arrive at the water surface with different incident angles. Thus the
      reflected radiance received at the detector array corresponds to a certain
      scattering angle, and its variation is most effectively parameterized using the
      downward scattering angle (DSA) of the solar beam. Computation of the DSA must
      account for the roll, pitch, and heading of the platform and the viewing geometry
      of the sensor along with the solar ephemeris. Once the DSA image is calculated,
      the near-infrared (NIR) radiance from selected water scan lines are compared, and
      a relationship between DSA and NIR radiance is derived. We then apply the
      relationship to the entire DSA image to create an NIR reference image. Using the
      NIR reference image and an atmospheric spectral reflectance look-up table, the
      low spatial frequency variation of the water surface-reflected atmospheric
      contribution is removed. 

PMID- 24216733
TI  - Coded apertures for x-ray scatter imaging.
AB  - We examine coding strategies for coded aperture scatter imagers. Scatter imaging
      enables tomography of compact regions from snapshot measurements. We present
      coded aperture designs for pencil and fan beam geometries, and compare their
      singular value spectra with that of the Radon transform and selected volume
      tomography. We show that under dose constraints scatter imaging improves
      conditioning over alternative techniques, and that specially designed coded
      apertures enable snapshot 1D and 2D tomography. 

PMID- 24216734
TI  - Pulse compression to 14 fs by third-order dispersion control in a hybrid grating
      prism compressor.
AB  - A pulse compressor consisting of a fiber and a compact hybrid grating-prism
      dispersive delay line (DDL) is used to compress readily-available 140-fs pulses
      from a Ti:sapphire laser. We generate broadband pulses of up to 75 THz FWHM
      bandwidth in normally-dispersive single-mode conventional and photonic crystal
      fibers, with a potential of compression to 6 fs. Pulse dechirping in our hybrid
      DDL through second- and third-order dispersion (TOD) compensation results in 10*
      compression to 14 fs, limited by the bandwidth of the DDL transfer function and
      higher-order dispersion. The large tunability of the TOD of the hybrid DDL is
      shown.

PMID- 24216735
TI  - Generation of an azimuthally polarized beam with a metallic ring core fiber.
AB  - A fiber with a thin-metallic layer introduced between the central core and the
      cladding is proposed to lift the near-degeneracy of the modes TE01, TM01, and
      HE21. It can be used to obtain the pure mode TE01 as both the active and passive
      fibers. In the case of the active fiber, the fiber with the appropriate rare
      earth doping profile in the central core is presented as the gain medium of a
      fiber laser. The numerical results show that the pure mode TE01 (99.99%) can be
      obtained. In the case of the passive fiber, Gaussian light beams with suitable
      shift distance from the center core are coupled into the fiber. The results
      indicate that only the mode TE01 remains with the increasing propagation
      distance.

PMID- 24216736
TI  - Comparative analysis of numerical methods for the mode analysis of laser beams.
AB  - We present a comparative study of four numerical methods to detect the mode
      content of a laser beam from, at most, two intensity images. The techniques are
      compared regarding temporal effort, stability, and accuracy, using the example of
      three multimode optical fibers that differ in the number of supported modes. 

PMID- 24216737
TI  - Shack-Hartmann mask/pupil registration algorithm for wavefront sensing in
      segmented mirror telescopes.
AB  - Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing in general requires careful registration of the
      reimaged telescope primary mirror to the Shack-Hartmann mask or lenslet array.
      The registration requirements are particularly demanding for applications in
      which segmented mirrors are phased using a physical optics generalization of the
      Shack-Hartmann test. In such cases the registration tolerances are less than 0.1%
      of the diameter of the primary mirror. We present a pupil registration algorithm
      suitable for such high accuracy applications that is based on the one used
      successfully for phasing the segments of the Keck telescopes. The pupil is
      aligned in four degrees of freedom (translations, rotation, and magnification) by
      balancing the intensities of subimages formed by small subapertures that straddle
      the periphery of the mirror. We describe the algorithm in general terms and then
      in the specific context of two very different geometries: the 492 segment Thirty
      Meter Telescope, and the seven "segment" Giant Magellan Telescope. Through
      detailed simulations we explore the accuracy of the algorithm and its sensitivity
      to such effects as cross talk, noise/counting statistics, atmospheric
      scintillation, and segment reflectivity variations. 

PMID- 24216738
TI  - Achromatic optical compensation using dispersion of uniaxial films for
      elimination of off-axis light leakage in a liquid crystal cell.
AB  - We propose an achromatic optical-compensation method using uniaxial films to
      eliminate the off-axis light leakage at the dark state in a homogeneously aligned
      liquid crystal cell. Three uniaxial films with different dispersion
      characteristics are used so that they can compensate each other to achieve
      achromatic effective phase retardation at off-axis. The retardation values are
      optimized with the aid of the Poincare sphere and through numerical research. A
      contrast ratio of higher than 2000?1 is predicted over the entire +/-60 degrees 
      viewing cone for a homogeneously aligned LC cell with zero pretilt angle.

PMID- 24216739
TI  - Characterization of laser-driven shock waves in solids using a fiber optic
      pressure probe.
AB  - Measurement of laser-driven shock wave pressure in solid blocks of polymethyl
      methacrylate is demonstrated using fiber optic pressure probes. Three probes
      based on a fiber Fabry-Perot, fiber Bragg grating, and interferometric fiber tip
      sensor are tested and compared. Shock waves are generated using a high-power
      laser focused onto a thin foil target placed in close proximity to the test
      blocks. The fiber Fabry-Perot sensor appears capable of resolving the shock front
      with a rise time of 91 ns. The peak pressure is estimated, using a separate
      shadowgraphy measurement, to be 3.4 GPa.

PMID- 24216740
TI  - Unambiguous 3D measurement from speckle-embedded fringe.
AB  - This paper proposes a novel phase-shifting method for fast, accurate, and
      unambiguous 3D shape measurement. The basic idea is embedding a speckle-like
      signal in three sinusoidal fringe patterns to eliminate the phase ambiguity, but
      without reducing the fringe amplitude or frequency. The absolute depth is then
      recovered through a robust region-wise voting strategy relying on the embedded
      signal. Using the theoretical minimum of only three images, the proposed method
      greatly facilitates the application of phase shifting in time-critical
      conditions. Moreover, the proposed method is resistant to the global illumination
      effects, as the fringe patterns used are with a single high frequency. Based on
      the proposed method, we further demonstrate a real-time, high-precision 3D
      scanning system with an off-the-shelf projector and a commodity camera. 

PMID- 24216741
TI  - Detection of single gold nanoparticles using spatial modulation spectroscopy
      implemented with a galvo-scanning mirror system.
AB  - The optical extinction of single nanoparticles can be sensitively detected by
      spatial modulation spectroscopy (SMS), where the particle is moved in and out of
      a tightly focused laser beam with a piezo-device. Here we show that high
      sensitivity can be obtained by modulating the beam with a galvo-mirror system,
      rather than by moving the sample. This work demonstrates an inexpensive method
      for making a SMS microscope, and shows how an existing laser scanning microscope
      can be adapted for SMS measurements. The galvo-mirror technique also allows SMS
      measurements to be performed in a liquid, which is difficult to do with piezo
      modulation. 

PMID- 24216742
TI  - Optical alignment of pixelated 4f optical system using multiplexed filter.
AB  - Novel optical alignment techniques to perform precise alignment of a typical
      pixelated 4f optical system are presented in this paper. These techniques use
      optical multiplexed matched filters, which were designed using a simple,
      efficient iterative optimization algorithm, known as direct binary search. Three
      alignment challenges are identified: positioning, focusing, and magnification.
      The first two alignments were performed using the optical multiplexed matched
      filtering technique, and the last one was performed using a new optical
      arrangement. Experimental results of the new alignment techniques and a simple
      optical pattern recognition problem to demonstrate the benefits of the new
      alignment techniques are also presented. Two pixelated, electrically addressed
      spatial light modulators (128 * 128 pixels and one pixel width is 80 MUm) were
      used to represent the input and filter planes. The results clearly show that the
      new alignment techniques allow the 4f system to be aligned to a precision of 80
      MUm in the x-y direction and 0.716 mm in the z direction.

PMID- 24216743
TI  - In-line polarizer used in all-0 degrees -splice resonator fiber-optic gyro.
AB  - A method to suppress the polarization-fluctuation-induced drift in a resonator
      fiber-optic gyro is proposed in this paper. By inserting one in-line polarizer
      whose polarization extinction ratio is 30 dB into a polarization-maintaining
      fiber resonator with 0 degrees  polarization-axis splices, the unwanted resonance
      is introduced to high loss and therefore the ratio of the resonance height of the
      desired eigen-states of polarization (ESOP) to the unwanted ESOP is 74 dB
      theoretically; thus the polarization-fluctuation-induced drift is adequately
      suppressed. The new scheme has excellent operability and high temperature
      stability simultaneously. Compared to the resonator with twin 90 degrees 
      polarization-axis rotated splices, this scheme does not need precise length
      difference control. This work is of great importance in the research on resonator
      integrated optic gyros.

PMID- 24216744
TI  - Effect of aberrations in a holographic system on reflecting volume Bragg
      gratings.
AB  - The effect of aberrations in the recording beams of a holographic setup is
      discussed regarding the deterioration of properties of a reflecting volume Bragg
      grating. Imperfect recording beams result in a spatially varying grating vector,
      which causes broadening, asymmetry, and washed out side lobes in the reflection
      spectrum as well as a corresponding reduction in peak diffraction efficiency.
      These effects are more significant for gratings with narrower spectral widths. 

PMID- 24216745
TI  - Enhancing the chroma of pigmented polymers using antireflective surface
      structures.
AB  - In this paper we investigate how the color of a pigmented polymer is affected by
      reduction of the reflectance at the air-polymer interface. Both theoretical and
      experimental investigations show modified diffuse-direct reflectance spectra when
      the reflectance of the surface is lowered. Specifically it is found that the
      color change is manifested as an increase in chroma, leading to a clearer color
      experience. The experimental implementation is done using random tapered surface
      structures replicated in polymer from silicon masters using hot embossing.

PMID- 24216746
TI  - Interferometric filters for spectral discrimination in high-spectral-resolution
      lidar: performance comparisons between Fabry-Perot interferometer and field
      widened Michelson interferometer.
AB  - Thanks to wavelength flexibility, interferometric filters such as Fabry-Perot
      interferometers (FPIs) and field-widened Michelson interferometers (FWMIs) have
      shown great convenience for spectrally separating the molecule and aerosol
      scattering components in the high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) return signal.
      In this paper, performance comparisons between the FPI and FWMI as a
      spectroscopic discrimination filter in HSRL are performed. We first present a
      theoretical method for spectral transmission analysis and quantitative evaluation
      on the spectral discrimination. Then the process in determining the parameters of
      the FPI and FWMI for the performance comparisons is described. The influences
      from the incident field of view (FOV), the cumulative wavefront error induced by
      practical imperfections, and the frequency locking error on the spectral
      discrimination performance of the two filters are discussed in detail.
      Quantitative analyses demonstrate that FPI can produce higher transmittance while
      the remarkable spectral discrimination is one of the most appealing advantages of
      FWMI. As a result of the field-widened design, the FWMI still performs well even
      under the illumination with large FOV while the FPI is only qualified for a small
      incident angle. The cumulative wavefront error attaches a great effect on the
      spectral discrimination performance of the interferometric filters. We suggest if
      a cumulative wavefront error is less than 0.05 waves RMS, it is beneficial to
      employ the FWMI; otherwise, FPI may be more proper. Although the FWMI shows much
      more sensitivity to the frequency locking error, it can outperform the FPI given
      a locking error less than 0.1 GHz is achieved. In summary, the FWMI is very
      competent in HSRL applications if these practical engineering and control
      problems can be solved, theoretically. Some other estimations neglected in this
      paper can also be carried out through the analytical method illustrated herein.

PMID- 24216747
TI  - Understanding medical care of transplant recipients through integrated registry
      and pharmacy claims data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on medication use aside from immunosuppression
      among large samples of kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: We examined a novel
      database wherein Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) registry
      data were linked to records from a US pharmaceutical claims clearinghouse (2005
      2010 claims) to examine pharmaceutical care at the first transplant anniversary
      (n = 16,157). We quantified the use of the following medication types within +/
      60 days of the first-year OPTN report according to estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (eGFR): antihypertensives, lipid-lowering, bone and mineral, and
      anemia treatments. Adjusted associations of medication use with eGFR and other
      clinical factors were quantified by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS:
      Requirements for multiple antihypertensive agents rose with lower eGFR, with beta
      blockers comprising the most commonly used antihypertensive agent. The adjusted
      likelihood of vitamin D (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.07, 95% CI 1.19-3.59) and
      especially erythrocyte-stimulating agents (aOR 19.94, 95% CI 7.01-56.00) rose in
      a graded manner to peak with eGFR <15 versus >90, whereas statin use was most
      common with eGFR 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Black race was independently associated
      with increased use of all classes of antihypertensives and vitamin D, but lower
      adjusted statin use. Rapamycin-based immunosuppression was associated with
      increased use of statins and erythrocyte-stimulating agents. CONCLUSIONS:
      Integrated registry and pharmacy fill data provide a novel tool for
      pharmacoepidemiologic investigations of delivered post-transplant care.
      Transplant recipients with reduced renal function have increased requirements for
      pharmaceutical care of comorbidities. Causes of racial variation in medication
      fills warrant further investigation.

PMID- 24216748
TI  - Decoding the patterns of ubiquitin recognition by ubiquitin-associated domains
      from free energy simulations.
AB  - Ubiquitin is a highly conserved, highly represented protein acting as a
      regulating signal in numerous cellular processes. It leverages a single
      hydrophobic binding patch to recognize and bind a large variety of protein
      domains with remarkable specificity, but can also self-assemble into chains of
      poly-diubiquitin units in which these interfaces are sequestered, profoundly
      altering the individual monomers' recognition characteristics. Despite numerous
      studies, the origins of this varied specificity and the competition between
      substrates for the binding of the ubiquitin interface patch remain under heated
      debate. This study uses enhanced sampling all-atom molecular dynamics to simulate
      the unbinding of complexes of mono- or K48-linked diubiquitin bound to several
      ubiquitin-associated domains, providing insights into the mechanism and free
      energetics of ubiquitin recognition and binding. The implications for the subtle
      tradeoff between the stability of the polyubiquitin signal and its easy
      recognition by target protein assemblies are discussed, as is the enhanced
      affinity of the latter for long polyubiquitin chains compared to isolated mono-
      or diubiquitin. 

PMID- 24216749
TI  - Direct targeting of the thalamic anteroventral nucleus for deep brain stimulation
      by T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The thalamic anteroventral nucleus (AV) is a promising target
      structure for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients suffering from refractory
      epilepsy. Direct visualization of the AV would improve spatial accuracy in
      functional stereotactic neurosurgery for treatment of this disease. METHODS: On 3
      tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), acquisition parameters were adjusted for
      optimal demarcation of the AV in 1 healthy subject. Reliability of AV
      visualization was then evaluated in 5 healthy individuals and 3 patients with
      refractory epilepsy. RESULTS: In all individuals, an adjusted T1-weighted
      sequence allowed for demarcation of the AV. It was clearly distinguishable from
      hyperintense myelin-rich lamellae surrounding it ventrally and laterally and
      appeared hypo-intense compared to the adjacent thalamic nuclei. Image resolution
      and contrast facilitated direct stereotactic targeting of the AV prior to DBS
      surgery in all 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Direct targeting of the AV can be
      achieved, which has immediate implications for the accuracy of MRI-guided DBS in
      patients with refractory epilepsy.

PMID- 24216751
TI  - Synchronization of EEG: bivariate and multivariate measures.
AB  - Synchronization behavior of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals is important
      for decoding information processing in the human brain. Modern multichannel EEG
      allows a transition from traditional measurements of synchronization in pairs of
      EEG signals to whole-brain synchronization maps. The latter can be based on
      bivariate measures (BM) via averaging over pair-wise values or, alternatively, on
      multivariate measures (MM), which directly ascribe a single value to the
      synchronization in a group. In order to compare BM versus MM, we applied nine
      different estimators to simulated multivariate time series with known parameters
      and to real EEGs.We found widespread correlations between BM and MM, which were
      almost frequency-independent for all the measures except coherence. The analysis
      of the behavior of synchronization measures in simulated settings with variable
      coupling strength, connection probability, and parameter mismatch showed that
      some of them, including S-estimator, S-Renyi, omega, and coherence, aremore
      sensitive to linear interdependences,while others, like mutual information and
      phase locking value, are more responsive to nonlinear effects. Onemust consider
      these properties together with the fact thatMM are computationally less expensive
      and, therefore, more efficient for the large-scale data sets than BM while
      choosing a synchronization measure for EEG analysis.

PMID- 24216750
TI  - Maternal immune activation increases the corticosterone response to acute stress
      without affecting the hypothalamic monoamine content and sleep patterns in male
      mice offspring.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Early life experiences are homeostatic determinants for adult
      organisms. We evaluated the impact of prenatal immune activation during late
      gestation on the neuroimmune-endocrine function of adult offspring and its
      interaction with acute stress. METHODS: Pregnant Swiss mice received saline or
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on gestational day 17. Adult male offspring were
      assigned to the control or restraint stress condition. We analyzed plasmatic
      corticosterone and catecholamine levels, the monoamine content in the
      hypothalamus, striatum and frontal cortex, and the sleep-wake cycle before and
      after acute restraint stress. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Offspring from LPS-treated
      dams had increased baseline norepinephrine levels and potentiated corticosterone
      secretion after the acute stressor, and no effect was observed on hypothalamic
      monoamine content or sleep behavior. The offspring of immune-activated dams
      exhibited impairments in stress-induced serotonergic and dopaminergic alterations
      in the striatum and frontal cortex. The data demonstrate a distinction between
      the plasmatic levels of corticosterone in response to acute stress and the
      hypothalamic monoamine content and sleep patterns. We provide new evidence
      regarding the influence of immune activation during late gestation on the
      neuroendocrine homeostasis of offspring.

PMID- 24216752
TI  - Racial differences in human platelet PAR4 reactivity reflect expression of PCTP
      and miR-376c.
AB  - Racial differences in the pathophysiology of atherothrombosis are poorly
      understood. We explored the function and transcriptome of platelets in healthy
      black (n = 70) and white (n = 84) subjects. Platelet aggregation and calcium
      mobilization induced by the PAR4 thrombin receptor were significantly greater in
      black subjects. Numerous differentially expressed RNAs were associated with both
      race and PAR4 reactivity, including PCTP (encoding phosphatidylcholine transfer
      protein), and platelets from black subjects expressed higher levels of PC-TP
      protein. PC-TP inhibition or depletion blocked PAR4- but not PAR1-mediated
      activation of platelets and megakaryocytic cell lines. miR-376c levels were
      differentially expressed by race and PAR4 reactivity and were inversely
      correlated with PCTP mRNA levels, PC-TP protein levels and PAR4 reactivity. miR
      376c regulated the expression of PC-TP in human megakaryocytes. A
      disproportionately high number of microRNAs that were differentially expressed by
      race and PAR4 reactivity, including miR-376c, are encoded in the DLK1-DIO3 locus
      and were expressed at lower levels in platelets from black subjects. These
      results suggest that PC-TP contributes to the racial difference in PAR4-mediated
      platelet activation, indicate a genomic contribution to platelet function that
      differs by race and emphasize a need to consider the effects of race when
      developing anti-thrombotic drugs. 

PMID- 24216754
TI  - Reaction site-driven regioselective synthesis of AChE inhibitors.
AB  - The enzyme-directed synthesis is an emerging fragment-based lead discovery
      approach in which the biological target is able to assemble its own multidentate
      ligands from a pool of building blocks. Here, we report for the first time the
      use of the human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as an enzyme for the design and
      synthesis of new potent heterodimeric huprine-based inhibitors. Both the specific
      click chemistry site within the protein and the regioselectivity of the Huisgen
      cycloaddition observed suggest promising alternatives in the design of efficient
      mono- and dimeric ligands of AChE. Finally, a detailed computational modelling of
      the click reaction was conducted to further understand the origin of this TGS
      selectivity. 

PMID- 24216753
TI  - Targeting of alphav integrin identifies a core molecular pathway that regulates
      fibrosis in several organs.
AB  - Myofibroblasts are the major source of extracellular matrix components that
      accumulate during tissue fibrosis, and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are believed
      to be the major source of myofibroblasts in the liver. To date, robust systems to
      genetically manipulate these cells have not been developed. We report that Cre
      under control of the promoter of Pdgfrb (Pdgfrb-Cre) inactivates loxP-flanked
      genes in mouse HSCs with high efficiency. We used this system to delete the gene
      encoding alpha(v) integrin subunit because various alpha(v)-containing integrins
      have been suggested as central mediators of fibrosis in multiple organs. Such
      depletion protected mice from carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis,
      whereas global loss of beta3, beta5 or beta6 integrins or conditional loss of
      beta8 integrins in HSCs did not. We also found that Pdgfrb-Cre effectively
      targeted myofibroblasts in multiple organs, and depletion of the alpha(v)
      integrin subunit using this system was protective in other models of organ
      fibrosis, including pulmonary and renal fibrosis. Pharmacological blockade of
      alpha(v)-containing integrins by a small molecule (CWHM 12) attenuated both liver
      and lung fibrosis, including in a therapeutic manner. These data identify a core
      pathway that regulates fibrosis and suggest that pharmacological targeting of all
      alpha(v) integrins may have clinical utility in the treatment of patients with a
      broad range of fibrotic diseases.

PMID- 24216755
TI  - The discrepancy between patients and informants on clinician-rated measures in
      major depressive disorder: implications for clinical trials and clinical
      practice.
AB  - Clinician-rated measures are used in clinical trials and measurement-based
      clinical care settings to assess baseline symptoms and treatment outcomes of
      major depressive disorder (MDD), with a widely held dictum that they are
      sufficient in assessing the patient's clinical status. In this study, we examined
      clinician-rated measures of depressive and global symptom severity, obtained by
      interviewing patients as well as informants in an attempt to examine the
      potential difference or similarity between these two sources of information. The
      sample consisted of 89 treatment seeking, DSM-IV diagnosed MDD outpatients
      treated between 1995 and 2004. The clinician-rated measures used included the
      Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Clinical Global
      Impression Scale (CGI) for Severity. The scores of the clinician-rated measures
      collected from patients' interviews were compared with those collected from
      informants' interviews. Clinician-rated scores, collected by interviewing
      patients, were significantly higher and indicative of greater symptom severity
      when compared with those collected by interviewing informants. This was true for
      both the MADRS before (P<0.0001) and after treatment scores (P<0.0001), as well
      as the CGI before (P<0.0001) and after treatment scores (P<0.0001). Consistently
      involving informants and the time/burden it takes for them to participate might
      not be practical in MDD clinical trials or everyday clinical care. The
      discrepancies observed between the clinician-rated scores obtained from patients
      and informants emphasize the importance of incorporating collateral information
      during the assessment and rating of depressive symptom severity in both clinical
      trials as well as in clinical practice. 

PMID- 24216756
TI  - Cheap glass fiber mats as a matrix of gel polymer electrolytes for lithium ion
      batteries.
AB  - Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are going to play more important roles in electric
      vehicles and smart grids. The safety of the current LIBs of large capacity has
      been remaining a challenge due to the existence of large amounts of organic
      liquid electrolytes. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have been tried to replace
      the organic electrolyte to improve their safety. However, the application of GPEs
      is handicapped by their poor mechanical strength and high cost. Here, we report
      an economic gel-type composite membrane with high safety and good mechanical
      strength based on glass fiber mats, which are separator for lead-acid batteries.
      The gelled membrane exhibits high ionic conductivity (1.13 mS cm(-1)), high Li(+)
      ion transference number (0.56) and wide electrochemical window. Its
      electrochemical performance is evaluated by LiFePO4 cathode with good cycling.
      The results show this gel-type composite membrane has great attraction to the
      large-capacity LIBs requiring high safety with low cost.

PMID- 24216757
TI  - Increased air stability and decreased dehydrogenation temperature of LiBH4 via
      modification within poly(methylmethacrylate).
AB  - An air-stable LiBH4 polymeric composite was successfully prepared by modifying
      LiBH4 with a gas-barrier polymer matrix, poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA). The as
      prepared LiBH4@PMMA composite started to dehydrogenate at 53  degrees C with the
      first main dehydrogenation peak at 116  degrees C, and 5.2 wt% of hydrogen
      released at 162  degrees C within 1 h. 

PMID- 24216758
TI  - The role of spacers on the self-assembly of DNA aptamer-amphiphiles into micelles
      and nanotapes.
AB  - The self-assembly of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamer-amphiphiles was
      influenced by the choice of spacer used to link the hydrophobic tail and aptamer
      headgroup. Aptamer-amphiphiles without spacers or with hydrophilic spacers formed
      globular micelles while amphiphiles with hydrophobic spacers formed bilayer
      nanotapes, which are the first such structures formed by DNA-amphiphiles. 

PMID- 24216759
TI  - Receptor tyrosine kinase ubiquitylation involves the dynamic regulation of Cbl
      Spry2 by intersectin 1 and the Shp2 tyrosine phosphatase.
AB  - Ubiquitylation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulates their trafficking
      and lysosomal degradation. The multidomain scaffolding protein intersectin 1
      (ITSN1) is an important regulator of this process. ITSN1 stimulates
      ubiquitylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) through enhancing
      the activity of the Cbl E3 ubiquitin ligase. However, the precise mechanism
      through which ITSN1 enhances Cbl activity is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that
      ITSN1 interacts with and recruits the Shp2 tyrosine phosphatase to Spry2 to
      enhance its dephosphorylation, thereby disrupting the inhibitory effect of Spry2
      on Cbl and enhancing EGFR ubiquitylation. In contrast, expression of a
      catalytically inactive Shp2 mutant reversed the effect of ITSN1 on Spry2
      dephosphorylation and decreased Cbl-mediated EGFR ubiquitylation. In addition,
      disruption of ITSN1 binding to Spry2 through point mutation of the Pro-rich ITSN1
      binding site in Spry2 resulted in decreased Shp2-Spry2 interaction and enhanced
      Spry2 tyrosine phosphorylation. This study demonstrates that ITSN1 enhances Cbl
      activity, in part, by modulating the interaction of Cbl with Spry2 through
      recruitment of Shp2 phosphatase to the Cbl-Spry2 complex. These findings reveal a
      new level of complexity in the regulation of RTKs by Cbl through ITSN1 binding
      with Shp2 and Spry2. 

PMID- 24216760
TI  - Beta-like importins mediate the nuclear translocation of mitogen-activated
      protein kinases.
AB  - The rapid nuclear translocation of signaling proteins upon stimulation is
      important for the regulation of de novo gene expression. We have studied the
      stimulated nuclear shuttling of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen
      activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and found that they translocate into the
      nucleus in a Ran-dependent, but NLS- or NTS-independent, manner, unrelated to
      their catalytic activity. We show that this translocation involves three beta
      like importins, importins 3, 7, and 9 (Imp3/7/9). Knockdown of these importins
      inhibits the nuclear translocation of the MAPKs and, thereby, activation of their
      transcription factor targets. We further demonstrate that the translocation
      requires the stimulated formation of heterotrimers composed of Imp3/Imp7/MAPK or
      Imp3/Imp9/MAPK. JNK1/2 and p38alpha/beta bind to either Imp7 or Imp9 upon
      stimulated posttranslational modification of the two Imps, while Imp3 joins the
      complex after its stimulation-induced phosphorylation. Once formed, these
      heterotrimers move to the nuclear envelope, where importin 3 remains, while
      importins 7 and 9 escort the MAPKs into the nucleus. These results suggest that
      beta-like importins are central mediators of stimulated nuclear translocation of
      signaling proteins and therefore add a central level of regulation to stimulated
      transcription. 

PMID- 24216762
TI  - An investigation of the effects of the core protein telomerase reverse
      transcriptase on Wnt signaling in breast cancer cells.
AB  - Telomerase canonically maintains telomeres, but recent reports have suggested
      that the core protein mammalian telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT)
      component, together with the chromatin remodeling factor BRG1 and beta-catenin,
      may also bind to and promote expression of Wnt target genes. However, this
      proposed noncanonical role of TERT in Wnt signaling has been controversial. Here,
      we investigated the effects of human TERT (hTERT) on Wnt signaling in human
      breast cancer lines and HeLa cells. We failed to find evidence for physical
      association of hTERT with BRG1 or beta-catenin; instead, we present evidence that
      anti-FLAG antibody cross-reactivity properties may explain the previously
      reported interaction of hTERT with beta-catenin. Furthermore, altering hTERT
      levels in four different breast cancer cell lines caused minimal and discordant
      effects on Wnt target and Wnt pathway gene expression. Although hTERT's role in
      Wnt signaling was addressed only indirectly, no significant representation of Wnt
      target genes was detected in chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq)
      and chromatin isolation by RNA purification and sequencing (ChIRP-seq) loci
      cooccupied in HeLa S3 cells by both BRG1 and hTR. In summary, our evidence fails
      to support the idea of a biologically consistent hTERT interaction with the Wnt
      pathway in human breast cancer cells, and any detectable influence of hTERT
      depended on cell type and experimental system. 

PMID- 24216761
TI  - Identification of a novel protein interaction motif in the regulatory subunit of
      casein kinase 2.
AB  - Casein kinase 2 (CK2) regulates multiple cellular processes and can promote
      oncogenesis. Interactions with the CK2beta regulatory subunit of the enzyme
      target its catalytic subunit (CK2alpha or CK2alpha') to specific substrates;
      however, little is known about the mechanisms by which these interactions occur.
      We previously showed that by binding CK2beta, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA1
      protein recruits CK2 to promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies, where
      increased CK2-mediated phosphorylation of PML proteins triggers their
      degradation. Here we have identified a KSSR motif near the dimerization interface
      of CK2beta as forming part of a protein interaction pocket that mediates
      interaction with EBNA1. We show that the EBNA1-CK2beta interaction is primed by
      phosphorylation of EBNA1 on S393 (within a polyserine region). This phosphoserine
      is critical for EBNA1-induced PML degradation but does not affect EBNA1 functions
      in EBV replication or segregation. Using comparative proteomics of wild-type (WT)
      and KSSR mutant CK2beta, we identified an uncharacterized cellular protein,
      C18orf25/ARKL1, that also binds CK2beta through the KSSR motif and show that this
      involves a polyserine sequence resembling the CK2beta binding sequence in EBNA1.
      Therefore, we have identified a new mechanism of CK2 interaction used by viral
      and cellular proteins. 

PMID- 24216763
TI  - Pknox1/Prep1 regulates mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation components in
      skeletal muscle.
AB  - The homeodomain transcription factor Prep1 was previously shown to regulate
      insulin sensitivity. Our aim was to study the specific role of Prep1 for the
      regulation of energy metabolism in skeletal muscle. Muscle-specific ablation of
      Prep1 resulted in increased expression of respiratory chain subunits. This
      finding was consistent with an increase in mitochondrial enzyme activity without
      affecting mitochondrial volume fraction as assessed by electron microscopy.
      Metabolic phenotyping revealed no differences in daily energy expenditure or body
      composition. However, during treadmill exercise challenge, Prep1 ablation
      resulted in a higher maximal oxidative capacity and better endurance. Elevated
      PGC-1alpha expression was identified as a cause for increased mitochondrial
      capacity in Prep1 ablated mice. Prep1 stabilizes p160 Mybbp1a, a known inhibitor
      of PGC-1alpha activity. Thereby, p160 protein levels were significantly lower in
      the muscle of Prep1 ablated mice. By a chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing
      (ChIP-seq) approach, PREP1 binding sites in genes encoding mitochondrial
      components (e.g., Ndufs2) were identified that might be responsible for elevated
      proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the muscle of Prep1
      null mutants. These results suggest that Prep1 exhibits additional direct effects
      on regulation of mitochondrial proteins. We therefore conclude that Prep1 is a
      regulator of oxidative phosphorylation components via direct and indirect
      mechanisms.

PMID- 24216764
TI  - p300-dependent acetylation of activating transcription factor 5 enhances
      C/EBPbeta transactivation of C/EBPalpha during 3T3-L1 differentiation.
AB  - Adipogenesis is a multistep process by which 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiate
      into mature adipocytes through mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) and terminal
      differentiation. The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) is an
      important transcription factor that takes part in both of these processes.
      C/EBPbeta not only transactivates C/EBPalpha and the peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), which cause 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to enter
      terminal adipocyte differentiation, but also is required to activate cell cycle
      genes necessary for MCE. The identification of potential cofactors of C/EBPbeta
      will help to explain how C/EBPbeta undertakes these specialized roles during the
      different stages of adipogenesis. In this study, we found that activating
      transcription factor 5 (ATF5) can bind to the promoter of C/EBPalpha via its
      direct interaction with C/EBPbeta (which is mediated via the p300-dependent
      acetylation of ATF5), leading to enhanced C/EBPbeta transactivation of
      C/EBPalpha. We also show that p300 is important for the interaction of ATF5 with
      C/EBPbeta as well as for the binding activity of this complex on the C/EBPalpha
      promoter. Consistent with these findings, overexpression of ATF5 and an
      acetylated ATF5 mimic both promoted 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation, whereas
      short interfering RNA-mediated ATF5 downregulation inhibited this process.
      Furthermore, we show that the elevated expression of ATF5 is correlated with an
      obese phenotype in both mice and humans. In summary, we have identified ATF5 as a
      new cofactor of C/EBPbeta and examined how C/EBPbeta and ATF5 (acetylated by a
      p300-dependent mechanism) regulate the transcription of C/EBPalpha. 

PMID- 24216765
TI  - Characterization of the embB gene in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from
      Barcelona and rapid detection of main mutations related to ethambutol resistance
      using a low-density DNA array.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Ethambutol resistance has mostly been related to mutations in the
      embB gene. The objective of the present study was to characterize the embB gene
      in a collection of ethambutol-resistant and ethambutol-susceptible isolates of
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) from Barcelona, and to develop a DNA
      microarray for the rapid detection of embB mutations in our area. METHODS: Fifty
      three ethambutol-resistant and 702 ethambutol-susceptible isolates of MTBC were
      sequenced in internal 982-1495 bp fragments of the embB gene. In addition, a low
      cost, low-density array was designed to include the embB codons identified as
      being most frequently mutated in our area (LD-EMB array). RESULTS: The global
      prevalence of embB mutations found among the ethambutol-resistant isolates was
      77.4% (41/53). Substitutions in embB306 were the most common [53.7% (22/41)],
      followed by substitutions in embB406 [26.8% (11/41)]. The presence of mutations
      in embB406 was related to higher levels of ethambutol resistance and to multidrug
      resistance. Among unrelated isolates (from 24-locus MIRU-VNTR genotyping), the
      percentage of embB-mutated isolates was 72.9% (27/37)--59.3% (16/27) in embB306
      and 25.9% (7/27) in embB406. None of the ethambutol-susceptible isolates studied
      showed a mutation in codon 306 or 406. The LD-EMB array showed 100% sensitivity
      and specificity in identifying the main embB substitutions in our area.
      CONCLUSIONS: Mutations at codons 306 and 406 of embB have a relevant role in
      resistance to ethambutol in our area. The LD-EMB array developed in this study
      would appear to be a good molecular test for rapid detection of ethambutol
      resistance.

PMID- 24216766
TI  - Antibacterial activity of bone cement containing quaternary ammonium
      polyethyleneimine nanoparticles.

PMID- 24216767
TI  - Correlation between veterinary antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in
      food-producing animals: a report on seven countries.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate correlations between antimicrobial use and the prevalence
      of resistance in commensal Escherichia coli isolates from pigs, poultry and
      cattle, using data from publicly available national or international reports from
      seven European countries. METHODS: The link between the quantities of different
      classes of antimicrobials administered to food-producing animals per country
      (expressed in mg/population correction unit) and the prevalence of resistance to
      the different antimicrobial classes (interpreted by EUCAST epidemiological cut
      off values) in E. coli isolates (4831 isolates in total) was assessed by means of
      polynomial regression analysis and determination of Spearman's rank correlation
      coefficient. RESULTS: A quadratic regression best fitted the antimicrobial use
      and antimicrobial resistance data. The coefficient of determination was, in
      decreasing order, 0.99 for fluoroquinolones and amphenicols, 0.94 for third
      generation cephalosporins and sulphonamides, 0.93 for aminopenicillins, 0.86 for
      fluoroquinolones, 0.81 for streptomycin and 0.80 for gentamicin and tetracycline.
      Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was 1 for amphenicols, 0.96 for
      sulphonamides, 0.93 for streptomycin and tetracycline, 0.89 for aminopenicillins,
      0.71 for gentamicin and 0.70 for third-generation cephalosporins. CONCLUSIONS:
      These remarkably high coefficients indicate that, at a national level, the level
      of use of specific antimicrobials strongly correlates to the level of resistance
      towards these agents in commensal E. coli isolates in pigs, poultry and cattle.
      However, data restraints reveal the need for further detail in collection and
      harmonization of antimicrobial resistance and use data in Europe.

PMID- 24216768
TI  - Novel mutations in penicillin-binding protein genes in clinical Staphylococcus
      aureus isolates that are methicillin resistant on susceptibility testing, but
      lack the mec gene.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important
      global health problem. MRSA resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics is mediated by
      the mecA or mecC genes, which encode an alternative penicillin-binding protein
      (PBP) 2a that has a low affinity to beta-lactam antibiotics. Detection of mec
      genes or PBP2a is regarded as the gold standard for the diagnosis of MRSA. We
      identified four MRSA isolates that lacked mecA or mecC genes, but were still
      phenotypically resistant to pencillinase-resistant beta-lactam antibiotics.
      METHODS: The four human S. aureus isolates were investigated by whole genome
      sequencing and a range of phenotypic assays. RESULTS: We identified a number of
      amino acid substitutions present in the endogenous PBPs 1, 2 and 3 that were
      found in the resistant isolates but were absent in closely related susceptible
      isolates and which may be the basis of resistance. Of particular interest are
      three identical amino acid substitutions in PBPs 1, 2 and 3, occurring
      independently in isolates from at least two separate multilocus sequence types.
      Two different non-conservative substitutions were also present in the same amino
      acid of PBP1 in two isolates from two different sequence types. CONCLUSIONS: This
      work suggests that phenotypically resistant MRSA could be misdiagnosed using
      molecular methods alone and provides evidence of alternative mechanisms for beta
      lactam resistance in MRSA that may need to be considered by diagnostic
      laboratories.

PMID- 24216769
TI  - Pancreatitis in tigecycline Phase 3 and 4 clinical studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the incidence of pancreatitis among subjects enrolled in
      the tigecycline clinical trial programme, summarize cases and examine concomitant
      use of other pancreatitis-causing medications. METHODS: Subject data from Phase 3
      and 4 comparative tigecycline studies were included in the analysis; investigator
      reported adverse events of 'pancreatitis', 'necrotizing pancreatitis' or
      'pancreas disorder' were reviewed. Data were summarized and cases were reported.
      No statistical comparisons were made. The incidence of overall pancreatitis with
      95% CIs was calculated. The Wilson score method was used to calculate CIs.
      RESULTS: Nineteen subjects with investigator-determined pancreatitis were
      identified from the programme database, which included 3788 subjects treated with
      tigecycline and 3646 subjects treated with a comparator. There were 9 cases
      identified among the tigecycline-treated subjects [9 of 3788 (0.24%; 95% CI, 0.11
      0.45)] and 10 cases among the comparator-treated subjects [10 of 3646 (0.27%; 95%
      CI, 0.13-0.50)]. The demographic characteristics of the subjects with
      pancreatitis were similar between treatment groups. The median duration of
      tigecycline therapy was 8.0 days compared with 11.0 days of comparator treatment.
      Concomitant or prior exposure to a Badalov class I medication was evident in the
      majority of subjects who developed pancreatitis. A numerically higher number of
      tigecycline-treated subjects were exposed to furosemide prior to the onset of
      pancreatitis than comparator-treated subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatitis was
      uncommon in subjects treated with tigecycline, with an occurrence of <1%.
      Concomitant medications known to cause pancreatitis should be considered when
      prescribing tigecycline, but may not identify those at risk of developing
      pancreatitis.

PMID- 24216771
TI  - Laboratory and field study of the potential benefits of pinna cue-preserving
      hearing aids.
AB  - The potential benefits of preserving high-frequency spectral cues created by the
      pinna in hearing-aid fittings were investigated in a combined laboratory and
      field test. In a single-blind crossover design, two settings of an experimental
      hearing aid were compared. One setting was characterized by a pinna cue
      preserving microphone position, whereas the other was characterized by a
      microphone position not preserving pinna cues. Participants were allowed 1 month
      of acclimatization to each setting before measurements of localization and
      spatial release from speech-on-speech masking were completed in the laboratory.
      Real-world experience with the two settings was assessed by means of
      questionnaires. Seventeen participants with mild to moderate sensorineural
      hearing impairments completed the study. An inconsistent pinna cue benefit
      pattern was observed across the outcome measures. In the localization test, the
      pinna cue-preserving setting provided a significant mean reduction of 22 degrees 
      in the root mean square (RMS) error in the front-back dimension, with 13 of the
      17 participants showing a reduction of at least 15 degrees . No significant mean
      difference in RMS error between settings was observed in the left-right
      dimension. No significant differences between settings were observed in the
      spatial-unmasking test conditions. The questionnaire data indicated a small, but
      nonsignificant, benefit of the pinna cue-preserving setting in certain real-life
      situations, which corresponded with a general preference for that setting. No
      significant real-life localization benefit was observed. The results suggest that
      preserving pinna cues can offer benefit in some conditions for individual hearing
      aid users with mild to moderate hearing loss and is unlikely to harm performances
      for the rest. 

PMID- 24216772
TI  - Asynchronous binaural spatial audition sensor with 2 * 64 * 4 channel output.
AB  - This paper proposes an integrated event-based binaural silicon cochlea system
      aimed at efficient spatial audition and auditory scene analysis. The cochlea chip
      has a matched pair of digitally-calibrated 64-stage cascaded analog second-order
      filter banks with 512 pulse-frequency modulated (PFM) address-event
      representation (AER) outputs. The quality factors (Qs) of channels are
      individually adjusted by local DACs. The 2P4M 0.35 um CMOS chip consumes an
      average power of 14 mW including its integrated microphone preamplifiers and
      biasing circuits. Typical speech data rates are 10 k to 100 k events per second
      (eps) with peak output rates of 10 Meps. The event timing jitter is 2 us for a
      250 mVpp input. It is shown that the computational cost of an event-driven source
      localization application can be up to 40 times lower when compared to a
      conventional cross-correlation approach. 

PMID- 24216773
TI  - Association between dental caries and adiposity status (general, central, and
      peripheral adiposity) in 12-year-old children.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the cross-sectional relationship between dental
      caries experience and adiposity status (general, central, and peripheral
      adiposity) in 12-year-old children in Hong Kong. METHODS: A random sample of 668
      12-year-old students was recruited. Clinical assessment for dental caries (DMFT)
      was conducted using WHO criteria. Anthropometric measurements for body height,
      body weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference and triceps skinfold
      thickness (TRSKF) were performed to assess general adiposity (weight-height
      ratio, body mass index); central adiposity (WC; waist-hip ratio, WHR), and
      peripheral adiposity (TRSKF). Associations between adiposity indices and dental
      caries experience [prevalence DMFT > 0, 'high' experience (DMFT >= SiC Index
      value) and 'very high' experience (DMFT >= SiC10 Index value)] were examined in
      bivariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: The response rate was
      76.9% (n = 514/668). Regression analyses (adjusted for oral hygiene practice,
      snacking habits, and socio-demographic factors) identified that WHR z score was
      associated with 'high' dental caries experience (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.05, 1.70, p =
      0.02), and that WHR z score was associated with 'very high' dental caries
      experience (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10, 2.11, p = 0.01). TRSKF z score was associated
      with 'very high' dental caries experience (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10, 1.96, p = 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based sample of 12-year-old children in Hong Kong,
      dental caries experience was associated with adiposity. Central and peripheral,
      but not general adiposity was associated with dental caries experience.

PMID- 24216774
TI  - Experimental and numerical assessment of low-frequency current distributions from
      UMTS and GSM mobile phones.
AB  - The evaluation of the exposure from mobile communication devices requires
      consideration of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) over a broad frequency range from
      dc to GHz. Mobile phones in operation have prominent spectral components in the
      low-frequency (LF) and radio-frequency (RF) ranges. While the exposure to RF
      fields from mobile phones has been comprehensively assessed in the past, the LF
      fields have received much less attention. In this study, LF fields from mobile
      phones are assessed experimentally and numerically for the global system for
      mobile (GSM) and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) communication
      systems and conclusions about the global (LF and RF) EMF exposure from both
      systems are drawn. From the measurements of the time-domain magnetic fields, it
      was found that the contribution from the audio signal at a normal speech level,
      i.e., -16 dBm0, is the same order of magnitude as the fields induced by the
      current bursts generated from the implementation of the GSM communication system
      at maximum RF output level. The B-field induced by currents in phones using the
      UMTS is two orders of magnitude lower than that induced by GSM. Knowing that the
      RF exposure from the UMTS is also two orders of magnitude lower than from GSM, it
      is now possible to state that there is an overall reduction of the exposure from
      this communication system.

PMID- 24216775
TI  - Real-time detection of an airborne microorganism using inertial impaction and
      mini-fluorescent microscopy.
AB  - To achieve successful real-time detection of airborne pathogenic microorganisms,
      the problem must be considered in terms of their physical size and biological
      characteristics. We developed an airborne microorganism detection chip to realize
      the detection of microorganisms, ensuring compactness, sensitivity, cost
      efficiency, and portability, using three key components: an inertial impaction
      system, a cartridge-type impaction plate, and a mini-fluorescent microscope. The
      inertial impaction system was used to separate microorganisms in terms of their
      aerodynamic particle size, and was fabricated with three impaction stages.
      Numerical analysis was performed to design the system; the calculated cutoff
      diameter at each impaction stage was 2.02 (first stage), 0.88 (second stage), and
      0.54 MUm (third stage). The measured cutoff diameters were 2.24, 0.91, and 0.49
      MUm, respectively. A cartridge-type impaction plate was used, composed of molded
      polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and an actual impaction region made of a SYBR green I
      dye-stained agar plate. A mini-fluorescent microscope was used to distinguish
      microbes from non-biological particles. Images of the microorganisms deposited at
      the impaction zone were obtained via mini-fluorescent microscopy, and fluorescent
      intensities of the images were calculated using in-house image-processing
      software. The results showed that the developed system successfully identified
      aerosolized biological particles from non-biological particles in real time. 

PMID- 24216776
TI  - Trends in the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in Beijing based on
      hospitalization data from 1995 to 2010.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence trend of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in
      children in Beijing from 1995 to 2010, to compare it with incidences reported
      worldwide and to predict the requirement of medical resources in the future.
      METHODS: This study involved newly diagnosed T1DM cases younger than 15 years of
      age in the Beijing Children's Hospital from January 1995 to December 2010. We
      calculated the incidence of T1DM children in Beijing according to hospitalization
      data and Beijing's population. We defined it as the underestimated incidence rate
      (UE-IR). RESULTS: The UE-IRs of T1DM ranged from around 0.88/100,000 to
      2.37/100,000 for children in Beijing younger than 15 years of age from 1995 to
      2010. The UE-IR increased faster in boys (1.47 times) and in the age group of 0-4
      years (1.89 times) after 2003. The UE-IR was greatest in children aged 5-9 years
      (1.81/100,000) followed by the age of puberty (10-14 years, 1.76/100,000). The
      predicted number of new T1DM cases in Beijing will increase 1.97 times over the
      next 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence trend of T1DM was increasing gradually
      in those younger than 15 years of age in Beijing. The incidence of younger
      children and boys grew faster. The 5- to 14-year-old children represented a high
      risk population of T1DM. The number of predicted new T1DM cases will grow
      rapidly. This means that we should train more health care providers for pediatric
      diabetes patients, in order to achieve high-quality medical care and to be able
      to prevent or postpone chronic complications.

PMID- 24216777
TI  - Effecting professional unity.

PMID- 24216781
TI  - GRowing an epidermal tumor.
AB  - The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a member of the nuclear hormone family of
      transcription factors, has key physiological roles in many organs, including the
      skin. In this issue, Latorre et al. demonstrate that mice lacking GR in the
      epidermis exhibit increased vulnerability to chemical carcinogenesis. Evidence
      supporting an involvement of GR signaling in physiological and pathophysiological
      processes in skin is discussed. 

PMID- 24216782
TI  - Oral CCR5 inhibitors to prevent HIV transmission: the new "morning-before pill"?
AB  - In a recent study by Matsuzawa and colleagues, Maraviroc, a CCR5 inhibitor, was
      used as pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV-1 infection. The authors used an ex
      vivo model of HIV transmission to study the distribution and effectiveness of
      this HIV inhibitor in healthy volunteers. Strikingly, 3 days or more of oral
      administration of Maraviroc to healthy volunteers conferred protection against
      HIV infection to skin-derived Langerhans cells in the ex vivo system, suggesting
      Maraviroc as a useful candidate for pre-exposure prophylaxis in clinical trials. 

PMID- 24216786
TI  - Small interfering RNA.

PMID- 24216787
TI  - Ultrabroadband nonreciprocal transverse energy flow of light in linear passive
      photonic circuits.
AB  - Using a technique, analogous to coherent population trapping in an atomic system,
      we propose schemes to create transverse light propagation violating left-right
      symmetry in a photonic circuit consisting of three coupled waveguides. The
      frequency windows for the symmetry breaking of the left-right energy flow span
      over 80 nm. Our proposed system only uses linear passive optical materials and is
      easy to integrate on a chip. 

PMID- 24216788
TI  - High resolution imaging with differential infrared absorption micro-spectroscopy.
AB  - Although confocal infrared (IR) absorption micro-spectroscopy is well established
      for far-field chemical imaging, its scope remains restricted since diffraction
      limits the spatial resolution to values a little above half the radiation
      wavelength. Yet, the successful implementations of below-the-diffraction limit
      far-field fluorescence microscopies using saturated irradiation patterns for
      example for stimulated-emission depletion and saturated structured-illumination
      suggest the possibility of using a similar optical patterning strategy for
      infrared absorption mapping at high resolution. Simulations are used to show that
      the simple mapping of the difference in transmitted/reflected IR energy between a
      saturated vortex-shaped beam and a Gaussian reference with a confocal microscope
      affords the generation of high-resolution vibrational absorption images. On the
      basis of experimentally relevant parameters, the simulations of the differential
      absorption scheme reveal a spatial resolution better than a tenth of the
      wavelength for incident energies about a decade above the saturation threshold.
      The saturated structured illumination concepts are thus expected to be compatible
      with the establishment of point-like point-spread functions for measuring the
      absorbance of samples with a scanning confocal microscope recording the
      differential transmission/reflection. 

PMID- 24216789
TI  - Indirect absorption spectroscopy using quantum cascade lasers: mid-infrared
      refractometry and photothermal spectroscopy.
AB  - We record vibrational spectra with two indirect schemes that depend on the real
      part of the index of refraction: mid-infrared refractometry and photothermal
      spectroscopy. In the former, a quantum cascade laser (QCL) spot is imaged to
      determine the angles of total internal reflection, which yields the absorption
      line via a beam profile analysis. In the photothermal measurements, a tunable QCL
      excites vibrational resonances of a molecular monolayer, which heats the
      surrounding medium and changes its refractive index. This is observed with a
      probe laser in the visible. Sub-monolayer sensitivities are demonstrated. 

PMID- 24216790
TI  - High-resolution microscopy for biological specimens via cathodoluminescence of Eu
      and Zn-doped Y2O3 nanophosphors.
AB  - High-resolution microscopy for biological specimens was performed using
      cathodoluminescence (CL) of Y(2)O(3):Eu, Zn nanophosphors, which have high CL
      intensity due to the incorporation of Zn. The intensity of Y(2)O(3):Eu
      nanophosphors at low acceleration voltage (3 kV) was increased by adding Zn. The
      CL intensity was high enough for imaging even with a phosphor size as small as
      about 30 nm. The results show the possibility of using CL microscopy for
      biological specimens at single-protein-scale resolution. CL imaging of HeLa cells
      containing laser-ablated Y(2)O(3):Eu, Zn nanophosphors achieved a spatial
      resolution of a few tens of nanometers. Y(2)O(3):Eu, Zn nanophosphors in HeLa
      cells were also imaged with 254 nm ultraviolet light excitation. The results
      suggest that correlative microscopy using CL, secondary electrons and
      fluorescence imaging could enable multi-scale investigation of molecular
      localization from the nanoscale to the microscale.

PMID- 24216791
TI  - All-optical phase discrimination using SOA.
AB  - We describe the first experimental demonstration of a novel all-optical phase
      discrimination technique, which can separate the two orthogonal phase components
      of a signal onto different frequencies. This method exploits nonlinear mixing in
      a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) to separate a 10.65 Gbaud QPSK signal
      into two 10.65 Gb/s BPSK signals which are then demodulated using a delay
      interferometer (DI). Eye diagrams and spectral measurements verify correct
      operation and a conversion efficiency greater than 9 dB is observed on both
      output BPSK channels when compared with the input QPSK signal. 

PMID- 24216792
TI  - Investigation of spherical aberration effects on coherent lidar performance.
AB  - In this paper we demonstrate experimentally the performance of a monostatic
      coherent lidar system under the influence of phase aberrations, especially the
      typically predominant spherical aberration (SA). The performance is evaluated by
      probing the spatial weighting function of the lidar system with different
      telescope configurations using a hard target. It is experimentally and
      numerically proven that the SA has a significant impact on lidar antenna
      efficiency and optimal beam truncation ratio. Furthermore, we demonstrate that
      both effective probing range and spatial resolution of the system are
      substantially influenced by SA and beam truncation. 

PMID- 24216793
TI  - Grating-based x-ray phase-contrast imaging with a multi energy-channel photon
      counting pixel detector.
AB  - We have carried out grating-based x-ray differential phase-contrast measurements
      with a hybrid pixel detector in 16 energy channels simultaneously. A method for
      combining the energy resolved phase-contrast images based on energy weighting is
      presented. An improvement in contrast-to-noise ratio by 58.2% with respect to an
      emulated integrating detector could be observed in the final image. The same
      image quality could thus be achieved with this detector and with energy weighting
      at 60.0% reduced dose compared to an integrating detector. The benefit of the
      method depends on the object, spectrum, interferometer design and the detector
      efficiency. 

PMID- 24216794
TI  - Properties of nonlinear noise in long, dispersion-uncompensated fiber links.
AB  - We study the properties of nonlinear interference noise (NLIN) in fiber-optic
      communications systems with large accumulated dispersion. Our focus is on
      settling the discrepancy between the results of the Gaussian noise (GN) model
      (according to which NLIN is additive Gaussian) and a recently published time
      domain analysis, which attributes drastically different properties to the NLIN.
      Upon reviewing the two approaches we identify several unjustified assumptions
      that are key in the derivation of the GN model, and that are responsible for the
      discrepancy. We derive the true NLIN power and verify that the NLIN is not
      additive Gaussian, but rather it depends strongly on the data transmitted in the
      channel of interest. In addition we validate the time-domain model numerically
      and demonstrate the strong dependence of the NLIN on the interfering channels'
      modulation format. 

PMID- 24216795
TI  - Photonic-assisted multi-channel compressive sampling based on effective time
      delay pattern.
AB  - In this paper, a photonic-assisted multi-channel compressive sampling scheme is
      proposed with one pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) source and Wavelength
      Division Multiplexing-based time delay. Meanwhile, the restricted isometry
      property of sensing matrix determined by the optimized time delay pattern is
      analyzed. In experiment, a four-channel photonic-assisted system with 5-GHz
      bandwidth was set up, where four-channel PRBS signals were generated by adding
      fiber-induced constant time delays to four-wavelength modulated PRBS signal, and
      a signal composed of twenty tones was recovered faithfully with four analog-to
      digital converters (ADCs) with only 120-MHz-bandwidth. 

PMID- 24216796
TI  - Yb:YAl3(BO3)4 as gain material in thin-disk oscillators: demonstration of 109 W
      of IR output power.
AB  - The first demonstration of an Yb:YAl3(BO3)4 thin-disk laser is reported. An
      output power of 109 W with an optical efficiency of 50.2% was achieved in
      multimode CW-operation which is to the best of our knowledge a significant record
      performance compared to previous reports on CW-lasers with this material. At a
      lower power level of 19.3 W the material proved its suitability for efficient
      operation with an optical efficiency of 60.4%. In fundamental-mode operation the
      extracted output power was 10.4 W with an optical efficiency of 44.5% and a beam
      propagation factor M(2) = 1.39. The broad emission bandwidth of the material was
      confirmed by measuring a continuous wavelength tuning range from 1001 to 1053 nm
      with a maximum output power of 36 W at 1040 nm.

PMID- 24216797
TI  - Unified approach to Cerenkov second harmonic generation.
AB  - We discuss the effect of second harmonic generation via the Cerenkov-like process
      in nonlinear bulk media and waveguides. We show that in both schemes the Cerenkov
      harmonic emission represents in fact a nonlinear Bragg diffraction process. It is
      therefore possible, for the first time, to describe the bulk and waveguide
      Cerenkov emission uniformly by considering the spatial modulation of the second
      order nonlinear polarization. This is also experimentally illustrated by studying
      the Cerenkov second harmonic generation at the boundary of a nonlinear quadratic
      medium via the total internal reflection inside the nonlinear crystal. 

PMID- 24216798
TI  - Silicon based polarization insensitive filter for WDM-PDM signal processing.
AB  - We propose and fabricate a novel circuit that combines two two-dimensional (2D)
      grating couplers and a microring resonator (MRR). According to the polarization
      states, one 2D grating coupler first splits the input signals into two orthogonal
      paths, which co-propagate in the loop and share a common MRR, and then the two
      paths are combined together by the other 2D grating coupler. The proposed circuit
      is polarization insensitive and can be used as a polarization insensitive filter.
      For demonstration, the wavelength division and polarization division multiplexing
      (WDM-PDM) non return-to-zero differential-phase-shift-keying (NRZ-DPSK) signals
      can be demodulated successfully. The bit error ratio measurements show an error
      free operation, reflecting the good performance and the practicability. 

PMID- 24216799
TI  - High-sensitive and broad-dynamic-range quantitative phase imaging with spectral
      domain phase microscopy.
AB  - Spectral domain phase microscopy for high-sensitive and broad-dynamic-range
      quantitative phase imaging is presented. The phase retrieval is realized in the
      depth domain to maintain a high sensitivity, while the phase information obtained
      in the spectral domain is exploited to extend the dynamic range of optical path
      difference. Sensitivity advantage of phase retrieved in the depth domain over
      that in the spectral domain is thoroughly investigated. The performance of the
      proposed depth domain phase based approach is illustrated by phase imaging of a
      resolution target and an onion skin. 

PMID- 24216800
TI  - Controllable chrominance and highly improved luminescent quantum yield of YV(1
      x)P(x)O4: Tm, Dy, Eu inverse opal white light phosphors.
AB  - In this work, rare earth (RE) ions tri-doped YV(1-x)P(x)O(4): RE(3+) (RE = Tm,
      Dy, Eu) inverse opal photonic crystals (IOPCs) were fabricated by the PMMA
      template method, which demonstrated efficient white light emissions under
      ultraviolet excitation. It is significant to observe that the chrominance of the
      white light could be largely modulated by the photonic stop band of the IOPCs.
      And more, the photoluminescence quantum yield in the IOPCs was largely improved
      over the grinded reference (REF) because the undesired energy transfer (ET)
      process was effectively restrained.

PMID- 24216801
TI  - Two-mode PLC-based mode multi/demultiplexer for mode and wavelength division
      multiplexed transmission.
AB  - We proposed a PLC-based mode multi/demultiplexer (MUX/DEMUX) with an asymmetric
      parallel waveguide for mode division multiplexed (MDM) transmission. The mode
      MUX/DEMUX including a mode conversion function with an asymmetric parallel
      waveguide can be realized by matching the effective indices of the LP(01) and
      LP(11) modes of two waveguides. We report the design of a mode MUX/DEMUX that can
      support C-band WDM-MDM transmission. The fabricated mode MUX/DEMUX realized a low
      insertion loss of less than 1.3 dB and high a mode extinction ratio that exceeded
      15 dB. We used the fabricated mode MUX/DEMUX to achieve a successful 2 mode x 4
      wavelength x 10 Gbps transmission over a 9 km two-mode fiber with a penalty of
      less than 1 dB.

PMID- 24216802
TI  - Optical caustics associated with the primary rainbow of oblate droplets:
      simulation and application in non-sphericity measurement.
AB  - A vector ray tracing (VRT) model is developed to simulate optical caustic
      structures in the primary rainbow region of light scattering from oblate
      droplets. The changes of the optical caustic structures in response to shape
      deformation of oblate droplets are investigated. Then the curvature calculated
      from the simulated rainbow fringes is compared with that from the measured
      rainbow fringes and good agreement is found. Furthermore, according to the
      generalized rainbow patterns and the relation between aspect ratio and curvature
      of the rainbow fringe, non-sphericities in terms of aspect ratio of an oblate
      water droplet is measured with high measurement accuracy. 

PMID- 24216803
TI  - All-optical 10 Gb/s AND logic gate in a silicon microring resonator.
AB  - An all-optical AND logic gate in a single silicon microring resonator is
      experimentally demonstrated at 10 Gb/s with 50% RZ-OOK signals. By setting the
      wavelengths of two intensity-modulated input pumps on the resonances of the
      microring resonator, field-enhanced four-wave mixing with a total input power of
      only 8.5 dBm takes place in the ring, resulting in the generation of an idler
      whose intensity follows the logic operation between the pumps. Clear and open eye
      diagrams with a bit-error- ratio below 10(-9) are achieved.

PMID- 24216804
TI  - Linear array of InAs APDs operating at 2 um.
AB  - A linear array of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) comprising of 128 pixels was
      fabricated from InAs. The uniformity of the dark currents and avalanche gain was
      investigated at 77, 200 K and room temperature. The array shows highly uniform
      results apart from some defective pixels at the edge of the arrays. At 200 K and
      at a wavelength of 2.04 um, we obtained an unmultiplied responsivity of 0.61 A/W
      at 0 V, along with a gain of 8.5 at a bias of 10 V. 

PMID- 24216805
TI  - Flexible bandwidth DGD estimation for coherent optical OFDM system.
AB  - A Stokes vector based non-data-aided (NDA) differential group delay (DGD)
      estimation scheme with flexible bandwidth requirements is investigated. The
      scheme is demonstrated in both experiments and simulations for 40-Gb/s
      polarization-multiplexed coherent optical OFDM systems with up to 1000-km long
      haul transmission with an estimation error of less than 2.5 ps after 1000-km
      standard single-mode fiber transmissions. 

PMID- 24216806
TI  - Engineering of metal-clad optical nanocavity to optimize coupling with integrated
      waveguides.
AB  - We propose a cladding engineering method that flexibly modifies the radiation
      patterns and rates of metal-clad nanoscale optical cavity. Optimally adjusting
      the cladding symmetry of the metal-clad nanoscale optical cavity modifies the
      modal symmetry and produces highly directional radiation that leads to 90%
      coupling efficiency into an integrated waveguide. In addition, the radiation rate
      of the cavity mode can be matched to its absorption rate by adjusting the
      thickness of the bottom-cladding layer. This approach optimizes the energy-flow
      rate from the waveguide and maximizes the energy confined inside the nanoscale
      optical cavity. 

PMID- 24216807
TI  - Development of a simple system for simultaneously measuring 6DOF geometric motion
      errors of a linear guide.
AB  - A simple method for simultaneously measuring the 6DOF geometric motion errors of
      the linear guide was proposed. The mechanisms for measuring straightness and
      angular errors and for enhancing their resolution are described in detail. A
      common-path method for measuring the laser beam drift was proposed and it was
      used to compensate the errors produced by the laser beam drift in the 6DOF
      geometric error measurements. A compact 6DOF system was built. Calibration
      experiments with certain standard measurement meters showed that our system has a
      standard deviation of 0.5 um in a range of +/- 100 um for the straightness
      measurements, and standard deviations of 0.5", 0.5", and 1.0" in the range of +/-
      100" for pitch, yaw, and roll measurements, respectively. 

PMID- 24216808
TI  - Multi sky-view 3D aerosol distribution recovery.
AB  - Aerosols affect climate, health and aviation. Currently, their retrieval assumes
      a plane-parallel atmosphere and solely vertical radiative transfer. We propose a
      principle to estimate the aerosol distribution as it really is: a three
      dimensional (3D) volume. The principle is a type of tomography. The process
      involves wide angle integral imaging of the sky on a very large scale. The
      imaging can use an array of cameras in visible light. We formulate an image
      formation model based on 3D radiative transfer. Model inversion is done using
      optimization methods, exploiting a closed-form gradient which we derive for the
      model-fit cost function. The tomography model is distinct, as the radiation
      source is unidirectional and uncontrolled, while off-axis scattering dominates
      the images. 

PMID- 24216809
TI  - Use of quasi-local photorefractive response to generated superficial self-written
      waveguides in lithium niobate.
AB  - We report the formation of surface self-written waveguides by means of surface
      pyrolitons in lithium niobate. By a specific orientation of the crystal axis the
      quasi-local slow photorefractive response of lithium niobate was used to induce a
      self-confined beam exactly at the crystal-air interface. The mode profile of the
      photo-induced waveguide is strongly asymmetric due to the interface presence. 

PMID- 24216810
TI  - Folded dipole plasmonic resonators.
AB  - A class of folded ordered plasmonic dipole nanoresonators based on insulator
      metal-insulator (IMI) slab waveguides is proposed and studied. This work is
      motivated by the development of a novel fabrication process that avoids the need
      for direct write nanolithography and instead relies on accessible UV lithography
      and other top-down parallel fabrication techniques that result in metallic dolmen
      structures with nanometre sized gaps. In this context, the dolmen geometry
      consists of two vertical segments supporting a flat horizontal slab. It is shown
      using frequency domain finite element analysis that such structures, which are
      essentially folded dipole antennas, resonate in a similar manner to their linear
      unfolded counterparts. The effect of the likely fabrication features is also
      studied. 

PMID- 24216811
TI  - Super-resolution compressive imaging with anamorphic optics.
AB  - A new imaging technique that combines compressive sensing and super-resolution
      techniques is presented. Compressive sensing is accomplished by capturing
      optically a set of Radon projections. Super-resolution measurements are simply
      taken by introducing a slanted two-dimensional array in the optical system. The
      goal of the technique is to overcome resolution limitation that occurs in imaging
      scenarios where dense pixels sensors with large number of pixels are not
      available or cannot be used. With the presented imaging technique, owing to the
      compressive sensing approach, we were able to reconstruct images with
      significantly more number of pixels than measured, and owing to the super
      resolution design we have been able to achieve resolution significantly beyond
      that limited by the sensor's pixels size. 

PMID- 24216812
TI  - Efficient UV generation of a Yb-fiber MOPA producing high peak power for pulse
      durations of from 100 ps to 2 ns.
AB  - We demonstrate an average ultraviolet (UV) power generation of 20 W by
      harmonically converting the output of an all-fiber master oscillator power
      amplifier (MOPA) system. The third-harmonic generation (THG) UV output provides a
      conversion efficiency of 40% from the amplified fundamental output. The seed
      source, which consists of a 1064-nm-wavelength continuous-wave laser diode and
      two cascaded intensity modulators, produces chirp-free pulses with tunable
      durations from 100 ps to 2 ns at arbitrary repetition rates and a high dynamic
      extinction ratio. The fiber MOPA system generates a maximum average power of 50 W
      and a maximum peak power of 83 kW. 

PMID- 24216813
TI  - InGaAs Schottky barrier diode array detector for a real-time compact terahertz
      line scanner.
AB  - We present a terahertz (THz) broadband antenna-integrated 1 * 20 InGaAs Schottky
      barrier diode (SBD) array detector with an average responsivity of 98.5 V/W at a
      frequency of 250 GHz, which is measured without attaching external amplifiers and
      Si lenses, and an average noise equivalent power (NEP) of 106.6 pW/?Hz. The 3-dB
      bandwidth of the SBD detector is also investigated at approximately 180 GHz. For
      implementing an array-type SBD detector by a simple fabrication process to
      achieve a high yield, a structure comprising an SiN(x) layer instead of an air
      bridge between the anode and the cathode is designed. THz line beam imaging using
      a Gunn diode emitter with a center frequency of 250 GHz and a 1 * 20 SBD array
      detector is successfully demonstrated.

PMID- 24216814
TI  - 200 W Diffraction limited, single-polarization, all-fiber picosecond MOPA.
AB  - A fully fiberized, single-polarization, gain-switched diode-seeded fiber master
      oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system is demonstrated delivering 28 ps pulses
      at variable repetition frequencies ranging from 53 MHz up to 858 MHz. An average
      signal output power of 200 W was achieved with good OSNR for all operating
      frequencies. A maximum pulse energy of 3.23 MUJ at a repetition frequency of 53
      MHz was achieved, corresponding to a pulse peak power of 107 kW. The extraction
      of higher pulse energy was limited primarily by the onset of nonlinear effects
      such as SRS which lead to compromised pulse quality at higher peak powers.

PMID- 24216815
TI  - Quantitative control over the intensity and phase of light transmitted through
      highly scattering media.
AB  - We experimentally demonstrate the use of the transmission matrix (TM) to
      quantitatively control the amplitude and phase of the light transmitted through
      highly scattering media. This is achieved by measuring the absolute value of the
      TM elements. We also use the fact that the cross-correlations between the
      contributions of different input channels at the observation plane is important
      in describing the transmitted optical field. In addition, we demonstrate both
      quantitative control of the intensity at multiple output spatial modes, each with
      a different intensity, as well as a "dark" area of low intensity. Our experiments
      are carried out using a low cost (less than US$600) spatial binary amplitude
      modulator that we modify for phase-only operation, as well as a novel optical
      setup that enables independent control of a reference and control signal while
      maintaining interferometric stability. The optical implementation used in this
      paper will make such experiments widely accessible to many researchers.
      Furthermore, the results presented could serve as the foundation for many useful
      potential applications ranging from the biomedical sciences to optical
      communications. 

PMID- 24216816
TI  - InP-based waveguide photodiodes heterogeneously integrated on silicon-on
      insulator for photonic microwave generation.
AB  - High-linearity modified uni-traveling carrier photodiodes on silicon-on-insulator
      with low AM-to-PM conversion factor are demonstrated. The devices deliver more
      than 2.5 dBm RF output power up to 40 GHz and have an output third order
      intercept point of 30 dBm at 20 GHz. Photodiode arrays exceed a saturation
      current-bandwidth-product of 630 mA . GHz and reach unsaturated RF output power
      levels of 10 dBm at 20 GHz.

PMID- 24216817
TI  - Generation of blue light at 426 nm by frequency doubling with a monolithic
      periodically poled KTiOPO4.
AB  - Continuous-wave (cw) blue laser generation at 426 nm by frequency doubling with a
      monolithic periodically poled KTP (PPKTP) cavity is reported in this paper.
      Without any free mirrors, the standing-wave cavity solely consists of a
      monolithic PPKTP crystal, and both ends of which are spherically polished and
      mirror-coated. An output power of 158 mW is obtained when the pump power is 350
      mW. The conversion efficiency is 45%. The dependence of the conversion efficiency
      on the temperature and the incident fundamental power has been discussed. Such a
      system is integrally stable and compact for long-time operation under temperature
      control. The system is much more stable than the usual servo lock system for
      external cavity doubling. 

PMID- 24216818
TI  - Helical optical projection tomography.
AB  - A new technique termed Helical Optical Projection Tomography (hOPT) has been
      developed with the aim to overcome some of the limitations of current 3D optical
      imaging techniques. hOPT is based on Optical Projection Tomography (OPT) with the
      major difference that there is a translation of the sample in the vertical
      direction during the image acquisition process, requiring a new approach to image
      reconstruction. Contrary to OPT, hOPT makes possible to obtain 3D-optical images
      of intact long samples without imposing limits on the sample length. This has
      been tested using hOPT to image long murine tissue samples such as spinal cords
      and large intestines. Moreover, 3D-reconstructed images of the colon of DSS
      treated mice, a model for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, allowed the identification
      of the structural alterations. Finally, the geometry of the hOPT device
      facilitates the addition of a Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (SPIM) arm,
      providing the possibility of delivering high resolution images of selected areas
      together with complete volumetric information. 

PMID- 24216819
TI  - Simulation of a metallic SNOM tip illuminated by a parabolic mirror.
AB  - We investigate numerically a Scanning Near field Optical Microscope (SNOM) that
      uses a Parabolic Mirror (PM) to focus a radially polarized beam on a metallic
      tip. In order to overcome problems--like overestimated near fields or resonances-
      that arise when only considering finite tips, we have introduced a semi-infinite
      continuation of the tip, which incorporates the analytic solution of surface
      waves. For a realistic modeling the right description of the incident field is
      essential and we have complied with this requirement by a Bessel expansion of the
      focal fields, which is also applicable to an aplanatic objective. The established
      numerical model is used for an extensive study of model parameters like tip
      geometry, illumination directions and tip materials (Ag, Au, Al and Cu). Compared
      with a simplified inverted microscope configuration, the PM setup shows an
      increased field enhancement (factor of 2-2.5), which can be ascribed to the
      efficient coupling of the exciting field to tip surface plasmons.

PMID- 24216820
TI  - Parametric amplification and phase preserving amplitude regeneration of a 640
      Gbit/s RZ-DPSK signal.
AB  - We report the first experimental demonstration of parametric amplification and
      all-optical phase-preserving amplitude regeneration for a 640 Gbit/s return-to
      zero (RZ) differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) optical time division
      multiplexed (OTDM) signal. In the designed gain-flattened single-pump fiber
      optical parametric amplifier (FOPA), 620 fs short optical pulses are successfully
      amplified with 15 dB gain with error-free performance and less than 1 dB power
      penalty. Phase-preserving amplitude regeneration based on gain saturation in the
      FOPA is carried out for optical signals with degraded optical signal-to-noise
      ratio. An improvement of 2.2 dB in receiver sensitivity at a bit-error-ratio of
      10(-9) has been successfully achieved after regeneration, together with 13.3 dB
      net gain.

PMID- 24216821
TI  - Performance and capacity analysis of Poisson photon-counting based Iter-PIC OCDMA
      systems.
AB  - In this paper, an iterative parallel interference cancellation (Iter-PIC)
      technique is developed for optical code-division multiple-access (OCDMA) systems
      relying on shot-noise limited Poisson photon-counting reception. The novel semi
      analytical tool of extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) charts is used for
      analysing both the bit error rate (BER) performance as well as the channel
      capacity of these systems and the results are verified by Monte Carlo
      simulations. The proposed Iter-PIC OCDMA system is capable of achieving two
      orders of magnitude BER improvements and a 0.1 nats of capacity improvement over
      the conventional chip-level OCDMA systems at a coding rate of 1/10. 

PMID- 24216822
TI  - Imaging cross-correlation FROG: measuring ultrashort, complex, spatiotemporal
      fields.
AB  - We present imaging cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating (ImXFROG),
      a new method for the spatiotemporal phase retrieval of ultrashort pulses. It is
      demonstrated that ImXFROG can measure phase and intensity of arbitrary,
      spatiotemporally distorted pulses with femtosecond resolution and up to 10(7)
      independent variables. ImXFROG is implemented as a plug-in upgrade to an existing
      correlator and used to demonstrate the reconstruction of highly complex, optical
      pulses with femtosecond features and massive spatiotemporal distortion.

PMID- 24216823
TI  - Tunable, multiwavelength Tm-doped fiber laser based on polarization rotation and
      four-wave-mixing effect.
AB  - We propose and demonstrate a tunable multiwavelength fiber laser employing
      polarization-maintaining Tm-doped fiber based on polarization rotation and four
      wave-mixing effect. Polarization-maintaining Tm-doped fiber and polarization
      controllers were employed to manipulate the polarization modes in the laser, and
      400 m long single-mode passive fiber was used to enhance the four-wave-mixing
      effect and suppress the polarization mode competition. Stable fiber laser
      operation of 1-6 wavelengths around 1.9 MUm was achieved at room temperatures.
      The wavelengths can be tuned through adjusting the polarization controllers. The
      optical signal-to-noise ratio of the laser is more than 31 dB. The wavelength
      shift is less than 0.05 nm and the peak fluctuation of each wavelength is
      analyzed. For most of the wavelengths the peak fluctuations are less than 3 dB
      and the peak fluctuations of wavelengths with more stability are below 1.5 dB. 

PMID- 24216824
TI  - Carrier saturation in multiple quantum well metallo-dielectric semiconductor
      nanolaser: is bulk material a better choice for gain media?
AB  - Although multi quantum well (MQW) structure is frequently suggested as the
      appropriate medium for providing optical gain in nanolasers with low threshold
      current, we demonstrate that in general bulk gain medium can be a better choice.
      We show that the high threshold gain required for nanolasers demands high
      threshold carrier concentrations and therefore a highly degenerate condition in
      which the barriers between the quantum wells are heavily pumped. As a result,
      there occurs spontaneous emission from the barrier in very dissipative low Q
      modes or undesired confined higher Q modes with resonance wavelengths close to
      the barrier bandgap. This results in a competition between wells and barriers
      that suppresses lasing. A complete model involving the optical properties of the
      resonant cavity combined with the carrier injection in the multilayer structure
      is presented to support our argument. With this theoretical model we show that
      while lasing is achieved in the nanolaser with bulk gain media, the nanolaser
      with MQW gain structure exhibits well emission saturation due to the onset of
      barrier emission. 

PMID- 24216825
TI  - Ring resonator-based on-chip modulation transformer for high-performance phase
      modulated microwave photonic links.
AB  - In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel wideband on-chip
      photonic modulation transformer for phase-modulated microwave photonic links. The
      proposed device is able to transform phase-modulated optical signals into
      intensity-modulated versions (or vice versa) with nearly zero conversion of laser
      phase noise to intensity noise. It is constructed using waveguide-based ring
      resonators, which features simple architecture, stable operation, and easy
      reconfigurability. Beyond the stand-alone functionality, the proposed device can
      also be integrated with other functional building blocks of photonic integrated
      circuits (PICs) to create on-chip complex microwave photonic signal processors.
      As an application example, a PIC consisting of two such modulation transformers
      and a notch filter has been designed and realized in TriPleX(TM) waveguide
      technology. The realized device uses a 2 * 2 splitting circuit and 3 ring
      resonators with a free spectral range of 25 GHz, which are all equipped with
      continuous tuning elements. The device can perform phase-to-intensity modulation
      transform and carrier suppression simultaneously, which enables high-performance
      phase-modulated microwave photonics links (PM-MPLs). Associated with the bias
      free and low-complexity advantages of the phase modulators, a single-fiber-span
      PM-MPL with a RF bandwidth of 12 GHz (3 dB-suppression band 6 to 18 GHz) has been
      demonstrated comprising the proposed PIC, where the achieved spurious-free
      dynamic range performance is comparable to that of Class-AB MPLs using low-biased
      Mach-Zehnder modulators.

PMID- 24216826
TI  - Extracavity pumped BaWO4 anti-Stokes Raman laser.
AB  - The characteristics of a barium tungstate (BaWO(4)) anti-Stokes Raman laser at
      968 nm are studied theoretically and experimentally. The BaWO(4) Raman resonator
      is pumped by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm with its axis tilted from the
      pumping laser axis. The non-collinear phase matching for the generation of the
      first anti-Stokes wave in the same BaWO(4) crystal is achieved. The output
      energy, temporal and spectral informations are investigated. At a pumping laser
      energy of 128 mJ, the anti-Stokes laser energy obtained is 2.2 mJ. The second
      Stokes radiation at 1324 nm as well as the first and the third Stokes waves at
      1180 nm and 1509 nm is also generated at the same time. The maximum total Stokes
      energy output is 42.5 mJ. In the theory, the anti-Stokes laser intensity
      expression as a function of the pumping and the first Stokes laser intensities
      for the extracavity anti-Stokes Raman laser is deduced. The properties of the
      anti-Stokes Raman laser are simulated theoretically by solving the rate equations
      of the extracavity Raman laser and using the derived expression. The theoretical
      results are in good agreement with the experimental results.

PMID- 24216827
TI  - Stable passively Q-switched and gain-switched Yb-doped all-fiber laser based on a
      dual-cavity with fiber Bragg gratings.
AB  - We demonstrate a stable passively Q-switched and gain-switched Yb-doped all-fiber
      laser cladding-pumped by a continuous fiber-coupled 976 nm laser diode. By use of
      an all-fiber dual-cavity, the efficient elements of the laser mainly include the
      fiber Bragg gratings and rare-earth doped fiber, allowing the oscillator to be
      integrated in a compact size with reliable and stable output. In this scheme, an
      efficient laser output with 45 ns pulse width, 62 MUJ pulse energy, and 1.4 kW
      peak power operating at 1081 nm was obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this
      is the minimum pulse width in this similar kind of all-fiber configuration at
      present. Sequential nanosecond pulses were obtained at the repetition rate of
      several to tens of kHz with the variation of the diode pumping power. Effects of
      laser parameters such as pump power, cavity length, external-cavity wavelength,
      and FBG reflectivity on laser performance were also presented and discussed. 

PMID- 24216828
TI  - Broadband photoresponse and rectification of novel graphene oxide/n-Si
      heterojunctions.
AB  - We report a novel graphene oxide (GO) based p-n heterojunction on n-Si. The
      fabricated vertical GO/n-Si heterojunction diode shows a very low leakage current
      density of 0.25 uA/cm(2) and excellent rectification characteristics upto 1 MHz.
      The device on illumination shows a broadband (300-1100 nm) spectral response with
      a characteristic peak at ~700 nm, in agreement with the photoluminescence
      emission from GO. Very high photo-to-dark current ratio (>10(5)) is observed upon
      illumination of UV light. The transient photocurrent measurements indicate that
      the GO based heterojunction diodes can be useful for UV and broadband
      photodetectors, compatible with silicon device technology.

PMID- 24216829
TI  - Dynamic characterization and amplification of sub-picosecond pulses in fiber
      optical parametric chirped pulse amplifiers.
AB  - We show a first-time demonstration of amplification of 400 fs pulses in a fiber
      optical parametric amplifier. The 400 fs signal is stretched in time, amplified
      by 26 dB and compressed back to 500 fs. A significant broadening of the pulses is
      experimentally shown due to dispersion and limited gain bandwidth both in
      saturated and unsaturated gain regimes. 

PMID- 24216830
TI  - Tunable wavelength dependent nanoswitches enabled by simple plasmonic core-shell
      particles.
AB  - In this paper we demonstrate the feasibility of using a plasmonic core-shell
      particle to function as a wavelength dependent switch for integration into
      nanoantenna structures. First, a quasistatic analysis is performed and the
      necessary conditions are derived which allow the particle to operate in either a
      short- or an open-circuit state. These conditions dictate that the core and the
      shell permittivity values need to have opposite sign. Consequently, at optical
      wavelengths where noble metals are modeled as Drude dielectrics, these conditions
      can be easily realized. As a matter of fact, it is demonstrated that a realistic
      core-shell particle can exhibit both the short- and open-circuit states, albeit
      at different wavelengths. Our analysis is extended by examining the same problem
      beyond the quasistatic limit. For this task we utilize an inhomogeneous spherical
      transmission line representation of the core-shell particle. The conditions are
      derived for the particle that yield either an input admittance or impedance equal
      to zero. It is further demonstrated that these conditions are the short
      wavelength generalization of their quasistatic counterparts. 

PMID- 24216831
TI  - Analysis of Moire minimization in autostereoscopic parallax displays.
AB  - In order to minimize moire patterns in autostereoscopic parallax displays, the
      optical component, which is used for forming viewing zones, is analyzed with
      varying period and slant angle. First, horizontal-parallax autostereoscopic
      displays (HPAD) can be approximated as the superposition of three corresponding
      binary gratings. Referring to the unification of indicial equation method and
      Fourier analysis, a singular state and two stable moire-free states are obtained
      according to the superposition of the equivalent grating of LCD and special
      radial grating. Two stable moire-free states are valid for HPAD. For full
      parallax autostereoscopic displays (FPAD), a special radial grid grating is
      introduced to simulate a 2D optical component with progressively varying period
      and slant angle. Similarly, two corresponding stable moire-free states for FPAD
      can be used for eliminating moire patterns. 

PMID- 24216832
TI  - Design method of surface contour for a freeform lens with wide linear field-of
      view.
AB  - In this paper, a design method of surface contour for a freeform imaging lens
      with a wide linear field-of-view (FOV) is developed. During the calculation of
      the data points on the unknown freeform surfaces, the aperture size and different
      field angles of the system are both considered. Meanwhile, two special
      constraints are employed to find the appropriate points that can generate a
      smooth and accurate surface contour. The surfaces obtained can be taken as the
      starting point for further optimization. An f-theta single lens with a +/- 60
      degrees  linear FOV has been designed as an example of the proposed method. After
      optimization with optical design software, the MTF of the lens is close to the
      diffraction limit and the scanning error is less than 1 MUm. This result proves
      that good image quality and scanning linearity were achieved.

PMID- 24216833
TI  - Nanoscale contact line visualization based on Total Internal Reflection
      Fluorescence Microscopy.
AB  - We describe a novel measurement method to study the contact line of a droplet at
      nanoscale level. The method is based on Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence
      Microscopy (TIRFM), which uses an evanescent excitation field produced by total
      internal reflection of light. The evanescent field depends on the angle of the
      incident light and has an exponential intensity decay, characterized by the
      penetration depth. The penetration depth is determined by imaging a fluorescent
      particle probe that is traversed using an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) setup.
      The result confirms the exponential behavior of the evanescent field intensity,
      and the value of the penetration depth also corresponds with the value predicted
      based on the optical configuration. By using the intensity distribution of a
      fluorescent dye and the value for the penetration depth of the evanescent wave,
      it is possible to reconstruct the interface of a partial wetting droplet. The
      reconstructed interface based on TIRFM is in good agreement with the interface
      obtained from two reference measurements: non-disturbing AFM-imaging and
      conventional contact angle measurement. The latter lacks spatial resolution,
      while the former is limited to particular droplets. This new non-contact
      measurement does not suffer from these drawbacks, making it a very useful tool to
      study the fundamental wetting behavior of both stationary and dynamic interfaces.

PMID- 24216834
TI  - Beating the classical limit: a diffraction-limited spectrograph for an arbitrary
      input beam.
AB  - We demonstrate a new approach to classical fiber-fed spectroscopy. Our method is
      to use a photonic lantern that converts an arbitrary (e.g. incoherent) input beam
      into N diffraction-limited outputs. For the highest throughput, the number of
      outputs must be matched to the total number of unpolarized spatial modes on
      input. This approach has many advantages: (i) after the lantern, the instrument
      is constructed from 'commercial off the shelf' components; (ii) the instrument is
      the minimum size and mass configuration at a fixed resolving power and spectral
      order; (iii) the throughput is better than 60% (slit to detector, including
      detector QE of ~80%); (iv) the scattered light at the detector can be less than
      0.1% (total power). Our first implementation operates over 1545-1555 nm (limited
      by the detector) with a spectral resolution of 0.055 nm (R~30,000) using a 1 * 7
      (1 multi-mode input to 7 single-mode outputs) photonic lantern. This approach is
      a first step towards a fully integrated, multimode photonic microspectrograph.

PMID- 24216835
TI  - Investigation of quantum dot passively mode-locked lasers with excited-state
      transition.
AB  - Monolithic passively mode-locked quantum dot lasers with excited-state transition
      were investigated in a broad operating range without ground-state lasing. Optical
      and electrical characteristics of these mode locked lasers were studied in detail
      at different levels of injection current and absorber bias. Very different
      behaviors in the evolution of the hysteresis, the optical spectra and the
      evolution of repetition frequency were observed between our lasers and
      conventional quantum dot lasers with ground-state transition. Possible mechanisms
      behind these observed phenomena were proposed and discussed. A minimum pulse
      width of 3.3 ps and an externally compressed pulse width of 0.78 ps were
      obtained. 

PMID- 24216836
TI  - Comparative analysis of oxidation methods of reaction-sintered silicon carbide
      for optimization of oxidation-assisted polishing.
AB  - Combination of the oxidation of reaction-sintered silicon carbide (RS-SiC) and
      the polishing of the oxide is an effective way of machining RS-SiC. In this
      study, anodic oxidation, thermal oxidation, and plasma oxidation were
      respectively conducted to obtain oxides on RS-SiC surfaces. By performing
      scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX)
      analysis and scanning white light interferometry (SWLI) measurement, the
      oxidation behavior of these oxidation methods was compared. Through ceria slurry
      polishing, the polishing properties of the oxides were evaluated. Analysis of the
      oxygen element on polished surfaces by SEM-EDX was conducted to evaluate the
      remaining oxide. By analyzing the three oxidation methods with corresponding
      polishing process on the basis of schematic diagrams, suitable application
      conditions for these methods were clarified. Anodic oxidation with simultaneous
      polishing is suitable for the rapid figuring of RS-SiC with a high material
      removal rate; polishing of a thermally oxidized surface is suitable for machining
      RS-SiC mirrors with complex shapes; combination of plasma oxidation and polishing
      is suitable for the fine finishing of RS-SiC with excellent surface roughness.
      These oxidation methods are expected to improve the machining of RS-SiC
      substrates and promote the application of RS-SiC products in the fields of
      optics, molds, and ceramics. 

PMID- 24216837
TI  - Refractive index sensitivity enhancement of optical fiber cladding mode by
      depositing nanofilm via ALD technology.
AB  - The atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology is introduced to enhance the
      sensitivity of optical fiber cladding mode to surrounding refractive index (SRI)
      variation. The highly uniform Al2O nanofilm was deposited around the double
      cladding fiber (DCF) which presents cladding mode resonant feature. With the high
      refractive index coating, the cladding mode resonant spectrum was tuned. And the
      sensitivity enhancement for SRI sensor was demonstrated. Through adjusting the
      deposition cycles, a maximum sensitivity of 723 nm/RIU was demonstrated in the
      DCF with 2500 deposition cycles at the SRI of 1.34. Based on the analysis of
      cladding modes reorganization, the cladding modes transition of the coated DCF
      was investigated theoretically. With the high performance nanofilm coating, the
      proposed SRI sensor is expected to have wide applications in chemical sensors and
      biosensors.

PMID- 24216838
TI  - Dissipative solitons in the coupled dynamics of light and cold atoms.
AB  - We investigate the coupled dynamics of light and cold atoms in a unidirectional
      ring cavity, in the regime of low saturation and linear single-atom response. As
      the dispersive opto-mechanical coupling between light and the motional degrees of
      freedom of the atoms makes the dynamics nonlinear, we find that localized,
      nonlinearity-sustained and bistable structures can be encoded in the atomic
      density by means of appropriate control beams. 

PMID- 24216839
TI  - Resonance enhanced Raman scatter in liquid benzene at vapor-phase absorption
      peaks.
AB  - The resonance enhanced Raman spectra in the 1B2u mode of the forbidden benzene
      electronic transition band, ~230-270 nm, has been investigated. Resonance
      enhanced Raman scattering in both liquid benzene and liquid toluene exhibit the
      greatest enhancement when the wavelength of excitation is tuned to the vapor
      phase absorption peaks; even though the sample volume is in a liquid state. Raman
      signals for the symmetric breathing mode of the carbon ring are found to be
      resonantly enhanced by several orders of magnitude (>500X) with deep UV
      excitation compared to non-resonant visible excitation. Since the benzene absorbs
      near this resonant wavelength, its effect on the sampled volume cannot be
      neglected in determining the resonance gain, as we discuss in detail. Large
      resonant gains correspond with excitation at the 247, 253, and 259 nm absorption
      peaks in the benzene vapor spectrum. The narrow region of resonance gain is
      investigated in detail around the absorption peak located at 259 nm using 0.25 nm
      steps in the excitation wavelength. We observe the resonance gain tracking the
      vapor phase absorption peaks and valleys within this narrow range. Results are
      interpreted in terms of the coherence forced by the use of a forbidden transition
      for resonance excitation.

PMID- 24216840
TI  - Full-field dual-color 100-nm super-resolution imaging reveals organization and
      dynamics of mitochondrial and ER networks.
AB  - Most structured illumination microscopes use a physical or synthetic grating that
      is projected into the sample plane to generate a periodic illumination pattern.
      Albeit simple and cost-effective, this arrangement hampers fast or multi-color
      acquisition, which is a critical requirement for time-lapse imaging of cellular
      and sub-cellular dynamics. In this study, we designed and implemented an
      interferometric approach allowing large-field, fast, dual-color imaging at an
      isotropic 100-nm resolution based on a sub-diffraction fringe pattern generated
      by the interference of two colliding evanescent waves. Our all-mirror-based
      system generates illumination pat-terns of arbitrary orientation and period,
      limited only by the illumination aperture (NA = 1.45), the response time of a
      fast, piezo-driven tip-tilt mirror (10 ms) and the available fluorescence signal.
      At low uW laser powers suitable for long-period observation of life cells and
      with a camera exposure time of 20 ms, our system permits the acquisition of super
      resolved 50 um by 50 um images at 3.3 Hz. The possibility it offers for rapidly
      adjusting the pattern between images is particularly advantageous for experiments
      that require multi-scale and multi-color information. We demonstrate the
      performance of our instrument by imaging mitochondrial dynamics in cultured
      cortical astrocytes. As an illustration of dual-color excitation dual-color
      detection, we also resolve interaction sites between near-membrane mitochondria
      and the endoplasmic reticulum. Our TIRF-SIM microscope provides a versatile,
      compact and cost-effective arrangement for super-resolution imaging, allowing the
      investigation of co-localization and dynamic interactions between organelles-
      important questions in both cell biology and neurophysiology.

PMID- 24216841
TI  - Dual-crystal Yb:CALGO high power laser and regenerative amplifier.
AB  - This paper reports on a high-power dual-crystal Yb:CALGO laser head with greatly
      reduced sensitivity to thermal lensing in the gain medium. In continuous-wave
      operation 23 W of power were extracted from 2% doped crystals, and tunablity
      between 1018 nm and 1060 nm was demonstrated. This is the highest output power
      reported from a bulk Yb:CALGO laser to date, as well as the demonstration of the
      broadest tuning range. 4 mJ pulses at 1040 nm were achieved in cavity-dumped
      operation with quasi-CW pumping at 1 kHz repetition rate with nearly diffraction
      limited beam quality. When seeded at 1030 nm with stretched femtosecond pulses, 3
      mJ were achieved. 

PMID- 24216842
TI  - Excitability in optically injected microdisk lasers with phase controlled
      excitatory and inhibitory response.
AB  - We demonstrate class I excitability in optically injected microdisk lasers, and
      propose a possible optical spiking neuron design. The neuron has a clear
      threshold and an integrating behavior, leading to an output rate-input rate
      dependency that is comparable to the characteristic of sigmoidal artificial
      neurons. We also show that the optical phase of the input pulses has influence on
      the neuron response, and can be used to create inhibitory, as well as excitatory
      perturbations. 

PMID- 24216843
TI  - Real-time white-light phosphor-LED visible light communication (VLC) with compact
      size.
AB  - In this demonstration, we first demonstrate a real-time phosphor-LED visible
      light communication (VLC) system with 37 Mbit/s total throughput under a 1.5 m
      free space transmission length. The transmitter and receiver modules are compact
      size. Utilizing our proposed pre-equalization technology, the ~1 MHz bandwidth of
      phosphor LED could be extended to ~12 MHz without using blue filter. Thus, the
      increase in bandwidth would enhance the traffic data rate for VLC transmission.
      The maximum bit-rate achieved by the VLC system is 37 Mbit/s, and a video
      transmission at 28.419 Mbit/s is demonstrated using the proposed VLC system. In
      addition, the relationships of received power and signal performance are
      discussed and analyzed. 

PMID- 24216844
TI  - Vibration frequency measurement using a local multithreshold technique.
AB  - In this paper, we demonstrate the use of a video camera for measuring the
      frequency of small-amplitude vibration movements. The method is based on image
      acquisition and multilevel thresholding and it only requires a video camera with
      high enough acquisition rate, not being necessary the use of targets or auxiliary
      laser beams. Our proposal is accurate and robust. We demonstrate the technique
      with a pocket camera recording low-resolution videos with AVI-JPEG compression
      and measuring different objects that vibrate in parallel or perpendicular
      direction to the optical sensor. Despite the low resolution and the noise, we are
      able to measure the main vibration modes of a tuning fork, a loudspeaker and a
      bridge. Results are successfully compared with design parameters and measurements
      with alternative devices. 

PMID- 24216845
TI  - Dynamic TWDM-PON for mobile radio access networks.
AB  - In recent years, the diffusion of mobile terminals has brought about an explosive
      increase in communication traffic of mobile RANs. The number of radio base
      stations and optical fiber lines between them is becoming larger. For this
      reason, we studied effective optical network technologies for mobile RANs and
      propose the use of TWDM-PON as a means of enabling RANs to be operated flexibly
      and have wideband communication capability. We confirmed the feasibility of TWDM
      PON for this application by numerical simulation. The results show that TWDM-PON
      can accommodate the bandwidth more than TDM-PON and completely eliminate unused
      bandwidth in TDM-PON. 

PMID- 24216846
TI  - Three-dimensional deep sub-wavelength defect detection using lambda = 193 nm
      optical microscopy.
AB  - Optical microscopy is sensitive both to arrays of nanoscale features and to their
      imperfections. Optimizing scattered electromagnetic field intensities from deep
      sub-wavelength nanometer scale structures represents an important element of
      optical metrology. Current, well-established optical methods used to identify
      defects in semiconductor patterning are in jeopardy by upcoming sub-20 nm device
      dimensions. A novel volumetric analysis for processing focus-resolved images of
      defects is presented using simulated and experimental examples. This new method
      allows defects as narrow as (16 +/- 2) nm (k = 1) to be revealed using 193 nm
      light with focus and illumination conditions optimized for three-dimensional data
      analysis. Quantitative metrics to compare two-dimensional and three-dimensional
      imaging indicate possible fourfold improvements in sensitivity using these
      methods. 

PMID- 24216847
TI  - Digitally tunable holographic lithography using a spatial light modulator as a
      programmable phase mask.
AB  - In this paper, we study tunable holographic lithography using an electrically
      addressable spatial light modulator as a programmable phase mask. We control the
      phases of interfering beams diffracted from the phase pattern displayed in the
      spatial light modulator. We present a calculation method for the assignment of
      phases in the laser beams and validate the phases of the interfering beams in
      phase-sensitive, dual-lattice, and two-dimensional patterns formed by a
      rotationally non-symmetrical configuration. A good agreement has been observed
      between fabricated holographic structures and simulated interference patterns.
      The presented method can potentially help design a gradient phase mask for the
      fabrication of graded photonic crystals or metamaterials. 

PMID- 24216848
TI  - Enhanced luminescence efficiency of Ag nanoparticles dispersed on indium tin
      oxide for polymer light-emitting diodes.
AB  - This study presents a substantial enhancement in electroluminescence achieved by
      depositing Ag nanoparticles on an ITO-coated glass substrate (Ag/ITO) for
      approximately 10-s to form novel window materials for use in polymer light
      emitting diodes (PLEDs). The PLEDs discussed herein are single-layer devices
      based on a poly[9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole] (F8BT) emissive layer.
      In addition to its low cost, this novel fabrication method can effectively
      increase the charge transport properties of the active layer to meet the high
      performance requirements of PLEDs. Due to the increased conductivity and work
      function of the Ag/ITO substrate, the electroluminescence intensity was increased
      by nearly 3.3-fold compared with that of the same PLED with a bare ITO substrate.

PMID- 24216849
TI  - Three-dimensional multi-photon direct laser writing with variable repetition
      rate.
AB  - We perform multi-photon direct laser writing as a function of laser repetition
      rate over many orders of magnitude and otherwise unchanged experimental
      conditions. These new data serve as basis for investigating the influence of
      different proposed mechanisms involved in the photopolymerization: two-photon
      absorption, photoionization, avalanche ionization and heat accumulation. We find
      different non-linearities for high and low repetition rates consistent with
      different initiation processes being involved. The scaling of the resulting
      linewidths, however, is neither expected nor found to depend on repetition rate
      or non-linearity. 

PMID- 24216850
TI  - High-power tunable single- and multi-wavelength diode-pumped Nd:YAP laser in the
      (4)F3/2 -> (4)I11/2 transition.
AB  - We experimentally explore the fluorescent spectrum of the Nd:YAP crystal to
      manifest the feasibility of tunable single- and multi-wavelength operations in
      the (4)F3/2 -> (4)I11/2 transition. An intracavity etalon is subsequently
      exploited to effectively select spectral lines at 1073, 1080, and 1084 nm with
      the tunabilities of 0.56, 1.13, and 0.1 nm, respectively. We also experimentally
      obtain multi-wavelength oscillations among various intermanifold lines in the
      Nd:YAP crystal with the output powers on the order of several watts for each
      group. Employing the Cr(4+):YAG crystal to realize the passively Q-switched
      operation, the maximum average output powers as high as 2.3 and 3.5 W for 1073
      and 1080 nm are obtained. The corresponding pulse energies at 1073 and 1080 nm
      are up to 177 and 159 MUJ, respectively.

PMID- 24216851
TI  - Wide color gamut LCD with a quantum dot backlight.
AB  - We analyze the color performance and system efficiency of three commonly employed
      liquid crystal display modes with a blue LED-pumped red and green quantum dots
      (QDs) backlight. Based on the measured QD emission spectra, we can achieve 115%
      color gamut in CIE 1931 and 140% in CIE 1976 color space, while keeping the same
      energy efficiency as conventional backlights. Next, we apply multi-objective
      optimization method to refine the QD emission spectra and find a fundamental
      tradeoff between display system efficiency and color gamut. This systematic
      photometric analysis also provides useful guidelines for further optimizing QD
      backlight design and display system efficiency. 

PMID- 24216852
TI  - Designing dielectric resonators on substrates: combining magnetic and electric
      resonances.
AB  - High-performance integrated optics, solar cells, and sensors require nanoscale
      optical components at the surface of the device, in order to manipulate, redirect
      and concentrate light. High-index dielectric resonators provide the possibility
      to do this efficiently with low absorption losses. The resonances supported by
      dielectric resonators are both magnetic and electric in nature. Combined
      scattering from these two can be used for directional scattering. Most
      applications require strong coupling between the particles and the substrate in
      order to enhance the absorption in the substrate. However, the coupling with the
      substrate strongly influences the resonant behavior of the particles. Here, we
      systematically study the influence of particle geometry and dielectric
      environment on the resonant behavior of dielectric resonators in the visible to
      near-IR spectral range. We show the key role of retardation in the excitation of
      the magnetic dipole (MD) mode, as well as the limit where no MD mode is
      supported. Furthermore, we study the influence of particle diameter, shape and
      substrate index on the spectral position, width and overlap of the electric
      dipole (ED) and MD modes. Also, we show that the ED and MD mode can selectively
      be enhanced or suppressed using multi-layer substrates. And, by comparing dipole
      excitation and plane wave excitation, we study the influence of driving field on
      the scattering properties. Finally, we show that the directional radiation
      profiles of the ED and MD modes in resonators on a substrate are similar to those
      of point-dipoles close to a substrate. Altogether, this work is a guideline how
      to tune magnetic and electric resonances for specific applications. 

PMID- 24216853
TI  - Development and calibration of a single UV LED based bioaerosol monitor.
AB  - A high-sensitivity bioaerosol monitor based on a single 365 nm LED is developed
      and a calibration approach is discussed for the first time. The fluorescence
      detection system, which is the core part of the monitor, contains an optical
      detection module and a fluorescence signal processor configured with a phase
      sensitive detector (PSD). B800 fluorescent microspheres and staphylococcus are
      used for performance evaluation of the monitor. B800 microspheres are appropriate
      as calibration material. The experimental results demonstrate the PSD plays a
      significant role in improving sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of
      detection. Our monitor can detect staphylococcus concentration above 1800 cfu/L
      of air stably. 

PMID- 24216854
TI  - Realizing vertical light coupling and splitting in nano-plasmonic multilevel
      circuits.
AB  - We present a novel technique for vertical coupling of light guided by nanoscale
      plasmonic slot waveguides (PSWs). A triangularly-shaped plasmonic slot waveguide
      rotator is exploited to attain such coupling with a good efficiency over a wide
      bandwidth. Using this approach, light propagating in a horizontal direction is
      efficiently coupled to propagate in the vertical direction and vice versa. We
      also propose a power divider configuration to evenly split a vertically coupled
      light wave to two horizontal channels. A detailed parametric study of the
      triangular rotator is demonstrated with multiple configurations analyzed. This
      structure is suitable for efficient coupling in multilevel nano circuit
      environment. 

PMID- 24216855
TI  - Growth of high spatial frequency periodic ripple structures on SiC crystal
      surfaces irradiated with successive femtosecond laser pulses.
AB  - We present experimentally and theoretically the evolution of high spatial
      frequency periodic ripples (HSFL) fabricated on SiC crystal surfaces by
      irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses in a vacuum chamber. At early stages
      the seed defects are mainly induced by laser pulse irradiation, leading to the
      reduction in the ablation threshold fluence. By observing the evolution of these
      surface structures under illumination with successive laser pulses, the
      nanocraters are made by nanoablation at defects in the SiC surface. The Mie
      scattering by the nanoablated craters grows the periodic ripples. The number of
      HSFL is enhanced with increasing pulse number. At the edge of the laser spot the
      Mie scattering process is still dominant, causing the fabrication of HSFL. On the
      periphery of the spot SiC substrate remains a semiconductor state because the
      electron density in the SiC induced by laser irradiation is kept low. The HSFL
      observed is very deep in the SiC surface by irradiating with many laser pulses.
      These experimental results are well explained by 3D FDTD (three-dimensional
      finite-difference time-domain) simulation. 

PMID- 24216856
TI  - Optical vault: a reconfigurable bottle beam based on conical refraction of light.
AB  - We employ conical refraction of light in a biaxial crystal to create an optical
      bottle for photophoretic trapping and manipulation of particles in gaseous media.
      We show that by only varying the polarization state of the input light beam the
      optical bottle can be opened and closed in order to load and unload particles in
      a highly controllable manner. 

PMID- 24216857
TI  - Femtosecond laser damage threshold of pulse compression gratings for petawatt
      scale laser systems.
AB  - Laser-induced femtosecond damage thresholds of Au and Ag coated pulse compression
      gratings were measured using 800 nm laser pulses ranging in duration from 30 to
      200 fs. These gratings differ from conventional metal-on-photoresist pulse
      compression gratings in that the gratings patterns are generated by etching the
      fused silica substrate directly. After etching, the metal overcoating was
      optimized based on diffraction efficiency and damage threshold considerations.
      The experiment on these gratings was performed under vacuum for single-shot
      damage. Single-shot damage threshold, where there is a 0% probability of damage,
      was determined to be within a 400-800 mJ/cm(2) range. The damage threshold
      exhibited no clear dependence on pulse width, but showed clear dependence on gold
      overcoat surface morphology. This was confirmed by electromagnetic field modeling
      using the finite element method, which showed that non-conformal coating
      morphology gives rise to significant local field enhancement near groove edges,
      lowering the diffraction efficiency and increasing Joule heating. Large-scale
      gratings with conformal coating have been installed successfully in the 500 TW
      Scarlet laser system.

PMID- 24216858
TI  - The coherent gradient sensor for film curvature measurements at cryogenic
      temperature.
AB  - Coherent Gradient Sensor (CGS) system is presented for measurement of curvatures
      and nonuniform curvatures changes in film-substrate systems at cryogenic
      temperature. The influences of the interface of refrigerator and itself on the
      interferograms which are accounting for the temperature effect are successfully
      eliminated. Based on the measurement technique, the thermal stresses (including
      the radial stress, circumferential stress and shear stress) of superconducting
      YBCO thin-film are obtained by the extended Stoney's formula during the heating
      process from 30K to 150K. Take the superconducting YBCO thin film as an example,
      the thermal stresses of which are gained successfully. 

PMID- 24216859
TI  - Fluence scan: an unexplored property of a laser beam.
AB  - We present an extended theoretical background of so-called fluence scan (f-scan
      or F-scan) method, which is frequently being used for offline characterization of
      focused short-wavelength (EUV, soft X-ray, and hard X-ray) laser beams [J.
      Chalupsky et al., Opt. Express 18, 27836 (2010)]. The method exploits ablative
      imprints in various solids to visualize iso-fluence beam contours at different
      fluence and/or clip levels. An f-scan curve (clip level as a function of the
      corresponding iso-fluence contour area) can be generated for a general non
      Gaussian beam. As shown in this paper, fluence scan encompasses important
      information about energy distribution within the beam profile, which may play an
      essential role in laser-matter interaction research employing intense non-ideal
      beams. Here we for the first time discuss fundamental properties of the f-scan
      function and its inverse counterpart (if-scan). Furthermore, we extensively
      elucidate how it is related to the effective beam area, energy distribution, and
      to the so called Liu's dependence [J. M. Liu, Opt. Lett. 7, 196 (1982)]. A new
      method of the effective area evaluation based on weighted inverse f-scan fit is
      introduced and applied to real data obtained at the SCSS (SPring-8 Compact SASE
      Source) facility. 

PMID- 24216860
TI  - On nonlinearly-induced noise in single-channel optical links with digital
      backpropagation.
AB  - In this paper, we investigate the performance limits of electronic chromatic
      dispersion compensation (EDC) and digital backpropagation (DBP) for a single
      channel non-dispersion-managed fiber-optical link. A known analytical method to
      derive the performance of the system with EDC is extended to derive a first-order
      approximation for the performance of the system with DBP. In contrast to the
      cubic growth of the variance of the nonlinear noise-like interference, often
      called nonlinear noise, with input power for EDC, a quadratic growth is observed
      with DBP using this approximation. Finally, we provide numerical results to
      verify the accuracy of the proposed approach and compare it with existing
      analytical models. 

PMID- 24216861
TI  - Electro-optical modulation of a silicon waveguide with an "epsilon-near-zero"
      material.
AB  - Accumulating electrons in transparent conductive oxides such as indium tin oxide
      (ITO) can induce an "epsilon-near-zero" (ENZ) in the spectral region near the
      important telecommunications wavelength of lambda = 1.55 MUm. Here we
      theoretically demonstrate highly effective optical electro-absorptive modulation
      in a silicon waveguide overcoated with ITO. This modulator leverages the
      combination of a local electric field enhancement and increased absorption in the
      ITO when this material is locally brought into an ENZ state via electrical
      gating. This leads to large changes in modal absorption upon gating. We find that
      a 3 dB modulation depth can be achieved in a non-resonant structure with a length
      under 30 MUm for the fundamental waveguide modes of either linear polarization,
      with absorption contrast values as high as 37. We also show a potential for 100
      fJ/bit modulation, with a sacrifice in performance.

PMID- 24216862
TI  - Synthetic phase-shifting for optical testing: point-diffraction interferometry
      without null optics or phase shifters.
AB  - An innovative iterative search method called the synthetic phase-shifting (SPS)
      algorithm is proposed. This search algorithm is used for maximum-likelihood (ML)
      estimation of a wavefront that is described by a finite set of Zernike Fringe
      polynomials. In this paper, we estimate the coefficient, or parameter, values of
      the wavefront using a single interferogram obtained from a point-diffraction
      interferometer (PDI). In order to find the estimates, we first calculate the
      squared-difference between the measured and simulated interferograms. Under
      certain assumptions, this squared-difference image can be treated as an
      interferogram showing the phase difference between the true wavefront deviation
      and simulated wavefront deviation. The wavefront deviation is the difference
      between the reference and the test wavefronts. We calculate the phase difference
      using a traditional phase-shifting technique without physical phase-shifters. We
      present a detailed forward model for the PDI interferogram, including the effect
      of the finite size of a detector pixel. The algorithm was validated with
      computational studies and its performance and constraints are discussed. A
      prototype PDI was built and the algorithm was also experimentally validated. A
      large wavefront deviation was successfully estimated without using null optics or
      physical phase-shifters. The experimental result shows that the proposed
      algorithm has great potential to provide an accurate tool for non-null testing. 

PMID- 24216863
TI  - Numerical study of the properties of optical vortex array laser tweezers.
AB  - Chu et al. constructed a kind of Ince-Gaussian modes (IGM)-based vortex array
      laser beams consisting of p x p embedded optical vortexes from Ince-Gaussian
      modes, IG(e)(p,p) modes [Opt. Express 16, 19934 (2008)]. Such an IGM-based vortex
      array laser beams maintains its vortex array profile during both propagation and
      focusing, and is applicable to optical tweezers. This study uses the discrete
      dipole approximation (DDA) method to study the properties of the IGM-based vortex
      array laser tweezers while it traps dielectric particles. This study calculates
      the resultant force exerted on the spherical dielectric particles of different
      sizes situated at the IGM-based vortex array laser beam waist. Numerical results
      show that the number of trapping spots of a structure light (i.e. IGM-based
      vortex laser beam), is depended on the relation between the trapped particle size
      and the structure light beam size. While the trapped particle is small comparing
      to the beam size of the IGM-based vortex array laser beams, the IGM-based vortex
      array laser beams tweezers are suitable for multiple traps. Conversely, the
      tweezers is suitable for single traps. The results of this study is useful to the
      future development of the vortex array laser tweezers applications.

PMID- 24216864
TI  - Uncertainty characterization of particle depth measurement using digital in-line
      holography and the hybrid method.
AB  - In the detection of particles using digital in-line holography, measurement
      accuracy is substantially influenced by the hologram processing method. In
      particular, a number of methods have been proposed to determine the out-of-plane
      particle depth (z location). However, due to the lack of consistent uncertainty
      characterization, it has been unclear which method is best suited to a given
      measurement problem. In this work, depth determination accuracies of seven
      particle detection methods, including a recently proposed hybrid method, are
      systematically investigated in terms of relative depth measurement errors and
      uncertainties. Both synthetic and experimental holograms of particle fields are
      considered at conditions relevant to particle sizing and tracking. While all
      methods display a range of particle conditions where they are most accurate, in
      general the hybrid method is shown to be the most robust with depth uncertainty
      less than twice the particle diameter over a wide range of particle field
      conditions. 

PMID- 24216865
TI  - Diode-pumped wideband thulium-doped fiber amplifiers for optical communications
      in the 1800 - 2050 nm window.
AB  - We present the first in-band diode-pumped TDFAs operating in the 2 um wavelength
      region and test their suitability as high performance amplifiers in potential
      future telecommunication networks. We demonstrate amplification over a 240 nm
      wide window in the range 1810 - 2050 nm with up to 36 dB gain and noise figure as
      low as 4.5 dB. 

PMID- 24216866
TI  - Method for chromatic error compensation in digital color holographic imaging.
AB  - This paper proposes an all-numerical robust method to compensate for the
      chromatic aberrations induced by the optical elements in digital color
      holographic imaging. It combines a zero-padding algorithm and a convolution
      approach with adjustable magnification, using a single recording of a reference
      rectangular grid. Experimental results confirm and validate the proposed
      approach. 

PMID- 24216867
TI  - Pulsed laser deposition of hexagonal GaN-on-Si(100) template for MOCVD
      applications.
AB  - Growth of hexagonal GaN on Si(100) templates via pulsed laser deposition (PLD)
      was investigated for the further development of GaN-on-Si technology. The
      evolution of the GaN growth mechanism at various growth times was monitored by
      SEM and TEM, which indicated that the GaN growth mode changes gradually from
      island growth to layer growth as the growth time increases up to 2 hours.
      Moreover, the high-temperature operation (1000  degrees C) of the PLD meant no
      significant GaN meltback occurred on the GaN template surface. The completed GaN
      templates were subjected to MOCVD treatment to regrow a GaN layer. The results of
      X-ray diffraction analysis and photoluminescence measurements show not only the
      reliability of the GaN template, but also the promise of the PLD technique for
      the development of GaN-on-Si technology.

PMID- 24216868
TI  - Temperature dependence of Raman scattering in bulk 4H-SiC with different carrier
      concentration.
AB  - Raman spectra of three bulk 4H-SiC wafers with different free carrier
      concentration were measured at temperature from 80 K to 873 K. As temperature
      increases, Raman peaks of most optical phonon modes show monotonous down shift.
      An anomalous non-monotonous variation with temperature, was observed in the A(1)
      longitudinal optical (LO) mode from doped samples. Two methods of theoretical
      fitting, one-mode (LO-plasma coupled (LOPC) mode) and two-mode (A(1)(LO) + LOPC)
      fitting, are employed to analyze this anomalous phenomenon. Theoretical
      simulations for temperature dependent Raman spectra by using two methods are
      critically examined. It turns out that one-mode method conforms well the
      experimental results, while two-mode method is untenable in physics. The non
      monotonous variation of blue-red shifts with temperature for LOPC mode from doped
      4H-SiC could be explained by the influence from ionization process of impurities
      on the process of Raman scattering. A quantitative description on temperature
      dependent Raman spectra for doped 4H-SiC is achieved, which matches well to
      experimental data.

PMID- 24216869
TI  - Molecular fluorescence in the vicinity of a charged metallic nanoparticle.
AB  - The modified fluorescence properties of a molecule in the vicinity of a metallic
      nanoparticle are further studied accounting for the possible existence of
      extraneous charges on the particle surface. This is achieved via a generalization
      of the previous theory of Bohren and Hunt for light scattering from a charged
      sphere, with the results applied to the calculation of the various decay rates
      and fluorescence yield of the admolecule. Numerical results show that while
      charge effects will in general blue-shift all the plasmonic resonances of the
      metal particle, both the quantum yield and the fluorescence yield can be
      increased at emission frequencies close to that of the surface plasmon resonance
      of the particle due to the suppression of the nonradiative decay rate. This
      provides a possibility of further enhancing the particle-induced molecular
      fluorescence via the addition of surface charge to the metal particle. 

PMID- 24216870
TI  - Degeneration of Fraunhofer diffraction on bacterial colonies due to their light
      focusing properties examined in the digital holographic microscope system.
AB  - The degeneration of Fraunhofer diffraction conditions in the optical system with
      converging spherical wave illumination for bacteria species identification based
      on diffraction patterns is analyzed by digital holographic methods. The obtained
      results have shown that the colonies of analyzed bacteria species act as
      biological lenses with the time-dependent light focusing properties, which are
      characterized and monitored by means of phase retrieval from sequentially
      captured digital holograms. This significantly affects the location of Fraunhofer
      patterns observation plane, which is continuously shifted across optical axis in
      time. 

PMID- 24216871
TI  - Cr:ZnS saturable absorber passively Q-switched Tm,Ho:GdVO4 laser.
AB  - A passively Q-switched Tm,Ho:GdVO4 laser operating at cryogenic temperature with
      a Cr(2+):ZnS saturable absorber pumped with continuous wave LDs was demonstrated.
      The performance of the laser was investigated through changing the distance
      between Cr(2+):ZnS and output coupler. The maximum pulse energy of 70.5 MUJ was
      obtained at 10 W input power. The maximum average output power of PQS laser was
      up to 3.2 W at the pump power of 22.8 W, corresponding to CW output power of 7.4
      W, pulse repetition frequency of 52 kHz, and a pulse width of 389 ns. The M(2)
      factor measured by the traveling knife-edge method was ~1.1 in x and y directions
      with near-diffraction limited beam quality.

PMID- 24216872
TI  - Direct-detection optical OFDM superchannel for long-reach PON using pilot
      regeneration.
AB  - We demonstrate a novel long-reach PON downstream scheme based on the regenerated
      pilot assisted direct-detection optical orthogonal frequency division
      multiplexing (DDO-OFDM) superchannel transmission. We use the optical comb source
      to form DDO-OFDM superchannel, and reserve the center carrier as a seed pilot.
      The seed pilot is further tracked and reused to generate multiple optical
      carriers at the local exchange. Each regenerated pilot carrier is selected to
      beat with an adjacent OFDM sub-band at ONU, so that the electrical bandwidth
      limitation can be much released compared to the conventional DDO-OFDM
      superchannel detection. With the proposed proof-of-concept architecture, we
      experimentally demonstrated a 116.7 Gb/s superchannel OFDM-PON system with
      transmission reach of 100 km, and 1:64 splitting ratio. We analyze the impact of
      carrier-to-sideband power ratio (CSPR) on system performance. The experiment
      result shows that, 5 dB power margin is still remained at ONU using such
      technique. 

PMID- 24216873
TI  - Liquid-crystal micro-lens array with two-divided and tetragonally hole-patterned
      electrodes.
AB  - We propose a liquid crystal (LC) micro-lens array with the structure of two
      divided and tetragonally hole-patterned electrodes. Each LC cell in the lens
      array behaves like cylindrical or spherical lens properties by electrically
      adjusting the applied voltages. The LC micro-lens array is useful for tuning
      optical properties such a focal length and deflection angle of a light emitting
      diode (LED) illumination system. 

PMID- 24216874
TI  - Adaptive nonlinear Volterra equalizer for mitigation of chirp-induced distortions
      in cost effective IMDD OFDM systems.
AB  - We report experimental validations of an adaptive 2nd order Volterra equalization
      scheme for cost effective IMDD OFDM systems. This equalization scheme was applied
      to both uplink and downlink transmission. Downlink settings were optimized for
      maximum bitrate where we achieved 34 Gb/s over 10 km of SSMF using an EML with 10
      GHz bandwidth. For the uplink, maximum reach was optimized achieving 14 Gb/s
      using a low-cost DML with 2.5 GHz bandwidth.

PMID- 24216875
TI  - Sub-femtosecond timing jitter, all-fiber, CNT-mode-locked Er-laser at telecom
      wavelength.
AB  - We demonstrate a 490-attosecond timing jitter (integration bandwidth: 10 kHz -
      39.4 MHz) optical pulse train from a 78.7-MHz repetition rate, all-fiber soliton
      Er laser mode-locked by a fiber tapered carbon nanotube saturable absorber (ft
      CNT-SA). To achieve this jitter performance, we searched for a net cavity
      dispersion condition where the Gordon-Haus jitter is minimized while maintaining
      stable soliton mode-locking. Our result shows that optical pulse trains with well
      below a femtosecond timing jitter can be generated from a self-starting and
      robust all-fiber laser operating at telecom wavelength. 

PMID- 24216876
TI  - Interleaved optical coherence tomography.
AB  - We present a novel and cost-effective technique--interleaved optical coherence
      tomography (iOCT)--to enhance the imaging speed of swept source OCT systems by
      acquiring data from multiple lateral positions simultaneously during a single
      wavelength sweep, using a single detector and a virtually imaged phase array
      (VIPA) as a multi-band demultiplexer. This technique uses spectral encoding to
      convert coherence length into higher imaging speed; the speed enhancement factor
      is independent of the source speed or center wavelength, and the effective A-scan
      rate scales linearly with sweep speed. The optical configuration requires only a
      change in the sample arm of a traditional OCT system and preserves the axial
      resolution and fall-off characteristic of a traditional SS-OCT using the same
      light source. Using 10 kHz, 20 kHz and 100 kHz sources we provide a first
      demonstration of image speed enhancement factors of up to 12, 6 and 10,
      respectively, which yield effective A-scan rates of 120 kHz, 120 kHz and 1 MHz
      for B-scan imaging, with a sensitivity of up to 82.5 dB. We also show that iOCT
      can image faster dynamics than traditional OCT B-scan imaging and is capable of
      3D biological imaging. The iOCT concept suggests a new route to high-speed OCT
      imaging for laser developers: that is, by focusing on improving the coherence
      length and linewidth of existing and emerging sources. Hence, iOCT is a nice
      complement to ongoing research and commercial efforts to enable faster imaging
      through development of lasers with faster sweep rates, and offers new hope for
      existing sources with slow sweep rates and potential for enhancement of coherence
      length to compete with faster sources to achieve high-speed OCT.

PMID- 24216877
TI  - Athermal silicon microring resonators with titanium oxide cladding.
AB  - We describe a novel approach for CMOS-compatible passively temperature
      insensitive silicon based optical devices using titanium oxide cladding which has
      a negative thermo-optic (TO) effect. We engineer the mode confinement in Si and
      TiO2 such that positive TO of Si is exactly cancelled out by negative TO of TiO2.
      We demonstrate robust operation of the resulting device over 35 degrees.

PMID- 24216878
TI  - Wave front adaptation using a deformable mirror for adiabatic nanofocusing along
      an ultrasharp gold taper.
AB  - We describe and demonstrate the use of an adaptive wave front optimization scheme
      for enhancing the efficiency of adiabatic nanofocusing of surface plasmon
      polariton (SPP) waves along an ultrasharp conical gold taper. Adiabatic
      nanofocusing is an emerging and promising scheme for controlled focusing of far
      field light into nanometric volumes. It comprises three essential steps: SPP
      excitation by coupling far field light to an SPP waveguide, SPP propagation along
      the waveguide and adiabatic SPP nanofocusing towards a geometric singularity. For
      commonly used complex waveguide geometries, such as, e.g., conical metal tapers,
      a realistic modeling and efficiency optimization is challenging. Here, we use a
      deformable mirror to adaptively control the wave front of the incident far field
      light. We demonstrate an eight-fold enhancement in nanofocusing efficiency and
      analyze the shape of the resulting optimized wave front. The introduced wave
      front optimization scheme is of general interest for guiding and controlling
      light on the nanoscale. 

PMID- 24216879
TI  - Closed-loop resonant fiber optic gyro with an improved digital serrodyne
      modulation.
AB  - To widen the linear dynamic range and improve the linearity, a closed-loop
      resonant fiber optic gyro (RFOG) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. To
      overcome the effect of the imperfect serrodyne modulation, an improved frequency
      shifting module is designed and constructed on a LiNbO3 phase modulator. Its
      frequency resolution is improved to 0.01 Hz which is equivalent to a rotation
      rate of 0.04 degrees /h for an RFOG with a 12-cm diameter fiber ring resonator.
      With the frequency shifter applied in the RFOG, a closed-loop detection is
      demonstrated, whose bias stability is around 2  degrees /h, close to that of the
      open-loop output. Moreover, good linearity and wide dynamic range are also
      experimentally demonstrated thanks to the closed-loop operation. The measured
      result shows that the open-loop linear detection range of +/- 215 degrees /s is
      improved to +/- 1076 degrees /s. It is improved by a factor of 5. The open-loop
      scale factor nonlinearity of 1.2% is decreased to 0.02% (200 ppm), which is
      improved by a factor of 60. These are the best results reported to date, to the
      best of our knowledge, for closed-loop RFOGs.

PMID- 24216880
TI  - Joint sparsity-driven non-iterative simultaneous reconstruction of absorption and
      scattering in diffuse optical tomography.
AB  - Some optical properties of a highly scattering medium, such as tissue, can be
      reconstructed non-invasively by diffuse optical tomography (DOT). Since the
      inverse problem of DOT is severely ill-posed and nonlinear, iterative methods
      that update Green's function have been widely used to recover accurate optical
      parameters. However, recent research has shown that the joint sparse recovery
      principle can provide an important clue in achieving reconstructions without an
      iterative update of Green's function. One of the main limitations of the previous
      work is that it can only be applied to absorption parameter reconstruction. In
      this paper, we extended this theory to estimate the absorption and scattering
      parameters simultaneously when the background optical properties are known. The
      main idea for such an extension is that a joint sparse recovery step gives us
      unknown fluence on the estimated support set, which eliminates the nonlinearity
      in an integral equation for the simultaneous estimation of the optical
      parameters. Our numerical results show that the proposed algorithm reduces the
      cross-talk artifacts between the parameters and provides improved reconstruction
      results compared to existing methods. 

PMID- 24216881
TI  - Generation of 2.6-mJ 400-kW pulses from a compact Yb:Gd3Ga5O12 laser repetitively
      Q-switched by an acousto-optic modulator.
AB  - An efficient, acousto-optically Q-switched, and compact Yb:Gd(3)Ga(5)O(12) laser
      oscillating around 1026 nm is demonstrated, producing an output power of 5.15 W
      at a pulse repetition rate of 2 kHz, with optical-to-optical and slope
      efficiencies being 35.8% and 52%, respectively. The generated laser pulses are
      6.4 ns in duration (FWHM), with pulse energy and peak power amounting,
      respectively, to 2.58 mJ and 403 kW.

PMID- 24216882
TI  - Broadly tunable femtosecond mid-infrared source based on dual photonic crystal
      fibers.
AB  - We report a novel scheme of generating broadly tunable femtosecond mid-IR pulses
      based on difference frequency mixing the outputs from dual photonic crystal
      fibers (PCF). With a 1.3 W, 1035 nm, 300 fs and 40 MHz Yb fiber chirped pulse
      amplifier as the laser source, a PCF with single zero dispersion wavelength (ZDW)
      at the laser wavelength is employed to spectrally broaden a portion of the laser
      pulses. Facilitated by self-phase modulation, its output spectrum possesses two
      dominant outermost peaks that can be extended to 970 nm and 1092 nm. A different
      PCF with two closely spaced ZDWs around the laser wavelength is used to generate
      the intense Stokes pulses between 1240 - 1260 nm. Frequency mixing the dual PCFs
      outputs in an AgGaS(2) crystal results in mid-IR pulses broadly tunable from 4.2
      MUm to 9 MUm with a maximum average power of 640 uW at 4.5 MUm, corresponding to
      16 pJ of pulse energy.

PMID- 24216883
TI  - Arbitrary birefringent metamaterials for holographic optics at lambda = 1.55 MUm.
AB  - This paper presents an optical element capable of multiplexing two diffraction
      patterns for two orthogonal linear polarizations, based on the use of non
      resonant metamaterial cross elements. The metamaterial cross elements provide
      unique building blocks for engineering arbitrary birefringence. As a proof-of
      concept demonstration, we present the design and experimental characterization of
      a polarization multiplexed blazed diffraction grating and a polarization
      multiplexed computer-generated hologram, for the telecommunication wavelength of
      lambda = 1.55 MUm. A quantitative study of the polarization multiplexed grating
      reveals that this approach yields a very large polarization contrast ratio. The
      results show that metamaterials can form the basis for a versatile and compact
      platform useful in the design of multi-functional photonic devices. 

PMID- 24216884
TI  - Spatiotemporal control of femtosecond plasmon using plasmon response functions
      measured by near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM).
AB  - Spectral interferometry combined with near-field scanning optical microscopy is
      applied in the spatiotemporal characterization of femtosecond plasmon localized
      at gold nanostructures and surface plasmon polariton in an air-gap waveguide.
      Based on the plasmon response function in both the amplitude and the phase
      obtained from the measurements, we deterministically tailored the femtosecond
      plasmon pulse by shaping the femtosecond excitation laser pulses. 

PMID- 24216885
TI  - Color rendition engineering of phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes.
AB  - We present an approach to the optimization of the trichromatic spectral power
      distributions (SPDs) of phosphor-converted (p-c) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in
      respect of each of four different color rendition properties (high color
      fidelity, color saturating, color dulling, and color preference). The approach is
      based on selecting a model family of Eu<sup>2+</sup> phosphors and finding the
      optimal peak wavelengths of the phosphor bands as functions of the luminous
      efficacy of radiation. A blue component due to either phosphor photoluminescence
      or InGaN electroluminescence with the peak wavelength at about 460 nm was found
      to be an optimal one for the high-fidelity, color-dulling, and color-preference
      LEDs. The high-fidelity and color-preference LEDs need red phosphors with the
      peak wavelength of 610-615 nm. The high-fidelity LEDs were shown to require a
      true green (~530 nm) phosphor component, whereas a cyan (~510 nm) component is
      the prerequisite of the color-saturating and color-preference LEDs. Deep-blue
      (~445 nm) and deep-red (~625 nm) components are required for the color-saturating
      LEDs. A broad yellow band similar to that of Ce(3+) emission is to be used in the
      color-dulling LEDs. The SPDs of practical phosphor blends for the high-fidelity,
      color-saturating, and color-preference p-c LEDs are demonstrated.

PMID- 24216886
TI  - Polycentric spatial focus of time-reversal electromagnetic field in rectangular
      conductor cavity.
AB  - Polycentric focus effect of time-reversal (TR) electromagnetic field is found in
      a rectangular resonant cavity. Theoretical deduction shows that the effect is due
      to the mirror symmetry of the cavity and the maximum number of focus points is 27
      including 1 main focus point and 26 secondary focus points. A case of 6 focus
      points is calculated, in which the numerical results are consistent with the
      theoretical predictions, and particularly the 5 secondary focus points have
      directly resulted in inaccurate imaging and pulse signal interception. 

PMID- 24216887
TI  - Bending performance of large mode area multi-trench fibers.
AB  - Bending performance of the Multi-trench Fibers (MTFs) has been investigated using
      the Finite Element Method. Numerical investigations show that MTFs can provide
      low-loss effective single mode operation under bent configuration, thanks to the
      resonant coupling of the Higher order Modes (HOMs). Large ratio between the HOMs
      and the Fundamental Mode (FM) losses can be ensured, although the ratio drops
      with increasing Effective Area (A(eff)) of the FM. MTFs provide better losses
      ratio between the HOMs and the FM in comparison with other fibers like step
      index, W-type, and parabolic fibers.

PMID- 24216888
TI  - High contrast three-dimensional photoacoustic imaging through scattering media by
      localized optical fluence enhancement.
AB  - We demonstrate enhanced three-dimensional photoacoustic imaging behind a
      scattering material by increasing the fluence in the ultrasound transducer focus.
      We enhance the optical intensity using wavefront shaping before the scatterer.
      The photoacoustic signal induced by an object placed behind the scattering medium
      serves as feedback to optimize the wavefront, enabling one order of magnitude
      enhancement of the photoacoustic amplitude. Using the enhanced optical intensity,
      we scan the object in two-dimensions before post-processing of the data to
      reconstruct the image. The temporal profile of the photoacoustic signal provides
      the information used to reconstruct the third dimension. 

PMID- 24216889
TI  - Near-field effect in the infrared range through periodic Germanium subwavelength
      arrays.
AB  - Using finite-difference-time-domain simulation, we have studied the near-field
      effect of Germanium (Ge) subwavelength arrays designed in-plane with a normal
      incidence. Spectra of vertical electric field component normal to the surface
      show pronounced resonance peaks in an infrared range, which can be applied in a
      quantum well infrared photodetector. Unlike the near-field optics in metallic
      systems that are commonly related to surface plasmons, the intense vertical field
      along the surface of the Ge film can be interpreted as a combination of
      diffraction and waveguide theory. The existence of the enhanced field is
      confirmed by measuring the Fourier transform infrared spectra of fabricated
      samples. The positions of the resonant peaks obtained in experiment are in good
      agreement with our simulations. 

PMID- 24216890
TI  - Deposited low temperature silicon GHz modulator.
AB  - We demonstrate gigahertz electro-optic modulator fabricated on low temperature
      polysilicon using excimer laser annealing technique compatible with CMOS backend
      integration. Carrier injection modulation at 3 Gbps is achieved. These results
      open up an array of possibilities for silicon photonics including photonics on
      DRAM and on flexible substrates. 

PMID- 24216891
TI  - Transient radiative transfer in a scattering slab considering polarization.
AB  - The characteristics of the transient and polarization must be considered for a
      complete and correct description of short-pulse laser transfer in a scattering
      medium. A Monte Carlo (MC) method combined with a time shift and superposition
      principle is developed to simulate transient vector (polarized) radiative
      transfer in a scattering medium. The transient vector radiative transfer matrix
      (TVRTM) is defined to describe the transient polarization behavior of short-pulse
      laser propagating in the scattering medium. According to the definition of
      reflectivity, a new criterion of reflection at Fresnel surface is presented. In
      order to improve the computational efficiency and accuracy, a time shift and
      superposition principle is applied to the MC model for transient vector radiative
      transfer. The results for transient scalar radiative transfer and steady-state
      vector radiative transfer are compared with those in published literatures,
      respectively, and an excellent agreement between them is observed, which
      validates the correctness of the present model. Finally, transient radiative
      transfer is simulated considering the polarization effect of short-pulse laser in
      a scattering medium, and the distributions of Stokes vector in angular and
      temporal space are presented. 

PMID- 24216892
TI  - Bending effect on modal interference in a fiber taper and sensitivity enhancement
      for refractive index measurement.
AB  - We demonstrate the bending effect of microfiber on interference fringes in a
      compact taper-based modal interferometer and sensitivity for refractive index
      (RI) measurement. For the bend curvature ranging from 0 to 0.283 mm(-1), the
      measured RI sensitivity distinctively increases from 342.5 nm/RIU (refractive
      index unit) to 1192.7 nm/RIU around RI = 1.333 and from 3847.1 nm/RIU to 11006.0
      nm/RIU around RI = 1.430, respectively. Theoretical analysis reveals that such
      enhancement is determined by the dispersion property of the intermodal index
      rather than other parameters, such as the variation of the straightforward
      evanescent field. The magnitude of sensitivity varies as a function of the
      microfiber bend curvature. Approaching a critical curvature (the intermodal-index
      dispersion factor approaches zero), the sensitivity is significantly enhanced,
      exhibiting great potential in RI sensing areas.

PMID- 24216893
TI  - Near-infrared trapped mode magnetic resonance in an all-dielectric metamaterial.
AB  - Optical responses in conventional metamaterials based on plasmonic metal
      nanostructures are inevitably accompanied by Joule losses, which obstruct
      practical applications by limiting resonance quality factors and compromising the
      efficiency of metamaterial devices. Here we experimentally demonstrate a fully
      dielectric metamaterial that exhibits a 'trapped mode' resonance at optical
      frequencies, founded upon the excitation by incident light of anti-parallel
      displacement currents in meta-molecules comprising pairs of parallel,
      geometrically dissimilar dielectric nano-bars. The phenomenon is demonstrated in
      the near-infrared part of the spectrum using silicon, showing that in principle
      strong, lossless resonant responses are possible anywhere in the optical spectral
      range. 

PMID- 24216894
TI  - Design of polarization-independent adiabatic splitters fabricated on silicon-on
      insulator substrates.
AB  - A novel design for a polarization-independent SOI-based 2 * 2 3-dB adiabatic
      splitter with sub-micron-scale dimensions is proposed and modeled. To achieve
      slow and smooth mode evolution, a structure with simultaneous tapering of
      velocity and coupling is used. To reduce the adiabatic region length by adjusting
      the gap separation, the coupling strengths of TE and TM polarizations as a
      function of the gap value are analyzed. For both polarizations, a high uniformity
      within +/- 0.2dB over a broad bandwidth from 1520 to 1650 nm is achieved with a
      300-MUm-long adiabatic region. 

PMID- 24216895
TI  - Combined cavity ring-down and spectrophotometry for measuring reflectance of
      optical laser components.
AB  - A combined cavity ring-down (CRD) and spectrophotometry technique is developed to
      measure with sufficiently high accuracy the reflectance of any practically
      fabricated optical laser component with reflectance ranging from below 0.01% to
      over 99.999%. In this combined technique, a CRD configuration is employed to
      measure reflectance higher than 99%, and a conventional spectrophotometric
      configuration, which is formed by simply removing the rear cavity mirror from the
      CRD configuration, is applied to measure reflectance below 99%. Uncertainties
      below 0.0001% for reflectance over 99.99% and below 0.3% for reflectance below
      99% are experimentally achieved with CRD and spectrophotometry configurations,
      respectively, of one single experimental setup. 

PMID- 24216896
TI  - Mode control and mode conversion in nonlinear aluminum nitride waveguides.
AB  - While single-mode waveguides are commonly used in integrated photonic circuits,
      emerging applications in nonlinear and quantum optics rely fundamentally on
      interactions between modes of different order. Here we propose several methods to
      evaluate the modal composition of both externally and device-internally excited
      guided waves and discuss a technique for efficient excitation of arbitrary modes.
      The applicability of these methods is verified in photonic circuits based on
      aluminum nitride. We control modal excitation through suitably engineered grating
      couplers and are able to perform a detailed study of waveguide-internal second
      harmonic generation. Efficient and broadband power conversion between orthogonal
      polarizations is realized within an asymmetric directional coupler to demonstrate
      selective excitation of arbitrary higher-order modes. Our approach holds promise
      for applications in nonlinear optics and frequency up/down-mixing in a chipscale
      framework. 

PMID- 24216897
TI  - Information-rate analysis of a fiber-optic transmission system including 2R
      signal regenerators.
AB  - Performance of a single-channel fiber-optic transmission system in which signal
      regenerators are periodically inserted is analyzed in terms of information rate
      (IR) considering channel memory. Limitations in using regenerators in a system
      having non-zero residual dispersion between the regenerators are discussed. It is
      shown that a type of signal impairment caused by the interaction between the
      transmission-fiber dispersion and the regenerator nonlinearity is pattern
      dependent and will be mitigated by the use of sequence estimation after detection
      at the receiver. 

PMID- 24216898
TI  - Near ultraviolet InGaN/AlGaN-based light-emitting diodes with highly reflective
      tin-doped indium oxide/Al-based reflectors.
AB  - The enhanced light output power of a InGaN/AlGaN-based light-emitting diodes
      (LEDs) using three different types of highly reflective Sn-doped indium oxide
      (ITO)/Al-based p-type reflectors, namely, ITO/Al, Cu-doped indium oxide (CIO)/s
      ITO(sputtered)/Al, and Ag nano-dots(n-Ag)/CIO/s-ITO/Al, is presented. The ITO/Al
      based reflectors exhibit lower reflectance (76 - 84% at 365 nm) than Al only
      reflector (91.1%). However, unlike Al only n-type contact, the ITO/Al-based
      contacts to p-GaN show good ohmic characteristics. Near-UV (365 nm) InGaN/AlGaN
      based LEDs with ITO/Al, CIO/s-ITO/Al, and n-Ag/CIO/s-ITO/Al reflectors exhibit
      forward-bias voltages of 3.55, 3.48, and 3.34 V at 20 mA, respectively. The LEDs
      with the ITO/Al and CIO/s-ITO/Al reflectors exhibit 9.5% and 13.5% higher light
      output power (at 20 mA), respectively, than the LEDs with the n-Ag/CIO/s-ITO/Al
      reflector. The improved performance of near UV LEDs is attributed to the high
      reflectance and low contact resistivity of the ITO/Al-based reflectors, which are
      better than those of conventional Al-based reflectors. 

PMID- 24216899
TI  - Acousto-optic imaging of a color picture hidden behind a scattering layer.
AB  - An imaging technique has been developed to image a color picture hidden behind a
      5 mm thick, highly scattering layer with low transmittance of 0.24%. Small
      vibrations (< 1 um) were induced in the hidden picture, causing a time-varying
      speckle pattern on the scattering layer in the front, which is captured by a CCD
      camera and quantified as speckle contrast difference (SCD). With two lasers at
      543 nm and 633 nm, the imaging system raster-scans the front of the scattering
      layer and the resulting SCD image reveals the color features of the hidden
      picture. 

PMID- 24216900
TI  - Rabi oscillations and self-induced transparency in InAs/InP quantum dot
      semiconductor optical amplifier operating at room temperature.
AB  - We report direct observations of Rabi oscillations and self-induced transparency
      in a quantum dot optical amplifier operating at room temperature. The experiments
      make use of pulses whose durations are shorter than the coherence time which are
      characterized using Cross-Frequency-Resolved Optical Gating. A numerical model
      which solves the Maxwell and Schrodinger equations and accounts for the
      inhomogeneously broadened nature of the quantum dot gain medium confirms the
      experimental results. The model is also used to explain the relationship between
      the observability of Rabi oscillations, the pulse duration and the homogeneous
      and inhomogeneous spectral widths of the semiconductor. 

PMID- 24216901
TI  - Laser-manufactured mirrors for geometrical output coupling of intracavity
      generated high harmonics.
AB  - We demonstrate micro structuring of fused-silica laser mirror substrates by
      Inverse Laser Drilling. Slits of a width down to ~80 um and circular holes with
      diameters down to ~50 um have been structured into quarter-inch thick substrates.
      Except for chipping, the surface areas around these openings have not been
      irreversibly affected by the manufacturing process. The micro structured mirrors
      can be used for geometrical output coupling of coherent EUV radiation from cavity
      enhanced high harmonic generation. 

PMID- 24216902
TI  - Multi-mode interferometer-based twist sensor with low temperature sensitivity
      employing square coreless fibers.
AB  - An all-fiber twist sensor based on multimode interferometer (MMI) has been
      proposed and fabricated by splicing both ends of a section of square no-core
      fiber (NCF) with a single mode fiber. We have investigated the transmission
      spectral characteristics of the square fiber under different applied twisting
      angles. Within a torsion angle range of -360 degrees ~360 degrees , the
      wavelength and transmission sensitivities are 1.28615 nm/(rad * m(-1)) and
      0.11863%/ (rad * m(-1)), respectively. Moreover due to the trivial thermal
      expansion coefficient of pure silica fiber, the proposed twist sensor has a low
      temperature sensitivity, which is desirable to solve the temperature cross
      sensitivity.

PMID- 24216903
TI  - A single analytical model for sparkle and graininess patterns in texture of
      effect coatings.
AB  - Flakes in effect coatings, which are responsible for its color shift, are not
      perfectly horizontally oriented, producing a non uniform texture when observed
      from a distance of around one meter or less. If the coating is illuminated by a
      diffuse source, a granular appearance is observed, called graininess. But when
      the coating is illuminated by unidirectional light, some luminous spots on a dark
      background appear, effect that is known as sparkle. The characterization of these
      two textures is getting more important for automotive industry because of the
      high percentage of cars with effect coatings and because improvements in imaging
      technology allows this effect to be measured by, for instance, commercial
      instruments as BYK-mac. A single analytical model to understand and
      radiometrically characterize both sparkle and graininess in effect coatings is
      presented and studied in this work. It allows both patterns to be explained and,
      despite its simplicity, includes variables related to the optical system (Point
      Spread Function (PSF) and size of the entrance pupil), its distance to the
      coating, the diffusion grade of the illumination, the illumination and
      observation directions, and coating parameters. 

PMID- 24216904
TI  - Optimal projector configuration design for 300-Mpixel multi-projection 3D
      display.
AB  - To achieve an immersive natural 3D experience on a large screen, a 300-Mpixel
      multi-projection 3D display that has a 100-inch screen and a 40 degrees  viewing
      angle has been developed. To increase the number of rays emanating from each
      pixel to 300 in the horizontal direction, three hundred projectors were used. The
      projector configuration is an important issue in generating a high-quality 3D
      image, the luminance characteristics were analyzed and the design was optimized
      to minimize the variation in the brightness of projected images. The rows of the
      projector arrays were repeatedly changed according to a predetermined row
      interval and the projectors were arranged in an equi-angular pitch toward the
      constant central point. As a result, we acquired very smooth motion parallax
      images without discontinuity. There is no limit of viewing distance, so natural
      3D images can be viewed from 2 m to over 20 m. 

PMID- 24216905
TI  - Kilometer range filamentation.
AB  - We demonstrate for the first time the possibility to generate long plasma
      channels up to a distance of 1 km, using the terawatt femtosecond T&T laser
      facility. The plasma density was optimized by adjusting the chirp, the focusing
      and beam diameter. The interaction of filaments with transparent and opaque
      targets was studied. 

PMID- 24216906
TI  - Room-temperature larger-scale highly ordered nanorod imprints of ZnO film.
AB  - Room-temperature large-scale highly ordered nanorod-patterned ZnO films directly
      integrated on III-nitride light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are proposed and
      demonstrated via low-cost modified nanoimprinting, avoiding a high-temperature
      process. with a 600 nm pitch on top of a critical 200 nm thick Imprinting ZnO
      nanorods of 200 nm in diameter and 200 nm in height continuous ZnO wetting layer,
      the light output power of the resulting integrated ZnO-nanorod-film/semi
      transparent metal/GaN/InGaN LED shows a two-fold enhancement (100% light
      extraction efficiency improvement) at the injection current of 150 mA, in
      comparison with the conventional LED without the imprint film. The increased
      optical output is well explained by the enhanced light scattering and outcoupling
      of the ZnO-rod structures along with the wetting film, as verified by the
      numerical simulations. The wetting layer is found to be essential for better
      impedance matching. The current-voltage characteristics and electroluminescence
      measurements confirm that there is no noticeable change in the electrical or
      spectral properties of the final LEDs after ZnO-nanorod film integration. These
      results suggest that the low-cost high-quality large-scale ZnO-nanorod imprints
      hold great promise for superior LED light extraction. 

PMID- 24216907
TI  - Detuning in apodized point-by-point fiber Bragg gratings: insights into the
      grating morphology.
AB  - Point-by-point (PbP) inscription of fiber Bragg gratings using femtosecond laser
      pulses is a versatile technique that is currently experiencing significant
      research interest for fiber laser and sensing applications. The recent
      demonstration of apodized gratings using this technique provides a new avenue of
      investigation into the nature of the refractive index perturbation induced by the
      PbP modifications, as apodized gratings are sensitive to variation in the average
      background index along the grating. In this work we compare experimental results
      for Gaussian- and sinc-apodized PbP gratings to a coupled-mode theory model,
      demonstrating that the refractive index perturbation induced by the PbP
      modifications has a negative contribution to the average background index which
      is small, despite the presence of strong reflective coupling. By employing
      Fourier analysis to a simplified model of an individual modification, we show
      that the presence of a densified shell around a central void can produce strong
      reflective coupling with near-zero change in the average background index. This
      result has important implications for the experimental implementation of apodized
      PbP gratings, which are of interest for a range of fiber laser and fiber sensing
      technologies. 

PMID- 24216908
TI  - Bound state vector solitons with locked and precessing states of polarization.
AB  - We report experimental observation of new tightly and loosely bound state vector
      solitons with locked and precessing states of polarization in a carbon nanotube
      mode locked fiber laser in the anomalous dispersion regime. 

PMID- 24216909
TI  - Linear segmentation algorithm for detecting layer boundary with lidar.
AB  - The automatic detection of aerosol- and cloud-layer boundary (base and top) is
      important in atmospheric lidar data processing, because the boundary information
      is not only useful for environment and climate studies, but can also be used as
      input for further data processing. Previous methods have demonstrated limitations
      in defining the base and top, window-size setting, and have neglected the in
      layer attenuation. To overcome these limitations, we present a new layer
      detection scheme for up-looking lidars based on linear segmentation with a
      reasonable threshold setting, boundary selecting, and false positive removing
      strategies. Preliminary results from both real and simulated data show that this
      algorithm cannot only detect the layer-base as accurate as the simple multi-scale
      method, but can also detect the layer-top more accurately than that of the simple
      multi-scale method. Our algorithm can be directly applied to uncalibrated data
      without requiring any additional measurements or window size selections. 

PMID- 24216910
TI  - Experimental demonstration of 24-Gb/s CAP-64QAM radio-over-fiber system over 40
      GHz mm-wave fiber-wireless transmission.
AB  - We propose and demonstrate a novel CAP-ROF system based on multi-level carrier
      less amplitude and phase modulation (CAP) 64QAM with high spectrum efficiency for
      mm-wave fiber-wireless transmission. The performance of novel CAP modulation with
      high order QAM, for the first time, is investigated in the mm-wave fiber-wireless
      transmission system. One I/Q modulator is used for mm-wave generation and base
      band signal modulation based on optical carrier suppression (OCS) and intensity
      modulation. Finally, we demonstrated a 24-Gb/s CAP-64QAM radio-over-fiber (ROF)
      system over 40-km stand single-mode-fiber (SMMF) and 1.5-m 38-GHz wireless
      transmission. The system operation factors are also experimentally investigated. 

PMID- 24216911
TI  - Angle-multiplexed spatial-spectral interferometry for simultaneous measurement of
      spectral phase and polarization state.
AB  - A novel method to simultaneously extract the polarization state and relative
      spectral phase of an ultrashort laser pulse from an angle-multiplexed spatial
      spectral interferometric measurement is proposed and experimentally demonstrated.
      Spectral interference is produced between an arbitrary polarized signal pulse and
      two orthogonal linearly polarized reference pulses. The accuracy of this
      technique has been verified by reconstructing the known relative spectral phase
      arising from material dispersion and the known elliptical polarization state.
      Measurement of the relative spectral phase and the spatially variable
      polarization state of a radially polarized pulse is also demonstrated. An
      additional independent measurement of the spectral phase of reference pulses
      provides absolute spectral and temporal characteristics of the signal pulse. 

PMID- 24216912
TI  - Slotted photonic crystal nanobeam cavity with parabolic modulated width stack for
      refractive index sensing.
AB  - We present the design, fabrication, and the characterization of high-Q slotted 1D
      photonic crystal (PhC) cavities with parabolic-width stack. Their peculiar
      geometry enables the location of the resonating mode close to the air-band. The
      majority of optical field distributes in the slotted low-index area and the light
      matter interaction with the analytes has been enhanced. Cavities with measured Q
      factors ~10(4) have been demonstrated. The refractive index sensing measurement
      for NaCl solutions with different concentrations shows a sensitivity around 410.
      Both the achieved Q-factor and the sensitivity are higher than the one reported
      recently by using 2D slotted PhC cavities. The total size for the sensing part of
      the present device is reduced to 16.8 * 2.5 MUm(2).

PMID- 24216913
TI  - Enhanced contrast ratio and viewing angle of polymer-stabilized liquid crystal
      via refractive index matching between liquid crystal and polymer network.
AB  - Long standing electro-optic problems of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC)
      such as low contrast ratio and transmittances decrease in oblique viewing angle
      have been challenged with a mixture of dual frequency liquid crystal (DFLC) and
      reactive mesogen (RM). The DFLC and RM molecules were vertically aligned and then
      photo-polymerized using a UV light. At scattering state under 50 kHz electric
      field, DFLC was switched to planar state, giving greater extraordinary refractive
      index than the normal PDLC cell. Consequently, the scattering intensity and the
      contrast ratio were increased compared to the conventional PDLC cell. At
      transparent state under 1 kHz electric field, the extraordinary refractive index
      of DFLC was simultaneously matched with the refractive index of vertically
      aligned RM so that the light scattering in oblique viewing angles was minimized,
      giving rise to high transmittance in all viewing angles. 

PMID- 24216914
TI  - Modulation of laser induced-cracks inside a LiF single crystal by fs laser
      irradiation at multiple points.
AB  - Crack formations inside a LiF single crystal after femtosecond laser irradiation
      at multiple points were investigated. In the case of sequential laser irradiation
      at three points, the propagations of some cracks were prevented by the
      dislocation bands generated by the previous laser irradiation. On the other hand,
      in the case of simultaneous laser irradiation at three points with a spatial
      light modulator, cracks in all the <100> directions from the photoexcited regions
      were generated clearly, but the length of one crack depended on the distribution
      of laser irradiation positions. The simulation of elastic dynamics after fs laser
      irradiation at three points elucidated that the interference of laser induced
      stress waves depended on the distributions of the irradiation positions. We found
      that the constructive interference of stress waves at a crack tip should have
      prevented the crack from propagating further and the tensile stress by
      destructive interference of stress waves along a crack should have facilitated
      the propagation of the crack. 

PMID- 24216915
TI  - Impact of cavity spectrum on span in microresonator frequency combs.
AB  - We experimentally study the factors that limit the span in frequency combs
      derived from the crystalline whispering gallery mode resonators. We observe that
      cavity dispersion is the key property that governs the parameters of the combs
      resulting from cascaded four wave mixing process. Two different regimes of comb
      generation are observed depending on the precise cavity dispersion behavior at
      the pump wavelength. In addition, the comb generation efficiency is found to be
      affected by the crossing of modes of different families. The influence of Raman
      lasing and its dependence on temperature is discussed. 

PMID- 24216916
TI  - A laterally-coupled distributed feedback laser with equivalent quarter-wave phase
      shift.
AB  - We report the first laterally-coupled distributed feedback (LC-DFB) laser with a
      quarter-wave equivalent phase shift (EPS) realized by interference lithography
      (IL) and conventional photolithography. A specially designed sampled grating is
      fabricated on both sidewalls of a ridge waveguide to provide a quarter-wave EPS
      at the center of the cavity. The resulting laser exhibits stable single-mode
      lasing operation over a wide range of injection currents, with a side mode
      suppression ratio (SMSR) of 41.1 dB. This provides a practical, low-cost method
      to fabricate quarter-wave phase shifted DFB lasers with high performance without
      any epitaxial regrowth or the use of electron-beam lithography, thereby
      simplifying the fabrication of DFB lasers with stable and precise wavelengths, as
      single devices or as arrays in photonic integrated circuits. 

PMID- 24216917
TI  - Nanobubble evolution around nanowire in liquid.
AB  - The evolution of the shape and size of a bubble around a nanowire immersed in a
      liquid can be studied as a light absorption problem and consequently can directly
      be related to the distribution of the temperature around the nanowire. Such a
      physical phenomenon can be seen as the photo-thermal coupled problem of nanowire
      illuminated by an electromagnetic wave. The resolution of the multiphysic model
      allows to compute the variation of the temperature and consequently the evolution
      of the created bubble. An advanced adaptive remeshing process is developed to
      solve the numerical model using Finite Element Method. An optimization process is
      applied to solve the coupled problem and is used to detect the size of the
      produced bubble around nanowire under illumination. The adaptive remeshing
      process permits to control the convergence of the numerical solution relatively
      to the evolution of the temperature field. The process allows to study the
      evolution of the shape and size of the bubble. We show the influence of the laser
      parameters on the evolution of the bubble. The informations about the geometry of
      the nanowire can be deduced from the size and shape of the bubble. 

PMID- 24216918
TI  - Laser operation of diode-pumped Er,Yb co-doped YAG ceramics at 1.6 MUm.
AB  - 1.6 MUm eye-safe emission of a diode pumped Er,Yb co-doped YAG ceramic laser is
      firstly demonstrated. Operation of the ceramic laser under different ceramic
      sample lengths, co-doping concentrations and control temperatures were
      experimentally investigated. A maximum output power of 222 mW was achieved at an
      absorbed pump power of 8.1 W, corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 2.74%.
      Laser emission at 1.05 MUm for transition of the Yb(3+) ions was also studied on
      the same ceramic samples. The results clearly show the existence of resonantly
      energy transfer from the Yb(3+) ions to Er(3+) ions.

PMID- 24216919
TI  - A cost-effective 25-Gb/s EML TOSA using all-in-one FPCB wiring and metal optical
      bench.
AB  - We present a cost-effective 25-Gb/s electro-absorption modulator integrated laser
      (EML) transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) using all-in-one flexible printed
      circuit board (FPCB) wiring and a metal optical bench (MOB). For a low cost and
      high bandwidth TOSA, internal and external wirings and feed-through of the TOSA
      to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signal are configured all-in-one using the FPCB.
      The FPCB is extended from an exterior of the TOSA package up to an EML chip
      inside the package through the slit formed on a rear sidewall of the package and
      die-bonded on the MOB. The EML TOSA shows a modulated output power of more than
      3.5 dBm and a clear eye pattern with a dynamic extinction ratio of ~8.4 dB at a
      data rate of 25.78 Gb/s. 

PMID- 24216920
TI  - A slim apparatus of transferring discrete LEDs' light into an ultra-collimated
      planar light source.
AB  - In this paper, we proposed a novel apparatus, which has very slim volume and can
      transfer light emitted from discrete LEDs into a uniform and ultra-collimated
      planar light source (UCPLS). This apparatus adopts the two-layer folded frame and
      two-stage CPC design so that thickness of the entire apparatus can be minimized;
      especially the feeder in the two-stage CPC design can greatly reduce the
      thickness of the CPC and make the light passing through the second-stage CPC
      become much more collimated. In addition, by side-by-side arrangement, a large
      sized UCPLS can also be obtained. In our embodiment with an emitting area of the
      upper LGP of 280 mmX80 mm and a LED with optical flux of 8 lumens used as the
      light source, the performance according to the related simulation results shows
      as follows: angular FWHM of the resultant light emitted from the apparatus in the
      vertical and horizontal is 4.87 degrees and 24 degrees, respectively; spatial
      uniformity and total energy efficiency reach 84% and 69%, respectively; the
      average head-on luminance reaches up 5600 nit, yet this apparatus consumes just
      60 mW. Furthermore, the results also demonstrate this design has potential to be
      applied to the product of 23 inches above while thickness of the entire apparatus
      is only 2.2 mm. 

PMID- 24216921
TI  - Transverse mode discrimination in long-wavelength wafer-fused vertical-cavity
      surface-emitting lasers by intra-cavity patterning.
AB  - Transverse mode discrimination is demonstrated in long-wavelength wafer-fused
      vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers using ring-shaped air gap patterns at the
      fused interface between the cavity and the top distributed Bragg reflector. A
      significant number of devices with varying pattern dimensions was investigated by
      on-wafer mapping, allowing in particular the identification of a design that
      reproducibly increases the maximal single-mode emitted power by about 30 %.
      Numerical simulations support these observations and allow specifying optimized
      ring dimensions for which higher-order transverse modes are localized out of the
      optical aperture. These simulations predict further enhancement of the single
      mode properties of the devices with negligible penalty on threshold current and
      emitted power. 

PMID- 24216922
TI  - Experimental demonstration of elastic optical networks based on enhanced software
      defined networking (eSDN) for data center application.
AB  - Due to the high burstiness and high-bandwidth characteristics of the
      applications, data center interconnection by elastic optical networks have
      attracted much attention of network operators and service providers. Many data
      center applications require lower delay and higher availability with the end-to
      end guaranteed quality of service. In this paper, we propose and implement a
      novel elastic optical network based on enhanced software defined networking
      (eSDN) architecture for data center application, by introducing a transport-aware
      cross stratum optimization (TA-CSO) strategy. eSDN can enable cross stratum
      optimization of application and elastic optical network stratum resources and
      provide the elastic physical layer parameter adjustment, e.g., modulation format
      and bandwidth. We have designed and verified experimentally software defined path
      provisioning on our testbed with four real OpenFlow-enabled elastic optical nodes
      for data center application. The overall feasibility and efficiency of the
      proposed architecture is also experimentally demonstrated and compared with
      individual CSO and physical layer adjustment strategies in terms of path
      setup/release/adjustment latency, blocking probability and resource occupation
      rate. 

PMID- 24216923
TI  - 12.5 pm/V hybrid silicon and lithium niobate optical microring resonator with
      integrated electrodes.
AB  - We present a silicon microring resonator with a lithium niobate top cladding and
      integrated tuning electrodes. Submicrometer thin films of z-cut lithium niobate
      are bonded to silicon microring resonators via benzocyclobutene. Integrated
      electrodes are incorporated to confine voltage controlled electric fields within
      the lithium niobate thin film. The electrode design utilizes thin film metal
      electrodes and an optically transparent electrode wherein the silicon waveguide
      core serves as both an optical waveguide medium and as a conductive electrode
      medium. The hybrid material system combines the electro-optic functionality of
      lithium niobate with the high index contrast of silicon waveguides, enabling
      compact low tuning voltage microring resonators. Optical characterization of
      fabricated devices results in a measured loaded quality factor of 11,500 and a
      free spectral range of 7.15 nm in the infrared. The demonstrated tunability is
      12.5 pm/V, which is over an order of magnitude greater than electrode-free
      designs. 

PMID- 24216924
TI  - Pulse width shaping of passively mode-locked soliton fiber laser via polarization
      control in carbon nanotube saturable absorber.
AB  - We report the continuous control of the pulse width of a passively mode-locked
      fiber laser via polarization state adjustment in a single-walled carbon nanotube
      saturable absorber (SWCNT-SA). The SWCNT, coated on the side-polished fiber, was
      fabricated with optimized conditions and used for stable mode-locking of the
      fiber laser without Q-switching instabilities for any polarization state of the
      laser intra-cavity. The 3-dB spectral bandwidth of the mode-locked pulses can be
      continuously tuned from 1.8 nm to 8.5 nm with the polarization control for a
      given laser cavity length and applied pump power. A pulse duration varying from
      470 fs to 1.6 ps was also observed with a change in the spectral bandwidth. The
      linear and the nonlinear transmission properties of the SA were analyzed, and
      found to exhibit different modulation depths depending on the input polarization
      state in the SA. The largest modulation depth of the SA was observed at the
      polarization state of the transverse electric mode that delivers shortest pulses
      at the laser output. 

PMID- 24216925
TI  - Background-free millimeter-wave ultra-wideband signal generation based on a dual
      parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator.
AB  - A novel scheme for photonic generation of a millimeter-wave ultra-wideband (MMW
      UWB) signal is proposed and experimentally demonstrated based on a dual-parallel
      Mach-Zehnder modulator (DPMZM). In the proposed scheme, a single-frequency radio
      frequency (RF) signal is applied to one sub-MZM of the DPMZM to achieve optical
      suppressed-carrier modulation, and an electrical control pulse train is applied
      to the other sub-MZM biased at the minimum transmission point, to get an on/off
      switchable optical carrier. By filtering out the optical carrier with one of the
      first-order sidebands, and properly setting the amplitude of the control pulse,
      an MMW-UWB pulse train without the residual local oscillation is generated after
      photo-detection. The generated MMW-UWB signal is background-free, because the low
      frequency components in the electrical spectrum are effectively suppressed. In
      the experiment, an MMW-UWB pulse train centered at 25 GHz with a 10-dB bandwidth
      of 5.5 GHz is successfully generated. The low frequency components are suppressed
      by 22 dB. 

PMID- 24216926
TI  - Dengue immunoassay with an LSPR fiber optic sensor.
AB  - Dengue fever is a viral disease that affects millions of people worldwide.
      Specific tests for dengue are not usually performed due to high costs,
      complicated procedures and, in some cases, long time to yield a result. For
      widespread use of specific tests to be possible, fast, reliable and fairly simple
      methods are needed. In this paper, we present a new dengue diagnostic method for
      the acute phase of the infection. The method proposed uses an all-optical fiber
      sensor based on Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) and specular
      reflection from gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Dengue anti-NS1 antibody was
      immobilized on AuNPs deposited on the endface of a standard multimode fiber (62.5
      um/125 um). The sensor is able to detect NS1 antigen at different concentrations,
      with limit of quantification estimated to be 0.074 MUg/ml = 1.54 nM. These
      results indicate that the sensor could potentially be used for dengue diagnosis
      in the acute phase of the infection.

PMID- 24216927
TI  - The polarization properties of a tilted polarizer.
AB  - Polarizers are key components in optical science and technology. Thus,
      understanding the action of a polarizer beyond oversimplifying approximations is
      crucial. In this work, we study the interaction of a polarizing interface with an
      obliquely incident wave experimentally. To this end, a set of Mueller matrices is
      acquired employing a novel procedure robust against experimental imperfections.
      We connect our observation to a geometric model, useful to predict the effect of
      polarizers on complex light fields. 

PMID- 24216928
TI  - Robust, frequency-stable and accurate mid-IR laser spectrometer based on
      frequency comb metrology of quantum cascade lasers up-converted in orientation
      patterned GaAs.
AB  - We demonstrate a robust and simple method for measurement, stabilization and
      tuning of the frequency of cw mid-infrared (MIR) lasers, in particular of quantum
      cascade lasers. The proof of principle is performed with a quantum cascade laser
      at 5.4 um, which is upconverted to 1.2 um by sum-frequency generation in
      orientation-patterned GaAs with the output of a standard high-power cw 1.5 um
      fiber laser. Both the 1.2 um and the 1.5 um waves are measured by a standard
      Er:fiber frequency comb. Frequency measurement at the 100 kHz-level,
      stabilization to sub-10 kHz level, controlled frequency tuning and long-term
      stability are demonstrated. 

PMID- 24216929
TI  - Suppression of amplitude-to-phase noise conversion in balanced optical-microwave
      phase detectors.
AB  - We demonstrate an amplitude-to-phase (AM-PM) conversion coefficient for a
      balanced optical-microwave phase detector (BOM-PD) of 0.001 rad, corresponding to
      AM-PM induced phase noise 60 dB below the single-sideband relative intensity
      noise of the laser. This enables us to generate 8 GHz microwave signals from a
      commercial Er-fibre comb with a single-sideband residual phase noise of -131 dBc
      Hz(-1) at 1 Hz offset frequency and -148 dBc Hz(-1) at 1 kHz offset frequency.

PMID- 24216930
TI  - Second harmonic generation correlation spectroscopy for single molecule
      experiments.
AB  - We demonstrate a single molecule detection approach to further extend the
      detection limit of correlation spectroscopic techniques through the Second
      Harmonic Generation Correlation Spectroscopy (SHGCS). SHG signals with high
      signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were obtained from Barium titanium oxide, BaTiO(3)
      (BTO) nanocrystals (NCs) upon excitation by a femto-second laser fitted to the
      scanning confocal bench. The fluctuation of SHG signals from BTO NCs in
      transparent and turbid media was examined and their diffusion time and particle
      concentration were evaluated by autocorrelation. Proof-of-concept measurements
      indicate that water-dispersed BTO NCs at different concentrations yield an
      average diffusion time of 6.43 +/- 0.68 ms and the detection limit of SHGCS was
      found to be at 814 +/- 41 fM, approximately 100 folds below the detection limit
      of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). The dynamics of BTO NCs was
      demonstrated in serum with high SNR and selectivity to show its potential
      applicability in biomedicine. High SNR and the sub-picomolar detection limit
      positions SHGCS as an excellent technique for ultralow single particle or single
      molecule experimentation in a complex medium.

PMID- 24216931
TI  - Volumetric display using rotating prism sheets arranged in a symmetrical
      configuration.
AB  - A volumetric display that creates a distortion-free three-dimensional (3D) image
      in midair is described. The proposed system consists of rotating prism sheets
      used as an optical scanner and a dihedral corner reflector array (DCRA), which is
      a distortion-free imaging element. Two prism sheets are arranged in a symmetrical
      configuration to reduce an unnatural motion parallax caused by optical
      aberrations. A cross-section of the 3D image is formed by the DCRA in midair and
      moved by the rotating prism sheets to create a 3D displayable space. A 3D volume
      image was displayed without image distortion or unnatural motion parallax. 

PMID- 24216932
TI  - Wave-breaking-free pulse in an all-fiber normal-dispersion Yb-doped fiber laser
      under dissipative soliton resonance condition.
AB  - We reported on the dissipative soliton resonance (DSR) phenomenon in a mode
      locked Yb-doped fiber laser by using the nonlinear polarization rotation
      technique. It was found that the multi-pulse oscillation under high pump power
      could be circumvented by properly adjusting the polarization controllers, namely,
      the wave-breaking-free rectangular pulse in DSR region was achieved. As the DSR
      signature, the pulse duration varied from 8.8 ps to 22.92 ns with the increasing
      pump power. Correspondingly, the maximum pulse energy was 3.24 nJ. The results
      demonstrated that the DSR phenomenon could exist in Yb-doped fiber lasers, which
      could be used to achieve wave-breaking-free, ultrahigh-energy pulse. 

PMID- 24216933
TI  - Shaping the evanescent field of optical nanofibers for cold atom trapping.
AB  - We investigate trapping geometries for cold, neutral atoms that can be created in
      the evanescent field of a tapered optical fibre by combining the fundamental mode
      with one of the next lowest possible modes, namely the HE(21) mode. Counter
      propagating red-detuned HE(21) modes are combined with a blue-detuned HE(11)
      fundamental mode to form a potential in the shape of four intertwined spirals. By
      changing the polarization from circular to linear in each of the two counter
      propagating HE(21) modes simultaneously the 4-helix configuration can be
      transformed into a lattice configuration. The modification to the 4-helix
      configuration due to unwanted excitation of the the TE(01) and TM(01) modes is
      also discussed.

PMID- 24216934
TI  - High-voltage thin-film GaN LEDs fabricated on ceramic substrates: the alleviated
      droop effect at 670 W/cm(2).
AB  - High-voltage thin-film GaN LEDs with the emission wavelength of 455 nm were
      fabricated on ceramic substrates (230 W/m . K). The high-voltage operation was
      achieved by three cascaded sub-LEDs with dielectric passivation and metal bridges
      conformally deposited on the side walls. Under the driving power of 670 W/cm(2),
      the high-voltage LEDs exhibit much alleviated efficiency droop and the operative
      temperature below 80  degrees C. The excellent performances were attributed to
      the improved current spreading within each sub-LED and the superior heat sinking
      of the ceramic substrate.

PMID- 24216935
TI  - Sensitivity enhanced strain and temperature measurements based on FBG and
      frequency chirp magnification.
AB  - In this work, highly sensitive measurements of strain and temperature have been
      demonstrated using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor with significantly enhance
      sensitivity by all-optical signal processing. The sensitivity enhancement is
      achieved by degenerated Four Wave Mixing (FWM) for frequency chirp magnification
      (FCM), which can be used for magnifying the wavelength drift of the FBG sensor
      induced by strain and temperature change. Highly sensitive measurements of static
      strain and temperature have been experimentally demonstrated with strain
      sensitivity of 5.36 pm/MUepsilon and temperature sensitivity of 54.09 pm/ degrees
      C. The sensitivity has been enhanced by a factor of five based on a 4-order FWM
      in a highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF). 

PMID- 24216936
TI  - Polarization delivery in heterodyne interferometry.
AB  - Optically heterodyned laser interferometry, as applied to measuring linear
      displacements, requires different optical frequencies to be encoded onto unique
      polarization states. To eliminate non-linear contributions to the interferometer
      signal, the frequency difference must be introduced after beam splitting and the
      interfering beams must be recombined via spatially separated paths. The
      polarization jitter of the frequency-shifted beams still originates a noise in
      the beat-signal phase. A formula is given expressing the noise amplitude in terms
      of the illuminating beam's extinction ratio. 

PMID- 24216937
TI  - Haze effect removal from image via haze density estimation in optical model.
AB  - Images/videos captured from optical devices are usually degraded by turbid media
      such as haze, smoke, fog, rain and snow. Haze is the most common problem in
      outdoor scenes because of the atmosphere conditions. This paper proposes a novel
      single image-based dehazing framework to remove haze artifacts from images, where
      we propose two novel image priors, called the pixel-based dark channel prior and
      the pixel-based bright channel prior. Based on the two priors with the haze
      optical model, we propose to estimate atmospheric light via haze density
      analysis. We can then estimate transmission map, followed by refining it via the
      bilateral filter. As a result, high-quality haze-free images can be recovered
      with lower computational complexity compared with the state-of-the-art approach
      based on patch-based dark channel prior. 

PMID- 24216938
TI  - Characterization and improvement of three-dimensional imaging performance of GRIN
      lens-based two-photon fluorescence endomicroscopes with adaptive optics.
AB  - Inherent aberrations of gradient index (GRIN) lenses used in fluorescence
      endomicroscopes deteriorate imaging performance. Using adaptive optics, we
      characterized and corrected the on-axis and off-axis aberrations of a GRIN lens
      with NA 0.8 at multiple focal planes. We demonstrated a rotational-transformation
      based correction procedure, which enlarged the imaging area with diffraction
      limited resolution with only two aberration measurements. 204.8 * 204.8
      um<sup>2</sup> images of fluorescent beads and brain slices before and after AO
      corrections were obtained, with evident improvements in both image sharpness and
      brightness after AO correction. These results show great promises of applying
      adaptive optical two-photon fluorescence endomicroscope to three-dimensional (3D)
      imaging. 

PMID- 24216939
TI  - Frequency stabilized coherent Brillouin random fiber laser: theory and
      experiments.
AB  - A coherent random fiber laser based on stimulated Brillouin scattering as gain
      and Rayleigh scattering as distributed feedback mirror was constructed. Its
      frequency is stabilized by a high finesse narrow-band Fabry-Perot interferometer
      (FPI) to select lasing frequency within the gain bandwidth. The light confinement
      within single-mode fiber enhances largely the random lasing directionality, which
      enables a high-quality coherent random lasing in the weak scattering region by
      using a milliwatt continuous-wave pump source. The FPI in the laser configuration
      acts as a frequency selection on the Rayleigh feedback light, and thus the random
      lasing frequency was locked at one of its transmission peaks giving a relative
      frequency fluctuation of ~2.5 * 10(-11) at 100 s. The measured frequency jitter
      is within ~~ +/- 20 kHz over 3 hours, 3 dB linewidth is ~50 Hz and frequency
      noise is ~20 mHz/Hz(1/2) at 10 kHz.

PMID- 24216940
TI  - Sub-millisecond timing-jitter-free tuning of parametric dispersion compensator.
AB  - We demonstrate sub-millisecond tuning of a prototype parametric tunable
      dispersion compensator (P-TDC) based on cascaded polarization-diverse four-wave
      mixing (FWM) process with a fast tunable and highly wavelength-stable pump light
      source. The pump light source is developed using a tunable distributed
      amplification chirped sampled grating distributed reflector laser that is fully
      wavelength tunable by on-chip heaters with a 3-dB frequency response of 45 kHz,
      resulting in fast dispersion tuning of less than 50 MUs without additional timing
      jitter. The P-TDC is developed as the first prototype to satisfy essential
      requirements for practical network uses: stable input-polarization diversity,
      input-wavelength preservation, and seamless dispersion tunability for entire C
      band input wavelengths are simultaneously achieved. 

PMID- 24216941
TI  - Low-filling-factor superconducting single photon detector with high system
      detection efficiency.
AB  - We designed, fabricated, and measured superconducting nanowire single-photon
      detectors (SSPDs) with low filling factor which achieve high system detection
      efficiency (SDE) and counting rate simultaneously. Numerical simulation reveals
      that high optical absorptance is possible in SSPDs even for low filing factor by
      tuning the device design. The SDEs of fabricated 18-50% filling factor SSPDs were
      measured systematically, and all SSPDs showed high SDEs of 61-80% and the lowest
      18% filling factor SSPD achieved a high SDE of 69%. 

PMID- 24216942
TI  - Information-based analysis of X-ray in-line phase tomography with application to
      the detection of iron oxide nanoparticles in the brain.
AB  - The study analyzes noise in X-ray in-line phase tomography in a biomedical
      context. The impact of noise on detection of iron oxide nanoparticles in mouse
      brain is assessed. The part of the noise due to the imaging system and the part
      due to biology are quantitatively expressed in a Neyman Pearson detection
      strategy with two models of noise. This represents a practical extension of
      previous work on noise in phase-contrast X-ray imaging which focused on the
      theoretical expression of the signal-to-noise ratio in mono-dimensional phantoms,
      taking account of the statistical noise of the imaging system only. We also
      report the impact of the phase retrieval step on detection performance. Taken
      together, this constitutes a general methodology of practical interest for
      quantitative extraction of information from X-ray in-line phase tomography, and
      is also relevant to assessment of contrast agents with a blob-like signature in
      high resolution imaging. 

PMID- 24216943
TI  - Integrated photonic building blocks for next-generation astronomical
      instrumentation II: the multimode to single mode transition.
AB  - There are numerous advantages to exploiting diffraction-limited instrumentation
      at astronomical observatories, which include smaller footprints, less mechanical
      and thermal instabilities and high levels of performance. To realize such
      instrumentation it is imperative to convert the atmospheric seeing-limited signal
      that is captured by the telescope into a diffraction-limited signal. This process
      can be achieved photonically by using a mode reformatting device known as a
      photonic lantern that performs a multimode to single-mode transition. With the
      aim of developing an optimized integrated photonic lantern, we undertook a
      systematic parameter scan of devices fabricated by the femtosecond laser direct
      write technique. The devices were designed for operation around 1.55 MUm. The
      devices showed (coupling and transition) losses of less than 5% for F/# >= 12
      injection and the total device throughput (including substrate absorption) as
      high as 75-80%. Such devices show great promise for future use in astronomy. 

PMID- 24216944
TI  - Fano resonances in integrated silicon Bragg reflectors for sensing applications.
AB  - We investigate theoretically and experimentally Fano resonances in integrated
      silicon Bragg reflectors. These asymmetric resonances are obtained by
      interference between light reflected from the Bragg waveguide and from the end
      facet. The Bragg reflectors were designed and modeled using the 1D transfer
      matrix method, and they were fabricated in standard silicon wafers using a CMOS
      compatible process. The results show that the shape and asymmetry of the Fano
      resonances depend on the relative phase of the reflected light from the Bragg
      reflectors and end facet. This phase relationship can be controlled to optimize
      the lineshapes for sensing applications. Temperature sensing in these integrated
      Bragg reflectors are experimentally demonstrated with a temperature sensitivity
      of 77 pm/ degrees C based on the thermo-optic effect of silicon.

PMID- 24216945
TI  - Mode-expansion theory for inhomogeneous meta-surfaces.
AB  - Modeling meta-surfaces as thin metamaterial layers with continuously varying bulk
      parameters, we employed a rigorous mode-expansion theory to study the scattering
      properties of such systems. We found that a meta-surface with a linear reflection
      phase profile could redirect an impinging light to a non-specular channel with
      nearly 100% efficiency, and a meta-surface with a parabolic reflection-phase
      profile could focus incident plane wave to a point image. Under certain
      approximations, our theory reduces to the local response model (LRM) established
      for such problems previously, but our full theory has overcome the energy non
      conservation problems suffered by the LRM. Microwave experiments were performed
      on realistic samples to verify the key theoretical predictions, which match well
      with full-wave simulations. 

PMID- 24216946
TI  - Nanowatt threshold, alumina sensitized neodymium laser integrated on silicon.
AB  - Low threshold lasers based on rare-earth elements have enabled numerous
      scientific discoveries and innovations in industry. However, pushing the
      threshold into the sub-microwatt regime has been stymied by a fundamental
      material phenomenon. Specifically, rare earth dopants form clusters which quench
      emission and reduce efficiency. Here, we fabricate resonant cavity lasers from
      neodymium-doped silica films containing alumina. The alumina prevents the
      clustering of the Neodymium, enabling the lasers to achieve thresholds of 530
      nanoWatts at room temperature.

PMID- 24216947
TI  - Electromagnetic cosine-Gaussian Schell-model beams in free space and atmospheric
      turbulence.
AB  - A recently introduced class of scalar cosine-Gaussian Schell-Model [CGSM] beams
      is generalized to electromagnetic theory. The realizability conditions and the
      beam conditions on the source parameters are derived. Analytical formulas for the
      cross-spectral density matrix elements of the electromagnetic cosine-Gaussian
      Schell-model [EM CGSM] beams propagating in isotropic random medium are derived.
      It is found that the EM CGSM beams possess single-ring or double-ring intensity
      profiles, depending of source parameters. As two examples, the statistical
      characteristics of the EM CGSM beams propagating in free space and non-Kolmogorov
      turbulent atmosphere are studied numerically. The effects of the fractal constant
      of the atmospheric spectrum and the refractive-index structure constant on such
      characteristics are analyzed in detail. 

PMID- 24216948
TI  - Entanglement-based quantum key distribution with biased basis choice via free
      space.
AB  - We report a free-space entanglement-based quantum key distribution experiment,
      implementing the biased basis protocol between two sites which are 15.3 km apart.
      Photon pairs from a polarization-entangled source are distributed through two 7.8
      km free-space optical links. An optimal bias 20:80 between the X and Z basis is
      used. A post-processing scheme with finite-key analysis is applied to extract the
      final secure key. After three-hour continuous operation at night, a 4293-bit
      secure key is obtained, with a final key rate of 0.124 bit per raw key bit which
      increases the final key rate by 14.8% comparing to the standard BB84 case. Our
      results experimentally demonstrate that the efficient BB84 protocol, which
      increases key generation efficiency by biasing Alice and Bob's basis choices, is
      potentially useful for the ground-satellite quantum communication. 

PMID- 24216949
TI  - Two-kernel image deconvolution.
AB  - A method for deconvolution of the true image of an object from two recorded
      images is proposed. These two images have to be made by an imaging system with
      two different but interconnected kernels. The method is formulated as a system of
      Fredholm equations of the first kind reduced to a single functional equation in
      Fourier space. The kernels of the system and the true image of an object are
      found from the same recorded images. 

PMID- 24216950
TI  - Control of forward stimulated polariton scattering in periodically-poled KTP
      crystals.
AB  - We report suppression of forward stimulated polariton scattering (SPS) in
      chi((2)) structured media. Periodic poling in KTiOPO(4) (KTP) leads to the
      destructive interference of phonon-polariton waves, which is responsible for the
      dependence of the SPS threshold on the poling period. This was confirmed by
      comparing the SPS thresholds in periodically-poled KTP (PPKTP) crystals with
      different poling periods. Further confirming the physical picture, we studied the
      changes in the Stokes power distribution as a function of the rotation angle of
      the PPKTP crystal.

PMID- 24216951
TI  - Design of a spherical focal surface using close-packed relay optics: erratum.
AB  - A coding error was found in calculating the optimal packing distribution of our
      geodesic array. The error was corrected and the new optimization results in
      slightly improved packing density. The overall approach and algorithm remain
      unchanged. 

PMID- 24216952
TI  - Focus issue on surface plasmon photonics introduction.
AB  - The 6th International Conference on Surface Plasmon Photonics (SPP6) was held in
      Ottawa, Canada from May 26th to 31st, 2013. This independent series of biennial
      conferences is widely regarded as the premier series in the field, and the 6th
      edition maintained the tradition of excellence. This Focus Issue collects several
      papers related to research presented at SPP6, and although the number of papers
      it comprises is small compared to the total number of papers presented at the
      conference, the issue is representative and provides a good snapshot of the field
      at this point in time. 

PMID- 24216953
TI  - Nanosecond thermo-optical dynamics of polymer loaded plasmonic waveguides.
AB  - The thermo-optical dynamics of polymer loaded surface plasmon waveguide (PLSPPW)
      based devices photo-thermally excited in the nanosecond regime is investigated.
      We demonstrate thermo-absorption of PLSPPW modes mediated by the temperature
      dependent ohmic losses of the metal and the thermally controlled field
      distribution of the plasmon mode within the metal. For a PLSPPW excited by sub
      nanosecond long pulses, we find that the thermo-absorption process leads to
      modulation depths up to 50% and features an activation time around 2 ns whereas
      the relaxation time is around 800 ns, four-fold smaller than the cooling time of
      the metal film itself. Next, we observe the photo-thermal activation of PLSPPW
      racetrack shaped resonators at a time scale of 300 ns followed however by a long
      cooling time (18 MUs) attributed to the poor heat diffusivity of the polymer. We
      conclude that nanosecond excitation combined to high thermal diffusivity
      materials opens the way to high speed thermo-optical plasmonic devices.

PMID- 24216954
TI  - Quantum effects and nonlocality in strongly coupled plasmonic nanowire dimers.
AB  - Using a fully quantum mechanical approach we study the optical response of a
      strongly coupled metallic nanowire dimer for variable separation widths of the
      junction between the nanowires. The translational invariance of the system allows
      to apply the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) for nanowires of
      diameters up to 10 nm which is the largest size considered so far in quantum
      modeling of plasmonic dimers. By performing a detailed analysis of the optical
      extinction, induced charge densities, and near fields, we reveal the major
      nonlocal quantum effects determining the plasmonic modes and field enhancement in
      the system. These effects consist mainly of electron tunneling between the
      nanowires at small junction widths and dynamical screening. The TDDFT results are
      compared with results from classical electromagnetic calculations based on the
      local Drude and non-local hydrodynamic descriptions of the nanowire permittivity,
      as well as with results from a recently developed quantum corrected model. The
      latter provides a way to include quantum mechanical effects such as electron
      tunneling in standard classical electromagnetic simulations. We show that the
      TDDFT results can be thus retrieved semi-quantitatively within a classical
      framework. We also discuss the shortcomings of classical non-local hydrodynamic
      approaches. Finally, the implications of the actual position of the screening
      charge density at the gap interfaces are discussed in connection with plasmon
      ruler applications at subnanometric distances. 

PMID- 24216955
TI  - Towards CMOS-compatible nanophotonics: ultra-compact modulators using alternative
      plasmonic materials.
AB  - We propose several planar layouts of ultra-compact plasmonic modulators that
      utilize alternative plasmonic materials such as transparent conducting oxides and
      titanium nitride. The modulation is achieved by tuning the carrier concentration
      in a transparent conducting oxide layer into and out of the plasmon resonance
      with an applied electric field. The resonance significantly increases the
      absorption coefficient of the modulator, which enables larger modulation depth.
      We show that an extinction ratio of 46 dB/um can be achieved, allowing for a 3-dB
      modulation depth in much less than one micron at the telecommunication
      wavelength. Our multilayer structures can be integrated with existing plasmonic
      and photonic waveguides as well as novel semiconductor-based hybrid
      photonic/electronic circuits. 

PMID- 24216956
TI  - Gold nanoparticles for enhanced single molecule fluorescence analysis at
      micromolar concentration.
AB  - Individual metal nanoparticles represent an inexpensive and versatile platform to
      enhance the detection of fluorescent species at biologically relevant
      concentrations. Here we use fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to quantify the
      near-field detection volume and average fluorescence enhancement factors set by a
      single gold nanoparticle. We demonstrate detection volumes down to 270
      zeptoliters (three orders of magnitude beyond the diffraction barrier) together
      with 60-fold enhancement of the fluorescence brightness per molecule. 

PMID- 24216957
TI  - Blueshift of the surface plasmon resonance in silver nanoparticles: substrate
      effects.
AB  - We study the blueshift of the surface plasmon (SP) resonance energy of isolated
      Ag nanoparticles with decreasing particle diameter, which we recently measured
      using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) [1]. As the particle diameter
      decreases from 26 down to 3.5 nm, a large blueshift of 0.5 eV of the SP resonance
      energy is observed. In this paper, we base our theoretical interpretation of our
      experimental findings on the nonlocal hydrodynamic model, and compare the effect
      of the substrate on the SP resonance energy to the approach of an effective
      homogeneous background permittivity. We derive the nonlocal polarizability of a
      small metal sphere embedded in a homogeneous dielectric environment, leading to
      the nonlocal generalization of the classical Clausius-Mossotti factor. We also
      present an exact formalism based on multipole expansions and scattering matrices
      to determine the optical response of a metal sphere on a dielectric substrate of
      finite thickness, taking into account retardation and nonlocal effects. We find
      that the substrate-based calculations show a similar-sized blueshift as
      calculations based on a sphere in a homogeneous environment, and that they both
      agree qualitatively with the EELS measurements. 

PMID- 24216958
TI  - Mimicking electromagnetically induced transparency in the magneto-optical
      activity of magnetoplasmonic nanoresonators.
AB  - We show that the interaction between a plasmonic and a magnetoplasmonic metallic
      nanodisk leads to the appearance of magneto-optical activity in the purely
      plasmonic disk induced by the magnetoplasmonic one. Moreover, at specific
      wavelengths the interaction cancels the net electromagnetic field at the
      magnetoplasmonic component, strongly reducing the magneto-optical activity of the
      whole system. The MO activity has a characteristic Fano spectral shape, and the
      resulting MO inhibition constitutes the magneto-optical counterpart of the
      electromagnetic induced transparency. 

PMID- 24216959
TI  - Efficient and intuitive method for the analysis of light scattering by a resonant
      nanostructure.
AB  - We present a semi-analytical formalism capable of handling the coupling of
      electromagnetic sources, such as point dipoles or free-propagating fields, with
      various kinds of dissipative resonances with radiation leakage, Ohmic losses or
      both. Due to its analyticity, the approach is very intuitive and physically
      sound. It is also very economic in computational resources, since once the
      resonances of a plasmonic or photonic resonator are known, their excitation
      coefficients are obtained analytically, independently of the polarization,
      frequency or location of the excitation source. To evidence that the present
      formalism is very general and versatile, we implement it with the commercial
      software COMSOL, rather than with our in-house numerical tools. 

PMID- 24216960
TI  - Highly efficient broadband ultrafast plasmonics.
AB  - To date, considerable experimental and theoretical focus has been placed on the
      spatial control of Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs) using nanostructured
      surfaces; however, research aimed toward accessing the ultrafast dynamics of SPPs
      remains vastly unexplored. Despite this, SPPs have the potential to exhibit some
      of the fastest possible optical processes, while maintaining the advantage of
      nanoscale spatial manipulation. Here, we present an experimental and
      computational investigation of a system that provides access to the efficient
      excitation of broadband, propagating SPP modes. To achieve this, a surface array
      of tailor designed, reduced symmetry nanostructures has been fabricated to enable
      the required control of the plasmon dispersion map to match sub 20 fs pulses in
      the near infra-red. Using a combination of optical spectroscopy and frequency
      resolved optical gating techniques, complimented by finite element computational
      analysis, the efficient excitation of propagating broadband plasmonic modes is
      demonstrated. 

PMID- 24216961
TI  - Measurement of surface plasmon autocorrelation functions.
AB  - In this paper we demonstrate the realization of an autocorrelator for the
      characterization of ultrashort surface plasmon polariton (SPP) pulses. A wedge
      shaped structure is used to continuously increase the time delay between two
      interfering SPPs. The autocorrelation signal is monitored by non-linear two
      photon photoemission electron microscopy. The presented approach is applicable to
      other SPP sensitive detection schemes that provide only moderate spatial
      resolution and may therefore be of general interest in the field of ultrafast
      plasmonics. 

PMID- 24216962
TI  - Mutual mode control of short- and long-range surface plasmons.
AB  - A symmetric metal slab waveguide simultaneously supports two opposite types of
      propagation mode similar to a metal film: short-range surface plasmon (SRSP) like
      mode and long-range surface plasmon (LRSP) like mode. The strong field
      confinement of SRSP-like mode plays a crucial role for nano-optical integrated
      circuits in spite of short propagation length. In order to avoid the trade-off
      between field confinement and propagation length, we demonstrate selective mode
      excitation and mutual mode conversion for nanofocusing mediated by LRSP-like
      mode. 

PMID- 24216963
TI  - Surface lattice resonances strongly coupled to Rhodamine 6G excitons: tuning the
      plasmon-exciton-polariton mass and composition.
AB  - We demonstrate the strong coupling of surface lattice resonances (SLRs)-
      hybridized plasmonic/photonic modes in metallic nanoparticle arrays--to excitons
      in Rhodamine 6G molecules. We investigate experimentally angle-dependent
      extinction spectra of silver nanorod arrays with different lattice constants,
      with and without the Rhodamine 6G molecules. The properties of the coupled modes
      are elucidated with simple Hamiltonian models. At low momenta, plasmon-exciton
      polaritons--the mixed SLR/exciton states--behave as free-quasiparticles with an
      effective mass, lifetime, and composition tunable via the periodicity of the
      array. The results are relevant for the design of plasmonic systems aimed at
      reaching the quantum degeneracy threshold, wherein a single quantum state becomes
      macroscopically populated.

PMID- 24216964
TI  - Surface plasmon dispersion in metal hole array lasers.
AB  - We experimentally study surface plasmon lasing in a series of metal hole arrays
      on a gold-semiconductor interface. The sub-wavelength holes are arranged in
      square arrays of which we systematically vary the lattice constant and hole size.
      The semiconductor medium is optically pumped and operates at telecom wavelengths
      (lambda ~ 1.5 MUm). For all 9 studied arrays, we observe surface plasmon (SP)
      lasing close to normal incidence, where different lasers operate in different
      plasmonic bands and at different wavelengths. Angle- and frequency-resolved
      measurements of the spontaneous emission visualizes these bands over the relevant
      (omega, k||) range. The observed bands are accurately described by a simple
      coupled-wave model, which enables us to quantify the backwards and right-angle
      scattering of SPs at the holes in the metal film.

PMID- 24216965
TI  - Plasmonic metasurfaces for efficient phase control in reflection.
AB  - We numerically study the optical properties of metal-insulator-metal resonators
      and metasurfaces, emphasizing the presence of gap-surface plasmon (GSP)
      resonances and their connection to the optical response. In relation to
      birefringent metal-backed metasurfaces, we show how a combination of metal
      nanobrick and nanocross elements allows one to fully control the phase of
      reflected light for two orthogonal polarizations simultaneously. The approach is
      exemplified by the design of a gradient birefringent metasurface that reflects
      two orthogonal polarization states into +2 and -3 diffraction order,
      respectively, with a reflectivity up to ~ 80% and in a broad wavelength range
      around the design wavelength of 800 nm. Finally, we introduce the concept of
      metascatterers, which are wavelength-sized polarization-sensitive scatterers.

PMID- 24216966
TI  - The role of gap plasmons in light emission from tunnel junctions.
AB  - Light emission from the junction of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is
      examined in the presence of 20 nm topographical features in thin gold films.
      These features significantly modify the emission rates of the junction.
      Contributions to this modification are discriminated by examining emission rates
      on samples where the material is varied spatially. It is found that the
      variability in STM photoemission rates between a gold tip and a gold sample under
      ambient conditions is due to the modification of localized gap plasmon modes and
      not to the presence of an electroluminescent gold cluster on the STM probe apex. 

PMID- 24216967
TI  - Plasmonic enhancement of the third order nonlinear optical phenomena: figures of
      merit.
AB  - Recent years have seen increased interest in the plasmonic enhancement of
      nonlinear optical effects, yet there remains an uncertainty as to the limits of
      this enhancement. We present a simple and physically transparent theory for the
      plasmonic enhancement of third order nonlinear optical processes and show that
      while a huge enhancement of the effective nonlinear index can be attained, the
      most relevant figure of merit, the phase shift per one absorption length, remains
      very low. This suggests that while nonlinear plasmonic materials are not suitable
      for applications requiring high efficiency, for example in all-optical switching
      and wavelength conversion, they can be very useful for applications where overall
      high efficiency is not critical, such as in sensing. 

PMID- 24216968
TI  - Optical control of plasmonic fields by phase-modulated pulse excitations.
AB  - We developed an advanced near-field optical method by combining an ultrafast near
      field optical microscope with a prism-based pulse shaping system. We used this
      apparatus to visualize plasmonic optical fields and to measure the lifetime of
      plasmons excited on a rough gold film. We also studied the influence of the phase
      modulation of the excitation pulse on the spatial distribution of the optical
      fields. We found that the spatial distribution of the optical fields can be
      controlled by a negatively chirped pulse. 

PMID- 24216969
TI  - Sensing properties of lattice resonances of 2D metal nanoparticle arrays: an
      analytical model.
AB  - Theoretical study of sensing properties of lattice resonances supported by arrays
      of gold nanoparticles expressed in terms of the figure of merit (FOM) is
      reported. Analytical expressions for the FOM for surface and bulk refractive
      index changes are derived to establish the relationship between the sensing
      performance and design parameters and to allow for the design of nanoparticle
      arrays with optimal sensing performance. It is demonstrated that lattice
      resonances exhibit about two orders of magnitude higher bulk FOM than localized
      surface plasmon (LSP) resonance and that the surface FOM provided by lattice
      resonances and LSP resonances are comparable. 

PMID- 24216970
TI  - Tunable optical antennas enabled by the phase transition in vanadium dioxide.
AB  - Optical antennas, subwavelength metallic structures resonating at visible
      frequencies, are a relatively new branch of antenna technology being applied in
      science, technology and medicine. Dynamically tuning the resonances of these
      antennas would increase their range of application and offer potential increases
      in plasmonic device efficiencies. Silver nanoantenna arrays were fabricated on a
      thin film of the phase change material vanadium dioxide (VO(2)) and the resonant
      wavelength of these arrays was modulated by increasing the temperature of the
      substrate above the critical temperature (approximately 68  degrees C). Depending
      on the array, wavelength modulation of up to 110 nm was observed.

PMID- 24216971
TI  - Nonlocal propagation and tunnelling of surface plasmons in metallic hourglass
      waveguides.
AB  - The nanofocusing performance of hourglass plasmonic waveguides is studied
      analytically and numerically. Nonlocal effects in the linearly tapered metal-air
      metal stack that makes up the device are taken into account within a
      hydrodynamical approach. Using this hourglass waveguide as a model structure, we
      show that spatial dispersion drastically modifies the propagation of surface
      plasmons in metal voids, such as those generated between touching particles.
      Specifically, we investigate how nonlocal corrections limit the enormous field
      enhancements predicted by local electromagnetic treatments of geometric
      singularities. Finally, our results also indicate the emergence of nonlocality
      assisted tunnelling of plasmonic modes across hourglass contacts as thick as 0.5
      nm. 

PMID- 24216972
TI  - Severe axial myopathy in McArdle disease.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: McArdle disease is a nonlysosomal glycogenosis that classically
      manifests with exercise-induced pain from childhood. Fixed weakness may occur
      from the fifth decade and is typically mild and located around the shoulder
      girdle. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a 61-year-old man with exercise-induced pain
      from a young age and a 3-year history of weight loss and an elevated creatine
      kinase level up to 4000 U/L. On examination, he was severely atrophic and weak in
      his shoulder girdle and the entire paraspinal musculature. Magnetic resonance
      imaging confirmed that the paraspinal musculature was completely converted to
      fat. A muscle biopsy specimen was myopathic with a lack of myophosphorylase and
      multiple large vacuoles with glycogen. A nonischemic forearm test demonstrated a
      lack of increase in lactate together with an exaggerated ammonium elevation.
      Genetic testing verified the suspicion of McArdle disease. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: This is a highly atypical presentation of McArdle disease with severe
      paraspinal wasting and weakness. We suspect that this is related to the unusual
      amount of glycogen vacuoles and stress the importance of including McArdle
      disease in the differential diagnosis of axial myopathy.

PMID- 24216973
TI  - Multiple myeloma: relationship to antioxidant esterases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status of the oxidant/antioxidant balance in
      patients with multiple myeloma compared to healthy controls. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This study was conducted on 40 multiple myeloma patients and 40 healthy
      controls of matched age and sex. Serum total thiol, oxidative stress index (OSI),
      total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured
      using colourimetric methods; paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase enzyme activities
      were also quantified. RESULTS: Serum paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase activities
      and total thiol levels were significantly lower (p = 0.0001, p = 0.036 and p <
      0.0001, respectively), whereas TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher (p <
      0.0001 for both parameters) in multiple myeloma patients compared to controls.
      However, no significant differences in TAS were identified when the two groups
      were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate an impaired
      oxidative/antioxidative balance in multiple myeloma. We recommend further studies
      with larger groups to investigate the possible relationship between oxidative
      stress and the aetiopathogenesis of multiple myeloma.

PMID- 24216974
TI  - Effects of central and peripheral administration of neuropeptide s on the level
      of serum proinflammatory cytokines in pigs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The recently discovered neuropeptide S (NPS) and its cognate receptor
      represent a novel system of neuromodulation and are involved in many
      physiological and pathological processes. NPS has been implicated in the
      regulation of proinflammatory cytokine secretion in the pulmonary alveolar
      macrophages (PAMs) of pigs in vitro. In this study, we tested the hypothesis
      whether either central or peripheral injection of NPS would stimulate the
      secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines in pigs. METHODS: In experiment 1,
      pigs were fitted with an intracerebroventricular cannula and indwelling jugular
      catheters, and were then randomly assigned to receive 10 or 30 nmol NPS in
      artificial cerebrospinal fluid. In experiment 2, pigs were fitted with indwelling
      jugular catheters, and randomly received 15 or 30 nmol NPS in saline. Serial
      blood samples were collected every 10 min for 1 h before and for 2 h after
      injections, and serum concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were
      determined. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of these cytokines were increased in
      pigs that received central and peripheral injection of NPS, and the elevated
      secretion of these cytokines was in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.
      CONCLUSION: The level of serum proinflammatory cytokines could be activated by
      both central and peripheral administration of NPS in a dose- and time-dependent
      manner in the pig. The present data support the concept that NPS may be
      considered as a potent modulator for the immune system and may play an important
      role in the inflammation and immune system of pigs.

PMID- 24216975
TI  - Enhanced methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions on palladium-decorated
      FeCo@Fe/C core-shell nanocatalysts in alkaline medium.
AB  - Palladium based nano-alloys are well known for their unique electrocatalytic
      properties. In this work, a palladium-decorated FeCo@Fe/C core-shell nanocatalyst
      has been prepared by a new method called microwave-induced top-down
      nanostructuring and decoration (MITNAD). This simple, yet efficient technique,
      resulted in the generation of sub-10 nm sized FeCo@Fe@Pd nanocatalysts (mainly 3
      5 nm) from a micron-sized (0.21-1.5 MUm) FeCo@Fe/C. The electrocatalytic
      activities of the core-shell nanocatalysts were explored for methanol oxidation
      reaction (MOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium. A negative
      shift of 300 mV in the onset potential for MOR was observed, with a current
      thrice that of the Pd/C catalysts. A very low resistance to electron transfer
      (Rct) was observed while the ratio of forward-to-backward oxidation current
      (If/Ib) was doubled. The overpotential of ORR was significantly reduced with a
      positive shift of about 250 mV and twice the reduction current density was
      observed in comparison with Pd/C nanocatalysts with the same mass loading. The
      kinetic parameters (in terms of the Tafel slope (b) = -59.7 mV dec(-1) (Temkin
      isotherm) and high exchange current density (jo) = 1.26 * 10(-2) mA cm(-2))
      provide insights into the favorable electrocatalytic performance of the catalysts
      in ORR in alkaline media. Importantly, the core-shell nanocatalyst exhibited
      excellent resistance to possible methanol cross-over during ORR, which shows
      excellent promise for application in direct alkaline alcohol fuel cells (DAAFCs).

PMID- 24216976
TI  - Deep brain stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder: is the side relevant?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has
      targeted several subcortical nuclei, including the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and
      the nucleus accumbens. While the most appropriate target is still being looked
      for, little attention has been given to the side of the stimulated hemisphere in
      relationship to outcome. METHODS: We report 2 patients diagnosed with OCD, one
      having symmetry obsessions and the other one with sexual-religious obsessive
      thoughts. They were implanted bilaterally with deep electrodes located at both
      STN and nuclei accumbens. The effectiveness of the stimulation was tested for
      every possible paired combination of electrodes guided by the Yale-Brown
      Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score reduction. RESULTS: In both cases, the
      combination of electrodes which best relieved the OCD symptoms was both the left
      STN and left accumbens. In case 1, the preoperative Y-BOCS score was 33, and 1
      month after stimulation it was 16. In case 2, the Y-BOCS scores were 33 and 3,
      respectively, with the patient being free of obsessions. CONCLUSION: Some reports
      suggest that lesion stimulation or stimulation of only the right side relieves
      OCD symptoms. However, anatomical and functional studies are not conclusive as to
      which side is most affected in OCD. Possibly, each OCD patient has an
      individualized optimal side to stimulate.

PMID- 24216977
TI  - Hearing loss is part of the clinical picture of ENPP1 loss of function mutation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ecto/nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase-1 (ENPP1) loss-of
      function mutations have been described in patients with autosomal recessive
      hypophosphatemic rickets (HR), in patients with generalized arterial
      calcification of infancy (GACI) and in several patients with both conditions. Out
      of more than 50 cases of homozygous or compound heterozygous ENPP1 loss-of
      function mutations published so far, 1 case with labyrinthine deafness probably
      due to occlusion of inner ear supplying arteries and 2 cases of conductive
      hearing loss due to stapedovestibular calcification diagnosed in childhood have
      been reported. AIMS: To report a case of ENPP1 loss-of-function novel mutation
      presenting with HR and very early onset and severe hearing loss. METHODS: Case
      report and review of the literature. RESULTS: We report on a patient homozygous
      for a novel 1-bp deletion in ENPP1 that presented with GACI evolving towards HR
      associated with a mixed hearing loss (both labyrinthine and conductive) diagnosed
      at 9 days of life that evolved towards profound labyrinthine deafness.
      CONCLUSION: Hearing loss is a rare finding in patients with ENPP1 loss-of
      function mutations. Interestingly, it has already been described in other
      affected patients, in ENPP1 knock-out mice and in other diseases of pyrophosphate
      metabolism. Conversely it seems to be absent in children with the X-linked form
      of HR.

PMID- 24216978
TI  - Changes in body composition in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease: do they influence patient-related outcomes?
AB  - AIMS: The follow-up of the ECLIPSE study, a prospective longitudinal study to
      identify and define parameters that predict disease progression over 3 years in
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allows the examination of the
      effect of body composition changes on COPD-related outcomes. METHODS: Body
      composition and health status were established in 2,115 COPD patients, 327
      smoking and 239 nonsmoking controls at baseline and 3 years, while mortality was
      recorded in year 2 and 3 in the COPD patients. Associations between fat free mass
      index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI) changes to deterioration in health status
      and mortality were determined. RESULTS: Change in FFMI and FMI over 3 years was
      small and comparable between the groups. Underweight and obese patients had the
      worst health status. Worsening health status was associated with FFMI decrease in
      underweight patients and FMI increase in overweight/obese patients. While
      overweight patients had the lowest mortality, FFMI or FMI decrease was associated
      with a higher mortality. CONCLUSION: Changes in body composition over 3 years
      were small and comparable in COPD patients and control subjects. Nevertheless,
      muscle mass decline in underweight and fat mass increase in overweight/obese
      patients is associated with worsening health status. Overweight is associated
      with decreased mortality, but muscle mass and fat mass decline are detrimental
      for mortality.

PMID- 24216979
TI  - Hypoxia-inducible factors: mediators of cancer progression; prognostic and
      therapeutic targets in soft tissue sarcomas.
AB  - Soft-tissue sarcomas remain aggressive tumors that result in death in greater
      than a third of patients due to either loco-regional recurrence or distant
      metastasis. Surgical resection remains the main choice of treatment for soft
      tissue sarcomas with pre- and/or post-operational radiation and neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy employed in more advanced stage disease. However, in recent decades,
      there has been little progress in the average five-year survival for the majority
      of patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcomas, highlighting the need for
      improved targeted therapeutic agents. Clinical and preclinical studies
      demonstrate that tumor hypoxia and up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factors
      (HIFs) is associated with decreased survival, increased metastasis, and
      resistance to therapy in soft tissue sarcomas. HIF-mediated gene expression
      regulates many critical aspects of tumor biology, including cell survival,
      metabolic programming, angiogenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. In this
      review, we discuss HIFs and HIF-mediated genes as potential prognostic markers
      and therapeutic targets in sarcomas. Many pharmacological agents targeting
      hypoxia-related pathways are in development that may hold therapeutic potential
      for treating both primary and metastatic sarcomas that demonstrate increased HIF
      expression. 

PMID- 24216980
TI  - Global Decrease of Histone H3K27 Acetylation in ZEB1-Induced Epithelial to
      Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer Cells.
AB  - The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) enables epithelial cells with a
      migratory mesenchymal phenotype. It is activated in cancer cells and is involved
      in invasion, metastasis and stem-like properties. ZEB1, an E-box binding
      transcription factor, is a major suppressor of epithelial genes in lung cancer.
      In the present study, we show that in H358 non-small cell lung cancer cells, ZEB1
      downregulates EpCAM (coding for an epithelial cell adhesion molecule), ESRP1
      (epithelial splicing regulatory protein), ST14 (a membrane associated serine
      protease involved in HGF processing) and RAB25 (a small G-protein) by direct
      binding to these genes. Following ZEB1 induction, acetylation of histone H4 and
      histone H3 on lysine 9 (H3K9) and 27 (H3K27) was decreased on ZEB1 binding sites
      on these genes as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Of note,
      decreased H3K27 acetylation could be also detected by western blot and
      immunocytochemistry in ZEB1 induced cells. In lung cancers, H3K27 acetylation
      level was higher in the tumor compartment than in the corresponding stroma where
      ZEB1 was more often expressed. Since HDAC and DNA methylation inhibitors
      increased expression of ZEB1 target genes, targeting these epigenetic
      modifications would be expected to reduce metastasis. 

PMID- 24216981
TI  - Glioma surgical aspirate: a viable source of tumor tissue for experimental
      research.
AB  - Brain cancer research has been hampered by a paucity of viable clinical tissue of
      sufficient quality and quantity for experimental research. This has driven
      researchers to rely heavily on long term cultured cells which no longer represent
      the cancers from which they were derived. Resection of brain tumors, particularly
      at the interface between normal and tumorigenic tissue, can be carried out using
      an ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) that deposits liquid (blood and
      irrigation fluid) and resected tissue into a sterile bottle for disposal. To
      determine the utility of CUSA-derived glioma tissue for experimental research, we
      collected 48 CUSA specimen bottles from glioma patients and analyzed both the
      solid tissue fragments and dissociated tumor cells suspended in the liquid waste
      fraction. We investigated if these fractions would be useful for analyzing tumor
      heterogeneity, using IHC and multi-parameter flow cytometry; we also assessed
      culture generation and orthotopic xenograft potential. Both cell sources proved
      to be an abundant, highly viable source of live tumor cells for cytometric
      analysis, animal studies and in-vitro studies. Our findings demonstrate that CUSA
      tissue represents an abundant viable source to conduct experimental research and
      to carry out diagnostic analyses by flow cytometry or other molecular diagnostic
      procedures. 

PMID- 24216983
TI  - Ex vivo behaviour of human bone tumor endothelial cells.
AB  - Cooperation between endothelial cells and bone in bone remodelling is well
      established. In contrast, bone microvasculature supporting the growth of primary
      tumors and metastasis is poorly understood. Several antiangiogenic agents have
      recently been undergoing trials, although an extensive body of clinical data and
      experimental research have proved that angiogenic pathways differ in each tumor
      type and stage. Here, for the first time, we characterize at the molecular and
      functional level tumor endothelial cells from human bone sarcomas at different
      stages of disease and with different histotypes. We selected a CD31+
      subpopulation from biopsies that displayed the capability to grow as adherent
      cell lines without vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Our findings show
      the existence in human primary bone sarcomas of highly proliferative endothelial
      cells expressing CD31, CD44, CD105, CD146 and CD90 markers. These cells are
      committed to develop capillary-like structures and colony formation units, and to
      produce nitric oxide. We believe that a better understanding of tumor vasculature
      could be a valid tool for the design of an efficacious antiangiogenic therapy as
      adjuvant treatment of sarcomas. 

PMID- 24216982
TI  - Protein kinase C epsilon and genetic networks in osteosarcoma metastasis.
AB  - Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the bone, and
      pulmonary metastasis is the most frequent cause of OS mortality. The aim of this
      study was to discover and characterize genetic networks differentially expressed
      in metastatic OS. Expression profiling of OS tumors, and subsequent supervised
      network analysis, was performed to discover genetic networks differentially
      activated or organized in metastatic OS compared to localized OS. Broad trends
      among the profiles of metastatic tumors include aberrant activity of
      intracellular organization and translation networks, as well as disorganization
      of metabolic networks. The differentially activated PRKCepsilon-RASGRP3-GNB2
      network, which interacts with the disorganized DLG2 hub, was also found to be
      differentially expressed among OS cell lines with differing metastatic capacity
      in xenograft models. PRKCepsilon transcript was more abundant in some metastatic
      OS tumors; however the difference was not significant overall. In functional
      studies, PRKCepsilon was not found to be involved in migration of M132 OS cells,
      but its protein expression was induced in M112 OS cells following IGF-1
      stimulation. 

PMID- 24216984
TI  - A phase I study of the combination of temsirolimus with irinotecan for metastatic
      sarcoma.
AB  - mTOR inhibitors are emerging as important anti-neoplastic agents with a wide
      range of clinical applications. The topoisomerase I inhibitor irinotecan is a
      potent DNA damaging drug, with a broad spectrum of anticancer activities. mTOR
      appears to enhance cancer cell survival following DNA damage, thus the inhibition
      of mTOR after irinotecan could theoretically show synergistic activities in
      patients. Both mTOR inhibitors and irinotecan have been used as single agents in
      soft tissue sarcomas with limited efficacy. We completed a phase I trial of the
      combination of the mTOR inhibitor, temsirolimus, and irinotecan in patients with
      advanced soft tissue sarcoma. Seventeen patients were recruited. The Phase II
      recommended dose is 20 mg of temsirolimus and 80 mg/m2 of irinotecan administered
      on weekly basis for three out of four weeks. Most frequently encountered
      toxicities include cytopenias, fatigue, and gastrointestinal toxicities. Two
      patients (one with leiomyosarcoma and one with high grade undifferentiated
      sarcoma) had stable disease for more than 12 months. 

PMID- 24216985
TI  - Epigenetic modulating agents as a new therapeutic approach in multiple myeloma.
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable B-cell malignancy. Therefore, new targets
      and drugs are urgently needed to improve patient outcome. Epigenetic aberrations
      play a crucial role in development and progression in cancer, including MM. To
      target these aberrations, epigenetic modulating agents, such as DNA
      methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi),
      are under intense investigation in solid and hematological cancers. A clinical
      benefit of the use of these agents as single agents and in combination regimens
      has been suggested based on numerous studies in pre-clinical tumor models,
      including MM models. The mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood but
      appear to involve a combination of true epigenetic changes and cytotoxic actions.
      In addition, the interactions with the BM niche are also affected by epigenetic
      modulating agents that will further determine the in vivo efficacy and thus
      patient outcome. A better understanding of the molecular events underlying the
      anti-tumor activity of the epigenetic drugs will lead to more rational drug
      combinations. This review focuses on the involvement of epigenetic changes in MM
      pathogenesis and how the use of DNMTi and HDACi affect the myeloma tumor itself
      and its interactions with the microenvironment. 

PMID- 24216987
TI  - Metabolomic Dynamic Analysis of Hypoxia in MDA-MB-231 and the Comparison with
      Inferred Metabolites from Transcriptomics Data.
AB  - Hypoxia affects the tumor microenvironment and is considered important to
      metastasis progression and therapy resistance. Thus far, the majority of global
      analyses of tumor hypoxia responses have been limited to just a single omics
      level. Combining multiple omics data can broaden our understanding of tumor
      hypoxia. Here, we investigate the temporal change of the metabolite composition
      with gene expression data from literature to provide a more comprehensive insight
      into the system level in response to hypoxia. Nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy was used to perform metabolomic profiling on the MDA-MB-231 breast
      cancer cell line under hypoxic conditions. Multivariate statistical analysis
      revealed that the metabolic difference between hypoxia and normoxia was similar
      over 24 h, but became distinct over 48 h. Time dependent microarray data from the
      same cell line in the literature displayed different gene expressions under
      hypoxic and normoxic conditions mostly at 12 h or earlier. The direct metabolomic
      profiles show a large overlap with theoretical metabolic profiles deduced from
      previous transcriptomic studies. Consistent pathways are
      glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate, purine and arginine and proline metabolism.
      Ten metabolic pathways revealed by metabolomics were not covered by the
      downstream of the known transcriptomic profiles, suggesting new metabolic
      phenotypes. These results confirm previous transcriptomics understanding and
      expand the knowledge from existing models on correlation and co-regulation
      between transcriptomic and metabolomics profiles, which demonstrates the power of
      integrated omics analysis. 

PMID- 24216988
TI  - The lack of predictors for rapid progression in prostate cancer patients
      receiving sipuleucel-T.
AB  - Sipuleucel-T is an immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of metastatic
      prostate cancer. It offers a new mechanism to treat prostate cancer without the
      side effects of hormone therapies and chemotherapies. In previous studies
      sipuleucel-T did not delay disease progression, but demonstrated an overall
      survival benefit compared to placebo. While clinical trials have evaluated the
      effects of sipuleucel-T on overall survival and progression, more studies are
      needed to evaluate its effectiveness and role in the management of prostate
      cancer. The objective of this study is to identify the incidence and possible
      predictors for disease progression in patients receiving sipuleucel-T. A
      retrospective review of patients who received sipuleucel-T between 1 September
      2010 and 11 October 2011 was conducted (n = 36). Patients who changed therapy or
      died within 120 days were classified as experiencing rapid progression. Potential
      predictors of rapid progression were examined using logistic regression. Seven
      patients met criteria for rapid progression. Progression occurred in 72.2% of all
      patients. The median days to progression was 158. No significant predictors of
      rapid progression were identified. Currently no predictors have been found to be
      associated with rapid progression in prostate cancer patients on sipuleucel-T. 

PMID- 24216986
TI  - Regulatory Roles for Long ncRNA and mRNA.
AB  - Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technology have identified the
      transcription of a much larger portion of the genome than previously anticipated.
      Especially in the context of cancer it has become clear that aberrant
      transcription of both protein-coding and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are
      frequent events. The current dogma of RNA function describes mRNA to be
      responsible for the synthesis of proteins, whereas non-coding RNA can have
      regulatory or epigenetic functions. However, this distinction between protein
      coding and regulatory ability of transcripts may not be that strict. Here, we
      review the increasing body of evidence for the existence of multifunctional RNAs
      that have both protein-coding and trans-regulatory roles. Moreover, we
      demonstrate that coding transcripts bind to components of the Polycomb Repressor
      Complex 2 (PRC2) with similar affinities as non-coding transcripts, revealing
      potential epigenetic regulation by mRNAs. We hypothesize that studies on the
      regulatory ability of disease-associated mRNAs will form an important new field
      of research. 

PMID- 24216989
TI  - Lost in translation: ambiguity in nerve sheath tumor nomenclature and its
      resultant treatment effect.
AB  - There is much ambiguity surrounding the diagnosis of nerve sheath tumors,
      including atypical neurofibroma and low-grade MPNST, and yet, the distinction
      between these entities designates either benign or malignant behavior and thus
      carries presumed profound prognostic importance that often guides treatment. This
      study reviews the diagnostic criteria used to designate atypical neurofibroma
      from low-grade MPNSTs and reviews existing literature the natural history of each
      of these tumors to see if the distinction is, in fact, of importance. 

PMID- 24216990
TI  - Novel systemic therapies in advanced liposarcoma: a review of recent clinical
      trial results.
AB  - Liposarcoma is one of the most common adult soft tissue sarcomas and consists of
      three histologic subtypes (well and dedifferentiated, myxoid/round cell, and
      pleomorphic). Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for localized disease; however
      for unresectable or metastatic disease, effective treatment options are currently
      limited. In the past decade, a better understanding of the distinct genetic and
      molecular aberrations for each of the three histologic subtypes has led to the
      development of several novel systemic therapies. Data from phase I and early
      phase II clinical trials have been reported. Despite challenges with conducting
      clinical trials in liposarcoma, preliminary results for several of these novel,
      biology-driven therapies are encouraging. 

PMID- 24216991
TI  - 99mTc-HYNIC-Annexin A5 in Oncology: Evaluating Efficacy of Anti-Cancer Therapies.
AB  - Evaluation of efficacy of anti-cancer therapy is currently performed by
      anatomical imaging (e.g., MRI, CT). Structural changes, if present, become
      apparent 1-2 months after start of therapy. Cancer patients thus bear the risk to
      receive an ineffective treatment, whilst clinical trials take a long time to
      prove therapy response. Both patient and pharmaceutical industry could therefore
      profit from an early assessment of efficacy of therapy. Diagnostic methods
      providing information on a functional level, rather than a structural, could
      present the solution. Recent technological advances in molecular imaging enable
      in vivo imaging of biological processes. Since most anti-cancer therapies combat
      tumors by inducing apoptosis, imaging of apoptosis could offer an early
      assessment of efficacy of therapy. This review focuses on principles of and
      clinical experience with molecular imaging of apoptosis using Annexin A5, a
      widely accepted marker for apoptosis detection in vitro and in vivo in animal
      models. 99mTc-HYNIC-Annexin A5 in combination with SPECT has been probed in
      clinical studies to assess efficacy of chemo- and radiotherapy within 1-4 days
      after start of therapy. Annexin A5-based functional imaging of apoptosis shows
      promise to offer a personalized medicine approach, now primarily used in genome
      based medicine, applicable to all cancer patients. 

PMID- 24216992
TI  - Immunotherapy and immune evasion in prostate cancer.
AB  - Metastatic prostate cancer remains to this day a terminal disease. Prostatectomy
      and radiotherapy are effective for organ-confined diseases, but treatment for
      locally advanced and metastatic cancer remains challenging. Although advanced
      prostate cancers treated with androgen deprivation therapy achieves debulking of
      disease, responses are transient with subsequent development of castration
      resistant and metastatic disease. Since prostate cancer is typically a slowly
      progressing disease, use of immune-based therapies offers an advantage to target
      advanced tumors and to induce antitumor immunity. This review will discuss the
      clinical merits of various vaccines and immunotherapies in castrate resistant
      prostate cancer and challenges to this evolving field of immune-based therapies. 

PMID- 24216993
TI  - Current therapeutic strategies and novel approaches in osteosarcoma.
AB  - Osteosarcoma is the most frequent malignant primary bone tumor and a main cause
      of cancer-related death in children and adolescents. Although long-term survival
      in localized osteosarcoma has improved to about 60% during the 1960s and 1970s,
      long-term survival in both localized and metastatic osteosarcoma has stagnated in
      the past several decades. Thus, current conventional therapy consists of multi
      agent chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, which is not fully adequate for
      osteosarcoma treatment. Innovative drugs and approaches are needed to further
      improve outcome in osteosarcoma patients. This review describes the current
      management of osteosarcoma as well as potential new therapies. 

PMID- 24216994
TI  - Osteopontin and MMP9: Associations with VEGF Expression/Secretion and
      Angiogenesis in PC3 Prostate Cancer Cells.
AB  - Osteopontin and MMP9 are implicated in angiogenesis and cancer progression. The
      objective of this study is to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms
      underlying angiogenesis, and to elucidate the role of osteopontin in this
      process. We report here that osteopontin/alphavbeta3 signaling pathway which
      involves ERK1/2 phosphorylation regulates the expression of VEGF. An inhibitor to
      MEK or curcumin significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and
      expression of VEGF. MMP9 knockdown reduces the secretion but not the expression
      of VEGF. Moreover, MMP9 knockdown increases the release of angiostatin, a key
      protein that suppresses angiogenesis. Conditioned media from PC3 cells treated
      with curcumin or MEK inhibitor inhibited tube formation in vitro in human
      microvascular endothelial cells. Similar inhibitory effect on tube formation was
      found with conditioned media collected from PC3 cells expressing mutant
      osteopontin at integrin-binding site and knockdown of osteopontin or MMP9. We
      conclude that MMP9 activation is associated with angiogenesis via regulation of
      secretion of VEGF and angiostatin in PC3 cells. Curcumin is thus a potential drug
      for cancer treatment because it demonstrated anti-angiogenic and anti-invasive
      properties. 

PMID- 24216995
TI  - Ras and rheb signaling in survival and cell death.
AB  - One of the most obvious hallmarks of cancer is uncontrolled proliferation of
      cells partly due to independence of growth factor supply. A major component of
      mitogenic signaling is Ras, a small GTPase. It was the first identified human
      protooncogene and is known since more than three decades to promote cellular
      proliferation and growth. Ras was shown to support growth factor-independent
      survival during development and to protect from chemical or mechanical lesion
      induced neuronal degeneration in postmitotic neurons. In contrast, for specific
      patho-physiological cases and cellular systems it has been shown that Ras may
      also promote cell death. Proteins from the Ras association family (Rassf,
      especially Rassf1 and Rassf5) are tumor suppressors that are activated by Ras
      GTP, triggering apoptosis via e.g., activation of mammalian sterile 20-like
      (MST1) kinase. In contrast to Ras, their expression is suppressed in many types
      of tumours, which makes Rassf proteins an exciting model for understanding the
      divergent effects of Ras activity. It seems likely that the outcome of Ras
      signaling depends on the balance between the activation of its various downstream
      effectors, thus determining cellular fate towards either proliferation or
      apoptosis. Ras homologue enriched in brain (Rheb) is a protein from the Ras
      superfamily that is also known to promote proliferation, growth, and regeneration
      through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) pathway. However, recent
      evidences indicate that the Rheb-mTor pathway may switch its function from a pro
      growth into a cell death pathway, depending on the cellular situation. In
      contrast to Ras signaling, for Rheb, the cellular context is likely to modulate
      the whole Rheb-mTor pathway towards cellular death or survival, respectively. 

PMID- 24216996
TI  - Role of Topoisomerases in Pediatric High Grade Osteosarcomas: TOP2A Gene Is One
      of the Unique Molecular Biomarkers of Chemoresponse.
AB  - Currently, the treatment of pediatric high-grade osteosarcomas systematically
      includes one topoisomerase IIalpha inhibitor. This chemotherapy is usually
      adapted to the response to the neo-adjuvant therapy after surgery. The current
      and unique marker of chemoresponsiveness is the percentage of viable residual
      cells in the surgical resection. This late patient management marker has to be
      evaluated earlier in the therapeutic history of the patients on initial biopsy.
      Therefore, new biomarkers, especially those involved in the topoisomerase IIalpha
      inhibitor response might be good candidates. Therefore, our study was designed to
      target TOP1, TOP2A and TOP2B genes in 105 fresh-frozen diagnostic biopsies by
      allelotyping and real-time quantitative PCR. Our analyses in those pediatric
      osteosarcomas, homogeneously treated, highlighted the frequent involvement of
      topo-isomerase genes. The main and most important observation was the statistical
      link between the presence of TOP2A amplification and the good response to neo
      adjuvant chemotherapy. Compared to adult cancers, the 17q21 amplicon, including
      TOP2A and ERBB2 genes, seems to be differentially implicated in the osteosarcoma
      chemoresponsiveness. Surprisingly, there is no ERBB2 gene co-amplification and
      the patients harboring TOP2A amplification tend to show a worse survival, so
      TOP2A analyses remain a preliminary, but a good molecular approach for the
      evaluation at diagnosis of pediatric osteosarcoma chemoresponsiveness. 

PMID- 24216998
TI  - Genomic Instability: The Driving Force behind Refractory/Relapsing Hodgkin's
      Lymphoma.
AB  - In classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) the malignant mononuclear Hodgkin (H) and
      multinuclear, diagnostic Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells are rare and generally make up
      <3% of the total cellular mass of the affected lymph nodes. During recent years,
      the introduction of laser micro-dissection techniques at the single cell level
      has substantially improved our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of HL.
      Gene expression profiling, comparative genomic hybridization analysis, micro-RNA
      expression profiling and viral oncogene sequencing have deepened our knowledge of
      numerous facets of H- and RS-cell gene expression deregulation. The question
      remains whether disturbed signaling pathways and deregulated transcription
      factors are at the origin of refractory/relapsing Hodgkin's lymphoma or whether
      these hallmarks are at least partially related to another major factor. We
      recently showed that the 3D nuclear organization of telomeres and chromosomes
      marked the transition from H- to RS-cells in HL cell lines. This transition is
      associated with progression of telomere dysfunction, shelterin disruption and
      progression of complex chromosomal rearrangements. We reported analogous findings
      in refractory/relapsing HL and identified the shelterin proteins TRF1, TRF2 and
      POT1 as targets of the LMP1 oncogene in post-germinal center B-cells. Here we
      summarize our findings, including data not previously published, and propose a
      model in which progressive disruption of nuclear integrity, a form of genomic
      instability, is the key-player in refractory/relapsing HL. Therapeutic approaches
      should take these findings into account. 

PMID- 24217000
TI  - NMR spectroscopy for thin films by magnetic resonance force microscopy.
AB  - Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a fundamental research tool that is widely
      used in many fields. Despite its powerful applications, unfortunately the low
      sensitivity of conventional NMR makes it difficult to study thin film or nano
      sized samples. In this work, we report the first NMR spectrum obtained from
      general thin films by using magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM). To
      minimize the amount of imaging information inevitably mixed into the signal when
      a gradient field is used, we adopted a large magnet with a flat end with a
      diameter of 336 MUm that generates a homogeneous field on the sample plane and a
      field gradient in a direction perpendicular to the plane. Cyclic adiabatic
      inversion was used in conjunction with periodic phase inversion of the frequency
      shift to maximize the SNR. In this way, we obtained the (19)F NMR spectrum for a
      34 nm-thick CaF2 thin film.

PMID- 24216999
TI  - Effects of ellagic Acid on angiogenic factors in prostate cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several natural antioxidants, including ellagic acid (EA), have been
      reported to have chemotherapeutic activity in vivo and in vitro settings.
      Cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity and synthesis of both epoxyeicosatrienoic acids
      (EETs) and 20-hydroxy-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), together with
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and heme oxygenase system (HO) have
      emerged as important modulators of tumor growth and metastasis. METHODS: The anti
      angiogenic effects of EA were investigated in the human prostatic cancer cell
      line LnCap. HO-1, HO-2, CYP2J2 and soluble epoxyde hydrolase (sEH) expressions
      were evaluated by western blotting. Levels of VEGF and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were
      determined in the culture supernatant using an ELISA assay, while CYP mRNAs were
      determined by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: EA treatment induced a significant decrease (p <
      0.05) in HO-1, HO-2 and CYP2J2 expression, and in VEGF and OPG levels. Similarly
      CYP2J2, CYP4F2 and CYPA22 mRNAs were significantly (p < 0.05) down-regulated by
      EA treatment. The decrease in CYP2J2 mRNA was associated with an increase in sEH
      expression. CONCLUSIONS: RESULTS reported in the present study highlighted the
      ability of EA to modulate a new pathway, in addition to anti-proliferative and
      pro-differentiation properties, via a mechanism that involves a decrease in
      eicosanoid synthesis and a down-regulation of the HO system in prostate cancer.

PMID- 24217002
TI  - Overhead lift systems reduce back injuries among burn care providers.
AB  - Extensive patient handling in burn care provides ample opportunities for staff
      injury. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate frequency of
      work-related back injury pre- and postinstallation of overhead lifting systems
      (OLS) in a burn intensive care unit. After receiving institutional review board
      approval, the Workers Compensation Fund of Utah released deidentified back injury
      claims filed from the authors' burn center between January 1, 2001 and December
      31, 2012. Number of back injuries, cost to workers' compensation, and missed
      workdays were examined. Three distinct time periods were analyzed based on the
      timing of installation of OLS in the burn center. Forty-five workers were injured
      in the burn unit; most were female (76%) nurses (73%), with the majority having
      lower-back injury (71%). Thirty claims (67%) involved staff with a previous back
      injury. Median age was 32 years (interquartile range, 22-40) and median term of
      employment at the burn center before injury was 3.7 years (interquartile range,
      1.6-7.7). During the intervention period, rate of staff injuries, number of
      missed workdays, and total number of paid claims decreased significantly. In the
      period since installation, only one claim has been filed, which is the lowest
      number of claims that any individual intensive care unit has reported in the
      facility. The burn unit installed five OLS at a cost of $7000 per unit. This
      retrospective review indicated that the installation of OLS on the burn unit was
      an effective tool for reducing staff injury and associated costs. Back injury was
      essentially eliminated when five OLS were installed. 

PMID- 24216997
TI  - Epigenetics and colorectal cancer pathogenesis.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) develops through a multistage process that results from
      the progressive accumulation of genetic mutations, and frequently as a result of
      mutations in the Wnt signaling pathway. However, it has become evident over the
      past two decades that epigenetic alterations of the chromatin, particularly the
      chromatin components in the promoter regions of tumor suppressors and oncogenes,
      play key roles in CRC pathogenesis. Epigenetic regulation is organized at
      multiple levels, involving primarily DNA methylation and selective histone
      modifications in cancer cells. Assessment of the CRC epigenome has revealed that
      virtually all CRCs have aberrantly methylated genes and that the average CRC
      methylome has thousands of abnormally methylated genes. Although relatively less
      is known about the patterns of specific histone modifications in CRC, selective
      histone modifications and resultant chromatin conformation have been shown to
      act, in concert with DNA methylation, to regulate gene expression to mediate CRC
      pathogenesis. Moreover, it is now clear that not only DNA methylation but also
      histone modifications are reversible processes. The increased understanding of
      epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the context of CRC pathogenesis has
      led to development of epigenetic biomarkers for CRC diagnosis and epigenetic
      drugs for CRC therapy. 

PMID- 24217003
TI  - Machine learning source separation using maximum a posteriori nonnegative matrix
      factorization.
AB  - A novel unsupervised machine learning algorithm for single channel source
      separation is presented. The proposed method is based on nonnegative matrix
      factorization, which is optimized under the framework of maximum a posteriori
      probability and Itakura-Saito divergence. The method enables a generalized
      criterion for variable sparseness to be imposed onto the solution and prior
      information to be explicitly incorporated through the basis vectors. In addition,
      the method is scale invariant where both low and high energy components of a
      signal are treated with equal importance. The proposed algorithm is a more
      complete and efficient approach for matrix factorization of signals that exhibit
      temporal dependency of the frequency patterns. Experimental tests have been
      conducted and compared with other algorithms to verify the efficiency of the
      proposed method. 

PMID- 24217004
TI  - A step toward polytwistane: synthesis and characterization of C2-symmetric
      tritwistane.
AB  - Twistane is a classic hydrocarbon with fascinating stereochemical properties.
      Herein we describe a series of oligomers of twistane that converges on a chiral
      nanorod, which we term polytwistane. A member of this series, C2-symmetric
      tritwistane, has been synthesized for the first time. 

PMID- 24217005
TI  - Structural properties of the inner coordination sphere of indium chloride
      complexes in organic and aqueous solutions.
AB  - The nature of the inner coordination sphere of In(3+) present in both the organic
      and aqueous solutions during the solvent extraction of In(3+) from an aqueous HCl
      solution with tri-n-octyl amine (TOA) was investigated by In K-edge XAFS. This
      information was then used to clarify the details of the extraction properties of
      indium chloride anion complexes with TOA. In aqueous HCl solution (0.1-10 M),
      In(3+) exists as octahedral anion complexes, [InCln(H2O)6-n](3-n) (n >= 4); the
      [InCl6](3-) complex is dominant at 10 M HCl. The extraction of In(3+) from HCl
      solution with TOA was performed using two kinds of diluents: nitrobenzene (NB) or
      n-dodecane (DD), which contained 20 vol% of 2-ethylhexanol as an additive. The
      stoichiometric composition of the extracted complexes, which is estimated from
      the distribution ratios of In(3+), is affected by the diluents and the HCl
      concentration of the aqueous phase; the apparent values of TOA/In(3+) in the
      extracted complex are 3 for DD-1 M HCl (diluent-aqueous phase) and DD-5 M HCl, 2
      for NB-1 M HCl and NB-5 M HCl, and 1 for NB-10 M HCl. The EXAFS analysis of these
      extracted complexes shows that the In(3+) has ~4 Cl(-) at ~2.336 A and no H2O in
      the inner coordination sphere; additionally, the shape of the XANES suggests that
      their coordination geometry is tetrahedral. Therefore, the same tetrahedral
      [InCl4](-) complex is formed during the extraction in spite of the variation in
      the stoichiometric composition (TOA/In(3+) = 1-3) of the extracted complexes. 

PMID- 24217007
TI  - Lack of association between lactotransferrin polymorphism and dental caries.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Dental caries is a complex, multifactorial disease and one of the most
      common illnesses worldwide. Its etiology is related to microbial, dietary and
      host factors. Recent evidence suggests a role of lactotransferrin (LTF) in
      caries. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between LTF
      gene polymorphism and dental caries. METHODS: In this case-control study, 637
      unrelated children, aged 11-13 years, were enrolled. The subjects were divided
      into two groups, i.e. caries-free (decayed/missing/filled teeth = 0) and caries
      affected children (decayed/missing/filled teeth >= 1). The LTF rs1126478 (140A/G
      in exon 2, Lys/Arg) genotypes were determined by PCR with restriction analysis
      using the EarI enzyme. RESULTS: Of 637 children, 155 (24.3%) were caries free.
      There were no statistically significant differences between caries levels and
      allele or genotype distributions in the total cohort. When the caries-affected
      group (n = 482) was stratified into low (decayed/missing/filled teeth = 1),
      moderate (2 <= decayed/missing/filled teeth <= 3) and high
      (decayed/missing/filled teeth >= 4) caries experience, allele and genotype
      frequencies were similar among all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The LTF 140A/G (exon
      2, Lys/Arg) polymorphism was not associated with the susceptibility to or
      severity of dental caries in the Czech population.

PMID- 24217008
TI  - Medical image registration by combining global and local information: a chain
      type diffeomorphic demons algorithm.
AB  - The demons algorithm is a popular algorithm for non-rigid image registration
      because of its computational efficiency and simple implementation. The
      deformation forces of the classic demons algorithm were derived from image
      gradients by considering the deformation to decrease the intensity dissimilarity
      between images. However, the methods using the difference of image intensity for
      medical image registration are easily affected by image artifacts, such as image
      noise, non-uniform imaging and partial volume effects. The gradient magnitude
      image is constructed from the local information of an image, so the difference in
      a gradient magnitude image can be regarded as more reliable and robust for these
      artifacts. Then, registering medical images by considering the differences in
      both image intensity and gradient magnitude is a straightforward selection. In
      this paper, based on a diffeomorphic demons algorithm, we propose a chain-type
      diffeomorphic demons algorithm by combining the differences in both image
      intensity and gradient magnitude for medical image registration. Previous work
      had shown that the classic demons algorithm can be considered as an approximation
      of a second order gradient descent on the sum of the squared intensity
      differences. By optimizing the new dissimilarity criteria, we also present a set
      of new demons forces which were derived from the gradients of the image and
      gradient magnitude image. We show that, in controlled experiments, this advantage
      is confirmed, and yields a fast convergence.

PMID- 24217009
TI  - Perinatal and short-term neonatal outcomes of posterior fossa anomalies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the perinatal and neonatal outcomes for fetuses with
      posterior fossa (PF) anomalies - mega-cisterna magna (MCM), persistent Blake's
      pouch (PBP) or the Dandy-Walker continuum (DWC) - using a new classification.
      METHODS: 46 cases with PF anomaly diagnosed on ultrasound (US) between 16 and 28
      weeks' gestation were included. The images were reviewed and classified as one of
      the following: MCM, PBP or DWC. Outcomes were obtained from patient records.
      RESULTS: 30 cases with DWC, 6 with MCM, and 10 with PBP were identified.
      Associated anomalies were present in all groups, but more frequent in DWC.
      Agenesis of the corpus callosum and ventriculomegaly were more common in DWC than
      in MCM or PBP. Only fetuses with DWC were found to have chromosomal
      abnormalities. Perinatal outcomes differed significantly, with terminations of
      pregnancy more frequent in DWC. In the immediate postnatal period, infants with
      DWC had worse outcomes than those with MCM and PBP. Across all groups, those with
      associated anomalies had worse outcomes than those with an isolated PF anomaly.
      CONCLUSION: Infants antenatally diagnosed with DWC had worse perinatal and short
      term neonatal outcomes than those with MCM or PBP. Those with associated
      anomalies had uniformly poorer outcomes than those with isolated anomalies.

PMID- 24217010
TI  - Properly selected skin cancer treatments are very effective.

PMID- 24217011
TI  - Merkel cell polyomavirus-positive Merkel cell carcinoma requires viral small T
      antigen for cell proliferation.

PMID- 24217012
TI  - Response to Shuda et al.

PMID- 24217013
TI  - Response to Rogers et al.

PMID- 24217014
TI  - Polymorphisms in IL-1B distinguish between psoriasis of early and late onset.

PMID- 24217015
TI  - Effect of exposure to diazinon on adult rat's brain.
AB  - Diazinon (DZN), a commonly used agricultural organophosphate insecticide, is one
      of the major concerns for human health. This study was planned to investigate
      neurotoxic effects of subacute exposure to DZN in adult male Wistar rats. Animals
      received corn oil as control and 15 and 30 mg/kg DZN orally by gastric gavage for
      4 weeks. The cerebrum malondialdehyde and glutathione (GSH) contents were
      assessed as biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and nonenzyme antioxidants,
      respectively. Moreover, activated forms of caspase 3, -9, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios
      were evaluated as key apoptotic proteins. Results of this study suggested that
      chronic administration of DZN did not change lipid peroxidation and GSH levels
      significantly in comparison with control. Also, the active forms of caspase 3 and
      caspase 9 were not significantly altered in DZN-treated rat groups. Moreover, no
      significant changes were observed in Bax and Bcl-2 ratios. This study indicated
      that generation of reactive oxygen species was probably modulated by
      intracellular antioxidant system. In conclusion, subacute oral administration of
      DZN did not alter lipid peroxidation. Moreover, apoptosis induction was not
      observed in rat brain. 

PMID- 24217016
TI  - Enhanced hydrogen sensing properties of graphene by introducing a mono-atom
      vacancy.
AB  - To facilitate the dissociative adsorption of H2 molecules on pristine graphene,
      the addition of a mono-atom-vacancy to graphene is proposed. This leads to
      reduction of the dissociative energy barrier for a H2 molecule on graphene from
      3.097 to 0.805 eV for the first H2 and 0.869 eV for the second, according to
      first principles calculations. As a result, two H2 molecules can be easily
      dissociatively adsorbed on this defected graphene at room temperature. The
      electronic structure and conductivity of the graphene change significantly after
      H2 adsorption. In addition, the related dissociative adsorption phase diagrams
      under different temperatures and partial pressures show that this dissociative
      adsorption at room temperature is very sensitive (10(-35) mol L(-1)). Therefore,
      this defected graphene is promising for ultra-sensitive room temperature hydrogen
      sensing. 

PMID- 24217017
TI  - Long-term clinical outcome of fetal cell transplantation for Parkinson disease:
      two case reports.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Recent advances in stem cell technologies have rekindled an interest
      in the use of cell replacement strategies for patients with Parkinson disease.
      This study reports the very long-term clinical outcomes of fetal cell
      transplantation in 2 patients with Parkinson disease. Such long-term follow-up
      data can usefully inform on the potential efficacy of this approach, as well as
      the design of trials for its further evaluation. OBSERVATIONS: Two patients
      received intrastriatal grafts of human fetal ventral mesencephalic tissue, rich
      in dopaminergic neuroblasts, as restorative treatment for their Parkinson
      disease. To evaluate the very long-term efficacy of the grafts, clinical
      assessments were performed 18 and 15 years posttransplantation. Motor
      improvements gained gradually over the first postoperative years were sustained
      up to 18 years posttransplantation, while both patients have discontinued, and
      remained free of any, pharmacological dopaminergic therapy. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: The results from these 2 cases indicate that dopaminergic cell
      transplantation can offer very long-term symptomatic relief in patients with
      Parkinson disease and provide proof-of-concept support for future clinical trials
      using fetal or stem cell therapies.

PMID- 24217018
TI  - Assessment of the severity of acute pulmonary embolism using CT pulmonary
      angiography parameters.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the association between computed tomography parameters and
      clinical signs in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. METHODS: 109 patients
      retrospectivelly selected from hospital database with acute pulmonary embolism
      verified by CT pulmonary angiography. The following parameters were assessed:
      pulmonary artery diameter to aorta diameter ratio (PA/Ao), normalized pulmonary
      artery diameter (nPA), right ventricular to left ventricular diameter ratio from
      CT (RV CT/LV CT), normalized end-diastolic right ventricular diameter (nRVD echo)
      and right to left ventricular end diastolic diameter ratio (RV echo/LV echo) from
      echocardiography. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis showed a significant
      association between PA/Ao and thrombolysed (0.99) to non-thrombolysed (0.90)
      patients, OR=1.56 P=0.012, and also RV CT/LV CT and thrombolysed 1.5 to non
      thrombolysed (0.94) patients OR=1.24 P=0.002. The significant difference was also
      found in intensive care unit hospitalization necessity (ICU-Y/N) and RV CT/LV CT
      ratio (ICU-Y 1.42, ICU-N 0.91) OR=1.26 P=0.003, and RV echo/LV echo (ICU-Y 0.82,
      ICU-N 0.65) OR=1.83 P=0.033. CONCLUSION: From the CT pulmonary angiography
      parameters, the RV CT/LV CT showed a significant association with both
      thrombolysis administration and ICU hospitalization. The PA/Ao had relation only
      to thrombolytic therapy as well as RV echo/LV echo only to ICU hospitalization.

PMID- 24217019
TI  - Cutaneous silent periods in multiple system atrophy.
AB  - AIM: The cutaneous silent period (CSP) is a spinal inhibitory reflex primarily
      mediated by A-delta fibers. Prolonged CSPs have been reported in patients with
      restless legs syndrome (RLS) and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD).
      Dopaminergic medication normalizes the CSP, concurring with the effect of
      levodopa on CSPs. To date, CSPs have not been extensively studied in patients
      with multiple system atrophy (MSA). The purpose of this study was to confirm
      abnormal CSP findings in a group of MSA patients and to affirm the lack of
      influence of levodopa on CSPs during long-term treatment. METHODS: We
      investigated 15 patients (4 males, 11 females, age 58-71 years) who fulfilled the
      diagnostic criteria for possible MSA. Thirteen patients had predominant
      parkinsonian symptoms (MSA-P), 2 had predominant cerebellar signs (MSA-C). We
      recorded CSPs in thenar muscles following noxious digit II stimulation. Sixteen
      healthy volunteers (6 males, 10 females, range 24-56 years) served as control
      subjects for CSP recordings. RESULTS: Group average CSP onset was mildly delayed
      (P<0.01), whereas CSP end latency (P<0.001) were markedly delayed and CSP
      duration prolonged (P<0.001) in MSA patients compared to healthy controls. MSA
      patients on levodopa treatment did not differ in their CSPs from those without
      levodopa. The dose of levodopa did not correlate to any CSP parameter.
      CONCLUSION: The observed CSP prolongation corroborates previous findings in a
      limited number of MSA patients. The ineffectiveness of long-term levodopa on CSP
      abnormalities is consistent with its poor clinical effect in MSA.

PMID- 24217020
TI  - Construction and application of a protein interaction map for white spot syndrome
      virus (WSSV).
AB  - White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is currently the most serious global threat for
      cultured shrimp production. Although its large, double-stranded DNA genome has
      been completely characterized, most putative protein functions remain obscure. To
      provide more informative knowledge about this virus, a proteomic-scale network of
      WSSV-WSSV protein interactions was carried out using a comprehensive yeast two
      hybrid analysis. An array of yeast transformants containing each WSSV open
      reading frame fused with GAL4 DNA binding domain and GAL4 activation domain was
      constructed yielding 187 bait and 182 prey constructs, respectively. On screening
      of ~28,000 pairwise combinations, 710 interactions were obtained from 143 baits.
      An independent coimmunoprecipitation assay (co-IP) was performed to validate the
      selected protein interaction pairs identified from the yeast two-hybrid approach.
      The program Cytoscape was employed to create a WSSV protein-protein interaction
      (PPI) network. The topology of the WSSV PPI network was based on the Barabasi
      Albert model and consisted of a scale-free network that resembled other
      established viral protein interaction networks. Using the RNA interference
      approach, knocking down either of two candidate hub proteins gave shrimp more
      protection against WSSV than knocking down a nonhub gene. The WSSV protein
      interaction map established in this study provides novel guidance for further
      studies on shrimp viral pathogenesis, host-viral protein interaction and
      potential targets for therapeutic and preventative antiviral strategies in shrimp
      aquaculture. 

PMID- 24217021
TI  - Label-free quantitative protein profiling of vastus lateralis muscle during human
      aging.
AB  - Sarcopenia corresponds to the loss of muscle mass occurring during aging, and is
      associated with a loss of muscle functionality. Proteomic links the muscle
      functional changes with protein expression pattern. To better understand the
      mechanisms involved in muscle aging, we performed a proteomic analysis of Vastus
      lateralis muscle in mature and older women. For this, a shotgun proteomic method
      was applied to identify soluble proteins in muscle, using a combination of high
      performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. A label-free protein
      profiling was then conducted to quantify proteins and compare profiles from
      mature and older women. This analysis showed that 35 of the 366 identified
      proteins were linked to aging in muscle. Most of the proteins were under
      represented in older compared with mature women. We built a functional
      interaction network linking the proteins differentially expressed between mature
      and older women. The results revealed that the main differences between mature
      and older women were defined by proteins involved in energy metabolism and
      proteins from the myofilament and cytoskeleton. This is the first time that label
      free quantitative proteomics has been applied to study of aging mechanisms in
      human skeletal muscle. This approach highlights new elements for elucidating the
      alterations observed during aging and may lead to novel sarcopenia biomarkers. 

PMID- 24217024
TI  - Comparative chromosomal mapping of microsatellites in Leporinus species
      (Characiformes, Anostomidae): unequal accumulation on the W chromosomes.
AB  - Approximately 90 species in the genus Leporinus (Characiformes, Anostomidae) are
      known, and most of them do not present differentiated sex chromosomes. However,
      there is a group of 7 species that share a heteromorphic ZW sex system. In all of
      these species, the W chromosome is the largest one in the karyotype and is mostly
      heterochromatic. We investigated the distribution of several microsatellites in
      the genome of 4 Leporinus species that possess ZW chromosomes. Our results showed
      a very large accumulation of mostly microsatellites on the W chromosomes. This
      finding supports the presence of an interconnection between
      heterochromatinization and the accumulation of repetitive sequences, which has
      been proposed for sex chromosome evolution, and suggests that
      heterochromatinization is the earlier of the 2 processes. In spite of the common
      origin that has been proposed for W chromosomes in all of the studied species,
      the microsatellites followed different evolutionary trajectories in each species,
      which indicates a high plasticity for sex chromosome differentiation.

PMID- 24217022
TI  - Stereotactic neurosurgical technique and electrophysiological study in ablating
      the ventromedial shell of the nucleus accumbens.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe in as much detail as possible the method for ablating the
      ventromedial shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and investigate the efficacy
      and safety of the ablation treatment. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with drug
      addictions received operations within the time frame from 2004 to 2009. The
      ablation targets were located in the bilateral medial posterior inferior shell of
      the NAc. Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring was performed. RESULTS:
      Tissue impedance in the shell of the NAc varied from 185 to 355 Omega. When
      stimulated with a low frequency (2 Hz) and a voltage above 3 V, 57 out of 65
      (87.7%) patients experienced slight throbbing sensations. During the lesion
      procedure, fever was detected on the head and face of 59 patients (90.8%), the
      heart rate decreased in 19 cases (29.2%), and restlessness, irritability and
      hyperalgia were noted for all patients. Among the 65 patients, 52 (80%) no longer
      experienced a psychological craving for the drug. CONCLUSIONS: The shell of the
      NAc may be a promising surgical target for psychosurgery. Electrophysiological
      recordings revealed that the shell is indeed an appropriate structure.

PMID- 24217025
TI  - The E280A presenilin mutation reduces voltage-gated sodium channel levels in
      neuronal cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) mutations in presenilin (PS)
      modulate PS/gamma-secretase activity and therefore contribute to AD pathogenesis.
      Previously, we found that PS/gamma-secretase cleaves voltage-gated sodium channel
      beta2-subunits (Navbeta2), releases the intracellular domain of Navbeta2 (beta2
      ICD), and thereby, increases intracellular sodium channel alpha-subunit Nav1.1
      levels. Here, we tested whether FAD-linked PS1 mutations modulate Navbeta2
      cleavages and Nav1.1 levels. OBJECTIVE: It was the aim of this study to analyze
      the effects of PS1-linked FAD mutations on Navbeta2 processing and Nav1.1 levels
      in neuronal cells. METHODS: We first generated B104 rat neuroblastoma cells
      stably expressing Navbeta2 and wild-type PS1 (wtPS1), PS1 with one of three FAD
      mutations (E280A, M146L or DeltaE9), or PS1 with a non-FAD mutation (D333G).
      Navbeta2 processing and Nav1.1 protein and mRNA levels were then analyzed by
      Western blot and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: The FAD-linked E280A
      mutation significantly decreased PS/gamma-secretase-mediated processing of
      Navbeta2 as compared to wtPS1 controls, both in cells and in a cell-free system.
      Nav1.1 mRNA and protein levels, as well as the surface levels of Nav channel
      alpha-subunits, were also significantly reduced in PS1(E280A) cells. CONCLUSION:
      Our data indicate that the FAD-linked PS1(E280A) mutation decreases Nav channel
      levels by partially inhibiting the PS/gamma-secretase-mediated cleavage of
      Navbeta2 in neuronal cells.

PMID- 24217026
TI  - Food additives and behavior in 8- to 9-year-old children in Hong Kong: a
      randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To test the individual effect of artificial food colorings (AFCs) and
      a preservative on the behavior of the general Chinese population. METHOD: One
      hundred thirty children (70 boys and 60 girls) in Hong Kong with a mean age of
      8.64 years were enlisted to the study with a within-subject crossover between
      AFCs, a preservative (sodium benzoate), and a placebo capsule. Two behavior
      scores were used including the strengths and weaknesses of attention deficit
      hyperactivity disorder and normal behavior rating scale and the child behavior
      checklist-teacher report form. RESULTS: Capsule A containing AFCs and Capsule B
      containing sodium benzoate had no significant adverse effect compared with
      placebo in both behavior scores. This result persisted when analysis was
      restricted to children with 85% consumption of capsule (per protocol analysis).
      CONCLUSION: There seem to be no significant associations between AFCs and a
      preservative on Chinese children's behavior at the age of 8 to 9 years. Future
      directions and implications of this research are discussed.

PMID- 24217027
TI  - Continuing issues with the Bayley-III: where to go from here.

PMID- 24217028
TI  - Parental influence on a child's autistic traits.
AB  - CASE: Robbie is a 4-year-old boy whose parents are concerned about his speech,
      social skills, and repetitive behaviors. He has poor articulation; at time, he is
      difficult to understand. On the other hand, he has a fair vocabulary, and he has
      good intent to communicate. He is generally able to communicate his needs and
      wants. He likes to tell his parents about his day. When he begins the day at
      preschool, Robbie initially stands by himself and watches. He slowly warms up and
      eventually participates in activities. He engages in parallel play or follows
      other children. He knows names of children at preschool, and he is well liked. He
      is affectionate with his parents. When Robbie is excited, he wiggles his fingers,
      flaps his arms, and grimaces. He can be quite rigid; for example, he gets very
      distressed when his mother sets his cup down on his right side instead of his
      left. However, in general, Robbie has a sunny personality. He likes to watch
      children's television shows. He pretends plays with action figures. Robbie is an
      only child who lives with both parents. His mother works full-time, and his
      father is in home with Robbie during the day. When examined in the office, Robbie
      had a bright affect, good eye contact, and social referencing. He demonstrated
      good communicative intent, but poor articulation and some jargoning. He
      frequently wiggled his fingers and flapped his hands with excitement. Robbie had
      a borderline score on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. During the
      visit, the pediatrician noted that Robbie's father was rather quiet and rarely
      responded to questions. When he did respond, he had a monotone quality to his
      voice. He maintained either a flat or nervous affect throughout the visit. He
      made limited eye contact, and occasionally he stared excessively.

PMID- 24217029
TI  - Parental attributions for the behavior problems of children and adolescents with
      autism spectrum disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The authors examined parental attributions for child behavior problems
      in 63 married couples of children and adolescents (aged 3-20 years) with autism
      spectrum disorders (ASDs). Both child-referent attributions (i.e., beliefs about
      causes related to the child or adolescent) and parent-referent attributions
      (i.e., beliefs about causes related to the parent) were examined along the
      dimensions of locus, stability, and controllability. Parent and child/adolescent
      factors related to parental attributions were identified, and the associations
      between parental attributions and parenting burden were explored. METHOD: Mothers
      and fathers independently completed self-reported measures of parental
      attributions, parenting burden, and child behavior problems. Couples jointly
      reported on their son or daughter's severity of autism symptoms, intellectual
      disability status, age, and gender. RESULTS: Parents tended to attribute the
      behavior problems of their child/adolescent with an ASD to characteristics that
      were not only internal to and stable in the child/adolescent but also
      controllable by the child/adolescent. Mothers were more likely to attribute their
      son or daughter's behavior problems to characteristics that were less internal to
      and less stable in the child/adolescent with an ASD than were fathers. In
      addition, parents with a higher level of symptoms of the broader autism
      phenotype, parents of younger children, and parents of children/adolescents with
      intellectual disability, a higher severity of autism symptoms, and a higher
      severity of overall behavior problems were more likely to attribute their son or
      daughter's behavior problems to characteristics that were more internal to and
      stable in the child/adolescent and factors that were less controllable by the
      child/adolescent. Parental attributions were related to parents' level of
      parenting burden. IMPLICATIONS: Findings have implications for designing
      appropriate interventions and services for families of children and adolescents
      with ASDs.

PMID- 24217030
TI  - Sleep disorders in preschoolers: prevalence and comorbidity with psychiatric
      symptoms.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study provides data on the prevalence of diagnosable sleep
      disorders in preschoolers and examined the relationship between specific sleep
      disorders and a range of DSM-4-defined psychiatric symptoms. METHODS: All
      children born in 2003 or 2004 in Trondheim, Norway, who attended regular
      community health checkups for 4 year olds were asked to participate (97.2%
      attendance; 82.0% consent rate, N = 2475). A screen-stratified subsample of 1250
      children was recruited to participate in an additional comprehensive study that
      included a structured diagnostic interview (the Preschool-Age Psychiatric
      Assessment). Nine hundred ninety-five parents (79.6%) completed the interview.
      RESULTS: The estimated sleep disorder rate was 19.2%. Rates of specific disorders
      were as follows: primary insomnia (16.6%), primary hypersomnia (0.8%), nightmare
      disorder (2.2%), and sleepwalking disorder (0.7%). When adjusted for a range of
      common psychiatric symptoms, primary insomnia was specifically related to
      symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, and
      specific phobia. When sleep problems were excluded as a symptom of depression,
      the association between depression and primary insomnia was no longer
      significant. Nightmare disorder was significantly related to generalized anxiety
      disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This first study of the prevalence and comorbidity of
      diagnosable sleep disorders in preschoolers indicates that primary insomnia is
      common in young children, whereas other sleep disorders are rare. Sleep disorders
      are related to psychiatric symptoms, particularly symptoms of anxiety disorders.

PMID- 24217031
TI  - The average human being harbors 10 times more bacterial cells than their own cell
      numbers.

PMID- 24217032
TI  - Initial intestinal colonization in the human infant and immune homeostasis.
AB  - The paradigm of disease burden in the developed world has changed drastically in
      the last few decades from predominately infections to immune-mediated diseases
      (autoimmunity and allergy) because of alterations in the Western lifestyle
      (improved sanitation, immunizations, antibiotic usage and altered dietary
      intake). A diverse balanced microbiota is necessary for the development of an
      appropriate innate and adaptive immune response. There is strong evidence that
      disruption of the normal colonization process can lead to alterations in the
      important symbiotic relationship that is necessary for immune homeostasis. For
      example, infants born by cesarean section or receiving excessive perinatal
      antibiotics have inadequate initial colonization and aberrant mucosal immune
      function. As a result, later in childhood, they express an increased incidence in
      asthma and autoimmune diseases (e.g. celiac disease). An important component of
      initial colonization is the infant's diet. Breast milk contains a variety of
      nondigestible oligosaccharides which function as prebiotics preferentially
      stimulating proliferation of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, important health
      promoting bacteria, and cause fermentation of the oligosaccharides into short
      chain fatty acids. In the absence of breastfeeding for the first 6 months of
      life, formula containing pre- and probiotics may overcome an initial inadequate
      colonization process and help establish a normal mucosal immune system.

PMID- 24217033
TI  - Reshaping the gut microbiota at an early age: functional impact on obesity risk?
AB  - Overweight and obesity can currently be considered a major threat to human health
      and well-being. Recent scientific advances point to an aberrant compositional
      development of the gut microbiota and low-grade inflammation as contributing
      factors, in conjunction with excessive energy intake. A high-fat/energy diet
      alters the gut microbiota composition, which reciprocally engenders excessive
      energy harvesting and storage. Further, microbial imbalance increases gut
      permeability, leading to metabolic endotoxemia, inflammation and insulin
      resistance. Local intestinal immunologic homeostasis is achieved by tolerogenic
      immune responses to microbial antigens. In the context of amelioration of insulin
      sensitivity and decreased adiposity, the potential of gut microbiota modulation
      with specific probiotics and prebiotics lies in the normalization of aberrant
      microbiota, improved gut barrier function and creation of an anti-inflammatory
      milieu. This would suggest a role for probiotic/prebiotic interventions in the
      search for preventive and therapeutic applications in weight management.

PMID- 24217034
TI  - Clinical consequences of diet-induced dysbiosis.
AB  - Various disease states are associated with an imbalance of protective and
      pathogenic bacteria in the gut, termed dysbiosis. Current evidence reveals that
      dietary factors affect the microbial ecosystem in the gut. Changes to community
      structure of the intestinal microbiota are not without consequence considering
      the wide effects that the microbes have on both local and systemic immunity. The
      goal of this review is to give insight into the importance of gut microbiota in
      disease development and the possible therapeutic interventions in clinical
      settings. We introduce the complex tripartite relationship between diet, microbes
      and the gut epithelium. This is followed by a summary of clinical evidence of
      diet-induced dysbiosis as a contributing factor in the development of
      gastrointestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel
      syndrome and colorectal cancer, as well as systemic diseases like obesity,
      diabetes, atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Finally, the
      current dietary and microbial interventions to promote a healthy microbial
      profile will be reviewed.

PMID- 24217035
TI  - The human microbiome and probiotics: implications for pediatrics.
AB  - Steady advances in our knowledge of the composition and function of the human
      microbiome at multiple body sites including the gut, skin and airways will likely
      contribute to our understanding of mechanisms of probiotic action by beneficial
      microbes. Microbe:microbe and microbe:human interactions are important
      considerations as we select probiotics for pediatric patients in the future.
      Although our knowledge about the composition of the microbiome is progressing
      rapidly, many gaps exist about the functional capacity and metabolic machinery of
      the human microbiome. Based on a limited amount of data, probiotics appear
      capable of altering the composition and function of the microbiome. Probiotics
      may be part of dietary strategies that combine ways to enhance microbiome
      function with nutrients that may be converted to active compounds promoting human
      health. Probiotics have yielded beneficial effects in numerous studies in the
      context of different diseases in pediatric gastroenterology. These disease states
      include necrotizing enterocolitis, antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis,
      acute gastroenteritis and irritable bowel syndrome. In the skin and airways, it
      is unclear if probiotics can affect the function of the microbiome to reduce the
      impact of diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. An enhanced
      understanding of the effects of probiotics on the microbiome should facilitate
      selection of optimal probiotic strains for specific diseases in the future.

PMID- 24217036
TI  - Host-guest self-assembly in block copolymer blends.
AB  - Ultrafine, uniform nanostructures with excellent functionalities can be formed by
      self-assembly of block copolymer (BCP) thin films. However, extension of their
      geometric variability is not straightforward due to their limited thin film
      morphologies. Here, we report that unusual and spontaneous positioning between
      host and guest BCP microdomains, even in the absence of H-bond linkages, can
      create hybridized morphologies that cannot be formed from a neat BCP. Our self
      consistent field theory (SCFT) simulation results theoretically support that the
      precise registration of a spherical BCP microdomain (guest, B-b-C) at the center
      of a perforated lamellar BCP nanostructure (host, A-b-B) can energetically
      stabilize the blended morphology. As an exemplary application of the hybrid
      nanotemplate, a nanoring-type Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) phase-change memory device with an
      extremely low switching current is demonstrated. These results suggest the
      possibility of a new pathway to construct more diverse and complex nanostructures
      using controlled blending of various BCPs. 

PMID- 24217037
TI  - Subacromial impingement syndrome--effectiveness of physiotherapy and manual
      therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) includes the rotator cuff
      syndrome, tendonitis and bursitis of the shoulder. Treatment includes surgical
      and non-surgical modalities. Non-surgical treatment is used to reduce pain, to
      decrease the subacromial inflammation, to heal the compromised rotator cuff and
      to restore satisfactory function of the shoulder. To select the most appropriate
      non-surgical intervention and to identify gaps in scientific knowledge, we
      explored the effectiveness of the interventions used, concentrating on the
      effectiveness of physiotherapy and manual therapy. METHODS: The Cochrane Library,
      PubMed, EMBASE, PEDro and CINAHL were searched for relevant systematic reviews
      and randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Two reviewers independently extracted data
      and assessed the methodological quality. A best-evidence synthesis was used to
      summarise the results. RESULTS: Two reviews and 10 RCTs were included. One RCT
      studied manual therapy as an add-on therapy to self-training. All other studies
      studied the effect of physiotherapy: effectiveness of exercise therapy,
      mobilisation as an add-on therapy to exercises, ultrasound, laser and pulsed
      electromagnetic field. Moderate evidence was found for the effectiveness of
      hyperthermia compared to exercise therapy or ultrasound in the short term.
      Hyperthermia and exercise therapy were more effective in comparison to controls
      or placebo in the short term (moderate evidence). For the effectiveness of
      hyperthermia, no midterm or long-term results were studied. In the midterm,
      exercise therapy gave the best results (moderate evidence) compared to placebo or
      controls. For other interventions, conflicting, limited or no evidence was found.
      CONCLUSIONS: Some physiotherapeutic treatments seem to be promising (moderate
      evidence) to treat SIS, but more research is needed before firm conclusions can
      be drawn.

PMID- 24217038
TI  - A snapshot of cardiovascular diseases in Africa in the new millennium.

PMID- 24217039
TI  - Left atrial appendage closure in patients with atrial fibrillation in whom
      warfarin is contra-indicated: initial South African experience.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of cardiac embolic events, especially
      stroke. Oral anticoagulation therapy is used to reduce these events. Many
      patients however are unable to take such therapy. Percutaneous occlusion of the
      left atrial appendage (the source of 90% of these emboli) is an option in these
      patients. Presented here are the first 12 patients to have this procedure done in
      South Africa. 

PMID- 24217041
TI  - Pattern of congestive heart failure in a Kenyan paediatric population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heart failure in children is a common cause of morbidity and
      mortality, with high socio-economic burden. Its pattern varies between countries
      but reports from Africa are few. The data are important to inform management and
      prevention strategies. OBJECTIVE: To describe the pattern of congestive heart
      failure in a Kenyan paediatric population. METHODS: This was a retrospective
      study done at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Kenya. Records of patients aged
      12 years and younger admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure between January
      2006 and December 2010 were examined for mode of diagnosis, age, gender, cause,
      treatment and outcome. Data were analysed using the Statistical Programme for
      Social Scientists version 16.0 for windows, and presented in tables, bar and pie
      charts. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-eight cases (91 male, 67 female) patients'
      records were analysed. The mean age was 4.7 years, with a peak at 1-3 years. The
      male: female ratio was 1.4:1. All the cases were in New York Heart Association
      (NYHA) class II-IV. Evaluation of infants was based on the classification
      proposed by Ross et al. (1992). Diagnosis was made based on symptoms and signs
      combined with echocardiography (echo) and electrocardiography (ECG) (38%); echo
      alone (12.7%); ECG, echo and chest X-ray (CXR) (11.4%); and ECG alone (10.8%).
      The underlying cause was established on the basis of symptoms, signs, blood
      tests, CXR, echo and ECG results. Common causes were infection (22.8%), anaemia
      (17.1%), rheumatic heart disease (14.6%), congenital heart disease (13.3%),
      cardiomyopathy (7.6%), tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (6.9% each);
      77.9% of patients recovered, 13.9% after successful surgery, and 7.6% died.
      CONCLUSION: Congestive heart failure is not uncommon in the Kenyan paediatric
      population. It occurs mainly before five years of age, and affects boys more than
      girls. The majority are due to infection, anaemia, and rheumatic and congenital
      heart diseases. This differs from those in developed countries, where congenital
      heart disease and cardiomyopathy predominate. The majority of children usually
      recover. Prudent control of infection and correction of anaemia are recommended.

PMID- 24217040
TI  - Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in three hospital settings in
      South Africa: does geography influence management and outcome? A retrospective
      cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Guidelines advise early angiography in non-ST elevation myocardial
      infarction (NSTEMI) to ensure an optimal outcome. Resource limitations in
      secondary hospitals in the Western Cape dictate a local guideline to treat
      NSTEMIs medically with out-patient assessment for angiography, unless mandatory
      indications for early angiography occur. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study
      assessed NSTEMIs at Tygerberg Hospital (TBH), Karl Bremer Hospital (KBH) and
      Worcester Hospital (WH) over one year. Two cohorts were analysed, secondary
      hospitals (KBH and WH; SH) and secondary service within a tertiary hospital
      (TBH). Where differences were found, sub-analysis compared WH and KBH. RESULTS:
      TBH and SH were similar at baseline and in clinical presentation. Cases at TBH
      were more likely to receive in-patient angiography (94 vs 51%, p < 0.0001), and
      had a lower in-patient mortality rate (6 vs 23%, p = 0.0326). There was no
      difference between KBH and WH in sub-analysis. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed
      that the management and mortality of NSTEMIs in the public health sector in the
      Western Cape, South Africa is not influenced by geography, but rather by the
      level of service available in the hospital of first presentation.

PMID- 24217042
TI  - Comparison of results of autologous versus homologous blood transfusion in open
      heart surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine a method to decrease the use
      of homologous blood during openheart surgery using a simple blood-conservation
      protocol. We removed autologous blood from the patient before bypass and used
      isovolumetric substitution. We present the results of this protocol on morbidity
      and mortality of surgery patients from two distinct time periods. METHODS:
      Patients from the two surgical phases were enrolled in this retrospective study
      in order to compare the outcomes using autologous or homologous blood in open
      heart surgery. A total of 323 patients were included in the study. The autologous
      transfusion group (group 1) comprised 163 patients and the homologous transfusion
      group (group 2) 160 patients. In group 1, autologous bloods were prepared via a
      central venous catheter that was inserted into the right internal jugular vein in
      all patients, using the isovolumetric replacement technique. The primary outcome
      was postoperative In-hospital mortality and mortality at 30 days. Secondary
      outcomes included the length of stay in hospital and in intensive care unit
      (ICU), time for extubation, re-intubations, pulmonary infections, pneumothorax,
      pleural effusions, atrial fibrillation, other arrhythmias, renal disease,
      allergic reactions, mediastinitis and sternal dehiscence, need for inotropic
      support, and low cardiac-output syndrome (LCOS). RESULTS: The mean ages of
      patients in groups 1 and 2 were 64.2 +/- 10.3 and 61.5 +/- 11.6 years,
      respectively. Thirty-eight of the patients in group 1 and 30 in group 2 were
      female. There was no in-hospital or 30-day mortality in either group. The mean
      extubation time, and ICU and hospital stays were significantly shorter in group
      1. Furthermore, postoperative drainage amounts were less in group 1. There were
      significantly fewer patients with postoperative pulmonary complications,
      pneumonia, atrial fibrillation and renal disease. The number of patients who
      needed postoperative inotropic support and those with low cardiac output was also
      significantly less in group 1. CONCLUSION: Autologous blood transfusion is a safe
      and effective method in carefully selected patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
      It not only prevents transfusion-related co-morbidities and complications but
      also enables early extubation time and shorter ICU and hospital stay.
      Furthermore, it reduces the cost of surgery.

PMID- 24217043
TI  - Benzathine penicillin adherence for secondary prophylaxis among patients affected
      with rheumatic heart disease attending Mulago Hospital.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) frequently occurs following recurrent
      episodes of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Benzathine penicillin (benzapen) is the
      most effective method for secondary prophylaxis against ARF whose efficacy
      largely depends on adherence to treatment. Various factors determine adherence to
      therapy but there are no data regarding current use of benzapen in patients with
      RHD attending Mulago Hospital. The study aims were (1) to determine the levels of
      adherence with benzapen prophylaxis among rheumatic heart disease patients in
      Mulago Hospital, and (2) establish the patient factors associated with adherence
      and, (3) establish the reasons for missing monthly benzathine penicillin
      injections. METHODS: This was a longitudinal observational study carried out in
      Mulago Hospital cardiac clinics over a period of 10 months; 95 consecutive
      patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited over a period of
      four months and followed up for six months. Data on demographic characteristics
      and disease status were collected by means of a standardised questionnaire and a
      card to document the injections of benzapen received. RESULTS: Most participants
      were female 75 (78.9%). The age range was five to 55 years, with a mean of 28.1
      years (SD 12.2) and median of 28 years. The highest education level was primary
      school for most patients (44, 46.3%) with eight (8.4%) of the patients being
      illiterate. Most were either NYHA stage II (39, 41.1%) or III (32, 33.7%).
      Benzathine penicillin adherence: 44 (54%) adhered to the monthly benzapen
      prophylaxis, with adherence rates >= 80%; 38 (46%) patients were classified as
      non-adherent to the monthly benzapen, with rates less than 80%. The mean
      adherence level was 70.12% (SD 29.25) and the median level was 83.30%, with a
      range of 0-100%; 27 (33%) patients had extremely poor adherence levels of <= 60%.
      Factors associated with adherence: higher education status, residing near health
      facility favoured high adherence, while painful injection was a major reason
      among poor performers. CONCLUSION: The level of non-adherence was significantly
      high (46%). Residence in a town/city and having at least a secondary level of
      education was associated with better adherence, while the painful nature of the
      benzapen injections and lack of transport money to travel to the health centre
      were the main reasons for non-adherence among RHD patients in Mulago.

PMID- 24217045
TI  - Is double-blinding possible while administering fluids in the intensive care
      unit?

PMID- 24217044
TI  - Cardiovascular haemodynamics in pre-eclampsia using brain naturetic peptide and
      tissue Doppler studies.
AB  - AIM: To determine early haemodynamic changes in preeclampsia (PE) using tissue
      Doppler echocardiography and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and to relate these
      changes to obstetric outcomes. METHODS: Consenting primigravidae patients in the
      third trimester of pregnancy were included in the study, which was carried out in
      a large regional hospital in Durban, South Africa; 115 primigravidae (52 pre
      eclamptics and 63 normotensive pregnant patients) attending the maternity unit
      including the antenatal clinics at the study site were studied. The patients,
      matched for maternal and gestational age, were examined during pregnancy and
      within the puerperium. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), tissue Doppler
      imaging (TDI), umbilical artery Doppler and laboratory investigations were
      performed. RESULTS: BNP levels were significantly increased in the antepartum
      period [23.8 (2-184.1) vs 6.0 (0.5-45.2) pmol/l; p < 0.0001] and during labour
      [15.0 (1.8-206.4) vs 8.7 (1.9-24.8) pmol/l; p < 0.01] in the pre-eclamptic group
      compared to the normotensive controls. In the postpartum period, mean BNP levels
      were 4.2 (1.7-51.4) and 5.95 (2.2-38.7) pmol/l in the preeclamptic and
      normotensive groups, respectively (p > 0.05). Tissue Doppler Em/Ea ratios were
      elevated in the pre-eclamptic compared to the normotensive group (11.02 +/- 5.6
      vs 9.16 +/- 2.6; p < 0.05). Mean left atrial size was larger (38 mm) in the pre
      eclamptic group than in the normotensive group (35 mm) but this difference was
      not significant (p > 0.05). The umbilical artery resistance index was
      significantly higher in the pre-eclamptic group compared to the normotensive
      group (0.68 +/- 0.06 vs 0.63 +/- 0.05; p < 0.001). There was an increased rate of
      Caesarean sections performed in the pre-eclamptic group (n = 24) compared to the
      normotensive group (n = 18; p < 0.001). There were two stillbirths in the pre
      eclamptic group and none in the normotensive group. As expected, birth weight
      (2.6 +/- 0.8 kg vs 3.14 +/- 0.42 kg; p < 0.0001) was lower in the pre-eclamptic
      group compared to the normotensive group. CONCLUSION: In pregnancies complicated
      by pre-eclampsia, BNP levels were increased in comparison to normotensive
      pregnancies and this was accompanied by early changes in left ventricular
      diastolic function as determined by the tissue Doppler Em/Ea ratios. These
      changes reverted to baseline values, as indicated by return of BNP levels in the
      pre-eclamptic group to levels seen in the normotensive group. These changes were
      associated with an increased Caesarean section rate and lower birth weights in
      pre-eclamptic mothers.

PMID- 24217046
TI  - Bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary hyperhydrosis: a review of 335
      cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of
      bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary hyperhydrosis.
      METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2011, a total of 335 patients (192
      male, 143 female, mean age 28.3 years) who underwent bilateral thoracoscopic
      sympathectomy for primary hyperhydrosis were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS:
      Hyperhydrosis occurred in the palmar and axillary region in 175 (52.23%)
      patients, in only the palmar region in 52 (15.52%), in the craniofacial region in
      44 (13.13%), in only the axillary region in 42 (12.53%), and in the palmar and
      pedal regions in 22 (6.56%) patients. Bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy was
      performed in all patients. The mean follow-up period was 24 (6-48) months. The
      initial cure rate was 95% and the initial satisfaction rate was 93%. There was no
      mortality in this study. The complication rate was 15.82% in 53 patients.
      CONCLUSION: Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for the treatment of
      primary hyperhydrosis was effective, with low rates of morbidity and mortality.
      Despite the appearance of postoperative complications, such as compensatory
      sweating, patient satisfaction with the procedure was high and their quality of
      life improved.

PMID- 24217047
TI  - The global burden of congenital heart disease.
AB  - Although the incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) is similar worldwide,
      the burden of supporting these patients falls more heavily on countries with high
      fertility rates. In a country with a fertility rate of about eight per woman, the
      population has to support four times as many children with CHD as in a country
      with a fertility rate of two. Countries with the highest fertility rates tend to
      have the lowest incomes per capita, thus accentuating the disparity. Countries
      with high fertility rates have more children with congenital heart disease per
      wage earner. Improving local health services and controlling infectious diseases
      (diarrhoeal illness, rheumatic fever, measles, rotoviral infection) are important
      but are mere 'band-aids' compared to improving education, empowering women and
      reducing birth rates.

PMID- 24217048
TI  - Congress report: Cardiology and Diabetes at the Limits, 22-25 March 2013.

PMID- 24217049
TI  - A novel intermediate in the LiAlH4-LiNH2 hydrogen storage system.
AB  - The decomposition pathways for the composite LiAlH4-LiNH2 in different ratios of
      (1 : 1), (1 : 1.5), (1 : 2) and (1 : 2.5) have been systematically studied using
      in situ synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction (SR-PXD) as well as
      simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry
      coupled with mass spectroscopy. The study reveals that LiAlH4 decomposes in two
      steps to LiH, Al and H2 and, subsequently, the produced LiH reacts with LiNH2
      forming Li2NH and H2. A new intermediate, Li(4-x)Al(x)(NH)(2-2x)N(2x), is
      observed during the decomposition of LiAlH4-LiNH2 (1 : 1.5), (1 : 2) and (1 :
      2.5), formed from Li2NH and Al prior to the formation of Li3AlN2. Li(4
      x)Al(x)(NH)(2-2x)N(2x) is characterized by Rietveld refinement of SR-PXD data and
      solid-state (27)Al MAS NMR spectroscopy (chemical shift, delta(Al) = 125 ppm) and
      both techniques reveal a maximum value for x of ~0.10, i.e.,
      Li(3.90)Al(0.10)(NH)(1.80)N(0.20). The solid solution Li(4-x)Al(x)(NH)(2-2x)N(2x)
      crystallizes in a cubic unit cell, a = 4.9854(7) A with space group Fm3m, similar
      to the crystal structure for Li2NH and is a rare type with both cation and anion
      disorder. For LiAlH4-LiNH2 (1 : 1) 8.7 wt% of H2 is released during heating from
      RT to 500  degrees C, while for LiAlH4-LiNH2 composites with molar ratios of
      LiNH2 higher than 0.5 the release of both H2 and NH3 is observed.

PMID- 24217059
TI  - Validation of the Basic Erosive Wear Examination.
AB  - The Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) is a practical index for screening
      tooth wear, using a 4-point ordinal scale (0-3). The highest score is recorded in
      each sextant and a total score (or BEWE sextant cumulative) is calculated per
      subject. This study aims to investigate if the BEWE sextant cumulative score
      compares to one comprising a percentage score from all tooth surfaces and as a
      highest BEWE per subject. The aim is to assess the validity of this score. A
      total of 350 subjects were recruited from hospital and general practice in south
      east England. Buccal, occlusal and lingual/palatal BEWE scores were collected and
      percentages calculated based on scores 1, 1 and above, 2 and above and 3. BEWE
      sextant cumulative scores and highest BEWE scores were also recorded per subject.
      Spearman's correlation coefficients (p values) assessed the relationship between
      BEWE sextant cumulative scores, BEWE percentages and BEWE highest score per
      subject. The BEWE sextant cumulative score correlates significantly to a BEWE
      score taken as a percentage score from all tooth surfaces (Spearman's r > 0.5, p
      < 0.001) and especially to BEWE surface scores of 1 and above and 2 and above (r
      > 0.8, p < 0.001) and as a highest surface score per subject (r > 0.8, p <
      0.001). BEWE sextant score provides a representation of tooth wear on all tooth
      surfaces. This study validates a tooth wear index, which provides clinicians with
      risk indicators of a patient's level of tooth wear and may help to guide clinical
      management.

PMID- 24217060
TI  - A self-switchable Ag nanoreactor exhibiting outstanding catalytic properties.
AB  - A highly efficient nanoreactor that contains silver nanoparticles in hollow
      silica spheres and an interpolymer network as a gate-keeper has been developed
      following a facile procedure. The fast "signal-triggered" switch of the smart
      network results in a high reactivity and a high response rate, yielding improved
      potential for many practical applications. 

PMID- 24217062
TI  - Clustering of excess health concerns for electromagnetic fields among health
      personnel: A quantitative and qualitative approach.
AB  - Clustering patterns, among health-care personnel, of excessive concerns
      pertaining to perceived electromagnetic field-related health impacts, as
      contrasted to those from other environmental factors, were explored.
      Knowledge/excessive concerns of 722 health-care personnel were assessed using a
      22-item structured questionnaire along with a double-phase qualitative study
      comprising semistructured interviews and focus groups. Over 75 percent of the
      participants had high perceived knowledge, whereas accuracy was limited to <20
      percent and correctness to 8 percent. An "excessive concern" group was clearly
      distinguished from a "relaxed attitude" one. Clustering of excessive concerns may
      derive from personal beliefs, suggesting a risk governance issue for health
      education policies. 

PMID- 24217063
TI  - Visualising future behaviour: Effects for snacking on biscuit bars, but no
      effects for snacking on fruit.
AB  - In this study, participants (N = 223) were randomised to visualise snacking on
      fruit, visualise snacking on biscuit bars or no visualisation, and intentions and
      attitudes towards fruit and biscuit bars, immediate selection of fruit or biscuit
      bars and subsequent consumption were measured. No effects of visualising snacking
      on fruit were found once background variables were taken into account.
      Visualising snacking on biscuit bars, however, resulted in greater intentions to
      consume biscuit bars (smallest beta = 0.19, p < 0.01). These findings suggest
      that specifics of the visualised target behaviour may be important in
      visualisation. Further investigation is needed before recommending visualisation
      for increasing fruit consumption. 

PMID- 24217064
TI  - Negative emotions and stigma associated with a human papillomavirus test result:
      A comparison between human papillomavirus-positive men and women.
AB  - Human papillomavirus has largely been framed as a women's health issue, and the
      psychosocial impact of human papillomavirus among men remains unclear. In this
      study, we found that women infected with human papillomavirus (n = 154)
      experienced a greater degree of negative emotions and stigma than human
      papillomavirus-infected men (n = 190). Among women, younger age and less
      education were associated with greater expression of negative emotions and
      stigma. Conversely, being single was significantly associated with a greater
      degree of negative emotions and stigma beliefs among men. These findings suggest
      the need to re-frame messages that both men and women receive regarding human
      papillomavirus. 

PMID- 24217065
TI  - Brief report: Maternal posttraumatic stress symptoms are related to adherence to
      their child's diabetes treatment regimen.
AB  - Although research suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in
      relation to physical health diagnoses may be related to poor adherence to
      treatment regimens, so far, whether parental posttraumatic stress disorder
      symptoms have an impact on their child's adherence to insulin-dependent diabetes
      mellitus treatment has not been investigated. Using self-report questionnaires,
      the present study found that children of mothers who have posttraumatic stress
      disorder symptoms in relation to their child's diagnosis of type I diabetes
      showed poorer adherence to treatment than the children of mothers without
      posttraumatic stress disorder. However, this was only the case for younger
      children (aged 0-8 years) where mothers played a more active role in their
      child's treatment. 

PMID- 24217066
TI  - The effect of slow coronary flow on right and left ventricular performance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate left and right ventricular functions using tissue Doppler
      echocardiography (TDE) and myocardial performance index (MPI) methods in patients
      with slow coronary flow (SCF) and to determine the relationship between these
      parameters and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count in SCF patients.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients (20 males and 15 females) with SCF who
      underwent coronary angiography and 35 age- and sex-matched controls (14 males and
      21 females) without SCF who underwent elective coronary angiography were enrolled
      in the study. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) functions were
      examined using conventional echocardiography and TDE. RESULTS: LV systolic
      myocardial velocity (Sm), early myocardial velocity (Em), late myocardial
      velocity (Am), and Em/Am ratio were similar in both the SCF and control groups;
      however, isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) was higher in the SCF group compared
      to the control group (IRT: 99 +/- 17 vs. 88 +/- 20; p = 0.01). In patients with
      SCF, LV MPI was higher than in the control group, but this was not statistically
      significant (0.61 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.56 +/- 0.12; p = 0.07). The RV tricuspid annular
      velocities and MPI were similar in the SCF and control groups. CONCLUSION: This
      study showed that SCF affected LV functions echocardiographically and could cause
      partially reduced LV performance. In addition, SCF did not affect RV functions
      echocardiographically.

PMID- 24217067
TI  - Development and evaluation of a LOR-based image reconstruction with 3D system
      response modeling for a PET insert with dual-layer offset crystal design.
AB  - In this study we present a method of 3D system response calculation for
      analytical computer simulation and statistical image reconstruction for a
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible positron emission tomography (PET)
      insert system that uses a dual-layer offset (DLO) crystal design. The general
      analytical system response functions (SRFs) for detector geometric and inter
      crystal penetration of coincident crystal pairs are derived first. We implemented
      a 3D ray-tracing algorithm with 4pi sampling for calculating the SRFs of
      coincident pairs of individual DLO crystals. The determination of which detector
      blocks are intersected by a gamma ray is made by calculating the intersection of
      the ray with virtual cylinders with radii just inside the inner surface and just
      outside the outer-edge of each crystal layer of the detector ring. For efficient
      ray-tracing computation, the detector block and ray to be traced are then rotated
      so that the crystals are aligned along the X-axis, facilitating calculation of
      ray/crystal boundary intersection points. This algorithm can be applied to any
      system geometry using either single-layer (SL) or multi-layer array design with
      or without offset crystals. For effective data organization, a direct lines of
      response (LOR)-based indexed histogram-mode method is also presented in this
      work. SRF calculation is performed on-the-fly in both forward and back projection
      procedures during each iteration of image reconstruction, with acceleration
      through use of eight-fold geometric symmetry and multi-threaded parallel
      computation. To validate the proposed methods, we performed a series of
      analytical and Monte Carlo computer simulations for different system geometry and
      detector designs. The full-width-at-half-maximum of the numerical SRFs in both
      radial and tangential directions are calculated and compared for various system
      designs. By inspecting the sinograms obtained for different detector geometries,
      it can be seen that the DLO crystal design can provide better sampling density
      than SL or dual-layer no-offset system designs with the same total crystal
      length. The results of the image reconstruction with SRFs modeling for phantom
      studies exhibit promising image recovery capability for crystal widths of 1.27
      1.43 mm and top/bottom layer lengths of 4/6 mm. In conclusion, we have developed
      efficient algorithms for system response modeling of our proposed PET insert with
      DLO crystal arrays. This provides an effective method for both 3D computer
      simulation and quantitative image reconstruction, and will aid in the
      optimization of our PET insert system with various crystal designs.

PMID- 24217068
TI  - Oral findings and clinical implications of patients with congenital neutropenia:
      a literature review.
AB  - Neutropenia is a granulocyte disorder characterized by a dramatically low number
      of neutrophils, the most important type of white blood cell. The condition
      results in susceptibility to severe pyogenic infections. Some people are born
      with it (congenital neutropenia), and others develop it as young children. The
      disease is so-called chronic neutropenia when lasting more than two months. This
      article reviews the definition, clinical properties and common oral
      manifestations of congenital neutropenia in order to highlight the importance of
      diagnosis, oral hygiene maintenance and dental treatments.

PMID- 24217069
TI  - Hemolytic uremic syndrome outbreak in Turkey in 2011.
AB  - The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to define the epidemiological
      and clinical features and prognostic factors of the first diarrhea-related
      hemolytic uremic syndrome (D+HUS) outbreak in Turkey in 2011. All pediatric
      nephrology centers in Turkey were asked about D+HUS patients via e-mail. Seventy
      D+HUS patients (median age: 5.7 years) participated. The seasonal peak was around
      the 7th, 8th and 9th months with 44 cases, centered in the east Marmara region.
      No causative agent could be identified. The rate of neurological complications
      and mortality was 21.4% and 4.2%, respectively. Eculizumab was used in four
      cases. Two of them had severe neurological complications despite plasma exchange.
      Elevated polymorphonuclear leukocyte count during hospital admission was the
      predictor of both severe disease and poor outcome. Duration of prodrome was the
      predictor of poor outcome (p<0.05). In conclusion, the median age of the affected
      children was greater than in the previous reports, while clinical features and
      outcome were similar. 

PMID- 24217070
TI  - Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: an evaluation of 15 cases in childhood.
AB  - To describe our experience with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and
      the relationships between the clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      findings and treatment, a retrospective record review was conducted of 15
      children who were admitted with the diagnosis of ADEM during the period 2004
      2010. Their ages ranged between 2 and 13 years. Patients presented most often
      with ataxia (53.3%) and secondly with weakness and headache (46.6%). Myelitis was
      determined in two patients. Five patients were treated with high-dose intravenous
      (IV) methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone, seven patients were
      treated with oral prednisolone, one patient was treated with plasmapheresis with
      IV immunoglobulin (Ig), and one patient was treated with IVIg. We observed
      recurrence in one patient. ADEM is a demyelinating disorder that is being
      diagnosed increasingly more as MRI studies are performed more frequently in
      patients with acute encephalopathy. Early diagnosis and therapy might improve the
      outcome. 

PMID- 24217071
TI  - The relationship between renal P-glycoprotein expression and response to steroid
      therapy in childhood nephrotic syndrome.
AB  - In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between renal P
      glycoprotein (rP-gp) expression and response to corticosteroid therapy in
      childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS). Expression of rP-gp was evaluated prior to non
      steroid immunosuppressive therapy in children with NS (Group 1), prior to any
      treatment in children with immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy (Group 2), and during
      renal donation in healthy adults (Group 3); mesangial proliferation was evaluated
      in Groups 1 and 2. Total dosage of steroid was calculated in Group 1. The ratio
      of rP-gp (+) glomeruli was higher in Group 1 than Group 3 (33.8 +/- 27.1% vs 4.7
      +/- 4.6%, p=0.000). There were no rP-gp (+) glomeruli in Group 2. The rate of
      mesangial proliferation was similar in Groups 1 and 2. There was no statistically
      significant correlation between rP-gp expression and total steroid dosage
      (r=0.455, p=0.160). Our findings showed that rP-gp expression is increased in
      patients receiving steroid therapy for NS regardless of the cumulative steroid
      dosage and mesangial cell proliferation. 

PMID- 24217072
TI  - Oncologic manifestations in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 in Turkey.
AB  - Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are predisposed to malignancies such
      as brain tumors, leukemia, and pheochromocytomas. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate malignancy in patients with NF1. We studied 120 patients with NF1 in
      this study. Demographic data from these patients were retrospectively reviewed.
      We found 20 malignancies in 19 patients in our study. Ten children with NF1 had
      optic glioma. Four children had solid central nervous system tumors (3 pilocytic
      astrocytomas, 1 glioblastoma multiforme). Three patients had myeloid malignancies
      (1 juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, 1 acute myeloid leukemia, 1 acute
      lymphocytic leukemia). Hodgkin lymphoma, T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, and
      malignant triton tumor were found in one patient each. Patients with NF1 are
      predisposed to both benign and malignant tumors of neurogenic and non-neurogenic
      origin. Therefore, systematic medical follow-up in patients with NF1 is
      important. 

PMID- 24217074
TI  - Acute flaccid paralysis surveillance in southeastern Turkey, 1999-2010.
AB  - The aim of the study was to report the results of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)
      surveillance and to evaluate the performance of surveillance in the southeastern
      region of Turkey in the 12 years from 1999 to 2010. We investigated cases in
      seven provinces of the southeastern region of Turkey. In the evaluation, AFP Case
      Report Form, Laboratory Investigation Form and 60-Day Case Investigation Form
      were used; individuals' demographic characteristics, clinical findings, status of
      vaccination, sample results, and 60-day follow-up were evaluated. Incidence
      ranged from 0.60/100,000 in 2008 to 1.60/100,000 in 1999. Dysstasia and loss of
      strength were the most frequently reported prodromal symptoms. Coxsackievirus and
      echoviruses were the most frequent viruses detected. One-quarter of the AFP cases
      could not be followed up in the present surveillance system. 

PMID- 24217073
TI  - Selenium levels, selenoenzyme activities and oxidant/antioxidant parameters in
      H1N1-infected children.
AB  - Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element, and it shows its biological
      functions within low molecular Se compounds and Se-containing proteins, known as
      "selenoproteins". Glutathione peroxidases (GPxs) and thioredoxin reductases
      (TrxRs) are the most important selenoproteins functioning as antioxidant enzymes.
      These enzymes protect the body from the endogenous products of cellular
      metabolism that have been implicated in DNA damage, mutagenesis, and
      carcinogenesis. H1N1 virus is a subtype of the influenza A virus and was an
      endemic in humans in 2009 and 2010. Taking into account the high incidence of Se
      deficiency and the high mortality and morbidity rates in H1N1 infection, this
      study was designed to investigate the plasma and erythrocyte Se levels,
      selenoenzyme activities and other oxidant/antioxidant parameters in H1N1-infected
      children during the 2009-2010 pandemic. We observed a significant increase in C
      reactive protein levels (245%) and marked decreases in both plasma and
      erythrocyte Se levels (11%, both) and in GPx1 (45%), GPx3 (16%) and TrxR (30%)
      activities in H1N1-infected children compared to the control group. In addition,
      significant decreases were observed in erythrocyte catalase (CAT) (38%), total
      superoxide dismutase (SOD) (42%) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) (19%)
      activities and in erythrocyte total glutathione (GSH) (18%) and plasma GSH (10%)
      concentrations, while marked increases were observed in plasma lipid peroxidation
      levels (27%). However, we did not find a significant difference in selenoprotein
      P (SePP) levels between the groups. Our findings show that Se-dependent and 
      independent blood redox systems are down-regulated in H1N1 influenza. These
      findings emphasized the critical role of Se as an effective redox regulator and
      the importance of Se status in infections, particularly in H1N1 influenza. 

PMID- 24217075
TI  - Diet and physical activity interventions do have effects on body composition and
      metabolic syndrome parameters in overweight and obese adolescents and their
      mothers.
AB  - To determine the effects of lifestyle intervention and diet on body composition,
      anthropometric measurements, and metabolic syndrome (MS) in obese and overweight
      adolescents and their mothers, a diet and lifestyle intervention program was
      administered for 16 weeks to 19 9-17-year-old (12.52 +/- 2.85 years) adolescents
      (female/male, 8/11) with a body mass index (BMI) value over the 90th percentile;
      hemoglobin (Hb)A1C, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin
      resistance (HOMA-IR), fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein levels of the
      adolescents and anthropometric measurements of the mothers were compared. In some
      of the anthropometric values (body weight (BW), BMI, waist circumference (WC),
      skinfold thicknesses, body fat tissue, and lean tissue mass), a statistically
      significant difference was observed in pre- and post-application measurements
      (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in pre- and post-application values
      of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and some biochemical parameters (uric
      acid, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein,
      triglyceride, and HOMA-IR) (p<0.05); however, there was no significant difference
      in pre- and post-application values of fasting blood glucose, aspartate
      transaminase, alanine transaminase, albumin, HbA1C, fasting insulin, and
      fibrinogen (p>0.05). MS was observed in 52.6% of the participants at baseline,
      and this rate was found as 15.8% based on the measurements carried out at week
      16, which is a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05). There was a
      statistically significant difference in pre- and post-study values of BW, BMI,
      body fat mass, basal metabolic rate, WC, hip circumference, hip/waist, and
      skinfold thickness in mothers. A 16-week diet and lifestyle intervention program
      for overweight and obese adolescents involving their mothers resulted in
      significant improvement in obesity and MS treatment.

PMID- 24217076
TI  - Declining male births in Germany before and after reunification.
AB  - Male births occur 3% in excess of female births in mammals in a ratio (M/F) of
      0.515. Many factors have been shown to influence this, including socioeconomic
      deprivation. This paper reviews live birth data for Germany over the period 1946
      2009, and identifies secular trends in M/F pre- and post-reunification. The null
      hypothesis is that there were no differences between East and West Germany,
      geographically or temporally, before and after reunification. Annual data on male
      and female live births were obtained from the Human Mortality Database and
      analyzed with contingency tables. These data were available separately for East
      and West Germany (1950-1989). There was a significant decline in M/F in both
      German Republics overall and before reunification (p<0.0001). No decline was
      present after. Pre-reunification, West Germany had a lower overall M/F than East
      Germany (p=0.001). In conclusion, a declining M/F has been shown in many
      countries over the past decades. The two German Republics' M/F fell prior to
      reunification and the economic collapse of East Germany. Contracting societies
      that offer poor socioeconomic conditions (such as the communist former East
      Germany) may result in a decrease in M/F, but this is not reflected in the data,
      which show that M/F in West Germany prior to reunification was lower than in East
      Germany. This is not explicable with the contracting economies hypothesis; other
      and as yet unknown influences may have modified M/F trends anticipated by known
      variables. 

PMID- 24217077
TI  - Poor postnatal weight gain predicts stage 3+ retinopathy of prematurity in very
      low birth weight infants.
AB  - Multiple systemic risk factors are associated with retinopathy of prematurity
      (ROP). We analyzed the role of low weight gain (WG) to predict the development of
      stage 3+ ROP among preterm infants. This study included 126 newborns with birth
      weight <=1500 g and gestational age <32 weeks. Preterm newborn infants were
      divided into two groups according to severity of ROP as: preterm infants without
      ROP or mild ROP (Group 1) and preterm infants with stage 3+ ROP (Group 2). WG and
      WG proportion were measured at completed 4 and 6 weeks of life. The patients
      under the cut-off point according to receiver operating characteristic curve were
      classified as low WG patients. WG and WG proportion were significantly lower in
      Group 2 than in Group 1 at the 4th and 6th weeks of life. We concluded that low
      WG and WG proportion at the 4th and 6th weeks of life were predictive for the
      development of stage 3+ ROP. Preterm babies with low birth weight and low WG
      should be followed closely for severe ROP. 

PMID- 24217078
TI  - The mechanical properties and stiffness of aorta in obese children.
AB  - Obesity in children has also been associated with the development of early
      cardiovascular abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      relationship between aortic stiffness and some risk factors in obese children.
      Sixty obese children and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were assessed.
      The mechanical property parameters were measured or computed: lumen diastolic and
      systolic diameters, aortic strain and elastic modules. Compared to controls,
      obese children had altered stiffness values of the aorta, whereas strain was not
      different. Compared to controls, obese children had higher systolic and diastolic
      blood pressure values. Insulin level, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score,
      and total cholesterol, triglycerides, lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL), and leptin
      levels were significantly higher, while adiponectin, high-density lipoprotein
      (HDL) levels and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) scores
      were significantly lower in obese children than in controls. Obesity in children
      increases aortic stiffness, which suggests that the joint effect of insulin
      resistance, serum leptin and adipokine levels and obesity can have a considerable
      impact on preclinical arterial changes and could play an important role in the
      early pathophysiology of macrovascular disease. 

PMID- 24217079
TI  - Diagnostic dilemma in autoinflammatory disease in two patients: does the name
      matter?
AB  - The systemic autoinflammatory diseases are inflammatory disorders characterized
      by uncontrolled inflammation of the innate immune system. A common monogenic
      autoinflammatory disease is familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), associated with
      mutations in the MEFV gene. Another autoinflammatory disease group is cryopyrin
      associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), which are characterized by urticarial rash
      and mutations of the gene NLRP. Systemiconset juvenile idiopathic arthritis
      (soJIA) is classified as a multifactorial autoinflammatory disease. We report two
      cases of systemic autoinflammatory disease with homozygous E148Q mutation in the
      FMF gene. They had unusual features, such as urticarial rash, non-erysipeloid
      erythema, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly, and neurological findings in
      one. These patients met the "definition" criteria for FMF with two mutations in
      the MEFV gene. They fit the "description" criteria for CAPS with their fever,
      urticaria, and other clinical features. They also met the "classification"
      criteria for soJIA, with the fever, rash, arthritis, and accompanying systemic
      features. 

PMID- 24217080
TI  - Kawasaki disease shock syndrome: a severe form of Kawasaki disease.
AB  - Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis, primarily encountered in children. Its
      clinical presentation is well known, and coronary artery abnormalities are
      classical complications. Shock is not a common form of presentation of the
      disease. We report a case who presented with shock due to Kawasaki disease in
      accordance with the recently defined 'Kawasaki disease shock syndrome'. In
      pediatric intensive care units, Kawasaki disease shock syndrome may be
      misdiagnosed as toxic shock syndrome. Intensivists and emergency room physicians
      should be aware of this uncommon presentation and perform an echocardiography to
      search for coronary involvement in case of clinical doubt. 

PMID- 24217082
TI  - Rhabdomyolysis due to isoniazid poisoning resulting from the use of intramuscular
      pyridoxine.
AB  - Isoniazid is an effective antituberculosis drug. Isoniazid poisoning produces a
      characteristic clinical syndrome that occurs 30 to 120 minutes after ingestion
      and includes seizures, metabolic acidosis, and in severe cases, coma.
      Rhabdomyolysis is one of the reported complications of isoniazid poisoning, but
      relevant data are limited. Parenteral pyridoxine is the antidote of isoniazid. In
      this case, a 16-year-old male patient admitted to the Pediatric Emergency
      Department two hours after isoniazid poisoning. For treatment, intramuscular
      pyridoxine was used, but he developed serious rhabdomyolysis. 

PMID- 24217081
TI  - Thyroid hormone resistance: a novel mutation in thyroid hormone receptor beta
      (THRB) gene - case report.
AB  - Thyroid hormone resistance (THR) is a dominantly inherited syndrome characterized
      by reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormones. It is usually caused by mutations in
      the thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRB) gene. In the present report, we describe
      the clinical and laboratory characteristics and genetic analysis of patients with
      a novel THRB gene mutation. The index patient had been misdiagnosed as
      hyperthyroidism and treated with antithyroid drugs since eight days of age.
      Thyroid hormone results showed that thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone,
      TSH) was never suppressed despite elevated thyroid hormone levels, and there was
      no symptom suggesting hyperthyroidism. A heterozygous mutation at codon 350
      located in exon 9 of the THRB gene was detected in all the affected members of
      the family. It is important to consider thyroid hormone levels in association
      with TSH levels to prevent inappropriate treatment and the potential
      complications, such as clinical hypothyroidism or an increase in goiter size. 

PMID- 24217083
TI  - Selective proximal renal tubular involvement and dyslipidemia in two cousins with
      oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe.
AB  - Oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL) is a rare, X-linked disorder
      characterized by congenital cataracts, neonatal or infantile hypotonia, seizures,
      cognitive impairment, and renal tubular dysfunction. In this article, we report
      two maternal cousins with OCRL with a hemizygous p.Ala788Asp mutation in exon 22
      of the OCRL gene. They presented with diverse features of selective proximal
      renal tubular defect and high serum levels of total cholesterol, low density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

PMID- 24217084
TI  - Pseudoarthrosis of the hand in neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report.
AB  - Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical
      manifestations. Here, we describe a 16-year-old boy with NF1 who had
      pseudoarthrosis of the 4th and 5th fingers of the left hand. He had specific
      cutaneous lesions and Lisch nodules in the iris. Because NF1 affects multiple
      organ systems, patients are likely to benefit most from a multidisciplinary
      treatment strategy. 

PMID- 24217085
TI  - Munchausen syndrome by proxy presented as recurrent respiratory arrest and thigh
      abscess: a case study and overview.
AB  - While many physicians are familiar with the sexual or physical abuse of children,
      there is little awareness about Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP). As case
      reports of MSBP increase, awareness among physicians is thought to increase as
      well. We thus present herein a 16-month-old girl who admitted to Hacettepe
      University Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital with the complaint of seizure,
      recurrent apnea and thigh abscess, who was later diagnosed as MSBP. The case was
      being followed by the Child Protection Team of the hospital (Haceteppe University
      Child Protection Unit [HU-CPU]). HU-CPU contributed to the early detection of
      this case and protected the child from a possible fatal outcome. The mother was
      confronted for MSBP and refused to take responsibility for her child's symptoms.
      As seen in this case, when MSBP is suspected, psychiatric evaluation of the
      mother, evaluation of the mother-child interaction and collection of a detailed
      family and social history can have a positive impact on the prognosis in these
      cases. This case report underlines the importance of multidisciplinary team work
      to share the responsibility and reduce the burden during the treatment process of
      these difficult and complicated cases. 

PMID- 24217086
TI  - Hemophagocytosis in a case with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and an overview
      of possible pathogenesis with current evidence.
AB  - Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a clinicopathologic condition
      characterized by high fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, hyperferritinemia,
      and increased hemophagocytic macrophage proliferation and activation in the
      reticuloendothelial system. Primary HLH is familial and is a fatal disease that
      begins during early childhood. Secondary HLH may be acquired after intense
      activation of the immune system due to infection. Clinical and biologic symptoms
      result from cytokines secreted by T-lymphocytes and macrophages. Subtypes of
      primary HLH are caused by genetic defects in several cell types, including
      perforin-dependent cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
      Secondary HLH is often associated with intracellular pathogen infections. Crimean
      Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is caused by a tick-borne virus, Nairovirus, from
      the Bunyaviridae family. It is characterized by a poor prognosis and has a high
      mortality. We report the case of a 14-year-old boy living in a CCHF-endemic area
      with no history of tick exposure. He presented with fever, and laboratory tests
      showed bicytopenia and hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow aspiration. Blood
      samples were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-negative for CCFH but immunoglobulin
      (Ig)M-positive. In conclusion, patients with hemophagocytosis should be assessed
      for CCHF during the evaluation of cytopenia. 

PMID- 24217088
TI  - Early-onset basal cell carcinoma.
AB  - Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common skin cancer that is responsible for
      approximately 75% of non-melanoma skin cancers. BCC occurs on sunexposed areas in
      fair-skinned individuals; frequency increases with age and peaks in the seventh
      decade of life. Although it usually occurs in the elderly population, it has been
      reported in children as well. Here, we present a case of BCC in an eight-year-old
      child without any predisposing characteristics. 

PMID- 24217087
TI  - Neurophysiological follow-up of two siblings with Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I
      and review of literature.
AB  - Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I is an autosomal recessive inherited disease and
      rarely seen in childhood. Bilirubin neurotoxicity is the morbidity of the disease
      due to the elevated unconjugated bilirubin levels. Mental retardation, seizures,
      cognitive dysfunction, oculomotor nerve palsy, ataxia, choreoathetosis, and
      spasticity may be seen. Due to the high bilirubin levels, alterations in the
      neurophysiological studies may be detected. In this study, we describe two
      siblings who were diagnosed with Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I who underwent a
      successful liver transplantation using a single cadaveric organ, together with
      their neurophysiological follow-up and review of the literature. 

PMID- 24217089
TI  - Blue rubber bleb nevus disease.

PMID- 24217092
TI  - Multi-perpetrator domestic violence.
AB  - A significant proportion of reports of domestic violence against women involve
      multiple perpetrators. Although the number of perpetrators has been consistently
      identified as a measure of abuse severity, only a minority of studies of domestic
      violence examine the role of multiple offenders. Data on multi-perpetrator
      domestic violence (MDV) is frequently removed from analysis in domestic violence
      studies, or multi-perpetrator incidents are treated as single-perpetrator
      incidents. However, the available research links MDV to negative mental and
      physical health outcomes, intimate partner homicide, homelessness among women,
      and severe mental illness and suicidality. This article reviews the available
      prevalence data on MDV and draws together research on the contexts in which MDV
      takes place. It highlights two groups that are particularly vulnerable to MDV:
      (1) girls and women partnered to members of gangs and organized crime groups and
      (2) girls and women in some ethnic minority communities. While discussions of
      honor in relation to domestic violence are often racialized in Western media,
      this article highlights the cross-cultural role of masculine honor in collective
      violence against women in the working class and impoverished communities of
      majority cultures as well as in migrant and ethnic minority communities. It is
      clear that such complex forms of violence present a range of challenges for
      intervention and treatment and the article emphasizes the need for specialized
      and coordinated modes of investigation, support, and care. 

PMID- 24217090
TI  - PSCs and GLP-1R: occurrence in normal pancreas, acute/chronic pancreatitis and
      effect of their activation by a GLP-1R agonist.
AB  - There is increasing concern about the development of pancreatitis in patients
      with diabetes mellitus who received long-term glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
      analog treatment. Its pathogenesis is unknown. The effects of GLP-1 agonists on
      pancreatic endocrine cells are well studied; however, there is little information
      on effects on other pancreatic tissues that might be involved in inflammatory
      processes. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) can have an important role in
      pancreatitis, secreting various inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, as well as
      collagen. In this study, we investigated GLP-1R occurrence in normal pancreas,
      acute pancreatitis (AP)/chronic pancreatitis (CP), and the effects of GLP-1
      analog on normal PSCs, their ability to stimulate inflammatory mediator secretion
      or proliferation. GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) expression/localization in normal
      pancreas and pancreatitis (AP/CP) tissues were evaluated with
      histological/immunohistochemical analysis. PSCs were isolated from male Wistar
      rats. GLP-1R expression and effects of GLP-1 analog on activated PSCs was
      examined with real-time PCR, MTS assays and western blotting. In normal pancreas,
      pancreatic beta cells expressed GLP-1R, with only low expression in acinar cells,
      whereas in AP or CP, acinar cells, ductal cells and activated PSCs expressed GLP
      1R. With activation of normal PSCs, GLP-1R is markedly increased, as is multiple
      other incretin-related receptors. The GLP-1 analog, liraglutide, did not induce
      inflammatory genes expression in activated PSCs, but induced proliferation.
      Liraglutide activated multiple signaling cascades in PSCs, and the extracellular
      signal-regulated kinase pathway mediated the PSCs proliferation. GLP-1Rs are
      expressed in normal pancreas and there is marked enhanced expression in AP/CP.
      GLP-1-agonist induced cell proliferation of activated PSCs without increasing
      release of inflammatory mediators. These results suggest chronic treatment with
      GLP-1R agonists could lead to proliferation/chronic activation of PSCs, which may
      lead to important effects in the pancreas. 

PMID- 24217091
TI  - Programmed death ligand-1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - Recent strategies targeting the interaction of the programmed cell death ligand-1
      (PD-L1, B7-H1, CD274) with its receptor, PD-1, resulted in promising activity in
      early phase clinical trials. In this study, we used various antibodies and in
      situ mRNA hybridization to measure PD-L1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      using a quantitative fluorescence (QIF) approach to determine the frequency of
      expression and prognostic value in two independent populations. A control tissue
      microarray (TMA) was constructed using PD-L1-transfected cells, normal human
      placenta and known PD-L1-positive NSCLC cases. Only one of four antibodies
      against PD-L1 (5H1) validated for specificity on this TMA. In situ PD-L1 mRNA
      using the RNAscope method was similarly validated. Two cohorts of NSCLC cases in
      TMAs including 340 cases from hospitals in Greece and 204 cases from Yale
      University were assessed. Tumors showed PD-L1 protein expression in 36% (Greek)
      and 25% (Yale) of the cases. PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with
      tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in both cohorts. Patients with PD-L1 (both protein
      and mRNA) expression above the detection threshold showed statistically
      significant better outcome in both series (log-rank P=0.036 and P=0.027).
      Multivariate analysis showed that PD-L1 expression was significantly associated
      with better outcome independent of histology. Measurement of PD-L1 requires
      specific conditions and some commercial antibodies show lack of specificity.
      Expression of PD-L1 protein or mRNA is associated with better outcome. Further
      studies are required to determine the value of this marker in prognosis and
      prediction of response to treatments targeting this pathway. 

PMID- 24217093
TI  - Rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by
      joint swelling, joint tenderness and destruction of synovial joints, leading to
      severe disability. RA is considered an autoimmune disease. A study in the UK
      found the population minimum prevalence of RA is 1.16% in women and 0.44% in men.
      In Australia, the estimated prevalence is 0.6%. Using BEACH data from April 2011
      to March 2013, we examined the rate of RA and its management in Australian
      general practice. 

PMID- 24217094
TI  - Osteoarthritis: Where are we for pain and therapy in 2013?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is the leading musculoskeletal cause of disability in
      western society. General practitioners are central in the management of patients
      with osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on factors associated
      with pain in osteoarthritis and discuss the implications of these findings for
      management. DISCUSSION: It is well known that there is a modest correlation
      between X-ray changes and pain, mainly because an X-ray is a poor measure of what
      is happening in the joint. For example, in the knee, there is consistent evidence
      that bone marrow lesions, synovitis/effusions and cartilage defects are
      associated with knee pain and cartilage loss. In addition, muscle strength and
      obesity are predictors of pain, even in structurally normal knees. Lastly,
      central factors and genetic factors have been implicated in the pain experience.
      Thus, osteoarthritis is an umbrella term for a number of pathways that lead to
      very similar pain and structural outcomes, which is leading to lesion-specific
      therapies, indicating the importance of trying to pinpoint causes of pain in the
      individual.

PMID- 24217095
TI  - Viral arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arthralgia is a common presentation to general practice, and many
      cases will not require any specific treatment. It is important to differentiate
      viral arthritis from other causes as early intervention in inflammatory arthritis
      has been shown to improve long-term outcome. OBJECTIVE: This article provides a
      review of the different causes of viral arthritis, with an emphasis on
      recognising the clues to a viral cause, and summarises appropriate investigations
      and management. DISCUSSION: Viral arthritis is typically self-limiting and
      requires no specific intervention, although in rare cases symptoms can be
      prolonged. Some viruses have a predilection for the joints, and arthritis is one
      of the common presenting signs of infection. It may also be a manifestation of
      important treatable viral infections such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency
      virus (HIV). Early systemic inflammatory arthritis can be difficult to
      differentiate from viral arthritis and should be actively considered in all
      patients. Comprehensive testing for viral aetiologies is of limited utility.

PMID- 24217096
TI  - An approach to neck pain for the family physician.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neck pain is a common presentation in general practice. Nevertheless,
      recommendations for the investigation and management of neck pain lack a strong
      evidence base and are predominantly extrapolated from low back pain studies.
      OBJECTIVE: This review provides an investigation and treatment paradigm to help
      primary care physicians assess and manage cervical spine pain. DISCUSSION:
      Although sinister causes of neck pain are rare, clinicians must be mindful of red
      flags that may indicate serious pathology. The medical interview, rather than the
      physical examination, remains the most critical step in determining the likely
      cause of cervical spine pain, whereas biochemical tests and imaging are not part
      of routine assessment. The classification of neck pain into acute or chronic
      patterns, extrapolated from the low back pain literature, may help stratify the
      need for intervention and the likely prognosis of neck pain. A more concerted
      research effort is needed to help better understand and develop evidence-based
      guidelines for the management of neck pain.

PMID- 24217097
TI  - Ankylosing spondylitis: an update.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) affects one in 200 individuals and is
      usually diagnosed many years after onset of symptoms. Chronic back pain is common
      and recognition of early disease requires clinical experience and a high index of
      suspicion. Further, inflammatory markers are not invariably elevated and
      radiographic changes are often late findings. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this
      review is to address AS and the recently defined disorder of non-radiographic
      axial spondyloarthritis. The latter is a common early presentation of AS, before
      the development of radiographic sacroiliitis, and will evolve into typical AS in
      50% of patients. DISCUSSION: MRI may be particularly useful in evaluating early
      disease, although chronic changes of sacroiliitis are better seen on plain X
      rays. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are first-line therapy and
      recent studies suggest that regular use among patients with AS slows radiographic
      progression. Tumour necrosis inhibitor therapy has strikingly improved quality of
      life for the more than two-thirds of AS patients with an inadequate response to
      NSAIDs.

PMID- 24217098
TI  - REM sleep behaviour disorder - More than just a parasomnia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a
      parasomnia characterised by loss of the usual muscle atonia that occurs during
      REM sleep, allowing patients to act out their dreams. OBJECTIVE: This article
      aims to draw attention to RBD, allowing early recognition and treatment. SUMMARY:
      As RBD patients are at high risk of hurting themselves and their bed partners
      while acting out their dreams, improving safety within the bedroom environment
      and treatment with exogenous melatonin or clonazepam are recommended.
      Longitudinal studies have shown that the onset of idiopathic RBD may be an early
      warning sign of specific neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID- 24217099
TI  - Acute scrotal pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute scrotal pain, once diagnosed, can be treated appropriately with
      either conservative or surgical measures. The complexity lies in the use of
      history, clinical examination and investigations in a restricted time frame, to
      identify the appropriate management path. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the literature
      regarding important and common differentials of acute scrotal pain with the
      intent to enable primary care doctors to appropriately assess and manage the
      acutely painful scrotum. DISCUSSION: Since there is no single feature in the
      history, examination or investigation that is pathognomonic in diagnosing acute
      scrotal pain, the triad together is pivotal in its clinical evaluation. If there
      is any suspicion of testicular torsion, a prompt referral to a surgeon with
      relevant experience or to the emergency department may salvage the testis.
      Epididymitis and torsion of the appendix testis may be managed conservatively
      once testicular torsion has been ruled out.

PMID- 24217100
TI  - MRI brain imaging.
AB  - General practitioners (GPs) are expected to be allowed to request MRI scans for
      adults for selected clinically appropriate indications from November 2013 as part
      of the expansion of Medicare-funded MRI services announced by the Federal
      Government in 2011. This article aims to give a brief overview of MRI brain
      imaging relevant to GPs, which will facilitate explanation of scan findings and
      management planning with their patients. Basic imaging techniques, common
      findings and terminology are presented using some illustrative case examples. 

PMID- 24217101
TI  - Recurrent renal colic - A case study.
AB  - A previously well woman, 44 years of age, presented with 3 years of recurrent
      bilateral renal colic. Despite an increase in fluid intake and a low calcium
      diet, the intermittent episodes of renal colic continued and had become more
      frequent in the last year. An abdominal X-ray was performed, which showed some
      radio-opaque areas on both renal silhouettes (see Figure 1). Two stones in the
      right pelvic ureter were also seen following administration of contrast. No
      obstruction of the urinary tract was evident. Urinalysis revealed leukocyturia, a
      pH of 6.5 and specific gravity of 1.015. Blood testing showed hypercalcaemia of
      2.96 mmol/L and hypophosphataemia of 0.71 mmol/L.

PMID- 24217102
TI  - Hairy elbows - A case study.
AB  - A boy aged 6 years was referred to our clinic for evaluation of the presence of
      fair, thin hair on both of his elbows. This condition had first been observed
      when he was 2 years of age and the hair had subsequently increased in length and
      thickness (Figure 1). He had a history of asthma and was being treated by a
      paediatrician. His family medical record was otherwise unremarkable. This unusual
      hairiness was symmetrically distributed on the extensor surfaces of both proximal
      forearms and distal arms. The underlying skin showed no abnormalities. No
      hypertrichosis was found elsewhere and examination of teeth, skeleton and
      fingernails was also normal. No other morphological changes were noted. In
      addition, his height was appropriate for his age. No developmental, mental or
      physical impairment was observed. The blood cell count and general biochemistry,
      as well as thyroid and sexual hormonal profiles were all normal. Radiological
      examination, which was performed on the parents' request, was normal. The boy was
      diagnosed with hypertrichosis cubiti (HC), and shaving of the areas was
      recommended.

PMID- 24217103
TI  - Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety.
AB  - Internet-based, or computerised, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) can be used to
      treat patients with depression or anxiety. Patients are engaged in structured
      programs of care, with several programs available either at no cost or moderate
      cost. Internet CBT (iCBT) may be particularly suited to patients with mobility
      issues or living in rural or remote areas. Although there are no adverse effects,
      clinicians should assess patients for risk issues and the need for more immediate
      assistance before recommending iCBT. Monitoring effectiveness of any intervention
      for the patient is important. iCBT has National Health and Medical Research
      Council (NHMRC) Level I evidence of efficacy. 

PMID- 24217104
TI  - Interpersonal relationships for patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a
      qualitative study of GPs' perceptions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional
      gastrointestinal disorder and general practitioners (GPs) are in the front line
      of care. Supportive interpersonal relationships are integral to successful
      management and prognosis of IBS. Yet GPs' perceptions of helping patients manage
      interpersonal problems are unknown. METHODS: Thirteen GPs (3 women, 10 men)
      participated in semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed thematically.
      RESULTS: Three main themes were identified. Most GPs had not actively considered
      that living with IBS could contribute to patients' inter-personal problems. GPs
      viewed interpersonal relationships as potentially triggering or exacerbating IBS
      symptoms. Their approach was to proactively identify interpersonal problems in
      order to manage the related symptoms. DISCUSSION: IBS is a chronic illness that
      is difficult to manage for patients and doctors alike. Recognising the potential
      interpersonal impact of IBS and referring patients to appropriate services where
      necessary could improve patient health outcomes as well as the doc-tor-patient
      relationship.

PMID- 24217105
TI  - General practitioners' challenges during the 2009/A/H1N1 vaccination campaigns in
      Australia, Israel and England: a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 2009/A/H1N1 influenza vaccination campaign was managed mainly by
      general practitioners (GPs); however, little is known about the challenges GPs
      encountered during the vaccination campaign. AIM: To analyse the challenges GPs
      encountered during the 2009/A/H1N1 vaccination campaign. METHODS: In-depth, semi
      structured qualitative interviews were conducted with GPs in Australia, Israel
      and England, and subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS: GPs experienced
      different levels of autonomy when organising vaccinations in clinics. Their
      significant role was the provision of advice about the vaccine to the patients.
      This role was challenged by the necessity to provide the advice as a response to
      the anti-vaccination messages in the media and because GPs harboured doubts about
      mass vaccination policies. DISCUSSION: It is important that GPs accept the
      rationale behind vaccination campaigns and should be given accurate information
      about the vaccine before the campaign commences. Trustful, two-way channels for
      communication between GPs and public health authorities should also be
      established.

PMID- 24217106
TI  - Validation of a general practice audit and data extraction tool.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We assessed how accurately a common general practitioner (GP) audit
      tool extracts data from two software systems. METHODS: First, pathology test
      codes were audited at 33 practices covering nine companies. Second, a manual
      audit of chronic disease data from 200 random patient records at two practices
      was compared with audit tool data. RESULTS: Pathology review: all companies
      assigned correct codes for cholesterol, creatinine and glycated haemoglobin; four
      companies assigned incorrect codes for albuminuria tests, precluding accurate
      detection with the audit tool. Case record review: there was strong agreement
      between the manual audit and the tool for all variables except chronic kidney
      disease diagnoses, which was due to a tool-related programming error. DISCUSSION:
      The audit tool accurately detected most chronic disease data in two GP record
      systems. The one exception, however, highlights the importance of surveillance
      systems to promptly identify errors. This will maximise potential for audit tools
      to improve healthcare quality.

PMID- 24217107
TI  - Data extraction from electronic health records - existing tools may be unreliable
      and potentially unsafe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing use of routinely collected data in electronic health
      record (EHR) systems for business analytics, quality improvement and research
      requires an extraction process fit for purpose. Little is known about the quality
      of EHR data extracts. We examined the accuracy of three data extraction tools
      (DETs) with two EHR systems in Australia. METHODS: The hardware, software
      environment and extraction instructions were kept the same for the extraction of
      relevant demographic and clinical data for all active patients with diabetes. The
      counts of identified patients and their demographic and clinical information were
      compared by EHR and DET. RESULTS: The DETs identified different numbers of
      diabetics and measures of quality of care under the same conditions. DISCUSSION:
      Current DETs are not reliable and potentially unsafe. Proprietary EHRs and DETs
      must support transparency and independent testing with standardised queries.
      Quality control within an appropriate policy and legislative environment is
      essential.

PMID- 24217108
TI  - A is for aphorism - 'Wherever the art of medicine is loved there is also a love
      of humanity'.
AB  - He was an amazing diagnostician. He could listen to the history and then with
      this long, pointy, bony finger he'd say, "So, what do you think was significant
      in that bit of the history? What did you feel there as you examined the abdomen?
      Did you look at this here? Have you seen these?" But he was a very warm person
      too - just so caring. 

PMID- 24217109
TI  - Revalidation - a personal reflection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The review of a doctor's fitness to practice is being increasingly
      discussed internationally. The Medical Board of Australia has recently announced
      a desire to explore this issue. The United Kingdom (UK) introduced revalidation
      for doctors last year. The UK revalidation system is an enhancement of the
      National Health Service appraisal system that requires doctors to participate in
      annual appraisals conducted by trained peers. The appraisal process involves four
      stages: submission of a range of information; a confidential appraisal
      discussion; a personal development plan; and a post-appraisal sign-off. The
      criteria that doctors are assessed against are detailed in the General Medical
      Council's guidelines of Good Medical Practice. Satisfactory participation in the
      appraisal process over a 5-year cycle is likely to result in a recommendation for
      successful revalidation. OBJECTIVE: To describe the UK revalidation system and to
      share my personal reflection about the revalidation process. DISCUSSION: The
      revalidation process has been beneficial from a personal perspective, but the
      range of consequences and subsequent support mechanisms need to be considered and
      addressed.

PMID- 24217110
TI  - Diffusely infiltrating central nervous system lymphoma involving the brainstem in
      an immune-competent patient.

PMID- 24217111
TI  - Over 35% liquid-state 13C polarization obtained via dissolution dynamic nuclear
      polarization at 7 T and 1 K using ubiquitous nitroxyl radicals.
AB  - The most versatile method to increase liquid-state (13)C NMR sensitivity is
      dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization. The use of trityl radicals is usually
      required to obtain very large (13)C polarization via this technique. We herein
      demonstrate that up to 35% liquid-state (13)C polarization can be obtained in
      about 1.5 h using ubiquitous nitroxyl radicals in (13)C-labeled sodium salts by
      partially deuterating the solvents and using a polarizer operating at 1 K and 7
      T. 

PMID- 24217112
TI  - Moderate physical exercise results in increased cell activity in articular
      cartilage of the knee joint in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Moderate exercise regimens have shown minor positive effects on
      matrix turnover in articular cartilage (AC), while effects at cellular level,
      e.g. proliferation, are scarcely described. AIM: The aim of this study was to
      investigate the effects of moderate exercise on cell proliferation and
      recruitment of cells possibly active in regeneration in different regions of
      cartilage in the rat knee joint. METHODS: Eighteen rats were orally given 5-bromo
      2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for 14 days for in vivo DNA labeling. Nine rats underwent
      treadmill training for 50 min/day, 5 days/week (exercise group), and 9 rats
      served as controls (no exercise). Animals were sacrificed after 14, 56 and 105
      days, and knee joints were harvested. BrdU+ cells were visualized
      immunohistochemically (IHC) and counted in AC, posterior stem cell niche (PN),
      potential migration route (PMR; area between PN and the AC border), potential
      migration area (PMA; region between PN and AC including PN) and epiphyseal
      cartilage plate (EP) of the tibia and femur. RESULTS: Compared to controls, in
      the exercise group BrdU+ cells/mm(2) were increased on days 14 (p = 0.022) and
      105 (p = 0.045) in AC of the tibia and on day 105 (p = 0.014) in AC of the femur.
      BrdU+ cell numbers were increased in the PMR region of the tibia on days 14 (p =
      0.023) and 105 (p = 0.0018) and in the PMR region of the femur on day 105 (p =
      0.0099) as well as in the PMA region of the tibia (p = 0.0008) and femur (p =
      0.0080) on day 105. No significant differences in BrdU+ cells/mm(2) were seen in
      PN or EP between the groups at any time point. Regarding collagen 2A1 expression
      and proteoglycan accumulation, no significant differences between groups were
      detected. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate increased cell activity in AC in
      response to physical exercise and may help to understand the complexity of AC
      regeneration in the normal mammal knee joint.

PMID- 24217113
TI  - Use of an artificial neural network for diagnosis of facial pain syndromes: an
      update.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Based on a classification scheme for facial pain syndromes and a
      binomial (yes/no) facial pain questionnaire, we previously reported on the
      ability of an artificial neural network (ANN) to recognize and correctly diagnose
      patients with different facial pain syndromes. OBJECTIVES: We now report on an
      updated questionnaire, the development of a secure web-based neural network
      application and details of ANNs trained to diagnose patients with different
      facial pain syndromes. METHODS: Online facial pain questionnaire responses
      collected from 607 facial pain patients (395 female, 65%, ratio F/M 1.86/1) over
      5 years and 7 months were used for ANN training. RESULTS: Sensitivity and
      specificity of the currently running ANN for trigeminal neuralgia type 1 and
      trigeminal neuralgia type 2 are 92.4 and 62.5% and 87.8 and 96.4%, respectively.
      Sensitivity and specificity are 86.7 and 95.2% for trigeminal neuropathic pain, 0
      and 100% for trigeminal deafferentation pain and 100% for symptomatic trigeminal
      neuralgia and postherpetic neuralgia. Sensitivity is 50% for nervus intermedius
      neuralgia (NIN) and 0% for atypical facial pain (AFP), glossopharyngeal neuralgia
      (GPN) and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Specificity for AFP, NIN and
      TMJ is 99% and for GPN, 100%. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the utilization of
      question-based historical self-assessment responses used as inputs to design an
      ANN for the purpose of diagnosing facial pain syndromes (outputs) with high
      accuracy.

PMID- 24217115
TI  - Heterogeneity of mesenchymal markers expression-molecular profiles of cancer
      cells disseminated by lymphatic and hematogenous routes in breast cancer.
AB  - Breast cancers can metastasize via hematogenous and lymphatic routes, however in
      some patients only one type of metastases are detected, suggesting a certain
      proclivity in metastatic patterns. Since epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
      plays an important role in cancer dissemination it would be worthwhile to find if
      a specific profile of EMT gene expression exists that is related to either
      lymphatic or hematogenous dissemination. Our study aimed at evaluating gene
      expression profile of EMT-related markers in primary tumors (PT) and correlated
      them with the pattern of metastatic spread. From 99 early breast cancer patients
      peripheral blood samples (N = 99), matched PT (N = 47) and lymph node metastases
      (LNM; N = 22) were collected. Expression of TWIST1, SNAI1, SNAI2 and VIM was
      analyzed in those samples. Additionally expression of CK19, MGB1 and HER2 was
      measured in CTCs-enriched blood fractions (CTCs-EBF). Results were correlated
      with each other and with clinico-pathological data of the patients. Results show
      that the mesenchymal phenotype of CTCs-EBF correlated with poor clinico
      pathological characteristics of the patients. Additionally, PT shared more
      similarities with LNM than with CTCs-EBF. Nevertheless, LNM showed increased
      expression of EMT-related markers than PT; and EMT itself in PT did not seem to
      be necessary for lymphatic dissemination. 

PMID- 24217116
TI  - 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) Signaling Capacity and the Epithelial
      Mesenchymal Transition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Implications for
      Use of 1,25(OH)2D3 in NSCLC Treatment.
AB  - 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) exerts anti-proliferative activity by
      binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and regulating gene expression. We
      previously reported that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells which harbor
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations display elevated VDR expression
      (VDRhigh) and are vitamin D-sensitive. Conversely, those with K-ras mutations are
      VDRlow and vitamin D-refractory. Because EGFR mutations are found predominately
      in NSCLC cells with an epithelial phenotype and K-ras mutations are more common
      in cells with a mesenchymal phenotype, we investigated the relationship between
      vitamin D signaling capacity and the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).
      Using NSCLC cell lines and publically available lung cancer cell line microarray
      data, we identified a relationship between VDR expression, 1,25(OH)2D3
      sensitivity, and EMT phenotype. Further, we discovered that 1,25(OH)2D3 induces E
      cadherin and decreases EMT-related molecules SNAIL, ZEB1, and vimentin in NSCLC
      cells. 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated changes in gene expression are associated with a
      significant decrease in cell migration and maintenance of epithelial morphology.
      These data indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3 opposes EMT in NSCLC cells. Because EMT is
      associated with increased migration, invasion, and chemoresistance, our data
      imply that 1,25(OH)2D3 may prevent lung cancer progression in a molecularly
      defined subset of NSCLC patients. 

PMID- 24217117
TI  - Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in children.
AB  - Adequate adrenocortical function is essential for survival in critical illness.
      Most critically ill patients display elevated plasma cortisol concentrations,
      which reflects activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and is
      considered to be a homeostatic adaptation. However, many critically ill patients
      have 'relative' or 'functional' adrenal insufficiency, which is characterized by
      an inadequate production of cortisol in relation to an increased demand during
      periods of severe stress. Recently, the term 'critical illness-related
      corticosteroid insufficiency' (CIRCI) was coined. CIRCI occurs as a result of a
      decrease in adrenal steroid production or tissue resistance to glucocorticoids.
      An international task force of the American College of Critical Care Medicine
      issued recommendations for the diagnosis and management of this condition in
      adult patients. We review the prevalence, diagnosis, and therapeutic approach to
      adrenal insufficiency in critically ill children. We found a lack of consensus
      within the pediatric field as to the optimal approach to CIRCI, and call for an
      international task force to establish unified guidelines.

PMID- 24217114
TI  - Tumor metabolism of malignant gliomas.
AB  - Constitutively activated oncogenic signaling via genetic mutations such as in the
      EGFR/PI3K/Akt and Ras/RAF/MEK pathways has been recognized as a major driver for
      tumorigenesis in most cancers. Recent insights into tumor metabolism have further
      revealed that oncogenic signaling pathways directly promote metabolic
      reprogramming to upregulate biosynthesis of lipids, carbohydrates, protein, DNA
      and RNA, leading to enhanced growth of human tumors. Therefore, targeting cell
      metabolism has become a novel direction for drug development in oncology. In
      malignant gliomas, metabolism pathways of glucose, glutamine and lipid are
      significantly reprogrammed. Moreover, molecular mechanisms causing these
      metabolic changes are just starting to be unraveled. In this review, we will
      summarize recent studies revealing critical gene alterations that lead to
      metabolic changes in malignant gliomas, and also discuss promising therapeutic
      strategies via targeting the key players in metabolic regulation. 

PMID- 24217118
TI  - The positive effect of moderate walking exercise on chemerin levels in Portuguese
      patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical exercise intervention is known to be crucial in the
      management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to evaluate, in patients
      with T2DM, the effect of regular moderate walking exercise on markers of
      oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. METHODS: We studied 30
      patients with T2DM who walked regularly during the last year and 53 patients with
      T2DM who did not perform any type of exercise. The patients were evaluated for
      chemerin, adiponectin, leptin, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and C-reactive
      protein (CRP) levels. RESULTS: The active T2DM patients showed significantly
      lower body mass index, as compared with the inactive patients. The active T2DM
      patients showed significantly lower levels of chemerin and CRP than those of the
      inactive T2DM patients (CRP lost significance after adjustment for body mass
      index). The active patients, compared with the inactive, presented a trend toward
      higher levels of adiponectin and lower values of oxidized low-density
      lipoprotein. Leptin differed significantly between sexes, and the active women
      presented a trend toward lower levels as compared with the inactive women.
      CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with T2DM, the practice of moderate walking in a
      regular basis was sufficient to reduce chemerin levels, which suggests that
      practice of regular physical exercise should be encouraged.

PMID- 24217119
TI  - Elevated plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with a poor prognosis in
      patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Elevated plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with tumor
      progression and poor outcomes in cancer patients. We investigated the prognostic
      value of pretreatment plasma fibrinogen levels in patients with hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: One hundred and thirteen patients with newly diagnosed
      HCC were retrospectively evaluated. We investigated the correlation between
      pretreatment plasma fibrinogen levels, clinicopathological parameters and overall
      survival. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify
      the clinicopathological parameters associated with overall survival. RESULTS: The
      median value of the pretreatment plasma fibrinogen level was 279 mg/dl. Elevated
      plasma fibrinogen levels were associated with larger tumor size, the presence of
      vascular invasion and higher Cancer Liver Italian Program scores. Lower plasma
      fibrinogen levels were associated with higher Child-Pugh grades. The overall
      survival rates in patients with pretreatment plasma fibrinogen levels >= 315
      mg/dl were significantly lower than those with a pretreatment plasma fibrinogen
      level <315 mg/dl (p = 0.016). On multivariate analysis, the plasma fibrinogen
      levels (per 100 mg/dl) were found to be independently associated with overall
      survival (hazard ratio 1.236; p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates
      that elevated pretreatment plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with tumor
      progression and are independently associated with a poor prognosis in patients
      with HCC.

PMID- 24217120
TI  - VX and VG chemical warfare agents bidentate complexation with lanthanide ions.
AB  - Investigations into V-agent interaction with 1,10-phenanthroline nitrate Ln(III)
      complexes (Eu and Tb) were carried out using luminescence and UV-Vis
      spectroscopy. Addition of several equivalents of agent resulted in the loss of
      luminescence intensity and the observation of free 1,10-phenanthroline by UV-Vis.
      We propose a displacement mechanism in which the V-agent acts as a bidentate
      ligand to the lanthanide ion. Association constants were determined by
      luminescence titrations and found to be 10(5) mol(-1) dm(3).

PMID- 24217121
TI  - NO2 bond cleavage by MoL3 complexes.
AB  - The cleavage of one N-O bond in NO2 by two equivalents of Mo(NRAr)3 has been
      shown to occur to form molybdenum oxide and nitrosyl complexes. The mechanism and
      electronic rearrangement of this reaction was investigated using density
      functional theory, using both a model Mo(NH2)3 system and the full [N((t)Bu)(3,5
      dimethylphenyl)] experimental ligand. For the model ligand, several possible
      modes of coordination for the resulting complex were observed, along with
      isomerisation and bond breaking pathways. The lowest barrier for direct bond
      cleavage was found to be via the singlet eta(2)-N,O complex (7 kJ mol(-1)).
      Formation of a bimetallic species was also possible, giving an overall decrease
      in energy and a lower barrier for reaction (3 kJ mol(-1)). Results for the full
      ligand showed similar trends in energies for both isomerisation between the
      different isomers, and for the mononuclear bond cleavage. The lowest calculated
      barrier for cleavage was only 21 kJ mol(-1)via the triplet eta(1)-O isomer, with
      a strong thermodynamic driving force to the final products of the doublet metal
      oxide and a molecule of NO. Formation of the full ligand dinuclear complex was
      not accompanied by an equivalent decrease in energy seen with the model ligand.
      Direct bond cleavage via an eta(1)-O complex is thus the likely mechanism for the
      experimental reaction that occurs at ambient temperature and pressure. Unlike the
      other known reactions between MoL3 complexes and small molecules, the second
      equivalent of the metal does not appear to be necessary, but instead irreversibly
      binds to the released nitric oxide. 

PMID- 24217122
TI  - Short- and long-term impact of subtotal parathyroidectomy on the achievement of
      bone and mineral parameters recommended by clinical practice guidelines in
      dialysis patients: a 12-year single-center experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The short- and long-term impact of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on
      the parameters of mineral bone disease in dialysis patients with severe secondary
      hyperparathyroidism (HPT) remains unclear. METHODS: A retrospective chart review
      of 401 consecutive dialysis patients who underwent subtotal PTX by one surgeon
      was performed. We checked serum levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and
      intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) for 3 consecutive days, and then monthly for
      Ca, P, and tri-monthly for iPTH postoperatively. Patients with available
      laboratory data within the 1st to 6th postoperative months were included in the
      short-term follow-up group and those with at least 6 months available data were
      in the long-term follow-up one. RESULTS: Patients (short-term group, n = 401, and
      long-term group, n = 94) had severely uncontrolled serum iPTH levels, Ca, P and
      Ca * P before PTX. In the short-term group, percentages of cases achieving K/DOQI
      targets for serum Ca, Ca * P, and iPTH and KDIGO ones for serum Ca, P, and iPTH
      after PTX, significantly improved compared with those before operation (all p <
      0.05). In the long-term group (mean follow-up of 43 +/- 29 months), the
      percentage of achieved targets for serum iPTH in both guidelines and for serum Ca
      and Ca * P in the K/DOQI recommendation also improved postoperatively (all p <
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Achievements of K/DOQI recommended values for serum Ca, Ca *
      P, iPTH and KDIGO recommendations for iPTH can be successfully reached by
      subtotal PTX in medically refractory, secondary HPT in dialysis patients both
      during short- and long-term follow-ups.

PMID- 24217123
TI  - Multi-slice computed tomography assessment of stent position in a patient with
      acute coronary syndrome and anomalous origin of the coronary arteries.
AB  - We describe the case of a woman with acute coronary syndrome who was treated by
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stenting of the proximal right
      coronary artery, which shared its short origin with the left anterior descending
      artery. A multi-slice computed tomography study of the patient's coronary tree,
      performed after percutaneous treatment, played a fundamental role in obtaining a
      clearer view of the coronary anatomy, as well as of stent positioning in this
      particular anatomy, eliminating any doubt about the PCI result. 

PMID- 24217124
TI  - Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy using the Inoue balloon for patients with
      recurrent pericardial tamponade.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recurrent pericardial effusion is often caused by pericardial
      metastases of extra-cardiac tumours. These effusions may be moderate to severe,
      leading to cardiac tamponade. The treatment is emergency pericardiocentesis but
      in spite of the initial success of that treatment, the effusions have high
      recurrence rates. Here we describe our experience of percutaneous balloon
      pericardiotomy (PBP) using the Inoue balloon for the management of three patients
      with malignant pericardial effusions secondary to lung cancer. METHODS: In our
      clinic, three patients with recurrent pericardial effusion secondary to lung
      cancer were treated with percutaneous pericardiotomy with an Inoue valvuloplasty
      balloon catheter through the subxiphoid approach. RESULTS: Successful drainage
      with balloon pericardiotomy was achieved in all patients without severe
      complications. In all cases, only one pericardial site was dilated at least three
      times. During the four to six months of follow up, there were no recurrences of
      the effusion or tamponade. All patients were still alive. CONCLUSIONS: In our
      experience, PBP with the Inoue balloon appears to be a simple and safe procedure
      with a high success rate. PBP is an effective method for the management of
      patients with recurrent, large, malignant pericardial effusions.

PMID- 24217125
TI  - Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in early puerperium due to severe left
      main coronary stenosis in a woman with familial hyperlipidaemia.
AB  - Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a rare but often catastrophic event during
      pregnancy, delivery or puerperium, leading to a high mortality rate. It has
      different pathogenic mechanisms, such as atherosclerosis, vasospasm, thrombosis
      and coronary dissection. Although MI has been reported in pregnant women at all
      stages of pregnancy and postpartum, it occurs more commonly in the third
      trimester and most commonly involves the anterior wall. Evidence suggests that
      pregnancy itself is an independent risk factor for MI, conferring a three- to
      four-fold higher risk than that of nonpregnant women matched for age, possibly
      due to the unique physiological changes required to meet the demands of a growing
      foetus. We report a case of a 27-year-old woman with familial hyperlipidaemia
      presenting with myocardial infarction six days after caesarean delivery,
      secondary to severe left main coronary stenosis (LMCA), who was treated with
      emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

PMID- 24217126
TI  - Acute myocardial infarction after prednisolone administration for the treatment
      of anaphylaxis caused by a wasp sting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Wasp stings have been demonstrated to cause a wide spectrum of
      allergic reactions from localised reactions to anaphylaxis. Acute coronary
      syndromes have been described as potential complications of anaphylactic
      reactions or some of the drugs used for the treatment of anaphylaxis. We know of
      only a few cases reported of acute myocardial infarction (MI) following
      corticosteroid administration or anaphylaxis in subjects with normal coronary
      arteries. If it exists, underlying subclinical coronary atherosclerosis may
      become clinically evident. CASE REPORT: A 20 year-old male with anaphylaxis due
      to a wasp sting, complicated by acute ST-elevation MI after intravenous methyl
      prednisolone administration, is the subject of this report. He was admitted to
      our emergency service for dizziness, blurred vision, presyncope and mild
      respiratory distress 10 minutes after the wasp had stung him on the nape of the
      neck. Six to seven minutes after administration of prednisolone, the patient
      complained of typical chest pains. A high posterolateral MI with mild mitral
      regurgitation were seen on examination. He was treated conservatively with
      aspirin and heparine. Coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound imaging,
      performed 10 days later, showed no evidence of obstructive coronary artery
      disease. CONCLUSION: Although reduced coronary perfusion, local histamine release
      induced coronary vasospasm or severe hypoxia have been suggested, the
      pathophysiology remains unclear. Acute STEMI may be a rare but clinically
      important complication of a wasp sting, anaphylaxis or the corticosteroid used
      for its treatment, even in young adults with normal coronary arteries. Therefore,
      physicians should be aware of such serious complications in order to diagnose
      them early.

PMID- 24217127
TI  - Delayed chylopericardium as a rare complication after combined mitral valve and
      coronary artery bypass surgery.
AB  - Chylopericardium is a rare complication of cardiac surgery that is performed from
      a midline sternotomy. Here we present a case of a 61-year-old male patient with
      late-onset postoperative chylopericardium following combined coronary artery
      bypass grafting and mitral valve surgery, and the applied treatment modality. 

PMID- 24217128
TI  - Antibacterial activity of moxifloxacin on bacteria associated with periodontitis
      within a biofilm.
AB  - The activity of moxifloxacin was compared with ofloxacin and doxycycline against
      bacteria associated with periodontitis within a biofilm (single strain and mixed
      population) in vitro. MICs and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of
      moxifloxacin, ofloxacin and doxycyline were determined against single strains and
      mixed populations in a planktonic state. Single-species biofilms of two
      Porphyromonas gingivalis and two Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans strains
      and a multispecies biofilm consisting of 12 species were formed for 3 days. The
      minimal biofilm eradication concentrations (MBECs) were determined after exposing
      the biofilms to the antibacterials (0.002-512 ug ml(-1)) for 18 h, addition of
      nutrient broth for 3 days and subsequent subcultivation. Photographs were taken
      using confocal laser-scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The
      MICs and MBCs did not differ between ofloxacin and moxifloxacin against A.
      actinomycetemcomitans, whilst moxifloxacin was more active than the other tested
      antibacterials against anaerobes and the mixed population. The single-species
      biofilms were eradicated by moderate concentrations of the antibacterials, and
      the lowest MBECs were always found for moxifloxacin (2-8 ug ml(-1)). MBECs
      against the multispecies biofilms were 128, >512 and >512 ug ml(-1) for
      moxifloxacin, ofloxacin and doxycycline, respectively. In summary, moxifloxacin
      in a topical formulation may have potential as an adjunct to mechanical removal
      of the biofilms. 

PMID- 24217130
TI  - Optical orbital angular momentum conservation during the transfer process from
      plasmonic vortex lens to light.
AB  - We demonstrate the optical orbital angular momentum conservation during the
      transfer process from subwavelength plasmonic vortex lens (PVLs) to light and the
      generating process of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Illuminating plasmonic
      vortex lenses with beams carrying optical orbital angular momentum, the SP
      vortices with orbital angular momentum were generated and inherit the optical
      angular momentum of light beams and PVLs. The angular momentum of twisting SP
      electromagnetic field is tunable by the twisted metal/dielectric interfaces of
      PVLs and angular momentum of illuminating singular light. This work may open the
      door for several possible applications of SP vortices in subwavelength region. 

PMID- 24217129
TI  - D-cycloserine augmentation of exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress
      disorder: a pilot randomized clinical trial.
AB  - Viewing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a disorder of emotional
      learning, this study used a cognitive enhancer synergistically with virtual
      reality exposure (VRE) therapy for the treatment of PTSD. The main objective was
      to determine if a novel pharmacotherapy, D-cycloserine (DCS), enhanced the
      efficacy of the psychotherapy. Pre-clinical studies suggest that when fear
      extinction occurs during DCS administration, neuroplasticity may be enhanced. VRE
      therapy is a particularly promising format to test the hypothesis that DCS
      enhances extinction learning, as sensory fear cues are standardized across
      patients. In a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 100 mg
      of DCS or placebo was administered 90 min before each weekly VRE session, to
      ensure peak plasma concentrations during the sessions in 25 patients with chronic
      PTSD. The primary outcome measure was the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale
      (CAPS). Secondary outcome measures included the Beck Depression Inventory-II and
      the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Assessments occurred at pre
      treatment, following sessions 3, 6, 10, post-treatment, and at 6 months. The
      difference in CAPS between the VRE-DCS (n=13) and VRE-placebo (n=12) groups
      increased over time beginning at 6 weeks, with medium to large between-group
      effect sizes immediately post-treatment and 6 months later (d=0.68 and d=1.13,
      respectively). A similar pattern was observed for depression, anger expression,
      and sleep. PTSD remission rates were significantly greater for the VRE-DCS group
      (46% vs 8% at post-treatment; 69% vs 17% at 6 months). Patients in the VRE-DCS
      group showed earlier and greater improvement in PTSD symptoms compared with the
      VRE-placebo group. These results suggest a promising new treatment for PTSD.

PMID- 24217131
TI  - Interplay between microstructure and magnetism in NiO nanoparticles: breakdown of
      the antiferromagnetic order.
AB  - The possibility of tuning the magnetic behaviour of nanostructured 3d transition
      metal oxides has opened up the path for extensive research activity in the
      nanoscale world. In this work we report on how the antiferromagnetism of a bulk
      material can be broken when reducing its size under a given threshold. We
      combined X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy,
      extended X-ray absorption fine structure and magnetic measurements in order to
      describe the influence of the microstructure and morphology on the magnetic
      behaviour of NiO nanoparticles (NPs) with sizes ranging from 2.5 to 9 nm. The
      present findings reveal that size effects induce surface spin frustration which
      competes with the expected antiferromagnetic (AFM) order, typical of bulk NiO,
      giving rise to a threshold size for the AFM phase to nucleate. Ni(2+) magnetic
      moments in 2.5 nm NPs seem to be in a spin glass (SG) state, whereas larger NPs
      are formed by an uncompensated AFM core with a net magnetic moment surrounded by
      a SG shell. The coupling at the core-shell interface leads to an exchange bias
      effect manifested at low temperature as horizontal shifts of the hysteresis loop
      (~1 kOe) and a coercivity enhancement (~0.2 kOe).

PMID- 24217132
TI  - Data-adapted moving least squares method for 3-D image interpolation.
AB  - In this paper, we present a nonlinear three-dimensional interpolation scheme for
      gray-level medical images. The scheme is based on the moving least squares method
      but introduces a fundamental modification. For a given evaluation point, the
      proposed method finds the local best approximation by reproducing polynomials of
      a certain degree. In particular, in order to obtain a better match to the local
      structures of the given image, we employ locally data-adapted least squares
      methods that can improve the classical one. Some numerical experiments are
      presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. Five types of
      data sets are used: MR brain, MR foot, MR abdomen, CT head, and CT foot. From
      each of the five types, we choose five volumes. The scheme is compared with some
      well-known linear methods and other recently developed nonlinear methods. For
      quantitative comparison, we follow the paradigm proposed by Grevera and Udupa
      (1998). (Each slice is first assumed to be unknown then interpolated by each
      method. The performance of each interpolation method is assessed statistically.)
      The PSNR results for the estimated volumes are also provided. We observe that the
      new method generates better results in both quantitative and visual quality
      comparisons.

PMID- 24217133
TI  - A novel, rigid diphosphine with an active NHC spacer; di- and trinuclear
      complexes of d10 coinage metals.
AB  - A novel N,N'-diphosphanyl-imidazol-2-ylidene acts as a stable, hybrid PC(NHC)P
      ligand for M2 or linear M3 (M = Cu, Ag, Au) arrays with metallophilic
      interactions.

PMID- 24217134
TI  - Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in musculoskeletal disorders: a review.
AB  - Regenerative therapy is one of the most challenging and intriguing branches of
      modern medicine. Basic research has demonstrated the effectiveness of
      extracorporeal shockwaves (ESWT) in stimulating biological activities that
      involve intra-cell and cell-matrix interactions. These interactions are at the
      basis of the current clinical applications, and open the horizons to new
      applications in tissue regeneration. It is also feasible that shock waves could
      be used to treat various orthopaedic pathologies, removing the need for surgery.
      However, suitable translational studies need to be performed before ESWT can
      become a valid alternative to surgery.

PMID- 24217135
TI  - The influence of BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations on toxicity related to chemotherapy and
      radiotherapy in early breast cancer patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The presence of BRCA gene mutation and low expressions of BRCA
      proteins are associated with a greater sensitivity of tumor cells to ionizing
      radiation and to cytostatics damaging the DNA of the cells. The purpose of this
      study was to estimate the rate of adverse events in BRCA1/2-associated breast
      cancer patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy compared to patients
      without mutation. The authors also compared radiotherapy toxicity in these 2
      groups. METHODS: The analysis included 270 early-stage breast cancer patients
      treated between 2006 and 2012. All patients were examined for the presence of
      BRCA1/2 mutations. RESULTS: BRCA mutation was detected in 41 (15%) patients.
      Toxicity grade 3, especially nausea and vomiting, was observed more often in
      noncarriers (7 vs. 13%, p = 0.0008). Neutropenia was detected more frequently in
      patients with BRCA1/2 mutation (32 vs. 10%), but only after 1 cycle of
      chemotherapy (p = 0.0007). There was increased radiation toxicity in BRCA1/2
      patients who underwent mastectomy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.016).
      CONCLUSIONS: BRCA1/2 mutation carriers seemed to be more at risk of neutropenia
      after the first cycle of the treatment. In terms of other side effects, there was
      a lack of increased toxicity in this group. Mastectomy and neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy were risk factors for radiation toxicity in mutation carriers.

PMID- 24217136
TI  - Do you want to see the tree? Ignore the forest: inhibitory control during local
      processing: a negative priming study of local-global processing.
AB  - The visual environment consists of global structures (e.g., a forest) made up of
      local parts (e.g., trees). When compound stimuli are presented (e.g., large
      global letters composed of arrangements of small local letters), the global
      unattended information slows responses to local targets. Using a negative priming
      paradigm, we investigated whether inhibition is required to process hierarchical
      stimuli when information at the local level is in conflict with the one at the
      global level. The results show that when local and global information is in
      conflict, global information must be inhibited to process local information, but
      that the reverse is not true. This finding has potential direct implications for
      brain models of visual recognition, by suggesting that when local information is
      conflicting with global information, inhibitory control reduces feedback activity
      from global information (e.g., inhibits the forest) which allows the visual
      system to process local information (e.g., to focus attention on a particular
      tree). 

PMID- 24217137
TI  - Age-related differences in sequential modulations of poorer-strategy effects.
AB  - To determine how younger and older adults modulate execution of strategies across
      successive trials, we asked participants to accomplish a computational estimation
      task (i.e., provide approximate products to two-digit multiplication problems
      like 38 * 74). For each problem, they were cued to execute a better versus a
      poorer strategy. Their performance revealed sequential modulations of poorer
      strategy effects (i.e., longer solution times and larger error rates when asked
      to execute a poorer than a better strategy). That is, poorer-strategy effects
      were smaller on current problems after using a poorer strategy on preceding
      problems than after using a better strategy. Moreover, sequential modulations of
      these poorer-strategy effects were smaller in older than in younger adults,
      especially older adults with low-cognitive control skills (as measured by
      conflict adaptation effects in the Simon task). Our findings suggest that these
      sequential modulations may result from executive control mechanisms, the
      efficiency of which is known to decrease in older adults. These findings have
      important implications regarding mechanisms underlying strategy execution and
      aging effects on strategic variations. 

PMID- 24217138
TI  - Impact of feedback on three phases of performance monitoring.
AB  - We investigated if certain phases of performance monitoring show differential
      sensitivity to external feedback and thus rely on distinct mechanisms. The phases
      of interest were: the error phase (FE), the phase of the correct response after
      errors (FEC), and the phase of correct responses following corrects (FCC). We
      tested accuracy and reaction time (RT) on 12 conditions of a continuous-choice
      response task; the 2-back task. External feedback was either presented or not in
      FE and FEC, and delivered on 0%, 20%, or 100% of FCC trials. The FCC20 was
      matched to FE and FEC in the number of sounds received so that we could
      investigate when external feedback was most valuable to the participants. We
      found that external feedback led to a reduction in accuracy when presented on all
      the correct responses. Moreover, RT was significantly reduced for FCC100, which
      in turn correlated with the accuracy reduction. Interestingly, the correct
      response after an error was particularly sensitive to external feedback since
      accuracy was reduced when external feedback was presented during this phase but
      not for FCC20. Notably, error-monitoring was not influenced by feedback-type. The
      results are in line with models suggesting that the internal error-monitoring
      system is sufficient in cognitively demanding tasks where performance is ~ 80%,
      as well as theories stipulating that external feedback directs attention away
      from the task. Our data highlight the first correct response after an error as
      particularly sensitive to external feedback, suggesting that important
      consolidation of response strategy takes place here.

PMID- 24217139
TI  - The inhibitory advantage in bilingual children revisited: myth or reality?
AB  - In recent decades several authors have suggested that bilinguals exhibit enhanced
      cognitive control as compared to monolinguals and some proposals suggest that
      this main difference between monolinguals and bilinguals is related to
      bilinguals' enhanced capacity of inhibiting irrelevant information. This has led
      to the proposal of the so-called bilingual advantage in inhibitory skills.
      However, recent studies have cast some doubt on the locus and generality of the
      alleged bilingual advantage in inhibitory skills. In the current study we
      investigated inhibitory skills in a large sample of 252 monolingual and 252
      bilingual children who were carefully matched on a large number of indices. We
      tested their performance in a verbal Stroop task and in a nonverbal version of
      the same task (the number size-congruency task). Results were unequivocal and
      showed that bilingual and monolingual participants performed equally in these two
      tasks across all the indices or markers of inhibitory skills explored.
      Furthermore, the lack of differences between monolingual and bilingual children
      extended to all the age ranges tested and was not modulated by any of the
      independent factors investigated. In light of these results, we conclude that
      bilingual children do not exhibit any specific advantage in simple inhibitory
      tasks as compared to monolinguals. 

PMID- 24217140
TI  - Age-related decline in emotional prosody discrimination: acoustic correlates.
AB  - It is now accepted that older adults have difficulty recognizing prosodic emotion
      cues, but it is not clear at what processing stage this ability breaks down. We
      manipulated the acoustic characteristics of tones in pitch, amplitude, and
      duration discrimination tasks to assess whether impaired basic auditory
      perception coexisted with our previously demonstrated age-related prosodic
      emotion perception impairment. It was found that pitch perception was
      particularly impaired in older adults, and that it displayed the strongest
      correlation with prosodic emotion discrimination. We conclude that an important
      cause of age-related impairment in prosodic emotion comprehension exists at the
      fundamental sensory level of processing. 

PMID- 24217143
TI  - Improving stroke education performance measures scores: the impact of a stroke
      nurse coordinator.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of death and adult disability worldwide.
      North Carolina is considered to be a part of an area of the United States called
      the "stroke belt." Education coupled with implementation of a program that
      promotes primary and secondary stroke prevention is paramount to support the
      reduction of stroke and improvement of stroke care across the continuum. The
      groundwork for stroke care at Onslow Memorial Hospital began in 2006 with
      participation in the North Carolina Stroke Care Collaborative (NCSCC), which
      allowed for benchmarking of data. METHODS: A pretest and posttest design was used
      to evaluate the effectiveness of a dedicated stroke nurse coordinator on stroke
      education performance measure scores. Compliance with stroke education
      performance measures is met when documentation reflects education provided or
      material given during the hospital stay. Three hundred sixty-seven charts
      submitted to the NCSCC from Onslow Memorial Hospital were reviewed. Data
      collected were entered into the NCSCC Registry database during the period of 2008
      2010. Performance measures were compared at three points: the year before
      implementation of the stroke nurse coordinator, the implementation year, and, the
      year after the implementation of the stroke nurse coordinator position. RESULTS:
      Stroke education performance measure scores for the preimplementation year (2008)
      were 58.1%, which improved to 86.4% for the year that the nurse coordinator
      position was created and filled, and rose to 96.9% for the 1-year period after
      the position was filled. Scores from Z tests comparing proportions over time
      between each of the 3 years were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS:
      Implementation of a stroke nurse coordinator to improve stroke care and education
      is a coordinated effort that will impact stroke outcomes across the healthcare
      continuum, with efforts geared toward primary and secondary prevention
      strategies. This role provides supportive resources for the community,
      individualized care with patients and families as well as supporting staff in
      providing stroke education, and awareness. Stroke education has shown improvement
      in patients understanding the signs and symptoms of stroke as well as improved
      compliance with treatment plans; the use of a dedicated educator is supported.

PMID- 24217142
TI  - The stroke caregiver unmet resource needs scale: development and psychometric
      testing.
AB  - The purposes of this study were to develop and validate a measure of unmet
      resource needs of the caregivers of survivors of stroke and to describe the
      caregivers' unmet needs during 1 year. A longitudinal, descriptive design was
      used to test the reliability and validity of the Unmet Resource Needs (URN)
      measure. Item development was based on literature review and preliminary study
      findings. A stress and coping conceptual model framed the hypotheses.
      Psychometric testing was based on 6-month postdischarge data (n = 166). Content
      and structural construct validity, internal consistency reliability through 1
      year, and concurrent validity were tested. Change in URN over time was examined.
      Content validity was supported by floor and ceiling effects less than 5%.
      Principal axis factoring yielded a 12-item, two-factor solution reflecting
      general and technology unmet needs. Internal consistency reliability was
      satisfactory for the total scale and subscales at all times, excepting the
      baseline three-item technology scale (alpha = .56). Concurrent validity was
      supported by significant correlations with model constructs (threat, positive
      problem solving, depression, preparedness; p < .01) in the expected direction.
      Functional status and resource use were not associated with the URN. Repeated
      measures analysis of variance (n = 123) indicated a significant decrease in unmet
      needs from baseline to 3, 6, and 12 months postdischarge (p < .001).
      Nevertheless, 42% reported one or more unmet needs at year 1. Assessment and
      counseling on unmet needs is indicated throughout the caregiving trajectory to
      reduce negative outcomes.

PMID- 24217144
TI  - Information availability for a patient with stroke in an emergency department: a
      training intervention study.
AB  - The purpose of the study is to describe the information availability for patients
      with stroke treated in an emergency department and to study the effects of
      intervention training on this information availability. The material was
      collected from two university hospitals with a structured survey both before the
      training (n = 190, 2006-2007) and after the training (n = 170, 2007-2008). The
      study indicated that patients with stroke felt that the information availability
      was good on average. The patients felt that they were best informed about tests
      and their treatment and worst informed about symptoms and instructions. The
      following background factors affected their perception of information
      availability: waiting time, age of the patient, and previous hospital experience.
      Effective intervention training needs to be further developed to enhance
      information availability. Training should be carried out systematically and
      should consist of both basic and ongoing training, and the content should be
      developed in collaboration with patients with stroke.

PMID- 24217145
TI  - Dementia with Lewy bodies: a comprehensive review for nurses.
AB  - Much of the current nursing literature on dementia focuses on Alzheimer disease
      (AD), the dementia subtype most commonly diagnosed in the older adults. There is
      a paucity of nursing literature on dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), the second
      most common subtype of dementia, which is closely associated with Parkinson
      disease with dementia (PDD), considered the third most common dementia subtype.
      Both are aging-related disorders attributed to Lewy bodies, abnormal protein
      aggregates or "clumps" found to cause cumulative neurodegeneration over time. DLB
      is defined as dementia onset that is preceded by Parkinsonian symptoms for 1 year
      or less, whereas in PDD, 2 or more years of Parkinsonian symptoms precede
      dementia onset. Although basic science knowledge of DLB has increased
      exponentially, the lack of nursing research on DLB indicates that this knowledge
      excludes the nursing perspective and its implications for nursing practice. The
      purpose of this article is to provide nurses with a comprehensive overview of DLB
      as it compares with PDD and Alzheimer disease and to propose key nursing
      interventions for clinical practice.

PMID- 24217146
TI  - Monitoring and sedation differences in the management of severe head injury and
      subarachnoid hemorrhage among neurocritical care centers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The emergence of specialized neurocritical care (NCC) centers has
      been associated with an improved survival of patients with severe traumatic brain
      injury or subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, there are no established guidelines
      on sedation strategy or the frequency of evaluating the level of consciousness
      using the neurological wake-up test (NWT) in sedated NCC patients. OBJECTIVES:
      The aim was to compare the (1) monitoring techniques, (2) sedation principles,
      and (3) the use of the NWT in patients with severe traumatic brain injury or
      subarachnoid hemorrhage in 16 NCC centers. METHOD: A systematic survey of all 16
      centers providing NCC in Scandinavia was performed using a questionnaire
      regarding the routine primary choice of sedative and analgesic compounds,
      monitoring techniques, and the frequency of the NWT, sent to the director of each
      center during 1999, 2004, and 2009. RESULTS: The response rate was 100%. Except
      for one center in 1999, all included centers routinely used monitoring of
      intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressure. In contrast, newer monitoring
      techniques such as microdialysis, jugular bulb oximetry, and brain tissue
      oxygenation were infrequently used throughout the survey period. Approximately
      half of the NCC centers used propofol infusion as the primary sedative, whereas
      the remaining centers used midazolam infusion, and there was a marked variation
      in the choice of analgesia in each evaluated year. The NWT was never used in 50%
      of centers and >=six times daily in one center from 1999 to 2009. Most
      differences among the NCC centers remained unchanged over the evaluated 10-year
      period. DISCUSSION: Although Scandinavian countries have similar healthcare
      systems, there were marked differences among the participating NCC centers in the
      choice of monitoring tools and sedatives and the routine use of the NWT. These
      differences likely reflect different clinical management traditions and a lack of
      evidence-based guidelines in routine NCC.

PMID- 24217147
TI  - The experiences of Taiwanese older individuals at different stages of Parkinson
      disease.
AB  - Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition, usually occurring
      among older individuals. Along with increasing handicaps in daily life, patients
      with PD also face problems with psychosocial adjustment. This study explored the
      experiences of older Taiwanese individuals at different stages of PD. Qualitative
      design with in-depth interviews was conducted with participants being treated at
      the neurology outpatient department in a teaching hospital in northern Taiwan.
      The study included nine men and six women, aged 65-80 years, with PD at stages 1
      4. Comparative analysis of the interviews revealed four themes: ignorance of
      symptoms, loss of control, gradual deterioration, and a deep sense of
      helplessness. In stage 1, symptoms were not significant at the onset of PD. For
      most participants, others first detected the symptoms, rather than themselves.
      During stage 2, although they could still care for themselves, they became very
      anxious when the effects of medication disappeared and their reactions slowed
      before they took the next dose. During stage 3, the physical capacity of the body
      decreased gradually and affected the patient's participation in social
      activities. In stage 4, older patients gradually became dependent on others in
      their daily lives. They were upset and worried that the symptoms would worsen and
      make them become a burden for their children. By understanding the perceptions of
      elderly patients at different stages of PD, this study has organized the key care
      requirements into four stages. These include the following: (1) provide more
      information on the disease in stage 1, (2) increase guidance on regular
      medication usage and establish a support system in stage 2, (3) highlight the
      importance of a safe living environment and encourage participation in support
      groups in stage 3, and (4) assist patients to find the meaning of life and value
      of existence in stage 4.

PMID- 24217148
TI  - The impact of restless legs syndrome: a familial case study.
AB  - Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder characterized by
      an irresistible urge to move. RLS has a general population incidence of between
      5% and 10% and a familial rate as high as 77%. This case study examines the
      pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment along with the presentation of RLS in
      two members of a family with near-identical onset and treatment. Cases of
      familial RLS may be best directed toward similar treatment regimens. 

PMID- 24217149
TI  - Lower urinary tract symptoms in men with Parkinson disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, presentation, and
      predictors of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with idiopathic
      Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS: Guided by the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms,
      this retrospective exploratory study used data abstracted from admission clinical
      records of 271 male patients with idiopathic PD enrolled in a movement disorders
      clinic at a large metropolitan Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the eastern
      region of the United States. Data from the admission questionnaire, Unified
      Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, and Mini Mental State Examination were
      abstracted by trained research assistants. Interrater reliability for the
      abstraction process was 0.99 in a randomly selected 10% sample of records.
      Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of LUTS. Logistic
      regression was used to determine LUTS risk factors and predictors. RESULTS: At
      least one LUTS was reported by 40.2% of participants. Incontinence was the most
      prevalent symptom, affecting almost 25% of participants, followed by nocturia
      (14.8%) and frequency (13.7%). Of the 10 identified risk factors for LUTS, four
      significant predictors were discovered: number of non-PD medications (p < .05),
      PD duration (p < .05), number of comorbidities (p < .05), and history of a hernia
      diagnosis (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment for LUTS should be a component of
      every evaluation of a patient with PD. Our findings offer a preliminary profile
      of the male PD patient with LUTS, which is an important step toward effective
      screening, detection, and access to care and treatment. Next steps in research
      include further work to identify predictors of LUTS in both male and female PD
      populations, explore patient perspectives, begin trials of interventions for LUTS
      in the PD population, and analyze the economic impact.

PMID- 24217152
TI  - Spaceflight and ageing: reflecting on Caenorhabditis elegans in space.
AB  - The prospect of space travel continues to capture the imagination. Several
      competing companies are now promising flights for the general population.
      Previously, it was recognized that many of the physiological changes that occur
      with spaceflight are similar to those seen with normal ageing. This led to the
      notion that spaceflight can be used as a model of accelerated ageing and raised
      concerns about the safety of individuals engaging in space travel. Paradoxically,
      however, space travel has been recently shown to be beneficial to some aspects of
      muscle health in the tiny worm Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans is a commonly
      used laboratory animal for studying ageing. C. elegans displays age-related
      decline of some biological processes observed in ageing humans, and about 35% of
      C. elegans' genes have human homologs. Space flown worms were found to have
      decreased expression of a number of genes that increase lifespan when expressed
      at lower levels. These changes were accompanied by decreased accumulation of
      toxic protein aggregates in ageing worms' muscles. Thus, in addition to
      spaceflight producing physiological changes that are similar to accelerated
      ageing, it also appears to produce some changes similar to delayed ageing. Here,
      we put forward the hypothesis that in addition to the previously well-appreciated
      mechanotransduction changes, neural and endocrine signals are altered in response
      to spaceflight and that these may have both negative (e.g. less muscle protein)
      and some positive consequences (e.g. healthier muscles), at least for
      invertebrates, with respect to health in space. Given that changes in circulating
      hormones are well documented with age and in astronauts, our view is that further
      research into the relationship between metabolic control, ageing, and adaptation
      to the environment should be productive in advancing our understanding of the
      physiology of both spaceflight and ageing.

PMID- 24217151
TI  - Comparison of the possible protective effect of the salivary pellicle of
      individuals with and without erosion.
AB  - The acquired pellicle adheres to tooth surfaces and has been suggested to provide
      differing degrees of protection against acidic erosion. This study investigated
      whether pellicle formed on enamel blocks in patients suffering dietary dental
      erosion modified the effect of an in vitro simulated dietary challenge, in
      comparison with pellicle formed on enamel blocks in healthy subjects and to no
      pellicle enamel samples. Sixty subjects recruited from dental erosion clinics
      were compared to healthy age-matched controls. Subjects wore a custom-made
      maxillary splint holding human enamel blocks for 1 h during which the acquired
      enamel pellicle was formed. Enamel blocks were removed from the splints and a
      simulated dietary erosive challenge of 10 min was performed. In addition the
      challenge was performed on 30 enamel samples without pellicle. Profilometry
      showed no statistical difference between samples from the erosion subjects with a
      mean step height of 1.74 um (SD 0.88) and median roughness (Sa) of 0.39 um
      (interquartile range, IQR 0.3-0.56) and the controls with 1.34 um (SD 0.66) and
      0.33 um (IQR 0.27-0.38), respectively. The control samples without pellicle had
      Sa of 0.44 um (IQR 0.36-0.69) and these differences were statistically
      significant compared to those from the healthy subjects (p = 0.002). Mean (SD)
      microhardness reduction with a 100-gram load for the erosion group was 113.5 (10)
      KHN, for healthy subjects was 93 (15.4) KHN and for the enamel samples without
      pellicle 139.6 (21.8) KHN and all groups were statistically different. The
      microhardness and roughness data suggested the pellicle influenced erosion under
      these study conditions.

PMID- 24217153
TI  - Single-institution retrospective series of gamma knife radiosurgery in the
      treatment of multiple sclerosis-related trigeminal neuralgia: factors that
      predict efficacy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has been reported as a treatment
      option for multiple sclerosis (MS)-related trigeminal neuralgia. OBJECTIVE: To
      report the outcomes of a single-institution retrospective series of MS-related
      trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2010, 35 patients with MS-related
      trigeminal neuralgia were treated with GKRS. The median maximum dose was 90 Gy.
      Data were analyzed to determine the response to GKRS and factors that may predict
      for efficacy. RESULTS: Of the 35 patients, 88% experienced a Barrow Neurological
      Institute (BNI) pain score of I-III at 3 months after GKRS. Kaplan-Meier
      estimates of 1-, 2- and 5-year freedom from BNI IV-V pain relapse were 57, 57 and
      52%, respectively. Numbness was experienced by 39% of patients after GKRS, though
      no patients reported bothersome numbness. Several differences were noted between
      how the MS-related variant responded to GKRS and what has previously been
      reported for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. These include the observations that
      development of post-GKRS numbness did not predict for treatment response (p =
      0.62) and that dorsal root entry zone dose did not predict for freedom from pain
      relapse (odds ratio 1.01, p = 0.1). Active smoking predicted for freedom from
      pain relapse (odds ratio 67.4, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: GKRS is a viable
      noninvasive treatment option for MS-related trigeminal neuralgia.

PMID- 24217154
TI  - The tumor suppressor axis p53/miR-34a regulates Axl expression in B-cell chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia: implications for therapy in p53-defective CLL patients.

PMID- 24217155
TI  - Do women with pain and bleeding in early pregnancy require a vaginal speculum
      examination as part of their assessment?
AB  - AIMS: To investigate whether a vaginal speculum examination (VSE) prior to a
      transvaginal scan (TVS) alters the diagnosis or management of women who complain
      of bleeding in early pregnancy. METHODS: A prospective study. Women were asked to
      describe their bleeding as heavy, moderate or light and to consent to VSE prior
      to TVS. TVS was performed to obtain a final diagnosis of pregnancy outcome.
      RESULTS: 221 consecutive women were included in the study. In 14.5% (n = 32)
      complaining of heavy bleeding, blood was seen in all but two VSE and 84% (n = 27)
      had a miscarriage diagnosed by TVS. Products of conception were removed in 18.8%
      (n = 6), but this did not alter the subsequent immediate management of any cases.
      65.2% (n = 144) of women complained of light bleeding, blood was seen on VSE in
      53% (n = 77). Of these women, 25% (n = 19) of those where blood was seen had a
      miscarriage, compared to 6% (n = 4) of women where blood was not seen. A cervical
      ectropion was visualised in 11.7% (n = 26) and 2.3% (n = 5) had a cervical polyp.
      No other clinically significant pathology was detected. CONCLUSION: The amount of
      bleeding reported by women in early pregnancy relates well with VSE findings.
      Performing a VSE did not alter the subsequent management of these patients. This
      study demonstrates that routine objective assessment of blood by a clinician
      performing VSE prior to a TVS is unnecessary.

PMID- 24217156
TI  - Quasi free-standing silicene in a superlattice with hexagonal boron nitride.
AB  - We study a superlattice of silicene and hexagonal boron nitride by first
      principles calculations and demonstrate that the interaction between the layers
      of the superlattice is very small. As a consequence, quasi free-standing silicene
      is realized in this superlattice. In particular, the Dirac cone of silicene is
      preserved. Due to the wide band gap of hexagonal boron nitride, the superlattice
      realizes the characteristic physical phenomena of free-standing silicene. In
      particular, we address by model calculations the combined effect of the intrinsic
      spin-orbit coupling and an external electric field, which induces a transition
      from a semimetal to a topological insulator and further to a band insulator. 

PMID- 24217157
TI  - Interventional cardiology: ischaemic POSTconditioning-a long harvest for a little
      corn.

PMID- 24217159
TI  - Beyond anti-PCSK9 therapies: the potential role of resistin inhibitors.

PMID- 24217158
TI  - So hard to say goodbye: transition from paediatric to adult cardiology care.
AB  - Important medical advances have created a large and growing population of adults
      who were diagnosed with congenital or paediatric-onset cardiovascular conditions
      as children and now require specialized cardiac care as adults. Although some
      adult patients continue to be cared for by paediatric cardiology programmes,
      guidelines recommend that patients transfer from paediatric to adult care at 18
      21 years of age. Unfortunately, lapses in care during the transfer period are
      common and associated with poor health outcomes. Comprehensive transition
      programmes are necessary to maintain continuity of care and effectively prepare
      adolescents and young adults for the differences between paediatric and adult
      cardiac care programmes. Transition, unlike transfer, is an extended process that
      begins during childhood or early adolescence and focuses on patient education and
      fostering self-management skills and appropriate interdependence. The
      perspectives of patients, families, and care providers should be recognized and
      incorporated into transition programmes, and should be used to adapt strategies
      to meet the needs of individual patients and families. This Review summarizes the
      current knowledge on the transition of young patients from paediatric to adult
      cardiology care from the perspectives of all stakeholders, and offers practical
      recommendations for the development of transition programmes.

PMID- 24217160
TI  - The Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) in 2013 and beyond.
AB  - The biennial Congress of the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) was held
      in Dakar from 16 to 19 May 2013 under the patronage of his Excellency, Macky
      Sall, president of the Republic of Senegal. This meeting was remarkable in the
      diversity of its 700 participants from English-, French- and Portuguese-speaking
      Africa. Important aspects of cardiovascular disease in Africa were presented in
      195 abstracts and numerous talks; the topics were hypertension, obesity,
      diabetes, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, coronary heart disease, stroke and
      rheumatic heart disease. The general assembly meeting was marked by the review
      and adoption of a new constitution and elections of a new PASCAR governing
      council that will be in office for the next four years. The new leadership of
      PASCAR has committed itself to strengthening the administrative infrastructure of
      the organisation, developing programmes to address education and training needs
      of African cardiovascular practitioners, developing a pan-African multi-national
      research platform, and ensuring that ministries of health implement national
      programmes for the prevention and control of cardiovascular and other
      noncommunicable diseases.

PMID- 24217161
TI  - Comparison of left atrial function in healthy individuals versus patients with
      non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction using two-dimensional speckle
      tracking echocardiography.
AB  - Left atrial (LA) function has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients
      after acute myocardial infarction. The purpose of the current study was to
      evaluate LA function in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial
      infarction (NSTEMI) by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D
      STE). Fifty-one patients with NSTEMI and 40 age-matched normal control
      individuals were enrolled in this study. Conventional echocardiographic
      parameters and global longitudinal strain rate (GLSR) were measured at left
      ventricular (LV) and LA segments. Compared with healthy subjects, patients with
      NSTEMI had significantly increased LA volumes but significantly decreased LA
      emptying fraction and GLSR. LA-GLSR had significant correlations with the 2D
      Doppler echocardiographic parameters of LA function. In particular, global LA
      peak negative strain rate during early ventricular diastole (LA-GLSRe) was
      significantly correlated with both LA 2D Doppler echocardiographic parameters and
      LV contractile function. This could be suggested as a better indicator to
      evaluate LA function as a preferred parameter of STE. 

PMID- 24217162
TI  - A comparison between size of the occluder device and two-dimensional
      transoesophageal echocardiographic sizing of the ostium secundum atrial septal
      defect.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Transcatheter closure of a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II) has
      become an effective alternative for surgical treatment. In this study we
      evaluated the correlation between the two-dimensional transoesophageal
      echocardiographic (2D TEE) sizing of ASDs and the actual diameter of occluders in
      patients undergoing device closure. METHODS: The records of 54 patients who
      underwent transcatheter ASD closure were reviewed. ASD characteristics and
      maximum defect diameter were evaluated using preprocedure 2D TEE images.
      Appropriate device size was determined by the balloon sizing method, which
      measures the balloon occlusive diameter (BOD) via TEE and fluoroscopy. ASD
      closure was performed under continuous TEE monitoring using the Amplatzer
      occluder in all patients. RESULTS: The mean of the TEE-derived maximum defect
      diameter was significantly lower than the mean of the BOD (17.8 +/- 4.5 vs 22.1
      +/- 5.1 mm; p < 0.001) and the mean size of the implanted occluder device (17.8
      +/- 4.5 vs 23.3 +/- 5.1 mm; p < 0.001). However, a good correlation was found
      between the TEE-derived defect size and the BOD (BOD = 0.898 * TEE defect size +
      6.212, R = 0.824; p < 0.001) and between the TEE measurement and the final size
      of the implanted Amplatzer (device size = 0.928 * TEE defect size + 6.853, R =
      0.822; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: 2D TEE may provide a good equation to predict the
      BOD or the size of the occluder device; however, further studies are needed to
      investigate whether it is feasible to perform transcatheter ASD occlusion without
      balloon sizing.

PMID- 24217163
TI  - The optimal time of B-type natriuretic peptide sampling associated with post
      myocardial infarction remodelling after primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention.
AB  - AIMS: To find the optimal time to evaluate plasma B-type natriuretic peptide
      (BNP), which is related to post-myocardial infarction remodelling (PMIR), we
      measured serial plasma BNP levels according to time protocols after primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: It has been established
      that plasma BNP levels can predict the development of PMIR in patients with ST
      elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the time of plasma BNP sampling
      associated with PMIR is still controversial. METHODS: We analysed 42 patients who
      were diagnosed as PMIR on six-month follow-up echocardiography among 131 patients
      with STEMI. We then compared clinical variables including plasma BNP between the
      remodelling group and the non-remodelling group. The plasma BNP level was
      obtained on hospital admission (acute phase), at two to five days (early phase),
      three to four weeks (late phase) and at the six-month follow up (long term).
      RESULTS: Early-phase and long-term BNP levels were higher in the remodelling
      group. The serial plasma BNP levels, according to study protocols, showed a
      biphasic pattern of elevation. In multiple logistic regression analyses, early
      phase BNP [odds ratio (OR): 1.013, p < 0.01] and acute-phase BNP levels (OR:
      1.007, p = 0.02) were independent predictors of PMIR. However, early-phase BNP
      level was statistically a more powerful predictor of PMIR during follow up.
      CONCLUSION: Consecutive BNP levels after primary PCI showed a biphasic peak
      elevation during follow up. Early-phase plasma BNP level was an independent
      predictor of PMIR in patients with STEMI.

PMID- 24217164
TI  - Epidemiological and clinical features, ultrasound findings and prognosis of right
      sided infective endocarditis in a teaching hospital in Ouagadougou.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Right-sided infective endocarditis is rare. It accounts about 5 to
      10% of all infective endocarditis cases and is prevalent in patients with
      congenital heart disease, intravascular devices and drug addiction. Our study
      aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical and echocardiographic
      characteristics of right-sided endocarditis and evaluate the prognosis after
      treatment. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2011 we recruited all patients
      admitted to Yalgado Ouedraogo Teaching Hospital for infective endocarditis, and
      selected those who had a right-sided location. The Duke criteria were used for
      diagnosis. We analysed entry points and underlying heart disease. The causative
      organisms were tracked using blood sample cultures. Ultrasound characteristics
      were described, and treatment and prognosis were evaluated. Patients' follow up
      was conducted from recruitment to 30 June 2012. RESULTS: In the two-year period,
      14 cases of right-sided infective endocarditis were recorded, including seven
      cases in children. They accounted for 29.1% of all infective endocarditis cases.
      The mean age was 25.5 +/- 12.5 years (range 9-80 years). The venous route was
      implicated in 12 cases (85.7%). Blood cultures were positive in 11 patients. The
      bacteria isolated were Streptococcus pneumonia in six cases, Staphylococcus
      aureus in three and Hemophilus influenza in two cases. HIV status was positive in
      three patients. Underlying heart diseases were dominated by congenital heart
      disease in six cases and peripartal cardiomyopathy in four others. Vegetations
      were located in the right heart in only 11 cases. With antibiotic treatment, a
      lowering of temperature was shown within an average of 10 days of follow up. Two
      fatalities were reported. CONCLUSION: This study showed that right-sided
      endocarditis is common in our clinical practice. This infection was prevalent in
      patients with congenital heart disease or peripartal cardiomyopathy in our
      context, and the venous route seemed to be the main entry point.

PMID- 24217165
TI  - Prevalence and determinants of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk
      factors: data from a population-based, cross-sectional survey in Saint Louis,
      Senegal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of cardiovascular disease is growing worldwide and this
      is of major public health concern. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of
      epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of
      cardiovascular disease. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of
      hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors among an urban Senegalese
      population. METHODS: Using an adaptation of the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic
      disease risk-factor surveillance, we conducted a population-based, cross
      sectional survey from 3 to 30 May 2010 on 1 424 participants aged over 15 years.
      Socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors were collected in step 1. Physical
      anthropometryc measurements and blood pressure were documented in step 2. Blood
      tests (cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and creatinine levels) were carried
      out in step 3. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 46% (95% CI: 43.4
      48%), with a higher prevalence in females (47.9%) than males (41.7%) (p = 0.015),
      and 50% of these hypertensive were previously undiagnosed. Mean age was 53.6
      years (SD: 15.8). In known cases of hypertension, the average length of its
      evolution was 6 years 9 months (range 1 month to 60 years). Hypertension was
      significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), socio-professional category (p =
      0.003), dyslipidaemia (p < 0.001), obesity (p < 0.001), physical inactivity (p <
      0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001) and stroke (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found a high
      prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in this
      population. There is need of a specific programme for the management and
      prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population.

PMID- 24217166
TI  - Pre-treatment before coronary artery bypass surgery improves post-operative
      outcomes in moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has traditionally been
      recognised as a predictor of poorer early outcomes in patients undergoing
      coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of this study was to analyse the
      impact of different COPD stages, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic
      Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) spirometric criteria, on the early surgical
      outcomes in patients undergoing primary isolated non-emergency CABG. METHOD:
      Between January 2008 and April 2012, 1 737 consecutive patients underwent
      isolated CABG in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Gulhane Military
      Academy of Medicine; 127 patients with the diagnosis of moderate-risk COPD were
      operated on. Only 104 patients with available pulmonary function tests and no
      missing data were included in the study. Two different treatment protocols had
      been used before and after 2010. Before 2010, no treatment was applied to
      patients with moderate COPD before the CABG procedure. After 2010, a pre
      treatment protocol was initiated. Patients who had undergone surgery between 2008
      and 2010 were placed in group 1 (no pre-treatment, n = 51) and patients who had
      undergone surgery between 2010 and 2012 comprised group 2 (pre-treatment group, n
      = 53). These two groups were compared according to the postoperative morbidity
      and mortality rates retrospectively, from medical reports. RESULTS: The mean ages
      of the patients in both groups were 62.1 +/- 7.6 and 64.5 +/- 6.4 years,
      respectively. Thirty-nine of the patients in group 1 and 38 in group 2 were male.
      There were similar numbers of risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, renal
      disease (two patients in each group), previous stroke and myocardial infarction
      in both groups. The mean ejection fractions of the patients were 53.3 +/- 11.5%
      and 50.2 +/- 10.8%, respectively. Mean EuroSCOREs of the patients were 5.5 +/-
      2.3 and 5.9 +/- 2.5, respectively in the groups. The average numbers of the
      grafts were 3.1 +/- 1.0 and 2.9 +/- 0.9. Mean extubation times were 8.52 +/- 1.3
      hours in group 1 and 6.34 +/- 1.0 hours in group 2. The numbers of patients who
      needed pharmacological inotropic support were 12 in group 1 and five in group 2.
      Duration of hospital stay of the patients was shorter in group 2. While there
      were 14 patients with post-operative atrial fibrillation (PAF) in group 1, the
      number of patients with PAF in group 2 was five. Whereas there were seven
      patients who had pleural effusions requiring drainage in group 1, there were only
      two in group 2. There were three mortalities in group 1, and one in group 2.
      There were no sternal infections and sternal dehiscences in either group.
      CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment in moderate-risk COPD patients improved post-operative
      outcomes while decreasing adverse events and complications. Therefore for
      patients undergoing elective CABG, we recommend the use of medical treatment.

PMID- 24217167
TI  - Isolated left ventricular non-compaction in Africa: elucidating myths.

PMID- 24217169
TI  - 4th All-African conference on heart disease, diabetes and stroke 11th Pan-African
      Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) conference.

PMID- 24217168
TI  - Can stem cells really regenerate the human heart? Use your noggin, dickkopf!
      Lessons from developmental biology.
AB  - The human heart is the first organ to develop and its development is fairly well
      characterised. In theory, the heart has the capacity to regenerate, as its
      cardiomyocytes may be capable of cell division and the adult heart contains a
      cardiac stem cell niche, presumably capable of differentiating into
      cardiomyocytes and other cardiac-associated cell types. However, as with most
      other organs, these mechanisms are not activated upon serious injury. Several
      experimental options to induce regeneration of the damaged heart tissue are
      available: activate the endogenous cardiomyocytes to divide, coax the endogenous
      population of stem cells to divide and differentiate, or add exogenous cell-based
      therapy to replace the lost cardiac tissue. This review is a summary of the
      recent research into all these avenues, discussing the reasons for the limited
      successes of clinical trials using stem cells after cardiac injury and explaining
      new advances in basic science. It concludes with a reiteration that chances of
      successful regeneration would be improved by understanding and implementing the
      basics of heart development and stem cell biology. 

PMID- 24217170
TI  - Maternal imbalance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in HIV
      infected women with pre-eclampsia.
AB  - Angiogenic imbalance contributes to the development of preeclampsia. We evaluated
      the protein expression of the proangiogenic placental growth factor (PlGF) and
      transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) compared with the anti-angiogenic
      soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor (sFlt1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) in
      HIV-infected normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Blood was obtained from
      110 pregnant women, enrolled in four groups, namely, HIV-negative normotensives
      (27); HIV-positive normotensives (31); HIV-negative pre-eclamptics (27) and HIV
      positive pre-eclamptics (25), and was used to measure PlGF, TGF-beta1, sFlt1 and
      sEng levels. Increased sFlt1 and sEng levels were associated with the pre
      eclamptics (HIV negative and positive) compared with their counterparts.
      Decreased PlGF levels were observed between the HIV-negative pre-eclamptics
      versus HIV-negative normotensives, but levels differed significantly (p = 0.02)
      among the normotensives (HIV negative and positive). TGF-beta1 remained unchanged
      across all groups. Higher sEng/TGF-beta1 ratios were associated with the pre
      eclamptics (HIV negative and positive) compared with their counterparts. This
      study demonstrated increased sFlt1 and sEng levels in pre-eclamptic compared with
      normotensive pregnancies, irrespective of the HIV status.

PMID- 24217172
TI  - Biocompatible macro-initiators controlling radical retention in microfluidic on
      chip photo-polymerization of water-in-oil emulsions.
AB  - A series of water-soluble macro-initiators is synthesized to avoid radical loss
      in microfluidic on-chip photo cross-linking of hyaluronic acid methacrylate
      containing water-in-oil emulsions. Their superior performance over known photo
      initiators through the generation of water-soluble radicals and excellent
      biocompatibility are demonstrated. 

PMID- 24217173
TI  - Fluorographene nanosheets with broad solvent dispersibility and their
      applications as a modified layer in organic field-effect transistors.
AB  - As the youngest in the graphene family, fluorographene has received numerous
      expectations from the scientific community. Investigation of fluorographene is
      similar to graphene and graphene oxide, wherein fabrication is an importance
      subject in the infancy stage. Fluorographene produced by the currently existing
      protocols, however, could only disperse in a limited number of solvents, and the
      dispersions generally exhibit short-term stability, restricting its manipulation
      and processing. To address this formidable challenge, we herein report that
      fluorographene nanosheets, most of which have a single-layered structure, could
      be easily formulated from commercially available graphite fluoride via a one-pot
      chloroform-mediated sonochemical exfoliation under ambient conditions without any
      pretreatment, special protection or stabilizers. Significantly, owing to the
      exceptional volatility of chloroform, our fluorographene originally dispersed in
      chloroform, could be facilely transferred into other 24 kinds of solvents via a
      volatilization-redispersion process, wherein dispersions of extremely long-term
      stability (more than six months) could be obtained. As an example to demonstrate
      the merit of the as-formulated fluorographene and its potential application
      possibilities, we further show that our fluorographene could be easily assembled
      as a modified layer in pentacene-based organic field-effect transistors simply by
      a spin-coating method, wherein distinctly increased mobility and positively
      shifted threshold voltage could be achieved. Considering the excellent popularity
      of chloroform in the scientific community, the remarkable volatility of
      chloroform, the broad solvent dispersibility of our fluorographene, and together
      with the long-term stability of the dispersions, our chloroform-mediated
      sonochemical exfoliation protocol likely endow fluorographene with new and broad
      opportunities for fabrication of graphene-based advanced functional films and
      nanocomposites via liquid-phase manipulation or solution-processing strategies. 

PMID- 24217171
TI  - Amyloid imaging with carbon 11-labeled Pittsburgh compound B for traumatic brain
      injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To image amyloid deposition in patients with traumatic brain injury
      (TBI) using carbon 11-labeled Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C]PiB) positron emission
      tomography (PET) and to validate these findings using tritium-labeled PiB
      ([3H]PiB) autoradiography and immunocytochemistry in autopsy-acquired tissue.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In vivo PET at tertiary neuroscience referral
      center and ex vivo immunocytochemistry of autopsy-acquired brain tissue from a
      neuropathology archive. [11C]PiB PET was used to image amyloid deposition in 11
      controls (median [range] age, 35 [24-60] years) and in 15 patients (median
      [range] age, 33 [21-50] years) between 1 and 361 days after a TBI. [3H]PiB
      autoradiography and immunocytochemistry for beta-amyloid (Abeta) and beta-amyloid
      precursor protein in brain tissue were obtained from separate cohorts of 16
      patients (median [range] age, 46 [21-70] years) who died between 3 hours and 56
      days after a TBI and 7 controls (median [range] age, 61 [29-71] years) who died
      of other causes. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: We quantified the [11C]PiB
      distribution volume ratio and standardized uptake value ratio in PET images. The
      distribution volume ratio and the standardized uptake value ratio were measured
      in cortical gray matter, white matter, and multiple cortical and white matter
      regions of interest, as well as in striatal and thalamic regions of interest. We
      examined [3H]PiB binding and Abeta and beta-amyloid precursor protein
      immunocytochemistry in autopsy-acquired brain tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the
      controls, the patients with TBI showed significantly increased [11C]PiB
      distribution volume ratios in cortical gray matter and the striatum (corrected P
      < .05 for both), but not in the thalamus or white matter. Increases in [11C]PiB
      distribution volume ratios in patients with TBI were seen across most cortical
      subregions, were replicated using comparisons of standardized uptake value
      ratios, and could not be accounted for by methodological confounders.
      Autoradiography revealed [3H]PiB binding in neocortical gray matter, in regions
      where amyloid deposition was demonstrated by immunocytochemistry; white matter
      showed Abeta and beta-amyloid precursor protein by immunocytochemistry, but no
      [3H]PiB binding. No plaque-associated amyloid immunoreactivity or [3H]PiB binding
      was seen in cerebellar gray matter in autopsy-acquired tissue from either
      controls or patients with TBI, although 1 sample of cerebellar tissue from a
      patient with TBI showed amyloid angiopathy in meningeal vessels. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: [11C]PiB shows increased binding following TBI. The specificity of
      this binding is supported by neocortical [3H]PiB binding in regions of amyloid
      deposition in the postmortem tissue of patients with TBI. [11C]PiB PET could be
      valuable in imaging amyloid deposition following TBI.

PMID- 24217174
TI  - Facile synthesis of superparamagnetic mesoporous zeolite microspheres for the
      capacious enrichment of enzymes and proteins.
AB  - Superparamagnetic mesoporous zeolite microspheres with a large mesopore size of
      13 nm and a high surface area of 382 m(2) g(-1) were synthesized for the
      capacious enrichment of proteins and enzymes. A high degree of ovalbumin
      immobilization was obtained (491 mg g(-1)) at pH 6, which is nearly twice that
      previously reported in the literature. 

PMID- 24217175
TI  - Pore-forming pyocin S5 utilizes the FptA ferripyochelin receptor to kill
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - Pyocins are toxic proteins produced by some strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      that are lethal for related strains of the same species. Some soluble pyocins
      (S2, S3 and S4) were previously shown to use the pyoverdine siderophore receptors
      to enter the cell. The P. aeruginosa PAO1 pore-forming pyocin S5 encoding gene
      (PAO985) was cloned into the expression vector pET15b, and the affinity-purified
      protein product tested for its killing activity against different P. aeruginosa
      strains. The results, however, did not show any correlation with a specific
      ferripyoverdine receptor. To further identify the S5 receptor, transposon mutants
      were generated. Pooled mutants were exposed to pyocin S5 and the resistant
      colonies growing in the killing zone were selected. The majority of S5-resistant
      mutants had an insertion in the fptA gene encoding the receptor for the
      siderophore pyochelin. Complementation of an fptA transposon mutant with the P.
      aeruginosa fptA gene in trans restored the sensitivity to S5. In order to define
      the receptor-binding domain of pyocin S5, two hybrid pyocins were constructed
      containing different regions from pyocin S5 fused to the C-terminal translocation
      and DNase killing domains of pyocin S2. Only the protein containing amino acid
      residues 151 to 300 from S5 showed toxicity, indicating that the pyocin S5
      receptor-binding domain is not at the N-terminus of the protein as in other S
      type pyocins. Pyocin S5 was, however, unable to kill Burkholderia cenocepacia
      strains producing a ferripyochelin FptA receptor, nor was the B. cenocepacia fptA
      gene able to restore the sensitivity of the resistant fptA mutant P. aeruginosa
      strain. 

PMID- 24217176
TI  - Compliance with mineral metabolism targets in haemodialysis patients: moving
      backwards?
AB  - BACKGROUND: To standardize therapy and improve the clinical outcome for chronic
      haemodialysis (HD) patients, guidelines have been developed for mineral
      metabolism management. We evaluated compliance with different mineral metabolism
      guidelines. METHODS: 2,951 chronic HD patients from 61 dialysis centres in Spain
      were studied. Mineral metabolism management data from a 1-year period were
      analysed according to KDOQI, KDIGO, and Spanish guidelines. RESULTS: Only 1%
      (KDOQI), 6% (KDIGO) and 11% (Spanish guidelines) of patients continuously
      achieved total calcium (Ca), phosphate (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) target
      range values during the year with higher percentages if we considered the 1-year
      average. The yearly Ca, P and iPTH average accomplished Spanish guidelines with
      different percentage among centres: CA 62-100%, P 59-91%, PTH 61-89%, and 28-77%
      considering all three targets together. The KDIGO guidelines recommend similar
      percentages except for P (33-77%). No differences were found related to eKt/V,
      online haemodiafiltration/HD, weight, body mass index, or dialysis vintage. They
      were only related to age, blood flow, effective treatment time, and dialysate
      calcium but without relevant clinical differences. Patients outside the target
      ranges generated significantly higher treatment costs. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance
      with mineral metabolism targets in HD patients was poor and showed a wide
      variation between treatment centres.

PMID- 24217177
TI  - The role of environmental reservoirs in human campylobacteriosis.
AB  - Campylobacteriosis is infection caused by the bacteria Campylobacter spp. and is
      considered a major public health concern. Campylobacter spp. have been identified
      as one of the most common causative agents of bacterial gastroenteritis. They are
      typically considered a foodborne pathogen and have been shown to colonise the
      intestinal mucosa of all food-producing animals. Much emphasis has been placed on
      controlling the foodborne pathway of exposure, particularly within the poultry
      industry, however, other environmental sources have been identified as important
      contributors to human infection. This paper aims to review the current literature
      on the sources of human exposure to Campylobacter spp. and will cover
      contaminated poultry, red meat, unpasteurised milk, unwashed fruit and
      vegetables, compost, wild bird faeces, sewage, surface water, ground water and
      drinking water. A comparison of current Campylobacter spp. identification methods
      from environmental samples is also presented. The review of literature suggests
      that there are multiple and diverse sources for Campylobacter infection. Many
      environmental sources result in direct human exposure but also in contamination
      of the food processing industry. This review provides useful information for risk
      assessment. 

PMID- 24217178
TI  - Did we get our money's worth? Bridging economic and behavioral measures of
      program success in adolescent drug prevention.
AB  - The recent U.S. Congressional mandate for creating drug-free learning
      environments in elementary and secondary schools stipulates that education reform
      rely on accountability, parental and community involvement, local decision
      making, and use of evidence-based drug prevention programs. By necessity, this
      charge has been paralleled by increased interest in demonstrating that drug
      prevention programs net tangible benefits to society. One pressing concern is
      precisely how to integrate traditional scientific methods of program evaluation
      with economic measures of "cost efficiency". The languages and methods of each
      respective discipline don't necessarily converge on how to establish the true
      benefits of drug prevention. This article serves as a primer for conducting
      economic analyses of school-based drug prevention programs. The article provides
      the reader with a foundation in the relevant principles, methodologies, and
      benefits related to conducting economic analysis. Discussion revolves around how
      economists value the potential costs and benefits, both financial and personal,
      from implementing school-based drug prevention programs targeting youth.
      Application of heterogeneous costing methods coupled with widely divergent
      program evaluation findings influences the feasibility of these techniques and
      may hinder utilization of these practices. Determination of cost-efficiency
      should undoubtedly become one of several markers of program success and
      contribute to the ongoing debate over health policy. 

PMID- 24217179
TI  - Biomedical progress rates as new parameters for models of economic growth in
      developed countries.
AB  - While the doubling of life expectancy in developed countries during the 20th
      century can be attributed mostly to decreases in child mortality, the trillions
      of dollars spent on biomedical research by governments, foundations and
      corporations over the past sixty years are also yielding longevity dividends in
      both working and retired population. Biomedical progress will likely increase the
      healthy productive lifespan and the number of years of government support in the
      old age. In this paper we introduce several new parameters that can be applied to
      established models of economic growth: the biomedical progress rate, the rate of
      clinical adoption and the rate of change in retirement age. The biomedical
      progress rate is comprised of the rejuvenation rate (extending the productive
      lifespan) and the non-rejuvenating rate (extending the lifespan beyond the age at
      which the net contribution to the economy becomes negative). While staying within
      the neoclassical economics framework and extending the overlapping generations
      (OLG) growth model and assumptions from the life cycle theory of saving behavior,
      we provide an example of the relations between these new parameters in the
      context of demographics, labor, households and the firm. 

PMID- 24217180
TI  - A general model of dioxin contamination in breast milk: results from a study on
      94 women from the Caserta and Naples areas in Italy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Caserta and Naples areas in Campania Region experience heavy
      environmental contamination due to illegal waste disposal and burns, thus
      representing a valuable setting to develop a general model of human contamination
      with dioxins (PCDDs-PCDFs) and dioxin-like-PCBs (dl-PCBs). METHODS: 94
      breastfeeding women (aged 19-32 years; mean age 27.9 +/- 3.0) were recruited to
      determine concentrations of PCDDs-PCDFs and dl-PCBs in their milk. Individual
      milk samples were collected and analyzed according to standard international
      procedures. A generalized linear model was used to test potential predictors of
      pollutant concentration in breast milk: age, exposure to waste fires, cigarette
      smoking, diet, and residence in high/low risk area (defined at high/low
      environmental pressure by a specific 2007 WHO report). A Structural Equation
      Model (SEM) analysis was carried out by taking into account PCDDs-PCDFs and dl
      PCBs as endogenous variables and age, waste fires, risk area and smoking as
      exogenous variables. RESULTS: All milk samples were contaminated by PCDDs-PCDFs
      (8.6 pg WHO-TEQ/98g fat +/- 2.7; range 3.8-19) and dl-PCBs (8.0 pg WHO-TEQ/98g
      fat +/- 3.7; range 2.5-24), with their concentrations being associated with age
      and exposure to waste fires (p < 0.01). Exposure to fires resulted in larger
      increases of dioxins concentrations in people living in low risk areas than those
      from high risk areas (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A diffuse human exposure to
      persistent organic pollutants was observed in the Caserta and Naples areas.
      Dioxins concentration in women living in areas classified at low environmental
      pressure in 2007 WHO report was significantly influenced by exposure to burns.

PMID- 24217181
TI  - Economic rationality in choosing between short-term bad-health choices and longer
      term good-health choices.
AB  - Non-contagious, chronic disease has been identified as a global health risk. Poor
      lifestyle choices, such as smoking, alcohol, drug and solvent abuse, physical
      inactivity, and unhealthy diet have been identified as important factors
      affecting the increasing incidence of chronic disease. The following focuses on
      the circumstance affecting the lifestyle or behavioral choices of Aboriginal and
      Torres Strait Islander peoples in remote-/very remote Australia. Poor behavioral
      choices are the result of endogenous characteristics that are influenced by a
      range of stressful exogenous variables making up the psychosocial determinants
      including social disenfranchisement, cultural loss, insurmountable tasks, the
      loss of volitional control and resource constraints. It is shown that poor
      behavioral choices can be economically rational; especially under highly
      stressful conditions. Stressful circumstances erode individual capacity to commit
      to long-term positive health alternatives such as self-investment in education.
      Policies directed at removing the impediments and providing incentives to
      behaviors involving better health choices can lead to reductions in smoking and
      alcohol consumption and improved health outcomes. Multijurisdictional culturally
      acceptable policies directed at distal variables relating to the psychosocial
      determinants of health and personal mastery and control can be cost effective.
      While the content of this paper is focused on the conditions of colonized
      peoples, it has broader relevance. 

PMID- 24217182
TI  - Solvent-type-dependent polymorphism and charge transport in a long fused-ring
      organic semiconductor.
AB  - Crystalline polymorphism of organic semiconductors is among the critical factors
      in determining the structure and properties of the resultant organic electronic
      devices. Herein we report for the first time a solvent-type-dependent
      polymorphism of a long fused-ring organic semiconductor and its crucial effects
      on charge transport. A new polymorph of 5,11
      bis(triethylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene (TES ADT) is obtained using solvent
      assisted crystallization, and the crystalline polymorphism of TES ADT thin films
      is correlated with their measured hole mobilities. The best-performing organic
      thin film transistors of the two TES ADT polymorphs show subthreshold slopes
      close to 1 V dec(-1), and threshold voltages close to zero, indicating that the
      density of traps at the semiconductor-dielectric interface is negligible in these
      devices and the observed up to 10-fold differences in hole mobilities of devices
      fabricated with different solvents are largely resultant from the presence of two
      TES ADT polymorphs. Moreover, our results suggest that the best-performing TES
      ADT devices reported in the literature correspond to the new polymorph identified
      in this study, which involves crystallization from a weakly polar solvent (such
      as toluene and chloroform). 

PMID- 24217183
TI  - Investigation of a method for generating synthetic CT models from MRI scans of
      the head and neck for radiation therapy.
AB  - Magnetic resonance (MR) images often provide superior anatomic and functional
      information over computed tomography (CT) images, but generally are not used
      alone without CT images for radiotherapy treatment planning and image guidance.
      This study aims to investigate the potential of probabilistic classification of
      voxels from multiple MRI contrasts to generate synthetic CT ('MRCT') images. The
      method consists of (1) acquiring multiple MRI volumes: T1-weighted, T2-weighted,
      two echoes from a ultra-short echo time (UTE) sequence, and calculated fat and
      water image volumes using a Dixon method, (2) classifying tissues using fuzzy c
      means clustering with a spatial constraint, (3) assigning attenuation properties
      with weights based on the probability of individual tissue classes being present
      in each voxel, and (4) generating a MRCT image volume from the sum of attenuation
      properties in each voxel. The capability of each MRI contrast to differentiate
      tissues of interest was investigated based on a retrospective analysis of ten
      patients. For one prospective patient, the correlation of skull intensities
      between CT and MR was investigated, the discriminatory power of MRI in separating
      air from bone was evaluated, and the generated MRCT image volume was
      qualitatively evaluated. Our analyses showed that one MRI volume was not
      sufficient to separate all tissue types, and T2-weighted images was more
      sensitive to bone density variation compared to other MRI image types. The short
      echo UTE image showed significant improvement in contrasting air versus bone, but
      could not completely separate air from bone without false labeling. Generated
      MRCT and CT images showed similar contrast between bone and soft/solid tissues.
      These results demonstrate the potential of the presented method to generate
      synthetic CT images to support the workflow of radiation oncology treatment
      planning and image guidance.

PMID- 24217185
TI  - Generic medicine substitution: a cross-sectional survey of the perception of
      pharmacists in North-Central, Nigeria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the views of pharmacists in North-Central Nigeria on
      generic medicines and generic substitution practices. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A
      cross-sectional survey was conducted in 4 cities in North-Central Nigeria from
      April to June 2012 among 330 pharmacists in hospital and community pharmacy
      settings, recruited through a convenience sampling strategy. Data were collected
      using a prevalidated self-administered questionnaire and entered into SPSS
      version 16.0 software to generate descriptive statistics. Binary logistic
      regression was conducted to determine the demographic predictors of preference
      for generic substitution among respondents. RESULTS: The response rate was 46.7%
      (n = 154). Eighty-four (54.5%) respondents reported that generic medicines were
      not of equivalent quality to branded ones. There was no significant difference (p
      > 0.05) in the perception of respondents regarding the quality of imported
      generic medicines over locally manufactured ones. While 143 (92.9%) respondents
      supported generic substitution practices, 105 (68.2%) would prefer to recommend
      generic medicines over branded ones. Hospital pharmacists were more likely (OR =
      2.6; 95% CI 1.2-5.8) than community pharmacists to recommend generic medicines.
      One hundred and fifty-three (99.4%) respondents would support the implementation
      of a future generic substitution right for pharmacists in Nigeria. CONCLUSION:
      The present study showed a high support for generic substitution and future
      generic substitution rights for pharmacists in Nigeria.

PMID- 24217186
TI  - One-pot synthesis of size- and morphology-controlled 1-D iron oxide nanochains
      with manipulated magnetic properties.
AB  - Polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-MA, 2500 g mole(-1)) has demonstrated
      its unique capability to synthesize 1-D ferromagnetic hard (292.7 Oe) gamma-Fe2O3
      nanochains made of ~24 nm nanoparticles vs. PP-MA with 8000 g mole(-1) for the
      synthesis of 1-D ferromagnetic soft (70.5 Oe) gamma-Fe2O3 nanochains (30 nm) made
      of flowerlike nanoparticles.

PMID- 24217184
TI  - Prognostic factors for disease-free survival after preoperative chemotherapy
      followed by curative resection in patients with colorectal cancer harboring
      hepatic metastasis: a single-institute, retrospective analysis in Asia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Converting chemotherapy followed by surgery is known to be associated
      with improved clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with hepatic
      metastasis. This study is to investigate the clinicopathological prognostic
      factors for disease-free survival (DFS) after curative resection of primary and
      metastatic lesions. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of
      76 CRC patients who had initially had unresectable hepatic metastasis, which was
      considered resectable after systemic chemotherapy, and had undergone curative
      surgery in the period from January 2006 to December 2011. DFS was compared by
      assessing clinical data including age, sex, staging, number of hepatic lesion(s),
      size of the largest hepatic lesion and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
      levels. RESULTS: The median age was 57 years and 47 patients were male. The
      median DFS was 10.4 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that
      age <50 years (HR 2.70, 95% CI 1.43-5.10, p = 0.002) and CEA elevation after
      curative surgery (HR 2.20, 95% CI 1.11-4.36, p = 0.023) were associated with a
      shorter DFS. CONCLUSIONS: Given that patients <50 years old or with elevated CEA
      levels after curative surgery demonstrated a short DFS, additional postoperative
      systemic treatment or active surveillance, at least, should strongly be
      considered for this group.

PMID- 24217187
TI  - Multiple sclerosis research: diagnostics, disease-modifying treatments, and
      emerging therapies.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease that affects the central nervous
      system. It is believed to be an immune mediated disease, and although the
      etiology remains unknown, it is believed to occur from a combination of genetic
      risk factors and environmental risk factors. There is no single diagnostic test
      for MS, and diagnostic criteria have been developed to aid the provider in making
      an accurate and timely diagnosis. Once a diagnosis of MS is made, treatments
      directed toward the inflammatory immune response should be initiated. Currently,
      there are 10 treatments for MS: four interferon beta products; one glatiramer
      acetate; one monoclonal antibody--natalizumab; three oral treatments--fingolimod,
      teriflunomide, and dimethyl fumarate; and one immunosuppressant agent-
      mitoxantrone. Each of these agents has a different administration and different
      risks and side effects. Numerous agents are in late stage development, and it is
      possible that several more agents, all with different mechanisms of action, will
      become available over the next several years.

PMID- 24217188
TI  - From the editor ....

PMID- 24217189
TI  - Impact of delayed diagnosis and treatment in clinically isolated syndrome and
      multiple sclerosis.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive inflammatory disease with several
      possible clinical courses; before the development of definite MS, some patients
      may have clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), which is a single attack of
      neurological symptoms caused by inflammation or demyelination. Disease-modifying
      treatments (DMTs) have been extensively used for the management of MS, resulting
      in improvements in the clinical presentation and decreases in MS-associated
      neurological damage. Earlier initiation of DMT in the course of MS is associated
      with better outcomes. For patients with CIS, initiation of interferon-beta or
      glatiramer acetate treatment after an initial clinical event indicative of MS has
      been associated with delays in the progression to clinically definite MS as well
      as improvements in measures of neurological damage via magnetic resonance
      imaging. The initiation of treatment for patients with CIS should be considered,
      and nurses play a vital role in educating patients about the risks of conversion
      to MS and the benefits of early DMT. 

PMID- 24217190
TI  - Pharmacogenetics: has the time come for pharmacists to embrace and implement the
      science?
AB  - Pharmacogenetics--the study of interindividual differences in medication response
      as a result of genetic variations--has emerged as a potentially useful tool for
      individualizing medication regimens for patients. Genetic variations can affect
      drug disposition inseveral ways, from modifying receptor sensitivities to
      impacting drug metabolism. Over the last several years, the Food and Drug
      Administration has been steadily including pharmacogenetic information in drug
      labeling for several commonly prescribed drugs. Several organizations are
      attempting to provide evidence-based guidelines for widespread implementation and
      interpretation. Pharmacists, armed with knowledge of drug metabolism pathways and
      drug-gene interactions, are uniquely positioned to play an active role in the
      education, provision, and clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics.

PMID- 24217191
TI  - Clinical, behavioral, and treatment differences in nursing facility residents
      with dementia, with and without pseudobulbar affect symptomatology.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Characterize the prevalence and impact of crying and tearfulness as
      symptoms that may be suggestive of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in residents of
      nursing facilities, including those with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD [non
      AD-associated] associated dementia. DESIGN: Data were extracted retrospectively
      from a large repository of de-identified and linked Minimum Data Set 2.0 (MDS)
      and prescription claims records for the period between October 1, 2009, and
      September 30, 2010. A score of 1 or 2 on MDS item E1m ("crying, tearfulness") was
      used to identify potential PBA. SETTING: 19,000 nursing facilities in 48 states.
      PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Prescription and MDS records of nursing facility
      residents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of concomitant diagnoses, MDS mood,
      and behavioral indicators, and psychopharmacologic medication use, in residents
      with crying/tearfulness to a control group matched for age, gender, diagnosis of
      AD or non-AD dementia, and diagnosis of depression. RESULTS: A total of 137,829
      residents underwent at least one MDS assessment during the study period. Of
      these, 12,595 (9.1%) had item E1m ("crying, tearfulness") scored as a 1 or 2 on
      their MDS assessments. Ten thousand residents were then randomly selected from
      this group and matched to 10,000 controls without "crying, tearfulness" (MDS E1m
      = 0) for analysis. A total of 4,786 (47.9%) unique residents with "crying,
      tearfulness" had a diagnosis of AD (8.8%), non-AD dementia (31.5%), or both
      (7.6%). All of the MDS mood indicators were at least twice as prevalent in this
      group compared with those without "crying, tearfulness" Additionally, mood
      symptoms such as anger, worried/pained facial expressions, and repetitive
      verbalizations; and behavioral symptoms such as verbal/physical abuse and
      socially inappropriate/disruptive behavior, were more than twice as frequent in
      the "crying, tearfulness" group. Antipsychotic medications were also used more
      often in this group (50% vs. 36.1%), as were antidepressants (59.1% vs. 49.8%).
      CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of an International Classification of Diseases 9th
      edition, Clinical Modification code, the presence of "crying, tearfulness" on MDS
      2.0 item E1m was used as a proxy to identify potential PBA. Nursing facility
      residents with "crying, tearfulness" had a higher prevalence of all mood and
      behavior indicators as well as psychopharmacological medication use, compared
      with matched controls without "crying, tearfulness." Similar results were seen in
      the subgroup of residents with an underlying diagnosis of AD and/or non-AD
      dementia. Further research should validate the actual prevalence of PBA in this
      population, and the corresponding impact on resident outcomes.

PMID- 24217193
TI  - Bisphosphonate use in patients undergoing dialysis.
AB  - Bisphosphonates are efficacious for a variety of antiosteoporotic endpoints, most
      notably for vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip outcomes, including fractures.
      Currently the prevalence of osteoporosis in patients undergoing dialysis ranges
      from 13% to 80%. There are very limited data on the use of bisphosphonates within
      this population. This review discusses the available literature regarding
      bisphosphonates and dialysis. Contraindication to bisphosphonates, which are
      cleared renally, can be justifiable based on the pharmacokinetics. However, the
      medication and dialysis factors that should be considered if bisphosphonates are
      used in these patients include the amount of drug removed per dialysis session,
      the molecular weight, the percent protein-bound, sieving coefficient, dialysis
      membrane, blood-flow rates, and dialysis-flow rates.In addition, much data on
      bisphosphonates and dialysis are derived from nonosteoporosis studies.
      Furthermore, a large portion of patients requiring dialysis are at risk for
      osteoporosis and subsequent fractures, and may benefit from use of
      bisphosphonates. However, with a dearth of knowledge, more data are needed prior
      to making this a routine recommendation. 

PMID- 24217192
TI  - Prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration: an update for
      pharmacists.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Review the current recommendations for the prevention and treatment of
      age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DATA SOURCES: Articles indexed in PubMed
      (National Library of Medicine), the Cochrane Reviews and Trials, Dynamed, and
      Iowa Drug Information Service (IDIS) in the last 10 years using the key words
      macular degeneration, agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), AMD and treatment,
      AMD and prevention. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Sixty-nine published
      papers were reviewed, and criteria supporting the primary objective were used to
      identify useful resources. DATA SYNTHESIS: The literature included practice
      guidelines, original research articles, review articles, product prescribing
      information, and supplement product information for the prevention and treatment
      of AMD. CONCLUSION: AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment in older adults.
      At present there is no cure for advanced AMD, but intravitreal vascular
      endothelial growth factor inhibitors minimize and even reverse vision loss in
      patients with AMD of the neovascular type. In the Age-Related Eye Disease Study
      (AREDS), participants with intermediate AMD who received a supplement combination
      of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc had a greater delay in progression
      to advanced AMD than those participants who received a portion of these
      supplements. In the second AREDS, AREDS2, the addition of lutein + zeaxanthin,
      docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or lutein + zeaxanthin
      and DHA + EPA to the complete AREDS formulation did not further reduce the risk
      of progression to advanced AMD. Subgroup analyses indicated that additional
      research with lutein + zeaxanthin supplementation is warranted as it was
      beneficial in participants with low dietary intake of lutein + zeaxanthin. A
      formulation without beta-carotene may be best for most patients, especially
      smokers or former smokers. Health care professionals will want to consider
      patient-specific information before recommending ocular health supplements.

PMID- 24217194
TI  - New statin labeling requirements: an overview.
AB  - As pharmacists advocate for appropriate use of medications to ensure safety and
      efficacy for patients, labeling requirements for medications should be considered
      before patients start new therapies or make changes to their current therapies.
      In early 2012, the Food and Drug Administration released new mandatory labeling
      requirements for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (more commonly known as "statins")
      regarding hepatic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and glycemic control. These
      requirements are based on a combination of studies, adverse-event reporting
      databases, and literature reviews. Pharmacists should be prepared to advocate for
      patient safety and be ready to inform patients and other health care providers of
      the new labeling requirements and the role pharmacists can play in altering
      current statin therapy. 

PMID- 24217195
TI  - Plasma advanced glycation end products (AGEs), receptors for AGEs and their
      correlation with inflammatory markers in middle school-age children.
AB  - AIM: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and/or their receptors (RAGE) are
      significantly positively correlated with adiposity, inflammation, dyslipidemia,
      and insulin resistance in adults. However, the relationships between AGEs, RAGE,
      and adiposity-related comorbidites in children have not been well studied.
      METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 88 children (age 11-15 years) from the New
      York area enrolled in the Reduce Obesity and Diabetes (ROAD) study, we examined
      the correlation of the AGE N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), soluble RAGE
      (sRAGE), and endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE) with adiposity, inflammatory
      markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha],
      adiponectin, lipids, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretory capacity.
      RESULTS: Pediatric CML levels were ~20% below average adult levels. CML was
      significantly (p < 0.05) positively correlated with age and insulin sensitivity
      and negatively with adiposity, dyslipidemia and IL-6. sRAGE correlated positively
      with esRAGE and negatively with adiposity and IL-6. Both sRAGE and esRAGE
      correlated negatively with insulin secretory capacity. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      suggest that unlike adults, CML is negatively associated with adiposity and
      adiposity-related comorbidity risk in children. As in adults, sRAGE and esRAGE
      were, to varying degrees, negatively correlated with body fatness and risk
      factors for adiposity-related comorbidities.

PMID- 24217196
TI  - Effect of yogurt containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp . lactis DN-173010
      probiotic on dental plaque and saliva in orthodontic patients.
AB  - AIM: To assess how consumption of yogurt containing Bifidobacterium animalis
      subsp. lactis DN-173010 probiotic for a period of 2 weeks affects salivary and
      dental plaque levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in patients
      undergoing orthodontic treatment. METHODS: A crossover, double-blind, randomized
      and placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed with 26 volunteers. The study
      was divided into four periods. During periods 2 and 4, the volunteers ingested
      yogurt containing probiotic or control yogurt daily for 2 weeks. Periods 1 and 3
      were a 1-week run-in period and 4-week washout period, respectively. Saliva and
      dental plaque samples were collected from each participant at the end of each
      period. Mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and total cultivable microorganisms
      were counted. Values were compared between groups and across periods with the
      Wilcoxon's test. RESULTS: There was no difference between the yogurt containing
      probiotic and the control yogurt for any of the studied variables (all p > 0.05).
      A reduction in counts of total cultivable microorganisms was observed in dental
      plaque samples after ingestion of either yogurts (both p < 0.05 vs. baseline),
      but not in saliva (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Daily ingestion of yogurt with or
      without B. animalis subsp. lactis for a period of 2 weeks was beneficial in
      reducing total microbial counts in dental plaque. Therefore, no additional
      benefits were achieved by the use of the tested probiotic strain.

PMID- 24217198
TI  - Rituximab maintenance therapy after autologous stem cell transplantation prolongs
      progression-free survival in patients with mantle cell lymphoma.

PMID- 24217197
TI  - On the way towards a 'CLL prognostic index': focus on TP53, BIRC3, SF3B1, NOTCH1
      and MYD88 in a population-based cohort.

PMID- 24217199
TI  - Supernumerary isochromosome 1, idic(1)(p12), leading to tetrasomy 1q in Burkitt
      lymphoma.
AB  - Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive mature B-cell neoplasm. The cytogenetic
      hallmark are MYC-involving translocations, most frequently as t(8;14)(q24;q32).
      Additional cytogenetic abnormalities are seen in the majority of cases. The most
      frequent additional aberration involves the long arm of chromosome 1, either as
      partial or complete trisomy 1q. A very rare additional aberration is a
      supernumerary isochromosome 1q, i(1)(q10), resulting in tetrasomy 1q. The
      biological significance of this aberration is unclear. We present a highly
      aggressive case of BL in a child with immature B-cell immunophenotype (IP) and
      supernumerary i(1)(q10). Diagnostic karyotyping showed
      47,XY,+i(1)(q10),t(8;14)(q24;q32)[2]/47,idem,del(15)(q24)[21]/46,XY[2]. aCGH
      analysis detected a gain of 1p12qter and a loss of 15q22q25. FISH analysis
      confirmed the isodicentric chromosome 1, which has not previously been reported
      in BL. In the literature, supernumerary i(1)(q10) was found in 11 cases of which
      >80% presented with immature B-cell IP and >60% relapsed or died. Tetrasomy 1q
      resulting from supernumerary idic(1)(p12) or i(1)(q10) is a rare genetic event in
      BL and probably associated with immature B-cell IP. We propose that high
      amplification of genes on chromosome 1p12qter may contribute to the BL IP and
      disease progression.

PMID- 24217200
TI  - Colorectal cancer: screening-one small step for mankind, one giant leap for man.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening strongly reduces CRC-related mortality, with
      the effects of screening persisting for 20-30 years. These observations support
      current CRC screening and surveillance guidelines. At the population level,
      screening contributes to longer, healthier living. Thus, it is one small step for
      mankind, yet one giant leap for man.

PMID- 24217201
TI  - Lung cancer: drug-sensitivity--time for a rearrangement?

PMID- 24217202
TI  - Hepatocellular carcinoma: a teaspoon of sugar?

PMID- 24217203
TI  - Haematological cancer: abnormal chromosomes forecast rapid disease progression in
      SMM.

PMID- 24217205
TI  - Elevated ground-level O3 negatively influences paddy methanogenic archaeal
      community.
AB  - The current knowledge regarding the effect of global climate change on rice-paddy
      methane (CH4) emissions is incomplete, partly because information is limited
      concerning the mechanism of the microbial response to elevated ground-level ozone
      (O3). A field experiment was conducted in the China Ozone Free-Air Concentration
      Enrichment facility in a rice-wheat rotation system to investigate the responses
      of methanogenic archaeal communities to elevated ground-level O3 by culture
      independent and -reliant approaches. We found that elevated ground-level O3
      inhibited methanogenic activity and influenced the composition of paddy
      methanogenic communities, reducing the abundance and diversity of paddy
      methanogens by adversely affecting dominant groups, such as aceticlastic
      Methanosaeta, especially at the rice tillering stage. Our results indicated that
      continuously elevated ground-level O3 would negatively influence paddy
      methanogenic archaeal communities and its critical ecological function. These
      findings will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the responses and
      feedbacks of paddy ecosystems to global climate change. 

PMID- 24217206
TI  - Making inferences on treatment effects from real world data: propensity scores,
      confounding by indication, and other perils for the unwary in observational
      research.

PMID- 24217204
TI  - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma-treatment approaches in the molecular era.
AB  - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin
      lymphoma that affects patients of all ages with a wide range of clinical
      presentations. Although DLBCL is curable even in advanced stages, up to one-third
      of patients will not achieve cure with initial therapy. In the modern era of
      rituximab-based therapy as the first-line treatment, the prognoses of patients
      who require salvage therapy are poor and most will eventually succumb to their
      disease. Insight into the complex molecular circuitry of DLBCL reveals a diverse
      range of somatic mutations and aberrant intracellular signalling pathways that
      characterize distinct molecular subsets of the disease. The next major
      breakthrough in DLBCL therapy during this 'molecular era' of disease definition
      will be the identification of combinations of novel agents that target the
      oncogenic drivers of these subsets. Well-conducted clinical trials, with
      translational molecular investigations, will be essential to achieve the goal of
      precision medicine and expand the number of patients with DLBCL who achieve a
      cure. 

PMID- 24217207
TI  - Teenagers say slim cigarettes are "cool" and "classy".

PMID- 24217208
TI  - Hunt "strained" the law to try to close Lewisham Hospital services, say judges.

PMID- 24217209
TI  - NHS "pays twice" for patients at walk-in centres who are registered elsewhere,
      study finds.

PMID- 24217210
TI  - [Acute myocardial infarction complicated by acute pulmonary oedema and
      cardiogenic collapse during dobutamine stress echocardiography].
AB  - Acute myocardial infarction is a rare complication of dobutamine stress
      echocardiography. We describe the case of a diabetic patient who presented with
      an anterior myocardial infarction complicated by an acute pulmonary oedema and
      cardiogenic collapse during dobutamine stress echocardiography, requiring five
      days' hospitalisation. Coronarography could not be performed because of
      inadequate medical facilities. 

PMID- 24217211
TI  - Ventricular tachycardia-based long QT without hypocalcaemia after use of
      ibandronic acid.
AB  - Many drugs are known to cause lengthening of the QT interval. Ibandronic acid is
      a frequently used agent in the treatment of osteoporosis and is known to cause
      prolongation of the QT interval due to hypocalcaemia. However, no cases of long
      QT syndrome associated with ventricular tachycardia (VT) with a serum calcium
      level within the normal limits have been reported in the literature. We report on
      a case of a VT-based long QT syndrome associated with the use of ibandronic acid.

PMID- 24217212
TI  - Spontaneous retrograde dissection of the ascending aorta in a patient with a
      bicuspid aortic valve.
AB  - Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a congenital anomaly associated with structural
      weakness of the aortic wall. Sudden onset of symptoms in patients with BAV, such
      as sudden severe back pain, and pulse inequality between the extremities or
      tension disparity should alert clinicians to acute aortic syndromes, as they
      require prompt diagnosis and management. Retrograde aortic dissection, which is a
      rare form of acute aortic syndrome, is an uncommon life-threatening entity and
      may produce atypical computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging
      findings, leading to difficulty in diagnosis. We report on a 51-year-old male
      patient with BAV and spontaneous retrograde ascending aortic dissection. CT
      findings were confusing and the diagnosis was made via transoesophageal
      echocardiography. After the diagnosis, the patient was treated with a modified
      Bentall procedure. He did not have any complications and was stable four months
      after the operation. 

PMID- 24217214
TI  - Theoretical prediction of a new two-dimensional carbon allotrope and NDR
      behaviour of its one-dimensional derivatives.
AB  - By using state of the art theoretical methods we have predicted a new two
      dimensional (2-D) carbon allotrope. This new planar carbon framework is made of
      hexagons, octagons and pentagons and hence named as HOP graphene (HOPG). The
      possibility of existence of HOPG is evident from its dynamical stability as
      confirmed by phonon-mode analysis and also from an energetic point of view since
      it is energetically more favorable than recently synthesized graphdiyne. The band
      structure shows the metallic behaviour of this new form of carbon allotrope. We
      also explored the electronic structure and transport properties of a 1-D
      derivative (nanoribbon) of HOPG. Most of the nanoribbons exhibit multiple
      negative differential resistance (NDR) behaviour with high peak to valley ratio. 

PMID- 24217213
TI  - Biochemical characterization of patients with in-frame or out-of-frame DMD
      deletions pertinent to exon 44 or 45 skipping.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the reading frame of an out-of
      frame DMD deletion can be repaired by antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated
      exon skipping. This creates a shorter dystrophin protein, similar to those
      expressed in the milder Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). The skipping of some
      exons may be more efficacious than others. Patients with exon 44 or 45 skippable
      deletions (AOs in clinical development) have a less predictable phenotype than
      those skippable for exon 51, a group in advanced clinical trials. A way to
      predict the potential of AOs is the study of patients with BMD who have deletions
      that naturally mimic those that would be achieved by exon skipping. OBJECTIVE: To
      quantify dystrophin messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression in patients with
      DMD deletions treatable by, or mimicking, exon 44 or 45 skipping. DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective study of nondystrophic controls (n = 2),
      patients with DMD (n = 5), patients with intermediate muscular dystrophy (n = 3),
      and patients with BMD (n = 13) at 4 university-based academic centers and
      pediatric hospitals. Biochemical analysis of existing muscle biopsies was
      correlated with the severity of the skeletal muscle phenotype. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Dystrophin mRNA and protein expression. RESULTS: Patients with DMD who
      have out-of-frame deletions skippable for exon 44 or 45 had an elevated number of
      revertant and trace dystrophin expression (approximately 19% of control, using
      quantitative immunohistochemistry) with 4 of 9 patients presenting with an
      intermediate muscular dystrophy phenotype (3 patients) or a BMD-like phenotype (1
      patient). Corresponding in-frame deletions presented with predominantly mild BMD
      phenotypes and lower dystrophin levels (approximately 42% of control) than
      patients with BMD modeling exon 51 skipping (approximately 80% of control). All
      12 patients with in-frame deletions had a stable transcript compared with 2 of 9
      patients with out-of-frame deletions (who had intermediate muscular dystrophy and
      BMD phenotypes). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Exon 44 or 45 skipping will likely
      yield lower levels of dystrophin than exon 51 skipping, although the resulting
      protein is functional enough to often maintain a mild BMD phenotype. Dystrophin
      transcript stability is an important indicator of dystrophin expression, and
      transcript instability in DMD compared with BMD should be explored as a potential
      biomarker of response to AOs. This study is beneficial for the planning,
      execution, and analysis of clinical trials for exon 44 and 45 skipping.

PMID- 24217215
TI  - Computational and experimental investigations of CO2 and N2O fixation by
      sterically demanding N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) and NHC/borane FLP systems.
AB  - The sterically demanding NHCs 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-ylidene (1a), 1,3-di
      tert-butyl-4,5-dimethylimidazolin-2-yildene (1b), and also the corresponding
      frustrated Lewis pair combinations 1a,b/B(C6F5)3 react readily with CO2 to form
      the NHC.CO2 (5a,b) and the NHC.CO2.B(C6F5)3 (9a,b) adducts, respectively.
      However, N2O activation and isolation of the NHC.N2O adduct (6) was only possible
      for NHC 1a. On heating, the NHC.N2O adduct 6 degrades to 1a, N2O, N2 and the urea
      derivative 7. Nevertheless, an NHC.N2O adduct of 1b was obtained with the FLP
      system 1b/B(C6F5)3. In contrast, for the FLP combination 1a/B(C6F5)3, N2O
      coordination appears to be slower than the self-deactivation. Hence, only the
      self-deactivation product 3 was observed under an N2O atmosphere. DFT
      calculations give insights into the CO2 and N2O activation process with 1a,b and
      1a,b/B(C6F5)3.

PMID- 24217217
TI  - Guideline bone disease.
AB  - In the current issue of Blood Purification, Palomares et al. [Blood Purif
      2013;36:122-131] bemoan the poor level of compliance in dialysis units in
      achieving compliance with KDOQI and KDIGO bone and mineral guideline targets.
      These targets are based almost completely on observational data and rely on an
      obsolete assay for PTH. The so-called intact PTH assay measures both 1-84 PTH and
      7-84 PTH; the latter has been demonstrated to possess biological activity that is
      antagonistic to that of 1-84 PTH. The assay cannot reliably distinguish high from
      low bone turnover in the target ranges suggested by the guideline panels.
      Targeting these ranges leads to an increased incidence of adynamic bone disease,
      higher calcium and phosphorus, and likely poor patient outcomes.

PMID- 24217216
TI  - The importance of Arabidopsis glutathione peroxidase 8 for protecting Arabidopsis
      plant and E. coli cells against oxidative stress.
AB  - Glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) are major family of the reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) scavenging enzymes. Recently, database analysis of the Arabidopsis genome
      revealed a new open-reading frame, thus increasing the total number of AtGPX gene
      family to eight (AtGPX1-8). The effect of plant hormones like; i. e. salicylic
      acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA), indoleacetic acid (IAA), and
      mannitol on the expression of the genes confirm that the AtGPX genes family is
      regulated by multiple signaling pathways. The survival rate of AtGPX8 knockout
      plants (KO8) was significantly decreased under heat stress compared with the wild
      type. Moreover, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein oxidation was
      significantly increased in the KO8 plant cells under heat stress. Results
      indicating that the deficiency of AtGPX8 accelerates the progression of oxidative
      stress in KO8 plants. On the other hand, the overexpression of AtGPX8 in E. coli
      cells enhance the growth of the recombinant enzyme on media supplemented with 0.2
      mM cumene hydroperoxide, 0.3 mM H 2O 2 or 600 mM NaCl. 

PMID- 24217218
TI  - Natural variations in the stress and acute phase responses of cattle.
AB  - Activation of the innate immune system and acute phase response (APR) results in
      several responses that include fever, metabolic adaptations and changes in
      behavior. The APR can be modulated by many factors, with stress being the most
      common. An elevation of stress hormones for a short duration of time can be
      beneficial. However, elevation of stress hormones repeatedly or for an extended
      duration of time can be detrimental to the overall health and well-being of
      animals. The stress and APR responses can also be modulated by naturally
      occurring variations, such as breed, gender, and temperament. These three natural
      variations modulate both of these responses, and can therefore modulate the
      ability of an animal to recover from a stressor or infection. Understanding that
      cattle have different immunological responses, based on naturally occurring
      variations such as these, may be the foundation of new studies on how to
      effectively manage cattle so that health is optimized and production is
      benefited. 

PMID- 24217219
TI  - Effects of coupled dose and rhythm manipulation of plasma cortisol levels on
      leukocyte transcriptional response to endotoxin challenge in humans.
AB  - Severe traumas are associated with hypercortisolemia due to both disruption of
      cortisol secretion rhythm and increase in its total concentration. Understanding
      the effects of altered cortisol levels and rhythms on immune function is of great
      clinical interest, to prevent conditions such as sepsis from complicating the
      recovery. This in vivo study assesses the responses of circulating leukocytes to
      coupled dose and rhythm manipulation of cortisol, preceding an immune challenge
      induced by endotoxin administration. Through continuous infusion, plasma cortisol
      concentration was increased to and kept constant at a level associated with major
      physiologic stress. In response, transcriptional programming of leukocytes was
      altered to display a priming response before endotoxin exposure. Enhanced
      expression of a number of receptors and signaling proteins, as well as lowered
      protein translation and mitochondrial function indicated a sensitization against
      potential infectious threats. Despite these changes, response to endotoxin
      followed very similar patterns in both cortisol and saline pre-treated groups
      except one cluster including probe sets associated with major players regulating
      inflammatory response. In sum, altered dose and rhythm of plasma cortisol levels
      engendered priming of circulating leukocytes when preceded an immune challenge.
      This transcriptional program change associated with stimulated surveillance
      function and suppressed energy-intensive processes, emphasized permissive actions
      of cortisol on immune function.

PMID- 24217220
TI  - The amazing innate immune response to influenza A virus infection.
AB  - Influenza A viruses (IAVs) remain a major health threat and a prime example of
      the significance of innate immunity. Our understanding of innate immunity to IAV
      has grown dramatically, yielding new concepts that change the way we view innate
      immunity as a whole. Examples include the role of p53, autophagy, microRNA,
      innate lymphocytes, endothelial cells and gut commensal bacteria in pulmonary
      innate immunity. Although the innate response is largely beneficial, it also
      contributes to major complications of IAV, including lung injury, bacterial super
      infection and exacerbation of reactive airways disease. Research is beginning to
      dissect out which components of the innate response are helpful or harmful. IAV
      uses its limited genetic complement to maximum effect. Several viral proteins are
      dedicated to combating innate responses, while other viral structural or
      replication proteins multitask as host immune modulators. Many host innate immune
      proteins also multitask, having roles in cell cycle, signaling or normal lung
      biology. We summarize the plethora of new findings and attempt to integrate them
      into the larger picture of how humans have adapted to the threat posed by this
      remarkable virus. We explore how our expanded knowledge suggests ways to modulate
      helpful and harmful inflammatory responses, and develop novel treatments.

PMID- 24217221
TI  - Endoplasmic reticulum stress is sufficient for the induction of IL-1beta
      production via activation of the NF-kappaB and inflammasome pathways.
AB  - The mechanisms underlying pathophysiological states such as metabolic syndrome
      and obesity include endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and aberrant inflammatory
      responses. ER stress results from the accumulation of misfolded proteins during
      stress conditions. However, the precise mechanisms by which ER stress modulates
      inflammation remain incompletely understood. In this study, we hypothesized that
      ER stress alone could represent a sufficient signal for the modulation of
      inflammasome-dependent cytokine responses. We found that several ER stress
      inducing chemicals and the free fatty acid palmitate can trigger IL-1beta
      secretion in various cell types, including monocytic leukemia cells, primary
      macrophages and differentiated adipocytes. We show that ER stress primes cells
      for the expression of pro-IL-1beta via NF-kappaB activation and promotes IL-1beta
      secretion. Enhanced IL-1beta secretion depended on the activation of the NLRP3
      inflammasome through a mechanism involving reactive oxygen species formation and
      activation of thioredoxin-interacting protein. Chemical chaperone treatment and
      the pharmacological application of carbon monoxide inhibited IL-1beta secretion
      in response to ER stress. Our results provide a mechanistic link between ER
      stress and the regulation of inflammation, and suggest that modulation of ER
      stress may provide a therapeutic opportunity to block progression of low grade
      chronic inflammation to metabolic syndrome. 

PMID- 24217222
TI  - ZnO nanorod arrays for various low-bandgap polymers in inverted organic solar
      cells.
AB  - Due to the limited diffusion length of carriers in polymer solar cells (PSCs),
      the path of carriers is a crucial factor that determines the device performance.
      Zinc oxide nanorods (NRs) as the electron transport channel can reduce electron
      hole recombination and transport the electron to the electrode efficiently for
      poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), but have been seldom demonstrated for low-bandgap
      polymers. Here we successfully applied ZnO NRs, which were grown via the
      hydrothermal method, as a platform to enhance PSC efficiency for various low
      bandgap polymers. In order to assure that the nanorod morphology functioned
      properly for PSCs, the growth time, the concentration, and the resulting
      morphology were systematically investigated in depths. Such ZnO NRs were applied
      to different organic systems, resulting in the increase of the PCE for PBDTTT
      C/PC71BM from 4.76% to 6.07% and PBDTTT-C-T/PC71BM from 5.40% to 7.34%. Through
      those experiments, we established a potentially universal and efficient ZnO NRs
      platform for various low-bandgap polymers to achieve high efficiency of inverted
      PSCs. 

PMID- 24217223
TI  - Effects of elastase and collagenase on the nonlinearity and anisotropy of porcine
      aorta.
AB  - We use enzymatic manipulation methods to investigate the individual and combined
      roles of elastin and collagen on arterial mechanics. Porcine aortic tissues were
      treated for differing amounts of time using enzymes elastase and collagenase to
      cause degradation in substrate proteins elastin and collagen and obtain variable
      tissue architecture. We use equibiaxial mechanical tests to quantify the material
      properties of control and enzyme treated tissues and histological methods to
      visualize the underlying tissue microstructure in arterial tissues. Our results
      show that collagenase treated tissues were more compliant in the longitudinal
      direction as compared to control tissues. Collagenase treatment also caused a
      decrease in the tissue nonlinearity as compared to the control samples in the
      study. A one hour collagenase treatment was sufficient to cause fragmentation and
      degradation of the adventitial collagen. In contrast, elastase treatment leads to
      significantly stiffer tissue response associated with fragmented and incomplete
      elastin networks in the tissue. Thus, elastin in arterial walls distributes
      tensile stresses whereas collagen serves to reinforce the vessel wall in the
      circumferential direction and also contributes to tissue anisotropy. A
      microstructurally motivated strain energy function based on circumferentially
      oriented medial fibers and helically oriented collagen fibers in the adventitia
      is useful in describing these experimental results. 

PMID- 24217224
TI  - They see a rat, we seek a cure for diseases: the current status of animal
      experimentation in medical practice.
AB  - The objective of this review article was to examine current and prospective
      developments in the scientific use of laboratory animals, and to find out whether
      or not there are still valid scientific benefits of and justification for animal
      experimentation. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched using the
      following key words: animal models, basic research, pharmaceutical research,
      toxicity testing, experimental surgery, surgical simulation, ethics, animal
      welfare, benign, malignant diseases. Important relevant reviews, original
      articles and references from 1970 to 2012 were reviewed for data on the use of
      experimental animals in the study of diseases. The use of laboratory animals in
      scientific research continues to generate intense public debate. Their use can be
      justified today in the following areas of research: basic scientific research,
      use of animals as models for human diseases, pharmaceutical research and
      development, toxicity testing and teaching of new surgical techniques. This is
      because there are inherent limitations in the use of alternatives such as in
      vitro studies, human clinical trials or computer simulation. However, there are
      problems of transferability of results obtained from animal research to humans.
      Efforts are on-going to find suitable alternatives to animal experimentation like
      cell and tissue culture and computer simulation. For the foreseeable future, it
      would appear that to enable scientists to have a more precise understanding of
      human disease, including its diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic intervention,
      there will still be enough grounds to advocate animal experimentation. However,
      efforts must continue to minimize or eliminate the need for animal testing in
      scientific research as soon as possible.

PMID- 24217226
TI  - AlPOs synthetic factor analysis based on maximum weight and minimum redundancy
      feature selection.
AB  - The relationship between synthetic factors and the resulting structures is
      critical for rational synthesis of zeolites and related microporous materials. In
      this paper, we develop a new feature selection method for synthetic factor
      analysis of (6,12)-ring-containing microporous aluminophosphates (AlPOs). The
      proposed method is based on a maximum weight and minimum redundancy criterion.
      With the proposed method, we can select the feature subset in which the features
      are most relevant to the synthetic structure while the redundancy among these
      selected features is minimal. Based on the database of AlPO synthesis, we use
      (6,12)-ring-containing AlPOs as the target class and incorporate 21 synthetic
      factors including gel composition, solvent and organic template to predict the
      formation of (6,12)-ring-containing microporous aluminophosphates (AlPOs). From
      these 21 features, 12 selected features are deemed as the optimized features to
      distinguish (6,12)-ring-containing AlPOs from other AlPOs without such rings. The
      prediction model achieves a classification accuracy rate of 91.12% using the
      optimal feature subset. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness
      of the proposed algorithm, and deep analysis is given for the synthetic factors
      selected by the proposed method. 

PMID- 24217225
TI  - The ribonucleoprotein Csr network.
AB  - Ribonucleoprotein complexes are essential regulatory components in bacteria. In
      this review, we focus on the carbon storage regulator (Csr) network, which is
      well conserved in the bacterial world. This regulatory network is composed of the
      CsrA master regulator, its targets and regulators. CsrA binds to mRNA targets and
      regulates translation either negatively or positively. Binding to small non
      coding RNAs controls activity of this protein. Expression of these regulators is
      tightly regulated at the level of transcription and stability by various global
      regulators (RNAses, two-component systems, alarmone). We discuss the implications
      of these complex regulations in bacterial adaptation. 

PMID- 24217227
TI  - The protective effect of Bcl-xl overexpression against oxidative stress-induced
      vascular endothelial cell injury and the role of the Akt/eNOS pathway.
AB  - Restenosis after intraluminal or open vascular reconstruction remains an
      important clinical problem. Vascular endothelial cell (EC) injury induced by
      oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of intimal
      hyperplasia. In this study, we sought to evaluate the protective effects of Bcl
      xl overexpression in vitro on oxidative stress-induced EC injury and the role of
      the Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway. Human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 0.5 mM) were used
      as the experimental oxidative stress model. The Bcl-xl gene was transferred into
      HUVECs through recombinant adenovirus vector pAdxsi-GFP-Bcl-xl before oxidative
      treatment. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V/propidium iodide and Hoechst
      staining, caspase-7 and PARP cleavage. Cell viability was assessed using the cell
      counting kit-8 assay, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)
      immunocytochemical detection and the scratching assay. Expressions of Akt,
      phospho-Akt and eNOS were detected by Western blotting. Our results showed that
      H2O2 induced apoptosis and decreased the cell viability of HUVECs. Bcl-xl
      overexpression significantly protected cells from H2O2-induced cell damage and
      apoptosis and maintained the cell function. Furthermore, the level of phospho-Akt
      and eNOS protein expression was significantly elevated when pretreated with Bcl
      xl gene transferring. These findings suggest that Bcl-xl overexpression exerts an
      anti-apoptotic and protective effect on EC function. The Akt/eNOS signaling
      pathway is probably involved in these processes. 

PMID- 24217230
TI  - Unprecedented participation of a four-coordinate hydrogen atom in the cubane core
      of lithium and sodium phenolates.
AB  - Metalation of an ammonium tris(phenol) ligand affords new lithium/sodium
      derivatives having central pseudocubane motifs in which one of the metallic
      positions is replaced by a four-coordinate hydrogen atom. 

PMID- 24217229
TI  - The ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in sulfur dioxide preconditioning
      induced protection against cardiac dysfunction in isolated perfused rat heart
      subjected to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion.
AB  - Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs frequently during reperfusion of
      ischemic myocardium, and preconditioning has been regarded as one of the best
      strategies to prevent myocardial injury during the ischemia/reperfusion process.
      Our previous studies indicated that a small dose of sulfur dioxide (SO2) used as
      preconditioning exerts cardioprotection. However, the mechanisms underlying the
      cardioprotection remain unclear. The present study was designed to examine if the
      extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway mediated
      protection against cardiac dysfunction after SO2 preconditioning in isolated rat
      hearts subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Langendorff heart perfusion was
      performed in vitro, where 56 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven
      groups: control group, 5 MUmol/L SO2 group (S5), 2-(2-Amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1
      benzopyran-4-one (PD98059) + 5 MUmol/L SO2 (PD98059 + S5) group, PD98059 group,
      I/R group, 5 MUmol/L SO2 + I/R (S5 + I/R) group and PD98059 + 5 MUmol/L SO2 + I/R
      (PD98059 + S5 + I/R) group. Cardiac function and myocardial phosphorylated ERK1/2
      protein were measured. We found that I/R in isolated rat heart resulted in
      cardiac dysfunction with a significant increase in phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein.
      SO2 preconditioning markedly suppressed phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein and
      improved cardiac function in isolated rat heart with I/R (p < 0.05). However, pre
      treatment with PD98059 could prevent the above effects of SO2 preconditioning. In
      conclusion, SO2 preconditioning protected against cardiac dysfunction in isolated
      rat heart subjected to I/R via suppression of the over-activation of the ERK1/2
      signaling pathway. 

PMID- 24217228
TI  - How Parkinsonian toxins dysregulate the autophagy machinery.
AB  - Since their discovery, Parkinsonian toxins (6-hydroxydopamine, MPP+, paraquat,
      and rotenone) have been widely employed as in vivo and in vitro chemical models
      of Parkinson's disease (PD). Alterations in mitochondrial homeostasis, protein
      quality control pathways, and more recently, autophagy/mitophagy have been
      implicated in neurotoxin models of PD. Here, we highlight the molecular
      mechanisms by which different PD toxins dysregulate autophagy/mitophagy and how
      alterations of these pathways play beneficial or detrimental roles in dopamine
      neurons. The convergent and divergent effects of PD toxins on mitochondrial
      function and autophagy/mitophagy are also discussed in this review. Furthermore,
      we propose new diagnostic tools and discuss how pharmacological modulators of
      autophagy/mitophagy can be developed as disease-modifying treatments for PD.
      Finally, we discuss the critical need to identify endogenous and synthetic forms
      of PD toxins and develop efficient health preventive programs to mitigate the
      risk of developing PD. 

PMID- 24217231
TI  - Cisplatin versus cetuximab given concurrently with definitive radiation therapy
      for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Whether or not cisplatin and cetuximab are similarly effective in
      improving outcomes when added to radiation therapy (RT) in squamous cell
      carcinoma of the head and neck is unknown. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was
      performed of patients treated with definitive RT and cisplatin (n = 18) or
      cetuximab (n = 29). RESULTS: T and N classifications, stage, human papillomavirus
      status and smoking history were balanced in the two groups; however, patients in
      the cisplatin group were younger and had a better performance status. Delivery of
      RT was similar between the two groups. Median follow-up was 23 (4-64) months.
      Disease-specific survival (DSS) at 3 years was 83% in the cisplatin group and 31%
      in the cetuximab group. Recurrent disease was more common in the cetuximab group
      compared with the cisplatin group (17 vs. 4 patients). Propensity score analysis
      to adjust for differences in patient characteristics which influenced treatment
      selection showed that DSS was indeed longer with cisplatin than with cetuximab
      (DSS hazard ratio 0.15, confidence interval 0.033, 0.66; p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS:
      DSS was superior in the patients given cisplatin with definitive RT compared to
      cetuximab with definitive RT due to a lower risk of recurrent disease in the
      cisplatin group. These observations could not be explained by differences between
      the two groups in the patient and tumor characteristics or in treatment delivery.

PMID- 24217232
TI  - Importance effects on age differences in performance in event-based prospective
      memory.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most laboratory-based studies on prospective memory show a decline
      with increasing age. Theoretical explanations for age differences focus on the
      allocation of attentional resources to support prospective remembering. The
      recruitment of prospective memory target monitoring seems to be influenced by
      perceived task importance. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated the
      influence of task importance on the magnitude of age differences in event-based
      prospective memory. METHODS: Healthy younger (n = 25) and older (n = 25) adults
      were instructed a priori to prioritize either the ongoing or the prospective
      memory task before performing an event-based prospective memory task. RESULTS: We
      found an interaction between age and task importance: instructed higher
      importance of the ongoing task compared to the prospective memory task component
      produced significant age-related declines in prospective remembering. By
      contrast, if older adults treated the prospective memory task component as more
      important than the ongoing task, they achieved equivalent levels of prospective
      memory performance as their younger counterparts, but did so at a cost to ongoing
      task performance. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate that task importance is
      one of the factors determining the presence or absence of age deficits in
      prospective remembering. Findings are discussed in the context of limited
      processing resources in old age and theoretical frameworks of event-based
      prospective memory. (c) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID- 24217233
TI  - Neuro-ophthalmology in Switzerland.

PMID- 24217234
TI  - A novel method to quantify dentine tubule occlusion applied to in situ model
      samples.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop an innovative computerised routine, in conjunction with a
      minimally destructive imaging technique, to quantify dentine tubule occlusion.
      METHODS: Polished human dentine samples (n = 480) were brushed during a 4-day in
      situ study with two occlusion-based dentifrices, a sodium fluoride control
      dentifrice (1,450 ppm) or water. Samples were imaged with tandem scanning
      microscopy (TSM) and conventional scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The level
      of dentine patency was then assessed using a visual ordinal scale ('standard') or
      quantitatively using a specially designed computational routine. RESULTS: The
      occlusion-based dentifrice resulted in significantly less patent dentine than
      controls for the 'standard' (p = 0.01) assessment, but not for computer analyses
      (p = 0.10). The correlation of the number of individual patent tubules counted
      visually and by the computational routine in calibrations and in the in situ
      study was >= 0.8. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a new computer-based
      routine, capable of objectively quantifying the patency of dentine imaged by SEM
      and TSM.

PMID- 24217235
TI  - What happens to functional mitral regurgitation after aortic valve replacement
      for aortic stenosis?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with aortic stenosis (AS) treated with aortic valve
      replacement (AVR) may also present with associated functional mitral valve
      regurgitation (FMR). Whether to also address the mitral valve at the time of AVR
      remains unclear. This study was designed to determine the influence of MR on
      survival and its evolution over time. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 74
      patients with FMR who underwent isolated AVR between 1999 and 2006 at our
      institution. Inclusion criteria were surgery for AVR with severe AS (mean age, 69
      years; N = 47; 64% women) and FMR (grade I, 80%; grade II, 19%; grade III, 1%).
      Echocardiography follow-up data were obtained by mail questionnaires sent to the
      referring cardiologists of all survivors. All parameters were analyzed with the
      Kaplan-Meier method and the sign test. RESULTS: The operative mortality rate was
      2%, and 9 patients (12%) died during follow-up. The mean (SD) follow-up time was
      48 +/- 33 months, and follow-up 96% complete. The follow-up demonstrated a
      decrease of FMR by 2 degrees in 3 patients (4%), and 1 degree in 14 patients
      (19%); regurgitation remained unchanged in the majority of patients (n = 47;
      63%). FMR worsened in 10 patients overall (14%), and new-onset atrial
      fibrillation was found in 24 patients (33%); however, the statistical analysis
      failed to demonstrate an impact of worsening FMR on survival. CONCLUSION: MR in
      patients with severe AS and FMR at the time of AVR does not appear to worsen
      significantly over time. Not dealing with the mitral valve at the time of AVR
      might be warranted for selected patients.

PMID- 24217236
TI  - The relationship between low intraoperative hematocrit levels during
      cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative neurological events.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study is to analyze whether low intraoperative
      hematocrit levels have an effect upon postoperative neurological events. METHODS:
      Our study included 140 patients who underwent isolated coronary bypass under
      cardiopulmonary bypass between 2009 and 2012. The main group of the study was 70
      patients with intraoperative hematocrit levels lower than 22%. These patients' 30
      day postoperative neurological (particularly stroke) follow up was registered as
      the main data of the study. Another group of 70 patients possessing the same
      demographic features who underwent open heart surgery with hematocrit levels
      remaining above 22% were registered as the control group for perioperative
      neurological data. RESULTS: The average age of the patients with hematocrit
      levels below and above 22% was 56.8 +/- 5.8 years and 54.1 +/- 7.3 years,
      respectively. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 37.2 +/- 8.6 days.
      None of the patients had any neurological postoperative sequalae. No mortalities
      occurred. One patient who had mild paresthesia and motor weakness of the left
      hand had no pathological finding on computed tomography and was diagnosed with
      peripheral neuropathy due to intraoperative sternal retraction. CONCLUSION:
      Because our study revealed no cerebrovascular events, coronary bypass surgery
      under cardiopulmonary bypass may be safely conducted even in patients with
      hematocrit levels lower than 22%.

PMID- 24217237
TI  - Comparison of conventional technique and ultrasonographic mapping in saphenous
      vein harvesting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Saphenous vein mapping provides accurate identification of the graft
      diameter, location of the harvest side, and quality of graft and also led to a
      selective leg skin incision. In this article, we aimed to compare patients who
      underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with or without vein
      mapping. METHODS: Patients who underwent CABG surgery with saphenous vein grafts
      (SVG) between January 2005 and January 2010 in our service were analyzed
      retrospectively. One hundred seventy-eight 178 SVGs were harvested with classical
      methods (Group A), and 136 SVGs were harvested after Doppler ultrasonography
      (USG) mapping (Group B). RESULTS: In Group A, 6.7% of patients needed additional
      incisions for graft harvesting than planned before CABG surgery due to unsuitable
      vein grafts. In Group B, SVGs were harvested from left lower extremity in 16
      patients, and the saphenous vein was not suitable for grafting in 1 patient due
      to Doppler examination. In the postoperative period, complications at the
      incision site were reduced in Group B. CONCLUSION: Preoperative vein mapping for
      harvesting SVGs is an effective method in reducing wound site complications,
      hospital stay, and hospital costs and in increasing patient comfort and
      satisfaction.

PMID- 24217238
TI  - Long-term outcomes following alemtuzumab induction in lung transplantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Alemtuzumab is a commonly used induction agent for solid-organ
      transplantation. Its use in lung transplantation with reduced immunosuppressive
      regimens, however, has yet to be well characterized. METHODS: From November 2006
      to March 2008, 20 consecutive lung transplantation patients received alemtuzumab
      induction with a reduced maintenance immunosuppression regimen. Twenty
      consecutive case-controls who underwent transplantation between 2005 and 2006
      were treated with a standard immunosuppression regimen without induction. Outcome
      variables were patient survival, acute rejection, infection, and bronchiolitis
      obliterans syndrome. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 1400 days in the
      alemtuzumab group and 1210 days in the control group. Double lung transplantation
      was performed in 21 patients (12 in the alemtuzumab group and 9 in the control
      group). There was no difference in survival between the alemtuzumab (n = 10) and
      control (n = 10) groups. There was also not a significant difference in time
      adjusted death based on Kaplan-Meier analysis. The mean number of any grade of
      rejection event per patient was not significantly different (alemtuzumab 2.3 +/-
      2.7 vs. control 3.2 +/- 2.35; P = .22). There was a trend toward the reduced
      incidence of infection requiring intravenous antibiotics per patient (alemtuzumab
      2.4 vs. control 3.8; P = .08). The incidence of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome
      was similar in both groups (alemtuzumab 55% vs. control 70%; P = .25).
      CONCLUSIONS: Alemtuzumab induction with reduced immunosuppression offers a
      comparable 5-year survival and rejection rate compared to standard-dose
      immunosuppression regimen.

PMID- 24217239
TI  - The application of on-pump beating-heart surgery for partial atrioventricular
      septal defect: a report of 87 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Partial atrioventricular septal defect (P-AVSD) is a common
      congenital heart disease. Because of the presence of left and right
      atrioventricular valve deformities and the shift in the atrioventricular node and
      cardiac conduction bundle, the surgical repair of P-AVSD is difficult. This study
      was performed to compare the effects on the coronary sinus septum in the left
      versus the right atrium during surgical treatment for P-AVSD and report our
      experiences regarding the application of on-pump beating heart surgery under mild
      hypothermia for patients with P-AVSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of on
      pump beating heart surgery were analyzed retrospectively in 87 P-AVSD patients.
      Of the 87 total patients, 84 with anterior mitral leaflet cleft underwent
      valvuloplasty and 3 underwent mitral valve replacement. Seventy-seven patients
      underwent tricuspid valve annuloplasty, 2 underwent tricuspid valve replacement,
      and 1 underwent left superior vena cava ligation, and 3 patients with atrial
      fibrillation were treated with radiofrequency ablation. Patients with an ostium
      primum atrial septal defect underwent autologous pericardial modified Kirklin
      repair. Of these, 46 patients had their coronary sinus septum separated into the
      left atrium and 41 had their coronary sinus retained in the right atrium.
      Fingertip oxygen saturation was compared between patients in whom the coronary
      sinus was separated to the left atrium and those in whom the coronary sinus was
      retained in the right atrium. RESULTS: There was 1 postoperative early death
      (1.15%) due to respiratory failure, and 1 patient had a III degree
      atrioventricular block (1.15%) and underwent implantation of a permanent
      pacemaker. The fingertip oxygen saturation levels of the left atrium group were
      96.81 +/- 3.17 preoperatively, 95.37 +/- 4.62 at 7 days postoperatively, and
      94.53 +/- 4.95 at 3 months postoperatively. Those of the right atrium group were
      98.53 +/- 2.84 preoperatively, 97.19 +/- 3.57 at 7 days postoperatively, and
      96.89 +/- 4.19 at 3 months postoperatively. During the follow-up period, which
      ranged from 3 months to 7 years, the cardiac function was adequately restored.
      CONCLUSIONS: On-pump beating heart surgery under mild hypothermia is a safe and
      feasible method. The retention of the coronary sinus in the right atrium might
      maintain oxygen saturation.

PMID- 24217240
TI  - Huge aortic pseudoaneurysm arising from the aorta-saphenous vein graft
      anastomosis after coronary artery bypass grafting.
AB  - Pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root is a rare condition and potentially fatal if
      not treated. It may occur in different etiologies. In this case, we aim to show
      an aortic pseudoaneurysm arising from the aorta-saphenous vein graft anastomosis.

PMID- 24217241
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of intraluminally administered serum papaverine for spasm
      prophylaxis of the internal mammary artery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Papaverine (Paveron NTM Linden Arzneimittel Vertrieb GmbH, Germany)
      is a widely used agent for preventing spasm in mammary artery preparations. The
      question addressed in this study is whether the intraluminal administration of
      papaverine can result in detectable absorption of the drug into the systemic
      arterial circulation. METHODS: In 15 patients (age 65 +/- 6 years; body mass
      index 28.9 +/- 3.7), an internal mammary artery (IMA) was prepared during
      coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A maximum of 3 mL of a 1 mg/1 mL diluted
      papaverine solution was injected intravascularly (intraluminally) for spasm
      prophylaxis. The IMA was closed proximally and distally with bulldog clamps.
      Blood samples were taken immediately after administration (T1), after 20 minutes
      (T2), and at the end of the operation (T3). Samples were measured in a liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system consisting of a binary
      pump from Agilent (Waldbronn, Germany) coupled to a high-throughput screening
      (HTS) PAL injection system (CTC, Zwingen, Switzerland) and a tandem mass
      spectrometer (API 4000, AB Sciex, Darmstadt, Germany). Papaverine was analyzed in
      positive mode using an electrospray ion source. Quantitation was performed using
      Analyst 1.5 software (AB Sciex, Darmstadt, Germany). RESULTS: The newly developed
      LC-MS/MS method was successfully established for the detection of papaverine in
      plasma samples. The highest plasma papaverine levels were determined at time
      point T1 (mean 54.7 +/- 39 ng/mL, range 16.6-179 ng/mL). The concentration was
      already halved 20 minutes after administration (T2) (mean 23.3 +/- 2 ng/mL, range
      4.6-118 ng/mL). Because of the short half-life and the hemodilution in the
      extracorporeal circulation, at the end of the operation papaverine (T3) had
      already fallen to just above the limit of detection (mean 4.1 +/- 3.9 ng/mL,
      range 1.3-16.9 ng/mL). At time point T1, a significant negative correlation was
      determined between plasma levels and systemic diastolic, but not systolic, blood
      pressure. CONCLUSION: Papaverine was successfully determined systemically in
      plasma by LC-MS/MS after intraluminal administration in the IMA. Systemic
      circulatory effects are dependent on the detected quantity. Group size and the
      absence of a control group are considerable limitations.

PMID- 24217243
TI  - Hydrogen mimicking the properties of coinage metal atoms in Cu and Ag monohydride
      clusters.
AB  - A systematic study of the electronic structure and equilibrium geometries of Cun,
      Cun-1H, Agn, and Agn-1H; n = 2-5 clusters is carried out using photoelectron
      spectroscopy (PES) experiments and density functional theory based calculations.
      Our objective is to see if the substitution of a coinage metal atom by hydrogen
      would retain the electronic structure of the parent metal cluster since both
      systems are isoelectronic. For clusters with n >= 3, we find that the measured
      PES and vertical detachment energies (VDEs) (i.e. energies necessary to remove an
      electron from the anionic Mn(-) (M = Cu, Ag) clusters without changing their
      geometries) are close to those of Mn-1H(-) clusters, suggesting that substitution
      of a metal atom with hydrogen does not perturb the electronic structure of the
      parent cluster anion significantly. Calculated VDEs agree very well with
      experiment validating the theoretical methods used as well as the geometries of
      the neutral and anionic clusters. 

PMID- 24217242
TI  - A DNA-based method for studying root responses to drought in field-grown wheat
      genotypes.
AB  - Root systems are critical for water and nutrient acquisition by crops. Current
      methods measuring root biomass and length are slow and labour-intensive for
      studying root responses to environmental stresses in the field. Here, we report
      the development of a method that measures changes in the root DNA concentration
      in soil and detects root responses to drought in controlled environment and field
      trials. To allow comparison of soil DNA concentrations from different wheat
      genotypes, we also developed a procedure for correcting genotypic differences in
      the copy number of the target DNA sequence. The new method eliminates the need
      for separation of roots from soil and permits large-scale phenotyping of root
      responses to drought or other environmental and disease stresses in the field. 

PMID- 24217244
TI  - Continuous-flow cytomorphological staining and analysis.
AB  - Cells suspended in bodily fluids are routinely analyzed by cytopathologists as a
      means of diagnosing malignancies and other diseases. The physical and
      morphological properties of these suspended cells are evaluated in making
      diagnostic decisions, which often requires manual concentration, staining, and
      washing procedures to extract information about intracellular architecture. The
      need to manually prepare slides for analysis by a cytopathologist is a labor
      intensive process, which is ripe for additional automation to reduce costs but
      also to potentially provide more repeatable and improved accuracy in diagnoses.
      We have developed a microfluidic system to perform several steps in the
      preparation of samples for cytopathology that (i) automates colorimetric staining
      on-chip, and (ii) images cells in flow, as well as provides (iii) additional
      quantitative analyses of captured images to aid cytopathologists. A flow-through
      approach provides benefits by allowing staining and imaging to be performed in a
      continuous, integrated manner, which also overcomes previous challenges with in
      suspension colorimetric staining. We envision such a tool may reduce costs and
      aid cytopathologists in identifying rare or characteristic cells of interest by
      providing isolated images along with quantitative metrics on single cells from
      various rotational angles, allowing efficient determination of disease etiology. 

PMID- 24217245
TI  - Tip110 protein binds to unphosphorylated RNA polymerase II and promotes its
      phosphorylation and HIV-1 long terminal repeat transcription.
AB  - Transcription plays an important role in both HIV-1 gene expression and
      replication and mandates complicated but coordinated interactions between the
      host and virus. Our previous studies have shown that an HIV-1 Tat-interacting
      protein of 110 kDa, Tip110, binds to and enhances Tat function in Tat-mediated
      HIV-1 gene transcription and replication (Liu, Y., Li, J., Kim, B. O., Pace, B.
      S., and He, J. J. (2002) HIV-1 Tat protein-mediated transactivation of the HIV-1
      long terminal repeat promoter is potentiated by a novel nuclear Tat-interacting
      protein of 110 kDa, Tip110. J. Biol. Chem. 277, 23854-23863). However, the
      underlying molecular mechanisms by which this takes place were not understood. In
      this study, we demonstrated that Tip110 bound to unphosphorylated RNA polymerase
      II (RNAPII) in a direct and specific manner. In addition, we detected Tip110 at
      the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter and found that Tip110 expression
      was associated with increased phosphorylation of serine 2 of the heptapeptide
      repeats within the RNAPII C-terminal domain and increased recruitment of positive
      transcription elongation factor b to the LTR promoter. Consistent with these
      findings, we showed that Tip110 interaction with Tat directly enhanced
      transcription elongation of the LTR promoter. Taken together, these findings have
      provided additional and mechanistic evidence to support Tip110 function in HIV-1
      transcription. 

PMID- 24217246
TI  - Frataxin directly stimulates mitochondrial cysteine desulfurase by exposing
      substrate-binding sites, and a mutant Fe-S cluster scaffold protein with frataxin
      bypassing ability acts similarly.
AB  - For iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster synthesis in mitochondria, the sulfur is derived
      from the amino acid cysteine by the cysteine desulfurase activity of Nfs1. The
      enzyme binds the substrate cysteine in the pyridoxal phosphate-containing site,
      and a persulfide is formed on the active site cysteine in a manner depending on
      the accessory protein Isd11. The persulfide is then transferred to the scaffold
      Isu, where it combines with iron to form the Fe-S cluster intermediate. Frataxin
      is implicated in the process, although it is unclear where and how, and
      deficiency causes Friedreich ataxia. Using purified proteins and isolated
      mitochondria, we show here that the yeast frataxin homolog (Yfh1) directly and
      specifically stimulates cysteine binding to Nfs1 by exposing substrate-binding
      sites. This novel function of frataxin does not require iron, Isu1, or Isd11.
      Once bound to Nfs1, the substrate cysteine is the source of the Nfs1 persulfide,
      but this step is independent of frataxin and strictly dependent on Isd11.
      Recently, a point mutation in Isu1 was found to bypass many frataxin functions.
      The data presented here show that the Isu1 suppressor mimics the frataxin effects
      on Nfs1, explaining the bypassing activity. We propose a regulatory mechanism for
      the Nfs1 persulfide-forming activity. Specifically, at least two separate
      conformational changes must occur in the enzyme for optimum activity as follows:
      one is mediated by frataxin interaction that exposes the "buried" substrate
      binding sites, and the other is mediated by Isd11 interaction that brings the
      bound substrate cysteine and the active site cysteine in proximity for persulfide
      formation. 

PMID- 24217247
TI  - Heat shock protein 90-alpha mediates aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) protein
      secretion through secretory lysosomes.
AB  - Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) protein is a new tumor biomarker in humans.
      Our previous studies have shown that AKR1B10 is secreted through a lysosome
      mediated nonclassical pathway, leading to an increase in the serum of breast
      cancer patients. This study illuminates the regulatory mechanism of AKR1B10
      secretion. The cytosolic AKR1B10 associates with and is translocated to lysosomes
      by heat shock protein 90alpha (HSP90alpha), a chaperone molecule. Ectopic
      expression of HSP90alpha significantly increased the secretion of endogenous
      AKR1B10 and exogenous GFP-AKR1B10 fusion protein when cotransfected.
      Geldanamycin, a HSP90alpha inhibitor, dissociated AKR1B10-HSP90alpha complexes
      and significantly reduced AKR1B10 secretion in a dose-dependent manner. We
      characterized the functional domain in AKR1B10 and found that helix 10 (amino
      acids 233-240), located at the C terminus, regulates AKR1B10 secretion. Targeted
      point mutations recognized that amino acids Lys-233, Glu-236, and Lys-240 in
      helix 10 mediate the interaction of AKR1B10 with HSP90alpha. Together, our data
      suggest that HSP90alpha mediates AKR1B10 secretion through binding to its helix
      10 domain. This finding is significant in exploiting the use of AKR1B10 in cancer
      clinics. 

PMID- 24217248
TI  - Intestinal cell proliferation and senescence are regulated by receptor guanylyl
      cyclase C and p21.
AB  - Guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C) is expressed in intestinal epithelial cells and serves
      as the receptor for bacterial heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) peptides and the
      guanylin family of gastrointestinal hormones. Activation of GC-C elevates
      intracellular cGMP, which modulates intestinal fluid-ion homeostasis and
      differentiation of enterocytes along the crypt-villus axis. GC-C activity can
      regulate colonic cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest, and mice
      lacking GC-C display increased cell proliferation in colonic crypts. Activation
      of GC-C by administration of ST to wild type, but not Gucy2c(-/-), mice resulted
      in a reduction in carcinogen-induced aberrant crypt foci formation. In p53
      deficient human colorectal carcinoma cells, ST led to a transcriptional up
      regulation of p21, the cell cycle inhibitor, via activation of the cGMP
      responsive kinase PKGII and p38 MAPK. Prolonged treatment of human colonic
      carcinoma cells with ST led to nuclear accumulation of p21, resulting in cellular
      senescence and reduced tumorigenic potential. Our results, therefore, identify
      downstream effectors for GC-C that contribute to regulating intestinal cell
      proliferation. Thus, genomic responses to a bacterial toxin can influence
      intestinal neoplasia and senescence. 

PMID- 24217249
TI  - Substrate specificity and subcellular localization of the aldehyde-alcohol redox
      coupling reaction in carp cones.
AB  - Our previous study suggested the presence of a novel cone-specific redox reaction
      that generates 11-cis-retinal from 11-cis-retinol in the carp retina. This
      reaction is unique in that 1) both 11-cis-retinol and all-trans-retinal were
      required to produce 11-cis-retinal; 2) together with 11-cis-retinal, all-trans
      retinol was produced at a 1:1 ratio; and 3) the addition of enzyme cofactors such
      as NADP(H) was not necessary. This reaction is probably part of the reactions in
      a cone-specific retinoid cycle required for cone visual pigment regeneration with
      the use of 11-cis-retinol supplied from Muller cells. In this study, using
      purified carp cone membrane preparations, we first confirmed that the reaction is
      a redox-coupling reaction between retinals and retinols. We further examined the
      substrate specificity, reaction mechanism, and subcellular localization of this
      reaction. Oxidation was specific for 11-cis-retinol and 9-cis-retinol. In
      contrast, reduction showed low specificity: many aldehydes, including all-trans-,
      9-cis-, 11-cis-, and 13-cis-retinals and even benzaldehyde, supported the
      reaction. On the basis of kinetic studies of this reaction (aldehyde-alcohol
      redox-coupling reaction), we found that formation of a ternary complex of a
      retinol, an aldehyde, and a postulated enzyme seemed to be necessary, which
      suggested the presence of both the retinol- and aldehyde-binding sites in this
      enzyme. A subcellular fractionation study showed that the activity is present
      almost exclusively in the cone inner segment. These results suggest the presence
      of an effective production mechanism of 11-cis-retinal in the cone inner segment
      to regenerate visual pigment. 

PMID- 24217250
TI  - Common polymorphisms in human langerin change specificity for glycan ligands.
AB  - Langerin, a C-type lectin on Langerhans cells, mediates carbohydrate-dependent
      uptake of pathogens in the first step of antigen presentation to the adaptive
      immune system. Langerin binds a diverse range of carbohydrates including high
      mannose structures, fucosylated blood group antigens, and glycans with terminal 6
      sulfated galactose. Mutagenesis and quantitative binding assays indicate that
      salt bridges between the sulfate group and two lysine residues compensate for the
      nonoptimal binding of galactose at the primary Ca(2+) site. A commonly occurring
      single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in human langerin results in change of one
      of these lysine residues, Lys-313, to isoleucine. Glycan array screening reveals
      that this amino acid change abolishes binding to oligosaccharides with terminal
      6SO4-Gal and enhances binding to oligosaccharides with terminal GlcNAc residues.
      Structural analysis shows that enhanced binding to GlcNAc may result from Ile-313
      packing against the N-acetyl group. The K313I polymorphism is tightly linked to
      another SNP that results in the change N288D, which reduces affinity for glycan
      ligands by destabilizing the Ca(2+)-binding site. Langerin with Asp-288 and Ile
      313 shows no binding to 6SO4-Gal-terminated glycans and increased binding to
      GlcNAc-terminated structures, but overall decreased binding to glycans. Altered
      langerin function in individuals with the linked N288D and K313I polymorphisms
      may affect susceptibility to infection by microorganisms. 

PMID- 24217251
TI  - Isoform-selective oligomer formation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae p24 family
      proteins.
AB  - p24 family proteins are evolutionarily conserved transmembrane proteins involved
      in the early secretory pathway. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has 8 known p24 proteins
      that are classified into four subfamilies (p24alpha, -beta, -gamma, and -delta).
      Emp24 and Erv25 are the sole members of p24beta and -delta, respectively, and
      deletion of either destabilizes the remaining p24 proteins, resulting in p24 null
      phenotype (p24Delta). We studied genetic and physical interactions of p24alpha
      (Erp1, -5, and -6) and gamma (Erp2, -3, and -4). Deletion of the major p24alpha
      (Erp1) partially inhibited p24 activity as reported previously. A second mutation
      in either Erp5 or Erp6 aggravated the erp1Delta phenotype, and the triple
      mutation gave a full p24Delta phenotype. Similar genetic interactions were
      observed among the major p24gamma (Erp2) and the other two gamma members. All the
      p24alpha/gamma isoforms interacted with both p24beta and -delta. Interaction
      between p24beta and -delta was isoform-selective, and five major alpha/gamma
      pairs were detected. These results suggest that the yeast p24 proteins form
      functionally redundant alphabetagammadelta complexes. We also identified Rrt6 as
      a novel p24delta isoform. Rrt6 shows only limited sequence identity (~15%) to
      known p24 proteins but was found to have structural properties characteristic of
      p24. Rrt6 was induced when cells were grown on glycerol and form an additional
      alphabetagammadelta complex with Erp3, Erp5, and Emp24. This complex was mainly
      localized to the Golgi, whereas the p24 complex containing Erv25, instead of Rrt6
      but otherwise with the same isoform composition, was found mostly in the ER. 

PMID- 24217252
TI  - Receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase alpha regulates focal adhesion kinase
      phosphorylation and ErbB2 oncoprotein-mediated mammary epithelial cell motility.
AB  - We investigated the role of protein-tyrosine phosphatase alpha (PTPalpha) in
      regulating signaling by the ErbB2 oncoprotein in mammary epithelial cells. Using
      this model, we demonstrated that activation of ErbB2 led to the transient
      inactivation of PTPalpha, suggesting that attenuation of PTPalpha activity may
      contribute to enhanced ErbB2 signaling. Furthermore, RNAi-induced suppression of
      PTPalpha led to increased cell migration in an ErbB2-dependent manner. The
      ability of ErbB2 to increase cell motility in the absence of PTPalpha was
      characterized by prolonged interaction of GRB7 with ErbB2 and increased
      association of ErbB2 with a beta1-integrin-rich complex, which depended on GRB7
      SH2 domain interactions. Finally, suppression of PTPalpha resulted in increased
      phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase on Tyr-407, which induced the
      recruitment of vinculin and the formation of a novel focal adhesion kinase
      complex in response to ErbB2 activation in mammary epithelial cells.
      Collectively, these results reveal a new role for PTPalpha in the regulation of
      motility of mammary epithelial cells in response to ErbB2 activation. 

PMID- 24217253
TI  - Biochemical and functional characterization of the klotho-VS polymorphism
      implicated in aging and disease risk.
AB  - Klotho (KL) is an age-regulating protein named after the Greek goddess who spins
      the thread of life. Mice deficient in KL are normal throughout development, but
      rapidly degenerate and display a variety of aging-associated abnormalities that
      eventually lead to decreased life expectancy. While multiple genetic association
      studies have identified KL polymorphisms linked with changes in disease risk,
      there is a paucity of concrete mechanistic data to explain how these amino acid
      substitutions alter KL protein function. The KLVS polymorphism is suggested to
      lead to changes in protein trafficking although the mechanism is unclear. Our
      studies have sought to further investigate the functional differences in the KLVS
      variant that result in increased risk of many age-related diseases. Our findings
      suggest that the F352V and C370S substitutions lead to alterations in processing
      as seen by differences in shedding and half-life. Their co-expression in KLVS
      results in a phenotype resembling wild-type, but despite this intragenic
      complementation there are still changes in homodimerization and interactions with
      FGFR1c. Taken together, these studies suggest that KLVS leads to altered
      homodimerization that indirectly leads to changes in processing and FGFR1c
      interactions. These findings help elucidate the functional differences that
      result from the VS polymorphism, which will help clarify how alterations in KL
      function can lead to human disease and affect cognition and lifespan. 

PMID- 24217254
TI  - Evidence that duplications of 22q11.2 protect against schizophrenia.
AB  - A number of large, rare copy number variants (CNVs) are deleterious for
      neurodevelopmental disorders, but large, rare, protective CNVs have not been
      reported for such phenotypes. Here we show in a CNV analysis of 47 005
      individuals, the largest CNV analysis of schizophrenia to date, that large
      duplications (1.5-3.0 Mb) at 22q11.2--the reciprocal of the well-known, risk
      inducing deletion of this locus--are substantially less common in schizophrenia
      cases than in the general population (0.014% vs 0.085%, OR=0.17, P=0.00086).
      22q11.2 duplications represent the first putative protective mutation for
      schizophrenia.

PMID- 24217255
TI  - Altered parvalbumin basket cell inputs in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of
      schizophrenia subjects.
AB  - Cortical circuitry dysfunction in schizophrenia has been studied at many
      different levels of resolution, but not at the most basic unit of network
      organization--synaptic inputs. Multi-label electron or confocal light microscopy
      is required to examine specific types of synaptic inputs, and application of
      these methods to quantitatively study disease-related changes in human postmortem
      tissue has not been feasible for technical reasons. We recently developed a multi
      label confocal light microscopic approach that makes possible the systematic
      identification and quantification of synaptic inputs, and of the relative levels
      of proteins localized to these inputs, in human postmortem tissue. We applied
      this approach to quantify parvalbumin basket cell (PVBC) inputs in area 9 of the
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from schizophrenia and matched comparison
      subjects. Tissue sections were triple-labeled for the 65 kD isoform of glutamic
      acid decarboxylase (GAD65), PV and the GABA(A) receptor alpha1 subunit. PVBC
      axonal boutons were defined as PV/GAD65 dual-labeled puncta, and PVBC inputs were
      defined as a PVBC bouton that overlapped a GABA(A) receptor alpha1 subunit
      punctum. The density of PVBC inputs was unchanged in subjects with schizophrenia,
      but levels of PV protein were lower in PVBC boutons. In concert with prior
      reports, these findings indicate that PVBC dysfunction in schizophrenia reflects
      molecular and not structural alterations in these cells and their axon terminals.

PMID- 24217257
TI  - Are critical deterioration events the right metric to determine the impact of
      rapid response systems?

PMID- 24217256
TI  - Major depressive disorder and accelerated cellular aging: results from a large
      psychiatric cohort study.
AB  - Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have an increased onset risk of
      aging-related somatic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and
      cancer. This suggests mechanisms of accelerated biological aging among the
      depressed, which can be indicated by a shorter length of telomeres. We examine
      whether MDD is associated with accelerated biological aging, and whether
      depression characteristics such as severity, duration, and psychoactive
      medication do further impact on biological aging. Data are from the Netherlands
      Study of Depression and Anxiety, including 1095 current MDD patients, 802
      remitted MDD patients and 510 control subjects. Telomere length (TL) was assessed
      as the telomere sequence copy number (T) compared to a single-copy gene copy
      number (S) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This resulted in a T/S
      ratio and was converted to base pairs (bp). MDD diagnosis and MDD characteristics
      were determined by self-report questionnaires and structured psychiatric
      interviews. Compared with control subjects (mean bp=5541), sociodemographic
      adjusted TL was shorter among remitted MDD patients (mean bp=5459; P=0.014) and
      current MDD patients (mean bp=5461; P=0.012). Adjustment for health and lifestyle
      variables did not reduce the associations. Within the current MDD patients,
      separate analyses showed that both higher depression severity (P<0.01) and longer
      symptom duration in the past 4 years (P=0.01) were associated with shorter TL.
      Our results demonstrate that depressed patients show accelerated cellular aging
      according to a 'dose-response' gradient: those with the most severe and chronic
      MDD showed the shortest TL. We also confirmed the imprint of past exposure to
      depression, as those with remitted MDD had shorter TL than controls. 

PMID- 24217258
TI  - Cardiotropic viral infection in HIV-associated cardiomyopathy: pathogen or
      innocent bystander?

PMID- 24217259
TI  - Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/non-compaction in a pregnant woman.

PMID- 24217261
TI  - Effects of single aortic clamping versus partial aortic clamping techniques on
      post-operative stroke during coronary artery bypass surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of single-clamping
      and partial-clamping techniques on postoperative stroke during coronary artery
      bypass surgery. METHODS: Between December 2008 and December 2012, 2 000 patients
      who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in two hospitals were analysed.
      Post-operative neurological complications were analysed retrospectively in these
      patients. The cases were divided into two groups: in group 1, 1 500 patients were
      analysed, in whom proximal anastomosis was performed with partial clamping in a
      beating heart (n = 1 500, 846 male, 654 female; mean age 63.25 +/- 5.72 years;
      range 43-78 years). In group 2, 500 patients were analysed, in whom proximal
      anastomosis had been performed by other surgical teams in another hospital, with
      cross clamping in a resting heart with cardioplegia (n = 500, 296 male, 214
      female; mean age 64.83 +/- 8.12 years; range 41-81 years). During 30 days post
      operatively, neurological deficits, stroke incidence and the relationship of the
      clinical situation to mortality were analysed. RESULTS: For both groups, patients
      were similar in terms of patient characteristics. In group 2, cross-clamp
      duration and perfusion time were longer; however, time of hospital stay was
      similar in the two groups. Post-operative stroke was seen in 26 patients in group
      1 (1.73%) and in nine in group 2 (1.8%). The difference between the two groups
      was not statistically significant (p = 0.92). All stroke patients were over the
      age of 55 years. Seven of the stroke patients died (21.1%). In total, 31 patients
      died because of multiple organ failure in the postoperative 30 days (group 1:
      1.6%; group 2: 1.4%) (p = 0.91). Smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atrial
      fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease and hypercholesterolaemia were found to
      be factors that affected stroke development. Mean duration of hospital stay was
      5.1 +/- 2.8 days in group 1 and 4.9 +/- 3.6 days in group 2 and the difference
      between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.46). CONCLUSION:
      In patients without plaques in the aorta, performing partial clamping did not
      increase stroke incidence.

PMID- 24217260
TI  - Awareness of hypertension and factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension
      in Sudanese adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of hypertension (HTN) has increased rapidly in the
      Sudan in the last few years. The aim of this study was to determine the
      prevalence of uncontrolled HTN and the risk factors associated with it in
      Sudanese adults. METHODS: This study was cross sectional. Data were collected
      using structured questionnaires filled in during interviews with subjects
      visiting referral clinics in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan. Blood pressure
      (BP) was measured using a digital sphygmomanometer. A digital balance was used
      for determination of body weight and a traditional cloth tape measure was used
      for measuring height, for calculation of body mass index. RESULTS: This study
      included 200 subjects, 46% male and 54% female. In the whole study, 82% of
      subjects (p < 0.001) were on hypertension drug treatment. Of these, 64% had their
      BP controlled to normal standards set by the World Health Organistion (< 140/90
      mmHg). The prevalence of uncontrolled BP was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in
      males (61%) compared to females (15%). When the risk factors of HTN were
      considered, 54% of the subjects had a positive family history of HTN and 52% were
      smokers. Uncontrolled BP was found to be significantly (p < 0.001) higher in
      smoking males (43%) compared to females (4%). It was also high in people with
      higher education (55%) and workers (41%). In these groups, when genders were
      considered separately, uncontrolled hypertension was significantly (p < 0.01)
      higher in males than females with higher education (67 and 40%, respectively),
      and in workers (86 and 10%, respectively). Uncontrolled HTN was associated with
      overweight and obesity in 45 and 29% of the subjects, respectively. Most of the
      interviewed subjects were not aware of the consequences of HTN and its associated
      risk factors. CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled HTN was associated with risk factors of
      HTN and lifestyle, and was more prominent in the male gender. The ignorance of
      the interviewed subjects about HTN, its associated risk factors, changes in
      lifestyle and adherence to taking the medication may have been a major factor in
      the prevalence of uncontrolled HTN.

PMID- 24217262
TI  - Ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass did not attenuate inflammatory response
      or affect postoperative outcomes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cardiopulmonary bypass causes a series of inflammatory events that
      have adverse effects on the outcome. The release of cytokines, including
      interleukins, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of the process.
      Simultaneously, cessation of ventilation and pulmonary blood flow contribute to
      ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the lungs when reperfusion is maintained.
      Collapse of the lungs during cardiopulmonary bypass leads to postoperative
      atelectasis, which correlates with the amount of intrapulmonary shunt.
      Atelectasis also causes post-perfusion lung injury. In this study, we aimed to
      document the effects of continued low-frequency ventilation on the inflammatory
      response following cardiopulmonary bypass and on outcomes, particularly pulmonary
      function. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients subjected to elective coronary bypass
      surgery were prospectively randomised to two groups, continuous ventilation (5
      ml/kg tidal volume, 5/min frequency, zero end-expiratory pressure) and no
      ventilation, during cardiopulmonary bypass. Serum interleukins 6, 8 and 10 (as
      inflammatory markers), and serum lactate (as a marker for pulmonary injury)
      levels were studied, and alveolar- arterial oxygen gradient measurements were
      made after the induction of anaesthesia, and immediately, one and six hours after
      the discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: There were 29 patients in
      the non-ventilated and 30 in the continuously ventilated groups. The pre
      operative demographics and intra-operative characteristics of the patients were
      comparable. The serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) increased with time, and
      levels were higher in the nonventilated group only immediately after
      discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass. IL-8 levels significantly increased
      only in the non-ventilated group, but the levels did not differ between the
      groups. Serum levels of IL-10 and lactate also increased with time, and levels of
      both were higher in the non-ventilated group only immediately after the
      discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient
      measurements were higher in the non-ventilated group, except for six hours after
      the discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass. The intubation time, length of
      stay in intensive care unit and hospital, postoperative adverse events and
      mortality rates were not different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Despite higher
      cytokine and lactate levels and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradients in specific
      time periods, an attenuation in the inflammatory response following
      cardiopulmonary bypass due to low-frequency, low-tidal volume ventilation could
      not be documented. Clinical parameters concerning pulmonary and other major
      system functions and occurrence of postoperative adverse events were not affected
      by continuous ventilation.

PMID- 24217263
TI  - Long QT syndrome in South Africa: the results of comprehensive genetic screening.
AB  - Congenital long QT syndrome (cLQTS) is a genetic disorder predisposing to
      ventricular arrhythmia, syncope and sudden death. Over 700 different cLQTS
      causing mutations in 13 genes are known. The genetic spectrum of LQTS in 44 South
      African cLQTS patients (23 known to carry the South African founder mutation
      p.A341V in KCNQ1) was established by screening for mutations in the coding
      regions of KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1, KCNE2 and SCN5A, the most frequently implicated
      cLQTS-causing genes (five-gene screening). Fourteen disease-causing mutations
      were identified, eight (including the founder mutation) in KCNQ1, five in KCNH2
      and one in KCNE1. Two mutations were novel. Two double heterozygotes were found
      among the 23 families (8.5%) carrying the founder mutation. In conclusion, cLQTS
      in South Africa reflects both a strong founder effect and a genetic spectrum
      similar to that seen in other populations. Consequently, five-gene screening
      should be offered as a standard screening option, as is the case internationally.
      This will disclose compound and double heterozygotes. Fivegene screening will
      most likely be even more informative in other South African sub-populations with
      a greater genetic diversity. 

PMID- 24217264
TI  - Gender and ethnic differences in the control of hyperlipidaemia and other
      vascular risk factors: insights from the CEntralised Pan-South African survey on
      tHE Under-treatment of hypercholeSterolaemia (CEPHEUS SA) study.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the CEntralised Pan-South African survey on tHE Under-treatment
      of hypercholeSterolaemia (CEPHEUS SA) was to evaluate the current use and
      efficacy of lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs) in urban patients of different ethnicity
      with hyperlipidaemia, and to identify possible patient characteristics associated
      with failure to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets.
      There is little published data on LDL-C attainment from developing countries.
      METHOD: The survey was conducted in 69 study centres in South Africa and
      recruited consecutive patients who had been prescribed LLDs for at least three
      months with no dose adjustment for six weeks. All patients provided written
      consent. One visit was scheduled for data collection, including fasting lipid and
      glucose, and HbA1c levels. RESULTS: Of the 3 001 patients recruited, 2 996 were
      included in the final analyses; 1 385 subjects were of Caucasian origin (818
      male), 510 of African ancestry (168 male), 481 of mixed ancestry (222 male) and
      620 of Asian origin (364 male). Only 60.5% of patients on LLDs for at least three
      months achieved the LDL-C targets recommended by the NCEP ATP III/2004 updated
      NCEP ATP III guidelines and 52.3% the fourth JETF/South African guidelines.
      African females were on average younger than females of other ethnic origins, and
      had the lowest smoking rates but the highest prevalence of obesity, hypertension,
      the metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus (DM), with the worst glycaemic
      control. Although women were less likely than men to reach goal [OR 0.65 (CI 0.54
      0.77), p < 0.001 for NCEP ATP III guidelines and OR 0.76 (CI 0.64-0.91), p <
      0.003 for fourth JETF guidelines], women of African ancestry were just as likely
      not to reach goal as their Caucasian counterparts. CONCLUSION: The results of
      this survey highlight the sub-optimal lipid control achieved in many South
      African patients, and profile important gender and ethnic differences. Control of
      cardiovascular disease risk factors across gender and ethnic groups remains poor.

PMID- 24217265
TI  - Anticoagulation: 'putting new evidence into clinical practice'.

PMID- 24217267
TI  - Genetics: KSR2 mutations affect energy balance, insulin sensitivity and cellular
      fuel oxidation.

PMID- 24217268
TI  - Technology: Let there be light: new implantable hydrogels for in vivo optical
      sensing and therapy.

PMID- 24217269
TI  - Central venous catheters.

PMID- 24217270
TI  - Leptin and ghrelin levels in children before and after adenoidectomy or
      adenotonsillectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Accelerated weight gain after (adeno)tonsillectomy has been
      reported in a number of studies. Whether (adeno)tonsillectomy is also a risk
      factor for development of overweight is unknown. We investigated serum leptin and
      plasma ghrelin levels before and 1 year after (adeno)tonsillectomy operation in
      children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 31 patients and 29 age- and sex
      matched healthy control children. Auxologic evaluation and biochemical
      investigations were performed before surgery and 1 year later. RESULTS: One year
      after surgery, height SDS (p = 0.001) and weight SDS (p = 0.004) were
      significantly increased in both groups. No changes in BMI SDS (p = 0.105) were
      observed. Preoperative leptin levels were significantly higher in patients than
      controls (p < 0.001). IGF-1, IGFBP-3, HOMA-IR and ghrelin values were not
      significantly different between the groups. One year after surgery, IGF-1 (p =
      0.001) and IGFBP-3 (p = 0.001) were significantly increased, while ghrelin (p <
      0.001) was significantly decreased. Postoperative leptin levels of patients were
      also significantly higher than preoperative values (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION:
      Significantly higher leptin levels in patients compared to control both before
      and 1 year after an obstruction-relieving surgery suggested that higher levels
      might be due to leptin resistance in these patients. Based on our findings we
      recommend measurement of leptin levels longitudinally for at least 5 years after
      adenotonsillectomy.

PMID- 24217271
TI  - Highly active PtAu alloy nanoparticle catalysts for the reduction of 4
      nitrophenol.
AB  - To enhance the catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the
      hydrogenation of nitro-aromatic chemicals, Pt was introduced into AuNPs to form
      "bare" PtAu alloy NPs using a physical approach, pulsed laser ablation in liquid
      (PLAL), on single metal-mixture targets. These PLAL-NPs are deemed to favor
      catalysis due to the absence of any surfactant molecules on their unique "bare
      and clean" surface. The PLAL-NPs were facilely assembled onto CeO2 nanotubes
      (NTs) by simply mixing them without conducting any surface functionalization,
      representing another advantage of these NPs. Their catalytic activity was
      assessed in 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) hydrogenation. The reaction catalyzed by alloy
      NP/CeO2-NT catalysts demonstrates a remarkably higher reaction rate in comparison
      with that catalyzed by pure Au and Pt NPs, and other similar Au and Pt containing
      catalysts reported recently. A "volcano-like" catalytic activity dependence of
      the alloy NPs on their chemical composition suggests a strong synergistic effect
      between Au and Pt in the 4-NP reduction, far beyond the simple sum of their
      individual contributions. It leads to the significantly enhanced catalytic
      activity of Pt30Au70 and Pt50Au50 alloy NPs, outperforming not only each single
      constituent, but also their physical mixtures and most recently reported AuNP
      based nanocatalysts. The favorable d-band center shift of Pt after alloying, and
      co-operative actions between Pt clusters and nearby Au (or mixed PtAu) sites were
      proposed as possible mechanisms to explain such a strong synergistic effect on
      catalysis. 

PMID- 24217272
TI  - Reduced levels of mitochondrial complex I subunit NDUFB8 and linked complex I +
      III oxidoreductase activity in the TgCRND8 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Bioenergetic failure is a feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined
      mitochondrial function in the amyloid-beta protein precursor transgenic 'TgCRND8'
      mouse model of AD. Activities of NADH: cytochrome c reductase (complex I + III)
      and cytochrome oxidase (complex IV) of the electron transport chain, as well as
      those of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (alpha-KGDH) and pyruvate
      dehydrogenase (PDH) were assessed in brains of 45 week-old mice. Complex I + III
      activity was reduced by almost 50%, whereas complex IV, alpha-KGDH, and PDH
      activities were unaffected. Reduced activity coincided with decreased expression
      of NDUFB8, a nuclear-DNA encoded subunit integral to the assembly of complex I.
      The composition and availability of cardiolipin, a major phospholipid in inner
      mitochondrial membranes, was not altered. To determine whether mitochondrial
      output is affected by the selective reduction in complex I + III activity, we
      examined tissue levels of high-energy phosphates. ATP was maintained whereas
      creatine increased in the cortex and hippocampus. These results suggest
      disruption of complex I function and the likely role of creatine in sustaining
      ATP at late stages of dysfunction in TgCRND8 mice. 

PMID- 24217273
TI  - Discrepancies regarding the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer's disease:
      a three-year longitudinal study.
AB  - Cross-sectional studies report notable discrepancies between patient and
      caregiver ratings of the quality of life of patients (QoL-p) with Alzheimer's
      disease (AD). This study aimed to identify the factors associated with any
      changes in QoL-p ratings and any discrepancies between patient and caregiver
      ratings of QoL-p. Three-year follow-up of a cohort of non-institutionalized
      patients (n = 119). QoL-p was assessed by the Quality of Life in AD (QoL-AD)
      scale. We analyzed the influence of functional and cognitive status and
      behavioral problems in patients, and burden and mental health in caregivers.
      Repeated measures analysis was applied to the scores of patients and caregivers
      on the QoL-AD, and to the discrepancies between them. Generally, patients' own
      ratings remained stable over time (F3,116 = 0.9, p = 0.439), whereas caregiver
      ratings showed a decline (F3,116 = 9.4, p < 0.001). In the analysis of
      discrepancies, patients with anosognosia gave higher ratings (F1,117 = 11.9, p =
      0.001), whereas caregiver ratings were lower when the patient showed greater
      agitation (F1,117 = 13.0, p < 0.001), apathy (F1,117 = 15.4, p < 0.001), and
      disabilities (F1,117 = 17.1, p < 0.001), and when the caregiver experienced
      greater burden (F1,117 = 9.0, p = 0.003) and worse mental health (F1,117 = 10.1,
      p = 0.003). Patient ratings of QoL-p remain generally stable over time, whereas
      those of caregivers show a decline, there being significant discrepancies in
      relation to specific patient and caregiver factors. 

PMID- 24217274
TI  - Increased myeloperoxidase plasma levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence supports the role of cardiovascular risk factors
      in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: In the present pilot
      study, we investigated plasma concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and its
      possible association with plasma amyloid-beta (Abeta)1-42/1-40 ratio in AD
      patients and elderly healthy controls. METHODS: The study sample included 28 AD
      patients and 27 elderly individuals with a normal cognitive status as a control
      group. The Mini-Mental Status Examination was used to determine the global
      cognition. MPO, Abeta1-40, and Abeta1-42 plasma concentrations were measured by
      enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assays. RESULTS: AD patients showed significantly
      higher plasma concentrations of MPO in comparison to healthy elderly controls (AD
      versus healthy elderly controls (mean +/- SD): 132.8 +/- 114.8 ng/mL versus 55.0
      +/- 42.6 ng/mL; p = 0.002). MPO plasma concentrations showed a significant
      positive correlation in the whole sample with the presence of AD (rho = 0.428, p
      < 0.001) and its stage (rho = 0.331; p = 0.013) as well as with plasma
      concentrations of Abeta1-42 (rho = 0.406; p = 0.004) and Abeta1-42/1-40 ratio
      (rho = 0.354; p = 0.013). In a binary logistic regression model, plasma MPO
      concentrations were independently associated with the presence of AD (p = 0.014).
      CONCLUSION: AD patients showed significantly increased plasma levels of MPO,
      which could be an important molecular link between atherosclerosis and AD.
      Further studies should evaluate whether MPO may also be a useful biomarker and
      potential new treatment target in AD.

PMID- 24217275
TI  - An intensive exercise program improves motor performances in patients with
      dementia: translational model of geriatric rehabilitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Translation of intensive exercise programs developed specifically for
      patients with dementia into clinical settings is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine
      if a progressive resistance and functional training program, previously evaluated
      in dementia outpatients, can be implemented in a geriatric inpatient setting in
      order to improve motor performances in patients with dementia. METHODS: Eligible
      patients in one ward of a German geriatric hospital were assigned to the
      intervention group (IG, n = 74) and received intensive exercise training
      specifically designed for patients with dementia. Patients in the second ward
      were observed as a control group (CG, n = 74). All patients received usual care
      treatment. Primary endpoints were maximal lower extremity strength measured by a
      leg-press device and duration of the 5-chair-stand test for functional
      performance. Secondary outcomes included a number of parameters for strength and
      function. RESULTS: The rehabilitation period averaged 18.1 +/- 6.8 days. The IG
      significantly improved in both primary endpoints (change: maximal strength, IG:
      +51.9 +/- 42.3% versus CG: +13.5 +/- 51.8%, p < 0.001; functional performance,
      IG: -19.2 +/- 22.3% versus CG: -3.8 +/- 32.2% s, p = 0.037). Secondary outcomes
      confirmed effects for strength and some, but not all, functional parameters.
      Interestingly, low baseline motor status, but not cognitive status, predicted
      positive training response. CONCLUSION: An intensive exercise program can be
      implemented in a geriatric rehabilitation setting to improve motor performances
      in patients with dementia. Results suggest that an intensification of training is
      feasible in the target group and substantially increases the benefits in
      comparison to receiving usual care exercise only.

PMID- 24217276
TI  - Is cholesterol and amyloid-beta stress induced CD147 expression a protective
      response? Evidence that extracellular cyclophilin a mediated neuroprotection is
      reliant on CD147.
AB  - The CD147 protein is a ubiquitous multifunctional membrane receptor. Expression
      of CD147, which is regulated by sterol carrier protein, reportedly modulates
      amyloid-beta (Abeta), the neurotoxic peptide implicated in neuronal degeneration
      in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given that high fat/cholesterol is linked to amyloid
      deposition in AD, we investigated if cholesterol and/or Abeta can alter CD147
      expression in rat cortical neuronal cultures. Water-soluble cholesterol and
      Abeta42 dose-dependently increased CD147 protein expression, but reduced FL
      AbetaPP protein expression. Cholesterol and Abeta42 treatment also increased
      lactate dehydrogenase release but to varying degrees. Upregulation of CD147
      expression was probably mediated by oxidative stress, as H2O2 (3 MUM) also
      induced CD147 protein expression in neuronal cultures. In light of these
      findings, we investigated if CD147 induction was cytoprotective, a compensatory
      response to injury, or alternatively, a cell death signal. To this end, we used
      recombinant adenovirus to overexpress human CD147 (in SH-SY5Y cells and primary
      cortical neurons), and pre-treated cultures with or without recombinant
      cyclophilin A (rCYPA) protein, prior to Abeta42 exposure. We showed that
      increased CD147 expression protected against Abeta42, only when rCYPA protein was
      added to neuronal cultures. Together, our findings reveal potentially important
      relationships between cholesterol loading, CD147 expression, Abeta toxicity, and
      the putative involvement of CYPA protein in neuroprotection in AD. 

PMID- 24217277
TI  - Differentially disrupted functional connectivity in posteromedial cortical
      subregions in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that patients with Alzheimer's disease
      (AD) have remarkable focal grey matter loss and hypometabolism in the
      posteromedial cortex (PMC), which is composed of the precuneus and posterior
      cingulate cortex, suggesting an important association of the PMC with AD
      pathophysiology. Studies have also shown that the PMC is a structurally and
      functionally heterogeneous structure containing various subregions with distinct
      connectivity profiles. However, whether these PMC subregions show differentially
      disrupted connectivity patterns in AD remains largely unknown. Here, we addressed
      this issue by collecting resting-state functional MRI data from 32 AD patients
      and 38 healthy controls. We automatically identified the PMC subregions using a
      graph-based module detection algorithm and then mapped the whole-brain functional
      connectivity pattern of each subregion. The functional connectivity analysis was
      followed by a hierarchical clustering analysis to classify each subregion. Three
      distinct spatial connectivity patterns were observed across the PMC subregions:
      the anterior dorsal zone was functionally connected with the sensorimotor cortex;
      the posterior dorsal zone was functionally connected with the frontoparietal
      cortex; and the central and ventral zones were functionally connected with the
      default-mode regions. Group comparison analysis revealed that all three
      functional systems were significantly disrupted in the AD patients compared to
      the controls and these disruptions were positively correlated with the patients'
      cognitive performance. Collectively, we showed that the subregions of the PMC
      exhibit differentially disrupted neuronal circuitry in AD patients, which
      provides new insight into the functional neuroanatomy of the human PMC and the
      alterations that may be relevant to disease. 

PMID- 24217278
TI  - Jugular venous reflux and white matter abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease: a
      pilot study.
AB  - To determine whether jugular venous reflux (JVR) is associated with cerebral
      white matter changes (WMCs) in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), we
      studied 12 AD patients 24 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, and 17
      elderly age- and gender-matched controls. Duplex ultrasonography and 1.5T MRI
      scanning was applied to quantify cerebral WMCs [T2 white matter (WM) lesion and
      dirty-appearing-white-matter (DAWM)]. Subjects with severe JVR had more
      frequently hypertension (p = 0.044), more severe WMC, including increased total
      (p = 0.047) and periventricular DAWM volumes (p = 0.008), and a trend for
      increased cerebrospinal fluid volumes (p = 0.067) compared with the other groups.
      A significantly decreased (65.8%) periventricular DAWM volume (p = 0.01) in the
      JVR-positive AD individuals compared with their JVR-negative counterparts was
      detected. There was a trend for increased periventricular and subcortical T2 WMC
      lesion volumes in the JVR-positive AD individuals compared with their JVR
      negative counterparts (p = 0.073). This phenomenon was not observed in either the
      control or MCI groups. In multiple regression analysis, the increased
      periventricular WMC lesion volume and decreased DAWM volume resulted in 85.7%
      sensitivity and 80% specificity for distinguishing between JVR-positive and JVR
      negative AD patients. These JVR-WMC association patterns were not seen in the
      control and MCI groups. Therefore, this pilot study suggests that there may be an
      association between JVR and WMCs in AD patients, implying that cerebral venous
      outflow impairment might play a role in the dynamics of WMCs formation in AD
      patients, particularly in the periventricular regions. Further longitudinal
      studies are needed to confirm and validate our findings. 

PMID- 24217279
TI  - An 85-year old male with levodopa-responsive parkinsonism followed by dementia
      and supranuclear ophthalmoplegia caused by alzheimer-type pathology without Lewy
      bodies.
AB  - An 85-year-old man developed l-dopa responsive parkinsonism indistinguishable
      from Parkinson's disease and subsequent dementia, followed by supranuclear
      ophthalmoplegia and neck dorsiflexion at the terminal stage. Midbrain tegmentum
      and medial temporal lobe were atrophic on magnetic resonance imaging, while
      decreased blood flow was predominant in frontotemporal lobes, detected by 3D-SSP
      of 123I- IMP SPECT. Alzheimer-type pathology without Lewy body pathology was
      confirmed at autopsy. Substantia nigra showed mild degeneration and several
      neurofibrillary tangles without Lewy body pathology or progressive supranuclear
      palsy cytopathology. L-dopa responsive parkinsonism could be an initial
      manifestation of Alzheimer's disease, which should be included in the
      differential diagnosis. 

PMID- 24217280
TI  - Increased cerebrospinal fluid tau levels in logopenic variant of Alzheimer's
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia
      (lvPPA) display neuropathological differences from typical amnestic Alzheimer's
      disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare cerebrospinal fluid
      (CSF) biomarker levels between patients with lvPPA due to AD (lvPPA-AD), non
      logopenic forms of AD (nlAD), and amnestic mild cognitive impairment due to AD
      (aMCI-AD). METHODS: CSF biomarker concentrations were assessed in 124 patients
      divided into three groups matched for age, level of education, center, and
      disease duration: lvPPA-AD (n = 30), nlAD (n = 67). and aMCI-AD (n = 27).
      RESULTS: p-Tau181 levels were higher in the lvPPA-AD group than in the aMCI-AD
      group (p < 0.05). Total tau levels were higher in the lvPPA-AD group versus those
      in the nlAD (p < 0.05) and aMCI-AD (p < 0.001) groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      suggest a more pronounced involvement of a taupathy in lvPPA-AD compared to aMCI
      AD and a more important neuronal death in lvPPA-AD than in nlAD or aMCI-AD.

PMID- 24217281
TI  - Associations between lifestyle and cognitive function over time in women aged 40
      79 years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smoking, excessive drinking, and physical inactivity are associated
      with reduced cognitive function but the independence, domain specific cognitive
      effects, and trajectories of these associations are not firmly established.
      OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine these lifestyle-cognitive function associations
      in middle-to-older aged women across time. METHODS: Cohort study design with
      repeat surveys (2001, 2005, and 2008). Participants were volunteers from a random
      sample of Australian women on the Brisbane electoral roll; mean (+/-SD) age 60 +/
      11 years in 2001. Outcome measures were the Mini-Mental State Examination
      (MMSE), Auditory Delayed Index (ADI), Visual Delayed Index (VDI), Working Memory
      Index (WMI), and Processing Speed Index (PSI). RESULTS: 489 women completed
      cognitive testing in 2001, 451 in 2005, and 376 in 2008. Mean (+/-SD) cognitive
      scores in 2001 were MMSE: 29.1 +/- 1.2, ADI: 104.6 +/- 13.4, VDI: 107.2 +/- 14.0,
      WMI: 104.1 +/- 12.3, and PSI: 102.7 +/- 11.8. Multivariate adjusted mean scores
      (95% CI) over the 7-year study period were higher for moderate drinkers than non
      drinkers for the MMSE (beta = 0.32; 0.04, 0.61), the VDI (beta = 4.33; 0.96,
      7.70), and the WMI (beta = 3.21; 0.34, 6.07). Current smokers performed worse
      than never-smokers for the MMSE (beta = -0.35; 0.64, -0.06), the VDI (beta = 
      3.91; -7.57, -0.26), the WMI (beta = -3.42; -6.67, -0.18), and the PSI (beta = 
      5.89; -8.91, -2.87). PSI was higher in women performing strenuous physical
      activity compared to inactive women (beta = 2.14; 0.37, 3.90). None of the three
      lifestyle parameters influenced the changes in cognition across time.
      CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol and exercise were associated with selective protective
      effects and tobacco with selective harmful effects on cognitive function in
      middle-to-older aged women. Associations remained consistent across time.

PMID- 24217282
TI  - Pharmacodynamics of cholinesterase inhibitors suggests add-on therapy with a low
      dose carbamylating inhibitor in patients on long-term treatment with rapidly
      reversible inhibitors.
AB  - Despite three decades of intensive research in the field of Alzheimer's disease
      (AD) and numerous clinical trials of new therapeutic agents, cholinesterase
      inhibitors (ChEIs) are still the mainstay of therapeutics for AD and dementia
      with Lewy bodies. Pharmacodynamic analyses of ChEIs provide paradoxical
      observations. Treatment with the rapidly reversible, noncarbamylating ChEIs
      (donepezil, galantamine, and tacrine) increases acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
      protein expression, whereas the carbamylating agent, rivastigmine, produces
      sustained inhibition with no significant change in AChE protein expression.
      Still, the symptomatic clinical efficacies of all these agents are similar. We
      report here for the first time that treatment with phenserine, another
      carbamylating ChEI, produces a sustained but mild inhibition of AChE in
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients. We also show that phenserine treatment
      reverses donepezil-induced elevation of AChE expression. Further analyses on CSF
      of another larger patient cohort treated with donepezil revealed that, in
      addition to its main mode of action, donepezil produced two other
      pharmacodynamics with potentially contradictory outcomes. Donepezil-induced AChE
      expression favored an AChE-driven amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) aggregation,
      whereas donepezil itself concentration-dependently counteracted the AChE-induced
      Abeta aggregation, most likely by competing with the Abeta peptides for
      peripheral anionic site on the AChE protein. The reduction of AChE protein
      expression in the donepezil-treated patients by concomitant administration of the
      carbamylating agent, phenserine, could allow the donepezil molecule to only
      prevent interaction between Abeta and AChE. The current study suggests that an
      add-on therapy with a low-dose formulation of a carbamylating agent in patients
      on long-term donepezil treatment should be explored as a strategy for enhancing
      the clinical efficacy of these agents in dementia disorders. 

PMID- 24217284
TI  - Synthesis and structural characterisation of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with a
      flexible, ferrocene-based P,S-donor amidophosphine ligand.
AB  - 1'-Diphenylphosphino-1-{[(2-(methylthio)ethyl)amino]carbonyl}ferrocene (1),
      accessible via amidation of 1'-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid
      (Hdpf) with 2-(methylthio)ethylamine, reacts with [PdCl2(cod)] (cod = cycloocta
      1,5-diene) at a 1 : 1 metal-to-ligand ratio to give trans-[PdCl2(1-kappa(2)P,S)]
      (trans-2) as the sole product. A similar reaction with [PtCl2(cod)] affords a
      mixture of cis- and trans-[PtCl2(1-kappa(2)P,S)] (cis- and trans-3), which can be
      separated by fractional crystallisation. Complexation reactions performed with 2
      equiv. of the ligand are less selective, yielding mixtures of the expected bis
      phosphine complexes (i.e., trans-[PdCl2(1-kappaP)2], or a mixture of cis- and
      trans-[PtCl2(-kappaP)2]) with the respective monophosphine complexes. The
      structures of 1, trans-2, cis-3 and trans-3 determined by X-ray diffraction
      demonstrate the ability of the title ligand to act as a flexible cis- or trans
      P,S-chelate donor (the ligand bite angles are 174.03(2)/173.05(2) degrees  for
      trans-2/3 and 92.86(2) degrees  for cis-3).

PMID- 24217283
TI  - Differential expression of conserved germ line markers and delayed segregation of
      male and female primordial germ cells in a hermaphrodite, the leech helobdella.
AB  - In sexually reproducing animals, primordial germ cells (PGCs) are often set aside
      early in embryogenesis, a strategy that minimizes the risk of genomic damage
      associated with replication and mitosis during the cell cycle. Here, we have used
      germ line markers (piwi, vasa, and nanos) and microinjected cell lineage tracers
      to show that PGC specification in the leech genus Helobdella follows a different
      scenario: in this hermaphrodite, the male and female PGCs segregate from somatic
      lineages only after more than 20 rounds of zygotic mitosis; the male and female
      PGCs share the same (mesodermal) cell lineage for 19 rounds of zygotic mitosis.
      Moreover, while all three markers are expressed in both male and female
      reproductive tissues of the adult, they are expressed differentially between the
      male and female PGCs of the developing embryo: piwi and vasa are expressed
      preferentially in female PGCs at a time when nanos is expressed preferentially in
      male PGCs. A priori, the delayed segregation of male and female PGCs from somatic
      tissues and from one another increases the probability of mutations affecting
      both male and female PGCs of a given individual. We speculate that this suite of
      features, combined with a capacity for self-fertilization, may contribute to the
      dramatically rearranged genome of Helobdella robusta relative to other animals. 

PMID- 24217285
TI  - Crambescidin-816 acts as a fungicidal with more potency than crambescidin-800 and
      -830, inducing cell cycle arrest, increased cell size and apoptosis in
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - In this paper, we show the effect of crambescidin-816, -800, and -830 on
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae viability. We determined that, of the three molecules
      tested, crambescidin-816 was the most potent. Based on this result, we continued
      by determining the effect of crambescidin-816 on the cell cycle of this yeast.
      The compound induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M followed by an increase in cell
      DNA content and size. When the type of cell death was analyzed, we observed that
      crambescidin-816 induced apoptosis. The antifungal effect indicates that
      crambescidins, and mostly crambescidin-816, could serve as a lead compound to
      fight fungal infections. 

PMID- 24217286
TI  - Omega-3 fatty acids modulate Weibel-Palade body degranulation and actin
      cytoskeleton rearrangement in PMA-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial
      cells.
AB  - Long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs) produce
      cardiovascular benefits by improving endothelial function. Endothelial cells
      store von Willebrand factor (vWF) in cytoplasmic Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs). We
      examined whether LC n-3 PUFAs regulate WPB degranulation using cultured human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were incubated with or without
      75 or 120 uM docosahexaenoic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid for 5 days at 37 
      degrees C. WPB degranulation was stimulated using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate
      (PMA), and this was assessed by immunocytochemical staining for vWF. Actin
      reorganization was determined using phalloidin-TRITC staining. We found that PMA
      stimulated WPB degranulation, and that this was significantly reduced by prior
      incubation of cells with LC n-3 PUFAs. In these cells, WPBs had rounded rather
      than rod-shaped morphology and localized to the perinuclear region, suggesting
      interference with cytoskeletal remodeling that is necessary for complete WPB
      degranulation. In line with this, actin rearrangement was altered in cells
      containing perinuclear WPBs, where cells exhibited a thickened actin rim in the
      absence of prominent cytoplasmic stress fibers. These findings indicate that LC n
      3 PUFAs provide some protection against WBP degranulation, and may contribute to
      an improved understanding of the anti-thrombotic effects previously attributed to
      LC n-3 PUFAs. 

PMID- 24217287
TI  - Smenamides A and B, chlorinated peptide/polyketide hybrids containing a
      dolapyrrolidinone unit from the Caribbean sponge Smenospongia aurea. Evaluation
      of their role as leads in antitumor drug research.
AB  - An in-depth study of the secondary metabolites contained in the Caribbean sponge
      Smenospongia aurea led to the isolation of smenamide A (1) and B (2), hybrid
      peptide/polyketide compounds containing a dolapyrrolidinone unit. Their
      structures were elucidated using high-resolution ESI-MS/MS and homo- and
      heteronuclear 2D NMR experiments. Structures of smenamides suggested that they
      are products of the cyanobacterial metabolism, and 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis
      detected Synechococcus spongiarum as the only cyanobacterium present in S. aurea.
      Smenamides showed potent cytotoxic activity at nanomolar levels on lung cancer
      Calu-1 cells, which for compound 1 is exerted through a clear pro-apoptotic
      mechanism. This makes smenamides promising leads for antitumor drug design. 

PMID- 24217288
TI  - A target-oriented algorithm for citrate-calcium anticoagulation in clinical
      practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Because of a high monitoring demand and an ensuing need for
      automation of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA), a new semi-automated target
      oriented algorithm was developed. The aim of this study was the evaluation of its
      functionality and safety. METHODS: Fourteen haemodialysis patients were treated 5
      times consecutively with RCA. Samples were drawn pre- and post-infusion once per
      hour. Electrolytes, blood cell counts, acid-base and coagulation parameters were
      analyzed. RESULTS: Mean ionized calcium (Ca(2+)) values pre-filter were 0.23 and
      0.33 mmol/l in the 0.2 and 0.3 mmol/l target groups, respectively. Extraction
      ratios for citrate and total calcium through the dialysis filter were constant
      during the entire treatment (83 and 68%, respectively). Citrate accumulation was
      avoided. CONCLUSION: The new algorithm enables safe and accurate RCA. By
      regulating Ca(2+) pre-filter using the target-oriented algorithm, the degree of
      anticoagulation may be easily controlled.

PMID- 24217289
TI  - Improving clinical trial recruitment: experience of a tertiary renal oncology
      centre.

PMID- 24217290
TI  - Special topic: educational theory and practice.

PMID- 24217291
TI  - Label-free and ultrasensitive fluorescence detection of cocaine based on a
      strategy that utilizes DNA-templated silver nanoclusters and the nicking
      endonuclease-assisted signal amplification method.
AB  - A general and reliable strategy for the detection of cocaine was proposed
      utilizing DNA-templated silver nanoclusters as signal indicators and the nicking
      endonuclease-assisted signal amplification method. This strategy can detect
      cocaine specifically with a detection limit as low as 2 nM by using a small
      volume of 5 MUL. 

PMID- 24217292
TI  - Long-term efficacy of pneumatic dilation and esophageal stenting for the
      treatment of achalasia.
AB  - AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of pneumatic dilation with stenting for
      the treatment of achalasia. METHODS: Achalasia patients treated with pneumatic
      dilation or stenting were included in this analysis. Clinical symptoms were
      assessed by the Eckardt score. An esophagram and esophageal manometry were
      performed at the pretreatment and posttreatment follow-up visits. Data such as
      patient demographics and complications were collected. A drop in the Eckardt
      score to <=3 was defined as treatment success. RESULTS: There were 151 patients
      treated with pneumatic dilation (n = 76) or stenting (n = 75). The 1-, 12- and 24
      month therapeutic success rates were 100, 92 and 79%, respectively, in the
      dilation group and 100, 93 and 87%, respectively, in the stenting group. The
      decrease of Eckardt score in the stenting group was significantly notable (p <
      0.05) compared to that of the dilation group at the long-term follow-up visits.
      The maximum esophageal diameter was comparable at baseline and became
      statistically significant [25 mm (22-30) vs. 22 mm (19-27), p = 0.004] at
      posttreatment month 24. The recurrence rate was 21% in the dilation group and 13%
      in the stenting group. The complications of either treatment were usually mild,
      transient and statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Esophageal stenting had a
      comparable short-term but better long-term efficacy in comparison with pneumatic
      dilation.

PMID- 24217294
TI  - Primary aneurysmal bone cyst of the distal tibial epiphysis: a case report.
AB  - Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign lesion that commonly involves the
      metaphysis or metadiaphyseal region of long bones in children. The WHO defined
      ABC as an expansile osteolytic lesion consisting of blood-filled spaces and
      channels that are divided by connective tissue septa that may contain osteoid
      tissue and osteoclast-like giant cells. ABCs are usually treated with
      intralesional procedures, and variables including surgeon technique, young
      patient, juxtaphyseal tumors, and tumor location have been associated with
      recurrence. Juxtaphyseal lesions breaching the physis have been described. There
      is only one case of primary ABC of the epiphysis in the literature. We present a
      second case in a 13-year-old boy who presented with a primary ABC of the distal
      tibial epiphysis, including diagnostic evaluation and treatment. 

PMID- 24217293
TI  - Correlation of fundus fluorescein angiography and spectral-domain optical
      coherence tomography in identification of membrane subtypes in neovascular age
      related macular degeneration.
AB  - AIMS: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of spectral-domain optical
      coherence tomography (SDOCT) for the determination of choroidal
      neovascularization (CNV) subtypes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration
      (AMD) compared to fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and also the agreement
      between the two procedures. DESIGN: This was a retrospective, observational
      study. METHODS: We evaluated and compared the CNV subtypes on FFA and OCT in 100
      eyes initiated on ranibizumab for neovascular AMD. RESULTS: SDOCT showed high
      sensitivity (85.7-98.3%) and specificity (84.2-100%) compared to FFA in the
      diagnosis of the CNV subtype. The area under the receiver-operating
      characteristic curve ranged from 0.9 to 0.93 (p value <0.0001) for the different
      CNV subtypes. Weighted kappa statistics showed a near-perfect agreement of 0.85
      between the procedures. CONCLUSION: SDOCT is a reliable tool for the diagnosis of
      CNV subtypes in neovascular AMD obviating the need for an invasive procedure such
      as FFA.

PMID- 24217295
TI  - Impact of rapid response system implementation on critical deterioration events
      in children.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Rapid response systems aim to identify and rescue deteriorating
      hospitalized patients. Previous pediatric rapid response system implementation
      studies have shown variable effectiveness in preventing rare, catastrophic
      outcomes such as cardiac arrest and death. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of
      pediatric rapid response system implementation inclusive of a medical emergency
      team and an early warning score on critical deterioration, a proximate outcome
      defined as unplanned transfer to the intensive care unit with noninvasive or
      invasive mechanical ventilation or vasopressor infusion in the 12 hours after
      transfer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Quasi-experimental study with
      interrupted time series analysis using piecewise regression. At an urban,
      tertiary care children's hospital in the United States, we evaluated 1810
      unplanned transfers from the general medical and surgical wards to the pediatric
      and neonatal intensive care units that occurred during 370,504 non-intensive care
      patient-days between July 1, 2007, and May 31, 2012. INTERVENTIONS:
      Implementation of a hospital-wide rapid response system inclusive of a medical
      emergency team and an early warning score in February 2010. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Rate of critical deterioration events, adjusted for season, ward, and
      case mix. RESULTS: Rapid response system implementation was associated with a
      significant downward change in the preintervention trajectory of critical
      deterioration and a 62% net decrease relative to the preintervention trend
      (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20-0.75). We observed absolute
      reductions in ward cardiac arrests (from 0.03 to 0.01 per 1000 non-intensive care
      patient-days) and deaths during ward emergencies (from 0.01 to 0.00 per 1000 non
      intensive care patient-days), but these were not statistically significant (P =
      .21 and P = .99, respectively). Among all unplanned transfers, critical
      deterioration was associated with a 4.97-fold increased risk of death (95% CI,
      3.33-7.40; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Rapid response system
      implementation reversed an increasing trend of critical deterioration. Cardiac
      arrest and death were extremely rare at baseline, and their reductions were not
      statistically significant despite using nearly 5 years of data. Hospitals seeking
      to measure rapid response system performance may consider using valid proximate
      outcomes like critical deterioration in addition to rare, catastrophic outcomes.

PMID- 24217296
TI  - Height gain in Ullrich-Turner syndrome after early and late growth hormone
      treatment start: results from a large retrospective German study and potential
      basis for an individualized treatment approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ullrich-Turner syndrome (UTS) girls often present with short stature
      in adolescence to the endocrinologist when the efficacy of growth hormone (GH) to
      improve growth remains unknown and parameters to estimate individual GH
      responsiveness have yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: Retrospective evaluation of
      adult height (AH) and predicted adult height at GH start (descriptive model of
      Ranke, Model PredAH) in early and late GH-treated German UTS patients.
      SUBJECTS/METHODS: 313 patients treated with GH, early [chronological age (CA) at
      GH start <12 years, n = 259] or late (CA at GH start >=12 years, n = 54) who
      reached AH were selected from KIGS (Pfizer International Growth Database).
      RESULTS: AH (152.5 +/- 5.9 vs. 151.1 +/- 5.4 cm, p = n.s.) after GH treatment for
      7.5 +/- 2.12 years (GH start early) and for 5.2 +/- 1.2 years (GH start late)
      were similar (p = n.s.) as Model PredAH (155.7 +/- 4.8 vs. 154.7 +/- 4.8 cm; p =
      n.s.) but higher (p < 0.001) than projected adult height (Ranke, ProjAH; 148.2 +/
      5.5 vs. 145.2 +/- 6.7 cm; p = 0.001). Total height gain over ProjAH was 4.3 +/-
      4.6 cm (GH start early) and 5.8 +/- 4.7 cm (GH start late, p = 0.021),
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GH may improve AH in UTS patients even when started
      late. The individual growth response could be estimated by the descriptive Model
      PredAH independent of age at treatment start.

PMID- 24217297
TI  - Cell size control is sirtuin(ly) exciting.

PMID- 24217298
TI  - A pharmaco-epistasis strategy reveals a new cell size controlling pathway in
      yeast.
AB  - Cell size is a complex quantitative trait resulting from interactions between
      intricate genetic networks and environmental conditions. Here, taking advantage
      of previous studies that uncovered hundreds of genes affecting budding yeast cell
      size homeostasis, we performed a wide pharmaco-epistasis analysis using drugs
      mimicking cell size mutations. Simple epistasis relationship emerging from this
      approach allowed us to characterize a new cell size homeostasis pathway
      comprising the sirtuin Sir2, downstream effectors including the large ribosomal
      subunit (60S) and the transcriptional regulators Swi4 and Swi6. We showed that
      this Sir2/60S signaling route acts independently of other previously described
      cell size controlling pathways and may integrate the metabolic status of the cell
      through NAD(+) intracellular concentration. Finally, although Sir2 and the 60S
      subunits regulate both cell size and replicative aging, we found that there is no
      clear causal relationship between these two complex traits. This study sheds
      light on a pathway of >50 genes and illustrates how pharmaco-epistasis applied to
      yeast offers a potent experimental framework to explore complex
      genotype/phenotype relationships. 

PMID- 24217299
TI  - Analysis of mortality in low-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass
      grafting.
AB  - AIM: The aims of this study were to determine the early mortality rate in low
      risk coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients and examine the causes of
      death, to identify problems that could be avoided in future surgeries. METHODS:
      All low-risk patients (EuroSCORE <= 2) who died after CABG were included. Their
      peri-operative information was meticulously studied by internal and independent
      external reviewers to identify causes of death, which were classified as: cardiac
      or non-cardiac; and a further division as: (1) non-preventable, (2) preventable
      (technical error), and (3) preventable (system error). RESULTS: Early mortality
      was 0.93% (24/2570). Eleven patients (45.8%) were classified as preventable
      deaths. In six of them the main problem was identified as graft thrombosis, which
      was secondary to a technical error of either the harvesting or anastomosis of the
      left internal mammarian artery. There were also five system errors identified as
      delays in the treatment of an identified and potentially reversible problem.
      CONCLUSION: Correction of technical and system errors, such as harvesting of the
      left internal mammarian artery, haemostasis during surgery, and establishing
      standard protocols for the transfer of patients from ward to intensive care units
      will eventually lead to improvement in both the quality of care and patient
      outcomes, even in low-risk groups.

PMID- 24217300
TI  - A retrospective analysis of factors influencing re-operation in patients
      undergoing mechanical valve replacement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the possible factors leading to re-operation in
      patients undergoing mechanical valve replacement and to investigate the
      relationship between valvular thrombus formation and mean platelet volume.
      METHODS: The medical records of 43 patients with mechanical valve implantation,
      who were admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Dr Siyami Ersek
      Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital between 2000
      and 2005 were analysed retrospectively. Data recorded included demographic
      characteristics, valve type, size and location, implantation position, warfarin
      use, INR level, additional cardiac intervention, presence of left atrial
      thrombus, valvular thrombus, pannus formation, perivalvular leak, left atrial
      aneurysm, platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV), bleeding after the
      primary surgery and/or revision of surgery due to other reasons, valve
      protection, aortic root expansion, presence of valve calcification and infective
      endocarditis, pre- and postoperative rhythm pattern, brand name of prosthesis,
      distance of the patient's house from a cardiac surgery centre, and concomitant
      noncardiac systemic diseases. RESULTS: Mean age was 49.3 years (range 19-78
      years). Of the patients, 51% (n = 22) were males and 49% (n = 21) were females.
      The re-operation mortality was 11.6%. Age, gender, valve type, brand of valve
      prosthesis, and implantation position were not risk factors for re-operation. The
      MPV was higher and statistically significant in patients with valvular thrombus
      during re-operation (p < 0.001). MPV was determined to be an independent risk
      factor with 85% sensitivity and 87% specificity. CONCLUSION: MPV and INR levels
      should be closely monitored when designing individualised postoperative medical
      treatment for patients undergoing heart valve re-operation.

PMID- 24217301
TI  - Does vitamin C or its combination with vitamin E improve radial artery
      endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in patients awaiting coronary artery bypass
      surgery?
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated the vasodilatory effects of two antioxidants, vitamins C
      (ascorbic acid) and E (alpha-tocopherol), on radial artery and endothelium
      dependent responses in patients awaiting coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS:
      The study was performed in three groups. The first group took 2 g of vitamin C
      orally (n = 31, vitamin C group), the second group took 2 g of vitamin C with 600
      mg of vitamin E orally (n = 31, vitamins C + E group), and the third group took
      no medication (n = 31, control group). After baseline measurements were taken of
      the radial artery lumen diameter, flow volume and lumen area in the non-dominant
      radial artery, occlusion was maintained for five minutes with a pressure cuff
      placed around the arm. The measurements were taken again at the time of deflating
      the cuff, and 60 seconds later. The measurements were repeated after medication
      in two of the groups and after placebo in the third group. RESULTS: We compared
      values of the vitamin C group with those of the vitamins C + E group, and found
      that the latter were higher than those of the vitamin C group but not
      statistically significant. In the control group, there was no statistical
      difference. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C or its combination with vitamin E significantly
      enhanced endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in the radial circulation of
      patients with coronary artery disease. Its combination with vitamin E was
      superior to vitamin C administration alone for endothelial enhancement but this
      difference was not statistically significant. We hypothesised that vitamin C or
      its combination with vitamin E may be used as antioxidants for arterial graft
      patency in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery.

PMID- 24217302
TI  - Effectiveness of prophylactic levosimendan in high-risk valve surgery patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Levosimendan has anti-ischaemic effects, improves myocardial
      contractility and increases systemic, pulmonary and coronary vasodilatation.
      These properties suggest potential advantages in high-risk cardiac valve surgery
      patients where cardioprotection would be valuable. The present study investigated
      the peri-operative haemodynamic effects of prophylactic levosimendan infusion in
      cardiac valve surgery patients with low ejection fraction and/or severe pulmonary
      arterial hypertension. METHODS: Between May 2006 and July 2007, 20 consecutive
      patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (systolic pulmonary artery
      pressure >= 60 mmHg) and/or low ejection fraction (< 50%) who underwent valve
      surgery in our clinic were included in the study and randomised into two groups.
      Levosimendan was administered to 10 patients in group I and not to the 10
      patients in the control group. Cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), systemic
      vascular resistance (SVR), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and mean pulmonary
      artery pressure (MPAP) were recorded for each patient preoperatively and for 24
      hours following the operation. RESULTS: CO and CI values were higher in the
      levosimendan group during the study period (p < 0.05). MPAP and PVR values were
      significantly lower in the levosimendan group for the 24-hour period (p < 0.05)
      and SVR values were significantly lower after 24 hours in both groups. When
      clinical results were considered, no difference in favour of levosimendan was
      detected regarding the mortality and morbidity rates between the groups.
      CONCLUSION: Levosimendan improved the haemodynamics in cardiac valve surgery
      patients with low ejection fraction and/or severe pulmonary arterial
      hypertension, and facilitated weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass in such high
      risk patients when started as a prophylactic agent.

PMID- 24217303
TI  - Association of homocysteinaemia with hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, hypertension
      and obesity.
AB  - AIM: Hyperhomocysteinaemia and the metabolic syndrome are associated with
      increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether there is a link between
      the metabolic syndrome or its components and homocysteine levels in a population
      without cardiovascular disease. METHODS: From the population sample of 382
      participants (286 females and 96 males) we isolated those reflecting the
      metabolic syndrome and determined their homocysteine levels. We then evaluated
      the association of homocysteine with hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia,
      hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension and obesity, using a significance level of p
      = 0.05. Enzymatic methods were used for all biochemical parameters. RESULTS: We
      found the statistical relationship between homocysteine and the metabolic
      syndrome as follows: hyperglycaemia (p = 0.175), hypertriglyceridaemia (p =
      0.442), hypercholesterolaemia (p = 0.480), obesity (p = 0.080); and hypertension:
      systolic pressure (p = 0.002) and diastolic pressure (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: We
      found no statistically significant association between baseline plasma
      homocysteine levels and the metabolic syndrome, except for hypertension.

PMID- 24217304
TI  - Increased carotid intima-media thickness associated with high hs-CRP levels is a
      predictor of unstable coronary artery disease.
AB  - Increased values of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and high-sensitivity C
      reactive protein (hs-CRP) are predictors of acute coronary events. We analysed
      the link between CIMT and hs-CRP in cases with coronary artery disease (CAD).
      From 1 January to 30 June 2012, we evaluated 43 patients with acute coronary
      syndrome (group A), 50 patients with stable coronary artery disease (group B) and
      50 healthy volunteers (group C). All were analysed for CIMT and hs-CRP levels.
      CIMT values were higher in groups A and B (0.94 +/- 0.21 mm, 0.89 +/- 0.19 mm,
      respectively) and lower in group C (0.64 +/- 0.09 mm), and this was statistically
      significant (p < 0.0001). However the values of hs-CRP were higher in group A
      (1.87 +/- 0.36 mg/l) and lower in groups B and C (1.07 +/- 0.28 mg/l, 0.97 +/-
      0.45 mg/l, respectively) and this was also statistically significant (p <
      0.0001). 

PMID- 24217305
TI  - Efficacy and safety of sirolimus-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents in
      coronary artery disease patients with diabetes: a meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare by meta-analysis the efficacy and safety of sirolimus
      eluting and bare-metal stents in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with
      diabetes. METHOD: PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from 1971 to 2012.
      Data on the efficacy and safety of sirolimus-eluting and bare-metal stents in
      patients with diabetes were collected. A meta-analysis was then performed on a
      total of 1 259 CAD patients with diabetes from six studies. The odds ratio (OR)
      was used for comparison. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the sample
      size, year of study, subjects' geographic area and study method. RESULTS:
      Compared with those in the bare-metal stent group (BMS), the subjects in the
      sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) group had a reduced risk for major cardiac events
      [OR 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 024-0.74, p < 0.01] and target-lesion
      revascularisation (OR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.11 - 0.59, p < 0.01). There was no
      difference for myocardial infarction (OR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.61-1.40, p > 0.05) or
      mortality (OR 1.19, 95% CI: 0.74-1.92, p > 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed a
      significant difference for overall risk of major cardiac events between SES and
      BMS when the sample size was <= 90 (OR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16-0.48, p < 0.01), when
      it was a randomised control trial (RCT) (OR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.19-0.42, p < 0.01),
      or when it was performed on European subjects (OR 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27-0.77, p <
      0.01). The sensitivity was not different when one study was removed at a time.
      CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that SES are safer and more effective than BMS in
      CAD patients with diabetes, as far as major cardiac events are concerned.

PMID- 24217306
TI  - Prevalence and significance of early repolarisation in a black African
      population: data of 246 individuals with cardiovascular morbidity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early repolarisation (ER) is commonly seen on electrocardiograms
      (ECG). Recent reports have described the relationship between ER and sudden
      cardiac death (SCD). The prevalence and significance of ER have not been studied
      in black Africans. METHOD: We matched clinical and ECG records of subjects over
      18 years of age who consulted a cardiac unit in two medical centres of Douala,
      Cameroon. A questionnaire focusing on past history of syncope or family history
      of sudden unexplained death (SUD) was filled in by each subject. A 12-lead ECG
      was recorded by a trained nurse and analysed by two independent physicians.
      RESULTS: Of the 752 ECGs recorded, we studied 246 index cases. The mean age of
      subjects was 45 +/- 16 years and 53% were female. Almost 57% had hypertension,
      41% had palpitations and 18% reported a history of syncope. ER pattern was found
      in 20% [slurring in three (3%), notching in 13% and both in three (7%)]. ER
      subjects were younger than those without (41 +/- 16 vs 49 +/- 16 years, p =
      0.0048). Lead localisation was predominantly the laterals for the slurring
      pattern, whereas the inferior and lateral leads were equally involved for the
      notching pattern. Negative T waves in the infero-lateral leads were associated
      with ER (p = 0.00025). Among the subjects with syncope, 41% displayed ER and 13%
      did not have ER (p = 0.00014). The notching pattern seemed to be associated with
      syncope (p = 0.00011). CONCLUSION: Early repolarisation is frequent in black
      Africans, especially in the setting of cardiovascular morbidity. Early
      repolarisation may be associated with a past history of syncope, especially the
      notched pattern.

PMID- 24217307
TI  - Diagnostic and prognostic values of B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP) and N
      terminal fragment brain natriuretic peptides (NT-pro-BNP).
AB  - B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a member of a fournatriuretic peptide family
      that shares a common 17-peptide ring structure. The N-terminal fragment (NT-pro
      BNP) is biologically inert, but both are secreted in the plasma in equimolar
      quantities and both have been evaluated for use in the management of congestive
      heart failure. BNP and NT-pro-BNP are frequently used in the diagnosis of
      congestive heart failure and distinguishing between patients with dyspnoea of
      cardiac or pulmonary origin. Values of NT-pro-BNP are affected by age or the
      presence of one or several co-morbidities such as chronic renal failure, type 2
      diabetes, and acute coronary syndrome. 'Normal' values of these peptides also
      vary depending on the type of test used. The performance characteristics of these
      tests vary depending on the patients on whom they are used and the manufacturer.
      For this reason, the determination of reference values for this peptide
      represents such a challenge. 

PMID- 24217308
TI  - Saxagliptin demonstrates no increased risk for cardiovascular death, heart attack
      or stroke in the SAVOR cardiovascular outcomes trial.

PMID- 24217310
TI  - On the structure of water and chloride ion interactions with a peptide backbone
      in solution.
AB  - The arrangement of water and chloride ions around a model peptide (glycyl-L
      prolyl-glycine-NH2) was investigated using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations
      and complementary Empirical Potential Structure Refinement (EPSR) simulations
      which adapt the modelled structure to reproduce experimentally measured neutron
      diffraction data. The results are in good qualitative agreement and show a common
      picture for all hydrogen-containing amine and amide groups: namely that there are
      two common chloride interactions observed - a direct contact between Cl(-) and
      peptide backbone and a water-mediated interaction. The geometry of this mediation
      depends on the distance between chloride and nitrogen and hints towards two
      distinct modes of interaction between water and the ion, either along one of the
      O-H bonds or along the water dipole.

PMID- 24217311
TI  - Graphene-NiO nanohybrid prepared by dry plasma reduction as a low-cost counter
      electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells.
AB  - NiO nanoparticles (NPs) were hybridized on the surface of reduced graphene oxide
      (RGO) by dry plasma reduction (DPR) at atmospheric pressure without any toxic
      chemicals and at a low temperature. NiO-NPs of 0.5-3 nm size, with a typical size
      of 1.5 nm, were uniformly hybridized on the surface of RGO. An XPS analysis and
      the Raman spectra also revealed the repair of some structural damage on the basal
      plane of the graphene. The material when applied to the counter electrode (CE) of
      dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) exhibited a power conversion efficiency of
      7.42% (+/- 0.10%), which is comparable to a conventional Pt-sputtered CE (8.18%
      (+/- 0.08%)). This material outperformed CEs produced using NiO-NPs (1.53% (+/-
      0.15%)), GO (4.48% (+/- 0.12%)) and RGO (5.18% (+/- 0.11)) due to its high
      electrochemical catalytic activity and high conductivity. The charge transfer
      resistance for NiO-NP-RGO was as low as 1.93 Omega cm(2), while those of a NiO-NP
      immobilized electrode and a GO-coated electrode were 44.39 Omega cm(2) and 12.19
      Omega cm(2), respectively, due to a synergistic effect.

PMID- 24217312
TI  - Highly efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts based on winged carbon
      nanotubes.
AB  - Developing electrocatalysts with both high selectivity and efficiency for the
      oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical for several applications including
      fuel cells and metal-air batteries. In this work we developed high performance
      electrocatalysts based on unique winged carbon nanotubes. We found that the outer
      walls of a special type of carbon nanotubes/nanofibers, when selectively
      oxidized, unzipped and exfoliated, form graphene wings strongly attached to the
      inner tubes. After doping with nitrogen, the winged nanotubes exhibited
      outstanding activity toward catalyzing the ORR through the four-electron pathway
      with excellent stability and methanol/carbon monoxide tolerance. While the doped
      graphene wings with high active site density bring remarkable catalytic activity,
      the inner tubes remain intact and conductive to facilitate electron transport
      during electrocatalysis. 

PMID- 24217313
TI  - Improvement in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in argentine Indian
      school children after vitamin D supplementation.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Low vitamin D levels correlate with dyslipidemia, but limited
      data exist on indigenous children. The objective was to determine whether vitamin
      D supplementation improves high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels
      among Koya children. METHODS: A prospective 1-year study evaluated a treated
      cohort of 70 (38 males) children aged 10.3 +/- 2.1 years who received 5,000 U of
      vitamin D weekly during 8 weeks, and a control group of 20 (8 males) children
      aged 9.2 +/- 1.1 years who did not receive vitamin D. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: At
      baseline, 18 (20%) had severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/ml), 66 (73.3%) had
      deficiency (10 to <20 ng/ml), and 6 (6.6%) had insufficiency (20 to <30 ng/ml).
      At baseline, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of
      hypovitaminosis D between groups. After 1 year, the prevalence of severe vitamin
      D deficiency decreased from 20 to 0%, and that of insufficiency increased from 6
      to 19% (p < 0.001) only in the treated group. The prevalence of low HDL-C also
      decreased in the treated group only (35.7-5.7%; p < 0.01). Multiple linear
      regression analysis showed that treated children improved HDL-C levels by 4 mg/dl
      (R(2): 0.13) adjusted for confounding factors, suggesting that vitamin D
      supplementation among Indian children improved HDL-C levels.

PMID- 24217314
TI  - ADHD symptoms and benefit from extended time testing accommodations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between ADHD symptoms, executive
      functioning problems, and benefit from extended time testing accommodations.
      METHOD: College students completed a battery of measures assessing processing
      speed and reading fluency, reading comprehension (under two different time
      limits), symptoms of ADHD, executive functioning deficits, and perceptions of
      need for extended time. RESULTS: Students reporting more symptoms of ADHD and
      executive functioning deficits actually benefited less from extended time, and
      students' perceptions of their timing needs did not predict benefit. CONCLUSION:
      Students with more ADHD symptoms are less likely to use extended time
      effectively, possibly because of their associated executive functioning problems.
      These results suggest there may be little justification for examining a student's
      ADHD symptoms when making extended time accommodation decisions.

PMID- 24217315
TI  - Gene regulation by antisense transcription.
AB  - Antisense transcription, which was initially considered by many as
      transcriptional noise, is increasingly being recognized as an important regulator
      of gene expression. It is widespread among all kingdoms of life and has been
      shown to influence - either through the act of transcription or through the non
      coding RNA that is produced - almost all stages of gene expression, from
      transcription and translation to RNA degradation. Antisense transcription can
      function as a fast evolving regulatory switch and a modular scaffold for protein
      complexes, and it can 'rewire' regulatory networks. The genomic arrangement of
      antisense RNAs opposite sense genes indicates that they might be part of self
      regulatory circuits that allow genes to regulate their own expression. 

PMID- 24217322
TI  - Human evolution: reprogrammed cells dissect ape retrotransposition.

PMID- 24217325
TI  - Corncobs as a potential source of functional chemicals.
AB  - Phytochemical examination of corncob extracts led to the isolation of a new
      lignan identified as 7,7'-dihydroxy-3'-O-demethyl-4-methoxymatairesinol, together
      with seven known compounds, identified as beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosteryl-beta-D
      glucoside, 6beta-hydroxy-campest-4-en-3-one, 5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22
      dien-3beta-ol, tricin, kaempferol and p-coumaric acid. The isolated compounds
      were identified by one and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopies and mass
      spectrometry.

PMID- 24217326
TI  - Photoaffinity labeling of plasma proteins.
AB  - Photoaffinity labeling is a powerful technique for identifying a target protein.
      A high degree of labeling specificity can be achieved with this method in
      comparison to chemical labeling. Human serum albumin (HSA) and alpha1-acid
      glycoprotein (AGP) are two plasma proteins that bind a variety of endogenous and
      exogenous substances. The ligand binding mechanism of these two proteins is
      complex. Fatty acids, which are known to be transported in plasma by HSA, cause
      conformational changes and participate in allosteric ligand binding to HSA. HSA
      undergoes an N-B transition, a conformational change at alkaline pH, that has
      been reported to result in increased ligand binding. Attempts have been made to
      investigate the impact of fatty acids and the N-B transition on ligand binding in
      HSA using ketoprofen and flunitrazepam as photolabeling agents. Meanwhile, plasma
      AGP is a mixture of genetic variants of the protein. The photolabeling of AGP
      with flunitrazepam has been utilized to shed light on the topology of the protein
      ligand binding site. Furthermore, a review of photoaffinity labeling performed on
      other major plasma proteins will also be discussed. Using a photoreactive natural
      ligand as a photolabeling agent to identify target protein in the plasma would
      reduce non-specific labeling.

PMID- 24217316
TI  - A new world of Polycombs: unexpected partnerships and emerging functions.
AB  - Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are epigenetic repressors that are essential for
      the transcriptional control of cell differentiation and development. PcG-mediated
      repression is associated with specific post-translational histone modifications
      and is thought to involve both biochemical and physical modulation of chromatin
      structure. Recent advances show that PcG complexes comprise a multiplicity of
      variants and are far more biochemically diverse than previously thought. The
      importance of these new PcG complexes for normal development and disease, their
      targeting mechanisms and their shifting roles in the course of differentiation
      are now the subject of investigation and the focus of this Review. 

PMID- 24217327
TI  - One-pot tandem synthesis of 2-arylquinazolines by a multicomponent cyclization
      reaction.
AB  - A series of 2-arylquinazolines have been synthesized in moderate to excellent
      yields by one-pot tandem reaction of (2-aminophenyl)methanols, aldehydes and
      ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN). The utility of this transformation was demonstrated
      by its compatibility with a wide range of functional groups. Thus, the method
      represents a simple and practical procedure to access 2-arylquinazolines.

PMID- 24217328
TI  - 3D-QSAR and cell wall permeability of antitubercular nitroimidazoles against
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - Inhibitory activities of monocyclic nitroimidazoles against Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis (Mtb) deazaflavin-dependent nitroreductase (DDN) were modeled by
      using docking, pharmacophore alignment and comparative molecular similarity
      indices analysis (CoMSIA) methods. A statistically significant model obtained
      from CoMSIA was established based on a training set using pharmacophore-based
      molecular alignment. The leave-one out cross-validation correlation coefficients
      q2 (CoMSIA) were 0.681. The CoMSIA model had a good correlation (r2(pred)/CoMSIA
      = 0.611) between the predicted and experimental activities against excluded test
      sets. The generated model suggests that electrostatic, hydrophobic and hydrogen
      bonding interactions all play important roles for interaction between ligands and
      receptors. The predicted cell wall permeability (logP(app)) for substrates with
      high inhibitory activity against Mtb were investigated. The distribution
      coefficient (logD) range was 2.41 < logD < 2.89 for the Mtb cell wall membrane
      permeability. The larger the polar surface area is, the better the permeability
      is. A larger radius of gyration (rgry) and a small fraction of rotatable bonds
      (f(rtob)) of these molecules leads to higher cell wall penetration ability. The
      information obtained from the in silico tools might be useful in the design of
      more potent compounds that are active against Mtb.

PMID- 24217329
TI  - Net improvement of correct answers to therapy questions after pubmed searches:
      pre/post comparison.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinicians search PubMed for answers to clinical questions although
      it is time consuming and not always successful. OBJECTIVE: To determine if PubMed
      used with its Clinical Queries feature to filter results based on study quality
      would improve search success (more correct answers to clinical questions related
      to therapy). METHODS: We invited 528 primary care physicians to participate, 143
      (27.1%) consented, and 111 (21.0% of the total and 77.6% of those who consented)
      completed the study. Participants answered 14 yes/no therapy questions and were
      given 4 of these (2 originally answered correctly and 2 originally answered
      incorrectly) to search using either the PubMed main screen or PubMed Clinical
      Queries narrow therapy filter via a purpose-built system with identical search
      screens. Participants also picked 3 of the first 20 retrieved citations that best
      addressed each question. They were then asked to re-answer the original 14
      questions. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant differences in the
      rates of correct or incorrect answers using the PubMed main screen or PubMed
      Clinical Queries. The rate of correct answers increased from 50.0% to 61.4% (95%
      CI 55.0%-67.8%) for the PubMed main screen searches and from 50.0% to 59.1% (95%
      CI 52.6%-65.6%) for Clinical Queries searches. These net absolute increases of
      11.4% and 9.1%, respectively, included previously correct answers changing to
      incorrect at a rate of 9.5% (95% CI 5.6%-13.4%) for PubMed main screen searches
      and 9.1% (95% CI 5.3%-12.9%) for Clinical Queries searches, combined with
      increases in the rate of being correct of 20.5% (95% CI 15.2%-25.8%) for PubMed
      main screen searches and 17.7% (95% CI 12.7%-22.7%) for Clinical Queries
      searches. CONCLUSIONS: PubMed can assist clinicians answering clinical questions
      with an approximately 10% absolute rate of improvement in correct answers. This
      small increase includes more correct answers partially offset by a decrease in
      previously correct answers.

PMID- 24217331
TI  - Controllable and reversible hot spot formation on silver nanorod arrays.
AB  - Reversible hot spot formation is achieved for free-standing silver nanorod (AgNR)
      arrays fabricated by oblique angle deposition and modified with a hydrophilic
      surface coating. 

PMID- 24217330
TI  - Cross-cultural application of the Korean version of the European Organization for
      Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with
      prostate cancer - EORTC QLQ-PR25.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the
      European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-PR25 when applied
      to Korean prostate cancer (PC) patients. METHODS: A total of 172 patients who
      underwent curative radical prostatectomy (RP) with or without adjuvant androgen
      deprivation therapy were asked to complete the Korean version of the EORTC QLQ
      C30 and PR25 questionnaires 3 times (before and 3 and 6 months after RP).
      Psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire was conducted. RESULTS: Multitrait
      scaling analysis showed satisfactory construct validity in most scales except for
      bowel symptoms and hormonal treatment-related symptoms. Internal consistency
      tested by Cronbach's alpha coefficient met the 0.70 criterion for the urinary
      symptom, sexual activity and sexual functioning scales at the all 3 time points.
      Known-group comparison analyses showed better quality-of-life (QOL) scores in
      patients with higher performance status, and higher hormonal treatment-related
      symptom scores in patients on hormonal treatment. Responsiveness to changes was
      in line with clinical implications over time after RP. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      show that the EORTC QLQ-PR25 questionnaire has adequate levels in cross-cultural
      validity. The Korean version of the EORTC QLQ-PR25 is a generally reliable and
      robust instrument for the assessment of various QOL aspects that can be self
      administered to Korean PC patients undergoing RP.

PMID- 24217332
TI  - Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: changing landscape with
      cabazitaxel.
AB  - Docetaxel is the standard first-line chemotherapy for men with metastatic
      castration-resistant prostate cancer. Until recently, there was no standard
      therapy after failure of docetaxel treatment. Cabazitaxel has been shown to
      improve overall survival in this setting. As a result, the treatment paradigm for
      mCRPC is changing rapidly. The improved survival shown with cabazitaxel provides
      an important new opportunity to treat men with mCRPC after docetaxel treatment.
      Despite the toxicity recorded in the pivotal study, subsequent trials have shown
      that cabazitaxel is a safe drug. Patient selection and the optimal interval
      between prior docetaxel treatment and cabazitaxel remain the critical issues.
      According to a subanalysis of the various studies discussed in this review, there
      is a patient profile that will probably benefit from use of cabazitaxel after
      docetaxel failure. Cabazitaxel represents a new treatment option for patients
      with prostate cancer. 

PMID- 24217333
TI  - Exclusion of influences of ARMS2 polymorphisms on the central visual field in
      retinitis pigmentosa.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of polymorphisms of the age-related
      maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) gene on the central visual field defects in
      retinitis pigmentosa (RP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The visual field was evaluated
      using the 10-2 Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm Fast Program and mean
      deviation (MD) slope, and regression coefficients of average sensitivity of the
      central 4 points (Cent4) were compared between each genetic subgroup. RESULTS:
      The MD slope (right/left) was as follows: GG, -1.37 +/- 2.18/ -0.89 +/- 1.15; GT,
      -0.56 +/- 1.40/-0.77 +/- 1.04; TT, -0.75 +/- 0.64/ -0.38 +/- 0.92 dB/year. The
      Cent4 was as follows: GG, -1.34 +/- 2.37/-1.60 +/- 3.21; GT, -1.15 +/- 2.08/1.07
      +/- 1.80; TT, -1.20 +/- 0.91/-0.65 +/- 1.37 dB/year. No significant differences
      in the degree of progression were observed when comparing groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      These data suggest that polymorphisms of the ARMS2 do not modify the progression
      of the central field of vision in RP patients.

PMID- 24217334
TI  - Synthesis of rotacatenanes by the combination of Cu-mediated threading reaction
      and the template method: the dual role of one ligand.
AB  - Rotacatenanes were synthesized by the catalytic reaction using a macrocyclic
      phenanthroline-CuI complex followed by the installation of another ring by the
      template method. In this approach, the size of the ring component of the rotaxane
      turns out to be a very important factor for the synthesis of rotacatenanes. 

PMID- 24217335
TI  - P-H activation of secondary phosphanes on a parent amido diiridium complex.
AB  - Selected secondary phosphanes (H-PR2; R = Ph, Cy, (i)Pr) smoothly react with a
      parent amido-bridged diiridium cyclooctadiene complex affording mixed
      amido/(bis)phosphido dinuclear species. A careful investigation of the reaction
      profile, carried out by experimental and theoretical tools, revealed that, after
      an initial amido/phosphido exchange, at low temperatures a second molecule of
      secondary phosphane adds to the dinuclear system through an oxidative addition
      process leading to a hydrido amido/bis(phosphido) mixed-valence complex
      [Ir(III)/Ir(I)]. These species rearrange above -10  degrees C into the most
      stable isomer that arises from a migration of the hydrido moiety to one of the
      =CH fragments of a coordinated cod molecule, a transformation facilitated by the
      formation of an intermetallic bond. Further heating of these species reductively
      eliminates ammonia affording bis(phosphido)-metal-metal bonded complexes.

PMID- 24217336
TI  - Improving maternal mental health after a child's diagnosis of autism spectrum
      disorder: results from a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The prevalence of psychological distress among mothers of children
      with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests a need for interventions that
      address parental mental health during the critical period after the child's
      autism diagnosis when parents are learning to navigate the complex system of
      autism services. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a brief cognitive behavioral
      intervention, problem-solving education (PSE), decreases parenting stress and
      maternal depressive symptoms during the period immediately following a child's
      diagnosis of ASD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A randomized clinical trial
      compared 6 sessions of PSE with usual care. Settings included an autism clinic
      and 6 community-based early intervention programs that primarily serve low-income
      families. Participants were mothers of 122 young children (mean age, 34 months)
      who recently received a diagnosis of ASD. Among mothers assessed for eligibility,
      17.0% declined participation. We report outcomes after 3 months of follow-up
      (immediate postdiagnosis period). INTERVENTIONS: Problem-solving education is a
      brief, cognitive intervention delivered in six 30-minute individualized sessions
      by existing staff (early intervention programs) or research staff without formal
      mental health training (autism clinic). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary
      outcomes were parental stress and maternal depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Fifty
      nine mothers were randomized to receive PSE and 63 to receive usual care. The
      follow-up rate was 91.0%. Most intervention mothers (78.0%) received the full PSE
      course. At the 3-month follow-up assessment, PSE mothers were significantly less
      likely than those serving as controls to have clinically significant parental
      stress (3.8% vs 29.3%; adjusted relative risk [aRR], 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.65).
      For depressive symptoms, the risk reduction in clinically significant symptoms
      did not reach statistical significance (5.7% vs 22.4%; aRR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.10 to
      1.08); however, the reduction in mean depressive symptoms was statistically
      significant (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology score, 4.6 with PSE vs
      6.9 with usual care; adjusted mean difference, -1.67; 95% CI, -3.17 to -0.18).
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The positive effects of PSE in reducing parenting
      stress and depressive symptoms during the critical postdiagnosis period, when
      parents are asked to navigate a complex service delivery system, suggest that it
      may have a place in clinical practice. Further work will monitor these families
      for a total of 9 months to determine the trajectory of outcomes. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01021384.

PMID- 24217337
TI  - Radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein in an elderly patient with co
      morbid disease.
AB  - An 86-year-old male patient with hypertension, Parkinsonism, benign prostatic
      hyperplasia, cataract and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had a history of
      coronary bypass surgery in two veins due to anterior myocardial infarction one
      year earlier. He presented with pain and feelings of paresthesia below the knee
      of his left leg, and had fallen twice. He had used compressions and
      venoprotective medication for two years and had also received physiotherapy but
      it had not alleviated the symptoms. He had varicose dilatations in the left leg
      and pigmentation and a recovered venous ulcer scar were present on the medial
      malleolus. The patient was classed as grade 4 according to the CEAP
      classification. Because there was no deficiency in the superficial femoral and
      popliteal veins, the patient was taken for endovenous ablation. He had no pain or
      sensation of heaviness in the legs on postoperative day 10, and the first, third
      and sixth months of check up. Endovenous ablation is a procedure that increases
      the quality of life and comfort in elderly patients, with minimal pain.
      Radiofrequency catheter procedures have proven to be more successful in patients
      of all age groups than procedures such as standard surgery and foam therapy. 

PMID- 24217338
TI  - Increased leptin/adiponectin ratio and free leptin index are markers of insulin
      resistance in obese girls during pubertal development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modifications in body fat in obese patients during puberty determine
      changes in adipokines that affect insulin sensitivity. AIMS: We hypothesized that
      the leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio and free leptin index (FLI) are good markers
      of insulin resistance (IR) and total body fat (TBF) during pubertal development.
      METHODS: A prospective study of 32 obese girls (OG) and age-matched control girls
      (CG) was performed. OG were divided into those that maintained a weight loss (WL)
      of >1 SD of initial body mass index (BMI) (WL group, n = 25) and those without WL
      (NWL group, n = 7). Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed to
      evaluate IR. Correlations of adipokines, L/A, and FLI with BMI, waist
      circumference, percentage of TBF (%TBF) and IR were performed over pubertal
      development. RESULTS: The L/A ratio and FLI were increased in OG at baseline.
      Both indexes decreased in the WL group as puberty progressed, with no change in
      CG or NWL. In the WL group, a correlation between L/A and FLI with OGTT and %TBF,
      and L/A and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was found throughout the study.
      CONCLUSION: The L/A ratio and FLI are good markers to follow changes in IR and
      %TBF after WL during puberty. Insulin more accurately reflects the changes in IR
      than HOMA.

PMID- 24217339
TI  - Charge transport properties of spin crossover systems.
AB  - The study of spin crossover compounds by means of theoretical or experimental
      approaches has provided interesting results in recent decades. The main feature
      of such compounds is the change in the spin state induced by many different
      external stimuli, i.e. temperature, light, pressure, solvent coordination and the
      electric field. Spin crossover systems are potentially more useful than other
      magnetic molecules because their switching behaviour can occur closer to room
      temperature, and they are thus candidates for use in spintronic devices. Here, I
      review the state of the art in quantum chemical approaches to the study of such
      systems and discuss experiments that have focused on transport properties in
      single-molecule, nano-objects or thin-film spin crossover systems. 

PMID- 24217341
TI  - Meta-analysis of primary mesh augmentation as prophylactic measure to prevent
      incisional hernia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia (IH) remains one of the most frequent postoperative
      complications after abdominal surgery. As a consequence, primary mesh
      augmentation (PMA), a technique to strengthen the abdominal wall, has been
      gaining popularity. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic
      effect of PMA on the incidence of IH compared to primary suture (PS). METHODS: A
      meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized
      controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PMA and PS for closing the abdominal wall
      after surgery were included. RESULTS: Out of 576 papers, 5 RCTs were selected
      comprising 346 patients. IH occurred significantly less in the PMA group (RR
      0.25, 95% CI 0.12-0.52, I(2)0%; p < 0.001). No difference could be observed with
      regard to wound infection (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.39-1.91, I(2) 0%; p = 0.71) or
      seroma (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.64-2.33, I(2) 0%; p = 0.55). A trend was observed for
      chronic pain in favor of the PS group (RR 5.95, 95% CI 0.74-48.03, I(2)0%; p =
      0.09). CONCLUSION: The use of PMA for abdominal wall closure is associated with
      significantly lower incidence of IH compared to PS.

PMID- 24217340
TI  - Structural insight into the mutual recognition and regulation between Suppressor
      of Fused and Gli/Ci.
AB  - Hedgehog (Hh) signalling regulates embryonic development and adult tissue
      homoeostasis. Mutations of its pathway components including Suppressor of Fused
      (Sufu) and Gli/Ci predispose to cancers and congenital anomalies. The Sufu-Gli
      protein complex occupies a central position in the vertebrate Hh signalling
      pathway, especially in mammals. Here structures of full-length human and
      Drosophila Sufu, the human Sufu-Gli complex, along with normal mode analysis and
      FRET measurement results, reveal that Sufu alternates between 'open' and 'closed'
      conformations. The 'closed' form of Sufu is stabilized by Gli binding and
      inhibited by Hh treatment, whereas the 'open' state of Sufu is promoted by Gli
      dissociation and Hh signalling. Mutations of critical interface residues disrupt
      the Sufu-Gli complex and prevent Sufu from repressing Gli-mediated transcription,
      tethering Gli in the cytoplasm and protecting Gli from the 26S proteasome
      mediated degradation. Our study thus provides mechanistic insight into the mutual
      recognition and regulation between Sufu and Gli/Ci. 

PMID- 24217343
TI  - Efficient spin injection into silicon and the role of the Schottky barrier.
AB  - Implementing spin functionalities in Si, and understanding the fundamental
      processes of spin injection and detection, are the main challenges in
      spintronics. Here we demonstrate large spin polarizations at room temperature,
      34% in n-type and 10% in p-type degenerate Si bands, using a narrow Schottky and
      a SiO2 tunnel barrier in a direct tunneling regime. Furthermore, by increasing
      the width of the Schottky barrier in non-degenerate p-type Si, we observed a
      systematic sign reversal of the Hanle signal in the low bias regime. This
      dramatic change in the spin injection and detection processes with increased
      Schottky barrier resistance may be due to a decoupling of the spins in the
      interface states from the bulk band of Si, yielding a transition from a direct to
      a localized state assisted tunneling. Our study provides a deeper insight into
      the spin transport phenomenon, which should be considered for electrical spin
      injection into any semiconductor. 

PMID- 24217342
TI  - Impact of different operational definitions on mild cognitive impairment rate and
      MMSE and MoCA performance in transient ischaemic attack and stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is at least as prevalent as dementia
      after transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/stroke and is increasingly recognised as
      an important outcome in observational studies and randomised trials. However,
      there is no consensus on how impairment should be defined, and numerous different
      criteria exist. Previous studies have shown that different criteria for cognitive
      impairment impact on prevalence rates in epidemiological studies. However, there
      are few data on how operational differences within established criteria (e.g.
      Petersen-MCI) affect measured impairment rates and the performance of short
      cognitive tests such as the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal
      Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), particularly in cerebrovascular disease. We
      therefore evaluated the effect of different operational definitions on measured
      rates of Petersen-MCI and on reliability of short cognitive tests in patients
      with TIA and stroke. METHODS: Consecutive patients underwent the MMSE, MoCA and
      neuropsychological battery >=1 year after TIA or stroke in a population-based
      study. MCI was defined using the Petersen method and subclassified as single or
      multiple domain, both with (original) and without (modified) subjective memory
      impairment. Different cut-offs (>1, >1.5 and >2 standard deviations, SD) on a
      given test relative to published norms were compared together with use of single
      versus multiple tests to define domain impairment. RESULTS: 91 non-demented
      subjects completed neuropsychological testing (mean age +/- SD 69.7 +/- 11.6
      years, 54 male, 49 stroke) at a mean of 3.1 +/- 1.9 years after the index event.
      Rates of cognitive impairment ranged from 14/91 (15%) for MCI-original at >2 SD
      cut-off to 61/91 (67%) MCI-modified at >1 SD cut-off, and the proportion of MCI
      that was multiple domain varied, e.g. 24/46 (52%) versus only 5/27 (20%) at 1
      versus 2 SD cut-off for MCI-modified. Requirement for subjective memory complaint
      approximately halved estimates [e.g. 17 (19%) vs. 39 (43%) for MCI at 1.5 SD cut
      off, single test definition], whereas use of multiple tests versus a single test
      to define a cognitive domain had less impact. In general, diagnostic accuracy was
      higher, and optimal cut-offs lower, on MMSE and MoCA for multiple-domain versus
      single-domain MCI, but the MoCA appeared superior for detecting MCI-modified,
      whereas the MMSE performed well in detecting MCI-original. CONCLUSION: Even
      within established criteria for MCI, differences in operational methodology
      result in 4-fold variation in MCI estimates. Optimal MMSE and MoCA cut-offs are
      lower, and reliability more similar, when criteria for MCI are more stringent.
      Our findings have implications for sample size and adjusted relative risk
      calculations in randomised trials and for comparisons between studies.

PMID- 24217344
TI  - Gender-specific alterations in salivary cortisol levels in pubertal
      intracytoplasmic sperm injection offspring.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is accumulating evidence that in vitro conception in humans may
      be associated with adverse health outcomes later in life. It has been proposed
      that suboptimal early life conditions may 'program' key endocrine systems. A
      disturbance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis leading to
      alterations in cortisol secretion in the offspring may be such a mechanism. To
      date, no data on cortisol levels in children conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm
      injection (ICSI) are available in the literature. METHODS: In this cross
      sectional study, salivary cortisol known as a key regulator of metabolism was
      measured and results were compared between 201 pubertal ICSI children and 196
      spontaneously conceived (SC) counterparts. RESULTS: ICSI females had lower mean
      salivary cortisol levels (9.0 ug/l; 95% CI 8.1-9.9) than SC females (10.6 ug/l;
      95% CI 9.7-11.5; p = 0.01). This difference remained after adjusting for current
      characteristics, early life factors and maternal characteristics. In ICSI males,
      no difference in cortisol levels was found in comparison with the SC group.
      CONCLUSION: In our study, 14-year-old female but not male ICSI teenagers were
      found to have lower salivary cortisol concentrations in comparison with SC peers.
      However, before definite conclusions can be drawn, our results should be
      completed by longitudinal sampling.

PMID- 24217345
TI  - The CVD graphene transfer procedure introduces metallic impurities which alter
      the graphene electrochemical properties.
AB  - High quality graphene films can be fabricated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
      using Ni and Cu as catalytic substrates. Such a synthesis procedure always
      requires a subsequent transfer process to be performed in order to eliminate the
      metallic substrate and transfer the graphene onto the desired surface. We show
      here that such a transfer process causes significant contamination of the
      graphene film with residual Fe and Ni metal impurities. Fe contamination derives
      from the use of Fe-based etching solutions to dissolve Ni (or Cu) substrates,
      while residual Ni (or Cu) is due to an incomplete metal substrate etching. The
      presence of these metallic impurities within the transferred graphene film
      affects tremendously its electrochemical behavior when adopted as an electrode
      material. 

PMID- 24217346
TI  - IBD: Early use of anti-TNF agents might give a helping hand to paediatric
      patients with Crohn's disease.

PMID- 24217347
TI  - Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: pathogenesis and clinical relevance.
AB  - Cirrhosis is known to cause alterations in the systemic haemodynamic system.
      Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy designates a cardiac dysfunction that includes impaired
      cardiac contractility with systolic and diastolic dysfunction, as well as
      electromechanical abnormalities in the absence of other known causes of cardiac
      disease. This condition is primarily revealed by inducing physical or
      pharmacological stress, but echocardiography is excellent at revealing diastolic
      dysfunction and might also be used to detect systolic dysfunction at rest.
      Furthermore, measurement of circulating levels of cardiac biomarkers could
      improve the diagnostic assessm+ent. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy contributes to
      various complications in cirrhosis, especially as an important factor in the
      development of hepatic nephropathy. Additionally, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy seems
      to be associated with the development of heart failure in relation to invasive
      procedures such as shunt insertion and liver transplantation. Current
      pharmacological treatment is nonspecific and directed towards left ventricular
      failure, and liver transplantation is currently the only proven treatment with
      specific effect on cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. 

PMID- 24217348
TI  - The promise and challenges of next-generation genome sequencing for clinical
      care.
AB  - With increased speed and decreased costs, next-generation gene sequencing has the
      potential to improve medical care by making possible widespread evaluation of
      patients' genomes in clinical settings. The entire genome of an individual can
      now be sequenced in less than 1 week at a cost of $5000 to $10,000; the cost will
      continue to decline. Analyses based on next-generation sequencing include whole
      genome sequencing and whole-exome sequencing; DNA sequences that encode proteins
      are collectively known as the exome. In some instances, whole genome and whole
      exome sequencing have already helped to accurately diagnose diseases with
      atypical manifestations, that are difficult to diagnose using clinical or
      laboratory criteria alone, or that otherwise require extensive or costly
      evaluation. For some patients with malignant neoplasms, next-generating
      sequencing can improve tumor classification, diagnosis, and management. Many
      challenges remain, however, such as the storage and interpretation of vast
      amounts of sequence data, training physicians and other health care professionals
      whose knowledge of genetics may be insufficient, effective genetic counseling and
      communication of results to patients, and establishing standards for the
      appropriate use of the technology. Rigorous studies are needed to assess the
      utility of whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing in large groups of patients,
      including comparative studies with other approaches to screening and diagnosis,
      and the evaluation of clinical end points and health care costs. The successes to
      date have been in single cases or in very small groups of patients. At present,
      although whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing show great promise, they should
      be incorporated into patient care only in limited clinical situations.

PMID- 24217349
TI  - In vivo imaging with a fundus camera in a rat model of laser-induced choroidal
      neovascularization.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the use of imaging and quantitative measurement
      capabilities of a modified fundus camera in a rat model of laser-induced
      choroidal neovascularization. METHODS: Following induction of experimental
      choroidal neovascularization, Dark Agouti rats underwent serial in vivo imaging
      with a fundus camera (FF450plus, Carl Zeiss MediTec, Jena, Germany), including
      color, reflectance and fluorescence imaging. RESULTS: A custom-made setting
      allowed high-resolution imaging. Change of fluorescence intensity following
      intravenous or intravitreal dye injection could be quantitatively monitored over
      time. Hardware binning resulted in an improved signal-to-noise ratio and a
      reduction of flash light intensity. Simultaneous fluorescence imaging following
      injection of two different dendritic polygylcerol sulfate dyes could be
      demonstrated. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the use and optimizations of a
      fundus camera for various in vivo imaging modalities in rats. Molecular imaging
      of the eye may allow for better insights into cellular dysfunction and
      optimization of therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 24217350
TI  - Selective trioxolane based bifunctional molecular linkers for covalent heme
      surface functionalisation.
AB  - A bifunctional molecular linker containing both aryl diazonium and trioxolane
      groups was synthesised and its ability to sequentially functionalise glassy
      carbon and covalently immobilise heme investigated. Functionalisation was
      demonstrated by electrochemical techniques. 

PMID- 24217352
TI  - Child abuse prevention and child home visitation: making sure we get it right.

PMID- 24217353
TI  - A multifunctional joint angle sensor with measurement adaptability.
AB  - The paper presents a multifunctional joint sensor with measurement adaptability
      for biological engineering applications, such as gait analysis, gesture
      recognition, etc. The adaptability is embodied in both static and dynamic
      environment measurements, both of body pose and in motion capture. Its
      multifunctional capabilities lay in its ability of simultaneous measurement of
      multiple degrees of freedom (MDOF) with a single sensor to reduce system
      complexity. The basic working mode enables 2DOF spatial angle measurement over
      big ranges and stands out for its applications on different joints of different
      individuals without recalibration. The optional advanced working mode enables an
      additional DOF measurement for various applications. By employing corrugated tube
      as the main body, the sensor is also characterized as flexible and wearable with
      less restraints. MDOF variations are converted to linear displacements of the
      sensing elements. The simple reconstruction algorithm and small outputs volume
      are capable of providing real-time angles and long-term monitoring. The
      performance assessment of the built prototype is promising enough to indicate the
      feasibility of the sensor. 

PMID- 24217354
TI  - Violin bridge mobility analysis under in-plane excitation.
AB  - The vibration of a violin bridge is a dynamic contact vibration with two
      interfaces: strings-bridge, and bridge feet-top plate. In this paper, the
      mobility of an isolated bridge under in-plane excitation is explored using finite
      element modeling based on the contact vibration model. Numerical results show
      that the dynamic contact stiffness in the two contact interfaces has a great
      impact on the bridge mobility. A main resonance peak is observed in the frequency
      range of 2-3 kHz in the frequency response of the isolated bridge when the
      contact stiffness is smaller than a critical threshold. The main resonance peak
      frequency is affected by the contact stiffness as well. In order to verify the
      numerical findings, a novel experimental system is then designed on the basis of
      a piezoelectric dynamometer for bridge mobility analysis. Experimental results
      confirm the impact of the dynamic contact stiffness on the bridge mobility. 

PMID- 24217355
TI  - A Kalman filter implementation for precision improvement in low-cost GPS
      positioning of tractors.
AB  - Low-cost GPS receivers provide geodetic positioning information using the NMEA
      protocol, usually with eight digits for latitude and nine digits for longitude.
      When these geodetic coordinates are converted into Cartesian coordinates, the
      positions fit in a quantization grid of some decimeters in size, the dimensions
      of which vary depending on the point of the terrestrial surface. The aim of this
      study is to reduce the quantization errors of some low-cost GPS receivers by
      using a Kalman filter. Kinematic tractor model equations were employed to
      particularize the filter, which was tuned by applying Monte Carlo techniques to
      eighteen straight trajectories, to select the covariance matrices that produced
      the lowest Root Mean Square Error in these trajectories. Filter performance was
      tested by using straight tractor paths, which were either simulated or real
      trajectories acquired by a GPS receiver. The results show that the filter can
      reduce the quantization error in distance by around 43%. Moreover, it reduces the
      standard deviation of the heading by 75%. Data suggest that the proposed filter
      can satisfactorily preprocess the low-cost GPS receiver data when used in an
      assistance guidance GPS system for tractors. It could also be useful to smooth
      tractor GPS trajectories that are sharpened when the tractor moves over rough
      terrain. 

PMID- 24217356
TI  - Metallic and ceramic thin film thermocouples for gas turbine engines.
AB  - Temperatures of hot section components in today's gas turbine engines reach as
      high as 1,500  degrees C, making in situ monitoring of the severe temperature
      gradients within the engine rather difficult. Therefore, there is a need to
      develop instrumentation (i.e., thermocouples and strain gauges) for these turbine
      engines that can survive these harsh environments. Refractory metal and ceramic
      thin film thermocouples are well suited for this task since they have excellent
      chemical and electrical stability at high temperatures in oxidizing atmospheres,
      they are compatible with thermal barrier coatings commonly employed in today's
      engines, they have greater sensitivity than conventional wire thermocouples, and
      they are non-invasive to combustion aerodynamics in the engine. Thin film
      thermocouples based on platinum:palladium and indium oxynitride:indium tin
      oxynitride as well as their oxide counterparts have been developed for this
      purpose and have proven to be more stable than conventional type-S and type-K
      thin film thermocouples. The metallic and ceramic thin film thermocouples
      described within this paper exhibited remarkable stability and drift rates
      similar to bulk (wire) thermocouples. 

PMID- 24217357
TI  - Label-enhanced surface plasmon resonance: a new concept for improved performance
      in optical biosensor analysis.
AB  - Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a well-established optical biosensor
      technology with many proven applications in the study of molecular interactions
      as well as in surface and material science. SPR is usually applied in the label
      free mode which may be advantageous in cases where the presence of a label may
      potentially interfere with the studied interactions per se. However, the
      fundamental challenges of label-free SPR in terms of limited sensitivity and
      specificity are well known. Here we present a new concept called label-enhanced
      SPR, which is based on utilizing strongly absorbing dye molecules in combination
      with the evaluation of the full shape of the SPR curve, whereby the sensitivity
      as well as the specificity of SPR is significantly improved. The performance of
      the new label-enhanced SPR method was demonstrated by two simple model assays: a
      small molecule assay and a DNA hybridization assay. The small molecule assay was
      used to demonstrate the sensitivity enhancement of the method, and how
      competitive assays can be used for relative affinity determination. The DNA assay
      was used to demonstrate the selectivity of the assay, and the capabilities in
      eliminating noise from bulk liquid composition variations. 

PMID- 24217358
TI  - Improving management performance of P2PSIP for mobile sensing in wireless
      overlays.
AB  - Future wireless communications are heading towards an all-Internet Protocol (all
      IP) design, and will rely on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to manage
      services, such as voice over IP (VoIP). The centralized architecture of
      traditional SIP has numerous disadvantages for mobile ad hoc services that may be
      possibly overcome by advanced peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies initially developed
      for the Internet. In the context of mobile sensing, P2PSIP protocols facilitate
      decentralized and fast communications with sensor-enabled terminals.
      Nevertheless, in order to make P2PSIP protocols feasible in mobile sensing
      networks, it is necessary to minimize overhead transmissions for signaling
      purposes, which reduces the battery lifetime. In this paper, we present a
      solution to improve the management of wireless overlay networks by defining an
      adaptive algorithm for the calculation of refresh time. The main advantage of the
      proposed algorithm is that it takes into account new parameters, such as the
      delay between nodes, and provides satisfactory performance and reliability levels
      at a much lower management overhead than previous approaches. The proposed
      solution can be applied to many structured P2P overlays or P2PSIP protocols. We
      evaluate it with Kademlia-based distributed hash tables (DHT) and dSIP. 

PMID- 24217359
TI  - Throughput and energy efficiency of a cooperative hybrid ARQ protocol for
      underwater acoustic sensor networks.
AB  - Due to its efficiency, reliability and better channel and resource utilization,
      cooperative transmission technologies have been attractive options in underwater
      as well as terrestrial sensor networks. Their performance can be further improved
      if merged with forward error correction (FEC) techniques. In this paper, we
      propose and analyze a retransmission protocol named Cooperative-Hybrid Automatic
      Repeat reQuest (C-HARQ) for underwater acoustic sensor networks, which exploits
      both the reliability of cooperative ARQ (CARQ) and the efficiency of incremental
      redundancy-hybrid ARQ (IR-HARQ) using rate-compatible punctured convolution
      (RCPC) codes. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the
      performance of the protocol, in terms of both throughput and energy efficiency.
      The results clearly reveal the enhancement in performance achieved by the C-HARQ
      protocol, which outperforms both CARQ and conventional stop and wait ARQ (S&W
      ARQ). Further, using computer simulations, optimum values of various network
      parameters are estimated so as to extract the best performance out of the C-HARQ
      protocol. 

PMID- 24217360
TI  - Research on the design of an optical information storage sensing system using a
      diffractive optical element.
AB  - This paper introduces a compact optical information storage sensing system.
      Applications of this system include longitudinal surface plasmon resonance
      detection of gold nanorods with a single femtosecond laser in three-dimensional
      space as well as data storage. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is applied in
      the system to separate the recording-reading beam from the servo beam. This
      allows us to apply a single laser and one objective lens in a single optical path
      for the servo beam and the recording-reading beam. The optical system has a
      linear region of 8 lambda, which is compatible with current DVD servo modules.
      The wavefront error of the optical system is below 0.03 lambda(rms). The minimum
      grating period of the DOE is 13.4 um, and the depth of the DOE is 1.2 um, which
      makes fabrication of it possible. The DOE is also designed to conveniently
      control the layer-selection process, as there is a linear correlation between the
      displacement of the DOE and the layer-selection distance. The displacement of DOE
      is in the range of 0-6.045 mm when the thickness of the layer-selection is 0.3
      mm. Experiments were performed and the results have been verified.

PMID- 24217361
TI  - Analysis of the purpose of state health departments' tweets: information sharing,
      engagement, and action.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Public health agencies are actively using social media, including
      Twitter. In the public health and nonprofit sectors, Twitter has been limited to
      one-way communication. Two-way, interactive communication on Twitter has the
      potential to enhance organizational relationships with followers and help
      organizations achieve their goals by increasing communication and dialog between
      the organization and its followers. Research shows that nonprofit organizations
      use Twitter for three main functions: information sharing, community building,
      and action. OBJECTIVE: It is not known whether state health departments are using
      Twitter primarily for one-way information sharing or if they are trying to engage
      followers to build relationships and promote action. The purpose of this research
      was to discover what the primary function of Twitter use is among state health
      departments in the United States and whether this is similar to or different from
      nonprofit organizations. METHODS: A complete list of "tweets" made by each state
      health department account was obtained using the Twitter application programming
      interface. We randomly sampled 10% of each state health department's tweets. Four
      research assistants hand-coded the tweets' primary focus (organization centric or
      personal health information centric) and then the subcategories of information
      dissemination, engagement, or action. Research assistants coded each tweet for
      interactivity, sophistication, and redirects to another website. Data were
      analyzed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: There were 4221 tweets from 39 state
      health departments. There was no statistically significant difference in the
      number of tweets made by a state health department and the state population
      density (P=.25). The majority of tweets focused on personal health topics
      (69.37%, 2928/4221) while one-third were tweets about the organization (29.14% ,
      1230/4221). The main function of organization-based tweets was engagement through
      conversations to build community (65.77%, 809/1236). These engagement-related
      tweets were primarily recognition of other organizations' events (43.6%, 353/809)
      and giving thanks and recognition (21.4%, 173/809). Nearly all of the personal
      health information-centric tweets involved general public health information
      (92.10%, 1399/1519) and 79.03% (3336/4221) of tweets directed followers to
      another link for more information. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to assess
      the purpose of public health tweets among state health departments. State health
      departments are using Twitter as a one-way communication tool, with tweets
      focused primarily on personal health. A state health department Twitter account
      may not be the primary health information source for individuals. Therefore,
      state health departments should reconsider their focus on personal health tweets
      and envision how they can use Twitter to develop relationships with community
      agencies and partners. In order to realize the potential of Twitter to establish
      relationships and develop connections, more two-way communication and interaction
      are essential.

PMID- 24217362
TI  - Noninvasive brain stimulation for treatment of right- and left-handed poststroke
      aphasics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence from single case studies, small case series and
      randomized controlled trials seems to suggest that inhibitory noninvasive brain
      stimulation (NIBS) over the contralesional inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) of right
      handers in conjunction with speech and language therapy (SLT) improves recovery
      from poststroke aphasia. Application of inhibitory NIBS to improve recovery in
      left-handed patients has not yet been reported. METHODS: A total of 29 right
      handed subacute poststroke aphasics were randomized to receive either 10 sessions
      of SLT following 20 min of inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic
      stimulation (rTMS) over the contralesional IFG or 10 sessions of SLT following
      sham stimulation; 2 left-handers were treated according to the same protocol with
      real rTMS. Language activation patterns were assessed with positron emission
      tomography prior to and after the treatment; 95% confidence intervals for changes
      in language performance scores and the activated brain volumes in both
      hemispheres were derived from TMS- and sham-treated right-handed patients and
      compared to the same parameters in left-handers. RESULTS: Right-handed patients
      treated with rTMS showed better recovery of language function in global aphasia
      test scores (t test, p < 0.002) as well as in picture-naming performance (ANOVA,
      p = 0.03) than sham-treated right-handers. In treated right-handers, a shift of
      activation to the ipsilesional hemisphere was observed, while sham-treated
      patients consolidated network activity in the contralesional hemisphere (repeated
      measures ANOVA, p = 0.009). Both left-handed patients also improved, with 1
      patient within the confidence limits of TMS-treated right-handers (23 points,
      15.9-28.9) and the other patient within the limits of sham-treated subjects (8
      points, 2.8-14.5). Both patients exhibited only a very small interhemispheric
      shift, much less than expected in TMS-treated right-handers, and more or less
      consolidated initially active networks in both hemispheres. CONCLUSION:
      Inhibitory rTMS over the nondominant IFG appears to be a safe and effective
      treatment for right-handed poststroke aphasics. In the 2 cases of left-handed
      aphasics no deterioration of language performance was observed with this
      protocol. However, therapeutic efficiency is less obvious and seems to be more
      related to the dominance pattern prior to the stroke than to the TMS
      intervention.

PMID- 24217363
TI  - Sodium and potassium competition in potassium-selective and non-selective
      channels.
AB  - Potassium channels selectively conduct K(+), primarily to the exclusion of Na(+),
      despite the fact that both ions can bind within the selectivity filter. Here we
      perform crystallographic titration and single-channel electrophysiology to
      examine the competition of Na(+) and K(+) binding within the filter of two NaK
      channel mutants; one is the potassium-selective NaK2K mutant and the other is the
      non-selective NaK2CNG, a CNG channel pore mimic. With high-resolution structures
      of these engineered NaK channel constructs, we explicitly describe the changes in
      K(+) occupancy within the filter upon Na(+) competition by anomalous diffraction.
      Our results demonstrate that the non-selective NaK2CNG still retains a K(+)
      selective site at equilibrium, whereas the NaK2K channel filter maintains two
      high-affinity K(+) sites. A double-barrier mechanism is proposed to explain K(+)
      channel selectivity at low K(+) concentrations. 

PMID- 24217366
TI  - Recognition of most outstanding resident publication.

PMID- 24217364
TI  - Analysis of germline gene copy number variants of patients with sporadic
      pancreatic adenocarcinoma reveals specific variations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The rapid fatality of pancreatic cancer is, in large part, the result
      of diagnosis at an advanced stage in the majority of patients. Identification of
      individuals at risk of developing pancreatic adenocarcinoma would be useful to
      improve the prognosis of this disease. There is presently no biological or
      genetic indicator allowing the detection of patients at risk. Our main goal was
      to identify copy number variants (CNVs) common to all patients with sporadic
      pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We analyzed gene CNVs in leukocyte DNA from 31
      patients with sporadic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and from 93 matched controls.
      Genotyping was performed with the use of the GeneChip Human Mapping 500K Array
      Set (Affymetrix). RESULTS: We identified 431 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
      probes with abnormal hybridization signal present in the DNA of all 31 patients.
      Of these SNP probes, 284 corresponded to 3 or more copies and 147 corresponded to
      1 or 0 copies. Several cancer-associated genes were amplified in all patients.
      Conversely, several genes supposed to oppose cancer development were present as
      single copy. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a set of 431 CNVs could be
      associated with the disease. This set could be useful for early diagnosis.

PMID- 24217367
TI  - Out-sourcing stem cells for clinical applications.

PMID- 24217368
TI  - Validation of a conical cuff on the forearm for estimating radial artery blood
      pressure.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There has been a growing need for and interest in measuring
      noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) in obese patients. In many situations,
      available rectangular upper arm blood pressure cuffs do not fit properly, closing
      in a crisscross manner or overlapping the elbow. To address this issue, GE
      Healthcare has designed a conically shaped cuff for use on the forearm to
      estimate radial arterial blood pressure. This study evaluated using this forearm
      cuff with an oscillometric NIBP algorithm compared with an invasive radial
      arterial blood pressure reference. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients
      were enrolled in the study with an aim to acquire a minimum of 150 paired
      measurements. Blood pressure was measured and recorded invasively from the radial
      artery of each patient, while noninvasive oscillometric measurements were
      acquired from the same limb using a conically shaped cuff placed on the patient's
      forearm. ANALYSIS: NIBP values were compared with the invasive blood pressure
      values acquired in the combined 30-s period preceding cuff inflation and the 30-s
      period following cuff deflation. The acceptance criteria for measurement accuracy
      were defined in accordance with the ANSI/AAMI/ISO 81060-2:2009 standard, which
      requires an absolute average error of 5 mmHg or less, with an SD of 8 mmHg or
      less. RESULTS: The systolic mean error (-0.82 mmHg) and SD (6.08 mmHg) and the
      diastolic mean error (1.53 mmHg) and SD (3.83 mmHg) were within the 81060-2
      acceptance criteria. CONCLUSION: The statistical results show that oscillometric
      NIBP measurements taken with the conically shaped cuff placed on the forearm give
      an accurate estimation of radial arterial blood pressure.

PMID- 24217369
TI  - Liver resection in patients with hepatic hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler
      Rendu-Weber disease, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by widespread
      telangiectasia and vascular malformations involving the liver in most of the
      cases. The consequences of this pathologically underlying parenchyma on liver
      resection have been poorly described. METHODS: More than 2,000 liver resections
      were performed at our institution over a 14-year period, whereby 2 major
      hepatectomies for malignancy were performed on patients with HHT with liver
      involvement. In addition, a systematic search was performed in the PubMed
      database to identify all original articles on hepatectomy in patients with HHT.
      RESULTS: The first patient underwent a left hepatectomy for cholangiocarcinoma
      with an uneventful postoperative course. The second patient underwent right
      hepatectomy and segment 3 resection for colorectal liver metastases. The
      postoperative course was marked by ascites without liver failure. For both
      patients, 90-day mortality was nil. CONCLUSION: In selected HHT patients with
      liver involvement, liver resections, including major hepatectomies, can be safely
      performed. Specific attention should be paid to postoperative liver function and
      ascites.

PMID- 24217370
TI  - Construction of heterocyclic structures by trivalent cerium salts promoted bond
      forming reactions.
AB  - Cerium(III) salts have recently gained increasing attention in the synthetic
      community, owing to the powerful features that are reviewed in detail in this
      tutorial. This review reports significant examples of cerium(III) promoted
      synthesis of heterocyclic structures, initially dealing with the synthesis of
      five- and six-membered ring nitrogen containing heterocycles, then describing the
      preparation of their oxygenated analogues and finally discussing the achievement
      of seven-membered rings and mixed heterocyclic motifs.

PMID- 24217371
TI  - B1 was the ancestor B chromosome variant in the western Mediterranean area in the
      grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans.
AB  - We analyzed the distribution of 2 repetitive DNAs, i.e. ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and
      a satellite DNA (satDNA), on the B chromosomes found in 17 natural populations of
      the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis ploransplorans sampled around the western
      Mediterranean region, including the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands, Sicily,
      and Tunisia. Based on the amount of these repetitive DNAs, 4 types of B variants
      were found: B1, showing an equal or higher amount of rDNA than satDNA, and 3
      other variants, B2, B24 and B5, bearing a higher amount of satDNA than rDNA. The
      variants B1 and B2 varied in size among populations: B1 was about half the size
      of the X chromosome in Balearic Islands, but two-thirds of the X in Iberian
      populations at Alicante, Murcia and Albacete provinces. Likewise, B2 was about
      one-third the size of the X chromosome in populations from the Granada province
      but half the size of the X in the populations collected at Malaga province. The
      widespread geographical distribution of the B1 variant makes it the best
      candidate for being the ancestor B chromosome in the whole western Mediterranean
      region.

PMID- 24217372
TI  - Evaluation of an optimal gestational age cut-off for the definition of early- and
      late-onset fetal growth restriction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The terms early- and late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) are
      commonly used to distinguish two phenotypes characterized by differences in
      onset, fetoplacental Doppler, association with preeclampsia (PE) and severity. We
      evaluated the optimal gestational age (GA) cut-off maximizing differences among
      these two forms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 656 consecutive singleton
      pregnancies with FGR was created. We used the decision tree analysis to evaluate
      the GA cut-off that best discriminated perinatal mortality, association with PE
      and adverse perinatal outcome (fetal demise, early neonatal death, neonatal
      acidosis at birth, and 5-min Apgar score <7). RESULTS: We identified 32 weeks at
      diagnosis as the optimal cut-off, resulting in two groups with 7.1 and 0%, p <
      0.001 perinatal mortality, 35.1 and 12.1%, p < 0.001 association with PE, and
      13.4 and 4.6%, p < 0.001 composite adverse perinatal outcome. Abnormal versus
      normal umbilical artery (UA) Doppler classified two groups with 10.6 and 0.2%, p
      < 0.001 perinatal mortality, 50.0 and 11.8%, p < 0.001 association with PE, and
      18.2 and 4.2%, p < 0.001 composite adverse perinatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: UA
      Doppler discriminated better the two forms of FGR with average early- and late
      onset presentation, higher association with PE and poorer outcome. In the absence
      of UA information, a GA cut-off of 32 weeks at diagnosis maximizes differences
      between early- and late-onset FGR.

PMID- 24217373
TI  - Cryptic speciation or global spread? The case of a cosmopolitan marine
      invertebrate with limited dispersal capabilities.
AB  - The existence of globally-distributed species with low dispersal capabilities is
      a paradox that has been explained as a result of human-mediated transport and by
      hidden diversity in the form of unrecognized cryptic species. Both factors are
      not mutually exclusive, but relatively few studies have demonstrated the presence
      of both. Here we analyse the genetic patterns of the colonial ascidian Diplosoma
      listerianum, a species nowadays distributed globally. The study of a fragment of
      a mitochondrial gene in localities worldwide revealed the existence of multiple
      cryptic species. In addition, we found a complex geographic structure and
      multiple clades occurred in sympatry. One of the species showed strong population
      structure irrespective of geographical distances, which is coherent with
      stochastic dispersal linked to human transport. The present study shows the
      complexity of discerning the role of cryptic diversity from human-driven range
      shifts worldwide, as well as disentangling the effects of natural and artificial
      dispersal. 

PMID- 24217377
TI  - Origins of diagnostic error.

PMID- 24217378
TI  - Origins of diagnostic error--reply.

PMID- 24217379
TI  - Administrative overload as a cause of diagnostic error.

PMID- 24217380
TI  - Cardiac symptoms in women and men.

PMID- 24217381
TI  - Administrative overload as a cause of diagnostic error--reply.

PMID- 24217382
TI  - Cardiac symptoms in women and men.

PMID- 24217383
TI  - Cardiac symptoms in women and men.

PMID- 24217384
TI  - Cardiac symptoms in women and men--reply.

PMID- 24217385
TI  - Understanding drug effects in older people: the role of pharmacology.

PMID- 24217386
TI  - Understanding drug effects in older people: the role of pharmacology--reply.

PMID- 24217387
TI  - Synthesis and internal electric field dependent photoreactivity of Bi3O4Cl single
      crystalline nanosheets with high {001} facet exposure percentages.
AB  - We prepared Bi3O4Cl single-crystalline nanosheets with high {001} facet exposure
      percentages and demonstrated that their photoreactivity strongly depended on the
      magnitude of the internal electric field (IEF), which was correlated with the
      {001} facet exposure percentage. More {001} facet exposure could induce the
      generation of stronger IEF, which favored the photogenerated charge separation
      and transfer, and thus enhancing the photoreactivity. 

PMID- 24217388
TI  - Gain of 20q11.21 in human embryonic stem cells improves cell survival by
      increased expression of Bcl-xL.
AB  - Gain of 20q11.21 is a chromosomal abnormality that is recurrently found in human
      pluripotent stem cells and cancers, strongly suggesting that this mutation
      confers a proliferative or survival advantage to these cells. In this work we
      studied three human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines that acquired a gain of
      20q11.21 during in vitro culture. The study of the mRNA gene expression levels of
      the loci located in the common region of duplication showed that HM13, ID1,
      BCL2L1, KIF3B and the immature form of the micro-RNA miR-1825 were up-regulated
      in mutant cells. ID1 and BCL2L1 were further studied as potential drivers of the
      phenotype of hESC with a 20q11.21 gain. We found no increase in the protein
      levels of ID1, nor the downstream effects expected from over-expression of this
      gene. On the other hand, hESC with a gain of 20q11.21 had on average a 3-fold
      increase of Bcl-xL (the anti-apoptotic isoform of BCL2L1) protein levels. The
      mutant hESC underwent 2- to 3-fold less apoptosis upon loss of cell-to-cell
      contact and were ~2-fold more efficient in forming colonies from a single cell.
      The key role of BCL2L1 in this mutation was further confirmed by transgenic over
      expression of BCL2L1 in the wild-type cells, leading to apoptosis-resistant
      cells, and BCL2L1-knock-down in the mutant hESC, resulting in a restoration of
      the wild-type phenotype. This resistance to apoptosis supposes a significant
      advantage for the mutant cells, explaining the high frequency of gains of
      20q11.21 in human pluripotent stem cells. 

PMID- 24217389
TI  - Species-specific differences in follicular antral sizes result from diffusion
      based limitations on the thickness of the granulosa cell layer.
AB  - The size of mature oocytes is similar across mammalian species, yet the size of
      ovarian follicles increases with species size, with some ovarian follicles
      reaching diameters>1000-fold the size of the enclosed oocyte. Here we show that
      the different follicular sizes can be explained with diffusion-based limitations
      on the thickness of the hormone-secreting granulosa layer. By analysing published
      data on human follicular growth and granulosa cell expansion during follicular
      maturation we find that the 4-fold increase of the antral follicle diameter is
      entirely driven by an increase in the follicular fluid volume, while the
      thickness of the surrounding granulosa layer remains constant at ~45+/-10 um.
      Based on the measured kinetic constants, the model reveals that the observed fall
      in the gonadotrophin concentration from peripheral blood circulation to the
      follicular antrum is a result of sequestration in the granulosa. The model
      further shows that as a result of sequestration, an increased granulosa thickness
      cannot substantially increase estradiol production but rather deprives the oocyte
      from gonadotrophins. Larger animals (with a larger blood volume) require more
      estradiol as produced by the ovaries to down-regulate follicle-stimulating
      hormone-secretion in the pituitary. Larger follicle diameters result in larger
      follicle surface areas for constant granulosa layer thickness. The reported
      increase in the follicular surface area in larger species indeed correlates
      linearly both with species mass and with the predicted increase in estradiol
      output. In summary, we propose a structural role for the antrum in that it
      determines the volume of the granulosa layer and thus the level of estrogen
      production.

PMID- 24217390
TI  - Pleural effusions, eosinophilia and a positive interferon-gamma release assay.

PMID- 24217391
TI  - Institute of medicine report: new directions in child abuse and neglect research.

PMID- 24217393
TI  - Recalibration of subjective simultaneity between self-generated movement and
      delayed auditory feedback.
AB  - Temporal contingency between motor commands and corresponding auditory feedback
      is crucial for perception of self-generated sound as well as external auditory
      events. The present study examined whether delay detection of self-generated
      sound was affected by the range of delayed auditory feedback used during the
      experiment. Participants pressed a button with their right index finger and
      judged whether auditory feedback was delayed compared with the sensation of
      finger movement. The range of auditory feedback delay was varied across
      conditions. To calculate the delay detection threshold (DDT), that is, the point
      at which the delay detection rate was 50%, we fitted a logistic function to the
      delay-detection probability curve. The DDT was significantly different across
      conditions (Tukey-Kramer's honestly significant difference test, P<0.01).
      Specifically, the DDT became longer as the mean delay of the range increased.
      However, this shift was not observed for the delay range with a minimum delay
      greater than 250 ms. We propose that the subjective simultaneity of auditory
      feedback and self-body movement is, to some extent, automatically recalibrated
      toward the mean delay of the delay range used in the experiment. 

PMID- 24217394
TI  - Structural insight into dGTP-dependent activation of tetrameric SAMHD1
      deoxynucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase.
AB  - SAMHD1 is a dGTP-activated deoxynucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase
      (dNTPase) whose dNTPase activity has been linked to HIV/SIV restriction. The
      mechanism of its dGTP-activated dNTPase function remains unclear. Recent data
      also indicate that SAMHD1 regulates retrotransposition of LINE-1 elements. Here
      we report the 1.8-A crystal structure of homotetrameric SAMHD1 in complex with
      the allosteric activator and substrate dGTP/dATP. The structure indicates the
      mechanism of dGTP-dependent tetramer formation, which requires the cooperation of
      three subunits and two dGTP/dATP molecules at each allosteric site. Allosteric
      dGTP binding induces conformational changes at the active site, allowing a more
      stable interaction with the substrate and explaining the dGTP-induced SAMHD1
      dNTPase activity. Mutations of dGTP binding residues in the allosteric site
      affect tetramer formation, dNTPase activity and HIV-1 restriction. dGTP-triggered
      tetramer formation is also important for SAMHD1-mediated LINE-1 regulation. The
      structural and functional information provided here should facilitate future
      investigation of SAMHD1 function, including dNTPase activity, LINE-1 modulation
      and HIV-1 restriction. 

PMID- 24217395
TI  - Is atrial fibrillation always a culprit of stroke in patients with atrial
      fibrillation plus stroke?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some ischemic strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are
      caused by noncardioembolic etiologies (AF-unrelated stroke), but not AF itself
      (AF-related stroke). However, most clinical trials on the risk of stroke in AF
      have not distinguished between these. We investigated the frequency and features
      of AF-unrelated versus AF-related strokes in patients with AF plus ischemic
      stroke. We hypothesized that certain clinical factors, including chronicity of
      AF, treatment at the time of stroke onset and echocardiographic findings, may
      help to discriminate between AF-related and AF-unrelated strokes. The mechanisms
      and antithrombotic medications at the time of stroke recurrence in the two groups
      were also examined. METHODS: Consecutive patients with ischemic stroke within 7
      days of symptom onset and with AF were included. Patients were classified
      according to the previously published criteria. Clinical factors including CHADS2
      and CHA2DS2-VASc scores and transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) findings were
      evaluated. RESULTS: Of 522 patients, 424 (81.2%) were grouped as AF-related
      stroke and the remaining 90 (17.2%) were classified as AF-unrelated stroke. Among
      the patients with AF-unrelated stroke, 51 (9.8%) were categorized as possible
      large artery atherosclerosis and 38 (7.3%) as possible small artery occlusion; 1
      patient (0.2%) was assigned to miscellaneous cause. The AF-related and AF
      unrelated strokes had similar CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores. However, compared
      to AF-unrelated stroke, AF-related stroke was independently associated with
      female sex (odds ratio, OR, 2.19; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.18-4.05),
      sustained AF (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.21-3.59), inadequate anticoagulation at stroke
      onset (OR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.33-7.75) and left ventricular dysfunction on TTE (OR,
      2.84; 95% CI, 1.40-5.74). We identified 26 patients who experienced 2 strokes
      during the study period. The initial stroke subtype was a strong predictor of the
      recurrent stroke mechanism (p < 0.001). Among 17 events of AF-related recurrent
      stroke in these subpopulation, only 2 strokes (11.8%) occurred in a setting of
      adequate anticoagulation, whereas 4 out of 9 patients (44.4%) who had AF
      unrelated strokes at recurrence were sufficiently anticoagulated at the time of
      admission (p = 0.138). CONCLUSION: AF is not always a culprit of stroke in
      patients with AF plus ischemic stroke; approximately one sixth of these cases are
      unrelated to AF and have distinct characteristics compared to AF-related stroke.
      There are significant differences in terms of some clinical and TTE parameters
      between AF-related and AF-unrelated stroke. Future studies are warranted to
      optimize strategies for risk stratification, treatment and prevention of stroke
      in these patients.

PMID- 24217396
TI  - Association between free light chain levels, and disease progression and
      mortality in chronic kidney disease.
AB  - Immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) form part of the middle molecule group of
      uremic toxins. Accumulation of FLCs has been observed in patients with chronic
      kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the present study was to measure FLC levels in
      patients at different CKD stages and to assess putative associations between FLC
      levels on one hand and biochemical/clinical parameters and mortality on the
      other. One hundred and forty patients at CKD stages 2-5D were included in the
      present study. Routine clinical biochemistry assays and assays for FLC kappa
      (kappa) and lambda (lambda) and other uremic toxins were performed. Vascular
      calcification was evaluated using radiological techniques. The enrolled patients
      were prospectively monitored for mortality. Free light chain kappa and lambda
      levels were found to be elevated in CKD patients (especially in those on
      hemodialysis). Furthermore, FLC kappa and lambda levels were positively
      correlated with inflammation, aortic calcification and the levels of various
      uremic toxins levels. A multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that
      FLC kappa and lambda levels were independently associated with CKD stages and
      beta2 microglobulin levels. Elevated FLC kappa and lambda levels appeared to be
      associated with mortality. However, this association disappeared after adjustment
      for a propensity score including age, CKD stage and aortic calcification. In
      conclusion, our results indicate that FLC kappa and lambda levels are elevated in
      CKD patients and are associated with inflammation, vascular calcification and
      levels of other uremic toxins. The observed link between elevated FLC levels and
      mortality appears to depend on other well-known factors. 

PMID- 24217397
TI  - Shiga toxin type 2dact displays increased binding to globotriaosylceramide in
      vitro and increased lethality in mice after activation by elastase.
AB  - Shiga toxin type 2dact (Stx2dact), an Stx2 variant originally identified from
      Escherichia coli O91:H21 strain B2F1, displays increased cytotoxicity after
      activation by elastase present in intestinal mucus. Activation is a result of
      cleavage of two amino acids from the C-terminal tail of the A2 subunit. In this
      study, we hypothesized that activation leads to increased binding of toxin to its
      receptor on host cells both in vitro and in vivo. To test this theory, Stx2dact
      was treated with elastase or buffer alone and then each toxin was assessed for
      binding to purified globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay, or cells in culture by immunofluorescence, or flow cytometry. Elastase-
      and buffer-treated Stx2dact were also evaluated for binding to mouse kidney
      tissue and for relative lethality in mice. We found that activated Stx2dact had a
      greater capacity to bind purified Gb3, cells in culture, and mouse kidney tissue
      and was more toxic for mice than was non-activated Stx2dact. Thus, one possible
      mechanism for the augmented cytotoxicity of Stx2dact after activation is its
      increased capacity to bind target cells, which, in turn, may cause greater
      lethality of elastase-treated toxin for mice and enhanced virulence for humans of
      E. coli strains that express Stx2dact. 

PMID- 24217398
TI  - Oral toxicity of okadaic acid in mice: study of lethality, organ damage,
      distribution and effects on detoxifying gene expression.
AB  - In vivo, after administration by gavage to mice and rats, okadaic acid has been
      reported to produce lesions in liver, small intestine and forestomach. Because
      several reports differ in the damage detected in different organs, and on okadaic
      acid distribution after consumption, we determined the toxicity of this compound
      after oral administration to mice. After 24 hours, histopathological examination
      showed necrotic foci and lipid vacuoles in the livers of intoxicated animals. By
      immunohistochemical analysis, we detected this toxin in the liver and kidneys of
      intoxicated animals. Okadaic acid induces oxidative stress and can be activated
      in vitro into reactive compounds by the post-mitochondrial S9 fraction, so we
      studied the okadaic effect on the gene expression of antioxidant and phase II
      detoxifying enzymes in liver. We observed a downregulation in the expression of
      these enzymes and a reduction of protein expression of catalase and superoxide
      dismutase 1 in intoxicated animals. 

PMID- 24217399
TI  - Heterogeneous photocatalytic nanomaterials: prospects and challenges in selective
      transformations of biomass-derived compounds.
AB  - Heterogeneous photocatalysis has become a comprehensively studied area of
      research during the past three decades due to its practical interest in
      applications including water-air depollution, cancer therapy, sterilization,
      artificial photosynthesis (CO2 photoreduction), anti-fogging surfaces, heat
      transfer and heat dissipation, anticorrosion, lithography, photochromism, solar
      chemicals production and many others. The utilization of solar irradiation to
      supply energy or to initiate chemical reactions is already an established idea.
      Excited electron-hole pairs are generated upon light irradiation of a wide-band
      gap semiconductor which can be applied to solar cells to generate electricity or
      in chemical processes to create/degrade specific compounds. While the field of
      heterogeneous photocatalysis for pollutant abatement and mineralisation of
      contaminants has been extensively investigated, a new research avenue related to
      the selective valorisation of residues has recently emerged as a promising
      alternative to utilise solar light for the production of valuable chemicals and
      fuels. This tutorial review will focus on the potential and applications of solid
      photonanocatalysts for the selective transformation of biomass-derived
      substrates. 

PMID- 24217400
TI  - The germline BIM deletion polymorphism is not associated with the treatment
      efficacy of sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A germline BIM deletion polymorphism has been proposed to predict a
      poor treatment efficacy of certain kinase inhibitors. The current study aimed to
      explore whether the BIM deletion polymorphism predicts the treatment efficacy of
      sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: All patients who
      were enrolled in clinical trials to receive sorafenib-containing regimens as
      first-line therapy for advanced HCC and consented to providing peripheral blood
      samples were included. Polymerase chain reaction followed by gel electrophoresis
      was used to detect the germline BIM deletion polymorphism. RESULTS: A total of 89
      patients were enrolled; 69 (77%) patients had chronic hepatitis B infection, and
      18 (20%) had chronic hepatitis C infection. The heterozygous BIM deletion
      polymorphism was identified in 9 (10%) patients. Patients with and without the
      BIM deletion polymorphism had similar response rates (11 vs. 6%) and disease
      control rates (56 vs. 61%). The time to progression, progression-free survival,
      and overall survival were similar between patients with and without the BIM
      deletion polymorphism. After adjusting for basic clinicopathologic variables and
      treatment regimens, the BIM polymorphism still could not predict treatment
      outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The BIM deletion polymorphism was not associated with the
      treatment efficacy of sorafenib for advanced HCC.

PMID- 24217401
TI  - Relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and coronary microcirculatory
      function among patients with cardiac syndrome X.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an emerging risk factor for
      cardiovascular disease. Microcirculatory dysfunction has been proposed as a
      potential mechanism in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in OSA. This
      study aims to investigate the relationship between OSA and coronary
      microcirculatory function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One thousand and thirty-eight
      patients (598 female, mean age 60+/-9 years) with angiographically normal
      coronary arteries were divided into three groups with non-OSA of apnea-hypopnea
      index (AHI) less than 5 (n=403), mild-to-moderate OSA of AHI 5-30 (n=386), and
      severe OSA of AHI more than 30 (n=249). RESULTS: The prevalence of OSA was very
      high in patients with syndrome X (635/1038). Patients with higher AHI values had
      a lower coronary flow reserve, were more likely to have a higher total
      cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high sensitive C-reactive
      protein, and were more likely to be obese. Compared with the non-OSA group, the
      multivariable-adjusted odds ratio of coronary microcirculatory function for an
      AHI of 5-30 events/h was 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.66-3.47, P=0.038, and
      for an AHI of more than 30 events/h was 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.62-4.23,
      P=0.024, in model 1; and coronary microcirculatory function for an AHI of 5-30
      events/h and more than 30 events/h odds ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval 1.06
      2.88, P=0.043, versus odds ratio 2.08, 95% confidence interval 1.03-2.16,
      P=0.036, in model 2. CONCLUSION: As compared with having no sleep apnea,
      categories with higher AHI were associated with increased odds of lower coronary
      flow reserve. The data suggested a close relationship between OSA and coronary
      microcirculatory function in atherosclerosis.

PMID- 24217402
TI  - Relation between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and response to
      enhanced external counterpulsation in chronic angina pectoris.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) provides symptom
      reduction in many patients with severe angina pectoris, one-quarter of patients
      fail to respond. Earlier reports have not clearly established whether and how
      EECP responders may be identified pre-hoc. We hypothesized that clinical and
      biochemical data may be used to predict EECP response. METHODS: We explored a
      database of n=53 patients who had undergone clinically indicated EECP during 35 1
      h sessions in our unit (65+/-7 years; 49 male), and sought to clarify which
      factors are predictive of response. Efficiency of counterpulsation was measured
      as the diastolic augmentation (DA) ratio, and was recorded both at beginning and
      end of the EECP treatment course. An increase in 6-min walk (6MW) distance of 5%
      was indicative of clinical response. RESULTS: Response occurred in 28 patients
      (53%; nonresponse in n=25, 47%). Responders had shorter baseline 6MW distance
      (377+/-81 vs. 445+/-62 m; P<0.01), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (48+/
      9 vs. 54+/-8%; P<0.05), frequently had an increase in DA ratio during the EECP
      treatment course (23/28 vs. 5/28 with unchanged or decreased DA ratio; P<0.05),
      and higher levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP; 256
      (123-547) vs. 62 (26-444) ng/l, P<0.01]. In multivariate logistic regression,
      response was independently predicted by baseline 6MW distance and baseline NT
      proBNP levels (P<0.05 for both; model sensitivity: 82%, specificity: 72%,
      accuracy: 79%). CONCLUSION: There is larger clinical benefit of EECP in patients
      with greater functional impairment and higher levels of NT-proBNP.

PMID- 24217403
TI  - Prevalence of ischemia on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy of pre-and
      postmenopausal women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In postmenopausal women, the presence of risk factors for coronary
      artery disease (CAD) increases. However, the difference in prevalence of ischemia
      between pre- and postmenopausal women with multiple risk factors for CAD has not
      been well established. OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of ischemia on Tc99m
      sestamibi myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in pre- and postmenopausal
      women, and to evaluate whether menopause can be considered an independent risk
      predictor of ischemia in women with multiple risk factors for CAD. METHODS: This
      study retrospectively assessed 500 MPS of pre- and postmenopausal women with
      multiple risk factors for CAD. Statistical analysis was performed by using Fisher
      exact test and univariate and multivariate analysis, a p value < 0.05 being
      considered significant. RESULTS: Postmenopausal women represented 55.9% of the
      sample; 83.3% were hypertensive; 28.9%, diabetic; 32.1%, smokers; 25%, obese;
      61.2% had high cholesterol levels; and 34.3% had known CAD. Postmenopausal women
      were more often hypertensive, diabetic and dyslipidemic, and had lower functional
      capacity on exercise testing (p = < 0.005). The presence of ischemia on MPS did
      not significantly differ between the pre- and postmenopausal groups (p = 0.395).
      The only variable associated with ischemia on MPS was known CAD (p = 0.004).
      CONCLUSION: The results suggest that, in women with multiple risk factors for
      CAD, menopause was not an independent predictor of ischemia on MPS. Those data
      support the idea that the investigation of ischemia via MPS in women with
      multiple risk factors for CAD should begin prior to menopause.

PMID- 24217404
TI  - A new tissue Doppler index to predict cardiac death in patients with heart
      failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been shown that a new tissue Doppler index, E/(E'*S'),
      including the ratio between early diastolic transmitral and mitral annular
      velocity (E/E'), and the systolic mitral annular velocity (S'), has a good
      accuracy to predict left ventricular filling pressure. OBJECTIVES: We
      investigated the value of E/(E'*S') to predict cardiac death in patients with
      heart failure. METHODS: Echocardiography was performed in 339 consecutive
      hospitalized patients with heart failure, in sinus rhythm, after appropriate
      medical treatment, at discharge and after one month. Worsening of E/(E'*S') was
      defined as any increase of baseline value. The end point was cardiac death.
      RESULTS: During the follow-up period (35.2 +/- 8.8 months), cardiac death
      occurred in 51 patients (15%). The optimal cut-off value for the initial
      E/(E'*S') to predict cardiac death was 2.83 (76% sensitivity, 85% specificity).
      At discharge, 252 patients (74.3%) presented E/(E'*S') <= 2.83 (group I) and 87
      (25.7%) presented E/(E'*S') > 2.83 (group II), respectively. Cardiac death was
      significantly higher in group II than in group I (38 deaths, 43.7% vs 13 deaths,
      5.15%, p < 0.001). By multivariate Cox regression analysis, including variables
      that affected outcome in univariate analysis, E/(E'*S') at discharge was the best
      independent predictor of cardiac death (hazard ratio = 3.09, 95% confidence
      interval = 1.81-5.31, p = 0.001). Patients with E/(E'*S') > 2.83 at discharge and
      its worsening after one month presented the worst prognosis (all p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients with heart failure, the E/(E'*S') ratio is a powerful
      predictor of cardiac death, particularly if it is associated with its worsening.

PMID- 24217405
TI  - The bleeding risk score as a mortality predictor in patients with acute coronary
      syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is well known that the occurrence of bleeding increases in
      hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and there is
      a good correlation between bleeding risk scores and bleeding incidence. However,
      the role of bleeding risk score as mortality predictor is poorly studied.
      OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this paper was to analyze the role of bleeding
      risk score as in-hospital mortality predictor in a cohort of patients with ACS
      treated in a single cardiology tertiary center. METHODS: Out of 1655 patients
      with ACS (547 with ST-elevation ACS and 1118 with non-ST-elevation ACS), we
      calculated the ACUITY/HORIZONS bleeding score prospectively in 249 patients and
      retrospectively in the remaining 1416. Mortality information and hemorrhagic
      complications were also obtained. RESULTS: Among the mean age of 64.3 +/- 12.6
      years, the mean bleeding score was 18 +/- 7.7. The correlation between bleeding
      and mortality was highly significant (p < 0.001, OR = 5.296), as well as the
      correlation between bleeding score and in-hospital bleeding (p < 0.001, OR =
      1.058), and between bleeding score and in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR =
      1.121, p < 0.001, area under the ROC curve 0.753, p < 0.001). The adjusted OR and
      area under the ROC curve for the population with ST-elevation ACS were,
      respectively, 1.046 (p = 0.046) and 0.686 +/- 0.040 (p < 0.001); for non-ST
      elevation ACS the figures were, respectively, 1.150 (p < 0.001) and 0.769 +/-
      0.036 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding risk score is a very useful and highly
      reliable predictor of in-hospital mortality in a wide range of patients with
      acute coronary syndromes, especially in those with unstable angina or non-ST
      elevation acute myocardial infarction.

PMID- 24217406
TI  - Universal statistics of the knockout tournament.
AB  - We study statistics of the knockout tournament, where only the winner of a
      fixture progresses to the next. We assign a real number called competitiveness to
      each contestant and find that the resulting distribution of prize money follows a
      power law with an exponent close to unity if the competitiveness is a stable
      quantity and a decisive factor to win a match. Otherwise, the distribution is
      found narrow. The existing observation of power law distributions in various
      kinds of real sports tournaments therefore suggests that the rules of those games
      are constructed in such a way that it is possible to understand the games in
      terms of the contestants' inherent characteristics of competitiveness. 

PMID- 24217407
TI  - Cardiac issues of noncardiac drugs: the rising story of avastin in age-related
      macular degeneration.
AB  - Emerging safety data, accompanied with recent demographic trends, point to the
      need for an in-depth review and consideration of potential consequences that
      might arise from continuing use of bevacizumab (Avastin(r)) to treat elderly
      patients presenting with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although it
      is expected that lower doses of Avastin used for intravitreal administration and
      an intact blood-retina barrier would reduce the systemic exposure of the drug,
      both animal and human studies suggest that this may not be the case. In addition,
      emerging real-world and clinical trial data continue to point toward compromises
      in both cardio- and cerebrovascular safety with Avastin. Thus, clinicians are
      urged to adopt the highest possible standard of care in the treatment of an
      already fragile AMD population. Furthermore, postmarketing surveillance and
      pharmacovigilance with intravitreal anti-VEGF inhibitors should remain a
      priority.

PMID- 24217408
TI  - A protecting group approach toward synthesis of Au-silica Janus nanostars.
AB  - The concept of protecting groups, widely used in organic chemistry, has been
      applied for the synthesis of Au-silica Janus stars, in which gold branches
      protrude from one half of Au-silica Janus spheres. This configuration opens up
      new possibilities to apply the plasmonic properties of gold nanostars, as well as
      a variety of chemical functionalizations on the silica component. 

PMID- 24217409
TI  - Synthesis of new bioorganometallic Ir- and Rh-complexes having beta-lactam
      containing ligands.
AB  - The synthesis (and full spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization) of
      new classes of bioorganometallic Ir- and Rh-complexes having beta-lactam
      containing ligands has been achieved in three steps starting from simple
      precursors. The procedure for preparing these bioorganometallic compounds uses
      beta-lactams having a phenylpyridyl moiety attached to the C4, N1 or C4 and N1
      positions simultaneously, and a directed C-H metal-insertion, in the presence of
      (MCp*Cl2)2 (M = Ir, Rh). Enantiomerically pure 2-azetidinones can be transformed
      into diastereomeric (at the metal) mixtures of enantiopure metalla-2
      azetidinones. Bimetallic 2-azetidinones are also accessible by this approach. The
      insertion of electron-poor alkynes into the M-C bond of the bioorganometallic
      complex occurs regioselectively and in excellent yields. Overall, the sequence
      imine-beta-lactam-metalla-beta-lactam is a versatile and efficient full
      methodology to prepare and functionalize unprecedented, novel Ir- and Rh
      complexes having beta-lactam containing ligands. 

PMID- 24217411
TI  - Bacterial physiology: vibrio uptake apparatus.

PMID- 24217415
TI  - Conversion of nitrite to nitric oxide at zinc via S-nitrosothiols.
AB  - Nitrite is an important reservoir of nitric oxide activity in the plasma and
      cells. Using a biomimetic model, we demonstrate the conversion of zinc-bound
      nitrite in the tris(pyrazolyl)borate complex (iPr2)TpZn(NO2) to the corresponding
      S-nitrosothiol RSNO and zinc thiolate (iPr2)TpZn-SR via reaction with thiols H
      SR. Decomposition of the S-nitrosothiol formed releases nitric oxide gas. 

PMID- 24217412
TI  - Antimalarial drug discovery - approaches and progress towards new medicines.
AB  - Malaria elimination has recently been reinstated as a global health priority but
      current therapies seem to be insufficient for the task. Elimination efforts
      require new drug classes that alleviate symptoms, prevent transmission and
      provide a radical cure. To develop these next-generation medicines, public
      private partnerships are funding innovative approaches to identify compounds that
      target multiple parasite species at multiple stages of the parasite life cycle.
      In this Review, we discuss the cell-, chemistry- and target-based approaches used
      to discover new drug candidates that are currently in clinical trials or
      undergoing preclinical testing. 

PMID- 24217416
TI  - Pancreatic duct stents at pancreaticoduodenectomy: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several studies suggested that pancreatic stents had
      some benefit during pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), but others disagree. Whether
      pancreatic duct stents could prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is
      still under controversy. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials published before
      November 2012 were all aggregated, focusing on the evaluation of pancreatic duct
      stents during PD. Trial data was reviewed and extracted independently by two
      reviewers. The quality of the including studies was assessed by the Cochrane
      handbook 5.1.0. RESULTS: Seven studies were included, with a total of 793
      patients. The results showed that compared with nonstents, stents during PD was
      associated with a significant difference on overall POPF rate (OR = 0.65, 95% CI
      0.45-0.95, p = 0.02), POPF grades B and C (OR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.27-0.76, p =
      0.003), and hospital stay (MD = -4.28, 95% CI -6.81, -1.75, p = 0.0009). Subgroup
      analyses showed that the external stent had a significant difference in the
      incidence of overall POPF (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.29-0.73, p = 0.0009), POPF grades
      B and C (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.30-0.79, p = 0.003), postoperative morbidity (OR =
      0.63, 95% CI 0.42-0.96, p = 0.03), as well as hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Based
      upon this meta-analysis, there might be potential benefit in reducing POPF thanks
      to the use of pancreatic duct stents.

PMID- 24217413
TI  - A decade after SARS: strategies for controlling emerging coronaviruses.
AB  - Two novel coronaviruses have emerged in humans in the twenty-first century:
      severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East
      respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), both of which cause acute
      respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and are associated with high mortality
      rates. There are no clinically approved vaccines or antiviral drugs available for
      either of these infections; thus, the development of effective therapeutic and
      preventive strategies that can be readily applied to new emergent strains is a
      research priority. In this Review, we describe the emergence and identification
      of novel human coronaviruses over the past 10 years, discuss their key biological
      features, including tropism and receptor use, and summarize approaches for
      developing broadly effective vaccines. 

PMID- 24217417
TI  - Characterization of fetal cells from the maternal circulation by microarray gene
      expression analysis--could the extravillous trophoblasts be a target for future
      cell-based non-invasive prenatal diagnosis?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Circulating fetal cells in maternal blood provide a tool for risk
      free, non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. However, fetal cells in the maternal
      circulation are scarce, and to effectively isolate enough of them for reliable
      diagnostics, it is crucial to know which fetal cell type(s) should be targeted.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fetal cells were enriched from maternal blood by magnetic
      activated cell sorting using the endothelial cell marker CD105 and identified by
      XY fluorescence in situ hybridization. Expression pattern was compared between
      fetal cells and maternal blood cells using stem cell microarray analysis.
      RESULTS: 39 genes were identified as candidates for unique fetal cell markers.
      More than half of these are genes known to be expressed in the placenta,
      especially in extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). Immunohistochemical staining of
      placental tissue confirmed CD105 staining in EVTs and 76% of fetal cells enriched
      by CD105 were found to be cytokeratin-positive. DISCUSSION: The unique
      combination of mesodermal (CD105) and ectodermal (cytokeratin) markers in EVTs
      could be a potential marker set for cell enrichment of this cell type in maternal
      blood and could be the basis for future cell-based non-invasive prenatal
      diagnosis.

PMID- 24217418
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis of umbilical artery thrombosis.
AB  - Umbilical artery thrombosis (UAT) is rare and few prenatally diagnosed cases have
      been reported. We describe 2 cases of fetal growth restriction prenatally
      diagnosed as UAT by ultrasound examination. In each case the cross section of the
      umbilical cord showed one normal artery and a small echogenic area which was
      suspected as an occluded thrombotic artery and they were surrounded by a highly
      curving 'C-shaped' vein. UAT was confirmed by histological examinations after
      deliveries in both cases. The characteristic ultrasound finding of the umbilical
      vessel, which is the so-called 'orange grabbed sign', enables the prenatal
      diagnosis of UAT and it is valuable with respect to perinatal fetal management
      because UAT is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 24217419
TI  - Oxidative C-H amination reactions.
AB  - Towards "Oxidative-Ullmann-Goldberg" and "Oxidative-Buchwald-Hartwig" type
      amination reactions. This review focuses on the newly developed oxidative C-N
      bond formation techniques, applicable in the field of organic synthesis.
      Particular emphasis is given to those which are classified as cross
      dehydrogenative-couplings, through dual C-H and N-H activation, thus formally
      extruding "H2" as a by-product. 

PMID- 24217421
TI  - Vitamin and mineral supplements in the primary prevention of cardiovascular
      disease and cancer: An updated systematic evidence review for the U.S. Preventive
      Services Task Force.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitamin and mineral supplements are commonly used to prevent chronic
      diseases. PURPOSE: To systematically review evidence for the benefit and harms of
      vitamin and mineral supplements in community-dwelling, nutrient-sufficient adults
      for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. DATA
      SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,
      Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of
      Effects were searched from January 2005 to 29 January 2013, with manual searches
      of reference lists and gray literature. STUDY SELECTION: Two investigators
      independently selected and reviewed fair- and good-quality trials for benefit and
      fair- and good-quality trials and observational studies for harms. DATA
      EXTRACTION: Dual quality assessments and data abstraction. DATA SYNTHESIS: Two
      large trials (n = 27 658) reported lower cancer incidence in men taking a
      multivitamin for more than 10 years (pooled unadjusted relative risk, 0.93 [95%
      CI, 0.87 to 0.99]). The study that included women showed no effect in that group.
      High-quality studies (k = 24; n = 324 653) of single and paired nutrients (such
      as vitamins A, C, or D; folic acid; selenium; or calcium) were scant and
      heterogeneous and showed no clear evidence of benefit or harm. Neither vitamin E
      nor beta-carotene prevented CVD or cancer, and beta-carotene increased lung
      cancer risk in smokers. LIMITATIONS: The analysis included only primary
      prevention studies in adults without known nutritional deficiencies. Studies were
      conducted in older individuals and included various supplements and doses under
      the set upper tolerable limits. Duration of most studies was less than 10 years.
      CONCLUSION: Limited evidence supports any benefit from vitamin and mineral
      supplementation for the prevention of cancer or CVD. Two trials found a small,
      borderline-significant benefit from multivitamin supplements on cancer in men
      only and no effect on CVD. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Agency for Healthcare Research
      and Quality.

PMID- 24217422
TI  - An on-chip coupled resonator optical waveguide single-photon buffer.
AB  - Integrated quantum optical circuits are now seen as one of the most promising
      approaches with which to realize single-photon quantum information processing.
      Many of the core elements for such circuits have been realized, including
      sources, gates and detectors. However, a significant missing function necessary
      for photonic quantum information processing on-chip is a buffer, where single
      photons are stored for a short period of time to facilitate circuit
      synchronization. Here we report an on-chip single-photon buffer based on coupled
      resonator optical waveguides (CROW) consisting of 400 high-Q photonic crystal
      line-defect nanocavities. By using the CROW, a pulsed single photon is
      successfully buffered for 150 ps with 50-ps tunability while maintaining its non
      classical properties. Furthermore, we show that our buffer preserves entanglement
      by storing and retrieving one photon from a time-bin entangled state. This is a
      significant step towards an all-optical integrated quantum information processor.

PMID- 24217423
TI  - A case of recurrent familial male miscarriages with hypercoiled umbilical cord: a
      possible X-linked association?

PMID- 24217424
TI  - Ribavirin protects Syrian hamsters against lethal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome-
      after intranasal exposure to Andes virus.
AB  - Andes virus, ANDV, harbored by wild rodents, causes the highly lethal hantavirus
      pulmonary syndrome (HPS) upon transmission to humans resulting in death in 30% to
      50% of the cases. As there is no treatment for this disease, we systematically
      tested the efficacy of ribavirin in vitro and in an animal model. In vitro assays
      confirmed antiviral activity and determined that the most effective doses were 40
      ug/mL and above. We tested three different concentrations of ribavirin for their
      capability to prevent HPS in the ANDV hamster model following an intranasal
      challenge. While the highest level of ribavirin (200 mg/kg) was toxic to the
      hamster, both the middle (100 mg/kg) and the lowest concentration (50 mg/kg)
      prevented HPS in hamsters without toxicity. Specifically, 8 of 8 hamsters
      survived intranasal challenge for both of those groups whereas 7 of 8 PBS control
      treated animals developed lethal HPS. Further, we report that administration of
      ribavirin at 50 mg/kg/day starting on days 6, 8, 10, or 12 post-infection
      resulted in significant protection against HPS in all groups. Administration of
      ribavirin at 14 days post-infection also provided a significant level of
      protection against lethal HPS. These data provide in vivo evidence supporting the
      potential use of ribavirin as a post-exposure treatment to prevent HPS after
      exposure by the respiratory route. 

PMID- 24217425
TI  - A quantitative polymerase chain reaction test to enumerate leukocytes in
      allograft tissue and the implications for donor eligibility testing.
AB  - A country-to-country analysis of infectious disease screening requirements for
      donated tissues or cells reveals they are not often harmonized. Transmission of
      one such infectious disease, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), is related to the
      transfer of HTLV-infected, viable leukocytes of sufficient number. The ability to
      characterize allograft tissue as being absent of leukocytes, or containing
      relatively few leukocytes, by using a specific test has not been previously
      investigated. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) test was developed
      to interrogate protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type C (PTPRC) gene
      expression in tissue samples and was able to determine the number of leukocytes
      present in a tissue. The impact of a qualified leukocyte tissue testing method
      should be significant and lead to changes in donor eligibility regulations in
      certain countries. Human leukapheresis samples were used as a control to
      establish the amount of PTPRC in leukocytes. That value was used as a comparator
      to determine the number of leukocyte equivalents in tissues of interest. The qPCR
      test measured tissue leukocyte equivalents and the results were consistent with
      the relative abundance of leukocytes predicted for each tissue. Using qPCR to
      calculate leukocyte equivalents based upon PTPRC gene expression can be
      successfully employed to estimate the number of leukocytes in a tissue or
      allograft. This method could be used as a screen to rule out tissues that do not
      meet the criteria of being leukocyte rich and, therefore, do not need direct HTLV
      testing.

PMID- 24217427
TI  - Iron(III) sulfate: a stable, cost effective electrode material for sodium ion
      batteries.
AB  - Iron(iii) sulfate, a rhombohedral NASICON compound, has been demonstrated as a
      sodium intercalation host. This cost-effective material is attractive, as it can
      be slurry processed in bulk with ball-milling, while utilizing the iron 2(+)/3(+)
      redox couple, offering stable 3.2 V performance for over 400 cycles. 

PMID- 24217426
TI  - The association between physical activity and eating self-regulation in
      overweight and obese women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Successful weight management relies heavily on eating and exercise
      behaviors. However, little is known about the association between both on a
      psychosocial level. This study examined the relationship between exercise and
      eating regulation by exploring the mediating effects of negative body image
      investment and depressive mood, and their stability through time. METHODS:
      Analyses were conducted at two different moments (12 and 36 months), involving a
      sample of 221 overweight/obese women (age: 37.6 +/- 7 years; BMI: 31.6 +/- 4.1
      kg/m(2)) that participated in a behavioral weight control intervention. Bivariate
      correlations and mediation analyses using Preacher & Hayes resampling procedures
      were conducted. RESULTS: At 12 months, negative body image investment was the
      only significant mediator of the exercise-eating relationship. This variable
      explained larger portions of the indirect effects of structured rather than
      lifestyle exercise on eating. At 36 months, negative investment and to a lesser
      extent depressive mood partially explained the exercise-eating association.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that, besides physiological effects of
      exercise, psychological mechanisms related to body image and mood also explain
      the role of physical activity as a 'gateway behavior' for improved eating
      regulation in overweight women. These effects appear to be stable and may help
      understand the key role of exercise in long-term weight management.

PMID- 24217428
TI  - Validation of an automated dose-dispensing system for 18F-FDG administrations and
      associated reduction in operator extremity dose.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The current procedure at our centre for partitioning multidose vials
      of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) is based on a manual method. To reduce
      extremity dose while reducing contamination risk, maintaining product sterility
      and improving the accuracy of injected activity, we recently purchased a new
      semiautomated partitioning system (MUDDS-A). This work reports on the operating
      characteristics of the system and its validation for clinical use in terms of
      dispensing accuracy and extremity dose reduction. METHODS: A range of operators
      carried out 300 automated partitioning procedures by following a typical working
      day setup. The accuracy of the activity resulting from system partitioning
      compared with true syringe activity was determined. We also determined the
      precision of system-determined activity when compared with user-requested
      activity. The cumulative finger dose for automated and manual partitioning
      techniques was measured at the fingertip using a digital dosimeter, recording the
      dose at different stages of the procedure. RESULTS: The results of comparisons
      made between the final syringe activity measured by the system and the
      measurement of the true syringe activity independently of the system were within
      +/-5% for 96.63% of syringes. Precision of the syringe activity provided by the
      system with respect to the user-requested activity was within +/-10% for 96.96%
      of measurements. Average finger doses compared with a manual partitioning method
      showed a reduction of up to 80% when relying only on the system measurement of
      activity. CONCLUSION: The MUDDS-A reproducibly partitions a vial of F-FDG and
      offers a significant reduction in extremity dose to the operator of up to 80% in
      comparison with a manual partition technique.

PMID- 24217429
TI  - Dual malignancies in the setting of differentiated thyroid carcinoma: their
      synchronous or metachronous nature, impact of radioiodine treatment on occurrence
      of second malignancy and other associated variables.
AB  - PURPOSE: The primary objective of the study was to assess the risk for second
      primary malignancy after radioiodine treatment for differentiated thyroid
      carcinoma (DTC). Other objectives were to study the different variables
      associated with the occurrence of synchronous or metachronous dual malignancies
      in association with DTC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient population studied
      comprised patients with histopathologically proven DTC referred for radioactive
      iodine treatment after thyroidectomy followed up at a single centre during the
      period from January 1963 to March 2011. The data collected were analysed with
      respect to different variables associated with two primary tumours in the setting
      of DTC. RESULTS: Out of the total 8614 patients studied from 1963 to March 2011,
      44 dual malignancies in association with DTC were detected, showing a prevalence
      rate of 0.5%. The most common site of second primary malignancy was the head and
      neck (H&N) in men and the breast in women. Of the 44 dual malignancies, 18 were
      synchronous in nature and 26 were metachronous. In the metachronous group,
      thyroid carcinoma was the first primary malignancy in only 5/26 patients, whereas
      the remaining 21 patients had thyroid carcinoma as the second primary malignancy.
      In 5/26 patients in whom carcinoma of the thyroid was the first primary
      malignancy, the second primary malignancy was breast carcinoma in two cases,
      renal cell carcinoma in one case, colorectal carcinoma in one case and metastatic
      NET of unknown primary in one case. All these five patients received radioiodine
      treatment with different activities. In 21/26 patients in whom thyroid carcinoma
      was the second primary malignancy, the most common first primary malignancy
      comprised H&N tumours. In this group, 12 patients had a history of external beam
      radiotherapy (EBRT). Among synchronous malignancies (18/44 patients), H&N tumours
      were the most commonly associated. CONCLUSION: There was no significant risk for
      second primary malignancy after radioactive iodine treatment in patients with
      DTC. There is increased risk for thyroid malignancy after EBRT delivered for
      other primary tumours, especially in children. Hence, any thyroid abnormality on
      long-term follow-up of patients after EBRT for other tumours should be considered
      carefully. H&N malignancies are the most common synchronous, metachronous and
      overall associated second malignancy with thyroid carcinoma.

PMID- 24217430
TI  - Improved visualization of perfusion defects by respiratory-gated SPECT: a phantom
      simulation study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Single-photon emission computed tomography ventilation/perfusion
      (SPECT V/Q) imaging is recommended both by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and by
      the European Association of Nuclear Medicine for the diagnosis of pulmonary
      embolism. However, respiratory motion produces image blurring and degradation of
      detail in the lungs. We have investigated respiratory gating of SPECT images,
      correcting for motion to reduce blur and improve image definition. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Wedge-shaped defects of different sizes ranging from 15 to 4 mm were
      fixed in the lung cavities of an anthropomorphic lung phantom to simulate
      perfusion defects. Gated and nongated SPECT images were obtained using a double
      headed SPECT system. Three-dimensional movement was introduced using a purpose
      built moving platform with two motion frequencies of 10 and 20 cycles/min. Motion
      was tracked with a respiratory-gating system. Gated SPECT data were acquired in
      16 discrete data bins in synchronization with the breathing cycle. The images
      were reconstructed using ordered-subset expectation maximization algorithms and
      corrected for rigid motion. Contrast and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were
      measured to quantify any improvement in the gated motion-corrected images.
      Visualization of defects in the reconstructed images was performed by seven
      observers and analyzed using alternative free-response receiver operating
      characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Assessment of gated and nongated SPECT phantom
      images demonstrated that motion adversely affected the detectability of defects.
      Quantification of data demonstrated that, in the controlled simulation, image
      quality, defect definition, observer confidence, contrast, and CNR were increased
      after applying motion correction. Improvement in CNRs was found to be significant
      using alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic analysis
      (P=0.0002). CONCLUSION: Respiratory-gated motion-corrected SPECT images enhanced
      the visualization of defects compared with matched moving/nongated images in a
      realistic moving phantom. This approach may be particularly valuable for SPECT
      V/Q imaging and may improve the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

PMID- 24217432
TI  - Impact on Hypertension Reclassification by Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
      (ABPM) according to the V Brazilian Guidelines on ABPM.

PMID- 24217433
TI  - Prognostic factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment
      elevation.

PMID- 24217434
TI  - Case 5/2013 - a four-year-old boy with a rhabdomyoma-type cardiac tumor in both
      ventricles and repeated ventricular tachycardia.

PMID- 24217435
TI  - Renal denervation by ablation with innovative technique in resistant
      hypertension.

PMID- 24217436
TI  - Exuberant pattern of late gadolinium enhancement in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 24217437
TI  - Paternalism, autonomy and ontology.

PMID- 24217439
TI  - India should introduce daily drug treatment for tuberculosis.

PMID- 24217438
TI  - Characterization of the interaction between Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry neck
      protein 4 and host cellular beta-tubulin.
AB  - Toxoplasma rhoptry neck protein 4 (TgRON4) is a component of the moving junction
      macromolecular complex that plays a central role during invasion. TgRON4 is
      exposed on the cytosolic side of the host cell during invasion, but its molecular
      interactions remain unclear. Here, we identified host cellular beta-tubulin as a
      binding partner of TgRON4, but not Plasmodium RON4. Coimmunoprecipitation studies
      in mammalian cells demonstrated that the C-terminal 15-kDa region of beta-tubulin
      was sufficient for binding to TgRON4, and that a 17-kDa region in the proximal C
      terminus of TgRON4 was required for binding to the C-terminal region of beta
      tubulin. Analysis of T. gondii-infected lysates from CHO cells expressing the
      TgRON4-binding region showed that the C-terminal region of beta-tubulin
      interacted with TgRON4 at early invasion step. Our results provide evidence for a
      parasite-specific interaction between TgRON4 and the host cell cytoskeleton in
      parasite-infected cells. 

PMID- 24217440
TI  - Syrian refugees could bring polio to Europe, experts warn.

PMID- 24217441
TI  - TB activists at world conference boo Indian minister off stage.

PMID- 24217442
TI  - Insurers are required to offer coverage for mental problems similar to that for
      physical ones.

PMID- 24217443
TI  - Canada must do more to tackle poorer health of indigenous people, says national
      chief.

PMID- 24217445
TI  - The association between bullying and physical health among gay, lesbian, and
      bisexual individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research suggests that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations
      experience higher prevalence of school bullying than heterosexuals. OBJECTIVES:
      We examined if (a) verbal versus physical bullying were differentially associated
      with physical health among sexual minorities and (b) if sexual identity (i.e.,
      homosexual [i.e., lesbian/gay] vs. bisexual) moderated the association of
      bullying on physical health. DESIGN: LGB adults aged 18 to 66 years (n = 463)
      were recruited online. Participants reported high school experiences of verbal
      and physical bullying and physician-diagnosed health conditions. RESULTS:
      Physical and verbal bullying were related to physical health conditions (ps <
      .01). Physical bullying had a significant negative impact on physical health for
      bisexual persons (p < .001) but not for gay/lesbian persons. CONCLUSIONS:
      Experiencing bullying in high school was associated with physical health problems
      in adulthood. Bullying had a different relationship with health problems for
      bisexually identified individuals compared to lesbian/gay individuals. Future
      research should strive to disentangle potential differences in the relationship
      between bullying and health within sexual minority groups.

PMID- 24217444
TI  - The second extracellular loop of the adenosine A1 receptor mediates activity of
      allosteric enhancers.
AB  - Allosteric enhancers of the adenosine A1 receptor amplify signaling by
      orthosteric agonists. Allosteric enhancers are appealing drug candidates because
      their activity requires that the orthosteric site be occupied by an agonist,
      thereby conferring specificity to stressed or injured tissues that produce
      adenosine. To explore the mechanism of allosteric enhancer activity, we examined
      their action on several A1 receptor constructs, including (1) species variants,
      (2) species chimeras, (3) alanine scanning mutants, and (4) site-specific
      mutants. These findings were combined with homology modeling of the A1 receptor
      and in silico screening of an allosteric enhancer library. The binding modes of
      known docked allosteric enhancers correlated with the known structure-activity
      relationship, suggesting that these allosteric enhancers bind to a pocket formed
      by the second extracellular loop, flanked by residues S150 and M162. We propose a
      model in which this vestibule controls the entry and efflux of agonists from the
      orthosteric site and agonist binding elicits a conformational change that enables
      allosteric enhancer binding. This model provides a mechanism for the observations
      that allosteric enhancers slow the dissociation of orthosteric agonists but not
      antagonists. 

PMID- 24217446
TI  - The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: impact on mental health services
      demand and provider availability.
AB  - The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will greatly increase the
      demand for mental health (MH) services, as 62.5 million Americans from relatively
      high-need populations will be newly eligible for MH benefits. Consequently, the
      supply of MH care provider services is expected to proportionately decrease by
      18% to 21% in 2014. ACA funding does not demonstrate the ability to increase
      turnout of psychiatrists sufficiently to meet the need. Available data indicate
      that the numbers of advanced practice psychiatric nurses (APPNs) continue to
      increase at a much greater rate, but information from either a clinical
      perspective or a market perspective is complicated by the weak distinctions that
      are made between nurse practitioners (NPs) and other nonphysician care
      professionals. The following recommendations are made: (a) some of the ACA
      funding for research into efficient and effective care delivery systems should be
      allocated to acquiring data on APPNs in leadership roles or clinical settings in
      which they are ultimately responsible for management of MH care, as
      differentiated from settings in which they provide support for psychiatrists; and
      (b) since the available data indicate nurse practitioners achieve good outcomes
      and are more economically viable than psychiatrists, placement of psychiatric
      mental health nurse practitioners in community settings should be recognized as a
      realistic solution to the shortfall of MH services. 

PMID- 24217447
TI  - Demographic, psychosocial, and contextual factors associated with sexual risk
      behaviors among young sexual minority women.
AB  - Young sexual minority women are at risk for negative sexual health outcomes,
      including sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies, yet little
      is known about these risks. We examined factors that may influence sexual risk
      from a psychosocial and contextual perspective. Analyses were conducted to
      examine within group relationships between sexual behaviors, negative outcomes,
      and related factors in a sample of young sexual minority women. Participants (N =
      131) were young (mean = 19.8) and diverse in terms of race/ethnicity (57% non
      White). Sex under the influence, having multiple partners, and having unprotected
      sex were common behaviors, and pregnancy (20%) and sexually transmitted infection
      (12%) were common outcomes. Risk behaviors were associated with age, alcohol
      abuse, and older partners. Results support the need for further research to
      understand how these factors contribute to risk in order to target risk reduction
      programs for this population. 

PMID- 24217450
TI  - Indium(III) triflate-catalysed [4 + 2] benzannulation reactions of o
      alkynylbenzaldehydes with enolisable carbonyl compounds: selective synthesis of
      naphthyl ketones.
AB  - Indium(III) triflate is found to be an effective catalyst for the benzannulation
      reactions of o-alkynylbenzaldehydes with enolisable aldehydes, ketones, 1,3
      diketones and beta-keto esters. The reactions produce naphthyl ketones through
      ring opening of adducts arising from the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder
      reactions between in situ generated isochromenylium cations and enols. The main
      feature of the method is selective formation of naphthyl ketones in a highly
      regioselective manner without any decarbonylation.

PMID- 24217448
TI  - Changes in neighborhood characteristics and depression among sexual minority
      young adults.
AB  - Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study examined
      the relationship between changes in neighborhood characteristics during the
      transition from adolescence to young adulthood and depression among sexual
      minority young adults. Previous research has found that neighborhood
      characteristics influence sexual minority mental health and that sexual
      minorities are more likely to move to more urban and politically liberal
      locations. No study to date, however, has examined the impact of changes in
      neighborhood characteristics on sexual minority depression. The results from this
      study show that decreases in the percent urban was associated with increased risk
      of depression and decreases in the percent Republican voters in sexual minority's
      neighborhood was associated with decreases in risk of depression. The results
      suggest that clinicians may want to screen sexual minority youth for recent
      changes in their neighborhoods to assess if these changes may be related to the
      onset or exacerbation of depressive episodes. 

PMID- 24217453
TI  - Challenges of making music: what causes musician's dystonia?

PMID- 24217454
TI  - Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with Pontine perivascular enhancement responsive
      to steroids and fatal B-cell lymphoma.

PMID- 24217455
TI  - Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with Pontine perivascular enhancement responsive
      to steroids and fatal B-cell lymphoma--reply.

PMID- 24217459
TI  - Acute kidney injury: Short-term statin therapy for prevention of contrast-induced
      AKI.
AB  - Two recent studies suggest that periprocedural statin administration can prevent
      contrast-induced acute kidney injury in cardiac patients undergoing percutaneous
      coronary intervention and in renal patients undergoing angiography, with or
      without intervention. These studies support the routine administration of potent
      statins before contrast media infusion in these vulnerable patients.

PMID- 24217457
TI  - Psychometric properties of the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test in Hungarian samples
      of adolescents and young adults.
AB  - AIM: The aim of our study was to analyze psychometric properties of the Cannabis
      Abuse Screening Test (CAST). METHODS: Our sample comprised Hungarian high school
      (n = 476; male 56.3%; mean age 19.0 years, SD = 0.65 years) and college students
      (n = 439; male 65.1%; mean age 23.9 years, SD = 1.56 years) who reported cannabis
      use in the past year. The sample covered the five biggest universities of
      Hungary. Besides the CAST, participants responded to the Munich-Composite
      International Diagnostic Interview. Factor structure was analyzed by a
      confirmatory factor analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis
      was made to assess cut-off scores. Data collection took place in 2010. RESULTS:
      CAST proved to be a reliable (Cronbach's alpha 0.71 and 0.76) one-dimensional
      measure. Regarding both cannabis dependence and cannabis use disorders, a cut-off
      of 2 points proved to be ideal in both samples, resulting in optimal specificity,
      negative predictive values and accuracy, but less than optimal positive
      predictive values (dependence) and low sensitivity (cannabis use disorder).
      DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In line with former results, the CAST proved to be an
      adequate measure for the screening of cannabis-related problems among adolescents
      and young adults in an Eastern European country where this scale has not been
      studied before.

PMID- 24217462
TI  - Basic research: Podocyte progenitors and ectopic podocytes.
AB  - Two types of parietal podocyte were previously described in the Bowman capsule:
      one characterized by coexpression of podocyte and parietal epithelial cell
      markers, the other characterized by expression of podocyte markers only. New
      research demonstrates that these populations represent podocyte progenitors and
      ectopic podocytes-distinct cell types with different clinical implications.

PMID- 24217466
TI  - Stratonovich-to-Ito transition in noisy systems with multiplicative feedback.
AB  - Intrinsically noisy mechanisms drive most physical, biological and economic
      phenomena. Frequently, the system's state influences the driving noise intensity
      (multiplicative feedback). These phenomena are often modelled using stochastic
      differential equations, which can be interpreted according to various conventions
      (for example, Ito calculus and Stratonovich calculus), leading to qualitatively
      different solutions. Thus, a stochastic differential equation-convention pair
      must be determined from the available experimental data before being able to
      predict the system's behaviour under new conditions. Here we experimentally
      demonstrate that the convention for a given system may vary with the operational
      conditions: we show that a noisy electric circuit shifts from obeying
      Stratonovich calculus to obeying Ito calculus. We track such a transition to the
      underlying dynamics of the system and, in particular, to the ratio between the
      driving noise correlation time and the feedback delay time. We discuss possible
      implications of our conclusions, supported by numerics, for biology and
      economics. 

PMID- 24217467
TI  - Construction of chromosome markers from the Lake Victoria cichlid
      Paralabidochromis chilotes and their application to comparative mapping.
AB  - Cichlid fishes in the African Great Lakes are known as a spectacular example of
      adaptive radiation in vertebrates. Four linkage maps have been constructed to
      identify the genes responsible for adaptation and speciation, and the genetic
      linkages of those genes are assumed to play an important role during adaptive
      evolution. However, it is difficult to analyze such linkages because the linkage
      groups of one species do not match well with those of the other species.
      Chromosome markers are a powerful tool for the direct identification of linkage
      homology between different species. We used information about the linkage map of
      the Lake Malawi cichlid (Labeotropheus fuelleborni/Metriaclima zebra) to isolate
      bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones from the BAC library of
      Paralabidochromis chilotes, Lake Victoria. We identified 18 of 22 P. chilotes
      chromosomes by single- and multi-color BAC fluorescence in situ hybridization
      using 19 BAC clones. Comparative mapping with the chromosome markers of P.
      chilotes in Astatotilapia burtoni (2n = 40) from Lake Tanganyika revealed the
      chromosome rearrangements that have occurred in this lineage. These chromosome
      markers will be useful for delineating the process of genome and chromosome
      evolution in African species.

PMID- 24217464
TI  - Fluid management for the prevention and attenuation of acute kidney injury.
AB  - In patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), optimization of systemic
      haemodynamics is central to the clinical management. However, considerable debate
      exists regarding the efficacy, nature, extent and duration of fluid
      resuscitation, particularly when the patient has undergone major surgery or is in
      septic shock. Crucially, volume resuscitation might be required to maintain or
      restore cardiac output. However, resultant fluid accumulation and tissue oedema
      can substantially contribute to ongoing organ dysfunction and, particularly in
      patients developing AKI, serious clinical consequences. In this Review, we
      discuss the conflict between the desire to achieve adequate resuscitation of
      shock and the need to mitigate the harmful effects of fluid overload. In patients
      with AKI, limiting and resolving fluid overload might prompt earlier use of renal
      replacement therapy. However, rapid or early excessive fluid removal with
      diuretics or extracorporeal therapy might lead to hypovolaemia and recurrent
      renal injury. Optimal management might involve a period of guided fluid
      resuscitation, followed by management of an even fluid balance and, finally, an
      appropriate rate of fluid removal. To obtain best clinical outcomes, serial fluid
      status assessment and careful definition of cardiovascular and renal targets will
      be required during fluid resuscitation and removal. 

PMID- 24217468
TI  - Histological evaluation to study the effects of dental amalgam and composite
      restoration on human dental pulp: an in vivo study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study and compare the effects of dental amalgam and composite
      restorations on human dental pulp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred sound
      premolars scheduled for orthodontic extraction were divided equally into two
      groups: group A, teeth restored with silver amalgam, and group B, teeth restored
      with composite resin. Each group was equally subdivided into two subgroups
      [extracted after 24 h (A-1 and B-1) or 7 days (A-2 and B-2)], and the
      histological changes in the pulp related to the two different materials at the
      two different intervals were studied. RESULTS: It was found that after 24 h, the
      inflammatory response of the pulp in teeth restored with amalgam and composite
      was similar (p = 1.00). However, after 7 days, the severity of the inflammatory
      response of the pulp in teeth restored with amalgam was less compared to that in
      teeth restored with composite (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that
      amalgam continues to be the mechanically as well as biologically more competent
      restorative material. Composite could be a promising restorative material to
      satisfy esthetic needs for a considerable period of time. However, its biological
      acceptance is still in doubt.

PMID- 24217469
TI  - Opioid prescribing: a systematic review and critical appraisal of guidelines for
      chronic pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deaths due to prescription opioid overdoses have increased
      dramatically. High-quality guidelines could help clinicians mitigate risks
      associated with opioid therapy. PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality and content of
      guidelines on the use of opioids for chronic pain. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE,
      National Guideline Clearinghouse, specialty society Web sites, and international
      guideline clearinghouses (searched in July 2013). STUDY SELECTION: Guidelines
      published between January 2007 and July 2013 addressing the use of opioids for
      chronic pain in adults were selected. Guidelines on specific settings,
      populations, and conditions were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Guidelines and
      associated systematic reviews were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines
      for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument and A Measurement Tool to
      Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), respectively, and recommendations for
      mitigating opioid-related risks were compared. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirteen
      guidelines met selection criteria. Overall AGREE II scores were 3.00 to 6.20 (on
      a scale of 1 to 7). The AMSTAR ratings were poor to fair for 10 guidelines. Two
      received high AGREE II and AMSTAR scores. Most guidelines recommend that
      clinicians avoid doses greater than 90 to 200 mg of morphine equivalents per day,
      have additional knowledge to prescribe methadone, recognize risks of fentanyl
      patches, titrate cautiously, and reduce doses by at least 25% to 50% when
      switching opioids. Guidelines also agree that opioid risk assessment tools,
      written treatment agreements, and urine drug testing can mitigate risks. Most
      recommendations are supported by observational data or expert consensus.
      LIMITATION: Exclusion of non-English-language guidelines and reliance on
      published information. CONCLUSION: Despite limited evidence and variable
      development methods, recent guidelines on chronic pain agree on several opioid
      risk mitigation strategies, including upper dosing thresholds; cautions with
      certain medications; attention to drug-drug and drug-disease interactions; and
      use of risk assessment tools, treatment agreements, and urine drug testing.
      Future research should directly examine the effectiveness of opioid risk
      mitigation strategies. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: California Department of
      Industrial Relations and California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers'
      Compensation.

PMID- 24217470
TI  - Treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas with epidermal growth
      factor receptor inhibitors.
AB  - In advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), efficient medical treatment
      options are limited in case surgery and radiotherapy failed, particularly since
      most patients are of higher age and suffer from comorbidities. In many tumor
      entities, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been established as an
      important therapeutic target, and blockade of EGFR signaling by monoclonal
      antibodies or small molecules achieves a therapeutic benefit. EGFR expression is
      also often dysregulated in cSCC. We report here two patients with advanced cSCC
      treated with the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab and summarize the current published
      experience with the use of EGFR inhibitors in cSCC.

PMID- 24217472
TI  - Enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral 1,3-dinitropropanes via
      organocatalytic allylic alkylation.
AB  - An enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral 1,3-dinitropropanes has been
      developed which proceeds via enantiogroup differentiating organocatalytic allylic
      alkylation. Densely functionalized products with two vicinal stereocenters were
      obtained generally with good to excellent diastereoselectivity (up to >20 : 1 dr)
      and superb enantioselectivity (up to >99 : 1 er).

PMID- 24217471
TI  - BMI and BAI as markers of obesity in a Caucasian population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: BMI is known to have limited accuracy, which is different for males
      and females with similar body fat content. That is why Bergman et al. (Obesity
      2011;19:1083-1089) introduced an alternative variable of obesity, called the body
      adiposity index (BAI). Their primary research was conducted in samples of Mexican
      American and African-American populations. The objective of our research was to
      investigate the sex-specific relationship between both BMI and BAI and body fat
      content in a healthy Caucasian population. The accuracy of both indexes was
      compared. METHODS: 684 women and 528 men aged 20-22 years with Caucasian origin
      only participated in the study. Participants were students of universities in
      southern Poland. They had no indication of cardiometabolic problems, as evaluated
      by interview. RESULTS: The study revealed that BAI is a more sensitive method in
      assessing obesity in Caucasian males rather than BMI. In the population of
      Caucasian women BAI results indicate a significant underestimation of obesity.
      CONCLUSION: The fact that there is a high statistical correlation between BAI and
      % fat mass among obese and overweight men and women suggests that BAI could be
      highly specific provided that the BAI cutoffs will be adapted to the European
      population.

PMID- 24217473
TI  - Apocrine adenocarcinoma of the eyelid: case series and review.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report 2 patients with apocrine adenocarcinoma of the eyelid and
      review the literature. DESIGN: Noncomparative, retrospective case series and
      review. PARTICIPANTS: Clinical data of 2 patients with histopathologic diagnoses
      of apocrine adenocarcinoma of the eyelid were obtained from medical records. The
      histopathology and immunohistochemistry data for the 2 cases were studied. A
      retrospective review was performed on all reported cases of eyelid apocrine
      carcinoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical features, histopathology,
      immunohistochemistry, and clinical course following treatment are reported. The
      results of a retrospective review of clinical presentations, local and systemic
      spread, treatment method, and prognosis from published case reports on eyelid
      apocrine adenocarcinoma are discussed. RESULTS: One patient had orbital invasion
      at presentation. This patient had radiotherapy alone and had no systemic or local
      recurrence at 2 years. One patient underwent a 4-mm margin wide surgical
      excision. This patient had no local or systemic recurrences at 1 year. A review
      of the literature suggests that the prognosis of adnexal apocrine tumors is
      indeterminate and variable. Most patients have successful outcomes following
      local surgical excision. Radiotherapy has been used as an adjunctive treatment
      for local metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Apocrine adenocarcinoma is a rare
      adnexal tumor of the eyelid, which may present with orbital invasion.

PMID- 24217474
TI  - Comparison of methodologies in volumetric orbitometry.
AB  - PURPOSE: The rate at which the orbit matures is not well-documented. Limiting
      this pursuit are the difficulties inherent in measuring orbital volumes
      accurately. This study compared 3 common methods of determining orbital volume
      and sought to identify an accurate, practical manner for doing so. METHODS: The
      volume of 1 orbit of 8 human cadaver heads was independently measured using 3
      different methods: 1) CT was performed, and images were analyzed with 3
      dimensional (3D) volumetric software; 2) The same orbits were then exenterated
      and a silicone cast was taken. The cast volumes were measured by water
      displacement; 3) The orbits were then filled with 1-mm glass beads that were
      transferred to a graduated cylinder where their volume was determined. The data
      were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Intraobserver agreements were good for both
      beads and casts. Interobserver agreements were good for both beads and CT (p >
      0.05). Values obtained using the bead method were equal to values obtained using
      the cast method (p > 0.05). However, agreement between direct (orbital fillers
      and casts) and indirect measurements (radiographic techniques) was not
      satisfactory (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Independent of method, determining orbital
      volume is inherently difficult owing to the hyperbolic parabola that is the orbit
      entrance; all methods require estimation. Glass beads and casts yielded more
      reproducible values but can only be used in cadavers. CT measurement is prone to
      error due to the variability of methodologies used but allows access to enormous
      testing populations. Interstudy comparison is currently not possible. CT
      volumetric software with strict universal standards for estimating the anterior
      limit of the orbit appears to be the best method of studying human orbital
      volumes.

PMID- 24217475
TI  - Efficacy of temperature-sensitive Guardix-SG for adhesiolysis in experimentally
      induced eyelid adhesion in rabbits.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of a temperature-sensitive poloxamer/alginate
      mixture (Guardix-SG) for reducing adhesions after blepharoplasty in rabbit
      models. METHODS: Thirty-six intact eyes of 18 rabbits were randomly designated to
      2 groups, and primary blepharoplasty was performed on both the upper eyelids of
      the 18 rabbits. Sterile cotton soaked in 1 N NaOH was used to produce chemical
      tissue damage to experimentally induce eyelid adhesion, which was followed by
      adhesiolysis in 2 weeks. During adhesiolysis, Guardix-SG was applied to the OD of
      rabbits in the experimental group, while adhesiolysis alone was performed on the
      OS of rabbits in the control group. Both sides were compared by gross examination
      1 day, 1 week, and 4 weeks after surgery, and the degrees of inflammation and
      fibrosis were examined with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome (MT)
      stains. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) antibody was also
      immunohistochemically examined. RESULTS: The gross examinations performed after
      adhesiolysis yielded results that were not significantly different between the
      experimental and the control groups, and no prevalent complications, such as
      eyelid traction or distorted eyelids, were observed. One day (p = 0.028), 1 week
      (p = 0.028), and 4 weeks (p = 0.028) after surgery, the experimental group had a
      lower infiltration rate of inflammatory cells than the control group, as shown by
      H&E staining. The MT staining and alpha-SMA staining also showed that the
      collagen deposition and fibrosis (1 week, p = 0.059; 4 weeks, p = 0.034) and the
      degree of myofibroblast differentiation were significantly lower in the
      experimental group than in the controls (1 week, p = 0.027; 4 weeks, p = 0.024).
      CONCLUSIONS: The temperature-sensitive poloxamer/alginate mixture (Guardix-SG)
      decreased inflammation and fibrosis after blepharoplasty and histopathologically
      prevented the readhesion of secondary blepharoplasty in rabbit models. Therefore,
      additional clinical studies are needed for other ophthalmic surgeries that could
      benefit from preventing postoperative adhesions.

PMID- 24217476
TI  - Canalicular wall dysgenesis: the clinical profile of canalicular hypoplasia and
      aplasia, associated systemic and lacrimal anomalies, and clinical implications.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the clinical and diagnostic profile of canalicular wall
      dysgenesis (CWD), associated systemic and lacrimal anomalies and to propose its
      classification. METHODS: Prospective interventional study involving 7 dysgenetic
      canaliculi of 7 consecutive patients seen between June 2010 and July 2012. Data
      collected include demographics, clinical presentation, laterality, age at
      presentation, duration of symptoms, slit-lamp examination, punctal profiles,
      types of canalicular dysgenesis, wall involvement details, associated systemic
      and lacrimal anomalies, family history, and management modalities. CWD and its
      components were defined along with their clinical features. RESULTS: The patients
      included were 5 men and 2 women, with a mean age of 5.8 years (range 2-12 years)
      at presentation. All patients had unilateral and single canalicular involvement.
      Epiphora was the most common complaint noted in all the patients, and the
      symptoms were noticed since birth in 85.7% (6/7). The right eye was involved in
      85.7% (6/7) and lower canaliculi were involved in 57.1% (4/7) of the cases.
      Isolated single wall dysgenesis involving only the roof was noted in 71.4% (5/7),
      with hypoplasia being the common form seen in 57.1% (4/7). Associated lacrimal
      anomalies were seen in all and systemic anomalies were noted in 28.5% (2/7) of
      the patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study exclusively describes the clinical profile
      of CWD and proposes a classification. Single or multiple canalicular wall
      hypoplasia and aplasia are probably better terms to use, and this study could be
      the beginning for further investigations into the embryogenesis and genetics of
      this intriguing congenital disorder.

PMID- 24217477
TI  - Mitomycin C in dacryocystorhinostomy: the search for the right concentration and
      duration--a fundamental study on human nasal mucosa fibroblasts.
AB  - PURPOSE: To establish primary cultures of human nasal mucosal fibroblasts (HNMFs)
      and to test the effect of varying concentrations of mitomycin C (MMC) and
      treatment durations on cellular proliferation and viability of the fibroblasts.
      DESIGN: Laboratory investigation. METHODS: Nasal mucosa harvested from patients
      undergoing a dacryocystorhinostomy was used to establish primary cultures by
      explant culture method. Cells were expanded and frozen at every passage, and
      passage 3 cells were used for further experiments. The cells were then treated
      with different concentrations of mitomycin C (0.1-0.5 mg/ml) for different time
      periods (3, 5, and 10 minutes). Cell viability was checked by MTT (3-[4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Cellular
      proliferation index was determined with bromodeoxyuridine immunostaining.
      Apoptotic index was measured using annexin A5 affinity assay, propidium iodide
      staining, and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole counterstaining. The actin
      cytoskeletons of fibroblasts were studied using phalloidin staining. RESULTS: The
      doubling time of cultured HNMFs is approximately 24 hours. Similarly, 0.4 mg/ml
      beyond 5 minutes and 0.5 mg/ml concentration at all time points were lethal and
      caused extensive cell death when compared with controls. A concentration of 0.2
      mg/ml for 3 minutes of exposure prevented cell proliferation of HNMF cells by
      inducing cell cycle arrest, without causing extensive apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The
      minimum effective concentration appears to be 0.2 mg/ml for 3 minutes. This in
      vitro study could be the starting point for further clinical and histopathologic
      studies to validate its clinical usefulness.

PMID- 24217478
TI  - Volumetric rejuvenation of the tear trough with repo and Ristow.
AB  - PURPOSE: The authors report the results of their approach for the treatment of
      the tear trough deformity, by lower eyelid blepharoplasty with fat repositioning
      and fat transfer to Ristow's space and the deep medial fat compartment. METHODS:
      One hundred fourteen eyes of 57 patients underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty,
      fat repositioning, and fat transfer between 2010 and 2012. RESULTS: No major
      complications were observed in any of the patients in this series. In all cases,
      there was significant improvement in the lower eyelid contour, tear trough, and
      blending of the transition at the eyelid-cheek junction noted by both patients
      and physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the availability of multiple procedures,
      effacement of the tear trough region remains a challenge. The addition of fat
      transfer to Ristow's space and the deep medial fat compartment to traditional fat
      repositioning lower blepharoplasty are effective methods for volumizing the tear
      trough and may synergistically improve outcomes.

PMID- 24217479
TI  - Long-term histopathologic study of the frontalis muscle flap after frontalis
      suspension for severe ptosis repair.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term histopathologic changes of the frontalis
      muscle flap after frontalis muscle flap suspension for severe ptosis repair.
      METHODS: Eight 3-month miniature pigs were selected as the experimental animals,
      and self-comparison was used. The experimental side of the upper eyelid was
      constructed to have severe ptosis by resection of the levator aponeurosis, while
      the other side served as the control. Samples of the upper eyelid composite at 6
      months and 12 months after ptosis repair were obtained and studied through light
      microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The histopathologic
      study revealed that the frontalis muscle flap kept viable with normal muscular
      structure and direction 6 months and 12 months after the frontalis suspension
      procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The frontalis muscle flap appears to be a suitable
      material for frontalis suspension technique because of its feasibility and
      histopathologic stability.

PMID- 24217480
TI  - Relationship of horizontal lower eyelid laxity, involutional entropion
      occurrence, and age of Asian patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the relationship of horizontal lower eyelid laxity, frequency
      of involutional entropion occurrence, and age of Asian patients. METHODS: Three
      hundred seventy-six Japanese patients were examined (age range, 3-95 years). The
      horizontal laxity was examined with a pinch test. A pinch test of >8 mm was
      judged as positive. The percentage of entropion eyelids was calculated, and pinch
      tests were also performed. The percentage of entropion eyelids in the total
      positive pinch test eyelids was calculated. RESULTS: A positive pinch test first
      appeared around 40 years of age and increased with age: 7.4% at 50 to 59 years,
      8.5% at 60 to 69 years, 18.1% at 70 to 79 years, 37.9% at 80 to 89 years, and
      50.0% at >=90 years. The entropion first appeared around 60 years of age. All
      patients demonstrated unilateral entropion with a positive pinch test. The
      percentage of entropion occurrence showed an increase with age: 1.7% at 60 to 69
      years, 2.6% at 70 to 79 years, 5.2% at 80 to 89 years, and 8.3% at >=90 years.
      The percentage of entropion eyelids in the total positive pinch test eyelids was
      20.0% at 60 to 69 years, 14.3% at 70 to 79 years, 13.6% at 80 to 89 years, and
      16.7% at >=90 years, and no significant difference was found among all ages (p =
      0.985). CONCLUSIONS: Lower eyelid horizontal laxity and involutional entropion
      occurrence increased with age, and the latter was similar over ages when the
      pinch test was >8 mm.

PMID- 24217481
TI  - Intraoperative sub-tenon injection increases optic nerve length transection
      during enucleation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the effect of sub-Tenon injection on the length of optic
      nerve resected during enucleation. METHODS: Case-control laboratory study on 22
      orbits of 11 unpreserved, fresh-frozen human cadavers. Each cadaver underwent a
      conventional enucleation technique on one side and an otherwise identical
      technique on the contralateral side that included sub-Tenon injection of 2.5 ml
      normal saline in each oblique quadrant. Resected optic nerve lengths were
      measured and compared using Student t tests. RESULTS: The mean optic nerve length
      was 15.2 mm (range, 5.0-21.0 mm) in the sub-Tenon injection group and 11.3 mm
      (range, 5.0-19.0 mm) in control group (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Sub-Tenon
      injection during enucleation allows for significantly longer optic nerve
      resection lengths in unpreserved, fresh-frozen human cadavers.

PMID- 24217482
TI  - Novel technique to appose flaps using the BioGlue in the external
      dacryocystorhinostomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To introduce the sutureless technique to appose flaps using the BioGlue
      composed of bovine serum albumin (45%) and glutaraldehyde (10%) in the external
      dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: The clinical chart was reviewed,
      retrospectively. The authors studied 31 case series of 30 patients who underwent
      the external DCR using the BioGlue in the step of apposing flaps. Instead of the
      suture technique, BioGlue was applied to appose flaps. Other steps were performed
      in the similar fashion to the conventional external DCR. And also, authors
      studied 31 case series of 30 patients who underwent the external DCR with
      conventional suture technique. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period is 12.5 months in
      study group and 12.6 months in control group. During mean follow up, 3 cases of
      membrane formation were observed, and patency of the anastomosis was kept well
      established in 28 cases (90%) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sutureless apposition
      of flaps using the BioGlue can be an alternative method for the conventional
      suture technique in the external DCR. Also, it is easy and safe procedure to
      perform.

PMID- 24217483
TI  - Re: "Treatment of punctal occlusion using pigtail probe".

PMID- 24217484
TI  - Reply re: "Treatment of punctal occlusion using pigtail probe".

PMID- 24217485
TI  - Re: "Orbital development as a function of age in Indigenous North American
      skeletons".

PMID- 24217486
TI  - Reply re: "Orbital development as a function of age in Indigenous North American
      skeletons".

PMID- 24217487
TI  - Re: "Diagonal tarsal suture technique sine marginal sutures for closure of full
      thickness eyelid defects".

PMID- 24217488
TI  - Reply re: "Diagonal tarsal suture technique sine marginal sutures for closure of
      full-thickness eyelid defects".

PMID- 24217489
TI  - Re: "Cryptophthalmos: reconstructive techniques--expanded classification of
      congenital symblepharon variant".

PMID- 24217490
TI  - Reply re: "Cryptophthalmos: reconstructive techniques--expanded classification of
      congenital symblepharon variant".

PMID- 24217491
TI  - Bilateral squamous cell carcinoma of the lacrimal sac.
AB  - A 42-year-old man presented with right-sided epiphora, a fleshy lesion emanating
      from the right inferior punctum and a painless mass below the medial canthal
      tendon. Biopsy of the lacrimal sac mass disclosed papillary squamous cell
      carcinoma in situ. The patient underwent wide local excision with clear surgical
      margins and remained disease free until 28 months later when he returned with
      hemorrhagic epiphora of the OS and fullness overlying the left lacrimal sac.
      Biopsy confirmed papillary squamous cell carcinoma in situ. He underwent similar
      excision and has remained disease free for 6 months. To the best of the authors'
      knowledge, this is the first report of bilateral squamous cell carcinoma of the
      lacrimal sac. 

PMID- 24217492
TI  - Motivation for living kidney donation in the developing world.

PMID- 24217493
TI  - [V Brazilian Guidelines on Dyslipidemias and Prevention of Atherosclerosis].

PMID- 24217495
TI  - A novel chiral yttrium complex with a tridentate linked amido-indenyl ligand for
      intramolecular hydroamination.
AB  - A new chiral silicon-linked tridentate amido-indenyl ligand was developed from
      indene and enantiopure 1,2-cyclohexanediamine. Its yttrium complex was
      synthesized, characterized and applied to efficiently catalyze the intramolecular
      hydroamination of non-activated olefins with up to 97% ee. 

PMID- 24217496
TI  - To be or not to be metal-free: trends and advances in coupling chemistries.
AB  - Coupling reactions have been part of several extensive studies in order to
      develop innovative and greener protocols that can generate a wide range of
      compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and biologically
      active compounds. Metal-free couplings are an important and increasingly trendy
      field that has attracted a significant deal of interest in recent years,
      generating a lot of controversy on the issue of whether metal free is really
      free. Aside from focusing on such a controversial topic itself, this contribution
      aims to provide a brief introduction on coupling chemistry to point out the
      transition of this technology from metal-catalyzed to metal-free. This is
      followed by a range of key selected synthetically useful metal-free processes and
      a brief commentary on the current debate of whether metal-free reactions are
      really metal-free and the required experiments for a full understanding of a
      metal-free coupling process. 

PMID- 24217494
TI  - Reverse translation of the rodent 5C-CPT reveals that the impaired attention of
      people with schizophrenia is similar to scopolamine-induced deficits in mice.
AB  - Attentional dysfunction in schizophrenia (SZ) is a core deficit that contributes
      to multiple cognitive deficits and the resulting functional disability. However,
      developing procognitive therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders have been
      limited by a 'translational gap'--a lack of cognitive paradigms having cross
      species translational validity and relevance. The present study was designed to
      perform an initial validation of the cross-species homology of the 5-choice
      Continuous Performance Test (5C-CPT) in healthy nonpsychiatric comparison
      subjects (NCS), SZ patients and mice under pharmacologic challenge. The 5C-CPT
      performance in SZ patients (n=20) was compared with age-matched NCS (n=23). The
      effects of the general muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine on mice (n=21)
      performing the 5C-CPT were also assessed. SZ subjects exhibited significantly
      impaired attention in the 5C-CPT, driven by reduced target detection over time
      and nonsignificantly increased impulsive responding. Similarly, scopolamine
      significantly impaired attention in mice, driven by reduced target detection and
      nonsignificantly increased impulsive responding. Scopolamine also negatively
      affected accuracy and speed of responding in mice, although these measures failed
      to differentiate SZ vs. NCS. Thus, mice treated with scopolamine exhibited
      similar impairments in vigilance as seen in SZ, although the differences between
      the behavioral profiles warrant further study. The availability of rodent and
      human versions of this paradigm provides an opportunity to: (1) investigate the
      neuroanatomic, neurochemical and genomic architecture of abnormalities in
      attention observed in clinical populations such as SZ; (2) develop and refine
      animal models of cognitive impairments; and (3) improve cross-species
      translational testing for the development of treatments for these impairments.

PMID- 24217497
TI  - Drinking patterns and associated problems in Brazil.
AB  - This paper describes patterns of alcohol consumption and associated problems in
      Brazil. Data came from a multicluster random sample of 2,346 Brazilians 18 years
      of age and older. The survey was conducted in 2005-2006 and had a response rate
      of 66.4%. About 35% of the men and 59% of the women did not drink in the past 12
      months, while 39% of the men and 13% of the women consumed alcohol at least once
      a week. Further, 38% of the men and 17% of the women consumed 5 or more drinks
      "usually", and 40% of the men and 18% of the women reported binge drinking in the
      past 12 months. The prevalence of alcohol use disorders (DSM-4 abuse and/or
      dependence) was 19% among men and 4% among women. Although abstinence in Brazil
      is relatively high, binge drinking is frequent and, thus, alcohol problems and
      alcohol use disorders are also frequent. 

PMID- 24217498
TI  - The drug scene in Mexico and the road ahead.
AB  - Mexico is a country affected by drugs in every aspect: it is a drug producing
      country of heroin, marihuana and methamphetamines, mainly for external markets
      but also for the growing internal demand; it is a transit country for cocaine
      that has found its way through the Central American and Mexican corridor on its
      way to external markets and for the internal supply. As a result of the
      increasing availability of substances and a favorable social environment, it has
      become a consuming country; drug experimentation use and dependence of illegal
      drugs, although still low, have increased. The abuse/dependence of legal
      substances such as alcohol and tobacco are the main substance abuse problems;
      only the abuse of pharmaceuticals remains low and relatively stable, mainly as a
      result of low availability for medical purposes and therefore limited scope for
      deviation. Social costs are considerable, as happens in other countries in the
      region, violence being the most prevailing characteristic of the drug scene,
      increasing from 2008 onwards. Within these important challenges for health and
      security, it is also true that significant, continuous efforts have been made by
      demand reduction programs at the national level since 1972 and adapted to the
      changing circumstances. This editorial seeks to tell the story of drug
      transitions in Mexico and the programs that have been implemented and discusses
      areas of opportunity for a new approach.

PMID- 24217499
TI  - [Predictors of the therapeutic discharge in patients with dual pathology admitted
      to a therapeutic community with a psychiatric unit].
AB  - This study aims to analyze the variables on which depends therapeutic discharge,
      in patients with a severe dual diagnosis admitted to a professional therapeutic
      community where their pathology is treated. 325 patients admitted between June
      2000 and June 2009 to the therapeutic community. This is a retrospective, cross
      sectional study with no control group, based on the detailed analysis of the
      information collected in a model of semi-structured clinical interview designed
      in the therapeutic community. The 29.5% of the individuals included in the sample
      were therapeutically discharged. Of all the variables introduced in this analysis
      the most significant ones were gender, age at the beginning of treatment,
      education level, opiate dependence, polidrug abuse, and the presence of psychotic
      disorders and borderline personality disorder. In our study, gender determines
      the type of discharge, being therapeutic discharge more frequent among women. A
      higher educational also increases a better prognosis with a higher rate of
      therapeutic discharge among individuals with higher education level. A later age
      at the beginning of the treatment reduces the likelihood of therapeutic
      discharge. Likewise, polidrug abuse, diagnosis of psychotic disorders and
      borderline personality disorder are associated to a lower rate of therapeutic
      discharge. Recognizing these characteristics will allow the early identification
      of those patients more at risk of dropping treatment hastily, while trying to
      prevent it by increasing the therapeutic intensity. 

PMID- 24217500
TI  - [Validation of the Training Addiction Scale (EAE) in master athletes].
AB  - Measuring instruments for behavioral addictions tend to not be generalizable to
      other dependences. The aim is to carry out a process of adaptation of the General
      Addiction Scale (EAG) (Ramos, Sansebastian & Madoz, 2001), to assess exercise
      dependence. This test presents a self-administered one-dimensional character
      capable of measuring the degree of addiction of a subject to all kinds of new
      addictions, excluding illicit substances of abuse. The scale, after adjustment,
      was renamed as Training Addiction Scale (EAE). 401 athletes took part of which
      82.29% are men and the whole sample indicated an age with M=45.78 and SD = 10.25
      years. The confirmatory factor analysis has allowed discriminating a general
      factor and four subscales, with Cronbach's alpha for each of the sub-scales:
      Tolerance (alpha=.78), pleasure-relaxation (alpha=.77), Lack of Control
      (alpha=.77) and Abstinence-craving (alpha=.71). The indexes of asymmetry and
      curtosis have been near zero and <2.0. The items showed no overlap between the
      subscales. The model presented correct values for determining an acceptable
      goodness of fit of the original model and the results were: chi2 / df = 2.93, IFI
      = .96, CFI = .96, TLI = .93, SRMR = .039, RMSEA = .049.

PMID- 24217501
TI  - [Use of the condom and knowledge on HIV prevention among the injector's drugs in
      two Colombian cities].
AB  - This research focuses on the use of the condom among injector drug users and the
      identification of their knowledge on HIV prevention that can inform
      interventions. A cross- sectional study was conducted, using respondent driven
      sampling (RDS); the sample was composed of 540 participants, of 18 years of age
      or older. The survey included counseling for HIV testing and the prevention of
      sexually transmitted diseases. In the multivariate analysis estimated a logistic
      regression model (explaining how to use the condom) multinomial with raw and
      adjusted OR. The proportion of drug-injector users who always used condoms during
      sexual intercourse with their partners was 21.1%. It was found that by adjusting
      the risk of not using a condom by ten inadequate assumptions on HIV prevention,
      factors that increase the risk are sharing the injection equipment (ORaj = 3. 19
      [1. 29- 7.88]), having unsafe sex practices (ORaj = 3. 74 [1. 21-11. 58]) and not
      increasing the use of condom despite having knowledge of HIV (ORaj = 33. 59 [9.
      19-122. 86]). The low use of condoms among intravenous drug users is associated
      with inadequate knowledge about HIV prevention. 

PMID- 24217502
TI  - [Safe injection rooms and police crackdowns in areas with heavy drug dealing.
      Evaluation by counting discarded syringes collected from the public space].
AB  - The evolution of drug injection in public places is analysed using as indicator
      the number of syringes collected from public spaces, evaluating as well the
      influence of public health harm reduction interventions and of police actions,
      with a before and after quasi experimental study. Monthly syringe counts on the
      semester before and after each intervention were compared both in the involved
      district and in the city as a whole, using the U and z tests with a 95%
      confidence level. The average number of collected syringes drops from 13.132 in
      2004 to 3.190 in 2012. Comparing indicators before and after health and police
      interventions, the opening of a facility with a supervised drug consumption room
      in the inner city was associated with a huge reduction in the number of abandoned
      syringes in the city, while its number did not rise in the district where the
      facility was located. The subsequent opening of another drug consumption room did
      not have a significant impact in collected syringes in the area. Some police
      interventions in 2005-2006 and 2011 had a significant impact in the indicators of
      the involved districts, while others did not. Harm reduction programs might have
      a favourable impact on drug injection in public spaces and related syringe
      presence. Some police interventions appear to have an impact while others do not
      or just have a modest local and temporary effect. 

PMID- 24217503
TI  - [Spanish adaptation of the Substance Dependence Severity Scale: preliminar
      results].
AB  - The Substance Dependence Severity Scale -SDSS- is one of the few scales that
      assesses substance dependence and abuse according DSM criteria in dimensional
      terms. Several studies have provided evidence of psychometric validity and
      reliability in its English version, but there is no Spanish version available.
      The aim of this work was to describe the adaptation process of the English
      version of the SDSS into Spanish, and provide preliminary results on its
      reliability and validity evidence. Participants were 146 patients (79.6% male),
      consumers of alcohol, cocaine, heroin and cannabis admitted to treatment in the
      Drug Abuse Centre Services of Huelva. Besides the SDSS, the EUROPASI and the
      Health Related Quality of Life for Drug Abusers test -HRQOLDA- were also
      administered. The Substance Dependence Severity Scale -SDSS- has shown adequate
      psychometric properties in terms of the rates of discrimination and internal
      consistency (alpha=0.881 for alcohol; alpha=0.814 for cocaine; alpha=0.531 for
      cannabis; alpha=0.785 for heroin). However, the scale assessing abuse showed
      poorer results. Concerning the validity evidence, the evidence based on internal
      structure showed a unidimensional structure. Furthermore, the evidence based from
      the relationships with other variables empirically support the theoretical
      relationships postulated. Preliminary results support the use of the Substance
      Dependence Severity Scale. The severity scale, which evaluates abuse criteria,
      needs further empirical evidence to assess its utility. Therefore, its current
      version is not recommended for use.

PMID- 24217504
TI  - [Differential association between the regional metabolism of the prefrontal
      cortex and limbic structures, and the time of abstinence in substance dependent
      individuals].
AB  - Despite the existence of numerous neuroimaging studies demonstrating significant
      brain functional alterations in substance users, only a few studies have tried to
      analyze the association between the duration of abstinence and brain metabolism
      within substance users. The aim of this study was to examine the association
      between resting-state regional brain metabolism (measured with 18F
      fluordeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDGPET) and duration of drug
      abstinence in a sample of 49 abstinent polysubstance users. PET images were pre
      processed and analyzed using SPM5 and SPSS 15. After image pre-processing, the
      level of glucose uptake in a pre-established set of regions of interest was
      extracted and bivariate correlations between this and the duration of abstinence
      of the participants were conducted. Results showed a negative correlation between
      duration of abstinence and the amygdale and the hippocampus bilaterally and a
      positive correlation between duration of abstinence and the left inferior frontal
      operculum. The associations found suggest different involvement of these
      structures in maintaining abstinence and emphasize the need to work on stress
      regulation, craving and behaviour control even after significant periods of
      abstinence.

PMID- 24217505
TI  - Changing pattern of alcohol consumption in Russia.

PMID- 24217506
TI  - Methadone dosing based on testosterone-to-creatinine urine ratio.

PMID- 24217507
TI  - Erb-041, an estrogen receptor-beta agonist, inhibits skin photocarcinogenesis in
      SKH-1 hairless mice by downregulating the WNT signaling pathway.
AB  - Estrogen receptors (ER), including ER-alpha and ER-beta, are known to regulate
      multiple biologic responses in various cell types. The expression of ER-beta is
      lost in various cancers. ER-beta agonists were shown to modulate inflammation,
      cancer cell proliferation, and differentiation. Here, we investigated the cancer
      chemopreventive properties of Erb-041, an ER-beta agonist, using a model of UVB
      induced photocarcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice. Erb-041 significantly reduced UVB
      induced carcinogenesis. Tumor numbers and volume were reduced by 60% and 84%,
      respectively, in the Erb-041-treated group as compared with UVB (alone) control.
      This inhibition in tumorigenesis was accompanied by the decrease in proliferating
      cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1, VEGF, and CD31, and an increase in
      apoptosis. The lost ER-beta expression in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) was
      significantly recovered by Erb-041 treatment. In addition, the UVB-induced
      inflammatory responses were remarkably reduced. Myeloperoxidase activity, levels
      of cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10), and expression of p-ERK
      (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) 1/2, p-p38, p-IkappaB, iNOS, COX-2, and
      nuclear NF-kappaBp65 were diminished. The number of tumor-associated inflammatory
      cells (GR-1(+)/CD11b(+) and F4/80(+)) was also decreased. Tumors excised from Erb
      041-treated animal were less invasive and showed reduced epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT). The enhanced expression of E-cadherin with the concomitantly
      reduced expression of N-cadherin, Snail, Slug, and Twist characterized these
      lesions. The WNT/beta-catenin signaling pathway, which underlies pathogenesis of
      skin cancer, was found to be downregulated by Erb-041 treatment. Similar but not
      identical changes in proliferation and EMT regulatory proteins were noticed
      following treatment of tumor cells with a WNT signaling inhibitor XAV939. Our
      results show that Erb-041 is a potent skin cancer chemopreventive agent that acts
      by dampening the WNT/beta-catenin signaling pathway.

PMID- 24217508
TI  - Equilibrium selectivity alone does not create K+-selective ion conduction in K+
      channels.
AB  - Potassium (K(+)) channels are selective for K(+) over Na(+) ions during their
      transport across membranes. We and others have previously shown that tetrameric
      K(+) channels are primarily occupied by K(+) ions in their selectivity filters
      under physiological conditions, demonstrating the channel's intrinsic equilibrium
      preference for K(+) ions. Based on this observation, we hypothesize that the
      preference for K(+) ions over Na(+) ions in the filter determines its selectivity
      during ion conduction. Here, we ask whether non-selective cation channels, which
      share an overall structure and similar individual ion-binding sites with K(+)
      channels, have an ion preference at equilibrium. The variants of the non
      selective Bacillus cereus NaK cation channel we examine are all selective for
      K(+) over Na(+) ions at equilibrium. Thus, the detailed architecture of the K(+)
      channel selectivity filter, and not only its equilibrium ion preference, is
      fundamental to the generation of selectivity during ion conduction. 

PMID- 24217510
TI  - Alzheimer disease therapy--moving from amyloid-beta to tau.
AB  - Disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer disease (AD) have focused mainly on
      reducing levels of amyloid-beta (Abeta) in the brain. Some compounds have
      achieved this goal, but none has produced clinically meaningful results. Several
      methodological issues relating to clinical trials of these agents might explain
      this failure; an additional consideration is that the amyloid cascade hypothesis-
      which places amyloid plaques at the heart of AD pathogenesis--does not fully
      integrate a large body of data relevant to the emergence of clinical AD.
      Importantly, amyloid deposition is not strongly correlated with cognition in
      multivariate analyses, unlike hyperphosphorylated tau, neurofibrillary tangles,
      and synaptic and neuronal loss, which are closely associated with memory
      deficits. Targeting tau pathology, therefore, might be more clinically effective
      than Abeta-directed therapies. Furthermore, numerous immunization studies in
      animal models indicate that reduction of intracellular levels of tau and
      phosphorylated tau is possible, and is associated with improved cognitive
      performance. Several tau-related vaccines are in advanced preclinical stages and
      will soon enter clinical trials. In this article, we present a critical analysis
      of the failure of Abeta-directed therapies, discuss limitations of the amyloid
      cascade hypothesis, and suggest the potential value of tau-targeted therapy for
      AD.

PMID- 24217509
TI  - Brain repair after stroke--a novel neurological model.
AB  - Following stroke, patients are commonly left with debilitating motor and speech
      impairments. This article reviews the state of the art in neurological repair for
      stroke and proposes a new model for the future. We suggest that stroke treatment-
      from the time of the ictus itself to living with the consequences--must be
      fundamentally neurological, from limiting the extent of injury at the outset, to
      repairing the consequent damage. Our model links brain and behaviour by targeting
      brain circuits, and we illustrate the model though action observation treatment,
      which aims to enhance brain network connectivity. The model is based on the
      assumptions that the mechanisms of neural repair inherently involve cellular and
      circuit plasticity, that brain plasticity is a synaptic phenomenon that is
      largely stimulus-dependent, and that brain repair required both physical and
      behavioural interventions that are tailored to reorganize specific brain
      circuits. We review current approaches to brain repair after stroke and present
      our new model, and discuss the biological foundations, rationales, and data to
      support our novel approach to upper-extremity and language rehabilitation. We
      believe that by enhancing plasticity at the level of brain network interactions,
      this neurological model for brain repair could ultimately lead to a cure for
      stroke.

PMID- 24217512
TI  - Multiple sclerosis: CCSVI deconstructed and discarded.

PMID- 24217518
TI  - Advances in peripheral nerve regeneration.
AB  - Rodent models of nerve injury have increased our understanding of peripheral
      nerve regeneration, but clinical applications have been scarce, partly because
      such models do not adequately recapitulate the situation in humans. In human
      injuries, axons are often required to extend over much longer distances than in
      mice, and injury leaves distal nerve fibres and target tissues without axonal
      contact for extended amounts of time. Distal Schwann cells undergo atrophy owing
      to the lack of contact with proximal neurons, which results in reduced expression
      of neurotrophic growth factors, changes in the extracellular matrix and loss of
      Schwann cell basal lamina, all of which hamper axonal extension. Furthermore,
      atrophy and denervation-related changes in target tissues make good functional
      recovery difficult to achieve even when axons regenerate all the way to the
      target tissue. To improve functional outcomes in humans, strategies to increase
      the speed of axonal growth, maintain Schwann cells in a healthy, repair-capable
      state and keep target tissues receptive to reinnervation are needed. Use of
      rodent models of chronic denervation will facilitate our understanding of the
      molecular mechanisms of peripheral nerve regeneration and create the potential to
      test therapeutic advances. 

PMID- 24217519
TI  - Alzheimer disease: Sleep alleviates AD-related neuropathological processes.

PMID- 24217516
TI  - Pathophysiology of somatosensory abnormalities in Parkinson disease.
AB  - Changes in sensory function that have been described in patients with Parkinson
      disease (PD) can be either 'pure' disorders of conscious perception such as
      elevations in sensory threshold, or disorders of sensorimotor integration, in
      which the interaction between sensory input and motor output is altered. In this
      article, we review the extensive evidence for disrupted tactile, nociceptive,
      thermal and proprioceptive sensations in PD, as well as the influences exerted on
      these sensations by dopaminergic therapy and deep brain stimulation. We argue
      that abnormal spatial and temporal processing of sensory information produces
      incorrect signals for the preparation and execution of voluntary movement.
      Sensory deficits are likely to be a consequence of the dopaminergic denervation
      of the basal ganglia that is the hallmark of PD. A possible mechanism to account
      for somatosensory deficits is one in which disease-related dopaminergic
      denervation leads to a loss of response specificity, resulting in transmission of
      noisier and less-differentiated information to cortical regions. Changes in pain
      perception might have a different explanation, possibly involving disease-related
      effects outside the basal ganglia, including involvement of peripheral pain
      receptors, as well as structures such as the periaqueductal grey matter and non
      dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems. 

PMID- 24217524
TI  - Effects of sugarcane waste-products on Cd and Zn fractionation and their uptake
      by sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.).
AB  - The effects of three sugarcane waste-products from an ethanol production plant on
      the fractionation of Cd and Zn in high Cd and Zn contaminated soil and metal
      accumulation in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) were studied, using the BCR
      sequential extraction and aqua regia extraction procedures. A pot experiment was
      performed for 4 months with four treatments: no-amendments (control), boiler ash
      (3% w/w), filter cake (3% w/w) and a combination of boiler ash and vinasse (1.5%
      + 1.5%, w/w). The results showed that all treatments reduced the most
      bioavailable concentrations of Cd and Zn (BCR1 + 2) in soils (4.0-9.6% and 5.5
      6.3%, respectively) and metal uptake (MUg) in the aboveground part of the
      sugarcane (up to 62% and 54% for Cd and Zn, respectively) as compared to the
      control. No visual symptoms of metal toxicity and no positive effect on the
      biomass production of sugarcane were observed. Both Cd and Zn were accumulated
      mainly in the underground parts of the sugarcane (root > shoot >= underground
      sett > leaf; and root > underground sett > shoot > leaf, respectively) and the
      translocation factors were below 1, indicating low metal uptake. The results
      suggested that even though sugarcane waste-products insignificantly promote
      sugarcane growth, they can be used in agriculture due to the low metal
      accumulation in sugarcane and the reduction in metal bioavailability in the soil.

PMID- 24217521
TI  - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis--a model of corticofugal axonal spread.
AB  - The pathological process underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is
      associated with the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions consisting mainly of
      phosphorylated 43-kDa transactive response DNA-binding protein (pTDP-43), which
      plays an essential part in the pathogenesis of ALS. Preliminary evidence
      indicates that neuronal involvement progresses at different rates, but in a
      similar sequence, in different patients with ALS. This observation supports the
      emerging concept of prion-like propagation of abnormal proteins in noninfectious
      neurodegenerative diseases. Although the distance between involved regions is
      often considerable, the affected neurons are connected by axonal projections,
      indicating that physical contacts between nerve cells along axons are important
      for dissemination of ALS pathology. This article posits that the trajectory of
      the spreading pattern is consistent with the induction and dissemination of pTDP
      43 pathology chiefly from cortical neuronal projections, via axonal transport,
      through synaptic contacts to the spinal cord and other regions of the brain.

PMID- 24217525
TI  - Palliative care = hope.

PMID- 24217526
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23147806.

PMID- 24217527
TI  - [Genetic risk factors for vasculitis].
AB  - Among the vasculitides, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have so far been
      performed for Behcet's disease, Kawasaki disease, granulomatosis with
      polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). These studies delivered
      valuable information with respect to the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets:
      Apart from HLA-B51 and HLA-A26, distinct polymorphisms in cytokine (IL-10) or
      cytokine receptor (IL-12R/IL-23R) genes, transcription factors (STAT4) and genes
      encoding for proteins involved in antigen presentation (ERAP-1) have been
      identified as risk factors for Behcet's disease. The results of two GWAS
      performed for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis
      GPA and MPA in Europe and the USA confirmed that the HLA-DP locus is the most
      relevant risk factor for GPA. Furthermore, the European GWAS confirmed SERPINA-1,
      a deficiency allele of the alpha-1-antitrypsin gene, as a genetic risk factor in
      GPA and identified a polymorphism in the proteinase 3 gene (PR3), one of the
      target antigens of ANCA, as a risk factor for GPA and PR3-ANCA-associated
      vasculitis. 

PMID- 24217528
TI  - [Genetic risk profile of sarcoidosis].
AB  - Sarcoidosis is a multifactorial and polygenic disorder. The current knowledge of
      its genetic basis will be presented and functional consequences of the genetic
      variants that influence the immunopathogenesis of this disorder will be depicted.
      In the near future it is expected that this knowledge will yield clinically
      applicable genetic risk profiles. 

PMID- 24217529
TI  - [Current management of renal artery stenosis].
AB  - Severe renal artery stenosis may cause renovascular hypertension; in case of
      bilateral narrowing or in a stenotic solitary kidney, renal insufficiency
      (ischemic kidney disease) or rarely pulmonary flush edema may occur. Renal artery
      stenosis may be treated by revascularization, using either percutaneous (balloon
      angioplasty, stenting) or less common open surgical procedures, both with
      excellent primary patency rates. However, randomized trials of renal artery
      angioplasty or stenting have failed to demonstrate a longer-term benefit with
      regard to blood pressure control and renal function over medical management alone
      (except for fibromuscular disease). Furthermore, endovascular procedures are
      associated with substantial risks. It has not yet been demonstrated that renal
      revascularization leads to a prolongation of event-free survival. Careful patient
      selection is essential to maximize the potential benefit. 

PMID- 24217530
TI  - [Current treatment of tachycardia].
AB  - Tachycardias including atrial fibrillation often require hospitalisation. A
      diagnostic algorithm from the surface ECG allows discrimination between
      supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias. For acute treatment, only a few
      antiarrhythmic drugs such as adenosine, ajmaline and amiodarone, and in case of
      hemodynamic instability electrocardioversion are required. For long-term
      treatment catheter ablation is the option of choice for almost all patients with
      supraventricular tachycardias, atrial flutter, idiopathic ventricular
      tachycardias and for many patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Chronic
      antiarrhythmic drug therapy is less often used. In patients with ventricular
      tachyarrhythmias in the setting of severe structural heart disease, risk
      stratification must be performed and ICD therapy is often indicated.
      Anticoagulant therapy according to risk score analysis is often indicated in
      patients with atrial fibrillation. 

PMID- 24217531
TI  - Inverted segment size and the presence of recombination hot spot clusters matter
      in sperm segregation analysis.

PMID- 24217532
TI  - A graphene-MnO2 framework as a new generation of three-dimensional oxygen
      evolution promoter.
AB  - A three-dimensional framework promoter of graphene-MnO2 was fabricated to enhance
      the catalytic properties of NiCo2O4. The as-resultant graphene-MnO2-NiCo2O4
      hybrid material features a number of remarkable structural properties such as
      well-developed pores, 3D conductive networks and strong coupling synergistic
      effects, rendering it an outstanding catalyst for electrocatalytic oxygen
      evolution. 

PMID- 24217533
TI  - Assessing therapy response of secreting pineal germ cell tumor on simultaneous
      18F-choline PET/MRI.
AB  - An 18-year-old man presented with 6 weeks' history of diplopia, early morning
      headaches, and blurred vision; on ophthalmologic examination, Parinaud syndrome
      was revealed. Brain MRI scan showed a calcified pineal mass. Brain simultaneous
      PET/MRI with 18F-choline showed an avid enhancing mass occupying the pineal
      region with restricted diffusion. A second examination after chemotherapy
      demonstrated reduction in both size and radiotracer activity of the mass. Our
      study emphasizes the potential of simultaneous 18F-choline PET/MRI being a useful
      tool for contribution in the diagnosis and treatment assessment in a convenient
      way with minimal radiation exposure and reduced throughput patient time.

PMID- 24217534
TI  - Diagnosis of complex renal cystic masses and solid renal lesions using PET
      imaging: comparison of 11C-acetate and 18F-FDG PET imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: The study aims to assess the usefulness of PET with C-acetate and F-FDG
      to differentiate renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from complicated renal cysts.
      METHODS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled, 14 patients with complicated renal
      cysts (12 with Bosniak III and 2 with Bosniak IV) and 17 patients with 19 solid
      renal tumors. The patients underwent both C-acetate PET and FDG PET. Nephrectomy
      or partial nephrectomy was performed after the PET scans. RESULTS: In 29
      patients, 32 renal lesions were diagnosed as RCC. Twenty-three of the 32 RCCs
      (72%) had positive C-acetate PET findings, whereas only 7 FDG PET studies were
      positive (22%). Considering the relationship between tumor size measured by
      macroscopic appearance of resected tumors and PET results, 22 of 25 (88%) tumors
      more than 1.5 cm showed positive C-acetate PET findings. In 12 patients with
      Bosniak III renal cysts, 10 renal lesions were diagnosed as RCC. In this
      subgroup, 5 of the 10 RCCs (50%) had positive C-acetate PET findings, whereas 2
      RCCs (20%) had positive FDG PET findings. None of the cases with benign findings
      had positive C-acetate PET or FDG PET scans. CONCLUSIONS: C-acetate PET
      demonstrates a pronounced increase in tracer uptake in RCC, especially in renal
      tumors more than 1.5 cm, and displays a higher sensitivity than FDG PET. These
      preliminary data show that C-acetate may be a useful PET tracer to exclude RCC in
      complex renal cysts.

PMID- 24217535
TI  - Hepatorenal cutaneous syndrome demonstrated by 99mTc macro aggregated albumin
      whole-body scintigraphy.
AB  - Hepatopulmonary syndrome, also known as hepatorenal syndrome, is a triad of liver
      disease, impaired oxygenation, and intrapulmonary vascular abnormalities. Forty
      seven percent of patients with end-stage liver disease may have hepatopulmonary
      syndrome, an independent predictor of poor prognosis. Gross dilatation of
      pulmonary precapillary and capillary vessels, as well as an absolute increase in
      the number of dilated vessels, is the classic pathological description. We report
      a young man with cirrhosis demonstrating extrapulmonary shunting of 99mTc-MAA to
      kidneys with extensive peripheral arteriovenous (cutaneous) vasodilation, which
      we prefer to name as the "mosaic sign" in the absence of spider nevi or erythema.

PMID- 24217536
TI  - Different lesions revealed by 18F-FDG PET/CT and 18F-NaF PET/CT in patients with
      multiple myeloma.
AB  - We present different findings on 18F-FDG PET/CT and 18F-NaF PET/CT images in 2
      patients with multiple myeloma. In 1 case, 18F-FDG PET/CT showed intense uptake
      in the lesions in the axial skeleton where 18F-NaF PET/CT seemed normal. In
      addition, a sternal lesion showed FDG uptake only in the center but NaF uptake
      only in the periphery. In another patient, intense NaF accumulation in a dorsal
      vertebra was noted, but the corresponding FDG uptake was unimpressive. The role
      of these 2 radioactive tracers in the management of multiple myeloma continues to
      be defined.

PMID- 24217537
TI  - Prospective multicenter study of bone scintigraphy in consecutive patients with
      newly diagnosed prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: International guidelines uniformly suggest no routine staging of bone
      metastasis in patients with bone scintigraphy (BS) in low-risk prostate cancer
      (PCa). These recommendations are based on retrospective investigations only. In
      addition, BS has most often been reported as a definitive investigation with no
      room for equivocal cases. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine
      the diagnostic value of BS in a large cohort of consecutive patients with newly
      diagnosed PCa. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Over a period of 1.5 years in
      2008 to 2009, consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PCa were enrolled in a
      noninterventional, multicenter, observational study. All patients had a whole
      body, planar BS. Clinical history and clinical, pathological, and biochemical
      data were obtained from electronic patient files and questionnaires. OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Bone scintigraphy was classified into 4
      categories as nonmalignant, equivocal, likely malignant, or multiple metastasis.
      The primary end point was final imaging, which was a composite end point of BS
      and additional CT and MRI investigations. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 635
      eligible patients were recruited. Their median prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
      was 15 ng/mL, median Gleason was 7, and 80% of patients had local disease (T1 or
      T2). The proportion of nonmalignant BS was 61%, equivocal scans 26%, and likely
      or definitive metastasis 13%. A total of 154 patients had additional CT or MRI
      investigations. The final imaging diagnosis showed a prevalence of bone
      metastases in 87 (13.7%) of 635 patients. No bone metastases were observed in (1)
      patients with PSA of less than 10 ng/mL, independently of the clinical Tstage and
      Gleason score (n = 212) and (2) PSA of less than 20 ng/mL if Tstage is less than
      T3 and Gleason score is less than 8 (n = 97). Approximately 50% of the patients
      enrolled in this study met these criteria. CONCLUSION: This is the first
      prospective trial to demonstrate that BS can be avoided in patients with low-risk
      PCa.

PMID- 24217538
TI  - Diffuse FDG uptake of the bilateral atrial walls in a patient with atrial
      fibrillation.
AB  - A 59-year-old man, who had a 3-year history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,
      was referred to our hospital because of palpitation for 12 hours. Atrial
      fibrillation was confirmed by ECG. F-FDG PET/CT scan was performed showing
      diffuse FDG uptake of the bilateral atrial walls. Enhanced chest CT showed that
      the bilateral atria and ventricles were normal. This case highlights that atrial
      fibrillation should be included in the differential diagnosis of abnormal atrial
      FDG accumulation along with tumor and inflammatory processes. 

PMID- 24217539
TI  - Dual tracer functional imaging of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
      using 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT and 18F-FDG PET-CT: competitive or complimentary?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of Ga-DOTANOC
      PET/CT with F-FDG PET/CT in the patients with gastroenteropancreatic
      neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 51 patients with
      definite histological diagnosis of GEP-NET who underwent both Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT
      and F-FDG PET-CT within a span of 15 days were selected for this retrospective
      analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated for Ga
      DOTA-NOC PET-CT and F-FDG PET-CT, and results were compared both on patientwise
      and regionwise analysis. RESULTS: Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT is superior to F-FDG PET-CT
      on patientwise analysis (P < 0.0001). On regionwise analysis, Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT
      is superior to F-FDG PET-CT only for lymph node metastases (P < 0.003). Although
      Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT detected more liver and skeletal lesions compared with F-FDG
      PET-CT, the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, the
      results of combined imaging helped in selecting candidates who would undergo the
      appropriate mode of treatment, whether octreotide therapy or conventional
      chemotherapy CONCLUSIONS: Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT seems to be superior to F-FDG PET-CT
      for imaging GEP-NETs. However, their role seems to be complementary because
      combination of Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT and F-FDG PET-CT in such patients helps
      demonstrate the total disease burden and segregate them to proper therapeutic
      groups.

PMID- 24217540
TI  - Organized urachal abscess mimicking urachal carcinoma on FDG PET/CT.
AB  - Urachal inflammation is rarely seen in adults. Two patients with suspected
      abdominal tumor underwent FDG PET/CT. One patient showed an irregular
      hypermetabolic mass anterosuperior to the bladder. The other patient showed a
      thick-walled cystic mass with strong FDG uptake extending from the bladder dome
      to the anterior abdominal wall. Urachal carcinomas were suspected based on
      imaging findings. Both patients underwent complete resection of the masses.
      However, both masses were organized urachal abscesses confirmed by pathological
      examination. These two cases highlight that differentiation between organized
      urachal abscess and carcinoma is difficult on the basis of imaging. 

PMID- 24217541
TI  - Easy interpretation of heterotopic ossification demonstrated on bone SPECT/CT.
AB  - A 29-year-old male patient suffered from paraplegia 6 months after brain injury.
      Heterotopic ossification was diagnosed based on clinical characteristics such as
      decreased range of motion at the bilateral hips without infective signs. A planar
      bone scintigraphy using Tc-MDP showed intensive radiotracer accumulation in the
      proximal portion of the bilateral femurs and the right acetabulum. The SPECT/CT
      images showed increased radiotracer accumulation in the adjacent soft tissues of
      the bilateral hips but not in the bone. The conservative treatment rather than
      surgical intervention was given according to the findings in bone SPECT/CT
      images. 

PMID- 24217542
TI  - 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging features of Rosai Dorfman disease: a rare cause of massive
      generalized lymphadenopathy.
AB  - Rosai Dorfman disease (RDD) or sinus histiocytosis is a rare non-neoplastic
      idiopathic disease characterized by massive lymphadenopathy in young adults.
      Extranodal involvement is seen in 25%-43% cases. RDD is usually self-remitting.
      However, it mimics lymphoproliferatve disorders clinically as well as on imaging.
      We present the F-FDG PET/CT findings in a 46-year-old female patient with nodal
      RDD. 

PMID- 24217543
TI  - Lymphoma as a second malignancy in a patient with neuroendocrine tumor: mimicking
      dedifferentiation on dual-tracer PET/CT with 68Ga-DOTANOC and 18F-FDG.
AB  - Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors which express somatostatin receptors
      (SSTRs). We here present a case of a 50-year-old female patient with metastatic
      bronchial carcinoid. She underwent 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT which
      suggested a diagnosis of poorly differentiated NET. Biopsy of the lesion,
      however, revealed a second malignancy in the form of diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma. Thus, very rarely, other primary tumors can mimic NETs on dual-tracer
      PET/CT, and biopsy is advised in doubtful cases.

PMID- 24217544
TI  - Myocardial uptake of 99mTc-HDP and reduced perfusion on CT in subacute myocardial
      infarction.
AB  - A 65-year-old man with known bone metastases from prostate cancer and no cardiac
      history attended for a restaging bone scan (BS). Diffuse increased Tc-HDP
      activity in the heart was noted, new since a BS 3 months earlier. A restaging
      contrast-enhanced CT scan on the same day showed reduced myocardial perfusion in
      the anterior, apical, and septal walls. On direct questioning, he described an
      episode of severe exertional chest pain the day before. Myocardial infarction was
      confirmed and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. New
      cardiac uptake on BS, raising the possibility of myocardial infarction, is a red
      alert for clinicians. 

PMID- 24217545
TI  - Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with (177)Lu DOTATATE in a case of
      recurrent carotid body paraganglioma with spinal metastases.
AB  - Paragangliomas are rare benign neuroendocrine tumors, and 80% of all
      paragangliomas are either carotid body tumors or glomus jugulare tumors. We
      present a case of recurrent unresectable carotid body paraganglioma with nodal
      and T7 vertebral metastases in a 30-year-old man 6 years postsurgery detected
      with Ga DOTANOC PET/CT and was administered with peptide receptor radionuclide
      therapy using Lu DOTATATE. After 5 cycles of Lu DOTATATE (total cumulative
      activity of 750 mCi [27 GBq]), significant response at the primary site on Ga
      DOTANOC PET/CT and complete disappearance of nodal and T7 vertebral metastases
      were noted. 

PMID- 24217546
TI  - First experience with image-guided resection of paraganglioma.
AB  - A 32-year-old male patient showed 2 focal uptakes of I-MIBG next to the left
      renal vein in a diagnostic scan, corresponding to paragangliomas. An operation
      was indicated, and to guide resection during surgery we used the freehand SPECT
      system. In the operating room, using freehand SPECT, both lesions were found. The
      system was of additional value in planning the operative access to the region of
      interest and in determining the depth of 1 lesion for precise and more rapid
      extirpation. Furthermore, it confirmed no residues in the operating field after
      resection of the tumors. 

PMID- 24217547
TI  - Pretreatment (18)F-FDG PET/CT in whole-body total lesion glycolysis to predict
      survival in patients with pharyngeal cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the predictive role of
      pretreatment total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of the whole-body and primary tumors
      in patients with pharyngeal cancer (PC) treated with definitive radiotherapy.
      METHODS: The retrospective analysis examined 74 PC patients treated with
      radiotherapy. All patients received pretreatment with F-FDG PET/CT. Several
      autosegmentation methods were used to determine the PET/CT-based metabolic tumor
      volume (MTV), TLG of the primary tumor, and whole-body TLG (TLGw) for each
      patient. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and primary relapse
      free survival (PRFS) were examined according to the cutoffs of the median values
      for MTV, TLG, and gross tumor volume of the primary tumor. Independent
      prognosticators were identified using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: After a
      median follow-up of 33 months, 42 patients remained disease-free, and 32 patients
      experienced cancer recurrence. Multivariate analysis of the OS and DFS showed
      that the application of 40% of the maximal uptake of whole body TLG(TLGw40%) was
      the only predictor of OS or DFS. Patients who had tumors with TLGw40% greater
      than 92 g had significantly lower 3-year OS and DFS compared with patients who
      had smaller TLGw. The independent predictors for PRFS were MTV greater than the
      SUVmax of 2.5 (MTV2.5). CONCLUSIONS: For PC patients treated with definitive
      radiotherapy, pretreatment with TLGw40% achieved the optimal predictive value for
      OS and DFS, and MTV2.5 was a prognosticator for PRFS.

PMID- 24217548
TI  - MRI and FDG PET/CT findings of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the prostate.
AB  - Malignant fibrous histiocytoma primarily arising from the prostate is extremely
      rare. A 43-year-old man presented with dysuria for 12 months. Serum prostate
      specific antigen level was normal. T2-weighted MR images showed a well
      circumscribed tumor with inhomogeneous intensity in the prostate. The patient
      underwent transurethral resection of the prostate. Prostate malignant fibrous
      histiocytoma was histopathologically confirmed. FDG PET/CT was performed showing
      extremely high FDG uptake of the tumor with SUVmax of 46.8. 

PMID- 24217549
TI  - Focal and diffuse FDG uptake patterns of endotracheal lymphoma.
AB  - Endotracheal infiltration by lymphoma is uncommon. We present 2 cases of
      endotracheal infiltration by non-Hodgkin lymphoma. One case had a solitary lesion
      in the middle trachea. Bronchoscopic biopsy of the lesion revealed diffuse large
      B-cell lymphoma. The tumor showed focal FDG uptake with SUVmax of 15. The other
      case had diffuse endotracheal lesions. Bronchoscopic biopsy revealed diffuse
      submucosal infiltration by natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. The thickened trachea
      showed diffuse FDG uptake with SUVmax of 8.4. These 2 cases indicate lymphoma
      should be included in the differential diagnosis of focal or diffuse endotracheal
      FDG accumulation. 

PMID- 24217550
TI  - Benign cystic mesothelioma: false-positive iodine accumulation in a patient with
      oncocytic follicular thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - Whole-body (131I) scintigraphy (WBS) is used to detect residual or metastatic
      tissue during treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in combination with
      thyroglobulin (Tg) and ultrasonography of the neck. It is a highly sensitive
      method, but there is a high rate of false positives. We report the case of a 52
      year-old woman with false-positive iodine accumulation in a benign cystic
      mesothelioma discovered during treatment for a oncocytic follicular thyroid
      carcinoma (stage pT2 pNx Mx). This lesion was detected by WBS and confirmed by
      surgery and histopathologic analysis.

PMID- 24217551
TI  - Adrenal masses of varied etiology: anatomical and molecular imaging features on
      PET-CT.
AB  - A wide spectrum of benign and malignant diseases can present as an adrenal mass.
      Combined PET-CT is useful for evaluation of adrenocortical and adrenomedullary
      masses. F-FDG has been extensively used as PET radiotracer for this purpose. F
      FDOPA PET, Ga-DOTA peptide (Ga-DOTANOC/TATE) PET, and C-HED PET have also been
      used for imaging of adrenal medullary lesions, whereas C-MTO PET has been used
      for adrenocortical imaging. We provide a review of imaging characteristics of
      adrenal gland pathologies on PET-CT using different tracers. 

PMID- 24217554
TI  - Screen-and-treat approach to cervical cancer prevention using visual inspection
      with acetic acid and cryotherapy: experiences, perceptions, and beliefs from
      demonstration projects in Peru, Uganda, and Vietnam.
AB  - Cervical cancer is preventable but continues to cause the deaths of more than
      270,000 women worldwide each year, most of them in developing countries where
      programs to detect and treat precancerous lesions are not affordable or
      available. Studies have demonstrated that screening by visual inspection of the
      cervix using acetic acid (VIA) is a simple, affordable, and sensitive test that
      can identify precancerous changes of the cervix so that treatment such as
      cryotherapy can be provided. Government partners implemented screening and
      treatment using VIA and cryotherapy at demonstration sites in Peru, Uganda, and
      Vietnam. Evaluations were conducted in the three countries to explore the
      barriers and facilitating factors for the use of services and for incorporation
      of screen-and-treat programs using VIA and cryotherapy into routine services.
      Results showed that use of VIA and cryotherapy in these settings is a feasible
      approach to providing cervical cancer prevention services. Activities that can
      help ensure successful programs include mobilizing and educating communities,
      organizing services to meet women's schedules and needs, and strengthening
      systems to track clients for follow-up. Sustainability also depends on having an
      adequate number of trained providers and reducing staff turnover. Although some
      challenges were found across all sites, others varied from country to country,
      suggesting that careful assessments before beginning new secondary prevention
      programs will optimize the probability of success. 

PMID- 24217555
TI  - Advancing cervical cancer prevention in India: implementation science priorities.
AB  - Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in India, accounting for
      17% of all cancer deaths among women aged 30 to 69 years. At current incidence
      rates, the annual burden of new cases in India is projected to increase to
      225,000 by 2025, but there are few large-scale, organized cervical cancer
      prevention programs in the country. We conducted a review of the cervical cancer
      prevention research literature and programmatic experiences in India to summarize
      the current state of knowledge and practices and recommend research priorities to
      address the gap in services. We found that research and programs in India have
      demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of cervical cancer prevention
      efforts and that screening strategies requiring minimal additional human
      resources and laboratory infrastructure can reduce morbidity and mortality.
      However, additional evidence generated through implementation science research is
      needed to ensure that cervical cancer prevention efforts have the desired impact
      and are cost-effective. Specifically, implementation science research is needed
      to understand individual- and community-level barriers to screening and
      diagnostic and treatment services; to improve health care worker performance; to
      strengthen links among screening, diagnosis, and treatment; and to determine
      optimal program design, outcomes, and costs. With a quarter of the global burden
      of cervical cancer in India, there is no better time than now to translate
      research findings to practice. Implementation science can help ensure that
      investments in cervical cancer prevention and control result in the greatest
      impact. 

PMID- 24217557
TI  - Recent advances in amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides and synthetic polypeptides:
      chemistry, self-assembly and biological applications.
AB  - Polypeptides are fascinating materials with unique properties for various
      biological materials. We highlight here recent advances in amino acid N
      carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) and synthetic polypeptides from the aspects of
      chemistry, self-assembly and biological applications. New synthetic
      methodologies, mechanistic studies and optimization of polymerization conditions
      for the preparation of well-defined novel polypeptides are comprehensively
      reviewed and evaluated. Functional polypeptides, mostly prepared from novel NCA
      monomers, with ultra-stable helical conformation, stimuli-sensitive properties,
      or glycoprotein mimetics are summarized. We also highlight a number of
      interesting self-assembled structures of polypeptides in solid state and
      solution, with particular emphasis on those structures other than amphiphilic
      self-assembly. The biological applications of polypeptides in drug and gene
      delivery are also reviewed. Future directions and perspectives are discussed in
      the conclusion. 

PMID- 24217556
TI  - Data mining reveals a network of early-response genes as a consensus signature of
      drug-induced in vitro and in vivo toxicity.
AB  - Gene signatures of drug-induced toxicity are of broad interest, but they are
      often identified from small-scale, single-time point experiments, and are
      therefore of limited applicability. To address this issue, we performed
      multivariate analysis of gene expression, cell-based assays, and
      histopathological data in the TG-GATEs (Toxicogenomics Project-Genomics Assisted
      Toxicity Evaluation system) database. Data mining highlights four genes-EGR1,
      ATF3, GDF15 and FGF21-that are induced 2 h after drug administration in human and
      rat primary hepatocytes poised to eventually undergo cytotoxicity-induced cell
      death. Modelling and simulation reveals that these early stress-response genes
      form a functional network with evolutionarily conserved structure and intrinsic
      dynamics. This is underlined by the fact that early induction of this network in
      vivo predicts drug-induced liver and kidney pathology with high accuracy. Our
      findings demonstrate the value of early gene-expression signatures in predicting
      and understanding compound-induced toxicity. The identified network can empower
      first-line tests that reduce animal use and costs of safety evaluation. 

PMID- 24217558
TI  - Antitumor activity of cucumarioside A2-2.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cytotoxic activity of sea cucumber glycosides against different
      types of cells and cell lines, including human tumor cell lines, has been studied
      for many years. However, the molecular mechanism(s) of the antitumor action of
      triterpene glycosides on cancer cells remain unclear. This article reports a
      continuation of investigations of triterpene glycoside cucumarioside A2-2
      isolated from the Far-Eastern sea cucumber Cucumaria japonica. It describes a
      study of glycoside anticancer activity in vivo and glycoside interaction with
      mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells in vitro. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of
      cucumarioside A2-2 and its effect on apoptosis, the cell cycle, DNA biosynthesis
      and p53 activity, and glycoside anticancer action against Ehrlich carcinoma cells
      were studied. RESULTS: Cucumarioside A2-2 influences tumor cell viability at
      micromolar concentrations. The EC50 for glycoside estimated by nonspecific
      esterase assay and MTT assay was 2.1 and 2.7 MUM, respectively. Cucumarioside A2
      2 at a subcytotoxic range of concentrations exhibits a cytostatic effect by
      blocking cell proliferation and DNA biosynthesis in the S phase. It may induce
      apoptosis in tumor cells in a caspase-dependent way, bypassing the activation of
      the p53-dependent segment. CONCLUSION: The anticancer and proapoptotic properties
      of cucumarioside A2-2 may be due to direct interaction of the glycoside with
      tumor cells. The in vivo anticancer effect of cucumarioside A2-2 may be
      associated with the ability of the drug to arrest the cell cycle in the synthetic
      phase and induce programmed tumor cell death.

PMID- 24217559
TI  - Left and right ventricular structure and function in subclinical hypothyroidism:
      the effects of one-year levothyroxine treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate left ventricular (LV) and
      right ventricular (RV) structure, function, and mechanics in patients with
      subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT), and to evaluate the effect of a 1-year
      levothyroxine treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared 45 untreated women
      with subclinical hypothyroidism and 35 healthy control women matched by age. All
      the subjects underwent laboratory analyses, which included a thyroid hormone
      levels (free T3, free T4, and TSH) test, and a complete 2-dimensional
      echocardiographic study. All the SHT patients received levothyroxine therapy and
      were followed for a year after euthyroid state was achieved. RESULTS: The LV mass
      index in the SHT participants before and after replacement therapy was
      significantly higher than in controls. In the SHT patients before the treatment,
      LV diastolic function and global function estimated by the Tei index were
      significantly impaired, whereas the LV systolic function was decreased. The
      results show that LV mechanics was significantly impaired in the SHT patients at
      baseline. Additionally, the SHT participants before levothyroxine substitution
      had increased RV wall thickness and significantly impaired RV diastolic and
      global function in comparison with the controls or the SHT subjects after the
      treatment. Furthermore, RV mechanics was also significantly deteriorated in the
      SHT patients before the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical hypothyroidism
      significantly affected LV and RV structure, systolic, diastolic and global
      function, and LV and RV mechanics. Levothyroxine replacement therapy
      significantly improved cardiac structure, function, and mechanics in the SHT
      patients.

PMID- 24217560
TI  - Efficacy and safety of recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 protein for
      diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: a phase II trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of recombinant
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 protein for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis
      (TB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A phase II trial was performed in 158 patients with
      pulmonary TB (145 initially-treated and 13 re-treated) and 133 healthy subjects.
      Skin testing was carried out by injecting purified protein derivative (PPD) (on
      left forearm) or recombinant ESAT-6 protein at a dosage of 2, 5, or 10 MUg/mL (on
      the right forearm) in each subject. Reaction activity and adverse events were
      monitored at 24, 48, and 72 h following the injection. Receiver operating
      characteristic curves were plotted to determine the areas under the curves (AUCs)
      and the cut-off induration diameters for the optimal diagnostic performance.
      RESULTS: The reaction activity was significantly increased upon recombinant ESAT
      6 injection in pulmonary TB patients compared with healthy subjects. In pulmonary
      TB patients, the reaction was dose-dependent, and at 48 h, 10 MUg/mL recombinant
      ESAT-6 produced a reaction similar to that produced by PPD. The AUCs for a 10
      MUg/mL dosage were 0.9823, 0.9552, and 0.9266 for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h,
      respectively, and the induration diameters of 4.5-5.5 mm were the optimal trade
      off values between true positive rates and false positive rates. No serious
      adverse events occurred in any subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant ESAT-6 protein
      is efficacious and safe for diagnosing pulmonary TB. Based on the reaction,
      performance, safety, and practicability, we recommend that 10 MUg/mL at 48 h with
      an induration cut-off value of 5.0 mm be used.

PMID- 24217561
TI  - Synthesis of benzosultams via an intramolecular sp2 C-H bond amination reaction
      of o-arylbenzenesulfonamides under metal-free conditions.
AB  - A practical synthetic method for the generation of benzosultams via an
      intramolecular sp(2) C-H bond amination reaction of o-arylbenzenesulfonamides
      with PhI(OAc)2-I2 under metal-free conditions is developed. A broad range of
      substrates are tolerated under mild reaction conditions, affording bioactive
      benzosultams in good to excellent yields. The resulting benzothiazines could be
      conveniently transformed into their corresponding iodinated derivatives via
      electrophilic substitution reactions. 

PMID- 24217562
TI  - Maintaining a healthy body weight is paramount.

PMID- 24217563
TI  - Detailed illustration of the visual field representation along the visual pathway
      to the primary visual cortex: a graphical summary.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the literature, different graphic illustrations are available, which
      depict different parts of the visual pathway in relation to visual field sectors,
      to retinal sectors, the layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), or
      sections of the primary visual cortex (V1). However, a complete overview is
      missing, which may be useful for a more precise differentiation of predominantly
      ophthalmological from intracerebral diseases. It may also be of interest to
      investigate additional intracerebral reasons that are involved in impaired vision
      of largely unknown pathophysiology. METHODS: This work combines the scientific
      knowledge of partial graphics in one detailed illustration that allows exact
      follow-up of the neuronal connections from individual visual field sectors to the
      V1 areas. A selective search for peer-reviewed graphics of the visual pathway was
      performed in PubMed and Google Pictures. RESULTS: Sixteen different visual field
      sectors and their 16 corresponding retinal sectors were set in relation to 64 LGN
      sections and 20 areas of V1. Segmented cross-sectional areas of the optic nerve
      supplemented the graphical representation of the fiber orientation in relation to
      the visual field. CONCLUSION: The detailed illustration of the visual field
      projection along the visual pathway structures may facilitate a more precise
      calculation of correlations between morphological and functional measurements of
      ophthalmological and neuroradiological examinations.

PMID- 24217564
TI  - Solution superstructures: truncated cubeoctahedron structures of
      pyrogallol[4]arene nanoassemblies.
AB  - Giant nanocapsules: the solution-phase structures of PgC1Ho and PgC3Ho have been
      investigated using in situ neutron scattering measurements. The SANS results show
      the presence of spherical nanoassemblies of radius 18.2 A, which are larger than
      the previously reported metal-seamed PgC3 hexamers (radius = 10 A). The spherical
      architectures conform to a truncated cubeoctahedron geometry, indicating
      formation of the first metal-containing pyrogallol[4]arene-based dodecameric
      nanoassemblies in solution. 

PMID- 24217565
TI  - [Breast cancer screening in Brazil: there is still time to rethink].

PMID- 24217566
TI  - [Maternal mortality in a reference center in the Brazilian Southeast].
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence of maternal mortality at a tertiary care
      hospital and to assess its preventability. METHODS: This study, through the
      analysis of maternal deaths that occurred during the period from 1999 to 2010 at
      a reference in Campinas--Brazil, CAISM/ UNICAMP, discusses some of the factors
      associated with the main causes of death and some structural problems of
      structure of the health services. It is a retrospective descriptive study with
      evaluation of sociodemographic variables and the medical and obstetric history of
      women, and the causes of death. RESULTS: The majority of maternal deaths occurred
      due to direct obstetric (45%) and avoidable (36%) causes, in women with preterm
      gestation, who delivered by cesarean section (56%) and received various
      management procedures, including blood transfusion, ICU admission and need for
      laparotomy and/or hysterectomy. The hospital transfer was associated with the
      predominance of direct obstetric (19 versus 6, p=0.02) and avoidable causes (22
      versus 9, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, despite current advances in
      Obstetrics, infections and hypertensive disorders are still the predominant
      causes of maternal mortality. We observed an increase of clinical-surgical
      conditions and neoplasms as causes of death among women during pregnancy.

PMID- 24217567
TI  - [Preterm birth prediction: sequential evaluation of the cervix and the test for
      phosphorylated protein-1 linked to insulin-like growth factor].
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of the measurement of cervical length and
      of the test for phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1
      (phIGFBP-1) performed sequentially in the prediction of preterm birth and the
      correlation between tests. METHODS: We analyzed data from 101 asymptomatic
      pregnant women with a history of premature delivery. The ultrasound measurement
      of cervical length and phIGFBP-1 test were performed in parallel every three
      weeks, between 24 and 34 week. The best cutoff value for each cervical evaluation
      was established by the ROC curve, and the two tests were compared using
      nonparametric tests. We determined the sensitivity, specificity and predictive
      values of each test and of the association of the exams for the occurrence of
      delivery before the 37th weeks. RESULTS: There were 25 preterm births (24.8%).
      The cervix length showed the highest sensitivity and was able to predict preterm
      birth in all evaluations, with similar accuracy at different gestational ages.
      The test for phIGFBP-1 was not helpful at 24 weeks, but was able to predict
      prematurity when performed at 27, 30 and 33 weeks. The combination of tests
      increased the sensitivity (81.8%) and negative predictive value (93.7%) when
      compared to the separate use of each test. The mean cervical length was lower in
      women with a positive test. CONCLUSIONS: Both cervical length and the test for
      phIGFBP-1 were able to predict premature delivery, and sequential combination of
      both tests showed a high sensitivity and high negative predictive value.

PMID- 24217568
TI  - [Habits and traditions of female college students related to intimate clothing,
      genital adornments, genital hair removal and sexual practices].
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the practices and care with the genital area of female
      college students. METHODS: A descriptive analytical study evaluated the habits
      and traditions of 364 students from the University of Campinas (Unicamp)
      regarding the use of underwear, body piercings, tattoos, hair removal and sexual
      practices. A questionnaire with 42 questions assessed the most current practices
      among female college students. All questions were self answered and the
      questionnaires, without any identification, were placed in sealed ballot boxes to
      ensure the confidentiality of information. The responses were tabulated in
      Microsoft(r) Excel 2007 to obtain univariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of
      the college students in the study was 21 years (SD +/- 2.7), and 84% were white.
      The volunteers who participated in this study were from the biological science
      area (50%), the exact science area (29%) or the humanity area (21%). It was
      observed that 61.8% of the respondents wear cotton panties, but at the same time
      75.4% wear tight jeans, and only 18.4% wore no panties when sleeping. Only one
      participant reported having had genital piercing and none of them reported
      tattooing. Most female college students do genital waxing, and approximately 1/3
      of them do so completely. After hair removal, 2/3 apply an anti-inflammatory
      and/or moisturizer to the region. Only 62% use condoms and 17.6% use a lubricant
      during intercourse. Half of them receive oral sex, 17.9% practice anal sex and
      26.6% of them report feeling pain during sexual intercourse. Vaginal discharge
      after intercourse was reported in 25.6% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Young female
      college students from Brazilian public universities have many inadequate care
      habits related to their genital area. They do not use genital piercing and
      tattoos, but report having pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge
      after sex in a large number of cases.

PMID- 24217569
TI  - Hofbauer cells morphology and density in placentas from normal and pathological
      gestations.
AB  - PURPOSE: In placentas from uncomplicated pregnancies, Hofbauer cells either
      disappear or become scanty after the fourth to fifth month of gestation.
      Immunohistochemistry though, reveals that a high percentage of stromal cells
      belong to Hofbauer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in
      morphology and density of Hofbauer cells in placentas from normal and
      pathological pregnancies. METHODS: Seventy placentas were examined: 16 specimens
      from normal term pregnancies, 10 from first trimester's miscarriages, 26 from
      cases diagnosed with chromosomal abnormality of the fetus, and placental tissue
      specimens complicated with intrauterine growth restriction (eight) or gestational
      diabetes mellitus (10). A histological study of hematoxylin-eosin (HE) sections
      was performed and immunohistochemical study was performed using the markers: CD
      68, Lysozyme, A1 Antichymotrypsine, CK-7, vimentin, and Ki-67. RESULTS: In normal
      term pregnancies, HE study revealed Hofbauer cells in 37.5% of cases while
      immunohistochemistry revealed in 87.5% of cases. In first trimester's
      miscarriages and in cases with prenatal diagnosis of fetal chromosomal
      abnormalities, both basic and immunohistochemical study were positive for
      Hofbauer cells. In pregnancies complicated with intrauterine growth restriction
      or gestational diabetes mellitus, a positive immunoreaction was observed in 100
      and 70% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hofbauer cells are present in
      placental villi during pregnancy, but with progressively reducing density. The
      most specific marker for their detection seems to be A1 Antichymotrypsine. It is
      remarkable that no mitotic activity of Hofbauer cells was noticed in our study,
      as the marker of cellular multiplication Ki-67 was negative in all examined
      specimens.

PMID- 24217570
TI  - [Metabolic profile in women of different body mass indices with polycystic ovary
      syndrome].
AB  - PURPOSE: To characterize and compare clinical, anthropometric and biochemical
      metabolic variables in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), stratified
      according to body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted on
      78 women aged 18 to 45 years with a clinical diagnosis of PCOS by the Rotterdam
      criteria. Patients were stratified according to BMI. The variables analyzed were:
      age, marital status, physical inactivity, menstrual irregularity, blood pressure
      (BP), anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, fasting glucose, and hormone
      measurements. To compare the variables between the different BMI values we used
      analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The level of significance was
      set at 5% for all tests. RESULTS: The patients had a mean age of 26.3 years,
      79.5% of them were sedentary and 68% had hyperandrogenism. Waist circumference,
      waist/hip ratio, waist/height ratio and percentage of body fat were higher in the
      obese group. The markers of cardiovascular risk (CVR - fasting glucose, systolic
      and diastolic BP and LDL-cholesterol) were directly proportional to BMI, whereas
      HDL-cholesterol and SHBG were inversely related to BMI. CONCLUSION: The presence
      of markers of CVR factors increased proportionally to BMI, indicating that the
      metabolic profile of obese women with PCOS is more unfavorable than that of non
      obese patients.

PMID- 24217571
TI  - [Heart rate variability as a method of assessing the autonomic nervous system in
      polycystic ovary syndrome].
AB  - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder associated with several
      cardiometabolic risk factors, such as central obesity, insulin resistance, type 2
      diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension. These factors are associated with
      adrenergic overactivity, which is an important prognostic factor for the
      development of cardiovascular disorders. Given the common cardiometabolic
      disturbances occurring in PCOS women, over the last years studies have
      investigated the cardiac autonomic control of these patients, mainly based on
      heart rate variability (HRV). Thus, in this review, we will discuss the recent
      findings of the studies that investigated the HRV of women with PCOS, as well as
      noninvasive methods of analysis of autonomic control starting from basic indexes
      related to this methodology. 

PMID- 24217572
TI  - Gunshot wound to the pregnant uterus: case report.
AB  - Crime and violence have become a public health problem. Pregnant women have not
      been the exception and gunshot injuries occupy an important place as a cause of
      trauma. An important fact is that pregnant women, who suffer trauma, are special
      patients because pregnancy causes physiological and anatomical changes.
      Management of these patients should be multidisciplinary, by the general surgeon,
      the obstetrician and the neonatologist. However, even trauma referral centers
      could neither have the staff nor the ideal training for these specific cases. In
      this context we present the following case. 

PMID- 24217573
TI  - One-pot synthesis of 1-azaspiro frameworks initiated by photooxidation of simple
      furans.
AB  - A range of 1-azaspirocycles, spiroaminals and 1,6-diazaspirocycles has been
      synthesized, starting from simple and readily accessible furan precursors, using
      a cascade reaction sequence initiated by singlet oxygen. 

PMID- 24217574
TI  - NOTCH1 expression predicts patient prognosis in esophageal squamous cell cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer remains poor, and the
      classification of tumor node metastasis has proven insufficient to predict
      patient prognosis. Therefore, novel predictive markers of esophageal cancer
      prognosis are needed. Notch receptors and their ligands have been reported to be
      upregulated in cervical, lung, colon, renal, and pancreatic cancers, but NOTCH1
      expression has not been studied in esophageal cancer. METHODS: Expression of
      NOTCH1 was quantified by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain
      reaction in 55 primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and their
      paired normal esophageal mucosa. We then examined the correlations between NOTCH1
      expression, clinicopathological factors, and prognosis in patients with ESCC.
      RESULTS: The probability of overall survival was significantly lower for patients
      with high NOTCH1 expression (p = 0.0028; log-rank test). Overexpression of NOTCH1
      was identified as a significant and independent prognostic factor (p = 0.0061) in
      patients who had undergone surgical treatment for ESCCs. The hazard ratio for
      predicting early death was 4.298 (95% confidence interval 1.515-12.195) for high
      versus low NOTCH1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that NOTCH1 may be a
      candidate molecular prognostic marker and a molecular target for the development
      of an effective therapeutic intervention for patients with ESCC.

PMID- 24217575
TI  - Interactions between neuroscience and psychopathology.

PMID- 24217576
TI  - A perianal erythematous plaque: a quiz. Secondary extramammary Paget's disease
      from adenocarcinoma of the anorectal region.

PMID- 24217577
TI  - D538G mutation in estrogen receptor-alpha: A novel mechanism for acquired
      endocrine resistance in breast cancer.
AB  - Resistance to endocrine therapy occurs in virtually all patients with estrogen
      receptor alpha (ERalpha)-positive metastatic breast cancer, and is attributed to
      various mechanisms including loss of ERalpha expression, altered activity of
      coregulators, and cross-talk between the ERalpha and growth factor signaling
      pathways. To our knowledge, acquired mutations of the ERalpha have not been
      described as mediating endocrine resistance. Samples of 13 patients with
      metastatic breast cancer were analyzed for mutations in cancer-related genes. In
      five patients who developed resistance to hormonal therapy, a mutation of A to G
      at position 1,613 of ERalpha, resulting in a substitution of aspartic acid at
      position 538 to glycine (D538G), was identified in liver metastases. Importantly,
      the mutation was not detected in the primary tumors obtained prior to endocrine
      treatment. Structural modeling indicated that D538G substitution leads to a
      conformational change in the ligand-binding domain, which mimics the conformation
      of activated ligand-bound receptor and alters binding of tamoxifen. Indeed,
      experiments in breast cancer cells indicated constitutive, ligand-independent
      transcriptional activity of the D538G receptor, and overexpression of it enhanced
      proliferation and conferred resistance to tamoxifen. These data indicate a novel
      mechanism of acquired endocrine resistance in breast cancer. Further studies are
      needed to assess the frequency of D538G-ERalpha among patients with breast cancer
      and explore ways to inhibit its activity and restore endocrine sensitivity.

PMID- 24217578
TI  - Soluble forms of polyQ-expanded huntingtin rather than large aggregates cause
      endoplasmic reticulum stress.
AB  - In Huntington's disease, as in other neurodegenerative diseases, it was initially
      thought that insoluble protein aggregates are the toxic species. However, growing
      evidence implicates soluble oligomeric polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin in
      cytotoxicity. Here we show that pathogenic huntingtin inhibits endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER)-associated degradation and induces ER stress before its
      aggregation into visible inclusions. All three branches of the unfolded protein
      response are activated. ER stress can be compensated by overexpression of
      p97/VCP, suggesting its sequestration by pathogenic huntingtin as a main cause.
      Stress correlates with the presence of huntingtin oligomers and is independent of
      continual huntingtin synthesis. Stress levels, measured in striatal neurons, are
      stabilized but only slowly subside on huntingtin aggregation into inclusions. Our
      results can be explained by the constant conversion of huntingtin monomers to
      toxic oligomers; large aggregates sequester the former, precluding further
      conversion, whereas pre-existing toxic oligomers are only gradually depleted. 

PMID- 24217580
TI  - Imaging: Ultrasonography to detect hand and wrist involvement in SSc.

PMID- 24217581
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cell treatments in rheumatology: a glass half full?
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a heterogeneous progenitor cell
      population derived from various sources, including bone marrow, placental and
      adipose tissues. These cell populations are being extensively investigated for
      their regenerative, immunomodulatory and tissue-protective properties, and the
      therapeutic potential of MSCs is officially being tested in patients suffering
      from ischaemic, inflammatory, autoimmune and degenerative disorders.
      Unofficially, hundreds of centres worldwide already offer MSCs as a 'miracle'
      panacea treatment for almost every known human disease. Data from in vitro and
      animal models suggest that MSCs administered either locally or systemically are
      able to home to stressed tissue and indeed deliver a protective effect via
      predominately paracrine factors. Furthermore, dozens of published uncontrolled
      clinical trials have demonstrated strikingly positive therapeutic effects of MSCs
      with little acute toxicity; however, no prospective controlled trials have yet
      confirmed these findings, with the exception of one randomized controlled trial
      in renal transplantation. Thus, large prospective controlled trials are urgently
      needed to better understand MSC-based therapies and define their potential
      utility in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Herein, I provide my opinions
      regarding the progress of MSC therapies to date and highlight issues that need to
      be addressed in the future.

PMID- 24217583
TI  - Pain: Could TRPV1-targeted analgesia of OA pain still be feasible?

PMID- 24217584
TI  - Crystal arthritis: Environment and genetics in gout: a maze for clinicians?

PMID- 24217585
TI  - Lest we forget: the First World War's terrible toll on New Zealanders.

PMID- 24217582
TI  - Emerging cell and cytokine targets in rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Despite major progress in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), strong
      unmet medical need remains, as only a minor proportion of patients reach
      sustained clinical remission. New approaches are therefore necessary, and include
      manipulation of regulatory T cells, which might be able to restore the disturbed
      immune system and could even lead to a cure if this restored regulation were to
      prove sustainable. Logistical and conceptual problems, however, beset this
      attractive therapeutic approach, including difficulties with ex vivo expansion of
      cells, specificity of targeting and the optimal time point of administration.
      Therefore, alternative avenues are being investigated, such as targeting B-cell
      effector functions and newly identified proinflammatory cytokines. On the basis
      of success with B-cell depleting therapy using anti-CD20 agents, further
      treatment modalities are now exploring direct or indirect interference in B-cell
      mediated immunity with the use of agents directed against other B-cell surface
      molecules. Novel approaches target intracellular B-cell signalling and regulatory
      B cells. New cytokine-directed therapies target important proinflammatory
      mediators such as GM-CSF, new members of the IL-1 family, IL-6 and its receptor,
      IL-17, IL-20, IL-21, IL-23 as well as synovium-specific targets. This article
      reviews these emerging cell and cytokine targets with special focus on biologic
      agents, some of which might reach the clinic soon whereas others will require
      considerable time in development. Nevertheless, these exciting new approaches
      will considerably enhance our repertoire in the battle against this potentially
      devastating disease. 

PMID- 24217586
TI  - "Easy to cure but difficult to detect"--the case for early warning systems in the
      acute hospital.

PMID- 24217587
TI  - Fatal injury epidemiology among the New Zealand military forces in the First
      World War.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the large mortality burden of First World War (WW1) on New
      Zealand (NZ) military forces, no analysis using modern epidemiological methods
      has ever been conducted. We therefore aimed to study injury-related mortality
      amongst NZ military forces in WW1. METHODS: An electronic version of the Roll-of
      Honour for NZ Expeditionary Force (NZEF) personnel was supplemented with further
      coding and analysed statistically. We also performed literature searches to
      provide context. RESULTS: Out of a total of 16,703 deaths occurring during the
      war (28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918), injury deaths predominated: 65.1% were
      "killed in action" (KIA), 23.4% "died of wounds" (DOW), 1.0% were other injuries
      (e.g. "accidents", drownings, suicides and executions), and 10.5% were other
      causes (mainly disease). During the course of the war, the annual mortality rate
      from injury (for KIA + DOW) per 10,000 NZEF personnel in the North Hemisphere
      peaked at 1335 in 1915 (Gallipoli campaign) and then peaked again in 1917 at 937
      (largely the Battle of Passchendaele). Some of the offensive campaigns involved
      very high mortality peaks (e.g. 2 days with over 450 deaths per day in October
      1917). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in First World War was by far the worst fatal
      injury event in New Zealand's history. Many of these injury deaths could be
      considered to have been preventable through: better diplomacy (to prevent the
      war), improved military planning to reduce failed campaigns (e.g. Gallipoli,
      Passchendaele), earlier use of protective equipment such as helmets, and improved
      healthcare services.

PMID- 24217588
TI  - Evaluating the impact of implementing an early warning score system on incidence
      of in-hospital cardiac arrest.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the introduction of an early warning score (EWS) system on
      incidence of in-hospital adult cardiac arrest. METHODS: A before-after evaluation
      of an EWS system (in the form of a patient observation chart with escalation
      protocol) in a 600 bed tertiary teaching hospital in New Zealand during the two
      12-month periods between March 2009 and March 2011. Difference in incidence rates
      was compared using Student's t test. RESULTS: There were 168 cardiac arrests
      during the 24 month period. The incidence rate of cardiac arrests per 1000
      admissions was 4.67 during 2009-2010 and 2.91 during 2010-2011 (mean difference
      of 1.77, 95%CI 0.59-2.94). The number of cardiac arrests dropped from an average
      of 8.5 arrests per month during 2009-2010 to 5.5 arrests per month during 2010
      2011 following the introduction of ADDS (mean difference 3.0, 95%CI 0.78-5.22).
      There was no significant increase in the number of medical emergency calls (7.5
      calls versus 9.1 calls per month). CONCLUSION: Introduction of an EWS system in
      addition to an existing cardiac arrest team response decreased the incidence of
      in-hospital cardiac arrests in a tertiary hospital in New Zealand.

PMID- 24217589
TI  - Stereotypes do not always apply: findings from a survey of the health behaviours
      of mental health consumers compared with the general population in New Zealand.
AB  - AIM: Research suggests that people with mental illness frequently have worse
      physical health than the general population. Our study sought to investigate the
      health behaviours of mental health consumers in New Zealand, as we hoped that by
      clearly describing this group more targeted healthcare could be provided. METHOD:
      We surveyed 404 adult mental health consumers about their: height and weight,
      fruit and vegetable intake, exercise activity, smoking, alcohol and drug use.
      RESULTS: We found that mental health consumers abstained from alcohol more often
      than those from the general population sample. However, we also found increased
      obesity, poorer eating habits, less physical activity, and a higher proportion of
      smokers among mental health consumers. We also found that those who did drink
      alcohol did so more heavily than drinkers from the general population sample.
      Finally, there were a number of interesting demographic variations among mental
      health consumers in terms of their health behaviours. For example, those in the
      European/Other ethnic group more often consumed an alcoholic drink at least 3 or
      4 times a week than those in other ethnic groups, and those in the Pacific group
      did this less often. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health consumers cannot be stereotyped
      as a single homogeneous group in relation to their health behaviours.
      IMPLICATIONS: Health professionals should strongly encourage engagement from
      mental health populations to identify their physical health behaviours.
      Individual differences in health behaviours should not be ignored just because a
      mental illness is present.

PMID- 24217590
TI  - Introduction of sacral neuromodulation for the treatment of faecal incontinence.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Faecal incontinence (FI) is a condition that impairs quality of
      life and ability to function socially. Over the last 15 years a promising new
      therapy (sacral neuromodulation, SNM) has been introduced which has been
      associated with marked improvement in many incontinence symptoms. AIMS: To assess
      the early results of SNM in Auckland in terms of improved continence in those
      undergoing implantation of a permanent stimulator, and determine whether these
      results are comparable to overseas data. METHODS: Patients who met the criteria
      for SNM; severe faecal incontinence, failure to respond to other measures
      including biofeedback, dietary modification, and appropriate surgical
      intervention were offered this treatment. After an initial bowel diary, patients
      underwent lead placement connected to an external stimulator and only those who
      responded had an implanted stimulator placed. Results were assessed by repeated
      bowel diary, QoL scores and continence scores. RESULTS: Of 29 patients who had
      initial percutaneous stimulation, 27 showed adequate improvement and went on to
      permanent implanted stimulator. Of these, results were available on 26. The
      median number of FI episodes per week preoperatively was 7.25. The median post
      implantation was one. FI episodes improved following SNM by a mean of 12.21
      episodes per week (95% confidence interval 4.91 to 19.51, p value=0.002). For
      those with longer follow up the initial improvement was sustained. There was a
      mean follow up time of 10.7 months (range 1 to 30 months). CONCLUSION: Early
      results are encouraging, with a significant improvement in faecal incontinence
      following SNM. The results in Auckland in terms of improvement in symptom
      severity and quality of life are significant and comparable to other centres. SNM
      offers a good alternative for patients with end-stage FI.

PMID- 24217591
TI  - The Green Lane and Auckland City Hospital cardiac resynchronisation therapy
      experience.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the outcome of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) in
      Auckland since its inception in 2000. Outcome measures were periprocedural events
      including procedure duration, fluoroscopic time, procedure success,
      complications, and echocardiographic markers of response. METHODS: Retrospective
      review of those undergoing CRT implantation at Green Lane and Auckland City
      Hospitals. RESULTS: 159 CRT procedures were performed on 139 patients between
      2000 and April 2011. Of all procedures: 63% had new device implants, and 23% were
      upgraded from a pacemaker or defibrillator to CRT. Mean age 62 years, 77% male,
      mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 25%, mean QRS duration 175 ms, 91%
      LBBB, 36% ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Mean procedure time 147 min and fluoroscopy
      time 30 min. Eight patients had significant periprocedural complications (6%), 17
      experienced lead displacement (12%), and 15 (11%) had unsuccessful procedures.
      46% of patients had complete echocardiographic data, of these LVEF improved by
      >5% in 52%, and decreased by >5% in 6% over a 16-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our service performs well with respect to complication rate, though less well
      when failure of implantation and lead dislodgement are considered. Where complete
      echocardiographic data was present 52% of our patients derived significant
      improvement in LVEF.

PMID- 24217592
TI  - Understanding medication errors in the elderly.
AB  - Elderly are the most vulnerable population group owing to increased prevalence of
      chronic diseases and drug consumption. Several characteristics of aging and
      geriatrics medicine affect drug prescribing for elderly. Thus the selection of
      appropriate pharmacotherapy for elderly becomes a complex and challenging
      process. Association of these factors with metabolic changes predisposes the
      older people to suffer drug interactions and adverse drug events. The objective
      of this article is to understand the concept, causes and measurement of
      medication errors in elderly. Various interventions to improve drug prescribing
      such as educational approaches, geriatric medicine services, computerised
      prescribing and multifaceted approaches have also been highlighted. In conclusion
      there is an overwhelming need for optimising the prescribing in elderly through
      an integrated approach involving physician, pharmacologist, pharmacist and the
      patient himself.

PMID- 24217593
TI  - Numerical identity: the creation of tri-parental embryos to correct inherited
      mitochondrial disease.
AB  - Inherited mitochondrial disorders affect between 1 in 5000 to 1 in 8000 people.
      These are a heterogeneous group of maternally-inherited disorders, with an array
      of outcomes such as heart and liver failure, defects in energy metabolism,
      blindness, deafness, loss of motor skills and premature death. Recently the Human
      Fertilisation and Embryology Authority provided advice to the UK Government to
      permit the use of enucleated donated oocytes with normal (wild-type) mitochondria
      (a currently prohibited IVF technique) to be used as recipients of nuclear DNA
      from intending mothers to overcome transmission of mitochondrial disorders. In
      this short communication we present the basis for this radical new IVF
      technology, and discuss the implications for its use both in the context of
      treating a group of inherited disorders and the current New Zealand IVF
      legislation.

PMID- 24217594
TI  - Bleeding from gastrointestinal tract recurrence of non-seminomatous germ cell
      tumour testis, showing temporary response to gemcitabine and oxaliplatin
      chemotherapy.
AB  - The first reported case of gemcitabine/oxaliplatin (GemOx) chemotherapy used for
      recurrent non-seminomatous germ cell tumour of the testis metastatic to the
      gastrointestinal tract causing uncontrolled bleeding which induced a temporary
      response.

PMID- 24217595
TI  - Bilateral plunging ranula: two case reports and a review of the literature.
AB  - AIM: Presentation of two bilateral plunging ranula cases and then review of the
      plunging ranula literature to understand current concepts on aetiology, imaging
      for diagnosis and management. METHOD: A literature review using PubMed (92
      papers) and Google Scholar (18 papers) has revealed only 18 cases of bilateral
      plunging ranulas ever published and with the addition of the two cases presented
      this makes a total of 20. RESULTS: These cases are reviewed and information
      related to aetiology and management is presented. The cause appears to be a
      combination of mylohyoid dehiscence, racial predisposition and previous trauma to
      the mouth/face or previous oral surgery. CONCLUSION: Plunging ranula are a rare
      cause of bilateral and unilateral neck swellings but more common in Maori,
      Polynesian and Asian people. Their cause is multifactorial and ultrasound scan
      (USS) is the current investigation of choice. Management relies on excision of
      the sublingual gland with the cystic contents via a trans-oral approach.

PMID- 24217596
TI  - Medical image. Fibrosing mediastinitis. A rare "mimicker" of lung malignancy.

PMID- 24217597
TI  - Bowel cancer screening in New Zealand.

PMID- 24217598
TI  - Prostate cancer screening and ethical use of limited resources.

PMID- 24217599
TI  - Unusual ECD fragmentation attributed to gas-phase helix formation in a
      conformationally dynamic peptide.
AB  - The helix-forming character of a model decapeptide, L4PL4K, is determined in the
      absence of solvent using ion mobility mass spectrometry, electron capture
      dissociation and molecular mechanics simulations. Unusual ECD fragmentation
      patterns dominated by b ions are attributed to helix formation upon electron
      capture and as a signature of conformational dynamics. 

PMID- 24217600
TI  - History of research on angiogenesis.
AB  - Over the past 25 years, the number of Medline publications dealing with
      angiogenesis has increased in a nonlinear fashion, reflecting the interest among
      basic scientists and clinicians in this field. Under physiological conditions,
      angiogenesis is regulated by the local balance between endogenous stimulators and
      inhibitors of this process. In tumor growth, there is an imbalance between
      endogenous stimulator and inhibitor levels, leading to an 'angiogenic switch'.
      Starting with the hypothesis formulated by Judah Folkman that tumor growth is
      angiogenesis-dependent, this area of research has a solid scientific foundation
      and inhibition of angiogenesis is a major area of therapeutic development for the
      treatment of cancer. This paper offers an account of the most relevant
      discoveries in this field of biomedical research.

PMID- 24217601
TI  - Immune cells as a source and target of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors.
AB  - Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are distinct and complex processes requiring a
      finely tuned balance between stimulatory and inhibitory signals. Immune and
      inflammatory cells can contribute to these processes by multiple mechanisms:
      directly by producing a broad array of angiogenic growth factors, and indirectly
      by secreting several cytokines, chemokines and other mediators able to coordinate
      the cell-cell interactions. Immune cells can stimulate or inhibit
      angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis, depending on their activation status and subset
      specificity. We summarize recent findings reporting the expression and activity
      of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors and their receptors and coreceptors in
      immune cells. It is evident that modulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis
      by the innate and adaptive immune cells (mast cells, macrophages, dendritic
      cells, basophils, eosinophils, and some subsets of T cells) is a highly complex
      process not yet completely understood.

PMID- 24217602
TI  - Neuropilins: role in signalling, angiogenesis and disease.
AB  - Neuropilins (NRPs) are co-receptors for class 3 semaphorins and for members of
      the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of angiogenic cytokines.
      Genetic analysis of the role of NRPs in mice shows that NRP1 is essential for
      embryonic neuronal pathfinding and cardiovascular development, mediated via
      semaphorins and VEGF, respectively, while NRP2 has a more restricted role in
      neuronal patterning and lymphangiogenesis. NRPs are thought to mediate functional
      responses, most importantly cell migration, as a result of complex formation with
      other receptors, such as plexins in the case of semaphorins and the VEGF
      receptor, VEGFR2, resulting in enhanced signalling via some intracellular
      pathways. Recent findings indicate that NRPs may have important biological roles
      in other physiological and disease-related processes. In particular, NRPs are
      highly expressed in diverse tumour cell lines and human neoplasms and have been
      implicated in several biological processes regulating tumour growth in vivo,
      suggesting that NRP1 may be a future therapeutic target in cancer.

PMID- 24217603
TI  - Class 3 semaphorin in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
AB  - Semaphorins were originally identified as axon guidance molecules involved in the
      development of the neuronal system. However, accumulating evidences have clearly
      demonstrated that the semaphorin system is not restricted to the brain but
      supports functions of other organs. Here, we review the rapidly emerging
      functions of sempahorins and, in particular class 3 semaphorin, in vascular and
      lymphatic systems during the development, tumor angiogenesis and ischemic
      revascularization. 

PMID- 24217604
TI  - Angiogenic and antiangiogenic chemokines.
AB  - Chemokines are a family of vertebrate-specific, small-secreted molecules that
      were originally identified as mediators of leukocyte migration and tissue
      positioning during the immune response. Subsequently, chemokines were discovered
      to control movement also of endothelial cells and other cell types in many
      different contexts. The human chemokine system comprises about 50 chemokines and
      more than 20 receptors belonging to the seven-transmembrane receptor family. In
      the present chapter, we review the literature supporting a role for chemokines in
      angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. We highlight that chemokines exert both pro-
      and antiangiogenic roles either by acting directly on endothelial cells or by
      recruiting leukocytes that, in turn, secrete angiogenic mediators. This latter
      mode of action is possibly the most relevant in tumor angiogenesis. Finally, we
      explore the angiogenic properties of nonchemokine chemoattractant molecules.

PMID- 24217605
TI  - Role of uPA/uPAR in the modulation of angiogenesis.
AB  - Blood vessels connect all districts of the body and allow blood oxygen and
      nutrients to reach every cell in the organism. Dysregulation of blood vessel
      formation or functionality is the origin of a large number of diseases. During
      new vessel formation, endothelial cells degrade their basement membrane, migrate
      into the interstitial matrix and proliferate. Migrating endothelial cells need to
      be polarized, to focus at their leading edge the proteolytic machinery, which is
      essential for extracellular matrix degradation; thus, proteases and their
      receptors play a crucial role in angiogenesis. The urokinase-mediated plasminogen
      activation system is a complex system of serine proteases strongly involved in
      angiogenesis. The plasminogen activation system includes plasminogen/plasmin,
      activators, inhibitors and cell receptors. In the last decades, a large body of
      evidence has clearly indicated that the role of this system is not limited to
      extracellular matrix proteolysis but can contribute to all phases of the
      angiogenic process.

PMID- 24217606
TI  - Neutrophil-derived cytokines involved in physiological and pathological
      angiogenesis.
AB  - Increasing data from the literature point to a neutrophil-mediated role via
      cytokine production in several aspects of mammalian biology, including
      angiogenesis. In such regard, neutrophils have been shown to synthetize and
      release a number of molecules able to promote, directly or indirectly, the growth
      and migration of endothelial cells, in turn inducing the formation of new blood
      vessels from preexisting ones. Interestingly, neutrophil-derived cytokines can be
      involved either in physiological or in pathological angiogenesis, depending on
      either the functioning or dysregulation of sophisticated interplays among
      different cell types, extracellular matrix and soluble mediators within the
      microenvironment. Our review resumes the most interesting studies elucidating the
      role of neutrophil-derived cytokines in human physiological and pathological
      angiogenesis. When appropriate, supporting observations generated in animal
      models will be also mentioned. Particular emphasis will be given to VEGF and
      PK2/Bv8, rather than CXCL8/IL-8 and OSM. We will also discuss the potential role
      of neutrophil-derived cytokines such as FGF2, Ang1 and IL-17, whose roles in
      angiogenesis - albeit anticipated - remain to be elucidated.

PMID- 24217607
TI  - Roles of eosinophils in the modulation of angiogenesis.
AB  - Chronic allergic inflammatory diseases are characterized by tissue damage with
      consequent remodeling including fibrosis and angiogenesis. Eosinophils are
      usually recruited to sites of allergic inflammation infiltrating the tissues as
      fully differentiated cells. In the last two decades, these cells have been
      characterized as a proangiogenic. The inadequate blood supply together with a
      high consumption of oxygen by the infiltrated cells is the main cause of tissue
      hypoxia in inflammation. Infiltrated eosinophils respond to hypoxia by increasing
      their viability and proangiogenic potential and regulate the expression of
      receptors particularly CD300a.

PMID- 24217608
TI  - Regulatory T cells, leptin and angiogenesis.
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are crucial in mediating immune homeostasis and
      promoting the establishment and maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Excess body
      weight and obesity are typified by 'low-degree' chronic inflammation and are
      associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, diabetes, fatty liver
      disease, autoimmune diseases and cancer. All these pathological conditions are
      characterized by chronic inflammation, abnormal cytokine production, elevated
      acute-phase reactants, and the activation of several inflammatory signaling
      pathways. In this context, the discovery of the adipose tissue-derived hormone
      leptin has shed fundamental insights on how these processes might occur. Leptin
      represents a link among metabolic disorders and immune tolerance; indeed, leptin
      can negatively affect the generation and proliferation of Treg cells, key players
      in this context. Treg cells play also a central role in tumor progression;
      different reports have proposed that tumor microenvironment can induce the
      recruitment of Treg cells which can promote tumor tolerance and angiogenesis
      through expression of suppressive molecules, cytokines and angiogenic factors
      (i.e. vascular endothelial growth factor, leptin). This work aims to discuss some
      of the most recent advances on the relationship between angiogenesis, leptin and
      immune tolerance, focusing on the role of Treg cell function in this context.

PMID- 24217609
TI  - Angiogenesis as a therapeutic target for obesity and metabolic diseases.
AB  - White adipose tissue constantly experiences expansion and shrinkage during the
      entire adulthood, depending on the metabolic status of the host. Emerging
      evidence demonstrates that the plasticity of white adipose tissue is tightly
      controlled by the adipose vasculature, which may grow or regress to coordinate
      adipose tissue metabolism. In metabolically active brown adipose tissue, an
      exceedingly high density of blood vessels may perfuse oxygen for energy
      consumption. Consequently, modulation of vascular density and functions in both
      white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue may offer an exciting opportunity
      for therapeutic interference of obesity and metabolic disease. In fact, in
      several preclinical obese animal models, angiogenesis modulators significantly
      alter body weights and metabolic rates of the host, implying a possible new
      therapeutic option for treatment of these common human diseases. Additionally,
      angiogenesis modulators may significantly regulate insulin sensitivity and the
      development of type II diabetes. In fact, antiangiogenic or angiogenic drugs have
      been implicated for treatment of diabetes and diabetes-related complications.
      Given the therapeutic values of angiogenesis modulators in preclinical animal
      models, it is reasonable to speculate these angiogenesis modulators may
      eventually be used for treatment of human obesity and metabolic disorders.

PMID- 24217610
TI  - Angiogenesis in multiple myeloma.
AB  - Angiogenesis is a constant hallmark of multiple myeloma progression and has
      prognostic potential. Multiple myeloma cells interact with surrounding host cells
      and extracellular matrix, this crosstalk affecting the most important aspects of
      the malignant phenotype, both at primary and secondary tumor sites. The
      pathophysiology of multiple myeloma-induced angiogenesis involves both direct
      production of angiogenic cytokines by plasma cells and their induction within the
      bone marrow microenvironment cells. A direct involvement of bone marrow
      macrophages and mast cells in vasculogenic mimicry has been demonstrated, thus
      contributing together with circulating endothelial cells and endothelial
      precursor cells to the multiple myeloma neovascularization. The role of host
      cells or the niche microenvironment and extracellular matrix represents an
      intense area of research, finalized at a better understanding of the
      pathophysiological modifications of the complete tumor entity, i.e. malignant
      cells and microenvironment.

PMID- 24217611
TI  - Angiogenesis inhibitors in the treatment of prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States and is the
      second most common cause of death. While treatment options in early stage disease
      are curative in intent, treatment of metastatic prostate cancer remains
      challenging. Although, several new and promising treatment options exploiting
      novel targets have permeated the therapeutic landscape in recent years, another
      viable target for therapy is tumor angiogenesis. Many antiangiogenic agents are
      under development and some are currently under investigation in clinical trials.

PMID- 24217612
TI  - Therapeutic perspectives in vascular remodeling in asthma and chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease.
AB  - In chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD), changes in bronchial microvasculature are present and
      contribute to airway wall remodeling. Angiogenesis and vascular leak seem to be
      prevalent in asthma, while vasodilatation and vascular leak seem to be prevalent
      in COPD. The functional meaning of bronchial vascular remodeling is not
      completely known. The increase in vessel number and size as well as the vascular
      leakage may concur to the thickening of the airway wall and to the narrowing of
      the bronchial lumen. Accordingly, pharmacological control of bronchial vascular
      remodeling may be crucial for symptom control in asthma and COPD. In asthmatic
      airways, steroids can downregulate vascular remodeling by acting on proangiogenic
      factors, whereas long-acting beta2-agonists seem to be mostly effective in
      decreasing vascular permeability. In COPD, there is less available experimental
      evidence on the effect of the currently used drugs on airway microvascularity
      changes. Importantly, vascular endothelial growth factor, the most specific grow
      factor for vascular endothelium, is crucially involved in the pathophysiology of
      the airway vascular remodeling, both in asthma and COPD. The inhibition of
      vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors has the potential for the
      treatment of the vascular changes in the airway wall.

PMID- 24217613
TI  - Angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and clinical implications. Preface.

PMID- 24217614
TI  - Chris Bakal: Look and learn. Interviewed by Caitlin Sedwick.

PMID- 24217615
TI  - Axonal spectrins: all-purpose fences.
AB  - A membrane barrier important for assembly of the nodes of Ranvier is found at the
      paranodal junction. This junction is comprised of axonal and glial adhesion
      molecules linked to the axonal actin-spectrin membrane cytoskeleton through
      specific adaptors. In this issue, Zhang et al. (2013. J. Cell Biol.
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201308116) show that axonal betaII spectrin
      maintains the diffusion barrier at the paranodal junction. Thus, betaII spectrin
      serves to compartmentalize the membrane of myelinated axons at specific locations
      that are determined either intrinsically (i.e., at the axonal initial segment),
      or by axoglial contacts (i.e., at the paranodal junction). 

PMID- 24217617
TI  - Cell biology in neuroscience: Architects in neural circuit design: glia control
      neuron numbers and connectivity.
AB  - Glia serve many important functions in the mature nervous system. In addition,
      these diverse cells have emerged as essential participants in nearly all aspects
      of neural development. Improved techniques to study neurons in the absence of
      glia, and to visualize and manipulate glia in vivo, have greatly expanded our
      knowledge of glial biology and neuron-glia interactions during development.
      Exciting studies in the last decade have begun to identify the cellular and
      molecular mechanisms by which glia exert control over neuronal circuit formation.
      Recent findings illustrate the importance of glial cells in shaping the nervous
      system by controlling the number and connectivity of neurons. 

PMID- 24217616
TI  - Cell biology in neuroscience: Death of developing neurons: new insights and
      implications for connectivity.
AB  - The concept that target tissues determine the survival of neurons has inspired
      much of the thinking on neuronal development in vertebrates, not least because it
      is supported by decades of research on nerve growth factor (NGF) in the
      peripheral nervous system (PNS). Recent discoveries now help to understand why
      only some developing neurons selectively depend on NGF. They also indicate that
      the survival of most neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) is not simply
      regulated by single growth factors like in the PNS. Additionally, components of
      the cell death machinery have begun to be recognized as regulators of selective
      axonal degeneration and synaptic function, thus playing a critical role in wiring
      up the nervous system. 

PMID- 24217618
TI  - Erlins restrict SREBP activation in the ER and regulate cellular cholesterol
      homeostasis.
AB  - Cellular cholesterol levels are controlled by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) sterol
      sensing proteins, which include Scap and Insig-1. With cholesterol sufficiency,
      Insig inhibits the activation of sterol regulatory element binding proteins
      (SREBPs), key transcription factors for cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthetic
      genes, by associating with Scap-SREBP complexes to promote their ER retention.
      Here we show that the multimeric ER proteins erlins-1 and -2 are additional SREBP
      regulators. Depletion of erlins from cells grown with sterol sufficiency led to
      canonical activation of SREBPs and their target genes. Moreover, SREBPs, Scap,
      and Insig-1 were physically associated with erlins. Erlins bound cholesterol with
      specificity and strong cooperativity and responded to ER cholesterol changes with
      altered diffusional mobility, suggesting that erlins themselves may be regulated
      by cholesterol. Together, our results define erlins as novel cholesterol-binding
      proteins that are directly involved in regulating the SREBP machinery. We
      speculate that erlins promote stability of the SREBP-Scap-Insig complex and may
      contribute to the highly cooperative control of this system. 

PMID- 24217619
TI  - Membrane domain organization of myelinated axons requires betaII spectrin.
AB  - The precise and remarkable subdivision of myelinated axons into molecularly and
      functionally distinct membrane domains depends on axoglial junctions that
      function as barriers. However, the molecular basis of these barriers remains
      poorly understood. Here, we report that genetic ablation and loss of axonal
      betaII spectrin eradicated the paranodal barrier that normally separates
      juxtaparanodal K(+) channel protein complexes located beneath the myelin sheath
      from Na(+) channels located at nodes of Ranvier. Surprisingly, the K(+) channels
      and their associated proteins redistributed into paranodes where they colocalized
      with intact Caspr-labeled axoglial junctions. Furthermore, electron microscopic
      analysis of the junctions showed intact paranodal septate-like junctions. Thus,
      the paranodal spectrin-based submembranous cytoskeleton comprises the paranodal
      barriers required for myelinated axon domain organization. 

PMID- 24217620
TI  - The histone demethylase LSD1/KDM1A promotes the DNA damage response.
AB  - Histone demethylation is known to regulate transcription, but its role in other
      processes is largely unknown. We report a role for the histone demethylase
      LSD1/KDM1A in the DNA damage response (DDR). We show that LSD1 is recruited
      directly to sites of DNA damage. H3K4 dimethylation, a major substrate for LSD1,
      is reduced at sites of DNA damage in an LSD1-dependent manner. The E3 ubiquitin
      ligase RNF168 physically interacts with LSD1 and we find this interaction to be
      important for LSD1 recruitment to DNA damage sites. Although loss of LSD1 did not
      affect the initial formation of pH2A.X foci, 53BP1 and BRCA1 complex recruitment
      were reduced upon LSD1 knockdown. Mechanistically, this was likely a result of
      compromised histone ubiquitylation preferentially in late S/G2. Consistent with a
      role in the DDR, knockdown of LSD1 resulted in moderate hypersensitivity to gamma
      irradiation and increased homologous recombination. Our findings uncover a direct
      role for LSD1 in the DDR and place LSD1 downstream of RNF168 in the DDR pathway. 

PMID- 24217621
TI  - A novel chromatin tether domain controls topoisomerase IIalpha dynamics and
      mitotic chromosome formation.
AB  - DNA topoisomerase IIalpha (Topo IIalpha) is the target of an important class of
      anticancer drugs, but tumor cells can become resistant by reducing the
      association of the enzyme with chromosomes. Here we describe a critical mechanism
      of chromatin recruitment and exchange that relies on a novel chromatin tether
      (ChT) domain and mediates interaction with histone H3 and DNA. We show that the
      ChT domain controls the residence time of Topo IIalpha on chromatin in mitosis
      and is necessary for the formation of mitotic chromosomes. Our data suggest that
      the dynamics of Topo IIalpha on chromosomes are important for successful mitosis
      and implicate histone tail posttranslational modifications in regulating Topo
      IIalpha. 

PMID- 24217622
TI  - Opposing actions of septins and Sticky on Anillin promote the transition from
      contractile to midbody ring.
AB  - During cytokinesis, closure of the actomyosin contractile ring (CR) is coupled to
      the formation of a midbody ring (MR), through poorly understood mechanisms. Using
      time-lapse microscopy of Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells, we show that the
      transition from the CR to the MR proceeds via a previously uncharacterized
      maturation process that requires opposing mechanisms of removal and retention of
      the scaffold protein Anillin. The septin cytoskeleton acts on the C terminus of
      Anillin to locally trim away excess membrane from the late CR/nascent MR via
      internalization, extrusion, and shedding, whereas the citron kinase Sticky acts
      on the N terminus of Anillin to retain it at the mature MR. Simultaneous
      depletion of septins and Sticky not only disrupted MR formation but also caused
      earlier CR oscillations, uncovering redundant mechanisms of CR stability that can
      partly explain the essential role of Anillin in this process. Our findings
      highlight the relatedness of the CR and MR and suggest that membrane removal is
      coordinated with CR disassembly. 

PMID- 24217624
TI  - Digitalis use in contemporary clinical practice: refitting the foxglove.

PMID- 24217623
TI  - The midbody ring scaffolds the abscission machinery in the absence of midbody
      microtubules.
AB  - Abscission completes cytokinesis to form the two daughter cells. Although
      abscission could be organized from the inside out by the microtubule-based
      midbody or from the outside in by the contractile ring-derived midbody ring, it
      is assumed that midbody microtubules scaffold the abscission machinery. In this
      paper, we assess the contribution of midbody microtubules versus the midbody ring
      in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. We show that abscission occurs in two
      stages. First, the cytoplasm in the daughter cells becomes isolated, coincident
      with formation of the intercellular bridge; proper progression through this stage
      required the septins (a midbody ring component) but not the membrane-remodeling
      endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery. Second, the
      midbody and midbody ring are released into a specific daughter cell during the
      subsequent cell division; this stage required the septins and the ESCRT
      machinery. Surprisingly, midbody microtubules were dispensable for both stages.
      These results delineate distinct steps during abscission and highlight the
      central role of the midbody ring, rather than midbody microtubules, in their
      execution. 

PMID- 24217625
TI  - One-pot formation of fluorescent gamma-lactams having an alpha-phosphorus ylide
      moiety through three-component alpha(delta')-Michael reactions of phosphines with
      an enyne and N-tosyl aldimines.
AB  - We demonstrate a straightforward synthesis of gamma-lactams possessing an alpha
      phosphorus ylide moiety from assembly of phosphines, N-tosyl aldimines and an
      enyne through an initial alpha(delta')-attack of phosphines to an enyne in up to
      79% yield. The investigated multicomponent reaction tolerates a variety of
      triarylphosphines and electron-poor aldimines to give gamma-lactams in one pot.
      One of the lactams, with the tri(p-tol)phosphine and 4-cyanophenyl moiety,
      exhibits fluorescence emission at 447 nm with a quantum yield of 0.11. 

PMID- 24217626
TI  - Heavy metal pollution and potential ecological risks in rivers: a case study from
      southern Italy.
AB  - We monitored heavy metal (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) concentrations in surface water,
      sediments, and oligochaetes in four major rivers in Calabria (southern Italy)
      over the course of 1 year. As, Cd, and Pb showed accumulation factors of 10(3)
      10(5) for water to sediment and 1-10 for sediment to oligochaetes. Hg showed a
      water to sediment accumulation factor of 10-100. Finally, Hg concentrations
      exceeded the Italian quality standard for freshwater in all of the rivers, and As
      concentrations in sediments exceeded the respective Canadian standard. However,
      the application of an ecological risk assessment method indicated low risks for
      all monitored rivers.

PMID- 24217627
TI  - Fever and rash in children: important diagnostic considerations.
AB  - The association of fever with illness has been known for years. A febrile child
      may have rash, and physicians need to know when this symptom combination is a
      benign versus a pathologic clinical presentation. In other terms, potential
      etiologies are either infectious or non-infectious. With scrupulous, methodical
      history taking and careful, serial physical examination, the treating physician
      will find hints to assess and solidify an appropriate diagnosis, and chose an
      appropriate treatment. 

PMID- 24217628
TI  - Advances and challenges in the management and prevention of community-acquired
      pneumonia.
AB  - Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common ailment in childhood, and can be
      associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The introduction of vaccines
      led to a decline in pneumonia hospitalizations, although gains have been offset
      by emerging challenges. In addition, appropriate antibiotic management is
      complicated by the inability and reluctance to perform invasive tests. This
      review explores the advances made, as well as the new challenges subsequently
      posed, in the management and prevention of CAP, with emphasis on vaccine
      preventable pneumonia, specifically Streptococcus pneumoniae. 

PMID- 24217629
TI  - The quality of life in developing age children with celiac disease.
AB  - AIM: The moments that follow the diagnosis of celiac disease and the early stages
      of the gluten-free diet are extremely difficult and complex for parents and
      child, because they face an important change punctuated by self-denial and
      deprivation. The main objective of this research is to assess the impact of
      celiac disease on quality of life in subjects in developmental age, taking into
      account the perceptions of parents about the child's illness, with the aim to
      highlight the effect of disease on the child and the entire family. METHODS: The
      study included both parents of 45 children aged between 2 and 10 years, with
      established celiac disease. To evaluate the effect of celiac disease on the
      lifestyle of affected children and their families has been used, after having
      adapted to the Italian context, the Impact Scale of Childhood Diseases of Hoare
      and Russell (1995). This study shows that celiac disease is a condition that has
      a significant impact on both the child and his family. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:
      The results obtained by administration of Impact Scale of Childhood Diseases to
      parents showed that subjects in developmental age with celiac disease could have
      difficulty on emotional level that affect child development and the whole family
      context. Acceptance of the illness by the child depends mainly by how much and
      how this has been accepted by parents.

PMID- 24217630
TI  - Glioneuronal tumors and epilepsy in children: seizure outcome related to
      lesionectomy.
AB  - AIM: Glioneuronal tumors (especially gangliogliomas and dysembryoplastic
      neuroepithelial tumors) are an increasingly recognised cause of drug-resistant
      epilepsy in children. The optimal surgical strategy (lesionectomy vs. extended
      resection of epileptogenic peritumoral areas) to obtain seizure control has not
      been fully established. Our aim was to analyze the post-surgical seizure outcome
      in children with epileptogenic glioneuronal tumors related to lesionectomy.
      METHODS: The clinical data were collected through a database. Video-EEG and MRI
      were performed in all patients pre-operatively and at the follow-up. RESULTS: Our
      series included 22 patients. The age range at surgery was 10 months-16 years
      (mean: 6.5+/-4.5 years). Epilepsy duration ranged 1-78 months (mean: 11.6+/
      17.0). There were complex partial seizures in 14 cases, simple partial seizures
      in 6 patients and generalized epilepsy in 2. Gross-total surgical removal was
      achieved in 15 (68.2%) patients. At the last follow-up (mean 4.7 years), 20
      (90.9%) patients were seizure-free (Engel Class I) and two (9.1%) were Engel
      Class III. Six out of seven (85.7%) patients with subtotal removal were Engel
      Class I. Statistical analysis failed to detect any difference between seizure
      outcome (Engel Class) and tumor type (DNT vs. GG; P=1.00) or location (temporal
      vs. non temporal; P=0.51), and extension of the resection (total vs. subtotal;
      P=1.00). CONCLUSION: Primary aim of the surgery for epileptogenic glioneuronal
      tumors is to remove the lesion and to obtain a complete seizure control. However,
      if a complete tumor resection cannot be carried out, a subtotal removal of the
      lesion can equally provide satisfactory results.

PMID- 24217631
TI  - Surgery checklist implementation to reduce clinical risk in the pediatric
      operating room.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to conduct a proactive analysis
      of procedural errors as revealed after implementation of a surgical safety
      checklist in the pediatric operating room of the Maggiore della Carita University
      Hospital, Novara. A further aim was to determine the effect the checklist had on
      the reduction, prevention, and protection against clinical risk in this setting.
      METHODS: A "Checklist for Patient Safety in the Pediatric Operating Room" was
      derived from documentation in the international literature and implemented in
      June 2011. All data were collected by a single observer. RESULTS: In all, 61
      checklists were compiled. Analysis revealed 189 errors (absolute frequency), with
      the highest error incidence (59.78%) recorded for the sign-out phase (percentage
      cumulative frequency). Two categories of events were distinguished (surgical and
      orthopedic) and compared. The absolute frequency of near-miss events (n=168) and
      adverse events (n=21) was then broken down into the five phases of checklist
      compilation. The percentage cumulative frequency of near-miss was 88.89% and that
      of adverse events was 11.11%. CONCLUSION: Safety checklist implementation led to
      reduction, prevention and protection against adverse events with patient injury
      in 88.89% of cases. The error incidence in this pediatric operating room was
      lower than the average rates published in the literature.

PMID- 24217632
TI  - [Cognitive, emotional and behavioral development of VLBW and ELBW preterm
      infants: diagnostic and therapeutic follow-up at preschool age].
AB  - AIM: Aims of the present study ware: to identify in preterm children of 4-6 years
      of age outcomes concerning cognitive, linguistic, emotional and behavioral
      development; to develop a therapeutic-rehabilitative project for those children
      in collaboration with the family and school. METHODS: The study enrolled 20
      children born prematurely at <=32 weeks of gestational age and/or with a weight
      <=1500 g, 12 VLBW (7 male e 5 female), 8 ELBW (4 male e 4 female), hospitalized
      at Novara Hospital "Maggiore della Carita" during the years 2003 and 2004,
      without severe outcomes. Psychodiagnostic evaluation was performed with
      standardized tests. On the final report results were discussed with parents, with
      specific indications for families and schools. Follow-up was at 6 months.
      Statistical elaboration of data was performed using Spss (Statistical Package for
      Social Sciences) version 16. RESULTS: Normal cognitive level resulted from the
      Griffiths Scale, without significant differences between VLBW and ELBW. The
      overall lowest score, in the "performance" subscale, especially for ELBW, was
      correlated with Vineland Scales (low scores in the subscales "everyday skills"
      and "motor ability"). The highest scores were detected in the "linguistic"
      subscale of the Griffiths Scales and in the "Communication" subscale of the
      Vineland Scales. The results at Bus Story Test (narrative language) were lower
      than average for that age. CBCL and TRF do not demonstrate clinical results in
      the emotional-behavioural area, but the teachers give a more critical assessment.
      Difficulties in emotional self-regulation interfere in the test, in the
      separation from the parents and in socializing. CONCLUSION: Monitoring
      development before starting primary school helps to discover potential problems
      and to activate supportive interventions. Early interventions allow to control
      and contain academic failure at school, which could have a negative impact on the
      child's image of himself and on the perception that the parents and school could
      have.

PMID- 24217633
TI  - ["A minute for life": resuscitation techniques in infants with risk for sudden
      infant death syndrome. Development of an instructional video for parents].
AB  - AIM: The present study describes a project carried out in the Center for
      SIDS/ALTE of the Pediatric Clinic of Varese, targeted to deliver and provide
      parents with a movies on PBLS titled "A Minute for Life". The impact on the
      parent was evaluated by applying a questionnaire. METHODS: The movie "A Minute
      for Life" was given to 308 parents (122 fathers, mean age 35.2 and 186 mothers,
      mean age 28.4). All parents completed a questionnaire based on 4 parameters: 1.
      clarity of the content presented; 2. anxiety felt while watching the movie clip
      3. reassurance related to their ability to review other times the movie; 4. the
      perception of its usefulness. RESULTS: Regarding the clarity of content, the
      results provide evidence that 231 parents (75% of the sample) rated him "very
      clear", while 77 subjects (25%) considered it "quite clear". On the possibility
      of being able to have at home, 277 parents (90% of subjects) believed it would be
      very reassuring to see it back Home. According to 231 parents (75% of the sample)
      the vision of the movie does not convey anxiety, while 77 of them (25% of
      subjects) felt slightly concerned in relation to vision. With regard to the
      overall assessment of the movie, all parents (308, 100% of the sample) agreed
      about its extreme usefulness. CONCLUSION: Our study opens the way for further
      prospective studies regarding the appropriateness and usefulness of the movie.
      It's also important to consider the release of the movie to all new parents and
      the possibility of giving first aid courses open to all those who want to be able
      to act with promptness and expertise if and when necessary.

PMID- 24217634
TI  - [Psycho-organic diseases in children and adolescents affected by pediatric
      neoplasms].
AB  - At Pediatric Oncology Centers, psychological intervention and psychotherapy are
      generally offered to children and adolescents for supporting their adjustment to
      disease and treatment. The clinical practice, however, point out that cognitive
      and emotional symptoms, such as psychic distortions, fatigue, anxiety,
      irritability and depression, are sustained by biological mechanisms connected
      with disease and treatment and not respondent to psychological consultation and
      to other psychosocial resources. These manifestations could interfere with
      treatment or with the long-term adjustment and call for psychopharmacological
      treatments. Biological factors able to cause these alterations are not yet
      studied in depth in clinical tradition and scientific literature on the
      integration of psychological and psychopharmacological intervention in pediatric
      oncology is still poor. In this paper organic components of psychic and
      behavioral alterations in the course of disease are illustrated, considering the
      symptoms, causes and possible remedies in the light of the most recent
      interdisciplinary views. The main mechanism connected with oncologic treatments -
      chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy - and responsible for psycho-organic
      alterations in children and adolescent with cancer are also described. 

PMID- 24217635
TI  - Brand new SPINK1 and CFTR mutations in a child with acute recurrent pancreatitis:
      a case report.
AB  - We report a case of a 2,5 years old female, referred to our center for
      pancreatitis. Medical investigation revealed history of acute recurrent
      pancreatitis (ARP) since 1 year of age. Family history was negative for
      pancreatitis. Abdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance excluded both
      biliary tract stenosis and anatomic abnormalities. Calcium metabolic disorders,
      viral and bacterial infections were ruled out. Molecular sequencing of CFTR
      revealed heterozygosis for the mutation S1235R, a CFTR-related disorders
      associated mutation. Fecal elastase-1 (E1) was 529 MUg/gr feces (normal value 200
      500 MUg/gr feces). No mutation of PRSS1 gene was detected but heterozygosity for
      p.Lys41Asn (c.123G>C), a new mutation of SPINK1 gene, was revealed. We speculate
      that the association of both SPINK1 and CFTR gene mutations may be responsible of
      ARP in our patient. Further studies need to better elucidate the role of genetic
      factors in ARP, as well as the influence of environmental factors. 

PMID- 24217636
TI  - [Craniopharyngioma in children: importance of a multidisciplinary approach and
      therapeutic strategies in the treatment of relapsing].
AB  - The craniopharyngioma is a benign intracranial nonglial tumor derived from a
      malformation of the embryonic tissue. Represents approximately 6-9% of brain
      tumors in children. It grows close to the optic nerve, hypothalamus and
      pituitary. The most frequent histological variety in children is
      adamantinomatous. The initial symptoms of intracranial hypertension is headache
      and nausea, followed by visual disturbances, impaired hormonal changes such as
      the secretion of GH, gonadotropins, TSH and ACTH and central diabetes insipidus.
      We present the clinical case of MD, 5yrs at age, which shows signs of
      intracranial hypertension syndrome: neuroradiological findings raise the
      diagnosis of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma for which the child underwent to
      sub-total surgical removal of the lesion and radiosurgery treatment. During the
      disease develops visual impairment, and secondary diabetes insipidus,
      hypothyroidism hipocotisolism that takes therapy with desmopressin (Minirin),
      Cortone acetate and L-tiroxine. For the failure of previous therapies, the child
      has performed chemotherapy with cisplatin (30 mg/sqm/day) and Etoposide (150
      mg/mq/day). A year after the end of the last cycle of chemotherapy was detected
      new progression of the lesion with the appearance of worsening headache and
      vomiting in the upright position. TC notes the expansion of the third ventricle
      and the patient undergoes surgery craniotomy. This clinical case underlines the
      difficulties in treatment of recurrent craniopharyngioma in situations where the
      anatomical location do not permit aggressive radical surgery. Anyway, new studies
      are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of systemic chemotherapy as a method of
      experimental treatment that could reduce the progression of disease. 

PMID- 24217637
TI  - Body fat distribution and adipokine secretion are not associated with diabetic
      retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - AIMS: The link between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and adipokines is controversial.
      Some studies suggest that visceral fat and adipokines could be additional risk
      factors for DR. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between
      abdominal fat or adipokine secretion and DR in patients with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus (DM). METHODS: A total of 179 patients with type 2 DM were included.
      Each patient underwent measurement of plasma adiponectin and leptin and an
      evaluation of body fat distribution (visceral and subcutaneous) with MRI. The
      severity of DR was evaluated according to the classification of the American
      Academy of Ophthalmology. Patients were classified in 3 groups: absence of DR,
      mild and moderate DR, and advanced DR (severe, proliferative and laser-treated
      DR). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 3 groups for
      adiponectin, leptin and visceral or subcutaneous fat accumulation. Patients with
      DR had a mean duration of diabetes, serum creatinine concentration and percentage
      of macroalbuminuria significantly higher than patients without DR (p < 0.001, p =
      0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Serum adiponectin increased with the diabetic
      nephropathy stage (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that body fat
      distribution and adipokine secretion are not associated with DR in patients with
      type 2 DM.

PMID- 24217639
TI  - Cationic half-sandwich quinolinophaneoxazoline-based (eta6-p-cymene)ruthenium(II)
      complexes exhibiting different chirality types: synthesis and structural
      determination by complementary spectroscopic methods.
AB  - Novel, optically pure 2-{4-methyl[2]paracyclo[2](5,8)quinolinophan-2-yl}-4
      aryl/alkyloxazolines (QUIPHANOX) exhibiting both planar and central chirality
      have been prepared by reacting (Rp)- and (Sp)-2-cyano-4
      methyl[2]paracyclo[2](5,8)quinolinophane with 2-aryl/alkyl-2-aminoethanols. The
      reaction of each of the above N,N-ligands with [Ru(eta(6)-p-cymene)Cl2]2 in
      methanol, in the presence of either NH4PF6 or NaBPh4, gave the corresponding half
      sandwich [(eta(6)-p-cymene)Ru(QUIPHANOX)Cl](+)Y(-), (Y(-) = PF6(-), BPh4(-)) as
      stable complex salts exhibiting planar and carbon- and metal-centered chirality.
      The unknown absolute configuration (AC) at the metal was determined by (1)H NMR
      and by theoretical calculations of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra
      and subsequently confirmed by crystallographic X-ray analysis. (Rp) and (Sp)
      ligands afforded (RRu)- and (SRu)-configured complexes, respectively, independent
      of the AC at the chiral carbon of the oxazoline moiety. 

PMID- 24217638
TI  - Evaluation of Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the brain of young rats after acute
      administration of fenproporex.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Fenproporex is an amphetamine-based anorectic which is rapidly
      converted into amphetamine in vivo. Na+, K+-ATPase is a membrane-bound enzyme
      necessary to maintain neuronal excitability. Considering that the effects of
      fenproporex on brain metabolism are poorly known and that Na+, K+-ATPase is
      essential for normal brain function, this study sought to evaluate the effect of
      this drug on Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, prefrontal
      cortex, and striatum of young rats. METHODS: Young male Wistar rats received a
      single injection of fenproporex (6.25, 12.5, or 25 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or
      polysorbate 80 (control group). Two hours after the last injection, the rats were
      killed by decapitation and the brain was removed for evaluation of Na+, K+-ATPase
      activity. RESULTS: Fenproporex decreased Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the striatum
      of young rats at doses of 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg and increased enzyme activity
      in the hypothalamus at the same doses. Na+, K+-ATPase activity was not affected
      in the hippocampus or prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSION: Fenproporex administration
      decreased Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the striatum even in low doses. However, in
      the hypothalamus, Na+, K+-ATPase activity was increased. Changes in this enzyme
      might be the result of the effects of fenproporex on neuronal excitability.

PMID- 24217640
TI  - Stargazin regulates AMPA receptor trafficking through adaptor protein complexes
      during long-term depression.
AB  - Long-term depression (LTD) underlies learning and memory in various brain
      regions. Although postsynaptic AMPA receptor trafficking mediates LTD, its
      underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here we show that
      stargazin, a transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein, forms a ternary
      complex with adaptor proteins AP-2 and AP-3A in hippocampal neurons, depending on
      its phosphorylation state. Inhibiting the stargazin-AP-2 interaction disrupts
      NMDA-induced AMPA receptor endocytosis, and inhibiting that of stargazin-AP-3A
      abrogates the late endosomal/lysosomal trafficking of AMPA receptors, thereby
      upregulating receptor recycling to the cell surface. Similarly, stargazin's
      interaction with AP-2 or AP-3A is necessary for low-frequency stimulus-evoked LTD
      in CA1 hippocampal neurons. Thus, stargazin has a crucial role in NMDA-dependent
      LTD by regulating two trafficking pathways of AMPA receptors--transport from the
      cell surface to early endosomes and from early endosomes to late
      endosomes/lysosomes--through its sequential binding to AP-2 and AP-3A.

PMID- 24217641
TI  - Photocatalytic reforming of glucose under visible light over morphology
      controlled Cu2O: efficient charge separation by crystal facet engineering.
AB  - Multifaceted Cu2O with controlled crystal facet exposure was synthesized via a
      facile one-step method. It was found that photogenerated electrons prefer to
      accumulate on high index planes, while holes tend to migrate to {100} facets of a
      Cu2O polyhedron, leading to efficient charge separation and enhanced
      photocatalytic reforming of glucose. 

PMID- 24217642
TI  - Cancelled stereotactic biopsy of calcifications not seen using the stereotactic
      technique: do we still need to biopsy?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of cancelled stereotactic biopsy due to non
      visualisation of calcifications, and assess associated features and outcome data.
      METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 1,874 patients scheduled for
      stereotactic-guided breast biopsy from 2009 to 2011. Medical records and imaging
      studies were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 1,874 stereotactic biopsies, 76 (4 %) were
      cancelled because of non-visualisation of calcifications. Prompt histological
      confirmation was obtained in 42/76 (55 %). In 28/76 (37 %) follow-up mammography
      was performed, and 7/28 subsequently underwent biopsy. Of 27 without biopsy, 21
      (78 %) had follow-up. Nine cancers (9/49, 18 %) were found: 6 ductal carcinoma in
      situ (DCIS), 3 infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC). Of 54 patients with either
      biopsy or at least 2 years' follow-up, 9 (17 %) had cancer (95 % CI 8-29). Cancer
      was present in 7/42 (17 %, 95 % CI 7-31 %) lesions that had prompt histological
      confirmation (DCIS = 5, IDC = 2) and in 2/28 (7 %, 95 % CI 0.8-24 %) lesions
      referred for follow-up (DCIS = 1, IDC = 1). Neither calcification morphology (P =
      0.2), patient age (P = 0.7), breast density (P = 1.0), personal history (P = 1.0)
      nor family history of breast cancer (P = 0.5) had a significant association with
      cancer. CONCLUSION: Calcifications not visualised on the stereotactic unit are
      not definitely benign and require surgical biopsy or follow-up. No patient or
      morphological features were predictive of cancer. KEY POINTS: * Half of cancelled
      stereotactic biopsies were due to non-visualisation of calcified foci. * This
      reflects the improved detection of calcifications by digital mammography. *
      Calcifications too faint for the stereotactic technique require alternative
      biopsy or follow-up * 17 % of patients with biopsy or at least 2 years' follow-up
      had cancer. * No patient/morphological features were found to aid selection for
      re-biopsy vs. follow-up.

PMID- 24217643
TI  - 320-row CT coronary angiography predicts freedom from revascularisation and acts
      as a gatekeeper to defer invasive angiography in stable coronary artery disease:
      a fractional flow reserve-correlated study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy of 320-row multidetector coronary computed
      tomography angiography (M320-CCTA) to detect functional stenoses using fractional
      flow reserve (FFR) as the reference standard and to predict revascularisation in
      stable coronary artery disease. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen patients (230
      vessels) underwent M320-CCTA and FFR assessment and were followed for 18 months.
      Diameter stenosis on invasive angiography (ICA) and M320-CCTA were assessed by
      consensus by two observers and significant stenosis was defined as >=50%. FFR
      <=0.8 indicated functionally significant stenoses. RESULTS: M320-CCTA had 94%
      sensitivity and 94% negative predictive value (NPV) for FFR <=0.8. Overall
      accuracy was 70%, specificity 54% and positive predictive value 65%. On receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) for
      CCTA to predict FFR <=0.8 was 0.74 which was comparable with ICA. The absence of
      a significant stenosis on M320-CCTA was associated with a 6% revascularisation
      rate. M320-CCTA predicted revascularisation with an AUC of 0.71 which was
      comparable with ICA. CONCLUSIONS: M320-CCTA has excellent sensitivity and NPV for
      functional stenoses and therefore may act as an effective gatekeeper to defer ICA
      and revascularisation. Like ICA, M320-CCTA lacks specificity for functional
      stenoses and only has moderate accuracy to predict the need for
      revascularisation. KEY POINTS: * Important information about the heart is
      provided by 320-row multidetector CT coronary angiography (M320-CCTA). * M320
      CCTA accurately detects and excludes functional stenoses determined by fractional
      flow reserve (FFR). * Non-significant stenoses on M320-CCTA associated with fewer
      cardiac events and less revascularisation. * M320-CCTA may act as a gatekeeper
      for invasive angiography and inappropriate revascularisation. * Like ICA, M320
      CCTA only has moderate accuracy to predict vessels requiring revascularisation.

PMID- 24217644
TI  - Role of aquaporin-5 in gallbladder carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Aquaporins (AQPs) are important in controlling bile
      formation. However, the exact role in human gallbladder carcinogenesis has not
      yet been defined. METHODS: AQP-5-expressing gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) cell
      lines (NOZ) were transfected with anti-AQP-5 small interfering RNA (siRNA).
      Growth, migration, invasion assay, and drug susceptibility tests were performed.
      Next, microRNA (miRNA) expression was analyzed by miRNA oligo chip (3D-Gene(r)).
      AQP-5 and AQP-5-related miRNA target gene expressions were also analyzed using
      tissue microarray (TMA) in 44 GBC samples. RESULTS: Treatment with AQP-5 siRNA
      decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. On the other hand, those
      cells increased IC50 of gemcitabine. By performing miRNA assays, miR-29b, -200a,
      and -21 were shown to be highly overexpressed in cells treated with AQP-5 siRNA
      NOZ. When focusing on miR-21, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was found to
      be a target of miR-21. In the TMA, AQP-5/PTEN coexpression was significantly
      associated with the depth of invasion and MIB-1 index (p = 0.003, 0.010).
      Survival of patients with a high AQP-5/PTEN coexpression was longer than that of
      patients with a low coexpression (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our result suggested
      that miR-21 and PTEN may contribute to the role of AQP-5 in GBC. AQP-5 and PTEN
      cascades are favorable biomarkers of GBC.

PMID- 24217645
TI  - Trypanosoma brucei aquaglyceroporins facilitate the uptake of arsenite and
      antimonite in a pH dependent way.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma brucei is a primitive parasitic protozoan that thrives in
      diverse environments such as the midgut of the tsetse fly and the blood of a
      mammalian host. For an adequate adaptation to these environments, the parasite's
      aquaglyceroporins play an important role. METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to test
      their ability to transport trivalent arsenic and antimony, we expressed the three
      known Trypanosoma brucei aquaglyceroporins (TbAQPs) in the heterologous systems
      of yeast null aquaporin mutant and Xenopus laevis oocytes. For both expression
      systems, we found a pH dependent intracellular accumulation of As(III) or Sb(III)
      mediated by all of the three TbAQPs, with the exception of TbAQP1-As(III) uptake.
      Additionally, we observed that Trypanosoma brucei aquaglyceroporins allow the
      passage of As(III) in both directions. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results
      demonstrated that T. brucei aquaglyceroporins can serve as entry routes for
      As(III) and Sb(III) into the parasitic cell, and that this uptake is pH
      sensitive. Therefore, aquaporins of protozoan parasites may be considered useful
      as a vehicle for drug delivery.

PMID- 24217646
TI  - EGF positively regulates the proliferation and migration, and negatively
      regulates the myofibroblast differentiation of periodontal ligament-derived
      endothelial progenitor cells through MEK/ERK- and JNK-dependent signals.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Remodeling of fibrous and vascular tissues in the periodontal
      ligament (PDL) around the tooth root was observed during tooth movement by
      orthodontic force application. We previously demonstrated that a single cell
      derived culture (SCDC) of primarily cultured PDL fibroblasts, called SCDC2, has
      an endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-like character and can form endothelial cell
      (EC) marker-positive blood vessel-like structures. However, the types of
      molecular mechanisms that control the in vivo kinetic properties and the
      differentiation of the PDL-derived EPC-like cells into myofibroblasts (MFs),
      which are known to expand fibrous tissues, require clarification. METHODS: Using
      specific mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors, we examined how
      epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated MAPK signals affected the proliferation,
      migration, and MF differentiation of these cells. RESULTS: EGF induced SCDC2 cell
      proliferation in MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-
      and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent manners. In addition, EGF suppressed
      the expression of MF differentiation markers in these cells in a MEK/ERK
      dependent manner, and, moreover, stimulated the cell migration in a MEK/ERK
      dependent manner. CONCLUSION: EGF regulates fibrous tissue remodeling in PDLs
      through MEK/ERK- and JNK-mediated signals by affecting the proliferation,
      migration, and MF differentiation of the PDL-derived EPC-like cells.

PMID- 24217647
TI  - Periodic mechanical stress stimulates the FAK mitogenic signal in rat
      chondrocytes through ERK1/2 activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The biological effects of periodic mechanical stress on
      chondrocytes have been studied extensively over the past few years. However, the
      mechanisms underlying chondrocyte mechanosensing and signaling in response to
      periodic mechanical stress remain to be determined. In the current study, we
      examined the effects of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling on periodic
      mechanical stress-induced chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: Periodic mechanical stress significantly induced sustained
      phosphorylation of FAK at Tyr(397) and Tyr(576/577). Reduction of FAK with
      targeted shRNA via transfection of NH2-terminal tyrosine phosphorylation
      deficient FAK mutant Y397F or Y576F-Y577F abolished periodic mechanical stress
      induced chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis, accompanied by attenuated
      ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, activation of Src, PLCgamma1 and Rac1 was not
      prevented upon FAK suppression. Furthermore, pretreatment with the Src-selective
      inhibitor, PP2, and shRNA targeted to Src or suppression of Rac1 with its
      selective inhibitor, NSC23766, blocked FAK phosphorylation at Tyr,(576/577) but
      not Tyr,(397) under periodic mechanical stress. Interestingly, FAK
      phosphorylation neither at Tyr(397) nor at Tyr(576/577) was affected by PLCgamma1
      depletion when periodic mechanical stress was applied. In addition, Tyr(397) and
      Tyr(576/577) phosphorylation levels were reduced upon pretreatment with a
      blocking antibody against integrin beta1 under conditions of periodic mechanical
      stress. CONCLUSION: Our findings collectively suggest that periodic mechanical
      stress promotes chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis through at least
      two pathways, integrin beta1-Src-Rac1-FAK(Tyr(576/577))-ERK1/2 and integrin beta1
      FAK (Tyr(397))-ERK1/2.

PMID- 24217648
TI  - Doxorubicin caused apoptosis of mesenchymal stem cells via p38, JNK and p53
      pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Doxorubicin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its
      clinical use is restricted because of a high risk of cardiotoxicity. Bone marrow
      derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) may repair ischaemically damaged
      myocardium through transdifferentiation and paracrine action. The aim of this
      study is to investigate if doxorubicin causes the apoptosis of BMSCs and in turn
      impairs its healing ability. METHODS: BMSCs were exposed to doxorubicin, and cell
      apoptosis was determined by western blot and stainings. RESULTS: Doxorubicin
      reduced the survival ratio and caused the apoptosis of BMSCs, with the increase
      of intracellular ROS level and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane
      potential. The ROS scavenger NAC abrogated these consequences. Moreover,
      doxorubicin markedly activated phosphorylated ERK, p38 and JNK proteins in BMSCs.
      The specific inhibitors for p38 (SB203580) and JNK (SP600125) may abolish
      doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of BMSCs but the specific ERK inhibitor (PD98059)
      not, indicating p38 and JNK activation contribute to BMSCs apoptosis. Also, the
      phosphorylated and total p53 proteins were increased in doxorubicin-treated
      BMSCs. Proapoptotic cleaved caspases-3 was upregulated and antiapoptotic Bcl-2
      protein was reduced in doxorubicin-treated BMSCs. At last, ELISA assay showed
      that doxorubicin treatment reduced the VEGF and IGF-1 released by BMSCs.
      CONCLUSION: Taken together, doxorubicin caused BMSCs apoptosis associated with
      p38, JNK and p53 pathways.

PMID- 24217649
TI  - The E-F hand calcium-binding protein S100A4 regulates the proliferation, survival
      and differentiation potential of human osteosarcoma cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone malignancy in
      children and young adults. Molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of OS
      remain to be fully understood. Several members of the E-F hand calcium-binding
      S100 protein family are differentially expressed in human cancers. We previously
      showed that S100A6 is highly expressed in OS tumors. In this study, we
      investigated the role of S100A4 in regulating OS proliferation and osteogenic
      differentiation. METHODS/RESULTS: Endogenous S100 expression was examined by semi
      quantitative PCR in human OS lines. Adenoviral vector-mediated overexpression and
      RNAi knockdown of S100A4 were used to assess S100A4's effects on cell
      proliferation, migration and invasion and osteogenic differentiation. Apoptosis
      was assessed by using anti-caspase-3 immunostaining and flow cytometry with
      annexin V staining. Early osteogenic marker alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and late
      markers osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) were assessed to determine the
      status of osteogenic differentiation. We found that S100A4 was elevated in
      metastatic MG63.2 cells. S100A4 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, prolonged
      cell doubling time, and induced significant apoptosis. Silencing S100A4
      expression in OS cells delayed cell wounding closure and diminished the numbers
      of migrated OS cells in transwell invasion assay. Furthermore, silencing S100A4
      expression stimulated ALP activity, as well as late markers OPN and OCN, in both
      OS cells and mesenchymal stem cells. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest
      that S100A4 may promote OS tumor growth by regulating the cell cycle, reducing
      apoptosis, and inhibiting osteogenic differentiation. Thus, S100A4 may serve as a
      marker for tumorigenic potential, as well as a therapeutic target.

PMID- 24217650
TI  - Toll-like receptor-2 ligand peptidoglycan upregulates expression and ubiquitin
      ligase activity of CHIP through JNK pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peptidoglycan (PGN) is a component of cell wall in Gram-positive
      bacteria that stimulates inflammatory responses through Toll-like receptor 2
      (TLR2). The carboxyl terminus of constitutive heat shock cognate 70 (HSC70)
      interacting protein (CHIP, also known as Stub1) is a U-box-type E3 ubiquitin
      ligase, which plays an important role in protein quality control and inflammation
      through ubquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. However, it is unclear whether
      TLR2 agonist PGN regulates the expression and activation of CHIP.
      METHODS/RESULTS: In this study, we showed that PGN significantly up-regulated the
      expression of CHIP in both mRNA and protein levels in RAW264.7 cells in a time
      dependant manner, and the expression of CHIP induced by PGN was abolished in TLR2
      knockout macrophages. No significant change in CHIP was observed after
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4 agonist) and cytosine-phosphorous-guanine
      oligonucleotide (CpG ODN, TLR9 agonist) treatment. Moreover, PGN markedly induced
      the expression and activity of CHIP in macrophages, whereas this effect was
      attenuated by SP600125, a selective inhibitor of JNK. CONCLUSION: Our study for
      the first time demonstrates that TLR2 activation enhances the expression and
      activity of CHIP through JNK signaling pathway.

PMID- 24217651
TI  - Tannic acid induced suicidal erythrocyte death.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The polyphenol tannic acid with antioxidant and antimicrobial potency
      may trigger suicidal death of nucleated cells or apoptosis and thus may
      counteract tumor growth. In analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes
      may undergo eryptosis, a suicidal death characterized by cell shrinkage and cell
      membrane scrambling with appearance of phosphatidylserine at the erythrocyte
      surface. A major trigger of eryptosis is increase of cytosolic Ca(2+)-activity
      ([Ca(2+)]i). Erythrocytes could be sensitized to the eryptotic effect of
      cytosolic Ca(2+) by ceramide. METHODS: Cell volume has been estimated from
      forward scatter, phosphatidylserine abundance at the erythrocyte surface from
      annexin V binding, hemolysis from hemoglobin release, [Ca(2+)]i from Fluo3
      fuorescence and ceramide utilizing fluorescent antibodies. RESULTS: A 48 h
      treatment with tannic acid was followed by significant decrease of forward
      scatter (>= 1 ug/ml) and significant increase of annexin-V-binding (>= 10 ug/ml).
      Tannic acid did not significantly modify [Ca(2+)]i (up to 50 uM) but
      significantly increased ceramide formation (50 uM). The annexin-V-binding
      following tannic acid treatment (50 uM) was significantly blunted in the nominal
      absence of extracellular Ca(2+). CONCLUSIONS: Tannic acid stimulates eryptosis,
      an effect at least partially due to ceramide formation with subsequent
      sensitization of erythrocytes to cytosolic Ca(2+).

PMID- 24217652
TI  - Downregulation of clusterin expression in human testicular seminoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clusterin, a heterodimeric glycoprotein of approximately 80 kDa,
      exists extensively in human body fluids. The abnormal expression of clusterin is
      closely related to the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of tumors. Up to
      now, few studies have focused on clusterin in human testicular cancer. This study
      describes an extensive exploration of the presence and expression of clusterin in
      testicular seminoma. METHODS: Tumor tissues and normal testis tissues were
      collected from 13 patients with testicular seminoma and 16 patients undergoing
      surgical castration for prostate cancer. Real-time polymerase chain reaction
      (PCR) was performed to detect the expression difference of clusterin mRNA between
      testicular seminoma and normal testis. Western blot and immunohistochemical
      analysis were performed to detect the presence and expression difference of
      clusterin protein between two groups. RESULTS: Real-time PCR showed the
      expression of clusterin mRNA in testicular seminoma to be significantly lower
      than in normal testis (only 13% relative quantification). Western blot analysis
      indicated marked reductions in the expression of clusterin protein in testicular
      seminoma. Similar results were observed upon immunohistochemical analysis.
      CONCLUSION: In testicular seminoma and normal testis, clusterin exists in its
      heterodimeric secretory isoform. Clusterin expression is significantly lower in
      testicular seminoma than in normal testis. This is the first comprehensive study
      of the presence and expression of clusterin in human testicular cancer.

PMID- 24217654
TI  - alpha-globin gene quadruplication and heterozygous beta-thalassemia: a not so
      rare cause of thalassemia intermedia.

PMID- 24217655
TI  - Phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase-B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway
      in psoriasis pathogenesis. A potential therapeutic target?
AB  - Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the skin. Its pathogenesis
      has not been completely elucidated. Phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase
      B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway has been identified as a
      key signaling pathway for important cellular functions. The data collected in
      this review suggest that overexpression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway may play an
      important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis by mediating the immune
      pathogenesis, the epidermal hyperplasia or/and the angiogenesis in the disease.
      Advances in understanding the pathogenesis of psoriasis has provided new insight
      into potential therapeutic targets, including the development of biological
      therapies, resulting in remarkable clinical responses in patients with severe
      psoriasis. More recently, small molecule oral preparations targeting
      intracellular signaling that may prove effective have been developed. Data
      suggest that PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway may be a potential target for treatment of
      psoriasis. 

PMID- 24217657
TI  - Air embolism in the internal jugular vein.

PMID- 24217659
TI  - "Are you sure it's about 'age'?".

PMID- 24217660
TI  - Mdm2 SNP309 G-variant is associated with invasive growth of human urinary bladder
      cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Human mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2) is essential in degrading p53 by
      acting as an ubiquitin ligase and therefore plays a vital role in cell cycle and
      survival. The G-variant of the Mdm2 SNP309, which is located within the promoter
      of the Mdm2 gene, increases expression of Mdm2 and thereby inhibits the p53
      pathway. Several studies have investigated the influence of this SNP on disease
      risk and onset of various malignancies. The impact of Mdm2 SNP309 on bladder
      cancer is still to be established due to inconsistent data. METHODS: In a case
      control study we determined the distribution of Mdm2 SNP309 genotypes in 111
      patients with an early-onset bladder cancer (diagnosis <45 years of age), in 113
      consecutive bladder cancer patients and in a control group consisting of 140
      patients without any malignancy. RESULTS: There was no significant association
      between the allelic distribution of the Mdm2 SNP309 and tumor risk, early onset,
      gender or grade of the tumor. According to tumor stage we found a significant
      difference in the distribution of the Mdm2 SNP309 between patients with
      noninvasive and invasive (>=pT1) tumor growth (p = 0.016). In patients with
      invasive tumors a significant increase of the G allele was found (T/T vs. T/G +
      G/G; p = 0.023; OR 2.203, 95% CI 1.111-4.369). CONCLUSION: These data indicate
      that the G-variant of the Mdm2 SNP309 might influence the development of a more
      aggressive tumor phenotype in patients with bladder cancer without affecting the
      overall tumor risk.

PMID- 24217662
TI  - Association between the ultrasonographic and clinical findings in the hips of
      patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the ultrasonographic (US) findings in the hips of patients
      with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and the association between these
      findings and the signs, symptoms, and activity of the disease. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The present retrospective study included 92 patients with JIA. The
      disease subtypes, age at disease onset, length of disease progression, disease
      activity, and clinical manifestations of the hip pathology were assessed. US
      examinations were routinely performed, and the images were analysed by two
      ultrasonographers who were blinded to the patients' clinical conditions. RESULTS:
      Of the 92 patients included in the study, 69.6% were girls, and the average age
      was 12.4 +/- 5.1 years. Thirty-three (35.9%) participants exhibited the
      persistent oligoarticular subtype, and 30 (32.6%) exhibited the rheumatoid factor
      (RF)-negative polyarticular subtype. Forty-four participants exhibited signs
      and/or symptoms of hip pathology. Twenty-nine (31.5%) participants exhibited
      abnormal US findings, and 34.4% exhibited subclinical synovitis. The US
      alterations exhibited an association with subclinical synovitis in 34.4% of the
      cases. The US alterations bore a correlation with the presence of hip-related
      signs and/ or symptoms (P = 0.021), particularly joint limitations (P = 0.006),
      but were not correlated with the disease activity (P = 0.948) or subtype (P =
      0.108). Clinical synovitis was associated with polyarticular involvement (P =
      0.002) and disease activity (P = 0.017). Subclinical synovitis was not correlated
      with the investigated variables. CONCLUSION: Clinical affection of the hip in
      JIA, particularly joint limitation, is associated with synovitis (revealed by US
      assessment) independently of the activity and subtype of the disease. Therefore,
      healthcare professionals should consider the possible occurrence of silent
      disease and subclinical synovitis, which might contribute to hip deterioration.

PMID- 24217663
TI  - Psychiatric symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: frequency and
      association with disease activity using the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity
      Questionnaire.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: While the neurolupus criteria are well-established, global
      psychiatric manifestations are of variable frequency in patients with systemic
      lupus erythematosus (SLE); their relation with disease activity is unknown.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of psychiatric symptoms in SLE using the
      Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Questionnaire (APMQ); to correlate APMQ changes with
      disease activity and socio-economic variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross
      sectional study evaluated patients with active or inactive SLE as to the
      prevalence of psychiatric symptoms utilizing, for the first time, the APMQ. Eight
      or more affirmative replies out of 45 questions defined the APMQ as abnormal.
      Patients were classified according to the American College of Rheumatology 1997
      criteria, and disease activity was measured by the SLEDAI. RESULTS: Seventy-two
      SLE patients entered the study, being 68 females (94.4%). Mean age was 46.1 years
      (+/- 12 SD). The frequency of abnormal APMQ was of 89%. Out of the 64 SLE
      patients with altered APMQ, 60 (93.7%) had common mental disorders, mostly
      anxiety and somatization. There was no correlation of psychiatric symptoms with
      active disease (rs = 0.09; P = 0.46), or with history of psychosis and/or
      seizures attributable to SLE (P = 1.00). Psychiatric symptoms also did not
      correlate with age at disease onset (rs = -0.16) or disease duration (rs = 
      0.11). There was an association of abnormal APMQ with low education level (P =
      0.02), but not with family income allotted to the patient (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION:
      The frequency of psychiatric symptoms measured by the APMQ was high in our SLE
      population. An abnormal APMQ was disconnected from SLE activity, but it did
      associate with low education level.

PMID- 24217664
TI  - Assessment of enthesopathy in patients with fibromyalgia by using new sonographic
      enthesitis index.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to determine the frequency of
      enthesopathy in fibromyalgia (FM) by using a newly developed ultrasonography (US)
      method, the Madrid Sonography Enthesitis Index (MASEI). METHODS: This study was
      conducted on 38 consecutive patients with FM and 48 healthy sex- and age-matched
      controls. Six entheseal sites (olecranon tuberosity, superior and inferior poles
      of patella, tibial tuberosity, superior and inferior poles of calcaneus) on both
      lower limbs were evaluated. All US findings were identified according to MASEI.
      Scores of patients and controls were compared by Student's t-test and Mann
      Whitney U-test. Validity was analysed by receiver operating characteristic curve.
      Values of P < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Total enthesitis score
      was 7.39 +/- 4.99 (mean +/- SD) among FM patients and 3.7 +/- 3.22 among healthy
      controls (P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve established an
      ultrasound score of > 3.5 in the FM group as the best cut-off point to
      differentiate between cases and controls. No statistically significant
      correlation was found between the MASEI score and the FM disease duration, and
      the location of the tender points. CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnoses of FM are harmful to
      patients and the community, and the presence of enthesopathy among FM patients
      increases. Its detection with the MASEI score may help to discriminate FM
      patients presenting with ill-defined symptoms and signs, in order to prevent
      mistreatment.

PMID- 24217665
TI  - Association between the rs7700944 polymorphism in the TIM-4 gene and rheumatoid
      arthritis in Zahedan, southeast Iran.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recently, an association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the
      rs7700944 G>A variant in the T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domains 4 (TIM-4)
      has been reported. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed at investigating the impact
      of that polymorphism on susceptibility to RA in a sample of the Iranian
      population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 120
      patients with RA and 120 healthy subjects. The rs7700944 polymorphism in the TIM
      4 gene was determined using tetra amplification refractory mutation system
      polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) assay. RESULTS: No significant difference
      was observed regarding the rs7700944 polymorphism of the TIM-4 gene between
      patients with RA and normal individuals. In females, no significant association
      was found between the groups concerning the rs7700944 polymorphism of the TIM-4
      gene. In males, the GA+AA genotype increased the risk of RA in comparison with
      the GG genotype (OR = 5.15, 95% CI = 1.30-20.48, P = 0.020). Furthermore the
      results showed that the rs7700944 A allele increased the risk of RA (OR = 4.39,
      95% CI = 1.43-13.54, P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Our results do not support an
      association between the rs7700944 polymorphism of the TIM-4 gene and RA. An
      interaction between this polymorphism and sex suggests a sex-specific association
      between this single nucleotide polymorphism and RA, which remains to be fully
      elucidated.

PMID- 24217666
TI  - Profile of paediatric rheumatology specialists and services in the state of Sao
      Paulo.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Paediatric rheumatology (PR) is an emerging specialty, practised by
      a limited number of specialists. Currently, there is neither a record of the
      profile of rheumatology patients being treated in Brazil nor data on the training
      of qualified rheumatology professionals in the country. OBJECTIVE: To investigate
      the profile of PR specialists and services, as well as the characteristics of
      paediatric patients with rheumatic diseases, for estimating the current state of
      rheumatology in the state of Sao Paulo. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 2010, the
      scientific department of PR of the Paediatric Society of Sao Paulo administered a
      questionnaire that was answered by 24/31 accredited specialists in PR practising
      in state of Sao Paulo and by 8/21 institutions that provide PR care. RESULTS:
      Most (91%) of the surveyed professionals practise in public institutions. Private
      clinics (28.6%) and public institutions (37.5%) reported not having access to
      nailfold capillaroscopy, and 50% of the private clinics reported not having
      access to acupuncture. The average duration of professional practise in PR was
      9.4 years, and 67% of the physicians had attended postgraduate programmes. Seven
      (87.5%) public institutions perform teaching activities, in which new paediatric
      rheumatologists are trained, and five (62.5%) offer postgraduate programmes. Two
      thirds of the surveyed specialists use immunosuppressants and biological agents
      classified as "restricted use" by the Health Secretariat. The disease most
      frequently reported was juvenile idiopathic arthritis (29.1-34.5%), followed by
      juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) (11.6-12.3%) and rheumatic fever
      (9.1-15.9%). The incidence of vasculitis (including Henoch-Schonlein purpura,
      Wegener's granulomatosis, and Takayasu's arteritis) and autoinflammatory
      syndromes was higher in public institutions compared to other institutions (P =
      0.03, P = 0.04, P = 0.002, and P < 0.0001, respectively). Patients with JSLE had
      the highest mortality rate (68% of deaths), mainly due to infection. CONCLUSION:
      The field of PR in the state of Sao Paulo has a significant number of specialists
      with postgraduate degrees who mostly practise at teaching institutions with
      infrastructures appropriate for the care of high-complexity patients.

PMID- 24217667
TI  - [Anti-synthetase syndrome: anti-PL-7, anti-PL-12 and anti-EJ].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Due to the scarcity of studies in the literature, we conducted an
      analysis of a series of patients with the anti-PL-7, PL-12 and EJ types of
      antisynthetase syndrome (ASS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study
      of 20 patients with ASS (8 with anti-PL-7, 6 with PL-12, 6 with EJ) monitored in
      our department between 1982 and 2012. RESULTS: The mean patient age at disease
      onset was 38.5 +/- 12.9 years, and the disease duration was 4.5 +/- 6.4 years. Of
      all the patients, 70% were white and 85% were female. Constitutional symptoms
      occurred in 90% of cases. All patients presented objective muscle weakness in the
      limbs; in addition, 30% were bedridden and 65% demonstrated high dysphagia at
      diagnosis. Joint and pulmonary involvement and Raynaud's phenomenon occurred in
      50%, 40% and 65% of cases, respectively, with more than half of the patients
      presenting incipient pneumopathy, ground-glass opacity and/or pulmonary fibrosis.
      There were no cases of neurological and/or cardiac involvement. All patients
      received prednisone or other immunosuppressants depending on tolerance, side
      effects and/or disease refractoriness. Importantly, patients with the anti-EJ
      type of ASS demonstrated higher rates of recurrence. Two patients died during
      follow-up, and 1 patient had breast cancer at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS:
      ASS (anti-PL-7, PL-12 and EJ) was found to predominantly affect white women.
      Although the autoantibodies described in the present study are more related to
      pulmonary than joint involvement, our patients showed a significant percentage of
      both types of involvement and a high percentage of myopathy. We also observed a
      low mortality rate.

PMID- 24217668
TI  - Systematic review of infliximab-induced autoantibodies and systemic lupus
      erythematosus.
AB  - The present systematic review aims to discuss infliximab-induced autoantibodies
      and subsequent onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through the analyses
      of primary reports measuring autoantibodies both before and after the
      administration of infliximab for the treatment of several diseases - e.g.,
      rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's
      disease. Our literature search was performed in nine databases - PubMed, Science
      Direct, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Scirus, Cochrane, EMBASE, Scielo and LILACS,
      and the search query retrieved 998 primary reports, from which 24 articles were
      selected and further narrowed down to 14, based on our inclusion criteria. Two
      independent reviewers performed the article selection and a third reviewer solved
      discrepancies. Our inclusion criteria comprised primary reports of phase IV
      clinical trials with duration of at least three months. In total, 760 patients
      were evaluated and the most prevalent assays performed in the studies were anti
      nuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-double stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA), and
      antibodies to saline-extracted antigens (ENA panel). Of all patients evaluated,
      10 (1.3%) showed clinical signs and laboratorial evidence of infliximabinduced
      SLE.

PMID- 24217669
TI  - Testicular vasculitis: a rare manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Testicular vasculitis is a very rare extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA). We describe the case of a 53-year-old man diagnosed with RA for
      eight years, who was poorly controlled and developed rheumatoid vasculitis, which
      manifested as leg ulcers and peripheral polyneuropathy. The patient also had
      acute neutrophilic meningitis and was treated with antibiotics and intravenous
      pulse therapy with methylprednisolone (500 mg daily) for three days, followed by
      oral cyclophosphamide (2 mg/kg daily) and prednisone. Overall improvement was
      observed, and the patient was discharged. But 15 days later, the meningitis
      recurred, and the patient was readmitted and treated again with antibiotics.
      Three days later, he developed pain and enlargement of his left testicle with
      gangrene. Unilateral orchiectomy was performed, revealing lymphocytic vasculitis.
      The patient died two days later due to aspiration pneumonia. This case
      illustrates a rare and severe manifestation of rheumatoid vasculitis.

PMID- 24217670
TI  - Camptocormia secondary to polymyositis.
AB  - Camptocormia is a postural affliction characterised by abnormal flexion of the
      thoracolumbar spine, which appears upon standing, increases with walking, and
      disappears in the supine position. Only five cases of camptocormia secondary to
      idiopathic inflammatory myopathies have been described in the literature. In this
      case report, we describe the case of a male patient 67 years of age who suffered
      from polymyositis for 18 years, which was associated with manifestations
      compatible with camptocormia. The clinical manifestations were stable and did not
      progress. Polymyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy clinically
      characterised by symmetric weakness that predominantly affects the proximal
      muscles. Nevertheless, polymyositis is a systemic autoimmune disease; therefore,
      the skeletal muscles may be diffusely affected, including the paravertebral
      muscles, which may manifest as camptocormia.

PMID- 24217671
TI  - Lipid profile in adult patients with idiopathic juvenile arthritis.
AB  - The inflammatory processes in the joints of a child with juvenile idiopathic
      arthritis (JIA) can persist into adulthood. Inflammation has been linked to
      distortions of the lipid profile and accelerated atherogenesis. In the present
      study, we examined the lipid profiles of adults with JIA compared with those of
      healthy people. A lipid profile of a sample of 54 adults with JIA (57.3% with
      polyarticular JIA, 37.0% with oligoarticular JIA, 1.9% with enthesitis-related
      JIA and 3.7% with systemic onset JIA) and 54 healthy subjects were compared. In
      the adults with JIA, data on gender, age, age at disease onset, the presence of
      rheumatoid factor (RF) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA), a Health Assessment
      Questionnaire (HAQ) and the disease duration were collected. We found that
      hypercholesterolaemia, increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and decreased high
      density lipoprotein (HDL) were more common in patients with JIA than the controls
      (P = 0.016, P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0008, respectively). Changes in the levels of
      total cholesterol (TC) and LDL were more common in the individuals who had a
      later onset of disease (P = 0.0017 for TC and P = 0.023 for LDL). In the entire
      JIA group, no other variable, such as RF, ANA, disease duration or responses to
      the HAQ, could be linked to dyslipidaemia (P = non-significant). We concluded
      that the adult patients with JIA have a lipid profile with increased TC and LDL
      levels and decreased levels of HDL compared to the controls. No clinical feature
      could be correlated with this change except for the age at disease onset.

PMID- 24217672
TI  - Thyroid function testing in patients with newly diagnosed hyperlipidemia.

PMID- 24217674
TI  - Kidney cancer: Low serum sodium linked to poor outcomes for patients with mRCC
      treated with targeted therapy.

PMID- 24217675
TI  - Prostate cancer: Biopsy--it's stressful!

PMID- 24217676
TI  - Kidney cancer: Axitinib destined for second place?

PMID- 24217677
TI  - Prostate cancer: IMRT treatment rates increase with urologist self-referral.

PMID- 24217679
TI  - Prostate cancer: Age is nothing but a number.

PMID- 24217678
TI  - Contemporary diagnostic work-up of testicular germ cell tumours.
AB  - Diagnostic work-up of testicular masses should begin with a complete patient
      history and palpation of the testes with both hands. First-line imaging of the
      scrotum should be performed using multiparametric ultrasonography, that is the
      sequential use of grey-scale ultrasonography, colour Doppler ultrasonography
      (CDUS), and, if available, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and real-time
      elastography (RTE). Increased vascularization--a characteristic of malignancy and
      inflammation--is visualized on CDUS and CEUS. RTE provides additional information
      for distinguishing between benign and malignant tissue by measuring tissue
      elasticity of lesions. MRI is another powerful modality, typically used for
      second-line imaging of intrascrotal disorders. MRI can provide images with a
      broad field of view of the scrotal contents. Cancerous lesions are identified on
      MRI by their signal enhancement after injection of contrast agent. Testicular
      germ cell tumours require treatment by inguinal orchiectomy. Testis-sparing
      surgery is advocated for benign tumours and in solitary testicles provided the
      tumour is <3 cm and the preoperative serum testosterone level is normal. For
      intraoperative decision-making with regard to testis-sparing surgery, frozen
      section histological examination can be used, which has a false-negative rate of
      <10%.

PMID- 24217680
TI  - Amine formylation via carbon dioxide recycling catalyzed by a simple and
      efficient heterogeneous palladium catalyst.
AB  - A simple and efficient Pd/Al2O3-NR-RD catalyst was prepared by depositing
      palladium on a shape controllable Al2O3-NR support through a two-step process
      that involves hydrothermal synthesis of Al2O3-NRs followed by reductive
      deposition of palladium. This catalyst showed high activity in the catalytic
      formylation of amines by CO2-H2 under mild conditions with up to 96% yield. 

PMID- 24217681
TI  - A cholinergic trigger drives learning-induced plasticity at hippocampal synapses.
AB  - Learning induces plastic changes in synapses. However, the regulatory molecules
      that orchestrate learning-induced synaptic changes are largely unknown. Although
      it is well established that cholinergic inputs from the medial septum modulate
      learning and memory, evidence for the cholinergic regulation of learning-induced
      synaptic plasticity is lacking. Here we find that the activation of muscarinic
      acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (mAChRs) mediates the contextual fear learning
      driven strengthening of hippocampal excitatory pyramidal synapses through the
      synaptic incorporation of AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). Contextual fear
      learning also enhances the strength of inhibitory synapses on hippocampal
      pyramidal CA1 neurons, in a manner mediated by the activation of, not mAChRs,
      but, nicotinic AChRs (nAChRs). We observe a significant correlation between the
      learning-induced increases in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strength at
      individual pyramidal neurons. Understanding the mechanisms underlying cholinergic
      regulation of learning-induced hippocampal synaptic plasticity may help the
      development of new therapies for cognitive disorders. 

PMID- 24217683
TI  - Evaluation of articular eminence pneumatization using cone beam computed
      tomography.
AB  - AIM: Knowledge about the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its
      surrounding structures is mandatory for success in surgical interventions and for
      understanding the pathway of spread of infections in this region. This study aims
      to investigate the anatomy and morphology of pneumatized articular eminence (PAT)
      using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging in a group of patients.
      METHODS: A retrospective study on 825 patients (377 males, 448 females) aged
      between 18 and 91 years was performed using sagittal and coronal CBCT images. PAT
      was defined as non-expansile, nondestructive cyst-like radiolucency in the
      zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which appears similar to the mastoid air
      cells. It was classified in two groups as unilocular and multilocular.
      Statistical comparison of gender, age and localization was performed using chi
      square test and correspondence analysis. P<0.05 was considered as significant.
      RESULTS: Twenty-eight pneumatized articular eminence were found in 21 patients,
      representing a prevalence of 2.54%. Patients with PAT had a mean age of 28.9
      years with a range of 21-78 years. Ten cases (47.6%) occurred in females and 11
      cases (52.4%) occurred in males. The results of statistical tests showed no
      significant differences among the groups with respect to gender, age, and
      localization (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Pneumatization of the articular eminence is a
      challenging entity for TMJ surgery and spread of infections in this region.
      Practitioners who are dealing with TMJ surgery and pathology should have detailed
      information about this anatomical variation since it may cause serious
      complications.

PMID- 24217682
TI  - Calcimimetics increase CaSR expression and reduce mineralization in vascular
      smooth muscle cells: mechanisms of action.
AB  - AIMS: Vascular calcification (VC) contributes to morbidity and mortality in
      patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Allosteric modulators of the calcium
      (Ca)-sensing receptor (CaSR) may slow the progression of VC in CKD patients
      either by reducing serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), Ca, and phosphate levels or
      by a direct effect on the vessel wall. The aim of this study was to examine the
      effects of calcimimetics on CaSR expression, cell phenotype, and mineral
      deposition in human vascular smooth muscle cells (h-VSMCs). METHODS AND RESULTS:
      Primary h-VSMCs were exposed for 14 days to increasing concentrations of Ca(2+)
      (from 1.8 to 5 mmol/L) in the presence or absence of calcimimetics R-568 or AMG
      641 (0.1 MUmol/L). Mineralization was detected by Alizarin red staining, and the
      cell phenotype was assessed using immunocytochemistry and qRT-PCR. CaSR
      expression was evaluated using flow cytometry. Short- and long-term exposure (1
      day to 14 days) of h-VSMCs to calcimimetics promoted CaSR protein transport from
      the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane with enhanced CaSR expression on
      the cell surface, together with an increase in total cell CaSR expression due to
      enhanced biosynthesis. In pro-mineralizing conditions, exposure to calcimimetics
      counteracted the Ca(2+)-dependent reduction of CaSR expression, decreased matrix
      collagen secretion, and mineral deposition by ~90%. These effects involved CaSR
      activation since it could be inhibited by CaSR siRNA, but not scrambled siRNA.
      CONCLUSIONS: The calcimimetic-dependent increase in biosynthesis and activation
      of the CaSR in h-VSMCs probably play a key role in the protection against calcium
      induced VC.

PMID- 24217684
TI  - Conscious sedation with diazepam and midazolam for dental patient: priority to
      diazepam.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this paper was to determine whether the use of midazolam is a
      better technique than the use of diazepam, in relation with the definition of
      conscious sedation in dentistry. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients undergoing oral
      surgery were divided into 2 groups in which the sedation was randomly achieved
      with equipotent cumulative doses of diazepam and midazolam, up to a maximum dose
      of 8 and 4 mg respectively. Patient's tranquillity was assessed after every dose,
      using a visual analogue score to ten points and the sedation was evaluated as
      mild, moderate or deep. Blood pressure, heart rate and SpO2 were also recorded.
      Psychomotor conditions, by Newman test, and the incidence of amnesia and the
      patient's satisfaction, by telephone interview, were both evaluated. RESULTS: The
      number of patients who reached maximum subjective tranquillity was greater
      already after the third dose of diazepam. The average scores of tranquillity were
      higher after diazepam. Patients treated with diazepam experienced a higher
      incidence of mild sedation, patients treated with midazolam a higher incidence of
      moderate and deep sedation. In patients treated with midazolam blood pressure,
      heart rate and SpO2 were lower. Postoperative recovery was similar in the 2
      groups. After midazolam patients experienced greater amnesia for local anesthesia
      and drowsiness. Satisfaction was high with both treatments. CONCLUSION: The study
      shows that sedation with diazepam is more in line with the definition of
      conscious sedation in dentistry. Diazepam guarantees the persistence of
      consciousness and maximum subjective tranquillity levels. The recovery and
      satisfaction were comparable in the 2 groups.

PMID- 24217685
TI  - Odontostomatological aspects in patients with Goldenhar syndrome: a series of 9
      patients.
AB  - The authors observed and followed nine patients with Goldenhar syndrome to
      identify the variability and severity malformations mainly affecting the
      orofacial district, but also other systems. Considering the severity of the
      lesions and the affected organs and tissues, the authors report preventive and
      therapeutic approaches, which present considerable difficulties in timing and
      quality of interventions. 

PMID- 24217686
TI  - Extensive rhabdomyoma of the head and neck region: a case report and a literature
      review.
AB  - Rhabdomyomas are rare mesenchymal benign tumors of striated muscle origin that
      can be classified into cardiac and extracardiac types. Cardiac rhabdomyomas are
      considered as hamartomatous lesion because of their association with
      phacomatosis. Extracardiac type is further classified into adult, fetal and
      genital form, depending on the individual tumor's degree of differentiation.
      Adult head and neck rhabdomyomas are rare pathologies of adult patients, with a
      male predominance. The occurrence of multifocality is a rare manifestation of
      this uncommon lesion. Presenting symptoms are related to the location and
      dimension of the tumors and they include upper airway obstruction, Eustachian
      tube dysfunction, dysphagia and mucosal and neck mass. Because of their high rate
      of recurrence, radical resection is the treatment of choice of this kind of
      tumors. In this article is reported a rare and particularly large case of head
      and neck adult rhabdomyoma, presenting with an history of sleep apnea and night
      time stridor. 

PMID- 24217687
TI  - Juvenile paradental cyst: presentation of a rare case involving second molar.
AB  - The aim of this article was to describe a rare case of paradental cyst of the
      permanent mandibular second molar. A 14-year-old girl was referred to Oral
      Surgery Department, Dental Clinic, IRCSS Fondazione Ca' Granda, University of
      Milan, Italy, for the evaluation of the deep probing located on the buccal aspect
      of her erupted mandibular left second molar. Clinical signs of inflammation were
      absent and the mucosa around the second molar appeared clinically normal. Pulp
      tests for the second molar were positive. The evaluation of the panoramic
      radiograph did not revealed radiolucency. The Cone-beam tomography showed a well
      defined semilunar-shaped radiolucency demarcated by a fine radiopaque line. The
      cyst was enucleated. The histopathologic analisys revealed the presence of
      hyperplastic, non-keratinized squamous epithelium with heavy, dense inflammatory
      cell infiltrate in the epitelium and connective tissue wall. This analysis
      associated with macroscopic, clinical and radiografic examination confirmed the
      diagnosis of paradental cyst. A clinic-pathologic correlation, incorporating the
      surgical, radiographic and histologic findings, is required to obtain the final
      diagnosis of paradental cyst. Today, the treatment of choice is simple
      enucleation and thorough curettage of the cyst without extraction of the involved
      tooth, but if CT demonstrates erosions in the buccal or lingual cortices,
      marsupialization should be the treatment of choice. 

PMID- 24217688
TI  - Necrotizing sialometaplasia in an HIV positive cocaine user: a case report.
AB  - The aim of this paper was to present a case report of a male patient attending a
      Semiology and Stomatology Clinic with an erythematous ulcerated lesion on his
      palate. The patient reported that he was HIV positive as well as being addicted
      to cocaine. After a biopsy and a histopathological exam, he was diagnosed as
      having necrotizing sialometaplasia. The lesion diminished spontaneously in thirty
      days after the exam. Correct diagnosis as well as physical and complementary
      exams are paramount to avoid any incorrect therapy. As drug addiction and HIV
      infection have both been associated to necrotizing sialometaplasia, as in the
      present case, it is difficult to establish if the aetiological factor was drug
      usage or the HIV infection or even, the combination of these two factors.
      Although considering the influence of HIV infection on the oral health, we may
      assume that, at least, it favored the onset of this oral lesion. 

PMID- 24217689
TI  - Stoichiometry dependent Co3+ spin-state in LaxSr2-xCoGaO5+delta brownmillerite
      phases.
AB  - Phases in the LaxSr2-xCoGaO5+delta (0.5 <= x <= 1) series adopt anion-vacancy
      ordered brownmillerite-type structures. The x = 0.5 and x = 0.6 phases show only
      small deviations from the ideal A2B2O5 brownmillerite stoichiometry and exhibit
      paramagnetic behaviour above 100 K, with magnetic susceptibilities indicative of
      a high-spin, S = 2 configuration for the Co(3+) centres present. In contrast,
      lanthanum-rich phases (x >= 0.7) incorporate increasing amounts of 'additional'
      oxygen and show much smaller paramagnetic susceptibilities, consistent with the
      Co(3+) centres present adopting low-spin S = 0 spin states. The evolution with
      lanthanum concentration of both the oxygen stoichiometry and the magnetic
      susceptibility of phases is rationalised on the basis of the lattice strain which
      builds across the compositional series. This lattice strain acts to couple the
      Co(3+) spin state to the oxygen stoichiometry in the range 0.65 < x < 0.85 giving
      materials oxygen sensing capability. 

PMID- 24217690
TI  - Organocatalyzed stereospecific C-C bond formation of beta-lactams.
AB  - Herein, we report the development of mild, organocatalyzed routes to novel
      carbapenam derivatives through aldol, Mannich and Michael C-C bond forming
      reactions. 

PMID- 24217691
TI  - Genetic factors involved in risk for methamphetamine intake and sensitization.
AB  - Lines of mice were created by selective breeding for the purpose of identifying
      genetic mechanisms that influence the magnitude of the selected trait and to
      explore genetic correlations for additional traits thought to be influenced by
      shared mechanisms. DNA samples from high and low methamphetamine-drinking (MADR)
      and high and low methamphetamine-sensitization lines were used for quantitative
      trait locus (QTL) mapping. Significant additive genetic correlations between the
      two traits indicated a common genetic influence, and a QTL on chromosome X was
      detected for both traits, suggesting one source of this commonality. For MADR
      mice, a QTL on chromosome 10 accounted for more than 50 % of the genetic variance
      in that trait. Microarray gene expression analyses were performed for three brain
      regions for methamphetamine-naive MADR line mice: nucleus accumbens, prefrontal
      cortex, and ventral midbrain. Many of the genes that were differentially
      expressed between the high and low MADR lines were shared in common across the
      three brain regions. A gene network highly enriched in transcription factor genes
      was identified as being relevant to genetically determined differences in
      methamphetamine intake. When the mu opioid receptor gene (Oprm1), located on
      chromosome 10 in the QTL region, was added to this top-ranked transcription
      factor network, it became a hub in the network. These data are consistent with
      previously published findings of opioid response and intake differences between
      the MADR lines and suggest that Oprm1, or a gene that impacts activity of the
      opioid system, plays a role in genetically determined differences in
      methamphetamine intake.

PMID- 24217692
TI  - Ceftaroline plus avibactam demonstrates bactericidal activity against pathogenic
      anaerobic bacteria in a one-compartment in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic
      model.
AB  - Anaerobic pathogens are often associated with polymicrobial infections, such as
      diabetic foot infections. Patients with these infections are often treated with
      broad-spectrum, multidrug therapies targeting resistant Gram-positive bacteria,
      such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, as well as Gram-negative
      bacteria and anaerobes. The broad-spectrum, non-beta-lactam, beta-lactamase
      inhibitor avibactam has been combined with ceftaroline and may provide a single
      product alternative for complicated polymicrobial infections. We compared the
      activity of ceftaroline-avibactam (CPA) to that of ertapenem (ERT) against common
      anaerobic pathogens in an in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model.
      Simulations of doses of ceftaroline-fosamil at 600 mg every 8 h (q8h) (maximum
      free drug concentration [fCmax], 17.04 mg/liter, and half-life [t1/2], 2.66 h)
      plus avibactam at 600 mg q8h (fCmax, 11.72 mg/liter, and t1/2, 1.8 h) and of
      ertapenem at 1 g q24h (fCmax, 13 mg/liter, and t1/2, 4 h) were evaluated against
      two strains of Bacteroides fragilis, one strain of Prevotella bivia, and one
      strain of Finegoldia magna in an anaerobic one-compartment in vitro PK/PD model
      over 72 h with a starting inoculum of ~8 log10 CFU/ml. Bactericidal activity was
      defined as a reduction of >=3 log10 CFU/ml from the starting inoculum. Both CPA
      and ERT were bactericidal against all four strains. CPA demonstrated improved
      activity against Bacteroides strains compared to that of ERT but had similar
      activity against Finegoldia magna and P. bivia, although modest regrowth was
      observed with CPA against P. bivia. No resistance emerged from any of the models.
      The pharmacokinetics achieved were 92 to 105% of the targets. CPA has potent in
      vitro activity against common anaerobic pathogens at clinically relevant drug
      exposures and may be a suitable single product for the management of complicated
      polymicrobial infections. 

PMID- 24217693
TI  - A high-content phenotypic screen reveals the disruptive potency of quinacrine and
      3',4'-dichlorobenzamil on the digestive vacuole of Plasmodium falciparum.
AB  - Plasmodium falciparum is the etiological agent of malignant malaria and has been
      shown to exhibit features resembling programmed cell death. This is triggered
      upon treatment with low micromolar doses of chloroquine or other lysosomotrophic
      compounds and is associated with leakage of the digestive vacuole contents. In
      order to exploit this cell death pathway, we developed a high-content screening
      method to select compounds that can disrupt the parasite vacuole, as measured by
      the leakage of intravacuolar Ca(2+). This assay uses the ImageStream 100, an
      imaging-capable flow cytometer, to assess the distribution of the fluorescent
      calcium probe Fluo-4. We obtained two hits from a small library of 25 test
      compounds, quinacrine and 3',4'-dichlorobenzamil. The ability of these compounds
      to permeabilize the digestive vacuole in laboratory strains and clinical isolates
      was validated by confocal microscopy. The hits could induce programmed cell death
      features in both chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant laboratory strains.
      Quinacrine was effective at inhibiting field isolates in a 48-h reinvasion assay
      regardless of artemisinin clearance status. We therefore present as proof of
      concept a phenotypic screening method with the potential to provide mechanistic
      insights to the activity of antimalarial drugs. 

PMID- 24217694
TI  - In vitro pharmacodynamics of human simulated exposures of ceftaroline and
      daptomycin against MRSA, hVISA, and VISA with and without prior vancomycin
      exposure.
AB  - The effects of prior vancomycin exposure on ceftaroline and daptomycin therapy
      against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have not been widely
      studied. Humanized free-drug exposures of vancomycin at 1 g every 12 h (q12h),
      ceftaroline at 600 mg q12h, and daptomycin at 10 mg/kg of body weight q24h were
      simulated in a 96-h in vitro pharmacodynamic model against three MRSA isolates,
      including one heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) isolate
      and one VISA isolate. A total of five regimens were tested: vancomycin,
      ceftaroline, and daptomycin alone for the entire 96 h, and then sequential
      therapy with vancomycin for 48 h followed by ceftaroline or daptomycin for 48 h.
      Microbiological responses were measured by the changes in log10 CFU during 96 h
      from baseline. Control isolates grew to 9.16 +/- 0.32, 9.13 +/- 0.14, and 8.69 +/
      0.28 log10 CFU for MRSA, hVISA, and VISA, respectively. Vancomycin initially
      achieved >=3 log10 CFU reductions against the MRSA and hVISA isolates, followed
      by regrowth beginning at 48 h; minimal activity was observed against VISA. The
      change in 96-h log10 CFU was largest for sequential therapy with vancomycin
      followed by ceftaroline (-5.22 +/- 1.2, P = 0.010 versus ceftaroline) and for
      sequential therapy with vancomycin followed by ceftaroline (-3.60 +/- 0.6, P =
      0.037 versus daptomycin), compared with daptomycin (-2.24 +/- 1.0), vancomycin (
      1.40 +/- 1.8), and sequential therapy with vancomycin followed by daptomycin (
      1.32 +/- 1.0, P > 0.5 for the last three regimens). Prior exposure of vancomycin
      at 1 g q12h reduced the initial microbiological response of daptomycin,
      particularly for hVISA and VISA isolates, but did not affect the response of
      ceftaroline. In the scenario of poor vancomycin response for high-inoculum MRSA
      infection, a ceftaroline-containing regimen may be preferred. 

PMID- 24217695
TI  - O(2)-dependent efficacy of novel piperidine- and piperazine-based chalcones
      against the human parasite Giardia intestinalis.
AB  - Giardia intestinalis is the most frequent protozoan agent of intestinal diseases
      worldwide. Though commonly regarded as an anaerobic pathogen, it preferentially
      colonizes the fairly oxygen-rich mucosa of the proximal small intestine.
      Therefore, when testing new potential antigiardial drugs, O2 should be taken into
      account, since it also reduces the efficacy of metronidazole, the gold standard
      drug against giardiasis. In this study, 46 novel chalcones were synthesized by
      microwave-assisted Claisen-Schmidt condensation, purified, characterized by high
      resolution mass spectrometry, (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance, and
      infrared spectroscopy, and tested for their toxicity against G. intestinalis
      under standard anaerobic conditions. As a novel approach, compounds showing
      antigiardial activity under anaerobiosis were also assayed under microaerobic
      conditions, and their selectivity against parasitic cells was assessed in a
      counterscreen on human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Among the
      tested compounds, three [30(a), 31(e), and 33] were more effective in the
      presence of O2 than under anaerobic conditions and killed the parasite 2 to 4
      times more efficiently than metronidazole under anaerobiosis. Two of them [30(a)
      and 31(e)] proved to be selective against parasitic cells, thus representing
      potential candidates for the design of novel antigiardial drugs. This study
      highlights the importance of testing new potential antigiardial agents not only
      under anaerobic conditions but also at low, more physiological O2 concentrations.

PMID- 24217697
TI  - Population pharmacokinetic modeling of the unbound levofloxacin concentrations in
      rat plasma and prostate tissue measured by microdialysis.
AB  - Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone used in the treatment of both
      acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. Currently, the treatment of bacterial
      prostatitis is still difficult, especially due to the poor distribution of many
      antimicrobials into the prostate, thus preventing the drug to reach effective
      interstitial concentrations at the infection site. Newer fluoroquinolones show a
      greater penetration into the prostate. In the present study, we compared the
      unbound levofloxacin prostate concentrations measured by microdialysis to those
      in plasma after a 7-mg/kg intravenous bolus dose to Wistar rats. Plasma and
      dialysate samples were analyzed using a validated high-pressure liquid
      chromatography-fluorescence method. Both noncompartmental analysis (NCA) and
      population-based compartmental modeling (NONMEM 6) were performed. Unbound
      prostate tissue concentrations represented 78% of unbound plasma levels over a
      period of 12 h by comparing the extent of exposure (unbound AUC0-infinity) of 6.4
      and 4.8 h.MUg/ml in plasma and tissue, respectively. A three-compartment model
      with simultaneous passive diffusion and saturable distribution kinetics from the
      prostate to the central compartment gave the best results in terms of curve
      fitting, precision of parameter estimates, and model stability. The following
      parameter values were estimated by the population model: V1 (0.38 liter; where V1
      represents the volume of the central compartment), CL (0.22 liter/h), k12 (2.27
      h(-1)), k21 (1.44 h(-1)), k13 (0.69 h(-1)), Vmax (7.19 MUg/h), kM (0.35 MUg/ml),
      V3/fuprostate (0.05 liter; where fuprostate represents the fraction unbound in
      the prostate), and k31 (3.67 h(-1)). The interindividual variability values for
      V1, CL, Vmax, and kM were 21, 37, 42, and 76%, respectively. Our results suggest
      that levofloxacin is likely to be substrate for efflux transporters in the
      prostate. 

PMID- 24217696
TI  - Evaluation of PD 404,182 as an anti-HIV and anti-herpes simplex virus
      microbicide.
AB  - PD 404,182 (PD) is a synthetic compound that was found to compromise HIV
      integrity via interaction with a nonenvelope protein viral structural component
      (A. M. Chamoun et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 56:672-681, 2012). The
      present study evaluates the potential of PD as an anti-HIV microbicide and
      establishes PD's virucidal activity toward another pathogen, herpes simplex virus
      (HSV). We show that the anti-HIV-1 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of PD,
      when diluted in seminal plasma, is ~1 MUM, similar to the IC50 determined in cell
      culture growth medium, and that PD retains full anti-HIV-1 activity after
      incubation in cervical fluid at 37 degrees C for at least 24 h. In addition, PD
      is nontoxic toward vaginal commensal Lactobacillus species (50% cytotoxic
      concentration [CC50], >300 MUM), freshly activated human peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (CC50, ~200 MUM), and primary CD4(+) T cells, macrophages, and
      dendritic cells (CC50, >300 MUM). PD also exhibited high stability in pH-adjusted
      Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline with little to no activity loss after 8
      weeks at pH 4 and 42 degrees C, indicating suitability for formulation for
      transportation and storage in developing countries. Finally, for the first time,
      we show that PD inactivates herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 at
      submicromolar concentrations. Due to the prevalence of HSV infection, the ability
      of PD to inactivate HSV may provide an additional incentive for use as a
      microbicide. The ability of PD to inactivate both HIV-1 and HSV, combined with
      its low toxicity and high stability, warrants additional studies for the
      evaluation of PD's microbicidal candidacy in animals and humans. 

PMID- 24217698
TI  - Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic analysis of nevirapine in
      hypersensitive and tolerant HIV-infected patients from Malawi.
AB  - We modeled nevirapine (NVP) pharmacokinetics in HIV-infected Malawian patients to
      assess the relationship between drug exposure and patient characteristics,
      genetic polymorphisms, and development of hypersensitivity reaction (HSR). One
      thousand one hundred seventeen patients were prospectively recruited and followed
      for 26 weeks with multiple or single serum samples obtained in a subset of
      patients for NVP quantification. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within
      CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 genes were typed. Nonlinear mixed effects modeling was utilized
      to assess the influence of patient characteristics and host genetics on NVP
      apparent oral clearance (CL/F) and to explore the relationship between NVP CL/F
      and HSR. Published haplotype distributions were used to simulate NVP
      concentrations in Caucasians versus Africans. One hundred eighty patients (101
      female) were included in the model; 25 experienced HSR. No associations between
      patient demographics or HSR and NVP CL/F were evident. A significant relationship
      between CYP2B6 c.983T>C and CYP2B6 c.516G>T and NVP CL/F was observed (P < 0.01).
      NVP CL/F was reduced by 23% and 36% in patients with CYP2B6 983TT/516TT and
      983TC/516GG or GT, respectively, compared to the reference genotype. Simulated
      exposures suggested similar proportions (13 to 17%) of patients with
      subtherapeutic NVP among Caucasians and an African population. Influence of
      CYP2B6 polymorphisms on NVP CL/F in this population is in agreement with other
      reports. Our data indicate a lack of association between NVP exposure and HSR.
      Based on these data, dose optimization based solely on ethnicity (without
      individual gene testing) is unlikely to impact on risk of treatment failure or
      toxicity even in an African population with high carriage of poor metabolizer
      mutations. 

PMID- 24217699
TI  - Urinary concentrations and antibacterial activities of nitroxoline at 250
      milligrams versus trimethoprim at 200 milligrams against uropathogens in healthy
      volunteers.
AB  - Because of the increasing bacterial resistance of uropathogens against standard
      antibiotics, such as trimethoprim (TMP), older antimicrobial drugs, such as
      nitroxoline (NTX), should be reevaluated. This randomized crossover study
      investigated the urinary concentrations of parent drugs and their metabolites and
      their antibacterial activities (urinary inhibitory titers [UITs] and urinary
      bactericidal titers [UBTs]) against uropathogens at three different urinary pH
      values within 24 h in six healthy volunteers after a single oral dose of NTX at
      250 mg versus TMP at 200 mg. In three additional volunteers, urinary bactericidal
      kinetics (UBK) were studied after oral administration of NTX at 250 mg three
      times a day. The mean urinary concentrations of NTX and NTX sulfate in 24 h were
      0.012 to 0.507 mg/liter and 0.28 to 27.83 mg/liter, respectively. The mean
      urinary concentrations of TMP were 18.79 to 41.59 mg/liter. The antibacterial
      activity of NTX was higher in acidic urine than in alkaline urine, and that of
      TMP was higher in alkaline urine than in acidic urine. The UITs and UBTs of NTX
      were generally lower than those of TMP except for a TMP-resistant Escherichia
      coli strain, for which NTX showed higher UITs/UBTs than did TMP. UBK showed
      mainly bacteriostatic activity of NTX in urine. NTX exhibits mainly
      bacteriostatic activity and TMP also shows bactericidal activity in urine against
      susceptible strains. NTX is a more active antibacterial in acidic urine, and TMP
      is more active in alkaline urine. The cumulative effects of multiple doses or
      inhibition of bacterial adherence could not be evaluated. (This study has been
      registered at EudraCT under registration no. 2009-015631-32.). 

PMID- 24217700
TI  - In vitro study of sequential fluconazole and caspofungin treatment against
      Candida albicans biofilms.
AB  - Candida albicans biofilms are generally considered to be resistant to azole
      antifungal agents but susceptible to echinocandins. We demonstrate that in a
      sequential therapy regimen, treatment with fluconazole first followed by
      caspofungin leads to a significant decrease of the efficacy of this echinocandin.
      Cellular stress responses induced by high fluconazole concentrations and mediated
      by Hsp90 and calcineurin play an important role in this phenomenon. 

PMID- 24217701
TI  - Baseline hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 polymorphisms and their impact on treatment
      response in clinical studies of the HCV NS3 protease inhibitor faldaprevir.
AB  - A challenge to the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with direct-acting antivirals
      is the emergence of drug-resistant hepatitis C virus (HCV) variants. HCV with
      preexisting polymorphisms that are associated with resistance to NS3/4A protease
      inhibitors have been detected in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We performed
      a comprehensive pooled analysis from phase 1b and phase 2 clinical studies of the
      HCV protease inhibitor faldaprevir to assess the population frequency of baseline
      protease inhibitor resistance-associated NS3 polymorphisms and their impact on
      response to faldaprevir treatment. A total of 980 baseline NS3 sequences were
      obtained (543 genotype 1b and 437 genotype 1a sequences). Substitutions
      associated with faldaprevir resistance (at amino acid positions 155 and 168) were
      rare (<1% of sequences) and did not compromise treatment response: in a phase 2
      study in treatment-naive patients, six patients had faldaprevir resistance
      associated polymorphisms at baseline, of whom five completed faldaprevir-based
      treatment and all five achieved a sustained virologic response 24 weeks after the
      end of treatment (SVR24). Among 13 clinically relevant amino acid positions
      associated with HCV protease resistance, the greatest heterogeneity was seen at
      NS3 codons 132 and 170 in genotype 1b, and the most common baseline substitution
      in genotype 1a was Q80K (99/437 [23%]). The presence of the Q80K variant did not
      reduce response rates to faldaprevir-based treatment. Across the three phase 2
      studies, there was no significant difference in SVR24 rates between patients with
      genotype 1a Q80K HCV and those without Q80K HCV, whether treatment experienced
      (17% compared to 26%; P = 0.47) or treatment naive (62% compared to 66%; P =
      0.72). 

PMID- 24217702
TI  - Postoperative macular hole formation after vitrectomy with internal limiting
      membrane peeling for the treatment of epiretinal membrane.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of macular
      hole formation after pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane
      peeling for the management of epiretinal membrane. METHODS: Retrospective
      consecutive chart review of 423 cases. RESULTS: Eleven subjects developed
      postoperative macular holes (incidence 2.6%; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-4.6%).
      Two of the 11 subjects developed central macular holes (incidence 0.5%; 95%
      confidence interval, 0.1-1.7%) while 9 had eccentric (nonfoveal) macular holes
      (incidence 2.1%; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.0%). Seven of the 9 eccentric
      macular holes were <115 um in diameter, 7 were determined to be along the margin
      of the internal limiting membrane peel, and 8 were either in the superior or
      temporal macula. The two central macular holes were closed with subsequent pars
      plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade. There was no association between macular hole
      formation and age, gender, preoperative visual acuity, axial length, and
      preoperative central macular thickness. Overall, a 0.2 or more improvement in
      logMAR was associated with pseudophakia and poorer preoperative acuity on
      univariate and multivariate analysis, whereas increased preoperative central
      macular thickness was associated with improved outcomes on univariate but not
      multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Postoperative macular hole formation is an
      infrequent sequela to pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane
      peeling for epiretinal membrane. In our cohort, eccentric macular holes tended to
      be small, located along the edge of the internal limiting membrane peel, and were
      not visually significant.

PMID- 24217703
TI  - Macular choroidal volume variations in highly myopic eyes with myopic traction
      maculopathy and choroidal neovascularization.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the choroidal volume (CV) between emmetropic and highly
      myopic eyes, and to assess if the presence of myopic fundus abnormalities, myopic
      traction maculopathy, or choroidal neovascularization affects the CV. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed imaging studies of 98 eyes of 98 patients who underwent
      CV measurement on optical coherence tomography. We included 31 emmetropic eyes
      (Group 1), 36 highly myopic eyes without vitreoretinal or choroidal pathologies
      (Group 2), 21 highly myopic eyes with traction maculopathy (Group 3), and 10
      highly myopic eyes with history of choroidal neovascularization (Group 3). Eyes
      with chorioretinal atrophy were excluded. Regression analysis was performed to
      evaluate the correlation between CV and multiple variables. RESULTS: Choroidal
      volume was lower in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P < 0.001), and in Groups 3 and 4
      than in Group 2 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Age (P = 0.002), axial
      length (P < 0.001), sex (P = 0.047), staphyloma (P < 0.001), and myopic group (P
      = 0.05) were independent predictors for the final CV (R = 0.645). In highly
      myopic eyes, CV decreased by 0.32 mm for every 10 years and by 0.49 mm per
      millimeter of axial length. CONCLUSION: Choroidal thinning is present in highly
      myopic eyes compared with emmetropic eyes, and is related to age, axial length,
      sex, and staphyloma. However, myopic eyes with coexisting myopic traction
      maculopathy or history of choroidal neovascularization have more severe thinning,
      likely leading to insufficient metabolic supplementation for the macula.

PMID- 24217705
TI  - Biological variation and reference change values of feline plasma biochemistry
      analytes.
AB  - This is the first report concerning biological variation and reference change
      values of feline plasma biochemistry components in the peer-reviewed literature.
      Biological variation refers to inherent physiological variation of analytes. The
      ratio of individual biological variation to group biological variation is
      referred to as an analyte's index of individuality. This index determines the
      suitability of an analyte to be assessed in relation to population- or subject
      based reference intervals. A subject-based reference interval is referred to as a
      reference change value or critical difference, and is calculated from individual
      biological variation. Fourteen cats were sampled for plasma biochemistry analysis
      once weekly for 6 weeks. Samples were stored and then tested at the same time.
      Results were assessed in duplicate and coefficients of variation for each analyte
      were isolated to distinguish variation within each subject, between all subjects
      and by the analyser. From these results, an index of individuality and reference
      change values were determined for each analyte. Five plasma biochemistry analytes
      (alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol, creatinine and
      globulin) had high individuality and, therefore, subject-based reference
      intervals are more appropriate; only one analyte (sodium) had low individuality,
      indicating that population-based reference intervals are appropriate. Most
      analytes had intermediate individuality so population-based reference intervals
      should be assessed in relation to subject-based reference intervals. The results
      of this study demonstrate high individuality for most analytes and, therefore,
      that population-based reference intervals are of limited utility for most
      biochemical analytes in cats. 

PMID- 24217704
TI  - Low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a negative predictor of
      survival in elderly patients with advanced heart failure.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There are conflicting reports on the role of cholesterol as an
      adverse prognostic predictor in patients with heart failure (HF). This study
      aimed to examine the impact of low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
      (LDL-c) on cardiac mortality in a cohort of elderly patients with moderate and
      severe HF. METHODS: Chronic HF patients from the HF Unit at the Tel-Aviv Medical
      Center (n = 212, 77% males) with an average NYHA classification of 2.8, a mean
      age of 76.9 +/- 7.3 years (range 66-91) and a mean follow-up of 3.7 years were
      consecutively enrolled. The cohort was divided into tertiles according to LDL-c
      levels: LDL <90 mg/dl (group 1), LDL 90-115 mg/dl (group 2) and LDL >115 mg/dl
      (group 3). RESULTS: The Cox regression analysis revealed that group 3 patients
      had the best outcome (p = 0.01 vs. groups 2 and 3), with 58% of them surviving
      longer than 50 months compared to 34% in group 1. The same trend was seen in the
      group of patients suffering from ischemic cardiomyopathy and in patients who were
      treated by statins (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Low LDL-c levels are associated with a
      reduced survival in elderly patients with clinically controlled moderate and
      severe HF.

PMID- 24217706
TI  - Formulation of a standardized protocol and determination of the size and
      appearance of the spleen in healthy cats.
AB  - Standard protocol for splenic measurement is warranted to aid in interpretation
      when sonographically imaging the spleen of cats. The purpose of this study was to
      describe the appearance and size of healthy cat spleens, and to develop a
      standard method of evaluation. Data were obtained from 31 clinically healthy non
      sedated cats with no sonographic abnormalities. The sonographic appearance of the
      spleen's relative echogenicity compared to the left renal cortex and the hepatic
      parenchyma was recorded. Splenic height was measured at three sites. Three
      measurements were determined at each site, and the mean value of these three
      measurements was determined and used for data analysis. A significance level of P
      <0.05 was used for analysis, which was performed using S-PLUS software (version
      8.1). The mean proximal height of the spleen was 7.1 mm. The mean body sagittal
      height was 9.3 mm. The mean height of the tail of the spleen was 8.7 mm (95%
      confidence interval). The splenic parenchymal echogenicity was less than the left
      renal cortex echogenicity and greater than the liver in 17/31cats; less than the
      left kidney cortex and equal to the liver in 5/31cats; equal to the cortex of the
      left kidney and greater than the liver in 5/31 cats; equal to the liver and renal
      cortex in 2/31 cats; and less than the liver and kidney with the renal cortex
      less than the liver in 2/31 cats. The protocol recommended for consistent
      evaluation of the spleen in the cat includes three specific measurements. 

PMID- 24217708
TI  - Partial parasagittal patellectomy: a novel method for augmenting surgical
      correction of patellar luxation in four cats.
AB  - We describe a novel surgical technique used to correct feline patellar luxation
      (PL) where abnormal patellar tracking persists despite conventional corrective
      surgery. An anatomical difference between feline and canine stifles is that the
      feline patella is wider relative to the trochlear sulcus. This results in less
      constrained patellar tracking. Therefore, patellar subluxation is common in
      normal cats. It was noticed that in some feline cases with clinically significant
      PL, PL persisted intraoperatively despite performing the standard corrective
      procedures. We report a novel surgical technique - partial parasagittal
      patellectomy - to address the wide shape of the feline patella relative to the
      sulcus. This technique has been successfully performed in four cats with good
      outcomes. However, the immediate risks and long-term effects of partial
      parasaggital patellectomy are not known. We reserve this technique for surgical
      cases where PL cannot be controlled by conventional means. 

PMID- 24217707
TI  - Prevalence and classification of chronic kidney disease in cats randomly selected
      from four age groups and in cats recruited for degenerative joint disease
      studies.
AB  - Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and degenerative joint disease are both considered
      common in older cats. Information on the co-prevalence of these two diseases is
      lacking. This retrospective study was designed to determine the prevalence of CKD
      in two cohorts of cats: cats randomly selected from four evenly distributed age
      groups (RS group) and cats recruited for degenerative joint disease studies (DJD
      group), and to evaluate the concurrence of CKD and DJD in these cohorts. The RS
      group was randomly selected from four age groups from 6 months to 20 years, and
      the DJD group comprised cats recruited to four previous DJD studies, with the DJD
      group excluding cats with a blood urea nitrogen and/or serum creatinine
      concentration >20% (the upper end of normal) for two studies and cats with CKD
      stages 3 and 4 for the other two studies. The prevalence of CKD in the RS and DJD
      groups was higher than expected at 50% and 68.8%, respectively. CKD was common in
      cats between 1 and 15 years of age, with a similar prevalence of CKD stages 1 and
      2 across age groups in both the RS and DJD cats, respectively. We found
      significant concurrence between CKD and DJD in cats of all ages, indicating the
      need for increased screening for CKD when selecting DJD treatments. Additionally,
      this study offers the idea of a relationship and causal commonality between CKD
      and DJD owing to the striking concurrence across age groups and life stages. 

PMID- 24217709
TI  - Novel avulsion pattern of the left principal bronchus with involvement of the
      carina and caudal thoracic trachea in a cat.
AB  - A 2-year-old, 4.5 kg, neutered male domestic shorthair cat was presented to the
      emergency service with dyspnoea, anorexia and apathetic behaviour. Thoracic
      radiographs showed typical signs for a thoracic trauma and a tracheal lesion in
      the region of the carina, consistent with pseudoairway formation. Computed
      tomography (CT) was performed in the conscious cat to avoid aggravation of air
      leakage associated with ventilation. The additional CT findings were consistent
      with a novel pattern of a traumatic avulsion of the left principal bronchus
      expanding into the carina and caudal thoracic trachea. Despite the complex
      avulsion pattern, successful treatment was achieved surgically by performing an
      end-to-end anastomosis via a fifth right intercostal lateral thoracotomy. The cat
      was ventilated with a feeding tube and jet ventilation throughout. The cat showed
      excellent recovery 6 months after surgery. 

PMID- 24217710
TI  - Reduction in IL-33 plasma levels might be involved in T cell dysregulation in
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

PMID- 24217712
TI  - Diverse modifications of the 4-methylphenyl moiety of TAK-779 by late-stage
      Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling.
AB  - Chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) antagonists provide a new therapeutic approach in the
      treatment of HIV-1 (AIDS). TAK-779 displays high affinity and selectivity for the
      CCR5 receptor and serves as a lead compound for the development of further
      antagonists. In order to increase the oral bioavailability replacement of the
      quaternary ammonium structure by a tertiary amine and modification of the 4
      methylphenyl moiety were envisaged. Herein, a new synthetic strategy for the
      development of TAK-779 analogs by late stage diversification is reported. The
      Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions allowed various modifications of the
      central amide building block 3 at the end of the synthesis leading to compounds
      2f and 2h with a promising CCR5 binding affinity. 

PMID- 24217714
TI  - Efficient organometal trihalide perovskite planar-heterojunction solar cells on
      flexible polymer substrates.
AB  - Organometal trihalide perovskite solar cells offer the promise of a low-cost
      easily manufacturable solar technology, compatible with large-scale low
      temperature solution processing. Within 1 year of development, solar-to-electric
      power-conversion efficiencies have risen to over 15%, and further imminent
      improvements are expected. Here we show that this technology can be successfully
      made compatible with electron acceptor and donor materials generally used in
      organic photovoltaics. We demonstrate that a single thin film of the low
      temperature solution-processed organometal trihalide perovskite absorber
      CH3NH3PbI3-xClx, sandwiched between organic contacts can exhibit devices with
      power-conversion efficiency of up to 10% on glass substrates and over 6% on
      flexible polymer substrates. This work represents an important step forward, as
      it removes most barriers to adoption of the perovskite technology by the organic
      photovoltaic community, and can thus utilize the extensive existing knowledge of
      hybrid interfaces for further device improvements and flexible processing
      platforms. 

PMID- 24217713
TI  - Deregulated expression of TANK in glioblastomas triggers pro-tumorigenic ERK1/2
      and AKT signaling pathways.
AB  - Signal transmission by the noncanonical IkappaB kinases (IKKs), TANK-binding
      kinase 1 (TBK1) and IKKE, requires interaction with adapter proteins such as TRAF
      associated NF-kappaB activator (TANK). Although increased expression or
      dysregulation of both kinases has been described for a variety of human cancers,
      this study shows that deregulated expression of the TANK protein is frequently
      occurring in glioblastomas (GBMs). The functional relevance of TANK was analyzed
      in a panel of GBM-derived cell lines and revealed that knockdown of TANK arrests
      cells in the S-phase and prohibits tumor cell migration. Deregulated TANK
      expression affects several signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation and
      the inflammatory response. Interference with stoichiometrically assembled
      signaling complexes by overexpression or silencing of TANK prevented constitutive
      interferon-regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) phosphorylation. Knockdown of TANK
      frequently prevents constitutive activation of extracellular signal-regulated
      kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). TANK-mediated ERK1/2 activation is independent from the
      canonical MAP kinase or ERK kinase (MEK) 1/2-mediated pathway and utilizes an
      alternative pathway that uses a TBK1/IKKE/Akt signaling axis, thus identifying a
      novel pathway suitable to block constitutive ERK1/2 activity. 

PMID- 24217715
TI  - Surgical therapy of extensive knee joint empyema: mid-term results after two
      stage versus one-stage procedures.
AB  - PURPOSE: Untreated knee joint empyema leads to rapid destruction of the joint
      and, thus far, has proven challenging to treat. This study presents data obtained
      after one- versus two-stage surgical approaches. Specifically, clinical outcome,
      complication rate, re-infection rate, duration of operation, and hospital stay
      are reported. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2010, 67 patients with extensive knee
      joint empyema underwent surgical therapy. Patients underwent either a two-stage
      surgical approach with open joint treatment for 7-10 days or a one-stage
      procedure with primary closure of the knee joint after radical debridement.
      RESULTS: The two-stage procedure was performed on 36 patients, whereas the one
      stage procedure was performed on 31 patients. Infection duration prior to the
      index procedure ranged from 3 days to 55 months (two-stage: ~5 months, one-stage:
      ~2.4 months). The groups did not differ significantly in demographic group
      characteristics. Hospital stay and duration of operation were significantly (p <
      0.01) reduced in the one-stage group compared to the two-stage group (31.1 +/-
      10.6 vs. 23.4 +/- 14.4 days and 105 +/- 32 vs. 68 +/- 18 min, respectively).
      Functional outcome improved in both groups from the pre- to post-operative
      period, but did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSION: The one
      stage open surgical approach produced similar results to the two-stage approach
      in the treatment of extensive knee joint empyemas. However, by waiving the open
      joint treatment concept, duration of hospital stay and operation time could be
      significantly reduced. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

PMID- 24217716
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for sciatic nerve entrapment in the gluteal
      region.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of
      the straight leg raise (SLR), active piriformis, and seated piriformis stretch
      tests in identifying individuals with sciatic nerve entrapment. METHODS: Thirty
      three individuals (female = 25 and male = 8) with a mean age of 43 years (range
      15-64; SD +/- 11 years) were included in the study. Twenty-three subjects had
      endoscopic findings of sciatic nerve entrapment. Ten subjects without entrapment
      during endoscopic assessment were used as a control group. The results of the
      SLR, active piriformis, and seated piriformis stretch tests were retrospectively
      reviewed for each subject and compared between both groups. The accuracy of these
      tests for the endoscopic finding of sciatic nerve entrapment was determined by
      calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative
      likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio. RESULTS: The SLR had sensitivity of
      0.15, specificity of 0.95, positive likelihood ratio of 3.20, negative likelihood
      ratio of 0.90, and diagnostic odds ratio of 3.59. The active piriformis test had
      sensitivity of 0.78, specificity of 0.80, positive likelihood ratio of 3.90,
      negative likelihood ratio of 0.27, and diagnostic odds ratio of 14.40. The seated
      piriformis stretch test had sensitivity of 0.52, specificity of 0.90, positive
      likelihood ratio of 5.22, negative likelihood ratio of 0.53, and diagnostic odds
      ratio of 9.82. The most accurate findings were obtained when the results of the
      active piriformis test and seated piriformis stretch test were combined, with
      sensitivity of 0.91, specificity of 0.80, positive likelihood ratio of 4.57,
      negative likelihood ratio of 0.11, and diagnostic odds ratio of 42.00.
      CONCLUSIONS: The active piriformis and seated piriformis stretch tests can be
      used to help identify patients with and without sciatic nerve entrapment in the
      deep gluteal region.

PMID- 24217717
TI  - Influence of tibial slope asymmetry on femoral rotation in patients with lateral
      patellar instability.

PMID- 24217719
TI  - Myocardial infarction and ischemic heart disease in overweight and obesity with
      and without metabolic syndrome.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Overweight and obesity likely cause myocardial infarction (MI) and
      ischemic heart disease (IHD); however, whether coexisting metabolic syndrome is a
      necessary condition is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that overweight
      and obesity with and without metabolic syndrome are associated with increased
      risk of MI and IHD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We examined 71,527
      individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study and categorized them
      according to body mass index (BMI) as normal weight, overweight, or obese and
      according to absence or presence of metabolic syndrome. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Hazard ratios for incident MI and IHD according to combinations of BMI
      category and absence or presence of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: During a median
      of 3.6 years' follow-up, we recorded 634 incident MI and 1781 incident IHD
      events. For MI, multivariable adjusted hazard ratios vs normal weight individuals
      without metabolic syndrome were 1.26 (95% CI, 1.00-1.61) in overweight and 1.88
      (95% CI, 1.34-2.63) in obese individuals without metabolic syndrome and 1.39 (95%
      CI, 0.96-2.02) in normal weight, 1.70 (95% CI, 1.35-2.15) in overweight, and 2.33
      (95% CI, 1.81-3.00) in obese individuals with metabolic syndrome. For IHD,
      results were similar but attenuated. Normal weight vs overweight vs obesity and
      presence vs absence of metabolic syndrome did not interact on risk of MI or IHD
      (P = .90 and P = .44). Among individuals both with and without metabolic syndrome
      there were increasing cumulative incidences of MI and IHD from normal weight
      through overweight to obese individuals (log-rank trend P = .006 to P < .001).
      Although the multivariable adjusted hazard ratio for MI in individuals with vs
      without metabolic syndrome was 1.54 (95% CI, 1.32-1.81) across all BMI
      categories, addition of metabolic syndrome to a multivariable model including BMI
      and other clinical characteristics improved the Harell C-statistic only slightly
      for risk of MI (comparison P = .03) but not for IHD (P = .41). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that overweight and obesity are risk factors
      for MI and IHD regardless of the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome and
      that metabolic syndrome is no more valuable than BMI in identifying individuals
      at risk.

PMID- 24217718
TI  - Regional mechanical properties of human patellar tendon allografts.
AB  - PURPOSE: Very little is known regarding regional biomechanical properties of
      patellar tendon allografts. METHODS: Ten human bone-tendon-bone (BTB) patellar
      grafts were separated into equal thirds and underwent cyclic and failure testing.
      Grafts were non-irradiated and processed using proprietary sterilization methods.
      RESULTS: The central third was the thickest region (4.9 +/- 0.4 mm) compared to
      the medial and lateral (p < 0.05). The lateral third was the longest region (58.8
      +/- 8.8 mm) compared to the medial (47.9 +/- 8.5 mm) and central (47.2 +/- 8.8
      mm) portions (p < 0.05). Cyclic testing demonstrated no regional differences with
      respect to elongation (n.s.) and creep strain (n.s.). Failure testing
      demonstrated increased maximum load and stiffness in the central region (1,680 +/
      418 N and 278 +/- 67 N/mm, respectively) as compared to the medial (1,033 +/-
      214 N, p < 0.002, 201 +/- 37 N/mm, p < 0.03) and lateral thirds (908 +/- 412 N, p
      < 0.03, 173 +/- 66 N/mm, p < 0.002). Elongation at maximum load did not vary
      between regions. Central region maximum stress (41.0 +/- 12.5 MPa) was greater
      than that of the medial third (28.1 +/- 3.6 MPa, p < 0.02), with strain at
      maximum stress larger in the central third (0.21 +/- 0.03) compared to lateral
      (0.16 +/- 0.03, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The central third of a non-irradiated,
      human bone-patellar tendon-bone construct is thicker and biomechanically superior
      to the medial and lateral regions in most respects. These findings reinforce the
      use of the central third of a patellar tendon allograft in anterior cruciate
      ligament reconstruction. Further investigations are required to determine whether
      the decreased biomechanical properties of the medial and lateral third of the BTB
      construct negatively influence the mechanical function of hemi-BTB grafts.

PMID- 24217720
TI  - Two applications of solid phantoms in performance assessment of optical coherence
      tomography systems.
AB  - Virtual tissues (phantoms) are widely used for performance evaluation of imaging
      systems. Specific design of the phantom is necessary for the correct assessment
      of a system's parameters. In an effort to reduce the amount of time and energy
      spent making application-oriented phantoms, we describe procedures to make epoxy
      resin solid phantoms based on Mie scattering theory, with two different
      scatterers: polystyrene and gold microspheres. The phantoms are specifically
      designed to be used in two applications: (a) the gold microspheres solid phantoms
      are used to estimate the point-spread function (PSF) of an optical coherence
      tomography (OCT) system, and (b) the polystyrene solid phantom are used to
      evaluate the performance of an OCT-images optical properties extraction (OPE)
      algorithm. Phantoms with differing combination of materials have been tested to
      achieve the most suitable combination for producing an accurate PSF for
      application (a) and a valid evaluation/parameter optimization of the algorithm in
      application (b). An en face time-domain dynamic focus OCT is used for imaging. 

PMID- 24217721
TI  - Modeling of intensity-modulated continuous-wave laser absorption spectrometer
      systems for atmospheric CO(2) column measurements.
AB  - The focus of this study is to model and validate the performance of intensity
      modulated continuous-wave (IM-CW) CO(2) laser absorption spectrometer (LAS)
      systems and their CO(2) column measurements from airborne and satellite
      platforms. The model accounts for all fundamental physics of the instruments and
      their related CO(2) measurement environments, and the modeling results are
      presented statistically from simulation ensembles that include noise sources and
      uncertainties related to the LAS instruments and the measurement environments.
      The characteristics of simulated LAS systems are based on existing technologies
      and their implementation in existing systems. The modeled instruments are
      specifically assumed to be IM-CW LAS systems such as the Exelis' airborne
      multifunctional fiber laser lidar (MFLL) operating in the 1.57 MUm CO(2)
      absorption band. Atmospheric effects due to variations in CO(2), solar radiation,
      and thin clouds, are also included in the model. Model results are shown to agree
      well with LAS atmospheric CO(2) measurement performance. For example, the
      relative bias errors of both MFLL simulated and measured CO(2) differential
      optical depths were found to agree to within a few tenths of a percent when
      compared to the in situ observations from the flight of 3 August 2011 over
      Railroad Valley (RRV), Nevada, during the summer 2011 flight campaign. In
      addition, the horizontal variations in the model CO(2) differential optical
      depths were also found to be consistent with those from MFLL measurements. In
      general, the modeled and measured signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the CO(2)
      column differential optical depths (taud) agreed to within about 30%. Model
      simulations of a spaceborne IM-CW LAS system in a 390 km dawn/dusk orbit for
      CO(2) column measurements showed that with a total of 42 W of transmitted power
      for one offline and two different sideline channels (placed at different
      locations on the side of the CO(2) absorption line), the accuracy of the taud
      measurements for surfaces similar to the playa of RRV, Nevada, will be better
      than 0.1% for 10 s averages. For other types of surfaces such as low-reflectivity
      snow and ice surfaces, the precision and bias errors will be within 0.23% and
      0.1%, respectively. Including thin clouds with optical depths up to 1, the SNR of
      the taud measurements with 0.1 s integration period for surfaces similar to the
      playa of RRV, Nevada, will be greater than 94 and 65 for sideline positions
      placed +3 and +10  pm, respectively, from the CO(2) line center at 1571.112 nm.
      The CO(2) column bias errors introduced by the thin clouds are <=0.1% for cloud
      optical depth <=0.4, but they could reach ~0.5% for more optically thick clouds
      with optical depths up to 1. When the cloud and surface altitudes and scattering
      amplitudes are obtained from matched filter analysis, the cloud bias errors can
      be further reduced. These results indicate that the IM-CW LAS instrument approach
      when implemented in a dawn/dusk orbit can make accurate CO(2) column measurements
      from space with preferential weighting across the mid to lower troposphere in
      support of a future ASCENDS mission.

PMID- 24217722
TI  - Optimal achromatic wave retarders using two birefringent wave plates: comment.
AB  - In a recent publication, J. L. Vilas et al. [Appl. Opt.52, 1892 (2013)] described
      a combined system comprising two wave plates and proposed an expression for the
      overall retardation. However, to the best of my knowledge, the proposed
      theoretical expression for the total retardation is incorrect. The authors
      improperly derived that expression by simply diagonalizating the Jones matrix of
      the cascaded system. The mistakes are pointed out and discussed in these
      comments.

PMID- 24217723
TI  - Optimal achromatic wave retarders using two birefringent wave plates: reply.
AB  - This reply attempts to cast some more light on the achromatic systems composed by
      wave plates, in particular to the calculus of the overall retardation and the use
      of the Jones matrix equivalence theorem. An equivalent expression for the overall
      retardation of the system in terms of the trace is also given. 

PMID- 24217724
TI  - Spectroscopic observation of neutral carbon during photodissociation of explosive
      related compounds in the vapor phase.
AB  - We perform time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence measurements of
      mononitrotoluenes (MNTs) and dinitrotoluenes (DNTs) in nitrogen and air. We
      observe the multipeak emission spectrum of NO and find that the emission peak
      intensity in the 247-248 nm range is stronger than expected compared to the other
      NO emission peak intensities. This increased emission intensity is believed to be
      due to neutral carbon [C(I)], which has a strong emission peak at 247.85 nm. By
      comparing the ratios of integrated emission peak intensities with those expected
      from the Franck-Condon factors for NO, we are able to identify samples that
      exhibit C(I) emission. We show that the DNTs exhibit C(I) emission for gate
      delays of 1500 ns and beyond, while the MNTs exhibit C(I) emission for gate
      delays of only up to about 500 ns. Carbon deposits in the analysis chamber
      confirm the presence of C. Ambient NO in air enhances the observed NO+C(I) signal
      from MNTs and DNTs. 

PMID- 24217725
TI  - Optimal fringe angle selection for digital fringe projection technique.
AB  - Existing digital fringe projection (DFP) systems mainly use either horizontal or
      vertical fringe patterns for three-dimensional shape measurement. This paper
      reveals that these two fringe directions are usually not optimal where the phase
      change is the largest to a given depth variation. We propose a novel and
      efficient method to determine the optimal fringe angle by projecting a set of
      horizontal and vertical fringe patterns onto a step-height object and by further
      analyzing two resultant phase maps. Experiments demonstrate the existence of the
      optimal angle and the success of the proposed optimal angle determination method.

PMID- 24217726
TI  - Design and optimization of the sine condition test for measuring misaligned
      optical systems.
AB  - By taking a new look at an old concept, we have shown in our previous work how
      the Abbe sine condition can be used to measure linearly field-dependent
      aberrations in order to verify the alignment of optical systems. In this paper,
      we expand on this method and discuss the design choices involved in implementing
      the sine condition test (SCTest). Specifically, we discuss the two illumination
      options for the test: point source with a grating or flat-panel display, and we
      discuss the tradeoffs of the two approaches. Additionally, experimental results
      are shown using a flat-panel display to measure linearly field-dependent
      aberrations. Last, we elaborate on how to implement the SCTest on more complex
      optical systems, such as a three-mirror anastigmat and a double Gauss imaging
      lens system. 

PMID- 24217727
TI  - Direct investigation and accurate control of phase profile in liquid-crystal
      optical-phased array for beam steering.
AB  - An experimental setup and simple method were proposed to investigate and control
      the actual phase profile in a high-spatial-resolution liquid-crystal optical
      phased array (LCOPA). A crossed polarizer and high-resolution microscope
      objective were employed to transform the light distribution out of the liquid
      crystal layer into a polarization-interference pattern in which the phase-profile
      information was wrapped. The polarization-interference pattern was then directly
      translated into the actual phase profile. Based on this setup, a method was
      developed to accurately control the actual phase profile, and the steering
      efficiency at the steering angle of 16 mrad was increased from 80% to 90%. The
      proposed method also helps in increasing the steering efficiency when
      disclination lines appear.

PMID- 24217728
TI  - Measuring rough optical surfaces using scanning long-wave optical test system. 1.
      Principle and implementation.
AB  - Current metrology tools have limitations when measuring rough aspherical surfaces
      with 1-2 MUm root mean square roughness; thus, the surface cannot be shaped
      accurately by grinding. To improve the accuracy of grinding, the scanning long
      wave optical test system (SLOTS) has been developed to measure rough aspherical
      surfaces quickly and accurately with high spatial resolution and low cost. It is
      a long-wave infrared deflectometry device consisting of a heated metal ribbon and
      an uncooled thermal imaging camera. A slope repeatability of 13.6 MUrad and a
      root-mean-square surface accuracy of 31 nm have been achieved in the measurements
      of two 4 inch spherical surfaces. The shape of a rough surface ground with 44 MUm
      grits was also measured, and the result matches that from a laser tracker
      measurement. With further calibration, SLOTS promises to provide robust guidance
      through the grinding of aspherics.

PMID- 24217729
TI  - Watt-level passively Q-switched double-cladding fiber laser based on graphene
      oxide saturable absorber.
AB  - A watt-level passively Q-switched ytterbium-doped double-cladding fiber laser
      with a graphene oxide (GO) absorber was demonstrated. The structure of the GO
      saturable absorber mirror (GO-SAM) was of the sandwich type. A maximum output
      power of 1.8 W was obtained around a wavelength of 1044 nm. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the highest output power in Q-switched fiber lasers based on a
      GO saturable absorber. The pure GO was protected from the oxygen in the air so
      that the damage threshold of the GO-SAM was effectively raised. The gain fiber
      was a D-shaped ytterbium-doped double-cladding fiber. The pulse repetition rates
      were tuned from 120 to 215 kHz with pump powers from 3.89 to 7.8 W. The maximum
      pulse energy was 8.37 MUJ at a pulse width of 1.7 MUs. 

PMID- 24217730
TI  - Polarization-induced fluorescence modulation in a self-assembled coordination
      cage-shaped complex.
AB  - Polarization-induced fluorescence modulation behavior of a self-assembled
      coordination cage-shaped complex was investigated using femtosecond laser pulses.
      The variations of the total two-photon-induced fluorescence (TPF) intensity were
      found to be strongly modulated by different polarized incident lights and tightly
      dependent on the linearly polarized component of the excited light. The
      polarization-induced modulation efficiency of the TPF underwent intensity
      dependent decrease, which could be attributed to the two-photon-induced excited
      state absorption. The nonlinear absorption behavior of the complex was also
      studied by performing both femtosecond open aperture Z-scan and nonlinear
      transmission measurements, which help to better understand the intrinsic optical
      properties of the molecule and portend its practical applications. 

PMID- 24217731
TI  - Grouping design of eight-mirror projection objective for high-numerical aperture
      EUV lithography.
AB  - A grouping design method for all-sphere initial design of an eight-mirror
      projection objective is proposed for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL). By
      separating the eight-mirror objective into three mirror groups (the object side
      group, the image side group, the middle group), this method allows designers to
      calculate the parameters of an eight-mirror objective by the nonobstruction
      constraints and the conjugation relationships of object image and pupils.
      Exhaustive paraxial search for the middle group is implemented while a designer
      chosen combination of object side group and image side group is considered. The
      grouping design process is visualized and steerable. The load of calculation is
      well controlled in a practical acceptable span. The final eight-mirror design
      optimized with aspheric parameters achieves an 0.4 numerical aperture on the
      image side, and the image resolution achieves a diffraction limit with almost no
      distortion. 

PMID- 24217732
TI  - Multipass cell based on confocal mirrors for sensitive broadband laser
      spectroscopy in the near infrared.
AB  - We report on broadband absorption spectroscopy in the near IR using a multipass
      cell design based on highly reflecting mirrors in a confocal arrangement having
      the particular aim of achieving long optical paths. We demonstrate a path length
      of 314 m in a cell consisting of two sets of highly reflecting mirrors with
      identical focal length, spaced 0.5 m apart. The multipass cell covers this path
      length in a relatively small volume of 1.25 l with the light beam sampling the
      whole volume. In a first application, the absorption spectra of the greenhouse
      gases CO(2), CH(4), and CO were measured. In these measurements we used a
      femtosecond fiber laser with a broadband spectral range spanning the near IR from
      1.5 to 1.7 MUm. The absorption spectra show a high signal-to-noise ratio, from
      which we derive a sensitivity limit of 6 ppmv for methane observed in a mixture
      with air.

PMID- 24217733
TI  - Passive depth estimation using chromatic aberration and a depth from defocus
      approach.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a new method for passive depth estimation based on the
      combination of a camera with longitudinal chromatic aberration and an original
      depth from defocus (DFD) algorithm. Indeed a chromatic lens, combined with an RGB
      sensor, produces three images with spectrally variable in-focus planes, which
      eases the task of depth extraction with DFD. We first propose an original DFD
      algorithm dedicated to color images having spectrally varying defocus blurs. Then
      we describe the design of a prototype chromatic camera so as to evaluate
      experimentally the effectiveness of the proposed approach for depth estimation.
      We provide comparisons with results of an active ranging sensor and real
      indoor/outdoor scene reconstructions. 

PMID- 24217734
TI  - Spectral-domain low-coherence interferometry for phase-sensitive measurement of
      Faraday rotation at multiple depths.
AB  - We describe a method for differential phase measurement of Faraday rotation from
      multiple depth locations simultaneously. A polarization-maintaining fiber-based
      spectral-domain interferometer that utilizes a low-coherent light source and a
      single camera is developed. Light decorrelated by the orthogonal channels of the
      fiber is launched on a sample as two oppositely polarized circular states. These
      states reflect from sample surfaces and interfere with the corresponding states
      of the reference arm. A custom spectrometer, which is designed to simplify camera
      alignment, separates the orthogonal channels and records the interference-related
      oscillations on both spectra. Inverse Fourier transform of the spectral
      oscillations in k-space yields complex depth profiles, whose amplitudes and phase
      difference are related to reflectivity and Faraday rotation within the sample,
      respectively. Information along a full depth profile is produced at the camera
      speed without performing an axial scan for a multisurface sample. System
      sensitivity for the Faraday rotation measurement is 0.86 min of arc. Verdet
      constants of clear liquids and turbid media are measured at 687 nm.

PMID- 24217735
TI  - Effect of including intraband phenomena in the semiconductor optical amplifier
      model for propagation of short pulses.
AB  - A comparison has been done between the two cases when intraband effects are
      included and when they are excluded in the semiconductor optical amplifier model
      for propagating short pulses. The numerical investigation shows that the
      dependence of output pulse chirping and broadening on the amplifier gain, input
      pulse energy, and input pulsewidth becomes stronger on inclusion of intraband
      effects. To prove the experimental fact of pulsewidth dependency of the amplifier
      saturated gain for short pulses, it is compulsory to include intraband effects in
      the model. We prescribe here an expression for the saturation energy as a
      function of pulsewidth that correctly predicts the variation obtained
      numerically. 

PMID- 24217736
TI  - Experimental validation of the six-port design for a highly uniform integrating
      sphere photometer.
AB  - We present experimental realization and validation of the six-port design of
      integrating sphere photometers for total luminous flux measurement, which
      significantly improves the uniformity of spatial response compared to the
      conventional single-port design. Construction, measurement procedure, and data
      acquisition of the realized instrument with a radius of 1 m are described.
      Measurement of the spatial response distribution function confirms the expected
      effect of improving the uniformity by averaging the signals from the six
      detection ports. The related spatial mismatch error is determined to be less than
      1.4% for all the realistic cases of beam angles and directions of a test lamp
      mounted in the vicinity of the sphere center. As a result, we confirm that the
      realized six-port instrument allows us to eliminate the complicated spatial
      mismatch correction procedure by adding a relative standard uncertainty of only
      1.4/3%~0.81%, which offers a great practical benefit for testing solid-state
      lighting products of various beam characteristics. 

PMID- 24217737
TI  - Method of mitigation laser-damage growth on fused silica surface.
AB  - A reliable method, combining femtosecond (fs) laser mitigation and chemical (HF)
      etching, has been developed to mitigate laser-damage growth sites on a fused
      silica surface. A rectangular mitigation site was fabricated by an fs laser with
      a raster scan procedure; HF etching was then used to remove the redeposition
      material. The results show that the mitigation site exhibits good physical
      qualities with a smooth bottom and edge. The damage test results show that the
      growth threshold of the mitigation sites increases. Furthermore, the structural
      characteristic of samples was measured by a photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer,
      and the light intensification caused by damage and mitigation sites was
      numerically modeled by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD). It revealed that
      the removal of damaged material and structure optimization contribute to the
      increase of the damage growth threshold of the mitigation site. 

PMID- 24217738
TI  - Measurement of the phase shift between intensity and frequency modulations within
      DFB-LD and its influences on PGC demodulation in a fiber-optic sensor system.
AB  - The parameters of the semiconductor laser source are vital for the performances
      of optical coherent systems. In this paper, a novel method to measure the phase
      shift phim between laser central optical-frequency modulation (COFM) and the
      accompanied optical-intensity modulation (AOIM) is proposed, which is easy to
      realize and requires no further fiber etalons or high-speed demodulators. An
      orthogonal test is utilized to measure phim. Experimental results show that the
      value of phim approaches 1.09pi under different COFM conditions. Then the
      interference model of phase-generated carrier (PGC) demodulation is modified by
      taking into account the effect of phim, and the influences of phim on the
      demodulation results using two methods (look-up table and AOIM-factor division)
      are further analyzed in detail.

PMID- 24217739
TI  - Ultrabroadband spectral beam combiner spanning over three octaves.
AB  - We report the design, build, and test of a multispectral laser beam combining
      collimator with a spectral range in excess of three octaves. The device is based
      on a sapphire wedge prism, calcium fluoride, and sapphire collimating doublet
      lens and fiber optic inputs and is designed to operate from ultraviolet (355 nm)
      to mid-infrared (4075 nm) wavelengths. Five laser sources at different
      wavelengths were used to validate the concept. The device produced full-angle
      beam divergence of between 0.1 and 0.2 mrad from 355 to 1908 nm. The bore-sight
      error with respect to the design wavelength of 1064 nm was 0.07 mrad for 532 nm,
      0.14 mrad for 355 and 1908 nm, and 2.4 mrad for 4075 nm. The results presented
      here represent, to the authors' knowledge, the widest spectral range of a laser
      beam combiner yet demonstrated.

PMID- 24217740
TI  - Computational study of a label-free biosensor based on a photonic crystal
      nanocavity resonator.
AB  - In this paper, we demonstrate and theoretically investigate a compact two
      dimensional (2D) photonic crystal biosensor implemented by a waveguide and
      cavity. Biomaterials such as DNA molecules and proteins trapped inside a hole
      cause resonant wavelength shifting at the output terminal. The quality factor and
      sensitivity were obtained at about 4000 and 1.63  nm/fg, respectively. Also, we
      investigated this structure as a bulk refractive index sensor with a sensitivity
      of about 165.45  nm/RIU (refractive index units). Then, we modified the structure
      as a multichannel biosensor. This biosensor has the capability of highly parallel
      operation because of special architecture that was obtained by lattice shifting
      of a single hole around the cavity. Each channel had a different resonant cavity
      wavelength and the filling of analyte in selected holes caused resonant
      wavelength shifting, independently. Plane wave expansion (PWE) and finite
      difference time domain (FDTD) methods were used to analyze and compute the sensor
      characteristics.

PMID- 24217741
TI  - Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and muscle precursor cells (MPCs) for the
      treatment of bladder voiding dysfunction.
AB  - PURPOSE: Bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) is common in the elderly and can
      result in bladder voiding dysfunction (BVD) due to severe bladder muscle damage.
      The goal of this research was to evaluate the use of adult stem cells for the
      treatment of BVD due to decreased muscle contractility in a rat model. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and muscle precursor cells (MPCs)
      were harvested from male Lewis rats and expanded in culture. BOO was induced by
      tying a suture around the urethra. Six weeks after obstruction, the development
      of BVD was confirmed by cystometric analysis in conscious rats, histology and
      molecular investigations. Injection of ADSCs or MPCs into the bladder wall and
      synchronous deligation was performed 6 weeks after the obstruction. After stem
      cell treatment, morphological and functional changes were assessed. Age-matched
      rats and animals without cellular therapy but deligation-only served as controls.
      RESULTS: Voiding pressures decreased progressively 6 weeks after obstruction with
      increased bladder capacities. Structural changes of the detrusor muscle occurred
      during the time of obstruction with an increased connective tissue-to-smooth
      muscle ratio and decreased SMA/smoothelin expression. After stem-cell injection,
      improved voiding pressures and voiding volumes were observed together with
      recovered tissue architecture. RT-PCR and Western blotting showed an up
      regulation of important contractile proteins. CONCLUSIONS: We established a
      reliable model for BVD and demonstrated that ADSCs and MPCs can prevent
      pathophysiological remodelling and provide regenerated bladder tissue and
      function.

PMID- 24217742
TI  - A water-soluble near-infrared probe for colorimetric and ratiometric sensing of
      SO2 derivatives in living cells.
AB  - A coumarin TCF-based water-soluble near-infrared fluorescent probe was presented,
      which could be used for the rapid, colorimetric and ratiometric detection of SO2
      derivatives with a detection limit of 0.27 nM. Moreover, this probe could
      successfully image the analyte in living cells. 

PMID- 24217743
TI  - Dietary modification by common brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus) during seasonal
      drought conditions in western Madagascar.
AB  - Primates often modify dietary composition in relation to seasonal changes in food
      availability or climate conditions. We studied the feeding patterns of a troop of
      common brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus), a semi-frugivorous strepsirhine, in a dry
      forest in northwestern Madagascar. To understand the mechanism of dietary
      modification, we recorded daily feeding times of diet items during 101 full-day
      observations over 1 year, and then conducted a linear model analysis to examine
      the effects of fruiting tree density in the forest, daily ambient temperature,
      and weekly rainfall (index of water retained in the forest) on the lemurs' daily
      feeding time. The lemurs spent dramatically more time on leaf-eating as well as
      total feeding time, and less time on fruit-eating during the late dry season
      (total 152 min/day, frugivory 56 min/day, folivory 77 min/day), as compared with
      other seasons when the diet was highly frugivorous (total 96 min/day, frugivory
      81 min/day, folivory 8 min/day). Folivory increased as temperatures rose under
      the condition of low weekly rainfall, whereas frugivory was unrelated to fruiting
      tree density. Most (97.4%) diurnal folivory during the late dry season was spent
      consuming Lissochilus rutenbergianus, chewing the succulent leaves and licking
      the juice. Because the nutritional analysis showed that L. rutenbergianus is rich
      in water (80.1% of fresh weight) but poor in protein and nonstructural
      carbohydrates, its increased use was probably for rehydration. We conducted 13
      full-night observations, because brown lemurs increase nocturnal activities
      during the dry season. At nighttime, the lemurs tended to spend more time eating
      fruit in the late dry season (32 min/night) than in the early dry season (14
      min/night), and never consumed L. rutenbergianus. Fruits rich in nonstructural
      carbohydrates can be energy sources for Eulemur. They likely engaged in
      additional nocturnal frugivory for energy compensation. Brown lemurs have a
      flexible strategy of modifying their diet and feeding activities to cope with
      environmental stresses.

PMID- 24217744
TI  - Purulent discharge from the nipples: a quiz. Zuska's disease.

PMID- 24217745
TI  - Systematization of nursing care and social responsibility in professional
      practice settings.

PMID- 24217746
TI  - [Validation of nursing diagnosis: challenges and alternatives].
AB  - Studies on validation of nursing diagnoses have been strongly influenced by the
      methodological framework developed in the 1980s. The suitability of these models
      to validate elements that make a nursing diagnosis has undergone several
      criticisms. This article aims to discuss these limitations and describe
      alternative approaches to overcome the criticism of traditional models. A
      critical analysis based on recent published literature on new approaches in
      research diagnoses was taken as basis for the discussions presented. Alternative
      methods are described for the concept analysis applied the procedures for
      validation of nursing diagnoses; methods for diagnostic content analysis by
      proficient judges, and methods for clinical validation of indicators and
      etiological factors. Conclude that there are few studies with these new
      approaches and the complexity of the analysis is an aspect that hinders its
      implementation. 

PMID- 24217747
TI  - [Neonatal nursing: the meaning of existential caring in intensive care unit].
AB  - Understanding that care to preterm infants goes through the various steps that
      are sometimes intertwined in the predominant routine in neonatal intensive care
      units, requires that the professionals understand the subtleties that hold
      between caring in the sense of activities and procedures performed in day-to-day,
      and caring in the existential sense of being and caring for others. This study,
      in a Heideggerian phenomenological approach, aimed to reveal the existential
      sense of caring for mothers of premature babies admitted to Neonatal Intensive
      Care Units. After approval by the Research Ethics Committee, it was conducted
      interviews with nine mothers. The analysis by the Heideggerian method unveiled
      that the being-mother, while being-with-the-son, also feel cared for by
      professionals who provide that faces this existential moment in a safer manner. 

PMID- 24217748
TI  - [The non-nutritive sucking of premature newborn as a nursing technology].
AB  - This is an experimental study with a quantitative approach, whose goal was to
      demonstrate that non-nutritive sucking is effective in pain management during
      installation, by the nursing staff, of nasal CPAP in preterm infants; and to
      demonstrate that the use of non-nutritive sucking, concomitantly with the
      installation of nasal CPAP can be considered a nursing technology. The target
      population consisted of 20 preterm infants undergoing installation or
      reinstallation of this artifact, totaling 30 procedures. The newborns were
      divided randomly into two groups, control and experimental, in which non
      nutritive sucking was offered, the same do not happening with the control group.
      The reactions of pain were measured by the scale of NIPS. In 100% of the
      procedures that occurred concomitant with non-nutritive sucking, newborns did not
      feel pain; and 100% of the newborns showed pain when such suction was not
      offered. We conclude that the procedure can be classified as a technology of
      nursing care. 

PMID- 24217749
TI  - [Evaluation of growth and development of institutionalized children].
AB  - The study aimed to evaluate the growth and development of institutionalized
      children from 0-6 years old. It had a descriptive, transversal and quantitative
      approach, and was held in a shelter from the Bureau of Labor and Social
      Development of the Government of the State of Ceara, in the months of March and
      April 2011. The sample comprised 44 children. It the sample prevailed male
      children (59.1%), aged 24 to 72 months (56.8%) and with time of sheltering more
      than one year (72.7%). It was found that the children were in the normal range of
      nutrition; however, 65.9% of children did not achieve at least one of the
      development milestones proposed by the Ministry of Health. The study suggests a
      reflection on how children living in shelters are being assisted by the health
      team, making it necessary follow up their growth and development, in order to
      intervene on the alterations. 

PMID- 24217750
TI  - [Fragility of the social network of families of children with chronic disease].
AB  - Chronic disease in childhood affects the family social relations. The social
      network can contribute for a better coping by giving support. This work aims to
      analyze the fragilities of the social network of families in this condition. It
      is a qualitative study conducted in a public hospital of Paraiba, from April to
      June 2011, using genogram, ecomap and semi-structured interview with seven family
      members of children with chronic disease. The thematic analysis of the results
      helped to characterize the network and understand the social interactions in the
      course of the disease and the types of support received. The empirical category
      (dis)articulation of the social network and the modifications in family routine
      was built in this process and pointed the diversity of the social network
      composition, emphasizing that the social support provided by the network is
      significant, however, not always continuous and suitable with the needs of the
      families. 

PMID- 24217751
TI  - [Changes in scholar's behavior and development through the family care].
AB  - This study aimed to describe the contributions of nursing in the family
      relationships of scholars who have changes in school behavior and performance.
      It's an action research, based on the questioning method, using the Arc Method,
      implemented in five stages: reality observation, key-points, theory, possible
      solutions, and application to reality. The research happened in a municipal
      school, located in the west of Santa Maria-RS. 25 scholars' families participated
      in the sample, during March to May of 2012. It was noticed that the dream of
      having an ideal family exists, but the lived reality is still permeated by a lot
      of difficulties and require modifications. Thus, take care of the family
      relationships shows up as a possibility of society to develop worthily,
      considering the powerful influence it has on the people character development and
      formation.

PMID- 24217752
TI  - [Validation of nursing interventions for patients with spinal cord injury and
      impaired physical mobility].
AB  - This is a descriptive study that aimed to validate the nursing interventions
      proposed in the Nursing Interventions Classification for the diagnosis of
      Impaired physical mobility in adults with sequels of spinal cord injury, based on
      opinions of experts in rehabilitation about each intervention proposed. The
      sample consisted of 54 nurses who were asked about how they consider the
      interventions for the nursing diagnosis. A questionnaire was administered to
      nurses who work at the Sarah Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals. Among the 46
      interventions studied, 17 (37%) were considered essential and should be
      implemented; others 15 (32.6%) were considered complementary, and 14 (30.4%)
      should not be used and could be discarded. Nursing interventions not described in
      the classification and suggested by 22 nurses (40.7%) were: Care with Orthoses:
      Maintenance; and Care with Orthoses: Prevention.

PMID- 24217753
TI  - [Evaluation of ear acupressure on painful shoulder syndrome: case study].
AB  - The Painful Shoulder Syndrome (PSS) is defined as pain and functional limitation
      resulting from impairment of static and dynamic structures of the shoulder, such
      as ligaments, capsule and muscles. It is one of the most common and disabling of
      the musculoskeletal system in the general population with prevalence estimated
      between 15-25%. This study aimed to evaluate the results of auricular acupressure
      when used as therapy in the treatment of chronic pain secondary to SOD, and the
      analgesic effect and therapeutic satisfactory and the estimated time of
      treatment. To obtain the objective was to perform a case study was to intervene
      with auricular acupressure beads and crystals as an indicator of the outcome
      questionnaire Penn Shoulder Score (PSS - Brazil). Data were analyzed
      qualitatively and quantitatively. We conclude that auriculotherapy is an
      important therapeutic technique, because the study showed an improvement in the
      total score of the PSS - Brazil at 34.3%.

PMID- 24217754
TI  - [Use of drugs by elderly in the community: proposal of nursing action].
AB  - Objective of this study was to identify the socio demographic profile and drug
      use in elderly enrolled in a health unit and to propose nursing actions through
      identification of diagnoses and prescriptions related, focused on the use of
      drugs, targeted to these elderly. This descriptive study was conducted in a
      family health unit, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with 97 elderly.
      For data collection it was used a structured form. The data were analyzed by
      descriptive statistics. it was used Risner's model of diagnostic reasoning for
      the identification of nursing diagnosis. The elderly used 3.46 drugs and 31.86%,
      five or more. Seven nursing diagnosis were identified. Those diagnoses were
      present in at least ten elderly for whom prescriptions related were established.
      The results of this study may assist in achieving effective action for the
      resident elderly who uses drugs.

PMID- 24217755
TI  - [Drug use, blood glucose and body mass index in patients with diabetes mellitus].
AB  - This research aimed to relate medication use with blood glucose and body mass
      index in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It was performed a cross
      sectional study, between January and July 2009, at the homes of 437 users of 12
      health centers in Fortaleza-CE. We administered a survey about blood glucose,
      body mass index and medication use. Approximately 99% of study subjects with
      altered glucose classified as not using daily calcium (p = 0.04). Among those
      with normal blood glucose levels classified as around 93% did not use daily
      antidepressants / anxiolytics (p = 0.02). Among those with DM 2 normal body mass
      index, 45.5% were using daily anti-hypertensive ACE-inhibitor class (p = 0.03).
      Daily use of ACE inhibitor drugs, antidepressants / anxiolytics and calcium was
      associated with body mass index and glucose, respectively. It is important for
      nurses to assess body weight and blood glucose in patients with diabetes,
      particularly those that are under continuous medication. 

PMID- 24217756
TI  - [Factors related to death by the Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in patients
      treated with oseltamivir].
AB  - This study aimed to identify factors related to death in Pandemic Influenza
      A(H1N1)2009 in patients treated with Oseltamivir. It is an observational and
      retrospective study, carried out with data of patients who had presented
      laboratorial diagnosis of the illness. Data were collected from the notification
      forms of the disease, belonging to a database of the Ministry of Health.
      Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square, Student t test and logistic
      regression, considering significant p values <0,05. The highest mortality was
      observed in patients aged between 20 and 59 years, low schooling, with the
      presence of comorbidities, not vaccinated, treated late and had more severe
      symptoms of infection. The identification of risk factors for death reinforces
      the need for prevention and early care, especially in the presence of factors
      that increase the clinical severity of disease. 

PMID- 24217757
TI  - [Occupational stress in intensive care nurses who provide direct care to critical
      patients].
AB  - In order to identify the stress level of nurses that provide direct care to
      critically ill patients, it was carried out a descriptive and exploratory study
      in five hospitals of the western region of the state of Parana, Brazil, from May
      2010 to July 2010. Fifty-eight intensive nurses participated in the study, whose
      stress level was evaluated according to the Domain D of Bianchi's Stress Scale.
      Most (65.5%) of them had medium stress levels, The stressors that obtained the
      highest levels were: facing death (5.6 points); answering emergency calls unit
      (5.1 points); caring for critically ill patients' or talking to family members of
      critically ill patients (both 4.8 points). It is needed to adopt stress
      prevention and reduction strategies to its minimization or elimination, because
      the main stressors mentioned are directly related to the duties of nurses.

PMID- 24217758
TI  - [Social representations of nurses about religiosity while caring for patients in
      the dying process].
AB  - This is a qualitative study, anchored in the Theory of Social Representation and
      Jodelet thoughts, realized in an Intensive Care and Oncology Unit of a university
      hospital. The objective was to understand the social representations of nurses on
      religiosity while caring for dying patients. The data was collected between 2010
      May and August, using the technique of Content Analysis of Bardin. The
      religiosity representations inserted in the caring practice for dying patients,
      value professional's beliefs about death, its meaning allowing for the
      development of coping mechanisms. It is considered that the awareness will occur
      through the understanding of reality and introducing the theme in the discussion
      of the quality of health and training of professionals.

PMID- 24217759
TI  - [Matrix support: device for resolution of mental health clinical cases at the
      primary health care].
AB  - The study aimed to comprehend the matrix support as a device to resolution of
      clinical cases of mental health within the Primary Health Care in a qualitative
      study, carried out from a case study. The data were collected through observation
      of matrix practices and analyzed under the view of reflective content analysis.
      The results pointed out to the following categories: The walking of user:
      dilemmas and challenges; Sharing of knowledge: an expansion of views? The curtain
      opens itself: It passed but the pain remains! and RESULTS: collective
      construction of the therapeutic project. It highlights that matrix practices has
      the power to sign the paths for the construction of a particular model of health
      care that is articulate and synergistic with the principles and guidelines of the
      National Health System.

PMID- 24217760
TI  - [Perception of nurses about advantages and constraints of their practice in
      mental health services].
AB  - The study aimed to identify the advantages and constraints in the practices of
      nurses in Mental Health services. A qualitative descriptive study, was conducted
      in 22 public mental health services in the state of Goias, involving 21 nurses as
      subjects. The evaluation referential of Avedis Donabedian was used for data
      discussion. Regarding the facilitating aspects, it were cited the availability of
      physical resources, furniture and materials for the workshops, professional and
      interpersonal relationships with staff, and coordination with users. Among the
      constraining aspects also predominated the structure that is offered by the
      services. It was evident that the structure and interpersonal relations have been
      conditioning aspects related to the effectiveness of nurses' practice in mental
      health services within the state of Goias.

PMID- 24217761
TI  - [Promotion of nurses to academic management: discussing their role through the
      theory of adaptation (70's 80's)].
AB  - Qualitative research aimed to show the nurses role performed during the
      management challenge in nursing schools. A retrospective diachronic historical
      type study was conducted through data collection, critical evaluation and facts
      presentation based on Roy's adaptation theory. The study reveal that pioneer
      nurse managers achieved a professional projection inside the university academic
      scope, based on adaptation, interdependence, by transcending in optimal way
      between organization members and showing initially a compensatory adaptation
      level and later on integrated with innovation in the performance of manager's
      role, based on dialogue, with presence in several scenarios as well as
      participation in several sectors.

PMID- 24217762
TI  - [Use of hydrocolloid and calcium alginate in the treatment of skin lesions].
AB  - Hydrocolloid and calcium alginate are used to treat cutaneous injuries and many
      health professionals do not know about its cicatrization effects. This study had
      the objective to identify the evidences of the action of the hydrocolloid and
      calcium alginate dressing in the treatment of cutaneous injuries. The method of
      integrative review was used. 12 studies with evidence levels I, II, III and IV
      were part of the sample; they were composed by patients with cutaneous injuries
      treated in any period of time with hydrocolloid dressing or calcium alginate. The
      evaluated outcomes had been reduction of the area, cicatrization of the injury,
      rate of cicatrization, time and infection. The results had allowed establishing
      three recommendations for the use of hydrocolloid and none for use of alginate of
      calcium in the treatment of chronic injury.

PMID- 24217763
TI  - [People with pain and intervention needs: systematic literature review].
AB  - The study aimed to determine the economic and social impact and that needs of
      intervention by the health services for persons with pain. It was conducted a
      search in EBSCO (CINAHL, MEDLINE, British Nursing Index), using the method of
      PI[C]O and selecting 19 articles of the total of 325 found. The neuropathic pain
      and the one with musculoskeletal location were identified as the most responsible
      for health expenditures. The factors positively associated with cost-effective
      met in the research were: combination of therapeutic regimen with non
      pharmacological strategies, involvement of multidisciplinary teams specialized in
      pain management, continuity of care program in community and a telephone line for
      permanent support. It was concluded that the pain causes significant
      deterioration in quality of life, with incalculable impact on the performance of
      the activities of daily living.

PMID- 24217764
TI  - [Demand-Control model and occupational stress among nursing professionals:
      integrative review].
AB  - The Demand Control model aims to evaluate the occupational stress. This study
      aimed to know, through an integrative review of the literature, the scientific
      production about the Demand Control Model to investigation occupational stress
      among nursing professionals from 2000 to 2011.Of the 16 selected studies, five
      were published in 2009. Of these studies, 56.25% assessed the Demand and Control
      dimensions and their correlations with workers' health problems; 37.5% of these
      studies were related with mental health. The results showed a lack of national
      publications. We recommend that authors conduct experimental studies to reduce
      the occupational stress for better conditions of workers' mental health.

PMID- 24217765
TI  - [International classification of functioning, disability and health: use in
      nursing care for the elderly].
AB  - The objective was to reflect on the International Classification of Functioning,
      Disability and Health and its use in nursing care for the elderly. It was
      conducted a brief history of the Classification; it was addressed the functional
      assessment of the elderly and importance to the proper planning to care actions;
      and it was showed the applicability of the International Classification of
      Functioning, Disability and Health by nurses. The classification is able to
      direct the functional assessment of the elderly, by the nurses, making the
      integral, realizing this human being as having a body, with needs to perform
      activities and participation, and belonging to a context /environment.

PMID- 24217767
TI  - MiR-320a downregulation is associated with imatinib resistance in
      gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
AB  - Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is one of the most common mesenchymal
      tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Though imatinib improves the outcome, drug
      resistance remains the major problem for extending patient survival. Genetic
      mutation of the drug targets is the known mechanism for imatinib resistance.
      However, it cannot explain all of the phenomena of imatinib resistance, and
      numerous additional mechanisms have been proposed to account for imatinib
      resistance in various model systems. In this study, we applied the SYBR-green
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based array approach to screen the
      differentially expressed miRNAs between primary GIST patients and imatinib
      resistant patients. The selected candidate miRNAs were validated in a cohort of
      12 GIST patients. We found that low expression of miR-320a was correlated with
      short time to imatinib resistance, and proposed the potential mechanism of miR
      320a for imatinib resistance. 

PMID- 24217769
TI  - Solving the mystery of H7N9 by crystal balls.
AB  - How the novel influenza H7N9 virus crossed species barrier from avian to human is
      intriguing. Extrapolation from previous studies on H5N1 can be misleading as
      illustrated by crystallographic studies on the H7 hemagglutinin with G226L
      substitution; crystal structure of the neuraminidase N9 showed that R294K
      substitution interferes with binding to sialic acid or antiviral drugs and
      reduces viral fitness. 

PMID- 24217768
TI  - Protein post-translational modifications and regulation of pluripotency in human
      stem cells.
AB  - Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are known to be essential mechanisms used
      by eukaryotic cells to diversify their protein functions and dynamically
      coordinate their signaling networks. Defects in PTMs have been linked to numerous
      developmental disorders and human diseases, highlighting the importance of PTMs
      in maintaining normal cellular states. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs),
      including embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells
      (hiPSCs), are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into a variety of
      functional somatic cells; these cells hold a great promise for the advancement of
      biomedical research and clinical therapy. The mechanisms underlying cellular
      pluripotency in human cells have been extensively explored in the past decade. In
      addition to the vast amount of knowledge obtained from the genetic and
      transcriptional research in hPSCs, there is a rapidly growing interest in the
      stem cell biology field to examine pluripotency at the protein and PTM level.
      This review addresses recent progress toward understanding the role of PTMs
      (glycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation and methylation) in the regulation
      of cellular pluripotency. 

PMID- 24217771
TI  - Cell force measurements in 3D microfabricated environments based on compliant
      cantilevers.
AB  - We report the fabrication, functionalization and testing of microdevices for cell
      culture and cell traction force measurements in three-dimensions (3D). The
      devices are composed of bent cantilevers patterned with cell-adhesive spots not
      lying on the same plane, and thus suspending cells in 3D. The cantilevers are
      soft enough to undergo micrometric deflections when cells pull on them, allowing
      cell forces to be measured by means of optical microscopy. Since individual
      cantilevers are mechanically independent of each other, cell traction forces are
      determined directly from cantilever deflections. This proves the potential of
      these new devices as a tool for the quantification of cell mechanics in a system
      with well-defined 3D geometry and mechanical properties. 

PMID- 24217770
TI  - Coordinated endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation by translocation and
      phosphorylation determines flow-induced nitric oxide production in resistance
      vessels.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is associated with
      caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in plasma membrane. We tested the hypothesis that eNOS
      activation by shear stress in resistance vessels depends on synchronized
      phosphorylation, dissociation from Cav-1 and translocation of the membrane-bound
      enzyme to Golgi and cytosol. METHODS: In isolated, perfused rat arterial
      mesenteric beds, we evaluated the effect of changes in flow rate (2-10 ml/min) on
      nitric oxide (NO) production, eNOS phosphorylation at serine 1177, eNOS
      subcellular distribution and co-immunoprecipitation with Cav-1, in the presence
      or absence of extracellular Ca(2+). RESULTS: Increases in flow induced a biphasic
      rise in NO production: a rapid transient phase (3-5-min) that peaked during the
      first 15 s, followed by a sustained phase, which lasted until the end of
      stimulation. Concomitantly, flow caused a rapid translocation of eNOS from the
      microsomal compartment to the cytosol and Golgi, paralleled by an increase in
      eNOS phosphorylation and a reduction in eNOS-Cav-1 association. Transient NO
      production, eNOS translocation and dissociation from Cav-1 depended on
      extracellular Ca(2+), while sustained NO production was abolished by the PI3K-Akt
      blocker wortmannin. CONCLUSIONS: In intact resistance vessels, changes in flow
      induce NO production by transient Ca(2+)-dependent eNOS translocation from
      membrane to intracellular compartments and sustained Ca(2+)-independent PI3K-Akt
      mediated phosphorylation.

PMID- 24217772
TI  - Nickel-catalyzed dimerization of pyrrolidinoindoline scaffolds: systematic access
      to chimonanthines, folicanthines and (+)-WIN 64821.
AB  - While metal-promoted activation of tertiary alkyl halides often causes
      elimination and hydrodehalogenation, we have developed a nickel-catalyzed
      reductive dimerization that allows the generation of a potently reactive tertiary
      radical equivalent to form a very congested C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) bond even below
      room temperature. The catalytic protocol is applicable to the dimerization of
      several pyrrolidinoindoline scaffolds through an appropriate choice of catalyst
      to accommodate different substrate reactivities with functional group
      compatibilities. The efficiency of the nickel-catalyzed protocol was successfully
      demonstrated through a systematic total synthesis of chimonanthines,
      folicanthines and (+)-WIN 64821. 

PMID- 24217778
TI  - Gene expression profiling to predict viridans group streptococcal and invasive
      fungal infection in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia: a brief report from the
      Children's Oncology Group.

PMID- 24217779
TI  - MALDI mechanisms: wavelength and matrix dependence of the coupled photophysical
      and chemical dynamics model.
AB  - The ultraviolet wavelength and fluence dependence of MALDI ion yields using
      several matrices has recently been reported (Soltwisch et al., Anal. Chem., 2012,
      84, 6567). These extensive data provide a test of the coupled photophysical and
      chemical dynamics (CPCD) model, and are used to extend the model to new matrices.
      The experimental phenomena are generally well reproduced by the model,
      particularly when transient photochemical products or exciplexes are included.
      While the CPCD is consistent with the data, thermal models appear to be largely
      incompatible with it. 

PMID- 24217781
TI  - Avoid atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 24217780
TI  - Everyday discrimination and chronic health conditions among Latinos: the
      moderating role of socioeconomic position.
AB  - Emerging research has revealed that everyday discrimination and socioeconomic
      position may have synergistic effects on the health of racial/ethnic minorities.
      The present study examined the association between self-reported everyday
      discrimination and count of chronic health conditions, and explored the
      moderating role of objective and subjective socioeconomic position on the
      discrimination-health relation. We utilized nationally representative data of
      Latino adults (N = 2,554) from the National Latino and Asian American Study.
      Weighted negative binomial regression modeling was used to estimate the
      association between self-reported everyday discrimination and count of chronic
      health conditions, and to test whether this relation was modified by markers of
      socioeconomic position. Binomial regressions revealed that everyday
      discrimination was associated with a greater count of chronic conditions.
      However, moderation analyses indicated that household income moderated the
      discrimination-health relation, controlling for sociodemographic variables. More
      specifically, the adverse effects of discrimination were stronger for Latinos in
      middle-income tertiles compared to their lower income counterparts, such that as
      frequency of discrimination increased, Latinos with medium levels of household
      income were predicted to have greater counts of chronic conditions. This was only
      marginally significant among those in the high-income tertile. Our findings
      suggest that identifying segments of the Latino population that may be at
      greatest (and lowest) risk of ill health in the context of perceiving being
      discriminated against may prove useful for understanding Latino health
      "paradoxes," and may have implications for tailoring prevention and intervention
      efforts to particular segments of the Latino population. 

PMID- 24217782
TI  - Is microalbuminuria a risk factor for hypertension in children with solitary
      kidney?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The correlations between ambulatory blood pressure measurements
      (ABPM) and serum cystatin C (Cys C), serum creatinine (Cr), microalbumin (MA),
      and beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) levels in 24 h (24-h) urine were analyzed in
      children with solitary kidney (SK) and compared to healthy children. METHODS:
      Fifty children with normal functioning SK and 25 controls were studied. The ABPM,
      serum Cys C, serum Cr, MA, and beta2-MG levels in 24-h urine were measured in all
      children. Clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory results, urinary
      ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrography, and Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)
      scintigraphy results were recorded in the SK group. Four patients with Wilms'
      tumor and two with renal scarring were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The mean
      ages of the SK group and controls were 9.6 +/- 3.6 and 9.3 +/- 3.3 years,
      respectively. The serum Cys C and Cr levels, 24-h urinary beta2-MG and MA levels
      were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). However, 24-h urinary MA excretion was
      higher in patients living with SK more than 5 years (p = 0.01). Standard
      deviation scores of ABPM parameters showed no significant correlation with serum
      Cr, serum Cys C, MA, and beta2-MG in 24-h urine of both groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Children with SK have increased 24-h urinary MA excretion in the long term, and
      need prolonged follow-up to detect early deterioration of renal function and to
      prevent end-organ damage later in life.

PMID- 24217783
TI  - The interplay between drugs and the kidney in premature neonates.
AB  - The kidney plays a central role in the clearance of drugs. However, renal drug
      handling entails more than glomerular filtration and includes tubular excretion
      and reabsorption, and intracellular metabolization by cellular enzyme systems,
      such as the Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes. All these processes show maturation from
      birth onwards, which is one of the reasons why drug dosing in children is not
      simply similar to dosing in small adults. As kidney development normally finishes
      around the 36th week of gestation, being born prematurely will result in even
      more immature renal drug handling. Environmental effects, such as extra-uterine
      growth restriction, sepsis, asphyxia, or drug treatments like caffeine,
      aminoglycosides, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may further hamper
      drug handling in the kidney. Dosing in preterm neonates is therefore dependent on
      many factors that need to be taken into account. Drug treatment may significantly
      hamper postnatal kidney development in preterm neonates, just like renal
      immaturity has an impact on drug handling. The restricted kidney development
      results in a lower number of nephrons that may have several long-term sequelae,
      such as hypertension, albuminuria, and renal failure. This review focuses on the
      interplay between drugs and the kidney in premature neonates. 

PMID- 24217784
TI  - Lysosome dysfunction in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases.
AB  - The lysosome, an organelle central to macromolecule degradation and recycling,
      plays a pivotal role in normal cell processes, ranging from autophagy to redox
      regulation. Not surprisingly, lysosomes are an integral part of the renal
      epithelial molecular machinery that facilitates normal renal physiology. Two
      inherited diseases that manifest as kidney dysfunction are Fabry's disease and
      cystinosis, each of which is caused by a primary biochemical defect at the
      lysosome resulting from loss-of-function mutations in genes that encode lysosomal
      proteins. The functions of the lysosomes in the kidney and how lysosomal
      dysfunction might contribute to Fabry's disease and cystinosis are discussed.
      Unlike most other pediatric renal diseases, therapies are available for Fabry's
      disease and cystinosis, but require early diagnosis. Recent analysis of ceroid
      neuronal lipofuscinosis type 3 (Cln3) null mice, a mouse model of lysosomal
      disease that is primarily associated with neurological deficits, revealed renal
      functional abnormalities. As current and future therapeutics increase the life
      span of those suffering from diseases like neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, it
      remains a distinct possibility that many more lysosomal disorders that primarily
      manifest as infant and juvenile neurodegenerative diseases may also include renal
      disease phenotypes. 

PMID- 24217785
TI  - BMP signaling and its modifiers in kidney development.
AB  - The kidney develops through mutual interactions between the metanephric
      mesenchyme and the ureteric bud, the former of which contains nephron progenitors
      that give rise to glomeruli and renal tubules. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)
      signaling and its modifiers play important roles in many steps of kidney
      development. BMP4 inhibits ureteric bud attraction, and the BMP antagonist
      Gremlin is essential for the initial stage of ureteric budding. During mid
      gestation, BMP7 maintains the nephron progenitors and, at the same time,
      sensitizes them to the ureteric bud-derived differentiation signal.
      Crossveinless2 is a pro-BMP factor, and its absence leads to kidney hypoplasia.
      After birth, when nephron progenitors have disappeared, Dullard, a phosphatase
      that inactivates BMP receptors, keeps BMP signaling at an appropriate level.
      Deletion of Dullard results in excessive BMP signaling and apoptosis of the
      postnatal nephrons. In this review I discuss the similarities and differences of
      BMP functions in kidney development, as well as in diseases. 

PMID- 24217786
TI  - HE4 expression in plasma correlates with surgical outcome and overall survival in
      patients with first ovarian cancer relapse.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains the main cause of mortality
      due to gynecological malignancies. Optimal tumor debulking and platinum response
      are the most important prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in primary
      EOC. In the setting of recurrence, the role of cytoreduction is not clear. A
      critical point is to predict preoperatively the subgroup of patients with optimal
      surgical outcome. The aim of the study was to analyze the predictive role of HE4
      for surgical outcome and platinum response in EOC patients experiencing a first
      relapse. Secondary aims were the prognostic role of HE4 for OS and progression
      free survival (PFS). METHODS: Plasma was obtained before secondary cytoreduction
      from 73 EOC patients. A total of 66.7 % underwent a total macroscopic tumor
      clearance; 86.3 % of the patients had disease that responded to platinum therapy.
      HE4 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For statistical analysis,
      the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Kendall's tau b, and Mann-Whitney U
      test were used. OS, PFS rates, and respective 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were
      estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: At a HE4 cutoff value of
      250 pMk, a sensitivity of 52 % and a specificity of 93.8 % (p = 0.001, 95 % CI
      0.601-0.861) were reached in predicting total macroscopic tumor clearance. Plasma
      HE4 concentrations together with platinum response were the only independent
      prognostic factors for OS (p < 0.001, hazard ratio [HR] 18.77, 95 % CI 4.68
      75.25; and p = 0.044, HR 3.33, 95 % CI 1.03-10.7, respectively). Together with
      ascites, HE4 was the only independent predictive factor for surgical outcome (p =
      0.029, odds ratio [OR] 7.2, 95 % CI 1.22-42.19 and p = 0.036, OR 10.18, 95 % CI
      1.16-88.69, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: HE4 is an independent predictive marker
      for surgical outcome and OS in patients with recurrent EOC. Larger population
      studies are needed to validate these results.

PMID- 24217787
TI  - Attaining surgical competency and its implications in surgical clinical trial
      design: a systematic review of the learning curve in laparoscopic and robot
      assisted laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery is increasingly used in the treatment of
      colorectal cancer and more recently robotic assistance has been advocated.
      However, the learning curve to achieve surgical proficiency in laparoscopic
      surgery is ill-defined and subject to many influences. The aim of this review was
      to comprehensively appraise the literature on the learning curve for laparoscopic
      and robotic colorectal cancer surgery, and to quantify attainment of surgical
      proficiency and its implications in surgical clinical trial design. METHODS: A
      systematic review using a defined search strategy was performed. Included studies
      had to state an explicit numerical value of the learning curve evaluated by a
      single parameter or multiple parameters. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were
      included, 28 laparoscopic and 6 robot assisted. Of the laparoscopic studies, nine
      defined the learning curve on the basis of a single parameter. Nine studies used
      more than one parameter to define learning, and 11 used a cumulative sum (CUSUM)
      analysis. One study used both a multiparameter and CUSUM analysis. The definition
      of proficiency was subjective, and the number of operations to achieve it ranged
      from 5 to 310 cases for laparoscopic and 15-30 cases for robotic surgery.
      CONCLUSIONS: The learning curve in laparoscopic colorectal surgery is
      multifaceted and often ill-defined, with poor descriptions of
      mentorship/supervision. Further, the quantification to attain proficiency is
      variable. The use of a single parameter to quantify this is simplistic.
      Multidimensional assessment is recommended; as part of this, the CUSUM model,
      which assesses trends in multiple surgical outcomes, is useful and appropriate
      when assessing the learning curve in a clinical setting.

PMID- 24217788
TI  - Metastatic behavior of upper tract urothelial carcinoma after radical
      nephroureterectomy: association with primary tumor location.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the site-specific pattern of disease recurrence and/or
      metastasis and the associated patient outcomes after radical nephroureterectomy
      (RNU) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). METHODS: A total of 733
      patients with UTUC from a retrospective multi-institutional cohort were included,
      with a median follow-up of 34 months. Associated patient outcomes were analyzed
      by multivariate analysis. To evaluate the influence of primary tumor location, we
      divided it into four areas: renal pelvis, and upper, middle, and lower ureter.
      RESULTS: A total of 218 patients experienced disease recurrence, with the
      majority of relapses occurring within the first 3 years. Cumulative incidence
      rates of first disease recurrence at 1 and 3 years were 18.9 and 29.8 %,
      respectively. Of these patients, 38.5 % developed distant recurrence; 17.4 %
      experienced both local and distant recurrences; and 44.0 % developed isolated
      local recurrence. The predominant sites of distant metastasis were lung, liver,
      and bone. Multivariate analysis revealed that the prevalence of local recurrence
      and lung metastasis was significantly associated, with primary tumor location
      being independent of other clinicopathological variables. Lower/middle ureter
      tumors had a higher rate of local recurrence in the pelvic cavity, and renal
      pelvic tumors had a higher prevalence of distant relapse in the lungs. Similar
      results were obtained when rerunning the data set by excluding patients who
      received adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 131). CONCLUSIONS: This multi-institutional
      study provided a detailed picture of metastatic behavior after RNU, and primary
      tumor locations were associated with unique patterns of metastatic spread in UTUC
      patients.

PMID- 24217789
TI  - Significance of urinary tract involvement in patients treated with cytoreductive
      surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Urinary tract involvement in patients with peritoneal surface disease
      treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal
      chemotherapy (HIPEC) often requires complex urologic resections and
      reconstruction to achieve optimal cytoreduction. The impact of these combined
      procedures on surgical outcomes is not well defined. METHODS: A prospective
      database of CRS/HIPEC procedures was analyzed retrospectively. Type of
      malignancy, performance status, resection status, hospital and intensive care
      unit stay, morbidity, mortality, and overall survival were reviewed. RESULTS: A
      total of 864 patients underwent 933 CRS/HIPEC procedures, while 64 % (550) had
      preoperative ureteral stent placement. A total of 7.3 % had an additional
      urologic procedure without an increase in 30-day (p = 0.4) or 90-day (p = 1.0)
      mortality. Urologic procedures correlated with increased length of operating time
      (p < 0.001), blood loss (p < 0.001), and length of hospitalization (p = 0.003),
      yet were not associated with increased overall 30-day major morbidity (grade
      III/IV, p = 0.14). In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of additional
      urologic procedures were prior surgical score (p < 0.001), number of resected
      organs (p = 0.001), and low anterior resection (p = 0.03). Long-term survival was
      not statistically different between patients with and without urologic resection
      for low-grade appendiceal primary lesions (p = 0.23), high-grade appendiceal
      primary lesions (p = 0.40), or colorectal primary lesions (p = 0.14).
      CONCLUSIONS: Urinary tract involvement in patients with peritoneal surface
      disease does not increase overall surgical morbidity. Patients with urologic
      procedures demonstrate survival patterns with meaningful prolongation of life.
      Urologic involvement should not be considered a contraindication for CRS/HIPEC in
      patients with resectable peritoneal surface disease.

PMID- 24217790
TI  - Quilting prevents seroma formation following breast cancer surgery: closing the
      dead space by quilting prevents seroma following axillary lymph node dissection
      and mastectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Seroma is a frequent problem after mastectomy (ME) and axillary lymph
      node dissection (ALND). Seroma is associated with pain, discomfort, impaired
      mobilisation and repeated aspirations, often resulting in a surgical site
      infection (SSI). It has already been demonstrated that minimizing dead space
      through fixation of the skin flaps to the underlying muscles (quilting) lowers
      the incidence of seroma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of
      quilting on the incidence of seroma, and SSI. METHODS: Two consecutive groups
      with a total of 176 patients following ME and/or ALND were retrospectively
      compared. Endpoints were the incidence of seroma, and number and volume of
      aspirations and SSIs. Analysed risk factors were age, ME, lymph node dissection,
      neoadjuvant therapy, body mass index (BMI) and hypertension. RESULTS: The quilted
      group (n = 89) scored significantly better on all endpoints compared with the
      conventional group (n = 87). The incidence of seroma decreased from 80.5 % to
      22.5 % (p < 0.01), the mean number of aspirations from 4.86 to 2.40 (p = 0.015),
      the volume of aspirations from 1660 ml to 611 ml (p = 0.05) and the SSIs from
      31.0 % to 11.2 % (p < 0.01). Increasing age and lymph node dissection were found
      to be risk factors for seroma; quilting was a protective factor. CONCLUSION:
      Quilting is an effective method for preventing seroma and its complications.

PMID- 24217791
TI  - Aberrant expression of plastin-3 via copy number gain induces the epithelial
      mesenchymal transition in circulating colorectal cancer cells.
AB  - PURPOSE: Plastin-3 (PLS3) is a novel marker for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in
      colorectal cancer (CRC). We sought to investigate the mechanisms mediating the
      aberrant expression of PLS3, the role of PLS3 in the epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT), and its association with the acquisition of invasive and
      metastatic abilities in human CRC. METHODS: The expression levels of PLS3
      messenger RNA in the tumor drainage venous blood (TDB) were examined in 177 CRC
      cases, and the associations between PLS3 expression and Xq23 copy numbers were
      analyzed in 132 CRC samples. We then established a stable PLS3-expressing CRC
      cell line and assessed the role of PLS3 in the EMT. RESULTS: In clinical CRC
      cases, high expression of PLS3 in CTCs of TDB as well as peripheral blood was
      established as an independent prognostic factor of overall survival (p < 0.001),
      and the copy number gain of Xq23, which is the locus of the PLS3 gene, was
      significantly related to PLS3 overexpression. PLS3 induced the EMT via
      transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling and resulted in the acquisition
      of invasive ability in CRC cells. CONCLUSIONS: The aberrant expression of PLS3
      was associated with copy number gain in CTCs from primary tumors and was involved
      in the regulation of the EMT, contributing to a poor prognosis in CRC patients.

PMID- 24217792
TI  - Intraoperative visualization of hepatocellular carcinoma with indocyanine green:
      revealing the mechanisms behind the glowing tumor.

PMID- 24217793
TI  - Managing chronic pelvic pain following reconstructive pelvic surgery with
      transvaginal mesh.
AB  - In 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first
      transvaginal mesh kit to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Since the
      introduction of vaginal mesh kits, some vaginal meshes have been associated with
      chronic pelvic pain after reconstructive pelvic floor surgery. Pelvic pain
      results in between 0 % and 30 % of patients following transvaginal mesh
      placement. Common causes of chronic pelvic pain include pelvic floor muscle
      spasm, pudendal neuralgia, and infection. Paucity of data exists on the effective
      management of chronic pelvic pain after pelvic reconstructive surgery with mesh.
      We outline the management of chronic pelvic pain after transvaginal mesh
      placement for reconstructive pelvic floor repair based on our clinical experience
      and adaptation of data used in other aspects of managing chronic pelvic pain
      conditions. 

PMID- 24217794
TI  - MicroRNA expression aberration in Chinese patients with relapsing remitting
      multiple sclerosis.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that is
      caused by an abnormal immune system that attacks the central nervous system.
      MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to play essential roles in the immune system. Most
      of the previous studies about miRNA dysregulation in MS have focused on European
      populations. In the present study, the miRNA expression profiles associated with
      Chinese MS patients are investigated. Here, human miRNA expression profiling
      experiments were performed on the peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes from
      ten MS patients and ten healthy controls. Nine overexpressed and six
      underexpressed miRNAs were found. The 15 miRNAs were validated independently in a
      second cohort of 40 MS patients and 40 controls by real-time PCR; six miRNAs were
      significantly abnormally expressed, and principal component analysis of six
      miRNAs indicated that the MS patients could be clearly differentiated from the
      healthy controls based on the miRNA expression patterns. This study provided the
      indications of abnormal miRNA expression patterns in the peripheral blood
      mononuclear leukocytes of Chinese MS patients. The potential roles of these
      differentially expressed miRNAs as MS biomarker and in pathogenesis need to be
      investigated in future studies. 

PMID- 24217795
TI  - Oxidative stress promotes uptake, accumulation, and oligomerization of
      extracellular alpha-synuclein in oligodendrocytes.
AB  - The accumulation and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) in glial
      cytoplasmic inclusions originating in oligodendrocytes is a characteristic
      hallmark of multiple system atrophy, a progressive adult onset neurodegenerative
      disorder. The origin of alpha-Syn deposition in oligodendrocytes in multiple
      system atrophy is still unclear, but the uptake of alpha-Syn from the environment
      after neuronal secretion has been discussed. The present study was undertaken to
      investigate the consequences of alpha-Syn uptake from the environment in cultured
      oligodendroglial cells and its localization and potential to form intracellular
      aggregates in the absence or presence of the microtubule-associated protein tau,
      which has been demonstrated to act synergistically with alpha-Syn. Primary rat
      brain oligodendrocytes and clonal oligodendroglial OLN-93 cells were incubated
      with human recombinant soluble and pre-aggregated alpha-Syn. The data show that
      oligodendrocytes are capable to take up and internalize soluble and pre
      aggregated alpha-Syn from their growth medium. In a time-dependent manner, alpha
      Syn oligomerizes and small intracellular aggregates are formed. These do not
      exert cytotoxic responses or mitochondrial impairment. Oxidative stress exerted
      by hydrogen peroxide further promotes alpha-Syn oligomer formation and leads to
      an enlargement of the aggregates. This process is not affected or modified by the
      presence of tau in OLN-93 cells. Furthermore, membrane lipid modification by
      docosahexaenoic acid promotes alpha-Syn uptake and oligomerization, indicating
      that changing the membrane lipid composition and structure contributes to the
      protein aggregation process and pathological events. Hence, although alpha-Syn
      taken up by oligodendrocytes from the environment is not toxic per se, under
      conditions of oxidative stress, which might occur during chronic disease
      progression and aging, aggregates are enlarged and eventually may contribute to
      cytotoxicity and cellular death. 

PMID- 24217796
TI  - Up-regulation of FoxN4 expression in adult spinal cord after injury.
AB  - FoxN4 (forkhead box N4), which is a transcription factor involved in developing
      spinal cord and spinal neurogenesis, implied important roles in the central
      nervous system (CNS). However, its expression and function in the adult CNS
      lesion are still unclear. In this study, we established a spinal cord injury
      (SCI) model in adult rats and investigated the expression of FoxN4 in the spinal
      cord. Western blot analysis revealed that FoxN4 was present in normal spinal
      cord. It gradually increased, peaked at day 3 after SCI, and then decreased
      during the following days. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed that FoxN4 was
      expressed at low levels in gray and white matters in normal condition and
      increased after SCI. Double immunofluorescence staining showed that FoxN4 is
      located on neurons and astrocytes, and FoxN4 expression was increased
      progressively in reactive astrocytes within the vicinity of the lesion,
      predominately in the white matter. In addition, almost all FoxN4-positive cells
      also expressed nestin or PCNA. Our data suggested that FoxN4 might play important
      roles in CNS pathophysiology after SCI. 

PMID- 24217797
TI  - Characterizations of cholinesterases in golden apple snail (Pomacea
      canaliculata).
AB  - Cholinesterases (ChEs) have been identified in vertebrates and invertebrates.
      Inhibition of ChE activity in invertebrates, such as bivalve molluscs, has been
      used to evaluate the exposure of organophosphates, carbamate pesticides, and
      heavy metals in the marine system. The golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata)
      is considered as one of the worst invasive alien species harmful to rice and
      other crops. The ChE(s) in this animal, which has been found recently, but poorly
      characterized thus far, could serve as biomarker(s) for environmental
      surveillance as well as a potential target for the pest control. In this study,
      the tissue distribution, substrate preference, sensitivity to ChE inhibitors, and
      molecular species of ChEs in P. canaliculata were investigated. It was found that
      the activities of both AChE and BChE were present in all test tissues. The
      intestine had the most abundant ChE activities. Both enzymes had fair activities
      in the head, kidney, and gills. The BChE activity was more sensitive to tetra
      isopropylpyrophosphoramide (iso-OMPA) than the AChE. Only one BChE molecular
      species, 5.8S, was found in the intestine and head, whereas two AChE species,
      5.8S and 11.6S, were found there. We propose that intestine ChEs of this snail
      may be potential biomarkers for manipulating pollutions. 

PMID- 24217798
TI  - High current density electrodeposition of silver from silver-containing liquid
      metal salts with pyridine-N-oxide ligands.
AB  - New cationic silver-containing ionic liquids were synthesized and used as non
      aqueous electrolytes for the electrodeposition of silver layers. In the liquid
      state of these ionic liquids, a silver (i) cation is coordinated by pyridine-N
      oxide (py-O) ligands in a 1 : 3 metal-to-ligand ratio, although in some cases a
      different stoichiometry of the silver center crystallized out. As anions,
      bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Tf2N), trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTf),
      methanesulfonate (OMs) and nitrate were used, yielding compounds with the
      formulae [Ag(py-O)3][Tf2N], [Ag(py-O)3][OTf], [Ag(py-O)3][OMs] and [Ag(py
      O)3][NO3], respectively. The compounds were characterized by CHN analysis, FTIR,
      NMR, DSC, TGA and the electrodeposition of silver was investigated by cyclic
      voltammetry, linear potential scans, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and
      energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). With the exception of [Ag(py
      O)3][Tf2N], which melts at 108  degrees C, all the silver(i) compounds have a
      melting point below 80  degrees C and were tested as electrolytes for silver
      electrodeposition. Interestingly, very high current densities were observed at a
      potential of -0.5 V vs. Ag/Ag(+) for the compounds with fluorine-free anions,
      i.e. [Ag(py-O)3][NO3] (current density of -10 A dm(-2)) and [Ag(py-O)3][OMs] (
      6.5 A dm(-2)). The maximum current density of the compound with the fluorinated
      anion trifluoromethanesulfonate, [Ag(py-O)3][OTf], was much lower: -2.5 A dm(-2)
      at -0.5 V vs. Ag/Ag(+). Addition of an excess of ligand to [Ag(py-O)3][OTf]
      resulted in the formation of the room-temperature ionic liquid [Ag(py-O)6][OTf].
      A current density of -5 A dm(-2) was observed at -0.5 V vs. Ag/Ag(+) for this low
      viscous silver salt. The crystal structures of several silver complexes could be
      determined by X-ray diffraction, and it was found that several of them had a
      stoichiometry different from the 1 : 3 metal-to-ligand ratio used in their
      synthesis. This indicates that the compounds form crystals with a composition
      different from that of the molten state. The electrochemical properties were
      measured in the liquid state, where the metal-to-ligand ratio was 1 : 3. Single
      crystal X-ray diffraction measurements showed that silver(i) is six coordinate in
      [Ag(py-O)3][Tf2N] and [Ag(py-O)3][OTf], while it is five coordinate in the other
      complexes. In [Ag3(py-O)8][OTf]3, there are two different coordination
      environments for silver ions: six coordinate central silver ions and five
      coordinate for the outer silver ions. In some of the silver(i) complexes, silver
      silver interactions were observed in the solid state. 

PMID- 24217801
TI  - Laparoscopic ureterocalicostomy for complicated upper urinary tract obstruction:
      mid-term follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report on the largest series of laparoscopic ureterocalicostomies
      done for complicated upper urinary obstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed the data from 6 transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterocalicostomies
      performed in our institution from January 2008 to January 2012. Symptomatic
      complicated upper urinary obstruction was the main reason for all the procedures.
      The recorded data included age, gender, clinical presentation, duration of
      symptoms, laterality, mean operative time, hospital stay, complications and
      clinical and functional outcomes. RESULTS: The median patient age was 20.1 (2-44)
      years, and all patients were females. Patients underwent laparoscopic
      ureterocalicostomy due to previous failed procedures (3 patients), anatomic
      abnormalities (2 patients) and a severe upper ureteral stenosis (1 patient). The
      median operative time was 215 (180-270) min. There were no major complications.
      There were no conversions to open surgery. In a median follow-up of 30 (8-56)
      months, all patients presented with clinical and radiological improvement with no
      signs of obstruction. In all cases, the postoperative renal scintigraphy revealed
      a T1/2 lower than 10 min. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ureterocalicostomy is feasible
      and associated with high success rate in well-selected cases with complicated
      upper urinary obstructions.

PMID- 24217802
TI  - Membranous glomerulonephritis with crescents.
AB  - PURPOSE: The coexistence of membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) and necrotizing
      and crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN) is an unusual finding in a renal biopsy
      except in lupus nephritis. Little is known about whether these lesions are
      causally related in any clinical setting. METHODS: We reviewed the pathology,
      presentation, and clinical course of 13 non-lupus patients with combined MGN and
      NCGN in native kidney biopsies (nine females, four males; median age 69 years),
      with particular attention to evidence of secondary MGN. Additional IgG subclass
      and phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) immunofluorescence studies were conducted
      in seven cases. RESULTS: Eight biopsies were pauci-immune other than the
      capillary wall deposits of MGN; one patient had a non-lupus immune complex
      disease, and four had mesangial deposits, including one with rare subendothelial
      deposits. None had anti-glomerular basement membrane disease. IgG4 was dominant
      or codominant in the capillary wall deposits in three cases and virtually absent
      in four; PLA2R was positive in two cases, and negative in five. Seven patients
      were judged to have secondary MGN, including five of eight ANCA+ patients. Twelve
      patients were treated with combinations of steroids, cyclophosphamide, rituximab,
      followed by durable response in seven and relentless progression to end stage
      renal disease in four. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary MGN occurs with higher frequency in
      ANCA-positive NCGN than in the general MGN population. A causal relationship
      between MGN and NCGN was not established in any patient, but circumstances
      suggest a common cause in several, including immune complex disease, drug
      reaction and paraneoplastic syndrome.

PMID- 24217803
TI  - What is the impact of immunosuppressive treatment on the post-transplant renal
      osteopathy?
AB  - Although glucocorticoid therapy is considered to be the main pathogenic factor, a
      consistent body of evidence suggests that other immunosuppressants might also
      play an important role in the development of the post-transplant renal osteopathy
      (PRO) through their pleiotropic pharmacological effects. Glucocorticoids seem to
      induce osteoclasts' activity suppressing the osteoblasts while data regarding
      other immunosuppressive drugs are still controversial. Mycophenolate mofetil and
      azathioprine appear to be neutral regarding the bone metabolism. However, the
      study analyzing any independent effect of antimetabolites on bone turnover has
      not been conducted yet. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) induce trabecular bone loss
      in rodent, with contradictory results in renal transplant recipients. Suppression
      of vitamin D receptor is probably the underlying mechanism of renal calcium
      wasting in renal transplant recipients receiving CNI. In spite of an increased
      1,25(OH)2 vitamin D level, the kidney is not able to reserve calcium, suggesting
      a role of vitamin D resistance that may be related to bone loss. More efforts
      should be invested to determine the role of CNI in PRO. In particular, data
      regarding the role of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi), such as
      sirolimus and everolimus, in the PRO development are still controversial.
      Rapamycin markedly decreases bone longitudinal growth as well as callus formation
      in experimental models, but also lowers the rate of bone resorption markers and
      glomerular filtration in clinical studies. Everolimus potently inhibits primary
      mouse and human osteoclast activity as well as the osteoclast differentiation. It
      also prevents the ovariectomy-induced loss of cancellous bone by 60 %, an effect
      predominantly associated with a decreased osteoclast-mediated bone resorption,
      resulting in a partial preservation of the cancellous bone. At present, there is
      no clinical study analyzing the effect of everolimus on bone turnover in renal
      transplant recipients or comparing sirolimus versus everolimus impact on bone, so
      only general conclusions could be drawn. Hence, the use of mTORi might be useful
      in patients with PRO due to their possible potential to inhibit osteoclast
      activity which might lead to a decreased rate of bone resorption. In addition, it
      should be also emphasized that they might inhibit osteoblast activity which may
      lead to a decreased bone formation and adynamic bone disease. Further studies are
      urgently needed to solve these important clinical dilemmas.

PMID- 24217804
TI  - Metabolomics insights into pathophysiological mechanisms of nephrology.
AB  - Kidney diseases (KD), a major public health problem that affects about 10 % of
      the general population, manifest in progressive loss of renal function, which
      ultimately leads to complete kidney failure. However, current approaches based on
      renal histopathological results and clinical parameters lack sensitivity and are
      not sufficient to characterize the category and progression of nephrology or to
      predict nephrology progression risk reliably or to guide preventive
      interventions. The high incidence and financial burden of KD make it imperative
      to diagnose KD at early stages when therapeutic interventions are far more
      effective. Nowadays, the appearance of metabolomics (the high-throughput
      measurement and analysis of metabolites) has provided the framework for a
      comprehensive analysis of KD and serves as a starting point for generating novel
      molecular diagnostic tools for use in nephrology. Changes in the concentration
      profiles of a number of small-molecule metabolites found in either blood or urine
      can be used to localize kidney damage or assess kidneys suffering from injury.
      The power of metabolomics allows unparalleled opportunity to query the molecular
      mechanisms of KD. Novel metabolomics technologies have the ability to provide a
      deeper understanding of the disease beyond classical histopathology, redefine the
      characteristics of the disease state, and identify novel approaches to reduce
      renal failure. This review gives an overview of its application to important
      areas in clinical nephrology, with a particular focus on biomarker discovery.
      Great strides forward are being made in breaking down important barriers to the
      successful prevention and treatment of this devastating disorder.

PMID- 24217807
TI  - Germinal center-independent, IgM-mediated autoimmunity in sanroque mice lacking
      Obf1.
AB  - Mice homozygous for a point mutation in the Rc3h1 gene encoding Roquin1,
      designated sanroque mice, develop a severe antibody-mediated autoimmune
      condition. The disease is T-cell intrinsic, exacerbated by macrophage-intrinsic
      defects and driven by excessive T follicular helper cell generation and
      spontaneous germinal centre (GC) formation. This culminates in abnormally high
      numbers of plasma cells secreting high-affinity autoreactive immunoglobulin G
      (IgG). Obf1 is a transcriptional co-activator required for normal T-cell
      dependent antibody responses, and it is essential for GC formation under all
      circumstances so far tested. We crossed sanroque mice with Obf1-null mice to
      determine whether the hyperactivity of sanroque T cells could drive Obf1(-/-) B
      cells to differentiate to GC B cells, or conversely, if Obf1 loss would prevent
      sanroque-mediated autoimmune disease. Surprisingly, while sanroque/Obf1(-/-) mice
      did not form GC, they still developed autoimmune disease and succumbed even more
      rapidly than did sanroque mice. The disease was mediated by autoreactive IgM,
      which may have been derived from a pre-existing population of autoreactive B
      cells in the Obf1(-/-) mice responding to the over-exuberant activity of sanroque
      CD4 cells. 

PMID- 24217806
TI  - Obesity and late-age survival without major disease or disability in older women.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The effect of obesity on late-age survival in women without disease
      or disability is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether higher baseline body
      mass index and waist circumference affect women's survival to 85 years of age
      without major chronic disease (coronary disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes
      mellitus, or hip fracture) and mobility disability. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Examination of 36,611 women from the Women's Health Initiative
      observational study and clinical trial programs who could have reached 85 years
      or older if they survived to the last outcomes evaluation on September 17, 2012.
      Recruitment was from 40 US clinical centers from October 1993 through December
      1998. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios
      and 95% CIs for the association of baseline body mass index and waist
      circumference with the outcomes, adjusting for demographic, behavioral, and
      health characteristics. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Mutually exclusive
      classifications: (1) survived without major chronic disease and without mobility
      disability (healthy); (2) survived with 1 or more major chronic disease at
      baseline but without new disease or disability (prevalent diseased); (3) survived
      and developed 1 or more major chronic disease but not disability during study
      follow-up (incident diseased); (4) survived and developed mobility disability
      with or without disease (disabled); and (5) did not survive (died). RESULTS: Mean
      (SD) baseline age was 72.4 (3.0) years (range, 66-81 years). The distribution of
      women classified as healthy, prevalent diseased, incident diseased, disabled, and
      died was 19.0%, 14.7%, 23.2%, 18.3%, and 24.8%, respectively. Compared with
      healthy-weight women, underweight and obese women were more likely to die before
      85 years of age. Overweight and obese women had higher risks of incident disease
      and mobility disability. Disability risks were striking. Relative to healthy
      weight women, adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) of mobility disability were 1.6 (1.5
      1.8) for overweight women and 3.2 (2.9-3.6), 6.6 (5.4-8.1), and 6.7 (4.8-9.2) for
      class I, II, and III obesity, respectively. Waist circumference greater than 88
      cm was also associated with higher risk of earlier death, incident disease, and
      mobility disability. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Overall and abdominal obesity
      were important and potentially modifiable factors associated with dying or
      developing mobility disability and major chronic disease before 85 years of age
      in older women.

PMID- 24217808
TI  - In vivo comparison of local versus systemic delivery of immunostimulating siRNA
      in HPV-driven tumours.
AB  - Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to inhibit oncogene expression and also to
      activate innate immune responses via Toll-like receptor (TLR) recognition have
      been shown to be beneficial as anti-cancer therapy in certain cancer models. In
      this study, we investigated the effects of local versus systemic delivery of such
      immune-stimulating Dicer-substrate siRNAs (IS-DsiRNAs) on a human papillomavirus
      (HPV)-driven tumour model. Localized siRNA delivery using intratumour injection
      of siRNA was able to increase siRNA delivery to the tumour compared with
      intravenous (IV) delivery and potently activated innate immune responses.
      However, IV injection remained the more effective delivery route for reducing
      tumour growth. Although IS-DsiRNAs activated innate immune cells and required
      interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) for full effect on tumour growth, we found that
      potent silencing siRNA acting independently of IFNalpha were overall more
      effective at inhibiting TC-1 tumour growth. Other published work utilising IS
      siRNAs have been carried out on tumour models with low levels of major
      histocompatibility complex (MHC)-class 1, a target of natural killer cells that
      are potently activated by IS-siRNA. As TC-1 cells used in our study express high
      levels of MHC-class I, the addition of the immunostimulatory motifs may not be as
      beneficial in this particular tumour model. Our data suggest that selection of
      siRNA profile and delivery method based on tumour environment is crucial to
      developing siRNA-based therapies. 

PMID- 24217809
TI  - Glucocorticoid-mediated repression of T-cell receptor signalling is impaired in
      glucocorticoid receptor exon 2-disrupted mice.
AB  - Studies using glucocorticoid receptor exon 2-disrupted knockout (GR2KO) mice
      provided strong evidence against an obligatory role for glucocorticoid receptor
      (GR) signalling in T-cell selection. These mice express a truncated form of the
      GR that is incapable of transmitting a range of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced
      signals, including GC-induced thymocyte death. However, one study that suggested
      that truncated GR function is preserved in the context of GR-mediated repression
      of T-cell activation-induced genes, challenged earlier conclusions derived from
      the use of these mice. Because GR versus T-cell receptor (TCR) signalling cross
      talk is the means by which GCs are hypothesized to have a role in T-cell
      selection, we reassessed the utility of GR2KO mice to study the role of the GR in
      this process. Here, we show that GR-mediated repression of TCR signalling is
      impaired in GR2KO T cells in terms of TCR-induced activation, proliferation and
      cytokine production. GC-induced apoptosis was largely abolished in peripheral T
      cells, and induction of the GC-responsive molecule, interleukin-7 receptor, was
      also severely reduced in GR2KO thymocytes. Together, these data strongly re
      affirm conclusions derived from earlier studies of these mice that the GR is not
      obligatory for normal T-cell selection. 

PMID- 24217810
TI  - Rationally designed capsid and transgene cassette of AAV6 vectors for dendritic
      cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
AB  - Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy has recently demonstrated a great
      potential for clinical applications; however, additional progress in the methods
      of tumor-specific antigen delivery to DCs is necessary for the further
      development of anti-tumor vaccines. To this end, a capsid-optimized adeno
      associated virus serotype 6 (AAV6-T492V+S663V) vector was developed by site
      directed mutagenesis of surface-exposed serine (S) and threonine (T) residues,
      which have a critical role in intracellular trafficking of AAV vectors. This
      double-mutant AAV6 vector had ~ 5-fold greater transduction efficiency in
      monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) compared with wild-type (WT)-AAV6 vectors. The
      increase in the transduction efficiency correlated with the improved nuclear
      translocation of AAV6-T492V+S663V over that of the WT-AAV6 vector. Additional
      studies of the CD11c promoter identified critical regulatory elements that fit
      into the AAV expression cassette and drive EGFP expression in moDCs. Development
      of a chimeric promoter (chmCD11c) that contains functional modules of CD11c and a
      Simian virus (SV40) enhancer element dramatically increased the EGFP expression
      in moDCs. MoDCs transduced by the capsid-optimized AAV6 vector carrying human
      prostate-specific antigen (hPSA) driven by CBA (AAV6-T492V+S663V-CBA-hPSA) or
      chmCd11c (AAV6-T492V+S663V-chmCD11c-hPSA) generated specific T-cell clone
      proliferation and superior cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) with higher killing
      capability against human prostate adenocarcinoma cells, LNCaP, compared with WT
      AAV6 induced CTLs. Taken together, these studies suggest that optimization of
      capsid and promoter components of AAV vectors can be a useful approach for
      efficient targeting of moDCs and may prove to be a promising tool for cancer
      immunotherapy.

PMID- 24217811
TI  - Dendritic cells treated with chloroquine modulate experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis.
AB  - Chloroquine (CQ), an antimalarial drug, has been shown to modulate the immune
      system and reduce the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
      (EAE). The mechanisms of disease suppression are dependent on regulatory T cell
      induction, although Tregs-independent mechanisms exist. We aimed to evaluate
      whether CQ is capable to modulate bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) both
      phenotypically and functionally as well as whether transfer of CQ-modulated DCs
      reduces EAE course. Our results show that CQ-treated DCs presented altered
      ultrastructure morphology and lower expression of molecules involved in antigen
      presentation. Consequently, T cell proliferation was diminished in coculture
      experiments. When transferred into EAE mice, DC-CQ was able to reduce the
      clinical manifestation of the disease through the modulation of the immune
      response against neuroantigens. The data presented herein indicate that
      chloroquine-mediated modulation of the immune system is achieved by a direct
      effect on DCs and that DC-CQ adoptive transfer may be a promising approach for
      avoiding drug toxicity. 

PMID- 24217812
TI  - How T follicular helper cells and the germinal centre response change with age.
AB  - Normal ageing is accompanied by a decline in the function of the immune system
      that causes an increased susceptibility to infections and an impaired response to
      vaccination in older individuals. This results in an increased disease burden in
      the aged population, even with good immunisation programmes in place. The
      decreased response to vaccination is partly due to the diminution of the germinal
      centre response with age, caused by impaired T-cell help to B cells. Within the
      germinal centre, T-cell help is provided by a specialised subset of CD4(+) T
      cells; T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Tfh cells provide survival and selection
      signals to germinal centre B cells, allowing them to egress from the germinal
      centre and become long-live plasma cells or memory B cells, and provide life-long
      protection against subsequent infection. This review will discuss the cellular
      and molecular changes in both Tfh cells and germinal centre B cells that occur
      with advancing age, which result in a smaller germinal centre response and a less
      effective response to immunisation. 

PMID- 24217813
TI  - IgM autoantibodies: Roquin and Bob1ng to a different tune.

PMID- 24217814
TI  - Psychrobacter immobilis septicemia in a boy with X-linked chronic granulomatous
      disease and fulminant hepatic failure.
AB  - A 16-year old boy with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) developed
      Psychrobacter immobilis septicemia during a course of fulminant hepatic failure.
      The patient died despite aggressive management with antimicrobials and
      corticosteroids. While Psychrobacter immobilis rarely affects humans, it should
      be considered an organism that can cause sepsis in patients with CGD. 

PMID- 24217815
TI  - Phenotypic variations of cartilage hair hypoplasia: granulomatous skin
      inflammation and severe T cell immunodeficiency as initial clinical presentation
      in otherwise well child with short stature.
AB  - We report a child with short stature since birth who was otherwise well,
      presenting at 2.8 years with progressive granulomatous skin lesions when
      diagnosed with severe T cell immunodeficiency. When previously investigated for
      short stature, and at the time of current investigations, she had no radiological
      skeletal features characteristics for cartilage hair hypoplasia, but we found a
      disease causing RMRP (RNase mitochondrial RNA processing endoribonuclease) gene
      mutation. Whilst search for HLA matched unrelated donor for haematopoietic stem
      cell transplantation (HSCT) was underway, she developed rapidly progressive EBV
      related lymphoproliferative disorder requiring laparotomy and small bowel
      resection, and was treated with anti-B cell monoclonal antibody and eventually
      curative allogeneic HSCT. Screening for RMRP gene mutations should be part of
      immunological evaluation of patients with 'severe and/or combined' T cell
      immunodeficiency of unknown origin, especially when associated with short stature
      and regardless of presence or absence of radiological skeletal features.

PMID- 24217816
TI  - Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation appears to ameliorate IgA nephropathy in a
      patient with X-linked thrombocytopenia.
AB  - Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is caused by a mutation in the WAS gene, and it is
      clinically characterized by the triad of thrombocytopenia, eczema and
      immunodeficiency. X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT), which is a clinically mild
      form of WAS, is also caused by a WAS gene mutation. Patients with WAS/XLT
      sometimes also have autoimmune diseases such as IgA nephropathy. Progression of
      IgA nephropathy may lead to chronic renal failure with a poor prognosis. Here, we
      describe an XLT patient who also had IgA nephropathy. The patient underwent bone
      marrow transplantation (BMT) because of an associated-lymphoproliferative
      disorder, and clinical and histological improvement in his IgA nephropathy was
      observed after BMT. The amount of galactose-deficient IgA in the patient's serum
      markedly decreased after BMT. Therefore, immunological reconstitution might
      improve autoimmune diseases in patients with WAS/XLT. 

PMID- 24217817
TI  - Increased circulating Th17 cell populations and elevated CSF osteopontin and IL
      17 concentrations in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute post-infectious immune
      mediated demyelinating disease of the peripheral nervous system. Th17 cells and
      osteopontin (OPN) have been implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases,
      but little is known about their relationship and roles in the pathogenesis of
      GBS. METHODS: In this study, we used flow cytometry to evaluate peripheral
      numbers of Th17, real-time polymerase chain reaction to assay mRNA expression of
      RORgammat, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determined OPN and IL-17
      concentrations. RESULTS: The frequency of Th17 cells was significantly higher in
      the peripheral blood of acute-stage GBS patients comparison with other non
      inflammatory neurological diseases (OND). In line with these observations, the
      levels of mRNA expression of RORgammat in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and
      the concentrations IL-17 in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were
      significantly higher in the acute-stage GBS than stable-stage GBS. OPN
      concentrations were significantly increased in the CSF of acute-stage GBS
      patients compared to OND. Circulating Th17 cell populations and CSF OPN levels,
      respectively, are correlated with GBS disability scale scores (GDSs), and there
      was a positive correlation between them. CONCLUSION: In summary, our preliminary
      findings suggest that both Th17 and OPN may be associated with the pathogenesis
      of GBS.

PMID- 24217818
TI  - [PPMP as a forum for female academics].

PMID- 24217819
TI  - [Are urban dwellers more depressed and anxious than the rural population? Results
      of a representative survey].

PMID- 24217820
TI  - [Position statement: Are urban dwellers more depressed and anxious than the rural
      population? Results of a representative survey].

PMID- 24217821
TI  - First-line combination therapy with rituximab and corticosteroids is effective
      and safe for pemphigus.

PMID- 24217822
TI  - The evaluation of patients with burns during fifteen years period.
AB  - AIMS: Burn is a major health problem that cause of mortality, morbidity and
      psychological problems in children and adults throughout the world. The aim of
      this study was to evaluate the epidemiological, etiological features and outcomes
      of burns in the southeast region of Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 3010
      burn patients (age vary between 2 month to 95 years old) that admitted to the
      Dicle University burn center during the 15 years period (1994-2008) were
      reviewed. Age, gender, demographic characteristics, length of hospital stay of
      patients, etiology and degree of burns, cause of nosocomial infections, the total
      body surface area (TBSA) percentage and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 3010
      patients, 1602 (53.2%) cases were female and 1408 (46.8%) were male. The mean age
      was 10.51+/-13.45. The most of patients (58.1%, 1748 patients) were <= 5 years
      old, 19.9% (598) were 6-15, 20.1% (606) were 16-50 and 1.9% (58) were >=51 years
      old. Burn type of cases were including: 1956 (65%) scalding burns, 624 (20.7%)
      flame burns and 430 (14.3%) electrical burns. Degree of burns were including: 22
      (0.7%) first-degree, 2706 (89.9%) second-degree and 282 (9.4%) third-degree
      burns. The mean of length of hospitalization was 13.25 +/-10.77 days. The most
      frequent isolated microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (55%, 553),
      Acinetobacter spp. (13%, 128), and Escherichia coli (8%, 78). Mortality rate was
      4.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology of burns may vary according to lifestyles,
      age, living conditions and socio-economic status among different regions and
      hospitals. Improvement of life conditions and socio-economic status, trainings,
      periodic studies of nosocomial infections and increasing the number of burn
      centers, would contribute to reduction of deaths due to burns.

PMID- 24217823
TI  - Calcium score of coronary artery stratifies the risk of obstructive coronary
      artery diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coronary heart disease is a major health problem in Malaysia
      with high morbidity and mortality. Common primary screening tool of
      cardiovascular risk stratification is exercise treadmill test (ETT). This
      communication is to determine the performance of coronary artery calcium score a
      new method to stratify the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD)
      in comparison to traditional ETT in patients having coronary artery diseases.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients between 30 to 60 years old attended the ETT to
      screen for ischemic heart disease were recruited for Agatston coronary artery
      calcium score (CACS) of multi-sliced computed tomography (MSCT). Subsequently all
      patients underwent a full MSCT coronary angiography. The major determinant was
      the state of CAD whether obstructive (50% stenosis or more) or non-obstructive
      (less than 50% stenosis). All patients diagnosed with obstructive CAD on MSCT
      coronary angiogram were subjected to invasive coronary angiogram (ICA) to confirm
      the findings and planned the need for revascularization. RESULTS: The CACS was
      100% sensitivity and 97.5% specificity in detecting obstructive CAD at the
      optimal cut-off value of 106.5 and above. The positive predictive value (PPV) at
      CACS >= 106 was 71.4% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was consistent at
      100%. Compare to ETT, the CACS discriminative value and diagnostic performance
      was much better (PPV 71.4% vs. 45.5%), respectively. CONCLUSION: CACS can be a
      good diagnostic screening tool in patients suspected of CAD, and particularly
      within the non-diagnostic ETT subgroup with low to moderate cardiovascular risks.

PMID- 24217824
TI  - Classification and comparative study of vitiligo in Southeast of Turkey with
      biochemical and immunological parameters.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate classification and comparative with biochemical and
      immunological parameters of vitiligo disease in Southeast of Turkey. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: 148 patients who referred to the Department & Dermatology and
      Venereology with the complaint of vitiligo were selected. All patients gave
      informed consent for participation in the study. The patients were classified
      according to types of the skin. The complete blood cell and biochemical
      laboratory tests, ASO, CRP, RF, ANA, thyroid hormone levels were examined.
      RESULTS: In the evaluation of 148 vitiligo patients; we didn't observe any
      significant difference between age and sex groups. We observed the maximum number
      of patients in the ages of 20-29 years and the most common types of clinical and
      focal types. We compared the childeren and adult patients according to their skin
      types, the difference was significant. We viewed that the onset of the disease
      commonly first in the face area. Koebner phenomenon 17 (11.48%), halo nevus 5
      (3.38%) and leucotrichia 5 (3.38%) of patients were positive. CONCLUSION:
      Vitiligo is associated with loss of color by the destruction of melanocytes. The
      incidence of vitiligo is 1-2% and is found in every race. This study is important
      for the reason of the first research which evaluates vitiligo patients in
      southeast of Turkey.

PMID- 24217825
TI  - Risk of mental health disorders among farmers involved in palm plantation
      occupation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to define mental health status of palm
      plantation farmers in Muar, Johor, Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 47 male
      farmers volunteered to join this study from three rural districts in southern
      Malaysia. Anthropometric measurements, demographic data including smoking habits
      and the short form of the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scales (DASS-21) to assess
      mental health status were obtained in an interview. RESULTS: Mean and SD age of
      participants was 30.17 +/- 4.86 years. Mean BMI of subjects was 22.86 +/- 3.88
      kg/m2. Most subjects (76.6%) were smokers. The prevalence of mild to moderate
      anxiety was 27.7% and Mild to moderate depression was 8.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study revealed high prevalence of anxiety and smoking in palm plantation workers
      and that smoking habits can be related to their higher anxiety level.

PMID- 24217826
TI  - Nurses compliance to hand hygiene practice and knowledge at Klang Valley
      hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hand hygiene is the most important measure in the prevention
      of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI). Adherence to hand hygiene protocols
      in hospital by nurses enables in prevention and control the HCAI. The main aim of
      the present study was to assess nurses' compliance to hand hygiene practice and
      knowledge in a hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional
      study was conducted in the intensive care units of a hospital in Kuala Lumpur. A
      total of 84 registered nurses from the intensive care were recruited for this
      study. A self-administered questionnaire was deployed to measure knowledge and
      compliance about hand hygiene. RESULTS: The findings showed the total mean and
      standard deviation of knowledge (60.65+/-4.213) and compliance (84.65+/-7.024) to
      be high among the respondents. There were no significant differences with the
      knowledge and compliance to hand hygiene with respondents' age groups with a p
      value >0.05. However, there were significant differences between respondents'
      years of service with the knowledge and compliance with p values <0.05. The
      results showed significant differences between respondents' with post basic
      course with compliance to hand hygiene with a p value <0.05 actual p value added
      (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the respondents' post
      basic course with knowledge to hand hygiene with p values >0.05 actual p value
      added (p=0.072). CONCLUSION: Nurses compliance to hand hygiene practice and
      knowledge was good. Nurses' years of service have great implications on
      compliance to hand hygiene practice. The study opines that constant reinforcement
      and motivation are required by the hospital infection control team to impart hand
      hygiene practice.

PMID- 24217827
TI  - Abdominal wall reconstruction after resection of an enterocutaneous fistula with
      an island pedicled anterolateral thigh perforator flap. Case report.
AB  - Entero-cutaneous fistula resulting from a locally invasive large bowel carcinoma
      is a difficult surgical challenge. En-bloc resection of the involved organs and
      the entero-cutaneous fistula tract with a healthy tissue margin will result in a
      composite abdominal wall defect that requires closure. Reconstructive surgical
      options include primary closure, components separation and the use of local,
      regional or free flaps with or without prosthetic mesh. We report a case of an
      abdominal enterocutaneous fistula secondary to a locally invasive sigmoid
      carcinoma, which was reconstructed with a pedicled antero-lateral thigh
      perforator (ALT) flap. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a malignant
      entero-cutaneous fistula, which was reconstructed with an ALT flap. 

PMID- 24217828
TI  - Low back pain radiating to the leg: an atypical cause.
AB  - This study reports the case of a 47-year old female with low back pain radiating
      to groin and anterior regions of the left thigh and leg. At symptoms onset,
      electromyography showed left L3-L4 radiculopathy, and nuclear magnetic resonance
      revealed disc protrusion at the same level with impingement of the spinal nerve
      root. The clinical symptoms were ascribed to lumbar disco-radicular conflict. The
      patient underwent steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment with epidural steroid
      injections, chiropractic spinal manipulations and rehabilitation program, with no
      relief. Thirteen months after the onset of pain, a computed tomography of
      sacroiliac joints showed osteolytic lesion in the iliac bone of left joint, and a
      bone scintigraphy highlighted foci of intense uptake at left iliac bone and left
      proximal extremity of the femur. The bone biopsy and pathological examinations
      showed findings consistent with large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This case
      report highlights the fact that in making differential diagnosis of low back pain
      radiating to the leg we have to consider the rare possibility that pain can be
      due to non-Hodgkin lymphoma that involves simultaneously the iliac bone and
      proximal extremity of the femur. 

PMID- 24217829
TI  - A less aggressive therapeutic option for electrical storm.
AB  - Electrical storm (ES) describes the rapidly clustering ventricular fibrillation
      (VF) that requires multiple cardioversions. Emerging evidence suggests that
      Purkinje arborization and sympathetic nerve regeneration play a major role in
      initiating malignant arrhythmias. We report the case of two patients who, after
      having survived an acute myocardial infarction (MI), developed repetitive
      episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and VF one week after
      percutaneous revascularization, triggered by monomorphic premature ventricular
      contractions (PVCs). Owing to repetitive and drug-refractory VF episodes,
      temporary atrial overdrive pacing was attempted with complete suppression of VF.
      In the following month, recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia was inversely
      related to the atrial pacing rate. Although antiarrhythmic drugs other than beta
      blockers had been discontinued, neither PVCs nor ventricular arrhythmias recurred
      at one-month follow-up when the lower pacing rate was set at 60 bpm. In
      conclusion in these patients, ES was likely related to nerve sprouting after
      ischemic injury. This chaotic phenomenon occurs early after tissue damage and
      shows a peak seven days after acute MI with degeneration of superfluous axon
      branches. High pacing rates can reduce early after depolarizations and suppress
      PVCs, thus preventing ES. On these grounds, ES patients may be treated with
      temporary overdrive pacing rather than early radiofrequency ablation. 

PMID- 24217830
TI  - Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) inguinal hernia repair - recent
      clinical experiences of this novel technique.
AB  - Inguinal hernia remains the most commonly encountered surgical problem. Various
      methods of repair have been described, and the most suitable one debated. Single
      port access (SPA) surgery is a rapidly evolving field, and has the advantage of
      affording 'scarless' surgery. Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for
      inguinal hernia repair is seen to be feasible in both total extraperitoneal (TEP)
      and transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) approaches. Data and peri-operative
      information on both of these however are limited. We aimed to review the clinical
      experience, feasibility and short term complications related to laparoscopic
      inguinal hernia repair via single port access. A literature search was performed
      using Google Scholar, Springerlink Library, Highwire Press, Surgical Endoscopy
      Journal, World Journal of Surgery and Medscape. The following search terms were
      used: laparoscopic hernia repair, TAPP, TEP, single incision laparoscopic surgery
      (SILS). Fourteen articles in English language related to SILS inguinal hernia
      repair were identified. Nine articles were related to TEP repair and the
      remaining 5 to TAPP. A total of 340 patients were reported within these studies:
      294 patients having a TEP repair and 46 a TAPP. Only two cases of recurrence were
      reported. Various ports have been utilized, including the SILS port, Tri-Port and
      a custom- made port using conventional laparoscopic instruments. The duration of
      surgery was 40-100 minutes and the average length of hospital stay was one day.
      Early outcomes of this novel technique show it to be feasible, safe and with
      potentially better cosmetic outcome. 

PMID- 24217831
TI  - Treatment of resistant insomnia and major depression.
AB  - Daily rhythms regulate everiday life and sleep/wake alternation is the best
      expression of this. Disruptions in biological rhythms is strongly associated with
      mood disorders, often being the major feature of this, major depressive disorder
      first of all. Although stabilization of rhythms produced by treatments have
      important outcome on therapeutic efficacy, insomnia often remains an unresolved
      symptom when major depression has otherwise been successfully treated with
      antidepressant. We review scientific literature in order to better clarify how to
      better approach insomnia as a clinical aspect to investigate and to early treat
      while treating other psychiatric conditions, major depression in particular.
      Insomnia is associated with impaired quality of life. It can be resolved with
      adequate diagnosis and treatment: it should be considered a comorbid condition
      and should be early identificated and treated in a multidisciplinary way, so that
      the ideal of treatment for patients with treatment resistant insomnia in major
      depression is an integration of non-pharmacologic measures, along with judicious
      use of medication, often used as an adjunctive therapy. 

PMID- 24217832
TI  - [Internal medicine and cardiovascular evaluation of preoperative and
      perioperative patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery].
AB  - Ophthalmic surgery would a surgical practice with fewer complications compared to
      other types of surgery. This is only true in part, because of the elderly
      population of reference. So, in cataract surgery we are faced with a patient with
      heart disease which carries the signs of aging and degenerative consequences
      linked to it. The interventions performed in patients with heart disease are
      still potentially have a greater risk, although site preparation and monitoring
      during and after surgery in recent years have allowed greater safety for patients
      and an overall reduction in morbidity and mortality. It is stressed so the
      importance of a correct clinical diagnosis of the general patient for a better
      stratification of cardiovascular risk for ophthalmic surgery. It must therefore
      avoid the most frequent sequelae, such as the ICC, arrhythmias and hypertensive
      crises. One purpose of a Service of Internal Medicine, like ours, totally
      dedicated to the functional requirements of the assistance of ophthalmologic
      patients, both during hospitalization, and in prehospitalization, and especially
      in Day Hospital and in Day Service, for the cardiac risk stratification in
      ophthalmic surgery, is to ensure firstly to the patient and then to colleagues
      ophthalmologist and surgeons and anesthetists the greater security on the plane
      predictive for reducing perioperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 24217833
TI  - [Stabilometric analysis in patients affected by maculopathy].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The walk is strictly influenced by vision, that's essential for the
      position of the body in the space during the walk cycle and the postural control.
      The quality of life related to the vision is widely highlighted in literature:
      for example Brown et al. in 2005 underlined the comparison from DMLE and chronic
      ills, like HIV, angina, dialysis, advanced prostate tumor, stroke, and heart
      attack. Peripheral low vision appeared the most crippling aspect to the walk, but
      in recent years a lot of studies stressed the walk difficulty in patients with
      central low vision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study has been carried out in
      partnership between Ophtalmic Department and Physiatrist Department. Its aim was
      to evaluate static posture in patients affected by maculopathy. We picked out
      subjects affected by maculopathy with central low vision due to a variety of
      causes but with preserved peripheral vision. RESULTS: Test trials had the purpose
      to investigate different aspects of static posture, in subjects affected by
      central low vision. It was related to risk of falling and faulty postures, that
      are pathologically in a long term. CONCLUSIONS: Our study claimed that in
      stabilometric analysis the differences between patients affected by maculopathy
      and control group aren't statistically significant.

PMID- 24217834
TI  - Comparison of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography between elderly and
      younger patients for common bile duct stones.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Choledocholithiasis is increasing in elderly subjects. The
      introduction of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with biliary
      sphincterotomy has almost replaced surgery in the treatment of this condition.
      The aim of the present study was to evaluate the rates of successful clearance of
      common bile duct stones and the endoscopic techniques used in a population aged
      75 years or older compared with those in a younger age group. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of data related patients who underwent
      endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for choledocolithiasis in the
      period 2010-2011. For all patients, factors such as sex, age at diagnosis,
      endoscopic treatment (stone extraction using baskets and balloon, mechanical
      lithotripsy and balloon dilatation of the ampulla, placement of a stent or a naso
      biliary tube) and need of surgery were analysed. Two groups of patients were
      identified: patients aged <75 years (Group A) and patients aged >=75 years (Group
      B). For the statistical analysis Mann-Whitney test and Fischer's Exact test were
      used. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients were enrolled in the study (94 in Group A,
      140 in Group B). No statistically significant differences were observed as far
      concerns sex, previous cholecystectomy, gallbladder stones and periampullary
      diverticula, but only for common bile duct dilatation. Complete clearance of
      common bile duct stones was achieved in 230 patients (97.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The
      present data are in keeping with those presented in the literature, which confirm
      that endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a safe and effective
      procedure also in older patients.

PMID- 24217835
TI  - Can early diagnosis and partial meniscectomy improve quality of life in patients
      with lateral discoid meniscus?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical and radiographic mid-term outcomes and
      improvement in quality of life in pediatric patients affected by LDM and who
      underwent partial or total/subtotal meniscectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28
      patients (12 M, 16 F), mean age 8.3 years old (range: 6-13) affected by LDM with
      symptoms and/or meniscal tears, mean follow up: 2 years and 4 months (range: 24
      52 months). Symptoms included: pain, swelling, articular block, limitation to
      knee extention, meniscal instability and formation of meniscal cysts. 23 patients
      treated with partial meniscectomy, 5 by total/subtotal meniscectomy. All of them
      have been clinically evaluated using the Ikeuchi scale and the POSNA
      questionnaire; for radiological evaluation we used the Tapper-Hoover grading
      scale. RESULTS: Ikeuchi: In 23 patients underwent partial meniscectomy: 21
      excellent and 2 good; in 5 patients underwent total/subtotal meniscectomy: 1
      excellent, 2 good and 2 average. POSNA presurgical mean score: partial
      meniscectomy: 70 (range 66.8-73.6), total/subtotal meniscectomy: 58.7 (56.9
      62.2). POSNA presurgical mean score: partial meniscectomy: 92.4 (range 88.7-98),
      total/subtotal meniscectomy: 81.2 (range 78.3-85.6). Tapper-Hoover: in 23
      patients underwent partial meniscectomy: 17 were classified grade I, 5 grade II,
      1 grade III; in 5 patients underwent total/subtotal meniscectomy: 2 were
      classified grade II and 3 grade III. These ones evidenced further signs of
      chondromalacia on articular surfaces, in the lateral area of knee joint.
      DISCUSSION: Significant improvement in quality of life, evidenced in all patients
      (p = 0.048 in those underwent total/subtotal meniscectomy, p = 0.011 in those
      underwent partial meniscectomy), but especially in patients who underwent partial
      meniscectomy with absence of meniscal tears (p = 0.033), supports how important
      can be early diagnosis of LDM in childhood. We assert that early diagnosis and
      conservative treatment (partial meniscectomy) could reduce risks in development
      of chondromalacia, in those patients affected by LDM, because of its association
      with better clinical, radiographic and in quality of life mid-term results.

PMID- 24217836
TI  - Early childhood caries (ECC) and neglect in child care: analysis of an Italian
      sample.
AB  - AIM: Dental caries was identified as the single most common chronic childhood
      disease; its prevention should be a priority for dentists. With the aim of
      describing the correlation between early childhood caries (ECC) and the
      phenomenon of child neglect, a questionnaire which recorded socio-economic and
      dental service use data was provided to a randomly chosen sample of parents at
      three pediatric health service centers in Bari (Italy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In
      order to evaluate the association among risk factors and ECC, contingency tables
      were created and the value of the Odds Ratio (OR) was calculated, indicating the
      confidence intervals and chi square values. A student's t-test for independent
      samples was performed to evaluate the differences between the averages. A value
      of p<=0.5 was considered to be significant for all tests used. RESULTS: Of the 63
      children examined, 61.9% (n=39; 95%CL=49.9- 73.9) presented with ECC, of which
      47.6% (n=30; 95%CL=34.9-60.6) were classified as Wyne's Type I; 12.7% (n=8;
      95%CL=5.6-23.5) were classified as Type II; and 1.6% (n=1; 95%CL=0-8.5) as Type
      III. Interestingly, the frequency of Types II and III were shown to be higher in
      low-income families (chi-square=8.50; p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Dentists should
      recognize children's susceptibility to ECC and their exposure to risk factors for
      neglect, thus facilitating a primary prevention visit.

PMID- 24217837
TI  - Extraskeletal Ewing's Sarcoma: insight into a ten years follow-up.
AB  - Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma is a rare malignant soft tissue tumor, classified
      within the Ewing's Sarcoma Family Tumors. While the classical Ewing's Sarcoma
      affects mainly the bone during youth, the Extraskeletal histotype differs for age
      incidence, primary location and prognosis. Peak incidence and typical location
      are during adolescence and in the extremities respectively. We report a 30 year
      old woman case with a positive outcome after ten years from first diagnosis of
      Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma. Treatment was achieved through surgical resection
      plus adjuvant chemoradiotherapy derived from EW93 and IRS III trials. Conclusion.
      Our report represents an unusual case due to age of presentation, neoplasm
      location and long survival reached. In last decades several trials results
      demonstrated that long survival could be achieved by combined surgery and
      adjuvant multi-drug treatment. 

PMID- 24217838
TI  - [A serious complication due to liquid silicone injection in the legs for cosmetic
      purpose].
AB  - Liquid injectable silicone has been used to increase volume in determined
      cutaneous districts, particularly in aesthetical reconstructive surgery. Although
      considered biologically inert for a long time this substance produced various
      complications as granulomatous foreign body reaction (siliconomas), secondary
      limphedema, tissue destruction and lethal embolism. A 35-year-old Caucasian woman
      came to our department with erithema and edema on the right leg, fever and
      chills. A thorough examination of the patient's history revealed injection of
      liquid silicone 7 years before for cosmetic volume increase of both legs. A
      closer observation revealed a small fistulous element from which came out white
      yellow puruloid material. Antibiotic therapy and drainage of the abscess were
      undertaken. Within few days of treatment erithema and swelling essentially
      improved and the patient was discharged. After two months she came back to our
      department due to the same disease on her left leg that we treated with the
      therapy previously used. We highlight the long time, 7 years, elapsed between
      liquid silicone injection and onset of cutaneous symptoms.

PMID- 24217839
TI  - Urrets- Zavalia Syndrome after glaucoma filtration device implantation.
AB  - We report a case of Urrets-Zavalia Syndrome after a glaucoma filtration device
      (g.f.d.) implantation. A 74-year-old woman with bilateral advanced glaucoma has
      been planned for surgery. The patient underwent to g.f.d. implantation in the
      right eye. On postoperative day 1, the patient had an edematous cornea with a
      dilated and non reactive pupil. In this article we describe the clinical history
      of this patient. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Urrets-Zavalia
      Syndrome after a g.f.d. implantation. 

PMID- 24217840
TI  - Abdominal emergency in elderly: a case of small bowel obstruction and ischemia
      caused by bulky IA ovarian cancer.
AB  - Bowel obstruction resulting from colorectal and ovarian cancer is a serious and
      distressing complication of these malignancies. This may be caused by diffuse
      peritoneal carcinomatosis, bulky masses filling the pelvis and abdomen or
      postoperative adhesions, and should be carefully worked out by pre-operative
      imaging. We report the case of a small bowel obstruction and intestinal ischemia
      caused by a bulky (20x40 cm in diameter) cystic ovarian neoplasm that was found
      to be a stage IA G2 cystadenocarcinoma, successfully managed by uterus-sparing
      surgery. 

PMID- 24217841
TI  - Marked elevation of transaminases and pancreatic enzymes in severe malnourished
      male with eating disorder.
AB  - We report a case of a 45 year old Caucasian malnourished male with an history of
      eating disorder who developed severe liver and pancreatic damage and multiorgan
      disfunction. At admission to our department, his body mass index (BMI) was 11.1.
      Biochemical evaluation showed elevated serum levels of transaminases (AST= 2291
      U/L, ALT= 1792 U/L), amylase (3620 U/L), lipase (4102 U/L), CPK= 1370 U/L, LDH=
      2082 U/L. No other cause of acute liver and pancreatic damage was evidenced.
      Haematological disorders (anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia) found on
      admission seem related to bone marrow hypoplasia and to gelatinous marrow
      transformation described in severe state of malnutrition. Although a moderate
      increase in liver and pancreatic enzymes are a common finding in malnourished
      patients, only a small number of reports describes severe liver injury and
      multiorgan dysfunction. After a few days of treatment (hydration and nutritional
      support) a marked decrease of serum transaminases, lipase, amylase, CPK, LDH
      occurred, despite a transient increase in these levels secondary to refeeding
      syndrome. The association of chronic malnutrition and a decrease in systemic
      perfusion may be responsible for multiorgan dysfunction. In our patient the high
      levels of transaminases and pancreatic enzymes were the most important
      biochemical abnormalities normalized after refeeding. 

PMID- 24217842
TI  - Hepatitis C virus infection and type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two
      worldwide, major public health problems with increasing complication and
      mortality rates. Many epidemiological studies have demonstrated the significant
      association between T2DM and chronic HCV infection. In this paper we have
      reviewed the increasing evidence linking HCV infection and DM in more than one
      field (epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical aspects, prevention and treatment).
      We have considered T2DM, acute and chronic HCV infection, and cirrhotic patients.
      Moreover, we have considered some particular populations, solid organ transplant
      recipients or HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfected patients. In the
      final part we have analyzed the potential effect of the association between HCV
      infection and the development of DM in term of outcome and possibilities for
      prevention and treatment. 

PMID- 24217843
TI  - New therapies in common ocular surface disorders.
AB  - Lacrimal dysfunction syndrome (LDS) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) are
      common pathologies of the ocular surface both characterized by quantitative
      and/or qualitative tear film changings. They may result in symptoms of eye
      irritation, clinically apparent inflammation and ocular surface disease. Recent
      researches about the chronic inflammatory nature of dry eye, revealed the
      possibility to develop new treatments for LDS like new immunological drugs. MGD,
      alone or if it occurs contemporary to LDS, can be treated with a thermal
      pulsation system, a useful tool to alleviate symptoms. 

PMID- 24217844
TI  - Biological therapies in rheumatic diseases.
AB  - The development of the biological drugs has revolutionized the therapeutic
      approach of the chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, particularly in patients
      resistant to standard treatment. These drugs are characterized by an innovative
      mechanism of action, based on the targeted inhibition of specific molecular or
      cellular targets directly involved in the pathogenesis of the diseases: pro
      inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1 and 6), CTLA-4, and
      molecules involved in the activation, differentiation and maturation of B cells.
      Their use has indeed allowed for a better prognosis in several rheumatic diseases
      (such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis,
      systemic lupus erythematosus) and to obtain a clinical remission. In the present
      review we give an overview of the biological drugs currently available for the
      treatment of the rheumatic diseases, analyzing the different mechanism of action,
      the therapeutic indications and efficacy data, and adverse events. 

PMID- 24217845
TI  - Environmental tobacco smoke: health policy and focus on Italian legislation.
AB  - Worldwide tobacco smoking kills nearly 6 million people each year, including more
      than 600,000 non-smokers who die from smoke exposure. Environmental tobacco smoke
      (ETS, also called secondhand smoke, involuntary smoke, or passive smoke) is the
      combination of sidestream smoke, the smoke given off by a burning tobacco product
      and mainstream smoke, the smoke exhaled by smokers. People may be exposed to ETS
      in homes, cars, workplaces, and public places, such as bars, restaurants, and
      recreational settings. In addition, there is another type of smoke which until
      now has not been recognized: the so-called thirdhand smoke, that comes from the
      reaction of mainstream smoke and environmental nitrous acid (HNO2) making
      carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). The effects of ETS on human
      health are well-known, passive smoking is harmful to those who breathe the toxins
      and it is a serious problem for public health. The smoking ban in Italy had
      reduced ETS pollution, as in the United States and in other countries all over
      the world. However, the implementation of comprehensive legislation on smoking
      policy will necessitate other tobacco control measures for its successful
      fulfillment: increased media awareness, telephone smoking cessation helplines and
      smoking cessation support services could be an opportunity to ensure awareness,
      comprehension and support to those who want to quit smoking. The effectiveness of
      legislative efforts will also depend on successful enforcement of smoking bans
      and compliance with the legislation. This review summarizes the evidences about
      the effect of ETS and provides an overview of smoke-free laws and policies. 

PMID- 24217846
TI  - Hepatitis C virus and type 1 diabetes.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus infection and diabetes mellitus are two worldwide, major public
      health problems with increasing complication and mortality rates. Type 1 diabetes
      mellitus (T1D) is characterized by an autoimmune process leading to pancreatic
      beta cell destruction; only when the major part of pancreatic beta cells have
      been destroyed the diabetes become clinically manifest. At the basis of the
      development of the T1D there is an interplay among environmental factors,
      pancreatic beta cells, the innate and adaptive immune system, the genetic
      background and the comorbidities of the patient. Viral infections, including
      hepatitis C virus infection, may be one of the factors that can almost accelerate
      progression to diabetes, through different mechanisms. 

PMID- 24217847
TI  - [Albrecht von Haller: an encyclopaedic cosmopolite in the history of Swiss
      medicine].
AB  - Albrecht von Haller was born in Bern on October 16, 1708 and studied medicine in
      Tubingen and Leiden. From the middles thirties on, and for seventeen years, he
      taught botany, anatomy and surgery at the University of Gottingen, where he
      founded the botanical garden, the institute of anatomy and the Royal Society of
      Science. His research included the study of Swiss flora, experimentation in human
      physiology and the investigation of vascular anatomy. One of his main scientific
      interests was how the human body functions, and he believed that it worked as an
      active organism characterized by its capacity for reaction to stimuli and
      impulses. In his work Icones anatomicae (1743-1756), von Haller minutely
      described the human arterial circulation. This scientist also investigated the
      properties of the nervous and muscular systems, in particular in terms of
      sensibility and irritability, and the development of embryos. Albrecht von Haller
      died in Bern on December 12, 1777.

PMID- 24217848
TI  - Effects of low intensity static magnetic field on FTIR spectra and ROS production
      in SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells.
AB  - Biological effects of man-made electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been studied so
      far by experimental approaches exposing animals and cell cultures to EMFs.
      However, the evidence for cell toxicity induced by static magnetic field (SMF) is
      still uncertain. We investigated the effects produced by the exposure of human SH
      SY5Y neuronal-like cells to a uniform magnetic field at intensities of 2.2 mT,
      which is less than the recommended public exposure limits set by the
      International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). A
      decrease of membrane mitochondrial potential up to 30% was measured after 24 h of
      exposure to SMF in SH-SY5Y cells, and this effect was associated with reactive
      oxygen species production increase. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
      (FTIR) analysis showed that exposure to a static magnetic intensity around 2.2 mT
      changed the secondary structure of cellular proteins and lipid components. The
      vibration bands relative to the methylene group increased significantly after 4 h
      of exposure, whereas further exposure up to 24 h produced evident shifts of amide
      I and II modes and a relative increase in beta-sheet contents with respect to
      alpha-helix components. Our study demonstrated that a moderate SMF causes
      alteration in cell homeostasis, as indicated by FTIR spectroscopy observations of
      changes in protein structures that are part of cell response to magnetic field
      exposure.

PMID- 24217850
TI  - Analysis of the characteristics of interconsultations performed by emergency
      physicians to other hospital specialists and their evolution over time.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the type of
      interconsultations carried out in the Emergency Department (ED) to hospital
      specialists and analyze their pattern over time. METHODS: The study was carried
      out during the period from 2006 to 2012. It was carried out at EDs attending to
      all types of interconsultations except pediatrics and obstetrics-gynecology.
      There were no changes in physical structure, number of personnel, or organization
      during the study period. The main measurements taken were as follows: monthly ED
      census, number of interconsultations and specialties consulted, main reason for
      presentation at the ED during the first (2006) and last year (2012), and, for
      specialties demonstrating substantial quantitative changes, main reasons for the
      interconsultation from the ED at the beginning (2006) and the end (2012) of the
      study. Linear regression analysis was carried out for the relationship between
      time and number of interconsultations. RESULTS: A total of 628 256 care
      interventions were carried out, with 128 008 interconsultations (20.4%).
      Orthopedic surgery and traumatology, psychiatry, and general and digestive
      surgery were the departments most frequently consulted (54.5% of the
      interconsultations). Consultations significantly reduced over time (R=0.29;
      P<0.001) but the percentage of interconsultations (related to ED census) remained
      unchanged (R=0.01; P=0.49). The behavior related to specialties was
      heterogeneous: consultations to general and digestive surgery, hematology and
      hemostasis, and urology specialists decreased, whereas to thoracic surgery,
      angiology and vascular surgery, neurology, nephrology, neurosurgery, psychiatry,
      orthopedic surgery and traumatology, and critical care medicine specialists
      increased. Some of the reasons for specialist consultation also significantly
      changed over time. CONCLUSION: The study of interconsultations allows us to
      identify areas of lesser autonomy of emergency physicians. Changes in the pattern
      of these interconsultations over time may reflect both learning processes and
      changes in the healthcare circuits in the ED.

PMID- 24217849
TI  - Evidence for a fixed capacity limit in attending multiple locations.
AB  - A classic question concerns whether humans can attend multiple locations or
      objects at once. Although it is generally agreed that the answer to this question
      is "yes," the limits on this ability are subject to extensive debate. According
      to one view, attentional resources can be flexibly allocated to a variable number
      of locations, with an inverse relationship between the number of selected
      locations and the quality of information processing at each location.
      Alternatively, these resources might be quantized in a "discrete" fashion that
      enables concurrent access to a small number of locations. Here, we report a
      series of experiments comparing these alternatives. In each experiment, we cued
      participants to attend a variable number of spatial locations and asked them to
      report the orientation of a single, briefly presented target. In all experiments,
      participants' orientation report errors were well-described by a model that
      assumes a fixed upper limit in the number of locations that can be attended.
      Conversely, report errors were poorly described by a flexible-resource model that
      assumes no fixed limit on the number of locations that can be attended.
      Critically, we showed that these discrete limits were predicted by cue-evoked
      neural activity elicited before the onset of the target array, suggesting that
      performance was limited by selection processes that began prior to subsequent
      encoding and memory storage. Together, these findings constitute novel evidence
      supporting the hypothesis that human observers can attend only a small number of
      discrete locations at an instant. 

PMID- 24217851
TI  - Variation in size of blood puddles on different surfaces.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It is known that visual estimation of blood loss is inaccurate
      independently from experience and qualification of rescuers or members of
      hospital staff. There is no information available about the size of a puddle of
      blood for a given amount of blood depending on the surface. This pilot study
      evaluated the size of blood puddles on various surfaces. METHODS: Human blood was
      portioned in standardized amounts of fluid and poured on different surfaces:
      wooden and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) floors, flagging, carpet, asphalt, concrete,
      forest soil, mattress and towel. The resulting puddles of blood were documented
      by digital photos and their surface areas measured using a computer. RESULTS: The
      largest blood puddles were found on even surfaces such as PVC floors and
      concrete, and the smallest blood puddles were found on forest soil and carpet.
      When blood volume was 100 ml, the difference between the smallest and the largest
      blood puddle added up to a factor of 13.8 (77 cm forest soil, 1061 cm PVC). This
      factor was comparable in all other blood amounts on these two surfaces (13.7 with
      250 ml, 13.0 with 500 ml, 13.5 with 1000 ml). A table with objects of daily life
      of comparable size (CD, letter, newspaper, etc.) was added for teaching purposes.
      CONCLUSION: The size of puddles of blood depended strongly on the type of
      surface. Up to 13 times larger blood puddles were found on hard and nonabsorbant
      surfaces (PVC, concrete) than on absorbant surfaces such as carpet or forest
      soil.

PMID- 24217852
TI  - Bilateral eye irrigation: a simple and effective hands-free technique.
AB  - Bilateral chemical eye injuries are a common and important problem in the
      Emergency Department. Irrigation of both eyes can be time-consuming, so we
      present a novel, simple and cost-effective technique for hands-free bilateral eye
      irrigation. Modifications of a generic dual-lumen cannula adapter and fixation
      about the glabella allow sterile irrigation fluid to be delivered directly to the
      medial canthi of the contaminated eyes in a hands-free fashion. Our customized
      rig frees both the clinician(s) and patient, thus conferring benefits to both.
      Patients regain autonomy of movement to reposition themselves for comfort or to
      manipulate the eyelids for more effective irrigation. Clinicians are freed to
      tend to other tasks. By sharing this technique we hope to stimulate discussion on
      the safest and most effective method of irrigating chemically injured eyes and
      prompt the generation of comparable outcome data for the benefit of patients. 

PMID- 24217853
TI  - Organ donation after circulatory death: an update.
AB  - There is an ongoing shortfall of organs for donation in the UK and worldwide.
      Strategies including donation after circulatory death (DCD), living donation and
      better identification of potential donors are attempting to increase the number
      of donors and donated organs. The number of DCD donors in the UK increased by
      808% from 37 to 336 between 2001 and 2010 and this is continuing to increase. The
      most common organs donated from DCD donors are the kidneys, but there is
      increasing experience of liver, lung and pancreas transplantation. The process of
      DCD varies between different countries and institutions. The outcome of DCD
      transplantation has been largely encouraging, particularly for kidneys. The
      increase in DCD has led to an appraisal of issues that may arise during the
      donation process; these include the Lazarus phenomenon, the dead donor rule,
      perimortem interventions, public opinion and conflict of interest for clinicians.

PMID- 24217854
TI  - [Neuropathic pain: pathophysiology, assessment, and therapy].
AB  - Neuropathic pain is caused by lesions in the somatosensory system. Characteristic
      but not exclusive features are spontaneous burning pain, electrifying and
      shooting pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia. The basic concept of the
      pathophysiology of neuropathic pain is the combination of peripheral and central
      sensitization. Knowledge on the molecular mechanisms has grown exponentially in
      recent years. The problem lies in identifying the individual mechanisms and in
      determining a comprehensive concept. Progress has also been made in assessment,
      e.g., methods for detecting dysfunction of nociceptors have significantly
      improved. In addition, there are many more therapeutic options available than 15
      years ago. The drugs available include antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids,
      and topical medications. Data from controlled trials and recommendations from
      guidelines are available.

PMID- 24217855
TI  - Dynamic social networks in recovery homes.
AB  - Acute treatment aftercare in the form of sober living environments-i.e., recovery
      houses-provide an inexpensive and effective medium-term treatment alternative for
      many with substance use disorders. Limited evidence suggests that house-situated
      social relationships and associated social support are critical determinants of
      how successful these residential experiences are for their members, but little is
      known about the mechanisms underlying these relationships. This study explored
      the feasibility of using dynamic social network modeling to understand house
      situated longitudinal associations among individual Alcoholics Anonymous related
      recovery behaviors, length of residence, dyadic interpersonal trust, and dyadic
      confidant relationship formation processes. Trust and confidant relationships
      were measured 3 months apart in U.S. urban-area recovery houses, all of which
      were part of a network of substance use recovery homes. A stochastic actor-based
      model was successfully estimated from this data set. Results suggest that
      confidant relationships are predicted by trust, while trust is affected by
      recovery behaviors and length of residence. Conceptualizing recovery houses as a
      set of independent, evolving social networks that can be modeled jointly appears
      to be a promising direction for research.

PMID- 24217856
TI  - A rhodamine-based "turn-on" fluorescent probe for Fe3+ in aqueous solution.
AB  - A water-soluble "turn-on" fluorescent probe (RD1) for Fe(3+) based on rhodamine B
      was designed and synthesized. The fluorescent probe showed "turn-on" fluorescent
      and colorimetric responses to Fe(3+) with a high selectivity in water containing
      less than 1% organic cosolvent. Furthermore, bioimaging investigations indicated
      that the new probe was cell permeable and suitable for monitoring intracellular
      Fe(3+) in living cells by confocal microscopy with low cytotoxicity.

PMID- 24217857
TI  - 5,10-Diacylcalix[4]pyrroles: synthesis and anion binding studies.
AB  - 5,10-Diacylcalix[4]pyrrole, a new positional isomer of the recently reported 5,15
      diacylcalix[4]pyrrole, is synthesized as its two configurational isomers by acid
      catalysed condensation of meso-diacyltripyrrane with pyrrole. The solution phase
      anion binding of the two isomers of 5,10-diacylcalix[4]pyrrole was investigated
      by (1)H NMR spectroscopy in chloroform-d and isothermal titration calorimetry
      (ITC) in acetonitrile to gain insights into the positional and conformational
      effects of substituents on the macrocycle periphery towards anion binding. During
      the investigation, a functionalized, stable pyrrole-2-carbinol was isolated and
      subsequently converted to the corresponding tripyrrane in situ. 

PMID- 24217858
TI  - Uraemic pruritus markedly affects the quality of life and depressive symptoms in
      haemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease.
AB  - Little is known about the influence of uraemic pruritus on patients' wellbeing.
      The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of uraemic pruritus on quality of
      life and depressive symptoms in patients with end-stage renal disease. A total of
      200 haemodialysis patients were included into the study. The prevalence of
      uraemic pruritus was 38%. Patients with uraemic pruritus had significantly lower
      quality of life according to SF-36 questionnaire compared to the remaining of
      analysed subjects. Among patients with uraemic pruritus, 64.5% individuals also
      showed impaired skin-related quality of life evaluated with Dermatology Life
      Quality Index. The quality of life impairment correlated with uraemic pruritus
      intensity assessed with VAS and the 4-item itch questionnaire. Depression level
      significantly correlated with quality of life and severity of depressive symptoms
      was significantly associated with uraemic pruritus intensity. Our study
      underscores that uraemic pruritus should be regarded as an important health
      problem among haemodialysis patients. 

PMID- 24217860
TI  - Discrepancy between functional exercise capacity and daily physical activity: a
      cross-sectional study in patients with mild to moderate COPD.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD) the six-minute walk distance reflects the functional exercise
      level for daily physical activity. It is unknown if this also applies to patients
      with mild to moderate COPD in primary care. AIMS: To assess the relationship
      between functional exercise capacity and physical activity in patients with mild
      to moderate COPD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 51 patients
      with mild to moderate COPD in primary care. Functional exercise capacity was
      assessed by the six-minute walk test and physical activity was measured with an
      accelerometer-based activity monitor. RESULTS: Functional exercise capacity was
      close to normal values. However, the daily physical activity of the patients
      could be classified as 'sedentary' and 'low active'. No significant correlations
      were observed between six-minute walk distance (% predicted) and any of the
      physical activity variables (steps per day, movement intensity during walking,
      total active time, total walking time, physical activity level, and time spent in
      moderate physical activity). CONCLUSIONS: A discrepancy was found between
      functional exercise capacity and daily physical activity in patients with mild to
      moderate COPD recruited and assessed in primary care. We conclude that these
      variables represent two different concepts. Our results reinforce the importance
      of measuring daily physical activity in order to fine-tune treatment (i.e.
      focusing on enhancement of exercise capacity or behavioural change, or both).

PMID- 24217859
TI  - Continuing discrepancy between patient perception of asthma control and real
      world symptoms: a quantitative online survey of 1,083 adults with asthma from the
      UK.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have identified a discrepancy between patient
      perception of asthma control and real-world symptoms; despite several hypotheses,
      the reasons remain unclear. AIMS: To explore patients' experiences of asthma
      symptoms and disease management and their educational needs in the UK; to assess
      recent progress in asthma control and management. METHODS: A quantitative
      questionnaire-based online survey of UK patients aged >18 years with self
      reported asthma. RESULTS: Of the 1,083 individuals (55% female, 49% aged >55
      years) who completed the survey, 79% described their asthma control as 'good' or
      'very good'. Despite this, in the previous 2 years, 65% had experienced
      'frequent' day-time symptoms, 37% had 'frequent' night-time symptoms, and 25% had
      used oral steroids for asthma; 41% of those prescribed a reliever inhaler used it
      >1 a day. Overall, 76% had a 'good' or 'very good' relationship with their
      healthcare professional (HCP); 32% had not attended regular asthma reviews and
      only 12% were using a personal asthma action plan. Moreover, 70% of respondents
      felt that they had the 'main responsibility' for managing their asthma; 29%
      believed this responsibility to be shared with their HCP. CONCLUSIONS: This
      survey indicates a continuing discrepancy between patient perception of asthma
      control and real-world symptoms, with little change from previous studies. Many
      patients accept symptoms as the norm. The diversity among respondents' attitudes
      demonstrates a need to help patients change some of their beliefs and
      understanding about asthma, and to improve asthma management with better
      education about the understanding of control for patients and HCPs.

PMID- 24217862
TI  - Abnormalities of autobiographical memory of patients with depressive disorders: a
      meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies on the autobiographical memory (AM) of depressed
      patients had inconsistent findings. Various severities of depression in patients
      in these studies may lead to conflicting results. However, the differences in the
      procedure of the autobiographical memory tests (AMTs) may also influence the AM
      results. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we analyse the results published so far to
      research the AM characteristics of patients with depressive disorders and
      identify moderators that affect the assessment results while using AMT in this
      field. METHOD: A systematic search was conducted using following databases:
      MEDLINE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cnki, and Google Scholar, yielding 22 studies of
      patients with depressive disorders and autobiographical memory published between
      1986 and 2010. RESULTS: The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with
      the control group, the patients with depressive disorders reported less specific
      AMs (g = -1.051) and more overgeneralized AMs (g = 1.115). The patients with
      depressive disorders also recalled more slowly (g = 0.400). The effect sizes of
      overgeneral memory could be predicted by the self-reported depression score of
      the depressed patients (B = -.329, p < .01). The mean effect sizes of AMT indices
      were affected by the AMT characteristics (i.e., number of cue word, max response
      time, prompting, presentation of cue word, taping, and so on). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results suggest that overgeneralization and response lag are the AM deficits in
      patients with depressive disorders. The parameters of AMT are important factors,
      which are related to the inconsistency in the assessment of AM in patients with
      depressive disorders. Some recommendations on AMT and programme research design
      are given for future research.

PMID- 24217861
TI  - Spanish multicenter normative studies (NEURONORMA project): normative data and
      equivalence of four BNT short-form versions.
AB  - The application of the Boston Naming Test (BNT) is time-consuming and shortened
      versions need to be developed for screening purposes. The aims of this study were
      to develop four equivalent 15-item forms of a Spanish adaptation of the BNT, to
      test the equivalence of the new versions in a clinical sample, and to provide
      normative data. The normative sample consisted of 340 subjects. The clinical
      sample included 172 patients (76 Mild Cognitive Impairment and 96 Alzheimer's
      disease). An empirical procedure was used to develop the shortened versions. All
      new versions demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency. Pearson's
      coefficient analysis showed strong relationships among the four short-form
      versions as well as between each of them and the 60-item test. The inferential
      confidence interval method demonstrated the equivalence between the four
      shortened versions. Age and education affected the score of all short-form
      versions, but sex was found to be unrelated to the performance. Normative data
      were calculated for midpoint age groups. This paper proposes four 15-item
      equivalent versions that could be useful and time-saving tools for screening
      purposes. 

PMID- 24217863
TI  - Expressive writing, self-criticism, and self-reassurance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Self-criticism and reassurance are important mechanisms for
      regulating negative emotions but relatively little attention has been paid to
      interventions aimed at improving them. DESIGN: This study explored the use of an
      expressive writing task to increase self-reassurance and reduce self-criticism
      using a randomized controlled design. METHOD: A total of 46 participants wrote
      either about life goals (the expressive writing task, n= 23) or a control topic
      (a review of a recent book or film, n= 23) for 15 min, three times within an
      hour. Measures of self-criticism/self-reassurance, stress, and positive affect
      were completed at baseline and at 2-week follow-up. The Linguistic Inquiry and
      Word Count (LIWC) was used to analyse the writing of participants in the 'life
      goals' condition to identify psychological processes that might differentiate
      those who improved and those who did not. RESULTS: While there were no
      significant changes in self-reported stress or positive affect, participants
      writing about life goals decreased in their levels of self-criticism at 2-week
      follow-up relative to participants writing about control topics. Text analysis
      showed that experimental participants using words that imply the possibility of
      doubt or failure, including use of the subjunctive tense (e.g., could, would,
      should), were least likely to decrease their self-criticism. CONCLUSION.
      Expressive writing shows promise as a means by which people may decrease in their
      self-criticism. Future research should determine whether such experimentally
      induced changes in self-criticism lead to the improvements in psychological
      health that is implied by previous cross-sectional research.

PMID- 24217864
TI  - An exploration of group compassion-focused therapy for personality disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with personality disorders, especially those who also
      experience high self-criticism and shame, are known to be a therapeutic challenge
      and there is a high dropout rate from therapy. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT)
      was designed to address shame and self-criticism specifically, and to develop
      people's ability to be self-reassuring and more compassionate to themselves and
      others. AIMS: This study explored how CFT affected self-criticism and self
      attacking thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, as well as the general symptoms of
      anxiety, stress, and depression of a personality disordered group within an
      outpatient group setting, and evaluated the extent of maintenance at a 1-year
      follow-up. A secondary objective was to identify some of the key characteristics
      that such an intervention would require. This was a pilot study exploring the
      feasibility, acceptability, and potential value of CFT in treating this difficult
      population and, as such, was designed as a pre-randomized controlled trial (RCT)
      to provide evidence to support applications for funding for an RCT. METHODS AND
      DESIGN: This study utilized a mixed method combining qualitative and quantitative
      methods to support a programme evaluation. Eight participants were introduced to
      the evolutionary-based CFT model and taken through explorations of the nature of
      self-criticism and shame. In subsequent sessions, participants were taught the
      main compassion-focused exercises, and any difficulties were addressed. The group
      was asked to share their personal stories and experiences of practicing self
      compassion and to develop compassionate encouragement for each other. Self-report
      measures were administered at the beginning, end, and at a 1-year follow-up.
      RESULTS: This 16-week group therapy was associated with significant reductions in
      shame measured by the Others as Shamer Scale (OAS), social comparison on the
      Social Comparison Scale (SCS) feelings of hating oneself, and an increase in
      abilities to be self-reassuring on the Self-Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale
      (FSCRS), depression and stress measured by the Depression Anxiety and Stress
      Scale (DASS). There were significant changes on all CORE variables, well-being,
      risk, functioning, and problems. Also interesting was that all variables showed a
      trend for continued improvement at 1-year follow-up, albeit statistically non
      significant. A content analysis revealed that patients had found it a moving and
      very significant process in their efforts to develop emotional regulation and
      self-understanding. CONCLUSION: CFT, delivered in a routine psychotherapy
      department for personality disorders, revealed a beneficial impact on a range of
      outcome measures. These improvements were maintained and further changes noted at
      1-year follow-up. Further research is needed to explore the benefits of CFT using
      more detailed analysis and RCTs.

PMID- 24217865
TI  - Impulsivity and risk for mania: towards greater specificity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Impulsivity is elevated among people diagnosed with bipolar disorder,
      and recent evidence suggests that impulsivity can predict onset among those at
      risk for the disorder. Impulsivity, though, is a broad construct. OBJECTIVE: The
      goal of this study was to examine whether some aspects of impulsivity are more
      correlated with risk for mania than others. We hypothesized that risk for mania
      would be related specifically to difficulties controlling impulsive responses to
      emotions. DESIGN AND METHODS: Undergraduates (N = 257) completed a large battery
      of measures of emotion-relevant and non-emotional forms of impulsivity, along
      with a well-validated measure of risk for mania, the Hypomanic Personality Scale
      (HPS). RESULTS: Analyses examined correlations of impulsivity scales with the
      HPS, and partial correlations controlling for lifetime tendencies towards
      depressive symptoms and current symptoms of alcohol abuse, both of which relate
      to impulsivity and often co-occur with mania. After controlling for these
      measures, risk for mania remained correlated with measures of impulsive responses
      to positive emotions, but not with difficulties in following through or with
      impulsivity in the context of general distress emotions. CONCLUSIONS: Although
      impulsivity is a major concern among those at risk for mania and those diagnosed
      with mania, difficulties may be especially evident during positive affective
      states, and other forms of impulsivity may be less related to mania risk.
      Discussion focuses on limitations and future directions. PRACTITIONER POINTS:
      Impulsivity is correlated with risk for mania. Mania risk appears tied to
      tendencies towards impulsive action, particularly during positive affective
      states. Mania risk was not significantly correlated with other non-emotional
      forms of impulsivity. A better understanding of what aspects of impulsivity are
      problematic in bipolar disorder could guide more refined interventions.

PMID- 24217866
TI  - Relationship between attributional style, perceived control, self-esteem, and
      depressive mood in a nonclinical sample: a structural equation-modelling
      approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the intricate relationship
      between some personality traits (i.e., attributional style, perceived control
      over consequences, self-esteem), and depressive mood in a nonclinical sample (N=
      334). Method. Structural equation modelling was used to estimate five competing
      models: two vulnerability models describing the effects of personality traits on
      depressive mood, one scar model describing the effects of depression on
      personality traits, a mixed model describing the effects of attributional style
      and perceived control over consequences on depressive mood, which in turn affects
      self-esteem, and a reciprocal model which is a non-recursive version of the mixed
      model that specifies bidirectional effects between depressive mood and self
      esteem. RESULTS: The best-fitting model was the mixed model. Moreover, we
      observed a significant negative effect of depression on self-esteem, but no
      effect in the opposite direction. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide supporting
      arguments against the continuum model of the relationship between self-esteem and
      depression, and lend substantial support to the scar model, which claims that
      depressive mood damages and erodes self-esteem. In addition, the 'depressogenic'
      nature of the pessimistic attributional style, and the 'antidepressant' nature of
      perceived control over consequences plead in favour of the vulnerability model.

PMID- 24217867
TI  - High and happy? Exploring the experience of positive states of mind in people who
      have been given a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To approach the experience of 'happiness' and 'mania' for people who
      have been given a diagnosis of 'bipolar disorder' and to explore how they might
      differentiate or associate between these experiences. DESIGN: A qualitative
      design was used in which four participants who had been given a diagnosis of
      'bipolar disorder' were interviewed individually regarding their experiences and
      ideas about 'mania' and 'happiness'. METHODS: Transcriptions from the interviews
      were analysed using the iterative process of interpretative phenomenological
      analysis. RESULTS: Four superordinate themes were identified. Two highlighted the
      conceptual fluidity and similarities between their ideas about and experiences of
      'happiness' and 'mania'. Two emphasized the differences between these notions for
      the participants, which reflected the destruction, disruption, and chaos of
      'mania' in contrast to the importance of self-acceptance, peacefulness, and
      social connection for 'happiness'. CONCLUSION: There may be benefit in
      maintaining an active dialogue or 'poly-vocality' about the meanings of
      'happiness' in clinical work with people who experience 'positive states' of
      mind, which are personally problematic. This can be supported by drawing on ideas
      and narratives about 'happiness' from the field of positive psychology.

PMID- 24217868
TI  - Systemic family psychotherapy in China: a qualitative analysis of therapy
      process.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although the procedure of systemic family therapy has been
      extensively researched in Western culture, few studies on this subject have been
      conducted in China. The aim of this study was to specify the therapy-delivered
      interventions in Chinese systemic family therapy and to explore how Western
      imported systemic therapy model is delivered in Chinese culture. DESIGN: A
      qualitative and exploratory research approach was taken in which thematic
      analysis was used to analyse the transcribed psychotherapy videotapes with
      Chinese families. METHODS: Twenty-six hours of video-recorded systemic family
      therapy sessions from 14 Chinese family cases were sampled. Thematic analysis was
      used to analyse the transcriptions of therapy sessions and identify therapist
      generated interventions in therapy. Frequencies of different interventions were
      counted, and correspondence analysis (CA) was used to reveal the corresponding
      relationships between different interventions. RESULTS: Analysis led to two main
      themes related to therapists-delivered interventions: Therapist's intention and
      therapy technique. Results revealed 15 types of therapist's intentions and 16
      categories of therapy techniques. CA indicated that therapists' intentions
      changed across different therapy stages and specific techniques were used to
      achieve corresponding intentions. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions delivered in Chinese
      systemic therapy are mainly adherent with Milan and post-Milan systemic models.
      Due to the shortage in systemic therapy service in China and Chinese culture
      advocating reverence to authority, components of psycho-education, guidance, and
      metaphor are adopted in Chinese systemic practice. Some directions for future
      research are suggested.

PMID- 24217869
TI  - Cell culture monitoring for drug screening and cancer research: a transparent,
      microfluidic, multi-sensor microsystem.
AB  - We present a novel, multiparametric microphysiometry system for the dynamic
      online monitoring of human cancer cell metabolism. The optically transparent,
      modular, hybrid microsystem is based on a glass chip and combines a cell
      cultivation chamber, microfluidics and metabolic monitoring with fully integrated
      chemo- and biosensors. pH and oxygen are measured in the cell culture area, and
      biosensors for lactate and glucose are connected downstream by microfluidics. The
      wafer-level fabrication features thin-film platinum and iridium oxide
      microelectrodes on a glass chip, microfluidics in an epoxy resist, a hybrid
      assembly and an on-chip reference electrode. The reliable analytical performance
      of the sensors in cell culture medium was demonstrated. The pH sensors exhibit a
      long-term stable, linear response. The oxygen sensors show a linear behaviour,
      which is also observed for low oxygen concentrations. Glucose and lactate
      measurements show a linear, long-term stable, selective and reversible behaviour
      in the desired range. T98G human brain cancer cells were cultivated and cell
      culture metabolism was measured on-chip. Stop/flow cycles were applied and
      extracellular acidification, respiration, glucose consumption and lactate
      production were quantified. Long-term metabolic rates were determined and all
      parameters could be measured in the outlet channel. A placement downstream of the
      cell cultivation area for biosensors was realised. A highly effective medium
      exchange and undiluted sampling from the cell culture chamber with low flow rates
      (2 MUl min(-1)) and low volumes (15 MUl per cycle) were achieved. The drug
      screening application was demonstrated by detecting alteration and recovery
      effects of cellular metabolism induced by the addition of substances to the
      medium. 

PMID- 24217870
TI  - What are the current outcomes of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors: who
      are the long-term survivors treated initially with imatinib?
AB  - The introduction of imatinib to clinical practice revolutionized therapy of
      advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), but its long-term results have
      been only just collected. We have attempted to identify factors related to the
      long-term survival. We have analyzed the data of 430
      inoperable/metastatic/recurrent GIST patients treated with imatinib in reference
      centers, assessed the factors influencing the long-term overall survival (OS),
      and compared the outcomes in three periods of initiation of imatinib therapy
      during one decade (2001-2003, 2004-2006, 2007-2010). During analyzed time
      periods, we have found decrease in median largest tumor size at the start of
      imatinib therapy: 90.5 mm (2001-2003) versus 74 mm (2004-2006) versus 58 mm (2007
      2010) (p = 0.002). Median progression-free survival (PFS) on 1st line imatinib
      was 37.5 months, without differences in PFS between three groups. Median OS was
      5.8 years, 8-year OS rate was 43%, and no difference in OS was demonstrated for
      patients treated in analyzed time periods. Independent good prognostic factors
      for longer OS were as follows: surgery of residual disease, initial WHO
      performance status 0/1, normal baseline albumin level, and the presence of exon
      11 KIT mutations. Current median OS in advanced GIST reaches 6 years. The long
      term survivors were characterized by smaller maximal tumors at imatinib start,
      better blood tests results, better performance status, and the surgical removal
      of residual disease. The latter might reduce the impact of tumor size and
      equalize the long-term results of therapy during last decade from introduction of
      imatinib. After introduction of subsequent lines of therapy (as sunitinib), the
      effect of primary mutational status on the long-term OS is also less visible.

PMID- 24217872
TI  - Extracellular expression of glucose inhibition-resistant Cellulomonas flavigena
      PN-120 beta-glucosidase by a diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - The catalytic fraction of the Cellulomonas flavigena PN-120 oligomeric beta
      glucosidase (BGLA) was expressed both intra- and extracellularly in a recombinant
      diploid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, under limited nutrient conditions. The
      recombinant enzyme (BGLA15) expressed in the supernatant of a rich medium showed
      582 IU/L and 99.4 IU/g dry cell, with p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside as
      substrate. BGLA15 displayed activity against cello-oligosaccharides with 2-5
      glucose monomers, demonstrating that the protein is not specific for cellobiose
      and that the oligomeric structure is not essential for beta-D-1,4-bond
      hydrolysis. Native beta-glucosidase is inhibited almost completely at 160 mM
      glucose, thus limiting cellobiose hydrolysis. At 200 mM glucose concentration,
      BGLA15 retained more than 50 % of its maximal activity, and even at 500 mM
      glucose concentration, more than 30 % of its activity was preserved. Due to these
      characteristics of BGLA15 activity, recombinant S. cerevisiae is able to utilize
      cellulosic materials (cello-oligosaccharides) to produce bioethanol.

PMID- 24217873
TI  - Diazotrophic diversity in the Caribbean coral, Montastraea cavernosa.
AB  - Previous research on the Caribbean coral Montastraea cavernosa reported the
      presence of cyanobacterial endosymbionts and nitrogen fixation in orange, but not
      brown, colonies. We compared the diversity of nifH gene sequences between these
      two color morphs at three locations in the Caribbean and found that the nifH
      sequences recovered from M. cavernosa were consistent with previous studies on
      corals where members of both the alpha-proteobacteria and cyanobacteria were
      recovered. A number of nifH operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were significantly
      more abundant in the orange compared to the brown morphs, and one specific OTU
      (OTU 17), a cyanobacterial nifH sequence similar to others from corals and
      sponges and related to the cyanobacterial genus Cyanothece, was found in all
      orange morphs of M. cavernosa at all locations. The nifH diversity reported here,
      from a community perspective, was not significantly different between orange and
      brown morphs of M. cavernosa. 

PMID- 24217871
TI  - Genetic characterization of feline calicivirus strains associated with varying
      disease manifestations during an outbreak season in Missouri (1995-1996).
AB  - Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common cause of mild to severe upper respiratory
      tract disease (URTD) in cats. FCV strain 21223 was isolated from a kitten with
      severe pneumonia in a disease outbreak with unusually high mortality (35 %) that
      occurred in a Missouri feline colony in 1995-1996. Phylogenetic analysis of the
      genome sequence of strain 21223 indicated the emergence of a new FCV strain.
      Analysis of the full-length genome sequence of a closely related (99.5 %
      nucleotide identity) strain, 3786, obtained from an asymptomatic animal in the
      same colony four months later, showed the presence of seven amino acid
      substitutions, with six of them located in the VP1 capsid sequence encoded by
      ORF2. Comparative analysis of the E-region sequences (426-521 aa ORF2) presumably
      involved in virus-host cell receptor interactions did not identify amino acid
      substitutions unique to the virulent strain. We determined the complete genome
      sequences of four virus isolates that were collected in regional catteries in the
      months following the outbreak that were associated with different manifestations
      of the disease (URTD, chronic stomatitis, and gingivitis). We show that
      genetically distinct FCV strains were cocirculating in the area, and no apparent
      correlation could be made between overall sequence and observed disease.

PMID- 24217874
TI  - The mannobiose-forming exo-mannanase involved in a new mannan catabolic pathway
      in Bacteroides fragilis.
AB  - We have proposed a new mannan catabolic pathway in Bacteroides fragilis NCTC 9343
      that involves a putative mannanase ManA in glycoside hydrolase family 26
      (BF0771), a mannobiose and/or sugar transporter (BF0773), mannobiose 2-epimerase
      (BF0774), and mannosylglucose phosphorylase (BF0772). If this hypothesis is
      correct, ManA has to generate mannobiose from mannans as the major end product.
      In this study, the BF0771 gene from the B. fragilis genome was cloned and
      expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The expressed protein was found to produce
      mannobiose exclusively from mannans and initially from manno-oligosaccharides.
      Production of 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-D-mannose or 4-O-beta-D-mannopyranosyl-D
      glucose from mannans was not detectable. The results indicate that this enzyme is
      a novel mannobiose-forming exo-mannanase, consistent with the new microbial
      mannan catabolic pathway we proposed. 

PMID- 24217875
TI  - [Dog-based multi-sensorial therapy of a patient with a "persistent vegetative
      state"--a case report].
AB  - AIM: There is evidence that animal-assisted therapy can have beneficial effects
      in patients with cognitive disorders. In the present case study, the influence of
      animal-assisted therapy was to be investigated in a patient with most severe
      cerebral lesions. METHODS: A 27 year old patient with a persistent vegetative
      state since 5 years after severe traumatic brain injury received long term
      treatment by 54 sessions of animal-assisted therapy. RESULTS: During the course
      of the therapeutic interventions, the patient showed more and more signs of
      vegetative, emotional and motor reactions. The latter were increasingly target
      bound and at last allowed a simple type of non-verbal communication. CONCLUSION:
      The present case indicates that animal-assisted therapy can be a reasonable
      option to treat patients with most severe cerebral lesions. Furthermore, the
      results illustrate that the usual diagnostic classification such as "persistent
      vegetative state" based on a neurological investigation alone may be
      questionable. Possible reasons for the impact of animal-assisted therapy are
      complex and comprise e.g. multiple sensory stimuli.

PMID- 24217876
TI  - [Education, advanced and further training in the field "psychology in
      rehabilitation"].
AB  - The commission for vocational training, training and further education of the
      German Society of Rehabilitation Science tends to discuss and to give
      recommendations for various professions in rehabilitation. The working group,
      which is led by J. Bengel/Freiburg and M. Morfeld/Magdeburg-Stendal created an
      inventory of Rehabilitation Psychology. The training programs for Rehabilitation
      Psychology at universities and universities of applied science in Germany are
      based on a job profile of psychologists in medical and vocational rehabilitation.
      The different universities have diverse priorities focusing on Rehabilitation
      Psychology. The offer changes because of the adaption of requirements and
      implementation of Bologna Reform. The training and further education offers are
      specific and available for large indication areas. Finally outstanding issues and
      problems are pointed out. 

PMID- 24217877
TI  - [Specific work-related problems: do they matter in access to work-related medical
      rehabilitation?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study determined if need for rehabilitation in work-related
      medical rehabilitation (WMR) is more frequently characterised by specific work
      related problems than in conventional medical rehabilitation (MR). METHODS: In 6
      rehabilitation centres, persons with back pain (M50, M51, M53, M54) were surveyed
      about work-related restrictions of work ability at begin of their rehabilitation.
      RESULTS: Differences in work ability of WMR and MR patients confirmed need
      related access. However, these differences were exclusively explained by
      screening-based access decisions. If access was not supported by a screening, WMR
      and MR patients did not differ. Decisions by rehabilitation centres compared with
      decisions by insurance agencies resulted in similar differences between WMR and
      MR patients. CONCLUSION: Screening-based decisions about access enable a more
      need-related access to WMR. As there were no differences between access decisions
      by rehabilitation centres and insurance agencies, access decisions can be
      realised already by the insurance agency.

PMID- 24217878
TI  - [Rehabilitation goals in discharge reports and in patient questionnaires--on the
      example of endometriosis patients].
AB  - BACKGROUND: [corrected] The goal orientation of rehabilitation has increasingly
      found its way in research and practice. Though, shortcomings were ascertained for
      the implementation into the clinical routine furthermore. An empirical analysis
      of goal setting in clinical practice should complement the available evidence.
      METHODS: The study is based on a cross-sectional survey of all endometriosis
      patients, who had been treated at a rehabilitation center in 2008 or 2009. Data
      stemmed from the uniform medical rehabilitation discharge reports, and a patient
      questionnaire, which was sent to the registered women by the clinic routinely
      before the beginning of the rehabilitation. Data about rehabilita-tion goals were
      available as free text information for both the discharge reports as well as the
      pa-tient questionnaires. A category system oriented at the ICF system
      (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health), was
      developed to structure the goals. RESULTS: 293 patients had provided information
      concerning their rehabilitation goals, while 69 patients didn't reply to the
      question of their rehabilitation goals. The latter were excluded to the analysis.
      In the discharge reports, altogether, more goals were documented than in the
      patient questionnaires (5.98 compared to 4.97 goals per patient). In 35% of the
      numbers of rehabilitation goals clear congruence was found between the data in
      the discharge reports and the patient questionnaires. CONCLUSION: The results
      support the assump-tion that the included patients had difficulties in goal
      setting. In addition it is obvious that the goals in the discharge reports had
      little relation to the goals framed by the patients, in language and content. A
      goal-setting process less oriented towards the medical and clinical needs but
      more towards the patients needs and expectation would be desirable particularly
      with regard to a more intensive patient orientation. The implementation of a
      prepared list of possible rehabilitation goals could serve for the shared goal
      setting process in the context of anamnesis.

PMID- 24217879
TI  - [Proactive screening for rehabilitation need in type 2 diabetics from an AOK
      Disease Management Programe: which patients will be identified?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medical rehabilitation seems suitable for implementing multimodal
      interventions for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Rehabilitation in Germany on
      principle requires that insurees file an application. Proactive screening for
      rehabilitation need has only been explored in pilot projects so far. It seems a
      promising attempt to assess rehab need by questionnaire especially in patients
      with type 2 diabetes. We do not know though how patients who have been screened
      positive for rehab need differ from other patients with type 2 diabetes as to
      their health and risk profiles. This could provide an indication of the validity
      of the proactive approach. METHODS: Members of an Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse
      (AOK) Disease Management Program (DMP) for type 2 diabetes were screened for
      rehab need by questionnaire. 13 diabetes-specific problem areas were assessed.
      Problems were assigned to 10 specific treatments (problem-treatment-pairs). Rehab
      need was presumed if patients needed 3 or more treatments. Patients were then
      compared to regular rehab patients as well as patients with type 2 diabetes from
      primary care medical offices. RESULTS: From 5500 DMP-patients 829 returned the
      questionnaire (return rate: 15.5%). From these 94% met the criteria for rehab
      need; of these 55% needed 6 or more treatments (complex problems). Patients who
      screened positive for rehab suffered from more health problems and had worse risk
      profiles as compared to patients from medical offices, and disease burden was
      comparable or worse as compared to regular rehab patients. CONCLUSIONS: This
      indicates that proactive screening for rehab need in patients with type 2
      diabetes leads to reasonable (valid) results. The very low return rate suggests
      that the sample may be considerably biased, though. Possibly, mainly patients
      with greater impairment to health responded to the screening.

PMID- 24217880
TI  - [Rehabilitation of severely injured patients in acute care hospitals: who is
      doing what? A nationwide survey in the Trauma Network DGU].
AB  - BACKGROUND: During the treatment of severely injured patients, rehabilitation
      takes an important role. In this study we examined the present structures in
      acute care hospitals, which influence the process of rehabiliation. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The data was captured in a questionnaire. The questions deal with the
      personal and structural situation of acute care hospitals in Germany. The
      questionnaires were sent to all clinics, which are registered in the
      TraumaNetwork DGU. RESULTS: 424 hospitals answered the questionnaire. This is a
      response rate of 57.3% regarding 740 acitve clinics in the TraumaNetwork DGU. 58%
      have no opportunity for rehabilitation. The majority of the hospitals have a
      physiotherapy, (98.6%) or an occupational therapy (71.0%); 33.3% have a case
      management. Only 17.0% of the hospitals have rehabilitation teams which take care
      during the hospital stay. These teams consist mainly of internal rehabilitation
      physicians and physical therapists. Supraregional Trauma Center have better
      organized structures, as hospitals with lower level of care. Only 56.6% of all
      hospitals reported that they were familiar with the cooperating rehabilitation
      hospitals. There are special cooperations with rehabilita-tion hospitals in 34.4%
      of all cases. CONCLUSION: The early mobilisation of severely injured patients is
      an integral part of the postoperative course in German hospitals. While on the
      one hand a large number of hospitals have good structural conditions on the other
      hand these structures are little integrated in the daily treamtment. There are
      major gaps and uncertainties in the cooperation between acute care clincs and
      rehabilitation hospitals. The integra-tion of rehabilitation hospitals in the
      TraumaNetwork DGU could be a good chance to improve this collaboration.

PMID- 24217881
TI  - [Data analysis based on the Classification of Therapeutic Procedures (CTL) of
      inpatient rehabilitation of depressive disorders].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: As an initiative of the German Pension Insurance Association (DRV),
      evidence-based therapeutic modules (ETM) for the rehabilitation of patients with
      depression were developed. The objective of the subsequent analysis was to
      analyse the therapeutic procedures in inpatient rehabilitation on the basis of
      the ETM to evaluate the principal needs for therapeutic standards. METHODS: Data
      based on the German Classification of Therapeutic Procedures (KTL) for 21 529
      patients treated in rehabilitation clinics for people with mental illnesses was
      analysed with respect to differences between diagnostic groups/clinics regarding
      type, quantity and duration of measures coded. RESULTS: The mean quantity and
      duration of the interventions for patients with depressive disorders encoded
      varied greatly between the ETM. No or only minor differences were found between
      patients with depression and those with other diagnoses regarding the type,
      quantity and duration of measures coded. However, there were great variances
      between clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic standards for rehabilitative practice
      appear necessary in order to reduce treatment heterogeneity between
      rehabilitation facilities, which could improve the quality of healthcare.

PMID- 24217882
TI  - [Resources and self-management skills in multiple sclerosis patients - can the
      scale structure of the questionnaire FERUS be replicated?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess resources and self-management skills the generic
      questionnaire FERUS was developed by Jack (2007) and validated and standardized
      in a sample of psychosomatic patients and of healthy people. The aim of this
      study was the psychometric review of the FERUS with a sample of patients with
      Multiple Sclerosis (MS). METHODS: The dimensional structure identified by Jack
      was replicated in an exploratory factor analyses as well as tested in a
      confirmatory factor analyses and the discrimination ability of the scales was
      examined. RESULTS: Jack's results of the exploratory factor analyses and scale
      analyses were replicated essentially. After elimination of non-theory-compliant
      items, differentiation of the construct "motivation for change" and insertion of
      a second-order construct "self-management skills" a good confirmatorical model
      fit could be achieved. CONCLUSION: The FERUS can be used for MS patients. The
      consideration of optimization proposals allows higher construct validity and a
      more economical use of FERUS.

PMID- 24217883
TI  - [Measurement of functional independence: concordance of the assessments SINGER
      and FIM and consequences for the user].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance between the
      assessments SINGER and FIM, both measurements for detecting functional
      disabilities in activities of daily living (ADL). METHODS: 301 rehabilitants were
      assessed with FIM and SINGER in the beginning and at the end of an inpatient
      rehabilitation program. Correla-tion coefficient, regression analysis, and Kappa
      statistics were applied to examine the relationship and the concordance between
      the 2 ADL scales. RESULTS: The assessments were highly correlated
      (rPearson=0.94). The regression analysis lead to the formula SINGERpred=-
      0.004FIM2+1.363FIM - 15.871 with a model fit of R2=0.896. After fixing the limits
      for a classification due to the functional status, Inter-Rater Reliability
      (Kappa) was kappa=0.69. CONCLUSION: Both measurements can be used for quality
      assurance, therapy monitoring, and to classify patients considering their
      functional disability. Criteria are presented to decide which assessment should
      be selected.

PMID- 24217885
TI  - [Work place health promotion programmes of the statutory German Pension
      Insurance].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2009, the amendment of S 31 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 SGB VI gave the German
      Pension Insurance the opportunity to provide outpatient medical treatments for
      insured people who have an occupation with particularly high risk of health. Ever
      since, the German Pension Insurance has developed various work place prevention
      programmes, which have been implemented as pilot projects. This article aims at
      systematically recording and comparatively analyzing these programmes in a
      synopsis which meets the current state of knowledge. METHODS: We developed an 8
      page questionnaire focusing on work place prevention programmes by the German
      Pension Insurance. This questionnaire was sent to people in charge of all
      programmes known to us. RESULTS: All programmes have been drafted -across
      indications. They are aiming at insured people who already suffer from first
      health disorders but who are not in imminent need of rehabilitation. However, the
      concrete target groups at which the specific programmes are aimed differ (shift
      workers, nurses, elderly employees). Another difference between the various
      programmes is the setting (in- or outpatients) as well as the duration.
      CONCLUSION: All programmes are using existing structures offered by the German
      Pension Insurance. They provide measures in pension insurance owned
      rehabilitation centers. It would be desirable to link these performances with
      internal work place health promotion and offers of other social insurances.

PMID- 24217884
TI  - [Predictors of success of long-term treatment in alcohol dependency].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is a lack of positive predictors for long-term treatment of
      subjects with alcohol addiction. We analyzed the relation between motivation and
      other external variables of access to treatment as well as treatment outcome.
      METHOD: 434 persons with alcohol addiction, treated in 2004 in the Diakonie
      Krankenhaus Harz (DHK), Elbingerode, as part of a long-term therapy, were
      followed-up one year after treatment. Access variables were defined and examined
      in relation to outcome variables with multiple linear and logistic regressions.
      RESULT: Ways of accessing treatment had no effect on later treatment outcome,
      while motiva-tion at the start of therapy was relevant: Patients with ambivalent
      motivation had the most negative outcome. CONCLUSION: Therapy motivation was the
      main predictor for the outcome of a long-term anti-addiction treatment. To
      improve the quality of the treatment system, interventions to strengthen
      motivation should be promoted.

PMID- 24217886
TI  - [The UN-Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the transition
      from school to vocational training and career in Germany: public data sources
      under close scrutiny].
AB  - This paper analyzes public data sources and their requirements for the transition
      from school to vocational training and career of people with disabilities in the
      context of Article 31 of the UN-Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities.
      Different focuses of the public data sources within the involved systems and
      challenges in data analysis will be presented. These manifest themselves as cross
      system interface problems when it comes to the identification and whereabouts of
      young people with disabilities at the transition from school to vocational
      training and employment. With these challenges public data sources on the
      transition from school to vocational training and employment are especially under
      scrutiny when it comes to developing and implementing policies in respect to the
      Convention on Rights for People with disabilities and the provision of adequate
      planning data.

PMID- 24217887
TI  - [Method of the assessment of patients outcome in cardiac rehabilitation by means
      of quality indicators--a description of the method].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cardiac rehabilitation is designed for patients suffering from
      cardiovascular diseases or functional disabilities. The aim of a cardiac
      rehabilitation is to improve overall physical health, psychological well-being,
      physical function, the ability to participate in social life and help patients to
      change their habits. Regarding the heterogeneity of these aims measuring of the
      effect of cardiac rehabilitation is still a challenge. This study recommends a
      concept to assess the effects of cardiac rehabilitation regarding the individual
      change of relevant quality indicators. METHODS: With "EVA-Reha; cardiac
      rehabilitation" the Medical Advisory Service of Statutory Health Insurance Funds
      in Rhineland-Palatinate, Alzey (MDK Rheinland-Pfalz) developed a software to
      collect data set including sociodemographic and diagnostic data and also the
      results of specific assessments. The project was funded by the Techniker
      Krankenkasse, Hamburg, and supported by participating rehabilitation centers.
      From 01. July 2010 to 30. June 2011 1309 patients (age 71.5 years, 76.1% men)
      from 13 rehabilitation centers were consecutively enrolled. 13 quality indicators
      in 3 scales were developed for evaluation of cardiac rehabilitation: 1)
      cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides), 2)
      exercise capacity (resting heart rate, maximal exercise capacity, maximal walking
      distance, heart failure [NYHA classification], and angina pectoris [CCS
      classification]) and 3) subjective health (IRES-24: pain, somatic health,
      psychological wellbeing and depression as well as anxiety on the HADS). The study
      was prospective; data of patients were assessed at entry and discharge of
      rehabilitation. To measure the success of rehabilitation each parameter was
      graded in severity classes at entry and discharge. For each of the 13 quality
      indicators changes of severity class were rated in a rating matrix. For
      indicators without a requirement for medical care neither at entry nor at
      discharge no rating was performed. RESULTS: The grading into severity classes as
      well as the minimal important differences were given for the 13 quality
      indicators. The result of rehabilitation can be demonstrated in suitable form by
      means of rating of the 13 quality indicators according to a clinical population.
      The rating model differs well between clinically changed and unchanged patients
      for the quality indicators. CONCLUSION: The result of cardiac rehabilitation can
      be assessed with 13 quality indicators measured at entry and dis-charge of the
      rehabilitation program. If a change into a more -favorable category at the end of
      rehabilitation could be achieved it was counted as a success. The 13 quality
      indicators can be used to assess the individual result as well as the result of a
      population--e. g. all patients of a clinic in a specific time period. In
      addition, the assessment and rating of relevant quality indicators can be used
      for comparisons of rehabilitation centers.

PMID- 24217888
TI  - [External quality assurance in inpatient medical rehabilitation and prevention
      centers for mothers, fathers and children: development of instruments for
      assessing structural quality].
AB  - AIM OF THE STUDY: As required by German law, inpatient institutions offering
      prevention and rehabilitation measures for mothers, fathers and children are
      obliged to implement external quality assurance measures. In 2 pilot projects
      funded by the German federal association of health insurance funds, external
      quality assurance procedures for in-hospital prevention and rehabilitation of
      mothers and fathers were analyzed with the aim of developing a set of instruments
      for the description of structural characteristics in this area of health care and
      to evaluate its appropriateness. Concerning structure-related quality, the
      project included a) designing and evaluating a questionnaire, b) the definition
      of assessment criteria for subsequent comparative data analyses, and c) the
      description and documentation of the current state in the field of rehabilitation
      and prevention for mothers, fathers and children. METHOD: To document structural
      quality comprehensively, a modular questionnaire was developed and tested in a
      survey of 115 inpatient prevention and rehabilitation institutions for mothers,
      fathers and children. Involving an expert panel, preliminary basic and selection
      criteria were defined in order to assure a conducive assessment with regard to
      structural attributes. RESULTS: The majority of institutions had provider
      agreements for both prevention and rehabilitation. Measures for mothers/fathers
      with children were predominant; only 7 institutions exclusively treated mothers
      and fathers. Institution sizes varied strongly. Major indications included
      psychosomatics, dermatology, and pneumology. Overall, structural conditions of
      the institutions showed a high standard. Potential for development was found with
      regard to some aspects of the conceptual framework of institutional practice and
      the implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability
      and Health (ICF) in diagnostics. In this article, the degrees of fulfillment with
      relation to the structural dimensions are presented, referring to the analysis of
      the preliminary basic criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The developed modular questionnaire
      tapping structural features of inpatient mother/father-child institutions has
      proven to be a useful instrument to describe the structural quality in future
      routine practice of quality assurance. In addition, the data can be used for the
      definition of the final set of criteria.

PMID- 24217889
TI  - [Confirmatory analysis of the dimensional structure of the ODI, the SF-12 and the
      HADS-D scales in a sample of rehabilitation patients with musculoskeletal
      diseases].
AB  - This study aimed at confirmatory testing the factorial structure of the
      established assessment instruments ODI, SF-12 and HADS-D by means of structural
      equation modeling in a sample of n=184 rehabilitation patients with musculo
      skeletal diseases. According to local and global fit indices for each instrument
      an acceptable to good fit to the underlying theoretical model could be verified.
      For the ODI as well as for the HADS-D only single weak item-construct
      associations indicated shortcomings in the assumed model structure. For the SF-12
      the constructs "physical health" and "mental health" could be validated after
      defining the additional first order factors "role - physical", "role - emotional"
      and "well-being", respectively. In general, the study findings proved the
      factorial validity of the instruments. Additionally, specific measurement
      properties on item and structural level could be identified which might enhance
      the understanding of construct definitions in rehabilitation patients with
      musculoskeletal diseases. 

PMID- 24217890
TI  - Promoting a new brain tumor mutation: TERT promoter mutations in CNS tumors.

PMID- 24217891
TI  - Lymphomatoid papulosis type D or an aggressive epidermotropic CD8(+) cytotoxic T
      cell lymphoma?

PMID- 24217892
TI  - Procedural memory effects in categorization: evidence for multiple systems or
      task complexity?
AB  - According to an influential multiple-systems model of category learning, an
      implicit procedural system governs the learning of information-integration
      category structures, whereas a rule-based system governs the learning of explicit
      rule-based categories. Support for this idea has come in part from demonstrations
      that motor interference, in the form of inconsistent mapping between response
      location and category labels, results in observed deficits, but only for learning
      information-integration category structures. In this article, we argue that this
      response location manipulation results in a potentially more cognitively complex
      task in which the feedback is difficult to interpret. In one experiment, we
      attempted to attenuate the cognitive complexity by providing more information in
      the feedback, and demonstrated that this eliminates the observed performance
      deficit for information-integration category structures. In a second experiment,
      we demonstrated similar interference of the inconsistent mapping manipulation in
      a rule-based category structure. We claim that task complexity, and not separate
      systems, might be the source of the original dissociation between performance on
      rule-based and information-integration tasks. 

PMID- 24217893
TI  - Deciding with the eye: how the visually manipulated accessibility of information
      in memory influences decision behavior.
AB  - Decision situations are typically characterized by uncertainty: Individuals do
      not know the values of different options on a criterion dimension. For example,
      consumers do not know which is the healthiest of several products. To make a
      decision, individuals can use information about cues that are probabilistically
      related to the criterion dimension, such as sugar content or the concentration of
      natural vitamins. In two experiments, we investigated how the accessibility of
      cue information in memory affects which decision strategy individuals rely on.
      The accessibility of cue information was manipulated by means of a newly
      developed paradigm, the spatial-memory-cueing paradigm, which is based on a
      combination of the looking-at-nothing phenomenon and the spatial-cueing paradigm.
      The results indicated that people use different decision strategies, depending on
      the validity of easily accessible information. If the easily accessible
      information is valid, people stop information search and decide according to a
      simple take-the-best heuristic. If, however, information that comes to mind
      easily has a low predictive validity, people are more likely to integrate all
      available cue information in a compensatory manner. 

PMID- 24217894
TI  - Distinct processes shape flashbulb and event memories.
AB  - In the present study, we examined the relation between memory for a consequential
      and emotional event and memory for the circumstances in which people learned
      about that event, known as flashbulb memory. We hypothesized that these two types
      of memory have different determinants and that event memory is not necessarily a
      direct causal determinant of flashbulb memory. Italian citizens (N = 352)
      described their memories of Italy's victory in the 2006 Football World Cup
      Championship after a delay of 18 months. Structural equation modeling showed that
      flashbulb memory and event memory could be clearly differentiated and were
      determined by two separate pathways. In the first pathway, importance predicted
      emotional intensity, which, in turn, predicted the frequency of overt and covert
      rehearsal. Rehearsal was the only direct determinant of vivid and detailed
      flashbulb memories. In the second pathway, importance predicted rehearsal by
      media exposure, which enhanced the accuracy and certainty of event memory. Event
      memory was also enhanced by prior knowledge. These results have important
      implications for the debate concerning whether the formation of flashbulb memory
      and event memory involve different processes and for understanding how flashbulb
      memory can be simultaneously so vivid and so error-prone. 

PMID- 24217895
TI  - "Saving" Bonnie.

PMID- 24217896
TI  - Deltamethrin induced an apoptogenic signalling pathway in murine thymocytes :
      exploring the molecular mechanism.
AB  - Deltamethrin (DLM) is a well-known pyrethroid insecticide; however, the
      immunotoxic effects of DLM on the mammalian system and its mechanism is still
      unclear. This study has been designed to first observe the binding affinity of
      DLM to immune cell receptors and its effects on the immune system. The docking
      score revealed that DLM has a strong binding affinity towards the CD4 and CD8
      receptors. DLM induces apoptosis in murine thymocytes in a concentration
      dependent manner. The ear?ly markers of apoptosis such as enhanced reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) and caspase-3 activation are evident as early as 1 h by 25
      and 50 MUM DLM. Glutathione (GSH) depletion has also been observed at 1 h by 50
      MUM DLM concentration. In cell-cycle studies using flow cytometry, the fraction
      of hypodiploid cells has gradually increased with all the concentrations of DLM
      at 18 h. The Annexin V binding assay measures the effect of DLM on apoptotic and
      necrotic cells. The apoptotic cells raised from 18.6% to 35.21% (10-50 MUM DLM)
      at 18 h. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) effectively reduced the percentage of apoptotic
      cells which is increased by DLM. In contrast, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) caused
      an elevation in the percentage of apoptotic cells. These results demonstrate that
      caspase activation, ROS activation and GSH act as critical mediators in a DLM
      induced apoptogenic signalling pathway in murine thymocytes. In the presence of
      caspase inhibitor, the percentage of apoptotic cells is partially decreased.
      Thus, there may be the possibility of some other caspase-independent pathways in
      DLM-induced apoptosis.

PMID- 24217897
TI  - Lindane degradation by Candida VITJzN04, a newly isolated yeast strain from
      contaminated soil: kinetic study, enzyme analysis and biodegradation pathway.
AB  - A new yeast strain was isolated from sugarcane cultivation field which was able
      to utilize lindane as sole carbon source for growth in mineral medium. The yeast
      was identified and named as Candida sp. VITJzN04 based on a polyphasic approach
      using morphological, biochemical and 18S rDNA, D1/D2 and ITS sequence analysis.
      The isolated yeast strain efficiently degraded 600 mg L-1 of lindane within 6
      days in mineral medium under the optimal conditions (pH 7; temperature 30 
      degrees C and inoculum dosage 0.06 g L-1) with the least half-life of 1.17 days
      and degradation constant of 0.588 per day. Lindane degradation was tested with
      various kinetic models and results revealed that the reaction could be described
      best by first-order and pseudo first-order models. In addition, involvement of
      the enzymes viz. dechlorinase, dehalogenase, dichlorohydroquinone reductive
      dechlorinase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase was noted during lindane
      degradation. Addition of H2O2 in the mineral medium showed 32 % enhancement of
      lindane degradation within 3 days. Based on the metabolites identified by GC-MS
      and FTIR analysis, sequential process of lindane degradation by Candida VITJzN04
      was proposed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation
      and characterization of lindane-degrading Candida sp. and elucidation of enzyme
      systems during the degradation process.

PMID- 24217898
TI  - Obestatin: a new metabolic player in the pancreas and white adipose tissue.
AB  - Obestatin is a 23 amino acid amidated peptide, member of the preproghrelin gene
      derived peptides. Initially, obestatin was reported to exert opposite effects to
      those of ghrelin on food intake and body weight gain, through interaction with
      GPR39; however, these findings are still strongly debated and obestatin
      biological role remains largely unknown. Interestingly, binding of obestatin to
      the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor has been recently suggested. Despite being a
      controversial peptide, recent findings have clearly indicated that obestatin is
      indeed a multifunctional peptide, exerting a variety of effects, such as
      stimulation of cell proliferation, survival and differentiation, influence on
      glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective
      actions. Its positive effects on glucose and lipid metabolism candidate this
      peptide as a potential therapeutic tool in pathological conditions such as
      insulin resistance and diabetes.

PMID- 24217899
TI  - Demand curves for hypothetical cocaine in cocaine-dependent individuals.
AB  - RATIONALE: Drug purchasing tasks have been successfully used to examine demand
      for hypothetical consumption of abused drugs including heroin, nicotine, and
      alcohol. In these tasks, drug users make hypothetical choices whether to buy
      drugs, and if so, at what quantity, at various potential prices. These tasks
      allow for behavioral economic assessment of that drug's intensity of demand
      (preferred level of consumption at extremely low prices) and demand elasticity
      (sensitivity of consumption to price), among other metrics. However, a purchasing
      task for cocaine in cocaine-dependent individuals has not been investigated.
      OBJECTIVES: This study examined a novel Cocaine Purchasing Task and the relation
      between resulting demand metrics and self-reported cocaine use data. METHODS:
      Participants completed a questionnaire assessing hypothetical purchases of
      cocaine units at prices ranging from $0.01 to $1,000. Demand curves were
      generated from responses on the Cocaine Purchasing Task. Correlations compared
      metrics from the demand curve to measures of real-world cocaine use. RESULTS:
      Group and individual data were well modeled by a demand curve function. The
      validity of the Cocaine Purchasing Task was supported by a significant
      correlation between the demand curve metrics of demand intensity and O max
      (determined from Cocaine Purchasing Task data) and self-reported measures of
      cocaine use. Partial correlations revealed that after controlling for demand
      intensity, demand elasticity and the related measure, P max, were significantly
      correlated with real-world cocaine use. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the
      Cocaine Purchasing Task produces orderly demand curve data, and that these data
      relate to real-world measures of cocaine use.

PMID- 24217901
TI  - Coexistence of malignant struma ovarii and cervical papillary thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - CONTEXT: Struma ovarii is an uncommon monodermal teratoma in which thyroid tissue
      is the predominant element. Malignant transformation of struma ovarii is an even
      rarer occurrence. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 42-year-old woman who
      underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for
      a symptomatic left pelvic mass. Histology revealed malignant struma ovarii with
      classical papillary thyroid carcinoma expression. Ultrasonography of the cervical
      neck showed thyroid micronodules and a dominant 1-cm nodule in the left thyroid
      lobe. As the ovarian tumor was large, the patient underwent a total thyroidectomy
      with the intention of administering 131I therapy in an adjuvant setting.
      Histology of the cervical thyroid gland revealed bilateral multifocal papillary
      thyroid carcinoma with extrathyroidal extension and perithyroidal lymph node
      metastasis. METHODS: Morphological (microscopy), immunohistochemical (Hector
      Battifora mesothelial cell 1, cytokeratin-19, galectin-3), and molecular (BRAF
      V600E, RAS, RET-PTC) characteristics and clonality analysis of the cervical
      thyroid and ovarian tumors were explored to distinguish them as separate
      malignancies. RESULTS: The thyroid-type tumors from the cervical gland and ovary
      were discordant in terms of tissue histology and level of cytokeratin-19
      expression. The clinical features and tumor profile results supported the
      independent existence of these two embryologically related, although
      topographically distinct, malignancies. CONCLUSION: Our findings provided support
      for synchronous, albeit distinct, primary tumors in the ovary and cervical
      thyroid. "Field cancerization" and early genomic instability may explain
      multifocality in all thyroid-type tissue. In this regard, patients with malignant
      struma ovarii should undergo imaging of their thyroid gland for coexisting
      disease and thyroidectomy recommended for suspected malignancy or in preparation
      for radioiodine therapy.

PMID- 24217900
TI  - Differential effects of opioid-related ligands and NSAIDs in nonhuman primate
      models of acute and inflammatory pain.
AB  - RATIONALE: Carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia is a widely used pain model in
      rodents. However, characteristics of carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia and effects
      of analgesic drugs under these conditions are unknown in nonhuman primates.
      OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to develop carrageenan-induced
      hyperalgesia in rhesus monkeys and determine the efficacy and potency of agonists
      selective for the four opioid receptor subtypes in this model versus acute pain,
      as compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). RESULTS: Tail
      injection of carrageenan produced long-lasting thermal hyperalgesia in monkeys.
      Systemically administered agonists selective for opioid receptor subtypes, i.e.,
      fentanyl (mu/MOP), U-50488H (kappa/KOP), SNC80 (delta/DOP) and Ro 64-6198
      (nociceptin/orphanin FQ/NOP) dose-dependently attenuated carrageenan-induced
      thermal hyperalgesia with different potencies. In absence of carrageenan, these
      agonists, except SNC80, blocked acute thermal nociception. Opioid-related
      ligands, especially Ro 64-6198, were much more potent for their antihyperalgesic
      than antinociceptive effects. Both effects were mediated by the corresponding
      receptor mechanisms. Only fentanyl produced scratching at antihyperalgesic and
      antinociceptive doses consistent with its pruritic effects in humans,
      illustrating a translational profile of MOP agonists in nonhuman primates.
      Similar to SNC80, systemically administered NSAIDs ketorolac and naproxen dose
      dependently attenuated carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia but not acute
      nociception. CONCLUSION: Using two different pain modalities in nonhuman
      primates, effectiveness of clinically available analgesics like fentanyl,
      ketorolac and naproxen was distinguished and their efficacies and potencies were
      compared with the selective KOP, DOP, and NOP agonists. The opioid-related
      ligands displayed differential pharmacological properties in regulating
      hyperalgesia and acute nociception in the same subjects. Such preclinical primate
      models can be used to investigate novel analgesic agents.

PMID- 24217902
TI  - The adverse health consequences of the use of multiple performance-enhancing
      substances--a deadly cocktail.
AB  - CONTEXT: The harmful consequences of abuse of performance-enhancing substances
      (PESs), stimulants, and masking agents among athletes, recreational weight
      lifters, and physical trainers are common. However, the adverse health outcomes
      with severe unexpected and dramatic consequences are unrecognized or under
      reported at the expense of short-term glory or body-image effects, especially in
      elite sports. OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a recreational weight
      lifter/physical trainer to help summarize the adverse health consequences and
      outcomes of polypharmacy among athletes and growing subsets in our population
      engaged in physical/fitness training. We show that in addition to the risk
      inherent to "stacking" of PESs, the users are predisposed to harmful
      consequences, including risk of exposure to toxic contaminants. DESIGN AND
      SETTING: A previously healthy man with chronic use of multiple PESs, stimulants,
      and masking agents presented to a tertiary-care hospital with jaundice and mild
      hepatitis with rapid progression into liver and multisystem organ failure. This
      is followed by a brief overview of the specific toxicity (arsenic) and PESs that
      contributed to the poor outcome in this case. CONCLUSION: Surreptitiously or self
      administered cocktails of potential PESs including anabolic agents, emerging
      classes of GH-releasing peptides, androgen precursors, stimulants, and masking
      agents could lead to adverse consequences including early mortality, multisystem
      pathology, unmask/accelerate malignancy, and expose or predispose users to
      extreme danger from contaminants. This cautionary case reinforces the need to
      increase awareness and highlights the challenges that testing agencies,
      regulators, and clinicians face in the fast-developing licit/illicit trade of
      these products.

PMID- 24217903
TI  - Cardiovascular risk in adult patients with growth hormone (GH) deficiency and
      following substitution with GH--an update.
AB  - CONTEXT: GH deficiency (GHD) of the adult is a clinical condition characterized
      by the presence of several traditional and emerging cardiovascular risk factors
      that can significantly increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is
      still an open issue whether GH replacement is able not only to improve
      cardiovascular risk factors but also to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and
      mortality. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The major source of data acquisition included
      PubMed research strategies. Original articles, systematic reviews and meta
      analyses, and included relevant citations were screened. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: In
      untreated GHD, cardiovascular risk is increased due to abnormal lipid profile
      (increased total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased
      triglycerides, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and impaired
      glucose metabolism. Emerging cardiovascular risk factors/markers such as
      proinflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein, and adipokines are also increased
      in GHD patients. Increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have also been
      reported in GHD. GH treatment has been shown to improve both traditional and
      emerging cardiovascular risk factors and markers. However, evidence on the
      effects of GH replacement on cardiovascular events and mortality is limited.
      CONCLUSION: The GHD population may be considered at high cardiovascular risk, and
      GH substitution may be expected to bring an added value to patients with
      hypopituitarism in terms of cardiovascular protection. However, there is too
      limited evidence (rarely coming from randomized and controlled studies) to
      recommend GH treatment based on the cardiovascular status of the patients.

PMID- 24217904
TI  - Determination of reference intervals for serum total calcium in the vitamin D
      replete pediatric population.
AB  - CONTEXT: Widespread vitamin D insufficiency raises concerns regarding the
      reliability of reference intervals for serum calcium. OBJECTIVE: We sought to
      determine the reference intervals for serum total calcium in pediatric subjects
      without vitamin D [25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]] deficiency [20 ng/mL (50
      nmol/L)]. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a retrospective study of laboratory
      data obtained from all patients at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from
      July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012. Patients in the renal unit, the endocrine
      unit, or a critical care unit were excluded. Total serum calcium was determined
      using a colorimetric assay and serum 25(OH)D was determined by liquid
      chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. We ascertained 4629 subjects who had a
      serum 25(OH)D between 20 and 80 ng/mL (50-200 nmol/L) and a serum calcium level
      determined within 30 days of the 25(OH)D measurement. For comparison, we used
      data from an unselected cohort of patients (n = 106 220). RESULTS: Parametric
      analyses generated age-specific reference intervals for serum total calcium for
      each of several age groups (0-90 d old, 91-180 d old, 181-365 d old, 1-3 y old, 4
      11 y old, and 12-19 y old). A two-way ANOVA with Tukey's correction showed
      significant differences between the lower limits of normal (P < .001) and the
      normal range (P < .001) but not for the upper limit of normal for these subjects
      compared with unselected subjects. Student's t tests revealed significant
      differences at all ages between calcium concentrations in those with 25(OH)D
      values between 20 and 30 ng/mL and those with 25(OH)D values between 30 and 80
      ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: These reference intervals refine previous normal ranges that
      likely included subjects with vitamin D deficiency.

PMID- 24217905
TI  - Expression and subcellular localization of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in
      human fetal brown adipose tissue.
AB  - CONTEXT: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has the unique ability of generating heat due
      to the expression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). A recent
      discovery regarding functional BAT in adult humans has increased interest in the
      molecular pathways of BAT development and functionality. An important role for
      estrogen in white adipose tissue was shown, but the possible role of estrogen in
      human fetal BAT (fBAT) is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to
      determine whether human fBAT expresses estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and
      ERbeta. In addition, we examined their localization as well as their correlation
      with crucial proteins involved in BAT differentiation, proliferation,
      mitochondriogenesis and thermogenesis including peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor gamma (PPARgamma), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), PPARgamma
      coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), and UCP1. DESIGN: The fBAT was obtained from 4
      human male fetuses aged 15, 17, 20, and 23 weeks gestation. ERalpha and ERbeta
      expression was assessed using Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and
      immunocytochemistry. Possible correlations with PPARgamma, PCNA, PGC-1alpha, and
      UCP1 were examined by double immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Both ERalpha and ERbeta
      were expressed in human fBAT, with ERalpha being dominant. Unlike ERbeta, which
      was present only in mature brown adipocytes, we detected ERalpha in mature
      adipocytes, preadipocytes, mesenchymal and endothelial cells. In addition, double
      immunofluorescence supported the notion that differentiation in fBAT probably
      involves ERalpha. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed mitochondrial localization
      of both receptors. CONCLUSION: The expression of both ERalpha and ERbeta in human
      fBAT suggests a role for estrogen in its development, primarily via ERalpha. In
      addition, our results indicate that fBAT mitochondria could be targeted by
      estrogens and pointed out the possible role of both ERs in mitochondriogenesis.

PMID- 24217906
TI  - Five-year follow-up for women with subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy.
AB  - CONTEXT: Increasing numbers of women are being treated with l-thyroxine in
      pregnancy for mild thyroid dysfunction because of its association with impaired
      neuropsychological development in their offspring and other adverse obstetric
      outcomes. However, there are limited data to indicate whether treatment should be
      continued outside of pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether
      subclinical hypothyroidism and maternal hypothyroxinemia resolve postdelivery.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 523 pregnant healthy women with no
      known thyroid disorders were recruited during routine antenatal care and provided
      blood samples at 28 weeks of pregnancy and at a mean of 4.9 years postpregnancy.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: TSH, free T4, free T3, and thyroid peroxidase antibody
      levels were measured in serum taken in pregnancy and at follow-up. RESULTS:
      Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy (TSH >3 mIU/L) was present in 65 of 523
      (12.4%) women. Of these, 49 (75.4%) women had normal thyroid function
      postpregnancy; 16 of 65 (24.6%) had persistent high TSH (TSH >4.5 mIU/L
      postpregnancy) with 3 women receiving l-thyroxine treatment. A total of 44 of 523
      (8.4%) women had isolated maternal hypothyroxinemia in pregnancy (free T4 <10th
      centile and TSH <=3 mIU/L). Only 2 of 44 (4.5%) had TSH >4.5 mIU/L outside
      pregnancy. Of the women with subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy with
      antibody measurements available, those with thyroid peroxidase antibodies in
      pregnancy were more likely to have persistently elevated TSH or be receiving l
      thyroxine replacement after pregnancy (6 of 7 [86%] vs 10 of 57 [18%], P < .001).
      CONCLUSIONS: The majority of cases of subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy are
      transient, so treatment with l-thyroxine in these patients should be reviewed
      because it may not be warranted after pregnancy.

PMID- 24217907
TI  - Oncogenic osteomalacia caused by renal cell carcinoma.

PMID- 24217908
TI  - Postnatal ovarian activation has effects in estrogen target tissues in infant
      girls.
AB  - CONTEXT: Shortly after birth, pituitary gonadotropin secretion transiently
      activates in both sexes, and this surge is more robust in preterm (PT) than in
      full-term (FT) infants. In boys, the gonadotropin surge is associated with
      testicular activity and is considered an important part of normal reproductive
      development. In contrast, gonadal activation and its consequences in infant girls
      are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the association
      of postnatal ovarian activity with simultaneous changes in estrogen target
      tissues in FT and PT girls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measured urinary estradiol
      (E2) levels in 29 FT and 34 PT girls using a mass spectrometric method from 1
      week (D7) to 6 months of age (M1-M6). To assess the contribution of ovarian E2 on
      urinary E2 levels, the levels in girls were compared with the levels of boys of
      similar cohorts (29 FT and 33 PT boys). E2 levels were compared with simultaneous
      changes in estrogenic target tissues including mammary glands in both sexes and
      uterus and vulvar epithelium in girls. RESULTS: Median urinary E2 levels
      increased after D7 in girls, but not in boys. Mammary gland diameter was larger
      in girls than in boys from M4 in FT (P < .001) and M2 in PT infants (P < .0001).
      In PT girls, E2 levels increased at term and were then higher than those in FT
      girls (P < .0001). Urinary E2 levels in PT girls were positively associated with
      mammary gland and uterine growth. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that
      gonadal steroidogenesis activates during the postnatal gonadotropin surge in
      girls. In addition, the resulting elevated E2 levels affect target tissues,
      suggesting that postnatal pituitary-ovarian activation plays a role in normal
      female reproductive development.

PMID- 24217909
TI  - Current status and new features of the Consensus Coding Sequence database.
AB  - The Consensus Coding Sequence (CCDS) project (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/CCDS/)
      is a collaborative effort to maintain a dataset of protein-coding regions that
      are identically annotated on the human and mouse reference genome assemblies by
      the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and Ensembl genome
      annotation pipelines. Identical annotations that pass quality assurance tests are
      tracked with a stable identifier (CCDS ID). Members of the collaboration, who are
      from NCBI, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the University of California
      Santa Cruz, provide coordinated and continuous review of the dataset to ensure
      high-quality CCDS representations. We describe here the current status and recent
      growth in the CCDS dataset, as well as recent changes to the CCDS web and FTP
      sites. These changes include more explicit reporting about the NCBI and Ensembl
      annotation releases being compared, new search and display options, the addition
      of biologically descriptive information and our approach to representing genes
      for which support evidence is incomplete. We also present a summary of recent and
      future curation targets. 

PMID- 24217910
TI  - Characterization of the imprinting signature of mouse embryo fibroblasts by RNA
      deep sequencing.
AB  - Mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) are convenient sources for biochemical studies
      when cell number in mouse embryos is limiting. To derive the imprinting signature
      of MEFs and potentially detect novel imprinted genes we performed strand- and
      allele-specific RNA deep sequencing. We used sequenom allelotyping in embryo and
      adult organs to verify parental allele-specific expression. Thirty-two known
      ubiquitously imprinted genes displayed correct parental allele-specific
      transcripts in MEFs. Our analysis did not reveal any novel imprinted genes, but
      detected extended parental allele-specific transcripts in several known imprinted
      domains: maternal allele-specific transcripts downstream of Grb10 and downstream
      of Meg3, Rtl1as and Rian in the Dlk1-Dio3 cluster, an imprinted domain implicated
      in development and pluripotency. We detected paternal allele-specific transcripts
      downstream of Nespas, Peg3, Peg12 and Snurf/Snrpn. These imprinted transcript
      extensions were not unique to MEFs, but were also present in other somatic cells.
      The 5' end points of the imprinted transcript extensions did not carry opposing
      chromatin marks or parental allele-specific DNA methylation, suggesting that
      their parental allele-specific transcription is under the control of the extended
      imprinted genes. Based on the imprinting signature of MEFs, these cells provide
      valid models for understanding the biochemical aspects of genomic imprinting. 

PMID- 24217911
TI  - AgeFactDB--the JenAge Ageing Factor Database--towards data integration in ageing
      research.
AB  - AgeFactDB (http://agefactdb.jenage.de) is a database aimed at the collection and
      integration of ageing phenotype data including lifespan information. Ageing
      factors are considered to be genes, chemical compounds or other factors such as
      dietary restriction, whose action results in a changed lifespan or another ageing
      phenotype. Any information related to the effects of ageing factors is called an
      observation and is presented on observation pages. To provide concise access to
      the complete information for a particular ageing factor, corresponding
      observations are also summarized on ageing factor pages. In a first step, ageing
      related data were primarily taken from existing databases such as the Ageing Gene
      Database--GenAge, the Lifespan Observations Database and the Dietary Restriction
      Gene Database--GenDR. In addition, we have started to include new ageing-related
      information. Based on homology data taken from the HomoloGene Database, AgeFactDB
      also provides observation and ageing factor pages of genes that are homologous to
      known ageing-related genes. These homologues are considered as candidate or
      putative ageing-related genes. AgeFactDB offers a variety of search and browse
      options, and also allows the download of ageing factor or observation lists in
      TSV, CSV and XML formats.

PMID- 24217912
TI  - The Human Phenotype Ontology project: linking molecular biology and disease
      through phenotype data.
AB  - The Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) project, available at http://www.human
      phenotype-ontology.org, provides a structured, comprehensive and well-defined set
      of 10,088 classes (terms) describing human phenotypic abnormalities and 13,326
      subclass relations between the HPO classes. In addition we have developed logical
      definitions for 46% of all HPO classes using terms from ontologies for anatomy,
      cell types, function, embryology, pathology and other domains. This allows
      interoperability with several resources, especially those containing phenotype
      information on model organisms such as mouse and zebrafish. Here we describe the
      updated HPO database, which provides annotations of 7,278 human hereditary
      syndromes listed in OMIM, Orphanet and DECIPHER to classes of the HPO. Various
      meta-attributes such as frequency, references and negations are associated with
      each annotation. Several large-scale projects worldwide utilize the HPO for
      describing phenotype information in their datasets. We have therefore generated
      equivalence mappings to other phenotype vocabularies such as LDDB, Orphanet,
      MedDRA, UMLS and phenoDB, allowing integration of existing datasets and
      interoperability with multiple biomedical resources. We have created various ways
      to access the HPO database content using flat files, a MySQL database, and Web
      based tools. All data and documentation on the HPO project can be found online. 

PMID- 24217913
TI  - The Drosophila RNA-binding protein HOW controls the stability of dgrasp mRNA in
      the follicular epithelium.
AB  - Post-transcriptional regulation of RNA stability and localization underlies a
      wide array of developmental processes, such as axon guidance and epithelial
      morphogenesis. In Drosophila, ectopic expression of the classically Golgi
      peripheral protein dGRASP at the plasma membrane is achieved through its mRNA
      targeting at key developmental time-points, in a process critical to follicular
      epithelium integrity. However, the trans-acting factors that tightly regulate the
      spatio-temporal dynamics of dgrasp are unknown. Using an in silico approach, we
      identified two putative HOW Response Elements (HRE1 and HRE2) within the dgrasp
      open reading frame for binding to Held Out Wings (HOW), a member of the Signal
      Transduction and Activation of RNA family of RNA-binding proteins. Using RNA
      immunoprecipitations, we confirmed this by showing that the short cytoplasmic
      isoform of HOW binds directly to dgrasp HRE1. Furthermore, HOW loss of function
      in vivo leads to a significant decrease in dgrasp mRNA levels. We demonstrate
      that HRE1 protects dgrasp mRNA from cytoplasmic degradation, but does not mediate
      its targeting. We propose that this binding event promotes the formation of
      ribonucleoprotein particles that ensure dgrasp stability during transport to the
      basal plasma membrane, thus enabling the local translation of dgrasp for its
      roles at non-Golgi locations. 

PMID- 24217914
TI  - GenBank.
AB  - GenBank is a comprehensive database that contains publicly available nucleotide
      sequences for over 280,000 formally described species. These sequences are
      obtained primarily through submissions from individual laboratories and batch
      submissions from large-scale sequencing projects, including whole-genome shotgun
      and environmental sampling projects. Most submissions are made using the web
      based BankIt or standalone Sequin programs, and GenBank staff assign accession
      numbers upon data receipt. Daily data exchange with the European Nucleotide
      Archive and the DNA Data Bank of Japan ensures worldwide coverage. GenBank is
      accessible through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
      Entrez retrieval system, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein
      sequence databases along with taxonomy, genome, mapping, protein structure and
      domain information, and the biomedical journal literature via PubMed. BLAST
      provides sequence similarity searches of GenBank and other sequence databases.
      Complete bimonthly releases and daily updates of the GenBank database are
      available by FTP. To access GenBank and its related retrieval and analysis
      services, begin at the NCBI home page: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

PMID- 24217915
TI  - WormQTLHD--a web database for linking human disease to natural variation data in
      C. elegans.
AB  - Interactions between proteins are highly conserved across species. As a result,
      the molecular basis of multiple diseases affecting humans can be studied in model
      organisms that offer many alternative experimental opportunities. One such
      organism-Caenorhabditis elegans-has been used to produce much molecular
      quantitative genetics and systems biology data over the past decade. We present
      WormQTL(HD) (Human Disease), a database that quantitatively and systematically
      links expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) findings in C. elegans to gene
      disease associations in man. WormQTL(HD), available online at http://www.wormqtl
      hd.org, is a user-friendly set of tools to reveal functionally coherent,
      evolutionary conserved gene networks. These can be used to predict novel gene-to
      gene associations and the functions of genes underlying the disease of interest.
      We created a new database that links C. elegans eQTL data sets to human diseases
      (34 337 gene-disease associations from OMIM, DGA, GWAS Central and NHGRI GWAS
      Catalogue) based on overlapping sets of orthologous genes associated to
      phenotypes in these two species. We utilized QTL results, high-throughput
      molecular phenotypes, classical phenotypes and genotype data covering different
      developmental stages and environments from WormQTL database. All software is
      available as open source, built on MOLGENIS and xQTL workbench. 

PMID- 24217916
TI  - NPInter v2.0: an updated database of ncRNA interactions.
AB  - NPInter (http://www.bioinfo.org/NPInter) is a database that integrates
      experimentally verified functional interactions between noncoding RNAs (excluding
      tRNAs and rRNAs) and other biomolecules (proteins, RNAs and genomic DNAs).
      Extensive studies on ncRNA interactions have shown that ncRNAs could act as part
      of enzymatic or structural complexes, gene regulators or other functional
      elements. With the development of high-throughput biotechnology, such as cross
      linking immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing (CLIP-seq), the number
      of known ncRNA interactions, especially those formed by protein binding, has
      grown rapidly in recent years. In this work, we updated NPInter to version 2.0 by
      collecting ncRNA interactions from recent literature and related databases,
      expanding the number of entries to 201 107 covering 18 species. In addition,
      NPInter v2.0 incorporated a service for the BLAST alignment search as well as
      visualization of interactions. 

PMID- 24217917
TI  - Prospective identification of parasitic sequences in phage display screens.
AB  - Phage display empowered the development of proteins with new function and ligands
      for clinically relevant targets. In this report, we use next-generation
      sequencing to analyze phage-displayed libraries and uncover a strong bias induced
      by amplification preferences of phage in bacteria. This bias favors fast-growing
      sequences that collectively constitute <0.01% of the available diversity.
      Specifically, a library of 10(9) random 7-mer peptides (Ph.D.-7) includes a few
      thousand sequences that grow quickly (the 'parasites'), which are the sequences
      that are typically identified in phage display screens published to date. A
      similar collapse was observed in other libraries. Using Illumina and Ion Torrent
      sequencing and multiple biological replicates of amplification of Ph.D.-7
      library, we identified a focused population of 770 'parasites'. In all, 197
      sequences from this population have been identified in literature reports that
      used Ph.D.-7 library. Many of these enriched sequences have confirmed function
      (e.g. target binding capacity). The bias in the literature, thus, can be viewed
      as a selection with two different selection pressures: (i) target-binding
      selection, and (ii) amplification-induced selection. Enrichment of parasitic
      sequences could be minimized if amplification bias is removed. Here, we
      demonstrate that emulsion amplification in libraries of ~ 10(6) diverse clones
      prevents the biased selection of parasitic clones.

PMID- 24217918
TI  - Gramene 2013: comparative plant genomics resources.
AB  - Gramene (http://www.gramene.org) is a curated online resource for comparative
      functional genomics in crops and model plant species, currently hosting 27 fully
      and 10 partially sequenced reference genomes in its build number 38. Its strength
      derives from the application of a phylogenetic framework for genome comparison
      and the use of ontologies to integrate structural and functional annotation data.
      Whole-genome alignments complemented by phylogenetic gene family trees help infer
      syntenic and orthologous relationships. Genetic variation data, sequences and
      genome mappings available for 10 species, including Arabidopsis, rice and maize,
      help infer putative variant effects on genes and transcripts. The pathways
      section also hosts 10 species-specific metabolic pathways databases developed in
      house or by our collaborators using Pathway Tools software, which facilitates
      searches for pathway, reaction and metabolite annotations, and allows analyses of
      user-defined expression datasets. Recently, we released a Plant Reactome portal
      featuring 133 curated rice pathways. This portal will be expanded for
      Arabidopsis, maize and other plant species. We continue to provide genetic and
      QTL maps and marker datasets developed by crop researchers. The project provides
      a unique community platform to support scientific research in plant genomics
      including studies in evolution, genetics, plant breeding, molecular biology,
      biochemistry and systems biology. 

PMID- 24217919
TI  - Discover context-specific combinatorial transcription factor interactions by
      integrating diverse ChIP-Seq data sets.
AB  - Combinatorial interactions among transcription factors (TFs) are critical for
      integrating diverse intrinsic and extrinsic signals, fine-tuning regulatory
      output and increasing the robustness and plasticity of regulatory systems.
      Current knowledge about combinatorial regulation is rather limited due to the
      lack of suitable experimental technologies and bioinformatics tools. The rapid
      accumulation of ChIP-Seq data has provided genome-wide occupancy maps for a large
      number of TFs and chromatin modification marks for identifying enhancers without
      knowing individual TF binding sites. Integration of the two data types has not
      been researched extensively, resulting in underused data and missed
      opportunities. We describe a novel method for discovering frequent combinatorial
      occupancy patterns by multiple TFs at enhancers. Our method is based on
      probabilistic item set mining and takes into account uncertainty in both types of
      ChIP-Seq data. By joint analysis of 108 TFs in four human cell types, we found
      that cell-type-specific interactions among TFs are abundant and that the majority
      of enhancers have flexible architecture. We show that several families of
      transposable elements disproportionally overlap with enhancers with combinatorial
      patterns, suggesting that these transposable element families play an important
      role in the evolution of combinatorial regulation. 

PMID- 24217921
TI  - Transcription control of DAPK.
AB  - Imbalanced cell death is a common phenomenon in many human diseases, including
      cancer. DAPK's essential function is in promoting apoptosis. DAPK interacts with
      stress-induced receptors through its death domain to initiate an apoptosis
      cascade. In addition, DAPK phosphorylates multiple cytosolic substrates and can
      mediate transfer of signaling pathways to the effector caspases. A series of
      studies demonstrated that, depending on stimuli, DAPK expression is regulated on
      both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Silencing of DAPK due to
      hypermethylation of its promoter was reported in many types of cancer. STAT3 and
      p52-NFkB transcription factors have been shown to down-regulate DAPK expression.
      In contrast, p53, C/EBP-beta and Smad transcription factors bind to their
      specific response elements within the DAPK promoter and induce its transcription.
      Post-transcriptionally, DAPK undergoes alternative splicing, which results in the
      production of two functionally different isoforms. Moreover, miRNA 103 and miRNA
      107 recently were shown to inhibit DAPK in colorectal cancer. Here we summarize
      our recent knowledge about transcriptional regulation of DAPK expression. 

PMID- 24217920
TI  - Cellular senescence mediated by p16INK4A-coupled miRNA pathways.
AB  - p16 is a key regulator of cellular senescence, yet the drivers of this stable
      state of proliferative arrest are not well understood. Here, we identify 22
      senescence-associated microRNAs (SA-miRNAs) in normal human mammary epithelial
      cells. We show that SA-miRNAs-26b, 181a, 210 and 424 function in concert to
      directly repress expression of Polycomb group (PcG) proteins CBX7, embryonic
      ectoderm development (EED), enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) and suppressor
      of zeste 12 homologue (Suz12), thereby activating p16. We demonstrate the
      existence of a tight positive feedback loop in which SA-miRNAs activate and re
      enforce the expression of other SA-miRNA members. In contrast, PcG members
      restrain senescence by epigenetically repressing the expression of these SA
      miRNAs. Importantly, loss of p16 leads to repression of SA-miRNA expression,
      intimately coupling this effector of senescence to the SA-miRNA/PcG self
      regulatory loop. Taken together, our findings illuminate an important regulatory
      axis that underpins the transition from proliferation to cellular senescence. 

PMID- 24217922
TI  - Therapeutic effects of suppressors of cytokine signaling in diabetic nephropathy.
AB  - Inflammation is an important pathophysiological mechanism in diabetic nephropathy
      (DN). Tubular epithelial cell-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (TEMT), which
      can be induced by many cytokines, is an important event in DN. Oncostatin M
      (OSM), an inflammatory cytokine, can induce TEMT in vitro. The suppressors of
      cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are negative-feedback regulators of cytokine
      signaling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of SOCS in DN.
      The results demonstrated that overexpression of SOCS ameliorated proteinuria, the
      expression of alpha-SMA and OSM in tubular epithelial cells, and interstitial
      extracellular matrix accumulation in the renal tissue of CD-1 mice. In addition,
      our previous studies indicated that OSM induced TEMT by activating the JAK/STAT
      pathway, which could be inhibited by SOCS. These results indicate that
      overexpression of SOCS has a therapeutic effect in DN. 

PMID- 24217923
TI  - Carbonic anhydrase IX expression is associated with favorable prognostic factors
      in small intestinal carcinoma.
AB  - Tumor hypoxia is associated with more aggressive behavior and resistance to
      chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9) level increases under
      hypoxia and is related to poor prognostic factors. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the expression of CA9 and to identify its prognostic significance in
      small intestinal carcinomas (SICs). CA9 expression was observed in 36% (63/175)
      of SICs. CA9 expression showed significant correlation with well- and moderately
      differentiated tumors compared with poorly differentiated tumors (p=0.039),
      tumors with no lymph node metastasis (p=0.005), and lower stage carcinomas
      (p=0.009). CA9 expression showed an inverse correlation with perineural invasion
      (p=0.021) and lymphatic invasion (p=0.022). No significant correlation was
      observed between CA9 expression and gross type, histological type, pathological
      tumor (pT) classification, vascular invasion, pancreas invasion, and
      retroperitoneal seeding. SICs with CA9 overexpression showed better overall
      survival compared with those with no or weak CA9 expression (p=0.048). In the
      multivariate analysis, poorly differentiated SICs (p<0.001) and SICs with lymph
      node metastasis (p=0.002) were independent poor prognostic factors. CA9
      expression in SICs is more frequently associated with good prognostic markers and
      better overall survival; however, it is not an independent prognostic factor. 

PMID- 24217925
TI  - Peer review and reproducibility. Crisis or time for course correction?

PMID- 24217924
TI  - Connective tissue growth factor is involved in structural retinal vascular
      changes in long-term experimental diabetes.
AB  - Early retinal vascular changes in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR)
      include capillary basal lamina (BL) thickening, pericyte loss and the development
      of acellular capillaries. Expression of the CCN (connective tissue growth
      factor/cysteine-rich 61/nephroblastoma overexpressed) family member CCN2 or
      connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a potent inducer of the expression of BL
      components, is upregulated early in diabetes. Diabetic mice lacking one
      functional CTGF allele (CTGF+/-) do not show this BL thickening. As early events
      in DR may be interrelated, we hypothesized that CTGF plays a role in the
      pathological changes of retinal capillaries other than BL thickening. We studied
      the effects of long-term (6-8 months) streptozotocin-induced diabetes on retinal
      capillary BL thickness, numbers of pericytes and the development of acellular
      capillaries in wild type and CTGF+/- mice. Our results show that an absence of BL
      thickening of retinal capillaries in long-term diabetic CTGF+/- mice is
      associated with reduced pericyte dropout and reduced formation of acellular
      capillaries. We conclude that CTGF is involved in structural retinal vascular
      changes in diabetic rodents. Inhibition of CTGF in the eye may therefore be
      protective against the development of DR.

PMID- 24217927
TI  - Metronidazole-induced fixed drug eruption.

PMID- 24217926
TI  - Vanilloid receptor-1 (TRPV1) expression and function in the vasculature of the
      rat.
AB  - Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels are emerging in vascular
      biology. In particular, the expression of the capsaicin receptor (TRPV1) was
      reported in vascular smooth muscle cells. This study characterized the arteriolar
      TRPV1 function and expression in the rat. TRPV1 mRNA was expressed in various
      vascular beds. Six commercially available antibodies were tested for TRPV1
      specificity. Two of them were specific (immunostaining was abolished by blocking
      peptides) for neuronal TRPV1 and one recognized vascular TRPV1. TRPV1 was
      expressed in blood vessels in the skeletal muscle, mesenteric and skin tissues,
      as well as in the aorta and carotid arteries. TRPV1 expression was found to be
      regulated at the level of individual blood vessels, where some vessels expressed,
      while others did not express TRPV1 in the same tissue sections. Capsaicin (a
      TRPV1 agonist) evoked constrictions in skeletal muscle arteries and in the
      carotid artery, but had no effect on the femoral and mesenteric arteries or the
      aorta. In blood vessels, TRPV1 expression was detected in most of the large
      arteries, but there were striking differences at level of the small arteries.
      TRPV1 activity was suppressed in some isolated arteries. This tightly regulated
      expression and function suggests a physiological role for vascular TRPV1. 

PMID- 24217928
TI  - Mediastinal emphysema: a rare respiratory complication of relapsing
      polychondritis.

PMID- 24217929
TI  - A young patient with recurrent respiratory tract infection and anasarca.
AB  - A young man with a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections for the past
      8 years presented with generalised anasarca. He was found to have advanced renal
      disease (stage 4) and a profound proteinuria of 82.9 g/day. Further workup
      revealed the presence of advanced bronchiectatic changes in the lungs. Rectal
      biopsy showed the characteristic pattern of amyloid deposition. A diagnosis of
      systemic amyloidosis secondary to bronchiectasis was made. To the best of our
      knowledge no other cases of bronchiectasis-associated renal amyloid disease with
      such marked proteinuria have been reported in the literature. Our patient had a
      relatively short duration between the onset of his symptoms related to underlying
      bronchiectasis and his clinical presentation of renal amyloidosis. He had an
      aggressive course of disease and unfortunately died at a very young age. 

PMID- 24217930
TI  - Multisystemic tuberculosis presenting with scrofula, intestinal and pulmonary
      involvement.

PMID- 24217931
TI  - Steinert's disease.

PMID- 24217932
TI  - Spontaneous fractures in a 30-year-old woman following a simple fall.

PMID- 24217933
TI  - Role of UGT1A1 and ADH gene polymorphisms in pegvisomant-induced liver toxicity
      in acromegalic patients.
AB  - CONTEXT: Hepatotoxicity is one of the most serious adverse effects in acromegalic
      patients treated with pegvisomant (PEG-V). Recent studies have found an
      association between this adverse event and the UGT1A1 allele 28 polymorphism
      associated with Gilbert's syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether UGT1A1*28 and
      alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) polymorphisms influence liver toxicity during PEG-V
      treatment. DESIGN AND SETTING: Multicenter observational retrospective study
      conducted in 13 tertiary care endocrinology units in Italy. PATIENTS: A total of
      112 patients with active disease resistant to somatostatin analogs (SSTa) and 108
      controls were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: Clinical and biochemical data were
      recorded by electronic clinical reporting forms. Blood or DNA samples were sent
      to the coordinating center for genotyping. RESULTS: No differences in genotypes
      between patients and controls were found. During PEG-V therapy liver function
      tests (LFT), abnormalities and overt hepatotoxicity developed in 17 and 4.5% of
      patients respectively. Logistic and linear regression analyses showed an
      association between LFT abnormalities during the follow-up visit and prior events
      of LFT abnormalities in medical history (odds ratio=1.25; P=0.04) and the number
      of concomitant medications, other than SSTa (B=3.9; P=0.03). No correlation
      between LFT alterations and UGT1A1 allele 28 as well as ADH1C and B polymorphisms
      was found. CONCLUSIONS: UGT1A1 allele 28 and ADH1C and B polymorphisms do not
      predict increased risk of hepatotoxicity during PEG-V therapy. Conversely,
      patients with multi-therapies and with previous episodes of liver disease should
      be carefully managed, due to the observed association between these conditions
      and LFT abnormalities during PEG-V therapy.

PMID- 24217934
TI  - The skeletal effects of pioglitazone in type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose
      tolerance: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Preclinical studies, observational studies, and clinical trials
      suggest that thiazolidinediones (TZDs) reduce bone mineral density (BMD) and
      increase fracture risk. Most of the evidence on the skeletal effects of TZDs is
      from studies of rosiglitazone. We set out to investigate the magnitude and
      etiology of the adverse skeletal effects of pioglitazone. DESIGN: Double-blind,
      randomized controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND CLINICAL
      TRIALS REGISTRY, ACTR.ORG.AU IDENTIFIER: ACTRN12607000610437, date of
      registration 28/11/07. METHODS: A total of 86 people with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus (T2DM) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), median age 64 years, were
      randomized to receive either pioglitazone 30 mg/day or placebo for 1 year, in
      addition to their usual diabetes treatments. The primary outcome was change in
      lumbar spine BMD; secondary outcomes included changes in BMD at other sites and
      in biochemical markers of bone turnover. RESULTS: Change in spine BMD was not
      altered by treatment with pioglitazone (Ptreatment*time=0.5). After 1 year, the
      mean (95% CI) between-groups difference in lumbar spine BMD was -0.7% (-2.1,
      0.7). Pioglitazone increased bone loss at the proximal femur
      (Ptreatment*time=0.03). After 12 months, the between-groups difference in total
      hip BMD was -1.2% (-2.1, 0.2). Pioglitazone did not alter change in BMD at other
      skeletal sites, nor did it affect changes in the levels of either of the
      biochemical markers of bone turnover, procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide,
      or beta-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen. CONCLUSIONS: Over 1 year,
      treatment with pioglitazone 30 mg/day did not produce consistent effects on
      either BMD or bone turnover in people with T2DM or IGT. The mechanism(s) by which
      pioglitazone increases fracture risk in T2DM is unclear.

PMID- 24217935
TI  - Abnormal metabolic phenotype in middle-aged GH-deficient adults despite long-term
      recombinant human GH replacement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adult GH deficiency (GHD) is associated with increased cardiovascular
      mortality. Recombinant human GH (rhGH) replacement has beneficial short-term
      metabolic effects. Although these positive effects sustain during longer follow
      up, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) remains increased in comparison
      with population data not adjusted for the higher mean BMI in GHD adults.
      OBJECTIVE: To explore whether middle-aged patients with proposed physiological
      rhGH replacement have been normalized with respect to MS and its individual
      components in comparison with the general population, adjusted for age, sex, and
      BMI. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-one GHD patients (aged 40-70 years) were
      studied before the start and after 5 years of rhGH replacement, and were compared
      with 1671 subjects (aged 45-66 years) from the general population (NEO Study).
      RESULTS: MS PROPORTION IN GHD PATIENTS WAS 41.0% BEFORE THE START OF RHGH
      SUPPLETION, INCREASING TO 53.4% AFTER 5 YEARS (P=0.007). DESPITE CHRONIC RHGH
      REPLACEMENT, GHD PATIENTS HAD A 1.3-TIMES HIGHER MS PROPORTION THAN THE GENERAL
      POPULATION, INDEPENDENTLY OF AGE, SEX, AND BMI (95% CI 1.11.5, P=0.008). THE GHD
      POPULATION SHOWED A DIFFERENT METABOLIC PROFILE THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION WITH
      SIMILAR BMI: an increased risk of hypertriglyceridemia (adjusted prevalence ratio
      (PR) 2.0, 95% CI 1.7-2.3) and low HDL-C (adjusted PR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.2), but
      less hyperglycemia (adjusted PR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Despite 5
      years of rhGH replacement, GHD patients still have a different metabolic profile
      and more frequently MS than the general population. These differences were
      independent of BMI, and resemble the unfavorable metabolic profile of untreated
      GHD patients, pointing to question the long-term benefits of rhGH replacement.

PMID- 24217936
TI  - Impact of IGF(CA)19 gene polymorphism on the metabolic response to GH therapy in
      adult GH-deficient patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A polymorphism in the promoter region of the IGF1 gene has been linked
      to serum IGF1 levels, risk of diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases with
      conflicting results. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of this
      polymorphism on the short-term (1 year, n=98) and long-term (5 years, n=50)
      metabolic response to recombinant human GH (rhGH) in GH-deficient (GHD) adults.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospective study on GHD adults. Different genotypes were
      studied by microsatellite method. According to the most frequent 192 bp allele
      (19 cytosine-adenosine-repeats), subjects were divided into homozygous (19/19),
      heterozygous (19/X), and noncarriers (X/X). RESULTS: Basal characteristics of
      patients as well as their response to rhGH in terms of decrease in body fat
      percentage and increase in IGF1 levels were not different in the three genotype
      groups. Conversely, after 1-year rhGH, a significant worsening of insulin
      sensitivity (i.e. increase in fasting glucose levels and homeostasis model
      assessment of insulin resistance) and a significant improvement in lipid profile
      (i.e. reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) were recorded only in
      homozygous subjects. In the long-term, insulin sensitivity was restored in all
      the patients, while a significant improvement in lipid profile was observed in
      homozygous and heterozygous subjects, but not in noncarrier subjects. No
      difference in rhGH dose among groups was recorded throughout the study.
      CONCLUSIONS: In GHD adults, the presence of the WT allele in the IGF1 gene
      promoter may enhance sensitivity to either negative or positive metabolic changes
      induced by rhGH.

PMID- 24217937
TI  - Long-term remission and recurrence rates after first and second transsphenoidal
      surgery for Cushing's disease: care reality in the Munich Metropolitan Region.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) presents the treatment of choice for
      Cushing's disease (CD). Remission and recurrence rates vary dependent on tumor
      size, extension, adenoma visibility on magnetic resonance imaging, and
      neurosurgical expertise. Other than published from single-surgeon neurosurgical
      series so far, we have aimed to describe long-term remission and recurrence rates
      of CD in a series incorporating different neurosurgeons, trying to reflect care
      reality in the Munich Metropolitan Region, which is accommodated by three
      tertiary university and multiple, smaller neurosurgical centers. DESIGN: We
      conducted a retrospective analysis of 120 patients who underwent first and 36
      patients who underwent second TSS as treatment for CD between 1990 and 2012.
      METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups according to remission status.
      Potential risk factors for recurrence, pituitary function, and strategy in
      persistent disease were assessed. RESULTS: THREE OUTCOME GROUPS WERE IDENTIFIED
      ACCORDING TO REMISSION STATUS AFTER FIRST TSS (MEAN FOLLOW-UP 79 MONTHS):
      remission, 71% (85/120), disease persistence, 29% (35/120), and disease
      recurrence, 34% (29/85) (mean time to recurrence 54 months). After second TSS
      (n=36, mean follow-up 62 months), we documented remission in 42% (15/36), disease
      persistence in 58% (21/36), and disease recurrence in 40% (6/15) (mean time to
      recurrence 42 months). Postoperative hypocortisolism after first, though not
      after second, TSS was associated with a lower risk of suffering disease
      recurrence (risk=0.72; 95% CI 0.60-0.88; exact significance (two-sided) P=0.035).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows higher recurrence rates of CD after first TSS than
      previously reported. Second TSS leads an additional 8% of the patients to long
      term CD remission.

PMID- 24217940
TI  - Pemphigus foliaceus associated with anti-NXP2 autoantibody-positive
      dermatomyositis.

PMID- 24217938
TI  - The role of adding metformin in insulin-resistant diabetic pregnant women: a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of adding oral
      metformin to insulin therapy in pregnant women with insulin-resistant diabetes
      mellitus. METHODS: The current non-inferiority randomized controlled trial was
      conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. The study included pregnant
      women with gestational or pre-existing diabetes mellitus at gestations between 20
      and 34 weeks, who showed insulin resistance (defined as poor glycemic control at
      a daily dose of >=1.12 units/kg). Recruited women were randomized into one of two
      groups: group I, including women who received oral metformin without increasing
      the insulin dose; and group II, including women who had their insulin dose
      increased. The primary outcome was maternal glycemic control. Secondary outcomes
      included maternal bouts of hypoglycemia, need for another hospital admission for
      uncontrolled diabetes during pregnancy, gestational age at delivery, mode of
      delivery, birth weight, birth trauma, congenital anomalies, 1- and 5-min Apgar
      score, neonatal hypoglycemia, need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
      admission and adverse neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: A total number of 154 women
      with diabetes mellitus with pregnancy were approached; of them 90 women were
      eligible and were randomly allocated and included in the final analysis. The
      recruited 90 women were randomized into one of two groups: group I (metformin
      group) (n = 46), including women who received oral metformin in addition to the
      same initial insulin dose; and group II (control group) (n = 44), including women
      who had their insulin dose increased according to the standard protocol. The mean
      age of included women was 29.84 +/- 5.37 years (range 20-42 years). The mean
      gestational age at recruitment was 28.7 +/- 3.71 weeks (range 21-34 weeks). Among
      the 46 women of group I, 17 (36.9 %) women reached proper glycemic control at a
      daily metformin dose of 1,500 mg, 18 (39.2 %) at a daily dose of 2,000 mg, while
      11 (23.9 %) received metformin at a daily dose of 2,000 mg without reaching
      proper glycemic control and needed raising the dose of insulin dose. CONCLUSION:
      Adding metformin to insulin therapy in women with insulin-resistant diabetes
      mellitus with pregnancy seems to be effective in proper glycemic control in a
      considerable proportion of women, along with benefits of reduced hospital stay,
      reduced frequency of maternal hypoglycemia as well as reduced frequency of
      neonatal hypoglycemia, NICU admission and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

PMID- 24217941
TI  - Management of dabigatran-induced bleeding: expert statement.
AB  - The interdisciplinary group of experts has compiled a clinical guidance for
      manifest dabigatran-induced haemorrhage and envisaged invasive interventions on
      patients under dabigatran. It recommends an escalation of treatment measures as
      summarized in a pocket guide (see electronic supplementary material online and
      insert in the print issue). 

PMID- 24217942
TI  - Circulating microRNA 122 in the methionine and choline-deficient mouse model of
      non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
AB  - Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty
      liver disease (NAFLD) and is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatic
      failure. The methionine choline-deficient diet (MCD) is a frequently used
      hepatotoxicity animal model of NASH that induces hepatic transaminase (ALT, AST)
      elevations and hepatobiliary histological changes similar to those observed in
      human NASH. Liver-specific microRNA-122 (miR-122) has been shown as a key
      regulator of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism in adult liver, and has
      recently been proposed as a sensitive and specific circulating biomarker of
      hepatic injury. The purpose of this study was to assess miR-122 serum levels in
      mice receiving an MCD diet for 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days and compare the
      performance vs. routine clinical chemistry when benchmarked against the
      histopathological liver findings. MiR-122 levels were quantified in serum using
      RT-qPCR. Both miR-122 and ALT/AST levels were significantly elevated in serum at
      all timepoints. MiR-122 levels increased on average by 40-fold after 3 days of
      initiating the MCD diet, whereas ALT and AST changes were 4.8- and 3.3-fold,
      respectively. In general, miR-122 levels remained elevated across all time
      points, whereas the ALT/AST increases were less robust but correlated with the
      progressive severity of NASH as assessed by histopathology. In conclusion, serum
      levels of miR-122 can potentially be used as a sensitive biomarker for the early
      detection of hepatotoxicity and can aid in monitoring the extent of NAFLD
      associated liver injury in mouse efficacy models.

PMID- 24217943
TI  - The EORTC emotional functioning computerized adaptive test: phases I-III of a
      cross-cultural item bank development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer
      (EORTC) Quality of Life Group is currently developing computerized adaptive
      testing measures for the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ-C30) scales.
      The work presented here describes the development of an EORTC item bank for
      emotional functioning (EF), which is one of the core domains of the QLQ-C30.
      METHODS: According to the EORTC guidelines on module development, the development
      of the EF item bank comprised four phases, of which the phases I-III are reported
      in the present paper. Phase I involved defining the theoretical framework for the
      EF item bank and a literature search. Phase II included pre-defined item
      selection steps and a multi-stage expert review process. In phase III, feedback
      from cancer patients from different countries was obtained. RESULTS: On the basis
      of literature search in phase I, a list of 1750 items was generated. These were
      reviewed and further developed in phase II with a focus on relevance, redundancy,
      clarity, and difficulty. The development and selection steps led to a preliminary
      list of 41 items. In phase III, patient interviews (N = 41; Austria, Denmark,
      Italy, and the UK) were conducted with the preliminary item list, resulting in
      some minor changes to item wording. The final list comprised 38 items.
      DISCUSSION: The phases I-III of the developmental process have resulted in an EF
      item list that was well accepted by patients in several countries. The items will
      be subjected to larger-scale field testing in order to establish their
      psychometric characteristics and their fit to an item response theory model.

PMID- 24217944
TI  - Tumor endothelial marker imaging in melanomas using dual-tracer fluorescence
      molecular imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cancer-specific endothelial markers available for intravascular binding
      are promising targets for new molecular therapies. In this study, a molecular
      imaging approach of quantifying endothelial marker concentrations (EMCI) is
      developed and tested in highly light-absorbing melanomas. The approach involves
      injection of targeted imaging tracer in conjunction with an untargeted tracer,
      which is used to account for nonspecific uptake and tissue optical property
      effects on measured targeted tracer concentrations. PROCEDURES: Theoretical
      simulations and a mouse melanoma model experiment were used to test out the EMCI
      approach. The tracers used in the melanoma experiments were fluorescently labeled
      anti-Plvap/PV1 antibody (plasmalemma vesicle associated protein Plvap/PV1 is a
      transmembrane protein marker exposed on the luminal surface of endothelial cells
      in tumor vasculature) and a fluorescent isotype control antibody, the uptakes of
      which were measured on a planar fluorescence imaging system. RESULTS: The EMCI
      model was found to be robust to experimental noise under reversible and
      irreversible binding conditions and was capable of predicting expected
      overexpression of PV1 in melanomas compared to healthy skin despite a 5-time
      higher measured fluorescence in healthy skin compared to melanoma: attributable
      to substantial light attenuation from melanin in the tumors. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study demonstrates the potential of EMCI to quantify endothelial marker
      concentrations in vivo, an accomplishment that is currently unavailable through
      any other methods, either in vivo or ex vivo.

PMID- 24217945
TI  - 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA uptake in the rat pancreas is dependent on the tracer
      metabolism.
AB  - PURPOSE: 6-[(18)F]fluoro-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl alanine ([(18)F]FDOPA) positron
      emission tomography (PET) is a diagnostic tool which can detect malignancies of
      the pancreas. We aimed to study whether the manipulation of the [(18)F]FDOPA
      metabolic pathway would change the (18)F-behavior to provide a biochemical
      foundation for PET imaging of rat pancreas with [(18)F]FDOPA. PROCEDURES:
      Inhibitors of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, catechol-O-methyltransferase,
      monoamine oxidases A and B, or their combinations on [(18)F]FDOPA uptake,
      metabolism, and the regional distribution in the rat pancreas was evaluated using
      in vivo PET/computed tomography imaging, chromatographic metabolite analyses, and
      autoradiography. RESULTS: Enzyme inhibition generally increased the uptake of
      [(18)F]FDOPA derived (18)F-radioactivity in rat pancreas. Dependent on which
      enzymatic pathway is blocked (or a combination of pathways), different
      radiolabeled metabolites in pancreas are responsible for this increase in uptake.
      CONCLUSIONS: Altering the metabolism of [(18)F]FDOPA by using various enzymatic
      inhibitors increased the radioactivity uptake and changed the radiometabolic
      profile in the pancreas allowing better discrimination between pancreas and
      surrounding tissues of rat. However, these manipulations did not separate islets
      from the exocrine pancreas. Elucidating the metabolic behavior of [(18)F]FDOPA
      provides a biochemical foundation of PET imaging of the rat pancreas.

PMID- 24217946
TI  - Fully automated trace level determination of parent and alkylated PAHs in
      environmental waters by online SPE-LC-APPI-MS/MS.
AB  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous compounds that enter the
      environment from natural and anthropogenic sources, often used as markers to
      determine the extent, fate, and potential effects on natural resources after a
      crude oil accidental release. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after
      liquid-liquid extraction (LLE+GC-MS) has been extensively used to isolate and
      quantify both parent and alkylated PAHs. However, it requires labor-intensive
      extraction and cleanup steps and generates large amounts of toxic solvent waste.
      Therefore, there is a clear need for greener, faster techniques with enough
      reproducibility and sensitivity to quantify many PAHs in large numbers of water
      samples in a short period of time. This study combines online solid-phase
      extraction followed by liquid chromatography (LC) separation with dopant-assisted
      atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) and tandem MS detection, to provide a
      one-step protocol that detects PAHs at low nanograms per liter with almost no
      sample preparation and with a significantly lower consumption of toxic
      halogenated solvents. Water samples were amended with methanol, fortified with
      isotopically labeled PAHs, and loaded onto an online SPE column, using a large
      volume sample loop with an auxiliary LC pump for sample preconcentration and salt
      removal. The loaded SPE column was connected to an UPLC pump and analytes were
      backflushed to a Thermo Hypersil Green PAH analytical column where a 20-min
      gradient separation was performed at a variable flow rate. Detection was
      performed by a triple-quadrupole MS equipped with a gas-phase dopant delivery
      system, using 1.50 mL of chlorobenzene dopant per run. In contrast, LLE+GC-MS
      typically use 150 mL of organic solvents per sample, and methylene chloride is
      preferred because of its low boiling point. However, this solvent has a higher
      environmental persistence than chlorobenzene and is considered a carcinogen. The
      automated system is capable of performing injection, online SPE, inorganic
      species removal, LC separation, and MS/MS detection in 28 min. Selective reaction
      monitoring was used to detect 28 parent PAHs and 15 families of alkylated PAHs.
      The methodology is comparable to traditional GC-MS and was tested with surface
      seawater, rainwater runoff, and a wastewater treatment plant effluent. Positive
      detections above reporting limits are described. The virtual absence of sample
      preparation could be particularly advantageous for real-time monitoring of
      discharge events that introduce PAHs into environmental compartments, such as
      accidental releases of petroleum derivates and other human-related events. This
      work covers optimization of APPI detection and SPE extraction efficiency, a
      comparison with LLE+GC-MS in terms of sensitivity and chromatographic resolution,
      and examples of environmental applications. 

PMID- 24217947
TI  - The use of immobilised metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) to compare expression
      of copper-binding proteins in control and copper-exposed marine microalgae.
AB  - Toxicity of metals to aquatic organisms is dependent on both external factors,
      such as exposure concentration and water quality parameters, and intracellular
      processes including specific metal-binding sites and detoxification. Current
      models used to predict copper toxicity in microalgae do not adequately consider
      these intracellular processes. This study compared the copper-binding proteins
      from four species of marine microalgae, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Tetraselmis sp.,
      Phaedactylum tricornutum and Ceratoneis closterium, in controls (no added copper)
      and following a 72-h exposure to copper (sufficient to inhibit growth by
      approximately 50%). Cells were lysed by sonication, which was optimised to obtain
      54-94% cell rupture for the different algae. Cell lysates were processed by
      immobilised metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) using Cu(2+) as the bound metal
      (i.e. Cu-IMAC). Bound proteins were subsequently analysed by SDS-PAGE, comparing
      proteins recovered from algae that were exposed to copper versus untreated
      control cells. Individual proteins for which copper exposure resulted in changes
      to proteins present were excised from gels and further analysed by nano LC ESI
      MS/MS; proteins were identified using the Mascot database. Proteins identified in
      this way included heat-shock proteins, rubisco, alpha- and beta-tubulins and ATP
      synthase (beta subunit). The results established that Cu-IMAC is a useful
      approach to identify proteins involved in copper binding in algae. This study
      identified several proteins that may play an active role in responses to copper
      toxicity in marine microalgae.

PMID- 24217948
TI  - Identification of proteins interacting with ammodytoxins in Vipera ammodytes
      ammodytes venom by immuno-affinity chromatography.
AB  - In order to perform their function, proteins frequently interact with other
      proteins. Various methods are used to reveal protein interacting partners, and
      affinity chromatography is one of them. Snake venom is composed mostly of
      proteins, and various protein complexes in the venom have been found to exhibit
      higher toxicity levels than respective components separately. Complexes can
      modulate envenomation activity of a venom and/or potentiate its effect. Our
      previous data indicate that the most toxic components of the Vipera ammodytes
      ammodytes (Vaa) venom isolated so far-ammodytoxins (Atxs)-are contributing to the
      venom's toxicity only moderately; therefore, we aimed to explore whether they
      have some interacting partner(s) potentiating toxicity. For screening of possible
      interactions, immuno-affinity chromatography combined with identification by mass
      spectrometry was used. Various chemistries (epoxy, carbonyldiimidazole,
      ethylenediamine) as well as protein G functionality were used to immobilize
      antibodies on monolith support, a Convective Interaction Media disk. Monoliths
      have been demonstrated to better suit the separation of large biomolecules. Using
      such approach, several proteins were indicated as potential Atx-binding proteins.
      Among these, the interaction of Atxs with a Kunitz-type inhibitor was confirmed
      by far-Western dot-blot and surface plasmon resonance measurement. It can be
      concluded that affinity chromatography on monolithic columns combined with mass
      spectrometry identification is a successful approach for screening of protein
      interactions and it resulted with detection of the interaction of Atx with Kunitz
      type inhibitor in Vaa venom for the first time. 

PMID- 24217949
TI  - Incidence of adverse cardiac events 5 years after polymer-free sirolimus eluting
      stent implantation: Results from the prospective Bad Berka Yukon ChoiceTM
      registry.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Drug-eluting stents (DES) constitute a major achievement in
      preventing re-stenosis, concerns remain regarding the increased inflammatory
      responses associated with the polymers used. This analysis focuses on outcomes in
      patients receiving the polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent system YUKON-Choice
      (Yukon-DES, Translumina, Germany). METHODS: From 01/2006-09/2008 all patients
      receiving Yukon-DES (>=2.5 mm diameter) were prospectively enrolled in our
      registry. The primary endpoint was long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE).
      RESULTS: 701 patients were included in our registry. Mean age was 65.7 +/- 10
      years (73% male gender, 35.5% diabetes, and 32.2% acute coronary syndrome). 76%
      of the lesions were of Type B2/C. Lesion length was 24.6 +/- 5.2 mm and mean
      stent diameter was 2.8 +/- 0.4 mm. A total of 511 pts (72%) underwent 6-months
      angiographic follow-up, target vessel revascularization was noted in 23.5%. At 5
      years clinical outcomes were: cardiac death 5.8%; myocardial infarction 3.4%; and
      TVR 24.6%. The incidence of MACE differed significantly between "on-label" and
      "off-label" indications (14.8% vs. 40.8% MACE; P < 0.001). Incidence of
      definitive/probable stent thrombosis (ST) was 1.14% (8/701); very late (>1 year)
      ST occurred in 0.29%. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that the implantation of the
      sirolimus-coated polymer-free YUKON-DES is safe and feasible with a very low
      incidence of ST in this real world patient cohort with high percentage of
      diabetes and small vessels.

PMID- 24217950
TI  - Ligand-dependent activation of EphA4 signaling regulates the proteolysis of
      amyloid precursor protein through a Lyn-mediated pathway.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease is the most common dementia afflicting the elderly in modern
      society. This disease arises from the neurotoxicity elicited by abnormal
      aggregates of amyloid-beta (Abeta) protein. Such aggregates form through the
      cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by beta-secretase and the subsequent
      proteolysis of the APP C-terminal fragment (APP-betaCTF or C99) by gamma
      secretase to yield Abeta and APP intracellular domain (AICD). Recent evidence
      suggests that C99 and AICD may exert harmful effects on cells, suggesting that
      the proteolytic products of APP, including Abeta, C99, and AICD, could play a
      pivotal role in neuronal viability. Here, we demonstrate that ligand-activated
      EphA4 signaling governs the proteostasis of C99, AICD, and Abeta, without
      significantly affecting gamma-secretase activity. EphA4 induced accumulation of
      C99 and AICD through a Lyn-dependent pathway; activation of this pathway
      triggered phosphorylation of EphA4, resulting in positive feedback of C99 and
      AICD proteostasis. Inhibition of EphA4 by dasatinib, a receptor tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor, effectively suppressed C99 and AICD accumulation. Furthermore, EphA4
      signaling controlled C99 and AICD proteolysis through the ubiquitin-proteasome
      system. In conclusion, we have identified an EphA4-Lyn pathway that is essential
      for the metabolism of APP and its proteolytic derivatives, thereby providing
      novel pharmacological targets for the development of anti-Abeta therapeutics for
      AD.

PMID- 24217951
TI  - Women's perceptions of sexual exploitability cues and their link to sexual
      attractiveness.
AB  - Two studies examined women's perception of the relationship between sexual
      exploitability and sexual attractiveness and women's use of cues to sexual
      exploitability to signal sexual accessibility. Study 1 (N = 77) found that women
      accurately assessed other women displaying cues to sexual exploitability both as
      sexually exploitable and sexually attractive to men. Study 2 (N = 74) tested the
      predictions that women who were dispositionally inclined toward short-term
      mating, who were not in a committed relationship, and who perceived themselves to
      be low in mate value would be more likely to display cues to sexual
      exploitability as a mate attraction tactic. Results supported the first
      prediction. These results suggest that a subset of women, those dispositionally
      inclined toward a short-term mating strategy, employ the risky strategy of
      signaling sexual accessibility using cues to exploitability to advance their
      mating goals.

PMID- 24217952
TI  - Four functions for four relationships: consensus definitions of university
      students.
AB  - In this study (N = 192; 124 women, 68 men), consensus definitions of one-night
      stands, booty-call relationships, friends-with-benefits, and serious romantic
      relationships were fashioned using a sample of university students. Participants
      provided a Likert and forced-choice assessment of how each relationship was
      characterized by the functions of sexual gratification, trial run, placeholder,
      and socioemotional support. Serious romantic relationships were primarily used to
      gain socioemotional support. Friends-with-benefits relationships were motivated
      by seeking a placeholder until someone better came along and as a trial run for a
      more serious relationship. Booty-call relationships and one-night stands were
      motivated primarily by a desire for sexual gratification. Men ascribed a greater
      range of reasons to engage in sexual relationships than women did and the more
      short-term the relationship was in nature, the greater the emergence of sex
      differences in ascribed functions.

PMID- 24217953
TI  - The effects of sexual partnership and relationship characteristics on three
      sexual risk variables in young men who have sex with men.
AB  - Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the United States are experiencing an
      alarming increase in HIV incidence. Recent evidence suggests that the majority of
      new HIV infections in YMSM occur in the context of serious relationships, which
      underscores the importance of examining predictors of sexual risk behavior in the
      context of sexual partnerships, including relationship type, sexual partner
      characteristics, and relationship dynamics. The current study aimed to evaluate
      relationship and sexual partnership influences on sexual risk behavior in YMSM,
      including differentiating between multiple sexual risk variables (i.e., any
      unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse, unprotected insertive anal or vaginal
      intercourse, and unprotected receptive anal intercourse). More serious/familiar
      partnerships were associated with more sexual risk across all three risk
      variables, while wanting a relationship to last was protective against risk
      across all three risk variables. Some variables were differentially linked to
      unprotected insertive sex (partner gender) or unprotected receptive sex (partner
      age, partner race, believing a partner was having sex with others, and partners
      repeated across waves). Sexual risk behavior in YMSM is inconsistent across
      sexual partnerships and appears to be determined in no small part by sexual
      partner characteristics, relationship dynamics, and sexual role (i.e., insertive
      or receptive partner). These influences are critical in understanding sexual risk
      in YMSM and provide important targets for intervention. 

PMID- 24217954
TI  - Stress-induced cardiomyopathy and psychological wellbeing 1 year after an acute
      event.
AB  - Stress cardiomyopathy (SCM) typically presents similar symptoms to acute
      myocardial infarction (AMI). However, these symptoms differ when it comes to a
      transient and completely reversible myocardial dysfunction, which is frequently
      precipitated by acute stressful events, occurring in the absence of plaque
      rupture and coronary thrombosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate
      health-related quality of life (HRQL) and emotional burden subsequent to cardiac
      events in SCM patients. Thirty-seven SCM patients were compared with 37 matched
      AMI patients. All selected patients were assessed for HRQL and psychological
      distress at baseline and 1-year after the acute event. After controlling for
      covariates, scores on the Psychological General Well Being Index indicated that
      depressed mood had increased in both groups, but the increase for SCM patients
      was greater than for AMI patients. The AMI group displayed greater decreases than
      the SCM in physical quality of life and in total cardiac-related health quality
      of life. The percentage of patients with psychological distress increased
      significantly more in the SCM group than in the AMI group, and it made no
      difference whether the triggering event was emotional or physical. Our results
      suggest that, despite the more favorable medical prognosis of SCM patients, their
      cardiac condition being transient and resolving completely in few weeks, the
      psychological impact associated with their condition is more negative 1 year
      later than in the case of AMI patients whose medical prognosis is less favorable,
      and this difference is independent of type of trigger event. 

PMID- 24217955
TI  - Adolescents' use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs in relation to prenatal
      alcohol exposure: modifications by gender and ethnicity.
AB  - AIMS: The study aimed to investigate (a) the association between low to moderate
      prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs
      in adolescence and (b) whether the associations are modified by gender and
      ethnicity. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 5922 children and adolescents,
      aged from 11 to 17 years, enrolled in the cross-sectional German Health Interview
      and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (the KiGGS study).
      Information on PAE is based on parental self-report questionnaires. Use of
      alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs was assessed through self-report
      questionnaires for adolescents. RESULTS: Low to moderate PAE was associated with
      an increased risk of drinking alcohol (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.73, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 1.34, 2.18) and also of illicit drug use (adjusted OR
      1.62, 95% CI 1.23, 2.14). The associations between PAE and the use of alcohol,
      tobacco and illicit drugs differed according to gender and ethnicity. Gender
      stratified analyses resulted in adverse effects of PAE on drinking alcohol,
      smoking and illicit drug use in females; however, in German males, the
      associations disappeared. Stronger associations between PAE and the outcome
      measures were found in non-Germans. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that low
      to moderate levels of maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy are a risk factor
      for use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs by the offspring, with stronger
      associations in females and non-Germans.

PMID- 24217956
TI  - Why adolescents are at risk of misusing alcohol and gambling.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of the study was to explore the reasons for alcohol misuse and
      other risk-taking behaviours in adolescence. METHODS: Narrative review. RESULTS:
      Vulnerable adolescents make suboptimal addictive-related choices in the period of
      initiation of alcohol use and gambling, which is also a period of cognitive and
      brain development, and in health behaviours. Hyperactive response to rewards as
      well as possibly hypoactive responses to punishments combined with weaknesses in
      the abilities to regulate strong impulses results in greater risk of alcohol and
      gambling misuse. CONCLUSION: Abnormal patterns of alcohol consumption (e.g. binge
      drinking) could dramatically reinforce this disequilibrium by enhancing salience
      for alcohol and associated information and compromising self-regulatory
      processes. There are some preventive and therapeutic cognitive training
      strategies that can strengthen willpower in adolescents.

PMID- 24217957
TI  - Notch1-nuclear factor kappaB involves in oxidative stress-induced alcoholic
      steatohepatitis.
AB  - AIMS: The Notch1 signaling pathway is implicated in multiple inflammatory
      diseases. However, the role of Notch1 signaling in alcoholic steatohepatitis
      (ASH) has not been fully investigated. We aimed to determine whether Notch1
      Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling mediates oxidative stress-induced
      ASH. METHODS: In vitro, three cell lines were used: the HepG2 cells, HepG2 cells
      transfected with a control vector (Neo cells) and HepG2 cells transfected with a
      cytochrome P4502E1-expression vector (2E1 cells), which allows the cells to
      undergo oxidative stress in response to ethanol. All three cell lines were
      incubated with ethanol with/without Notch1 inhibitor treatment, oxidative stress
      marker, steatohepatitis marker and Notch1-NF-kappaB signaling were assessed. To
      further test Notch1-NF-kappaB signaling in vivo, rats were fed with ethanol,
      ethanol plus Notch1 inhibitor or an isocaloric diet for 8 weeks. Hepatitis,
      oxidative stress and Notch1-NF-kappaB activity in the liver were assessed to
      further verify the in vitro results. RESULTS: Ethanol was shown to induce
      oxidative stress and steatohepatitis with remarkably elevated Notch1-NF-kappaB
      expression in 2E1 cells rather than HepG2 and Neo cells. Notch1 inhibitor was non
      toxic in the three cell lines and had a protective effect against markers of ASH.
      Similarly, chronic alcohol administration in vivo induced alcoholic hepatitis,
      oxidative stress and elevated Notch1-NF-kappaB expression in rats, while Notch1
      inhibitor attenuated alcoholic liver injury. CONCLUSION: These findings provide
      direct in vitro and in vivo evidence that the oxidative stress-induced ASH is
      mediated by the Notch1-NF-kappaB signaling pathway, which can be effectively
      reversed by Notch1 inhibitor.

PMID- 24217958
TI  - Neuroimmune activation and myelin changes in adolescent rats exposed to high-dose
      alcohol and associated cognitive dysfunction: a review with reference to human
      adolescent drinking.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess whether intermittent ethanol
      administration to adolescent rats activates innate immune response and TLRs
      signalling causing myelin disruption and long-term cognitive and behavioural
      deficits. METHODS: We used a rat model of intermittent binge-like ethanol
      exposure during adolescence. RESULTS: Binge-like ethanol administration to
      adolescent rats increased the gene expression of TLR4 and TLR2 in the prefrontal
      cortex (PFC), as well as inflammatory cytokines TNFalpha and IL-1beta. Up
      regulation of TLRs and inflammatory mediators were linked with alterations in the
      levels of several myelin proteins in the PFC of adolescent rats. These events
      were associated with previously reported long-term cognitive dysfunctions.
      Conversely, the same ethanol treatment did not cause significant changes in
      either inflammatory mediators or myelin changes in the brain of adult rats.
      CONCLUSION: Activation of innate immune receptors TLRs in the PFC appears to be
      involved in the neuroinflammation and demyelination processes induced by ethanol
      exposure during adolescence. The findings support the vulnerability of the
      juvenile brain to the effects of ethanol and the long-term cognitive consequences
      of binge drinking. In addition, ethanol-induced PFC dysfunctions might underlie
      the propensity of adolescents for impulsivity and to ignore the negative
      consequences of their behaviour, both of which could increase the risk of
      substance abuse.

PMID- 24217960
TI  - Obituary Prof. Dr. Walter Marget.

PMID- 24217959
TI  - Colonization of liver transplant recipients with KPC-producing Klebsiella
      pneumoniae is associated with high infection rates and excess mortality: a case
      control analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: From mid-2010 to early 2013 there was a large single-center (Leipzig
      University Hospital, Germany) outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase
      (KPC) type 2 producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-2-KP) involving a total of 103
      patients. The aim of this study was to compare KPC-positive liver transplant
      recipients (LTR) and KPC-negative controls to determine both the relative risk of
      infection following colonization with KPC-2-KP and the case fatality rate
      associated with KPC-2-KP. METHODS: The study cohort of this retrospective
      observational study comprised nine patients who had undergone orthotopic liver
      transplantation (LTx) (median age of 52 years, range 28-73 years) with confirmed
      evidence of colonization with KPC-2-KP. The data from these nine LTR were matched
      to 18 LTR (1:2) in whom carbapenem-resistant pathogens were not present and
      compared for clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of these nine cases, eight (89 %)
      progressed to infection due to KPC-2-KP, and five (56 %) were confirmed to have
      bloodstream infection with KPC-2-KP. Matched-pair analysis of KPC-positive LTR
      and KPC-negative controls revealed a substantially increased relative risk of 7.0
      (95 % confidence interval 1.8-27.1) for fatal infection with KPC-2-producing K.
      pneumoniae after transplantation with a mortality rate of 78 % (vs. 11 %, p =
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Colonization with KPC-2-KP in LTR leads to high infection
      rates and excess mortality. Therefore, frequent screening for carbapenem
      resistant bacteria in patients on LTx waiting lists appears to be mandatory in an
      outbreak setting. Patients with evidence of persistent colonization with KPC
      producing pathogens should be evaluated with extreme caution for LTx.

PMID- 24217961
TI  - Successful isavuconazole salvage therapy in a patient with invasive mucormycosis.
AB  - A 45-year-old male with rhinocerebral mucormycosis (Rhizopus oryzae), refractory
      to liposomal amphotericin B and posaconazole, received isavuconazole salvage
      therapy. Initial isavuconazole plasma and tissue levels were 0.76-0.86 MUg/mL and
      1.09-1.38 MUg/g. Plasma levels increased to 1.3-3.24 MUg/mL with reduced
      comedication. Isavuconazole was well tolerated, and the patient has remained
      disease-free 24 months post-antifungal therapy.

PMID- 24217962
TI  - Is adult atopic eczema more common than we think? - A population-based study in
      Danish adults.

PMID- 24217963
TI  - Schwannomas, benign tumors with a senescent phenotype.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors that only very rarely
      undergo malignant changes. Oncogenic-induced senescence is a defense mechanism
      against such malignant transformation. Different molecular pathways are involved
      in this process, such as RAS-RAF-MAPK. Based on the fact that the RAS-RAF-MAPK
      pathway is known to be activated in peripheral nerve sheath tumors, this study
      analyzes senescence markers in Schwannomas to demonstrate the possible role of
      senescence in their genesis. METHODS: A retrospective immunohistochemical study
      was done in 39 schwannoma and 18 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
      (MPNST). Staining for p16INK4a, Ki67, p53 and CyclinD1 was performed in all the
      cases. Additionally, beta-galactosidase staining was done in those cases in which
      frozen tissue was available (n=8). RESULTS: Higher levels of p16INK4a (p=0.0001)
      and lower levels of Ki67 (p=0.0001) were found in Schwannomas. Beta-galactosidase
      activity was positive in 5/5 Schwannomas and negative in 3/3 MPNST. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results support the senescence nature of Schwannomas and the absence of a
      senescence phenotype in MPNST.

PMID- 24217965
TI  - A gene expression profile related to immune dampening in the tumor
      microenvironment is associated with poor prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours (TNM) staging system is
      the primary means of determining a prognosis for gastric adenocarcinoma (GC).
      However, tumor behavior in the individual patient is unpredictable and in spite
      of treatment advances, a classification of 'advanced stage' still portends a poor
      prognosis. Thus, further insights from molecular analyses are needed for better
      prognostic stratification and determination of new therapeutic targets. METHODS:
      A total of fifty-one fresh frozen tumor samples from patients with
      histopathologically confirmed diagnoses of GC, submitted to surgery with curative
      intent, were included in the study. Total RNA was extracted from an initial group
      of fifteen samples matched for known prognostic factors, categorized into two
      subgroups, according to patient overall survival: poor (<24 months) or favorable
      (at or above 24 months), and hybridized to Affymetrix Genechip human genome U133
      plus 2.0 for genes associated with prognosis selection. Thirteen genes were
      selected for qPCR validation using those initial fifteen samples plus additional
      thirty-six samples. RESULTS: A total of 108 genes were associated with poor
      prognosis, independent of tumor staging. Using systems biology, we suggest that
      this panel reflects the dampening of immune/inflammatory response in the tumor
      microenvironment level and a shift to Th2/M2 activity. A gene trio (OLR1, CXCL11
      and ADAMDEC1) was identified as an independent marker of prognosis, being the
      last two markers validated in an independent patient cohort. CONCLUSIONS: We
      determined a panel of three genes with prognostic value in gastric cancer, which
      should be further investigated. A gene expression profile suggestive of a
      dysfunctional inflammatory response was associated with unfavorable prognosis.

PMID- 24217964
TI  - Conditioned mesenchymal stem cells produce pleiotropic gut trophic factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although mounting evidence implicates mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
      in intestinal tissue repair, controversy remains regarding the engraftment,
      proliferation, and differentiation for repopulating MSCs in recipient tissues.
      Therefore, we investigated the paracrine and/or endocrine role of MSCs in
      experimental colitis. METHODS: We analyzed the therapeutic effects of MSC
      conditioned medium (MSC-CM) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)- or 2,4,6
      trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. We investigated the effects
      of MSC-CM on the epithelial cell viability, mobility, cell cycle, and cytokine
      production in ex vivo lamina propria/mesenteric lymphocytes, a macrophage cell
      line, and the mixed lymphocyte reaction. An optimal regimen against colitis was
      explored. The contents of MSC-CM were analyzed using a WNT signaling pathway
      polymerase chain reaction array, an inflammatory cytokines antibody array, and
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. RESULTS: Independent of
      the systemic administration route, MSC-CM concentrates were effective for the
      inductive phase of TNBS-induced colitis and for the recovery phase of DSS-induced
      colitis. Hypoxia appeared to be one of the optimal preconditioning factors
      assessed by cell motility and viability through activating the PI3K-Akt pathway
      in rat small intestine epithelial cells, IEC-6. Thus, Hypoxia had profound
      effects on the contents of MSC-CM, which comprised pleiotropic gut trophic
      factors involved in each wound healing process, including the anti-inflammatory,
      proliferative, and tissue remodeling phases. CONCLUSIONS: Identification and
      optimization of potential gut trophic factors in MSC-CM is urgently needed to
      form the basis for new drug discovery and for optimizing cell-based therapies for
      inflammatory bowel disease.

PMID- 24217966
TI  - Disparities in mental health outcomes among lung cancer survivors associated with
      ruralness of residence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Healthy People 2020 identifies elimination of health disparities as a
      key aim. Rural residence is associated with disparities in cancer screening,
      physical morbidity, and survival. The present study aimed to identify potential
      disparities in mental health (MH) outcomes (e.g., anxiety and depression
      symptoms, distress) in lung cancer (LC) survivors associated with ruralness of
      residence. METHODS: Lung cancer survivors (LC group; n = 193; mean age = 63.1
      years; mean time since diagnosis = 15.6 months) were recruited from the
      population-based SEER Kentucky Cancer Registry. LC survivors completed a
      telephone interview and questionnaire assessing MH outcomes. U.S. Department of
      Agriculture Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used to identify Rural (n = 117) and
      Urban (n = 76) LC survivors. A healthy comparison (HC) group was recruited (n =
      152) and completed a questionnaire assessing MH outcomes. RESULTS: Across six MH
      indices, Rural LC survivors reported poorer MH relative to Urban LC survivors
      with a mean effect size (ES) of 0.43 SD in unadjusted analyses and 0.29 SD in
      analyses adjusted for education and physical comorbidity. Comparison of the LC
      and HC groups revealed significant Ruralness * Group interactions for five of six
      MH indices. The Rural LC group reported poorer MH than the Rural HC group with a
      mean ES of 0.51 SD. The MH of Urban LC and HC groups did not differ (mean ES =
      0.00 SD). CONCLUSIONS: Rural residence is a risk factor for poorer MH outcomes
      for LC survivors. The MH of Rural LC survivors may be more negatively impacted by
      cancer diagnosis and treatment than the MH of Urban LC survivors.

PMID- 24217967
TI  - UV-visible light-activated Ag-decorated, monodisperse TiO2 aggregates for
      treatment of the pharmaceutical oxytetracycline.
AB  - Noble metal Ag-decorated, monodisperse TiO2 aggregates were successfully
      synthesized by an ionic strength-assisted, simple sol-gel method and were used
      for the photocatalytic degradation of the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) under
      both UV and visible light (UV-visible light) irradiation. The synthesized samples
      were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD); UV-vis diffuse
      reflectance spectroscopy; environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM);
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM); high-resolution TEM (HR-TEM); micro
      Raman, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS); and inductively coupled plasma
      optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results showed that the uniformity
      of TiO2 aggregates was finely tuned by the sol-gel method, and Ag was well
      decorated on the monodisperse TiO2 aggregates. The absorption of the samples in
      the visible light region increased with increasing Ag loading that was
      proportional to the amount of Ag precursor added in the solution over the tested
      concentration range. The Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (The BET) surface area
      slightly decreased with increasing Ag loading on the TiO2 aggregates. Ag
      decorated TiO2 samples demonstrated enhanced photocatalytic activity for the
      degradation of OTC under UV-visible light illumination compared to that of pure
      TiO2. The sample containing 1.9 wt% Ag showed the highest photocatalytic activity
      for the degradation of OTC under both UV-visible light and visible light
      illumination. During the experiments, the detected Ag leaching for the best TiO2
      Ag photocatalyst was much lower than the National Secondary Drinking Water
      Regulation for Ag limit (0.1 mg L(-1)) issued by the US Environmental Protection
      Agency.

PMID- 24217968
TI  - Comparative tolerance of Pinus radiata and microbial activity to copper and zinc
      in a soil treated with metal-amended biosolids.
AB  - A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of elevated concentrations of
      copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in a soil treated with biosolids previously spiked with
      these metals on Pinus radiata during a 312-day glasshouse pot trial. The total
      soil metal concentrations in the treatments were 16, 48, 146 and 232 mg Cu/kg or
      36, 141, 430 and 668 mg Zn/kg. Increased total soil Cu concentration increased
      the soil solution Cu concentration (0.03-0.54 mg/L) but had no effect on leaf and
      root dry matter production. Increased total soil Zn concentration also increased
      the soil solution Zn concentration (0.9-362 mg/L). Decreased leaf and root dry
      matter were recorded above the total soil Zn concentration of 141 mg/kg (soil
      solution Zn concentration, >4.4 mg/L). A lower percentage of Cu in the soil
      soluble + exchangeable fraction (5-12 %) and lower Cu(2+) concentration in soil
      solution (0.001-0.06 MUM) relative to Zn (soil soluble + exchangeable fraction,
      12-66 %; soil solution Zn(2+) concentration, 4.5-4,419 MUM) indicated lower
      bioavailability of Cu. Soil dehydrogenase activity decreased with every
      successive level of Cu and Zn applied, but the reduction was higher for Zn than
      for Cu addition. Dehydrogenase activity was reduced by 40 % (EC40) at the total
      solution-phase and solid-phase soluble + exchangeable Cu concentrations of 0.5
      mg/L and 14.5 mg/kg, respectively. For Zn the corresponding EC50 were 9 mg/L and
      55 mg/kg, respectively. Based on our findings, we propose that current New
      Zealand soil guidelines values for Cu and Zn (100 mg/kg for Cu; 300 mg/kg for Zn)
      should be revised downwards based on apparent toxicity to soil biological
      activity (Cu and Zn) and radiata pine (Zn only) at the threshold concentration.

PMID- 24217969
TI  - Increased bioavailability of metals in two contrasting agricultural soils treated
      with waste wood-derived biochar and ash.
AB  - Recycled waste wood is being increasingly used for energy production; however,
      organic and metal contaminants in by-products produced from the
      combustion/pyrolysis residue may pose a significant environmental risk if they
      are disposed of to land. Here we conducted a study to evaluate if highly polluted
      biochar (from pyrolysis) and ash (from incineration) derived from Cu-based
      preservative-treated wood led to different metal (e.g., Cu, As, Ni, Cd, Pb, and
      Zn) bioavailability and accumulation in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). In a
      pot experiment, biochar at a common rate of 2 % w/w, corresponding to ~50 t ha(
      1), and an equivalent pre-combustion dose of wood ash (0.2 % w/w) were added to a
      Eutric Cambisol (pH 6.02) and a Haplic Podzol (pH 4.95), respectively. Both
      amendments initially raised soil pH, although this effect was relatively short
      term, with pH returning close to the unamended control within about 7 weeks. The
      addition of both amendments resulted in an exceedance of soil Cu statutory limit,
      together with a significant increase of Cu and plant nutrient (e.g., K)
      bioavailability. The metal-sorbing capacity of the biochar, and the temporary
      increase in soil pH caused by adding the ash and biochar were insufficient to
      offset the amount of free metal released into solution. Sunflower plants were
      negatively affected by the addition of metal-treated wood-derived biochar and led
      to elevated concentration of metals in plant tissue, and reduced above- and below
      ground biomass, while sunflower did not grow at all in the Haplic Podzol. Biochar
      and ash derived from wood treated with Cu-based preservatives can lead to
      extremely high Cu concentrations in soil and negatively affect plant growth.
      Identifying sources of contaminated wood in waste stream feedstocks is crucial
      before large-scale application of biochar or wood ash to soil is considered.

PMID- 24217970
TI  - Bioaccumulation of butyltins and liver damage in the demersal fish Cathorops
      spixii (Siluriformes, Ariidae).
AB  - The toxicity of butyltin compounds (BTs), mainly tributyltin (TBT), has been
      reported in different organisms. However, such an analysis in fish after field
      exposure with reference to the related biomarkers has not been commonly observed
      in the literature. This study presents the uptake of BTs in the liver of a
      neotropical marine catfish Cathorops spixii in Paranagua Bay, an important
      estuarine system located in southern Brazil. Two different areas, close to and
      distant from the harbor, were used for chemical analysis evaluation of
      hepatotoxicity through genetic, enzymatic, and histopathological biomarkers. The
      presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bile was also considered as a
      biomarker. The results showed a significant relationship between TBT levels and
      the inhibition of biotransformation enzymes and high occurrence of
      melanomacrophages in fish collected close to the harbor site. These effects were
      linked to the absence of TBT metabolites in the liver. In the second site, the
      presence of DBT was associated with an increase in EROD and GST activity. The
      larger amount of DNA damage as well as the highest oxidative stress was noted in
      fish from the less TBT-polluted area, where DBT and bile PAHs occurred. These
      findings showed different impact levels due to or increased by the chronic
      exposure of biota to BTs. 

PMID- 24217971
TI  - Optimization of struvite fertilizer formation from baker's yeast wastewater:
      growth and nutrition of maize and tomato plants.
AB  - Struvite precipitate obtained from yeast industry anaerobic effluent with high
      ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) was investigated for fertilizer effect on plant growth
      and nutrition according to applications of N, nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium
      (NPK), and control. Optimum struvite formation conditions were determined via Box
      Behnken design. Optimum condition was obtained at pH 9.0 and Mg/N/P molar ratio
      of 1.5:1:1. Under these conditions, heavy metal concentrations in the obtained
      struvite precipitate (except Cu) were below the detection limits. In addition to
      high N, P, and Mg content, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis showed that the
      struvite also included the nutritional elements Ca, K, Na, and Fe. X-ray
      diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the complex structures of NaAl(SO4)2(H2O)12,
      NaMn(2+)Fe2(PO4)3, and (Na2,Ca)O2(Fe,Mn)O.P2O5 in the precipitate. High Na(+) and
      Ca(2+) concentrations in the anaerobic effluent reacted with phosphate during
      struvite precipitation. Different applications and struvite dosages significantly
      affected fresh and dry weights and nutrient element uptakes by plants (P < 0.05).
      N, P, and Mg uptakes of plants were significantly higher at struvite *2, *3, and
      *4 dosages compared with NPK application. For adequate nutrition and supply of
      optimum dry weight, struvite *2 dosage (5.71 g struvite/kg soil) was found
      appropriate for both maize and tomato plants.

PMID- 24217972
TI  - A short-term study to evaluate the uptake and accumulation of arsenic in Asian
      willow (Salix sp.) from arsenic-contaminated water.
AB  - Five Asian willow species (Salix jiangsuensis J172, Salix matsudana, Salix
      integra Yizhibi, Salix integra Weishanhu, and Salix mongolica) were evaluated for
      their potential for phytofiltration of arsenic (As) from synthetically
      contaminated waters. Arsenic accumulation, tolerance, uptake influx, and
      phytofiltration ability of the five willow species were examined under hydroponic
      conditions in a glasshouse. Short-term exposure (2 weeks) to solutions containing
      80 MUmol L(-1) arsenate (As(V)), resulted in significant accumulation of As in
      all willow species. Arsenic concentration in plant roots ranged from 322 mg kg(
      1) dry weight (DW) for S. matsudana to 604 mg kg(-1) (DW) for S. integra Yizhibi.
      S. integra Yizhibi decreased As(V) concentration in water from 3.87 to 1.89 MUmol
      L(-1) (290 to 142 MUg L(-1)) over 168 h, which is 50 % of the total As(V) in the
      solution. The results suggested that even though Asian willow was not a
      traditional aquatic species, it still had significant potential for
      phytofiltration of As from contaminated waters. Of the five willow species
      studied, S. integra Yizhibi had the greatest capacity to remove As from As
      contaminated waters. Thus, Asian willow has significant potential for the
      phytofiltration of As and may also be suitable for practical phytoremediation of
      As in highly water-logged areas.

PMID- 24217973
TI  - Biodegradation of low-ethoxylated nonylphenols in a bioreactor packed with a new
      ceramic support (Vukopor (r) S10).
AB  - This work was aimed at studying the possibility of biodegrading 4-nonylphenol and
      low ethoxylated nonylphenol mixtures, which are particularly recalcitrant to
      microbial degradation, by employing a biofilm reactor packed with a ceramic
      support (Vukopor(r) S10). A selected microbial consortium (Consortium A) was used
      to colonize the support. 4-Nonylphenol and ethoxylated nonylphenol degradation
      and mineralization capabilities were studied both in batch and continuous mode.
      The results showed that Vukopor(r) S10 was able to be colonized by an active
      biofilm for the degradation of the target pollutants with the reactor operating
      both in batch and continuous mode. On the other hand, pollutant adsorption on the
      support was negligible. FISH showed equal proportion of Alphaproteobacteria and
      Gammaproteobacteria in the Igepal CO-520 degrading reactor. A shift towards high
      proportion of Gammaproteobacteria was observed by supplying Igepal CO-210. PCR
      density gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analyses also evidenced that the
      biofilm evolved with time by changing the mixture applied and that Proteobacteria
      were the most represented phylum in the biofilm. Taken together, the data
      obtained provide a strong indication that the biofilm reactor packed with
      Vukopor(r) S10 and inoculated with Consortium A could potentially be used to
      develop a technology for the decontamination of 4-nonylphenol and low ethoxylated
      nonylphenol polluted effluents.

PMID- 24217974
TI  - Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins in 5-fluorouracil-treated
      human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent in
      clinical care of breast cancer patients. However, the mechanism of how the 5-Fu
      works is complex and still largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this
      study was to understand the mechanism further and explore the new targets of 5
      Fu. METHODS: The differentially expressed proteins induced by 5-Fu in human
      breast cancer MCF-7 cells were identified by proteomic analysis. Four
      differentially expressed proteins were validated using Western blot and
      quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis
      for protein and mRNA levels. The effect of 5-Fu on MCF-7 cells was determined by
      cell viability assay, transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry
      analysis. RESULTS: 5-Fu dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation with the
      IC50 value of 98.2 MUM. 5-Fu also induced obviously morphological change and
      apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Twelve differentially expressed proteins involved in
      energy metabolism, cytoskeleton, cellular signal transduction and tumor invasion
      and metastasis were identified. CONCLUSION: These results may provide a new
      insight into the molecular mechanism of 5-Fu in therapy of breast cancer.

PMID- 24217975
TI  - Prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in advanced non-small cell
      lung cancer patients treated with docetaxel and gemcitabine.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the association in the change of circulating tumor cell
      (CTC) levels and clinical outcomes (PFS and OS) in patients with advanced non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated homogenously with docetaxel and
      gemcitabine administered every 2 weeks. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 37
      patients for CTC levels at baseline and after 2 months of chemotherapy (before
      third cycle). Detection was carried out with the CellSearch system. RESULTS: Nine
      of the 37 patients (24 %) had >=2 CTCs at the baseline determination. Median
      progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.3 months (95 % CI 2.5-8.3) for patients
      with CTC 0-1 as compared to 9.4 months (95 % CI 1.2-12.2) for those with CTC >=2
      (p = 0.3506). Median overall survival (OS) was 8.1 (95 % CI 2.8-16.3) and 12.2
      (95 % CI 1.4-12.2) months for patients with 0-1 CTCs and >=2 CTCs, respectively
      (p = 0.7639). Patients with a second CTC quantification were classified as: group
      1, CTC = 0-1 at baseline and CTC = 0-1 after second chemotherapy cycle (18
      patients); group 2, CTC >=2 at baseline and CTC = 0-1 after second determination
      (5 patients). Median PFS was 7.7 and 9.9 months for group 1 and group 2,
      respectively (p = 0.4467). CONCLUSIONS: CTCs >=2 at baseline were detected only
      in 24 % of this group of patients with advanced NSCLC and poor performance
      status. No significant differences in PFS and OS between patients with or without
      CTCs at baseline were observed.

PMID- 24217976
TI  - Voice-related modulation of mechanosensory detection thresholds in the human
      larynx.
AB  - Rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors within the laryngeal mucosa provide the central
      nervous system with perceptual and proprioceptive afference for a variety of
      essential yet diverse human functions including voice sound production and airway
      protection. It is unknown why mechanosensory information that yields a defensive
      response when an individual breathes may go largely unnoticed when the individual
      voices. Therefore, a central question is whether there is voice-related
      modulation of laryngeal mechanosensory detection. Such modulation would be
      consistent with current models of afferent laryngeal control, and may be
      important to maintain fluent voice in the presence of potentially distracting
      sensory input. Therefore, we employed endoscopic assessment of laryngeal
      mechanosensory detection thresholds in ten healthy adults during tidal breathing
      and a voice task. We tested the hypothesis that laryngeal mechanosensory
      detection thresholds would be higher during the voice task. We found that
      thresholds were significantly higher for all participants during the voice task
      and that these changes were significantly more modest in women. Our findings
      suggest that the laryngeal sensorium may modulate mechanosensory afference to
      attenuate the potentially distracting influence of sensory input during voice.
      The finding that women maintain a greater sensitivity during the voice task than
      men (lower thresholds) may have important implications for the higher prevalence
      of sensorimotor voice disturbances in women. Our results are consistent with the
      presence of mechanosensory modulation in other motor systems and with observed
      sensory differences between women and men. Such modulation has important
      implications for understanding the underlying neural mechanisms of laryngeal
      control and how these mechanisms may operate in individuals with laryngeal
      disturbances. 

PMID- 24217977
TI  - Reciprocal interactions between the human thalamus and periaqueductal gray may be
      important for pain perception.
AB  - Pain perception can be altered by activity in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). The
      PAG can decrease the incoming nociceptive signals at the level of the spinal
      dorsal horn, but it is not clear whether the PAG can also affect the sensory
      thalamus, ventral posterolateral and ventral posteromedial thalamic nuclei, to
      modulate pain. However, the PAG and the thalamus have direct connections with
      each other; so we postulated that the PAG may also modulate pain by inhibiting
      the sensory nuclei in the thalamus, and that these may also reciprocally
      influence the PAG. Here, by analyzing the local field potentials recorded from
      the sensory thalamus and the PAG in chronic pain patients with deep brain
      stimulation electrodes, we show that PAG stimulation inhibited the sensory
      thalamus with decreasing thalamic delta, theta, alpha and beta power, and sensory
      thalamus stimulation excited the PAG with increasing PAG delta and theta power.
      We demonstrate that the PAG and the sensory thalamus interact reciprocally at
      short latency, which may be related to pain modulation. 

PMID- 24217978
TI  - YB-1 protein: functions and regulation.
AB  - The Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1, YBX1) is a member of the family of DNA- and
      RNA-binding proteins with an evolutionarily ancient and conserved cold shock
      domain. It falls into a group of intrinsically disordered proteins that do not
      follow the classical rule 'one protein-one function' but introduce a novel
      principle stating that a disordered structure suggests many functions. YB-1
      participates in a wide variety of DNA/RNA-dependent events, including DNA
      reparation, pre-mRNA transcription and splicing, mRNA packaging, and regulation
      of mRNA stability and translation. At the cell level, the multiple activities of
      YB-1 are manifested as its involvement in cell proliferation and differentiation,
      stress response, and malignant cell transformation. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:95-110.
      doi: 10.1002/wrna.1200 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have declared no
      conflicts of interest for this article. For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 24217979
TI  - Does coronary CT angiography improve risk stratification over coronary artery
      calcium scoring in symptomatic patients with a low pre-test probability of
      coronary artery disease and a CAC of zero?

PMID- 24217980
TI  - Deformation patterns in genotyped patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - AIMS: Echocardiographic strain imaging with two-dimensional speckle tracking is
      an emerging tool for defining cardiac function and identifying preclinical
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In HCM, a reverse septal contour is a strong
      predictor of mutation positive sarcomeric HCM. The objective of this study was to
      determine whether left ventricular (LV) deformation patterns can differentiate
      between genotype positive and negative patients within a large HCM cohort.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirty one patients (89 males, age 55 +/- 15
      years) with clinically diagnosed HCM underwent comprehensive transthoracic
      echocardiography inclusive of LV strain imaging, LV dimensions and ejection
      fraction, septal contour and thickness, and identification of obstructive
      physiology. Longitudinal peak systolic strain was assessed from 17 LV myocardial
      segments blinded to the patient's genetic test results derived from comprehensive
      genotyping of nine myofilament HCM-associated genes. Genotyping revealed that 51
      of 131 patients (39%) were mutation positive for sarcomeric/myofilament-HCM
      (genotype positive). Regional strain was lower in genotype-positive patients in
      mid inferoseptal (P = 0.004), basal anteroseptal (P = 0.04), and basal
      inferoseptal segments (P = 0.002) compared with HCM patients lacking a mutation
      (genotype negative). Strain patterns in reverse-curve, genotype-positive HCM
      differed significantly from genotype negative, sigmoidal HCM in multiple
      segments. However, when comparing genotype-negative and genotype-positive
      patients with the same septal morphology, there were no significant regional
      strain differences. Septal thickness positively correlated with global and basal
      anteroseptal longitudinal strain (r = 0.34 and r = 0.54, respectively, P <
      0.0001). CONCLUSION: Significant regional strain differences in genotyped HCM
      patients are dependent upon septal morphology or thickness, not genotype.
      Phenotypic expression of deformation patterns appears heterogeneous.

PMID- 24217981
TI  - 3-Nitrotoluene dioxygenase from Diaphorobacter sp. strains: cloning, sequencing
      and evolutionary studies.
AB  - The first step in the degradation of 3-nitrotoluene by Diaphorobacter sp. strain
      DS2 is the dihydroxylation of the benzene ring with the concomitant removal of
      nitro group. This is catalyzed by a dioxygenase enzyme system. We report here the
      cloning and sequencing of the complete dioxygenase gene with its putative
      regulatory sequence from the genomic DNA of Diaphorobacter sp. strains DS1, DS2
      and DS3. Analysis of the 5 kb DNA stretch that was cloned, revealed five complete
      open reading frames (ORFs) encoding for a reductase, a ferredoxin and two
      dioxygenase subunits with predicted molecular weights (MW) of 35, 12, 50 and 23
      kDa respectively. A regulatory protein was also divergently transcribed from the
      reductase subunit and has a predicated MW of 34 kDa. Presence of parts of two
      functional ORFs in between the reductase and the ferredoxin subunits reveals an
      evolutionary route from a naphthalene dioxygenase like system of Ralstonia sp.
      strain U2. Further a 100 % identity of its ferredoxin subunit reveals its
      evolution via dinitrotoluene dioxygenase like system present in Burkholderia
      cepacia strain R34. A modeled structure of oxygenase3NT from strain DS2 was
      generated using nitrobenzene dioxygenase as a template. The modeled structure
      only showed minor changes at its active site. Comparison of growth patterns of
      strains DS1, DS2 and DS3 revealed that Diaphorobacter sp. strain DS1 has been
      evolved to degrade 4-nitrotoluene better by an oxidative route amongst all three
      strains.

PMID- 24217982
TI  - Looking back and moving forward: an historical perspective from laboratory
      genetic counselors.
AB  - Despite a consistent increase in genetic counselors who report working in
      laboratory positions, there is a relative dearth of literature on laboratory
      genetic counseling. Semi-structured interviews were completed with nine
      laboratory genetic counselors to document how positions were created and have
      changed with time. Interview transcriptions were analyzed for emerging themes.
      Several common themes were identified, including that early positions were often
      part-time, laboratory-initiated and had a lack of job definition. Laboratory
      genetic counselors commented on their evolving roles and responsibilities, with
      their positions becoming more technical and specialized over time and many taking
      on managerial and supervisory roles. All genetic counselors surveyed reported
      using core genetic counseling skills in their positions. The expansion of
      diagnostic testing and quickly evolving technology were common themes in regards
      to the future of laboratory genetic counselors, and participants commented on
      laboratory genetic counselors having expanding roles with data management, result
      interpretation and reporting, and guidance of other healthcare providers. Other
      comments included the impact of competition among laboratories and how training
      programs can better prepare genetic counseling students for a career in the
      laboratory setting. This study describes the emergence, and subsequent evolution,
      of laboratory genetic counseling positions as a significant subspecialty of
      genetic counseling. 

PMID- 24217983
TI  - Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity of belatacept in adult
      kidney transplant recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Belatacept is a first-in-class, selective co
      stimulation blocker recently approved for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in
      adult kidney transplant recipients. The objective of this study was to report the
      pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity of belatacept. METHODS:
      The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (CD86 receptor occupancy), and
      immunogenicity of belatacept were studied in de novo adult kidney transplant
      recipients in phase II and III clinical studies. RESULTS: Following multiple
      doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg, the geometric mean (percentage coefficient of variation)
      maximum serum concentration and area under the serum concentration-time curve
      over one dosing interval of belatacept were 136 (20%) and 238 (27%) MUg/mL, and
      13,587 (27%) and 21,241 (35%) MUg.h/mL, respectively. The median belatacept
      elimination half-life was 8-9 days. Belatacept exhibited concentration-dependent
      binding to CD86 receptors. The pre-dose CD86 receptor occupancy by belatacept
      decreased from 94 to 65% between day 5 and 1 year post-transplant, with
      corresponding pre-dose trough serum concentrations of belatacept decreasing from
      ~35 to 4 MUg/mL during this period. The cumulative incidence of developing anti
      belatacept antibodies was 5.3% up to 3 years post-transplant and had no impact on
      belatacept exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Belatacept in adult kidney transplant
      demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics with low variability, concentration
      dependent pharmacodynamics, and a low incidence of anti-drug antibodies.

PMID- 24217984
TI  - Range of motion of thoracic spine in sagittal plane.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Imaging study of thoracic spine. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this
      study was to investigate dynamic alignment and range of motion (ROM) at all
      segmental levels of thoracic spine. Thoracic spine is considered to have
      restricted ROM because of restriction by the rib cage. However, angular movements
      of thoracic spine can induce thoracic compressive myelopathy in some patients.
      Although few previous studies have reported segmental ROM with regard to sagittal
      plane, these were based on cadaver specimens. No study has reported normal
      functional ROM of thoracic spine. METHODS: Fifty patients with cervical or lumbar
      spinal disease but neither thoracic spinal disease nor compression fracture were
      enrolled prospectively in this study (34 males, 16 females; mean age 55.4 +/-
      14.7 years; range 27-81 years). After preoperative myelography, multidetector-row
      computed tomography scanning was performed at passive maximum flexion and
      extension position. Total and segmental thoracic kyphotic angles were measured
      and ROM calculated. RESULTS: Total kyphotic angle (T1/L1) was 40.2 degrees  +/-
      11.4 degrees  and 8.5 degrees  +/- 12.8 degrees  in flexion and extension,
      respectively (P < 0.0001). The apex of the kyphotic angle was at T6/7 in flexion.
      Total ROM (T1/L1) was 31.7 degrees  +/- 11.3 degrees . Segmental ROM decreased
      from T1/2 to T4/5 but increased gradually from T4/5 to T12/L1. Maximum ROM was at
      T12/L1 (4.2 degrees  +/- 2.1 degrees ) and minimum at T4/5 (0.9 degrees  +/- 3.0
      degrees ). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic spine showed ROM in sagittal plane, despite
      being considered a stable region. These findings offer useful information in the
      diagnosis and selection of surgical intervention in thoracic spinal disease.

PMID- 24217986
TI  - Antiepileptic drugs for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia - an overview of
      Cochrane reviews.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antiepileptic drugs have been used for treating different types of
      neuropathic pain, and sometimes fibromyalgia. Our understanding of quality
      standards in chronic pain trials has improved to include new sources of potential
      bias. Individual Cochrane reviews using these new standards have assessed
      individual antiepileptic drugs. An early review from this group, originally
      published in 1998, was titled 'Anticonvulsants for acute and chronic pain'. This
      overview now covers the neuropathic pain aspect of that original review, which
      was withdrawn in 2009. OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of the relative
      analgesic efficacy of antiepileptic drugs that have been compared with placebo in
      neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, and to report on adverse events associated
      with their use. METHODS: We included reviews published in theCochrane Database of
      Systematic Reviews up to August 2013 (Issue 7). We extracted information from
      each review on measures of efficacy and harm, and methodological details
      concerning the number of participants, the duration of studies, and the
      imputation methods used, in order to judge potential biases in available data.We
      analysed efficacy data for each painful condition in three tiers, according to
      outcome and freedom from known sources of bias. The first tier met current best
      standards - at least 50% pain intensity reduction over baseline (or its
      equivalent), without the use of last observation carried forward (LOCF) for
      dropouts, an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, in parallel group studies with at
      least 200 participants lasting eight weeks or more. The second tier used data
      from at least 200 participants where one or more of the above conditions were not
      met. The third tier of evidence related to data from fewer than 200 participants,
      or with several important methodological problems that limited interpretation.
      MAIN RESULTS: No studies reported top tier results.For gabapentin and pregabalin
      only we found reasonably good second tier evidence for efficacy in painful
      diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. In addition, for pregabalin, we
      found evidence of efficacy in central neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. Point
      estimates of numbers needed to treat for an additional beneficial effect (NNTs)
      were in the range of 4 to 10 for the important outcome of pain intensity
      reduction over baseline of 50% or more.For other antiepileptic drugs there was no
      evidence (clonazepam, phenytoin), so little evidence that no sensible judgement
      could be made about efficacy (valproic acid), low quality evidence likely to be
      subject to a number of biases overestimating efficacy (carbamazepine), or
      reasonable quality evidence indicating little or no effect (lamotrigine,
      oxcarbazepine, topiramate). Lacosamide recorded such a trivial statistical
      superiority over placebo that it was unreliable to conclude that it had any
      efficacy where there was possible substantial bias.Any benefits of treatment came
      with a high risk of adverse events and withdrawal because of adverse events, but
      serious adverse events were not significantly raised, except with oxcarbazepine.
      AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Clinical trial evidence supported the use of only
      gabapentin and pregabalin in some neuropathic pain conditions (painful diabetic
      neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, and central neuropathic pain) and
      fibromyalgia. Only a minority of people achieved acceptably good pain relief with
      either drug, but it is known that quality of life and function improved markedly
      with the outcome of at least 50% pain intensity reduction. For other
      antiepileptic drugs there was no evidence, insufficient evidence, or evidence of
      a lack of effect; this included carbamazepine. Evidence from clinical practice
      and experience is that some patients can achieve good results with antiepileptics
      other than gabapentin or pregabalin.There is no firm evidence to answer the
      important pragmatic questions about which patients should have which drug, and in
      which order the drugs should be used. There is a clinical effectiveness research
      agenda to provide evidence about strategies rather than interventions, to produce
      the overall best results in a population, in the shortest time, and at the lowest
      cost to healthcare providers.

PMID- 24217985
TI  - Etiopathogenesis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and the role of immunologic
      aspects: literature review.
AB  - Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS; recurrent aphthous ulcers; canker sores)
      belongs to the group of chronic, inflammatory, ulcerative diseases of the oral
      mucosa. Up to now, the etiopathogenesis of this condition remains unclear; it is,
      however, considered to be multifactorial. The results of currently performed
      studies indicate that genetically mediated disturbances of the innate and
      acquired immunity play an important role in the disease development. Factors that
      modify the immunologic response in RAS include: food allergies, vitamin and
      microelement deficiencies, hormonal and gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., celiac
      disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), some viral and bacterial
      infections, mechanical injuries and stress. In this paper, we presented the main
      etiopathogenetic factors of RAS with a special emphasis on the mechanisms of the
      immune response modification. Moreover, we discussed the crucial clinical
      symptoms and types of RAS together with epidemiologic data based on the current
      medical literature reports and our own observations.

PMID- 24217987
TI  - Dust is in the air. Part II: Effects of occupational exposure to welding fumes on
      lung function in a 9-year study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Adverse health effects of work-related contact with respirable hazardous
      substances are of great public interest. Because related prospective and long
      term follow-up studies are rare, the extent of acute and chronic pulmonary health
      risks of occupational exposure to welding fumes is discussed controversially in
      the scientific literature. The objective of the present longitudinal study during
      a 9-year period was to investigate the annual changes of lung function in
      welders. METHODS: Anthropometric measures and smoking behaviour, and spirometric
      tests (FVC, FEV1, and MEF50) obtained during routine occupational health checkups
      of female and male workers (n = 1,982) in Austria during the years 2002-2010 were
      analyzed. RESULTS: The study participants displayed average lung function values
      lower than the age- and sex-specific norm. Decrease in respiratory capacity was
      dependent on smoking habits and duration of occupational exposure. Specifically
      for welders (n = 1,326), decrease of pulmonary function was significantly
      associated with heavy smoking (FVC -70.7 ml, p = 0.07; FEV1 -167.4 ml, p < 0.001;
      MEF50 -356.2 ml/s, p < 0.001), but not with moderate smoking habits, and also
      with duration of occupational exposure to welding fumes per year (FVC -0.89 ml, p
      = 0.36; FEV1 -2.91 ml, p < 0.001; MEF50 -4.7 ml/s, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS:
      Individual smoking habits as well as duration of occupational exposure to welding
      fumes showed a negative impact on lung function parameters. To reduce the risk of
      work-associated respiratory morbidity, smoking cessation is highly recommended to
      personnel engaged in welding fumes- and dust-exposed occupations.

PMID- 24217988
TI  - Treating CTDs related fibrotic ILDs by immunosuppressants: "facts and faults".
AB  - Fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are commonly encountered in
      scleroderma where they significantly influence prognosis. The mainstay of
      treatment in idiopathic fibrotic ILDs for the past 30 years was based on the
      combined administration of prednisone and cyclophosphamide (CYC) or prednisone,
      azathioprine plus N-acetyl cysteine, recently proved ineffective and harmful.
      Rheumatologists also despite "facts" showing that CYC treatment has no beneficial
      impact on fibrotic ILDs in scleroderma continue to commit the same, in a manner
      of speaking, "faults" by "treating their fibrotic ILDs by immunosuppressants." In
      this issue of the journal, Panopoulos et al. (Lung, 191, 483-489, 2013)
      recognizing the minimal effect of CYC on fibrotic ILDs in scleroderma patients
      and the increased use in clinical practice of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as an
      alternative, report that MMF use to replace CYC in this setting is not supported,
      confirming that restoration of purely fibrotic damage in the lungs remains one of
      the most challenging fields in medicine. 

PMID- 24217989
TI  - Cognitive ability is associated with altered medial frontal cortical circuits in
      the LgDel mouse model of 22q11.2DS.
AB  - We established a relationship between cognitive deficits and cortical circuits in
      the LgDel model of 22q11 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS)-a genetic syndrome with one
      of the most significant risks for schizophrenia and autism. In the LgDel mouse,
      optimal acquisition, execution, and reversal of a visually guided discrimination
      task, comparable to executive function tasks in primates including humans, are
      compromised; however, there is significant individual variation in degree of
      impairment. The task relies critically on the integrity of circuits in medial
      anterior frontal cortical regions. Accordingly, we analyzed neuronal changes that
      reflect previously defined 22q11DS-related alterations of cortical development in
      the medial anterior frontal cortex of the behaviorally characterized LgDel mice.
      Interneuron placement, synapse distribution, and projection neuron frequency are
      altered in this region. The magnitude of one of these changes, layer 2/3
      projection neuron frequency, is a robust predictor of behavioral performance: it
      is substantially and selectively lower in animals with the most significant
      behavioral deficits. These results parallel correlations of volume reduction and
      altered connectivity in comparable cortical regions with diminished executive
      function in 22q11DS patients. Apparently, 22q11 deletion alters behaviorally
      relevant circuits in a distinct cortical region that are essential for cognitive
      function. 

PMID- 24217990
TI  - Postnatal down-regulation of the GABAA receptor gamma2 subunit in neocortical NG2
      cells accompanies synaptic-to-extrasynaptic switch in the GABAergic transmission
      mode.
AB  - NG2 cells, a main pool of glial progenitors, express gamma-aminobutyric acid A
      (GABA(A)) receptors (GABA(A)Rs), the functional and molecular properties of which
      are largely unknown. We recently reported that transmission between GABAergic
      interneurons and NG2 cells drastically changes during development of the
      somatosensory cortex, switching from synaptic to extrasynaptic communication.
      Since synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA(A)Rs of neurons differ in their subunit
      composition, we hypothesize that GABA(A)Rs of NG2 cells undergo molecular changes
      during cortical development accompanying the switch of transmission modes. Single
      cell RT-PCR and the effects of zolpidem and alpha5IA on evoked GABAergic currents
      reveal the predominance of functional alpha1- and alpha5-containing GABA(A)Rs at
      interneuron-NG2 cell synapses in the second postnatal week, while the alpha5
      expression declines later in development when responses are exclusively
      extrasynaptic. Importantly, pharmacological and molecular analyses demonstrate
      that gamma2, a subunit contributing to the clustering of GABA(A)Rs at
      postsynaptic sites in neurons, is down-regulated in NG2 cells in a cell type
      specific manner in concomitance with the decline of synaptic activity and the
      switch of transmission mode. In keeping with the synaptic nature of gamma2 in
      neurons, the down-regulation of this subunit is an important molecular hallmark
      of the change of transmission modes between interneurons and NG2 cells during
      development.

PMID- 24217992
TI  - Erratum to: A Cluster Randomized Trial of Adding Peer Specialists to Intensive
      Case Management Teams in the Veterans Health Administration.

PMID- 24217991
TI  - Neural mechanisms of object-based attention.
AB  - What neural mechanisms underlie the ability to attend to a complex object in the
      presence of competing overlapping stimuli? We evaluated whether object-based
      attention might involve pattern-specific feedback to early visual areas to
      selectively enhance the set of low-level features corresponding to the attended
      object. Using fMRI and multivariate pattern analysis, we found that activity
      patterns in early visual areas (V1-V4) are strongly biased in favor of the
      attended object. Activity patterns evoked by single faces and single houses
      reliably predicted which of the 2 overlapping stimulus types was being attended
      with high accuracy (80-90% correct). Superior knowledge of upright objects led to
      improved attentional selection in early areas. Across individual blocks, the
      strength of the attentional bias signal in early visual areas was highly
      predictive of the modulations found in high-level object areas, implying that
      pattern-specific attentional filtering at early sites can determine the quality
      of object-specific signals that reach higher level visual areas. Through
      computational modeling, we show how feedback of an average template to V1-like
      units can improve discrimination of exemplars belonging to the attended category.
      Our findings provide a mechanistic account of how feedback to early visual areas
      can contribute to the attentional selection of complex objects. 

PMID- 24217993
TI  - Peer support: coming of age of and/or miles to go before we sleep? An
      introduction.

PMID- 24217994
TI  - A telephonic-based trial to reduce depressive symptoms among Latina breast cancer
      survivors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Greater mental health symptomatology of Latina breast cancer (LBC)
      patients along with the paucity of intervention trials to reduce distress
      underscores the scientific and practice gaps in comprehensive care. This trial
      investigated the effect of a paraprofessionally delivered, telephonic-based
      psycho-educational intervention on depressive symptoms among LBC patients.
      METHODS: Latina breast cancer patients were recruited from the California Cancer
      Registry, hospital registries, and support groups. Participants were randomly
      assigned to the intervention or control condition. The primary outcome was level
      of depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies
      Depression scale. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-nine LBC patients (84 English
      language preferred and 115 Spanish language preferred) participated. The overall
      trial outcomes demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in depressive
      symptoms among LBC patients in the intervention condition compared with LBC
      patients in the control condition, after controlling for depressive symptoms at
      T1 and language (p < 0.05). At follow-up, 63% of intervention LBC patients
      reported at least a five-point decrease in symptoms compared with 26% of control
      LBC patients (p < 0.05). English language-preferred and Spanish language
      preferred LBC patients in the intervention condition showed approximately an
      eight-point mean decrease in depressive symptoms from baseline (M = 23.5 and M =
      26.6, respectively) to follow-up (M = 15.7 and M = 18.4, respectively) (p <
      0.001), whereas those in the control condition showed no significant change.
      CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate the effectiveness of a culturally responsive,
      paraprofessionally delivered intervention to reduce depressive symptoms among LBC
      patients. Therefore, community oncology practices can affiliate with trained
      paraprofessionals to implement mental health services to address distress among
      our growing and increasingly ethnically, linguistically, and economically diverse
      oncology patient population.

PMID- 24217995
TI  - Minimally invasive multiple lymphaticovenular anastomosis at the ankle for the
      prevention of lower leg lymphedema.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The patients with secondary unilateral lower limb lymphedema are
      likely to experience lymphedema of the contralateral leg in the future. Our
      policy is to perform preventive lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) of the
      contralateral limb without symptoms in these patients. In this report, we
      describe a minimally invasive preventive LVA procedure and present the
      preliminary results. METHODS: Ten patients with unilateral lower leg lymphedema
      underwent multiple LVA procedures through a skin incision over the ankle of the
      contralateral limb without symptoms. The Campisi clinical stage of these limbs
      without symptoms was stage 0 in five cases and stage 1A in five cases. The number
      of anastomoses performed through the incision over the ankle was two LVAs in five
      cases, three LVAs in four cases, and four LVAs in one case. RESULTS: All the
      multiple LVAs were completed without complications. The onset of postoperative
      cellulitis and edematous aggravation of the limb that received the minimally
      invasive preventive LVA procedure was not noted in any patient during 6-month
      follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive preventive LVA procedure
      might prevent lymphedema and improve the physical appearance of the limb with
      minimal scarring. Long-term follow-up will be necessary to monitor the future
      progression of edema in these patients.

PMID- 24217997
TI  - Guest editorial: leukemia stem cell.

PMID- 24217996
TI  - Finding the target sites of RNA-binding proteins.
AB  - RNA-protein interactions differ from DNA-protein interactions because of the
      central role of RNA secondary structure. Some RNA-binding domains (RBDs)
      recognize their target sites mainly by their shape and geometry and others are
      sequence-specific but are sensitive to secondary structure context. A number of
      small- and large-scale experimental approaches have been developed to measure
      RNAs associated in vitro and in vivo with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs).
      Generalizing outside of the experimental conditions tested by these assays
      requires computational motif finding. Often RBP motif finding is done by adapting
      DNA motif finding methods; but modeling secondary structure context leads to
      better recovery of RBP-binding preferences. Genome-wide assessment of mRNA
      secondary structure has recently become possible, but these data must be combined
      with computational predictions of secondary structure before they add value in
      predicting in vivo binding. There are two main approaches to incorporating
      structural information into motif models: supplementing primary sequence motif
      models with preferred secondary structure contexts (e.g., MEMERIS and RNAcontext)
      and directly modeling secondary structure recognized by the RBP using stochastic
      context-free grammars (e.g., CMfinder and RNApromo). The former better
      reconstruct known binding preferences for sequence-specific RBPs but are not
      suitable for modeling RBPs that recognize shape and geometry of RNAs. Future work
      in RBP motif finding should incorporate interactions between multiple RBDs and
      multiple RBPs in binding to RNA.

PMID- 24217999
TI  - Acetyl-L-carnitine and prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy:
      can anything work?

PMID- 24217998
TI  - Pathogenesis of disseminated intravascular coagulation in patients with acute
      promyelocytic leukemia, and its treatment using recombinant human soluble
      thrombomodulin.
AB  - Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is an uncommon subtype of acute myelogenous
      leukemia characterized by the proliferation of blasts with distinct morphology, a
      specific balanced reciprocal translocation t(15;17), and life-threatening
      hemorrhage caused mainly by enhanced fibrinolytic-type disseminated intravascular
      coagulation (DIC). The introduction of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) into
      anthracycline-based induction chemotherapy regimens has dramatically improved
      overall survival of individuals with APL, although hemorrhage-related death
      during the early phase of therapy remains a serious problem. Moreover, population
      based studies have shown that the incidence of early death during induction
      chemotherapy is nearly 30 %, and the most common cause of death is associated
      with hemorrhage. Thus, development of a novel treatment strategy to alleviate
      abnormal coagulation in APL patients is urgently required. Recombinant human
      soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) comprises the active extracellular domain of TM, and
      has been used for treatment of DIC since 2008 in Japan. Use of rTM in combination
      with remission induction chemotherapy, including ATRA, produces potent resolution
      of DIC without exacerbation of bleeding tendency in individuals with APL. This
      review article discusses the pathogenesis and features of DIC caused by APL, as
      well as the possible anticoagulant and anti-leukemic action of rTM in APL
      patients.

PMID- 24218000
TI  - The global challenge of reducing breast cancer mortality.

PMID- 24218001
TI  - Are targeted therapies a consideration in poorly differentiated neuroendocrine
      tumors?

PMID- 24218002
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 24218003
TI  - Standardized approach to lymphedema screening.

PMID- 24218004
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 24218006
TI  - The basel cocktail for simultaneous phenotyping of human cytochrome P450 isoforms
      in plasma, saliva and dried blood spots.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Phenotyping cocktails use a combination of cytochrome
      P450 (CYP)-specific probe drugs to simultaneously assess the activity of
      different CYP isoforms. To improve the clinical applicability of CYP phenotyping,
      the main objectives of this study were to develop a new cocktail based on probe
      drugs that are widely used in clinical practice and to test whether alternative
      sampling methods such as collection of dried blood spots (DBS) or saliva could be
      used to simplify the sampling process. METHODS: In a randomized crossover study,
      a new combination of commercially available probe drugs (the Basel cocktail) was
      tested for simultaneous phenotyping of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6
      and CYP3A4. Sixteen subjects received low doses of caffeine, efavirenz, losartan,
      omeprazole, metoprolol and midazolam in different combinations. All subjects were
      genotyped, and full pharmacokinetic profiles of the probe drugs and their main
      metabolites were determined in plasma, dried blood spots and saliva samples.
      RESULTS: The Basel cocktail was well tolerated, and bioequivalence tests showed
      no evidence of mutual interactions between the probe drugs. In plasma, single
      timepoint metabolic ratios at 2 h (for CYP2C19 and CYP3A4) or at 8 h (for the
      other isoforms) after dosing showed high correlations with corresponding area
      under the concentration-time curve (AUC) ratios (AUC0-24h parent/AUC0-24h
      metabolite) and are proposed as simple phenotyping metrics. Metabolic ratios in
      dried blood spots (for CYP1A2 and CYP2C19) or in saliva samples (for CYP1A2) were
      comparable to plasma ratios and offer the option of minimally invasive or non
      invasive phenotyping of these isoforms. CONCLUSIONS: This new combination of
      phenotyping probe drugs can be used without mutual interactions. The proposed
      sampling timepoints have the potential to facilitate clinical application of
      phenotyping but require further validation in conditions of altered CYP activity.
      The use of DBS or saliva samples seems feasible for phenotyping of the selected
      CYP isoforms.

PMID- 24218007
TI  - Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist plus an aromatase inhibitor as
      second-line endocrine therapy in premenopausal females with hormone receptor
      positive metastatic breast cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to explore the efficacy and safety of
      combination therapy using a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist
      plus an aromatase inhibitor (AI) as second-line therapy in premenopausal females
      with hormone receptor (HR)-positive recurrent or metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in patients registered in the
      breast cancer database of our institution between January 2001 and December 2012.
      The breast cancer database identified 14 premenopausal patients who had been
      treated with an LHRH agonist plus AI for HR-positive recurrent or MBC. RESULTS:
      Fourteen patients with recurrent breast cancer (N = 10) or metastatic disease at
      primary diagnosis (N = 4) were included in the present study. All patients had
      previously been treated with an LHRH agonist plus tamoxifen. The clinical benefit
      rate was 71.4% and the median TTP was 11 months (95% confidence interval 1.7-20.3
      months). One patient discontinued treatment because of liver dysfunction (grade
      3). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of an LHRH agonist plus an AI is a treatment
      option for premenopausal females with HR-positive MBC that can prolong the
      chemotherapy-free interval and yield effective disease stabilization.

PMID- 24218008
TI  - Adhesive strength of ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive: how strong is it?
AB  - PURPOSE: We evaluated the adhesive strength of ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate and compared
      the findings with those of traditional monofilament synthetic sutures. We also
      investigated the factors that could affect the effectiveness of cyanoacrylate
      bonding by skin surface modifications at the adhesion site. METHODS: Using a
      porcine skin model, we measured the maximum load for ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate
      adhesive under various application conditions. RESULTS: When the application
      width was 5 mm, no differences were found in the maximum force load for one layer
      or two layers of ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive (3.3 +/- 1.7 and 4.8 +/- 1.5 N, p
      = 0.176). When the application width was extended to 10 mm, the maximum force
      load for one layer was 8.2 +/- 0.6 N, which was significantly higher than for 5
      mm (p < 0.002). The force fell to within the loads generated by 6-0 to 5-0
      ETHILONTM monofilament non-absorbable synthetic sutures. Roughening of the
      application surface had little effect on adhesion; however, smoothing resulted in
      a decrease in overall adhesive strength. CONCLUSIONS: The width of the
      application of ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive over the skin defect was important
      for achieving good and stable adhesive strength. Increasing the number of layers
      of adhesive through repeated applications of the cyanoacrylate did not increase
      overall adhesive strength. Skin surface modifications other than regular cleaning
      should be avoided.

PMID- 24218009
TI  - MicroRNAs in myocardial ischemia: identifying new targets and tools for treating
      heart disease. New frontiers for miR-medicine.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are natural, single-stranded, small RNA molecules which subtly
      control gene expression. Several studies indicate that specific miRNAs can
      regulate heart function both in development and disease. Despite prevention
      programs and new therapeutic agents, cardiovascular disease remains the main
      cause of death in developed countries. The elevated number of heart failure
      episodes is mostly due to myocardial infarction (MI). An increasing number of
      studies have been carried out reporting changes in miRNAs gene expression and
      exploring their role in MI and heart failure. In this review, we furnish a
      critical analysis of where the frontier of knowledge has arrived in the fields of
      basic and translational research on miRNAs in cardiac ischemia. We first
      summarize the basal information on miRNA biology and regulation, especially
      concentrating on the feedback loops which control cardiac-enriched miRNAs. A
      focus on the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia and in the
      attenuation of injury is presented. Particular attention is given to
      cardiomyocyte death (apoptosis and necrosis), fibrosis, neovascularization, and
      heart failure. Then, we address the potential of miR-diagnosis (miRNAs as disease
      biomarkers) and miR-drugs (miRNAs as therapeutic targets) for cardiac ischemia
      and heart failure. Finally, we evaluate the use of miRNAs in the emerging field
      of regenerative medicine. 

PMID- 24218012
TI  - Quality of life among free clinic patients associated with somatic symptoms,
      depression, and perceived neighborhood environment.
AB  - Free clinics provide free or reduced fee healthcare to individuals who lack
      access to primary care and are socio-economically disadvantaged. The purpose of
      this study is to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among free clinic
      patients and its association with somatic symptoms, depression, and perceived
      neighborhood environment. Free clinic patients (n = 186) aged 18 years or older
      completed a self-administered survey. HRQoL, depression, somatic symptoms, and
      perceived neighborhood environment were measured using standardized instruments.
      Overall, the participants reported low level of HRQoL compared to the general
      healthy population. US born participants (n = 97) reported poorer psychological
      QoL and social relations, more somatic symptoms, and were more likely to be
      depressed than non-US born participants (n = 89). Higher numbers of somatic
      symptoms were associated with poorer environmental QoL. Depression was associated
      with all aspects of QoL; a higher level of depression was related to poorer QoL
      in all aspects. Our findings show that free clinic patients, especially US born
      patients, have poor HRQoL. Depression and perceived neighborhood satisfaction are
      key factors to determine HRQoL among free clinic patients. Mental health services
      and collaboration with other community organizations may help in improving HRQoL
      among free clinic patients. Finally, health promotion programs at the community
      level, not just at the clinic level, would be valuable to improve health of free
      clinic patients as perceived neighborhood environment is associated with their
      HRQoL.

PMID- 24218011
TI  - Transcriptional networks regulating the costamere, sarcomere, and other
      cytoskeletal structures in striated muscle.
AB  - Structural abnormalities in striated muscle have been observed in numerous
      transcription factor gain- and loss-of-function phenotypes in animal and cell
      culture model systems, indicating that transcription is important in regulating
      the cytoarchitecture. While most characterized cytoarchitectural defects are
      largely indistinguishable by histological and ultrastructural criteria, analysis
      of dysregulated gene expression in each mutant phenotype has yielded valuable
      information regarding specific structural gene programs that may be uniquely
      controlled by each of these transcription factors. Linking the formation and
      maintenance of each subcellular structure or subset of proteins within a
      cytoskeletal compartment to an overlapping but distinct transcription factor
      cohort may enable striated muscle to control cytoarchitectural function in an
      efficient and specific manner. Here we summarize the available evidence that
      connects transcription factors, those with established roles in striated muscle
      such as MEF2 and SRF, as well as other non-muscle transcription factors, to the
      regulation of a defined cytoskeletal structure. The notion that genes encoding
      proteins localized to the same subcellular compartment are coordinately
      transcriptionally regulated may prompt rationally designed approaches that target
      specific transcription factor pathways to correct structural defects in muscle
      disease. 

PMID- 24218013
TI  - Prostaglandins before caesarean section for preventing neonatal respiratory
      distress.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress (RD) can occur in both preterm and term neonates
      born through normal vaginal delivery or caesarean section (CS). It accounts for
      about 30% of neonatal deaths and can occur at any time following birth.
      Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), transient tachypnoea (rapid breathing) of
      the newborn and persistent pulmonary hypertension (increased blood pressure of
      pulmonary vessels) of the newborn are the most frequent clinical presentations of
      neonatal RD. Prostaglandins are used in routine obstetric practice to ripen the
      uterine cervix and to trigger labour, with those of the E series being preferred
      over others due to the fact that they are more uteroselective. Administration of
      prostaglandins to an expectant mother before delivery causes reabsorption of lung
      fluid from the fetal lung and promotes surfactant secretion by inducing a
      catecholamine surge. As a result, significant reduction in neonatal respiratory
      morbidity following a CS could be obtained, leading to reduced long-term
      complications such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease with lung
      tissue modification) and asthma. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to
      determine if administration of prostaglandins before CS can improve respiratory
      outcomes of newborns. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and
      Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 September 2013). We also searched three
      clinical trial registries; ClinicalTrials.gov, the Australian New Zealand
      Clinical Trials Registry and the WHO Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP),
      for ongoing studies (24 June 2013). SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all published
      and unpublished randomised controlled trials comparing the use of prostaglandins
      with other treatments (including placebo) to reduce neonatal respiratory
      morbidity. Participants were pregnant women with an indication for a CS, and we
      compared administration of prostaglandins prior to CS with no treatment, placebo
      or another treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors
      independently assessed studies for inclusion and assessed trial quality, with the
      third review author referred to for settling any disagreements. Two review
      authors extracted data. Data were checked for accuracy. We used the Cochrane tool
      for assessing risk of bias in the included study and contacted the study authors
      to request additional information where appropriate. MAIN RESULTS: We found one
      randomised controlled trial with a low risk of bias which was carried out in a
      tertiary neonatal care centre in Australia. The study involved 36 women (18
      received intravaginal prostaglandin E 2 gel and 18 received placebo).There was
      one case of neonatal respiratory distress in the control group, which the
      trialist reported as transient tachypnoea of the newborn (risk ratio (RR) 0.33,
      95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01 to 7.68, one study, n = 36).None of the
      neonates required mechanical ventilation and the trial authors reported median
      Apgar scores at one and five minutes as being similar in both groups.There were
      no treatment-related side effects in either group. Noradrenaline concentrations
      (median values (range)) were reported as being significantly higher in the cord
      blood samples of the intervention group compared to the control group. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: Although the trial authors reported a significant increase in
      catecholamine levels in the intervention group, there was no significant
      difference in the respiratory outcomes between intervention and control groups.
      The quality of evidence was graded as low because the sample size was small and
      there were few events. No definite conclusions can thus be drawn on the effects
      of prostaglandins on neonatal respiratory outcomes from this review.

PMID- 24218010
TI  - Iron deposits in the chronically inflamed central nervous system and contributes
      to neurodegeneration.
AB  - Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by the presence of inflammation in
      areas with neuronal cell death and a regional increase in iron that exceeds what
      occurs during normal aging. The inflammatory process accompanying the neuronal
      degeneration involves glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and
      monocytes of the circulation that migrate into the CNS while transforming into
      phagocytic macrophages. This review outlines the possible mechanisms responsible
      for deposition of iron in neurodegenerative disorders with a main emphasis on how
      iron-containing monocytes may migrate into the CNS, transform into macrophages,
      and die out subsequently to their phagocytosis of damaged and dying neuronal
      cells. The dying macrophages may in turn release their iron, which enters the
      pool of labile iron to catalytically promote formation of free-radical-mediated
      stress and oxidative damage to adjacent cells, including neurons. Healthy neurons
      may also chronically acquire iron from the extracellular space as another
      principle mechanism for oxidative stress-mediated damage. Pharmacological
      handling of monocyte migration into the CNS combined with chelators that
      neutralize the effects of extracellular iron occurring due to the release from
      dying macrophages as well as intraneuronal chelation may denote good
      possibilities for reducing the deleterious consequences of iron deposition in the
      CNS. 

PMID- 24218014
TI  - Multiple colonization of a cadaver by insects in an indoor environment: first
      record of Fannia trimaculata (Diptera: Fanniidae) and Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma
      (Sarcophagidae) as colonizers of a human corpse.
AB  - We describe here a case of multiple colonization of a male cadaver found indoors
      in the municipality of Jaboatao dos Guararapes, Brazil. The body was colonized by
      six species of Diptera: Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya
      putoria (Calliphoridae), Megaselia scalaris (Phoridae), Fannia trimaculata
      (Fanniidae), and Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Sarcophagidae). The most abundant
      species were C. albiceps (65.0 % of all emerged adults) and C. megacephala (18.6
      %). The case illustrates the ability of six insect species to simultaneously
      colonize a corpse in an indoor environment and represents the first collaboration
      between the forensic police and entomologists in Northeastern Brazil. We provide
      here the first record of two species, F. trimaculata and Peckia (P.) chrysostoma
      colonizing a human cadaver. We also report the first case of cadaver colonization
      by C. putoria and M. scalaris in Northeastern Brazil. Information on the
      development time of two species, C. albiceps and C. megacephala, were used to
      discuss the estimation of the post-mortem interval. Considering that the region
      harbors the highest rates of homicide in Brazil, implications of these findings
      for the consolidation of forensic entomology in the region are discussed. 

PMID- 24218016
TI  - Perceived communication between physicians and breast cancer patients as a
      predicting factor of patients' health-related quality of life: a longitudinal
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Communication between cancer patients and healthcare providers is
      recognized as an important aspect of these patients' health-related quality of
      life (HRQOL). Nevertheless, no study has examined whether perceived communication
      between physicians and breast cancer patients is a determining factor in their
      HRQOL along the disease's trajectory. This longitudinal study aimed to ascertain
      whether such communication influenced the HRQOL of such women at three points in
      time. METHODS: The sample consisted of 120 French-speaking women with stage I or
      II breast cancer aged 18 years or over (mean = 55 years) who underwent a
      lumpectomy with adjuvant treatment. The women filled out questionnaires at three
      different times: around the time of diagnosis, halfway through radiotherapy and
      at follow-up. Either at the hospital or at home, they completed demographic and
      medical data questionnaires, the Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey, an
      HRQOL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30/BR23) and the Medical Communication Competence
      Scale. RESULTS: Generalized estimated equations analyses indicated that the
      women's perceptions of their own communication skills towards physicians had a
      greater impact on their HRQOL than the women's perception of physicians'
      communication skills. The women had better global health and better role,
      emotional, cognitive and sexual functioning as well as fewer side effects and
      symptoms during radiotherapy and at follow-up when they perceived themselves as
      competent communicators at diagnosis and during radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results underscore the importance for breast cancer patients of being proactive
      in information seeking and in the socio-emotional aspect of their relationship
      with physicians to enhance their HRQOL.

PMID- 24218015
TI  - Estimation of age at death based on aspartic acid racemization in elastic
      cartilage of the epiglottis.
AB  - Age estimation based on aspartic acid racemization (AAR) has been applied
      successfully to various tissues. For routine uses, AAR is analyzed in dentine.
      For cases in which teeth are unavailable, analyzing AAR in purified elastin has
      been shown to be an alternative method. The suitability of elastic cartilage from
      the epiglottis as an elastin source for age estimation based on AAR was tested. A
      total of 65 tissue samples (cartilage) of epiglottis and 45 samples of elastin
      purified from the elastic cartilage of epiglottis samples were analyzed. While
      the D-aspartic acid content of total tissue samples increased with age only
      slowly, its increase with age in purified elastin samples was similar to that in
      purified elastin from other tissues. The relationship between the D-aspartic acid
      content and age was shown to be close enough for age estimation based on AAR in
      purified elastin from the elastic cartilage of the epiglottis, provided a
      sufficient quality of elastin purification. Age estimation based on AAR in
      purified elastin from the epiglottis might serve as a valuable alternative in
      cases in which other tissues (e.g., teeth) are unavailable. 

PMID- 24218018
TI  - Evidence-based tailoring of behavior-change campaigns: increasing fluoride-free
      water consumption in rural Ethiopia with persuasion.
AB  - Two hundred million people worldwide are at risk of developing dental and
      skeletal fluorosis due to excessive fluoride uptake from their water. Since
      medical treatment of the disease is difficult and mostly ineffective, preventing
      fluoride uptake is crucial. In the Ethiopian Rift Valley, a fluoride-removal
      community filter was installed. Despite having access to a fluoride filter, the
      community used the filter sparingly. During a baseline assessment, 173 face-to
      face interviews were conducted to identify psychological factors that influence
      fluoride-free water consumption. Based on the results, two behavior-change
      campaigns were implemented: a traditional information intervention targeting
      perceived vulnerability, and an evidence-based persuasion intervention regarding
      perceived costs. The interventions were tailored to household characteristics.
      The campaigns were evaluated with a survey and analyzed in terms of their
      effectiveness in changing behavior and targeted psychological factors. While the
      intervention targeting perceived vulnerability showed no desirable effects, cost
      persuasion decreased the perceived costs and increased the consumption of
      fluoride-free water. This showed that altering subjective perceptions can change
      behavior even without changing objective circumstances. Moreover, interventions
      are more effective if they are based on evidence and tailored to specific
      households. 

PMID- 24218017
TI  - Epigenetics, drugs of abuse, and the retroviral promoter.
AB  - Drug abuse alone has been shown to cause epigenetic changes in brain tissue that
      have been shown to play roles in addictive behaviors. In conjunction with HIV-1
      infection, it can cause epigenetic changes at the viral promoter that can result
      in altered gene expression, and exacerbate disease progression overall. This
      review entails an in-depth look at research conducted on the epigenetic effects
      of three of the most widely abused drugs (cannabinoids, opioids, and cocaine),
      with a particular focus on the mechanisms through which these drugs interact with
      HIV-1 infection at the viral promoter. Here we discuss the impact of this
      interplay on disease progression from the point of view of the nature of gene
      regulation at the level of chromatin accessibility, chromatin remodeling, and
      nucleosome repositioning. Given the importance of chromatin remodeling and DNA
      methylation in controlling the retroviral promoter, and the high susceptibility
      of the drug abusing population of individuals to HIV infection, it would be
      beneficial to understand the way in which the host genome is modified and
      regulated by drugs of abuse. 

PMID- 24218019
TI  - Nutritional status and functional capacity of community-dwelling elderly in
      Southern Laos.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and
      functional capacity of 144 community-dwelling elderly in three rural ethnic
      groups, namely, the Oy, the Brau and the Lao, of southern Laos. METHODS: The Mini
      nutritional assessment (MNA) questionnaire and Determine Your Nutritional Health
      checklist were used to assess nutritional status. The Barthel Activities of Daily
      Living questionnaire and Lawton and Brody's Instrumental Activities of Daily
      Living questionnaire were used to assess the functional capacity of the
      respondents. RESULTS: The MNA score results indicated that 92.5 % of Oy
      respondents, 85.4 % of Brau respondents and 60 % of Lao respondents were
      malnourished. Analysis of variance tests showed that the MNA scores of the Oy and
      Lao ethnic groups and of the Brau and Lao ethnic groups were significantly
      different ( both p < 0.01), but that there was no significant difference between
      the MNA scores of the Oy and Brau ethnic groups (p > 0.05). In terms of
      functional capacity, 47.2 % of Oy respondents, 43.9 % of Brau respondents and 20
      % of Lao respondents had limitations in their activities of daily living, whereas
      98.1 % of Oy respondents, 97.6 % of Brau respondents and 86 % of Lao respondents
      had limitations in their instrumental activities of daily living. Body mass
      index, reduced appetite, number of meals consumed daily and presence of common
      diseases predicted nutritional status in all three ethnic groups; the remaining
      factors differed by ethnicity. This result implies that ethnic differences and
      other factors, such as location of the village, services, resources within the
      village and respondents' lifestyles, can affect nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS:
      Because predictors of nutritional status varied by ethnicity, there is a need for
      area-specific interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of the elderly
      in these areas.

PMID- 24218020
TI  - Solution structure and interface-driven self-assembly of NC2, a new member of the
      Class II hydrophobin proteins.
AB  - Hydrophobins are fungal proteins that self-assemble spontaneously to form
      amphipathic monolayers at hydrophobic:hydrophilic interfaces. Hydrophobin
      assemblies facilitate fungal transitions between wet and dry environments and
      interactions with plant and animal hosts. NC2 is a previously uncharacterized
      hydrophobin from Neurospora crassa. It is a highly surface active protein and is
      able to form protein layers on a water:air interface that stabilize air bubbles.
      On a hydrophobic substrate, NC2 forms layers consisting of an ordered network of
      protein molecules, which dramatically decrease the water contact angle. The
      solution structure and dynamics of NC2 have been determined using nuclear
      magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure of this protein displays the same
      core fold as observed in other hydrophobin structures determined to date,
      including the Class II hydrophobins HFBI and HFBII from Trichoderma reesei, but
      certain features illuminate the structural differences between Classes I and II
      hydrophobins and also highlight the variations between structures of Class II
      hydrophobin family members. The unique properties of hydrophobins have attracted
      much attention for biotechnology applications. The insights obtained through
      determining the structure, biophysical properties and assembly characteristics of
      NC2 will facilitate the development of hydrophobin-based applications.

PMID- 24218021
TI  - Regenerative capacity of bulbar projection neurons during development: a
      quantitative neuronal analysis with functional correlation.
AB  - Critical periods and degrees of regeneration in injured olfactory bulbar
      projection neurons (mitral cells) were examined in adult rats whose lateral
      olfactory tracts (LOTs) were transected at different postnatal (P) days. After
      the LOTs were transected at P7, P10, and P14, a retrograde fluorescent tracer,
      Fluoro-Gold (FG), was injected into the posterior olfactory cortex (the olfactory
      tubercle and the piriform cortex), a target brain region of mitral cells, 5 weeks
      after the transection. FG (+) mitral cells were observed in P7 LOT-transected
      bulbs and some of P10 LOT-transected bulbs but not in P14 LOT-transected bulbs.
      Neuron numbers of regenerated FG (+) mitral cells in P2 LOT-transected adult rats
      decreased to approximately 70% of the normal values (actually counted number:
      804+/-46; stereologically estimated number: 49 700+/-4300), and 100% of these
      rats were demonstrated to exhibit olfactory discriminative ability in our
      previous study. Meanwhile, the numbers in P7 LOT-transected adult rats further
      decreased to approximately 40% of the normal values, and 78% of these rats showed
      olfactory discriminative ability. We conclude that the critical periods of
      spontaneous regeneration of the LOT are between P0 and P10 and that the
      proportions of regenerated mitral cells decreased as rats became older. 

PMID- 24218022
TI  - Effects of cannabinoids on tension induced by acetylcholine and choline in slow
      skeletal muscle fibers of the frog.
AB  - We investigated the effects of cannabinoids on acetylcholine (ACh) or choline
      contractures in slow skeletal muscle fibers from Rana pipiens. Bundles of
      cruralis muscle fibers were incubated with the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1)
      agonist, arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA), which diminished the maximum
      isometric tension by 10 % and the total tension by 5 % of the ACh contracture,
      and 40 and 22 % of the choline contracture, respectively. Preincubation with the
      CB1 antagonist, AM281, or with pertussis toxin (PTX) completely blocked the
      effect of ACPA on the ACh contracture. On the other hand, the decrease in choline
      contracture by ACPA was only partially blocked by AM281 (~16 % decrease), PTX (20
      %), or by dantrolene (~46 %). Our results show that ACPA modulates ACh and
      choline contractures, and suggest that this effect involves the participation of
      CB1, the ACh receptor, and -RyR in ACh contractures. For choline contractures,
      ACPA may also be acting through cannabinoid receptor-independent mechanisms. 

PMID- 24218023
TI  - Alterations in the intrinsic burst activity of Purkinje neurons in offspring
      maternally exposed to the CB1 cannabinoid agonist WIN 55212-2.
AB  - Burst firing plays an important role in normal neuronal function and dysfunction.
      In Purkinje neurons, where the firing rate and discharge pattern encode the
      timing signals necessary for motor function, any alteration in firing properties,
      including burst activity, may affect the motor output. Therefore, we examined
      whether maternal exposure to the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55212-2 (WIN)
      may affect the burst firing properties of cerebellar Purkinje cells in offspring.
      Whole-cell somatic patch-clamp recordings were made from cerebellar slices of
      adult male rats that were exposed to WIN prenatally. WIN exposure during
      pregnancy induced long-term alterations in the burst firing behavior of Purkinje
      neurons in rat offspring as evidenced by a significant increase in the mean
      number of spikes per burst (p < 0.05) and the prolongation of burst firing
      activity (p < 0.01). The postburst afterhyperpolarization potential (p < 0.001),
      the mean intraburst interspike intervals (p < 0.001) and the mean intraburst
      firing frequency (p < 0.001) were also significantly increased in the WIN-treated
      group. Prenatal exposure to WIN enhanced the firing irregularity as reflected by
      a significant decrease in the coefficient of variation of the intraburst
      interspike interval (p < 0.05). Furthermore, whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings
      revealed that prenatal WIN exposure significantly enhanced Ca(2+) channel current
      amplitude in offspring Purkinje neurons compared to control cells. Overall, the
      data presented here strongly suggest that maternal exposure to cannabinoids can
      induce long-term changes in complex spike burst activity, which in turn may lead
      to alterations in neuronal output. 

PMID- 24218024
TI  - Fascin and cyclin D1 immunoreactivity in non-neoplastic vulvar squamous
      epithelium, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive squamous carcinoma:
      correlation with Ki67 and p16 protein expression.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate cyclin D1 and fascin immunoreactivity in normal, reactive
      and neoplastic vulvar skin correlating the findings with p16 protein and Ki67
      expression. METHODS: 66 vulvar biopsy or resection specimens demonstrating normal
      appearances, reactive epidermal changes, usual-type vulvar intraepithelial
      neoplasia (uVIN), differentiated-type VIN (dVIN), p16-positive squamous cell
      carcinoma (SCC) and p16-negative SCC were examined immunohistochemically for
      cyclin D1, fascin, Ki67 and p16 protein. Where applicable, expression patterns
      were compared in microanatomically distinct areas, particularly at the invasive
      front (deep tumour margin) of SCC. RESULTS: Normal epidermis showed parabasal
      Ki67 and cyclin D1 staining while fascin labelled cells in the lower one-third of
      the epithelium. Reactive and dVIN specimens demonstrated mildly increased Ki67
      and cyclin D1 expression that maintained parabasal polarity, whereas uVIN and p16
      positive SCC were characterised by loss of cyclin D1 staining. However, in 14 of
      20 p16-positive SCC small infiltrative tumour groups and single infiltrating
      cells at the invasive front showed a cyclin D1-positive/ Ki67-negative phenotype.
      In contrast, p16-negative SCC generally showed diffuse and concordant cyclin D1
      and Ki67 labelling, including at the invasive margin. Fascin expression was
      increased in all VIN and SCC lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in cyclin D1 and
      Ki67 expression between p16-positive and p16-negative vulvar SCCs suggest
      different mechanisms of invasion in these tumour subgroups. Fascin is upregulated
      in vulvar squamous neoplasia but immunostaining does not discriminate in situ
      from invasive lesions nor putative human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated and HPV
      independent SCCs.

PMID- 24218025
TI  - Sentinel lymph nodes with isolated tumour cells and micrometastases in breast
      cancer: clinical relevance and prognostic significance.
AB  - AIM: We performed a retrospective review to determine the prognostic significance
      of isolated tumour cells (ITCs) and micrometastases to the sentinel lymph nodes
      of patients with breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 1044 patients with a
      diagnosis of invasive carcinoma of the breast who underwent surgical treatment
      including the sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure from July 2004 to October 2009
      were included in the study. RESULTS: In 710 (68%) patients, no metastasis was
      seen to the sentinel lymph nodes. ITCs were detected in 22 (2.1%) patients,
      micrometastasis in 52 (5.0%) and macrometastases in 260 (24.9%). With a median
      follow-up of 28.8 months, disease recurrence was seen in 38 (3.6%) patients and
      15 (1.5%) patients died of disease. No disease recurrence or deaths were recorded
      in women with ITCs in sentinel lymph nodes. In the micrometastasis group, 2
      patients suffered disease recurrence and both died of disease. CONCLUSIONS: We
      conclude that ITCs in the sentinel lymph nodes did not adversely impact disease
      free and overall survivals. Although only 2 recurrences with subsequent death
      occurred in the micrometastasis group, it may suggest a propensity for presence
      of micrometastases to augur a worse outcome, and justifies continued segregation
      of ITCs from micrometastasis.

PMID- 24218026
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus is rarely associated with diffuse large B cell lymphoma in
      Taiwan and carries a trend for a shorter median survival time.
AB  - AIMS: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of
      the elderly is characterised by frequent extranodal involvement, a morphological
      spectrum from polymorphous to monomorphous and a poor prognosis. The frequency is
      higher in Japan and Korea but lower in the West, while the status in Taiwan has
      not been reported yet. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of DLBCL in a
      single institute in Taiwan by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation for
      EBV. RESULTS: Of the 424 consecutive DLBCL cases, 332 cases were studied for EBV.
      15 (4.5%) were EBV-positive and 13 (3.9%) fulfil WHO criteria of EBV-positive
      DLBCL of the elderly with a median age of 75. Of these 15 cases, extranodal
      presentation occurred in 11 (73%) patients with predominance in the
      gastrointestinal tract and 6 (40%) were of germinal centre B cell phenotype.
      There was no difference between EBV-positive and -negative patients in terms of
      age, gender, nodal versus extranodal presentation, and immunophenotypical
      profile. EBV-positive patients showed a trend for a shorter median survival time
      (5.0 vs 39.3 months; p=0.058). Of all DLBCL patients, multivariable analysis
      revealed a significantly worse overall survival for patients older than 50
      (p=0.001) and for those with bcl-6-negative tumours (p=0.003) but not with other
      clinicopathological factors including EBV status. CONCLUSIONS: EBV-positive DLBCL
      of the elderly is relatively rare in Taiwan, with an incidence intermediate
      between Japan/Korea and the West. Further studies are warranted to clarify the
      association of EBV and the clinicopathological features and the prognostic
      significance in patients with DLBCL.

PMID- 24218027
TI  - Male hypercalciuric stone formers with low renal calcium reabsorption.
AB  - AIMS: Hypercalciuria is a common poorly understood abnormality among stone
      formers. We aimed to identify hypercalciuric male stone formers with a primary
      defect in renal calcium reabsorption and to look for associated risk factors.
      METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional database study of 623 male idiopathic
      calcium stone formers with normal plasma ultrafilterable calcium levels attending
      the Southampton stone clinic. Filtered calcium was estimated from plasma
      ultrafilterable calcium (60% of total plasma calcium) and 24 h creatinine
      clearance. Reabsorbed calcium was the difference between filtered and excreted
      calcium. RESULTS: 276 men had hypercalciuria (urine calcium >7.50 mmol/24 h); 347
      had normocalciuria. Hypercalciuric men filtered more calcium than normocalciuric
      men: median values 247 and 227 mmol/24 h, but the ranges overlapped (175-371 and
      153-316 mmol/24 h). However, across the entire filtration range, hypercalciuric
      men reabsorbed less of the filtered calcium. Among the hypercalciuric men, we
      noticed differences between those with high and low filtration. We therefore
      compared data for hypercalciuric men in the highest and lowest filtration
      quintiles (n=55). Men with high filtration were younger at their first stone
      episode and had significantly higher plasma ultrafilterable calcium and calcium
      reabsorption, urinary calcium, oxalate, urate and creatinine excretion and
      creatinine clearance. 35% with high filtration and 40% with low filtration had
      recurrent stones; 27% and 20%, respectively, had an affected first-degree
      relative. CONCLUSIONS: Hypercalciuric men reabsorbed proportionately less
      filtered calcium than normocalciuric men. Among hypercalciuric men, the risks for
      stones were higher in those with a high than a low filtered calcium load and
      presentation was earlier.

PMID- 24218028
TI  - Association of HER1 amplification with poor prognosis in well differentiated
      gastric carcinomas.
AB  - AIMS: The pattern of E-cadherin expression and the HER1/HER2 status were studied
      in European patients with gastric carcinomas in relation with their
      differentiation and prognosis. METHODS: 82 gastric carcinomas (five papillary, 52
      tubular, 19 poorly cohesive and six mixed according to WHO classification) were
      investigated for E-cadherin distribution (normal: restricted to the membrane;
      abnormal: absent or cytoplasmic expression), HER1 and HER2 expression using
      HercepTest and amplification using fluorescent in situ hybridisation. Statistical
      analysis assessed the association between the markers and their correlation with
      clinicopathological parameters and follow-up information. RESULTS: Abnormal E
      cadherin distribution was found in 34 of the 82 gastric carcinomas (41%) (18/25
      poorly cohesive or mixed (72%); 16/57 papillary or tubular type (28%)). HER1
      overexpression (3+) and equivocal expression (2+) were found in five carcinomas
      (6%; four tubular and one poorly cohesive) and eight carcinomas (10%; six tubular
      and two poorly cohesive), respectively. HER2 overexpression (3+) and equivocal
      expression (2+) were found in seven carcinomas (8%; five papillary and two
      tubular) and three carcinomas (4%; three tubular), respectively. Amplification of
      HER1 or HER2 was detected in 14 gastric carcinomas (five papillary and nine
      tubular). All of them showed a normal E-cadherin distribution. In the univariate
      analysis, only HER1 amplification had a prognostic impact, while HER2
      amplification and E-cadherin expression/distribution were not per se
      prognostically relevant. CONCLUSIONS: E-cadherin immunostaining and HER1 in situ
      hybridisation define a group of well differentiated gastric carcinomas with poor
      prognosis eligible for an aggressive therapeutic approach.

PMID- 24218029
TI  - Association of systemic characteristics and histological variations in a case
      study of adult-onset asthma and periocular xanthogranuloma.

PMID- 24218031
TI  - Ambient fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and term birth weight in New
      York, New York.
AB  - Building on a unique exposure assessment project in New York, New York, we
      examined the relationship of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less
      than 2.5 MUm and nitrogen dioxide with birth weight, restricting the population
      to term births to nonsmokers, along with other restrictions, to isolate the
      potential impact of air pollution on growth. We included 252,967 births in 2008
      2010 identified in vital records, and we assigned exposure at the residential
      location by using validated models that accounted for spatial and temporal
      factors. Estimates of association were adjusted for individual and contextual
      sociodemographic characteristics and season, using linear mixed models to
      quantify the predicted change in birth weight in grams related to increasing
      pollution levels. Adjusted estimates for particulate matter with aerodynamic
      diameter less than 2.5 MUm indicated that for each 10-ug/m(3) increase in
      exposure, birth weights declined by 18.4, 10.5, 29.7, and 48.4 g for exposures in
      the first, second, and third trimesters and for the total pregnancy,
      respectively. Adjusted estimates for nitrogen dioxide indicated that for each 10
      ppb increase in exposure, birth weights declined by 14.2, 15.9, 18.0, and 18.0 g
      for exposures in the first, second, and third trimesters and for the total
      pregnancy, respectively. These results strongly support the association of urban
      air pollution exposure with reduced fetal growth. 

PMID- 24218032
TI  - Deviance detection based on regularity encoding along the auditory hierarchy:
      electrophysiological evidence in humans.
AB  - Detection of changes in the acoustic environment is critical for survival, as it
      prevents missing potentially relevant events outside the focus of attention. In
      humans, deviance detection based on acoustic regularity encoding has been
      associated with a brain response derived from the human EEG, the mismatch
      negativity (MMN) auditory evoked potential, peaking at about 100-200 ms from
      deviance onset. By its long latency and cerebral generators, the cortical nature
      of both the processes of regularity encoding and deviance detection has been
      assumed. Yet, intracellular, extracellular, single-unit and local-field potential
      recordings in rats and cats have shown much earlier (circa 20-30 ms) and
      hierarchically lower (primary auditory cortex, medial geniculate body, inferior
      colliculus) deviance-related responses. Here, we review the recent evidence
      obtained with the complex auditory brainstem response (cABR), the middle latency
      response (MLR) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) demonstrating that human auditory
      deviance detection based on regularity encoding-rather than on refractoriness
      occurs at latencies and in neural networks comparable to those revealed in
      animals. Specifically, encoding of simple acoustic-feature regularities and
      detection of corresponding deviance, such as an infrequent change in frequency or
      location, occur in the latency range of the MLR, in separate auditory cortical
      regions from those generating the MMN, and even at the level of human auditory
      brainstem. In contrast, violations of more complex regularities, such as those
      defined by the alternation of two different tones or by feature conjunctions
      (i.e., frequency and location) fail to elicit MLR correlates but elicit sizable
      MMNs. Altogether, these findings support the emerging view that deviance
      detection is a basic principle of the functional organization of the auditory
      system, and that regularity encoding and deviance detection is organized in
      ascending levels of complexity along the auditory pathway expanding from the
      brainstem up to higher-order areas of the cerebral cortex.

PMID- 24218030
TI  - Replication of breast cancer susceptibility loci in whites and African Americans
      using a Bayesian approach.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and candidate gene analyses have led to
      the discovery of several dozen genetic polymorphisms associated with breast
      cancer susceptibility, many of which are considered well-established risk factors
      for the disease. Despite attempts to replicate these same variant-disease
      associations in African Americans, the evaluable populations are often too small
      to produce precise or consistent results. We estimated the associations between
      83 previously identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and breast cancer
      among Carolina Breast Cancer Study (1993-2001) participants using maximum
      likelihood, Bayesian, and hierarchical methods. The selected SNPs were previous
      GWAS hits (n = 22), near-hits (n = 19), otherwise well-established risk loci (n =
      5), or located in the same genes as selected variants (n = 37). We successfully
      replicated 18 GWAS-identified SNPs in whites (n = 2,352) and 10 in African
      Americans (n = 1,447). SNPs in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene
      (FGFR2) and the TOC high mobility group box family member 3 gene (TOX3) were
      strongly associated with breast cancer in both races. SNPs in the mitochondrial
      ribosomal protein S30 gene (MRPS30), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase
      kinase 1 gene (MAP3K1), zinc finger, MIZ-type containing 1 gene (ZMIZ1), and H19,
      imprinted maternally expressed transcript gene (H19) were associated with breast
      cancer in whites, and SNPs in the estrogen receptor 1 gene (ESR1) and H19 gene
      were associated with breast cancer in African Americans. We provide precise and
      well-informed race-stratified odds ratios for key breast cancer-related SNPs. Our
      results demonstrate the utility of Bayesian methods in genetic epidemiology and
      provide support for their application in small, etiologically driven
      investigations. 

PMID- 24218033
TI  - Community-acquired respiratory viruses after lung transplantation: common,
      sometimes silent, potentially lethal.

PMID- 24218034
TI  - Trends in sickness certification of injured workers by general practitioners in
      Victoria, Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) play a critical role in facilitating
      injured workers return to work via their ability to certify capacity to return to
      employment. However, little is known about the sickness certification patterns of
      GPs in the context of workers' compensation claims. AIM: To determine if GPs'
      sickness certification behaviour has changed between 2003 and 2010 in Victoria,
      Australia. METHOD: Retrospective population-based cohort study of all injured
      workers with an accepted compensation claim. Sickness certification rates per
      1,000 working population per annum were calculated. General regression models
      adjusted for workers' age and annual claim number were fitted to summarize
      changes in count and duration (expressed as incidence rate ratios or IRRs) of
      unfit for work (UFW) versus alternate duties (ALT) certificates within six
      categories of work-related injury and disease. RESULTS: 92,134 UFW and 28,293 ALT
      certificates were identified. A significant decrease in the unadjusted annual
      certification rates per 1,000 working population was observed. However, after
      adjusting for the annual number of claims and age, the IRRs of certificates
      increased over time. The rate of injuries and IRRs of certificates varied across
      affliction categories, IRRs being higher in mental health conditions in women
      than in men (IRR: 0.40, 95 % CI 0.38-0.41 vs. IRR: 0.17, 95 % CI 0.16-0.18). The
      duration of certificates remained stable, with the ALT being longer than UFW
      certificates in all claimants. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that GPs in
      Victoria issue an increasing number of UFW sickness certificates each year.
      Further research is required to investigate the reasons for such practises.

PMID- 24218035
TI  - Low level of baseline circulating VEGF-A is associated with better outcome in
      patients with vascular sarcomas receiving sorafenib: an ancillary study from a
      phase II trial.
AB  - We have carried out a stratified phase II study of sorafenib (So) in patients
      with advanced angiosarcoma (n = 32) and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (n =
      13). This report concerns the correlative analysis of the predictive values of
      circulating pro/anti-angiogenetic biomarkers. Using the ELISA method (R&D
      Systems), circulating biomarkers (VEGF-A, in picograms per milliliter),
      thrombospondin-1 (TSP1, in micrograms per milliliter), stem cell factor (SCF, in
      picograms per milliliter), placental growth factor (PlGF, in picograms per
      milliliter), VEGF-C (in picograms per milliliter), and E-selectin (in nanograms
      per milliliter) were measured before So treatment and after 7 days. VEGF-A (mean
      value 475 vs. 541, p = 0.002), TSP1 (16 vs. 24, p = 0.0002), and PlGF (20.9 vs.
      40.7, p = 0.0001) significantly increased during the treatment. Treatment did not
      affect the levels of SCF, VEGF-C, and E-selectin. Only two biomarkers were
      associated with better outcome as follows: VEGF-A and PlGF. Best objective
      response and non-progression at 180 days were associated with low level of VEGF-A
      at baseline (p = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). There was a correlation between
      the circulating level of VEGF-A and time to progression (TTP) (r = -0.47, p =
      0.001). Best objective response and non-progression at 180 days were not
      associated with baseline level of PIGF, but there was a correlation between the
      circulating level of PIGF at baseline and TTP. Low level of VEGF-A at baseline
      (<500) was significantly associated with better outcome. 

PMID- 24218037
TI  - Association between left ventricular dysfunction, anemia, and chronic renal
      failure. Analysis of the Heart Failure Prevalence and Predictors in Turkey
      (HAPPY) cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anemia and chronic renal failure (CRF) are frequent comorbidities in
      patients with heart failure (HF), and they have been reported to be associated
      with increased mortality and hospitalization rates. HF, anemia, and CRF have been
      reported to interact with each other forming a vicious cycle termed cardio-renal
      anemia syndrome. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of
      HF, anemia, and CRF using data from the large-scale"Heart Failure Prevalence and
      Predictors in Turkey (HAPPY)" study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among the HAPPY
      cohort, 3,369 subjects who had either left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) or
      normal left ventricular function on echocardiography or normal serum NT-proBNP
      levels were included in this analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia and CRF
      was significantly higher in patients with LVD compared with subjects with normal
      ventricular function (20.7 % vs. 4.0 % and 19.0 % vs. 3.7 %, respectively; p <
      0.001 for each). Binary logistic regression analyses for the presence of LVD,
      anemia, and CRF demonstrated that each one was an independent predictor for the
      presence of the others. CONCLUSION: These findings point to the presence of
      cardio-renal-anemia syndrome and the necessity of treating these comorbidities in
      patients with HF.

PMID- 24218036
TI  - Analysis of heat-labile sites generated by reactions of depleted uranium and
      ascorbate in plasmid DNA.
AB  - The goal of this study was to characterize how depleted uranium (DU) causes DNA
      damage. Procedures were developed to assess the ability of organic and inorganic
      DNA adducts to convert to single-strand breaks (SSB) in pBR322 plasmid DNA in the
      presence of heat or piperidine. DNA adducts formed by methyl methanesulfonate,
      cisplatin, and chromic chloride were compared with those formed by reaction of
      uranyl acetate and ascorbate. Uranyl ion in the presence of ascorbate produced U
      DNA adducts that converted to SSB on heating. Piperidine, which acted on DNA
      methylated by methyl methanesulfonate to convert methyl-DNA adducts to SSB,
      served in the opposite fashion as U-DNA adducts by decreasing the level of SSB.
      The observation that piperidine also decreased the gel shift for metal-DNA
      adducts formed by monofunctional cisplatin and chromic chloride was interpreted
      to suggest that piperidine served to remove U-DNA adducts. Radical scavengers did
      not affect the formation of uranium-induced SSB, suggesting that SSB arose from
      the presence of U-DNA adducts and not from the presence of free radicals. A model
      is proposed to predict how U-DNA adducts may serve as initial lesions that
      convert to SSB or AP sites. The results suggest that DU can act as a chemical
      genotoxin that does not require radiation for its mode of action. Characterizing
      the DNA lesions formed by DU is necessary to assess the relative importance of
      different DNA lesions in the formation of DU-induced mutations. Understanding the
      mechanisms of formation of DU-induced mutations may contribute to identification
      of biomarkers of DU exposure in humans. 

PMID- 24218038
TI  - Futility rules in bioequivalence trials with sequential designs.
AB  - Health Canada, the US Food and Drug Administration, as well as the European
      Medicines Agency consider sequential designs acceptable for bioequivalence
      studies as long as the type I error is controlled at 5%. The EU guideline
      explicitly asks for specification of stopping rules, so the goal of this work is
      to investigate how stopping rules may affect type I errors and power for recently
      published sequential bioequivalence trial designs. Using extensive trial
      simulations, five different futility rules were evaluated for their effect on
      type I error rates and power in two-stage scenarios. Under some circumstances,
      notably low sample size in stage 1 and/or high variability power may be very
      severely affected by the stopping rules, whereas type I error rates appear less
      affected. Because applicants may initiate sequential studies when the variability
      is not known in advance, achieving sufficient power and thereby complying with
      certain guideline requirements may be challenging and application of optimistic
      futility rules could possibly be unethical. This is the first work to investigate
      how futility rules affect type I errors and power in sequential bioequivalence
      trials. 

PMID- 24218040
TI  - Relative peripheral defocus and myopic progression in children.

PMID- 24218039
TI  - Meta-analysis of Pentacam vs. ultrasound pachymetry in central corneal thickness
      measurement in normal, post-LASIK or PRK, and keratoconic or keratoconus-suspect
      eyes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the central corneal
      thickness (CCT) measurement differences between Pentacam (Oculus Inc., Germany)
      and Ultrasound Pachymetry (USP) in normal (unoperated eyes , myopic and
      astigmatic eyes without corneal disease or topographic irregularity), after laser
      in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and
      keratoconic or keratoconus suspected eyes. We assess whether Pentacam and USP
      have similar CCT differences in normal, thinner corneas after LASIK or PRK
      procedures, and kerotoconic or keratoconus suspected eyes. METHODS: Data sources,
      including PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled
      Trials on the Cochrane Library, were searched to find the relevant studies.
      Primary outcome measures were CCT measurement between Pentacam and USP. Three
      groups of eyes were analyzed: normal; LASIK or PRK eyes; and keratoconus
      suspected or keratoconic eyes. RESULTS: Nineteen studies describing 1,908 eyes
      were enrolled in the normal group. Pentacam results were 1.47 MUm ,95 %
      confidence interval (CI) -2.32 to 5.27, higher than USP without statistically
      significant difference (P = 0.45). Nine studies with total 539 eyes were included
      in the corneas after LASIK or PRK. The mean difference in the CCT measurement
      with Pentacam and ultrasound pachymetry was 1.03 MUm, with the 95 % CI -3.36 to
      5.42, there was no statistically difference (P = 0.64). Four studies with a total
      of 185 eyes were included in the keratoconic eyes or keratoconus-suspect group,
      however,the mean difference was -6.33 MUm (95 % CI -9.17 to-3.49), which was
      statistically different between Pentacam and ultrasound pachymetry in the CCT
      measurement (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Pentacam offers similar CCT results to
      ultrasound pachymetry in normal eyes, thinner corneas after LASIK or PRK
      procedures. However, in keratoconic or keratoconus-suspect eyes, Pentacam
      slightly underestimates the central corneal thickness than does ultrasound
      pachymetry, which may result from the difficulty in fixation of keratoconic eyes,
      misalignment of Pentacam and the variation of ultrasonic velocity due to the
      histological deformation.

PMID- 24218041
TI  - Increased intravitreal angiopoietin-2 levels associated with rhegmatogenous
      retinal detachment.
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore factors related to pathogenesis of rhegmatogenous retinal
      detachment (RRD) and development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR),
      vitreous levels of angiopoietin-1 and -2 (Ang-1 and -2), previously undefined in
      RRD, transforming growth factor-(TGF) beta1, vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF), erythropoietin (EPO) and proteolytic mediators of extracellular matrix
      remodelling (MMP-2 and -9) were compared in eyes with RRD and eyes with
      idiopathic macular hole or pucker. METHODS: Vitreous samples were collected from
      117 eyes with RRD (study group) and 40 eyes with macular hole or pucker (control
      group). Growth factors were measured by ELISA and matrix metalloproteinases
      (MMPs) by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: The mean vitreous concentrations of Ang-2,
      MMP-2, and MMP-9 were higher (all p < 0.01), whereas concentration of VEGF was
      lower (p = 0.01) in eyes with RRD relative to controls. Logistic regression
      analysis identified Ang-2 concentration as a novel marker of RRD (p = 0.0001, OR
      48.7). Ang-1, EPO, and total TGF-beta1 levels were not significantly different
      between the groups. However, TGF-beta1 and MMP-2 were increased in eyes with
      total RRD compared to those with local RRD (p <= 0.05). In eyes with PVR, no
      differences were observed in any studied marker as compared with non-PVR eyes.
      CONCLUSIONS: Current results reveal Ang-2 as a key factor upregulated in RRD. It
      may co-operate with fibrosis-associated factors and contribute to vascular
      complications such as breakdown of blood-eye barrier and PVR development.

PMID- 24218042
TI  - Pars plana vitrectomy for treatment of advanced Coats' disease--presentation of a
      modified surgical technique and long-term follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To present a modified surgical technique in the treatment of retinal
      detachment secondary to advanced Coats' disease in children, and report on long
      term anatomical and functional outcome. METHODS: We analysed an interventional
      case series of 13 patients (13 eyes) with advanced Coats' disease characterised
      by retinal detachment in addition to massive subretinal exudates and vascular
      malformation. The presented patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV),
      including a modified technique of exocryotherapy applied after fluid-air exchange
      in order to achieve complete treatment of the vascular changes, to reduce
      associated side-effects, and to avoid retinectomy and silicone oil tamponade.
      RESULTS: Within a median follow-up period of 37 months (range: 18-66 months), no
      enucleation was necessary. Four eyes (31 %) did not need any further therapy, and
      in nine eyes (69 %) additional treatments were performed. Six patients (46 %)
      required revisional surgery with silicone oil tamponade. In ten eyes (77 %), the
      pathologic vessels and exudates finally regressed and the retina reattached.
      Visual acuity (VA) could be stabilized in the majority of patients: in three eyes
      (27 %) VA improved, in four eyes (36 %) VA remained stable, in four eyes (36 %)
      visual acuity (VA) deteriorated, and in two eyes VA could not be evaluated.
      CONCLUSIONS: The presented modified technique allows for sufficient cryotherapy
      of vascular malformations, even in the presence of massive exudation, in a subset
      of patients with advanced Coats' disease, and thus may reduce surgery-related
      complications and improve the rehabilitation process of these young patients.

PMID- 24218043
TI  - Role of interleukin-1beta in hypoxia-induced depression of glutamate uptake in
      retinal Muller cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is suggested that hypoxic-ischemic retinal diseases induce loss of
      retinal ganglion cells. Excess glutamate release is involved in these conditions.
      A predominant function of Muller cells is to regulate glutamate levels, but in
      these diseases the function is compromised. The present study was performed to
      investigate the role of interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta)on the glutamate uptake in
      retinal Muller cells under hypoxia and to study the possible mechanism. METHODS:
      The levels of IL-1beta,Kir4.1, and GLAST in retinal Muller cells under hypoxia
      were analyzed by Western blotting and realtime-RT-PCR, and glutamate uptake assay
      was undertaken to investigate the activity of GLAST. After being treated with IL
      1betaunder normoxia, these proteins (Kir4.1 and GLAST) and their mRNAs, and
      glutamate uptake activity in Muller cells were investigated. To confirm the
      effect of IL-1betaon glutamate uptake activity in Muller cells, addition of IL
      1ra was used. RESULTS: Under hypoxia, Muller cells glutamate uptake, Kir4.1 and
      GLAST expressions were decreased significantly; however, IL-1betaexpression was
      increased. IL-1betatreatment induced depression of glutamate uptake, decrease of
      Kir4.1 and GLAST expressions in retinal Muller cells under normoxia. Moreover,
      addition of IL-1ra significantly ameliorated decreases in Kir4.1 and GLAST
      expressions, and compromise of glutamate uptake activity in retinal Muller cells
      under hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that decreases in Kir4.1 and
      GLAST expressions and depression of glutamate uptake in retinal Muller cells
      under hypoxia may be induced by the inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta.

PMID- 24218044
TI  - Piwi regulates Vasa accumulation during embryogenesis in the sea urchin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Piwi proteins are essential for germ line development, stem cell
      maintenance, and more recently found to function in epigenetic and somatic gene
      regulation. In the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, two Piwi proteins,
      Seawi and Piwi-like1, have been identified, yet their functional contributions
      have not been reported. RESULTS: Here we found that Seawi protein was localized
      uniformly in the early embryo and then became enriched in the primordial germ
      cells (PGCs) (the small micromere lineage) from blastula stage and thereafter.
      Morpholino knockdown of Sp-seawi diminished PGC-specific localization of Seawi
      proteins, and altered expression of other germ line markers such as Vasa and
      Gustavus, but had no effect on Nanos. Furthermore, Seawi knockdown transiently
      resulted in Vasa positive cell proliferation in the right coelomic pouch that
      appear to be derived from the small micromere lineage, yet they quickly
      disappeared with an indication of apoptosis by larval stage. Severe Seawi
      knockdown resulted in an increased number of apoptotic cells in the entire gut
      area. CONCLUSION: Piwi proteins appear to regulate PGC proliferation perhaps
      through control of Vasa accumulation. In this organism, Piwi is likely regulating
      mRNAs, not just transposons, and is potentially functioning both inside and
      outside of the germ line during embryogenesis.

PMID- 24218045
TI  - Computerized advice on drug dosage to improve prescribing practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maintaining therapeutic concentrations of drugs with a narrow
      therapeutic window is a complex task. Several computer systems have been designed
      to help doctors determine optimum drug dosage. Significant improvements in health
      care could be achieved if computer advice improved health outcomes and could be
      implemented in routine practice in a cost-effective fashion. This is an updated
      version of an earlier Cochrane systematic review, first published in 2001 and
      updated in 2008. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether computerized advice on drug dosage
      has beneficial effects on patient outcomes compared with routine care (empiric
      dosing without computer assistance). SEARCH METHODS: The following databases were
      searched from 1996 to January 2012: EPOC Group Specialized Register, Reference
      Manager; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Ovid;
      EMBASE, Ovid; and CINAHL, EbscoHost. A "top up" search was conducted for the
      period January 2012 to January 2013; these results were screened by the authors
      and potentially relevant studies are listed in Studies Awaiting Classification.
      The review authors also searched reference lists of relevant studies and related
      reviews. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials, non
      randomized controlled trials, controlled before-and-after studies and interrupted
      time series analyses of computerized advice on drug dosage. The participants were
      healthcare professionals responsible for patient care. The outcomes were any
      objectively measured change in the health of patients resulting from computerized
      advice (such as therapeutic drug control, clinical improvement, adverse
      reactions). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently
      extracted data and assessed study quality. We grouped the results from the
      included studies by drug used and the effect aimed at for aminoglycoside
      antibiotics, amitriptyline, anaesthetics, insulin, anticoagulants, ovarian
      stimulation, anti-rejection drugs and theophylline. We combined the effect sizes
      to give an overall effect for each subgroup of studies, using a random-effects
      model. We further grouped studies by type of outcome when appropriate (i.e. no
      evidence of heterogeneity). MAIN RESULTS: Forty-six comparisons (from 42 trials)
      were included (as compared with 26 comparisons in the last update) including a
      wide range of drugs in inpatient and outpatient settings. All were randomized
      controlled trials except two studies. Interventions usually targeted doctors,
      although some studies attempted to influence prescriptions by pharmacists and
      nurses. Drugs evaluated were anticoagulants, insulin, aminoglycoside antibiotics,
      theophylline, anti-rejection drugs, anaesthetic agents, antidepressants and
      gonadotropins. Although all studies used reliable outcome measures, their quality
      was generally low.This update found similar results to the previous update and
      managed to identify specific therapeutic areas where the computerized advice on
      drug dosage was beneficial compared with routine care:1. it increased target peak
      serum concentrations (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.79, 95% CI 0.46 to
      1.13) and the proportion of people with plasma drug concentrations within the
      therapeutic range after two days (pooled risk ratio (RR) 4.44, 95% CI 1.94 to
      10.13) for aminoglycoside antibiotics;2. it led to a physiological parameter more
      often within the desired range for oral anticoagulants (SMD for percentage of
      time spent in target international normalized ratio +0.19, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.33)
      and insulin (SMD for percentage of time in target glucose range: +1.27, 95% CI
      0.56 to 1.98);3. it decreased the time to achieve stabilization for oral
      anticoagulants (SMD -0.56, 95% CI -1.07 to -0.04);4. it decreased the
      thromboembolism events (rate ratio 0.68, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.94) and tended to
      decrease bleeding events for anticoagulants although the difference was not
      significant (rate ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.08). It tended to decrease
      unwanted effects for aminoglycoside antibiotics (nephrotoxicity: RR 0.67, 95% CI
      0.42 to 1.06) and anti-rejection drugs (cytomegalovirus infections: RR 0.90, 95%
      CI 0.58 to 1.40);5. it tended to reduce the length of time spent in the hospital
      although the difference was not significant (SMD -0.15, 95% CI -0.33 to 0.02) and
      to achieve comparable or better cost-effectiveness ratios than usual care;6.
      there was no evidence of differences in mortality or other clinical adverse
      events for insulin (hypoglycaemia), anaesthetic agents, anti-rejection drugs and
      antidepressants.For all outcomes, statistical heterogeneity quantified by I(2)
      statistics was moderate to high. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review update
      suggests that computerized advice for drug dosage has some benefits: it increases
      the serum concentrations for aminoglycoside antibiotics and improves the
      proportion of people for which the plasma drug is within the therapeutic range
      for aminoglycoside antibiotics.It leads to a physiological parameter more often
      within the desired range for oral anticoagulants and insulin. It decreases the
      time to achieve stabilization for oral anticoagulants. It tends to decrease
      unwanted effects for aminoglycoside antibiotics and anti-rejection drugs, and it
      significantly decreases thromboembolism events for anticoagulants. It tends to
      reduce the length of hospital stay compared with routine care while comparable or
      better cost-effectiveness ratios were achieved.However, there was no evidence
      that decision support had an effect on mortality or other clinical adverse events
      for insulin (hypoglycaemia), anaesthetic agents, anti-rejection drugs and
      antidepressants. In addition, there was no evidence to suggest that some decision
      support technical features (such as its integration into a computer physician
      order entry system) or aspects of organization of care (such as the setting)
      could optimize the effect of computerized advice.Taking into account the high
      risk of bias of, and high heterogeneity between, studies, these results must be
      interpreted with caution.

PMID- 24218046
TI  - Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of silver(I) and
      copper(II) complexes of phosphate derivatives of pyridine and benzimidazole.
AB  - Two silver(I) complexes--[Ag(4-pmOpe)]NO3}(n) and [Ag(2-bimOpe)2]NO3--and three
      copper(II) complexes--[Cu4Cl6O(2-bimOpe)4], [CuCl2(4-pmOpe)2], and [CuCl2(2
      bis(pm)Ope]--were synthesized by reaction of silver(I) nitrate or copper(II)
      chloride with phosphate derivatives of pyridine and benzimidazole, namely diethyl
      (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)phosphate (4-pmOpe), 1H-benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl diethyl
      phosphate (2-bimOpe), and ethyl bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)phosphate (2-bis(pm)Ope).
      These compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR as well as IR
      spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and ESIMS spectrometry. Additionally, molecular
      and crystal structures of {[Ag(4-pmOpe)]NO3}n and [Cu4Cl6O(2-bimOpe)4] were
      determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The antimicrobial
      profiles of synthesized complexes and free ligands against test organisms from
      the ATCC and clinical sources were determined. Silver(I) complexes showed good
      antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans strains (MIC values of ~19
      MUM). [Ag(2-bimOpe)2]NO3 was particularly active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, with MIC values of ~5 and
      ~10 MUM, respectively. Neither copper(II) complexes nor the free ligands
      inhibited the growth of test organisms at concentrations below 500 MUg mL-1.

PMID- 24218047
TI  - Hierarchical spatio-temporal mapping of premature mortality due to alcoholic
      liver disease in Hungary, 2005-2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Excess alcohol consumption is a major public health issue in Hungary,
      with high mortality rates from alcohol disease. In addition, excess alcohol
      consumption has been found to differ by socioeconomic and environmental factors.
      METHODS: The spatial pattern of mortality from alcoholic liver disease across
      Hungary for the period 2005 and 2010, at municipality level, was investigated by
      sex using Bayesian modelling. The changes in mortality over this 6-year period
      were analysed using hierarchical spatio-temporal disease mapping. The association
      between the spatial distribution of mortality from alcoholic liver disease and
      cirrhosis and deprivation (by sex) was also assessed using a Hungarian-specific
      deprivation index. RESULTS: A statistically significant association was found
      between mortality and deprivation status in males. Areas of significantly highest
      age-adjusted relative risks were found, for males, in the south-western part, and
      at the eastern border of the country. A number of areas showed area-specific
      trends that were significantly steeper than the national average mortality trend.
      CONCLUSION: Using our findings, population groups with increasing mortality
      trends were identified, which may help decision makers fund effective health
      promotion programmes to reduce mortality rates in the working-age population.

PMID- 24218048
TI  - The effect of naltrexone on body fat mass in olanzapine-treated schizophrenic or
      schizoaffective patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot
      study.
AB  - Olanzapine (OLZ), a commonly prescribed second generation antipsychotic drug, is
      associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome and may contribute to increased
      cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Opioidergic neurotransmission may be
      implicated in the development of these metabolic disturbances. The objective of
      this study was to assess the effects of opioid blockade on OLZ-treated patients'
      metabolic status. Patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n=30)
      on a stable dose of OLZ were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive an
      opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone (NTX), (n=14) or placebo (n=16). The
      primary outcome measure was the change in body mass index (BMI) at 12 weeks.
      Secondary measures included body fat and fat-free mass, along with homeostasis
      model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), plasma lipids and liver
      function tests (LFTs). There was no significant change in BMI between the
      treatment arms. However, in comparison to the OLZ + placebo combination, the OLZ
      + NTX group displayed a significant decrease in the fat and increase in fat-free
      mass along with a trend towards improvement in HOMA-IR values. There were no
      significant differences in plasma lipids and LFTs. These findings suggest that
      addition of NTX to OLZ may attenuate OLZ-induced body fat mass gain. A larger
      study of longer duration will be needed to confirm these results. 

PMID- 24218049
TI  - Solution NMR analysis of the interaction between the actinoporin sticholysin I
      and DHPC micelles--correlation with backbone dynamics.
AB  - Sticholysin I (StI), an actinoporin expressed as a water-soluble protein by the
      sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, binds to natural and model membranes,
      forming oligomeric pores. It is proposed that the first event of a multistep pore
      formation mechanism consists of the monomeric protein attachment to the lipid
      bilayer. To date there is no high-resolution structure of the actinoporin pore or
      other membrane-bound form available. Here we evaluated StI:micelle complexes of
      variable lipid composition to look for a suitable model for NMR studies. Micelles
      of pure or mixed lysophospholipids and of dihexanoyl phosphatidylcholine (DHPC)
      were examined. The StI:DHPC micelle was found to be the best system, yielding a
      stable sample and good quality spectra. A comprehensive chemical shift
      perturbation analysis was performed to map the StI membrane recognition site in
      the presence of DHPC micelles. The region mapped (residues F(51), R(52), S(53) in
      loop 3; F(107), D(108), Y(109), W(111), Y(112), W(115) in loop 7; Q(129), Y(132),
      D(134), M(135), Y(136), Y(137), G(138) in helix-alpha2) is in agreement with
      previously reported data, but additional residues were found to interact,
      especially residues V(81), A(82), T(83), G(84) in loop 5, and A(85), A(87) in
      strand-beta5. Backbone dynamics measurements of StI free in solution and bound to
      micelles highlighted the relevance of protein flexibility for membrane binding
      and suggested that a conformer selection process may take place during protein
      membrane interaction. We conclude that the StI:DHPC micelles system is a suitable
      model for further characterization of an actinoporin membrane-bound form by
      solution NMR.

PMID- 24218050
TI  - Use of the metastatic breast cancer progression (MBC-P) questionnaire to assess
      the value of progression-free survival for women with metastatic breast cancer.
AB  - While overall survival (OS) has historically been the primary endpoint for
      clinical trials in oncology, progression-free survival (PFS) has gained
      acceptance as a valuable surrogate endpoint. However, there are no known
      published reports about the value of PFS from the patient's perspective. We
      developed a questionnaire that included items regarding quality of life (QoL) and
      the importance of different treatment outcomes and presented hypothetical
      scenarios for which respondents were asked to indicate their preferences
      concerning treatments as they relate to PFS. 282 women with metastatic breast
      cancer (MBC), ranging in age from 21 to 80 years completed an online version of
      this questionnaire. The majority of women (66 %) had been diagnosed with MBC
      within the previous 3 years and 56 % had been told their MBC had progressed. When
      asked to rank five treatment characteristics from most important to least
      important, respondents ranked "extending PFS" as the second most important
      treatment outcome after OS. When presented with a hypothetical scenario of two
      women receiving different treatments, respondents preferred the treatment that
      resulted in longer PFS (16 vs. 12 months), even when OS and side effects were
      assumed to be equal. Specifically, when asked to consider which woman within the
      hypothetical scenario had better QoL, physical functioning, and emotional well
      being, respondents more often chose the woman who experienced longer PFS (QoL: 40
      vs. 6 %; physical functioning: 32 vs. 8 %; emotional well-being: 58 vs. 6 %)
      compared to the woman within the hypothetical scenario who had a shorter time of
      progression. Respondents rated their own QoL highest after being told their MBC
      was responding to treatment (mean score 76.6) versus after the initial diagnosis
      of breast cancer and MBC (68.5 and 60.3). These findings suggest that extending
      PFS is an important treatment outcome and, from a patient perspective, improves
      overall QoL, physical functioning, and emotional well-being.

PMID- 24218051
TI  - Role of HGF in obesity-associated tumorigenesis: C3(1)-TAg mice as a model for
      human basal-like breast cancer.
AB  - Obesity is associated with basal-like breast cancer (BBC), an aggressive breast
      cancer subtype. The objective of this study was to determine whether obesity
      promotes BBC onset in adulthood and to evaluate the role of stromal-epithelial
      interactions in obesity-associated tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that hepatocyte
      growth factor (HGF) plays a promoting role in BBC, which express the HGF
      receptor, c-Met. In C3(1)-T(Ag) mice, a murine model of BBC, we demonstrated that
      obesity leads to a significant increase in HGF secretion and an associated
      decrease in tumor latency. By immunohistochemical analysis, normal mammary gland
      exhibited obesity-induced HGF, c-Met and phospho-c-Met, indicating that the
      activation of the cascade was obesity-driven. HGF secretion was also increased
      from primary mammary fibroblasts isolated from normal mammary glands and tumors
      of obese mice compared to lean. These results demonstrate that obesity-induced
      elevation of HGF expression is a stable phenotype, maintained after several
      passages, and after removal of dietary stimulation. Conditioned media from
      primary tumor fibroblasts from obese mice drove tumor cell proliferation. In co
      culture, neutralization of secreted HGF blunted tumor cell migration, further
      linking obesity-mediated HGF-dependent effects to in vitro measures of tumor
      aggressiveness. In sum, these results demonstrate that HGF/c-Met plays an
      important role in obesity-associated carcinogenesis. Understanding the effects of
      obesity on risk and progression is important given that epidemiologic studies
      imply a portion of BBC could be eliminated by reducing obesity.

PMID- 24218052
TI  - Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy and survival: report from the National
      Cancer Data Base, 1998-2002.
AB  - The use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) has been increasing
      despite questionable survival benefit. We examined the effect of CPM on survival
      using the National Cancer Data Base. We examined overall survival on 219,983
      mastectomy patients diagnosed with unilateral AJCC Stage 1-III invasive breast
      cancer between 1998 and 2002 of which 14,994 (7 %) underwent CPM at the time of
      their index mastectomy. Median follow up time was 5 years. Neoadjuvant and
      locally advanced breast cancers were excluded. Approximately 4 % underwent CPM in
      1998 compared to 9.4 % in 2002, an ~125 % increase. CPM patients were
      significantly younger than non-CPM patients, on managed care plans, and were
      treated at high volume centers. The unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of death was
      0.55 (95 % CI 0.52-0.57) for CPM compared to unilateral mastectomy. In a
      multivariable Cox model adjusting for age, race, stage, grade, histology,
      insurance, facility characteristics, use of adjuvant hormonal, chemotherapy, and
      radiotherapy, and year of diagnosis, the adjusted HR was 0.88 (95 % CI 0.83-0.93;
      p < 0.001) which translated into an absolute 5-year benefit of 2 %. There was a
      differential effect of CPM by stage and age: HR = 0.88 (95 % CI 0.82-0.94; p <
      0.001) in women younger than 70 with stage I/II, and HR = 0.95 (95 % CI 0.88
      1.04; p = 0.28) in women with stage III or older than age 69 which translated
      into an absolute 5-year benefit of 1.3 %. Utilization of hormonal therapy or
      chemotherapy had no effect on the HR. After adjusting for confounding, the
      overall survival benefit for CPM is minimal at best.

PMID- 24218053
TI  - Riociguat: first global approval.
AB  - Riociguat (Adempas((r))), an oral first-in-class soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)
      stimulator, is under global development by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
      for the treatment of adult patients with inoperable or chronic/persistent chronic
      thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and for the treatment of adult
      patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The drug directly stimulates
      sGC in a nitric oxide independent manner, thereby increasing the sensitivity of
      sGC to nitric oxide, leading to increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate
      generation (a key signalling molecule involved in regulating vascular tone,
      proliferation, fibrosis and inflammation). Riociguat is the world's first
      approved pharmacotherapy for CTEPH, with its first global approval in this
      indication occurring in Canada. It has subsequently been approved in the USA for
      the treatment of patients with CTEPH and also received its first global approval
      in patients with PAH in the USA. It is undergoing regulatory review for these
      indications in Europe and for use in patients with CTEPH in Japan. This article
      summarizes the milestones in the development of riociguat, leading to its first
      global approvals in patients with CTEPH and PAH. 

PMID- 24218054
TI  - Morphological structure processing during word recognition and its relationship
      to character reading among third-grade Chinese children.
AB  - In the present study, we explored the characteristics of morphological structure
      processing during word recognition among third grade Chinese children and its
      possible relationship with Chinese character reading. By using the modified
      priming lexical decision paradigm, a significant morphological structure priming
      effect was found in the subject analysis when reaction time difference was
      considered as dependent variable. In the regression analyses, the children's
      implicit morphological structure processing demonstrated a significant effect on
      Chinese character reading, even though its effect became non-significant when
      morphological awareness was entered. We achieved this result after controlling
      for the children's age, non-verbal intelligence, and phonological awareness.
      These findings indicate that third grade Chinese children are sensitive to
      morphological structure information in the processing of compound words.
      Moreover, such sensitivity is, to some extent, a good predictor of Chinese
      children's word reading performance. 

PMID- 24218055
TI  - The effect of alcohol on speech production.
AB  - The present study investigates the effect of acute alcohol consumption on speech
      in Hungarian subjects. The measures used to reveal these effects were tongue
      twisters, which were grouped according to their linguistic features. The number
      and type of speech errors while uttering the tongue-twisters were compared
      between intoxicated and sober conditions. The results showed that subjects made
      more speech errors in alcohol influenced than in sober states in all types of the
      tongue-twisters except for those using foreign words. Changes in the articulation
      rate, number of pauses and fundamental frequency were investigated as well. In
      the intoxicated state, no changes were observed in fundamental frequency and
      articulation rate, while the number of pauses increased. 

PMID- 24218057
TI  - Cigarette graphic warning labels and smoking prevalence in Canada: a critical
      examination and reformulation of the FDA regulatory impact analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The estimated effect of cigarette graphic warning labels (GWL) on
      smoking rates is a key input to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)
      regulatory impact analysis (RIA), required by law as part of its rule-making
      process. However, evidence on the impact of GWLs on smoking prevalence is scarce.
      OBJECTIVE: The goal of this paper is to critically analyse FDA's approach to
      estimating the impact of GWLs on smoking rates in its RIA, and to suggest a path
      forward to estimating the impact of the adoption of GWLs in Canada on Canadian
      national adult smoking prevalence. METHODS: A quasi-experimental methodology was
      employed to examine the impact of adoption of GWLs in Canada in 2000, using the
      USA as a control. FINDINGS: We found a statistically significant reduction in
      smoking rates after the adoption of GWLs in Canada in comparison with the USA.
      Our analyses show that implementation of GWLs in Canada reduced smoking rates by
      2.87-4.68 percentage points, a relative reduction of 12.1-19.6%; 33-53 times
      larger than FDA's estimates of a 0.088 percentage point reduction. We also
      demonstrated that FDA's estimate of the impact was flawed because it is highly
      sensitive to the changes in variable selection, model specification, and the time
      period analysed. CONCLUSIONS: Adopting GWLs on cigarette packages reduces smoking
      prevalence. Applying our analysis of the Canadian GWLs, we estimate that if the
      USA had adopted GWLs in 2012, the number of adult smokers in the USA would have
      decreased by 5.3-8.6 million in 2013. Our analysis demonstrates that FDA's
      approach to estimating the impact of GWLs on smoking rates is flawed. Rectifying
      these problems before this approach becomes the norm is critical for FDA's
      effective regulation of tobacco products.

PMID- 24218058
TI  - Quality-by-design: are we there yet?
AB  - In 2012, the Quality-by-Design and Product Performance Focus Group of AAPS
      conducted a survey to assess the state of adoption and perception of Quality-by
      Design (QbD). Responses from 149 anonymous individuals from industry-including
      consultants-(88%), academia (7%), and regulatory body (4%), were collected. A
      majority of respondents (54% to 76%) reported high frequency of utilization of
      several tools and most QbD elements outlined by International Conference on
      Harmonization Q8, with design of experiments, risk assessment, and the quality
      target product profile ranked as the top three. Over two thirds of respondents
      agreed that the benefits of QbD included both the positive impact it can have on
      the patient (78%), as well as on internal processes such as knowledge management
      (85%), decision making (79%), and lean manufacture (71%). However, more than 50%
      from industry were neutral about or disagreed with QbD leading to a better return
      on investment. This suggests that, despite the recognized scientific,
      manufacture, and patient-related benefits, there is not yet a clearly articulated
      business case for QbD available. There was a difference of opinion between
      industry and regulatory agency respondents as to whether a QbD-based submission
      resulted in increased efficiency of review. These contrasting views reinforce the
      idea that QbD implementation can benefit from further dialog between industry and
      regulatory authorities. A majority of respondents from academia indicated that
      QbD has influenced their research. In total, the results indicate the broad
      adoption of QbD but also suggest we are yet in a journey and that the process of
      gathering all experience and metrics required for connecting and demonstrating
      QbD benefits to all stakeholders is still in progress.

PMID- 24218060
TI  - Evaluation of the effect of food and beverages on enamel and restorative
      materials by SEM and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine different types of restorative materials used in children
      as well as primary and permanent teeth enamel when affected by erosive foods.
      MATERIALS AND METHOD: Buttermilk, fruit yoghurt, Coca-cola, fruit juice, Filtek Z
      250, Dyract Extra, Fuji II LC, and Fuji IX and tooth enamel were used.
      Measurements were performed on 1-day, 1-week, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month time
      periods by using ATR-FTIR technique and surface of the specimens were examined
      with SEM. RESULTS: Permanent tooth showed the least change among human tooth
      samples when compared to restorative materials. Among filler materials, the most
      change was observed in Fuji IX. In terms of beverages the most changes on
      absorption peaks obtained from spectra were seen on the samples held in Coca-Cola
      and orange-juice. CONCLUSION: The exposure of human enamel and restorative
      materials to acidic drinks may accelerate the degradation process and so reduce
      the life time of filler materials at equivalent integral exposure times longer
      than three months. Clinical Relevance Erosive foods and drinks having acidic
      potential destroy not only tooth enamel but also restorative materials.

PMID- 24218059
TI  - Functional identification of multiple nucleocytoplasmic trafficking signals in
      the broad-spectrum resistance protein RPW8.2.
AB  - Nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and nuclear export signals (NESs) are
      important intramolecular regulatory elements for protein nucleocytoplasmic
      trafficking. This regulation confers spatial specificity to signal initiation and
      transduction in eukaryotic cells and thus is fundamental to the viability of all
      eukaryotic organisms. Here, we developed a simple and rapid method in which
      activity of putative NLSs or NESs was reported by subcellular localization of two
      tandem fluorescent proteins in fusion with the respective NLSs or NESs after
      agroinfiltration-mediated transient expression in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana
      (Nb). We further demonstrated that the predicted NES from amino acid residue (aa)
      9 to 22 and the NLS from aa91 to 101 in the broad-spectrum disease resistance
      protein RPW8.2 possess nuclear export and import activity, respectively.
      Additionally, by testing overlapping fragments covering the full length of
      RPW8.2, we identified another NLS from aa65 to 74 with strong nuclear import
      activity and two tandem non-canonical NESs in the C-terminus with strong nuclear
      export activity. Taken together, our results demonstrated the utility of a simple
      method to evaluate potential NLSs and NESs in plant cells and suggested that
      RPW8.2 may be subject to opposing nucleocytoplasmic trafficking forces for its
      subcellular localization and functional execution. 

PMID- 24218061
TI  - Dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine-based donor-acceptor aromatic heterocyclic
      compounds with thienyl and triphenylamino chromophores at the 2,7- and/or 10,13
      positions.
AB  - A series of T- and H-shaped donor-acceptor (D-A) types of dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'
      c]phenazine (DPPZ)-based molecules, extended by thienyl and triphenylamino
      chromophores at the 2,7-(bottom) and/or 10,13-positions (top), have been designed
      and prepared successfully. Synthetic, structural, thermal, spectral, and
      computational comparisons have been carried out for related compounds because of
      their adjustable intramolecular charge-transfer properties. It is noted that a
      pair of structural isomers (5 and 6) has been obtained, respectively, where
      distinguishable UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra, electrochemical activity,
      thermal stability, and bandgaps are observed. Furthermore, compounds 6, 8, 10,
      11, 13, and 15 exhibit excellent thermal stability, and the Td10 values for them
      are found to range from 524 to 646  degrees C, which can be regarded as one of
      the best groups of thermally stable compounds among organic small molecules. In
      addition, theoretical calculations were performed, and the structure-property
      relationships were examined to reveal the effects of the position and number of
      donor arms on the DPPZ acceptor core.

PMID- 24218062
TI  - Nurse-led versus doctor-led preoperative assessment for elective surgical
      patients requiring regional or general anaesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The organization of elective surgical services has changed in recent
      years, with increasing use of day surgery, reduced hospital stay and preoperative
      assessment (POA) performed in an outpatient clinic rather than by a doctor in a
      hospital ward after admission. Nurse specialists often lead these clinic-based
      POA services and have responsibility for assessing a patient's fitness for
      anaesthesia and surgery and organizing any necessary investigations or referrals.
      These changes offer many potential benefits for patients, but it is important to
      demonstrate that standards of patient care are maintained as nurses take on these
      responsibilities. OBJECTIVES: We wished to examine whether a nurse-led service
      rather than a doctor-led service affects the quality and outcome of preoperative
      assessment (POA) for elective surgical participants of all ages requiring
      regional or general anaesthesia. We considered the evidence that POA led by
      nurses is equivalent to that led by doctors for the following outcomes:
      cancellation of the operation for clinical reasons; cancellation of the operation
      by the participant; participant satisfaction with the POA; gain in participant
      knowledge or information; perioperative complications within 28 days of surgery,
      including mortality; and costs of POA. We planned to investigate whether there
      are differences in quality and outcome depending on the age of the participant,
      the training of staff or the type of surgery or anaesthesia provided. SEARCH
      METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
      (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and two trial registers on 13 February 2013, and
      performed reference checking and citation searching to identify additional
      studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of
      participants (adults or children) scheduled for elective surgery requiring
      general, spinal or epidural anaesthesia that compared POA, including assessment
      of physical status and anaesthetic risk, undertaken or led by nursing staff with
      that undertaken or led by doctors. This assessment could have taken place in any
      setting, such as on a ward or in a clinic. We included studies in which the
      comparison assessment had taken place in a different setting. Because of the
      variation in service provision, we included two separate comparison groups:
      specialist doctors, such as anaesthetists; and non-specialist doctors, such as
      interns. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological approaches
      as expected by The Cochrane Collaboration, including independent review of
      titles, data extraction and risk of bias assessment by two review authors. MAIN
      RESULTS: We identified two eligible studies, both comparing nurse-led POA with
      POA led by non-specialist doctors, with a total of 2469 participants. One study
      was randomized and the other quasi-randomized. Blinding of staff and participants
      to allocation was not possible. In both studies, all participants were
      additionally assessed by a specialist doctor (anaesthetist in training), who
      acted as the reference standard. In neither study did participants proceed from
      assessment by nurse or junior doctor to surgery. Neither study reported on
      cancellations of surgery, gain in participant information or knowledge or
      perioperative complications. Reported outcomes focused on the accuracy of the
      assessment. One study undertook qualitative assessment of participant
      satisfaction with the two forms of POA in a small number of non-randomly selected
      participants (42 participant interviews), and both groups of participants
      expressed high levels of satisfaction with the care received. This study also
      examined economic modelling of costs of the POA as performed by the nurse and by
      the non-specialist doctor based on the completeness of the assessment as noted in
      the study and found no difference in cost. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Currently, no
      evidence is available from RCTs to allow assessment of whether nurse-led POA
      leads to an increase or a decrease in cancellations or perioperative
      complications or in knowledge or satisfaction among surgical participants. One
      study, which was set in the UK, reported equivalent costs from economic models.
      Nurse-led POA is now widespread, and it is not clear whether future RCTs of this
      POA strategy are feasible. A diagnostic test accuracy review may provide useful
      information.

PMID- 24218063
TI  - Multicenter study of Blount disease in Japan by the Japanese Pediatric
      Orthopaedic Association.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to investigate the epidemiology and features of Blount
      disease in Japan, the Japanese Pediatric Orthopaedic Association conducted a
      multicenter study on Blount disease in 2003. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to
      1,350 training hospitals of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association. This study
      included those with stage I or II diagnosed between 1990 and 2002 and those with
      stage III or higher diagnosed between 1980 and 2002 based on the Langenskiold
      classification. The questionnaire items included age at diagnosis, sex, presence
      or absence of a family history of bowlegs, past history of trauma, birthplace,
      age when starting to walk, height and weight at the initial presentation,
      laterality of the affected knee, disease types (infantile or adolescent),
      treatments, and plain radiographic findings. RESULTS: The results for 212
      patients with 296 affected knees were obtained. The disease types were infantile
      in 190 patients with 270 affected knees and adolescent in 22 patients with 26
      affected knees. There were more girls among cases with both types. Among the
      infantile-type cases, there were more patients with bilaterally affected knees;
      however, in the adolescent-type cases, there were more patients with unilaterally
      affected knees. Patients with either type tended to be obese at diagnosis. There
      was little difference in age at which patients with either type started to walk,
      compared with the mean age for the general population. Conservative treatment was
      applied to most infantile-type cases in stage I or II, whereas surgery was
      performed in all but one of those with stage III or IV of the disease. Most
      adolescent-type cases underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first
      multicenter study on Blount disease in Japan. Among 296 knees, the majority of
      these knees had stage I or II Blount disease. Very few cases had stage III or
      higher disease, and there were 35 knees with the infantile type and 19 with the
      adolescent type in the 23 years from 1980 through 2002.

PMID- 24218064
TI  - Overactive bladder in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a new disease concept defined by the
      International Continence Society in 2002. There have been no reports of OAB among
      patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy assessed on the basis of symptom
      questionnaires. METHODS: One-hundred-and-six patients diagnosed with cervical
      spondylotic myelopathy and treated by use of laminoplasty were examined. The
      patients were classified into two groups, those identified as having OAB (OAB
      group) and those identified as not having OAB (non-OAB group), by use of the
      Overactive Bladder Symptom Score collected before and 1 year after surgery. The
      clinical results for the two groups were assessed. OAB symptom prevalence and
      post-operative symptom improvement were investigated 1 year postoperatively.
      RESULTS: Of the 106 patients, 50 were identified as having OAB (symptom
      prevalence 47.2%). Of these 50 patients, symptom improvement was observed for
      only 14 (28%) 1 year after surgery. For both groups good improvement on the basis
      of the Japanese Orthopedic Association score was observed 1 year postoperatively,
      but there were no significant differences between them. CONCLUSIONS: Post
      operative improvement of OAB symptoms in cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients
      was low, which indicated that OAB was most frequently attributable to non
      neurogenic and idiopathic, but not neurogenic, causes. It is considered necessary
      to tell patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy that the possibility of
      post-operative OAB symptom improvement is not high when the explanation for
      informed consent is given before the operation.

PMID- 24218065
TI  - Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 homolog CED-9 in Caenorhabditis elegans: dynamics of BH3 and
      CED-4 binding regions and comparison with mammalian antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins.
AB  - Proteins belonging to Bcl-2 family regulate intrinsic cell death pathway.
      Although mammalian antiapoptotic Bcl-2 members interact with multiple
      proapoptotic proteins, the Caenorhabditis elegans Bcl-2 homolog CED-9 is known to
      have only two proapoptotic partners. The BH3-motif of proapoptotic proteins bind
      to the hydrophobic groove of prosurvival proteins formed by the Bcl-2 helical
      fold. CED-9 is also known to interact with CED-4, a homolog of the human cell
      death activator Apaf1. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of CED-9
      in two forms and compared the results with those of mammalian counterparts Bcl
      XL, Bcl-w, and Bcl-2. Our studies demonstrate that the region forming the
      hydrophobic cleft is more flexible compared with the CED-4-binding region, and
      this is generally true for all antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins studied. CED-9 is the
      most stable protein during simulations and its hydrophobic pocket is relatively
      rigid explaining the absence of functional redundancy in CED-9. The BH3-binding
      region of Bcl-2 is less flexible among the mammalian proteins and this lends
      support to the studies that Bcl-2 binds to less number of BH3 peptides with high
      affinity. The C-terminal helix of CED-9 lost its helical character because of a
      large number of charged residues. We speculate that this region probably plays a
      role in intracellular localization of CED-9. The BH4-motif accessibility in CED-9
      and Bcl-w is controlled by the loop connecting the first two helices. Although
      CED-9 adopts the same Bcl-2 fold, our studies highlight important differences in
      the dynamic behavior of CED-9 and mammalian antiapoptotic homologs.

PMID- 24218066
TI  - A statistical model for intervertebral disc degeneration: determination of the
      optimal T2 cut-off values.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of quantitative
      classification in intervertebral disc degeneration using spin-spin relaxation
      time (T2) cut-off values with regard to morphological classifications. METHODS:
      Lumbar magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 21 subjects (a total of
      104 lumbar disks). The T2 relaxation time was measured in the nucleus pulposus
      using a sagittal multi-echo spin-echo sequence. The morphological classification
      of disc degeneration was assessed independently by three experienced
      neuroradiologists according to the Pfirrmann and Schneiderman classifications.
      Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed among grades to
      determine T2 cut-off values in each classification. Intra- and interobserver
      differences were calculated using kappa statistics. RESULTS: Moderate overall
      interobserver agreement was found between observers in both the Pfirrmann and
      Schneiderman classification schemes (kappa 0.46 and 0.51), while intraobserver
      reliability was substantial to almost perfect. The interobserver reliability was
      only fair in Pfirrmann grades III and IV (kappa 0.33 and 0.36), but the T2 cut
      off values still indicated a significant difference between grades (p<0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement of MR evaluation in patients with
      intervertebral disc degeneration was only fair to moderate on the classification
      of more severe disc degeneration in the Pfirrmann and Schneiderman schemes. Based
      on our results, quantitative T2 cut-off values seem to be a more reliable method
      to define the degree of disc degeneration, which may help staging intervertebral
      disc degeneration (IVDD) even if the interobserver reliability is low.

PMID- 24218067
TI  - Subjective social status, immigrant generation, and cannabis and alcohol use
      among adolescents.
AB  - Research indicates that subjective perceptions of socioeconomic status (SES)
      affect aspects of health and behavior. There has been little research attention
      to how objective (e.g., education) and subjective aspects of SES may differ in
      their influence on the substance use of adolescent immigrants. The present study
      examined whether the associations between subjective SES and substance use, and
      between parental education and substance use varied by immigrant generation. Data
      were derived from the 2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, a
      representative survey of students in the 7th to 12th grade. The sample for this
      study consisted of 9177 students 12-19 years of age; 48.4 % were female, 66.4 %
      were White/European, 5.2 % Black/Afro-Caribbean, 16.4 % Asian and 12 % other.
      Results indicated that subjective SES was more strongly associated with cannabis
      and alcohol use among first-generation immigrants than among adolescents of other
      immigrant generations even after adjusting for parental education. First
      generation immigrants with low subjective SES had a lower probability of cannabis
      and regular alcohol use, but there was no difference in use between immigrant
      generations at high subjective SES. The associations between parental education
      and cannabis and alcohol use did not significantly vary with immigrant
      generation. The findings highlight the importance of status beliefs among
      adolescents, particularly among first-generation immigrants, and suggest that
      further research attention to such beliefs would enhance our understanding of SES
      and its links to adolescent health risk behaviors. 

PMID- 24218068
TI  - Throwing in the dark: improved prediction of action outcomes following motor
      training without vision of the action.
AB  - Traditional models of action understanding emphasise the idea that long-term
      exposure to a wide array of visual patterns of particular actions allows for
      effective action anticipation or prediction. More recently, a greater emphasis
      has been placed on the motor system's role in the perceptual understanding and
      prediction of action outcomes. There have been attempts to isolate the
      contributions of visual and motor experience in action prediction, but to date,
      these studies have relied on comparisons of motor-visual experience to visual
      only (observational) experience. We conducted a learning study, where visual
      experience was directly manipulated during practice. Novice participants
      practised throwing darts to 3 specific areas of a dartboard. A group trained
      without vision of their action, only feedback about the final landing position,
      significantly improved in their ability to predict the landing position of a
      thrown dart, from temporally occluded video clips. The performance of this 'no
      vision' group did not differ from a Full-vision group and was significantly more
      accurate than an observation-only and a no-practice control group (with the
      latter two groups not improving pre- to post-practice). These results suggest
      that motor experience specifically modulates the perceptual prediction of action
      outcomes. This is thought to occur through simulative mechanisms, whereby
      observed actions are mapped onto the observer's own motor representations. 

PMID- 24218070
TI  - FIT testing: an overview.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common, but preventable, disease and is the second
      most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. CRC screening has proven
      effective at reducing both the incidence and mortality of this disease, using any
      of a number of screening tests available. The test options range from the least
      invasive and least expensive to more invasive and costly options. Fecal occult
      blood testing is the oldest, least expensive, and least invasive of these options
      and has evolved from the poorly sensitive standard guaiac test to the newer and
      diagnostically superior fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for hemoglobin. This
      article explores the evolutionary history of fecal occult blood testing, examines
      test performance characteristics among different FOBTs, and evaluates the role of
      the FIT in programmatic CRC screening. 

PMID- 24218069
TI  - Fas gene variants in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and association with
      prognosis.
AB  - Fas molecule is one of the main important molecules involved in apoptotic cell
      death. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter of Fas gene at positions 
      1377G/A and -670 A/G may affect its expression and play an important role in the
      pathology of leukemia. In the present study the association between these
      polymorphisms and risk of the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
      in children with ALL compared to cancer-free control subjects was examined by
      polymerase chain reaction- based restriction fragment length polymorphism. The
      relationship between the polymorphisms and clinical and laboratory features of
      the patients and response to therapy were determined. No significant differences
      in genotype and allele frequencies between the patients and the control subjects
      at positions -670 and -1377 were detected. Evaluation of the prognostic factors
      revealed an association between the GG genotype at position -670 and liver
      involvement in ALL patients (p < 0.04). Although patients with -1377 AA genotype
      showed shorter mean complete remission duration, the result of survival analysis
      did not reach to be significant. In conclusion, results of this study showed no
      contribution of Fas genotypes at positions -670 and -1377 to risk of ALL in
      children. The association of Fas GG genotype at position -670 with liver
      involvement in the patients may show its important role in prognosis of ALL.

PMID- 24218071
TI  - Academics and competing interests in H1N1 influenza media reporting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concerns have been raised over competing interests (CoI) among
      academics during the 2009 to 2010 A/H1N1 pandemic. Media reporting can influence
      public anxiety and demand for pharmaceutical products. We assessed CoI of
      academics providing media commentary during the early stages of the pandemic.
      METHODS: We performed a retrospective content analysis of UK newspaper articles
      on A/H1N1 influenza, examining quoted sources. We noted when academics made a
      risk assessment of the pandemic and compared this with official estimations. We
      also looked for promotion or rejection of the use of neuraminidase inhibitors or
      H1N1-specific vaccine. We independently searched for CoI for each academic.
      RESULTS: Academics were the second most frequently quoted source after Ministers
      of Health. Where both academics and official agencies estimated the risk of H1N1,
      one in two academics assessed the risk as higher than official predictions. For
      academics with CoI, the odds of a higher risk assessment were 5.8 times greater
      than those made by academics without CoI (Wald p value=0.009). One in two
      academics commenting on the use of neuraminidase inhibitors or vaccine had CoI.
      The odds of CoI in academics promoting the use of neuraminidase inhibitors were
      8.4 times greater than for academics not commenting on their use (Fisher's exact
      p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of CoI among academics providing media
      commentary during the early H1N1 pandemic. Heightened risk assessments, combined
      with advocacy for pharmaceutical products to counter this risk, may lead to
      increased public anxiety and demand. Academics should declare, and journalists
      report, relevant CoI for media interviews.

PMID- 24218072
TI  - Predictors of help-seeking behaviour among women exposed to violence in Nigeria:
      a multilevel analysis to evaluate the impact of contextual and individual
      factors.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To simultaneously examine contextual and individual-level predictors
      of help-seeking behaviour among women exposed to physical and sexual violence in
      Nigeria. DESIGN: A multi-level cross-sectional study. We fit three 3-level random
      intercepts models to examine contextual and individual-level characteristics
      associated with help seeking, simultaneously. SETTING: Nigerian Demographic and
      Health Survey for 2008. PARTICIPANTS: 5553 women (15-49 years) who reported
      physical or sexual violence, drawn from 23 715 women in the Nigerian Demographic
      and Health Survey that responded to questions on violence exposure. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Help seeking to prevent future victimisation was based on self-report.
      RESULTS: In our sample of women exposed to physical and sexual violence, 39.7%
      reported that they sought help to stop the perpetrator from hurting them again.
      Rates of help seeking were geographically patterned by state (range: 12% to 65%).
      State-level development, measured by the Human Development Index (z-score), was
      positively associated with help seeking (OR=1.30, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.61), after
      adjusting for individual-level characteristics. State-level prevalence of
      violence against women (z-score) was negatively associated with help-seeking
      (OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.84), suggesting that service providers who may target
      their programmes to areas with high prevalence of violence, may need to
      simultaneously address barriers to help seeking. Few individual-level
      characteristics were associated with help seeking, including wealth, marital
      status, employment status, ethnicity, history of witnessing domestic violence and
      relationship to perpetrator. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to support female survivors of
      violence should consider broader social and contextual determinants that are
      associated with help-seeking behaviours.

PMID- 24218073
TI  - Prenatal exposure to alcohol, and gender differences on child mental health at
      age seven years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It remains uncertain whether exposure to lower doses of alcohol is
      damaging to the developing fetus. The present study aimed to investigate
      associations for boys and girls between prenatal exposure to binge drinking and
      lower doses of alcohol in pregnancy, and parent-reported behavioural and
      emotional development at age seven. METHODS: This study used data from the Danish
      National Birth Cohort. Associations between cumulated alcohol exposure and binge
      drinking from full pregnancy and parent scores on the Strengths and Difficulties
      Questionnaire (SDQ) measured at age seven were investigated. The SDQ was used as
      continuous externalising/internalising scores, and as above/below cut-off for the
      specific scales of hyperactivity/inattention, conduct, emotional and peer
      problems. Inclusion criteria were information on alcohol exposure from three
      interviews, SDQ scores at age seven and being born full term (n=37 152). RESULTS:
      Controlling for relevant confounders, small positive associations were observed
      between binge drinking and internalising (relative change in mean: 1.04-1.06),
      externalising scores (relative change in mean: 1.01-1.07), and conduct scores (OR
      1.12 to 1.23) for boys. No associations were observed with lower doses of
      alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to binge drinking is weakly associated with
      impaired behavioural and emotional development measured at age seven. Large
      differences in background characteristics were observed between the groups
      defined by cumulated alcohol exposure, leaving the interpretations of findings
      uncertain.

PMID- 24218074
TI  - Trends in serum lipids among 5th grade CARDIAC participants, 2002-2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and non
      high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL-C) have recently declined in the U.S.A. among
      adult and child populations despite high obesity prevalence rates. The purpose of
      this study was to assess whether there was a significant linear decrease in LDL-C
      and non-HDL-C, but not Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile among a cross-sectional,
      large, homogenous cohort with consistent methodology over the past decade.
      METHODS: A total of 47,198 children, mostly between 10 and 11 years old,
      participating between 2002 and 2012 were examined to assess trends in serum lipid
      concentration and BMI percentile. RESULTS: For LDL-C, year of screening was
      significant (p<0.0001) even with the inclusion of gender, age and BMI (all
      p<0.0001). For non-HDL-C, year of screening was also significant (p<0.0001), even
      with the inclusion of gender (p=0.0445), age (p<0.0001), BMI (p<0.0001) and
      systolic blood pressure (p=0.0021). Although some non-linear trends were also
      significant (e.g., a quartic trend, p<0.001), the linear trend provided the best
      fit for both cholesterol models. By comparison, we noted general maintenance of
      BMI percentile over time. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2002 and 2012, among 5th grade
      Appalachian children, there was a consistent linear decrease in LDL-C and non-HDL
      C despite continued high prevalence rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
      The improvement in LDL-C and non-HDL-C could be due to multifactorial causes.

PMID- 24218075
TI  - Highlight: on the origin of the sexes.

PMID- 24218076
TI  - Axonal hyperexcitability after combined NGF sensitization and UV-B inflammation
      in humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both nerve growth factor (NGF) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation
      sensitize nociceptive nerve endings and increase axonal excitability of
      nociceptors. Combining NGF and UV-B treatment is supra-additive for sensory
      sensitization and even caused spontaneous pain in about 70% of the subjects.
      METHODS: UV-B irradiation was performed at day 21 after intradermal NGF injection
      in 13 volunteers. Pain thresholds, electrically induced axon reflex erythema and
      pain (1.5-fold pain threshold, 5-100 Hz) was analysed at days 22, 24, 28, 35, 49
      and 70 and correlated to hyperalgesia and spontaneous pain. RESULTS: Electrical
      pain threshold after combined NGF/UVB was reduced below single treatment at 24 h
      but not at 72 h post-UV-B irradiation. At the NGF/UV-B site, electrical pain was
      enhanced at all frequencies compared with single NGF and UV-B sites at 24 and 72
      h with pain ratings exceeding control values about twofold to threefold [65 +/- 7
      vs. 25 +/- 8 visual analogue scale (VAS) (24 h) and 55 +/- 9 vs. 22 +/- 5 VAS (72
      h)]. Hyperalgesia to electrical stimulation correlated with hyperalgesia to
      pinprick (Spearman r = 0.44; p < 0.001, Bonferroni corr.) and supra-threshold
      heat (Spearman r = 0.55; p < 0.001) stimulation at 24 h only. Electrical pain
      thresholds at the NGF/UV-B site weakly correlated to spontaneous pain levels
      (Spearman r = 0.3; p = 0.025, without Bonferroni correction). In contrast,
      electrically induced pain or axon reflex erythema did not correlate to
      spontaneous pain levels. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of NGF and UV-B increases
      axonal excitability that contributes to hyperalgesia and might also facilitate
      ongoing spontaneous pain.

PMID- 24218077
TI  - Laparoscopic repair for a previously unreported form of ventral hernia on the
      right iliac fossa in an elderly emaciated woman.
AB  - An 81-year-old emaciated woman was admitted to our hospital with a one-year
      history of recurrent bilateral inguinal swellings. Palpable lumps were observed
      not only in bilateral groin areas, but also on the right iliac fossa (RIF) of her
      abdomen. During a planned transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic
      herniorrhaphy, a previously unreported form of ventral hernia was observed at a
      position lateral and cranial to the right internal inguinal ring, which probably
      corresponded to the palpable lump on the RIF. The hernia orifice was 2 cm in
      diameter, and a vascular structure ran through the orifice. The contents of the
      hernia consisted of fatty tissue arising from the retroperitoneal tissue. Routine
      exploration revealed orifices of the following hernias: left indirect, right
      direct, bilateral femoral, bilateral obturator, and right Spigelian hernia. Her
      postoperative course was uneventful and a mass on the right lower quadrant
      disappeared after operation.

PMID- 24218078
TI  - Single-port laparoscopic extraperitoneal repair of pediatric inguinal hernias and
      hydroceles by using modified Kirschner pin: a novel technique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of laparoscopic processus vaginalis repair has
      provided an alternative approach to the management of inguinal hernia and
      hydroceles in children. Here we describe our new technique for laparoscopic
      extraperitoneal ligation of processus vaginalis with subumbilical single-port
      using a modified Kirschner pin. METHODS: A 5-mm trocar for an operative
      laparoscope was placed through an infraumbilical incision. A Kirschner pin with a
      hole in one flat terminal was inserted at the point of the internal inguinal
      ring. The processus vaginalis was closed extracorporeally by a non-absorbable
      suture, which was introduced into the abdomen through the Kirschner pin
      performing dissection within the extraperitoneal space in a series of movements.
      When a contralateral patent processus vaginalis is present, laparoscopic-assisted
      extracorporeal ligation is performed during the same operation. RESULTS: Between
      September 2010 and September 2012, 211 children (130 cases of inguinal hernia and
      81 cases of hydrocele) underwent processus vaginalis repair using this novel
      technique. A contralateral patent processus vaginalis was present and thus
      simultaneously closed in 20 patients with unilateral inguinal hernias and 12
      patients with unilateral hydroceles. The mean operative time was 18 min (8-35
      min). The mean follow-up period is 12 months (range 5-24 months), and no
      recurrence and complications has been observed to date. CONCLUSIONS: This article
      describes a unique technique of extracorporeal circuit ligation of processus
      vaginalis using a minimally invasive technique as afforded by a reused modified
      Kirschner pin. Single-port laparoscopic processus vaginalis repair using this
      instrument is feasible and seems to be safe.

PMID- 24218079
TI  - Activity and functions of the human gluteal muscles in walking, running,
      sprinting, and climbing.
AB  - It has been suggested that the uniquely large gluteus maximus (GMAX) muscles were
      an important adaptation during hominin evolution based on numerous anatomical
      differences between humans and extant apes. GMAX electromyographic (EMG) signals
      have been quantified for numerous individual movements, but not across the range
      of locomotor gaits and speeds for the same subjects. Thus, comparing relative EMG
      amplitudes between these activities has not been possible. We assessed the EMG
      activity of the gluteal muscles during walking, running, sprinting, and climbing.
      To gain further insight into the function of the gluteal muscles during
      locomotion, we measured muscle activity during walking and running with external
      devices that increased or decreased the need to control either forward or
      backward trunk pitch. We hypothesized that 1) GMAX EMG activity would be greatest
      during sprinting and climbing and 2) GMAX EMG activity would be modulated in
      response to altered forward trunk pitch demands during running. We found that
      GMAX activity in running was greater than walking and similar to climbing.
      However, the activity during sprinting was much greater than during running.
      Further, only the inferior portion of the GMAX had a significant change with
      altered trunk pitch demands, suggesting that the hip extensors have a limited
      contribution to the control of trunk pitch movements during running. Overall, our
      data suggest that the large size of the GMAX reflects its multifaceted role
      during rapid and powerful movements rather than as a specific adaptation for a
      single submaximal task such as endurance running.

PMID- 24218080
TI  - Ribosylation of bovine serum albumin induces ROS accumulation and cell death in
      cancer line (MCF-7).
AB  - Formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) is crucially involved in the
      several pathophysiologies associated with ageing and diabetes, for example
      arthritis, atherosclerosis, chronic renal insufficiency, Alzheimer's disease,
      nephropathy, neuropathy, and cataracts. Because of devastating effects of AGE and
      the significance of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a transport protein, this study
      was designed to investigate glycation-induced structural modifications in BSA and
      their functional consequences in breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). We incubated D
      ribose with BSA and monitored formation of D-ribose-glycated BSA by observing
      changes in the intensity of fluorescence at 410 nm. NBT (nitro blue tetrazolium)
      assay was performed to confirm formation of keto-amine during glycation.
      Absorbance at 540 nm (fructosamine) increased markedly with time. Furthermore,
      intrinsic protein and 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) fluorescence
      revealed marked conformational changes in BSA upon ribosylation. In addition, a
      fluorescence assay with thioflavin T (ThT) revealed a remarkable increase in
      fluorescence at 485 nm in the presence of glycated BSA. This suggests that
      glycation with D-ribose induced aggregation of BSA into amyloid-like deposits.
      Circular dichroism (CD) study of native and ribosylated BSA revealed molten
      globule formation in the glycation pathway of BSA. Functional consequences of
      ribosylated BSA on cancer cell line, MCF-7 was studied by MTT assay and ROS
      estimation. The results revealed cytotoxicity of ribosylated BSA on MCF-7 cells.

PMID- 24218081
TI  - Selective production of methane from aqueous biocarbohydrate streams over a
      mixture of platinum and ruthenium catalysts.
AB  - A one-step process for the selective production of methane from low-value aqueous
      carbohydrate streams is proposed. Sorbitol, used herein as a model compound, is
      fully converted to methane, CO2 , and a minor amount of H2 by using a physical
      mixture of Pt and Ru (1:5 in mass basis) at 220  degrees C and 35 bar. This
      conversion is the result of hydrogenolysis of part of the sorbitol over Ru and
      the in situ production of H2 through the aqueous-phase reforming of the remaining
      carbohydrate over Pt. A synergistic effect of the combination of these two
      catalysts results in the rapid and highly selective conversion of the
      carbohydrate to methane. This process offers the possibility of upgrading a low
      value carbohydrate stream into a valuable fuel with no addition of H2. Exergy
      analysis reveals that nearly 80 % of the exergy of the reactant is recovered as
      methane.

PMID- 24218082
TI  - [Hybrid operation theatre from the perspective of neurosurgery].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The integration of hybrid operation theatre into neurosurgical and
      neuroradiological routines is revolutionizing in particular the management of
      neurovascular emergencies, such as subarachnoid aneurysmal hemorrhage (SAH) or
      ruptured arteriovenous malformations. RESULTS: The direct interaction between
      neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists in a joint environment changes and
      accelerates all diagnostic and therapeutic steps because all relevant procedures,
      including treatment control can be performed in a single room. Interventions of
      the skull base or the spine are also a domain of such hybrid theatre. CONCLUSION:
      As this new concept requires organisational changes throughout the entire patient
      management, a change of mindset is also needed at the institutional level in
      order to attain maximum benefits from such a setting.

PMID- 24218083
TI  - [Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: establishment in a thyroid
      center].
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study retrospectively evaluated a series of patients who
      underwent minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) during the
      introduction stage of this surgical technique at the Martha-Maria Hospital in
      Nuremberg. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The eligibility criteria for MIVAT were a
      thyroid volume < 25 ml, nodules < 30 mm, no thyroiditis, no preoperative evidence
      of carcinoma and no previous neck surgery. A retrospective evaluation was
      performed together with a control group of patients who underwent conventional
      thyroid surgery during the same time period and included a follow-up for general
      patient satisfaction and cosmetic results. RESULTS: Between August 2008 and July
      2009 a total of 55 patients underwent MIVAT including 8 conversions to open
      surgery and 45 patients who underwent conventional surgery served as matched
      controls. No significant differences in terms of perioperative complication rates
      were found (e.g. recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, hypocalcemia or secondary
      hemorrhage). The mean operating time was significantly longer in the MIVAT group
      (96.8 +/- 3.7 min vs. 69.8 +/- 2.3 min, p = 0.001) whereas a significant decrease
      in the mean operating time for hemithyroidectomy after 5 months was observed
      (98.1 +/- 3.77 min vs. 76.0 +/- 4.98 min, p = 0.013). Patients in the MIVAT group
      were more satisfied with the cosmetic outcome (8.5 +/- 0.3 vs. 8.2 +/- 0.2, p =
      0.05) as well as with the overall surgical procedure (9.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 8.6 +/-
      0.2, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: During introduction of the MIVAT procedure a learning
      effect can be observed which is hallmarked by a decrease in operating time and
      conversion rate to open surgery. Moreover, no significant differences in terms of
      main postoperative complications were found so that MIVAT can be considered a
      safe and feasible technique under the conditions of correct eligibility criteria.

PMID- 24218084
TI  - MicroRNA expression signature for Satb2-induced osteogenic differentiation in
      bone marrow stromal cells.
AB  - Satb2 acts as a potent transcription factor to promote osteoblast differentiation
      and bone regeneration. Recently, microRNAs (miRNA) have been identified as
      critical regulators of osteogenic differentiation. This study aimed to identify
      specific miRNAs and their regulatory roles in the process of Satb2-induced
      osteogenic differentiation. We studied the differentially expressed miRNAs by
      Satb2 overexpression in murine bone marrow stromal cells using miRNA microarray.
      Ten down-regulated miRNAs including miR-27a, miR-125a-5p, and miR-466f-3p, and 18
      up-regulated miRNAs including miR-17, miR-20a and miR-210 were found to be
      differentially expressed and their expression were verified by quantitative real
      time PCR. The differentially expressed miRNAs were further subjected to gene
      ontology and KEGG analysis. The highly enriched GOs and KEGG pathway showed
      target genes of these miRNAs were significantly involved in multiple biological
      processes (mesenchymal cell differentiation, bone formation, and skeletal
      development), and several osteogenic pathways (TGF-beta/BMP, MAPK, and Wnt
      signaling pathway). Finally, miR-27a was selected for target verification and
      function analysis. BMP2, BMPR1A, and Smad9, members of the TGF-beta/BMP
      superfamily, which were predicted to be target genes of miR-27a, were confirmed
      to be significantly up-regulated in Satb2-overexpressing cells by quantitative
      real time PCR. Overexpression of miR-27a significantly inhibited osteogenesis and
      repressed BMP2, BMPR1A, and Smad9 expression. In this study, we identified that a
      number of differentially regulated miRNAs, whose target genes involved in the TGF
      beta/BMP signaling pathway, play an important role in the early stage of Satb2
      induced osteogenic differentiation. 

PMID- 24218085
TI  - Population shift of binding pocket size and dynamic correlation analysis shed new
      light on the anticooperative mechanism of PII protein.
AB  - PII protein is one of the largest families of signal transduction proteins in
      archaea, bacteria, and plants, controlling key processes of nitrogen
      assimilation. An intriguing characteristic for many PII proteins is that the
      three ligand binding sites exhibit anticooperative allosteric regulation. In this
      work, PII protein from Synechococcus elongatus, a model for cyanobacteria and
      plant PII proteins, is utilized to reveal the anticooperative mechanism upon
      binding of 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG). To this end, a method is proposed to define the
      binding pocket size by identifying residues that contribute greatly to the
      binding of 2-OG. It is found that the anticooperativity is realized through
      population shift of the binding pocket size in an asymmetric manner. Furthermore,
      a new algorithm based on the dynamic correlation analysis is developed and
      utilized to discover residues that mediate the anticooperative process with high
      probability. It is surprising to find that the T-loop, which is believed to be
      responsible for mediating the binding of PII with its target proteins, also takes
      part in the intersubunit signal transduction process. Experimental results of PII
      variants further confirmed the influence of T-loop on the anticooperative
      regulation, especially on binding of the third 2-OG. These discoveries extend our
      understanding of the PII T-loop from being essential in versatile binding of
      target protein to signal-mediating in the anticooperative allosteric regulation.

PMID- 24218086
TI  - AMP-activated protein kinase mediates activity-dependent axon branching by
      recruiting mitochondria to axon.
AB  - During development, axons are guided to their target areas and provide local
      branching. Spatiotemporal regulation of axon branching is crucial for the
      establishment of functional connections between appropriate pre- and postsynaptic
      neurons. Common understanding has been that neuronal activity contributes to the
      proper axon branching; however, intracellular mechanisms that underlie activity
      dependent axon branching remain elusive. Here, we show, using primary cultures of
      the dentate granule cells, that neuronal depolarization-induced rebalance of
      mitochondrial motility between anterograde versus retrograde transport underlies
      the proper formation of axonal branches. We found that the depolarization-induced
      branch formation was blocked by the uncoupler p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone,
      which suggests that mitochondria-derived ATP mediates the observed phenomena.
      Real-time analysis of mitochondrial movement defined the molecular mechanisms by
      showing that the pharmacological activation of AMP-activated protein kinase
      (AMPK) after depolarization increased anterograde transport of mitochondria into
      axons. Simultaneous imaging of axonal morphology and mitochondrial distribution
      revealed that mitochondrial localization preceded the emergence of axonal
      branches. Moreover, the higher probability of mitochondrial localization was
      correlated with the longer lifetime of axon branches. We qualitatively confirmed
      that neuronal ATP levels decreased immediately after depolarization and found
      that the phosphorylated form of AMPK was increased. Thus, this study identifies a
      novel role for AMPK in the transport of axonal mitochondria that underlie the
      neuronal activity-dependent formation of axon branches.

PMID- 24218087
TI  - Mutations in MAPT give rise to aneuploidy in animal models of tauopathy.
AB  - Tau is a major microtubule-associated protein in brain neurons. Its misfolding
      and accumulation cause neurodegenerative diseases characterized by brain atrophy
      and dementia, named tauopathies. Genetic forms are caused by mutations of
      microtubule-associated protein tau gene (MAPT). Tau is expressed also in
      nonneural tissues such as lymphocytes. Tau has been recently recognized as a
      multifunctional protein, and in particular, some findings supported a role in
      genome stability. In fact, peripheral cells of patients affected by
      frontotemporal dementia carrying different MAPT mutations showed structural and
      numerical chromosome aberrations. The aim of this study was to assess chromosome
      stability in peripheral cell from two animal models of genetic tauopathy, JNPL3
      and PS19 mouse strains expressing the human tau carrying the P301L and P301S
      mutations, respectively, to confirm the previous data on humans. After
      demonstrating the presence of mutated tau in spleen, we performed standard
      cytogenetic analysis of splenic lymphocytes from homozygous and hemizygous JNPL3,
      hemizygous PS19, and relevant controls. Losses and gains of chromosomes
      (aneuploidy) were evaluated. We detected a significantly higher level of
      aneuploidy in JNPL3 and PS19 than in control mice. Moreover, in JNPL3, the
      aneuploidy was higher in homozygotes than in hemizygotes, demonstrating a gene
      dose effect, which appeared also to be age independent. Our results show that
      mutated tau is associated with chromosome instability. It is conceivable to
      hypothesize that in genetic tauopathies the aneuploidy may be present also in
      central nervous system, possibly contributing to neurodegeneration. 

PMID- 24218089
TI  - Lead in Chinese coals: distribution, modes of occurrence, and environmental
      effects.
AB  - Lead (Pb) has gained much attention since the 1970s because of its potential and
      cumulative toxicity. As one of the most hazardous elements in coals, Pb can be
      released into the environment during coal mining, processing, and utilization.
      This study presents a synthesis on the abundance, distribution, modes of
      occurrence, and environmental impacts of Pb in Chinese coals. Using the expected
      coal reserves as the weighting factor and based on the previously published Pb
      content in 4,304 coal samples (including results obtained in our laboratory) from
      main coalfields or coal mines in China, the weighted mean Pb content in Chinese
      coals is 13.0 MUg/g, which is higher than that of the American coals (11 MUg/g)
      and average world coals (7.8 MUg/g). With respect to regional distribution of Pb
      in Chinese coals, Pb content can be arbitrarily divided into three groups (<20,
      20-40, >40 MUg/g). Following this classification, coals from Tibet have the
      highest average Pb content (128.94 MUg/g). The abundance of Pb in coals varies
      with coal-forming periods and coal ranks, with the late Triassic and higher rank
      coals having the highest Pb content, which could be ascribed to regional
      geochemical differences and later geological evolution as well as magma
      hydrothermal activities. The enrichment of Pb in coals is influenced by several
      geological factors, including coal-forming plants, source rocks, hydrothermal
      fluid, and depositional environment. Pb, dominantly associates with sulfide
      minerals, especially galena in coals. During coal combustion or pyrolysis, Pb is
      partly emitted into the atmosphere and partly partitioned to solid residues.
      Accumulation of Pb from coal utilization in human body could lead to a range of
      health problems and increase the risk of cancer.

PMID- 24218088
TI  - New insights into combinational drug therapy to manage congestion in heart
      failure.
AB  - Congestion is the most important contributor to morbidity and mortality in heart
      failure. In patients without congestion, maintaining a neutral sodium balance is
      imperative to prevent evolving volume overload. Adequate use of neurohumoral
      blockers, in combination with dietary sodium restriction, is essential and may
      preclude the need for maintenance diuretic therapy. If volume overload still
      prevails, loop diuretics remain the mainstay treatment to reduce excessive
      extracellular volume. However, combinational drug therapy might offer a more
      attractive alternative to achieve a balanced natriuresis, instead of further
      uptitration of loop diuretics. Importantly, elevated cardiac filling pressures
      may be caused by volume misdistribution and impaired venous capacitance, rather
      than absolute volume overload. Vasodilator therapy to unload the heart, increase
      venous capacitance, and lower arterial impedance might be interesting in such
      cases. This review offers a practical approach into current and potential future
      pharmacologic therapies for managing congestion, focusing on combinational and
      targeted therapy. 

PMID- 24218090
TI  - Intrinsic allosteric inhibition of signaling proteins by targeting rare
      interaction states detected by high-pressure NMR spectroscopy.

PMID- 24218091
TI  - [Surgery under immunosuppression, radiation therapy and chemotherapy].

PMID- 24218092
TI  - [Multimodal oncological therapy concepts, chemotherapy and immunosuppressive
      drugs: effects on surgical morbidity and mortality].
AB  - Systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapies and radiotherapy for patients with
      malignant tumors lead to unfavorable surgical conditions with increased risks of
      postoperative complications. For gastric cancer and cancer of the esophagogastric
      junction, surgery after neoadjuvant treatment is associated with a mortality of
      approximately 5 %. Given the increase in metastatic surgery for colorectal
      carcinoma, surgeons should be aware of the specific side effects of therapeutic
      drugs to ensure an optimal course of treatment. The impact of chemotherapy
      induced hepatic lesions on postoperative development is unclear. Bevacizumab
      treatment should be stopped at least 5 weeks before surgery to reduce the risk of
      thromboembolic events, bleeding and wound healing complications.
      Immunosuppressive and immunomodulating agents alter wound healing and
      preoperative alterations should be carefully evaluated. For patients with chronic
      corticosteroid therapy, perioperative supplementation should be considered when
      planning surgery as well as routine dosages.

PMID- 24218093
TI  - [Morbidity and mortality of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion].
AB  - Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with perioperative intraperitoneal
      chemotherapy (PIC) is a treatment option for peritoneal surface malignancy.
      Despite the survival benefits, this treatment was previously associated with a
      high morbidity and mortality rates, and the perception of the poor perioperative
      outcomes associated with this regimen remains. Careful patient selection with an
      optimal level of postoperative care must be advocated to avoid undesirable
      complications of this treatment.However, for this treatment to be accepted as
      standard of care, teams undertaking this treatment strategy must aim to minimize
      morbidity and mortality by learning from the experience of established centers
      and using the "global learning curve". The HIPEC Registry and accreditation of
      centers will improve the quality of the treatment. 

PMID- 24218095
TI  - [Operative therapy of secondary ventral hernia: technical principles].
AB  - Secondary ventral hernia or incisional hernia occurs in at least 20 % of cases
      after laparotomy and most patients are symptomatic. The pathogenesis of
      incisional hernia is believed to be based on a defect in collagen synthesis
      indicating the necessity of covering the whole original incision with a non
      resorbable, macroporous mesh. These meshes can be used on top of the fascia
      (onlay), in a retromuscular fashion (sublay) or intraperitoneally (IPOM). The
      IPOM technique is the preferred procedure during laparoscopic repair of ventral
      hernias. The clear advantage of the laparoscopic approach is the dramatically
      reduced rate of wound complications, especially infections. Major defects of the
      abdominal wall require plastic reconstruction with the component separation
      technique in both anterior and posterior approaches. The component separation
      technique must be combined with retromuscular mesh augmentation enabling a
      recurrence rate of less than 10 % and an acceptable morbidity to be achieved.

PMID- 24218096
TI  - Comparison of the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression
      among older versus younger veterans: results of a national evaluation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression (CBT
      D) among older adults in routine clinical settings has received limited
      attention. The current article examines and compares outcomes of older versus
      younger veterans receiving CBT-D nationally. METHOD: Patient outcomes were
      assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and World Health Organization
      Quality of Life-BREF. Therapeutic alliance was assessed using the Working
      Alliance Inventory-Short Revised. RESULTS: A total of 764 veterans aged 18-64 and
      100 veterans aged 65+ received CBT-D; 68.0% of older and 68.3% of younger
      patients completed all sessions or finished early due to symptom relief, and mean
      depression scores declined from 27.0 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.7) to 16.2 (SD
      = 12.4) in the older group and from 29.1 (SD = 11.2) to 17.8 (SD = 13.5) in the
      younger group. Within-group effect sizes were d = 1.01 for both groups.
      Significant increases in quality of life and therapeutic alliance were observed
      for both groups. DISCUSSION: CBT-D resulted in significant improvements in
      depression and quality of life among older patients. Outcomes and rate of
      attrition were equivalent to younger patients. Findings indicate that CBT-D is an
      effective and acceptable treatment for older veterans in real-world settings with
      often high levels of depression.

PMID- 24218097
TI  - Evolution of structure and properties of granules containing microcrystalline
      cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone during high-shear wet granulation.
AB  - Granulation behavior of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in the presence of 2.5%
      polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was systematically studied. Complex changes in
      flowability and tabletability of lubricated MCC granules are correlated to
      changes in intragranular porosity, morphology, surface smoothness, size
      distribution, and specific surface area (SSA). With 2.5% PVP, the use of 45%
      granulation water leads to 84% reduction in tablet tensile strength and 76%
      improvement in powder flow factor. The changes in powder performance are
      explained by granule densification and surface smoothing. The granulating water
      level corresponding to the onset of overgranulation, 45%, is significantly lower
      than the 70% water required for unlubricated MCC granules without PVP. At more
      than 45% water levels, MCC-PVP granules flow well but cannot be compressed into
      intact tablets. Such changes in powder performance correspond to the rapid growth
      into large and dense spheres with smooth surface. Compared with MCC alone, the
      onset of the phase of fast granule size enlargement occurs at a lower water level
      when 2.5% PVP is used. Although the use of 2.5% PVP hastens granule nucleation
      and growth rate, the mechanisms of overgranulation are the same, that is, size
      enlargement, granule densification, surface smoothing, and particle rounding in
      both systems.

PMID- 24218098
TI  - The origins of SPECT and SPECT/CT.
AB  - Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has a long history of
      development since its initial demonstration by Kuhl and Edwards in 1963. Although
      clinical utility has been dominated by the rotating gamma camera, there have been
      many technological innovations with the recent popularity of organ-specific
      dedicated SPECT systems. The combination of SPECT and CT evolved from early
      transmission techniques used for attenuation correction with the initial
      commercial systems predating the release of PET/CT. The development and
      acceptance of SPECT/CT has been relatively slow with continuing debate as to what
      cost/performance ratio is justified. Increasingly, fully diagnostic CT is
      combined with SPECT so as to facilitate optimal clinical utility. 

PMID- 24218099
TI  - Ischaemic memory imaging using metabolic radiopharmaceuticals: overview of
      clinical settings and ongoing investigations.
AB  - "Ischaemic memory" is defined as a prolonged functional and/or biochemical
      alteration remaining after a particular episode of severe myocardial ischaemia.
      The biochemical alteration has been reported as metabolic stunning. Metabolic
      imaging has been used to detect the footprint left by previous ischaemic episodes
      evident due to delayed recovery of myocardial metabolism (persistent dominant
      glucose utilization with suppression of fatty acid oxidation). beta-Methyl-p
      [(123)I]iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) is a single-photon emission computed
      tomography (SPECT) radiotracer widely used for metabolic imaging in clinical
      settings in Japan. In patients with suspected coronary artery disease but no
      previous myocardial infarction, BMIPP has shown acceptable diagnostic accuracy.
      In particular, BMIPP plays an important role in the identification of prior
      ischaemic insult in patients arriving at emergency departments with acute chest
      pain syndrome. Recent data also show the usefulness of (123)I-BMIPP SPECT for
      predicting cardiovascular events in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Similarly,
      SPECT or PET imaging with (18)F-FDG injected during peak exercise or after
      exercise under fasting conditions shows an increase in FDG uptake in
      postischaemic areas. This article will overview the roles of ischaemic memory
      imaging both under established indications and in ongoing investigations. 

PMID- 24218100
TI  - Cerebral vasculopathy in a Chinese family with neurofibromatosis type I mutation.
AB  - Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is a hereditary, autosomal dominant,
      neurocutaneous syndrome that is attributed to NF1 gene mutation. NF1 has been
      associated with scoliosis, macrocephaly, pseudoarthrosis, short stature, mental
      retardation, and malignancies. NF1-associated vasculopathy is an uncommon and
      easily-overlooked presentation. Examination of a Chinese family affected by NF1
      combined with cerebral vessel stenosis and/or abnormality suggested a possible
      relationship between NF1 and vessel stenosis. To determine which NF1 gene
      mutation is associated with vascular lesions, particularly cerebral vessel
      stenosis, we examined one rare family with combined cerebral vessel lesions or
      maldevelopment. Vascular lesions were detected using transcranial Doppler
      sonography and digital subtraction angiography in family members. Next,
      denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and sequencing were used to
      screen for NF1 gene mutations. The results revealed a nonsense mutation,
      c.541C>T, in the NF1 gene. This mutation truncated the NF1 protein by 2659 amino
      acid residues at the C-terminus and co-segregated with all of the patients, but
      was not present in unaffected individuals in the family. Exceptionally, three
      novel mutations were identified in unaffected family members, but these did not
      affect the product of the NF1 gene. Thus the nonsense mutation, c.541C>T, located
      in the NF1 gene could constitute one genetic factor for cerebral vessel lesions.

PMID- 24218101
TI  - Developments in CD4 and viral load monitoring in resource-limited settings.
AB  - CD4 counts and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) load testing are essential
      components of HIV care, and making these tests available in resource-limited
      settings is critical to the roll-out of HIV treatment globally. Until recently,
      the evidence supporting the importance of laboratory monitoring in resource
      limited settings was lacking, but there is now a consensus emerging that testing
      should become routine to ensure the longevity of treatment programs. Low-cost,
      point-of-care testing offers the potential to fill this role as it potentially
      improves all aspects of HIV care, ranging from the diagnosis and staging of HIV
      infection in both infants and adults to monitoring for treatment failure once
      antiretroviral therapy has been initiated. It is imperative for low-cost
      solutions to become a reality, but it is equally imperative that close scrutiny
      be given to each new device that hits the market to ensure they perform optimally
      in all settings. 

PMID- 24218102
TI  - Elevated levels of IL-23 in a subset of patients with post-lyme disease symptoms
      following erythema migrans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The causes of post-Lyme disease symptoms are unclear. Herein, we
      investigated whether specific immune responses were correlated with such
      symptoms. METHODS: The levels of 23 cytokines and chemokines, representative of
      innate and adaptive immune responses, were assessed in sera from 86 antibiotic
      treated European patients with erythema migrans, 45 with post-Lyme symptoms and
      41 without symptoms, who were evaluated prior to treatment and 2, 6, and 12
      months thereafter. RESULTS: At study entry, significant differences between
      groups were observed for the type 1 helper T cell (TH1)-associated chemokines
      CXCL9 and CXCL10, which were associated with negative Borrelia cultures, and the
      type 17 helper T cell (TH17)-associated cytokine interleukin 23 (IL-23), which
      was associated with positive cultures and the development of post-Lyme symptoms
      (P <= .02). Moreover, of the 41 patients with detectable IL-23 levels, 25 (61%)
      developed post-Lyme symptoms, and all 7 with IL-23 levels >= 230 ng/mL had such
      symptoms. Furthermore, antibody responses to the ECGF autoantigen were more
      common in patients with post-Lyme symptoms (P = .07) and were correlated directly
      with IL-23 levels (P = .02). Despite the presence of post-Lyme symptoms, all
      posttreatment culture results were negative, antiborrelial antibody responses
      declined, and there were no objective signs of disseminated disease, suggesting
      that spirochetal eradication had occurred with treatment in all patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: High TH1-associated responses correlated with more effective immune
      mediated spirochetal killing, whereas high TH17-associated immune responses,
      often accompanied by autoantibodies, correlated with post-Lyme symptoms,
      providing a new paradigm for the study of postinfectious symptoms in a subset of
      patients with Lyme disease.

PMID- 24218103
TI  - Accuracy of administrative code data for the surveillance of healthcare
      associated infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Administrative code data (ACD), such as International Classifications of
      Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, are widely used in
      surveillance and public reporting programs that seek to identify healthcare
      associated infections (HAIs); however, little is known about their accuracy. This
      systematic review summarizes evidence for the accuracy of ACD for the detection
      of selected HAIs, including catheter-associated urinary tract infection,
      Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), central line-associated bloodstream
      infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia/events, postprocedure pneumonia,
      methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and surgical site infections (SSIs).
      We conducted meta-analysis for SSIs and CDIs, where acceptable numbers of primary
      studies were available. For these 2 conditions, ACD have moderate sensitivity and
      high specificity, but evidence for detection of other HAIs is limited. With
      current low prevalence of HAIs, the positive predictive value of ACD algorithms
      would be low. ACD may be inaccurate for detection of many HAIs and should be used
      cautiously for surveillance and reporting purposes. 

PMID- 24218104
TI  - Glia activation and its role in oxidative stress.
AB  - Glia activation and neuroinflamation are major factors implicated in the
      aetiology of most neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Several agents and toxins
      have been known to be capable of inducing glia activation an inflammatory
      response; most of which are active substances that can cause oxidative stress by
      inducing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Neurogenesis on the other
      hand involves metabolic and structural interaction between neurogenic and glia
      cells of the periventricular zone (PVZ); a region around the third ventricle.
      This study investigates glia activation (GFAP), cell proliferation (Ki-67) and
      neuronal metabolism (NSE) during neurogenesis and oxidative stress by comparing
      protein expression in the PVZ against that of the parietal cortex. Adult Wistar
      Rats were treated with normal saline and 20 mg/Kg KCN for 7 days. The tissue
      sections were processed for immunohistochemistry to demonstrate glia cells (anti
      Rat-GFAP), cell proliferation (anti Rat-Ki-67) and neuronal metabolism (anti Rat
      NSE) using the antigen retrieval method. The sections from Rats treated with
      cyanide showed evidence of neurodegeneration both in the PVZ and cortex. The
      distribution of glia cells (GFAP), Neuron specific Enolase (NSE) and Ki-67
      increased with cyanide treatment, although the increases were more pronounced in
      the neurogenic cell area (PVZ) when compared to the cortex. This suggests the
      close link between neuronal metabolism and glia activation both in neurogenesis
      and oxidative stress. 

PMID- 24218105
TI  - Effects of acute and chronic inhalation of paint thinner in mice: behavioral and
      immunohistochemical study.
AB  - Abuse of volatile inhalants has become a worldwide issue mainly among adolescents
      of low income social class. Acute and chronic exposure to these substances
      results in serious neurological and behavioral impairments. Although real
      exposure consists largely of simultaneous inhalation of multiple solvents, the
      vast majority of basic research studies have evaluated the actions of a single
      volatile component leaving the behavioral and neuronal effects of chemical
      mixture not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the acute behavioral
      effects of 300, 450 and 600 ppm of paint thinner inhalation on anxiety, locomotor
      activity and spatial memory. Additionally, the cognitive impairments related to
      chronic exposure of the same concentrations of thinner for 45 days were assessed.
      To understand the neuronal correlates of acute exposure to thinner, we used c-Fos
      immunohistochemistry as an endogenous marker of neuronal activation following 600
      ppm of thinner. The results reveal that (i) chronically thinner exposed mice
      showed cognitive deficits in Morris water maze and object recognition tasks; (ii)
      acute inhalation of thinner induces a wide range of behavioral changes. These
      changes include an anxiolytic effect toward the aversive environmental bright
      light and a dose dependent effect on explorative locomotion. The wide range of
      behavioral alterations induced by acute thinner inhalation is consistent with the
      widespread distribution of thinner-induced c-Fos expression in multiple brain
      structures. 

PMID- 24218106
TI  - MeCP2-mediated alterations of striatal features accompany psychomotor deficits in
      a mouse model of Rett syndrome.
AB  - Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the
      methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. Affected individuals develop motor
      deficits including stereotypic hand movements, impaired motor learning and
      difficulties with movement. To understand the neural mechanisms of motor deficits
      in RTT, we characterized the molecular and cellular phenotypes in the striatum,
      the major input nucleus of the basal ganglia that controls psychomotor function,
      in mice carrying a null allele of Mecp2. These mice showed significant
      hypoactivity associated with impaired motor coordination and motor skill
      learning. We found that dopamine content was significantly reduced in the
      striatum of Mecp2 null mice. Reduced dopamine was accompanied by down-regulation
      of tyrosine hydroxylase and up-regulation of dopamine D2 receptors, particularly
      in the rostral striatum. We also observed that loss of MeCP2 induced compartment
      specific alterations in the striatum, including reduced expression of MU-opioid
      receptors in the striosomes and increased number of calbindin-positive neurons in
      the striatal matrix. The total number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons and
      their dendritic arborization were also significantly increased in the striatum of
      Mecp2 null mice. Together, our findings support that MeCP2 regulates a unique set
      of genes critical for modulating motor output of the striatum, and that aberrant
      structure and function of the striatum due to MeCP2 deficiency may underlie the
      motor deficits in RTT. 

PMID- 24218107
TI  - Packing interface energetics in different crystal forms of the lambda Cro dimer.
AB  - Variation among crystal structures of the lambda Cro dimer highlights
      conformational flexibility. The structures range from a wild type closed to a
      mutant fully open conformation, but it is unclear if each represents a stable
      solution state or if one may be the result of crystal packing. Here we use
      molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to investigate the energetics of crystal
      packing interfaces and the influence of site-directed mutagenesis on them in
      order to examine the effect of crystal packing on wild type and mutant Cro dimer
      conformation. Replica exchange MD of mutant Cro in solution shows that the
      observed conformational differences between the wild type and mutant protein are
      not the direct consequence of mutation. Instead, simulation of Cro in different
      crystal environments reveals that mutation affects the stability of crystal
      forms. Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area binding energy
      calculations reveal the detailed energetics of packing interfaces. Packing
      interfaces can have diverse properties in strength, energetic components, and
      some are stronger than the biological dimer interface. Further analysis shows
      that mutation can strengthen packing interfaces by as much as ~5 kcal/mol in
      either crystal environment. Thus, in the case of Cro, mutation provides an
      additional energetic contribution during crystal formation that may stabilize a
      fully open higher energy state. Moreover, the effect of mutation in the lattice
      can extend to packing interfaces not involving mutation sites. Our results
      provide insight into possible models for the effect of crystallization on Cro
      conformational dynamics and emphasize careful consideration of protein crystal
      structures.

PMID- 24218108
TI  - A blueprint for research on Shankopathies: a view from research on autism
      spectrum disorder.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with mutations in a host of genes
      including a number that function in synaptic transmission. Phelan McDermid
      syndrome involves mutations in SHANK3 which encodes a protein that forms a
      scaffold for glutamate receptors at the synapse. SHANK3 is one of the genes that
      underpins the synaptic hypothesis for ASD. We discuss this hypothesis with a view
      to the broader context of ASD and with special emphasis on highly penetrant
      genetic disorders including Shankopathies. We propose a blueprint for near and
      longer-term goals for fundamental and translational research on Shankopathies.

PMID- 24218109
TI  - Cholesterol-responsive metabolic proteins are required for larval development in
      Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - Caenorhabditis elegans, a cholesterol auxotroph, showed defects in larval
      development upon cholesterol starvation (CS) in a previous study. To identify
      cholesterol-responsive proteins likely responsible for the larval arrest upon CS,
      a comparative proteomic analysis was performed between C. elegans grown in normal
      medium supplemented with cholesterol (CN) and those grown in medium not
      supplemented with cholesterol (cholesterol starvation, CS). Our analysis revealed
      significant change (more than 2.2-fold, p < 0.05) in nine proteins upon CS. Six
      proteins were down-regulated [CE01270 (EEF-1A.1), CE08852 (SAMS-1), CE11068 (PMT
      2), CE09015 (ACDH-1), CE12564 (R07H5.8), and CE09655 (RLA-0)], and three proteins
      were up-regulated [CE29645 (LEC-1), CE16576 (LEC-5), and CE01431 (NEX-1)]. RNAi
      phenotypes of two of the down-regulated genes, R07H5.8 (adenosine kinase) and rla
      0 (ribosomal protein), in CN were similar to that of larval arrest in CS, and
      RNAi of a down-regulated gene, R07H5.8, in CS further enhanced the effects of CS,
      suggesting that down-regulation of these genes is likely responsible for the
      larval arrest in CS. All three up-regulated genes contain putative DAF-16 binding
      sites and mRNA levels of these three genes were all decreased in daf-16 mutants
      in CN, suggesting that DAF-16 activates expression of these genes. 

PMID- 24218110
TI  - Highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells based on panchromatic ruthenium
      sensitizers with quinolinylbipyridine anchors.
AB  - Panchromatic Ru(II) sensitizers TF-30-TF-33 bearing a new class of 6-quinolin-8
      yl-2,2'-bipyridine anchor were synthesized and tested under AM1.5 G simulated
      solar irradiation. Their increased pi conjugation relative to that of the
      traditional 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-based anchor led to a remarkable improvement
      in absorptivity across the whole UV-Vis-NIR spectral regime. Furthermore, the
      introduction of a bulky tert-butyl substituent on the quinolinyl fragment not
      only led to an increase in the JSC  value owing to the suppression of dye
      aggregation, but remarkably also resulted in no loss in VOC in comparison with
      the reference sensitizer containing a tricarboxyterpyridine anchor. The champion
      sensitizer in DSC devices was found to be TF-32 with a performance of JSC =19.2
      mA cm(-2) , VOC =740 mV, FF=0.72, and eta=10.19 %. This 6-quinolin-8-yl-2,2'
      bipyridine anchor thus serves as a prototype for the next generation of Ru(II)
      sensitizers with any tridentate ancillary. 

PMID- 24218111
TI  - After the cure: management of HCV after achievement of SVR.
AB  - Co-infection with HIV and HCV is associated with accelerated progression of liver
      disease and increased complications compared with HCV infection alone. Treatment
      of HCV and achievement of a sustained virologic response (SVR) can improve
      outcomes in these patients. Even after clearance of the hepatitis C virus,
      however, patients remain at risk, albeit diminished, for the complications of
      chronic liver disease. As such, longitudinal monitoring of treated patients
      remains important for clinicians caring for this population. This article
      summarizes the benefits and persistent risks after attaining SVR. It reviews the
      natural history of fibrosis and addresses the monitoring and management of
      progressive liver disease. 

PMID- 24218113
TI  - Aircraft mass budgeting to measure CO2 emissions of Rome, Italy.
AB  - Aircraft measurements were used to estimate the CO2 emission rates of the city of
      Rome, assessed against high-resolution inventorial data. Three experimental
      flights were made, composed of vertical soundings to measure Planetary Boundary
      Layer (PBL) properties, and circular horizontal transects at various altitudes
      around the city area. City level emissions and associated uncertainties were
      computed by means of mass budgeting techniques, obtaining a positive net CO2 flux
      of 14.7 +/- 4.5, 2.5 +/- 1.2, and 10.3 +/- 1.2 MUmol m(-2) s(-1) for the three
      flights. Inventorial CO2 fluxes at the time of flights were computed by means of
      spatial and temporal disaggregation of the gross emission inventory, at 10.9 +/-
      2.5, 9.6 +/- 1.3, and 17.4 +/- 9.6 MUmol m(-2) s(-1). The largest differences
      between the two dataset are associated with a greater variability of wind speed
      and direction in the boundary layer during measurements. Uncertainty partitioned
      into components related to horizontal boundary flows and top surface flow,
      revealed that the latter dominates total uncertainty in the presence of a wide
      variability of CO2 concentration in the free troposphere (up to 7 ppm), while it
      is a minor term with uniform tropospheric concentrations in the study area
      (within 2 ppm). Overall, we demonstrate how small aircraft may provide city level
      emission measurements that may integrate and validate emission inventories.
      Optimal atmospheric conditions and measurement strategies for the deployment of
      aircraft experimental flights are finally discussed.

PMID- 24218112
TI  - Considerations in the pharmacologic treatment and prevention of neonatal sepsis.
AB  - The management of neonatal sepsis is challenging owing to complex developmental
      and environmental factors that contribute to inter-individual variability in the
      pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many antimicrobial agents. In this
      review, we describe (i) the changing epidemiology of early- and late-onset
      neonatal sepsis; (ii) the pharmacologic considerations that influence the safety
      and efficacy of antibacterials, antifungals, and immunomodulatory adjuvants; and
      (iii) the recommended dosing regimens for pharmacologic agents commonly used in
      the treatment and prevention of neonatal sepsis. Neonatal sepsis is marked by
      high morbidity and mortality, such that prompt initiation of antimicrobial
      therapy is essential following culture collection. Before culture results are
      available, combination therapy with ampicillin and an aminoglycoside is
      recommended. When meningitis is suspected, ampicillin and cefotaxime may be
      considered. Following identification of the causative organism and in vitro
      susceptibility testing, antimicrobial therapy may be narrowed to provide targeted
      coverage. Therapeutic drug monitoring should be considered for neonates receiving
      vancomycin or aminoglycoside therapies. For neonates with invasive fungal
      infections, the development of new antifungal agents has significantly improved
      therapeutic outcomes in recent years. Liposomal amphotericin B has been found to
      be safe and efficacious in patients with renal impairment or toxicity caused by
      conventional amphotericin B. Antifungal prophylaxis with fluconazole has also
      been reported to dramatically reduce rates of neonatal invasive fungal infections
      and to improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes among treated children.
      Additionally, several large multicenter studies are currently investigating the
      safety and efficacy of oral lactoferrin as an immunoprophylactic agent for the
      prevention of neonatal sepsis. 

PMID- 24218114
TI  - Intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab for cerebellar ataxia with glutamic acid
      decarboxylase autoantibodies.
AB  - Cerebellar ataxia associated with glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GAD
      ab) is a rare and usually slow progressive disease with moderate to severe gait
      and limb ataxia, dysarthria, and nystagmus. The treatment for this condition is
      still being discussed. We report the cases of three patients with GAD-ab
      cerebellar ataxia treated successively with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and
      rituximab. Symptoms improved in one case after rituximab therapy and were
      stabilized in another after a combined therapy of IVIg and rituximab. The third
      patient continued to worsen despite these treatments. We conclude that IVIg and
      rituximab therapy could improve or stabilize GAD-ab cerebellar ataxia. Early
      treatment, the lack of cerebellar atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging, and a
      subacute onset of the symptoms could be decisive prognostic factors. 

PMID- 24218115
TI  - Wear in total knee arthroplasty--just a question of polyethylene?: Metal ion
      release in total knee arthroplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE: Biological reactions against wear particles are a common cause for
      revision in total knee arthroplasty. To date, wear has mainly been attributed to
      polyethylene. However, the implants have large metallic surfaces that also could
      potentially lead to metal wear products (metal ions and debris). The aim of this
      study was to determine the local release of cobalt, chromium, molybdenum and
      titanium in total knee arthroplasty during a standard knee wear test. METHODS:
      Four moderately conforming fixed-bearing implants were subjected to physiological
      loadings and motions for 5*10(6) walking cycles in a knee wear simulator.
      Polyethylene wear was determined gravimetrically and the release of metallic wear
      products was measured using high resolution-inductively coupled plasma-mass
      spectrometry. RESULTS: A polyethylene wear rate of 7.28 +/- 0.27 mg/10(6) cycles
      was determined and the cumulative mass of released metals measured 1.63 +/- 0.28
      mg for cobalt, 0.47 +/- 0.06 mg for chromium, 0.42 +/- 0.06 mg for molybdenum and
      1.28 +/- 0.14 mg for titanium. CONCLUSION: For other metallic implants such as
      metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty, the metal wear products can interact with
      the immune system, potentially leading to immunotoxic effects. In this study
      about 12 % by weight of the wear products were metallic, and these particles and
      ions may become clinically relevant for patients sensitive to these materials in
      particular. Non-metallic materials (e.g. ceramics or suitable coatings) may be
      considered for an alternative treatment for those patients.

PMID- 24218116
TI  - On the cellular uptake and membrane effect of the multifunctional peptide,
      TatLK15.
AB  - Recently, the multifunctional peptide TatLK15 resulting from the fusion of the
      cell penetrating peptide Tat and the amphipathic peptide LK15 was shown to be
      efficient at mediating siRNA and shRNA delivery in leukemia cells to silence the
      bcr-abl oncoprotein. The present study focused on TatLK15 peptide cellular uptake
      and defining conditions for its use within a range of doses exhibiting minimal
      toxicity. The initial part of the study carried out in solution confirmed that
      the insertion of a glycine bridge allowed retention of the LK15 alpha-helicity,
      and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy did not reveal preferential
      conformations at the studied concentrations. In the second part, TatLK15 uptake
      mechanisms appeared peptide dose- and cell line- dependent as well as requiring
      membrane potential. Below a critical dose, TatLK15 toxicity appeared limited for
      approximately three hours as demonstrated by the combined use of lactate
      dehydrogenase release, MTT assays, and time-dependent observation of membrane
      impermeant dye uptake using high content screening apparatus. Furthermore,
      toxicity was observed to occur rapidly at higher peptide doses. Finally, a
      comparison between TatLK15 and another Tat amphipathic peptide construct
      suggested that alpha-helix content should be viewed as a key element in the
      development of similar peptides.

PMID- 24218117
TI  - Utility of serodiagnostics designed for use in the United States for detection of
      Lyme borreliosis acquired in Europe and vice versa.
AB  - Although two-tier testing is standard practice in both the United States and
      Europe for the serologic diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB), the test kits
      generally differ. The purpose of this study was to determine if the testing used
      in the United States will detect LB acquired in Europe and vice versa. Testing
      was performed on a convenience sample of archived sera from 40 LB patients from
      Austria and 39 from the United States, using first- and second-tier test kits
      from both the United States and Europe. The sensitivity of four first-tier tests
      from Europe and two first-tier tests from the United States was similar. Thus,
      two-tier testing was compared to the C6 ELISA as the first-tier test, since it is
      licensed in both the United States and Europe. The sensitivity of C6 two-tier
      testing with US assays was 9/40 (22.5 % [95 % CI 10.8-38.5 %]) for detection of
      LB acquired in Europe, and just 20.0 % (95 % CI 2.5-55.6 %) in the ten European
      patients with neurologic involvement. These results differed significantly from
      the sensitivity of European C6 two-tier testing that was 70.0 % (95 % CI 53.5
      83.4 %) overall (p < 0.001) and 90.0 % (95 % CI 55.5-99.7 %) for the European
      patients with neurologic manifestations specifically (p = 0.016). In contrast,
      the sensitivity of European and US C6 two-tier testing was similar for detection
      of LB acquired in the United States. Two-tier serologic testing with the US test
      kits may be unsatisfactory for detection of LB acquired in Europe. First-tier
      testing with an assay such as the C6 ELISA should be considered as a stand-alone
      diagnostic strategy in such cases.

PMID- 24218118
TI  - Disconnection of a basal ganglia circuit in juvenile songbirds attenuates the
      spectral differentiation of song syllables.
AB  - Similar to language acquisition by human infants, juvenile male zebra finches
      (Taeniopygia guttata) imitate an adult (tutor) song by transitioning from
      repetitive production of one or two undifferentiated protosyllables to the
      sequential production of a larger and spectrally heterogeneous set of syllables.
      The primary motor region that controls learned song is driven by a confluence of
      input from two premotor pathways: a posterior pathway that encodes the adult song
      syllables and an anterior pathway that includes a basal ganglia (BG)-thalamo
      cortical circuit. Similar to mammalian motor-learning systems, the songbird BG
      circuit is thought to be necessary for shaping juvenile vocal behaviour
      (undifferentiated protosyllables) toward specific targets (the tutor's song
      syllables). Here, we tested the hypothesis that anterior pathway activity
      contributes to the process of protosyllable differentiation. Bilateral ablation
      of lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium (LMAN) was used to
      disconnect BG circuitry at ages before protosyllable production and
      differentiation. Comparison to surgical controls revealed that protosyllables
      fail to differentiate in birds that received juvenile LMAN ablation--the adult
      songs of birds with >80% bilateral LMAN ablation consisted of only one or two
      syllables produced with the repetitive form and spectral structure that
      characterizes undifferentiated protosyllables in normal juveniles. Our findings
      support a role for BG circuitry in shaping juvenile vocal behaviour toward the
      acoustic structure of the tutor song and suggest that posterior pathway function
      remains in an immature "default" state when developmental interaction with the
      anterior pathway is reduced or eliminated.

PMID- 24218119
TI  - Echo-guided mitral repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is available in the most basic healthcare
      environments. Mitral repair is potentially curative and, when possible,
      recommended over replacement. The efficacy of echo-guided repair has not been
      established. METHODS AND RESULTS: We developed a succinct set of precisely
      defined images observed to be highly concordant with intraoperative findings.
      These images guided intervention on 237 consecutive patients. None were lost to
      follow-up, and serial echocardiography was obtained on all repairs. This analysis
      includes 2037 echocardiograms. The intent to repair or replace was documented
      preoperatively in 98.7%. Concordance was associated with successful repair (97.8%
      versus 57.1%; P=0.001). Three-dimensional concordance was higher than 2
      dimensional (100% versus 94.4%; P=0.05). Echocardiography guided a graduated
      surgical approach for degenerative and myopathic repairs by quantifying segmental
      prolapse, anterior leaflet closing angles, and tenting for integration of
      secondary chord lysis (P<0.001) and commissural width (P<0.01). Repair rates
      increased from 46.5% to 77.6% (P<0.001). Concomitant Society of Thoracic Surgeons
      rates were 46.6% (versus unguided 46.5%; P=0.99) and 54.9% (versus echo guided
      77.6%; P<0.001). Repair was successful in 91.5% of isolated echo-guided mitral
      operations (versus concomitant Society of Thoracic Surgeons 70.0%; P<0.001). Echo
      guided repair rates for degenerative, myopathic, and inflammatory diseases were
      99.0%, 97.1%, and 84.2% with linearized annual recurrent regurgitation of 0.63%,
      2.19%, and 4.37%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography can reliably
      identify repairable mitral disease and guide intervention. Echo-guided repair is
      associated with a higher rate of initial success than unguided historical and
      concomitant national controls. Three-dimensional echo improves concordance.
      Secondary chord lysis is associated with durable repair and may prevent
      ventricular remodeling.

PMID- 24218120
TI  - Serial reversal learning in bumblebees (Bombus impatiens).
AB  - Bumblebees are capable of rapidly learning discriminations, but flexibility in
      bumblebee learning is less well understood. We tested bumblebees (Bombus
      impatiens) on a serial reversal learning task. A serial reversal task requires
      learning of an initial discrimination between two differentially rewarded
      stimuli, followed by multiple reversals of the reward contingency between
      stimuli. A reduction in errors with repeated reversals in a serial reversal task
      is an indicator of behavioural flexibility. Bees were housed in a large indoor
      environment and tested during foraging flights. Testing free-flying bees allowed
      for large numbers of trials and reversals. All bees were trained to perform a
      simultaneous discrimination between two colours for a nectar reward, followed by
      nine reversals of this discrimination. Results showed that bumblebees reduced
      errors and improved their performance across successive reversals. A reduction in
      perseverative errors was the major cause of the improvement in performance. Bees
      showed a slight increase in error rate in their final trials, perhaps as a
      consequence of increasing proactive interference, but proactive interference may
      also have contributed to the overall improvement in performance across reversals.
      Bumblebees are thus capable of behavioural flexibility comparable to that of
      other animals and may use proactive interference as a mechanism of behavioural
      flexibility in varying environments.

PMID- 24218121
TI  - Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) exploit information about what others can see
      but not what they can hear.
AB  - Studies suggest that haplorhine primates are sensitive to what others can see and
      hear. Using two experimental designs, we tested the hypothesis that ring-tailed
      lemurs (N = 16) are also sensitive to the visual and auditory perception of
      others. In the first task, we used a go/no-go design that required lemurs to
      exploit only auditory information. In the second task, we used a forced-choice
      design where lemurs competed against a human who would prevent them from
      obtaining food if their approaches were detected. Subjects were given the choice
      of obtaining food silently or noisily when the competitor's back was turned. They
      were also given the choice to obtain food when the competitor could either see
      them or not. Here, we replicate the findings of previous studies indicating that
      ring-tailed lemurs are sensitive to whether they can be seen; however, we found
      no evidence that subjects are sensitive to whether others can hear them. Our
      findings suggest that ring-tailed lemurs converge with haplorhine primates only
      in their sensitivity to the visual information of others. The results emphasize
      the importance of investigating social cognition across sensory domains in order
      to elucidate the cognitive mechanisms that underlie apparently complex social
      behavior. These findings also suggest that the social dynamics of haplorhine
      groups impose greater cognitive demands than lemur groups, despite similarities
      in total group size.

PMID- 24218122
TI  - Deregulation from CD4+ memory T cells to regulatory cells in patients with
      chronic renal failure: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the CD4+ memory T (Tm)
      cells differentiation to regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a role in the
      immunological defects in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and if the
      oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) had affect on on CD4+ Tm cells and Tregs
      apoptosis in these subjects. METHODS: CD4+ Tm cells and Tregs were detected by
      flow cytometry in each group of ten subjects. Apoptosis was measured by flow
      cytometry and confirmed by Western blotting. RESULTS: The oxLDL concentration was
      significantly higher in CKD stage 4 (CKD4) patients than in controls,
      particularly in hemodialysis (HD) subjects (P < 0.001, respectively). In total,
      100 MUg/ml oxLDL significantly inhibited the CD4+ Tm cell proliferation. oxLDL
      induced Tm generated Tregs apoptosis in controls and CKD4 patients, especially in
      HD patients (P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Dysregulation of CD4+ Tm cells
      converting into Tregs played a role in the immune defects of CKD patients, and
      oxLDL induced the apoptosis of Tm generating Tregs in these subjects. Larger size
      of sample should be investigated to confirm the findings in further studies.

PMID- 24218124
TI  - Stability of BUN and creatinine determinations on the Siemens Advia 1800
      analyzer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serum creatinine values of patients tend to change as a result of the
      use of different blanks used for creatinine determinations on the Advia 1650.
      After upgrading the analyzer to the Advia 1800, creatinine values tended to be
      more reproducible. As part of a quality assurance investigation to test the
      reproducibilities of creatinine values, we determined serial creatinine values in
      the sera of 13 patients whose initial values were either in the reference range
      or elevated (range 0.58-7.8 mg/dl). These values were determined concurrently
      with serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) determinations (range 6.0-84.4 mg/dl) as
      these two analytes are used together in evaluation of renal function. METHODS: We
      determined BUN and creatinine values, using the glutamate dehydrogenase lined
      enzyme assay system and the Jaffe method, respectively. RESULTS: We find that all
      values for creatinine on samples stored at 4  degrees C were reproducible as were
      the corresponding BUN values, which is revealed by low values for the
      coefficients of variation (CVs), that is, mean CV of 4.55% for creatinine and
      2.52% for BUN. One sample with relatively high CV (10.6%) for creatinine was
      found to have an initial value of 1.1 mg/dl, in the reference range; but, on
      repeat determinations, the obtained levels were as high as 1.5 mg/dl, above the
      reference range. BUN values for this sample remained in the reference range,
      suggesting that no renal disease was present. CONCLUSION: We conclude that
      creatinine and BUN determinations are stable, but occasional spurious creatinine
      values can occur on the Advia 1800 analyzer.

PMID- 24218123
TI  - The association of MTHFR C677T gene variants and lipid profiles or body mass
      index in patients with diabetic and nondiabetic coronary heart disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate whether
      methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation is associated with the
      development of hyperlipoproteinemia and obesity in coronary heart disease (CHD).
      METHODS: This study was carried out in 82 diabetic and 112 nondiabetic patients
      with CHD and in 138 CHD-free healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction
      restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and agarose gel
      electrophoresis techniques were used to determine the MTHFR C677T. RESULTS:
      Distributions of MTHFR genotypes (C677T dbSNP: rs1801133) were similar in our
      study groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical association between biochemical
      parameters and genotype distribution in nondiabetic CHD patients, while diabetic
      CC genotype carriers have elevated levels of body mass index (BMI) independently
      from lipid profiles (P = 0.002). In diabetic CHD patients, while evaluating the
      clinical parameters according to gender, it was found that gender had an impact
      on BMI (P = 0.013). Due to this gender effect, a multivariate analysis was
      conducted on the diabetic CHD patient group. The multivariate logistic regression
      analysis confirmed that the MTHFR-CC genotype was associated with elevated BMI
      levels in diabetic CHD patients (odds ratio [OR] = 5.42, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION:
      The results of the present study demonstrated that possessing T allele of MTHFR
      C677T mutation indicates a protective association on BMI independently from other
      risk factors.

PMID- 24218125
TI  - Biological variations of some analytes in renal posttransplant patients: a
      different way to assess routine parameters.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biological variation (BV) data of analytes have been used to evaluate
      the significant changes in serial results (reference change value, RCV) of
      healthy individuals in clinical laboratories. However, BV data of healthy
      subjects may not be identical to the analytes of patients with ongoing clinical
      condition. The aim of this study was to calculate intra-(CVw) (coefficient of
      variation for intra-individual BV) and inter-individual (CVg) BV, index of
      individuality, and RCV of nine serum analytes of renal posttransplant patients.
      METHODS: Six serum specimens were obtained in an interval of two months in a one
      year period from 70 transplant patients who had been stable for three years. Each
      time creatinine, uric acid, urea, sodium, potassium, calcium, inorganic
      phosphate, total protein, and albumin of these patients were analyzed with an
      integrated clinical chemistry/immunoassay auto-analyzer. ANOVA tests were used to
      calculate the variations. Results were compared with the data of healthy subjects
      obtained from BV database. RESULTS: CVw of all nine analytes of the renal
      transplant patients were higher than the healthy subjects. RCVs of these analytes
      were calculated as 14.5% for creatinine, 16.5% for urea, 13.7% for urate, 12.57%
      for albumin, 8.26% for total protein, 3.25% for sodium, 12.81% for potassium,
      5.88% for calcium, and 21.57% for inorganic phosphate. CONCLUSION: RCV concept
      for predicting the clinical status in posttransplant population represents an
      optimization of laboratory reporting and could be a valuable tool for clinical
      decision.

PMID- 24218126
TI  - Risk for early pregnancy loss by factor XIII Val34Leu: the impact of fibrinogen
      concentration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We have already described a significantly elevated overall risk for
      recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in women carrying the coagulation factor XIII
      (FXIII) Val34Leu and/or the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G
      polymorphism assuming that these polymorphisms contribute synergistically to RPL
      because of impaired hypofibrinolysis. Recent studies on FXIII indicate that the
      impact of the FXIII 34Leu genotype on fibrin structure and fibrinolysis is
      affected by fibrinogen concentration. Therefore, we reinvestigated the
      association between fibrinogen concentrations and FXIII Val34Leu with early RPL.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, we enrolled 49 women with a
      history of two consecutive or three to six nonconsecutive pregnancy losses
      between the 8th and 12th week of gestation and 48 healthy controls. The risk for
      RPL in carriers of FXIII 34Leu at fibrinogen levels above or below the median and
      first tertile of controls was evaluated. RESULTS: In carriers of the 34Leu
      allele, fibrinogen levels below the median (i.e., <= 300 mg/dl) and the first
      tertile (i.e., <= 284 mg/dl) of controls were associated with an increased risk
      for RPL [(2.9 (1.1-7.7), 3.9(1.0-15.0)]. CONCLUSIONS: The FXIII Val34Leu
      polymorphism may be associated with the development of early RPL in association
      with fibrinogen concentrations. At fibrinogen levels in the low normal range,
      FXIII 34Leu may modify fibrin structure toward an increased resistance to
      fibrinolysis.

PMID- 24218127
TI  - A one-step RT-PCR array for detection and differentiation of zoonotic influenza
      viruses H5N1, H9N2, and H1N1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapid and comprehensive pathogen identification is crucial in
      zoonotic influenza diagnosis. METHODS: By optimizing the design of primers and
      probes and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) conditions,
      we achieved simultaneous detection of multiple influenza and zoonotic influenza
      viruses, including H1N1, H5N1, and H9N2 strains, in a one-step, quantitative real
      time RT-PCR array (rRT-PCR array) of RNA from multiple influenza strains
      utilizing a single set of conditions for RT-PCR amplification. The target
      sequences from all targeted zoonotic influenza viruses were cloned into
      recombinant RNA virus particles, which were used to evaluate sensitivity,
      specificity, and reproducibility of the zoonotic influenza viruses RT-PCR array.
      RESULTS: The detection limit of the array was shown to be between 10(0) and 10(1)
      copies per reaction, and the standard curve demonstrated a linear range from 10
      to 10(6) copies. Thus, the analytical sensitivity of this zoonotic influenza
      viruses RT-PCR array is 10-100 times higher than conventional RT-PCR. Specificity
      of the one-step zoonotic influenza viruses RT-PCR array was verified by
      comparison of results obtained with retroviral-like particles (RVPs), which
      contained RNA from isolates of seasonal influenza viruses, zoonotic influenza
      viruses, and other pathogens known to cause acute respiratory disease.
      CONCLUSION: The high sensitivity, rapidity, reproducibility, and specificity of
      this zoonotic influenza viruses rRT-PCR array has been verified as being
      sufficient to detect the presence of multiple zoonotic influenza viruses in a
      single assay. The zoonotic influenza viruses RT-PCR array might provide rapid
      identification of emergent zoonotic influenza viruses strains during influenza
      outbreaks and disease surveillance initiatives.

PMID- 24218128
TI  - Are levels of NT-proBNP and SDMA useful to determine diastolic dysfunction in
      chronic kidney disease and renal transplant patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical usefulness of N
      terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and symmetric
      dimethylarginine (SDMA) for detection of renal and left ventricular (LV)
      diastolic dysfunction in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and renal
      transplant (RT) recipients. METHODS: We included 98 CKD and 44 RT patients. We
      assessed LV function using pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound. Diastolic dysfunction
      was defined when the E:A ratio was <1. RESULTS: Independent predictors of NT
      proBNP levels were age, creatinine, and albumin in CKD patients and age and urea
      in RT patients. Determinants of SDMA in CKD patients were glomerular filtration
      rate (GFR) and NT-proBNP and creatinine in RT patients. In RT patients with
      diastolic dysfunction, NT-proBNP and SDMA were significantly higher than in
      patients without diastolic dysfunction (F = 7.478, P < 0.011; F = 2.631, P <
      0.017). After adjustment for GFR, the differences were not seen. In CKD patients
      adjusted NT-proBNP and SDMA values for GFR were not significantly higher in
      patients with diastolic dysfunction than in patients without diastolic
      dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP is useful for detection of LV diastolic
      dysfunction in RT recipients. When evaluating both NT-proBNP and SDMA it is
      necessary to consider GFR as a confounding factor.

PMID- 24218129
TI  - An improved method on isolation and serial passage of Chlamydia pneumoniae from
      human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conventional method for Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) isolation and
      propagation is technically challenging and time-consuming. Here, we developed a
      method to improve the isolation and passage of Cpn collected from human
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). METHODS: PBMCs positive with Cpn
      antigen (Cpn-Ag) were isolated, then centrifuged and cultured with Hep-2 cells
      after being broken. Cells were broken again and put into new Hep-2 cells to
      finish totally four passages with isolated and imported Cpn.
      Microimmunofluorescence method was used to detect Cpn. Inclusion forming unit
      (IFU) number was counted for each passage. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method
      was used to detect Cpn DNA. Efficiency of different centrifugation modes was
      compared. RESULTS: Hep-2 cells of the first and second passages were strong
      positive with Cpn-Ag, the third passage was positive, and the fourth negative.
      Degeneration appeared in the fourth passage for isolated Cpn and third passage
      for imported strain. Centrifugation mode of 1,000 rpm for 2 h was the most
      efficient for Cpn propagation and passage. CONCLUSION: This simplified method
      achieved efficient isolation, propagation, and passage of Cpn from PBMCs, and
      isolated strain was superior to imported strain on propagating ability.

PMID- 24218130
TI  - Comparative evaluation of a new chemiluminiscent assay and an ELISA for the
      detection of IgM against measles.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The primary test for the laboratory confirmation of measles is
      immunoglobulin M (IgM) serology. It is therefore important to evaluate new
      commercial measles IgM immunoassays to ensure high-quality measles diagnostic
      testing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of
      LIAISON IgM measles (DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy), a new automated
      chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), in comparison with enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
      Enzygnost (Siemens, Marburg, Germany). METHODS: Sensitivity was examined using a
      panel of measles laboratory confirmed sera; specificity was addressed by testing
      sera from healthy populations and subjects with infections that may interfere
      with measles IgM serology. RESULTS: The diagnostic performances of the two assays
      were very similar: both Enzygnost EIA and LIAISON CLIA performed with a
      sensitivity of 93.7% and 98.8%, whereas the specificity was 96.8% and 97.9%,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: We concluded that LIAISON IgM measles can be a good
      alternative to the other immunoassay for laboratory measles confirmation.

PMID- 24218131
TI  - Differential diagnostics of Thalassemia Minor by artificial neural networks
      model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current methods used to diagnose the thalassemia minor (TM) patients
      require high-cost assays, while broader screening based on routine blood count
      has limited specificity and sensitivity. This study developed a new screening
      technique for TM patients' diagnosis. METHODS: The study enrolled 526 patients
      database that included 185 verified alpha and beta TM cases, and control group
      consisted of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and
      healthy patients. More than 1,500 artificial neural networks (ANNs) models were
      created and the networks that gave high accuracy were selected for the study. TM
      patients were identified from the general database using the best-optimized ANNs.
      RESULTS: Comparison between three or six routine blood count parameters
      determined a slightly higher accuracy of the model with the three-parameter
      scheme, including mean corpuscular volume, red blood cell distribution width, and
      red blood cell. Based on these parameters, we were able to separate TM patients
      from the control group and MDS group, with specificity of 0.967 and sensitivity
      of 1. Including IDA patients into comparison gave lower but, still, very good
      values of specificity of 0.968 and sensitivity of 0.9. CONCLUSION: ANN-based TM
      diagnostics should be used for broad automatic screening of general population
      prior diagnosis with high-cost tests.

PMID- 24218132
TI  - Optimization of PCR conditions for amplification of GC-Rich EGFR promoter
      sequence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an extremely sensitive method that
      often demands optimization, especially when difficult templates need to be
      amplified. The aim of the present study was to optimize the PCR conditions for
      amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) promoter sequence
      featuring an extremely high guanine-cytosine (GC) content in order to detect
      single nucleotide polymorphisms -216G>T and -191C>A. METHODS: Genomic DNA used
      for amplification was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung tumor
      tissue and PCR products were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS:
      Results showed that addition of 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), as well as DNA
      concentration in PCR reaction of at least 2 MUg/ml, were necessary for successful
      amplification. Due to high GC content, optimal annealing temperature was 7
      degrees C higher than calculated, while adequate MgCl2 concentration ranged from
      1.5 to 2.0 mM. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, EGFR promoter region is a difficult PCR
      target, but it could be amplified after optimization of MgCl2 concentration and
      annealing temperature in the presence of DMSO and the DNA template of acceptable
      concentration.

PMID- 24218133
TI  - Oxidative stress-related enzyme polymorphisms associated with the immunological
      biomarkers levels in heavy drinkers in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol intake can result in the oxidative stress in cells
      and the genetic variations of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes are responsible for
      the different degrees of toxicity of alcohol in several organs, such as the liver
      and immunological systems. We hypothesized that the alteration of oxidative
      stress due to some genetic variations of oxidative stress-related enzymes could
      result in changes of specific biomarkers, and heavy drinkers could be cautioned
      about the predictive likelihood to induce drinking-induced diseases. METHODS: A
      total of 108 heavy drinkers and 106 nonheavy drinkers were enrolled and the
      hematological, biochemical, and immunological tests were measured; the genotypes
      of oxidative stress-related enzymes, including manganese superoxide dismutase
      (MnSOD1183T>C), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1Pro198Leu), catalase (CAT-262C>T),
      and myeloperoxidase (MPO-463G>A), were assayed by real-time polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
      RESULTS: For the males, the levels of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT),
      malondialdehyde (MDA), CD4(+), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM),
      and IL-6 were significantly different between the two groups. Furthermore, there
      were higher proportions of CD19(+) cells and lower TNF-alpha levels in heavy
      drinkers with the MnSOD C carriers, and there were higher percentages of CD19(+)
      cells and IL-6 levels in heavy drinkers with the combined genotypes of MnSOD C
      carriers and MPO A carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that heavy
      drinkers may be cautioned predictive likelihood for them to induce drinking
      induced diseases by analyzing their MnSOD genotypes and immunological biomarkers.

PMID- 24218134
TI  - Hepcidin-25 concentrations are markedly increased in patients with chronic kidney
      disease and are inversely correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepcidin-25 regulates iron homeostasis by binding the iron
      transporter ferroportin, causing its degradation. Increased hepcidin-25 causes
      decreased intestinal iron absorption and release from intracellular stores. Our
      objective in this study was to measure hepcidin-25 levels in patients with
      chronic kidney disease (CKD) to determine if they might contribute to the anemia
      of CKD. METHODS: We used a hepcidin-25-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      to measure hepcidin-25 in 103 CKD patients and 100 healthy individuals. We
      assessed in CKD subjects the correlation of hepcidin-25 with creatinine,
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen,
      serum iron, transferrin, and ferritin. RESULTS: Hepcidin-25 concentrations in CKD
      patients were significantly increased compared to healthy subjects (60.4 +/- 6.1
      MUg/l vs. 3.0 +/- 0.5 MUg/l, P < 0.001). Hepcidin-25 concentrations were directly
      correlated with creatinine (R = 0.28, P = 0.004) and inversely correlated with
      eGFR (R = -0.32, P = 0.001). Hepcidin-25 levels were also correlated with
      transferrin (R = -0.28, P = 0.004) and ferritin (R = 0.80, P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: The direct correlation of hepcidin-25 with creatinine and its inverse
      correlation with eGFR suggest that hepcidin-25 levels increase as renal function
      deteriorates, possibly due to decreased hepcidin-25 renal clearance.

PMID- 24218135
TI  - How to include informal care in economic evaluations.
AB  - Economic evaluations of health interventions aim to support decision making in
      healthcare. To effectively do so, evaluations need to include all relevant costs
      and effects of an intervention. Informal care provided by family or friends is an
      important element of care for many patients, but can have a profound impact on
      the health and well-being of carers. Therefore, informal care should be
      considered in economic evaluations of health interventions. Different methods to
      do so exist. This paper provides an overview of state-of-the-art methods
      available for this purpose, illustrated with practical examples. Since the choice
      of measurement and valuation technique depends on the type and perspective of the
      economic evaluation, this paper supports researchers in choosing the appropriate
      techniques to include informal care in their economic evaluation of a health
      intervention. We discuss the different approaches to measuring and valuing
      informal care, covering both partial and full valuation methods, allowing
      inclusion as costs or effects. 

PMID- 24218136
TI  - Selective MAO-B inhibitors: a lesson from natural products.
AB  - Monoamine oxidases (MAOs) are mitochondrial bound enzymes, which catalyze the
      oxidative deamination of monoamine neurotransmitters. Inside the brain, MAOs are
      present in two isoforms: MAO-A and MAO-B. The activity of MAO-B is generally
      higher in patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and
      Parkinson's. Therefore, the search for potent and selective MAO-B inhibitors is
      still a challenge for medicinal chemists. Nature has always been a source of
      inspiration for the discovery of new lead compounds. Moreover, natural medicine
      is a major component in all traditional medicine systems. In this review, we
      present the latest discoveries in the search for selective MAO-B inhibitors from
      natural sources. For clarity, compounds have been classified on the basis of
      structural analogy or source: flavonoids, xanthones, tannins, proanthocyanidins,
      iridoid glucosides, curcumin, alkaloids, cannabinoids, and natural sources
      extracts. MAO inhibition values reported in the text are not always consistent
      due to the high variability of MAO sources (bovine, pig, rat brain or liver, and
      human) and to the heterogeneity of the experimental protocols used. 

PMID- 24218137
TI  - The distinctive germinal center phase of IgE+ B lymphocytes limits their
      contribution to the classical memory response.
AB  - The mechanisms involved in the maintenance of memory IgE responses are poorly
      understood, and the role played by germinal center (GC) IgE(+) cells in memory
      responses is particularly unclear. IgE(+) B cell differentiation is characterized
      by a transient GC phase, a bias toward the plasma cell (PC) fate, and dependence
      on sequential switching for the production of high-affinity IgE. We show here
      that IgE(+) GC B cells are unfit to undergo the conventional GC differentiation
      program due to impaired B cell receptor function and increased apoptosis. IgE(+)
      GC cells fail to populate the GC light zone and are unable to contribute to the
      memory and long-lived PC compartments. Furthermore, we demonstrate that direct
      and sequential switching are linked to distinct B cell differentiation fates:
      direct switching generates IgE(+) GC cells, whereas sequential switching gives
      rise to IgE(+) PCs. We propose a comprehensive model for the generation and
      memory of IgE responses. 

PMID- 24218138
TI  - Naive and memory human B cells have distinct requirements for STAT3 activation to
      differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells.
AB  - Long-lived antibody memory is mediated by the combined effects of long-lived
      plasma cells (PCs) and memory B cells generated in response to T cell-dependent
      antigens (Ags). IL-10 and IL-21 can activate multiple signaling pathways,
      including STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5; ERK; PI3K/Akt, and potently promote human B
      cell differentiation. We previously showed that loss-of-function mutations in
      STAT3, but not STAT1, abrogate IL-10- and IL-21-mediated differentiation of human
      naive B cells into plasmablasts. We report here that, in contrast to naive B
      cells, STAT3-deficient memory B cells responded to these STAT3-activating
      cytokines, differentiating into plasmablasts and secreting high levels of IgM,
      IgG, and IgA, as well as Ag-specific IgG. This was associated with the induction
      of the molecular machinery necessary for PC formation. Mutations in IL21R,
      however, abolished IL-21-induced responses of both naive and memory human B cells
      and compromised memory B cell formation in vivo. These findings reveal a key role
      for IL-21R/STAT3 signaling in regulating human B cell function. Furthermore, our
      results indicate that the threshold of STAT3 activation required for
      differentiation is lower in memory compared with naive B cells, thereby
      identifying an intrinsic difference in the mechanism underlying differentiation
      of naive versus memory B cells. 

PMID- 24218139
TI  - Concurrent loss of Ezh2 and Tet2 cooperates in the pathogenesis of
      myelodysplastic disorders.
AB  - Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are essential regulators of hematopoietic stem
      cells. Recent extensive mutation analyses of the myeloid malignancies have
      revealed that inactivating somatic mutations in PcG genes such as EZH2 and ASXL1
      occur frequently in patients with myelodysplastic disorders including
      myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN)
      overlap disorders (MDS/MPN). In our patient cohort, EZH2 mutations were also
      found and often coincided with tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) mutations.
      Consistent with these findings, deletion of Ezh2 alone was enough to induce
      MDS/MPN-like diseases in mice. Furthermore, concurrent depletion of Ezh2 and Tet2
      established more advanced myelodysplasia and markedly accelerated the development
      of myelodysplastic disorders including both MDS and MDS/MPN. Comprehensive genome
      wide analyses in hematopoietic progenitor cells revealed that upon deletion of
      Ezh2, key developmental regulator genes were kept transcriptionally repressed,
      suggesting compensation by Ezh1, whereas a cohort of oncogenic direct and
      indirect polycomb targets became derepressed. Our findings provide the first
      evidence of the tumor suppressor function of EZH2 in myeloid malignancies and
      highlight the cooperative effect of concurrent gene mutations in the pathogenesis
      of myelodysplastic disorders. 

PMID- 24218141
TI  - Ethical considerations when employing fake identities in online social networks
      for research.
AB  - Online social networks (OSNs) have rapidly become a prominent and widely used
      service, offering a wealth of personal and sensitive information with significant
      security and privacy implications. Hence, OSNs are also an important--and popular
      -subject for research. To perform research based on real-life evidence, however,
      researchers may need to access OSN data, such as texts and files uploaded by
      users and connections among users. This raises significant ethical problems.
      Currently, there are no clear ethical guidelines, and researchers may end up
      (unintentionally) performing ethically questionable research, sometimes even when
      more ethical research alternatives exist. For example, several studies have
      employed "fake identities" to collect data from OSNs, but fake identities may be
      used for attacks and are considered a security issue. Is it legitimate to use
      fake identities for studying OSNs or for collecting OSN data for research? We
      present a taxonomy of the ethical challenges facing researchers of OSNs and
      compare different approaches. We demonstrate how ethical considerations have been
      taken into account in previous studies that used fake identities. In addition,
      several possible approaches are offered to reduce or avoid ethical misconducts.
      We hope this work will stimulate the development and use of ethical practices and
      methods in the research of online social networks.

PMID- 24218140
TI  - Deletion of Asxl1 results in myelodysplasia and severe developmental defects in
      vivo.
AB  - Somatic Addition of Sex Combs Like 1 (ASXL1) mutations occur in 10-30% of
      patients with myeloid malignancies, most commonly in myelodysplastic syndromes
      (MDSs), and are associated with adverse outcome. Germline ASXL1 mutations occur
      in patients with Bohring-Opitz syndrome. Here, we show that constitutive loss of
      Asxl1 results in developmental abnormalities, including anophthalmia,
      microcephaly, cleft palates, and mandibular malformations. In contrast,
      hematopoietic-specific deletion of Asxl1 results in progressive, multilineage
      cytopenias and dysplasia in the context of increased numbers of hematopoietic
      stem/progenitor cells, characteristic features of human MDS. Serial
      transplantation of Asxl1-null hematopoietic cells results in a lethal myeloid
      disorder at a shorter latency than primary Asxl1 knockout (KO) mice. Asxl1
      deletion reduces hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, which is restored by
      concomitant deletion of Tet2, a gene commonly co-mutated with ASXL1 in MDS
      patients. Moreover, compound Asxl1/Tet2 deletion results in an MDS phenotype with
      hastened death compared with single-gene KO mice. Asxl1 loss results in a global
      reduction of H3K27 trimethylation and dysregulated expression of known regulators
      of hematopoiesis. RNA-Seq/ChIP-Seq analyses of Asxl1 in hematopoietic cells
      identify a subset of differentially expressed genes as direct targets of Asxl1.
      These findings underscore the importance of Asxl1 in Polycomb group function,
      development, and hematopoiesis. 

PMID- 24218142
TI  - Explicit training in human values and social attitudes of future engineers in
      Spain : commentary on "preparing to understand and use science in the real world:
      interdisciplinary study concentrations at the technical University of Darmstadt".
AB  - In Spain before the 1990s there was no clear and explicit comprehensive training
      for future engineers with regard to social responsibility and social commitment.
      Following the Spanish university curricular reform, which began in the early
      1990s, a number of optional subjects became available to students, concerning
      science, technology and society (STS), international cooperation, the environment
      and sustainability. The latest redefinition of the Spanish curriculum in line
      with the Bologna agreements has reduced the number of non-obligatory subjects,
      but could lead to improving preparation for social responsibility due to the
      requirement that the design of curricula and the assessment of students should be
      based on competencies, some of which include human values and attitudes. 

PMID- 24218143
TI  - Ectopic Cushing syndrome associated with thymic carcinoid tumor as the first
      presentation of MEN1 syndrome-report of a family with MEN1 gene mutation.
AB  - Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1) is an autosomal dominant syndrome.
      Although thymic carcinoid tumor is recognized as a part of MEN1 syndrome but
      functioning thymic carcinoid tumor as the first presentation of the MEN1 seems to
      be very rare. In this report, we present a 29-year-old male who developed ectopic
      Cushing syndrome secondary to thymic carcinoid tumor and was diagnosed as MEN1
      syndrome 2 years later. Further evaluation revealed the presence of carcinoid
      tumor and other MEN 1 manifestations in several other member of family. Genetic
      evaluation showed presence of a previously reported mutation in exon 10(R527X) of
      MEN1 gene in these patients. This presentation showed that thymic neuroendocrine
      tumor could be the first manifestation of the MEN1 syndrome and it might be
      diagnosed as a dominant manifestation of this syndrome in a family. We suggest
      biochemical or genetic screening for MEN-1 syndrome for patients with thymic
      carcinoid. 

PMID- 24218145
TI  - Translating Falls Prevention Knowledge to Community-Dwelling Older PLWD: A Mixed
      Method Systematic Review.
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Falls prevention evidence is strong, but little is known
      about uptake of strategies for people living with dementia (PLWD). This mixed
      method systematic review aimed to integrate evidence of falls prevention efficacy
      with views/experiences of PLWD. DESIGN AND METHODS: Eight electronic databases
      were searched. Inclusion criteria included quantitative or qualitative studies
      examining knowledge translation of falls prevention strategies in community
      dwelling PLWD and/or their caregiver. Study quality was assessed, and findings
      are narratively described. RESULTS: Six quantitative and five qualitative studies
      were included. Study quality was mixed. Quantitative studies showed limited
      evidence of effectiveness on reduction in falls risk, falls and hospitalization
      rates, nursing home admission, decline in activities of daily living, and
      adherence to strategies. Qualitative themes showed inclusion of caregiver and
      health professionals as key to program success, but many factors influence
      participation. IMPLICATIONS: Synthesizing the findings generated a new
      understanding of falls prevention for this high-risk group. A focus upon health
      professional and caregiver involvement and accommodation of individual
      preferences may result in increased engagement with falls prevention strategies.

PMID- 24218144
TI  - A tandem isomerization/prins strategy: iridium(III)/Bronsted acid cooperative
      catalysis.
AB  - Working together: A mild and efficient isomerization/protonation sequence
      generates pyran-fused indoles by cooperative catalysis between cationic
      iridium(III) and Bi(OTf)3 . Three distinct cyclization manifolds lead to the
      corresponding bioactive scaffolds in good yields. In addition, N-substituted
      indoles can be synthesized enantioselectively in the presence of a chiral
      phosphate. 

PMID- 24218146
TI  - The role of organizational culture in retaining nursing workforce.
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We examined how organizational culture in nursing homes
      affects staff turnover, because culture is a first step to creating satisfactory
      work environments. DESIGN AND METHODS: Nursing home administrators were asked in
      2009 to report on facility culture and staff turnover. We received responses from
      419 of 1,056 administrators contacted. Respondents reported the strength of
      cultural values using scales from a Competing Values Framework and percent of
      staff leaving annually for Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practice Nurse (LPN),
      and nursing aide (NA) staff. We estimated negative binomial models predicting
      turnover.  RESULTS: Turnover rates are lower than found in past but remain
      significantly higher among NAs than among RNs or LPNs. Facilities with stronger
      market values had increased turnover among RNs and LPNs, and among NAs when
      turnover was adjusted for facilities with few staff. Facilities emphasizing
      hierarchical internal processes had lower RN turnover. Group and developmental
      values focusing on staff and innovation only lowered LPN turnover. Finally,
      effects on NA turnover become insignificant when turnover was adjusted if
      voluntary turnover was reported. IMPLICATIONS: Organizational culture had
      differential effects on the turnover of RN, LPN, and NA staff that should be
      addressed in developing culture-change strategies. More flexible organizational
      culture values were important for LPN staff only, whereas unexpectedly, greater
      emphasis on rigid internal rules helped facilities retain RNs. Facilities with a
      stronger focus on customer needs had higher turnover among all staff.

PMID- 24218147
TI  - Perinatal exposure to BDE-99 causes decreased protein levels of cyclin D1 via
      GSK3beta activation and increased ROS production in rat pup livers.
AB  - We here examined the potential liver toxicity in rat pups from dams exposed
      during the gestational and lactation periods to 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl
      ether (BDE-99). Dams were exposed to 0, 1, and 2mg/kg/day of BDE-99 from
      gestation day 6 to postnatal day 21. When the pups were weaning, the liver from 1
      pup of each litter was excised to evaluate oxidative stress markers and the
      messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of multiple cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms. To
      determine whether thyroid hormone (TH) was disrupted, the protein and mRNA
      expressions of several TH receptor (TR) isoforms, as well as the protein levels
      of cyclin D1 and the phosphorylated protein kinases Akt and glycogen synthase
      kinase 3 beta (GSK3beta), were evaluated. Perinatal exposure to BDE-99 produced
      decreased levels of cyclin D1 in rat pup livers. A decrease in the active form of
      Akt and an increase in the active form of GSK3beta were observed. The decreased
      Akt pathway may be due to a potential disruption of the nongenomic actions of TH
      by BDE-99 and its metabolites. This possible TH disruption was noted as a
      decrease in TR isoforms expression. By contrast, we observed an upregulation of
      CYP2B1 gene expression, which is correlated with an increase in reactive oxygen
      species production. This outcome indicates activation of the nuclear constitutive
      androstane receptor, which could induce the expression of other enzymes capable
      of metabolizing TH. The present findings support the hypothesis that perinatal
      exposure to PBDEs, at levels found in humans, may have serious implications for
      metabolic processes in rat pup livers. 

PMID- 24218148
TI  - Loss of hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha in the lung alveolar epithelium of mice
      leads to enhanced eosinophilic inflammation in cobalt-induced lung injury.
AB  - Hard metal lung disease (HMLD) is an occupational lung disease specific to
      inhalation of cobalt-containing particles whose mechanism is largely unknown.
      Cobalt is a known hypoxia mimic and stabilizer of the alpha subunits of hypoxia
      inducible factors (HIFs). Previous work revealed that though HIF1alpha contrib
      utes to cobalt toxicity in vitro, loss of HIF1alpha in the alveolar epithelial
      cells does not provide in vivo protection from cobalt-induced lung inflammation.
      HIF1alpha and HIF2alpha show unique tissue expression profiles, and HIF2alpha is
      known to be the predominant HIF mRNA isoform in the adult lung. Thus, if
      HIF2alpha activation by cobalt contributes to pathophysiology of HMLD, we
      hypothesized that loss of HIF2alpha in lung epithelium would provide protection
      from cobalt-induced inflammation. Mice with HIF2alpha-deficiency in Club and
      alveolar type II epithelial cells (ATIIs) (HIF2alpha(Delta/Delta)) were exposed
      to cobalt (60 ug/day) or saline using a subacute occupational exposure model.
      Bronchoalveolar lavage cellularity, cytokines, qRT-PCR, and histopathology were
      analyzed. Results show that loss of HIF2alpha leads to enhanced eosinophilic
      inflammation and increased goblet cell metaplasia. Additionally, control mice
      demonstrated a mild recovery from cobalt-induced lung injury compared with
      HIF2alpha(Delta/Delta) mice, suggesting a role for epithelial HIF2alpha in repair
      mechanisms. The expression of important cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-5 and
      IL-10, displayed significant differences following cobalt exposure when
      HIF2alpha(Delta/Delta) and control mice were compared. In summary, our data
      suggest that although loss of HIF2alpha does not afford protection from cobalt
      induced lung inflammation, epithelial HIF2alpha signaling does play an important
      role in modulating the inflammatory and repair response in the lung. 

PMID- 24218149
TI  - Elevated blood pressure in offspring of rats exposed to diverse chemicals during
      pregnancy.
AB  - Adverse intrauterine environments have been associated with increased risk of
      later cardiovascular disease and hypertension. In an animal model using diverse
      developmental toxicants, we measured blood pressure (BP), renal nephron
      endowment, renal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene expression, and serum
      aldosterone in offspring of pregnant Sprague Dawley rats exposed to dexamethasone
      (Dex), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), atrazine, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA),
      arsenic, or nicotine. BP was assessed by tail cuff photoplethysmography, nephron
      endowment by confocal microscopy, and renal GR mRNA by qPCR. BP was also measured
      by telemetry, and corticosterone (CORT) was measured in resting or restrained Dex
      and atrazine offspring. Treated dams gained less weight during treatment in all
      groups except arsenic. There were chemical- and sex-specific effects on birth
      weight, but offspring body weights were similar by weaning. BP was higher in Dex,
      PFOS, atrazine, and PFNA male offspring by 7-10 weeks. Female offspring exhibited
      elevated BP at 10 weeks for PFNA and arsenic, and at 37 weeks for Dex, PFOS, and
      atrazine. Dex, PFOS, and atrazine offspring still exhibited elevated BP at 52-65
      weeks of age; others did not. Elevated BP was associated with lower nephron
      counts. Dex, PFOS, and atrazine offspring had elevated renal GR gene expression.
      Elevations in BP were also observed in Dex and atrazine offspring by
      radiotelemetry. Atrazine offspring exhibited enhanced CORT response to restraint.
      Elevated offspring BP was induced by maternal exposure to toxicants. Because all
      treatments affected maternal gestational weight gain, maternal stress may be a
      common underlying factor in these observations. 

PMID- 24218151
TI  - Sustained release of naltrexone from poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) microgels.
AB  - The release of the opioid antagonist naltrexone from neutral poly(N
      isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) microgels and negatively charged PNIPAAM microgels
      containing acrylic acid groups (PNIPAAM-co-PAA) has been studied at various
      microgel and drug concentrations. The release curves were found to be well
      represented by the Weibull equation. The release rates were observed to be
      dependent on the microgel concentration. At most conditions, the release from the
      charged microgels was slower than for the neutral microgels. In addition, the
      charged microgels exhibited a release lag time, which was dependent on the
      microgel concentration. No significant lag time could be observed for the neutral
      microgels. Increasing the naltrexone concentration did not significantly affect
      the release rates from the neutral microgels, but the release from the charged
      microgels became faster. The microgels did not exhibit any significant cytotoxic
      effect on HeLa cells at the tested concentrations.

PMID- 24218150
TI  - Flame retardant BDE-47 effectively activates nuclear receptor CAR in human
      primary hepatocytes.
AB  - Polybrominated diphenyl ether BDE-47 (2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether) is a
      thyroid hormone disruptor in mice; hepatic induction of various metabolic enzymes
      and transporters has been suggested as the mechanism for this disruption.
      Utilizing Car (-/-) and Pxr (-/-) mice as well as human primary hepatocytes, here
      we have demonstrated that BDE-47 activated both mouse and human nuclear receptor
      constitutive activated/androstane receptor (CAR). In mouse livers, CAR, not PXR,
      was responsible for Cyp2b10 mRNA induction by BDE-47. In human primary
      hepatocytes, BDE-47 was able to induce translocation of YFP-tagged human CAR from
      the cytoplasm to the nucleus andCYP2B6 and CYP3A4 mRNAs expressions. BDE-47
      activated human CAR in a manner akin to the human CAR ligand CITCO (6-(4
      Chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole-5-carbaldehyde-O-(3,4
      dichlorobenzyl)oxime) in luciferase-reporter assays using Huh-7 cells. In
      contrast, mouse CAR was not potently activated by BDE-47 in the same reporter
      assays. Furthermore, human pregnane X receptor (PXR) was effectively activated by
      BDE-47 while mouse PXR was weakly activated in luciferase-reporter assays. Our
      results indicate that BDE-47 induces CYP genes through activation of human CAR in
      addition to the previously identified pathway through human PXR. 

PMID- 24218152
TI  - Orthopedic surgery in the developing world: workforce and operative volumes in
      Ghana compared to those in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disease is a growing burden in low- and middle-income
      countries (LMICs), yet little research exists to describe the problem. The
      purposes of this study were to characterize orthopedic surgery in an LMIC and
      compare the findings to those from a developed country. METHODS: The study
      location was the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana.
      Orthopedic surgeon, resident, and postgraduate training program numbers were
      compared to analogous data from a developed nation, the United States. Annual
      surgical volumes were compared to those at a level I trauma center in the United
      States, the San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH). RESULTS: There were 24
      surgeons in Ghana compared to 23,956 in the United States. There were 7
      orthopedic residents and 1 residency program in Ghana versus 3,371 residents and
      155 residencies in the United States. Annual case volume was 2,161 at KATH and
      2,132 at SFGH. Trauma accounted for 95 % of operations at KATH compared to 65 %
      at SFGH. The proportion of surgeries devoted to severe fractures was 29 % at KATH
      compared to 12 % at SFGH. Infections comprised 15 % of procedures at KATH and 5 %
      at SFGH. CONCLUSIONS: Annual case volume at a referral hospital in an LMIC is
      equivalent to that of a level I trauma center in an industrialized country. Total
      case volume is similar, but the LMIC institution manages a disproportionately
      large number of trauma cases, severe fractures, and infections. There is a large
      burden of orthopedic disease in the developing nation, and there are too few
      providers and training programs to address these conditions.

PMID- 24218153
TI  - Shortage of doctors, shortage of data: a review of the global surgery,
      obstetrics, and anesthesia workforce literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The global surgery workforce is in crisis in many low- and middle
      income countries (LMICs). The shortage of surgery, obstetrics, and anesthesia
      providers is an important cause of the unmet need for surgical care in LMICs. The
      goal of this paper is to summarize the available literature about surgical
      physicians in LMICs and to describe ongoing initiatives to supplement the
      existing surgical workforce data. METHODS: We performed a systematic search and
      literature review of the English-language literature regarding the number of
      surgeons, obstetrician-gynecologists, and anesthesiologists practicing in LMICs.
      RESULTS: Literature describing the number of surgeons, obstetricians, and
      anesthesiologists practicing in LMICs represents a small minority of LMICs, and
      indicates consistently low levels of surgical physicians. Our literature search
      yielded comprehensive data for only six countries. No national data were found
      for 23 of the 57 countries considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to
      be in health workforce 'crisis.' Across LMICs, general surgeon density ranged
      from 0.13 to 1.57 per 100,000 population, obstetrician density ranged from 0.042
      to 12.5 per 100,000, and anesthesiologist density ranged from 0 to 4.9 per
      100,000. Total anesthesiologist, obstetrician, and surgeon density was
      significantly correlated with gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (r (2) =
      0.097, p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: The global surgery workforce is in crisis, yet is
      poorly characterized by the current English-language literature. There is a
      critical need for systematically collected, national-level data regarding surgery
      providers in LMICs to guide improvements in surgery access and care. The Harvard
      Global Surgery Workforce Initiative and the WHO global surgical workforce
      database are working to address this need by surveying Ministries of Health and
      surgical professional organizations around the world.

PMID- 24218155
TI  - A role for the polarity complex and PI3 kinase in branch formation within
      retinotectal arbors of zebrafish.
AB  - The developing zebrafish retinotectal arbors make many trial branches with
      synapses but most are retracted. With NMDA blockers, branches are withdrawn at a
      higher rate, and a synapse on a branch not only stabilizes that branch, but
      biases new branches to form nearby. Here, we tested whether new branch formation
      requires the polarity complex, which is essential for organizing the cytoskeleton
      in initial axon formation. The complex (PAR3, PAR6, and atypical protein kinase C
      [aPKC]) is downstream of phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and its aPKC
      could be activated by retrograde arachidonic acid synaptic signaling. DiO-labeled
      arbors in zebrafish were imaged on day 3 (before treatment) and 1-2 days after
      treatment to suppress or inhibit PAR3, PAR6, or PI3K. Intraocular antisense (AS)
      oligos to PAR3 or PAR6 both severely limited branch addition, which was most
      evident in arbors with few branches before treatment. As a result of the
      inability to branch, arbor segments grew longer than in controls. Both PI3K
      inhibition (LY294002) and AS suppression of PI3Kalpha and PI3Kdelta isoforms
      likewise limited branch addition but also decreased growth, as the sum of segment
      lengths was below normal after 2 days. Both the results support the idea that the
      polarity complex and PI3K participate in arbor branch formation. The PKC
      inhibitor Go6983 also severely restricted branch addition and growth, as did
      bisindolyl-maleimide and calphostin C reported previously, consistent with
      PKCzeta, but not PKCu, participation. These experiments suggest a mechanism
      whereby activity signaling could affect the branching of retinotectal arbors.

PMID- 24218156
TI  - Normative data for measuring performance change on parallel forms of a 15-word
      list recall test.
AB  - Declarative memory evaluation is an essential step in the clinical and
      neuropsychological assessment of a variety of neurological disorders. It
      typically addresses the issue of normality/abnormality of an individual's
      performance. Another clinical application of the neuropsychological assessment of
      declarative memory is the longitudinal evaluation of an individual's performance
      change. In fact, in a variety of neurological conditions repeated assessments are
      needed to evaluate the modifications of a memory disorder as a function of time
      or in response to a pharmacological or rehabilitation treatment. This study was
      aimed at collecting data for measuring and interpreting performance change on a
      memory test for verbal material. For this purpose, we administered to 100 healthy
      subjects (age range 20-80 years; years of formal education range 8-17 years)
      three parallel forms of a test requiring the immediate and delayed recall of a 15
      word list. The subjects performed the recall test three times (each time with a
      different list) at least 1 week apart. The order of the lists was randomized
      across subjects. Results revealed that performance on the three lists was highly
      correlated and did not vary as a function of the order of presentation. However,
      accuracy of recall was slightly better on a list compared to the others. Based on
      a method devised by Payne and Jones (J Clin Psychol 13:115-121, 1957), we provide
      normative data for establishing whether a discrepancy in recall accuracy on two
      versions of the test exceeds the discrepancy expected based on the performance of
      normal controls.

PMID- 24218157
TI  - Comment on "Mechanism of Pt(IV) sonochemical reduction in formic acid media and
      pure water".

PMID- 24218158
TI  - Impact of hypertension history on short and long-term prognosis in patients with
      acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous angioplasty: comparison
      between STEMI and NSTEMI.
AB  - Previous studies analyzing the impact of hypertension (HTN) on myocardial
      infarction (MI) outcome reached conflicting results and scarce data are available
      in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this study
      the prognostic impact of HTN history in ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and Non-STEMI
      (NSTEMI) patients treated with PCI was analyzed. We compared characteristics of
      1,031 STEMI and 437 NSTEMI patients, in relation to the presence of HTN. Median
      follow-up duration was 40.2 months. HTN was significantly higher in NSTEMI vs.
      STEMI patients (p < 0.001). NSTEMI patients were older, with higher values of
      left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and more frequently with previous
      myocardial revascularization than STEMI patients either among hypertensives and
      non-hypertensives. At univariate analysis HTN resulted associated with long-term
      mortality in STEMI but not in NSTEMI patients. At multivariate analysis HTN was
      not associated with either in-hospital and long-term mortality in both NSTEMI and
      STEMI group. In conclusion, in the PCI era HTN does not influence MI patients
      prognosis; other factors, such as age, admission LVEF, coronary disease
      extension, previous MI and creatinine levels are independently associated with MI
      patients outcome even though this should not discourage from a strict control of
      HTN after the acute event. 

PMID- 24218159
TI  - Intramolecular polar [4(?)+2] cycloadditions of aryl-1-aza-2-azoniaallene salts:
      unprecedented reactivity leading to polycyclic protonated azomethine imines.

PMID- 24218161
TI  - The patient protection and Affordable Care Act: better coverage, worse access.
      Will it really improve patient safety?

PMID- 24218160
TI  - Stability and trunnion wear potential in large-diameter metal-on-metal total
      hips: a finite element analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Large-diameter femoral heads for metal-on-metal THA hold theoretical
      advantages of joint stability and low bearing surface wear. However, recent
      reports have indicated an unacceptably high rate of wear-associated failure with
      large-diameter bearings, possibly due in part to increased wear at the trunnion
      interface. Thus, the deleterious consequences of using large heads may outweigh
      their theoretical advantages. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We investigated (1) to what
      extent femoral head size influenced stability in THA for several dislocation
      prone motions; and the biomechanics of wear at the trunnion interface by
      considering the relationship between (2) wear potential and head size and (3)
      wear potential and other factors, including cup orientation, type of hip motion,
      and assembly/impaction load. METHODS: Computational simulations were executed
      using a previously validated nonlinear contact finite element model. Stability
      was determined at 36 cup orientations for five distinct dislocation challenges.
      Wear at the trunnion interface was calculated for three separate cup orientations
      subjected to gait, stooping, and sit-to-stand motions. Seven head diameters were
      investigated: 32 to 56 mm, in 4-mm increments. RESULTS: Stability improved with
      increased diameter, although diminishing benefit was seen for sizes of greater
      than 40 mm. By contrast, contact stress and computed wear at the trunnion
      interface all increased unabatedly with increasing head size. Increased impaction
      forces resulted in only small decreases in trunnion wear generation. CONCLUSIONS:
      These data suggest that the theoretical advantages of large-diameter femoral
      heads have a limit. Diameters of greater than 40 mm demonstrated only modest
      improvement in terms of joint stability yet incurred substantial increase in wear
      potential at the trunnion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our model has potential to help
      investigators and designers of hip implants to better understand the optimization
      of trunnion design for long-term durability.

PMID- 24218162
TI  - Cochrane in CORR(r): Viscosupplementation for the treatment of osteoarthritis of
      the knee.

PMID- 24218163
TI  - Dual plating of humeral shaft fractures: orthogonal plates biomechanically
      outperform side-by-side plates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Single large-fragment plate constructs currently are the norm for
      internal fixation of middiaphyseal humerus fractures. In cases where humeral size
      is limited, however, dual small-fragment locking plate constructs may serve as an
      alternative. The mechanical effects of different possible plate configurations
      around the humeral diaphysis may be important, but to our knowledge, have yet to
      be investigated. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We used finite element analysis to compare
      the simulated mechanical performance of five different dual small-fragment
      locking plate construct configurations for humeral middiaphyseal fracture
      fixation in terms of (1) stiffness, (2) stress shielding of bone, (3) hardware
      stresses, and (4) interfragmentary strain. METHODS: Middiaphyseal humeral
      fracture fixation was simulated using the finite element method. Three 90 degrees
      and two side-by-side seven-hole and nine-hole small-fragment dual locking plate
      configurations were tested in compression, torsion, and combined loading. The
      configurations chosen are based on implantation using either a posterior or
      anterolateral approach. RESULTS: All three of the 90 degrees  configurations were
      more effective in restoring the intact compressive and torsional stiffness as
      compared with the side-by-side configurations, resulted in less stress shielding
      and stressed hardware, and showed interfragmentary strains between 5% to 10% in
      torsion and combined loading. CONCLUSIONS: The nine-hole plate anterior and seven
      hole plate lateral (90 degrees  apart) configuration provided the best fixation.
      Our findings show the mechanical importance of plate placement with relation to
      loading in dual-plate fracture-fixation constructs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The
      results presented provide novel biomechanical information for the orthopaedic
      surgeon considering different treatment options for middiaphyseal humeral
      fractures.

PMID- 24218164
TI  - Expression of recombinant antibody (single chain antibody fragment) in transgenic
      plant Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi.
AB  - Plants offer an alternative inexpensive and convenient technology for large scale
      production of recombinant proteins especially recombinant antibodies
      (plantibodies). In this paper, we describe the expression of a model single chain
      antibody fragment (B6scFv) in transgenic tobacco. Four different gene constructs
      of B6scFv with different target signals for expression in different compartments
      of a tobacco plant cell with and without endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention
      signal were used. Agrobacterium mediated plant transformation of B6scFv gene was
      performed with tobacco leaf explants and the gene in regenerated plants was
      detected using histochemical GUS assay and PCR. The expression of B6scFv gene was
      detected by western blotting and the recombinant protein was purified from
      putative transgenic tobacco plants using metal affinity chromatography. The
      expression level of recombinant protein was determined by indirect enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. The highest accumulation of protein was found up to 3.28 %
      of the total soluble protein (TSP) in plants expressing B6scFv 1003 targeted to
      the ER, and subsequently expression of 2.9 % of TSP in plants expressing B6scFv
      1004 (with target to apoplast with ER retention signal). In contrast, lower
      expression of 0.78 and 0.58 % of TSP was found in plants expressing antibody
      fragment in cytosol and apoplast, without ER retention signal. The described
      method/system could be used in the future for diverse applications including
      expression of other recombinant molecules in plants for immunomodulation,
      obtaining pathogen resistance against plant pathogens, altering metabolic
      pathways and also for the expression of different antibodies of therapeutic and
      diagnostic uses. 

PMID- 24218166
TI  - Tentative identification of sex-specific antibodies and their application for
      screening bovine sperm proteins for sex-specificity.
AB  - Our previous studies indicated that a purified rabbit antiserum against X-sperm
      contained sex-specific antibodies (SSAbs) which preferentially bound to sex
      sorted X-sperm. The specificity of sex-specific antiserum was initially
      demonstrated using flow cytometry only, which resulted in uncertainty. In this
      study, the putative SSAbs against bovine X-sperm (XSSAb) were produced by a
      series of immunological approaches, and the effectiveness of separation of sperm
      using putative XSSAb was validated. Subsequently, the XSSAb was used to
      immunoprecipitate sex-specific proteins (SSPs) in bovine sperm, followed by two
      dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results showed 7.6, 15.2 and 52.1 % of sex
      sorted Y-sperm, sex-sorted X-sperm and unsorted sperm were recognized by the
      neutralized rabbit antisera against X-sperm, respectively. Also the purity of
      separation of sperm using putative XSSAb reached 74.3 % when the immunologically
      separated sperm were injected into oocytes. In addition, three candidate SSP
      sports about 30 kDa were captured by the XSSAb. Our results confirmed that the
      putative XSSAb contained SSAbs, and implied that these three protein sports might
      be SSPs in bovine X-sperm. This provides a potentially more efficient method for
      sorting sperm and lays a foundation for future search for SSPs.

PMID- 24218165
TI  - Cisplatin associated with LY294002 increases cytotoxicity and induces changes in
      transcript profiles of glioblastoma cells.
AB  - Glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain tumor, responds poorly to
      available therapies. This highlights the intense search for new treatment
      approaches, and an emerging strategy is based on molecular targets. In the
      present work, we aimed to study whether glioblastoma cells can be sensitized by
      cisplatin combined with LY294002 (LY), which is an inhibitor of PI3K-related
      family (ATM, ATR, DNA-PK). We observed that cisplatin caused a pronounced
      reduction in cell proliferation in U343 and U87 cells, and LY significantly
      increased the cytotoxic effects caused by cisplatin under these conditions.
      Differently of U343, U87 cells did not show a significant induction of apoptosis.
      The phosphorylation level of damage response proteins was analyzed after drug
      treatment either with/without LY. The presence of gammaH2AX foci and
      phosphorylation of TP53(ser15) and CHK1(ser317) were shown in U343 cells,
      compatible with cisplatin-induced DNA damage. Similarly, the level of ATR
      phosphorylation (ser428) was also increased (24 h). The transcript expression
      profiles of drug-treated compared with untreated U343 cells showed significant
      changes in the expression of 108 genes, while 274 genes were modulated by
      cisplatin+LY. The combined treatment caused a high proportion of down-regulated
      genes, which were mainly involved with DNA repair, cell death and cell cycle
      control/proliferation, metabolism, transcription regulation and cellular
      adhesion. Altogether, the present results indicate that most probably, PI3K
      related kinases may play an important role in the resistance of glioblastomas
      cells to cisplatin, and the combination with LY can, at least in part, sensitize
      these cells to drug treatment.

PMID- 24218167
TI  - [Managing concerns about falls in older people: evaluation of the implementation
      of an evidence-based program].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A cognitive behavioral program reduced concerns about falling and
      related avoidance behavior among older community-dwelling adults in a randomized
      controlled trial. In the current study we examined the effects and acceptability
      of the program after nation-wide implementation into home care organizations in
      The Netherlands. METHODS: In a one-group pretest-posttest study with data
      collection before the start of the program and at 2 and 4 months, the effects and
      acceptability of the program were assessed in 125 community-dwelling older
      people. The outcomes of the effect evaluation included concerns about falls,
      related avoidance behavior, falls, fall-related medical attention, feelings of
      anxiety, symptoms of depression, and loneliness. RESULTS: Pretest-posttest
      analyses with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the paired t-test showed
      significant improvements at 4 months for concerns about falls, activity
      avoidance, number of falls in the past 2 months, feelings of anxiety, and
      symptoms of depression. No significant differences were shown for the other
      outcomes. DISCUSSION: After implementation in home care organizations, the
      outcomes indicate positive program effects on concerns about falls, avoidance
      behavior, and falls in community-dwelling older people. Given the similarity in
      results, i.e. between those of the previously performed randomized controlled
      trial and those of the current pretest-posttest study, we conclude that the
      program can be successfully implemented in practice. This article is an adjusted,
      Dutch version of Zijlstra GA, van Haastregt JC, Du Moulin MF, de Jonge MC, van
      der Poel A, Kempen GI. Effects of the implementation of an evidenc-based program
      to manage concerns about falls in older adults. The Gerontologist 2013;53(5):839
      849; doi: 10.1093/geront/gns142.

PMID- 24218168
TI  - Histopathological and estrogen effect of pentachlorophenol on the rare minnow
      (Gobiocypris rarus).
AB  - Pentachlorophenol (PCP), a typical organic pollutant and environmental endocrine
      disruptor, has been extensively used as a pesticide and biocide worldwide. In
      this study, the effects of PCP on the histological and hepatic system of the rare
      minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) were evaluated. Vitellogenin (VTG) was used as a
      biomarker to evaluate the estrogen effect of PCP. The results revealed that VTG
      was highly expressed and PCP exposure had histopathological effects on the rare
      minnow. Plasma and hepatic VTG concentrations increased when female rare minnows
      were exposed to >=80 MUg/L PCP and male rare minnows were exposed to 40 MUg/L PCP
      (p < 0.05), which suggested that the VTG expression was evoked by PCP exposure.
      The results indicated that both plasma and liver tissue were suitable for VTG
      quantification. A significant decrease in the mRNA level of hepatic estrogen
      receptor-alpha (ERalpha) in male or juvenile was observed after exposure to >=80
      or >=8 MUg/L PCP, respectively; in contrast, increased mRNA levels of ERbeta1,
      ERbeta2, VTGI, and VTGII in male or juvenile were detected after exposure to >=80
      or >=8 MUg/L PCP, respectively. These results suggested that PCP has an estrogen
      effect and exists within different endocrine-disrupting pathways from other
      environmental contaminants. As such, VTG mRNA expression in the rare minnow may
      require transcription of the ERbeta1 and ERbeta2 genes. 

PMID- 24218169
TI  - Overexpression of the Na+/K+ ATPase alpha2 but not alpha1 isoform attenuates
      pathological cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling.
AB  - RATIONALE: The Na+ / K+ ATPase (NKA) directly regulates intracellular Na+ levels,
      which in turn indirectly regulates Ca2+ levels by proximally controlling flux
      through the Na+ / Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1). Elevated Na+ levels have been reported
      during heart failure, which permits some degree of reverse-mode Ca2+ entry
      through NCX1, as well as less efficient Ca2+ clearance. OBJECTIVE: To determine
      whether maintaining lower intracellular Na+ levels by NKA overexpression in the
      heart would enhance forward-mode Ca2+ clearance and prevent reverse-mode Ca2+
      entry through NCX1 to protect the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiac-specific
      transgenic mice overexpressing either NKA-alpha1 or NKA-alpha2 were generated and
      subjected to pressure overload hypertrophic stimulation. We found that although
      increased expression of NKA-alpha1 had no protective effect, overexpression of
      NKA-alpha2 significantly decreased cardiac hypertrophy after pressure overload in
      mice at 2, 10, and 16 weeks of stimulation. Remarkably, total NKA protein
      expression and activity were not altered in either of these 2 transgenic models
      because increased expression of one isoform led to a concomitant decrease in the
      other endogenous isoform. NKA-alpha2 overexpression but not NKA-alpha1 led to
      significantly faster removal of bulk Ca2+ from the cytosol in a manner requiring
      NCX1 activity. Mechanistically, overexpressed NKA-alpha2 showed greater affinity
      for Na+ compared with NKA-alpha1, leading to more efficient clearance of this
      ion. Furthermore, overexpression of NKA-alpha2 but not NKA-alpha1 was coupled to
      a decrease in phospholemman expression and phosphorylation, which would favor
      greater NKA activity, NCX1 activity, and Ca2+ removal. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that the protective effect produced by increased expression of NKA-alpha2
      on the heart after pressure overload is due to more efficient Ca2+ clearance
      because this isoform of NKA preferentially enhances NCX1 activity compared with
      NKA-alpha1.

PMID- 24218170
TI  - Bone marrow microvascular and neuropathic alterations in patients with critical
      limb ischemia.
AB  - RATIONALE: The impact of severe cardiovascular disease and critical limb ischemia
      (CLI) on the bone marrow (BM) is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate
      microvascular and neuropathic changes in BM of patients with CLI. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: BM biopsies were obtained from patients with CLI (n=33) included in the
      Rejuvenating Endothelial Progenitor Cells via Transcutaneous Intra-arterial
      Supplementation (JUVENTAS) trial (NCT00371371) and controls (n=12). We performed
      immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry of the BM to assess microvascular
      density and to evaluate pan-neuronal and sympathetic innervation, which is
      involved in progenitor cell mobilization. Microvascular density was reduced
      significantly in CLI compared with controls (P=0.01), as was sympathetic
      (P=0.047) and pan-neuronal innervation (P=0.006). No differences in microvascular
      density and sympathetic or pan-neuronal innervation were observed between
      patients with CLI with and without diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: CLI is
      associated with BM microvascular and neuropathic changes, both in patients with
      and without diabetes mellitus.

PMID- 24218171
TI  - Reduced white matter microstructural integrity correlates with cognitive deficits
      in minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

PMID- 24218172
TI  - Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) position
      statement on renal denervation for resistant hypertension.

PMID- 24218173
TI  - Stent-assisted coil embolization for the treatment of ruptured aneurysms at the
      anterior circulation: comparison between HydroSoft coils and bare platinum coils.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the perioperative safety and mid-term prognosis (<=12
      months) of HydroSoft coils in treating ruptured aneurysms at the anterior
      circulation compared with bare platinum coils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients
      with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages admitted to our hospital between January
      2009 and March 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. According to strict inclusion
      and exclusion criteria, cases were selected and classified into two groups: In
      group A, HydroSoft coils were used as the primary filling coils (>=40 % of total
      coil length); in group B, only bare platinum coils were used. Cases in both
      groups were all treated with stent-assistance. A comparison between the two
      groups was performed for periprocedural complications as well as immediate and
      mid-term outcomes. The stents used included Enterprise, Neuroform, and Solitaire.
      RESULTS: Fifty-six aneurysms were in group A patients, and 68 aneurysms were in
      group B patients. Compared with group B, group A did not have increased incidence
      of complications but had greater packing attenuation (44.5 +/- 8.8-29.8 +/- 9.1
      %, t = 2.577, P = 0.014) and increased initial complete occlusion rates (63-44 %,
      chi (2) = 4.161, P = 0.041). Radiologic follow-up were performed in 46 patients
      from group A and 51 patients from group B. Complete occlusion rates at follow-up
      were significantly greater in group A than in group B (89.1-70.6 %, chi (2) =
      5.08, P = 0.043); the difference in recanalization rates were statistically
      insignificant between the groups (6.5-5.9 %, P = 1.000). CONCLUSION: HydroSoft
      coils proved safe during the periprocedural period and provided greater initial
      complete occlusion rates, greater packing density, and better follow-up results
      compared with bare platinum coils.

PMID- 24218174
TI  - Centrally inserted external catheters and totally implantable ports for the
      delivery of chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of device-related
      complications.
AB  - PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the risks of
      complications (infectious and non-infectious) including the need for device
      removal associated with centrally inserted external catheters compared with
      totally implantable ports in patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: Relevant
      major electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2012. All
      randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies that compared
      centrally inserted external catheters with totally implantable ports in patients
      undergoing chemotherapy were included in the systematic review. Meta-analysis was
      carried out to estimate the odds ratios of device-associated complications,
      including infection, non-infectious complications and device removal associated
      with external catheters relative to implantable ports. RESULTS: Overall, five
      RCTs and 25 observational studies were included in the study. The studies were
      heterogeneous, and included adults and children, with different types of cancer,
      undergoing chemotherapy. Based on the pooled estimates from included studies,
      external catheters were associated with approximately a three to four-fold
      increase in the risks of infections, non-infectious complications and device
      removal compared implantable ports. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed
      that totally implantable ports are superior to external catheters in terms of
      catheter-associated complications. However, a formal health technology assessment
      on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the use of implantable ports compared
      with external catheters is needed to inform policy makers of the relative value
      of investing in totally implantable devices compared with external catheters.

PMID- 24218175
TI  - Reply to letter re: general theory of predictive dosimetry for yttrium-90
      radioembolization to sites other than the liver.

PMID- 24218176
TI  - Development of new shaped punch to predict scale-up issue in tableting process.
AB  - Scale-up issues in the tableting process, such as capping, sticking, or
      differences in tablet thickness, are often observed at the commercial production
      scale. A new shaped punch, named the size adjusted for scale-up (SAS) punch, was
      created to estimate scale-up issues seen between laboratory scale and commercial
      scale tableting processes. The SAS punch's head shape was designed to replicate
      the total compression time of a laboratory tableting machine to that of a
      commercial tableting machine. Three different lubricated blends were compressed
      into tablets using a laboratory tableting machine equipped with SAS punches, and
      any differences in tablet thickness or capping phenomenon were observed. It was
      found that the new shaped punch could be used to replicate scale-up issues
      observed in the commercial tableting machine. The SAS punch was shown to be a
      useful tool to estimate scale-up issues in the tableting process.

PMID- 24218177
TI  - Cathepsin L1 mimotopes with adjuvant Quil A induces a Th1/Th2 immune response and
      confers significant protection against Fasciola hepatica infection in goats.
AB  - Thirty goats were randomly allocated in five groups of six animals each, for
      immunization with 1 * 10(14) phage particles of clones 11, 13, and 13 with Quil A
      adjuvant and wild-type M13KE phage at the beginning and 4 weeks later. The
      control group received phosphate-buffered saline. All groups were challenged with
      200 metacercariae at week 6 and slaughtered 14 weeks later. The mean worm burdens
      after challenge were reduced by 46.91% and 79.53% in goats vaccinated with clones
      13 and 13 with Quil A (P < 0.05), respectively; no effect was observed in animals
      immunized with clone 11 and M13KE phage. Animals receiving clones 11, 13, and 13
      with Quil A showed a significant reduction in eggs output. Vaccinated animals
      produced parasite-specific total IgG antibody which were boosted after challenge
      with metacercariae of F. hepatica. Furthermore, levels of anti-phage total IgG
      increased rapidly within 2 weeks of the first vaccination and were always
      significantly higher in all vaccinated goats than in the infected control group.
      The fluke burden of goats immunized with clones 13 and 13 with Quil A was
      significantly correlated with IgG2 and total IgG. Goats vaccinated with phage
      clones produced significantly high titres of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies indicating
      a mixed Th1/Th2 response. These data indicate that cathepsin L1 mimotopes has a
      potential as a vaccine candidate against Fasciola hepatica, whose efficacy will
      be evaluated in other host species, including those of veterinary importance.

PMID- 24218178
TI  - Inhibiting and reversing amyloid-beta peptide (1-40) fibril formation with
      gramicidin S and engineered analogues.
AB  - In Alzheimer's disease, amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides aggregate into
      extracellular fibrillar deposits. Although these deposits may not be the prime
      cause of the neurodegeneration that characterizes this disease, inhibition or
      dissolution of amyloid fibril formation by Abeta peptides is likely to affect its
      development. ThT fluorescence measurements and AFM images showed that the natural
      antibiotic gramicidin S significantly inhibited Abeta amyloid formation in vitro
      and could dissolve amyloids that had formed in the absence of the antibiotic. In
      silico docking suggested that gramicidin S, a cyclic decapeptide that adopts a
      beta-sheet conformation, binds to the Abeta peptide hairpin-stacked fibril
      through beta-sheet interactions. This may explain why gramicidin S reduces fibril
      formation. Analogues of gramicidin S were also tested. An analogue with a potency
      that was four-times higher than that of the natural product was identified.

PMID- 24218179
TI  - Pulsed dye laser versus Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of plantar warts: a
      comparative study.
AB  - Plantar warts are common viral infection that are usually challenging in
      treatment. Conventional treatment methods are usually invasive, have low
      efficacy, and need long recovery periods. In this study, we compared pulsed dye
      laser (PDL) and neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers in the
      treatment of recalcitrant plantar warts. The study included 46 patients with
      multiple plantar warts. In each patient, lesions were divided into two groups:
      one treated with Nd:YAG (spot size, 7 mm; energy, 100 J/cm(2); and pulse
      duration, 20 ms) and the other with PDL (spot size, 7 mm; energy, 8 J/cm(2); and
      pulse duration, 0.5 ms). Laser sessions were applied every 2 weeks with maximum
      of six sessions. The study included 63% males and 37% females with a mean age of
      29.6 +/- 7.34 years. The cure rate was 73.9% with PDL with no significant
      difference (p = 0.87) from Nd:YAG (78.3%). The number of sessions required was
      more in PDL (mean, 5.05 +/- 0.2) compared with Nd:YAG (mean, 4.65 +/- 0.5) but
      without significant difference. Complications were significantly higher with
      Nd:YAG (43.5%) compared with PDL (8.7%). Hematoma was the most common
      complication recorded by Nd:YAG (28.3 %), and it was significantly higher (p =
      0.002) than PDL (2.2%). Relapse was recorded in 8.7% with Nd:YAG compared with
      13% in PDL with no significant difference (p = 0.74). Our results suggested that
      PDL and Nd:YAG lasers are effective in the treatment of resistant plantar warts.
      PDL is safer and less painful but needs more sessions, while Nd:YAG is more
      painful and shows more complications.

PMID- 24218180
TI  - RAFT-based tri-component fluorescent glycopolymers: synthesis, characterization
      and application in lectin-mediated bacterial binding study.
AB  - A group of fluorescent statistical glycopolymers, prepared via reversible
      addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT)-based polymerizations, were
      successfully employed in lectin-mediated bacterial binding studies. The resultant
      glycopolymers contained three different monomers: N-(2-hydroxyethyl) acrylamide
      (HEAA), N-(2-aminoethyl) methacrylamide (AEMA) and N-(2-glyconamidoethyl)
      methacrylamides possessing different pendant sugars. Low dispersities (<=1.32)
      and predictable degrees of polymerization were observed among the products. After
      the polymerization, the glycopolymers were further modified by different
      succinimidyl ester fluorophores targeting the primary amine groups on AEMA. With
      their binding specificities being confirmed by testing with lectin coated agarose
      beads, the glycopolymers were employed in bacterial binding studies, where
      polymers containing alpha-galactose or beta-galactose as the pendant sugar were
      specifically bound by two clinically important pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. This is the first report of using RAFT
      based glycopolymers in bacterial binding studies, and the ready access to tri
      component statistical glycopolymers also warrants further exploration of their
      utility in other glycobiological applications. 

PMID- 24218182
TI  - Molecular and computational approaches to characterize thermostable laccase gene
      from two xerophytic plant species.
AB  - Laccases are blue multicopper oxidases that carry out single electron transfers
      in the oxidation of phenols to quinones. In plants, they confer structural
      stability to the cell wall. Thermostable laccases were identified in xerophytes
      Cereus pterogonus and Opuntia vulgaris that could be used in biotechnology and
      industrial processes. Polyclonal anti-laccase antibodies were generated against
      purified laccase enzyme isoforms capable of 98-99% inhibition of the catalytic
      activity. Antibodies raised against lower molecular weight isoforms inhibited 70%
      of the catalytic activity of higher molecular forms. Only 20% inhibition was
      noted when assayed in reverse. A partial gene sequence of thermostable xerophytic
      laccase comprising 712 and 880 bp was identified employing cDNA as template. The
      nucleotide sequence was submitted to GenBank. The gene sequence was in silico
      translated into protein sequence and a 3-D structure was predicted using I-Tasser
      and Genesilico online servers that justified the experimental observations. Anti
      laccase antibodies and nucleotide gene sequence of this thermostable plant
      laccase can be utilized for predicting laccase antigenic sequences and for
      cloning and expression of the thermostable eukaryotic laccase.

PMID- 24218181
TI  - Favorable survival and metabolic outcome for children with diencephalic syndrome
      using a radiation-sparing approach.
AB  - Diencephalic syndrome (DS) is a clinical disorder of metabolism associated with
      poor outcome in children with low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Since survival has been
      primarily reported with aggressive therapy, we report outcome data for these
      patients using a current, contrasting chemotherapy-driven approach. We performed
      a population-based review of DS patients treated with chemotherapy from 1997
      2012. Metabolic rate was assessed in selected cases using open-circuit
      calorimetry to generate resting energy expenditure (REE) data. Tumor tissue was
      analyzed for BRAF alterations. Survival was compared with an age-related,
      radiotherapy naive cohort of non-DS children with location-matched LGGs. Nine
      children (1.7% of 520 LGG diagnoses) fulfilled DS criteria. The median diagnostic
      age was 1.49 years (0.55-2.69 years), although neurofibromatosis Type-I patients
      were older (p = 0.005). All tumors analyzed exhibited either NF1 mutation or BRAF
      fusion. Seven tumors were histologically confirmed as low grade astrocytomas, one
      demonstrated neurocytic features, and one NF1 case was diagnosed using imaging
      and clinical criteria. All patients received chemotherapy, with seven cases also
      receiving initial nutritional supplementation. All nine gained weight after only
      6 months of treatment. Two DS patients had serial REE measurements, revealing a
      hypermetabolic state (over 200% of predicted REE) at diagnosis which reduced to
      normal range with therapy. First-line chemotherapy treatment resulted in one
      minor response, stable disease in four cases, with progression in the remaining
      four patients. Although DS patients demonstrated inferior initial progression
      free survival when compared to non-DS counterparts (5 years: 22 versus 60%, p =
      0.015), all DS children remain alive at a median follow up of 5.3 years (1.2-14.9
      years) with none requiring radiotherapy. Long-term sequelae included pituitary
      and visual dysfunction, learning difficulties and paradoxical, inappropriate
      weight gain. DS can be managed with non-aggressive chemotherapeutic, radiation
      sparing strategies supplemented by temporary nutritional support. Multiple lines
      of therapy may be required to overcome disease progression but excellent survival
      and metabolic outcomes can be achieved. Continued surveillance is mandatory to
      prevent significant weight gain and support affected children with clinical
      sequelae.

PMID- 24218183
TI  - Molecular cloning, characterization, and dye-decolorizing ability of a
      temperature- and pH-stable laccase from Bacillus subtilis X1.
AB  - Laccases from fungal origin are typically unstable at high temperatures and
      alkaline conditions. This characteristic limits their practical applications. In
      this study, a new bacterial strain exhibiting laccase activity was isolated from
      raw fennel honey samples and identified as Bacillus subtilis X1. The CotA-laccase
      gene was cloned from strain X1 and efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli in a
      biologically active form. The purified recombinant laccase demonstrated an
      extensive pH range for catalyzing substrates and high stability toward alkaline
      pH and high temperatures. No loss of laccase activity was observed at pH 9.0
      after 10 days of incubation, and approximately 21 % of the initial activity was
      detected after 10 h at 80  degrees C. Two anthraquinonic dyes (reactive blue 4
      and reactive yellow brown) and two azo dyes (reactive red 11 and reactive
      brilliant orange) could be partially decolorized by purified laccase in the
      absence of a mediator. The decolorization process was efficiently promoted when
      methylsyringate was present, with more than 90 % of color removal occurring in 3
      h at pH 7.0 or 9.0. These unusual properties indicated a high potential of the
      novel CotA-laccase for industrial applications.

PMID- 24218184
TI  - Effect of plasmolysis on protocorm-like bodies of Dendrobium Bobby Messina orchid
      following cryopreservation with encapsulation-dehydration method.
AB  - Histological observation and scanning electron microscopy analyses in Dendrobium
      Bobby Messina indicates the cellular process of cryopreserved protocorm-like
      bodies (PLBs) was different comparative to non-cryopreserved PLBs. The cellular
      process was not only modified by the freezing and thawing effect but also due to
      the dehydration process itself during the cryopreservation procedure.
      Histological observation in Dendrobium Bobby Messina in encapsulation-dehydration
      method indicated that the degree of plasmolysis causes more cellular changes to
      the cryopreserved PLBs comparative to non-cryopreserved and stock culture PLBs.
      These results revealed higher amount of homogenous cell population and denser
      cytoplasm in cryopreserved PLBs. Histological analysis also revealed more
      voluminous nucleus in cryopreserved PLBs comparative to non-cryopreserved PLBs
      and PLBs stock culture. In contrast, scanning electron microscope analysis showed
      severe damages in cryopreserved PLBs and non-cryopreserved PLBs comparative to
      the PLBs stock culture which in return could be the possible reason of no
      regrowth in encapsulation-dehydration method. Damages incurred were on top part,
      side part, and at the stomata of the PLBs. Histological observation and scanning
      electron microscopy analyses in Dendrobium Bobby Messina indicates that the
      degree of plasmolysis causes changes in the cellular process of PLBs from
      cryopreserved PLBs was different comparative to non-cryopreserved PLBs.

PMID- 24218185
TI  - Partial purification and characterization of a novel extracellular tyrosinase
      from Auricularia auricula.
AB  - Extracellular tyrosinase from Auricularia auricula RF201 was purified in a three
      step procedure involving ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-100, and DEAE
      Sepharose column chromatography. The partially purified enzyme showed a single
      protein band of 12.6 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The optimum pH for tyrosinase activity was
      7, and the enzyme was stable between pH 6 and 9. Tyrosinase has optimal activity
      at 40  degrees C and retained most of its activity between 4 and 50  degrees C.
      A. auricula tyrosinase could oxidize L-tyrosine, L-DOPA, catechol, and caffeic
      acid and displayed dark brown or peach color. However, the enzyme was unable to
      catalyze L-phenylalanine and ferulic acid. In comparison with other substrates, L
      tyrosine displayed the highest affinity (K m of 0.11 mM) and the maximal reaction
      velocity (V max of 102.58 MUmol/min). Tyrosinase activity was reduced in the
      presence of numerous tested compounds. Particularly SDS, it significantly
      inhibited enzyme activity. CuSO4 and NaCl showed an activation effect on enzyme
      activity, with the maximum activation found in the presence of CuSO4.

PMID- 24218187
TI  - Highly effective visible-light-induced H(2) generation by single-layer 1T-MoS(2)
      and a nanocomposite of few-layer 2H-MoS(2) with heavily nitrogenated graphene.
AB  - Two sorts of MoS2 : A single-layer, metallic form of MoS2 (1T-MoS2 ) and a
      nanocomposite of a second form of MoS2 (few-layer 2H-MoS2 ) with heavily
      nitrogenated reduced graphene oxide (NRGO; N content ca. 15 %) show outstanding
      performance in the production of H2 under visible-light illumination. 

PMID- 24218186
TI  - Analytical approaches for the determination of phytocannabinoids and
      endocannabinoids in human matrices.
AB  - Over the last two decades, the role played by phytocannabinoids and
      endocannabinoids in medicine has gained increasing interest in the scientific
      community. Upon identification of the plant compound Delta(9)
      tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and of the endogenous substance anandamide (AEA),
      different methodological approaches and innovative techniques have been
      developed, in order to evaluate the content of these molecules in various human
      matrices. In this review, we discuss the analytical methods that are currently
      used for the identification of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids, and we
      summarize the benefits and limitations of these procedures. Moreover, we provide
      an overview of the main biological matrices that have been analyzed to date for
      qualitative detection and quantitative determination of these compounds.

PMID- 24218189
TI  - Differential humoral responses against heat-shock proteins after autologous stem
      cell transplantation in multiple myeloma.
AB  - Heat-shock proteins (HSP) are important molecules in the pathogenesis of multiple
      myeloma (MM). Their blockages by drugs or cellular immune response have been
      investigated, and a possible association with the presence of oligoclonal bands
      (OB) has been postulated in patients with MM after allogenic stem cell
      transplantation. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the serum antibody
      levels against three HSP (60, 70 and 90) by ELISA in patients with MM in complete
      remission after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), with or without OB,
      and compare them with those patients with stable gammopathy of undetermined
      significance (MGUS) and healthy controls. Our results in samples after ASCT
      showed no differential levels of anti-HSP according to the presence or absence of
      the oligoclonal response. However, higher levels of anti-HSP90 were found in
      patients with stable MGUS in comparison with MM patients (p = 0.004). In the same
      line, a longer progression-free survival was observed in those patients who
      presented higher anti-HSP90 levels after ASCT (p = 0.042). These results suggest,
      for first time, the potential of anti-HSP90 humoral immune response for long-term
      control of malignant plasma cell disorders.

PMID- 24218190
TI  - The effect of gamma radiation on the lipid profile of irradiated red blood cells.
AB  - An investigation into the effects of irradiation and of the storage time on aging
      and quality are a relevant issue to ensure the safety and the efficiency of
      irradiation in the prevention of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease
      (TA-GVHD). In this work, the biochemical properties and alterations presented by
      erythrocyte membranes, up to 28-days post-irradiation, with a dose of 25 Gy, were
      studied as a function of storage and post-irradiation time. There was a
      considerable variation in the total of phospholipid content, when comparing the
      control and irradiated samples, mostly from the third day onwards; and at the
      same time, the effect occurred as a function on the storage time of blood bags.
      The levels of total cholesterol decreased 3-9 days after irradiation. TBARS
      levels were increased after irradiation and 7 days of storage, but no increment
      of catalase activity was observed after the irradiation. Furthermore, the protein
      profile was maintained throughout the irradiation and storage time, until the
      21st day, with the presence of a protein fragmentation band of around 28 kDa on
      the 28th day. In conclusion, although gamma irradiation is the main agent for the
      prevention of TA-GVHD, a better understanding of the physical and biochemical
      properties of erythrocytes are necessary to better assess their viability, and to
      be able to issue more secure recommendations on the shelf life of blood bags, and
      the safe use of the irradiated red cells therein. 

PMID- 24218191
TI  - Untreated preoperative depression is not associated with postoperative
      arrhythmias in CABG patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: The mechanism by which depression affects postoperative outcome may
      involve arrhythmias. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether untreated
      depression is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative arrhythmias
      in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: One
      hundred seven patients were assessed for signs of depression with the Prime-MD
      Patient Health Questionnaire (brief PHQ) one week before surgery and subsequently
      underwent Holter monitoring for 48-72 hr postoperatively. The incidences of
      atrial fibrillation (AF); supraventricular tachycardia (SVT); ventricular
      tachycardia (VT), defined as three or more consecutive beats at a cycle length
      less than 600 msec; ventricular fibrillation (VF); and average heart rate (HR)
      were recorded in patients with and without signs of depression. RESULTS: The
      incidence of preoperative untreated depression was 27% (29/107). Twenty patients
      had mild depression (brief PHQ score of 5-9), seven patients had moderate
      depression (a score of 10-14), and two patients had severe depression (a score of
      20). The incidences of postoperative AF, SVT, and non-sustained VT in depressed
      and non-depressed patients were 37.9% vs 35.9%, respectively (P = 0.50), 34.4% vs
      52.5%, respectively (P = 0.07), and 17.2% vs 37.1%, respectively (P = 0.04). The
      average (SD) postoperative HR was similar in both groups [95 (12) beats.min(-1)
      in depressed patients and 92 (10) beats.min(-1) in non-depressed patients, (P =
      0.25)]. Multivariate regression analysis showed that older age, but not
      depression, was a risk factor for postoperative arrhythmia. CONCLUSIONS:
      Preoperative untreated depression is not related to postoperative arrhythmia in
      the early postoperative period in patients undergoing elective CABG. This trial
      was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (number: NCT00622024).

PMID- 24218192
TI  - Prevention of chronic pain after surgery: new insights for future research and
      patient care.

PMID- 24218193
TI  - Not small adults: the emerging role of pediatric pain services.
AB  - PURPOSE: This review article explores the need for specialized pain care for
      children and adolescents and provides some historical context for our current
      knowledge base and clinical practice. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Pediatric patients have
      specialized needs with respect to assessment and management of pain. Acute pain
      care is modified by developmental considerations in both these areas; chronic
      pain encompasses a wide range of complex developmental, social, and psychological
      factors requiring the skills of different health disciplines to provide the best
      care. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of children's pain has increased dramatically over
      the past three decades, and Canadians have performed a leadership role in much of
      the research. Specific multidisciplinary teams are a more recent phenomenon, but
      they are shown to be more effective and probably more cost effective than
      traditional treatment models. Important gaps in availability of resources to
      manage these patients remain.

PMID- 24218194
TI  - Use of the King VisionTM video laryngoscope to facilitate fibreoptic intubation
      in critical tracheal stenosis proves superior to the GlideScope(r).

PMID- 24218195
TI  - Coumarinylmethyl caging groups with redshifted absorption.
AB  - The small and synthetically easily accessible coumarinylmethyl backbone has been
      modified to generate a family of photolabile protecting groups with redshifted
      absorption. We relied on introducing electron-donating groups in the 7 position
      and electron-withdrawing groups in the 2-, and 2- and 3 positions. In particular,
      we showed that the diethylamino-thiocoumarylmethyl and the diethylamino
      coumarylidenemalononitrilemethyl are relevant for uncaging with cyan light. They
      both exhibit a significant action cross section for uncaging in the 470-500 nm
      wavelength range and a low light absorption between 350 and 400 nm. These
      attractive features are favorable to perform chromatic orthogonal photoactivation
      with UV and blue-cyan light sources, respectively.

PMID- 24218196
TI  - Role of histamine in altering fluid recycling in normal and post-traumatic rabbit
      peritoneum.
AB  - This study aims to investigate if histamine induces electrochemical alterations
      in the normal and post-traumatic peritoneum. Peritoneal rabbit specimens were
      obtained before surgery and 10 days post-operatively and were mounted in Ussing
      chambers. Histamine solutions were added facing the intra-peritoneal and outer
      peritoneal surface. Dimetindene maleate-, cetirizine-, and ranitidine-pretreated
      specimens were used to investigate histamine receptor involvement, whereas
      amiloride- and ouabain-pretreated specimens were used to investigate ion
      transportation blockage involvement. Trans-mesothelial resistance (R(TM)) was
      determined. Histamine-increased R(TM) intra-peritoneally and decreased it outer
      peritoneally. A less intense effect was induced in post-traumatic specimens.
      Dimetindene maleate, cetirizine, amiloride, and ouabain totally inhibited this
      effect, whereas ranitidine only had a partial effect. Histamine induces
      electrochemical alterations in the normal and post-operative peritoneum. This
      effect is mediated by interaction with histamine receptors, hindering the normal
      process of ion trans-mesothelial transportation.

PMID- 24218197
TI  - Practice implications for preventing population vulnerability related to vitamin
      D status.
AB  - PURPOSE: To provide primary care clinicians with practice recommendations for the
      safe, individualized, effective, efficient evaluation, and treatment of vitamin D
      status for maximum health promotion and disease prevention. DATA SOURCES: A
      review and synthesis of current scientific literature on vitamin D was conducted
      related to the physiologic impact of vitamin D, topics of debate, research and
      recommendations, adequate serum levels, daily supplementation, and deficiency
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate vitamin D levels are not isolated to any one
      geographic, ethnic, or socioeconomic population, and exist without regard to
      gender, age, or health status. Conflicting vitamin D evidence and recommendations
      may leave patients vulnerable to vitamin D inadequacy, deficiency, or excess, and
      in turn, avoidable negative outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NPS: Nurse practitioners
      (NPs) must actively assess patient vitamin D status and educate patients in order
      to prevent negative health outcomes. Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is an
      easy and cost-efficient adjunct to other health promotion and disease prevention
      measures. NPs who neglect the physiologic roles of vitamin D and potential
      patient vulnerability miss an opportunity to make an impact in both patient
      health and the economic healthcare burden related to acute and chronic disease.

PMID- 24218198
TI  - ACNP intensivist: a new ICU care delivery model and its supporting educational
      programs.
AB  - The purposes of this article are to describe a physician (MD)/acute care nurse
      practitioner (ACNP) intensivist model for delivery of critical care services in a
      tertiary academic medical center and to describe an innovative nurse practitioner
      educational program developed to support the model. In an effort to address the
      current shortage of intensivists, Vanderbilt Medical Center has developed and
      refined a multidisciplinary intensivist MD/ACNP teams to provide expanded
      critical care services. The ACNPs, in collaboration with intensivist MDs,
      function as intensivist teams and are responsible for developing and executing
      the daily medical plan, bedside procedures, and emergency response. These teams
      provide 24-h a day coverage of tertiary level ICUs, and provide several unique
      benefits over traditional resident ICU staffing models. As the concept of the
      MD/ACNP intensivist team has developed, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
      ACNP Program has expanded its curriculum to provide graduates with the knowledge,
      skills, and experiences to safely manage unstable critically ill patients.
      Multidisciplinary critical care teams of MD intensivists who work in
      collaboration with ACNP intensivists address the current shortfall of
      intensivists and represent a cost-effective means for expanding ICU coverage and
      increasing ICU bed availability while maintaining Leap Frog ICU staffing
      compliance. 

PMID- 24218199
TI  - Advances in menopausal therapy: the tissue-selective estrogen complex.
AB  - PURPOSE: Most menopausal women experience vasomotor symptoms, vulvar-vaginal
      atrophy, and/or bone loss. Although available estrogen and progestin therapies
      are effective in treating menopausal symptoms and preventing bone loss, some
      women may seek a therapy that provides symptom relief and has an improved
      tolerability profile. One option is a tissue-selective estrogen complex (TSEC),
      or the pairing of estrogen(s) with a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)
      to achieve the benefits of each component with fewer side effects. The first TSEC
      in clinical development combines the SERM bazedoxifene (BZA) with conjugated
      estrogens (CEs). The purpose of this article is to review published data for
      BZA/CE. DATA SOURCES: Data were obtained from phase 3 BZA/CE clinical trial study
      articles. CONCLUSIONS: Daily BZA 20 mg/CE 0.625 mg or 0.45 mg effectively
      relieved hot flushes, maintained or increased bone mineral density, treated
      vulvar-vaginal atrophy, and improved quality of life. Further, BZA prevented
      stimulation of the endometrium by CE, and resulted in rates of amenorrhea and
      breast pain similar to placebo. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These results support
      the use of a TSEC consisting of BZA/CE as a promising therapy for managing the
      signs and symptoms from reduced estrogen levels associated with menopause.

PMID- 24218200
TI  - Organizational climate in primary care settings: implications for nurse
      practitioner practice.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this review is to investigate literature related to
      organizational climate, define organizational climate, and identify its domains
      for nurse practitioner (NP) practice in primary care settings. DATA SOURCES: A
      search was conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed, HealthSTAR/Ovid, ISI Web of Science,
      and several other health policy and nursingy databases. CONCLUSIONS: In primary
      care settings, organizational climate for NPs is a set of organizational
      attributes, which are perceived by NPs about their practice setting, emerge from
      the way the organization interacts with NPs, and affect NP behaviors and
      outcomes. Autonomy, NP-physician relations, and professional visibility were
      identified as organizational climate domains. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: NPs
      should be encouraged to assess organizational climate in their workplace and
      choose organizations that promote autonomy, collegiality between NPs and
      physicians, and encourage professional visibility. Organizational and NP
      awareness of qualities that foster NP practice will be a first step for
      developing strategies to creating an optimal organizational climate for NPs to
      deliver high-quality care. More research is needed to develop a comprehensive
      conceptual framework for organizational climate and develop new instruments to
      accurately measure organizational climate and link it to NP and patient outcomes.

PMID- 24218201
TI  - Caring for military spouses in primary care.
AB  - PURPOSE: To provide primary care providers with knowledge of unique challenges
      faced by military families. By understanding how military families cope with
      military lifestyle and deployment, providers can be more effective in their care
      of these patients and offer assistance in optimizing their health. DATA SOURCES:
      Research articles, World Wide Web search of resources for military families and
      Department of Defense documents. CONCLUSIONS: Military families are faced with
      many challenges and hardships such as frequent geographic relocations, social
      isolation, periodic deployments and separations, and risk of injury and death.
      Unique stressors associated with deployment include assumption of single parent
      role, altered finances, change in social support from family and friends, and
      concerns for the safety of the service member. Ineffective coping with stressors
      can manifest both physically and/or psychologically. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:
      Healthcare providers should routinely inquire about a patient's possible military
      affiliation. Military spouses need to be assessed for current stress levels and
      coping behaviors used in order to provide the most appropriate recommendations
      and referrals. As healthcare providers, understanding the unique demands of the
      military lifestyle is necessary to provide effective quality care with optimal
      health outcomes in this population.

PMID- 24218202
TI  - Assessment of provider adherence to obesity treatment guidelines.
AB  - PURPOSE: Despite the presence of obesity treatment guidelines, healthcare
      providers often provide suboptimal weight management. The purpose of the quality
      improvement project was to systematically assess adherence with adult
      overweight/obesity guidelines in primary care to reduce patient risk. DATA
      SOURCES: Retrospective analysis of 420 encounter notes from overweight and obese
      adult patients in three primary care clinics. Data were collected before and
      after a continuing education session for providers on guidelines for optimal
      management of obesity. Measures of completeness of quality indicators were
      abstracted from records. CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvement in the completeness
      score and documentation of body mass index, height, diagnosis of
      overweight/obesity, and counseling for diet and physical activity were achieved.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The proposed measures for systematically assessing the
      integration of obesity guidelines in primary care are feasible quality indicators
      and useful for evidence-based decision making.

PMID- 24218203
TI  - "I got caught up in the game": generational influences on contraceptive decision
      making in African-American women.
AB  - PURPOSE: Reproductive health disparities are a significant issue for African
      American adolescents. This study was designed to explore the cross-generational
      influences on adolescent sexuality in a cohort of daughters/granddaughters of
      U.S. born African-American women. DATA SOURCES: Data were generated through
      interviews with triads of African-American women: grandmothers, and their
      daughters and granddaughters, to gain insight into the phenomena of early sexual
      debut, high rates of unintended pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually
      transmitted infections from a cross-generational perspective. CONCLUSIONS: Six
      themes emerged from the data: southern influences; a worldview of relationships;
      communication-key to preparedness; seeking information from mom; "I got caught up
      in the game"; and contraceptive use and beliefs. In this sample, mothers' and
      grandmothers' culture, values, and beliefs significantly influenced the
      adolescents' sexual and reproductive decision making. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:
      Clinicians' knowledge of African-American culture, beliefs, and family values is
      key when providing guidance about contraception to these young women.

PMID- 24218205
TI  - Label-free flow cytometry analysis of subvisible aggregates in liquid IgG1
      antibody formulations.
AB  - The objective of this study was to characterize and quantify label-free
      subvisible antibody particles in different formulations based on their size and
      physical properties by flow cytometry. Protein subvisible particles were prepared
      under various stress conditions and analyzed by applying different analytical
      techniques [light obscuration (LO), microflow imaging (MFI), and flow cytometry
      (FACS)] for the detection of aggregates. The capability of the FACS method to
      detect and count subvisible particles was evaluated and benchmarked against
      conventional techniques. FACS can analyze particles down to 500 nm reducing the
      gap between size-exclusion chromatography and LO. The applied methods of FACS,
      LO, and MFI displayed a proportional correlation between the total particle
      counts, however, FACS can provide additional information on the structural
      characteristics of such aggregated particles.

PMID- 24218206
TI  - MeRy-B, a metabolomic database and knowledge base for exploring plant primary
      metabolism.
AB  - Plant primary metabolites are organic compounds that are common to all or most
      plant species and are essential for plant growth, development, and reproduction.
      They are intermediates and products of metabolism involved in photosynthesis and
      other biosynthetic processes. Primary metabolites belong to different compound
      families, mainly carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids, nucleotides, fatty
      acids, steroids, or lipids. Until recently, unlike the Human Metabolome Database
      ( http://www.hmdb.ca ) dedicated to human metabolism, there was no centralized
      database or repository dedicated exclusively to the plant kingdom that contained
      information on metabolites and their concentrations in a detailed experimental
      context. MeRy-B is the first platform for plant (1)H-NMR metabolomic profiles
      (MeRy-B, http://bit.ly/meryb ), designed to provide a knowledge base of curated
      plant profiles and metabolites obtained by NMR, together with the corresponding
      experimental and analytical metadata. MeRy-B contains lists of plant metabolites,
      mostly primary metabolites and unknown compounds, with information about
      experimental conditions, the factors studied, and metabolite concentrations for
      19 different plant species (Arabidopsis, broccoli, daphne, grape, maize, barrel
      clover, melon, Ostreococcus tauri, palm date, palm tree, peach, pine tree,
      eucalyptus, plantain rice, strawberry, sugar beet, tomato, vanilla), compiled
      from more than 2,300 annotated NMR profiles for various organs or tissues
      deposited by 30 different private or public contributors in September 2013.
      Currently, about half of the data deposited in MeRy-B is publicly available. In
      this chapter, readers will be shown how to (1) navigate through and retrieve data
      of publicly available projects on MeRy-B website; (2) visualize lists of
      experimentally identified metabolites and their concentrations in all plant
      species present in MeRy-B; (3) get primary metabolite list for a particular plant
      species in MeRy-B; and for a particular tissue (4) find information on a primary
      metabolite regardless of the species.

PMID- 24218204
TI  - Co-regulation of polysaccharide production, motility, and expression of type III
      secretion genes by EnvZ/OmpR and GrrS/GrrA systems in Erwinia amylovora.
AB  - The EnvZ/OmpR and GrrS/GrrA systems, two widely distributed two-component systems
      in gamma-Proteobacteria, negatively control amylovoran biosynthesis in Erwinia
      amylovora, and the two systems regulate motility in an opposing manner. In this
      study, we examined the interplay of EnvZ/OmpR and GrrS/GrrA systems in
      controlling various virulence traits in E. amylovora. Results showed that
      amylovoran production was significantly higher when both systems were
      inactivated, indicating that the two systems act as negative regulators and their
      combined effect on amylovoran production appears to be enhanced. In contrast,
      reduced motility was observed when both systems were deleted as compared to that
      of grrA/grrS mutants and WT strain, indicating that the two systems
      antagonistically regulate motility in E. amylovora. In addition, glycogen
      accumulation was much higher in envZ/ompR and two triple mutants than that of
      grrS/grrA mutants and WT strain, suggesting that EnvZ/OmpR plays a dominant role
      in regulating glycogen accumulation, whereas levan production was significantly
      lower in the grrS/grrA and two triple mutants as compared with that of WT and
      envZ/ompR mutants, indicating that GrrS/GrrA system dominantly controls levan
      production. Furthermore, both systems negatively regulated expression of three
      type III secretion (T3SS) genes and their combined negative effect on hrp-T3SS
      gene expression increased when both systems were deleted. These results
      demonstrated that EnvZ/OmpR and GrrS/GrrA systems co-regulate various virulence
      factors in E. amylovora by still unknown mechanisms or through different target
      genes, sRNAs, or proteins, indicating that a complex regulatory network may be
      involved, which needs to be further explored.

PMID- 24218207
TI  - Targeted deuteration of polyphenolics for their qualitative and quantitative
      metabolomic analysis in plant-derived extracts.
AB  - Polyphenolics are a chemically diverse class of plant specialized metabolites
      with strong antioxidant properties, and their consumption has been associated
      with improved human health. Metabolomic analysis of these compounds in both plant
      and mammalian samples has relied predominantly on liquid chromatography coupled
      to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Due to variable matrix
      effects across samples during ionization, the accuracy of this approach for
      quantifying compounds is greatly improved by incorporating stable isotope-labeled
      standards into the sample prior to analysis. However, commercially available,
      stable isotope-labeled, polyphenolic standards are both limited and costly. Here
      we present a protocol for generating stable isotope-labeled polyphenolics based
      on their deuteration by mild acid-catalyzed, electrophilic aromatic substitution.
      Importantly, this protocol is effective for generating stable isotope-labeled
      standards of many biologically relevant polyphenolics, both aglycones and the
      various conjugated forms alike.

PMID- 24218208
TI  - Relative quantitation in single-cell metabolomics by laser ablation electrospray
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - Single-cell analysis of metabolites by mass spectrometry (MS) is challenging due
      to the very limited volume and inherent molecular complexity of the sample.
      Quantitative metabolomic analysis of individual cells provides information on the
      metabolic heterogeneity of cells unattainable by aggregate analysis of multiple
      cells. Depending on the ionization method, MS can offer quantitative analysis for
      a broad class of metabolites exhibiting both high sensitivity and selectivity.
      Laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) has been successfully exploited to
      analyze metabolites from broad range of biological samples, including single
      cells and small cell populations. In this work, we describe a protocol for the
      relative quantitation of metabolites in single cells by LAESI-mass spectrometry.

PMID- 24218209
TI  - Quantification of plant volatiles.
AB  - Plant volatiles occupy diverse roles as signaling molecules, defensive compounds,
      hormones, and even waste products. Exponential growth in the related literature
      coupled with the availability of new analytical and computational technologies
      has inspired novel avenues of inquiry while giving researchers the tools to
      analyze the plant metabolome to an unprecedented level of detail. As availability
      of instrumentation and the need for qualitative and especially quantitative
      metabolic analysis grow within the scientific community so does the need for
      robust, adaptable, and widely disseminated protocols to enable rapid progression
      from experimental design to data analysis with minimal input toward method
      development. This protocol describes the collection and quantitative analysis of
      plant volatile headspace compounds. It is intended to guide those with little to
      no experience in analytical chemistry in the quantification of plant volatiles
      using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry by describing procedures
      for calibrating and optimizing collection and analysis of these diverse
      compounds. 

PMID- 24218210
TI  - Quantitative imaging approaches for small-molecule measurements using FRET
      sensors in plants.
AB  - Cellular metabolites and ions can exhibit very specific spatiotemporal dynamics
      that are very challenging to monitor using extraction-based methods. Genetically
      encoded Foster resonance energy transfer sensors afford a powerful method of
      measuring these dynamics in situ and hence are now widely used in order to decode
      information communicated through the dynamics of cellular metabolites and ions.
      This methodology involves (1) the development of a suitable sensor, (2) genetic
      engineering of the sensor for its expression in the tissue of interest, and (3)
      measurement and characterization of the cellular metabolites and ions using
      optical imaging. This chapter describes the measurement aspects. We describe the
      imaging setup, sample preparation from leaf discs and root cells, performance of
      a perfusion experiment, and quantification of metabolite and ion concentrations
      from the imaging data. We also describe post-experiment analysis including
      estimation of sensor efficiency and spectral bleedthrough.

PMID- 24218211
TI  - Isotopomer measurement techniques in metabolic flux analysis I: nuclear magnetic
      resonance.
AB  - Two-dimensional [(1)H, (13)C] heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC)
      spectroscopy nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a comprehensive tool in
      metabolic flux analysis using (13)C-labeling experiments. NMR is particularly
      relevant when extensive isotopomer measurements are required, such as for plant
      cells and tissues, which contain multiple cellular compartments. Several isotope
      isomers (isotopomers) can be detected and their distribution extracted
      quantitatively from a single 2-D HSQC NMR spectrum. For example, 2-D HSQC detects
      the labeling patterns of adjacent carbon atoms and provides the enrichment of
      individual carbon atoms of the amino acids and glucosyl and mannosyl units
      present in hydrolysates of glycosylated protein. The HSQC analysis can
      quantitatively distinguish differences between the glucosyl units in the starch
      hydrolysate and a protein hydrolysate of plant biomass: this specifies crucial
      information about compartmentalization in the plant system. The peak structures
      obtained from the HSQC experiment show multiplet patterns that are directly
      related to the isotopomer abundances. These abundances have a nonlinear
      relationship to the fluxes via isotopomer balancing. Fluxes are obtained from the
      numerical solution of these balances and a stoichiometric model that includes
      biomass composition data as well as consumption rates of carbohydrate and
      nitrogen sources. Herein, we describe the methods for the experimental
      measurements for flux analysis, i.e., determination of the biomass composition
      (lipid, protein, soluble sugar, and starch) as well as detailed procedures of
      acid hydrolysis of protein and starch samples and NMR sample preparation, using
      soybean embryo culture as the model plant system. Techniques to obtain the
      relative intensity of 16 amino acids and glucosyl units for protein hydrolysate
      and the glucosyl units of starch hydrolysate of soybean embryos in 2-D HSQC NMR
      spectra also are provided. 

PMID- 24218212
TI  - Isotopomer measurement techniques in metabolic flux analysis II: mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Mass spectrometry (MS) offers a sensitive, reliable, and highly accurate method
      for measurement of isotopic labeling, which is required for generating
      comprehensive flux maps using metabolic flux analysis (MFA). We present protocols
      for assessing isotope labeling in a wide range of biochemical species, including
      proteinogenic amino acids, free organic and amino acids, sugar phosphates,
      lipids, starch-glucose, and RNA-ribose. We describe the steps of sample
      preparation, MS analysis, and data handling required to obtain high-quality
      isotope labeling measurements that are applicable to MFA. By selecting target
      analytes that maximize identifiability of the key fluxes of interest, MS
      measurements of isotope labeling can provide a powerful platform for assessing
      metabolic fluxes in complex biochemical networks.

PMID- 24218213
TI  - Mathematical modeling of isotope labeling experiments for metabolic flux
      analysis.
AB  - Isotope labeling experiments (ILEs) offer a powerful methodology to perform
      metabolic flux analysis. However, the task of interpreting data from these
      experiments to evaluate flux values requires significant mathematical modeling
      skills. Toward this, this chapter provides background information and examples to
      enable the reader to (1) model metabolic networks, (2) simulate ILEs, and (3)
      understand the optimization and statistical methods commonly used for flux
      evaluation. A compartmentalized model of plant glycolysis and pentose phosphate
      pathway illustrates the reconstruction of a typical metabolic network, whereas a
      simpler example network illustrates the underlying metabolite and isotopomer
      balancing techniques. We also discuss the salient features of commonly used flux
      estimation software 13CFLUX2, Metran, NMR2Flux+, FiatFlux, and OpenFLUX.
      Furthermore, we briefly discuss methods to improve flux estimates. A graphical
      checklist at the end of the chapter provides a reader a quick reference to the
      mathematical modeling concepts and resources.

PMID- 24218214
TI  - Optimal design of isotope labeling experiments.
AB  - Stable isotope labeling experiments (ILE) constitute a powerful methodology for
      estimating metabolic fluxes. An optimal label design for such an experiment is
      necessary to maximize the precision with which fluxes can be determined. But
      often, precision gained in the determination of one flux comes at the expense of
      the precision of other fluxes, and an appropriate label design therefore foremost
      depends on the question the investigator wants to address. One could liken ILE to
      shadows that metabolism casts on products. Optimal label design is the placement
      of the lamp; creating clear shadows for some parts of metabolism and obscuring
      others.An optimal isotope label design is influenced by: (1) the network
      structure; (2) the true flux values; (3) the available label measurements; and,
      (4) commercially available substrates. The first two aspects are dictated by
      nature and constrain any optimal design. The second two aspects are suitable
      design parameters. To create an optimal label design, an explicit optimization
      criterion needs to be formulated. This usually is a property of the flux
      covariance matrix, which can be augmented by weighting label substrate cost. An
      optimal design is found by using such a criterion as an objective function for an
      optimizer. This chapter uses a simple elementary metabolite units (EMU)
      representation of the TCA cycle to illustrate the process of experimental design
      of isotope labeled substrates. 

PMID- 24218215
TI  - Putting The Plant Metabolic Network pathway databases to work: going offline to
      gain new capabilities.
AB  - Metabolic databases such as The Plant Metabolic Network/MetaCyc and KEGG PATHWAY
      are publicly accessible resources providing organism-specific information on
      reactions and metabolites. KEGG PATHWAY depicts metabolic networks as wired,
      electronic circuit-like maps, whereas the MetaCyc family of databases uses a
      canonical textbook-like representation. The first MetaCyc-based database for a
      plant species was AraCyc, which describes metabolism in the model plant
      Arabidopsis. This database was created over 10 years ago and has since then
      undergone extensive manual curation to reflect updated information on enzymes and
      pathways in Arabidopsis. This chapter describes accessing and using AraCyc and
      its underlying Pathway Tools software. Specifically, methods for (1) navigating
      Pathway Tools, (2) visualizing omics data and superimposing the data on a
      metabolic pathway map, and (3) creating pathways and pathway components are
      discussed.

PMID- 24218216
TI  - Elucidation of metabolic pathways from enzyme classification data.
AB  - The IUBMB Enzyme List is widely used by other databases as a source for avoiding
      ambiguity in the recognition of enzymes as catalytic entities. However, it was
      not designed for metabolic pathway tracing, which has become increasingly
      important in systems biology. A Reactions Database has been created from the
      material in the Enzyme List to allow reactions to be searched by
      substrate/product, and pathways to be traced from any selected starting/seed
      substrate. An extensive synonym glossary allows searches by many of the
      alternative names, including accepted abbreviations, by which a chemical compound
      may be known. This database was necessary for the development of the application
      Reaction Explorer ( http://www.reaction-explorer.org ), which was written in Real
      Studio ( http://www.realsoftware.com/realstudio/ ) to search the Reactions
      Database and draw metabolic pathways from reactions selected by the user. Having
      input the name of the starting compound (the "seed"), the user is presented with
      a list of all reactions containing that compound and then selects the product of
      interest as the next point on the ensuing graph. The pathway diagram is then
      generated as the process iterates. A contextual menu is provided, which allows
      the user: (1) to remove a compound from the graph, along with all associated
      links; (2) to search the reactions database again for additional reactions
      involving the compound; (3) to search for the compound within the Enzyme List.

PMID- 24218217
TI  - Deducing intracellular distributions of metabolic pathways from genomic data.
AB  - In the recent years, a large number of genomes from a variety of different
      organisms have been sequenced. Most of the sequence data has been publicly
      released and can be assessed by interested users. However, this wealth of
      information is currently underexploited by scientists not directly involved in
      genome annotation. This is partially because sequencing, assembly, and automated
      annotation can be done much faster than the identification, classification, and
      prediction of the intracellular localization of the gene products. This part of
      the annotation process still largely relies on manual curation and addition of
      contextual information. Users of genome databases who are unfamiliar with the
      types of data available from (whole) genomes might therefore find themselves
      either overwhelmed by the vast amount and multiple layers of data or dissatisfied
      with less-than-meaningful analyses of the data.In this chapter we present
      procedures and approaches to identify and characterize gene models of enzymes
      involved in metabolic pathways based on their similarity to known sequences.
      Furthermore we describe how to predict the subcellular location of the proteins
      using publicly available prediction servers and how to interpret the obtained
      results. The strategies we describe are generally applicable to organisms with
      primary plastids such as land plants or green algae. Additionally, we describe
      strategies suitable for those groups of algae with secondary plastids (for
      instance diatoms), which are characterized by a different cellular topology and a
      larger number of intracellular compartments compared to plants. 

PMID- 24218218
TI  - Genome-scale models of plant metabolism.
AB  - A genome-scale model (GSM) is an in silico metabolic model comprising hundreds or
      thousands of chemical reactions that constitute the metabolic inventory of a
      cell, tissue, or organism. A complete, accurate GSM, in conjunction with a
      simulation technique such as flux balance analysis (FBA), can be used to
      comprehensively predict cellular metabolic flux distributions for a given
      genotype and given environmental conditions. Apart from enabling a user to
      quantitatively visualize carbon flow through metabolic pathways, these flux
      predictions also facilitate the hypothesis of new network properties. By
      simulating the impacts of environmental stresses or genetic interventions on
      metabolism, GSMs can aid the formulation of nontrivial metabolic engineering
      strategies. GSMs for plants and other eukaryotes are significantly more
      complicated than those for prokaryotes due to their extensive
      compartmentalization and size. The reconstruction of a GSM involves creating an
      initial model, curating the model, and then rendering the model ready for FBA.
      Model reconstruction involves obtaining organism-specific reactions from the
      annotated genome sequence or organism-specific databases. Model curation involves
      determining metabolite protonation status or charge, ensuring that reactions are
      stoichiometrically balanced, assigning reactions to appropriate subcellular
      compartments, deleting generic reactions or creating specific versions of them,
      linking dead-end metabolites, and filling of pathway gaps to complete the model.
      Subsequently, the model requires the addition of transport, exchange, and biomass
      synthesis reactions to make it FBA-ready. This cycle of editing, refining, and
      curation has to be performed iteratively to obtain an accurate model. This
      chapter outlines the reconstruction and curation of GSMs with a focus on models
      of plant metabolism.

PMID- 24218219
TI  - Elementary flux modes, flux balance analysis, and their application to plant
      metabolism.
AB  - In recent years the number of sequenced and annotated plant genomes has increased
      significantly, and novel approaches are required to retrieve valuable information
      from these data sets. The field of systems biology has accelerated the simulation
      and prediction of phenotypes derived from specific genotypic modifications under
      defined growth conditions. The biochemical potential of a cell from a specific
      plant tissue (e.g., seed endosperm) can be derived from its genome in the form of
      a mathematical model by the method of metabolic network reconstruction. This
      model can be further analyzed by studying its network properties, analyzing
      feasible pathway routes through the network, or simulating possible flux
      distributions of the network . Here, we describe two approaches for
      identification of all feasible routes through the network (elementary mode
      analysis) and for simulation of flux distribution in the network based on plant
      physiological uptake and excretion rates (flux balance analysis). 

PMID- 24218220
TI  - Systems approaches to unraveling plant metabolism: identifying biosynthetic genes
      of secondary metabolic pathways.
AB  - The diversity of useful compounds produced by plant secondary metabolism has
      stimulated broad systems biology approaches to identify the genes involved in
      their biosynthesis. Systems biology studies in non-model plants pose interesting
      but addressable challenges, and have been greatly facilitated by the ability to
      grow and maintain plants, develop laboratory culture systems, and profile key
      metabolites in order to identify critical genes involved their biosynthesis. In
      this chapter we describe a suite of approaches that have been useful in Actaea
      racemosa (L.; syn. Cimicifuga racemosa, Nutt., black coshosh), a non-model
      medicinal plant with no genome sequence and little horticultural information
      available, that have led to the development of initial gene-metabolite
      relationships for the production of several bioactive metabolites in this
      multicomponent botanical therapeutic, and that can be readily applied to a wide
      variety of under-characterized medicinal plants.

PMID- 24218221
TI  - Applications of kinetic modeling to plant metabolism.
AB  - The importance of kinetic modeling for understanding the control and regulation
      of complex metabolic networks is increasingly being recognized. Kinetic models
      encapsulate the available kinetic information of all the enzymes in a pathway,
      and then calculate the complex behavior that emerges from the interactions
      between these network components. Kinetic models are particularly useful because
      they can simulate untested scenarios and thus explore pathway behavior beyond the
      realm of what is experimentally available or currently feasible. Models can also
      suggest new experiments in a directed approach.This chapter provides a brief
      introduction to kinetic modeling and its application to plant metabolic pathways.
      A two-pronged strategy is followed: first, a method is presented for further
      analysis of existing published models, with references to the relevant databases
      housing such models and instructions on how to load the models into simulation
      software. Next, the requirements for and processes of constructing and validating
      a kinetic model from scratch are outlined. To conclude, potential applications of
      models are summarized. 

PMID- 24218222
TI  - Kinetic modeling of plant metabolism and its predictive power: peppermint
      essential oil biosynthesis as an example.
AB  - The integration of mathematical modeling with analytical experimentation in an
      iterative fashion is a powerful approach to advance our understanding of the
      architecture and regulation of metabolic networks. Ultimately, such knowledge is
      highly valuable to support efforts aimed at modulating flux through target
      pathways by molecular breeding and/or metabolic engineering. In this article we
      describe a kinetic mathematical model of peppermint essential oil biosynthesis, a
      pathway that has been studied extensively for more than two decades. Modeling
      assumptions and approximations are described in detail. We provide step-by-step
      instructions on how to run simulations of dynamic changes in pathway metabolites
      concentrations. 

PMID- 24218223
TI  - Bicontinuous cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticles for oral delivery of
      Doxorubicin: implications on bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, and
      cardiotoxicity.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study explores the potential of bicontinous cubic liquid
      crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs) for improving therapeutic potential of
      doxorubicin. METHODS: Phytantriol based Dox-LCNPs were prepared using hydrotrope
      method, optimized for various formulation components, process variables and
      lyophilized. Structural elucidation of the reconstituted formulation was
      performed using HR-TEM and SAXS analysis. The developed formulation was subjected
      to exhaustive cell culture experiments for delivery potential (Caco-2 cells) and
      efficacy (MCF-7 cells). Finally, in vivo pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic
      studies in DMBA induced breast cancer model and cardiotoxicity were also
      evaluated. RESULTS: The reconstituted formulation exhibited Pn3m type cubic
      structure, evident by SAXS and posed stability in simulated gastrointestinal
      fluids and at accelerated stability conditions for 6 months. Dox-LCNPs revealed
      significantly higher cell cytotoxicity (16.23-fold) against MCF-7 cell lines as
      compared to free drug owing to its preferential localization in the vicinity of
      nucleus. Furthermore, Caco-2 cell experiments revealed formation of reversible
      "virtual pathways" in the cell membrane for Dox-LCNPs and hence posed
      significantly higher relative oral bioavailability (17.74-fold). Subsequently,
      Single dose of Dox-LCNPs (per oral) led to significant reduction in % tumor
      burden (~42%) as compared that of ~31% observed in case of Adriamycin(r) (i.v.)
      when evaluated in DMBA induced breast cancer model. Moreover, Dox induced
      cardiotoxicity was also found to be significantly lower in case of Dox-LCNPs as
      compared to clinical formulations (Adriamycin(r) and Lipodox(r)). CONCLUSION:
      Incorporation of Dox in the novel LCNPs demonstrated improved antitumor efficacy
      and safety profile and can be a viable option for oral chemotherapy.

PMID- 24218224
TI  - Targeting tamoxifen to breast cancer xenograft tumours: preclinical efficacy of
      folate-attached nanoparticles based on alginate-cysteine/disulphide-bond-reduced
      albumin.
AB  - PURPOSE: In vivo evaluation of tamoxifen (TMX)-loaded folate-targeted
      nanoparticles prepared from a mixture of disulphide bond reduced bovine serum
      albumin (BSA-SH) and alginate-cysteine (ALG-CYS) as targeted delivery systems of
      TMX to tumour tissues. METHODS: TMX in solution, TMX included into folate
      nanoparticles and their non-targeted analogues were intravenously administered to
      nude mice carrying xenograft MCF-7 tumours. The antitumor activity of these
      systems was characterized in terms of tumour growth rate, histological and
      immunohistochemical analysis of tumour tissues and TMX biodistribution. RESULTS:
      TMX-folate-attached nanoparticles caused tumour remission whereas free TMX or TMX
      non-targeted nanoparticles could only stop the tumour development. The
      histological evaluation of tumour tissues showed that those treated with folate
      conjugated systems presented the most quiescent and disorganized structures.
      Additionally, the lowest concentrations of TMX accumulated in non-targeted organs
      were also found after administration of the drug using this formulation.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that TMX-loaded folate-targeted systems were
      capable of reaching tumour sites, so enhancing the in vivo anticancer action of
      TMX, and allowing a new administration route to be applied and some of the
      current TMX therapy problems to be overcome.

PMID- 24218225
TI  - Physically and psychologically hazardous jobs and mental health in Thailand.
AB  - This paper investigates associations between hazardous jobs, mental health and
      wellbeing among Thai adults. In 2005, 87 134 distance-learning students from
      Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University completed a self-administered
      questionnaire; at the 2009 follow-up 60 569 again participated. Job
      characteristics were reported in 2005, psychological distress and life
      satisfaction were reported in both 2005 and 2009. We derived two composite
      variables grading psychologically and physically hazardous jobs and reported
      adjusted odds ratios (AOR) from multivariate logistic regressions. Analyses
      focused on cohort members in paid work: the total was 62 332 at 2005 baseline and
      41 671 at 2009 follow-up. Cross-sectional AORs linking psychologically hazardous
      jobs to psychological distress ranged from 1.52 (one hazard) to 4.48 (four
      hazards) for males and a corresponding 1.34-3.76 for females. Similarly AORs for
      physically hazardous jobs were 1.75 (one hazard) to 2.76 (four or more hazards)
      for males and 1.70-3.19 for females. A similar magnitude of associations was
      found between psychologically adverse jobs and low life satisfaction (AORs of
      1.34-4.34 among males and 1.18-3.63 among females). Longitudinal analyses confirm
      these cross-sectional relationships. Thus, significant dose-response associations
      were found linking hazardous job exposures in 2005 to mental health and wellbeing
      in 2009. The health impacts of psychologically and physically hazardous jobs in
      developed, Western countries are equally evident in transitioning Southeast Asian
      countries such as Thailand. Regulation and monitoring of work conditions will
      become increasingly important to the health and wellbeing of the Thai workforce. 

PMID- 24218226
TI  - A guide to imaging in bariatric surgery.
AB  - There has been an increase in utilization of bariatric surgery and, as with any
      surgical procedure, the associated risk of complications. Many of the post
      bariatric surgical complications can be acute, necessitating an emergency room
      visit and imaging evaluation. Radiologists, especially in the emergency setting,
      need to be familiar with normal post-operative appearances and potential surgical
      complications. This review focuses on various bariatric surgical procedures that
      are performed, and illustrates normal and abnormal radiographic appearances seen
      on post-operative fluoroscopic upper GI studies and abdominal pelvis CT
      examinations. 

PMID- 24218227
TI  - Evaluation of calcium and magnesium in scalp hair samples of population consuming
      different drinking water: risk of kidney stone.
AB  - The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between calcium (Ca)
      and magnesium (Mg) in underground water (UGW), bottled mineral water (BMW), and
      domestic treated water (DTW) with related to risk of kidney stones. The water
      samples were collected from different areas of Sindh, Pakistan. The scalp hair
      samples of both genders, age ranged 30-60 years, consuming different types of
      water, have or have not kidney disorders, were selected. The Ca and Mg
      concentrations were determined in scalp hair of study subjects and water by flame
      atomic absorption spectroscopy. The Ca and Mg contents in different types of
      drinking water, UGW, DTW, and BMW, were found in the range of 79.1-466, 23.7-140,
      and 45-270 mg/L and 4.43-125, 5.23-39.6, and 7.16-51.3 mg/L, respectively. It was
      observed that Ca concentration in the scalp hair samples of kidney stone patients
      consuming different types of drinking water was found to be higher (2,895-4721
      MUg/g) while Mg level (84.3-101 MUg/g) was lower as compare to referents subjects
      (2,490-2,730 MUg/g for Ca, 107-128 MUg/g for Mg) in both genders. The positive
      correlation was found between Ca and Mg levels in water with related to kidney
      stone formations in population, especially who consumed underground water. A
      relative risk and odd ratio were calculated; the relative risk had a strong
      positive association with incidence of kidney stone which depends on types of
      drinking water.

PMID- 24218228
TI  - Relationship between dietary magnesium, manganese, and copper and metabolic
      syndrome risk in Korean adults: the Korea National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey (2007-2008).
AB  - Recent studies have reported correlations between mineral intake and metabolic
      syndrome (MS), but accurate relationships and consistency in the results are
      difficult to confirm. Accordingly, this study aims to assess the dietary intakes
      of magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) to determine their
      relationship with MS. Data from a total of 5,136 adults (2,084 men, 3,052 women)
      was collected from the 2007-2008 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination
      Survey (KNHANES), and the intakes of Mg, Mn, and Cu of the MS patients were
      compared with those of healthy adults. The relationship between the intakes of
      these minerals and the MS risks was analyzed. Diagnosis of MS was evaluated by
      the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP
      III) standards. Among all study subjects, 25.9 % (540 subjects) of the men and
      24.5 % (748 subjects) of the women met diagnostic criteria for inclusion in the
      MS group. In the men, daily intakes of Mg and Cu in the MS group were
      significantly lower than those in control group, and in the women, daily intakes
      of energy, Mg, Mn, and Cu in the MS group were significantly lower than those of
      the control group. The women subjects with high blood pressure showed
      significantly lower intakes of Mg, Mn, and Cu than control subjects. In addition,
      in the women, the highest quartile of Mg and Cu was inversely associated with MS,
      but with adjustment were not maintained. However, in the postmenopausal women, MS
      was significant and inversely associated with the highest quartiles of Cu intake
      and the association remained significant after adjustments. Considering that MS
      incidence increases and dietary intake and nutrient density decrease with
      increasing age, and mineral intake is reduced accordingly, these results suggest
      that meal management with adequate mineral intake is advisable to control MS.

PMID- 24218229
TI  - Effect of selenomethionine supplementation in food on the excretion and toxicity
      of arsenic exposure in female mice.
AB  - Selenium (Se) is an essential component of several major metabolic pathways and
      controls immune function. Arsenic (As) is a human carcinogen with immunotoxic and
      genotoxic activities, functioning mainly by producing oxidative stress. Due to
      the ability of Se to interact with As and to possibly block its toxic effects, we
      investigated the impact of dietary Se-methionine (Se-Met) supplementation on the
      toxicity of As exposure in vivo in a mouse model. Sufficient and excess levels of
      Se-Met (0.2 and 2 ppm, respectively) were fed to C57BL/6N female mice exposed to
      sodium arsenite (3, 6 and 10 mg/kg) in tap water for 9 days. We observed that As
      exposure increased Se-Met excretion in the urine. Se-Met supplementation
      increased the relative liver weight and decreased the concentration of total
      liver proteins in animals exposed to 10 mg/kg of As. Se-Met supplementation
      maintained a normal pool of glutathione in the liver and increased glutathione
      peroxidase concentration, although the lipoperoxidation level was increased by Se
      Met even without As exposure. Se-Met supplementation helped to maintain the
      CD4/CD8 ratio of lymphocytes in the spleen, although it increased the proportion
      of B cells. Se-Met supplementation prior to As exposure increased the secretion
      of interleukin-4, IL-12 and interferon-gamma and the stimulation index of the
      spleen cells in in vitro assays. Se-Met intake improved the basal immunological
      parameters but did not reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress after low
      dose As exposure.

PMID- 24218230
TI  - Symmetry-guided synthesis of highly porous metal-organic frameworks with fluorite
      topology.
AB  - Two stable, non-interpenetrated MOFs, PCN-521 and PCN-523, were synthesized by a
      symmetry-guided strategy. Augmentation of the 4-connected nodes in the fluorite
      structure with a rigid tetrahedral ligand and substitution of the 8-connected
      nodes by the Zr/Hf clusters yielded MOFs with large octahedral interstitial
      cavities. They are the first examples of Zr/Hf MOFs with tetrahedral linkers. PCN
      521 has the largest BET surface area (3411 m(2) g(-1)), pore size (20.5*20.5*37.4
      A) and void volume (78.5%) of MOFs formed from tetrahedral ligands. This work not
      only demonstrates a successful implementation of rational design of MOFs with
      desired topology, but also provides a systematic way of constructing non
      interpenetrated MOFs with high porosity.

PMID- 24218231
TI  - A novel method of identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing strains by
      detecting SNPs in Rv0444c and Rv2629.
AB  - A particular genotype of tuberculosis, named Beijing strain, is strongly
      associated with drug resistance and high virulence. Therefore, rapid prospective
      identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing strains is very important
      for identifying and controlling tuberculosis of Beijing genotype. In the present
      study, we found that the co-mutation, A191C in Rv2629 and G243C in Rv0444c, is
      closely related to Beijing genotype. Gene Rv2629 and Rv0444c of 139 clinical
      isolates of M. tuberculosis were analyzed by PCR amplification and sequencing.
      Among 99 Beijing strains, 86 % (n = 85) isolates had the mutation G243C in
      Rv0444c and 92.93 % (n = 92) isolates had the mutation A191C in Rv2629. Among 40
      non-Beijing isolates, only six isolates carried the mutation G243C in Rv0444c and
      eight isolates carried the mutation A191C in Rv2629. The co-mutation existed in
      84.85 % (n = 84) of 99 clinical genome samples of W-Beijing strains and in only
      12.5 % (n = 5) of the 40 non-Beijing strains, and the positive predictive value
      of 94.38 %, obtained in our experiment with a designed ratio of Beijing isolates,
      is similar to that in China at present. This result suggested that the detection
      method of the co-mutation, A191C in Rv2629 and G243C in Rv0444c, proposed in this
      study was a rapid, reliable, and sensitive one for identifying tuberculosis with
      Beijing genotype. 

PMID- 24218233
TI  - Identifying and managing nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior in the primary care
      setting.
AB  - PURPOSE: To provide an overview of nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior (NSSIB)
      for nurse practitioners (NPs) who see patients with this complex phenomenon in
      primary care settings. DATA SOURCES: Selected research and clinical reviews.
      CONCLUSIONS: NSSIB is characterized as a low-lethality, repetitive act that can
      alter or cause damage to the body tissue. Among researchers and those who work
      directly with young people, there is a general consensus that NSSIB is increasing
      in prevalence. Unfortunately, NPs often view self-injuring patients negatively,
      likely because of a lack of knowledge as to how to help this special patient
      population. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Appropriate treatment can be initiated in
      the primary care setting; however, NPs must be aware of how and when to refer to
      specialty mental health services. Those with psychiatric comorbidities such as
      mood lability, anxiety, chronic emptiness or depersonalization, dysphoria,
      loneliness, anhedonia, or borderline personality disorder require management by
      mental health specialists. Patients experiencing NSSIB in response to command
      auditory hallucinations need immediate medical attention.

PMID- 24218232
TI  - Resveratrol protects DAergic PC12 cells from high glucose-induced oxidative
      stress and apoptosis: effect on p53 and GRP75 localization.
AB  - Resveratrol (RESV), a polyphenolic natural compound, has long been acknowledged
      to have cardioprotective and antiinflammatory actions. Evidence suggests that
      RESV has antioxidant properties that reduce the formation of reactive oxygen
      species leading to oxidative stress and apoptotic death of dopaminergic (DAergic)
      neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent literature has recognized
      hyperglycemia as a cause of oxidative stress reported to be harmful for the
      nervous system. In this context, our study aimed (a) to evaluate the effect of
      RESV against high glucose (HG)-induced oxidative stress in DAergic neurons, (b)
      to study the antiapoptotic properties of RESV in HG condition, and c) to analyze
      RESV's ability to modulate p53 and GRP75, a p53 inactivator found to be under
      expressed in postmortem PD brains. Our results suggest that RESV protects DAergic
      neurons against HG-induced oxidative stress by diminishing cellular levels of
      superoxide anion. Moreover, RESV significantly reduces HG-induced apoptosis in
      DAergic cells by modulating DNA fragmentation and the expression of several genes
      implicated in the apoptotic cascade, such as Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and
      cleaved PARP-1. RESV also prevents the pro-apoptotic increase of p53 in the
      nucleus induced by HG. Such data strengthens the correlation between
      hyperglycemia and neurodegeneration, while providing new insight on the high
      occurrence of PD in patients with diabetes. This study enlightens potent
      neuroprotective roles for RESV that should be considered as a nutritional
      recommendation for preventive and/or complementary therapies in controlling
      neurodegenerative complications in diabetes. 

PMID- 24218234
TI  - Moyamoya disease: a case of vanishing cerebral vessels.
AB  - PURPOSE: To provide an overview of moyamoya disease (MMD) including
      pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and
      prognosis. DATA SOURCES: Selected clinical and epidemiological studies, review
      articles, and diagnostic guidelines for MMD. CONCLUSIONS: MMD is a rare
      cerebrovascular disease characterized by progressive stenosis of the distal
      internal carotid arteries and their major branches. The dilated and fragile basal
      collateral circulations display a "puff of smoke" appearance and thus are called
      moyamoya vessels. Other unique features of MMD include 2:1 female preponderance
      and its peak incidence in two age groups: early childhood and adults in their mid
      40s. The pathophysiology of MMD is unclear and possible causes include genetic
      linkage, angiogenesis, autoimmune disease, cranial radiation, and infection of
      the head and neck. Most patients are symptomatic and may present with ischemic or
      hemorrhagic strokes, seizure, or headache. The diagnosis depends on clinical
      presentation and radiographic imaging, and disease progression may be halted with
      direct or indirect cerebral revascularization. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is
      important to make a correct diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment to reduce
      the morbidity and mortality associated with MMD. A prompt referral for possible
      surgical revascularization offers the best chance to reduce additional cerebral
      injuries and improve clinical outcomes.

PMID- 24218235
TI  - The consensus model for regulation of APRNs: implications for nurse
      practitioners.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation as a proposed
      solution to simplify and unify regulation of advanced nursing practice with
      respect to licensure, certification, accreditation, and educational standards.
      DATA SOURCES: Policy statements and reports issued by national organizations of
      nursing professionals and discussion within the scholarly literature provided an
      overview of regulatory differences among the 50 U.S. states, their impacts on
      advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) practice, and discussion of the
      Consensus Model as a potential solution. CONCLUSIONS: Major organizations of
      nursing professionals have endorsed the Consensus Model, indicating the
      importance of this significant step toward standards and consistent quality in
      APRN education and practice. Diverse regulatory criteria, such as variable
      accreditation standards, disparate certification and licensing requirements,
      inconsistent population foci, and scopes of practice, represent barriers to
      optimized APRN function within today's complex healthcare system and, ultimately,
      reduced access to safe, quality care for patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The
      Consensus Model for APRN Regulation promises to unify APRN education, practice,
      and licensure, promoting greater mobility among nursing professionals.
      Elimination of inconsistencies in APRN licensure, education, certification, and
      accreditation requirements will promote greater value and mobility for the APRN
      within the healthcare system.

PMID- 24218236
TI  - Patient comprehension of discharge instructions from the emergency department: a
      literature review.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine research published from 1995 to 2010, evaluating patient
      comprehension of discharge instructions from emergency department (ED) or urgent
      care (UC) settings. Specifically, we examined: (a) the interventions utilized to
      provide discharge instructions, (b) the methods used to assess patient
      comprehension, and (c) the most effective strategies for assuring patient
      comprehension of ED discharge instructions. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive
      literature review was conducted utilizing the following databases: Cumulative
      Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Health Reference Center
      Academic, Medline, Cochrane, and Ovid. English language peer-reviewed articles
      published between 1995 and 2010 were reviewed. Search terms included patient,
      comprehension, understanding, discharge instructions, health education, and
      emergency medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in patient comprehension of ED
      discharge instructions are identified with alternative teaching interventions
      (multimedia) in comparison to traditional standardized written discharge
      instructions (usual care). Literature suggests clinicians seldom clarify patient
      comprehension in practice, though effective methods are noted in research. Future
      research is needed to explore innovative teaching interventions and their impact
      upon patient comprehension and patient outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: To
      ensure patient comprehension of discharge instructions, the simplification of
      discharge material is paramount. Nurse practitioners working in ED or UC settings
      can improve upon "usual care" by exploring more innovative teaching
      interventions.

PMID- 24218237
TI  - Caring for military children in the 21st century.
AB  - PURPOSE: Civilian healthcare professionals provide approximately 2/3 of the
      healthcare for the 2 million U.S. military children. The President of the United
      States has made their care and support a top national security priority. The
      purpose of this article is to arm NPs with information necessary to care for the
      21st century military child by providing current data on military family life,
      deployments, and the impact on children and their health-seeking behaviors. DATA
      SOURCES: Literature collected from sources identified through searches of PubMed,
      CINAHL, and PsycInfo covering the periods from 2003 to 2012. CONCLUSIONS:
      Military children are both resilient and vulnerable. While frequent moves build
      resilience, combat deployments increase the risk for abuse, neglect, attachment
      problems, and inadequate coping. The risk is highest right after the service
      member leaves for deployment and immediately upon return. Children's reactions to
      deployment differ by age, gender, and individual temperament. There is an 11%
      increase in outpatient visits for mental or behavioral health issues during
      deployment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals can support the
      physical and mental health of children by normalizing expectations and using the
      I CARE (Identify, Correlate, Ask, Ready Resources, Encourage) strategy to
      facilitate prevention and encourage early engagement with available resources.

PMID- 24218238
TI  - Centralized resources for nurse practitioners: common early experiences among
      leaders of six large health systems.
AB  - PURPOSE: This article describes common experiences of institutions that have
      pioneered the work of integrating nurse practitioners (NPs) into complex hospital
      environments and addresses effective strategies in achieving a centralized
      leadership model. DATA SOURCES: We conducted an informal, written survey and
      focus group discussions comparing experiences of leaders who were first in the
      position of centralizing resources and providing leadership for NPs in a hospital
      based setting. Experiences were compared and common practices summarized.
      CONCLUSIONS: The numbers of NPs required to provide patient care in an ever
      growing, complex hospital environment are increasing rapidly. To meet the
      professional needs of these hospital-based NPs, a strong centralized leadership
      approach should be utilized. An organized and centralized approach to
      credentialing, program development, orientation, and evaluation processes will
      become necessary as hospitals continue to hire increased numbers of NPs.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This article summarizes important considerations for
      formulating centralized leadership models for hospital-based NPs and provides a
      guide for administrators and NPs who are attempting to build similar models.

PMID- 24218239
TI  - Job satisfaction and perceived autonomy for nurse practitioners working in nurse
      managed health centers.
AB  - PURPOSE: More primary care providers are needed to deliver health care to
      Americans living in poverty and those soon to be insured under the Affordable
      Care Act. Nurse practitioners (NPs) in nurse-managed health centers (NMHCs) are
      poised to meet this need. This research study examined the characteristics of NPs
      working in NMHCs and measured job satisfaction and perceived level of autonomy.
      No studies about job satisfaction or autonomy for NPs working in NMHCs had been
      previously reported. DATA SOURCES: This descriptive, quantitative study surveyed
      primary care NPs working in NMHCs that are part of the National Nursing Centers
      Consortium (NNCC). NP e-mail addresses were obtained from NNCC center directors.
      Of 198 NPs invited to the electronic survey, 99 completed the Misener Nurse
      Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale, demographic questionnaire, questions about
      perceived autonomy, and whether they would recommend working in an NMHC.
      Participants came from 16 states and 46 NMHCs. CONCLUSIONS: NPs working in NMHCs
      have job satisfaction, perceive their role as autonomous, and are satisfied with
      the autonomy they have. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: NMHCs can provide access to
      primary health care for many Americans. More NPs may choose employment in NMHCs
      for job satisfaction and autonomy.

PMID- 24218240
TI  - Reading comprehension interventions for students with autism spectrum disorders:
      a synthesis of research.
AB  - The authors synthesized reading intervention studies conducted between 1980 and
      2012 with K-12 students identified with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Nine
      single-subject design studies, one quasi-experimental study, and two single-group
      design studies met the criteria for inclusion. Findings from the studies indicate
      that modifying instructional interventions associated with improved comprehension
      for students with reading difficulties may improve reading comprehension in
      students with ASD. Four studies implemented strategy instruction that included
      (a) question generation; (b) graphic organizers; and (c) making predictions. Two
      studies utilized anaphoric cueing instruction, three implemented explicit
      instruction, and three examined student grouping practices. Among the reviewed
      studies, the majority (n = 9) measured reading comprehension through researcher
      developed probes, and two studies reported results from standardized measures. 

PMID- 24218241
TI  - Brief report: Arrested development of audiovisual speech perception in autism
      spectrum disorders.
AB  - Atypical communicative abilities are a core marker of Autism Spectrum Disorders
      (ASD). A number of studies have shown that, in addition to auditory comprehension
      differences, individuals with autism frequently show atypical responses to
      audiovisual speech, suggesting a multisensory contribution to these communicative
      differences from their typically developing peers. To shed light on possible
      differences in the maturation of audiovisual speech integration, we tested
      younger (ages 6-12) and older (ages 13-18) children with and without ASD on a
      task indexing such multisensory integration. To do this, we used the McGurk
      effect, in which the pairing of incongruent auditory and visual speech tokens
      typically results in the perception of a fused percept distinct from the auditory
      and visual signals, indicative of active integration of the two channels
      conveying speech information. Whereas little difference was seen in audiovisual
      speech processing (i.e., reports of McGurk fusion) between the younger ASD and TD
      groups, there was a significant difference at the older ages. While TD controls
      exhibited an increased rate of fusion (i.e., integration) with age, children with
      ASD failed to show this increase. These data suggest arrested development of
      audiovisual speech integration in ASD. The results are discussed in light of the
      extant literature and necessary next steps in research. 

PMID- 24218243
TI  - Efficient electronic communication of two ruthenium centers through a rigid
      ditopic N-heterocyclic carbene linker.
AB  - A ditopic benzobis(carbene) ligand precursor was prepared that contained a
      chelating pyridyl moiety to ensure co-planarity of the carbene ligand and the
      coordination plane of a bound octahedral metal center. Bimetallic ruthenium
      complexes comprising this ditopic ligand [L4Ru-C,N-bbi-C,N-RuL4] were obtained by
      a transmetalation methodology (C,N-bbi-C,N=benzobis(N-pyridyl-N'-methyl
      imidazolylidene). The two metal centers are electronically decoupled when the
      ruthenium is in a pseudotetrahedral geometry imparted by a cymene spectator
      ligand (L4=[(cym)Cl]). Ligand exchange of the Cl(-)/cymene ligands for two
      bipyridine or four MeCN ligands induced a change of the coordination geometry to
      octahedral. As a consequence, the ruthenium centers, separated through space by
      more than 10 A, become electronically coupled, which is evidenced by two
      distinctly different metal-centered oxidation processes that are separated by 134
      mV (L4=[(bpy)2]; bpy=2,2'-bipyridine) and 244 mV (L4=[(MeCN)4]), respectively.
      Hush analysis of the intervalence charge-transfer bands in the mixed-valent
      species indicates substantial valence delocalization in both complexes
      (delocalization parameter Gamma=0.41 and 0.37 in the bpy and MeCN complexes,
      respectively). Spectroelectrochemical measurements further indicated that the
      mixed-valent Ru(II)/Ru(III) species and the fully oxidized Ru(III)/Ru(III)
      complexes gradually decompose when bound to MeCN ligands, whereas the bpy
      spectators significantly enhance the stability. These results demonstrate the
      efficiency of carbenes and, in particular, of the bbi ligand scaffold for
      mediating electron transfer and for the fabrication of molecular redox switches.
      Moreover, the relevance of spectator ligands is emphasized for tailoring the
      degree of electronic communication through the benzobis(carbene) linker.

PMID- 24218244
TI  - Genetic strategies for dissecting complex traits in biomass willows (Salix spp.).
AB  - Willows are highly diverse catkin-bearing trees and shrubs of the genus Salix.
      They occur in many growth forms, from tall trees to creeping alpines, and
      successfully occupy a wide variety of ecological niches. Shrubby willows (sub
      genus Vetrix) have many characteristics that render them suited to cultivation in
      much faster growth cycles than conventional forestry. They respond well to
      coppicing, can be propagated vegetatively as cuttings and achieve rapid growth
      with low fertilizer inputs. As a result, willows grown as short rotation coppice
      are now among the leading commercially grown biomass crops in temperate regions.
      However, although willows have a long history of cultivation for traditional
      uses, their industrial use is relatively recent and, compared with major arable
      crops, they are largely undomesticated. Breeding programmes initiated to improve
      willow as a biomass crop achieved a doubling of yields within a period of <15
      years. These advances were made by selecting for stem characteristics (height and
      diameter) and coppicing response (shoot number and shoot vigour), as well as
      resistance to pests, diseases and environmental stress, with little or no
      knowledge of the genetic basis of these traits. Genetics and genomics, combined
      with extensive phenotyping, have substantially improved our understanding of the
      basis of biomass traits in willow for more targeted breeding via marker-assisted
      selection. Here, we present the strategy we have adopted in which a genetic-based
      approach was used to dissect complex traits into more defined components for
      molecular breeding and gene discovery. 

PMID- 24218242
TI  - Computational approaches to analyse and predict small molecule transport and
      distribution at cellular and subcellular levels.
AB  - Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies and mechanistic
      mathematical modeling approaches have been independently employed for analysing
      and predicting the transport and distribution of small molecule chemical agents
      in living organisms. Both of these computational approaches have been useful for
      interpreting experiments measuring the transport properties of small molecule
      chemical agents, in vitro and in vivo. Nevertheless, mechanistic cell-based
      pharmacokinetic models have been especially useful to guide the design of
      experiments probing the molecular pathways underlying small molecule transport
      phenomena. Unlike QSAR models, mechanistic models can be integrated from
      microscopic to macroscopic levels, to analyse the spatiotemporal dynamics of
      small molecule chemical agents from intracellular organelles to whole organs,
      well beyond the experiments and training data sets upon which the models are
      based. Based on differential equations, mechanistic models can also be integrated
      with other differential equations-based systems biology models of biochemical
      networks or signaling pathways. Although the origin and evolution of mathematical
      modeling approaches aimed at predicting drug transport and distribution has
      occurred independently from systems biology, we propose that the incorporation of
      mechanistic cell-based computational models of drug transport and distribution
      into a systems biology modeling framework is a logical next step for the
      advancement of systems pharmacology research.

PMID- 24218246
TI  - The complement system. Overview.

PMID- 24218245
TI  - The small RNA profile in latex from Hevea brasiliensis trees is affected by
      tapping panel dryness.
AB  - Natural rubber is harvested by tapping Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.)
      Mull. Arg. Harvesting stress can lead to tapping panel dryness (TPD). MicroRNAs
      (miRNAs) are induced by abiotic stress and regulate gene expression by targeting
      the cleavage or translational inhibition of target messenger RNAs. This study set
      out to sequence miRNAs expressed in latex cells and to identify TPD-related
      putative targets. Deep sequencing of small RNAs was carried out on latex from
      trees affected by TPD using Solexa technology. The most abundant small RNA class
      size was 21 nucleotides for TPD trees compared with 24 nucleotides in healthy
      trees. By combining the LeARN pipeline, data from the Plant MicroRNA database and
      Hevea EST sequences, we identified 19 additional conserved and four putative
      species-specific miRNA families not found in previous studies on rubber. The
      relative transcript abundance of the Hbpre-MIR159b gene increased with TPD. This
      study revealed a small RNA-specific signature of TPD-affected trees. Both RNA
      degradation and a shift in miRNA biogenesis are suggested to explain the general
      decline in small RNAs and, particularly, in miRNAs. 

PMID- 24218247
TI  - Evaluation of complement function by ELISA.
AB  - Evaluation of total complement function in human serum is an essential component
      of laboratory diagnostics of the human complement system. During recent years,
      established hemolytic assays for classical pathway and alternative pathway
      function, CH50 and AP50 assays, respectively, have been replaced in many
      diagnostic laboratories by ELISA assays. Next to an improved standardization,
      this assay platform also allows for functional analysis of the lectin pathway of
      complement. The present chapter describes the methodology of ELISA assays for
      assessment of the classical pathway, the alternative pathway, the MBL-dependent
      lectin pathway, and the Ficolin-3-dependent lectin pathway of complement in
      clinical laboratory diagnostics. 

PMID- 24218248
TI  - Classical complement pathway component C1q: purification of human C1q, isolation
      of C1q collagen-like and globular head fragments and production of recombinant
      C1q-derivatives. Functional characterization.
AB  - The classical complement pathway (CCP) activation is a multimolecular complex,
      composed of three subcomponents namely C1q, C1r, and C1s. C1q is the recognition
      subunit of this complex and its binding to the specific targets leads to the
      formation of active C1, which in turn activates the CCP in an immunoglobulin
      dependent or -independent manner. C1q is a hexameric glycoprotein composed of 18
      polypeptide chains of three different types (A, B, and C), organized in two
      fragments-collagen-like (CLR) and globular head (gC1q) possessing different
      functional activity. The contemporary knowledge of the C1q structure allows the
      isolation and purification of a C1q molecule from serum by combination of
      different chromatography procedures including ion-exchange, size-exclusion, and
      affinity chromatography, as well as the isolation of CLR and gC1q by limited
      enzymatic hydrolysis of the native C1q molecule. In this chapter, we described
      methods for purification of human C1q and its CLR and gC1q fragments, as well as
      methods for their biochemical and functional characterization. The production and
      purification of recombinant C1q derivatives ghA, ghB, and ghC (globular fragments
      of the individual C1q chains) are also presented. 

PMID- 24218249
TI  - Classical complement pathway components C1r and C1s: purification from human
      serum and in recombinant form and functional characterization.
AB  - C1r and C1s are the proteases responsible for the activation and proteolytic
      activity of the C1 complex of the classical complement pathway, respectively.
      They are assembled into a Ca(2+)-dependent C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s tetramer which in turn
      associates with the recognition protein C1q. The C1 complex circulates in serum
      as a zymogen and is activated upon binding of C1q to appropriate targets, such as
      antigen-antibody complexes. This property is used for the purification of C1r and
      C1s from human serum after binding of C1 to insoluble immune complexes.
      Disruption of the bound C1 complex by EDTA releases C1r and C1s which are further
      separated by ion-exchange chromatography; both proteins can be reassembled in the
      presence of calcium ions and the reconstituted tetramer isolated by gel
      filtration. In this chapter, we describe the purification of the activated and
      proenzyme forms of C1r and C1s and of the proenzyme C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s tetramer as
      well as methods for their biochemical and functional characterization. The
      production of recombinant C1s and of the proenzyme tetramer in a baculovirus
      insect cell system, and their purification by affinity chromatography is also
      presented. 

PMID- 24218250
TI  - Expression and purification methods for the production of recombinant human
      complement component C2.
AB  - Human complement component C2 is a critical factor of the classical complement
      pathway. Here we provide a method for the production of recombinant human C2
      (rhC2) protein for research purposes. The human complement component C2 (hC2) is
      cloned from a human cDNA library by polymerase chain reaction and inserted in a
      mammalian expression vector (Martini et al., BMC Immunol 11:43, 2010). Transient
      transfection is utilized to express hC2 in a mammalian cell line, and the
      expressed C2 is harvested from the conditioned media. rhC2 is purified from the
      conditioned media by sequential steps of cation exchange and affinity column
      chromatography. The purified hC2 is characterized for protein purity, stability,
      and enzymatic activity. The recombinant hC2 activity is tested in a complement
      activation ELISA assay that measures classical, alternative, and lectin
      complement pathway activity in C2-depleted serum. 

PMID- 24218251
TI  - Purification and characterization of human and mouse complement C3.
AB  - Complement component C3 is the most abundant complement protein in plasma,
      central to all three complement activation pathways and essential to complement
      amplification. Thus, it is one of the most extensively studied complement
      proteins. This chapter describes the purification of C3 from human and mouse
      plasma using protein precipitation, followed by classical ion exchange
      chromatography and gel filtration. The biochemical and functional characteristics
      of the purified C3 are typically assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and hemolysis assays. The hemolysis assay is a
      standard technique to assess complement activity monitoring the lysis of red
      blood cells. 

PMID- 24218252
TI  - Purification of human complement protein C5.
AB  - Complement C5 is cleaved by proteolysis in the terminal phase of complement
      activation generating the pro-inflammatory C5a and membrane attack complex
      nucleator C5b. Whereas purification of its paralogues C3 and C4 from plasma is
      relatively straightforward, C5 purification is more complicated due to the lower
      amounts present and overlaps with the much more abundant C3 during several
      chromatographic steps. Here we describe our procedure for purifying homogenous,
      monodisperse, and crystallizable C5. 

PMID- 24218253
TI  - Quantification of complement C5b-9 binding to cells by flow cytometry.
AB  - Interaction of the complement system, directly or indirectly (e.g., via
      antibodies), with cells activates the early and late complement components and
      culminates in the deposition of a membrane-spanning C5b-9 complex on the cell
      surface. At a high copy number, this C5b-9 will activate cell death, whereas at a
      low copy number, it will transmit various signals into cells. Quantification of
      C5b-9 deposition is useful for assessments of the capacity of cells and
      antibodies to activate complement. By using an antibody that identifies a novel
      antigen of the C5b-9 complex, the amount of C5b-9 complexes on cells can be
      quantified by flow cytometry. The detailed protocol is described in this chapter.

PMID- 24218254
TI  - Challenges and opportunities in fractionation of recombinant human mannan-binding
      lectin.
AB  - Mannan-binding lectin is an oligomeric protein of the innate immune system. Both
      natural MBL as well as recombinant protein is a heterogeneous composition of
      oligomers containing from two up to at least eight structural units. Recombinant
      synthesis in mammalian cell lines often leads to a composition containing small
      oligomers not abundant in MBL from natural sources such as human plasma. Here,
      two procedures for fractionation of MBL oligomers are described. In one case,
      affinity chromatography is employed to enrich the abundance of large MBL
      oligomers to produce a composition of oligomers resembling natural MBL. In a
      second case, large-volume ion exchange chromatography is employed to separate
      these oligomers into fractions with an enhanced size homogeneity. Finally, a well
      established procedure for estimating the MBL protein concentration is detailed. 

PMID- 24218255
TI  - Genotyping of FCN and MBL2 polymorphisms using pyrosequencing.
AB  - Pyrosequencing represents one of the most thorough methods used to analyze
      polymorphisms. One advantage of using pyrosequencing for genotyping is the
      ability to identify not only single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) but also tri
      allelic variations, insertions and deletions (InDels). In contrast to most other
      genotyping assays the sequence surrounding the polymorphism provides an internal
      control making this method highly reliable. 

PMID- 24218256
TI  - Assay for estimation of the functional activity of the mannan-binding lectin
      pathway of the complement system.
AB  - Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a soluble pattern recognition molecule of the
      innate immune system. It is found in plasma in complex with MBL-associated serine
      proteases (MASPs). When MBL recognizes foreign, e.g., the surface of some
      microorganisms, or altered host surfaces the MASPs are activated and this will in
      turn lead to the initiation of the complement system, i.e., activation of
      complement by the MBL pathway. This will end up in increased phagocytosis of the
      microorganism and killing by insertion of pore structures in the membrane of the
      microorganisms. Lack of MBL seems significant in specific situations, e.g., in
      immunocompromised individuals were MBL is important in battling infections and,
      e.g., in ischemia/reperfusion injuries were MBL can have a negative inflammatory
      generating, and thus tissue destructive role, as it recognizes epitopes emerging
      in the ischemic tissue. It may thus be relevant in several situations to test for
      the presence of the MBL pathway in human sera. Here we describe a functional
      assay for estimation of MBL pathway activity by detection of complement factor
      deposition onto microtiter plate wells coated with a physiological relevant
      ligand for MBL. 

PMID- 24218257
TI  - Purification, measurement of concentration, and functional complement assay of
      human ficolins.
AB  - Ficolins constitute a group of lectins involved in innate immunity. L-Ficolin, H
      ficolin, and M-ficolin are present in human serum. The human ficolins differ in
      carbohydrate-binding specificity, but they have in common the ability to
      recognize the acetyl group. L-Ficolin and H-ficolin are associated with serine
      proteases termed MASPs (MBL-associated serine proteases) and their truncated
      proteins, and the complexes (L/H-ficolin-MASP) activate the lectin pathway of
      complement upon binding to their ligands. Recombinant M-ficolin is also able to
      form a complex with MASP, resulting in complement activation. L-Ficolin and H
      ficolin can be purified as a complex with MASP from serum by utilizing their
      binding specificities. These ficolin-MASP complexes have an ability to activate
      C4. Human ficolins are quantified by ELISA using specific antibodies or ligands. 

PMID- 24218258
TI  - Purification and functional analysis of human properdin.
AB  - Properdin is a member of the alternative pathway of complement. It is unique in
      that it is the only known positive regulator of the complement system. Properdin
      can stabilize and promote complement activation, but in addition is also capable
      of initiating the alternative pathway, making it a unique protein. This chapter
      focuses on the methods required for purifying human properdin and testing its
      functionality. 

PMID- 24218259
TI  - Purification and functional characterization of C4b-binding protein (C4BP).
AB  - C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a soluble, 570 kDa large glycoprotein, present in
      plasma at a concentration of approximately 200 mg/L. C4BP is the main inhibitor
      of the classical and lectin pathways of complement, where it controls C4b
      mediated reactions. Here, we describe a method for purification of C4BP from
      human plasma, which is based on barium chloride precipitation, anion exchange
      chromatography, and gel filtration. We also describe a functional assay, in which
      C4BP's cofactor activity to factor I, in the degradation of C4b, can be assessed.

PMID- 24218260
TI  - Purification and functional characterization of factor I.
AB  - Factor I (FI) is a soluble, 88 kDa glycoprotein present in plasma at a
      concentration of approximately 35 mg/L. FI inhibits all complement pathways as it
      degrades activated C4b and C3b when these are bound to a cofactor such as C4b
      binding protein or factor H. Here, we describe a method for purification of FI
      from human plasma, which is based on affinity chromatography followed by anion
      exchange chromatography. We also describe a functional assay, in which activity
      of FI can be assessed. 

PMID- 24218261
TI  - C1 inhibitor: quantification and purification.
AB  - C1 inhibitor is a multipotent serpin capable of inhibiting the classical and the
      lectin pathways of complement, the fibrinolytic system, and contact/kinin system
      of coagulation. Deficiency of C1 inhibitor manifest as hereditary angioedema
      (HAE), an autosomal dominant hereditary disease. Measuring the C1 inhibitor level
      is of vital importance for the diagnosis of HAE and also for monitoring patients
      receiving C1 inhibitor for therapy. Determination of the antigenic C1 inhibitor
      level by the radial immunodiffusion (RID) technique is described in detail in
      this chapter. The presented purification method of plasma C1 inhibitor is
      primarily based on its high carbohydrate content and its affinity to the lectin
      jacalin. 

PMID- 24218262
TI  - Purification, quantification, and functional analysis of Complement Factor H.
AB  - Complement Factor H (FH) is an abundant, non-enzymic plasma/serum glycoprotein,
      which has a major role in regulating activation of the complement system. It can
      be purified from human plasma/serum by affinity chromatography, using a
      monoclonal anti-FH antibody as ligand. Other affinity chromatography ligands,
      including cardiolipin and trinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin (TNP-BSA), can be
      used to purify human FH and also FH from a wide range of vertebrates, including
      mammals, birds, bony fish. Human FH protein concentration can be quantified by
      sandwich ELISA. The activity of FH is generally measured by assays which detect
      the cleavage, by complement factor I, of the complement protein C3b to form iC3b.
      Cleavage occurs only in the presence of a cofactor, and FH is one of a small
      number of cofactors for this reaction. 

PMID- 24218263
TI  - Factor H-related proteins.
AB  - Factor H-related proteins (CFHRs) are plasma glycoproteins related in structure
      and antigenicity to each other and to the complement inhibitory protein factor H.
      Such proteins are found in most mammals but their number and domain composition
      vary. This chapter summarizes our current knowledge on the human factor H-related
      proteins. In contrast to factor H, they have no strong complement inhibitory
      activity, although for some of them regulatory or complement modulatory activity
      has been reported. A common feature of CFHRs is that they bind to the C3b
      component of complement. Novel links between CFHRs and various diseases (C3
      glomerulopathies, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and age-related macular
      degeneration) have been revealed in recent years, but we are still far from
      understanding their biological function. 

PMID- 24218264
TI  - Functional evaluation of factor H genetic and acquired abnormalities: application
      for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).
AB  - The atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a paradigm of a disease, caused
      by overactivation of the alternative complement pathway secondary to a not well
      understood trigger event. About 60 % of the patients present genetic or acquired
      abnormalities in the proteins of the alternative complement pathway. In 40 % of
      the cases the affected protein is the complement regulator Factor H (FH)-30 % due
      to mutations and 10 % because of anti-FH autoantibodies. Here we describe the
      detailed protocol for a rapid test to analyse the functional defect associated
      with genetic or acquired FH-related abnormalities. It can be applied for the
      characterization of the underlying complement defect in aHUS, based on
      spontaneous lysis of non-sensitized sheep erythrocytes in contact with patients'
      plasma or serum. 

PMID- 24218265
TI  - Anti-factor H autoantibodies assay.
AB  - Non-Shiga-toxin-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (atypical HUS) is a rare
      form of thrombotic microangiopathy which associates hemolytic anemia,
      thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. In 10 % of cases the disease is linked
      to presence of autoantibodies directed against Factor H (FH), the main plasmatic
      alternative complement pathway regulatory protein. Their presence induces an
      acquired functional FH deficiency. The anti-FH autoantibodies screening must be
      performed at the very onset of the disease in all cases of HUS, in order, first,
      to make the proper diagnosis as early as possible, and second to support an
      appropriate therapy including early plasma exchanges and immunosuppressive
      treatments. Thus, anti-CFH IgG represents a diagnostic marker and the titer
      determination is useful for assessing disease evolution, because changes precede
      clinical symptoms, and for monitoring of treatment. Presence of anti-FH IgG has
      been recently reported to be associated with other clinical context such as C3
      glomerulopathies, but their pathogenicity in these conditions remains to be
      assessed. Here we describe the ELISA assay allowing the detection of these
      autoantibodies and report the analysis which can be performed concomitantly to
      improve the diagnosis.

PMID- 24218266
TI  - Purification of native surfactant protein SP-A from pooled amniotic fluid and
      bronchoalveolar lavage.
AB  - Surfactant protein SP-A is a hydrophilic glycoprotein, similar to SP-D, which
      plays an important role in pulmonary surfactant homeostasis and innate immunity.
      SP-A is actively expressed in the alveolar type II cells and Clara cells. Their
      basic structure consists of triple-helical collagen region and a C-terminal
      carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). By binding to the infectious microbes, SP
      A (like SP-D) are involved in pathogen opsonization and agglutination and
      subsequent clearance of the microorganism, via recruitment of phagocytic cells
      via receptors for the collagen region. SP-A has also been localized at extra
      pulmonary sites such as salivary epithelium, amniotic fluid, prostate glands, and
      semen. The presence of SP-A in fetal and maternal tissue and amniotic fluid
      suggests it is involved in pregnancy and labor. Native SP-A can be purified from
      amniotic fluid and bronchiolar lavage fluid (BALF) via affinity chromatography.
      In addition, we also report here a procedure to express and purify a recombinant
      form of trimeric CRD in Escherichia coli. The availability of highly pure native
      SP-A and CRD region can be central to studies that examine the diverse roles that
      SP-A play in surfactant homeostasis, pulmonary infection and inflammation and
      pregnancy. 

PMID- 24218267
TI  - Purification of surfactant protein D (SP-D) from pooled amniotic fluid and
      bronchoalveolar lavage.
AB  - Surfactant protein SP-D is a multimeric collagenous lectin, called collectin. SP
      D is a multifunctional, pattern recognition innate immune molecule, which binds
      in a calcium dependent manner to an array of carbohydrates and lipids, thus
      offering resistance to invading pathogens, allergen challenge, and pulmonary
      inflammation. SP-D is predominantly found in the endoplasmic reticulum of type 2
      pneumocytes and in the secretory granules of Clara or non-ciliated bronchiolar
      cells. The highest expression of SP-D is observed in the distal airways and
      alveoli. There is also an extra pulmonary existence of SP-D. The common sources
      of native full-length human SP-D are bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) washings from
      normal or preferably patients suffering from alveolar proteinosis who overproduce
      SP-D in the lungs. Amniotic fluid collected at the term during parturition is
      another reasonable source. Here, we describe a simple and rapid method of
      purifying native SP-D away from SP-A which is also present in the same source. We
      also describe procedures of expressing and purifying a recombinant fragment of
      human SP-D (rhSP-D) comprising trimeric neck and carbohydrate recognition domains
      that has been shown to have therapeutic effects in murine models of allergy and
      infection. 

PMID- 24218268
TI  - Functional analysis of C5a effector responses in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - C5a is a powerful proinflammatory and immunomodulatory mediator as evidenced by
      its involvement in infectious, allergic, and autoimmune diseases as well as in
      cancer. C5a exerts most of its biologic functions through binding and activation
      of the G protein-coupled C5a receptor (C5aR). C5aR activation promotes complex
      signaling pathways eventually resulting in increased intracellular calcium
      (Ca(2+))i concentration. One of the prototypic effector functions associated with
      C5aR activation is the reconfiguration of the cell cytoskeleton resulting in
      increased cell motility and ligand-specific cell migration. Here, we describe
      three assays to assess C5a-mediated effector functions: (1) increase in (Ca(2+))i
      in bone marrow-derived neutrophils using the intracellular fluorescent Ca(2+)
      sensitive indicator Fluo-4 AM and flow cytometry-based methods; (2) in vitro
      migration of murine, bone marrow-derived neutrophils using a modified Boyden
      chamber; and (3) in vivo migration of neutrophils from the circulation into the
      peritoneal cavity. To control for the specificity of the C5a-mediated effects,
      C5aR-deficient mice, neutralizing C5aR-specific antibodies and potent
      pharmacologic C5aR inhibitors are available. 

PMID- 24218269
TI  - Detection of complement receptors 1 and 2 on mouse splenic B cells using flow
      cytometry.
AB  - The complement receptor 2 (Cr2) gene is exclusively expressed in B cells and
      follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in mice and in humans. However, mice also
      express an alternative splice variant, CR1, of the Cr2 gene. CR2 and CR1 are
      receptors for the complement component 3 (C3) cleavage fragments C3d(g) and iC3b.
      Additionally, CR1 is a receptor for C3b and regulates complement convertase
      activity. CR1 and CR2 have various functions including antigen retention by FDC,
      regulation of surface complement convertases, and canonically as the B cell
      coreceptor in which CR2 acts to lower the threshold for B cell activation.
      Detection of CR1 and CR2 can be utilized to identify B cells and, depending on
      expression level, to delineate various B cell populations. This protocol
      describes methods for detecting CR1/2 expression on splenic B cell subsets via
      flow cytometry. 

PMID- 24218270
TI  - Quantification of complement receptor 2 calcium signaling enhancement using flow
      cytometry.
AB  - The complement receptor 2 (Cr2) gene is exclusively expressed in B cells and
      follicular dendritic cells (FDC) in mice and in humans. CR2 is a receptor for the
      complement component 3 (C3) cleavage fragments C3d(g) and iC3b. On B cells CR2
      acts as the B cell co-receptor in which ligand binding of CR2 effectively lowers
      the threshold for B cell activation. This protocol describes methods for the
      functional analysis of calcium signaling enhancement provided by CR2 co-receptor
      activity. 

PMID- 24218271
TI  - Purification of C1q receptors and functional analysis.
AB  - The recognition subunit of C1, C1q, has emerged as an important player in various
      pathophysiologic conditions largely in part due to its ability to interact with
      pathogen-associated or cell surface expressed ligands and receptors.
      Identification and purification of these molecules is therefore of paramount
      importance if we are to procure valuable information with regards to the
      structure, function, and cell surface distribution. Since the interaction of C1q
      is better served when the receptors are purified from homologous species, we
      discuss here a simple guideline for the purification and characterization of the
      two C1q receptors, cC1qR (calreticulin) and gC1qR, from human cell lines. 

PMID- 24218272
TI  - Detection of cell membrane-bound CD46 using flow cytometry.
AB  - CD46 is an important regulator of the complement system by preventing unwanted
      deposition of the complement activation products and opsonins C3b/C4b onto self
      tissue. Recently, intracellular signals mediated by CD46 activation on several
      distinct human cell types have demonstrated that CD46 also plays decisive roles
      in immuneregulation. The growing recognition of CD46 as key regulator in several
      vital biological processes, led to increased demand in sensitive methods for
      monitoring CD46 expression and changes thereof on cells and in tissues. Here we
      describe a method, which allows for studying CD46 expression on the surface of
      cells using specific antibodies in combination with fluorescence-activated cell
      sorting (FACS) analysis. 

PMID- 24218273
TI  - Detection of CD59 using flow cytometry.
AB  - CD59 is the single regulator of the terminal complement pathway. It has been
      implicated in disease such as Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PMH) and
      cancer. Expression of CD59 protects normal and malignant cells from the cytotoxic
      potential of the complement system. Here we describe a method, which allows for
      studying its expression on the surface of cells. 

PMID- 24218274
TI  - Functional analysis of CD59 using complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay.
AB  - CD59 overexpression has been shown to confer the resistance of tumors to
      complement lysis. Complement lysis is one of the two major killing mechanisms of
      therapeutic anticancer antibodies. This chapter provides a method that allows
      studying the extent of complement protection of tumors by CD59. 

PMID- 24218275
TI  - Detection of soluble CR3 (CD11b/CD18) by time-resolved immunofluorometry.
AB  - In the cell membrane complement receptor 3 (CR3) consists of one alpha chain
      (CD11b) and one beta chain (CD18). CR3 participates in many immunological
      processes, especially those involving cell migration, adhesion, and phagocytosis
      of complement-opsonized microbes. Recent findings of soluble CR3 in body fluids
      and in culture supernatant from experiments in vitro point to the involvement of
      ecto domain shedding as a part of the CR3 biology. To monitor such shedding on a
      quantitative basis, we have developed time-resolved immunofluorometric assays
      (TRIFMA) to detect soluble CD11b and CD18 in plasma or serum of either human or
      murine origin. Compared with most enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
      methodologies, TRIFMA possesses prominent advantages, including better dynamic
      range and reproducibility. These assays may contribute to the understanding of
      the role of shedding of CR3 and other cell adhesion molecules in human disease
      and animal models involving inflammation. 

PMID- 24218276
TI  - Analysis of the complement activation in mice.
AB  - Complement activation is an important immune mechanism in mice like in humans.
      Murine complement is also activated via three pathways, the classical, lectin,
      and alternative. Complement proteins are serine proteases; thus activation of
      complement is proteolytic cleavage of complement proteins, which are both soluble
      and deposited forms. Therefore, complement pathway activation can be assayed by
      measuring deposited cleaved complement proteins on materials that are known to
      activate each pathway. In this chapter, we describe how we assay activation of
      these three pathways in murine system. 

PMID- 24218277
TI  - Opsonophagocytic assay.
AB  - The opsonophagocytic killing (OPK) assay is used as a correlate for protection to
      measure the functional capacities of vaccine-candidate-raised antibodies. This in
      vitro assay aids selecting promising vaccines by demonstrating whether the
      vaccine-induced antibodies drive efficient complement deposition and subsequent
      opsonophagocytic killing. Here, we describe two protocols for an OPK assay using
      either human-derived PMNs or cultured HL-60 cells. 

PMID- 24218278
TI  - A cryogenically flexible covalent organic framework for efficient hydrogen
      isotope separation by quantum sieving.

PMID- 24218279
TI  - Efficacy of S-1 plus cisplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with HER2
      positive advanced gastric cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combination chemotherapy with trastuzumab and cisplatin plus
      capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil has been used as a standard regimen for HER2
      positive gastric cancer (GC) since the Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer (ToGA)
      trial. Before the ToGA trial, HER2-positive GC in Japan was treated with S-1 plus
      cisplatin (SP). The primary objective of this retrospective study was to explore
      the efficacy of SP in HER2-positive GC. METHODS: We reviewed patients who had
      received SP as first-line chemotherapy at our institute between April 2007 and
      March 2011 and from whom we had enough samples to examine HER2 status. Seventy
      seven patients fulfilled the selection criteria and were tested for HER2 status
      with immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization.
      The patients' backgrounds were investigated to evaluate the clinicopathologic
      features of their HER2-positive GC, including survival. RESULTS: Seven (9.1 %) of
      77 patients were judged to be IHC3+, and all of these had predominantly
      differentiated histology. HER2 positivity was associated with differentiated
      histology (P = 0.016) and liver metastasis (P = 0.025). Median overall survival
      was 23.6 months [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.8-44.7] in HER2-positive GC and
      12.9 months (95 % CI 8.3-17.5) in HER2-negative disease, but the difference was
      not statistically significant (P = 0.615). In multivariate analysis, HER2 status
      was not associated with survival outcomes. CONCLUSION: Because of the
      retrospective nature of this study, we cannot conclude whether HER2 status
      influences the survival of patients who receive SP as first-line chemotherapy.
      Our study provides important historical data for prospective phase II studies of
      SP plus trastuzumab.

PMID- 24218280
TI  - Assessment of treatment outcomes based on tumor marker trends in patients with
      recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing trans-catheter arterial chemo
      embolization.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether serum alpha
      fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) trends might be
      correlated with overall survival rates in patients with recurrent hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) undergoing trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization (TACE).
      METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 142 patients with recurrent
      HCC who were treated by TACE at our hospital from April 1990 to December 2011.
      Patients were divided into three groups, as follows, according to the trends of
      the two tumor markers AFP and DCP: the low group, comprising patients with tumor
      marker levels below the cutoff values (AFP 100 ng/mL and DCP 100 mAU/mL) both pre
      and post-TACE; the decreased group, comprising patients with elevated tumor
      marker levels pre-TACE in whom the levels decreased post-TACE; and the elevated
      group, comprising patients with elevated tumor marker levels post-TACE. RESULT:
      Analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model identified the DCP trend
      (elevated group vs. low group, hazard ratio 8.47, 95 % confidence interval 4.53
      15.84, p < 0.0001), but not the AFP trend, as an independent prognostic factor
      for survival. While the AFP trend was correlated only with the overall response
      rate assessed using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors
      (mRECIST; p = 0.041), the DCP trend was strongly associated with both the overall
      response rate (p = 0.009) and the disease control rate (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION:
      The DCP trend might be useful for assessing treatment outcomes after TACE in
      patients with recurrent HCC.

PMID- 24218281
TI  - Preoperative versus postoperative chemoradiotherapy in stage T3, N0 rectal
      cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study populations of previous preoperative chemoradiotherapy (pre
      CRT) studies have consisted of mixed clinical stages, such as cT3-cT4 and/or cN
      positive. For this reason, it has not been possible to demonstrate whether pre
      CRT is of benefit for individual subgroups. METHODS: The medical records of 137
      rectal cancer patients with clinical stage T3, N0 disease who received either pre
      CRT or postoperative chemoradiotherapy (post-CRT) between 2002 and 2011 were
      retrospectively analyzed. The regimen of pre-CRT consisted of slow fluorouracil
      (5FU) infusion and that of post-CRT consisted of bolus 5FU and leucovorin
      concurrent with radiation. RESULTS: Following pre-CRT, significant downstaging
      was achieved. However, administration of pre-CRT did not influence the type of
      surgical resection in tumours <=5 cm distant from the anal verge (p = 0.14).
      Pathological complete response was achieved in 16 % of the patients in the pre
      CRT group. The local recurrence rate (LRR) at 5 years was 5.7 % in the pre-CRT
      and 11.1 % in the post-CRT groups (p = 0.04). The distant recurrence rate (DRR)
      at 5 years was 76 % and 77 % in the pre-CRT and post-CRT groups, respectively (p
      = 0.1). Overall survival was similar in two groups (74.8 % vs. 75.3 %, p = 0.3).
      CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of stage T3, N0 rectal cancer patients with pre-CRT
      followed by surgery decreased LRR, but did not improve DRR or OS as compared with
      surgery followed by post-CRT in our patient cohort.

PMID- 24218282
TI  - Safety and effectiveness of stereotactic body radiotherapy for a clinically
      diagnosed primary stage I lung cancer without pathological confirmation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathological diagnosis fails in some pulmonary tumors, although they
      may be highly suspected to be primary lung cancer. We studied the outcome of
      stereotactic body radiotherapy for a clinically diagnosed primary stage I lung
      cancer without pathological confirmation. METHODS: The current study included 37
      patients (39 lesions) treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy who were
      clinically diagnosed with primary stage I lung cancer between August 1998 and
      April 2009 at our hospital. Pulmonary tumors were highly suspected to be
      malignant from physical and imaging examinations. Biopsies were performed for 62
      % of patients, although malignancy was not pathologically confirmed. In the other
      38 % of patients, a biopsy was not feasible. Median age of the patients was 77
      years. Median tumor diameter was 20 mm. A total median dose of 48 Gy was
      prescribed to the isocenter in four fractions. Median follow-up period was 39
      months. RESULTS: The 3-year overall survival, local control, and regional-distant
      control were 74.2, 94.0, and 68.6 %, respectively. In patients with tumors <=20
      mm, overall survival and regional-distant control were significantly higher than
      in patients with tumors >20 mm (p <= 0.001), whereas no significant difference
      was observed regarding local control. No grade 3-5 adverse events possibly,
      probably, or definitely related to the treatment were observed. CONCLUSIONS:
      Stereotactic body radiotherapy is safe and effective for a clinically diagnosed
      primary stage I lung cancer when pathological diagnosis is difficult even with
      repeat biopsies, or a biopsy is not feasible for reasons of the patient's health
      condition or wishes.

PMID- 24218283
TI  - Tumor-suppressing effects of miR451 in human osteosarcoma.
AB  - Osteosarcoma is the 3rd most common human cancer in childhood and young adults,
      and is the leading cause of mortality. Recent studies suggest that miRNAs could
      regulate the growth and progression of osteosarcoma, indicating some novel
      targets for therapy. In our study, we demonstrated that miR-451 was down
      regulated in human osteosarcoma U2OS, SAOS, and MG63 cells lines as well as in
      tumor tissue surgically resected compared with the normal tissues. Overexpression
      of miR-451 inhibited cell proliferation and resulted in cell apoptosis in
      osteosarcoma cells. G1 cell cycle arrest was also induced by miR-451. Repressed
      by miR-451, PGE2 and CCND1 reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-451 on
      proliferation. In conclusion, miR-451 played a tumor-suppressing role through
      modulating the expression of PGE2 and CCND1, suggesting a novel target for the
      diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma. 

PMID- 24218284
TI  - Endovascular recanalization of failed distal bypass in Buerger's disease.
AB  - In the treatment of Buerger's disease, bypass surgery with the use of an
      autologous vein has served as a treatment option in cases in which distal target
      vessel has been available. However, failed bypass occlusion can result in a
      devastating clinical scenario. Herein, we report a successful endovascular
      revascularization of failed distal bypass graft as a last resort for a patient
      with Burger's disease with ischemic rest pain and extensive tissue loss. 

PMID- 24218285
TI  - Small needle puncture of a central venous occlusion in a hemodialysis patient
      that could not be traversed by a conventional technique.
AB  - A 75-year-old woman with hemodialysis-related right subclavian vein occlusion was
      referred to our hospital for retry of endovascular treatment. The occluded
      segment could not be crossed via either antegrade or retrograde approaches,
      including puncturing the obstruction with the stiff end of the guide wire. The
      obstruction was successfully punctured using a 75-cm long 21-G needle via the
      right median cubital vein and a metallic stent was placed to cover the occluded
      segment after balloon angioplasty. The recanalized segment was patent for 10
      months until the patient's death from concomitant disease. 

PMID- 24218286
TI  - Safety and efficacy of combined cyclophosphamide and rituximab treatment in
      recalcitrant childhood lupus.
AB  - To report the safety and efficacy of combined cyclophosphamide and rituximab
      treatment in Saudi children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Medical
      records of all children with SLE treated with cyclophosphamide and rituximab
      between June 2007 and June 2012 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research
      Center, Riyadh, were reviewed for demographic characteristics, age at diagnosis,
      concomitant treatments, indication of using rituximab and adverse events during
      the treatment period. Clinical and serologic response parameters included SLE
      Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), complement, anti-ds DNA antibody and ANA levels,
      and mean daily corticosteroid dose assessed 3 months before combined
      cyclophosphamide and rituximab infusion course and at 6-month interval afterward.
      Sixteen patients (13 girls) with refractory SLE treated with cyclophosphamide and
      rituximab were included. The mean age at onset of SLE was 7.8 + 3.3 years, while
      the mean age at diagnosis was 8.1 + 3.4 years; the mean disease duration was 4.7
      + 3.2 years. All patients were treated with corticosteroid and immunosuppressive
      drugs. Nephritis (8 patients) was the most frequent indication; other indications
      included refractory arthritis, thrombocytopenia, severe mucocutaneous lesions and
      central nervous system involvement. All patients received 2 doses, but 4 required
      4-8 extra doses. All patients showed improvement in response parameters. There
      was significant reduction in SLEDAI (P < 0.0002) and corticosteroid dose (P <
      0.005). A total of 4 adverse events were notified; 2 developed infusion-related
      reactions. One patient had severe soft tissue fungal infection, and other patient
      had pancreatitis. Our data showed beneficial therapeutic and steroid-sparing
      effects of rituximab as adjunctive treatment for children with refractory SLE
      including both renal and extrarenal manifestations. Although rituximab was well
      tolerated by the majority of patients, it may associated with various adverse
      events.

PMID- 24218287
TI  - A genome-wide association study on copy-number variation identifies a 11q11 loss
      as a candidate susceptibility variant for colorectal cancer.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex disease, and therefore its development is
      determined by the combination of both environmental factors and genetic variants.
      Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of SNP variation have
      conveniently identified 20 genetic variants so far, a significant proportion of
      the observed heritability is yet to be explained. Common copy-number variants
      (CNVs) are one of the most important genomic sources of variability, and hence a
      potential source to explain part of this missing genetic fraction. Therefore, we
      have performed a GWAS on CNVs to explore the relationship between common
      structural variation and CRC development. Phase 1 of the GWAS consisted of 881
      cases and 667 controls from a Spanish cohort. Copy-number status was validated by
      quantitative PCR for each of those common CNVs potentially associated with CRC in
      phase I. Subsequently, SNPs were chosen as proxies for the validated CNVs for
      phase II replication (1,342 Spanish cases and 1,874 Spanish controls). Four
      common CNVs were found to be associated with CRC and were further replicated in
      Phase II. Finally, we found that SNP rs1944682, tagging a 11q11 CNV, was
      nominally associated with CRC susceptibility (p value = 0.039; OR = 1.122). This
      locus has been previously related to extreme obesity phenotypes, which could
      suggest a relationship between body weight and CRC susceptibility. 

PMID- 24218288
TI  - Minimal training is required to reliably perform quantitative ultrasound of
      muscle.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Quantitative ultrasound can measure skeletal muscle pathology. We
      investigated whether inexperienced evaluators could accurately obtain and analyze
      ultrasound images. METHODS: Two examiners underwent a 20-minute training session
      before obtaining ultrasound images of several limb muscles in 21 healthy boys and
      19 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Gray scale levels (GSLs) of
      muscle and subcutaneous fat were then measured by 2 analysts: a trained research
      assistant and a radiologist. We compared results between examiners and analysts.
      RESULTS: Interrater reliability of muscle GSLs was high between examiners (ICC >=
      0.85) and analysts (ICC >= 0.84). As anticipated, GSLs were higher in dystrophic
      than in healthy muscles (P < 0.001). Fat GSLs were less reliable (ICC = 0.5-0.89)
      than muscle and increased with age and body size. CONCLUSIONS: GSLs from
      ultrasound images of healthy and dystrophic skeletal muscle, but not from
      subcutaneous fat, can be obtained reliably and can be analyzed by inexperienced
      evaluators with minimal training.

PMID- 24218289
TI  - Polycationic pillar[5]arene derivatives: interaction with DNA and biological
      applications.
AB  - Dendritic pillar[5]arene derivatives have been efficiently prepared by grafting
      dendrons with peripheral Boc-protected amine subunits onto a preconstructed
      pillar[5]arene scaffold. Upon cleavage of the Boc-protected groups, water-soluble
      pillar[5]arene derivatives with 20 (13) and 40 (14) peripheral ammonium groups
      have been obtained. The capability of these compounds to form stable
      nanoparticles with plasmid DNA has been demonstrated by gel electrophoresis,
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS)
      investigations. Transfection efficiencies of the self-assembled 13/pCMV-Luc and
      14/pCMV-Luc polyplexes have been evaluated in vitro with HeLa cells. The
      transfection efficiencies found for both compounds are good, and pillar[5]arenes
      13 and 14 show very low toxicity if any. 

PMID- 24218290
TI  - Binding of cyclic carboxylates to octa-acid deep-cavity cavitand.
AB  - As part of the fourth statistical assessment of modeling of proteins and ligands
      (sampl.eyesopen.com) prediction challenge, the strength of association of nine
      guests (1-9) binding to octa-acid host was determined by a combination of (1)H
      NMR and isothermal titration calorimetry. Association constants in sodium
      tetraborate buffered (pH 9.2) aqueous solution ranged from 5.39 * 10(2) M(-1) in
      the case of benzoate 1, up to 3.82 * 10(5) M(-1) for trans-4-methylcyclohexanoate
      7. Overall, the free energy difference between the free energies of complexation
      of these weakest and strongest binding guests was DeltaDeltaG degrees  = 3.88
      kcal mol(-1). Based on a multitude of previous studies, the anticipated order of
      strength of binding was close to that which was actually obtained. However, the
      binding of guest 3 (4-ethylbenzoate) was considerably stronger than initially
      estimated.

PMID- 24218292
TI  - Sleep and adult neurogenesis: implications for cognition and mood.
AB  - The hippocampal dentate gyrus plays a critical role in learning and memory
      throughout life, in part by the integration of adult-born neurons into existing
      circuits. Neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus is regulated by numerous
      environmental, physiological, and behavioral factors known to affect learning and
      memory. Sleep is also important for learning and memory. Here we critically
      examine evidence from correlation, deprivation, and stimulation studies that
      sleep may be among those factors that regulate hippocampal neurogenesis. There is
      mixed evidence for correlations between sleep variables and rates of hippocampal
      cell proliferation across the day, the year, and the lifespan. There is modest
      evidence that periods of increased sleep are associated with increased cell
      proliferation or survival. There is strong evidence that disruptions of sleep
      exceeding 24 h, by total deprivation, selective REM sleep deprivation, and
      chronic restriction or fragmentation, significantly inhibit cell proliferation
      and in some cases neurogenesis. The mechanisms by which sleep disruption inhibits
      neurogenesis are not fully understood. Although sleep disruption procedures are
      typically at least mildly stressful, elevated adrenal corticosterone secretion is
      not necessary for this effect. However, procedures that prevent both elevated
      corticosterone and interleukin 1beta signaling have been found to block the
      effect of sleep deprivation on cell proliferation. This result suggests that
      sleep loss impairs hippocampal neurogenesis by the presence of wake-dependent
      factors, rather than by the absence of sleep-specific processes. This would weigh
      against a hypothesis that regulation of neurogenesis is a function of sleep.
      Nonetheless, impaired neurogenesis may underlie some of the memory and mood
      effects associated with acute and chronic sleep disruptions. 

PMID- 24218291
TI  - Mutation effects of neuraminidases and their docking with ligands: a molecular
      dynamics and free energy calculation study.
AB  - A systematic study has been performed on neuraminidase (NA) mutations and NA
      inhibitor docked complexes, with the aim to understand protein-ligand
      interactions and design broad-spectrum antiviral drugs with minimal resistances.
      The catalytic D151 residue is likely to mutate while others are relatively
      conserved. The NA active-site conformations are altered by mutations, but more
      alterations do not necessarily result in larger deviations to the binding
      properties. The effects of all related mutations have been discussed; e.g., for
      the arginine triad (R118, R292 and R371), it is found that residue R118 plays the
      most significant role during ligand binding. Generally, the calculated binding
      free energies agree well with the experimental observations. Susceptibility of
      influenza virus to NA inhibitors can be reinforced by some mutations; e.g., the
      binding free energies of ligands with N2 subtype increase from -18.0 to -42.1
      kcal mol(-1) by the E119D mutation. Mutations of the various NA subtypes often
      cause similar conformational and binding changes, explaining the occurrence of
      cross resistances; nonetheless, differences can be detected in some cases that
      correspond to subtype-specific resistances. For all NA subtypes, the
      electrostatic contributions are the major driving force for ligand binding and
      largely responsible for the binding differences between the wild-type and mutated
      NA proteins.

PMID- 24218293
TI  - A common origin for guanidinobutanoate starter units in antifungal natural
      products.
AB  - Keeping it basic: Arginine provides the exotic 4-guanidinobutanoate starter unit
      for two different types of zwitterionic polyketide (an example for one type is
      shown in the picture) produced by the same Streptomyces bacterium. The three-step
      precursor pathway is initiated by a remarkable decarboxylating monooxygenase with
      high specificity for arginine. 

PMID- 24218294
TI  - Teaching primary care in pediatric outpatient department in developing countries:
      a feasibility study.
AB  - We studied the feasibility of teaching primary care to undergraduate medical
      students in an outpatient department (OPD) using a specially developed teaching
      package. Teaching was conducted in four 30 min sessions during a 4 week rotation
      term, and a test was offered at the end. We concluded, on the basis of grades
      achieved in the test, that it is feasible to impart primary care knowledge
      through OPD teaching using structured teaching goals for teachers. 

PMID- 24218295
TI  - Immunoglobulin E-binding epitopes of mite allergens: from characterization to
      immunotherapy.
AB  - House dust mites and storage mites produce a number of allergens that can induce
      hypersensitivity reactions in humans and result in allergic diseases like asthma,
      rhinitis, and dermatitis. Recent advances in identifying and characterizing these
      allergens--and, in particular, their immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding epitopes-
      have produced a wealth of knowledge. Here, methods for identifying IgE-binding
      epitopes, from immunoassays to in silico approaches, are summarized and placed in
      context with the identification of epitopes of mite allergens, particularly from
      the Dermatophagoides spp. major allergen groups 1 and 2. Finally, the transfer of
      this information to the clinical development and application of new diagnostic
      and immunotherapeutic approaches is discussed. While progress in recent years has
      built on the specific immunotherapies established decades ago, much work remains
      to be done to mitigate mite allergic disease. Future studies should seek to
      identify epitopes for mite species beyond Dermatophagoides and for minor
      allergens. Efforts in translational medicine should use the current epitope data
      to develop modified allergens for immunotherapy.

PMID- 24218297
TI  - Modulation of dual electronic circuits of [26]hexaphyrins using internal aromatic
      straps.
AB  - Internal bridges: [26]Hexaphyrins with an aromatic strap in 5,20 position have
      two potentially cyclic conjugated networks, that is, [18]porphyrin and
      [26]hexaphyrin, and show a formal analogy with [18]annuleno[18]annulens. 1,3
      Phenylene-, 2,5-thienylene-, and 2,5-pyrrylene-bridged [26]hexaphyrins have been
      synthesized and characterized. 

PMID- 24218296
TI  - Progressive renal decline as the major feature of diabetic nephropathy in type 1
      diabetes.
AB  - Despite almost universal implementation of renoprotective therapies over the past
      25 years, the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is
      not decreasing, and ESRD remains the major cause of excess morbidity and
      premature mortality [1]. Such a state of affairs prompts a call to action. In
      this review we re-evaluated the proteinuria-centric model of diabetic nephropathy
      and showed its deficiencies. On the basis of extensive studies that we have been
      conducting on the patients attending the Joslin Clinic, we propose that
      progressive renal decline, not abnormalities in urinary albumin excretion, should
      be considered as the major feature of disease processes leading to ESRD in T1D.
      The etiology of diabetic nephropathy should be reconsidered in light of our new
      findings so our perspective can be broadened regarding new therapeutic targets
      available for interrupting the progressive renal decline in T1D. Reduction in the
      loss of glomerular filtration rate, not reduction of albumin excretion rate,
      should become the measure for evaluating the effectiveness of new therapeutic
      interventions. We need new accurate methods for early diagnosis of patients at
      risk of progressive renal decline or, better still, for detecting in advance
      which patients will have rapid, moderate or minimal rate of progression to ESRD.

PMID- 24218298
TI  - Design of electrospayed non-spherical poly (L-lactide-co-glicolide) microdevices
      for sustained drug delivery.
AB  - Polymer chain entanglements in organic solvents can be considered a key parameter
      in the formation of non-spherical beads when electrospraying is employed. The
      shape of micro/nanometric drug delivery systems plays a major role since it can
      affect circulation, extravasation, distribution and in vivo clearance of the
      devices. In this frame, we investigated the influence of polymer processing
      parameters on the design of polylactic-co-glycolic acid non-spherical
      microdevices loaded with triamcinolone acetonide (TrA), a sparingly water soluble
      corticosteroid, prepared by electrospraying technique through a one-step process.
      In particular, we verified that the formation of non-spherical MDs is related to
      the presence of entanglements among polymer chains to select the optimal solution
      to be sprayed. The addition of TrA did not substantially affect the particle
      morphology in terms of size, size distribution and circularity at all the tested
      drug loadings. Furthermore, the drug could be released for a prolonged period,
      with controlled and reproducible kinetics for over 3 weeks. The mathematical
      modeling of release profiles highlighted that the release is mainly driven by
      degradation, at a higher extent in the case of low drug loading. 

PMID- 24218299
TI  - (alpha'(H))-Dicalcium silicate bone cement doped with tricalcium phosphate:
      characterization, bioactivity and biocompatibility.
AB  - The influence of phosphorus doping on the properties of (alpha'(H))-dicalcium
      silicate (C(2)S) bone cement was analyzed, in addition to bioactivity and
      biocompatibility. All the cements were composed of a solid solution of TCP in
      C(2)S ([Formula: see text]-C(2)S(ss)) as the only phase present. The compressive
      strength ranged from 3.8-16.3 MPa. Final setting times ranged from 10 to 50 min
      and were lower for cements with lower L/P content. Calcium silicate hydrate was
      the principal phase formed during the hydration process of the cements. The
      cement exhibited a moderate degradation and could induce carbonated
      hydroxyapatite formation on its surface and into the pores. The cell attachment
      test showed that the (alpha'(H))-C(2)SiO(4) solid solution supported human
      adipose stem cells adhesion and spreading, and the cells established close
      contacts with the cement after 24 h of culture. The novel (alpha'(H))-C(2)S(ss)
      cements might be suitable for potential applications in the biomedical field,
      preferentially as materials for bone/dental repair.

PMID- 24218300
TI  - Influence of the chloride ion concentration on the corrosion of high-purity Mg,
      ZE41 and AZ91 in buffered Hank's solution.
AB  - This research studied the influence of the chloride ion concentration on the
      corrosion behaviour of high-purity magnesium (Mg) and two Mg alloys in Hank's
      solution, using hydrogen evolution and weight loss. A buffer based on CO2 and
      NaHCO3 was used to maintain the pH constant. The corrosion behaviour was governed
      by a partially protective surface film, and film breakdown by the chloride ions.
      The carbonated calcium phosphate layer that formed in Hank's solution was
      important in determining the protective properties of the surface film. 

PMID- 24218301
TI  - Response to Comment on "Mechanism of Pt(IV) sonochemical reduction in formic acid
      media and pure water".

PMID- 24218302
TI  - Assessment of robustness against dissolved oxygen/substrate oscillations for C.
      glutamicum DM1933 in two-compartment bioreactor.
AB  - Corynebacterium glutamicum is an important organism for industrial biotechnology;
      particularly, in amino acid production (e.g. L-lysine). Production scales often
      reach reactor working volumes of several hundred cubic meters, which triggers
      inhomogeneous distribution of substrates and dissolved gasses due to increasing
      mixing times. Individual cells which follow the flow profile through the reactor
      are experiencing oscillating microenvironments. Oscillations can have an
      influence on the process performance, which is a subject of scale-down
      experiments. In this work, L-lysine-producing C. glutamicum DM1933 was assessed
      for its robustness against continuous dissolved oxygen and substrate supply
      oscillation in two-compartment scale-down bioreactors. Aerobic, substrate-limited
      stirred tank and non-aerated, substrate-excess plug flow compartments were
      applied for oscillation. Inhomogeneity of substrate and oxygen supply was
      observed to cause rapid side product turnover, redistribution of oxygen uptake
      from oxygen limited into fully aerobic zones, and intermediate medium
      acidification. However, process inhomogeneity did not impair productivity or
      growth at plug flow residence times of several minutes. In a focused analysis of
      proteome, metabolome, transcriptome, and other physiological parameters, no
      changes were identified in response to process inhomogeneity. In conclusion, fed
      batch processes with C. glutamicum DM1933 possess remarkable robustness against
      oxygen and substrate supply oscillation, which is a unique property in the field
      of published scale-down studies. Microbial physiology of C. glutamicum appears to
      be ideally adapted to both homogeneous and inhomogeneous conditions. This ensures
      exceptional suitability for cultivation at increased mixing times, which is
      suggested to constitute an important basis for the long-lasting success in large
      scale bioprocess application. 

PMID- 24218303
TI  - Modeling hairy root tissue growth in in vitro environments using an agent-based,
      structured growth model.
AB  - An agent-based model for simulating the in vitro growth of Beta vulgaris hairy
      root cultures is described. The model fitting is based on experimental results
      and can be used as a virtual experimentator for root networks. It is implemented
      in the JAVA language and is designed to be easily modified to describe the growth
      of diverse biological root networks. The basic principles of the model are
      outlined, with descriptions of all of the relevant algorithms using the ODD
      protocol, and a case study is presented in which it is used to simulate the
      development of hairy root cultures of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) in a Petri dish.
      The model can predict various properties of the developing network, including the
      total root length, branching point distribution, segment distribution and
      secondary metabolite accumulation. It thus provides valuable information that can
      be used when optimizing cultivation parameters (e.g., medium composition) and the
      cultivation environment (e.g., the cultivation temperature) as well as how
      constructional parameters change the morphology of the root network. An image
      recognition solution was used to acquire experimental data that were used when
      fitting the model and to evaluate the agreement between the simulated results and
      practical experiments. Overall, the case study simulation closely reproduced
      experimental results for the cultures grown under equivalent conditions to those
      assumed in the simulation. A 3D-visualization solution was created to display the
      simulated results relating to the state of the root network and its environment
      (e.g., oxygen and nutrient levels). 

PMID- 24218304
TI  - Hemospray treatment is effective for lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
AB  - Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is diverse in origin and can be
      substantial, requiring urgent hemostasis. Hemospray is a promising novel
      hemostatic agent for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). It has been claimed
      in a small series that the use of Hemospray is also feasible in LGIB. We aimed to
      expand our knowledge of the application of Hemospray for the treatment of LGIB in
      a wider range of conditions to further define the optimal patient population for
      this new therapeutic modality. We analyzed the outcomes of nine unselected
      consecutive patients with active LGIB treated with Hemospray in two major
      hospitals in Europe. Initial hemostasis was achieved after Hemospray application
      in all patients. Rebleeding occurred in two patients (22%) who were on acetyl
      salicylic acid and presented with spurting bleeds. These preliminary data show
      that Hemospray can be effective in the management of LGIB, but suggest cautious
      use for patients on antithrombotic therapy and spurting bleeds.

PMID- 24218305
TI  - Commercially available biological mesh does not prevent stricture after
      esophageal mucosectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) offers a minimally
      invasive therapy for advanced esophageal dysplasia and early cancers but
      stricture formation limits its applicability. We aimed at assessing the efficacy
      of placement of a commercially available biological mesh for preventing stricture
      formation following esophageal EMR. METHODS: 25 swine were submitted to
      circumferential esophageal EMR with 10-cm extent and divided in five groups: one
      group with EMR only (control); one receiving an uncovered stent (stent-only
      group); and three groups receiving a stent covered with one of three
      extracellular matrices, namely small intestine submucosa (SIS group), acellular
      dermal matrix (ADM group), or urinary bladder matrix (UBM group). Stricture
      formation was evaluated with weekly esophagograms. RESULTS: The stent-only group
      had significantly less stricture formation and survival was extended compared
      with controls (4.8 vs. 2.4 weeks). Compared with stenting only, the addition of a
      biological mesh did not reduce stricture formation: percent reductions in
      esophageal diameter for the groups were SIS 86 %, ADM 94 %, and UBM 94 %,
      compared with 82 % in the stent-only group. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of
      commercially available biological meshes did not alter remodeling sufficiently to
      prevent stricture formation after esophageal EMR.

PMID- 24218306
TI  - Colonic diverticular hemorrhage: the hood method for detecting responsible
      diverticula and endoscopic band ligation for hemostasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Although colonic diverticular hemorrhage is a common
      cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, the low rate of detection of the
      diverticula responsible for bleeding, together with inadequate evaluation of
      endoscopic hemostasis, remain unsatisfactory. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over 3 years,
      we employed the hood method to diagnose diverticular hemorrhage in 53 patients
      and applied endoscopic band ligation (EBL) for hemostasis in 27 patients with
      responsible diverticula. RESULTS: The hood method revealed active bleeding in 13
      patients (24.5%), nonbleeding visible vessels in 14 patients (26.4%), and
      presumptive diverticular hemorrhage in 26 patients (49.1%). The nonbleeding
      visible vessels were located in the diverticular dome in 13 patients and at the
      diverticular orifice in one patient. EBL was performed in 27 patients, and a
      hemostasis rate of 96.3% was achieved. In 9 of 12 patients treated with EBL,
      follow-up colonoscopy revealed resolution of the responsible diverticula.
      CONCLUSIONS: The hood method improves the detection rate of diverticula
      responsible for bleeding by revealing potential nonbleeding visible vessels in
      the diverticular dome. EBL may become an effective procedure for hemostasis of
      colonic diverticular hemorrhage.

PMID- 24218307
TI  - A two-center randomized controlled trial of water-aided colonoscopy versus air
      insufflation colonoscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Water-aided colonoscopy includes water immersion and
      water exchange. Several small single-center studies have suggested that the use
      of water rather than air insufflation during colonoscopy reduces pain on
      insertion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether water-aided
      colonoscopy is less painful than air insufflation in a large cohort of patients.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a two-center, randomized controlled trial.
      Consecutive patients who agreed to start colonoscopy without premedication were
      included. Sedation was administered on demand. Water-aided colonoscopy was
      performed using water immersion in the early phase of the study, and subsequently
      water exchange was used. The primary endpoint was cecal intubation with pain
      scores of <= 2 and sedation with no or <= 2 mg midazolam. Secondary outcomes were
      pain score at discharge, cecal intubation rate and time, and adenoma detection
      rate (ADR). RESULTS: A total of 672 patients were randomized to water exchange (n
      = 338) or air insufflation (n = 334). The primary endpoint was achieved in more
      patients in the water exchange group (83.8 % vs. 62 %; P < 0.0005). On-demand
      sedation was also required less (11.5 % vs. 26.0 %; P < 0.0005) and mean pain
      score was lower (1.3 vs. 2.3; P < 0.0005) in the water exchange group. The cecal
      intubation rates were comparable. Water exchange had a significantly higher
      overall ADR (25.8 % vs. 19.1 %; P = 0.041), proximal ADR (10.1 % vs. 4.8 %; P =
      0.014), and proximal < 10 mm ADR (7.7 % vs. 3.9 %; P = 0.046); proximal ADR was
      also higher in screening-only patients in the water exchange group (18.9 % vs.
      7.4 %; P  = 0.015). No detailed analysis was possible for the air insufflation
      vs. water immersion comparison. CONCLUSION: The current results confirmed that
      water exchange minimized the requirement for sedation and increased the ADR.

PMID- 24218308
TI  - Reassessment of the predictive value of the Forrest classification for peptic
      ulcer rebleeding and mortality: can classification be simplified?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: This study aimed to reassess whether the Forrest
      classification is still useful for the prediction of rebleeding and mortality in
      peptic ulcer bleedings and, based on this, whether the classification could be
      simplified. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective registry data on peptic ulcer
      bleedings were collected and categorized according to the Forrest classification.
      The primary outcomes were 30-day rebleeding and all-cause mortality rates.
      Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to test whether simplification
      of the Forrest classification into high risk (Forrest Ia), increased risk
      (Forrest Ib-IIc), and low risk (Forrest III) classes could be an alternative to
      the original classification. RESULTS: In total, 397 patients were included, with
      18 bleedings (4.5%) being classified as Forrest Ia, 73 (18.4%) as Forrest Ib, 86
      (21.7%) as Forrest IIa, 32 (8.1%) as Forrest IIb, 59 (14.9%) as Forrest IIc, and
      129 (32.5%) as Forrest III. Rebleeding occurred in 74 patients (18.6%).
      Rebleeding rates were highest in Forrest Ia peptic ulcers (59%). The odds ratios
      for rebleeding among Forrest Ib-IIc ulcers were similar. In subgroup analysis,
      predicting rebleeding using the Forrest classification was more reliable for
      gastric ulcers than for duodenal ulcers. The simplified Forrest classification
      had similar test characteristics to the original Forrest classification.
      CONCLUSION: The Forrest classification still has predictive value for rebleeding
      of peptic ulcers, especially for gastric ulcers; however, it does not predict
      mortality. Based on these results, a simplified Forrest classification is
      proposed. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings.

PMID- 24218309
TI  - Evaluation of Ki-67 index in EUS-FNA specimens for the assessment of malignancy
      risk in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Malignancy in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs)
      is graded by assessing the resected specimens according to the World Health
      Organization (WHO) 2010 criteria. The feasibility of such grading using
      endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) specimens remains
      unclear. The aim of this study was to ascertain the optimal method of measuring
      the Ki-67 index in EUS-FNA specimens, using resected specimens as the criterion
      standard. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 58 consecutive patients diagnosed with
      PNETs between March 1998 and May 2011 were included. The study measured
      intratumoral Ki-67 index heterogeneity, concordance rates of PNET grading by EUS
      FNA with grade of the resected tumor, optimal method of measuring the Ki-67 index
      in EUS-FNA specimens, and survival analysis based on EUS-FNA specimen grading.
      RESULTS: Intratumoral dispersion of Ki-67 index in resected specimens was 0.033
      for Grade 1 and 0.782 for Grade 2 tumors (P<0.001). Concordance rates for WHO
      classification between EUS-FNA and resected specimens were 74.0% using the mean
      Ki-67 index in EUS-FNA specimens and 77.8% using the highest Ki-67 index. The
      concordance rate rose to 90% when EUS-FNA samples with less than 2000 tumor cells
      were excluded (26% of EUS-FNA cases). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves were
      significantly stratified by the EUS-FNA grading of PNETs with 5-year survival
      rates of 100%, 58.3%, and 0%, for Grade 1, Grade 2, and neuroendocrine carcinoma
      (NEC) tumors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Grading of PNETs by the highest Ki-67
      index in EUS-FNA specimens with adequate cellularity has a high concordance with
      grading of resected specimens, and can predict long term patient survival with
      high accuracy.

PMID- 24218310
TI  - Value of EUS in early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas in patients
      with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) sometimes
      arise in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). This
      study examined the incidence of PDACs concomitant to or derived from branch duct
      IPMNs. The usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) relative to other
      imaging methods for detecting these tumors was also assessed. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: This retrospective study used data from clinical records and imaging
      studies that were collected prospectively. During 2001-2009, 167 consecutive
      patients with IPMNs underwent EUS, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The 102 patients whose branch duct IPMNs lacked
      mural nodules/symptoms and thus did not qualify for resection were followed up by
      semiannual EUS and annual ultrasonography, CT, and MRI. The sensitivity and
      specificity with which the four modalities detected IPMN-derived and -concomitant
      PDACs at the first examination and throughout the study period were evaluated.
      The rate of PDAC development during follow-up was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier
      method. RESULTS: A total of 17 IPMN-derived and 11 IPMN-concomitant PDACs were
      diagnosed at the first examination. Lesions that did not qualify for resection or
      chemotherapy were followed up for a median of 42 months. Seven IPMN-concomitant
      PDACs and no IPMN-derived PDACs were detected during follow-up. The 3- and 5-year
      rates of IPMN-concomitant PDAC development were 4.0% and 8.8%, respectively. At
      the first examination, EUS was superior to other imaging modalities in terms of
      IPMN-derived and -concomitant PDAC detection. Throughout the study period,
      including follow-up, EUS was significantly better at detecting IPMN-concomitant
      PDACs than the other modalities. CONCLUSIONS: IPMN-concomitant PDACs are quite
      often found at diagnosis and during follow-up. EUS examination of the whole
      pancreas plays an important role in the management of IPMNs as it allows the
      early detection of these small invasive carcinomas.

PMID- 24218311
TI  - Fine-needle tissue acquisition from subepithelial lesions using a forward-viewing
      linear echoendoscope.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The overall diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic
      ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for subepithelial lesions
      (SELs) is suboptimal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic
      accuracy, defined as the proportion of correct diagnoses, obtained using the EUS
      guided fine-needle tissue acquisition (FNTA) sampling technique performed with
      the newly developed forward-viewing EUS scope (FV-EUS). PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database including
      all consecutive patients with SELs who underwent EUS-FNTA using the FV-EUS scope
      from 2007 to 2011 in a tertiary referral center. All procedures were performed by
      a single expert endoscopist. RESULTS: A total of 121 consecutive patients with
      SELs (13 in the esophagus, 96 in the stomach, 10 in the duodenum, 2 in the
      rectum) underwent sampling of the lesion using the FV-EUS scope. The procedure
      was technically feasible in all but one patient, and no complication related to
      EUS-FNTA occurred. Full histological assessment including immunostaining could be
      completed in 93.4% (113/121) of the patients. Considering neoplastic vs. non
      neoplastic diseases, the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and
      negative likelihood ratio were 92.8% (95%CI 86.3-96.8), 100% (95%CI 69.0-100%),
      infinity, and 0.07 (95%CI 0.04-0.14), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNTA
      performed in conjunction with the FV-EUS scope for sampling SELs of the
      gastrointestinal tract was safe and provided a very high diagnostic accuracy.
      Studies comparing FV-EUS with standard curved linear echoendoscopes are needed to
      clarify whether these results are due to the sampling technique or the type of
      scope utilized.

PMID- 24218312
TI  - Entecavir-associated myopathy: a case report and literature review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Entecavir, a nucleoside analog (NA), is effective for treatment of
      chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: We report the case of a
      patient we encountered with entecavir-associated myopathy. We also performed a
      literature review of myopathies associated with nucleoside analogs. RESULTS: A 44
      year-old man presented with a 3-month history of myalgia and progressive
      weakness. He had HBV infection and had received entecavir antiviral treatment for
      5 years. Laboratory tests showed that serum creatine kinase levels were
      significantly elevated. Muscle histopathology showed abundant T-lymphocyte
      infiltration of muscle fibers, and HBV surface antigen and HBV core antigen were
      not present in muscle fibers. Entecavir-associated myopathy was subsequently
      diagnosed. The patient's symptoms eventually resolved, and serum CK levels
      decreased rapidly after he stopped receiving entecavir treatments. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients who receive NA therapy should be closely monitored for myopathic side
      effects. Muscle Nerve 49:610-614, 2014.

PMID- 24218313
TI  - Multiple Sclerosis International Federation: stimulating international
      cooperation in research.

PMID- 24218314
TI  - Unilateral leukonychia and hair depigmentation in multifocal motor neuropathy.
AB  - Neurophysiology studies in a 50-year-old man with slowly progressive weakness of
      the left upper limb revealed conduction block in the ulnar nerve above the elbow.
      His weakness remained stable with regular subcutaneous immunoglobulin, but he
      noted gradual hemibody hair depigmentation. Examination also revealed unilateral
      left hand leukonychia (figure). MRI of the brain and cervical spine was normal. 

PMID- 24218315
TI  - Can outcomes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy be improved by public reporting of
      data?

PMID- 24218316
TI  - Carotid dissection following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.

PMID- 24218321
TI  - Child Neurology: cognitive delay in a 7-year-old girl.
AB  - Organic acidurias are an important group of inherited metabolic disorders that
      affect the intermediary metabolic pathways of carbohydrate, amino acid, and fatty
      acid oxidation, leading to the accumulation of organic acids.(1) The 2
      hydroxyglutaric acidurias are rare neurometabolic disorders characterized by
      developmental delay with or without other neurologic dysfunction. Three different
      subtypes have been described: d-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria, l-2-hydroxyglutaric
      aciduria, and combined d-l-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. We describe the case of a
      child presenting with developmental delay who was found to have the classical
      biochemical, imaging, and genetic features of l-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. 

PMID- 24218322
TI  - Teaching NeuroImages: neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation in
      aceruloplasminemia.
AB  - A 55-year-old African Canadian man with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and
      alcohol abuse presented with diabetic ketoacidosis. Progressive cognitive decline
      over the previous 5 years resulted in long-term care placement. Aside from
      pigmentary retinopathy, general examination was unremarkable. MRI demonstrated
      iron accumulation in the brain (figure 1) and liver (figure 2A). Ceruloplasmin, a
      ferroxidase enzyme important in iron homeostasis, was undetectable and associated
      with low serum iron, low serum copper, and 10-fold increase in serum ferritin.
      Liver biopsy confirmed increased hepatocyte iron storage (figure 2B).
      Aceruloplasminemia was diagnosed.(1,2) Iron chelation was not administered given
      advanced dementia at presentation. 

PMID- 24218323
TI  - Teaching NeuroImages: a neuroendocrine rarity: Wolfram syndrome.
AB  - Wolfram syndrome 1 (WS1) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by
      diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and deafness (DIDMOAD
      syndrome). It is caused by a mutation in the WFS1 gene (chromosome 4p16.1,
      involved in regulation of intracellular calcium) that encodes wolframin, a
      transmembrane protein of pancreatic beta cells. WS1 is a rare disorder
      characterized by the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus at an
      average age of 6 years, followed by optic atrophy (figure) at an average age of
      11 and partial central diabetes insipidus and deafness in adolescence. Additional
      neurologic manifestations include truncal ataxia, myoclonus, epilepsy, nystagmus,
      and hyposmia.(1,2.) 

PMID- 24218325
TI  - Interplay between cell growth and cell cycle in plants.
AB  - The growth of organs and whole plants depends on both cell growth and cell-cycle
      progression, but the interaction between both processes is poorly understood. In
      plants, the balance between growth and cell-cycle progression requires
      coordinated regulation of four different processes: macromolecular synthesis
      (cytoplasmic growth), turgor-driven cell-wall extension, mitotic cycle, and
      endocycle. Potential feedbacks between these processes include a cell-size
      checkpoint operating before DNA synthesis and a link between DNA contents and
      maximum cell size. In addition, key intercellular signals and growth regulatory
      genes appear to target at the same time cell-cycle and cell-growth functions. For
      example, auxin, gibberellin, and brassinosteroid all have parallel links to cell
      cycle progression (through S-phase Cyclin D-CDK and the anaphase-promoting
      complex) and cell-wall functions (through cell-wall extensibility or microtubule
      dynamics). Another intercellular signal mediated by microtubule dynamics is the
      mechanical stress caused by growth of interconnected cells. Superimposed on
      developmental controls, sugar signalling through the TOR pathway has recently
      emerged as a central control point linking cytoplasmic growth, cell-cycle and
      cell-wall functions. Recent progress in quantitative imaging and computational
      modelling will facilitate analysis of the multiple interconnections between plant
      cell growth and cell cycle and ultimately will be required for the predictive
      manipulation of plant growth.

PMID- 24218324
TI  - The role of reticulons in neurodegenerative diseases.
AB  - Reticulons (RTNs) are a group of membrane-associated proteins mainly responsible
      for shaping the tubular endoplasmic reticulum network, membrane trafficking,
      inhibition of axonal growth, and apoptosis. These proteins share a common
      sequence feature, the reticulon homology domain, which consists of paired
      hydrophobic stretches that are believed to induce membrane curvature by acting as
      a wedge in bilayer membranes. RTNs are ubiquitously expressed in all tissues, but
      each RTN member exhibits a unique expression pattern that prefers certain tissues
      or even cell types. Recently, accumulated evidence has suggested additional and
      unexpected roles for RTNs, including those on DNA binding, autophagy, and several
      inflammatory-related functions. These manifold actions of RTNs account for their
      ever-growing recognition of their involvement in neurodegenerative diseases like
      Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, as well
      as hereditary spastic paraplegia. This review summarizes the latest discoveries
      on RTNs in human pathophysiology, and the engagement of these in
      neurodegeneration, along with the implications of these findings for a better
      understanding of the molecular events triggered by RTNs and their potential
      exploitation as next-generation therapeutics. 

PMID- 24218326
TI  - Arabidopsis thaliana mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 is involved in seed
      formation and modulation of primary and lateral root development.
AB  - Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) cascades are signal transduction modules
      highly conserved in all eukaryotes regulating various aspects of plant biology,
      including stress responses and developmental programmes. In this study, we
      characterized the role of MAPK 6 (MPK6) in Arabidopsis embryo development and in
      post-embryonic root system architecture. We found that the mpk6 mutation caused
      altered embryo development giving rise to three seed phenotypes that, post
      germination, correlated with alterations in root architecture. In the smaller
      seed class, mutant seedlings failed to develop the primary root, possibly as a
      result of an earlier defect in the division of the hypophysis cell during embryo
      development, but they had the capacity to develop adventitious roots to complete
      their life cycle. In the larger class, the MPK6 loss of function did not cause
      any evident alteration in seed morphology, but the embryo and the mature seed
      were bigger than the wild type. Seedlings developed from these bigger seeds were
      characterized by a primary root longer than that of the wild type, accompanied by
      significantly increased lateral root initiation and more and longer root hairs.
      Apparently, the increment in primary root growth resulted from an enhanced cell
      production and cell elongation. Our data demonstrated that MPK6 plays an
      important role during embryo development and acts as a repressor of primary and
      lateral root development. 

PMID- 24218327
TI  - Maize ARGOS1 (ZAR1) transgenic alleles increase hybrid maize yield.
AB  - Crop improvement for yield and drought tolerance is challenging due to the
      complex genetic nature of these traits and environmental dependencies. This study
      reports that transgenic over-expression of Zea mays AR GOS1 (ZAR1) enhanced maize
      organ growth, grain yield, and drought-stress tolerance. The ZAR1 transgene
      exhibited environmental interactions, with yield increase under Temperate Dry and
      yield reduction under Temperate Humid or High Latitude environments. Native ZAR1
      allele variation associated with drought-stress tolerance. Two founder alleles
      identified in the mid-maturity germplasm of North America now predominate in
      Pioneer's modern breeding programme, and have distinct proteins, promoters and
      expression patterns. These two major alleles show heterotic group partitioning,
      with one predominant in Pioneer's female and the other in the male heterotic
      groups, respectively. These two alleles also associate with favourable crop
      performance when heterozygous. Allele-specific transgene testing showed that, of
      the two alleles discussed here, each allele differed in their impact on yield and
      environmental interactions. Moreover, when transgenically stacked together the
      allelic pair showed yield and environmental performance advantages over either
      single allele, resembling heterosis effects. This work demonstrates differences
      in transgenic efficacy of native alleles and the differences reflect their
      association with hybrid breeding performance. 

PMID- 24218329
TI  - Polyamines and programmed cell death.
AB  - Polyamines (PAs) have been considered as important molecules for survival.
      However, evidence reinforces that PAs are also implicated, directly or
      indirectly, in pathways regulating programmed cell death (PCD). Direct
      correlation of PAs with cell death refers to their association with particular
      biological processes, and their physical contact with molecules or structures
      involved in cell death. Indirectly, PAs regulate PCD through their metabolic
      derivatives, such as catabolic and interconversion products. Cytotoxic products
      of PA metabolism are involved in PCD cascades, whereas it remains largely elusive
      how PAs directly control pathways leading to PCD. In this review, we present and
      compare advances in PA-dependent PCD in animals and plants. 

PMID- 24218328
TI  - Perennially young: seed production and quality in controlled and natural
      populations of Cistus albidus reveal compensatory mechanisms that prevent
      senescence in terms of seed yield and viability.
AB  - The question of whether or not perennial plants senesce at the organism level
      remains unresolved. The aim of this study was to unravel whether or not plant age
      can influence the production and composition of seeds. Flower and seed production
      was examined in 3-, 8-, and 13-year-old Cistus albidus plants growing in
      experimental plots corresponding to the F2, F1, and F0 generations of the same
      population. Furthermore, the phytohormone, fatty acid, and vitamin E content of
      the seeds was evaluated, and their viability was examined. Whether or not age
      related differences in seed quality were observed in a natural population in the
      Montserrat Mountains (NE Spain) was also tested. The results indicate that under
      controlled conditions, the oldest plants not only produced fewer flowers, but
      also had higher rates of embryo abortion in mature seeds. However, germination
      capacity was not negatively affected by plant ageing. Seeds of the oldest plants
      contained significantly higher salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and vitamin E
      levels compared with those from younger plants. Despite vigour (in terms of plant
      growth) being severely reduced due to harsh environmental conditions in the
      natural population, the oldest individuals produced seeds with no decline in
      viability. Seed biomass was instead positively correlated with seed viability. In
      conclusion, increased plant size may explain the loss of seed viability in the
      experimental field, but older smaller individuals in natural populations can
      escape senescence in terms of seed viability loss. 

PMID- 24218330
TI  - TRV-GFP: a modified Tobacco rattle virus vector for efficient and visualizable
      analysis of gene function.
AB  - Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a useful tool for functional
      characterization of genes in plants. Unfortunately, the efficiency of infection
      by Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) is relatively low for some non-Solanaceae plants,
      which are economically important, such as rose (Rosa sp.). Here, to generate an
      easy traceable TRV vector, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was tagged to
      the 3' terminus of the coat protein gene in the original TRV2 vector, and the
      silencing efficiency of the modified TRV-GFP vector was tested in several plants,
      including Nicotiana benthamiana, Arabidopsis thaliana, rose, strawberry (Fragaria
      ananassa), and chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum). The results showed that
      the efficiency of infection by TRV-GFP was equal to that of the original TRV
      vector in each tested plant. Spread of the modified TRV virus was easy to monitor
      by using fluorescent microscopy and a hand-held UV lamp. When TRV-GFP was used to
      silence the endogenous phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene in rose cuttings and
      seedlings, the typical photobleached phenotype was observed in 75-80% plants
      which were identified as GFP positive by UV lamp. In addition, the abundance of
      GFP protein, which represented the concentration of TRV virus, was proved to
      correlate negatively with the level of the PDS gene, suggesting that GFP could be
      used as an indicator of the degree of silencing of a target gene. Taken together,
      this work provides a visualizable and efficient tool to predict positive gene
      silencing plants, which is valuable for research into gene function in plants,
      especially for non-Solanaceae plants. 

PMID- 24218331
TI  - FLC-mediated flowering repression is positively regulated by sumoylation.
AB  - Flowering locus C (FLC), a floral repressor, is a critical factor for the
      transition from the vegetative to the reproductive phase. Here, the mechanisms
      regulating the activity and stability of the FLC protein were investigated.
      Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and in vitro pull-down analyses showed
      that FLC interacts with the E3 small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) ligase
      AtSIZ1, suggesting that AtSIZ1 is an E3 SUMO ligase for FLC. In vitro sumoylation
      assays showed that FLC is modified by SUMO in the presence of SUMO-activating
      enzyme E1 and conjugating enzyme E2, but its sumoylation is inhibited by AtSIZ1.
      In transgenic plants, inducible AtSIZ1 overexpression led to an increase in the
      concentration of FLC and delayed the post-translational decay of FLC, indicating
      that AtSIZ1 stabilizes FLC through direct binding. Also, the flowering time in
      mutant FLC (K154R, a mutation of the sumoylation site)-overexpressing plants was
      comparable with that in the wild type, whereas flowering was considerably delayed
      in FLC-overexpressing plants, supporting the notion that sumoylation is an
      important mechanism for FLC function. The data indicate that the sumoylation of
      FLC is critical for its role in the control of flowering time and that AtSIZ1
      positively regulates FLC-mediated floral suppression. 

PMID- 24218333
TI  - Identification of new N-acylhomoserine lactone signalling compounds of
      Dinoroseobacter shibae DFL-12(T) by overexpression of luxI genes.
AB  - Bacteria of the Roseobacter clade are widespread in the ocean and occur in many
      different habitats. In the genome of Dinoroseobacter shibae DFL-12, luxI
      homologous genes that encode synthases responsible for the formation of N
      acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) have been described. These compounds are known
      autoinducers that regulate several biological traits-namely, flagella formation
      and cell differentiation-in D. shibae through quorum sensing. The AHLs produced
      by D. shibae mainly consisted of N-octadecadienoylhomoserine lactone (C18:2-AHL)
      and N-octadecenoylhomoserine lactone (C18:1-HSL). In the wild type these AHLs are
      synthesized only in low abundance. The luxI genes were therefore expressed in
      Escherichia coli; this resulted in the formation of AHLs mostly different from
      those found in the D. shibae wild type. A luxI1 -deficient mutant of D. shibae
      was then reprovided with an overexpressed luxI1 gene. This strain produced large
      amounts of C18:2-AHL and C18:1-AHL, allowing full characterization of these
      compounds by mass spectrometric techniques and derivatization. Synthesis of the
      proposed structures confirmed that the major compound is (2E,11Z)-N-octadeca-2,11
      dienoylhomoserine lactone (6, C18:2-HSL), accompanied by (Z)-N-octadec-11
      enoylhomoserine lactone (5, C18:1-HSL). AHL 6 has not been reported before from
      other organisms and contains an unusual 2E double bond. 

PMID- 24218332
TI  - Are interaural time and level differences represented by independent or
      integrated codes in the human auditory cortex?
AB  - Sound localization is important for orienting and focusing attention and for
      segregating sounds from different sources in the environment. In humans,
      horizontal sound localization mainly relies on interaural differences in sound
      arrival time and sound level. Despite their perceptual importance, the neural
      processing of interaural time and level differences (ITDs and ILDs) remains
      poorly understood. Animal studies suggest that, in the brainstem, ITDs and ILDs
      are processed independently by different specialized circuits. The aim of the
      current study was to investigate whether, at higher processing levels, they
      remain independent or are integrated into a common code of sound laterality. For
      that, we measured late auditory cortical potentials in response to changes in
      sound lateralization elicited by perceptually matched changes in ITD and/or ILD.
      The responses to the ITD and ILD changes exhibited significant morphological
      differences. At the same time, however, they originated from overlapping areas of
      the cortex and showed clear evidence for functional coupling. These results
      suggest that the auditory cortex contains an integrated code of sound laterality,
      but also retains independent information about ITD and ILD cues. This cue-related
      information might be used to assess how consistent the cues are, and thus, how
      likely they would have arisen from the same source.

PMID- 24218334
TI  - Analysis of the association of interleukin-17 gene polymorphisms with gastric
      cancer risk and interaction with Helicobacter pylori infection in a Chinese
      population.
AB  - We aimed to explore the association between interleukin-17 (IL-17) polymorphisms,
      Helicobacter pylori infection, and subsites in gastric cancer risk in a Chinese
      population. We genotyped three promoter polymorphisms (rs2275913G>A,
      rs3748067C>T, and rs763780T>C) of IL-17 in a case-control study of 260 gastric
      cancer patients and 512 healthy controls. An unconditional multiple logistical
      regression model was used to calculate the effects of IL-17 gene polymorphisms on
      gastric cancer risk. The rs2275913 AA (adjusted OR = 1.69, 95 % CI = 1.15-2.49)
      and rs3748067 TT (adjusted OR = 1.73, 95 % CI = 1.03-2.94) genotypes were
      associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. We observed a significant
      interaction among rs2275913G>A, rs3748067C>T, and H. pylori infection on the risk
      of gastric cancer (p for interaction of 0.036 and 0.048, respectively). H. pylori
      infection subjects carrying the rs2275913 AA (adjusted OR = 2.48, 95 % CI = 1.49
      4.12) and rs3748067 TT (adjusted OR = 2.54, 95 % CI = 1.34-5.12) genotypes had a
      greatly increased risk of gastric cancer compared to negative H. pylori
      participants. Similarly, subjects carrying the rs2275913 AA (adjusted OR = 2.09,
      95 % CI = 1.25-3.45) and rs3748067 TT (adjusted OR = 2.29, 95 % CI = 1.20-4.20)
      genotypes had a moderately increased risk of noncardia gastric cancer. A
      significant interaction was observed between the rs2275913G>A and rs3748067C>T
      genotype and subsites of gastric cancer (p for interaction of 0.044 and 0.008,
      respectively). The rs2275913G>A and rs763780T>C polymorphisms increase gastric
      cancer risk, and interact with H. pylori infection and subsites. These findings
      could be helpful in identifying individuals at increased risk for developing
      gastric cancer.

PMID- 24218335
TI  - Bufalin exerts antitumor effects by inducing cell cycle arrest and triggering
      apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells.
AB  - As one of the most aggressive human malignancies, pancreatic cancer is a leading
      cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and only about 4% of patients will live
      5 years after diagnosis. Eighty to approximately eighty-five percent of patients
      are diagnosed with an unresectable or metastatic disease, which is correlated
      with poor prognosis and low survival rate. Therefore, it is tremendously
      significant to exploit novel chemicals to prevent and treat pancreatic cancer.
      Previous research and clinical studies have demonstrated that many natural
      products derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) such as camptothecin
      derivatives and vinca alkaloids could be effective antitumor compounds, hinting
      that TCM is a promising source for developing new antitumor drugs. In this
      report, we investigated the effects of bufalin, a primary active ingredient of
      the traditional Chinese medicine Chan-Su, on pancreatic cancer cell lines PANC-1
      and CFPAC-1 and studied the underlying molecular mechanism. We found that
      exposure to bufalin could suppress the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells
      time and dose dependently. We used flow cytometry to study the effects of bufalin
      on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution in PANC-1 and CFPAC-1 cells. The results
      indicated that bufalin could significantly induce both apoptosis and G2/M cell
      cycle arrest in pancreatic cancer cells. With western blotting, we found that the
      expression level of an antiapoptotic protein heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) and
      its partner molecule p-Akt was decreased upon the treatment with bufalin.
      Besides, bufalin activated pro-caspase-3 and pro-caspase-9 and modulated the
      expression level of Bcl-2 and Bax. These data suggested that bufalin may trigger
      apoptosis by targeting Hsp27, which could inhibit apoptosis by interfering with
      key apoptotic proteins. The influence on the level of cylinB1, CDK1, and p21 was
      also observed after bufalin treatment, and the relationship between Hsp27 and the
      cell cycle-related proteins mentioned above deserves much more research. In
      addition, our data showed that bufalin could enhance the growth inhibition effect
      of gemcitabine in above pancreatic cancer cells. Taken together, bufalin might be
      worthy of further study for its potential as a therapeutic agent for pancreatic
      cancer treatment.

PMID- 24218336
TI  - Prognostic value of circulating tumor cells in patients with pancreatic cancer: a
      meta-analysis.
AB  - Increasing scientific evidences suggest that circulating tumor cells (CTC) in
      peripheral blood may be a powerful predictor of survival in patients with
      pancreatic cancer. However, many existing studies have yielded inconclusive
      results. This meta-analysis aims to assess the prognostic value of CTC in
      patients with pancreatic cancer. An extensive literary search for relevant
      studies was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library,
      CISCOM, CINAHL, Google Scholar, CNKI, and CBM databases from their inception
      through July 1, 2013. The meta-analysis was then performed using the Stata 12.0
      software. Crude hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were
      calculated under a fixed or random effect model. Nine cohort studies were
      included in this meta-analysis with a total of 623 pancreatic cancer patients.
      This number included 268 CTC-positive patients and 355 CTC-negative patients. Our
      meta-analysis revealed that patients in the CTC-positive group were significantly
      associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.25
      4.00, P < 0.001). Furthermore, pancreatic cancer patients in the CTC-positive
      group also showed worse overall survival (OS) than those in the CTC-negative
      group (HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.88-2.08, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity
      indicated that CTC-positive patients had poor OS among both Asian and Caucasian
      populations (all P < 0.05). Further subgroup analyses by detection and treatment
      methods also suggested that CTC-positive patients showed worser OS than CTC
      negative patients in the majority of subgroups (all P < 0.05). No publication
      bias was detected in this meta-analysis. In conclusion, our meta-analysis
      suggests that CTC-positive pancreatic cancer patients may have worser PFS and OS
      than CTC-negative patients. Detection of CTC in peripheral blood may be a
      promising biomarker for the detection and prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 24218337
TI  - MicroRNA-143 is downregulated in breast cancer and regulates DNA
      methyltransferases 3A in breast cancer cells.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-protein-coding RNAs that regulate expression of
      a wide variety of genes including those involved in cancer development. Here, we
      investigate the role of miR-143 in breast cancer. In this study, we showed that
      miR-143 was frequently downregulated in 80% of breast carcinoma tissues compared
      to their adjacent noncancerous tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-143 inhibited
      proliferation and soft agar colony formation of breast cancer cells and also
      downregulated DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) expression on both mRNA and
      protein levels. Restoration of miR-143 expression in breast cancer cells reduces
      PTEN hypermethylation and increases TNFRSF10C methylation. DNMT3A was
      demonstrated to be a direct target of miR-143 by luciferase reporter assay.
      Furthermore, miR-143 expression was observed to be inversely correlated with
      DNMT3A mRNA and protein expression in breast cancer tissues. Our findings suggest
      that miR-143 regulates DNMT3A in breast cancer cells. These findings elucidated a
      tumor-suppressive role of miR-143 in epigenetic aberration of breast cancer,
      providing a potential development of miRNA-based treatment for breast cancer.

PMID- 24218338
TI  - Overexpression of stathmin 1 confers an independent prognostic indicator in
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - Data mining on public domain identified that stathmin 1 (STMN1) transcript was
      significantly higher expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Also known as
      the oncoprotein 18, STMN1 performs an important function in regulating rapid
      microtubule remodeling of the cytoskeleton in response to the cellular
      conditions. Immunoexpression of STMN1 was retrospectively assessed in biopsies of
      124 consecutive NPC patients without initial distant metastasis and treated with
      consistent guidelines. The outcome was correlated with clinicopathological
      features and patient survivals. Results indicated that high STMN1 expressions (50
      %) were correlated with advanced age (p = 0.027), higher T stage (p = 0.003), and
      overall clinical stage (p = 0.006) by the 7th American Joint Committee of Cancer
      Staging. In multivariate analyses, high STMN1 expression emerged as an
      independent prognosticator for worse disease-specific survival (p = 0.001),
      distal metastasis-free survival (p = 0.003), and local recurrence-free survival
      (p = 0.006). Exogenous expression of E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) or/and its
      dimeric partner, transcription factor Dp-1 (TFDP1), notably induced the STMN1
      protein level in a NPC-derived cell line, TW01. Accordingly, high STMN1 protein
      level is commonly associated with adverse prognosticators and confers tumor
      aggressiveness in patients with NPC, and its upregulation might be attributed to
      E2F1 and/or TFDP1 transactivation. 

PMID- 24218339
TI  - Association between IL-4 -589C>T polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk.
AB  - In order to make a comprehensive assessment of the potential association between
      interleukin-4 (IL-4) -589C>T and colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility, we
      conducted a meta-analysis of six epidemiological studies, which included 1,317
      CRC patients and 1,659 controls. The data showed that IL-4 -589C>T was not
      associated with increased CRC risk in the overall population. In the subgroup
      analysis of IL-4 -589C>T, the results did not change when the analyses were
      restricted to race. Based on this meta-analysis, we conclude that IL-4 -589C>T
      may be not a risk factor for CRC development. Further research is needed to
      assess possible gene-gene or gene-environment-lifestyle interactions on CRC. 

PMID- 24218340
TI  - Absent expression of FLNA is correlated with poor prognosis of nasopharyngeal
      cancer.
AB  - This study aimed to analyze the expression, clinical significance of filamin A
      (FLNA) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the biological effect in its cell line by
      FLNA overexpression. Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to analyze
      FLNA protein expression in 63 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer and 21 cases of
      normal tissues to study the relationship between FLNA expression and clinical
      factors. FLNA lentiviral vector and empty vector were respectively transfected
      into nasopharyngeal cancer CNE2 cell line. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot were used to detect the mRNA level and protein
      of FLNA. 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, migration,
      and invasion assays were also conducted as to the influence of the upregulated
      expression of FLNA that might be found on CNE2 cell biological effect.
      Immunohistochemistry: the level of FLNA protein expression was found to be
      significantly lower in nasopharyngeal cancer tissue than normal tissues (P <
      0.05). Western blot: the relative amount of FLNA protein in nasopharyngeal cancer
      tissue was found to be significantly lower than in normal tissues (P < 0.05). The
      level of FLNA protein expression was correlated with T stages, lymph node
      metastasis, clinic stage, and histological grade (P < 0.05). Loss of FLNA
      expression correlated significantly with poor overall survival time by Kaplan
      Meier analysis (P < 0.05). The result of biological function has shown that CNE2
      cell-transfected FLNA had a lower survival fraction, significant decrease in
      migration and invasion, and lower matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) protein
      expression compared with CNE2 cell-untransfected FLNA (P < 0.05). FLNA expression
      decreased in nasopharyngeal cancer and correlated significantly lymph node
      metastasis, clinic stage, histological grade, and poor overall survival,
      suggesting that FLNA may play important roles as a negative regulator to
      nasopharyngeal cancer CNE2 cell by promoting degradation of MMP-9.

PMID- 24218341
TI  - Full sensitivity and enhanced resolution in homodecoupled band-selective NMR
      experiments.

PMID- 24218342
TI  - Factor-Xa inhibitors protect against systemic oxidant damage induced by
      peripheral-ischemia reperfusion.
AB  - Factor-Xa inhibitors are often used for prophylaxis and for the treatment of
      thrombotic vascular disorders. However, it is not known whether they are
      beneficial during the recanalization of the thrombotic vascular segment and
      during tissue reperfusion. Herein, we describe an animal study that was designed
      to investigate the possible protective effects and antioxidant properties of
      factor-Xa inhibitors. Forty rats were included in the study and were randomly
      divided into five equal groups. The first group served as a control group from
      which we obtained basal oxidant and antioxidant parameters. Peripheral ischemia
      was induced in the second group (sham group) for 6 h, and plasma levels of
      nitrogen oxide (NOx), prolidase and malondialdehyde (MDA) were obtained after 30
      min of reperfusion. The sham group did not receive any drugs. Oral rivaroxaban (3
      mg/kg) was administrated to Group III, intraperitoneal enoxaparin sodium (250
      U/kg) was administrated to Group IV, and intraperitoneal bemiparine sodium (250
      U/kg) was administrated to Group V 1 week prior to the induction of peripheral
      ischemia (for 6 h)-reperfusion. After 30 min of reperfusion, blood samples were
      obtained and NOx, prolidase and MDA levels in these groups were detected, and the
      rats were sacrificed. NOx levels were statistically similar (p > 0.05) between
      Groups I, II, III, IV, and V (20.7 +/- 10.4, 17.4 +/- 9.7, 25.9 +/- 24.2, 27.0 +/
      11.9, 23.3 +/- 17.3 MUmol/L, respectively). MDA levels were significantly lower
      (p < 0.05) in Groups III (rivaroxaban), IV (enoxaparin sodium), and V (bemiparine
      sodium) (24.9 +/- 11.9, 25.9 +/- 4.4, 25.4 +/- 10.8 MUmol/L, respectively) when
      compared with the sham group (Group II) (75.6 +/- 24.3 MUmol/L). Prolidase levels
      were higher (p > 0.05) in the ischemia reperfusion groups (659.2 +/- 130.6 in II
      (sham), 1,741.0 +/- 1,530.6 in III (rivaroxaban), 2,453.8 +/- 1,590.4 in IV
      (enoxaparin sodium), and 889.2 +/- 574.7 U/g in V (bemiparine sodium) than in the
      control group (144.6 +/- 131.8 U/g). Ischemia-reperfusion events may occur in
      prothrombotic disorders. During these events, prophylactic or therapeutic factor
      Xa inhibitors can protect against thrombosis and oxidative reperfusion injury.
      The new oral factor-Xa inhibitor, rivaroxaban, appears to provide the same
      antioxidant support as injectable low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs). 

PMID- 24218343
TI  - Epicardial fat: more than just an "epi" phenomenon?
AB  - Regional body-fat distribution is one of the key variables that explains the
      metabolic heterogeneity of obesity and its related cardiovascular risks.
      According to the ectopy concept, the inability of subcutaneous adipose tissue to
      store surplus triglycerides may lead to the development of fat in ectopic sites,
      such as the heart. Epicardial adipose tissue is a metabolically active endocrine
      organ that produces numerous factors that can modulate cardiac structure and
      function. The development of in vivo noninvasive imaging has made it possible to
      quantify its thickness and volume with increasing accuracy. In this review, we
      discuss the local interaction and cross-talk between epicardial fat and
      neighboring structures, such as coronary arteries and myocardium, and its
      relevance to cardiac diseases, such as coronary-artery disease or atrial
      fibrillation. Beneficial and harmful effects of epicardial adipose tissue are
      described and analyzed. What leads to an imbalance between protective and
      deleterious actions has to be further explored. We believe that epicardial fat,
      which has been neglected for years, plays a key role in cardiovascular disease
      pathophysiology and represents a "new world" exploration for therapeutic targets,
      which will be addressed in future clinical and research studies. Elucidating the
      mechanisms that drive the deposition or mobilization of cardiac adiposity between
      other ectopic-fat stores needs to be accomplished within the next few years. 

PMID- 24218344
TI  - Acute and chronic effects of botulinum neurotoxin a on the mammalian
      neuromuscular junction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) cleaves SNAP-25 and inhibits
      acetylcholine (ACh) release at the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) to cause
      neuroparalysis. Previous reports indicate a dyssynchrony between the inhibitory
      effect of BoNT/A on ACh release and SNAP-25 cleavage. METHODS: We tested the in
      vitro (acute; 90 min) and in vivo (chronic; 12 h) effects of BoNT/A on stimulus
      evoked ACh release (SEAR), twitch tension, and SNAP-25 cleavage in isolated
      extensor digitorum longus (EDL) nerve-muscle preparations (NMP). RESULTS: In
      vitro or in vivo BoNT/A poisoning inhibited SEAR and twitch tension. Conversely,
      SNAP-25 cleavage and inhibition of spontaneous release frequency were observed
      only in NMP poisoned with BoNT/A in vivo. Moreover, chronic treatment of BoNT/A
      inhibited ionomycin stimulated Ca(2+) signals in Neuro 2a cells. CONCLUSIONS:
      These results demonstrate that the inhibition of SEAR precedes SNAP-25 cleavage
      and suggest involvement of a more complex mechanism for the inhibitory effect of
      BoNT/A at the NMJ.

PMID- 24218345
TI  - Audit of a state-wide store and forward teledermatology service in Australia.
AB  - In 2008, the Skin Emergency Telemedicine Service was established at the Princess
      Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Brisbane. We conducted an audit by evaluating all
      email communication during 2012, and administering a clinician questionnaire. A
      total of 167 cases were discussed via 685 email communications (46 being in-house
      PAH referrals). The highest number of external referrals came from Mt Isa (27%),
      located 1200 km from the nearest dermatology clinic, with a further 25% sent from
      centres located 50-600 km from a clinic. The main referring condition was rash
      (65%), followed by skin lesions (13%). The most commonly provided telemedicine
      diagnoses were dermatitis/eczema (23%), infection (20%) and drug eruption (17%).
      Most external referrals received a reply within 3 hours of the enquiry. Junior
      doctors (2nd-4th postgraduate year) represented the majority of referring
      clinicians (62% of questionnaire respondents). There were 111 potential
      questionnaire recipients. Responses were received from 34 clinicians, a response
      rate of 31%. Overall 100% of respondents stated that the service was useful to
      them and 97% said they would use it again in the future with one respondent
      stating 'possibly'. It seems likely that teledermatology will serve an important
      role in the provision of healthcare to Queensland, and other remote Australian
      communities in the future.

PMID- 24218346
TI  - Internet video to support intravenous medication administration in the home: a
      cost minimisation study.
AB  - We compared the costs associated with three different methods of administering
      antibiotics to paediatric oncology patients. In scenario A, medicine was prepared
      in the home, checked in the home using a video link to a second nurse, and
      administered in the home. In scenario B, medicine was prepared by outsourcing the
      work to a commercial organisation, checked by pharmacists off-site and
      administered in the home. In scenario C, medicine was prepared in the hospital,
      checked by a second nurse and administered in the outpatient department. The
      staff time required for home administration was calculated from actual home
      visits. The cost of tablet computers and mobile Internet charges for double
      checks in the home was based on an assumed useful life of 3 years for the
      equipment. The cost of outsourcing the preparation of medications was calculated
      from the actual cost of doing so during a four month period. Patient outcome was
      assumed to be the same in all three scenarios. The mean costs of a medication
      episode (i.e. one occasion of medication administration) was $129.91 in scenario
      A, $312.00 in scenario B and $355.91 in scenario C. Nurse preparation and
      administration in the home would save the oncology health service $124,899 per
      annum compared to outsourcing medication preparation. Nurse preparation and
      administration in the home would save the oncology health service $155,329 per
      annum compared to nurse preparation and administration in the outpatient
      department. Use of Internet-based video appears to produce savings compared to
      other methods of administering antibiotics and the technique may have wider
      application in supporting complex interventions in the home.

PMID- 24218347
TI  - A qualitative case study of telehealth for in-home monitoring to support the
      management of type 2 diabetes.
AB  - The present study formed part of a randomised controlled trial of telehealth for
      in-home monitoring to support people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. We
      explored the experiences of patients and healthcare practitioners, and their
      perceptions of the telehealth model of care used in the trial. In addition to
      their usual diabetes care, participants receive diabetes care from a diabetes
      educator nurse via an in-home broadband communication device. On average, each
      patient participated in 14 videoconferences with a diabetes care coordinator
      during the 12-month trial period. Qualitative data was collected from two general
      practices and included semi-structured interviews and document review of patient
      clinical notes. A total of 12 people were interviewed: 8 health practitioners and
      4 patients. Patients and health practitioners expressed a high level of
      satisfaction with the model of care provided. Patients also reported positive
      health and social outcomes as a result of being involved in the trial and
      indicated that in the main they had achieved their goals and were happy with
      their progress over the 12-month period. Analysis of interviews revealed three
      broad elements associated with the implementation of telehealth: interpersonal
      factors, operational problems and the wider health system context within which
      the general practices and trial team were operating. The findings suggest that
      adopting telehealth in the management of type 2 diabetes can lead to improved
      diabetes control, but more support is required to ensure sustainability and
      widespread implementation.

PMID- 24218348
TI  - A qualitative study of the use of Skype for psychotherapy consultations in the
      Ukraine.
AB  - There has been rather limited use of Skype for health and medical purposes. We
      investigated the use of Skype for delivering psychotherapy services in the
      Ukraine. A provider questionnaire was distributed to all delegates (n = 50) at
      the Annual Symposium of Psychotherapists. One copy of a client questionnaire was
      also given to each service provider and they were instructed to request their
      next client to complete the survey. In total, 29 providers and 23 clients
      responded to the questionnaire. The majority of clients (61%) and providers (72%)
      had used Skype for a range of services. The services they provided were related
      to a wide range of paradigms including psycho-analysis, psycho-drama, Gestalt
      therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and existential therapy. A key reason for
      using Skype was to allow practitioners to contact clients who were not easily
      accessible, e.g. those who lived in other countries. Most practitioners (n = 24)
      thought their clients considered the services received on Skype were good or
      excellent. All 26 practitioners charged for Skype consultations. The majority of
      clients and providers showed high satisfaction with the use of Skype for
      psychotherapy services.

PMID- 24218349
TI  - Telemedicine for clinical management of diabetes - a process analysis of video
      consultations.
AB  - We analysed 56 video consultations provided in a 5-month period by two
      endocrinologists from the tele-endocrinology clinic of a tertiary teaching
      hospital in Brisbane. The patients were suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes,
      and 41% of them had at least one diabetic complication. Their mean age was 51
      years and 45% were female. The consultations were provided to ten cities located
      210-1800 km from Brisbane. A questionnaire was developed for analysing the video
      visits. It comprised 26 questions, arranged in six sections: (1) Patient
      characteristics, (2) Reason for referral, (3) Procedures and findings, (4)
      Recommendations, (5) Telehealth logistics, (6) Consultant's opinion. In 66% of
      consultations a nurse accompanied the patient. The specialist requested the nurse
      to perform a physical examination in 18% of these cases. No change in medications
      was made in 36% of the consultations. The most frequent recommendations were
      requesting laboratory tests (75%), insulin dose adjustments (39%) and referrals
      to an allied health professional (13%). Out of 56 consultations, the specialists
      indicated the need to perform a physical examination for 12 patients that was not
      possible remotely. However, they requested an in-person (face-to-face) visit for
      three patients. Nevertheless they believed that in 34% of the cases they could
      have made a better decision if the consultation had been in-person. Video
      consultation can substitute for a large proportion of in-person specialist
      consultations for people with diabetes who are referred to endocrinology
      specialists.

PMID- 24218350
TI  - The introduction of web-based video-consultation in a paediatric acute care
      setting.
AB  - The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne has been providing web-based
      video-consultations for a range of paediatric sub-specialties since 2011. There
      were 346 video-consultations in the first 16 months, from a total of 65
      clinicians. Most teleconsultations were with the family at home. Generally, video
      consultation was used for follow-up, after at least one face-to-face visit. A
      total of 132 users (specialist and regional clinicians, patients and families)
      responded to an online survey. The major reason for both clinicians and families
      participating in telehealth was the savings in families' travel time. Key factors
      for the successful implementation of telehealth at the RCH include: a clear
      organisational vision; simple web-based technology; clinician ownership;
      sustained support. The RCH experience suggests that telehealth is suitable for
      both simple and highly complex paediatric patients.

PMID- 24218351
TI  - Development and implementation of a web-based continuing professional development
      (CPD) programme on medical genetics.
AB  - We developed, implemented and evaluated a web-based continuing professional
      development (CPD) programme on medical genetics. Development of the CPD programme
      followed the ADDIE model, i.e. Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement and
      Evaluation. An invitation to participate in a needs analysis survey was sent to
      all doctors on the email list of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. A total of
      129 completed surveys was received (57% of the 228 who accessed the online
      survey). The average age of respondents was 42 years (range 27-81). The male:
      female ratio was approximately 2 : 1. Almost all respondents (96%) selected web
      based CPD programmes, or web-based and conventional lectures, as their preferred
      method of learning. The programme was piloted on a group of 10 doctors. The
      average pre-knowledge score was 40.3 and the post-knowledge score was 62.1 marks
      out of 100 (P = 0.002). We conclude that a web-based CPD programme on medical
      genetics is feasible in Sri Lanka.

PMID- 24218352
TI  - A break-even analysis of delivering a memory clinic by videoconferencing.
AB  - We analysed the costs of two kinds of dementia clinic. In the conventional
      clinic, held in a rural area, the specialist travels to the clinic from the city.
      In the videoconferencing clinic, patients are also seen in a rural area, but the
      specialist conducts the assessment by video from the city. The fixed costs common
      to both modalities, such as clinic infrastructure, were ignored. The total fixed
      cost of a monthly conventional clinic was $522 and the total fixed cost of a
      monthly videoconferencing clinic was $881. The additional variable cost of the
      specialist travelling to the conventional clinic was $2.62 per minute of the
      specialist's travelling time. The break-even point at which the cost of the two
      modalities is the same was just over two hours (138 min round trip). A
      sensitivity analysis showed that the break-even point was not particularly
      sensitive to changes in staff wages, but slightly more sensitive to the non
      labour costs of videoconferencing. Air travel is not an efficient alternative to
      travel by car. Reducing the number of clinics to six per year results in a much
      higher cost of running the videoconferencing service compared to the conventional
      service. Videoconferencing for the purpose of diagnosing dementia is both a
      reliable and cost effective method of health service provision when a specialist
      is required to drive for more than about two hours (round trip) to provide a
      memory disorder clinic service.

PMID- 24218353
TI  - Changes in paediatric hospital ENT service utilisation following the
      implementation of a mobile, indigenous health screening service.
AB  - In 2009, we established a mobile ear-screening service for children in a remote
      community approximately 350 km north-west of Brisbane. We compared pre
      implementation health service utilisation data (2006-2008) with data for the
      following three years. The study included only children in schools that had
      participated in screening since the start of the screening programme and for
      which data for the 6-year study period were available. In the baseline period
      there were 329 ear, nose and throat (ENT) outpatient appointments at the Royal
      Children's Hospital (RCH) in Brisbane for children from the selected catchment
      area. Of these, 166 (51%) were failure-to-attends (FTAs). In the following three
      years, there were 105 appointments, of which 40 (38%) were FTAs. In the baseline
      period, 100 children received surgical procedures at the RCH; in the following
      three years there were 43. In the three years following implementation, 136
      children were booked to receive surgical procedures locally at the Cherbourg
      hospital, and 117 (86%) were completed. Since no other major health service
      changes occurred in the region during the study period, we conclude that the
      telemedicine-enabled screening service improved access to specialist care in the
      community and resulted in fewer outpatient and surgical appointments at the
      tertiary centre in Brisbane.

PMID- 24218354
TI  - The relationship between telehealth and information technology ranges from that
      of uneasy bedfellows to creative partnerships.
AB  - The relationship between the clinical and technical aspects of a telehealth
      operation is frequently problematic, and technically-driven projects often fail
      to achieve sustainability. Qualitative data from a study of 37 Australian
      telehealth services were analysed to understand how the relationship between
      telehealth providers and information technology (IT) departments helps or hinders
      the development of telehealth. The most frequent difficulties reported were
      between telehealth services and the internal IT departments of health services,
      rather than with external vendors. The difficulties included barriers to
      installing telehealth over IT networks, a lack of priority given to telehealth
      services, and IT departments insisting on standardised approach. Alternatively,
      when IT staff were assigned to supporting clinical staff and had a close working
      relationship with them, they were major enablers of telehealth services.
      Authorising dedicated IT support and encouraging joint problem solving should
      provide a strong foundation for a healthy relationship which contributes to the
      growth and sustainability of telehealth.

PMID- 24218355
TI  - Teleconsultation from a secondary hospital for paediatric emergencies occurring
      at rural hospitals in Queensland.
AB  - We reviewed telehealth consultations for acute paediatric patients presenting at
      rural sites in the Mackay district in 2012. Patient data and outcomes were
      collected prospectively, and a survey of the referring clinicians was undertaken.
      Thirty four patient consultations were conducted via telehealth with 14 referring
      clinicians. Most of the referrals were for respiratory illnesses, including
      bronchiolitis. We received feedback surveys for 16 consultations (57% response
      rate). In 47% of the cases, the paediatric team felt that transfer was avoided by
      using teleconsultation. In 80% of consultations, the referring clinicians felt
      that video consultation was more effective than telephone alone. In 30% of cases,
      the referring clinicians felt that the patient would have been transferred to
      higher facility in the absence of the telehealth facility. Clinicians thought
      that almost all consultations had educational value and reduced their anxiety in
      dealing with acute paediatric problems. There were no adverse outcomes or delayed
      transfers of patients staying at their rural sites. We recommend that telehealth
      consultation occur for all enquiries about acute paediatric patients at rural
      sites, especially if transfer of the patient is being considered.

PMID- 24218356
TI  - Nucleating the development of telemedicine to support healthcare workers in
      resource-limited settings: a new approach.
AB  - Collegium Telemedicus (CT) offers a new approach to the problem of starting a
      store-and-forward telemedicine network for use in low resource settings. The CT
      organization provides a no-cost template to allow groups to start a network
      without delay, together with a peer-support environment for those operating the
      networks. A new group needs only to supply a Guarantor (who accepts
      responsibility for the work of the network) and a Coordinator (who operates the
      telemedicine network, allocating cases and ensuring that they are responded to).
      Communication takes place via secure messaging, which has several advantages over
      plain email, e.g. all the data are stored centrally, which means that they can be
      read from a hand-held device such as a smart phone, but do not need to be stored
      on that device. Users can access the system with a standard web browser. In the
      first three months, seven networks were established on the CT system by
      university groups in the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and by a large,
      multinational humanitarian organisation. In the most active network, there were
      86 telemedicine cases in the first three months, i.e. an average submission rate
      of 7 cases/week. The CT system appears to fulfil its aim of assisting doctors who
      wish to help colleagues in other countries by improving their access to
      specialist opinions, while allowing them to maintain control over the new
      network's use and development. The long term aim of the CT organization is to
      provide a means of improving the quality of health care at the point of delivery
      in low resource settings.

PMID- 24218357
TI  - Case study: the Interact Home Telehealth Project.
AB  - Two home telehealth technologies (the Intel Health Guide and the Apple iPad) were
      trialled by four clinical services of the Hunter New England Local Health
      District. The iPad was selected by the Paediatric Palliative Care Service, the
      Stroke Service and the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service. The Intel Health
      Guide was selected by the Cardiac Coaching Service. The telehealth devices were
      loaned to a total of 102 patients for different lengths of time, depending on
      clinical needs, but typically for about 3 months. A total of 42 clinicians were
      involved. During the trial, 16 technical problems were recorded and resolved,
      most concerning problems with connectivity. Nonetheless, the use of home
      telehealth technologies was positively received by clinicians, management and
      patients alike. Telehealth is now being integrated into the standard practices of
      the health district.

PMID- 24218358
TI  - Long-term telerehabilitation of COPD patients in their homes: interim results
      from a pilot study in Northern Norway.
AB  - We investigated the feasibility of a long-term telerehabilitation service for
      COPD patients comprising exercise training at home, telemonitoring and
      education/self-management. The service was offered as a 2-year follow-up
      programme by a physiotherapist. Equipment included a treadmill, a pulse oximeter
      and a tablet computer. Participants had weekly videoconference sessions with the
      physiotherapist. A website was used to access a training programme and to fill in
      a daily diary and a training diary. Ten patients with moderate or severe COPD
      participated in a pilot study in Northern Norway. After more than one year, all
      participants were still participating actively and no drop-outs had occurred. On
      average, there were 2.0 training sessions/week, 3.3 measurements/week registered
      via the website and 0.5 videoconference contacts/week. There was a reduction of
      27% in the COPD-related hospital costs. Feedback from the participants was very
      positive. Long-term telerehabilitation of COPD patients at home is feasible and
      interim results suggest that it reduces healthcare utilization.

PMID- 24218359
TI  - A pilot trial of emergency telemedicine in regional Western Australia.
AB  - An Emergency Telehealth Service (ETS) was established in August 2012 in Western
      Australia. High definition videoconferencing was used to deliver emergency
      telemedicine to rural emergency departments, mainly staffed by nurses. In the
      first 11 months, over 3000 episodes of care were provided. Telemedicine proved
      useful for many clinical problems and allowed clinicians to diagnose, treat and
      manage patients locally, reducing the need for transfer. In addition, ETS
      physicians assisted with clinical coordination and transfer of patients. Almost
      all teleconsultations (98%) were with nursing staff at sites without medical
      cover. Expansion of the ETS throughout Western Australia is currently being
      planned. 

PMID- 24218360
TI  - Understanding the biology of ex vivo-expanded CD8 T cells for adoptive cell
      therapy: role of CD62L.
AB  - CD62L governs the circulation of CD8(+) T cells between lymph nodes and
      peripheral tissues, whereby the expression of CD62L by CD8(+) T cells promotes
      their recirculation through lymph nodes. As such, CD62L participates in the fate
      of adoptively transferred CD8(+) T cells and may control their effectiveness for
      cancer immunotherapy, including settings in which host preconditioning results in
      the acute lymphopenia-induced proliferation of the transferred cells. Indeed,
      previous studies correlated CD62L expression by donor CD8(+) cells with the
      success rate of adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Here, we analyzed the functions and
      fate of ex vivo-activated, tumor-specific CD62L(-/-) CD8(+) T cells in a mouse
      melanoma model for ACT. Unexpectedly, we observed that CD62L(-/-) CD8(+) T cells
      were functionally indistinguishable from CD62L(+/+) CD8(+) T cells, i.e., both
      greatly expanded in cyclophosphamide preconditioned animals, controlled
      subcutaneously and hematogenously spreading tumors, and generated anti-tumor
      specific CD8(+) T cell memory. Moreover, even in hosts with rudimentary secondary
      lymphoid organs (LT(-/-) animals), CD8(+) T cells with and without CD62L expanded
      equivalently to those adoptively transferred into wild-type animals. These
      results put into question the utility of CD62L as a predictive biomarker for the
      efficacy of ex vivo-expanded T cells after ACT in lymphopenic conditions and also
      offer new insights into the homing, engraftment, and memory generation of
      adoptively transferred ex vivo-activated CD8(+) T cells. 

PMID- 24218362
TI  - Synthesis and structure-activity relationship study of organometallic
      bioconjugates of the cyclic octapeptide octreotate.
AB  - The chemically stabilized somatostatin-derived cyclic octapeptide octreotate has
      a number of interesting applications in medicinal chemistry. Here, a number of
      different organometallic derivatives of octreotate were prepared, and their
      properties were investigated. Specifically, we report the synthesis and
      characterization of ruthenocene, ferrocene, and cobaltocenium octreotate
      derivatives and their fluorophore-labeled conjugates as well as a dicobalt
      hexacarbonyl alkyne functionalized octreotate. To provide further insights into
      their characteristics, the log P values and electrochemical properties of the
      novel metal conjugates were compared. For biological activity, we determined
      their toxicity in three different cell lines. Cellular uptake and colocalization
      of selected compounds were studied by fluorescence microscopy with particular
      focus on efficiency and specificity of their uptake through the somatostatin
      receptor SSTR to elucidate the value of the metallocene head group for its
      potential use as a nontoxic and universal peptide label. 

PMID- 24218363
TI  - A new congenital disorder of glycosylation caused by a mutation in SSR4, the
      signal sequence receptor 4 protein of the TRAP complex.
AB  - Nearly 50 congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are known, but many
      patients biochemically diagnosed with CDG do not have mutations in known genes.
      Here, we describe a 16-year-old male who was born with microcephaly, developed
      intellectual disability, gastroesophageal reflux and a seizure disorder. We
      identified a de novo variant in the X-linked SSR4 gene which encodes a protein of
      the heterotetrameric translocon-associated protein (TRAP) complex. The c.316delT
      causes a p.F106Sfs*53 in SSR4 and also reduces expression of other TRAP complex
      proteins. The glycosylation marker Glyc-ER-GFP was used to confirm the
      underglycosylation in fibroblasts from the patient. Overexpression of the wild
      type SSR4 allele partially restores glycosylation of the marker and of the other
      members of the TRAP complex. This is the first evidence that the TRAP complex,
      which binds to the oligosaccharyltransferase complex, is directly involved in N
      glycosylation. 

PMID- 24218361
TI  - The immune system and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: from carcinogenesis
      to new therapeutic opportunities.
AB  - Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) exhibit complex interactions with
      the host immune system that may simultaneously explain resistance to various
      therapeutic modalities and that may also provide opportunities for therapeutic
      intervention. Discoveries in immunologic research over the last decade have led
      to an increased understanding of these interactions as well as the development of
      a multitude of investigational immunotherapies. Here, we describe the interaction
      between HNSCC and the immune system, including a discussion of immune cells
      involved with tumor carcinogenesis and the role of immune-modulating factors
      derived from tumors. We also describe the current immunotherapeutic approaches
      being investigated for HNSCC, including a discussion of the successes and
      limitations. With this review, we hope to present HNSCC as a model to guide
      future research in cancer immunology.

PMID- 24218365
TI  - Correct developmental expression level of Rai1 in forebrain neurons is required
      for control of body weight, activity levels and learning and memory.
AB  - Potocki-Lupski syndrome (PTLS) is a genomic disorder associated with an ~3 Mb
      duplication in 17p11.2. Clinical features include leanness, intellectual
      disability, autistic features and developmental deficits. RAI1 gene dosage is
      associated with the PTLS phenotypes. To understand where and when Rai1
      overexpression is detrimental, we generated a mouse that over-expresses Rai1
      conditionally in forebrain neurons (I-Rai1). Phenotypic characterization of I
      Rai1 mice showed significant underweight, hyperactivity and impaired learning and
      memory ability compared with wild-type littermates. Doxycycline administration
      can turn off the transgene expression allowing the restoration of Rai1 normal
      expression levels. When the transgene was turned off from conception to 3 months
      of age, no phenotypic differences were observed between I-Rai1 and their wild
      type littermates. Surprisingly, we found that turning off the transgene
      expression before the onset of the phenotypes (1-3 months) or after the onset of
      the phenotypes (3-5 months) cannot prevent nor reverse the phenotypic outcomes.
      Our results indicate that Rai1 dosage in forebrain neurons is critical during the
      development and is related to body weight regulation, activity levels and
      learning and memory. 

PMID- 24218364
TI  - DNAJC13 mutations in Parkinson disease.
AB  - A Saskatchewan multi-incident family was clinically characterized with Parkinson
      disease (PD) and Lewy body pathology. PD segregates as an autosomal-dominant
      trait, which could not be ascribed to any known mutation. DNA from three affected
      members was subjected to exome sequencing. Genome alignment, variant annotation
      and comparative analyses were used to identify shared coding mutations. Sanger
      sequencing was performed within the extended family and ethnically matched
      controls. Subsequent genotyping was performed in a multi-ethnic case-control
      series consisting of 2928 patients and 2676 control subjects from Canada, Norway,
      Taiwan, Tunisia, and the USA. A novel mutation in receptor-mediated endocytosis
      8/RME-8 (DNAJC13 p.Asn855Ser) was found to segregate with disease. Screening of
      cases and controls identified four additional patients with the mutation, of
      which two had familial parkinsonism. All carriers shared an ancestral DNAJC13
      p.Asn855Ser haplotype and claimed Dutch-German-Russian Mennonite heritage.
      DNAJC13 regulates the dynamics of clathrin coats on early endosomes. Cellular
      analysis shows that the mutation confers a toxic gain-of-function and impairs
      endosomal transport. DNAJC13 immunoreactivity was also noted within Lewy body
      inclusions. In late-onset disease which is most reminiscent of idiopathic PD
      subtle deficits in endosomal receptor-sorting/recycling are highlighted by the
      discovery of pathogenic mutations VPS35, LRRK2 and now DNAJC13. With this latest
      discovery, and from a neuronal perspective, a temporal and functional ecology is
      emerging that connects synaptic exo- and endocytosis, vesicular trafficking,
      endosomal recycling and the endo-lysosomal degradative pathway. Molecular
      deficits in these processes are genetically linked to the phenotypic spectrum of
      parkinsonism associated with Lewy body pathology. 

PMID- 24218366
TI  - SMN deficiency alters Nrxn2 expression and splicing in zebrafish and mouse models
      of spinal muscular atrophy.
AB  - Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
      affecting lower motor neurons. SMA is caused by mutations in the Survival Motor
      Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which result in reduced levels of functional SMN protein.
      Biochemical studies have linked the ubiquitously expressed SMN protein to the
      assembly of pre-mRNA processing U snRNPs, raising the possibility that aberrant
      splicing is a major defect in SMA. Accordingly, several transcripts affected upon
      SMN deficiency have been reported. A second function for SMN in axonal mRNA
      transport has also been proposed that may likewise contribute to the SMA
      phenotype. The underlying etiology of SMA, however, is still not fully
      understood. Here, we have used a combination of genomics and live Ca(2+) imaging
      to investigate the consequences of SMN deficiency in a zebrafish model of SMA. In
      a transcriptome analyses of SMN-deficient zebrafish, we identified neurexin2a
      (nrxn2a) as strongly down-regulated and displaying changes in alternative
      splicing patterns. Importantly, the knock-down of two distinct nrxn2a isoforms
      phenocopies SMN-deficient fish and results in a significant reduction of motor
      axon excitability. Interestingly, we observed altered expression and splicing of
      Nrxn2 also in motor neurons from the Smn(-/-);SMN2(+/+) mouse model of SMA,
      suggesting conservation of nrxn2 regulation by SMN in mammals. We propose that
      SMN deficiency affects splicing and abundance of nrxn2a. This may explain the pre
      synaptic defects at neuromuscular endplates in SMA pathophysiology. 

PMID- 24218367
TI  - Comparative receptor tyrosine kinase profiling identifies a novel role for AXL in
      human stem cell pluripotency.
AB  - The extensive molecular characterization of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs),
      human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells
      (hiPSCs) is required before they can be applied in the future for personalized
      medicine and drug discovery. Despite the efforts that have been made with kinome
      analyses, we still lack in-depth insights into the molecular signatures of
      receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that are related to pluripotency. Here, we
      present the first detailed and distinct repertoire of RTK characteristic for hPSC
      pluripotency by determining both the expression and phosphorylation profiles of
      RTKs in hESCs and hiPSCs using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction
      with degenerate primers that target conserved tyrosine kinase domains and phospho
      RTK array, respectively. Among the RTKs tested, the up-regulation of EPHA1,
      ERBB2, FGFR4 and VEGFR2 and the down-regulation of AXL, EPHA4, PDGFRB and TYRO3
      in terms of both their expression and phosphorylation levels were predominantly
      related to the maintenance of hPSC pluripotency. Notably, the specific inhibition
      of AXL was significantly advantageous in maintaining undifferentiated hESCs and
      hiPSCs and for the overall efficiency and kinetics of hiPSC generation.
      Additionally, a global phosphoproteomic analysis showed that ~30% of the proteins
      (293 of 970 phosphoproteins) showed differential phosphorylation upon AXL
      inhibition in undifferentiated hPSCs, revealing the potential contribution of AXL
      mediated phosphorylation dynamics to pluripotency-related signaling networks. Our
      findings provide a novel molecular signature of AXL in pluripotency control that
      will complement existing pluripotency-kinome networks. 

PMID- 24218368
TI  - Determination of outdoor tobacco smoke exposure by distance from a smoking
      source.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An increasing number of cities and countries have implemented
      outdoor smoking restrictions at building entrances. The purpose of this study was
      to determine outdoor tobacco smoke (OTS) exposure as a function of distance from
      a smoking source. METHODS: Outdoor concentrations of ambient particulate matter
      smaller than 2.5 MUm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) were measured at 4 different
      distances (1, 3, 6, and 9 m) from a simulated smoking source. Wind speed and
      direction were measured using a wind meter. In total, 98 experiments were
      conducted on an outdoor rooftop. The experiments were conducted in 5 days with
      average wind speed of 0.8+/-0.6 m/s. One smoking experiment consisted of 13min (5
      nonsmoking min, 3 smoking min, and 5 more nonsmoking min). The difference between
      mean PM2.5 concentrations during smoking and nonsmoking conditions was determined
      as the OTS exposure. RESULTS: The OTS levels were 72.7, 11.3, 4.1, and 2.6
      ug/m(3) at 1, 3, 6, and 9 m, respectively. Although the OTS levels decreased with
      increasing distance from the smoking source, the OTS levels were significantly
      higher than zero at all distances. The downwind OTS levels were significantly
      higher than upwind levels. The OTS levels were negatively associated with wind
      speed. CONCLUSIONS: The outdoor PM2.5 levels were significantly higher with
      smoking than without smoking. Because the OTS was detectable even at 9 m with
      only one cigarette smoking, the minimum distance from a smoking source to prevent
      OTS exposure should be at least 9 m.

PMID- 24218369
TI  - Hydridoborylene complexes and di-, tri-, and tetranuclear borido complexes with
      hydride ligands.
AB  - Mono- and dinuclear hydridoborylene complexes were prepared by intermetallic
      borylene transfer from Group VI borylene or metalloborylene reagents. The hydride
      and borylene ligands were found to interact with each other significantly,
      although the boron ligand retains much of its former borylene character. Zero
      valent platinum fragments were successively added to the dinuclear
      hydridoborylene complexes, resulting in tri- and tetranuclear borido complexes,
      in which the B-H interaction has been lost, and the hydride ligands now bridge
      two metal centers. The complexes were studied spectroscopically,
      crystallographically, and by DFT methods, and the unusual bonding situation in
      the M-B-H triangles of hydridoborylene complexes were evaluated.

PMID- 24218370
TI  - Plants: a source for new antimycobacterial drugs.
AB  - Tuberculosis, also called TB, is currently a major health hazard due to multidrug
      resistant forms of bacilli. Global efforts are underway to eradicate TB using new
      drugs with new modes of action, higher activity, and fewer side effects in
      combination with vaccines. For this reason, unexplored new sources and previously
      explored sources were examined and around 353 antimycobacterial compounds (Nat
      Prod Rep 2007; 24: 278-297) 7 have been previously reported. To develop drugs
      from these new sources, additional work is required for preclinical and clinical
      results. Since ancient times, different plant part extracts have been used as
      traditional medicines against diseases including tuberculosis. This knowledge may
      be useful in developing future powerful drugs. Plant natural products are again
      becoming important in this regard. In this review, we report 127
      antimycobacterial compounds and their antimycobacterial activities. Of these, 27
      compounds had a minimum inhibitory concentration of < 10 ug/mL. In some cases,
      the mechanism of activity has been determined. We hope that some of these
      compounds may eventually develop into effective new drugs against tuberculosis.

PMID- 24218371
TI  - Inhibition of G protein-activated inwardly rectifying K+ channels by extracts of
      Polygonum persicaria and isolation of new flavonoids from the chloroform extract
      of the herb.
AB  - The G protein-activated inwardly rectifying K+ channel-modulatory activities of
      Polygonum persicaria extracts were investigated by using an automated patch-clamp
      method, with the aim of identifying natural sources of promising ion channel
      blocking compounds. The chloroform extract of the whole plant at 0.1 mg/mL
      exhibited high G protein-activated inwardly rectifying K+ channel-inhibitory
      activity. Fractionation of this extract by vacuum liquid chromatography on RP
      silica gel resulted in 6 fractions, which were evaluated for G protein-activated
      inwardly rectifying K+ channel-modulatory activity. RP-HPLC of the most active
      fractions afforded the main compounds 1-4 in pure form and a mixture containing
      the minor constituents. The structures were identified by means of UV, HRMS, and
      advanced NMR methods as 3-O-senecioyl-isorhamnetin (1), 3-O-angeloyl-isorhamnetin
      (2), 5,3',4',5'-tetramethoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone (3), and 3,5,3',4',5'
      pentamethoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone (4). Compounds 1-4 are new natural
      products, though 4 was reported earlier as a synthetic compound. Neither the
      individual, nor the combined application of compounds 1-4 modified the G protein
      activated inwardly rectifying K+ channel activity. However, a marked G protein
      activated inwardly rectifying K+ current-inhibitory effect was detected on use of
      the HPLC eluates containing the minor compounds. These results indicate the
      presence of electrophysiologically active agents among the minor compounds.

PMID- 24218372
TI  - Inhibition of beta-catenin signaling involved in the biological activities of a
      lignan E2S isolated from Carya cathayensis fruits.
AB  - Carya cathayensis is a fruit-bearing plant that belongs to the Juglandaceae
      family and is widely distributed throughout the world. It possesses various
      important biological activities. We have previously isolated an antitumor
      compound from the shell of C. cathayensis fruits and named it E2S ((E)-3-[(2S,3R)
      2,3-dihydro-2-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-1
      benzo[b]furan-5-yl]-2-propenal). In this study, we investigated the antitumor
      activity of E2S against various human colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116, HT29,
      SW480, LoVo). The results showed that E2S could significantly inhibit the growth
      of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, as well as disrupt the progression of
      the cell cycle. Mechanistic study revealed that E2S could decrease the protein
      levels of beta-catenin and its downstream targets (such as c-myc, a key
      transcriptional target of beta-catenin) in the cells. In addition, it also
      significantly suppressed beta-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity. Taken
      together, the results suggested that E2S might partially exert an
      antiproliferative effect on human colorectal cancer cells by targeting beta
      catenin signaling, a finding that might potentially translate into a
      chemotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer. It might also have
      implications for cancer prevention strategies. 

PMID- 24218373
TI  - Testing to prevent colon cancer: results from a rural community intervention.
AB  - PURPOSE: Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United
      States. Despite tests that can detect and enable removal of precancerous polyps,
      effectively preventing this disease, screening for colon cancer lags behind other
      cancer screening. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a community
      based participatory approach to increase colon cancer screening. METHODS: Using a
      community-based participatory research approach, the High Plains Research Network
      and their Community Advisory Council developed a multicomponent intervention
      Testing to Prevent Colon Cancer-to increase colon cancer screening. A controlled
      trial compared 9 intervention counties in northeast Colorado with 7 control
      counties in southeast Colorado. We performed a baseline and postintervention
      random digit-dial telephone survey and conducted both intent-to-treat and on
      treatment analyses. RESULTS: In all, 1,050 community members completed a
      preintervention questionnaire and 1,048 completed a postintervention
      questionnaire. During the study period, there was a 5% absolute increase in the
      proportion of respondents who reported ever having had any test in the
      intervention region (from 76% to 81%) compared with no increase in the control
      region (77% at both time points) (P = .22). No significant differences between
      these groups were found in terms of being up to date generally or on specific
      tests. The extent of exposure to intervention materials was associated with a
      significant and cumulative increase in screening. CONCLUSIONS: This community
      based multicomponent intervention engaged hundreds of community members in wide
      dissemination aimed at increasing colorectal cancer screening. Although we did
      not find any statistically significant differences, the findings are consistent
      with an intervention-related increase in screening and provide preliminary
      evidence on the effectiveness of such interventions to improve colon cancer
      screening.

PMID- 24218374
TI  - Effects of patient-centered medical home attributes on patients' perceptions of
      quality in federally supported health centers.
AB  - PURPOSE: We sought to assess patients' ratings of patient-centered medical home
      (PCMH) attributes and overall quality of care within federally supported health
      centers. METHODS: Data were collected through the 2009 Health Center Patient
      Survey (n = 4,562), which consisted of in-person interviews and included a
      nationally representative sample of patients seen in health centers. Quality
      measures included patients' perceptions of overall quality of services,
      perceptions of quality of clinician advice/treatment, and likelihood of referring
      friends and relatives to the health center. PCMH attributes included (1) access
      to care getting to health center, (2) access to care during visit, (3) patient
      centered communication with health care clinicians, (4) patient-centered
      communication with support staff, (5) self-management support for chronic
      conditions, (6) self-management support for behavioral risks, and (7)
      comprehensive preventive care. Bivariate analysis and logistic regressions were
      used to examine associations between patients' perceptions of PCMH attributes and
      patient-reported quality of care. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of patients
      reported excellent/very good overall quality of services, 81% reported
      excellent/very good quality of clinician care, and 84% were very likely to refer
      friends and relatives. Higher patient ratings on the access to care and patient
      centered communication attributes were associated with higher odds of patient
      reported high quality of care on the 3 outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: More than
      80% of patients perceived high quality of care in health centers. PCMH attributes
      related to access to care and communication were associated with greater
      likelihood of patients reporting high-quality care.

PMID- 24218375
TI  - Patients' experiences in different models of community health centers in southern
      China.
AB  - PURPOSE: Current health care reforms in China have an overall goal of
      strengthening primary care through the establishment and expansion of primary
      care networks based on community health centers (CHCs). Implementation in urban
      areas has led to the emergence of different models of ownership and management.
      The objective of this study was to evaluate the primary care experiences of
      patients in the Pearl River Delta as measured by the Primary Care Assessment Tool
      (PCAT) and the relationships with ownership and management in the 3 different
      models we describe. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on-site at
      CHCs in 3 cities within the Pearl River Delta, China, using a multistage cluster
      sampling method. A validated Mandarin Chinese version of the PCAT-Adult Edition
      (short version) was adopted to collect information from adult patients regarding
      their experiences with primary care sources. PCAT scores for individual primary
      care attributes and total primary care assessment scores were assessed with
      respect to sociodemographic characteristics, health characteristics, and health
      care service utilization across 3 primary care models. RESULTS: One thousand four
      hundred forty (1,440) primary care patients responded to the survey, for an
      overall response rate of 86.1%. Respondents gave government-owned and -managed
      CHCs the highest overall PCAT scores when compared with CHCs either managed by
      hospitals (95.18 vs 90.81; P = .005) or owned by private and social entities
      (95.18 vs 90.69; P =.007) as a result of better first-contact care (better first
      contact utilization) and coordination of care (better service coordination and
      information system). Factors that were positively and significantly associated
      with higher overall assessment scores included the presence of a chronic
      condition (P <.001), having medical insurance (P = .006), and a self-reported
      good health status (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that government
      owned and -managed CHCs may be able to provide better first-contact care in terms
      of utilization and coordination of care, and may be better at solving the problem
      of underutilization of the CHCs as the first-contact point of care, one key
      problem facing the reforms in China.

PMID- 24218376
TI  - The enduring impact of what clinicians say to people with low back pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the formation and impact of
      attitudes and beliefs among people experiencing acute and chronic low back pain.
      METHODS: Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 12
      participants with acute low back pain (less than 6 weeks' duration) and 11
      participants with chronic low back pain (more than 3 months' duration) from 1
      geographical region within New Zealand. Data were analyzed using an Interpretive
      Description framework. RESULTS: Participants' underlying beliefs about low back
      pain were influenced by a range of sources. Participants experiencing acute low
      back pain faced considerable uncertainty and consequently sought more information
      and understanding. Although participants searched the Internet and looked to
      family and friends, health care professionals had the strongest influence upon
      their attitudes and beliefs. Clinicians influenced their patients' understanding
      of the source and meaning of symptoms, as well as their prognostic expectations.
      Such information and advice could continue to influence the beliefs of patients
      for many years. Many messages from clinicians were interpreted as meaning the
      back needed to be protected. These messages could result in increased vigilance,
      worry, guilt when adherence was inadequate, or frustration when protection
      strategies failed. Clinicians could also provide reassurance, which increased
      confidence, and advice, which positively influenced the approach to movement and
      activity. CONCLUSIONS: Health care professionals have a considerable and enduring
      influence upon the attitudes and beliefs of people with low back pain. It is
      important that this opportunity is used to positively influence attitudes and
      beliefs.

PMID- 24218377
TI  - Multimorbidity in patients attending 2 Australian primary care practices.
AB  - PURPOSE: Multiple chronic conditions in a single patient can be a challenging
      health burden. We aimed to examine patterns and prevalence of multimorbidity
      among patients attending 2 large Australian primary care practices and to
      estimate disease severity burden using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale
      (CIRS). METHODS: Using published CIRS guidelines and a disease severity index
      calculated for each individual, we extracted data from the medical records of all
      7,247 patients (58.5% female) seen over 6 months in 2008 who were rated for
      chronic conditions across 14 anatomical domains. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of
      patients had multimorbidity in 2 or more CIRS domains, ranging from 20.6% if
      younger than 25 years, 43.7% if aged 25 to 44 years, 75.5% if aged 45 to 64
      years, 87.5% if aged 65 to 74 years, and 97.1% if aged 75 years and older. Using
      a cutoff of 3 or more CIRS domains, 34.5% had multimorbidity ranging from 4.8% if
      younger than 25 years, 22.3% if aged 25 to 44 years, 56.1% if aged 45 to 64
      years, 74.6% if aged 65 to 74 years, and 92.0% if aged 75 years and older.
      Musculoskeletal, singularly or in combination with others, was the commonest
      morbidity domain. The moderate severity index category increased with increasing
      age. CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbidity is a significant problem in men and women across
      all age-groups, and the moderate severity index increases with age. The
      musculoskeletal domain was most commonly affected. Mild and moderate severity
      index categories may underrepresent disease burden. Severity burden assessment in
      the primary care setting needs to take into account the severity index, as well
      as levels of domain severity within the index categories.

PMID- 24218378
TI  - Relationship quality and patient-assessed quality of care in VA primary care
      clinics: development and validation of the work relationships scale.
AB  - PURPOSE: Efforts to better understand the impact of clinic member relationships
      on care quality in primary care clinics have been limited by the absence of a
      validated instrument to assess these relationships. The purpose of this study was
      to develop and validate a scale assessing relationships within primary care
      clinics. METHODS: The Work Relationships Scale (WRS) was developed and
      administered as part of a survey of learning and relationships among 17
      Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care clinics. A Rasch partial-credit
      model and principal components analysis were used to evaluate item performance,
      select the final items for inclusion, and establish unidimensionality for the
      WRS. The WRS was then validated against semistructured clinic member interviews
      and VA Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients (SHEP) data. RESULTS: Four
      hundred fifty-seven clinicians and staff completed the clinic survey, and 247
      participated in semistructured interviews. WRS scores were significantly
      associated with clinic-level reporting for 2 SHEP variables: overall rating of
      personal doctor/nurse (r(2) =0.43, P <.01) and overall rating of health care
      (r(2)= 0.25, P <.05). Interview data describing relationship characteristics were
      consistent with variability in WRS scores across low-scoring and high-scoring
      clinics. CONCLUSIONS: The WRS shows promising validity as a measure assessing the
      quality of relationships in primary care settings; moreover, primary care clinics
      with lower WRS scores received poorer patient quality ratings for both individual
      clinicians and overall health care. Relationships play an important role in
      shaping care delivery and should be assessed as part of efforts to improve
      patient care within primary care settings.

PMID- 24218379
TI  - Cultivating a cycle of trust with diverse communities in practice-based research:
      a report from PRIME Net.
AB  - PURPOSE: Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) are increasingly seen as
      important vehicles to translate research into practice, although less is known
      about the process of engaging diverse communities in PBRN research. The objective
      of this study was to identify strategies for successfully recruiting and
      retaining diverse racial/ethnic communities into PBRN research studies. METHODS:
      This collaborative, multisite study engaged 5 of the 8 networks of the PRImary
      care MultiEthnic Network (PRIME Net) consortium that conducts research with
      traditionally underrepresented/underserved populations. We used a sequential,
      qualitative research design. We first conducted 1 key informant interview with
      each of 24 researchers experienced in recruiting research participants from 5
      racial/ethnic communities (African American, Arab/Chaldean, Chinese, Hispanic,
      and Native American). Subsequently, we conducted 18 focus groups with 172 persons
      from these communities. RESULTS: Participants' comments indicated that successful
      recruitment and retention of underrepresented populations in PBRN studies is
      linked to the overall research process. This process, which we termed the cycle
      of trust, entailed developing and sustaining relationships of trust during 4
      interrelated stages: before the study, during study recruitment, throughout study
      conduct, and after study completion. Participants identified a set of flexible
      strategies within each stage and called for close engagement with clinic and
      community partners. CONCLUSIONS: Our participants suggest that approaches to
      research that lay a foundation of trust, demonstrate respect for community
      members, and extend beyond the enrollment and data collection phases are
      essential to enhance the participation of diverse populations in PBRN research.
      These findings offer the PBRN community a guide toward achieving this important
      goal.

PMID- 24218380
TI  - Number needed to benefit from information (NNBI): proposal from a mixed methods
      research study with practicing family physicians.
AB  - PURPOSE: We wanted to describe family physicians' use of information from an
      electronic knowledge resource for answering clinical questions, and their
      perception of subsequent patient health outcomes; and to estimate the number
      needed to benefit from information (NNBI), defined as the number of patients for
      whom clinical information was retrieved for 1 to benefit. METHODS: We undertook a
      mixed methods research study, combining quantitative longitudinal and qualitative
      research studies. Participants were 41 family physicians from primary care
      clinics across Canada. Physicians were given access to 1 electronic knowledge
      resource on handheld computer in 2008-2009. For the outcome assessment,
      participants rated their searches using a validated method. Rated searches were
      examined during interviews guided by log reports that included ratings. Cases
      were defined as clearly described searches where clinical information was used
      for a specific patient. For each case, interviewees described information-related
      patient health outcomes. For the mixed methods data analysis, quantitative and
      qualitative data were merged into clinical vignettes (each vignette describing a
      case). We then estimated the NNBI. RESULTS: In 715 of 1,193 searches for
      information conducted during an average of 86 days, the search objective was
      directly linked to a patient. Of those searches, 188 were considered to be cases.
      In 53 cases, participants associated the use of information with at least 1
      patient health benefit. This finding suggested an NNBI of 14 (715/53).
      CONCLUSION: The NNBI may be used in further experimental research to compare
      electronic knowledge resources. A low NNBI can encourage clinicians to search for
      information more frequently. If all searches had benefits, the NNBI would be 1.
      In addition to patient benefits, learning and knowledge reinforcement outcomes
      are frequently reported.

PMID- 24218381
TI  - Testing to prevent colon cancer: how rural community members took on a community
      based intervention.
AB  - Participatory research can elevate research relevance and effectiveness. The
      literature contains few first-hand descriptions of community members engaged in
      research. In 2003, the High Plains Research Network convened a Community Advisory
      Council (CAC) that quickly began providing input, feedback, innovation, and
      dissemination efforts. After receiving a participatory research grant from the
      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aimed at increasing colorectal cancer
      screening, the CAC participated in an intensive training on colon cancer
      prevention and spent 6 months developing a locally relevant intervention-Testing
      to Prevent Colon Cancer. CAC members participated in all aspects of the research
      including intervention messaging, survey design, recruitment, implementation,
      analysis and interpretation of data, and dissemination of results including
      presentations at national venues and coauthoring manuscripts. Our experience
      attests to the power of participatory research in efforts to improve health
      outcomes. 

PMID- 24218383
TI  - What do you expect from a doctor? Six habits for healthier patient encounters.
AB  - Expectations lie at the heart of America's health care crisis. Although doctors
      cannot control for the unrealistic demands of a consumer-centric society, we
      might ask what we would want in a physician. Someone who listens longer and lets
      us express ourselves in our own words? Someone who cares about the outcome-our
      personal outcome-and not just the "clinical course"? Most patients do not demand
      perfection. Not cure. Not even relief, no matter what the TV commercials promise
      or how badly they wish them to be true. What we all desire is a plan that
      connects us to another human being-our doctor-which is a kind of relief all its
      own. The author identifies 6 simple habits that will lead to healthier, happier
      encounters with patients and their illness. 

PMID- 24218382
TI  - Rediscovering community--reflections after Hurricane Sandy.
AB  - Hoboken, New Jersey, is a town of 50,000 residents located across the Hudson
      River from New York City. Most of Hoboken's infrastructure was compromised during
      Hurricane Sandy as a result of flooding and power outages that rendered many
      businesses inoperable, including all of the pharmacies in town. Despite a focus
      on emergency preparedness since Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, there were no
      contingencies in place to facilitate and assess the medication needs of the
      community in the event of a natural disaster. This essay describes how the author
      rediscovered the meaning of community, and through working with colleagues in
      other health care disciplines and non-health care volunteers, provided care to
      patients in suboptimal circumstances. 

PMID- 24218384
TI  - AAFP releases third list of tests, procedures patients, physicians should
      question.

PMID- 24218385
TI  - The ABFM begins to use differential item functioning.

PMID- 24218386
TI  - STFM funds development of a residency accreditation toolkit.

PMID- 24218387
TI  - Another century of "reform without change?".

PMID- 24218388
TI  - FM-RC requirements - less is more.

PMID- 24218390
TI  - AHRQ updates on primary care research: clinical-community relationships.

PMID- 24218391
TI  - In this issue: working in community and improving health care quality.

PMID- 24218392
TI  - Eccentric contractions of gastrocnemius muscle-induced nerve damage in rats.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We examined the effects of gastrocnemius eccentric contractions
      (ECs) on the sciatic nerve in rats. METHODS: Rats were divided randomly into the
      following 3 groups: control, 180EC (ECs with 180 degrees /s angular velocity),
      and 30EC (ECs with 30 degrees /s angular velocity). Twenty ECs were induced by
      electrical stimulation of the gastrocnemius. On days 3, 7, and 10 after the ECs,
      nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was measured, and sciatic nerve branches were
      harvested for analysis. RESULTS: A significant decrease in NCV was observed
      between the control and day-7 180EC. Significant reduction in the levels of
      myelin sheath protein zero (p0) between day 7 and day 3 180EC and a significant
      increase of macrophage-related protein and tyrosine kinase receptor C were
      observed between day 7 180EC and day 7 30EC. CONCLUSIONS: ECs with fast angular
      velocities induce functional and structural damage in innervating nerve.

PMID- 24218394
TI  - Noninflammatory necrotizing vasculopathy in lupus nephritis: a single-center
      experience.
AB  - In this study, we assessed the clinicopathological features of lupus nephritis
      patients with renal noninflammatory necrotizing vasculopathy (NNV). A total of
      142 renal biopsies with lupus nephritis were reviewed, including nine cases
      presented with NNV and 36 without renal vascular lesions. The comparisons of
      clinical, laboratory and pathological features, treatments, as well as renal
      outcome between the two groups were further performed. In comparison with the no
      renal vascular lesions group, patients with NNV changes had significantly higher
      proportions of noninfection leukocyturia (p = 0.013) and leukocytopenia (p =
      0.042), significantly higher serum creatinine (p = 0.012), lower hemoglobin (p =
      0.002) and serum C3 (p < 0.001) levels. Renal pathological activity indices and
      chronicity indices were significantly higher in the NNV group (p = 0.002 and p =
      0.006, respectively) than those in the no vascular lesions group. Regarding renal
      prognosis, the presence of NNV was not a risk factor for renal outcome (p =
      0.327). In conclusion, NNV was not infrequent in renal biopsies of lupus
      nephritis. It was commonly associated with active clinical status and
      proliferative glomerular lesions of lupus. 

PMID- 24218396
TI  - The gating charge should not be estimated by fitting a two-state model to a Q-V
      curve.
AB  - The voltage dependence of charges in voltage-sensitive proteins, typically
      displayed as charge versus voltage (Q-V) curves, is often quantified by fitting
      it to a simple two-state Boltzmann function. This procedure overlooks the fact
      that the fitted parameters, including the total charge, may be incorrect if the
      charge is moving in multiple steps. We present here the derivation of a general
      formulation for Q-V curves from multistate sequential models, including the case
      of infinite number of states. We demonstrate that the commonly used method to
      estimate the charge per molecule using a simple Boltzmann fit is not only
      inadequate, but in most cases, it underestimates the moving charge times the
      fraction of the field.

PMID- 24218395
TI  - Cross-sectional and longitudinal evaluation of bone mass and quality in children
      and young adults with juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE): role of
      bone mass determinants analyzed by DXA, PQCT and QUS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There are few prospective data on bone mass and quality in patients
      with juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE). There are also few
      studies analyzing bone mass and quality determinants by using at the same time
      dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), peripheral quantitative computed
      tomography (pQCT) and quantitative ultrasound (QUS). OBJECTIVE: The objective of
      this paper is to evaluate cross-sectionally and longitudinally bone mass and
      quality determinants in adolescents and young adults with JSLE, and to identify
      the main predictors of reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and bone quality using
      these techniques. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with JSLE (mean age 18.5 +/- 5.7
      years) entered the study. In all subjects DXA scan at the lumbar spine, radius
      pQCT and phalangeal QUS were performed the same day. Of these, 46 patients (mean
      age 23.1 +/- 6.2 years) were revaluated with a second DXA, pQCT and QUS. The data
      obtained were compared with 72 and 80 age- and sex- matched healthy controls.
      RESULTS: At the first evaluation, JSLE patients had a reduced spine BMAD SDS (p <
      0.001), and significantly lower levels of TrabBMD (p < 0.0001), SSIp (p < 0.05),
      AD-SoS and QUS z-score (p < 0.005) but not reduced muscle CSA and CBA values.
      CortBMD and FatCSA were significantly increased (p < 0.0001). These data were
      confirmed at longitudinal evaluation regarding spine BMAD SDS (p < 0.001),
      TrabBMD (p < 0.0001), FatCSA (p < 0.005), AD-SoS (p < 0.001), and QUS z-score (p
      < 0.005) but not muscle CSA (p <= 0.05) and CBA (p < 0.0001). SSIp and CortBMD
      longitudinal evaluation showed that JSLE patients did not present significant
      differences in comparison to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with JSLE have a low
      bone mass without catch-up growth over time, causing a reduction of peak bone
      mass with high risk of osteoporosis in early adulthood. To reduce the risk, close
      monitoring of BMD, better control of disease activity, physical activity and
      dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D are advocated to ameliorate the loss of
      bone mass. In patients with proved osteoporosis therapeutic approaches including
      bisphosphonates should be considered.

PMID- 24218397
TI  - Molecular interactions involved in proton-dependent gating in KcsA potassium
      channels.
AB  - The bacterial potassium channel KcsA is gated open by the binding of protons to
      amino acids on the intracellular side of the channel. We have identified, via
      channel mutagenesis and x-ray crystallography, two pH-sensing amino acids and a
      set of nearby residues involved in molecular interactions that influence gating.
      We found that the minimal mutation of one histidine (H25) and one glutamate
      (E118) near the cytoplasmic gate completely abolished pH-dependent gating.
      Mutation of nearby residues either alone or in pairs altered the channel's
      response to pH. In addition, mutations of certain pairs of residues dramatically
      increased the energy barriers between the closed and open states. We proposed a
      Monod-Wyman-Changeux model for proton binding and pH-dependent gating in KcsA,
      where H25 is a "strong" sensor displaying a large shift in pKa between closed and
      open states, and E118 is a "weak" pH sensor. Modifying model parameters that are
      involved in either the intrinsic gating equilibrium or the pKa values of the pH
      sensing residues was sufficient to capture the effects of all mutations.

PMID- 24218398
TI  - Peregrination of the selectivity filter delineates the pore of the human voltage
      gated proton channel hHV1.
AB  - Extraordinary selectivity is crucial to all proton-conducting molecules,
      including the human voltage-gated proton channel (hHV1), because the proton
      concentration is >10(6) times lower than that of other cations. Here we use
      "selectivity filter scanning" to elucidate the molecular requirements for proton
      specific conduction in hHV1. Asp(112), in the middle of the S1 transmembrane
      helix, is an essential part of the selectivity filter in wild-type (WT) channels.
      After neutralizing Asp(112) by mutating it to Ala (D112A), we introduced Asp at
      each position along S1 from 108 to 118, searching for "second site suppressor"
      activity. Surprisingly, most mutants lacked even the anion conduction exhibited
      by D112A. Proton-specific conduction was restored only with Asp or Glu at
      position 116. The D112V/V116D channel strikingly resembled WT in selectivity,
      kinetics, and DeltapH-dependent gating. The S4 segment of this mutant has similar
      accessibility to WT in open channels, because R211H/D112V/V116D was inhibited by
      internally applied Zn(2+). Asp at position 109 allowed anion permeation in
      combination with D112A but did not rescue function in the nonconducting D112V
      mutant, indicating that selectivity is established externally to the constriction
      at F150. The three positions that permitted conduction all line the pore in our
      homology model, clearly delineating the conduction pathway. Evidently, a carboxyl
      group must face the pore directly to enable conduction. Molecular dynamics
      simulations indicate reorganization of hydrogen bond networks in the external
      vestibule in D112V/V116D. At both positions where it produces proton selectivity,
      Asp frequently engages in salt linkage with one or more Arg residues from S4.
      Surprisingly, mean hydration profiles were similar in proton-selective, anion
      permeable, and nonconducting constructs. That the selectivity filter functions in
      a new location helps to define local environmental features required to produce
      proton-selective conduction.

PMID- 24218399
TI  - Molecular confirmation of nine cases of Cornelia de Lange syndrome diagnosed
      prenatally.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is characterized by distinct facial
      features, growth retardation, upper limb reduction defects, hirsutism, and
      intellectual disability. NIPBL mutations have been identified in approximately
      60% of patients with CdLS diagnosed postnatally. Prenatal ultrasound findings
      include upper limb reduction defects, intrauterine growth restriction, and
      micrognathia. CdLS has also been associated with decreased PAPP-A and increased
      nuchal translucency (NT). We reviewed NIPBL sequence analysis results for 12
      prenatal samples in our laboratory to determine the frequency of mutations in our
      cohort. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data from all 12 prenatal
      cases with suspected CdLS, which were received by The University of Chicago
      Genetic Services Laboratories. Diagnostic NIPBL sequencing was performed for all
      samples. Clinical information was collected from referring physicians. RESULTS:
      NIPBL mutations were identified in 9 out of the 12 cases prenatally (75%).
      Amongst the NIPBL mutation-positive cases with clinical information available,
      the most common findings were upper limb malformations and micrognathia. Five
      patients had NT measurements in the first trimester, of which four were noted to
      be increased. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that prenatally-detected phenotypes of
      CdLS, particularly severe micrognathia and bilateral upper limb defects, are
      associated with an increased frequency of NIPBL mutations.

PMID- 24218400
TI  - Plasma levels of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (CXCL12) and circulating
      endothelial progenitor cells in women with idiopathic heavy menstrual bleeding.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Do plasma levels of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (CXCL12,
      sometimes termed SDF-1) and the numbers of circulating endothelial progenitor
      cells (EPCs), EPC colony-forming units (EPC-CFU) and mature endothelial cells
      (ECs) differ between women with idiopathic heavy menstrual bleeding of
      endometrial origin (HMB-E) and controls and are they related to plasma levels of
      other angiogenic growth factors? SUMMARY ANSWER: Angiogenesis is altered in women
      with HMB-E, characterized by a reduction in mean plasma levels of CXCL12, a low
      number of EPCs-CFUs and a high level of circulating ECs. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY:
      Plasma levels of CXCL12 are significantly higher during the proliferative than
      the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy women and exhibit a
      negative correlation with blood EPC-CFUs. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A
      prospective cohort study in a university hospital setting. Between 2008 and 2009
      10 HMB-E patients were recruited from Karolinska University Hospital. Ten healthy
      women were also included in the analysis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING,
      METHODS: Ten healthy control women and 10 HMB-E patients, all with regular
      menstrual cycles, provided 4 blood samples during a single menstrual cycle: 2 in
      the proliferative phase, 1 at ovulation and 1 in the secretory phase. We assessed
      plasma levels of CXCL12, vascular endothelial growth factor A(165) (VEGFA), basic
      fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage colony
      stimulating factors by ELISA. We counted circulating EPC-CFUs by culture, and ECs
      and EPCs by flow cytometry and immunostaining for cell surface markers. MAIN
      RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Plasma levels of CXCL12 were significantly lower
      in HMB-E patients compared with control women (P < 0.0001), with a significant
      decrease (P = 0.013) between the proliferative phase and ovulation. VEGFA showed
      a trend towards the same decreasing pattern as CXCL12, although not statistically
      significant (P = 0.086), whereas systemic VEGFA levels in control women remained
      unchanged across the different phases of the menstrual cycle (P = 0.473). HMB-E
      patients had a lower number of EPC-CFUs compared with control women (P = 0.014),
      with a positive correlation between the level of CXCL12 and EPC-CFUs (r = 0.428;
      P = 0.047). Whilst the level of circulating endothelial cells in HMB-E patients
      was higher than in control women, this did not reach statistical significance. In
      contrast, the levels of the hematopoietic/EPC marker CD34 were significantly
      lower in HMB-E patients than control women (P < 0.020). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR
      CAUTION: Small sample, unknown source of CXCL12, unknown balance between influx
      and efflux of EPCs from bone marrow and to the endometrium. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF
      THE FINDINGS: Our results indicate that CXCL12 may play an important role in
      physiological angiogenesis in the endometrium, and that low and dysregulated
      levels of CXCL12 in women with HMB-E could affect vessel quality, integrity and
      repair. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Financial support was provided
      through the regional agreement on medical training and clinical research (ALF)
      between the Stockholm County Council and Karolinska Institutet (number 20110258).
      This study was also supported by grants from the Swedish Labor Market Insurance.
      The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

PMID- 24218401
TI  - Dyadic dynamics of perceived social support in couples facing infertility.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Is perceived social support from partner, family, and friends
      associated with increased infertility-related stress? SUMMARY ANSWER: While men's
      perceived support did not seem to influence their partners' stress, women's
      perceptions of spousal and familial support can affect the way men deal with the
      challenge of infertility. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Previous studies showed that low
      levels of social support are associated with poor psychosocial adjustment and
      treatment termination in women and men. Studies examining the impact of social
      support using the couple as unit of analysis are lacking. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE,
      DURATION: A cross-sectional sample of 613 Portuguese patients participated in the
      research, online over a 3-month period, and in a public fertility clinic over 11
      months. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The final sample comprised 213
      married or cohabiting couples (191 from the fertility clinic) who were actively
      attempting to have a child, were seeking infertility treatment and had not
      undergone previous preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Perceived social support
      was assessed through the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and
      infertility-related stress was assessed with the fertility problem inventory.
      Hypotheses were tested by applying the actor-partner interdependence model using
      structural equation modeling. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Couples had
      been living together for an average (+/-SD) of 6 +/- 3.5 years, and attempting a
      pregnancy for 3.8 +/- 2.6 years. Nearly half of the couples had undergone
      infertility treatment (41.3%). Infertility stress was found to be associated with
      low family support for women (beta = -0.27, P = .003), and low partner support
      for both men (beta = -0.29, P = .001) and women (beta = -0.45, P = .006). Both
      women and men's perceived friend support were not significantly related to male
      or female infertility stress. Men infertility stress was also associated with
      their partners low levels of partner (beta = -0.24, P = .049) and family support
      (beta = -0.23, P < .001). No significant partner effects were observed for women.
      Despite being related to actor effects alone (female partner and family support),
      the explained variance of the model in women's fertility stress was greater (R(2)
      = 21%) than that (R(2) = 15.6%) for the combined actor and partner effects in
      men's fertility stress (male partner support, female partner and family support).
      LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The study data are cross-sectional and the
      generalizability of results is limited by self-selection. The characteristics of
      non-participants in both the clinical and online samples were not available, the
      perception of infertility-specific supportive behaviors was not assessed and
      differential analyses according to infertility diagnosis were not included in
      this study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our data underline the importance
      of partner support in alleviating the burden of infertility. Men may experience
      infertility indirectly through the impact that it has on their partners. Our
      findings reinforce the need to involve the male partner throughout the whole
      treatment process and for couple-based interventions when providing infertility
      counseling. Further prospective research should be aimed at investigating the
      male experience of infertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST: This research
      was supported by a PhD scholarship from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and
      Technology granted to M.M. (FCT, SFRH/BD/44232/2008). The authors have no
      conflicts of interest to declare.

PMID- 24218402
TI  - Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy is an effective treatment for azoospermic
      patients with epididymal obstruction and prior failure to achieve pregnancy by
      sperm retrieval with intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Can microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (MVE) be used to treat
      azoospermia in men with epididymal obstruction who have had a prior attempt at
      sperm retrieval with ICSI and failed to achieve a pregnancy? SUMMARY ANSWER: MVE
      is an effective treatment for epididymal obstruction. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: MVE
      is an effective treatment for non-vasectomized patients with epididymal
      obstruction. However, ICSI is the preferred treatment for patients with
      obstructive azoospermia in some reproductive centers. The clinical pregnancy rate
      in per ICSI cycle is <40% and more than half of couples need repeated ICSI. Some
      couples cannot bear the high medical costs or the pain associated with repeated
      IVF/ICSI. Therefore, MVE may be an alternative treatment for such patients. STUDY
      DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION: This retrospective study investigated whether MVE
      could be used to treat patients with epididymal obstruction and a previous failed
      ICSI attempt. From January 2009 to July 2012, 268 patients underwent MVE for
      epididymal obstruction in our center; we included 68 who had experienced failure
      of at least one cycle of ICSI in this study. MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: We
      studied 68 patients with obstructive azoospermia who were treated by MVE and had
      previously undergone surgical sperm recovery and ICSI. The patients were divided
      into two groups according to the sperm retrieval method used in their ICSI
      attempt: percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) (41.2%, 28/68) and
      testicular sperm extraction (TESE) (58.8%, 40/68). We evaluated the obstructive
      causes, patency, pregnancy and live birth rates and the effect of sperm retrieval
      methods on the outcome of MVE. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In total, 62
      patients (91.2%) showed epididymal obstruction, 2 (2.9%) intratesticular
      obstruction and 4 (5.9%) vasal obstruction. The mean age was 30.4 +/- 5.3 years
      (range 22-48 years). We followed up 53 (85.5%) at a mean follow-up of 19.8 +/-
      9.1 months (range 6-43 months). The total patency and natural pregnancy rates
      were 79.2% (n = 42) and 35.8% (n = 19), respectively. The overall live birth rate
      was 28.3%. The results of MVE did not differ between the two groups: PESA and
      TESE. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: A randomized controlled trial comparing
      pregnancy rates, live birth rates, risks and medical costs of MVE and IVF/ICSI is
      needed. The size of our sample was limited, so we did not reveal significantly
      different patency, pregnancy and live birth rates between PESA and TESE. A larger
      sample size is needed to evaluate the effect of sperm retrieval on patency,
      pregnancy and live birth rates. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Epididymal
      obstruction is the most common obstructive cause in non-vasectomized patients.
      Data from this study have shown that MVE is an effective therapy for such
      azoospermic patients with epididymal obstruction and prior failed ICSI for
      pregnancy. Obstructive causes should be differentiated to select optimal therapy
      for patients with obstructive azoospermia in reproductive centers. STUDY
      FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): No external funding was used for this study. The
      authors have no competing interests to declare.

PMID- 24218403
TI  - Oocyte cryopreservation and in vitro culture affect calcium signalling during
      human fertilization.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: What are the precise patterns of calcium oscillations during the
      fertilization of human oocytes matured either in vivo or in vitro or aged in
      vitro and what is the effect of cryopreservation? SUMMARY ANSWER: Human oocytes
      matured in vivo exhibit a specific pattern of calcium oscillations, which is
      affected by in vitro maturation, in vitro ageing and cryopreservation. WHAT IS
      KNOWN ALREADY: Oscillations in cytoplasmic calcium concentration are crucial for
      oocyte activation and further embryonic development. While several studies have
      described in detail the calcium oscillation pattern during fertilization in
      animal models, studies with human oocytes are scarce. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE,
      DURATION: This was a laboratory-based study using human MII oocytes matured in
      vivo or in vitro either fresh or after cryopreservation with slow freezing or
      vitrification. Altogether, 205 human oocytes were included in the analysis.
      PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: In vivo and in vitro matured human
      oocytes were used for this research either fresh or following
      vitrification/warming (V/W) and slow freezing/thawing (F/T). Human oocytes were
      obtained following written informed consent from patients undergoing ovarian
      hyperstimulation. For the calcium pattern analysis, oocytes were loaded with the
      ratiometric calcium indicator fluorescent dye Fura-2. Following ICSI using sperm
      from a single donor, intracellular calcium was measured for 16 h at 37 degrees C
      under 6% CO(2). The calcium oscillation parameters were calculated for all intact
      oocytes that showed calcium oscillations and were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney
      U-test. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Human in vivo MII oocytes display a
      specific pattern of calcium oscillations following ICSI. This pattern is
      significantly affected by in vitro ageing, with the calcium oscillations
      occurring over a longer period of time and with a lower frequency, shorter
      duration and higher amplitude (P < 0.05). In vitro matured oocytes from the GV
      and MI stage exhibit a different pattern of calcium oscillations with calcium
      transients being of lower frequency and shorter duration compared with in vivo
      matured MII. In MI oocytes that reached the MII stage within 3 h the calcium
      oscillations additionally appear over a longer period of time (P < 0.05). In vivo
      MII oocytes show a different calcium oscillation pattern following V/W with
      calcium oscillations occurring over a longer period of time, with a higher
      amplitude and a lower frequency (P < 0.05). In vitro matured oocytes, either from
      the GV or the MI stage, also display an altered pattern of calcium oscillations
      after V/W and the parameters that were similarly affected in all these oocyte
      groups are the frequency and the amplitude of the calcium transients. Slow
      freezing/thawing differentially affects the calcium oscillation pattern of in
      vitro matured and in vitro aged oocytes. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The
      relationship between a specific pattern of calcium oscillations and subsequent
      human embryonic development could not be evaluated since the calcium indicator
      used and the high-intensity excitation light impair development. Furthermore, all
      oocytes were derived from stimulated cycles and immature oocytes were denuded
      prior to in vitro maturation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our data show
      for the first time how calcium signalling during human fertilization is affected
      by oocyte in vitro maturation, in vitro ageing as well as V/W and slow
      freezing/thawing. The analysis of calcium oscillations could be used as an oocyte
      quality indicator to evaluate in vitro culture and cryopreservation techniques of
      human oocytes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by a
      clinical research mandate from the Flemish Foundation of Scientific Research (FWO
      Vlaanderen, FWO09/ASP/063) to F.V.M, a fundamental clinical research mandate from
      the FWO-Vlaanderen (FWO05/FKM/001) to P.D.S and a Ghent University grant (KAN-BOF
      E/01321/01) to B.H. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

PMID- 24218404
TI  - Response to: 'Impact of gender on outcomes in ankylosing spondylitis' by
      Feldtkeller et al.

PMID- 24218405
TI  - Visualisation of structural damage as a surrogate marker of radiographic
      progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

PMID- 24218406
TI  - Clinical epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in the
      Pokot endemic area of Uganda and Kenya.
AB  - Between 2000 and 2010, Medecins Sans Frontieres diagnosed and treated 4,831
      patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Pokot region straddling the
      border between Uganda and Kenya. A retrospective analysis of routinely collected
      clinical data showed no marked seasonal or annual fluctuations. Males between 5
      and 14 years of age were the most affected group. Marked splenomegaly and anemia
      were striking features. An rK39 antigen-based rapid diagnostic test was evaluated
      and found sufficiently accurate to replace the direct agglutination test and
      spleen aspiration as the first-line diagnostic procedure. The case-fatality rate
      with sodium stibogluconate as first-line treatment was low. The VL relapses were
      rare and often diagnosed more than 6 months post-treatment. Post-kala-azar dermal
      leishmaniasis was rare but likely to be underdiagnosed. The epidemiological and
      clinical features of VL in the Pokot area differed markedly from VL in Sudan, the
      main endemic focus in Africa.

PMID- 24218407
TI  - Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of a typhoid IgM flow assay for the
      diagnosis of typhoid fever in Cambodian children using a Bayesian latent class
      model assuming an imperfect gold standard.
AB  - Rapid diagnostic tests are needed for typhoid fever (TF) diagnosis in febrile
      children in endemic areas. Five hundred children admitted to the hospital in
      Cambodia between 2009 and 2010 with documented fever (>= 38 degrees C) were
      investigated using blood cultures (BCs), Salmonella Typhi/Paratyphi A real-time
      polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), and a Typhoid immunoglobulin M flow assay
      (IgMFA). Test performance was determined by conventional methods and Bayesian
      latent class modeling. There were 32 cases of TF (10 BC- and PCR-positive cases,
      14 BC-positive and PCR-negative cases, and 8 BC-negative and PCR-positive cases).
      IgMFA sensitivity was 59.4% (95% confidence interval = 41-76), and specificity
      was 97.8% (95% confidence interval = 96-99). The model estimate sensitivity for
      BC was 81.0% (95% credible interval = 54-99). The model estimate sensitivity for
      PCR was 37.8% (95% credible interval = 26-55), with a specificity of 98.2% (95%
      credible interval = 97-99). The model estimate sensitivity for IgMFA (>= 2+) was
      77.9% (95% credible interval = 58-90), with a specificity of 97.5% (95% credible
      interval = 95-100). The model estimates of IgMFA sensitivity and specificity were
      comparable with BCs and better than estimates using conventional analysis.

PMID- 24218408
TI  - A longitudinal analysis of the effect of mass drug administration on acute
      inflammatory episodes and disease progression in lymphedema patients in Leogane,
      Haiti.
AB  - We conducted a longitudinal analysis of 117 lymphedema patients in a filariasis
      endemic area of Haiti during 1995-2008. No difference in lymphedema progression
      between those who received or did not receive mass drug administration (MDA) was
      found on measures of foot (P = 0.24), ankle (P = 0.87), or leg (P = 0.46)
      circumference; leg volume displacement (P = 0.09), lymphedema stage (P = 0.93),
      or frequency of adenolymphangitis (ADL) episodes (P = 0.57). Rates of ADL per
      year were greater after initiation of MDA among both groups (P < 0.01).
      Nevertheless, patients who received MDA reported improvement in four areas of
      lymphedema-related quality of life (P <= 0.01). Decreases in foot and ankle
      circumference and ADL episodes were observed during the 1995-1998 lymphedema
      management study (P <= 0.01). This study represents the first longitudinal,
      quantitative, leg-specific analysis examining the clinical effect of
      diethylcarbamazine on lymphedema progression and ADL episodes.

PMID- 24218409
TI  - Hospitalizations and costs incurred at the facility level after scale-up of
      malaria control: pre-post comparisons from two hospitals in Zambia.
AB  - There is little evidence on the impact of malaria control on the health system,
      particularly at the facility level. Using retrospective, longitudinal facility
      level and patient record data from two hospitals in Zambia, we report a pre-post
      comparison of hospital admissions and outpatient visits for malaria and estimated
      costs incurred for malaria admissions before and after malaria control scale-up.
      The results show a substantial reduction in inpatient admissions and outpatient
      visits for malaria at both hospitals after the scale-up, and malaria cases
      accounted for a smaller proportion of total hospital visits over time. Hospital
      spending on malaria admissions also decreased. In one hospital, malaria accounted
      for 11% of total hospital spending before large-scale malaria control compared
      with < 1% after malaria control. The findings demonstrate that facility-level
      resources are freed up as malaria is controlled, potentially making these
      resources available for other diseases and conditions.

PMID- 24218410
TI  - Disease severity and mortality caused by dengue in a Dominican pediatric
      population.
AB  - Millions are infected with dengue yearly. We evaluated the epidemiological and
      clinical characteristics of pediatric patients infected with dengue in the
      Dominican Republic. The applicability of World Health Organization (WHO) warning
      signs for predicting severe dengue and mortality was also studied. This study was
      a cross-sectional retrospective review of patients with a clinical diagnosis of
      dengue. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate
      characteristics associated with severity and mortality. The study included 796
      subjects: 288 subjects were classified as dengue, 290 subjects had alarm signs,
      and 207 subjects were classified as severe dengue. Common findings included
      thrombocytopenia (96%), abdominal pain (71%), and vomiting (59%). The most
      important factors associated with severe dengue were rash (P < 0.01), severe
      thrombocytopenia (P < 0.01), and anemia (P < 0.01). These signs and symptoms were
      also associated with mortality. This study validates the current WHO warning
      signs of severity. Rash and severe thrombocytopenia may be early warning signs
      and need additional study.

PMID- 24218411
TI  - Assessing the microbial quality of improved drinking water sources: results from
      the Dominican Republic.
AB  - Millennium Development Goal Target 7c (to halve between 1990 and 2015 the
      proportion of the global population without sustainable access to safe drinking
      water), was celebrated as achieved in 2012. However, new studies show that we may
      be prematurely celebrating. Access to safe drinking water may be overestimated if
      microbial water quality is considered. The objective of this study was to examine
      the relationship between microbial drinking water quality and drinking water
      source in the Puerto Plata region of the Dominican Republic. This study analyzed
      microbial drinking water quality data from 409 households in 33 communities.
      Results showed that 47% of improved drinking water sources were of high to very
      high risk water quality, and therefore unsafe for drinking. This study provides
      evidence that the current estimate of safe water access may be overly optimistic,
      and microbial water quality data are needed to reliably assess the safety of
      drinking water.

PMID- 24218412
TI  - Lack of evidence of increased West Nile virus disease severity in the United
      States in 2012.
AB  - Abstract. In the United States, West Nile virus (WNV) causes annual seasonal
      outbreaks that fluctuate in size and scope. There was a large multistate outbreak
      of WNV in 2012, with more human disease cases reported nationally than any year
      since 2003. We evaluated national surveillance data to determine if the higher
      number of WNV cases reported in 2012 was associated with changes in the
      epidemiology or severity of disease compared with 2004-2011. Despite an increased
      incidence of neuroinvasive disease in 2012, national surveillance data showed no
      evidence of changes in epidemiology or increased disease severity compared with
      the previous 8 years. 

PMID- 24218413
TI  - Community perception, misconception, and discord regarding prevention and
      treatment of infection with human immunodeficiency virus in Addis Ababa,
      Ethiopia.
AB  - Approximately one million persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus
      (HIV) live in Ethiopia. Socio-cultural factors influence prevention and treatment
      adherence. We applied a qualitative descriptive approach to evaluate community
      perception, knowledge, and the role of spiritual factors in regard to HIV. We
      conducted 14 focus groups with sampling of HIV+ and HIV- participants (n = 52) by
      using open-ended questions. We coded and analyzed data for major themes. There
      are misconceptions, including transmission via casual contact, and pervasive
      beliefs of holy water as a cure. Many HIV-participants believe treatment is
      ineffective or incompatible with holy water. Most HIV+ participants believe
      treatment and holy water can be taken together, but experienced either pressure
      to stop treatment or stigma when taking medications. Participants emphasized the
      role of spiritual leaders in directing and shaping community perspectives on HIV.
      Ongoing community education via local initiatives, nation-wide structural and
      environmental strategies, and efforts tailored toward Ethiopian society to
      reconcile treatment with faith are crucial.

PMID- 24218414
TI  - National profile and treatment outcomes of adult smear-negative pulmonary TB
      patients in Benin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Benin, patients with smear-negative pulmonary TB (SNPTB) are of
      low priority in the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) and little is known
      about their profile or treatment outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study
      was carried out to determine characteristics and treatment outcomes in all adults
      registered with SNPTB in 2009. Findings were compared with patients with new
      smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) diagnosed in the same period.
      RESULTS: Of 3140 patients with PTB, 273 (8.7%) had SNPTB, with higher rates in
      northern and southwestern regions. SNPTB was associated with female gender, older
      age and HIV-positive status (p<0.01). Patients with SNPTB had a higher proportion
      of unsuccessful treatment outcomes compared with smear-positive PTB owing to
      death and loss to follow-up (LFU) (p<0.01). The region with the capital city had
      the highest rate of LFU. Differences in unsuccessful outcomes between SNPTB and
      smear-positive PTB were more apparent in persons who were HIV-negative, and among
      HIV-positives not on antiretroviral treatment. CONCLUSION: In Benin, treatment
      outcomes of SNPTB patients were inferior to those with smear-positive PTB, with
      LFU being a major problem. The Benin NTP needs to better address the problem of
      patients with SNPTB in terms of monitoring and reporting, treatment management
      including that associated with HIV care, and reducing LFU.

PMID- 24218416
TI  - Propofol with ketamine following sedation with xylazine for routine induction of
      general anaesthesia in horses.
AB  - To document the suitability of intravenous propofol and ketamine following
      sedation with xylazine for routine anaesthetic induction in horses.
      Retrospective. 100 client-owned horses. Anaesthetic records were evaluated to
      determine: signalment, anaesthetic drug and dosages, need for additional
      induction agents, notation of any adverse events, duration of anaesthesia and
      recovery characteristics (rough or smooth, and rapid or prolonged). Horses were
      sedated with xylazine 0.99+/-(0.2) mg/kg intravenous and 23 horses were also
      administered butorphanol 0.02+/-(0.001) mg/kg intravenous. Horses were
      anaesthetised with a combination of propofol 0.40+/-(0.1) mg/kg intravenous and
      ketamine 2.8+/-(0.3) mg/kg intravenous. Six horses required additional ketamine.
      None became apnoeic and no adverse events were noted. Anaesthesia was maintained
      with isoflurane in 66 horses and a combination of guaifenesin, ketamine and
      xylazine (GKX) in 34 horses. Total anaesthesia time was 125.4+/-(46) minutes.
      Fifty-one horses were administered romifidine 0.016 (+/-0.008) mg/kg intravenous
      at recovery. Time from orotracheal extubation to standing was 27.6+/-(25)
      minutes. Of the 58 records with recovery characteristics, the number per category
      was: rapid n=6, prolonged n=3, smooth n=46, rough n=6. Intravenous propofol and
      ketamine following xylazine provided satisfactory anaesthetic inductions and
      recoveries in a varied population of horses without any clinically relevant
      adverse events. 

PMID- 24218415
TI  - Risk factors for anemia in children under 6 years of age in Ethiopia: analysis of
      the data from the cross-sectional Malaria IndicatorSurvey, 2007.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity in Ethiopia. However, its
      transmission varies in both space and time, and large areas of the country are
      hypoendemic and epidemic-prone. The Ethiopia National Malaria Indicator Survey
      2007 is a cross-sectional, nationally-representative household survey. The
      objective of the analyses presented here were to use the survey's data to
      identify factors associated with anemia presence in children under 6 years of age
      (U6); specifically, investigate the association between malaria and anemia; and
      discuss using anemia as a malaria proxy biomarker in the Ethiopian hypo-endemic
      transmission setting. METHODS: The survey sampled 4185 households in 347
      enumeration areas <=2500 m above sea level. Primary outcome was increasing anemia
      severity in sampled children: no anemia (Hb: >=11g/dl); mild anemia (Hb: >=8g/dl
      and <11g/dl); and moderate-severe anemia (Hb: <8g/dl). Secondary outcomes were
      positive malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) or blood slide microscopy. RESULTS:
      The analysis included 6054 (92.0%) children U6 in 3962 households. The proportion
      of children with no anemia, mild anemia, and moderate-severe anemia was 63.6%,
      31.3%, and 5.1%, respectively. The overall prevalence of anemia (Hb <11g/dl) was
      36.4% (95% CI 34.4-38.4). Factors independently associated with reduced relative
      odds of anemia categories were age (OR=0.7, 95% CI 0.7-0.7) and female sex
      (OR=0.9, 95% CI 0.8-1.0); malaria RDT positivity was associated with increased
      relative odds of a more severe anemia category (OR=5.8, 95% CI 3.7-9.2).
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that at altitudes <=2500 m malaria appears to be a
      significant risk factor for anemia; potentially anemia could be used as a useful
      proxy biomarker for malaria and its control in Ethiopia.

PMID- 24218417
TI  - Predicting mortality in the critically ill: a tricky enterprise.

PMID- 24218418
TI  - Current concepts in the management of diabetic nephropathy.
AB  - Although much progress has been made in slowing the progression of diabetic
      nephropathy, renal dysfunction and development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
      remain major concerns in diabetes. In addition, diabetic patients with
      microalbuminuria have an increased cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, new
      treatment modalities or strategies are needed to prevent or slow the progression
      of diabetic nephropathy and prevent cardiovascular disease in diabetes. In this
      review we describe current concepts in pathophysiology, treatment goals and we
      discuss future developments in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Common risk
      factors for diabetic nephropathy and its progression are longer duration, poor
      glycaemic control, hypertension and the presence of albuminuria. Available
      treatment options, especially renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS)
      blockade, but also better blood pressure and blood glucose control, decrease the
      incidence of cardiovascular disease and renal disease in diabetes. It is
      important that treatment goals are tailored to the individual patient with
      individual treatment goals of glycaemic control and blood pressure, depending on
      age, type of diabetes and diabetes duration. Aggressive treatment of glucose
      control and blood pressure might not always be best practice for every patient.
      Since the proportion of ESRD due to diabetic nephropathy remains high,
      optimisation of RAAS blockade is advocated and can be achieved by adequate sodium
      restriction and/or diuretic treatment. Moreover, aldosterone blockade might be a
      valuable strategy, which has potency to slow the progression of diabetic renal
      disease. Other possible future interventions are under investigation, but large
      clinical trials have to be awaited to confirm the safety and efficacy of these
      drugs.

PMID- 24218419
TI  - Intestinal cholesterol secretion: future clinical implications.
AB  - Together with the liver, the intestine serves as a homeostatic organ in
      cholesterol metabolism. Recent evidence has substantiated the pivotal role of the
      intestine in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). RCT is a fundamental
      antiatherogenic pathway, mediating the removal of cholesterol from tissues in the
      body to the faeces. In humans, faecal cholesterol elimination via the RCT pathway
      is considered to be restricted to excretion via the hepatobiliary route.
      Recently, however, direct trans-intestinal excretion of plasma-derived
      cholesterol (TICE) was shown to contribute substantially to faecal neutral sterol
      (FNS) excretion in mice. TICE was found to be amenable to stimulation by various
      pharmacological and dietary interventions in mice, offering new options to target
      the intestine as an inducible, cholesterol-excretory organ. The relevance of TICE
      for cholesterol elimination in humans remains to be established. There is,
      however, emerging evidence for the presence of TICE in human (patho) physiology.
      This review discusses our current understanding of TICE and its novel therapeutic
      potential for individuals at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 24218420
TI  - Monitoring of unfractionated heparin in critically ill patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In critically ill patients, dosing of unfractionated heparin (UFH) is
      difficult due to unpredictable pharmacokinetics, which has an impact on the time
      to reach therapeutic anticoagulation. We evaluated the quality of UFH therapy in
      critically ill patients in terms of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)
      test values and time to therapeutic range. METHODS: Patients admitted to the
      Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Medium Care Unit (MCU) were screened for
      intravenous UFH administration. Time to therapeutic range was categorised into 0
      12, 13-24 and >24 hours. APTT results were classified into categories of
      subtherapeutic, supratherapeutic and therapeutic tests. We identified to what
      extent the sub- and upratherapeutic values were aberrant of the limit of the
      therapeutic range (15%). RESULTS: In 101 patients admitted to the ICU and MCU,
      time to therapeutic range was 24 hours in 56% of the population, whereas in 10%
      of the patients no therapeutic APTT was achieved during UFH treatment. Among the
      APTT levels, 29% of all test results measured in 24 hours were within the
      therapeutic range. Subtherapeutic values were found in 53% of the test results,
      of which 160/203 were more than 15% under the lower limit, whereas 18% of the
      test results were supratherapeutic, of which 40/69 more than 15% above the upper
      limit. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of critically ill patients, therapeutic APTT
      values were reached within 24 hours in 56% of the patients. We conclude that
      intravenous UFH therapy can be improved in critically ill patients.

PMID- 24218421
TI  - Influenza vaccination coverage in patients treated with chemotherapy: current
      clinical practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Influenza virus vaccination is recommended for patients treated with
      chemotherapy. Little is known about vaccination coverage in these patients.
      METHODS: Vaccination coverage in the Netherlands was analysed by questionnaires
      completed by general practitioners, within a catchment area of 1.3 million
      people, in the period 2010-2011. RESULTS: Of 433 eligible adult patients treated
      with chemotherapy for breast or colorectal cancer, 144 patients gave permission
      for us to approach their general practitioner with a questionnaire. General
      practitioners were asked about vaccination coverage, awareness of recommendations
      and their opinion about the responsibility for vaccination. We received 114 (79%)
      completed questionnaires. Sixty-seven out of 114 patients (59%) were vaccinated
      against influenza. Forty-four (66%) of these patients also had an indication for
      vaccination based on age (age >=60 years). According to 48% of the general
      practitioners, the responsibility for vaccination belongs to the competence of
      the treating medical oncologist. CONCLUSION: Influenza vaccination coverage is
      limited to 59% of patients treated with chemotherapy. Guidelines for
      responsibility (general practitioner or medical oncologist) may increase the
      vaccination rate of cancer patients.

PMID- 24218422
TI  - Fasciola hepatica as a cause of jaundice after chewing khat: a case report.
AB  - Fasciola hepatica is a worldwide distributed zoonotic trematode incidentally
      infecting humans. Although often symptomatic, fascioliasis can cause a wide
      spectrum of disease. The diagnosis can be established by stool examination
      detecting ova of the parasite, although serological testing has a higher
      sensitivity and specificity in the acute phase of disease. This case presents a
      24-year-old Somalian man admitted with jaundice and abdominal discomfort due to
      fascioliasis after chewing khat. The patient was treated successfully with a
      single dose of triclabendazole.

PMID- 24218423
TI  - A male with extensive renal vein thrombosis.

PMID- 24218424
TI  - Skin lesions in a patient with head and neck cancer.

PMID- 24218425
TI  - Bilateral abdominal mass.

PMID- 24218426
TI  - A diagnosis on the basis of a blood smear.

PMID- 24218427
TI  - Red cell distribution width as predictor for mortality in critically ill
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the red cell
      distribution width (RDW) is a significant risk factor for hospital mortality in
      critically ill patients and to investigate whether RDW is a parameter indicating
      inflammation, or a risk factor independent of inflammation. METHODS: We studied
      all patients admitted to a ten-bed mixed intensive care unit in the Netherlands
      between May 2005 and December 2011 for whom RDW was available, and who had not
      received a blood transfusion in the preceding three months. Inflammation was
      measured by C-reactive protein and leucocyte count. Analyses included
      correlation, logistic regression analysis, and receiveroperating characteristic
      (ROC) curves. RESULTS: We included 2915 patients, of whom 387 (13.3%) did not
      survive to hospital discharge. In univariate analysis higher RDW values were
      associated with increased hospital mortality. In multivariate analysis RDW
      remained an independent risk factor for mortality after correction for APACHE II
      score, age, admission type and mechanical ventilation (odds ratio 1.04, 95%
      confidence interval 1.02-1.06, for each femtolitre of RDW). Adding RDW to APACHE
      II, however, increased the area under the ROC curve marginally (from 0.845 to
      0.849, p<0.001). RDW was not correlated with C-reactive protein and leucocyte
      count, refuting the hypothesis that the association between RDW and outcome is
      mediated through inflammation. CONCLUSION: In critically ill patients, the RDW on
      ICU admission was an independent predictor of mortality. Since RDW was not
      correlated with inflammation, the underlying mechanism of this association
      warrants further investigation.

PMID- 24218428
TI  - Cervical dysplasia associated with the use of natalizumab.

PMID- 24218429
TI  - Cyanide intoxication by apricot kernel ingestion as complimentary cancer therapy.

PMID- 24218430
TI  - Adrenal signaling in heart failure: something more than a distant ship's smoke on
      the horizon.

PMID- 24218432
TI  - Long-term antihypertensive treatment fails to improve E/e' despite regression of
      left ventricular mass: an Anglo-Scandinavian cardiac outcomes trial substudy.
AB  - Antihypertensive treatment can improve tissue Doppler indices of left ventricular
      diastolic function in the short term, but little is known about the longer-term
      effect of different antihypertensive treatments on progression of left
      ventricular diastolic function and left ventricular hypertrophy. We hypothesized
      that long-term treatment of hypertension will lead to improvements in left
      ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic function. We collected detailed
      cardiovascular phenotypic data on 1006 participants from a substudy of the Anglo
      Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial. Patients randomized to either an
      amlodipine+/-perindopril-based or an atenolol+/-bendroflumethiazide-based regimen
      underwent conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography at time of control of
      blood pressure after randomization (~1.5 years; phase 1) and after a further 2
      years of antihypertensive treatment (phase 2). There were no prerandomization
      data. Five hundred thirty-six patients had complete data collection at both
      phases. Left ventricular mass index regressed from phase 1 to 2 with no
      significant difference between treatment groups (amlodipine: 119.5-116.8;
      atenolol: 122.9-117.5; P<0.001 for both). Conversely, tissue Doppler diastolic
      indices did not change in the amlodipine+/-perindopril-based regimen (E/e', 7.5
      7.6 cm/s; P=not significant), but deteriorated in the atenolol+/
      bendroflumethiazide-based regimen (E/e', 8.0-8.5 cm/s; P<0.01). Despite
      regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, there was no associated improvement
      in diastolic function. In fact, long-term treatment with atenolol+/
      bendroflumethiazide resulted in a progressive deterioration in E/e'. This may be
      a factor contributing to the previously described worse clinical outcome in
      patients treated with atenolol+/-bendroflumethiazide compared with amlodipine+/
      perindopril. 

PMID- 24218431
TI  - Intermedin in paraventricular nucleus attenuates sympathetic activity and blood
      pressure via nitric oxide in hypertensive rats.
AB  - Intermedin (IMD) is a member of calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide
      family, which shares the receptor system consisting of calcitonin receptor-like
      receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). This study
      investigated the effects of IMD in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) on renal
      sympathetic nerve activity and mean arterial pressure and its downstream
      mechanism in hypertension. Rats were subjected to 2-kidney 1-clip (2K1C) surgery
      to induce renovascular hypertension or sham operation. Acute experiments were
      performed 4 weeks later under anesthesia. IMD mRNA and protein were downregulated
      in 2K1C rats. Bilateral PVN microinjection of IMD caused greater decreases in
      renal sympathetic nerve activity and mean arterial pressure in 2K1C rats than in
      sham-operated rats, which were prevented by pretreatment with adrenomedullin
      receptor antagonist AM22-52 or nonselective nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor
      NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, and attenuated by selective neuronal NO
      synthase inhibitor N(omega)-propyl-l-arginine hydrochloride or endothelial NO
      synthase inhibitor N(5)-(1-iminoethyl)-l-ornithine dihydrochloride. AM22-52
      increased renal sympathetic nerve activity and mean arterial pressure in 2K1C
      rats but not in sham-operated rats, whereas calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related
      peptide receptor antagonist calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 had
      no significant effect. CRLR and RAMP3 mRNA, as well as CRLR, RAMP2, and RAMP3
      protein expressions, in the PVN were increased in 2K1C rats. Microinjection of
      IMD into the PVN increased the NO metabolites (NOx) level in the PVN in 2K1C
      rats, which was prevented by AM22-52. Chronic PVN infusion of IMD reduced, but
      AM22-52 increased, blood pressure in conscious 2K1C rats. These results indicate
      that IMD in the PVN inhibits sympathetic activity and attenuates hypertension in
      2K1C rats, which are mediated by adrenomedullin receptors (CRLR/RAMP2 or
      CRLR/RAMP3) and its downstream NO. 

PMID- 24218433
TI  - Role of GRK4 in the regulation of arterial AT1 receptor in hypertension.
AB  - G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) gene variants, via impairment of renal
      dopamine receptor and enhancement of renin-angiotensin system functions, cause
      sodium retention and increase blood pressure. Whether GRK4 and the angiotensin
      type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) interact in the aorta is not known. We report that GRK4
      is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells of the aorta. Heterologous
      expression of the GRK4gamma variant 142V in A10 cells increased AT(1)R protein
      expression and AT(1)R-mediated increase in intracellular calcium concentration.
      The increase in AT(1)R expression was related to an increase in AT(1)R mRNA
      expression via the NF-kappaB pathway. As compared with control, cells expressing
      GRK4gamma 142V had greater NF-kappaB activity with more NF-kappaB bound to the
      AT(1)R promoter. The increased AT(1)R expression in cells expressing GRK4gamma
      142V was also associated with decreased AT(1)R degradation, which may be ascribed
      to lower AT(1)R phosphorylation. There was a direct interaction between GRK4gamma
      and AT(1)R that was decreased by GRK4gamma 142V. The regulation of AT(1)R
      expression by GRK4gamma 142V in A10 cells was confirmed in GRK4gamma 142V
      transgenic mice; AT(1)R expression was higher in the aorta of GRK4gamma 142V
      transgenic mice than control GRK4gamma wild-type mice. Angiotensin II-mediated
      vasoconstriction of the aorta was also higher in GRK4gamma 142V than in wild-type
      transgenic mice. This study provides a mechanism by which GRK4, via regulation of
      arterial AT(1)R expression and function, participates in the pathogenesis of
      conduit vessel abnormalities in hypertension.

PMID- 24218434
TI  - Plasma soluble (pro)renin receptor is independent of plasma renin, prorenin, and
      aldosterone concentrations but is affected by ethnicity.
AB  - A soluble (pro)renin receptor (sPRR) circulates in plasma and is able to bind
      renin and prorenin. It is not known whether plasma sPRR concentrations vary with
      the activity of the renin-angiotensin system. We measured plasma sPRR, renin,
      prorenin, and aldosterone concentrations in 121 white and 9 black healthy
      subjects, 40 patients with diabetes mellitus, 41 hypertensive patients with or
      without renin-angiotensin system blockers, 9 patients with primary aldosteronism,
      and 10 patients with Gitelman syndrome. Median physiological plasma sPRR
      concentration was 23.5 ng/mL (interquartile range, 20.9-26.5) under usual
      uncontrolled sodium diet. sPRR concentration in healthy subjects, unlike renin
      and prorenin, did not display circadian variation or dependence on age, sex,
      posture, or hormonal status. sPRR concentrations were ~25% lower in black than in
      white subjects, whereas renin concentrations were ~40% lower. Patients with
      diabetes mellitus (average renin-high prorenin levels) and with hypertension only
      (average renin-average prorenin levels) had sPRR concentrations similar to
      healthy subjects. Renin-angiotensin system blockade was associated with increase
      of sPRR concentration by ~12%. sPRR in patients with primary aldosteronism (low
      renin-low prorenin) and Gitelman syndrome (high renin-high prorenin) were similar
      and ~10% higher than in healthy subjects. There was no correlation between sPRR
      and renin or prorenin. In conclusion, our results show that plasma sPRR
      concentrations are dependent on ethnicity and independent of renin, prorenin, and
      aldosterone concentrations in healthy subjects and in patients with contrasted
      degrees of renin-angiotensin system activity. 

PMID- 24218436
TI  - An expert consensus statement on use of adrenal vein sampling for the subtyping
      of primary aldosteronism.
AB  - Adrenal venous sampling is recommended by current guidelines to identify
      surgically curable causes of hyperaldosteronism but remains markedly underused.
      Key factors contributing to the poor use of adrenal venous sampling include the
      prevailing perceptions that it is a technically challenging procedure, difficult
      to interpret, and can be complicated by adrenal vein rupture. In addition, the
      lack of uniformly accepted standards for the performance of adrenal venous
      sampling contributes to its limited use. Hence, an international panel of experts
      working at major referral centers was assembled to provide updated advice on how
      to perform and interpret adrenal venous sampling. To this end, they were asked to
      use the PICO (Patient or Problem, Intervention, Control or comparison, Outcome)
      strategy to gather relevant information from the literature and to rely on their
      own experience. The level of evidence/recommendation was provided according to
      American Heart Association gradings whenever possible. A consensus was reached on
      several key issues, including the selection and preparation of the patients for
      adrenal venous sampling, the procedure for its optimal performance, and the
      interpretation of its results for diagnostic purposes even in the most
      challenging cases. 

PMID- 24218435
TI  - Negative impact of beta-arrestin-1 on post-myocardial infarction heart failure
      via cardiac and adrenal-dependent neurohormonal mechanisms.
AB  - beta-Arrestin (betaarr)-1 and beta-arrestin-2 (betaarrs) are universal G-protein
      coupled receptor adapter proteins that negatively regulate cardiac beta
      adrenergic receptor (betaAR) function via betaAR desensitization and
      downregulation. In addition, they mediate G-protein-independent betaAR signaling,
      which might be beneficial, for example, antiapoptotic, for the heart. However,
      the specific role(s) of each betaarr isoform in cardiac betaAR dysfunction, the
      molecular hallmark of chronic heart failure (HF), remains unknown. Furthermore,
      adrenal betaarr1 exacerbates HF by chronically enhancing adrenal production and
      hence circulating levels of aldosterone and catecholamines. Herein, we sought to
      delineate specific roles of betaarr1 in post-myocardial infarction (MI) HF by
      testing the effects of betaarr1 genetic deletion on normal and post-MI cardiac
      function and morphology. We studied betaarr1 knockout (betaarr1KO) mice alongside
      wild-type controls under normal conditions and after surgical MI. Normal (sham
      operated) betaarr1KO mice display enhanced betaAR-dependent contractility and
      post-MI betaarr1KO mice enhanced overall cardiac function (and betaAR-dependent
      contractility) compared with wild type. Post-MI betaarr1KO mice also show
      increased survival and decreased cardiac infarct size, apoptosis, and adverse
      remodeling, as well as circulating catecholamines and aldosterone, compared with
      post-MI wild type. The underlying mechanisms, on one hand, improved cardiac
      betaAR signaling and function, as evidenced by increased betaAR density and
      procontractile signaling, via reduced cardiac betaAR desensitization because of
      cardiac betaarr1 absence, and, on the other hand, decreased production leading to
      lower circulating levels of catecholamines and aldosterone because of adrenal
      betaarr1 absence. Thus, betaarr1, via both cardiac and adrenal effects, is
      detrimental for cardiac structure and function and significantly exacerbates post
      MI HF. 

PMID- 24218437
TI  - In utero diagnosis of long QT syndrome by magnetocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The electrophysiology of long QT syndrome (LQTS) in utero is
      virtually unstudied. Our goal here was to evaluate the efficacy of fetal
      magnetocardiography (fMCG) for diagnosis and prognosis of fetuses at risk of
      LQTS. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed the pre/postnatal medical records of 30
      fetuses referred for fMCG because of a family history of LQTS (n=17);
      neonatal/childhood sudden cardiac death (n=3), or presentation of prenatal LQTS
      rhythms (n=12): 2 degrees  atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia, heart
      rate < 3(rd) percentile. We evaluated heart rate and reactivity, cardiac time
      intervals, T-wave characteristics, and initiation/termination of Torsade de
      Pointes, and compared these with neonatal ECG findings. After birth, subjects
      were tested for LQTS mutations. Based on accepted clinical criteria, 21 subjects
      (70%; 9 KCNQ1, 5 KCNH2, 2 SCN5A, 2 other, 3 untested) had LQTS. Using a threshold
      of corrected QT= 490 ms, fMCG accurately identified LQTS fetuses with 89% (24/27)
      sensitivity and 89% (8/9) specificity in 36 sessions. Four fetuses (2 KCNH2 and 2
      SCN5A), all with corrected QT >= 620 ms, had frequent episodes of Torsade de
      Pointes, which were present 22-79% of the time. Although some episodes initiated
      with a long-short sequence, most initiations showed QRS aberrancy and a notable
      lack of pause dependency. T-wave alternans was strongly associated with severe
      LQTS phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Corrected QT prolongation (>=490 ms) assessed by
      fMCG accurately identified LQTS in utero; extreme corrected QT prolongation
      (>=620 ms) predicted Torsade de Pointes. FMCG can play a critical role in the
      diagnosis and management of fetuses at risk of LQTS.

PMID- 24218438
TI  - Novel role of silent information regulator 1 in myocardial ischemia.

PMID- 24218439
TI  - Approach to the patient with peripheral arterial disease.

PMID- 24218440
TI  - Renal denervation therapy for hypertension.

PMID- 24218441
TI  - ECG response: November 12, 2013.

PMID- 24218442
TI  - Bilateral giant coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki disease: how difficult can it be?

PMID- 24218443
TI  - Clear morphological depiction of cor triatriatum in a child by transthoracic 3
      dimensional echocardiography.

PMID- 24218445
TI  - Letter by Singh Regarding Article, "Berlin Heart EXCOR pediatric ventricular
      assist device for bridge to heart transplantation in US children".

PMID- 24218446
TI  - Letter by Magalhaes et al regarding article, "Long-term survival and repeat
      coronary revascularization in dialysis patients after surgical and percutaneous
      coronary revascularization with drug-eluting and bare metal stents in the United
      States".

PMID- 24218447
TI  - Response to letter regarding article, "Long-term survival and repeat coronary
      revascularization in dialysis patients after surgical and percutaneous coronary
      revascularization with drug-eluting and bare metal stents in the United States".

PMID- 24218449
TI  - Enhanced endoplasmic reticulum entry of tumor antigen is crucial for cross
      presentation induced by dendritic cell-targeted vaccination.
AB  - Efficient cross-presentation of protein Ags to CTLs by dendritic cells (DCs) is
      essential for the success of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. In this
      study, we report a previously underappreciated pathway involving Ag entry into
      the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) critically needed for T cell cross-priming induced
      by a DC-targeted vaccine. Directing the clinically relevant, melanoma Ag gp100 to
      mouse-derived DCs by molecular adjuvant and chaperone Grp170 substantially
      facilitates Ag access to the ER. Grp170 also strengthens the interaction of
      internalized protein Ag with molecular components involved in ER-associated
      protein dislocation and/or degradation, which culminates in cytosolic
      translocation for proteasome-dependent degradation and processing. Targeted
      disruption of protein retrotranslocation causes exclusive ER retention of tumor
      Ag in mouse bone marrow-derived DCs and splenic CD8(+) DCs. This results in the
      blockade of Ag ubiquitination and processing, which abrogates the priming of Ag
      specific CD8(+) T cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the improved ER entry of
      tumor Ag serves as a molecular basis for the superior cross-presenting capacity
      of Grp170-based vaccine platform. The ER access and retrotranslocation represents
      a distinct pathway that operates within DCs for cross-presentation and is
      required for the activation of Ag-specific CTLs by certain vaccines. These
      results also reinforce the importance of the ER-associated protein quality
      control machinery and the mode of the Ag delivery in regulating DC-elicited
      immune outcomes. 

PMID- 24218450
TI  - CD2-associated protein regulates plasmacytoid dendritic cell migration, but is
      dispensable for their development and cytokine production.
AB  - Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are a dendritic cell subset that secrete type
      I IFNs in response to microbial stimuli. The scaffold protein, CD2-associated
      protein (CD2AP), is a marker of human pDCs as it is highly expressed in this cell
      type. Recently, in human pDCs, decreased CD2AP expression appeared to enhance the
      production of type I IFNs via an inhibitory receptor-induced signaling cascade.
      In this study, we sought to determine the role of CD2AP in murine pDCs using
      CD2AP knockout (KO) mice. CD2AP was dispensable for the development of pDCs and
      for the upregulation of activation markers following stimulation. Loss of CD2AP
      expression did not affect the production of type I IFNs stimulated by TLR
      ligation, and only slightly impaired type I IFN production when inhibitory
      pathways were engaged in vitro. This was also confirmed by showing that CD2AP
      deficiency did not influence type I IFN production by pDCs in vivo. Because CD2AP
      plays a role in regulating actin dynamics, we examined the actin cytoskeleton in
      pDCs and found that activated CD2AP KO pDCs had significantly higher levels of
      actin polymerization than wild-type pDCs. Using two different inflammation
      models, we found that CD2AP KO pDCs have a defect in lymph node migration,
      correlating with the defects in actin dynamics. Our work excludes a role for
      CD2AP in the regulation of type I IFNs in pDCs, and suggests that the major
      function of CD2AP is on the actin cytoskeleton, affecting migration to local
      lymph nodes under conditions of inflammation. 

PMID- 24218451
TI  - The exonuclease Trex1 restrains macrophage proinflammatory activation.
AB  - The three-prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) is the most abundant exonuclease in
      mammalian cells. Mutations in Trex1 gene are being linked to the development of
      Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome, an inflammatory disease of the brain, and systemic
      lupus erythematosus. In clinical cases and in a Trex1-deficient murine model,
      chronic production of type I IFN plays a pathogenic role. In this study, we
      demonstrate that Trex1(-/-) mice present inflammatory signatures in many
      different organs, including the brain. Trex1 is highly induced in macrophages in
      response to proinflammatory stimuli, including TLR7 and TLR9 ligands. Our
      findings show that, in the absence of Trex1, macrophages displayed an exacerbated
      proinflammatory response. More specifically, following proinflammatory
      stimulation, Trex1(-/-) macrophages exhibited an increased TNF-alpha and IFN
      alpha production, higher levels of CD86, and increased Ag presentation to CD4(+)
      T cells, as well as an impaired apoptotic T cell clearance. These results
      evidence an unrevealed function of the Trex1 as a negative regulator of
      macrophage inflammatory activation and demonstrate that macrophages play a major
      role in diseases associated with Trex1 mutations, which contributes to the
      understanding of inflammatory signature in these diseases.

PMID- 24218452
TI  - Adenylyl cyclase 6 activation negatively regulates TLR4 signaling through lipid
      raft-mediated endocytosis.
AB  - Proper intracellular localization of TLRs is essential for their signaling and
      biological function. Endocytosis constitutes a key step in protein turnover, as
      well as maintenance of TLR localization in plasma membrane and intracellular
      compartments, and thus provides important regulating points to their signaling.
      In this study, we demonstrate that adenylyl cyclase (AC) activation attenuates
      TLR4 signaling in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and bone marrow
      derived macrophages when stimulated with LPS. We further show that the AC6
      isoform plays a key role in negative regulation of TLR4 signaling by promoting
      protein degradation. TLR4 is normally endocytosed through the clathrin-mediated
      pathway, but concomitant AC6 activation shifts it to lipid raft-mediated
      endocytosis, which accelerates degradation of TLR4 and suppresses downstream
      signaling. Our studies unveil a new mechanism of negative regulation of TLR4
      signaling through AC6-mediated endocytosis, which might provide a novel
      therapeutic approach for limiting inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 24218453
TI  - Antigen-specific induced T regulatory cells impair dendritic cell function via an
      IL-10/MARCH1-dependent mechanism.
AB  - Foxp3(+) T regulatory cells (Tregs) are critically important for the maintenance
      of immunological tolerance, immune homeostasis, and prevention of autoimmunity.
      Dendritic cells (DCs) are one of the major targets of Treg-mediated suppression.
      Some studies have suggested that Treg-mediated suppression of DC function is
      mediated by the interaction of CTLA-4 on Tregs with CD80/CD86 on the DCs
      resulting in downregulation of CD80/CD86 expression and a decrease in
      costimulation. We have re-examined the effects of Tregs on mouse DC function in a
      model in which Ag-specific, induced Tregs (iTregs) are cocultured with DCs in the
      absence of T effector cells. iTreg-treated DCs are markedly defective in their
      capacity to activate naive T cells. iTregs from CTLA-4-deficient mice failed to
      induce downregulation of CD80/CD86, but DCs treated with CTLA-4-deficient iTregs
      still exhibited impaired capacity to activate naive T cells. The iTreg-induced
      defect in DC function could be completely reversed by anti-IL-10, and IL-10
      deficient iTregs failed to downregulate DC function. iTreg-treated DCs expressed
      high levels of MARCH1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, recently found to degrade CD86 and
      MHC class II on the DCs and expressed lower levels of CD83, a molecule involved
      in neutralizing the function of MARCH1. Both the enhanced expression of MARCH1
      and the decreased expression of CD83 were mediated by IL-10 produced by the
      iTregs. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that a major suppressive
      mechanism of DC function by iTregs is secondary to the effects of IL-10 on MARCH1
      and CD83 expression. 

PMID- 24218454
TI  - Temporal requirements for B cells in the establishment of CD4 T cell memory.
AB  - CD4 T cell memory generation is shaped by a number of factors, including the
      strength and duration of TCR signaling, as well as the priming environment, all
      of which can be modified by B cells. Studies using B cell-deficient mice indicate
      B cells play a critical role in generating effector and memory CD4 T cells;
      however, when and how B cells are acting to promote these responses has not yet
      been ascertained. In this study, we use anti-CD20 Ab depletion of B cells at
      different times following Listeria monocytogenes infection to show that B cells
      are necessary for the induction of optimal CD4 T cell memory, but not for the
      transition and maintenance of this population. Importantly, the prerequisite of B
      cells early postinfection is partially dependent on their expression of MHC class
      II. B cells are not only required during the priming phase, but also necessary
      for the initiation of robust secondary responses by memory CD4 T cells.
      Interestingly, the requirement during the recall response is independent of B
      cell Ag presentation. Overall, these studies demonstrate the temporally and
      functionally distinct roles for B cells in regulating CD4 T cell responses. 

PMID- 24218455
TI  - A role for IRF8 in B cell anergy.
AB  - B cell central tolerance is a process through which self-reactive B cells are
      removed from the B cell repertoire. Self-reactive B cells are generally removed
      by receptor editing in the bone marrow and by anergy induction in the periphery.
      IRF8 is a critical transcriptional regulator of immune system development and
      function. A recent study showed that marginal zone B cell and B1 B cell
      populations are dramatically increased in IRF8-deficient mice, indicating that
      there are B cell-developmental defects in the absence of IRF8. In this article,
      we report that mice deficient for IRF8 produced anti-dsDNA Abs. Using a hen egg
      lysozyme double-transgenic model, we further demonstrate that B cell anergy was
      breached in IRF8-deficient mice. Although anergic B cells in the IRF8-proficient
      background were blocked at the transitional stage of development, anergic B cells
      in the IRF8-deficient background were able to mature further, which allowed them
      to regain responses to Ag stimulation. Interestingly, our results show that IRF8
      deficient B cells were more sensitive to Ag stimulation and were resistant to Ag
      induced cell death. Moreover, our results show that IRF8 was expressed at a high
      level in the anergic B cells, and an elevated level of IRF8 promoted apoptosis in
      the transitional B cells. Thus, our findings reveal a previously unrecognized
      function of IRF8 in B cell anergy induction. 

PMID- 24218457
TI  - Calcineurin-Rcan1 interaction contributes to stem cell factor-mediated mast cell
      activation.
AB  - The receptor for stem cell factor (SCF) is expressed on mast cells and
      hematopoietic progenitors. SCF-induced signaling pathways remain incompletely
      defined. In this study, we identified calcineurin and regulator of calcineurin 1
      (Rcan1) as novel components in SCF signaling. Calcineurin activity was induced in
      SCF-stimulated primary mouse and human mast cells. NFAT was activated by SCF in
      bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and mouse bone marrow cells, which contain
      hematopoietic progenitors. SCF-mediated activation also induced expression of
      Rcan1 in BMMCs. Rcan1-deficient BMMCs showed increased calcineurin activity and
      enhanced transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB and NFAT, resulting in increased
      IL-6 and TNF production following SCF stimulation. These results suggest that
      Rcan1 suppresses SCF-induced activation of calcineurin and NF-kappaB. We further
      demonstrated that SCF-induced Rcan1 expression is dependent on the transcription
      factor early growth response 1 (Egr1). Interestingly, SCF-induced Egr1 was also
      suppressed by Rcan1, suggesting a negative regulatory loop between Egr1 and
      Rcan1. Together, our findings revealed that calcineurin contributes to SCF
      induced signaling, leading to NFAT activation, which, together with NF-kappaB and
      Egr1, is suppressed by Rcan1. Considering the wide range of biological functions
      of SCF, these novel regulatory mechanisms in SCF signaling may have broad
      implications. 

PMID- 24218456
TI  - Malignant transformation of CD4+ T lymphocytes mediated by oncogenic kinase
      NPM/ALK recapitulates IL-2-induced cell signaling and gene expression
      reprogramming.
AB  - Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), physiologically expressed only by nervous
      system cells, displays a remarkable capacity to transform CD4(+) T lymphocytes
      and other types of nonneural cells. In this study, we report that activity of
      nucleophosmin (NPM)/ALK chimeric protein, the dominant form of ALK expressed in T
      cell lymphomas (TCLs), closely resembles cell activation induced by IL-2, the key
      cytokine supporting growth and survival of normal CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Direct
      comparison of gene expression by ALK(+) TCL cells treated with an ALK inhibitor
      and IL-2-dependent ALK(-) TCL cells stimulated with the cytokine revealed a very
      similar, albeit inverse, gene-regulation pattern. Depending on the analysis
      method, up to 67% of the affected genes were modulated in common by NPM/ALK and
      IL-2. Based on the gene expression patterns, Jak/STAT- and IL-2-signaling
      pathways topped the list of pathways identified as affected by both IL-2 and
      NPM/ALK. The expression dependence on NPM/ALK and IL-2 of the five selected genes
      CD25 (IL-2Ralpha), Egr-1, Fosl-1, SOCS3, and Irf-4-was confirmed at the protein
      level. In both ALK(+) TCL and IL-2-stimulated ALK(-) TCL cells, CD25, SOCS3, and
      Irf-4 genes were activated predominantly by the STAT5 and STAT3 transcription
      factors, whereas transcription of Egr-1 and Fosl-1 was induced by the MEK-ERK
      pathway. Finally, we found that Egr-1, a protein not associated previously with
      either IL-2 or ALK, contributes to the cell proliferation. These findings
      indicate that NPM/ALK transforms the target CD4(+) T lymphocytes, at least in
      part, by using the pre-existing, IL-2-dependent signaling pathways. 

PMID- 24218458
TI  - Sick sinus syndrome in HCN1-deficient mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sinus node dysfunction (SND) is a major clinically relevant disease
      that is associated with sudden cardiac death and requires surgical implantation
      of electric pacemaker devices. Frequently, SND occurs in heart failure and
      hypertension, conditions that lead to electric instability of the heart. Although
      the pathologies of acquired SND have been studied extensively, little is known
      about the molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause congenital SND. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: Here, we show that the HCN1 protein is highly expressed in the
      sinoatrial node and is colocalized with HCN4, the main sinoatrial pacemaker
      channel isoform. To characterize the cardiac phenotype of HCN1-deficient mice, a
      detailed functional characterization of pacemaker mechanisms in single isolated
      sinoatrial node cells, explanted beating sinoatrial node preparation, telemetric
      in vivo electrocardiography, echocardiography, and in vivo electrophysiology was
      performed. On the basis of these experiments we demonstrate that mice lacking the
      pacemaker channel HCN1 display congenital SND characterized by bradycardia, sinus
      dysrhythmia, prolonged sinoatrial node recovery time, increased sinoatrial
      conduction time, and recurrent sinus pauses. As a consequence of SND, HCN1
      deficient mice display a severely reduced cardiac output. CONCLUSIONS: We propose
      that HCN1 stabilizes the leading pacemaker region within the sinoatrial node and
      hence is crucial for stable heart rate and regular beat-to-beat variation.
      Furthermore, we suggest that HCN1-deficient mice may be a valuable genetic
      disease model for human SND.

PMID- 24218459
TI  - SUPPORTing premature infants.

PMID- 24218461
TI  - Epidemiology of bacteremia in febrile infants in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fever in infants is a common clinical dilemma. The objective of this
      study was to present data from hospital systems across the northeast, southeast,
      mid-west, and western United States to identify the pathogens causing bacteremia
      in febrile infants admitted to general care units. METHODS: This was a
      retrospective review of positive blood culture results in febrile infants aged
      <=90 days admitted to a general care unit across 6 hospital systems. Data were
      collected from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2012 from emergency
      departments and general inpatient units. Cultures from ICUs, central lines, or
      infants who had complex comorbidities were excluded, as were repeat cultures
      positive for the same bacteria. Common contaminants were considered pathogens if
      they were treated as such. RESULTS: We identified 181 cases of bacteremia in 177
      infants. The most common pathogen was Escherichia coli (42%), followed by group B
      Streptococcus (23%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was more likely in older infants (P
      = .01). Non-low-risk bacteremic infants were more likely to have E. coli or group
      B Streptococcus than low-risk bacteremic infants. We identified no cases of
      Listeria monocytogenes. Variation between sites was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: This is
      the largest and most geographically diverse study to date examining the
      epidemiology of bacteremia in infants. We suggest E. coli is the most common
      cause of bacteremia in previously healthy febrile infants admitted to a general
      inpatient unit. We identified no cases of L monocytogenes and question whether
      empirical therapy remains necessary for this pathogen.

PMID- 24218460
TI  - Serum tocopherol levels in very preterm infants after a single dose of vitamin E
      at birth.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine the impact of a single enteral dose of vitamin
      E on serum tocopherol levels. The study was undertaken to see whether a single
      dose of vitamin E soon after birth can rapidly increase the low alpha-tocopherol
      levels seen in very preterm infants. If so, this intervention could be tested as
      a means of reducing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. METHODS: Ninety-three
      infants <27 weeks' gestation and <1000 g were randomly assigned to receive a
      single dose of vitamin E or placebo by gastric tube within 4 hours of birth. The
      vitamin E group received 50 IU/kg of vitamin E as dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate
      (Aquasol E). The placebo group received sterile water. Blood samples were taken
      for measurement of serum tocopherol levels by high-performance liquid
      chromatography before dosing and 24 hours and 7 days after dosing. RESULTS:
      Eighty-eight infants received the study drug and were included in the analyses.
      The alpha-tocopherol levels were similar between the groups at baseline but
      higher in the vitamin E group at 24 hours (median 0.63 mg/dL vs. 0.42 mg/dL, P =
      .003) and 7 days (2.21 mg/dL vs 1.86 mg/dL, P = .04). There were no differences
      between groups in gamma-tocopherol levels. At 24 hours, 30% of vitamin E infants
      and 62% of placebo infants had alpha-tocopherol levels <0.5 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: A
      50-IU/kg dose of vitamin E raised serum alpha-tocopherol levels, but to
      consistently achieve alpha-tocopherol levels >0.5 mg/dL, a higher dose or several
      doses of vitamin E may be needed.

PMID- 24218462
TI  - Cough and cold medication adverse events after market withdrawal and labeling
      revision.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In October 2007, manufacturers voluntarily withdrew over-the-counter
      (OTC) infant cough and cold medications (CCMs) from the US market. A year later,
      manufacturers announced OTC CCM labeling would be revised to warn against OTC CCM
      use by children aged <4 years. We determined whether emergency department (ED)
      visits for CCM adverse drug events (ADEs) declined after these interventions.
      METHODS: We used National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-Cooperative
      Adverse Drug Event Surveillance data from 2004 to 2011 to estimate the number of
      ED visits for CCM ADEs before and after each intervention. RESULTS: Among
      children aged <2 years, ED visits for CCM ADEs decreased from 4.1% of all ADE ED
      visits before the market withdrawal to 2.4% of all ADE visits afterward
      (difference in proportion: -1.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.7% to -0.6%).
      Among children aged 2 to 3 years, ED visits for CCM ADEs decreased from 9.5% of
      all ADE ED visits before the labeling revision announcement to 6.5% of all ADE
      visits afterward (difference in proportion: -3.0%, 95% CI: -5.4% to -0.6%).
      Unsupervised ingestions accounted for 64.3% (95% CI: 51.1% to 77.5%) of CCM ADE
      ED visits involving children aged <2 years after the withdrawal and 88.8% (95%
      CI: 83.8% to 93.8%) of visits involving children aged 2 to 3 years after the
      labeling revision announcement. CONCLUSIONS: After a voluntary market withdrawal
      and labeling revision, ED visits for CCM ADEs declined among children aged <2
      years and 2 to 3 years relative to ADE ED visits for all drugs. Interventions
      addressing unsupervised ingestions are needed to reduce CCM ADEs.

PMID- 24218463
TI  - Vaccine-preventable disease among homeschooled children: two cases of tetanus in
      Oklahoma.
AB  - Homeschooled children represent an increasing proportion of school-aged children
      in the United States. Immunization rates among homeschooled children are largely
      unknown because they are usually not subject to state-based school-entry
      vaccination requirements. Geographic foci of underimmunized children can increase
      the risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2012, 2 cases of
      tetanus were reported in Oklahoma; both cases involved homeschooled children
      without documentation of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccination. We
      describe the characteristics of both patients and outline innovative outreach
      measures with the potential to increase vaccination access and coverage among
      homeschooled children. 

PMID- 24218464
TI  - Development and evaluation of global child health educational modules.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine if a standardized global child health (GCH) modular
      course for pediatric residents leads to satisfaction, learning, and behavior
      change. METHODS: Four 1-hour interactive GCH modules were developed addressing
      priority GCH topics. "Site champions" from 4 Canadian institutions delivered
      modules to pediatric residents from their respective programs during academic
      half-days. A pre-post, mixed methods evaluation incorporated satisfaction
      surveys, multiple-choice knowledge tests, and focus group discussions involving
      residents and satisfaction surveys from program directors. RESULTS: A total of
      125 trainees participated in >=1 module. Satisfaction levels were high. Focus
      group participants reported high satisfaction with the concepts taught and the
      dynamic, participatory approach used, which incorporated multimedia resources.
      Mean scores on knowledge tests increased significantly postintervention for 3 of
      the 4 modules (P < .001), and residents cited increases in their practical
      knowledge, global health awareness, and motivation to learn about global health.
      Program directors unanimously agreed that the modules were relevant, interesting,
      and could be integrated within existing formal training time. CONCLUSIONS: A
      relatively short, participatory, foundational GCH modular curriculum facilitated
      knowledge acquisition and attitude change. It could be scaled up and serve as a
      model for other standardized North American curricula.

PMID- 24218465
TI  - Resuscitation of preterm neonates with limited versus high oxygen strategy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a limited oxygen strategy (LOX) versus a high
      oxygen strategy (HOX) during delivery room resuscitation decreases oxidative
      stress in preterm neonates. METHODS: A randomized trial of neonates of 24 to 34
      weeks' gestational age (GA) who received resuscitation was performed. LOX
      neonates received room air as the initial resuscitation gas, and fraction of
      inspired oxygen (Fio2) was adjusted by 10% every 30 seconds to achieve target
      preductal oxygen saturations (Spo2) as described by the 2010 Neonatal
      Resuscitation Program guidelines. HOX neonates received 100% O2 as initial
      resuscitation gas, and Fio2 was adjusted by 10% to keep preductal Spo2 at 85% to
      94%. Total hydroperoxide (TH), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and the
      oxidative balance ratio (BAP/TH) were analyzed in cord blood and the first hour
      of life. Secondary outcomes included delivery room interventions, respiratory
      support on NICU admission, and short-term morbidities. RESULTS: Forty-four LOX
      (GA: 30 +/- 3 weeks; birth weight: 1678 +/- 634 g) and 44 HOX (GA: 30 +/- 3
      weeks; birth weight: 1463 +/- 606 g) neonates were included. LOX decreased
      integrated excess oxygen (?Fio2 * time [min]) in the delivery room compared with
      HOX (401 +/- 151 vs 662 +/- 249; P < .01). At 1 hour of life, BAP/TH was 60%
      higher for LOX versus HOX neonates (13 [9-16] vs 8 [6-9]) uM/U.CARR, P < .01).
      LOX decreased ventilator days (3 [0-64] vs 8 [0-96]; P < .05) and reduced the
      incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (7% vs 25%; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: LOX is
      feasible and results in less oxygen exposure, lower oxidative stress, and
      decreased respiratory morbidities and thus is a reasonable alternative for
      resuscitation of preterm neonates in the delivery room.

PMID- 24218466
TI  - A collaborative system to improve compartment syndrome recognition.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a rare but serious
      complication of extremity injury that can cause permanent damage or death. ACS
      development is variable and unpredictable, and delay in recognition or treatment
      of ACS can lead to significant morbidity. Our objective was to create a reliable
      system for recognition of patients at risk and monitoring for ACS that could
      withstand frequent provider turnover. METHODS: Using the Model for Improvement,
      we identified key drivers and failure modes for 2 processes: resident and nurse
      practitioner proper order entry and bedside nurse proper documentation of
      monitoring. Interventions were tested in frequent plan-do-study-act cycles.
      Effective interventions were used in combination to test for sustainability.
      RESULTS: Proper order entry increased from 23% at baseline to 90%. Proper
      documentation for patients with correct orders increased from 15% to 70%.
      Individual interventions, including pocket card distribution, electronic medical
      record order set, and direct discussion by team leaders, were associated with
      improvement among residents but were not sustained with team turnover.
      Incorporating all 4 individual interventions into the on-boarding process for
      residents produced consistent success. Nursing documentation improved with
      education and maintenance of proper order entry. CONCLUSIONS: We built a
      reliable, sustainable system to recognize and monitor patients at risk for ACS.
      Interventions designed to minimally disrupt existing workflows were individually
      associated with improvement. We achieved sustainability through staff turnover
      when we incorporated the interventions into routine orientation for new staff.
      Hospitals can use existing orders and protocols to sustain surveillance for ACS
      and other acute conditions.

PMID- 24218467
TI  - Sexual risk taking and bullying among adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychological and educational correlates of bullying have been
      explored extensively. However, little information is available about the link
      between bullying and sexual risk-taking behaviors among adolescents, though for
      some youth it may be that sexual risk taking emerges in response to bullying
      involvement. Associations for both heterosexual youth and those who identify as
      gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (GLBTQ) should be considered,
      as should the influence of victimization exposures in other domains. Accordingly,
      associations among bullying, other victimization forms, and sexual risk-taking
      behaviors were examined among adolescents with particular consideration to sexual
      orientation. METHODS: A sample of 8687 high school students completed the Dane
      County Youth Survey, a countywide survey administered high school students from
      24 schools. Participants were asked questions about their bullying involvement
      and sexual risk-taking behaviors (ie, engaging in casual sex and having sex while
      under the influence of alcohol or drugs). RESULTS: Results indicated that bullies
      and bully-victims were more likely to engage in casual sex and sex under the
      influence. In multivariate analyses, these findings held even after controlling
      for demographic characteristics and victimization exposures in other domains, but
      primarily for heterosexual youth. CONCLUSIONS: Bullies and bully-victims engaged
      in more sexual risk-taking behaviors, although patterns of association varied by
      sexual orientation. Bullying prevention programs and programs aimed at reducing
      unhealthy sexual practices should consider a broader stress and coping
      perspective and address the possible link between the stress of bullying
      involvement and maladaptive coping responses.

PMID- 24218468
TI  - Neonatal death suspected to be from sepsis was found to be kernicterus with G6PD
      deficiency.
AB  - We cared for a term male infant born to Burmese immigrants. At about 24 hours a
      total serum bilirubin (TSB) was 9.3 mg/dL, and phototherapy was begun. It was
      stopped 48 hours later, with a TSB of 10.9 mg/dL, and he was discharged from the
      hospital with an appointment for a repeat TSB check 48 hours later. A few hours
      before the appointment he became listless and apneic, and his parents took him to
      the emergency department of the regional children's hospital, where sepsis was
      suspected. The TSB was 41 mg/dL. He died 4 hours later, despite intensive care
      efforts, with opisthotonus and refractory hypotension. Blood drawn before the
      exchange transfusion had low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzymatic
      activity, and sequencing of the G6PD gene revealed the G6PD Mahidol mutation
      (c.487G>A). Cultures and postmortem examination did not demonstrate an infectious
      process, but kernicterus was present. Acute kernicterus can mimic septic shock. 

PMID- 24218470
TI  - QTc interval prolongation and severe apneas associated with a change in infant
      positioning.
AB  - For more than a decade there has been considerable interest in the role of QT
      interval prolongation in the pathogenesis of sudden infant death syndrome. It has
      been proposed that the QT interval is a surrogate marker for autonomic
      instability and can be used to identify infants at risk for significant morbidity
      and mortality, including sudden infant death syndrome. We present the case of an
      infant that experienced a significant increase in his QTc, as detected by
      continuous QTc monitoring in the NICU after repositioning from a supine to prone
      position. This increase from a 413 +/- 6 millisecond baseline average to 500
      milliseconds was sustained for 2 hours and associated with clinically relevant
      apnea that ultimately required repositioning of the infant back to the supine
      position. Repositioning resulted in an immediate decrease of the QTc back to the
      previous baseline and termination of the apneic events. This case demonstrates an
      example of how the use of continuous QTc monitoring in the NICU setting may be
      used to detect QTc-accentuating factors in real time and identify situations that
      cause perturbations in an infant's autonomic nervous system. 

PMID- 24218469
TI  - Longitudinal validation of a tool for asthma self-monitoring.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To establish longitudinal validation of a new tool, the Asthma
      Symptom Tracker (AST). AST combines weekly use of the Asthma Control Test with a
      color-coded graph for visual trending. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of
      children age 2 to 18 years admitted for asthma. Parents or children (n = 210)
      completed baseline AST assessments during hospitalization, then over 6 months
      after discharge. Concurrent with the first 5 AST assessments, the Asthma Control
      Questionnaire (ACQ) was administered for comparison. RESULTS: Test-retest
      reliability (intraclass correlation) was moderate, with a small longitudinal
      variation of AST measurements within subjects during follow-ups. Internal
      consistency was strong at baseline (Cronbach's alpha 0.70) and during follow-ups
      (Cronbach's alpha 0.82-0.90). Criterion validity demonstrated a significant
      correlation between AST and ACQ scores at baseline (r = -0.80, P < .01) and
      during follow-ups (r = -0.64, -0.72, -0.63, and -0.69). The AST was responsive to
      change over time; an increased ACQ score by 1 point was associated with a
      decreased AST score by 2.65 points (P < .01) at baseline and 3.11 points (P <
      .01) during follow-ups. Discriminant validity demonstrated a strong association
      between decreased AST scores and increased oral corticosteroid use (odds ratio
      1.13, 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.16, P < .01) and increased unscheduled
      acute asthma visits (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.28, P <
      .01). CONCLUSIONS: The AST is reliable, valid, and responsive to change over
      time, and can facilitate ongoing monitoring of asthma control and proactive
      medical decision-making in children.

PMID- 24218472
TI  - Overweight adolescents and life events in childhood.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To test the association of life events in childhood with overweight
      risk in adolescence; to examine the effects of chronicity, timing, intensity,
      valence, and type of life events; and to test potential moderators. METHODS:
      Mothers of children enrolled in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of
      Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth
      Development responded to the Life Experiences Survey at ages 4, 9, and 11 years.
      Using logistic regression analysis, we tested the association of experiencing
      many negative life events with being overweight at age 15 years, controlling for
      child gender, race/ethnicity, maternal education, and maternal obesity. Child
      gender, maternal education, maternal obesity, child's ability to delay
      gratification for food, and maternal sensitivity were tested as moderators.
      RESULTS: Among the 848 study children (82% non-Hispanic white), experiencing many
      negative life events was associated with a higher risk of overweight (odds ratio:
      1.47 [95% confidence interval: 1.04-2.10]). Greater chronicity and negative
      valence of the event were associated with greater overweight risk; timing of
      exposure and maternal reported impact of the event were not. The association was
      more robust for events related to family physical or mental health and among
      children of obese mothers and children who waited longer for food. CONCLUSIONS:
      Children who experience many negative life events are at higher risk of being
      overweight by age 15 years. Future work should investigate mechanisms involved in
      this association, particularly those connected to appetitive drive and self
      regulation; these mechanisms may hold promise for obesity prevention strategies.

PMID- 24218471
TI  - Potential asphyxia and brainstem abnormalities in sudden and unexpected death in
      infants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Sudden and unexplained death is a leading cause of infant mortality.
      Certain characteristics of the sleep environment increase the risk for sleep
      related sudden and unexplained infant death. These characteristics have the
      potential to generate asphyxial conditions. We tested the hypothesis that infants
      may be exposed to differing degrees of asphyxia in sleep environments, such that
      vulnerable infants with a severe underlying brainstem deficiency in serotonergic,
      gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic, or 14-3-3 transduction proteins succumb even
      without asphyxial triggers (e.g., supine), whereas infants with intermediate or
      borderline brainstem deficiencies require asphyxial stressors to precipitate
      death. METHODS: We classified cases of sudden infant death into categories
      relative to a "potential asphyxia" schema in a cohort autopsied at the San Diego
      County Medical Examiner's Office. Controls were infants who died with known
      causes of death established at autopsy. Analysis of covariance tested for
      differences between groups. RESULTS: Medullary neurochemical abnormalities were
      present in both infants dying suddenly in circumstances consistent with asphyxia
      and infants dying suddenly without obvious asphyxia-generating circumstances.
      There were no differences in the mean neurochemical measures between these 2
      groups, although mean measures were both significantly lower (P < .05) than those
      of controls dying of known causes. CONCLUSIONS: We found no direct relationship
      between the presence of potentially asphyxia conditions in the sleep environment
      and brainstem abnormalities in infants dying suddenly and unexpectedly. Brainstem
      abnormalities were associated with both asphyxia-generating and non-asphyxia
      generating conditions. Heeding safe sleep messages is essential for all infants,
      especially given our current inability to detect underlying vulnerabilities.

PMID- 24218473
TI  - Age at menarche and age at first sexual intercourse: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Younger age at menarche (AAM) may put girls at risk for earlier first
      sexual intercourse (FSI). Young age at FSI has far-reaching negative outcomes. We
      describe the longitudinal relationship between AAM and FSI in a large prospective
      birth cohort. METHODS: AAM was collected from 554 girls from the Western
      Australia (Raine) Pregnancy Cohort Study, prospectively from age 10 or
      retrospectively at age 14. Age at FSI was collected at ages 17 and 20. Cox
      regression models describe likelihood of FSI by age and years since menarche for
      younger (<12 years) and older (>=14 years) AAM relative to average AAM (12-13
      years). RESULTS: Girls with younger AAM and average AAM were equally likely to
      have FSI by age 16 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.90 [95% confidence interval
      (CI): 0.60-1.35]). FSI by age 16 was less likely among girls with older AAM than
      those with average AAM (aHR: 0.35 [95% CI: 0.17-0.72]). Girls with younger AAM
      had a longer median interval between menarche and FSI than girls with average AAM
      (5.0 years [interquartile range: 4.4-8.5 years] vs 3.7 years [interquartile
      range: 2.4-5.3 years]). Those with younger AAM were less likely to report FSI
      within 4 years of menarche than those with average AAM (0-2 years aHR: 0.04 [95%
      CI: 0.01-0.31]; 2-4 years aHR: 0.36 [95% CI: 0.23-0.55]). By age 20, 429 girls
      (77.4%) reported FSI. CONCLUSIONS: Younger AAM was not a risk factor for younger
      age at FSI in this cohort.

PMID- 24218474
TI  - Catheter dwell time and CLABSIs in neonates with PICCs: a multicenter cohort
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the daily risk of central line-associated
      bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) increases over the dwell time of peripherally
      inserted central catheters (PICCs) in high-risk neonates. METHODS: Multicenter
      retrospective cohort including NICU patients with a PICC inserted between January
      2005 and June 2010. We calculated incidence rates and used Poisson regression
      models to assess the risk of developing CLABSI as a function of PICC dwell time.
      RESULTS: A total of 4797 PICCs placed in 3967 neonates were included; 149 CLABSIs
      occurred over 89,946 catheter-days (incidence rate 1.66 per 1000 catheter-days).
      In unadjusted analysis, PICCs with a dwell time of 8 to 13 days, 14 to 22 days,
      and >=23 days each had an increased risk of infection compared with PICCs in
      place for <=7 days (P < .05). In adjusted analysis, the average predicted daily
      risk of CLABSIs after PICC insertion increased during the first 2 weeks after
      PICC insertion and remained elevated for the dwell time of the catheter. There
      was an increased risk of CLABSIs in neonates with concurrent PICCs (adjusted
      incidence rate ratio 2.04, 1.12-3.71). The incidence of Gram-negative CLABSIs was
      greater in PICCs with dwell times >50 days (incidence rate ratio 5.26, 2.40
      10.66). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of CLABSIs increased during the 2 weeks after PICC
      insertion and then remained elevated until PICC removal. Clinicians should review
      PICC necessity daily, optimize catheter maintenance practices, and investigate
      novel CLABSI prevention strategies in PICCs with prolonged dwell times.

PMID- 24218475
TI  - Gun violence trends in movies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many scientific studies have shown that the mere presence of guns can
      increase aggression, an effect dubbed the "weapons effect." The current research
      examines a potential source of the weapons effect: guns depicted in top-selling
      films. METHODS: Trained coders identified the presence of violence in each 5
      minute film segment for one-half of the top 30 films since 1950 and the presence
      of guns in violent segments since 1985, the first full year the PG-13 rating (age
      13+) was used. PG-13-rated films are among the top-selling films and are
      especially attractive to youth. RESULTS: Results found that violence in films has
      more than doubled since 1950, and gun violence in PG-13-rated films has more than
      tripled since 1985. When the PG-13 rating was introduced, these films contained
      about as much gun violence as G (general audiences) and PG (parental guidance
      suggested for young children) films. Since 2009, PG-13-rated films have contained
      as much or more violence as R-rated films (age 17+) films. CONCLUSIONS: Even if
      youth do not use guns, these findings suggest that they are exposed to increasing
      gun violence in top-selling films. By including guns in violent scenes, film
      producers may be strengthening the weapons effect and providing youth with
      scripts for using guns. These findings are concerning because many scientific
      studies have shown that violent films can increase aggression. Violent films are
      also now easily accessible to youth (e.g., on the Internet and cable). This
      research suggests that the presence of weapons in films might amplify the effects
      of violent films on aggression.

PMID- 24218477
TI  - Internalization and trafficking of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in human
      respiratory epithelial cells and roles of IgA1 proteases for optimal invasion and
      persistence.
AB  - Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is a leading cause of opportunistic
      infections of the respiratory tract in children and adults. Although considered
      an extracellular pathogen, NTHI has been observed repeatedly within and between
      cells of the human respiratory tract, and these observations have been correlated
      to symptomatic infection. These findings are intriguing in light of the knowledge
      that NTHI persists in the respiratory tract despite antibiotic therapy and the
      development of bactericidal antibodies. We hypothesized that intracellular NTHI
      avoids, escapes, or neutralizes the endolysosomal pathway and persists within
      human respiratory epithelial cells and that human IgA1 proteases are required for
      optimal internalization and persistence of NTHI. Virtually all strains encode a
      human IgA1 protease gene, igaA, and we previously characterized a novel human
      IgA1 protease gene, igaB, that is associated with disease-causing strains and is
      homologous to the IgA1 protease that is unique to pathogenic Neisseria spp. Here,
      we show that NTHI invades human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro in a lipid
      raft-independent manner, is subsequently trafficked via the endolysosomal
      pathway, and is killed in lysosomes after variable durations of persistence. IgaA
      is required for optimal invasion. IgaB appears to play little or no role in
      adherence or invasion but is required for optimal intracellular persistence of
      NTHI. IgaB cleaves lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) at pHs
      characteristic of the plasma membrane, early endosome, late endosome, and
      lysosome. However, neither IgA1 protease inhibits acidification of intracellular
      vesicles containing NTHI. NTHI IgA1 proteases play important but different roles
      in NTHI invasion and trafficking in respiratory epithelial cells. 

PMID- 24218478
TI  - Cyclic Di-GMP receptor PlzA controls virulence gene expression through RpoS in
      Borrelia burgdorferi.
AB  - As an obligate pathogen, the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi has a
      streamlined genome that encodes only two two-component signal transduction
      systems, Hk1-Rrp1 and Hk2-Rrp2 (in addition to CheA-CheY systems). The output of
      Hk1-Rrp1 is the production of the second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP),
      which is indispensable for B. burgdorferi to survive in the tick vector. The
      output of Hk2-Rrp2 is the transcriptional activation of the global regulator
      RpoS, which is essential for the pathogen to accomplish its tick-mouse
      transmission and to establish mammalian infection. Although evidence indicates
      that these two systems communicate with each other, how they are connected is not
      fully understood. In this study, we showed that the c-di-GMP-binding protein
      PlzA, a downstream effector of Rrp1, positively modulates the production of RpoS,
      a global regulator and downstream target of Rrp2. Thus, PlzA functions as a
      connector that links Hk1-Rrp1 with Hk2-Rrp2. We further showed that PlzA
      regulates rpoS expression through modulation of another regulator, BosR, at both
      the transcriptional and the posttranscriptional levels. In addition, PlzA was
      also capable of regulating rpoS expression independently of Rrp1, suggesting that
      besides being a c-di-GMP-binding protein, PlzA has other functions. Along with
      the previous finding of PlzA controlling motility, these studies demonstrate that
      PlzA is a multifunctional protein. These findings further reinforce the notion
      that B. burgdorferi utilizes its limited signaling systems and regulators to
      govern multiple cellular processes during its complex enzootic cycle between
      ticks and mammals. 

PMID- 24218480
TI  - Efficient B cell responses to Borrelia hermsii infection depend on BAFF and BAFFR
      but not TACI.
AB  - T cell-independent antibody responses develop rapidly, within 3 to 4 days, and
      are critical for preventing blood-borne pathogens from evolving into life
      threatening infections. The interaction of BAFF, also known as BLyS, with its
      receptors BAFFR and TACI on B cells is critical for B cell homeostasis and
      function. Using a synthetic polysaccharide antigen, it has previously been shown
      that TACI is critical for T cell-independent antibody responses. To examine the
      role of BAFFR and TACI in T cell-independent antibody responses to an active
      infection, we utilized the Borrelia hermsii infection system. In this infection
      system, T cell-independent responses mediated by the B1b cell subset are critical
      for controlling bacteremia. We found that B1b cells express BAFFR and TACI and
      that the surface expression of both receptors is upregulated on B1b cells
      following exposure to whole B. hermsii cells. Surprisingly, we found that TACI(-/
      ) mice are not impaired either in specific antibody responses to B. hermsii or in
      controlling B. hermsii bacteremia. In contrast, TACI-deficient mice immunized
      with heat-killed type 3 serotype pneumococcus cells are impaired in generating
      pneumococcal polysaccharide-specific responses and succumb to challenge with live
      type 3 serotype pneumococcus, indicating that TACI is required for T cell
      independent antibody responses to bacterial-associated polysaccharides. Although
      we have found that TACI is dispensable for controlling B. hermsii infection, mice
      deficient in BAFFR or BAFF exhibit impairment in B. hermsii-specific IgM
      responses and clearance of bacteremia. Collectively, these data indicate a
      disparity in the roles for TACI and BAFFR in primary T cell-independent antibody
      responses to bacterial pathogens. 

PMID- 24218483
TI  - NLRP1 is an inflammasome sensor for Toxoplasma gondii.
AB  - The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is able to infect nearly
      all nucleated cell types of warm-blooded animals. This is achieved through the
      injection of hundreds of parasite effectors into the host cell cytosol, allowing
      the parasite to establish a vacuolar niche for growth, replication, and
      persistence. Here we show that Toxoplasma infection actives an inflammasome
      response in mice and rats, an innate immune sensing system designed to survey the
      host cytosol for foreign components leading to inflammation and cell death. Oral
      infection with Toxoplasma triggers an inflammasome response that is protective to
      the host, limiting parasite load and dissemination. Toxoplasma infection is
      sufficient to generate an inflammasome response in germfree animals. Interleukin
      1beta (IL-1beta) secretion by macrophage requires the effector caspases 1 and 11,
      the adapter ASC, and NLRP1, the sensor previously described to initiate the
      inflammasome response to Bacillus anthracis lethal factor. The allele of NLRP1b
      derived from 129 mice is sufficient to enhance the B6 bone marrow-derived
      macrophage (BMDM) inflammasome response to Toxoplasma independent of the lethal
      factor proteolysis site. Moreover, N-terminal processing of NLRP1b, the only
      mechanism of activation known to date, is not observed in response to Toxoplasma
      infection. Cumulatively, these data indicate that NLRP1 is an innate immune
      sensor for Toxoplasma infection, activated via a novel mechanism that corresponds
      to a host-protective innate immune response to the parasite. 

PMID- 24218485
TI  - Alternative data sources for estimating multiple sclerosis prevalence.

PMID- 24218484
TI  - Sequential processing of merozoite surface proteins during and after erythrocyte
      invasion by Plasmodium falciparum.
AB  - Plasmodium falciparum causes malaria disease during the asexual blood stages of
      infection when merozoites invade erythrocytes and replicate. Merozoite surface
      proteins (MSPs) are proposed to play a role in the initial binding of merozoites
      to erythrocytes, but precise roles remain undefined. Based on electron microscopy
      studies of invading Plasmodium merozoites, it is proposed that the majority of
      MSPs are cleaved and shed from the surface during invasion, perhaps to release
      receptor-ligand interactions. In this study, we demonstrate that there is not
      universal cleavage of MSPs during invasion. Instead, there is sequential and
      coordinated cleavage and shedding of proteins, indicating a diversity of roles
      for surface proteins during and after invasion. While MSP1 and peripheral surface
      proteins such as MSP3, MSP7, serine repeat antigen 4 (SERA4), and SERA5 are
      cleaved and shed at the tight junction between the invading merozoite and
      erythrocyte, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins MSP2 and
      MSP4 are carried into the erythrocyte without detectable processing. Following
      invasion, MSP2 rapidly degrades within 10 min, whereas MSP4 is maintained for
      hours. This suggests that while some proteins that are shed upon invasion may
      have roles in initial contact steps, others function during invasion and are then
      rapidly degraded, whereas others are internalized for roles during
      intraerythrocytic development. Interestingly, anti-MSP2 antibodies did not
      inhibit invasion and instead were carried into erythrocytes and maintained for
      approximately 20 h without inhibiting parasite development. These findings
      provide new insights into the mechanisms of invasion and knowledge to advance the
      development of new drugs and vaccines against malaria. 

PMID- 24218486
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus is a necessary causative agent in the pathogenesis of multiple
      sclerosis: yes.

PMID- 24218487
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus is a necessary causative agent in the pathogenesis of multiple
      sclerosis: no.

PMID- 24218488
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus is a necessary causative agent in the pathogenesis of multiple
      sclerosis: commentary.

PMID- 24218489
TI  - Response to letter from Dr KL Munger, 'childhood obesity is a risk factor for
      multiple sclerosis'.

PMID- 24218490
TI  - Unequal redundancy in maize knotted1 homeobox genes.
AB  - The knotted1 (kn1) homeobox (knox) gene family was first identified through gain
      of-function dominant mutants in maize (Zea mays). Class I knox members are
      expressed in meristems but excluded from leaves. In maize, a loss-of-function
      phenotype has only been characterized for kn1. To assess the function of another
      knox member, we characterized a loss-of-function mutation of rough sheath1 (rs1).
      rs1-mum1 has no phenotype alone but exacerbates several aspects of the kn1
      phenotype. In permissive backgrounds in which kn1 mutants grow to maturity, loss
      of a single copy of rs1 enhances the tassel branch reduction phenotype, while
      loss of both copies results in limited shoots. In less introgressed lines, double
      mutants can grow to maturity but are shorter. Using a KNOX antibody, we
      demonstrate that RS1 binds in vivo to some of the KN1 target genes, which could
      partially explain why KN1 binds many genes but modulates few. Our results
      demonstrate an unequal redundancy between knox genes, with a role for rs1 only
      revealed in the complete absence of kn1. 

PMID- 24218491
TI  - Genome-wide association mapping combined with reverse genetics identifies new
      effectors of low water potential-induced proline accumulation in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) exhibits natural genetic variation in drought
      response, including varying levels of proline (Pro) accumulation under low water
      potential. As Pro accumulation is potentially important for stress tolerance and
      cellular redox control, we conducted a genome-wide association (GWAS) study of
      low water potential-induced Pro accumulation using a panel of natural accessions
      and publicly available single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data sets. Candidate
      genomic regions were prioritized for subsequent study using metrics considering
      both the strength and spatial clustering of the association signal. These
      analyses found many candidate regions likely containing gene(s) influencing Pro
      accumulation. Reverse genetic analysis of several candidates identified new Pro
      effector genes, including thioredoxins and several genes encoding Universal
      Stress Protein A domain proteins. These new Pro effector genes further link Pro
      accumulation to cellular redox and energy status. Additional new Pro effector
      genes found include the mitochondrial protease LON1, ribosomal protein RPL24A,
      protein phosphatase 2A subunit A3, a MADS box protein, and a nucleoside
      triphosphate hydrolase. Several of these new Pro effector genes were from regions
      with multiple SNPs, each having moderate association with Pro accumulation. This
      pattern supports the use of summary approaches that incorporate clusters of SNP
      associations in addition to consideration of individual SNP probability values.
      Further GWAS-guided reverse genetics promises to find additional effectors of Pro
      accumulation. The combination of GWAS and reverse genetics to efficiently
      identify new effector genes may be especially applicable for traits difficult to
      analyze by other genetic screening methods. 

PMID- 24218492
TI  - Regulation of compound leaf development by PHANTASTICA in Medicago truncatula.
AB  - Plant leaves, simple or compound, initiate as peg-like structures from the
      peripheral zone of the shoot apical meristem, which requires class I KNOTTED-LIKE
      HOMEOBOXI (KNOXI) transcription factors to maintain its activity. The MYB domain
      protein encoded by the ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1/ROUGH SHEATH2/PHANTASTICA (ARP) gene,
      together with other factors, excludes KNOXI gene expression from incipient leaf
      primordia to initiate leaves and specify leaf adaxial identity. However, the
      regulatory relationship between ARP and KNOXI is more complex in compound-leafed
      species. Here, we investigated the role of ARP and KNOXI genes in compound leaf
      development in Medicago truncatula. We show that the M. truncatula phantastica
      mutant exhibited severe compound leaf defects, including curling and deep
      serration of leaf margins, shortened petioles, increased rachises, petioles
      acquiring motor organ characteristics, and ectopic development of petiolules. On
      the other hand, the M. truncatula brevipedicellus mutant did not exhibit visible
      compound leaf defects. Our analyses show that the altered petiole development
      requires ectopic expression of ELONGATED PETIOLULE1, which encodes a lateral
      organ boundary domain protein, and that the distal margin serration requires the
      auxin efflux protein M. truncatula PIN-FORMED10 in the M. truncatula phantastica
      mutant. 

PMID- 24218493
TI  - Recovering root system traits using image analysis exemplified by two-dimensional
      neutron radiography images of lupine.
AB  - Root system traits are important in view of current challenges such as
      sustainable crop production with reduced fertilizer input or in resource-limited
      environments. We present a novel approach for recovering root architectural
      parameters based on image-analysis techniques. It is based on a graph
      representation of the segmented and skeletonized image of the root system, where
      individual roots are tracked in a fully automated way. Using a dynamic root
      architecture model for deciding whether a specific path in the graph is likely to
      represent a root helps to distinguish root overlaps from branches and favors the
      analysis of root development over a sequence of images. After the root tracking
      step, global traits such as topological characteristics as well as root
      architectural parameters are computed. Analysis of neutron radiographic root
      system images of lupine (Lupinus albus) grown in mesocosms filled with sandy soil
      results in a set of root architectural parameters. They are used to simulate the
      dynamic development of the root system and to compute the corresponding root
      length densities in the mesocosm. The graph representation of the root system
      provides global information about connectivity inside the graph. The underlying
      root growth model helps to determine which path inside the graph is most likely
      for a given root. This facilitates the systematic investigation of root
      architectural traits, in particular with respect to the parameterization of
      dynamic root architecture models. 

PMID- 24218494
TI  - Is cryoanalgesia effective for post-thoracotomy pain?
AB  - A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The
      question addressed was whether cryoanalgesia improves post-thoracotomy pain and
      recovery. Twelve articles were identified that provided the best evidence to
      answer the question. The authors, date, journal, study type, population, main
      outcome measures and results are tabulated. Reported measures were pain scores,
      additional opiate requirements, incidence of hypoesthesia and change in lung
      function. Half of the articles reviewed failed to demonstrate superiority of
      cryoanalgesia over other pain relief methods; however, additional opiate
      requirements were reduced in patients receiving cryoanalgesia. Change in lung
      function postoperatively was equivocal. Cryoanalgesia potentiated the incidence
      of postoperative neuropathic pain. Further analysis of the source of
      cryoanalgesia, duration, temperature obtained and extent of blockade revealed
      numerous discrepancies. Three studies utilized CO2 as the source of cryoanalgesia
      and four used nitrous oxide, but at differing temperatures and duration. Five
      studies did not reveal the source of cyroanalgesia. The number of intercostal
      nerves anaesthetized in each study varied. Seven articles anaesthetized three
      intercostal nerves, three articles used five intercostal nerves, one article used
      four intercostal nerves and one used one intercostal nerve at the thoracotomy
      site. Thoracotomy closure and site of area of chest drain insertion may have a
      role in postoperative pain; but only one article explained method of closure, and
      two articles mentioned placement of chest drain through blocked dermatomes. No
      causal inferences can be made by the above results as they are not directly
      comparable due to confounding variables between studies. Currently, the evidence
      does not support the use of cryoanalgesia alone as an effective method for
      relieving post-thoracotomy pain. 

PMID- 24218495
TI  - Efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in detecting graft rupture sites
      after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
AB  - Non-anastomotic graft rupture is a rare but critical complication after abdominal
      aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Therefore, identifying the rupture sites is
      important to perform endovascular stent grafting. A 78-year old man who had
      undergone Y-grafting for infrarenal AAA before 17 years was referred to our
      hospital with the complaints of abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed
      acute pancreatitis and an enlargement around the grafted abdominal aorta.
      Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography revealed an extravazation from the graft body
      1.5 cm distal to the proximal anastomosis, and endovascular stent grafting was
      successfully performed. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography might be useful in
      detecting the graft rupture. 

PMID- 24218496
TI  - Elastofibroma dorsi management and outcomes: review of 16 cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Elastofibroma dorsi (ED) is a rare, benign lesion arising from
      connective tissue, usually found at the inferior pole of the scapula. To date,
      only a few small series have been reported in the English literature and there
      are few data about the long-term outcomes after surgery. Our goal is to
      contribute a better understanding of this tumour and to determine the long-term
      outcomes after surgery. METHODS: Sixteen patients with a diagnosis of ED were
      identified from the unit's database. The clinical presentation, diagnosis,
      pathological evidences and long-term outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: There were
      11 females and 5 males with a mean age of 61.1 years (range 38-78 years). The
      tumour was located on the right in 5 (31.2%) patients, on the left in 6 (37.5%)
      patients and bilaterally in 5 (31.2%). Six patients had painful scapular swelling
      resulting in restriction of movement of the shoulder whereas 10 reported only
      painful scapular mass. All 16 patients underwent complete resections. The tumour
      size ranged from 3 to 15 cm. The mean hospital stay was 3.1 +/- 1.4 days with a
      morbidity of 18.75% (seroma observed in 3 patients). The mean follow-up was 58.4
      +/- 29.5 months (range 11-92 months). In 2 patients (12.5%) a new occurrence on
      the contralateral side was observed at the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Elastofibroma
      dorsi is a rare, ill-defined, pseudotumoural lesion of the soft tissues. Surgical
      treatment can be proposed if the lesion is symptomatic. Furthermore, at the
      follow-up, the possibility of new occurrences on the contralateral side should be
      kept in mind.

PMID- 24218497
TI  - Right massive haemothorax as the presentation of blunt cardiac rupture: the
      pitfall of coexisting pericardial laceration.
AB  - A 74-year old female was transferred to our institution because of blunt chest
      trauma. Chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) revealed right haemothorax and
      little pericardial effusion. She was taken to the operating theatre for emergent
      operation because of hypotension and massive bleeding from the right-sided chest
      tube. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started during surgical exploration.
      There were three 1-cm lacerations actively bleeding from the right atrium and
      inferior vena cava junction, which were repaired successfully. Furthermore, we
      identified a 10 cm laceration in the right-side pleuropericardium and a
      communication existing between the pericardial space and the right pleural space.

PMID- 24218498
TI  - Effects of selective and nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on
      antibiotic efficacy of experimental group A streptococcal myonecrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND:  Epidemiologic evidence suggests that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
      drugs (NSAIDs) contribute to more severe group A streptococcal (GAS) infections,
      yet a beneficial role for NSAIDs has been demonstrated in other experimental
      bacterial infections. METHODS:  Nonselective (ketorolac tromethamine, ibuprofen,
      indomethacin), COX-1-selective (SC-560), or COX-2-selective (SC-236) NSAIDs +/-
      antibiotics (penicillin, clindamycin) were given to mice challenged
      intramuscularly with M-type 3 GAS and disease course was followed for 14 days.
      RESULTS. All nonselective NSAIDs significantly accelerated mortality and reduced
      antibiotic efficacy; COX-selective NSAIDs had no significant effects.
      CONCLUSIONS:  Use of nonselective NSAIDs, either alone or as adjuncts to
      antibiotic therapy, for GAS soft tissue infection may contribute to worse
      outcomes.

PMID- 24218499
TI  - Serum procalcitonin level, viral polymerase chain reaction analysis, and lower
      respiratory tract infection.

PMID- 24218500
TI  - Whole-genome sequencing demonstrates that fidaxomicin is superior to vancomycin
      for preventing reinfection and relapse of infection with Clostridium difficile.
AB  - Whole-genome sequencing was used to determine whether the reductions in
      recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection observed with fidaxomicin in
      pivotal phase 3 trials occurred by preventing relapse of the same infection, by
      preventing reinfection with a new strain, or by preventing both outcomes. Paired
      isolates of C. difficile were available from 93 of 199 participants with
      recurrences (28 were treated with fidaxomicin, and 65 were treated with
      vancomycin). Given C. difficile evolutionary rates, paired samples <=2 single
      nucleotide variants (SNVs) apart were considered relapses, paired samples >10
      SNVs apart were considered reinfection, and those 3-10 SNVs apart (or without
      whole-genome sequences) were considered indeterminate in a competing risks
      survival analysis. Fidaxomicin reduced the risk of both relapse (competing risks
      hazard ratio [HR], 0.40 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .25-.66]; P = .0003) and
      reinfection (competing risks HR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.11-1.01]; P = .05). 

PMID- 24218501
TI  - Trends in early initiation of antiretroviral therapy and characteristics of
      persons with HIV initiating therapy in San Francisco, 2007-2011.
AB  - In 2010, the San Francisco Department of Public Health offered antiretroviral
      therapy (ART) to all its patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      regardless of CD4 count. We assessed trends in time from diagnosis to ART
      initiation and factors associated with ART initiation among San Francisco
      residents living with HIV between 2007 and 2011. Time to ART initiation decreased
      among those diagnosed with higher CD4 count. ART initiation rate was
      significantly higher in recent years and lower among African Americans, men who
      have sex with men who also inject drugs, and persons aged >=50 years. We found a
      trend toward early treatment. However, racial and social disparities persist. 

PMID- 24218476
TI  - International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. [corrected]. LXXXIX.
      Update on the extended family of chemokine receptors and introducing a new
      nomenclature for atypical chemokine receptors.
AB  - Sixteen years ago, the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of
      Pharmacology approved a system for naming human seven-transmembrane (7TM) G
      protein-coupled chemokine receptors, the large family of leukocyte
      chemoattractant receptors that regulates immune system development and function,
      in large part by mediating leukocyte trafficking. This was announced in
      Pharmacological Reviews in a major overview of the first decade of research in
      this field [Murphy PM, Baggiolini M, Charo IF, Hebert CA, Horuk R, Matsushima K,
      Miller LH, Oppenheim JJ, and Power CA (2000) Pharmacol Rev 52:145-176]. Since
      then, several new receptors have been discovered, and major advances have been
      made for the others in many areas, including structural biology, signal
      transduction mechanisms, biology, and pharmacology. New and diverse roles have
      been identified in infection, immunity, inflammation, development, cancer, and
      other areas. The first two drugs acting at chemokine receptors have been approved
      by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), maraviroc targeting CCR5 in human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS, and plerixafor targeting CXCR4 for stem cell
      mobilization for transplantation in cancer, and other candidates are now
      undergoing pivotal clinical trials for diverse disease indications. In addition,
      a subfamily of atypical chemokine receptors has emerged that may signal through
      arrestins instead of G proteins to act as chemokine scavengers, and many
      microbial and invertebrate G protein-coupled chemokine receptors and soluble
      chemokine-binding proteins have been described. Here, we review this extended
      family of chemokine receptors and chemokine-binding proteins at the basic,
      translational, and clinical levels, including an update on drug development. We
      also introduce a new nomenclature for atypical chemokine receptors with the stem
      ACKR (atypical chemokine receptor) approved by the Nomenclature Committee of the
      International Union of Pharmacology and the Human Genome Nomenclature Committee. 

PMID- 24218502
TI  - Latency-associated protein Acr1 impairs dendritic cell maturation and
      functionality: a possible mechanism of immune evasion by Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) in latently infected individuals
      survives and thwarts the attempts of eradication by the immune system. During
      latency, Acr1 is predominantly expressed by the bacterium. However, whether M.
      tuberculosis exploits its Acr1 in impairing the host immunity remains widely
      unexplored. Hence, currently we have investigated the role of Acr1 in influencing
      the differentiation and function of dendritic cells (DCs), which play a cardinal
      role in innate and adaptive immunity. Therefore, for the first time, we have
      revealed a novel mechanism of mycobacterial Acr1 in inhibiting the maturation and
      differentiation of DCs by inducing tolerogenic phenotype by modulating the
      expression of PD-L1; Tim-3; indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO); and interleukin
      10. Furthermore, Acr1 interferes in the differentiation of DCs by targeting STAT
      6 and STAT-3 pathways. Continuous activation of STAT-3 inhibited the
      translocation of NF-kappaB in Acr1-treated DCs. Furthermore, Acr1 also augmented
      the induction of regulatory T cells. These DCs displayed decline in their antigen
      uptake capacity and reduced ability to help T cells. Interestingly, M.
      tuberculosis exhibited better survival in Acr1-treated DCs. Thus, this study
      provides a crucial insight into a strategy adopted by M. tuberculosis to survive
      in the host by impairing the function of DCs. 

PMID- 24218503
TI  - Reply to Musher et al.

PMID- 24218504
TI  - Investigation of anti-middle East respiratory syndrome antibodies in blood donors
      and slaughterhouse workers in Jeddah and Makkah, Saudi Arabia, fall 2012.
AB  - Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel, potentially
      zoonotic human coronavirus (HCoV). We investigated MERS-CoV antibodies using a
      staged approach involving an immunofluorescence assay (IFA), a differential
      recombinant IFA, and a plaque-reduction serum neutralization assay. In 130 blood
      donors sampled during 2012 in Jeddah and 226 slaughterhouse workers sampled in
      October 2012 in Jeddah and Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 8 reactive sera were seen in IFA
      but were resolved to be specific for established HCoVs by discriminative testing.
      There is no evidence that MERS-CoV circulated widely in the study region in fall
      2012, matching an apparent absence of exported disease during the 2012 Hajj. 

PMID- 24218505
TI  - Advancing priority research on the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

PMID- 24218506
TI  - An animal model of MERS produced by infection of rhesus macaques with MERS
      coronavirus.
AB  - In 2012, a novel coronavirus (CoV) associated with severe respiratory disease,
      Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV; previously known as human coronavirus
      Erasmus Medical Center or hCoV-EMC), emerged in the Arabian Peninsula. To date,
      114 human cases of MERS-CoV have been reported, with 54 fatalities. Animal models
      for MERS-CoV infection of humans are needed to elucidate MERS pathogenesis and to
      develop vaccines and antivirals. In this study, we developed rhesus macaques as a
      model for MERS-CoV using intratracheal inoculation. The infected monkeys showed
      clinical signs of disease, virus replication, histological lesions, and
      neutralizing antibody production, indicating that this monkey model is suitable
      for studies of MERS-CoV infection. 

PMID- 24218507
TI  - L-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy in genetically susceptible and resistant
      sheep: changes in prion strain or phenotypic plasticity of the disease-associated
      prion protein?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sheep with prion protein (PrP) gene polymorphisms QQ171 and RQ171
      were shown to be susceptible to the prion causing L-type bovine spongiform
      encephalopathy (L-BSE), although RQ171 sheep specifically propagated a
      distinctive prion molecular phenotype in their brains, characterized by a high
      molecular mass protease-resistant PrP fragment (HMM PrPres), distinct from L-BSE
      in QQ171 sheep. METHODS: The resulting infectious and biological properties of
      QQ171 and RQ171 ovine L-BSE prions were investigated in transgenic mice
      expressing either bovine or ovine PrP. RESULTS: In both mouse lines, ovine L-BSE
      transmitted similarly to cattle-derived L-BSE, with respect to survival periods,
      histopathology, and biochemical features of PrPres in the brain, as well as
      splenotropism, clearly differing from ovine classic BSE or from scrapie strain
      CH1641. Nevertheless and unexpectedly, HMM PrPres was found in the spleen of
      ovine PrP transgenic mice infected with L-BSE from RQ171 sheep at first passage,
      reminiscent, in lymphoid tissues only, of the distinct PrPres features found in
      RQ171 sheep brains. CONCLUSIONS: The L-BSE agent differs from both ovine classic
      BSE or CH1641 scrapie maintaining its specific strain properties after passage in
      sheep, although striking PrPres molecular changes could be found in RQ171 sheep
      and in the spleen of ovine PrP transgenic mice.

PMID- 24218509
TI  - Haemophilus influenzae resides in tonsils and uses immunoglobulin D binding as an
      evasion strategy.
AB  - Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) causes respiratory tract infections and is also
      considered to be a commensal, particularly in preschool children. Tonsils from
      patients (n = 617) undergoing tonsillectomy due to chronic infection or
      hypertrophy were examined. We found that 51% of tonsils were positive for Hi, and
      in 95% of cases analyzed in detail (n = 39) Hi resided intracellularly in the
      core tonsillar tissue. Patients harbored several intracellular unique strains and
      the majority were nontypeable Hi (NTHi). Interestingly, the isolated NTHi bound
      soluble immunoglobulin (Ig) D at the constant heavy chain domain 1 as revealed by
      recombinant IgD/IgG chimeras. NTHi also interacted with B lymphocytes via the IgD
      B-cell receptor, resulting in internalization of bacteria, T-cell-independent
      activation via Toll-like receptor 9, and differentiation into non-NTHi-specific
      IgM-producing cells. Taken together, IgD-binding NTHi leads to an unspecific
      immune response and may support the bacteria to circumvent the host defense. 

PMID- 24218508
TI  - Pharmacological inhibition of type I interferon signaling protects mice against
      lethal sepsis.
AB  - Current research on new therapeutic strategies for sepsis uses different animal
      models, such as the lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia model and the cecal
      ligation and puncture (CLP) peritonitis model. By using genetic and pharmacologic
      inhibition of the type I interferon (IFN) receptor (IFNAR1), we show that type I
      IFN signaling plays a detrimental role in these sepsis models. Mortality after
      CLP was reduced even when type I IFN responses were blocked after the onset of
      sepsis. Our findings reveal that type I IFNs play an important detrimental role
      during sepsis by negatively regulating neutrophil recruitment. Reduced neutrophil
      influx likely occurs via the induction of the CXC motif chemokine 1. Moreover,
      human white blood cells exposed to heat-killed Pseudomonas aeruginosa secrete IFN
      beta and stimulate type I IFN signaling. We provide data that support
      pharmacologic inhibition of type I IFN signaling as a novel therapeutic treatment
      in severe sepsis. 

PMID- 24218510
TI  - Busulfan in infant to adult hematopoietic cell transplant recipients: a
      population pharmacokinetic model for initial and Bayesian dose personalization.
AB  - PURPOSE: Personalizing intravenous busulfan doses to a target plasma
      concentration at steady state (Css) is an essential component of hematopoietic
      cell transplantation (HCT). We sought to develop a population pharmacokinetic
      model to predict i.v. busulfan doses over a wide age spectrum (0.1-66 years) that
      accounts for differences in age and body size. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A population
      pharmacokinetic model based on normal fat mass and maturation based on
      postmenstrual age was built from 12,380 busulfan concentration time points
      obtained after i.v. busulfan administration in 1,610 HCT recipients.
      Subsequently, simulation results of the initial dose necessary to achieve a
      target Css with this model were compared with pediatric-only models. RESULTS: A
      two-compartment model with first-order elimination best fit the data. The
      population busulfan clearance was 12.4 L/h for an adult male with 62 kg normal
      fat mass (equivalent to 70 kg total body weight). Busulfan clearance, scaled to
      body size-specifically normal fat mass, is predicted to be 95% of the adult
      clearance at 2.5 years postnatal age. With a target Css of 770 ng/mL, a higher
      proportion of initial doses achieved the therapeutic window with this age- and
      size--dependent model (72%) compared with dosing recommended by the U.S. Food and
      Drug Administration (57%) or the European Medicines Agency (70%). CONCLUSION:
      This is the first population pharmacokinetic model developed to predict initial
      i.v. busulfan doses and personalize to a target Css over a wide age spectrum,
      ranging from infants to adults.

PMID- 24218511
TI  - A collagen-remodeling gene signature regulated by TGF-beta signaling is
      associated with metastasis and poor survival in serous ovarian cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To elucidate molecular pathways contributing to metastatic cancer
      progression and poor clinical outcome in serous ovarian cancer. EXPERIMENTAL
      DESIGN: Poor survival signatures from three different serous ovarian cancer
      datasets were compared and a common set of genes was identified. The predictive
      value of this gene signature was validated in independent datasets. The
      expression of the signature genes was evaluated in primary, metastatic, and/or
      recurrent cancers using quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization. Alterations
      in gene expression by TGF-beta1 and functional consequences of loss of COL11A1
      were evaluated using pharmacologic and knockdown approaches, respectively.
      RESULTS: We identified and validated a 10-gene signature (AEBP1, COL11A1, COL5A1,
      COL6A2, LOX, POSTN, SNAI2, THBS2, TIMP3, and VCAN) that is associated with poor
      overall survival (OS) in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer. The
      signature genes encode extracellular matrix proteins involved in collagen
      remodeling. Expression of the signature genes is regulated by TGF-beta1 signaling
      and is enriched in metastases in comparison with primary ovarian tumors. We
      demonstrate that levels of COL11A1, one of the signature genes, continuously
      increase during ovarian cancer disease progression, with the highest expression
      in recurrent metastases. Knockdown of COL11A1 decreases in vitro cell migration,
      invasion, and tumor progression in mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that
      collagen-remodeling genes regulated by TGF-beta1 signaling promote metastasis and
      contribute to poor OS in patients with serous ovarian cancer. Our 10-gene
      signature has both predictive value and biologic relevance and thus may be useful
      as a therapeutic target.

PMID- 24218512
TI  - Targeted imaging of Ewing sarcoma in preclinical models using a 64Cu-labeled anti
      CD99 antibody.
AB  - PURPOSE: Ewing sarcoma is a tumor of the bone and soft tissue characterized by
      diffuse cell membrane expression of CD99 (MIC2). Single-site, surgically
      resectable disease is associated with an excellent 5-year event-free survival;
      conversely, patients with distant metastases have a poor prognosis. Noninvasive
      imaging is the standard approach to identifying sites of metastatic disease. We
      sought to develop a CD99-targeted imaging agent for staging Ewing sarcoma and
      other CD99-expressing tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We identified a CD99 antibody
      with highly specific binding in vitro and labeled this antibody with (64)Cu. Mice
      with either subcutaneous Ewing sarcoma xenograft tumors or micrometastases were
      imaged with the (64)Cu-labeled anti-CD99 antibody and these results were compared
      with conventional MRI and 2[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission
      tomography (FDG-PET) imaging. RESULTS: (64)Cu-labeled anti-CD99 antibody
      demonstrated high avidity for the CD99-positive subcutaneous tumors, with a high
      tumor-to-background ratio, greater than that demonstrated with FDG-PET.
      Micrometastases, measuring 1 to 2 mm on MRI, were not detected with FDG-PET but
      were readily visualized with the (64)Cu-labeled anti-CD99 antibody. Probe
      biodistribution studies demonstrated high specificity of the probe for CD99
      positive tumors. CONCLUSIONS: (64)Cu-labeled anti-CD99 antibody can detect
      subcutaneous Ewing sarcoma tumors and metastatic sites with high sensitivity,
      outperforming FDG-PET in preclinical studies. This targeted radiotracer may have
      important implications for the diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment of Ewing
      sarcoma. Similarly, it may impact the management of other CD99 positive tumors.

PMID- 24218513
TI  - Long-lasting disease stabilization in the absence of toxicity in metastatic lung
      cancer patients vaccinated with an epitope derived from indoleamine 2,3
      dioxygenase.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate targeting of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme
      using a synthetic peptide vaccine administered to patients with metastatic non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In a clinical phase I study,
      we treated 15 HLA-A2-positive patients with stage III-IV NSCLC in disease
      stabilization after standard chemotherapy. Patients were treated with imiquimod
      ointment and subcutaneous vaccinations (100 MUg IDO5 peptide, sequence ALLEIASCL,
      formulated in 900 MUL Montanide). Primary endpoint was toxicity. Clinical benefit
      and immunity were assessed as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: No severe toxicity
      was observed. One patient developed a partial response (PR) after one year of
      vaccine treatment, whereas long-lasting stable disease (SD) >= 8.5 months was
      demonstrated in another six patients. The median overall survival (OS) was 25.9
      months. Patients demonstrated significant improved OS (P = 0.03) when compared
      with the group of patients excluded because of HLA-A2 negativity. IDO-specific
      CD8(+) T-cell immunity was demonstrated by IFN-gamma Elispot and Tetramer
      staining. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses demonstrated a significant
      reduction of the Treg population (P = 0.03) after the sixth vaccine (2.5 months)
      compared with pretreatment levels. Furthermore, expression of IDO was detected in
      nine of ten tumor biopsies by immunohistochemistry. High-performance liquid
      chromatography analyses of kynurenine/tryptophan (Kyn/Trp) ratio in sera were
      performed. In long-term analyses of two clinical responding patients, the ratio
      of Kyn/Trp remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: The vaccine was well tolerated with no
      severe toxicity occurring. A median OS of 25.9 months was demonstrated and long
      lasting PR+SD was seen in 47% of the patients.

PMID- 24218514
TI  - Tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells in metastatic gastrointestinal cancer refractory to
      chemotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate whether patients with metastatic gastrointestinal
      adenocarcinomas refractory to chemotherapy harbor tumor-reactive cytotoxic T
      cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Expansion of CD8(+) tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes
      (TIL) and cancer cell lines was attempted from gastrointestinal cancer metastases
      in 16 consecutive patients for the study of antitumor immune recognition.
      Retroviral transduction of genes encoding T-cell receptors (TCR) was used to
      define HLA-restriction elements and specific reactivity. RESULTS: TIL were
      expanded from metastases in all patients, and new tumor cell lines were generated
      in 5 patients. Autologous tumor recognition without cross-reactivity against
      allogeneic HLA-matched gastrointestinal tumors was found in CD8(+) TIL from 3 of
      these 5 patients. In a patient with gastric cancer liver metastases, the
      repertoire of CD8(+) TIL was dominated by cytolytic sister clones reactive to 2
      out of 4 autologous cancer cell lines restricted by HLA-C*0701. From the same
      patient, a rare CD8(+) TIL clone with a distinct TCR recognized all four cancer
      cell lines restricted by HLA-B*4901. In a patient with bile duct cancer, two
      distinct antitumor cytolytic clones were isolated from a highly polyclonal CD8(+)
      TIL repertoire. TCRs isolated from these clones recognized epitopes restricted by
      HLA-A*0201. In a third patient, CD8(+) TIL reactivity was progressively lost
      against an autologous colon cancer cell line that displayed loss of HLA
      haplotype. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a basis for the development of
      immunotherapy for patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancies by first
      establishing the presence of naturally occurring tumor-reactive CD8(+) TIL at the
      molecular level.

PMID- 24218515
TI  - The activation of the WNT signaling pathway is a Hallmark in neurofibromatosis
      type 1 tumorigenesis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The hallmark of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the onset of dermal or
      plexiform neurofibromas, mainly composed of Schwann cells. Plexiform
      neurofibromas can transform into malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST)
      that are resistant to therapies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The aim of this study was
      to identify an additional pathway in the NF1 tumorigenesis. We focused our work
      on Wnt signaling that is highly implicated in cancer, mainly in regulating the
      proliferation of cancer stem cells. We quantified mRNAs of 89 Wnt pathway genes
      in 57 NF1-associated tumors including dermal and plexiform neurofibromas and
      MPNSTs. Expression of two major stem cell marker genes and five major epithelial
      mesenchymal transition marker genes was also assessed. The expression of
      significantly deregulated Wnt genes was then studied in normal human Schwann
      cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and mast cells and in seven MPNST cell
      lines. RESULTS: The expression of nine Wnt genes was significantly deregulated in
      plexiform neurofibromas in comparison with dermal neurofibromas. Twenty Wnt genes
      showed altered expression in MPNST biopsies and cell lines. Immunohistochemical
      studies confirmed the Wnt pathway activation in NF1-associated MPNSTs. We then
      confirmed that the knockdown of NF1 in Schwann cells but not in epithelial cells
      provoked the activation of Wnt pathway by functional transfection assays.
      Furthermore, we showed that the protein expression of active beta-catenin was
      increased in NF1-silenced cell lines. Wnt pathway activation was strongly
      associated to both cancer stem cell reservoir and Schwann-mesenchymal transition.
      CONCLUSION: We highlighted the implication of Wnt pathway in NF1-associated
      tumorigenesis.

PMID- 24218516
TI  - Prognostic relevance of circulating tumor cells in blood and disseminated tumor
      cells in bone marrow of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.
AB  - PURPOSE: Current staging methods for squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the oral
      cavity (OSCC) need to be improved to predict the risk of individual patients.
      Because hematogenous tumor cell dissemination is a key event in tumor
      progression, we assessed the prognostic significance of disseminated tumor cells
      (DTC) in bone marrow and circulating tumor cells (CTC) in peripheral blood from
      patients with OSCC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: From 110 patients with OSCC, tumors were
      surgically resected (R0) without neoadjuvant therapy. The CellSearch system was
      used to enumerate CTCs. Bone marrow was aspirated from the iliac crest, and
      mononuclear cells (MNC) were enriched by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation.
      To detect DTCs, MNCs were immunostained with the pan-keratin antibody A45-B/B3.
      Results were correlated with clinicopathologic parameters and clinical outcome
      such as recurrence and death during follow-up time (mean 916 days). RESULTS: Ten
      of 80 patients (12.5%) harbored CTCs in peripheral blood, whereas in 18 of 90
      patients (20.0%) DTCs in bone marrow could be detected. Surprisingly, in only 2
      patients (1.8%) CTCs and DTCs were detected simultaneously. Significant
      correlations could be found for CTCs and tumor size (P = 0.04), nodal status and
      DTCs (P = 0.02), and distant metastasis with CTCs (P = 0.004) and DTCs (P =
      0.005). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that CTCs and DTCs were
      significant and independent predictors of recurrence-free survival (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Both DTCs and CTCs are independent prognostic markers in patients
      with OSCC, predicting relapse with higher sensitivity at various disease stages
      than routine staging procedures. Bone marrow might be an interesting target organ
      for future therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 24218518
TI  - Religious prosociality and morality across cultures: how social enforcement of
      religion shapes the effects of personal religiosity on prosocial and moral
      attitudes and behaviors.
AB  - The question of whether religiosity is linked to prosocial behavior is currently
      hotly debated in psychology. This research contributes to this debate by showing
      that the nature of individuals' religious orientations and their relationships to
      prosociality depend on their country's social enforcement of religiosity. Our
      analyses of data from more than 70 countries indicate that in countries with no
      social pressure to follow a religion, religious individuals are more likely to
      endorse an intrinsic religious orientation (Study 1), engage in charity work
      (Study 2), disapprove of lying in their own interests (Study 3), and are less
      likely to engage in fraudulent behaviors (Study 4) compared with non-religious
      individuals. Ironically, in secular contexts, religious individuals are also more
      likely to condemn certain moral choices than non-religious individuals (Study 2).
      These effects of religiosity substantially weaken (and ultimately disappear) with
      increasing national levels of social enforcement of religiosity. 

PMID- 24218519
TI  - Notice: PSPB articles by authors with retracted articles at PSPB or other
      journals: Stapel, Smeesters, and Sanna.
AB  - Numerous articles by the social psychologists Diederick Stapel, Dirk Smeesters,
      and Lawrence Sanna have been retracted in several different journals. The present
      notice reports the results of an investigation into papers authored or coauthored
      by these individuals, and published in Personality and Social Psychology
      Bulletin, that have not been retracted. The status of these papers range from
      data confirmed as legitimate by coauthors to, in many cases, being unknown as to
      their legitimacy. Given the lack of information in the latter cases, there is
      insufficient basis to recommend retraction at this time. Researchers using the
      results of these papers in their own work are advised to take the information
      reported in this notice into account. 

PMID- 24218517
TI  - PIK3CA, BRAF, and PTEN status and benefit from cetuximab in the treatment of
      advanced colorectal cancer--results from NCIC CTG/AGITG CO.17.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cetuximab improves survival in patients with K-ras wild-type advanced
      colorectal cancer. We examined the predictive and prognostic significance of
      additional biomarkers in this setting, in particular BRAF, PIK3CA, and PTEN.
      EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Available colorectal tumor samples were analyzed from the
      CO.17 study. BRAF mutations were identified in tumor-derived DNA by direct
      sequencing and PIK3CA mutations were identified using a high-resolution melting
      screen with confirmation by sequencing. PTEN expression by immunohistochemistry
      (IHC) was performed on tissue microarrays. For each biomarker, prognostic and
      predictive effects were examined using a Cox model with tests for treatment
      biomarker interaction. RESULTS: A total of 572 patients with pretreated
      colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to receive cetuximab or best supportive
      care (BSC). Of 401 patients assessed for BRAF status, 13 (3.2%) had mutations. Of
      407 patients assessed for PIK3CA status, 61 (15%) had mutations. Of 205 patients
      assessed for PTEN, 148 (72%) were negative for IHC expression. None of BRAF,
      PIK3CA, or PTEN was prognostic for overall or progression-free survival in the
      BSC arm. None was predictive of benefit from cetuximab, either in the whole study
      population or the K-ras wild-type subset. In the K-ras wild-type subgroup, the
      overall survival adjusted HR according to BRAF mutation status was 1.39
      (interaction P = 0.69), PIK3CA mutation status HR = 0.79 (interaction P = 0.63),
      and PTEN expression HR = 0.75 (interaction P = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: In
      chemotherapy-refractory colorectal cancer, neither PIK3CA mutation status nor
      PTEN expression were prognostic, nor were they predictive of benefit from
      cetuximab. Evaluation of predictive significance of BRAF mutations requires a
      larger sample size.

PMID- 24218520
TI  - Short-term projection of cancer incidence in Japan using an age-period
      interaction model with spline smoothing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In Japan, population-based cancer incidence data are reported several
      years behind the latest year of cancer mortality data. To bridge this gap, we
      aimed to determine a short-term projection method for cancer incidence. METHODS:
      Data between 1985 and 2007 were obtained from the population-based cancer
      registries in four prefectures (Miyagi, Yamagata, Fukui and Nagasaki). Three
      projection models were examined: generalized linear model with age and period (A
      + P linear); generalized linear model with age, period and their interactions
      (A*P linear); and generalized additive model with age, period and their
      interactions smoothed by spline (A*P spline). We performed a 5-year projection
      for the years 2000 and 2005, based on the data of 1985-95 and 1985-2000,
      respectively. Seven cancer sites (stomach, liver, colorectal, lung, female
      breast, cervix uteri and prostate) and all cancers combined were analyzed. The
      accuracy of projection was evaluated by whether each observed number fell within
      the 95% confidence interval of the projected number. RESULTS: The A*P spline
      model accurately projected 8 of 13 cancer site-sex combinations, whereas the
      number of site-sex combinations of accurate projection was 2 and 6 for A + P
      linear and A*P linear models, respectively. For liver and colorectal cancers, the
      A*P spline model alone performed accurate projections; the relative differences
      between projected and observed numbers of cancer incidence ranged between -0.4
      and +10.9% for the A*P spline, and between +7.4 and +37.6% for the other two
      models. All three models failed to project sudden increases in prostate cancer
      between 2000 and 2005. CONCLUSIONS: The A*P spline model is a candidate method
      for the projection of cancer incidence in Japan. However, we need a continuous
      validation for prostate cancer.

PMID- 24218521
TI  - Family history and BRCA1/BRCA2 status among Japanese ovarian cancer patients and
      occult cancer in a BRCA1 mutant case.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine family history among Japanese ovarian
      cancer patients and to investigate the TP53 status of fallopian tube epithelial
      and ovarian cancer cells in a Japanese BRCA1 mutant case that may be associated
      with the transformed state in hereditary ovarian cancer. METHODS: One hundred and
      two primary ovarian cancer patients were retrospectively evaluated in this cross
      sectional study. The family history of cancer was determined in probands. In a
      BRCA1 mutant case, p53 immunostaining and direct sequencing, followed by laser
      capture microdissection, were performed for the fallopian tube, considered the
      origin of ovarian cancer. RESULTS: Nine of 102 (8.8%) families were regarded as
      having hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome, two families (2.0%) were
      diagnosed with Lynch syndrome and six patients harbored BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
      One case underwent risk-reductive salpingo-oophorectomy as a BRCA1 mutant carrier
      was retrospectively diagnosed as occult cancer. Common TP53 mutations were
      detected in cancer and fallopian tube epithelial cells in the case. CONCLUSIONS:
      Here, we integrate family cancer history and histology in ovarian cancer cases as
      well as TP53 status in a BRCA1 mutant case into a discussion regarding
      carcinogenesis in a Japanese population. The TP53 status for the BRCA1 mutant
      case examined here supports the recently proposed theory that ovarian cancer
      develops because of BRCA1 or BRCA2 inactivation and/or TP53 mutations.

PMID- 24218522
TI  - Re: time to adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer in national comprehensive
      cancer network institutions.

PMID- 24218523
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218524
TI  - Autosomal-recessive cerebellar ataxia caused by a novel ADCK3 mutation that
      elongates the protein: clinical, genetic and biochemical characterisation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The autosomal-recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCA) are a clinically
      and genetically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders. The large
      number of ARCA genes leads to delay and difficulties obtaining an exact diagnosis
      in many patients and families. Ubiquinone (CoQ10) deficiency is one of the
      potentially treatable causes of ARCAs as some patients respond to CoQ10
      supplementation. The AarF domain containing kinase 3 gene (ADCK3) is one of
      several genes associated with CoQ10 deficiency. ADCK3 encodes a mitochondrial
      protein which functions as an electron-transfer membrane protein complex in the
      mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC). METHODS: We report two siblings from a
      consanguineous Pakistani family who presented with cerebellar ataxia and severe
      myoclonus from adolescence. Whole exome sequencing and biochemical assessment of
      fibroblasts were performed in the index patient. RESULTS: A novel homozygous
      frameshift mutation in ADCK3 (p.Ser616Leufs*114), was identified in both
      siblings. This frameshift mutation results in the loss of the stop codon,
      extending the coding protein by 81 amino acids. Significant CoQ10 deficiency and
      reduced MRC enzyme activities in the index patient's fibroblasts suggested that
      the mutant protein may reduce the efficiency of mitochondrial electron transfer.
      CoQ10 supplementation was initiated following these genetic and biochemical
      analyses. She gained substantial improvement in myoclonic movements, ataxic gait
      and dysarthric speech after treatment. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the
      importance of diagnosing ADCK3 mutations and the potential benefit of treatment
      for patients. The identification of this new mutation broadens the phenotypic
      spectrum associated with ADCK3 mutations and provides further understanding of
      their pathogenic mechanism.

PMID- 24218525
TI  - Temporal macrodynamics and microdynamics of the postoperative impedance at the
      tissue-electrode interface in deep brain stimulation patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the temporal dynamics of tissue impedance after deep brain
      stimulation (DBS). BACKGROUND: DBS therapy commonly employs a constant voltage
      approach, and current delivery to the tissue is a function of electrode-tissue
      impedance. It is presumed that impedance fluctuates early postimplantation, with
      implications for variations in current delivery and therapeutic efficacy. We
      hypothesised that the largest variation will be recorded early after surgery,
      followed by stabilisation. METHODS: Review of impedance checks of implanted DBS
      systems at standard parameters during the first five months postimplantation. All
      measurement time points were binned into 1-week periods, and we used repeated
      measures analysis of variance with Tukey pairwise multiple comparisons
      correction. The analysis was repeated after normalising impedance values for each
      subject to that patient's baseline value. RESULTS: There was an initial (non
      significant) drop in impedance at week 1, followed by significant increase at
      week 3 (p=0.0002). There were no further significant differences in impedance
      values at subsequent time points. Analysis of normalised data showed a
      significant difference between the initial measurement in postoperative week 1
      (normalised value 1) and week 3 (normalised value 1.73, p<0.0001), with no
      further difference among the subsequent weekly points during the 5-month follow
      up. No significant hourly variations were found at any time points. CONCLUSIONS:
      We found major changes in impedance within the first month postimplantation, with
      no further variation. This is an important confirmation in patients of this
      temporal dynamics of the impedance of implanted DBS hardware, with potential
      therapeutic implications.

PMID- 24218526
TI  - Comparison of activities of daily living impairments in Parkinson's disease
      patients as defined by the Pill Questionnaire and assessments by neurologists.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical judgment of experienced neurologists after
      interviewing Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and their caregivers with the use
      of the Pill Questionnaire to determine the presence of impairments on activities
      of daily living (ADL). BACKGROUND: ADL impairment is a criterion for the
      diagnosis of dementia associated with PD. The Pill Questionnaire has been
      recommended as a screening tool to assess ADL impairment in PD patients, but its
      usefulness and validity have not been fully investigated. METHODS: We recruited
      idiopathic PD patients from 12 hospitals in Taiwan, and the patients underwent
      clinical assessments, a neuropsychological test battery and the Unified Parkinson
      Disease Rating Scale evaluation. The Pill Questionnaire was administered by study
      assistants. Patient and caregiver interviews were performed by experienced
      neurologists who were blinded to the Pill Questionnaire results. RESULTS: In
      total, 284 PD patients (mean age 71.8+/-9 years, mean education 8.7+/-5.3 years,
      mean disease duration 5.4+/-5.3 years) were recruited. 63 patients showed ADL
      impairment by the Pill Questionnaire, and 108 patients showed ADL impairment by
      neurologists' clinical interviews. kappa Statistics showed moderate agreement
      between the two methods (kappa=0.521, p<0.001). Of the 108 patients who were
      diagnosed with ADL impairment by neurologists, only 56 patients (51.9%) showed
      impairment according to the Pill Questionnaire. Most of the missed patients had
      milder cognitive impairment and lower motor disability. CONCLUSIONS: A
      comprehensive interview is essential to determine the presence of ADL impairment
      in PD patients, especially in patients with early PD.

PMID- 24218527
TI  - Long-term impact of interferon beta-1b in patients with CIS: 8-year follow-up of
      BENEFIT.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the long-term impact of early treatment initiation of
      interferon beta-1b (IFNB1b, Betaferon/Betaseron) in patients with a first event
      suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: In the original placebo
      controlled phase of BENEFIT, patients were randomised to IFNB1b 250 MUg or
      placebo subcutaneously every other day. After 2 years or diagnosis of clinically
      definite MS (CDMS), all patients were offered open-label IFNB1b treatment for a
      maximum duration of 5 years. Thereafter, patients were enrolled in an
      observational extension study for up to 8.7 years. RESULTS: Of the initial 468
      patients, 284 (60.7%; IFNB1b: 178 (61.0% of the original arm), placebo: 106
      (60.2% of original arm)) were enrolled in the extension study. 94.2% of patients
      were receiving IFNB1b. Patients originally randomised to IFNB1b had a reduced
      risk of developing CDMS by 32.2% over the 8-year observation period (HR 0.678;
      95% CI 0.525 to 0.875; p=0.0030), a longer median time to CDMS by 1345 days (95%
      CI 389 to 2301), and a lower annualised relapse rate (0.196 (95% CI 0.176 to
      0.218) versus 0.255 (95% CI 0.226 to 0.287), p=0.0012), with differences mainly
      emerging in the first year of the study. Cognitive outcomes remained higher in
      the early treated patients. EDSS remained low over time with a median of 1.5 in
      both arms. CONCLUSIONS: These 8-year results provide further evidence supporting
      early initiation of treatment with IFNB1b in patients with a first event
      suggestive of MS.

PMID- 24218529
TI  - EMRs for specialists: physicians take the helm.

PMID- 24218528
TI  - Rivastigmine in apathetic but dementia and depression-free patients with
      Parkinson's disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Even with optimal dopaminergic treatments, many patients with
      Parkinson's disease (PD) are frequently incapacitated by apathy prior to the
      development of dementia. We sought to establish whether rivastigmine's ability to
      inhibit acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterases could relieve the symptoms of apathy
      in dementia-free, non-depressed patients with advanced PD. METHODS: We performed
      a multicentre, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical
      trial (Protocol ID: 2008-002578-36; clinicaltrials.gov reference: NCT00767091) in
      patients with PD with moderate to severe apathy (despite optimised dopaminergic
      treatment) and without dementia. Patients from five French university hospitals
      were randomly assigned 1:1 to rivastigmine (transdermal patch of 9.5 mg/day) or
      placebo for 6 months. The primary efficacy criterion was the change over time in
      the Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS) score. FINDING: 101 consecutive patients
      were screened, 31 were eligible and 16 and 14 participants were randomised into
      the rivastigmine and placebo groups, respectively. Compared with placebo,
      rivastigmine improved the LARS score (from -11.5 (-15/-7) at baseline to -20 (
      25/-12) after treatment; F(1, 25)=5.2; p=0.031; adjusted size effect: -0.9).
      Rivastigmine also improved the caregiver burden and instrumental activities of
      daily living but failed to improve quality of life. No severe adverse events
      occurred in the rivastigmine group. INTERPRETATION: Rivastigmine may represent a
      new therapeutic option for moderate to severe apathy in advanced PD patients with
      optimised dopaminergic treatment and without depression dementia. These findings
      require confirmation in a larger clinical trial. Our results also confirmed that
      the presence of apathy can herald a pre-dementia state in PD. REGISTRATION:
      Clinicaltrials.gov reference: NCT00767091.

PMID- 24218530
TI  - Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids: is a broad cholesterol-lowering health claim
      appropriate?

PMID- 24218532
TI  - Stigma a major barrier to treatment for pregnant women with addictions.

PMID- 24218531
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of level 3 portable sleep tests versus level 1
      polysomnography for sleep-disordered breathing: a systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Greater awareness of sleep-disordered breathing and rising obesity
      rates have fueled demand for sleep studies. Sleep testing using level 3 portable
      devices may expedite diagnosis and reduce the costs associated with level 1 in
      laboratory polysomnography. We sought to assess the diagnostic accuracy of level
      3 testing compared with level 1 testing and to identify the appropriate patient
      population for each test. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta
      analysis of comparative studies of level 3 versus level 1 sleep tests in adults
      with suspected sleep-disordered breathing. We searched 3 research databases and
      grey literature sources for studies that reported on diagnostic accuracy
      parameters or disease management after diagnosis. Two reviewers screened the
      search results, selected potentially relevant studies and extracted data. We used
      a bivariate mixed-effects binary regression model to estimate summary diagnostic
      accuracy parameters. RESULTS: We included 59 studies involving a total of 5026
      evaluable patients (mostly patients suspected of having obstructive sleep apnea).
      Of these, 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The estimated area under
      the receiver operating characteristics curve was high, ranging between 0.85 and
      0.99 across different levels of disease severity. Summary sensitivity ranged
      between 0.79 and 0.97, and summary specificity ranged between 0.60 and 0.93
      across different apnea-hypopnea cut-offs. We saw no significant difference in the
      clinical management parameters between patients who underwent either test to
      receive their diagnosis. INTERPRETATION: Level 3 portable devices showed good
      diagnostic performance compared with level 1 sleep tests in adult patients with a
      high pretest probability of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and no
      unstable comorbidities. For patients suspected of having other types of sleep
      disordered breathing or sleep disorders not related to breathing, level 1 testing
      remains the reference standard.

PMID- 24218533
TI  - With a disease for every day, who will care for the orphans?

PMID- 24218534
TI  - Raising awareness of breast reconstruction options.

PMID- 24218537
TI  - Sudden-onset anisocoria in a patient with upper respiratory tract infection.

PMID- 24218538
TI  - A conversation with 2013 Gairdner Wightman Award winner Dr. James Hogg.

PMID- 24218539
TI  - Cut-and-paste clinical notes confuse care, say US internists.

PMID- 24218541
TI  - Preclinical to clinical translation of tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, in
      rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - A critical piece in the translation of preclinical studies to clinical trials is
      the determination of dosing regimens that allow maximum therapeutic benefit with
      minimum toxicity. The preclinical pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD)
      profile of tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, in a mouse collagen
      induced arthritis (mCIA) model was compared with clinical PK/PD data from
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Preclinical evaluations included target
      modulation and PK/PD modeling based on continuous subcutaneous infusion or oral
      once- or twice-daily (BID) dosing paradigms in mice. The human PK/PD profile was
      obtained from pooled data from four phase 2 studies in patients with RA, and
      maximal effect models were used to evaluate efficacy after 12 weeks of
      tofacitinib treatment (1-15 mg BID). In mCIA, the main driver of efficacy was
      inhibition of cytokine receptor signaling mediated by JAK1 heterodimers, but not
      JAK2 homodimers, and continuous daily inhibition was not required to maintain
      efficacy. Projected efficacy could be predicted from total daily exposure
      irrespective of the oral dosing paradigm, with a total steady-state plasma
      concentration achieving 50% of the maximal response (Cave50) of ~100 nM.
      Tofacitinib potency (ED50) in clinical studies was ~3.5 mg BID (90% confidence
      interval: 2.3, 5.5) or total Cave50 of ~40 nM, derived using Disease Activity
      Scores from patients with RA. The collective clinical and preclinical data
      indicated the importance of Cave as a driver of efficacy, rather than maximum or
      minimum plasma concentration (Cmax or Cmin), where Cave50 values were within ~2
      fold of each other.

PMID- 24218540
TI  - Chemopreventive effects of an HDAC2-selective inhibitor on rat colon
      carcinogenesis and APCmin/+ mouse intestinal tumorigenesis.
AB  - Epigenetic modulators, particularly histone deacetylases (HDACs), are valid
      targets for cancer prevention and therapy. Recent studies report that HDAC2
      overexpression is associated with colon tumor progression and is a potential
      target for colon cancer prevention. This study tested chemopreventive and dose
      response effects of Ohio State University HDAC42 (OSU-HDAC42), a selective HDAC2
      inhibitor, using a rat colon carcinogenesis model to assess aberrant crypt foci
      inhibition and a familial adenomatous polyposis model to assess intestinal tumor
      inhibition. Colonic aberrant crypt foci were induced by azoxymethane (AOM) (15
      mg/kg body weight, once-weekly subcutaneous injections at 8 and 9 weeks age). One
      week after AOM treatment, groups of rats were fed an AIN-76A diet containing 0,
      75, 150, and 300 ppm OSU-HDAC42 for 8 weeks, and colonic aberrant crypt foci were
      evaluated. To assess the inhibitory effect of OSU-HDAC42 on small-intestinal
      polyps and colon tumor growth, 6-week-old male C57Bl/6J-APC(min/+)mice were fed
      an AIN-76A diet containing 150 ppm OSU-HADC42 or 300 ppm pan-HDAC inhibitor
      suberoylanilide hydroxyamic acid (SAHA) for 80 days. Our results demonstrate that
      dietary OSU-HDAC42 produced dose-dependent inhibition of AOM-induced colonic
      aberrant crypt foci formation (13-50%; P < 0.01 to < 0.0001) and reduced multiple
      crypts with >= 4 crypts per focus (25-57%; P < 0.01 to < 0.0001) in F344 rats.
      Our findings show that 150 ppm OSU-HDAC42 significantly inhibited small
      intestinal polyps (>46%; P < 0.001), with polyp size measuring >1 mm (P < 0.001),
      and colon tumors (>26%) in APC(min/+)mice, whereas 300 ppm SAHA showed
      nonsignificant inhibition. Mice fed 150 ppm OSU-HDAC42 had significantly
      decreased HDAC2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, B cell lymphoma 2, cyclin
      dependent kinase 2, and cell division cycle homolog 25C expression levels and
      increased p53 expression levels. These observations demonstrate the
      chemopreventive efficacy of OSU-HDAC42 against chemically induced and polyposis
      models of intestinal tumorigenesis.

PMID- 24218542
TI  - CoIN: a network analysis for document triage.
AB  - In recent years, there was a rapid increase in the number of medical articles.
      The number of articles in PubMed has increased exponentially. Thus, the workload
      for biocurators has also increased exponentially. Under these circumstances, a
      system that can automatically determine in advance which article has a higher
      priority for curation can effectively reduce the workload of biocurators.
      Determining how to effectively find the articles required by biocurators has
      become an important task. In the triage task of BioCreative 2012, we proposed the
      Co-occurrence Interaction Nexus (CoIN) for learning and exploring relations in
      articles. We constructed a co-occurrence analysis system, which is applicable to
      PubMed articles and suitable for gene, chemical and disease queries. CoIN uses co
      occurrence features and their network centralities to assess the influence of
      curatable articles from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. The experimental
      results show that our network-based approach combined with co-occurrence features
      can effectively classify curatable and non-curatable articles. CoIN also allows
      biocurators to survey the ranking lists for specific queries without reviewing
      meaningless information. At BioCreative 2012, CoIN achieved a 0.778 mean average
      precision in the triage task, thus finishing in second place out of all
      participants. Database URL: http://ikmbio.csie.ncku.edu.tw/coin/home.php. 

PMID- 24218543
TI  - Velocity storage mechanism in zebrafish larvae.
AB  - The optokinetic reflex (OKR) and the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR)
      complement each other to stabilize images on the retina despite self- or world
      motion, a joint mechanism that is critical for effective vision. It is currently
      hypothesized that signals from both systems integrate, in a mathematical sense,
      in a network of neurons operating as a velocity storage mechanism (VSM). When
      exposed to a rotating visual surround, subjects display the OKR, slow following
      eye movements frequently interrupted by fast resetting eye movements. Subsequent
      to light-off during optokinetic stimulation, eye movements do not stop abruptly,
      but decay slowly, a phenomenon referred to as the optokinetic after-response
      (OKAR). The OKAR is most likely generated by the VSM. In this study, we observed
      the OKAR in developing larval zebrafish before the horizontal aVOR emerged. Our
      results suggest that the VSM develops prior to and without the need for a
      functional aVOR. It may be critical to ocular motor control in early development
      as it increases the efficiency of the OKR.

PMID- 24218545
TI  - A catalytic independent function of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP14 regulates
      hippocampal synaptic short-term plasticity and vesicle number.
AB  - The ubiquitin proteasome system is required for the rapid and precise control of
      protein abundance that is essential for synaptic function. USP14 is a proteasome
      bound deubiquitinating enzyme that recycles ubiquitin and regulates synaptic
      short-term synaptic plasticity. We previously reported that loss of USP14 in
      ax(J) mice causes a deficit in paired pulse facilitation (PPF) at hippocampal
      synapses. Here we report that USP14 regulates synaptic function through a novel,
      deubiquitination-independent mechanism. Although PPF is usually inversely related
      to release probability, USP14 deficiency impairs PPF without altering basal
      release probability. Instead, the loss of USP14 causes a large reduction in the
      number of synaptic vesicles. Over-expression of a catalytically inactive form of
      USP14 rescues the PPF deficit and restores synaptic vesicle number, indicating
      that USP14 regulates presynaptic structure and function independently of its role
      in deubiquitination. Finally, the PPF deficit caused by loss of USP14 can be
      rescued by pharmacological inhibition of proteasome activity, suggesting that
      inappropriate protein degradation underlies the PPF impairment. Overall, we
      demonstrate a novel, deubiquitination-independent function for USP14 in
      influencing synaptic architecture and plasticity.

PMID- 24218544
TI  - Kv3.3 channels harbouring a mutation of spinocerebellar ataxia type 13 alter
      excitability and induce cell death in cultured cerebellar Purkinje cells.
AB  - The cerebellum plays crucial roles in controlling sensorimotor functions. The
      neural output from the cerebellar cortex is transmitted solely by Purkinje cells
      (PCs), whose impairment causes cerebellar ataxia. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 13
      (SCA13) is an autosomal dominant disease, and SCA13 patients exhibit cerebellar
      atrophy and cerebellar symptoms. Recent studies have shown that missense
      mutations in the voltage-gated K(+) channel Kv3.3 are responsible for SCA13. In
      the rodent brain, Kv3.3 mRNAs are expressed most strongly in PCs, suggesting that
      the mutations severely affect PCs in SCA13 patients. Nevertheless, how these
      mutations affect the function of Kv3.3 in PCs and, consequently, the morphology
      and neuronal excitability of PCs remains unclear. To address these questions, we
      used lentiviral vectors to express mutant mouse Kv3.3 (mKv3.3) channels
      harbouring an R424H missense mutation, which corresponds to the R423H mutation in
      the Kv3.3 channels of SCA13 patients, in mouse cerebellar cultures. The R424H
      mutant-expressing PCs showed decreased outward current density, broadened action
      potentials and elevated basal [Ca(2+)]i compared with PCs expressing wild-type
      mKv3.3 subunits or those expressing green fluorescent protein alone. Moreover,
      expression of R424H mutant subunits induced impaired dendrite development and
      cell death selectively in PCs, both of which were rescued by blocking P/Q-type
      Ca(2+) channels in the culture conditions. We therefore concluded that expression
      of R424H mutant subunits in PCs markedly affects the function of endogenous Kv3
      channels, neuronal excitability and, eventually, basal [Ca(2+)]i, leading to cell
      death. These results suggest that PCs in SCA13 patients also exhibit similar
      defects in PC excitability and induced cell death, which may explain the
      pathology of SCA13.

PMID- 24218546
TI  - Functional properties of extrasynaptic AMPA and NMDA receptors during postnatal
      hippocampal neurogenesis.
AB  - In the mammalian hippocampus, new granule cells are continuously generated
      throughout life. Although it is well known that they rapidly form several
      thousand new glutamatergic synapses, the underlying mechanisms are not well
      understood. As extrasynaptic NMDA receptors are believed to support the
      generation of new spines, we have studied the functional properties of
      extrasynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors in newborn granule cells in juvenile
      rats during and after synaptic integration. Using the fast application of
      glutamate to outside-out membrane patches, we show that all immature granule
      cells express functional AMPA and NMDA receptors. The density of AMPA receptors
      was small in cells starting to receive excitatory synaptic input (~30 pS MUm(-2))
      but substantially increased during synaptic integration to finally reach ~120 pS
      MUm(-2) in fully mature cells. Interestingly, AMPA receptors showed a biphasic
      change in desensitization time constant which was slowest during synaptic
      integration and substantially faster before and afterwards. This was paralleled
      by a change in the non-desensitizing current component which was maximal during
      synaptic integration and about 50% smaller afterwards. Surprisingly, the NMDA
      receptor kinetics and density in young cells was already comparable to mature
      cells (~10 pS MUm(-2)), leading to an enhanced NMDA/AMPA receptor density ratio.
      Similar to somatic outside-out patches, iontophoretic application of glutamate
      onto dendrites also revealed an enhanced dendritic NMDA/AMPA ratio in young
      cells. These data indicate that prolonged AMPA receptor currents in newly
      generated young granule cells might support the effective activation of
      extrasynaptic NMDA receptors and therefore constitute a competitive advantage
      over mature cells for new synapse formation.

PMID- 24218547
TI  - Image-based assessment of microvascular function and structure in collagen XV-
      and XVIII-deficient mice.
AB  - Collagen XV and XVIII are ubiquitous constituents of basement membranes. We aimed
      to study the physiological roles of these two components of the permeability
      barrier non-invasively in striated muscle in mice deficient in collagen XV or
      XVIII by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).
      Structural information was obtained with transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
      MR data were analysed by two different analysis methods to quantify tissue
      perfusion and microcirculatory exchange parameters to rule out data analysis
      method-dependent results. Control mice (C57BL/6J Ola/Hsd strain) or mice lacking
      either collagen XV (Col15a1(-/-)) or XVIII (Col18a1(-/-)) were included in the
      study. MR images were acquired using a preclinical system using gadodiamide (Gd
      DTPA-BMA, molecular weight 0.58 kDa) as a tracer. Exchange capacity (permeability
      (P)-surface area (S) product relative to blood flow (FB)) was increased in test
      mice compared to controls, but the contributions from P, S, and FB were different
      in these two phenotypes. FB was significantly increased in Col18a1(-/-), but
      slightly decreased in Col15a1(-/-). PS was significantly increased only in
      Col18a1(-/-) even though P was increased in both phenotypes suggesting S might
      also be reduced in Col15a1(-/-) mice. Immunohistochemistry and electron
      microscopy demonstrated alterations in capillary density and morphology in both
      knockout mouse strains in comparison to the control mice. Both collagen XV and
      XVIII are important for maintaining normal capillary permeability in the striated
      muscle. DCE-MRI and the perfusion analyses successfully determined microvascular
      haemodynamic parameters of genetically modified mice and gave results consistent
      with more invasive methods. 

PMID- 24218548
TI  - Phosphoproteomic characterization of DNA damage response in melanoma cells
      following MEK/PI3K dual inhibition.
AB  - Targeted therapeutics that block signal transduction through the RAS-RAF-MEK and
      PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathways offer significant promise for the treatment of human
      malignancies. Dual inhibition of MAP/ERK kinase (MEK) and phosphatidylinositol 3
      kinase (PI3K) with the potent and selective small-molecule inhibitors GDC-0973
      and GDC-0941 has been shown to trigger tumor cell death in preclinical models.
      Here we have used phosphomotif antibodies and mass spectrometry (MS) to
      investigate the effects of MEK/PI3K dual inhibition during the period immediately
      preceding cell death. Upon treatment, melanoma cell lines responded by
      dramatically increasing phosphorylation on proteins containing a canonical DNA
      damage-response (DDR) motif, as defined by a phosphorylated serine or threonine
      residue adjacent to glutamine, [s/t]Q. In total, >2,000 [s/t]Q phosphorylation
      sites on >850 proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS, including an extensive
      network of DDR proteins. Linear mixed-effects modeling revealed 101 proteins in
      which [s/t]Q phosphorylation was altered significantly in response to GDC
      0973/GDC-0941. Among the most dramatic changes, we observed rapid and sustained
      phosphorylation of sites within the ABCDE cluster of DNA-dependent protein
      kinase. Preincubation of cells with the inhibitors of the DDR kinases DNA
      dependent protein kinase or ataxia-telangiectasia mutated enhanced GDC-0973/GDC
      0941-mediated cell death. Network analysis revealed specific enrichment of
      proteins involved in RNA metabolism along with canonical DDR proteins and
      suggested a prominent role for this pathway in the response to MEK/PI3K dual
      inhibition. 

PMID- 24218549
TI  - A unique secreted adenovirus E3 protein binds to the leukocyte common antigen
      CD45 and modulates leukocyte functions.
AB  - The E3 transcription unit of human adenoviruses (Ads) encodes immunomodulatory
      proteins. Interestingly, the size and composition of the E3 region differs
      considerably among Ad species, suggesting that distinct sets of immunomodulatory
      E3 proteins may influence their interaction with the human host and the disease
      pattern. However, to date, only common immune evasion functions of species C E3
      proteins have been described. Here we report on the immunomodulatory activity of
      a species D-specific E3 protein, E3/49K. Unlike all other E3 proteins that act on
      infected cells, E3/49K seems to target uninfected cells. Initially synthesized as
      an 80- to 100-kDa type I transmembrane protein, E3/49K is subsequently cleaved,
      with the large ectodomain (sec49K) secreted. We found that purified sec49K
      exhibits specific binding to lymphoid cell lines and all primary leukocytes, but
      not to fibroblasts or epithelial cells. Consistent with this binding profile and
      the molecular mass, the sec49K receptor was identified as the cell surface
      protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45. Antibody-blocking studies suggested that
      sec49K binds to the membrane proximal domains present in all CD45 isoforms.
      Functional studies showed that sec49K can suppress the activation and
      cytotoxicity of natural killer cells as well as the activation, signaling, and
      cytokine production of T cells. Thus, we have discovered an adenovirus protein
      that is actively secreted and describe immunomodulatory activities of an E3
      protein uniquely expressed by a single Ad species. 

PMID- 24218550
TI  - Persistence of hippocampal multivoxel patterns into postencoding rest is related
      to memory.
AB  - The transformation of new experiences into lasting memories is thought to be
      mediated by postencoding reactivation or the reexpression of activity patterns
      that characterize prior encoding experiences during subsequent offline periods.
      Although hippocampal reactivation has been well-described in the rodent, evidence
      for postencoding persistence of hippocampal encoding patterns has yet to be
      described in humans. Using functional MRI, we examined the persistence of
      multivoxel hippocampal encoding patterns into postencoding rest periods. To
      characterize activity patterns, we computed the pairwise multivoxel correlation
      structure (MVCS) across hippocampal voxels during two distinct encoding tasks as
      well as during pre- and postencoding rest periods. We found that the hippocampal
      MVCS for each encoding task was more similar to the MVCS during immediate
      postencoding rest periods compared with a preencoding, baseline rest period.
      Additionally, using a principal component decomposition approach, we found that
      the strongest encoding patterns showed evidence of preferential persistence into
      immediate postencoding rest periods. Finally, the extent to which the strongest
      encoding patterns showed evidence of preferential persistence into immediate
      postencoding rest significantly correlated with later memory for stimuli seen
      during encoding. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence for
      hippocampal reactivation in humans, which was measured by the persistence of
      hippocampal encoding patterns into immediate postencoding rest periods, and
      importantly, provide a possible link between this persistence and memory
      consolidation. 

PMID- 24218551
TI  - ErbB4 reduces synaptic GABAA currents independent of its receptor tyrosine kinase
      activity.
AB  - ErbB4 signaling in the central nervous system is implicated in neuropsychiatric
      disorders and epilepsy. In cortical tissue, ErbB4 associates with excitatory
      synapses located on inhibitory interneurons. However, biochemical and
      histological data described herein demonstrate that the vast majority of ErbB4 is
      extrasynaptic and detergent-soluble. To explore the function of this receptor
      population, we used unbiased proteomics, in combination with
      electrophysiological, biochemical, and cell biological techniques, to identify a
      clinically relevant ErbB4-interacting protein, the GABAA receptor alpha1 subunit
      (GABAR alpha1). We show that ErbB4 and GABAR alpha1 are robustly coexpressed in
      hippocampal interneurons, and that ErbB4-null mice have diminished cortical GABAR
      alpha1 expression. Moreover, we characterize a Neuregulin-mediated ErbB4
      signaling modality, independent of receptor tyrosine kinase activity, that
      couples ErbB4 to decreased postsynaptic GABAR currents on inhibitory
      interneurons. Consistent with an evolving understanding of GABAR trafficking,
      this pathway requires both clathrin-mediated endocytosis and protein kinase C to
      reduce GABAR inhibitory currents, surface GABAR alpha1 expression, and
      colocalization with the inhibitory postsynaptic protein gephyrin. Our results
      reveal a function of ErbB4, independent of its tyrosine kinase activity, that
      modulates postsynaptic inhibitory control of hippocampal interneurons and may
      provide a novel pharmacological target in the treatment of neuropsychiatric
      disorders and epilepsy. 

PMID- 24218552
TI  - Quantifying the dynamic interactions between a clathrin-coated pit and cargo
      molecules.
AB  - Clathrin-mediated endocytosis takes place through the recruitment of cargo
      molecules into a growing clathrin-coated pit (CCP). Despite the importance of
      this process to all mammalian cells, little is yet known about the interaction
      dynamics between cargo and CCPs. These interactions are difficult to study
      because CCPs display a large degree of lifetime heterogeneity and the
      interactions with cargo molecules are time dependent. We use single-molecule
      total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, in combination with automatic
      detection and tracking algorithms, to directly visualize the recruitment of
      individual voltage-gated potassium channels into forming CCPs in living cells. We
      observe association and dissociation of individual channels with a CCP and,
      occasionally, their internalization. Contrary to widespread ideas, cargo often
      escapes from a pit before abortive CCP termination or endocytic vesicle
      production. Thus, the binding times of cargo molecules associating to CCPs are
      much shorter than the overall endocytic process. By measuring tens of thousands
      of capturing events, we build the distribution of capture times and the times
      that cargo remains confined to a CCP. An analytical stochastic model is developed
      and compared with the measured distributions. Due to the dynamic nature of the
      pit, the model is non-Markovian and it displays long-tail power law statistics.
      The measured distributions and model predictions are in excellent agreement over
      more than five orders of magnitude. Our findings identify one source of the large
      heterogeneities in CCP dynamics and provide a mechanism for the anomalous
      diffusion of proteins in the plasma membrane. 

PMID- 24218553
TI  - Structure and assembly of an inner membrane platform for initiation of type IV
      pilus biogenesis.
AB  - Type IV pili are long fibers that are assembled by polymerization of a major
      pilin protein in the periplasm of a wide range of bacteria and archaea. They play
      crucial roles in pathogenesis, DNA transformation, and motility, and are capable
      of rapid retraction, generating powerful motor forces. PilN and PilO are integral
      inner membrane proteins that are essential for type IV pilus formation. Here, we
      show that PilN and PilO from Thermus thermophilus can be isolated as a complex
      with PilM, a cytoplasmic protein with structural similarities to the cytoskeletal
      protein MreB. The crystal structure of the periplasmic portion of PilN forms a
      homodimer with an extensive, conserved interaction interface. We conducted serial
      3D reconstructions by electron microscopy of PilMN, PilMNO, and PilMNO bound to
      the major pilin protein PilA4, to chart the assembly of the inner membrane pilus
      biogenesis platform. PilN drives the dimerization of the PilMN complex with a
      stoichiometry of 2:2; binding of two PilO monomers then causes the PilN
      periplasmic domains to dissociate. Finally, two PilA4 monomers bind to the
      periplasmic domains of PilN and PilO, to generate a T-shaped complex that is
      primed for addition of the pilin to the nascent pilus fiber. Docking of
      structures for PilM, PilN, PilO, and PilA4 into the electron density maps of the
      transmembrane complexes was used to generate a sequence of molecular structures
      that chart the initial events in type IV pilus formation, and provide structural
      information on the early events in this important secretion process. 

PMID- 24218554
TI  - Overexpression of Twinkle-helicase protects cardiomyocytes from genotoxic stress
      caused by reactive oxygen species.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in adult human heart is characterized by complex
      molecular forms held together by junctional molecules of unknown biological
      significance. These junctions are not present in mouse hearts and emerge in
      humans during postnatal development, concomitant with increased demand for
      oxidative metabolism. To analyze the role of mtDNA organization during oxidative
      stress in cardiomyocytes, we used a mouse model, which recapitulates the complex
      mtDNA organization of human hearts by overexpression of the mitochondrial
      helicase, TWINKLE. Overexpression of TWINKLE rescued the oxidative damage induced
      replication stalling of mtDNA, reduced mtDNA point mutation load, and modified
      mtDNA rearrangements in heterozygous mitochondrial superoxide dismutase knockout
      hearts, as well as ameliorated cardiomyopathy in mice superoxide dismutase
      knockout in a p21-dependent manner. We conclude that mtDNA integrity influences
      cell survival and reason that tissue specific modes of mtDNA maintenance
      represent an adaptation to oxidative stress. 

PMID- 24218555
TI  - Sonic hedgehog signals to multiple prostate stromal stem cells that replenish
      distinct stromal subtypes during regeneration.
AB  - The adult mouse prostate has a seemingly endless capacity for regeneration, and
      sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling has been implicated in this stem cell-driven
      process. However, it is not clear whether SHH acts on the epithelium or stromal
      cells that secrete factors required for epithelial expansion. Because little is
      known about stromal stem cells compared with their epithelial counterparts, we
      used in vivo mouse genetics tools to characterize four prostate stromal subtypes
      and their stem cells. Using knockin reporter alleles, we uncovered that SHH
      signals from prostate basal epithelial cells to adjacent stromal cells.
      Furthermore, the SHH target gene Gli1 is preferentially expressed in
      subepithelial fibroblast-like cells, one of four prostate stromal subtypes and
      the subtype closest to the epithelial source of SHH. Using Genetic Inducible Fate
      Mapping to mark adult Gli1- or Smooth muscle actin-expressing cells and follow
      their fate during regeneration, we uncovered that Gli1-expressing cells exhibit
      long-term self-renewal capacity during multiple rounds of androgen-mediated
      regeneration after castration-induced involution, and depleted smooth muscle
      cells are mainly replenished by preexisting smooth muscle cells. Based on our
      Genetic Inducible Fate Mapping studies, we propose a model where SHH signals to
      multiple stromal stem cells, which are largely unipotent in vivo. 

PMID- 24218556
TI  - Human health impacts of ecosystem alteration.
AB  - Human activity is rapidly transforming most of Earth's natural systems. How this
      transformation is impacting human health, whose health is at greatest risk, and
      the magnitude of the associated disease burden are relatively new subjects within
      the field of environmental health. We discuss what is known about the human
      health implications of changes in the structure and function of natural systems
      and propose that these changes are affecting human health in a variety of
      important ways. We identify several gaps and limitations in the research that has
      been done to date and propose a more systematic and comprehensive approach to
      applied research in this field. Such efforts could lead to a more robust
      understanding of the human health impacts of accelerating environmental change
      and inform decision making in the land-use planning, environmental conservation,
      and public health policy realms. 

PMID- 24218557
TI  - Crystal structure of the human eIF4AIII-CWC22 complex shows how a DEAD-box
      protein is inhibited by a MIF4G domain.
AB  - DEAD-box proteins are involved in all aspects of RNA processing. They bind RNA in
      an ATP-dependent manner and couple ATP hydrolysis to structural and compositional
      rearrangements of ribonucleoprotein particles. Conformational control is a major
      point of regulation for DEAD-box proteins to act on appropriate substrates and in
      a timely manner in vivo. Binding partners containing a middle domain of
      translation initiation factor 4G (MIF4G) are emerging as important regulators.
      Well-known examples are eIF4G and Gle1, which bind and activate the DEAD-box
      proteins eIF4A and Dbp5. Here, we report the mechanism of an inhibiting MIF4G
      domain. We determined the 2.0-A resolution structure of the complex of human
      eIF4AIII and the MIF4G domain of the splicing factor Complexed With Cef1 (CWC22),
      an essential prerequisite for exon junction complex assembly by the splicing
      machinery. The CWC22 MIF4G domain binds both RecA domains of eIF4AIII. The mode
      of RecA2 recognition is similar to that observed in the activating complexes, yet
      is specific for eIF4AIII. The way the CWC22 MIF4G domain latches on the eIF4AIII
      RecA1 domain is markedly different from activating complexes. In the CWC22
      eIF4AIII complex, the RNA-binding and ATP-binding motifs of the two RecA domains
      do not face each other, as would be required in the active state, but are in
      diametrically opposite positions. The binding mode of CWC22 to eIF4AIII reveals a
      facet of how MIF4G domains use their versatile structural frameworks to activate
      or inhibit DEAD-box proteins.

PMID- 24218558
TI  - Metabolically programmed quality control system for dolichol-linked
      oligosaccharides.
AB  - The glycolipid Glc3Man9GlcNAc2-pyrophosphate-dolichol serves as the precursor for
      asparagine (N)-linked protein glycosylation in mammals. The biosynthesis of
      dolichol-linked oligosaccharides (DLOs) is arrested in low-glucose environments
      via unknown mechanisms, resulting in abnormal N-glycosylation. Here, we show that
      under glucose deprivation, DLOs are prematurely degraded during the early stages
      of DLO biosynthesis by pyrophosphatase, leading to the release of singly
      phosphorylated oligosaccharides into the cytosol. We identified that the level of
      GDP-mannose (Man), which serves as a donor substrate for DLO biosynthesis, is
      substantially reduced under glucose deprivation. We provide evidence that the
      selective shutdown of the GDP-Man biosynthetic pathway is sufficient to induce
      the release of phosphorylated oligosaccharides. These results indicate that
      glucose-regulated metabolic changes in the GDP-Man biosynthetic pathway cause the
      biosynthetic arrest of DLOs and facilitate their premature degradation by
      pyrophosphatase. We propose that this degradation system may avoid abnormal N
      glycosylation with premature oligosaccharides under conditions that impair
      efficient DLO biosynthesis. 

PMID- 24218559
TI  - QnAs with Daniel Schacter.

PMID- 24218560
TI  - Phage T7 Gp2 inhibition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase involves
      misappropriation of sigma70 domain 1.1.
AB  - Bacteriophage T7 encodes an essential inhibitor of the Escherichia coli host RNA
      polymerase (RNAP), the product of gene 2 (Gp2). We determined a series of X-ray
      crystal structures of E. coli RNAP holoenzyme with or without Gp2. The results
      define the structure and location of the RNAP sigma(70) subunit domain
      1.1(sigma(1.1)(70)) inside the RNAP active site channel, where it must be
      displaced by the DNA upon formation of the open promoter complex. The structures
      and associated data, combined with previous results, allow for a complete
      delineation of the mechanism for Gp2 inhibition of E. coli RNAP. In the primary
      inhibition mechanism, Gp2 forms a protein-protein interaction with
      sigma(1.1)(70), preventing the normal egress of sigma(1.1)(70) from the RNAP
      active site channel. Gp2 thus misappropriates a domain of the RNAP holoenzyme,
      sigma(1.1)(70), to inhibit the function of the enzyme.

PMID- 24218561
TI  - Identifying external influences on global precipitation.
AB  - Changes in global (ocean and land) precipitation are among the most important and
      least well-understood consequences of climate change. Increasing greenhouse gas
      concentrations are thought to affect the zonal-mean distribution of precipitation
      through two basic mechanisms. First, increasing temperatures will lead to an
      intensification of the hydrological cycle ("thermodynamic" changes). Second,
      changes in atmospheric circulation patterns will lead to poleward displacement of
      the storm tracks and subtropical dry zones and to a widening of the tropical belt
      ("dynamic" changes). We demonstrate that both these changes are occurring
      simultaneously in global precipitation, that this behavior cannot be explained by
      internal variability alone, and that external influences are responsible for the
      observed precipitation changes. Whereas existing model experiments are not of
      sufficient length to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic forcing
      terms at the 95% confidence level, we present evidence that the observed trends
      result from human activities. 

PMID- 24218562
TI  - Structural insights into the histone H1-nucleosome complex.
AB  - Linker H1 histones facilitate formation of higher-order chromatin structures and
      play important roles in various cell functions. Despite several decades of
      effort, the structural basis of how H1 interacts with the nucleosome remains
      elusive. Here, we investigated Drosophila H1 in complex with the nucleosome,
      using solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and other biophysical
      methods. We found that the globular domain of H1 bridges the nucleosome core and
      one 10-base pair linker DNA asymmetrically, with its alpha3 helix facing the
      nucleosomal DNA near the dyad axis. Two short regions in the C-terminal tail of
      H1 and the C-terminal tail of one of the two H2A histones are also involved in
      the formation of the H1-nucleosome complex. Our results lead to a residue
      specific structural model for the globular domain of the Drosophila H1 in complex
      with the nucleosome, which is different from all previous experiment-based models
      and has implications for chromatin dynamics in vivo. 

PMID- 24218563
TI  - TREM2 governs Kupffer cell activation and explains belr1 genetic resistance to
      malaria liver stage infection.
AB  - Plasmodium liver stage infection is a target of interest for the treatment of and
      vaccination against malaria. Here we used forward genetics to search for
      mechanisms underlying natural host resistance to infection and identified
      triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) and MHC class II
      molecules as determinants of Plasmodium berghei liver stage infection in mice.
      Locus belr1 confers resistance to malaria liver stage infection. The use of newly
      derived subcongenic mouse lines allowed to map belr1 to a 4-Mb interval on mouse
      chromosome 17 that contains the Trem2 gene. We show that Trem2 expression in the
      nonparenchymal liver cells closely correlates with resistance to liver stage
      infection, implicating TREM2 as a mediator of the belr1 genetic effect. Trem2
      deficient mice are more susceptible to liver stage infection than their WT
      counterparts. We found that Kupffer cells are the principle cells expressing
      TREM2 in the liver, and that Trem2(-/-) Kupffer cells display altered functional
      activation on exposure to P. berghei sporozoites. TREM2 expression in Kupffer
      cells contributes to the limitation of parasite expansion in isolated hepatocytes
      in vitro, potentially explaining the increased susceptibility of Trem2(-/-) mice
      to liver stage infection. The MHC locus was also found to control liver parasite
      burden, possibly owing to the expression of MHC class II molecules in
      hepatocytes. Our findings implicate unexpected Kupffer-hepatocyte cross-talk in
      the control Plasmodium liver stage infection and demonstrate that TREM2 is
      involved in host responses against the malaria parasite. 

PMID- 24218564
TI  - Phosphorylation-dependent derepression by the response regulator HnoC in the
      Shewanella oneidensis nitric oxide signaling network.
AB  - Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule that regulates diverse
      physiological processes in all domains of life. In many gammaproteobacteria, NO
      controls behavioral responses through a complex signaling network involving heme
      nitric oxide/oxygen binding (H-NOX) domains as selective NO sensors. In
      Shewanella oneidensis, H-NOX-mediated NO sensing increases biofilm formation,
      which is thought to serve as a protective mechanism against NO cytotoxicity. The
      H-NOX/NO-responsive (hno) signaling network involves H-NOX-dependent control of
      HnoK autophosphorylation and phosphotransfer from HnoK to three response
      regulators. Two of these response regulators, HnoB and HnoD, regulate cyclic-di
      GMP levels and influence biofilm formation. However, the role of the third
      response regulator in the signaling network, HnoC, has not been determined. Here
      we describe a role for HnoC as a transcriptional repressor for the signaling
      genes in the hno network. The genes controlled by HnoC were identified by
      microarray analysis, and its function as a repressor was confirmed in vivo. HnoC
      belongs to an uncharacterized family of DNA-binding response regulators. Binding
      of HnoC to its promoter targets was characterized in vitro, revealing an
      unprecedented regulation mechanism, which further extends the functional
      capabilities of DNA-binding response regulators. In the unphosphorylated state
      HnoC forms a tetramer, which tightly binds to an inverted-repeat target sequence
      overlapping with the promoter regions. Phosphorylation of HnoC induces
      dissociation of the response regulator tetramer and detachment of subunits from
      the promoter DNA, which subsequently leads to transcriptional derepression. 

PMID- 24218565
TI  - Deep ocean communities impacted by changing climate over 24 y in the abyssal
      northeast Pacific Ocean.
AB  - The deep ocean, covering a vast expanse of the globe, relies almost exclusively
      on a food supply originating from primary production in surface waters. With well
      documented warming of oceanic surface waters and conflicting reports of
      increasing and decreasing primary production trends, questions persist about how
      such changes impact deep ocean communities. A 24-y time-series study of sinking
      particulate organic carbon (food) supply and its utilization by the benthic
      community was conducted in the abyssal northeast Pacific (~4,000-m depth). Here
      we show that previous findings of food deficits are now punctuated by large
      episodic surpluses of particulate organic carbon reaching the sea floor, which
      meet utilization. Changing surface ocean conditions are translated to the deep
      ocean, where decadal peaks in supply, remineralization, and sequestration of
      organic carbon have broad implications for global carbon budget projections.

PMID- 24218566
TI  - Emergence of spatial structure in the tumor microenvironment due to the Warburg
      effect.
AB  - Drastic metabolic alterations, such as the Warburg effect, are found in most if
      not all types of malignant tumors. Emerging evidence shows that cancer cells
      benefit from these alterations, but little is known about how they affect
      noncancerous stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment. Here we show that
      cancer cells are better adapted to metabolic changes in the microenvironment,
      leading to the emergence of spatial structure. A clear example of tumor spatial
      structure is the localization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), one of the
      most common stromal cell types found in tumors. TAMs are enriched in well
      perfused areas, such as perivascular and cortical regions, where they are known
      to potentiate tumor growth and invasion. However, the mechanisms of TAM
      localization are not completely understood. Computational modeling predicts that
      gradients--of nutrients, gases, and metabolic by-products such as lactate--emerge
      due to altered cell metabolism within poorly perfused tumors, creating ischemic
      regions of the tumor microenvironment where TAMs struggle to survive. We tested
      our modeling prediction in a coculture system that mimics the tumor
      microenvironment. Using this experimental approach, we showed that a combination
      of metabolite gradients and differential sensitivity to lactic acid is sufficient
      for the emergence of macrophage localization patterns in vitro. This suggests
      that cancer metabolic changes create a microenvironment where tumor cells thrive
      over other cells. Understanding differences in tumor-stroma sensitivity to these
      alterations may open therapeutic avenues against cancer.

PMID- 24218567
TI  - Lkb1/Stk11 regulation of mTOR signaling controls the transition of chondrocyte
      fates and suppresses skeletal tumor formation.
AB  - Liver kinase b1 (Lkb1) protein kinase activity regulates cell growth and cell
      polarity. Here, we show Lkb1 is essential for maintaining a balance between
      mitotic and postmitotic cell fates in development of the mammalian skeleton. In
      this process, Lkb1 activity controls the progression of mitotic chondrocytes to a
      mature, postmitotic hypertrophic fate. Loss of this Lkb1-dependent switch leads
      to a dramatic expansion of immature chondrocytes and formation of enchondroma
      like tumors. Pathway analysis points to a mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1
      dependent mechanism that can be partially suppressed by rapamycin treatment.
      These findings highlight a critical requirement for integration of mammalian
      target of rapamycin activity into developmental decision-making during mammalian
      skeletogenesis. 

PMID- 24218568
TI  - Genetic variants related to gap junctions and hormone secretion influence
      conception rates in cows.
AB  - The recent decline in fertility is a serious problem in the dairy industry. To
      overcome this problem, we performed a genome-wide association study using 384
      Holsteins and identified four loci associated with conception rates. Two of them
      contained gap junction-related genes: PKP2 and CTTNBP2NL. Further analysis
      confirmed that PKP2 increased connexin 43, a gap junction protein, whereas
      CTTNBP2NL dephosphorylated connexin 43. Knockdown of PKP2 or overexpression of
      CTTNBP2NL inhibited embryo implantation in mice. The other two loci contained
      neuroendocrine-related genes: SETD6 and CACNB2. Additional experiments indicated
      that SETD6 is involved in the transcriptional regulation of gonadotropin
      releasing hormone, whereas CACNB2 controlled the secretion of follicle
      stimulating hormone in cattle. The total allele substitution effect of these
      genes on conception rate was 3.5%. Our findings reveal important roles for gap
      junction communication and the neuroendocrine system in conception and suggest
      unique selection methods to improve reproductive performance in the livestock
      industry. 

PMID- 24218569
TI  - Microphysical effects determine macrophysical response for aerosol impacts on
      deep convective clouds.
AB  - Deep convective clouds (DCCs) play a crucial role in the general circulation,
      energy, and hydrological cycle of our climate system. Aerosol particles can
      influence DCCs by altering cloud properties, precipitation regimes, and radiation
      balance. Previous studies reported both invigoration and suppression of DCCs by
      aerosols, but few were concerned with the whole life cycle of DCC. By conducting
      multiple monthlong cloud-resolving simulations with spectral-bin cloud
      microphysics that capture the observed macrophysical and microphysical properties
      of summer convective clouds and precipitation in the tropics and midlatitudes,
      this study provides a comprehensive view of how aerosols affect cloud cover,
      cloud top height, and radiative forcing. We found that although the widely
      accepted theory of DCC invigoration due to aerosol's thermodynamic effect
      (additional latent heat release from freezing of greater amount of cloud water)
      may work during the growing stage, it is microphysical effect influenced by
      aerosols that drives the dramatic increase in cloud cover, cloud top height, and
      cloud thickness at the mature and dissipation stages by inducing larger amounts
      of smaller but longer-lasting ice particles in the stratiform/anvils of DCCs,
      even when thermodynamic invigoration of convection is absent. The thermodynamic
      invigoration effect contributes up to ~27% of total increase in cloud cover. The
      overall aerosol indirect effect is an atmospheric radiative warming (3-5 W m(-2))
      and a surface cooling (-5 to -8 W m(-2)). The modeling findings are confirmed by
      the analyses of ample measurements made at three sites of distinctly different
      environments.

PMID- 24218570
TI  - Prefusion structure of syntaxin-1A suggests pathway for folding into neuronal
      trans-SNARE complex fusion intermediate.
AB  - The assembly of the three neuronal soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor
      attachment protein (SNAP) receptor (SNARE) proteins synaptobrevin 2, syntaxin-1A,
      and SNAP-25 is the key step that leads to exocytotic fusion of synaptic vesicles.
      In the fully assembled SNARE complex, these three proteins form a coiled-coil
      four-helix bundle structure by interaction of their respective SNARE motifs.
      Although biochemical and mutational analyses strongly suggest that the heptad
      repeat SNARE motifs zipper into the final structure, little is known about the
      prefusion state of individual membrane-bound SNAREs and how they change
      conformation from the unzippered prefusion to the zippered postfusion state in a
      membrane environment. We have solved the solution NMR structure of micelle-bound
      syntaxin-1A in its prefusion conformation. In addition to the transmembrane
      helix, the SNARE motif consists of two well-ordered, membrane-bound helices
      separated by the "0-layer" residue Gln226. This unexpected structural order of
      the N- and C-terminal halves of the uncomplexed SNARE motif suggests the
      formation of partially zippered SNARE complex intermediates, with the 0-layer
      serving as a proofreading site for correct SNARE assembly. Interferometric
      fluorescence measurements in lipid bilayers confirm that the open SNARE motif
      helices of syntaxin interact with lipid bilayers and that association with the
      other target-membrane SNARE SNAP-25 lifts the SNARE motif off the membrane as a
      critical prerequisite for SNARE complex assembly and membrane fusion. 

PMID- 24218571
TI  - Serotonin regulates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic beta
      cells during pregnancy.
AB  - In preparation for the metabolic demands of pregnancy, beta cells in the maternal
      pancreatic islets increase both in number and in glucose-stimulated insulin
      secretion (GSIS) per cell. Mechanisms have been proposed for the increased beta
      cell mass, but not for the increased GSIS. Because serotonin production increases
      dramatically during pregnancy, we tested whether flux through the ionotropic 5
      HT3 receptor (Htr3) affects GSIS during pregnancy. Pregnant Htr3a(-/-) mice
      exhibited impaired glucose tolerance despite normally increased beta cell mass,
      and their islets lacked the increase in GSIS seen in islets from pregnant wild
      type mice. Electrophysiological studies showed that activation of Htr3 decreased
      the resting membrane potential in beta cells, which increased Ca(2+) uptake and
      insulin exocytosis in response to glucose. Thus, our data indicate that
      serotonin, acting in a paracrine/autocrine manner through Htr3, lowers the beta
      cell threshold for glucose and plays an essential role in the increased GSIS of
      pregnancy. 

PMID- 24218572
TI  - CDK10/cyclin M is a protein kinase that controls ETS2 degradation and is
      deficient in STAR syndrome.
AB  - Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate a variety of fundamental cellular
      processes. CDK10 stands out as one of the last orphan CDKs for which no
      activating cyclin has been identified and no kinase activity revealed. Previous
      work has shown that CDK10 silencing increases ETS2 (v-ets erythroblastosis virus
      E26 oncogene homolog 2)-driven activation of the MAPK pathway, which confers
      tamoxifen resistance to breast cancer cells. The precise mechanisms by which
      CDK10 modulates ETS2 activity, and more generally the functions of CDK10, remain
      elusive. Here we demonstrate that CDK10 is a cyclin-dependent kinase by
      identifying cyclin M as an activating cyclin. Cyclin M, an orphan cyclin, is the
      product of FAM58A, whose mutations cause STAR syndrome, a human developmental
      anomaly whose features include toe syndactyly, telecanthus, and anogenital and
      renal malformations. We show that STAR syndrome-associated cyclin M mutants are
      unable to interact with CDK10. Cyclin M silencing phenocopies CDK10 silencing in
      increasing c-Raf and in conferring tamoxifen resistance to breast cancer cells.
      CDK10/cyclin M phosphorylates ETS2 in vitro, and in cells it positively controls
      ETS2 degradation by the proteasome. ETS2 protein levels are increased in cells
      derived from a STAR patient, and this increase is attributable to decreased
      cyclin M levels. Altogether, our results reveal an additional regulatory
      mechanism for ETS2, which plays key roles in cancer and development. They also
      shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying STAR syndrome. 

PMID- 24218573
TI  - Exploring network scaling through variations on optimal channel networks.
AB  - Metabolic allometry, a common pattern in nature, is a close to 3/4-power scaling
      law between metabolic rate and body mass in organisms, across and within species.
      An analogous relationship between metabolic rate and water volume in river
      networks has also been observed. Optimal channel networks (OCNs), at local
      optima, accurately model many scaling properties of river systems, including
      metabolic allometry. OCNs are embedded in 2D space; this work extends the model
      to three dimensions. In this paper we compare characteristics of 3D OCNs with 2D
      OCNs and with organic metabolic networks, studying the scaling behaviors of area,
      length, volume, and energy. We find that the 3D OCN has predictable
      characteristics analogous to those of the 2D version, as well as scaling
      properties similar to metabolic networks in biological organisms. 

PMID- 24218574
TI  - Dynamic faces speed up the onset of auditory cortical spiking responses during
      vocal detection.
AB  - How low-level sensory areas help mediate the detection and discrimination
      advantages of integrating faces and voices is the subject of intense debate. To
      gain insights, we investigated the role of the auditory cortex in face/voice
      integration in macaque monkeys performing a vocal-detection task. Behaviorally,
      subjects were slower to detect vocalizations as the signal-to-noise ratio
      decreased, but seeing mouth movements associated with vocalizations sped up
      detection. Paralleling this behavioral relationship, as the signal to noise ratio
      decreased, the onset of spiking responses were delayed and magnitudes were
      decreased. However, when mouth motion accompanied the vocalization, these
      responses were uniformly faster. Conversely, and at odds with previous
      assumptions regarding the neural basis of face/voice integration, changes in the
      magnitude of neural responses were not related consistently to audiovisual
      behavior. Taken together, our data reveal that facilitation of spike latency is a
      means by which the auditory cortex partially mediates the reaction time benefits
      of combining faces and voices. 

PMID- 24218575
TI  - QnAs with John Clarke.

PMID- 24218576
TI  - Transmission of multiple system atrophy prions to transgenic mice.
AB  - Prions are proteins that adopt alternative conformations, which become self
      propagating. Increasing evidence argues that prions feature in the
      synucleinopathies that include Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and
      multiple system atrophy (MSA). Although TgM83(+/+) mice homozygous for a mutant
      A53T alpha-synuclein transgene begin developing CNS dysfunction spontaneously at
      ~10 mo of age, uninoculated TgM83(+/-) mice (hemizygous for the transgene) remain
      healthy. To determine whether MSA brains contain alpha-synuclein prions, we
      inoculated the TgM83(+/-) mice with brain homogenates from two pathologically
      confirmed MSA cases. Inoculated TgM83(+/-) mice developed progressive signs of
      neurologic disease with an incubation period of ~100 d, whereas the same mice
      inoculated with brain homogenates from spontaneously ill TgM83(+/+) mice
      developed neurologic dysfunction in ~210 d. Brains of MSA-inoculated mice
      exhibited prominent astrocytic gliosis and microglial activation as well as
      widespread deposits of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein that were proteinase K
      sensitive, detergent insoluble, and formic acid extractable. Our results provide
      compelling evidence that alpha-synuclein aggregates formed in the brains of MSA
      patients are transmissible and, as such, are prions. The MSA prion represents a
      unique human pathogen that is lethal upon transmission to Tg mice and as such, is
      reminiscent of the prion causing kuru, which was transmitted to chimpanzees
      nearly 5 decades ago. 

PMID- 24218577
TI  - Human-specific endogenous retroviral insert serves as an enhancer for the
      schizophrenia-linked gene PRODH.
AB  - Using a systematic, whole-genome analysis of enhancer activity of human-specific
      endogenous retroviral inserts (hsERVs), we identified an element, hsERVPRODH,
      that acts as a tissue-specific enhancer for the PRODH gene, which is required for
      proper CNS functioning. PRODH is one of the candidate genes for susceptibility to
      schizophrenia and other neurological disorders. It codes for a proline
      dehydrogenase enzyme, which catalyses the first step of proline catabolism and
      most likely is involved in neuromediator synthesis in the CNS. We investigated
      the mechanisms that regulate hsERVPRODH enhancer activity. We showed that the
      hsERVPRODH enhancer and the internal CpG island of PRODH synergistically activate
      its promoter. The enhancer activity of hsERVPRODH is regulated by methylation,
      and in an undermethylated state it can up-regulate PRODH expression in the
      hippocampus. The mechanism of hsERVPRODH enhancer activity involves the binding
      of the transcription factor SOX2, whch is preferentially expressed in
      hippocampus. We propose that the interaction of hsERVPRODH and PRODH may have
      contributed to human CNS evolution. 

PMID- 24218578
TI  - Bioavailable copper modulates oxidative phosphorylation and growth of tumors.
AB  - Copper is an essential trace element, the imbalances of which are associated with
      various pathological conditions, including cancer, albeit via largely undefined
      molecular and cellular mechanisms. Here we provide evidence that levels of
      bioavailable copper modulate tumor growth. Chronic exposure to elevated levels of
      copper in drinking water, corresponding to the maximum allowed in public water
      supplies, stimulated proliferation of cancer cells and de novo pancreatic tumor
      growth in mice. Conversely, reducing systemic copper levels with a chelating
      drug, clinically used to treat copper disorders, impaired both. Under such copper
      limitation, tumors displayed decreased activity of the copper-binding
      mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome c oxidase and reduced ATP levels, despite
      enhanced glycolysis, which was not accompanied by increased invasiveness of
      tumors. The antiproliferative effect of copper chelation was enhanced when
      combined with inhibitors of glycolysis. Interestingly, larger tumors contained
      less copper than smaller tumors and exhibited comparatively lower activity of
      cytochrome c oxidase and increased glucose uptake. These results establish copper
      as a tumor promoter and reveal that varying levels of copper serves to regulate
      oxidative phosphorylation in rapidly proliferating cancer cells inside solid
      tumors. Thus, activation of glycolysis in tumors may in part reflect insufficient
      copper bioavailability in the tumor microenvironment. 

PMID- 24218579
TI  - FtsK-dependent XerCD-dif recombination unlinks replication catenanes in a
      stepwise manner.
AB  - In Escherichia coli, complete unlinking of newly replicated sister chromosomes is
      required to ensure their proper segregation at cell division. Whereas replication
      links are removed primarily by topoisomerase IV, XerC/XerD-dif site-specific
      recombination can mediate sister chromosome unlinking in Topoisomerase IV
      deficient cells. This reaction is activated at the division septum by the DNA
      translocase FtsK, which coordinates the last stages of chromosome segregation
      with cell division. It has been proposed that, after being activated by FtsK,
      XerC/XerD-dif recombination removes DNA links in a stepwise manner. Here, we
      provide a mathematically rigorous characterization of this topological mechanism
      of DNA unlinking. We show that stepwise unlinking is the only possible pathway
      that strictly reduces the complexity of the substrates at each step. Finally, we
      propose a topological mechanism for this unlinking reaction. 

PMID- 24218580
TI  - Exchange protein directly activated by cAMP plays a critical role in bacterial
      invasion during fatal rickettsioses.
AB  - Rickettsiae are responsible for some of the most devastating human infections. A
      high infectivity and severe illness after inhalation make some rickettsiae
      bioterrorism threats. We report that deletion of the exchange protein directly
      activated by cAMP (Epac) gene, Epac1, in mice protects them from an ordinarily
      lethal dose of rickettsiae. Inhibition of Epac1 suppresses bacterial adhesion and
      invasion. Most importantly, pharmacological inhibition of Epac1 in vivo using an
      Epac-specific small-molecule inhibitor, ESI-09, completely recapitulates the
      Epac1 knockout phenotype. ESI-09 treatment dramatically decreases the morbidity
      and mortality associated with fatal spotted fever rickettsiosis. Our results
      demonstrate that Epac1-mediated signaling represents a mechanism for host
      pathogen interactions and that Epac1 is a potential target for the prevention and
      treatment of fatal rickettsioses. 

PMID- 24218581
TI  - Revised standards for statistical evidence.
AB  - Recent advances in Bayesian hypothesis testing have led to the development of
      uniformly most powerful Bayesian tests, which represent an objective, default
      class of Bayesian hypothesis tests that have the same rejection regions as
      classical significance tests. Based on the correspondence between these two
      classes of tests, it is possible to equate the size of classical hypothesis tests
      with evidence thresholds in Bayesian tests, and to equate P values with Bayes
      factors. An examination of these connections suggest that recent concerns over
      the lack of reproducibility of scientific studies can be attributed largely to
      the conduct of significance tests at unjustifiably high levels of significance.
      To correct this problem, evidence thresholds required for the declaration of a
      significant finding should be increased to 25-50:1, and to 100-200:1 for the
      declaration of a highly significant finding. In terms of classical hypothesis
      tests, these evidence standards mandate the conduct of tests at the 0.005 or
      0.001 level of significance. 

PMID- 24218582
TI  - Gene amplification and microsatellite polymorphism underlie a recent insect host
      shift.
AB  - Host plant shifts of herbivorous insects may be a first step toward sympatric
      speciation and can create new pests of agriculturally important crops; however,
      the molecular mechanisms that mediate this process are poorly understood. Certain
      races of the polyphagous aphid Myzus persicae have recently adapted to feed on
      tobacco (Myzus persicae nicotianae) and show a reduced sensitivity to the plant
      alkaloid nicotine and cross-resistance to neonicotinoids a class of synthetic
      insecticides widely used for control. Here we show constitutive overexpression of
      a cytochrome P450 (CYP6CY3) allows tobacco-adapted races of M. persicae to
      efficiently detoxify nicotine and has preadapted them to resist neonicotinoid
      insecticides. CYP6CY3, is highly overexpressed in M. persicae nicotianae clones
      from three continents compared with M. persicae s.s. and expression level is
      significantly correlated with tolerance to nicotine. CYP6CY3 is highly efficient
      (compared with the primary human nicotine-metabolizing P450) at metabolizing
      nicotine and neonicotinoids to less toxic metabolites in vitro and generation of
      transgenic Drosophila expressing CYP6CY3 demonstrate that it confers resistance
      to both compounds in vivo. Overexpression of CYP6CY3 results from the expansion
      of a dinucleotide microsatellite in the promoter region and a recent gene
      amplification, with some aphid clones carrying up to 100 copies. We conclude that
      the mutations leading to overexpression of CYP6CY3 were a prerequisite for the
      host shift of M. persicae to tobacco and that gene amplification and
      microsatellite polymorphism are evolutionary drivers in insect host adaptation. 

PMID- 24218583
TI  - Keratin 16 regulates innate immunity in response to epidermal barrier breach.
AB  - Mutations in the type I keratin 16 (Krt16) and its partner type II keratin 6
      (Krt6a, Krt6b) cause pachyonychia congenita (PC), a disorder typified by
      dystrophic nails, painful hyperkeratotic calluses in glabrous skin, and lesions
      involving other epithelial appendages. The pathophysiology of these symptoms and
      its relationship to settings in which Krt16 and Krt6 are induced in response to
      epidermal barrier stress are poorly understood. We report that hyperkeratotic
      calluses arising in the glabrous skin of individuals with PC and Krt16 null mice
      share a gene expression signature enriched in genes involved in inflammation and
      innate immunity, in particular damage-associated molecular patterns.
      Transcriptional hyper-activation of damage-associated molecular pattern genes
      occurs following de novo chemical or mechanical irritation to ear skin and in
      spontaneously arising skin lesions in Krt16 null mice. Genome-wide expression
      analysis of normal mouse tail skin and benign proliferative lesions reveals a
      tight, context-dependent coregulation of Krt16 and Krt6 with genes involved in
      skin barrier maintenance and innate immunity. Our results uncover a role for
      Krt16 in regulating epithelial inflammation that is relevant to genodermatoses,
      psoriasis, and cancer and suggest a avenue for the therapeutic management of PC
      and related disorders. 

PMID- 24218584
TI  - Structural and genetic analyses reveal the protein SepF as a new membrane anchor
      for the Z ring.
AB  - A key step in bacterial cell division is the polymerization of the tubulin
      homolog FtsZ at midcell. FtsZ polymers are anchored to the cell membrane by FtsA
      and are required for the assembly of all other cell division proteins. In Gram
      positive and cyanobacteria, FtsZ filaments are aligned by the protein SepF, which
      in vitro polymerizes into large rings that bundle FtsZ filaments. Here we
      describe the crystal structure of the only globular domain of SepF, located
      within the C-terminal region. Two-hybrid data revealed that this domain comprises
      the FtsZ binding site, and EM analyses showed that it is sufficient for ring
      formation, which is explained by the filaments in the crystals of SepF. Site
      directed mutagenesis, gel filtration, and analytical ultracentrifugation
      indicated that dimers form the basic units of SepF filaments. High-resolution
      structured illumination microscopy suggested that SepF is membrane associated,
      and it turned out that purified SepF not only binds to lipid membranes, but also
      recruits FtsZ. Further genetic and biochemical analyses showed that an
      amphipathic helix at the N terminus functions as the membrane-binding domain,
      making SepF a unique membrane anchor for the FtsZ ring. This clarifies why
      Bacillus subtilis grows without FtsA or the putative membrane anchor EzrA and why
      bacteria lacking FtsA contain SepF homologs. Both FtsA and SepF use an
      amphipathic helix for membrane binding. These helices prefer positively curved
      membranes due to relaxed lipid density; therefore this type of membrane anchor
      may assist in keeping the Z ring positioned at the strongly curved leading edge
      of the developing septum. 

PMID- 24218585
TI  - Serotonin selectively enhances perception and sensory neural responses to stimuli
      generated by same-sex conspecifics.
AB  - Centrifugal serotonergic fibers innervating sensory brain areas are seen
      ubiquitously across systems and species but their function remains unclear. Here
      we examined the functional role of serotonergic innervation onto electrosensory
      neurons in weakly electric fish by eliciting endogenous release through
      electrical stimulation as well as exogenous focal application of serotonin in the
      vicinity of the cell being recorded from. Both approaches showed that the
      function of serotonergic input onto electrosensory pyramidal neurons is to render
      them more excitable by reducing the spike afterhyperpolarization amplitude and
      thereby promoting burst firing. Further, serotonergic input selectively improved
      neuronal responses to stimuli that occur during interactions between same-sex
      conspecifics but not to stimuli associated with either prey or that occur during
      interactions between opposite-sex conspecifics. Finally, we tested whether
      serotonin-mediated enhanced pyramidal neuron responses to stimuli associated with
      same-sex conspecifics actually increase perception by the animal. Our behavioral
      experiments show that exogenous injection and endogenous release of serotonin
      both increase the magnitude of behavioral responses to stimuli associated with
      same-sex conspecifics as well as simultaneously decrease aggressive behaviors.
      Thus, our data indicate that the serotonergic system inhibits aggressive behavior
      toward same-sex conspecifics, while at the same time increasing perception of
      stimuli associated with these individuals. This function is likely to be
      conserved across systems and species. 

PMID- 24218586
TI  - High-affinity olfactory receptor for the death-associated odor cadaverine.
AB  - Carrion smell is strongly repugnant to humans and triggers distinct innate
      behaviors in many other species. This smell is mainly carried by two small
      aliphatic diamines, putrescine and cadaverine, which are generated by bacterial
      decarboxylation of the basic amino acids ornithine and lysine. Depending on the
      species, these diamines may also serve as feeding attractants, oviposition
      attractants, or social cues. Behavioral responses to diamines have not been
      investigated in zebrafish, a powerful model system for studying vertebrate
      olfaction. Furthermore, olfactory receptors that detect cadaverine and putrescine
      have not been identified in any species so far. Here, we show robust olfactory
      mediated avoidance behavior of zebrafish to cadaverine and related diamines, and
      concomitant activation of sparse olfactory sensory neurons by these diamines. The
      large majority of neurons activated by low concentrations of cadaverine expresses
      a particular olfactory receptor, trace amine-associated receptor 13c (TAAR13c).
      Structure-activity analysis indicates TAAR13c to be a general diamine sensor,
      with pronounced selectivity for odd chains of medium length. This receptor can
      also be activated by decaying fish extracts, a physiologically relevant source of
      diamines. The identification of a sensitive zebrafish olfactory receptor for
      these diamines provides a molecular basis for studying neural circuits connecting
      sensation, perception, and innate behavior. 

PMID- 24218587
TI  - Growth hormone prevents the development of autoimmune diabetes.
AB  - Evidence supports a relationship between the neuroendocrine and the immune
      systems. Data from mice that overexpress or are deficient in growth hormone (GH)
      indicate that GH stimulates T and B-cell proliferation and Ig synthesis, and
      enhances maturation of myeloid progenitor cells. The effect of GH on autoimmune
      pathologies has nonetheless been little studied. Using a murine model of type 1
      diabetes, a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease characterized by immune cell
      infiltration of pancreatic islets and destruction of insulin-producing beta
      cells, we observed that sustained GH expression reduced prodromal disease
      symptoms and eliminated progression to overt diabetes. The effect involves
      several GH-mediated mechanisms; GH altered the cytokine environment, triggered
      anti-inflammatory macrophage (M2) polarization, maintained activity of the
      suppressor T-cell population, and limited Th17 cell plasticity. In addition, GH
      reduced apoptosis and/or increased the proliferative rate of beta-cells. These
      results support a role for GH in immune response regulation and identify a unique
      target for therapeutic intervention in type 1 diabetes. 

PMID- 24218588
TI  - Hydrogels preserve native phenotypes of valvular fibroblasts through an
      elasticity-regulated PI3K/AKT pathway.
AB  - Matrix elasticity regulates proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of many
      cell types across various tissues. In particular, stiffened matrix in fibrotic
      lesions has been shown to promote pathogenic myofibroblast activation. To better
      understand the underlying pathways by which fibroblasts mechano-sense matrix
      elasticity, we cultured primary valvular interstitial cells (VICs) isolated from
      porcine aortic valves on poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels with
      physiologically relevant and tunable elasticities. We show that soft hydrogels
      preserve the quiescent fibroblast phenotype of VICs much better than stiff
      plastic plates. We demonstrate that the PI3K/AKT pathway is significantly up
      regulated when VICs are cultured on stiff gels or tissue culture polystyrene
      compared with freshly isolated VICs. In contrast, myofibroblasts de-activate and
      pAKT/AKT decreases as early as 2 h after reducing the substrate modulus. When
      PI3K or AKT is inhibited on stiff substrates, myofibroblast activation is
      blocked. When constitutively active PI3K is overexpressed, the myofibroblast
      phenotype is promoted even on soft substrates. These data suggest that valvular
      fibroblasts are sensing the changes in matrix elasticity through the PI3K/AKT
      pathway. This mechanism may be used by other mechano-sensitive cells in response
      to substrate modulus, and this pathway may be a worthwhile target for treating
      matrix stiffness-associated diseases. Furthermore, hydrogels can be designed to
      recapitulate important mechanical cues in native tissues to preserve aspects of
      the native phenotype of primary cells for understanding basic cellular responses
      to biophysical and biochemical signals, and for tissue-engineering applications. 

PMID- 24218589
TI  - Foretinib is a potent inhibitor of oncogenic ROS1 fusion proteins.
AB  - The rapidly growing recognition of the role of oncogenic ROS1 fusion proteins in
      the malignant transformation of multiple cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma,
      cholangiocarcinoma, and glioblastoma, is driving efforts to develop effective
      ROS1 inhibitors for use as molecularly targeted therapy. Using a
      multidisciplinary approach involving small molecule screening in combination with
      in vitro and in vivo tumor models, we show that foretinib (GSK1363089) is a more
      potent ROS1 inhibitor than crizotinib (PF-02341066), an ALK/ROS inhibitor
      currently in clinical evaluation for lung cancer patients harboring ROS1
      rearrangements. Whereas crizotinib has demonstrated promising early results in
      patients with ROS1-rearranged non-small-cell lung carcinoma, recently emerging
      clinical evidence suggests that patients may develop crizotinib resistance due to
      acquired point mutations in the kinase domain of ROS1, thus necessitating
      identification of additional potent ROS1 inhibitors for therapeutic intervention.
      We confirm that the ROS1(G2032R) mutant, recently reported in clinical resistance
      to crizotinib, retains foretinib sensitivity at concentrations below safe,
      clinically achievable levels. Furthermore, we use an accelerated mutagenesis
      screen to preemptively identify mutations in the ROS1 kinase domain that confer
      resistance to crizotinib and demonstrate that these mutants also remain foretinib
      sensitive. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that foretinib is a highly
      effective ROS1 inhibitor, and further clinical investigation to evaluate its
      potential therapeutic benefit for patients with ROS1-driven malignancies is
      warranted. 

PMID- 24218590
TI  - BMP9 ameliorates amyloidosis and the cholinergic defect in a mouse model of
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) promotes the acquisition of the cholinergic
      phenotype in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) during development and
      protects these neurons from cholinergic dedifferentiation following axotomy when
      administered in vivo. A decline in BFCN function occurs in patients with
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) and contributes to the AD-associated memory deficits. We
      infused BMP9 intracerebroventricularly for 7 d in transgenic AD model mice
      expressing green fluorescent protein specifically in cholinergic neurons
      (APP.PS1/CHGFP) and in wild-type littermate controls (WT/CHGFP). We used 5-mo-old
      mice, an age when the AD transgenics display early amyloid deposition and few
      cholinergic defects, and 10-mo-old mice, by which time these mice exhibit
      established disease. BMP9 infusion reduced the number of Abeta42-positive amyloid
      plaques in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of 5- and 10-mo-old APP.PS1/CHGFP
      mice and reversed the reductions in choline acetyltransferase protein levels in
      the hippocampus of 10-mo-old APP.PS1/CHGFP mice. The treatment increased
      cholinergic fiber density in the hippocampus of both WT/CHGFP and APP.PS1/CHGFP
      mice at both ages. BMP9 infusion also increased hippocampal levels of
      neurotrophin 3, insulin-like growth factor 1, and nerve growth factor and of the
      nerve growth factor receptors, tyrosine kinase receptor A and p75/NGFR,
      irrespective of the genotype of the mice. These data show that BMP9
      administration is effective in reducing the Abeta42 amyloid plaque burden,
      reversing cholinergic neuron abnormalities, and generating a neurotrophic milieu
      for BFCN in a mouse model of AD and provide evidence that the BMP9-signaling
      pathway may constitute a therapeutic target for AD. 

PMID- 24218591
TI  - Fungal-derived semiochemical 1-octen-3-ol disrupts dopamine packaging and causes
      neurodegeneration.
AB  - Parkinson disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder and, although the
      exact causes are unknown, recent epidemiological and experimental studies
      indicate that several environmental agents may be significant risk factors. To
      date, these suspected environmental risk factors have been man-made chemicals. In
      this report, we demonstrate via genetic, biochemical, and immunological studies
      that the common volatile fungal semiochemical 1-octen-3-ol reduces dopamine
      levels and causes dopamine neuron degeneration in Drosophila melanogaster.
      Overexpression of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) rescued the dopamine
      toxicity and neurodegeneration, whereas mutations decreasing VMAT and tyrosine
      hydroxylase exacerbated toxicity. Furthermore, 1-octen-3-ol also inhibited uptake
      of dopamine in human cell lines expressing the human plasma membrane dopamine
      transporter (DAT) and human VMAT ortholog, VMAT2. These data demonstrate that 1
      octen-3-ol exerts toxicity via disruption of dopamine homeostasis and may
      represent a naturally occurring environmental agent involved in parkinsonism. 

PMID- 24218593
TI  - Intrinsic karyotype stability and gene copy number variations may have laid the
      foundation for tetraploid wheat formation.
AB  - Polyploidy or whole-genome duplication is recurrent in plant evolution, yet only
      a small fraction of whole-genome duplications has led to successful speciation. A
      major challenge in the establishment of nascent polyploids is sustained karyotype
      instability, which compromises fitness. The three putative diploid progenitors of
      bread wheat, with AA, SS (S ~ B), and DD genomes occurred sympatrically, and
      their cross-fertilization in different combinations may have resulted in fertile
      allotetraploids with various genomic constitutions. However, only SSAA or closely
      related genome combinations have led to the speciation of tetraploid wheats like
      Triticum turgidum and Triticum timopheevii. We analyzed early generations of four
      newly synthesized allotetraploid wheats with genome compositions
      S(sh)S(sh)A(m)A(m), S(l)S(l)AA, S(b)S(b)DD, and AADD by combined fluorescence and
      genomic in situ hybridization-based karyotyping. Results of karyotype analyses
      showed that although S(sh)S(sh)A(m)A(m) and S(l)S(l)AA are characterized by
      immediate and persistent karyotype stability, massive aneuploidy and extensive
      chromosome restructuring are associated with S(b)S(b)DD and AADD in which
      parental subgenomes showed markedly different propensities for chromosome
      gain/loss and rearrangements. Although compensating aneuploidy and reciprocal
      translocation between homeologs prevailed, reproductive fitness was substantially
      compromised due to chromosome instability. Strikingly, localized genomic changes
      in repetitive DNA and copy-number variations in gene homologs occurred in both
      chromosome stable lines, S(sh)S(sh)A(m)A(m) and S(l)S(l)AA. Our data demonstrated
      that immediate and persistent karyotype stability is intrinsic to newly formed
      allotetraploid wheat with genome combinations analogous to natural tetraploid
      wheats. This property, coupled with rapid gene copy-number variations, may have
      laid the foundation of tetraploid wheat establishment. 

PMID- 24218594
TI  - Site-2 protease substrate specificity and coupling in trans by a PDZ-substrate
      adapter protein.
AB  - Site-2 proteases (S2Ps) are intramembrane metalloproteases that cleave
      transmembrane substrates in all domains of life. Many S2Ps, including human S2P
      and Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rip1, have multiple substrates in vivo, which are
      often transcriptional regulators. However, S2Ps will also cleave transmembrane
      sequences of nonsubstrate proteins, suggesting additional specificity
      determinants. Many S2Ps also contain a PDZ domain, the function of which is
      poorly understood. Here, we identify an M. tuberculosis protein, PDZ-interacting
      protease regulator 1 (Ppr1), which bridges between the Rip1 PDZ domain and anti
      sigma factor M (Anti-SigM), a Rip1 substrate, but not Anti-SigK or Anti-SigL,
      also Rip1 substrates. In vivo analyses of Ppr1 function indicate that it prevents
      nonspecific activation of the Rip1 pathway while coupling Rip1 cleavage of Anti
      SigM, but not Anti-SigL, to site-1 proteolysis. Our results support a model of
      S2P substrate specificity in which a substrate-specific adapter protein tethers
      the S2P to its substrate while holding the protease inactive through its PDZ
      domain. 

PMID- 24218592
TI  - Symbiotic bacteria appear to mediate hyena social odors.
AB  - All animals harbor beneficial microbes. One way these microbes can benefit their
      animal hosts is by increasing the diversity and efficacy of communication signals
      available to the hosts. The fermentation hypothesis for mammalian chemical
      communication posits that bacteria in the scent glands of mammals generate
      odorous metabolites used by their hosts for communication and that variation in
      host chemical signals is a product of underlying variation in the bacterial
      communities inhabiting the scent glands. An effective test of this hypothesis
      would require accurate surveys of the bacterial communities in mammals' scent
      glands and complementary data on the odorant profiles of scent secretions--both
      of which have been historically lacking. Here we use next-generation sequencing
      to survey deeply the bacterial communities in the scent glands of wild spotted
      and striped hyenas. We show that these communities are dominated by fermentative
      bacteria and that the structures of these communities covary with the volatile
      fatty acid profiles of scent secretions in both hyena species. The bacterial and
      volatile fatty acid profiles of secretions differ between spotted and striped
      hyenas, and both profiles vary with sex and reproductive state among spotted
      hyenas within a single social group. Our results strongly support the
      fermentation hypothesis for chemical communication, suggesting that symbiotic
      bacteria underlie species-specific odors in both spotted and striped hyenas and
      further underlie sex and reproductive state-specific odors among spotted hyenas.
      We anticipate that the fermentation hypothesis for chemical communication will
      prove broadly applicable among scent-marking mammals as others use the technical
      and analytical approaches used here.

PMID- 24218595
TI  - Hox5 interacts with Plzf to restrict Shh expression in the developing forelimb.
AB  - To date, only the five most posterior groups of Hox genes, Hox9-Hox13, have
      demonstrated loss-of-function roles in limb patterning. Individual paralog groups
      control proximodistal patterning of the limb skeletal elements. Hox9 genes also
      initiate the onset of Hand2 expression in the posterior forelimb compartment, and
      collectively, the posterior HoxA/D genes maintain posterior Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)
      expression. Here we show that an anterior Hox paralog group, Hox5, is required
      for forelimb anterior patterning. Deletion of all three Hox5 genes (Hoxa5, Hoxb5,
      and Hoxc5) leads to anterior forelimb defects resulting from derepression of Shh
      expression. The phenotype requires the loss of all three Hox5 genes,
      demonstrating the high level of redundancy in this Hox paralogous group. Further
      analyses reveal that Hox5 interacts with promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger
      biochemically and genetically to restrict Shh expression. These findings, along
      with previous reports showing that point mutations in the Shh limb enhancer lead
      to similar anterior limb defects, highlight the importance of Shh repression for
      proper patterning of the vertebrate limb. 

PMID- 24218596
TI  - Repair of UV photolesions in xeroderma pigmentosum group C cells induced by
      translational readthrough of premature termination codons.
AB  - About 12% of human genetic disorders involve premature termination codons (PTCs).
      Aminoglycoside antibiotics have been proposed for restoring full-length proteins
      by readthrough of PTC. To assess the efficiency of readthrough, we selected
      homozygous and compound heterozygous skin fibroblasts from xeroderma pigmentosum
      (XP) patients with different PTCs in the XPC DNA repair gene. XP patients have a
      nucleotide excision repair defect and a 10,000-fold increased risk of UV-induced
      skin cancer. In six of eight PTC-containing XP-C cells, treatment with Geneticin
      and gentamicin resulted in (i) stabilized XPC-mRNA, which would have been
      degraded by nonsense-mediated decay; (ii) increased expression of XPC protein
      that localized to UV-damaged sites; (iii) recruitment of XPB and XPD proteins to
      UV DNA damage sites; and (iv) increased repair of 6-4 photoproducts and
      cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Expression of PTC in a transfected vector revealed
      that readthrough depends on the PTC sequence and its location within the gene.
      This sensitive DNA repair assay system demonstrates the complexity of response to
      PTC readthrough inducers. The efficiency of aminoglycoside-mediated readthrough
      depends on the type and copy number of PTC, the downstream 4+ nucleotide, and the
      location within the exon. Treatment with small-molecule nonaminoglycoside
      compounds (PTC124, BZ16, or RTC14) resulted in similarly increased XPC mRNA
      expression and photoproduct removal with less toxicity than with the
      aminoglycosides. Characterizing PTC structure and parameters governing effective
      PTC readthrough may provide a unique prophylactic therapy for skin cancer
      prevention in XP-C patients. 

PMID- 24218597
TI  - Rewriting the rules for end joining via enzymatic splicing of DNA 3'-PO4 and 5'
      OH ends.
AB  - There are many biological contexts in which DNA damage generates "dirty" breaks
      with 3'-PO4 (or cyclic-PO4) and 5'-OH ends that cannot be sealed by DNA ligases.
      Here we show that the Escherichia coli RNA ligase RtcB can splice these dirty DNA
      ends via a unique chemical mechanism. RtcB transfers GMP from a covalent RtcB-GMP
      intermediate to a DNA 3'-PO4 to form a "capped" 3' end structure, DNA3'pp5'G.
      When a suitable DNA 5'-OH end is available, RtcB catalyzes attack of the 5'-OH on
      DNA3'pp5'G to form a 3'-5' phosphodiester splice junction. Our findings unveil an
      enzymatic capacity for DNA 3' capping and the sealing of DNA breaks with 3'-PO4
      and 5'-OH termini, with implications for DNA repair and DNA rearrangements. 

PMID- 24218598
TI  - Sleep deprivation increases dorsal nexus connectivity to the dorsolateral
      prefrontal cortex in humans.
AB  - In many patients with major depressive disorder, sleep deprivation, or wake
      therapy, induces an immediate but often transient antidepressant response. It is
      known from brain imaging studies that changes in anterior cingulate and
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity correlate with a relief of depression
      symptoms. Recently, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed
      that brain network connectivity via the dorsal nexus (DN), a cortical area in the
      dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, is dramatically increased in depressed patients.
      To investigate whether an alteration in DN connectivity could provide a biomarker
      of therapy response and to determine brain mechanisms of action underlying sleep
      deprivations antidepressant effects, we examined its influence on resting state
      default mode network and DN connectivity in healthy humans. Our findings show
      that sleep deprivation reduced functional connectivity between posterior
      cingulate cortex and bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (Brodmann area 32), and
      enhanced connectivity between DN and distinct areas in right dorsolateral
      prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area 10). These findings are consistent with
      resolution of dysfunctional brain network connectivity changes observed in
      depression and suggest changes in prefrontal connectivity with the DN as a brain
      mechanism of antidepressant therapy action. 

PMID- 24218599
TI  - Motionless phase stepping in X-ray phase contrast imaging with a compact source.
AB  - X-ray phase contrast imaging offers a way to visualize the internal structures of
      an object without the need to deposit significant radiation, and thereby
      alleviate the main concern in X-ray diagnostic imaging procedures today. Grating
      based differential phase contrast imaging techniques are compatible with compact
      X-ray sources, which is a key requirement for the majority of clinical X-ray
      modalities. However, these methods are substantially limited by the need for
      mechanical phase stepping. We describe an electromagnetic phase-stepping method
      that eliminates mechanical motion, thus removing the constraints in speed,
      accuracy, and flexibility. The method is broadly applicable to both projection
      and tomography imaging modes. The transition from mechanical to electromagnetic
      scanning should greatly facilitate the translation of X-ray phase contrast
      techniques into mainstream applications. 

PMID- 24218600
TI  - Searching for efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo proposal kernels.
AB  - Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) or the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm is a
      simulation algorithm that has made modern Bayesian statistical inference
      possible. Nevertheless, the efficiency of different Metropolis-Hastings proposal
      kernels has rarely been studied except for the Gaussian proposal. Here we propose
      a unique class of Bactrian kernels, which avoid proposing values that are very
      close to the current value, and compare their efficiency with a number of
      proposals for simulating different target distributions, with efficiency measured
      by the asymptotic variance of a parameter estimate. The uniform kernel is found
      to be more efficient than the Gaussian kernel, whereas the Bactrian kernel is
      even better. When optimal scales are used for both, the Bactrian kernel is at
      least 50% more efficient than the Gaussian. Implementation in a Bayesian program
      for molecular clock dating confirms the general applicability of our results to
      generic MCMC algorithms. Our results refute a previous claim that all proposals
      had nearly identical performance and will prompt further research into efficient
      MCMC proposals. 

PMID- 24218601
TI  - Synthetic lethality between CCNE1 amplification and loss of BRCA1.
AB  - High-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSCs) are characterized by a high frequency
      of TP53 mutations, BRCA1/2 inactivation, homologous recombination dysfunction,
      and widespread copy number changes. Cyclin E1 (CCNE1) gene amplification has been
      reported to occur independently of BRCA1/2 mutation, and it is associated with
      primary treatment failure and reduced patient survival. Insensitivity of CCNE1
      amplified tumors to platinum cross-linking agents may be partly because of an
      intact BRCA1/2 pathway. Both BRCA1/2 dysfunction and CCNE1 amplification are
      known to promote genomic instability and tumor progression. These events may be
      mutually exclusive, because either change provides a path to tumor development,
      with no selective advantage to having both mutations. Using data from a genome
      wide shRNA synthetic lethal screen, we show that BRCA1 and members of the
      ubiquitin pathway are selectively required in cancers that harbor CCNE1
      amplification. Furthermore, we show specific sensitivity of CCNE1-amplified tumor
      cells to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. These findings provide an
      explanation for the observed mutual exclusivity of CCNE1 amplification and
      BRCA1/2 loss in HGSC and suggest a unique therapeutic approach for treatment
      resistant CCNE1-amplified tumors. 

PMID- 24218602
TI  - Three-dimensional textures and defects of soft material layering revealed by
      thermal sublimation.
AB  - Layering is found and exploited in a variety of soft material systems, ranging
      from complex macromolecular self-assemblies to block copolymer and small-molecule
      liquid crystals. Because the control of layer structure is required for
      applications and characterization, and because defects reveal key features of the
      symmetries of layered phases, a variety of techniques have been developed for the
      study of soft-layer structure and defects, including X-ray diffraction and
      visualization using optical transmission and fluorescence confocal polarizing
      microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and SEM and transmission electron
      microscopy, including freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy. Here, it
      is shown that thermal sublimation can be usefully combined with such techniques
      to enable visualization of the 3D structure of soft materials. Sequential
      sublimation removes material in a stepwise fashion, leaving a remnant layer
      structure largely unchanged and viewable using SEM, as demonstrated here using a
      lamellar smectic liquid crystal. 

PMID- 24218603
TI  - Differential effects of global versus local testosterone on singing behavior and
      its underlying neural substrate.
AB  - Steroid hormones regulate multiple but distinct aspects of social behaviors.
      Testosterone (T) has multiple effects on learned courtship song in that it
      regulates both the motivation to sing in a particular social context as well as
      the quality of song produced. The neural substrate(s) where T acts to regulate
      the motivation to sing as opposed to other aspects of song has not been
      definitively characterized. We show here that T implants in the medial preoptic
      nucleus (POM) of castrated male canaries (Serinus canaria) increase song rate but
      do not enhance acoustic features such as song stereotypy compared with birds
      receiving peripheral T that can act globally throughout the brain. Strikingly, T
      action in the POM increased song control nuclei volume, consistent with the
      hypothesis that singing activity induces neuroplasticity in the song control
      system independent of T acting in these nuclei. When presented with a female
      canary, POM-T birds copulated at a rate comparable to birds receiving systemic T
      but produced fewer calls and songs in her presence. Thus, POM is a key site where
      T acts to activate copulation and increase song rate, an appetitive sexual
      behavior in songbirds, but T action in other areas of the brain or periphery
      (e.g., HVC, dopaminergic cell groups, or the syrinx) is required to enhance the
      quality of song (i.e., stereotypy) as well as regulate context-specific
      vocalizations. These results have broad implications for research concerning how
      steroids act at multiple brain loci to regulate distinct sociosexual behaviors
      and the associated neuroplasticity. 

PMID- 24218604
TI  - Frequency-specific mechanism links human brain networks for spatial attention.
AB  - Selective attention allows us to filter out irrelevant information in the
      environment and focus neural resources on information relevant to our current
      goals. Functional brain-imaging studies have identified networks of broadly
      distributed brain regions that are recruited during different attention
      processes; however, the dynamics by which these networks enable selection are not
      well understood. Here, we first used functional MRI to localize dorsal and
      ventral attention networks in human epileptic subjects undergoing seizure
      monitoring. We subsequently recorded cortical physiology using subdural
      electrocorticography during a spatial-attention task to study network dynamics.
      Attention networks become selectively phase-modulated at low frequencies (delta,
      theta) during the same task epochs in which they are recruited in functional MRI.
      This mechanism may alter the excitability of task-relevant regions or their
      effective connectivity. Furthermore, different attention processes (holding vs.
      shifting attention) are associated with synchrony at different frequencies, which
      may minimize unnecessary cross-talk between separate neuronal processes. 

PMID- 24218605
TI  - Arabidopsis thaliana AHL family modulates hypocotyl growth redundantly by
      interacting with each other via the PPC/DUF296 domain.
AB  - The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes 29 AT-hook motif containing nuclear
      localized (AHL) genes, which evolved into two phylogenic clades. The AHL proteins
      contain one or two AT-hook motif(s) and one plant and prokaryote conserved
      (PPC)/domain of unknown function #296 (DUF296) domain. Seedlings lacking both
      SOB3/AHL29 and ESC/AHL27 confer a subtle long-hypocotyl phenotype compared with
      the WT or either single-null mutant. In contrast, the missense allele sob3-6
      confers a dramatic long-hypocotyl phenotype in the light. In this study, we
      examined the dominant-negative feature of sob3-6 and found that it encodes a
      protein with a disrupted AT-hook motif that abolishes binding to AT-rich DNA. A
      loss-of-function approach demonstrated different, yet redundant, contributions of
      additional AHL genes in suppressing hypocotyl elongation in the light. We showed
      that AHL proteins interact with each other and themselves via the PPC/DUF296
      domain. AHLs also share interactions with other nuclear proteins, such as
      transcription factors, suggesting that these interactions also contribute to the
      functional redundancy within this gene family. The coordinated action of AHLs
      requires an AT-hook motif capable of binding AT-rich DNA, as well as a PPC/DUF296
      domain containing a conserved Gly-Arg-Phe-Glu-Ile-Leu region. Alteration of this
      region abolished SOB3/AHL29's physical interaction with transcription factors and
      resulted in a dominant-negative allele in planta that was phenotypically similar
      to sob3-6. We propose a molecular model where AHLs interact with each other and
      themselves, as well as other nuclear proteins, to form complexes which modulate
      plant growth and development.

PMID- 24218606
TI  - Antitumor activities of agonistic anti-TNFR antibodies require differential
      FcgammaRIIB coengagement in vivo.
AB  - Agonistic anti-TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily member antibodies are a class of
      promising antitumor therapies in active clinical investigation. An unexpected
      requirement for inhibitory Fcgamma receptor FcgammaRIIB coengagement has recently
      been described for their in vivo antitumor activities. Although these findings
      have informed the design of more potent antitumor agonistic, anti-TNFR therapies,
      the underlying mechanism has remained obscure. Through detailed genetic analysis
      of strains conditionally deleted for FcgammaRIIB on defined cellular populations
      or mutated in specific signaling components, we now demonstrate that different
      agonistic anti-TNFR antibodies have specific requirements for FcgammaRIIB
      expression on defined cellular populations and function in trans in the absence
      of FcgammaRIIB signaling components, thus supporting a general mechanism of
      FcgammaRIIB cross-linking in vivo for the activities of these antibodies. 

PMID- 24218608
TI  - David Hubel retrospective.

PMID- 24218607
TI  - Islet amyloid polypeptide toxicity and membrane interactions.
AB  - Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is responsible for amyloid formation in type 2
      diabetes and contributes to the failure of islet cell transplants, however the
      mechanisms of IAPP-induced cytotoxicity are not known. Interactions with model
      anionic membranes are known to catalyze IAPP amyloid formation in vitro. Human
      IAPP damages anionic membranes, promoting vesicle leakage, but the features that
      control IAPP-membrane interactions and the connection with cellular toxicity are
      not clear. Kinetic studies with wild-type IAPP and IAPP mutants demonstrate that
      membrane leakage is induced by prefibrillar IAPP species and continues over the
      course of amyloid formation, correlating additional membrane disruption with
      fibril growth. Analyses of a set of designed mutants reveal that membrane leakage
      does not require the formation of beta-sheet or alpha-helical structures. A His
      18 to Arg substitution enhances leakage, whereas replacement of all of the
      aromatic residues via a triple leucine mutant has no effect. Biophysical
      measurements in conjunction with cytotoxicity studies show that nonamyloidogenic
      rat IAPP is as effective as human IAPP at disrupting standard anionic model
      membranes under conditions where rat IAPP does not induce cellular toxicity.
      Similar results are obtained with more complex model membranes, including ternary
      systems that contain cholesterol and are capable of forming lipid rafts. A
      designed point mutant, I26P-IAPP; a designed double mutant, G24P, I26P-IAPP; a
      double N-methylated variant; and pramlintide, a US Food and Drug Administration
      approved IAPP variant all induce membrane leakage, but are not cytotoxic, showing
      that there is no one-to-one relationship between disruption of model membranes
      and induction of cellular toxicity. 

PMID- 24218609
TI  - Mechanism of IAPP amyloid fibril formation involves an intermediate with a
      transient beta-sheet.
AB  - Amyloid formation is implicated in more than 20 human diseases, yet the mechanism
      by which fibrils form is not well understood. We use 2D infrared spectroscopy and
      isotope labeling to monitor the kinetics of fibril formation by human islet
      amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP or amylin) that is associated with type 2 diabetes. We
      find that an oligomeric intermediate forms during the lag phase with parallel
      beta-sheet structure in a region that is ultimately a partially disordered loop
      in the fibril. We confirm the presence of this intermediate, using a set of
      homologous macrocyclic peptides designed to recognize beta-sheets. Mutations and
      molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the intermediate is on pathway.
      Disrupting the oligomeric beta-sheet to form the partially disordered loop of the
      fibrils creates a free energy barrier that is the origin of the lag phase during
      aggregation. These results help rationalize a wide range of previous fragment and
      mutation studies including mutations in other species that prevent the formation
      of amyloid plaques. 

PMID- 24218610
TI  - Impact of reconstituted cytosol on protein stability.
AB  - Protein stability is usually studied in simple buffered solutions, but most
      proteins function inside cells, where the heterogeneous and crowded environment
      presents a complex, nonideal system. Proteins are expected to behave differently
      under cellular crowding owing to two types of contacts: hard-core repulsions and
      weak, chemical interactions. The effect of hard-core repulsions is purely
      entropic, resulting in volume exclusion owing to the mere presence of the
      crowders. The weak interactions can be repulsive or attractive, thus enhancing or
      diminishing the excluded volume, respectively. We used a reductionist approach to
      assess the effects of intracellular crowding. Escherichia coli cytoplasm was
      dialyzed, lyophilized, and resuspended at two concentrations. NMR-detected amide
      proton exchange was then used to quantify the stability of the globular protein
      chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 (CI2) in these crowded solutions. The cytosol
      destabilizes CI2, and the destabilization increases with increasing cytosol
      concentration. This observation shows that the cytoplasm interacts favorably, but
      nonspecifically, with CI2, and these interactions overcome the stabilizing hard
      core repulsions. The effects of the cytosol are even stronger than those of
      homogeneous protein crowders, reinforcing the biological significance of weak,
      nonspecific interactions. 

PMID- 24218611
TI  - Similarity increases altruistic punishment in humans.
AB  - Humans are attracted to similar others. As a consequence, social networks are
      homogeneous in sociodemographic, intrapersonal, and other characteristics--a
      principle called homophily. Despite abundant evidence showing the importance of
      interpersonal similarity and homophily for human relationships, their behavioral
      correlates and cognitive foundations are poorly understood. Here, we show that
      perceived similarity substantially increases altruistic punishment, a key
      mechanism underlying human cooperation. We induced (dis)similarity perception by
      manipulating basic cognitive mechanisms in an economic cooperation game that
      included a punishment phase. We found that similarity-focused participants were
      more willing to punish others' uncooperative behavior. This influence of
      similarity is not explained by group identity, which has the opposite effect on
      altruistic punishment. Our findings demonstrate that pure similarity promotes
      reciprocity in ways known to encourage cooperation. At the same time, the
      increased willingness to punish norm violations among similarity-focused
      participants provides a rationale for why similar people are more likely to build
      stable social relationships. Finally, our findings show that altruistic
      punishment is differentially involved in encouraging cooperation under pure
      similarity vs. in-group conditions.

PMID- 24218612
TI  - Gene product 0.4 increases bacteriophage T7 competitiveness by inhibiting host
      cell division.
AB  - Bacteriophages take over host resources primarily via the activity of proteins
      expressed early in infection. One of these proteins, produced by the Escherichia
      coli phage T7, is gene product (Gp) 0.4. Here, we show that Gp0.4 is a direct
      inhibitor of the E. coli filamenting temperature-sensitive mutant Z division
      protein. A chemically synthesized Gp0.4 binds to purified filamenting temperature
      sensitive mutant Z protein and directly inhibits its assembly in vitro.
      Consequently, expression of Gp0.4 in vivo is lethal to E. coli and results in
      bacteria that are morphologically elongated. We further show that this inhibition
      of cell division by Gp0.4 enhances the bacteriophage's competitive ability. This
      division inhibition is thus a fascinating example of a strategy in bacteriophages
      to maximize utilization of their hosts' cell resources. 

PMID- 24218613
TI  - Host-induced gene silencing of cytochrome P450 lanosterol C14alpha-demethylase
      encoding genes confers strong resistance to Fusarium species.
AB  - Head blight, which is caused by mycotoxin-producing fungi of the genus Fusarium,
      is an economically important crop disease. We assessed the potential of host
      induced gene silencing targeting the fungal cytochrome P450 lanosterol C-14alpha
      demethylase (CYP51) genes, which are essential for ergosterol biosynthesis, to
      restrict fungal infection. In axenic cultures of Fusarium graminearum, in vitro
      feeding of CYP3RNA, a 791-nt double-stranded (ds)RNA complementary to CYP51A,
      CYP51B, and CYP51C, resulted in growth inhibition [half-maximum growth inhibition
      (IC50) = 1.2 nM] as well as altered fungal morphology, similar to that observed
      after treatment with the azole fungicide tebuconazole, for which the CYP51 enzyme
      is a target. Expression of the same dsRNA in Arabidopsis and barley rendered
      susceptible plants highly resistant to fungal infection. Microscopic analysis
      revealed that mycelium formation on CYP3RNA-expressing leaves was restricted to
      the inoculation sites, and that inoculated barley caryopses were virtually free
      of fungal hyphae. This inhibition of fungal growth correlated with in planta
      production of siRNAs corresponding to the targeted CYP51 sequences, as well as
      highly efficient silencing of the fungal CYP51 genes. The high efficiency of
      fungal inhibition suggests that host-induced gene-silencing targeting of the
      CYP51 genes is an alternative to chemical treatments for the control of
      devastating fungal diseases. 

PMID- 24218614
TI  - Unexpected gain of function for the scaffolding protein plectin due to
      mislocalization in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - We recently demonstrated that plectin is a robust biomarker for pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most aggressive malignancies. In normal
      physiology, plectin is an intracellular scaffolding protein, but we have
      demonstrated localization on the extracellular surface of PDAC cells. In this
      study, we confirmed cell surface localization. Interestingly, we found that
      plectin cell surface localization was attributable to its presence in exosomes
      secreted from PDAC cells, which is dependent on the expression of integrin beta4,
      a protein known to interact with cytosolic plectin. Moreover, plectin expression
      was necessary for efficient exosome production and was required to sustain
      enhanced tumor growth in immunodeficient and in immunocompetent mice. It is now
      clear that this PDAC biomarker plays a role in PDAC, and further understanding of
      plectin's contribution to PDAC could enable improved therapies. 

PMID- 24218615
TI  - Global methylation state at base-pair resolution of the Caulobacter genome
      throughout the cell cycle.
AB  - The Caulobacter DNA methyltransferase CcrM is one of five master cell-cycle
      regulators. CcrM is transiently present near the end of DNA replication when it
      rapidly methylates the adenine in hemimethylated GANTC sequences. The timing of
      transcription of two master regulator genes and two cell division genes is
      controlled by the methylation state of GANTC sites in their promoters. To explore
      the global extent of this regulatory mechanism, we determined the methylation
      state of the entire chromosome at every base pair at five time points in the cell
      cycle using single-molecule, real-time sequencing. The methylation state of 4,515
      GANTC sites, preferentially positioned in intergenic regions, changed
      progressively from full to hemimethylation as the replication forks advanced.
      However, 27 GANTC sites remained unmethylated throughout the cell cycle,
      suggesting that these protected sites could participate in epigenetic regulatory
      functions. An analysis of the time of activation of every cell-cycle regulatory
      transcription start site, coupled to both the position of a GANTC site in their
      promoter regions and the time in the cell cycle when the GANTC site transitions
      from full to hemimethylation, allowed the identification of 59 genes as
      candidates for epigenetic regulation. In addition, we identified two previously
      unidentified N(6)-methyladenine motifs and showed that they maintained a constant
      methylation state throughout the cell cycle. The cognate methyltransferase was
      identified for one of these motifs as well as for one of two 5-methylcytosine
      motifs. 

PMID- 24218616
TI  - Structural and functional insights into the regulation mechanism of CK2 by IP6
      and the intrinsically disordered protein Nopp140.
AB  - Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous kinase that can phosphorylate hundreds of
      cellular proteins and plays important roles in cell growth and development.
      Deregulation of CK2 is related to a variety of human cancers, and CK2 is regarded
      as a suppressor of apoptosis; therefore, it is a target of anticancer therapy.
      Nucleolar phosphoprotein 140 (Nopp140), which is an intrinsically disordered
      protein, interacts with CK2 and inhibits the latter's catalytic activity in
      vitro. Interestingly, the catalytic activity of CK2 is recovered in the presence
      of d-myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate (IP6). IP6 is widely distributed
      in animal cells, but the molecular mechanisms that govern its cellular functions
      in animal cells have not been completely elucidated. In this study, the crystal
      structure of CK2 in complex with IP6 showed that the lysine-rich cluster of CK2
      plays an important role in binding to IP6. The biochemical experiments revealed
      that a Nopp140 fragment (residues 568-596) and IP6 competitively bind to the
      catalytic subunit of CK2 (CK2alpha), and phospho-Ser574 of Nopp140 significantly
      enhances its interaction with CK2alpha. Substitutions of K74E, K76E, and K77E in
      CK2alpha significantly reduced the interactions of CK2alpha with both IP6 and the
      Nopp140-derived peptide. Our study gives an insight into the regulation of CK2.
      In particular, our work suggests that CK2 activity is inhibited by Nopp140 and
      reactivated by IP6 by competitive binding at the substrate recognition site of
      CK2. 

PMID- 24218617
TI  - Phototropic growth control of nanoscale pattern formation in
      photoelectrodeposited Se-Te films.
AB  - Photoresponsive materials that adapt their morphologies, growth directions, and
      growth rates dynamically in response to the local incident electromagnetic field
      would provide a remarkable route to the synthesis of complex 3D mesostructures
      via feedback between illumination and the structure that develops under optical
      excitation. We report the spontaneous development of ordered, nanoscale lamellar
      patterns in electrodeposited selenium-tellurium (Se-Te) alloy films grown under
      noncoherent, uniform illumination on unpatterned substrates in an isotropic
      electrolyte solution. These inorganic nanostructures exhibited phototropic growth
      in which lamellar stripes grew toward the incident light source, adopted an
      orientation parallel to the light polarization direction with a period controlled
      by the illumination wavelength, and showed an increased growth rate with
      increasing light intensity. Furthermore, the patterns responded dynamically to
      changes during growth in the polarization, wavelength, and angle of the incident
      light, enabling the template-free and pattern-free synthesis, on a variety of
      substrates, of woodpile, spiral, branched, or zigzag structures, along with
      dynamically directed growth toward a noncoherent, uniform intensity light source.
      Full-wave electromagnetic simulations in combination with Monte Carlo growth
      simulations were used to model light-matter interactions in the Se-Te films and
      produced a model for the morphological evolution of the lamellar structures under
      phototropic growth conditions. The experiments and simulations are consistent
      with a phototropic growth mechanism in which the optical near-field intensity
      profile selects and reinforces the dominant morphological mode in the emergent
      nanoscale patterns. 

PMID- 24218619
TI  - Comprehensive analysis of imprinted genes in maize reveals allelic variation for
      imprinting and limited conservation with other species.
AB  - In plants, a subset of genes exhibit imprinting in endosperm tissue such that
      expression is primarily from the maternal or paternal allele. Imprinting may
      arise as a consequence of mechanisms for silencing of transposons during
      reproduction, and in some cases imprinted expression of particular genes may
      provide a selective advantage such that it is conserved across species. Separate
      mechanisms for the origin of imprinted expression patterns and maintenance of
      these patterns may result in substantial variation in the targets of imprinting
      in different species. Here we present deep sequencing of RNAs isolated from
      reciprocal crosses of four diverse maize genotypes, providing a comprehensive
      analysis that allows evaluation of imprinting at more than 95% of endosperm
      expressed genes. We find that over 500 genes exhibit statistically significant
      parent-of-origin effects in maize endosperm tissue, but focused our analyses on a
      subset of these genes that had >90% expression from the maternal allele (69
      genes) or from the paternal allele (108 genes) in at least one reciprocal cross.
      Over 10% of imprinted genes show evidence of allelic variation for imprinting. A
      comparison of imprinting in maize and rice reveals that 13% of genes with
      syntenic orthologs in both species exhibit conserved imprinting. Genes that
      exhibit conserved imprinting between maize and rice have elevated nonsynonymous
      to synonymous substitution ratios compared with other imprinted genes, suggesting
      a history of more rapid evolution. Together, these data suggest that imprinting
      only has functional relevance at a subset of loci that currently exhibit
      imprinting in maize. 

PMID- 24218620
TI  - Phosphorylation sites required for regulation of cardiac calcium channels in the
      fight-or-flight response.
AB  - L-type Ca(2+) currents conducted by CaV1.2 channels initiate excitation
      contraction coupling in the heart. Their activity is increased by beta
      adrenergic/cAMP signaling via phosphorylation by PKA in the fight-or-flight
      response, but the sites of regulation are unknown. We describe the functional
      role of phosphorylation of Ser1700 and Thr1704-sites of phosphorylation by PKA
      and casein kinase II at the interface between the proximal and distal C-terminal
      regulatory domains. Mutation of both residues to Ala in STAA mice reduced basal L
      type Ca(2+) currents, due to a small decrease in expression and a substantial
      decrease in functional activity. The increase in L-type Ca(2+) current caused by
      isoproterenol was markedly reduced at physiological levels of stimulation (3-10
      nM). Maximal increases in calcium current at nearly saturating concentrations of
      isoproterenol (100 nM) were also significantly reduced, but the mutation effects
      were smaller, suggesting that alternative regulatory mechanisms are engaged at
      maximal levels of stimulation. The beta-adrenergic increase in cell contraction
      was also diminished. STAA ventricular myocytes exhibited arrhythmic contractions
      in response to isoproterenol, and up to 20% of STAA cells failed to sustain
      contractions when stimulated at 1 Hz. STAA mice have reduced exercise capacity,
      and cardiac hypertrophy is evident at 3 mo. We conclude that phosphorylation of
      Ser1700 and Thr1704 is essential for regulation of basal activity of CaV1.2
      channels and for up-regulation by beta-adrenergic signaling at physiological
      levels of stimulation. Disruption of phosphorylation at those sites leads to
      impaired cardiac function in vivo, as indicated by reduced exercise capacity and
      cardiac hypertrophy. 

PMID- 24218621
TI  - Establishment of smooth muscle and cartilage juxtaposition in the developing
      mouse upper airways.
AB  - In the trachea and bronchi of the mouse, airway smooth muscle (SM) and cartilage
      are localized to complementary domains surrounding the airway epithelium. Proper
      juxtaposition of these tissues ensures a balance of elasticity and rigidity that
      is critical for effective air passage. It is unknown how this tissue
      complementation is established during development. Here we dissect the
      developmental relationship between these tissues by genetically disrupting SM
      formation (through Srf inactivation) or cartilage formation (through Sox9
      inactivation) and assessing the impact on the remaining lineage. We found that,
      in the trachea and main bronchi, loss of SM or cartilage resulted in an increase
      in cell number of the remaining lineage, namely the cartilage or SM,
      respectively. However, only in the main bronchi, but not in the trachea, did the
      loss of SM or cartilage lead to a circumferential expansion of the remaining
      cartilage or SM domain, respectively. In addition to SM defects, cartilage
      deficient tracheas displayed epithelial phenotypes, including decreased basal
      cell number, precocious club cell differentiation, and increased secretoglobin
      expression. These findings together delineate the mechanisms through which a cell
      autonomous disruption of one structural tissue can have widespread consequences
      on upper airway function. 

PMID- 24218624
TI  - Comminution of solids caused by kinetic energy of high shear strain rate, with
      implications for impact, shock, and shale fracturing.
AB  - Although there exists a vast literature on the dynamic comminution or
      fragmentation of rocks, concrete, metals, and ceramics, none of the known models
      suffices for macroscopic dynamic finite element analysis. This paper outlines the
      basic idea of the macroscopic model. Unlike static fracture, in which the driving
      force is the release of strain energy, here the essential idea is that the
      driving force of comminution under high-rate compression is the release of the
      local kinetic energy of shear strain rate. The density of this energy at strain
      rates >1,000/s is found to exceed the maximum possible strain energy density by
      orders of magnitude, making the strain energy irrelevant. It is shown that
      particle size is proportional to the -2/3 power of the shear strain rate and the
      2/3 power of the interface fracture energy or interface shear stress, and that
      the comminution process is macroscopically equivalent to an apparent shear
      viscosity that is proportional (at constant interface stress) to the -1/3 power
      of this rate. A dimensionless indicator of the comminution intensity is
      formulated. The theory was inspired by noting that the local kinetic energy of
      shear strain rate plays a role analogous to the local kinetic energy of eddies in
      turbulent flow. 

PMID- 24218622
TI  - Peripheral subnuclear positioning suppresses Tcrb recombination and segregates
      Tcrb alleles from RAG2.
AB  - Allelic exclusion requires that the two alleles at antigen-receptor loci attempt
      to recombine variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) gene segments [V(D)J
      recombination] asynchronously in nuclei of developing lymphocytes. It previously
      was shown that T-cell receptor beta (Tcrb) alleles frequently and stochastically
      associate with the nuclear lamina and pericentromeric heterochromatin in CD4(
      )CD8(-) thymocytes. Moreover, rearranged alleles were underrepresented at these
      locations. Here we used 3D immunofluorescence in situ hybridization to identify
      recently rearranged Tcrb alleles based on the accumulation of the DNA-repair
      protein 53BP1. We found that Tcrb alleles recombine asynchronously in double
      negative thymocytes and that V(D)J recombination is suppressed on peripheral as
      compared with central Tcrb alleles. Moreover, the recombination events that did
      take place at the nuclear periphery preferentially occurred on Tcrb alleles that
      were partially dissociated from the nuclear lamina. To understand better the
      mechanism by which V(D)J recombination is suppressed at the nuclear periphery, we
      evaluated the subnuclear distribution of recombination-activating gene 2 (RAG2)
      protein. We found that RAG2 abundance was reduced at the nuclear periphery.
      Moreover, RAG2 was distributed differently from RNA polymerase II and histone
      H3K4 trimethylation. Our data suggest that the nuclear periphery suppresses V(D)J
      recombination, at least in part, by segregating Tcrb alleles from RAG proteins. 

PMID- 24218625
TI  - Rapid stimulus-evoked astrocyte Ca2+ elevations and hemodynamic responses in
      mouse somatosensory cortex in vivo.
AB  - Increased neuron and astrocyte activity triggers increased brain blood flow, but
      controversy exists over whether stimulation-induced changes in astrocyte activity
      are rapid and widespread enough to contribute to brain blood flow control. Here,
      we provide evidence for stimulus-evoked Ca(2+) elevations with rapid onset and
      short duration in a large proportion of cortical astrocytes in the adult mouse
      somatosensory cortex. Our improved detection of the fast Ca(2+) signals is due to
      a signal-enhancing analysis of the Ca(2+) activity. The rapid stimulation-evoked
      Ca(2+) increases identified in astrocyte somas, processes, and end-feet preceded
      local vasodilatation. Fast Ca(2+) responses in both neurons and astrocytes
      correlated with synaptic activity, but only the astrocytic responses correlated
      with the hemodynamic shifts. These data establish that a large proportion of
      cortical astrocytes have brief Ca(2+) responses with a rapid onset in vivo, fast
      enough to initiate hemodynamic responses or influence synaptic activity. 

PMID- 24218626
TI  - The EM structure of the TRAPPIII complex leads to the identification of a
      requirement for COPII vesicles on the macroautophagy pathway.
AB  - The transport protein particle (TRAPP) III complex, comprising the TRAPPI complex
      and additional subunit Trs85, is an autophagy-specific guanine nucleotide
      exchange factor for the Rab GTPase Ypt1 that is recruited to the phagophore
      assembly site when macroautophagy is induced. We present the single-particle
      electron microscopy structure of TRAPPIII, which reveals that the dome-shaped
      Trs85 subunit associates primarily with the Trs20 subunit of TRAPPI. We further
      demonstrate that TRAPPIII binds the coat protein complex (COP) II coat subunit
      Sec23. The COPII coat facilitates the budding and targeting of ER-derived
      vesicles with their acceptor compartment. We provide evidence that COPII-coated
      vesicles and the ER-Golgi fusion machinery are needed for macroautophagy. Our
      results imply that TRAPPIII binds to COPII vesicles at the phagophore assembly
      site and that COPII vesicles may provide one of the membrane sources used in
      autophagosome formation. These events are conserved in yeast to mammals. 

PMID- 24218627
TI  - New insights into epididymal function in relation to sperm maturation.
AB  - Testicular spermatozoa acquire fertility only after 1 or 2 weeks of transit
      through the epididymis. At the end of this several meters long epididymal tubule,
      the male gamete is able to move, capacitate, migrate through the female tract,
      bind to the egg membrane and fuse to the oocyte to result in a viable embryo. All
      these sperm properties are acquired after sequential modifications occurring
      either at the level of the spermatozoon or in the epididymal surroundings. Over
      the last few decades, significant increases in the understanding of the
      composition of the male gamete and its surroundings have resulted from the use of
      new techniques such as genome sequencing, proteomics combined with high
      sensitivity mass spectrometry, and gene-knockout approaches. This review reports
      and discusses the most relevant new results obtained in different species
      regarding the various cellular processes occurring at the sperm level, in
      particular, those related to the development of motility and egg binding during
      epididymal transit. 

PMID- 24218628
TI  - No association between exposure to perfluorinated compounds and congenital
      cryptorchidism: a nested case-control study among 215 boys from Denmark and
      Finland.
AB  - Geographical differences in the occurrence of diseases in male reproductive
      organs, including malformation in reproductive tract, between Denmark and Finland
      have been reported. The reason for these differences is unknown, but differences
      in exposure to chemicals with endocrine-disrupting abilities have been suggested.
      Among these chemicals are perfluoro-alkylated substances (PFASs), a group of
      water- and grease-repellent chemicals used in outdoor clothes, cookware, food
      packaging, and textiles. In this study, we, therefore, investigated differences
      in PFAS exposure levels between Denmark and Finland and the association between
      cord blood PFAS levels and congenital cryptorchidism. Boys from a joint ongoing
      prospective birth cohort study were included. We analyzed PFAS levels in cord
      blood serum samples collected from 29 Danish boys with congenital cryptorchidism,
      30 healthy Danish matched controls recruited from 1997 to 2001, 30 Finnish cases,
      and 78 Finnish healthy matched controls recruited from 1997 to 1999.
      Additionally, 48 Finnish cases recruited from 2000 to 2002 were included.
      Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were
      detected in all the 215 Danish and Finnish cord blood samples with significantly
      higher levels being observed in the Danish samples (medians: PFOA, 2.6 ng/ml and
      PFOS, 9.1 ng/ml) than in the Finnish samples (medians: PFOA, 2.1 ng/ml and PFOS,
      5.2 ng/ml). We found no associations between cord blood PFOA and PFOS levels and
      congenital cryptorchidism after adjustment for confounders. Our data indicate
      that women in Denmark and Finland are generally exposed to PFOA and PFOS but
      there are differences in exposure levels between countries. We found no
      statistically significant association between cord blood PFOA and PFOS levels and
      congenital cryptorchidism; however, our study was small and larger studies are
      warranted. 

PMID- 24218629
TI  - Involvement of hyaluronan synthesis in ovarian follicle growth in rats.
AB  - Most of the previous studies on ovarian hyaluronan (HA) have focused on mature
      antral follicles or corpora lutea, but scarcely on small preantral follicles.
      Moreover, the origin of follicular HA is unknown. To clarify the localization of
      HA and its synthases in small growing follicles, involvement of HA in follicle
      growth, and gonadotropin regulation of HA synthase (Has) gene expression, in this
      study, perinatal, immature, and adult ovaries of Wistar-Imamichi rats were
      examined histologically and biochemically and by in vitro follicle culture. HA
      was detected in the extracellular matrix of granulosa and theca cell layers of
      primary follicles and more advanced follicles. Ovarian HA accumulation
      ontogenetically started in the sex cords of perinatal rats, and its primary site
      shifted to the intrafollicular region of primary follicles within 5 days of
      birth. The Has1-3 mRNAs were expressed in the ovaries of perinatal, prepubertal,
      and adult rats, and the expression levels of Has1 and Has2 genes were modulated
      during the estrous cycle in adult rats and following administration of exogenous
      gonadotropins in immature acyclic rats. The Has1 and Has2 mRNAs were
      predominantly localized in the theca and granulosa cell layers of growing
      follicles respectively. Treatments with chemicals known to reduce ovarian HA
      synthesis induced follicular atresia. More directly, the addition of Streptomyces
      hyaluronidase, which specifically degrades HA, induced the arrest of follicle
      growth in an in vitro culture system. These results indicate that gonadotropin
      regulated HA synthesis is involved in normal follicle growth. 

PMID- 24218630
TI  - Evolution of transcriptional enhancers and animal diversity.
AB  - Deciphering the genetic bases that drive animal diversity is one of the major
      challenges of modern biology. Although four decades ago it was proposed that
      animal evolution was mainly driven by changes in cis-regulatory DNA elements
      controlling gene expression rather than in protein-coding sequences, only now are
      powerful bioinformatics and experimental approaches available to accelerate
      studies into how the evolution of transcriptional enhancers contributes to novel
      forms and functions. In the introduction to this Theme Issue, we start by
      defining the general properties of transcriptional enhancers, such as modularity
      and the coexistence of tight sequence conservation with transcription factor
      binding site shuffling as different mechanisms that maintain the enhancer grammar
      over evolutionary time. We discuss past and current methods used to identify cell
      type-specific enhancers and provide examples of how enhancers originate de novo,
      change and are lost in particular lineages. We then focus in the central part of
      this Theme Issue on analysing examples of how the molecular evolution of
      enhancers may change form and function. Throughout this introduction, we present
      the main findings of the articles, reviews and perspectives contributed to this
      Theme Issue that together illustrate some of the great advances and current
      frontiers in the field.

PMID- 24218631
TI  - Low-affinity transcription factor binding sites shape morphogen responses and
      enhancer evolution.
AB  - In the era of functional genomics, the role of transcription factor (TF)-DNA
      binding affinity is of increasing interest: for example, it has recently been
      proposed that low-affinity genomic binding events, though frequent, are
      functionally irrelevant. Here, we investigate the role of binding site affinity
      in the transcriptional interpretation of Hedgehog (Hh) morphogen gradients. We
      noted that enhancers of several Hh-responsive Drosophila genes have low predicted
      affinity for Ci, the Gli family TF that transduces Hh signalling in the fly.
      Contrary to our initial hypothesis, improving the affinity of Ci/Gli sites in
      enhancers of dpp, wingless and stripe, by transplanting optimal sites from the
      patched gene, did not result in ectopic responses to Hh signalling. Instead, we
      found that these enhancers require low-affinity binding sites for normal
      activation in regions of relatively low signalling. When Ci/Gli sites in these
      enhancers were altered to improve their binding affinity, we observed patterning
      defects in the transcriptional response that are consistent with a switch from Ci
      mediated activation to Ci-mediated repression. Synthetic transgenic reporters
      containing isolated Ci/Gli sites confirmed this finding in imaginal discs. We
      propose that the requirement for gene activation by Ci in the regions of low-to
      moderate Hh signalling results in evolutionary pressure favouring weak binding
      sites in enhancers of certain Hh target genes.

PMID- 24218632
TI  - A fast-evolving human NPAS3 enhancer gained reporter expression in the developing
      forebrain of transgenic mice.
AB  - The developmental brain gene NPAS3 stands out as a hot spot in human evolution
      because it contains the largest number of human-specific, fast-evolving,
      conserved, non-coding elements. In this paper we studied 2xHAR142, one of these
      elements that is located in the fifth intron of NPAS3. Using transgenic mice, we
      show that the mouse and chimp 2xHAR142 orthologues behave as transcriptional
      enhancers driving expression of the reporter gene lacZ to a similar NPAS3
      expression subdomain in the mouse central nervous system. Interestingly, the
      human 2xHAR142 orthologue drives lacZ expression to an extended expression
      pattern in the nervous system. Thus, molecular evolution of 2xHAR142 provides the
      first documented example of human-specific heterotopy in the forebrain promoted
      by a transcriptional enhancer and suggests that it may have contributed to
      assemble the unique properties of the human brain.

PMID- 24218633
TI  - Deep conservation of cis-regulatory elements in metazoans.
AB  - Despite the vast morphological variation observed across phyla, animals share
      multiple basic developmental processes orchestrated by a common ancestral gene
      toolkit. These genes interact with each other building complex gene regulatory
      networks (GRNs), which are encoded in the genome by cis-regulatory elements
      (CREs) that serve as computational units of the network. Although GRN subcircuits
      involved in ancient developmental processes are expected to be at least partially
      conserved, identification of CREs that are conserved across phyla has remained
      elusive. Here, we review recent studies that revealed such deeply conserved CREs
      do exist, discuss the difficulties associated with their identification and
      describe new approaches that will facilitate this search.

PMID- 24218635
TI  - Beyond the ENCODE project: using genomics and epigenomics strategies to study
      enhancer evolution.
AB  - The complex expression patterns observed for many genes are often regulated by
      distal transcription enhancers. Changes in the nucleotide sequences of enhancers
      may therefore lead to changes in gene expression, representing a central
      mechanism by which organisms evolve. With the development of the experimental
      technique of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), in which discrete regions of
      the genome bound by specific proteins can be identified, it is now possible to
      identify transcription factor binding events (putative cis-regulatory elements)
      in entire genomes. Comparing protein-DNA binding maps allows us, for the first
      time, to attempt to identify regulatory differences and infer global patterns of
      change in gene expression across species. Here, we review studies that used
      genome-wide ChIP to study the evolution of enhancers. The trend is one of high
      divergence of cis-regulatory elements between species, possibly compensated by
      extensive creation and loss of regulatory elements and rewiring of their target
      genes. We speculate on the meaning of the differences observed and discuss that
      although ChIP experiments identify the biochemical event of protein-DNA
      interaction, it cannot determine whether the event results in a biological
      function, and therefore more studies are required to establish the effect of
      divergence of binding events on species-specific gene expression.

PMID- 24218634
TI  - The mystery of extreme non-coding conservation.
AB  - Regions of several dozen to several hundred base pairs of extreme conservation
      have been found in non-coding regions in all metazoan genomes. The distribution
      of these elements within and across genomes has suggested that many have roles as
      transcriptional regulatory elements in multi-cellular organization,
      differentiation and development. Currently, there is no known mechanism or
      function that would account for this level of conservation at the observed
      evolutionary distances. Previous studies have found that, while these regions are
      under strong purifying selection, and not mutational coldspots, deletion of
      entire regions in mice does not necessarily lead to identifiable changes in
      phenotype during development. These opposing findings lead to several questions
      regarding their functional importance and why they are under strong selection in
      the first place. In this perspective, we discuss the methods and techniques used
      in identifying and dissecting these regions, their observed patterns of
      conservation, and review the current hypotheses on their functional significance.

PMID- 24218636
TI  - Adaptive divergence of a transcriptional enhancer between populations of
      Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - As species colonize new habitats they must adapt to the local environment. Much
      of this adaptation is thought to occur at the regulatory level; however, the
      relationships among genetic polymorphism, expression variation and adaptation are
      poorly understood. Drosophila melanogaster, which expanded from an ancestral
      range in sub-Saharan Africa around 15 000 years ago, represents an excellent
      model system for studying regulatory evolution. Here, we focus on the gene
      CG9509, which differs in expression between an African and a European population
      of D. melanogaster. The expression difference is caused by variation within a
      transcriptional enhancer adjacent to the CG9509 coding sequence. Patterns of
      sequence variation indicate that this enhancer was the target of recent positive
      selection, suggesting that the expression difference is adaptive. Analysis of the
      CG9509 enhancer in new population samples from Europe, Asia, northern Africa and
      sub-Saharan Africa revealed that sequence polymorphism is greatly reduced outside
      the ancestral range. A derived haplotype absent in sub-Saharan Africa is at high
      frequency in all other populations. These observations are consistent with a
      selective sweep accompanying the range expansion of the species. The new data
      help identify the sequence changes responsible for the difference in enhancer
      activity.

PMID- 24218637
TI  - Many human accelerated regions are developmental enhancers.
AB  - The genetic changes underlying the dramatic differences in form and function
      between humans and other primates are largely unknown, although it is clear that
      gene regulatory changes play an important role. To identify regulatory sequences
      with potentially human-specific functions, we and others used comparative
      genomics to find non-coding regions conserved across mammals that have acquired
      many sequence changes in humans since divergence from chimpanzees. These regions
      are good candidates for performing human-specific regulatory functions. Here, we
      analysed the DNA sequence, evolutionary history, histone modifications, chromatin
      state and transcription factor (TF) binding sites of a combined set of 2649 non
      coding human accelerated regions (ncHARs) and predicted that at least 30% of them
      function as developmental enhancers. We prioritized the predicted ncHAR enhancers
      using analysis of TF binding site gain and loss, along with the functional
      annotations and expression patterns of nearby genes. We then tested both the
      human and chimpanzee sequence for 29 ncHARs in transgenic mice, and found 24
      novel developmental enhancers active in both species, 17 of which had very
      consistent patterns of activity in specific embryonic tissues. Of these ncHAR
      enhancers, five drove expression patterns suggestive of different activity for
      the human and chimpanzee sequence at embryonic day 11.5. The changes to human non
      coding DNA in these ncHAR enhancers may modify the complex patterns of gene
      expression necessary for proper development in a human-specific manner and are
      thus promising candidates for understanding the genetic basis of human-specific
      biology.

PMID- 24218638
TI  - Assessing constraints on the path of regulatory sequence evolution.
AB  - Structural and functional constraints are known to play a major role in
      restricting the path of evolution of protein activities. However, constraints
      acting on evolving transcriptional regulatory sequences, e.g. enhancers, are
      largely unknown. Recently, we elucidated how a novel expression pattern of the
      Neprilysin-1 (Nep1) gene in the optic lobe of Drosophila santomea evolved via co
      option of existing enhancer activities. Drosophila santomea, which has diverged
      from Drosophila yakuba by approximately 400 000 years has accumulated four fixed
      mutations that each contribute to the full activity of this enhancer. Recreating
      and testing the optic lobe enhancer of the ancestor of D. santomea and D. yakuba
      revealed that the strong D. santomea enhancer activity evolved from a weak
      ancestral activity. Because each mutation on the path from the D. yakuba/santomea
      ancestor to modern-day D. santomea contributes to the newly derived optic lobe
      enhancer activity, we sought here to use this system to study the path of
      evolution of enhancer sequences. We inferred likely paths of evolution of this
      enhancer by observing the transcriptional output of all possible intermediate
      steps between the ancestral D. yakuba/santomea enhancer and the modern D.
      santomea enhancer. Many possible paths had epistatic and cooperative effects.
      Furthermore, we found that several paths significantly increased ectopic
      transcriptional activity or affected existing enhancer activities from which the
      novel activity was co-opted. We suggest that these attributes highlight
      constraints that guide the path of evolution of enhancers.

PMID- 24218639
TI  - Enhancer turnover and conserved regulatory function in vertebrate evolution.
AB  - Mutations in regulatory regions including enhancers are an important source of
      variation and innovation during evolution. Enhancers can evolve by changes in the
      sequence, arrangement and repertoire of transcription factor binding sites, but
      whole enhancers can also be lost or gained in certain lineages in a process of
      turnover. The proopiomelanocortin gene (Pomc), which encodes a prohormone, is
      expressed in the pituitary and hypothalamus of all jawed vertebrates. We have
      previously described that hypothalamic Pomc expression in mammals is controlled
      by two enhancers-nPE1 and nPE2-that are derived from transposable elements and
      that presumably replaced the ancestral neuronal Pomc regulatory regions. Here, we
      show that nPE1 and nPE2, even though they are mammalian novelties with no
      homologous counterpart in other vertebrates, nevertheless can drive gene
      expression specifically to POMC neurons in the hypothalamus of larval and adult
      transgenic zebrafish. This indicates that when neuronal Pomc enhancers originated
      de novo during early mammalian evolution, the newly created cis- and trans-codes
      were similar to the ancestral ones. We also identify the neuronal regulatory
      region of zebrafish pomca and confirm that it is not homologous to the mammalian
      enhancers. Our work sheds light on the process of gene regulatory evolution by
      showing how a locus can undergo enhancer turnover and nevertheless maintain the
      ancestral transcriptional output.

PMID- 24218642
TI  - Low-level gamma and neutron monitoring based on use of proportional counter
      filled with 3He in polythene moderator: study of the responses to gamma and
      neutrons.
AB  - It has been shown that a proportional counter filled with (3)He placed centrally
      inside a polythene sphere opens a new possibility for measuring gamma photons and
      neutrons in the separate pulse-height windows. The responses to gamma and
      neutrons (in terms of ambient dose equivalent) of the detector assembly
      consisting of 203-mm polythene sphere with centrally positioned 40-mm diameter
      (3)He proportional counter have been studied. The response to secondary gammas
      from capture process in hydrogen has also been studied. The rather preliminary
      studies indicate that the proposed measuring system has very promising features
      as an ambient dose equivalent device for mixed gamma-neutron fields. 

PMID- 24218640
TI  - The structure and evolution of cis-regulatory regions: the shavenbaby story.
AB  - In this paper, we provide a historical account of the contribution of a single
      line of research to our current understanding of the structure of cis-regulatory
      regions and the genetic basis for morphological evolution. We revisit the
      experiments that shed light on the evolution of larval cuticular patterns within
      the genus Drosophila and the evolution and structure of the shavenbaby gene. We
      describe the experiments that led to the discovery that multiple genetic changes
      in the cis-regulatory region of shavenbaby caused the loss of dorsal cuticular
      hairs (quaternary trichomes) in first instar larvae of Drosophila sechellia. We
      also discuss the experiments that showed that the convergent loss of quaternary
      trichomes in D. sechellia and Drosophila ezoana was generated by parallel genetic
      changes in orthologous enhancers of shavenbaby. We discuss the observation that
      multiple shavenbaby enhancers drive overlapping patterns of expression in the
      embryo and that these apparently redundant enhancers ensure robust shavenbaby
      expression and trichome morphogenesis under stressful conditions. All together,
      these data, collected over 13 years, provide a fundamental case study in the
      fields of gene regulation and morphological evolution, and highlight the
      importance of prolonged, detailed studies of single genes.

PMID- 24218644
TI  - Induced electric fields in the MAXWEL surface-based human model from exposure to
      external low frequency electric fields.
AB  - This work presents calculations of internal induced electric fields in the
      anatomically realistic surface-based model of the male human body, MAXWEL, from
      exposure to external low frequency electric fields under grounded and isolated
      conditions. The maximum 99th percentile induced electric fields calculated in the
      MAXWEL central nervous system were 3.49 (grounded) and 1.54 (isolated) mV m(-1)
      per kV m(-1) at 50 Hz. The application of 2, 1 and 0.5 mm resolution voxel models
      derived from the surface-based version to the calculations of induced electric
      fields is described. 2 mm and 1 mm resolution maximum 99th percentile induced
      electric field values calculated in selected tissues of the eye at 50 Hz were
      within 30 % of those calculated at 0.5 mm resolution. The calculated electric
      field values in MAXWEL were compared with values from the male model NORMAN and
      female model NAOMI. The maximum 99th percentile value for NAOMI, calculated by
      Dimbylow in bone, was 49.4 mV m(-1) per kV m(-1) at 50 Hz under grounded
      conditions. The corresponding value calculated in MAXWEL was 15.7 mV m(-1) per kV
      m(-1), considerably lower due to anatomical differences between the male and
      female models. 

PMID- 24218641
TI  - Structure-aided prediction of mammalian transcription factor complexes in
      conserved non-coding elements.
AB  - Mapping the DNA-binding preferences of transcription factor (TF) complexes is
      critical for deciphering the functions of cis-regulatory elements. Here, we
      developed a computational method that compares co-occurring motif spacings in
      conserved versus unconserved regions of the human genome to detect evolutionarily
      constrained binding sites of rigid TF complexes. Structural data were used to
      estimate TF complex physical plausibility, explore overlapping motif arrangements
      seldom tackled by non-structure-aware methods, and generate and analyse three
      dimensional models of the predicted complexes bound to DNA. Using this approach,
      we predicted 422 physically realistic TF complex motifs at 18% false discovery
      rate, the majority of which (326, 77%) contain some sequence overlap between
      binding sites. The set of mostly novel complexes is enriched in known composite
      motifs, predictive of binding site configurations in TF-TF-DNA crystal
      structures, and supported by ChIP-seq datasets. Structural modelling revealed
      three cooperativity mechanisms: direct protein-protein interactions, potentially
      indirect interactions and 'through-DNA' interactions. Indeed, 38% of the
      predicted complexes were found to contain four or more bases in which TF pairs
      appear to synergize through overlapping binding to the same DNA base pairs in
      opposite grooves or strands. Our TF complex and associated binding site
      predictions are available as a web resource at
      http://bejerano.stanford.edu/complex.

PMID- 24218643
TI  - An attempt to decrease anisotropic emissions of neutrons from a cylindrical 241Am
      Be-encapsulation source.
AB  - An attempt to decrease the anisotropic emissions of neutrons from a cylindrical
      (241)Am-Be-encapsulated X3 source was conducted with Monte Carlo calculations and
      experiments. The influence of metal materials and shapes of the external casing
      to the anisotropy factor were focussed on. Results obtained by calculations using
      MCNP4C implied that a light and spherical-shaped external casing decreases the
      anisotropic emission of neutrons. Experimental results using the spherical-shaped
      aluminium protection case also revealed that the anisotropy factor was close to
      1.0 with wide zenith angle ranges. 

PMID- 24218645
TI  - Sindh, Pakistan: home to South-Asia's first HIV law.

PMID- 24218646
TI  - Reaudit of laboratory diagnostic methods for syphilis 2011.

PMID- 24218647
TI  - Commentary.

PMID- 24218648
TI  - Retraction notice to "Antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of a polysaccharide
      from fungus Coprinus comatus (Mull.:Fr.) Gray" [Int. J. Biol. Macromol 58 (2013)
      349-353].

PMID- 24218649
TI  - HIV-infected women in Europe: gender-specific needs and challenges.
AB  - In collaboration with the Strong, HIV positive, Empowered Women (SHE) programme,
      an industry-funded initiative aimed at improving the quality of life of HIV
      positive women, Antiviral Therapy has taken the excellent step to dedicate a
      Supplement Issue addressing the needs and challenges related to the care of women
      living in Europe. Included articles present the multiple facets of gender
      specific issues and research gaps, ranging from HIV testing strategies to
      antiretroviral combination therapy, including long-term challenges associated
      with chronic HIV infection.

PMID- 24218650
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218651
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218652
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218654
TI  - Gastrointestinal quality of life following bariatric surgery in Asian patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bariatric surgery is the only proven method that produces
      sustained weight loss. We aimed to investigate the Gastrointestinal Quality of
      Life Index (GIQLI) differences between obese patients following laparoscopic mini
      gastric bypass (LMGB), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and
      laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in this study. METHODOLOGY: From December
      2005 to December 2007, we enrolled 152 patients who received bariatric surgery,
      including 41 men and 111 women, mean age 32.6+/-9.4 years and mean BMI 37.4+/
      7.9kg/m2 (range 32.0-64.9). Clinical characteristics and quality of life were
      analyzed. RESULTS: One year after bariatric surgery, the mean general score of
      GIQLI improved significantly (p=0.000). All patients had improvement in three
      domains of the questionnaire (social function, physical status and emotional
      status) but not in gastrointestinal symptoms. The preoperative general score was
      105.9+/-15.4 points in LMGB group, 110.9+/-14.8 points in LAGB group and 99.0+/
      19.8 points in LSG group, respectively. Despite a significant difference between
      three groups regarding preoperative GIQLI scores (p=0.001), the 1-year results
      failed to show any significant difference in a comparison of postoperative GIQLI
      scores (p=0.082). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study has demonstrated
      significant improvement in quality of life 1-year after laparoscopic bariatric
      surgery. The improvement of GIQLI scores in three domains of social function,
      physical status and emotional status can be offered to obese patients before
      surgery.

PMID- 24218655
TI  - Neuroscience: A head start for brain imaging.

PMID- 24218656
TI  - Head start.

PMID- 24218657
TI  - Historic work.

PMID- 24218658
TI  - Follow the crowd.

PMID- 24218659
TI  - Uncertain inheritance transgenerational effects of environmental exposures.

PMID- 24218660
TI  - Neuroscience: My life with Parkinson's.

PMID- 24218661
TI  - Diseases: Study neuron networks to tackle Alzheimer's.

PMID- 24218663
TI  - Retraction notice to "Bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress in
      adult rat Sertoli cells in vitro" [Toxicol. Vitro 24 (2010) 1266-72].

PMID- 24218662
TI  - A new breed of model: estimating the impact of climate change on malaria
      transmission.

PMID- 24218664
TI  - Prenatal protection: maternal diet may modify impact of PAHs.

PMID- 24218665
TI  - Arsenic handicap? Prenatal exposure worsens influenza infections in young mice.

PMID- 24218666
TI  - Molecular competition: flame retardants interact with key metabolism enzyme.

PMID- 24218667
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218668
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218669
TI  - Acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy and  Helicobacter pylori infections.

PMID- 24218670
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218671
TI  - Shale gas extraction in North Carolina: research recommendations and public
      health implications.

PMID- 24218672
TI  - Childhood lead poisoning in China: challenges and opportunities.

PMID- 24218673
TI  - Urinary cadmium as a marker of exposure in epidemiological studies.

PMID- 24218674
TI  - Urinary cadmium as a marker of exposure in epidemiological studies: Bernard and
      Chaumont respond.

PMID- 24218675
TI  - The Minamata Convention on Mercury: a first step toward protecting future
      generations.

PMID- 24218676
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218677
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218678
TI  - [Reply].

PMID- 24218679
TI  - NICHE solutions--fifth in a series: focus on communication.

PMID- 24218680
TI  - Resident satisfaction in assisted living.

PMID- 24218681
TI  - [Distal forearm fractures - ultrasonography for diagnosis in children is very
      helpful].

PMID- 24218682
TI  - [Accurate localization and detection by dual source ct scan].

PMID- 24218683
TI  - [Evidence of coronary heart disease: automatic or manual?].

PMID- 24218684
TI  - [Discrimination in MRI].

PMID- 24218685
TI  - [18F-Nsodiumfluorid/18F-FDG-PET/CT shows promising results].

PMID- 24218686
TI  - [Neurovascular compression as a cause?].

PMID- 24218687
TI  - Predictors of recovery of responsiveness in prolonged anoxic vegetative state.
      Author reply.

PMID- 24218688
TI  - The brave new world of oncology research.

PMID- 24218689
TI  - Are you fit for duty?

PMID- 24218690
TI  - Population health: strategies that deliver value and results.

PMID- 24218692
TI  - Want more staff? It's all about the data.

PMID- 24218691
TI  - Are you tired, overworked? You must be a case manager.
AB  - Case managers are being asked to take on more and more tasks, but the caseloads
      haven't changed, resulting in tired case managers who aren't able to do the job
      adequately. Make sure the hospital administration understands what case managers
      do and the value they bring to the organization. Consider developing specialty
      positions or adding clerical staff to optimize skill sets for staff. Use hard
      data, not anecdotes, when you make your case to management.

PMID- 24218693
TI  - Productivity tool measures CM success.
AB  - Case management leadership at Northwestern-Lake Forest Hospital has developed a
      capacity and productivity tool that tracks the work and efficiency of the case
      management staff. The department tabulated the average time it takes case
      managers to complete each case management task and tracks the time each case
      manager spends on tasks each day. The tool can be used to show the productivity
      of an individual, a unit, or the entire department. Department leadership shares
      reports with management and uses it in employees'annual evaluations.

PMID- 24218694
TI  - Peer interviews, mentors = happy case managers.
AB  - New case managers at Carolinas HealthCare System are chosen by their peers and as
      part of orientation, work closely with a preceptor, then meet with a mentor for a
      year. Case managers who will be working with the new hire interview candidates
      and make the final selection. The preceptor follows them as they complete the
      case management training orientation program that includes hands-on training.
      When they start their new job, they are assigned a mentor who meets regularly
      with them for a year and is available for questions and concerns.

PMID- 24218696
TI  - Engage family members in crucial conversations.

PMID- 24218695
TI  - Tailor ED discharge plan to the individual.
AB  - A study by Penn Medicine that examined why low-income patients seek care in the
      emergency department concluded that the healthcare system drives patients away
      from primary care and to the emergency department. Low-income patients have to
      miss work and line up transportation to make a primary care visit. Often, their
      providers are in clinics with a limited number of appointments each day. Instead
      of merely lecturing patients about seeking care at the right level, case managers
      should develop strategies to meet each patient's individual needs.

PMID- 24218697
TI  - Robert P. Perry 1931-2013.

PMID- 24218698
TI  - Drs. Lim and Feldman reply.

PMID- 24218699
TI  - Special issue dedicated to Navin S. Scrimshaw.

PMID- 24218701
TI  - Editorial: From "information technology in biomedicine" to "biomedical and health
      informatics".

PMID- 24218700
TI  - Equipment location in hospitals using RFID-based positioning system.
AB  - Throughout various complex processes within hospitals, context-aware services and
      applications can help to improve the quality of care and reduce costs. For
      example, sensors and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies for e
      health have been deployed to improve the flow of material, equipment, personal,
      and patient. Bed tracking, patient monitoring, real-time logistic analysis, and
      critical equipment tracking are famous applications of real-time location systems
      (RTLS) in hospitals. In fact, existing case studies show that RTLS can improve
      service quality and safety, and optimize emergency management and time critical
      processes. In this paper, we propose a robust system for position and orientation
      determination of equipment. Our system utilizes passive (RFID) technology mounted
      on flooring plates and several peripherals for sensor data interpretation. The
      system is implemented and tested through extensive experiments. The results show
      that our system's average positioning and orientation measurement outperforms
      existing systems in terms of accuracy. The details of the system as well as the
      experimental results are presented in this paper.

PMID- 24218702
TI  - Guest editorial: Multimedia services and technologies for e-health (MUST-EH).

PMID- 24218703
TI  - An intelligent scoring system and its application to cardiac arrest prediction.
AB  - Traditional risk score prediction is based on vital signs and clinical
      assessment. In this paper, we present an intelligent scoring system for the
      prediction of cardiac arrest within 72 h. The patient population is represented
      by a set of feature vectors, from which risk scores are derived based on
      geometric distance calculation and support vector machine. Each feature vector is
      a combination of heart rate variability (HRV) parameters and vital signs.
      Performance evaluation is conducted on the leave-one-out cross-validation
      framework, and receiver operating characteristic, sensitivity, specificity,
      positive predictive value, and negative predictive value are reported.
      Experimental results reveal that the proposed scoring system not only achieves
      satisfactory performance on determining the risk of cardiac arrest within 72 h
      but also has the ability to generate continuous risk scores rather than a simple
      binary decision by a traditional classifier. Furthermore, the proposed scoring
      system works well for both balanced and imbalanced datasets, and the combination
      of HRV parameters and vital signs shows superiority in prediction to using HRV
      parameters only or vital signs only.

PMID- 24218704
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24218705
TI  - Categorization and segmentation of intestinal content frames for wireless capsule
      endoscopy.
AB  - Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is a device that allows the direct visualization
      of gastrointestinal tract with minimal discomfort for the patient, but at the
      price of a large amount of time for screening. In order to reduce this time,
      several works have proposed to automatically remove all the frames showing
      intestinal content. These methods label frames as {intestinal content- clear}
      without discriminating between types of content (with different physiological
      meaning) or the portion of image covered. In addition, since the presence of
      intestinal content has been identified as an indicator of intestinal motility,
      its accurate quantification can show a potential clinical relevance. In this
      paper, we present a method for the robust detection and segmentation of
      intestinal content in WCE images, together with its further discrimination
      between turbid liquid and bubbles. Our proposal is based on a twofold system.
      First, frames presenting intestinal content are detected by a support vector
      machine classifier using color and textural information. Second, intestinal
      content frames are segmented into {turbid, bubbles, and clear} regions. We show a
      detailed validation using a large dataset. Our system outperforms previous
      methods and, for the first time, discriminates between turbid from bubbles media.

PMID- 24218706
TI  - [New concept on old disease. Preface].

PMID- 24218707
TI  - [Modeling of lateral amyotrophic sclerosis: a non-genetic method].

PMID- 24218708
TI  - [Venous encephalopathy. Possibilities of diagnosis and treatment].

PMID- 24218709
TI  - [Treatment of Parkinson's disease: original drugs and generics].

PMID- 24218710
TI  - [The 11th weekend school for neurologists of St. Petersburg and the North-West
      Federal region <<innovations in clinical neurology>>].

PMID- 24218711
TI  - [The XI Russian school for young psychiatrists].

PMID- 24218712
TI  - Sounding the alarm. Nurses, organizations work to address alarm fatigue.

PMID- 24218713
TI  - At the push of a button. Patients, nurses use apps to augment health care.

PMID- 24218714
TI  - OpenNotes initiative aims to improve patient-clinician communication, care.

PMID- 24218715
TI  - Texas hospital approaches technology with eye toward patient safety, nursing
      practice.

PMID- 24218716
TI  - Profile: an adventurer at nursing's frontiers expands the profession's scope and
      efficacy.

PMID- 24218717
TI  - Ready to serve, ready to lead.

PMID- 24218718
TI  - The hidden crime: human trafficking.
AB  - As the primary contact in the health care system, nurses can play a role in
      combating this crime and assisting the victims. Assessment for abuse, neglect,
      trauma, recurrent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and fear of a
      controlling partner is critical. Following up on "red flags" and understanding
      methods of safe questioning can make the difference between slavery and recovery
      for victims. Nurses must also know the professional referrals in their areas once
      a potential victim has been identified. This may be a very dangerous undertaking
      and must be handled by experienced personnel. Referrals to forensic nurses or
      physicians, domestic violence professionals or law enforcement may be indicated.
      Initially, a nurse may want to consult with the agency social worker for
      guidance. Human trafficking is a human rights crime. Unfortunately, it is more
      prevalent in all types of communities than most people suspect. Nurses can be
      heroes to the victims through understanding of this crime and vigilance in the
      assessment and care of all people they encounter in their practices.

PMID- 24218720
TI  - Knowing your neighbors. A brief overview of Fort Jackson, and its behavioral
      health services.

PMID- 24218719
TI  - Enduring echoes. An unlikely candidate: a southern belle at Johns Hopkins School
      of Nursing, 1893-1894.

PMID- 24218721
TI  - Children and backpack safety.

PMID- 24218722
TI  - Have we conquered lateral violence?

PMID- 24218723
TI  - Measuring communication competency. The next step in addressing disruptive
      behavior.

PMID- 24218724
TI  - [School refusal].

PMID- 24218725
TI  - [School refusal and dropping out of school: positioning regarding a Swiss
      perspective].
AB  - This article deals with refusal to attend school and dropping out of school from
      the point of view of child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology, in German
      speaking countries and from the perspective of Swiss schools and their
      administrative bodies. General epidemiological data on refusal to attend school
      show that approximately 5% of children and adolescents are likely to try to avoid
      attending school at some point. There is very little data available on the
      frequency of school drop-out. In the past two years (2011 and 2012),
      approximately 2% of all patients seen for the first time at the department of
      Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Zurich, were referred because of
      failure to attend school, making this phenomenon one of the most common reasons
      for referral in child and adolescent psychiatry. After a discussion of the
      epidemiology, symptomatology, causes and its risk factors, the article presents
      examples drawn from practice and guidelines for intervention in cases of refusal
      to attend school, and discusses ways of preventing school drop-out from the point
      of view of schools, hospitals and bodies such as educational psychology services
      in Switzerland.

PMID- 24218726
TI  - [School absenteeism in Germany: prevalence of excused and unexcused absenteeism
      and its correlation with emotional and behavioural problems].
AB  - Data about the prevalence of school absenteeism and its correlation with
      emotional and behavioural problems in Germany is scarce, in particular regarding
      excused absenteeism. This study aims to close the gap by examining a sample of
      2,679 pupils attending the different types of secondary school (Hauptschule,
      Realschule, Gymnasium), who participated in a clinical trial for the prevention
      of truancy (WE-STAY-Project). Pupils' mean age was 14 years (M = 13.94, SD =
      0.85, Range = 11-19) and gender distribution was balanced (49.35% males, 50.65%
      females). Using a self-report questionnaire, pupils where asked on how many days
      they had missed school on average per month during the last school year (excused
      and unexcused). Emotional and behavioural problems were measured by using the
      "Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire" (SDQ). 4.1% of the pupils reported to
      have missed school without a valid excuse on more than four days per month
      (unexcused absenteeism). 6.1% had missed school having an excuse on more than ten
      days per month (excused absenteeism). Both, unexcused and excused absenteeism,
      showed an increase of emotional and behavioural problems dependent on the
      intensity of absenteeism. In conclusion, these findings show the relevance of
      school absenteeism in Germany. In the future, more attention should be given to
      pupils with also excused absenteeism.

PMID- 24218727
TI  - [Long-term stability of inpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy of adolescents
      with anxious-depressed school absenteeism].
AB  - 90 adolescents (aged 12-18 years) with chronic anxious-depressive school
      absenteeism with or without comorbid disruptive symptoms underwent an open
      inpatient treatment. The treatment was manual guided with a cognitive-behavioral
      focus. In case of long lasting school absence youth were integrated on a special
      school initially. The present analyses cover 2- and 9-months follow-ups. At
      discharge continuous school attendance was achieved by 83 (92.2%) adolescents, by
      75 (83.3%) at 2-month and by 63 (70.0%) at 9-month follow-up. For youth with
      school absenteeism within the follow-up interval absence rates were only minor.
      The rate of adolescents visiting the special school decreased from 40 (44.4%) at
      discharge to 24 (26.7%) 9 month later. Associated mental health problems were
      assessed using standardized questionnaires in self and parent ratings. Small to
      medium statistically significant aggravations were found. Within the follow-up
      interval 2/3 of the samplhe underwent an outpatient, weekly cognitive-behavioral
      treatment. These results must be interpreted with caution because of the lack of
      a control condition and of concomitant interventions during inpatient treatment.

PMID- 24218728
TI  - [Effectiveness of early prevention programs in Germany: a systematic review and a
      meta-analysis].
AB  - The number of scientific evaluations of early preventions programs has
      considerably increased since the foundation of the national center of early
      prevention in Germany. Early primary and secondary intervention programs are
      designed to address parents with little children (prenatal until three years) to
      improve the parent-child-relationship and parental educational competencies. This
      is thought to enhance child development and to avoid maltreatment in terms of
      neglect and abuse. During a systematic review, six data-bases were searched for
      publications on studies about the effectiveness of early prevention programs in
      Germany between 2003 and 2013. Eight studies were found to fulfill inclusion
      criteria and were included in a meta-analysis. In comparison to the control
      groups the early prevention programs had a small effect on maternal symptom
      burden (d = 0.28), however there was no effect on maternal competences (d = 0.10)
      and perceived social support (d = -0.06). In addition, there was no effect on
      psychic child development (d = 0.05) but no effect on the physical development of
      the children (d = 0.00). Results are discussed as preliminary due to a current
      lack of a sufficient amount of studies in Germany.

PMID- 24218729
TI  - [Systemic sclerosis].
AB  - Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is a rare connective tissue disease
      characterized by vasculopathy and immune dysfunction, leading to fibrosis with
      damage of multiple organs. Two major clinical subtypes are the diffuse and
      limited forms. The combination of Raynaud's phenomenon, puffy fingers and
      positive antinuclear antibodies are red flag features that should alert the
      clinician to the presence of very early systemic sclerosis, which can be treated
      with vasodilator, antithrombotic, and immunosuppressive drugs. Progress has been
      made even in the management of the most severe manifestations, including
      interstitial lung disease, pulmonary artery hypertension and scleroderma renal
      crisis.

PMID- 24218730
TI  - [The changing spectrum of childhood fractures].
AB  - Every third child sustains a fracture before adulthood. Forearm fractures
      comprise one third of all fractures and their incidence has significantly
      increased during the past decades. Hand and foot fractures are also common but
      their number has decreased. A small proportion of children sustain multiple long
      bone fractures or vertebral fractures. They should be referred to a pediatric
      evaluation to detect and treat potential underlying bone fragility.

PMID- 24218731
TI  - [Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease].
AB  - As a progressive neuropathologic process, Alzheimer's disease is detectable
      already more than 20 years before the appearance of clinical symptoms. Magnetic
      resonance imaging is the tool for early diagnosis. Protein assays of the
      cerebrospinal fluid are available for differential diagnostic problem cases.
      While early diagnosis of patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment
      enables targeting of follow-up and medication to the patients in need thereof,
      the clinical use of biological markers for the recognition of the disease in
      symptomless patients is not considered allowed before effective registered drug
      therapy is available for the disease.

PMID- 24218732
TI  - [The expanding spectrum of LGMD--recently discovered disease genes are important
      also in Finnish patients].
AB  - Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD) are autosomal disorders with a range of
      manifestations varying from almost asymptomatic late-onset patients to severe
      childhood onset forms. Recently identified disease genes explain the majority of
      LGMD cases in Finland. Prognosis, potential cardiac and respiratory complications
      and symptomatic treatment options differ in different LGMD subtypes. This means
      that the gold standard of diagnosis is the molecular genetic definition of the
      disease in each patient. Despite evolving sequencing techniques, the clinical,
      pathological, neurophysiological and imaging characterisation of patients will
      not become obsolete, but rather, even more important during the next years to
      enable targeted genetic diagnostics.

PMID- 24218733
TI  - [Development of substance use disorders can be prevented].
AB  - The first experiments with intoxicants take place in early adolescence, and the
      drug use habits become established during adolescence. In addition to an early
      start of substance abuse and adolescent drug problems, especially ADHD and
      behavior disorders predispose to subsequent substance use disorders. Prevention
      and effective treatment of these disturbances can decrease the risk of subsequent
      development of substance use disorders. Drug policy decisions are applied to
      influence the availability of alcohol. Early and adequate interventions in
      adolescent drug abuse may prevent the development of symptoms into a disorder
      among the young at risk.

PMID- 24218734
TI  - [Assessment of an addiction psychiatric patient within primary health care].
AB  - Assessment of addiction psychiatric patients during the hectic work at a
      community health center is a challenging task. A more precise survey of the
      substance abuse and mental problem can be started by using various screening
      questionnaires. In devising the treatment plan, focus will initially be on the
      main problem, and upon prolonged cooperation a more precise survey of the drug
      and mental problem will be carried out. The patient's overall picture should be
      considered, avoiding a split treatment of the drug problem and the mental
      problem. Assessment of psychotic addiction patients belongs to a psychiatrist and
      the treatment in most cases to specialized care.

PMID- 24218735
TI  - [Motivating interview and its effectiveness in the treatment of dual diagnosis
      patients].
AB  - Motivating interview is a talking therapeutic way to meet with the patient. The
      aim is to increase the patient's readiness for change by making her/him talk in
      favor of the change. In dual diagnosis patients, motivating interview has been
      found to improve commitment to treatment and to decrease drug abuse more than
      other equally brief interventions at least over a follow-up period of 3 to 6
      months. When integrated with a more extensive therapy, motivating interview
      improved the treatment response to conventional therapy. The approach seems to be
      especially suitable for incoherent and reluctant patients

PMID- 24218736
TI  - [Pharmacological therapy of an addiction psychiatric patient].
AB  - Properly conducted pharmacological therapy is expected to improve the prognosis
      of both the psychic disturbance and the substance abuse problem. Considering the
      extent of the problem there is, however, relatively little evidence-based
      knowledge of pharmacological therapy of an addiction psychiatric patient.
      Separation of psychiatric therapy from addiction therapy may hamper the
      realization of coherent pharmacological therapy. Psychosocial forms of therapy,
      especially motivating talking therapies, constitute the most pivotal part of
      treatment. In addition to the patient's own aims, the interactions of smoking,
      drugs and medicines must be considered in the planning of the pharmacological
      therapy.

PMID- 24218737
TI  - [Addiction psychiatry in specialized care--towards more precise differential
      diagnosis].
AB  - A mental disorder and a substance abuse problem are often present simultaneously.
      Possible underlying substance abuse is surveyed in examining psychic symptoms.
      Screening of the substance abuse problem facilitates revealing the presence of
      previously unrecognized substance abuse problems. Screening of alcohol abuse with
      the AUDIT questionnaire is necessary for all patients in psychiatric specialized
      care. The DAST-20 questionnaire is utilized in the screening of drug abuse. The
      DSM-IV diagnosis system and the PRISM interview define more closely the
      differential diagnosis associated with dual diagnoses. Treatment of a substance
      abuse problem related to severe mental disorders should be conducted in an
      integrated manner by the same treatment unit.

PMID- 24218738
TI  - [Patient having personality disturbance with substance abuse in psychotherapy].
AB  - Due to their destructive nature, substance abuse problems are challenging, their
      recognition, approach and treatment having all been problematic issues. Because
      of shame, confessing the problem is difficult also for the patients. Any approach
      based on confrontation has a negative effect on both commitment to treatment and
      treatment results. Through one of my patients I describe methods in the treatment
      of an addition psychiatry patient.

PMID- 24218739
TI  - The Heritage of Anesthesia by Patrick Sim.

PMID- 24218740
TI  - Primer on medical history for anesthesiologists: introduction.

PMID- 24218741
TI  - Mount Auburn Cemetery and its importance to the history of anesthesia.

PMID- 24218742
TI  - The role of simulation training in medicine.

PMID- 24218743
TI  - The Jade Goody legacy has undoubtedly saved lives, but what will be the Michael
      Douglas effect?

PMID- 24218744
TI  - Paediatric HIV: the experience in Ireland 2004-2011.
AB  - Despite effective prevention strategies paediatric HIV infection remains an
      important condition in Ireland. To characterise presentation and identify
      barriers to optimal management a retrospective chart review of HIV-infected
      children presenting in Ireland, 2004-2011 was undertaken. Forty-two HIV-infected
      children were identified; (25 male). Median age at presentation was 6 years
      (range 0-16 years). 38 children (90%) were born to African mothers. Eleven (26%)
      were born in Ireland. Twenty-five (59%) were late diagnoses; 11 were symptomatic.
      Ten of 12 foreign born HIV-infected children had antiretroviral exposure with
      frequent resistance associated mutations. Seven of 8 children with stage C
      disease had previously been admitted to hospital in Ireland before diagnosis.
      Maternal non-adherence to recommendations and seroconversion in pregnancy
      challenge the goal of paediatric HIV eradication. Targeted strategies for women
      at risk of infection in pregnancy are required. Late HIV diagnosis remains
      common, highlighting the need for a more proactive approach to HIV testing.

PMID- 24218745
TI  - Barriers to accepting and completing latent tuberculosis infection treatment.
AB  - Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) is an important component of
      any TB control strategy. Acceptance and completion of treatment is poor. We
      undertook this study to identify barriers to acceptance & completion of
      treatment. Patients attending TB clinics completed a self-administered survey.
      Medical notes and electronic pharmacy records were reviewed. 143 surveys were
      completed. 70 (49%) completed treatment. Patients were less likely to accept
      treatment (p = 0.01, RR 0.781, CI 0.643-0.950) and less likely to complete
      treatment (p = 0.01, RR 0.640, CI 0.462-0.885) when concerned about the side
      effects of LTBI medication. Completion of LTBI treatment is sub-optimal. The
      major barrier identified was fear about side effects caused by LTBI medications.

PMID- 24218746
TI  - Long-term follow up for colon cancer in a minimally invasive, colorectal unit.
AB  - Our aim was to assess the long-term survival advantage associated with the
      laparoscopic approach for colon cancer resection in an Irish minimally invasive
      unit. Between January 2005 and December 2006, 154 patients underwent resection
      for colon cancer. 108 underwent a laparoscopic resection, with a conversion rate
      of 11%. The overall 5 year survival was 71.4%. The overall 5 year survival rate
      for laparoscopic resections was 80.6% where as the overall survival for open
      resection was 50%. Laparoscopic surgery had a significant 5 year overall survival
      advantage compared to open in both non metastatic disease (Stage I and II) (92.2%
      vs. 69.6%, p = 0.0288) and metastatic disease (Stage III and IV), (68.4% vs.
      30.4%, p = 0.0026). Laparoscopic surgery in a dedicated minimally invasive unit
      with verifiable low conversion rates is feasible and in our experience associated
      with a long-term survival advantage for colon cancer.

PMID- 24218747
TI  - Chronic disease management in patients attending Irish General Practice training
      practices.
AB  - Complexity and workload for patients with chronic diseases in General Practice
      are poorly understood. Government policy envisages moving workload into primary
      care. Data was obtained from a GP delivered survey (58 GPs/33 practices) of 160
      patients with one or more chronic diseases, and by concurrently extracting data
      from the patients electronic medical record. Care is physician intensive (average
      number GP visits 9.2 pa), with limited input from Practice Nurses (1.62 visits
      pa). Care co-ordination is significant, given complex co morbidity, polypharmacy
      (average number of medications per patient = 6.8), and numbers of OPDs attended
      (3.8). Over a quarter of patients (51/160 (27%)) required assistance attending
      their GP; 60 (31%) self rated their health as fair/poor. Patients are positively
      disposed towards transfer of care to General Practice. This study provides
      baseline data on complexity/workload in care delivered in GP Training practices,
      before implementation of change.

PMID- 24218748
TI  - Operative surgical yield from general surgical outpatient clinics; time to change
      the way we practice?
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the number of patients attending surgical
      outpatient clinics in a general hospital to the number of resulting elective
      procedures scheduled in a single year. Patients initially assessed at private
      consulting rooms are not included in this study. The number of surgical
      outpatient appointments issued in 2011 totalled 6503 with non-attendances running
      at 1489 (22.9%). The number of elective surgical theatre cases performed in 2011
      (i.e. the surgical yield from that period) came to 1078 with an additional 1470
      patients referred for endoscopy and 475 patients referred for minor operations.
      Operative surgical yield from the currently structured outpatient clinic model is
      low, with the number of theatre cases coming to only 16.58% of the original
      number of outpatient appointments issued. Recommendations for the improvement of
      outpatient services are made. These findings are relevant in the context of
      streamlining access to surgical services.

PMID- 24218749
TI  - Seppuku: a modern approach to an ancient injury.
AB  - A 67 year-old man with paraplegia and depression presented with self-inflicted
      evisceration and small bowel injury. Damage control surgery was undertaken at
      emergency laparotomy with definitive anastomosis performed at second-look
      laparotomy following 24 hours resuscitation in ICU. He had an uncomplicated post
      operative course and was discharged to an inpatient psychiatric unit.

PMID- 24218750
TI  - Life threatening sepsis while on high dose steroids requiring extra-corporeal
      membrane oxygenation.
AB  - We present a case of life-threatening streptococcal sepsis in a young man with a
      history of Behcet's disease within two weeks of commencing high dose
      corticosteroid therapy for an exacerbation of Behcet's disease.

PMID- 24218751
TI  - The National Single Assessment Tool (SAT) a pilot study in older persons care
      survey results.
AB  - Following a consultation and review process, the interRAI suite of assessment
      tools was chosen as the most suitable instrument for assessment of the care needs
      of older people in Ireland. We used previously validated questionnaires to
      examine the usability, practicality and acceptability of these tools to
      professionals, carers and clients in rural and urban acute, long-term care and
      community settings. Of the 45 professionals, 42-44 (93-98%) agreed or strongly
      agreed with 14 of 15 positive statements regarding the acceptability, clinical
      value and ease of use of the interRAl tools; 39 (87%) felt the terminology was
      consistent and familiar, although 35 (78%) felt some areas would require further
      explanation. Responses from carers (n = 15) and clients (n = 68) were similarly
      overwhelmingly positive regarding the experience of being assessed using these
      tools. These results support the clinical utility and practicality of using this
      approach to assess older people in Irish clinical practice.

PMID- 24218753
TI  - Re: Preparing new doctors for clinical practice: an evaluation of pre-internship
      training.

PMID- 24218752
TI  - A dermatology outpatient waiting list initiative.
AB  - Skin disease is the most common reason for people to present to their general
      practitioner (GP) with a new episode of disease. In April 2010 there were
      estimated 23,000 patients on dermatology outpatient waiting lists in Ireland,
      including almost 11,000 patients waiting over 6 months. We analysed the data of
      200 dermatology outpatient visits scheduled under an initiative to target
      patients waiting more than 120 days for a new dermatology outpatient appointment.
      There were 171 (85.5%) patients seen, 29 (14.5%) patients did not attend the
      appointment. The data from 161 patients seen under the initiative was included in
      the analysis. Skin lesions accounted for 81 (50%) referrals, of these 71 (44%)
      patients had benign skin lesions and 10 (6%) patients were considered to have
      suspicious skin lesions. There was no case of malignant melanoma. After the
      initial consultation, 66% (106) of the patients were discharged to their primary
      care physician.

PMID- 24218754
TI  - Use of oxygen blenders for neonatal resuscitation.

PMID- 24218755
TI  - Ocular chemical burns in a paediatric population.

PMID- 24218756
TI  - Smokers need not apply.

PMID- 24218757
TI  - Society of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses honors Munoz, Kelly, Austin-Benn,
      and Drake.

PMID- 24218758
TI  - Nurses helping nurses.

PMID- 24218759
TI  - The Promise of Stardust.

PMID- 24218760
TI  - Helping to save lives: overdose prevention legislation signed into law in NJ.

PMID- 24218761
TI  - [Molecular epidemiology of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) -positive
      Staphylococcus aureus associated with skin and soft tissue infection].
AB  - Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) secreted by Staphylococcus aureus is known to
      cause severe skin, soft tissue and lung infections. To assess the prevalence and
      genetic characteristics of PVL-positive S. aureus in our hospital, we
      investigated 86 S. aureus isolates isolated from skin and soft tissue pus between
      September 2011 and May 2012 at Daisan Hospital, the Jikei University School of
      Medicine (Tokyo, Japan). All isolates were investigated for the mecA gene and PVL
      gene by PCR amplification. The MRSA isolates confirmed were genotyped using
      SCCmec typing. PVL-gene positive isolates confirmed by the PVL-RPLA (reverse
      passive latex agglutination) assay were characterized by agr typing and
      multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Overall 6 (3 MSSA isolates and 3 MRSA
      isolates) PVL-positive strains (7.0%) were detected. The PVL prevalence was 11.1%
      in MRSA and 5.1% in MSSA. PVL-positive strains were isolated from young adults
      (range: 8-47 years) outpatient. Patients infected with PVL-positive MRSA were
      significantly younger than those infected with PVL-negative MRSA(32 and 68 years,
      respectively; P = 0.009, t-test). The 6 PVL positive strains were assigned by the
      MLST to 6 STs that were prevalent among PVL-positive strains. The SCCmec type of
      the PVL-positive MRSA were classified into 2 types (type IV or V) that were
      generally characteristic of CA-MRSA. Our data are consistent with some previous
      reports showing that PVL gene is found in certain ST strains. The PVL-positive
      strain must be taken into account when S. aureus is isolated from young adult
      SSTI.

PMID- 24218762
TI  - [Usefulness of the standardized serum cystatin C reagent in evaluation of renal
      function].
AB  - Serum cystatin C (sCysC) is valuable to evaluate the renal functions in various
      clinically studies. Since the reagents to detect sCysC are different among
      institutes or hospitals, the accidental error due to the difference of reagents
      is not negligible. That is why sCysC is sometimes difficult to use or interpret
      for patient as estimated Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) that is one of the
      most popular factors to evaluate renal function. Recently, the international
      reference standard is gradually accepted as standardization of chemical
      measurement of sCysC in Japan. Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry has reported
      the utilities for sCysC measurement standardization in 2010. In this study, we
      examined the usefulness of the standardization of sCysC reagent in Chiba
      University Hospital. Our study indicated that the clinical usefulness of eGFR
      calculated by sCysC. As results, eGFR from serum creatinine (sCr) was relatively
      high in patients with reduced muscle mass, such as old-age patients with
      wheelchair and prolonged hospitalization. On the other hand, eGFR from sCysC was
      high in patients with hypothyroidism. Together, eGFR calculated by sCysC is
      clinically available for the patients with reduced muscle mass could be
      underestimated. Further studies are required to evaluate the validity of
      standardization of sCysC measurement and find the dissociation among eGFR, sCysC
      and sCr depending in the renal disease or pathogenesis.

PMID- 24218763
TI  - [Clinical and microbiological features of patients with pulmonary nontuberculous
      mycobacterial infection].
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: The prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection
      (pNTM) is currently increasing. Furthermore, its clinical feature is reported to
      be gradually changing. However, few reports to clarify the current features of
      pNTM have been published. The aim of this study is to investigate microbiological
      and clinical features of pNTM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a
      retrospective observational study. Patients with pNTM visited to Dokkyo Medical
      University Koshigaya Hospital between January 2009 and December 2010 were
      enrolled. All patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria in Japanese guidelines
      for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease published in 2008. Medical
      records were reviewed to obtain information about the enrolled patients. RESULTS:
      Total 143 patients (49 males and 94 females, age 67 +/- 10 yrs) were enrolled in
      this study. Only 11.9% of patients had malignant diseases and 5.6% had diabetes
      mellitus whereas 79% had no comorbidity. Nearly 60% of patients showed normal
      BMI. At the time of diagnosis, 52.0% of patients had no symptom whereas 22.3% had
      cough and/or sputum, and 7.1% had hemoptysis. The results of smear examination
      with acid-fast staining were negative in 80.4%, +/- in 9.8%, 1 + in 7.7% and 2 +
      in 2.1%. Causative pathogens detected with acid-fast bacillus culture were
      Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) (74.8%), M. intracellulare (14.0%), M. fortuitum
      (3.5%), M. abscessus (2.8%), M. kansasii (2.8%) and others. CONCLUSION: This
      study showed that majority of patients had no symptoms and/or negative results of
      smear examination with acid-fast staining. It is crucial to consider these facts
      when a diagnostic test of pNTM is performed.

PMID- 24218764
TI  - [An autopsy case of B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma with hemophagocytic
      syndrome infiltrating in the central nervous systems].
AB  - The hemophagocytic syndrome(HPS) after the hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation(SHCT) may be triggered by the reactivation of virus such as
      Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) under immunosuppressive state.
      The present case was a 17-year old man who was diagnosed as B lymphoblastic
      leukemia. Bone marrow aspiration showed 96.4% of lymphoblasts with positive for
      CD19 and CD20, negative for CD66 and POX, and dot staining for PAS. E2A/PBX1
      chimeric mRNA was positive as assessed by RT-PCR method. He received three
      courses of induction chemotherapy followed by allo-bone marrow transplantation
      (BMT) from his sister, but had a relapse three months after allo-BMT. He received
      allo peripheral blood-SCT (PBSCT) from his mother. The hematopoietic cells
      successfully engrafted, but the mixed chimerism of 2 donors persisted. On day
      149, he had a fever, and hemophagocytosis was found by bone marrow aspiration.
      EBV genomic DNA was detected for 1.62 x 10(3) copies. CMV and fungus were
      negative in blood. On day 165, the patient had been observed disturbance of
      consciousness, neck stiffness, and died on day 170 due to multiple organ failure.
      Autopsy examination showed infiltration of CD20+ leukemic cells into the
      perivascular space of cerebrum, brainstem and spinal cord, with hemophagocytosis
      by CD6+ macrophages. In situ hybridization of EB-virus encoded small RNA (EBER)
      confirmed EBV infection of B-lymphoblastic cells infiltrated in the cerebrum. HPS
      was considered to be triggered by the reactivation of EBV, due to hematopoietic
      dysfunction based on long-term immunosuppressive treatment and mixed chimerism
      derived from a HSCT from 2 donors.

PMID- 24218765
TI  - [Future roles of clinical laboratories and clinical laboratory technologists in
      university hospitals].
AB  - Clinical laboratories in university hospitals should be operated with a good
      balance of medical practice, education, research, and management. The role of a
      clinical laboratory is to promptly provide highly reliable laboratory data to
      satisfy the needs of clinicians involved in medical practice and health
      maintenance of patients. Improvement and maintenance of the quality of the
      laboratory staff and environment are essential to achieve this goal. In order to
      implement these requirements efficiently, an appropriate quality management
      system should be introduced and established, and evaluated objectively by a third
      party (e.g. by obtaining ISO 15189 certification). ISO 15189 is an international
      standard regarding the quality and competence of clinical laboratories, and
      specifies a review of the efficient operational system and technical requirements
      such as competence in implementing practical tests and calibration. This means
      the results of laboratory tests reported by accredited laboratories withstand any
      international evaluation, which is very important to assure the future importance
      of the existence and management of clinical laboratories as well as
      internationalization of medical practice. "Education" and "research" have
      important implications in addition to "medical practice" and "management", as the
      roles that clinical laboratories should play in university hospitals. University
      hospital laboratories should be operated by keeping these four factors in good
      balance. Why are "education" and "research" required in addition to "medical
      practice" services? If individual clinical laboratory technologists can provide
      an appropriate response to this question, the importance of the existence of
      clinical laboratories would be reinforced, without being compromised.

PMID- 24218766
TI  - [Potential and perspective of genetic testing in Renaissance of laboratory
      medicine].
AB  - Among molecular genetic tests, tests for genomic biomarkers are increasingly
      performed in order to decide the right drug for the right patient at the right
      time. These genetic tests, including pharmacogenomics (PGx) tests, are essential
      for personalized medicine. Companion diagnostics (CDx) will be co-developed from
      the early stage of drug development and used for patient stratification in Phases
      II/III of clinical trials. The strategic change in development from blockbuster
      drugs to molecularly targeted drugs will enhance the clinical application of
      genetic tests, including CDx and PGx. The genetic tests utilized for making
      treatment decisions have the potential to regenerate laboratory medicine.

PMID- 24218767
TI  - [Multi-drug resistant organisms are important issues in preventing healthcare
      associated infections. Introduction].
AB  - Multi-drug-resistant organisms are important issues in preventing healthcare
      associated infections (HAIs); however, severe infection control in a hospital or
      healthcare facility cannot reduce HAIs. A surveillance system to detect multi
      drug-resistant organisms is necessary in a prefecture or broader area including
      many healthcare facilities. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan
      proposed to survey HAIs and multi-drug-resistant organisms in a region, and
      supported this surveillance by newly adding insurance points for regional
      infection control; however, definite actions were not presented and various
      trials have been attempted. In this symposium, several trials to survey multi
      drug-resistant organisms in various regions were presented, and we searched for
      clues to prevent multi-drug-resistant organism infection.

PMID- 24218768
TI  - [Surveillance system for multidrug-resistant bacteria in Nagano Prefecture].
AB  - Surveillance for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species and multidrug
      resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa started in 2007 in Nagano prefecture. Moreover,
      we have been able to survey almost all multidrug-resistant bacteria using the
      Shinshu infection control surveillance system (SICSS) since 2011, and check for
      outbreaks of multidrug-resistant bacteria throughout Nagano prefecture in real
      time, as happened in a hospital. Using the SICSS, we can prevent pathogens from
      spreading from a hospital to neighboring hospitals, and support facilities
      without a specialist in infection control. A surveillance system such as the
      SICSS is fundamental for regional infection control.

PMID- 24218769
TI  - [Importance of and problems in sharing surveillance data of antimicrobial
      susceptibility among hospitals in Oita Prefecture].
AB  - The treatment and prevention of antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections are
      critical in the management and maintenance of high-quality clinical health
      services. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistant bacteria is a useful tool for
      controlling resistant pathogens. In order to prevent the spread of antimicrobial
      resistant pathogens in a region, surveillance data should be shared among the
      hospitals in the same area. In Oita Prefecture, 17 hospitals share antimicrobial
      resistant bacteria surveillance data. The collected data of the 17 hospitals is
      valuable in determining the isolation rate of antimicrobial resistant bacteria,
      such as MRSA, MDRP, and MDRA which are important for hospital acquired
      infections. This information also provides beneficial knowledge for empiric
      therapy against infectious diseases. However, further efforts are necessary in
      sharing the surveillance data among hospitals and collecting more detailed data.
      It is very important for the hospitals to agree on purpose of sharing the
      antimicrobial resistant bacterial surveillance data.

PMID- 24218770
TI  - [Laboratory-based surveillance of antibacterial drug-resistant bacteria in the
      Kinki region].
AB  - The study of bacterial resistance in the Kinki region of Japan (SBRK) was
      launched in 1997 for the purpose of monitoring antibacterial drug-resistant
      bacteria. In SBRK, laboratory-based surveillance, such as of Streptococcus
      pneumonia, Haemophillus influenzae, extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing
      Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenemase producing Gram-negative rods, etc. has been
      carried out for over 10 years and the results have been reported through seminars
      and conference presentations. Technical seminars of detection methods for
      clinically important drug-resistant bacteria were also held in order to
      contribute to improving the quality of microbiology laboratories. To conduct
      appropriate infection control of drug-resistant bacteria, effective utilization
      of quality-assured microbiological data and information sharing of regional
      epidemiological data is very important. The construction of regional cooperation
      systems among microbiology laboratories and with public institutions is strongly
      required.

PMID- 24218771
TI  - [Role of university hospitals in regional infection control network].
AB  - Activities and the understanding of infection control in healthcare facilities
      have improved in the past decade since a certification system for medical
      personnel, such as infection control nurse and infection control doctor, were
      introduced in Japan. These specialists are distributed among tertiary general
      hospitals, while many small and mid-scale hospitals have no infection control
      specialists. In 2012, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
      launched a new strategy for further improvement of infection control by
      supporting a regional network of infection control activities. Through the
      infection control network, small or mid-scaled hospitals can utilize infection
      control specialists in tertiary general hospitals, enter educational programs on
      infection control and consult in cases of nosocomial infection outbreaks. As part
      of the regional infection control network, we established an information network
      system, named ReNICS, to share the bacteriological test results of the hospitals
      in Akita prefecture. ReNICS offers epidemiological data on bacteria identified in
      the region. We can identify the spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria and can
      roughly estimate the quality of infection control activities in each facility. As
      a similar information network is being prepared in Hirosaki University Hospital
      Infection Control Center in Aomori, a prefecture neighboring Akita, we discussed
      the roles of university hospitals for a regional infection control network.

PMID- 24218772
TI  - [Can you detect organisms and diagnose bacterial infections from microscopic
      examinations?].
AB  - The Gram stain is an important diagnostic examination for infectious disease. It
      classifies four patterns of morphology. In particular, a sputum Gram stain can
      identify infectious organisms and adequate antimicrobial therapy. We also observe
      fibrin and polynuclear leucocytes in specimens under a microscope to help
      diagnosis and therapy.

PMID- 24218773
TI  - [Countermeasures against patient misidentification in laboratory study-
      chairmen's introductory remarks].
AB  - Since the launch of the "National Joint Action of Risk Management" back in May,
      2008, as a participating organization, The Japanese Society of Laboratory
      Medicine has been running a Medical Safety Committee of our own. As part of our
      awareness education activities, our society has been holding symposia on medical
      safety at our annual meetings. In clinical practice, misidentification of
      patients is directly connected to serious medical mistakes. Although clinical
      practice itself must be safe for all, the actual clinical setting poses many
      hazards that could lead to medical professionals making errors. Since
      misidentification of patients regarding obtained specimens such as blood or
      physical function exams and misinterpretation of the exams itself can result in a
      serious outcome, every institute is using ingenious ways to keep close checks to
      prevent such misidentifications from happening. In this symposium, lectures were
      presented in the following subjects: A review on countermeasures against specimen
      misidentification in pathological exams in hospitals using electronic patient
      verification systems to prevent misidentification of patient blood samples, and
      hospitals where such systems are not employed; an introduction of countermeasures
      against specimen misidentification in pathological exams; and lastly,
      characteristics and limitations of human abilities, and process management,
      entitled "Human Factor Approaches to Medical Safety".

PMID- 24218774
TI  - [Counter-measures against patient misidentification and specimen mismanagement
      with blood collection].
AB  - My theme for this symposium is counter-measures against patient misidentification
      and specimen mismanagement with blood collection due to the lack of using
      authentication systems. What is applicable to our laboratory is patient
      misidentification counter-measures for specimen management at the time of
      inpatient ward blood collection and specimen examination (mistakes in appending
      bar code labels and entering specimen numbers). During the period from January
      2008 to July 2012 at our laboratory, there were 9 cases of patient
      misidentification for hospital ward blood collection and specimen management.
      There were 2 cases in 2008 (1 for blood collection, 1 for specimen management),
      no cases in 2009, 3 cases in 2010 involving blood collection, 1 case in 2011
      involving specimen management, and 3 cases in 2012 (1 for blood collection, 2 for
      specimen management). All patient misidentifications involving hospital ward
      blood collection arose from bedside blood collection. As a counter-measure,
      training slides were created at a medical safety management review session,
      repeated training in attention and patient check procedures was conducted with
      staff members, and hands-on training in pointing and naming was carried out. With
      these training slides, the goal was the execution of verification duties by
      encouraging conversations that include the patient's name, such as "Mr./Ms. XXXX,
      today we'll be collecting 3 tubes of blood," as a link to patient verification
      duties. With specimen management, 3 of the 4 cases occurred during overtime for
      day-shift work. As counter measures: 1) adherence to 1 patient, 1 tray, and
      signing when matching; 2) as a counter-measure against mistaking specimens for
      blood gas hemolysis, confirmation as other specimens, separating approximately 3
      drops of blood that cannot be used for sampling, confirming hemolysis, and
      preventing misidentification.

PMID- 24218775
TI  - [Measures to prevent patient identification errors in blood
      collection/physiological function testing utilizing a laboratory information
      system].
AB  - We constructed an integrated personal identification workflow chart using both
      bar code reading and an all in-one laboratory information system. The information
      system not only handles test data but also the information needed for patient
      guidance in the laboratory department. The reception terminals at the entrance,
      displays for patient guidance and patient identification tools at blood-sampling
      booths are all controlled by the information system. The number of patient
      identification errors was greatly reduced by the system. However, identification
      errors have not been abolished in the ultrasound department. After re-evaluation
      of the patient identification process in this department, we recognized that the
      major reason for the errors came from excessive identification workflow.
      Ordinarily, an ultrasound test requires patient identification 3 times, because 3
      different systems are required during the entire test process, i.e. ultrasound
      modality system, laboratory information system and a system for producing
      reports. We are trying to connect the 3 different systems to develop a one-time
      identification workflow, but it is not a simple task and has not been completed
      yet. Utilization of the laboratory information system is effective, but is not
      yet perfect for patient identification. The most fundamental procedure for
      patient identification is to ask a person's name even today. Everyday checks in
      the ordinary workflow and everyone's participation in safety-management activity
      are important for the prevention of patient identification errors.

PMID- 24218776
TI  - [Specimen misidentification in pathology laboratory: trends and measures].
AB  - Specimen misidentification in pathology laboratories may have serious
      consequences. Reports on the frequency of errors in pathology laboratories in
      Japan are rare. We reviewed near-miss and incident reports over 7 years in our
      laboratory, extracted those associated with misidentification, analyzed annual
      changes in numbers and content, and discussed the problems faced and measures
      taken to prevent misidentification. Of 113,447 pathological cases, 88 (0.078%)
      reports were associated with misidentification. Of these 88 misidentification
      cases, 19% occurred before and during accessioning, 16% during dissecting and
      sectioning, 30% during embedding, 13% during tissue cutting and slide mounting,
      19% during slide submitting, and 3% during diagnosis. Two cases (2.3%) of
      misidentification were detected after diagnosis; however, misidentification did
      not appear to cause adverse effects in any patient. The frequency of events is
      similar to that reported in the literature; specimen misidentification was noted
      in 0.1-0.2% of cases in a modern pathology laboratory. Two-thirds of
      misidentification events occurred associated with gross specimens, similar to
      findings in other studies. With the introduction of new technologies that
      minimize the possibility of human errors (e.g., barcode reading, digital imaging
      of every specimen, and installation of a glass slide printer), education on
      medical safety, and the use of multiple safety nets (e.g., diagnosis cancelling
      and slide checking), errors have decreased, but have not been eliminated
      completely. Recording errors and reporting them to the hospital and social
      community, and maintaining a sustainable quality improvement system is very
      important to reduce errors in pathology.

PMID- 24218777
TI  - Stillbirth and the law: options for law reform and issues for the coronial
      jurisdiction.
AB  - In spite of its relative frequency, stillbirth is a phenomenon that has been
      relatively little discussed and requires further research for comprehensive
      clinical understanding. It impacts upon the legal system by way of the need to
      determine whether a life has come into being such that legal consequences such as
      criminal law, probate law and the coronial jurisdiction can attach to it. This
      requires contemporary clinically informed interpretation and application of the
      ancient "born alive rule" in respect of the ramifications of matters such as
      pulseless electrical activity in the heart, brain activity and agonal gasping. In
      the coronial domain, arguments have been put in South Australia, Victoria and
      Northern Ireland in recent cases and discussion has taken place publicly about
      whether coroners should be permitted to investigate and make findings and
      recommendations about cases of stillbirth. The article identifies merit in
      principle in such a development but highlights the need for care about such
      reform to the law lest it engender inconsistency in respect of important
      threshold definitions of "life" and "death" lest it generate incoherent
      approaches of the law on the subject, and lest it have unforeseen counter
      therapeutic consequences for the grieving parents of infants who have been
      stillborn. It notes, too, that such a change to the ambit of coronial
      jurisdiction would have important resourcing ramifications.

PMID- 24218778
TI  - Opioid regulation: time to reconsider the nomenclature and approach.
AB  - In Australia, deaths due to the ingestion of opioid analgesics, though
      numerically small, have been increasing at a rapid rate. The reasons for this
      increase are multifactorial; the conceptually outdated legislation that controls
      prescription and administration of opioid analgesics might be one of them. The
      stated purposes of the governing statutory instruments include prevention of the
      improper use of drugs of dependence and protection of the public. However, in
      order to achieve these aims, the relevant legislation should utilise theories and
      definitions that are consistent with the medical understanding of the relevant
      physiology and behaviour, so as to provide a common linguistic and conceptual
      platform for regulatory and clinical decision-makers. Although Victoria, with its
      intricate statutory framework for Schedule 8 poisons, is used as an example of an
      obsolescent approach to the concept of drug dependency, conclusions reached are
      applicable to other jurisdictions, other scheduled drugs, and all health care
      practitioners who have the statutory authority to possess and prescribe them.

PMID- 24218779
TI  - Disorders, sublime menu: the DSM-5.
AB  - The release of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth
      Edition (DSM-5) is the culmination of a long and remarkably public discussion
      which was accompanied by a great deal of controversy. Diagnostic criteria for
      many disorders have changed, the structure of the DSM is different, and there
      remain significant concerns about the forensic application of the DSM. This
      column briefly covers the primary changes and summarises the debate about various
      diagnoses, with a particular focus on diagnoses of relevance to medico-legal
      psychiatry and the legal system. Underlying concerns about the validity of
      diagnostic criteria and their applicability to forensic issues are discussed.
      Concerns about the DSM-5 are not only due to the specific diagnoses and their
      criteria, but the methodology of checklist criteria. This is amplified in medico
      legal settings, but is also in part necessary. Clinicians, lawyers, and judges
      will all need to think carefully about how they use the DSM and its ilk in
      forensic settings.

PMID- 24218780
TI  - Double standards in special medical research: questioning the discrepancy between
      requirements for medical research involving incompetent adults and medical
      research involving children.
AB  - Medical research represents a substantial departure from conventional medical
      care. Medical care is patient-orientated, with decisions based on the best
      interests and/or wishes of the person receiving the care. In contrast, medical
      research is future-directed. Primarily it aims to contribute new knowledge about
      illness or disease, or new knowledge about interventions, such as drugs, that
      impact upon some human condition. Current State and Territory laws and research
      ethics guidelines in Australia relating to the review of medical research
      appropriately acknowledge that the functions of medical care and medical research
      differ. Prior to a medical research project commencing, the study must be
      reviewed and approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). For medical
      research involving incompetent adults, some jurisdictions require an additional,
      independent safeguard by way of tribunal or court approval of medical research
      protocols. This extra review process reflects the uncertainty of medical research
      involvement, and the difficulties surrogate decision-makers of incompetent adults
      face in making decisions about others, and deliberating about the risks and
      benefits of research involvement. Parents of children also face the same
      difficulties when making decisions about their child's research involvement.
      However, unlike the position concerning incompetent adults, there are no similar
      safeguards under Australian law in relation to the approval of medical research
      involving children. This column questions why this discrepancy exists with a view
      to generating further dialogue on the topic.

PMID- 24218782
TI  - Death scene evaluation in hoarding disorders--Diogenes syndrome.

PMID- 24218781
TI  - Disclosure of material risk as systems-error tragedy: Wallace v Kam (2013) 87
      ALJR 648; [2013] HCA 19.
AB  - The law requiring a patient to be informed not just of the nature of a medical
      procedure but also its likely but subjectively significant risks, which blazed
      across the southerly firmament of patients' rights in 1992 with the decision of
      Rogers v Whitaker (1992) 175 CLR 479, appears to have now passed to the outer
      darkness of judicial deference. The decision of the Australian High Court in
      Wallace v Kam (2013) 87 ALJR 648; [2013] HCA 19 continues the judicial trend to
      go cool on patients' rights and restrict the capacity of medically injured people
      to claim redress which was evident in Rosenberg v Percival (2001) 205 CLR 434 and
      various Australian State civil claims statutes. This trend only heightens the
      analogy between the law of informed consent and classical literary tragedy.
      Indeed, heightening the analogy between the legislation and case law on
      disclosure of material risk and classical literary tragedy may provide necessary
      insights to bring greater justice to patients injured as a result of medical
      misadventure and incompetence.

PMID- 24218783
TI  - Determining the risk of recidivism in previously de-registered health
      practitioners.
AB  - Health practitioners who have been de-registered in the past due to serious
      professional misconduct pose significant challenges to registration boards and
      tribunals when applying for re-registration. These practitioners need to
      demonstrate to their professional regulatory body that they possess the necessary
      attributes expected of a member of a caring profession. Boards are obliged by
      legislation to decline to grant registration to any applicant if that person is
      deemed not fit and proper to be a member of the profession or who poses a risk to
      public safety. Studies have shown a significant incidence of repeated misconduct
      among previously de-registered practitioners and the exercise of re-registration
      requires an accurate assessment of this risk of recidivism. This article examines
      the incidence and risk of recidivism in previously de-registered health
      practitioners. It also discusses how boards may more accurately perform an
      assessment of the risk and thereby assist them to meet their statutory obligation
      of public protection.

PMID- 24218784
TI  - Is whistleblowing now mandatory? The impact of mandatory reporting law on trust
      relationships in health care.
AB  - Trust is vital for promoting positive health care relationships aimed at
      achieving positive patient outcomes. Patients, as well as the broader society,
      trust that health care practitioners who have been granted authority by the state
      to provide safe and beneficial health care are competent to do so. Recent
      instances where patients have been harmed as the result of treatment that fell
      below the accepted standard of competence have negatively impacted on trust. As
      the state has a responsibility to protect the public from this type of harm,
      legislation that mandates reporting of certain instances where the behaviour of
      health care professionals has fallen below the acceptable standard has been
      introduced. While this may have been designed to restore public trust, this
      article argues that it has the potential to diminish trust on the basis that
      mandatory reporting may be equivalent to mandatory whistleblowing.

PMID- 24218785
TI  - A curious exception: (no) legal remedies for negligent pre-birth genetic testing.
AB  - This article analyses the ability of parents and resulting children to claim
      compensation for negligent pre-birth genetic testing in New Zealand. It looks
      first at whether the parents and/or the child can claim compensation under New
      Zealand's statutory compensation scheme. It then assesses whether there are any
      remedies in tort, namely the torts of wrongful birth or wrongful life, that the
      parents or the child could use. It concludes that, at present, there is no legal
      ability for either the parents or the child to obtain compensation for negligent
      pre-birth genetic testing in New Zealand.

PMID- 24218786
TI  - Work-related musculoskeletal injury and suicide: opportunities for intervention
      and therapeutic jurisprudence.
AB  - This article presents evidence for the existence of a common trajectory from work
      related musculoskeletal injury to suicide. Specifically, it is argued that the
      pathway from injury to suicide is typically mediated by three critical events:
      unsuccessful return to work; the development of chronic pain or disability; and
      suicidal ideation in the context of chronic pain. The moderating influence of
      systemic factors is also examined, along with opportunities for intervention at
      the individual and systemic levels, the latter arising from a therapeutic
      jurisprudence perspective.

PMID- 24218787
TI  - Children and refusal of medical treatment: in urgent need of reform.
AB  - The ability of children to refuse medical treatment is far from certain. The New
      South Wales Law Reform Commission report on this topic, released in 2008,
      addressed a number of key concerns. As yet, no action on that report has been
      taken. Neither the present statutory nor common law regime provides sufficient
      guidance on this issue. The case of Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area
      Health Authority [1986] AC 112, while important, is not as far-reaching as it
      first appeared and has been subject to substantial limitations regarding refusals
      of treatment. Specifically, the position in relation to the assessment of
      competency, and the weight of a competent decision, remains outstanding. The
      ability of children to refuse medical treatment is in urgent need of attention
      and rectification.

PMID- 24218788
TI  - A minority report: homebirth in Australia before and after the 2009 Maternity
      Services Review.
AB  - In 2009 the Australian Federal Government released its Maternity Services Review.
      Since then, homebirth has been virtually outlawed for those women who are unable
      to obtain one of the limited places on a publicly funded program. However,
      homebirth is a valid choice for women and advocating for homebirth does not
      reflect a desire to "turn back the clock", as regard to the history of birth will
      show. At its core, the controversy over homebirth is about the control of
      pregnant women's bodies, particularly when they make a choice about their bodies
      and their babies which sits outside of the mainstream. While only a minority of
      Australian women presently plan a homebirth, the issues surrounding the status of
      homebirth have wider implications for women and illustrate a troubling trend
      towards restricting choice through legal and administrative back-roads, without
      proper consideration of the risks or benefits involved.

PMID- 24218789
TI  - Jabs and barbs: ways to address misleading vaccination and immunisation
      information using currently available strategies.
AB  - Misleading vaccination information undermines confidence in vaccination and may
      lead to reductions in the effectiveness of vaccination programs. A number of
      regulatory techniques can be employed to challenge the spread of false
      information, including health care complaints, therapeutic goods laws, consumer
      protection laws and professional discipline. This article examines three case
      studies involving the publication of anti-vaccination information by non
      professionally aligned organisations, by non-registered health professionals, and
      by registered health professionals under the National Law. The article examines
      the effectiveness of different regulatory responses and makes suggestions for
      future strategies to deal with the publication of demonstrably false information
      regarding vaccination.

PMID- 24218790
TI  - Medical malpractice and the professional legal responsibility of the sports
      physician.
AB  - As with other medical specialties, litigation in sports medicine appears to be on
      the increase. In most countries, the applicable legal standard is "good medical
      practice" as identified with reference to the physician's own field of
      specialisation: what is commonly done by physicians in the same specialty
      generally serves as the standard by which a physician's conduct is measured. To
      enhance the quality of sports medicine practice, medical societies have been
      issuing guidelines for use by sports physicians, and a number of courts have
      recognised guidelines as evidence of good medical practice. One potential field
      of malpractice in sports medicine relates to privacy issues: an athlete should be
      asked to fill in a consent form if the medical information needs to be shared
      with other parties. Another relevant field is doping: for any act of drug
      prescription to be legally sound, sports physicians have to be aware of the
      requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency Code and its international
      standards. Ultimately, the best way for sports physicians to avoid sources of
      liability is for them to keep up to date with the latest research and to act in a
      careful and diligent manner.

PMID- 24218791
TI  - Rights and research: an examination of research under New Zealand's Code of
      Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights.
AB  - New Zealand's Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers'Rights came into
      force in 1996 after Judge Silva Cartwright's Cervical Cancer Inquiry concluded
      that a research study into the course of cervical cancer had taken place at
      National Women's Hospital without the participants' knowledge or consent. The
      Code creates rights in respect of the provision of health and disability services
      which explicitly extend to research. However, in the absence of a statutory
      definition of "research", its meaning and the application of the Code to research
      in New Zealand are unclear. This article seeks to identify the gaps and find a
      solution.

PMID- 24218792
TI  - The international right to health: state obligations and private actors in the
      health care system.
AB  - Most health systems have historically used a mix of public and private actors for
      financing and delivering care. But the last 30 years have seen many rich and
      middle-income countries moving to privatise parts of their health care systems.
      This phenomenon has generated concerns, especially about equitable access to
      health care. This article examines what the international right to the highest
      attainable standard of health in Art 12 of the International Covenant on
      Economic, Social and Cultural Rights says about the obligations of states which
      use private actors in health care. The article involves a close study of the
      primary documents of the key institutions responsible for interpreting and
      promoting Art 12. From this study, the article concludes that in mixed public
      private health care systems, states not only retain primary responsibility for
      fulfilling the right to health but are subject to a range of additional specific
      responsibilities.

PMID- 24218793
TI  - Scoping the ethics of dementia research within an Australian human research
      context.
AB  - Research with people with dementia can be ethically challenging because of the
      effects of dementia on cognitive function. A narrative literature review of
      ethical human dementia research was conducted, highlighting ethical challenges
      that can be categorised under the following themes: substitute judgment; how
      capacity can vary due to risks; barriers to recruiting people with dementia; how
      to determine capacity to give consent; and gaining assent rather than consent
      from participants. The results of the review were further analysed in relation to
      the Australian National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National
      Statement). Gaps in the National Statement include: how capacity should be
      determined; what defines best interests; how assent and dissent by someone with
      dementia should be determined and respected; and whether or not people with
      dementia should be included in high-risk research.

PMID- 24218794
TI  - Australian reforms enabling disclosure of genetic information to genetic
      relatives by health practitioners.
AB  - The familial nature of genetic information means that information about one
      family member may have relevance for the health of genetic relatives; however,
      patients are not always willing to share relevant information. This article
      outlines groundbreaking legislative developments in Australia which create a
      lawful pathway for health practitioners to make disclosure of genetic information
      to genetic relatives notwithstanding refusal by the patient to consent to such
      disclosure. The article traces the background to this reform, and its
      implementation through amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the
      introduction of enabling guidelines. It examines the circumstances in which
      disclosure is permitted and the protocols established under guidelines and the
      strengths and limitations of these reforms. Pursuant to these changes, health
      practitioners are not legally obliged to make disclosure but are legally able to
      do so without breaching statutory privacy obligations. The aim is to encourage
      this as best practice in appropriate circumstances but questions remain regarding
      the interplay between ethics and law if disclosure is indicated but not made with
      adverse health consequences for the relatives.

PMID- 24218795
TI  - [A very special woman].

PMID- 24218796
TI  - [On the 80th birthday of Sister Liliane Juchli. Impressive, touching and highly
      motivating].

PMID- 24218797
TI  - [Work qualifications: family friendliness as an advantage in recruitment].

PMID- 24218798
TI  - [Advanced nursing practice in England: bridge between medicine and nursing].

PMID- 24218799
TI  - [Yvonne Ribi: "It is about more than benefits" (interview by Urs Luthi)].

PMID- 24218800
TI  - [Swiss DRG: CHOP codes for complex nursing treatment. Nursing finds entry into
      DRG].

PMID- 24218801
TI  - [Wound care: a collaboration as in an orchestra].

PMID- 24218802
TI  - [Telephone counseling with simulated patients: "How can I support you?"].

PMID- 24218803
TI  - [Annatina Jackle. "I have learned to be tolerant" (interview by Urs Luthi)].

PMID- 24218804
TI  - [Everything on the table].

PMID- 24218805
TI  - ["When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness"].

PMID- 24218806
TI  - [Digital medicine and e-health: the future starts today].

PMID- 24218807
TI  - [Needs of patients with fibromyalgia and needs of caregivers facing this disease:
      defining the nurse's role].

PMID- 24218808
TI  - [Recognizing the efforts of positive treatment: the Sonate label].

PMID- 24218810
TI  - [Return to the events of Providence: faithful to the ASI but outraged].

PMID- 24218809
TI  - [The nursing instructor: a "guide for the pathway"].

PMID- 24218811
TI  - [The Atlasprofilax method: giving back to the atlas its natural place].

PMID- 24218813
TI  - Continuous live cell imaging of cellulose attachment by microbes under anaerobic
      and thermophilic conditions using confocal microscopy.
AB  - Live cell imaging methods provide important insights into the dynamics of
      cellular processes that cannot be derived easily from population-averaged
      datasets. In the bioenergy field, much research is focused on fermentation of
      cellulosic biomass by thermophilic microbes to produce biofuels; however, little
      effort is dedicated to the development of imaging tools to monitor this dynamic
      biological process. This is, in part, due to the experimental challenges of
      imaging cells under both anaerobic and thermophilic conditions. Here an imaging
      system is described that integrates confocal microscopy, a flow cell device, and
      a lipophilic dye to visualize cells. Solutions to technical obstacles regarding
      suitable fluorescent markers, photodamage during imaging, and maintenance of
      environmental conditions during imaging are presented. This system was utilized
      to observe cellulose colonization by Clostridium thermocellum under anaerobic
      conditions at 60 degrees C. This method enables live cell imaging of bacterial
      growth under anaerobic and thermophilic conditions and should be widely
      applicable to visualizing different cell types or processes in real time.

PMID- 24218814
TI  - Response of anaerobes to methyl fluoride, 2-bromoethanesulfonate and hydrogen
      during acetate degradation.
AB  - To use the selective inhibition method for quantitative analysis of acetate
      metabolism in methanogenic systems, the responses of microbial communities and
      metabolic activities, which were involved in anaerobic degradation of acetate, to
      the addition of methyl fluoride (CH3F), 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES) and hydrogen
      were investigated in a thermophilic batch experiment. Both the methanogenic
      inhibitors, i.e., CH3F and BES, showed their effectiveness on inhibiting CH4
      production, whereas acetate metabolism other than acetoclastic methanogenesis was
      stimulated by BES, as reflected by the fluctuated acetate concentration.
      Syntrophic acetate oxidation was thermodynamically blocked by hydrogen (H2),
      while H2-utilizing reactions as hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis and
      homoacetogenesis were correspondingly promoted. Results of PCR-DGGE
      fingerprinting showed that, CH3F did not influence the microbial populations
      significantly. However, the BES and hydrogen notably altered the bacterial
      community structures and increased the diversity. BES gradually changed the
      methanogenic community structure by affecting the existence of different
      populations to different levels, whilst H2 greatly changed the abundance of
      different methanogenic populations, and induced growth of new species.

PMID- 24218815
TI  - Effect of airflow on biodrying of gardening wastes in reactors.
AB  - Biodrying consists of reducing moisture by using the heat from aerobic bio
      degradation. The parameters that control the process are: aeration, temperature
      during the process, initial moisture of biowaste, and temperature and relative
      humidity of the input air. Lawn mowing and garden waste from the gardens of the
      University Jaume I, Castellon (Spain) were used as a substrate. Biodrying was
      performed in 10 reactors with known air volumes from 0.88 to 6.42 L/(min x kg dry
      weight). To promote aeration, 5 of the reactors had 15% of a bulking agent added.
      The experiment lasted 20 days. After the experiments it was found that the
      bulking agent led to greater weight loss. However, the increased airflow rate was
      not linearly proportional to the weight loss.

PMID- 24218816
TI  - The ex vivo and in vivo biological performances of graphene oxide and the impact
      of surfactant on graphene oxide's biocompatibility.
AB  - Graphene oxide (GO) displays promising properties for biomedical applications
      including drug delivery and cancer therapeutics. However, GO exposure also raises
      safety concerns such as potential side effects on health. Here, the biological
      effects of GO suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with or without 1%
      nonionic surfactant Tween 80 were investigated. Based on the ex vivo experiments,
      Tween 80 significantly affected the interaction between GO and peripheral blood
      from mice. GO suspension in PBS tended to provoke the aggregation of diluted
      blood cells, which could be prevented by the addition of Tween 80. After
      intravenous administration, GO suspension with or without 1% Tween 80 was quickly
      eliminated by the mononuclear phagocyte system. Nevertheless, GO suspension
      without Tween 80 showed greater accumulation in lungs than that containing 1%
      Tween 80. In contrast, less GO was found in livers for GO suspension compared to
      Tween 80 assisted GO suspension. Organs including hearts, livers, lungs, spleens,
      kidneys, brains, and testes did not reveal histological alterations. The indexes
      of peripheral blood showed no change upon GO exposure. Our results together
      demonstrated that Tween 80 could greatly alter GO's biological performance and
      determine the pattern of its biodistribution in mice.

PMID- 24218817
TI  - Determination of the mechanism of photoinduced toxicity of selected metal oxide
      nanoparticles (ZnO, CuO, Co3O4 and TiO2) to E. coli bacteria.
AB  - Cytotoxicity of selected metal oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) (ZnO, CuO, Co3O4 and
      TiO2) was investigated in Escherichia coli both under light and dark conditions.
      Cytotoxicity experiments were conducted with spread plate counting and the LC50
      values were calculated. We determined the mechanism of toxicity via measurements
      of oxidative stress, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, and metal ions. The
      overall ranking of the LC50 values was in the order of ZnO < CuO < Co3O4 < TiO2
      under dark condition and ZnO < CuO < TiO2 < Co3O4 under light condition. ZnO MNPs
      were the most toxic among the tested nanoparticles. Our results indicate
      depletion of reduced glutathione level and elevation of malondialdehyde level
      correlated with the increase in oxidative stress. Released metal ions were found
      to have partial effect on the toxicity of MNPs to E. coli. In summary, the
      dynamic interactions of multiple mechanisms lead to the toxicity of the tested
      MNPs to E. coli.

PMID- 24218818
TI  - Joint effects of heavy metal binary mixtures on seed germination, root and shoot
      growth, bacterial bioluminescence, and gene mutation.
AB  - This investigation was to assess the joint effects of metal binary mixtures on
      seed germination, root and shoot growth, bacterial bioluminescence, and gene
      mutation based on the one toxic unit (1 TU) approach. Different sensitivities and
      orders of toxicity of metal mixtures were observed among the bioassays. In
      general, mostly additive or antagonistic effects were observed, while almost no
      synergistic effects by the binary metal mixtures in all bioassays. Therefore, the
      combined effects of heavy metals in the different bioassays were difficult to
      generalize since they were dependent on both chemical type and the organism used
      in each bioassay. However, these results indicate that a battery of bioassays
      with mixture chemicals as opposed to just a single assay with single metal is a
      better strategy for the bioassessment of environmental pollutants.

PMID- 24218819
TI  - An online monitoring system for atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO) based on
      stripping coil and ion chromatography.
AB  - A new instrument for measuring atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO) was developed,
      consisting of a double-wall glass stripping coil sampler coupled with ion
      chromatography (SC-IC). SC-IC is featured by small size (50 x 35 x 25 cm) and
      modular construction, including three independent parts: the sampling unit, the
      transfer and supporting unit, and the detection unit. High collection efficiency
      (> 99%) was achieved with 25 micromol/L Na2CO3 as absorption solution even in the
      presence of highly acidic compounds. This instrument has a detection limit of 8
      pptv at 15 min time resolution, with a measurement uncertainty of 7%. Potential
      interferences from NO(x), NO2+SO2, NO2+VOCs, HONO+O3, HNO3, peroxyacetyl nitrite
      (PAN) and particle nitrite were quantified in laboratory studies and were found
      to be insignificant under typical atmospheric conditions. Within the framework of
      the 3C-STAR project, inter-comparison between the SC-IC and LOPAP (long path
      liquid absorption photometer) was conducted at a rural site in the Pearl River
      Delta. Good agreement was achieved between the two instruments over three weeks.
      Both instruments determined a clear diurnal profile of ambient HONO
      concentrations from 0.1 to 2.5 ppbv. However, deviations were found for low
      ambient HONO concentrations (i.e. < 0.3 ppbv), which cannot be explained by
      previous investigated interference species. To accurately determine the HONO
      budget under illuminated conditions, more intercomparison of HONO measurement
      techniques is still needed in future studies, especially at low HONO
      concentrations.

PMID- 24218820
TI  - Formaldehyde concentration and its influencing factors in residential homes after
      decoration at Hangzhou, China.
AB  - Air pollution surveys of formaldehyde (HCHO) were conducted in 2324 rooms
      decorated within one year in 2007-2009 in Hangzhou, China. The mean HCHO
      concentration (CHCHO) was 0.107 +/- 0.095 mg/m3, and 38.9% of samples exceeded
      the Chinese National Standard GB 50325-2010. Over the past 3 years, the C(HCHO)
      decreased with time (p < 0.05). Relationships of potential factors to indoor
      C(HCHO) were also evaluated. C(HCHO) was related to temperature (T), relative
      humidity (RH), time duration of the windows and doors being closed before
      sampling (DC), time duration from the end of decoration to sampling (DR) and
      source characteristics (d). A model to relate indoor C(HCHO) to these five
      factors (T, RH, DC, DR, d) was established based on 298 samples (R2 = 0.87).
      Various factors contributed to C(HCHO) in the following order: T, 43.7%; d,
      31.0%; DC, 10.2%; DR, 8.0%; RH, 7.0%; specifically, meteorological conditions
      (i.e., RH plus T) accounted for 50.7%. The coefficient of T and RH, R(TH), was
      proposed to describe their combined influence on HCHO emission, which also had a
      linear relationship (R2 = 0.9387) with HCHO release in a simulation chamber test.
      In addition, experiments confirm that it is a synergistic action as T and RH
      accelerate the release of HCHO, and that is a significant factor influencing
      indoor HCHO pollution. These achievements could lead to reference values of
      measures for the efficient reduction of indoor HCHO pollution.

PMID- 24218821
TI  - Flocculating characteristic of activated sludge flocs: interaction between
      Al(3+)) and extracellular polymeric substances.
AB  - Aluminum flocculant can enhance the flocculating performance of activated sludge.
      However, the binding mechanism of aluminum ion (Al(3+)) and extracellular
      polymeric substances (EPS) in activated sludge is unclear due to the complexity
      of EPS. In this work, three-dimensional excitation emission matrix fluorescence
      spectroscopy (3DEEM), fluorescence quenching titration and Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to explore the binding behavior and
      mechanism between Al(3+) and EPS. The results showed that two fluorescence peaks
      of tyrosine- and tryptophan-like substances were identified in the loosely bound
      extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS), and three peaks of tyrosine-,
      tryptophan- and humic-like substances were identified in the tightly bound
      extracellular polymeric substances (TB-EPS). It was found that these fluorescence
      peaks could be quenched with Al(3+) at the dosage of 3.0 mg/L, which demonstrated
      that strong interactions took place between the EPS and Al(3+). The conditional
      stability constants for Al(3+) and EPS were determined by the Stern-Volmer
      equation. As to the binding mechanism, the -OH, N-H, C=O, C-N groups and the
      sulfur- and phosphorus-containing groups showed complexation action, although the
      groups in the LB-EPS and TB-EPS showed different behavior. The TB-EPS have
      stronger binding ability to Al(3+) than the LB-EPS, and TB-EPS play an important
      role in the interaction with Al(3+).

PMID- 24218822
TI  - Speciation of organic phosphorus in a sediment profile of Lake Taihu. II.
      Molecular species and their depth attenuation.
AB  - The understanding of organic phosphorus (P) dynamics in sediments requires
      information on their species at the molecular level, but such information in
      sediment profiles is scarce. A sediment profile was selected from a large
      eutrophic lake, Lake Taihu (China), and organic P species in the sediments were
      detected using solution phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
      (31P NMR) following extraction of the sediments with a mixture of 0.25 mol/L NaOH
      and 50 mmol/L EDTA (NaOH-EDTA) solution. The results showed that P in the NaOH
      EDTA extracts was mainly composed of orthophosphate, orthophosphate monoesters,
      phospholipids, DNA, and pyrophosphate. Concentrations of the major organic P
      compound groups and pyrophosphate showed a decreasing trend with the increase of
      depth. Their half-life times varied from 3 to 27 years, following the order of
      orthophosphate monoesters > phospholipids > or = DNA > pyrophosphate. Principal
      component analysis revealed that the detected organic P species had binding
      phases similar to those of humic acid-associated organic P (NaOH-NRP(HA)), a
      labile organic P pool that tends to transform to recalcitrant organic P pools as
      the early diagenetic processes proceed. This demonstrated that the depth
      attenuation of the organic P species could be partly attributed to their
      increasing immobilization by the sediment solids, while their degradation rates
      should be significantly lower than what were suggested in previous studies.

PMID- 24218823
TI  - Adsorption of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by carboxylated cellulose
      nanocrystals.
AB  - A novel nanoadsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions is reported. Cotton was
      first hydrolyzed to obtain cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). CNCs were then
      chemically modified with succinic anhydride to obtain SCNCs. The sodic
      nanoadsorbent (NaSCNCs) was further prepared by treatment of SCNCs with saturated
      NaHCO3 aqueous solution. Batch experiments were carried out with SCNCs and
      NaSCNCs for the removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+. The effects of contact time, pH,
      initial adsorption concentration, coexisting ions and the regeneration
      performance were investigated. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption
      equilibrium time of Pb2+ and Cd2+ was reached within 150 min on SCNCs and 5 min
      on NaSCNCs. The adsorption capacities of Pb2+ and Cd2+ on SCNCs and NaSCNCs
      increased with increasing pH. The adsorption isotherm was well fitted by the
      Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacities of SCNCs and NaSCNCs for Pb2+
      and Cd2+ were 367.6 mg/g, 259.7 mg/g and 465.1 mg/g, 344.8 mg/g, respectively.
      SCNCs and NaSCNCs showed high selectivity and interference resistance from
      coexisting ions for the adsorption of Pb2+. NaSCNCs could be efficiently
      regenerated with a mild saturated NaCl solution with no loss of capacity after
      two recycles. The adsorption mechanisms of SCNCs and NaSCNCs were discussed.

PMID- 24218824
TI  - Synthesis of mesoporous Cu/Mg/Fe layered double hydroxide and its adsorption
      performance for arsenate in aqueous solutions.
AB  - The mesoporous Cu/Mg/Fe layered double hydroxide (Cu/Mg/Fe-LDH) with carbonate
      intercalation was synthesized and used for the removal of arsenate from aqueous
      solutions. The Cu/Mg/Fe-LDH was characterized by Fourier transform infrared
      spectrometry, X-ray diffraction crystallography, scanning electron microscopy, X
      ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller. Effects of various
      physico-chemical parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time and
      initial arsenate concentration on the adsorption of arsenate onto Cu/Mg/Fe-LDH
      were investigated. Results showed that it was efficient for the removal of
      arsenate, and the removal efficiency of arsenate increased with the increment of
      the adsorbent dosage, while the arsenate adsorption capacity decreased with
      increase of initial pH from 3 to 11. The adsorption isotherms can be well
      described by the Langmuir model with R2 > 0.99. Its adsorption kinetics followed
      the pseudo second-order kinetic model. Coexisting ions such as HPO4(2-), CO3(2-),
      SO4(2-) and NO3(-) could compete with arsenate for adsorption sites on the
      Cu/Mg/Fe-LDH. The adsorption of arsenate on the adsorbent can be mainly
      attributed to the ion exchange process. It was found that the synthesized
      Cu/Mg/Fe-LDH can reduce the arsenate concentration down to a final level of < 10
      microg/L under the experimental conditions, and makes it a potential material for
      the decontamination of arsenate polluted water.

PMID- 24218825
TI  - Advanced regeneration and fixed-bed study of ammonium and potassium removal from
      anaerobic digested wastewater by natural zeolite.
AB  - Highly efficient regeneration of natural zeolite was developed in conjunction
      with the removal of high concentrations of ammonia and potassium from the reverse
      osmosis effluent of anaerobic-digested wastewater by fixed-bed ion exchange. The
      elution and uptake behavior of ammonium and potassium in the fixed bed were
      studied. Both batch desorption tests and on-column regeneration were conducted to
      develop an optimum regeneration condition compatible with the wastewater
      requirements. The effectiveness of ammonium elution increased with increasing
      alkaline concentration. The increase of salt dose significantly enhanced the
      ammonium maximum in the elution solution. Complete ammonium elution was achieved
      in 6 bed volumes (BV) when the alkaline and salt concentrations were respectively
      0.1 mol/L and 18.6 g/L at a flow rate of 2.5-3.0 BV/hr. Due to the higher
      affinity of potassium with natural clinoptilolite, complete potassium elution was
      not achieved in all cases.

PMID- 24218826
TI  - Eutrophication development and its key regulating factors in a water-supply
      reservoir in North China.
AB  - Yanghe Reservoir is an important source of drinking water for Qinhuangdao City,
      North China; however, in recent decades this water source has been eutrophic with
      recurrent summer cyanobacterial blooms. The trophic grade of the system in summer
      was mesotrophic-eutrophic in 1990 and became hypertrophic in 2011. The nutrient
      availability is extremely high during the entire year, and the water temperature
      should be the primary driver of the summer blooms. In May-October of 2010 and
      2011, abrupt variations were observed in the Secchi depth (SD) and chlorophyll a
      (Chl-a), and both the correlated analysis of Chl-a-SD and trophic status indices
      (TSI) deviation (TSI(Chl-a)-TSI(SD)) showed that algal cell density dominated
      light attenuation. During the algal bloom outbreak, the microcystin concentration
      was found to vary between 0.35-2.12 microg/L in 2010 and 0.11-1.86 microg/L in
      2011. The maximum microcystin content was more than two times the safety limit
      required for drinking water. Inflow discharges were most concentrated in the
      summer, with periods of lower residence time and the largest water level
      fluctuation over the entire year. When a high availability of nutrients promoted
      a high Chl-a concentration in the whole system, it appeared that the instability
      caused by the decrease in residence time could not produce effective changes in
      the cyanobacterial abundance. The results indicated that nutrient enrichment in
      the aquatic systems of Yanghe Reservoir is the most serious problem and that the
      status would not been modified effectively by increasing hydrological
      fluctuations (e.g., decreasing the residence time). Therefore, decreasing the
      nutrient concentrations is the only route to improve the water quality of this
      reservoir.

PMID- 24218827
TI  - Laboratory-scale column study for remediation of TCE-contaminated aquifers using
      three-section controlled-release potassium permanganate barriers.
AB  - A laboratory-scale study with a sand column was designed to simulate
      trichloroethylene (TCE) pollution in the aquifer environment with three-section
      controlled-release potassium permanganate (CRP) barriers. The main objective of
      this study was to evaluate the feasibility of CRP barriers in remediation of TCE
      in aquifers in a long-term and controlled manner. CRP particles with a 1:3 molar
      ratio of KMnO4 to stearic acid showed the best controlled-release properties in
      pure water, and the theoretical release time was 138.5 days. The results of TCE
      removal in the test column indicated that complete removal efficiency of TCE in a
      sand column by three-section CRP barriers could be reached within 15 days. The
      molar ratio of KMnO4 to TCE in the three-section CRP barriers was 16:1, which was
      much lower than 82:1 as required when KMnO4 solution is used directly to achieve
      complete destruction of TCE. This result revealed that the efficiency of CRP for
      remediation of TCE was highly improved after encapsulation.

PMID- 24218828
TI  - Influence of chironomid larvae on oxygen and nitrogen fluxes across the sediment
      water interface (Lake Taihu, China).
AB  - The microscale distribution of oxygen, the nitrogen flux and the denitrification
      rates in sediment inhabited by chironomid larvae (Tanypus chinensis) were
      measured in eutrophic Lake Taihu, China. The presence of the chironomids in the
      sediment increased the oxygen diffusional flux from 10.4 +/- 1.4 to 12.7 +/- 2.5
      mmol O2/(m2 x day). The burrows of the larvae represented "hot spots" and
      strongly influenced the nitrogen cycles and diagenetic activity in the sediment.
      The results indicate that the bioturbation effects of Tanypus chinensis
      chironomid larvae increased the capacity of the sediment as a sink for nitrate
      and a source for ammonium. Nitrate influx and ammonium outflux were increased 8.8
      and 1.7 times, respectively. Under bioturbation, the amount of nitrate consumed
      was greater than the amount of ammonium released. The total denitrification rate
      was also enhanced from 0.76 +/- 0.34 to 5.50 +/- 1.30 mmol N/(m2 x day). The net
      effect was that the bioturbated sediments acted as a net sink for inorganic
      nitrogen under direct and indirect bioturbation effects compared to the control.

PMID- 24218829
TI  - Comparison of different phosphate species adsorption by ferric and alum water
      treatment residuals.
AB  - As safe byproducts of drinking water treatment processes, ferric and alum water
      treatment residuals (FARs) have the potential to be new phosphate (P)
      immobilization materials. In this study, batch experiments were conducted to
      investigate and compare the adsorption characteristics of three P species by
      FARs. The results showed that the kinetic processes of different P species'
      adsorption by FARs could be described by a pseudo second-order model. The ranking
      list of the initial adsorption rates with respect to different phosphates was
      pyrophosphate, phytate, orthophosphate, hexametaphosphate and glycerophosphate.
      Of the six models considered, the two-site Langmuir model most effectively
      described the adsorption characteristics of the various P species. Upon fitting
      the results, the maximum adsorption capacities were determined to be 40.24 mg/g
      for phytate, 18.04 mg/g for pyrophosphate, 17.14 mg/g for orthophosphate, 15.86
      mg/g for hexametaphosphate and 10.81 mg/g for glycerophosphate. In addition, the
      adsorption processes of the different P species were spontaneous endothermic
      processes and were favored at lower pH values. The pH dependency was found to be
      especially true for orthophosphate, where the adsorption capacity decreased by
      1.22 mg/g with an increase in pH from 5 to 9. Fractionation of the adsorbed P
      species from the FARs demonstrated that Al-P and Fe-P were the dominating forms,
      constituting approximately 80%-90% of the total P fractions, which indicated that
      the adsorbed P species had a low leaching risk and could stably exist in the
      FARs. Therefore, the FARs could be effective in controlling pollution in water
      caused by different P species.

PMID- 24218830
TI  - Removal efficiency of fluoride by novel Mg-Cr-Cl layered double hydroxide by
      batch process from water.
AB  - The fluoride ion removal from aqueous solution using synthesized Mg-Cr-Cl layered
      double hydroxide has been reported. Mg-Cr-Cl was characterized by X-ray powder
      diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, thermo-gravimetric analysis,
      differential thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscope. Adsorption
      experiments were carried out in batch mode as a function of adsorption dosages,
      contact time, pH, and initial fluoride concentration to get optimum adsorption
      capacity. The adsorption kinetic study showed that the adsorption process
      followed first order kinetics. The fluoride removal was 88.5% and 77.4% at pH 7
      with an adsorbent dose of 0.6 g/100 mL solution and initial fluoride
      concentration of 10 mg/L and 100 mg/L, respectively. The equilibrium was
      established at 40 min. Adsorption experiment data were fitted well with Langmuir
      isotherm with R2 = 0.9924. Thermodynamic constants were also measured and
      concluded that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature.
      The removal percentage decreased slowly with increasing pH. This process is
      suitable for industrial effluents. The regeneration of the material is not
      possible.

PMID- 24218831
TI  - Determining reference conditions for TN, TP, SD and Chl-a in eastern plain
      ecoregion lakes, China.
AB  - Establishing the nutrient reference condition (baseline environmental condition)
      of lakes in an ecoregion is a critical consideration in the development of
      scientifically defensible aquatic nutrient criteria. Three methods were applied
      to determine reference conditions in the Eastern plain ecoregion lakes with
      respect to total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), planktonic chlorophyll a
      (Chl-a) and Secchi depth (SD). The reference condition value for the lakes in the
      Eastern plain ecoregion by the trisection method is TP of 0.029 mg/L, TN of 0.67
      mg/L, Chl-a of 3.92 mg/m3, SD of 0.85 m, and the reference condition range by the
      lake population distribution approach is TP of 0.014-0.043 mg/L, TN of 0.360
      0.785 mg/L, Chl-a of 1.78-4.73 mg/m3, SD of 0.68-1.21 m. Additionally, empirical
      models were developed for estimating the reference Chl-a concentration and SD
      successfully for lakes in the Eastern plain ecoregion. Overall, the data suggest
      that multiple methods can be used to determine reference conditions and that in
      Eastern plain ecoregion lakes the reference condition corresponds to a
      mesotrophic status.

PMID- 24218832
TI  - Nitrate in shallow groundwater in typical agricultural and forest ecosystems in
      China, 2004-2010.
AB  - The nitrate-nitrogen (NO3(-)-N) concentrations from shallow groundwater wells
      situated in 29 of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network field stations,
      representing typical agro- and forest ecosystems, were assessed using monitoring
      data collected between 2004 and 2010. Results from this assessment permit a
      national scale assessment of nitrate concentrations in shallow groundwater, and
      allow linkages between nitrate concentrations in groundwater and broad land use
      categories to be made. Results indicated that most of the NO3(-)-N concentrations
      in groundwater from the agro- and forest ecosystems were below the Class 3
      drinking water standard stated in the Chinese National Standard: Quality Standard
      for Ground Water (< or = 20 mg/L). Over the study period, the average NO3(-)-N
      concentrations were significantly higher in agro-ecosystems (4.1 +/- 0.33 mg/L)
      than in forest ecosystems (0.5 +/- 0.04 mg/L). NO3(-)-N concentrations were
      relatively higher (> 10 mg N /L) in 10 of the 43 wells sampled in the
      agricultural ecosystems. These elevated concentrations occurred mainly in the
      Ansai, Yucheng, Linze, Fukang, Akesu, and Cele field sites, which were located in
      arid and semi-arid areas where irrigation rates are high. We suggest that
      improvements in N fertilizer application and irrigation management practices in
      the arid and semi-arid agricultural ecosystems of China are the key to managing
      groundwater nitrate concentrations.

PMID- 24218833
TI  - Influential factors of formation kinetics of flocs produced by water treatment
      coagulants.
AB  - The growth rate and size of floc formation is of great importance in water
      treatment especially in coagulation process. The floc formation kinetics and the
      coagulation efficiency of synthetic water were investigated by using an on-line
      continuous optical photometric dispersion analyze and the analysis of water
      quality. Experimental conditions such as alum dosage, pH value for coagulation,
      stirring intensity and initial turbidity were extensively examined. The
      photometric dispersion analyze results showed that coagulation of kaolin
      suspensions with two coagulants (alum and polyaluminium chloride) could be taken
      as a two-phase process: slow and rapid growth periods. Operating conditions with
      higher coagulant doses, appropriate pH and average shear rate might be
      particularly advantageous. The rate of overall floc growth was mainly determined
      by a combination of hydraulic and water quality conditions such as pH and
      turbidity. The measurement of zeta potential indicates that polyaluminium
      chloride exhibited higher charge-neutralizing ability than alum and achieved
      lower turbidities than alum for equivalent Al dosages. Under the same operating
      conditions, the alum showed a higher grow rate, but with smaller floc size.

PMID- 24218834
TI  - Characterization and performance of Pt/SBA-15 for low-temperature SCR of NO by
      C3H6.
AB  - Pt supported on mesoporous silica SBA-15 was investigated as a catalyst for low
      temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by C3H6 in the presence of
      excess oxygen. The prepared catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, BET
      surface area, TEM, NO-TPD, NO/C3H6-TPO, NH3-TPD, XPS and 27Al MAS NMR. The
      effects of Pt loading amount, O2/C3H6 concentration, and incorporation of Al into
      SBA-15 have been studied. It was found that the removal efficiency increased
      significantly after Pt loading, but an optimal loading amount was observed. In
      particular, under an atmosphere of 150 ppm NO, 150 ppm C3H6, and 18 vol.% O2,
      0.5% Pt/SBA-15 showed remarkably high catalytic performance giving 80.1% NOx
      reduction and 87.04% C3H6 conversion simultaneously at 140 degrees C. The
      enhanced SCR activity of Pt/SBA-15 is associated with its outstanding oxidation
      activities of NO to NO2 and C3H6 to CO2 in low temperature range. The research
      results also suggested that higher concentration of O2 and higher concentration
      of C3H6 favored NO removal. The incorporation of Al into SBA-15 improved
      catalytic performance, which could be ascribed to the enhancement of catalyst
      surface acidity caused by tetrahedrally coordinated AlO4. Moreover, the catalysts
      could be easily reused and possessed good stability.

PMID- 24218835
TI  - Photo-catalytic decolourisation of toxic dye with N-doped titania: a case study
      with Acid Blue 25.
AB  - Dyes are one of the hazardous water pollutants. Toxic Acid Blue 25, an
      anthraquinonic dye, has been decolourised by photo-catalysing it with nitrogen
      doped titania in aqueous medium. The photo catalyst was prepared from 15% TiCl3
      and 25% aqueous NH3 solution as precursor. XRD and TEM revealed the formation of
      well crystalline anatase phase having particle size in the nano-range. BET
      surface area of the sample was higher than that of pure anatase TiO2. DRS showed
      higher absorption of radiation in visible range compared to pure anatase TiO2.
      XPS revealed the presence of nitrogen in N-Ti-O environment. The experimental
      parameters, namely, photocatalyst dose, initial dye concentration as well as
      solution pH influence the decolourisation process. At pH 3.0, the N-TiO2 could
      decolourise almost 100% Acid Blue 25 within one hour. The influence of N-TiO2
      dose, initial concentration of Acid Blue 25 and solution pH on adsorption
      desorption equilibrium is also studied. The adsorption process follows Lagergren
      first order kinetics while the modified Langmuir-Hinselwood model is suitably
      fitted for photocatalytic decolourisation of Acid Blue 25.

PMID- 24218836
TI  - Pb(II) removal from water using Fe-coated bamboo charcoal with the assistance of
      microwaves.
AB  - Bamboo charcoal (BC) was used as starting material to prepare iron-modified
      bamboo charcoal (Fe-MBC) by its impregnation in FeCl3 and HNO3 solutions
      simultaneously, followed by microwave heating. The material can be used as an
      adsorbent for Pb(II) contaminants removal in water. The composites were prepared
      with Fe molar concentration of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mol/L and characterized by means
      of N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD),
      scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry
      (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and point of zero charge (pH(pzc))
      measurements. Nitrogen adsorption analyses showed that the BET specific surface
      area and total pore volume increased with iron impregnation. The adsorbent with
      Fe molar concentration of 2 mol/L (2Fe-MBC) exhibited the highest surface area
      and produced the best pore structure. The Pb(II) adsorption process of 2Fe-MBC
      and BC were evaluated in batch experiments and 2Fe-MBC showed an excellent
      adsorption capability for removal Pb(II). The adsorption of Pb(II) strongly
      depended on solution pH, with maximum values at pH 5.0. The ionic strength had a
      significant effect on the adsorption at pH < 6.0. The adsorption isotherms
      followed the Langmuir isotherm model well, and the maximum adsorption capacity
      for Pb(II) was 200.38 mg/g for 2Fe-MBC. The adsorption processes were well fitted
      by a pseudo second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the
      adsorption of Pb(II) onto Fe-MBC was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic under
      the studied conditions, and the ion exchange mechanism played an significant
      role. These results have important implications for the design of low-cost and
      effective adsorbents in the removal of Pb(II) from wastewater.

PMID- 24218837
TI  - Application potential of carbon nanotubes in water treatment: A review.
AB  - Water treatment is the key to coping with the conflict between people's
      increasing demand for water and the world-wide water shortage. Owing to their
      unique and tunable structural, physical, and chemical properties, carbon
      nanotubes (CNTs) have exhibited great potentials in water treatment. This review
      makes an attempt to provide an overview of potential solutions to various
      environmental challenges by using CNTs as adsorbents, catalysts or catalyst
      support, membranes, and electrodes. The merits of incorporating CNT to
      conventional water-treatment material are emphasized, and the remaining
      challenges are discussed.

PMID- 24218838
TI  - Characterization, treatment and releases of PBDEs and PAHs in a typical municipal
      sewage treatment plant situated beside an urban river, East China.
AB  - Characterization, treatment and releases of eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers
      (PBDEs) congeners and sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in
      wastewater were evaluated along the treatment processes of a typical secondary
      treatment municipal sewage treatment plant (STP) (in Hefei City) situated the
      beside Nanfei River, East China. The findings showed that the average
      concentrations of the total PBDEs in raw wastewater and treated effluent were
      188.578 and 36.884 ng/L respectively. Brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) 209
      congener, the predominant PBDE in the STP and Nanfei River, could be related to
      the discharge of car-industry-derived wastes. For PAHs, the average
      concentrations in raw wastewater and treated effluent were 5758.8 and 2240.4 ng/L
      respectively, with naphthalene, benzo[a]pyrene and indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene being
      detected at the highest concentrations. PAHs mainly originate from the combustion
      of biomass/coal and petroleum. The STP reduced about 80% of the PBDEs and 61% of
      the PAHs, which were eliminated mainly by sedimentation processes. The removal
      rates of PBDEs/PAHs increased with the increase of their solid-water partitioning
      coefficients. Accordingly, the STP's effluent, containing some PBDE congeners
      (e.g., BDE 47, 99 and 209, etc.) and low-molecular-weight PAHs, could be an
      important contributor of these contaminants' input to Nanfei River. It resulted
      in a significant increase of PBDE/PAH concentrations and PAH toxicological risk
      in the river water downstream. About 4.040 kg/yr of PBDEs and 245.324 kg/yr of
      PAHs could be released into the Nanfei River. The current conventional wastewater
      treatment processes should be improved to remove the relatively low-molecular
      weight PBDEs/PAHs more effectively.

PMID- 24218840
TI  - Assessment of heavy metal enrichment and its human impact in lacustrine sediments
      from four lakes in the mid-low reaches of the Yangtze River, China.
AB  - Sediments from four lakes in the mid-low reaches of the Yangtze River, Taibai
      Lake, Longgan Lake, Chaohu Lake and Xijiu Lake, were chosen to evaluate their
      enrichment state and history. The state of heavy metal enrichment was at a low
      level in the sediment of Taibai Lake and Longgan Lake. The enrichment state of
      Co, Cr and Ni was also low in the sediment of Chaohu Lake and Xijiu Lake, while
      Cu, Pb and Zn enrichment reached a higher level. Mass accumulation fluxes were
      calculated to quantitatively evaluate the anthropogenic contribution to heavy
      metals in the sediment. The anthropogenic accumulation fluxes were lower in the
      sediment of Taibai Lake and Longgan Lake compared with the other two lakes, where
      heavy metals, especially Cu, Pb and Zn, were mainly from anthropogenic sources.
      Heavy metal accumulation did not vary greatly in the sediment of Taibai Lake and
      Longgan Lake, while that in Chaohu Lake and Xijiu Lake increased since the 1950s
      and substantially increased since the 1980s, although a decrease occurred since
      2000 AD in Xijiu Lake. Heavy metal enrichment was strongly related to human
      activities in the catchment. The development of urbanization and
      industrialization was much more rapid in the catchments of Chaohu Lake and Xijiu
      Lake than of the other two lakes, and thus large amounts of anthropogenically
      sourced heavy metals were discharged into the lakes, which resulted in a higher
      contamination risk. However, human activities in the Longgan Lake and Taibai Lake
      catchments mainly involved agriculture, which contributed a relatively small
      portion of heavy metals to the lakes.

PMID- 24218839
TI  - Factors influencing antibiotics adsorption onto engineered adsorbents.
AB  - The study evaluated the adsorption of two antibiotics by four engineered
      adsorbents (hypercrosslinked resin MN-202, macroporous resin XAD-4, activated
      carbon F-400, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)) from aqueous solutions.
      The dynamic results demonstrated the dominant influence of pore size in
      adsorption. The adsorption amounts of antibiotics on XAD-4 were attributed to the
      hydrophobic effect, whereas steric hindrance or micropore-filling played a main
      role in the adsorption of antibiotics by F-400 because of its high microporosity.
      Aside from F-400, similar patterns of pH-dependent adsorption were observed,
      implying the importance of antibiotic molecular forms to the adsorption process
      for adsorbents. Increasing the ionic concentration with CaC12 produced particular
      adsorption characteristics on MWCNT at pH 2.0 and F-400 at pH 8.0, which were
      attributed to the highly available contact surfaces and molecular sieving,
      respectively. Its hybrid characteristics incorporating a considerable portion of
      mesopores and micropores made hypercross linked MN-202 a superior antibiotic
      adsorbent with high adsorption capacity. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of
      MWCNT on the basis of surface area was more advantageous than that of the other
      adsorbents because MWCNT has a much more compact molecular arrangement.

PMID- 24218841
TI  - Biodegradation of 2-methylquinoline by Enterobacter aerogenes TJ-D isolated from
      activated sludge.
AB  - Bacterial strain Enterobacter aerogenes TJ-D capable of utilizing 2
      methylquinoline as the sole carbon and energy source was isolated from acclimated
      activated sludge under denitrifying conditions. The ability to degrade 2
      methylquinoline by E. aerogenes TJ-D was investigated under denitrifying
      conditions. Under optimal conditions of temperature (35 degrees C) and initial pH
      7, 2-methylquinoline of 100 mg/L was degraded within 176 hr. The degradation of 2
      methylquinoline by E. aerogenes TJ-D could be well described by the Haldane model
      (R2 > 0.91). During the degradation period of 2-methylquinoline (initial
      concentration 100 mg/L), nitrate was almost completely consumed (the removal
      efficiency was 98.5%), while nitrite remained at low concentration (< 0.62 mg/L)
      during the whole denitrification period. 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-2-methylquinoline, 4
      ethyl-benzenamine, N-butyl-benzenamine, N-ethyl-benzenamine and 2,6-diethyl
      benzenamine were metabolites produced during the degradation. The degradation
      pathway of 2-methylquinoline by E. aerogenes TJ-D was proposed. 2-Methylquinoline
      is initially hydroxylated at C-4 to form 2-methyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline, and then
      forms 2-methyl-4-quinolinol as a result of tautomerism. Hydrogenation of the
      heterocyclic ring at positions 2 and 3 produces 2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-4
      quinolinol. The carbon-carbon bond at position 2 and 3 in the heterocyclic ring
      may cleave and form 2-ethyl-N-ethyl-benzenamine. Tautomerism may result in the
      formation of 2,6-diethyl-benzenamine and N-butyl-benzenamine. 4-Ethyl-benzenamine
      and N-ethyl-benzenamine were produced as a result of losing one ethyl group from
      the above molecules.

PMID- 24218842
TI  - Inactivation, reactivation and regrowth of indigenous bacteria in reclaimed water
      after chlorine disinfection of a municipal wastewater treatment plant.
AB  - Disinfection of reclaimed water prior to reuse is important to prevent the
      transmission of pathogens. Chlorine is a widely utilized disinfectant and as such
      is a leading contender for disinfection of reclaimed water. To understand the
      risks of chlorination resulting from the potential selection of pathogenic
      bacteria, the inactivation, reactivation and regrowth rates of indigenous
      bacteria were investigated in reclaimed water after chlorine disinfection.
      Inactivation of total coliforms, Enterococcus and Salmonella showed linear
      correlations, with constants of 0.1384, 0.1624 and 0.057 L/(mg.min) and R2 of
      0.7617, 0.8316 and 0.845, respectively. However, inactivation of total viable
      cells by measurement of metabolic activity typically showed a linear correlation
      at lower chlorine dose (0-22 (mg-min)/L), and a trailing region with chlorine
      dose increasing from 22 to 69 (mg.min)/L. Reactivation and regrowth of bacteria
      were most likely to occur after exposure to lower chlorine doses, and extents of
      reactivation decreased gradually with increasing chlorine dose. In contrast to
      total coliforms and Enterococcus, Salmonella had a high level of regrowth and
      reactivation, and still had 2% regrowth even after chlorination of 69 (mg.min)/L
      and 24 hr storage. The bacterial compositions were also significantly altered by
      chlorination and storage of reclaimed water, and the ratio of Salmonella was
      significantly increased from 0.001% to 0.045% after chlorination of 69 (mg.min)/L
      and 24 hr storage. These trends indicated that chlorination contributes to the
      selection of chlorine-resistant pathogenic bacteria, and regrowth of pathogenic
      bacteria after chlorination in reclaimed water with a long retention time could
      threaten public health security during wastewater reuse.

PMID- 24218843
TI  - Photochemical degradation of nonylphenol in aqueous solution: the impact of pH
      and hydroxyl radical promoters.
AB  - The degradation of nonylphenol (NP) in aqueous solution with UV, H2O2/UV, and
      Fenton/photo-Fenton processes was studied. The efficacy of direct and hydrogen
      peroxide photolysis proved to be dependent on the pH value. The addition of H2O2
      to UV treatment improved NP degradation. The application of UV photolysis and the
      H2O2/UV system at pH 7 resulted in low pseudo first-order rate constants at 10-4
      sec-1. In the experiments at elevated pH values the pseudo-first order rate
      constants increased to 10-3 sec-1. The efficacy of the Fenton process was lower
      in comparison with UV and hydrogen peroxide photolysis. The addition of UV
      irradiation to the H2O2/Fe2+ system substantially improved NP degradation
      efficacy. In terms of performance, the photo-Fenton process was similar to the
      H2O2/UV process. The most favourable process for complete nonylphenol degradation
      considering both operational cost and treatment efficacy was H202/UV at pH 11 and
      250 micromol/L H2O2.

PMID- 24218844
TI  - A pilot-scale study of cryolite precipitation from high fluoride-containing
      wastewater in a reaction-separation integrated reactor.
AB  - Fluoride removal by traditional precipitation generates huge amounts of a water
      rich sludge with low quality, which has no commercial or industrial value. The
      present study evaluated the feasibility of recovering fluoride as low water
      content cryolite from industrial fluoride-containing wastewater. A novel pilot
      scale reaction-separation integrated reactor was designed. The results showed
      that the seed retention time in the reactor was prolonged to strengthen the
      induced crystallization process. The particle size of cryolite increased with
      increasing seed retention time, which decreased the water content. The recovery
      rate of cryolite was above 75% under an influent fluoride concentration of 3500
      mg/L, a reaction temperature of 500C, and an influent flow of 40 L/hr. The
      cryolite products that precipitated from the reactor were small in volume, large
      in particle size, low in water content, high in crystal purity, and recyclable.

PMID- 24218845
TI  - Effect of phosphogypsum and dicyandiamide as additives on NH3, N20 and CH4
      emissions during composting.
AB  - A laboratory scale experiment of composting in a forced aeration system using pig
      manure with cornstalks was carried out to investigate the effects of both
      phosphogypsum and dicyandiamide (DCD, C2H4N4) as additives on gaseous emissions
      and compost quality. Besides a control, there were three amended treatments with
      different amounts of additives. The results indicated that the phosphogypsum
      addition at the rate of 10% of mixture dry weight decreased NH3 and CH4 emissions
      significantly during composting. The addition of DCD at the rate of 0.2% of
      mixture dry weight together with 10% of phosphogypsum further reduced the N2O
      emission by affecting the nitrification process. Reducing the phosphogypsum
      addition to 5% in the presence of 0.2% DCD moderately increased the NH3 emissions
      but not N2O emission. The additives increased the ammonium content and electrical
      conductivity significantly in the final compost. No adverse effect on organic
      matter degradation or the germination index of the compost was found in the
      amended treatments. It was recommended that phosphogypsum and DCD could be used
      in composting for the purpose of reducing NH3, CH4 and N2O emissions. Optimal
      conditions and dose of DCD additive during composting should be determined with
      different materials and composting systems in further study.

PMID- 24218846
TI  - Evaluation of heavy metal contamination hazards in nuisance dust particles, in
      Kurdistan Province, western Iran.
AB  - The effects of natural and geochemical factors depending on heavy metal
      contamination in nuisance dust particles were evaluated. The nuisance dust
      particles were sampled using passive deposit gauge method for one year from April
      2010 to March 2011 and the obtained samples were measured for the total contents
      and the contamination levels of Fe, Mn, Cu and As using geo-accumulation index
      (l(geo)), enrichment factor (EF) and the integrated pollution index (IPI). The
      results showed that, the contamination levels of Fe and Mn based on I(geo)
      values, were uncontaminated (I(geo) < 0) (variations of the I(geo) index was from
      -3.11 to -1.751 for Fe, from -0.630 to -1.925 for Mn), while the values of Cu and
      As were demonstrated to have moderate contamination based on l(geo) values
      (variations of I(geo) index was from -1.125 to 0.848 for Cu, and from -2.002 to
      1.249 for As). The analysis of EF also revealed minor to moderate enrichment for
      Mn (1.215-4.214), minor to moderately severe enrichment for Cu (2.791-6.484), and
      As (1.370-8.462), respectively. The variation of the IPI index also showed low to
      moderate level of heavy metal pollution in nuisance dust particulates (0.511
      1.829). The analysis of the results also approved that the natural processes and
      geochemical variables (the changing meteorological parameters) can significantly
      affect the availability of heavy metals in nuisance dust particles in Western
      Iran.

PMID- 24218847
TI  - Utilizing surfactants to control the sorption, desorption, and biodegradation of
      phenanthrene in soil-water system.
AB  - An integrative technology including the surfactant enhanced sorption and
      subsequent desorption and biodegradation of phenanthrene in the soil-water system
      was introduced and tested. For slightly contaminated agricultural soils, cationic
      nonionic mixed surfactant-enhanced sorption of organic contaminants onto soils
      could reduce their transfer to plants, therefore safe-guarding agricultural
      production. After planting, residual surfactants combined with added nonionic
      surfactant could also promote the desorption and biodegradation of residual
      phenanthrene, thus providing a cost-effective pollution remediation technology.
      Our results showed that the cationic-nonionic mixed surfactants dodecylpyridinium
      bromide (DDPB) and Triton X-100 (TX100) significantly enhanced soil retention of
      phenanthrene. The maximum sorption coefficient Kd of phenanthrene for
      contaminated soils treated by mixed surfactants was about 24.5 times that of
      soils without surfactant (Kd) and higher than the combined effects of DDPB and
      TX100 individually, which was about 16.7 and 1.5 times Kd, respectively. On the
      other hand, TX100 could effectively remove phenanthrene from contaminated soils
      treated by mixed surfactants, improving the bioavailability of organic
      pollutants. The desorption rates of phenanthrene from these treated soils were
      greater than 85% with TX100 concentration above 2000 mg/L and approached 100%
      with increasing TX100 concentration. The biodegradation rates of phenanthrene in
      the presence of surfactants reached over 95% in 30 days. The mixed surfactants
      promoted the biodegradation of phenanthrene to some extent in 10-22 days, and had
      no obvious impact on phenanthrene biodegradation at the end of the experiment.
      Results obtained from this study provide some insight for the production of safe
      agricultural products and a remediation scheme for soils slightly contaminated
      with organic pollutants.

PMID- 24218848
TI  - Detoxifying PCDD/Fs and heavy metals in fly ash from medical waste incinerators
      with a DC double are plasma torch.
AB  - Medical waste incinerator (MWI) fly ash is regarded as a highly toxic waste
      because it contains high concentrations of heavy metals and dioxins, including
      polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans
      (PCDFs). Therefore fly ash from MWI must be appropriately treated before being
      discharged into the environment. A melting process based on a direct current
      thermal plasma torch has been developed to convert MWI fly ash into harmless
      slag. The leaching characteristics of heavy metals in fly ash and vitrified slag
      were investigated using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure, while the
      content of PCDD/Fs in the fly ashes and slags was measured using method 1613 of
      the US EPA. The experimental results show that the decomposition rate of PCDD/Fs
      is over 99% in toxic equivalent quantity value and the leaching of heavy metals
      in the slag significantly decreases after the plasma melting process. The
      produced slag has a compact and homogeneous microstructure with density of up to
      2.8 g/cm3.

PMID- 24218849
TI  - Role of sorbent surface functionalities and microporosity in 2,2',4,4'
      tetrabromodiphenyl ether sorption onto biochars.
AB  - The study provides insight into the combined effect of sorbent surface
      functionalities and microporosity on 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47)
      sorption onto biochars. A series of biochars prepared under different conditions
      were used to test their sorption behaviors with BDE-47. The extents of sorption
      behaviors were parameterized in terms of the single-point adsorption equilibrium
      constant (Koc) at three equilibrium concentration (Ce) levels (0.001Sw
      (solubility), 0.005Sw, and 0.05Sw) which was determined using the Freundlich
      model. To elucidate the concentration-dependent dominant mechanisms for BDE-47
      sorption onto biochars, Ko was correlated with four major parameters using
      multiple parameter linear analysis accompanied with significance testing. The
      results indicated that at low concentration (Ce = 0.001Sw), the surface
      microporosity term, which represented a pore-filling mechanism, contributed
      significantly to this relationship, while as concentration was increased to
      higher levels, surface functionality related to surface adsorption began to take
      the dominant role, which was further confirmed by the results of Polanyi-based
      modeling. Given the above results, a dual mode model based on Dubinin
      Radushkevich and de Boer-Zwikker equations was adopted to quantitatively assess
      the changes of significance of surface adsorption as well as that of pore filling
      with sorption process development. In addition, UV spectra of four typical
      aromatic compounds which represented the key structural fragments of biochars
      before and after interactions with BDE-47 were analyzed to determine the active
      functional groups and supply complementary evidence for the dominant interaction
      force for surface adsorption, based on which eta-eta electron-donor-acceptor
      interaction was proposed to contribute greatly to surface adsorption.

PMID- 24218850
TI  - Systematic analysis of microfauna indicator values for treatment performance in a
      full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant.
AB  - The indicator values of microfauna functional groups and species for treatment
      performance were systematically evaluated based on the continuous monitoring of
      the entire microfauna communities including both protozoa and metazoa over a
      period of 14 months, in two parallel full-scale municipal wastewater treatment
      systems in a plant in Beijing, China. A total of 57 species of ciliates, 14
      species (units) of amoebae, 14 species (units) of flagellates and 4 classes of
      small metazoa were identified, with Arcella hemisphaerica, Vorticella striata,
      Vorticella convallaria, Epistylis plicatilis and small flagellates (e.g. Bodo
      spp.) as the dominant protozoa, and rotifers as the dominant metazoa. The
      abundance of the sessile ciliates was correlated with the removals of BOD5
      (Pearson's r = 0.410, p < 0.05) and CODcr (r = 0.397, p < 0.05) while the testate
      amoebae was significantly positively related to nitrification (r = 0.523, p <
      0.01). At the same time, some other associations were also identified: the
      abundances of the large flagellates (r = 0.447, p < 0.01), the metazoa (r =
      0.718, p < 0.01) and species Aspidisca sulcata (r = 0.337, p < 0.05) were
      positively related to nitrification; the abundance of Aspidisca costata was
      correlated to the TN (total nitrogen) removal (r = -0.374, p < 0.05 ); the
      abundances of the sessile species Carchesium polypinum (r = 0.458, p < 0.01) and
      E. plicatilis (r = 0.377, p < 0.05) were correlated with the removal of suspended
      solids.

PMID- 24218851
TI  - Function of arsATorf7orf8 of Bacillus sp. CDB3 in arsenic resistance.
AB  - Bacillus sp. CDB3 isolated from an arsenic contaminated cattle dip site possesses
      an uncommon arsenic resistance (ars) operon bearing eight genes in the order of
      arsRYCDATorf7orf8. We investigated the functions of arsA, arsT, orf7 and orf8 in
      arsenic resistance using a plasmid-based gene knockout approach in the ars gene
      deficient Escherichia coli strain AW3110. The CDB3 arsA gene was shown to play a
      significant role in resistance, suggesting that the encoded ArsA may couple with
      the arsenite transporter, forming an ArsAY complex that can enhance arsenite
      extrusion efficiency. The disruption of either arsTor orf7 was not observed to
      affect arsenic resistance in the heterologous E. coli host, but their involvement
      in arsenic resistance can not be excluded. The orf8 gene is predicted to encode a
      putative dual-specificity protein phosphatase which also shares certain homology
      to arsenate reductases. The function loss of orf8 resulted in a remarkable
      decrease in resistance to arsenate, though not arsenite. To examine if this
      effect was due to the reduction of arsenate by orf8, the arsC gene within the 8
      gene operon was disrupted. The resulting abolishment of arsenate resistance
      suggests that the involvement of orf8 in arsenic resistance is not via reductase
      activity.

PMID- 24218852
TI  - Enrichment, isolation and identification of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from
      sulfide removing bioreactor.
AB  - Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) are the main microorganisms that participate in
      the natural sulfur cycle. To obtain SOB with high sulfur-oxidizing ability under
      aerobic or anaerobic conditions, aerobic and anaerobic enrichments were carried
      out. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles showed that the
      microbial community changed according to the thiosulfate utilization during
      enrichments, and Rhodopseudomonas and Halothiobacillus were the predominant
      bacteria in anaerobic enrichment and aerobic enrichment, respectively, which
      mainly contributed to the thiosulfate oxidization in the enrichments. Based on
      the enriched cultures, six isolates were isolated from the aerobic enrichment and
      four isolates were obtained from the anaerobic enrichment. Phylogenetic analysis
      suggested the 16S rRNA gene of isolates belonged to the genus Acinetobacter,
      Rhodopseudomonas, Pseudomonas, Halothiobacillus, Ochrobactrum, Paracoccus,
      Thiobacillus, and Alcaligenes, respectively. The tests suggested isolates related
      to Halothiobacillus and Rhodopseudomonas had the highest thiosulfate oxidizing
      ability under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, respectively; Paracoccus and
      Alcaligenes could aerobically and anaerobically oxidize thiosulfate. Based on the
      DGGE and thiosulfate oxidizing ability analysis, Rhodopseudomonas and
      Halothiobacillus were found to be the main SOB in the sulfide-removing reactor,
      and were responsible for the sulfur-oxidizing in the treatment system.

PMID- 24218853
TI  - In vitro immunotoxicity of untreated and treated urban wastewaters using various
      treatment processes to rainbow trout leucocytes.
AB  - Municipal effluents are known to impede the immune system of aquatic organisms.
      The purpose of this study was to examine the immunotoxicity of urban wastewaters
      before and after 6 treatment processes from 12 cities toward trout leucocytes.
      Freshly prepared trout leucocytes were exposed to increasing concentrations of
      solid phase (C18) extracts of wastewaters for 24 hr at 150C. Immunocompetence was
      determined by following changes in leucocyte viability and the proportion of
      cells able to ingest at least one (immunoactivity) and at least three
      (immunoefficiency) fluorescent beads. The influents were treated by six different
      treatment strategies consisting of facultative aerated lagoons, activated sludge,
      biological aerated filter, biological nutrient removal, chemically-assisted
      physical treatment and trickling filter/solid contact. Water quality parameters
      of the wastewaters revealed that the plants effectively removed total suspended
      solids and reduced the chemical oxygen demand. The results revealed that the
      effluents' immunotoxic properties were generally more influenced by the
      properties of the untreated wastewaters than by the treatment processes. About
      half of the incoming influents decreased leucocyte viability while 4 treatment
      plants were able to reduce toxicity. The influents readily increased phagocytosis
      activity for 8/12 influents while it was decreased in 4/12 influents. This
      increase was abolished for 4/12 of the effluents using treatments involving
      biological and oxidative processes. In conclusion, municipal effluents have the
      potential to alter the immune system in fish and more research will be needed to
      improve the treatments of wastewaters to better protect the quality of the
      aquatic environment.

PMID- 24218854
TI  - Using lysosomal membrane stability of haemocytes in Ruditapes philippinarum as a
      biomarker of cellular stress to assess contamination by caffeine, ibuprofen,
      carbamazepine and novobiocin.
AB  - Although pharmaceuticals have been detected in the environment only in the range
      from ng/L to microg/L, it has been demonstrated that they can adversely affect
      the health status of aquatic organisms. Lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) has
      previously been applied as an indicator of cellular well-being to determine
      health status in bivalve mussels. The objective of this study is to evaluate LMS
      in Ruditapes philippinarum haemolymph using the neutral red retention assay
      (NRRA). Clams were exposed in laboratory conditions to caffeine (0.1, 5, 15, 50
      microg/L), ibuprofen (0.1, 5, 10, 50 microg/L), carbamazepine and novobiocin
      (both at 0.1, 1, 10, 50 microg/L) for 35 days. Results show a dose-dependent
      effect of the pharmaceuticals. The neutral red retention time measured at the end
      of the bioassay was significantly reduced by 50% after exposure to environmental
      concentrations (p < 0.05) (caffeine = 15 microg/L; ibuprofen = 10 microg/L;
      carbamazepine = 1 microg/L and novobiocin = 1 microg/L), compared to controls.
      Clams exposed to these pharmaceuticals were considered to present a diminished
      health status (retention time < 45 min), significantly worse than controls (96
      min) (p < 0.05). The predicted no environmental effect concentration (PNEC)
      results showed that these pharmaceuticals are very toxic at the environmental
      concentrations tested. Measurement of the alteration of LMS has been found to be
      a sensitive technique that enables evaluation of the health status of clams after
      exposure to pharmaceuticals under laboratory conditions, thus representing a
      robust Tier-1 screening biomarker.

PMID- 24218855
TI  - Effect of transition metal doping under reducing calcination atmosphere on
      photocatalytic property of TiO2 immobilized on SiO2 beads.
AB  - TiO2 immobilized on SiO2 (TiO2/SiO2) have been prepared by sol-gel method and
      various ions of transition metals (Cr3+, Co2+ Ni2+, CU2+, and Zn2+) were doped on
      the photocatalyst using wet impregnation method under reducing calcination
      atmosphere. The photocatalytic activity of metal doped TiO2/SiO2 towards phenol
      degradation under black light irradiation were investigated and compared with
      undoped TiO2/SiO2. The results showed that the photoresponse of Cu2+ and Zn2+
      doped TiO2/SiO2 were larger than undoped TiO2/SiO2, indicating that the
      photogenerated carriers were separated more efficiently in Cu2+ and Zn2+ doped
      TiO2/SiO2. The reactivity was in the order of Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Ni2+ > Cr3+ > Co2+.
      The different photoreactivity was ascribed to combine effect of the different
      ionic radii and photocorrison tendency of the dopants. The sample was also
      characterized by surface analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction, scanning
      electron micrograph/electron dispersive X-ray analyzer and UV-Vis absorption
      spectrum.

PMID- 24218856
TI  - A high activity of Ti/SnO2-Sb electrode in the electrochemical degradation of 2,4
      dichlorophenol in aqueous solution.
AB  - Electrochemical degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in aqueous solution
      was investigated over Ti/SnO2-Sb anode. The factors influencing the degradation
      rate, such as applied current density (2-40 mA/cm2), pH (3-11) and initial
      concentration (5-200 mg/L) were evaluated. The degradation of 2,4-DCP followed
      apparent pseudo first-order kinetics. The degradation ratio on Ti/SnO2-Sb anode
      attained > 99.9% after 20 min of electrolysis at initial 5-200 mg/L
      concentrations at a constant current density of 30 mA/cm2 with a 10 mmol/L sodium
      sulphate (Na2SO4) supporting electrolyte solution. The results showed that 2,4
      DCP (100 mg/L) degradation and total organic carbon (TOC) removal ratio achieved
      99.9% and 92.8%, respectively, at the optimal conditions after 30 min
      electrolysis. Under this condition, the degradation rate constant (k) and the
      degradation half-life (t1/2) were 0.21 min- and (2.8 +/- 0.2) min, respectively.
      Mainly carboxylic acids (propanoic acid, maleic acid, propanedioic acid, acetic
      acid and oxalic acid) were detected as intermediates. The energy efficiencies for
      2,4-DCP degradation (5-200 mg/L) with Ti/SnO2-Sb anode ranged from 0.672 to 1.602
      g/kWh. The Ti/SnO2-Sb anode with a high activity to rapid organic oxidation could
      be employed to degrade chlorophenols, particularly 2,4-DCP in wastewater.

PMID- 24218857
TI  - Effects of rhamnolipid biosurfactant JBR425 and synthetic surfactant surfyno1465
      on the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 2-naphthol.
AB  - The kinetics of the recombinant Coprinus cinereus peroxidase-catalyzed 2-naphthol
      oxidation was investigated in the presence of rhamnolipid biosurfactant JBR425
      and synthetic surfactant Surfynol465 at pH 5.5 and 250C, with concentrations of
      (bio)surfactants both less than critical micelle concentrations (CMC) and larger
      than CMC. It was shown that monomers of JBR425 as well as monomers of Surfynol465
      had an enhancing effect on the conversion of 2-naphthol in dose response manner
      and did not influence the initial rate of 2-naphthol oxidation. The results were
      accounted by a scheme, which contains a stadium of enzyme inhibition by
      oligomeric 2-naphthol oxidation products. The action of the biosurfactant's (or
      synthetic surfactant's) monomers was explained by avoidance of the enzyme active
      center clothing with oligomers. Similar results have demonstrated the potential
      of rhamnolipid biosurfactant JBR425 due to its biodegradability. When
      biosurfactants' concentrations are larger than CMC, (bio)surfactants have an
      opposite effect on the oxidation of 2-naphthol by peroxidase.

PMID- 24218858
TI  - An novel identification method of the environmental risk sources for surface
      water pollution accidents in chemical industrial parks.
AB  - The chemical industry is a major source of various pollution accidents. Improving
      the management level of risk sources for pollution accidents has become an urgent
      demand for most industrialized countries. In pollution accidents, the released
      chemicals harm the receptors to some extent depending on their sensitivity or
      susceptibility. Therefore, identifying the potential risk sources from such a
      large number of chemical enterprises has become pressingly urgent. Based on the
      simulation of the whole accident process, a novel and expandable identification
      method for risk sources causing water pollution accidents is presented. The newly
      developed approach, by analyzing and stimulating the whole process of a pollution
      accident between sources and receptors, can be applied to identify risk sources,
      especially on the nationwide scale. Three major types of losses, such as social,
      economic and ecological losses, were normalized, analyzed and used for overall
      consequence modeling. A specific case study area, located in a chemical industry
      park (CIP) along the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province, China, was selected to
      test the potential of the identification method. The results showed that there
      were four risk sources for pollution accidents in this CIP. Aniline leakage in
      the HS Chemical Plant would lead to the most serious impact on the surrounding
      water environment. This potential accident would severely damage the ecosystem up
      to 3.8 km downstream of Yangtze River, and lead to pollution over a distance
      stretching to 73.7 km downstream. The proposed method is easily extended to the
      nationwide identification of potential risk sources.

PMID- 24218859
TI  - Distribution and contamination status of chromium in surface sediments of
      northern Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan.
AB  - The distribution, enrichment, accumulation, and potential ecological risk of
      chromium (Cr) in the surface sediments of northern Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan,
      China were investigated. Sediment samples from ten locations located between the
      river mouths and harbor entrance of northern Kaohsiung Harbor were collected
      quarterly in 2011 and characterized for Cr, aluminum, water content, organic
      matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, total grease, and grain size. Results
      showed that the Cr concentrations varied from 27.0 to 361.9 mg/kg with an average
      of (113.5 +/- 87.0) mg/kg. High Cr concentration was observed near the Jen-Gen
      River mouth. The mean Cr concentration was high at 255.5 mg/kg, which was at
      least 2 to 7 times than that of other sites. This might imply significant Cr
      contribution from upstream receiving tanneries wastewater into the Jen-Gen River.
      The spatial distribution of Cr reveals relatively high in the river mouth region,
      especially in Jen-Gen River, and gradually diminishes toward the harbor entrance
      region. This indicates that the major sources of Cr pollution from upstream
      industrial and municipal wastewaters discharged along the river bank; and Cr may
      drift with sea current and be dispersed into open sea. Moreover, Cr
      concentrations correlated closely to the physical-chemical properties of the
      sediments, which suggested the influence of industrial and municipal wastewaters
      discharged from the neighboring industrial parks and river basins. Results from
      the enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index analyses imply that the Jen-Gen
      River sediments can be characterized as moderate enrichment and none to medium
      accumulation of Cr, respectively. However, results of potential ecological risk
      index indicate that the sediment has low ecological potential risk. The results
      can provide valuable information to developing future strategies for the
      management of river mouth and harbor.

PMID- 24218860
TI  - Historical trends in the anthropogenic heavy metal levels in the tidal flat
      sediments of Lianyungang, China.
AB  - The sedimentation of metals can preserve the historical record of contaminant
      input from local and regional sources and provide information on the historical
      changes in regional water and sediment quality. We report the 210Pb activities
      and the heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) depth profiles from sediment
      cores retrieved in 2010. The mean sedimentation rates of 0.85-1.5 cm/yr are
      determined by 210Pb dating. The sediments in the tidal flat have recorded heavy
      metal deposition and thus allow the establishment of a connection between the
      temporal evolution of the heavy metal pollution and the historical changes in the
      economic development of Lianyungang. The enrichment factors (EF) are calculated
      to estimate the level of contamination stored in these sediments. The results
      show that in the studied sites, Cr and Cu display low EF values and are mainly
      from lithogenic origin. For the other studied trace metals, a great variability
      in the sedimentary record is observed. Significant anthropogenic enrichment over
      the last 50 years is revealed at the tidal flat that receives fluvial inputs.
      Zinc is the element with the highest EF values, followed by the order of Pb > Cd
      > Mn > Cu and Cr. The temporal variations of the heavy metals peak during the
      late 1980s to the early 2000s and show a decreasing trend afterward. The
      pollution intensity of the tidal flat is determined by using EF and the geo
      accumulation index (I(geo)), which show that, based on the l(geo) scale, the
      tidal flat of Haizhou Bay is unpolluted to moderately polluted.

PMID- 24218861
TI  - Heterogeneous fenton degradation of azo dyes catalyzed by modified
      polyacrylonitrile fiber fe complexes: QSPR (quantitative structure peorperty
      relationship) study.
AB  - The amidoximated polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber Fe complexes were prepared and
      used as the heterogeneous Fenton catalysts for the degradation of 28 anionic
      water soluble azo dyes in water under visible irradiation. The multiple linear
      regression (MLR) method was employed to develop the quantitative structure
      property relationship (QSPR) model equations for the decoloration and
      mineralization of azo dyes. Moreover, the predictive ability of the QSPR model
      equations was assessed using Leave-one-out (LOO) and cross-validation (CV)
      methods. Additionally, the effect of Fe content of catalyst and the sodium
      chloride in water on QSPR model equations were also investigated. The results
      indicated that the heterogeneous photo-Fenton degradation of the azo dyes with
      different structures was conducted in the presence of the amidoximated PAN fiber
      Fe complex. The QSPR model equations for the dye decoloration and mineralization
      were successfully developed using MLR technique. MW/S (molecular weight divided
      by the number of sulphonate groups) and NN=N (the number of azo linkage) are
      considered as the most important determining factor for the dye degradation and
      mineralization, and there is a significant negative correlation between MW/S or
      NN=N and degradation percentage or total organic carbon (TOC) removal. Moreover,
      LOO and CV analysis suggested that the obtained QSPR model equations have the
      better prediction ability. The variation in Fe content of catalyst and the
      addition of sodium chloride did not alter the nature of the QSPR model equations.

PMID- 24218862
TI  - Rehabilitation and improvement of Guilin urban water environment: function
      oriented management.
AB  - Economic development and population growth have deeply damaged the urban water
      environment of Guilin City, China. Main problems involved structural damage and
      functional deterioration of the urban waters. An integrated technical scheme was
      developed to rehabilitate the urban water environment and to enhance the waters'
      functions during 1998-2008. Improvement of waters' functions included water
      system reconstruction, water pollution control, water safety assurance, and
      aquatic ecological restoration. The water system was reconstructed to connect
      different waters and clean water supplies to the lakes. Moreover, water pollution
      was controlled to improve water quality by endogenous pollutant elimination and
      extraneous pollutant interception. In addition, ecological measures put in place
      serve to enhance water system functions and better benefit both nature and
      humans. The project has brought about sound ecological, economic and social
      benefits in Guilin City, which can potentially be extended to similar cities.

PMID- 24218863
TI  - Adsorption of Mn2+ from aqueous solution using Fe and Mn oxide-coated sand.
AB  - The adsorption of Mn2+ onto immobilized Mn-oxide and Fe-oxide adsorbent such as
      manganese oxide-coated sandl (MOCS1), manganese oxide-coated sand2 (MOCS2), iron
      oxide-coated sand2 (IOCS2), and manganese and iron oxide-coated sand (MIOCS) was
      investigated. The effects of pH (5.5 to 8.0) and temperature (25 to 45 degrees C)
      on the equilibrium capacity were examined. Equilibrium studies showed that there
      is a good fit with both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm, which indicates surface
      heterogeneity and monolayer adsorption of the adsorbents. Kinetic data showed
      high correlation with the pseudo second-order model, which signifies a
      chemisorption-controlled mechanism. The activation energies, activation
      parameters (deltaG, deltaH, deltaS), and thermodynamic parameters (deltaG0,
      deltaH0, deltaS0) confirmed that adsorption with MIOCS was endothermic and more
      spontaneous at higher temperature while an opposite trend was observed for the
      other adsorbents. Thermodynamic studies showed that adsorption involved formation
      of activated complex, where MOCS 1 and MIOCS follow a physical-chemical
      mechanism, while MOCS2 and IOCS2 follows purely chemical mechanism.

PMID- 24218864
TI  - Degradation kinetics and mechanism of trace nitrobenzene by granular activated
      carbon enhanced microwave/hydrogen peroxide system.
AB  - The kinetics of the degradation of trace nitrobenzene (NB) by a granular
      activated carbon (GAC) enhanced microwave (MW)/hydrogen peroxide (H202) system
      was studied. Effects of pH, NB initial concentration and tert-butyl alcohol on
      the removal efficiency were examined. It was found that the reaction rate fits
      well to first-order reaction kinetics in the MW/GAC/H202 process. Moreover, GAC
      greatly enhanced the degradation rate of NB in water. Under a given condition (MW
      power 300 W, H202 dosage 10 mg/L, pH 6.85 and temperature (60 +/- 5)degrees C),
      the degradation rate of NB was 0.05214 min-1when 4 g/L GAC was added. In general,
      alkaline pH was better for NB degradation; however, the optimum pH was 8.0 in the
      tested pH value range of 4.0-12.0. At H202 dosage of 10 mg/L and GAC dosage of 4
      g/L, the removal of NB was decreased with increasing initial concentrations of
      NB, indicating that a low initial concentration was beneficial for the
      degradation of NB. These results indicated that the MW/GAC/H202 process was
      effective for trace NB degradation in water. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
      analysis indicated that a hydroxyl radical addition reaction and dehydrogenation
      reaction enhanced NB degradation.

PMID- 24218865
TI  - Reflecting on our commitment to the future of nursing.

PMID- 24218866
TI  - Addressing the racial, ethnic and gender inequities in the childhood obesity
      crisis: a call to action.

PMID- 24218867
TI  - A cohort study evaluating the implications of biology, weight status and
      socioeconomic level on global self-esteem competence among female African
      American adolescents.
AB  - The link between obesity and self-esteem among minority youth has received
      minimal empirical evaluation. This study aims to describe the magnitude of risk
      that body mass index, household income, and transitional age have on global self
      esteem levels among African-American adolescents. These analyses were conducted
      on cross-sectional data obtained from 264 urban-dwelling African-American females
      between 14 and 18 years of age. Survey data on global self-esteem levels,
      transitory age, and socioeconomic levels were collected using self-administered
      questionnaires. Measured height and weight values were used to calculate and
      categorize weight status according to body mass index. Logistic regression models
      examined the probability of reporting less than average levels of global self
      esteem. Adolescent African-American females residing in low-income households
      were 10 times more likely to report lower global self-esteem scores than those
      individuals from more affluent households (95% CI: 1.94, 60.19, p < .001).
      Neither weight status (95% CI: 0.81, 2.55; p = .26) nor age (95% CI: 0.05, 1.87;
      p = .82) were significant risk indicators for lower than average levels of global
      self-esteem among participants in this study. Household income appears to be the
      greatest predictor of global self-esteem levels. Further research in this area is
      needed to fully elucidate precursors for psychological health vulnerability and
      facilitate intervention development.

PMID- 24218868
TI  - Decision-making about cervical cancer screening methods by homeless women.
AB  - To evaluate the perspectives and preferences of homeless women for traditional
      provider- and a novel low cost self-collected cytology screening technique, 17
      interviews were conducted with women who participated in both phases of a
      comparative trial. Subjects were recruited from a comprehensive homeless service
      center and a residential program serving homeless women. Constructivist grounded
      theory guided data collection and analysis. Results showed self-collection was
      favored over provider-collected cytology, but that the women perceived that test
      accuracy trumped comfort. Although many women expressed inaccurate perceptions
      and beliefs about cervical cancer and screening, the women participated in and
      valued screening. Misconceptions about cervical malignancy and prevention
      strategies contributed to their complex appraisal of the two screening methods.
      Homeless women may partner with providers to develop and test effective
      interventions with high promise for improving their health and these insights may
      aid in developing effective interventions for diverse underserved communities.

PMID- 24218869
TI  - Reflections and perspectives of African-American community leaders regarding
      genetics and genomics research: sentiment and wisdom of Sankofa.
AB  - Advances in genetic and genomic research are shifting the typical disease
      timeline. For those afflicted by disease and for population groups known to
      experience excess disease-related morbidity and mortality, the ability to use
      genetics and genomics to predict an individuals' predisposition for developing a
      disease and/or to anticipate an individual's response to treatments holds
      tremendous promise. Over the past two decades several public and private
      institutions within the United States have been established for the purpose of
      collecting and storing biological specimens for the purpose of conducting
      genetic/genomic research. Multiple reports indicate that the involvement of
      racial/ethnic minority participants in these bio-repositories is limited. Little
      is known about the willingness of African-Americans, one of the largest and most
      vulnerable racial/ethnic population groups, to participate in genetic research,
      genomic research, and to contribute biological specimens to bio-repositories. An
      exploratory study was undertaken using principles of community engagement and
      community-based participatory research to examine the perspectives of leaders
      within the African-American community about participation in genetics research,
      genomics research, and bio-banking. Semi-structured focus groups with twenty-one
      African-American community leaders were the primary means of gathering the study
      data. Reflections and commentary of the community leaders were interspersed with
      sentiments of "Sankofa." The emergent themes, health-related disparities,
      historical injustices in medical research, the promise of genetic and genomic
      research, and genetics/genomic research engagement, implicated the importance of
      conducting genetics/genomics research in the context of the community
      interdependent with efforts to address determinants of health and health
      disparities.

PMID- 24218870
TI  - An evidence-based parenting intervention with inner-city teen mothers.
AB  - The consequences of teen pregnancy have a substantial negative impact on both the
      teen mother and her child. Recent evidence clearly supports parenting education
      as the most effective means for improving adolescent parenting skills. This study
      evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based program using an evidence-based
      educational intervention to improve parenting style in high school teen mothers.
      Teen mothers, from 15 to 18 years of age, in a Title 1 high school were recruited
      from the Early Head Start program. Two groups of teens (N = 10) completed a pre
      parenting style survey, enrolled in an 8- or 12-week group educational session,
      and completed a post-parenting style survey. While quantitative data did not
      yield a change in parenting style, qualitative findings highlighted a strong need
      for teens to "tell their story" and to share personal experiences related to
      parenting. These findings lend support for the role of parenting educational
      interventions in high schools with teens at high risk for pregnancy.

PMID- 24218871
TI  - Barriers to diagnosis and treatment of depression: voices from a rural African
      American faith community.
AB  - Mental health disparities exist for rural African-Americans regarding the early
      detection of depression and its effective treatment. Disparities that are evident
      in rural communities include limited mental health resources and the stigma of
      depression. The faith community has a long-standing history of being the initial
      source of help to those who experience depression. The purpose of this
      qualitative study was to examine how rural African-American faith communities
      view the barriers to diagnosis and treatment of depression. A convenience sample
      of 24 persons (N = 24) participated in focus groups and interviews. Four internal
      barriers were identified: personal business, "mindset," "denial," and "put on a
      front." Additionally,four external barriers were identified: "spiritual beliefs,"
      "lack of medical resources," "lack of education about depression," and "stigma."
      The identified barriers supported the results from previous studies, but they
      also highlighted other less acknowledged barriers. In conclusion, interventions
      are needed to overcome these barriers in order to eliminate the depression
      disparities experienced by this population.

PMID- 24218872
TI  - Promoting breast health among urban African-American women: evidence supporting
      the need for a purposeful pursuit of the promise.
AB  - While several reports of studies undertaken to examine the influence of
      individual factors and access to quality care on the breast cancer outcomes of
      African-American women have been published, few studies have been reported that
      examined the interaction of these factors with variables associated with the
      social and physical environment. This report presents a summary of outcomes of a
      study undertaken to explore the impact of individual factors, social factors,
      environmental factors, and access to quality breast care on breast awareness and
      breast cancer screening practices among a targeted group of African-American
      urban women. The findings revealed that awareness and screening were
      significantly influenced by the participant's age, insurance status,
      characteristics of their social environment, and their breast awareness. The
      findings emphasize the need for targeted programming and services in low-income
      communities and inner-city neighborhoods where women may be less inclined to
      "venture out" and where clinicians, educators, researchers, and representatives
      of institutions dedicated to breast cancer control have been less inclined to
      "venture in."

PMID- 24218873
TI  - Increasing HIV/AIDS awareness among African-American women: an exploratory study.
AB  - This exploratory study was conducted to assess the effect of an HIV/AIDS
      prevention program on producing positive changing attitudes among African
      American women in Southeast Georgia. This study used a faith-based approach. Data
      were collected from 23 respondents recruited from a local African-American
      church. HIV training was conducted over four 1-hour sessions using web-based
      interactive videos and lectures on HIV/AIDS. Constructs from the Social Cognitive
      Theory comprised the framework upon which the women received HIV/AIDS prevention
      training. Participants completed a 25-item pre- and post-intervention
      questionnaire to measure any changes that occurred in their attitudes regarding
      HIV/AIDS. Results showed a statistically significant difference in mean scores of
      individual knowledge and attitudes about HIV. The difference in mean scores for
      the remaining items was found to be statistically insignificant. The overall
      change in attitudes was also statistically significant, t = 2.27, df = 22, p <
      0.05, which provided further evidence that when peers educate their communities
      on HIV/AIDS, it makes a significant difference in changing their attitudes about
      this disease. Although findings were positive, further data is needed to
      substantiate and validate the use of community peers to increase knowledge and
      awareness about HIV/AIDS among the African-American population.

PMID- 24218874
TI  - [Effects of barley flake on metabolism of glucose and lipids in the patients with
      impaired fasting glucose].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of barley flake (BF) on the glucose-lipid
      metabolism in patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). METHODS: 100 patients
      with IFG were divided into the oat meal (OM) control group and barley flake
      experimental group for three months intervention according to randomized
      controlled trail (RCT). Biochemical indicators, glucose-lipid metabolism related
      enzymes, the area under curve (AUC) of blood glucose and insulin after oral
      glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were assessed before and after intervention. In
      addition, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was
      calculated by FBG (mmol/L) x INS (microU/L)/ 22.5. RESULTS: At the end of the
      three month active intervention, the mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin
      (INS) in the patients with BF treatment decreased by 9.26% (P < 0.001) and 13.37%
      (P = 0.001) separately compared with that in patients with OM treatment;
      meanwhile, total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)
      in patients with BF treatment also decreased by 7.20% (P < 0.001) and 9.42% (P =
      0. 002), respectively. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), HOMA-IR, total glyceride
      (TG), Apo-B, the AUC of blood glucose and insulin after OGTT were also
      significantly decreased separately (P < 0.01 or < 0.05 ). However, statistically
      significant differences failed to be found in HDL-C, Apo-A, ALP and SOD between
      these two groups. CONCLUSION: BF had favorable effect on improvement of glucose
      lipid metabolism in the patients with impaired fasting glucose.

PMID- 24218875
TI  - [Prevalence of hyperlipidemia and possible risk factors in rural Chinese adults:
      cohort study of health population in Yuhuan rural].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of hyperlipidemia and its related factors in
      adults in rural Yuhuan, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out
      as a baseline study of Rural Yuhuan Health Population Cohort in all communities
      in Yuhuan County, Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 118,571 subjects aged 35
      years old or above participated in this study. The trained health/medical workers
      collected the general information, health conditions and so on by the face-to
      face interview. Totally, 5 ml blood samples were taken. Hyperlipidemia was
      defined as blood triglyceride > or = 1.70 mmol/L and/or total cholesterols > or =
      5.18 mmol/L. SPSS 16.0 was used for statistical analysis. Data of the fifth China
      population census 2000 was used as the standard population. RESULTS: Among
      118,571 eligible subjects, the averages of blood triglyceride and total
      cholesterols were (1.71 +/- 14.42) mmol/L and (5.48 +/- 40.25 ) mmol/L,
      respectively, and there was a statistical difference in gender on blood
      triglyceride (t = 4.163, P < 0.001) but not on blood total cholesterols. The
      crude prevalences of hyperchol-esterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, both
      hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperlipidemia were 38.4%,
      24.2%, 13.2% and 49.3% and the age-standardized prevalence were 36.6%, 23.8%,
      12.7% and 47.7% based on 2000 China national population, respectively. These
      prevalences were higher in male than in female significantly and varied
      statistically over different age groups from the lowest group of 35-39 years old
      to highest group of 55-59 years old or 60-64 years old. A non-conditional binary
      logistic model showed that age, male, farmer, education levels, smoking, alcohol
      consumption and body mass index were significantly related to hyperlipidemia.
      CONCLUSION: Hyperlipidemia, especial hypercholesterolemia, was common in adults
      aged 35 years old or above living in rural China.

PMID- 24218876
TI  - [Non-linear canonical correlation analysis between anthropometric indicators and
      multiple metabolic abnormalities].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To define the general correlation between anthropometric indicators
      and multiple metabolic abnormalities, and to put forward some particular
      suggestions for the prevention of multiple metabolic abnormalities. METHODS: A
      random cluster sampling was carried out in one county of Henan Province.
      Questionnaire, physical examination and biochemical tests were admitted to the
      adult inhabitants. Non-linear canonical correlation analysis (NLCCA) was applied
      with OVERALS of SPSS 13.0. The coefficients of canonical correlation and multiple
      correlation were calculated. The plot of centroids labeled by variables showed
      the correlation among various indicators. RESULTS: In total, 2,914 objects were
      investigated. It included 1,134 (38.9%) males and 1,780 (61.1%) females (60.0%).
      The average age was (50.58 +/- 13.70) years old. The fitting result of NLCCA were
      as follows: the loss of 0.577 accounting for 28.8% of the total variation was
      relatively small, and indicated that the two sets of variables of this study,
      namely sets of biochemical indicators (including serum total cholesterol, total
      triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein
      cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose) and sets of others (including gender, BMI
      and waist circumference) were closely related and often changed synchronously.
      Multivariate correlation coefficient showed that internal indicators of the above
      two sets were closely related respectively and often showed the multiple
      anomalies of the same set. The diagram of the center of gravity of the
      association of various indicators showed that the symptoms of metabolic
      abnormalities increased with age. Women were more liable to have metabolic
      abnormalities. Overweight and obese people often suffer multiple metabolic
      disorders. Waist circumference was positively correlated with metabolic
      abnormalities. CONCLUSION: (1) Biochemical indicators and anthropometric often
      change in combination. (2) Much attention should be paid to older people
      especially middle-aged or older men and older women in primary prevention. (3)
      Overweight and abdominal obesity can be considered the sensitive predictive
      indicator of multiple metabolic abnormalities. (4) Nonlinear canonical
      correlation and center of gravity Figure had the advantage of analyze the
      correlation between multiple sets of variables.

PMID- 24218877
TI  - [Association between polymorphism of FOXA1 gene and type 2 diabetes].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To detect the relationship between FOXA1 gene polymorphism and type 2
      diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The techniques of mass chromatographic
      analysis were used to detect the polymorphism of FOXA1 gene in 190 patients with
      T2DM and 193 healthy control persons without T2DM. We used the software SPSS 13.0
      for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between
      the case and control group about sex and age distribution. The distribution of
      genotypic frequency in control group consistented with the Hardy-Weinberg law.
      The frequency of the TT, TC and CC genotype in case were 76.5%, 19.3% and 4.3%.
      The frequency of the TT, TC and CC genotype in control were 78.1%, 20.3% and
      1.6%. There was no significant difference between the case and control group
      about genotype frequency (chi2 = 2.49, P = 0.287). There may be no significant
      difference between the TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C level and genotypes of rs7144658 in
      mutant. CONCLUSION: There may be no significant relationship between the
      polymorphism of FOXA1 gene and T2DM. Genic mutation on rs7144658 may not affect
      the lipid level in type 2 diabetics.

PMID- 24218878
TI  - [Removal of high-abundance proteins in plasma of the obese by improved
      TCA/acetone precipitation method].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop an improved trichloroacetic acid (TCA)/acetone
      precipitation method for removal of high-abundance proteins in plasma of the
      obese. METHODS: Volumes of TCA/acetone solution (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 20
      times of the sample) and concentrations of TCA (10%, 30%, 50%, 60%, 70%
      TCA/acetone solution) have been investigated to optimize the conditions of sample
      preparation. SDS-PAGE were used to separate and tested proteins in the
      supernatant and sediment. The best concentration of the TCA/acetone solution was
      first determined by SDS-PAGE. The protein in precipitation from 10% TCA/acetone
      solution processing and the new determined concentration TCA/acetone solution
      processing were verified by 2-D-SDS-PAGE. And then the digested products of the
      protein in precipitation and supernatant by trypsin were analyzed by nano HPLC
      Chip-MS/MS to verify which is the best concentration to process the plasma.
      RESULTS: The best volume of TCA/acetone is four times to sample, which less or
      more TCA/acetone would reduce the removal efficiency of high-abundance proteins.
      The concentration of TCA in acetone solution should be 60%, which may remove more
      high-abundance proteins in plasma than 10%, 30%, 50% TCA in acetone solution. If
      the TCA concentration is more than 60%, the reproducibility will be much poorer
      due to fast precipitation of proteins. The results of mass identification showed
      that human plasma prepared with 60% TCA/acetone (4 times sample volume) could be
      verified more low-abundance proteins than 10%. CONCLUSION: The most desirable
      conditions for removal of high-abundance proteins in plasma is 60% TCA/acetone (4
      times sample volume), especially for the plasma of obesity.

PMID- 24218879
TI  - [Effect of folate on the proliferation of human cervical cancer cell and
      relationship with HPV16].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different concentration of folate in vitro on
      the proliferation and apoptosis of C33A cell with HPV negative and CaSki cell
      with HPV16 positive, and intreaction of folate and HPV16. METHODS: C33A and Caski
      cells were intervened by different concentration of folate (0.1, 1.0, 10, 50,
      100, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 microg/ml). The morphological changes of cells were
      examined by reverse discrepancy microscope. MTT and Flow Cytometry (FCM) were
      employed to measure the proliferation, inhibition ratio, cell cycle and apoptosis
      of cells. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of HPV16 E2/E6 oncogene.
      RESULTS: The effects of folate on the C33A and CaSki cell growth suppression were
      increased gradually with the concentration of folate increasing and cultured
      duration prolonging, the inhibition ratio was increased (C33A: r = 0.948, P =
      0.010; CaSki: r = 0.895, P = 0.006). Adding folate could induce cell apoptosis
      (C33A: r = 0.989, P < 0.001; CaSki: r =0.994, P < 0.001), and there was a linear
      relationship, but there was no significant difference on the proliferation and
      apoptosis of C33A and CaSki cells effected. In addition, concentration of folate
      did not affect the expression of HPV16 E2/E6. CONCLUSION: Different concentration
      of folate inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation and enhanced cell
      apoptosis, but the results do not support an interaction between folate and HPV16
      in cervical cancer cell.

PMID- 24218880
TI  - [Genetic damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte of 1,3-butadiene workers].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the DNA and chromosome damage in peripheral blood
      lymphocyte of workers occupationally exposed to 1,3-butadiene (BD). METHODS:
      Personal information including occupational history, age, sex, smoking and
      drinking status was collected by the questionnaire. Gas chromatography was used
      to analyze the BD level. One hundred and eighty 1,3-butadiene workers and 58
      controls without occupational BD exposure were investigated. Comet assay and
      cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) detection were used to evaluate DNA and
      chromosomal damage levels in peripheral blood lymphocyte. RESULTS: The
      concentration of BD in the working environment of BD-exposed workers was 1.80
      (0.59-2.76) mg/m3. The rate of CBMN, NPB, NBUD and Olive TM of lymphocyte in BD
      exposed workers [(6.76 +/- 4.99) per thousand, 1.00 (0.00-4.00), 2.00 (0.00-7.00)
      and 4.64 (3.50-5.98), respectively] were higher than those in controls [(3.10 +/-
      2.65) per thousdand, 0.00 (0.00-2.80), 1.00 (0.00- 5.00) and 2.34 (0.82-3.93), P
      < 0.01]. According to the length of work, 180 BD-exposed workers were classified
      into 3 groups: 1 yrs-, 14.0 yrs- and 20.0 yrs-group, respectively after adjusting
      the age,sex, smoking and drinking, the rate of CBMN was a rising tendency along
      with the increase in length of work. CONCLUSION: Under present BD exposure
      levels, both comet assay and Cytokinesis-block micronucleus test could detect BD
      induced genotoxicity in BD-exposed workers, and are more suitable to assess the
      cumulative damage effect on DNA.

PMID- 24218881
TI  - [Effect of in utero and lactational exposure to a binary mixture of 3,3',4,4', 5
      pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) and 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118) on
      reproductive function in male rat offsprings].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of in utero and lactational exposure to a
      binary mixture of 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) and 2,3',4,4',5
      pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118) on reproductive function in male rat offsprings.
      METHODS: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were given the mixture by gavage with
      0.096, 0.96, 4.8 microg toxic equivalency (TEQ)/kg on gestational day (GD) 15.
      The effects of mixture on F1 rats were observed. RESULTS: The male offspring in
      the 0.96 and 4.8 microg TEQ/kg groups showed significant inhibition of body
      weight gain, anogenital distance (AGD) and sperm counts. Mixtures at 4.8 microg
      TEQ/kg significantly reduced weights of accessory sex organs, but only prostate
      weight reduced at 0.96 microg TEQ/kg. There were no significant differences on
      serum testosterone. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that in utero and
      lactational exposure to the mixtures of PCB126 and PCB118 affected development of
      male offspring and impaired adult male offspring reproductive organs.

PMID- 24218882
TI  - [Distribution of arsenic species and its DNA damage in subchronic arsenite
      exposed mice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the arsenic distribution, speciation, its effects on the
      balance of other elements and the DNA damage by subchronic arsenite exposure in
      mice. METHODS: The 8-week-old C57BL/6N mice were matched by weight and divided
      into control group and supplementation group, which were given 0 or 10 microg/ml
      of sodium arsenite in the drinking water, and continuous exposed for 6 months.
      RESULTS: Arsenic was found in various tissues and organs. The highest ones were
      in the kidney, lung and liver, reached (563.9 +/- 222.5), (458.6 +/- 191.0) and
      (279.8 +/- 81.2) ng/g, respectively while the lowest in the blood and brain,
      reached (82.2 +/- 26.7) ng/ml and (101.8 +/- 30.1) ng/g, respectively. Arsenic
      exists mainly in the form of dimethylarsinous acid (DMA). Compared to the control
      group, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between arsenic and
      chromium, copper, zinc, selenium, lead in some organs of arsenic exposed group,
      but not cadmium. Furthermore, the 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) level of the
      exposed group was (149.1 +/- 1.0) ng/ml, which was significantly higher than the
      control group of (76.4 +/- 27.9) ng/ml. CONCLUSION: Arsenic accumulated in
      various tissues and organs mainly in the form of DMA, which affected the balance
      of chromium, copper, zinc, selenium and lead in the body, and led to DNA damage
      after subchronic exposure.

PMID- 24218883
TI  - [Association research between polymorphism of IFN-gamma and IL-10, environmental
      risk factors, and susceptibility to esophageal cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the polymorphism of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and
      interleukin-10 (IL-10) with susceptibility to esophageal cancer (EC), as well as
      the interaction between the environmental risk factors and the polymorphism of
      IFN-gamma or IL- 10. To explore the interaction between the polymorphism of IFN
      gamma and IL-10. METHODS: According to the case-control design, 120 EC cases and
      122 controls were examined. PCR technology was used to determine the genotypes of
      IFN-gamma + A874T and IL-10 -A1082G. Indicators of quantitative analysis for
      interaction between IFN-gamma and IL-10, and parts of environmental factors were
      calculated by crossover analysis multiplicative mode. RESULTS: Allele frequencies
      of T of IFN-gamma + A874T was 37.92% in case group higher than 28.7% in control
      group (chi2 = 4.6414, P = 0.0312). Compared with IFN-gamma + 874AA genotype, OR
      of IFN-gamma + 874AT genotype was 1.729 (95% CI 1.015-2.947), OR of IFN-gamma +
      874TT genotype was 2.923 (95% CI 1.227-5.214) and OR of IFN-gamma + 874AT + TT
      genotype was 1.821 (95% CI 1.081-3.069). There was synergistic action between IFN
      gamma + 874AT + TT and drink index, moldy food and regular diet habit, their S
      respectively were 1.909, 4.154 and 5.026. The interaction between IFN-gamma +
      874AT + TT and IL-10 -1082AG + GG was not increased the risk of EC OR = 2.342
      (95% CI 0.975-5.626). CONCLUSION: The IFN-gamma + 874AT genotype might be a risk
      factor to EC. T allele gene may be heredity predisposing gene of EC. IFN-gamma +
      874 AT + TT genotype as the corresponding reduction of the environmental risk
      factors can reduce the incidence of esophageal cancer.

PMID- 24218884
TI  - [Profile of P66SHC expression and histone modifications in replicative cell
      senescence and oxidative-stress induced premature senescence].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the profile of P66SHc expression and histone modifications in
      replicatively senescenct cells and oxidative-stress inducing premature senescenct
      cells. METHODS: HPF cells were continuously cultured and subcultured in vitro to
      build replicative cellular model. HPF cells were treated with 200 pmol/L H2 O2
      four times to build oxidative-stress inducing premature senescenct model.
      Comparative Q-PCR was utilized to investigate target gene (P66SHC, EP300, HDAC1)
      expressions respectively in H2O2 treated groups and normal cell groups. Then CHIP
      QPCR was conducted to analyze histone modifications of P66SHC between young cells
      and aging cells. RESULTS: P66SHC expression was positive correlation with H2O2
      doses and population doubling level (PDL) (R = 0.909, P = 0.000; R = 0.743, P =
      0.006), while EP300 was negative correlation with H2O2 (R = - 0.922, P = 0.000)
      and both EP300 and HDAC1 were negative with PDL (R = -0.709, P = 0.010, R = 
      0.599, P = 0.040). H3 histone modifications were declined in P66SHc gene
      regulating region. H3-Ac, H3K9-Ac and H3K4-tri-Me were dominant in the upstream
      region of transcriptional site (-3.0 kb) and alternative promotor (+3.8 kb).
      CONCLUSION: P66SHC, EP300 and HDAC1 probably play a role in cellular replicative
      senescence and oxidative-stress inducing premature senescence. Besides, histone
      modification could regulate P66SHC gene expression.

PMID- 24218885
TI  - [Depressive symptoms and its related factors among primary and middle school
      students in an urban-rural-integrated area of Chongqing].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of depressive symptom and its
      influencing factors among primary and middle school students in urban-rural
      integrated area of Chongqing. METHODS: A total of 3 013 primary and middle school
      students from an urban-rural-integrated area of Chongqing were selected by using
      multistage stratified cluster sampling method in this study. The general
      information, physical activities and physical examination conditions were
      investigated. Meanwhile, the depress symptoms were assessed by using children's
      depression inventory (CDI) and the incidence of adolescence related events were
      evaluated by using pubertal development scale (PDS). Chi-square test was used to
      analyze the detection rate of depression symptoms among different population and
      Logistic regression was used to analyse the influencing factors of depressive
      symptoms among primary and middle school students. RESULTS: The detection rate of
      depressive symptoms was 20.1% (607/3013) totally, and it was gradually higher
      among the students with bad to good economic status (28.3%/18.4%/18.3%, chi2 =
      28.415, P < 0.05). The students' detection rate of depression symptoms in
      different development level compared to companion by self image were 43.1%,
      26.5%, 22.0% and 15.8% (chi2 = 79.621, P < 0.01). Among the senior school
      students, worse economic status, higher development level in self-evaluation, and
      no physical activities in a recent month (including physical training, aerobic
      exercise) were considered as the influencing factors of depressive symptoms.
      CONCLUSION: Focusing on the physical and mental health of growing children,
      establishing a good school environment and family environment, and strengthening
      physical activities will contribute to reducing the incidence of depressive
      symptoms.

PMID- 24218886
TI  - [Expert investigation on food safety standard system framework construction in
      China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Through investigating food safety standard framework among food safety
      experts, to summarize the basic elements and principles of food safety standard
      system, and provide policy advices for food safety standards framework. METHODS:
      A survey was carried out among 415 experts from government, professional
      institutions and the food industry/enterprises using the National Food Safety
      Standard System Construction Consultation Questionnaire designed in the name of
      the Secretariat of National Food Safety Standard Committee. RESULTS: Experts have
      different advices in each group about the principles of food product standards,
      food additive product standards, food related product standards, hygienic
      practice, test methods. According to the results, the best solution not only may
      reflect experts awareness of the work of food safety standards situation, but
      also provide advices for setting and revision of food safety standards for the
      next. CONCLUSION: Through experts investigation, the framework and guiding
      principles of food safety standard had been built.

PMID- 24218887
TI  - [Prevalence survey of using characteristics of quality, quantity, origin and
      composition claims on food labels in China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand the using characteristics of quality, quantity, origin
      and composition claims on food labels in China. METHODS: To get the label samples
      from different size of supermarket by taking photos in Beijing, and also samples
      were provided by provincial quality technical supervision, et al. Then extracted
      the claims from the label samples, classified the samples by determined food
      categories, and analyzed the using characteristics of these claims. RESULTS: The
      constituent ratio of quality, quantity, origin and composition claims were
      29.48%, 2.24%, 29.21%, 31.81% among all the samples. The constituent ratio of
      snacks (16.11%) was maximum among all the samples using quality claims, and grain
      and its products (36.00%) for quantity claims, meat and meat products (22. 09%)
      for origin claims, snacks (27.04%) for composition claims. "Nature, Natural"
      (48.63%) was the most used claims among all the samples using quality claims,
      "Exaggerated capacity" (44.00%) was the most for quantity claims, "Product of ,
      From, Manufactured in" (34.36%) was the most for origin claims, and "Pure, 100% ,
      All" (38.03%) was the most for composition claims. CONCLUSION: The using of
      quality, quantity, origin, and composition claims is frequently on food labels in
      China, and a lot of studies should be taken on this field, government should also
      enact regulations to regulate the use of this claims.

PMID- 24218888
TI  - [Comparison and anylisis on national quality control examination results of
      pesticides residues in food in 2009 and 2011].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To find out and compare the professionals proficiency of monitoring
      and inspection agencies on pesticide residue in food, and identify the main
      factors affecting the quality of result to provide references for improving the
      quality of the monitoring and inspection results. METHODS: Compare the national
      quality control examination results of pesticides residues in food of 2009 with
      2011. RESULTS: The submission rates of examination results in 2011 were much
      higher than in 2009. They were respectively 100% and 83.6%. With the exception of
      few pesticides, the qualitative qualification rate and quantitative satisfaction
      rate of other pesticides were also relatively higher, and the qualitative
      qualification rate and quantitative satisfaction rate in 2011 were all higher
      than the same examination pesticides in 2009. For instance, the qualitative
      qualification rate of chlorpyrifos were respectively 99.4% and 96.8% in 2011 and
      2009. The qualitative qualification rate of triazophos were respectively 100% and
      97.1% in 2011 and 2009. The quantitative satisfaction rate of chlorpyrifos were
      respectively 93.8% and 90.2% in 2011 and 2009. The quantitative satisfaction rate
      of triazophos were respectively 91.9% and 87.2% in 2011 and 2009. CONCLUSION: The
      general testing levels of monitoring and inspection agencies on pesticide residue
      in food were sufficient, and their testing proficiency increased year by year,
      but some institutions still need to improve the testing proficiency.

PMID- 24218889
TI  - [Study on predictive value of pulmonary ventilation function of healthy coal mine
      workers].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish the predictive value of pulmonary ventilation function
      for dust-exposed-workers in some coal mine. METHODS: From March to August in
      2011, 2994 coal workers were involved in the research, their pulmonary
      ventilation function were examined by pulmonary function measuring instrument.
      1389 worker's pulmonary ventilation function were normal, the data of 1139
      workers established the predictive value equation, and those of 250 workers
      tested the equation. RESULTS: Age was negatively correlated with FVC, FEV1,
      FEV1%, MMF and PEFR (P < 0.05). Height was negatively correlated with FEV1%,
      however, it was positively correlated with others (P < 0.05). Weight was
      negatively correlated with MMF and positively correlated with FVC and PEFR (P <
      0.05). The regression equation of the predictive value was established by age,
      height and weight as in dependent variables. It were above 90% that the
      accordance ratio to test the equation by original data and test data. Predictive
      value of pulmonary ventilatory function from predictive value equation were lower
      than that of lung fucntion machine (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Predictive value of
      pulmonary ventilatory function from predictive value equation was superior to
      that of lung fucntion machine.

PMID- 24218890
TI  - [Comparison of the effects between maize germ oil and lard oil loading on blood
      lipids and fatty acid profile of mice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in blood lipids and fatty acids profile of
      mice after different oil loading, and explore the effects of different dietary
      fatty acids on postprandial blood lipids and fatty acid profile. METHODS: Ninety
      six C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 2 groups by weight ,maize germ oil
      group and lard oil group. The mice were given maize germ oil or lard oil by
      gavage at a dose of 1 ml/100 mg BW, respectively, after over-night fasting. At 0,
      30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min after oil loading, 8 mice were selected randomly
      from both groups, respectively, and blood was collected via orbital bleeding for
      postprandial blood lipids and fatty acid profile analysis. RESULTS: The serum
      triglycerides and total free fatty acids levels in mice loaded with lard oil were
      significantly higher than those in mice loaded with maize germ oil, respectively,
      at 120, 180, 240 min. The serum saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty
      acids in mice loaded with lard oil were significantly higher, whereas serum
      polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly lower than those in mice loaded
      with maize germ oil at 60, 120, 180 and 240 min (P < 0.05). Serum palmitic oil
      and oleic oil in mice loaded with lard oil were higher, whereas linoleic oil and
      arachidonic acid were lower than those in mice loaded with maize germ oil at 60,
      120, 180 and 240 min (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with maize germ oil, lard
      oil leads to higher postprandial serum triglycerides and saturated fatty acids
      levels, that may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 24218891
TI  - [Multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis of Staphylococcus aureus
      in one food poisoning case].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To type Staphylococcus aureus strains from a food poisoning case by
      MLVA method, detect staphylococcal enterotoxin, and provide lab evidence for
      molecular epidemiological study and analysis of evolution. METHODS: The genomic
      DNA of 10 stains in the food poisoning case were used as PCR template. Eight
      pairs of primers were selected from the MLVA database. The PCR method was carried
      out and the PCR products were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. The results
      were analyzed by BioCalculator and compared with the MLVA database. The
      staphylococcal enterotoxin was detected with colloidal gold method. RESULTS: The
      8 VNTR PCR products have no differernce in the 10 strains, the size of VNTR09_01,
      VNTR61_01, VNTR61_02, VNTR67_01, VNTR21_01, VNTR24_01, VNTR63_01 and VNTR81_01
      are 373, 361, 328, 279, 845, 354, 394 and 658 bp, respectively. The 10 strains
      belong to the same MLVA type, which is a new MLVA type differnernt from other
      3892 strains in MLVA database, the MLVA profile is 15-2-2-2-35-8-2-7. Meanwhile,
      the 10 strains have the same kind of staphylococcal enterotoxin, the are
      enterotoxin A and enterotoxin B. CONCLUSION: The 10 Staphylococcus aureus strains
      are of one MLVA type, and have the same characters of staphylococcal enterotoxin.
      They have high homology.

PMID- 24218892
TI  - [Observation on both Na(+)-K+ Atpase activity and expression of Na(+)-K+ AtPase
      alpha1 mRNA in lung tissues of rats acute poisoned with nickel carbonyl].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the change of Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity and the expressions
      of Na(+)-K+ ATPase alpha1 mRNA in lung tissues of rats poisoned by nickel
      carbonyl and to discuss the mechanism of lung injury. METHODS: One hundred
      seventy healthy rats (85 male and 85 female) were exposed by inhalation of 20,135
      and 250 mg/m3 nickel carbonyl for 30 min. Rats poisoned by chlorine gas with a
      concentration 250 mg/m3 served as positive group and healthy SD rats served as no
      treatment negative group. The rats were euthanized on 1, 2, 3 and 7 d after the
      administration of nickel carbonyl or chlorine gas. In various treatment groups,
      Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity was studied by colorimetric method and the expressions
      of Na(+)-K+ ATPase alpha1 mRNA were determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Na(+)-K+
      ATPase activity and expressions of Na(+)-K+ ATPase alpha1 mRNA in lung tissues
      decreased in all treatment groups and chlorine gas-poisoned group, especially it
      was obvious decreased on the 2ed and 3rd day (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Nickel
      carbonyl could induce lung damage and decrease Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity and
      expressions of Na(+)-K+ ATPase alpha1 mRNA in lung.

PMID- 24218893
TI  - [Traffic-related PM2.5 regulates IL-2 releasing in Jurkat T cells by calcium
      signaling pathway].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of traffic-related PM2.5 on interleukin-2 (IL
      2) in Jurkat T cells and the regulatory action of calcium signaling pathway.
      METHODS: The cells were exposed to 100 microg/ml of PM2.5 for 3, 6 and 24 h.
      Normal saline group, blank filter group, calcium chelating agent EGTA group and
      the calcineurin antagonist cyclosporine A (CSA) group were as parallel control.
      The level of IL-2 was detected by ELISA kits, the mRNA expression of CaN, NFAT
      were determined by QRT-PCR. The nuclear distribution of NFAT was observed by
      immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: The level of IL-2 in Jurkat T cells
      exposed to 100 microg/ml PM2.5 was significantly lower than parallel groups, but
      higher than PM2.5 + CSA group and PM2.5 + EGTA group (P < 0.05). With the
      increase of time, the releasing level of IL-2 appeared reducing trend in 100
      microg/ml of PM2.5 group. The mRNA expression level of NFAT and CaN were higher
      than parallel groups, PM2.5 + CSA group and PM2.5 + EGTA group (P < 0.05). PM2.5
      can induce NFAT protein with dephosphorylation and be activated, and NFAT protein
      can shift into nuclear. The level of IL-2 was negatively associated with the
      expression level of NFAT and CaN gene (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Traffic-related
      PM2.5 may inhibit the releasing of IL-2, Ca(2+)-CaN-NFAT signal pathway may
      involve in the regulation of IL-2.

PMID- 24218894
TI  - [Determination of S-phenylmercapturic acid in urine by on-line enrichment liquid
      chromatography tandem mass spectrometry].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop on-line enrichment liquid chromatography tandem mass (LC
      MS/MS) method for determination of S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) in urine.
      METHODS: With d2-S-PMA added as internal standard, the urine samples were cleaned
      up and concentrated on Hypersil GOLD (20 mm x 2.1 mm x 12.0 microm) columns, and
      the targeted compounds were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS under negative ion mode using
      Hypersil GOLD (50 mm x 2.1 mm x 3.0 microm) columns as analyzed columns. In the
      process of enrichment, the mobile phase is CH3OH: HCOOH (0.2%) = 5:95 (volume
      ratio), the flow rate is 1.50 ml/min. During the analysis, the mobile phase is
      CH3CN and HCOOH (0.2%) gradient elution, the flow rate is 350 microl/min.
      RESULTS: The linear range was 0-500 ng/ml. The related coefficient was 0.9986.
      The detection limit was 8.0 ng/ml. The recoveries were 78.2%-84.5%. The relative
      standard deviation was 1.49% (n = 5). CONCLUSION: The method uses internal
      standard method, it was used for determination of S-phenylmercapturic acid in the
      urine, sample don't need too much pretreatment, the sample volume to reduce, the
      organic solvent volume decrease. The method was simple, rapid, sensitive and
      accurate. It was for the detecting for S-phenylmercapturic acid in urine.

PMID- 24218895
TI  - [Discussion on barium sulfate turbidity as arbitration inspection method for
      sulfate in drinking water].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the suitability of barium sulfate turbidity in Standard
      examination methods for drinking water (GB/T 5750.5-2006) as arbitration
      inspection method of sulfate in drinking water by evaluation of uncertainty.
      METHODS: The expanded uncertainty of determination result for the unknown water
      sample was given by evaluating all uncertainty components in process of
      determination of barium sulfate turbidity. RESULTS: The determination result of
      the unknown water sample is 250 mg/L , with the expanded uncertainty of 42 mg/L
      (kappa = 2). CONCLUSION: This method could not accurately determine the amount of
      sulfate which is close to health standard limited in drinking water, at the same
      time, it' s unsuitable as arbitration inspection method of sulfate in drinking
      water. Because the expanded uncertainty of determination results of the unknown
      water sample by barium sulfate turbidity is so big, with the confidence regions
      of sulfate of 208-292 mg/L. So, evaluating uncertainty of the determination
      results is helpful to choose the suitable arbitration inspection method.

PMID- 24218896
TI  - [Foodborne illness report systems in China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To introduce the current foodborne illness report system in China.
      METHODS: Foodborne illness (food poisoning included) report system and food
      related unusual cases reported system were characterized by their report
      definitions, scopes and report procedures as well as their differences. RESULTS:
      From October, 2010 to June, 2012, there are 2961 centers of disease control and
      prevention and heath executive organizations at the different local levels
      registered in the foodborne illness (food poisoning included) report system and
      1525 incidents were reported. There were 553 hospitals registered in the food
      related unusual cases reported system while only 38 cases reported. CONCLUSION:
      The foodborne illness report system has been set up in China and further efforts
      in capacities building are needed.

PMID- 24218897
TI  - [Suitability analysis of tolerance limit for aflatoxin M1 in foods and Chinese
      population dietary exposure to aflatoxin M1 from milk].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the suitability of tolerance limit for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1)
      in foods and Chinese population dietary exposure to AFM1 from milk. METHODS: Milk
      and dairy products consumption data combined with the tolerance limit for AFM1 in
      foods as well as the concentration of AFM1 in milk were employed in assessment of
      both the intakes of AFM1 and the Chinese population long-time exposure to AFM1.
      AFM1 intake and the dietary exposure to projected risks for liver cancer
      attributable to either use of the maximum levels of AFM1 of 0.05 microg/kg milk
      or consumption of milk contaminated with AFM1 were assessed. RESULTS: Assuming
      that all milk and dairy products on sale contain AFM1 at the level equal to the
      tolerance limit of 0.5 microg/kg, the total average dietary exposure to AFM1 in
      Chinese population will be 0.20 ng per kilogram bodyweight per day, the increased
      risk of liver cancer in humans will be as 0.00062 cases per 100,000 individuals
      per year, if the incidence of HBs Ag carriers of 7.18% takes into account. As for
      the milk sample contaminated with AFM1 at the level of 1.2 microg/kg analyzed and
      issued by the General Adminstration of Quality Surpervision Inspection and
      Qarantine of China in 2011, the total average long-term exposure of the Chinese
      population to AFM1 from this milk sample will be 0.43 ng per kilogram bodyweight
      per day, the increased risk of liver cancer in humans might be 0.00133 cases per
      100,000 individuals per year. CONCLUSION: The tolerance limit for AFM1 of 0.5
      microg/kg implemented in China can effectively protect the whole population. In
      addition, although the health risk of short-term exposure to AFM1-contaminated
      milk is acceptable, the government still should take the effective measures to
      control the contamination of AFM1 in milk so as to reduce the Chinese long-time
      exposure to AFM1.

PMID- 24218898
TI  - [Acute risk assessment of cumulative dietary exposure to organophosphorus
      pesticide among people in Jiangsu province].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand the cumulative dietary exposure of Jiangsu residents to
      organophosphorus (OPs) pesticide and make acute risk assessment. METHODS:
      Integrated the data of the nutrition and health status of residents in Jiangsu
      and the data of monitoring of OPs pesticide in agricultural products.
      Chlorpyrifos was selected as index compound (index chemical, IC), then use
      relative potency factor (RPF) approach which commended by EPA and simple
      distribution evaluation. Caloulated the dietary cumulative exposure of OPs
      pesticide among Jiangsu residents and compared with acute reference dose (ARfD),
      then made risk assessment. RESULTS: The exposure of rural group of age 3-6 and 7
      11 were 133.84 microg/kg BW and 154.32 microg/kg BW, exceeded ARfD. The exposure
      level of kids and elder was higher than adults. The exposure level of rural
      residents were higher than urban residents. The highest contribution to the food
      of each age group was greengrocery and leek. CONCLUSION: The average level of
      exposure was safety in Jiangsu, high exposure children were at acute poisoning
      risk. High contribution food such as greengrocery and leek should be strengthen
      monitoring.

PMID- 24218899
TI  - Improving the human-computer dialogue with increased temporal predictability.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: An experiment was conducted to investigate the impacts of length and
      variability of system response time (SRT) on user behavior and user experience
      (UX) in sequential computing tasks. BACKGROUND: Length is widely considered to be
      the most important aspect of SRTs in human-computer interaction. Research on
      temporal attention shows that humans adjust to temporal structures and that
      performance substantially improves with temporal predictability. METHOD:
      Participants performed a sequential task with simulated office software. Duration
      and variability, that is, the number of different SRTs, was manipulated. Lower
      variability came at the expense of on average higher durations. User response
      times, task execution times, and failure rates were measured to assess user
      performance. UX was measured with a questionnaire. RESULTS: A reduction in
      variability improved user performance significantly. Whereas task load and
      failure rates remained constant, responses were significantly faster. Although a
      reduction in variability came along with, on average, increased SRTs, no
      difference in UX was found. CONCLUSION: Considering SRT variability when
      designing software can yield considerable performance benefits for the users.
      Although reduced variability comes at the expense of overall longer SRTs, the
      interface is not subjectively evaluated to be less satisfactory or demanding.
      Time design should aim not only at reducing average SRT length but also at
      finding the optimum balance of length and variability. APPLICATION: Our findings
      can easily be applied in any user interface for sequential tasks. User
      performance can be improved without loss of satisfaction by selectively
      prolonging particular SRTs to reduce variability.

PMID- 24218900
TI  - Linear modeling of human hand-arm dynamics relevant to right-angle torque tool
      interaction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A new protocol was evaluated for identification of stiffness, mass,
      and damping parameters employing a linear model for human hand-arm dynamics
      relevant to right-angle torque tool use. BACKGROUND: Powered torque tools are
      widely used to tighten fasteners in manufacturing industries. While these tools
      increase accuracy and efficiency of tightening processes, operators are
      repetitively exposed to impulsive forces, posing risk of upper extremity
      musculoskeletal injury. METHODS: A novel testing apparatus was developed that
      closely mimics biomechanical exposure in torque tool operation. Forty experienced
      torque tool operators were tested with the apparatus to determine model
      parameters and validate the protocol for physical capacity assessment. RESULTS: A
      second-order hand-arm model with parameters extracted in the time domain met
      model accuracy criterion of 5% for time-to-peak displacement error in 93% of
      trials (vs. 75% for frequency domain). Average time-to-peak handle displacement
      and relative peak handle force errors were 0.69 ms and 0.21%, respectively. Model
      parameters were significantly affected by gender and working posture. CONCLUSION:
      Protocol and numerical calculation procedures provide an alternative method for
      assessing mechanical parameters relevant to right-angle torque tool use. The
      protocol more closely resembles tool use, and calculation procedures demonstrate
      better performance of parameter extraction using time domain system
      identification methods versus frequency domain. APPLICATION: Potential future
      applications include parameter identification for in situ torque tool operation
      and equipment development for human hand-arm dynamics simulation under impulsive
      forces that could be used for assessing torque tools based on factors relevant to
      operator health (handle dynamics and hand-arm reaction force).

PMID- 24218901
TI  - Variation in muscle activity among office workers when using different
      information technologies at work and away from work.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in muscle activity amplitudes and variation
      of amplitudes when using different information and communication technologies
      (ICT). BACKGROUND: Office workers use different ICT to perform tasks. Upper body
      musculoskeletal complaints are frequently reported by this occupational group.
      Increased muscle activity and insufficient variation are potential risk factors
      for musculoskeletal complaints. METHOD: Muscle activity of right and left upper
      trapezius and right wrist extensor muscle bundle (extensor carpi radialis longus
      and brevis) of 24 office workers (performing their usual tasks requiring
      different ICT at work and away from work) were measured continuously over 10 to
      12 hours. Muscle activity variation was quantified using two indices, amplitude
      probability distribution function and exposure variation analysis. RESULTS: There
      was a trend for electronics-based New ICT tasks to involve less electromyography
      (EMG) variation than paper-based Old ICT tasks. Performing Combined ICT tasks
      (i.e., using paper- and electronics-based ICT simultaneously) resulted in the
      highest muscle activity levels and least variation; however, these Combined ICT
      tasks were rarely performed. Tasks involving no ICT (Non-ICT) had the greatest
      muscle activity variation. CONCLUSION: Office workers in this study used various
      ICT during tasks at work and away from work. The high EMG amplitudes and low
      variation observed when using Combined ICT may present the greatest risk for
      musculoskeletal complaints, and use of Combined ICT by workers should be kept low
      in office work. Breaking up combined, New, and Old ICT tasks, for example, by
      interspersing highly variable Non-ICT tasks into office workers' daily tasks,
      could increase overall muscle activity variation and reduce risk for
      musculoskeletal complaints.

PMID- 24218902
TI  - Energetic arousal and language: predictions from the computational theory of
      quantifiers processing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The author examines the relationship between energetic arousal (EA)
      and the processing of sentences containing natural-language quantifiers.
      BACKGROUND: Previous studies and theories have shown that energy may
      differentially affect various cognitive functions. Recent investigations devoted
      to quantifiers strongly support the theory that various types of quantifiers
      involve different cognitive functions in the sentence-picture verification task.
      METHOD: In the present study, 201 students were presented with a sentence-picture
      verification task consisting of simple propositions containing a quantifier that
      referred to the color of a car on display. Color pictures of cars accompanied the
      propositions. In addition, the level of participants' EA was measured before and
      after the verification task. RESULTS: It was found that EA and performance on
      proportional quantifiers (e.g., "More than half of the cars are red") are in an
      inverted U-shaped relationship. CONCLUSION: This result may be explained by the
      fact that proportional sentences engage working memory to a high degree, and
      previous models of EA-cognition associations have been based on the assumption
      that tasks that require parallel attentional and memory processes are best
      performed when energy is moderate. APPLICATION: The research described in the
      present article has several applications, as it shows the optimal human
      conditions for verbal comprehension. For instance, it may be important in
      workplace design to control the level of arousal experienced by office staff when
      work is mostly related to the processing of complex texts. Energy level may be
      influenced by many factors, such as noise, time of day, or thermal conditions.

PMID- 24218903
TI  - Dual-coded advisory turn indicators for GPS navigational guidance of surface
      vehicles: effects of map orientation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the decision times for left-right
      decisions for a dual-coded advisory turn indicator and a typical spatial-only
      turn indicator in a GPS navigational map display. BACKGROUND: Track-up maps are
      useful for turn decision making but do not facilitate configural knowledge
      acquisition of an area. North-up maps present a stable orientation for this type
      of learning, but typical implementations of north-up map displays lead to
      misaligned and confusing turn information. We compared a typical spatial-only
      indicator with a dual-coded spatial-plus-verbal indicator, systematically
      manipulating vehicle heading and measuring reaction time. The new display, the
      Dual-Coded Advisory Turn Indicator for Maps (DATIM), was based on an assumption
      of the advantages of concurrent verbal and spatial processing of advisory turn
      indicators in map displays. METHOD: The experimental design was a 2 x 2 x 24
      mixed design with indicator type as a between-subjects factor and turn direction
      (left, right) and 24 heading angles (15 degrees intervals) as repeated-measures
      factors. Participants made turn decisions while viewing static displays of
      intersections at variably rotated headings. RESULTS: Reaction time for the DATIM
      display was consistently faster than the typical spatial-only indicator at all
      heading angles but especially at heading angles beyond +/- 45 degrees (520-ms
      difference at 180 degrees). CONCLUSION: The DATIM display produced faster turn
      decisions at all heading angles. APPLICATION: DATIM displays could allow north-up
      maps to be used for turn-by-turn decision making in GPS navigational systems.
      Drivers could have the advantages of both the stable orientation to facilitate
      planning and the easy turn-by-turn guidance. Limitations are discussed.

PMID- 24218904
TI  - Relative position vectors: an alternative approach to conflict detection in air
      traffic control.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We explore whether the visual presentation of relative position
      vectors (RPVs) improves conflict detection in conditions representing some
      aspects of future airspace concepts. BACKGROUND: To help air traffic controllers
      manage increasing traffic, new tools and systems can automate more cognitively
      demanding processes, such as conflict detection. However, some studies reveal
      adverse effects of such tools, such as reduced situation awareness and increased
      workload. New displays are needed that help air traffic controllers handle
      increasing traffic loads. METHOD: A new display tool based on the display of
      RPVs, the Multi-Conflict Display (MCD), is evaluated in a series of simulated
      conflict detection tasks. The conflict detection performance of air traffic
      controllers with the MCD plus a conventional plan-view radar display is compared
      with their performance with a conventional plan-view radar display alone.
      RESULTS: Performance with the MCD plus radar was better than with radar alone in
      complex scenarios requiring controllers to find all actual or potential
      conflicts, especially when the number of aircraft on the screen was large.
      However performance with radar alone was better for static scenarios in which
      conflicts for a target aircraft, or target pair of aircraft, were the focus.
      CONCLUSION: Complementing the conventional plan-view display with an RPV display
      may help controllers detect conflicts more accurately with extremely high
      aircraft counts. APPLICATIONS: We provide an initial proof of concept that RPVs
      may be useful for supporting conflict detection in situations that are partially
      representative of conditions in which controllers will be working in the future.

PMID- 24218905
TI  - Coadaptive aiding and automation enhance operator performance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this work, we expand on the theory of adaptive aiding by measuring
      the effectiveness of coadaptive aiding, wherein we explicitly allow for both
      system and user to adapt to each other. BACKGROUND: Adaptive aiding driven by
      psychophysiological monitoring has been demonstrated to be a highly effective
      means of controlling task allocation and system functioning. Psychophysiological
      monitoring is uniquely well suited for coadaptation, as malleable brain activity
      may be used as a continuous input to the adaptive system. METHOD: To establish
      the efficacy of the coadaptive system, physiological activation of adaptation was
      directly compared with manual activation or no activation of the same automation
      and cuing systems. We used interface adaptations and automation that are
      plausible for real-world operations, presented in the context of a multi-remotely
      piloted aircraft control simulation. Each participant completed 3 days of testing
      during 1 week. Performance was assessed via proportion of targets successfully
      engaged. RESULTS: In the first 2 days of testing, there were no significant
      differences in performance between the conditions. However, in the third session,
      physiological adaptation produced the highest performance. CONCLUSION: By
      extending the data collection across multiple days, we offered enough time and
      repeated experience for user adaptation as well as online system adaptation,
      hence demonstrating coadaptive aiding. APPLICATION: The results of this work may
      be employed to implement more effective adaptive workstations in a variety of
      work domains.

PMID- 24218906
TI  - Does elastic resistance affect finger pinch discrimination?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The sensitivity of pinch movement discrimination between the thumb and
      index finger was assessed with and without elastic resistance. BACKGROUND:
      Researchers have examined the effect of elastic resistance on control of single
      upper-limb movements; however, no one has explored how elastic resistance affects
      proprioceptive acuity when using two digits simultaneously in a coordinated
      movement. METHOD: For this study, 16 right-handed, healthy young adults undertook
      an active finger pinch movement discrimination test for the right and left hands,
      with and without elastic resistance. We manipulated pinch movement distance by
      varying the size of the object that created the physical stop to end the pinch
      action. RESULTS: Adding elastic resistance from a spring to the thumb-index
      finger pinch task did not affect accuracy of pinch discrimination measured as
      either the just noticeable difference, F(1, 15) = 1.78, p = .20, or area under
      the curve, F(1, 15) = 0.07, p = .80. CONCLUSION: Having elastic resistance to
      generate lever return in pincers, tweezers, and surgical equipment or in virtual
      instruments is unlikely to affect pinch movement discrimination. APPLICATION:
      Elastic resistance did not affect finger pinch discrimination in the present
      study, suggesting that return tension on equipment lever arms has a practical but
      not perceptual function. An active finger pinch movement discrimination task,
      with or without elastic resistance, could be used for hand proprioceptive
      training and as a screening tool to identify those with aptitude or decrements in
      fine finger movement control.

PMID- 24218907
TI  - A three-component model of the control error in manual tracking of continuous
      random signals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The performance of human operators acting within closed-loop control
      systems is investigated in a classic tracking task. The dependence of the control
      error (tracking error) on the parameters display gain, k(display), and input
      signal frequency bandwidth, f(g), which alter task difficulty and presumably the
      control delay, is studied with the aim of functionally specifying it via a model.
      BACKGROUND: The human operator as an element of a cascaded human-machine control
      system (e.g., car driving or piloting an airplane) codetermines the overall
      system performance. Control performance of humans in continuous tracking has been
      described in earlier studies. METHOD: Using a handheld joystick, 10 participants
      tracked continuous random input signals. The parameters f(g) and k(display) were
      altered between experiments. RESULTS: Increased task difficulty promoted
      lengthened control delay and, consequently, increased control error.Tracking
      performance degraded profoundly with target deflection components above 1 Hz,
      confirming earlier reports. CONCLUSION: The control error is composed of a delay
      induced component, a demand-based component, and a novel component: a human
      tracking limit. Accordingly, a new model that allows concepts of the observed
      control error to be split into these three components is suggested. APPLICATION:
      To achieve optimal performance in control systems that include a human operator
      (e.g., vehicles, remote controlled rovers, crane control), (a) tasks should be
      kept as simple as possible to achieve shortest control delays, and (b) task
      components requiring higher-frequency (> 1 Hz) tracking actions should be avoided
      or automated by technical systems.

PMID- 24218909
TI  - [Medical research and the status of the embryo].

PMID- 24218908
TI  - The impact of eye movements and cognitive workload on lateral position
      variability in driving.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to understand the relationship between
      eye movements and cognitive workload in maintaining lane position while driving.
      BACKGROUND: Recent findings in driving research have found that, paradoxically,
      increases in cognitive workload decrease lateral position variability. If people
      drive where they look and drivers look more centrally with increased cognitive
      workload, then one could explain the decreases in lateral position variability as
      a result of changes in lateral eye movements. In contrast, it is also possible
      that cognitive workload brings about these patterns regardless of changes in eye
      movements. METHOD: We conducted three experiments involving a fixed-base driving
      simulator to independently manipulate eye movements and cognitive workload.
      RESULTS: Results indicated that eye movements played a modest role in lateral
      position variability, whereas cognitive workload played a much more substantial
      role. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in cognitive workload decrease lane position
      variability independently from eye movements. These findings are discussed in
      terms of hierarchical control theory. APPLICATIONS: These findings could
      potentially be used to identify periods of high cognitive workload during
      driving.

PMID- 24218910
TI  - [Equity and access to care].

PMID- 24218911
TI  - [Autonomy of the patient at the end of life and wish to die].

PMID- 24218912
TI  - [Causes of pain in obstetrics].
AB  - For women, the childbearing period is a source of pain related to dysmenorrhoea,
      childbirth, abortion, gynaecological diseases, etc. Physiologically, female sex
      hormones influence pain modulation. Whatever its cause, appropriate evaluation
      and treatment should be offered to relieve these women.

PMID- 24218913
TI  - [Evaluation and treatment of wound odour].
AB  - Some wounds are foul-smelling; this may be temporary or continuous. Since the
      ability to perceive odour varies from one individual to another, it is
      complicated to evaluate and use this symptom for diagnostic purposes. Various
      conventional and alternative treatments can be offered but there is no single,
      universal solution.

PMID- 24218914
TI  - [Diabetes training in Mayotte].
AB  - In 2012, the paramedical Francophone Diabetes Society (SFD) visited Mayotte in
      the context of a training programme for health professionals. The training
      addressed diabetes prevention, self-monitoring of blood glucose and treatment
      management while respecting the population's cultural habits.

PMID- 24218915
TI  - [Multidisciplinary and coordinated patient management].

PMID- 24218916
TI  - [Epidemiology of multiple trauma].
AB  - Whereas the number of serious accidents is decreasing in France, 50% of all
      people involved in traffic accidents are severely injured. They suffer from
      multiple injuries that require multi-disciplinary care. This real public health
      problem carries non-negligible human and financial costs for society.

PMID- 24218917
TI  - [Physiopathology of multiple trauma].
AB  - Multiple trauma is a complex entity that can be life-threatening. It is essential
      to understand the links between injuries and intervene as quickly as possible to
      provide the cells with a constant and appropriate supply of oxygen in order to
      prevent irreversible damage.

PMID- 24218918
TI  - [Pre-hospital care for multi-trauma patients].
AB  - To provide care for multi-trauma patients, prehospital teams need to act
      immediately, jointly and efficiently. Their objectives are to stabilise the
      patient's vital functions and identify injuries responsible for hemodynamic
      and/or respiratory failure.

PMID- 24218919
TI  - [Multi-trauma patients undergoing shock management].
AB  - Multi-trauma patients need specific care provided by medical teams and hospitals
      with a technical platform that optimises emergency care.They also require a
      special 'shock management' unit with staff members available to welcome these
      patients and maintain their vital functions.

PMID- 24218920
TI  - [Care for multi-trauma patients, from the transfer to the operating theatre to
      intensive care].
AB  - Nurses caring for multi-trauma patients returning from the operating theatre need
      to have extensive knowledge. Their role is to prevent and detect any
      complications, and namely respiratory and neurological complications, and act
      efficiently to keep the patient's condition from deteriorating.

PMID- 24218921
TI  - [Support for the families of multi-trauma patients in intensive care].
AB  - Families are often in a state of shock when they learn that a loved one has been
      in an accident and been hospitalised in intensive care. The multi-disciplinary
      team works in synergy to welcome, inform, support and direct these families.

PMID- 24218922
TI  - [Facial trauma and multiple trauma].
AB  - The human face contains the sense organs and is responsible for essential
      functions: swallowing, chewing, speech, breathing and communication. It is also
      and most importantly the seat of a person's identity. Multiple trauma adds a life
      threatening dimension to the physical and psychological impact of a facial
      trauma.

PMID- 24218923
TI  - [An interdisciplinary approach to benefit multi-trauma patients with psychiatric
      disorders].
AB  - Care for multi-trauma patients with psychiatric disorders is specific and
      interdisciplinary. Reflection is required to offer care tailored to each
      patient's personality. Communication between caregivers is essential.

PMID- 24218924
TI  - [Work after brain damage: unpredictability of outcomes].
AB  - The Unit for Evaluation, Re-Education and Socio-Professional Orientation (UEROS)
      is a bridge between the hospital environment and professional life. It assists
      brain-damaged patients with their social and professional reintegration while
      taking into account their specific needs.

PMID- 24218925
TI  - [Ethics and therapeutic advances in the field of prosthetics].

PMID- 24218926
TI  - [Patients with multiple trauma. Bibliography].

PMID- 24218927
TI  - [A tool for the management of patients with pulmonary embolism].
AB  - In order to develop materials for the validation of skills in the pulmonology
      intensive care unit, a steering committee on 'Learning situations' was created in
      the University Hospitals Paris-West (Hupo-AP-HP). A tool was developed based on
      knowledge and skills to be validated by students in the event of pulmonary
      embolism.

PMID- 24218928
TI  - [Applying knowledge according to type of nursing care plan and clinical pathway].

PMID- 24218929
TI  - Distribution and conservation of endangered Temoleh, Probarbus jullieni (Sauvage,
      1880).
AB  - The freshwater fish, Probarbus jullieni (Sauvage), locally referred to as
      "Temoleh", is a high-valued freshwater fish in Malaysia and has both cultural and
      conservational significance. It is widely distributed in the North-east Asian
      countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. During the recent
      past, the natural stocks of P. jullieni have been decreased severely due to
      habitat degradation and man-induced hazards in aquatic ecosystem. Despite the
      vast research that has been conducted on various carp species, little attention
      has been given to P. jullieni. This study reviewed the published information on
      the status, distribution, reproduction and biodiversity of this commercially
      important fish species. The findings would greatly be helpful towards the species
      conservation and aquaculture development of the highly endangered P. jullieni.

PMID- 24218930
TI  - Horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas (Muller, 1785) spawning population at Balok
      Beach, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
AB  - Local and regional decline of Asian horseshoe crabs has spurred a study on its
      spawning population at Balok Beach, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. This location was
      identified as spawning site due to the occurrence of horseshoe crab spawning
      pairs and nests. Size-frequency, length-weight relationships, sex ratio and
      epibiont infestation of Tachypleus gigas were studied. Instar stage was estimated
      based on prosomal width. Condition of the horseshoe crab carapace was reported.
      Visual search technique of horseshoe crab was conducted during high tide of new
      and full moons. Prosomal, opisthosomal and telson length and weight of each
      horseshoe crab were measured. Largest female was recorded with mean prosomal
      length and width of 154.4 and 246.9 mm, respectively. About 69.8% of the males
      belonged to size group of 151-200 mm and 53.3% of females were grouped into 201
      250 mm. All individuals were of fourteenth to sixteenth instar stages. Sex ratio
      varied from 0.313 to 2.5 and attributed to commercial harvest and monsoon season.
      Sand sediment of study site showed 93% of fine sands with grain size ranged from
      120 to 250 microm. Acorn and pedunculate barnacle, conical and flat slipper
      shells were found on the carapace of the specimens. Most males had damaged eyes
      and carapaces while females with broken telsons. Body damages of about 19.9% on
      the specimens were likely due to nearby fishing activities. Lack of satellite
      male indicated low spawning population. The finding of this study showed that the
      species is extremely threatened by human activities and coastal development.

PMID- 24218931
TI  - Azolla pinnata growth performance in different water sources.
AB  - Azolla pinnata R.Br. growth performance experiments in different water sources
      were conducted from May until July 2011 at Aquaculture Research Station, Puchong,
      Malaysia. Four types of water sources (waste water, drain water, paddy field
      water and distilled water) each with different nutrient contents were used to
      grow and evaluate the growth performance of A. pinnata. Four water sources with
      different nutrient contents; waste, drain, paddy and distilled water as control
      were used to evaluate the growth performance of A. pinnata. Generally,
      irrespective of the types of water sources there were increased in plant biomass
      from the initial biomass (e.g., after the first week; lowest 25.2% in distilled
      water to highest 133.3% in drain water) and the corresponding daily growth rate
      (3.61% in distilled water to 19.04% in drain water). The increased in biomass
      although fluctuated with time was consistently higher in drain water compared to
      increased in biomass for other water sources. Of the four water sources, drain
      water with relatively higher nitrate concentration (0.035 +/- 0.003 mg L(-l)) and
      nitrite (0.044 +/- 0.005 mg L(-1)) and with the available phosphate (0.032 +/-
      0.006 mg L(-1)) initially provided the most favourable conditions for Azolla
      growth and propagation. Based on BVSTEP analysis (PRIMER v5), the results
      indicated that a combination of more than one nutrient or multiple nutrient
      contents explained the observed increased in biomass of A. pinnata grown in the
      different water sources.

PMID- 24218932
TI  - Analysis of Condition Index in Polymesoda expansa (Mousson 1849).
AB  - The Condition Index (CI) is a method to measure overall health of fish and that
      has been applied to estimate the effect that different environmental factors have
      on clam meat quality. The CI of local mangrove clam Polymesoda expansa in
      Kelulit, Miri Sarawak was determined from October 2010 to November 2011.
      Condition index that is generally used to characterize the physiological activity
      of organisms, varied from 1.8% in December 2010 to 3.4% in October 2011, with low
      values observed during the spawning period. The clam attained their best
      condition in quality of flesh weight during July-October. In present study, the
      CI showed a clear relationship with the reproductive cycle of P. expansa.
      However, no significant correlation (p > 0.05) was found between CI and the
      different physicochemical parameter of seawater. The data presented is necessary
      for developing sustainable management strategies and broodstock selection for the
      species which is crucial in aquaculture development.

PMID- 24218933
TI  - Large-scale culture of a tropical marine microalga Chaetoceros calcitrans
      (Paulsen) Takano 1968 at different temperatures using annular photobioreactors.
AB  - Outdoor mass culture of microalgae in the tropical area is important to minimize
      its production cost. This study evaluates the growth of Chaetoceros calcitrans in
      120 L annular photobioreactors at indoor temperature (Treatment I, 25 +/- 2
      degrees C) and outdoor tropical ambient temperature, (Treatment II, 30 +/- 6
      degrees C). Each treatment was done in duplicates. For both treatments, C.
      calcitrans was first grown in starter columns of 10 L capacity for a period of 7
      days at 25 +/- 2 degrees C. After 7 days, the 9 L culture was transferred to the
      annular photobioreactors and subsequently brought to a final volume of 100 L by
      adding 20 L fresh medium every 5 days. There was no significant difference (p >
      0.05) in the dry weight of microalgae grown in natural light and those grown
      indoor. The results suggest that C. calcitrans can be grown in outdoor
      conditions, hence, saving time and microalgae production cost for the
      larviculture industry.

PMID- 24218934
TI  - Composition of macrobenthos in the Bakkhali channel system, Cox's Bazar with
      notes on soil parameter.
AB  - Macrobenthos in coastal environment that play a significant role in the food web.
      It could also use as a good indicator of aquatic ecosystem health. The abundance
      and composition of macrobenthos in Bakkhali channel system, Cox's Bazar were
      conducted in relation to the soil parameters. Samples were collected using Ekman
      Berge bottom grab from five different stations of Bakkhali channel. Macrobenthos
      were comprised of five major groups namely Polychaeta (9.96-30.31%), Oligochaeta
      (3.68-59.707%), Crustacea (0.02-58.40%), Bivalvia (1.40-82.09%) and Gastropoda
      (0.08-4.25%). Total number of macrobenthos was higher at station I (9000
      individuals m(-2)) and station II (8517 individuals m(-2)) compared to other
      stations. Shannon diversity index among the stations ranged from 0.65-1.04. Soil
      pH and soil moisture ranged from 6.1-6.4 and 23.44-31.29%, respectively. The
      highest organic carbon concentration was observed at station I (2.11%) and lowest
      at station III (1.40%). Maximum fraction of sand by weight was found at stations
      II (81.88%) and III (87.88) while the highest fraction of clay (21.52%) and silt
      (8.0%) were recorded in station I. It was observed that benthic bivalves were
      positively correlated (r = 0.891, p > 0.05) with silt fraction of the sediments.

PMID- 24218935
TI  - Spatial distribution of copepods along the salinity gradient of Perai river
      estuary, Penang, Malaysia.
AB  - Investigation on copepod communities in Perai river estuary was conducted from
      November 2005 to May 2006. Five stations were established for monthly sampling
      and were located from the river mouth to the upper reaches of the river. Copepod
      samples were collected from vertical tows using a standard zooplankton net. The
      Perai river estuary was slightly stratified and salinity decreases significantly
      from the mouth of the river towards the upper reaches of the river. A total of 28
      species of copepods were recorded and comprised of 14 families, Paracalanidae,
      Oithonidae, Corycaeidae, Acartiidae, Calanidae, Centropagidae, Eucalanidae,
      Pontellidae, Pseudodiaptomidae, Tortanidae, Ectinosomatidae, Euterpinidae,
      Clausidiidae and Cyclopidae. A total of 10 species showed high positive
      affiliation towards salinity (R > 0.60), Acartia spinicauda, Euterpina
      acutifrons, Microsetella norvegica, Oithona nana, Oithona simplex, Paracalanus
      crassirostris, Paracalanus elegans, Paracalanus parvus, Pseudodiaptomus sp. and
      Hemicyclops sp. The copepod species Pseudodiaptomus dauglishi were negatively
      affiliated towards salinity (R = -0.71). The copepod assemblages classified into
      two distinct groups according to salinity regimes, euryhaline-polyhaline group
      (25 marine affiliated species) and oligohaline-mesohaline group (3 freshwater
      affiliated species).

PMID- 24218936
TI  - Germination and seedling development of Trapa bispinosa Roxb.
AB  - Trapa bispinosa is a freshwater macrophyte occurring in stagnant or slow moving
      water streams. Information on assessment of seeds storage and germination of
      Trapa bispinosa is less available in literature. Dependence on fresh seeds
      abundance only from natural environment for plant propagation or cultivation may
      lead to insufficient supply of seeds due to various biotic and abiotic factors.
      This study evaluated the viability and germination of Trapa bispinosa seeds
      stored in zip-lock plastic bag at low temperature of 7 degrees C for six months
      and fresh seeds. In addition germinating seeds progressive development to
      juvenile plants was recorded and described. Experiments were conducted where
      stored and fresh seeds were soaked in 62 x 45 x 54 cm glass tanks filled with
      aged tap water to the level of 15 cm depth. Stored seeds showed low percentage
      germination of 2.82% compared to fresh seeds which was 71.19%. Eight distinct
      developmental stages were identified from germinating seeds to juvenile plants.
      Both stored and fresh seeds produced plants of similar morphology but stored
      seeds progressive development from germination, seedling to juvenile plants
      needed longer duration to achieve. The storage of seed at low temperature at 7
      degrees C for six months showed reduced viability and also vigorousity. Improved
      methods should be developed for Trapa seeds storage taking into account of the
      seeds' endurance to dryness and moisture levels in order to maintained seeds
      viability for future uses either for production, research purposes or even
      conservation and restoration programs.

PMID- 24218937
TI  - [Androgen/androgen receptor directly regulates the expression of Caveolin-1 in
      mouse epididymides].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms of androgen/androgen receptor (AR)
      regulating the expression of Caveolin-1 in the mouse epididymis. METHODS: The AR
      binding sites associated with the Caveolin-1 gene were identified by searching
      the database of genomewide AR binding sites in mouse epididymides obtained from
      chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq). Total RNA was extracted from
      the epididymal tissues of normal and castrated mice and those castrated but
      supplemented with testosterone propionate, and the expression of Caveolin-1 mRNA
      was detected by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. ChIP was performed with AR antibodies, and
      ChIP-PCR and ChIP-qPCR were used to determine the in vivo AR occupancies on the
      two sites associated with Caveolin-1. RESULTS: Two AR binding sites associated
      with Caveolin-1 were found in the database, both located in the second intron
      region. After castration, the expression of Caveolin-1 was significantly
      increased, 1.8 +/- 0.17 times that of the control group (P < 0.05), and the fold
      enrichments of the two AR binding sites were dramatically reduced from 13.5 +/-
      1.47 and 10.5 +/- 1.03 to 1.05 +/- 0.17 and 1.4 +/- 0.14, respectively (P <
      0.01). After androgen supplement, however, the expression of Caveolin-1 was
      decreased to normal (P < 0.05), and the fold enrichments of the two AR binding
      sites significantly increased to 16.4 +/- 2.6 and 10 +/- 0.92, respectively (P <
      0.01). CONCLUSION: Caveolin-1 is a bona fide AR direct target gene in the mouse
      epididymis, and its expression is negatively regulated by androgen. These
      findings have provided a new insight into the androgen/AR regulatory network in
      mouse epididymides.

PMID- 24218938
TI  - [Protective effect of pAdxsi-ERbeta adenovirus transfection on penile vascular
      endothelium in ERbetaKO mice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the overexpression of the ERbeta gene on
      the penile vascular endothelium of ERbeta knockout (ERbetaKO) mice and its
      molecular mechanisms. METHODS: We randomly divided 12 ERbetaKO male mice into
      groups A (ERbetaKO + TNFalpha + pAdxsi-ERbeta) and B (ERbetaKO + TNFalpha + empty
      virus), the former treated by pAdxsi-ERbeta adenovirus transfection, the latter
      with empty virus, and meanwhile both injected intraperitoneally with TNFalpha at
      6 microg per kg body weight per d for 14 days. Then we observed the erectile
      function of the mice by APO, determined the changes of the endothelial markers
      CD34 and vWF by immunohistochemical staining, and detected the expressions of the
      relevant molecules in the eNOS-NO pathway by RT-PCR, Western blot and
      immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with group B, group A showed a
      significantly increased number of penile erections (0.50 +/- 0.55 vs 2.17 +/-
      0.41, P < 0.05), shortened erectile latency ([28.83 +/- 1.33] min vs [24.00 +/-
      1.27] min, P < 0.05), enriched CD34 and vWF markers (0.67 +/- 0.52 vs 1.50 +/-
      0.55 and 0.50 +/- 0.55 vs 1.33 +/- 0.52, both P < 0.05), elevated expressions of
      eNOS and Cam (RT-PCR: 1.38 +/- 0.03 vs 1.62 +/- 0.05 and 1.02 +/- 0.09 vs 1.42 +/
      0.05, both P < 0.05; Western blot: 1.27 +/- 0.04 vs 1.55 +/- 0.07 and 0.76 +/-
      0.05 vs 0.95 +/- 0.08, both P < 0.05), and reduced expression of caveolin-1 (RT
      PCR: 2.13 +/- 0.13 vs 1.72 +/- 0.08, P < 0.05; Western blot: 3.99 +/- 0.16 vs
      3.40 +/- 0.14, P < 0.05). The results of RT-PCR were consistent with those of
      Western blot. CONCLUSION: The ERbeta gene protects the penile vascular
      endothelium via the eNOS-NO pathway.

PMID- 24218939
TI  - [Progesterone induction keeps a balanced mitochondrial activity and a low ROS
      productivity in human sperm].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the relative activity of sperm mitochondria and the
      proportion of ROS-positive sperm before and after capacitation and progesterone
      (Pg)-induced hyperactivation, and investigate the functional characteristics of
      sperm mitochondria. METHODS: We collected 20 samples of normal human spermatozoa
      that met the criteria of WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing
      of Human Semen (5th ed) and cultured them with the swim-up method in a CO2
      incubator at 37 degrees C for 1 hour. We divided the sperm into a pre
      capacitation and a capacitated group, and further incubated the capacitated sperm
      in an upright tube with (Pg-induced group) or without (control group) slow
      releasing Pg at 37 degrees C for another hour. Then we determined the relative
      activity of mitochondria and the percentage of ROS-positive cells in the sperm
      samples using JC-1 and DCF staining. RESULTS: The relative activities of
      mitochondria were significantly increased in the capacitated, control and Pg
      induced groups (6.23, 14.36 and 12.33) as compared with the pre-capacitation
      group (1.42) (P < 0.05), while the percentages of balanced mitochondria
      (mitochondria with equal amount of high and low electric potentials) remarkably
      reduced (4.27%, 5.03% and 8.57% vs 21.64%, P < 0.05). The percentages of ROS
      positive sperm in the pre-capacitation, capacitated, control and Pg-induced
      groups were 2.89%, 0.70%, 4.25% and 1.90%, respectively, significantly lower in
      the capacitated than in the pre-capacitation group (P < 0.01), but dramatically
      increased in the control group after another hour of swim-up incubation and
      markedly higher than in the Pg-induced group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Progesterone
      induction can hyperactive human sperm motility, inhibit the relative activity of
      mitochondria, keep mitochondria potential at a more balanced level, and reduce
      the production of ROS, which may help to raise the rate of in vitro fertilization
      and improve the quality of embryos.

PMID- 24218940
TI  - [Pre-freezing equilibration improves post-thaw human semen parameters].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pre-freezing equilibration on the cryo
      survival of human sperm and to optimize the protocol of direct fumigation for the
      freeze-thawing of human sperm. METHODS: We collected 50 semen samples from
      healthy donors, each subjected to cryopreservation with 3 different methods: non
      equilibration freezing (Group A), 10-min equilibration at room temperature before
      freezing (Group B), and 10-min equilibration at 4 degrees C before freezing
      (Group C). We examined all the post-thaw semen samples by computer-assisted semen
      analysis for the sperm motility parameters, and detected the sperm vitality and
      deformity index (SDI). RESULTS: The recovery rate of progressive sperm motility
      was (61.88 +/- 16.94)% in Group C, remarkably higher than in A ([48.61 +/-
      16.44]%) and B ([49.41 +/- 13.77]%) (P < 0.05), but with no significant
      difference between the latter two. And there were no significant differences in
      sperm vitality and SDI among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Ten-minute
      equilibration at 4 degrees C before freezing can evidently improve the
      progressive motility of sperm in addition to its advantages of easy operation and
      controllable experimental condition.

PMID- 24218941
TI  - [Y chromosome microdeletions, chromosome karyotypes and reproductive hormones in
      patients with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia
      with Y chromosome microdeletions, chromosome karyotype and reproductive hormones
      in male infertility patients. METHODS: We collected semen samples from 63
      patients with azoospermia, 49 with severe oligozoospermia and 60 men with normal
      semen parameters, and determined the incidence of Y chromosome microdeletions,
      chromosome karyotypes and the levels of reproductive hormones. RESULTS: The
      incidence rate of Y chromosome microdeletions was 11.11% in the azoospermia and
      8.16% in the severe oligozoospermia patients, as compared with 0 in the normal
      controls (P<0.05). The rate of chromosome abnormalities was 9.52% in the
      azoospermia group, with statistically significant differences from the severe
      oligozoospermia and normal control men (both 0) (P<0.05). The levels of FSH and
      LH were significantly higher in the azoospermia ([20.41 +/- 19.34] IU/L and
      [11.44 +/- 9.48] IU/L) and the severe oligozoospermia patients ([8.88 +/- 7.04]
      IU/L and [6.78 +/- 3.85] IU/L) than in the normal males ([3.88 +/- 2.21] IU/L and
      [4.63 +/- 1.51] IU/L) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Examinations of genetics and
      reproductive hormones are necessary for infertile males with azoospermia and
      severe oligozoospermia, which may contribute to early diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 24218942
TI  - [Effects of hepatitis B virus on human semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in semen on
      human semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity. METHODS: We detected HBV DNA in
      the semen samples of 153 HBsAg-seropositive patients by real-time fluorescence
      quantitative PCR and calculated the sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation index (DFI)
      by sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assay. We compared the semen parameters
      between the HBV DNA-positive group (A, n = 43) and HBV DNA-negative group (B, n =
      110) and analyzed the correlation of sperm DFI with the number of HBV DNA copies
      in the semen. RESULTS: HBV DNA was detected in 43 (28.1%) of the 153 semen
      samples. No statistically significant differences were observed in age, semen
      volume and sperm concentration between groups A and B (P >0.05). Compared with
      group B, group A showed significantly decreased sperm viability ([58.0 +/- 18.8]%
      vs [51.4 +/-17.1]%, P<0.05), progressively motile sperm ([29.6 +/- 13.3]% vs
      [24.5 +/- 10.1]%, P<0.05), average straight-line velocity ([23.7 +/- 4.0]
      microm/s vs [19.9 +/- 4.5 ] microm/s, P<0.01) and average path velocity ([26.5 +/
      7.0] microm/s vs [23.4 +/- 5.3] microm/s, P<0.01), but remarkably decreased
      sperm DFI ([19.3 +/- 8.0]% vs [24.2 +/- 9.4]%, P<0.01). The number of HBV DNA
      copies in semen exhibited a significant positive correlation with sperm DFI (r =
      0.819, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: HBV DNA in semen is not significantly associated
      with the number of sperm, but may affect sperm viability, velocity and DFI. There
      is a load-effect relationship between the number of HBV DNA copies in semen and
      sperm nuclear DNA integrity.

PMID- 24218943
TI  - [The value of histopathologic examination of testis tissue from testicular sperm
      aspiration].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate histopathologic examination of the testis tissue from
      testicular sperm aspiration (TESA). METHODS: We analyzed the results of inverted
      microscopy and histopathologic examination of 96 samples of testis tissue from
      TESA, and compared the accuracy of the two methods in detecting sperm in the
      testis tissue. RESULTS: Among the 11 cases in which sperm was found by inverted
      microscopy, 9 were confirmed by histopathologic examination, and among the 57
      cases in which sperm was not detected by inverted microscopy, 11 (19.3%) were
      found with sperm by histopathologic examination. Histopathologically, the cases
      in which sperm was not found by inverted microscopy included Sertoli-cell-only
      syndrome (n = 34), maturation arrest (n = 12) and hypospermatogenesis (n = 11).
      CONCLUSION: Histopathologic examination may reveal sperm in the TESA testis
      tissue proved to be sperm-absent by microscopy, and thus offer valuable
      information for a second testicular sperm retrieval.

PMID- 24218944
TI  - [Bulky DNA adducts in human sperm correlate with semen parameters and sperm
      apoptosis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation of sperm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAH)-DNA adducts with semen quality and sperm apoptosis. METHODS: We collected
      semen samples from 433 infertile Chinese men, detected sperm PAH-DNA adducts
      using immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry, and determined the rate of
      sperm apoptosis by TUNEL. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis showed
      that the level of sperm PAH-DNA adducts was correlated negatively with sperm
      concentration (beta = -0.632), total sperm count (beta = -0.830) and sperm
      motility (beta = -9.647), but positively with the rate of sperm apoptosis (beta =
      0.130). CONCLUSION: Sperm PAH-DNA adducts are evidently correlated with semen
      quality and sperm apoptosis, and play an important role in the evaluation of male
      productivity.

PMID- 24218945
TI  - [Impact of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome on sperm DNA
      fragmentation and nucleoprotein transition].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain
      syndrome (CP/CPPS) on sperm DNA fragmentation and nucleoprotein transition.
      METHODS: Based on the recommended methods in the WHO Laboratory Manual for the
      Examination and Processing of Human Semen (5th ed), we conducted routine semen
      analysis for 65 CP/CPPS patients and 30 healthy men. We also analyzed the results
      of papanicolaou staining, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm nucleoprotein
      transition. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control males, the CP/CPPS
      patients showed significant decreases in sperm concentration ([134.05 +/- 99.80]
      vs [94.75 +/- 92.07]) x 10(6)/ml, P <0.05), the percentage of morphologically
      normal sperm ([7.26 +/- 2.28] vs [5.61 +/- 3.40]%, P <0.05) and sperm progressive
      motility ([59.18 +/- 16.06] vs [47.68 +/- 17.62]%, P<0.05), but dramatic
      increases in sperm DNA fragmentation ([22.92 +/- 11.51] vs [43.58 +/- 17.07%,
      P<0.01) and sperm nucleoprotein transition ([23.26 +/- 5.97] vs [32.14 +/-
      8.79]%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: CP/CPPS significantly reduces sperm quality and male
      fertility.

PMID- 24218946
TI  - [Pathogens of prostatitis and their drug resistance: an epidemiological survey].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological features of the pathogens
      responsible for prostatitis in the Changshu area, and offer some evidence for the
      clinical treatment of prostatitis. METHODS: This study included 2 306 cases of
      prostatitis that were all clinically confirmed and subjected to pathogenic
      examinations in 3 hospitals of Changshu area from 2008 to 2012. Neisseria
      gonorrhoeae, mycoplasma urealyticum and chlamydia trachomatis were detected by
      nucleic acid amplification ABI 7500, the bacterial data analyzed by VITEK-2
      Compact, the drug-resistance to antibacterial agents determined using the WHONET
      5.6 software, and the enumeration data processed by chi-square test and
      curvilinear regression analysis using SPSS 19.0. RESULTS: The main pathogens
      responsible for prostatitis were found to be Staphylococcus haemolyticus (30%),
      Staphylococcus epidermidis (12%), Enterococcus faecalis (9%), Escherichia coli
      (6%), Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus aureus (3%), Mycoplasma
      urealyticum (8%), chlamydia trachomatis (5%) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (6%).
      Statistically significant increases were observed in the detection rates of
      Escherichia coli (chi2 = 17.56, P<0.05), Mycoplasma urealyticum (chi2 = 8.73,
      P<0.05), Chlamydia trachomatis (chi2 = 8.73, P<0.05) and Enterococcus (chi2 =
      8.22, P<0.05), but not in other pathogens. The resistance rates of Gram-positive
      bacteria to erythromycin and benzylpenicillin G were both above 45%, but with no
      significant difference between the two, those of Oxacillin (chi2 = 10.06, P<0.05)
      and Cefoxitin (chi2 = 9.89, P<0.05) were markedly increased, but those of
      quinolones, gentamycin and clindamycin remained low, except rifampicin (chi2 =
      11.09, P<0.05). The resistance rates of Gram-negative bacteria to cefazolin and
      ampicillin were relatively high (mean 57.3%), and those to ceftriaxone (chi2 =
      11.26, P<0.05) and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (chi2 =11.00, P< 0.05)
      significantly high; those to amikacin, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam and
      imipenem remained at low levels with no significant changes. However, the
      resistance rates of mycoplasma urealyticum to ciprofloxacin (chi2 = 11.18,
      P<0.05) and azithromycin (chi2 = 9.89, P<0.05) were remarkably increased.
      CONCLUSION: Gram-positive bacteria are the major pathogens responsible for
      prostatitis, but Escherichia coli, enterococcus and sexually transmitted disease
      pathogens are found to be involved in recent years. Quinolones and
      aminoglycosides are generally accepted as the main agents for the treatment of
      Gram-positive bacterial infection. However, rational medication for prostatitis
      should be based on the results of pathogen isolation and drug sensitivity tests
      in a specific area.

PMID- 24218947
TI  - [Influence of photoselective vaporization of prostate on erectile function in
      patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of photoselective vaporization of the prostate
      (PVP) on the erectile function of the patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia
      (BPH). METHODS: Using IIEF-5, we conducted a questionnaire investigation among
      210 BPH patients before and after treated by PVP (n = 80) and transurethral
      resection of the prostate (TURP, n = 130). We also reviewed the clinical data and
      compared the pre- and post-operative penile erectile function between the two
      groups of patients. RESULTS: Follow-up was completed in 76 cases of PVP and 123
      of TURP. The baseline data showed no statistically significant differences
      between the two groups in age, prostate volume, IPSS, QOL, Qmax, post void urine
      residual volume and IIEF-5 scores (P>0.05). Compared with the IEFF-5 score at the
      baseline (21.88 +/- 2.46), those at 3, 6 and 12 months after PVP were 16.72 +/-
      3.17, 19.34 +/- 2.46 and 19.29 +/- 2. 18, respectively, significantly decreased
      at 3 months (P = 0.042), but with no remarkable difference at 6 and 12 months (P
      >0.05). Nor were there significant differences in the IIEF-5 score between the
      PVP and TURP groups at any time points (P>0.05). At 6 months after surgery, the
      incidence rates of erectile dysfunction were 11.7% and 13.7% in the TURP and PVP
      groups, respectively (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: PVP may reduce erectile function in
      some cases in the early stage after surgery, but this adverse effect does not
      last long and is basically similar to that of TURP.

PMID- 24218948
TI  - [Modified Mathieu urethroplasty for failed hypospadias repair].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the indications, techniques and complications of reoperation
      for failed hypospadias repair using modified Mathieu urethroplasty. METHODS:
      Using modified Mathieu urethroplasty, we treated 24 hypospadias patients aged 3
      12 (mean 4.5) years for whom the first (n = 20) or the second hypospadias repair
      (n = 4) had failed, including 13 cases of large coronary sulcus urethrocutaneous
      fistula, 5 cases of urethral meatus retraction and 6 cases of anterior urethra
      dehiscence. The modified procedure involved median longitudinal incision of the
      urethral posterior wall, dorsal tunica albuginea plication under the vascular and
      nerve bundle, and double dartos flap protection of the neourethra. RESULTS: Of
      the 24 patients, 19 (79.2%) were successfully treated by the first operation,
      which achieved desirable straightness, good cosmetic appearance and normal
      urethral meatus of the penis, without postoperative complications. Small
      urethrocutaneous fistula developed in 4 cases, of which 3 were cured by fistula
      repair and 1 self-healed. Urethral meatus stenosis occurred in 1 case, which was
      restored by meatal dilation. Urethrocele and urethrostenosis were not found in
      any of the cases. Two cases received urethroscopy postoperatively, which revealed
      no hypertrophic cicatrix at the site of median longitudinal incision in the
      urethral posterior wall. CONCLUSION: Modified Mathieu urethroplasty can be
      applied to hypospadias reoperation, particularly in such cases as large coronary
      sulcus urethrocutaneous fistula, urethral meatus retraction and anterior urethra
      dehiscence. The modified procedure includes median longitudinal incision of the
      urethral posterior wall, dorsal tunica albuginea plication under the vascular and
      nerve bundle, and double dartos flap protection of the neourethra.

PMID- 24218949
TI  - [Application of tunica dartos flap coverage to tubularized incised plate
      urethroplasty].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of tunica dartos flap coverage to the
      prevention of urinary fistula in tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty.
      METHODS: This study included 140 cases of hypospadias following TIP
      urethroplasty, aged 1.9-22 (mean 5.6) years. Of the total number, 85 cases of the
      distal type were treated by coverage of the neourethra with the longitudinal
      ventrolateral pedicled-dartos penile skin flap, while the other 55 cases of the
      proximal type with the pedicled-dartos flap of arteriae scrotales anteriories.
      RESULTS: Urethrocutaneous fistula occurred in 12 of the patients, including 7
      cases of distal and 6 cases of proximal hypospadias. CONCLUSION: For distal
      hypospadias, the longitudinal ventrolateral pedicled-dartos penile skin flap can
      be used, while for proximal urethroplasty, the pedicled-dartos flap of arteriae
      scrotales anteriories can be applied in coverage of the neourethra, which can
      effectively reduce the incidence of fistula.

PMID- 24218950
TI  - [Comparison of 3 microsurgical approaches to the treatment of varicocele: report
      of 120 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of the three microsurgical strategies,
      inguinal high ligation (IHL), retroperitoneal high ligation (RHL) and low
      ligation (LL) of internal spermatic veins, in the treatment of varicocele.
      METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 120 cases of varicocele, which were equally
      divided into groups I , II and III to be treated by IHL, RHL and LL of internal
      spermatic veins, respectively. We compared the operation times, post-operative
      complications, recurrence rates and results of pre- and post-operation semen
      analysis among the three groups. RESULTS: The mean operation time was
      significantly longer in group III ( [55 +/- 6 ] min) than in I ([35 +/- 10] min)
      and II ([42 +/- 12] min) (P<0.05), while the rate of post-operative complications
      remarkably higher in group I (4 cases of hydrocele [10% ] and 3 cases of
      epididymitis [7.5%]) than in II (2 cases of hydrocele [5%] and 2 cases of
      epididymitis [5%]) and III (1 case of hydrocele [2.5%] and 1 case of epididymitis
      [2.5%]) (P<0.05). Six to 12 (mean 9) months of follow-up visit found 2 cases (5%
      ) of recurrence in group I, 1 case (2.5%) in group II and none in group III, with
      no statistically significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05). At 12
      months after surgery, group III showed significantly higher sperm concentration,
      grade a +b sperm and the sperm motility than the other two (P<0.05), but no
      significant differences were observed in these parameters among the three groups
      preoperatively. CONCLUSION: As a microsurgical approach to the treatment of
      varicocele, LL is better than IHL and RHL of internal spermatic veins in
      improving the seminal parameters of the patients.

PMID- 24218951
TI  - [Shang Ring circumcision versus conventional circumcision for redundant prepuce
      or phimosis: a meta analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect and safety of Shang Ring circumcision with those
      of conventional circumcision in the treatment of redundant prepuce or phimosis.
      METHODS: We retrieved the randomized controlled trials on Shang Ring circumcision
      and conventional circumcision for the treatment of redundant prepuce or phimosis
      published at home and abroad. Relevant data were selected according to the
      Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews by two reviewers after quality
      evaluation of the included trials, and the statistical software RevMan 5.0 was
      used for meta analysis. RESULTS: Totally 8 randomized controlled trials with 2277
      cases were included in this study. Compared with conventional circumcision, Shang
      Ring circumcision showed a shorter operation time (SMD = -5.82, 95% CI [ -7.39, 
      4.24], P<0.00001), less intraoperative blood loss (SMD = -3.28, 95% CI [ -3.47, 
      3.09], P<0.00001), lower rate of infection (OR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.26, 0.72],
      P=0.001), lower rate of postoperative bleeding (OR =0.05, 95% CI [0.02, 0.12],
      P<0.00001), higher rate of satisfaction with the postoperative penile appearance
      (OR=12.72, 95% CI [1.30, 124.56], P=0.03), lower intraoperative pain score (SMD =
      -3.32, 95% CI [ -3.50, -3.14], P<0.00001), and lower 24-hour-postoperative pain
      score (SMD = -3.28, 95% CI [ - 3.47, - 3.00], P<0.00001), but longer wound
      healing time (OR=1.46, 95% CI [1.03, 1.90], P<0.00001). CONCLUSION: In comparison
      with conventional circumcision, Shang Ring circumcision has the advantages of
      shorter operation time, fewer complications, mild pain, and higher rate of
      satisfaction with the postoperative penile appearance. However, more high-quality
      randomized controlled trials with large samples are required to lend further
      support to our findings.

PMID- 24218952
TI  - [Qilin pills combined with bromocriptine for idiopathic hyperprolactinemic
      oligoasthenozoospermia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of Qilin Pills combined with
      bromocriptine on idiopathic hyperprolactinemic (HPRL) oligoasthenospermia.
      METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled study on 40 cases of idiopathic
      HPRL oligoasthenospermia, who were equally assigned to a trial group and a
      control group to be treated with Qilin Pills (6 g tid) combined with
      bromocriptine and bromocriptine alone, respectively, both for a course of 12
      weeks. Then we observed the changes in the semen volume, sperm concentration,
      sperm motility and the levels of serum prolactin and testosterone, and compared
      the therapeutic results between the two groups before and after medication.
      RESULTS: Compared with the parameters before medication, both the trial and the
      control group showed significant improvement after treatment in sperm
      concentration ([11.60 +/- 3.90] x 10(6)/ml vs [28.10 +/- 13.50] x 10(6)/ml and
      [12.03 +/- 4.10] x 10(6)/ml vs [18.85 +/- 8.50] x 10(6)/ml), the percentage of
      grade a sperm ([8.75 +/- 6.65]% vs [24.35 +/- 13.25 ]% and [8.70 +/- 6.70] % vs
      [19.65 +/- 10.05]%), the percentage of grade a + b sperm ( [28.45 +/- 11.35]% vs
      [45.80 +/- 16.55]% and [27.65 +/- 10.65]% vs [35.66 +/-13.25]%), and sperm
      motility ([38.22 +/- 16.35]% vs [60.05 +/- 20.65]% and [37.25 +/- 15.75 ]% vs
      [52.65 +/- 18.25 ]%) (all P<0.01). No significant differences were found in semen
      volume (P>0.05). The serum prolactin levels were significantly decreased in the
      trial and control groups ([152.00 +/- 22.32] and [160.45 +/- 26.65] mIU/L), as
      compared with premedication ([482.25 +/- 65.32] and [477.32 +/- 60.25] mIU/L)
      (P<0.01), while the serum testosterone levels were remarkably higher ([16.35 +/-
      5.52] and [11.15 +/- 4.65] nmol/L) than before treatment ([3.75 +/- 1.10] and
      [4.05 +/- 1.30] nmol/L) (P<0.01). There were no statistically significant
      differences in the serum prolactin and testosterone levels between the two groups
      after treatment (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Qilin Pills combined with bromocriptine
      have a significantly better efficacy than bromocriptine alone in the treatment of
      idiopathic HPRL oligoasthenospermia.

PMID- 24218953
TI  - [Endothelial microparticles and erectile dysfunction: an update].
AB  - Microparticles are submicron vesicles shed from plasma membranes in response to
      cell activation, injury and/or apoptosis. Microparticles of various cellular
      origins, such as platelets, leukocytes, and endothelial cells, are found in the
      plasma of healthy subjects, and their amount increases under pathological
      conditions. Recent studies show that endothelial microparticles, a kind of
      envelope particles derived from endothelial cells, not only constitute a marker
      of endothelial dysfunction, but also play a major biological role in the
      diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to erectile dysfunction.

PMID- 24218954
TI  - [Biological characteristics and application prospect of mesenchymal stem cells in
      male infertility].
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are somatic stem cells capable of self-renewing and
      multipotent differentiation. They are also referred to as " seed cells" in tissue
      engineering. Recent years have witnessed great advances in the studies of the
      differentiative potential and paracrine function of MSCs, as well as in their
      clinical applications in several fields. As for their application in male
      infertility, researches are still in the stage of animal experiments. However,
      with deeper insights into their huge potential, novel and effective MSC-based
      therapies for male infertility will come into being in the near future.

PMID- 24218955
TI  - [Effect of continuous cropping of Rehmannia on its morphological and
      physiological characteristics].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In contrast to the newly-planted plants, through measuring and
      analyzing the chlorophyll content, photosynthetic characteristics, root activity
      and enzyme activity of Rehmannia glutinosa in growth stages, the differentiation
      manifestation of R. glutinosa physiological activity mediated by continuous
      cropping was studied. METHODS: SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter was used to measure
      chlorophyll content and LI-6400 portable photosynthetic apparatus to determine
      plant photosynthetic characteristics. Plant root vigor and enzyme system were
      measured following reference literature. RESULTS: The problems of Rehmannia
      caused by continuous cropping had happened since the early stage of its growth
      period, and lasted throughout the whole growth period. Under the condition of
      continuous cropping, the chlorophyll content, photosynthetic characteristics and
      root activity remained at a lower level compared with the newly-planted plants,
      among which, the chlorophyll content and the root activity (100 days after
      planting) had significant differences. CONCLUSION: The insufficient
      photosynthesis source and the reducing of the storage capacity (root tuber) under
      the condition of continuous cropping might be the main reasons for these problems
      of R. glutinosa.

PMID- 24218956
TI  - [Study on inducing embryogenic callus of Dioscorea zingiberensis by orthogonal
      design].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To select the suitable medium to induce embryogenic callus of
      Dioscorea zingiberensis. METHODS: Plantlet of Dioscorea zingiberesis in vitro was
      obtained by using apical meristem as explant. The different parts of the
      plantlets were cultured to select the best explant used for inducing callus and
      embryoids. Growing rate and diosgenin content were calculated in orthogonal test
      to optimize combination of phytohormones for inducing embryogenic callus.
      RESULTS: The leaves were suitable explants to induce callus and embryoid. The
      inducing rate of callus and embryoids reached 92.5% and 42.5%, respectively. The
      optimal medium for inducing embryogenic callus was MS + 6-BA 2.0 mg/L + NAA 0.5
      mg/L + 2,4-D 1.0 mg/L. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used for
      effective induction of embryogenic callus of Dioscorea zingiberensis, and lay the
      foundation for the subsequent research of artificial seeds.

PMID- 24218957
TI  - [Anti-hepatic fibrosis effects research on serum containing extracts of
      Periplaneta americana in vitro].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of serum containing extracts
      of Periplaneta americana. METHODS: The serum contained extracts of Periplaneta
      americana was prepared with serologic pharmacological method. MTT method was used
      to observe the effect of serum containing extracts from periplaneta americana on
      hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and Elisa method was used to detect the contents of
      TGF-beta1 and collagen I in supernatant. RESULTS: Serum containing extracts I and
      II (15%) of Periplaneta americana had inhibitory effect on HCS (P < 0.05) after
      HSC were cultured with serum containing extracts of different concentration of
      Periolaneta americana for 24, 48 and 72 h. At 24 and 48 h, serum containing
      extracts I and II of Periplaneta americana decreased the content of collagen I in
      supernatant without significant difference (P < 0.05). Serum containing extracts
      I (15%, 9%, 5.4%) of Periplaneta americana could reduce generation of TGF-beta1
      in supernatant for 24 h (P < 0.05). As for 48 h, only high concentration serum
      containing extracts I (15%) deceased the content of TGF-beta1 in supernatant. For
      24 and 48 h,serum containing extracts II couldn't reduce the content of TGF-beta1
      in supernatant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It has definite effect on anti-hepatic
      fibrosis with serum containing extracts of Periplaneta americana in vitro. The
      mechanism may be related to inhibiting HSC propagation and reducing the
      production of TGF-beta1.

PMID- 24218958
TI  - [Sequencing and analysis of the complete mitochondrial DNA of Chinese moccasin
      for medicinal use].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To sequence and analyze the complete mitochondrial DNA of Chinese
      moccasin. METHODS: The circular 17 541 bp sequence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
      of Chinese moccasin was determined by Ex-Taq PCR, TA-cloning and primer-walking
      methods. RESULTS: This mitogenome contained 37 coding genes (including 22 tRNA, 2
      rRNA and 13 protein-coding genes) and two control regions (CR and psiCR). The
      gene content and arrangement of Chinese moccasin mtDNA was similar to those of
      other vipers reported so far. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the replication
      origin and the tRNA arrangement of snake mitochondrial genomes can be used for
      identification of medicinal snakes.

PMID- 24218959
TI  - [Determination of trace elements in mylabris before and after being processed].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the processing principle of Mylabris by comparing the
      differences between the contents of 11 trace elements in Mylabris before and
      after being processed. METHODS: Used Flame AAS, Graphite Furnace AAS and Hydride
      generation AAS to determine the content of Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Mg, Ca, K, Pb, Cd, As
      and Hg elements in Mylabris samples. RESULTS: The sequence of 11 trace elements
      contents in the Mylabris samples from high to low was: K > Mg > Fe > Ca > Zn > Mn
      > Cu > Pb > As > Hg > Cd. In Mylabris after being processed, the contents of Pb,
      As, Hg, Cd and Fe elements decreased, Cu, Mg and Ca increased; In the head, legs
      and wings of Mylabris, the contents of Hg and Pb elements were higher than those
      of the other parts. The content of As in the inner wings was the highest.
      CONCLUSION: The traditional processing method, stir-frying with rice and removing
      head, legs and wings is scientific.

PMID- 24218960
TI  - [Development of full-quantified HPLC fingerprint for quality evaluation of
      ophiopogonis radix of sichuan].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish HPLC fingerprint of Ophiopogonis Radix of Sichuan and
      simultaneously determine two homoisoflavonoids (methylophiopogonanones A and B).
      METHODS: Full-quantified HPLC fingerprint was used to establish the HPLC
      fingerprint and determine the active ingredients of the daodi medicinal material
      Ophiopogonis Radix of Sichuan in Shengmai injection. Chromatographic condition
      was as follows: The analytical column was Waters symmetry shield RP 18 (4.6 mm x
      250 mm, 5 microm) with a pre-column of symmetry shield RP 18. The mobile phase
      was acetonitrile-water (containing 0.1% phosphoric acid) with gradient elution.
      The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, the detection wavelength was set at 280 nm and the
      column temperature was maintained at 30 degrees C. RESULTS: The HPLC fingerprint
      of Ophiopogonis Radix of Sichuan was established with good separation and
      repeatability. 24 common peaks were defined in the HPLC fingerprint. The
      similarity among batches was more than 0.98. Compared with standard reference
      substances, No. 14 peak was methylophiopogonanone A and No. 15 peak was
      methylophiopogonanone B. Similarity determine system was applied to evaluate
      them. CONCLUSION: This analytical method is highly sensitive with strong
      specificity, which can be used efficiently in the quality control of Ophiopogonis
      Radix of Sichuan in Shengmai injection.

PMID- 24218961
TI  - [UPLC fingerprint of rhei radix et rhizoma from different habitats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish the UPLC fingerprint of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and
      reference crude drugs, analyze the characteristics among fingerprints of three
      species of reference crude drugs and the common components of Rhei Radix et
      Rhizoma, and compare the application of different analysis methods. METHODS: UPLC
      procedure was performed on ACQUITY BEH C18 chromatographic column with mobile
      phase consisted of water (contained 0.1% phosphoric acid)-acetonitrile (gradient
      elution) at a flow rate of 0.21 mL/min. Detection wavelength was set at 260 nm
      and the column temperature was set at 30 degrees C. Fingerprints were analyzed by
      similarity evaluation, cluster analysis and principal component analysis.
      RESULTS: There were obvious characteristics among fingerprints of three species
      of reference crude drugs, 19 common chromatographic peaks were obtained from Rhei
      Radix et Rhizoma and 14 peaks were identified according to standard reference
      substances and by HPLC-MS. The cluster analysis and similarity evaluation showed
      the same result that 21 batches of sample were grouped into 5 categories and the
      result had no direct correlation with the botanical species. Both the contents
      of4 important ingredients suggested by principal component analysis and the whole
      fingerprint analysis were necessary in quality evaluation of Rhei Radix et
      Rhizoma. There was certain limitation in quality evaluation of multiple sources
      drug which analysis by similarity evaluation and cluster analysis. CONCLUSION:
      The method with good reproducibility and separation saves time and solvent, it
      can be used in identification of three species of reference crude drugs but can
      not be used in species identification of commercial Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

PMID- 24218962
TI  - [Quality standard of zhuang medicine jasmini sambacis flos].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the qualitative and quantitative determination of Zhuang
      medicine Jasmini Sambacis Flos and establish its quality control standard.
      METHODS: Macroscopic, microscopic and TLC identification were adopted to carry
      out the qualitative identification, the mensuration of inspection items and
      extractum were according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The contents of quercetin
      and kaempferide in Jasmini Sambacis Flos were determined by HPLC. RESULTS: The
      qualitative identification methods had strong specificity. In HPLC quantitative
      determination, the linear range of quercetin and kaempferide was in the range of
      0.4008 - 3.2064 microg and 0.0403 - 3.2256 microg, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      These methods are simple, accurate and reproducible, and can be used to control
      the quality of Jasmini Sambacis Flos effectively.

PMID- 24218963
TI  - [Pharmacognostical study of Cyperus rotundus growing in Wen-River area].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the macroscopic, microscopic identification and chemical
      components of Cyperus rotundus growing in Wen-River area. METHODS: The features
      of different parts of Cyperus rotundus were described by material morphology and
      microscopic identification, the chemical components of aerial part and rhizome of
      Cyperus rotundus were studied by chemical experiment and GC-MS analysis. RESULTS:
      Summarized the transverse section structure of rhizome, stem and leaf of Cyperus
      rotundus, the chemical components of aerial part and the components and relative
      content of volatile oil in rhizome were determined. CONCLUSION: This study
      provides reference for the drug identification and the daodi medicinal material
      exploitation of Cyperus rotundus.

PMID- 24218964
TI  - [Chemical constituents from the aerial part of Echinacea purpurea].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Echinacea
      purpurea. METHODS: The compounds were separated and purified by repeatedly silica
      gel, ODS, D101 macroporous resin, MCI, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and
      recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of
      physiochemical properties and spectral analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen compounds were
      isolated and identified as (2S)-1-O-octacosanoyl glycerol (1), (5R,6S)-6-hydroxy
      6-((E)-3-hydroxybut-1-enyl)-1,1, 5-trimethylcyclohexanone (2), (3S, 6E, 10R)-3,
      10, 11-trihydroxy-3, 7, 11-trimethyl-dodeca-1, 6-diene (3), negunfurol (4),
      schensianol A (5), ent-4 (15) -eudesmene-1beta, 6alpha-diol (6), (E) -5-hydroxy-N
      isobutylpentadec-2-enamide (7), syringaresinol (8), quercetin (9), ethyl laurate
      (10), ethyl caffeate (11), ferulic acid (12), alpha-spinasterol (13),
      stigmasterol (14), beta-daucosterol (15), octacosanoic acid (16). CONCLUSION:
      Compound 1 - 5 are isolated from the Asteraceae for the first time, compound 6
      ,7, 9, 10, 12 are isolated from genus of Echinacea for the first time, compound
      15, 16 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

PMID- 24218965
TI  - [Study on the chemical constituents from ethyl acetate extract of Micromelum
      falcatum].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from ethyl acetate extract of
      Micromelum falcatum. METHODS: The constituents were separated and purified by
      silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by spectral
      analysis (NMR, MS). RESULTS: Ten compounds were isolated and identified as
      micropubescin (1), phebalosin (2), scopoletin (3), citrubuntin (4), thamnosmonin
      (5), hopeyhopin (6), arnottinin (7), casegravol (8), 2-methoxy-5-hydroxy
      cinnamate (9), threo-syringoylglycerol (10). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 10 are
      obtained from this plant for the first time.

PMID- 24218966
TI  - [Study on chemical components of Aconitum flavum and their inflammatory and
      analgesic effects].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical compositions of active site of Aconitum flavum
      and their pharmacological effects on anti-inflammatory andantalgic. METHODS:
      Xylene-induced mice ear swollen and egg white-induce toe swollen test were used
      to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of Aconitum flavum. Acetic acid-induce
      mice writhing and hot-plate test were used to assess the antalgic effect of
      Aconitum flavum. Silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20 techniques were employed for
      isolation and purification the constituents of Aconitum flavum. The chemical
      compounds were identified by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT, HMBC, HMQC and COSY. RESULTS:
      When compared with model group, there was significant difference in 30% alcohol
      active extract group (P < 0.05) in xylene-induce mice ear-swollen test. In the
      experiment of egg white-induce toe swollen test, 30% alcohol active extract group
      had great significant difference when compared with the model group (P < 0.01).
      In acetic acid writhing test, 30% alcohol active extract group had significant
      analgesic action when compared with model group. In hot plate test, when compared
      with model group, the analgesic effect of 30% alcohol active extract group (P <
      0.05) at 30 and 45 minutes after administration was significanty increased.
      Fourteen compounds were isolated from the active extract,while seven compounds
      were identified as: sucrose (I), linarin (Ii), beta-sitosterol (III), beta
      daucosterol (IV), beta-sitosterol-3, 5, 6-triol (VII), aconitine (V ) and
      hypaconitine (IV). CONCLUSION: 30% alcohol active extract of Aconitum flavum has
      anti-inflammatory and antalgic effects. Compounds I, II, IV, VI and VII are
      isolated for the first time.

PMID- 24218967
TI  - [Chemical constituents from flowers of Gardenia jasminoides].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from flowers of Gardenia
      jasminoides. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by column
      chromatography and their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic
      techniques (NMR) and physicochemical properties. RESULTS: 15 compounds were
      isolated from flowers of G. jasminoides, and identified as 5, 7, 3'-trihydroxy-6,
      4', 5'-trimethoxyflavone (1), 5, 7, 3', 5'- tetrahydroxy-6, 4'-dymethoxyflavone
      (2), kaempferol (3), quercetin (4), 3beta,23- dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (5),
      3beta,19alpha-dihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (6), 3beta,19alpha,23-trihydroxy
      urs-12-en-28-oic acid (7), emodin (8), physcion (9), crocin-I (10), beta
      daucosterol (11), beta-sitosterol (12), stearic acid (13), palmitic acid (14),
      oleic acid (15). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 15 are isolated from flowers of G.
      jasminoides and compounds 5 and 6 are isolated from genus Gardenia for the first
      time.

PMID- 24218968
TI  - [Chemical composition of essential oil from Thymus citriodorus and its toxic
      effect on liver cancer cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the chemical composition of essential oil from Thymus
      citriodorus and its toxic effect on liver cancer cells. METHODS: The essential
      oil from Thymus citriodorus leaves was extracted by steam distillation, and GC-MS
      was used for analyzing chemical composition. 35 components were identified which
      accounted for 95.44% of the total peak area. The main components were borneol
      (28.82%), thymol (14.43%), 3, 7-dimethyl-1, 6-octadiene-3-ol (8.26%), 1-methyl-4
      [alpha-hydroxy-isopropyl] cyclohexene (8.23%) and terpenes camphor (5.1%), et.
      al. The toxic effects on HepG2 cells and expression of NF-kappabeta65 were
      measured by MTT assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively.
      RESULTS: The IC50 of HepG2 cells inhibition was 0.34%. The mean fluorescence
      intensity of NF-kappabeta65 expression was as follows: control group 323.25, 2(
      10) concentration group 84.18, 2(-11) concentration group 197.93 and 2(-12)
      concentration group 261.43. CONCLUSION: The essential oil from Thymus citriodorus
      leaves has strong toxic effects. The induced apoptosis mechanism may be
      associated with the expression of NF-kappabeta65.

PMID- 24218969
TI  - [Study on the diterpenoids of Tripterygium wilfordii by electrospray ionization
      tandem and electron impact mass spectrometry].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the diterpenoids of Tripterygium wilfordii by electrospray
      ionization tandem (ESI) and electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry and establish
      the methods for quickly and on line identification of these diterpenoids.
      METHODS: The diterpenoids were analyzed by ESI-MS and EI-MS under positive ion
      model. RESULTS: In ESI-Trap-MS (+) model, the quasi-molecular ions [M + H] + of
      the diterpenoids took place bond cleavage and generally lost neutral molecules
      such as H2O, CH2CHCH3, CO and CH2CO, then generated characteristic fragment ion
      series (m/z 197, 183, 169). In ESI-TOF-MS (+) model, the quasi-molecular ions [M
      + H] + of the diterpenoids took place bond cleavage and generally lost neutral
      molecules such as H2O, CO, then generated characteristic fragment ion series (m/z
      277, 185, 93). In EI-MS model, the molecular ions of the diterpenoids took place
      bond cleavage and generally lost neutral molecules such as H2O, CO, CH4, and
      isopropyl radical, then generated characteristic fragment ion series (m/z 149,
      105, 91, 71, 55, 43). CONCLUSION: The ESI-MS and EI-MS characteristics of
      diterpenoids of Tripterygium wilfordii are reported for the first time. Based on
      these characteristics, the methods for quickly and on line identification of
      diterpenoids are established.

PMID- 24218970
TI  - [Effect of meliae toosendan fructus on nerves system and its mechanism].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the ethanol extract of stir-bake to yellowish
      Meliae Toosendan Fructus on nerve system and its mechanism. METHODS: The effect
      of the ethanol extract on sensory nerve was carried out through ache models
      induced by hot board method and radiant heat stimulation method in mice. The
      thermalgesia liminal value was investigated. The effect of the ethanol extract on
      the A-delta fiber and C fiber was measured by electrical stimulation procedure.
      Motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was measured by indirect detection method
      in vivo. The pathology changes of the motor nerve were observed by transmission
      electron microscope and the silver stain test. RESULTS: The ethanol extract of
      Meliae Toosendan Fructus could increase the thermalgesia liminal value of mice
      and reduce the conduction velocity of motor nerves. Meanwhile, pathology results
      showed the changes of the fiber of motor nerve, including demyelination and the
      number of Schwann cells dropping. CONCLUSION: The ethanol extract of stir-bake to
      yellowish Meliae Toosendan Fructus can reduce the pain sensitivity of mice and
      slow down NCV, which may be related to decreasing of the number of Schwann cells.

PMID- 24218971
TI  - [Effect of flavonoids from hedysari radix on pulmonary functions of pulmonary
      fibrosis rat].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of flavonoids from Hedysari Radix on pulmonary
      functions of pulmonary fibrosis rat and its mechanism. METHODS: 72 Wistar rats
      were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank control group, model group, prednisone
      group, Hedysari Radix flavonoids low, medium and high dosage group. The rat model
      was established by propelling bleomycin into bronchial tree through endotracheal
      intubation with laryngoscope. The pulmonary fanctions were measured. RESULTS:
      Hedysari Radix flavonoids could normalize the pulmonary functions of rats with
      bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Hedysari Radix flavonoids can
      inhibit the process of pulmonary fibrosis.

PMID- 24218972
TI  - [Effect of shuganjianpifang on the expression of BCL-2 and BAX in rats livers
      with hepatic fibrosis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of shuganjianpifang on BCL-2, BAX expressions in
      livers of hepatic fibrosis rats and its mechanism. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were
      randomly divided into six groups. Rat liver fibrosis was induced by CCl4 twice a
      week for 12 weeks. Shuganjianpifang was used daily via lavage at 7th week for 6
      weeks. The contents of ALT, AST, T-BiL and Alb in serum were measured. Liver
      samples were taken to examine the degree of liver fibrosis by HE staining. The
      experessions of BCL-2 and BAX were detected by immunohisto chemistry. The
      expression of BCL-2, BAX mRNA was detected by RT-PCR technology. RESULTS: As
      compared with the fibrotic model group, shuganjianpifang significantly reduced
      histopathological change, such as steatosis, deposition, decreased the contents
      of ALT, AST and T-BiL, up-regulated the expression of Alb. Meanwhile
      shuganjianpifang could effectively inhibit the expression of BAX, significantly
      enhanced the expression BCL-2 in liver fibrosis rats. CONCLUSION:
      Shuganjianpifang can resist hepatic fibrosis possibly by up-regulating BCL-2
      expression and down-regulating BAX expression.

PMID- 24218973
TI  - [Study on the regulation role of semen persicae to cAMP-PKA signal pathway in the
      rats with cold and heat blood stasis syndrome].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the regulation role of with neutral property to cAMP-PKA
      pathway in the rats with cold and heat blood stasis syndromes and it's mechanism.
      METHODS: 60 rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model control
      group, Semen Persicae group, radix salvia miltiorrhiza group, rhizoma chuanxiong
      group, 12 rats per group. The three herb groups were orally given relative herbs
      decoction, whose dosages were equal to 10 times the human clinical dose, normal
      and model control groups were orally given water, 2 times/day, 20 mL/kg, for 7
      days. Experiments in rats with cold and heat blood stasis syndromes were carried
      on respectiverly. In heat blood stasis syndromes, except normal control group,
      the other groups were intraperitoneally injected 10% carrageenan, 5 mL/kg, 1
      times/day, for 3 days;24 hours after the last injection, subcutaneously injected
      20% dry yeast suspension, 10 mL/kg. In cold blood stasis syndromes, except normal
      control group, the other groups were put into fridge, temperature--(18 +/- 2)
      degrees C, 2 hours/ times, 2 times/day, for 7 days. Separately draw 5 ml
      abdominal aortic blood and taken abdominal aorta, 6 hours and 12 hours after
      finishing the model in the two syndromes. Tested the cAMP content by elisa,
      tested the PKA protein expression by Western blot. RESULTS: Semen Persicae with
      neutral property, could decrease the content of cAMP in plasma (P < 0.01),
      inhibit the expression of protein PKA (P < 0.05) in rats with heat stagnation and
      blood stasis syndrome, increase the plasma content of cAMP (P < 0.01) and
      increase the expression of protein PKA (P < 0.01) in rats with cold stagnation
      and blood stasis syndrome. Semen Persicae had two-way adjustment action on CAMP
      PKA signal pathway. CONCLUSION: In different internal environment of heat
      stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, cold stagnation and blood stasis syndrome,
      Semen Persicae with neutral property has two-way adjustment to cAMP-PKA signaling
      channel, which may be one of the mechanism of it's two-way application.

PMID- 24218974
TI  - [Comparative study on pharmacokinetics of gentiopicroside and gentianae radix
      extract in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the pharmacokinetics of gentiopicroside and Gentianae Radix
      extract in rats and assess the effect of other components in Gentianae Radix on
      the pharmacokinetics of gentiopicroside. METHODS: The rats were oral
      administrated with gentiopicroside and Gentianae Radix extract, the content of
      geritiopicroside was chosen as index and determined by HPLC. The pharmacokinetic
      parameters were calculated with DAS 2.1.1 program. RESULTS: The concentration
      time curve of gentiopicroside and Gentianae Radix extract was described by two
      compartment model. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of gentiopicroside and
      Gentianae Radix extract were: C(max) (16.53 +/- 0.37) g/mL and (16.61 +/- 0.49)
      g/mL, T(max) 0.25 h and 1.5 h, t1/2(alpha) (0.20 +/- 0.04) h and (0.69 +/- 0. 14)
      h, t /2 (beta) (0.64 +/- 0.08) hand (0.80 +/- 0.11) h, AUC(0-infinity) (18.20 +/-
      1.97) g x h/mL and (39.20 +/- 1.18) g x h/mL, CL( 2.75 +/- 0.32) L/(h x kg) and
      (1.22 +/- 0.04) L (h x kg), respectively. CONCLUSION: There are significantly
      differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between gentiopicroside and Gentianae
      Radix extract in rats.

PMID- 24218975
TI  - [Solanum lyratum Thunberg alkaloid induces human lung adenoearcinoma A549 cells
      apoptosis by inhibiting NF-kappaB signaling pathway].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of solanum lyratum Thunberg alkaloid (STA)
      on induction of apoptosis and the expression of NF-kappaB signaling pathway
      related genes in A549 cells. METHODS: A549 cells was treated with STA in vitro.
      The proliferation inhibitory effect was evaluated by MTT assay. Induction of cell
      apoptotic rate was determined by flow cytometry method (FCM) after Annexin V
      FITC/PI double staining. The expression of NF-kappaB/p65 in nuclei, Survivin,
      IkappaBalpha and p-1kaapaBalpha in cytosol were detected by western blot.
      RESULTS: STA exhibited strong proliferation inhibitory effect in a dose-and -time
      dependent manner against A549 cells. After treated with STA for 24 h, the
      apoptotic rate was increased significantly. The expression of IkappaBalpha
      protein was increased markedly,while those of NF-kappaB/p65, Survivin and p
      IkappaBalpha proteins were decreased markedly. CONCLUSION: STA can induce
      apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, its mechanisms may be related to
      inhibition of NF-kappaB signaling pathway.

PMID- 24218976
TI  - [Study on extraction and purification technology of Hubei ophiopogon saponins].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the extraction and purification technology of total
      saponins from the effective parts of Liriope spicata. METHODS: Orthogonal design
      was used. Macroporous resin was selected to separate and purify total saponin
      from the effective parts of Liriope spicata. The process validation was
      conducted. The total saponins was determined by Ultraviolet Spectrophotometry.
      RESULTS: The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: 10 times the amount
      of ethanol (70%) for each occasion and hot reflux (3 x 2 h). Total saponins was
      purified by D101 macroporous resin. The concentration of eluting ethanol was 50% 
      70%. Ethanol (70%) was selected as the best eluent. The result of process
      validation was consistent with the study. CONCLUSION: The process is simple and
      stable enough to significantly improve the extraction rate of the effective
      parts. The study can provide reference for the research and production of
      effective parts of traditional Chinese medicine such as Liriope spicata.

PMID- 24218977
TI  - [Extraction and purification of isocorydine from Dicranostigma leptopodum].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To optimize the conditions of extraction and purification of
      isocorydine from Dicranostigma leptopodum. METHODS: Extraction conditions of
      isocorydine were selected on the basis of orthogonal experimental design, the
      static adsorption/desorption experiments were used to evaluate the optimum resin.
      RESULTS: The optimum extraction parameters were as follows: the ratio of raw
      materials to solvent 1:15 (g/mL), extraction solvent 1% vitriol, the extraction
      three times and 1 h each time. LX28 resin exhibited higher adsorption efficiency.
      CONCLUSION: Under the above optimum conditions, the extraction yield of
      isocorydine is 0.88%. The purity of isocorydine can reach 85.34% with a yield
      rate of 68.64%.

PMID- 24218978
TI  - [Optimization for preparation technology of shangke jiefu lotion by orthogonal
      test].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To optimize the preparation technology of Shangke Jiefu lotion.
      METHODS: The extraction process was optimized by orthogonal test, with water
      addition, extraction times and time used for extraction as factors of
      investigation. In refined process test, alcohol precipitation concentration,
      time, and the relative density of extract were studied. Each factor had three
      levels. The content of sophorcarpidine and the yield of dry extract were used as
      the evaluation indexes. The content of sophorcarpidine was determined by HPLC,
      and dry extract rates were determined by drying method. RESULTS: The best
      extraction condition was as follows: the amount of water was 10 times of the
      medicinal materials, the decoction duration was 2 h and for 3 times. The optimum
      purification process was: alcohol precipitation concentration was 50%, time was
      15 hours, relative density of extract was 1.05 g/mL. CONCLUSION: The optimized
      preparation technology of Shangke Jiefu lotion is stable, feasible and
      convenient. It provides a theoretical basis for standardized production.

PMID- 24218979
TI  - [Optimization of the extraction process of the effective components in fructus
      phyllanthi].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To optimize the extraction process of the effective components in
      Fructus Phyllanthi. METHODS: Using Fructus Phyllanthi from Puning, Guangdong as
      the raw materials, its extraction process was screened by the orthogonal design.
      The extraction rates of polyphenol from Fructus Phyllanthi under different
      extraction conditions were compared to determine the optimum extraction
      technology. The effects of the ratio of raw materials to liquid, extraction time,
      extraction temperature and extraction number on extraction rates of
      polysaccharose in Fructus Phyllanthi were also investigated. RESULTS: The optimum
      extraction conditions for polyphenol were as follows: 50% methanol as solvent,
      ratio of raw materials to liquid 1:10, extraction times 1, extraction time 90
      min. The optimum extracting conditions for polysaccharose were as follows: ratio
      of raw materials to liquid 1:20, extraction time 3.0 h, extraction times 3, and
      extraction temperature 90 degrees C. CONCLUSION: The optimization of the
      extraction process for polyphenol and polysaccharide in Fructus Phyllanthi has a
      good reference guide for further developing a seris of health care products of
      Fructus Phyllanthi.

PMID- 24218980
TI  - [Discussion on the quality marker of rehmanniae radix praeparata in the Chinese
      Pharmacopoeia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the minimum limit of
      verbascoside (acteoside) in Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP) was set at 0.20%,
      the rationality of the standard was evaluated in this paper. METHODS: 10 samples
      of Rehmanniae Radix (RR) and RRP were collected or prepared. According to the
      traditional method, different samples of RRP were prepared from the same batch of
      RR, and the content of verbascoside was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: The average
      content of verbascoside in RR and RRP was 0.0226% and 0.0097%, respectively, and
      their difference was up to the level of P < 0.01. The content of verbascoside was
      found decreased with processing time increasing. Long-time storage also results
      in substantial loss of verbascoside. CONCLUSION: Processing results in
      verbascoside decreasing significantly. It is unreasonable that RR and RRP have
      the same standard in the content of verbascoside. It is suggested that the
      maximum limit of verboscoside should be set in the new version of Chinese
      pharmacopoeia.

PMID- 24218981
TI  - Excellent electromagnetic absorption properties of poly(3,4
      ethylenedioxythiophene)-reduced graphene oxide-Co3O4 composites prepared by a
      hydrothermal method.
AB  - The ternary composites of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-reduced graphene oxide
      Co3O4 (PEDOT-RGO-Co3O4) were synthesized and the electromagnetic absorption
      property of the composites was investigated. The structure of the composites was
      characterized with Fourier-transform infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction, Raman
      spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron
      microscope. The electromagnetic parameters indicate the enhanced electromagnetic
      absorption property of the composites was attributed to the better impedance
      matching. On the basis of the above characterization, an electromagnetic
      complementary theory was proposed to explain the impedance matching. It can be
      found that the maximum reflection loss of PEDOT-RGO-Co3O4 can reach -51.1 dB at
      10.7 GHz, and the bandwidth exceeding -10 dB is 3.1 GHz with absorber thickness
      of 2.0 mm. Therefore, the PEDOT-RGO-Co3O4 composites, with such excellent
      electromagnetic absorption properties and wide absorption bandwidth, can be used
      as a new kind of candidate for microwave absorbing materials. 

PMID- 24218982
TI  - Viscosity-dependent Janus particle chain dynamics.
AB  - Iron oxide (Fe3O4) Janus particles assemble into staggered chains parallel to the
      field lines in an ac electric field. Subsequent application of an external
      magnetic field leads to contraction of the staggered chains into double chains.
      The relation between the viscosity of the surrounding solution and the
      contraction rate of the iron oxide Janus particle chains is studied. Further, the
      influence of particle size and chain length (i.e., number of particles in chain)
      on the contraction rate is investigated. The base material for the Janus
      structure is silica (SiO2) with particle sizes of 1, 2, and 4 MUm, and the cap
      material is Fe3O4. Addition of increasing amounts of glycerol to the aqueous
      system reveals that the contraction dynamics strongly correlate with the
      viscosity of the solution. The average chain contraction rate for each particle
      size can be fitted in the low viscosity range from 1 to 30 mPa.s with a power
      function of the form A/MU(0.9) - B/MU, in which the coefficients A and B are
      particle size, electric field, and magnetic-field-dependent constants. Using this
      function, the viscosity of an unknown solution can be determined, thereby
      pointing to the potential application of these Janus particle chain assemblies as
      in situ microviscometers. 

PMID- 24218983
TI  - Extraction and analysis of silver and gold nanoparticles from biological tissues
      using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
AB  - Expanded use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in consumer products increases
      the potential for environmental release and unintended biological exposures. As a
      result, measurement techniques are needed to accurately quantify ENP size, mass,
      and particle number distributions in biological matrices. This work combines
      single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICPMS) with
      tissue extraction to quantify and characterize metallic ENPs in environmentally
      relevant biological tissues for the first time. ENPs were extracted from tissues
      via alkaline digestion using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). Method
      development was performed using ground beef and was verified in Daphnia magna and
      Lumbriculus variegatus . ENPs investigated include 100 and 60 nm Au and Ag
      stabilized by polyvynylpyrrolidone (PVP). Mass- and number-based recovery of
      spiked Au and Ag ENPs was high (83-121%) from all tissues tested. Additional
      experiments suggested ENP mixtures (60 and 100 nm Ag ENPs) could be extracted and
      quantitatively analyzed. Biological exposures were also conducted to verify the
      applicability of the method for aquatic organisms. Size distributions and
      particle number concentrations were determined for ENPs extracted from D. magna
      exposed to 98 MUg/L 100 nm Au and 4.8 MUg/L 100 nm Ag ENPs. The D. magna
      nanoparticulate body burden for Au ENP uptake was 613 +/- 230 MUg/kgww, while the
      measured nanoparticulate body burden for D. magna exposed to Ag ENPs was 59 +/-
      52 MUg/kgww. Notably, the particle size distributions determined from D. magna
      tissues suggested minimal shifts in the size distributions of ENPs accumulated,
      as compared to the exposure media. 

PMID- 24218984
TI  - Measurement and evaluation of the alar base in unilateral secondary lip nasal
      deformities by three-dimensional computed tomography.
AB  - Objective : This study aimed to analyze the asymmetry of the pyriform aperture
      and alar base in patients with unilateral secondary nasal deformities by three
      dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). Methods : 3D-CT images of the subject
      group of 101 adult patients and of a control group of 65 normal adults were
      examined. Sixty-nine patients without alveolar bone grafting (ABG) were
      classified as Group A, and 32 patients with ABG were classified as Group B. Seven
      landmarks (INM, LPA, IPA, Gbase, Gsup, Glat, and Sbal) were measured for both the
      subject and control groups, and comparative analyses were done to assess the
      degree of asymmetry in the subject group. Results : For over 95% of Group A and
      80% to 85% of Group B, the index of LPA and IPA showed asymmetry or marked
      asymmetry. The index of Gbase, Glat, Gsup, and Sbal showed symmetry for around
      50% of Group A and about 60% of Group B. In Group A, dorsal, lateral, and caudal
      translocation was found on the cleft side in LPA and IPA, while all soft
      landmarks showed dorsal translocation. In Group B, caudal translocation was found
      in both LPA and IPA, but only LPA appeared dorsal on the cleft side, while Glat
      showed dorsal and caudal translocation. Conclusion : The results indicated that
      the degree of asymmetry of hard tissue landmarks far exceeded that of the soft
      tissue landmarks, and the degree of asymmetry of pyriform aperture was higher
      than expected for patients after ABG. 

PMID- 24218985
TI  - Early mother-child interaction and later quality of attachment in infants with an
      orofacial cleft compared to infants without cleft.
AB  - Objective : The main objective of this study was to assess mother-child patterns
      of interaction in relation to later quality of attachment in a group of children
      with an orofacial cleft compared with children without cleft. Design : Families
      were contacted when the child was 2 months old for a direct assessment of mother
      child interaction and then at 12 months for a direct assessment of the child's
      attachment. Data concerning socioeconomical information and posttraumatic stress
      symptoms in mothers were collected at the first appointment. Participants : Forty
      families of children with a cleft and 45 families of children without cleft were
      included in the study. Families were recruited at birth in the University
      Hospital of Lausanne. Results : Results showed that children with a cleft were
      more difficult and less cooperative during interaction at 2 months of age with
      their mother compared with children without a cleft. No significant differences
      were found in mothers or in dyadic interactive styles. Concerning the child's
      attachment at 12 months old, no differences were found in attachment security.
      However, secure children with a cleft were significantly more avoidant with their
      mother during the reunion episodes than secure children without cleft. Conclusion
      : Despite the facial disfigurement and the stress engendered by treatment during
      the first months of the infant's life, children with cleft and their mothers are
      doing as well as families without cleft with regard to the mothers' mental
      health, mother-child relationships, and later quality of attachment. A potential
      contribution for this absence of difference may be the pluridisciplinary support
      that families of children with cleft benefit from in Lausanne. 

PMID- 24218986
TI  - Multiresidue detection of fluoroquinolones: specificity engineering of a
      recombinant antibody with oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis.
AB  - Screening of a group of antibiotics from foodstuffs has traditionally relied on
      sophisticated chemical or physical analysis methods, such as liquid
      chromatography and mass spectrometric applications. The equipment for these
      techniques is expensive and not always applicable for high throughput screening.
      There is a need for an easy and cost efficient detection method for simultaneous
      screening of structurally similar compounds. Here we describe the engineering of
      a recombinant antibody which was subjected to oligonucleotide targeted random
      mutagenesis to emphasize the generic specificity of fluoroquinolone binding.
      Phage display together with small sized fluoroquinolone derivatives was used to
      find antibodies of high affinity and generic specificity. The most improved
      antibody was used to develop a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay which was
      further optimized and applied for the detection of fluoroquinolone residues from
      spiked whole milk samples. The assay can be used to efficiently screen all
      European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) controlled
      fluoroquinolones from whole milk samples with detection levels ranging from 0.2
      to 68 MUg L(-1). 

PMID- 24218987
TI  - Theoretical study of nascent solvation in Ni+ (benzene)m, m = 3 and 4, clusters.
AB  - The ligand versus solvent behavior of Ni(+)(C6H6)3,4 complexes was studied using
      density functional theory all-electron calculations. Dispersion corrections were
      included with the BPW91-D2 method using the 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set. The ground
      state (GS) for Ni(+)(C6H6)3 has three benzene rings 3d-pi bonded to the metal. A
      two-layer isomer with two moieties coordinated eta(3)-eta(2) with Ni(+), and the
      other one adsorbed by van der Waals interactions to the Ni(+)(C6H6)2 subcluster,
      i.e., a 2 + 1 structure, is within about 8.4 kJ/mol of the GS. Structures with 3
      + 1 and 2 + 2 ligand coordination were found for Ni(+)(C6H6)4. The binding
      energies (D0) of 28.9 and 26.0 kJ/mol for the external moieties of Ni(+)(C6H6)3,4
      are much smaller than that for Ni(+)(C6H6)2, 193.0 kJ/mol, obtained also with
      BPW91-D2. This last D0 overestimates somehow the experimental value, of 146.7 +/-
      11.6 kJ/mol, for Ni(+)(C6H6)2. The abrupt fall for D0(Ni(+)(C6H6)3,4) shows that
      such molecules are bound externally as solvent species. These results agree with
      the D0(Ni(+)(C6H6)3) < 37.1 kJ/mol limit found experimentally for this kind of
      two-layer clusters. The ionization energies also decrease for m = 2, 3, and 4
      (580.8, 573.1, and 558.6 kJ/mol). For Ni(+)(C6H6)3,4, each solvent moiety bridges
      the benzenes of Ni(+)(C6H6)2; their position and that of one internal ring mimics
      the tilted T-shape geometry of the benzene dimer (Bz2). The distances from the
      center of the external to the center of the internal rings for m = 3 (4.686 A)
      and m = 4 (4.523 A) are shorter than that for Bz2 (4.850 A). This and charge
      transfer effects promote the (C(delta-)-H(delta+))(int) dipole-pi(ext)
      interactions in Ni(+)(C6H6)3,4; pi-pi interactions also occur. The predicted IR
      spectra, having multiplet structure in the C-H region, provide insight into the
      experimental spectra of these ions.

PMID- 24218988
TI  - Cutaneous metastases as an initial manifestation of visceral well-differentiated
      neuroendocrine tumor: a report of four cases and a review of literature.
AB  - Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors metastasize to the skin uncommonly, and
      only 35 cases are reported in the literature. In only five of these patients,
      cutaneous metastases were the presenting symptom of malignancy; herein, we report
      four such cases. Two patients were female and two male, aged 50-74 years (mean:
      64.5 years), each with a solitary painless, slowly enlarging, non-ulcerated
      cutaneous nodule of 3-12 months duration (mean: 9 months). The lesions were on
      the scalp (n = 3) and trunk (n = 1), and ranged in greatest dimension from 0.5 to
      2.5 cm. The distinction from other microscopically similar entities, and the
      interpretation of origination from gastrointestinal, pancreatic or respiratory
      system primaries, was made clinically, or was based on the morphological features
      and the immunohistochemical profile. One patient died of the disease progression
      after 36 months whereas two patients are alive with significant disease
      progression after 24 and 60 months. Metastatic neuroendocrine tumor should be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous tumors with neuroendocrine
      morphology even in patients with no known history of visceral malignancy.

PMID- 24218989
TI  - Formulation approaches to improving the delivery of an antiviral drug with
      activity against seasonal flu.
AB  - The main objective of the present study was to develop formulations of noscapine
      hydrochloride hydrate with enhanced solubility and bioavailability using co
      solvent- and cyclodextrin-based approaches. Different combinations of co
      solvents, which were selected on the basis of high-throughput solubility
      screening, were subjected to in vitro intestinal drug permeability studies
      conducted with Ussing chambers. Vitamin E tocopherol polyethylene glycol
      succinate and propylene glycol based co-solvent formulations provided the maximum
      permeability coefficient for the drug. Inclusion complexes of the drug were
      prepared using hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and sulphobutylether
      cyclodextrins. Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out in male Sprague-Dawley
      rats for the selected formulations. The relative bioavailabilities of the drug
      with the co-solvent- and cyclodextrin-based formulations were found to be
      similar.

PMID- 24218990
TI  - Investigational drugs targeting cardiac fibrosis.
AB  - Fibrosis is an accumulation of proteins including collagen in the extracellular
      space, which has previously been considered as irreversible damage in various
      cardiovascular diseases including heart failure and hypertension. The
      pathophysiology of fibrosis is currently better understood and can be evaluated
      by non-invasive methods. Here, the authors present briefly the impact and
      molecular mechanisms of fibrosis in the myocardium and the promising therapeutic
      candidates including anti-hypertensive therapies, heart-rate lowering drugs, anti
      inflammatory agents, as well as other innovative approaches such as inhibitors of
      growth factors, miRNA or cell therapy. Surrogate end points allow for larger
      clinical trials than previously possible with endomyocardial biopsies, and
      magnetic resonance and molecular imaging should open new fields of research on
      cardiac fibrosis. Several pre-clinical findings are very promising, and some
      clinical data support the proofs of concept, mainly those with inhibitors of the
      renin-angiotensin system. These approaches open the field for regression of
      fibrosis and include the following: first, some of these drugs are widely used
      like renin-angiotensin system inhibitors; second, inflammation modulators; third,
      in near future entirely new approaches targeting the TGF-beta pathways, or others
      like cell therapies or genetic interventions. 

PMID- 24218992
TI  - An integrative review of nurse-led community-based case management effectiveness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accountable, continuous and patient-centred care in community-based
      settings is increasingly needed to reduce fragmented care, especially to reduce
      patient readmission rates. Case management has been proven effective in reducing
      healthcare costs and in increasing continuity of care, but its effectiveness in
      community-based settings is not clear. AIM: The aim of this integrative review is
      to examine the effectiveness of community-based case management programmes in
      improving patient outcomes. METHODS: An integrative review of articles from
      PubMed, CINAHL and PsycInfo databases was undertaken to synthesize and analyse
      research about community-based case management and its outcomes. Studies looking
      for patient outcomes and empirical studies published since 2000 were included. A
      total 18 articles were retrieved from 2000 to 2013. RESULTS: Most of the included
      studies were conducted in the USA, but international studies with quantitative
      approaches were reviewed (n = 6). The review revealed that community-based case
      management significantly reduced hospital access outcomes, especially
      readmissions and increased cost effectiveness, patient clinical outcomes and
      patient satisfaction. LIMITATIONS: This study did not isolate studies of patients
      with diseases or demographic characteristics in common, resulting in large
      variations in disease and demographic factors. CONCLUSION: There is a base of
      evidence that community-based case management is effective. Because it provides
      quality, patient-centred care, case management should be used for major care
      coordination. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: The benefits of
      community-based case management need to be announced to healthcare leaders and
      policymakers.

PMID- 24218991
TI  - Efficiency and safety of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT(P140K))
      mediated in vivo selection in a humanized mouse model.
AB  - Efficient O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT(P140K))-mediated
      myeloprotection and in vivo selection have been demonstrated in numerous animal
      models and most recently in a phase I clinical study in glioblastoma patients.
      However, this strategy may augment the genotoxic risk of integrating vectors
      because of chemotherapy-induced DNA damage and the proliferative stress exerted
      during the in vivo selection. Thus, to improve the safety of the procedure, we
      evaluated a self-inactivating lentiviral MGMT(P140K) vector for transduction of
      human cord blood-derived CD34+ cells followed by transplantation of the cells
      into NOD/LtSz-scid/Il2rgamma-/- mice. These experiments demonstrated significant
      and stable enrichment of MGMT(P140K) transgenic human cells in the murine
      peripheral blood and bone marrow. Clonal inventory analysis utilizing linear
      amplification-mediated polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing
      revealed a characteristic lentiviral integration profile. Among the bone marrow
      insertions retrieved, we observed considerable overlap to previous MGMT(P140K)
      preclinical models or the clinical study. However, no significant differences
      between our chemotherapy-treated and nontreated cohorts were observed. This also
      hold true when specific cancer gene databases and a functional annotation of hit
      genes by the Panther Database with respect to molecular function, biological
      process, or cellular component were assessed. Thus, in summary, our data
      demonstrate efficient and long-term in vivo selection without overt hematological
      abnormalities using the lentiviral MGMT(P140K) vector. Furthermore, the study
      introduces humanized mouse models as a novel tool for the pre-clinical assessment
      of human gene therapy related toxicity.

PMID- 24218993
TI  - Bupropion-SR for smoking reduction and cessation in alcohol-dependent
      outpatients: a naturalistic, open-label study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to determine whether sustained-release bupropion (bupropion
      SR) reduces smoking and promotes smoking cessation among alcohol-dependent (AD)
      smokers while they are in early recovery from alcohol. METHODS: We conducted an
      open-label, naturalistic study among AD smokers enrolled in an outpatient
      treatment program. The treatment group (n=58) was offered bupropion-SR and brief
      smoking cessation counseling. A control group (n=57) was matched to the treatment
      group by age, sex, ethnicity, cigarette use, and years of alcohol dependence. The
      controls received no smoking cessation intervention. We collected tobacco and
      alcohol abstinence data for 6 months after enrollment. RESULTS: Participants in
      the treatment group were more likely to abstain from smoking than controls, at
      any of the followup time points. The treatment group smoked less cigarettes per
      day (CPD) at baseline, 30 days and 180 days post-baseline, compared to controls.
      These findings persisted after adjusting for possible covariates. CONCLUSION:
      Bupropion-SR may be helpful to quit or reduce smoking for recently abstinent AD
      individuals.

PMID- 24218994
TI  - Critical review of the evidence on 5-aminosalicilate for chemoprevention of
      colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis: a methodological question.
AB  - Even though the exact amount of the increased risk is not known, patients with
      Ulcerative Colitis (UC) are more likely to develop colonic malignancy compared
      with the general population. 5-aminosalicilic acid (5-ASA) compounds are the
      mainstay therapy for mild-moderate UC, and their use for chemoprevention of
      colorectal cancer has been proposed, but the evidences are not univocal. Aim of
      the present work is to critically revise the available data on 5- ASA utilization
      for cancer chemoprevention, as well as the possible impact in the management of
      UC patients. In clinical practice, in fact, the best means to measure the
      dimension of a therapeutic effect is the number needed to treat (NNT). In our
      study, we show how different basal risk of colorectal cancer reported in studies
      coming from Europe and USA can affect the NNT, making the strategy "cost
      effective" or not. Since prospective randomized controlled trials to address the
      chemopreventive effect of 5-ASA are not feasible, evidence relays upon
      observational studies that may imply several biases. Therefore, the heterogeneity
      of the data is mainly consequent to the different methodological approach of the
      published studies, in terms of study design, data collection, definitions of
      regular use of medication and measures of therapeutic efficacy. In addition, two
      meta-analyses are available with apparently conflicting results. Nonetheless, 5
      ASA represents an ideal chemopreventive agent for its anti-inflammatory property,
      safety, acceptability and inexpensiveness, and even ECCO guidelines recommend 5
      ASA long term use, as these compounds may decrease the incidence of CRC.

PMID- 24218996
TI  - Clinical relevance of the interaction when switching non-nucleoside reverse
      transcriptase inhibitors in patients infected with HIV.
AB  - Substitution of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) with
      another drug of the same class combined with nucleoside reverse transcriptase
      inhibitors is a therapeutic strategy that can improve the tolerability of
      antiretroviral treatment. According to the pharmacokinetic properties of NNRTIs,
      this substitution generates pharmacokinetic drug interactions between NNRTIs,
      which could decrease NNRTI exposure and virological efficacy during the
      introductory phase of the new NNRTI. Pharmacokinetics and clinical data are
      reviewed to estimate the risk for switching from efavirenz to nevirapine,
      efavirenz to etravirine, efavirenz to rilpivirine and nevirapine to rilpivirine.

PMID- 24218995
TI  - Bridging differences in outcomes of pharmacoepidemiological studies: design and
      first results of the PROTECT project.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Observational pharmacoepidemiological (PE) studies on drug safety
      have produced discrepant results that may be due to differences in design,
      conduct and analysis. PURPOSE: The pharmacoepidemiology work-package (WP2) of the
      Pharmacoepidemiological Research on Outcomes of Therapeutics by a European
      ConsorTium (PROTECT) project aims at developing, testing and disseminating
      methodological standards for design, conduct and analysis of
      pharmacoepidemiological studies applicable to different safety issues using
      different databases across European countries. This article describes the
      selection of the safety issues and the description of the databases to be
      systematically studied. METHODS: Based on two consensus meetings and a literature
      search, we selected five drug-adverse event (AE) pairs to be evaluated in
      different databases. This selection was done according to pre-defined criteria
      such as regulatory and public health impact, and the potential to investigate a
      broad range of methodological issues. RESULTS: The selected drug-AE pairs are: 1)
      inhaled long-acting beta-2 agonists and acute myocardial infarction; 2)
      antimicrobials and acute liver injury; 3) antidepressants and/or benzodiazepines
      and hip fracture; 4) anticonvulsants and suicide/suicide attempts; and 5) calcium
      channel blockers and malignancies. Six European databases, that will be used to
      evaluate the drug-AE pairs retrospectively, are also described. CONCLUSION: The
      selected drug-AE pairs will be evaluated in PE studies using common protocols.
      Based on consistencies and discrepancies of these studies, a framework for
      guiding methodological choices will be developed. This will increase the
      usefulness and reliability of PE studies for benefit-risk assessment and decision
      making.

PMID- 24218997
TI  - Ginger for prevention or treatment of drug-induced nausea and vomiting.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this review, potential benefits of oral ginger for prevention or
      management of drug- induced nausea and vomiting were evaluated based on the
      available evidences. METHOD: By searching medical resources including Scopus,
      PubMed, Medline, Cochrane central register of controlled trials and Cochrane
      database systematic reviews, available evidences were collected. Ginger,
      zingiber, nausea and vomiting were considered as keywords. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSION: Various studies have evaluated effects of ginger in prevention and
      management of nausea and vomiting in different conditions such as pregnancy,
      chemotherapy, and post-operation. Evidences regarding anti-emetic effect of
      ginger in prevention and treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting
      are limited and results are conflicting. More randomized clinical trials should
      be conducted to confirm efficacy of ginger in this regards. Ginger showed
      promising and attractive effects in preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting
      at least as add-on therapy. The exact role of ginger as anti-emetic in prevention
      of post- operative nausea and vomiting can be elucidated by future randomized
      clinical trials.

PMID- 24218998
TI  - Sources of information used when prescribing for children, a survey of hospital
      based pediatricians.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to the lack of properly tested medicines for children, there is
      little available information with regards to indications and dosing of
      medications in children. AIM: To collect data on sources where hospital based
      pediatricians obtain prescribing information when treating children and the
      extent of collaboration with the hospital pharmacist. METHOD: Two hundred and
      fifty pediatricians in different hospitals within different cities in Jordan were
      asked to fill in a structured questionnaire regarding information sources used
      when prescribing for children. RESULTS: Questionnaires were collected from 162
      (64.8%) hospital based pediatricians, who have completed the questionnaire by the
      designated date. Most (75.5%) reported that the Lexi Comp's Drug Information
      Handbook was the source that they most frequently used for drug information when
      prescribing for in children. The BNF and the BNFc (British National Formulary for
      children) were found to be the most sources that contain sufficient information
      that aids pediatricians when prescribing for children. A minority (22%) claimed
      to consult with the hospital pharmacist when they face difficulties when
      prescribing for children. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians rely on different
      information sources when they prescribe for children. Those sources vary in their
      reliability in aiding pediatrician when prescribing. Further work should be done
      in the provision of useful information on pediatric drug therapy to
      pediatricians. More steps should be taking place to activate collaboration and
      interaction between pediatricians and pharmacists as well.

PMID- 24218999
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban--an oral, direct factor Xa
      inhibitor.
AB  - Anticoagulants have a key role in the management of venous and arterial
      thromboembolic disorders. Traditional anticoagulants, such as unfractionated
      heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, fondaparinux, and vitamin K antagonists
      are effective but have limitations that make the management of thromboembolic
      disorders difficult. There is a clear need for new anticoagulants that are at
      least as effective as traditional agents but without their drawbacks. This review
      discusses the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of one
      of these newer agents - the direct Factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban - and provides
      an overview of the results of phase III clinical studies. Based on these results,
      rivaroxaban has gained approval for the prevention and treatment of several
      thromboembolic disorders in adult patients. Rivaroxaban, which has a rapid onset
      of action, targets free and clot-bound Factor Xa and Factor Xa in the
      prothrombinase complex. It reaches maximal plasma concentration 2-4 hours after
      administration and has a high bioavailability (80-100%). Rivaroxaban has several
      advantages over traditional anticoagulants. It does not require dose adjustment
      for age, sex, body weight, or ethnicity, and there is no requirement for routine
      coagulation monitoring because it has been shown to have predictable
      pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Furthermore, rivaroxaban has minimal food
      and drug interactions. The introduction of newer oral anticoagulants, such as
      rivaroxaban, that are convenient to administer and have predictable
      pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, could ultimately simplify patient
      management in clinical practice and may improve clinical outcomes across a broad
      range of thromboembolic disorders.

PMID- 24219000
TI  - K-Ras, intestinal homeostasis and colon cancer.
AB  - Activating Ras mutations, present in about 20% of human cancers, compromise the
      GTPase activity of Ras and therefore trigger accumulation of Ras in the GTP-bound
      state. Among the three family members, K-Ras, H-Ras and N-Ras, K-Ras is the most
      frequently mutated gene, with 30-50% of colon cancer patients harboring
      activating K-Ras mutations. Oncogenic mutations of K-Ras have been found at
      codons 12, 13, 61 and 146. Activation of Ras triggers constitutive activation of
      signaling pathways, including the MAPK and AKT pathways, which allows tumor cells
      to proliferate in the absence of growth factors and increases their survival. In
      addition, activated Ras triggers inflammation and thus promotes tumor progression
      in a cell non-autonomous manner. The presence of K-Ras mutations not only has
      prognostic value, but it also predicts the responsiveness of colon cancer
      patients to inhibitors of EGFR signaling. 

PMID- 24219001
TI  - Cardiotonic steroids in adaptation to dietary salt intake.
AB  - For many years the concept relating salt to blood pressure (BP) changes has been
      debated and the concept of natriuretic hormone eliminating excessive sodium by
      direct inhibition of Na/K-ATPase has raised controversy. However, a recently
      discovered Na/K-ATPase signaling function has been widely confirmed and provided
      a novel mechanism to explain the relationship between sodium and blood pressure.
      Recently, we have demonstrated that activation of this Na/KATPase signaling
      function regulates sodium reabsorption in renal proximal tubules (RPTs) to
      correct sodium retention related volume expansion and BP increase. This mechanism
      demonstrates that rather than contributing to development and maintenance of
      hypertension, a properly regulated RPT Na/K-ATPase signaling has a protective
      effect by stimulating renal sodium excretion. A clear understanding of molecular
      mechanisms whereby the Na/K-ATPase signaling axis counterbalance volume expansion
      would have major pathophysiological and therapeutic implications for volume
      expansion mediated hypertension. In this review, we will focus on the effect of
      the newly appreciated cardiotonic steroids (CTS)-Na/K-ATPase signaling on RPT
      mediated sodium handling by coordinated regulation of the Na/K-ATPase and
      sodium/proton exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3). 

PMID- 24219002
TI  - Drug-induced impulse control disorders: a review.
AB  - The essential characteristic of impulse disorders is the failure to resist an
      impulse, drive or temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the person or
      to others. Clearly, impulse control disorders can occur without an induction of
      any drugs, and they may lead to very problematic situations that affect the
      adjustment of the patient and need to be treated immediately. However, the
      subject of the present review is impulsivity induced by a variety of drugs. In
      this context, the most frequently established agents are dopaminergic agonists
      that may affect the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, such as cocaine and
      methamphetamine. In Parkinson's disease, the triggering effect of levodopa on
      pounding has been known since the first description of the condition by Friedman.
      In this paper, we reviewed the role of a variety of psychopharmacological agents,
      including dopaminergic ones on the occurrence of impulse control disorders, by
      searching the PubMed database for relevant articles published in the period
      between 1980 and 2012 August in detail.

PMID- 24219003
TI  - CD26: a multi-purpose pharmacological target.
AB  - CD26 is a widely expressed transmembrane glycoprotein with peptidase activity in
      its extracellular domain and which regulates multiple biological processes. It
      acts mainly as catabolic enzyme for a number of circulating proteins involved in
      common pathological conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease and
      may represent a target to modulate bioavailability of crucial substrates. The aim
      of the present review is to summarize data regarding CD26-based pharmacological
      interventions. Four main subtopics were identified:1) CD26 as the target of
      pharmacological inhibitors to increase bioavailability of glucagon-like petide-1
      (GLP-1) and hence to enhance GLP-1 glucose-lowering activity in diabetic
      patients; 2) role of CD26 in the physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular
      system; 3) the adverse prognostic value of CD26 expression on cancer cells; 4)
      CD26 down-regulation on lymphocytes as a mechanism of TGF-beta immunomodulation. 

PMID- 24219004
TI  - Utilization of optimal study design for maternal and fetal sheep propofol
      pharmacokinetics study: a preliminary study.
AB  - Multiple blood samples are generally required for measurement of pharmacokinetic
      (PK) parameters. D-optimal design is a popular and frequently used approach for
      determination of sampling time points in order to minimize the number of samples,
      while optimizing the estimation of PK parameters. Optimal design utilizing ADAPT
      (v5, BSR, University of Southern California, Los Angeles) developed a sparse
      sampling strategy to determine measurement of propofol in pregnant sheep.
      Propofal was administered as supplemental anesthetic agent to inhalation
      anesthesia to mimic anesthesia for open fetal surgery. In our preliminary study,
      propofol 3 mg/kg was given as a bolus to the ewe, followed by propofol infusion
      at rate 450 mcg/kg/min for 60 minutes, then decreased to 75 mcg/kg/min for 90
      more minutes and then ceased. A three compartment model described the PK
      parameters with the fetus assumed as the third compartment. Initially, sampling
      times were chosen from thirteen time points as previously stated in the
      literature. Using priori propofol PK estimates, the final 9 sample time points
      were proposed in an optimal design with a change in infusion rate occurring
      between 65 and 75 minutes and sampling proposed at 5, 15, 25, 65, 75, 100, 110,
      150, and 180 minutes. D-optimal design optimized the number and timing of
      samplings, which led to a reduction of cost and man power in the study protocol
      while preserving the ability to estimate propofol PK parameters in the maternal
      and fetal sheep model. Initial evaluation of samples collected from three sheep
      using the optimal design strategy confirmed the performance of the design in
      obtaining effective PK parameter estimates.

PMID- 24219005
TI  - Phase II and pharmacological study of oral docetaxel plus cyclosporin A in
      anthracycline pre-treated metastatic breast cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Previously, we demonstrated that oral docetaxel plus the P
      glycoprotein (Pgp; ABCB1) inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA) is safe and results in
      adequate exposure to docetaxel. This phase II study evaluates the anti-tumor
      activity, safety and pharmacokinetics of oral docetaxel in combination with CsA
      in women with advanced breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with
      measurable advanced breast cancer were given one flat dose of 100 mg oral
      docetaxel, preceded by one single dose of 15 mg/kg CsA, weekly for 6 weeks in a
      cycle of 8 weeks. Pharmacokinetic monitoring of docetaxel and CsA was performed
      in week 1 and 9. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients with a median age of 50 years
      were recruited. Thirty patients were evaluable for toxicity and twenty-six for
      response. All had received prior anthracycline treatment. The treatment was
      generally well tolerated with manageable toxicity although many patients needed a
      dose reduction, most commonly because of fatigue and uncomplicated neutropenia.
      The median treatment duration was 16 weeks (range 6 - 32). The overall response
      rate in evaluable patients was 42% (95% CI: 23 - 63) and the median overall
      survival was 12.2 months (8.4 - 23.1). The interpatient variability in the area
      under the curve of 100 mg orally administered docetaxel was moderate,
      respectively 49 and 30% in week 1 and 9. CONCLUSION: Weekly oral docetaxel,
      combined with the booster drug CsA, is an active and safe treatment in
      anthracycline pre-treated patients with advanced breast cancer.

PMID- 24219006
TI  - Comprehensive approach to sarcopenia treatment.
AB  - Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal
      muscle mass and strength with a risk of adverse outcomes such as physical
      disability, poor quality of life, and death. Primary sarcopenia is considered to
      be age-related when no other cause is evident, other than ageing itself.
      Secondary sarcopenia should be considered when one or more other causes are
      evident, such as activity-, disease-, or nutrition-related sarcopenia. In this
      narrative review that focused on human studies, we summarize the pharmaceutical
      therapies (testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, estrogen, growth hormone,
      ghrelin, vitamin D, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and eicosapentaenoic
      acid) and nonpharmaceutical therapies (resistance training, protein and amino
      acid supplementation, and non-smoking) for counteracting primary sarcopenia.
      Testosterone and growth hormone improve muscle mass and muscle strength, but have
      several side effects. Although there are some intriguing pharmaceutical therapies
      to combat sarcopenia, resistance training combined with supplements containing
      amino acids are the most effective for preventing and treating age-related muscle
      wasting and weakness. The etiology of sarcopenia in the elderly is multi
      factorial. Patients with disuse syndrome and deconditioning often complicate the
      diagnosis, of not only activity-related sarcopenia, but also age-, disease-, and
      nutrition-related sarcopenia. In these cases a comprehensive approach to
      sarcopenia treatment should include pharmaceutical therapies for age-related
      sarcopenia and comorbid chronic diseases, resistance training, early ambulation,
      nutrition management, protein and amino acid supplementation, and non-smoking.
      The effect of pharmaceutical therapies for sarcopenia can be enhanced by this
      comprehensive approach. Future research on pharmaceutical therapies for
      counteracting sarcopenia should consider non-pharmaceutical therapies and also
      the causes of sarcopenia. 

PMID- 24219007
TI  - The interaction potential of retigabine (ezogabine) with other antiepileptic
      drugs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retigabine is an antiepileptic drug (AED) that reduces neuronal
      excitability by enhancing neuronal KCNQ (Kv7) potassium channel activity.
      METHODS: This manuscript provides an overview of the drug-drug interaction
      potential of retigabine with other AEDs, using data collated from both in vitro
      work and clinical studies, either previously published or from relevant
      information collated during the development of retigabine. RESULTS: Retigabine is
      not a substrate for the major CYP enzymes and at clinically relevant
      concentrations there is little or no potential for retigabine to inhibit or
      induce the CYP enzymes or to inhibit the major renal drug transporters. The
      addition of retigabine to a range of existing AEDs showed little or no effect on
      the AED trough concentrations apart from a 20% decrease in lamotrigine
      concentrations. Results from a small phase II study showed that co-administration
      of valproic acid and topiramate had no impact on the PK of retigabine whereas
      carbamazepine and phenytoin increased the clearance of retigabine by
      approximately 27% and 36%, respectively. Conversely, a population PK analysis of
      combined data from phase I, II and III studies showed that none of the
      coadministered AEDs affected retigabine clearance apart from lamotrigine which
      lowered retigabine clearance by 6.7%. CONCLUSION: Retigabine is not metabolized
      by CYP isozymes and does not induce or inhibit these isozymes at clinically
      relevant concentrations. Therefore, retigabine is associated with a low potential
      for PK interactions with other drugs via CYP450. Overall, there was little or no
      potential for retigabine to interact with other available AEDs. Although some PK
      interactions were observed with lamotrigine, these are unlikely to be clinically
      relevant.

PMID- 24219008
TI  - Dynamically regulated miRNA-mRNA networks revealed by exercise.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MiRNAs are essential mediators of many biological processes. The aim
      of this study was to investigate the dynamics of miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks
      during exercise and the subsequent recovery period. RESULTS: Here we monitored
      the transcriptome changes using microarray analysis of the whole blood of eight
      highly trained athletes before and after 30 min of moderate exercise followed by
      30 min and 60 min of recovery period. We combined expression profiling and
      bioinformatics and analysed metabolic pathways enriched with differentially
      expressed mRNAs and mRNAs which are known to be validated targets of
      differentially expressed miRNAs. Finally we revealed four dynamically regulated
      networks comprising differentially expressed miRNAs and their known target mRNAs
      with anti-correlated expression profiles over time. The data suggest that hsa-miR
      21-5p regulated TGFBR3, PDGFD and PPM1L mRNAs. Hsa-miR-24-2-5p was likely to be
      responsible for MYC and KCNJ2 genes and hsa-miR-27a-5p for ST3GAL6. The targets
      of hsa-miR-181a-5p included ROPN1L and SLC37A3. All these mRNAs are involved in
      processes highly relevant to exercise response, including immune function,
      apoptosis, membrane traffic of proteins and transcription regulation.
      CONCLUSIONS: We have identified metabolic pathways involved in response to
      exercise and revealed four miRNA-mRNA networks dynamically regulated following
      exercise. This work is the first study to monitor miRNAs and mRNAs in parallel
      into the recovery period. The results provide a novel insight into the regulatory
      role of miRNAs in stress adaptation.

PMID- 24219009
TI  - Evaluation of enrofloxacin use in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) via population
      pharmacokinetics and Monte Carlo simulation.
AB  - Clinically normal koalas (n = 6) received a single dose of intravenous
      enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg). Serial plasma samples were collected over 24 h, and
      enrofloxacin concentrations were determined via high-performance liquid
      chromatography. Population pharmacokinetic modeling was performed in S-ADAPT. The
      probability of target attainment (PTA) was predicted via Monte Carlo simulations
      (MCS) using relevant target values (30-300) based on the unbound area under the
      curve over 24 h divided by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (fAUC0-24
      /MIC), and published subcutaneous data were incorporated (Griffith et al., 2010).
      A two-compartment disposition model with allometrically scaled clearances
      (exponent: 0.75) and volumes of distribution (exponent: 1.0) adequately described
      the disposition of enrofloxacin. For 5.4 kg koalas (average weight), point
      estimates for total clearance (SE%) were 2.58 L/h (15%), central volume of
      distribution 0.249 L (14%), and peripheral volume 2.77 L (20%). MCS using a
      target fAUC0-24 /MIC of 40 predicted highest treatable MICs of 0.0625 mg/L for
      intravenous dosing and 0.0313 mg/L for subcutaneous dosing of 10 mg/kg
      enrofloxacin every 24 h. Thus, the frequently used dosage of 10 mg/kg
      enrofloxacin every 24 h subcutaneously may be appropriate against gram-positive
      bacteria with MICs <= 0.03 mg/L (PTA > 90%), but appears inadequate against gram
      negative bacteria and Chlamydiae in koalas. 

PMID- 24219010
TI  - Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mainland of China: a meta
      analysis of published studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an
      increasingly important health issue. However, there are no data on the change in
      prevalence of NAFLD within a population over time, especially in the mainland of
      China. The goal of this study was to estimate the pooled prevalence of NAFLD in
      the mainland of China. METHODS: Systematic literature searches were conducted in
      PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Chinese Web of Knowledge, Wangfang, Weipu, and SinoMed
      databases, as well as relevant articles published from 1997 to 2013, reporting
      prevalence estimates of NAFLD in the mainland of China. Summary estimates of
      prevalence were calculated with a random effects model. The effects of research
      methodology on the prevalence estimates were assessed using a meta-regression
      model. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies were identified with of a total of 356 367
      subjects. The overall pooled prevalence of NAFLD was 20.09% (17.95-22.31%).
      Subgroup analyses showed the following results: male: 24.81% (21.88-27.87%),
      female: 13.16% (11.33-15.11%), for 18-30: 9.22% (6.93-11.81%), for 40: 16.77%
      (13.22-20.66%), for 50: 23.50% (19.57-27.66%), for 60: 26.89% (21.11-33.09%), for
      urban: 21.83% (18.00-25.92%), for rural: 20.43% (8.01-36.74%); study years in
      2000-2006: 18.22% (14.32-22.48%), 20.00% (16.84-23.36%) for 2007-2009, and 18.93%
      (15.41-22.72%) for 2010-2013. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NAFLD is lower than
      the estimates from developed countries. But it still reaches the epidemic
      proportions, and its prevalence is increasing. Meanwhile, a nationwide prevalence
      investigation should be conducted to confirm the estimates and determine more
      accurate rates for specific populations.

PMID- 24219011
TI  - Oxidation of survival factor MEF2D in neuronal death and Parkinson's disease.
AB  - AIMS: Dysfunction of myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), a key survival protein
      and transcription factor, underlies the pathogenic loss of dopaminergic (DA)
      neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). Both genetic factors and neurotoxins
      associated with PD impair MEF2D function in vitro and in animal models of PD. We
      investigated whether distinct stress conditions target MEF2D via converging
      mechanisms. RESULTS: We showed that exposure of a DA neuronal cell line to 6
      hyroxydopamine (6-OHDA), which causes PD in animals models, led to direct
      oxidative modifications of MEF2D. Oxidized MEF2D bound to heat-shock cognate
      protein 70 kDa, the key regulator for chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), at a
      higher affinity. Oxidative stress also increased the level of lysosomal
      associated membrane protein 2A (LAMP2A), the rate-limiting receptor for CMA
      substrate flux, and stimulated CMA activity. These changes resulted in
      accelerated degradation of MEF2D. Importantly, 6-OHDA induced MEF2D oxidation and
      increased LAMP2A in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of the mouse brain.
      Consistently, the levels of oxidized MEF2D were much higher in postmortem PD
      brains compared with the controls. Functionally, reducing the levels of either
      MEF2D or LAMP2A exacerbated 6-OHDA-induced death of the DA neuronal cell line.
      Expression of an MEF2D mutant that is resistant to oxidative modification
      protected cells from 6-OHDA-induced death. INNOVATION: This study showed that
      oxidization of survival protein MEF2D is one of the pathogenic mechanisms
      involved in oxidative stress-induced DA neuronal death. CONCLUSION: Oxidation of
      survival factor MEF2D inhibits its function, underlies oxidative stress-induced
      neurotoxicity, and may be a part of the PD pathogenic process.

PMID- 24219012
TI  - Cardiometabolic biomarkers in chronic plaque psoriasis before and after
      etanercept treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess cardiometabolic biomarkers in patients with psoriasis before
      and after etanercept treatment. METHODS: Patients with moderate-to-severe plaque
      psoriasis were randomized to etanercept 50 mg once or twice weekly, double
      blinded. Cardiometabolic biomarkers were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks
      of treatment (n = 273). RESULTS: At baseline, 42% of patients had metabolic
      syndrome. Etanercept was not associated with any clinically relevant adverse
      effects on cardiometabolic biomarkers. In the once-weekly subgroup, significant
      mean percentage changes from baseline (p < 0.05) were observed for the
      quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI; -2.2%), apolipoprotein
      (Apo) A1 (3.2%), Apo B:Apo A1 ratio (-3.5%), leptin (8.6%) and high-sensitivity C
      reactive protein (hsCRP) (-65.5%); and in the twice-weekly subgroup for plasma
      insulin (15.9%), QUICKI (-2.7%), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C;
      2.9%), apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 (2.8%), Apo B:Apo A1 (-4.6%) and hsCRP (-74.4%).
      CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome was common in these patients with moderate-to
      severe psoriasis. Etanercept treatment may provide some potentially favorable
      modulation of insulin sensitivity, HDL-C, Apo A1 and Apo B:Apo A1 ratio.

PMID- 24219013
TI  - Cross-hetero-dehydrogenative coupling reaction of phosphites: a catalytic metal
      free phosphorylation of amines and alcohols.
AB  - Phosphorylation of amines, alcohols, and sulfoximines are accomplished using
      molecular iodine as a catalyst and H2O2 as the sole oxidant under mild reaction
      conditions. This method provides an easy route for synthesizing a variety of
      phosphoramidates, phosphorus triesters and sulfoximine-derived phosphoramidates
      which are of biological importance. 

PMID- 24219014
TI  - The accuracy of surrogate decision makers: informed consent in hypothetical acute
      stroke scenarios.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over one third of stroke patients have cognitive or language deficits
      such that they require surrogate consent for acute stroke treatment or enrollment
      into acute stroke trials. Little is known about the agreement of stroke patients
      and surrogates in this time-sensitive decision-making process. We sought to
      determine patient and surrogate agreement in 4 hypothetical acute stroke
      scenarios. METHODS: We performed face to face interviews with ED patients at an
      academic teaching hospital from June to August 2011. Patients and the surrogates
      they designated were asked to make decisions regarding 4 hypothetical stroke
      scenarios: 2 were treatment decisions; 2 involved enrollment into a clinical
      trial. Percent agreement was calculated as measures of surrogate predictive
      ability. RESULTS: A total of 200 patient/surrogate pairs were interviewed.
      Overall patient/surrogate percent agreement was 76.5%. Agreement for clinical
      scenarios ranged from 87% to 96% but dropped to 49%-74% for research scenarios.
      CONCLUSIONS: Surrogates accurately predict patient preferences for standard acute
      stroke treatments. However, the accuracy decreases when predicting research
      participation suggesting that the degree of surrogate agreement is dependent on
      the type of decision being made. Further research is needed to more thoroughly
      characterize surrogate decision-making in acute stroke situations.

PMID- 24219016
TI  - Studying motivations to avoid pregnancy.

PMID- 24219015
TI  - Environmental factors selectively impact co-occurrence of problem/pathological
      gambling with specific drug-use disorders in male twins.
AB  - AIMS: Multiple forms of drug abuse/dependence frequently co-occur with
      problem/pathological gambling (PPG). The current study examines the extent to
      which genetic and environmental factors contribute to their co-occurrence.
      DESIGN: Bivariate models investigated the magnitude and correlation of genetic
      and environmental contributions to problem/pathological gambling and its co
      occurrence with nicotine dependence, cannabis abuse/dependence and stimulant
      abuse/dependence. SETTING: Computer-assisted telephone interviews in the
      community. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 7869 male twins in the Vietnam Era
      Twin Registry, a USA-based national twin registry. MEASUREMENTS: Life-time DSM
      III-R diagnoses for problem/pathological gambling, nicotine dependence, cannabis
      abuse/dependence and stimulant abuse/dependence were determined using the
      Diagnostic Interview Schedule. FINDINGS: All drug-use disorders displayed
      additive genetic and non-shared environmental contributions, with cannabis
      abuse/dependence also displaying shared environmental contributions. Both genetic
      [genetic correlation rA  = 0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.10-0.34] and
      non-shared environmental components (environmental correlation rE  = 0.24; 95% CI
      = 0.10-0.37) contributed to the co-occurrence of problem/pathological gambling
      and nicotine dependence. This pattern was shared by cannabis abuse/dependence (rA
      = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.05-1.0; rE  = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.16-0.55) but not stimulant
      abuse/dependence (SAD), which showed only genetic contributions to the co
      occurrence with problem/pathological gambling (rA  = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.45-0.73).
      CONCLUSIONS: Strong links between gambling and stimulant-use disorders may relate
      to the neurochemical properties of stimulants or the illicit nature of using
      'hard' drugs such as cocaine. The greater contribution of environmental factors
      to the co-occurrence between problem/pathological gambling and 'softer' forms of
      drug abuse/dependence (cannabis, tobacco) suggest that environmental
      interventions (perhaps relating to availability and legality) may help to
      diminish the relationship between problem/pathological gambling and tobacco- and
      cannabis-use disorders.

PMID- 24219017
TI  - Incorporating a service improvement project into an undergraduate nursing
      programme: a pilot study.
AB  - Although service improvement projects have been incorporated into some
      postregistration nurse education modules in the UK, they have not been generally
      available to pre-registration students. This paper reports on the implementation
      and evaluation of a pilot project in pre-registration nurse education at one
      university in eastern England. It concludes that the nursing students found the
      project to be a useful addition to their course. Supportive reactions were
      obtained from nurse managers, mentors and academics. A need to improve
      communication with clinical areas through the use of web-based materials was
      highlighted. 

PMID- 24219018
TI  - Differential effects of head-mounted displays on visual performance.
AB  - Head-mounted displays (HMDs) virtually augment the visual world to aid visual
      task completion. Three types of HMDs were compared [look around (LA); optical see
      through with organic light emitting diodes and virtual retinal display] to
      determine whether LA, leaving the observer functionally monocular, is inferior.
      Response times and error rates were determined for a combined visual search and
      Go-NoGo task. The costs of switching between displays were assessed separately.
      Finally, HMD effects on basic visual functions were quantified. Effects of HMDs
      on visual search and Go-NoGo task were small, but for LA display-switching costs
      for the Go-NoGo-task the effects were pronounced. Basic visual functions were
      most affected for LA (reduced visual acuity and visual field sensitivity,
      inaccurate vergence movements and absent stereo-vision). LA involved
      comparatively high switching costs for the Go-NoGo task, which might indicate
      reduced processing of external control cues. Reduced basic visual functions are a
      likely cause of this effect. 

PMID- 24219019
TI  - A case of cyclic esotropia with menstrual cycle.

PMID- 24219020
TI  - The preliminary study of individual cognitive behavior therapy for Japanese
      patients with social anxiety disorder.
AB  - Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of both individual and group
      cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) programs for social anxiety disorder (SAD) with
      patients in many countries. The present preliminary study reports the
      effectiveness of individual CBT for Japanese patients with SAD. Fifteen
      outpatients diagnosed with SAD completed an individual CBT program of six 50-min
      sessions with several components, including cognitive restructuring to modify
      cost and probability bias, repeated speech exposure, and homework about
      idiosyncratic anxiety-provoking situations. The results show that SAD symptoms
      improved after completion of the program. Large effect sizes were found for
      cognitive factors of SAD. In addition, repeated speech exposure was highly
      effective for improving the self-perception of subjective anxiety. The present
      findings suggest that an individual CBT program can be effective for reducing SAD
      symptoms with Japanese patients.

PMID- 24219022
TI  - Does evaluative pressure make you less or more distractible? Role of top-down
      attentional control over response selection.
AB  - People's ability to resist cognitive distraction is crucial in many situations.
      The present research examines individuals' resistance to attentional distraction
      under conditions of evaluative pressure. In a series of 4 studies, participants
      had to complete various attentional tasks while believing their intelligence was
      or was not under the scrutiny of an experimenter. Using a spatial cuing paradigm,
      Studies 1 through 3 demonstrated that feeling evaluated led participants to
      implement stronger feature-based attentional control, which resulted in more (or
      less) distraction when irrelevant information matched (did not match) the
      searched-for target. Study 4 ruled out the possibility that the above effects
      were due to voluntary shifts of attention and demonstrated that the control
      settings implemented under evaluative pressure resulted in stronger goal
      contingent response priming. Thus, the way individuals relate to the task-the
      performance context in which they are-induces strong attentional selection
      biases. Altogether, the present findings highlight an overlooked form of top-down
      modulation of attention based on performance self-relevance. Implications for
      both the current models of attentional control and the current hypotheses on the
      impact of evaluative pressure on cognition, as well as the consequences for more
      complex performances, are discussed.

PMID- 24219023
TI  - Transforming the mirror: power fundamentally changes facial responding to
      emotional expressions.
AB  - Major theories propose that spontaneous responding to others' actions involves
      mirroring, or direct matching. Responding to facial expressions is assumed to
      follow this matching principle: People smile to smiles and frown to frowns. We
      demonstrate here that social power fundamentally changes spontaneous facial
      mimicry of emotional expressions, thereby challenging the direct-matching
      principle. Participants induced into a high-power (HP), low-power (LP), or
      neutral state watched dynamic happy and angry expressions from HP and LP targets
      while we measured facial electromyography (fEMG) over the zygomaticus major
      ("smiling muscle") and corrugator supercilii ("frowning muscle"). For smiling, LP
      participants smiled to all targets, regardless of their expression. In contrast,
      HP participants exhibited standard smile mimicry toward LP targets but did not
      mimic the smiles of HP targets. Instead, HP participants smiled more when those
      HP targets expressed anger. For frowning, all participants showed a more intense
      mimicry pattern to HP targets. These results demonstrate that spontaneous facial
      responding-detected by sensitive, physiological measures of muscle activation
      dynamically adapts to contextual cues of social hierarchy.

PMID- 24219021
TI  - Correlates of cognitive change.
AB  - Although there has been considerable interest in identifying potential correlates
      of cognitive change, results of past studies have been inconsistent. The present
      study incorporated a number of methodological features intended to maximize
      sensitivity to detect characteristics of individuals with different amounts of
      cognitive change. Cognitive change in 5 cognitive abilities was analyzed with 2nd
      order latent growth curve models applied to data from a moderately large sample
      of healthy adults ranging from 18 to 99 years of age (Ns of 4,802 with 1
      occasion, 2,265 with 2 occasions, and 1,128 with 3 occasions). There was
      significant individual difference variance in the longitudinal changes in several
      cognitive abilities, even in separate analyses of individuals between 18 years of
      age and 39, between 40 and 64, and 65 and over. Potential correlates of change
      included measures of self-rated health, vision, mood, personality, and lifestyle.
      Most of the potential correlates of change had high reliability, and several
      analyses were based on even more reliable factors determined by the variance
      common to multiple measures. Despite favorable conditions for detecting
      correlates of change, there was little evidence that cognitive change was
      moderated by any of the variables examined. Possible reasons for the inconsistent
      results regarding correlates of cognitive change are discussed.

PMID- 24219024
TI  - What drives the spatial agency bias? An Italian-Malagasy-Arabic comparison study.
AB  - In Western cultures, human interactions are generally envisaged such that the
      agent appears on the left, the recipient on the right, with action flowing from
      left to right. Here we explore the joint influence of 2 mechanisms driving such
      spatial asymmetries: the embodiment of script direction and the order in which
      subject and object are mentioned. A comparison of 3 language communities
      (Italian, Malagasy, Arabic) differing in script direction (left-right for Italian
      and Malagasy and right-left for Arabic) and in subject-object order (subject-verb
      object in Italian and Arabic and verb-object-subject in Malagasy) provides
      evidence for the assumption that both mechanisms contribute to the spatial
      asymmetry.

PMID- 24219025
TI  - Short-term intratumoral interleukin-12 expressed from an alphaviral vector is
      sufficient to induce an efficient antitumoral response against spontaneous
      hepatocellular carcinomas.
AB  - Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is an immunostimulatory cytokine that has shown strong
      antitumor effects in animal models of liver cancer. In order to overcome the
      severe toxicity associated with its systemic administration, we had previously
      tested different strategies based on IL-12 gene transfer to tumor cells or to the
      surrounding liver tissue. We obtained promising results both with a recombinant
      Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vector expressing high levels of IL-12 (SFV-IL-12)
      after intratumoral injection and with a plasmid vector [pTonL2(T)-mIL12] that
      allows liver-specific and inducible IL-12 expression. The aim of the present
      study was to compare the antitumor responses induced by both systems in a
      clinically relevant animal model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in L
      PK/c-myc transgenic mice. These animals overexpress the c-myc oncogene in their
      livers, giving rise to spontaneous hepatic tumors with latency, histopathology,
      and genetic characteristics similar to human HCCs. We observed that intratumoral
      inoculation of SFV-IL-12 induced growth arrest in most tumors, providing 100%
      survival rate, in contrast to no survival in control animals. Similar results
      were obtained with hydrodynamic injection of pTonL2(T)-mIL12 after long-term
      induction of IL-12 expression in the liver. However, tumor arrest was less
      evident in plasmid-treated mice and the survival rate was slightly lower, despite
      higher and more sustained levels of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in serum. The fact that
      SFV-IL-12 was able to induce both apoptosis and a type-I IFN response
      specifically in the tumor could explain why short-term IL-12 expression from this
      vector was sufficient to mediate an antitumoral response comparable with long
      term IL-12 expression driven by pTonL2(T)-mIL12. Since SFV-IL-12 could reduce the
      possible toxicity associated with long-term IL-12 expression, we believe that
      this vector could have a potential application for HCC gene therapy.

PMID- 24219026
TI  - Influence of bovine serum albumin and alginate on silver nanoparticle dissolution
      and toxicity to Nitrosomonas europaea.
AB  - Bovine serum albumin (BSA), a model protein, reduced the toxicity of 20 nm
      citrate silver nanoparticles (AgNP) toward Nitrosomonas europaea, a model ammonia
      oxidizing bacteria, through a dual-mode protection mechanism. BSA reduced AgNP
      toxicity by chelating the silver ions (Ag(+)) released from the AgNPs. BSA
      further reduced AgNP toxicity by binding to the AgNP surface thus preventing NH3
      dependent dissolution from occurring. Due to BSA's affinity toward Ag(+)
      chemisorbed on the AgNP surface, increased concentrations of BSA lead to
      increased AgNP dissolution rates. This, however, did not increase AgNP toxicity
      as the dissolved Ag(+) were adsorbed onto the BSA molecules. Alginate, a model
      extracellular polysaccharide (EPS), lacks strong Ag(+) ligands and was unable to
      protect N. europaea from Ag(+) toxicity. However, at high concentrations,
      alginate reduced AgNP toxicity by binding to the AgNP surface and reducing AgNP
      dissolution rates. Unlike BSA, alginate only weakly interacted with the AgNP
      surface and was unable to completely prevent NH3-dependent AgNP dissolution from
      occurring. Based on these results, AgNP toxicity in high protein environments
      (e.g., wastewater) is expected to be muted while the EPS layers of wastewater
      biofilms may provide additional protection from AgNPs, but not from Ag(+) that
      have already been released. 

PMID- 24219027
TI  - Interspecific scaling patterns of talar articular surfaces within primates and
      their closest living relatives.
AB  - The articular facets of interosseous joints must transmit forces while
      maintaining relatively low stresses. To prevent overloading, joints that transmit
      higher forces should therefore have larger facet areas. The relative
      contributions of body mass and muscle-induced forces to joint stress are unclear,
      but generate opposing hypotheses. If mass-induced forces dominate, facet area
      should scale with positive allometry to body mass. Alternatively, muscle-induced
      forces should cause facets to scale isometrically with body mass. Within
      primates, both scaling patterns have been reported for articular surfaces of the
      femoral and humeral heads, but more distal elements are less well studied.
      Additionally, examination of complex articular surfaces has largely been limited
      to linear measurements, so that 'true area' remains poorly assessed. To re-assess
      these scaling relationships, we examine the relationship between body size and
      articular surface areas of the talus. Area measurements were taken from microCT
      scan-generated surfaces of all talar facets from a comprehensive sample of extant
      euarchontan taxa (primates, treeshrews, and colugos). Log-transformed data were
      regressed on literature-derived log-body mass using reduced major axis and
      phylogenetic least squares regressions. We examine the scaling patterns of muscle
      mass and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) to body mass, as these
      relationships may complicate each model. Finally, we examine the scaling pattern
      of hindlimb muscle PCSA to talar articular surface area, a direct test of the
      effect of mass-induced forces on joint surfaces. Among most groups, there is an
      overall trend toward positive allometry for articular surfaces. The ectal (=
      posterior calcaneal) facet scales with positive allometry among all groups except
      'sundatherians', strepsirrhines, galagids, and lorisids. The medial tibial facet
      scales isometrically among all groups except lemuroids. Scaling coefficients are
      not correlated with sample size, clade inclusivity or behavioral diversity of the
      sample. Muscle mass scales with slight positive allometry to body mass, and PCSA
      scales at isometry to body mass. PCSA generally scales with negative allometry to
      articular surface area, which indicates joint surfaces increase faster than
      muscles' ability to generate force. We suggest a synthetic model to explain the
      complex patterns observed for talar articular surface area scaling: whether
      'muscles or mass' drive articular facet scaling is probably dependent on the body
      size range of the sample and the biological role of the facet. The relationship
      between 'muscle vs. mass' dominance is likely bone- and facet-specific, meaning
      that some facets should respond primarily to stresses induced by larger body
      mass, whereas others primarily reflect muscle forces. 

PMID- 24219028
TI  - Measuring the nature and duration of symptoms of cervical cancer in young women:
      developing an interview-based approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some young women experience delays in diagnosis of cervical cancer,
      but little research about ways of studying these delays has been published. A
      major challenge is that gynaecological symptoms are common in young women, but
      cervical cancer is rare. This study describes the development and testing of a
      measure for studying delays in diagnosis in young women with cervical cancer.
      METHODS: Prospective development of an interview measure and testing of its
      ability to reliably and systematically collect relevant data in two large
      hospitals in London, UK using 27 women aged 18-40 diagnosed with cervical cancer
      in the previous two years. We developed a semi-structured interview schedule and
      data extraction form to systematically collect data on symptoms (including nature
      and duration) and risk factors for delayed diagnosis from young women with
      cervical cancer. We piloted the measure among young women with cervical cancer
      (audiorecording it with their permission), refining it iteratively. To complete
      the measure, we developed a database for managing the data and a manual for using
      the schedule. Two researchers extracted data from the recorded interviews to
      assess inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: The final interview schedule yielded
      quantitative data on the nature and duration of symptoms and risk factors for
      delayed diagnosis. Inter-rater reliability was high. In the pilot, 12 of the 27
      women were diagnosed via symptomatic presentation. Median time from the symptom
      triggering presentation to presentation was one month (interquartile range 0-4
      months). Median time from presentation to diagnosis was three months
      (interquartile range 1-8.5 months). CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a reliable
      tool for measuring the nature and duration of symptoms in young women with
      cervical cancer. Pilot data suggest that a substantial proportion of women
      experience delay between first presentation and diagnosis.

PMID- 24219029
TI  - A nomogram including baseline prognostic factors to estimate the activity of
      second-line therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of the prognostic factors liver metastasis (LM),
      anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] <10 g/dL), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
      performance status (ECOG-PS) >=1 and time from previous chemotherapy (TFPC) on
      the activity of second-line therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC).
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve phase II trials evaluating second-line chemotherapy
      and/or biological characteristics (n = 748) in patients with progressive disease
      were pooled. Progression-free survival (PFS) was defined as tumour progression or
      death from any cause. The PFS rate at 6 months (PFS6) was defined from the date
      of registration and calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Response rate (RR)
      was defined using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) 1.0. A
      nomogram predicting PFS6 was constructed using the rms software package in R
      (http://www.r-project.org). RESULTS: Data regarding progression, anaemia, LM,
      ECOG-PS and TFPC were available from 570 patients in nine phase II trials. The
      overall median PFS was 2.7 months, PFS6 was 22.2% (95% confidence interval 18.8
      25.9) and the RR was 17.5% (95% CI: 14.5-20.9%). For every unit increase in risk
      group, the hazard of progression in 6 months increased by 41% and the odds of
      response decreased by 48%. A nomogram was constructed to predict PFS6 on an
      individual patient level. The model was internally validated and was shown to
      have acceptable calibration performance. CONCLUSIONS: The RR and PFS6 vary as a
      function of baseline prognostic factors in patients receiving second-line therapy
      for advanced UC. A nomogram incorporating prognostic factors facilitates the
      evaluation of outcomes across phase II trials enrolling heterogeneous populations
      and helps select suitable agents for phase III testing.

PMID- 24219031
TI  - Measurement error in time-series analysis: a simulation study comparing modelled
      and monitored data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessing health effects from background exposure to air pollution is
      often hampered by the sparseness of pollution monitoring networks. However,
      regional atmospheric chemistry-transport models (CTMs) can provide pollution data
      with national coverage at fine geographical and temporal resolution. We used
      statistical simulation to compare the impact on epidemiological time-series
      analysis of additive measurement error in sparse monitor data as opposed to
      geographically and temporally complete model data. METHODS: Statistical
      simulations were based on a theoretical area of 4 regions each consisting of
      twenty-five 5 km * 5 km grid-squares. In the context of a 3-year Poisson
      regression time-series analysis of the association between mortality and a single
      pollutant, we compared the error impact of using daily grid-specific model data
      as opposed to daily regional average monitor data. We investigated how this
      comparison was affected if we changed the number of grids per region containing a
      monitor. To inform simulations, estimates (e.g. of pollutant means) were obtained
      from observed monitor data for 2003-2006 for national network sites across the UK
      and corresponding model data that were generated by the EMEP-WRF CTM. Average
      within-site correlations between observed monitor and model data were 0.73 and
      0.76 for rural and urban daily maximum 8-hour ozone respectively, and 0.67 and
      0.61 for rural and urban loge(daily 1-hour maximum NO2). RESULTS: When regional
      averages were based on 5 or 10 monitors per region, health effect estimates
      exhibited little bias. However, with only 1 monitor per region, the regression
      coefficient in our time-series analysis was attenuated by an estimated 6% for
      urban background ozone, 13% for rural ozone, 29% for urban background loge(NO2)
      and 38% for rural loge(NO2). For grid-specific model data the corresponding
      figures were 19%, 22%, 54% and 44% respectively, i.e. similar for rural loge(NO2)
      but more marked for urban loge(NO2). CONCLUSION: Even if correlations between
      model and monitor data appear reasonably strong, additive classical measurement
      error in model data may lead to appreciable bias in health effect estimates. As
      process-based air pollution models become more widely used in epidemiological
      time-series analysis, assessments of error impact that include statistical
      simulation may be useful.

PMID- 24219030
TI  - Stroke survivors' endorsement of a "stress belief model" of stroke prevention
      predicts control of risk factors for recurrent stroke.
AB  - Perceptions that stress causes and stress-reduction controls hypertension have
      been associated with poorer blood pressure (BP) control in hypertension
      populations. The current study investigated these "stress-model perceptions" in
      stroke survivors regarding prevention of recurrent stroke and the influence of
      these perceptions on patients' stroke risk factor control. Stroke and transient
      ischemic attack survivors (N=600) participated in an in-person interview in which
      they were asked about their beliefs regarding control of future stroke; BP and
      cholesterol were measured directly after the interview. Counter to expectations,
      patients who endorsed a "stress-model" but not a "medication-model" of stroke
      prevention were in better control of their stroke risk factors (BP and
      cholesterol) than those who endorsed a medication-model but not a stress-model of
      stroke prevention (OR for poor control=.54, Wald statistic=6.07, p=.01). This
      result was not explained by between group differences in patients' reported
      medication adherence. The results have implications for theory and practice,
      regarding the role of stress belief models and acute cardiac events, compared to
      chronic hypertension.

PMID- 24219033
TI  - Layer-by-layer assembly of graphene oxide nanosheets on polyamide membranes for
      durable reverse-osmosis applications.
AB  - Improving membrane durability associated with fouling and chlorine resistance
      remains one of the major challenges in desalination membrane technology. Here, we
      demonstrate that attractive features of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets such as
      high hydrophilicity, chemical robustness, and ultrafast water permeation can be
      harnessed for a dual-action barrier coating layer that enhances resistance to
      both fouling and chlorine-induced degradation of polyamide (PA) thin-film
      composite (TFC) membranes while preserving their separation performance. GO
      multilayers were coated on the PA-TFC membrane surfaces via layer-by-layer (LbL)
      deposition of oppositely charged GO nanosheets. Consequently, it was shown that
      the conformal GO coating layer can increase the surface hydrophilicity and reduce
      the surface roughness, leading to the significantly improved antifouling
      performance against a protein foulant. It was also demonstrated that the
      chemically inert nature of GO nanosheets enables the GO coating layer to act as a
      chlorine barrier for the underlying PA membrane, resulting in a profound
      suppression of the membrane degradation in salt rejection upon chlorine exposure.

PMID- 24219032
TI  - miR-224 promotion of cell migration and invasion by targeting Homeobox D 10 gene
      in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that
      control target gene expression and are implicated in the regulation of diverse
      cellular pathways. In our previous research, we have demonstrated that miR-224
      was overexpressed in liver cancer cells and tissues, which was an important
      factor in the regulation of cell migration and invasion. This study aimed to
      further explore the regulatory mechanism of miR-224 in the migration and invasion
      in liver cancer cells. METHODS: A luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm
      that the HOXD10 gene was a direct target of miR-224. Quantitative reverse
      transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, Transwell migration,
      and Matrigel invasion assays were performed to clarify the molecular mechanism of
      miR-224 in the regulation of cell migration and invasion in human hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). RESULTS: (i) The expression of miR-224 was strongly upregulated
      in MHHC97H and MHCC97L cells, and its expression level was significantly
      associated with cell invasive potential. (ii) The HOXD10 gene was confirmed to be
      a direct target of miR-224. Compared with normal liver tissues and cells, HOXD10
      had lower expression in HCC tissues and cells and inversely regulated HCC cell
      invasion. (iii) miR-224 promoted expression of the tumor invasion-associated
      proteins p-PAK4 and MMP-9 by directly targeting HOXD10. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      suggest a previously undescribed regulatory pathway in which the miR-224/HOXD10/p
      PAK4/MMP-9 signaling pathway contributes to the regulation of cell migration and
      invasion and provides a new biotarget for HCC treatment.

PMID- 24219034
TI  - A survey sampling approach for pesticide monitoring of community water systems
      using groundwater as a drinking water source.
AB  - The ability to infer human exposure to substances from drinking water using
      monitoring data helps determine and/or refine potential risks associated with
      drinking water consumption. We describe a survey sampling approach and its
      application to an atrazine groundwater monitoring study to adequately
      characterize upper exposure centiles and associated confidence intervals with
      predetermined precision. Study design and data analysis included sampling frame
      definition, sample stratification, sample size determination, allocation to
      strata, analysis weights, and weighted population estimates. Sampling frame
      encompassed 15 840 groundwater community water systems (CWS) in 21 states
      throughout the U. S. Median, and 95th percentile atrazine concentrations were
      0.0022 and 0.024 ppb, respectively, for all CWS. Statistical estimates agreed
      with historical monitoring results, suggesting that the study design was adequate
      and robust. This methodology makes no assumptions regarding the occurrence
      distribution (e.g., lognormality); thus analyses based on the design-induced
      distribution provide the most robust basis for making inferences from the sample
      to target population.

PMID- 24219035
TI  - Mechanisms of action of methotrexate.
AB  - As one of the most utilized disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, methotrexate
      (MTX) has revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis as well as many
      other non-rheumatic chronic inflammatory diseases. Far from a simple anti-
      proliferative agent as was once thought, our understanding of how it exerts its
      anti-inflammatory effects has grown over the years. The mechanisms of action of
      MTX are reviewed here, and we look at how this knowledge helps to explain some of
      its most common side effects. 

PMID- 24219036
TI  - Update on methotrexate as the anchor drug for rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Methotrexate has become the "anchor drug" for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), taken by
      many more patients than any other disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)
      or biological agent. Methotrexate has greater efficacy and effectiveness than any
      other non-biologic DMARD, and greater tolerability and safety than other DMARDs.
      The efficacy of methotrexate is comparable to biologic agents in parallel
      clinical trials of DMARD-naive patients. Adequate responses to methotrexate
      monotherapy or combinations with other non-biologic DMARDs are seen in about two-
      thirds of patients with RA in usual care. The most efficacious treatments for RA
      reported in the rheumatology literature are seen in strategy trials with
      methotrexate as the anchor drug, without any biologic agent. Interpretation of
      significantly lower radiographic progression between methotrexate and biologic
      agents in clinical trials is over- stated regarding clinic consequences. The
      admonition to patients to refrain entirely from consumption of alcohol while
      taking methotrexate may be unnecessary. Accurate information concerning
      methotrexate as the anchor drug for RA should lead to better understanding of
      optimal use and better to patient outcomes in usual clinical care.

PMID- 24219037
TI  - Efficacy and safety of methotrexate in combination with other non-biologic
      disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in treatment of rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - Methotrexate (MTX) is well-established as the "anchor drug" for patients with
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to be used early and aggressively, with higher long
      term effectiveness, tolerability, and safety than any other disease-modifying
      antirheumatic drug (DMARD). However, about 20% to 40% of patients experience
      incomplete responses to MTX and require further therapy, with options including
      other non- biologic DMARDs, low dose glucocorticoids, and biologic agents. Non
      biologic DMARDs in combination with MTX may provide similar efficacy to a
      biologic agent in clinical trials, with fewer adverse events and lower costs.
      This re- view presents a summary of 21 clinical trials documenting the efficacy
      and safety of MTX in combination with other non-biologic DMARDs. 

PMID- 24219038
TI  - The role of concomitant methotrexate in biologic therapy for rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - From the first use of biologic therapy for the management of rheumatoid
      arthritis, methotrexate (MTX) has been commonly used as co-therapy. There are a
      number of mechanistic reasons why MTX may improve the efficacy of biologics,
      including reduced antigenicity as well as reduced clearance of the biologic
      agent. Clinical trial data for tumor necrosis factor inhibitors and for other
      biologic agents does suggest added efficacy when these agents are used in
      combination with MTX. One exception may be the interleukin-6 receptor antibody
      tocilizumab, for which there is some data to suggest that monotherapy may be as
      effective as combined therapy with MTX. Post-marketing registry data also
      supports the concomitant use of MTX with biologics, with evidence for greater
      efficacy and longer persistence on treatment when compared with monotherapy.

PMID- 24219039
TI  - Evidence that the strategy is more important than the agent to treat rheumatoid
      arthritis. Data from clinical trials of combinations of non-biologic DMARDs, with
      protocol-driven intensification of therapy for tight control or treat-to-target.
AB  - Eight major "strategy trials" in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are reviewed, with
      protocol-driven escalation of combinations of methotrexate and other small
      molecule non-biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). All
      documented the value of intensive treatment adjusted according to quantitative
      data, generally a disease activity score (DAS) or its 28 joint count version
      (DAS28). Three of the 8 trials, TICORA, Dutch DAS-driven care, and CAMERA, may be
      termed "pure strategy trials," to com- pare a protocol-driven "intensive"
      strategy to usual care. Five other trials, BeSt, CIMESTRA, TICORA 2, Step-down
      versus step-up, and TEAR, may be termed "hybrid trials," in which an initial
      parallel design was supplemented with incremental protocol-driven intensification
      of treatment. A strategy of aiming for low disease activity or remission appears
      more important than the specific agent used. In group data, the proportion of
      good responses seen in these trials with combinations of non-biologic, small
      molecule DMARDs are comparable to data from clinical trials of biological agents
      although responses appear more rapid with biological agents, and certain
      individual patients may require a biologic agent for adequate control. These
      trials also illustrate the value of a quantitative index, monitored frequently
      for rational intensification of therapy. The data make a compelling case for both
      routine monitoring with a quantitative index and consideration of routine
      adjustment of therapy at each visit. Combinations of methotrexate with other non
      biologic DMARDs and glucocorticoids, toward a target of low disease activity or
      remission, may improve outcomes for patients with RA at levels similar to
      biologic agents in many patients. 

PMID- 24219040
TI  - Methotrexate in psoriatic arthritis.
AB  - Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a form of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in
      patients with psoriasis and is distinct from rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
      Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of
      PsA, yet there is scant controlled trial data to document its efficacy.
      Controlled trials have not demonstrated significant separation from placebo, but
      the studies have significant limitations which inhibit our ability to draw firm
      conclusions about the efficacy of MTX. A number of observational studies have
      described benefit for joint and skin disease. As yet unstudied, are the effects
      on enthesitis, dactylitis, and spondylitis of PsA. Psoriasis studies have shown
      modest benefit for psoriatic skin lesions. It is not yet known if MTX contributes
      an additive or synergistic benefit when used in combination with TNF inhibitors
      in PsA. The potential value of low dose MTX to suppress antibody formation
      against biologic therapies should be considered in a patient fail- ing benefit
      from such therapy. Although adverse effects are similar to those seen in RA
      treatment with MTX, awareness of the tendency for PsA and psoriasis patients to
      be obese and have non-alcoholic steatohepatosis, which may amplify transaminitis
      potential, should be borne in mind.

PMID- 24219041
TI  - Parenteral methotrexate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Methotrexate (MTX) is the anchor treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has
      been very thoroughly studied in many different patient populations, as
      monotherapy and in combination with various other disease modifying antirheumatic
      drugs and biologic agents, as they became available. It has a well-established
      safety and efficacy profile and is the preferred first line agent for RA
      treatment. Historically, oral (PO) preparations of MTX have been used in the USA
      with minimal parenteral (subcutaneous, SC, and intramuscular, IM) administration.
      Several shortages of drug availability in a parenteral form have been possibly
      one of the reasons for this low level of use. Several studies have looked at the
      role of parenteral MTX in RA treatment, and these overall demonstrate better
      tolerability, bioavailability, and possible efficacy of MTX compared with PO
      preparation.

PMID- 24219042
TI  - Development and testing of a patient-centred care competency scale for hospital
      nurses.
AB  - This study aimed to develop and test the psychometric soundness of a patient
      centred care competency (PCC) scale for hospital nurses. A cross-sectional
      questionnaire survey was conducted among 594 nurses in two teaching hospitals
      (response rate 99.5%). Reliability and validity analyses were performed. The PCC
      scale consisted of 17 items divided into four subscales: respecting patients'
      perspectives (6 items), promoting patient involvement in care processes (5
      items), providing for patient comfort (3 items) and advocating for patients (3
      items). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the entire scale was 0.92, and those
      for the subscales were 0.85, 0.81, 0.84 and 0.80, respectively. Multitrait
      scaling analysis indicated that the four subscales had satisfactory convergent
      and discriminant validity. Significant correlations were found between total PCC
      scores and overall self-ratings of patient-centred care performance (r = 0.60, P
      < 0.001). The PCC scale was therefore determined to be a highly valid and
      reliable tool. 

PMID- 24219043
TI  - Does perverse economic incentive lead to the irrational uses of medicines?

PMID- 24219045
TI  - The clinical and economic impact of bivalirudin for percutaneous coronary
      intervention.
AB  - Bivalirudin (BVR) is a direct thrombin inhibitor used as an adjunctive
      antithrombotic agent in combination with aspirin and an ADP-receptor blocker in
      patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary
      intervention. When compared to a strategy of heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
      inhibitor, BVR has been shown in a number of randomized clinical trials to be at
      least as effective at reducing ischemic endpoints and to have a consistently
      lower rate of bleeding complications. In addition, various economic analyses have
      shown it to be cost-effective compared to heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
      inhibitor and this, coupled with its proven clinical efficacy, has led to the
      incorporation of BVR into both EU and US clinical guidelines. Previous studies
      with BVR have mostly assessed its use in patients treated with aspirin and
      clopidogrel and further studies are ongoing to determine its role in combination
      with newer, more potent oral antiplatelet agents. 

PMID- 24219046
TI  - Using the probability-probability plot and index to augment interpretation of
      treatment effect for patient-reported outcome measures.
AB  - The interpretation of treatment effect can pose challenges, especially for
      patient-reported outcomes. As subjective assessments, patient-reported outcomes
      frequently lack a historical record to support what their scores mean, making
      their interpretation of treatment differences challenging. We show how the
      probability-probability (p-p) plot a graph of the test-treatment distribution
      percentiles versus the control-treatment distribution percentiles, can complement
      and supplement interpretation of treatment effect. From this plot, we introduce
      the p-p index as a new measure of treatment effect, illustrating the method with
      two examples. The p-p index represents, across all percentiles, the average
      difference in percentile rank for any pair of subjects on two different
      treatments with the same outcome score. This measure, which complements other
      metrics of treatment effect, captures full information by integrating across all
      percentiles and thus accurately summarizes and augments the interpretation of
      treatment effect. 

PMID- 24219047
TI  - Cost-effectiveness analysis of rheumatic heart disease prevention strategies.
AB  - Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), secondary to group A streptococcal infection is
      endemic in the developing as well as parts of the developed world with
      significant costs to the patient, and to the healthcare system. We briefly review
      the prevalence and cost of RHD in developed and developing nations. We
      subsequently develop a Markov model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of three
      strategies (vs standard no prevention) for preventing RHD in a developing world
      country: primary prophylaxis (throat swab to detect and subsequently treat group
      A streptococci as needed); primary prophylaxis (antibiotic prophylaxis for all)
      with benzathine penicillin G once monthly to all patients (ages 5-21 years)
      regardless of evidence of infection; and secondary prophylaxis with monthly only
      to those with echocardiographic evidence of early RHD. Our model suggests that
      echocardiographic screening and secondary prophylaxis is the best strategy
      although the strategies change depending on parameters used. 

PMID- 24219048
TI  - Economic implications of potential drug-drug interactions in chronic pain
      patients.
AB  - Chronic pain patients may be subject to polypharmacy because of long-term
      pharmacological pain treatment and additional comorbidities. Many chronic pain
      patients expose themselves to potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and these
      interactions can have unintended and severe consequences. Prevalence and costs
      associated with DDIs are inconsistent and has led to an inadequate level of
      awareness among the medical community; therefore, it has become necessary to re
      evaluate the rates of DDIs in chronic pain patients. Utilizing medical and
      prescription claims databases, five studies were conducted to assess the health
      care utilization of and associated financial payments for patients >18 years with
      chronic noncancer pain. The studies evaluated drug-drug exposures with the
      potential to cause DDIs specifically occurring through the CYP450 enzyme system.
      The studies reported that drug-drug exposures are prevalent, costly and can occur
      in any age group and that physicians should consider ways to limit their
      patients' exposure to potential DDIs. 

PMID- 24219049
TI  - Differential pricing of new pharmaceuticals in lower income European countries.
AB  - Pharmaceutical companies adjust the pricing strategy of innovative medicines to
      the imperatives of their major markets. The ability of payers to influence the ex
      factory price of new drugs depends on country population size and income per
      capita, among other factors. Differential pricing based on Ramsey principles is a
      'second-best' solution to correct the imperfections of the global market for
      innovative pharmaceuticals, and it is also consistent with standard norms of
      equity. This analysis summarizes the boundaries of differential pharmaceutical
      pricing for policymakers, payers and other stakeholders in lower-income
      countries, with special focus on Central-Eastern Europe, and describes the
      feasibility and implications of potential solutions to ensure lower
      pharmaceutical prices as compared to higher-income countries. European
      stakeholders, especially in Central-Eastern Europe and at the EU level, should
      understand the implications of increased transparency of pricing and should
      develop solutions to prevent the limited accessibility of new medicines in lower
      income countries. 

PMID- 24219050
TI  - Risk selection in a regulated health insurance market: a review of the concept,
      possibilities and effects.
AB  - The Dutch basic health insurance is based on the principles of regulated
      competition. This implies that insurers and providers compete on price and
      quality while the regulator sets certain rules to achieve public objectives such
      as solidarity. Two regulatory aspects of this scheme are that insurers are not
      allowed to risk rate their premiums and are compensated for predictable variation
      in individual medical expenses (i.e., risk equalization). Research, however,
      indicates that the current risk equalization is imperfect, which confronts
      insurers and consumers with incentives for risk selection. The goal of this paper
      is to review the concept, possibilities and potential effects of risk selection
      in the Dutch basic health insurance. We conclude that the possibilities for risk
      selection are numerous and a potential threat to solidarity, efficiency and
      quality of care. Regulators should be aware that measurement of risk selection is
      a methodological and data-demanding challenge. 

PMID- 24219051
TI  - Mapping utilities from cancer-specific health-related quality of life
      instruments: a review of the literature.
AB  - Cancer-specific health-related quality of life instruments are often used to
      evaluate the patients' quality of life in clinical trials. However, these
      instruments cannot be used in economic evaluation to guide resource allocation
      decisions. Mapping is an approach that enables utilities to be predicted for use
      in cost-utility analysis. The purpose of this study was to review the literature
      on the mapping methods used to determine utilities from two cancer-specific
      instruments. Thirteen studies were identified and a total of 53 models were
      reported. Most of the studies employed an ordinary least squares method and did
      not conduct an out-of-sample validation. There is a need for more rigorous and
      robust mapping studies to be conducted to ensure appropriate funding
      recommendations are being made. 

PMID- 24219052
TI  - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: an update on medication adherence and
      persistence in children, adolescents and adults.
AB  - Suboptimal adherence to treatment regimens is a major obstacle to treatment
      efficacy and positive outcomes for patients. While poor adherence is common
      across a variety of chronic conditions, an area which presents unique challenges
      to clinicians and researchers is non-adherence among pediatric populations. These
      challenges are well illustrated by the management of attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a pervasive pediatric psychiatric
      condition. The average rates of non-adherence in children and adults ranged
      between 15 and 87%. Factors predicting increased adherence/persistence included
      the use of long-acting formulations, younger age, Caucasian background, family
      structure and the presence and treatment of comorbidities. Decreased
      adherence/persistence were predicted by multiple daily dosing, family history of
      ADHD, experiences of adverse effects, stigma and treatment inefficacy. The broad
      range of non-adherence rates identified reflects the complexities of adherence
      research in ADHD, and highlights the need for better standardization of
      adherence/persistence definitions and measurement approaches. 

PMID- 24219053
TI  - HRQoL of European children and adolescents with short stature as assessed with
      generic (KIDSCREEN) and chronic-generic (DISABKIDS) instruments.
AB  - Short stature may be associated with impairments in health-related quality of
      life (HRQoL). This study compared the HRQoL of children/adolescents diagnosed
      with short stature to population norms and examined the effects of height
      deviation and treatment status on HRQoL. METHOD: We cross-sectionally assessed
      110 children/adolescents aged 8-18, with current short stature (height deviation
      <=-2 standard-deviation (SD)) or normal height achieved since diagnosis, and 98
      parents, using the generic KIDSCREEN and the chronic-generic DISABKIDS
      instruments. RESULTS: Generic HRQoL of patients was similar to population norms.
      Patients with achieved normal height reported better chronic-generic HRQoL when
      untreated, while patients with current short stature reported better HRQoL upon
      receiving treatment. Parents reported better HRQoL for treated patients,
      especially for girls. CONCLUSION: Although their HRQoL is not significantly
      compromised, patients diagnosed with short stature may profit from growth-hormone
      treatment. Specific instruments are needed to adequately assess the effectiveness
      of treatment.

PMID- 24219054
TI  - Influence of explanatory and confounding variables on HRQoL after controlling for
      measurement bias and response shift in measurement.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of explanatory and
      confounding variables on health-related quality of life after accounting for
      response shift, measurement bias and response shift in measurement using
      structural equation modeling. Hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease
      randomized to anti-hypertensive treatment, completed the ShortForm-36
      questionnaire at both baseline and 1 year (n = 788). Three measurement biases
      were found and all three were considered as response shift in measurement. Older
      patients reported worse scores for both physical functioning (PF) and role
      physical at baseline and 1 year later compared to younger patients; and males
      reported better PF than females after conditioning on the latent trait of general
      physical health. Before controlling for response shift, patients' PF scores were
      not statistically different over time; however, PF scores significantly improved
      (p < 0.01) after controlling for recalibration response shift. Assessment of how
      patients perceive their change in health-related quality of life over time is
      warranted.

PMID- 24219055
TI  - Burden of smoking on quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease.
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess the impact of smoking on health-related
      quality of life, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) in chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Respondents of the 2009/2010 US
      National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), aged >= 40 years, with COPD, chronic
      bronchitis or emphysema, were included in the study. Current and former (had not
      smoked for >= 11 years) smokers were compared. Physical component summary (PCS)
      and mental component summary (MCS) scores from the Short Form-12 version 2 (SF
      12v2), health utilities (SF-6D) and WPAI were evaluated. Differences between
      current (n = 1685) and former (n = 1932) smokers were revealed: MCS (44.80,
      46.73; p < 0.01); PCS (35.12, 35.79; p < 0.1); SF-6D (0.63, 0.65; p < 0.05).
      WPAI: presenteeism (23%, 18%; p < 0.05); work impairment (25%, 21%; p < 0.05);
      activity impairment (52%, 49%; p < 0.01). In conclusion, COPD patients who smoke
      have poorer health-related quality of life, impaired productivity and higher
      healthcare costs than former smokers.

PMID- 24219056
TI  - Self-assembly of squalene-based nucleolipids: relating the chemical structure of
      the bioconjugates to the architecture of the nanoparticles.
AB  - Squalene-based nucleolipids, including anticancer or antiviral prodrugs, gave
      rise to nanoparticles displaying a diversity of structures upon nanoprecipitation
      in water. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering and cryo-TEM imaging revealed
      that both the nature of the nucleoside and the position of the squalene moiety
      relative to the nucleobase determined the self-assembly of the corresponding
      bioconjugates. It was found that small chemical differences resulted in major
      differences in the self-organization of nucleolipids when squalene was grafted
      onto the nucleobase whereas only lamellar phases were observed when squalene was
      linked to the sugar moiety. The key role of hydrogen bonds between nucleobases in
      the formation of the lamellar phases was suggested, in agreement with molecular
      simulations. These findings provide a way to fine tune the supramolecular
      organization of squalene-based prodrugs, with the aim of improving their
      pharmacological activity. 

PMID- 24219057
TI  - Transferable mixing of atomistic and coarse-grained water models.
AB  - Dual-resolution approaches for molecular simulations combine the best of two
      worlds, providing atomic details in regions of interest and coarser but much
      faster descriptions of less-relevant parts of molecular systems. Given the
      abundance of water in biomolecular systems, reducing the computational cost of
      simulating bulk water without perturbing the solute's properties is a very
      attractive strategy. Here we show that the coarse-grained model for water called
      WatFour (WT4) can be combined with any of the three most used water models for
      atomistic simulations (SPC, TIP3P, and SPC/E) without modifying the
      characteristics of the atomistic solvent and solutes. The equivalence of fully
      atomistic and hybrid solvation approaches is assessed by comparative simulations
      of pure water, electrolyte solutions, and the beta1 domain of streptococcal
      protein G, for which comparisons between experimental and calculated chemical
      shifts at (13)Calpha are equivalent. 

PMID- 24219058
TI  - Steric parameters in the Ir-catalyzed regio- and diastereoselective isomerization
      of primary allylic alcohols.
AB  - The iridium-catalyzed diastereo- and regioselective isomerization of primary
      allylic alcohols using Crabtree's catalyst or sterically modified analogs is
      reported. The importance of the size of the substituents on either the substrates
      or the catalysts has been rationalized by linear free energy relationships. 

PMID- 24219060
TI  - Effect of hyaluronan tetrasaccharides on epidermal differentiation in normal
      human epidermal keratinocytes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hyaluronan (HA) plays a role in keratinocyte proliferation and
      differentiation. In addition, HA has been shown to have different biological
      activities depending on its molecular weight. It has been reported that HA
      mediated CD44 activation regulates keratinocyte differentiation. Therefore, the
      aim of this study was to investigate the influence of HA tetrasaccharides (HA4)
      on the regulation of keratinocyte differentiation, CD44 gene expression and CD44
      phosphorylated protein in human keratinocytes, and compare HA4 with high
      molecular weight HA. METHODS: Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) were
      treated at doses of 1 MUg mL(-1) HA or HA oligosaccharides (HA4). After
      treatment, cell viability was checked using an MTT (3-(4,5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)
      2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Each differentiation marker and CD44 mRNA
      expression was detected by real-time PCR. Each differentiation marker and CD44
      phosphorylated protein was assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Hyaluronan and
      HA4 showed no cytotoxicity up to a dose of 1 MUg mL(-1) . On day 3 after HA4
      treatment, each differentiation marker mRNA and K10 protein level was higher than
      that of the control. On day 9, late differentiation marker mRNA and protein
      levels were increased with HA and HA4 treatment. In addition, HA4 treatment
      increased the expression of CD44 mRNA, CD44-phosphorylated protein and
      intracellular calcium concentrations. HA4 enhanced keratinocyte differentiation
      and increased CD44-phosphorylated protein levels. CONCLUSION: HA4 may induce
      epidermal differentiation through phosphorylation of CD44.

PMID- 24219059
TI  - Urinary kidney biomarkers for early detection of nephrotoxicity in clinical drug
      development.
AB  - Early detection of drug-induced kidney injury is vital in drug development.
      Generally accepted biomarkers such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
      lack sensitivity and early injury responses are missed. Many new biomarkers to
      detect nephrotoxicity for pre-clinical utilization have been described and their
      use is adopted in regulatory guidelines. However, guidance on appropriate
      biomarkers for clinical trials is minimal. We provide an overview of potentially
      useful kidney biomarkers that can be used in clinical trials. This includes
      guidance to select biomarkers suitable to capture specific characteristics of the
      (expected) kidney injury. We conclude that measurement of urinary kidney injury
      marker-1 (KIM-1) serves many purposes and is often an appropriate choice.
      Cystatin C captures effects on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), but this marker
      should preferably be combined with more specific markers to localize the origin
      of the observed effect. Untoward effects on tubules can be captured relatively
      well with several markers. Direct detection of glomerular injury is currently
      impossible since specific biomarkers are lacking. Indirect assessment of toxic
      effects on glomeruli is possible by using carefully selected panels of other
      injury markers. We conclude that it is possible to obtain appropriate information
      on nephrotoxicity in clinical drug development by using carefully selected panels
      of injury markers and suggest that identification and validation of specific
      glomerular biomarkers could be of great value.

PMID- 24219061
TI  - Bioavailability and stability of intravenous iron sucrose originator versus
      generic iron sucrose AZAD.
AB  - CONTEXT: Severe iron deficiency requires intravenous iron supplementation to
      replenish iron stores. Intravenous iron sucrose has been used for decades for the
      treatment of anemia. New generic iron sucrose products are now marketed for the
      use in several countries and there is an ongoing discussion about the safety and
      efficacy of iron sucrose similars. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we compared the iron
      sucrose originator Venofer(r) and the generic iron sucrose AZAD (ISA) regarding
      bioavailability, toxicity and stability in human THP-1 cells and HepG2 cells.
      METHODS: The bioavailability of Venofer(r) and ISA was investigated in both cell
      types by a ferrozin-based assay. The release of incorporated iron was assayed by
      atomic absorption spectroscopy. Ferritin content was measured by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HepG2 cells were used to investigate the
      intracellular labile iron pool (LIP), which was measured by the fluorescent
      calcein assay. The amount of redox-active iron within the iron formulations was
      assayed using fluorescent dichlorofluorescein. RESULTS: We found no significant
      differences in all parameters between Venofer(r) and ISA in regard of
      bioavailability, toxicity and stability in vitro. DISCUSSION: ISA shows identical
      physico-chemical features and identical bioavailability in vitro. This study is a
      profound basis for future clinical tests with generic iron sucrose compounds.

PMID- 24219062
TI  - Synthesis, antibacterial activity, antibacterial mechanism and food applications
      of ZnO nanoparticles: a review.
AB  - Bacterial contamination reduces the shelf-life of foods and presents serious
      risks to human health. Nanotechnology provides the opportunity for the
      development of new antibacterial agents. Nano-inorganic metal oxides have shown
      the potential to reduce bacterial contamination of foods. When the particle size
      of materials decreases from the micrometre to the nanometre range, nano
      functional properties such as diffusivity, mechanical strength, chemical
      reactivity and biological properties are improved. Significantly, ZnO has been
      used in many applications with particular success. Many studies have shown that
      ZnO nanoparticles have enhanced antibacterial activity. This review discusses the
      main synthetic methods, antibacterial activity, antibacterial mechanisms and food
      applications of ZnO nanoparticles. 

PMID- 24219063
TI  - The association between serum vitamin D Level and disease activity in Thai
      rheumatoid arthritis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serum vitamin D level was inversely associated with the risk of
      developing new onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and disease activity, but some
      conflicting results have been reported. OBJECTIVE: To examine the serum vitamin D
      status in Thai RA patients and possible independent factors affecting serum 25
      hydroxyvitamin vitamin D (25(OH)D) and the associations of serum 25(OH)D level
      and the disease activity and functional status in Thai RA patients. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study was performed in 239 Thai RA patients. The blood levels of
      25(OH)D2 and D3 were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Disease activity
      was assessed according to tender and swollen joint counts, erythrocyte
      sedimentation rate (ESR), visual analog scale for global patient assessment,
      Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28) and Thai Health Assessment Questionnaire (Thai
      HAQ). RESULT: The mean vitamin D level was 28.79 ng/mL. There were no
      associations between 25(OH)D levels and number of tender and swollen joint
      counts, DAS-28 score, HAQ score or rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-cyclic
      citrulinated peptide (CCP) positivity. After multivariated analysis, Bangkok
      residents, non-farmer, obesity and non-vitamin D supplementation were the
      predictors for vitamin D insufficiency in Thai patients with RA. CONCLUSION:
      There are no associations of serum 25(OH)D levels with disease activity or
      functional status in Thai RA patients. The factors associated with vitamin D
      insufficiency are Bangkok resident, non-farmer, obesity and not taking vitamin D
      supplementation.

PMID- 24219065
TI  - The sales and marketing practices of English-language internet alcohol vendors.
AB  - AIMS: This study aimed to fill information gaps about the sales and marketing
      practices of internet alcohol vendors and their implications for addressing youth
      access and other legal violations. Further, it aimed to expand the limited
      scientific literature on internet alcohol sales using systematic survey methods
      to inform future efforts to regulate this industry and prevent sales to minors.
      DESIGN: The design was a cross-sectional website content analysis survey.
      SETTING: [Not applicable]. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 105 internet alcohol vendor
      websites. MEASUREMENTS: Six key content analysis topics were explored: products
      offered, average prices and proportions of vendors using different promotions,
      policy statements and methods for age verification, payment and delivery.
      FINDINGS: Websites sell and promote a variety of alcohol products, offered as
      cheaply as $1.93 for a 750-ml bottle. Vendors rely heavily upon age verification
      methods that are unlikely to prevent sales to minors. Many vendors advertise
      shipping of products via methods through which it is illegal or against delivery
      company policies to transport alcohol, and 99% of vendors accept credit cards.
      Limiting and enforcing delivery and payment options are types of policy
      interventions that have been used successfully with internet cigarette vendors
      that may be applicable to internet alcohol vendors as well. CONCLUSIONS: Internet
      alcohol vendor practices are insufficient to prevent sales to minors, and need
      further regulation and enforcement of existing policies. Their sales practices
      are similar to those of internet cigarette vendors prior to regulation, and
      similar regulatory approaches may be effective in reducing internet alcohol sales
      to minors.

PMID- 24219066
TI  - Words, words, words.

PMID- 24219067
TI  - Origin of Swedish hemophilia B mutations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than 1100 mutations that cause hemophilia B (HB) have been
      identified. At the same time, specific F9 mutations are present at high
      frequencies in certain populations, which raise questions about the origin of HB
      mutations. OBJECTIVES: To describe the mutation spectrum of all HB families in
      Sweden and investigate if mutations appearing in several families are due to
      independent recurrent mutations (RMs) or to a common mutation event (i.e. are
      identical by descent (IBD)). PATIENTS/METHODS: The registered Swedish HB
      population consists of patients from 86 families. Mutations were identified by
      resequencing and identical haplotypes were defined using 74 markers and a control
      population of 285 individuals. The ages of IBD mutations were estimated using
      ESTIAGE. RESULTS: Out of 77 presumably unrelated patients with substitution
      mutations, 47 patients (61%) had mutations in common with other patients.
      Haplotyping of the 47 patients showed that 24 patients had IBD mutations (51%)
      with estimated ages of between two and 23 generations. A majority of these
      patients had mild disease. Eight of the 15 mutations observed in more than one
      family were C>T transitions in CpG sites and all eight were RMs. CONCLUSIONS: The
      association of IBD mutations with a mild phenotype is similar to what has been
      previously observed in hemophilia A. Noteworthy features of the mutations that
      are common to more than one family are the equal proportions of patients with RM
      and IBD mutations and the correlation between the occurrence of RMs and C>T
      transitions at CpG sites.

PMID- 24219064
TI  - Phosphoinositide 3-kinases upregulate system xc(-) via eukaryotic initiation
      factor 2alpha and activating transcription factor 4 - A pathway active in
      glioblastomas and epilepsy.
AB  - AIMS: Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) relay growth factor signaling and
      mediate cytoprotection and cell growth. The cystine/glutamate antiporter system
      xc(-) imports cystine while exporting glutamate, thereby promoting glutathione
      synthesis while increasing extracellular cerebral glutamate. The aim of this
      study was to analyze the pathway through which growth factor and PI3K signaling
      induce the cystine/glutamate antiporter system xc(-) and to demonstrate its
      biological significance for neuroprotection, cell growth, and epilepsy. RESULTS:
      PI3Ks induce system xc(-) through glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta)
      inhibition, general control non-derepressible-2-mediated eukaryotic initiation
      factor 2alpha phosphorylation, and the subsequent translational up-regulation of
      activating transcription factor 4. This pathway is essential for PI3Ks to
      modulate oxidative stress resistance of nerve cells and insulin-induced growth in
      fibroblasts. Moreover, the pathway is active in human glioblastoma cells. In
      addition, it is induced in primary cortical neurons in response to robust
      neuronal activity and in hippocampi from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
      INNOVATION: Our findings further extend the concepts of how growth factors and
      PI3Ks induce neuroprotection and cell growth by adding a new branch to the
      signaling network downstream of GSK-3beta, which, ultimately, leads to the
      induction of the cystine/glutamate antiporter system xc(-). Importantly, the
      induction of this pathway by neuronal activity and in epileptic hippocampi points
      to a potential role in epilepsy. CONCLUSION: PI3K-regulated system xc(-) activity
      is not only involved in the stress resistance of neuronal cells and in cell
      growth by increasing the cysteine supply and glutathione synthesis, but also
      plays a role in the pathophysiology of tumor- and non-tumor-associated epilepsy
      by up-regulating extracellular cerebral glutamate.

PMID- 24219068
TI  - An optimized protocol for overproduction of recombinant protein expression in
      Escherichia coli.
AB  - The gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) offers a means for rapid,
      high-yield, and economical production of recombinant proteins. Here, a protocol
      for optimization of parameters involved in bacterial expression conditions is
      described. L-Asparaginase (ASNase II) was chosen as a model protein for our
      experiments. ASNase II gene (ansB) was cloned into the pAED4 plasmid and
      transformed into E. coli BL21pLysS (DE3)-competent cells. It was assumed that
      high cell density and high copy number of recombinant plasmid in the bacteria
      host could result in very high production of the recombinant protein.
      Circumstances for the overproduction of recombinant ASNase II including cell
      growth conditions, isopropyl beta-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) level,
      ampicillin (Amp) concentration before and during IPTG induction, and cell density
      were optimized. Regarding the final optimization, overexpression of ASNase II was
      assessed on a large scale in LB medium. Periplasmic ASNase II was extracted using
      an alkaline lysis method. The extracted protein was purified by one-step DEAE
      Sepharose fast-flow chromatography. ASNase II activity was considered an index
      for the protein expression. Applying the optimized practical protocol, protein
      production was significantly enhanced in comparison to the traditional IPTG
      induction method in the absence of a fermentor and can be applied for
      overexpression of other recombinant proteins. 

PMID- 24219069
TI  - "At last i've found you".

PMID- 24219071
TI  - Promoting person-centeredness in long-term care: an exploratory study.
AB  - This study explored how nursing staff promote person-centeredness in long-term
      care settings. The study used an anthropological free-listing approach to data
      collection and qualitative content analysis to analyze written self-report
      descriptions from a convenience sample of Swedish long-term care staff (N = 436).
      The analyses resulted in four themes that illuminate how nursing staff promote
      person-centeredness: Promoting Decision Making, Promoting a Meaningful Living,
      Promoting a Pleasurable Living, and Promoting Personhood. The study contributes
      to the literature by providing concrete descriptions of how person-centeredness
      was facilitated by staff in their everyday practice and contributes to move
      person-centeredness from the philosophical, policy, and conceptual domains toward
      clinical implementation. The study also suggests that promoting pleasure for
      residents is a dimension central to person-centeredness and to health-promoting
      gerontological nursing, and that "small talk" is an emerging nursing phenomenon
      that deserves more research attention.

PMID- 24219072
TI  - Prevalence of pressure ulcers by race and ethnicity for older adults admitted to
      nursing homes.
AB  - Little is known about the prevalence of pressure ulcers (PUs) among racial and
      ethnic groups of older individuals admitted to nursing homes (NHs). NHs admitting
      higher percentages of minority individuals may face resource challenges for
      groups with more PUs or ones of greater severity. This study examined the
      prevalence of PUs (Stages 2 to 4) among older adults admitted to NHs by race and
      ethnicity at the individual, NH, and regional levels. Results show that the
      prevalence of PUs in Black older adults admitted to NHs was greater than that in
      Hispanic older adults, which were both greater than in White older adults. The PU
      rate among admissions of Black individuals was 1.7 times higher than White
      individuals. A higher prevalence of PUs was observed among NHs with a lower
      percentage of admissions of White individuals. [Journal of Gerontological
      Nursing, 40(3), 20-26.]. 

PMID- 24219073
TI  - Psychiatric illness and resident assaults among veterans in long-term care
      facilities.
AB  - This article describes a quality improvement program to reduce the prevalence of
      physical assaults in a university-affiliated, 234-bed Veterans Affairs (VA) long
      term care (LTC) facility, which experienced a rise in the number of physical
      assaults to >4 per 1,000 bed days of care in four LTC units. Analysis of 55
      events (29 patients) at this VA LTC site during 2007 revealed 19 resident
      assailants (8% total population), 10 victims, and 30% repeat events. Of the
      residents who exhibited assaultive behavior, 44% had dementia and 32% had
      schizophrenia as a major diagnosis. Following a process improvement plan, new
      occurrence assaultive behaviors declined from >4 to <1 per 1,000 bed days and
      remained low during 5-year follow up.

PMID- 24219074
TI  - Being a cancer caregiver for an older, active, and able woman.

PMID- 24219075
TI  - The application of Belmont Report principles to policy development.
AB  - Attention to ethical issues is a routine part of medical research. In this
      article, we propose that health policy development, like research, include a
      formal review of these issues. Ethical knowledge is a critical component of
      epistemology and inherent in development of laws and principles of justice.
      However, we cannot assume that new policies are subject to a formal ethics
      review. The Belmont Report of 1978 provides a platform for this process. Prior to
      the Belmont Report, there was no foundation defining this process in medical
      research. Based on this history, we propose that health care payment policy
      development include a formal assessment of risks and benefits using an approach
      that is familiar to all researchers.

PMID- 24219076
TI  - Feasibility and effects of TAI CHI for the promotion of sleep quality and quality
      of life: a single-group study in a sample of older Chinese individuals in Hong
      Kong.
AB  - Poor sleep in later life is a global issue that reduces many individuals' quality
      of life (QOL). The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and
      effects of a simplified tai chi exercise intervention on sleep quality and QOL
      among Chinese community-dwelling older adults with poor sleep quality. This
      single-group, descriptive feasibility study included 34 individuals with poor
      sleep quality who agreed to participate in a 12-week tai chi intervention. Twenty
      six individuals completed the program (23.5% dropout rate). Older adults with
      poor sleep quality who completed the intervention showed significant improvement
      in the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 mental component and the Pittsburgh
      Sleep Quality Index global and component scores. The low recruitment and
      attendance and high dropout rates might be associated with participants' age,
      gender, and sleep quality. Further long-term studies are required to examine the
      potential effects of the tai chi intervention. [Journal of Gerontological
      Nursing, 40(3), 46-52.]. 

PMID- 24219077
TI  - Sleep disorders in older adults.
AB  - Sleep pattern changes are considered normal as individuals age. However, changes
      in sleep patterns can ultimately affect the quality of life of many older adults.
      In addition, many sleep conditions are associated with an increase in morbidity
      and mortality. It is essential for clinicians to recognize sleep changes to lead
      to appropriate treatment. This article will focus on the assessment and
      interventions of sleep disorders in older adults.

PMID- 24219078
TI  - Mixing medication into foodstuffs: identifying the issues for paediatric nurses.
AB  - Medication is often mixed into soft foods to aid swallowing in children. However,
      this can alter the physical/chemical properties of the active drug. This study
      reports on the prevalence of the modification procedure, the nature of foodstuffs
      routinely used and factors which influence how the procedure is performed by
      nurses working in the National Health Service in Scotland. Mixed methods were
      employed encompassing an online self-administered questionnaire and semi
      structured interviews. One hundred and eleven nurses participated, of whom 87%
      had modified medication prior to administration. Fruit juice (diluted and
      concentrated) and yoghurts were most commonly used. The interviews (i) identified
      the limitations of the procedure; (ii) explored the decision-making process; and
      (iii) confirmed the procedure was a last resort. This study intends to address
      some of the uncertainty surrounding the medicine modification procedure within
      the paediatric population. 

PMID- 24219079
TI  - Consumption of purple sweet potato affects post-translational modification of
      plasma proteins in hamsters.
AB  - A high level of intake of vegetables is strongly associated with the prevention
      of chronic diseases. Because post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been
      shown to be the important biomarkers of the change in physiological functions,
      this study aimed to explore the changes in PTMs of plasma proteins when purple
      sweet potato (PSP), a root vegetable, was incorporated into the daily diet. Male
      Syrian hamsters were maintained on a rice diet (50% rice) or PSP diet (25% rice
      and 25% PSP) for 12 weeks. Plasma proteins were fractionated by electrophoresis,
      digested by trypsin, and then separated by nano-liquid chromatography and tandem
      mass spectrometry. The TurboSequest algorithm was used to identify peptide
      sequence against the hamster database in Universal Proteins Resource
      Knowledgebase, and in-house PTM finder programs were used for identification and
      quantification of PTMs. The results indicated that 95 plasma proteins were
      identified and 28 PTM sites on 26 of these 95 proteins were affected by
      consumption of PSP (p < 0.05). Methylation accounted for the largest percentage
      of affected modifications (35.71%). This study also showed that incorporation of
      purple sweet potato into the diet significantly lowered blood and liver lipids (p
      < 0.05). The results of this study provide a basis for prospective studies
      evaluating the effects of dietary intervention on modifications of proteins. 

PMID- 24219080
TI  - Outcomes of surgical treatment of Peyronie's disease.
AB  - The aims of the present review were to assess the literature on published
      outcomes and complications associated with surgical treatments for Peyronie's
      disease (PD) and to assist clinicians in the effective management of PD by
      increasing understanding and awareness of the outcomes associated with current
      surgical treatment options. A PubMed literature search was conducted to identify
      relevant, peer-reviewed clinical and review articles published between January
      1980 and October 2013 related to outcomes of surgical correction of PD. Search
      terms for this non-systematic review included 'Peyronie's disease', 'outcomes',
      'complications', 'erectile dysfunction or ED', 'patient expectation', and
      'patient satisfaction'; search terms were searched separately and in combination.
      Case studies and editorials were excluded, primary manuscripts and reviews were
      included, and bibliographies of articles of interest were reviewed and key
      references were obtained. Assessment of the study design, methodology, clinical
      relevance and impact on the surgical outcomes of PD was performed on the sixty
      one articles that were selected and analysed. Currently, there are several
      investigational minimally invasive and non-surgical treatment options for PD;
      however, surgical treatment remains the standard of care for patients with stable
      disease and disabling deformity or drug-resistant erectile dysfunction. Each of
      the different surgical procedures that are used for treatment of PD, including
      tunical shortening, tunical lengthening (plaque incisions or partial excision and
      grafting), and use of inflatable penile prostheses, carries its own advantages
      and disadvantages in terms of potential complications and postoperative
      satisfaction. Because of the variety of ways that PD may present in affected
      patients, no single, standard, surgical treatment for this disorder has prevailed
      and multiple variations of each type of procedure may exist. Surgical outcomes of
      the most commonly used procedures are not substantially different; therefore, the
      appropriateness of each treatment option may often depend on disease and patient
      characteristics (e.g. deformity and erectile function). Surgical algorithms have
      been published to guide surgeons and patients through the selection of surgical
      procedures in the absence of conclusive, long-term outcome data. Accumulating
      data on outcomes associated with established procedures, modifications to these
      procedures, and new surgical techniques and materials may serve to further guide
      practice and refine evidence-based selection of the surgical approach.

PMID- 24219081
TI  - Giant cell arteritis and disseminated tuberculosis: presentation of two cases.

PMID- 24219083
TI  - Apolipoprotein A-I and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1
      expression alleviates lipid accumulation in hepatocytes.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Abnormal lipid metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis
      of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1)
      mediates the transport of cholesterol and phospholipids from cells to high
      density lipoprotein apolipoproteins. The lipidation of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA
      I) by ABCA1 is the rate-limiting step in reverse cholesterol transport and the
      generation of plasma high density lipoprotein. Here, we examined the effect of
      apoA-I or ABCA1 overexpression on hepatic lipid levels in BEL-7402 cells.
      METHODS: Human ABCA1 or apoA-I was overexpressed in BEL-7402 hepatocytes by
      transfection and human apoA-I was overexpressed via adenoviral vector in C57BL/6J
      mice with MCD diet. RESULTS: Overexpression of either apoA-I or ABCA1 resulted in
      an increase in cholesterol efflux and a decrease in cellular fatty acids and
      triglycerides. However, after repression of ABCA1 by its siRNA, overexpression of
      apoA-I failed to decrease both cellular fatty acids and triglycerides. ApoA-I or
      ABCA1 overexpression also resulted in a decrease in the expression of the
      endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins GRP78 and SREBP-1. Overexpression
      of apoA-I in mice also reduced hepatic lipid levels. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of
      apoA-I or ABCA1 can reduce steatosis by decreasing lipid storage in hepatocytes
      through lipid transport and may also reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress, further
      lessening hepatic steatosis.

PMID- 24219084
TI  - The effects of spatial contextual familiarity on remembered scenes, episodic
      memories, and imagined future events.
AB  - Several recent studies have explored the effect of contextual familiarity on
      remembered and imagined events. The aim of this study was to examine the extent
      of this effect by comparing the effect of cuing spatial memories, episodic
      memories, and imagined future events with spatial contextual cues of varying
      levels of familiarity. We used real-world landmark cues that had all been
      previously visited by the participants, and we measured the retrieval time,
      detail-richness, and vividness of remembered scenes, events, and imagined future
      events based on these cues. Participants consistently rated scenes and events
      based on more familiar cues as more detailed and more vivid, and they took less
      time to retrieve them. When the types of details were examined, it was revealed
      that the effects of increased contextual familiarity carry over to non-spatial
      details in the case of remembered events but possibly not in imagined events.
      This study provides evidence regarding how episodic memory and imagination are
      reliant on spatial context and possibly the process of scene construction.

PMID- 24219085
TI  - Embodiment during reading: Simulating a story character's linguistic actions.
AB  - According to theories of embodied cognition, a critical element in language
      comprehension is the formation of sensorimotor simulations of the actions and
      events described in a text. Although much of the embodied cognition research has
      focused on simulations of motor actions, we ask whether readers form simulations
      of story characters' linguistic actions. For example, when a character is
      described as speaking, do readers form an auditory image of the character's
      words? Furthermore, if a character is described as reading, do readers form a
      visual image of the words on the page? In 4 experiments, a character was
      described as either reading or speaking, quickly or slowly. Critically,
      participants either read silently or read aloud so that their action matched or
      mismatched the character's action. Consistent with the action-sentence
      compatibility effect (Glenberg & Kaschak, 2002), only when the participant's and
      the character's actions matched--when both were reading or both were speaking-
      was a rate effect found, with participants reading/speaking more slowly when the
      character was described as reading/speaking slowly. We conclude that
      comprehension of a character's linguistic action involves the same types of
      sensorimotor simulations as have been shown across a vast array of other types of
      actions.

PMID- 24219082
TI  - Association between funding source, methodological quality and research outcomes
      in randomized controlled trials of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics added to
      infant formula: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is little or no information available on the impact of funding
      by the food industry on trial outcomes and methodological quality of synbiotics,
      probiotics and prebiotics research in infants. The objective of this study was to
      compare the methodological quality, outcomes of food industry sponsored trials
      versus non industry sponsored trials, with regards to supplementation of
      synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics in infant formula. METHODS: A comprehensive
      search was conducted to identify published and unpublished randomized clinical
      trials (RCTs). Cochrane methodology was used to assess the risk of bias of
      included RCTs in the following domains: 1) sequence generation; 2) allocation
      concealment; 3) blinding; 4) incomplete outcome data; 5) selective outcome
      reporting; and 6) other bias. Clinical outcomes and authors' conclusions were
      reported in frequencies and percentages. The association between source of
      funding, risk of bias, clinical outcomes and conclusions were assessed using
      Pearson's Chi-square test and the Fisher's exact test. A p-value < 0.05 was
      statistically significant. RESULTS: Sixty seven completed and 3 on-going RCTs
      were included. Forty (59.7%) were funded by food industry, 11 (16.4%) by non
      industry entities and 16 (23.9%) did not specify source of funding. Several risk
      of bias domains, especially sequence generation, allocation concealment and
      blinding, were not adequately reported. There was no significant association
      between the source of funding and sequence generation, allocation concealment,
      blinding and selective reporting, majority of reported clinical outcomes or
      authors' conclusions. On the other hand, source of funding was significantly
      associated with the domains of incomplete outcome data, free of other bias
      domains as well as reported antibiotic use and conclusions on weight gain.
      CONCLUSION: In RCTs on infants fed infant formula containing probiotics,
      prebiotics or synbiotics, the source of funding did not influence the majority of
      outcomes in favour of the sponsors' products. More non-industry funded research
      is needed to further assess the impact of funding on methodological quality,
      reported clinical outcomes and authors' conclusions.

PMID- 24219086
TI  - Base rates: both neglected and intuitive.
AB  - Base-rate neglect refers to the tendency for people to underweight base-rate
      probabilities in favor of diagnostic information. It is commonly held that base
      rate neglect occurs because effortful (Type 2) reasoning is required to process
      base-rate information, whereas diagnostic information is accessible to fast,
      intuitive (Type 1) processing (e.g., Kahneman & Frederick, 2002). To test this
      account, we instructed participants to respond to base-rate problems on the basis
      of "beliefs" or "statistics," both in free time (Experiments 1 and 3) and under a
      time limit (Experiment 2). Participants were given problems with salient
      stereotypes (e.g., "Jake lives in a beautiful home in a posh suburb") that either
      conflicted or coincided with base-rate probabilities (e.g., "Jake was randomly
      selected from a sample of 5 doctors and 995 nurses for conflict; 995 doctors and
      5 nurses for nonconflict"). If utilizing base-rates requires Type 2 processing,
      they should not interfere with the processing of the presumably faster belief
      based judgments, whereas belief-based judgments should always interfere with
      statistics judgments. However, base-rates interfered with belief judgments to the
      same extent as the stereotypes interfered with statistical judgments, as indexed
      by increased response time and decreased confidence for conflict problems
      relative to nonconflict. These data suggest that base-rates, while typically
      underweighted or neglected, do not require Type 2 processing and may, in fact, be
      accessible to Type 1 processing.

PMID- 24219087
TI  - Testing the item-order account of design effects using the production effect.
AB  - A number of memory phenomena evident in recall in within-subject, mixed-lists
      designs are reduced or eliminated in between-subject, pure-list designs. The item
      order account (McDaniel & Bugg, 2008) proposes that differential retention of
      order information might underlie this pattern. According to this account, order
      information may be encoded when a common form of processing is used alone in a
      list (e.g., reading), but not when an unusual form of processing is used (e.g.,
      generation) or when a common form and an unusual form are mixed within a list.
      The production effect--better memory for words said aloud than for words read
      silently--shows this same design-contingent pattern. In 2 experiments, we
      investigated whether differential order retention might underlie the production
      effect. Consistent with the item-order account, we found that retention of order
      information was better in pure silent lists than in either pure aloud lists or
      mixed lists, as measured using an order reconstruction test. Moreover, in
      Experiment 2, order was better preserved in free recall of pure silent lists than
      of either pure aloud or mixed lists. Thus, production joins the set of tasks
      identified by McDaniel and Bugg (2008), and our findings suggest a role for order
      processing in explaining the production effect.

PMID- 24219089
TI  - Does the acceptable noise level (ANL) predict hearing-aid use?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that individuals have an inherent acceptance of
      noise in the presence of speech, and that different acceptance of noise results
      in different hearing-aid (HA) use. The acceptable noise level (ANL) has been
      proposed for measurement of this property. It has been claimed that the ANL
      magnitude can predict hearing-aid use patterns. Many papers have been published
      reporting on different aspects of ANL, but none have challenged the predictive
      power of ANL. The purpose of this study was to discuss whether ANL can predict HA
      use and how more reliable ANL results can be obtained. DESIGN: Relevant
      literature regarding the ANL was found on Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar.
      Additional information was found as references in the included papers and through
      personal contacts, for instance when attending audiology conferences. STUDY
      SAMPLE: Forty-five papers published in peer reviewed journals as well as a number
      of papers from trade journals, posters and oral presentations from audiology
      conventions. CONCLUSIONS: An inherent acceptance of noise in the presence of
      speech may exist, but no method for precise measurement of ANL is available. The
      ANL model for prediction of HA use has yet to be proven valid.

PMID- 24219090
TI  - The ANL: does it, or does it not?

PMID- 24219091
TI  - Feasibility of haloperidol-anchored albumin nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin
      as dry powder inhaler for pulmonary delivery.
AB  - Haloperidol (Hal) is a ligand that can target sigma 2 receptors over-expressed in
      non-small cell lung cancer. Hal targeted nanoparticles of bovine serum albumin
      (BSA) were prepared for pulmonary delivery of doxorubicin (DOX). The conjugation
      was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and (1)H nuclear
      magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) spectroscopic methods. Nanoparticles were prepared
      by desolvation method from BSA-Hal and were loaded with DOX. They were
      characterized for their morphology, particle size, zeta potential, drug loading
      and release efficiency. The optimized nanoparticles were spray-dried using
      trehalose, l-leucin and mannitol as dry powder inhaler (DPI) in different inlet
      temperatures between 80 and 120 degrees C. The obtained nanocomposites were
      characterized for their aerodynamic diameter, specific surface area (cm(2)/g) and
      fine particle fraction (FPF) by a Cascade Impactor device. The optimized
      nanoparticles showed particle size of 218 nm, zeta potential of -25.4 mV, drug
      entrapment efficiency of 89% and release efficiency of 56% until 2 h. After spray
      drying of these nanoparticles, the best results were obtained from mannitol with
      an inlet temperature of 80 degrees C which produced a mean aerodynamic diameter
      of 4.58 MUm, FPF of 66% and specific surface area of 6302.99 cm(2)/g. The
      obtained results suggest that the designed DPI could be a suitable inhaler for
      targeted delivery of DOX in pulmonary delivery.

PMID- 24219093
TI  - Rapid degradation of Deepwater Horizon spilled oil by indigenous microbial
      communities in Louisiana saltmarsh sediments.
AB  - The Deepwater Horizon oil spill led to the severe contamination of coastal
      environments in the Gulf of Mexico. A previous study detailed coastal saltmarsh
      erosion and recovery in a number of oil-impacted and nonimpacted reference sites
      in Barataria Bay, Louisiana over the first 18 months after the spill.
      Concentrations of alkanes and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at oil-impacted
      sites significantly decreased over this time period. Here, a combination of DNA,
      lipid, and isotopic approaches confirm that microbial biodegradation was
      contributing to the observed petroleum mass loss. Natural abundance (14)C
      analysis of microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) reveals that petroleum
      derived carbon was a primary carbon source for microbial communities at impacted
      sites several months following oil intrusion when the highest concentrations of
      oil were present. Also at this time, microbial community analysis suggests that
      community structure of all three domains has shifted with the intrusion of oil.
      These results suggest that Gulf of Mexico marsh sediments have considerable
      biodegradation potential and that natural attenuation is playing a role in
      impacted sites. 

PMID- 24219094
TI  - Stick-Slip to Sliding Transition of Dynamic Contact Lines under AC
      Electrowetting.
AB  - We show that at low velocities the dynamics of a contact line of a water drop
      moving over a Teflon-like surface under ac electrowetting must be described as
      stick-slip motion, rather than one continuous movement. At high velocities we
      observe a transition to a slipping regime. In the slipping regime the observed
      dependence of the contact angle is well described by a linearization of both the
      hydrodynamic and the molecular-kinetic model for the dynamic contact line
      behavior. The overall geometry of the drop also has a strong influence on the
      contact angle: if the drop is confined to a disk-like shape with radius R, much
      larger than the capillary length, and height h, smaller than the capillary
      length, the advancing angle increases steeper with velocity as the aspect ratio
      h/R is smaller. Although influence of the flow field near a contact line on the
      contact angle behavior has also been observed in other experiments, these
      observations do not fit either model. Finally, in our ac experiments no sudden
      increase of the hysteresis beyond a certain voltage and velocity was observed, as
      reported by other authors for a dc voltage, but instead we find with increasing
      voltage a steady decrease of the hysteresis. 

PMID- 24219092
TI  - Bioreducible polycations as shuttles for therapeutic nucleic acid and protein
      transfection.
AB  - SIGNIFICANCE: Nucleic acids such as gene-encoding DNAs, gene-silencing small
      interfering RNAs, or recombinant proteins addressing intracellular molecular
      targets present a major new therapeutic modality, provided efficient solutions
      for intracellular delivery can be found. The different physiological redox
      environments inside and outside the cell can be utilized for optimizing the
      involved transport processes. RECENT ADVANCES: Intracellular delivery of nucleic
      acids or proteins requires dynamic carriers that discriminate between different
      cellular locations. Bioreducible cationic polymers can package their therapeutic
      cargo stably in the extracellular environment, but sense the reducing
      intracellular cytosolic environment. Based on disulfide cleavage, carriers are
      degraded into biocompatible fragments and release the cargo in functional form.
      Disulfide linkages between oligocations, between the carrier and the cargo, or
      spatial caging of complexed cargo by disulfides have been pursued, with polymers
      or precise sequence-defined peptides and oligomers. CRITICAL ISSUES: A
      quantitative knowledge of the bioreductive capacities within different biological
      compartments and the involved cellular reduction processes would be greatly
      helpful for improved carriers with disulfides cleaved within the right
      compartment at the right time. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Novel designs of
      multifunctional nanocarriers will incorporate macromolecular disulfide entry
      mechanisms previously optimized by natural evolution of toxins and viruses. In
      addition to extracellular stabilization and intracellular disassembly, tuned
      disulfides will contribute to deshielding at the cell surface, or translocation
      from intracellular compartments to the cytosol.

PMID- 24219095
TI  - Non-peptide-based fluorogenic small-molecule probe for elastase.
AB  - Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) has been identified as a potential therapeutic
      target for the discovery of anti-inflammatory drugs for decades. However, little
      progress has been made on assays measuring the activity of HNE, especially on
      synthetic substrates which play essential role in determination of HNE activity.
      Herein, a small-molecule compound, 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-N-(2-oxo-4
      (trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromen-7-yl)-propanamide (compound 4), has been
      successfully designed as the first ever non-peptide-based fluorogenic substrate
      for HNE. A "turn-on" fluorometric assay based on 4 has been successfully
      developed for rapid determination of HNE activity and the inhibitory kinetic
      study. Most importantly, the probe 4 shows highly specific response for HNE among
      seven tested hydrolases or proteins and can be directly used to detect the
      elevated HNE activity in the serum of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD) patients compared to that of healthy controls. This specific and cost
      effective probe will facilitate future high-throughput discovery of HNE
      inhibitors and clinical diagnosis of elastase-related diseases. 

PMID- 24219097
TI  - Inkjet-printing-based soft-etching technique for high-speed polymer ambipolar
      integrated circuits.
AB  - Here, we report the so-called soft-etching process based on an inkjet-printing
      technique for realizing high-performance printed and flexible organic electronic
      circuits with conjugated polymer semiconductors. The soft-etching process
      consists of selective etching of the gate made of a dielectric polymer and
      deposition of another gate dielectric layer. The method enables the use of a more
      desirable polymer dielectric layer for the p-channel and n-channel organic field
      effect transistors (OFETs) in complementary integrated circuits. We fabricated
      high-performance ambipolar complementary inverters and ring oscillators (ROs)
      using poly([N,N'-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6
      diyl]-alt-5,5'-(2,2'-bithiophene)) (P(NDI2OD-T2)) as the active layer as well as
      poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) and polystyrene
      ((PS)/P(VDF-TrFE)) as dielectric materials for the p-channel (pull-up transistor)
      and n-channel (pull-down transistor) OFETs, respectively. The PS dielectric
      polymer was selectively etched by inkjetting of n-butyl acetate as an orthogonal
      solvent for P(NDI2OD-T2). Employing this methodology, the five-stage ambipolar
      ROs with P(NDI2OD-T2) exhibited an oscillation frequency of ~16.7 kHz, which was
      much higher than that of non-soft-etched ROs with a single dielectric layer
      (P(VDF-TrFE); ~3 kHz). 

PMID- 24219096
TI  - Tumor lysate-loaded biodegradable microparticles as cancer vaccines.
AB  - Cancer vaccines that use tumor lysate (TL) as a source of tumor-associated
      antigens (TAAs) have significant potential for generating therapeutic anti-tumor
      immune responses. Vaccines encompassing TL bypass the limitations of single
      antigen vaccines by simultaneously stimulating immunity against multiple TAAs,
      thereby broadening the repertoire of TAA-specific T-cell clones available for
      activation. Administration of TL in particulate form, such as when encapsulated
      in biodegradable microparticles, increases its immunostimulatory capacity and
      produces more robust immune responses than when TL is given in soluble form.
      These effects can be further enhanced by co-administering TL with adjuvants. A
      number of recent studies using polymeric microparticle delivery of TL, with or
      without adjuvants, have produced promising results in preclinical studies. In
      this review, we will discuss current experimental approaches involving TL being
      pursued in the oncoimmunology field, and comment on strategies such as combining
      specific chemotherapeutic agents with TL microparticle delivery that may
      eventually lead to improved survival outcomes for cancer patients. 

PMID- 24219098
TI  - A randomized, controlled cross-over trial of dermally-applied lavender (Lavandula
      angustifolia) oil as a treatment of agitated behaviour in dementia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lavender essential oil shows evidence of sedative properties in
      neurophysiological and animal studies but clinical trials of its effectiveness as
      a treatment of agitation in people with dementia have shown mixed results. Study
      methods have varied widely, however, making comparisons hazardous. To help remedy
      previous methodological shortcomings, we delivered high grade lavender oil in
      specified amounts to nursing home residents whose agitated behaviours were
      recorded objectively. METHODS: 64 nursing home residents with frequent physically
      agitated behaviours were entered into a randomized, single-blind cross-over trial
      of dermally-applied, neurophysiologically active, high purity 30% lavender oil
      versus an inactive control oil. A blinded observer counted the presence or
      absence of target behaviours and rated participants' predominant affect during
      each minute for 30 minutes prior to exposure and for 60 minutes afterwards.
      RESULTS: Lavender oil did not prove superior to the control oil in reducing the
      frequency of physically agitated behaviours or in improving participants' affect.
      CONCLUSIONS: Studies of essential oils are constrained by their variable
      formulations and uncertain pharmacokinetics and so optimal dosing and delivery
      regimens remain speculative. Notwithstanding this, topically delivered, high
      strength, pure lavender oil had no discernible effect on affect and behaviour in
      a well-defined clinical sample. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand
      Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12609000569202).

PMID- 24219099
TI  - Zinc(II)-regulation of hydrazone switch isomerization kinetics.
AB  - The extra H-bond in a bipyridyl-functionalized hydrazone rotary switch slows down
      its Z->E isomerization rate by 2 orders of magnitude (k = (3.5 +/- 0.2) * 10(-6)
      s(-1)). The coordination of Zn(2+) with the bipyridyl subgroup simultaneously
      'unlocks' this H-bond and accelerates the isomerization rate by at least 6 orders
      of magnitude (k > 6.9 s(-1)). This coordination-regulated kinetic control could
      open the way to molecular timers that can be used in guiding temporal events. 

PMID- 24219100
TI  - High prevalence of oqxAB in Escherichia coli isolates from domestic and wild
      lagomorphs in Italy.
AB  - This study aimed to identify and characterize class 1 and 2 integrons and plasmid
      mediated quinolones resistance (PMQR) genes in a collection of 113 multidrug
      resistance (MDR) Escherichia coli isolated from farm and wild lagomorphs between
      2006 and 2008 in Northern Italy. Strains were examined for antimicrobial
      susceptibility by agar disk diffusion method and E-test for colistin (COL);
      integrons and gene cassettes content by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      and DNA sequencing; PMQR genes by PCR and DNA sequencing; clonal relatedness by
      multilocus sequence typing; and plasmids by PCR-based replicon typing. Class 1
      integrons were detected in 69 isolates (47 farm rabbits, 14 wild rabbits, and 8
      wild hares). No class 2 integrons were found. Five different gene cassettes
      arrays were identified (aadA1, dfrA1-aadA1, orf in682-dhfrA5, orf in682-dfrA5
      orfD ins21, and dfrA17-aadA5). Fifteen percent (17/113) of isolates carried
      oqxAB, no other PMQR determinants. All but one oqxAB-positive E. coli strains
      were recovered from farm rabbits. Seven out of 17 strains were associated with
      the predominant ST238 and carried from three to six different plasmid types, such
      as IncF, IncHI1, IncI1, IncN, IncP, IncX1, IncY, and ColE. COL resistance was
      identified in 6/113 strains (5.3%). This study provides new insights on the
      resistance phenotypes and the prevalence and dissemination of oqxAB in E. coli
      from farm and wild lagomorphs, suggesting that these animals may be reservoir of
      these genetic determinants in Italy and thus a potential source of PMQR E. coli
      for humans. PMQR mediated by oqxAB has not been detected in farm and wild
      lagomorphs before. 

PMID- 24219101
TI  - The evidentiary value of challenge trials for three pre-harvest food safety
      topics: a systematic assessment.
AB  - Reducing zoonotic pathogens in food animals prior to harvest will reduce the
      pathogen burden that enters the food chain and the environment. Consequently, the
      burden of enteric illness in humans may be reduced. Evaluating interventions to
      reduce a pathogen in animals often begins with challenge trials, in which animals
      are deliberately exposed to the pathogen under controlled conditions. Challenge
      trials are subsequently followed by field trials, also known as randomized
      controlled trials, in which the animals are naturally exposed to the pathogen.
      Challenge trials can most effectively inform field trials only if they precede
      field trials, are robust, internally valid and transparently reported. Using
      systematic review and meta-analysis methodology, we examined the pre-harvest food
      safety literature for three intervention-pathogen-species combinations:
      probiotics/competitive exclusion products in ruminants to reduce Escherichia coli
      O157 shedding, vaccines in ruminants to reduce E. coli O157 shedding and vaccines
      in swine to reduce Salmonella shedding. We examined two outcomes, prevalence of
      faecal shedding at the end of the trial and prevalence of faecal shedding
      throughout the trial period, to compare challenge trials and field trials. We
      found that challenge trials occurred concurrently with field trials, challenge
      trials suffered from reporting deficiencies of methodological features, challenge
      trials tended to report a more favourable outcome than field trials, and there
      was some evidence of publication bias among all three intervention-pathogen
      species combinations. Challenge trials would better serve to inform field trials
      if they precede field trials, are methodologically sound, include transparent
      reporting and are published regardless of their results. In addition, due to our
      findings of greater efficacy reported among challenge trials compared with field
      trials, risk models predicting the public health benefits of pre-harvest
      interventions to reduce zoonotic pathogens in livestock might be best served by
      field trial results alone.

PMID- 24219102
TI  - Metabolic disturbances and renal stone promotion on treatment with topiramate: a
      systematic review.
AB  - AIMS: The use of topiramate, which is prescribed for the management of epilepsy,
      for migraine headache prophylaxis and as a weight-loss agent, has been associated
      with the development of metabolic acidosis, hypokalaemia and renal stone disease.
      We systematically reviewed all the literature. METHODS: The systematic review of
      the literature was realized using the principles underlying the UK Economic and
      Social Research Council guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis and the
      Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement.
      RESULTS: Fourty-seven reports published between 1996 and 2013 were retained for
      the final analysis. Five case-control studies and six longitudinal studies
      addressed the effect of topiramate on acid-base and potassium balance. A
      significant tendency towards mild-to-moderate hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis
      (with bicarbonate <=21.0 mmol l(-1) in approximately every third case) and mild
      hypokalaemia (with potassium <=3.5 mmol l(-1) in 10% of the cases) was noted on
      treatment with topiramate, which was similar in children and adults. A single
      study observed that topiramate causes mild hyperuricaemia in male adults. A
      tendency towards hypocitraturia, a recognized promoter of renal stone formation,
      was noted in all patients on topiramate. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing evidence
      supports the use of topiramate. Topiramate is generally well tolerated, and
      serious adverse events are rare. Nonetheless, the present systematic review of
      the literature indicates that its use is linked with the development of acidosis,
      hypokalaemia, hyperuricaemia and hypocitraturia.

PMID- 24219104
TI  - A test for community saturation along the Himalayan bird diversity gradient,
      based on within-species geographical variation.
AB  - The idea that ecological communities are unsaturated is central to many
      explanations for regional gradients in species diversity. We describe a test for
      differing degrees of saturation across a regional diversity gradient, based on
      within-species geographical variation in ecological attributes. If communities in
      species-poor regions are less saturated than communities in species-rich regions,
      species that straddle both regions should have broader niches in species-poor
      regions, exploiting resources that are consumed by other species in species-rich
      regions. We studied 10 species of Old World leaf warblers that range across the
      Himalayas. Elevational range and feeding method showed niche contractions in the
      species-poor north-west Himalayas with respect to the species-rich south-east
      Himalayas, whereas prey size did not vary geographically. Niche contractions are
      contrary to the expectation of character release in depauperate environments, as
      has been shown, for example in mainland-island comparisons. We show that
      arthropod abundances are likely a limiting resource, and that niche contractions
      are consistent with measurements of a narrowing of resource availability. Results
      suggest that north-western warbler communities are at least as saturated as the
      south-east and that lower resource diversity drives reduced species numbers. 

PMID- 24219105
TI  - Abstracts of the Third International Conference on Reproductive Immunology.
      September 28-30, 2013. Shanghai, China.

PMID- 24219103
TI  - Four-and-a-half LIM domains proteins are novel regulators of the protein kinase D
      pathway in cardiac myocytes.
AB  - PKD (protein kinase D) is a serine/threonine kinase implicated in multiple
      cardiac roles, including the phosphorylation of the class II HDAC5 (histone
      deacetylase isoform 5) and thereby de-repression of MEF2 (myocyte enhancer factor
      2) transcription factor activity. In the present study we identify FHL1 (four-and
      a-half LIM domains protein 1) and FHL2 as novel binding partners for PKD in
      cardiac myocytes. This was confirmed by pull-down assays using recombinant GST
      fused proteins and heterologously or endogenously expressed PKD in adult rat
      ventricular myocytes or NRVMs (neonatal rat ventricular myocytes) respectively,
      and by co-immunoprecipitation of FHL1 and FHL2 with GFP-PKD1 fusion protein
      expressed in NRVMs. In vitro kinase assays showed that neither FHL1 nor FHL2 is a
      PKD1 substrate. Selective knockdown of FHL1 expression in NRVMs significantly
      inhibited PKD activation and HDAC5 phosphorylation in response to endothelin 1,
      but not to the alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine. In contrast, selective
      knockdown of FHL2 expression caused a significant reduction in PKD activation and
      HDAC5 phosphorylation in response to both stimuli. Interestingly, neither
      intervention affected MEF2 activation by endothelin 1 or phenylephrine. We
      conclude that FHL1 and FHL2 are novel cardiac PKD partners, which differentially
      facilitate PKD activation and HDAC5 phosphorylation by distinct neurohormonal
      stimuli, but are unlikely to regulate MEF2-driven transcriptional reprogramming.

PMID- 24219106
TI  - When is research clinical advice? Interpreting an exploratory study of
      paracetamol overdose.

PMID- 24219108
TI  - Room-temperature synthesis of trisubstituted allenylsilanes via regioselective C
      H functionalization.
AB  - A Rh(III)-catalyzed o-C-H bond functionalization-based allenylation reaction of
      allenylsilanes 2 with N-methoxybenzamides 1 affords poly-substituted
      allenylsilanes with a wide range of attractive functional groups in moderate to
      excellent yields under very mild conditions (20  degrees C, compatible with
      ambient air and moisture). Those products may be transformed to different
      products with attractive structural features. Careful mechanistic studies suggest
      the reaction proceeds via o-rhodation, regioselective insertion, and beta-H
      elimination. 

PMID- 24219107
TI  - Letter in response to Predicting the requirement for N-acetylcysteine in
      paracetamol poisoning from reported dose.

PMID- 24219109
TI  - Thai nurses' perspectives on the use of complementary and alternative medicine
      among Thai breast cancer survivors in northern Thailand.
AB  - Breast cancer survivors are more likely to seek complementary and alternative
      medicine (CAM) for their health and well-being than other cancer patients. The
      purpose of the study was to describe how Thai nurses perceive the use of CAM in
      Thai breast cancer survivors. An ethno-nursing research method was used. Fifteen
      Thai nurses who had experience in taking care of Thai breast cancer survivors who
      used CAM from a tertiary care referral and resource centre in the lower northern
      part of Thailand were interviewed. Two major themes emerged from this study:
      Meaning of care practices in CAM was seen as: (i) an additional beneficial choice
      for health; and (ii) emotional and psychological healing. Nurses should be
      concerned about CAM use in Thai breast cancer survivors. Open communication about
      CAM helps ensure that safe and holistic care is provided. Further research to
      enhance integration of CAM into health care is needed. 

PMID- 24219110
TI  - Association of hospital volume with conditional 90-day mortality after
      cystectomy: an analysis of the National Cancer Data Base.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of hospital volume and 90-day mortality
      after cystectomy, conditional on survival for 30 days. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The
      National Cancer Data Base was used to evaluate 30- and 90-day mortality for
      35,055 patients who underwent cystectomy for bladder cancer at one of 1118
      hospitals. Patient data were aggregated into hospital volume categories based on
      the mean annual number of procedures (low-volume hospital: <10 procedures;
      intermediate-volume hospital: 10-19 procedures; high-volume hospital: >=20
      procedures). Associations between mortality and clinical, demographic and
      hospital characteristics were analysed using hierarchical logistic regression
      models. To assess the association between hospital volume and 90-day mortality
      independently of shorter-term mortality, 90-day mortality conditional on 30-day
      survival was assessed in the multivariate modelling. RESULTS: Unadjusted 30- and
      90-day mortality rates were 2.7 and 7.2% overall, 1.9 and 5.7% among high-volume
      hospitals, and 3.2 and 8.0% among low-volume hospitals, respectively. Compared
      with high-volume hospitals, the adjusted risks among low-volume hospitals (odds
      ratio [95% CI]) of 30- and 90-day mortality, conditional on having survived for
      30 days, from the hierarchical models were 1.5 (1.3-1.9), and 1.2 (1.0-1.4),
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A low hospital volume was associated with greater 30-
      and 90-day mortality. These data support the need for further research to better
      understand the relatively high mortality rates seen between 30 and 90 days, which
      are high and less variable across hospital volume strata. The stronger
      association between volume and 30-day mortality suggests that quality-reporting
      efforts should focus on shorter-term outcomes.

PMID- 24219111
TI  - Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory effects by plant phenolic compounds: a
      study of structure activity relationships.
AB  - In this study, 22 phenolic compounds were investigated to inhibit the angiotensin
      converting enzyme (ACE). Tannic acid showed the highest activity (IC50 = 230
      MUM). The IC50 values obtained for phenolic acids and flavonoids ranged between
      0.41 and 9.3 mM. QSAR analysis confirmed that the numbers of hydroxyl groups on
      the benzene ring play an important role for activity of phenolic compounds and
      that substitution of hydroxyl groups by methoxy groups decreased activity.
      Docking studies indicated that phenolic acids and flavonoids inhibit ACE via
      interaction with the zinc ion and this interaction is stabilized by other
      interactions with amino acids in the active site. Other compounds, such as
      resveratrol and pyrogallol, may inhibit ACE via interactions with amino acids at
      the active site, thereby blocking the catalytic activity of ACE. These structure
      function relationships are useful for designing new ACE inhibitors and potential
      blood-pressure-lowering compounds based on phenolic compounds.

PMID- 24219113
TI  - The chlamydia knowledge, awareness and testing practices of Australian general
      practitioners and practice nurses: survey findings from the Australian chlamydia
      control effectiveness pilot (ACCEPt).
AB  - BACKGROUND: ACCEPt, a large cluster randomized control trial, aims to determine
      if annual testing for 16 to 29 year olds in general practice can reduce chlamydia
      prevalence. ACCEPt is the first trial investigating the potential role of
      practice nurses (PN) in chlamydia testing. To inform the design of the ACCEPt
      intervention, we aimed to determine the chlamydia knowledge, attitudes, and
      testing practices of participating general practitioners (GPs) and PNs. METHODS:
      GPs and PNs from 143 clinics recruited from 52 areas in 4 Australian states were
      asked to complete a survey at time of recruitment. Responses of PNs and GPs were
      compared using conditional logistic regression to account for possible intra
      cluster correlation within clinics. RESULTS: Of the PNs and GPs enrolled in
      ACCEPt, 81% and 72% completed the questionnaire respectively. Less than a third
      of PNs (23%) and GPs (32%) correctly identified the two age groups with highest
      infection rates in women and only 16% vs 17% the correct age groups in men. More
      PNs than GPs would offer testing opportunistically to asymptomatic patients aged
      <=25 years; women having a pap smear (84% vs 55%, P<0.01); antenatal checkup (83%
      vs 44%, P<0.01) and Aboriginal men with a sore throat (79% vs 33%, P<0.01), but
      also to patients outside of the guideline age group at the time of the survey; 26
      year old males presenting for a medical check (78% vs 30%, P = <0.01) and 33 year
      old females presenting for a pill prescription (83% vs 55%, P<0.01). More PNs
      than GPs knew that retesting was recommended after chlamydia treatment (93% vs
      87%, P=0.027); and the recommended timeframe was 3 months (66% vs 26%, P<0.01). A
      high proportion of PNs (90%) agreed that they could conduct chlamydia testing in
      general practice, with 79% wanting greater involvement and 89% further training.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our survey reveals gaps in chlamydia knowledge and management among
      GPs and PNs that may be contributing to low testing rates in general practice.
      The ACCEPt intervention is well targeted to address these and support clinicians
      in increasing testing rates. PNs could have a role in increasing chlamydia
      testing.

PMID- 24219115
TI  - Metabolic syndrome association with fibrosis development in chronic hepatitis B
      virus inactive carriers.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: There are few data of fibrosis development in chronic
      hepatitis B (CHB) patients classified as inactive carriers. The aim of this study
      is to determinate the prevalence of significant fibrosis and probable cirrhosis
      measured by FibroScan in real inactive CHB carriers and investigate the
      relationship with virological, epidemiological, and metabolic factors. METHODS:
      Cross-sectional cohort study including CHB inactive carriers. Liver stiffness
      measurement was performed with transient elastography (FibroScan). Significant
      fibrosis (>= F2) was defined as stiffness > 7.5 kPa, and probable cirrhosis as >
      11.8 kPa. Factors associated with significant fibrosis were explored with
      univariate and multivariate adjusted logistic regression analyses. RESULTS:
      Ninety-six CHB inactive carriers were analyzed. Of them, 24 (25%) had significant
      fibrosis and 7 (7%) probable cirrhosis; mean stiffness was 6.2 +/- 2.3 kPa. Of
      them, 24% had metabolic syndrome, with higher FibroScan value than those without
      (8.4 kPa vs 5.5 kPa, P < 0.001). Factors associated with significant fibrosis
      were (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, P value): central obesity (7.1, 1.8
      27.9, 0.005), elevated fasting glucose (4.3, 1.3-27.9, 0.036), reduced high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (5.2, 1.2-23.6, 0.032) and elevated triglycerides
      (6.2, 1.4-28.3, 0.019). Factors as age, sex, transaminases, hepatitis B virus DNA
      or genotype were not related with liver fibrosis. The presence of metabolic
      syndrome has a 69% of positive predictive value and 89% of negative predictive
      value for significant fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Different components of metabolic
      syndrome are associated with fibrosis development in CHB inactive carriers. In
      the absence of metabolic syndrome, significant fibrosis is uncommon in this
      population.

PMID- 24219116
TI  - Evaluation of handling and reuse approaches for the waste generated from MEA
      based CO2 capture with the consideration of regulations in the UAE.
AB  - A waste slip-stream is generated from the reclaiming process of monoethanolamine
      (MEA) based Post-Combustion Capture (PCC). It mainly consists of MEA itself,
      ammonium, heat-stable salts (HSS), carbamate polymers, and water. In this study,
      the waste quantity and nature are characterized for Fluor's Econamine FGSM coal
      fired CO2 capture base case. Waste management options, including reuse,
      recycling, treatment, and disposal, are investigated due to the need for a more
      environmentally sound handling. Regulations, economic potential, and associated
      costs are also evaluated. The technical, economic, and regulation assessment
      suggests waste reuse for NOx scrubbing. Moreover, a high thermal condition is
      deemed as an effective technique for waste destruction, leading to considerations
      of waste recycling into a coal burner or incineration. As a means of treatment,
      three secondary-biological processes covering Complete-Mix Activated Sludge
      (CMAS), oxidation ditch, and trickling filter are designed to meet the wastewater
      standards in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). From the economic point of view, the
      value of waste as a NOx scrubbing agent is 6,561,600-7,348,992 USD/year. The
      secondary-biological treatment cost is 0.017-0.02 USD/ton of CO2, while the cost
      of an on-site incinerator is 0.031 USD/ton of CO2 captured. In conclusion,
      secondary biological treatment is found to be the most economical option.

PMID- 24219117
TI  - Decisional balance among potential implantable cardioverter defibrillator
      recipients: development of the ICD-decision analysis scale (ICD-DAS).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sudden cardiac death is a well-documented public health problem and
      the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has demonstrated benefit in
      reducing mortality. Prospective patients must identify and evaluate the ICD's
      pros and cons and produce a personal decision. The purpose of this study was to
      create and evaluate a measure of patient-evaluated pros and cons of the ICD, and
      its relationship to patient decision regarding ICD implantation. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: The ICD-decision analysis scale (ICD-DAS) was created and tested in
      prospective ICD recipients (N = 104). Factor analysis was performed to evaluate
      interitem relationships, and subsequently, identified subscales; additional
      psychosocial measures were used to predict the ICD decision. A two-factor measure
      for ICD decision making was established with two subscales: ICD Pros and ICD
      Cons. The subscales have high internal consistency and were strong predictors of
      intent to choose an ICD. Other psychosocial measures were not significantly
      predictive of ICD Choice, yet simultaneous entry of ICD Pros and Cons subscales
      resulted in a significant increase in R(2) , F(2, 59) = 19.36, P < 0.001. The
      full model was significantly greater than zero, F(11, 70) = 5.017, P < 0.001,
      R(2)  = 0.48. CONCLUSION: The ICD-DAS provides the first empirically tested and
      clinically useful approach to understanding the specific pros and cons for
      prospective ICD patients. The measure can assist clinicians with patient-centered
      discussions regarding sudden cardiac arrest treatments. The ICD-DAS will allow
      for the provision of tailored education or counseling and may be used to predict
      postdecision outcomes.

PMID- 24219114
TI  - Extracellular matrix and liver disease.
AB  - SIGNIFICANCE: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic microenvironment that
      undergoes continuous remodeling, particularly during injury and wound healing.
      Chronic liver injury of many different etiologies such as viral hepatitis,
      alcohol abuse, drug-induced liver injury, obesity and insulin resistance,
      metabolic disorders, and autoimmune disease is characterized by excessive
      deposition of ECM proteins in response to persistent liver damage. CRITICAL
      ISSUES: This review describes the main collagenous and noncollagenous components
      from the ECM that play a significant role in pathological matrix deposition
      during liver disease. We define how increased myofibroblasts (MF) from different
      origins are at the forefront of liver fibrosis and how liver cell-specific
      regulation of the complex scarring process occurs. RECENT ADVANCES: Particular
      attention is paid to the role of cytokines, growth factors, reactive oxygen
      species, and newly identified matricellular proteins in the regulation of
      fibrillar type I collagen, a field to which our laboratory has significantly
      contributed over the years. We compile data from recent literature on the
      potential mechanisms driving fibrosis resolution such as MF' apoptosis,
      senescence, and reversal to quiescence. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: We conclude with a
      brief description of how epigenetics, an evolving field, can regulate the
      behavior of MF and of how new "omics" tools may advance our understanding of the
      mechanisms by which the fibrogenic response to liver injury occurs.

PMID- 24219118
TI  - Ordered honeycomb structural interfaces for anticancer cells growth.
AB  - The patterned honeycomb structure film with the aggregation-induced emission
      property was prepared successfully by the breath figure method and
      photopolymerization method. Characterization of the HeLa and HepG2 cell culture
      on this surface indicates the porous honeycomb structures show anticancer cells
      growth function. So this kind of honeycomb structure will be promising for the
      control of cancer cell growth behaviors and achieving the application of
      anticancer. 

PMID- 24219119
TI  - Modification of an amplification reaction in recursively dynamic compartments
      driven by stirring.
AB  - In living systems, biochemical reactions are confined to cellular or subcellular
      compartments, such as the plasma membrane and the organelles within a cell. These
      biological compartments are usually subjected to recursive changes, such as
      combinations of growth, fusion, and division, to constitute repeating cell
      cycles. In such recursively dynamic compartments, the encapsulated biochemical
      reaction may exhibit dynamics that differ from those of the static compartment
      (i.e., test tubes) used in conventional biochemistry experiments. To test this
      hypothesis in a simplified model, we mechanically stirred femtoliter-sized water
      in-oil emulsion droplets so that individual droplets were subjected to repeated
      coalescence and breakage. We show that recursive dynamics appeared in the
      emulsion, which were measured by the exponential propagation of a water-soluble
      dye. The rate of the propagation, MU, was controlled by modulating the pulse
      width of stirring in an electromagnetic stirrer. Within this system, we studied
      the dynamics of an RNA-amplification reaction in recursively increasing reaction
      compartments at various values of MU. We showed that there was an optimal value
      of MU that maximized RNA amplification. This effect was explained by the balance
      between the opposing effects of supply of substrate and the dilution of amplified
      RNA both resulting from coalescence. Moreover, when we mixed two RNA species with
      different kinetic properties, we found a preferential amplification for one of
      the species only in the recursively dynamic emulsion. This effect was partly
      explained by a separation effect which preferentially amplifies the number of
      compartments for the molecular specie that can better follow the breakage
      dynamics of the compartments. The present work demonstrated how the recursive
      dynamics of compartments modifies the internal biochemical reaction. 

PMID- 24219120
TI  - Nd:YAG laser irradiation of the tooth root surface inhibits demineralization and
      root surface softening caused by minocycline application.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of laser
      irradiation on root surface demineralization caused by local drug delivery
      systems (DDS), and to evaluate the effect of sealing on drug retention.
      BACKGROUND DATA: The duration of supportive periodontal treatment (SPT) has
      increased with increasing life expectancy. Repeated root planing and DDS
      application during SPT should be reconsidered with regard to their effects on the
      root surface. METHODS: Extracted human teeth were collected, cut into 3 * 3 * 2
      mm root dentin specimens, and divided randomly into eight groups with various
      combinations of Nd:YAG laser power (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 W), with and without DDS
      (minocycline HCl). Specimen microhardness and calcium (Ca) solubility were
      measured after treatment. The specimens (control and laser and DDS groups) were
      examined by scanning electron microscopy. Forty SPT patients were recruited, to
      assess the effect of periodontal pocket sealing on drug retention. RESULTS: Laser
      irradiation increased the microhardness of root specimens in an energy-dependent
      manner. Calcium solubilities decreased from the 0 W+DDS group to the 2.0 W+DDS
      group. The mean Ca solubilities in the 1.0 W+DDS and 2.0 W+DDS groups were
      significantly lower than in the 0 W+DDS group (p<0.01, p<0.001, respectively).
      Laser irradiation counteracted the softening effect of DDS. Morphologic change
      was observed in the 2 W+DDS group; however, no morphologic changes were observed
      in the control and the 1 W+DDS groups. The mean concentration of minocycline in
      the periodontal pocket 24 h after application was 252.79 +/- 67.50 MUg/mL.
      CONCLUSIONS: Laser irradiation of the root surface inhibited the softening and
      decalcification caused by minocycline HCl. Sealing the periodontal pockets
      effectively improved drug retention. These results suggest that the combination
      of laser irradiation and DDS could benefit patients receiving repeated SPT.

PMID- 24219121
TI  - Automated auditory response detection: Improvement of the statistical test
      strategy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Automated auditory response detection is always performed by applying
      an appropriate statistical test to a sample of stimulus-related epochs of the raw
      EEG. The often-used sequential test strategy saves time, but the multiple testing
      increases the probability of falsely detected responses. Therefore, the critical
      test value must guarantee the specified error probability for the maximum test
      step number. However, response detection at all lower test step numbers is
      disadvantaged. We propose calculating the critical test values for each test step
      number, which correspond exactly to the given error probability. DESIGN: The
      critical test values for each test step were calculated by the method described
      by Sturzebecher et al (2005) . A table with the test values was implemented with
      customized software of the Eclipse ASSR system((r)) (Interacoustics, Denmark).
      STUDY SAMPLE: Table-related testing was performed on a sample of raw EEG data
      collected during the routine clinical measurement of frequency-specific auditory
      steady-state responses (ASSR) for hearing threshold assessment. RESULTS: The new
      test strategy leads to a significantly increased detection rate and a
      significantly shorter detection time. CONCLUSIONS: The new test strategy can
      improve the performance of the objective hearing threshold assessment and of the
      newborn hearing screening.

PMID- 24219122
TI  - Autologous tumor cell vaccines for post-operative active-specific immunotherapy
      of colorectal carcinoma: long-term patient survival and mechanism of function.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths
      worldwide. Surgery remains the primary curative treatment but nearly 50% of
      patients relapse as consequence of micrometastatic or minimal residual disease
      (MRD) at the time of surgery. Spontaneous T-cell-mediated immune responses to CRC
      tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) in tumor-draining lymph nodes and in the bone
      marrow (BM) lead to infiltration of the tumors by lymphocytes. Certain types of
      such tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have a positive and others a negative
      impact on the patients' prognosis. This review focuses on advances in CRC active
      specific immunotherapy (ASI), in particular on results from randomized controlled
      clinical studies employing therapeutic autologous tumor cell vaccines. The
      observed improvement of long-term survival is explained by activation and
      mobilization of a pre-existing repertoire of tumor-reactive memory T cells which,
      according to recent discoveries, reside in distinct niches of patients' bone
      marrow in neighborhood with hematopoietic (HSC) and mesenchymal (MSC) stem cells.
      Interestingly, memory T cells also contain a subset of stem memory T cells (SMTs)
      in addition to effector (EMTs) and central memory T cells (CMTs). The mechanism
      of function of a therapeutic vaccine in a chronic disease is distinct from that
      of prophylactic vaccines which have to generate de novo protective immune
      responses. The advantage of autologous vaccines for mobilization of a broad and
      highly individual repertoire of memory T cells will be discussed. 

PMID- 24219123
TI  - Prescribing patterns of glucosamine in an older population: a national cohort
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glucosamine is commonly prescribed as a disease modulating agent in
      osteoarthritis. However, the evidence to date suggests that it has a limited
      impact on the clinical symptoms of the disease including joint pain, radiological
      progression, function and quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine
      the prescribing patterns of glucosamine from 2002-2011 in an elderly Irish
      national population cohort using data from the Health Service Executive Primary
      Care Reimbursement (HSE-PCRS) General medical services (GMS) Scheme. METHODS:
      Patients aged >= 70 years on the HSE-PCRS pharmacy claims database between
      January 2002 and December 2011 were included. ATC code M01AX05 (glucosamine) was
      extracted. Prevalence rates per 1000 eligible population with 95% confidence
      intervals were calculated for all years and age groups (70-74 years, >=75 years).
      A negative binomial regression analysis was used to determine longitudinal usage
      trends and compare prevalence rates across years, sex and age groups. RESULTS:
      The annual patient rate of glucosamine prescribing increased significantly from
      13.0/1000 eligible population (95% CI 12.6-13.4) in 2002 to 68.7/1000 population
      (95% CI 67.8-69.5) in 2009 before decreasing to 62.4/1000 population (95% CI 61.6
      63.2) in 2011. The rate of prescribing of glucosamine varied with sex, with women
      receiving significantly more prescriptions than men. The cost of glucosamine also
      increased from 2002-2008. In 2008 total expenditure reached a high of ?4.6
      million before decreasing to ?2.6 million in 2011. CONCLUSION: The national trend
      in prescribing of glucosamine increased significantly from 2002 to 2009 before
      decreasing in 2010 and 2011, in keeping with current international guidelines.
      There is a need for awareness among healthcare professionals and patients alike
      of the best available evidence to inform decision making relating to the
      prescription and consumption of such supplements.

PMID- 24219124
TI  - A Report on Bovine Ephemeral Fever Virus in Turkey: Antigenic Variations of
      Different Strains of EFV in the 1985 and 2012 Outbreaks Using Partial
      Glycoprotein Gene Sequences.
AB  - We described the aetiological agents of outbreaks of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF)
      that occurred in 1985 and 2012 in Turkey, and identify mutations in the viruses
      from both outbreaks. Outbreaks have emerged periodically every 4-5 years in the
      same regions in Turkey. Because these regions are located in a subtropical
      climatic zone, good conditions for vector populations exist. The results of this
      study show that the BEFVs from outbreaks in Turkey vary significantly. Effective
      prevention will require a vaccine that contains BEFVs from different genetic
      clusters.

PMID- 24219125
TI  - Juvenile-like (inflammatory/hyperplastic) mucosal polyps of the gastrointestinal
      tract in neurofibromatosis type 1.
AB  - AIMS: Diffuse neurofibromatosis/ganglioneuromatosis, solitary/plexiform
      neurofibroma, periampullary carcinoids and gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST)
      are the main gastrointestinal manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1,
      von Recklinghausen disease). Inflammatory (juvenile-like) polyps have not been
      recognised to date as specific gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of NF-1.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: We describe four males aged 23-65 years with NF-1 and
      inflammatory (juvenile-like) gastrointestinal polyps, and review the literature
      for similar cases. Two patients had single polyps (sigmoid colon and antrum,
      respectively), one had two polyps (left colon), and one had three polyps (distal
      oesophagus and colon). Histological appearances were variable, ranging from
      juvenile-like to granulation tissue-rich, predominantly inflammatory and
      hyperplastic. Three lesions showed obliterative vasculopathic changes. None had
      neurofibromatous or ganglioneuromatous polyps. A review of the literature
      disclosed 11 similar cases. Most patients presented with severe gastrointestinal
      symptoms and/or anaemia. CONCLUSIONS: NF-1-associated inflammatory polyps
      probably represent specific GI manifestations of this disorder, and should be
      considered, particularly in patients with GI symptoms. They should be
      distinguished from inflammatory fibroid polyps and from juvenile-like changes
      associated with ganglioneuroma/ganglioneuromatosis and
      neurofibroma/neurofibromatosis. Their aetiology remains obscure, but different
      mechanisms, including NF-1 inactivation, NF-1-associated vasculopathy, and
      localised mucosal prolapse/damage caused by motility disorders, might be
      involved.

PMID- 24219126
TI  - Is it better to be average? High and low performance as predictors of employee
      victimization.
AB  - Given increased interest in whether targets' behaviors at work are related to
      their victimization, we investigated employees' job performance level as a
      precipitating factor for being victimized by peers in one's work group. Drawing
      on rational choice theory and the victim precipitation model, we argue that
      perpetrators take into consideration the risks of aggressing against particular
      targets, such that high performers tend to experience covert forms of
      victimization from peers, whereas low performers tend to experience overt forms
      of victimization. We further contend that the motivation to punish performance
      deviants will be higher when performance differentials are salient, such that the
      effects of job performance on covert and overt victimization will be exacerbated
      by group performance polarization, yet mitigated when the target has high equity
      sensitivity (benevolence). Finally, we investigate whether victimization is
      associated with future performance impairments. Results from data collected at 3
      time points from 576 individuals in 62 work groups largely support the proposed
      model. The findings suggest that job performance is a precipitating factor to
      covert victimization for high performers and overt victimization for low
      performers in the workplace with implications for subsequent performance.

PMID- 24219128
TI  - Mediating the contradiction of d33 and TC in potassium-sodium niobate lead-free
      piezoceramics.
AB  - For potassium-sodium niobate, the piezoelectric constant (d33) was usually
      improved by sacrificing the Curie temperature (TC). In this work, a material
      system of 0.992(K0.46Na0.54)0.965Li0.035Nb(1-x)Sb(x)O3-0.008BiScO3 has been
      designed and prepared with the aim of achieving both a large d33 and a high TC at
      the same time. The chemical compositions are found to be homogeneously
      distributed in the ceramics. The introduction of Sc is found to be responsible
      for different grain sizes. The rhombohedral-tetragonal phase coexistence zone
      lies in the composition range of 0.02<x <= 0.06. The ceramic is thermally stable
      in terms of ferroelectric properties. The change in the domain-wall activities
      induced by the configuration variation of defect dipoles upon annealing is
      believed to be responsible for the variation in the d33 at different
      temperatures. The ceramic with x = 0.025 shows a good comprehensive performance
      of d33 ~ 325 pC/N and k(p) ~ 48%, together with a high T(C) of ~358  degrees C,
      demonstrating that this material system is a promising candidate for high
      temperature piezoelectric applications.

PMID- 24219127
TI  - The relationship between epicardial fat and indices of obesity and the metabolic
      syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Epicardial fat (epicardial adipose tissue, EAT) has been implicated in the
      pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The objective of this study was to
      examine the relationship between EAT and generalized obesity, central or visceral
      adipose tissue (VAT), and the components of the metabolic syndrome--systolic
      blood pressure (SBP), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
      (HDL-C), and fasting blood glucose (FBG)--that are linked to CAD. A systematic
      review of the literature, following meta-analysis guidelines, was conducted until
      May, 2013, using the search strategy "Obesity" OR "abdominal obesity" OR
      "metabolic syndrome" OR "metabolic syndrome X" AND "epicardial fat". Thirty-eight
      studies fulfilled the criteria. There was a highly significant (P<0.00001)
      correlation between EAT and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), or
      VAT. The correlation between EAT and VAT was significantly (P<0.0001) greater
      than the correlation between EAT and WC, which in turn was significantly greater
      than the correlation between EAT and BMI. Overall, EAT was 7.5 +/- 0.1 mm in
      thickness in the metabolic syndrome (n=427) compared to 4.0 +/- 0.1 mm in
      controls (n=301). EAT correlated significantly (P<0.0001) with SBP, TGs, HDL, and
      FBG, but the strength of the association was less than one-half of the
      relationship of EAT to indices of obesity. The results of multivariate analysis
      were less consistent but show a relationship between EAT and metabolic syndrome
      independent of BMI. In summary, the very strong correlation between EAT and VAT
      suggests a relationship between these two adipose tissue depots. Measurement of
      EAT can be useful to indicate VAT. Whereas EAT correlates significantly with each
      of the components of the metabolic syndrome- SBP, TGs, HDL, or FBG-the magnitude
      of the relationship is considerably and significantly less than the relationship
      of EAT to BMI. These data show the strong relationship between EAT and BMI but
      especially with WC and VAT. They also demonstrate the smaller magnitude of the
      association of EAT with standard coronary risk factors, related to the metabolic
      syndrome, and suggest that the unique features of this adipose tissue warrant
      detailed investigation.

PMID- 24219129
TI  - Liver perfusion changes occurring during pancreatic islet engraftment: a dynamic
      contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate liver microvascular adaptation following
      the intraportal infusion of pancreatic islets (pancreatic islet transplantation
      [islet-tx]) in diabetic patients using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic
      resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). DCE-MRI was performed before and 7 days after islet
      tx in six diabetic patients. Initial area under curve (AUC60) and volume transfer
      coefficient (Ktrans) were assessed as markers of liver perfusion. Clinical and
      metabolic monthly follow-up was performed in all patients, considering fasting C
      peptide and beta-score as main indices of graft function. High variability in the
      response of liver microvasculature to islet infusion was observed: two patients
      showed a significant reduction in liver perfusion after transplantation (pt.2:
      AUC60 = -23.4%, Ktrans = -31.7%; pt.4: AUC60 = -23.7%, Ktrans = -27.9%); three
      patients did not show any significant variation of liver perfusion and one
      patient showed a significant increase (pt.3: AUC60 = +31%, Ktrans = +42.8%).
      Interestingly, a correlation between DCE-MRI parameters and indices of graft
      function was observed and, in particular, both patients with DCE-MRI evidence of
      posttransplantation liver perfusion reduction experienced premature graft
      failure. Our preliminary study demonstrated that DCE-MRI may identify different
      adaptive responses of liver microvasculature in patients submitted to islet-tx.
      These different responses could have an impact on islet engraftment, although
      reported findings need confirmation from larger studies.

PMID- 24219130
TI  - A novel FOXE1 mutation (R73S) in Bamforth-Lazarus syndrome causing increased
      thyroidal gene expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Homozygous loss-of-function mutations in the FOXE1 gene have been
      reported in several patients with partial or complete Bamforth-Lazarus syndrome:
      congenital hypothyroidism (CH) with thyroid dysgenesis (usually athyreosis),
      cleft palate, spiky hair, with or without choanal atresia, and bifid epiglottis.
      Here, our objective was to evaluate potential functional consequences of a FOXE1
      mutation in a patient with a similar clinical phenotype. METHODS: FOXE1 was
      sequenced in eight patients with thyroid dysgenesis and cleft palate. Transient
      transfection was performed in HEK293 cells using the thyroglobulin (TG) and
      thyroid peroxidase (TPO) promoters in luciferase reporter plasmids to assess the
      functional impact of the FOXE1 mutations. Primary human thyrocytes transfected
      with wild type and mutant FOXE1 served to assess the impact of the mutation on
      endogenous TG and TPO expression. RESULTS: We identified and characterized the
      function of a new homozygous FOXE1 missense mutation (p.R73S) in a boy with a
      typical phenotype (athyreosis, cleft palate, and partial choanal atresia). This
      new mutation located within the forkhead domain was inherited from the
      heterozygous healthy consanguineous parents. In vitro functional studies in
      HEK293 cells showed that this mutant gene enhanced the activity of the TG and TPO
      gene promoters (1.5-fold and 1.7-fold respectively vs. wild type FOXE1; p<0.05),
      unlike the five mutations previously reported in Bamforth-Lazarus syndrome. The
      gain-of-function effect of the FOXE1-p.R73S mutant gene was confirmed by an
      increase in endogenous TG production in primary human thyrocytes. CONCLUSION: We
      identified a new homozygous FOXE1 mutation responsible for enhanced expression of
      the TG and TPO genes in a boy whose phenotype is similar to that reported
      previously in patients with loss-of-function FOXE1 mutations. This finding
      further delineates the role for FOXE1 in both thyroid and palate development, and
      shows that enhanced gene activity should be considered among the mechanisms
      underlying Bamforth-Lazarus syndrome.

PMID- 24219131
TI  - Specialization and phenological synchrony of plant-pollinator interactions along
      an altitudinal gradient.
AB  - One of the most noticeable effects of anthropogenic climate change is the shift
      in timing of seasonal events towards earlier occurrence. The high degree of
      variation in species' phenological shifts has raised concerns about the temporal
      decoupling of interspecific interactions, but the extent and implications of this
      effect are largely unknown. In the case of plant-pollinator systems, more
      specialized species are predicted to be particularly threatened by phenological
      decoupling, since they are assumed to be less flexible in the choice of
      interaction partners, but until now this hypothesis has not been tested. In this
      paper, we studied phenology and interactions of plant and pollinator communities
      along an altitudinal gradient in the Alps as a model for the possible effects of
      climate change in time. Our results show that even relatively specialized
      pollinators were much more flexible in their use of plant species as floral
      resources than their local flower visitation suggested. We found no relationship
      between local specialization of pollinators and the consistency of their
      visitation patterns across sites, and also no relationship between specialization
      and phenological synchrony of pollinators with particular plants. Thus, in
      contrast to the conclusions of a recent simulation study, our results suggest
      that most pollinator species included in this study are not threatened by
      phenological decoupling from specific flowering plants. However, the flexibility
      of many rarely observed pollinator species remains unknown. Moreover, our results
      suggest that specialized flower visitors select plant species based on certain
      floral traits such as the length of the nectar holder tube. If that is the case,
      the observed flexibility of plant-pollinator interactions likely depends on a
      high degree of functional redundancy in the plant community, which may not exist
      in less diverse systems. 

PMID- 24219132
TI  - Insights into the evolution of divergent nucleotide-binding mechanisms among
      pseudokinases revealed by crystal structures of human and mouse MLKL.
AB  - The pseudokinase MLKL (mixed lineage kinase domain-like) was identified recently
      as an essential checkpoint in the programmed necrosis or 'necroptosis' cell death
      pathway. In the present study, we report the crystal structure of the human MLKL
      pseudokinase domain at 1.7 A (1 A=0.1 nm) resolution and probe its nucleotide
      binding mechanism by performing structure-based mutagenesis. By comparing the
      structures and nucleotide-binding determinants of human and mouse MLKL
      orthologues, the present study provides insights into the evolution of nucleotide
      binding mechanisms among pseudokinases and their mechanistic divergence from
      conventional catalytically active protein kinases.

PMID- 24219133
TI  - Validation of a novel technique for creating simulated radiographs using computed
      tomography datasets.
AB  - Understanding radiographic anatomy and the effects of varying patient and
      radiographic tube positioning on image quality can be a challenge for students.
      The purposes of this study were to develop and validate a novel technique for
      creating simulated radiographs using computed tomography (CT) datasets. A DICOM
      viewer (ORS Visual) plug-in was developed with the ability to move and deform
      cuboidal volumetric CT datasets, and to produce images simulating the effects of
      tube-patient-detector distance and angulation. Computed tomographic datasets were
      acquired from two dogs, one cat, and one horse. Simulated radiographs of
      different body parts (n = 9) were produced using different angles to mimic
      conventional projections, before actual digital radiographs were obtained using
      the same projections. These studies (n = 18) were then submitted to 10 board
      certified radiologists who were asked to score visualization of anatomical
      landmarks, depiction of patient positioning, realism of distortion/magnification,
      and image quality. No significant differences between simulated and actual
      radiographs were found for anatomic structure visualization and patient
      positioning in the majority of body parts. For the assessment of radiographic
      realism, no significant differences were found between simulated and digital
      radiographs for canine pelvis, equine tarsus, and feline abdomen body parts.
      Overall, image quality and contrast resolution of simulated radiographs were
      considered satisfactory. Findings from the current study indicated that
      radiographs simulated using this new technique are comparable to actual digital
      radiographs. Further studies are needed to apply this technique in developing
      interactive tools for teaching radiographic anatomy and the effects of varying
      patient and tube positioning.

PMID- 24219134
TI  - 5-Azido-2-aminopyridine, a new nitrene/nitrenium ion photoaffinity labeling agent
      that exhibits reversible intersystem crossing between singlet and triplet
      nitrenes.
AB  - The photochemistry of a new photoaffinity labeling (PAL) agent, 5-azido-2-(N,N
      diethylamino)pyridine, was studied in aprotic and protic solvents using
      femtosecond-to-microsecond transient absorption and product analysis, in
      conjunction with ab initio multiconfigurational and multireference quantum
      chemical calculations. The excited singlet S1 state is spectroscopically dark,
      whereas photoexcitation to higher-lying singlet excited S2 and S3 states drives
      the photochemical reaction toward a barrierless ultrafast relaxation path via two
      conical intersections to S1, where N2 elimination leads to the formation of the
      closed-shell singlet nitrene. The singlet nitrene undergoes intersystem crossing
      (ISC) to the triplet nitrene in aprotic and protic solvents as well as
      protonation to form the nitrenium ion. The ISC rate constants in aprotic solvents
      increase with solvent polarity, displaying a "direct" gap effect, whereas an
      "inverse" gap effect is observed in protic solvents. Transient absorption
      actinometry experiments suggest that a solvent-dependent fraction from 20% to 50%
      of nitrenium ions is generated on a time scale of a few tens of picoseconds. The
      closed-shell singlet and triplet nitrene are separated by a small energy gap in
      protic solvents. As a result, the unreactive triplet state nitrene undergoes
      delayed, thermally activated reverse ISC to reform the reactive closed-shell
      singlet nitrene, which subsequently protonates, forming the remaining fraction of
      nitrenium ions. The product studies demonstrate that the resulting nitrenium ion
      stabilized by the electron-donating 4-amino group yields the final cross-linked
      product with high, almost quantitative efficiency. The enhanced PAL function of
      this new azide with respect to the widely applied 4-amino-3-nitrophenyl azide is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24219135
TI  - Povidone-iodine-induced cell death in cultured human epithelial HeLa cells and
      rat oral mucosal tissue.
AB  - Although povidone-iodine (PVP-I) has been used as a gargle since 1956, its
      effectiveness and material safety have been remained controversial. The aim of
      this study was to investigate the toxicity of PVP-I to epithelial cells in a
      concentration range significantly lower than that used clinically. Study design
      was in vitro laboratory investigations and in vivo histological and immunologic
      analysis. We examined the effects of PVP-I at concentrations of 1 * 10(-2) to 1 *
      10(3) MUM and 1 * 10(-4) to 1 * 10 MUM on HeLa cells as a model of epithelial
      cells and rat oral mucosa, respectively, after 1 or 2 days of exposure. Annexin
      V/FLUOS was used to distinguish live, apoptotic and necrotic cells. The terminal
      deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was also used
      to observe whether apoptotic epithelial cells exist in rat oral mucosa after 1
      day of exposure of PVP-I. HeLa cells developed concentration-dependent
      cytotoxicity, and epithelium of rat oral mucosa was thinned in a concentration
      dependent manner. HeLa cell apoptosis increased after 1 * 10(0) MUM of PVP-I
      exposure for 2 days. In the TUNEL method, many apoptotic epithelial cells were
      observed in the rat oral mucosa after 1 day of exposure to diluted 1 * 10(-2) MUM
      of PVP-I, but minimal apoptotic epithelial cells were observed using 1 * 10(-3)
      MUM of PVP-I. Our findings suggest that exposure to PVP-I, of which
      concentrations are even lower than those used clinically, causes toxicity in
      epithelial cells. This knowledge would help us better understand the risk of the
      use of PVP-I against mucosa.

PMID- 24219138
TI  - Biological safety assessment of mutant variant of Allium sativum leaf agglutinin
      (mASAL), a novel antifungal protein for future transgenic application.
AB  - Genetic engineering has established itself to be an important tool for crop
      improvement. Despite the success, there is always a risk of food allergy induced
      by alien gene products. The present study assessed the biosafety of mutant Allium
      sativum leaf agglutinin (mASAL), a potent antifungal protein generated by site
      directed mutagenesis of Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (ASAL). mASAL was cloned
      in pET28a+ and expressed in E. coli, and the safety assessment was carried out
      according to the FAO/WHO guideline (2001). Bioinformatics analysis, pepsin
      digestion, and thermal stability assay showed the protein to be nonallergenic.
      Targeted sera screening revealed no significant IgE affinity of mASAL.
      Furthermore, mASAL sensitized Balb/c mice showed normal histopathology of lung
      and gut tissue. All results indicated the least possibility of mASAL being an
      allergen. Thus, mASAL appears to be a promising antifungal candidate protein
      suitable for agronomical biotechnology.

PMID- 24219137
TI  - CCL3L1 copy number, HIV load, and immune reconstitution in sub-Saharan Africans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of copy number variation of the CCL3L1 gene, encoding
      MIP1alpha, in contributing to the host variation in susceptibility and response
      to HIV infection is controversial. Here we analyse a sub-Saharan African cohort
      from Tanzania and Ethiopia, two countries with a high prevalence of HIV-1 and a
      high co-morbidity of HIV with tuberculosis. METHODS: We use a form of
      quantitative PCR called the paralogue ratio test to determine CCL3L1 gene copy
      number in 1134 individuals and validate our copy number typing using array
      comparative genomic hybridisation and fiber-FISH. RESULTS: We find no significant
      association of CCL3L1 gene copy number with HIV load in antiretroviral-naive
      patients prior to initiation of combination highly active anti-retroviral
      therapy. However, we find a significant association of low CCL3L1 gene copy
      number with improved immune reconstitution following initiation of highly active
      anti-retroviral therapy (p = 0.012), replicating a previous study. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our work supports a role for CCL3L1 copy number in immune reconstitution
      following antiretroviral therapy in HIV, and suggests that the MIP1alpha -CCR5
      axis might be targeted to aid immune reconstitution.

PMID- 24219139
TI  - Advances in biomedical Raman microscopy.

PMID- 24219140
TI  - Impact of halides on the photoproduction of reactive intermediates from organic
      matter.
AB  - The excitation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from sunlight produces a range
      of reactive intermediates, including triplet-excited state dissolved organic
      matter ((3)DOM*), hydroxyl radical (HO(*)), and singlet oxygen ((1)O2). These
      intermediates are important for the inactivation of pathogens and for the
      degradation of trace organic contaminants (OC) within natural and engineered
      systems. However, halides found in the background matrix can alter the
      photoproduction rates by promoting or quenching the formation of these
      intermediates. Apparent quantum yields (Phi(a)) for (1)O2, HO(*), and steady
      state (3)DOM* concentrations photoproduced from DOM isolates were determined with
      varying concentrations of chloride and bromide. Fluorescence quantum yields were
      measured as well to probe the photophysics of the system. The maximum
      fluorescence quantum yield (PhiF) decreased with the addition of halides,
      representing a quenching of the excited singlet state of DOM. In contrast, the
      steady state concentrations for (3)DOM* were enhanced, suggesting intersystem
      crossing from the singlet state to the triplet state was increased by the
      presence of halides. The Phi(a) for (1)O2 was increased with the addition of
      halides, which was expected following the (3)DOM* results because the mechanism
      for (1)O2 production occurs through the inactivation of (3)DOM* by dissolved
      oxygen. Although HO(*) production would be expected to follow (1)O2, the opposite
      trend was seen, which suggests the formation of HO(*) does not occur through the
      same precursor. Understanding the impact of specific quenchers on DOM could be a
      key to understanding the true formation potential for reactive intermediates and
      is especially important in estuaries and wastewater impacted aquatic systems. 

PMID- 24219141
TI  - Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, significantly reduces the development of the
      adhesion phenotype.
AB  - Postoperative adhesions are a common medical complication of gynecologic and
      other pelvic surgeries resulting in persistent pelvic pain, obstruction of the
      intestines, and even infertility. The molecular mechanisms of postoperative
      adhesion development remain to be elucidated. We have recently described a role
      for reactive oxygen species, specifically superoxide, in the development of
      postoperative adhesions. In this study, we sought to determine whether lycopene,
      a potent antioxidant, reduces markers characteristic of the adhesion phenotype.
      Primary fibroblast cultures from normal peritoneum and adhesion tissues were
      utilized to determine mRNA levels of adhesion phenotype markers type I collagen,
      transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1), and vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF) in response to lycopene (24 hours, 10 MUM) treatment. There was a 2
      (p < 0.003), 4.7 (p < 0.004), and 1.6 fold (p < 0.004) increase in mRNA levels of
      type I collagen, TGF-beta1, and VEGF, respectively, in adhesion as compared to
      normal peritoneal fibroblasts. Lycopene treatment led to a 6.8 and a 12.4 fold
      decrease in type I collagen mRNA levels, in normal peritoneal and adhesion
      fibroblasts, respectively (p < 0.005). Lycopene treatment led to a 4.2 (p < 0.03)
      and a 4.6 (p < 0.05) fold decrease in VEGF mRNA levels, in normal peritoneal and
      adhesion fibroblasts, respectively. Lycopene treatment led to a 7.0 fold decrease
      in TGF-beta1 mRNA levels, in adhesion fibroblasts (p < 0.03). A 1.9 fold decrease
      in TGF-beta1 mRNA was observed in normal peritoneal fibroblasts in response to
      treatment, although it was not significant. Lycopene substantially reduced levels
      of adhesion phenotype markers in normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts and
      whether it will reduce postoperative adhesions needs to be further investigated.

PMID- 24219142
TI  - On the preprocessing of atrial electrograms in atrial fibrillation: understanding
      Botteron's approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The dominant atrial frequency is a key parameter for the analysis of
      atrial fibrillation (AF) from intracardiac recordings. The preprocessing approach
      employed by Botteron et al. in an early work is able to retrieve this frequency.
      The preprocessing steps are: (1) 40-250-Hz band-pass filtering, (2)
      rectification, and (3) 20 Hz low-pass filtering. METHODS AND RESULTS: The
      theoretical aspects of this process are addressed. Moreover, its time-domain and
      frequency-domain properties are evaluated using both simulations and real
      electrogram (EGM) recordings. The fundamental frequency is emphasized, due to the
      rectification step. As the interval between consecutive activations becomes more
      irregular, fundamental frequency detection becomes less robust. In the case of
      fractionated EGM, this approach fails. In time-domain, the waveform of the atrial
      beats are dramatically modified, hence hindering any further analysis on the
      morphology of the activations. CONCLUSIONS: Botteron preprocessing succeeds in
      estimating the dominant atrial rate in most EGMs during AF. However, this
      approach presents some limitations and improved methods are required.

PMID- 24219143
TI  - Role of glycine N-methyltransferase in experimental ulcerative colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory
      disorders with unclear etiology and mechanism(s). Glycine N-methyltransferase
      (GNMT) plays a central role in inflammatory diseases such as hepatitis and
      atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the impact of GNMT and the
      involved mechanism in the pathogenesis of IBD. In the current study, we
      investigated the role of GNMT in the mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)
      induced colitis. METHODS: Protein expression was determined by Western blotting
      or immunohistochemistry. Histopathology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin
      staining. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by ELISA kits.
      RESULTS: GNMT was expressed in the epithelium of the colon under normal
      conditions, and with DSS treatment, its expression was predominant in infiltrated
      leukocytes of lesions. Mice with genetic deletion of GNMT (GNMT(-/-) ) showed
      increased susceptibility to DSS induction of colitis, as revealed by the
      progression of colitis. Additionally, severe colonic inflammation, including
      increased crypt loss, leukocyte infiltration, and hemorrhage, was greater with
      DSS treatment in GNMT(-/-) than wild-type mice. Furthermore, the expression of
      adhesion molecule and inflammatory mediators in the colon was significantly
      higher with DSS treatment in GNMT(-/-) than wild-type mice. Moreover, loss of
      GNMT decreased cell apoptosis in colitis lesions with DSS treatment. CONCLUSIONS:
      Collectively, our findings suggest that GNMT may be a crucial molecule in the
      pathogenesis of DSS-induced colitis. This finding may provide new information for
      a potential therapeutic target in treating IBD.

PMID- 24219144
TI  - Redox-sensitive materials for drug delivery: targeting the correct intracellular
      environment, tuning release rates, and appropriate predictive systems.
AB  - SIGNIFICANCE: The development of responsive drug delivery systems (DDS) holds
      great promise as a tool for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of drug
      compounds. Redox-sensitive systems are particularly attractive given the rich
      variety of redox gradients present in vivo. These gradients, where the
      circulation is generally considered oxidizing and the cellular environment is
      substantially more reducing, provide attractive options for targeted, specific
      cargo delivery. RECENT ADVANCES: Experimental evidence suggests that a "one size
      fits all" redox gradient does not exist. Rather, there are subtle differences in
      redox potential within a cell, while the chemical nature of reducing agents in
      these microenvironments varies. Recent works have demonstrated an ability to
      modulate the degradation rate of redox-susceptible groups and, hence, provide new
      tools to engineer precision-targeted DDS. CRITICAL ISSUES: Modern synthetic and
      macromolecular chemistry provides access to a wide range of redox-susceptible
      architectures. However, in order to utilize these in real applications, the
      actual chemical nature of the redox-susceptible group, the sub-cellular location
      being targeted, and the redox microenvironment being encountered should be
      considered in detail. This is critical to avoid the over-simplification possible
      when using non-biological reducing agents, which may provide inaccurate kinetic
      information, and to ensure these materials can be advanced beyond simple "on/off"
      systems. Furthermore, a strong case can be made for the use of biorelevant
      reducing agents such as glutathione when demonstrating a materials redox
      response. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: A further understanding of the complexities of the
      extra- and intracellular microenvironments would greatly assist with the design
      and application of DDS.

PMID- 24219145
TI  - In vitro fragmentation efficiency of holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser
      lithotripsy--a comprehensive study encompassing different frequencies, pulse
      energies, total power levels and laser fibre diameters.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the fragmentation (ablation) efficiency of laser lithotripsy
      along a wide range of pulse energies, frequencies, power settings and different
      laser fibres, in particular to compare high- with low-frequency lithotripsy using
      a dynamic and innovative testing procedure free from any human interaction bias.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: An automated laser fragmentation testing system was
      developed. The unmoving laser fibres fired at the surface of an artificial stone
      while the stone was moved past at a constant velocity, thus creating a fissure.
      The lithotripter settings were 0.2-1.2 J pulse energies, 5-40 Hz frequencies, 4
      20 W power levels, and 200 and 550 MUm core laser fibres. Fissure width, depth,
      and volume were analysed and comparisons between laser settings, fibres and
      ablation rates were made. RESULTS: Low frequency-high pulse energy (LoFr-HiPE)
      settings were (up to six times) more ablative than high frequency-low pulse
      energy (HiFr-LoPE) at the same power levels (P < 0.001), as they produced deeper
      (P < 0.01) and wider (P < 0.001) fissures. There were linear correlations between
      pulse energy and fragmentation volume, fissure width, and fissure depth (all P <
      0.001). Total power did not correlate with fragmentation measurements. Laser
      fibre diameter did not affect fragmentation volume (P = 0.81), except at very low
      pulse energies (0.2 J), where the large fibre was less efficient (P = 0.015).
      CONCLUSIONS: At the same total power level, LoFr-HiPE lithotripsy was most
      efficient. Pulse energy was the key variable that drove fragmentation efficiency.
      Attention must be paid to prevent the formation of time-consuming bulky debris
      and adapt the lithotripter settings to one's needs. As fibre diameter did not
      affect fragmentation efficiency, small fibres are preferable due to better scope
      irrigation and manoeuvrability.

PMID- 24219146
TI  - Viruses associated with rusty mottle and twisted leaf diseases of sweet cherry
      are distinct species.
AB  - Virus RNA sequences related to those of the family Betaflexiviridae were
      amplified from trees affected with the following diseases: cherry twisted leaf,
      apricot ring pox, cherry necrotic rusty mottle, cherry rusty mottle, and cherry
      green ring mottle. Phylogenetic analysis of virus sequences obtained from these
      diseased trees from western North America, along with published sequences of
      Cherry green ring mottle virus (CGRMV) and Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus
      (CNRMV), revealed four major clades. Segregation into these four populations
      correlated with distinct symptom expression on woody indicators, suggesting that
      each clade represents a distinct virus species within the family
      Betaflexiviridae. The viruses occupying each clade were designated clade I:
      Cherry twisted leaf associated virus, clade II: CNRMV, clade III: Cherry rusty
      mottle associated virus, and clade IV: CGRMV. Potential recombination events were
      predicted to occur within and between these viruses, the latter being strongly
      supported by incongruent phylogenies. Examination of frequency distribution data
      derived from pairwise sequence comparisons of coat protein coding sequences
      resulted in a proposal for alternative guidelines for species demarcation for
      this family of viruses.

PMID- 24219148
TI  - N-(3-(2-amino-6,6-difluoro-4,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[e][1,3]oxazin-4-yl)
      phenyl)-amides as BACE1 inhibitors: a patent evaluation of WO2013041499.
AB  - A new series of oxazin amides have been synthesized from isoxazoles using a
      reaction to increase the heterocyclic ring size and were evaluated as BACE1
      inhibitors. The innovative compounds were able to diminish amyloid-beta peptide
      concentration in cell and proved to be selective toward peptidases from the same
      family. Further studies on the toxicity of this series showed that these new
      molecules were not recognized by P-glycoprotein and that they were unsusceptible
      to rapid metabolization by cytochrome P450 or glutathione conjugation. These
      results indicate that such compounds could be useful in developing drugs to fight
      Alzheimer's disease and that this novel oxazin scaffold should be considered as a
      starting point to tackle this pathology. 

PMID- 24219149
TI  - Serosurvey on schmallenberg virus and selected ovine reproductive pathogens in
      culled ewes from southern Spain.
AB  - After the first case of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was reported in southern Spain
      (March 2012), a retrospective serological study was carried out in extensive
      sheep flocks from nearby areas to assess the history of exposure to SBV and other
      selected ovine reproductive pathogens (Chlamydophila abortus, Coxiella burnetii,
      Border Disease virus 'BDV', Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum). Secondly,
      the presence of antibodies was investigated in meat juice samples against
      selected pathogens to validate their use in serosurveys in sheep. A total of 209
      Merina and cross-bred culled ewes belonging to 12 outdoor flocks managed in
      extensive breeding systems were sampled. Serum and meat juice samples were
      collected at the slaughterhouse and analysed using commercial ELISA kits.
      Chlamydophila abortus (62.68%, CI95 56.13-69.23) and Toxoplasma gondii (57.42%,
      CI95 50.72-64.12) were the most prevalent pathogens. The seroprevalence of BDV
      (16.27%, CI95 11.27-21.27) and Coxiella burnetii (13.88%, CI95 9.2-18.56) was
      moderate, and only 4 of 209 animals (1.91%, CI95 1.82-2.96) presented specific
      antibodies against Neospora caninum or SBV. All the examined ovine flocks were
      seropositive to three or more pathogens. The highest percentage of seropositive
      animals was detected for T. gondii-C. abortus coseropositive (25.36%) culled
      ewes. The concordance between serum and meat juice samples was moderate for T.
      gondii (kappa = 0.419) and BDV (kappa = 0.568), and fair for C. abortus (kappa =
      0.311). Our results show evidence of circulation of SBV from summer 2011 in
      southern Spain. Furthermore, C. abortus and T. gondii were the most prevalent
      pathogens associated with sheep in outdoor rearing systems. Finally, these
      preliminary results point to meat juice samples as a potential biological sample
      for serosurveys studies on sheep. 

PMID- 24219150
TI  - The use of herbal medicines during breastfeeding: a population-based survey in
      Western Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Main concerns for lactating women about medications include the
      safety of their breastfed infants and the potential effects of medication on
      quantity and quality of breast milk. While medicine treatments include
      conventional and complementary medicines, most studies to date have focused on
      evaluating the safety aspect of conventional medicines. Despite increasing
      popularity of herbal medicines, there are currently limited data available on the
      pattern of use and safety of these medicines during breastfeeding. This study
      aimed to identify the pattern of use of herbal medicines during breastfeeding in
      Perth, Western Australia, and to identify aspects which require further clinical
      research. METHODS: This study was conducted using a self-administered
      questionnaire validated through two pilot studies. Participants were 18 years or
      older, breastfeeding or had breastfed in the past 12 months. Participants were
      recruited from various community and health centres, and through advertising in
      newspapers. Simple descriptive statistics were used to summarise the demographic
      profile and attitudes of respondents, using the SPSS statistical software.
      RESULTS: A total of 304 questionnaires from eligible participants were returned
      (27.2% response rate) and analysed. Amongst the respondents, 59.9% took at least
      one herb for medicinal purposes during breastfeeding, whilst 24.3% reported the
      use of at least one herb to increase breast milk supply. Most commonly used herbs
      were fenugreek (18.4%), ginger (11.8%), dong quai (7.9%), chamomile (7.2%),
      garlic (6.6%) and blessed thistle (5.9%). The majority of participants (70.1%)
      believed that there was a lack of information resources, whilst 43.4% perceived
      herbal medicines to be safer than conventional medicines. Only 28.6% of users
      notified their doctor of their decision to use herbal medicine(s) during
      breastfeeding; 71.6% had previously refused or avoided conventional medicine
      treatments due to concerns regarding safety of their breastfed infants.
      CONCLUSIONS: The use of herbal medicines is common amongst breastfeeding women,
      while information supporting their safety and efficacy is lacking. This study has
      demonstrated the need for further research into commonly used herbal medicines.
      Evidence-based information should be available to breastfeeding women who wish to
      consider use of all medicines, including complementary medicines, to avoid
      unnecessary cessation of breastfeeding or compromising of pharmacotherapy.

PMID- 24219151
TI  - Presence and distribution of urocortin and corticotrophin-releasing hormone
      receptors in the bovine thyroid gland.
AB  - Urocortin (UCN), a 40 amino acid peptide, is a corticotrophin-releasing hormone
      (CRH)-related peptide. The biological actions of CRH family peptides are mediated
      via two types of G-protein-coupled receptors, CRH type 1 (CRHR1) and CRH type 2
      (CRHR2). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of UCN, CRHR1
      and CRHR2 by immunoprecipitation, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR
      in the bovine thyroid gland. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis showed
      that tissue extracts reacted with the anti-UCN, anti-CRHR1 and anti-CRHR2
      antibodies. RT-PCR experiments demonstrated that mRNAs of UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2
      were expressed. UCN immunoreactivity (IR) and CRHR2-IR were found in the thyroid
      follicular and parafollicular cells and CRHR1-IR in the smooth muscle of the
      blood vessels. These results suggest that a regulatory system exists in the
      bovine thyroid gland based on UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2 and that UCN plays a role in
      the regulation of thyroid physiological functions through an autocrine/paracrine
      mechanism. 

PMID- 24219152
TI  - Psychometric properties of an automated telephone-based PHQ-9.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of an
      automated version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to further
      facilitate its use in primary care. We automated the PHQ-9 using a computer
      telephony modality (interactive voice response system) called telephone-linked
      communication (TLC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty subjects were divided into four
      depression categories: none, mild, moderate, and severe. The automated
      questionnaire, TLC-PHQ-9, was administered to all subjects five times over a 3
      month period, at intervals of 0 (T1), 1, 3, 4, and 4 (T5) weeks, respectively.
      The Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) was administered (paper-and
      pencil) at T1 and T5. We examined (1) reliability, (2) validity, (3) sensitivity
      and specificity, and (4) sensitivity to change. RESULTS: (1) Test-retest
      reliability showed substantial agreement between T1 and T2, with a weighted kappa
      of 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.85). Cronbach's coefficient alpha
      values ranged from 0.913 to 0.918 for each TLC-PHQ-9 assessment. (2) The weighted
      kappa of 0.78 (95% CI 0.70-0.87) for T1 and 0.73 (95% CI 0.63-0.83) for T5 showed
      strong agreement between TLC-PHQ-9 and IDS in all depression categories. (3) TLC
      PHQ-9 demonstrated good sensitivity (82.4%) and very good specificity (90.7%) for
      moderate-plus depression and poorer sensitivity (54.2%) but very good specificity
      (97.8%) for severe-plus depression. (4) The weighted kappa of 0.53 (95% CI 0.35
      0.70) indicated moderate agreement between TLC-PHQ-9 and IDS. CONCLUSIONS: An
      automated telephony administration of the PHQ-9 appears to be a valid and
      reliable tool for monitoring depression symptoms and has strong fidelity across
      patients.

PMID- 24219153
TI  - Nonmydriatic fundus photography for teleophthalmology diabetic retinopathy
      screening in rural and urban clinics.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the relative diagnostic value of nonmydriatic fundus
      photography (nFP) among patients screened for diabetic retinopathy in remote
      rural medical clinics and an urban academic medical center for nonadherence to
      recommended annual dilated eye examination. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective
      cross-sectional study was performed among diabetic patients seen in primary
      outpatient clinics between 2006 and 2011 who were screened for diabetic
      retinopathy with nFP for history of nonadherence to recommended annual dilated
      eye examination. A single nonstereoscopic, 45 degrees , 10-megapixel digital
      image of the disc and macula of both eyes was obtained locally and transmitted
      electronically to a retinal specialist for remote review. The results from remote
      rural Native American Indian reservations were compared with those from an urban
      academic family practice clinic. The proportion of subjects diagnosed with
      diabetic retinopathy and the quality of fundus images were compared. RESULTS:
      Among 872 patients (1,744 eyes) screened from rural sites and 517 subjects (1,034
      eyes) screened from an urban site, images were of good quality for evaluation in
      82.4% and 85.7% of subjects, respectively. Diabetic retinopathy was noted in
      12.6% of rural subjects and 29.6% of urban subjects (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: nFP
      can be a useful tool in both rural and urban settings to screen for diabetic
      retinopathy in patients who are nonadherent to the recommended dilated annual eye
      exam. In our study population, a surprisingly higher percentage of diabetic
      subjects screened from the urban clinic had retinopathy compared with subjects
      screened in rural clinics.

PMID- 24219154
TI  - Bone porosity and longevity in early medieval Southern Croatia.
AB  - Porosity of the skull and skeletal remains, especially of the orbital roof, are
      one of the most frequent pathological findings on ancient human skeletal remains.
      There are several presumed causes of this condition and anthropologists consider
      skull porosities as a marker of physical and nutritional stress. A total of 115
      graves were discovered at the early-medieval graveyard near Zadar (Croatia) that
      contained 128 partially preserved skeletons. Average estimated age at death was
      37.2 +/- 12.6 years for men, 31.9 +/- 13.9 for women, and 5.3 +/- 3.6 years for
      subadults. Pathological bone porosity was analysed. Cribra orbitalia was observed
      on 21 skulls (28.7%), signs of temporal porosity were noticed on six skulls and
      signs of subperiosteal bleeding on three skulls. Nineteen skulls had bone
      porosities in other areas. There was a significant difference (p = 0.039) in
      achieved age of adults with and without cribra orbitalia as those with cribra
      orbitalia lived on average 8.1 years longer. The bone porosity was probably
      caused by malnutrition that might have had a beneficial effect on longevity of
      adults, similar to effects of restricted food intake on extending lifespan
      through epigenetic signatures influencing gene expression.

PMID- 24219156
TI  - Nanowire templated semihollow bicontinuous graphene scrolls: designed
      construction, mechanism, and enhanced energy storage performance.
AB  - Graphene scrolls have been widely investigated for applications in electronics,
      sensors, energy storage, etc. However, graphene scrolls with tens of micrometers
      in length and with other materials in their cavities have not been obtained. Here
      nanowire templated semihollow bicontinuous graphene scroll architecture is
      designed and constructed through "oriented assembly" and "self-scroll" strategy.
      These obtained nanowire templated graphene scrolls can achieve over 30 MUm in
      length with interior cavities between the nanowire and scroll. It is demonstrated
      through experiments and molecular dynamic simulations that the semihollow
      bicontinuous structure construction processes depend on the systemic energy, the
      curvature of nanowires, and the reaction time. Lithium batteries based on V3O7
      nanowire templated graphene scrolls (VGSs) exhibit an optimal performance with
      specific capacity of 321 mAh/g at 100 mA/g and 87.3% capacity retention after 400
      cycles at 2000 mA/g. The VGS also shows a high conductivity of 1056 S/m and high
      capacity of 162 mAh/g at a large density of 3000 mA/g with only 5 wt % graphene
      added which are 27 and 4.5 times as high as those of V3O7 nanowires,
      respectively. A supercapacitor made of MnO2 nanowire templated graphene scrolls
      (MGSs) also shows a high capacity of 317 F/g at 1A/g, which is over 1.5 times
      than that of MnO2 nanowires without graphene scrolls. These excellent energy
      storage capacities and cycling performance are attributed to the unique structure
      of the nanowire templated graphene scroll, which provides continuous electron and
      ion transfer channels and space for free volume expansion of nanowires during
      cycling. This strategy and understanding can be used to synthesize other nanowire
      templated graphene scroll architectures, which can be extended to other
      fabrication processes and fields. 

PMID- 24219157
TI  - Building integral projection models: a user's guide.
AB  - In order to understand how changes in individual performance (growth, survival or
      reproduction) influence population dynamics and evolution, ecologists are
      increasingly using parameterized mathematical models. For continuously structured
      populations, where some continuous measure of individual state influences growth,
      survival or reproduction, integral projection models (IPMs) are commonly used. We
      provide a detailed description of the steps involved in constructing an IPM,
      explaining how to: (i) translate your study system into an IPM; (ii) implement
      your IPM; and (iii) diagnose potential problems with your IPM. We emphasize how
      the study organism's life cycle, and the timing of censuses, together determine
      the structure of the IPM kernel and important aspects of the statistical analysis
      used to parameterize an IPM using data on marked individuals. An IPM based on
      population studies of Soay sheep is used to illustrate the complete process of
      constructing, implementing and evaluating an IPM fitted to sample data. We then
      look at very general approaches to parameterizing an IPM, using a wide range of
      statistical techniques (e.g. maximum likelihood methods, generalized additive
      models, nonparametric kernel density estimators). Methods for selecting models
      for parameterizing IPMs are briefly discussed. We conclude with key
      recommendations and a brief overview of applications that extend the basic model.
      The online Supporting Information provides commented R code for all our analyses.

PMID- 24219158
TI  - Functions of the podocyte proteins nephrin and Neph3 and the transcriptional
      regulation of their genes.
AB  - Nephrin and Neph-family proteins [Neph1-3 (nephrin-like 1-3)] belong to the
      immunoglobulin superfamily of cell-adhesion receptors and are expressed in the
      glomerular podocytes. Both nephrin and Neph-family members function in cell
      adhesion and signalling, and thus regulate the structure and function of
      podocytes and maintain normal glomerular ultrafiltration. The expression of
      nephrin and Neph3 is altered in human proteinuric diseases emphasizing the
      importance of studying the transcriptional regulation of the nephrin and Neph3
      genes NPHS1 (nephrosis 1, congenital, Finnish type) and KIRREL2 (kin of IRRE-like
      2) respectively. The nephrin and Neph3 genes form a bidirectional gene pair, and
      they share transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. In the present review, we
      summarize the current knowledge of the functions of nephrin and Neph-family
      proteins and transcription factors and agents that control nephrin and Neph3 gene
      expression. 

PMID- 24219159
TI  - Innate immunity in systemic sclerosis pathogenesis.
AB  - The innate immune system is a critical part of the response to pathogens and
      overall immunity. Compared with the adaptive immune response, these innate
      responses are not antigen-specific and recognize patterns in bacteria, viruses
      and fungi. Chief among these are TLRs (Toll-like receptors). TLRs are PRRs
      (pattern recognition receptors) that are germ-line-encoded and are also able to
      recognize endogenous molecules that are released upon cell damage or stress and
      have been demonstrated to have a key role in numerous autoimmune diseases,
      including RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and SSc (systemic sclerosis). SSc is an
      autoimmune disorder in which vascular injury occurs and there is a chronic low
      grade inflammation followed by excessive ECM (extracellular matrix) deposition
      and ultimately fibrosis. The fibrosis ultimately leads to organ dysfunction and
      death. The preceding vascular damage and activation of the innate immune system
      leads to mobilization of the innate lymphoid cells and the up-regulation of
      multiple genes and pro-fibrotic cytokines. These locally released cytokines
      activate resident fibroblasts to differentiate into myofibroblasts. The aim of
      the present review is to explore the role of the innate immune system in SSc and
      TLRs and how these interact with stromal cells to produce fibrosis. Targeting the
      innate immune system or specific components of the TLR signalling cascade may be
      a novel therapeutic option in what is an incurable disease. 

PMID- 24219155
TI  - Comorbidity of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents: 20 years
      after.
AB  - Brady and Kendall (1992) concluded that although anxiety and depression in youths
      are meaningfully linked, there are important distinctions, and additional
      research is needed. Since then, studies of anxiety-depression comorbidity in
      youths have increased exponentially. Following a discussion of comorbidity, we
      review existing conceptual models and propose a multiple pathways model to
      anxiety-depression comorbidity. Pathway 1 describes youths with a diathesis for
      anxiety, with subsequent comorbid depression resulting from anxiety-related
      impairment. Pathway 2 refers to youths with a shared diathesis for anxiety and
      depression, who may experience both disorders simultaneously. Pathway 3 describes
      youths with a diathesis for depression, with subsequent comorbid anxiety
      resulting from depression-related impairment. Additionally, shared and stratified
      risk factors contribute to the development of the comorbid disorder, either by
      interacting with disorder-related impairment or by predicting the simultaneous
      development of the disorders. Our review addresses descriptive and developmental
      factors, gender differences, suicidality, assessments, and treatment-outcome
      research as they relate to comorbid anxiety and depression and to our proposed
      pathways. Research since 1992 indicates that comorbidity varies depending on the
      specific anxiety disorder, with Pathway 1 describing youths with either social
      phobia or separation anxiety disorder and subsequent depression, Pathway 2
      applying to youths with coprimary generalized anxiety disorder and depression,
      and Pathway 3 including depressed youths with subsequent social phobia. The need
      to test the proposed multiple pathways model and to examine (a) developmental
      change and (b) specific anxiety disorders is highlighted.

PMID- 24219160
TI  - Effects of acute and repeated morphine treatment on kappa-opioid receptor protein
      levels in mesocorticolimbic system.
AB  - CONTEXT: Our previous study demonstrated that acute and repeated morphine
      treatment differentially regulated kappa-opioid receptor mRNA levels in the rat
      mesocorticolimbic system. Here, we further investigated the effects of morphine
      on protein levels of kappa-opioid receptor in this reward-related circuitry.
      METHODS: Three groups of rats received intraperitoneal injection of saline, acute
      morphine (8.0 mg/kg) and repeated morphine (8.0 mg/kg, once daily for 5
      consecutive days) and the kappa-receptor protein expression was examined by
      Western blot analysis. RESULTS: We found that acute morphine treatment did not
      affect the kappa-receptor protein levels in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC),
      nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, repeated
      morphine treatment downregulated the kappa-receptor protein levels in mPFC and
      VTA, while there was no significant change in NAc. CONCLUSIONS: These results,
      along with those reported previously, suggested that morphine dependence may be
      associated with regionally specific changes in kappa-opioid receptor expression
      in mesocorticolimbic system.

PMID- 24219161
TI  - Invited review--neuroimaging response assessment criteria for brain tumors in
      veterinary patients.
AB  - The evaluation of therapeutic response using cross-sectional imaging techniques,
      particularly gadolinium-enhanced MRI, is an integral part of the clinical
      management of brain tumors in veterinary patients. Spontaneous canine brain
      tumors are increasingly recognized and utilized as a translational model for the
      study of human brain tumors. However, no standardized neuroimaging response
      assessment criteria have been formulated for use in veterinary clinical trials.
      Previous studies have found that the pathophysiologic features inherent to brain
      tumors and the surrounding brain complicate the use of the response evaluation
      criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) assessment system. Objectives of this review
      are to describe strengths and limitations of published imaging-based brain tumor
      response criteria and propose a system for use in veterinary patients. The widely
      used human Macdonald and response assessment in neuro-oncology (RANO) criteria
      are reviewed and described as to how they can be applied to veterinary brain
      tumors. Discussion points will include current challenges associated with the
      interpretation of brain tumor therapeutic responses such as imaging
      pseudophenomena and treatment-induced necrosis, and how advancements in perfusion
      imaging, positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy have
      shown promise in differentiating tumor progression from therapy-induced changes.
      Finally, although objective endpoints such as MR imaging and survival estimates
      will likely continue to comprise the foundations for outcome measures in
      veterinary brain tumor clinical trials, we propose that in order to provide a
      more relevant therapeutic response metric for veterinary patients, composite
      response systems should be formulated and validated that combine imaging and
      clinical assessment criteria. 

PMID- 24219162
TI  - Natural CD8+CD122+ T cells are more potent in suppression of allograft rejection
      than CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells.
AB  - Despite extensive studies on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), their
      application in adoptive transfer therapies is still not optimal in immune
      competent wild-type (WT) animal models. Therefore, it is compelling to search for
      more potent Tregs for potential clinical application. Mounting evidence has shown
      that naturally occurring CD8+CD122+ T cells are also Tregs. However, their
      suppression in allograft rejection, efficiency in suppression and underlying
      mechanisms remain unclear. Using a murine allotransplantation model, we reported
      here that CD8+CD122+ Tregs were actually more potent in suppression of allograft
      rejection and underwent more rapid homeostatic proliferation than their CD4+CD25+
      counterparts. Moreover, they produced more IL-10 and were more potent in
      suppressing T cell proliferation in vitro. Deficiency in IL-10 in CD4+CD25+ and
      CD8+CD122+ Tregs resulted in their reduced but equal suppression in vivo and in
      vitro, suggesting that IL-10 is responsible for more effective suppression by
      CD8+CD122+ than CD4+CD25+ Tregs. Importantly, transfer of CD8+CD122+ Tregs
      together with the administration of recombinant IL-15 significantly prolonged
      allograft survival in WT mice. Thus, for the first time, we demonstrate that
      naturally arising CD8+CD122+ Tregs not only inhibit allograft rejection but also
      exert this suppression more potently than their CD4+CD25+ counterparts. This
      novel finding may have important implications for tolerance induction. 

PMID- 24219163
TI  - Superinfection with drug-resistant HIV is rare and does not contribute
      substantially to therapy failure in a large European cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Superinfection with drug resistant HIV strains could potentially
      contribute to compromised therapy in patients initially infected with drug
      sensitive virus and receiving antiretroviral therapy. To investigate the
      importance of this potential route to drug resistance, we developed a
      bioinformatics pipeline to detect superinfection from routinely collected
      genotyping data, and assessed whether superinfection contributed to increased
      drug resistance in a large European cohort of viremic, drug treated patients.
      METHODS: We used sequence data from routine genotypic tests spanning the protease
      and partial reverse transcriptase regions in the Virolab and EuResist databases
      that collated data from five European countries. Superinfection was indicated
      when sequences of a patient failed to cluster together in phylogenetic trees
      constructed with selected sets of control sequences. A subset of the indicated
      cases was validated by re-sequencing pol and env regions from the original
      samples. RESULTS: 4425 patients had at least two sequences in the database, with
      a total of 13816 distinct sequence entries (of which 86% belonged to subtype B).
      We identified 107 patients with phylogenetic evidence for superinfection. In 14
      of these cases, we analyzed newly amplified sequences from the original samples
      for validation purposes: only 2 cases were verified as superinfections in the
      repeated analyses, the other 12 cases turned out to involve sample or sequence
      misidentification. Resistance to drugs used at the time of strain replacement did
      not change in these two patients. A third case could not be validated by re
      sequencing, but was supported as superinfection by an intermediate sequence with
      high degenerate base pair count within the time frame of strain switching. Drug
      resistance increased in this single patient. CONCLUSIONS: Routine genotyping data
      are informative for the detection of HIV superinfection; however, most cases of
      non-monophyletic clustering in patient phylogenies arise from sample or sequence
      mix-up rather than from superinfection, which emphasizes the importance of
      validation. Non-transient superinfection was rare in our mainly treatment
      experienced cohort, and we found a single case of possible transmitted drug
      resistance by this route. We therefore conclude that in our large cohort,
      superinfection with drug resistant HIV did not compromise the efficiency of
      antiretroviral treatment.

PMID- 24219165
TI  - Outcomes of home-based employment service programs for people with disabilities
      and their related factors--a preliminary study in Taiwan.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this exploratory study is to gain an understanding of the
      outcomes of home-based employment service programs for people with disabilities
      and their related factors in Taiwan. METHOD: This study used survey method to
      collect 132 questionnaires. Descriptive and two-variable statistics including chi
      square (chi(2)), independent sample t-test and analysis of variance were
      employed. RESULTS: The results found that 36.5% of the subjects improved their
      employment status and 75.8% of them improved in employability. Educational level
      and and vocational categories including "web page production", "e-commerce",
      "internet marketing", "on-line store" and "website set-up and management" were
      significantly "positively" associated with either of the two outcome indicators -
      change of employment status and employability. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the
      first evidence-based study about the outcomes of home-based employment service
      programs and their related factors for people with disabilities in Taiwan. The
      outcomes of the home-based employment service programs for people with
      disabilities were presented. Implications for Rehabilitation Home-based
      rehabilitation for people with disabilities can be effective. A programme of this
      kind supports participants in improving or gaining employment status as well as
      developing employability skills. Further consideration should be given to
      developing cost-effective home-based programmes and evaluating their
      effectiveness.

PMID- 24219164
TI  - Effect of a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibitor against esophageal squamous
      cell carcinoma cell lines.
AB  - Effective molecular target drugs that improve therapeutic efficacy with fewer
      adverse effects for esophageal cancer are highly anticipated. Poly(ADP-ribose)
      polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have been proposed as low-toxicity agents to treat
      double strand break (DSB)-repair defective tumors. Several findings imply the
      potential relevance of DSB repair defects in the tumorigenesis of esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We evaluated the effect of a PARP Inhibitor
      (AZD2281) on the TE-series ESCC cell lines. Of these eight cell lines, the
      clonogenic survival of one (TE-6) was reduced by AZD2281 to the level of DSB
      repair-defective Capan-1 and HCC1937 cells. AZD2281-induced DNA damage was
      implied by increases in gamma-H2AX and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. The
      impairment of DSB repair in TE-6 cells was suggested by a sustained increase in
      gamma-H2AX levels and the tail moment calculated from a neutral comet assay after
      X-ray irradiation. Because the formation of nuclear DSB repair protein foci was
      impaired in TE-6 cells, whole-exome sequencing of these cells was performed to
      explore the gene mutations that might be responsible. A novel mutation in RNF8,
      an E3 ligase targeting gamma-H2AX was identified. Consistent with this,
      polyubiquitination of gamma-H2AX after irradiation was impaired in TE-6 cells.
      Thus, AZD2281 induced growth retardation of the DSB repair-impaired TE-6 cells.
      Interestingly, a strong correlation between basal expression levels of gamma-H2AX
      and sensitivity to AZD2281was observed in the TE-series cells (R(2)  = 0.5345).
      Because the assessment of basal DSB status could serve as a biomarker for
      selecting PARP inhibitor-tractable tumors, further investigation is warranted. 

PMID- 24219166
TI  - Baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes in prescription opioid dependent
      patients with and without co-occurring psychiatric disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the growing prevalence of prescription opioid dependence and
      the considerable rates of additional psychopathology in drug dependence, we
      examined the association between the presence of a co-occurring Axis I
      psychiatric disorder and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in this
      secondary analysis of patients entering a treatment study for dependence on
      prescription opioids. Treatment outcomes were also compared. METHODS: Patients
      dependent on prescription opioids participated in a multi-site, two-phase,
      randomized, controlled trial to assess different lengths of buprenorphine
      naloxone pharmacotherapy and different intensities of counseling
      (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00316277). Among the 653 participants entering
      the first phase of the trial, 360 entered the second phase, receiving 12 weeks of
      buprenorphine-naloxone treatment; they are reported here. Half of those
      participants (180/360) had a current co-occurring psychiatric disorder in
      addition to substance dependence. RESULTS: Sociodemographic characteristics were
      similar overall between those with and without a co-occurring psychiatric
      disorder, but women were 1.6 times more likely than men to have a co-occurring
      disorder. On several clinical indicators at baseline, participants with a co
      occurring disorder had greater impairment. However, they had better opioid use
      outcomes at the conclusion of 12 weeks of buprenorphine-naloxone stabilization
      than did participants without a co-occurring disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Prescription
      opioid-dependent patients with a co-occurring psychiatric disorder had a better
      response to buprenorphine-naloxone treatment despite demonstrating greater
      impairment at baseline. Additional research is needed to determine the mechanism
      of this finding and to adapt treatments to address this population.

PMID- 24219167
TI  - Dissimilatory reduction and transformation of ferrihydrite-humic acid
      coprecipitates.
AB  - Organic matter (OM) is present in most terrestrial environments and is often
      found coprecipitated with ferrihydrite (Fh). Sorption or coprecipitation of OM
      with Fe oxides has been proposed to be an important mechanism for long-term C
      preservation. However, little is known about the impact of coprecipitated OM on
      reductive dissolution and transformation of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides. Thus, we
      study the effect of humic acid (HA) coprecipitation on Fh reduction and secondary
      mineral formation by the dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacterium Shewanella
      putrefaciens strain CN32. Despite similar crystal structure for all
      coprecipitates investigated, resembling 2-line Fh, the presence of coprecipitated
      HA resulted in lower specific surface areas. In terms of reactivity,
      coprecipitated HA resulted in slower Fh bioreduction rates at low C/Fe ratios
      (i.e., C/Fe <= 0.8), while high C/Fe ratios (i.e., C/Fe >= 1.8) enhanced the
      extent of bioreduction compared to pure Fh. The coprecipitated HA also altered
      the secondary Fe mineralization pathway by inhibiting goethite formation,
      reducing the amount of magnetite formation, and increasing the formation of a
      green rust-like phase. This study indicates that coprecipitated OM may influence
      the rates, pathway, and mineralogy of biogeochemical Fe cycling and anaerobic Fe
      respiration within soils. 

PMID- 24219168
TI  - Centrifugal blood pump for temporary ventricular assist devices with low priming
      and ceramic bearings.
AB  - A new model of centrifugal blood pump for temporary ventricular assist devices
      has been developed and evaluated. The design of the device is based on
      centrifugal pumping principles and the usage of ceramic bearings, resulting in a
      pump with reduced priming (35 +/- 2 mL) that can be applied for up to 30 days.
      Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis is an efficient tool to optimize flow
      path geometry, maximize hydraulic performance, and minimize shear stress,
      consequently decreasing hemolysis. Initial studies were conducted by analyzing
      flow behavior with different impellers, aiming to determine the best impeller
      design. After CFD studies, rapid prototyping technology was used for production
      of pump prototypes with three different impellers. In vitro experiments were
      performed with those prototypes, using a mock loop system composed of Tygon
      tubes, oxygenator, digital flow meter, pressure monitor, electronic driver, and
      adjustable clamp for flow control, filled with a solution (1/3 water, 1/3
      glycerin, 1/3 alcohol) simulating blood viscosity and density. Flow-versus
      pressure curves were obtained for rotational speeds of 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500,
      and 3000 rpm. As the next step, the CFD analysis and hydrodynamic performance
      results will be compared with the results of flow visualization studies and
      hemolysis tests.

PMID- 24219169
TI  - Iron isotope characteristics of Hot Springs at Chocolate Pots, Yellowstone
      National Park.
AB  - Chocolate Pots Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park is a hydrothermal system
      that contains high aqueous ferrous iron [~0.1 mM Fe(II)] at circumneutral pH
      conditions. This site provides an ideal field environment in which to test our
      understanding of Fe isotope fractionations derived from laboratory experiments.
      The Fe(III) oxides, mainly produced through Fe(II) oxidation by oxygen in the
      atmosphere, have high 56Fe/54Fe ratios compared with the aqueous Fe(II). However,
      the degree of fractionation is less than that expected in a closed system at
      isotopic equilibrium. We suggest two explanations for the observed Fe isotope
      compositions. One is that light Fe isotopes partition into a sorbed component and
      precipitate out on the Fe(III) oxide surfaces in the presence of silica. The
      other explanation is internal regeneration of isotopically heavy Fe(II) via
      dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction farther down the flow path as well as deeper
      within the mat materials. These findings provide evidence that silica plays an
      important role in governing Fe isotope fractionation factors between reduced and
      oxidized Fe. Under conditions of low ambient oxygen, such as may be found on
      early Earth or Mars, significantly larger Fe isotope variations are predicted,
      reflecting the more likely attainment of Fe isotope equilibrium associated with
      slower oxidation rates under low-O2 conditions.

PMID- 24219171
TI  - Rapid spread of Schmallenberg virus-infected biting midges (Culicoides spp.)
      across Denmark in 2012.
AB  - Detection of Schmallenberg virus RNA, using real-time RT-PCR, in biting midges
      (Culicoides spp.) caught at 48 locations in 2011 and four well-separated farms
      during 2012 in Denmark, revealed a remarkably rapid spread of virus-infected
      midges across the country. During 2012, some 213 pools of obsoletus group midges
      (10 specimens per pool) were examined, and of these, 35 of the 174 parous pools
      were Schmallenberg virus RNA positive and 11 of them were positive in the heads.
      Culicoides species-specific PCRs identified both C. obsoletus and C. dewulfi as
      vectors of Schmallenberg virus. 

PMID- 24219170
TI  - Efficacy of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in advanced bladder cancer:
      results from the International Radical Cystectomy Consortium (IRCC).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterise the surgical feasibility and outcomes of robot
      assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for pathological T4 bladder cancer. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of a prospectively maintained International
      Radical Cystectomy Consortium database was conducted for 1118 patients who
      underwent RARC between 2003 and 2012. We dichotomised patients based on
      pathological stage (<=pT3 vs pT4) and evaluated demographic, operative and
      pathological variables in relation to morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: In all,
      1000 <=pT3 and 118 pT4 patients were evaluated. The pT4 patients were older than
      the <=pT3 patients (P = 0.001). The median operating time and blood loss were 386
      min and 350 mL vs 396 min and 350 mL for p T4 and <=pT3, respectively. The
      complication rate was similar (54% vs 58%; P = 0.64) among <=pT3 and pT4
      patients, respectively. The overall 30- and 90-day mortality rate was 0.4% and
      1.8% vs 4.2% and 8.5% for <=pT3 vs pT4 patients (P < 0.001), respectively. The
      body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiology score, length of
      hospital stay (LOS) >10 days, and 90-day readmission were significantly
      associated with complications in pT4 patients. Meanwhile, BMI, LOS >10 days,
      grade 3-5 complications, 90-day readmission, smoking, previous abdominal surgery
      and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were significantly associated with mortality in pT4
      patients. On multivariate analysis, BMI was an independent predictor of
      complications in pT4 patients, but not for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: RARC for pT4
      bladder cancer is surgically feasible but entails significant morbidity and
      mortality. BMI was independent predictor of complications in pT4 patients.

PMID- 24219172
TI  - Intention, emotion, and action: a neural theory based on semantic pointers.
AB  - We propose a unified theory of intentions as neural processes that integrate
      representations of states of affairs, actions, and emotional evaluation. We show
      how this theory provides answers to philosophical questions about the concept of
      intention, psychological questions about human behavior, computational questions
      about the relations between belief and action, and neuroscientific questions
      about how the brain produces actions. Our theory of intention ties together
      biologically plausible mechanisms for belief, planning, and motor control. The
      computational feasibility of these mechanisms is shown by a model that simulates
      psychologically important cases of intention.

PMID- 24219173
TI  - Molecular epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni human and chicken isolates from
      two health units.
AB  - A study was conducted over a 2-year period in the Perth District and Wellington
      Dufferin-Guelph health units in Ontario, with an objective of using comparative
      genomic fingerprinting (CGF) with a 40-gene assay (CGF40) to investigate the
      association between human cases of campylobacteriosis and spatially and
      temporally related Campylobacter isolates from retail chicken. CGF results were
      available for isolates from 115 human cases and 718 retail chicken samples. These
      data were combined with CGF results from a large reference database of
      Campylobacter isolates. Isolates were categorized into types based on >90% CGF40
      fingerprint similarity (CGF-90%). CGF-90% types were categorized as chicken
      associated (CA90) when the proportion of animal isolates in the given type that
      originated from chicken was at least 80% and was statistically significant. Risk
      factor data were collected from cases by questionnaire. Urban cases were
      significantly more likely than rural cases to be CA90 and there were
      significantly fewer CA90 cases in the second year of the study. Due to the
      population distribution in Canada and most industrialized countries, the majority
      of campylobacteriosis cases are urban dwellers. Therefore, the association
      between urban cases and chicken-associated types of Campylobacter emphasizes the
      importance of educational and food safety efforts to reduce the impact of
      Campylobacter from retail chicken on public health. Sources other than chicken
      may be more important for rural dwellers.

PMID- 24219174
TI  - Clozapine, a fast-off-D2 antipsychotic.
AB  - Ever since clozapine was first synthesized and tested, it showed the unique
      property of having antipsychotic action but no Parkinson-like motor side effects.
      The antipsychotic basis of clozapine is to transiently occupy dopamine D2
      receptors in the human striatum, in contrast to haloperidol and chlorpromazine,
      which have a prolonged occupation of D2 receptors. The chemical structure of
      clozapine facilitates a relatively rapid dissociation from D2 receptors. After
      short-term occupation of D2 receptors, peak neural activity raises synaptic
      dopamine, which then displaces clozapine. While clozapine also occupies other
      types of receptors, they may not have a significant role in preventing
      parkinsonism. Clozapine's transient occupation of D2 receptors permits patients
      to move easily and comfortably. 

PMID- 24219175
TI  - Temperature-dependent toxicities of nano zinc oxide to marine diatom, amphipod
      and fish in relation to its aggregation size and ion dissolution.
AB  - This study, for the first time, concurrently investigated the influence of
      seawater temperature, exposure concentration and time on the aggregation size and
      ion dissolution of nano zinc oxides (nZnO) in seawater, and the interacting
      effect of temperature and waterborne exposure of nZnO to the marine diatom
      Skeletonema costatum, amphipod Melita longidactyla and fish Oryzias melastigma,
      respectively. Our results showed that aggregate size was jointly affected by
      seawater temperature, nZnO concentration and exposure time. Among the three
      factors, the concentration of nZnO was the most important and followed by
      exposure time, whereas temperature was less important as reflected by their F
      values in the three-way analysis of variance (concentration: F3, 300 = 247.305;
      time: F2, 300 = 20.923 and temperature: F4, 300 = 4.107; All p values <0.001).
      The aggregate size generally increased with increasing nZnO concentration and
      exposure time. The release of Zn ions from nZnO was significantly influenced by
      seawater temperature and exposure time; the ion dissolution rate generally
      increased with decreasing temperature and increasing exposure time. Growth
      inhibition of diatoms increased with increasing temperature, while temperature
      and nZnO had an interactional effect on their photosynthesis. For the amphipod,
      mortality was positively correlated with temperature. Fish larvae growth rate was
      only affected by temperature but not nZnO, while the two factors interactively
      modulated the expression of heat shock and metallothionein proteins. Evidently,
      temperature can influence aggregate size and ion dissolution and thus toxicity of
      nZnO to the marine organisms in a species-specific manner.

PMID- 24219176
TI  - Inhibitory effects of kiwifruit extract on human platelet aggregation and plasma
      angiotensin-converting enzyme activity.
AB  - Previous human studies suggest that supplementation with kiwifruits lowers
      several cardiovascular risk factors such as platelet hyperactivity, blood
      pressure and plasma lipids. The cardiovascular health benefit of fruit and
      vegetables is usually attributed to the complex mixture of phytochemicals
      therein; however, kiwifruit's cardioprotective factors are not well studied. In
      this study, we investigated the effects of kiwifruit extract on human blood
      platelet aggregation and plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. A
      sugar-free, heat-stable aqueous extract with molecular mass less than 1000 Da was
      prepared from kiwifruits. Typically, 100 g kiwifruits produced 66.3 +/- 5.8 mg
      (1.2 +/- 0.1 mg CE) of sugar-free kiwifruit extract (KFE). KFE inhibited both
      human platelet aggregation and plasma ACE activity in a dose-dependent manner.
      KFE inhibited platelet aggregation in response to ADP, collagen and arachidonic
      acid, and inhibitory action was mediated in part by reducing TxA2 synthesis. The
      IC50 for ADP-induced platelet aggregation was 1.6 +/- 0.2 mg/ml (29.0 +/- 3.0 MUg
      CE/ml), whereas IC50 for serum ACE was 0.6 +/- 0.1 mg/ml (11.0 +/- 1.2 MUg
      CE/ml). Consuming 500 mg of KFE (9.0 mg CE) in 10 g margarine inhibited ex vivo
      platelet aggregation by 12.7%, 2 h after consumption by healthy volunteers (n =
      9). All these data indicate that kiwifruit contains very potent antiplatelet and
      anti-ACE components. Consuming kiwifruits might be beneficial as both preventive
      and therapeutic regime in cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 24219177
TI  - How is organ transplantation depicted in internal medicine and transplantation
      journals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In their book Spare Parts, published in 1992, Fox and Swazey
      criticized various aspects of organ transplantation, including the routinization
      of the procedure, ignorance regarding its inherent uncertainties, and the ethos
      of transplant professionals. Using this work as a frame of reference, we analyzed
      articles on organ transplantation published in internal medicine and
      transplantation journals between 1995 and 2008 to see whether Fox and Swazey's
      critiques of organ transplantation were still relevant. METHODS: Using the PubMed
      database, we retrieved 1,120 articles from the top ten internal medicine journals
      and 4,644 articles from the two main transplantation journals (Transplantation
      and American Journal of Transplantation). Out of the internal medicine journal
      articles, we analyzed those in which organ transplantation was the main topic
      (349 articles). A total of 349 articles were randomly selected from the
      transplantation journals for content analysis. RESULTS: In our sample, organ
      transplantation was described in positive terms and was presented as a routine
      treatment. Few articles addressed ethical issues, patients' experiences and
      uncertainties related to organ transplantation. The internal medicine journals
      reported on more ethical issues than the transplantation journals. The most
      important ethical issues discussed were related to the justice principle: organ
      allocation, differential access to transplantation, and the organ shortage.
      CONCLUSION: Our study provides insight into representations of organ
      transplantation in the transplant and general medical communities, as reflected
      in medical journals. The various portrayals of organ transplantation in our
      sample of articles suggest that Fox and Swazey's critiques of the procedure are
      still relevant.

PMID- 24219178
TI  - Evaluation of glycodendron and synthetically modified dextran clearing agents for
      multistep targeting of radioisotopes for molecular imaging and
      radioimmunotherapy.
AB  - A series of N-acetylgalactosamine-dendrons (NAG-dendrons) and dextrans bearing
      biotin moieties were compared for their ability to complex with and sequester
      circulating bispecific antitumor antibody streptavidin fusion protein (scFv4-SA)
      in vivo, to improve tumor-to-normal tissue concentration ratios for multistep
      targeted (MST) radioimmunotherapy and diagnosis. Specifically, a total of five
      NAG-dendrons employing a common synthetic scaffold structure containing 4, 8, 16,
      or 32 carbohydrate residues and a single biotin moiety were prepared (NAGB), and
      for comparative purposes, a biotinylated-dextran with an average molecular weight
      of 500 kD was synthesized from amino-dextran (DEXB). One of the NAGB compounds,
      CA16, has been investigated in humans; our aim was to determine if other NAGB
      analogues (e.g., CA8 or CA4) were bioequivalent to CA16 and/or better suited as
      MST reagents. In vivo studies included dynamic positron-emission tomography (PET)
      imaging of (124)I-labeled-scFv4-SA clearance and dual-label biodistribution
      studies following MST directed at subcutaneous (s.c.) human colon adenocarcinoma
      xenografts in mice. The MST protocol consists of three injections: first, a scFv4
      SA specific for an antitumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG-72); second, CA16 or
      other clearing agent; and third, radiolabeled biotin. We observed using PET
      imaging of the (124)I-labeled-scFv4-SA clearance that the spatial arrangement of
      ligands conjugated to NAG (i.e., biotin linked with an extended spacer, referred
      to herein as long-chain (LC)) can impact the binding to the antibody in
      circulation and subsequent liver uptake of the NAG-antibody complex. Also, NAGB
      CA32-LC or CA16-LC can be utilized during MST to achieve comparable tumor-to
      blood ratios and absolute tumor uptake seen previously with CA16. Finally, DEXB
      was equally effective as NAGB CA32-LC at lowering scFv4-SA in circulation, but at
      the expense of reducing absolute tumor uptake of radiolabeled biotin. 

PMID- 24219179
TI  - Psychotherapy credibility ratings: patient predictors of credibility and the
      relation of credibility to therapy outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The current investigation examined the relation between credibility
      ratings for adult psychotherapies and a variety of patient factors as well as the
      relation between credibility ratings and subsequent symptom change. METHOD: A
      pooled study database that included studies evaluating the efficacy of cognitive
      and psychodynamic therapies for a variety of disorders was used. For all studies,
      a three-item credibility scale was administered at session 2. Patient variables
      at baseline were used to predict early treatment credibility. RESULTS: Early
      symptom improvement, age, education, and expectation of improvement were all
      significantly predictive of credibility scores at session 2. In one combined
      multiple regression model controlling for treatment, study, and early symptom
      change, age, education, and expectation of improvement remained significantly
      predictive of credibility scores. Credibility was predictive of subsequent
      symptom change even when controlling for age, education, expectation of
      improvement, and early symptom improvement. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest
      that age and education, in addition to expectations of improvement and the amount
      of early symptom improvement, may influence the patient's perceptions of the
      credibility of a treatment rationale early in the treatment process and that
      credibility ratings predict subsequent symptom change.

PMID- 24219180
TI  - Warmer temperatures increase disease transmission and outbreak intensity in a
      host-pathogen system.
AB  - While rising global temperatures are increasingly affecting both species and
      their biotic interactions, the debate about whether global warming will increase
      or decrease disease transmission between individuals remains far from resolved.
      This may stem from the lack of empirical data. Using a tractable and easily
      manipulated insect host-pathogen system, we conducted a series of field and
      laboratory experiments to examine how increased temperatures affect disease
      transmission using the crop-defoliating pest, the fall armyworm (Spodoptera
      frugiperda) and its species-specific baculovirus, which causes a fatal infection.
      To examine the effects of temperature on disease transmission in the field, we
      manipulated baculovirus density and temperature. As infection occurs when a host
      consumes leaf tissue on which the pathogen resides, baculovirus density was
      controlled by placing varying numbers of infected neonate larvae on experimental
      plants. Temperature was manipulated by using open-top chambers (OTCs). The
      laboratory experiments examined how increased temperatures affect fall armyworm
      feeding and development rates, which provide insight into how host feeding
      behaviour and physiology may affect transmission. Disease transmission and
      outbreak intensity, measured as the cumulative fraction infected during an
      epizootic, increased at higher temperatures. However, there was no appreciable
      change in the mean transmission rate of the disease, which is often the focus of
      empirical and theoretical research. Instead, the coefficient of variation (CV)
      associated with the transmission rate shrunk. As the CV decreased, heterogeneity
      in disease risk across individuals declined, which resulted in an increase in
      outbreak intensity. In the laboratory, increased temperatures increased feeding
      rates and decreased developmental times. As the host consumes the virus along
      with the leaf tissue on which it resides, increased feeding rate is likely to
      increase the probability of an individual consuming virus-infected leaf tissue.
      On the other hand, decreased developmental time increases the sloughing of midgut
      cells, which is predicted to hinder viral infection. Increases in outbreak
      intensity or epizootic severity, as the climate warms, may lead to changes in the
      long-term dynamics of pests whose populations are strongly affected by host
      pathogen interactions. Overall, this work demonstrates that the usual assumptions
      governing these effects, via changes in the mean transmission rate alone, may not
      be correct. 

PMID- 24219181
TI  - Structural characterization of native autoinducing peptides and abiotic analogues
      reveals key features essential for activation and inhibition of an AgrC quorum
      sensing receptor in Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that uses quorum sensing (QS) to
      control virulence. Its QS system is regulated by macrocyclic peptide signals (or
      autoinducing peptides (AIPs)) and their cognate transmembrane receptors (AgrCs).
      Four different specificity groups of S. aureus have been identified to date
      (groups I-IV), each of which uses a different AIP:AgrC pair. Non-native ligands
      capable of intercepting AIP:AgrC binding, and thereby QS, in S. aureus have
      attracted considerable interest as chemical tools to study QS pathways and as
      possible antivirulence strategies for the treatment of infection. We recently
      reported a set of analogues of the group-III AIP that are capable of strongly
      modulating the activity of all four AgrC receptors. Critical to the further
      development of such ligands is a detailed understanding of the structural
      features of both native AIPs and non-native analogues that are essential for
      activity. Herein, we report the first three-dimensional structural analysis of
      the known native AIP signals (AIPs-I-IV) and several AIP-III analogues with
      varied biological activities using NMR spectroscopy. Integration of these NMR
      studies with the known agonism and antagonism profiles of these peptides in AgrC
      III revealed two key structural elements that control AIP-III (and non-native
      peptide) activity: (1) a tri-residue hydrophobic "knob" essential for both
      activation and inhibition and (2) a fourth anchor point on the exocyclic tail
      needed for receptor activation. These results provide strong structural support
      for a mechanism of AIP-mediated AgrC activation and inhibition in S. aureus , and
      should facilitate the design of new AgrC ligands with enhanced activities (as
      agonists or antagonists) and simplified chemical structures. 

PMID- 24219182
TI  - Ecological momentary assessment of stressful events and negative affect in
      bulimia nervosa.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Negative affect precedes binge eating and purging in bulimia nervosa
      (BN), but little is known about factors that precipitate negative affect in
      relation to these behaviors. We aimed to assess the temporal relation among
      stressful events, negative affect, and bulimic events in the natural environment
      using ecological momentary assessment. METHOD: A total of 133 women with current
      BN recorded their mood, eating behavior, and the occurrence of stressful events
      every day for 2 weeks. Multilevel structural equation mediation models evaluated
      the relations among Time 1 stress measures (i.e., interpersonal stressors,
      work/environment stressors, general daily hassles, and stress appraisal), Time 2
      negative affect, and Time 2 binge eating and purging, controlling for Time 1
      negative affect. RESULTS: Increases in negative affect from Time 1 to Time 2
      significantly mediated the relations between Time 1 interpersonal stressors,
      work/environment stressors, general daily hassles, and stress appraisal and Time
      2 binge eating and purging. When modeled simultaneously, confidence intervals for
      interpersonal stressors, general daily hassles, and stress appraisal did not
      overlap, suggesting that each had a distinct impact on negative affect in
      relation to binge eating and purging. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that
      stress precedes the occurrence of bulimic behaviors and that increases in
      negative affect following stressful events mediate this relation. Results suggest
      that stress and subsequent negative affect may function as maintenance factors
      for bulimic behaviors and should be targeted in treatment.

PMID- 24219184
TI  - Metabolism of nonesterified and esterified hydroxycinnamic acids in red wines by
      Brettanomyces bruxellensis.
AB  - While Brettanomyces can metabolize nonesterified hydroxycinnamic acids found in
      grape musts/wines (caffeic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids), it was not known
      whether this yeast could utilize the corresponding tartaric acid esters
      (caftaric, p-coutaric, and fertaric acids, respectively). Red wines from
      Washington and Oregon were inoculated with B. bruxellensis, while hydroxycinnamic
      acids were monitored by HPLC. Besides consuming p-coumaric and ferulic acids,
      strains I1a, B1b, and E1 isolated from Washington wines metabolized 40-50% of
      caffeic acid, a finding in contrast to strains obtained from California wines.
      Higher molar recoveries of 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol synthesized from p
      coumaric and ferulic acids, respectively, were observed in Washington Cabernet
      Sauvignon and Syrah but not Merlot. This finding suggested that Brettanomyces
      either (a) utilized vinylphenols formed during processing of some wines or (b)
      metabolized other unidentified phenolic precursors. None of the strains of
      Brettanomyces studied metabolized caftaric or p-coutaric acids present in wines
      from Washington or Oregon. 

PMID- 24219183
TI  - Anhedonia, depressed mood, and smoking cessation outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although the relation between lifetime depression and smoking
      cessation outcome has been well studied, the proposition that different
      symptomatic expressions of depression exert disparate predictive effects on risk
      of smoking cessation failure has largely gone uninvestigated. This study analyzed
      the individual contributions of depression's 2 hallmark affective symptoms,
      anhedonia (i.e., diminished interest in normally enjoyable activities) and
      depressed mood (i.e., elevated sadness), to the prediction of smoking cessation
      outcome. METHOD: Participants were adult daily smokers (N = 1,469; mean age = 45
      years, 58% female, 84% White) enrolled in a smoking cessation treatment study.
      Lifetime history of anhedonia and depressed mood were classified via structured
      interview prior to quit day. Seven-day point prevalence smoking abstinence was
      assessed at 8 weeks and 6 months postquit. RESULTS: When examined separately,
      both lifetime anhedonia, OR (95% CI) = 1.42 (1.16, 1.73), p = .004, and depressed
      mood, OR (95% CI) = 1.35 (1.11, 1.63), p = .002, predicted increased odds of
      relapse. These relations remained after adjusting for covariates, including
      lifetime depressive disorder, which did not predict outcome. After controlling
      for the covariation between lifetime anhedonia and depressed mood, anhedonia
      predicted cessation outcome, OR (95% CI) = 1.31 (1.05, 1.62), p = .02, while
      depressed mood did not (p = .19). Symptom duration (>2 weeks), treatment, and
      substance use disorder did not modify relations of lifetime anhedonia and
      depressed mood with cessation outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that (1)
      symptoms of affective disturbance capture depression-relevant risk of cessation
      failure, which is not adequately demarcated by the lifetime depressive disorder
      diagnosis, and (2) anhedonia is a more sensitive index of this affective
      disturbance than depressed mood per se. Clinical attention to anhedonia may
      facilitate smoking cessation.

PMID- 24219185
TI  - Delayed diagnosis and associated factors among new pulmonary tuberculosis
      patients diagnosed at the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital in
      Porto Alegre, South Brazil: a prospective patient recruitment study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Control of tuberculosis (TB) depends on early diagnosis and treatment
      at the primary health care level. However, many patients are still diagnosed late
      with TB at hospitals. The present study aimed to investigate the delay in
      diagnosis of TB patients at the emergency department. METHODS: This was a
      prospective study in a general, tertiary care, university-affiliated hospital of
      a city with a high prevalence of TB in Brazil. New TB patients >= 14 years
      diagnosed with pulmonary TB at the emergency department of Hospital de Clinicas
      de Porto Alegre were prospectively recruited between February 2010 and January
      2012. The consenting patients meeting our inclusion criteria were interviewed
      using a pre-tested questionnaire. We evaluated the delay in time until diagnosis
      and identified factors associated with delayed diagnosis (patient and health care
      system delays). RESULTS: We included 153 patients. The median total time of
      delay, patient delay, and health care system delay were 60 (interquartile range
      [IQR]: 30-90.5 days), 30 (lQR: 7-60 days), and 18 (IQR: 9-39.5 days) days,
      respectively. The factors that were independently associated with patient delay
      (time >= 30 days) were crack (odds ratio [OR] = 4.88, p = 0.043) and cocaine (OR
      = 6.68, p = 0.011) use. The factors that were independently associated with
      health care system delay (time >= 18 days) were weight loss (OR = 2.76, p =
      0.025), miliary pattern (OR = 5.33, p = 0.032), and fibrotic changes (OR = 0.12,
      p = 0.013) on chest X-ray. CONCLUSIONS: Patient delay appears to be the main
      problem in this city with a high prevalence of TB in Brazil. The main factor
      associated with patient delay is drug abuse (crack and cocaine). Our study shows
      substance abuse programs need to be aware of control of TB, with health
      interventions focusing on TB education programs.

PMID- 24219186
TI  - Quality of osteoporosis care of older Medicare recipients with fragility
      fractures: 2006 to 2010.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess uptake of postfracture care guidelines in community
      dwelling Medicare recipients with fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective observational
      cohort study. SETTING: Claims-based study using U.S. Medicare administrative
      inpatient, outpatient (2003-2010), and prescription (2006-2010) data.
      PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 68 and older who survived at least 12 months after
      a fracture of the hip, radius, or humerus. MEASUREMENTS: Poisson regression
      modeled factors, including participant characteristics, comorbidities and
      hospital referral region (HRR), associated with bone density testing or
      osteoporosis pharmacotherapy in the 6 months after fracture. Models were repeated
      for participants with no osteoporosis care observed before fracture (attention
      naive). RESULTS: In 61,832 individuals with fractures, mean age was 80.6, 87.0%
      were female, 88.5% were white, 2.6% were black, and 62.1% were attention naive at
      the time of fracture; 21.8% received testing, pharmacotherapy, or both in the 6
      months after fracture. In adjusted models, factors associated with significantly
      lower likelihood of receiving this care were black race, male sex, and an upper
      extremity fracture (vs hip). In models restricted to attention-naive
      participants, the same factors were associated with lower relative risk of
      receiving care. Adjusted HRR-level care rates ranged from 14.7% to 22.9% (10th to
      90th percentile). The proportion receiving care increased from 2006 to 2009.
      CONCLUSION: Postfracture osteoporosis care was uncommon, particularly in black
      and male participants. Care increased over time, but for most, a fracture was
      insufficient to trigger effective secondary prevention, especially for
      participants who were not receiving prefracture osteoporosis attention.
      Clinicians and policy-makers must consider effective remedies to this persistent
      care gap.

PMID- 24219187
TI  - Biomarker-calibrated protein intake and physical function in the Women's Health
      Initiative.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether preservation of physical function with aging may
      be partially met through modification in dietary protein intake. DESIGN:
      Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Clinical
      Trials (CT) and Observational Study (OS) conducted at 40 clinical centers.
      PARTICIPANTS: Women aged 50 to 79 (N = 134,961) with dietary data and one or more
      physical function measures. MEASUREMENTS: Physical function was assessed using
      the short-form RAND-36 at baseline and annually beginning in 2005 for all WHI
      participants and at closeout for CT participants (average ~7 years after
      baseline). In a subset of 5,346 participants, physical performance measures (grip
      strength, number of chair stands in 15 seconds, and timed 6-m walk) were assessed
      at baseline and Years 1, 3, and 6. Calibrated energy and protein intake were
      derived from regression equations using baseline food frequency questionnaire
      data collected on the entire cohort and doubly labeled water and 24-hour urinary
      nitrogen collected from a representative sample as reference measures.
      Associations between calibrated protein intake and each of the physical function
      measures were assessed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS:
      Calibrated protein intake ranged from 6.6% to 22.3% energy. Higher calibrated
      protein intake at baseline was associated with higher self-reported physical
      function (quintile (Q)5, 85.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 81.9-87.5; Q1,
      75.4, 95% CI = 73.2-78.5, P trend = .002) and a slower rate of functional decline
      (annualized change: Q5, -0.47, 95% CI = -0.63 to -0.39; Q1, -0.98, 95% CI = -1.18
      to -0.75, P trend = .02). Women with higher calibrated protein intake also had
      greater grip strength at baseline (Q5, 24.7 kg, 95% CI = 24.3-25.2 kg; Q1, 24.1
      kg, 95% CI = 23.6-24.5 kg, P trend = .04) and slower declines in grip strength
      (annualized change: Q5, -0.45 kg, 95% CI = -0.39 to -0.63 kg; Q1, -0.59 kg, 95%
      CI = -0.50 to -0.66 kg, P trend = .03). Women with higher calibrated protein
      intake also completed more chair stands at baseline (Q5, 7.11, 95% CI = 6.91
      7.26; Q1, 6.61, 95% CI = 6.46-6.76, P trend = .002). CONCLUSION: Higher
      calibrated protein intake is associated with better physical function and
      performance and slower rates of decline in postmenopausal women.

PMID- 24219188
TI  - Changes in physical performance in older women according to presence and
      treatment of diabetes mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether older women with diabetes mellitus have a
      greater longitudinal decline in physical performance than those without and
      whether any decline differs according to insulin sensitizer use. DESIGN:
      Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Baltimore, Maryland; Minneapolis, Minnesota;
      Portland, Oregon; and the Monongahela, Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: Community
      dwelling women (mean age 78.5 +/- 3.6) enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic
      Fractures in 1997-98 and restudied 4.9 +/- 0.6 years later (N = 2,864).
      MEASUREMENTS: Women were categorized as having no diabetes mellitus (n = 2,680)
      or having diabetes mellitus (n = 184). A prescription medication inventory was
      used to determine use of insulin sensitizers (metformin and thiazolidinedione).
      The outcomes were longitudinal changes in physical performance measures,
      including grip strength, usual walk speed, and rapid walk speed. RESULTS:
      Estimates from fully adjusted models showed that women with diabetes mellitus had
      greater declines in usual walk speed (-0.16 m/s, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 
      0.19 to -0.14) and rapid walk speed (-0.21 m/s, 95% CI = -0.24 to -0.17) than
      those without (usual walk speed -0.11 m/s, 95% CI = -0.12 to -0.11, P < .001;
      rapid walk speed -0.15 m/s, 95% CI = -0.16 to -0.14; P = .005). Women with
      diabetes mellitus taking insulin sensitizers had less decline in usual walk speed
      than those not taking insulin sensitizers (P < .001). Declines in grip strength
      did not differ significantly by diabetes mellitus status or insulin sensitizer
      use. CONCLUSION: Older women with diabetes mellitus have a greater decline in
      walk speed, but not grip strength, than older women without diabetes mellitus.
      Clinical studies in older adults to determine whether diabetes mellitus
      treatments such as insulin sensitizers can prevent loss in walk speed and
      mobility are needed.

PMID- 24219190
TI  - Objectively measured physical activity and progressive loss of lean tissue in
      older Japanese adults: longitudinal data from the Nakanojo study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To relate 5-year lean tissue loss to habitual physical activity of
      elderly adults. DESIGN: Longitudinal. SETTING: Community of Nakanojo.
      PARTICIPANTS: Community-living Japanese aged 65 to 84 (200 men, 268 women).
      MEASUREMENTS: Daily 24-hour pedometer/accelerometer data, collected continuously
      for 5 years, were categorized into activity quartiles. Bioelectrical impedance
      measurements of lean body mass were taken annually. A sarcopenia threshold was
      defined arbitrarily as an appendicular lean mass/height(2) of more than 1
      standard deviation below the mean for healthy young Japanese. RESULTS: Subjects
      with greater habitual physical activity retained a greater lean mass over the 5
      years of observation. Controlling for baseline lean mass and age, final lean mass
      was greater for the third activity quartile (men and women with respective mean
      counts of 7,800 and 7,700 steps per day or mean duration of exercise at >3
      metabolic equivalents (METs) of 20 and 17 minutes per day) than for the first and
      second quartiles. A multivariate-adjusted proportional hazards model predicted
      that, over the 5 years, men and women in the two lowest activity quartiles
      (<6,700 and <6,800 steps per day) were 2.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4
      4.5) and 3.0 (95% CI = 1.9-3.4) times as likely, respectively, to be sarcopenic
      as those in the highest activity quartile (>9,000 and >8,400 steps per day).
      Likewise, men and women with less than 16 and less than 14 minutes per day,
      respectively, of activity of more than 3 METs were 3.0 (95% CI = 2.0-6.0) and 3.5
      (95% CI = 2.1-6.3) times as likely to develop sarcopenia as those with more than
      28 and more than 22 minutes per day. CONCLUSION: After adjustment for potential
      confounders, the risk of developing sarcopenia was substantially lower in elderly
      people taking at least 7,000 to 8,000 steps per day or exercising for at least 15
      to 20 minutes per day at an intensity greater than 3 METs. Clinicians should
      encourage seniors to get at least this volume of regular daily exercise.

PMID- 24219189
TI  - Motor learning versus standard walking exercise in older adults with subclinical
      gait dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of motor learning with that of standard
      exercise on measures of mobility and perceived function and disability. DESIGN:
      Single-blind randomized trial. SETTING: University research center. PARTICIPANTS:
      Older adults (n = 40) with a mean age of 77.1 +/- 6.0, normal walking speed (>=
      1.0 m/s), and impaired motor skills (Figure of 8 walk time >8 seconds).
      INTERVENTIONS: The motor learning program incorporated goal-oriented stepping and
      walking to promote timing and coordination within the phases of the gait cycle.
      The standard program employed endurance training by treadmill walking. Both
      included strength training and were offered twice weekly for 1 hour for 12 weeks.
      MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcomes were mobility performance (gait efficiency, motor
      skill in walking, gait speed, walking endurance); secondary outcomes were
      perceived function and disability (Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument).
      RESULTS: Thirty-eight of 40 participants completed the trial (motor learning, n =
      18; standard, n = 20). The motor learning group improved more than the standard
      group in gait speed (0.13 vs 0.05 m/s, P = .008) and motor skill (-2.2 vs -0.89
      seconds, P < .001). Both groups improved in walking endurance (28.3 and 22.9 m, P
      = .14). Changes in gait efficiency and perceived function and disability were not
      different between the groups (P > .10). CONCLUSION: In older adults with
      subclinical gait dysfunction, motor learning exercise improved some parameters of
      mobility performance more than standard exercise.

PMID- 24219191
TI  - Hospitalizations of nursing home residents in the last year of life: nursing home
      characteristics and variation in potentially avoidable hospitalizations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the incidence of, variations in, and costs of potentially
      avoidable hospitalizations (PAHs) of nursing home (NH) residents at the end of
      life and to identify the association between NH characteristics and a facility
      level quality measure (QM) for PAH. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING:
      Hospitalizations originating from NHs. PARTICIPANTS: Long-term care NH residents
      who died in 2007. MEASUREMENTS: A risk-adjusted QM was constructed for PAH. A
      Poisson regression model was used to predict the count of PAH given residents'
      risk factors. For each facility, the QM was defined as the difference between the
      observed facility-specific rate (per 1,000 person-years) of PAH (O) and the
      expected risk-adjusted rate (E). A logistic regression model with state fixed
      effects was then fit to examine the association between facility characteristics
      and the likelihood of having higher-than-expected rates of PAH (O-E > 0). QM
      values greater than 0 indicate worse-than-average quality. RESULTS: Almost 50% of
      hospital admissions for NH residents in their last year of life were for
      potentially avoidable conditions, costing Medicare $1 billion. Five conditions
      were responsible for more than 80% of PAHs. PAH QM across facilities showed
      significant variation (mean 12.0 +/- 142.3 per 1,000 person-years, range -399.48
      to 398.09 per 1,000 person-years). Chain and hospital-based facilities were more
      likely to exhibit better performance (O-E < 0). Facilities with higher nursing
      staffing were more likely to have better performance, as were facilities with
      higher skilled staff ratio, those with nurse practitioners or physician
      assistants, and those with on-site X-ray services. CONCLUSION: Variations in
      facility-level PAHs suggest that a potential for reducing hospital admissions for
      these conditions may exist. Presence of modifiable facility characteristics
      associated with PAH performance could help us formulate interventions and
      policies for reducing PAHs at the end of life.

PMID- 24219192
TI  - Activity of daily living trajectories surrounding acute hospitalization of long
      stay nursing home residents.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore patterns of change in nursing home (NH) residents'
      activities of daily living (ADLs), particularly surrounding acute hospital stays.
      DESIGN: Longitudinal study using Medicare and Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments.
      SETTING: National sample of long-stay NH residents. PARTICIPANTS: NH residents
      who were hospitalized for the seven most-common inpatient diagnoses (N = 40,128).
      Each hospital admission was at least 90 days after any prior hospitalization and
      had at least two preceding MDS assessments. MEASUREMENTS: The MDS ADL long-form
      score, a simple sum of seven self-care variables coded from 0 (independent) to 4
      (totally dependent) was used to indicate resident ADL function. Scores ranged
      from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating greater impairment. A linear mixed
      model describing ADL trajectories was jointly estimated with time-to-event models
      for mortality and hospital readmission. RESULTS: Before hospitalization, the most
      common trajectory was stable (53.7%), with 27.5% of residents worsening and 18.8%
      improving. ADL function after hospital discharge was most often characterized as
      stable (43.1%) or worsening (39.2%). Mortality (20.3%) was higher for those with
      worsening prehospital ADL function (28.9%) than for those with stable (19.1%) or
      improving (11.3%) trajectories. Hospital diagnosis was associated with amount of
      ADL worsening and rate of subsequent ADL change. Most residents with the best
      initial function continued to worsen after hospital discharge. Cognitive
      impairment was associated with poorer ADL function and accelerated worsening of
      ADLs. CONCLUSION: For many long-stay NH residents, substantial and sustained ADL
      worsening accompanies acute hospitalization, so acute hospitalization presents an
      opportunity to revisit care goals; the results of the current study can help
      inform decision-making.

PMID- 24219193
TI  - Benefits of multimodal exercise intervention for postural control and frontal
      cognitive functions in individuals with Alzheimer's disease: a controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of a systematized multimodal exercise
      intervention program on frontal cognitive function, postural control, and
      functional capacity components of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
      DESIGN: Nonrandomized controlled trial with pre- and posttraining tests in a
      training group and a control group. SETTING: Kinesiotherapy program for seniors
      with AD, Sao Paulo State University. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of older
      adults with AD (n = 30) were assigned to a training (n = 14; aged 78.6 +/- 7.1)
      and a control (n = 16; aged 77.0 +/- 6.3) group. INTERVENTION: The intervention
      program was structured with the aim of simultaneously promoting better balance
      and frontal cognitive capacity. The participants attended a 1-hour session three
      times a week for 16 weeks, whereas the control group did not participate in any
      activity during the same period. MEASUREMENTS: Frontal cognitive function was
      evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Clock Drawing Test, the
      Frontal Assessment Battery, and the Symbol Search Subtest. Postural control
      (center of pressure area) was analyzed under four dual-task conditions.
      Functional capacity components were analyzed using the Timed Up and Go Test, the
      30-second sit-to-stand test, the sit-and-reach test, and the Berg Functional
      Balance Scale. RESULTS: Intervention group participants showed a significant
      increase in frontal cognitive function (P < .001, partial eta(2) = 0.838), with
      less body sway (P = .04, partial eta(2) = 0.04) during the dual tasks, and
      greater functional capacity (P = .001, partial eta(2) = 0.676) after the 16-week
      period. CONCLUSION: Intervention participants performed better on dual-task
      activities and had better postural balance and greater functional capacity than
      controls.

PMID- 24219194
TI  - Objectively measured physical activity is related to cognitive function in older
      adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between cognitive functioning and time
      spent at different intensities of physical activity (PA) in free-living older
      adults. DESIGN: Cross sectional analyses. SETTING: Continuing care retirement
      communities. PARTICIPANTS: Older adults residing in seven continuing care
      retirement communities in San Diego County with an average age of 83; 70% were
      female, and 35% had a graduate-level education (N = 217). MEASUREMENTS: PA was
      measured objectively using hip worn accelerometers with data aggregated to the
      minute level. Three cut points were used to assess low light-intensity PA (LLPA),
      high light-intensity PA (HLPA), and moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA).
      The Trail Making Test (TMT) Parts A and B were completed, and time for each test
      (seconds) and time for Part B minus time for Part A (seconds) were used as
      measures of cognitive function. Variables were log-transformed and entered into
      linear regression models adjusting for demographic factors (age, education, sex)
      and other PA intensity variables. RESULTS: LLPA was not related to any TMT test
      score. HLPA was significantly related to TMT A, B, and B minus A but only in
      unadjusted models. MVPA was related to TMT B and B minus A after adjusting for
      demographic variables. CONCLUSION: There may be a dose response between PA
      intensity and cognitive functioning in older adults. The stronger findings
      supporting a relationship between MVPA and cognitive functioning are consistent
      with previous observational and intervention studies.

PMID- 24219195
TI  - In-hospital mortality and coronary procedure use for individuals with dementia
      with acute myocardial infarction in the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine in-hospital mortality differences in individuals with
      dementia and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) when using invasive coronary
      procedures. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: 2009 Nationwide
      Inpatient Sample. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals admitted with a primary diagnosis of
      AMI (N = 631,734) to 1,045 hospitals in 44 states during 2009. MEASUREMENTS:
      Dementia status and procedural use of diagnostic catheterization, percutaneous
      intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) as indicated by
      International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes. The primary
      outcome was in-hospital mortality. Using multivariable analysis adjusted for
      covariates, associations were made between coronary procedural use in individuals
      with dementia and in-hospital mortality. Additional multivariable analysis
      identified the association between utilization of coronary procedures and in
      hospital mortality in AMI patients with dementia. RESULTS: Dementia diagnosis (n
      = 15,335) was associated with greater likelihood of in-hospital mortality (odds
      ratio (OR) = 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15-1.29, P < .001) and less
      use of diagnostic catheterization (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.35-0.40, P < .001), PCI
      (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.35-0.40, P < .001), and CABG (OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.16
      0.22, P < .001). There was less likelihood of in-hospital mortality in
      participants with dementia who received diagnostic catheterization (OR = 0.36,
      95% CI = 0.16-0.78, P < .001), PCI (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.47-0.70, P < .001), or
      CABG (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.08-0.56, P < .001) than in those not receiving
      respective interventions. CONCLUSION: Dementia is a significant predictor of in
      hospital mortality for hospitalized individuals with AMI and is associated with
      less use of invasive coronary procedures. Beyond differing care patterns for
      individuals with AMI and dementia, these results indicate that individuals with
      dementia are at substantially greater risk for in-hospital mortality when they do
      not receive procedural interventions.

PMID- 24219196
TI  - Interaction between cognitive impairment and discharge destination and its effect
      on rehospitalization.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of cognitive impairment on rehospitalization
      in older adults. DESIGN: One-year longitudinal study. SETTING: Medical service of
      an urban, 340-bed public hospital in Indianapolis between July 2006 and March
      2008. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 65 and older admitted to the medical service
      (N = 976). MEASUREMENTS: Rehospitalization was defined as any hospital admission
      after the index admission. Participant demographics, discharge destination,
      Charlson Comorbidity Index, Acute Physiology Score, and prior hospitalizations
      were measured as the confounders. Participants were considered to have cognitive
      impairment if they had two or more errors on the Short Portable Mental Status
      Questionnaire. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, a significant
      interaction between cognitive impairment and discharge location was found to
      predict rehospitalization rate (P = .008) and time to 1-year rehospitalization (P
      = .03). Participants with cognitive impairment discharged to a facility had a
      longer time to rehospitalization (median 142 days) than participants with no
      cognitive impairment (median 98 days) (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.77, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) = 0.58-1.02, P = .07), whereas participants with cognitive
      impairment discharged to home had a slightly shorter time to rehospitalization
      (median 182 days) than those without cognitive impairment (median 224 days) (HR =
      1.15, 95% CI = 0.92-1.43, P = .23). These two nonsignificant HRs in opposite
      directions were significantly different from each other (P = .03). CONCLUSION:
      Discharge destination modifies the association between cognitive impairment and
      rehospitalization. Of participants discharged to a facility, those without
      cognitive impairment had higher rehospitalization rates, whereas the rates were
      similar between cognitively impaired and intact participants discharged to the
      community.

PMID- 24219197
TI  - High-intensity progressive resistance training improves flat-ground walking in
      older adults with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of whole-body progressive resistance training
      (PRT) as a treatment for the symptoms of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in
      older adults. DESIGN: Randomized controlled pilot trial. SETTING: University
      clinical weight training facility in Sydney, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two
      older adults with symptomatic PAD. INTERVENTIONS: The efficacy of supervised
      whole-body high-intensity PRT (H-PRT) with low-intensity nonprogressive
      resistance training (L-RT) and a usual care control group that performed
      unsupervised walking for 6 months was compared. MEASUREMENTS: Pilot outcome
      measures included 6-minute walk (6 MW) outcomes, body composition, dynamic muscle
      strength and endurance, and performance-based tests of function. RESULTS: Mean
      age was 71.1 +/- 7.2. Mean ankle brachial index was 0.55 +/- 0.13. Exercise
      adherence was similar in all groups (P = .29). H-PRT (n = 8) improved total 6MW
      distance (mean difference (MD) 62.6 +/- 58.0 m, P = .02) significantly more than
      L-RT (n = 7; MD=-48.2 +/- 67.6 m) and controls (n = 7; MD=-9.9 +/- 52.9 m).
      Change in 6MW onset of claudication was significantly and independently related
      to change in bilateral calf endurance (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.65, P =
      .03), and change in 6MW distance was significantly and independently related to
      change in bilateral hip extensor endurance (r = 0.71, P = .02) in all groups.
      CONCLUSION: H-PRT significantly improved 6MW ability in older adults with
      intermittent claudication from PAD, whereas L-RT and unsupervised walking did
      not. Improvement in walking ability was significantly related to improvements in
      bilateral calf and hip extensor endurance, supporting further investigations
      targeted at musculoskeletal impairment in this cohort.

PMID- 24219198
TI  - Innovative care delivery model to address obesity in older African-American
      women: Senior Wellness Initiative and Take Off Pounds Sensibly collaboration for
      health (SWITCH).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of integrating Take
      Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a national nonprofit weight-loss program through
      which people have lost a clinically significant amount of weight, into a
      community program that serves African Americans (AAs) and to determine weight
      change. DESIGN: Single-group pilot design. SETTING: Denver, Colorado.
      PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling participants aged 51 to 85. INTERVENTION:
      Participants were recruited through a program that serves AAs, and new TOPS
      chapters were started at a church, senior center, and senior residence for
      independent living. MEASUREMENTS: Feasibility was measured by determining the
      ease of recruitment and acceptability was measured according to retention. The
      secondary outcome was weight change. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of people who
      were referred to the program or attended an information session participated in
      the study. The retention rate at 52 weeks was 79%. At 52 weeks, 16 of 48
      participants had lost 5% or more of their initial weight, and 23 had lost 0% to
      4.9% of their initial weight. CONCLUSIONS: Recruiting AA women through the Center
      for African American Health was feasible, and the program was acceptable. One
      third of participants lost a clinically significant amount of weight. TOPS may be
      one way to combat the health disparity of obesity in AA women.

PMID- 24219199
TI  - "You're being paged!" outcomes of a nursing home on-call role-playing and
      longitudinal curriculum.
AB  - Effectively handling telephone calls about nursing home (NH) residents is an
      important skill for healthcare professionals, but little formal training is
      typically provided. The objective of the current study was to describe and
      evaluate the effectiveness of a novel structured role-playing didactic session
      followed by an on-call NH longitudinal clinical experience. The effectiveness of
      the structured role-playing didactic session was compared in different learners,
      including geriatric medicine fellows (n = 10), family medicine residents and
      faculty (n = 14), nurse practitioner students (n = 31), and other learners (n =
      7). The curriculum focused on common problems encountered while caring for NH
      residents during on-call periods. Learners rated themselves using an 18-item
      pre/post questionnaire including five attitude and 13 skills questions, using a 1
      to-5 Likert scale. T-tests were used to compare means before and after sessions.
      Significant improvements were found in overall mean attitudes and skills scores.
      For all learners, the greatest improvements were seen in "comfort in managing
      residents at the NH," "managing feeding or gastrostomy tube dislodgement,"
      "identifying different availability of medications, laboratory studies, and
      procedures in NH," and "describing steps to send NH residents to the emergency
      department." Geriatric medicine fellows' attitudes and skills improved
      significantly after the longitudinal clinical experience. The faculty survey
      demonstrated improved documentation, communication, and fellows' management of on
      call problems after curriculum implementation. This novel curriculum used role
      playing to provide training for on-call management of NH residents. This
      curriculum has been successfully disseminated on a national geriatrics
      educational resource website (POGOe) and is applicable to geriatric medicine
      fellowships, internal medicine and family medicine residency programs, and other
      training programs.

PMID- 24219200
TI  - Educational interventions to improve recognition of delirium: a systematic
      review.
AB  - Delirium is a common and serious condition that is underrecognized in older
      adults in a variety of healthcare settings. It is poorly recognized because of
      deficiencies in provider knowledge and its atypical presentation. Early
      recognition of delirium is warranted to better manage the disease and prevent the
      adverse outcomes associated with it. The purpose of this article is to review the
      literature concerning educational interventions focusing on recognition of
      delirium. The Medline and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
      Literature (CINHAL) databases were searched for studies with specific educational
      focus in the recognition of delirium, and 26 studies with various designs were
      identified. The types of interventions used were classified according to the
      Predisposing, Reinforcing and Enabling Constructs in Educational Diagnosis and
      Evaluation (PRECEDE) model, and outcomes were sorted according to Kirkpatrick's
      hierarchy. Educational strategies combining predisposing, enabling, and
      reinforcing factors achieved better results than strategies that included one or
      two of these components. Studies using predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing
      strategies together were more often effective in producing changes in staff
      behavior and participant outcomes. Based on this review, improvements in
      knowledge and skill alone seem insufficient to favorably influence recognition of
      delirium. Educational interventions to recognize delirium are most effective when
      formal teaching is interactive and is combined with strategies including engaging
      leadership and using clinical pathways and assessment tools. The goal of the
      current study was to systematically review the published literature to determine
      the effect of educational interventions on recognition of delirium. 

PMID- 24219201
TI  - Potentially inappropriate medication use in veterans residing in community living
      centers: have we gotten better?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of medications classified as inappropriate
      according to the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) in elderly
      veterans residing in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes from 2004
      to 2009 and to identify participant-specific correlates of use. DESIGN:
      Retrospective, cross-sectional study using VA administrative data merged with
      participant-specific data from the Minimum Data Set. SETTING: VA nursing homes
      (community living centers (CLCs)). PARTICIPANTS: Veterans aged 65 and older
      residing in CLCs at the time of the prescribed medication use (N = 176,168).
      MEASUREMENTS: The number of exposed veterans aged 65 and older per facility
      receiving at least one HEDIS high-risk medication was determined. RESULTS:
      Between 2004 and 2009, 28,970 of 176,168 (mean 16.4 +/- 9.5%) veterans received
      at least one HEDIS high-risk medication. Over the period, the number of veterans
      receiving high-risk medications decreased steadily from 23.9 +/- 10.0% in 2004 to
      10.0 +/- 6.6% in 2009. Nevertheless, large facility variations remained in 2009,
      with rates from 0% to 44.4%. Certain characteristics were also associated with
      HEDIS high-risk medication use, including female sex (odds ratio (OR) = 1.6; 95%
      confidence interval (CI) = 1.25-2.04), cancer (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.08-1.32),
      renal disease (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01-1.33), chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.05-1.28), and diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.11, 95% CI
      = 1.02-1.22). Protective characteristics included age 75 and older (OR = 0.81,
      95% CI = 0.73-0.90) and having a diagnosis of moderate (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.64
      0.82) or severe (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.61-0.85) cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION:
      The use of HEDIS medications among elderly veterans residing in VA nursing homes
      has markedly improved. Nevertheless, significant variations between facilities
      and certain subpopulations remain. A low percentage of women at VA CLCs make
      comparisons with community nursing homes difficult.

PMID- 24219202
TI  - Preliminary data from an advanced dementia consult service: integrating research,
      education, and clinical expertise.
AB  - Hospitalized individuals with advanced dementia often receive care that is of
      limited clinical benefit and inconsistent with preferences. An advanced dementia
      consultation service was designed, and a pre and post pilot study was conducted
      in a Boston hospital to evaluate it. Geriatricians and a palliative care nurse
      practitioner conducted consultations, which consisted of structured consultation,
      counseling and provision of an information booklet to the family, and
      postdischarge follow-up with the family and primary care providers. Individuals
      aged 65 and older with advanced dementia who were admitted were identified, and
      consultations were solicited using pop-ups programmed into the computerized
      provider order entry (POE) system. In the initial 3-month period, 24 subjects
      received usual care. In the subsequent 3-month period, consultations were
      provided to five subjects for whom they were requested. Data were obtained from
      the electronic medical record and proxy interviews (admission, 1 month after
      discharge). Mean age of the combined sample (N = 29) was 85.4, 58.6% were from
      nursing homes, and 86.2% of their proxies stated that comfort was the goal of
      care. Nonetheless, their hospitalizations were characterized by high rates of
      intravenous antibiotics (86.2%), more than five venipunctures (44.8%), and
      radiological examinations (96.6%). Acknowledging the small sample size, there
      were trends toward better outcomes in the intervention group, including greater
      proxy knowledge of the disease, better communication between proxies and
      providers, more advance care planning, lower rehospitalization rates, and fewer
      feeding tube insertions after discharge. Targeted consultation for advanced
      dementia is feasible and may promote greater engagement of proxies and goal
      directed care after discharge.

PMID- 24219203
TI  - Paying the price: the pressing need for quality, cost, and outcomes data to
      improve correctional health care for older prisoners.
AB  - Despite a recent decline in the U.S. prison population, the older prisoner
      population is growing rapidly. U.S. prisons are constitutionally required to
      provide health care to prisoners. As the population ages, healthcare costs rise,
      states are forced to cut spending, and many correctional agencies struggle to
      meet this legal standard of care. Failure to meet the healthcare needs of older
      prisoners, who now account for nearly 10% of the prison population, can cause
      avoidable suffering in a medically vulnerable population and violation of the
      constitutional mandate for timely access to an appropriate level of care while
      incarcerated. Older prisoners who cannot access adequate health care in prison
      also affect community healthcare systems because more than 95% of prisoners are
      eventually released, many to urban communities where healthcare disparities are
      common and acute healthcare resources are overused. A lack of uniform quality and
      cost data has significantly hampered innovations in policy and practice to
      improve value in correctional health care (achieving desired health outcomes at
      sustainable costs). With their unique knowledge of complex chronic disease
      management, experts in geriatrics are positioned to help address the aging crisis
      in correctional health care. This article delineates the basic health, cost, and
      outcomes data that geriatricians and gerontologists need to respond to this
      crisis, identifies gaps in the available data, and anticipates barriers to data
      collection that, if addressed, could enable clinicians and policy-makers to
      evaluate and improve the value of geriatric prison health care. 

PMID- 24219206
TI  - Therapeutic effects of exercise on cognitive function.

PMID- 24219204
TI  - Guidelines abstracted from the American Geriatrics Society Guidelines for
      Improving the Care of Older Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: 2013 update.

PMID- 24219205
TI  - Management of cardiovascular disease risk factors in older adults with type 2
      diabetes mellitus: 2002-2012 literature review.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic conditions in
      older adults and is often accompanied by comorbidities and geriatric syndromes.
      The management of cardiovascular disease risk factors in older adults with DM is
      important to clinicians. The literature was reviewed from 2002 to 2012 to provide
      an American Geriatrics Society expert panel with an evidence base for updating
      and making new recommendations for improving the care of older adults with type 2
      DM. This review includes only the domains of the management of blood pressure,
      lipid control, glycemic control, and use of aspirin. Over the last 10 years, new
      randomized controlled trials (RCT) designed to study different blood pressure
      treatment targets did not find evidence that intensive systolic blood pressure
      control (<130 mmHg) resulted in lower rates of myocardial infarction and
      mortality than less-intensive control. There are risks of side effects with
      achieving systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mmHg. Lipid-lowering statins
      are effective in reducing cardiovascular events in middle-aged and older adults,
      but data on niacin and fibrates is limited. Trials of statins and other lipid
      lowering agents do not evaluate the cardiovascular effects on outcomes from
      treating lipids to different low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets. No RCTs
      of lipid-lowering drugs enrolled significant numbers of adults aged 80 and older
      with or without DM. Three major RCTs that investigated intensive glycemic control
      did not find reductions in primary cardiovascular endpoints, and one study
      reported greater mortality with glycosylated hemoglobin of less than 6%. Two
      recently published RCTs were designed to study the cardiovascular benefits of
      aspirin use by individuals with DM. Neither trial found significantly fewer
      primary cardiovascular endpoints with aspirin than in control groups. Overall,
      RCTs enrolled few adults aged 80 and older or with significant comorbidities.
      More research is needed for clinicians to effectively customize care to older
      adults with DM because of heterogeneity in health status, comorbidities, duration
      of disease, frailty and functional status, and differences in life expectancy.

PMID- 24219207
TI  - It's time for a talk about measuring cost and corrections.

PMID- 24219208
TI  - The Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 predicts mortality in older adults with later
      stage colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy: a prospective pilot study.

PMID- 24219209
TI  - Antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor positivity in healthy elderly
      adults: a cross-sectional study in 336 individuals.

PMID- 24219210
TI  - Evaluation of primary nonadherence to oral bisphosphonate therapy.

PMID- 24219211
TI  - Vertebral fractures in elderly adults: atypical presentation rather than
      asymptomatic.

PMID- 24219212
TI  - All-cause mortality in elderly adults diagnosed with cardiorenal syndrome after
      an internal medicine unit admission.

PMID- 24219213
TI  - Severe sensory neuropathy increases risk of heel pressure ulcer in older adults.

PMID- 24219214
TI  - Risk of proton pump inhibitor-induced mild hyponatremia in older adults.

PMID- 24219215
TI  - Ageism in interventional stroke studies.

PMID- 24219216
TI  - Sundowning syndrome and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation in
      individuals with Alzheimer's disease: is there an association?

PMID- 24219217
TI  - Acquired hemophilia in a nonagenarian: a case report.

PMID- 24219218
TI  - A diagnosis of idiopathic basal ganglia calcification in an 82-year-old man.

PMID- 24219219
TI  - Mortals who are reconciled to being mortal.

PMID- 24219220
TI  - Response letter to Thomas Finucane, MD.

PMID- 24219221
TI  - Response to Thomas Finucane.

PMID- 24219222
TI  - Periodontitis, edentulism, and dementia.

PMID- 24219223
TI  - Sustainable energy recovery in wastewater treatment by microbial fuel cells:
      stable power generation with nitrogen-doped graphene cathode.
AB  - Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) recover energy sustainably in wastewater treatment.
      Performance of non-noble cathode catalysts with low cost in neutral medium is
      vital for stable power generation. Nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) as cathode
      catalyst was observed to exhibit high and durable activity at buffered pH 7.0
      during electrochemical measurements and in MFCs with respect to Pt/C counterpart.
      Electrochemical measurements showed that the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on
      NG possessed sustained activity close to the state-of-art Pt/C in terms of onset
      potential and electron transfer number. NG-MFCs displayed maximum voltage output
      of 650 mV and maximum power density of 776 +/- 12 mW m(-2), larger than 610 mV
      and 750 +/- 19 mW m(-2) of Pt/C-MFCs, respectively. Furthermore, long-time test
      lasted over 90 days, during which the maximum power density of NG-MFCs declined
      by 7.6%, with stability comparable to Pt/C-MFCs. Structure characterization of NG
      implied that the relatively concentrated acidic oxygen-containing groups improved
      such long-time stability by repelling the protons due to the same electrostatic
      force, and thus the C-N active centers for ORR were left undestroyed. These
      findings demonstrated the competitive advantage of NG to advance the application
      of MFCs for recovering biomass energy in treatment of wastewater with neutral pH.

PMID- 24219224
TI  - Behavior of lyophilized biological valves in a chronic animal model.
AB  - Glutaraldehyde is used in order to improve the mechanical and immunogenic
      properties of biological tissues, such as bovine pericardium membranes, used to
      manufacture heart valve bioprostheses. Lyophilization, also known as freeze
      drying, preserves biological material without damage by freezing the water
      content and removing ice by sublimation. Through this process, dehydrated
      products of high quality may be obtained; also, the material may be easily
      handled. The lyophilization process reduces aldehyde residues in biological
      tissue previously treated with glutaraldehyde, thus promoting reduction of
      cytotoxicity, increasing resistance to inflammation, and possibly decreasing the
      potential for tissue calcification. The objective of this study was to
      chronically evaluate the calcification of bovine pericardium heart valve
      prostheses, previously lyophilized or not, in an animal model. Six-month-old
      sheep received implants of lyophilized and unlyophilized heart valve prostheses
      in the pulmonary position with right bypass. The study followed 16 animals for a
      period of 90 days. Right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV/PA) transvalvular
      pressure gradient was evaluated before and immediately after implantation and
      before explantation, as were tissue calcium, inflammation intensity, and
      thrombosis and pannus formation. The t-test was used for statistical analysis.
      Twelve animals survived to the end of the experiment, but one of the animals in
      the control group had endocarditis and was excluded from the data. Four animals
      died early. The mean RV/PA gradient on implantation was 2.0 +/- 1.6 mm Hg in the
      control group and 6.2 +/- 4.1 mm Hg in the lyophilized group (P = 0.064). This
      mean gradient increased at explantation to 7.7 +/- 3.9 mm Hg and 8.6 +/- 5.8 mm
      Hg, respectively (P = 0.777). The average calcium content in the tissue leaflets
      after 3 months was 21.6 +/- 39.1 mg Ca(2+)/g dry weight in the control group,
      compared with an average content of 41.2 +/- 46.9 mg Ca(2+)/g dry weight in the
      lyophilized group (P = 0.478). In this experimental study there was no reduction
      of calcification after lyophilization. However, histological analysis showed less
      inflammation over the lyophilized tissue when compared with the control.

PMID- 24219225
TI  - Association of OSMR gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic
      lupus erythematosus patients.
AB  - Cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Oncostatin M
      receptor (OSMR) activates JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways leading to the stimulation
      of a variety of cytokines and inflammatory substances. Many pro-inflammatory
      cytokines are involved in the inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
      and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we carried out experiments
      to examine the relationship of OSMR promoter polymorphisms with RA and SLE
      patients. 241 patients of RA, 143 patients of SLE and 203 healthy controls were
      enrolled in their recruitment from the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.
      Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and gene
      polymorphism was genotyped by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. The
      OMSR promoter region -100 G/T (rs22922016) genotype was in no relation to the
      susceptibility of RA, but -100 T/T (rs22922016) genotype could prevent the
      patients with sicca syndrome and the existence of anti-Ro antibodies. In
      contrast, the -100 G/T+T/T (rs22922016) genotypes were significantly associated
      with an increased risk of SLE (odds ratio, OR=1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI),
      1.01-2.62). 94.38% of SLE patients with arthritis were belonged to the -1687C/C
      (rs540558) genotype. The T allele of promoter region -100 T/T (rs22922016) has
      protective effect and could ameliorate the disease condition in RA patients,
      whereas the same T allele was a risk allele in the susceptibility of SLE. The
      disease severity of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus can be
      partially affected by the OSMR promoter polymorphisms.

PMID- 24219227
TI  - A multicentre matched-pair analysis comparing robot-assisted versus open partial
      nephrectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative, pathological and functional outcomes in
      two contemporary, large series of patients in different institutions and who
      underwent open partial nephrectomy (OPN) or robot-assisted PN (RAPN) for
      suspected renal tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective,
      multicentre, international, matched-pair analysis comparing patients who
      underwent RAPN or OPN for suspected renal cell carcinoma. Data on patients who
      underwent OPN were extracted by an Italian observational registry collecting data
      from 19 different centres. Data on patients who received RAPN were extracted from
      a multicentre, international database collecting cases treated in four high
      volume referral centres of robotic surgery. The matching was in a 1:1 ratio for
      the surgical approach and included 200 patients in each arm. RESULTS: The mean
      warm ischaemia time was shorter in the OPN group than in the RAPN group, at a
      mean (SD) of 15.4 (5.9) vs 19.2 (7.3) min (P < 0.001). Conversely, the median
      (interquartile range) estimated blood loss was 150 (100-300) mL in the OPN group
      and 100 (50-150) mL in the RAPN group (P < 0.001). There were no differences in
      operating time (P = 0.18) and the intraoperative complication rate (P = 0.31)
      between the approaches. Postoperative complications were recorded in 43 (21.5%)
      patients who underwent OPN and in 28 (14%) who received RAPN (P = 0.02).
      Moreover, major complications (grade 3-4) were reported in nine (4.5%) patients
      after OPN and in nine (4.5%) after RAPN. Positive margins were detected in nine
      (5.5%) patients after OPN and in nine (5.7%) after RAPN (P = 0.98). The mean (SD)
      3-month estimated glomerular filtration rate declined by 16.6 (18.1) mL/min from
      the preoperative value in the OPN group and by 16.4 (22.9) mL/min in the RAPN
      group (P = 0.28). CONCLUSION: RAPN can achieve equivalent perioperative, early
      oncological and functional outcomes as OPN. Moreover, RAPN is a less invasive
      approach, offering a lower risk of bleeding and postoperative complications than
      OPN.

PMID- 24219228
TI  - Chemical composition, nutritional and antioxidant properties of the red edible
      seaweed Porphyra columbina.
AB  - Proximate composition, fatty acids and amino acid profiles and nutritional
      (chemical score, protein digestibility, PDCAAS and mineral dialyzability) and
      antioxidant properties (TEAC, DPPH and power reduction) from Porphyra columbina
      were evaluated. Total dietary fiber (48.02 +/- 1.13 g/100 g dry weight) and
      protein (24.61 +/- 0.21 g/100 g dry weight) were the two most abundant components
      in this seaweed. The main saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were C16:0 and
      C20:5 (n-3), respectively. The limiting amino acid was tryptophan with a chemical
      score of 57%. Protein digestibility was 74.33 +/- 3.0%. Porphyra columbina has
      high mineral content with good Na/K relationship and medium value of potential
      mineral accessibility (P, Ca and Zn dializability: 18.75 +/- 0.01, 17.62 +/- 0.16
      and 16.70 +/- 0.44, respectively). The highest antioxidant properties were
      obtained with an acetone/water extraction system. This work provides important
      information about chemical composition and nutraceutical new properties of P.
      columbina.

PMID- 24219229
TI  - Quantifying the temperature dependence of glycine-betaine RNA duplex
      destabilization.
AB  - Glycine-betaine (GB) stabilizes folded protein structure because of its
      unfavorable thermodynamic interactions with amide oxygen and aliphatic carbon
      surface area exposed during protein unfolding. However, GB can attenuate nucleic
      acid secondary structure stability, although its mechanism of destabilization is
      not currently understood. Here we quantify GB interactions with the surface area
      exposed during thermal denaturation of nine RNA dodecamer duplexes with guanine
      cytosine (GC) contents of 17-100%. Hyperchromicity values indicate increasing GB
      molality attenuates stacking. GB destabilizes higher-GC-content RNA duplexes to a
      greater extent than it does low-GC-content duplexes due to greater accumulation
      at the surface area exposed during unfolding. The accumulation is very sensitive
      to temperature and displays characteristic entropy-enthalpy compensation. Since
      the entropic contribution to the m-value (used to quantify GB interaction with
      the RNA solvent-accessible surface area exposed during denaturation) is more
      dependent on temperature than is the enthalpic contribution, higher-GC-content
      duplexes with their larger transition temperatures are destabilized to a greater
      extent than low-GC-content duplexes. The concentration of GB at the RNA surface
      area exposed during unfolding relative to bulk was quantified using the solute
      partitioning model. Temperature correction predicts a GB concentration at 25 
      degrees C to be nearly independent of GC content, indicating that GB destabilizes
      all sequences equally at this temperature. 

PMID- 24219230
TI  - Exploring the aggregation propensity of gammaS-crystallin protein variants using
      two-dimensional spectroscopic tools.
AB  - The formation of amyloid fibrils is associated with many serious diseases as well
      as diverse biological functions. Despite the importance of these aggregates,
      predicting the aggregation propensity of a particular sequence is a major
      challenge. We report a joint 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultraviolet
      (2DUV) study of fibrillization in the wild-type and two aggregation-prone mutants
      of the eye lens protein gammaS-crystallin. Simulations show that the complexity
      of 2DUV signals as measured by their "approximate entropy" is a good indicator
      for the conformational entropy and in turn is strongly correlated with its
      aggregation propensity. These findings are in agreement with high-resolution NMR
      experiments and are corroborated for amyloid fibrils. The 2DUV technique is
      complementary to high-resolution structural methods and has the potential to make
      the evaluation of the aggregation propensity for protein variant propensity of
      protein structure more accessible to both theory and experiment. The approximate
      entropy of experimental 2DUV signals can be used for fast screening, enabling
      identification of variants with high fibrillization propensity for the much more
      time-consuming NMR structural studies, potentially expediting the
      characterization of protein variants associated with cataract and other protein
      aggregation diseases. 

PMID- 24219234
TI  - Spatial-memory deficit in schizophrenia spectrum disorders under viewpoint
      independent demands in the virtual courtyard task.
AB  - This study builds upon our previous work indicating that impaired hippocampal
      dependent forms of memory are core to schizophrenia. Using a virtual-reality
      courtyard task, we presented participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
      (SSD; n = 20) and a healthy community comparison group (n = 20) with objects to
      remember within a town square, followed by a recognition test of the location of
      objects from either the same viewpoint or a shifted viewpoint relative to initial
      presentation. The SSD group demonstrated a relative deficit under shifted-
      compared to same-view conditions. These findings provide further support for
      deficient hippocampal-dependent cognition in SSD. 

PMID- 24219231
TI  - Latent class analysis of substance use among adolescents presenting to urban
      primary care clinics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polysubstance use during adolescence is a significant public health
      concern. However, few studies have investigated patterns of substance use during
      this developmental window within the primary care setting. OBJECTIVES: This study
      used an empirical method to classify adolescents into substance use groups, and
      examines correlates of the empirically defined groups. METHODS: Data came from
      patients, ages 12-18 years, presenting to an urban, primary care community health
      clinics (Federally Qualified Health Centers) in two cities in the Midwestern
      United States (n = 1664). Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify
      classes of substance users. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine
      variables associated with class membership. RESULTS: LCA identified three
      classes: class 1 (64.5%) exhibited low probabilities of all types of substance
      use; class 2 (24.6%) was characterized by high probabilities of cannabis use and
      consequences; and class 3 (10.9%) had the highest probabilities of substance use,
      including heavy episodic drinking and misuse of prescription drugs. Those in
      class 2 and class 3 were more likely to be older and have poorer grades, poorer
      health, higher levels of psychological distress and more sexual partners than
      those in class 1. Individuals in class 3 were also less likely to be African
      American than those in class 1. CONCLUSION: Findings provide novel insight into
      the patterns of substance use among adolescents presenting to low-income urban
      primary care clinics. Future research should examine the efficacy of
      interventions that address the complex patterns of substance use and concomitant
      health concerns among adolescents.

PMID- 24219235
TI  - Structural and functional changes relevant to maxillary arterial flow observed
      during computed tomography and nonselective digital subtraction angiography in
      cats with the mouth closed and opened.
AB  - Some cats develop blindness during procedures with mouth gags, which possibly
      relates to maxillary arterial occlusion by opening the mouth. Our first aim was
      to use computed tomography (CT) to describe how vascular compression is possible
      based on morphologic differences between mouth positions. Our second aim was to
      use nonselective digital subtraction angiography to assess whether opening the
      mouth induces collateral circulation. Six healthy cats were examined. During CT,
      the maxillary artery coursed between the angular process of the mandible and the
      rostrolateral wall of the tympanic bulla. The median distance between these
      structures was shorter when the mouth was opened (left, 4.3 mm; right, 3.6 mm)
      vs. closed (left, 6.9 mm; right, 7.1 mm). Additionally, the distance was shorter
      on the side ipsilateral to the gag (P = 0.03). During nonselective angiography,
      with the mouth closed, there was strong sequential opacification of the external
      carotid arteries, maxillary arteries, maxillary retia mirabilia, cerebral
      arterial circle, and basilar artery. Additionally, there was uniform
      opacification of the cerebrum and cerebellum. With the mouth opened,
      opacification of the maxillary arteries (rostral to the angular processes) was
      reduced in all cats, the cerebral arterial circle and basilar artery had
      simultaneous opacification in four of six (67%) cats, and the cerebrum had
      reduced opacification compared to the cerebellum in four of six (67%). In
      conclusion, the maxillary arteries are situated such that they can be compressed
      when opening the mouth. Opening the mouth did not consistently induce collateral
      circulation sufficient to produce comparable cerebral opacification as when the
      mouth was closed.

PMID- 24219237
TI  - Gene-environment interactions at the FKBP5 locus: sensitive periods, mechanisms
      and pleiotropism.
AB  - Psychiatric phenotypes are multifactorial and polygenic, resulting from the
      complex interplay of genes and environmental factors that act cumulatively
      throughout an organism's lifetime. Adverse life events are strong predictors of
      risk for a number of psychiatric disorders and a number of studies have focused
      on gene-environment interactions (GxEs) occurring at genetic loci involved in the
      stress response. Such a locus that has received increasing attention is the gene
      encoding FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5), a heat shock protein 90 cochaperone of
      the steroid receptor complex that among other functions regulates sensitivity of
      the glucocorticoid receptor. Interactions between FKBP5 gene variants and life
      stressors alter the risk not only for mood and anxiety disorders, but also for a
      number of other disease phenotypes. In this review, we will focus on molecular
      and system-wide mechanisms of this GxE with the aim of establishing a framework
      that explains GxE interactions. We will also discuss how an understanding of the
      biological effects of this GxE may lead to novel therapeutic approaches. 

PMID- 24219236
TI  - Mitigation of ROS insults by Streptomyces secondary metabolites in primary
      cortical neurons.
AB  - Oxidative stress is a common point in neurodegenerative diseases, widely
      connected with mitochondrial dysfunction. In this study, we screened seven
      natural products from Streptomyces sources against hydrogen peroxide insult in
      primary cortical neurons, an oxidative stress in vitro model. We showed the
      ability of these compounds to inhibit neuronal cytotoxicity and to reduce ROS
      release after 12 h treatment. Among the tested compounds, the quinone
      anhydroexfoliamycin and the red pyrrole-type pigment undecylprodigiosin stand
      out. These two compounds displayed the most complete protection against oxidative
      stress with mitochondrial function improvement, ROS production inhibition, and
      increase of antioxidant enzyme levels, glutathione and catalase. Further
      investigations confirmed that anhydroexfoliamycin acts over the Nrf2-ARE pathway,
      as a Nrf2 nuclear translocation inductor, and is able to strongly inhibit the
      effect of the mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP over cytosolic Ca(2+), pointing to
      mitochondria as a cellular target for this molecule. In addition, both compounds
      were able to reduce caspase-3 activity induced by the apoptotic enhancer
      staurosporine, but undecylprodigiosin failed to inhibit FCCP effects and it did
      not act over the Nrf2 pathway as was the case for anhydroexfoliamycin. These
      results show that Streptomyces metabolites could be useful for the development of
      new drugs for prevention of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and
      Alzheimer's diseases and cerebral ischemia. 

PMID- 24219238
TI  - Perspectives on the ethical concerns and justifications of the 2006 Centers for
      Disease Control and Prevention HIV testing: HIV screening policy changes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 2006 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised
      recommendations for HIV testing in clinical settings contained seven specific
      changes to how health care facilities should provide HIV testing. These seven
      elements have been both supported and challenged in the lay and medical
      literature. Our first paper in BMC Medical Ethics presented an analysis of the
      three HIV testing procedural changes included in the recommendations. In this
      paper, we address the four remaining elements that concern HIV screening policy
      changes: (1) nontargeted HIV screening, (2) making HIV screening similar to
      screening for other treatable conditions, (3) increasing HIV screening without
      assured additional funding for linkage to care, and (4) making patients bear the
      costs of increased HIV screening in health care settings. METHODS: We interviewed
      25 members from the fields of US HIV advocacy, care, policy, and research about
      the ethical merits and demerits of the four changes to HIV screening policies. We
      performed a qualitative analysis of the participant responses in the interviews
      and summarized the major themes. RESULTS: Participants commented that nontargeted
      HIV screening and making HIV screening similar to screening for other treatable
      medical conditions was ethical when it broadened the scope of people being tested
      for HIV. However, they believed it was unethical when it did not respect the
      exceptional nature of HIV and HIV testing. Some participants favored more testing
      regardless if there was assured additional funding for linkage to care or if
      patients might bear the costs of testing because they believed that merely
      alerting patients of their status was beneficial and would lead to positive
      consequences. Other participants found ethical flaws with testing without assured
      linkage to care and patients bearing the costs of testing, as this could
      discriminate against those who could not pay. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest
      that there are fundamental ethical disagreements that shape views on CDC's
      recommended HIV testing policies. Differences remain on whether or not HIV
      remains an exceptional condition that requires it to be treated differently than
      other treatable conditions. Disagreement also exists on the responsibilities of
      health care providers and rights of patients in regards to screening in (1) the
      absence of assured linkage to care after an HIV diagnosis and (2) paying for the
      costs of HIV screening. Resolution of these disagreements is needed to serve the
      common goal of using testing to facilitate medical care for those who are HIV
      infected and for reducing HIV transmission.

PMID- 24219239
TI  - Anxiety reactivity and anxiety perseveration represent independent dimensions of
      anxiety vulnerability: an in vivo study.
AB  - Trait anxiety is a relatively stable disposition reflecting an individual's
      tendency to experience anxious symptomatology, typically measured using
      questionnaires such as the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T). While
      trait anxiety commonly is considered a unitary construct, recent questionnaire
      research suggests that two different dimensions of anxiety vulnerability account
      for independent variance in trait anxiety scores. These dimensions are anxiety
      reactivity (AR), reflecting the intensity of anxiety reactions to stressors, and
      anxiety perseveration (AP), reflecting the persistence of anxiety symptoms. This
      study investigated whether in vivo measures of these two facets independently
      contribute to anxiety vulnerability. Seventy-two participants were exposed to a
      novel stress task designed to yield measures of AR and AP. Regression analysis
      determined that these in vivo measures were unrelated to each other, and each
      accounted for independent variance in trait anxiety scores. The implications of
      these findings for the assessment and understanding of anxiety vulnerability are
      discussed.

PMID- 24219240
TI  - Evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function by global strain rate imaging
      in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a simultaneous speckle
      tracking echocardiography and cardiac catheterization study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is a common
      pathophysiological feature of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
      The noninvasive evaluation of diastolic function in these patients remains a
      challenge. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) provides direct information on
      intrinsic myocardial function and may improve the diagnostic of diastolic
      dysfunction in HCM patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed 51
      patients with obstructive HCM (HOCM). Strain rate (SR) curves were obtained for
      18 different segments of the LV myocardium. The peak SR during the isovolumic
      relaxation period (SRIVR ) and the peak early diastolic strain rate (SRE ) were
      measured for each segment. Cardiac catheterization was performed within 24 hours
      after echocardiographic analysis. LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was measured
      and time constant of myocardial relaxation (tau) was calculated. We therefore
      correlated STE-derived with invasive indices and compared it with flow and tissue
      Doppler measurements. SRIVR and SRE were significantly reduced in all 51 HOCM
      patients (0.16 +/- 0.09%/sec and 0.71 +/- 0.25%/sec).The ratio of peak early
      mitral inflow velocities to SRIVR and SRE (E/SRIVR and E/SRE ) correlated well
      with LVEDP (r = 0.760, P < 0.001; r = 0.401, P = 0.004). Receiver operating
      characteristic analysis shown E/SRE ratio had the largest under curve area in
      predicting HOCM patients with seriously elevated LVEDP. In addition, SRIVR and
      SRE significantly related with tau (r = -0.611, P < 0.001; r = -0.369, P =
      0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic function was seriously impaired in HOCM patients.
      The E/SRE ratio can be used to predict LVEDP with acceptable accurate in HOCM
      patients. In addition, SRIVR is a reliable parameter to assess LV relaxation in
      patients with HOCM.

PMID- 24219241
TI  - Diversity-oriented approaches to unusual alpha-amino acids and peptides: step
      economy, atom economy, redox economy, and beyond.
AB  - Here we describe several useful strategies to a variety of unusual alpha-amino
      acid derivatives and peptides based on "building block" approach. These building
      blocks are suitable for modification at an amino acid as well as at a peptide
      level. Moreover, these methods have embedded several points for diversification
      and are capable of producing a library of modified amino acids and peptides. We
      have employed highly atom-economic processes such as the Diels-Alder reaction, [2
      + 2 + 2] cycloaddition, Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, and olefin metathesis as
      key steps to assemble various unnatural amino acid derivatives and peptides. In
      some instances, we have used rongalite to generate Diels-Alder precursors. 

PMID- 24219242
TI  - The role of PIN1 on odontogenic and adipogenic differentiation in human dental
      pulp stem cells.
AB  - Recently, the involvement of PIN1, a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, has
      been reported in age-related bone homeostasis and adipogenesis. However, the role
      of PIN1 during odontogenic and adipogenic differentiation remains to be fully
      understood, particularly regarding human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs). Thus,
      in the present study, we have investigated the role of PIN1 in odontogenic and
      adipogenic differentiation of HDPSCs and signaling pathways possibly involved.
      PIN1 mRNA and protein level were upregulated in a time-dependent manner during
      adipogenic differentiation, increasing until 1 day of odontogenic induction and
      then steadily declined during odontogenic differentiation. Treatment of a known
      PIN1 inhibitor, juglone, significantly increased odontogenic differentiation as
      confirmed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, and mRNAs
      induction of odontogenic markers [ALP, osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN),
      dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), and dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP-1)]. On the
      contrary, adipogenic differentiation was dramatically reduced upon juglone
      treatment, with concomitant downregulation of lipid droplet accumulation and
      adipogenic marker genes [peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor gamma
      (PPARgamma), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein
      (AP2)]. In contrast to PIN1 inhibition, the overexpression of PIN1 via adenoviral
      infection (Ad-PIN1) in HDPSCs inhibited odontogenic differentiation but increased
      adipogenic differentiation, in which stem cell property markers such as stage
      specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4) and STRO-1 were upregulated during
      odontogenic differentiation but downregulated in adiopogenic differentiation.
      Consistently, juglone-mediated inhibition of PIN1 augmented the osteogenic medium
      (OM)-induced activation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Wnt/beta-catenin,
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and
      nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway, which response was reversed by Ad
      PIN1. Moreover, juglone blocked the adipogenic induction medium-induced
      activation of PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, C/EBPbeta, ERK, and NF-kappaB pathways,
      which was rescued by Ad-PIN1 infection. In summary, the present study shows for
      the first time that PIN1 acts as an important modulator of odontogenic and
      adipogenic differentiation of HDPSCs and may have clinical implications for
      regenerative dentistry. 

PMID- 24219243
TI  - Combined delivery of BCNU and VEGF siRNA using amphiphilic peptides for
      glioblastoma.
AB  - Combined delivery of chemical drug and therapeutic gene has been introduced as an
      efficient method for the treatment of cancers such as glioblastoma. In this
      study, bis-chloroethylnitrosourea (BCNU) and vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) small interfering RNA (VEGF-siRNA) were co-delivered into C6 glioblastoma
      cells using a non-toxic peptide-based carrier. The R3V6 peptides, which are
      composed of 3-arginine and 6-valine, formed self-assembled micelles in aqueous
      solution. BCNU, a hydrophobic anti-cancer drug, was loaded into the hydrophobic
      core of the micelles, forming BCNU-loaded R3V6 micelles (R3V6-BCNU). In gel
      retardation assay, R3V6-BCNU formed a stable complex with siRNA. In vitro
      transfection assay showed that the VEGF-siRNA/R3V6-BCNU complex had the highest
      transfection efficiency into C6 cells at a 1:20 weight ratio (VEGF-siRNA:R3V6
      BCNU). In addition, the VEGF-siRNA/R3V6-BCNU complexes had higher delivery
      efficiency than lipofectamine or naked siRNA. VEGF expressions were remarkably
      decreased by transfection of the VEGF-siRNA/R3V6 or VEGF-siRNA/R3V6-BCNU
      complexes. Furthermore, R3V6-BCNU delivered BCNU more efficiently into the cells
      than BCNU only. Therefore, R3V6 delivered both VEGF-siRNA and BCNU efficiently
      into the glioblastoma cells. The results suggest that R3V6-BCNU may be useful for
      combined delivery of siRNA and chemical drug into cancer cells.

PMID- 24219244
TI  - The use of high-frequency ultrasound imaging and biofluorescence for in vivo
      evaluation of gene therapy vectors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-invasive imaging of the biodistribution of novel therapeutics
      including gene therapy vectors in animal models is essential. METHODS: This study
      assessed the utility of high-frequency ultrasound (HF-US) combined with
      biofluoresence imaging (BFI) to determine the longitudinal impact of a
      Herpesvirus saimiri amplicon on human colorectal cancer xenograft growth.
      RESULTS: HF-US imaging of xenografts resulted in an accurate and informative
      xenograft volume in a longitudinal study. The volumes correlated better with
      final ex vivo volume than mechanical callipers (R2 = 0.7993, p = 0.0002 vs. R2 =
      0.7867, p = 0.0014). HF-US showed that the amplicon caused lobe formation. BFI
      demonstrated retention and expression of the amplicon in the xenografts and
      quantitation of the fluorescence levels also correlated with tumour volumes.
      CONCLUSIONS: The use of multi-modal imaging provided useful and enhanced insights
      into the behaviour of gene therapy vectors in vivo in real-time. These relatively
      inexpensive technologies are easy to incorporate into pre-clinical studies.

PMID- 24219246
TI  - Top-down and bottom-up aspects of active search in a real-world environment.
AB  - Visual search has been studied intensively in the labouratory, but lab search
      often differs from search in the real world in many respects. Here, we used a
      mobile eye tracker to record the gaze of participants engaged in a realistic,
      active search task. Participants were asked to walk into a mailroom and locate a
      target mailbox among many similar mailboxes. This procedure allowed control of
      bottom-up cues (by making the target mailbox more salient; Experiment 1) and top
      down instructions (by informing participants about the cue; Experiment 2). The
      bottom-up salience of the target had no effect on the overall time taken to
      search for the target, although the salient target was more likely to be fixated
      and found once it was within the central visual field. Top-down knowledge of
      target appearance had a larger effect, reducing the need for multiple head and
      body movements, and meaning that the target was fixated earlier and from further
      away. Although there remains much to be discovered in complex real-world search,
      this study demonstrates that principles from visual search in the labouratory
      influence gaze in natural behaviour, and provides a bridge between these
      labouratory studies and research examining vision in natural tasks.

PMID- 24219245
TI  - Differentiating amino acid residues and side chain orientations in peptides using
      scanning tunneling microscopy.
AB  - Single-molecule measurements of complex biological structures such as proteins
      are an attractive route for determining structures of the large number of
      important biomolecules that have proved refractory to analysis through standard
      techniques such as X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance. We use a
      custom-built low-current scanning tunneling microscope to image peptide
      structures at the single-molecule scale in a model peptide that forms beta
      sheets, a structural motif common in protein misfolding diseases. We successfully
      differentiate between histidine and alanine amino acid residues, and further
      differentiate side chain orientations in individual histidine residues, by
      correlating features in scanning tunneling microscope images with those in energy
      optimized models. Beta sheets containing histidine residues are used as a model
      system due to the role histidine plays in transition metal binding associated
      with amyloid oligomerization in Alzheimer's and other diseases. Such measurements
      are a first step toward analyzing peptide and protein structures at the single
      molecule level. 

PMID- 24219247
TI  - Initial investigations into preschoolers' mirror-style versus transposed bodily
      imitation.
AB  - In typical development, imitation plays a key role in sociocognitive competence.
      The current study investigated a hypothesised developmental trajectory in face-to
      face full body imitation style in 91 preschoolers, as well as a relation between
      imitation style and theory of mind (ToM). Children's response style to 8
      lateralized action prompts was recorded as either "mirror" or "transposed."
      Overall, mirror-style response increased with age, and was predominant for
      children and an adult comparison group. Imitation style varied depending on the
      prompt given, with certain actions showing a side bias regardless of prompt
      viewed. Mirror-style response was correlated with ToM performance after
      controlling for language ability, but not after controlling for age. Findings are
      discussed regarding the hypothesised relation between postural synchrony and
      larger perspective-taking competence.

PMID- 24219248
TI  - The alpha1,3GalT knockout/alpha1,2FucT transgenic pig does not appear to have an
      advantage over the alpha1,3GalT knockout pig with respect to glycolipid
      reactivity with human serum antibodies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The human H-transferase (alpha2FucT) was introduced in Gal-negative
      pigs to produce pig organs not only free from Gal-antigens, but also in which the
      uncapped N-acetyllactosamine precursor had been transformed into non-xenogenic
      blood group H type 2 compounds. This work is the first descriptive analysis of
      glycolipids from the GalT-KO/FucT-TG pig. The aim was to investigate the cell
      membrane antigens in GalT-KO/FucT-TG tissues to explore its efficacy as an organ
      donor. Also, detailed knowledge on the correlation between the cellular
      glycosyltransferase configuration and the resulting carbohydrate phenotype
      expression is valuable from a basic glycobiological perspective. METHODS: Neutral
      and acidic glycolipids from GalT-KO/FucT-TG small intestine were compared with
      glycolipids from two wildtype and two GalT-KO pig intestines. Glycolipid
      reactivity was tested on thin layer chromatography plates using chemical
      reagents, antibodies, lectins, and human serum. Structural characterization of
      neutral glycolipids was performed by LC-ESI/MS and proton NMR spectroscopy.
      RESULTS: Characterization of the glycolipid expression in GalT-KO/FucT-TG
      intestine showed absence of Gal antigens and decreased/unchanged levels of the N
      acetyllactosamine precursor and the blood group H type 2 expression, when
      compared with the wildtype. The reactivity of human serum antibodies to GalT
      KO/FucT-TG derived glycolipids was similar or slightly elevated when compared
      with GalT-KO glycolipids. Results from LC-ESI/MS and proton NMR spectroscopy
      revealed no established neutral xenogenic antigens in the GalT-KO/FucT-TG pig,
      and could thus not explain the immunologic reactivity to human serum antibodies.
      The antibody binding to acidic glycolipids is most likely to be explained by the
      abundance of N-glycolylneuraminic acid epitopes in pig tissues. Six neutral
      complex biantennary glycolipids with blood group H type 1, 2, Lewis(x) and
      Lewis(y) determinants were found, of which three were identified in this work for
      the first time. One of these was a nonaglycosylceramide with blood group H type 2
      and lactosyl determinants linked to a lactotetraosyl core, and the other two were
      decaglycosylceramides with blood group H type 1 and H type 2 determinants linked
      to a neolactotetraosyl core, and Lewis(x) and blood group H type 1 determinants
      on a lactotetraosyl core, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lipid-linked carbohydrate
      antigens in the GalT-KO/FucT-TG pig intestine showed no or minor qualitative
      difference when compared with GalT-KO pigs. The GalT-KO/FucT-TG pig did not
      appear to have an advantage over the GalT-KO pig with respect to reactivity with
      human antibodies from a xenotransplantation perspective.

PMID- 24219249
TI  - Pain policy and abuse of prescription opioids in the USA: a cautionary tale for
      Europe.

PMID- 24219250
TI  - Lost in translation? Learning from the opioid epidemic in the USA.

PMID- 24219251
TI  - A randomised controlled trial comparing the GlideScope((r)) and the Macintosh
      laryngoscope for double-lumen endobronchial intubation.
AB  - Double-lumen endobronchial tubes are the most common method of achieving lung
      isolation and one-lung ventilation during thoracic anaesthesia and surgery. We
      compared the clinical performance of the Macintosh laryngoscope and the
      GlideScope((r)) during endobronchial intubation with a double-lumen tube. Seventy
      patients with no predictors for difficult laryngoscopy were allocated randomly to
      the Macintosh laryngoscope or GlideScope. The time taken for endobronchial
      intubation with the Macintosh laryngoscope was significantly shorter compared
      with that taken for the GlideScope, median (IQR [range]) 33 (22-52 [11-438]) s vs
      70 (39-129 [21-242]) s, respectively, p = 0.0013. There was no statistical
      difference in the rate of success at the first attempt (91% vs 83%,
      respectively). On a numerical rating scale (scored from 0 to 10), the 30
      anaesthetists who took part in the study rated endobronchial intubation overall
      as easier using the Macintosh compared with the GlideScope, 2 (1-3 [0-8]) vs 3 (2
      6 [0-10]), respectively, p = 0.003. Postoperative voice changes were also less
      common in the Macintosh group (8 (22%) vs 17 (58%), p = 0.045). Anaesthetists
      found the GlideScope more difficult to use than the Macintosh laryngoscope and
      endobronchial intubation took longer; therefore, we cannot recommend its routine
      use with double-lumen tubes in patients who are predicted to have a normal
      airway.

PMID- 24219252
TI  - A laboratory study of the effects of processing blood through a cell salvage
      device and leucocyte depletion filter on levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and
      bradykinin.
AB  - We investigated changes in concentrations of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6,
      tumour necrosis factor-alpha and bradykinin in blood during passage through a
      cell salvage device and a leucocyte depletion filter, with or without application
      of subatmospheric pressure across the filter. Blood samples from 19 healthy women
      undergoing scheduled caesarean section showed concentrations of cytokines and
      bradykinin in blood filtered under gravity flow that were equal to or
      significantly lower than those of pre-operative venous blood samples. They were
      also significantly lower than that in postoperative orthopaedic shed blood, which
      is commonly reinfused after orthopaedic surgery. A minority of samples taken from
      blood that had been filtered using subatmospheric pressure showed raised
      interleukin-6 concentrations. We suggest that use of a leucocyte depletion filter
      for cell-salvaged blood with gravity flow is likely to be safe with regard to
      concentrations of cytokines and bradykinin. However, this may not hold true for
      the filter used with subatmospheric pressure. If transfusion of salvaged blood
      using a leucocyte depletion filter seems to induce hypotension, elevation of
      interleukin-6 should be suspected. 

PMID- 24219254
TI  - Pre-operative nerve blocks for hip fracture - 1.

PMID- 24219255
TI  - Pre-operative nerve blocks for hip fracture - 3.

PMID- 24219256
TI  - Pre-operative nerve blocks for hip fracture - 2.

PMID- 24219257
TI  - Pre-operative femoral nerve block vs fascia iliaca block for femoral neck
      fracture - 4.

PMID- 24219258
TI  - Pre-operative femoral nerve block vs fascia iliaca block for femoral neck
      fracture - 6.

PMID- 24219259
TI  - Pre-operative femoral nerve block vs fascia iliaca block for femoral neck
      fracture - 5.

PMID- 24219260
TI  - Pre-operative femoral nerve block vs fascia iliaca block for femoral neck
      fracture - 7.

PMID- 24219261
TI  - Pre-operative femoral nerve block vs fascia iliaca block for femoral neck
      fracture - 9.

PMID- 24219262
TI  - Pre-operative femoral nerve block vs fascia iliaca block for femoral neck
      fracture - 8.

PMID- 24219263
TI  - Peri-operative fitness: a question of stamina?

PMID- 24219264
TI  - A reply.

PMID- 24219265
TI  - Entrapment of power cable.

PMID- 24219266
TI  - Brain oxygenation - does raised intracranial pressure play a role?

PMID- 24219267
TI  - Two stuck epidural catheters.

PMID- 24219268
TI  - Transient paralysis after cyclizine administration.

PMID- 24219269
TI  - A response from the manufacturers.

PMID- 24219270
TI  - Transient paralysis after cyclizine administration.

PMID- 24219271
TI  - Guidelines and use of dexamethasone for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

PMID- 24219272
TI  - A reply.

PMID- 24219273
TI  - Regional anaesthesia and patients with abnormalities of coagulation.

PMID- 24219274
TI  - A reply.

PMID- 24219275
TI  - Understanding processes of change: how some patients reveal more than others-and
      some groups of therapists less-about what matters in psychotherapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We identify difficulties researchers encounter in psychotherapy
      process-outcome investigations, and we describe several limitations of the
      popular "variance accounted for" approach to understanding the effects of
      psychotherapy. METHODS & RESULTS: Using data simulations, we show how the
      expected correlation between an excellent measure of therapy quality and outcome
      would be surprisingly small (approximately .25) under conditions likely to be
      common in psychotherapy research. Even when we modeled conditions designed to
      increase the likelihood that strong process-outcome relationships would be
      observed, we found that the expected correlations were still only in the modest
      range (.38-.51). CONCLUSIONS: We discuss the implications of our analysis for the
      interpretation of process-outcome findings as well as for design considerations
      in future investigations.

PMID- 24219277
TI  - The epigenetic potentials of dietary polyphenols in prostate cancer management.
AB  - Prostate cancer is a disease that is greatly affected by lifestyle, particularly
      diet, and is more prevalent in US and European countries compared with South and
      East Asia. Among several known causes and risk factors, nutrition plays an
      important role in prostate cancer pathogenesis. Various dietary components
      including polyphenols have been shown to possess anticancer properties. Dietary
      polyphenols have been the subject of extensive studies for the last decade
      because of their anticancer and chemopreventive potentials. Besides possessing
      various antitumor properties, dietary polyphenols also contribute to epigenetic
      changes associated with the fate of cancer cells and have emerged as potential
      drugs for therapeutic intervention. Various polyphenols have been shown to affect
      DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modifications, and microRNA expression
      patterns in prostate cancer. In this review, we discuss the contribution of
      dietary polyphenols to various epigenetic modifications in prostate cancer. Since
      prostate cancer and diet are intimately associated, polyphenol-rich diets that
      epigenetically modify tumor biology have great significance in the prevention and
      management of prostate cancer. 

PMID- 24219276
TI  - Pathological pigmentation in cardiac tissues of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)
      with cardiomyopathy syndrome.
AB  - It is widely accepted that melanin formation may play an immunologic role in
      invertebrates and ectothermic vertebrates. In farmed Atlantic salmon,
      cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) is a common viral disease associated with severe
      cardiac inflammation that may be accompanied by heavy melanisation of the heart.
      By the use of histology, laser capture microdissection and transcription analysis
      of tyrosinase genes, we here show that this melanisation is linked to de novo
      melanogenesis by melanomacrophages, suggesting an active part in the inflammatory
      reaction. No general systemic activation of the extracutaneous pigmentary system
      in response to viral infections with affinity to the heart was observed. 

PMID- 24219278
TI  - The oncogenic potential of Jumonji D2 (JMJD2/KDM4) histone demethylase
      overexpression.
AB  - The Jumonji D2 proteins (JMJD2/KDM4) function to demethylate di- and
      trimethylated (me2/3) histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2/3) and H3K36me3. Knockout mouse
      models for Kdm4b and Kdm4d have not resulted in gross abnormalities, while mouse
      models for Kdm4a and Kdm4c have not been reported. However, the KDM4 subfamily of
      demethylases are overexpressed in several tumor types. Overexpression of KDM4
      proteins alters transcription and chromatin remodeling, driving cellular
      proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, invasion, and migration. Increased
      proliferation occurs through KDM4-mediated modification of cell cycle timing, as
      well as through increased numbers of replication forks. Recent evidence also
      suggests that KDM4C overexpression contributes to the maintenance of a
      pluripotent state. Together these data suggest that overexpression of KDM4
      proteins induces numerous oncogenic effects. 

PMID- 24219279
TI  - Hitchhiker antigens: inconsistent ChIP results, questionable immunohistology
      data, and poor antibody performance may have a common factor.
AB  - Questionable data and poor antibody performance may have a common factor:
      antigens "hitchhiking" on the very antibodies designed to target them. Here I
      focus on histone hitchhikers and their antibodies, given the impact of chromatin
      immunoprecipitation on our understanding of DNA regulation. Caused by a lack of
      stringency during antibody purification, hitchhikers will impede important
      advances in chromatin research and therapeutics derived from that research, if
      similar circumstances in the study of lupus decades ago are any guide. Evidence
      of this phenomenon is reviewed, purification modifications for antibody
      manufacturing are suggested, and a histone hitchhiker detection procedure is
      provided. 

PMID- 24219281
TI  - Anticancer effects of crocetin in both human adenocarcinoma gastric cancer cells
      and rat model of gastric cancer.
AB  - This study investigated the therapeutic effect of crocetin, a carotenoid derived
      from saffron, on gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells and 1-methyl-3-nitro-1
      nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced gastric cancer in rats. An MTT assay showed a
      significant dose- and time-dependent inhibition of AGS cell proliferation as a
      result of crocetin administration. Flow cytometry and caspases activity assays
      revealed apoptosis had been induced in these cells; RT-PCR and Western blot
      analyses revealed the suppression of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax expression in
      AGS cells treated with crocetin. These changes were not observed in normal human
      fibroblast (HFSF-PI3) cells. Pathological study of the tumor tissue in MNNG
      induced gastric cancer in rats indicated the dose-dependent inhibition of tumor
      progression. In addition, crocetin reversed some changed biochemical parameters,
      including serum antioxidant activity and lactate dehydrogenase in rat serum. The
      present study demonstrates the antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and apoptotic
      activities of crocetin against gastric cancer that may benefit human stomach
      cancer treatment. 

PMID- 24219283
TI  - Comparative in vitro evaluation of transportability and toxicity of capecitabine
      and its metabolites in cells derived from normal human kidney and renal cancers.
AB  - The goal of this study was to understand roles of nucleoside and nucleobase
      transport processes in capecitabine pharmacology in cells derived from human
      renal proximal tubule cells (hRPTCs) and three human renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
      cell lines, A498, A704, and Caki-1. Human equilibrative nucleoside transporters 1
      and 2 (hENT1 and hENT2) mediated activities and a sodium-independent nucleobase
      activity were present in hRPTCs. In hRPTCs, uptake of 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine
      (DFUR), a nucleoside metabolite of capecitabine, was pH dependent with highest
      uptake seen at pH 6.0. In RCC cell lines, hENT1 was the major nucleoside
      transporter. Nucleobase transport activity was variable among the three RCC cell
      lines, with Caki-1 showing the highest and A498 showing the lowest activities.
      Treatment of RCC cell lines with interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) increased thymidine
      phosphorylase levels and prior treatment of RCC cell lines with IFN-alpha
      followed by 5-FU or DFUR resulted in enhanced sensitivity of all cell lines to 5
      FU and two of three cell lines to DFUR. We report for the first time a nucleobase
      transport activity in hRPTCs and RCC cell lines. In addition, our in vitro
      cytotoxicity results showed that RCC cell lines differed in their response to 5
      FU and DFUR and prior treatment with IFN-alpha potentiated cytotoxic response to
      metabolites of capecitabine. 

PMID- 24219282
TI  - p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase interacts with vinculin at focal adhesions
      during fatty acid-stimulated cell adhesion.
AB  - Arachidonic acid stimulates cell adhesion by activating alpha2beta1 integrins in
      a process that depends on protein kinases, including p38 mitogen activated
      protein kinase. Here, we describe the interaction of cytoskeletal components with
      key signaling molecules that contribute to the spreading of, and morphological
      changes in, arachidonic acid-treated MDA-MB-435 human breast carcinoma cells.
      Arachidonic acid-treated cells showed increased attachment and spreading on
      collagen type IV, as measured by electric cell-substrate impedance sensing. Fatty
      acid-treated cells displayed short cortical actin filaments associated with an
      increased number of beta1 integrin-containing pseudopodia, whereas untreated
      cells displayed elongated stress fibers and fewer clusters of beta1 integrins.
      Confocal microscopy of arachidonic acid-treated cells showed that vinculin and
      phospho-p38 both appeared enriched in pseudopodia and at the tips of actin
      filaments, and fluorescence ratio imaging indicated the increase was specific for
      the phospho-(active) form of p38. Immunoprecipitates of phospho-p38 from extracts
      of arachidonic acid-treated cells contained vinculin, and GST-vinculin fusion
      proteins carrying the central region of vinculin bound phospho-p38, whereas
      fusion proteins expressing the terminal portions of vinculin did not. These data
      suggest that phospho-p38 associates with particular domains on critical focal
      adhesion proteins that are involved in tumor cell adhesion and spreading, and
      that this association can be regulated by factors in the tumor microenvironment. 

PMID- 24219284
TI  - Activation of nucleotide oligomerization domain containing protein 1 induces
      lipolysis through NF-kappaB and the lipolytic PKA activation in 3T3-L1
      adipocytes.
AB  - Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. Toll-like receptors (TLR) and
      NOD-like receptors (NLR) are two families of pattern recognition receptors that
      play important roles in the immune response and inflammation in adipocytes.
      Activation of TLR4 has been shown to stimulate lipolysis from adipose tissue or
      adipocytes. However, effects of activation of nucleotide-oligomerization domain
      containing protein 1 (NOD1), one of the prominent members of NLRs, on adipocyte
      lipolysis have not been studied. Here we report that NOD1 activation by the
      synthetic ligands (Tri-DAP and C12-iEDAP) stimulated lipolysis in 3T3-L1
      adipocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. C12-iEDAP-induced lipolysis was
      attenuated with NOD1 siRNA knockdown, demonstrating the specificity of the
      effects. Moreover, inhibition of the protein kinase A (PKA)/hormone sensitive
      lipase (HSL) and NF-kappaB pathways by the pharmacological inhibitors attenuated
      the lipolytic effects of C12-iEDAP. Furthermore, we show NOD1 activation induced
      PKA activation independent of cAMP production and inhibition of NF-kappaB
      pathways attenuated phosphorylation of selected PKA lipolytic targets
      (phosphorylation of Perilipin Ser 517 and HSL Ser 563). Taken together, our
      results demonstrate a novel role of NOD1 activation, via NF-kappaB/PKA lipolytic
      activation, in inducing lipolysis in adipocytes and suggest that NOD1 activation
      may contribute to dyslipidemia in obesity. 

PMID- 24219285
TI  - Angiotensin II downregulates ACE2-mediated enhancement of MMP-2 activity in human
      cardiofibroblasts.
AB  - Angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2) is a component of the renin-angiotensin
      system (RAS) that negatively regulates angiotensin II (Ang II). Ang II, in turn,
      affects the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to induce heart
      remodeling. The specific mechanisms by which ACE2 regulates MMP-2, however,
      remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory
      relationships between Ang II, ACE2, and MMP-2. ACE2 expression was upregulated
      and downregulated in human cardiofibroblasts (HCFs) by lentiviral infection.
      Effects on MMP-2 activity, shed ACE2 activity, extracellular signal-regulated
      kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, and ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17 (ADAM17)
      expression were assessed. ACE2 increased MMP-2 activity, and Ang II inhibited
      this effect through the Ang II type-1 receptor (AT1R) and ERK1/2 signaling
      pathway. Ang II also reduced the effect of ACE2 on ERK1/2 levels, the activity of
      shed ACE2, and adam17 expression in HCFs. Additionally, these Ang II-mediated
      reductions could be attenuated by AT1R antagonist valsartan. In conclusion, these
      data help to clarify how ACE2 and Ang II interact to regulate MMP-2 and control
      tissue remodeling in heart disease. 

PMID- 24219286
TI  - Elevation of protein kinase Calpha stimulates osteogenic differentiation of
      mesenchymal stem cells through the TAT-mediated protein transduction system.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate toward various lineages,
      including the osteogenic lineage, and thus hold great potential for clinic
      purposes. By using pharmacological inhibitors, protein kinase C (PKC) signaling
      has been shown to either negatively or positively regulate differentiation of
      bone, however, due to the low transfection efficiency in MSCs, the role of
      individual PKC isoforms is still not fully understood. In this study, we
      established a TAT peptide-mediated transduction system that efficiently delivered
      PKCalpha proteins into MSCs in a non-invasive fashion. The increased PKCalpha
      protein levels significantly promoted osteogenic differentiation in the murine
      mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells and in primary MSCs from both human and mouse, as
      demonstrated by the enhanced activity of the osteoblast marker, alkaline
      phosphatase, and the enhanced expression of the key transcription factor runx2.
      Mineralization is an important functional indication for bone differentiation.
      Our results further showed that PKCalpha promoted expression of the important
      osteocalcin gene and the accumulation of calcium minerals. Taken together, this
      study provides direct evidence showing that PKCalpha positively regulates
      osteogenic differentiation and demonstrates that the TAT peptide-mediated method
      enables functional study of specific PKC isoforms in MSCs without using viral
      infection. This may promote the application of PKCs in therapeutic treatment. 

PMID- 24219287
TI  - Proteolytic antigens interfere with endosome/lysosome fusion in epithelial cells.
AB  - The airway epithelial barrier function is important in maintaining the
      homeostasis in the body. A number of airway disorders are associated with the
      epithelial barrier dysfunction. The present study aims to elucidate a possible
      mechanism by which the proteolytic allergens compromise the epithelial barrier
      function. The airway epithelial cell line, RPMI 2650 cells (Rp cells) and kidney
      epithelial cell line, MDCK cells, were cultured to be monolayers and used as an
      in vitro epithelial barrier model. House dust mite antigen, Der P1 (Der) was used
      as an antigen that has the proteolytic property. The epithelial barrier
      permeability and transepithelial resistance (TER) were used as the indicators of
      epithelial barrier function. Both epithelial cell lines could endocytose Der in
      the culture. Some of the Der was transported across the epithelial barrier to the
      basal chambers of the Transwells without affecting the TER. The endocytic Der
      could suppress the expression of ubiquitin E3 lases A20 and further interfered
      with the fusion of endosome/lysosome in the epithelial cells. Mite antigen, Der,
      can interfere with the fusion of endosome/lysosome in epithelial cells to induce
      the epithelial barrier dysfunction. 

PMID- 24219288
TI  - Vps1, a recycling factor for the traffic from early endosome to the late Golgi.
AB  - Recycling of cellular membranes and their constituents plays a role for cell
      survival and growth. In the budding yeast, there are recycling traffics from
      early and late endosomal compartments to the late Golgi. Here, we examined a
      possible role for Vps1, a large GTPase, in the recycling traffic of GFP-Snc1 from
      early endosomes to the late Golgi. In the absence of Vps1 we observed an aberrant
      accumulation of GFP-Snc1 puncta in the cytoplasm that we identified as early
      endosomes. The N-terminal GTPase and the C-terminal GED domains of Vps1 are
      essential for Vps1's function in Snc1 recycling. Our finding of genetic
      interactions of VPS1 with genes involved in early endosome-to-Golgi traffic
      further suggests Vps1 functions as a recycling factor in the membrane traffic.
      Finally, we provide evidence that the severe accumulation of GFP-Snc1 cytoplasmic
      puncta in vps1Delta cells is attributed to a mild defect in the retention of the
      GARP component Vps51 at the late Golgi, as well as a severe disruption of actin
      cables. 

PMID- 24219289
TI  - Interaction, mobility, and phosphorylation of human orthologues of WD repeat
      containing components of the yeast SSU processome t-UTP sub-complex.
AB  - We previously proposed a dynamic scaffold model for inner nuclear structure
      formation. In this model, structures in inter-chromatin regions are maintained
      through dynamic interaction of protein complex modules, and WD repeat- and
      disordered region-rich proteins and others act as scaffolds for these protein
      complexes. In this study, three WD-repeat proteins, i.e., CIRH1A, UTP15, and
      WDR43, were found in the nuclear matrix fraction and speculated to be present in
      the human t-UTP sub-complex of SSU processomes. The results obtained as to their
      subnuclear localization, binding with each other, mobilities, and phosphorylation
      were: (i) the majority of these proteins fused with GFP are localized to the
      fibrillar center region in nucleoli. (ii) these 3 proteins bind directly with
      each other in vitro. (iii) the movement of these proteins is very slow in living
      cells and independent of rDNA transcription. (iv) His-CIRH1A is phosphorylated at
      Thr(131) by a mitotic Xenopus egg extract, and binding with GST-UTP15 and GST
      WDR43 is suppressed. These findings and others suggest that these 3 WD proteins
      found in the matrix fraction bind directly with each other, bind tightly to
      fibrillar center regions, and comprise a part of the nucleolar structure. These
      results are also consistent with our dynamic scaffold model. 

PMID- 24219290
TI  - Role of the apical and basolateral domains of the enterocyte in the regulation of
      cholesterol transport by a high glucose concentration.
AB  - We have recently shown that a high glucose (HG) concentration raised intestinal
      cholesterol (CHOL) transport and metabolism in intestinal epithelial cells. The
      objective of the present work is to determine whether the stimulus for increased
      CHOL absorption by glucose originates from the apical site (corresponding to the
      intestinal lumen) or from the basolateral site (related to blood circulation). We
      tackled this issue by using differentiated Caco-2/15 cells. Only basolateral
      medium, supplemented with 25 mmol/L glucose, stimulated [(14)C]-CHOL uptake via
      the up-regulation of the critical CHOL transporter NPC1L1 protein, as confirmed
      by its specific ezetimibe inhibitor that abolished the rise in glucose-mediated
      CHOL capture. No significant changes were noted in SR-BI and CD36. Elevated CHOL
      uptake was associated with an increase in the transcription factors SREBP-2, LXR
      beta, and ChREBP, along with a fall in RXR-alpha. Interestingly, although the HG
      concentration in the apical medium caused modest changes in CHOL processing, its
      impact was synergetic with that of the basolateral medium. Our results suggest
      that HG concentration influences positively intestinal CHOL uptake when present
      in the basolateral medium. In addition, excessive consumption of diets containing
      high levels of carbohydrates may strengthen intestinal CHOL uptake in metabolic
      syndrome, thereby contributing to elevated levels of circulating CHOL and,
      consequently, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

PMID- 24219291
TI  - Implantation serine proteinase 2 is a monomeric enzyme with mixed serine
      proteolytic activity and can silence signalling via proteinase activated
      receptors.
AB  - Implantation serine proteinase 2 (ISP2), a S1 family serine proteinase, is known
      for its role in the critical processes of embryo hatching and implantation in the
      mouse uterus. Native implantation serine proteinases (ISPs) are co-expressed and
      co-exist as heterodimers in uterine and blastocyst tissues. The ISP1-ISP2 enzyme
      complex shows trypsin-like substrate specificity. In contrast, we found that
      ISP2, isolated as a 34 kDa monomer from a Pichia pastoris expression system,
      exhibited a mixed serine proteolytic substrate specificity, as determined by a
      phage display peptide cleavage approach and verified by the in vitro cleavage of
      synthetic peptides. Based upon the peptide sequence substrate selectivity, a
      database search identified many potential ISP2 targets of physiological
      relevance, including the proteinase activated receptor 2 (PAR2). The in vitro
      cleavage studies with PAR2-derived peptides confirmed the mixed substrate
      specificity of ISP2. Treatment of cell lines expressing proteinase-activated
      receptors (PARs) 1, 2, and 4 with ISP2 prevented receptor activation by either
      thrombin (PARs 1 and 4) or trypsin (PAR2). The disarming and silencing of PARs by
      ISP2 may play a role in successful embryo implantation. 

PMID- 24219292
TI  - 15(S)-HETE-induced angiogenesis in adipose tissue is mediated through activation
      of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
AB  - Chronic low-grade inflammation underlies obesity and associated metabolic
      dysfunctions. Lipoxygenase pathways are activated in adipose tissue during obese
      conditions. Since adipogenesis is associated with angiogenesis, the present study
      was designed to examine the role of 15-lipoxygenase metabolite, 15(S)
      hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [15(S)-HETE] on angiogenesis in adipose tissue.
      Results showed that 15(S)-HETE induced sprouting in fat pad stromovascular
      tissues, induced morphological changes relevant to angiogenesis in endothelial
      cells derived from adipose tissue, upregulated the production of CD31,
      upregulated the gene level expression and production of vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF), indicating the pro-angiogenic effect of 15(S)-HETE.
      LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K-Akt pathway, and rapamycin, inhibitor of mammalian
      target of rapamycin (mTOR), significantly reversed the effect of 15(S)-HETE.
      15(S)-HETE also induced activation of Akt and mTOR. These observations suggest
      that 15(S)-HETE stimulates angiogenesis in adipose tissue through activation of
      PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. 

PMID- 24219293
TI  - Intron retention: a human DKC1 gene common splicing event.
AB  - Identification of alternatively spliced transcripts produced by a gene is a
      crucial step in deciphering the bulk of its biological roles and the overall
      processes that regulate its activity. By using a combination of bioinformatic and
      molecular approaches we identified, cloned, and characterized 3 novel alternative
      splice isoforms derived from human dyskeratosis congenita 1 (hDKC1), an essential
      human gene causative of the X-linked dyskeratosis congenita disease and involved
      in multiple functions related to cell growth, proliferation, and telomere
      maintenance. Expression of the new isoforms, all characterized by intron
      retention, was confirmed by RT-PCR in a panel of diverse cell lines and normal
      human tissues, and despite the presence of premature termination codons, was not
      down-regulated by the mechanism of nonsense-mediated decay. Accumulation of these
      transcripts fluctuated distinctly in the diverse tissues and during in vitro
      differentiation of Caco2 cells, suggesting that their ratio may contribute to the
      gene functional diversity across different cell types. Intriguingly, the
      structure of one isoform leads to exonize an intronically encoded small nucleolar
      RNA (snoRNA), highlighting an additional layer of complexity that can contribute
      to overall gene regulation. 

PMID- 24219294
TI  - A combination of insulin and ubiquitin A20 promotes osteocalcin expression in
      adipose-derived stem cells.
AB  - Osteocyte generation can be used in bone defect repair; the generation efficiency
      needs to be further improved. This study aims to evaluate the role of ubiquitin
      A20 (A20) in facilitating the expression of osteocalcin in adipose-derived stem
      cells (ADSCs). In this study, adipose tissue was obtained from 10 healthy human
      subjects; ADSCs were isolated from the adipose samples. The ADSCs were
      transfected with core binding factor alpha 1 (Cbfa1) and/or insulin-like growth
      factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R). Expression of osteocalcin, A20 in ADSCs was assessed
      by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Apoptosis of ADSCs was
      analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that after the gene transfection
      and stimulation of insulin, the ADSCs expressed high levels of osteocalcin.
      However, apoptotic ADSCs were induced by the activation of IGF-1R. Exposure to
      insulin down-regulated the expression of Bcl-xL and A20, and increased Bax, in
      ADSCs. The addition of exogenous A20 prevented the ADSC apoptosis. We conclude
      that activation of IGF-1R can induce apoptosis in ADSCs, which can be prevented
      by addition of exogenous A20. 

PMID- 24219295
TI  - Dramatic differences in activity of purines metabolizing ecto-enzymes between
      mesenchymal stem cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood and umbilical
      cord tissue.
AB  - The high quality human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with remarkable expansion
      potential in culture are demonstrated to possess multifold clinical applications.
      However, their isolation and characterization are difficult and sometimes
      ambiguous. We exploited nucleotide metabolizing ecto-enzymes for more complete
      characterization of MSCs. Using standard methods of cell culturing and analyses,
      we detected significant differences in the activity of ecto-nucleotidases on the
      surface of MSCs isolated from umbilical cord tissue and MSC-like cells derived
      from umbilical cord blood. Interestingly, the proliferation rate and the
      immunophenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells also correspond to the
      activities of these enzymes. Compared with the CD90-, CD105-, and CD73-deficient
      and slowly proliferating UCB-MSC-like cells that had relatively higher ecto
      NTPDases activity, the CD90-, CD105-, and CD73-positive and rapidly proliferating
      UC-MSCs rather had ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity and presented neither ecto
      nucleotidases nor adenylate kinase activities. In summary, our results
      demonstrate for the first time that activity of purine nucleotide metabolizing
      ecto-enzymes differs significantly between mesenchymal stem cells drawn from
      different neonatal sources, corresponding with a distinct proliferative
      potential. 

PMID- 24219296
TI  - Recombinant human PDCD5 protein enhances chemosensitivity of breast cancer in
      vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Resistance to paclitaxel is common for treatment of breast cancer. Programmed
      cell death 5 (PDCD5) accelerates apoptosis in different cell types in response to
      various stimuli; moreover PDCD5 has been shown to be down-regulated in many
      tumors. In this study, protein levels of PDCD5 were found to be up-regulated in
      paclitaxel-treated MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. MTT, CCK-8, and clonogenic
      assays have shown that recombinant human PDCD5 (rhPDCD5) alone could not produce
      an obvious growth inhibition. However, upon paclitaxel triggering apoptosis,
      rhPDCD5 protein potentiated chemotherapeutic drugs-induced growth arrest in MDA
      MB-231, SK-BR-3, and ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells. In vivo, we use a human breast
      cancer xenograft model to study. We found that rhPDCD5 dramatically improves the
      antitumor effects of paclitaxel treatment by intraperitoneal administration.
      These data suggest that rhPDCD5 has the potential to use as a therapeutic agent
      to enhance the paclitaxel sensitivity of breast cancer cells. 

PMID- 24219298
TI  - Characterization of the T-dependent antibody response (TDAR) to keyhole limpet
      hemocyanin (KLH) in the Gottingen minipig.
AB  - Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the use of the minipig as an
      alternative to dogs and non-human primates for conducting toxicological
      assessments in non-rodent species. Since the T-dependent antibody response (TDAR)
      is one of the most widely-accepted assays used in the assessment of
      immunocompetence, the present study was undertaken to characterize the primary
      and secondary TDAR to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in the Gottingen
      Minipig((r)). Following primary immunization with either 2 or 10 mg KLH, anti
      swine IgM and IgG ELISAs were optimized and individual animal responses were
      evaluated over time. Immunization with 10 mg KLH on Day 0 promoted primary IgM
      responses that peaked 6-9 days after antigen administration, while primary IgG
      levels peaked on Day 13 or 14. Secondary IgG antibody levels (following secondary
      injection with 2 mg KLH on Day 14) plateaued on Days 20-22. Anti-KLH antibody
      levels were decreased in minipigs treated with cyclophosphamide (CPS), a known
      immunosuppressant, at doses ranging from 12.5-50 mg/kg/day, while antibody levels
      in animals treated with 2.5 mg CPS/kg/day were similar to levels in saline
      treated swine. These results demonstrate that the Gottingen Minipig((r)) can be a
      useful alternative non-rodent species to the dog and the non-human primate for
      evaluating the TDAR to KLH in regulatory assessments of immunotoxicity.

PMID- 24219299
TI  - Characterization of two passive air samplers for per- and polyfluoroalkyl
      substances.
AB  - Two passive air sampler (PAS) media were characterized under field conditions for
      the measurement of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the atmosphere.
      The PASs, consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) and sorbent-impregnated PUF (SIP)
      disks, were deployed for over one year in parallel with high volume active air
      samplers (HV-AAS) and low volume active air samplers (LV-AAS). Samples were
      analyzed for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluoroalkane sulfonic
      acids (PFSAs), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), fluorotelomer methacrylates
      (FTMACs), fluorotelomer acrylates (FTACs), perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs),
      and perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs). Sampling rates and the passive
      sampler medium (PSM)-air partition coefficient (KPSM-A) were calculated for
      individual PFASs. Sampling rates were similar for PFASs present in the gas phase
      and particle phase, and the linear sampling rate of 4 m(-3) d(-1) is recommended
      for calculating effective air sample volumes in the SIP-PAS and PUF-PAS for PFASs
      except for the FOSAs and FOSEs in the PUF-PAS. SIP disks showed very good
      performance for all tested PFASs while PUF disks were suitable only for the PFSAs
      and their precursors. Experiments evaluating the suitability of different
      isotopically labeled fluorinated depuration compounds (DCs) revealed that (13)C8
      perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was suitable for the calculation of site-specific
      sampling rates. Ambient temperature was the dominant factor influencing the
      seasonal trend of PFASs. 

PMID- 24219301
TI  - A system to help physicians with fracture detection in stents.
AB  - Fractures in stents are usually detected by visual analysis, which may be
      affected by the presence of noise and image deformations. The lack of research
      into automating stent fracture detection has motivated this work, in which
      techniques are developed to facilitate diagnosis by observation (Image
      Delineation Algorithm) and, when possible, to point out areas of possible
      fractures (Fracture Detection Algorithm). The use of classical elements and the
      development of additional computational techniques contributed to the process of
      image analysis, providing a possible way to aid medical diagnosis. The developed
      algorithms are applied to image samples from femoropopliteal arteries, and the
      results are compared to those of medical diagnosis. As a result, aside from the
      improvement of image display, a kappa concordance index of 0.878 for the
      detection of fractures confirms the method as satisfactory, with very good
      agreement with medical diagnosis. 

PMID- 24219300
TI  - ALSUntangled no. 23: the Rife machine and retroviruses.

PMID- 24219302
TI  - Reduced comparison speed during visual search in late life depression.
AB  - Slowed information processing is a prominent deficit in late-life depression
      (LLD). To better differentiate processing speed components in LLD, we examined
      characteristics of visual search performance in 32 LLD and 32 control
      participants. Data showed specific slowing in the comparison stage of visual
      search in LLD, rather than in encoding/response stages, but also greater overall
      slowing in LLD during inefficient versus efficient search. We found no group
      differences on traditional neuropsychological measures of processing speed.
      Slowed processing speed in LLD may be specific rather than general, which
      underscores the need to link components of processing speed to underlying neural
      circuitry. 

PMID- 24219303
TI  - Evaluating adverse drug event reporting in administrative data from emergency
      departments: a validation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adverse drug events are a frequent cause of emergency department
      presentations. Administrative data could be used to identify patients presenting
      with adverse drug events for post-market surveillance, and to conduct research in
      patient safety and in drug safety and effectiveness. However, such data sources
      have not been evaluated for their completeness with regard to adverse drug event
      reporting. Our objective was to determine the proportion of adverse drug events
      to outpatient medications diagnosed at the point-of-care in emergency departments
      that were documented in administrative data. METHODS: We linked the records of
      patients enrolled in a prospective observational cohort study on adverse drug
      events conducted in two Canadian tertiary care emergency departments to their
      administrative data. We compared the number of adverse drug events diagnosed and
      recorded at the point-of-care in the prospective study with the number of adverse
      drug events recorded in the administrative data. RESULTS: Among 1574 emergency
      department visits, 221 were identified as adverse drug event-related in the
      prospective database. We found 15 adverse drug events documented in
      administrative records with ICD-10 codes clearly indicating an adverse drug
      event, indicating a sensitivity of 6.8% (95% CI 4.0-11.2%) of this code set. When
      the ICD-10 code categories were broadened to include codes indicating a very
      likely, likely or possible adverse event to a medication, 62 of 221 events were
      identifiable in administrative data, corresponding to a sensitivity of 28.1% (95%
      CI 22.3-34.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Adverse drug events to outpatient medications were
      underreported in emergency department administrative data compared to the number
      of adverse drug events diagnosed and recorded at the point-of-care.

PMID- 24219304
TI  - Progress in a replicated selection for elevated blood ethanol concentrations in
      HDID mice.
AB  - Drinking in the dark (DID) is a limited access ethanol-drinking phenotype in
      mice. High Drinking in the Dark (HDID-1) mice have been bred for 27 selected
      generations (S27) for elevated blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) after a 4-h
      period of access to 20% ethanol. A second replicate line (HDID-2) was started
      later from the same founder population and is currently in S20. An initial report
      of response to selection in HDID-1 was published after S11. This article reports
      genetic and behavioral characteristics of both lines in comparison with the HS
      controls. Heritability is low in both replicates (h(2)  = 0.09) but the lines
      have shown 4-5 fold increases in BEC since S0; 80% of HDID-1 and 60% of HDID-2
      mice reach BECs greater than 1.0 mg/ml. Several hours after a DID test, HDID mice
      show mild signs of withdrawal. Although not considered during selection, intake
      of ethanol (g/kg) during the DID test increased by approximately 80% in HDID-1
      and 60% in HDID-2. Common genetic influences were more important than
      environmental influences in determining the similarity between BEC and intake for
      HDID mice. Analysis of the partitioning of intake showed that 60% of intake is
      concentrated in the last 2 h of the 4 h session. However, this has not changed
      during selection. Hourly BECs during the DID test reach peak levels after 3 or 4
      h of drinking. HDID mice do not differ from HS mice in their rate of elimination
      of an acute dose of alcohol. 

PMID- 24219305
TI  - Density functional theory calculations in stereochemical determination of
      terpecurcumins J-W, cytotoxic terpene-conjugated curcuminoids from Curcuma longa
      L.
AB  - Fourteen novel terpene-conjugated curcuminoids, terpecurcumins J-W (1-14), have
      been isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. Among them, terpecurcumins J
      Q and V represent four unprecedented skeletons featuring an unusual core of
      hydrobenzannulated[6,6]-spiroketal (1 and 2), bicyclo[2.2.2]octene (3-7),
      bicyclo[3.1.3]octene (8), and spiroepoxide (13), respectively. The structures of
      compounds 1-14 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and their
      absolute configurations were established by electronic circular dichroism,
      vibrational circular dichroism, and (13)C NMR spectroscopic data analysis,
      together with density functional theory calculations. The structure and
      configuration of 1 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (Cu
      Kalpha). The biogenetic pathways of 1-14 were proposed, involving Michael
      addition, condensation, Diels-Alder cycloaddition, and electrophilic substitution
      reactions. Terpecurcumins showed more potent cytotoxic activities than curcumin
      and ar-/beta-turmerone. Among them, terpecurcumin Q (8) exhibited IC50 of 3.9 MUM
      against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis
      played an important role in the overall growth inhibition. Finally, LC/MS/MS
      quantitative analysis of five representative terpecurcumins indicated these novel
      compounds were present in C. longa at parts per million level. 

PMID- 24219306
TI  - Academic self-concept of ability and cortisol reactivity.
AB  - The present study aimed to clarify the relationship between a school-specific
      trait (academic self-concept of ability [ASCA]) and hormonal stress response by
      using a trait-compatible stressor (test). First, we determined 52 students' ASCA
      scores for biology and measured their salivary cortisol concentration before and
      after a biology test (experimental group, n=28) or a free writing task (control
      group, n=24). For participants who took the test, statistical analysis indicated
      a significant negative correlation between ASCA score and cortisol response. In
      contrast, the control group showed a decrease in cortisol concentrations between
      test times and no correlation between cortisol concentration and ASCA scores were
      found. These findings indicated an interaction between ASCA scores and hormonal
      stress response when an academic-related stressor is present. Furthermore, these
      variables might influence each other adversely: high cortisol concentrations
      during a test situation may lead to greater feelings of insecurity, resulting in
      low ASCA scores and awareness of these low scores may lead to a further increase
      in cortisol, creating a vicious cycle.

PMID- 24219307
TI  - Accessory mitral valve--an unexpected intra-operative TEE finding causing left
      ventricular outflow tract obstruction in an adult.
AB  - There is a long-standing debate between proponents of routine intra-operative
      echo and those who want it restricted to selected groups of patients (such as
      those undergoing valve repair or correction of congenital abnormalities). We
      present a case where routine transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) identified
      completely unexpected pathology, with implications for the postoperative follow
      up and for patient outcomes. A 64-year-old male, with a history of surgical
      repair of coarctation of the aorta in childhood, was admitted for elective valve
      replacement for severe aortic stenosis (AS). Previous transthoracic
      echocardiography had not identified any other pathology apart from AS, but
      routine intra-operative TEE picked up severe turbulence in the left ventricular
      outflow tract (LVOT). On further analysis this was due to 2 mechanisms: a
      localized subaortic membrane and a "cystic" mass attached to the anterior mitral
      leaflet, protruding into the LVOT in systole. Multiplane imaging of the mass
      disclosed an accessory mitral valve (MV), a rare congenital abnormality. The
      patient had excision of the stenosed aortic valve and of the subaortic membrane,
      while the accessory MV was spared, as the surgeon judged its removal might
      distort the mitral apparatus. Postoperative recovery was unremarkable and the
      patient went home with symptomatic improvement. This case illustrates the fact
      that even "standard" cardiac procedures can benefit from intra-operative TEE
      which, in our view, should be available for all patients who undergo heart
      surgery. 

PMID- 24219309
TI  - Duodenal metastasis from subcutaneous angiosarcoma of the head: rare cause of
      obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

PMID- 24219308
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cells and their conditioned medium improve integration of
      purified induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte clusters into
      myocardial tissue.
AB  - Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPS-CMs) might become
      therapeutically relevant to regenerate myocardial damage. Purified iPS-CMs
      exhibit poor functional integration into myocardial tissue. The aim of this study
      was to investigate whether murine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or their
      conditioned medium (MScond) improves the integration of murine iPS-CMs into
      myocardial tissue. Vital or nonvital embryonic murine ventricular tissue slices
      were cocultured with purified clusters of iPS-CMs in combination with murine
      embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), MSCs, or MScond. Morphological integration was
      assessed by visual scoring and functional integration by isometric force and
      field potential measurements. We observed a moderate morphological integration of
      iPS-CM clusters into vital, but a poor integration into nonvital, slices. MEFs
      and MSCs but not MScond improved morphological integration of CMs into nonvital
      slices and enabled purified iPS-CMs to confer force. Coculture of vital slices
      with iPS-CMs and MEFs or MSCs resulted in an improved electrical integration. A
      comparable improvement of electrical coupling was achieved with the cell-free
      MScond, indicating that soluble factors secreted by MSCs were involved in
      electrical coupling. We conclude that cells such as MSCs support the engraftment
      and adhesion of CMs, and confer force to noncontractile tissue. Furthermore,
      soluble factors secreted by MSCs mediate electrical coupling of purified iPS-CM
      clusters to myocardial tissue. These data suggest that MSCs may increase the
      functional engraftment and therapeutic efficacy of transplanted iPS-CMs into
      infarcted myocardium. 

PMID- 24219311
TI  - Potential use of the complex of doxorubicin with folate-conjugated methyl-beta
      cyclodextrin for tumor-selective cancer chemotherapy.
AB  - Abstract In a recent study, we attempted to confer a tumor-selective cytotoxic
      activity to methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (M-beta-CyD), we synthesized folate
      conjugated M-beta-CyD (FA-M-beta-CyD), and demonstrated the potential of FA-M
      beta-CyD as a novel anticancer agent at a high dose. In the present study, to
      expand the application of FA-M-beta-CyD for cancer chemotherapy, we evaluated the
      potential of FA-M-beta-CyD as a tumor-targeting anticancer drug carrier at a low
      dose. FA-M-beta-CyD formed an inclusion complex with doxorubicin (DOX) with a
      high-stability constant (3.0 * 105 M-1). Antitumor activity of DOX was increased
      by the complexation with FA-M-beta-CyD, but not with folate-conjugated beta-CyD
      (FA-beta-CyD) or M-beta-CyD in KB cells, a folate receptor-alpha (FR-alpha)
      expressing cell line. Also, FA-M-beta-CyD increased antitumor activity of
      paclitaxel, a class IV compound in the biopharmaceutical classification system
      (BCS), but not 5-fluorouracil, a class III compound in the BCS. Furthermore, FA-M
      beta-CyD enhanced cellular uptake of DOX through a complexation in KB cells (FR
      alpha (+)), compared to FA-beta-CyD and M-beta-CyD. The DOX/FA-M-beta-CyD complex
      showed markedly high antitumor activity, compared to DOX alone and DOX/M-beta-CyD
      complex, after an intravenous administration to FR-alpha-expressing tumor cell
      bearing mice. These findings suggest that FA-M-beta-CyD could be useful as a
      tumor-selective carrier for anticancer drugs.

PMID- 24219310
TI  - Comparison between ultrasonographic and clinical findings in 43 dogs with
      gallbladder mucoceles.
AB  - Cholecystectomy is the current standard recommended treatment for dogs with
      gallbladder mucoceles. However, medical management with monitoring has also been
      recommended for asymptomatic dogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to
      compare ultrasonographic patterns of gallbladder mucoceles with clinical disease
      status in a group of dogs. For each included dog, the ultrasonographic pattern of
      the mucocele was classified into one of six types: type 1, immobile echogenic
      bile; type 2, incomplete stellate pattern; type 3, typical stellate pattern; type
      4, kiwi like pattern and stellate combination; type 5, kiwi like pattern with
      residual central echogenic bile; and type 6, kiwi like pattern. A total of 43
      dogs were included. Twenty-four dogs, including 11 dogs with gallbladder rupture,
      were symptomatic. Nineteen dogs were asymptomatic. Cholecystectomy (n = 19),
      medical therapy (n = 17), or monitoring (n = 6) treatments were applied according
      to clinical signs and owners' requests. One dog suspected of having gallbladder
      rupture was euthanized. Frequencies of gallbladder mucocele patterns were as
      follows: type 1 = 10 (23%), type 2 = 13 (30%), type 3 = 5 (12%), type 4 = 11
      (26%), type 5 = 4 (9%), and type 6 = 0. In dogs with gallbladder rupture, type 2
      (8/13) was the most common. No significant correlations were found between
      ultrasonographic patterns of gallbladder mucoceles and clinical disease status or
      gallbladder rupture. Findings indicated that ultrasonographic patterns of
      gallbladder mucoceles may not be valid bases for treatment recommendations in
      dogs. 

PMID- 24219312
TI  - Diagnostic performance and inter-observer concordance in lesion detection with
      the automated breast volume scanner (ABVS).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Automated whole breast ultrasound scanners of the latest generation
      have reached a level of comfortable application and high quality volume
      acquisition. Nevertheless, there is a lack of data concerning this technology. We
      investigated the diagnostic performance and inter-observer concordance of the
      Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS) ACUSON S2000TM and questioned its
      implications in breast cancer diagnostics. METHODS: We collected 100 volume data
      sets and created a database containing 52 scans with no detectable lesions in
      conventional ultrasound (BI-RADS(r)-US 1), 30 scans with benign lesions (BI
      RADS(r)-US 2) and 18 scans with breast cancer (BI-RADS(r)-US 5).Two independent
      examiners evaluated the ABVS data on a separate workstation without any prior
      knowledge of the patients' histories. RESULTS: The inter-rater reliability
      reached fair agreement (kappa=0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19-0.53).
      With respect to the true category, the conditional inter-rater validity
      coefficient was kappa=0.18 (95% CI: 0.00-0.26) for the benign cases and
      kappa=0.80 (95% CI: 0.61-1.00) for the malignant cases.Combining the assessments
      of examiner 1 and examiner 2, the diagnostic accuracy (AC), sensitivity (SE) and
      specificity (SP) for the experimental ABVS were AC = 79.0% (95% CI: 67.3-86.1),
      SE = 83.3% (95% CI: 57.7-95.6) and SP = 78.1% (% CI: 67.3-86.1),
      respectively.However, after the ABVS examination, there were a high number of
      requests for second-look ultrasounds in up to 48.8% of the healthy women due to
      assumed suspicious findings in the volume data.In an exploratory analysis, we
      estimated that an ABVS examination in addition to mammography alone could detect
      a relevant number of previously occult breast cancers (about 1 cancer in 300
      screened and otherwise healthy women). CONCLUSIONS: The ABVS is a reliable
      imaging method for the evaluation of the breast with high sensitivity and a fair
      inter-observer concordance. However, we have to overcome the problem of the high
      number of false-positive results. Therefore, further prospective studies in
      larger collectives are necessary to define standard procedures in image
      acquisition and interpretation. Nevertheless, we consider the ABVS as being
      suitable for integration into breast diagnostics as a beneficial and reliable
      imaging method.

PMID- 24219314
TI  - The malleability of working memory and visuospatial skills: a randomized
      controlled study in older adults.
AB  - There is accumulating evidence that training on working memory (WM) generalizes
      to other nontrained domains, and there are reports of transfer effects extending
      as far as to measures of fluid intelligence. Although there have been several
      demonstrations of such transfer effects in young adults and children, they have
      been difficult to demonstrate in older adults. In this study, we investigated the
      generalizing effects of an adaptive WM intervention on nontrained measures of WM
      and visuospatial skills. We randomly assigned healthy older adults to train on a
      verbal n-back task over the course of a month for either 10 or 20 sessions. Their
      performance change was compared with that of a control group. Our results
      revealed reliable group effects in nontrained standard clinical measures of WM
      and visuospatial skills in that both training groups outperformed the control
      group. We also observed a dose-response effect, that is, a positive relationship
      between training frequency and the gain in visuospatial skills; this finding was
      further confirmed by a positive correlation between training improvement and
      transfer. The improvements in visuospatial skills emerged even though the
      intervention was restricted to the verbal domain. Our work has important
      implications in that our data provide further evidence for plasticity of
      cognitive functions in old age.

PMID- 24219313
TI  - beta-Lactamase inhibition by 7-alkylidenecephalosporin sulfones: allylic
      transposition and formation of an unprecedented stabilized acyl-enzyme.
AB  - The inhibition of the class A SHV-1 beta-lactamase by 7-(tert
      butoxycarbonyl)methylidenecephalosporin sulfone was examined kinetically,
      spectroscopically, and crystallographically. An 1.14 A X-ray crystal structure
      shows that the stable acyl-enzyme, which incorporates an eight-membered ring, is
      a covalent derivative of Ser70 linked to the 7-carboxy group of 2-H-5,8-dihydro
      1,1-dioxo-1,5-thiazocine-4,7-dicarboxylic acid. A cephalosporin-derived enzyme
      complex of this type is unprecedented, and the rearrangement leading to its
      formation may offer new possibilities for inhibitor design. The observed acyl
      enzyme derives its stability from the resonance stabilization conveyed by the
      beta-aminoacrylate (i.e., vinylogous urethane) functionality as there is
      relatively little interaction of the eight-membered ring with active site
      residues. Two mechanistic schemes are proposed, differing in whether, subsequent
      to acylation of the active site serine and opening of the beta-lactam, the
      resultant dihydrothiazine fragments on its own or is assisted by an adjacent
      nucleophilic atom, in the form of the carbonyl oxygen of the C7 tert
      butyloxycarbonyl group. This compound was also found to be a submicromolar
      inhibitor of the class C ADC-7 and PDC-3 beta-lactamases. 

PMID- 24219315
TI  - The longitudinal interplay of affective and cognitive empathy within and between
      adolescents and mothers.
AB  - This 4-year study examined longitudinal interplays between adolescents' and
      mothers' self-reported empathic concern (EC) and perspective taking (PT). We
      investigated (a) whether adolescents' EC predicted rank-order change in their PT
      over time, or vice versa; (b) whether mothers' empathy predicted relative
      increases in adolescents' empathy; (c) whether adolescent gender moderated the
      over-time links from mothers' to adolescents' empathy; and (d) whether the rank
      order stability of EC and PT over time differed within and between respondents.
      Adolescents' EC positively predicted their PT over time, but not vice versa.
      Mothers' PT positively predicted adolescent PT over time for girls, but not for
      boys. The rank-order stability of adolescents' EC was greater than their PT.
      Maternal PT and EC were equally stable and were more stable than in adolescents.
      This study contributes the first empirical evidence that the developmental order
      of adolescents' empathy runs from affective to cognitive empathy, in contrast to
      prior theoretical and experimental literature that has emphasized the reverse
      direction. It further provides the 1st longitudinal evidence of intergenerational
      empathy transmission. These findings support the notion that adolescence is a
      developmentally sensitive period for PT.

PMID- 24219316
TI  - Mother-child reminiscing and autobiographical memory specificity among preschool
      age children.
AB  - Overgeneral memory (OGM) refers to difficulty in retrieving specific
      autobiographical memories. The tendency to be overgeneral in autobiographical
      memory recall is more commonly observed among individuals with emotional
      disorders compared with those without. Despite significant advances in theory and
      identification of mechanisms that underlie the etiology of OGM, there has been
      little integration between normative research on the development of
      autobiographical memory and research on OGM. Informed by a developmental
      psychopathology perspective and drawing on normative developmental research on
      the social construction of autobiographical memory, the current investigation
      examined whether the elaborative quantity and elaborative quality of maternal
      reminiscing are predictive of preschool-age children's autobiographical memory
      specificity. Additionally, this investigation tested whether children's positive
      self-representations may explain these hypothesized associations. Participants
      consisted of 95 mother-child dyads. Children's ages ranged between 3.5 and 6
      years, and the sample was predominantly low income and of minority
      race/ethnicity. Dyads participated in a joint reminiscing task about 4 past
      events, and children participated in assessments of autobiographical memory
      specificity and self-representations. Results indicated that the elaborative
      quality, defined by maternal-sensitive guidance and emotional narrative
      coherence, but not the elaborative quantity, of maternal reminiscing style was
      significantly associated with children's autobiographical memory specificity.
      Additionally, there was support for an indirect pathway between maternal
      reminiscing quality and child memory specificity through children's positive self
      representations. Directions for future research are discussed, and potential
      clinical implications are addressed.

PMID- 24219317
TI  - Preference for high status predicts implicit outgroup bias among children from
      low-status groups.
AB  - Whereas members of high-status racial groups show ingroup preference when
      attitudes are measured implicitly, members of low-status racial groups--both
      adults and children--typically show no bias, potentially reflecting awareness of
      the ingroup's low status. We hypothesized that when status differences are
      especially pronounced, children from low-status groups would show an implicit
      outgroup bias, the strength of which might relate to attitudes toward status. We
      tested these predictions among 6- to 11-year-old Black and Coloured (i.e.,
      multiracial) children from South Africa, a country marked by extreme status
      differentials among racial groups. As a measure of implicit intergroup bias,
      children (N = 78) completed an Implicit Association Test (IAT), a speeded
      categorization task that assesses the relative strength of association between 2
      target groups (in the present study, either Whites vs. Blacks or Whites vs.
      Coloureds) and positive vs. negative evaluation. Children also completed explicit
      (i.e., self-report) measures of attitudes toward racial groups as well as toward
      rich and poor people (a measure of attitudes toward status). Both groups of
      children showed an implicit outgroup-favoring (i.e., pro-White) bias, suggesting
      that children were sensitive to the extent of status differences. The only
      instance in which implicit pro-White bias did not emerge involved Black
      children's evaluations of Whites vs. Coloureds, both higher-status outgroups.
      Explicit preference for high status predicted implicit pro-White bias,
      particularly when the IAT contrasted 2 outgroups. The impact of status on the
      development of implicit and explicit intergroup bias is discussed.

PMID- 24219318
TI  - Maternal immunization with vaccines containing recombinant NetB toxin partially
      protects progeny chickens from necrotic enteritis.
AB  - Avian necrotic enteritis is a major economic and welfare issue throughout the
      global poultry industry and is caused by isolates of Clostridium perfringens that
      produce NetB toxin. Previously we have shown that birds directly vaccinated with
      inactivated C. perfringens type A culture supernatant (toxoid) combined with
      recombinant NetB (rNetB) protein were significantly protected from homologous and
      heterologous challenge. In the present study the protective effect of maternal
      immunization was examined. Broiler breeder hens were injected subcutaneously with
      genetically toxoided rNetB(S254L) alone, C. perfringens type A toxoid and toxoid
      combined with rNetB(S254L). Vaccination resulted in a strong serum immunoglobulin
      Y response to NetB in hens immunized with rNetB(S254L) formulations. Anti-NetB
      antibodies were transferred to the eggs and on into the hatched progeny.
      Subclinical necrotic enteritis was induced experimentally in the progeny and the
      occurrence of specific necrotic enteritis lesions evaluated. Birds derived from
      hens immunized with rNetB(S254L) combined with toxoid and challenged with a
      homologous strain (EHE-NE18) at either 14 or 21 days post-hatch had significantly
      lower levels of disease compared to birds from adjuvant only vaccinated hens. In
      addition, birds from hens immunized with rNetB(S254L) alone were significantly
      protected when challenged at 14 days post-hatch. These results demonstrate that
      maternal immunization with a NetB-enhanced toxoid vaccine is a promising method
      for the control of necrotic enteritis in young broiler chickens.

PMID- 24219319
TI  - An intensive time-series evaluation of the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour
      therapy for hoarding disorder: a 2-year prospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To intensively evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural
      therapy (CBT) for Hoarding Disorder. METHOD: An ABC with extended follow-up N=1
      single-case experimental design (SCED) measured discard
      incidence/frequency/volume and associated cognitions, behaviours and emotions in
      a 644-day time series. Following a 4-week baseline (A), CBT was initially
      delivered via out-patient sessions (B) and then out-patient sessions plus
      domiciliary visits (C). Total treatment duration was 45 sessions (65 weeks) and
      follow-up was 4 sessions over 23 weeks. RESULTS: There was a significant increase
      in frequency and volume of discard, with a reliable and clinically significant
      reduction in hoarding. The addition of domiciliary visits did not significantly
      improve discard ability. DISCUSSION: The clinical utility of domiciliary visits
      whilst treating of hoarding is discussed and study limitations noted.

PMID- 24219320
TI  - The PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis in head and neck cancer: functions, aberrations, cross
      talk, and therapies.
AB  - Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most morbid, mortal,
      and genetically diverse malignancies. Although HNSCC is heterogeneous in nature,
      alterations in major components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway are consistently
      observed throughout the majority of HNSCC cases. These alterations include
      genetic aberrations, such as mutations or DNA copy number variations, and
      dysregulation of mRNA or protein expression. In normal physiology, the
      PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis regulates cell survival, growth, and metabolism. However,
      alterations in this pathway lead to the malignant phenotype which characterizes
      HNSCC, among many other cancers. For this reason, both pharmaceutical companies
      and academic institutions are actively developing and investigating inhibitors of
      PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in preclinical and clinical studies of HNSCC. Many of these
      inhibitors have shown promise, while the effects of others are tempered by the
      mechanisms through which HNSCC can evade therapy. As such, current research aimed
      at elucidating the interactions between PI3K/Akt/mTOR and other important
      signaling pathways which may drive resistance in HNSCC, such as p53, NF-kappaB,
      and MAPK, has become a prominent focus toward better understanding how to most
      effectively treat HNSCC. 

PMID- 24219322
TI  - Construction of targeting-clickable and tumor-cleavable polyurethane nanomicelles
      for multifunctional intracellular drug delivery.
AB  - New strategies for the construction of versatile nanovehicles to overcome the
      multiple challenges of targeted delivery are urgently needed for cancer therapy.
      To address these needs, we developed a novel targeting-clickable and tumor
      cleavable polyurethane nanomicelle for multifunctional delivery of antitumor
      drugs. The polyurethane was synthesized from biodegradable poly(epsilon
      caprolactone) (PCL) and L-lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate (LDI), further extended
      by a new designed L-cystine-derivatized chain extender bearing a redox-responsive
      disulfide bond and clickable alkynyl groups (Cys-PA), and finally terminated by a
      detachable methoxyl-poly(ethylene glycol) with a highly pH-sensitive benzoic
      imine linkage (BPEG). The obtained polymers show attractive self-assembly
      characteristics and stimuli-responsiveness, good cytocompatibility, and high
      loading capacity for doxorubicin (DOX). Furthermore, folic acid (FA) as a model
      targeting ligand was conjugated to the polyurethane micelles via an efficient
      click reaction. The decoration of FA results in an enhanced cellular uptake and
      improved drug efficacy toward FA-receptor positive HeLa cancer cells in vitro. As
      a proof-of-concept, this work provides a facile approach to the design of
      extracellularly activatable nanocarriers for tumor-targeted and programmed
      intracellular drug delivery.

PMID- 24219321
TI  - Fibroblasts from long-lived species of mammals and birds show delayed, but
      prolonged, phosphorylation of ERK.
AB  - Fibroblasts from long-lived mutant mice show diminished phosphorylation of the
      stress-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 after exposure to peroxide, cadmium, or
      paraquat. We have now evaluated the kinetics of ERK phosphorylation in
      fibroblasts from long-lived and short-lived species of mammals and birds in
      response to stress by cadmium or hydrogen peroxide. Fibroblasts from the shorter
      lived species of rodents and birds showed rapid induction of ERK phosphorylation,
      with a decline to basal level within 60 min. In contrast, cells from longer-lived
      species showed slower and more prolonged activation of ERK phosphorylation. These
      results suggest that fibroblasts from long-lived species may be less susceptible
      to the early phases of damage from cadmium or peroxide and suggest that altered
      kinetics of ERK activity may contribute to their stress resistance properties. 

PMID- 24219323
TI  - Impact of Diet Composition on Blood Glucose Regulation.
AB  - Nutritional management of blood glucose levels is a strategic target in the
      prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To implement such
      an approach, it is essential to understand the effect of food on glycemic
      regulation and on the underlying metabolic derangements. This comprehensive
      review summarizes the results from human dietary interventions exploring the
      impact of dietary components on blood glucose levels. Included are the major
      macronutrients; carbohydrate, protein and fat, micronutrient vitamins and
      minerals, nonnutrient phytochemicals and additional foods including low-calorie
      sweeteners, vinegar, and alcohol. Based on the evidence presented in this review,
      it is clear that dietary components have significant and clinically relevant
      effects on blood glucose modulation. An integrated approach that includes
      reducing excess body weight, increased physical activity along with a dietary
      regime to regulate blood glucose levels will not only be advantages in T2DM
      management, but will benefit the health of the population and limit the
      increasing worldwide incidence of T2DM. 

PMID- 24219325
TI  - Combined analysis of gamma-H2AX/53BP1 foci and caspase activation in lymphocyte
      subsets detects recent and more remote radiation exposures.
AB  - Analysis of gamma-H2AX foci in blood lymphocytes is a promising approach for
      rapid dose estimation to support patient triage after a radiation accident but
      has one major drawback: the rapid decline of foci levels post-exposure cause
      major uncertainties in situations where the exact timing between exposure and
      blood sampling is unknown. To address this issue, radiation-induced apoptosis
      (RIA) in lymphocytes was investigated using fluorogenic inhibitors of caspases
      (FLICA) as an independent biomarker for radiation exposure, which may complement
      the gamma-H2AX assay. Ex vivo X-irradiated peripheral blood lymphocytes from 17
      volunteers showed dose- and time-dependent increases in radiation-induced
      apoptosis over the first 3 days after exposure, albeit with considerable
      interindividual variation. Comparison with gamma-H2AX and 53BP1 foci counts
      suggested an inverse correlation between numbers of residual foci and radiation
      induced apoptosis in lymphocytes at 24 h postirradiation (P = 0.007). In T-helper
      (CD4), T-cytotoxic (CD8) and B-cells (CD19), some significant differences in
      radiation induced DSBs or apoptosis were observed, however no correlation between
      foci and apoptosis in lymphocyte subsets was observed at 24 h postirradiation.
      While gamma-H2AX and 53BP1 foci were rapidly induced and then repaired after
      exposure, radiation-induced apoptosis did not become apparent until 24 h after
      exposure. Data from six volunteers with different ex vivo doses and post-exposure
      times were used to test the capability of the combined assay. Results show that
      simultaneous analysis of gamma-H2AX and radiation-induced apoptosis may provide a
      rapid and more accurate triage tool in situations where the delay between
      exposure and blood sampling is unknown compared to gamma-H2AX alone. This
      combined approach may improve the accuracy of dose estimations in cases where
      blood sampling is performed days after the radiation exposure. 

PMID- 24219324
TI  - Oral interleukin 11 as a countermeasure to lethal total-body irradiation in a
      murine model.
AB  - Countermeasures against radiation are critically needed. Ideally, these measures
      would be easy to store, easy to administer and have minimal toxicity. We used
      oral delivery of interleukin 11 (IL11) in mice exposed to lethal doses of total
      body irradiation (TBI). Animals were given IL11 by gavage at various daily doses
      beginning 24 h after TBI, which continued for 5 days. At a TBI of 9.0 Gy, mice
      treated with IL11 had a 70% survival at 30 days compared with control group
      survival of 25% (P = 0.035). At 10.0 Gy, treated animals had 50% survival at 30
      days compared with no survivors in the control group. Treated animals had
      significant improvement in intestinal mucosal surface area and crypt survival. In
      addition bacterial translocation of coliform bacteria was significantly less in
      the treated animals. Systemic absorption of IL11 was low in treated animals and
      effects on the hematopoietic cells were not seen. Serum citrulline levels
      rebounded significantly faster after irradiation in the IL11 treated animals,
      indicating quicker recovery of small intestine health. These data suggest that
      IL11 given orally protects the intestinal mucosa from radiation damage and that
      this compound is beneficial as a mitigating agent even when started 24 h after
      radiation exposure. 

PMID- 24219326
TI  - Chronic bronchitis in the cohort of Mayak workers first employed 1948-1958.
AB  - Incidence of chronic bronchitis has been studied in a cohort of 12,210 workers
      first employed at one of the main plants of the Mayak nuclear facility during
      1948-1958 and followed up to 31 December 2005. Information on external gamma
      doses is available for virtually all of these workers; in contrast, plutonium
      body burden was measured only for 30% of workers. During the follow-up period in
      the study cohort 1,175 incident cases of chronic bronchitis were verified. The
      analyses of nonradiation factors revealed that the underlying risk of chronic
      bronchitis incidence increased with increasing attained age and was higher among
      smokers compared with never-smokers as would be expected. The most interesting
      finding in relationship to nonradiation factors was a sharp increase in the
      baseline chronic bronchitis risk before 1960. The cause of this is not clear but
      a number of factors may play a role. Based on the follow-up data after 1960, the
      analysis showed a statistically significant linear dose response relationship
      with cumulative external gamma-ray dose (ERR/Gy = 0.14, 95% CI 0.01, 0.32). Based
      on the same subset but with an additional restriction to members with cumulative
      internal lung dose below 1 Gy, a statistically significant linear dose response
      relationship with internal alpha-radiation lung dose from incorporated plutonium
      was found (ERR/Gy = 2.70, 95% CI 1.20, 4.87). In both cases, adjustment was made
      for nonradiation factors, including smoking and either internal or external dose
      as appropriate. At present there are no similar incidence studies with which to
      compare results. However, the most recent data from the atomic bomb survivor
      cohort (the Life Span Study) showed statistically significant excess mortality
      risk for respiratory diseases of 22% per Gy and this value is within the
      confidence bounds of the point estimate of the risk from this study in relation
      to external dose. 

PMID- 24219327
TI  - Co-inoculating ruminal content neither provides active hydrolytic microbes nor
      improves methanization of 13C-cellulose in batch digesters.
AB  - Cellulose hydrolysis often limits the kinetics and efficiency of anaerobic
      degradation in industrial digesters. In animal digestive systems, specialized
      microorganisms enable cellulose biodegradation at significantly higher rates.
      This study aims to assess the potential of ruminal microbial communities to
      settle and to express their cellulolytic properties in anaerobic digesters.
      Cellulose-degrading batch incubations were co-inoculated with municipal solid
      waste digester sludge and ruminal content. 13C-labeled cellulose degradation was
      described over time with Gas Chromatography-Combustion-Isotope Ratio Mass
      Spectrometry. Results were linked to the identification of the microorganisms
      assimilating 13C and to the monitoring of their relative dynamics. Cellulose
      degradation in co-inoculated incubations was efficient but not significantly
      improved. Transient disturbances in degradation pathways occurred, as revealed by
      propionate accumulation. Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis dynamics
      and pyrosequencing revealed that expected classes of Bacteria and Archaea were
      active and degraded cellulose. However, despite the favorable co-inoculation
      conditions, molecular tools also revealed that no ruminal species settled in the
      bioreactors. Other specific parameters were probably needed for this to happen.
      This study shows that exploiting the rumen's cellulolytic properties in anaerobic
      digesters is not straightforward. Co-inoculation can only be successful if
      ruminal microorganisms manage to thrive in the anaerobic digester and outcompete
      native microorganisms, which requires specific nutritional and environmental
      parameters, and a meticulous reproduction of the selection pressure encountered
      in the rumen.

PMID- 24219328
TI  - Sorghum seed maturity affects the weight and feeding duration of immature corn
      earworm, Helicoverpa zea, and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in the
      laboratory.
AB  - Corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and fall armyworm,
      Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith, are occasional pests in sorghum, Sorghum
      bicolor L. Moench (Poales: Poaceae), and can be economically damaging when
      conditions are favorable. Despite the frequent occurrence of mixed-species
      infestations, the quantitative data necessary for developing yield loss
      relationships for S. frugiperda are not available. Although these species share
      similar biological characteristics, it is unknown whether their damage potentials
      in developing grain sorghum panicles are the same. Using no-choice feeding assays
      in the laboratory, this study examined larval growth and feeding duration for H.
      zea and S. frugiperda in the absence of competition. Each species responded
      positively when exposed to sorghum seed in the soft-dough stage, supporting
      evidence for the interactions between host-quality and larval growth and
      development. The results of this study also confirmed the suitability of using
      laboratory-reared H. zea to develop sorghum yield loss estimates in the field,
      and provided insights into the biological responses of S. frugiperda feeding on
      developing sorghum seed.

PMID- 24219329
TI  - Sublethal exposure to crude oil enhances positive phototaxis in the calanoid
      copepod Calanus finmarchicus.
AB  - We investigated the effects of exposure to sublethal concentrations of the water
      accommodated fraction (WAF) of fresh crude oil on phototactic behavior of the
      calanoid copepod Calanus finmarchicus (Gunnerus) copepodite stage 5 (C5).
      Exposure was conducted in closed bottle systems, and behavior was tested in a
      tailored setup. Exposure times were 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, and the chosen exposure
      concentration was 25% of the recorded LC50 value for the WAF (309 +/- 32 MUg/L
      total hydrocarbon, including 20.37 +/- 0.51 MUg/L total PAH). The exposure
      significantly increased the positive phototactic behavior of the copepods after
      24 h exposure and a similar significant effect was observed for all exposure
      durations. Additionally, experiments were conducted with nonexposed copepods with
      low lipid reserves. The main effect of the exposure was a shift in the response
      to light toward a more positive phototaxis, similar to that observed in
      nonexposed C. finmarchicus with low lipid reserves. The observed change in
      phototactic behavior observed in these studies suggests that the depth
      distribution of this species could be altered following an oil spill. Thus,
      further research is warranted to determine the possible interactive effects of
      light and oil spill exposures on Calanus population dynamics under field
      conditions. 

PMID- 24219330
TI  - Guideline: the laboratory diagnosis of malaria. General Haematology Task Force of
      the British Committee for Standards in Haematology.
AB  - UK National External Quality Assessment Service surveys indicate continuing
      problems in malaria diagnosis: inaccurate calculation of parasitaemia or failure
      to estimate it altogether, difficulty distinguishing Plasmodium vivax from P.
      ovale, reporting malaria parasites when none were present and misidentification
      of P. falciparum as another species still occur. Therefore, the British Committee
      for Standards in Haematology Guidelines for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Malaria
      have been revised. They are intended for use in the UK but may also prove useful
      in other non-endemic areas. Routine use of thick and thin films is advised for
      malaria diagnosis. Thick films should be stained using Giemsa or Field stain.
      Thin films should be stained with Giemsa stain or Leishman stain. Thick films
      should be examined by two observers, each viewing a minimum of 200 high power
      fields. If thick films are positive, the species should be determined by
      examination of a thin film. In the case of P. falciparum or P. knowlesi
      infection, the percentage of parasitized cells or the number of parasites per
      microlitre (/MUl) should be estimated and reported. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs)
      for malarial antigen cannot replace microscopy but are indicated as a
      supplementary test when malaria diagnosis is performed by relatively
      inexperienced staff. Malaria RDTs are negative in babesiosis. 

PMID- 24219331
TI  - Expression of ZAP70 in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia activates NF-kappaB
      signalling.
AB  - Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a disease with a highly variable
      prognosis. The clinical course can however be predicted thanks to prognostic
      markers. Poor prognosis is associated with expression of a B cell receptor (BCR)
      from unmutated immunoglobulin variable heavy-chain genes (IGHV) and expression of
      zeta-associated protein of 70 kDa (ZAP70). The reason why ZAP70 expression is
      associated with poor prognosis and whether the protein has a direct pathogenic
      function is at present unknown. By transfer of ZAP70 to CLL cells, we show here
      that expression of ZAP70 in CLL cells leads to increased expression of the
      nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB target genes interleukin-1beta (IL1B), IL6 and IL8
      upon BCR triggering. This could be blocked by inhibition of NF-kappaB signalling
      through inhibition of IkappaB kinases (IKK). Transcriptome analysis identified a
      NF-kappaB RELA signature imposed by ZAP70 expression in BCR-stimulated CLL cells.
      We conclude that ZAP70 acts directly as an amplifier of NF-kappaB signalling in
      CLL cells which could be an underlying mechanism for its association with poor
      prognosis and which may represent a therapeutic target. 

PMID- 24219332
TI  - Prevalence of thrombophilia according to age at the first manifestation of venous
      thromboembolism: results from the MAISTHRO registry.
AB  - Thrombophilia is a well-established risk factor for a venous thromboembolic event
      (VTE), and it has been proposed that hereditary thrombophilia may substantially
      contribute to the development of VTE in young patients. We aimed to analyse the
      prevalence of thrombophilia with special regard to the age of VTE manifestation.
      The study cohort consisted of 1490 patients (58% females) with a median age 43
      years at the time of their first VTE. At least one thrombophilic disorder was
      identified in 50.1% of patients. The probability of detecting a hereditary
      thrombophilia declined significantly with advancing age (from 49.3% in patients
      aged 20 years and younger to 21.9% in patients over the age of 70 years; P <
      0.001). This may be primarily attributed to the decreasing frequencies of the F5
      R506Q (factor V Leiden) mutation and deficiencies of protein C or protein S with
      older age at the time of the initial VTE event. Moreover, thrombophilia was more
      prevalent in unprovoked compared with risk-associated VTE (57.7% vs. 47.7%; P =
      0.001). The decline in the prevalence of hereditary thrombophilia with older ages
      supports the use of a selected thrombophilia screening strategy dependent on age
      and the presence or absence of additional VTE risk factors. 

PMID- 24219333
TI  - Routine coagulation assays underestimate levels of antithrombin-dependent drugs
      but not of direct anticoagulant drugs in plasma from patients with cirrhosis.
AB  - There is increasing recognition that thrombotic complications may occur in
      patients with cirrhosis, and literature on antithrombotic treatment in these
      patients is rapidly emerging. Due to extensive haemostatic changes in patients
      with cirrhosis, careful monitoring of anticoagulant therapy may be required.
      Recent data suggest that plasma levels of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are
      substantially underestimated by the anti-activated factor X (anti-Xa) assay in
      patients with cirrhosis. We studied the in vitro recovery of antithrombin (AT)
      dependent and -independent anticoagulant drugs in plasma from 26 patients with
      cirrhosis and 30 healthy controls and found substantially reduced anti-Xa levels
      when AT-dependent anticoagulant drugs were added to the plasma of patients with
      cirrhosis. LMWH (0.2 U/ml) had the poorest recovery in plasma from patients with
      cirrhosis (0.13 +/- 0.06 U/ml, compared to 0.23 +/- 0.03 U/ml in controls, P <
      0.0001), followed by unfractionated heparin and fondaparinux. In contrast, the
      recovery of rivaroxaban and dabigatran was identical between patients and
      controls. These data suggest that the anti-Xa assay cannot be used to monitor AT
      dependent anticoagulant drugs in patients with cirrhosis, as it substantially
      underestimates drug levels. The direct factor Xa and IIa inhibitors, however, may
      be monitored through the respective anti-Xa and anti-IIa assays in patients with
      cirrhosis. 

PMID- 24219334
TI  - Correlating prothrombin time with plasma rivaroxaban level.

PMID- 24219335
TI  - Community perceptions of health insurance and their preferred design features:
      implications for the design of universal health coverage reforms in Kenya.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health insurance is currently being considered as a mechanism for
      promoting progress to universal health coverage (UHC) in many African countries.
      The concept of health insurance is relatively new in Africa, it is hardly well
      understood and remains unclear how it will function in countries where the
      majority of the population work outside the formal sector. Kenya has been
      considering introducing a national health insurance scheme (NHIS) since 2004.
      Progress has been slow, but commitment to achieve UHC through a NHIS remains.
      This study contributes to this process by exploring communities' understanding
      and perceptions of health insurance and their preferred designs features.
      Communities are the major beneficiaries of UHC reforms. Kenyans should understand
      the implications of health financing reforms and their preferred design features
      considered to ensure acceptability and sustainability. METHODS: Data presented in
      this paper are part of a study that explored feasibility of health insurance in
      Kenya. Data collection methods included a cross-sectional household survey (n =
      594 households) and focus group discussions (n = 16). RESULTS: About half of the
      household survey respondents had at least one member in a health insurance
      scheme. There was high awareness of health insurance schemes but limited
      knowledge of how health insurance functions as well as understanding of key
      concepts related to income and risk cross-subsidization. Wide dissatisfaction
      with the public health system was reported. However, the government was the most
      preferred and trusted agency for collecting revenue as part of a NHIS. People
      preferred a comprehensive benefit package that included inpatient and outpatient
      care with no co-payments. Affordability of premiums, timing of contributions and
      the extent to which population needs would be met under a contributory scheme
      were major issues of concern for a NHIS design. Possibilities of funding health
      care through tax instead of NHIS were raised and preferred by the majority.
      CONCLUSION: This study provides important information on community understanding
      and perceptions of health insurance. As Kenya continues to prepare for UHC, it is
      important that communities are educated and engaged to ensure that the NHIS is
      acceptable to the population it serves.

PMID- 24219336
TI  - Experimental assessment of oral hygiene achieved by children wearing rapid
      palatal expanders, comparing manual and electric toothbrushes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim was to compare the efficacy of the electric versus the manual
      toothbrush in terms of the oral hygiene achieved by patients wearing rapid
      palatal expanders (RPEs). METHODS: Forty patients were randomly divided into two
      groups; one equipped with a manual toothbrush (Group A), the other with an
      electric toothbrush (Group B). Each child's plaque index (PI) and gingival index
      (GI) were calculated at banded molar level at times T0 (before banding), T1 (a
      month later), T2 (3 months later) and T3 (when the expander was removed). At each
      appointment, the PI and GI were recorded and the patient was remotivated.
      RESULTS: The level of oral hygiene achieved by the group using an electric
      toothbrush produced a greater improvement in the two indexes than in the group
      using the manual toothbrush that showed no statistically significant improvement
      (PI T0-T3: P = 0.309; GI T0-T3: P = 0.141). Both indexes dropped considerably in
      both groups from T0 to T2, but more so in the group B. From T2 to T3, although
      the electric toothbrush continued to be substantially more effective, Group B
      showed a statistically significant deterioration in the oral hygiene (PI +20%; GI
      +33%). Other assessments conducted on particular areas of the tooth showed
      improvements in the PI (-33%) for the vestibular region, and for the GI (-57%) in
      the palatal region among the patients in Group B, while there were no significant
      changes in these indexes in Group A. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the
      electric toothbrush is statistically more efficient in performing an adequate
      level of oral hygiene in children wearing RPE.

PMID- 24219337
TI  - Supramolecular assistance for the selective monofunctionalization of a
      calix[6]arene tris-carboxylic acid-based receptor.
AB  - The selective functionalization of macrocyclic receptors remains extremely
      challenging because it generally requires the transformation of one and only one
      functional group among several identical groups. Recently, some of us described
      that the host-guest properties of a calix[6]arene-based Zn complex could be
      exploited for its selective monofunctionalization. Herein, we report on the
      extension of this synthetic strategy to a calix[6]arene-based receptor displaying
      a different recognition pattern with its guest. More precisely, a calix[6]arene
      tris-carboxylic acid-based receptor bearing three azido groups at the large rim
      was selectively monofunctionalized through an intramolecular thermal Huisgen
      reaction with a hexynNH3(+) ion accommodated into the cavity. This work shows
      that the monofunctionalization methodology can also be performed efficiently with
      host-guest systems involving ionic/H-bonding interactions, and it is thus not
      limited only to the use of metal-ligand interactions. In other words, this
      supramolecular methodology can be used as a general tool for the selective
      functionalization of molecular receptors. 

PMID- 24219338
TI  - Role of endoscopic ultrasonography in pancreatic cystic neoplasms: where do we
      stand and where will we go?
AB  - We increasingly encounter pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) in clinical practice
      and the differential diagnoses vary widely from benign to malignant. There is no
      'one and only' diagnostic procedure for PCN. Multiple modalities including
      computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are widely used, but EUS
      has the advantage of anatomical proximity to the pancreas and upper
      gastrointestinal tract. In addition, EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)
      provides both cytological evaluation and cyst fluid analysis. Although the role
      of EUS-FNA for PCN is established, the sensitivity of cytology is low and cyst
      fluid analysis is only useful for differentiation between mucinous and non
      mucinous cysts. Recently, novel through-the-needle imaging under EUS-FNA, such as
      confocal laserendomicroscopy, is expected to attribute to a better diagnostic
      yield. Moreover, feasibility of cyst ablation has been reported and the role of
      EUS has expanded from diagnosis to treatment. However, clinical impact of cyst
      ablation in terms of safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness should be validated
      further. In summary, EUS and EUS-guided intervention does and will play a central
      role in the management of PCN from surveillance to treatment, but many clinical
      questions remain unanswered, which warrants well-designed prospective clinical
      trials. 

PMID- 24219339
TI  - The impact of the width of the tracking area on speckle tracking parameters
      methodological aspects of deformation imaging.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the tracking area width
      on myocardial wall motion and deformation parameters in 2D speckle tracking.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Standardized apical views were acquired in 30 healthy
      subjects and 15 patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction using 2D
      echocardiography. Longitudinal peak systolic strain (PSS), longitudinal peak
      systolic strain rate (PSSR), postsystolic index (PSI), peak longitudinal (PLD),
      and peak transverse displacement (PTD) were determined by 2D speckle tracking to
      analyze the impact of the tracking area width on global and regional myocardial
      wall motion and deformation parameters. The dimension of the tracking area has a
      significant impact on all parameters. With increasing width of the tracking area
      higher values of PSS, PSSR, PSI, and lower values of PLD and PTD were determined.
      With increasing width of the tracking area a significant number of segments were
      not tracked. In summary, especially global PSS is significantly influenced by the
      width of the tracking area. CONCLUSIONS: The strain values determined by 2D
      speckle tracking are significantly influenced by the tracking area width. The
      tracking of the subendocardial layers only results in lower global strain values
      than tracking the complete ventricular wall using the medium or wide tracking
      area widths. The tracking quality in the far field is worse if the tracking area
      is too wide. The present data show that standard and reference values of
      deformation imaging should include detailed information about the position and
      the width of the tracking area.

PMID- 24219340
TI  - Characterization of oleanolic acid derivative for colon cancer targeting with
      positron emission tomography.
AB  - Abstract Oleanolic acid (OA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in various plant
      species. Triterpenoid compounds have been shown to inhibit tumor proliferation
      and to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. We synthesized an OA derivative and
      evaluated its inhibitory effects on cell proliferation in human colon cancer.
      Radioisotope-labeled OA was prepared for noninvasive monitoring of tumor
      progression in vitro and in vivo. The OA derivative decreased cell survival in a
      concentration-dependent manner and increased apoptosis in HT-29 cells.
      Furthermore, it induced downregulation of cyclin D1, Cox-2, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL mRNA
      expression and upregulation of the mRNA expression of the anti-apoptotic Bax
      protein in HT29 cells. NF-kappaB p65 and IkappaB expression also decreased,
      whereas expression of the apoptosis marker, the cleaved form of PARP-1,
      significantly increased in OA derivative-treated HT-29 cells. Radioisotope
      labeled OA (68Ga-NOTA-OA) showed significantly high tumor uptake, as assessed by
      biodistribution and positron emission tomography imaging analyses, at 1 h post
      injection in the human colon cancer xenograft model. Our results demonstrate that
      the OA derivative has promising properties as an anticancer drug and as an
      imaging tool for tumor targeting.

PMID- 24219341
TI  - EurOOHnet-the European research network for out-of-hours primary health care.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: European countries face similar challenges in the
      provision of health care. Demographic factors like ageing, population growth,
      changing patient behaviour, and lack of work force lead to increasing demands,
      costs, and overcrowding of out-of-hours (OOH) care (i.e. primary care services,
      emergency departments (EDs), and ambulance services). These developments strain
      services and imply safety risks. In the last few decades, countries have been re
      organizing their OOH primary health care services. AIM AND SCOPE OF THE NETWORK:
      We established a European research network for out-of-hours primary health care
      (EurOOHnet), which aims to transfer knowledge, share experiences, and conduct
      research. Combining research competencies and integrating results can generate a
      profound information flow to European researchers and decision makers in health
      policy, contributing towards feasible and high-quality OOH care. It also
      contributes to a more comparable performance level within European regions.
      CONDUCTED RESEARCH PROJECTS: The European research network aims to conduct mutual
      research projects. At present, three projects have been accomplished, among
      others concerning the diagnostic scope in OOH primary care services and guideline
      adherence for diagnosis and treatment of cystitis in OOH primary care. THE
      FUTURE: Future areas of research will be organizational models for OOH care;
      appropriate use of the OOH services; quality of telephone triage; quality of
      medical care; patient safety issues; use of auxiliary personnel; collaboration
      with EDs and ambulance care; and the role of GPs in OOH care.

PMID- 24219342
TI  - EFPC: European Forum for Primary Care. EC Integrated Care Collaborative needs
      good practices to extend healthy life years of EU citizens.

PMID- 24219343
TI  - Effects of writing down the request for help: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies investigating interventions, aimed at improving patient
      satisfaction by exploring the patient's request for help, show conflicting
      results. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether writing down the request for help on
      a request card, prior to the consultation improves patient satisfaction. METHODS:
      This study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial, in which the patients
      were blinded to the intervention. Patients were recruited in two rural practices
      (five GPs) and one urban practice (four GPs) in The Netherlands. Consecutive
      patients with a new request for help were asked to participate. All patients
      received general information about patient satisfaction. After randomization,
      patients in the intervention group were asked to fill in a card with their
      request(s) for help; the general practitioners started the consultations with
      these questions. We used the 'Professional Care' subscale of the Consultation
      Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) to examine the effect of the intervention on
      patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction measured with
      the patient's VAS score, the GP's VAS score on satisfaction, consultation time,
      the other subscales of the CSQ, and the number of consultations during follow-up.
      RESULTS: There was no difference in patient satisfaction (CSQ, VAS) between both
      groups. We also did not find any differences between the other subscales of the
      CSQ. CONCLUSION: A beneficial effect of the use of a 'request card' by the
      patient on patient satisfaction of the consultation could not be demonstrated.

PMID- 24219344
TI  - Would GPs advise patients with respiratory tract infections to refrain from
      exercise, stay indoors or stay in bed? Survey of GPs in Poland and Norway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For patients with respiratory tract infections evidence regarding bed
      rest, staying indoors and refraining from exercise is sparse. OBJECTIVES: To
      explore how general practitioners (GPs) in Poland and Norway would advise such
      patients. METHODS: Convenience samples of GPs in Poland (n = 216) and Norway (n =
      171) read four vignettes in which patients presented symptoms consistent with
      pneumonia, sinusitis, common cold and exacerbation of chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD), respectively. For each vignette, GPs were asked whether
      they would recommend staying indoors, staying in bed and refraining from
      exercise, and if so, for how many days. RESULTS: For each vignette, the
      proportions of GPs recommending the patient to stay indoors in Poland versus
      Norway were 98% versus 72% (pneumonia), 92% versus 26% (sinusitis), 87% versus 9%
      (common cold) and 92% versus 39% (exacerbation of COPD). In regression analysis
      adjusted relative risks (95% CI) for recommending the patient to stay indoors in
      Poland versus Norway was 1.4 (1.2-1.5), 3.7 (2.8-4.8), 10.6 (6.3-17.7) and 2.5
      (2.0-3.1), respectively. Among those who would recommend the patient to stay
      indoors, mean durations were 8.1, 6.6, 5.1 and 6.7 days in Poland versus 3.2,
      2.8, 2.6 and 4.1 days in Norway, respectively. Polish GPs were also more likely
      to recommend staying in bed and refraining from exercise, and for a longer time,
      than their Norwegian colleagues. CONCLUSION: GPs in Poland were more likely to
      recommend bed rest, staying indoors and refraining from exercise. This suggests
      that they perceived the cases as more serious than their Norwegian colleagues.

PMID- 24219345
TI  - Why do GPs continue inappropriate hospital prescriptions of proton pump
      inhibitors? A qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inappropriate prescriptions of Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
      initiated in hospitals are frequently continued in primary care. No research has
      explored why general practitioners (GPs) continue or discontinue inappropriate
      drug therapy. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe factors and motives
      associated with the continuation of inappropriate prescriptions of PPIs in
      primary care. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews on basis of a
      purposive sampling of five GPs who often continued inappropriate prescriptions
      and five GPs who frequently discontinued inappropriate drug therapy with PPIs (10
      GPs total, of which four were female and six male). RESULTS: Although all GPs
      enrolled in the study were enthusiastic about the effectiveness of PPIs,
      differences between the continuing and discontinuing GPs exists in three areas:
      The two groups varied ( 1 ) in awareness of indications and general attitudes
      towards prescribing ( 2 ) in perception of the hospital physicians' competence in
      prescribing and ( 3 ) appreciation of general prescribing conditions in
      hospitals. CONCLUSION: Differences between the continuing and discontinuing GPs
      were found in their level of knowledge and their perceptions of the hospital
      physicians' competence and the threshold to prescribing in hospitals. Financial
      pressure and possible adverse effects demand a more balanced and evidence-based
      prescribing of PPIs. Attempts to change behaviour should focus on the GPs'
      awareness of indications for PPIs, NSAID risks, and prescribing approaches in
      hospitals. Default prescribing in hospital demands critical examination.

PMID- 24219346
TI  - Uncovering the selection criteria for the emergence of multi-building-block
      replicators from dynamic combinatorial libraries.
AB  - A family of self-replicating macrocycles was developed using dynamic
      combinatorial chemistry. Replication is driven by self-assembly of the
      replicators into fibrils and relies critically on mechanically induced fibril
      fragmentation. Analysis of separate dynamic combinatorial libraries made from one
      of six peptide-functionalized building blocks of different hydrophobicity
      revealed two selection criteria that govern the emergence of replicators from
      these systems. First, the replicators need to have a critical macrocycle size
      that endows them with sufficient multivalency to enable their self-assembly into
      fibrils. Second, efficient replication occurs only for library members that are
      of low abundance in the absence of a replication pathway. This work has led to
      spontaneous emergence of replicators with unrivalled structural complexity, being
      built from up to eight identical subunits and reaching a MW of up to 5.6 kDa. The
      insights obtained in this work provide valuable guidance that should facilitate
      future discovery of new complex self-replicating molecules. They may also assist
      in the development of new self-synthesizing materials, where self-assembly drives
      the synthesis of the very molecules that self-assemble. To illustrate the
      potential of this concept, the present system enables access to self-assembling
      materials made from self-synthesizing macrocycles with tunable ring size ranging
      from trimers to octamers. 

PMID- 24219347
TI  - Spinal cord atrophy correlates with disease duration and severity in amyotrophic
      lateral sclerosis.
AB  - Our objective was to investigate spinal cord (SC) atrophy in amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis (ALS) patients, and to determine whether it correlates with clinical
      parameters. Forty-three patients with ALS (25 males) and 43 age- and gender
      matched healthy controls underwent MRI on a 3T scanner. We used T1-weighted 3D
      images covering the whole brain and the cervical SC to estimate cervical SC area
      and eccentricity at C2/C3 level using validated software (SpineSeg). Disease
      severity was quantified with the ALSFRS-R and ALS Severity scores. SC areas of
      patients and controls were compared with a Mann-Whitney test. We used linear
      regression to investigate association between SC area and clinical parameters.
      Results showed that mean age of patients and disease duration were 53.1 +/- 12.2
      years and 34.0 +/- 29.8 months, respectively. The two groups were significantly
      different regarding SC areas (67.8 +/- 6.8 mm2 vs. 59.5 +/- 8.4 mm2, p < 0.001).
      Eccentricity values were similar in both groups (p = 0.394). SC areas correlated
      with disease duration (r = - 0.585, p < 0.001), ALSFRS-R score (r = 0.309, p =
      0.044) and ALS Severity scale (r = 0.347, p = 0.022). In conclusion, patients
      with ALS have SC atrophy, but no flattening. In addition, SC areas correlated
      with disease duration and functional status. These data suggest that quantitative
      MRI of the SC may be a useful biomarker in the disease.

PMID- 24219349
TI  - miR-203 inhibits the proliferation and self-renewal of esophageal cancer stem
      like cells by suppressing stem renewal factor Bmi-1.
AB  - Cancer stem-like cells exist in many malignancies and several stem cell-related
      genes and microRNAs, such as Bmi-1 and miR-203, have been identified as cancer
      stem-like cell regulators using gene microarray or sequencing analysis.
      Previously, we used side population (SP) sorting to enrich cancer stem-like cells
      from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell line EC9706. Our results
      demonstrated that EC9706 SP cells shared common features of cancer stem-like
      cells. In this study, we examined the expression of Bmi-1 and miR-203 in ESCC SP
      and non-SP (NSP) cells. Our results showed that, when compared with NSP cells,
      Bmi-1 was up-regulated and miR-203 was down-regulated in SP cells. During the
      differentiation from SP to NSP cells, the expression levels of Bmi-1 were
      gradually decreased. Overexpression of miR-203 resulted in a significant
      reduction of endogenous Bmi-1 protein level in EC9706 cells. SP and NSP analyses
      revealed that the SP cell fraction was markedly decreased in miR-203
      overexpressed cells. miR-203 overexpressed cells also showed a significant
      reduction in colony formation, which was resistant to chemotherapeutic drug
      treatment and tumorigenicity in nude mice. Rescue experiments demonstrated that
      ectopic expression of Bmi-1 in miR-203 overexpressed cells increased the SP
      fraction and restored cell proliferation. Taken together, these results indicated
      that stem renewal factor Bmi-1 was a direct target of miR-203. The regulation of
      Bmi-1 by miR-203 may play an important role in controlling cell proliferation and
      self-renewal of esophageal cancer stem-like cells. It may also promote the
      development of new therapeutic strategies and efficient drugs that target ESCC
      stem-like cells. 

PMID- 24219348
TI  - Patterns in blood pressure medication use in US incident dialysis patients over
      the first 6 months.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several observational studies have evaluated the effect of a single
      exposure window with blood pressure (BP) medications on outcomes in incident
      dialysis patients, but whether BP medication prescription patterns remain stable
      or a single exposure window design is adequate to evaluate effect on outcomes is
      unclear. METHODS: We described patterns of BP medication prescription over 6
      months after dialysis initiation in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
      patients, stratified by cardiovascular comorbidity, diabetes, and other patient
      characteristics. The cohort included 13,072 adult patients (12,159 hemodialysis,
      913 peritoneal dialysis) who initiated dialysis in Dialysis Clinic, Inc.,
      facilities January 1, 2003-June 30, 2008, and remained on the original modality
      for at least 6 months. We evaluated monthly patterns in BP medication
      prescription over 6 months and at 12 and 24 months after initiation. RESULTS:
      Prescription patterns varied by dialysis modality over the first 6 months;
      substantial proportions of patients with prescriptions for beta-blockers, renin
      angiotensin system agents, and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in month
      6 no longer had prescriptions for these medications by month 24. Prescription of
      specific medication classes varied by comorbidity, race/ethnicity, and age, but
      little by sex. The mean number of medications was 2.5 at month 6 in hemodialysis
      and peritoneal dialysis cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: This study evaluates BP medication
      patterns in both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients over the first 6
      months of dialysis. Our findings highlight the challenges of assessing
      comparative effectiveness of a single BP medication class in dialysis patients.
      Longitudinal designs should be used to account for changes in BP medication
      management over time, and designs that incorporate common combinations should be
      considered.

PMID- 24219351
TI  - Negative, not positive symptoms predict the early therapeutic alliance in
      cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The strength of therapeutic alliance is consistently associated with
      therapy outcome. The aim of this study was to identify relevant predictors for
      early therapeutic alliance in cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis. METHOD:
      Fifty-six patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were included in the
      analysis. Possible predictors (positive and negative symptoms, depression,
      insight, social functioning, theory of mind, and medication adherence) were
      assessed at baseline. Alliance was assessed after each therapy session. RESULTS:
      Lower negative symptoms significantly predicted higher patient and therapist
      rated alliance. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that negative symptoms might
      be a barrier to the development of therapeutic alliance. Assumed underlying
      processes and practical implications are discussed.

PMID- 24219350
TI  - Characterization of NCR1+ cells residing in lymphoid tissues in the gut of lambs
      indicates that the majority are NK cells.
AB  - Natural killer (NK) cells are important for immune protection of the gut mucosa.
      Previous studies have shown that under pathologic conditions NK cells, T cells
      and dendritic cells are found co-localised in secondary lymphoid organs where
      their interaction coordinates immune responses. However, in the gut-associated
      lymphoid tissues (GALTs), there are few detailed reports on the distribution of
      NK cells. Sheep harbour several types of organised lymphoid tissues in the gut
      that have different functions. The ileal Peyer's patch (IPP) functions as a
      primary lymphoid tissue for B cell generation, while the jejunal Peyer's patches
      (JPPs) and colon patches (CPs) are considered secondary lymphoid tissues. In the
      present study, we analysed tissues from healthy lambs by flow cytometry and in
      situ multicolour immunofluorescence, using recently described NCR1 antibodies to
      identify ovine NK cells. Most NCR1+ cells isolated from all tissues were negative
      for the pan T cell marker CD3, and thus comply with the general definition of NK
      cells. The majority of NCR1+ cells in blood as well as secondary lymphoid organs
      expressed CD16, but in the GALT around half of the NCR1+ cells were negative for
      CD16. A semi-quantitative morphometric study on tissue sections was used to
      compare the density of NK cells in four compartments of the IPPs, JPP and CPs.
      NCR1+ cells were found in all gut segments. Statistical analysis revealed
      significant differences between compartments of the primary lymphoid organ IPP
      and the secondary lymphoid organs of the JPPs and CP. NK cells co-localised and
      made close contact with T cells, dendritic cells and other NK cells, but did not
      show signs of proliferation. We conclude that NK cells are present in all
      investigated segments of the sheep gut, but that presence of other innate
      lymphoid cells expressing NCR1 cannot be excluded. 

PMID- 24219352
TI  - 3 tesla magnetic resonance imaging of the occipitoatlantoaxial region in the
      normal horse.
AB  - The aim of this study was to describe the appearance of the ligamentous
      structures of the occipitoatlantoaxial (OAA) region in the normal horse by 3
      tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI images of the longitudinal
      odontoid ligament, tectorial membrane, dorsal and ventral atlantoaxial ligaments,
      dorsal atlantooccipital membrane with its reinforcing ligaments, and the lateral
      atlantooccipital ligaments of 10 horse cadavers were evaluated. All ligaments and
      membranes were identified in all planes, except for the lateral atlantooccipital
      ligament in the sagittal plane due to its cranioventrolateral course. All were
      iso to mildly hypointense to musculature of the neck in T1W with the exception of
      the tectorial membrane that was moderately hypointense; moderately hypointense in
      PD-SPIR, and markedly hypointense (isointense to cortical bone) in T2W. The PD
      SPIR was the best sequence to identify all ligaments and membranes from their
      cranial and caudal attachments. The longitudinal odontoid ligament, ventral
      atlantoaxial ligament, and reinforcing bands of the dorsal atlantooccipital
      membrane presented a characteristic striped heterogeneous signal behavior thought
      to be due to fibrocartilaginous content. The remaining ligaments and membranes
      showed homogeneous signal intensity. Special anatomical features in this species
      such as the fan-shaped longitudinal odontoid ligament, absence of the transverse
      ligament and presence of the ventral atlantoaxial ligament were documented.
      Ligamentous structures that stabilize the equine OAA region were described with
      MRI in this study and these findings could serve as an anatomic reference for
      those cases where instability of this region is suspected.

PMID- 24219353
TI  - Simultaneous quantification of nucleoproteins and comparison of methyl green
      pyronin Y and Feulgen staining in sections of oral squamous cell carcinoma,
      dysplastic lesions and normal mucosa.
AB  - A fundamental difference between normal cells and tumor cells is the
      proliferative activity of the nucleus and nucleolus, which increases
      progressively from normal to oral dysplastic mucosa to oral squamous cell
      carcinoma (OSCC). This activity is evaluated routinely using hematoxylin and
      eosin (H & E) staining, but in some cases, inter-observer variability occurs
      among pathologists. We evaluated cellular proliferation by staining sections with
      the methyl green-pyronin Y procedure and the Feulgen reaction. We also compared
      the efficacy of methyl green-pyronin Y and Feulgen staining for studying nuclear
      and nucleolar features in oral dysplastic mucosa and in different grades of OSCC.
      Sections cut from formalin fixed, paraffin embedded blocks of five normal mucosa,
      15 dysplastic mucosa, 10 well-differentiated OSCC, 10 moderately differentiated
      OSCC and five poorly differentiated OSCC cases were stained with Hematoxylin and
      Eosin, methyl green-pyronin Y and the Feulgen reaction. The mean diameters of the
      nuclei and number of nucleoli showed significant differences. A progressive
      increase in diameter of the nucleus and number of nucleoli was observed from
      normal mucosa through poorly differentiated OSCC. We observed that methyl green
      pyronin Y stain is more useful than Feulgen and hematoxylin and eosin for
      simultaneous quantitative assessment of both RNA and DNA. The simplicity of this
      technique makes it a valuable tool even for daily routine examination.

PMID- 24219354
TI  - Effect of antimicrobial agents incorporated into resilient denture relines on the
      Candida albicans biofilm.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The antimicrobial action of five drugs incorporated in temporary
      denture relines on the fungal biofilm was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      Candida albicans biofilm (SC5314) was formed on specimens (10 * 1 mm) of
      materials (Trusoft and Softone) modified or not (control) by the drugs (nystatin,
      miconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and chlorhexidine diacetate). Cell
      viability was determined spectrophotometrically by the tetrazolium salt reduction
      assay (XTT) after 24 h, 48 h, and 7 and 14 days of incubation. The minimum
      inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were those which inhibited 90% or more of fungal
      growth. Fungal susceptibility was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy
      analysis. RESULTS: The MICs of drugs incorporated in the materials were 0.032,
      0.256, 0.128, 0.256, and 0.064 g ml(-1) for nystatin, miconazole, ketoconazole,
      itraconazole, and chlorhexidine, respectively. Images from nystatin,
      chlorhexidine, and ketoconazole demonstrated no viable cells. CONCLUSIONS: The
      antimicrobials incorporated in the resilient materials inhibited fungal growth
      during 14 days, with lower MICs for nystatin and chlorhexidine.

PMID- 24219355
TI  - Synthesis and pH-responsive "schizophrenic" aggregation of a linear-dendron-like
      polyampholyte based on oppositely charged polypeptides.
AB  - A novel linear-dendron-like polyampholyte, poly(L-lysine)-b-D2-poly(L-glutamic
      acid) [PLL-b-D2-(PLGA)4], where D2 is the second generation of poly(amido amine),
      was prepared by hydrolyzing poly(epsilon-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine)-b-D2
      poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) copolymer which was synthesized via a combination
      of ring-opening polymerization and click chemistry. The pH-responsive self
      assembly behaviors of PLL-b-D2-(PLGA)4 were investigated in detail. It is found
      that PLL-b-D2-(PLGA)4 can self-assemble into PLGA-core aggregates at acidic pH
      and PLL-core aggregates at alkaline pH, which was accompanied with the coil-to
      helix conformational transition of PLGA and PLL segments, respectively. The self
      assembled aggregates with various morphologies, such as large compound micelles,
      worm-like micelles, large compound vesicles, simple vesicles, and rigid tubular
      structures have been obtained in "schizophrenic" aggregation process with simply
      increasing the solution pH. The hierarchical assembled fractal structures of PLL
      b-D2-(PLGA)4 were observed during the solvent evaporation at high pH value.

PMID- 24219356
TI  - Nutraceutical properties of extra-virgin olive oil: a natural remedy for age
      related disease?
AB  - The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet can be largely ascribed to the
      nutraceutical properties of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). Mono-unsaturated fatty
      acids and various phenolic compounds, such as oleocanthal, oleuropein,
      hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol, are the main nutraceutical substances of EVOO. These
      substances have been suggested to have the ability to modulate aging-associated
      processes. In experimental models, it has been shown that EVOO with high
      concentrations of polyphenols has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
      Indeed, it was observed that hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal inhibit the
      cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and -2) responsible for prostaglandin production;
      oleuropein is a radical scavenger that blocks the oxidation of low-density
      lipoproteins. Due to the relevance of olive oil in the economy of Sicily, our
      group has been funded to assess the nutraceutical properties of different kinds
      of olive oil. Indeed, the aim of the study is to evaluate effects of EVOOs, with
      low and high polyphenols content, on immuno-inflammatory and oxidative stress
      responses in young and old people. A further objective of our group is to
      evaluate effects of EVOO, with low and high polyphenol content, on the expression
      of genes encoding proteins that take part in the insulin/insulin-like growth
      factor-1 signaling pathway involved in longevity. The results of the study will
      be useful for producing olive oil enriched in nutraceutical properties that may
      be likely helpful in the prevention of age-related diseases.

PMID- 24219357
TI  - Niche partitioning in three sympatric congeneric species of dragonfly, Orthetrum
      chrysostigma, O. coerulescens anceps, and O. nitidinerve: the importance of
      microhabitat.
AB  - Habitat heterogeneity has been shown to promote co-existence of closely related
      species. Based on this concept, a field study was conducted on the niche
      partitioning of three territorial congeneric species of skimmers (Anisoptera:
      Libellulidae) in Northeast Algeria during the breeding season of 2011. According
      to their size, there is a descending hierarchy between Orthetrum nitidinerve
      Selys, O. chrysostigma (Burmeister), and O. coerulescens anceps (Schneider).
      After being marked and surveyed, the two latter species had the same breeding
      behavior sequence. Knowing that they had almost the same size, such species could
      not co-occur in the same habitat according to the competitive exclusion
      principle. The spatial distribution of the three species was investigated at two
      different microhabitats, and it was found that these two species were actually
      isolated at this scale. O. chrysostigma and O. nitidinerve preferred open areas,
      while O. c. anceps occurred in highly vegetated waters. This study highlights the
      role of microhabitat in community structure as an important niche axis that
      maintains closely related species in the same habitat.

PMID- 24219361
TI  - Sequestration of selenium on calcite surfaces revealed by nanoscale imaging.
AB  - Calcite, a widespread natural mineral at the Earth's surface, is well-known for
      its capacity to sequester various elements within its structure. Among these
      elements, selenium is important because of its high toxicity in natural systems
      and for human health. In the form of selenite (Se((IV))), selenium can be
      incorporated into calcite during growth. Our in situ atomic force microscopy
      observations of calcite surfaces during contact with selenium-bearing solutions
      demonstrate that another process of selenium trapping can occur under conditions
      in which calcite dissolves. Upon the injection of solutions containing selenium
      in two states of oxidation (either Se((IV)) or Se((VI))), precipitates were
      observed forming while calcite was still dissolving. In the presence of selenate
      (Se((VI))), the precipitates formed remained small during the observation period.
      When injecting selenite (Se((IV))), the precipitates grew significantly and were
      identified as CaSeO3.H2O, based on SEM observations, Raman spectroscopy, and
      thermodynamic calculations. An interpretation is proposed where the dissolution
      of calcite increases the calcium concentration in a thin boundary layer in
      contact with the surface, allowing the precipitation of a selenium phase. This
      process of dissolution-precipitation provides a new mechanism for selenium
      sequestration and extends the range of thermodynamic conditions under which such
      a process is efficient. 

PMID- 24219359
TI  - Phase IA/II, multicentre, open-label study of the CD40 antagonistic monoclonal
      antibody lucatumumab in adult patients with advanced non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin
      lymphoma.
AB  - Despite advancements in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin
      lymphoma (HL), patients continue to relapse and thus a need for new targeted
      therapies remains. The CD40 receptor is highly expressed on neoplastic B cells
      and activation leads to enhanced proliferation and survival. Lucatumumab (HCD122)
      is a fully human antagonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody. A phase IA/II study was
      designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and activity of
      lucatumumab in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma. Determination of the
      MTD was the primary objective of the phase IA dose escalation portion and
      clinical response was the primary objective of the phase II dose expansion
      portion. Patients received escalating doses of lucatumumab administered
      intravenously once weekly for 4 weeks of an 8-week cycle. MTD was determined at 4
      mg/kg of lucatumumab. A total of 111 patients with NHL (n = 74) and HL (n = 37)
      were enrolled. Responses were observed across various lymphoma subtypes. The
      overall response rate by computed tomography among patients with follicular
      lymphoma (FL) and marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue
      (MZL/MALT) was 33.3% and 42.9%, respectively. Lucatumumab demonstrates modest
      activity in relapsed/refractory patients with advanced lymphoma, suggesting that
      targeting of CD40 warrants further investigation. 

PMID- 24219360
TI  - Serum liver enzymes are associated with all-cause mortality in an elderly
      population.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Little is known about the association of serum liver enzymes
      with long-term outcome in the elderly. We sought to clarify the association of
      serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with all-cause and
      cause-specific mortality in an elderly population. METHODS: This study was
      embedded in the Rotterdam Study, a large population-based cohort of persons aged
      55 years or older. Cox-regression analyses were performed to examine the
      association of baseline serum GGT, ALP, and aminotransferase levels with
      mortality, adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking status, alcohol intake,
      hypertension, diabetes mellitus, body mass index and total cholesterol levels.
      Liver enzyme levels were categorized according to sample percentiles; levels
      <25th percentile were taken as a reference. RESULTS: During a follow-up of up to
      19.5 years, 2997 of 5186(57.8%) participants died: 672 participants died of
      causes related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and 703 participants died of
      cancer. All serum liver enzymes were associated with all-cause mortality (all P <
      0.001). Moreover, GGT was associated with increased CVD mortality (P < 0.001),
      and ALP and AST with increased cancer-related mortality (P = 0.03 and P = 0.005
      respectively). Participants with GGT and ALP in the top 5% had the highest risk
      for all-cause mortality (HR1.55; 95%CI 1.30-1.85 and HR1.49; 95%CI 1.25-1.78
      respectively). AST and ALT <25th percentile were also associated with a higher
      risk of all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: All serum liver enzymes were positively
      associated with long-term mortality in this elderly population. Why participants
      with low ALT and AST levels have higher risk of mortality remains to be
      elucidated.

PMID- 24219358
TI  - Gut microbiota-based translational biomarkers to prevent metabolic syndrome via
      nutritional modulation.
AB  - In the face of the global epidemic of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its strong
      association with the increasing rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality,
      it is critical to detect MetS at an early stage in the clinical setting to
      implement preventive intervention long before the complications arise.
      Lipopolysaccharide, the cell wall component of Gram-negative bacteria produced
      from diet-disrupted gut microbiota, has been shown to induce metabolic
      endotoxemia, chronic low-grade inflammation, and ultimately insulin resistance.
      Therefore, ameliorating the inflammation and insulin resistance underlying MetS
      by gut microbiota-targeted, dietary intervention has gained increasing attention.
      In this review, we propose using dynamic monitoring of a set of translational
      biomarkers related with the etiological role of gut microbiota, including
      lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting
      insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), for
      early detection and prevention of MetS via nutritional modulation. LBP initiates
      the recognition and monomerization of lipopolysaccharide and amplifies host
      immune responses, linking the gut-derived antigen load and inflammation indicated
      by the plasma levels of CRP. Fasting plasma insulin and HOMA-IR are measured to
      evaluate insulin sensitivity that is damaged by pro-inflammatory cytokines. The
      dynamic monitoring of these biomarkers in high-risk populations may provide
      translational methods for the quantitative and dynamic evaluation of dysbiosis
      induced insulin resistance and the effectiveness of dietary treatment for MetS. 

PMID- 24219362
TI  - Hospital process orientation from an operations management perspective:
      development of a measurement tool and practical testing in three ophthalmic
      practices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although research interest in hospital process orientation (HPO) is
      growing, the development of a measurement tool to assess process orientation (PO)
      has not been very successful yet. To view a hospital as a series of processes
      organized around patients with a similar demand seems to be an attractive
      proposition, but it is hard to operationalize this idea in a measurement tool
      that can actually measure the level of PO. This research contributes to HPO from
      an operations management (OM) perspective by addressing the alignment,
      integration and coordination of activities within patient care processes. The
      objective of this study was to develop and practically test a new measurement
      tool for assessing the degree of PO within hospitals using existing tools.
      METHODS: Through a literature search we identified a number of constructs to
      measure PO in hospital settings. These constructs were further operationalized,
      using an OM perspective. Based on five dimensions of an existing questionnaire a
      new HPO-measurement tool was developed to measure the degree of PO within
      hospitals on the basis of respondents' perception. The HPO-measurement tool was
      pre-tested in a non-participating hospital and discussed with experts in a focus
      group. The multicentre exploratory case study was conducted in the ophthalmic
      practices of three different types of Dutch hospitals. In total 26 employees from
      three disciplines participated. After filling in the questionnaire an interview
      was held with each participant to check the validity and the reliability of the
      measurement tool. RESULTS: The application of the HPO-measurement tool, analysis
      of the scores and interviews with the participants resulted in the possibility to
      identify differences of PO performance and the areas of improvement--from a PO
      point of view--within each hospital. The result of refinement of the items of the
      measurement tool after practical testing is a set of 41 items to assess the
      degree of PO from an OM perspective within hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The
      development and practically testing of a new HPO-measurement tool improves the
      understanding and application of PO in hospitals and the reliability of the
      measurement tool. The study shows that PO is a complex concept and appears still
      hard to objectify.

PMID- 24219363
TI  - Histatins: salivary peptides with copper(II)- and zinc(II)-binding motifs:
      perspectives for biomedical applications.
AB  - Natural antimicrobial peptides represent a primordial mechanism of immunity in
      both vertebrate and nonvertebrate organisms. Among them, histatins belong to a
      family of human salivary metal-binding peptides displaying potent antibacterial,
      antifungal and wound-healing activities. These properties, along with the ability
      of histatins to inhibit collagenases and cysteine proteases, have attracted much
      attention for their potential use in the treatment of several oral diseases. This
      review critically assesses the studies carried out to date in order to provide a
      comprehensive and systematic vision of the information accumulated so far. In
      particular, the relationship between metal-binding and peptide activity is
      extensively analysed. The review provides important clues for developing possible
      therapeutic applications of histatins and their synthetic peptide analogues by
      creating a set of necessary resource materials to support investigators and
      industries interested in exploiting their unique properties. 

PMID- 24219364
TI  - FAst MEtabolizer (FAME): A rapid and accurate predictor of sites of metabolism in
      multiple species by endogenous enzymes.
AB  - FAst MEtabolizer (FAME) is a fast and accurate predictor of sites of metabolism
      (SoMs). It is based on a collection of random forest models trained on diverse
      chemical data sets of more than 20 000 molecules annotated with their
      experimentally determined SoMs. Using a comprehensive set of available data, FAME
      aims to assess metabolic processes from a holistic point of view. It is not
      limited to a specific enzyme family or species. Besides a global model, dedicated
      models are available for human, rat, and dog metabolism; specific prediction of
      phase I and II metabolism is also supported. FAME is able to identify at least
      one known SoM among the top-1, top-2, and top-3 highest ranked atom positions in
      up to 71%, 81%, and 87% of all cases tested, respectively. These prediction rates
      are comparable to or better than SoM predictors focused on specific enzyme
      families (such as cytochrome P450s), despite the fact that FAME uses only seven
      chemical descriptors. FAME covers a very broad chemical space, which together
      with its inter- and extrapolation power makes it applicable to a wide range of
      chemicals. Predictions take less than 2.5 s per molecule in batch mode on an
      Ultrabook. Results are visualized using Jmol, with the most likely SoMs
      highlighted. 

PMID- 24219365
TI  - Estimate of production of gaseous nitrogen in the human body based on (15)N
      analysis of breath N2 after administration of [(15)N2]urea.
AB  - After oral administration of [(15)N2]urea (1.5 mmol, 95 atom% (15)N), we found
      that breath N2 was significantly (15)N-labelled. The result suggests that
      molecular nitrogen in breath must be partly produced endogenously. Based on a
      metabolic model, the endogenous N2 production was estimated to be 0.40+/-0.25
      mmol kg(-1) d(-1) or 2.9+/-1.8 % of the total (urinary and faecal) N excretion in
      fasted healthy subjects (n=4). In patients infected with Helicobacter pylori
      (n=5), the endogenous N2 production was increased to 1.24+/-0.59 mmol kg(-1) d(
      1) or 9.0+/-4.3 % of the total N excretion compared to the healthy controls
      (p<0.05). We conclude that N balance and gas exchange measurements may be
      affected by endogenously produced nitrogen, especially in metabolic situations
      with elevated nitrosation, for instance in oxidative and nitrosative stress
      related diseases such as H. pylori infections. 

PMID- 24219366
TI  - Side chain dynamics of carboxyl and carbonyl groups in the catalytic function of
      Escherichia coli ribonuclease H.
AB  - Many proteins use Asx and Glx (x = n, p, or u) side chains as key functional
      groups in enzymatic catalysis and molecular recognition. In this study, NMR spin
      relaxation experiments and molecular dynamics simulations are used to measure the
      dynamics of the side chain amide and carboxyl groups, (13)C(gamma/delta), in
      Escherichia coli ribonuclease HI (RNase H). Model-free analysis shows that the
      catalytic residues in RNase H are preorganized on ps-ns time scales via a network
      of electrostatic interactions. However, chemical exchange line broadening shows
      that these residues display significant conformational dynamics on MUs-ms time
      scales upon binding of Mg(2+) ions. Two groups of catalytic residues exhibit
      differential line broadening, implicating distinct reorganizational processes
      upon binding of metal ions. These results support the "mobile metal ion"
      hypothesis, which was inferred from structural studies of RNase H. 

PMID- 24219367
TI  - Effectiveness and safety of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent use in the
      perioperative period.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are widely used in
      treating anemia associated with renal failure. They are also now used
      perioperatively to reduce the use of allogeneic blood transfusions (ABTs) in
      patients undergoing surgery with anticipated high blood loss. Although they can
      reduce the risks associated with ABT and improve quality of life, the use of ESAs
      is still associated with adverse effects. AREAS COVERED: A narrative review is
      provided on ESAs and a systematic review has been conducted to examine the
      current evidence for the efficacy and safety of perioperative ESAs use. A search
      of PubMed and Medline databases has been performed using a combination of search
      terms including erythropoietin, perioperative, surgical, safety and efficacy.
      EXPERT OPINION: Current evidence supports the use of perioperative ESAs to reduce
      the need for ABT. However, large studies assessing safety in anemic patients with
      chronic renal disease have found adverse effects including cardiovascular, stroke
      and thromboembolic events. However, whether these concerns can be conferred onto
      the surgical population remains to be seen as the perioperative dosing strategies
      have been more variable in timing, dose and duration in comparison with those
      used for chronic diseases. Future research needs to address the questions of
      optimal dosing strategies in order to maximize the positive effects and minimize
      adverse events.

PMID- 24219368
TI  - MAPK activation in mature cataract associated with Noonan syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Noonan syndrome is an autosomal, dominantly inherited disease; it is
      physically characterized by short stature, short neck, webbed neck, abnormal
      auricles, high arched palate, and cardiovascular malformation. Its pathological
      condition is thought to be due to a gain-of-function mutation in the Ras-mitogen
      activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway. Eyelid abnormalities
      such as ocular hypertelorism and blepharoptosis are the most commonly observed
      eye complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of Noonan syndrome
      associated with mature cataract that required operation. A 42-year-old man was
      diagnosed with Noonan syndrome at the age of 1 year. He underwent an eye
      examination after complaining of decreased visual acuity in the right eye and was
      diagnosed with mature cataract, which was treated by cataract surgery. There were
      no intraoperative complications, and the postoperative course was uneventful.
      Protein analysis of lens capsule and epithelium at capsulorhexis showed MAPK
      cascade proteins such as ERK and p38MAPK were upregulated. An abnormality in the
      PTPN11 gene was also observed; a potential mechanism of cataract onset may be
      that opacity of the lens rapidly progressed due to abnormal activation of the Ras
      MAPK signal transduction pathway. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the possible
      association of cataract formation with MAPK cascade protein upregulation in
      Noonan syndrome.

PMID- 24219369
TI  - Mouse embryonic stem cells have underdeveloped antiviral mechanisms that can be
      exploited for the development of mRNA-mediated gene expression strategy.
AB  - We have recently reported that mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are deficient
      in expressing type I interferons (IFN) when exposed to viral infection and double
      stranded RNA. In this study, we extended our investigation and demonstrated that
      single-stranded RNA and protein-encoding mRNA can induce strong IFN expression
      and cytotoxicity in fibroblasts and epithelial cells, but none of the effects
      associated with these antiviral responses were observed in mESCs. Our results
      provided additional data to support the conclusion that mESCs are intrinsically
      deficient in antiviral responses. While our findings represent a novel feature of
      mESCs that in itself is important for understanding innate immunity development,
      we exploited this property to develop a novel mRNA-mediated gene expression cell
      model. Direct introduction of synthetic mRNA to express desired genes has been
      shown as an effective alternative to DNA/viral vector-based gene expression.
      However, a major biological challenge is that a synthetic mRNA is detected as a
      viral RNA analog by the host cell, resulting in a series of adverse effects
      associated with antiviral responses. We demonstrate that the lack of antiviral
      responses in mESCs effectively avoids this problem. mESCs can tolerate repeated
      transfection and effectively express proteins from their synthetic mRNA with
      expected biological functions, as demonstrated by the expression of green
      fluorescent protein and the transcription factor Etv2. Therefore, mRNA-based gene
      expression could be developed into a novel ESC differentiation strategy that
      avoids safety concerns associated with viral/DNA-based vectors in regenerative
      medicine. 

PMID- 24219371
TI  - Healthier dietary pattern and lower risk of metabolic syndrome in physically
      active postmenopausal women.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between habitual physical activity
      and dietary intake, body composition, metabolic and hormonal variables, and
      cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with no evidence of
      cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 105 women (mean
      age: 55.2 +/- 4.9 years) consulting for climacteric symptoms underwent
      anthropometric and hormonal assessment. Usual dietary intake was assessed with a
      food frequency questionnaire and habitual physical activity was assessed with a
      digital pedometer. Participants were classified as physically inactive (<6000
      steps daily) or physically active (>=6000 steps daily). RESULTS: Compared to the
      inactive group, active women had higher protein, total fat, cholesterol, iron,
      calcium, and the antioxidant micronutrients zinc and selenium intake as well as
      differences on food groups: higher meat, egg, and whole-dairy intake and lower
      intake of chips. Active participants also presented lower diastolic blood
      pressure (p = 0.012), ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP; p = 0.011),
      fasting glucose (p = 0.003), fasting insulin (p = 0.019), and homeostasis model
      assessment index (p = 0.017). After adjustment for age and time since menopause,
      the risk for metabolic syndrome increased with physical inactivity (odds ratio
      [OR] = 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-11.66), us-CRP (OR = 6.57, 95%
      CI, 2.20-19.56), and percentage body fat (OR = 5.65, 95% CI, 1.19-28.89).
      CONCLUSION: Both physical activity and dietary choices may have contributed
      toward a more favorable cardiovascular profile and lower risk of metabolic
      syndrome in postmenopausal women.

PMID- 24219370
TI  - Efficacy of a carrageenan nasal spray in patients with common cold: a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The common cold is the most widespread viral infection in humans.
      Iota-carrageenan has previously shown antiviral effectiveness against cold
      viruses in clinical trials. This study investigated the efficacy of a carrageenan
      containing nasal spray on the duration of the common cold and nasal fluid viral
      load in adult patients. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo
      controlled trial, 211 patients suffering from early symptoms of the common cold
      were treated for seven days. Application was performed three times daily with
      either a carrageenan-supplemented nasal spray or saline solution as placebo with
      an overall observation period of 21 days. The primary endpoint was the duration
      of disease defined as the time until the last day with symptoms followed by all
      other days in the study period without symptoms. During the study, but prior
      unblinding, the definition of disease duration was adapted from the original
      protocol that defines disease duration as the time period of symptoms followed by
      48 hours without symptoms. RESULTS: In patients showing a laboratory-confirmed
      cold virus infection and adherence to the protocol, alleviation of symptoms was
      2.1 days faster in the carrageenan group in comparison to placebo (p = 0.037).
      The primary endpoint that had been prespecified but was changed before unblinding
      was not met. Viral titers in nasal fluids showed a significantly greater decrease
      in carrageenan patients in the intention-to-treat population (p = 0.024) and in
      the per protocol population (p = 0.018) between days 1 and 3/4. CONCLUSIONS: In
      adults with common cold virus infections, direct local administration of
      carrageenan with nasal sprays reduced the duration of cold symptoms. A
      significant reduction of viral load in the nasal wash fluids of patients
      confirmed similar findings from earlier trials in children and adults. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN80148028.

PMID- 24219372
TI  - Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D, hormonal contraceptive use, and cardiometabolic
      disease risk in an ethnically diverse population of young adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The relationship between vitamin D and cardiometabolic disease risk
      across ethnic groups is unclear, and it is not known whether the use of hormonal
      contraceptives (HCs), which affect vitamin D metabolism and are also associated
      with cardiometabolic disease risk, modifies this relationship. Our objectives
      were to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (plasma 25
      hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] < 30 nmol/L) to assess seasonal variation in
      concentrations of 25(OH)D, and to examine whether 25(OH)D is associated with
      cardiometabolic biomarkers across ethnic groups and across men, female HC
      nonusers, and female HC users in an ethnically diverse population of young adults
      living in Canada. METHODS: The study population consisted of Caucasian, East
      Asian, and South Asian individuals (n = 1384, 69% female) aged 20-29 years.
      Participants provided overnight fasting blood samples, from which plasma 25(OH)D
      and cardiometabolic biomarkers were measured. Vitamin D status distributions were
      compared using chi(2) tests, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to
      examine seasonal variations in 25(OH)D, as well as the association between
      25(OH)D and cardiometabolic biomarkers, across groups. RESULTS: Plasma 25(OH)D
      concentrations fluctuated seasonally among Caucasians and East Asians and across
      men, female HC nonusers, and female HC users, but they remained low year-round in
      South Asians, half of whom were vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency was
      associated with higher insulin, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin
      resistance (HOMA-IR), and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-beta among
      Caucasians and East Asians and among men and female HC nonusers and with higher
      triglycerides among men only. No biomarkers were associated with 25(OH)D among
      South Asians and female HC users, although nonsignificant trends were observed
      for higher markers of glycemic dysregulation in those who were vitamin D
      deficient in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency varies between ethnic
      groups and is particularly high among South Asians, and it is associated with
      biomarkers of glycemic dysregulation; however, HC use among women may attenuate
      this association. Given the widespread use of HCs by women throughout the world,
      a better understanding of the extent to which these medications may modify the
      relationship between vitamin D and processes related to disease is warranted.

PMID- 24219373
TI  - Full mini nutritional assessment and prognosis in elderly patients with pulmonary
      tuberculosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is observed frequently in elderly patients with pulmonary
      tuberculosis (TB). Full Mini Nutritional Assessment (full MNA) is a useful method
      of measuring nutrition status for elderly person. The objective of this study is
      to examine the relationship between full MNA and the mortality of elderly
      patients with pulmonary TB. METHODS: We evaluated 53 elderly patients with
      pulmonary TB. The nutrition risk assessment was carried out using full MNA.
      RESULTS: A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated for
      further analysis of the prognostic value of full MNA score. The area under the
      curve was 0.856 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.751-0.961). We used the maximum
      Youden index to obtain optimal cutoff values for full MNA score for prognostic
      assessment in elderly patients with pulmonary TB. For predicting the risk of
      mortality, the optimal cutoff value for full MNA score was 13.75. Based on this
      cutoff value, the Cox proportional hazard model was applied to assess the ability
      of full MNA score < 14 to predict the prognosis of elderly patients with
      pulmonary TB. Multivariate analysis identified age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.114,
      95% CI, 1.018-1.219, p = 0.019) and full MNA score < 14 (HR = 9.038, 95% CI,
      1.064-76.768, p = 0.044) to be significant independent prognostic factors for
      survival. CONCLUSION: Severe malnutrition, as defined by full MNA score < 14, was
      a predictor of high mortality.

PMID- 24219374
TI  - Effects of an iron or iron and vitamin D-fortified flavored skim milk on iron
      metabolism: a randomized controlled double-blind trial in iron-deficient women.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Iron deficiency anemia and vitamin D deficiency are considered global
      pandemics. The aim of this study was to determine whether the consumption of a
      dairy product fortified with iron and vitamin D, compared to the equivalent with
      only added iron, exerts an additional effect on iron metabolism in iron-deficient
      menstruating women. METHODS: The design was a randomized, placebo-controlled,
      double-blind, parallel-group trial of 16 weeks' duration. Subjects were
      randomized into 2 groups that consumed, as part of their usual diet, 500 mL/day
      of an iron (n = 54) or iron- and vitamin D-fortified (n = 55) flavored skim milk.
      At baseline and monthly, dietary intake, body weight, and hematological and iron
      metabolism biomarkers were determined. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was analyzed at
      baseline and weeks 8 and 16. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA)
      of repeated measures for time and Time * Group interaction effects. RESULTS: A
      total of 109 volunteers completed the study. Calcium and iron intakes increased
      during the intervention (p < 0.001 for both groups). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D
      significantly increased in Fe + D group during the assay (p < 0.001) and at week
      16 it was higher compared to the Fe group (p < 0.05). Serum ferritin, serum
      transferrin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and red blood
      cell distribution width showed significant time effects but no Time * Group
      interaction. Higher values of erythrocytes (p = 0.01), hematocrit (p = 0.05), and
      hemoglobin (p = 0.03) at week 8 were observed in the Fe + D group compared to the
      Fe group. CONCLUSION: Iron-fortified flavored skim milk does not improve iron
      status in iron-deficient menstruating women. However, vitamin D fortification
      slightly enhances erythropoiesis and iron status.

PMID- 24219375
TI  - Calcium and vitamin D disparities are related to gender, age, race, household
      income level, and weight classification but not vegetarian status in the United
      States: Analysis of the NHANES 2001-2008 data set.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adequate calcium and vitamin D intakes are critical during all life
      cycle stages. This study aimed to characterize usual intakes of calcium and
      vitamin D from food and dietary supplements in specific subpopulations of
      Americans so that fortification/enrichment and supplementation efforts may be
      targeted toward populations who are truly in need. METHODS: The National Cancer
      Institute method was used to estimate usual intakes of calcium and vitamin D by
      source and compared usual intakes to the established Dietary Reference Intakes
      for U.S. residents aged >=4 years using National Health and Nutrition Examination
      Survey 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, and 2007-2008 data sets. RESULTS: These
      results showed for the first time that low-income, overweight, and/or obese
      minority populations may be at greater risk of calcium and vitamin D
      insufficiency. Children aged 4-8 years were more likely to obtain recommended
      dairy intakes compared with older children and adults of all ages. Food intakes
      of calcium decreased with age in adults. Adults who used supplemental calcium
      showed a lower prevalence of insufficiency. Calcium and vitamin D intakes from
      food and dietary supplements were not related to vegetarian status. Excessive
      intakes of calcium and vitamin D above the tolerable upper intake level were low
      among all studied populations and "overnutrification" was not widely present
      across these analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Age- and gender-specific supplementation and
      modest use of fortification with calcium and vitamin D may be warranted for
      targeting certain subpopulations, particularly older adults, teenagers,
      minorities, and those who are low income and overweight and/or obese. PRACTICAL
      APPLICATION: This study aimed to characterize usual intakes of calcium and
      vitamin D from food and dietary supplements in specific subpopulations of
      Americans so that fortification/enrichment and supplementation efforts may be
      better targeted. Low-income, overweight, and/or obese minority populations may be
      at a greater risk of calcium and vitamin D insufficiency.

PMID- 24219376
TI  - Immunomodulatory effects of ResistAidTM: A randomized, double-blind, placebo
      controlled, multidose study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of a proprietary arabinogalactan extract from
      the larch tree (ResistAid, Lonza Ltd., Basel, Switzerland) to change the immune
      response in healthy adults to a standardized antigenic challenge (tetanus and
      influenza vaccines) in a dose-dependent manner compared to placebo. METHODS: This
      randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 75 healthy adults (18
      61 years old). Subjects were randomized to receive either 1.5 or 4.5 g/day of
      ResistAid or placebo for 60 days. At day 30, subjects were administered both
      tetanus and influenza vaccines. Serum antigenic response (tetanus immunoglobulin
      G [IgG], influenza A and B IgG and immunoglobulin M [IgM]) was measured at days
      45 (15 days after vaccination) and 60 (30 days after vaccination) of the study
      and compared to baseline antibody levels. Frequency and intensity of adverse
      events were monitored throughout the study. RESULTS: As expected, all 3 groups
      demonstrated an expected rise in tetanus IgG levels 15 and 30 days following the
      vaccine. There was a strongly significant difference in the rise in IgG levels at
      day 60 in the 1.5 g/day group compared to placebo (p = 0.008). In the 4.5 g/day
      group, there was significant rise in tetanus IgG at days 45 and 60 compared to
      baseline (p < 0.01) but these values were not significant compared to placebo.
      Neither group demonstrated any significant elevations in IgM or IgG antibodies
      compared to placebo following the influenza vaccine. There were no clinically or
      statistically significant or serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: ResistAid at a
      dose of 1.5 g/day significantly increased the IgG antibody response to tetanus
      vaccine compared to placebo. In conjunction with earlier studies, this validates
      the effect of ResistAid on the augmentation of the response to bacterial antigens
      (in the form of vaccine).

PMID- 24219377
TI  - A systematic review of multivitamin-multimineral use and cardiovascular disease
      and cancer incidence and total mortality.
AB  - Multivitamin-multimineral (MVM) supplements are the most frequently used dietary
      supplements in the United States, with one third or more of the population using
      at least one daily. However, the health-related implications of MVM use are
      unclear. Thus, we systematically reviewed and summarized the prospective studies
      of MVM supplementation and all-cause and cause-specific mortality, as well as
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer incidence, to critically evaluate the
      current evidence on this topic. We included studies of generally healthy adult
      populations that evaluated multivitamin (the most commonly used dietary
      supplement) and/or multimineral supplement use or simultaneous use of 3 or more
      vitamins and minerals. We did not evaluate individual supplements. A total of 12
      cohort studies and 3 primary prevention randomized controlled trials met our
      inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies were conducted in the United
      States (n = 11), and the remaining were conducted in European countries (n = 3)
      and Japan (n = 1). Although between-study methodological variation was present,
      most relative risks hovered closely around or slightly below the null value. No
      clear patterns of associations by study country, gender, smoking status, or
      frequency of use were observed. Based upon the available scientific evidence to
      date, supplementation with MVMs does not appear to increase all-cause mortality,
      cancer incidence or mortality, or CVD incidence or mortality and may provide a
      modest protective benefit.

PMID- 24219378
TI  - New directions in the prevention of pediatric atherogenesis and obesity.

PMID- 24219381
TI  - Dual-functionalized PAMAM dendrimers with improved P-glycoprotein inhibition and
      tight junction modulating effect.
AB  - This study aims to surface modify poly(amido amine) or PAMAM dendrimers by
      sequentially grafting poly(ethylene glycol) or PEG and 4-thiobutylamidine (TBA)
      so as to reduce PAMAM cytotoxicity while improving the ability of PAMAM to
      modulate P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux and tight junction integrity. Conjugation
      of functional groups was determined by NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR, thiol group
      quantification and molecular weight estimation. The yield of the dual
      functionalized dendrimers was >80%. The dual-functionalized dendrimer could
      significantly reduce PAMAM cytotoxicity to <15% as reflected by LDH release in
      Caco-2 and MDCK/MDR1 cells after 72 h of exposure. Thiolated dendrimers could
      increase cellular accumulation and permeation of the P-gp substrate R-123, and
      such effect could be affected by the extent of PEGylation of the dendrimer.
      Surface-modified PAMAM dendrimers, either by single or dual functionalization,
      could better modulate tight junction integrity in comparison with unmodified
      PAMAM, as demonstrated through immunostaining of the tight junction marker ZO-1,
      permeation of the model compound Lucifer Yellow (LY) and transepithelial
      electrical resistance (TEER). Of importance, reversible tight junction modulating
      effect was only observed in the dual-functionalized dendrimers. Collectively,
      dual functionalization with PEG and TBA represented a promising approach in
      altering PAMAM dendrimer surface for potential application in oral drug delivery.

PMID- 24219382
TI  - Cinderella story: PI4P goes from precursor to key signaling molecule.
AB  - Phosphatidylinositol lipids are signaling molecules involved in nearly all
      aspects of cellular regulation. Production of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate
      (PI4P) has long been recognized as one of the first steps in generating poly
      phosphatidylinositol phosphates involved in actin organization, cell migration,
      and signal transduction. In addition, progress over the last decade has brought
      to light independent roles for PI4P in membrane trafficking and lipid
      homeostasis. Here, we describe recent advances that reveal the breadth of
      processes regulated by PI4P, the spectrum of PI4P effectors, and the mechanisms
      of spatiotemporal control that coordinate crosstalk between PI4P and cellular
      signaling pathways.

PMID- 24219383
TI  - Silencing of the cell cycle checkpoint gene 14-3-3sigma in basal cell carcinomas
      correlates with reduced expression of IKK-alpha.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 14-3-3sigma is down-regulated in a large proportion of basal cell
      carcinomas (BCC). IkappaB kinase alpha (IKK-alpha), one of the two catalytic
      subunits of the IKK complex involved in NF-kappaB-activation, also functions as a
      modulator of epidermal development and differentiation. Down-regulation of IKK
      alpha causes hyperplasia and promotes skin cancer. IKK-alpha has been found to
      regulate the expression of 14-3-3sigma by shielding its promoter from
      hypermethylation and thereby preventing its silencing in mouse keratinocytes.
      OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential role of IKK-alpha in the silencing of 14-3
      3sigma in basal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of 14-3-3sigma
      and IKK-alpha was studied by immunohistochemistry in 33 sporadic BCCs and 26 BCCs
      from patients with basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS). RESULTS: Marked reduction or
      absence of 14-3-3sigma was found in 24 (92%) BCCs from BCNS patients, and in 29
      (88%) sporadic BCCs. Marked reduction or absence of IKK-alpha was found in 22
      (85%) BCCs from patients with BCNS, and in 27 (82%) sporadic BCCs. Expression
      levels for 14-3-3sigma and IKK-alpha correlated positively in 92% of BCCs from
      BCNS patients, and in 85% of sporadic BCCs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest
      that down-regulation of IKK-alpha is required for 14-3-3sigma promoter
      methylation and silencing in the pathogenesis of BCC. Besides, our observation
      that 14-3-3sigma silencing is also frequently found in BCC from patients with
      BCNS suggests a possible link between the sonic hedgehog/patched and 14-3
      3sigma/IKK-alpha pathways.

PMID- 24219384
TI  - Sexual dysfunction in male patients with multiple sclerosis: a need for
      counseling!
AB  - Sexuality and sexual health are significant factors in determining the quality of
      life (QoL). Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most serious causes of
      neurological disability in young adults, therefore it can considerably reduce
      sexuality. Physical and cognitive symptoms of MS as well as mental and psycho
      social issues can directly affect sexual life and body representation, causing
      reduced libido and self-esteem. Male patients with MS frequently develop sexual
      dysfunction (SD) as a result of their neurological impairment: in fact physical,
      psychological and neuropsychological changes indirectly interfere in the sexual
      response. Thus, MS physicians' greater concern on SD has led to the enhancement
      of diagnostic and therapeutic diagnoses on neurogenic SD. Given the increasing
      number of people coping with MS, a more effective focus on MS-related problems,
      including SD, is absolutely essential to provide the patients and their partner
      with the necessary information to achieve a better sexual health and consequently
      improve their QoL. This review aims to investigate the epidemiology and
      pathophysiology of SD in male patients, provide an insight into multidisciplinary
      diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and focus on the need of proper
      counseling.

PMID- 24219385
TI  - Abeta-induced microglial cell activation is inhibited by baicalin through the
      JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
AB  - Baicalin has shown multiple neuroprotective biological activities, including
      antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory functions in neurodegeneration diseases.
      However, whether baicalin can regulate Abeta-induced microglial activation or
      inhibit inflammatory cytokine secretion has not been confirmed. We demonstrated
      that baicalin can inhibit beta amyloid peptides (Abeta42)-induced BV2 microglial
      cell proliferation, reduce the expression of CD11b, decrease chemotactic ability
      of BV2 cells and significantly inhibit the secretion of IL-6, TNF-alpha and NO.
      Moreover, baicalin pretreatment can effectively inhibit Abeta-induced
      phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3. Baicalin can inhibit Abeta-induced microglial
      cell activation by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in AD transgenic
      mice. The modulation of microglial proliferation, activation and secretion by
      baicalin could be a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of Alzheimer's
      disease.

PMID- 24219386
TI  - Change of Nrf2 expression in rat hippocampus in a model of chronic cerebral
      hypoperfusion.
AB  - Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is common in vascular dementia and
      Alzheimer's disease. CCH-related oxidative damage plays a significant role in the
      development of cognitive impairment. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2
      (Nrf2) mediates activation of the antioxidant responsive element (ARE)-related
      gene expression, which is crucial to the endogenous antioxidative system. In this
      case, we used permanent bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries (2VO) to
      mimic CCH. The expression of Nrf2 in different regions of the hippocampus as well
      as the ability of nuclear Nrf2 and ARE binding have been examined. A phenomenon
      has been observed that the DNA binding activities were down-regulated.
      Interestingly, the expression of Nrf2 rose significantly in most regions of rat
      hippocampus within three weeks after the 2VO surgery. The mismatch might
      attribute to Nrf2 dysfunction and compensatory synthesis. A conclusion can be
      drawn that Nrf2 dysfunction is an important factor as a cause of CCH-induced
      oxidative damage and Nrf2 can be treated as a promising target to alleviate
      oxidative damage, even cognitive impairment caused by CCH.

PMID- 24219387
TI  - The ADA examines student debt.

PMID- 24219388
TI  - These pretzels are going to make me thirsty tomorrow: differential development of
      hot and cool episodic foresight in early childhood?
AB  - The current study examined 3- and 7-year-olds' performance on two types of
      episodic foresight tasks: A task that required 'cool' reasoning processes about
      the use of objects in future situations and a task that required 'hot' processes
      to inhibit a salient current physiological state in order to reason accurately
      about a future state. Results revealed that 7-year-olds outperformed 3-year-olds
      on the episodic foresight task that involved cool processes, but did not show age
      differences in performance on the task that involved hot processes. In fact, both
      3- and 7-year-olds performed equally poorly on the task that required predicting
      a future physiological state that was in conflict with their current state.
      Further, performance on the two tasks was unrelated. We discuss the results in
      terms of differing developmental trajectories for episodic foresight tasks that
      differentially rely on hot and cool processes and the universal difficulties
      humans have with predicting later outcomes that conflict with current
      motivational states. 

PMID- 24219389
TI  - Evaluation of carotid intima-media thickness and aortic elasticity in patients
      with nondipper hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between cardiovascular diseases and the diurnal
      blood pressure (BP) rhythm was researched in many studies. It has been
      demonstrated that the nondipping pattern has been associated with target organ
      damage and worsened cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of our study was to assess
      the relationship between aortic elasticity parameters and carotid intima-media
      thickness (CIMT) and diastolic dysfunction in terms of "dipper" and "nondipper"
      hypertension subtypes. METHODS: A total of 60 hypertensive patients without known
      coronary heart disease were recruited to our study. All patients were classified
      as "dipper" or "nondipper" after ambulatory BP follow-up. Patients' left
      ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions were assessed with
      transthoracic echocardiography. Ascending aorta diameters and CIMT were measured
      by ultrasonography and the elasticity parameters of aorta were calculated by
      using relevant formula. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between
      the groups with respect to demographic, biochemical data, and cardiovascular risk
      factors. Aortic stiffness was significantly increased in nondippers, whereas
      aortic strain and distensibility were significantly decreased (P = 0.005, P =
      0.005, and P = 0.024, respectively). Carotid artery IMT was significantly
      increased in nondippers compared to dippers (P = 0.013). A significant
      correlation was noted between CIMT and mean BP. No significant difference was
      detected between 2 groups in terms of LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction.
      CONCLUSION: In our study, we showed that impairment of aortic elasticity
      parameters and increase in CIMT as a predictor of end organ damage were more
      often in the nondipper hypertensive patients.

PMID- 24219390
TI  - Distribution patterns of Ohio stoneflies, with an emphasis on rare and uncommon
      species.
AB  - Presently, 102 stonefly species (Plecoptera) have been reported from Ohio. All 9
      Nearctic families are represented. Over 90% of the fauna exhibit a combination of
      broad Nearctic-widespread, eastern Nearctic-widespread, Appalachian, and eastern
      Nearctic-unglaciated distributions. In contrast, only 2 species display a central
      Nearctic-Prairie distribution. Seven species of Perlidae are likely no longer
      present (Acroneuria evoluta Klapalek, A. perplexa Frison, Attaneuria ruralis
      (Hagen), and Neoperla mainensis Banks) or have experienced marked range
      reductions (Acroneuria abnormis (Newman), A. frisoni Stark and Brown, and A.
      filicis Frison). Another nearly 31% of the fauna (32 species) are rare, uncommon,
      or have highly-limited distributions within the state. Twelve of these species
      have Appalachian distributions, and an additional 8 have eastern Nearctic
      unglaciated distributions. The distributional status for each of the 32
      rare/uncommon species is discussed.

PMID- 24219391
TI  - In the ear of the beholder: how age shapes emotion processing in nonverbal
      vocalizations.
AB  - It is well established that emotion recognition of facial expressions declines
      with age, but evidence for age-related differences in vocal emotions is more
      limited. This is especially true for nonverbal vocalizations such as laughter,
      sobs, or sighs. In this study, 43 younger adults (M = 22 years) and 43 older ones
      (M = 61.4 years) provided multiple emotion ratings of nonverbal emotional
      vocalizations. Contrasting with previous research, which often includes only one
      positive emotion (happiness) versus several negative ones, we examined 4 positive
      and 4 negative emotions: achievement/triumph, amusement, pleasure, relief, anger,
      disgust, fear, and sadness. We controlled for hearing loss and assessed general
      cognitive decline, cognitive control, verbal intelligence, working memory,
      current affect, emotion regulation, and personality. Older adults were less
      sensitive than younger ones to the intended vocal emotions, as indicated by
      decrements in ratings on the intended emotion scales and accuracy. These effects
      were similar for positive and negative emotions, and they were independent of age
      related differences in cognitive, affective, and personality measures. Regression
      analyses revealed that younger and older participants' responses could be
      predicted from the acoustic properties of the temporal, intensity, fundamental
      frequency, and spectral profile of the vocalizations. The two groups were
      similarly efficient in using the acoustic cues, but there were differences in the
      patterns of emotion-specific predictors. This study suggests that ageing produces
      specific changes on the processing of nonverbal vocalizations. That decrements
      were not attenuated for positive emotions indicates that they cannot be explained
      by a positivity effect in older adults.

PMID- 24219392
TI  - Sequential unfolding of appraisals: EEG evidence for the interaction of novelty
      and pleasantness.
AB  - An important question in emotion research is what elicits emotions and causes
      variations in their quality and intensity. Appraisal theories propose a cognitive
      process through which stimuli are evaluated on a number of different criteria.
      The combination of results on these criteria determines which specific emotion is
      elicited. In the present study, we addressed several questions regarding the
      mechanisms underlying this process, specifically whether appraisal criteria are
      processed (a) in a fixed sequence, (b) independently of each other, and (c) by
      different neural structures or circuits. Two appraisal criteria, stimulus novelty
      and pleasantness, were manipulated with a 3-stimulus oddball paradigm with
      affective pictures. Electroencephalographic (EEG) markers for the appraisal
      processes were distinguished using a spatiotemporal clustering analysis.
      Consistent with theories that assume a fixed sequence of the appraisal process,
      the analyses revealed early effects of novelty on global field power and the
      topographical pattern of EEG activity, followed in time by effects involving
      pleasantness. Moreover, both measures showed significant interactions of novelty
      and pleasantness in late processing stages (650 ms-800 ms), indicating that the
      processing of pleasantness depends on the preceding appraisal of novelty. The
      results of spatiotemporal clustering suggest that the late processing of highly
      relevant stimuli is not based on a single mechanism, but consists of the initial
      activation of distinct neural processes to evaluate novel stimuli, followed by
      activation of different neural mechanisms for the combined evaluation of both
      novel and highly valenced (i.e., unpleasant or pleasant) stimuli (a distinction
      that is not apparent in conventional event-related potential measures).

PMID- 24219393
TI  - Emotional intelligence predicts success in medical school.
AB  - Accumulating evidence suggests that effective communication and interpersonal
      sensitivity during interactions between doctors and patients impact therapeutic
      outcomes. There is an important need to identify predictors of these behaviors,
      because traditional tests used in medical admissions offer limited predictions of
      "bedside manners" in medical practice. This study examined whether emotional
      intelligence would predict the performance of 367 medical students in medical
      school courses on communication and interpersonal sensitivity. One of the
      dimensions of emotional intelligence, the ability to regulate emotions, predicted
      performance in courses on communication and interpersonal sensitivity over the
      next 3 years of medical school, over and above cognitive ability and
      conscientiousness. Emotional intelligence did not predict performance on courses
      on medical subject domains. The results suggest that medical schools may better
      predict who will communicate effectively and show interpersonal sensitivity if
      they include measures of emotional intelligence in their admission systems.

PMID- 24219394
TI  - The power of emotion versus the power of suggestion: memory for emotional events
      in the misinformation paradigm.
AB  - Research has shown that emotional events are remembered better than neutral
      events, but might also elicit an increase in false memories. The present study
      was designed to disentangle the influences of valence and arousal on event memory
      in the misinformation paradigm. Participants were shown six types of photographs
      (positive with high/low arousal, negative with high/low arousal, ambiguous,
      neutral), after which half of them were exposed to misleading information. A
      recognition test assessed memory for both correct and false central and
      peripheral details. Negative and ambiguous events elicited fewer correct and more
      false memories for peripheral details than positive and neutral events,
      regardless of previous exposure to misinformation. Arousal improved memory for
      correct central details, and both negative valence and arousal inhibited control
      participants' tendency to endorse false central details. The power of emotion was
      overruled by the power of suggestion, however, as the latter effect disappeared
      with previous exposure to misinformation. Results are discussed in the light of
      earlier research on emotion and cognition, recent motivational theories, and
      implications for forensic practice.

PMID- 24219395
TI  - The influence of social comparison on cognitive bias modification and emotional
      vulnerability.
AB  - The Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) paradigm was devised to test predictions
      that cognitive biases have a causal influence on emotional status. Increasingly,
      however, researchers are testing the potential clinical applications of CBM.
      Although generally successful in reducing emotional vulnerability in clinical
      populations, the impact of CBM interventions has been somewhat variable. The aim
      of the current experiment was to investigate whether social comparison processing
      might be an important moderator of CBM. Healthy participants were presented with
      80 valenced scenarios devised to induce a positive or negative interpretative
      bias. Critically, participants answered a series of questions designed to
      establish whether they assimilated or contrasted themselves with the valenced
      descriptions. The induction of an interpretation bias that was congruent with the
      valence of the training scenarios was successful only for participants who tended
      to assimilate the valenced scenarios, and not for those participants who tended
      to evaluate themselves against the scenarios. Furthermore, the predicted
      influence of CBM on emotional outcomes occurred only for those who had an
      assimilative rather than evaluative orientation toward CBM training material. Of
      key importance, results indicated that "evaluators" showed increased emotional
      vulnerability following positive CBM training. This result has both theoretical
      and clinical implications in suggesting that the success of CBM is dependent upon
      the way in which participants socially compare themselves with CBM training
      material.

PMID- 24219396
TI  - Fight fire with fire: the effect of perceived anger on punitive intuitions.
AB  - The human ability to "mind-read" is fundamental in social interaction (e.g.,
      contributing to the experience of empathy). The present research tests the
      hypothesis that perceiving anger in others on the basis of facial cues is
      sufficient to elicit very rapid punitive responses toward crime. The results
      suggest that individuals are faster to harshly punish criminals who appear to be
      angry, and that this effect emerges early in the decision-making process. Black
      criminals receive quicker punitive responses, but the effect of ethnicity is
      weakened at high levels of perceived anger. The results are discussed in terms of
      associative processes linking anger to punishment, the human ability to simulate
      and experience others' emotional responses, and the role of anger in eliciting
      hostile aggression. The findings also have important policy implications, as they
      suggest that drumming up anger toward crime could engender punitive intuitions.

PMID- 24219397
TI  - Human amygdala response to dynamic facial expressions of positive and negative
      surprise.
AB  - Although brain imaging evidence accumulates to suggest that the amygdala plays a
      key role in the processing of novel stimuli, only little is known about its role
      in processing expressed novelty conveyed by surprised faces, and even less about
      possible interactive encoding of novelty and valence. Those investigations that
      have already probed human amygdala involvement in the processing of surprised
      facial expressions either used static pictures displaying negative surprise (as
      contained in fear) or "neutral" surprise, and manipulated valence by contextually
      priming or subjectively associating static surprise with either negative or
      positive information. Therefore, it still remains unresolved how the human
      amygdala differentially processes dynamic surprised facial expressions displaying
      either positive or negative surprise. Here, we created new artificial dynamic 3
      dimensional facial expressions conveying surprise with an intrinsic positive
      (wonderment) or negative (fear) connotation, but also intrinsic positive (joy) or
      negative (anxiety) emotions not containing any surprise, in addition to neutral
      facial displays either containing ("typical surprise" expression) or not
      containing ("neutral") surprise. Results showed heightened amygdala activity to
      faces containing positive (vs. negative) surprise, which may either correspond to
      a specific wonderment effect as such, or to the computation of a negative
      expected value prediction error. Findings are discussed in the light of data
      obtained from a closely matched nonsocial lottery task, which revealed
      overlapping activity within the left amygdala to unexpected positive outcomes.

PMID- 24219398
TI  - Are narcissists hardy or vulnerable? The role of narcissism in the production of
      stress-related biomarkers in response to emotional distress.
AB  - Does narcissism provide a source of hardiness or vulnerability in the face of
      adversity? The present research addressed this question by testing whether
      narcissism is associated with increased physiological reactivity to emotional
      distress, among women. Drawing on the "fragile-ego" account, we predicted that
      narcissists would show a heightened physiological stress profile in response to
      everyday frustrations. Results supported this prediction; across a 3-day period,
      highly narcissistic individuals showed elevated output of 2 biomarkers of stress-
      cortisol and alpha--amylase-to the extent that they experienced negative
      emotions. In contrast, among those low in narcissism there was no association
      between these biomarkers and emotions. These findings suggest that narcissists'
      stress-response systems are particularly sensitive to everyday negative emotions,
      consistent with the notion that narcissism comes with physiological costs.

PMID- 24219399
TI  - Aiming for the stomach and hitting the heart: dissociable triggers and sources
      for disgust reactions.
AB  - Disgust reactions can be elicited using stimuli that engender orogastric
      rejection (e.g., pus and vomit; core disgust stimuli) but also using images of
      bloody injuries or medical procedures (e.g., surgeries; blood [body] boundary
      violation [B-BV] disgust stimuli). These two types of disgust reaction are
      presumed to be connected by a common evolutionary function of avoiding either
      food- or blood-borne contaminants. However, reactions to bloody injuries are
      typically conflated with reactions to the potential pain being experienced by the
      victim. This may explain why the two forms of "disgust", although similarly
      communicated (through self-report and facial expressions), evince different
      patterns of physiological reactivity. Therefore, we tested whether the
      communicative similarities and physiological dissimilarities would hold when
      markers of potential contamination in the latter category are removed, leaving
      only painful injuries that lack blood or explicit body-envelope violations.
      Participants viewed films that depicted imagery associated with (a) core disgust,
      (b) painful injuries, or (c) neutral scenes while we measured facial,
      cardiovascular, and gastric reactivity. Whereas communicative measures (self
      report and facial muscles) suggested that participants experienced increased
      disgust for core disgust and painful injuries, peripheral physiology dissociated
      the two: core disgust decreased normal gastric activity and painful-injury
      disgust decelerated heart rate and increased heart rate variability. These
      findings suggest that expressions of disgust toward bodily injuries may reflect a
      fundamentally different affective response than those evoked by core disgust and
      that this (cardiovascularly mediated) response may in fact be more closely tied
      to pain perceptions (or empathy) rather than contaminant-laden stimuli.

PMID- 24219400
TI  - Excellent outcome after repeated changes of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for
      chronic myeloid leukaemia in complete cytogenetic response due to minor side
      effects.

PMID- 24219401
TI  - Accumulated lipids rather than the rigid cell walls impede the extraction of
      genetic materials for effective colony PCRs in Chlorella vulgaris.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Failure of colony PCRs in green microalga Chlorella vulgaris is
      typically attributed to the difficulty in disrupting its notoriously rigid cell
      walls for releasing the genetic materials and therefore the development of an
      effective colony PCR procedure in C. vulgaris presents a challenge. RESULTS: Here
      we identified that colony PCR results were significantly affected by the
      accumulated lipids rather than the rigid cell walls of C. vulgaris. The higher
      lipids accumulated in C. vulgaris negatively affects the effective amplification
      by DNA polymerase. Based on these findings, we established a simple and extremely
      effective colony PCR procedure in C. vulgaris. By simply pipetting/votexing the
      pellets of C. vulgaris in 10 ul of either TE (10 mM Tris/1 mM EDTA) or 0.2% SDS
      buffer at room temperature, followed by the addition of 10 ul of either hexane or
      Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl Alcohol in the same PCR tube for extraction. The
      resulting aqueous phase was readily PCR-amplified as genomic DNA templates as
      demonstrated by successful amplification of the nuclear 18S rRNA and the
      chloroplast rbcL gene. This colony PCR protocol is effective and robust in C.
      vulgaris and also demonstrates its effectiveness in other Chlorella species.
      CONCLUSIONS: The accumulated lipids rather than the rigid cell walls of C.
      vulgaris significantly impede the extraction of genetic materials and
      subsequently the effective colony PCRs. The finding has the potential to aid the
      isolation of high-quality total RNAs and mRNAs for transcriptomic studies in
      addition to the genomic DNA isolation in Chlorella.

PMID- 24219402
TI  - Spectroscopic identification of binary and ternary surface complexes of Np(V) on
      gibbsite.
AB  - For the first time, detailed molecular information on the Np(V) sorption species
      on amorphous Al(OH)3 and crystalline gibbsite was obtained by in situ time
      resolved Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform Infrared (ATR FT-IR) and
      Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The results
      consistently demonstrate the formation of mononuclear inner sphere complexes of
      the NpO2(+) ion irrespective of the prevailing atmospheric condition. The impact
      of the presence of atmospheric equivalent added carbonate on the speciation in
      solution and on the surfaces becomes evident from vibrational data. While the 1:1
      aqueous carbonato species (NpO2CO3(-)) was found to become predominant in the
      circumneutral pH range, it is most likely that this species is sorbed onto the
      gibbsite surface as a ternary inner sphere surface complex where the NpO2(+)
      moiety is directly coordinated to the functional groups of the gibbsite's
      surface. These findings are corroborated by results obtained from EXAFS
      spectroscopy providing further evidence for a bidentate coordination of the Np(V)
      ion on amorphous Al(OH)3. The identification of the Np(V) surface species on
      gibbsite constitutes a basic finding for a comprehensive description of the
      dissemination of neptunium in groundwater systems. 

PMID- 24219403
TI  - Computational modeling of an epidermal growth factor receptor single-mutation
      resistance to cetuximab in colorectal cancer treatment.
AB  - Extracellular S468R mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was
      recently identified as the cause of resistance to cetuximab, a widely used drug
      in colorectal cancer treatment. Here, we have determined the binding free
      energies of cetuximab's Fab V(H)-V(L) domains and endogenous EGF ligand to wild
      type and S468R EGFR by high-throughput molecular dynamics. This work provides a
      possible mechanism of resistance in terms of increased competition, an hypothesis
      that can be further validated experimentally.

PMID- 24219404
TI  - Global estimates of the burden of injury and illness at work in 2012.
AB  - This article reviews the present indicators, trends, and recent solutions and
      strategies to tackle major global and country problems in safety and health at
      work. The article is based on the Yant Award Lecture of the American Industrial
      Hygiene Association (AIHA) at its 2013 Congress. We reviewed employment figures,
      mortality rates, occupational burden of disease and injuries, reported accidents,
      surveys on self-reported occupational illnesses and injuries, attributable
      fractions, national economic cost estimates of work-related injuries and ill
      health, and the most recent information on the problems from published papers,
      documents, and electronic data sources of international and regional
      organizations, in particular the International Labor Organization (ILO), World
      Health Organization (WHO), and European Union (EU), institutions, agencies, and
      public websites. We identified and analyzed successful solutions, programs, and
      strategies to reduce the work-related negative outcomes at various levels. Work
      related illnesses that have a long latency period and are linked to ageing are
      clearly on the increase, while the number of occupational injuries has gone down
      in industrialized countries thanks to both better prevention and structural
      changes. We have estimated that globally there are 2.3 million deaths annually
      for reasons attributed to work. The biggest component is linked to work-related
      diseases, 2.0 million, and 0.3 million linked to occupational injuries. However,
      the division of these two factors varies depending on the level of development.
      In industrialized countries the share of deaths caused by occupational injuries
      and work-related communicable diseases is very low while non-communicable
      diseases are the overwhelming causes in those countries. Economic costs of work
      related injury and illness vary between 1.8 and 6.0% of GDP in country estimates,
      the average being 4% according to the ILO. Singapore's economic costs were
      estimated to be equivalent to 3.2% of GDP based on a preliminary study. If
      economic losses would take into account involuntary early retirement then costs
      may be considerably higher, for example, in Finland up to 15% of GDP, while this
      estimate covers various disorders where work and working conditions may be just
      one factor of many or where work may aggravate the disease, injury, or disorders,
      such as traffic injuries, mental disorders, alcoholism, and genetically induced
      problems. Workplace health promotion, services, and safety and health management,
      however, may have a major preventive impact on those as well. Leadership and
      management at all levels, and engagement of workers are key issues in changing
      the workplace culture. Vision Zero is a useful concept and philosophy in
      gradually eliminating any harm at work. Legal and enforcement measures that
      themselves support companies and organizations need to be supplemented with
      economic justification and convincing arguments to reduce corner-cutting in risk
      management, and to avoid short- and long-term disabilities, premature retirement,
      and corporate closures due to mismanagement and poor and unsustainable work life.
      We consider that a new paradigm is needed where good work is not just considered
      a daily activity. We need to foster stable conditions and circumstances and
      sustainable work life where the objective is to maintain your health and work
      ability beyond the legal retirement age. We need safe and healthy work, for life.

PMID- 24219405
TI  - Children, Hunger, and Poverty.

PMID- 24219406
TI  - Antimicrobial activity and chemical analysis of Microlicia hatschbachii Wurdack
      (Melastomataceae) extract.
AB  - Aerial parts of Microlicia hatschbachii were extracted with hexane, and the
      extract was evaluated for antimicrobial activity by a broth dilution method.
      After phytochemical procedures: GC-MS identified aliphatic alkanes, carboxylic
      acids and methyl esters of long-chain fatty acids; and two diterpenoids [labd
      8(17)-en-15-oic acid and labd-8(17),13-dien-15-oic acid] were identified by (1)H
      and (13)C NMR. The antimicrobial activity of the hexane extract could be
      attributed to the presence of labdanes. This identification is the first reported
      occurrence of labdane diterpenes in the Melastomataceae family. 

PMID- 24219407
TI  - Drug delivery techniques for treating age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Currently, the standard therapy for neovascular age-related macular
      degeneration involves the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
      drugs, which are delivered by repeated office-based intravitreal injections. This
      treatment is generally very effective in stabilizing or improving vision,
      although repeated injections create a burden for patients, family members and
      physicians. In addition, the cumulative risks of endophthalmitis and other
      complications increase with the number of injections. AREAS COVERED: In the
      clinic, much attention is focused on the relative efficacies of the three major
      anti-VEGF medications (bevacizumab, ranibizumab and aflibercept) as well as the
      most popular re-injection regimens (monthly, as-needed and treat-and-extend). In
      theory, intravitreal anti-VEGF drug delivery with sustained-release devices would
      offer similar visual results with fewer required re-injections. Various
      approaches have been studied, including noninvasive techniques, intraocular
      implants and colloidal carriers, such as liposomes, microparticles and
      nanoparticles. EXPERT OPINION: Despite its theoretical appeal, sustained-release
      drug delivery will not replace current techniques unless it offers one or more
      advantages in efficacy, safety, convenience or cost. Currently, many patients
      maintain stable vision with intravitreal injections at intervals of 2 months or
      longer, so sustained-release techniques will have to lengthen these intervals
      substantially to become widely accepted. As we continue to collect data from
      clinical trials, the role of sustained-release techniques will become better
      defined.

PMID- 24219409
TI  - Statin use and peripheral sensory perception: a pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Peripheral sensory neuropathy is a neurological deficit resulting in
      decreased detection of sensation through the peripheral nervous system.
      Peripheral sensory neuropathy is commonly diagnosed with the use of a
      monofilament and either a tuning fork or neurothesiometer. Statins are a widely
      used medication and there has been some debate of association with their use and
      peripheral sensory neuropathy. This pilot study aimed to test the sensory
      perception of participants with long-term statin use and compare these results to
      their peers who were not taking statins. METHODS: Thirty participants were
      recruited and equally divided into a statin and non-statin group. Healthy
      participants were screened by their medical and medication history, Australian
      Type 2 Diabetes Risk assessment, and random blood glucose level. An assessor who
      was blinded to the participant group conducted sensory assessments using a 10 g
      monofilament and neurothesiometer. RESULTS: There was no difference in
      monofilament testing results between the groups. The statin group was less
      sensate at the styloid process (p = 0.031) and medial malleolus (p = 0.003) than
      the control group. Results at the hallux were not statistically significant (p =
      0.183). CONCLUSION: This result is suggestive of a potential association between
      long-term statin use and a decrease in peripheral sensory perception. This may be
      because of peripheral sensory neuropathy. Limitations such as consideration of
      participant height, participant numbers, and inability to analyze results against
      statin groups are reported. As statins are a life-saving medication, careful
      consideration should be applied to these results and further research be
      conducted to determine if these results are applicable to larger populations.

PMID- 24219412
TI  - Risk factors and comorbidities in the preclinical stages of chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease.
AB  - RATIONALE: There is little information about comorbidities and their risk factors
      in the preclinical stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
      OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of premorbid risk
      factors and comorbid diseases and its association with daily physical activity in
      subjects detected with COPD by spirometry screening. METHODS: Sixty subjects with
      preclinical COPD (63 +/- 6 yr; 68% [n = 41] male) were compared with 60 smoking
      control subjects (62 +/- 7 yr; 70% [n = 42] male) and 60 never-smoking control
      subjects (62 +/- 6 yr; 57% [n = 34] male). Comorbidities (cardiovascular,
      metabolic, and musculoskeletal disease) and daily physical activity (by
      multisensor activity monitor) were measured objectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
      RESULTS: The prevalence of premorbid risk factors and comorbid diseases was
      significantly higher in preclinical COPD compared with age-matched never-smoking
      control subjects, but was similar to smoking control subjects not suffering from
      COPD. In preclinical COPD and smoking control subjects, the combination of
      cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disease was the most prevalent (15% [n
      = 9] and 12% [n = 7], respectively). In a multivariate logistic regression
      analysis, physical inactivity and smoking were found to be independent risk
      factors for having greater than or equal to two comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS:
      Premorbid risk factors and comorbid diseases were more prevalent in the
      preclinical stages of COPD and smokers without COPD. Physical inactivity and
      smoking were more strongly associated with the presence of comorbidities compared
      with airflow obstruction. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov
      (NCT 01314807).

PMID- 24219410
TI  - Protocol for a collaborative meta-analysis of 5-HTTLPR, stress, and depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Debate is ongoing about what role, if any, variation in the serotonin
      transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) plays in depression. Some
      studies report an interaction between 5-HTTLPR variation and stressful life
      events affecting the risk for depression, others report a main effect of 5-HTTLPR
      variation on depression, while others find no evidence for either a main or
      interaction effect. Meta-analyses of multiple studies have also reached differing
      conclusions. METHODS/DESIGN: To improve understanding of the combined roles of 5
      HTTLPR variation and stress in the development of depression, we are conducting a
      meta-analysis of multiple independent datasets. This coordinated approach
      utilizes new analyses performed with centrally-developed, standardized scripts.
      This publication documents the protocol for this collaborative, consortium-based
      meta-analysis of 5-HTTLPR variation, stress, and depression. STUDY ELIGIBILITY
      CRITERIA: Our goal is to invite all datasets, published or unpublished, with 5
      HTTLPR genotype and assessments of stress and depression for at least 300
      subjects. This inclusive approach is to minimize potential impact from
      publication bias. DATA SOURCES: This project currently includes investigators
      from 35 independent groups, providing data on at least N = 33,761
      participants.The analytic plan was determined prior to starting data analysis.
      Analyses of individual study datasets will be performed by the investigators who
      collected the data using centrally-developed standardized analysis scripts to
      ensure a consistent analytical approach across sites. The consortium as a group
      will review and interpret the meta-analysis results. DISCUSSION: Variation in 5
      HTTLPR is hypothesized to moderate the response to stress on depression. To test
      specific hypotheses about the role of 5-HTTLPR variation on depression, we will
      perform coordinated meta-analyses of de novo results obtained from all available
      data, using variables and analyses determined a priori. Primary analyses, based
      on the original 2003 report by Caspi and colleagues of a GxE interaction will be
      supplemented by secondary analyses to help interpret and clarify issues ranging
      from the mechanism of effect to heterogeneity among the contributing studies.
      Publication of this protocol serves to protect this project from biased reporting
      and to improve the ability of readers to interpret the results of this specific
      meta-analysis upon its completion.

PMID- 24219413
TI  - Use of eggs derived from the interspecific charr hybrids to induce androgenetic
      development of the brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill 1814).
AB  - Although, brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill 1814) and Arctic charr
      (Salvelinus alpinus Linnaeus 1758) are able to cross and give fertile offspring,
      their androgenetic nucleocytoplasmic hybrids are not viable. To overcome
      incompatibility between the egg cytoplasm of one charr species and the sperm
      nucleus of another charr species, application of F1 interspecific hybrids as egg
      donors for the purpose of androgenesis has been proposed. Here, androgenetic
      development of the brook charr was successfully induced in the brook charr eggs
      and the eggs derived from the reciprocal brook charr * Arctic charr F1 hybrids. A
      working androgenesis protocol included inactivation of the maternal nuclear DNA
      achieved by irradiation of the eggs with 420 Gy of X-rays, insemination of such
      treated eggs with the haploid sperm cells and exposition of the haploid
      androgenetic zygotes to the high hydrostatic pressure shock (51.711 MPa for 4
      min) applied 420 min after insemination. Androgenetic larvae that hatched from
      the brook charr and the hybrid eggs were shown to be homozygous brook charr
      individuals. Androgenetic individuals exhibited 84 chromosomes and 100 chromosome
      arms (FN), values characteristic for the brook charr diploid cells. Strategy
      hybridize first than induce androgenesis should be tested in order to provide
      androgenetic offspring in other salmonids that are able to cross and produce
      fertile offspring.

PMID- 24219411
TI  - Understanding polyspecificity within the substrate-binding cavity of the human
      multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein.
AB  - Human P-glycoprotein (P-gp) controls drugs bioavailability by pumping
      structurally unrelated drugs out of cells. The X-ray structure of the mouse P-gp
      ortholog has been solved, with two SSS enantiomers or one RRR enantiomer of the
      selenohexapeptide inhibitor QZ59, found within the putative drug-binding pocket
      (Aller SG, Yu J, Ward A, Weng Y, Chittaboina S, Zhuo R, Harrell PM, Trinh YT,
      Zhang Q, Urbatsch IL et al. (2009). Science 323, 1718-1722). This offered the
      first opportunity to localize the well-known H and R drug-binding sites with
      respect to the QZ59 inhibition mechanisms of Hoechst 33342 and daunorubicin
      transports, characterized here in cellulo. We found that QZ59-SSS competes
      efficiently with both substrates, with K(I,app) values of 0.15 and 0.3 MUM, which
      are 13 and 2 times lower, respectively, than the corresponding K(m,app) values.
      In contrast, QZ59-RRR non-competitively inhibited daunorubicin transport with
      moderate efficacy (K(I,app) = 1.9 MUM); it also displayed a mixed-type inhibition
      of the Hoechst 33342 transport, resulting from a main non-competitive tendency
      (K(i2,app) = 1.6 MUM) and a limited competitive tendency (K(i1,app) = 5 MUM).
      These results suggest a positional overlap of QZ59 and drugs binding sites: full
      for the SSS enantiomer and partial for the RRR enantiomer. Crystal structure
      analysis suggests that the H site overlaps both QZ59-SSS locations while the R
      site overlaps the most embedded location.

PMID- 24219414
TI  - Accuracy of Quantitative Computed Tomography Bone Mineral Density Measurements in
      Mandibles: A Cadaveric Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim was to investigate the accuracy of quantitative computed
      tomography bone mineral density (BMD) measurements in mandibles, comparing
      measured BMD with calibrated BMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy mandibles from
      adult cadavers were used. Twenty tomographic cuts were made in each mandible. In
      each tomographic cut, a region of interest was located, and the bone density was
      measured in Hounsfield unit (HU). A polymethyl methacrylate phantom containing
      four inserts of different predetermined densities (hydroxyapatite 100, 200, 500,
      and 700 mg/cm(3) ) was used to calculate calibrated bone density. Correlation
      between measured and calibrated bone densities was calculated. RESULTS: Mean
      total correlation between measured and calibrated BMD in the 20 sagittal
      tomography cuts showed almost perfect positive correlation (r = 0.998, p < .001).
      However, when average BMD measurements in HU were compared, the measured total
      BMD (in the 20 sagittal tomography cuts studied) was 54.99 +/- 421.59, whereas
      the total calibrated BMD was 49.28 +/- 364.95, with statistically significant
      difference (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: There are discrepancies between measured and
      calibrated BMD; in this sense, a calibrated bone phantom with a predetermined
      mineral density should be used to determine the exact BMD before dental implants
      surgery.

PMID- 24219415
TI  - Health psychology special section on disparities in pain.
AB  - In recognition of the importance of addressing health disparities and to
      encourage research, Health Psychology has called for manuscripts that reflect the
      breadth of issues related to health disparities. The section on Pain and
      Disparities in this present issue is part of a series that has included sections
      on infectious disease and cancer and will continue with a section in 2014 on
      disparities in genomic medicine. Because disparities in pain and pain care are
      the result of multiple and dynamic influences, explaining how racial group
      differences are manifested and perpetuated remains challenging. In this section,
      two studies focus on patient characteristics that might explain pain disparities.
      These two studies can be used to underscore the point that knowledge about, and
      sensitivity to, cultural issues should be an integral part of the pain curriculum
      of health professionals.

PMID- 24219417
TI  - Exploring pain processing differences in Native Americans.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Several chronic pain conditions are more prevalent in Native Americans
      than in any other group in the United States; however, little has been done to
      identify factors contributing to this disparity. The study presented here was
      designed to examine whether there were pain processing differences in Native
      Americans relative to non-Hispanic White controls. METHODS: Participants were
      healthy, pain-free Native Americans (n = 22, 8 females) and non-Hispanic Whites
      (n = 20, 7 females). Pain processing was assessed from electric pain
      threshold/tolerance, ischemia pain threshold/tolerance, nociceptive flexion
      reflex threshold (NFR; an electrophysiological measure of spinal nociception),
      pain ratings of suprathreshold electric stimuli, and temporal summation of pain
      and NFR (an electrophysiological measure of spinal cord sensitization). The
      institutional review board approved all procedures. RESULTS: Compared to non
      Hispanic Whites, Native Americans had dampened pain perception (higher ischemia
      pain tolerance, higher electric pain threshold, lower ratings of electric
      stimuli). Additionally, temporal summation of NFR was reduced in Native
      Americans, suggesting sensitization was reduced at the spinal level. CONCLUSIONS:
      Findings suggest Native Americans have dampened pain and pain signaling, perhaps
      due to overactivation of descending pain inhibition mechanisms. Given research
      indicating that other ethnic groups at risk for chronic pain (e.g., African
      Americans) show enhanced pain and enhanced central sensitization on experimental
      pain measures, chronic pain risk could be different for Native Americans, thus
      emphasizing the need for different treatment interventions.

PMID- 24219416
TI  - Perceived racial discrimination, but not mistrust of medical researchers,
      predicts the heat pain tolerance of African Americans with symptomatic knee
      osteoarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Studies have shown that perceived racial discrimination is a
      significant predictor of clinical pain severity among African Americans. It
      remains unknown whether perceived racial discrimination also alters the
      nociceptive processing of painful stimuli, which, in turn, could influence
      clinical pain severity. This study examined associations between perceived racial
      discrimination and responses to noxious thermal stimuli among African Americans
      and non-Hispanic Whites. Mistrust of medical researchers was also assessed given
      its potential to affect responses to the noxious stimuli. METHOD: One-hundred and
      30 (52% African American, 48% non-Hispanic White) community-dwelling older adults
      with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis completed two study sessions. In session
      one, individuals provided demographic, socioeconomic, physical and mental health
      information. They completed questionnaires related to perceived lifetime
      frequency of racial discrimination and mistrust of medical researchers. In
      session two, individuals underwent a series of controlled thermal stimulation
      procedures to assess heat pain sensitivity, particularly heat pain tolerance.
      RESULTS: African Americans were more sensitive to heat pain and reported greater
      perceived racial discrimination as well as greater mistrust of medical
      researchers compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Greater perceived racial
      discrimination significantly predicted lower heat pain tolerance for African
      Americans but not non-Hispanic Whites. Mistrust of medical researchers did not
      significantly predict heat pain tolerance for either racial group. CONCLUSION:
      These results lend support to the idea that perceived racial discrimination may
      influence the clinical pain severity of African Americans via the nociceptive
      processing of painful stimuli.

PMID- 24219419
TI  - Experimental investigations into astrophysically relevant ionic reactions.

PMID- 24219418
TI  - Study of the complexation of oxacillin in 1-(4-carbomethoxypyrrolidone)
      terminated PAMAM dendrimers.
AB  - The complexation of oxacillin to three generations of 1-(4
      carbomethoxypyrrolidone)-terminated PAMAM dendrimers was studied with NMR in
      CD3OD and CDCl3. The stochiometries, which were determined from Job plots, were
      found to be both solvent- and generation-dependent. The dissociation constants
      (K(d)) and Gibbs energies for complexation of oxacillin into the 1-(4
      carbomethoxypyrrolidone)-terminated PAMAM dendrimer hosts were determined by (1)H
      NMR titrations and showed weaker binding of oxacillin upon increasing the size
      (generation) of the dendrimer.

PMID- 24219420
TI  - The role of emotion in global warming policy support and opposition.
AB  - Prior research has found that affect and affective imagery strongly influence
      public support for global warming. This article extends this literature by
      exploring the separate influence of discrete emotions. Utilizing a nationally
      representative survey in the United States, this study found that discrete
      emotions were stronger predictors of global warming policy support than cultural
      worldviews, negative affect, image associations, or sociodemographic variables.
      In particular, worry, interest, and hope were strongly associated with increased
      policy support. The results contribute to experiential theories of risk
      information processing and suggest that discrete emotions play a significant role
      in public support for climate change policy. Implications for climate change
      communication are also discussed. 

PMID- 24219421
TI  - Secondhand smoke exposure and urine cotinine concentrations by occupation among
      Korean workers: results from the 2008 Korea National Survey for Environmental
      Pollutants in the Human Body.
AB  - This study aimed to estimate the status of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure
      through urine cotinine analysis among nonsmoking workers in Korea and to analyze
      factors affecting urine cotinine concentrations. Data were based on "The 2008
      Korea National Survey for Environmental Pollutants in the Human Body," a cross
      sectional study of the National Institute of Environmental Research of Korea. We
      selected 1448 nonsmoking adult workers from 200 localities to participate in this
      survey. Urine cotinine concentrations were analyzed using a gas chromatograph
      mass selective detector. We calculated separate covariate-adjusted geometric
      means for socio-demographic variables for males, females, and total subjects by
      analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS
      version 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill.). The prevalence of self-reported exposure
      to SHS was 36.9%. The geometric mean (95% confidence interval) of urine cotinine
      concentrations among all participants was 16.50 (14.48-18.80) MUg/L. Gender,
      living area, education, and SHS exposure showed significant differences in urine
      cotinine concentrations. The urine cotinine concentrations of farmworkers and
      blue-collar workers such as skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers,
      and elementary occupations were higher than those of white-collar workers such as
      clerical support workers, technicians, and associate professionals. Such a high
      proportion of the population having high urine cotinine levels indicates
      widespread exposure to SHS among nonsmoking workers in Korea. Furthermore, the
      urine cotinine levels among nonsmoking workers exposed to SHS varied by
      occupation. The measured urine cotinine concentration is suggested to be a
      valuable indication of SHS exposure in Korea. 

PMID- 24219423
TI  - P2X7 receptor-Pannexin1 interaction mediates stress-induced interleukin-1 beta
      expression in human periodontal ligament cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pannexin 1 (Panx1) has been found to form nonjunctional
      hemichannels. It is also proposed to combine with the P2X7 receptor, forming a
      complex involved in adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced interleukin-1beta (IL
      1beta) release in macrophages. Previously, we reported that mechanical stress
      induced IL-1beta expression via the ATP/P2X7 receptor-dependent pathway in human
      periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells and that ATP was released through the connexin
      43 (Cx43) hemichannel. In the present work, we examined the role of Panx1 in
      stress-induced IL-1beta induction in HPDL cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cultured
      HPDL cells were treated with compressive loading or ATP to stimulate IL-1beta
      expression. Inhibitors, antagonists and the small interfering RNA technique were
      used to investigate the involvement of Panx1 in IL-1beta induction. Co
      immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunostaining were used to determine the
      association of Panx1 with the P2X7 receptor. The IL-1beta release mechanism was
      analyzed using inhibitors. RESULTS: Blocking Panx1 significantly decreased ATP
      release, as well as IL-1beta up-regulation, upon stimulation with stress or ATP.
      Co-IP revealed the association of Panx1 and the P2X7 receptor in HPDL cells,
      which was increased in response to mechanical loading. Pretreatment with
      vesicular trafficking inhibitors significantly reduced the amount of IL-1beta
      released from stimulated cells, suggesting that IL-1beta might be released
      through vesicles. CONCLUSION: We clearly illustrated the contribution of Panx1 in
      ATP release, as well as in IL-1beta induction in HPDL cells. The association of
      Panx1 and the P2X7 receptor might be required for IL-1beta induction, and their
      possible novel role in IL-1beta vesicular release was indicated.

PMID- 24219424
TI  - Diagnostic lumbar puncture in suspected acute bacterial meningitis: avoiding
      catastrophe.

PMID- 24219422
TI  - Budesonide and formoterol effects on rhinovirus replication and epithelial cell
      cytokine responses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combination therapy with budesonide and formoterol reduces
      exacerbations of asthma, which are closely associated with human rhinovirus (RV)
      infections in both children and adults. These data suggest that budesonide and
      formoterol inhibit virus-induced inflammatory responses of airway epithelial
      cells. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, bronchial epithelial (BE) cells were
      obtained from airway brushings of 8 subjects with moderate-to-severe allergic
      asthma and 9 with neither asthma nor respiratory allergies. Cultured BE cells
      were incubated for 24 hours with budesonide (1.77 uM), formoterol (0.1 uM), both,
      or neither, and then inoculated with RV-16 (5*10(6) plaque forming units
      [PFU]/mL). After 24 hours, viral replication (RV RNA), cytokine secretion (CXCL8,
      CXCL10, TNFa, IFN-beta, IL-28) and mRNA expression (CXCL8, CXCL10, TNF, IFNB1, IL
      28) were analyzed. RESULTS: RV infection induced CXCL10 protein secretion and
      IFNB1 and IL28 mRNA expression. Drug treatments significantly inhibited secretion
      of CXCL10 in mock-infected, but not RV-infected, BE cells, and inhibited
      secretion of TNFa under both conditions. Neither budesonide nor formoterol, alone
      or in combination, significantly affected viral replication, nor did they inhibit
      RV-induced upregulation of IFNB1 and IL28 mRNA. Overall, RV replication was
      positively related to CXCL10 secretion and induction of IFNB1 and IL28 mRNA, but
      the positive relationship between RV RNA and CXCL10 secretion was stronger in
      normal subjects than in subjects with asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Budesonide and
      formoterol can inhibit BE cell inflammatory responses in vitro without
      interfering with viral replication or production of interferons. These effects
      could potentially contribute to beneficial effects of budesonide/formoterol
      combination therapy in preventing RV-induced asthma exacerbations.

PMID- 24219425
TI  - Assessing the challenges of multi-scope clinical research sites: an example from
      NIH HIV/AIDS clinical trials networks.
AB  - RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES: Large-scale, multi-network clinical trials are
      seen as a means for efficient and effective utilization of resources with greater
      responsiveness to new discoveries. Formal structures instituted within the
      National Institutes of Health (NIH) HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials facilitate
      collaboration and coordination across networks and emphasize an integrated
      approach to HIV/AIDS vaccine, prevention and therapeutics clinical trials. This
      study examines the joint usage of clinical research sites as means of gaining
      efficiency, extending capacity, and adding scientific value to the networks.
      METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire covering eight clinical management
      domains was administered to 74 (62% of sites) clinical site coordinators at
      single- and multi-network sites to identify challenges and efficiencies related
      to clinical trials management activities and coordination with multi-network
      units. RESULTS: Overall, respondents at multi-network sites did not report more
      challenges than single-network sites, but did report unique challenges to
      overcome including in the areas of study prioritization, community engagement,
      staff education and training, and policies and procedures. The majority of multi
      network sites reported that such affiliations do allow for the consolidation and
      cost-sharing of research functions. Suggestions for increasing the efficiency or
      performance of multi-network sites included streamlining standards and
      requirements, consolidating protocol activation methods, using a single cross
      network coordinating centre, and creating common budget and payment mechanisms.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results of this assessment provide important information to
      consider in the design and management of multi-network configurations for the NIH
      HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks, as well as others contemplating and promoting
      the concept of multi-network settings.

PMID- 24219427
TI  - Alien insects in Italy: comparing patterns from the regional to European level.
AB  - The introduction of species outside their native range contributes to the loss of
      biodiversity, alters the structure and functioning of ecosystems, and damages
      economy and human health. Insects are one of the taxa with the highest frequency
      of introduction due to their high diversity, biological properties, and close
      association with human activities. Here, the allodiversity of Italian entomofauna
      was analyzed, with a focus on Tuscany (Central Italy). A list of alien insects in
      Tuscany is included. The status of the alien entomofauna in Italy was updated.
      The number of alien insects amounts to 122 in Tuscany and 923 in Italy. An
      introduction rate of 98 species per decade was estimated in Italy. In Tuscany,
      alien insects belong to 10 orders, mostly Coleoptera (38%), Hemiptera
      (Sternorrhyncha and Auchenorrhyncha) (23%), and Hymenoptera (13%). They have been
      most often introduced through vegetable items (ornamental plants or crops). Most
      species come from the Nearctic region (26%) and are both phytophagous (63%) and
      amphigonic (80%). Differences and similarities in introduction patterns and in
      insect abundances across orders among regional, national, and European scales,
      also considering worldwide abundances, are discussed. Finally, a paucity of
      information regarding the negative impacts of many species, except for economic
      pests, phytosanitary threats, and vectors of disease, is underlined. A deeper
      understanding of the alien insects' ecological impact might help designate
      policies aimed at preventing further introductions and control the invasive
      populations of already established species.

PMID- 24219426
TI  - Photochemical oxidation of a manganese(III) complex with oxygen and toluene
      derivatives to form a manganese(V)-oxo complex.
AB  - Visible light photoirradiation of an oxygen-saturated benzonitrile solution of a
      manganese(III) corrolazine complex [(TBP8Cz)Mn(III)] (1): [TBP8Cz = octakis(p
      tert-butylphenyl)corrolazinato(3-)] in the presence of toluene derivatives
      resulted in formation of the manganese(V)-oxo complex [(TBP8Cz)Mn(V)(O)]. The
      photochemical oxidation of (TBP8Cz)Mn(III) with O2 and hexamethylbenzene (HMB)
      led to the isosbestic conversion of 1 to (TBP8Cz)Mn(V)(O), accompanied by the
      selective oxidation of HMB to pentamethylbenzyl alcohol (87%). The formation rate
      of (TBP8Cz)Mn(V)(O) increased with methyl group substitution, from toluene, p
      xylene, mesitylene, durene, pentamethylbenzene, up to hexamethylbenzene.
      Deuterium kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) were observed for toluene (KIE = 5.4)
      and mesitylene (KIE = 5.3). Femtosecond laser flash photolysis of (TBP8Cz)Mn(III)
      revealed the formation of a tripquintet excited state, which was rapidly
      converted to a tripseptet excited state. The tripseptet excited state was shown
      to be the key, activated state that reacts with O2 via a diffusion-limited rate
      constant. The data allow for a mechanism to be proposed in which the tripseptet
      excited state reacts with O2 to give the putative (TBP8Cz)Mn(IV)(O2(*-)), which
      then abstracts a hydrogen atom from the toluene derivatives in the rate
      determining step. The mechanism of hydrogen abstraction is discussed by
      comparison of the reactivity with the hydrogen abstraction from the same toluene
      derivatives by cumylperoxyl radical. Taken together, the data suggest a new
      catalytic method is accessible for the selective oxidation of C-H bonds with O2
      and light, and the first evidence for catalytic oxidation of C-H bonds was
      obtained with 10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine as a substrate. 

PMID- 24219428
TI  - Safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents in psoriatic arthritis - an update.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have represented a real
      revolution in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritides
      (SpAs). In the case of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), anti-TNF agents are much more
      effective than conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs on all
      manifestations of the disease, that is, axial involvement, peripheral arthritis,
      peripheral enthesitis, dactylitis and skin lesions. A complete understanding of
      their safety is fundamental in clinical practice. AREAS COVERED: This article
      addresses the safety of anti-TNF therapy in PsA. A systematic literature review
      was performed using the largest electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and
      COCHRANE). The reported data were derived from randomized controlled trials, open
      observational studies and meta-analyses. Useful information derived from the
      experiences in rheumatoid arthritis has also been reported. EXPERT OPINION: Anti
      TNF therapies are as safe as conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
      in the management of psoriatic arthritis when the candidate patients are
      accurately selected. An adverse event could still occur when the patient is
      managed according to current national and/or international recommendations;
      therefore, tight controls aimed to detect adverse events early is mandatory.

PMID- 24219429
TI  - Development of a broad-host synthetic biology toolbox for Ralstonia eutropha and
      its application to engineering hydrocarbon biofuel production.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The chemoautotrophic bacterium Ralstonia eutropha can utilize H2/CO2
      for growth under aerobic conditions. While this microbial host has great
      potential to be engineered to produce desired compounds (beyond
      polyhydroxybutyrate) directly from CO2, little work has been done to develop
      genetic part libraries to enable such endeavors. RESULTS: We report the
      development of a toolbox for the metabolic engineering of Ralstonia eutropha H16.
      We have constructed a set of broad-host-range plasmids bearing a variety of
      origins of replication, promoters, 5' mRNA stem-loop structures, and ribosomal
      binding sites. Specifically, we analyzed the origins of replication pCM62 (IncP),
      pBBR1, pKT (IncQ), and their variants. We tested the promoters P(BAD), T7,
      P(xyls/PM), P(lacUV5), and variants thereof for inducible expression. We also
      evaluated a T7 mRNA stem-loop structure sequence and compared a set of ribosomal
      binding site (RBS) sequences derived from Escherichia coli, R. eutropha, and a
      computational RBS design tool. Finally, we employed the toolbox to optimize
      hydrocarbon production in R. eutropha and demonstrated a 6-fold titer improvement
      using the appropriate combination of parts. CONCLUSION: We constructed and
      evaluated a versatile synthetic biology toolbox for Ralstonia eutropha metabolic
      engineering that could apply to other microbial hosts as well.

PMID- 24219430
TI  - HPTLC determination of chemical composition variability in raw materials used in
      botanicals.
AB  - Besides the chemotaxonomic value, nowadays determination of biodiversity and
      chemical variability has a commercial impact. The exact identity of raw material
      and constituents of botanical products, such as food supplements or herbal
      remedies, is a very important argument, being the real prerequisite for quality
      control and traceability, followed by the determination of active components.
      However, the analytical approach must consider the natural great variability in
      secondary metabolites and product form, such as in extracts. Against the
      reductive approach, on the basis of single chemical standards, so far dominant in
      Pharmacopoeias monographs, we report applications and utility of the high
      performance thin-layer chromatography fingerprint in determination of species of
      the same genus, of populations of the same species and of different drugs of the
      same plant. 

PMID- 24219431
TI  - Lipid resuscitation in pediatric patients - need for caution?
AB  - A 3-year-old child was successfully resuscitated following bupivacaine
      cardiotoxicity with 20% intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE). Large volume of ILE was
      used targeting clinically adequate perfusion. Subsequently, there were features
      of ventilation/perfusion (V/P) mismatch. 

PMID- 24219432
TI  - Pay-freeze proposal will cost government dear.

PMID- 24219433
TI  - Nurses make ends meet through extra shifts and payday loans.

PMID- 24219434
TI  - Carter criticises 'divisive' flu jab funding restriction.

PMID- 24219438
TI  - Unfilled and deleted posts combine to create staffing crisis, says college.

PMID- 24219439
TI  - NICE to develop long-awaited guidance on safe staffing levels.

PMID- 24219447
TI  - NMC in bid to overturn 'lenient' ruling against ex-Mid Staffs nurse.

PMID- 24219449
TI  - Living hand to mouth - how nurses deal with the reality of pay restraint.

PMID- 24219455
TI  - Kidney cancer.

PMID- 24219456
TI  - Centre of excellence.
AB  - In August, the refurbished RCN Library and Heritage Centre opened at the
      college's London headquarters. As well as a comprehensive collection of nursing
      literature, it offers a relaxing 'club' environment where nurses can meet , study
      socialise . Exhibitions, drawing on the college's unrivalled archive of nursing
      materials, showcase nursing's achievements and stimulate discussion.

PMID- 24219457
TI  - The high achiever.
AB  - Julie Lamb, joint winner of the Nursing Standard nurse of the year award in 1996,
      lobbied her local health authority to establish a cancer unit at the Essex
      hospital where she worked. This saved sick patients from having to travel to
      London for chemotherapy. Her career flourished after winning and she moved into
      management.

PMID- 24219458
TI  - Paper-free future.
AB  - Nurses are increasingly recording patient information electronically. But getting
      this right requires the right IT support. Staff at one trust describe how they
      are moving towards electronic nursing risk assessments, while a nurse at another
      discusses the advantages of doing so.

PMID- 24219459
TI  - Meditate to medicate.
AB  - Emeritus professor of medicine John Kabat-Zinn was invited to advise Downing
      Street earlier this year. He is the founding director of the Stress Reduction
      Clinic and the center for mindfulness in medicine, health care and society at the
      University of Massachusetts Medical School. 

PMID- 24219482
TI  - Genetics: advocating for the rights of all individuals to informed decision
      making and voluntary action.
AB  - This is the fourth article in a series describing how nurses can develop their
      confidence and competence in genetics and genomics health care. The focus of this
      article is the right of the individual to make an informed choice, to be
      supported to make that choice and to do so in a voluntary manner. Nurses are well
      placed to support patients who may be considering genetic testing and are often
      responsible for gaining their consent for such investigations. It is essential
      that they provide balanced information in a way that the patient can understand
      and are able to explain the different options and possible outcomes of genetic
      tests, while considering the wider implications this may have on the patient's
      family. 

PMID- 24219483
TI  - Risk of suicide in patients with dementia: a case study.
AB  - Evidence indicates that the risk of attempted suicide is a significant issue
      among people with dementia, however there is a lack of information to guide
      professional practice. This article uses a case study to reflect on the risk
      management strategies and ethics of suicide and assisted suicide in relation to a
      specific patient with dementia. It analyses recommendations aimed at improving
      the lived experience of people with dementia and those involved in their care,
      including providing patients with a formal diagnosis as early as possible. 

PMID- 24219484
TI  - Whooping cough: identification, assessment and management.
AB  - Although there is a high uptake of vaccinations providing protection against
      Bordetella pertussis, the main cause of whooping cough, there has been an
      increase in the incidence of notifications of the disease in the UK and other
      developed countries in recent years. The increase in cases of whooping cough is
      mainly evident in older children and adults. While these individuals may
      experience persistent and unpleasant symptoms, most notably prolonged cough,
      symptoms may be mild, in part, because most older children and adults have been
      vaccinated against the disease. The most significant public health concern
      relating to whooping cough is that infected older children and adults may
      transmit the disease to unvaccinated infants who are most vulnerable to the
      symptoms. This article aims to develop the reader's understanding of whooping
      cough, including its prevention and management. 

PMID- 24219485
TI  - Constructive feedback.
AB  - The CPD article on providing constructive feedback to nursing students was
      particularly relevant since I recently completed a student mentoring course and
      am now mentoring a nursing student. 

PMID- 24219486
TI  - The valued workforce.
AB  - Students on the pre-registration nursing course at Edinburgh Napier University
      are taught with a particular emphasis on compassion in care. Compassion is woven
      through the course, starting with the way students are recruited based on these
      values. 

PMID- 24219487
TI  - Signposts to job satisfaction.
AB  - A report by recruitment and human resources services provider Randstad Care
      claimed recently that 40 per cent of UK nurses it surveyed were happy with their
      career progression. 

PMID- 24219489
TI  - Abuse is a healthcare issue.
AB  - With one in four women in the UK affected by domestic abuse, and those who
      experience it more likely to use health services, nurses can play a pivotal role
      in tackling its impact. Yet nurses often lack knowledge about how to help. 

PMID- 24219490
TI  - Student life - From Africa to the Americas.
AB  - The most memorable year of my nurse training at King's College London was in
      2011, when I took a four-week nursing elective in Tanzania followed by a nursing
      exchange between King's and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). 

PMID- 24219491
TI  - Onset of bonding plasmon hybridization preceded by gap modes in dielectric
      splitting of metal disks.
AB  - Dielectric splitting of nanoscale disks was studied experimentally and via finite
      difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations through systematic introduction of
      multiple ultrathin dielectric layers. Tunable, hybridized dark bonding modes were
      seen with first-order gap modes preceding the appearance of bonding dipole-dipole
      disk modes. The observed bright dipolar mode did not show the energy shift
      expected from plasmon hybridization but activated dark higher order gap modes.
      Introducing lateral asymmetry was shown to remodel the field distribution
      resulting in 3D asymmetry that reoriented the dipole orientation away from the
      dipole of the elementary disk modes. 

PMID- 24219492
TI  - Type A personality, hostility, time urgency and unintentional injuries among
      Chinese undergraduates: a matched case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Associations between type A behaviour pattern (TABP) and injuries are
      inconsistent. These inconsistencies may be due to different effects of various
      components of TABP, namely time urgency/impatience, hostility and competitive
      drive. It is important to examine the relationship between the global TABP, its
      two components, and unintentional injuries, among undergraduates in China.
      METHODS: On the basis of a previous cross-sectional study, we conducted a matched
      case-control study. 253 cases and an equal number of age-, gender-, and major
      matched controls were included. The questionnaire solicited socio-demographic
      information, the experience of injuries, the scale of TABP, and other potential
      confounding factors. Besides the correlation between the global TABP and
      injuries, the influences of the two components of TABP on injuries were also
      evaluated. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine the crude odds
      ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs of injury events. RESULTS: A dose-response
      relationship was apparent among students who rated themselves higher on the TABP
      scale (P-value for trend, 0.002), with a crude OR of 2.93 (95% CI: 0.93-9.19) for
      injuries comparing those with TABP to those with type B behaviour pattern (TBBP).
      After adjustment for potential confounding factors, TABP remained statistically
      significant, and the adjusted OR was 5.52 (95% CI: 1.43-21.27); from a comparison
      of students with TABP to those with TBBP. A dose-response relationship was also
      apparent between the hostility component and nonfatal injuries, both in crude
      analysis and after adjusting for other confounders. The relationship between time
      hurry and injuries was not statistically significant, based on univariate and
      multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Both the global TABP and the hostility
      component were associated with a dose response increase in the risk of non-fatal
      unintentional injuries among Chinese undergraduates. Further studies need to be
      conducted to confirm or reject this correlation.

PMID- 24219493
TI  - Botulinum toxin field assays evaluated using cosmetic botox preparations.
AB  - Several quick tests for identifying botulinum toxins (BoNTs) are commercially
      available, but generally these tests have not been evaluated by independent
      laboratories. This study presents data on the evaluation of a number of
      commercial tests and demonstrates the use of cosmetic preparations of BoNT A and
      B as positive controls. For reference we used an in-house ELISA procedure. The
      cosmetic toxins, Botox((r)) and Neurobloc((r)), were found to be useful-that is,
      they had a sufficiently high toxin content to be used in test evaluation studies.
      Some commercial kits based on columns (ABICAP((r))) or lateral flow technology
      were tested for their detection limits. The ABICAP column system was found to be
      a useful alternative to an in-house ELISA method. In general, the lateral flow
      based test systems evaluated here were not able to detect BoNT, and a large
      proportion of the tests showed construction failures. In conclusion, this study
      showed that cosmetic BoNT products have enough toxin content to be used as
      convenient and accessible means of testing commercially available quick tests.
      The lateral flow tests used in this study were not satisfactory, while the ABICAP
      system was found to be a good alternative to an ELISA. 

PMID- 24219494
TI  - Public health emergencies and responses: what are they, how long do they last,
      and how many staff does your agency need?
AB  - Responding to outbreaks is one of the most routine yet most important functions
      of a public health agency. However, some outbreaks are bigger, more visible, or
      more complex than others, prompting discussion about when an "outbreak" becomes a
      "public health emergency." When a public health emergency is identified,
      resources (eg, funding, staff, space) may need to be redirected from core public
      health programs to contribute to the public health emergency response. The need
      to sustain critical public health functions while preparing for public health
      emergency responses raises a series of operational and resource management
      questions, including when a public health emergency begins and ends, why
      additional resources are needed, how long an organization should expect staff to
      be redirected, and how many staff (or what proportion of the agency's staff ) an
      organization should anticipate will be needed to conduct a public health
      emergency response. This article addresses these questions from a national
      perspective by reviewing events for which the Centers for Disease Control and
      Prevention redirected staff from core public health functions to respond to a
      series of public health emergencies. We defined "public health emergency" in both
      operational and public health terms and found that on average each emergency
      response lasted approximately 4 months and used approximately 9.5% of our
      workforce. We also provide reasons why public health agencies should consider the
      impact of redirecting resources when preparing for public health emergencies. 

PMID- 24219495
TI  - Beyond sports nutrition: the diverse role of dietitians at the Delhi 2010
      Commonwealth Games.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although registered sports dietitians commonly assist athletes with
      training and competition nutrition advice, an emerging area of practice is
      focused around food provision and nutrition support provided at major competition
      events. The present study aimed, first, to identify the dietetic skills and scope
      of practice that dietitians may require to work in this environment as determined
      by the occasions of service provided by dietitians at a nutrition kiosk located
      in the dining hall at a major competition event and, second, to investigate
      athletes' opinion and usage of the nutrition services and the association with
      their type of sport and previous source of nutrition information. METHODS:
      Dietitians based at a nutrition kiosk recorded all enquiries (n = 383) and
      consultations (n = 60) from 23 September to 14 October 2010. A questionnaire was
      also distributed to athletes in the main dining hall over this period to
      investigate their opinion and use of nutrition support, as well as their previous
      source of nutrition information. RESULTS: Although athletes from Western regions
      made up the majority of the enquiries regarding food provision and
      special/therapeutic dietary requirements (predominately food allergy and
      intolerance), athletes from non-Western regions, and those in weight category
      sports, had more sports nutrition enquiries and were more likely to request a
      consultation. A number of athletes (32%) reported no previous or one source of
      nutrition information, whereas only eight of 52 athletes who requested a
      consultation had prior nutrition assistance. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to sport
      nutrition knowledge and experience, dietitians working in this environment are
      likely to require an understanding of cultural eating styles, food beliefs and
      customs, large-scale food service operation, and local food availability.

PMID- 24219496
TI  - RNA polymerase structure, function, regulation, dynamics, fidelity, and roles in
      gene expression.

PMID- 24219497
TI  - Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Improves Patients' Postoperative Quality of Life in
      Maxillary Sinus Floor Augmentation: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Clinical
      Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The control of postoperative discomfort may improve the patient's
      quality of life as well as treatment acceptance. The aim of the present
      preliminary report was to assess if the use of autologous platelet concentrate
      during maxillary sinus augmentation may have a favorable impact on pain and other
      factors related to patient's quality of life in the first week after surgery.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an interim report of a randomized single-blind
      study. Fifteen patients with atrophic edentulous posterior maxilla underwent
      maxillary sinus augmentation using deproteinized bovine bone matrix (DBBM) as the
      grafting material (control group). In other 15 patients (test group), autologous
      plasma rich in growth factors (P-PRP) was added to DBBM, then a P-PRP clot was
      applied to covering the graft before suturing and finally P-PRP was placed over
      the suture in liquid form. During the first week postsurgery, all patients filled
      in a questionnaire for evaluation of main symptoms and daily activities. The
      outcomes of the questionnaires of the two groups were statistically compared.
      RESULTS: In the first days postsurgery, the group using P-PRP reported
      significantly less pain, swelling, and hematoma, and improved functional
      activities with respect to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The adjunct of P-PRP
      to the maxillary sinus augmentation procedure produced a beneficial effect to
      patients' quality of life in the early postsurgical phase.

PMID- 24219498
TI  - Incretin-mimetics associated pancreatitis: evidence from the spontaneous adverse
      drug reactions reporting in Italy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: New incretin-mimetics increased the treatment options for type 2
      diabetes mellitus. Studies on the safety of incretin-based therapy showed a risk
      of hypersensitivity reactions, acute pancreatitis, renal failure, infection,
      thyroid and pancreas cancer. We contributed to safety assessment of these new
      drugs by evaluating the spontaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reporting in
      Italy. RESEARCH AND METHODS: Reports of suspected ADRs associated with incretin
      mimetics were selected from the Italian Spontaneous ADR Reporting Database. For a
      subgroup of cases belonging to the Hospital of Cento (Ferrara), levels of
      pancreatic enzymes, amylase and lipase, before and after the therapy with the
      incretin-mimetics were available. RESULTS: As of December 2012, the reports of
      ADR associated with hypoglycemic drugs (excluding insulin) were 2443, 1169
      (47.85%) concerned the incretin-mimetics. A total of 90 reports described
      pancreatitis (44) and elevated pancreatic enzymes (46). Out of 90 cases, 34 were
      serious (37%). Data on amylase/lipase values for 10 patients were provided and an
      analysis of the published literature was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Our data from
      the daily clinical practice add up and confirm the information available on the
      association between incretin-mimetics and pancreatic damage and suggest caution
      in the prescribing of these new drugs and a close monitoring of exposed patients.

PMID- 24219499
TI  - Crystal structures and photoluminescence across the La2Si2O7-Ho2Si2O7 system.
AB  - It is well-known that when an RE2Si2O7 matrix is doped with active lanthanide
      ions, it displays promising luminescent responses for optical applications. The
      crystalline structure adopted by the silicate matrix as well as the distribution
      of the dopants among the available RE crystallographic sites have important
      effects on the luminescent yields of these compounds. The present study is aimed
      at analyzing the structural behavior as well as the luminescent properties of
      Ho(3+)-substituted La2Si2O7. Several compositions across the La2Si2O7-Ho2Si2O7
      system were synthesized using the sol-gel method followed by calcination at 1600 
      degrees C. The resulting powders were analyzed by means of X-ray and neutron
      diffraction to determine the phase stabilities across the system. The results
      indicated a solid solubility region of G-(La,Ho)2Si2O7 which extends to the
      La0.6Ho1.4Si2O7 composition. Compositions richer in Ho(3+) show a two-phase
      domain (G+delta), while delta-(La,Ho)2Si2O7 is the stable phase for Ho(3+)
      contents higher than 90% (La0.2Ho1.8Si2O7). Anomalous diffraction data
      interestingly indicated that the La(3+) for Ho(3+) substitution mechanism in the
      G-(La,Ho)2Si2O7 polymorph is not homogeneous, but a preferential occupation of
      Ho(3+) for the RE2 site is observed. The Ho(3+)-doped G-La2Si2O7 phosphors
      exhibited a strong green luminescence after excitation at 446 nm. Lifetime
      measurements indicated that the optimum phosphor was that with a Ho(3+) content
      of 10%. 

PMID- 24219500
TI  - B cell-mediated antigen transport to splenic follicles.

PMID- 24219501
TI  - The association between children's contact with people with disabilities and
      their attitudes towards disability: a systematic review.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this review was to systematically review and synthesize
      observational evidence of associations between children's naturally varying
      contact with people with disabilities and their attitudes towards disability.
      METHOD: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases. Studies
      were included if they measured children's contact with people with disabilities
      and their attitudes towards disability. Qualitative research and studies that
      experimentally varied the amount of contact children had were excluded. Data were
      synthesized in a narrative review. RESULTS: There were 35 studies that met the
      inclusion criteria: 22 of these reported a statistically significant association
      between contact with people with disabilities and more positive attitudes towards
      disability; two studies reported a negative association between contact and
      attitudes; and 11 studies reported no association. Incomplete reporting of the
      methods and results across studies limited the conclusions that could be drawn.
      INTERPRETATION: Studies identified in this review generally indicate that
      children's contact with people with disabilities is associated with more positive
      attitudes towards disability. There is a need for more rigorous research to
      examine the effect of children's contact with people with disabilities on their
      attitudes towards disability.

PMID- 24219502
TI  - Inter- and intraspecific identification of the screwworm, Cochliomyia
      hominivorax, using random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction.
AB  - The screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is
      one of the most devastating arthropod pests of livestock in the Western
      Hemisphere. Early instars are very difficult to distinguish morphologically from
      several closely related blow fly species. Random amplified polymorphic DNA
      polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) markers were developed for identifying C.
      hominivorax from other wound inhabiting species. Forty decameric primers were
      screened; nine showed clear reproducible RAPD profiles suitable for
      distinguishing all life stages of C. hominivorax from 7 other species, including
      C. macellaria (Fabricius). The results from RAPD-PCR with field-collected samples
      of unknown first instars agreed with morphological identification that the
      samples were not C. hominivorax. Three different primers showed DNA polymorphisms
      (intraspecific) for samples originating from Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica,
      and Brazil. Therefore, RAPD-PCR may be useful for determining the geographic
      origin of C. hominivorax samples. Comparing products from these primers, used
      with known and unknown screwworm samples from an outbreak in Mexico, clearly
      showed that the outbreak did not originate from the mass rearing facility.
      Accurate identification of suspected C. hominivorax samples is possible using
      RAPD-PCR. Further development to identify the geographic origin of samples would
      benefit the ongoing surveillance programs against C. hominivorax and the decision
      process during suspected outbreaks of this important pest.

PMID- 24219503
TI  - Influence of gold nanoparticles on the kinetics of alpha-synuclein aggregation.
AB  - alpha-synuclein (AS) is a small (140 amino acids), abundant presynaptic protein,
      which lacks a unique secondary structure in aqueous solution. Amyloid aggregates
      of AS in dopaminergic neurons of the midbrain are the hallmark of Parkinson's
      disease (PD). The process of aggregation involves a series of complex structural
      transitions from innocuous monomeric AS to oligomeric, presumably neurotoxic,
      forms and finally to fibril formation. Despite its potential importance for
      understanding PD pathobiology and devising rational, targeted therapeutic
      strategies, the details of the aggregation process remain largely unknown.
      Methodologies and reagents capable of controlling the aggregation kinetics are
      essential tools for the investigation of the molecular mechanisms of amyloid
      diseases. In this work, we investigated the influence of citrate-capped gold
      nanoparticles on the aggregation kinetics of AS using a fluorescent probe (MFC)
      sensitive to the polarity of the molecular microenvironment via excited state
      intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The particular effects on the half time,
      nucleation time, and growth rate were ascertained. Gold nanoparticles produced a
      strong acceleration of protein aggregation with an influence on both the
      nucleation and growth phases of the overall mechanism. The effects were dependent
      on the size and concentration of the nanoparticles, being strongest for
      nanoparticles 10 nm in diameter, which produced a 3-fold increase in the overall
      aggregation rate at concentrations as low as 20 nM. 

PMID- 24219504
TI  - National health insurance scheme enrolment and antenatal care among women in
      Ghana: is there any relationship?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine whether enrolment in the
      National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) affects the likelihood and timing of
      utilising antenatal care among women in Ghana. METHODS: Data were drawn from the
      Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative survey collected
      in 2008. The study used a cross-sectional design to examine the independent
      effects of NHIS enrolment on two dependent variables (frequency and timing of
      antenatal visits) among 1610 Ghanaian women. Negative binomial and logit models
      were fitted given that count and categorical variables were employed as outcome
      measures, respectively. RESULTS: Regardless of socio-economic and demographic
      factors, women enrolled in the NHIS make more antenatal visits compared with
      those not enrolled; however, there was no statistical association with the timing
      of the crucial first visit. Women who are educated, living in urban areas and are
      wealthy were more likely to attend antenatal care than those living in rural
      areas, uneducated and from poorer households. CONCLUSION: The NHIS should be
      strengthened and resourced as it may act as an important tool for increasing
      antenatal care attendance among women in Ghana.

PMID- 24219505
TI  - PlantTFcat: an online plant transcription factor and transcriptional regulator
      categorization and analysis tool.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plants regulate intrinsic gene expression through transcription
      factors (TFs), transcriptional regulators (TRs), chromatin regulators (CRs), and
      the basal transcription machinery. An understanding of plant gene regulatory
      mechanisms at a systems level requires the identification of these regulatory
      elements on a genomic scale. RESULTS: Here, we present PlantTFcat, a high
      performance web-based analysis tool that is designed to identify and categorize
      plant TF/TR/CR genes from genome-scale protein and nucleic acid sequences by
      systematically analyzing InterProScan domain patterns in protein sequences. The
      comprehensive prediction logics that are included in PlantTFcat are based on
      relationships between gene families and conserved domains from 108 published
      plant TF/TR/CR families. These prediction logics effectively distinguish TF/TR/CR
      families with common conserved domains. Our systematic performance evaluations
      indicate that PlantTFcat annotates known TF/TR/CR families with high coverage and
      sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: PlantTFcat provides an analysis tool to identify and
      categorize plant TF/TR/CR genes on a genomic scale. PlantTFcat is freely
      available to the public at http://plantgrn.noble.org/PlantTFcat/.

PMID- 24219507
TI  - Climate change effects on Chikungunya transmission in Europe: geospatial analysis
      of vector's climatic suitability and virus' temperature requirements.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chikungunya was, from the European perspective, considered to be a
      travel-related tropical mosquito-borne disease prior to the first European
      outbreak in Northern Italy in 2007. This was followed by cases of autochthonous
      transmission reported in South-eastern France in 2010. Both events occurred after
      the introduction, establishment and expansion of the Chikungunya-competent and
      highly invasive disease vector Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) in Europe.
      In order to assess whether these outbreaks are indicative of the beginning of a
      trend or one-off events, there is a need to further examine the factors driving
      the potential transmission of Chikungunya in Europe. The climatic suitability,
      both now and in the future, is an essential starting point for such an analysis.
      METHODS: The climatic suitability for Chikungunya outbreaks was determined by
      using bioclimatic factors that influence, both vector and, pathogen. Climatic
      suitability for the European distribution of the vector Aedes albopictus was
      based upon previous correlative environmental niche models. Climatic risk classes
      were derived by combining climatic suitability for the vector with known
      temperature requirements for pathogen transmission, obtained from outbreak
      regions. In addition, the longest potential intra-annual season for Chikungunya
      transmission was estimated for regions with expected vector occurrences.In order
      to analyse spatio-temporal trends for risk exposure and season of transmission in
      Europe, climate change impacts are projected for three time-frames (2011-2040,
      2041-2070 and 2071-2100) and two climate scenarios (A1B and B1) from the
      Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These climatic projections are
      based on regional climate model COSMO-CLM, which builds on the global model
      ECHAM5. RESULTS: European areas with current and future climatic suitability of
      Chikungunya transmission are identified. An increase in risk is projected for
      Western Europe (e.g. France and Benelux-States) in the first half of the 21st
      century and from mid-century onwards for central parts of Europe (e.g. Germany).
      Interestingly, the southernmost parts of Europe do not generally provide suitable
      conditions in these projections. Nevertheless, many Mediterranean regions will
      persist to be climatically suitable for transmission. Overall, the highest risk
      of transmission by the end of the 21st century was projected for France, Northern
      Italy and the Pannonian Basin (East-Central Europe). This general tendency is
      depicted in both, the A1B and B1 climate change scenarios. CONCLUSION: In order
      to guide preparedness for further outbreaks, it is crucial to anticipate risk as
      to identify areas where specific public health measures, such as surveillance and
      vector control, can be implemented. However, public health practitioners need to
      be aware that climate is only one factor driving the transmission of vector-borne
      disease.

PMID- 24219508
TI  - Efficacy and safety of mirodenafil for patients with erectile dysfunction: a meta
      analysis of three multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
      clinical trials.
AB  - AIM: To systematically review evidence on the efficacy and safety of mirodenafil
      treatment in erectile dysfunction (ED) from randomised controlled trials.
      METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library database up to March
      2013. Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. All
      data were analyzed using RevMan 5.0. Outcome measures assessed were the
      International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), erectile function domain (EFD)
      score (primary), the Sexual Encounter Profile questions 2 and 3, and the response
      to the Global Assessment Questionnaire and adverse effects (secondary). RESULTS:
      A total of 374 participants from three randomized controlled trials were
      identified in this meta-analysis. After 12 weeks treatment, mirodenafil was found
      to be more effective than placebo, and tolerability was good. The pooled results
      showed that the IIEF EFD score for 100 mg mirodenafil group was higher than
      placebo group (MD = 8.13, 95%CI: 6.64-9.61, p < 0.00001) and the mirodenafil
      group was also higher than placebo group in the changes from baseline for the
      IIEF EFD score (MD = 7.32, 95%CI: 5.56-9.07, p < 0.00001), respectively. The most
      common drug-related adverse events were flushing and headache (mirodenafil versus
      placebo: 15.8% versus 3.2%, 3.1% versus 0%; respectively). CONCLUSION: This meta
      analysis suggested that mirodenafil is effective and well-tolerated therapy for
      ED.

PMID- 24219509
TI  - Molecular simulation of water extraction into a tri-n-butylphosphate/n-dodecane
      solution.
AB  - Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate water extraction
      into a solution of 30 vol % tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) in n-dodecane. Our
      computational results indicate that the TBP electric dipole moment has a
      significant effect on the predicted water solubility. A larger TBP dipole moment
      decreases the aqueous-organic interfacial tension, leading to increased roughness
      of the aqueous-organic interface. Interfacial roughness disrupts the interfacial
      water hydrogen bonding structure, resulting in a presence of dangling water
      molecules at the interface. The increased interfacial roughness enhances the
      probability of water molecules breaking away from the aqueous phase and migrating
      into the organic bulk phase. By varying the atomic partial charges of the TBP
      molecules to reproduce a dipole moment close to the experimentally measured
      value, we were able to predict water solubility in close agreement with
      experimental measurements. In addition, our simulation results reveal the
      detailed molecular mechanism of the water extraction process, and the various
      structural forms of water molecules both at the interface and in the bulk organic
      phase. 

PMID- 24219510
TI  - Trajectories of self-efficacy in persons with chronic illness: an explorative
      longitudinal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy is important for changing health behaviour in persons
      with chronic illness. Longer term trajectories have not been previously explored.
      OBJECTIVE: This study's objective was to explore the trajectories of self
      efficacy in two different groups with chronic illnesses attending a patient
      education course. DESIGN: The study design was a longitudinal, comparative cohort
      study with five time points during a one-year follow-up, using repeated measures
      analysis of variance. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Persons with morbid obesity (n =
      55) and persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n = 56) were
      recruited at the start of patient education courses in Norway and followed-up
      four times the following year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The General Self-Efficacy
      Scale was the main outcome. RESULTS: Obese persons showed a linear pattern of
      increasing self-efficacy during the follow-up period, whereas persons with COPD
      had an initial increase followed by a decrease in self-efficacy. Having paid work
      was associated with a more positive self-efficacy trajectory. CONCLUSION: The
      results provide support for the currently employed patient education course for
      morbidly obese persons. In contrast, persons with COPD may need more extensive
      and/or more frequent support in order to increase and maintain self-efficacy
      across time.

PMID- 24219512
TI  - Implicit memory formation using the word stem completion task during anesthesia
      in children.
AB  - AIMS: To determine whether there is evidence of implicit memory formation during
      pediatric anesthesia using the word stem completion task. BACKGROUND: In adults,
      there is mixed evidence for implicit memory formation during anesthesia; however,
      there is no evidence in children. Implicit memory in adults has been detected
      using the word stem completion task. This test has not been used in a pediatric
      anesthetic setting. METHODS: A total of 200 patients aged 7-12 were randomized to
      hear one of the two lists of 10 words played continuously while anesthetized.
      Group 1 heard List A and Group 2 heard List B. Postoperatively, 194 completed a
      word stem completion task where they were required to complete the stems (the
      first part of words) corresponding to the words on the two word lists combined,
      with the first word that came to mind. RESULTS: Group 1 completed a mean of 2.78
      words correctly from List A and a mean of 2.70 words correctly from List B. Group
      2 completed a mean of 3.29 words correctly from List A and a mean of 3.66 words
      correctly from List B. For List A, there was no evidence (P = 0.70) for an
      association between intraoperative exposure to this list and the odds of
      successfully completing a stem from this list with the corresponding target word.
      There was little evidence (P = 0.09) for an association with List B. CONCLUSION:
      This study found no strong evidence that children form implicit memories for
      auditory words during anesthesia. Given the difference between lists, future
      research is warranted using carefully chosen word stems.

PMID- 24219514
TI  - Multiple excitation of confined graphene plasmons by single free electrons.
AB  - We show that free electrons can efficiently excite plasmons in doped graphene
      with probabilities in the order of one per electron. More precisely, we predict
      multiple excitations of a single confined plasmon mode in graphene
      nanostructures. These unprecedentedly large electron-plasmon couplings are
      explained using a simple scaling law and further investigated through a general
      quantum description of the electron-plasmon interaction. From a fundamental
      viewpoint, multiple plasmon excitations by a single electron provide a unique
      platform for exploring the bosonic quantum nature of these collective modes. Not
      only does our study open a viable path toward multiple excitation of a single
      plasmon mode by a single electron, but it also reveals electron probes as ideal
      tools for producing, detecting, and manipulating plasmons in graphene
      nanostructures. 

PMID- 24219511
TI  - Targeting insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor-binding
      protein-3 signaling pathways. A novel therapeutic approach for asthma.
AB  - Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I has been recognized to play critical roles in
      the pathogenesis of asthma, whereas IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 blocks crucial
      physiologic manifestations of asthma. IGF-I enhances subepithelial fibrosis,
      airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and airway smooth muscle
      hyperplasia by interacting with various inflammatory mediators and complex
      signaling pathways, such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and the hypoxia
      inducible factor/vascular endothelial growth factor axis. On the other hand,
      IGFBP-3 decreases airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness through
      IGFBP-3 receptor-mediated activation of caspases, which subsequently inhibits NF
      kappaB signaling pathway. It also inhibits the IGF-I/hypoxia-inducible
      factor/vascular endothelial growth factor axis via IGF-I-dependent and/or IGF-I
      independent mechanisms. This Translational Review summarizes the role of IGF-I
      and IGFBP-3 in the context of allergic airway disease, and discusses the
      therapeutic potential of various strategies targeting the IGF-I and IGFBP-3
      signaling pathways for the management of asthma. 

PMID- 24219513
TI  - What practices do parents perceive as effective or ineffective in promoting a
      healthy diet, physical activity, and less sitting in children: parent focus
      groups.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To support parents in improving the health of their young children,
      examples of effective parenting practices for a healthy diet, physical activity
      (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are needed. This study explores perceived
      effective and ineffective parenting practices in difficult situations concerning
      raising healthy children and investigates their relationship with Self
      Determination Theory (SDT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). The current study
      is formative work to inform the content of a randomized controlled trial.
      METHODS: Four focus groups were conducted between June and October 2012 at
      worksites during lunch break. A total of 21 unrelated parents of primary
      schoolchildren (6 fathers, 15 mothers) participated. A short written
      questionnaire introduced typical difficult situations derived from parental
      anecdotal reports, concerning healthy diet, PA and SB. These situations formed
      the backbone for the subsequent focus group discussion. In October 2012,
      discussions were audio-recorded and analyzed in Nvivo to identify key response
      items using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Parents experienced explaining why the
      child should behave healthily, monitoring, being consistent, offering
      alternatives, reacting empathetically, modeling, motivating, increasing intrinsic
      value and availability, and using time-out as effective practices, whereas anger
      was considered ineffective. Opinions were mixed about the effectiveness of giving
      as much freedom as possible, obliging, rewarding and punishing, and setting rules
      and agreements. Parenting practices were consistent with principles from both SDT
      and SCT. CONCLUSIONS: Parents identified numerous perceived effective practices
      to respond to their child's health-related behavior. Since many of them coincide
      with the evidence base and the success of a parenting program depends upon the
      degree to which parents' concerns and motivations are integrated into the program
      design, important opportunities are created for future intervention programs.

PMID- 24219506
TI  - Sucralose, a synthetic organochlorine sweetener: overview of biological issues.
AB  - Sucralose is a synthetic organochlorine sweetener (OC) that is a common
      ingredient in the world's food supply. Sucralose interacts with chemosensors in
      the alimentary tract that play a role in sweet taste sensation and hormone
      secretion. In rats, sucralose ingestion was shown to increase the expression of
      the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and two cytochrome P-450 (CYP)
      isozymes in the intestine. P-gp and CYP are key components of the presystemic
      detoxification system involved in first-pass drug metabolism. The effect of
      sucralose on first-pass drug metabolism in humans, however, has not yet been
      determined. In rats, sucralose alters the microbial composition in the
      gastrointestinal tract (GIT), with relatively greater reduction in beneficial
      bacteria. Although early studies asserted that sucralose passes through the GIT
      unchanged, subsequent analysis suggested that some of the ingested sweetener is
      metabolized in the GIT, as indicated by multiple peaks found in thin-layer
      radiochromatographic profiles of methanolic fecal extracts after oral sucralose
      administration. The identity and safety profile of these putative sucralose
      metabolites are not known at this time. Sucralose and one of its hydrolysis
      products were found to be mutagenic at elevated concentrations in several testing
      methods. Cooking with sucralose at high temperatures was reported to generate
      chloropropanols, a potentially toxic class of compounds. Both human and rodent
      studies demonstrated that sucralose may alter glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like
      peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels. Taken together, these findings indicate that sucralose
      is not a biologically inert compound. 

PMID- 24219516
TI  - Evidence-guided education.

PMID- 24219515
TI  - Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on broiler performance,
      intestinal nutrient transport and integrity under experimental conditions with
      increased microbial challenge.
AB  - 1. The effects of Aspergillus oryzae- and Bacillus subtilis-based direct-fed
      microbials (DFM) were investigated on the performance, ileal nutrient transport
      and intestinal integrity of broiler chickens, raised under experimental
      conditions, with increased intestinal microbial challenge. 2. The first study was
      a 3 * 2 factorial experiment, with 3 dietary treatments (control (CON), CON + DFM
      and CON + antibiotic growth promoter) with and without challenge. Chicks were fed
      experimental diets from 1 to 28 d, while the challenge was provided by
      vaccinating with 10 times the normal dose of commercial coccidial vaccine on d 9.
      In a second experiment, two groups of 1 d-old broilers, housed on built-up litter
      (uncleaned from two previous flocks), were fed the same CON and CON + DFM diets
      from 1 to 21 d. 3. The challenge in the first experiment reduced performance, but
      no differences were observed among dietary treatments from 8 to 28 d. The
      challenge reduced the ileal epithelial flux for D-glucose, L-lysine, DL
      methionine and phosphorus on d 21. Epithelial flux for D-glucose, L-lysine and DL
      methionine were increased by DFM. Ileal trans-epithelial electrical resistance
      (TER) was increased in challenged broilers fed DFM, although this was not
      observed in unchallenged birds as indicated by a significant interaction. 4.
      Ileal mucin mRNA expression and colon TER were increased, and colon endotoxin
      permeability was reduced by DFM on d 21 in the second experiment. 5. It was
      concluded that the addition of DFM in the diet improved the intestinal integrity
      of broiler chickens raised under experimental conditions designed to provide
      increased intestinal microbial challenge.

PMID- 24219517
TI  - Tandem clerking: maximising workplace learning.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medical assessment units (MAUs) are a valuable source of educational
      opportunities, but these are often not realised because of service pressures. We
      trialled a method of collaborative working, where junior and senior trainees work
      in 'tandem' to see new admissions. The roles are alternated throughout the shift
      with the aim of encouraging shared decisions, learning and feedback. METHODS: A 4
      month trial of tandem clerking was implemented. An anonymous questionnaire of
      junior doctors collected quantitative and qualitative data to assess educational
      aspects of tandem clerking in the MAU of a busy district general hospital.
      RESULTS: Junior doctors (n = 14) report seeing a larger number and wider variety
      of patients using tandem clerking, with more useful feedback and a greater chance
      of meeting learning objectives and completing assessments. Some respondents
      expressed concern over a lack of autonomy. Respondents stated they were less
      likely to spend time completing mundane and non-educational tasks. Eight
      respondents preferred the new system, four favoured the traditional system and
      two had no preference. DISCUSSION: Tandem clerking is an innovative method to
      increase the educational aspects of the assessment unit, both in terms of
      feedback opportunities and exposure to a wider variety of patients. The technique
      is partly dependent on the enthusiasm and interest of both parties.

PMID- 24219518
TI  - Encouraging new doctors to do medical education research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An academic foundation programme in medical education may allow
      junior medical trainees to gain experience in teaching and medical education
      research. After 2 years, three trainees will have completed the programme, and
      three more will be halfway through it. The authors explore problems encountered
      and how trainees maximised their experience, helping to inform future planning.
      SUMMARY OF WORK: Semi-structured group discussions covering trainees' experiences
      were conducted in the summer of 2011. All six trainees in the programme
      participated. SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Both site-specific and general issues were
      raised, most of which were dealt with in a pragmatic fashion. The trainees' goals
      and subsequent achievements varied. Important factors for trainees and those
      supervising them, and the organisation of the programme, are discussed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our experience is that an academic foundation programme in medical
      education can be successful. This requires collaboration between trainees and
      supervisors. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: The role of the academic supervisor in medical
      education research is key, but those involved in the practicalities of helping
      trainees maintain their protected research time is just as important.

PMID- 24219519
TI  - Maximising the value from the elective experience: post-elective workshops.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medical electives are important facets of Global Health education of
      UK medical students, preparing them for work in an increasingly globalised world.
      However, their explicit educational value is unclear, and is often lost because
      of inadequate preparation and review procedures. METHOD: Aiming to capitalise on
      this unique personal and professional development opportunity, which Newcastle
      University students undertake in their fourth year, a pilot feedback workshop was
      designed in which 42 final-year students gave 10-15-minute reflective
      presentations to subgroups of between six and eight peers, followed by an
      opportunity for questions, discussion and feedback. Feedback was sought from
      individual questionnaires and then there was open discussion with the whole
      group. RESULTS: Despite the participants' variable satisfaction with the pre
      elective procedures, all felt that the elective itself was valuable and
      enjoyable, and, moreover, all enjoyed and benefited from debriefing in this
      workshop format. DISCUSSION: This pilot was successful. Simple, inexpensive
      workshops are to be recommended for overcoming perceived staffing and timetabling
      barriers to Global Health education, and affording students the maximum personal
      and professional benefit from their own, and each others' medical electives.

PMID- 24219520
TI  - An advanced quality improvement and patient safety elective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Practising doctors must be competent in quality improvement (QI) and
      patient safety (PS). Despite this need, QI and PS have yet to be fully integrated
      into the undergraduate medical curriculum. Furthermore, there are few resources
      available for motivated senior medical students to receive advanced training
      prior to starting residency. To address these needs, we piloted an elective in
      QI/PS for senior medical students. METHODS: We measured changes in knowledge,
      attitude and QI/PS skills with before and after surveys and skill assessments.
      Post-elective measures included an assessment of reaction to the curriculum and
      an assessment of a QI project proposal. RESULTS: Six students participated in two
      2-week electives. Mean knowledge test scores improved after the elective [mean
      score (SD)]: before, 7.3 (1.4), versus after, 8.2 (0.4); p = 0.19. There were
      improvements in confidence in all aspects queried, and this was significant in
      six of the seven confidence questions. Students had high motivation for future
      QI/PS involvement both before and after the elective. Validated measures
      assessing QI/PS skills showed high levels of performance both before and after
      the elective. Experiential components of the elective were most highly valued.
      DISCUSSION: Motivated students may not have the confidence needed to effectively
      actuate their desire to incorporate QI/PS in their continuing training and
      careers. This 2-week elective significantly improved students' confidence and
      maintained their motivation for QI/PS work. Experiential activities may be
      particularly beneficial for students to learn QI/PS throughout medical school.

PMID- 24219521
TI  - Providing a specialty trainee teaching programme over long distances.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Today's teaching programmes must be interesting, relevant to the
      surgical curriculum, as defined in the UK by the Intercollegiate Surgical
      Curriculum Programme (ISCP), and attractive enough to the trainee so that they
      encourage attendance without compromising operative experience. METHODS: Our aim
      was to achieve the objectives of the ISCP and to provide high-quality teaching to
      the trainees. We devised a 2-year rolling programme of events to cover the
      knowledge and skills required for general surgical training for both the
      Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) and Fellowship of the Royal
      College of Surgeons (FRCS) examinations. For the trainees unable to attend
      because of on-call commitments, we developed online course material, creating our
      own virtual learning environment (VLE). Attendance at training days, website use
      and exam pass rates were monitored. We surveyed trainees annually to identify
      whether the teaching was meeting their needs. RESULTS: There were 100 per cent
      pass rates for FRCS clinical and viva examinations, with 16 out of the 16
      candidates passing on their first attempt and one gold medal awarded. DISCUSSION:
      Our attendance rates show that it is possible to provide well-attended sessions
      despite modern working patterns. The production of a yearly teaching plan with
      identified topics and dates allowed trainees to maximise their attendance.

PMID- 24219522
TI  - Learning trajectories in longitudinal rural medical school placements.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rural longitudinal placements are now a key part of clinical medical
      education, and are part of workforce strategies to enhance the rural medical
      workforce. Learning trajectories (a map to guide student learning) have been
      recommended as a means of maximising student learning on placements, and have the
      potential to assist long-term rural students and supervisors in adapting to a
      longitudinal clerkship. CONTEXT: This study focuses on year-3 medical students in
      rural longitudinal clinical placements at an Australian graduate-entry medical
      school. INNOVATION: This article reports the outcomes of working with current
      rural supervisors and students to develop a learning trajectory across the rural
      stream year, for implementation in future years. IMPLICATIONS: Students and
      supervisors identified incremental learning goals in keeping with Dreyfus's model
      of progressive skill development. Students offered tips to future students to
      adjust to variations in learning experiences across rural sites. Some supervisors
      were reluctant to have a learning trajectory, fearing it would be seen as
      proscriptive and reduce student ambition for varied rich experiences. Future
      research will focus on the impact of the rural learning trajectory.

PMID- 24219523
TI  - Mental health care training for practitioners in remote and rural areas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rural and island health care staff in Scotland are required to manage
      patients experiencing mental health crises. To ensure practitioners in remote and
      rural areas have the necessary skills, the Remote and Rural Healthcare
      Educational Alliance (RRHEAL) were asked to develop a pre-hospital mental health
      care course. METHODS: Several mental health care experts were asked to express an
      opinion on the essential content of such a course. Stakeholder review informed
      the development of a survey to identify the priority areas for training. The
      first round of the survey process involved an expert group of 16; the second
      round used a survey of over 300 remote and rural practitioners involved with the
      British Association for Immediate Care, Scotland (BASICS). RESULTS: The
      stakeholder review identified key content, summarised under the following topics:
      risk assessment; patient assessment; crisis management; handling difficult
      situations; engagement skills; mental health law; management of retrieval;
      pharmacology; theory and classification of mental illness; and understanding your
      network. DISCUSSION: This article shares how the needs within a national pre
      hospital mental health care programme were identified, and demonstrates how
      consensus over the content of a national course was achieved through the use of a
      modified Delphi approach. The Clinical Skills Managed Educational Network
      (CSMEN), Self-Harm Mitigation Training (STORM(r)) and BASICS, alongside RRHEAL,
      contributed to this development. Using blended learning techniques the resulting
      course encourages a contextual approach to user needs, specifically teaching
      generic mental health care skills to staff who are often working single-handed,
      and are required to respond appropriately, locally and safely as they work
      towards achieving National Mental Health crisis standards.

PMID- 24219524
TI  - Teaching wilderness and outdoor medicine in a city.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Teaching medical students wilderness medicine helps students learn
      how to apply skills such as leadership, teamwork and managing medical
      emergencies. The literature contains papers that describe methods for delivering
      this type of teaching, but they use specialised centres and a significant number
      of tutors. This paper describes a course delivered within the university and a
      nearby outdoor centre. METHODS: A course that covered outdoor emergency skills,
      and expedition and leadership skills, was delivered to third-year medical
      students. The usefulness of the course was assessed using student and tutor
      evaluations and the end-of-course assessment results. Practical scenarios were
      used to stimulate learning and the course finished with a camping trip, during
      which the students had to manage injuries in the field. RESULTS: The course was
      successfully delivered using only two tutors. The results of the evaluations
      indicated that the students had gained a good knowledge of the areas covered;
      they enjoyed the course and were able to apply first-aid skills to the outdoor
      situation. The students especially liked the approach of using practical
      scenarios to help them apply the principles that they had learned in the course.
      DISCUSSION: The course was successful because of the use of scenarios that
      encouraged the students to actively manage casualties and work as a team. We were
      able to deliver the course at a reasonable cost by using the facilities of a
      local outdoor camping centre.

PMID- 24219525
TI  - Annual review of competence: trainees' perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An annual review of competence progression (ARCP) is compulsory for
      all UK specialty trainees. AIM: We explore specialty trainees' views on ARCPs,
      including the usefulness of annual review, and how well prepared they felt for
      it. METHODS: A 15-item questionnaire was completed anonymously by 63 paediatric
      specialty trainees following their ARCPs in the West Midlands Deanery. After
      further trainee and trainer education on ARCPs, 21 trainees participated in
      telephone semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Seventy-six per cent of paediatric
      specialty trainees found having an ARCP helpful, although 70 per cent did not
      feel well informed about the process: this did not vary by training year or
      gender. Apart from trainees valuing a regional review of progress, the other key
      themes from the semi-structured interviews were negative around ePortfolio, IT,
      lack of consultant training and willingness to undertake assessments, being
      unaware of the evidence needed for ARCP and electronic ARCP feedback. CONCLUSION:
      Although three-quarters of paediatric trainees found having an ARCP helpful, they
      did not feel prepared for the ARCP. Educating both trainees and trainers about
      ARCPs and the required portfolio evidence is continuing; however, we believe
      trainees will only truly feel prepared for their ARCPs after successfully
      addressing the more challenging issues of good IT infrastructure in each trust,
      with consultants readily undertaking workplace-based assessments (WBAs) and with
      educational supervision being of a consistently high standard.

PMID- 24219527
TI  - The olfactory examination: a waft of disease.

PMID- 24219528
TI  - The hidden value of a mock OSCE.

PMID- 24219526
TI  - Student perception of workplace-based assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Workplace-based assessment (WPBA) is key to medical education,
      providing a framework through which the trainee can be assessed and receive
      feedback in the clinical setting. WPBA was introduced in 2008-2009 to students in
      year 4 at University College London Medical School (UCLMS). Students raised
      concerns about the lack of standardisation in grading. As a result, white-space
      areas were introduced on WPBA forms. The aim of this was to permit assessors to
      expand their feedback, thereby enhancing its developmental potential. The aim of
      the project was to assess student perception of WPBA at UCLMS, and to determine
      whether re-designing the form had altered this perception. METHOD: An online
      survey was circulated to students in year 4 at the end of the academic year 2009
      2010, and was repeated with the next cohort of year-4 students at the end of the
      academic year 2010-2011. Students were asked to express a level of agreement with
      12 statements and for free-text comments on their experience with WPBA. Survey
      responses were analysed using an unpaired two-tailed Student's t-test, and QSR
      NVivo was used to manage the thematic analysis of the free-text comments.
      RESULTS: Although there was no significant difference in student perception
      between cohorts, the analysis of free-text comments highlighted several themes
      for discussion. CONCLUSION: Students at UCLMS find WPBA valuable in highlighting
      areas for improvement and obtaining personalised feedback. They find the grading
      of WPBA too subjective, and that the attitudes of the assessors sometimes reduce
      its educational value. Suggestions are made to improve the value of WPBA in
      undergraduate medical education.

PMID- 24219529
TI  - Dealing with the unpredictable.

PMID- 24219530
TI  - Medical student research in Iran.

PMID- 24219531
TI  - Blueprinting.

PMID- 24219537
TI  - The utility of teaching ultrasonography.

PMID- 24219538
TI  - Utilising junior doctors in medical education.

PMID- 24219539
TI  - Role of arterial hypertension as a predictive marker for bevacizumab efficacy in
      recurrent glioblastoma - a prospective analysis.

PMID- 24219540
TI  - Grb2 and its influence on tumor growth and progression in systemic malignancies.

PMID- 24219541
TI  - Excess mortality in postmenopausal high-risk women who only receive adjuvant
      endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Omission of chemotherapy may affect mortality in postmenopausal high
      risk women despite appropriate adjuvant endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor
      (ER) positive breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine how all-cause
      mortality rate in these patients compares to that of the general female
      population. Furthermore, to identify a subset without excess mortality using
      clinical and pathological characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From the
      population-based database of the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group we
      included 6529 postmenopausal patients with ER positive high-risk breast cancer
      who in 1996 through 2004 by nationwide guidelines were allocated to five years of
      tamoxifen, an aromatase inhibitor (AI) or both in sequence. Multivariate
      categorical and fractional polynomials (MFP) models were used to construct
      prognostic subsets by clinicopathologic characteristics. RESULTS: In a
      multivariate model excess mortality was inversely (p < 0.0001) associated with
      increasing age at surgery while recurrence-free survival (RFS) was not. Non
      adherence to endocrine therapy was associated with excess mortality (p = 0.0008)
      while treatment with an AI was associated with a less pronounced mortality excess
      (p = 0.03). A prognostic standard mortality rate (SMR) index (PSI) was built
      using the regression coefficients obtained in the MFP model, and the same risk
      factors were used to construct a flowchart algorithm. Both allocated 75% to a
      group with increased all-cause mortality as compared to the general female
      population, but the SMR was significantly increased (SMR 1.38; 95% CI 1.16-1.65)
      in 462 patients who were allocated to low-risk group by the Flowchart algorithm
      and to a high-risk group by PSI. CONCLUSION: Only one quarter of postmenopausal
      ER positive breast cancer patients are free of excess mortality when omitting
      adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients should be informed about importance of adherence
      to adjuvant endocrine therapy and inclusion of an AI. A PSI may better guide
      recommendations regarding adjuvant chemotherapy.

PMID- 24219542
TI  - Modeling continuous self-report measures of perceived emotion using generalized
      additive mixed models.
AB  - Emotion research has long been dominated by the "standard method" of displaying
      posed or acted static images of facial expressions of emotion. While this method
      has been useful, it is unable to investigate the dynamic nature of emotion
      expression. Although continuous self-report traces have enabled the measurement
      of dynamic expressions of emotion, a consensus has not been reached on the
      correct statistical techniques that permit inferences to be made with such
      measures. We propose generalized additive models and generalized additive mixed
      models as techniques that can account for the dynamic nature of such continuous
      measures. These models allow us to hold constant shared components of responses
      that are due to perceived emotion across time, while enabling inference
      concerning linear differences between groups. The generalized additive mixed
      model approach is preferred, as it can account for autocorrelation in time series
      data and allows emotion decoding participants to be modeled as random effects. To
      increase confidence in linear differences, we assess the methods that address
      interactions between categorical variables and dynamic changes over time. In
      addition, we provide comments on the use of generalized additive models to assess
      the effect size of shared perceived emotion and discuss sample sizes. Finally, we
      address additional uses, the inference of feature detection, continuous variable
      interactions, and measurement of ambiguity.

PMID- 24219543
TI  - Model comparisons using tournaments: likes, "dislikes," and challenges.
AB  - We examine the value added of tournaments that compare the predictive power of
      behavioral models. The advantages and disadvantages of this particular method
      have not been systematically discussed in the literature; here we aspire to do
      so. We conclude that tournaments are a useful addition to our arsenal of methods
      and a significant step forward in the study of the predictive power of behavioral
      models. Such tournaments are not without limitations, however, and we identify
      and illustrate current limitations, propose solutions to overcome some of them,
      and identify a research agenda to address the remaining.

PMID- 24219544
TI  - Longitudinal design considerations to optimize power to detect variances and
      covariances among rates of change: simulation results based on actual
      longitudinal studies.
AB  - We investigated the power to detect variances and covariances in rates of change
      in the context of existing longitudinal studies using linear bivariate growth
      curve models. Power was estimated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Our
      findings show that typical longitudinal study designs have substantial power to
      detect both variances and covariances among rates of change in a variety of
      cognitive, physical functioning, and mental health outcomes. We performed
      simulations to investigate the interplay among number and spacing of occasions,
      total duration of the study, effect size, and error variance on power and
      required sample size. The relation between growth rate reliability (GRR) and
      effect size to the sample size required to detect power greater than or equal to
      .80 was nonlinear, with rapidly decreasing sample sizes needed as GRR increases.
      The results presented here stand in contrast to previous simulation results and
      recommendations (Hertzog, Lindenberger, Ghisletta, & von Oertzen, 2006; Hertzog,
      von Oertzen, Ghisletta, & Lindenberger, 2008; von Oertzen, Ghisletta, &
      Lindenberger, 2010), which are limited due to confounds between study length and
      number of waves, error variance with growth curve reliability, and parameter
      values that are largely out of bounds of actual study values. Power to detect
      change is generally low in the early phases (i.e., first years) of longitudinal
      studies but can substantially increase if the design is optimized. We recommend
      additional assessments, including embedded intensive measurement designs, to
      improve power in the early phases of long-term longitudinal studies.

PMID- 24219546
TI  - Using induced human pluripotent stem cells to study Diamond-Blackfan anemia: an
      outlook on the clinical possibilities.

PMID- 24219547
TI  - 1:1:1 - Warranted or wasteful? Even where appropriate, high ratio transfusion
      protocols are costly: early transition to individualized care benefits patients
      and transfusion services.

PMID- 24219545
TI  - Regulation of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase by neuron-specific transcription factor Sp4:
      implication in the tight coupling of energy production, neuronal activity and
      energy consumption in neurons.
AB  - A major source of energy demand in neurons is the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase pump that
      restores the ionic gradient across the plasma membrane subsequent to depolarizing
      neuronal activity. The energy comes primarily from mitochondrial oxidative
      metabolism, of which cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is a key enzyme. Recently, we
      found that all 13 subunits of COX are regulated by specificity (Sp) factors, and
      that the neuron-specific Sp4, but not Sp1 or Sp3, regulates the expression of key
      glutamatergic receptor subunits as well. The present study sought to test our
      hypothesis that Sp4 also regulates Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase subunit genes in neurons. By
      means of multiple approaches, including in silico analysis, electrophoretic
      mobility shift and supershift assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, promoter
      mutational analysis, over-expression, and RNA interference studies, we found that
      Sp4, with minor contributions from Sp1 and Sp3, functionally regulate the Atp1a1,
      Atp1a3, and Atp1b1 subunit genes of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in neurons. Transcripts of
      all three genes were up-regulated by depolarizing KCl stimulation and down
      regulated by the impulse blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX), indicating that their
      expression was activity-dependent. Silencing of Sp4 blocked the up-regulation of
      these genes induced by KCl, whereas over-expression of Sp4 rescued them from TTX
      induced suppression. The effect of silencing or over-expressing Sp4 on primary
      neurons was much greater than those of Sp1 or Sp3. The binding sites of Sp
      factors on these genes are conserved among mice, rats and humans. Thus, Sp4 plays
      an important role in the transcriptional coupling of energy generation and energy
      consumption in neurons.

PMID- 24219549
TI  - Special features of total knee replacement in hemophilia.
AB  - Total knee replacement is an operation frequently needed by hemophilia patients,
      which greatly improves their quality of life. This operation, however, carries a
      higher risk of bleeding and infection for hemophiliacs than it does for
      osteoarthritis sufferers. It is advisable to implant prosthetic components using
      antibiotic-loaded cement. It is essential to maintain a level of 100% of the
      replacement clotting factor for 2 weeks. Hematological treatment must be
      established, depending on the patient's factor levels and other pharmacokinetic
      parameters such as recovery and half-life, optimal doses and treatment time. It
      is preferable to use general anesthesia due to the risk of spinal bleeding. The
      lifespan of total knee replacement in hemophilic patients is shorter than in
      patients with osteoarthritis because of the increased risk of infection. 

PMID- 24219551
TI  - Treatment approaches to asymptomatic follicular lymphoma.
AB  - Follicular lymphoma is a heterogeneous disease in which some patients present an
      indolent evolution for decades and others, a rather aggressive form of the
      disease requiring immediate therapy. While immunochemotherapy has emerged as a
      standard of care for symptomatic patients, treatment of the asymptomatic
      population remains controversial. Since the disease is still considered
      incurable, delayed initiation of therapy is an acceptable option. However, four
      single injections of rituximab can result in an acceptable clinical response and
      can improve the duration of the interval without cytotoxic therapy. With recent
      therapeutic approaches that enable substantial improvements in life expectancy
      for follicular lymphoma patients, limiting short- or long-term treatment
      toxicities appears as a new concern in the asymptomatic population. Based on
      these options, the challenge is to preserve patient quality of life and prolong
      survival: from the patient's perspective, his/her opinion is therefore of
      significant importance.

PMID- 24219552
TI  - Is there a role for allogeneic transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia?
AB  - Allogeneic hemopoietic cell transplantation has moved away from being the
      standard of care for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Its role is
      currently limited to an unsatisfactory response to therapy with tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors as well as advanced stages of the disease. The advent of tyrosine
      kinase inhibitors has been one of the most remarkable advances in any form of
      cancer. Never-the-less, as a definitive procedure, allogeneic transplantation
      remains the only curative modality and its use in carefully selected patients,
      who have an inadequate response, has been increasingly recognized. It remains a
      standard of care for patients who present with blast crisis CML and is often used
      also in accelerated phase. The future for patients with CML has become so much
      brighter over the past decade but new issues and considerations continually
      emerge.

PMID- 24219550
TI  - The use of novel oral anticoagulants for thromboprophylaxis after elective major
      orthopedic surgery.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among
      patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. Due to the high incidence of
      venous thromboembolism in this setting, perioperative anticoagulation is the
      recommended approach for thromboprophylaxis. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH),
      fondaparinux and warfarin are the agents commonly used for thromboprophylaxis.
      The well-recognized limitations of warfarin and the inconvenience and discomfort
      associated with the subcutaneous administration of low molecular weight heparin
      and fondaparinux inspired intense investigation to develop novel oral
      anticoagulants (NOACs) with more predictable pharmacokinetics, fewer drug
      interactions and no need for regular laboratory monitoring. Three NOACs have been
      demonstrated to be effective for thromboprophylaxis after total hip arthroplasty
      (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in large randomized controlled trials.
      Here we review the pharmacology of rivaroxaban, dabigatran, and apixaban,
      summarize the major clinical trials of these agents in thromboprophylaxis after
      THA and TKA, and discuss the clinical factors to be considered by providers when
      selecting a NOAC for their patients.

PMID- 24219553
TI  - Alternative novel therapies for the treatment of elderly acute myeloid leukemia
      patients.
AB  - With a median age at diagnosis of approximately 65-70 years, acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML) represents a major therapeutic challenge in the elderly. Only 30
      35% of elderly patients with AML are considered eligible for intensive
      chemotherapy and do actually receive it. However, the long-term benefit
      associated with intensive chemotherapy remains marginal, and the overall outcome
      for this population remains poor. The remaining 60-65% of elderly AML patients
      receives supportive care only. Nevertheless, several studies have indicated that
      patients who receive any therapy had a better outcome if compared with patients
      who receive supportive care only. Thus, the development of novel, less toxic,
      targeted agents is offering new options to older AML patients who are unfit for
      intensive approaches. In the present review, we will report on the results
      achieved using intensive chemotherapy and novel agents, and will describe some of
      the new strategies under development for treating older AML patients.

PMID- 24219554
TI  - Rejection sensitivity and vulnerability to self-directed hostile cognitions
      following rejection.
AB  - We examined the hypothesis that rejection increases self-directed hostile
      cognitions in individuals who are high in rejection sensitivity (RS). In four
      studies employing primarily undergraduate samples (Ns = 83-121), rejection was
      primed subliminally or through a recall task, and self-directed hostile
      cognitions were assessed using explicit or implicit measures. Negative or neutral
      control conditions were used in three of the studies. Measures of RS were
      obtained in pretesting. High RS participants were more likely than low RS
      participants to report or show greater self-directed hostile cognitions in
      rejection conditions, compared to control conditions. Results held when
      controlling for depressive symptoms, history of self-directed hostile cognitions,
      and general hostility. RS may represent a unique vulnerability for self-directed
      hostile cognitions, a predictor of self-harmful behavior. 

PMID- 24219555
TI  - Adherence to pharmacological pain therapy in patients with nonmalignant pain: the
      role of patients' knowledge of pain medication.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonadherence to pharmacological therapy is a common and underexposed
      problem in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. It may lead to treatment
      failure and increased healthcare costs. METHODS: In this prospective
      observational study we analyzed the association between knowledge and adherence
      in the chronic nonmalignant pain population. We included 96 patients treated with
      a new pharmacological prescription. During the initial visit (T0), demographic
      variables, pain intensity, knowledge of the prescription (name, dose, and
      frequency), self-reported adherence to the prescription, and general knowledge of
      pharmacological pain therapy (according to the Pain Knowledge Questionnaire,
      Dutch Language Version (PKQ-DLV) were recorded. During two follow-up visits (T1,
      T2), apart from demographics, these parameters were measured again. RESULTS:
      Adherence rates were 42%, 42%, and 46% at T0, T1 and T2, respectively. 53%, 59%,
      and 48% of patients had knowledge of their current prescription, and mean scores
      on the PKQ-DLV were 56, 55, and 52 percent of the maximum scores, respectively,
      at T0, T1 and T2. A multivariate binary logistic regression analysis resulted in
      a significant contribution of knowledge of the prescription and of age to the
      prediction of adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the analgesic prescription is
      associated with adherence and significantly contributes to the prediction of
      adherence to analgesic therapy. An interventional study is needed to determine
      whether increasing knowledge will improve medication adherence and therapy
      outcome in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain.

PMID- 24219556
TI  - Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma leads to
      upregulation of ESE-3 expression in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.
AB  - The transcription factor ESE-3 has been suggested to be involved in regulating
      the immunogenicity of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs). While ESE-3
      is not expressed in monocytes, it is upregulated during the differentiation of
      monocytes into dendritic cells (DCs) and highly expressed in immunogenic DCs
      while downregulated in tolerogenic DCs. Activation of peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) during DC development has been shown to
      result in a rather tolerogenic cell population. In this study, we identified
      eight PPAR-gamma binding sites upstream of the ESE-3 gene. Activation of the PPAR
      gamma pathway with synthetic PPAR-gamma ligands during moDC generation resulted
      in upregulation of ESE-3b expression on mRNA and protein level, phenotypic
      alterations and reduced capacity of the cells to stimulate allogeneic T cells.
      This could be inhibited by blocking the PPAR-gamma pathway with specific
      antagonists. Our results suggest PPAR-gamma to be involved in the regulation of
      ESE-3b expression during moDC development and that ESE-3 expression is not
      correlated with the immunogenicity of DCs. 

PMID- 24219557
TI  - Prolonged postdiapause: influence on some indicators of carbohydrate and lipid
      metabolism of the red mason bee, Osmia rufa.
AB  - Bees of the genus Osmia are being used in crop pollination at an increasing rate.
      However, a short life expectancy of adult individuals limits the feasibility of
      their use. Cocoons of the red mason bee, Osmia rufa L. (Hymenoptera:
      Megachilidae), can be stored at 4 degrees  C in a postdiapause state, and adult
      bees can be used for pollination outside their natural flight period. The period
      of storage in this form has an unfavorable influence on the survival rate, life
      expectancy, and fertility of the bee. It was suggested that the negative results
      are connected with exhaustion of energy reserves. To test this hypothesis, the
      present study examined the contents of protein, carbohydrates, lipids, and the
      activities of some enzymes, and their degradation in red mason bees that emerged
      in spring according to their biological clock and in summer after elongated
      diapause. It was found that postdiapause artificially elongated by 3 months
      caused significant decreases in body weight, total sugar, glycogen, lipids, and
      protein content in O. rufa. Glucose level was highest in bees that emerged in the
      summer, which was coincident with increased activities of maltase and trehalase.
      The activities of sucrase and cellobiase were not changed, while amylase activity
      was considerably decreased. The activities of triacylglycerols lipase and C2, C4,
      C10 carboxylesterases were highest in bees that emerged in July. Low temperatures
      restrict O. rufa emergence, and during prolonged postdiapause, metabolic
      processes lead to significant reductions of structural and energetic compounds.

PMID- 24219558
TI  - Understanding the mechanism of polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone catalyzed
      by aluminum salen complexes.
AB  - Studies of the kinetics of polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone (CL) by salen
      aluminum catalysts comprising ligands with similar steric profiles but different
      electron donating characteristics (R = OMe, Br, or NO2) were performed using high
      initial monomer concentrations (2 M < [CL]0 < 2.6 M) in toluene-d8 at
      temperatures ranging from 20 to 90  degrees C. Saturation behavior was observed,
      enabling determination of monomer equilibrium constants (Keq) and catalytic rate
      constants (k2) as a function of R and temperature. While Keq varied only slightly
      with the electron donating properties of R (Hammett rho = +0.16(8)), k2 showed a
      more significant dependence reflected by rho = +1.4(1). Thermodynamic parameters
      DeltaG degrees  (associated with Keq) and DeltaG(?) (associated with k2) were
      determined, with the former being ~0 kcal/mol for all catalysts and the latter
      exhibiting the trend R = OMe > Br > NO2. Density functional theory (DFT)
      calculations were performed to characterize mechanistic pathways at a microscopic
      level of detail. Lowest energy transition-state structures feature incipient
      bonding of the nucleophile to the lactone carbonyl that is approaching the metal
      ion, but a distinct CL adduct is not an energy minimum on the reaction pathway,
      arguing against Keq being associated with coordination of monomer according to
      the typical coordination-insertion mechanism. An alternative hypothesis is
      presented associating Keq with "nonproductive" coordination of substrate in a
      manner that inhibits the polymerization reaction at high substrate
      concentrations.

PMID- 24219559
TI  - Cerebral dysfunction in children: should this be the central tenet for a new
      system of classification?

PMID- 24219560
TI  - Interpreting chiral nanophotonic spectra: the plasmonic Born-Kuhn model.
AB  - One of the most intuitive ways to classically understand the generation of
      natural optical activity in chiral media is provided by the coupled oscillator
      model of Born and Kuhn consisting of two identical, vertically displaced, coupled
      oscillators. We experimentally realize and discuss its exact plasmonic analog in
      a system of corner-stacked gold nanorods. In particular, we analyze the arising
      circular dichroism and optical rotatory spectra in terms of hybridized
      electromagnetic modes and retardation. Specifically, we demonstrate how tuning
      the vertical distance between the nanorods can lead to a selective excitation of
      the occurring bonding and antibonding chiral plasmonic modes. 

PMID- 24219561
TI  - Optimisation and standardisation of an immunoagglutination assay for the
      diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection based on latex-(recombinant antigen)
      complexes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the conditions under which the immunoagglutination assay
      to detect Chagas disease, obtained from a novel latex-(chimeric recombinant
      antigen) complex, shows greater discrimination between the responses of a
      positive control serum and a negative control serum. METHODS: The following
      variables were determined: (i) the sensitisation mechanism, (ii) the emulsifier
      employed for protein desorption, (iii) the reaction time, (iv) the ionic strength
      of the reaction medium, (v) the particle concentration, (vi) the presence of
      blocking agents, (vii) the presence of polyethyleneglycol as potentiator of
      reaction and (viii) the antigen and antibody concentrations. The search of
      optimal conditions was investigated by varying one variable at a time. To this
      effect, monodisperse latex particles sensitised with a recombinant chimeric
      protein (CP1) were subjected to different conditions. The agglutination reaction
      was followed by measuring the changes in the optical absorbance by turbidimetry.
      RESULTS: The maximum discrimination between negative and positive sera was
      obtained at a reaction time of 5 min, when latex complexes with a concentration
      of covalently coupled protein of 2.90 mg/m(2) were put in contact with undiluted
      sera in buffer borate pH 8-20 mm containing glycine (0.1 m) and
      polyethyleneglycol 8000 (3% w/v). Finally, the latex-protein complex was tested
      under the obtained optimal conditions, with a panel of Trypanosoma cruzi-positive
      sera, leishmaniasis-positive sera and -negative sera for both parasites.
      CONCLUSION: The immunoagglutination test based on the latex-CP1 complex could be
      used as a screening method for detecting Chagas disease. This test is rapid, easy
      to implement and could be used under field conditions; but its results should be
      confirmed by reference techniques like ELISA, HAI, and IFI.

PMID- 24219563
TI  - Optical spectra and band structure of Ag(x)Ga(x)Ge(1-x)Se2 (x = 0.333, 0.250,
      0.200, 0.167) single crystals: experiment and theory.
AB  - Theoretical and experimental studies of the Ag(x)Ga(x)Ge(1-x)Se2 (x = 0.333,
      0.250, 0.200, 0.167) single crystals are performed. These crystals possess a lot
      of intrinsic defects which are responsible for their optoelectronic features. The
      theoretical investigations were performed by means of DFT calculations using
      different exchange-correlation potentials. The experimental studies were carried
      out using the modulated VUV ellipsometry for dielectric constants and
      birefringence studies. The comparison of the structure obtained from X-ray with
      the theoretically optimized structure is presented. The crucial role of the
      intrinsic defect states is manifested in the choice of the exchange correlation
      potential used. The data may be applicable for a large number of the ternary
      chalcogenides which are sensitive to the presence of the local disordered states
      near the band edges.

PMID- 24219562
TI  - Comparative genomics reveals candidate carotenoid pathway regulators of ripening
      watermelon fruit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many fruits, including watermelon, are proficient in carotenoid
      accumulation during ripening. While most genes encoding steps in the carotenoid
      biosynthetic pathway have been cloned, few transcriptional regulators of these
      genes have been defined to date. Here we describe the identification of a set of
      putative carotenoid-related transcription factors resulting from fresh watermelon
      carotenoid and transcriptome analysis during fruit development and ripening. Our
      goal is to both clarify the expression profiles of carotenoid pathway genes and
      to identify candidate regulators and molecular targets for crop improvement.
      RESULTS: Total carotenoids progressively increased during fruit ripening up to
      ~55 MUg g(-1) fw in red-ripe fruits. Trans-lycopene was the carotenoid that
      contributed most to this increase. Many of the genes related to carotenoid
      metabolism displayed changing expression levels during fruit ripening generating
      a metabolic flux toward carotenoid synthesis. Constitutive low expression of
      lycopene cyclase genes resulted in lycopene accumulation. RNA-seq expression
      profiling of watermelon fruit development yielded a set of transcription factors
      whose expression was correlated with ripening and carotenoid accumulation.
      Nineteen putative transcription factor genes from watermelon and homologous to
      tomato carotenoid-associated genes were identified. Among these, six were
      differentially expressed in the flesh of both species during fruit development
      and ripening. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together the data suggest that, while the
      regulation of a common set of metabolic genes likely influences carotenoid
      synthesis and accumulation in watermelon and tomato fruits during development and
      ripening, specific and limiting regulators may differ between climacteric and non
      climacteric fruits, possibly related to their differential susceptibility to and
      use of ethylene during ripening.

PMID- 24219564
TI  - Incidence of soft tissue sarcomas in an Italian area affected by illegal waste
      dumping sites.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association between
      occurrence of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and residence in an Italian area
      affected by illegal practices of dumping and setting fire to both hazardous and
      solid urban wastes. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were computed separately
      for STS and some specific STS subtypes. The analysis was performed for the total
      population and for specific age groups, namely, children, adolescents, and
      adults. In adults, no significant increase in STS was found other than for
      gastrointestinal stromal tumors in males. A nonsignificant increase in incidence
      of STS was observed for male children and female adolescents. The results of the
      present study do not allow conclusions for a causal association. In the absence
      of previous epidemiological studies on this issue, further investigations are
      needed. 

PMID- 24219565
TI  - Evaluation of p21 promoter for interleukin 12 radiation induced transcriptional
      targeting in a mouse tumor model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiation induced transcriptional targeting is a gene therapy
      approach that takes advantage of the targeting abilities of radiotherapy by using
      radio inducible promoters to spatially and temporally limit the transgene
      expression. Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (CDKN1A), also known as p21, is a
      crucial regulator of the cell cycle, mediating G1 phase arrest in response to a
      variety of stress stimuli, including DNA damaging agents like irradiation. The
      aim of the study was to evaluate the suitability of the p21 promoter for
      radiation induced transcriptional targeting with the objective to test the
      therapeutic effectiveness of the combined radio-gene therapy with p21 promoter
      driven therapeutic gene interleukin 12. METHODS: To test the inducibility of the
      p21 promoter, three reporter gene experimental models with green fluorescent
      protein (GFP) under the control of p21 promoter were established by gene
      electrotransfer of plasmid DNA: stably transfected cells, stably transfected
      tumors, and transiently transfected muscles. Induction of reporter gene
      expression after irradiation was determined using a fluorescence microplate
      reader in vitro and by non-invasive fluorescence imaging using fluorescence
      stereomicroscope in vivo. The antitumor effect of the plasmid encoding the p21
      promoter driven interleukin 12 after radio-gene therapy was determined by tumor
      growth delay assay and by quantification of intratumoral and serum levels of
      interleukin 12 protein and intratumoral concentrations of interleukin 12 mRNA.
      RESULTS: Using the reporter gene experimental models, p21 promoter was proven to
      be inducible with radiation, the induction was not dose dependent, and it could
      be re-induced. Furthermore radio-gene therapy with interleukin 12 under control
      of the p21 promoter had a good antitumor therapeutic effect with the
      statistically relevant tumor growth delay, which was comparable to that of the
      same therapy using a constitutive promoter. CONCLUSIONS: In this study p21
      promoter was proven to be a suitable candidate for radiation induced
      transcriptional targeting. As a proof of principle the therapeutic value was
      demonstrated with the radio-inducible interleukin 12 plasmid providing a
      synergistic antitumor effect to radiotherapy alone, which makes this approach
      feasible for the combined treatment with radiotherapy.

PMID- 24219566
TI  - Role of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone on the thermoresponsive behavior of PNIPAm
      hydrogel and its release kinetics using dye and vitamin-B12 as model drug.
AB  - Temperature-sensitive hydrogels hold great promise in biological applications as
      they can respond to changes in physiological temperature to produce a desired
      effect like controlled drug delivery. In this study, a series of poly(N
      isopropylacrylamide-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone) thermosensitive hydrogels were
      synthesized by radical copolymerization of NIPAm with 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone
      (NVP). By altering the initial NIPAm/NVP mole ratios, copolymers were synthesized
      to have their own distinctive lower critical solution temperature which was
      established using differential scanning calorimetry. The swelling behavior of the
      hydrogel was analyzed gravimetrically and it was observed that reswelling rate
      increases with increasing NVP mole ratio. Further characterizations of the
      hydrogels were performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and
      scanning electron microscopy. Release kinetics with respect to temperature was
      studied using methylene blue dye solution and vitamin B12. Kinetic modeling of
      the release profile revealed that the release mechanism is a non-Fickian
      diffusion mechanism. These results suggested that this material has potential
      application as intelligent drug carriers. The quantities of residual monomers in
      the PIV4 hydrogel were determined by HPLC method, and the results show almost
      complete conversion.

PMID- 24219567
TI  - Water and beverage consumption among adults in the United States: cross-sectional
      study using data from NHANES 2005-2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined plain water consumption among US adults.
      This study evaluated the consumption of plain water (tap and bottled) and total
      water among US adults by age group (20-50y, 51-70y, and >=71y), gender, income-to
      poverty ratio, and race/ethnicity. METHODS: Data from up to two non-consecutive
      24-hour recalls from the 2005-2006, 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used to evaluate usual intake of water
      and water as a beverage among 15,702 US adults. The contribution of different
      beverage types (e.g., water as a beverage [tap or bottled], milk [including
      flavored], 100% fruit juice, soda/soft drinks [regular and diet], fruit drinks,
      sports/energy drinks, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages) to total water and
      energy intakes was examined. Total water intakes from plain water, beverages, and
      food were compared to the Adequate Intake (AI) values from the US Dietary
      Reference Intakes (DRI). Total water volume per 1,000 kcal was also examined.
      RESULTS: Water and other beverages contributed 75-84% of dietary water, with 17
      25% provided by water in foods, depending on age. Plain water, from tap or
      bottled sources, contributed 30-37% of total dietary water. Overall, 56% of
      drinking water volume was from tap water while bottled water provided 44%. Older
      adults (>=71y) consumed much less bottled water than younger adults. Non-Hispanic
      whites consumed the most tap water, whereas Mexican-Americans consumed the most
      bottled water. Plain water consumption (bottled and tap) tended to be associated
      with higher incomes. On average, younger adults exceeded or came close to
      satisfying the DRIs for water. Older men and women failed to meet the Institute
      of Medicine (IOM) AI values, with a shortfall in daily water intakes of 1218 mL
      and 603 mL respectively. Eighty-three percent of women and 95% of men >=71y
      failed to meet the IOM AI values for water. However, average water volume per
      1,000 kcal was 1.2-1.4 L/1,000 kcal for most population sub-groups, higher than
      suggested levels of 1.0 L/1.000 kcal. CONCLUSIONS: Water intakes below IOM
      recommended levels may be a cause for concern, especially for older adults.

PMID- 24219568
TI  - Management of mediastinal syndromes in pediatrics: a new challenge of ultrasound
      guidance to avoid high-risk general anesthesia.
AB  - Adverse events associated with anesthetic management of anterior mediastinal
      masses in pediatrics are common. To avoid an extremely hazardous general
      anesthesia, the use of real-time ultrasonography offers an effective alternative
      in high-risk cases. We report the anesthetic management including a light
      sedation and ultrasound guidance for regional anesthesia, surgical node biopsy,
      and placement of a central venous line in two children with an anterior
      symptomatic mediastinal mass. For pediatric patients with clinical and/or
      radiologic signs of airway compression, ultrasound guidance provides safety
      technical assistance to avoid general anesthesia and should be performed for the
      initial diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. 

PMID- 24219571
TI  - Characterization of the key aroma compounds in two bavarian wheat beers by means
      of the sensomics approach.
AB  - Application of aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) on the volatiles isolated
      from a commercial Bavarian wheat beer (WB A) eliciting its typical aroma profile,
      best described by a clove-like, phenolic odor quality, revealed 36 odorants in
      the flavor dilution (FD) factor range from 16 to 4096. Among them, 2-methoxy-4
      vinylphenol (clove-like) and 2-phenylethanol (flowery) showed the highest FD
      factors. AEDA of a second wheat beer (WB B), somewhat lacking the typical wheat
      beer odor note, revealed 32 odor-active components in the FD factor range from 32
      to 8192. Among them, 2-phenylethanol, (E)-beta-damascenone (cooked apple-like)
      and 3-methylbutanol (malty) were detected with the highest FD factors. Next, all
      odorants evaluated with an FD factor >=32 were quantitated by stable isotope
      dilution assays in both beers, and the odor activity values (OAVs; ratio of
      concentration to odor threshold) were calculated. Thereby, ethanol, (E)-beta
      damascenone, 3-methylbutyl acetate, ethyl methylpropanoate, and ethyl butanoate
      showed the highest OAVs in WB A, followed by acetaldehyde, 3-methylbutanol, and
      dimethyl sulfide. In WB B, ethanol, (E)-beta-damascenone, ethyl methylpropanoate,
      ethyl butanoate, and 3-methylbutyl acetate showed the highest OAVs. Whereas most
      aroma compounds were present in the same order of magnitude in both beer samples,
      in particular, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol and 4-vinylphenol (smoky, leather-like)
      were by factors of 13 and 15, respectively, higher in WB A. For the first time,
      the overall aroma of wheat beer (WB A) was successfully simulated on the basis of
      27 reference compounds in their natural concentrations using water/ethanol (95:5;
      v/v) as the matrix. 

PMID- 24219572
TI  - Explaining the sociobiology of pyoverdin producing Pseudomonas: a comment on
      Zhang and Rainey (2013).
AB  - Over the past decade, there has been enormous interest in understanding the great
      diversity of microbial cooperative behaviors, including communication, group
      based swarming, fruiting-body formation, and the secretion of group-beneficial
      enzymes and food-scavenging molecules. Zhang and Rainey, henceforth Z&R, recently
      contended that sociomicrobiologists have been overzealous in their casting of
      microbes as inherently social organisms, and too hasty in interpreting microbial
      behaviors in a social evolutionary framework. This challenge accompanied a set of
      experiments in which they revisited one of the best-studied social behaviors in
      bacteria-the production of diffusible, sharable iron-scavenging siderophore
      molecules. Z&R posit that their findings challenge the view that siderophore
      production is a cooperative trait. Here, we demonstrate that their arguments are
      flawed, and stem from both technical mistakes and misunderstandings of social
      evolution theory. 

PMID- 24219574
TI  - Individual differences in social dominance orientation predict support for the
      use of cognitive ability tests.
AB  - This study investigates the personality processes involved in the debate
      surrounding the use of cognitive ability tests in college admissions. In Study 1,
      108 undergraduates (Mage  = 18.88 years, 60 women, 80 Whites) completed measures
      of social dominance orientation (SDO), testing self-efficacy, and attitudes
      regarding the use of cognitive ability tests in college admissions; SAT/ACT
      scores were collected from the registrar. Sixty-seven undergraduates (Mage  =
      19.06 years, 39 women, 49 Whites) completed the same measures in Study 2, along
      with measures of endorsement of commonly presented arguments about test use. In
      Study 3, 321 American adults (Mage  = 35.58 years, 180 women, 251 Whites)
      completed the same measures used in Study 2; half were provided with facts about
      race and validity issues surrounding cognitive ability tests. Individual
      differences in SDO significantly predicted support for the use of cognitive
      ability tests in all samples, after controlling for SAT/ACT scores and test self
      efficacy and also among participants who read facts about cognitive ability
      tests. Moreover, arguments for and against test use mediated this effect. The
      present study sheds new light on an old debate by demonstrating that individual
      differences in beliefs about hierarchy play a key role in attitudes toward
      cognitive ability test use. 

PMID- 24219573
TI  - Bitter taste receptor function in asthmatic and nonasthmatic human airway smooth
      muscle cells.
AB  - Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) have recently been found to be expressed on human
      airway smooth muscle (HASM), and their activation results in marked relaxation.
      These agents have been proposed as a new class of bronchodilators in the
      treatment of obstructive lung diseases because they act via a different mechanism
      than beta-agonists. The TAS2R signal transduction pathway in HASM has multiple
      elements that are potentially subject to regulation by inflammatory, genetic, and
      epigenetic mechanisms associated with asthma. To address this, expression,
      signaling, and physiologic functions of the three major TAS2Rs (subtypes 10, 14,
      and 31) on HASM were studied. Transcript expression of these TAS2Rs was not
      decreased in HASM cells derived from donors with asthma compared with those
      without asthma (n = 6 from each group). In addition, intracellular calcium
      ([Ca(2+)]i) signaling using TAS2R subtype-specific agonists (diphenhydramine,
      chloroquine, saccharin, and flufenamic acid) was not impaired in the cells
      derived from donors with asthma, nor was the response to quinine, which activates
      all three subtypes. HASM cell mechanics measured by magnetic twisting cytometry
      revealed equivalent TAS2R-mediated relaxation of methacholine-treated cells
      between the two groups. Human precision-cut lung slices treated with IL-13 caused
      a decrease in beta-agonist (formoterol)-mediated relaxation of carbachol
      contracted airways compared with control slices. In contrast, TAS2R-mediated
      relaxation was unaffected by IL-13. We conclude that TAS2R expression or function
      is unaffected in HASM cells derived from patients with asthma or the IL-13
      inflammatory environment. 

PMID- 24219575
TI  - A protocol for adult somatic cell nuclear transfer in medaka fish (Oryzias
      latipes) with a high rate of viable clone formation.
AB  - Previously, we successfully generated fully grown, cloned medaka (the Japanese
      rice fish, Oryzias latipes) using donor nuclei from primary culture cells of
      adult caudal fin tissue and nonenucleated recipient eggs that were heat shock
      treated to induce diploidization of the nuclei. However, the mechanism of clone
      formation using this method is unknown, and the rate of adult clone formation is
      not high enough for studies in basic and applied sciences. To gain insight into
      the mechanism and increase the success rate of this method of clone formation, we
      tested two distinct nuclear transfer protocols. In one protocol, the timing of
      transfer of donor nuclei was changed, and in the other, the size of the donor
      cells was changed; each protocol was based on our original methodology.
      Ultimately, we obtained an unexpectedly high rate of adult clone formation using
      the protocol that differed with respect to the timing of donor nuclei transfer.
      Specifically, 17% of the transplants that developed to the blastula stage
      ultimately developed into adult clones. The success rate with this method was 13
      times higher than that obtained using the original method. Analyses focusing on
      the reasons for this high success rate of clone formation will help to elucidate
      the mechanism of clone formation that occurs with this method.

PMID- 24219576
TI  - A simplified approach for oocyte enucleation in mammalian cloning.
AB  - Despite its success in almost all farm and laboratory animals, somatic cell
      nuclear transfer (SCNT) is still a low-efficiency technique. In this
      investigation, we determined the impact of each enucleation step on oocyte
      viability (assessed by parthenogenetic activation): Hoechst (HO) staining,
      cytochalasin B, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and demecolcine. Our data showed that
      of all the factors analyzed, UV exposure impaired oocyte development (cleavage,
      59% for untreated oocytes vs. 8% UV exposed; blastocyst stage, 32% untreated vs.
      0% UV exposed). A minor toxicity was detected following demecolcine treatment
      (cleavage, 62%; blastocyst stage, 13%). Next, we compared HO/UV (canonical) and
      demecolcine-assisted enucleation (DAE), with a straight removal of metaphase
      chromosomes without any chemical or physical aid (straight enucleation). DAE
      improved the preimplantation development of sheep cloned embryos compared to
      HO/UV enucleation (cleavage, 38% vs. 19%; blastocysts, 17% vs. 4%), yet straight
      enucleation resulted in the highest cleavage and blastocysts rates (61% and 30%,
      respectively). We concluded that: (1) UV exposure harms sheep oocyte and embryo
      development; (2) DAE may represent an alternative approach, especially for
      unskilled operators; and (3) straight enucleation remains, in our estimation, the
      most reliable and least harmful protocol for SCNT.

PMID- 24219577
TI  - Reprogramming of mouse cochlear cells by transcription factors to generate
      induced pluripotent stem cells.
AB  - As an initial step for using technology derived from induced pluripotent stem
      cells (iPSCs) in the field of inner ear therapeutics, we examined the potential
      of four transcription factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc, which are employed
      in the generation of iPSCs, for dedifferentiating cochlear epithelial cells.
      Otospheres, which are sphere-forming cells derived from dissociated cochlear
      epithelial cells of neonatal mice, were used as a cell source. The four
      transcription factors were introduced into otospheres using retroviral vectors.
      Virally transduced otospheres formed embryonic stem cell-like colonies that
      expressed markers for pluripotent stem cells and were capable of differentiating
      into the three germ layers in vivo and in vitro. These findings illustrate that
      viral transduction of four transcription factors can lead to reprogramming of
      cochlear epithelial cells, which may contribute to future studies of
      dedifferentiation of cochlear epithelial cells in tissue and identification of
      key molecules for otic induction.

PMID- 24219578
TI  - Induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming by integration-free Sendai virus
      vectors from peripheral blood of patients with craniometaphyseal dysplasia.
AB  - Studies of rare genetic bone disorders are often limited due to unavailability of
      tissue specimens and the lack of animal models fully replicating phenotypic
      features. Craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) is a rare monogenic disorder
      characterized by hyperostosis of craniofacial bones concurrent with abnormal
      shape of long bones. Mutations for autosomal dominant CMD have been identified in
      the ANK gene (ANKH). Here we describe a simple and efficient method to reprogram
      adherent cells cultured from peripheral blood to human induced pluripotent stem
      cells (hiPSCs) from eight CMD patients and five healthy controls. Peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated from 5-7 mL of whole blood by
      Ficoll gradient, expanded in the presence of cytokines and transduced with Sendai
      virus (SeV) vectors encoding OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC. SeV vector, a
      cytoplasmic RNA vector, is lost from host cells after propagation for 10-13
      passages. These hiPSCs express stem cell markers, have normal karyotypes, and are
      capable of forming embryoid bodies in vitro as well as teratomas in vivo. Further
      differentiation of these patient-specific iPSCs into osteoblasts and osteoclasts
      can provide a useful tool to study the effects CMD mutations on bone, and this
      approach can be applied for disease modeling of other rare genetic
      musculoskeletal disorders.

PMID- 24219579
TI  - Does decreasing serum uric acid level prevent hypertension? - a nested RCT in
      cohort study: rationale, methods, and baseline characteristics of study cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association
      between uric acid and hypertension. Our objective was to conduct a prospective
      cohort study with a nested randomised controlled trial (RCT in cohort) that aims
      to identify the association of hyperuricemia with the development of hypertension
      and to examine the efficacy of dietary intervention in lowering uric acid level
      and prevention of hypertension. METHODS/DESIGN: Participants were considered
      eligible to enrol for this cohort study if they were not diagnosed with
      hypertension until their last routine health examination. The characteristics of
      the eligible participants were analyzed. After enrolment, participants with
      prehypertension and hyperuricemia simultaneously were randomly distributed to
      either the intervention group or the control group. An education package of
      dietary intervention for lowering uric acid was delivered to the intervention
      group. The primary evaluation criterion was the first manifestation of
      hypertension. DISCUSSION: Based on the results of their health examination in
      2010, 19, 724 subjects met the inclusion criteria and this source population
      guaranteed the required minimum sample size for this study. The baseline
      characteristics of the study cohort showed that hyperuricemia was associated with
      prehypertension, and was independent of age, body mass index (BMI), and abdominal
      obesity in females; however, in males it was contrary.The impact of lowering uric
      acid on the prevention of hypertension is still inconclusive. This RCT in cohort
      study provides important data on the prevention of hypertension, especially in
      patients with a high risk for hypertension development. Results are expected to
      be available in 2015. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered with the
      Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-TRC-12002925).

PMID- 24219580
TI  - Serum vitamin D levels and VDR polymorphisms (BsmI and FokI) in patients and
      their household contacts susceptible to tuberculosis.
AB  - Vitamin D, an immunomodulator of macrophage function, can activate human
      antimycobacterial activity. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with an
      impaired mycobacterial immunity and susceptibility to tuberculosis. It has been
      found that vitamin D and its receptor may be essential for immune function. In
      this study, we examined the serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels and its receptor (VDR)
      polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis in patients, household contacts
      and healthy controls. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels were measured in 75 cases (25
      patients, 25 household contacts and 25 healthy controls), and polymorphisms (BsmI
      and FokI) were carried out in 335 cases (110 patients, 110 household contacts and
      115 healthy controls). The proportion of serum 25(OH) vitamin D deficiency and
      insufficiency was high in patients (44, 58%) and household contacts (40, 48%)
      compared to controls (48%). The BB and Bb genotypes of BsmI were significantly
      associated in patients (P < 0.014; OR: 0.509; CI: 0.265-0.876) (P < 0.001; OR:
      2.351; CI: 1.368-4.041) and household contacts (P < 0.04; OR: 0.575; CI: 0.336
      0.985); (P < 0.002; OR: -2.267; CI: 1.32-3.895) when compared to healthy
      controls. The diplotype and MDR analysis showed the high-risk genotypes of BsmI
      and FokI polymorphisms. Vitamin D deficiency and its association with VDR gene
      polymorphisms may be useful to identify the high-risk group individuals. 

PMID- 24219581
TI  - Trans and cis effects of axial fluoroalkyl ligands in vitamin B12 analogues:
      relationship between alkyl- and fluoroalkyl-cobalamins.
AB  - CF2HCbl, CF3Cbl , and CF3CH2Cbl have been synthesized and characterized in
      solution by (1)H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy, and their X-ray crystal structures
      have been determined using synchrotron radiation. The structure of CF3CH2Cbl is
      reported for the first time, whereas those of CF2HCbl and CF3Cbl are re-examined
      to obtain more precise structural data. Comparison of the structural data
      obtained with the alkylcobalamin analogues, MeCbl and EtCbl, indicates that the
      Co-C and Co-NB3 bond lengths are shorter in the fluoroalkylcobalamins. The
      structural data of the fluoroalkylcobalamins previously reported in the
      literature had been conflicting in this regard. Thus, a much less dramatic
      shortening of the two axial bonds was found for CF3Cbl, whereas in the case of
      CF2HCbl, the Co-NB3 bond length is shorter than in MeCbl. Direct comparison of
      the structures of CF3CH2Cbl and EtCbl indicates a large distortion of the axial
      fragment in the former case that can be attributed to steric effects. A number of
      previously reported correlations of the effect of the beta-ligand on the
      structure and properties of cobalamins are re-examined in light of the present
      results. Particular emphasis is placed on the axial fragment. This analysis
      substantially confirms and, with the new data reported here, adjusts and expands
      the data set for correlations between trans and cis influences of the beta-ligand
      of cobalamins and their structure (Co-X and Co-NB3 distances and corrin fold
      angle) and properties (UV-vis spectra, NMR spectra, and pK(base-off)).

PMID- 24219582
TI  - Dynamics of Neotyphodium uncinatum and N-formylloline in Italian ryegrass, and
      their relation to insect resistance in the field.
AB  - AIMS: A fungal endophyte, Neotyphodium uncinatum, accumulates N-formylloline,
      which is toxic to Hemipteran insects, in Italian ryegrass. This study aimed to
      clarify the dynamics of N. uncinatum and N-formylloline in Italian ryegrass, and
      their relationship to insect resistance. METHODS AND RESULTS: Changes in the
      density and localization of N. uncinatum and N-formylloline in N. uncinatum
      infected Italian ryegrass were examined by real-time PCR and gas chromatography,
      respectively. Neotyphodium uncinatum multiplied on pseudostems at the flowering
      stage, and then increased on inflorescences at the ripening stage. On the other
      hand, N-formylloline accumulated heavily in inflorescences and leaf blades, but
      lightly in pseudostems at the ripening stage. In field experiments, N. uncinatum
      infected Italian ryegrass suppressed the occurrence of Stenotus rubrovittatus,
      which fed on the inflorescences, but was not effective to Laodelphax striatellus,
      which do not necessarily prefer a particular plant tissue. CONCLUSION:
      Localization of N. uncinatum and N-formylloline were discordant in Italian
      ryegrass. The N. uncinatum-infected Italian ryegrass was effective to only
      insects that prefer to feed on particular plant tissues containing N
      formylloline. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: Our data implies that the
      relationship between insect habits and the dynamics of alkaloids in plants is
      important for the effective use of endophyte-infected crops.

PMID- 24219583
TI  - Forensic entomologists: an evaluation of their status.
AB  - The National Academy of Sciences ( 2009 ) published a review charting several key
      recommendations on strengthening the forensic sciences as an entity as part of an
      initiative put forth by the USA Congress to streamline and improve the quality of
      the forensic sciences and their impact on the judiciary process. Although the
      review was not totally inclusive, many of its sentiments have permeated into all
      the forensic sciences. The following paper is designed to determine who is
      practicing the science of forensic entomology, and in what capacity, by
      questioning practicing forensic entomologists about the type of education
      obtained, their countries' standards and accreditation processes, as well as
      general demographic information such as age and gender. A 28-question survey was
      sent out to 300 forensic entomologists worldwide in 2009. Of the 70 respondents,
      80% had a formal education (either Masters or PhD), and 66% published their
      research. Approximately 50% of respondents were involved in the delivery of
      expert evidence and writing up case reports, and countries were actively involved
      with accrediting personnel, facilities, and entomology kits. Many discrepancies
      within the reported practices and accreditation processes highlight the need for
      the adoption of a standard code of practice among forensic entomologists.

PMID- 24219587
TI  - When the brain expects pain: common neural responses to pain anticipation are
      related to clinical pain and distress in fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.
AB  - Supraspinal processes in humans can have a top-down enhancing effect on
      nociceptive processing in the brain and spinal cord. Studies have begun to
      suggest that such influences occur in conditions such as fibromyalgia (FM), but
      it is not clear whether this is unique to FM pain or common to other forms of
      chronic pain, such as that associated with osteoarthritis (OA). We assessed top
      down processes by measuring anticipation-evoked potentials and their estimated
      sources, just prior (< 500 ms) to laser heat pain stimulation, in 16 patients
      with FM, 16 patients with OA and 15 healthy participants, by using whole-brain
      statistical parametric mapping. Clinical pain and psychological coping factors
      (pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression) were well matched between the
      patient groups, such that these did not confound our comparisons between FM and
      OA patients. For the same level of heat pain, insula activity was significantly
      higher in FM patients than in the other two groups during anticipation, and
      correlated with the intensity and extent of reported clinical pain. However, the
      same anticipatory insula activity also correlated with OA pain, and with the
      number of tender points across the two patient groups, suggesting common central
      mechanisms of tenderness. Activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was
      reduced during anticipation in both patient groups, and was related to less
      effective psychological coping. Our findings suggest common neural correlates of
      pain and tenderness in FM and OA that are enhanced in FM but not unique to this
      condition.

PMID- 24219588
TI  - A long-life, high-rate lithium/sulfur cell: a multifaceted approach to enhancing
      cell performance.
AB  - Lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cells are receiving significant attention as an alternative
      power source for zero-emission vehicles and advanced electronic devices due to
      the very high theoretical specific capacity (1675 mA.h/g) of the sulfur cathode.
      However, the poor cycle life and rate capability have remained a grand challenge,
      preventing the practical application of this attractive technology. Here, we
      report that a Li/S cell employing a cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)
      modified sulfur-graphene oxide (S-GO) nanocomposite cathode can be discharged at
      rates as high as 6C (1C = 1.675 A/g of sulfur) and charged at rates as high as 3C
      while still maintaining high specific capacity (~ 800 mA.h/g of sulfur at 6C),
      with a long cycle life exceeding 1500 cycles and an extremely low decay rate
      (0.039% per cycle), perhaps the best performance demonstrated so far for a Li/S
      cell. The initial estimated cell-level specific energy of our cell was ~ 500
      W.h/kg, which is much higher than that of current Li-ion cells (~ 200 W.h/kg).
      Even after 1500 cycles, we demonstrate a very high specific capacity (~ 740
      mA.h/g of sulfur), which corresponds to ~ 414 mA.h/g of electrode: still higher
      than state-of-the-art Li-ion cells. Moreover, these Li/S cells with lithium metal
      electrodes can be cycled with an excellent Coulombic efficiency of 96.3% after
      1500 cycles, which was enabled by our new formulation of the ionic liquid-based
      electrolyte. The performance we demonstrate herein suggests that Li/S cells may
      already be suitable for high-power applications such as power tools. Li/S cells
      may now provide a substantial opportunity for the development of zero-emission
      vehicles with a driving range similar to that of gasoline vehicles.

PMID- 24219589
TI  - High presence/absence gene variability in defense-related gene clusters of
      Cucumis melo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Changes in the copy number of DNA sequences are one of the main
      mechanisms generating genome variability in eukaryotes. These changes are often
      related to phenotypic effects such as genetic disorders or novel pathogen
      resistance. The increasing availability of genome sequences through the
      application of next-generation massive sequencing technologies has allowed the
      study of genomic polymorphisms at both the interspecific and intraspecific
      levels, thus helping to understand how species adapt to changing environments
      through genome variability. RESULTS: Data on gene presence/absence variation
      (PAV) in melon was obtained by resequencing a cultivated accession and an old
      relative melon variety, and using previously obtained resequencing data from
      three other melon cultivars, among them DHL92, on which the current draft melon
      genome sequence is based. A total of 1,697 PAV events were detected, involving
      4.4% of the predicted melon gene complement. In all, an average 1.5% of genes
      were absent from each analyzed cultivar as compared to the DHL92 reference
      genome. The most populated functional category among the 304 PAV genes of known
      function was that of stress response proteins (30% of all classified PAVs). Our
      results suggest that genes from multi-copy families are five times more likely to
      be affected by PAV than singleton genes. Also, the chance of genes present in the
      genome in tandem arrays being affected by PAV is double that of isolated genes,
      with PAV genes tending to be in longer clusters. The highest concentration of PAV
      events detected in the melon genome was found in a 1.1 Mb region of linkage group
      V, which also shows the highest density of melon stress-response genes. In
      particular, this region contains the longest continuous gene-containing PAV
      sequence so far identified in melon. CONCLUSIONS: The first genome-wide report of
      PAV variation among several melon cultivars is presented here. Multi-copy and
      clustered genes, especially those with putative stress-response functions, were
      found to be particularly affected by PAV polymorphisms. As cucurbits are known to
      possess a significantly lower number of defense-related genes compared to other
      plant species, PAV variation may play an important role in generating new
      pathogen resistances at the subspecies level. In addition, these results show the
      limitations of single reference genome sequences as the only basis for
      characterization and cloning of resistance genes.

PMID- 24219590
TI  - The role of pain catastrophizing in experimental pain perception.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pain is a subjective experience influenced by multiple factors, and
      tremendous variety within individuals is present. To evaluate emotional state of
      pain, catastrophizing score can be used. This study investigated pain
      catastrophizing ratings in association with experimental pain perception. METHOD:
      Experimental pain was induced using thermal heat and cold stimulation of skin,
      mechanical stimulation of muscle and bone, and thermal, mechanical, and
      electrical stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract in healthy participants (N =
      41). Prior to experimental sessions, a pain catastrophizing questionnaire was
      filled out by each participant. RESULTS: Based on the median catastophizing
      score, participants were divided into two groups: noncatastrophizers and low
      catastrophizers. No significant difference was found between low-catastrophizers
      and noncatastrophizers in thermal heat stimulation of skin, mechanical
      stimulation of muscle and bone, and rectal electrical stimulation (All P > 0.05).
      Low-catastrophizers were more sensitive to visceral thermal stimulation (4.7%, P
      = 0.02) and visceral mechanical stimulation (29.7%, P = 0.03). For participants
      that completed the 120 seconds ice water stimulation, noncatastrophizers reported
      13.8% less pain than low-catastrophizers (P = 0.02). A positive correlation
      between PCS score and pain perception on cold pressor test was found (r = 0.4, P
      = 0.02). By extrapolating data, further analysis of the total group was performed
      and no differences (both P > 0.05) were observed. CONCLUSION: Even small
      increments in pain catastrophizing score can influence pain perception to deep
      and tonic stimulations. Catatrophizing may partly explain the variability found
      in experimental pain studies.

PMID- 24219591
TI  - Ultrasmooth, highly spherical monocrystalline gold particles for precision
      plasmonics.
AB  - Ultrasmooth, highly spherical monocrystalline gold particles were prepared by a
      cyclic process of slow growth followed by slow chemical etching, which
      selectively removes edges and vertices. The etching process effectively makes the
      surface tension isotropic, so that spheres are favored under quasi-static
      conditions. It is scalable up to particle sizes of 200 nm or more. The resulting
      spherical crystals display uniform scattering spectra and consistent optical
      coupling at small separations, even showing Fano-like resonances in small
      clusters. The high monodispersity of the particles we demonstrate should
      facilitate the self-assembly of nanoparticle clusters with uniform optical
      resonances, which could in turn be used to fabricate optical metafluids. Narrow
      size distributions are required to control not only the spectral features but
      also the morphology and yield of clusters in certain assembly schemes. 

PMID- 24219592
TI  - Theoretical study of binding and permeation of ether-based polymers through
      interfaces.
AB  - We present a molecular dynamics simulation study on the interactions of
      poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), and their ABA-type block
      copolymer, poloxamers, at water/n-heptane and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3
      phospatidycholine (DMPC) lipid bilayer/water interfaces. The partition
      coefficients in water/1-octanol of the linear polyethers up to three monomers
      were calculated. The partition coefficients evidenced a higher hydrophobicity of
      the PPO in comparison to PEO. At the water/n-heptane interface, the polymers tend
      to adopt elongated conformations in agreement with similar experimental
      ellipsometry studies of different poloxamers. In the case of the poloxamers at
      the n-heptane/water interface, the stronger preference of the PPO block for the
      hydrophobic phase resulted in bottle-brush-type polymer conformations. At lipid
      bilayer/water interface, the PEO polymers, as expected from their hydrophilic
      nature, are weakly adsorbed on the surface of the lipid bilayer and locate in the
      water phase close to the headgroups. The free energy barriers of permeation
      calculated for short polymer chains suggest a thermodynamics propensity for the
      water phase that increase with the chain length. The lower affinity of PEO for
      the hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer resulted in the spontaneous
      expulsion within the simulation time. On the contrary, PPO chains and poloxamers
      have a longer residence time inside the bilayer, and they tend to concentrate in
      the tail region of the bilayer near the polar headgroups. In addition, polymers
      with PPO unit length comparable to the thickness of the hydrophobic region of the
      bilayer tend to span across the bilayer. 

PMID- 24219593
TI  - Allometric constraints and the evolution of allometry.
AB  - Morphological traits often covary within and among species according to simple
      power laws referred to as allometry. Such allometric relationships may result
      from common growth regulation, and this has given rise to the hypothesis that
      allometric exponents may have low evolvability and constrain trait evolution. We
      formalize hypotheses for how allometry may constrain morphological trait
      evolution across taxa, and test these using more than 300 empirical estimates of
      static (within-species) allometric relations of animal morphological traits.
      Although we find evidence for evolutionary changes in allometric parameters on
      million-year, cross-species time scales, there is limited evidence for
      microevolutionary changes in allometric slopes. Accordingly, we find that static
      allometries often predict evolutionary allometries on the subspecies level, but
      less so across species. Although there is a large body of work on allometry in a
      broad sense that includes all kinds of morphological trait-size relationships, we
      found relatively little information about the evolution of allometry in the
      narrow sense of a power relationship. Despite the many claims of
      microevolutionary changes of static allometries in the literature, hardly any of
      these apply to narrow-sense allometry, and we argue that the hypothesis of
      strongly constrained static allometric slopes remains viable. 

PMID- 24219594
TI  - An untimely death: Dr Anne Szarewski (1 September 1959-24 August 2013).

PMID- 24219595
TI  - Contraceptive use and method among immigrant women in France: relationship with
      socioeconomic status.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship between socioeconomic status and the
      use and method of contraception among immigrant, second-generation immigrant, and
      non-immigrant women in France. METHODS: We analysed data from the 2008-2009
      survey 'Trajectories and origins: Survey on the diversity of populations in
      France'. A total of 7070 women aged 18 to 45 years were identified, and
      information concerning contraceptive use and choice was obtained by self-report.
      Polytomous logistic regression models were used to assess association estimates.
      RESULTS: Recent contraceptive use among immigrant and second-generation immigrant
      women was significantly lower than that of non-immigrant women. Lower educational
      attainment and unemployment were associated with an estimated 31~59% reduction in
      odds of contraceptive use for immigrant and second-generation immigrant women;
      however, this was not the case for non-immigrant women. Among the latter, lower
      educational attainment appeared to be associated with increased use of oral
      contraceptives. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the need to advance our
      understanding of potential barriers to contraceptives created by socioeconomic
      forces across different societal/cultural contexts.

PMID- 24219596
TI  - Scientific research of senior Italian academics of occupational medicine: a
      citation analysis of products published during the decade 2001-2010.
AB  - This article analyzes 10 years of scientific publications among senior Italian
      academics in occupational medicine by means of citation analysis. Articles
      published during the decade 2001-2010 were analyzed by means of Elsevier's
      Scopus. Scientific performance was assessed by means of 9 different indices
      (including total number of papers, total citations, h-index). Most papers were
      submitted to journals of allergy and respiratory medicine, biochemistry, and
      toxicology. Only 11.9% of the 1,689 papers were published in journals of
      occupational medicine. The authors' h-index was 10.1 (mean) and 9.5 (median) for
      the overall production. Productivity was associated with number of contributing
      authors. Most papers cover topics in the mainstream of other disciplines,
      evidencing that journals of occupational medicine do not play a primary role in
      the scientific panorama of medical sciences. This could imply consequences for
      the discipline. 

PMID- 24219598
TI  - Cytokeratin-19 as a biomarker in urine and in serum for the diagnosis of
      endometriosis--a prospective study.
AB  - Endometriosis compromises the quality of life of countless women worldwide and is
      a leading cause of disability. Clinical symptoms of endometriosis can be very
      heterogeneous leading to a long interval between onset of symptoms and surgical
      diagnosis. A noninvasive, rapid diagnostic test is urgently needed. In this
      prospective study, we evaluated the usefulness of Cytokeratin-19 (CK19) as a
      biomarker for the diagnosis of endometriosis through urine and serum ELISA. 76
      reproductive-aged women undergoing laparoscopy for benign conditions were
      included to this study and divided into two groups by the presence (n = 44) or
      absence (n = 32) of endometriosis. There was no statistically significant
      correlation between the concentration of CK19 in urine (p = 0.51) or in serum (p
      = 0.77) and the diagnosis of endometriosis. Assigning the samples to the
      proliferative or secretory cycle stage did not sufficiently lower the p values.
      In this study, the promising data reported in the recent literature about CK19
      serving as a sufficient biomarker for endometriosis could not be verified when
      tested in a larger sample size. Further studies are warranted to explore the
      usefulness of CK19 in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

PMID- 24219599
TI  - The immune system and aging: a review.
AB  - Abstract The concept of immunosenescence reflects age-related changes in immune
      responses, both cellular and serological, affecting the process of generating
      specific responses to foreign and self-antigens. The decline of the immune system
      with age is reflected in the increased susceptibility to infectious diseases,
      poorer response to vaccination, increased prevalence of cancer, autoimmune and
      other chronic diseases. Both innate and adaptive immune responses are affected by
      the aging process; however, the adaptive response seems to be more affected by
      the age-related changes in the immune system. Additionally, aged individuals tend
      to present a chronic low-grade inflammatory state that has been implicated in the
      pathogenesis of many age-related diseases (atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease,
      osteoporosis and diabetes). However, some individuals arrive to advanced ages
      without any major health problems, referred to as healthy aging. The immune
      system dysfunction seems to be somehow mitigated in this population, probably due
      to genetic and environmental factors yet to be described. In this review, an
      attempt is made to summarize the current knowledge on how the immune system is
      affected by the aging process. 

PMID- 24219600
TI  - The biodistribution of self-assembling protein nanoparticles shows they are
      promising vaccine platforms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because of the need to limit side-effects, nanoparticles are
      increasingly being studied as drug-carrying and targeting tools. We have
      previously reported on a scheme to produce protein-based self-assembling
      nanoparticles that can act as antigen display platforms. Here we attempted to use
      the same system for cancer-targeting, making use of a C-terminal bombesin peptide
      that has high affinity for a receptor known to be overexpressed in certain
      tumors, as well as an N-terminal polyhistidine tag that can be used for
      radiolabeling with technetium tricarbonyl. RESULTS: In order to increase
      circulation time, we experimented with PEGylated and unPEGylated varities typo
      particle. We also tested the effect of incorporating different numbers of
      bombesins per nanoparticle. Biophysical characterization determined that all
      configurations assemble into regular particles with relatively monodisperse size
      distributions, having peaks of about 33-36 nm. The carbonyl method used for
      labeling produced approximately 80% labeled nanoparticles. In vitro, the
      nanoparticles showed high binding, both specific and non-specific, to PC-3
      prostate cancer cells. In vivo, high uptake was observed for all nanoparticle
      types in the spleens of CD-1 nu/nu mice, decreasing significantly over the course
      of 24 hours. High uptake was also observed in the liver, while only low uptake
      was seen in both the pancreas and a tumor xenograft. CONCLUSIONS: The data
      suggest that the nanoparticles are non-specifically taken up by the
      reticuloendothelial system. Low uptake in the pancreas and tumor indicate that
      there is little or no specific targeting. PEGylation or increasing the amount of
      bombesins per nanoparticle did not significantly improve targeting. In
      particular, the uptake in the spleen, which is a primary organ of the immune
      system, highlights the potential of the nanoparticles as vaccine carriers. Also,
      the decrease in liver and spleen radioactivity with time implies that the
      nanoparticles are broken down and cleared. This is an important finding, as it
      shows that the nanoparticles can be safely used as a vaccine platform without the
      risk of prolonged side effects. Furthermore, it demonstrates that technetium
      carbonyl radiolabeling of our protein-based nanoparticles can be used to evaluate
      their pharmacokinetic properties in vivo.

PMID- 24219601
TI  - Effects of rootstock/scion combinations on the flavor of citrus fruit.
AB  - We examined sensory quality, total soluble solids (TSS) and acidity levels, and
      aroma volatiles compositions of 'Or' and 'Odem' mandarins grafted on sour orange
      (SO), Volkamer lemon (Volka), and US-812 rootstocks; 'Valencia' oranges grafted
      on SO, Volka, and *639 rootstocks; and a new pummelo * grapefruit hybrid cv.
      'Redson' grafted on SO, Volka, and macrophylla rootstocks. TSS and acidity levels
      of all species were lower in juice of fruits on Volka than on SO. Sensory quality
      evaluations revealed that 'Odem' mandarins and 'Redson' fruits grown on SO were
      preferred to those on Volka but the rootstocks had no notable effects on flavor
      perception of 'Or' mandarins and 'Valencia' oranges. Chromatographic analysis
      revealed that contents of aroma volatiles, especially terpenes, in homogenized
      segments of 'Odem' and 'Redson' but not of 'Or' and 'Valencia' were significantly
      lower on Volka than on SO. Overall, the effects of rootstocks on citrus fruit
      flavor depended on specific rootstock/scion interactions. Furthermore, the flavor
      of some varieties grown on Volka was inferior to that on SO because of lower TSS
      and acidity levels and lower aroma volatiles contents. 

PMID- 24219602
TI  - Within-person distributions of neuropsychological test scores as a function of
      dementia severity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The distribution of a person's scores on a battery of
      neuropsychological tests reflects the nature and extent of intraindividual
      variability and may provide clinically useful information not captured by
      examining test scores in isolation. We sought to test the hypothesis that
      systematic alterations of within-person test-score distributions characterize
      worsening cognitive impairment. METHOD: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 2
      datasets that included 395 clinical patients and 135 neurologically normal older
      adults (>=60 years old). We computed each person's mean, standard deviation,
      skewness, and kurtosis for a battery of 13 neuropsychological measures and
      compared these distributional properties across groups. RESULTS: Most healthy
      older adults produced normal (Gaussian) test-score distributions. Among patients,
      test-score distributions increasingly shifted away from normal with worsening
      cognitive impairment. Worsening dementia was accompanied by progressively lower
      mean scores and increasingly positive skew. Within-person standard deviations
      initially grew at mild levels of impairment, but then shrank with worsening
      dementia, resulting in positive kurtosis. CONCLUSIONS: Within-person
      distributional properties vary as a function of dementia severity. Despite the
      limitations associated with using a clinical rather than a research sample, the
      analyses reported here serve as a "proof of concept" and suggest that similar
      investigations with more rigorously characterized patient samples may be
      fruitful.

PMID- 24219603
TI  - Enhanced decision making and risk avoidance in high-functioning autism spectrum
      disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Everyday decision making requires integration of a broad range of
      information from a variety of sources, including cognitive and emotional
      processes. For individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), everyday decision
      making can be difficult. The mechanisms that underlie decision making in young
      people diagnosed with ASD have not been fully explored. METHOD: We studied
      children and young adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 48)
      compared with an age- and ability-matched typical control group (CON; n = 54). We
      evaluated performance and psycho-physiological responsivity during the Iowa
      Gambling Task (IGT), an affective decision-making task. RESULTS: ASD participants
      were superior to control participants on overall performance (p < .05),
      especially because of significantly better learning in later stages of the task.
      While both groups showed robust and equal psycho-physiological arousal to
      disadvantageous decks, the groups differed in their choice of card type, with the
      CON group choosing more often from the frequent-gain disadvantageous deck,
      despite occasional large losses; while the ASD group chose prominently from the
      advantageous decks. CONCLUSIONS: A decision-making style characterized by a drive
      to avoid potential loss rather than to seek possible reward may help decision
      making for ASD in some situations, but ultimately hinder functioning in relation
      to prosocial engagement and other complex situations where gain rather than
      punishment is the most effective motivating factor.

PMID- 24219604
TI  - The genesis of closing-in in Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia: a
      comparative clinical and experimental study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Closing-in (CI) in visuo-constructional tasks occurs when a drawing is
      reproduced close to or superimposed on the original model. CI has been often
      observed in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients and only rarely investigated in
      patients with vascular dementia (VD). Recent studies suggested that CI in AD
      patients represents a default behavior released by frontal-executive impairments,
      but the cognitive mechanisms behind this phenomenon in VD patients have not been
      clarified. We aimed to ascertain whether the same mechanisms could determine CI
      in VD and in AD patients. For this purpose we explored whether CI is related to
      frontal-executive or visuospatial impairments in a prospective sample of AD and
      VD patients, and investigated whether CI can be induced by a secondary task in
      patients with either disease. METHOD: Sixty-three VD patients and 70 AD patients
      underwent a neuropsychological assessment of frontal-executive and visuospatial
      skills, and a copying drawings task for CI. Moreover, VD and AD patients without
      CI also performed a drawing copying task combined with a simple or a demanding
      verbal task. RESULTS: In both VD and AD patients CI was related to frontal
      executive impairments, with more severe forms of CI related to greater frontal
      executive defects. In AD patients the tendency to deviate toward a salient model
      was significantly enhanced by reduction of cognitive resources, whereas VD could
      compensate for this tendency. CONCLUSIONS: CI is related to the tendency to
      deviate toward a salient model and can be released by frontal-executive
      impairments in demented patients, independently from clinical diagnosis.

PMID- 24219605
TI  - I find my way in a maze but not in my own territory! Navigational processing in
      developmental topographical disorientation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Developmental Topographical Disorientation (DTD) is a selective
      difficulty in way-finding showed by individuals with normal intellectual ability.
      We aimed to clarify whether getting lost even in familiar contexts could be
      because of a variety of developmental deficits that may affect the acquisition of
      one or more navigational competencies. METHOD: Two DTD individuals were submitted
      to neuropsychological assessment and MRI exam, to verify the absence of further
      cognitive deficits and brain abnormalities; navigational and visuospatial tasks,
      and Radial Arm Maze (RAM) paradigms to assess spatial competencies; and switching
      paradigms to assess backward inhibition processes in spatial- and no-spatial
      contexts. DTD performances were compared with those of controls matched for
      gender, age, and education. RESULTS: DTD participants were not able to retrace a
      previously showed route, but they could recognize previously seen landmarks. They
      performed RAM paradigms without significant differences from controls and adopted
      complex navigational strategies as the cognitive mapping. It is interesting that
      DTD participants exhibited a peculiar alteration of Backward Inhibition, a
      mechanism that allows flexibly adapting to continuously changing environments.
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that getting lost for DTD participants
      did not imply the lack of basic navigational strategies and was not related to
      visuospatial or spatial memory deficits. We discuss the hypothesis that Backward
      Inhibition might play a role in updating environment representation during
      navigation.

PMID- 24219606
TI  - Clinical and psychological characteristics of the initial cohort of the
      Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to describe clinical, cognitive, and personality
      characteristics at baseline assessment of 249 participants, 19 to 60 years of
      age, in a multinational longitudinal study of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's
      disease (ADAD). METHOD: Participants (74% cognitively normal) were from ADAD
      families with mutations in 1 of 3 genes (APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2). Mixed model
      analyses, including family as a random variable and controlling for years from
      expected time of symptomatic onset of ADAD based on parental age at onset,
      compared 3 groups (cognitively normal mutation noncarriers, cognitively normal
      mutation carriers, very mildly impaired mutation carriers). RESULTS: Global
      cognitive deficits similar to those observed in late-life sporadic Alzheimer's
      disease (AD) existed in very mild ADAD compared with cognitively normal carriers
      and noncarriers on all but 2 measures (Digit Span Backward, Letter Fluency for
      FAS) of episodic memory, semantic memory, working memory, attention, and speeded
      visuospatial abilities. Demented individuals were less extraverted, open, and
      conscientious than cognitively normal participants on the International
      Personality Item Pool. Differences in the relation between 3 measures (Logical
      Memory, Digit Symbol, attention switching) and time to expected age at
      symptomatic onset indicate that cognitive deficits on some measures can be
      detected in mutation carriers prior to symptomatic AD, and hence should be useful
      markers in subsequent longitudinal follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Overall cognitive and
      personality deficits in very mild ADAD are similar to those seen in sporadic AD.
      Cognitive deficits also occur in asymptomatic mutation carriers who are closer to
      the expected time of dementia onset.

PMID- 24219607
TI  - Plugging the attention deficit: perceptual load counters increased distraction in
      ADHD.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Increased vulnerability to extraneous distraction is a key symptom of
      Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which may have particularly
      disruptive consequences. Here we apply Load Theory of attention to increase
      understanding of this symptom, and to explore a potential method for ameliorating
      it. Previous research in nonclinical populations has highlighted increased
      perceptual load as a means of improving the ability to focus attention and avoid
      distraction. The present study examines whether adults with ADHD can also benefit
      from conditions of high perceptual load to improve their focused attention
      abilities. METHOD: We tested adults with ADHD and age- and IQ-matched controls on
      a novel measure of irrelevant distraction under load, designed to parallel the
      form of distraction that is symptomatic of ADHD. During a letter search task, in
      which perceptual load was varied through search set size, participants were
      required to ignore salient yet entirely irrelevant distractors (colorful images
      of cartoon characters) presented infrequently (10% of trials). RESULTS: The
      presence of these distractors produced a significantly greater interference
      effect on the search RTs for the adults with ADHD compared with controls, p =
      .005, etap2 = .231. Perceptual load, however, significantly reduced distractor
      interference for the ADHD group and was as effective in reducing the elevated
      distractor interference in ADHD as it was for controls. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings clarify the nature of the attention deficit underlying increased
      distraction in ADHD, and demonstrate a tangible method for overcoming it.

PMID- 24219608
TI  - The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery: results from a large normative developmental
      sample (PING).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NTCB) was designed to provide a
      brief, efficient computerized test of key neuropsychological functions
      appropriate for use in children as young as 3 years of age. This report describes
      the performance of a large group of typically developing children and adolescents
      and examines the impact of age and sociocultural variables on test performance.
      METHOD: The NTCB was administered to a sample of 1,020 typically developing males
      and females ranging in age from 3 to 20 years, diverse in terms of socioeconomic
      status (SES) and race/ethnicity, as part of the new publicly accessible Pediatric
      Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics (PING) data resource, at 9 sites across the
      United States. RESULTS: General additive models of nonlinear age-functions were
      estimated from age-differences in test performance on the 8 NTCB subtests while
      controlling for family SES and genetic ancestry factors (GAFs). Age accounted for
      the majority of the variance across all NTCB scores, with additional significant
      contributions of gender on some measures, and of SES and race/ethnicity (GAFs) on
      all. After adjusting for age and gender, SES and GAFs explained a substantial
      proportion of the remaining unexplained variance in Picture Vocabulary scores.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the sensitivity to developmental effects and
      efficiency of this new computerized assessment battery for neurodevelopmental
      research. Limitations are observed in the form of some ceiling effects in older
      children, some floor effects, particularly on executive function tests in the
      youngest participants, and evidence for variable measurement sensitivity to
      cultural/socioeconomic factors.

PMID- 24219609
TI  - The lost ability to find the way: topographical disorientation after a left brain
      lesion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a patient (M.S.) who, after a left brain damage
      in posteromedial areas, showed a deficit in determining the direction of any
      destination with respect to his current position or to external frames (heading
      disorientation). Given that spatial cognition includes a wide range of
      cooperating abilities, we deemed that M.S.'s spatial disorientation could be
      ascribed to specific alterations within this multicomponent system where
      landmarks and spatial frames of reference contribute to organize information for
      different purposes. METHOD: M.S. and 12 healthy elderly people (NCs) were
      submitted to an extensive neuropsychological assessment and to 2 ad hoc spatial
      tasks: (a) Object-Location Memory Task (what, where, and their binding); and (b)
      spatial memory task combining categorical (nonmetric)/coordinate (metric)
      relations with egocentric/allocentric frames of reference (in verbal and
      visuomotor conditions). RESULTS: M.S.'s performance was compared with that of NCs
      by means of a modified t test to small control sample size. M.S. met difficulty
      in positional processing and binding but not in object recognition. M.S. showed a
      selective deficit in the coordinate component in verbal (combined with both
      egocentric and allocentric frames) and visuomotor (only with the egocentric
      frame) spatial judgment tasks. In contrast, the categorical component looked
      always preserved in both frames of reference. CONCLUSIONS: The left posteromedial
      brain areas contribute in combining and translating metric relations according to
      frames of reference and in using these representations to guide actions according
      to an egocentric perspective.

PMID- 24219611
TI  - The neuropsychological outcomes of concussion: a systematic review of meta
      analyses on the cognitive sequelae of mild traumatic brain injury.
AB  - Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), also known as concussion, has become a
      growing public health concern, prevalent in both athletic and military settings.
      Many researchers have examined post-mTBI neuropsychological outcomes, leading to
      multiple meta-analyses amalgamating individual study results. OBJECTIVE:
      Considering the plethora of meta-analytic findings, the next logical step stands
      as a systematic review of meta-analyses, effectively reporting key moderators
      that predict post-mTBI neuropsychological outcomes. METHOD: A systematic review
      of reviews yielded 11 meta-analyses meeting inclusion criteria (i.e., English
      language systematic reviews/meta-analyses covering post-mTBI observational
      cognitive research on late adolescents/adults), with their findings qualitatively
      synthesized based on moderator variables (i.e., cognitive domain, time since
      injury, past head injury, participant characteristics, comparison group,
      assessment technique, and persistent symptoms). RESULTS: The overall effect sizes
      ranged for both general (range: .07-.61) and sports-related mTBI (range: .40-.81)
      and differed both between and within cognitive domains, with executive functions
      appearing most sensitive to multiple mTBI. Cognitive domains varied in recovery
      rates, but overall recovery occurred by 90 days postinjury for most individuals
      and by 7 days postinjury for athletes. Greater age/education and male gender
      produced smaller effects sizes, and high school athletes suffered the largest
      deficits post-mTBI. Control-group comparisons yielded larger effects than within
      person designs, and assessment techniques had limited moderating effects.
      CONCLUSIONS: Overall, meta-analytic review quality remained low with few studies
      assessing publication or study quality bias. Meta-analyses consistently
      identified adverse acute mTBI-related effects and fairly rapid symptom
      resolution. Future meta-analyses should better operationally define cognitive
      constructs to produce more consistent effect estimates across domains.

PMID- 24219610
TI  - Memory consolidation in aging and MCI after 1 week.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess consolidation in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI),
      controlling for differences in initial learning and using a protracted delay
      period for recall. METHOD: 15 individuals with aMCI were compared with 15 healthy
      older adult controls on a story learning task. Subjects were trained to criteria
      to equalize initial learning across subjects. Recall was tested at both the 30
      min typically used delay and a 1-week delay used to target consolidation.
      RESULTS: Using repeated measures ANOVAs adjusted for age, we found group * time
      point interactions across the entire task between the final trial and 30-min
      delay, and again between the 30-min and 1-week delay periods, with aMCI having
      greater declines in recall as compared with controls. Significant group main
      effects were also found, with aMCI recalling less than controls. CONCLUSION:
      Consolidation was impaired in aMCI as compared with controls. Our findings
      indicate that aMCI-related performance typically measured at 30 min
      underestimates aMCI-associated memory deficits. This is the first study to
      isolate consolidation by controlling for initial learning differences and using a
      protracted delay period to target consolidation in an aMCI sample.

PMID- 24219612
TI  - Executive functions in cocaine-dependent patients with Cluster B and Cluster C
      personality disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cocaine dependence often co-occurs with personality disorders from
      Clusters B and C, which are inherently associated with some of the executive
      dysfunctions found in addiction. We address the question of whether the
      comorbidity between cocaine dependence and different types of personality
      disorders is associated with differential profiles of executive deficits
      compatible with their personality dysfunction. We predicted that the comorbidity
      with Cluster B disorders would be associated with inhibition and shifting
      deficits, whereas the comorbidity with Cluster C disorders would be associated
      with working memory deficits. METHOD: We tested 107 participants (22 cocaine
      users with Cluster B disorders, 15 cocaine users with Cluster C disorders, 36
      cocaine users without comorbidities, and 34 controls) using tests of working
      memory, attention, inhibition, and shifting. Groups were statistically matched on
      IQ and had no Axis I comorbidities (other than substance-related). Based on the
      performance of the control group, we obtained z-score composite measures of
      working memory, attention/inhibition, shifting, and global executive impairment.
      We tested group differences in these composite measures using univariate analyses
      of variance and Sidak tests corrected for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Cocaine
      users with Cluster B disorders had poorer attention/inhibition, whereas cocaine
      users with comorbid Cluster C disorders had poorer working memory. Cluster B and
      noncomorbid cocaine users (but not Cluster C users) differed from controls on the
      global executive impairment measure. CONCLUSION: The comorbidity between cocaine
      dependence and personality disorders from Clusters B and C is associated with
      executive function deficits that are compatible with their respective personality
      dysfunctions.

PMID- 24219613
TI  - Verbal prompting to improve everyday cognition in MCI and unimpaired older
      adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of verbal prompting on elders' 10
      year longitudinal change in everyday cognition. Differential effects of prompting
      associated with impaired cognitive status were also examined. METHOD: At
      baseline, 2,802 participants (mean age = 73.6 years, mean education = 13.5 years)
      from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly trial were
      classified as unimpaired, having amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or
      nonamnestic MCI, based on psychometric algorithm. Participants were given the
      Observed Tasks of Daily Living (OTDL; a behavioral measure with tasks involving
      medication management/finances/telephone use) at baseline and at 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-,
      and 10-year follow-ups. When participants said "I don't know" or did not respond
      to an item, they received a standardized verbal prompt. At each occasion,
      unprompted (sum of items correct without prompting) and prompted (sum of items
      correct including both prompted and unprompted) scores were derived for each
      participant. Multilevel modeling, adjusting for demographics/health/training
      group, was used to determine the trajectories of OTDL performance. RESULTS:
      Persons with MCI performed at lower levels than those who were unimpaired
      (amnestic < nonamnestic < unimpaired), and for all groups, prompted performance
      exceeded unprompted in all years. There was differential performance of the
      prompting conditions over time; prompted performance, unlike unprompted, was
      relatively protected from age-related decline, and persons with MCI experienced
      greater improvement due to prompting. CONCLUSIONS: Very simple prompting appears
      to enhance and maintain performance on a task of everyday cognition over 10 years
      for both unimpaired and mildly impaired older adults.

PMID- 24219614
TI  - Neural correlates of prospective memory in individuals with schizotypal
      personality features.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Prospective memory (PM) refers to the ability to remember to perform
      actions in the future. Schizophrenia spectrum disorders show impairments in PM
      but neural correlates of these impairments remain unclear. The present study
      aimed to examine brain activation during PM to identify impairments in
      individuals with schizotypal personality features. METHOD: Nineteen participants
      with schizotypal features and 22 healthy controls participated in a functional
      MRI experiment while performing a PM task. RESULTS: Results showed that the
      prefrontal cortex (including Brodmann Area [BA] 10), middle temporal gyrus, and
      precuneus were activated when performing the PM task compared with baseline. The
      schizotypal and control groups did not differ in behavioral PM performance.
      However, participants with schizotypal features showed decreased activations in
      the inferior and medial frontal lobes (BA 45, and 8). CONCLUSIONS: These results
      confirmed that the PM network involves prefrontal cortex, including BA 10. The
      lower activation in prefrontal cortex of individuals with schizotypal features
      when performing a PM task indicates brain activation abnormality. Notably, this
      abnormality may occur in the absence of any behavioral manifestation. Our
      findings support the hypothesis of frontal lobe involvement in PM deficits
      observed in individuals with schizotypal features.

PMID- 24219615
TI  - Functional implications of regulatory B cells in human IgA nephropathy.
AB  - IgA nephropathy (IgAN) diagnosis remains largely based upon immunohistologic
      detection of IgA- and IgG-containing glomerular deposits in renal mesangial
      cells, and little is known about the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. This study
      examines the putative contribution of B cell types, including the Breg type, to
      IgAN pathogenesis. Twenty-four patients with IgAN and proteinuria (Group A: <3.5
      g/24 h, n = 13; Group B: >3.5 g/24 h, n = 11) and 10 healthy controls were
      enrolled. The frequencies of B cell subtypes in venous blood were measured by
      flow cytometry. Galactose-deficient IgA1 was measurement by ELISA. Needle
      biopsies were analysed by histology and immunofluorescence microscopy.
      Correlation between clinical features and B cell subtypes, including the
      regulatory B (Breg) cells, and Breg cell-derived immunomodulatory cytokine IL-10
      was assessed by Spearman's rank correlation test. IgAN patients had significantly
      higher frequencies of CD27(+) CD19(+) , CD38(+) CD19(+) , CD86(+) CD19(+) and
      CD5(+) CD19(+) B cells than the healthy controls, but significantly lower levels
      of Breg cells and intracellular expression of IL-10 protein in the Breg subtype.
      Serum IgA concentration positively correlated with CD27(+) CD19(+) B cell
      frequency and negatively correlated with IL-10(+) Breg cell frequency in IgAN
      patients, and the percentage of CD19(+) CD5(+) CD1d(+) in CD19(+) cells was
      negatively correlated with the level of serum Gd-IgA1. Furthermore, the
      frequencies of CD19(+) CD38(+) and CD19(+) CD86(+) in the CD19(+) subpopulation
      negatively correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate of IgAN
      patients. Several of the CD19(+) B cell subtypes and the IL-10(+) Breg cells are
      differentially expressed in IgAN patients and may contribute to the disease
      pathogenesis.

PMID- 24219616
TI  - Conditional Dicer substrate formation via shape and sequence transduction with
      small conditional RNAs.
AB  - RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) enables
      knockdown of a gene of choice, executing the logical operation: silence gene Y.
      The fact that the siRNA is constitutively active is a significant limitation,
      making it difficult to confine knockdown to a specific locus and time. To achieve
      spatiotemporal control over silencing, we seek to engineer small conditional RNAs
      (scRNAs) that mediate 'conditional RNAi' corresponding to the logical operation:
      if gene X is transcribed, silence independent gene Y. By appropriately selecting
      gene X, knockdown of gene Y could then be restricted in a tissue- and time
      specific manner. To implement the logic of conditional RNAi, our approach is to
      engineer scRNAs that, upon binding to mRNA 'detection target' X, perform shape
      and sequence transduction to form a Dicer substrate targeting independent mRNA
      'silencing target' Y, with subsequent Dicer processing yielding an siRNA
      targeting mRNA Y for destruction. Toward this end, here we design and
      experimentally validate diverse scRNA mechanisms for conditional Dicer substrate
      formation. Test tube studies demonstrate strong OFF/ON conditional response, with
      at least an order of magnitude increase in Dicer substrate production in the
      presence of the cognate mRNA detection target. By appropriately dimensioning
      and/or chemically modifying the scRNAs, only the product of signal transduction,
      and not the reactants or intermediates, is efficiently processed by Dicer,
      yielding siRNAs. These mechanism studies explore diverse design principles for
      engineering scRNA signal transduction cascades including reactant stability vs
      metastability, catalytic vs noncatalytic transduction, pre- vs post
      transcriptional transduction, reactant and product molecularity, and modes of
      molecular self-assembly and disassembly. 

PMID- 24219617
TI  - In vitro metabolic profile and in vivo antischistosomal activity studies of
      (eta(6)-praziquantel)Cr(CO)3 derivatives.
AB  - In vitro metabolic behavior was investigated for two chromium tricarbonyl
      derivatives of the antischistosomal drug praziquantel (PZQ) with the formula
      (eta(6)-PZQ)Cr(CO)3 (1 and 2), by use of human liver microsomes. The metabolic
      profiles of the derivatives differ significantly. The optically pure (eta(6)
      PZQ)Cr(CO)3 derivatives (S, Sp)-1, (R, Rp)-1, (S, Rp)-2, and (R, Sp)-2 were also
      prepared to assess the eudysmic ratios of 1 and 2 against Schistosoma mansoni in
      vitro. A strong enantioselective antischistosomal activity was observed. The R
      enantiomers are highly active against adult schistosomes in vitro (IC50 0.08-0.13
      MUM), whereas both S-enantiomers lack activity. The in vivo activity of 1 and 2
      was then studied in mice harboring a chronic S. mansoni infection. A single dose
      of 1 and 2 (400 mg/kg) resulted in low worm burden reductions of 24% and 29% (p >
      0.05). 

PMID- 24219618
TI  - Effect of high-dose paracetamol on needle procedures in children with cancer--an
      RCT.
AB  - AIM: The aim was to investigate whether children experience less pain, fear
      and/or distress when they receive high-dose paracetamol compared with placebo,
      using a needle insertion in a subcutaneously implanted intravenous port as a
      model. METHODS: Fifty-one children ranging from 1 to 18 years of age being
      treated in a paediatric oncology setting were included consecutively when
      undergoing routine needle insertion into a subcutaneously implanted intravenous
      port. All children were subjected to one needle insertion following topical
      anaesthetic (EMLA) application in this double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT,
      comparing orally administered paracetamol (n = 24) 40 mg/kg body weight (max 2000
      mg) with placebo (n = 27). The patients' pain, fear and distress were reported by
      parents, nurses and children (>=7 years of age) using 0- to 100-mm visual
      analogue scales (VAS). In addition, pain observation, procedure time and cortisol
      reduction were assessed. RESULTS: No differences between the paracetamol and the
      placebo group were found with respect to demographic characteristics. According
      to VAS reports, paracetamol did not reduce pain, fear and distress compared with
      placebo. Pain observation, cortisol reduction and procedure time did not differ
      between the study groups. CONCLUSION: Paracetamol provides no additive effect in
      reducing pain, fear and distress when combined with topical anaesthesia in
      children undergoing port needle insertion.

PMID- 24219619
TI  - They aren't all first cousins: Bedouin marriage and health policies in Lebanon.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fertility and consanguineous marriages among the Bedouin tribes of the
      Middle East have long generated interest particularly around health outcomes and
      social relations. In particular, Bedouin in Lebanon have increasingly embraced
      the Lebanese national bio-medical health system in the past two decades, while
      Lebanese policy-makers' responses continue to be minimal and ill-informed. This
      paper investigates the mismatch between policy-makers' formulations of Bedouin
      consanguineous marriages and the Bedouins's actual reproductive practices and
      discusses the implications of these formulations on the Bedouins's access to
      health services. DESIGN: The findings are drawn from the data collected as part
      of the Bedouin Health Project, an EU-funded five-year study (2005-2010), aiming
      at assessing access to reproductive and child health care among the Bedouin in
      Lebanon. The data was collected from 6 clusters representing the main Bedouin
      informal and unrecognized settlements in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. The data
      consists of 111 socioeconomic questionnaires with Bedouin women users of local
      public, private, and nongovernmental reproductive and child health-focused
      clinics, in addition to 40 in-depth interviews with Bedouin women across the
      clusters and 17 semi-structured interviews with policy-makers. RESULTS: The
      findings suggest a gap between the perceptions of policy-makers and the incidence
      of consanguineous marriages and reproductive practices among the Bedouin. While
      there was no national data available for the Bedouin populations, policy-makers
      relied on a constructed 'Bedouin reproductive profile' that portrayed them as 'a
      problematic health group'. The national policy formulation of the Bedouin
      reproductive profile has an exclusionary impact on the Bedouin population as they
      are ignored from any targeted health policies or provided with politically
      motivated palliative care provision. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the
      importance of addressing stereotyping and discrimination among health
      practitioners and policy-makers, as a crucial part of improving the overall
      marriage and reproductive health practices of the Bedouin.

PMID- 24219620
TI  - A prospective population-based cohort study of lactation and cardiovascular
      disease mortality: the HUNT study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that lactation has long-term effects on risk
      for cardiovascular disease in women, but the effects on cardiovascular mortality
      are less well known. METHOD: In a Norwegian population-based prospective cohort
      study, we studied the association of lifetime duration of lactation with
      cardiovascular mortality in 21,889 women aged 30 to 85 years who attended the
      second Nord-Trondelag Health Survey (HUNT2) in 1995-1997. The cohort was followed
      for mortality through 2010 by a linkage with the Cause of Death Registry.
      Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for death from all causes and cardiovascular disease
      were calculated using Cox regression. RESULTS: During follow-up, 1,246 women died
      from cardiovascular disease. Parous women younger than 65 years who had never
      lactated had a higher cardiovascular mortality than the reference group of women
      who had lactated 24 months or more (HR 2.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28,
      5.99). There was some evidence of a U-shaped association, where women who
      reported lactating 7-12 months had a HR of 0.55 (95% CI: 0.27, 1.09). No clear
      associations were observed among women 65 years or older. CONCLUSIONS: Excess
      cardiovascular mortality rates were observed among parous women younger than 65
      years who had never lactated. These findings support the hypothesis that
      lactation may have long-term influences on maternal cardiovascular health.

PMID- 24219622
TI  - Design of biomimetic and bioactive cold plasma-modified nanostructured scaffolds
      for enhanced osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem
      cells.
AB  - The objective of this study was to design a biomimetic and bioactive tissue
      engineered bone construct via a cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment for
      directed osteogenic differentiation of human bone morrow mesenchymal stem cells
      (MSCs). Porous nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite/chitosan scaffolds were fabricated
      via a lyophilization procedure. The nanostructured bone scaffolds were then
      treated with CAP to create a more favorable surface for cell attachment,
      proliferation, and differentiation. The CAP-modified scaffolds were characterized
      via scanning electron microscope, Raman spectrometer, contact angle analyzer, and
      white light interferometer. In addition, optimal CAP treatment conditions were
      determined. Our in vitro study shows that MSC adhesion and infiltration were
      significantly enhanced on CAP modified scaffolds. More importantly, it was
      demonstrated that CAP-modified nanostructured bone constructs can greatly promote
      total protein, collagen synthesis, and calcium deposition after 3 weeks of
      culture, thus making them a promising implantable scaffold for bone regeneration.
      Moreover, the fibronectin and vitronection adsorption experiments by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated that more adhesion-mediated protein
      adsorption on the CAP-treated scaffolds. Since the initial specific protein
      absorption on scaffold surfaces can lead to further recruitment as well as
      activation of favorable cell functions, it is suggested that our enhanced stem
      cell growth and osteogenic function may be related to more protein adsorption
      resulting from surface roughness and wettability modification. The CAP
      modification method used in this study provides a quick one-step process for cell
      favorable tissue-engineered scaffold architecture remodeling and surface property
      alteration. 

PMID- 24219623
TI  - Diphenyl diselenide differently modulates cardiovascular redox responses in young
      adult and middle-aged low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout
      hypercholesterolemic mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present work aimed to investigate the effect of (PhSe)2 on
      cardiovascular age-related oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic mice.
      METHODS: To this end, LDL receptor knockout (LDLr(-/-) ) mice, 3 months (young
      adult) and 12 months (middle-aged) old, were orally treated with (PhSe)2 . KEY
      FINDINGS: Hypercholesterolemia, regardless of age, impaired the mitochondrial
      antioxidant defence in the cardiac tissue, which was characterized by a decline
      in mitochondrial aortic glutathione (GSH) levels and increased reactive oxygen
      species production in the heart. (PhSe)2 treatment improved GSH levels,
      thioredoxin reductase (TRxR) and GSH reductase (GR) activity, and decreased
      malondialdehyde levels in the heart of young adult LDLr(-/-) mice. Moreover,
      (PhSe)2 increased GPx activity in both age groups, and GR activity in the aorta
      of middle-aged LDLr(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, (PhSe)2 enhances the
      antioxidant defences in the cardiovascular system of LDLr(-/-) mice, which could
      explain its success as an anti-atherogenic compound.

PMID- 24219624
TI  - Butterfly species richness and diversity in the Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary in
      South Asia.
AB  - Several wildlife sanctuaries in the world are home to the surviving populations
      of many endemic species. Trishna wildlife sanctuary in northeast India is
      protected by law, and is home to the last surviving populations of Asian bison
      (Bos gorus Smith), spectacle monkey (Trachypithecus phayrie Blyth), capped langur
      (Trachypithecus pileatus Blyth), slow loris (Nycticebus coucang Boddaert), wild
      cat (Felis chaus Schreber), and wild boars (Sus scrofa L.), among many other
      animals and plants. The sanctuary was explored for species richness and diversity
      of butterflies. A six-month-long study revealed the occurrence of 59 butterfly
      species that included 21 unique species and 9 species listed in the threatened
      category. The mixed moist deciduous mature forest of the sanctuary harbored
      greater species richness and species diversity (39 species under 31 genera) than
      other parts of the sanctuary, which is comprised of regenerated secondary mixed
      deciduous forest (37 species under 32 genera), degraded forests (32 species under
      28 genera), and open grassland with patches of plantations and artificial lakes
      (24 species under 17 genera). The majority of these species showed a distribution
      range throughout the Indo-Malayan region and Australasia tropics, and eight
      species were distributed in the eastern parts of South Asia, including one
      species, Labadea martha (F.), which is distributed in the eastern Himalayas
      alone. Estimator Chao 2 provided the best-predicted value of species richness.
      The steep slope of the species accumulation curve suggested the occurrence of a
      large number of rare species, and a prolonged gentle slope suggested a higher
      species richness at a higher sample abundance. The species composition of
      vegetation-rich habitats showed high similarity in comparison to vegetation-poor
      habitats.

PMID- 24219625
TI  - Dr M Digby Leigh: his early studies of capnography and their practical
      application in pediatric cardiac anesthesia.

PMID- 24219626
TI  - In vitro antidermatophytic activity of Otacanthus azureus (Linden) Ronse
      essential oil alone and in combination with azoles.
AB  - AIMS: We determined the chemical composition and investigated the antifungal
      activity of Otacanthus azureus (Linden) Ronse essential oil (EO) against a range
      of dermatophytes alone or in combination with azole antifungals. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Aerial parts of the plant were steam-distilled and the obtained oil was
      analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and (1) H-NMR. It was shown to
      be largely composed of sesquiterpenes, with the main component being beta-copaen
      4-alpha-ol. Using broth microdilution techniques, this oil was found to have
      remarkable in vitro antifungal activities. Minimum inhibitory concentrations as
      low as 4 MUg ml(-1) were recorded. The analysis of the combined effect of the O.
      azureus EO with azoles using chequerboard assays revealed a synergism between the
      EO and ketoconazole, fluconazole or itraconazole against Trichophyton
      mentagrophytes. Notably, the O. azureus essential oil showed low cytotoxicity to
      VERO cells. CONCLUSIONS: The O. azureus essential oil alone or in combination
      with azoles is a promising antifungal agent in the treatment for human
      dermatomycoses caused by filamentous fungi. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:
      There is much interest in the study of essential oils for the discovery of new
      antimicrobial drugs. This study has highlighted the antidermatophytic activity of
      the O. azureus EO.

PMID- 24219627
TI  - The oxytocin-bone axis.
AB  - We recently demonstrated a direct action of oxytocin (OT) on skeletal
      homeostasis, mainly mediated through stimulation of osteoblasts (OBs) formation
      and through the reciprocal modulation of osteoclast (OCs) formation and function.
      Thus, mice lacking the hormone or its receptor develop a low turnover
      osteoporosis that worsens with age in both sexes. The skeletons of OT (Ot) and OT
      receptor (Oxtr) null mice display a pronounced decrease in vertebral and femoral
      trabecular volume. At the cellular level, OBs from Ot KO and Oxtr KO mice exhibit
      lower mineralization activity and, at the mRNA level, all master genes for
      osteoblast differentiation are down-regulated. Moreover, OT has dual effects on
      OCs: it increases osteoclast formation both directly, by activating nuclear
      factor kB (NFkB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling and,
      indirectly, through the up-regulation of receptor activator nuclear factor-kappaB
      ligand synthesis by OBs. On the other hand, it inhibits bone resorption by
      triggering cytosolic Ca(2+) release and nitric oxide synthesis in mature OCs. OT
      is locally produced by osteoblasts acting as paracrine-autocrine regulators of
      bone formation modulated by oestrogens. The oestrogen signal involved in this
      feedforward circuit is nongenomic because it requires an intact MAPK kinase
      signal transduction pathway, instead of the classical nuclear translocation of
      oestrogen receptor. The ability of oestrogen to increase bone mass in vivo is to
      some extent OXTR-dependent. Thus, Oxtr KO mice injected 17beta-oestradiol did not
      show any effects on bone formation parameters, whereas the same treatment
      increases trabecular and cortical bone in wild-type mice. An intact OT autocrine
      paracrine circuit appears to be essential for optimal skeletal remodelling. 

PMID- 24219628
TI  - Differential satellite cell density of type I and II fibres with lifelong
      endurance running in old men.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the influence of lifelong endurance running on the satellite
      cell pool of type I and type II fibres in healthy human skeletal muscle. METHODS:
      Muscle biopsies were collected from 15 healthy old trained men (O-Tr) who had
      been running 43 +/- 16 (mean +/- SD) kilometres a week for 28 +/- 9 years. Twelve
      age-matched untrained men (O-Un) and a group of young trained and young untrained
      men were recruited for comparison. Frozen sections were immunohistochemically
      stained for Pax7, type I myosin and laminin, from which fibre area, the number of
      satellite cells, and the relationship between these variables were determined.
      RESULTS: In O-Un and O-Tr, type II fibres were smaller and contained fewer
      satellite cells than type I fibres. However, when expressed relative to fibre
      area, the difference in satellite cell content between fibre types was eliminated
      in O-Tr, but not O-Un. A strong positive relationship between fibre size and
      satellite cell content was detected in trained individuals. In line with a
      history of myofibre repair, a greater number of fibres with centrally located
      myonuclei were detected in O-Tr. CONCLUSION: Lifelong endurance training (i) does
      not deplete the satellite cell pool and (ii) is associated with a similar density
      of satellite cells in type I and II fibres despite a failure to preserve the
      equal fibre type distribution of satellite cells observed in young individuals.
      Taken together, these data reveal a differential regulation of satellite cell
      content between fibre types, in young and old healthy men with dramatically
      different training histories.

PMID- 24219630
TI  - Three-dimensional graphene foam supported Fe3O4 lithium battery anodes with long
      cycle life and high rate capability.
AB  - Fe3O4 has long been regarded as a promising anode material for lithium ion
      battery due to its high theoretical capacity, earth abundance, low cost, and
      nontoxic properties. However, up to now no effective and scalable method has been
      realized to overcome the bottleneck of poor cyclability and low rate capability.
      In this article, we report a bottom-up strategy assisted by atomic layer
      deposition to graft bicontinuous mesoporous nanostructure Fe3O4 onto three
      dimensional graphene foams and directly use the composite as the lithium ion
      battery anode. This electrode exhibits high reversible capacity and fast charging
      and discharging capability. A high capacity of 785 mAh/g is achieved at 1C rate
      and is maintained without decay up to 500 cycles. Moreover, the rate of up to 60C
      is also demonstrated, rendering a fast discharge potential. To our knowledge,
      this is the best reported rate performance for Fe3O4 in lithium ion battery to
      date. 

PMID- 24219629
TI  - CRISPR-MVLST subtyping of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovars
      Typhimurium and Heidelberg and application in identifying outbreak isolates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovars Typhimurium (S.
      Typhimurium) and Heidelberg (S. Heidelberg) are major causes of foodborne
      salmonellosis, accounting for a fifth of all annual salmonellosis cases in the
      United States. Rapid, efficient and accurate methods for identification are
      required for routine surveillance and to track specific strains during outbreaks.
      We used Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and a recently developed
      molecular subtyping approach termed CRISPR-MVLST that exploits the hypervariable
      nature of virulence genes and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic
      Repeats (CRISPRs) to subtype clinical S. Typhimurium and S. Heidelberg isolates.
      RESULTS: We analyzed a broad set of 175 S. Heidelberg and S. Typhimurium isolates
      collected over a five-year period. We identified 21 Heidelberg Sequence Types
      (HSTs) and 37 Typhimurium STs (TSTs) that were represented by 27 and 45 PFGE
      pulsotypes, respectively, and determined the discriminatory power of each method.
      CONCLUSIONS: For S. Heidelberg, our data shows that combined typing by both
      CRISPR-MVLST and PFGE provided a discriminatory power of 0.9213. Importantly,
      CRISPR-MVLST was able to separate common PFGE patterns such as JF6X01.0022 into
      distinct STs, thus providing significantly greater discriminatory power.
      Conversely, we show that subtyping by either CRISPR-MVLST or PFGE independently
      provides a sufficient discriminatory power (0.9345 and 0.9456, respectively) for
      S. Typhimurium. Additionally, using isolates from two S. Typhimurium outbreaks,
      we demonstrate that CRISPR-MVLST provides excellent epidemiologic concordance.

PMID- 24219632
TI  - Metal contacts on physical vapor deposited monolayer MoS2.
AB  - The understanding of the metal and transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD)
      interface is critical for future electronic device technologies based on this new
      class of two-dimensional semiconductors. Here, we investigate the initial growth
      of nanometer-thick Pd, Au, and Ag films on monolayer MoS2. Distinct growth
      morphologies are identified by atomic force microscopy: Pd forms a uniform
      contact, Au clusters into nanostructures, and Ag forms randomly distributed
      islands on MoS2. The formation of these different interfaces is elucidated by
      large-scale spin-polarized density functional theory calculations. Using Raman
      spectroscopy, we find that the interface homogeneity shows characteristic Raman
      shifts in E2g(1) and A1g modes. Interestingly, we show that insertion of graphene
      between metal and MoS2 can effectively decouple MoS2 from the perturbations
      imparted by metal contacts (e.g., strain), while maintaining an effective
      electronic coupling between metal contact and MoS2, suggesting that graphene can
      act as a conductive buffer layer in TMD electronics.

PMID- 24219633
TI  - Does baseline radiography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder help facilitate
      stone management in patients presenting to the emergency department with renal
      colic?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A baseline kidneys, ureters, and bladder (KUB)
      radiograph, at the time of computed tomography (CT) for ureteral stones, might
      aid interpretation of future KUBs. The CT scout radiograph might render the
      baseline KUB redundant, however. We sought to assess the diagnostic utility of
      baseline KUB for patients with ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients
      with ureteral stones were retrospectively identified. All had a baseline KUB in
      addition to CT and were reassessed after 4 to 60 days with KUB. Each patient's
      imaging was randomized 1:1 into either "KUB&CT" or "CT" groups. Three urologists
      independently assessed the imaging: CT (with scout film) and baseline KUB in the
      KUB&CT group, but only the CT (not KUB) in the CT group. Definitive stone
      assessment on follow-up KUB was defined as all three reviewers answering either
      Yes or No (not Indeterminate) to the question of stone passage or migration.
      RESULTS: Of 154 stones, the mean diameter was 4.8 +/- 2.1 mm, density was 914 +/-
      300 Hounsfield units (HU), with 54.4% in the distal ureter. Stone visibility was
      60.4% on KUB vs 43.5% on scout film (P<0.001). Scout film visibility favored the
      CT group (52.7 vs 35.0%, P = 0.027). After adjusting for body mass index, skin-to
      stone distance, size, density, and location, definitive assessment rates were
      higher in the KUB&CT group (P = 0.047). When reviewers reassessed the CT group
      using the baseline KUB, they were able to do so definitively in an additional 16
      (21.6%, P<0.001). Definitive assessments were associated with higher rates of
      stone visibility on scout film (86.1 vs 21.1%, P<0.001), KUB (86.1 vs 50.0%,
      P<0.001), and larger (6.0 vs 3.7 mm, P<0.001), denser stones (1046 vs 802 HU,
      P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of a baseline KUB to the CT scout film
      improves the ability of urologists to determine stone outcome when following
      patients with KUB imaging and might reduce the subsequent need for additional
      imaging.

PMID- 24219634
TI  - Dietary hydroxyproline induced calcium oxalate lithiasis and associated renal
      injury in the porcine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We previously reported hyperoxaluria and calcium oxalate
      calculi in adult pigs (sows) fed hydroxyproline (HP). The purpose of this study
      was to grossly and histopathologically characterize intrarenal effects in this
      model. METHODS: In the swine facility at our campus, we maintained 21 gestating
      sows, of which 15 received daily treatment (5% HP mixed with dry feed) and 6
      received no treatment (controls). Nine were sacrificed at 21 d (three control,
      six HP). All kidneys were extracted and examined grossly and for radiographic
      evidence of stones (GE CT scanner, 80kV, 400MA, 1 sec rotation, 0.625 mm slices).
      Papillary and cortical samples were processed for histologic analysis. RESULTS:
      Kidneys from treated sows showed significant calculi distributed within the renal
      papilla on CT, appeared mottled in the renal cortex and papillary areas, and had
      less distinct corticomedullary borders. Tiny crystals and mucinous debris lined
      the papillary tips, calices, and pelvis in kidneys from four of six treated sows,
      and multiple stones were noted at the papillary tips. Hematoxylin and eosin stain
      revealed crystals in collecting tubules and papillary tips in treated kidneys and
      none in controls. Yasue staining confirmed crystals in proximal periglomerular
      tubules of treated but not control animals. Tubular dilation and
      inflammatory/fibrotic changes were identified in kidneys from treated animals;
      none of these changes were evident in control kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: We report
      renal damage as a result of dietary-induced hyperoxaluria in adult sows.
      Specifically, we found crystalluria in proximal periglomerular tubules and
      collecting ducts, with tubular damage at all segments.

PMID- 24219635
TI  - Genetic regulatory network motifs constrain adaptation through curvature in the
      landscape of mutational (co)variance.
AB  - Systems biology is accumulating a wealth of understanding about the structure of
      genetic regulatory networks, leading to a more complete picture of the complex
      genotype-phenotype relationship. However, models of multivariate phenotypic
      evolution based on quantitative genetics have largely not incorporated a network
      based view of genetic variation. Here we model a set of two-node, two-phenotype
      genetic network motifs, covering a full range of regulatory interactions. We find
      that network interactions result in different patterns of mutational (co)variance
      at the phenotypic level (the M-matrix), not only across network motifs but also
      across phenotypic space within single motifs. This effect is due almost entirely
      to mutational input of additive genetic (co)variance. Variation in M has the
      effect of stretching and bending phenotypic space with respect to evolvability,
      analogous to the curvature of space-time under general relativity, and similar
      mathematical tools may apply in each case. We explored the consequences of
      curvature in mutational variation by simulating adaptation under divergent
      selection with gene flow. Both standing genetic variation (the G-matrix) and rate
      of adaptation are constrained by M, so that G and adaptive trajectories are
      curved across phenotypic space. Under weak selection the phenotypic mean at
      migration-selection balance also depends on M. 

PMID- 24219636
TI  - Risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms among Korean radiation workers.
AB  - The first aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal
      symptoms. The second aim was to study the association between musculoskeletal
      symptoms and factors in radiation workers from the active lists of clinics and
      hospitals and then to provide basic data for a systematic and effective resource
      management of radiation workers' musculoskeletal problems in the future. A
      questionnaire survey was conducted on radiation workers in clinics, general
      hospitals, and Dong-A university hospitals around the Korean city Buscan from
      July 10 to 31, 2011. The results showed that the rate of musculoskeletal symptoms
      was higher in the shoulder, waist, neck, leg/foot, hand/wrist/finger than
      arm/elbow. The probability of neck pain was 2 times higher in patients with a
      disease.

PMID- 24219637
TI  - Obstetric and neonatal outcome in patients with anxiety disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a diagnosis of anxiety disorder is a risk
      factor for adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome. METHODS: A retrospective
      population-based study was conducted comparing obstetric and neonatal
      complications in patients with and without a diagnosis of anxiety. Multivariable
      analysis was performed to control for confounders. RESULTS: During the study
      period 256,312 singleton deliveries have occurred, out of which 224 (0.09%) were
      in patients with a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. Patients with anxiety
      disorders were older (32.17 +/- 5.1 versus 28.56 +/- 5.9), were more likely to be
      smokers (7.1% versus 1.1%) and had a higher rate of preterm deliveries (PTD;
      15.2% versus 7.9%), as compared with the comparison group. Using a multiple
      logistic regression model, anxiety disorders were independently associated with
      advanced maternal age (OR 1.087; 95% CI 1.06-1.11; p = 0.001), smoking (OR 4.51;
      95% CI 2.6-7.29; p = 0.001) and preterm labor (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.32--2.8; p =
      0.001). In addition, having a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder was found to be an
      independent risk factor for cesarean section (adjusted OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.82-3.46;
      p < 0.001), using another multivariable model. No association was noted between
      anxiety disorders and adverse neonatal outcomes including small for gestational
      age, low Apgar scores and perinatal mortality. CONCLUSION: Anxiety disorders are
      independent risk factors for spontaneous preterm delivery and cesarean section,
      but in our population it is not associated with adverse perinatal outcome.

PMID- 24219638
TI  - Promoting colorectal cancer awareness in undergraduate community health nursing
      education: a community-academic collaboration.
AB  - An innovative collaborative partnership between bachelor of science nursing (BSN)
      students and local public schools was developed in response to a call for
      increasing awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Michigan's
      underserved populations; through this partnership, community health nursing
      students provide health education for middle- and high-school aged students who
      became colon health ambassadors and delivered important messages about the
      importance of colorectal cancer screenings for their significant others age 50
      and older. At the completion, the program reached approximately 1,800 school-age
      students and their family members. The program provides nursing students with
      unique service-learning experience while improving their theoretical knowledge
      and clinical skills in health disparities and community health nursing. The
      purpose of this article is to describe the development and implementation of this
      community-academic collaboration and discuss the evaluation of educational
      outcomes as community health nursing experience. 

PMID- 24219639
TI  - Correlates of lifestyle: physical activity among South Asian Indian immigrants.
AB  - South Asian immigrants are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and
      diabetes, but little is known about their physical activity patterns. In this
      cross-sectional study, 110 participants were recruited to describe lifestyle
      physical activity behavior of this at-risk population. Education (p = .042),
      global health (p = .045), and self-efficacy (p = .000) had significant positive
      independent effects on leisure-time physical activity. Depression (p = .035) and
      waist circumference (p = .012) had significant negative independent effects, and
      frequency of experiencing discrimination a significant positive independent
      effect (p = .007) on daily step counts. Culture-sensitive physical activity
      interventions need to target South Asian Indian immigrants who are less educated,
      in poor health, concerned about racial discrimination, and have low self
      efficacy. 

PMID- 24219640
TI  - Patient perceptions of empowerment processes, health outcomes and related factors
      in patients living with diabetes in Taiwan: a cross-sectional survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim was to examine the associations among empowerment processes,
      health outcomes, and related factors in patients living with diabetes. METHODS:
      This cross-sectional study analyzed a convenience sample of 144 patients with
      diabetes in Taiwan. Data were collected with questionnaires, HbA1C, blood
      pressure, and total cholesterol. FINDINGS: Empowerment processes were
      significantly associated with health outcomes, including self-care behaviors,
      quality of life, and HbA1C. Diabetes-related complications and treatment
      variables were associated with empowerment processes and health outcomes.
      CONCLUSIONS: To optimize the empowerment processes needed to promote the health
      of patients with diabetes, healthcare professionals should consider patient
      perceptions of empowerment processes and related factors.

PMID- 24219641
TI  - Indigenous traditional medicine and intercultural healthcare in Bolivia: a case
      study from the Potosi region.
AB  - Indigenous peoples have the worst socio-demographic indicators and the largest
      inequalities in terms of access to social services and health in the Latin
      American region, Bolivia included. In the last few years, attempts to implement
      policies that support indigenous people's health rights led to the development of
      intercultural health approaches. Yet, acceptance and integration of indigenous
      medicine into the biomedical health system presents a major challenge to
      intercultural health in Latin America. The objective of this article is to
      analyze the case of a health center in Tinguipaya, one of the first and few
      examples of intercultural health initiatives in Bolivia. This intercultural
      health project, which represents a pioneer experience with regard to the creation
      of intercultural health services in Bolivia, aims to create a network between
      local communities, traditional healers, and biomedical staff and offer a more
      culturally sensitive and holistic health service for indigenous people living in
      the area. The aim of this article is to critically assess this initiative and to
      analyze the main challenges met in the creation of a more effective intercultural
      health policy. The extent to which this initiative succeeded in promoting the
      integration between indigenous health practitioners and biomedical staff as well
      as in improving access to health care for local indigenous patients will also be
      examined. 

PMID- 24219642
TI  - Current evidence on the attitudes, knowledge and perceptions of nurses regarding
      evidence-based practice implementation in European community settings: a
      systematic review.
AB  - Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an approach that influences healthcare
      worldwide. Systematic research in the relevant biomedical literature was
      conducted using the Medline-Pubmed interface until August 2012. Six studies were
      included in the review. All of these studies had a cross-sectional study design,
      and 4 of them conducted a postal survey, using different questionnaires for data
      collection purposes. This review supports previous literature suggesting that
      community nurses have a positive attitude toward EBP. However, although EBP
      implementation is considered to be a professional imperative, the integration of
      recent evidence into clinical practice seems to be a cumbersome process. 

PMID- 24219644
TI  - Use of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometry
      to identify the elemental composition of vanilla and determine the geographic
      origin by discriminant function analysis.
AB  - A total of 11 elements found in 25 vanilla samples from Uganda, Madagascar,
      Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea were measured by laser ablation-inductively
      coupled plasma-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOF-MS) for the purpose
      of collecting data that could be used to discriminate among the origins. Pellets
      were prepared of the samples, and elemental concentrations were obtained on the
      basis of external calibration curves created using five National Institute of
      Standards and Technology (NIST) standards and one Chinese standard with (13)C
      internal standardization. These curves were validated using NIST 1573a (tomato
      leaves) as a check standard. Discriminant analysis was used to successfully
      classify the vanilla samples by their origin. Our method illustrates the
      feasibility of using LA-ICP-TOF-MS with an external calibration curve for high
      throughput screening of spice screening analysis. 

PMID- 24219646
TI  - Clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary leiomyosarcoma of the pancreas:
      a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary pancreatic leiomyosarcoma (PLMS) is rare. The clinical
      characteristics and prognosis is still not completely understood. The aim of the
      present study is to identify the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes
      of PLMS from the existing reported cases in different scientific literature.
      METHODS: PLMS cases reported in Chinese and English journals were collected and
      reviewed. Clinical features and long-term outcomes of these cases were summarized
      and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: A total of 69 cases reported from both
      Chinese and English journals were included in the present study. An equal
      incidence in gender was observed. The mean age was 53.9 +/- 14.7 years. The most
      common symptoms were abdominal mass, abdominal pain, and weight loss. The mean
      size of the tumor was 11.4 +/- 7.1 cm. The incidence of PLMS between the head and
      body-tail of the pancreas had a similar pattern. Twenty-five percent of patients
      had distant metastasis and 19% of patients had adjacent organs/vessels invasion
      at the time of diagnosis. But lymph node metastasis was documented in only one
      (1.5%) patient. The median survival time was 48 months. The overall 1-, 3-, 5-,
      and 10-year survival rates were 66.6%, 51.2%, 43.9%, and 29.3%, respectively.
      Results from the multivariate analysis showed that non-radical resection (P =
      0.000; hazard ratio (HR) 5.128; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.041-12.987) was
      the independent adverse prognostic factor. Adjacent organs/vessels invasion (yes)
      may be considered as an another potential independent adverse prognostic factor
      (P = 0.071; HR 2.708; 95% CI 0.981-7.474). CONCLUSIONS: PLMS is rare without
      specific clinical features. PLMS is an aggressive tumor and has a poor prognosis.
      Radical resection can prolong survival time of the patients.

PMID- 24219647
TI  - Specific IgG4: possible role in the pathogenesis and a new marker in the
      diagnosis of Anisakis-associated allergic disease.
AB  - IgG4 and IgE are immunoglobulin isotypes which are mediated by the same Th2
      mediated mechanism. The postulated pathogenic and protective function of IgE or
      IgG4, respectively, in allergic disease is opposite in parasitic infection. The
      possible role of IgG4 against recombinant major allergens on the appearance of
      different forms of Anisakis simplex-associated allergic disease was studied.
      Gastro-allergic anisakiasis (GAA) and Anisakis-sensitization-associated chronic
      urticaria (CU+) were compared for specific IgE, IgG4 and the respective
      recognition of Ani s 1 and Ani s 7. Gastro-allergic anisakiasis showed higher IgE
      and IgG4 levels against crude extract and both recombinant allergens. Whereas IgE
      recognition of Ani s 7 did not differ and supports both clinical entities to be
      associated with previous acute parasitism, the IgE recognition rates of Ani s 1
      and IgG4 recognition of both Ani s 1 and Ani s 7 were higher in GAA. IgG4 levels
      were associated with IgE, but also with age, time to last parasitic episode and
      frequency of fish intake. Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence
      of specific IgG4 against Ani s 7 was an independent marker associated with GAA.
      In the diagnosis of Anisakis-associated allergic disease phenotypes (GAA versus
      CU+), measurement of specific IgG4 against recombinant allergens could be useful.
      Further, evaluation of specific IgE and IgG4 facilitates more insight into the
      protective versus pathogenic potential of IgE and IgG4.

PMID- 24219648
TI  - Clinicopathological significance of the peritumoral decreased uptake area of
      gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid in hepatocellular
      carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: A faint hypointensity in the noncancerous tissue around
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is encountered. The goal is to elucidate the
      significance of this type of pseudolesion designated as the peritumoral decreased
      uptake area of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd
      EOB-DTPA) (PDUAE). METHODS: This study group consisted of 61 patients with 61
      surgically resected HCCs who underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. The
      presence of a faint and hypointense area around the tumor in the hepatobiliary
      phase was defined as PDUAE. The frequency with which PDUAE was seen was compared
      between pairs of groups determined by clinical and pathological parameters using
      a Fisher's exact probability test. The parameters showing significant differences
      in this test were further tested by multiple logistic regression analysis.
      RESULTS: PDUAE was observed in 25 cases. In univariate analysis, the values of
      alpha-fetoprotein and protein-induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II,
      maximal diameter, the presence of a capsule, and vascular invasion were
      significantly correlated with the frequency with which PDUAE was seen. In
      multivariate analysis, only maximal diameter and vascular invasion were
      significantly correlated. When the presence of PDUAE was used as an indicator of
      vascular invasion, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive
      value, and negative predictive value were 72%, 80.6%, 77%, 72%, and 80.6%,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: By using this indicator, "microscopic" vascular
      invasion of HCC can be easily predicted with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI.

PMID- 24219649
TI  - Gallic acid improves glucose tolerance and triglyceride concentration in diet
      induced obesity mice.
AB  - Gallic acid, a phenolic phytochemical, has been shown to exert a variety of
      effects, including anti-oxidative, anti- carcinogenic, anti-allergic, and anti
      inflammatory effects. In this study, we attempted to determine whether gallic
      acid affects metabolic syndrome such as obesity and diabetes. Diet-induced
      obesity mice were treated intraperitoneally once per day with gallic acid (10
      mg/kg/day). After 2 weeks of treatment, the mice were sacrificed to collect the
      blood for metabolic parameter assessments, and the adipose tissues and liver to
      weigh and analyze. The triglyceride concentrations were significantly improved in
      the gallic acid group relative to those measured in the control group. And most
      importantly, the blood glucose concentrations in the gallic acid group were
      significantly improved. In the epididymal white adipose tissue of the gallic acid
      group, adipocyte size was reduced, PPARgamma expression was induced, and the Akt
      signaling pathway was activated. Our results demonstrate that gallic acid
      improves glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism in the obesity mice, thereby
      showing evidence of anti-hyperglycemic activity. The findings of an upregulation
      of PPARgamma expression and Akt activation also contribute to our current
      understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of gallic acid on glucose
      metabolism.

PMID- 24219650
TI  - Long-term effects of whole body cryostimulation on uric acid concentration in
      plasma of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uric acid (UA) has been suggested to be a marker of multiple
      sclerosis (MS) activity. Whole body cryostimulation (WBCT) is a new form of
      additional treatment and becoming popular in medicine. OBJECTIVES: The aims of
      this study were to determine the long-term effects of WBCT on the level of plasma
      UA in selected group of MS patients only with secondary progressive (SPMS)
      clinical form and verify results with functional state of patients assessed by
      expanded disability status scale (EDSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: SPMS patients (n
      = 22) and healthy controls (n = 22) participated in 10 3-min-long exposures of
      WBCT (one exposure per day). Results were collected before the WBCT treatment and
      after completion the WBCT series as well as one and three months later. RESULTS:
      WBCT increased UA concentration in plasma of SPMS patients not only directly
      after 10 exposures (p < 0.0001) but also one (p < 0.0001) and three (p < 0.005)
      months later. Furthermore, WBCT causes positive changes in EDSS scale both
      directly after WBCT (7% lower) and maintain this level 1 month later as well as 3
      month later (5% lower). CONCLUSIONS: WBCT may be used as adjuvant therapy via
      increase UA blood level; it improves functional status of SPMS patients.

PMID- 24219652
TI  - Improvement in smile esthetics following orthodontic treatment: a retrospective
      study utilizing standardized smile analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantify smile esthetics following orthodontic treatment and
      determine whether these changes are correlated to the severity of the initial
      malocclusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A standardized smile mesh analysis that
      evaluated nine lip-tooth characteristics was applied to two groups of
      successfully treated patients: group 1 (initial American Board of Orthodontics
      Discrepancy Index [DI] score<20) and group 2 (initial DI score>20). T-tests were
      used to detect significant differences between the low-DI and high-DI groups for
      baseline pretreatment measurements, baseline posttreatment measurements, and
      changes from pre- to posttreatment. A Spearman correlation test compared the
      initial DI values with the changes in the nine smile measurements. RESULTS: Five
      of the smile measurements were improved in both groups following orthodontic
      treatment. Both groups demonstrated improved incisor exposure, an improved
      gingival smile line, an increase in smile width, a decreased buccal corridor
      space, and an improvement in smile consonance. Spearman correlation tests showed
      that initial DI value was not correlated to changes in any of the individual
      smile measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Smile esthetics is improved by orthodontic
      treatment regardless of the initial severity of the malocclusion. In other words,
      patients with more complex orthodontic issues and their counterparts with minor
      malocclusions benefitted equally from treatment in terms of their smile
      esthetics.

PMID- 24219654
TI  - Controls on methane emissions from Alnus glutinosa saplings.
AB  - Recent studies have confirmed significant tree-mediated methane emissions in
      wetlands; however, conditions and processes controlling such emissions are
      unclear. Here we identify factors that control the emission of methane from Alnus
      glutinosa. Methane fluxes from the soil surface, tree stem surfaces, leaf
      surfaces and whole mesocosms, pore water methane concentrations and physiological
      factors (assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration) were measured
      from 4-yr old A. glutinosa trees grown under two artificially controlled water
      table positions. Up to 64% of methane emitted from the high water-table mesocosms
      was transported to the atmosphere through A. glutinosa. Stem emissions from 2 to
      22 cm above the soil surface accounted for up to 42% of total tree-mediated
      methane emissions. Methane emissions were not detected from leaves and no
      relationship existed between leaf surface area and rates of tree-mediated methane
      emissions. Tree stem methane flux strength was controlled by the amount of
      methane dissolved in pore water and the density of stem lenticels. Our data show
      that stem surfaces dominate methane egress from A. glutinosa, suggesting that
      leaf area index is not a suitable approach for scaling tree-mediated methane
      emissions from all types of forested wetland. 

PMID- 24219653
TI  - The second study of infectious intestinal disease (IID2): increased rates of
      recurrent diarrhoea in individuals aged 65 years and above.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infectious intestinal disease (IID) is a major health and economic
      burden in high-income countries. In the UK, there are an estimated 17 million IID
      cases annually, of which 6 million are caused by the 12 most common pathogens.
      Host factors that influence risk of IID are not well understood. METHODS: We
      analyzed data from the IID2 Study, a UK cohort that measured IID incidence, to
      investigate factors associated with recurrent IID. We calculated rates of IID by
      age group, sex, previous episodes experienced, and socioecomic indicators. We
      used Cox models to investigate factors associated with recurrent illness.
      RESULTS: The rate of IID was five times higher among infants than those aged 65
      years and above (hazard ratio, HR = 5.0, 95% CI: 3.1 - 8.0). However, the
      association between previous IID and a subsequent IID episode was stronger in the
      elderly. Among those aged 65 years and above, each additional IID episode
      increased the rate of subsequent IID three-fold (HR = 3.1, 95% CI: 2.5 - 3.7).
      Among infants, the corresponding increase was 1.7-fold (HR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3 -
      2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly populations have a high propensity for recurrent IID.
      More detailed studies are needed to identify vulnerable subgroups and
      susceptibility factors, and inform adequate control policies among the elderly.

PMID- 24219655
TI  - Quality of life and well-being of people receiving haemodialysis treatment in
      Scotland: a cross-sectional survey.
AB  - End-stage renal disease is a complex, progressive and debilitating illness that
      affects patients' quality of life, physical and mental health, well-being, social
      functioning and emotional health. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in
      renal dialysis centres in Scotland to assess patients' health status and the
      impact of haemodialysis treatment on quality of life and well-being. Participants
      scored considerably lower than the UK general population in all domains of health
      related quality of life, although mental health components were nearer to general
      population norms than physical health components. However, nearly half of the
      participants achieved a score on a general well-being questionnaire that was
      indicative of stress and anxiety. Increasing age was associated with better
      overall mental health but worse physical functioning. Increasing levels of hope
      and support were associated with improved general well-being. 

PMID- 24219656
TI  - Interaction of the koinobiont parasitoid Microplitis rufiventris of the cotton
      leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, with two entomopathogenic rhabditids,
      Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae.
AB  - Entomopathogenic nematodes are generally considered beneficial organisms.
      However, they can affect beneficial insects such as parasitoids. The interaction
      between the entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar
      (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) and Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser, and the
      parasitoid Microplitis rufiventris Kokujev (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was
      investigated in the laboratory. In non-parasitized hosts, Spodoptera littoralis
      Boisduval (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae exposed to H. bacteriophora showed a
      higher percent mortality than those exposed to S. carpocapsae. Both nematodes
      were able to invade and propagate in non-parasitized S. littoralis larvae and
      those parasitized by M. rufiventris. Both nematode species reproduced in
      Microplitis-parasitized hosts, but there was a higher number of nematodes in non
      parasitized larvae. S. carpocapsae yielded higher numbers of infective juveniles
      than H. bacteriophora. Generally, the number of nematodes harvested increased as
      their host's size increased. The interaction between the nematodes and parasitoid
      favored the nematodes when the nematodes were inoculated during the parasitoid
      egg stage or the young parasitoid larvae, thus giving the nematodes a better
      chance to grow and reproduce, resulting in the death of the parasitoid larvae.
      Conversely, when the nematodes were inoculated during the late larval instar of
      the parasitoid, the competition partially favored the wasp, thus giving
      approximately 50% of the wasps a better chance to develop, emerge, and reproduce,
      providing evidence that both nematodes and wasps could reproduce in the same
      host. Egg maturation of female wasps derived from nematode-infected hosts was not
      significantly different than those from control hosts. The combined application
      of nematodes and parasitoids may be beneficial if the detrimental effects of the
      nematodes on the parasitoid could be avoided by precisely timing the application
      strategies. It is clear that Microplitis larvae and the nematodes share the host
      larva and engage in a trophic interaction with each other. Intraguild predation
      is briefly discussed.

PMID- 24219657
TI  - Meta-analysis of predictors of favorable employment outcomes among individuals
      with bipolar disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although several studies have reported on predictors of employment in
      individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), the magnitude of the impact of these
      variables is unclear as no previous studies have estimated the collective effect
      sizes (ESs). The present meta-analysis estimated ESs and explored which of these
      variables are associated with positive employment outcomes. METHODS: We searched
      for articles published between 2000 and 2011 that reported associations between
      sociodemographic, clinical, psychosocial, and/or cognitive variables with
      employment outcomes in BD. Of the 781 articles identified, 22 met the inclusion
      criteria and were included in the final analysis (n = 6,301). Weighted
      correlation coefficients (r-index) were computed as ESs for each of the predictor
      variables, which were grouped into six categories: cognitive performance,
      symptomatology, sociodemographic factors, course of illness, clinical variables,
      and other personal factors. The overall ES (Rw) was estimated by assuming random
      effect models. Sensitivity analyses were also performed to determine the
      robustness of the findings. RESULTS: Significant predictors of favorable
      employment outcomes included: cognitive performance (e.g., verbal memory, Rw =
      0.33; executive function, Rw = 0.26), sociodemographic factors (e.g., years of
      education, Rw = 0.23), course of illness (e.g., number of lifetime psychiatric
      hospitalizations, Rw = -0.35), symptomatology (e.g., depression, Rw = -0.25), and
      other personal factors (e.g., personality disorder, Rw = -0.49). CONCLUSIONS:
      Overall, the cognitive performance and course of illness had larger average ESs
      than symptomatology or sociodemographic factors on favorable employment outcomes.
      These findings may help to guide the design of more effective work interventions
      for people with BD.

PMID- 24219658
TI  - What became of New Zealand's golden opportunity for liquor law reform?

PMID- 24219659
TI  - Methamphetamine use in a nationwide online sample of older Australian HIV
      positive and HIV-negative gay men.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Use of methamphetamine appears to be greater among gay men
      than in the general population, yet little data are available on factors
      associated with use, especially among older men. This study identifies factors
      associated with reported methamphetamine use among older Australian gay men.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected from an online survey involving 1135 HIV
      positive and HIV-negative gay-identified men aged 40 years and older. RESULTS:
      One in eight men in the sample, or 13%, reported using methamphetamine in the
      past 12 months. Patterns of reported use were similar across the country, with no
      significant differences between major states and territories. Reported
      methamphetamine use was considerably more prevalent among HIV-positive (24%) than
      HIV-negative men (11%). In a multivariable logistic regression, reported use was
      significantly greater among men in their 40s compared with those in their 50s and
      older (P = 0.002), who were single as opposed to being in an ongoing relationship
      (P = 0.03), who were HIV-positive (P = 0.003), and who reported using other drugs
      for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months (P < 0.001). Socioeconomic status
      and psychosocial variables, such as experiences of discrimination and
      psychological distress, were not significant factors for reported methamphetamine
      use. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Relatively high rates of reported use of
      methamphetamine were found across the country in this online sample of older
      Australian gay men. National approaches to health education strategies may be
      needed, with a focus on high prevalence populations, such as those infected with
      HIV.

PMID- 24219660
TI  - Probing the structural, bonding, and magnetic properties of cobalt coordination
      complexes: co-benzene, co-pyridine, and co-pyrimidine.
AB  - Neutral and anionic Co1,2(benzene)1,2, Co1,2(pyridine)1,2, and
      Co1,2(pyrimidine)1,2 complexes have been investigated within the framework of an
      all-electron gradient-corrected density functional theory. The ground-state
      structures for each size clusters were identified based on the geometry
      optimization. Meanwhile, their electron affinities and vertical detachment
      energies were predicted and compared with the experimental values. By analyzing
      the pattern of highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs), we found that the
      bond formation of these Co-organic complexes mainly arises from the 3d/4s
      electrons of the cobalt atoms and the pi-cloud of the organic molecules. More
      importantly, we presented an approach to map and analyze the Co-organic
      interactions from another perspective. The scatter plots of the reduced density
      gradient (RDG) versus rho allow us to identify the different types of
      interactions, and the maps of the gradient isosurfaces show a rich visualization
      of chemical bond and steric effects. Their magnetic properties were studied by
      determining the spin magnetic moments and visualizing the spin density
      distributions. Finally, the natural population analysis (NPA) charge was
      calculated to achieve a deep insight into the distribution of electron density
      and the reliable charge-transfer information. 

PMID- 24219661
TI  - Programming effects of FTO in the development of obesity.
AB  - It is becoming increasingly recognized that early-life nutritional, metabolic and
      environmental factors can have a long-term impact on the early onset of obesity,
      type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Numerous experimental and
      epidemiological observations support the concept that an individual's response to
      their adult lifestyle and nutritional environment depends not only on their
      genetic susceptibility but also on their previous early-life experiences. The
      current research challenge is to determine the primary pathways contributing to
      'non- or epi-genetic' causes of excess adult weight gain and adiposity. Evidence
      from the fields of genetic epidemiology, life course modelling and diet-induced
      foetal programming all support a role for the FTO gene in this complex biological
      interaction. It may provide a missing link in the developmental regulation of
      energy metabolism. Our review therefore considers the role of the FTO gene in the
      early-life determination of body weight, body composition and energy balance. We
      will summarize current knowledge on FTO biology combining human genetic
      epidemiology, molecular models and findings from animal studies. Notably, we will
      focus on the role of FTO in energy balance in humans, the importance of FTO
      polymorphisms in childhood growth and the impact of foetal nutrition. Ultimately,
      we propose a new hypothesis for future research designed to understand the role
      of FTO in setting gene expression in metabolically active tissues. 

PMID- 24219662
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced autophagy is involved in the restriction of
      Escherichia coli in peritoneal mesothelial cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Host cell autophagy is implicated in the control of intracellular
      pathogen. Escherichia coli (E.coli) is the most common organism caused single
      germ enterobacterial peritonitis during peritoneal dialysis. In this study, we
      investigated autophagy of peritoneal mesothelial cells and its role in defense
      against E.coli. RESULTS: Autophagy in human peritoneal mesothelial cell line
      (HMrSV5) was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a dose-dependent and time
      dependent way, which was demonstrated by increased expression of Beclin-1 and
      light chain 3 (LC3)-II, the accumulation of punctate green fluorescent protein
      LC3, and a higher number of monodansylcadaverine-labeled autophagic vacuoles.
      After incubation of HMrSV5 cells with E.coli following LPS stimulation, both the
      intracellular bactericidal activity and the co-localization of E.coli (K12
      strain) with autophagosomes were enhanced. Conversely, blockade of autophagy with
      3-methyladenine, wortmannin or Beclin-1 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) led to a
      significant reduction in autophagy-associated protein expression, attenuation of
      intracellular bactericidal activity, and reduced co-localization of E.coli with
      monodansylcadaverine-labeled autophagosomes. In addition, treatment of HMrSV5
      cells with LPS caused a dose-dependent and time-dependent increase in Toll-like
      receptor 4 (TLR4) expression. Both knockdown of TLR4 with siRNA and
      pharmacological inhibition of TLR4 with Polymyxin B significantly decreased LPS
      induced autophagy. Furthermore, TLR4 siRNA attenuated remarkably LPS-induced
      intracellular bactericidal activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated for
      the first time that LPS-induced autophagy in peritoneal mesothelial cells could
      enhance the intracellular bactericidal activity and the co-localization of E.coli
      with autophagosomes. The activation of TLR4 signaling was involved in this
      process. These results indicate that LPS-induced autophagy may be a cell
      autonomous defense mechanism triggered in peritoneal mesothelial cells in
      response to E.coli infection.

PMID- 24219665
TI  - Rights and responsibilities.

PMID- 24219673
TI  - Emergency consultants claim workload is unsustainable.

PMID- 24219674
TI  - Community nurses can reduce strain on urgent care staff.

PMID- 24219664
TI  - Epidermal growth factor receptor targeted nuclear delivery and high-resolution
      whole cell X-ray imaging of Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles in cancer cells.
AB  - Sequestration within the cytoplasm often limits the efficacy of therapeutic
      nanoparticles that have specific subcellular targets. To allow for both cellular
      and subcellular nanoparticle delivery, we have created epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR)-targeted Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles that use the native
      intracellular trafficking of EGFR to improve internalization and nuclear
      translocation in EGFR-expressing HeLa cells. While bound to EGFR, these
      nanoparticles do not interfere with the interaction between EGFR and karyopherin
      beta, a protein that is critical for the translocation of ligand-bound EGFR to
      the nucleus. Thus, a portion of the EGFR-targeted nanoparticles taken up by the
      cells also reaches cell nuclei. We were able to track nanoparticle accumulation
      in cells by flow cytometry and nanoparticle subcellular distribution by confocal
      fluorescent microscopy indirectly, using fluorescently labeled nanoparticles.
      More importantly, we imaged and quantified intracellular nanoparticles directly,
      by their elemental signatures, using X-ray fluorescence microscopy at the
      Bionanoprobe, the first instrument of its kind in the world. The Bionanoprobe can
      focus hard X-rays down to a 30 nm spot size to map the positions of chemical
      elements tomographically within whole frozen-hydrated cells. Finally, we show
      that photoactivation of targeted nanoparticles in cell nuclei, dependent on
      successful EGFR nuclear accumulation, induces significantly more double-stranded
      DNA breaks than photoactivation of nanoparticles that remain exclusively in the
      cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24219675
TI  - Departments need right skill mix to cope with demand during winter.

PMID- 24219680
TI  - In pursuit of excellence.

PMID- 24219684
TI  - Caring for patients at high speed.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this article is to explore whether ambulance clinicians in Sweden
      perceive their working environment to be safe. METHOD: Twenty four ambulance
      nurses and nine paramedics at five ambulance stations in urban and rural areas of
      Sweden were interviewed. FINDINGS: After transcripts of the interviews had been
      analysed, nine issues that affect how participants perceive the safety of patient
      care in ambulances emerged: planning before departure; use of safety belts;
      driving at high speeds; patient first, safety second; equipment design and
      placement; noise; driving styles; presence of relatives; documentation.
      CONCLUSION: Ambulance personnel should have greater involvement in the design of
      ambulance care spaces and drivers should be given more regular training.

PMID- 24219685
TI  - Haemorrhage control: lessons from the military.
AB  - Traumatic injuries with haemorrhage are among the leading causes of death in
      military and civilian settings. Following recent combat in Afghanistan and Iraq,
      the UK military has made advances in, for example, first-responder haemorrhage
      control, massive transfusion protocols and equipment, and it is important that
      staff in ED settings study the results. With reference to a case study concerning
      a patient who received a fatal stab wound to his femoral artery, this article
      examines the haemorrhage-control methods adopted by military and civilian
      emergency medical services to determine if any lessons can be learned and applied
      to similar cases. 

PMID- 24219686
TI  - Recognising and managing decompression illness.
AB  - Seen primarily in scuba divers who have breathed compressed air, decompression
      illness is a rare but potentially fatal condition. Prompt recognition and
      treatment of the illness, and urgent referral of patients to hyperbaric chambers,
      can mean the difference between full recovery and paralysis or death. This
      article describes decompression illness and how to recognise it, and discusses
      the treatment that patients require for the best chance of recovery with no
      adverse effects. It also includes a case study of a patient who developed this
      condition after a dive. 

PMID- 24219687
TI  - Ingestion or aspiration of foreign bodies by children.
AB  - Ingestion and aspiration of foreign bodies are common reasons for children
      presenting to emergency departments. A significant proportion of such events are
      often unnoticed by the children's parents or carers. Emergency nurses should
      become suspicious of foreign body ingestion or aspiration if they see symptoms
      such as stridor, gagging, wheeze and difference in air entry on auscultation (
      Hilliard et al 2003 , Paul et al 2010 ). If they suspect airway compromise, or
      bowel problems such as perforation or obstruction, the children concerned should
      be dealt with immediately. Definitive management for foreign body removal is
      generally available at tertiary centres and children should be transferred to
      specialist services as soon as possible after stabilisation ( McConnell 2013 ).
      Before discharge, their parents should be educated about possible signs of
      deterioration and advised about home-safety measures ( Paul and Wilkinson 2012 ).

PMID- 24219688
TI  - Raising standards.

PMID- 24219689
TI  - Low- and high-grade bladder cancer determination via human serum-based
      metabolomics approach.
AB  - To address the shortcomings of urine cytology and cystoscopy for probing and
      grading urinary bladder cancer (BC), we applied (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance
      (NMR) spectroscopy as a surrogate method for the identification of BC. This study
      includes 99 serum samples comprising low-grade (LG; n = 36) and high-grade (HG; n
      = 31) BC as well as healthy controls (HC; n = 32). (1)H NMR-derived serum data
      were analyzed using orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS
      DA). OPLS-DA-derived model validity was confirmed using an internal and external
      cross-validation. Internal validation was performed using the initial samples (n
      = 99) data set. External validation was performed on a new batch of suspected BC
      patients (n = 106) through a double-blind study. Receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also performed. OPLS-DA-derived serum
      metabolomics (six biomarkers, ROC; 0.99) were able to discriminate 95% of BC
      cases with 96% sensitivity and 94% specificity when compared to HC. Likewise
      (three biomarkers, ROC; 0.99), 98% of cases of LG were able to differentiate from
      HG with 97% sensitivity and 99% specificity. External validation reveals
      comparable results to the internal validation. (1)H NMR-based serum metabolic
      screening appears to be a promising and less invasive approach for probing and
      grading BC in contrast to the highly invasive and painful cystoscopic approach
      for BC detection. 

PMID- 24219690
TI  - Genetic variants on 17q21 are associated with ankylosing spondylitis
      susceptibility and severity in a Chinese Han population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test whether orosomucoid like 3 (ORMDL3)
      and 17q21 variants are associated with susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis
      (AS) in a Chinese population. METHOD: A total of 753 unrelated AS patients and
      1120 ethnically matched healthy controls were recruited. Seven single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs: rs7216389, rs12603332, rs12936231, rs9303277, rs11557467,
      rs1007654, and rs17608925), which were selected from chromosome 17q21 containing
      the genes ORMDL3, GSDMB, ZPBP2, and IKZF3, were genotyped by the Taqman SNP
      genotyping assay. RESULTS: Five of the SNPs (rs7216389, rs12603332, rs12936231,
      rs9303277, and rs11557467) were associated with AS (all p <= 0.01), especially in
      males (all p < 0.001). Of these, rs7216389, rs12603332, rs12936231, and
      rs11557467 were strongly associated with severity of the disease based on
      radiographic findings (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed that variants
      in chromosome 17q21 are significantly associated with AS in a Chinese Han
      population.

PMID- 24219691
TI  - Prevalence and Risk Factors for Low Back Pain Among Professional Drivers in Kano,
      Nigeria.
AB  - This study investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of low back pain
      (LBP) among professional drivers in Nigeria. Two hundred male drivers aged 19-64
      years were recruited in the study. Data regarding prevalence, individual risk
      factors, and impact of LBP were obtained. The prevalence rate of LBP was 73.5%,
      and LBP have affected the driving performance of up to 74% drivers. After
      adjustment for age, LBP prevalence was associated with driving for >15 hours/day
      (odds ratio [OR]; 95% confidence interval [CI]): (0.04; 0.01, 0.20), driving car
      (5.52; 1.55, 19.64), and driving bus (10.49; 2.63, 41.82). No association was
      found between LBP prevalence and years spent driving. The study found that high
      prevalence of LBP affected the performance of a substantial percentage of the
      participants.

PMID- 24219692
TI  - Introduction to the special issue on brain event-related potentials as biomarkers
      of language and literacy development, feedback, and intervention.

PMID- 24219693
TI  - Normative topographic ERP analyses of speed of speech processing and grammar
      before and after grammatical treatment.
AB  - Typically developing (TD) preschoolers and age-matched preschoolers with specific
      language impairment (SLI) received event-related potentials (ERPs) to four
      monosyllabic speech sounds prior to treatment and, in the SLI group, after 6
      months of grammatical treatment. Before treatment, the TD group processed speech
      sounds faster than the SLI group. The SLI group increased the speed of their
      speech processing after treatment. Posttreatment speed of speech processing
      predicted later impairment in comprehending phrase elaboration in the SLI group.
      During the treatment phase, change in speed of speech processing predicted growth
      rate of grammar in the SLI group. 

PMID- 24219694
TI  - Adequate versus inadequate response to reading intervention: an event-related
      potentials assessment.
AB  - Three visual event-related potential components to the second of two sequentially
      presented words that rhymed or not discriminated children who improved (AR) from
      those who failed following (IR) reading intervention. Right hemisphere P100
      amplitudes discriminated Typically Developing (TD) children from AR children but
      IR from AR children over left hemisphere sites. N200 amplitudes across
      hemispheres discriminated TD from IR children and AR from IR children. P300
      hemisphere differences differentiated TD from AR and IR children. P300 amplitudes
      discriminated rhyming from non-rhyming words across children. Results extend
      prior work asserting that normalization and compensatory mechanisms are active
      during successful interventions. 

PMID- 24219695
TI  - Auditory event-related potentials measured in kindergarten predict later reading
      problems at school age.
AB  - Identifying children at risk for reading problems or dyslexia at kindergarten age
      could improve support for beginning readers. Brain event-related potentials
      (ERPs) were measured for temporally complex pseudowords and corresponding non
      speech stimuli from 6.5-year-old children who participated in behavioral literacy
      tests again at 9 years in the second grade. Children who had reading problems at
      school age had larger N250 responses to speech and non-speech stimuli
      particularly at the left hemisphere. The brain responses also correlated with
      reading skills. The results suggest that atypical auditory and speech processing
      are a neural-level risk factor for future reading problems. [Supplementary
      material is available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of
      Developmental Neuropsychology for the following free supplemental resources:
      Sound files used in the experiments. Three speech sounds and corresponding non
      speech sounds with short, intermediate, and long gaps]. 

PMID- 24219696
TI  - An electrophysiological study of print processing in kindergarten: the
      contribution of the visual n1 as a predictor of reading outcome.
AB  - Sensitivity to print is characterized by a left occipito-temporal negativity to
      words in the event-related potential N1. This sensitivity is modulated by reading
      skills and may thus represent a neural marker of reading competence. Here we
      studied the development of the N1 in regular and poor readers from preschool age
      to school age to test whether the amplitude of the N1 predicts children's reading
      outcomes. Our results suggest a predictive value of the print-sensitive
      negativity over the right hemisphere. Whether this N1 may serve as a biomarker to
      improve prognosis in preliterate children should be clarified in future studies. 

PMID- 24219697
TI  - A developmental study of the feedback-related negativity from 10-17 years: age
      and sex effects for reward versus non-reward.
AB  - We employed event-related potentials to examine the feedback-related negativity
      (FRN), during a non-learning reward versus non-reward task. We compared 10-12
      year-old, 13-14-year-old, and 15-17-year-old youth (n = 91). Age effects included
      a larger FRN for younger age groups, regardless of feedback type, and a decrease
      in peak latency for feedback, across age groups as a linear trend. Males showed
      larger responses irrespective of feedback type and longer latency for rewarded
      feedback. Source modeling revealed reward/non-reward differences in the anterior
      cingulate cortex (ACC) and orbitofrontal cortex, most strongly in the subgenual
      ACC. Males showed more subgenual ACC activity for feedback overall.

PMID- 24219699
TI  - Queen signaling in social wasps.
AB  - Social Hymenoptera are characterized by a reproductive division of labor, whereby
      queens perform most of the reproduction and workers help to raise her offspring.
      A long-lasting debate is whether queens maintain this reproductive dominance by
      manipulating their daughter workers into remaining sterile (queen control), or if
      instead queens honestly signal their fertility and workers reproduce according to
      their own evolutionary incentives (queen signaling). Here, we test these
      competing hypotheses using data from Vespine wasps. We show that in natural
      colonies of the Saxon wasp, Dolichovespula saxonica, queens emit reliable
      chemical cues of their true fertility and that these putative queen signals
      decrease as the colony develops and worker reproduction increases. Moreover,
      these putative pheromones of D. saxonica show significant conservation with those
      of Vespula vulgaris and other Vespinae, thereby arguing against fast evolution of
      signals as a result of a queen-worker arms race ensuing from queen control.
      Lastly, levels of worker reproduction in these species correspond well with their
      average colony kin structures, as predicted by the queen signaling hypothesis but
      not the queen control hypothesis. Altogether, this correlative yet comprehensive
      analysis provides compelling evidence that honest signaling explains levels of
      reproductive division of labor in social wasps. 

PMID- 24219698
TI  - Genetic mapping of brain plasticity across development in Williams syndrome: ERP
      markers of face and language processing.
AB  - In Williams Syndrome (WS), a known genetic deletion results in atypical brain
      function with strengths in face and language processing. We examined how genetic
      influences on brain activity change with development. In three studies, event
      related potentials (ERPs) from large samples of children, adolescents, and adults
      with the full genetic deletion for WS were compared to typically developing
      controls, and two adults with partial deletions for WS. Studies 1 and 2
      identified ERP markers of brain plasticity in WS across development. Study 3
      suggested that, in adults with partial deletions for WS, specific genes may be
      differentially implicated in face and language processing. 

PMID- 24219700
TI  - Development and validation of the eating loss of control scale.
AB  - Recurrent objective bulimic episodes (OBE) are a defining diagnostic
      characteristic of binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN). OBEs are
      characterized by experiencing loss of control (LOC) while eating an unusually
      large quantity of food. Despite nosological importance and complex heterogeneity
      across patients, measurement of LOC has been assessed dichotomously
      (present/absent). This study describes the development and initial validation of
      the Eating Loss of Control Scale (ELOCS), a self-report questionnaire that
      examines the complexity of the LOC construct. Participants were 168 obese
      treatment-seeking individuals with BED who completed the Eating Disorder
      Examination interview and self-report measures. Participants rated their LOC
      related feelings or behaviors on continuous Likert-type scales and reported the
      number of LOC episodes in the past 28 days. Principal component analysis
      identified a single-factor, 18-item scale, which demonstrated good internal
      reliability (alpha = .90). Frequency of LOC episodes was significantly correlated
      with frequency of OBEs and subjective bulimic episodes. The ELOCS demonstrated
      good convergent validity and was significantly correlated with greater eating
      pathology, greater emotion dysregulation, greater depression, and lower self
      control but not with body mass index. The findings suggest that the ELOCS is a
      valid self-report questionnaire that may provide important clinical information
      regarding experiences of LOC in obese persons with BED. Future research should
      examine the ELOCS in other eating disorders and nonclinical samples.

PMID- 24219702
TI  - Invalid survey response patterns among middle school students.
AB  - Student surveys are widely used to assess student risk behavior, bullying, and
      school climate in middle schools; however, because such surveys are usually
      conducted on an anonymous basis, little is known about the validity of student
      reports using external, independent criteria. This longitudinal study examined
      the response patterns of 382 middle school students who completed confidential
      (not anonymous) self-report surveys each fall and spring for 3 years of middle
      school (Grades 6-8). Approximately 10% of students in each wave indicated on
      validity screening questions that they were either not telling the truth or not
      paying attention (termed invalid responders). A repeated measures latent class
      analysis found that students could be classified into a large group (64%) that
      was never flagged by the validity questions and a smaller group (36%) that
      occasionally reported not telling the truth or not paying attention. Hierarchical
      linear modeling analyses found that invalid responding to validity questions was
      associated with higher self-reported rates of risk behavior and more negative
      perceptions of school climate. Based on independent criteria from school records,
      invalid responding students were more likely to be referred for disciplinary
      infractions than other students. This study provides new information about
      student survey validity and appears to be the first to identify characteristics
      of students who generate invalid response patterns.

PMID- 24219701
TI  - Measuring parent perceptions of school climate.
AB  - Parents' attitudes about their children's schools matter. Their views can shape
      their children's attitudes about school, affect their levels of family-school
      engagement, and influence their residential and school enrollment decisions. In
      this article, we describe the development of a survey scale to assess parent
      perceptions of the climate of their child's school. Our comprehensive scale
      development process incorporated feedback from academics and potential
      respondents from the outset of the design process to enhance scale quality. We
      conducted 3 studies with national samples of parents (n = 385; n = 253; n = 266)
      to gather evidence of scale score reliability and valid score inferences based on
      convergent and discriminant validity. Through confirmatory factor analysis, we
      identified a theoretically grounded factor structure that fit the data well but
      found no evidence that parental response patterns distinguish between academic
      and social elements of school climate. Furthermore, we found that parents of
      younger children, on average, had a more positive perception of the school's
      climate than did parents of older children. We conclude by discussing how
      researchers and Pre-K-12 schools and districts can use the scale to aid school
      improvement efforts.

PMID- 24219703
TI  - Sadism in sexual offenders: evidence for dimensionality.
AB  - Recurrent and intense sexual fantasies and urges that circle around the
      infliction of pain or humiliation on another human being may predispose
      individuals toward acts of sexual aggression against nonconsenting victims.
      Consequently, sexual sadism is a paraphilia with particular relevance for
      forensic psychology and psychiatry. Using behavioral indicators derived from
      crime scene actions as well as clinical data, we sought in the present study to
      identify the latent structure of the disorder. We analyzed data from a national
      sample of male sexual offenders from Austria (N = 1,020). In addition to latent
      profile analysis, 3 conceptually different taxometric methods were applied. The
      results of the analyses were more in accordance with a dimensional interpretation
      than with a categorical distinction. That is, sadistic conduct in sexual offenses
      is likely an extreme form of coercion, but not a qualitatively different entity.
      The implications with respect to the current debate on the diagnostic criteria
      for sadism are discussed.

PMID- 24219704
TI  - Impact of micromeritic properties of an active pharmaceutical ingredient on its
      compaction behavior.
AB  - Physical characteristics of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) can have a
      significant impact on the processability of a high drug loading formulation. This
      paper provides an example where different micromeritic properties of an API were
      obtained by crystallization under different conditions, resulting in different
      tableting behavior. While the API form purity was maintained during the
      crystallization process change, significant changes were incurred in the surface
      geometry, porosity and surface area of the API. The batches consisting of
      particles with greater surface irregularity and porosity gave tablets of higher
      mechanical strength.

PMID- 24219705
TI  - VacA, the vacuolating cytotoxin of Helicobacter pylori, binds to multimerin 1 on
      human platelets.
AB  - Platelets were activated under the infection with H. pylori in human and mice. We
      investigated the role of VacA, an exotoxin released by H. pylori in this context.
      Acid-activated VacA, but not heated VacA, induced platelet CD62P expression.
      However, VacA reacted with none of the alleged VacA receptors present on platelet
      membranes. We therefore analyzed VacA associated proteins obtained through VacA
      affinity chromatography, using MALDI-TOF-MS. Multimerin1 was detected in two
      consecutive experiments, as the binding protein for VacA. Plasmon resonance
      confirmed their binding, and dot blot analysis revealed that the peptide sequence
      AA 321-340 of multimerin 1 is the binding site for VacA. In conclusion, we
      propose a new interaction between multimerin1 and VacA , which may give another
      insight into H. pylori-induced platelet activations under H. pylori infection. 

PMID- 24219706
TI  - An extended study of seroprevalence of anti-Anisakis simplex IgE antibodies in
      Norwegian blood donors.
AB  - During the last decade, cases of the fish parasite Anisakis simplex infection and
      allergy in human have increased in countries with high fish consumption. Our aim
      was to perform an extended seroprevalence study of anti-IgE antibodies against
      this parasite in Norway, one of the high fish-consuming countries. At the
      Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine and the Laboratory of Clinical
      Biochemistry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, two main groups of
      anonymized serum samples were collected; the first (n = 993) from recently
      recruited blood donors (designated 'BDO') and the second (n = 414) from patient
      with total IgE levels >=1000 kU/l (designated 'IGE+'). The sera were analysed by
      the ImmunoCAP((r)) method for total IgE and IgE antibodies against A. simplex,
      house dust mite (HDM), shrimp, cod, crab, brine shrimp and shrimp tropomyosin.
      The A. simplex positive sera were further tested by an enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, which uses 2 recombinant (r) major allergens,
      rAni s 1 and rAni s 7 as target antigens. SDS-PAGE and Western immunoblotting
      analyses were also performed. Whereas the prevalences by ImmunoCAP((r)) were 0.4%
      and 16.2% in the BDO and IGE+ groups, respectively, analyses with recombinant
      allergens showed only 0.0% and 0.2%. Cross-reactivity and immunoblotting analyses
      suggested that most of the ImmunoCAP((r)) positive sera were probably false
      positive due to cross-sensitization to shrimp and HDM. However, positivity due to
      other A. simplex antigens should also be considered. Compared with other high
      fish-consuming countries, we observed a very low seroprevalence of anti-Anisakis
      IgE antibodies in a Norwegian population.

PMID- 24219708
TI  - Our last issue.

PMID- 24219709
TI  - The definition, aetiology, presentation, diagnosis and management of previous
      caesarean scar defects.
AB  - Caesarean sections are the most commonly performed surgical procedures involving
      the uterus in fertile women. Typically, this surgery involves a transverse
      incision in the anterior lower uterine segment. The incidence of caesarean
      sections is on the increase worldwide, and consequently, the complications
      associated with them are becoming more common. One such complication that is
      gaining more attention is previous lower uterine segment caesarean scar defect
      (PCSD). In this review, we sought to explore the definition, aetiology,
      presentation, diagnosis and management of PCSD. 

PMID- 24219707
TI  - Distribution of interferon lambda-3 gene polymorphisms in Australian patients
      with previously untreated genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C: Analysis from the
      PREDICT and CHARIOT studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of
      interferon lambda-3 (IFN-lambda3) gene polymorphisms in previously untreated
      Australian patients with genotype 1 (Gt1) chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and to
      compare the IFN-lambda3 genotype frequency among the different ethnic
      populations. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study
      undertaken by the Australian Liver Association Clinical Research Network.
      Eligible subjects had Gt1 CHC and were being considered for and/or undergoing
      treatment. IFN-lambda3 single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped by the
      Applied Biosystems's Taqman single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay.
      RESULTS: Between May 2012 and June 2012, 1132 patients were recruited from 38
      treatment clinics across Australia. Also, 561 subjects from the CHARIOT
      (collaborative group hepatitis C study using high dose Pegasys RBV Induction dose
      in genotype one) study of high-dose interferon who had baseline serum available
      were retrospectively tested. The overall frequency of IFN-lambda3 rs12979860
      CC/CT/TT genotypes was 36%, 52%, and 12%, and that of rs8099917 TT/TG/GG
      genotypes was 54%, 41%, and 5%, respectively. The prevalence of the favorable IFN
      lambda3 rs12979860 CC and rs8099917 TT genotypes in Causcasians, Asians,
      Aboriginals, Maori/Pacific Islanders, and Mediterraneans was 32% and 52%, 80% and
      86%, 33% and 63%, 77% and 88%, and 19% and 29%, respectively. Compared with
      Caucasians, the frequency of IFN-lambda3 CC was significantly higher among Asians
      (P < 0.0001) and Maori/Pacific Islander subjects (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The
      distribution of IFN-lambda3 polymorphisms among untreated patients with Gt1 CHC
      in Australia appears similar to that reported from North America. The frequency
      of the favorable response alleles varies considerably according to ethnicity,
      being more common in self-reported Asians and Maori/Pacific Islanders than
      Caucasians, Aboriginals, and Mediterraneans.

PMID- 24219710
TI  - Amnioreduction in a singleton pregnancy: a systematic review.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of adverse events following
      amnioreduction in a singleton pregnancy. A systematic review was conducted.
      Literature was identified by searching two bibliographical databases between 1991
      and 2011, without language restrictions. The data extracted and overall rates and
      confidence intervals for each adverse event were calculated. Four studies met the
      selection criteria for systematic review. The rate of symptom relief in one study
      was 100%. Because of the small numbers and wide confidence intervals, an exact
      quantification of risk of adverse events cannot be determined. 

PMID- 24219711
TI  - Infection and antibiotics in the aetiology, prediction and prevention of preterm
      birth.
AB  - Spontaneous preterm labour and delivery is a syndrome comprising diverse
      pathological pathways that result in labour and delivery before term. It is
      recognised that multiple pathological processes are involved, and infection has
      been well studied and firmly established as a cause. Although the molecular
      mechanisms responsible for this process have been identified, there is a lack of
      consensus about effective antibiotic intervention. Systematic reviews of the few
      well conducted studies suggest that antibiotics active against bacterial
      vaginosis or related organisms (clindamycin) given to appropriate women (those
      with objective evidence of abnormal genital tract flora), and used early in
      pregnancy (< 22 completed weeks of gestation) before irreversible inflammatory
      damage occurs, can reduce the rate of preterm birth. There is a need for well
      constructed trials to understand the vaginal microbiome and how the different
      types of maternal immune response influences outcome. 

PMID- 24219712
TI  - Myoinositol: a new marker of intrauterine growth restriction?
AB  - Inositol is a cyclic sugar alcohol which occurs naturally in a variety of
      stereoisomers, the most common of which is myo-inositol. Inositol phosphoglycan
      molecules have been isolated from mammalian tissues and are a major component of
      the intracellular mediators of insulin action. The fetus with intrauterine growth
      retardation (IUGR) activates a series of adaptive mechanisms to increase the
      chances for survival, such as a saving of glucose to ensure nutrition of the
      vital organs, with a consequent reduction in insulin secretion. It can be
      hypothesized that the reduced production of fetal insulin leads to an excretion
      of inositol from the intracellular to the extracellular compartment, with a
      consequent increase of the metabolite in plasma and urine and a decrease inside
      the cells. Recently, reports suggesting that the increase in extracellular myo
      inositol may be a valid marker of an altered glucose metabolism during fetal
      development in IUGR have been published. 

PMID- 24219713
TI  - Instrumental vaginal delivery--back to basics.
AB  - Assisted vaginal delivery using forceps or a vacuum extractor is an essential
      part of obstetric practice. Operative vaginal delivery rates in the UK have
      remained stable between 10% and 15%, yielding safe and satisfactory outcomes for
      the majority of mothers and their babies. However, there has been an increase in
      medico-legal cases due to an increasing awareness of the potential morbidity for
      both the mother and the baby. There are many factors that can play a part in both
      the maternal and fetal complications resulting from instrumental deliveries. The
      aim of this educational review is to address these factors and identify measures
      to reduce them by adherence to the basics and relevant evidence. 

PMID- 24219714
TI  - Fetal airway management on placental support: limitations and ethical
      considerations in seven cases.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the paediatric and maternal outcome after
      ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT). A retrospective review was carried out of
      the medical charts (gestational age, circumstances of diagnosis,
      multidisciplinary prenatal decision, date of surgery, paediatric and maternal
      outcome) of all the fetuses eligible for/delivered via the EXIT procedure in our
      paediatrics and obstetrics tertiary care and teaching centre, between October
      2004 and May 2011. Seven fetuses with cervical teratoma, epignathus tumour or
      congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) were included in our study.
      Two pregnancies were terminated and five fetuses were delivered alive. The airway
      was secured in all five cases (two endotracheal intubations and three
      tracheostomies). No maternal complications were observed. On average, babies were
      delivered at 32 gestational weeks, and spent 31 days in the intensive care unit.
      All but one baby were ventilated for 18 days. Long-term paediatric outcome was
      favourable. It is concluded that airway management by the EXIT procedure has
      become an efficient technique. A multidisciplinary prenatal assessment is
      essential in order to select appropriate cases. 

PMID- 24219715
TI  - Trends in obstetric research.
AB  - Never before have opportunities for research in reproductive sciences been so
      great and never before have relative resources been so limited. The challenge is
      to increase research studies as they form an integral part of good medicine. It
      has been suggested that the amount of obstetric medical research in the UK is
      declining, a major cause for concern, given the scale of morbidity caused by
      obstetrics disorders. The British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society hold an
      annual congress with publication of all abstracts in the Journal of Obstetrics
      and Gynaecology. This study reviewed abstracts from 1997 to 2007 and categorised
      the research methodology, serving as a reasonable proxy for the volume of
      clinical investigation in UK obstetrics. Research studies requiring ethical
      approval dropped from 30% to 15% of the total in a decade. These figures
      prognosticate the future of research upon which many advances in medical care
      depend. 

PMID- 24219716
TI  - Targeted obstetric haemorrhage programme improves incoming resident confidence
      and knowledge.
AB  - Postpartum haemorrhage is an infrequent but potentially life-threatening
      obstetrical emergency amenable to simulation. An educational programme consisting
      of a lecture and high-fidelity simulation exercise was given to incoming
      obstetrics and gynaecology (OB) and family medicine (FM) residents. Residents
      reported pre- and post-intervention confidence scores on a 1-5 Likert scale and a
      subset completed a postpartum haemorrhage knowledge assessment. Residents
      reported significant improvements in confidence in parameters involved in
      diagnosis and management of postpartum haemorrhage. The postpartum haemorrhage
      test mean scores significantly increased (57.4 +/- 9.6% vs 77.1 +/- 7.9%, p <
      0.01) and were significantly correlated to confidence scores (Spearman's
      coefficient of 0.651, p < 0.001). In conclusion, an education programme that
      incorporates high-fidelity simulation of postpartum haemorrhage improves the
      confidence and knowledge of incoming residents and appears to be an effective
      educational approach. 

PMID- 24219717
TI  - Obstetric consultant weekend on-call shift patterns have no effect on the
      management of spontaneous labour in a large maternity hospital.
AB  - Recent reports observe poorer healthcare outcomes during the weekend. Many
      attribute this weekend effect to a reduced consultant presence. This study
      evaluates differences in labour management on weekends vs weekdays. A total of
      20,187 deliveries, all resulting from spontaneous labour, in the same large U.K.
      maternity hospital were examined. Labour management was analysed both for the
      department as a whole, and separately for each consultant, for differences in
      weekend and weekday practice. Results showed no statistically significant results
      of a difference in any of the measures analysed. On a weekend, deliveries were no
      more likely to be vaginal, p = 0.485, assisted, p = 0.771 or by caesarean
      section, p = 0.526. There was also no difference between individual consultants.
      It was concluded that for spontaneous labour, there is no difference in patient
      management on weekends vs weekdays, either in the department as a whole, or
      between individual consultants in our study.

PMID- 24219718
TI  - Increased incidence of placenta praevia and accreta with previous caesareans--a
      hypothesis for causation.
AB  - With the increasing numbers of caesareans, long-term complications, such as
      anterior placenta praevia-accreta are becoming important. Two case reports are
      presented here, leading to a hypothesis that the increasing incidence of anterior
      placenta praevia after prior caesareans may be a result of excessive differential
      development of the lower uterine segment. This could result from marked
      stretching of a poorly-healed myometrial area by the developing placenta. This
      would explain the lower incidence of 'apparent' migration of low placenta, as
      well as the higher likelihood of morbid adhesion. Although different operative
      techniques do not have a significant effect on short-term outcomes of caesareans,
      they are likely to impact the long-term complications. In the absence of long
      term studies and good quality evidence, theoretical and logical analysis suggests
      that adherence to good surgical techniques, such as gentle tissue handling,
      haemostasis, good myometrial approximation without compromising blood supply and
      restoration of normal anatomy, may reduce long-term complications. 

PMID- 24219719
TI  - Comparison of scar thickness measurements using trans-vaginal sonography and MRI
      in cases of pregnancy with previous caesarean section. Do they correlate with
      actual scar thickness?
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate scar thickness in cases of pregnancy with
      previous caesarean section, by trans-vaginal sonography (TVS) and magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI), and to correlate precision of radiologically-measured
      scar thickness with actual measurement of scar thickness. A total of 35 pregnant
      patients with previous caesarean section planned for elective caesarean section,
      were evaluated prospectively. Their scar thickness was measured by TVS and MRI on
      the day of elective repeat caesarean section. These measurements were correlated
      with each other and with scar thickness measured during elective repeat caesarean
      section by using a caliper. The correlation coefficients between scar thickness
      measured by TVS and MRI with peroperative evaluation with a caliper, were +0.72
      and +0.59, respectively. The study concluded that as MRI is a costlier modality
      and TVS has better correlation coefficient with actual scar thickness, TVS can be
      considered to be the better modality for antenatal scar thickness measurement. 

PMID- 24219720
TI  - Listeria awareness among recently delivered mothers.
AB  - The level of knowledge of Listeria among mothers in Ireland is unknown. This
      prospective questionnaire study aims to evaluate the level of knowledge of
      recently delivered mothers regarding Listeria infection and its potential
      prevention. A response rate of 98% was achieved. A total of 271 (43.9%) mothers
      had heard about Listeria infection but only 187 (30.3%) knew that it was a food
      borne pathogen. In total, 83 (13.5%) mothers recalled being told about Listeria
      infection by a midwife or doctor and 33 (5.3%) recalled receiving written
      information. A total of 224 (36.3%) of mothers were aware of the increased risk
      of listeriosis during pregnancy, while 250 (40.5%) knew the potential
      complications to the unborn fetus. A grand total of 505 (81.8%) mothers knew that
      they should avoid certain high-risk foods during pregnancy but 342 (55.4%)
      admitted to having consumed high-risk foods during their pregnancy. In
      conclusion, mothers' knowledge about listeriosis and its prevention was limited.
      Many mothers ate high-risk food during pregnancy. Antenatal advice regarding
      Listeria prevention needs to be improved. 

PMID- 24219721
TI  - Hepatic portal vein flow and three dimensional indices of hepatic perfusion in
      pre-eclampsia compared with normal pregnancy.
AB  - It has been suggested that the origins of pre-eclampsia arise from the maternal
      venous system dysfunction. This study aimed to test this hypothesis by assessing
      hepatic perfusion in pre-eclampsia using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. The
      hepatic portal vein flow in 12 women with normal pregnancy and 11 women with pre
      eclampsia was measured using standard Doppler ultrasound. The 3D indices of
      hepatic perfusion: flow index (FI), vascular index (VI) and vascularisation flow
      index (VFI), which are believed to reflect vascularity and flow intensity were
      also measured. Because of small numbers, a non-parametric test was used to test
      differences between groups. Hepatic portal vein flow was no different between
      women with normal pregnancy compared with women with pre-eclampsia (228.1 (215.5
      270.6) vs. 283.0 (145.9-344.6); p = 0.90). The 3D indices of hepatic perfusion
      were as follows (FI: 36.3(30.7-42.5) vs. 39.7 (27.7-44.2), p = 1.00; VI: 11.7
      (3.6-21.2) vs. 3.0 (0.5-7.6), p = 0.04; VFI: 4.7 (1.2-8.3) vs. 1.2 (0.1-3.2), p =
      0.06, respectively). This study was not able to support or refute the suggestion
      that the genesis of pre-eclampsia arises from the maternal venous circulation.
      There may be biological differences in the 3D indices of hepatic perfusion in
      women with pre-eclampsia compared with normal pregnant women.

PMID- 24219722
TI  - Robotic-assisted prophylactic transabdominal cervical cerclage in singleton
      pregnancies.

PMID- 24219723
TI  - Twin's sex and risk of pre-term birth.
AB  - Male sex is a risk factor for pre-term birth (PTB) among singleton pregnancies;
      however, in twin pregnancies, the effect of sex on PTB is not yet clear. The aim
      of this study was to evaluate the effect of twin's sex on risk of PTB. During
      this analytical cross-sectional study, we evaluated the effect of twin's sex,
      chorionicity and other factors on risk of PTB in 676 pregnant women in a
      university hospital in Tehran, Iran. Existence of male gender in pregnancy was a
      risk factor for PTB. Comparing same sex twins together, male-male gender was a
      risk factor for PTB (OR = 1.67 (1.19-2.34), p = 0.002), early PTB (OR = 1.18
      (1.04-1.34), p = 0.01) and very early PTB (OR = 1.06 (1-1.13), p = 0.04).
      Monoamnion twins were at higher risk for early PTB (OR = 1.44 (1.08-1.92), p =
      0.02), and very early PTB (OR = 1.95 (1.1-3.44), p = 0.03) but the risk did not
      increase in monochorion twins. History of abortion was also shown to be a risk
      factor (p < 0.05). Maternal age, multiparity, body mass index (BMI) and assisted
      reproductive techniques (ART) did not reach the significance levels to be
      considered as risk factors. 

PMID- 24219724
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidies: experience at a mainland
      Chinese hospital.
AB  - The aim of this study is to assess the initial indications, frequency and
      termination rates of pregnancies with sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs), at a
      mainland Chinese hospital. A total of 56 cases (0.9%) with SCAs were identified
      in 6,515 pregnancies referred for fetal karyotyping. Turner syndrome was the most
      commonly diagnosed SCA in prenatal diagnosis (48.2%). The most common referral
      reason for pregnancies with Turner syndrome was cystic hygroma on
      ultrasonography. The main reasons for fetal karyotyping in other types of SCAs
      were a positive prenatal screening test and advanced maternal age. A total of 47
      (84%) of the pregnancies with SCAs were terminated and nine (16%) continued. This
      study first reported the rate of SCAs detected at prenatal diagnosis and the
      outcomes of these pregnancies in mainland China, and showed a very high
      termination rate for pregnancies with SCAs. 

PMID- 24219725
TI  - The effect of a Foley catheter balloon on cervical ripening.
AB  - The Foley catheter balloon may affect cervical ripening through changes in
      biochemical mediators by immunoassay and immunohistochemistry, when it is used
      for pre-induction cervical ripening. The aim of the study was to evaluate the
      changes in the biochemical mediators from the extra-amniotic space and
      immunohistochemistry in ripened cervical tissue after the insertion of a Foley
      catheter balloon (FCB) for pre-induction cervical ripening. A total of 18
      pregnant women with a Bishop's score < 6, who were undergoing labour induction,
      were evaluated in this prospective study. The FCB was irrigated with 10 ml of
      phosphate buffered saline and the irrigant was collected 0, 2, 4 and 8 h after
      placement of the FCB or until spontaneous expulsion of the FCB occurred. Irrigant
      specimens were also collected from 10 spontaneous labouring (SL) women in the
      active phase of labour. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, matrix
      metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and NO were measured. Cervical specimens were obtained
      from 12 women, including four undergoing induction; four SL and four non-pregnant
      (NP) women. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to localise hyaluronic
      acid synthase (HAS)-1, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-8, endothelial nitric oxide synthase
      (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS). Results showed that the levels of IL-6, IL-8,
      and MMP-8 significantly increased over time in FCB group (p < 0.01). In the
      immunohistochemical analysis of cervical tissues, immunoreactivity of HAS-1 in
      the after FCB group was stronger than any of the other groups. The protein
      expressions of IL-6, IL-8, MMP-8, eNOS and iNOS were more prominent in the after
      FCB and SL groups than in the NP and the before FCB groups. iNOS was only
      observed in the after FCB and SL groups. It was concluded that FCB may affect
      cervical ripening through changes in biochemical mediators by immunoassay and
      immunohistochemistry, when it is used for pre-induction cervical ripening. 

PMID- 24219726
TI  - Patient awareness and acceptability of antenatal perineal massage.
AB  - Antenatal perineal massage is recommended to reduce perineal trauma at the time
      of delivery. The practice has been shown to be acceptable to pregnant women
      taking part in research studies. The aim of this study was to establish its
      acceptability to pregnant women in day-to-day clinical practice, as well as their
      awareness of its technique. An anonymous self-construct questionnaire was given
      to mothers after their first delivery. A total of 113 questionnaires were
      returned over a 4-month period. With regard to acceptability, 61.4% of
      respondents indicated that the practice was acceptable, only 25.7% felt the
      practice was embarrassing and 56.7% were happy for their husband/partner to
      perform it for them. With respect to awareness, 37.2% of the respondents had
      heard about the practice, 9.7% knew it should be practised from 34 weeks onwards,
      11.5% knew it should be maintained for 5-10 min and 30.1% knew it ought to be
      performed daily. This showed first time mothers' awareness of antenatal perineal
      massage to be low, despite the idea being acceptable to them, which calls for
      action to improve awareness and provide more instruction and encouragement to
      take up the practice. 

PMID- 24219727
TI  - Trends in obstetric anal sphincter injuries over 10 years.
AB  - Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) is a known complication of vaginal
      delivery and has significant public health issues, as it can cause both short-
      and long-term morbidity in women. The most commonly reported complications
      include different grades of faecal/flatus incontinence, pain and sexual
      dysfunction. In our study, we found a rising trend in OASIS rates in vaginal
      deliveries, with the rising rate of forceps and the falling rate of SVD, which is
      at least partly due to increased awareness and training in OASIS. However, there
      is an actual increase in the number of such tears at vaginal deliveries.
      Midwifery and obstetric practices have certainly changed over the last decade and
      we discuss the possible factors, which might be contributing to such a rise. 

PMID- 24219728
TI  - Candida vaginitis during contraceptive use: the influence of methods, antifungal
      susceptibility and virulence patterns.
AB  - No consensus exists about whether contraceptives cause an increased risk of
      vaginitis, including vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC). We investigated 495 women
      (252 who used contraceptives; 243 who did not) for the presence of VVC.
      Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed for five antifungal agents and
      for boric acid, and three virulence factors were also examined. We recovered 129
      (26.1%) monofungal populations from vaginal samples of women with acute VVC
      (AVVC, n = 18), symptomatic recurrent VVC (RVVC, n = 22) and asymptomatic RVVC (n
      = 28), as well as of other contraceptive users who carried Candida in their
      vaginas (n = 61). It is important to note that the women who had VVC used the
      same contraceptive methods (p > 0.05). Candida albicans was the most common
      species isolated (45%), followed by C. glabrata (40.3%). Most of the vaginal
      yeast isolates exhibited low minimum inhibitory concentration levels for the five
      antifungals tested. However, this was not the case for boric acid. In addition,
      the yeast fungi that was derived from the AVVC and RVVC patients showed higher
      amounts of haemolytic activity than the yeast fungi found among the controls (p <
      0.05). The use of contraception does not predispose women to VVC (p > 0.05).
      Also, both host- and organism-related factors were required to achieve optimal
      clinical treatment for VVC. 

PMID- 24219729
TI  - Can anti-Mullerian hormone be predictive of spontaneous onset of pregnancy in
      women with unexplained infertility?
AB  - The objective of the study was to assess anti-Mullerian hormone's (AMH) role in
      predicting spontaneous onset of pregnancy. This observational cohort study
      included 83 women with unexplained infertility and normal or low ovarian reserve.
      Serum AMH, FSH, LH, 17beta-oestradiol, inhibin B levels were measured and the
      number of early antral follicles (2-9 mm) was evaluated on days 2-5 of the cycle.
      Spearman's correlation was used for comparison of strength of correlation. The
      diagnostic power of AMH in predicting spontaneous pregnancy was evaluated by
      receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Markers of ovarian reserve in
      pregnant women and women without pregnancy were similar. In the entire study
      population, any markers (AMH, FSH, AFC, age), correlated with each other, but no
      marker was correlated with pregnancy. The area under the ROC curve for AMH
      reached a value of 0.385 +/- 0.07 (0.25-0.52, 95% confidence interval, CI); for
      FSH 0.415 +/- 0.08 (0.25-0.58, 95% CI); for AFC 0.418 +/- 0.08 (0.26-0.57, 95%
      CI), for age 0.496 +/- 0.08 (0.34-0.65, 95% CI). The study did not find a
      predictive role for AMH in predicting spontaneous onset of pregnancy. Even when
      AMH levels are very low, a spontaneous pregnancy may still occur. 

PMID- 24219730
TI  - Relationship of thyroid hormone levels and thyroid autoantibodies with early
      pregnancy loss and infertility.
AB  - Prevalence of abnormalities in thyroid hormones and thyroid autoantibodies in
      patients with a history of early pregnancy loss (EPL) (n = 17) and unexplained
      infertility (UI) (n = 25), were compared with that of 45 control patients. TSH,
      antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and antithyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibody levels
      in UI and EPL groups were similar to that of the control group. TSH was normal in
      39, 22 and 13 of control, UI and EPL patients, respectively. Among patients with
      a normal TSH, fT4 was higher (p < 0.001) and fT3 was lower (p < 0.001) in
      infertile patients when compared with the control group. Thyroid function tests
      seem to be associated with infertility but their association with EPL is weaker.
      Infertility seems to be associated with a high fT4 and low fT3 status. Thyroid
      autoantibodies do not seem to be associated with either infertility or EPL. 

PMID- 24219731
TI  - Risk factors for rape re-victimisation: a retrospective analysis.
AB  - Sexual re-victimisation refers to a pattern in which the sexual assault victim
      has an increased risk of subsequent victimisation relative to an individual who
      was never victimised. The purpose of our study was to identify risks factors for
      a second rape, the severest form of sexual re-victimisation. All rape victims
      treated at the First Regional Israeli Center for Sexual Assault Victims between
      October 2000 and July 2010 were included in this retrospective analysis. We
      compared characteristics of 53 rape victims who were victimised twice to those of
      1,939 rape victims who were victimised once. We identified several risk factors
      for a second rape, which can be used in prevention programmes. These are:
      psychiatric background, history of social services involvement, adulthood, non
      virginity and minority ethnicity. 

PMID- 24219732
TI  - NT-proBNP levels in premenopausal women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and/or
      obesity.
AB  - According to some studies, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients have an
      increased risk for diabetes mellitus and often show an adverse cardiovascular
      risk profile. NT-proBNP was shown to have a high predictive value regarding
      cardiovascular events, especially in those without overt cardiovascular disease.
      The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of NT-proBNP in 70 women with
      PCOS and/or obesity in relation to other classical cardiovascular risk factors.
      There was no statistical difference between NT-proBNP levels between obese, lean
      PCOS and obese PCOS patients; between patients with or without metabolic
      syndrome; or between patients with different cardiovascular risk, according to
      The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society consensus. NT-proBNP does not show
      significant correlation to age, weight, BMI, WHR, WSR, systolic or diastolic
      blood pressure and results from oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), except for
      immunoreactive insulin (IRI) at 120 min. NT-proBNP correlates weakly with HDL,
      but not with other indices of lipid metabolism. 

PMID- 24219733
TI  - The effect of age on pressure flow parameters in women with lower urinary tract
      symptoms.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate changes in voiding with age in women with different
      urodynamic diagnoses. Correlation was used to analyse the association between age
      and voiding parameters (maximum flow rate, voided volume, flow rate centile and
      maximum detrusor pressure - PdetMax) in 896 datasets. Multivariate analysis was
      used to analyse the data further by age group and diagnosis - urodynamic stress
      incontinence (USI); detrusor overactivity (DO); mixed USI and DO; no urodynamic
      abnormality. Results showed that diagnosis accounts for a significant amount of
      variation in all four of the dependent variables Age group shows a significant
      effect on voiding volume but does not show significant effects on any other
      variable studied. There is no significant interaction term in any of the
      analyses, meaning that age and diagnosis do not appear to function together, e.g.
      age does not relate to flow rate centile, maximum flow rate or PdetQMax. It was
      concluded that the data suggest that there is no significant change in voiding
      function related to age. In the elderly, the main alteration in voiding is due to
      a higher prevalence of DO. 

PMID- 24219734
TI  - Ets-1 regulates its target genes mainly by DNA methylation in human ovarian
      cancer.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological cancer worldwide, and its
      molecular mechanism has not been completely understood. Ets-1 is a member of the
      Ets transcription family and can play important roles in the regulation of
      extracellular matrix remodelling, invasion, angiogenesis and drug resistance in
      several malignancies, including ovarian cancer. In the current study, we
      downloaded two datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus database and sought to
      explore the regulation mechanism of Ets-1 in ovarian cancer by computational
      analysis of gene expression profiles. Microarray analysis identified a total of
      548 genes that were regulated by Ets-1 in ovarian cancer. Functional annotation
      of these genes revealed that Ets-1 may be involved in several biological
      processes, both physiological and pathological, such as system development,
      response to stimulus, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production,
      morphogenesis, cell proliferation, cell adhesion and signal transduction.
      Further, DNA methylation analysis of the DEGs found that 26.5% (145) of them were
      differentially methylated genes in ovarian cancer. Our results provide insight
      into the mechanism of Ets-1 regulating the transcription of its target genes in
      the complex and multistep process of ovarian cancer progression. 

PMID- 24219735
TI  - Early-stage cervical carcinoma: the role of multidetector CT in correlation with
      histopathological findings.
AB  - The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the diagnostic
      performance of multidetector CT (MDCT) in staging patients with surgical
      pathological proven early-stage cervical carcinoma. A total of 22 women were
      referred for preoperative staging by MDCT, on a 16-row CT scanner. The protocol
      included scanning of the abdomen during the portal phase using a detector
      collimation of 16 * 0.75 mm and a pitch of 1.2. The evaluated parameters were:
      tumour detection, tumour maximal diameter, tumour extension to the uterine body
      and/or the vagina, parametrial invasion and presence of pelvic lymph node
      metastases. CT stage was assigned for each cervical carcinoma. The surgical
      pathological stage was assigned on the basis of the operative findings and the
      histology report. The overall accuracy of MDCT in detecting and staging primary
      cervical carcinoma was 86% and 86%, respectively. Our results showed good
      diagnostic performance of MDCT in the detection and local staging of early-stage
      cervical carcinoma. 

PMID- 24219736
TI  - Simplified staging laparotomy in FIGO stage 1 epithelial ovarian cancer: follow
      up and outcomes in south Wales, U.K.
AB  - We have conducted a retrospective analysis of FIGO stage 1 ovarian cancer
      patients in south Wales, who underwent a simplified staging laparotomy without
      routine nodal sampling and peritoneal biopsies. Patient records from January 2004
      to December 2010 were analysed. A total of 116 patients were included in the
      final analysis. Adjuvant chemotherapy was offered to patients with risk factors
      for relapse (grade > 1, clear cell histology, or stage > Ia); overall, 89
      patients (76.7%) received adjuvant single agent carboplatin (n = 54, 46.5%) or
      combination chemotherapy (n = 35, 30.2%). After a median follow up of 41 months
      (range 12-95), 18 patients have relapsed (15.5%), of these 17 had risk factors
      and 16 had received adjuvant chemotherapy. Eighteen patients have died, of whom 6
      of non-cancer related causes without prior relapse. 5-year overall and relapse
      free survival were 80%. In conclusion, in situations where there are limited
      resources and operating time constraints, our data suggest that a simplified
      staging laparotomy approach may be a reasonable compromise in apparently early
      stage ovarian cancer: this may result in a more aggressive use of chemotherapy,
      but survival outcomes seem comparable to other series.

PMID- 24219737
TI  - The use of sentinel node sampling in vulval cancer.
AB  - Between March 2007 and December 2009, 38 patients underwent sentinel lymph node
      biopsy (SLNB) sampling, along with vulvectomy, in their management of vulval
      cancer. A review has been conducted to establish the reliability and accuracy of
      the new procedure compared with the traditional total inguinofemoral
      lymphadenectomy. We also aimed to establish both the short- and long-term
      morbidities of both total inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy and SLNB and to assess
      the duration of hospital stay in both groups. Our data have shown a reduced short
      and long-term morbidity and reduced length of hospital stay for the SLNB
      procedure. We conclude that it is a reliable and safe procedure, however it
      should only be conducted in cancer centres. 

PMID- 24219738
TI  - VIA screening for cervical cancer in developing countries: potential role of the
      light source.
AB  - A total of 385 symptomatic patients presenting to the gynaecology and obstetrics
      outpatient department were screened by two sources of light: the yellow light of
      the tungsten bulb and the white light of the halogen bulb (100 Watt, 12 Volt),
      fitted with KODAK 80B filter and diffuser in an instrument called a
      'Magnivisualizer' (developed by our Institute). Colposcopic examination was the
      gold standard for visualisation of the cervix. This study clearly brings out the
      significance of visual examination of the cervix using white light; as, in
      addition to having perfect correlation with colposcopy (0.86 for white vs 0.53
      for yellow light), white light enables us to select the correct site of biopsy.
      Most of the rural clinics use torch or ordinary tungsten bulb, thus missing many
      significant lesions. In the light of our research findings, we strongly recommend
      the use of white light (complete spectrum of light) for screening purposes.

PMID- 24219739
TI  - Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a in pregnancy.

PMID- 24219740
TI  - Congenital anomalies presenting in utero as TTTS: a case series report and review
      of literature.

PMID- 24219741
TI  - Impaired DNA methylation leading to heterotrisomy.

PMID- 24219742
TI  - Management of vasa praevia: a potential role for cervical length and quantitative
      fetal fibronectin measurement.

PMID- 24219743
TI  - Uterocutaneous fistula following classical caesarean delivery for placenta
      percreta with intentional retention of the placenta.

PMID- 24219744
TI  - Vulval haematoma after TVT-obturator insertion requiring arterial embolisation.

PMID- 24219745
TI  - Laparoscopic oophorectomy: a novel means of treatment for virilisation.

PMID- 24219746
TI  - Extrapulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis complicated by vesicovaginal fistula.

PMID- 24219747
TI  - Gestational choriocarcinoma in the fallopian tube.

PMID- 24219748
TI  - Clear cell adenocarcinoma in the uterine cervix associated with malformation of
      the uterus.

PMID- 24219751
TI  - UV-laser-based microscopic dissection of tree rings - a novel sampling tool for
      delta(13) C and delta(18) O studies.
AB  - UV-laser-based microscopic systems were utilized to dissect and sample organic
      tissue for stable isotope measurements from thin wood cross-sections. We tested
      UV-laser-based microscopic tissue dissection in practice for high-resolution
      isotopic analyses (delta(13) C/delta(18) O) on thin cross-sections from different
      tree species. The method allows serial isolation of tissue of any shape and from
      millimetre down to micrometre scales. On-screen pre-defined areas of interest
      were automatically dissected and collected for mass spectrometric analysis. Three
      examples of high-resolution isotopic analyses revealed that: in comparison to
      delta(13) C of xylem cells, woody ray parenchyma of deciduous trees have the same
      year-to-year variability, but reveal offsets that are opposite in sign depending
      on whether wholewood or cellulose is considered; high-resolution tree-ring
      delta(18) O profiles of Indonesian teak reflect monsoonal rainfall patterns and
      are sensitive to rainfall extremes caused by ENSO; and seasonal moisture signals
      in intra-tree-ring delta(18) O of white pine are weighted by nonlinear intra
      annual growth dynamics. The applications demonstrate that the use of UV-laser
      based microscopic dissection allows for sampling plant tissue at ultrahigh
      resolution and unprecedented precision. This new technique facilitates sampling
      for stable isotope analysis of anatomical plant traits like combined tree eco
      physiological, wood anatomical and dendroclimatological studies. 

PMID- 24219750
TI  - Characterization of a human skin equivalent model to study the effects of
      ultraviolet B radiation on keratinocytes.
AB  - The incidences of skin cancers resulting from chronic ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
      exposure are on the incline in both Australia and globally. Hence, the cellular
      and molecular pathways that are associated with UVR-induced photocarcinogenesis
      need to be urgently elucidated, in order to develop more robust preventative and
      treatment strategies against skin cancers. In vitro investigations into the
      effects of UVR (in particular, the highly mutagenic UVB wavelength) have, to
      date, mainly involved the use of cell culture and animal models. However, these
      models possess biological disparities to native skin, which, to some extent, have
      limited their relevance to the in vivo situation. To address this, we
      characterized a three-dimensional, tissue-engineered human skin equivalent (HSE)
      model (consisting of primary human keratinocytes cultured on a dermal-derived
      scaffold) as a representation of a more physiologically relevant platform to
      study keratinocyte responses to UVB. Significantly, we demonstrate that this
      model retains several important epidermal properties of native skin. Moreover,
      UVB irradiation of the HSE constructs was shown to induce key markers of
      photodamage in the HSE keratinocytes, including the formation of cyclobutane
      pyrimidine dimers, the activation of apoptotic pathways, the accumulation of p53,
      and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, we also demonstrate
      that the UVB-exposed HSE constructs retain the capacity for epidermal repair and
      regeneration after photodamage. Together, our results demonstrate the potential
      of this skin equivalent model as a tool to study various aspects of the acute
      responses of human keratinocytes to UVB radiation damage. 

PMID- 24219752
TI  - Improving the odds of success in drug discovery: choosing the best compounds for
      in vivo toxicology studies.
AB  - A set of molecules that advanced into exploratory animal toxicology studies (two
      species) was examined to determine what properties contributed to success in
      these safety studies. Compounds were rigorously evaluated across numerous safety
      end points and classified as "pass" if a suitable in vivo therapeutic index (TI)
      was achieved for advancement into regulatory toxicology studies. The most
      predictive end point contributing to compound survival was a predicted human
      efficacious concentration (Ceff) of <=250 nM (total drug) and <=40 nM (free
      drug). This trend held across a wide range of CNS modes of action, encompassing
      targets such as enzymes, G-protein-coupled receptors, ion channels, and
      transporters. 

PMID- 24219753
TI  - The effects of a catheter clamping protocol on bladder function in neurosurgical
      patients: a controlled trial.
AB  - There is scant evidence-based literature on the best strategies for short-term
      urinary catheter removal. This clinical trial explored the effects of an early
      urinary catheter clamping protocol on bladder function in neurosurgical patients.
      Eligible patients were divided into observation and control groups. Those in the
      observation group had their catheter clamped postoperatively on return to the
      ward and unclamped at dedicated intervals. The control group received standard
      care; the catheter was on free drainage during the entire time in situ. The mean
      catheter indwelling time was 2.6 days. Compared with the control group, the
      observation group experienced shorter time to first postoperative urination, less
      residual urine volume and better subjective perception during their first
      postoperative urination. For patients undergoing neurosurgery and associated
      short-term indwelling urinary catheterization, an early catheter clamping
      protocol is effective in facilitating bladder function, reducing the rate of
      dysuria and making patients feel more comfortable after catheter removal. 

PMID- 24219754
TI  - Dull plots, pale colors early in the morning.
AB  - Resetting of the circadian clocks involves the heat shock pathway. Cryptochromes
      as the actual repressors take care of circadian alignment, and in addition they
      link the circadian clocks to temperature responses, metabolic homeostasis, and
      sleep homeostasis. In contrast, circadian misalignment redistributes rapid-eye
      movement sleep and has ramifications for the insulin pathway, inflammation,
      weight control, and mood. Here, the second half of the night and the actions of
      cryptochromes are suggested to be a critical period and a key mechanism,
      respectively.

PMID- 24219755
TI  - Glucocerebrosidase mutations and the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease.
AB  - Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after
      Alzheimer disease with a lifetime risk in the UK population of almost 5%. An
      association between PD and Gaucher disease (GD) derived from the observation that
      GD patients and their heterozygous carrier relatives were at increased risk of
      PD. GD is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by homozygous
      mutations in the gene encoding glucocerebrosidase (GBA). Approximately 5%-10% of
      PD patients have GBA mutations, making these mutations numerically the most
      important genetic predisposing risk factor for the development of PD identified
      to date. GBA mutations result in a phenotype that is virtually indistinguishable
      clinically, pharmacologically, and pathologically from sporadic PD, except GBA
      mutations result in a slightly earlier age of onset and more frequent cognitive
      impairment among PD patients. The mechanisms by which GBA mutations result in PD
      are not yet understood. Both reduced glucocerebrosidase enzyme (GCase) activity
      with lysosomal dysfunction, and unfolded protein response (UPR) with endoplasmic
      reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) and stress are considered contributory.

PMID- 24219756
TI  - Early peak height velocity and cardiovascular disease mortality among Icelandic
      women.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Early pubertal onset among girls has been associated with
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. We examined whether timing of peak
      height velocity (PHV), an early marker of maturity, was associated with CVD
      mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed 973 Icelandic women, born 1921
      1935, with annual childhood growth measures from ages 8-13 years, recruited into
      the longitudinal Reykjavik study 1968-1991. CVD deaths from recruitment to
      December 2009 were recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-six women died from CVD, 42 deaths
      from coronary heart disease (CHD). Compared to girls with PHV after age 12, girls
      with PHV < 11 years and between 11 and 12 years had greater risk of CVD
      mortality, hazard ratio 1.87 (95% confidence interval 1.07-3.26, P = 0.028) and
      2.56 (1.52-4.31, P < 0.001), respectively. Comparable associations were observed
      with CHD cases 2.27 (1.17-4.44, P = 0.016) as well as non-CHD CVD cases 2.21
      (1.17-4.19, P = 0.015) when comparing girls with PHV after versus prior to age
      12. Timing of PHV was not associated with traditional CVD risk factors in mid
      life including body mass index and adverse lipid profiles or with all-cause
      mortality. DISCUSSION: Earlier timing of PHV in girls may increase the lifetime
      risk of CVD mortality and may be an important determinant for later
      cardiovascular health.

PMID- 24219757
TI  - The roles of some scorpions, Hemiscorpius lepturus and Androctonus crassicauda,
      in a scorpionism focus in Ramhormorz, southwestern Iran.
AB  - Scorpion stings are a common and important health problem in Iran, particularly
      in south and southwestern Iran, including the province of Khuzestan. In the area
      of Khuzestan near the city of Ramhormoz, Hemiscorpius lepturus (Scorpionida:
      Hemiscorpioiidae) and Androctonus crassicauda (Buthidae) are present. Ramhormoz
      is in southwestern Iran and is one of the most important foci of the scorpion
      sting problem. The current study was carried out to gain both epidemiological and
      medical information about scorpion stings in and around the city of Ramhormoz. In
      total, 179 people who were admitted to the Emergency Department of Ramhormoz Imam
      Khomeini Hospital during 2008 and 2009 after being stung by scorpions were
      monitored. Epidemiological and medical parameters including sex of the victim;
      the part of the body stung; the month when stung; the biochemical parameters
      comprising blood sugar (BS), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (CR);
      hematological parameters including white blood cells (WBC), count blood cells
      (CBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), platelet (PLT);
      and urine analysis including hemoglobinuria were recorded. The current study
      showed that most of the victims were stung by H. lepturus, while very few were
      stung by A. crassicaud, but in over half of the cases the species was not known.
      Stings were most common from May to Aguust. 73% of the victims were female. The
      limbs were the part of the body most likely to be stung. Hemogobinuria was very
      common in H. lepturus victims.

PMID- 24219759
TI  - An ecogenomic analysis of herbivore-induced plant volatiles in Brassica juncea.
AB  - Upon herbivore feeding, plants emit complex bouquets of induced volatiles that
      may repel insect herbivores as well as attract parasitoids or predators. Due to
      differences in the temporal dynamics of individual components, the composition of
      the herbivore-induced plant volatile (HIPV) blend changes with time.
      Consequently, the response of insects associated with plants is not constant
      either. Using Brassica juncea as the model plant and generalist Spodoptera spp.
      larvae as the inducing herbivore, we investigated herbivore and parasitoid
      preference as well as the molecular mechanisms behind the temporal dynamics in
      HIPV emissions at 24, 48 and 72 h after damage. In choice tests, Spodoptera
      litura moth preferred undamaged plants, whereas its parasitoid Cotesia
      marginiventris favoured plants induced for 48 h. In contrast, the specialist
      Plutella xylostella and its parasitoid C. vestalis preferred plants induced for
      72 h. These preferences matched the dynamic changes in HIPV blends over time.
      Gene expression analysis suggested that the induced response after Spodoptera
      feeding is mainly controlled by the jasmonic acid pathway in both damaged and
      systemic leaves. Several genes involved in sulphide and green leaf volatile
      synthesis were clearly up-regulated. This study thus shows that HIPV blends vary
      considerably over a short period of time, and these changes are actively
      regulated at the gene expression level. Moreover, temporal changes in HIPVs
      elicit differential preferences of herbivores and their natural enemies. We argue
      that the temporal dynamics of HIPVs may play a key role in shaping the response
      of insects associated with plants.

PMID- 24219758
TI  - The PICO project: aquatic exercise for knee osteoarthritis in overweight and
      obese individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aquatic exercise is recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research
      Society (OARSI), by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and by the
      European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) as a nonpharmacological method of
      controlling the knee osteoarthritis (KOA) symptoms. Moreover, given that weight
      loss results in a reduction of the load that is exerted upon the knee during
      daily activities, obesity is also considered to be a modifiable risk factor for
      the development and or exacerbation of KOA. The implementation of an exercise
      based weight loss program may, however, itself be limited by the symptoms of KOA.
      The aquatic program against osteoarthritis (termed "PICO" in Portuguese)
      prioritizes the control of symptoms and the recovery of functionality, with an
      attendant increase in the patient's physical activity level and, consequently,
      metabolic rate. Our laboratory is assessing the effectiveness of 3 months of PICO
      on the symptoms of KOA, on physical function, on quality of life and on gait. In
      addition, PICO shall examine the effects of said exercise intervention on
      inflammatory biomarkers, psychological health, life style and body composition.
      METHODS/DESIGN: The trial is a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled
      trial, and involves 50 overweight and obese adults (BMI = 28-43.5 kg/m2; age 40
      65 yrs) with radiographic KOA. The participants are randomly allocated into
      either an educational attention (control) group or an aquatic (exercise program)
      group. This paper describes the experimental protocol that is used in the PICO
      project. DISCUSSION: The PICO program shall provide insight into the
      effectiveness of an aquatic exercise program in the control of KOA symptoms and
      in the improvement of the quality of life. As such, they are likely to prove a
      useful reference to health professionals who intend to implement any kind of
      therapeutic intervention based around aquatic exercise. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      NCT01832545.

PMID- 24219761
TI  - Thermodynamic basis for engineering high-affinity, high-specificity binding
      induced DNA clamp nanoswitches.
AB  - Naturally occurring chemoreceptors almost invariably employ structure-switching
      mechanisms, an observation that has inspired the use of biomolecular switches in
      a wide range of artificial technologies in the areas of diagnostics, imaging, and
      synthetic biology. In one mechanism for generating such behavior, clamp-based
      switching, binding occurs via the clamplike embrace of two recognition elements
      onto a single target molecule. In addition to coupling recognition with a large
      conformational change, this mechanism offers a second advantage: it improves both
      affinity and specificity simultaneously. To explore the physics of such switches
      we have dissected here the thermodynamics of a clamp-switch that recognizes a
      target DNA sequence through both Watson-Crick base pairing and triplex-forming
      Hoogsteen interactions. When compared to the equivalent linear DNA probe (which
      relies solely on Watson-Crick interactions), the extra Hoogsteen interactions in
      the DNA clamp-switch increase the probe's affinity for its target by ~0.29 +/-
      0.02 kcal/mol/base. The Hoogsteen interactions of the clamp-switch likewise
      provide an additional specificity check that increases the discrimination
      efficiency toward a single-base mismatch by 1.2 +/- 0.2 kcal/mol. This, in turn,
      leads to a 10-fold improvement in the width of the "specificity window" of this
      probe relative to that of the equivalent linear probe. Given these attributes,
      clamp-switches should be of utility not only for sensing applications but also,
      in the specific field of DNA nanotechnology, for applications calling for a
      better control over the building of nanostructures and nanomachines. 

PMID- 24219762
TI  - Thalidomide-induced angiopoietin 2, Notch1 and Dll4 downregulation under hypoxic
      condition in tissues with gastrointestinal vascular malformation and human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal vascular
      malformation (GIVM) and the mechanism of thalidomide in treating GIVM by
      evaluating the expression of angiopoietin 2 (Ang2), Notch1, delta-like ligand 4
      (Dll4) and hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (Hif-1alpha). METHODS: Data of 10
      patients with histology-confirmed GIVM were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry of
      surgically resected GIVM tissues and the adjacent mucosa of the patients and
      normal tissues from those who had undergone colonoscopy for health examination
      was performed to examine the expressions of Ang2, Notch1, Dll4 and Hif-1alpha. In
      addition, in vitro effect of thalidomide on Ang2, Notch1 and Dll4 in human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and on HUVEC proliferation was also
      investigated during normoxic and hypoxic conditions. RESULTS: GIVM lesions
      presented as tortuous, dilated arterioles, venules and capillaries. Ang2, Notch1
      and Dll4 showed strong immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm and nuclei of GIVM
      lesions but negative or weak positivity in the intestinal mucosa of the adjacent
      tissues and normal mucosa. Under hypoxic condition the expressions of Hif-1alpha,
      Ang2, Notch1 and Dll4 were upregulated and the tube formation was more abundant
      with a greater diameter of tubes. Moreover, thalidomide downregulated their
      expression in HUVEC and HUVEC proliferation decreased in a concentration
      dependent manner under both hypoxic and normoxic conditions. CONCLUSION: Ang2,
      Notch1, Dll4 and Hif-1alpha may play an important role in the pathogenesis of
      GIVM and may be potential targets of thalidomide in the treatment of the disease.

PMID- 24219763
TI  - Novel extended release budesonide formulation for treatment of ulcerative
      colitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Budesonide , a synthetic, non-halogenated corticosteroid, has been
      introduced in the topical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Budesonide MMX, a
      novel, once-daily oral formulation of budesonide that uses a multi-matrix system
      (MMX) technology to extend the release of budesonide throughout the colon proved
      to be effective for the treatment of active UC. The focus of this review is the
      current status of budesonide MMX in extensive and left-sided UC. AREAS COVERED:
      This paper covers the recent studies of budesonide MMX to describe its efficacy
      and safety in the treatment of mild-to-moderately active left-sided UC. A
      literature search and review of budesonide MMX were carried out using the PubMed
      database up to August 2013. EXPERT OPINION: Clinical studies of budesonide MMX in
      adults with mild-to-moderately active UC demonstrated its efficacy and
      tolerability in achieving clinical and endoscopic remission. Although one trial
      is still ongoing, budesonide MMX 9 mg tablets represented the first orally
      administered topical corticosteroid formulation targeting the entire colon for
      the management of patients with active, mild-to-moderate UC.

PMID- 24219765
TI  - Adsorption of Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, and Au monomers on NiAl(110) surface: a comparative
      study from DFT calculations.
AB  - First principles calculations based on periodic density functional theory (DFT)
      have been used to investigate the structural, energetic and electronic properties
      of different transition metal atoms (Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, and Au) on the NiAl(110)
      surface at low coverages (0.08 and 0.25 monolayer). All adatoms prefer to adsorb
      on 4-fold coordinated sites interacting with two Al and two Ni atoms and forming
      polar and covalent bonds, respectively. The calculated negative work function
      changes are explained by the effect of positive surface image created after
      adsorption, which induces the polarization of the negatively charged adsorbates.
      Consequently, for metals with similar electronegativity as Ni (Ag and Cu), this
      polarization effect becomes more significant and leads to larger negative work
      function changes, but the charge transferred is small. 

PMID- 24219764
TI  - Rituximab-induced interleukin-15 reduction associated with clinical improvement
      in rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Rituximab therapy alters all aspects of B-cell participation in the disturbed
      immune response of rheumatoid arthritis patients. To determine the impact of B
      cell depletion on other immune compartments, we analysed levels of soluble and
      surface interleukin-15 (IL-15) along with the frequency of IL-15-related subsets
      after rituximab treatment. We then studied the correlation of observed changes
      with clinical activity. Heparinized blood samples from 33 rheumatoid arthritis
      patients were collected on days 0, 30, 90 and 180 after each of three rituximab
      cycles. Serum cytokine levels were determined by ELISA. Interleukin-15 trans
      presentation was analysed by cytometry. Flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies
      was performed to analyse circulating cell subsets. Interleukin-15 was detected in
      the serum of 25 patients before initiating the treatment. Rituximab then
      progressively reduced serum IL-15 (138 +/- 21 pg/ml at baseline, 48 +/- 18 pg/ml
      after third cycle, P = 0.03) along with IL-17 (1197 +/- 203 pg/ml at baseline,
      623 +/- 213 pg/ml after third cycle, P = 0.03) and tended to increase the
      frequency of circulating regulatory T cells (3.1 +/- 1 cells/MUl at baseline, 7.7
      +/- 2 cells/MUl after third cycle). Rituximab also significantly decreased IL-15
      trans-presentation on surface monocytes of patients negative for IL-15 serum
      (mean fluorescence intensity: 4.82 +/- 1.30 at baseline, 1.42 +/- 0.69 after
      third cycle P = 0.05). Reduction of serum IL-15 was associated with decrease in
      CD8(+)  CD45RO(+) /RA(+) ratio (1.17 +/- 0.21 at baseline, 0.36 +/- 0.06 at third
      cycle, P = 0.02). DAS28, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein
      correlated significantly with CD8(+)  CD45RO(+) /RA(+) ratio (R = 0.323, R =
      0.357, R = 0.369 respectively, P < 0.001). Our results suggest that sustained
      clinical improvement after rituximab treatment is associated with IL-15/memory T
      cell-related mechanisms beyond circulating B cells. 

PMID- 24219766
TI  - Novel chemistry for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol by graphene oxide
      and N-doped graphene.
AB  - A novel mechanism for the selective activation of benzyl alcohol by graphene
      oxide and N-doped graphene has been proposed using density functional theory
      based calculations. Interestingly, the proposed mechanism opens new avenues for
      graphene and its derivative-based catalysis. 

PMID- 24219768
TI  - Comparative impact of professional mental health background on ratings of
      consumer outcome and fidelity in an Illness Management and Recovery program.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) is a widely used evidence-based
      standardized psychosocial intervention. Little is known, however, about the
      impact of practitioner professional background on the consumer outcome. The
      current study aims to examine the delivery impact of practitioners who were
      mental health professionals, peer providers, or paraprofessionals on fidelity and
      consumer outcome in IMR. METHOD: Study participants were 252 persons with serious
      mental illness receiving psychiatric rehabilitation services in the community who
      received IMR (n = 210) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 42). Study participants
      completed IMR groups that were delivered by either mental health professionals (n
      = 126), peer providers (n = 43), or paraprofessionals (n = 41). Study
      participants in the treatment group completed the Illness Management and Recovery
      scale before starting and after completing the IMR program; participants in the
      control group completed the same scale twice in similar time intervals. Fidelity
      ratings were made. RESULTS: Regardless of practitioner background, consumers who
      received the IMR intervention demonstrated significant improvement compared to
      the control group. Post hoc analyses showed no statistically significant
      difference on consumer outcome regardless of whether the practitioner was a
      professional, paraprofessional, or a peer provider. All three IMR groups had good
      fidelity scores. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results
      demonstrate that IMR can be implemented with good fidelity and generate positive
      outcomes when delivered by practitioners who receive sufficient training and
      supervision regardless of their professional background.

PMID- 24219767
TI  - Mediation analysis of critical time intervention for persons living with serious
      mental illnesses: assessing the role of family relations in reducing psychiatric
      rehospitalization.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Critical Time Intervention (CTI) is a time-limited care coordination
      intervention designed to reduce homelessness and other adverse outcomes for
      persons living with serious mental illness during the transition period between
      institutions and community living. This study assesses whether CTI improves the
      quality of family relationships between family members and individuals living
      with serious mental illness, and examines whether changes in quality of family
      relationship mediated the association between the intervention and psychiatric
      rehospitalization outcomes. METHOD: This study utilizes data from a randomized
      controlled trial that assessed the effect of CTI in preventing homelessness.
      Following discharge from inpatient psychiatric treatment in New York City, 150
      previously homeless persons living with serious mental illness were randomly
      assigned to receive usual services only or 9 months of CTI in addition to usual
      services. RESULTS: Findings from mixed-effects regression models indicated that
      those assigned to the CTI group reported greater frequency of family contact and
      greater improvement in satisfaction with family relations than the comparison
      group during the 18-month follow-up period. Mediation analysis revealed that
      greater improvement in satisfaction with family relations mediated the effect of
      CTI on psychiatric rehospitalization outcome, but only at a modest level.
      CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These findings suggest that a
      relatively brief but targeted intervention delivered at the point of hospital
      discharge may contribute to strengthening family relations and that improvement
      in perceived family relationship quality can contribute to a reduction in
      psychiatric rehospitalization.

PMID- 24219769
TI  - Activating older adults with serious mental illness for collaborative primary
      care visits.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Persons with serious mental illness frequently receive inadequate
      medical care and are more likely to experience difficulty navigating the health
      care system compared with the general population. To address this gap in quality,
      we developed a program of peer co-led collaborative activation training for
      primary care (CAT-PC) designed to improve "patient activation" and person
      centered care in primary care visits for middle-aged and older adults with
      serious mental illness and cardiovascular risk. This report presents pilot study
      feasibility and participant outcomes for CAT-PC. METHOD: A pre-post pilot
      evaluation of CAT-PC included N = 17 adults (age >= 50) with serious mental
      illness and cardiovascular health risk conditions, and N = 6 primary care
      providers. CAT-PC consists of 9 weekly peer co-led patient education and skills
      training sessions and a 45-min video-based training for primary care providers.
      Pre-post measures included the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), Perceived
      Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions (PEPPI), Autonomy Preference Index
      (API) for preferred role in primary care encounters, and Social Skills
      Performance Assessment (SSPA) role-play test for medical visits. RESULTS: All 17
      participants attended 5 or more sessions. Post-intervention improvement was found
      for patient activation and simulated performance of medical visit communication
      skills. Trends were observed for improved self-efficacy in provider interactions
      and greater preference for a more collaborative role in decision-making.
      CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: CAT-PC is a brief, peer co-led education and skills
      training intervention potentially improving patient activation in primary care
      encounters and providing an important missing component in emerging models of
      "patient-centered behavioral health homes" for this high-risk group.

PMID- 24219770
TI  - The acceptability and outcomes of a peer- and health-professional-led Stanford
      self-management program for Vietnam veterans with alcohol misuse and their
      partners.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptability of peer-
      and health-professional-led self-management education using the Stanford Program
      with Australian veterans and their partners. METHODS: The 6-week program taught
      problem-solving and decision-making skills to activate healthful behaviors,
      including action-planning and goal-setting. The evaluation included a participant
      and facilitator postprogram questionnaire; group interview; and alcohol,
      posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship, and
      quality-of-life measures as part of a randomized controlled study. RESULTS:
      Participants included 25 male veterans with comorbid alcohol dependency,
      psychiatric and medical conditions, and 18 female partners (n = 43), 61.5% of who
      reported a chronic condition. The primary outcome was a self-reported improvement
      in self-management of their conditions in 69% of participants, with another 22.2%
      reporting that their confidence to self-manage had improved. There was an
      improvement in all measures at 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: The program resulted in
      improvements in lifestyle and confidence in self-management for Vietnam veterans,
      a cohort difficult to engage in healthy behaviors. Most participants were also
      accompanied by their partners. The program is a valuable resource for providing
      self-management education to veterans with alcohol dependency and various chronic
      conditions and needs to be considered in the suite of rehabilitation programs
      available to Defense Force personnel, veterans, and their partners.

PMID- 24219773
TI  - Redox properties of structural Fe in clay minerals: 3. Relationships between
      smectite redox and structural properties.
AB  - Structural Fe in clay minerals is an important redox-active species in many
      pristine and contaminated environments as well as in engineered systems.
      Understanding the extent and kinetics of redox reactions involving Fe-bearing
      clay minerals has been challenging due to the inability to relate structural
      Fe(2+)/Fe(total) fractions to fundamental redox properties, such as reduction
      potentials (EH). Here, we overcame this challenge by using mediated
      electrochemical reduction (MER) and oxidation (MEO) to characterize the fraction
      of redox-active structural Fe (Fe(2+)/Fe(total)) in smectites over a wide range
      of applied EH-values (-0.6 V to +0.6 V). We examined Fe(2+)/Fe(total )- EH
      relationships of four natural Fe-bearing smectites (SWy-2, SWa-1, NAu-1, NAu-2)
      in their native, reduced, and reoxidized states and compared our measurements
      with spectroscopic observations and a suite of mineralogical properties. All
      smectites exhibited unique Fe(2+)/Fe(total) - EH relationships, were redox active
      over wide EH ranges, and underwent irreversible electron transfer induced
      structural changes that were observable with X-ray absorption spectroscopy.
      Variations among the smectite Fe(2+)/Fe(total) - EH relationships correlated well
      with both bulk and molecular-scale properties, including Fe(total) content, layer
      charge, and quadrupole splitting values, suggesting that multiple structural
      parameters determined the redox properties of smectites. The Fe(2+)/Fe(total) -
      EH relationships developed for these four commonly studied clay minerals may be
      applied to future studies interested in relating the extent of structural Fe
      reduction or oxidation to EH-values.

PMID- 24219772
TI  - Pesticides, gene polymorphisms, and bladder cancer among Egyptian agricultural
      workers.
AB  - This study examined the associations between pesticide exposure, genetic
      polymorphisms for NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase I (NQO1) and superoxide
      dismutase 2 (SOD2), and urinary bladder cancer risk among male agricultural
      workers in Egypt. Logistic regression was used to analyze data from a multicenter
      case-control study and estimate adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence
      interval (CI). Exposure to pesticides was associated with increased bladder
      cancer risk (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.68 (1.23-2.29)) in a dose
      dependent manner. The association was slightly stronger for urothelial (1.79
      (1.25-2.56)) than for squamous cell (1.55 (1.03-2.31)), and among participants
      with combined genotypes for low NQO1 and high SOD2 (2.14 (1.19-3.85)) activities
      as compared with those with high NQO1 and low SOD2 genotypes (1.53 (0.73-3.25)).
      In conclusion, among male agricultural workers in Egypt, pesticide exposure is
      associated with bladder cancer risk and possibly modulated by genetic
      polymorphism.

PMID- 24219774
TI  - Axial strength test for round flat faced versus capsule shaped bilayer tablets.
AB  - There has been increasing interest in fixed dose combination (FDC) therapy. Multi
      layer tablets are a popular choice among various technologies to deliver FDCs. In
      most cases, round flat faced tooling is used in testing tablets as they have the
      simplest geometry. However, shaped tooling is more common for commercial products
      and may have an effect on bilayer tablet strength. Capsule shaped bilayer
      tablets, similar to a commercial image, and holders conforming to the tablet
      topology, were compared with similar round flat faced bilayer tablets and their
      corresponding holders. Bilayer tablets were subjected to an axial test device,
      until fracture and the quantitative breaking force value was recorded. As the
      second layer compression force increases, regardless of holder design, an
      increase in breaking force occurs as expected. This consistent trend provides
      insight regarding the breaking force of capsule shaped bilayer tablets. The
      results of this study show that at lower second layer compression forces, tablet
      geometry does not significantly impact the results. However, at higher
      compression forces, a significant difference in breaking force between tablet
      geometries exists. Therefore, using a test geometry close to the final commercial
      tablet image is recommended to have the most accurate prediction for tablet
      breakage.

PMID- 24219775
TI  - Thrombin generation as marker to estimate thrombosis risk in patients with
      abnormal test results in lupus anticoagulant routine diagnostics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lupus anticoagulant (LA) is known to inhibit thrombin generation
      although patients have an increased risk to develop thrombosis. We tried to
      determine whether thrombin generation is altered in plasma samples of patients
      with abnormal test results in LA routine diagnostics and whether its measurement
      may improve the risk assessment of thrombosis. METHODS: Samples from 63 patients
      (39 with abnormal test results; 24 controls) were included in the study.
      Measurement of diluted Russel's viper venom time (dRVVT) was part of the initial
      guideline conform diagnostic procedure for detection of LA. In addition,
      measurement of anticardiolipin-IgM, -IgG and beta2-glycoprotein-I-IgM, -IgG were
      performed. Thrombin generation was measured using two different phospholipid
      concentrations in the starting reagent. RESULTS: Analyzing all samples by
      logistic regression, thrombin generation after induction with high phospholipid
      concentrations was the best predictor of thrombosis. After preselection of
      samples with alterations in dRVVT, specificity of selected thrombin generation
      derived parameters for the detection of previous thrombosis increased in this
      subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with phospholipid-dependent prolongation of
      dRVVT, thrombin generation is variably inhibited and the degree of inhibition
      corresponds to the occurrence of previous thrombosis. Measuring thrombin
      generation in patients with phospholipid-dependent dRVVT prolongation may improve
      risk assessment of thrombosis.

PMID- 24219776
TI  - Automatic amygdala response to facial expression in schizophrenia: initial
      hyperresponsivity followed by hyporesponsivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is well established that the amygdala is crucially involved in the
      processing of facial emotions. In schizophrenia patients, a number of
      neuroimaging findings suggest hypoactivation of the amygdala in response to
      facial emotion, while others indicate normal or enhanced recruitment of this
      region. Some of this variability may be related to the baseline condition used
      and the length of the experiment. There is evidence that schizophrenia patients
      display increased activation of the amygdala to neutral faces and that this is
      predominantly observed during early parts of the experiment. Recent research
      examining the automatic processing of facial emotion has also reported amygdala
      hyperactivation in schizophrenia. In the present study, we focused on the time
      course of amygdala activation during the automatic processing of emotional facial
      expression. We hypothesized that in comparison to healthy subjects, patients
      would initially show hyperresponsivity of the amygdala to masked emotional and
      neutral faces. In addition, we expected amygdala deactivation in response to
      masked facial emotions from the first to the second phase to be more pronounced
      in patients than in controls. RESULTS: Amygdala activation in response to angry,
      happy, neutral, and no facial expression (presented for 33 ms) was measured by
      functional magnetic resonance imaging in 30 schizophrenia patients and 35 healthy
      controls. Across all subjects, the bilateral amygdala response to faces (relative
      to the no facial expression condition) was larger in the initial phase (first
      half of trials) than in the second phase (second half of trials). During the
      initial phase, schizophrenia patients exhibited an increased right amygdala
      response to all faces and an increased left amygdala response to neutral faces
      compared with controls. During the second phase, controls manifested a higher
      right amygdala response for all faces and a higher left amygdala response to
      angry faces than patients. CONCLUSIONS: Schizophrenia patients are characterized
      by high initial amygdala responsivity to facial expressions at an automatic
      processing level, which substantially decreases with time. Amygdala deactivation
      over time might reflect an automatic mechanism by which schizophrenia patients
      suppress the processing of facial stimuli. This blocking mechanism could help
      patients avoid overstimulation during social interactions.

PMID- 24219777
TI  - A critical review of glove and hand research with regard to medical glove design.
AB  - Research from a number of areas was surveyed, including hand function; skin
      friction; manual performance testing; glove comfort, fit and durability; and user
      perception. The relevance of the research to medical glove design was discussed.
      It was concluded that, while an understanding has been gained of the factors that
      affect glove performance in general, specific application to thin rubber gloves
      has not been well explored. The focus in glove performance testing has also been
      on simple tasks such as pegboards, which do not necessarily assess the fine
      dexterity required in many surgical tasks. Recommendations were made for the
      development of a new battery of tests specific to medical gloves that would
      simulate real medical tasks and could produce repeatable results and have
      sufficient resolution to differentiate between glove types. 

PMID- 24219778
TI  - Discovery of Mer specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment and
      prevention of thrombosis.
AB  - The role of Mer kinase in regulating the second phase of platelet activation
      generates an opportunity to use Mer inhibitors for preventing thrombosis with
      diminished likelihood for bleeding as compared to current therapies. Toward this
      end, we have discovered a novel, Mer kinase specific substituted-pyrimidine
      scaffold using a structure-based drug design and a pseudo ring replacement
      strategy. The cocrystal structure of Mer with two compounds (7 and 22) possessing
      distinct activity have been determined. Subsequent SAR studies identified
      compound 23 (UNC2881) as a lead compound for in vivo evaluation. When applied to
      live cells, 23 inhibits steady-state Mer kinase phosphorylation with an IC50
      value of 22 nM. Treatment with 23 is also sufficient to block EGF-mediated
      stimulation of a chimeric receptor containing the intracellular domain of Mer
      fused to the extracellular domain of EGFR. In addition, 23 potently inhibits
      collagen-induced platelet aggregation, suggesting that this class of inhibitors
      may have utility for prevention and/or treatment of pathologic thrombosis. 

PMID- 24219779
TI  - Phenotypical and molecular responses of Arabidopsis thaliana roots as a result of
      inoculation with the auxin-producing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense.
AB  - The auxin-producing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 can promote the
      growth of several plant species. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana was chosen
      as host plant to gain an insight into the molecular mechanisms that govern this
      interaction. The determination of differential gene expression in Arabidopsis
      roots after inoculation with either A. brasilense wild-type or an auxin
      biosynthesis mutant was achieved by microarray analysis. Arabidopsis thaliana
      inoculation with A. brasilense wild-type increases the number of lateral roots
      and root hairs, and elevates the internal auxin concentration in the plant. The
      A. thaliana root transcriptome undergoes extensive changes on A. brasilense
      inoculation, and the effects are more pronounced at later time points. The wild
      type bacterial strain induces changes in hormone- and defense-related genes, as
      well as in plant cell wall-related genes. The A. brasilense mutant, however, does
      not elicit these transcriptional changes to the same extent. There are
      qualitative and quantitative differences between A. thaliana responses to the
      wild-type A. brasilense strain and the auxin biosynthesis mutant strain, based on
      both phenotypic and transcriptomic data. This illustrates the major role played
      by auxin in the Azospirillum-Arabidopsis interaction, and possibly also in other
      bacterium-plant interactions. 

PMID- 24219780
TI  - Tasks and strategies of self-management of living with antiretroviral therapy in
      Uganda.
AB  - There is increasing interest in promoting and supporting self-management of HIV
      and antiretroviral treatment (ART), including in resource-limited settings.
      Although the impact of HIV and ART on people in Uganda has been explored, little
      attention has been paid to how people self-manage. This qualitative study
      collected data from 20 participants on ART in Wakiso district, Uganda, using in
      depth interviews, life histories, and observations to explore the tasks and
      strategies of living with ART. The identified strategies were compared to two
      existing self-management frameworks. Results highlighted a range of tasks
      including obtaining, taking, and adhering to ART medication, monitoring their
      condition, living with stigma and managing disclosure, maintaining general
      health, and adjusting to new roles. Participants described a range of strategies
      or behaviors to manage, which they actively created and used, tailored to their
      needs and environment. Comparison with existing frameworks revealed many
      similarities, with some local differences in enactment, and greater emphasis in
      our sample on obtaining the medication. Interventions to support people with self
      management in Uganda, and possibly other resource-limited settings, require
      careful adaptation to local settings. The degree to which each of these
      strategies may improve health and quality of life requires further investigation.

PMID- 24219781
TI  - Inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and glucose intestinal absorption by Thymelaea
      hirsuta fractions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl. (Thymelaeaceae) is a medicinal plant
      used in Morocco to treat diabetes. In previous studies T. hirsuta has shown a
      potent antihyperglycemic effect. Our aim was to study the effect of the plant on
      alpha-glucosidase inhibition and intestinal glucose absorption. METHODS: Five
      fractions of T. hirsuta were tested, in vitro, in vivo and, in situ, to elucidate
      the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and intestinal glucose uptake. RESULTS: The
      fractions induced, in vitro, a significant inhibition of alpha-glucosidase. The
      ethyl acetate fraction (EATh) had high activity and its inhibition mode was non
      competitive. The EATh at 50 and 100 mg/kg doses, decreased significantly, in
      vivo, the postprandial hyperglycemia after sucrose loading in normal and diabetic
      mice. Moreover, 50 mg/kg of EATh significantly decreased intestinal glucose
      uptake, in situ, in rats. CONCLUSION: The antihyperglycemic effect of T. hirsuta
      can be explained, in part, by the inhibition of intestinal alpha-glucosidase and
      intestinal glucose absorption.

PMID- 24219782
TI  - Association of cardiopulmonary resuscitation psychomotor skills with knowledge
      and self-efficacy in nursing students.
AB  - Effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills are essential for better
      patient survival, but whether these skills are associated with knowledge of and
      self-efficacy in CPR is not well known. The purpose of this study was to assess
      the quality of CPR skills and identify the association of the psychomotor skills
      with knowledge and self-efficacy at the time of CPR skills training. A
      convenience sample of 124 nursing students participated in a one-group posttest
      only study. The quality of CPR psychomotor skills, as assessed by structured
      observation using a manikin, was suboptimal. Nursing students who performed
      correct chest compression skills reported higher self-efficacy, but there was no
      association between CPR psychomotor skills and total knowledge. Rigorous skills
      training sessions with more objective feedback on performance and individual
      coaching are warranted to enable mastery learning and self-efficacy. 

PMID- 24219783
TI  - Value stability and change during self-chosen life transitions: self-selection
      versus socialization effects.
AB  - Three longitudinal studies examine a fundamental question regarding adjustment of
      personal values to self-chosen life transitions: Do values fit the new life
      setting already at its onset, implying value-based self-selection? Or do values
      change to better fit the appropriate and desirable values in the setting,
      implying value socialization? As people are likely to choose a life transition
      partly based on their values, their values may fit the new life situation already
      at its onset, leaving little need for value socialization. However, we propose
      that this may vary as a function of the extent of change the life transition
      entails, with greater change requiring more value socialization. To enable
      generalization, we used 3 longitudinal studies spanning 3 different life
      transitions and different extents of life changes: vocational training (of new
      police recruits), education (psychology vs. business students), and migration
      (from Poland to Britain). Although each life transition involved different key
      values and different populations, across all 3 studies we found value fit to the
      life situation already early in the transition. Value socialization became more
      evident the more aspects of life changed as part of the transition, that is, in
      the migration transition. The discussion focuses on the implications of these
      findings for research on values and personality change, as well as limitations
      and future directions for research.

PMID- 24219784
TI  - Unconscious processes improve lie detection.
AB  - The capacity to identify cheaters is essential for maintaining balanced social
      relationships, yet humans have been shown to be generally poor deception
      detectors. In fact, a plethora of empirical findings holds that individuals are
      only slightly better than chance when discerning lies from truths. Here, we
      report 5 experiments showing that judges' ability to detect deception greatly
      increases after periods of unconscious processing. Specifically, judges who were
      kept from consciously deliberating outperformed judges who were encouraged to do
      so or who made a decision immediately; moreover, unconscious thinkers' detection
      accuracy was significantly above chance level. The reported experiments further
      show that this improvement comes about because unconscious thinking processes
      allow for integrating the particularly rich information basis necessary for
      accurate lie detection. These findings suggest that the human mind is not unfit
      to distinguish between truth and deception but that this ability resides in
      previously overlooked processes.

PMID- 24219785
TI  - The impact bias is alive and well.
AB  - A substantial body of research on affective forecasting has found that people
      often overestimate the affective impact of future events. Levine, Lench, Kaplan,
      and Safer (2012) argued that whereas people may overestimate the duration of
      their emotional responses, they do not overestimate the initial intensity of
      these responses as much as previous research has suggested. We suggest that
      Levine et al. (a) failed to review or include in their meta-analysis many studies
      that directly contradict their claim, (b) used a faulty classification scheme,
      (c) collapsed across conditions that were meant to (and did) produce opposing
      effects, and (d) miscoded some of the studies they did include. When these errors
      are corrected, their claim is clearly not supported. Levine et al. also reported
      the results of 4 studies, which are open to alternative explanations. The impact
      bias is alive and well.

PMID- 24219786
TI  - Like Schrodinger's cat, the impact bias is both dead and alive: reply to Wilson
      and Gilbert (2013).
AB  - In their comment on our article on affective forecasting (Levine, Lench, Kaplan,
      & Safer, 2012), Wilson and Gilbert (2013) criticized the meta-analysis, proposed
      alternative explanations for the empirical studies, and concluded that the impact
      bias is alive and well. Our reply demonstrates that, irrespective of the
      exclusion of effects and selective recoding of effects recommended for the meta
      analysis, the pattern of results remains the same: Study participants' forecasts
      are more accurate when they report their feelings about a focal event, or
      immediately after a focal event, than when they report their feelings in general
      after a delay. New analyses rule out individual differences and focalism as
      alternative explanations for the results of our empirical studies. These studies
      show that people can accurately predict the intensity of their feelings about
      events. People overestimate in predicting the impact of events on their emotional
      state in general, but clarifying the meaning of the forecasting question reduces
      the magnitude of this bias. We conclude that the impact bias, which encompasses
      overestimating the intensity of feelings about events and overestimating the
      intensity of feelings in general, is both dead and alive. The importance of
      predicting feelings about events for decision making and the reasons people
      predict some features of emotion more accurately than others are discussed.

PMID- 24219788
TI  - Effects of five metals on the evolution of hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, and
      dimethyl sulfide during anaerobic storage of Chardonnay and Shiraz wines.
AB  - The synergistic effects of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Al on the evolution of different
      volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in a Chardonnay and a Shiraz wine have been
      investigated. The evolution of H2S, MeSH, and DMS were influenced by metal
      addition, and in some instances, a combination of metals was responsible for the
      largest variation in the concentration of VSCs. The metals and metal combinations
      associated with significant changes in VSC concentrations in both Chardonnay and
      Shiraz samples after anaerobic storage were Cu, Fe, Zn, Al, Cu*Fe, Cu*Mn*Al, and
      Cu*Zn*Al for H2S; Cu, Zn, Fe*Mn, and Cu*Fe*Mn for MeSH; and Al and Zn*Al for DMS.
      The effect of Cu addition on the evolution of VSCs has previously been shown;
      however, this investigation has demonstrated that metals other than Cu could also
      be involved in the catalytic release of VSCs and that the interactions and
      combinations of metals are important. In some instances, the metal effect was
      reversed, associated with significant decreases during high oxygen conditions and
      with significant increases during low oxygen conditions. 

PMID- 24219789
TI  - Nanostructures and electronic properties of a high-efficiency electron-donating
      polymer.
AB  - The development of organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells has seeded a bright
      hope of achieving low-cost solar energy harvesting. Practical realization and
      successful commercialization require enhancing the efficiency of solar energy
      harvesting, which, in turn, relies on the core understanding of structure
      property relationships in OPV materials. Here, we report the first large-scale
      density functional calculations of the nanoconformational and electronic
      properties of the thieno[3,4-b]thiophene-alt-benzodithiophene copolymer (PTB7), a
      high-efficiency OPV material. These first-principles results include the chain
      length dependence of the torsional potential, the nearest-neighbor torsional
      coupling, the band gap, and the electronic conjugation length. Importantly, PTB7
      was found to have a torsional potential almost independent of chain length, very
      weak nearest-neighbor torsional coupling, a low band gap (~1.8 eV), and a very
      long conjugation length (~147 A) compared to the other conjugated polymers like
      polythiophene and poly(3-alkylthiophene). These results suggest that PTB7 can be
      an efficient electron donor for OPV devices. 

PMID- 24219790
TI  - Sustained frictional instabilities on nanodomed surfaces: stick-slip amplitude
      coefficient.
AB  - Understanding the frictional properties of nanostructured surfaces is important
      because of their increasing application in modern miniaturized devices. In this
      work, lateral force microscopy was used to study the frictional properties
      between an AFM nanotip and surfaces bearing well-defined nanodomes comprising
      densely packed prolate spheroids, of diameters ranging from tens to hundreds of
      nanometers. Our results show that the average lateral force varied linearly with
      applied load, as described by Amontons' first law of friction, although no direct
      correlation between the sample topographic properties and their measured friction
      coefficients was identified. Furthermore, all the nanodomed textures exhibited
      pronounced oscillations in the shear traces, similar to the classic stick-slip
      behavior, under all the shear velocities and load regimes studied. That is, the
      nanotextured topography led to sustained frictional instabilities, effectively
      with no contact frictional sliding. The amplitude of the stick-slip oscillations,
      sigmaf, was found to correlate with the topographic properties of the surfaces
      and scale linearly with the applied load. In line with the friction coefficient,
      we define the slope of this linear plot as the stick-slip amplitude coefficient
      (SSAC). We suggest that such stick-slip behaviors are characteristics of surfaces
      with nanotextures and that such local frictional instabilities have important
      implications to surface damage and wear. We thus propose that the shear
      characteristics of the nanodomed surfaces cannot be fully described by the
      framework of Amontons' laws of friction and that additional parameters (e.g.,
      sigmaf and SSAC) are required, when their friction, lubrication, and wear
      properties are important considerations in related nanodevices. 

PMID- 24219791
TI  - Schisandrin B attenuates acetaminophen-induced hepatic injury through heat-shock
      protein 27 and 70 in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Schisandrin B is an active component isolated from Schisandra
      chinensis (TurcZ.) Baill. that is widely used as an antihepatotoxic agent.
      Schisandrin B has significant hepatoprotective effect against chemical and
      immunological liver injury. This study aimed to investigate the effect of
      Schisandrin B on the expression of 27- and 70-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP) and
      its role in protection against acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice.
      METHODS: After the mice were pretreated, Western blot and real-time quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the protein and gene expression of
      HSP27 and HSP70, respectively; the liver tissues were subjected to histological
      evaluation, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase
      activities in the serum were measured. RESULTS: Oral administration of
      Schisandrin B increased the expression of HSP27 and HSP70 in a time- and dose
      dependent manner. The inducing effect of Schisandrin B on HSP27 and HSP70 was
      also confirmed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In the
      acetaminophen-induced liver injury mouse model, the prior oral administration of
      Schisandrin B (200 mg/kg) three times in 24 h markedly alleviated liver injury as
      indicated by the amelioration of histopathological hepatic necrosis and the
      reduction of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities
      in the serum. However, the earlier actions of Schisandrin B were all suppressed
      significantly by Quercetin, a known HSP inhibitor. CONCLUSION: The hepatic
      cytoprotective action of Schisandrin B against acetaminophen-induced liver injury
      is mediated, at least in part, by the induction of HSP27 and HSP70 in mice.

PMID- 24219792
TI  - The endotoxin/toll-like receptor-4 axis mediates gut microvascular dysfunction
      associated with post-prandial lipidemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postprandial lipidemia is important in the development of coronary
      artery disease (CAD). Consumption of a meal high in monounsaturated fat was
      correlated with acute impairment of endothelial function. However, the mechanisms
      underlying impaired endothelial function in the postprandial state have not yet
      been elucidated. The effects of polyunsaturated fat (corn oil) and
      monounsaturated fat (olive oil) on vascular dysfunction in intestinal
      postcapillary venules and arterioles were examined in wild-type (WT) mice, mice
      genetically deficient in TLR4 (TLR4-/-) and mice pre-treated with antibiotics by
      intravital microscopy which was performed 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 hours after oil
      administration. After intravital microscopy, samples of jejunum were therefore
      collected to test TLR4, pNF-kB p65 and SIRT1 protein expression by western
      blotting. RESULTS: Our findings showed that feeding mono-unsaturated olive oil or
      polyunsaturated corn oil promoted leukocyte and platelet trafficking in the gut
      microvasculature, and impaired endothelium-dependent arteriolar vasodilator
      responses during postprandial lipidemia. The expression of TLR4, pNF-kB p65 was
      significantly increased in mice gavaged with olive oil at 2 h and was
      significantly reduced in mice gavaged for 7 days with antibiotics and in TLR4
      knockout (TLR4-/-) mice. At the same time, SIRT1 protein expression is diminished
      by feeding olive oil for 2 h, a phenomenon that is attenuated in mice pre-treated
      with antibiotics and in TLR4-/- mice. Corn oil treated mice exhibited a pattern
      of response similar to olive oil. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary oils may be negative
      regulators of SIRT1 which activate the innate immune response through the
      endotoxin/TLR4 axis. Our findings establish a link between innate immunity (i.e.
      the endotoxin/TLR4 axis) and epigenetic controls mediated by SIRT1 in the genesis
      of diet associated vascular stress.

PMID- 24219793
TI  - Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis: current options and future perspectives.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a very common disease, caused by
      environmental aeroallergen, and clinically expressed by sneezing, nasal itching,
      rhinorrhea and obstruction. It is often considered a mild illness, but actually
      it has a significant individual and social burden. The management of AR is based
      on allergen avoidance, pharmacological treatment and allergen specific
      immunotherapy. AREAS COVERED: In this article, the authors summarize the current
      status of pharmacotherapy of AR, its possible options and the future perspective.
      EXPERT OPINION: In most cases of AR, pharmacotherapy must be considered the
      cornerstone intervention. Particularly, antihistamines and intranasal
      corticosteroids should be the first-line agents. Other agents to be considered,
      depending on clinical features in single patients, are systemic corticosteroids,
      antileukotrienes, anticholinergics, nasal decongestants and mast cell
      stabilizers. Specific immunotherapy is able to reduce the drugs consumption and
      was shown to be effective in severe rhinitis uncontrolled with drugs. The future
      perspective include combination therapy with intranasal antihistamines and
      corticosteroids, the anti-IgE antibody omalizumab, histamine H3 and H4 receptor
      antagonists, cytokine inhibitors and toll-like receptors targeted treatment.

PMID- 24219794
TI  - Modular, gold-catalyzed approach to the synthesis of lead-like piperazine
      scaffolds.
AB  - Ring-opening of cyclic sulfamidates with propargylic sulfonamides yielded
      substrates for a gold-catalyzed cyclization to yield tetrahydropyrazines.
      Manipulation of the tetrahydropyrazines, by reduction or using multicomponent
      reactions, yielded piperazine scaffolds in which substitution of the carbon atoms
      was varied. Such scaffolds may have value in the synthesis of novel screening
      compounds with lead-like molecular properties. 

PMID- 24219796
TI  - Cell-to-cell signaling through light: just a ghost of chance?
AB  - Despite the large number of reports attributing the signaling between detached
      cell cultures to the electromagnetic phenomena, almost no report so far included
      a rigorous analysis of the possibility of such signaling.In this paper, we
      examine the physical feasibility of the electromagnetic communication between
      cells, especially through light, with regard to the ambient noise illumination.
      We compare theoretically attainable parameters of communication with
      experimentally obtained data of the photon emission from cells without a
      specially pronounced ability of bioluminescence.We show that the weak intensity
      of the emission together with an unfavorable signal-to-noise ratio, which is
      typical for natural conditions, represent an important obstacle to the signal
      detection by cells.

PMID- 24219797
TI  - Solid-state stability and compatibility studies of clavulanate potassium.
AB  - The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of degradation of clavulanate potassium
      in the solid state were studied by using a reversed phase high performance liquid
      chromatography (RP-HPLC) method. The degradation of clavulanate potassium was a
      first-order reaction depending on the substrate concentration at an increased
      relative air humidity (RH) and in dry air. The dependence ln k = f(1/T) became
      the ln k = (0.026 +/- 166.35)-(2702.82 +/- 1779.43)(1/T) in dry air and ln k =
      (1.65 +/- 100.40) * 10(3)-(5748.81 +/- 3659.67)(1/T) at 76.4% RH. The
      thermodynamic parameters Ea, DeltaH(?a), DeltaS(?a) of the degradation of
      clavulanate potassium in the solid state were calculated. The dependence ln k = f
      (RH%) assumed the form ln k = (8.78 +/- 5.75) 10 (-2) (RH%) + (2.64 * 10(-8 )+/-
      40.41). The compatibility of clavulanate potassium with commonly used excipients
      was studied at an increased temperature and in dry air. The geometric structure
      of molecule, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied
      molecular orbital (LUMO) orbitals were also determined in order to predict the
      structural changes and reactive sites in clavulanate potassium during degradation
      and compatibility studies in the solid state. The ultraviolet (UV), Fourier
      transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman spectra of degraded samples of
      the compound were analyzed.

PMID- 24219798
TI  - Magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia: a new frontier in biology and medicine?

PMID- 24219799
TI  - Comparison of magnetic nanoparticle and microwave hyperthermia cancer treatment
      methodology and treatment effect in a rodent breast cancer model.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of iron
      oxide/magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia (mNPH) and 915 MHz microwave
      hyperthermia at the same thermal dose in a mouse mammary adenocarcinoma model.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A thermal dose equivalent to 60 min at 43  degrees C
      (CEM60) was delivered to a syngeneic mouse mammary adenocarcinoma flank tumour
      (MTGB) via mNPH or locally delivered 915 MHz microwaves. mNPH was generated with
      ferromagnetic, hydroxyethyl starch-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Following mNP
      delivery, the mouse/tumour was exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF).
      The microwave hyperthermia treatment was delivered by a 915 MHz microwave surface
      applicator. Time required for the tumour to reach three times the treatment
      volume was used as the primary study endpoint. Acute pathological effects of the
      treatments were determined using conventional histopathological techniques.
      RESULTS: Locally delivered mNPH resulted in a modest improvement in treatment
      efficacy as compared to microwave hyperthermia (p = 0.09) when prescribed to the
      same thermal dose. Tumours treated with mNPH also demonstrated reduced
      peritumoral normal tissue damage. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate similar
      tumour treatment efficacy when tumour heating is delivered by locally delivered
      mNPs and 915 MHz microwaves at the same measured thermal dose. However, mNPH
      treatments did not result in the same type or level of peritumoral damage seen
      with the microwave hyperthermia treatments. These data suggest that mNP
      hyperthermia is capable of improving the therapeutic ratio for locally delivered
      tumour hyperthermia. These results further indicate that this improvement is due
      to improved heat localisation in the tumour.

PMID- 24219800
TI  - In vivo applications of magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia.
AB  - Hyperthermia is considered to be a promising tool for the treatment of tumours.
      Intensive research activities reveal a distinct impact not only on the cellular
      level but also on tumour physiology which favours the combination with the
      classical oncologic modalities radio- and chemotherapy. Different techniques have
      been established so far. Among them, magnetic hyperthermia exploits the intrinsic
      magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles (magnetite and maghemite) which
      induce heating during the exposure to an alternating magnetic field. Beyond the
      advantage that heating is generated within the tumour and not from outside the
      body, the amounts of magnetic material and their intratumoral distribution
      patterns are key factors determining the therapeutic outcome. They can be
      influenced by the use of different application routes, which will be discussed in
      this paper.

PMID- 24219802
TI  - Which factors influence the appropriateness of testosterone-lowering medications
      for sex offenders? A survey among clinicians from German forensic-psychiatric
      institutions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although testosterone-lowering medications (TLM) are a frequently
      used addition to psychotherapy in sex offender treatment, discord still seems to
      exist amongst clinicians as to in which cases administering TLM is justified. The
      depo-Provera scale (DPS), which was published by Maletzky and Field (Aggress
      Violent Behav 2003;8:391), assesses the appropriateness of TLM administration in
      sex offender treatment. METHODS: The DPS was sent to all forensic psychiatric
      institutions in Germany. The clinical directors of these institutions were asked
      to rate the importance of each item of the DPS on a six-point Likert scale.
      RESULTS: Twenty-nine clinicians participated. The most important reason selected
      for the prescription of TLM for sex offender treatment was a "history of sexual
      offender treatment failure". The least important item was "deviant sexual
      interest, by plethysmograph or Abel Screen" (neither plethysmograph nor Abel
      Screen is used in Germany). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians' attitudes towards the DPS
      correspond to the suggestions made in the current WSFBF-guidelines for the
      pharmacological treatment of sex offenders (Thibaut et al. 2010 ; World J Biol
      Psychiatry 11:604-655). Use of the DPS could therefore contribute to a more
      structured approach towards helping clinicians come to a decision about whether
      or not to treat a sex offender with TLM.

PMID- 24219803
TI  - Dominant negative DISC1 mutant mice display specific social behaviour deficits
      and aberration in BDNF and cannabinoid receptor expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVES. Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is considered the most prominent
      candidate gene for schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to characterize
      behavioural and brain biochemical traits in a mouse expressing a dominant
      negative DISC1mutant (DN-DISC1). METHODS: DN-DISC1 mice underwent behavioural
      tests to evaluate object recognition, social preference and social novelty
      seeking. ELISA was conducted on brain tissue to evaluate BDNF levels. Western
      blot was employed to measure BDNF receptor (TrkB) and cannabinoid receptor CB1.
      RESULTS: The mutant DISC1 mice displayed deficits in preference to social novelty
      while both social preference and object recognition were intact. Biochemical
      analysis of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus revealed a modest reduction in
      cortical TrkB protein levels of male mice while no differences in BDNF levels
      were observed. We found sex dependent differences in the expression of
      cannabinoid-1 receptors. CONCLUSIONS: We describe novel behavioural and
      biochemical abnormalities in the DN-DISC1 mouse model of schizophrenia. The data
      shows for the first time a possible link between DISC1 mutation and the
      cannabinoid system.

PMID- 24219804
TI  - Low serum BDNF levels in depressed patients cannot be attributed to individual
      depressive symptoms or symptom cluster.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Low serum BDNF levels have been found in depressed patients. No study
      has systematically investigated whether individual symptoms or symptom profiles
      within a depressed population contribute to low BDNF levels found in depressed
      subjects. METHODS: All 1070 patients with a past 6-month diagnosis of major
      depressive disorder from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA)
      were included. Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and Inventory
      of Depressive Symptoms (IDS) items were tested individually in separate multiple
      regression analyses with serum BDNF level as the dependent and the CIDI or IDS
      item as independent variable. Subsequently, we compared BDNF levels between
      patients with seasonal affective disorder (based on the Seasonal Pattern
      Assessment Questionnaire) and melancholic depression, atypical depression and
      moderate depression (based on a latent class analysis). All analyses were
      adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: Only one item was significantly associated
      with serum BDNF levels, namely the CIDI item "loss of interest" (beta = 0.14; P <
      0.01). Counterintuitively the presence of this symptom was associated with higher
      BDNF levels. Other items and the comparison between different types of depression
      did not reveal significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased serum BDNF levels
      in depression cannot be attributed to a specific symptom or symptom cluster.

PMID- 24219801
TI  - Discovery of protective B-cell epitopes for development of antimicrobial vaccines
      and antibody therapeutics.
AB  - Protective antibodies play an essential role in immunity to infection by
      neutralizing microbes or their toxins and recruiting microbicidal effector
      functions. Identification of the protective B-cell epitopes, those parts of
      microbial antigens that contact the variable regions of the protective
      antibodies, can lead to development of antibody therapeutics, guide vaccine
      design, enable assessment of protective antibody responses in infected or
      vaccinated individuals, and uncover or localize pathogenic microbial functions
      that could be targeted by novel antimicrobials. Monoclonal antibodies are
      required to link in vivo or in vitro protective effects to specific epitopes and
      may be obtained from experimental animals or from humans, and their binding can
      be localized to specific regions of antigens by immunochemical assays. The
      epitopes are then identified with mapping methods such as X-ray crystallography
      of antigen-antibody complexes, antibody inhibition of hydrogen-deuterium exchange
      in the antigen, antibody-induced alteration of the nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectrum of the antigen, and experimentally validated computational docking of
      antigen-antibody complexes. The diversity in shape, size and structure of
      protective B-cell epitopes, and the increasing importance of protective B-cell
      epitope discovery to development of vaccines and antibody therapeutics are
      illustrated through examples from different microbe categories, with emphasis on
      epitopes targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies to pathogens of high
      antigenic variation. Examples include the V-shaped Ab52 glycan epitope in the O
      antigen of Francisella tularensis, the concave CR6261 peptidic epitope in the
      haemagglutinin stem of influenza virus H1N1, and the convex/concave PG16
      glycopeptidic epitope in the gp120 V1/V2 loop of HIV type 1.

PMID- 24219805
TI  - Schwann cell-free adult canine olfactory ensheathing cell preparations from
      olfactory bulb and mucosa display differential migratory and neurite growth
      promoting properties in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) and Schwann
      cells (SC) is a promising therapeutic strategy to promote axonal growth and
      remyelination after spinal cord injury. Previous studies mainly focused on the
      rat model though results from primate and porcine models differed from those in
      the rat model. Interestingly, canine OECs show primate-like in vitro
      characteristics, such as absence of early senescence and abundance of stable
      p75NTR expression indicating that this species represents a valuable
      translational species for further studies. So far, few investigations have tested
      different glial cell types within the same study under identical conditions. This
      makes it very difficult to evaluate contradictory or confirmatory findings
      reported in various studies. Moreover, potential contamination of OEC
      preparations with Schwann cells was difficult to exclude. Thus, it remains rather
      controversial whether the different glial types display distinct cellular
      properties. RESULTS: Here, we established cultures of Schwann cell-free OECs from
      olfactory bulb (OB-OECs) and mucosa (OM-OECs) and compared them in assays to
      Schwann cells. These glial cultures were obtained from a canine large animal
      model and used for monitoring migration, phagocytosis and the effects on in vitro
      neurite growth. OB-OECs and Schwann cells migrated faster than OM-OECs in a
      scratch wound assay. Glial cell migration was not modulated by cGMP and cAMP
      signaling, but activating protein kinase C enhanced motility. All three glial
      cell types displayed phagocytic activity in a microbead assay. In co-cultures
      with of human model (NT2) neurons neurite growth was maximal on OB-OECs.
      CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence that OB- and OM-OECs display distinct
      migratory behavior and interaction with neurites. OB-OECs migrate faster and
      enhance neurite growth of human model neurons better than Schwann cells,
      suggesting distinct and inherent properties of these closely-related cell types.
      Future studies will have to address whether, and how, these cellular properties
      correlate with the in vivo behavior after transplantation.

PMID- 24219806
TI  - Aortic arch shape is not associated with hypertensive response to exercise in
      patients with repaired congenital heart diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aortic arch geometry is linked to abnormal blood pressure (BP)
      response to maximum exercise. This study aims to quantitatively assess whether
      aortic arch geometry plays a role in blood pressure (BP) response to exercise.
      METHODS: 60 age- and BSA-matched subjects--20 post-aortic coarctation (CoA)
      repair, 20 transposition of great arteries post arterial switch operation (ASO)
      and 20 healthy controls--had a three-dimensional (3D), whole heart magnetic
      resonance angiography (MRA) at 1.5 Tesla, 3D geometric reconstructions created
      from the MRA. All subjects underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test on the same
      day as MRA using an ergometer cycle with manual BP measurements. Geometric
      analysis and their correlation with BP at peak exercise were assessed. RESULTS:
      Arch curvature was similarly acute in both the post-CoA and ASO cases [0.05 +/-
      0.01 vs. 0.05 +/- 0.01 (1/mm/m2); p = 1.0] and significantly different to that of
      normal healthy controls [0.05 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.03 +/- 0.01 (1/mm/m2), p < 0.001].
      Indexed transverse arch cross sectional area were significantly abnormal in the
      post-CoA cases compared to the ASO cases (117.8 +/- 47.7 vs. 221.3 +/- 44.6; p <
      0.001) and controls (117.8 +/- 47.7 vs. 157.5 +/- 27.2 mm2; p = 0.003). BP
      response to peak exercise did not correlate with arch curvature (r = 0.203, p =
      0.120), but showed inverse correlation with indexed minimum cross sectional area
      of transverse arch and isthmus (r = -0.364, p = 0.004), and ratios of minimum
      arch area/ descending diameter (r = -0.491, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Transverse
      arch and isthmus hypoplasia, rather than acute arch angulation plays a role in
      the pathophysiology of BP response to peak exercise following CoA repair.

PMID- 24219807
TI  - Measurement of air-sea exchange of dimethyl sulfide and acetone by PTR-MS coupled
      with gradient flux technique.
AB  - We developed a new method for in situ measurement of air-sea fluxes of multiple
      volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by combining proton transfer reaction-mass
      spectrometry (PTR-MS) and gradient flux (GF) technique. The PTR-MS/GF system was
      first deployed to determine the air-sea flux of VOCs in the open ocean of the
      western Pacific, in addition to carbon dioxide and water vapor. Each profiling at
      seven heights from the ocean surface up to 14 m took 7 min. In total, 34 vertical
      profiles of VOCs in the marine atmosphere just above the ocean surface were
      obtained. The vertical gradient observed was significant for dimethyl sulfide
      (DMS) and acetone with the best-fit curves on quasi-logarithmic relationship. The
      mean fluxes of DMS and acetone were 5.5 +/- 1.5 and 2.7 +/- 1.3 MUmol/m(2)/day,
      respectively. These fluxes are in general in accordance with those reported by
      previous expeditions. 

PMID- 24219808
TI  - Electrodeposited cobalt-sulfide catalyst for electrochemical and
      photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation from water.
AB  - A cobalt-sulfide (Co-S) film prepared via electrochemical deposition on
      conductive substrates is shown to behave as an efficient and robust catalyst for
      electrochemical and photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation from neutral pH
      water. Electrochemical experiments demonstrate that the film exhibits a low
      catalytic onset overpotential (eta) of 43 mV, a Tafel slope of 93 mV/dec, and
      near 100% Faradaic efficiency in pH 7 phosphate buffer. Catalytic current
      densities can approach 50 mA/cm(2) and activity is maintained for at least 40 h.
      The catalyst can also be electrochemically coated on silicon, rendering a water
      compatible photoelectrochemical system for hydrogen production under simulated 1
      sun illumination. The facile preparation of this Co-S film, along with its low
      overpotential, high activity, and long-term aqueous stability, offer promising
      features for potential use in solar energy applications. 

PMID- 24219809
TI  - Enmein-type 6,7-seco-ent-kauranoids from Isodon sculponeatus.
AB  - Fourteen enmein-type 6,7-seco-ent-kaurane diterpenoids, seven new ones
      (sculponins M-S, 1-7) and seven known compounds (8-14), were isolated from the
      aerial parts of Isodon sculponeatus . Compound 1 is the first example of an ent
      kauranoid, possessing a 11,12-epoxy group, and compounds 6 and 7 have a rare 3,6
      epoxy group. The structures were established primarily by NMR and MS methods, and
      the absolute configurations of 1, 3, and 6 were determined by single-crystal X
      ray diffraction. Compound 14 showed significant cytotoxic activity against five
      human tumor lines, with IC50 values ranging from 1.0 to 3.5 MUM, and it also
      inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, with an IC50 value of
      2.2 MUM. 

PMID- 24219811
TI  - Species and hybrid identification of sturgeon caviar: a new molecular approach to
      detect illegal trade.
AB  - Overexploitation of wild populations due to the high economic value of caviar has
      driven sturgeons to near extinction. The high prices commanded by caviar on world
      markets have made it a magnet for illegal and fraudulent caviar trade, often
      involving low-value farmed caviar being sold as top-quality caviar. We present a
      new molecular approach for the identification of pure sturgeon species and
      hybrids that are among the most commercialized species in Europe and North
      America. Our test is based on the discovery of species-specific single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ribosomal protein S7, supplemented with the Vimentin
      gene and the mitochondrial D-loop. Test validations performed in 702 specimens of
      target and nontarget sturgeon species demonstrated a 100% identification success
      for Acipenser naccarii, A. fulvescens, A. stellatus, A. sinensis and A.
      transmontanus. In addition to species identification, our approach allows the
      identification of Bester and AL hybrids, two of the most economically important
      hybrids in the world, with 80% and 100% success, respectively. Moreover, the
      approach has the potential to identify many other existing sturgeon hybrids. The
      development of a standardized sturgeon identification tool will directly benefit
      trade law enforcement, providing the tools to monitor and regulate the legal
      trade of caviar and protect sturgeon stocks from illicit producers and traders,
      hence contributing to safeguarding this group of heavily threatened species.

PMID- 24219812
TI  - Loss of melanocytes in hypopigmented mycosis fungoides: a study of 18 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypopigmentation in hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (MF) is thought
      to result from the action of CD8+ cells on melanocytes. Here, we investigated the
      immunophenotype and melanocytic markers in hypopigmented MF lesions. METHODS:
      Specimens of hypopigmented lesions and normal skin from 18 patients with
      hypopigmented MF and specimens of non-hypopigmented lesions from 8 patients with
      classic/conventional MF were subjected to neoplastic immunophenotyping and
      melanocyte immunostaining with Melan-A, tyrosinase, stem cell factor receptor
      (CD117) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF). RESULTS: The
      CD8+ immunophenotype was more common in hypopigmented MF lesions (14/18) than in
      conventional MF lesions (1/8, p = 0.0033). There was a main effect of specimen
      type (hypopigmented MF lesion, hypopigmented MF normal skin, conventional MF
      lesion) on the number of melanocytes stained with Melan-A (median number/mm basal
      membrane, 1.97 vs. 4.77 vs. 5.42, respectively, p = 0.0046), tyrosinase (2.19 vs.
      4.02 vs. 5.26, p = 0.0114), CD117 (4.29 vs. 7.81 vs. 5.45, p = 0.0064), and MiTF
      (2.75 vs. 4.43 vs. 4.98, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm previous
      findings of fewer melanocytes and CD117-positive melanocytes in hypopigmented MF
      and showed reduced MiTF identification, which is crucial for the function and
      survival of melanocytes. Thus cytotoxic CD8+ cell action may determine CD117/MiTF
      dysfunction, causing hypopigmentation.

PMID- 24219813
TI  - Person-centred care in the Indonesian health-care system.
AB  - Person-centred care (PCC) is defined as the health-care providers selecting and
      delivering interventions or treatments that are respectful of and responsive to
      the characteristics, needs, preferences and values of the individual person. This
      model of care puts the person at the centre of care delivery. The World Health
      Organization suggests that PCC is one of the essential dimensions of health care
      and as such is an important indicator of health-care quality. However, how PCC is
      implemented differs between countries in response to local cultures, resources
      and consumer expectations of health care. This article discusses person-centred
      care in the Indonesian health-care system. 

PMID- 24219815
TI  - Effect of facial material softness and applied force on face mask dead volume,
      face mask seal, and inhaled corticosteroid delivery through an idealized infant
      replica.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During the aerosol delivery device design and optimization process,
      in vitro lung dose (LD) measurements are often performed using soft face models,
      which may provide a more clinically relevant representation of face mask dead
      volume (MDV) and face mask seal (FMS) than hard face models. However, a
      comparison of MDV, FMS, and LD for hard and soft face models is lacking. METHODS:
      Metal, silicone, and polyurethane represented hard, soft, and very soft facial
      materials, respectively. MDV was measured using a water displacement technique.
      FMS was measured using a valved holding chamber (VHC) flow rate technique. The LD
      of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) delivered via a 100-MUg Qvar(r) pressurized
      metered dose inhaler with AeroChamber Plus(r) Flow-Vu(r) VHC and Small Mask,
      defined as that which passes through the nasal airways of the idealized infant
      geometry, was measured using a bias tidal flow system with a filter. MDV, FMS,
      and LD were measured at 1.5 lb and 3.5 lb of applied force. A mathematical model
      was used to predict LD based on experimental measurements of MDV and FMS.
      RESULTS: Experimental BDP LD measurements for ABS, silicone, and polyurethane at
      1.5 lb were 0.9 (0.6) MUg, 2.4 (1.9) MUg, and 19.3 (0.9) MUg, respectively. At
      3.5 lb, the respective LD was 10.0 (1.5) MUg, 13.8 (1.4) MUg, and 14.2 (0.9) MUg.
      Parametric analysis with the mathematical model showed that differences in FMS
      between face models had a greater impact on LD than differences in MDV.
      CONCLUSIONS: The use of soft face models resulted in higher LD than hard face
      models, with a greater difference at 1.5 lb than at 3.5 lb. A lack of a FMS led
      to decreased dose consistency; therefore, a sealant should be used when measuring
      LD with a hard ABS or soft silicone face model at 1.5 lb of applied force or
      less.

PMID- 24219814
TI  - Nebulized tobramycin in the treatment of adult CF pulmonary exacerbations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Repeated courses of intravenous (IV) aminoglycosides in cystic
      fibrosis (CF) patients are associated with cumulative nephrotoxicity. Targeting
      their delivery through the inhaled route during acute pulmonary exacerbations may
      also be effective, but without systemic side effects. METHODS: Using a randomized
      crossover trial design, in a pilot study we compared 14 days of IV tobramycin
      with nebulized tobramycin 300 mg twice a day (TNS) in acute respiratory
      exacerbations in 20 CF adults chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      (Psa). Patients also received IV colistin in both arms. RESULTS: Improvement in
      spirometry was similar between the two groups [mean change in FEV1 % predicted:
      IV group 16.4 (standard deviation 8.5) versus TNS group 19.9 (11.3), p=0.26], but
      there was more suppression of sputum Psa in the TNS group [mean difference
      between treatments 0.85 log10 colony-forming units/mL (CI 0.03 to 1.67), p=0.05].
      IV tobramycin was associated with a greater urinary protein leak [mean difference
      between treatments 0.59 mg/24 hr (0.30 to 0.87), p=0.0005] and higher urinary
      levels of markers of acute renal tubular injury: N-acetylglucosaminidase [0.72
      IU/mmol (0.37 to 1.07), p=0.0004], alanine aminopeptidase [1.19 IU/mmol (0.70 to
      1.68), p=0.0001], and beta2-microglobulin [0.44 MUg/mmol (0.16 to 0.72),
      p=0.0046] than TNS. Compared with IV tobramycin, TNS treatment prolonged the time
      to next exacerbation requiring hospitalization (p<0.001). Patient satisfaction
      was similar with both treatments, and no serious adverse effects were recorded.
      CONCLUSIONS: TNS is effective in treating acute exacerbations of Psa in CF
      patients, but with a renal sparing potential compared with the IV preparation.

PMID- 24219816
TI  - Methodology for the in vitro evaluation of the delivery efficiency from valved
      holding chambers with facemasks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In vitro performance studies of valved holding chamber (VHC)-facemask
      systems are a cost-effective means of circumventing potentially confounding
      clinical variables. This article reports results of an in vitro investigation
      into VHC-facemask performance, using three age-specific soft anatomical model
      (SAM) faces, under clinically relevant conditions. METHODS: A potentially
      standardized method was developed to assess VHC-facemask seal leakage, and
      evaluate the in vitro delivery efficiency of conventional and antistatic VHC
      facemask systems. A custom-built test rig and VHC cradles were used to position
      the VHC-facemask systems against the SAM faces, with a constant, reproducible
      force. A standardized simulated pediatric breathing pattern (tidal volume = 155
      mL; inhalation:exhalation ratio = 40:60; 25 breaths/min) was utilized. Percent
      facemask seal leakage, percent delivered dose, and the effect of different
      numbers of simulated breaths (2 to 8) were investigated. RESULTS: Of the VHC
      facemask systems tested, the OptiChamber Diamond VHC with LiteTouch facemask
      (Diamond) system had the lowest percent seal leakage with each SAM face. Percent
      seal leakage from the other VHC-facemask systems was similar with SAM0 and SAM2
      faces; the AeroChamber Plus Z-Stat VHC with ComfortSeal facemask (AC Z-Stat)
      system had a substantially greater percent seal leakage with the SAM1 face.
      Regardless of the number of simulated breaths, the Diamond system delivered the
      greatest mean percent delivered dose, with the lowest coefficient of variation,
      with each SAM face. Percent delivered dose did not correlate well with seal
      leakage, particularly for VHC-facemask systems with high seal leakage. The
      electrostatic properties of the VHCs appeared to influence drug delivery.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a potentially standardized method for the
      evaluation of VHC-facemask systems. Use of this method enabled a comprehensive
      investigation into the influence of clinically relevant variables, including age
      specific facial anatomy, number of simulated breaths, and seal leakage, on the
      delivery efficiency of several commercially available VHC-facemask systems.

PMID- 24219817
TI  - Hand hygiene monitoring technology: protocol for a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Healthcare worker hand hygiene is thought to be one of the most
      important strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections, but compliance
      is generally poor. Hand hygiene improvement interventions must include audits of
      compliance (almost always with feedback), which are most often done by direct
      observation - a method that is expensive, subjective, and prone to bias. New
      technologies, including electronic and video hand hygiene monitoring systems,
      have the potential to provide continuous and objective monitoring of hand
      hygiene, regular feedback, and for some systems, real-time reminders. We propose
      a systematic review of the evidence supporting the effectiveness of these
      systems. The primary objective is to determine whether hand hygiene monitoring
      systems yield sustainable improvements in hand hygiene compliance when compared
      to usual care. METHODS/DESIGN: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and other relevant
      databases will be searched for randomized control studies and quasi-experimental
      studies evaluating a video or electronic hand hygiene monitoring system. A
      standard data collection form will be used to abstract relevant information from
      included studies. Bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Effective Practice and
      Organization of Care Group Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Studies will be reviewed
      independently by two reviewers, with disputes resolved by a third reviewer. The
      primary outcome is directly observed hand hygiene compliance. Secondary outcomes
      include healthcare-associated infection incidence and improvements in hand
      hygiene compliance as measured by alternative metrics. Results will be
      qualitatively summarized with comparisons made between study quality, the
      measured outcome, and study-specific factors that may be expected to affect
      outcome (for example, study duration, frequency of feedback, use of real-time
      reminders). Meta-analysis will be performed if there is more than one study of
      similar systems with comparable outcome definitions. DISCUSSION: Electronic and
      video monitoring systems have the potential to improve hand hygiene compliance
      and prevent healthcare-associated infection, but are expensive, difficult to
      install and maintain, and may not be accepted by all healthcare workers. This
      review will assess the current evidence of effectiveness of these systems before
      their widespread adoption. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number:
      CRD42013004519.

PMID- 24219819
TI  - Theoretical modeling of deuteration-induced shifts of the 0-0 bands in absorption
      spectra of selected aromatic amines: the role of the double-well potential.
AB  - The harmonic approximation fails for inversion of the NH2 group in the ground
      state of aromatic amines as this vibration is characterized by a symmetric double
      well potential with relatively small energy barrier. In such cases, the standard
      harmonic vibrational analysis is inapplicable: the inversion frequency calculated
      for the bottom of the potential well is strongly overestimated, while it attains
      imaginary values for the planar conformation of the molecule. The model
      calculations are discussed taking explicitly into account the presence of the
      double-well potential. The study is initially focused on reproduction of the
      deuteration-induced shifts of the 0-0 absorption band for anthranilic acid. The
      (incorrect) harmonic frequency of the NH2 inversion is replaced by a better one,
      obtained from numerical calculations employing a simple, quartic-quadratic model
      for the double-well potential, which is parametrized using just the harmonic
      frequency of the inversion and the height of the energy barrier. This operation
      brings theoretical results to qualitative agreement with experiment. A still
      better match is achieved with a modified version of the model that accounts for
      mixing of the NH2 inversion mode with other normal modes while retaining the
      initial simplicity of one-dimensional approach. The corrected results show
      surprisingly good accuracy, with deviations of the calculated shifts from the
      experimental values reduced to less than 5 cm(-1). In order to test the
      performance of the model for systems with higher energy barrier for the NH2
      inversion, we have measured the LIF excitation spectra of three different
      amminobenzonitriles. Partial assignment of the 0-0 bands has been achieved based
      on their relative intensities for samples with different isotopic exchange
      ratios. Calculated shifts are in excellent agreement with experimental values for
      the identified bands. Theoretical predictions are used to complete the assignment
      of the 0-0 bands in the spectra of the studied amminobenzonitriles. 

PMID- 24219818
TI  - Comparing treatment outcomes of different chemotherapy sequences during intensity
      modulated radiotherapy for advanced N-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: N-stage is related to distant metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
      (NPC) patients. We performed this study to compare the efficacy of different
      chemotherapy sequences in advanced N-stage (N2 and N3) NPC patients treated with
      intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). METHODS: From 2001 to 2008, 198 advanced
      N-stage NPC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-three patients
      received IMRT alone. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) was delivered to 72
      patients, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) + CCRT to 82 patients and CCRT +
      adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) to 11 patients. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival
      rate, recurrence-free survival rate, distant metastasis-free survival rate and
      progress-free survival rate were 47.7% and 73.1%(p<0.001), 74.5% and 91.3% (p =
      0.004), 49.2% and 68.5% (p = 0.018), 37.5% and 63.8% (p<0.001) in IMRT alone and
      chemoradiotherapy group. Subgroup analyses indicated that there were no
      significant differences among the survival curves of CCRT, NACT + CCRT and CCRT +
      AC groups. The survival benefit mainly came from CCRT. However, there was only an
      improvement attendency in distant metastasis-free survival rate of CCRT group (p
      = 0.107) when compared with RT alone group, and NACT + CCRT could significantly
      improve distant metastasis-free survival (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: For advanced N
      stage NPC patients, NACT + CCRT might be a reasonable treatment strategy.

PMID- 24219821
TI  - Can a validated sleep apnea scoring system predict cardiopulmonary events using
      propofol sedation for routine EGD or colonoscopy? A prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is linked to the prevalence of
      obesity, continues to rise in the United States. There are limited data on the
      risk for sedation-related adverse events (SRAE) in patients with undiagnosed OSA
      receiving propofol for routine EGD and colonoscopy. OBJECTIVE: To identify the
      prevalence of OSA by using the STOP-BANG questionnaire (SB) and subsequent risk
      factors for airway interventions (AI) and SRAE in patients undergoing elective
      EGD and colonoscopy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary-care
      teaching hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 243 patients undergoing routine EGD or
      colonoscopy at Cleveland Clinic. INTERVENTION: Chin lift, mask ventilation,
      placement of nasopharyngeal airway, bag mask ventilation, unplanned endotracheal
      intubation, hypoxia, hypotension, or early procedure termination. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS: Rates of AI and SRAE. RESULTS: Mean age of the cohort was 50 +/-
      16.2 years, and 41% were male. The prevalence of SB+ was 48.1%. The rates of
      hypoxia (11.2% vs 16.9%; P = .20) and hypotension (10.4% vs 5.9%; P = .21) were
      similar between SB- and SB+ patients. An SB score >=3 was found not to be
      associated with occurrence of AI (relative risk [RR] 1.07, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 0.79-1.5) or SRAE (RR 0.81, 95% CI, 0.53-1.2) after we adjusted for
      total and loading dose of propofol, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and age.
      Higher BMI was associated with an increased risk for AI (RR 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01
      1.04) and SRAE (RR 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.05). Increased patient age (RR 1.09; 95%
      CI, 1.02-1.2), higher loading propofol doses (RR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.8), and
      smoking (RR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.9) were associated with higher rates of SRAE.
      LIMITATIONS: Non-randomized study. CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients
      undergoing routine EGD and colonoscopy are at risk for OSA. SB+ patients are not
      at higher risk for AI or SRAE. However, other risk factors for AI and SRAE have
      been identified and must be taken into account to optimize patient safety.

PMID- 24219820
TI  - Predicting mortality in patients with in-hospital nonvariceal upper GI bleeding:
      a prospective, multicenter database study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonvariceal upper GI bleeding (NVUGIB) that occurs in patients
      already hospitalized for another condition is associated with increased
      mortality, but outcome predictors have not been consistently identified.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical outcomes of NVUGIB and identify predictors of
      mortality from NVUGIB in patients with in-hospital bleeding compared with
      outpatients. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from 2
      nationwide multicenter databases. Descriptive, inferential, and multivariate
      logistic regression models were carried out in 338 inpatients (68.6 +/- 16.4
      years of age, 68% male patients) and 1979 outpatients (67.8 +/- 17 years of age,
      66% male patients). A predictive model was constructed using the risk factors
      identified at multivariate analysis, weighted according to the contribution of
      each factor. SETTINGS: A total of 23 Italian community and tertiary care centers.
      PATIENTS: Consecutive patients admitted for acute NVUGIB. INTERVENTIONS: Early
      endoscopy, medical and endoscopic treatment as appropriate. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS: Recurrent bleeding, surgery, and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: The
      mortality rate in patients with in-hospital bleeding was significantly higher
      than that in outpatients (8.9% vs 3.8%; odds ratio [OR] 2.44; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 1.57-3.79; P < .0001). Hemodynamic instability on presentation (OR
      7.31; 95% CI, 2.71-19.65) and the presence of severe comorbidity (OR 6.72; 95%
      CI, 1.87-24.0) were the strongest predictors of death for in-hospital bleeders.
      Other independent predictors of mortality were a history of peptic ulcer disease
      and failed endoscopic treatment. Rebleeding was a strong predictor of death only
      for outpatients (OR 5.22; 95% CI, 2.45-11.10). Risk factors had a different
      prognostic impact on the 2 populations, resulting in a significantly different
      prognostic accuracy of the model (area under the receiver-operating
      characteristic curve = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.77-0-93 vs 0.74; 95% CI, 0.68-0.80; P <
      .02). LIMITATIONS: Study design not experimental, no data on ward specialty,
      potential referral bias. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital bleeders have a significantly
      higher risk of death because they are sicker and more often hemodynamically
      unstable than outpatients. Predictors of death have a different impact in the 2
      populations.

PMID- 24219823
TI  - Balloon dilatation for symptomatic gastric sleeve stricture.

PMID- 24219822
TI  - In vivo endomicroscopy improves detection of Barrett's esophagus-related
      neoplasia: a multicenter international randomized controlled trial (with video).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) enables in vivo microscopic
      imaging of the GI tract mucosa. However, there are limited data on endoscope
      based CLE (eCLE) for imaging Barrett's esophagus (BE). OBJECTIVE: To compare high
      definition white-light endoscopy (HDWLE) alone with random biopsy (RB) and HDWLE
      + eCLE and targeted biopsy (TB) for diagnosis of BE neoplasia. DESIGN:
      Multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Academic medical centers.
      PATIENTS: Adult patients with BE undergoing routine surveillance or referred for
      early neoplasia. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to HDWLE + RB (group 1)
      or HDWLE + eCLE + TB (group 2). Real-time diagnoses and management plans were
      recorded after HDWLE in both groups and after eCLE in group 2. Blinded expert
      pathology diagnosis was the reference standard. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:
      Diagnostic yield, performance characteristics, clinical impact. RESULTS: A total
      of 192 patients with BE were studied. HDWLE + eCLE + TB led to a lower number of
      mucosal biopsies and higher diagnostic yield for neoplasia (34% vs 7%; P <
      .0001), compared with HDWLE + RB but with comparable accuracy. HDWLE + eCLE + TB
      tripled the diagnostic yield for neoplasia (22% vs 6%; P = .002) and would have
      obviated the need for any biopsy in 65% of patients. The addition of eCLE to
      HDWLE increased the sensitivity for neoplasia detection to 96% from 40% (P <
      .0001) without significant reduction in specificity. In vivo CLE changed the
      treatment plan in 36% of patients. LIMITATIONS: Tertiary-care referral centers
      and expert endoscopists limit generalizability. CONCLUSION: Real-time eCLE and TB
      after HDWLE can improve the diagnostic yield and accuracy for neoplasia and
      significantly impact in vivo decision making by altering the diagnosis and
      guiding therapy. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01124214.).

PMID- 24219824
TI  - Is level of neighbourhood green space associated with physical activity in green
      space?
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is accumulating evidence that greater availability of green
      space in a neighbourhood is associated with health benefits for the local
      population. One mechanism proposed for this association is that green space
      provides a venue for, and therefore encourages, physical activity. It has also
      been suggested that socio-economic health inequalities may be narrower in greener
      areas because of the equalised opportunity for physical activity green spaces
      provide. However, research exploring associations between the availability of
      green space and physical activity has produced mixed results. Limits to the
      assessment of the type and amount of physical activity which occurs specifically
      in green space may account for these mixed findings. This observational study was
      therefore concerned with the extent to which green space is a venue for physical
      activity and whether this could account for narrower socio-economic health
      inequalities in greener neighbourhoods. METHOD: Secondary analysis of cross
      sectional data on 3679 adults (16+) living in urban areas across Scotland matched
      with a neighbourhood level measure of green space availability. Associations
      between green space availability and both total physical activity, and activity
      specifically within green space, were explored using logistic regression models.
      Interactions between socio-economic position and physical activity were assessed.
      All models adjusted for age, sex and household income. RESULTS: The availability
      of green space in a neighbourhood was not associated with total physical activity
      or that specifically in green space. There was no evidence that income-related
      inequalities in physical activity within green space were narrower in greener
      areas of Scotland. CONCLUSION: Physical activity may not be the main mechanism
      explaining the association between green space and health in Scotland. The direct
      effect of perceiving a natural environment on physiological and psychological
      health may offer an alternative explanation.

PMID- 24219826
TI  - Formulation and characterization study of itraconazole-loaded microparticles.
AB  - The aim of the work was to realize itraconazole-loaded formulations in form of
      microparticles using a fast, simple and solvent free production procedure. The
      selected excipients were able to enhance wettability of the final product, to
      increase drug dissolution rate and to maintain drug in solution thanks to the
      formation of an emulsified system after contact with the gastrointestinal fluids.
      Itraconazole formulations contained a structuring lipid, a solubilizing agent and
      a surface active substance and were prepared by a hot melt method (MMS, melting
      milling-sieving). The characterization included drug content determination,
      granulometric distribution, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and in vitro
      drug release test, physical and technological stability after 12 months of
      ambient condition storage. The formulations were composed of particles with
      diameter lower than 355 MUm. DSC analysis evidenced that itraconazole was almost
      completely in the amorphous form; the results of the in vitro drug release tests
      showed that these formulations were able to increase the rate of the drug release
      compared to that of the free drug. Stability data showed no significant changes
      in the thermal and release profiles, confirming that the selected excipients
      protected the drug avoiding its conversion from amorphous state into crystalline
      form and maintaining unchanged the delivery behavior.

PMID- 24219827
TI  - Mortality associated with proton pump inhibitors in cirrhotic patients with
      spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aims of this study were to investigate whether acid
      suppressive therapy increases the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)
      and to define factors associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients with SBP.
      METHODS: Cirrhotic patients who had undergone paracentesis after hospitalization
      were included. Those patients were divided into two groups according to the
      presence or absence of SBP. Factors associated with the development of SBP were
      analyzed. Mortality rates during hospitalization or within 30 days after SBP and
      the factors associated with mortality were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of
      1140 patients (median age, 62; men, 75%; model for end-stage liver disease [MELD]
      score, 17) were included. Five hundred thirty-three patients were identified as
      having SBP. In the logistic regression, the use of histamine-2 receptor
      antagonists, the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a high admission MELD
      score, and old age were associated with the development of SBP. The use of PPIs
      within 30 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.960; 95% confidence interval [CI]
      1.190-3.227; P = 0.008), a higher admission MELD score (aOR 1.054; 95% CI 1.032
      1.076; P < 0.001), and hepatocellular carcinoma (aOR 1.852; 95% CI 1.256-2.730; P
      = 0.002) were associated with mortality after SBP. CONCLUSIONS: Acid suppressive
      therapy is associated with the development of SBP in cirrhotic patients with
      ascites. The use of PPIs is associated with mortality after SBP independent of
      the severity of the underlying liver disease in our retrospective cohort study.

PMID- 24219825
TI  - Nanoscale drug delivery platforms overcome platinum-based resistance in cancer
      cells due to abnormal membrane protein trafficking.
AB  - The development of cellular resistance to platinum-based chemotherapies is often
      associated with reduced intracellular platinum concentrations. In some models,
      this reduction is due to abnormal membrane protein trafficking, resulting in
      reduced uptake by transporters at the cell surface. Given the central role of
      platinum drugs in the clinic, it is critical to overcome cisplatin resistance by
      bypassing the plasma membrane barrier to significantly increase the intracellular
      cisplatin concentration enough to inhibit the proliferation of cisplatin
      resistant cells. Therefore, rational design of appropriate nanoscale drug
      delivery platforms (nDDPs) loaded with cisplatin or other platinum analogues as
      payloads is a possible strategy to solve this problem. This review will focus on
      the known mechanism of membrane trafficking in cisplatin-resistant cells and the
      development and employment of nDDPs to improve cell uptake of cisplatin. 

PMID- 24219828
TI  - Pharmacokinetic evaluation of oral dantrolene in the dog.
AB  - The pharmacokinetics of dantrolene and its active metabolite, 5
      hydroxydantrolene, after a single oral dose of either 5 or 10 mg/kg of dantrolene
      was determined. The effects of exposure to dantrolene and 5-hydroxydantrolene on
      activated whole-blood gene expression of the cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and
      interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were also investigated. When dantrolene was
      administered at a 5 mg/kg dose, peak plasma concentration (Cmax ) was 0.43
      MUg/mL, terminal half-life (t1/2 ) was 1.26 h, and area under the time
      concentration curve (AUC) was 3.87 MUg.h/mL. For the 10 mg/kg dose, Cmax was 0.65
      MUg/mL, t1/2 was 1.21 h, and AUC was 5.94 MUg.h/mL. For all calculated
      parameters, however, there were large standard deviations and wide ranges noted
      between and within individual dogs: t1/2 , for example, ranged from 0.43 to 6.93
      h, Cmax ratios ranged from 1.05 to 3.39, and relative bioavailability (rF) values
      ranged from 0.02 to 1.56. While activated whole-blood expression of IL-2 and IFN
      gamma as measured by qRT-PCR was markedly suppressed following exposure to very
      high concentrations (30 and 50 MUg/mL, respectively) of both dantrolene and 5
      hydroxydantrolene, biologically and therapeutically relevant suppression of
      cytokine expression did not occur at the much lower drug concentrations achieved
      with oral dantrolene dosing. 

PMID- 24219829
TI  - Synthesis of the tetracyclic core of exiguaquinol.
AB  - A Diels-Alder reaction, a desymmetrizing aldol reaction, and a reductive Heck
      cyclization are employed in a short synthesis of a tetracycle relevant to
      exiguaquinol, a potential antibiotic. Ground-state energies of this advanced
      model system and the natural product rationalize the incorrect hemiaminal
      configuration experimentally obtained and point to the importance of the
      sulfonate in dictating the relative configuration of the natural product. 

PMID- 24219830
TI  - Statin use in asthmatics on inhaled corticosteroids is associated with decreased
      risk of emergency department visits.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Statins are hypothesized to have beneficial effects in asthma
      management through their pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects. Several studies
      have examined this relationship, but have yielded conflicting results. This study
      investigates the effect of statin use on asthma-related hospitalizations and/or
      emergency department (ED) visits, and whether this relationship varies by
      concomitant inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in a large cohort of asthma patients.
      METHODS: Subjects with asthma, a recent history of asthma exacerbation, and who
      were 18 years or older were selected from the population-based Medco Health
      Solutions administrative database over a 1 year period. Prescription claims for
      statins and asthma medications, and asthma-related hospitalizations and/or ED
      visits were ascertained over a 12 month follow-up period. Subjects were
      stratified into two groups based on their ICS use. RESULTS: A total of 3747 ICS
      users and 2905 non-ICS users were included in this study. Statin users
      represented 21% of ICS users and 11% of non-users. Among ICS users, statin use
      was significantly associated with decreased odds of asthma-related ED visits (OR
      = 0.77, 95% CI 0.64-0.94, p = 0.008), but not with asthma-related
      hospitalizations (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.92-1.30, p = 0.31). No significant
      associations were found among non-ICS users (for asthma-related ED visits: OR =
      0.92, 95% CI 0.57-1.49, p = 0.73; asthma-related hospitalizations: OR = 1.10, 95%
      CI 0.85-1.41, p = 0.48). The statistical interactions between ICS and statin use
      on asthma-related hospitalizations and/or ED visits were not significant.
      CONCLUSION: Statin use is associated with fewer ED visits in asthma patients who
      are using ICS.

PMID- 24219832
TI  - Safety studies on intravenous administration of oncolytic recombinant vesicular
      stomatitis virus in purpose-bred beagle dogs.
AB  - VSV-IFNbeta-NIS is a novel recombinant oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)
      with documented efficacy and safety in preclinical murine models of cancer. To
      facilitate clinical translation of this promising oncolytic therapy in patients
      with disseminated cancer, we are utilizing a comparative oncology approach to
      gather data describing the safety and efficacy of systemic VSV-IFNbeta-NIS
      administration in dogs with naturally occurring cancer. In support of this, we
      executed a dose-escalation study in purpose-bred dogs to determine the maximum
      tolerated dose (MTD) of systemic VSV-hIFNbeta-NIS, characterize the adverse event
      profile, and describe routes and duration of viral shedding in healthy, immune
      competent dogs. The data indicate that an intravenous dose of 10(10) TCID50 is
      well tolerated in dogs. Expected adverse events were mild to moderate fever, self
      limiting nausea and vomiting, lymphopenia, and oral mucosal lesions. Unexpected
      adverse events included prolongation of partial thromboplastin time, development
      of bacterial urinary tract infection, and scrotal dermatitis, and in one dog
      receiving 10(11) TCID50 (10 * the MTD), the development of severe hepatotoxicity
      and symptoms of shock leading to euthanasia. Viral shedding data indicate that
      detectable viral genome in blood diminishes rapidly with anti-VSV neutralizing
      antibodies detectable in blood as early as day 5 postintravenous virus
      administration. While low levels of viral genome copies were detectable in
      plasma, urine, and buccal swabs of dogs treated at the MTD, no infectious virus
      was detectable in plasma, urine, or buccal swabs at any of the doses tested.
      These studies confirm that VSV can be safely administered systemically in dogs,
      justifying the use of oncolytic VSV as a novel therapy for the treatment of
      canine cancer.

PMID- 24219831
TI  - Comparative analysis of phenolic content and profile, antioxidant capacity, and
      anti-inflammatory bioactivity in wild Alaskan and commercial Vaccinium berries.
AB  - Wild Alaskan Vaccinium berries, V. vitis-idaea (lowbush cranberry) and V.
      uliginosum (bog blueberry), were investigated in parallel with their commercial
      berry counterparts, V. macrocarpon (cranberry) and V. angustifolium (lowbush
      blueberry). Lowbush cranberry accumulated about twice the total phenolics (624.4
      mg/100 g FW) and proanthocyanidins (278.8 mg/100 g) content as commercial
      cranberries, but A-type proanthocyanidins were more prevalent in the latter. Bog
      blueberry anthocyanin and total phenolic contents of 220 and 504.5 mg/100 g,
      respectively, significantly exceeded those of the lowbush blueberry. Chlorogenic
      acid, however, was quite high in lowbush blueberry (83.1 mg/100 g), but
      undetected in bog blueberry, and the proanthocyanidins of lowbush blueberry had
      significantly higher levels of polymerization. Antioxidant capacity (DPPH, APTS,
      and FRAP) correlated with phenolic content for each berry. A polyphenol-rich
      fraction from lowbush cranberry exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of LPS
      elicited induction of IL-1beta in RAW 264.7 cells, indicative of strong anti
      inflammatory activity. These results corroborate the historic use of wild Alaskan
      berries as medicinally important foods in Alaska Native communities. 

PMID- 24219834
TI  - An inherited variant in the gene coding for vitamin D-binding protein and
      survival from cutaneous melanoma: a BioGenoMEL study.
AB  - An association between low serum vitamin D levels and poorer melanoma survival
      has been reported. We have studied inheritance of a polymorphism of the GC gene,
      rs2282679, coding for the vitamin D-binding protein, which is associated with
      lower serum levels of vitamin D, in a meta-analysis of 3137 melanoma patients.
      The aim was to investigate evidence for a causal relationship between vitamin D
      and outcome (Mendelian randomization). The variant was not associated with
      reduced overall survival (OS) in the UK cohort, per-allele hazard ratio (HR) for
      death 1.23 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93, 1.64). In the smaller cohorts, HR
      in OS analysis was 1.07 (95% CI 0.88, 1.3) and for all cohorts combined, HR for
      OS was 1.09 (95% CI 0.93, 1.29). There was evidence of increased melanoma
      specific deaths in the seven cohorts for which these data were available. The
      lack of unequivocal findings despite the large sample size illustrates the
      difficulties of implementing Mendelian randomization. 

PMID- 24219835
TI  - Factors associated with the treatment of osteoporosis in Korean postmenopausal
      women.
AB  - This retrospective study was designed to investigate the treatment rate of
      osteopenia and osteoporosis after diagnosis and determine factors related to
      osteoporosis treatment in Korea. This analysis included postmenopausal women who
      had visited the health promotion center from March 2010 to May 2011 (n = 375) and
      been diagnosed with osteoporosis (19.5%) or osteopenia (45.9%). Telephone surveys
      were performed one year after diagnosis. We employed multiple logistic regression
      to determine factors associated with treatment using clinical risk factors as
      covariates in a FRAX model. Receipt of osteoporosis treatment (nutrition,
      exercise, and medications) to prevent osteoporotic fracture was reported by 108
      of 172 (63.4%) women with osteopenia and 66 of 73 (90.4%) with osteoporosis. Only
      consultation with a doctor for osteopenia or osteoporosis was significantly
      related to receiving osteoporosis treatment for osteopenia (odds ratio [OR],
      5.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01-12.00) and osteoporosis (OR, 4.91; 95%
      CI, 1.16-20.75). In the osteopenic group, increased age, being a current smoker,
      having a history of parental fracture or previous fracture, and secondary
      osteoporosis were related to consultation with a doctor. Of women with osteopenia
      36.6% and 64.4% with osteoporosis received consultation with a doctor.
      Consultation with a doctor for osteopenia or osteoporosis after being diagnosed
      could be an effective strategy to increase osteoporosis treatment. 

PMID- 24219836
TI  - Periostin expression is upregulated and associated with myocardial fibrosis in
      human failing hearts.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Periostin, a matricellular protein, plays an important
      role in cardiac development and remodeling. Its expression profile and the
      association with myocardial fibrosis have not been investigated in human failing
      hearts. This work aimed to explore the behavior and pathologic significance of
      periostin in signifying collagen fibrogenesis in human hearts from patients with
      end-stage heart failure. METHODS AND SUBJECTS: Tissues were collected from heart
      transplant recipients and the control hearts were from unmatched donors.
      Periostin mRNA and protein were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase
      chain reaction and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry staining was employed
      to directly detect the protein level and distribution of periostin in heart
      tissues. The extent of myocardial fibrosis was expressed by the percentage of
      Masson's trichrome staining. Gelatin zymography was used to detect the activities
      of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9. RESULTS: A low level of periostin
      mRNA expression was found in control hearts while not detectable at the protein
      level. Periostin mRNA was increased significantly in failing myocardium compared
      to that of controls. Periostin was distributed extensively in left ventricle and
      interventricular septum of the failing hearts. Correlation analysis showed
      periostin protein expression was positively associated with myocardial fibrosis
      as well as left ventricular diastolic dimension. The distribution and extent of
      periostin was consistent with that of myocardial fibrosis. MMP2 activity has an
      obvious increase about fourfold in heart tissues from HF patients. But there is
      no quantitative association with the expression of periostin. CONCLUSIONS:
      Periostin, the distribution and expression of which were consistent with the
      extent of myocardial fibrosis, might be a potential biomarker of cardiac
      remodeling in heart failure patients.

PMID- 24219837
TI  - Clonal diversity and estimation of relative clone age: application to
      agrobiodiversity of yam (Dioscorea rotundata).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clonal propagation is a particular reproductive system found in both
      the plant and animal kingdoms, from human parasites to clonally propagated crops.
      Clonal diversity provides information about plant and animal evolutionary
      history, i.e. how clones spread, or the age of a particular clone. In plants,
      this could provide valuable information about agrobiodiversity dynamics and more
      broadly about the evolutionary history of a particular crop. We studied the
      evolutionary history of yam, Dioscorea rotundata. In Africa, Yam is cultivated by
      tuber clonal propagation. RESULTS: We used 12 microsatellite markers to identify
      intra-clonal diversity in yam varieties. We then used this diversity to assess
      the relative ages of clones. Using simulations, we assessed how Approximate
      Bayesian Computation could use clonal diversity to estimate the age of a clone
      depending on the size of the sample, the number of independent samples and the
      number of markers. We then applied this approach to our particular dataset and
      showed that the relative ages of varieties could be estimated, and that each
      variety could be ranked by age. CONCLUSIONS: We give a first estimation of clone
      age in an approximate Bayesian framework. However the precise estimation of clone
      age depends on the precision of the mutation rate. We provide useful information
      on agrobiodiversity dynamics and suggest recurrent creation of varietal diversity
      in a clonally propagated crop.

PMID- 24219838
TI  - pGALS - paediatric Gait Arms Legs and Spine: a simple examination of the
      musculoskeletal system.
AB  - We describe pGALS (paediatric Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine) - a simple quick
      musculoskeletal assessment to distinguish abnormal from normal joints in children
      and young people. The use of pGALS is aimed at the non-specialist in paediatric
      musculoskeletal medicine as a basic clinical skill to be used in conjunction with
      essential knowledge about red flags, normal development and awareness of patterns
      of musculoskeletal pathologies. pGALS has been validated in school-aged children
      and also in the context of acute general paediatrics to detect abnormal joints.
      We propose that pGALS is an important part of basic clinical skills to be
      acquired by all doctors who may be involved in the care of children. The learning
      of pGALS along with basic knowledge is a useful way to increase awareness of
      joint disease, facilitate early recognition of joint problems and prompt referral
      to specialist teams to optimise clinical outcomes. We have compiled this article
      as a resource that can be used by the paediatric rheumatology community to
      facilitate teaching. 

PMID- 24219839
TI  - Homo-Roche ester derivatives by asymmetric hydrogenation and organocatalysis.
AB  - Asymmetric hydrogenation routes to homologues of The Roche ester tend to be
      restricted to hydrogenations of itaconic acid derivatives, that is, substrates
      that contain a relatively unhindered, 1,1-disubstituted alkene. This is because
      in hydrogenations mediated by RhP2 complexes, the typical catalysts, it is
      difficult to obtain high conversions using the alternative substrate for the same
      product, the isomeric trisubstituted alkenes (D in the text). However,
      chemoselective modification of the identical functional groups in itaconic acid
      derivatives are difficult; hence, it would be favorable to use the trisubstituted
      alkene. Trisubstituted alkene substrates can be hydrogenated with high
      conversions using chiral analogs of Crabtree's catalyst of the type IrN(carbene).
      This paper demonstrates that such reactions are scalable (tens of grams) and can
      be manipulated to give optically pure homo-Roche ester chirons. Organocatalytic
      fluorination, chlorination, and amination of the homo-Roche building blocks was
      performed to demonstrate that they could easily be transformed into
      functionalized materials with two chiral centers and alpha,omega-groups that
      provide extensive scope for modifications. A synthesis of (S,S)- and (R,S)-gamma
      hydroxyvaline was performed to illustrate one application of the amination
      product. 

PMID- 24219840
TI  - Knowledge, attitudes and competence in nursing practice of typhoon disaster
      relief work among Chinese nurses: a questionnaire survey.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to examine the relationships among nurses' knowledge of,
      attitudes towards and level of competence in nursing practice, as well as factors
      influencing nurses' competence in nursing practice, in typhoon disaster relief
      work. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a self-developed
      questionnaire to obtain data from 607 nurses working in four tertiary hospitals
      and two secondary hospitals in Fujian, China, in November 2011. Our findings show
      that the nurses' average percentage scores on their responses to questions in the
      domains of knowledge, attitudes and practice were 66.33%, 68.87% and 67.60%,
      respectively. The findings demonstrated a significant positive relationship
      between nurses' attitudes and their practice. Nurses' working unit, prior
      training in typhoon disaster relief, current position of employment and attitudes
      were significant predictors of nurses' competence in practice. The results
      indicate that strategies need to be developed for nurses to improve their
      knowledge, attitudes and practice. 

PMID- 24219841
TI  - Specific immunotherapy in asthma: a comprehensive review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prescription of allergen immunotherapy (SIT) in asthma remains a
      matter of debate and official guidelines often do not provide clear
      recommendations in this regard. METHODS: An extensive review of the literature
      was untaken. RESULTS: There are many robust studies with SCIT and SLIT showing
      positive results related to improving asthma symptoms, in particular when asthma
      was associated with rhinitis. In addition, there are several favourable meta
      analyses, although their validity is limited by the heterogeneity of the trials
      included. The disease modifying effect of SIT (prevention of asthma onset and
      long-lasting effects) should be considered when prescribing this treatment.
      Regarding safety, fatalities seem to be rare: in Europe no fatality has been
      reported over the last two decades, and the same has been observed in USA in the
      last 4 years. Uncontrolled asthma is universally recognized as the most important
      risk factor for severe adverse events, but there is no clear demonstration that
      SIT can worsen or induce asthma. In contrast, of the few studies specifically
      designed to evaluate asthma, none had a formal sample size calculation, and
      pulmonary function was assessed as primary outcome only sporadically.
      CONCLUSIONS: According to the presently available evidence, SLIT and SCIT can be
      used in asthma associated with rhinitis (the most common condition), provided
      that asthma is adequately controlled by pharmacotherapy. In such cases, a
      measurable clinical benefit on asthma symptoms can be expected. SIT cannot be
      presently recommended as single therapy when asthma is the unique manifestation
      of respiratory allergy.

PMID- 24219842
TI  - The Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument for the Emergency
      Department (PACCI-ED) improves physician assessment of asthma morbidity in
      pediatric emergency department patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication
      Instrument for the Emergency Department (PACCI-ED), a 12-item questionnaire, can
      help ED attendings accurately assess a patient's asthma control and morbidity.
      METHODS: This was a randomized-controlled trial performed at an urban pediatric
      ED of children aged 1-17 years presenting with an asthma exacerbation. Parents
      answered PACCI-ED questions about their children's asthma. Attendings were
      randomized to view responses to the PACCI-ED (intervention group) or to be
      blinded to the completed PACCI-ED (control group). The two groups were compared
      on their empirical clinical assessment of: (1) chronic asthma control categories,
      (2) asthma trajectory (stable, worsening or improving), (3) patient adherence to
      controller medications, and (4) burden of disease for the patient's family. The
      validated PACCI algorithm was used as the criterion standard for these four
      outcomes. Accuracy of clinical assessment was compared between intervention and
      control groups using chi-squared tests and an intention-to-treat approach.
      RESULTS: Seventeen ED attendings were enrolled in the study and 77 children
      visits were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences
      between the intervention and the control groups for child's gender, age, race,
      and asthma characteristics. Intervention group attendings were more accurate than
      control group attendings in assessing the category of chronic asthma control (43%
      versus 19%; p = 0.03), disease trajectory (72% versus 45%; p = 0.02), and the
      disease burden for families (74% versus 35%; p = 0.001) over the past 12 months.
      There was a trend towards more accuracy of intervention versus control attendings
      for estimating patient adherence to controller medications (72% versus 48%; p =
      0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The PACCI-ED improves the assessment of asthma control,
      trajectory, and burden by ED attendings, and may help assessment of asthma
      medication adherence and prior asthma exacerbations. The PACCI-ED can be used to
      improve provider assessment of asthma morbidity during pediatric ED visits for
      asthma exacerbations, and to identify children who may benefit from interventions
      to reduce asthma morbidity.

PMID- 24219843
TI  - Defining traumatic brain injury in children and youth using international
      classification of diseases version 10 codes: a systematic review protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although healthcare administrative data are commonly used for
      traumatic brain injury research, there is currently no consensus or consistency
      on using the International Classification of Diseases version 10 codes to define
      traumatic brain injury among children and youth. This protocol is for a
      systematic review of the literature to explore the range of International
      Classification of Diseases version 10 codes that are used to define traumatic
      brain injury in this population. METHODS/DESIGN: The databases MEDLINE, MEDLINE
      In-Process, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Database of
      Systematic Reviews will be systematically searched. Grey literature will be
      searched using Grey Matters and Google. Reference lists of included articles will
      also be searched. Articles will be screened using predefined inclusion and
      exclusion criteria and all full-text articles that meet the predefined inclusion
      criteria will be included for analysis. The study selection process and reasons
      for exclusion at the full-text level will be presented using a PRISMA study flow
      diagram. Information on the data source of included studies, year and location of
      study, age of study population, range of incidence, and study purpose will be
      abstracted into a separate table and synthesized for analysis. All International
      Classification of Diseases version 10 codes will be listed in tables and the
      codes that are used to define concussion, acquired traumatic brain injury, head
      injury, or head trauma will be identified. DISCUSSION: The identification of the
      optimal International Classification of Diseases version 10 codes to define this
      population in administrative data is crucial, as it has implications for policy,
      resource allocation, planning of healthcare services, and prevention strategies.
      It also allows for comparisons across countries and studies. This protocol is for
      a review that identifies the range and most common diagnoses used to conduct
      surveillance for traumatic brain injury in children and youth. This is an
      important first step in reaching an appropriate definition using International
      Classification of Diseases version 10 codes and can inform future work on
      reaching consensus on the codes to define traumatic brain injury for this
      vulnerable population.

PMID- 24219844
TI  - A new type of aortic valved stent with good stability and no influence on
      coronary artery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluated the feasibility and safety of new aortic valved stents
      in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using retrograde approach by in
      vitro testing and animal implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fluid passing
      test, expanding and releasing tests, static and releasing tests in tube were
      performed for new valved stents. Transvalvular pressure gradient, effective
      orifice area, pre-implantation and post-implantation regurgitant volume for the
      new stents were detected. Then, the new stents were implanted in six pigs using
      retrograde approach. These pigs were euthanized 12 h after the implantation for
      anatomic evaluation. RESULTS: In vitro tests showed that the closure of the new
      stents leaflets were effective, and stents could be released through catheter,
      then expanded completely and fixed fast in the tube. The coronary artery flow
      rates did not changed significantly after implantation (P > 0.05), while aortic
      regurgitant volumes were obviously reduced (P < 0.05). No significant difference
      in the transvalvular pressure gradient and effective orifice area of the new
      stents implanted within or above the valve leaflets was found (P > 0.05). In vivo
      experiments indicated that TAVI was successfully performed in six pigs using
      retrograde approach. However, one pig was died 10 h after the implantation since
      the stent was not expanded completely. The leaflets in stents were opening well
      and no valvular regurgitation was observed in the other five pigs. And thrombosis
      was not found. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The new type of aortic valved stent
      designed in this study was characterized with good stability and could avoid the
      impact caused by valve leaflets on the coronary artery.

PMID- 24219845
TI  - Combining ECMO with IABP for the treatment of critically Ill adult heart failure
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the experience of combining extra-corporeal membrane
      oxygenation (ECMO) with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) for the treatment of
      acute heart failure in critically ill adults. METHODS: The clinical data of 54
      patients who received ECMO combined with IABP due to acute heart failure between
      January 2008 and July 2012 were retrospectively analysed. Thirty-eight of the
      patients were male, and 16 were female; the mean age was 57+/-11. Thirty-nine of
      the patients received IABP first but were still unable to maintain adequate
      circulation, and were then given ECMO; the other 15 underwent ECMO first, but due
      to increased left ventricular load, the opening of the aortic valve was
      restricted and IABP was then introduced. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (63%) were
      successfully weaned from ECMO; 21 patients (38.9%) survived to discharge. Major
      complications that occurred were renal failure (27 cases), infection (20 cases),
      blood plasma leakage in the oxygenator (13 cases), bleeding (18 cases), limb
      ischaemia (eight cases), and neurological complications (seven cases); in the
      group of patients who did not survive, the rates of bleeding occurrence,
      infection and renal failure were markedly higher than in the survived patients
      group. In both groups, the longer the patients were on support, the more
      improvement they showed in terms of MAP, CVP, Lac, SvO2 and IS. CONCLUSION: ECMO
      and IABP may have synergistic effects and play complementary roles in the
      treatment of acute cardiac failure; with timely administration, active prevention
      and treatment of complications, they can improve treatment outcome.

PMID- 24219846
TI  - Information needs of family carers of people with diabetes at the end of life: a
      literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent research identified the issue that family carers of people
      with diabetes at the end of life (EOL) did not receive sufficient information to
      enable them to help their relative manage their diabetes at the EOL. AIM: The aim
      of the current study was to undertake a literature review to identify the
      information needs of family carers of people with diabetes at the EOL. METHOD: A
      comprehensive review of the literature was conducted by searching the following
      databases: CINAHL, PubMed, PsychInfo, Scopus, and SocINDEX. The grey literature
      was also searched for papers relevant to the aim. All study designs were
      included. A content analysis of relevant papers was undertaken to identify
      themes. RESULTS: Sixteen of the more than 300 papers identified addressed the
      information needs of family carers of people with diabetes at the EOL and were
      included in the review. Five key themes were identified from the papers reviewed:
      (1) performing diabetes care tasks, (2) focus of care, (3) blood glucose
      management, (4) EOL stages, and (5) involving patients and family carers in
      decisions about diabetes care. Most of the 16 papers represented the views of
      health professionals and focused on the need to provide information about the
      medical aspects of diabetes management. CONCLUSIONS: The review suggests further
      research is needed to identify the information needs of family carers of people
      with diabetes at the EOL to enable interventions to be developed to support the
      family carers and meet their unique information needs.

PMID- 24219847
TI  - A quantitative evolutionary theory of adaptive behavior dynamics.
AB  - The idea that behavior is selected by its consequences in a process analogous to
      organic evolution has been discussed for over 100 years. A recently proposed
      theory instantiates this idea by means of a genetic algorithm that operates on a
      population of potential behaviors. Behaviors in the population are represented by
      numbers in decimal integer (phenotypic) and binary bit string (genotypic) forms.
      One behavior from the population is emitted at random each time tick, after which
      a new population of potential behaviors is constructed by recombining parent
      behavior bit strings. If the emitted behavior produced a benefit to the organism,
      then parents are chosen on the basis of their phenotypic similarity to the
      emitted behavior; otherwise, they are chosen at random. After parent behavior
      recombination, the population is subjected to a small amount of mutation by
      flipping random bits in the population's bit strings. The behavior generated by
      this process of selection, reproduction, and mutation reaches equilibrium states
      that conform to every empirically valid equation of matching theory, exactly and
      without systematic error. These equations are known to describe the behavior of
      many vertebrate species, including humans, in a variety of experimental,
      naturalistic, natural, and social environments. The evolutionary theory also
      generates instantaneous dynamics and patterns of preference change in constantly
      changing environments that are consistent with the dynamics of live-organism
      behavior. These findings support the assertion that the world of behavior we
      observe and measure is generated by evolutionary dynamics.

PMID- 24219848
TI  - A role for the developing lexicon in phonetic category acquisition.
AB  - Infants segment words from fluent speech during the same period when they are
      learning phonetic categories, yet accounts of phonetic category acquisition
      typically ignore information about the words in which sounds appear. We use a
      Bayesian model to illustrate how feedback from segmented words might constrain
      phonetic category learning by providing information about which sounds occur
      together in words. Simulations demonstrate that word-level information can
      successfully disambiguate overlapping English vowel categories. Learning patterns
      in the model are shown to parallel human behavior from artificial language
      learning tasks. These findings point to a central role for the developing lexicon
      in phonetic category acquisition and provide a framework for incorporating top
      down constraints into models of category learning.

PMID- 24219850
TI  - A nonparametric Bayesian framework for constructing flexible feature
      representations.
AB  - Representations are a key explanatory device used by cognitive psychologists to
      account for human behavior. Understanding the effects of context and experience
      on the representations people use is essential, because if two people encode the
      same stimulus using different representations, their response to that stimulus
      may be different. We present a computational framework that can be used to define
      models that flexibly construct feature representations (where by a feature we
      mean a part of the image of an object) for a set of observed objects, based on
      nonparametric Bayesian statistics. Austerweil and Griffiths (2011) presented an
      initial model constructed in this framework that captures how the distribution of
      parts affects the features people use to represent a set of objects. We build on
      this work in three ways. First, although people use features that can be
      transformed on each observation (e.g., translate on the retinal image), many
      existing feature learning models can only recognize features that are not
      transformed (occur identically each time). Consequently, we extend the initial
      model to infer features that are invariant over a set of transformations, and
      learn different structures of dependence between feature transformations. Second,
      we compare two possible methods for capturing the manner that categorization
      affects feature representations. Finally, we present a model that learns features
      incrementally, capturing an effect of the order of object presentation on the
      features people learn. We conclude by considering the implications and
      limitations of our empirical and theoretical results.

PMID- 24219849
TI  - Sensory optimization by stochastic tuning.
AB  - Individually, visual neurons are each selective for several aspects of
      stimulation, such as stimulus location, frequency content, and speed.
      Collectively, the neurons implement the visual system's preferential sensitivity
      to some stimuli over others, manifested in behavioral sensitivity functions. We
      ask how the individual neurons are coordinated to optimize visual sensitivity. We
      model synaptic plasticity in a generic neural circuit and find that stochastic
      changes in strengths of synaptic connections entail fluctuations in parameters of
      neural receptive fields. The fluctuations correlate with uncertainty of sensory
      measurement in individual neurons: The higher the uncertainty the larger the
      amplitude of fluctuation. We show that this simple relationship is sufficient for
      the stochastic fluctuations to steer sensitivities of neurons toward a
      characteristic distribution, from which follows a sensitivity function observed
      in human psychophysics and which is predicted by a theory of optimal allocation
      of receptive fields. The optimal allocation arises in our simulations without
      supervision or feedback about system performance and independently of coupling
      between neurons, making the system highly adaptive and sensitive to prevailing
      stimulation.

PMID- 24219851
TI  - Putting retrieval-induced forgetting in context: an inhibition-free, context
      based account.
AB  - We present a new theoretical account of retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF)
      together with new experimental evidence that fits this account and challenges the
      dominant inhibition account. RIF occurs when the retrieval of some material from
      memory produces later forgetting of related material. The inhibition account
      asserts that RIF is the result of an inhibition mechanism that acts during
      retrieval to suppress the representations of interfering competitors. This
      inhibition is enduring, such that the suppressed material is difficult to access
      on a later test and is, therefore, recalled more poorly than baseline material.
      Although the inhibition account is widely accepted, a growing body of research
      challenges its fundamental assumptions. Our alternative account of RIF instead
      emphasizes the role of context in remembering. According to this context account,
      both of 2 tenets must be met for RIF to occur: (a) A context change must occur
      between study and subsequent retrieval practice, and (b) the retrieval practice
      context must be the active context during the final test when testing practiced
      categories. The results of 3 experiments, which directly test the divergent
      predictions of the 2 accounts, support the context account but cannot be
      explained by the inhibition account. In an extensive discussion, we survey the
      literature on RIF and apply our context account to the key findings,
      demonstrating the explanatory power of context.

PMID- 24219852
TI  - Comparative study of 4 Fr versus 6 Fr nasobiliary drainage catheters: a
      randomized, controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite the benefits of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (NBD)
      in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), post-ERCP pancreatitis
      (PEP) and nose/throat discomfort can result. We aimed to determine whether the
      use of a smaller catheter alleviates these complications. METHOD: A randomized,
      controlled trial at a tertiary care center compared 4 Fr and 6 Fr NBD catheters;
      165 ERCP patients with naive papillae were randomly assigned to a catheter-size
      group. RESULTS: The prevalence of PEP was significantly lower in the 4 Fr group
      (3.7%; 3/82) than in the 6 Fr group (15.7%; 13/83; P = 0.019). No spontaneous
      catheter displacement occurred within 24 h. Discomfort visual analog scores were
      2.6 and 4.3 in the 4 Fr and 6 Fr groups, respectively (P = 0.0048) on procedure
      day; on the following day, the scores were 2.3 and 3.6 (P = 0.028). Bile output
      was 16.3 mL/h and 21.4 mL/h in the 4 Fr and 6 Fr groups (P = 0.051). On
      obstructive jaundice subgroup analysis, bile drainage was 19.2 mL/h and 22.1 mL/h
      in the 4 Fr and 6 Fr groups (P = 0.40). The 4 Fr group required 5.6 days to
      reduce bilirubin levels versus 6.1 days in the 6 Fr group (P = 0.51).
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients with naive papillae, lower rates of PEP and less
      nose/throat discomfort are associated with the use of 4 Fr NBD catheters. In
      patients with obstructive jaundice, 4 Fr and 6 Fr catheters are comparable with
      regard to bile output and bilirubin level reduction.

PMID- 24219853
TI  - Chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of meso
      epoxides by thiols.
AB  - The first chiral Bronsted acid catalyzed asymmetric nucleophilic ring-opening
      reaction of meso-epoxides is described. In the presence of TRIP, a range of meso
      epoxides could undergo smooth ring-opening reactions by aryl thiols with good
      efficiency and enantioselectivity. 

PMID- 24219854
TI  - Fourier self-deconvolution of the IR spectra as a tool for investigation of
      distinct functional groups in porous materials: Bronsted acid sites in zeolites.
AB  - For many decades, IR and FT-IR spectroscopy has generated valuable information
      about different functional groups in zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs),
      and other porous materials. However, this technique cannot distinguish between
      functional groups in different local environments. Our study demonstrates that
      this limitation could be overcome by using Fourier self-deconvolution of infrared
      spectra (FSD-IR). We apply this method to study three acidic mordenite zeolites
      and show (i) that these zeolites contain six distinct Bronsted acid sites (BAS)
      as opposed to 2-4 different BAS previously considered in literature and (ii) that
      the relative amounts of these BAS are different in the three zeolites examined.
      We then analyze possible locations of six BAS in the mordenite structure and
      explain a number of conflicting results in literature. On this basis, we conclude
      that the FSD-IR method allows direct visualization and examination of
      distributions of distinct BAS in zeolites, thus providing a unique research
      opportunity, which no other method can provide. Given the similarities in the IR
      analysis of different functional groups in solids, we expect that the FSD-IR
      method will be also instrumental in the research into other porous materials,
      such as solid oxides and MOFs. The latter point is illustrated by FSD of the IR
      spectrum of hydroxyl groups in a sample of alpha-alumina. 

PMID- 24219855
TI  - Novel self-assembly graft copolymers as carriers for anti-inflammatory drug
      delivery.
AB  - Indomethacin (IMC) and quercetin (QUE) as typical models of anti-inflammatory
      drugs were loaded into the micelles of new amphiphilic graft copolymers,
      comprising caprolactone 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl ester (CLMA) units in the main
      chain and poly(meth)acrylic acid side chains (PAA/PMAA), which were studied as
      the carriers of drugs. The macromolecules were self-assembled by solvent
      evaporation or dialysis. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) ranged from
      0.015 to 0.199 mg/ml. The copolymer composition, grafting degree and length of
      side chains, nature and content of hydrophobic/hydrophilic part, were
      investigated as the main parameters responsible for the properties of
      nanoparticles including their stability, core-drug interactions, improved drug
      solubility, and in consequence the efficiency of drug-loading and drug release
      profiles. The hydrodynamic diameters of particles measured by dynamic light
      scattering (DLS) ranged from 50 to 275 nm, and increased after loading with drug.
      In vitro release experiments performed at various pH (5.0 and 7.4) indicated
      faster release behavior from nanoparticles in acidic conditions (55-95% vs. 25
      45% within 75 h).

PMID- 24219856
TI  - Targeted local simultaneous iontophoresis of chemotherapeutics for topical
      therapy of head and neck cancers.
AB  - The objective was to investigate the feasibility of using buccal iontophoresis
      for the simultaneous delivery of chemotherapeutic agents with a view to
      developing a new approach to treat head and neck cancers. Short duration cathodal
      iontophoresis of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 20mM) and leucovorin (LV; 10 mM) at 1
      mA/cm(2) for 10 or 20 min from aqueous solution and a 2% hydroxyethyl cellulose
      gel at pH 7.6 was evaluated using bovine mucosa in vitro. Iontophoresis resulted
      in a statistically significant increase in the mucosal deposition of both drugs
      as compared to passive diffusion (Student's t-test, alpha=0.05); in each case,
      drug delivery was selective for deposition with no permeation being observed.
      After 20 min of iontophoresis, there was an ~ 8-fold enhancement for 5-FU (1.46
      +/- 0.86 and 11.93 +/- 3.81 MUg/cm(2), respectively) and a 3-fold increase for LV
      (8.31 +/- 2.44 and 25.08 +/- 6.89 MUg/cm(2), respectively) when using aqueous
      solutions. The same trend was observed when the gel was applied for 10 min;
      passive delivery of 5-FU from the gel resulted in non-detectable levels in the
      mucosa, while 4.62 +/- 1.76 MUg/cm(2) were deposited in the mucosa following
      iontophoresis. Similarly, iontophoretic delivery of LV from the gel resulted in ~
      3-fold higher deposition as compared to passive diffusion (6.71 +/- 1.36 and
      21.12 +/- 9.94 MUg/cm(2), respectively). No drug permeation was observed in
      either case. In conclusion, iontophoresis can be used for targeted topical
      delivery of chemotherapeutics to the buccal mucosa and may enable less invasive
      local therapy of head and neck cancers.

PMID- 24219857
TI  - Absorption and elimination of imatinib through the rat intestine in vitro.
AB  - Imatinib is a potent selective inhibitor of tyrosine kinases and is used
      primarily in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and the gastrointestinal
      stromal tumour. Although, it is well established that imatinib is a substrate of
      several transport proteins which are also active in the intestinal mucosa, the
      mechanisms of imatinib intestinal absorption and elimination were not
      systematically investigated yet. To do that, we used a Sweetana-Grass type of
      diffusion chambers with segments of rat intestine as a model of the intestinal
      mucosa, measured the permeability coefficients of imatinib and its major
      metabolite (N-desmethyl imatinib) in both directions with and without specific
      and general inhibition of active transport, and calculated the efflux ratios. The
      results show that the good bioavailability of imatinib is highly likely achieved
      by its active absorption from the intestine and that its active elimination
      through the intestinal mucosa is mediated by a synergistic activity of organic
      cation transporter 1 in the basolateral membrane and the added activity of two
      efflux proteins (P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistant protein) in the
      apical membrane of enterocytes of the rat ileum. Interestingly, it was found that
      N-desmethyl imatinib is only transported by P-glycoprotein. 

PMID- 24219859
TI  - Changes in choroidal thickness after photodynamic therapy in patients with
      central serous chorioretinopathy.

PMID- 24219858
TI  - Activation of lateral hypothalamic mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors elicits feeding in
      rats.
AB  - Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have been popular drug targets for a
      variety of central nervous system (CNS) disease models, ranging from seizures to
      schizophrenia. The current study aimed to determine whether mGluRs participate in
      lateral hypothalamic (LH) stimulation of feeding. To this end, we used satiated
      adult male Sprague-Dawley rats stereotaxically implanted with indwelling
      bilateral LH guide cannulas to determine if injection of (1S,3R)-1
      aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD), a broad mGluR group I and II
      agonist, would elicit feeding. Administration of 100 nmol ACPD induced feeding
      with a short latency. Similarly, unilateral LH injection of the selective mGluR
      group I agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) elicited significant
      feeding beginning 60 min postinjection and continuing until 4 h postinjection.
      Administration of the mGluR5 agonist, (RS)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG)
      produced a smaller delayed feeding response. These delayed but prolonged eating
      responses suggest that activation of LH mGluR1 and/or mGluR5 might be sufficient
      to elicit feeding. To determine which subtypes were involved, LH DHPG injections
      were preceded by LH injection of either the group I antagonist n-phenyl-7
      (hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxamide (PHCCC), the mGluR1 antagonist
      6-amino-n-cyclohexyl-n,3-dimethylthiazolo[3,2-a]benzimi dazole-2-carboxamide
      hydrochloride (YM-298198) or the mGluR5 antagonist 3-((2-methyl-4
      thiazolyl)ethynyl)pyridine (MTEP), and food intake was measured. PHCCC blocked
      DHPG-elicited feeding, and each of the other antagonists produced significant
      feeding suppression. These findings suggest roles for mGluR1 and/or mGluR5 in
      lateral hypothalamic circuits capable of stimulating feeding behavior. 

PMID- 24219860
TI  - The effects of rituximab on serum IgE and BAFF.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are few treatment options for patients with severe atopic
      asthma. Antagonism of IgE is an effective strategy. We investigated, by utilizing
      serum samples from a clinical trial of Rituximab in patients with Idiopathic
      Thrombocytopenic Purpura, if B cell depletion would decrease serum IgE and
      therefore be a potential therapeutic option. FINDINGS: In a placebo-controlled
      randomized clinical trial of Rituximab, an anti-CD20 molecule, there were no
      significant differences in serum levels of IgE or BAFF levels between the two
      treatment groups at 3 or 6 months irrespective of the baseline serum IgE levels.
      CONCLUSIONS: Since Rituximab did not significantly decrease serum IgE levels,
      this proof of concept study suggests that Rituximab may not be a useful treatment
      strategy for patients with severe IgE mediated disease.

PMID- 24219861
TI  - Quantitative wear and wear damage analysis of composite resins in vitro.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate volume loss and worn surfaces'
      morphologies of eight composite resins: Durafill VS (DUR), Clearfil AP-X (APX),
      Filtek Z250 (Z250), Filtek Supreme XT (FIL), Kalore (KAL), MI Flow (MFL), Venus
      Diamond (VED) and Venus Pearl (VEP). Disc-shaped specimens were fabricated and
      mounted in a ball-on-disc wear testing machine and abraded in water or with the
      third-body media, poppy seed slurry and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) slurry.
      Volume loss (n=5) was determined after 50k sliding cycles, and analyzed using two
      way ANOVA (alpha=0.05). The worn surfaces were examined with SEM. Two-way ANOVA
      suggested significant interaction between composite and wear condition. DUR, KAL
      and MFL showed low wear in water. DUR, Z250 and FIL showed moderate wear with
      PMMA slurry, whereas APX, KAL and MFL were deeper abraded. Under the action of
      poppy seed slurry DUR proved high volume loss. SEM showed that Z250, FIL and MFL
      were uniformly abraded in water. KAL and MFL with poppy seed were heavily
      destructed, whereas VED and VEP appeared very smooth. KAL and MFL abraded with
      PMMA slurry showed many cracks, but VEP remained crack-free and smooth. Volume
      loss and worn surfaces' morphologies varied with type of composite and third-body
      media used. 

PMID- 24219862
TI  - Modification and unexpected reactivity of 2-borylbenzaldimines: acylated and
      silylated derivatives as well as dimeric compounds.
AB  - Various novel N-alkyl and N-benzyl 2-borylbenzaldimines 3 were prepared by
      condensation of 2-(dimesitylboryl)benzaldehyde (1) with amines. Further
      functionalization of compound 3e was possible by deprotonation and subsequent
      regioselective reaction with electrophiles to give compounds 4. Applying similar
      conditions to 3a led to the unexpected formation of hitherto unknown dimeric
      compounds (5 and 6). All structural types were fully characterized, including by
      X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, quantum chemical calculations on the SCS
      MP2 and DFT levels gave insights into the reaction mechanisms and the
      stereoselectivity. The B/N bonding situation in these molecules was analyzed
      using Wiberg bond indices. Preliminary UV-vis and fluorescence measurements
      indicate that the substitution reaction leading to compounds 4 can be utilized to
      tune the photophysical properties of these compounds. 

PMID- 24219863
TI  - A hierarchical frailty model for familial testicular germ-cell tumors.
AB  - Using a 2-level hierarchical frailty model, we analyzed population-wide data on
      testicular germ-cell tumor (TGCT) status in 1,135,320 two-generational Norwegian
      families to examine the risk of TGCT in family members of patients. Follow-up
      extended from 1954 (cases) or 1960 (unaffected persons) to 2008. The first-level
      frailty variable was compound Poisson-distributed. The underlying Poisson
      parameter was randomized to model the frailty variation between families and was
      decomposed additively to characterize the correlation structure within a family.
      The frailty relative risk (FRR) for a son, given a diseased father, was 4.03 (95%
      confidence interval (CI): 3.12, 5.19), with a borderline significantly higher FRR
      for nonseminoma than for seminoma (P = 0.06). Given 1 affected brother, the
      lifetime FRR was 5.88 (95% CI: 4.70, 7.36), with no difference between subtypes.
      Given 2 affected brothers, the FRR was 21.71 (95% CI: 8.93, 52.76). These
      estimates decreased with the number of additional healthy brothers. The estimated
      FRRs support previous findings. However, the present hierarchical frailty
      approach allows for a very precise definition of familial risk. These FRRs,
      estimated according to numbers of affected/nonaffected family members, provide
      new insight into familial TGCT. Furthermore, new light is shed on the different
      familial risks of seminoma and nonseminoma. 

PMID- 24219864
TI  - A study on the effect of different rifle calibres in euthanisation of grey seals
      (Halichoerus grypus) in seal traps in the Baltic Sea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, the euthanasia of seals has been discussed
      internationally and concern has been raised regarding the use of rifles, the
      effect of different calibres, and which calibres are sufficient for humane
      euthanasia. This study therefore investigated the effect of different firearm
      calibres on euthanasia of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in traps, and provides
      information for the development and refinement of regulations for hunting seals
      in the wild. FINDINGS: The effect of different calibres was studied in 19 seals
      shot in the head and neck at close range. All seals were necropsied and
      radiographed to characterize the injuries caused by the bullets. All tested
      calibres, 5.6 mm bullet diameter or larger, and .12 shotgun, were sufficiently
      effective to cause severe skull fractures, meningeal haemorrhages and instant
      death. CONCLUSIONS: Rifles with 5.6 mm bullet diameter or larger, and a .12
      shotgun loaded with a slug fired at close range to the head and neck of grey
      seals all caused instant death and can therefore be recommended for hunting seals
      in the wild.

PMID- 24219865
TI  - siRNA-mediated gene silencing of MexB from the MexA-MexB-OprM efflux pump in
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - To gain insights into the effect of MexB gene under the short interfering RNA
      (siRNA), we synthesized 21 bp siRNA duplexes against the MexB gene. RT-PCR was
      performed to determine whether the siRNA inhibited the expression of MexB mRNA.
      Changes in antibiotic susceptibility in response to siRNA were measured by the E
      test method. The efficacy of siRNAs was determined in a murine model of chronic
      P. aeruginosa lung infection. MexB-siRNAs inhibited both mRNA expression and the
      activity of P. aeruginosa in vitro. In vivo, siRNA was effective in reducing the
      bacterial load in the model of chronic lung infection and the P. aeruginosa
      induced pathological changes. MexB-siRNA treatment enhanced the production of
      inflammatory cytokines in the early infection stage (P<0.05). Our results suggest
      that targeting of MexB with siRNA appears to be a novel strategy for treating P.
      aeruginosa infections.

PMID- 24219866
TI  - Demethylation of CpG islands in the 5' upstream regions mediates the expression
      of the human testis-specific gene MAGEB16 and its mouse homolog Mageb16.
AB  - Tissue-specific gene expression is regulated by epigenetic modification involving
      trans-acting factors. Here, we identified that the human MAGEB16 gene and its
      mouse homolog, Mageb16, are only expressed in the testis. To investigate the
      mechanism governing their expression, the promoter methylation status of these
      genes was examined in different samples. Two CpG islands (CGIs) in the 5'
      upstream region of MAGEB16 were highly demethylated in human testes, whereas they
      were methylated in cells without MAGEB16 expression. Similarly, the CGI in
      Mageb16 was hypomethylated in mouse testes but hypermethylated in other tissues
      and cells without Mageb16 expression. Additionally, the expression of these genes
      could be activated by treatment with the demethylation agent 5'-aza-2'
      deoxycytidine (5'-aza-CdR). Luciferase assays revealed that both gene promoter
      activities were inhibited by methylation of the CGI regions. Therefore, we
      propose that the testis-specific expression of MAGEB16 and Mageb16 is regulated
      by the methylation status of their promoter regions.

PMID- 24219867
TI  - Anti-oxidizing effect of the dichloromethane and hexane fractions from Orostachys
      japonicus in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells via upregulation of Nrf2 expression
      and activation of MAPK signaling pathway.
AB  - Orostachys japonicus shows various biological activities. However, the molecular
      mechanisms remain unknown in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Here, we investigated
      the anti-oxidizing effect of the dichloromethane (DCM) and hexane fractions from
      O. japonicus (OJD and OJH) against oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated
      by LPS. OJD and OJH significantly increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1
      (HO-1) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, it was found that the
      expression of HO-1 was stimulated by Nrf2 activated via degradation of Keap1. ERK
      and p38 inhibitors repressed HO-1 induced by OJD and OJH in LPS-stimulated cells,
      respectively. In conclusion, these results suggest that OJD and OJH may block
      oxidative damage stimulated by LPS, via increasing the expression of HO-1 and
      Nrf2, and MAPK signaling pathway.

PMID- 24219868
TI  - Alteration in cellular acetylcholine influences dauer formation in Caenorhabditis
      elegans.
AB  - Altered acetylcholine (Ach) homeostasis is associated with loss of viability in
      flies, developmental defects in mice, and cognitive deficits in human. Here, we
      assessed the importance of Ach in Caenorhabditis elegans development, focusing on
      the role of Ach during dauer formation. We found that dauer formation was
      disturbed in choline acetyltransferase (cha-1) and acetylcholinesterase (ace)
      mutants defective in Ach biosynthesis and degradation, respectively. When
      examined the potential role of G-proteins in dauer formation, goa-1 and egl-30
      mutant worms, expressing mutated versions of mammalian G(o) and G(q) homolog,
      respectively, showed some abnormalities in dauer formation. Using quantitative
      mass spectrometry, we also found that dauer larvae had lower Ach content than did
      reproductively grown larvae. In addition, a proteomic analysis of
      acetylcholinesterase mutant worms, which have excessive levels of Ach, showed
      differential expression of metabolic genes. Collectively, these results indicate
      that alterations in Ach release may influence dauer formation in C. elegans.

PMID- 24219869
TI  - Sequence-specific interaction between ABD-B homeodomain and castor gene in
      Drosophila.
AB  - We have examined the effect of bithorax complex genes on the expression of castor
      gene. During the embryonic stages 12-15, both Ultrabithorax and abdominal-A
      regulated the castor gene expression negatively, whereas Abdominal-B showed a
      positive correlation with the castor gene expression according to real-time PCR.
      To investigate whether ABD-B protein directly interacts with the castor gene,
      electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed using the recombinant ABD-B
      homeodomain and oligonucleotides, which are located within the region 10 kb
      upstream of the castor gene. The results show that ABD-B protein directly binds
      to the castor gene specifically. ABD-B binds more strongly to oligonucleotides
      containing two 5'-TTAT-3' canonical core motifs than the probe containing the 5'
      TTAC-3' motif. In addition, the sequences flanking the core motif are also
      involved in the protein-DNA interaction. The results demonstrate the importance
      of HD for direct binding to target sequences to regulate the expression level of
      the target genes.

PMID- 24219871
TI  - The public health value of doctors encouraging patients to exercise.

PMID- 24219870
TI  - Family caregivers of adults with acquired physical disability: Thai case-control
      study.
AB  - This case-control study compares the health of Thai family caregivers of adults
      with acquired physical disabilities with others without similar responsibilities.
      To ascertain health perceptions, face-to-face structured interviews using the
      Short Form (36) were conducted with participants randomly selected from primary
      care units in eastern Thailand (150 in each group). Despite similar
      sociodemographic profiles, caregivers reported more health problems and harmful
      health behaviours. Mean scores for physical and mental health were significantly
      lower. Factors contributing to poorer health among both caregivers and controls
      were older age, low educational level, insufficient income and existing health
      problems. Additional factors for caregivers were gender, spousal or in-law
      relationship, high dependency, long caregiving time, lack of previous experience
      and other caregiving responsibilities. This study identifies an urgent need for
      support to promote caregivers' health to enable them to maintain their vital
      role. 

PMID- 24219872
TI  - Fabrication of liquid and vapor protective cotton fabrics.
AB  - Through microwave-assisted techniques, cotton textiles treated with
      heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of high
      surface area silica nanoparticles create a material capable of repelling bulk
      liquid challenges while simultaneously adsorbing organic vapors from bulk liquid
      droplets. Characterizing the contradictory behavior of adsorption of vapors and
      repellency of liquids is the primary focus of this article. These procedures
      reveal a quick and simple method for a one-step deposition of a vapor-sorptive,
      liquid-repellent, Cassie-Baxter surface onto textiles. Packed column breakthrough
      and single swatch permeation experiments showed that treated materials possess a
      high affinity for 3-hepten-2-one vapor, while goniometry revealed contact angles
      in excess of 120 degrees  for surface-deposited, 5 MUL droplets of several test
      liquids. Scanning electron micrograph images confirm a lotus-like, nanorough
      surface, while ATR-FTIR spectra confirm surface fluorocarbon moieties. The
      performance of so-treated materials lends itself to the application of chemical
      protective apparel, while the simplicity of the treatment bodes well for
      potential commercialization. 

PMID- 24219873
TI  - Pulmonary function testing and chest tomography in patients with acromegaly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the gradual improvement in treatment procedures and cure
      rates of acromegaly, a steady increase in the mortality rate due to respiratory
      disease has been documented in recent decades. In this study, our objectives were
      to describe the abnormalities in lung structure and function that occur in
      acromegalic patients and to correlate these changes with hormonal levels.
      METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 20 acromegalic patients and 20 age
      and height-matched control subjects, all non-smokers. All subjects underwent
      spirometry, whole body plethysmography, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, and
      respiratory muscle strength. Acromegalic patients also performed high-resolution
      computed tomography (HRCT). RESULTS: Most patients were female (65%), with a mean
      age of 52.5 +/- 13 years. Acromegalic patients showed lower values of maximum
      expiratory pressure (55.9 +/- 17.1 vs. 103.7 +/- 19.2%; p < 0.001) and maximum
      inspiratory pressure (71.4 +/- 27.8 vs. 85.3 +/- 24.1%; p = 0.005) compared to
      control subjects. The values of forced vital capacity (107.1 +/- 15.9 vs. 98.9 +/
      21.4%; p = 0.028), total lung capacity - TLC (107.3 +/- 12.9 vs. 93.7 +/- 7.60%;
      p = 0.002), residual volume (114.1 +/- 22.7 vs. 90.0 +/- 14.6%; p < 0.001), and
      airways' resistance (3.82 vs. 2.31 cmH2O/L/s; p = 0.039) were greater in
      acromegalic patients than in control subjects. The difference between the TLC
      measured by plethysmography and the VA (alveolar volume) measured during the DLCO
      maneuver was higher in acromegalic patients than in control subjects (0.69 +/-
      0.46 vs. 0.19 +/- 0.61 L; p = 0.021). The main findings in HRCT in acromegalic
      patients were air trapping, airway calcification and bronchiectasis, which were
      observed in 60%, 40% and 35% of cases, respectively. There was no significant
      correlation between the levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor
      I, the lung function and the air trapping. CONCLUSIONS: Acromegalic patients show
      changes consistent with the involvement of the small airways and ventilation
      inhomogeneity, both in terms of lung function and structure. However, air
      trapping cannot be explained either by hormone levels or changes in lung
      function.

PMID- 24219874
TI  - Relationship between poor physical function, inflammatory markers, and
      comorbidities in HIV-infected women on antiretroviral therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV-infected individuals may be at increased risk of poor physical
      function. Chronic inflammation has been associated with decreased physical
      function in the elderly and may also influence physical function in HIV-infected
      individuals. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed physical function in 65
      HIV-infected women aged 40 and older on stable antiretroviral treatment using the
      Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB): a standardized test of balance,
      walking speed, and lower- extremity strength developed for elderly populations.
      The relationship between low SPPB score, selected demographic and medical
      characteristics, and high inflammatory biomarker profile was analyzed using
      Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: The median age of
      subjects was 49 years (interquartile range [IQR] 45-55), and the median CD4 T
      cell count was 675 cells/mm(3) (IQR 436-828). Thirteen subjects (20%) had a low
      SPPB score. Subjects with a low SPPB score were more likely to be cigarette
      smokers (p=0.03), had more medical comorbidities (p=0.01), and had higher levels
      of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p<0.05). They also tended to be older (median age 55 vs.
      48, p=0.06), more likely to have diabetes (p=0.07), and have higher levels of
      soluble tumor necrosis factor-1 (p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty percent of women
      aged 40 and older with well-treated HIV had poor physical-function performance,
      which was associated with the high burden of comorbidities in this population and
      with increased IL-6. However, it is unclear from this cross-sectional study
      whether increased inflammation was related to poor physical function or to other
      factors, such as age and medical comorbidities.

PMID- 24219875
TI  - Oxygen-driven anisotropic transport in ultra-thin manganite films.
AB  - Transition metal oxides have a range of unique properties due to coupling of
      charge, spin, orbital and lattice degrees of freedom and nearly degenerate
      multiple ground states. These properties make them interesting for applications
      and for fundamental investigations. Here we report a new phase with abnormal
      transport anisotropy in La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO3 ultra-thin films under large tensile
      strain. This anisotropy is absent in films under smaller tensile strain or
      compressive strain. Furthermore, thickness and magnetic-field-dependent
      experiments suggest that the tensile-strain-induced two-dimensional character is
      crucial for the observed phenomena. X-ray absorption spectroscopy results
      indicate that this anisotropy is likely driven by O 2p orbital, which hybridizes
      with Mn 3d. Ab initio calculations confirm this result. Our results may help to
      understand the anisotropic transport behaviour observed in other systems.

PMID- 24219876
TI  - Equivalence of quenched and annealed averaging in models of disordered polymers.
AB  - The equivalence of the influence of quenched and annealed disorder on the scaling
      properties of long flexible polymer chains is proved by analyzing the O(m)
      symmetric field theory in the polymer (de Gennes) limit m -> 0. Additional
      symmetry properties of the model in this limit are discussed. 

PMID- 24219877
TI  - Improving care for the deteriorating child.

PMID- 24219879
TI  - Hypoactive sexual desire in women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This review aims to describe low sexual desire (1) as a construct
      within theoretical models of female sexual response, (2) as a sexual disorder
      with evolving or competing nosology between the DSM-IV-TR and the DSM 5, and (3)
      as a clinical condition that healthcare providers need to manage, and the current
      status of treatment options. METHODS: We conducted a literature review of the
      epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of low sexual desire/hypoactive sexual
      desire disorder (HSDD). RESULTS: The prevalence rate of low sexual desire is
      high, reaching 43%, whereas that of HSDD comes close to 10%. The DSM 5 categories
      of female sexual disorders include female sexual interest/arousal disorder, which
      is a combination of the DSM-IV-TR disorders HSDD and female sexual arousal
      disorder. Treatment paradigms vary and are individualized based on the
      biopsychosocial components of desire that are compromised in a woman. The two
      primary approaches to treating HSDD are psychotherapy/sex therapy (individual or
      couples) and pharmacotherapy. To date, there are no Food and Drug Administration
      approved pharmacologic treatments. However, four investigational drugs are in mid
      to late-stage clinical trial development. CONCLUSIONS: Low sexual desire is the
      most prevalent sexual problem in women and should be assessed and treated by
      healthcare professionals. Currently, there are only modest evidence-based
      nonpharmacologic treatment options and no approved pharmacologic options. Despite
      these treatment limitations, healthcare providers can address many of the sexual
      health concerns of women.

PMID- 24219880
TI  - Time is of the essence: personalized prediction of reproductive time span to
      optimize life goals.
AB  - CLINICAL SCENARIO: Regina is a 38-year-old woman who has been trying to conceive
      for about a year. She married late in life and started trying to conceive shortly
      thereafter. She is in good health, with no medical problems, and has had fairly
      regular menstrual cycles; however, she notes that the length of her cycle has
      gotten shorter over the past 2 to 3 months and is now occurring every 25 days.
      She has used an over-the-counter "fertility" test that assesses ovarian reserve
      by urinary follicle-stimulating hormone levels, which indicated that she has low
      fertility. She decided to seek medical help.

PMID- 24219881
TI  - Patient handout: What you should know about your reproductive time span.

PMID- 24219882
TI  - Health-related quality of life in women with or without hot flashes: a randomized
      placebo-controlled trial with hormone therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We assessed the impact of hot flashes and various forms of hormone
      therapy on health-related quality of life and sexual well-being in recently
      postmenopausal women. METHODS: We prospectively interviewed 150 healthy women
      about hot flashes and health-related quality of life (using the Women's Health
      Questionnaire and the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire), menopause-related
      symptoms, and general health. The women were classified into those with (n = 72)
      and without (n = 78) hot flashes and treated for 6 months with transdermal
      estradiol (1 mg/d), oral estradiol (2 mg/d) with or without medroxyprogesterone
      acetate (5 mg/d), or placebo. RESULTS: At baseline, hot flashes contributed most
      strongly to poor sleep (correlation coefficient r = -0.525, P < 0.0001), somatic
      symptoms such as muscle pains (r = -0.348, P < 0.0001), menstrual cycle
      resembling complaints (r = -0.304, P < 0.0001), anxiety and fears (r = -0.283, P
      < 0.0001), decreased memory and concentration (r = -0.279, P = 0.001), and sexual
      behavior (r = -0.174, P = 0.035). The different hormone therapy regimens
      alleviated hot flashes equally effectively and were therefore combined into a
      single group for further analysis. In women with baseline flashes, hormone
      therapy use significantly improved the scores for sleep (0.787 [0.243] vs 0.557
      [0.249], hormone therapy vs placebo, P = 0.001, at 6 mo), memory and
      concentration capacity (0.849 [0.228] vs 0.454 [0.301], P < 0.0001, at 6 mo), and
      anxiety and fears (0.942 [0.133] vs 0.826 [0.193], P = 0.005, at 6 mo). Hormone
      therapy use showed no significant impact on these variables in women without
      baseline flashes. CONCLUSIONS: Hot flashes contribute differently to various
      variables affecting health-related quality of life shortly after menopause.
      Estradiol or an estradiol-medroxyprogesterone acetate combination similarly
      alleviates hot flashes and improves health-related quality of life in relation to
      elimination of hot flashes. Hormone therapy use does not confer any detectable
      quality-of-life benefit over placebo in women without disturbing baseline
      flashes.

PMID- 24219883
TI  - Increased interleukin-17 in the cerebrospinal fluid in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob
      disease: a case-control study of rapidly progressive dementia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammatory responses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients
      with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) remain elusive. METHODS: We
      conducted a case-control study, in which 14 patients with sCJD, 14 with
      noninflammatory neurological disorders, and 14 with autoimmune encephalitis were
      enrolled. We used the suspension array system to measure the concentrations of 27
      cytokines in CSF. The cytokine titers of the three groups were compared, and the
      correlation between the relevant cytokine titers and clinical parameters was
      investigated in the patients with sCJD. RESULTS: Levels of the two cytokines
      interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist and IL-17 were significantly elevated in
      the patients with sCJD compared with those in the patients with noninflammatory
      neurological disorders: IL-17 levels in sCJD were approximately ten times higher
      than in the noninflammatory neurological disorders (mean, 35.46 vs. 3.45 pg/ml; P
      < 0.001) but comparable to that in encephalitis (mean, 32.16 pg/ml). In contrast,
      levels of classical proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-12(p70) and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha were increased only in encephalitis. Although not
      significant, IL-17 titers tended to be higher in the patients with shorter
      disease duration before CSF sampling (r = -0.452; P = 0.104) and in those with
      lower CSF total protein concentrations (r = -0.473; P = 0.086). CONCLUSIONS: IL
      17 is significantly increased in CSF in sCJD, which can be an early event in the
      pathogenesis of sCJD.

PMID- 24219884
TI  - Natural products as starting points for the synthesis of complex and diverse
      compounds.
AB  - Covering: up to 2013. Natural products and their derivatives are used as
      treatments for numerous diseases. Many of these compounds are structurally
      complex, possessing a high percentage of sp(3) hybridized carbons and multiple
      stereogenic centers. Due to the difficulties associated with the isolation of
      large numbers of novel natural products, lead discovery efforts over the last two
      decades have shifted toward the screening of less structurally complex synthetic
      compounds. While there have been many success stories from these campaigns, the
      modulation of certain biological targets (e.g. protein-protein interactions) and
      disease areas (e.g. antibacterials) often require complex molecules. Thus, there
      is considerable interest in the development of strategies to construct large
      collections of compounds that mimic the complexity of natural products. Several
      of these strategies focus on the conversion of simple starting materials to value
      added products and have been reviewed elsewhere. Herein we review the use of
      natural products as starting points for the generation of complex compounds,
      discussing both early ad hoc efforts and a more recent systematization of this
      approach.

PMID- 24219885
TI  - Comparison of hospice use by European Americans, African Americans, and Latinos:
      a follow-up study.
AB  - This study investigated the rate of hospice use by Latinos and African Americans
      relative to their prevalence in the general population between 2004 and 2010 as a
      follow-up to a previous investigation. Archival data (N = 2625) were collected on
      patients' race/ethnicity, gender, marital status, length of stay in hospice, and
      reason for discharge. In contrast to previous findings, African Americans were
      more likely to utilize hospice services, but Latinos were less likely to use
      hospice services compared to the other groups. There were no differences among
      the racial/ethnic groups in terms of length of stay or disposition at
      termination. Strengthening efforts to reach a larger racial/ethnic representation
      in hospice programs may increase the rate of hospice use by some racial/ethnic
      groups but not others. 

PMID- 24219886
TI  - Self-assembly of a set of hydrophilic-solvophobic-hydrophobic coil-rod-coil
      molecules based on perylene diimide.
AB  - The self-assembly and the resulting morphology of a set of asymmetrically
      substituted perylene diimide is discussed. We synthesized perylene diimides with
      hydrophilic Jeffamine(r) (PEO/PPO co-oligomer) attached to the imide nitrogen on
      one side and (hydrophobic) alkyl chains of different lengths on the other.
      Although studies on asymmetrically substituted perylene diimides have been
      reported by various authors, both side chains in this work are linear and we
      discuss the effect of the length of the hydrophobic alkyl side chain on the self
      assembly in water and aqueous mixtures and the resulting morphology. We find that
      self-assembly occurs in water in a range of concentrations (from 10(-7) to 10(-4)
      M), and the mode of packing of the H-stacked molecules changes with concentration
      for the propyl substitution. Although self-assembly does not occur in non-aqueous
      solvents such as acetone, it does upon addition of water. While other authors
      observed nano-belts and nano-fibers with asymmetrically substituted perylene
      diimides, the morphology of drop-cast films in our work consists of folded sheets
      and hollow tubes, of a few microns in diameter. Such folding in a non-chiral
      system such as the present case is attributed to predominant asymmetry of
      interactions between the molecules in the three directions, as we discussed in
      our previous work on an hydrogen bonded system (S. Khanna, M. K. Khan and P.
      Sundararajan, Langmuir, 2009, 25, 13183-13193). 

PMID- 24219887
TI  - Dynamic modelling of microRNA regulation during mesenchymal stem cell
      differentiation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Network inference from gene expression data is a typical approach to
      reconstruct gene regulatory networks. During chondrogenic differentiation of
      human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), a complex transcriptional network is active
      and regulates the temporal differentiation progress. As modulators of
      transcriptional regulation, microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in stem cell
      differentiation. Integrated network inference aimes at determining interrelations
      between miRNAs and mRNAs on the basis of expression data as well as miRNA target
      predictions. We applied the NetGenerator tool in order to infer an integrated
      gene regulatory network. RESULTS: Time series experiments were performed to
      measure mRNA and miRNA abundances of TGF-beta1+BMP2 stimulated hMSCs. Network
      nodes were identified by analysing temporal expression changes, miRNA target gene
      predictions, time series correlation and literature knowledge. Network inference
      was performed using NetGenerator to reconstruct a dynamical regulatory model
      based on the measured data and prior knowledge. The resulting model is robust
      against noise and shows an optimal trade-off between fitting precision and
      inclusion of prior knowledge. It predicts the influence of miRNAs on the
      expression of chondrogenic marker genes and therefore proposes novel regulatory
      relations in differentiation control. By analysing the inferred network, we
      identified a previously unknown regulatory effect of miR-524-5p on the expression
      of the transcription factor SOX9 and the chondrogenic marker genes COL2A1, ACAN
      and COL10A1. CONCLUSIONS: Genome-wide exploration of miRNA-mRNA regulatory
      relationships is a reasonable approach to identify miRNAs which have so far not
      been associated with the investigated differentiation process. The NetGenerator
      tool is able to identify valid gene regulatory networks on the basis of miRNA and
      mRNA time series data.

PMID- 24219888
TI  - Suppression of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E prevents chemotherapy-induced
      alopecia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced hair loss (alopecia) (CIA) is one of the most
      feared side effects of chemotherapy among cancer patients. There is currently no
      pharmacological approach to minimize CIA, although one strategy that has been
      proposed involves protecting normal cells from chemotherapy by transiently
      inducing cell cycle arrest. Proof-of-concept for this approach, known as
      cyclotherapy, has been demonstrated in cell culture settings. METHODS: The
      eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E is a cap binding protein that stimulates
      ribosome recruitment to mRNA templates during the initiation phase of
      translation. Suppression of eIF4E is known to induce cell cycle arrest. Using a
      novel inducible and reversible transgenic mouse model that enables RNAi-mediated
      suppression of eIF4E in vivo, we assessed the consequences of temporal eIF4E
      suppression on CIA. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that transient inhibition of
      eIF4E protects against cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia at the organismal level.
      At the cellular level, this protection is associated with an accumulation of
      cells in G1, reduced apoptotic indices, and was phenocopied using small molecule
      inhibitors targeting the process of translation initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      provide a rationale for exploring suppression of translation initiation as an
      approach to prevent or minimize cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia.

PMID- 24219890
TI  - Mastication effects on the glycaemic index: impact on variability and practical
      implications.
AB  - Glycaemic variability challenges the accuracy and use of the glycaemic index
      (GI). The purpose of the current study was to determine the role of mastication
      on GI. Using a randomized, controlled, crossover, non-blind design, 15 healthy
      young subjects returned on 5 separate days for three glucose and two rice test
      sessions. At the rice sessions, subjects chewed each mouthful either 15 or 30
      times. Rice chewed 15 times produced a total glycaemic response (GR; 155 mmol
      min/l), peak GR (2.4 mmol/l) and GI (68) significantly lower than when chewed for
      longer (30 times) (184 mmol min/l, 2.8 mmol/l and 88, respectively). The study
      shows that the GI of rice is affected by the degree of mastication. Chewing 15
      times compared with 30 times significantly attenuates the GI, suggesting that
      mastication may potentially contribute to the glycaemic variability of rice.
      While future work must establish the extent and limits to which mastication
      affects glycaemia, it could also explore the potential of using mastication to
      reduce the glycaemic load of rice.

PMID- 24219889
TI  - Effects of steroid ablation and progestin replacement on the transcriptome of the
      primate corpus luteum during simulated early pregnancy.
AB  - Previous microarray analyses indicated that a portion of the transcriptome in the
      macaque corpus luteum (CL) of the menstrual cycle was regulated indirectly by
      luteinizing hormone via the local actions of steroid hormones, notably
      progesterone (P). The current study was designed to investigate this concept in
      the CL of early pregnancy by analyzing chorionic gonadotrophin (CG)-regulated
      genes that are dependent versus independent of local steroid action. Exogenous
      human chorionic gonadotropin treatment simulating early pregnancy (SEP) began on
      Day 9 of the luteal phase in female rhesus monkeys with and without concurrent
      administration of the 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor trilostane
      (TRL) with or without the synthetic progestin R5020. Compared with SEP treatment
      alone, TRL altered 50 mRNA transcripts on Day 10, rising to 95 on Day 15 (P<0.05,
      >=2-fold change in gene expression). Steroid-sensitive genes were validated;
      notably effects of steroid ablation and P replacement varied by day. Expression
      of some genes previously identified as P-regulated in the macaque CL during the
      menstrual cycle were not significantly altered by steroid ablation and P
      replacement during CG exposure in SEP. These data indicate that the majority of
      CG-regulated luteal transcripts are differentially expressed independently of
      local steroid actions. However, the steroid-regulated genes in the macaque CL may
      be essential during early pregnancy, based on previous reports that TRL treatment
      initiates premature structural regression of the CL during SEP. These data
      reinforce the concept that the structure, function and regulation of the rescued
      CL in early pregnancy differs from the CL of the menstrual cycle in primates.

PMID- 24219891
TI  - Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, e-selectin
      and C-reactive protein levels in response to 4-week very-high-fructose or 
      glucose diets.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High intake of added sweeteners is considered to have a
      causal role in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic disorders. Especially, high
      fructose intake is regarded as potentially harmful to cardiometabolic health. It
      may cause not only weight gain but also low-grade inflammation, which represents
      an independent risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular
      disease. In particular, fructose has been suggested to induce plasminogen
      activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in the liver and to increase circulating
      inflammatory cytokines. We therefore aimed to investigate, whether high-fructose
      diet has an impact on PAI-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), e
      selectin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in healthy humans.
      SUBJECTS/METHODS: We studied 20 participants (12 males and 8 females) of the
      TUebingen FRuctose Or Glucose study. This is an exploratory, parallel,
      prospective, randomized, single-blinded, outpatient, hypercaloric, intervention
      study. The participants had a mean age of 30.9 +/- 2.1 years and a mean body mass
      index of 26.0 +/- 0.5 kg/m(2) and they received 150 g of either fructose or
      glucose per day for 4 weeks. RESULTS: There were neither significant changes of
      PAI-1, MCP-1, e-selectin and CRP after fructose (n=10) and glucose (n=10)
      intervention nor treatment effects (all P>0.2). Moreover, we did not observe
      longitudinal associations of the inflammatory parameters with triglycerides,
      liver fat, visceral fat and body weight in the fructose group. CONCLUSIONS:
      Temporary high-fructose intake does not seem to cause inflammation in apparently
      healthy people in this secondary analysis of a small feeding trial.

PMID- 24219892
TI  - Maternal overweight impacts infant feeding patterns--the STEPS Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined how maternal overweight impacts full breastfeeding (BF),
      total duration of BF and the age of introduction of complementary foods (CFs) and
      whether these have effect on children's growth from 0 to 2 years.
      SUBJECTS/METHODS: From 1797 families participating in the STEPS Study, 848
      children had data on BF and anthropometric data at 13 months and 2 years of age
      and were included in this study. Data on BF and CFs were collected using a self
      administered follow-up diary. Information regarding maternal weight, height,
      pregnancy and delivery were received from maternity clinics and the National
      Longitudinal Census Files. The children's weight and length/height were recorded
      during the study visits at 13 months and 2 years. RESULTS: Overweight women
      breastfed fully (2.2 vs 2.8 months, P<0.0001) and totally (7.4 vs 9.0 months,
      P<0.0001) for a shorter time and introduced CFs earlier (4.1 vs 4.3 months,
      P=0.02) than normal weight women. Children of overweight women were heavier and
      had a higher body mass index at 2 years than children of normal weight women. At
      2 years of age 30% of boys and 17% of girls were overweight or obese. However,
      children's obesity risk was not increased by maternal overweight (odds ratio (OR)
      1.04, P=0.12). Longer duration of full BF (OR 0.86, P=0.04) and partial BF (OR
      0.91, P=0.02) and delayed introduction of CFs (OR 0.69, P=0.03) were protective
      against obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that women who were overweight
      or obese before pregnancy breastfed for a shorter time and introduced CFs earlier
      than normal weight women, which may further impact children's growth.

PMID- 24219893
TI  - Isotopic estimates of sugar intake are related to chronic disease risk factors
      but not obesity in an Alaska native (Yup'ik) study population.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sugar intake may be causally associated with chronic
      disease risk, either directly or by contributing to obesity. However, evidence
      from observational studies is mixed, in part due to the error and bias inherent
      in self-reported measures of sugar intake. Objective biomarkers may clarify the
      relationship between sugar intake and chronic disease risk. We have recently
      validated a biomarker of sugar intake in an Alaska Native (Yup'ik) study
      population that incorporates red blood cell carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in
      a predictive model. This study tested associations of isotopic estimates of sugar
      intake with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and a broad array of
      other physiological and biochemical measures of chronic disease risk in Yup'ik
      people. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a cross-sectional sample of 1076 Yup'ik people,
      multiple linear regression was used to examine associations of sugar intake with
      BMI, WC and other chronic disease risk factors. RESULTS: Isotopic estimates of
      sugar intake were not associated with BMI (P=0.50) or WC (P=0.85). They were
      positively associated with blood pressure, triglycerides (TG) and leptin, and are
      inversely associated with total-, high-density lipoprotein- and low-density
      lipoprotein-cholesterol and adiponectin. CONCLUSIONS: Isotopic estimates of sugar
      intake were not associated with obesity, but were adversely associated with other
      chronic disease risk factors in this Yup'ik study population. This first use of
      stable isotope markers of sugar intake may influence recommendations for sugar
      intake by Yup'ik people; however, longitudinal studies are required to understand
      associations with chronic disease incidence.

PMID- 24219894
TI  - Investigating the causal effect of vitamin D on serum adiponectin using a
      Mendelian randomization approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim was to examine the causal effect of vitamin D on
      serum adiponectin using a multiple instrument Mendelian randomization approach.
      SUBJECTS/METHODS: Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) and serum total or high
      molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin were measured in two Danish population-based
      studies: the Inter99 study (6405 adults, 30-60 years) conducted in 1999-2001, and
      the MONICA10 study (2656 adults, 41-71 years) conducted in 1993-1994. RESULTS: In
      the Inter99 study, serum 25(OH)D was positively associated with total adiponectin
      (the effect estimate in % per doubling of 25(OH)D was 4.78, 95% CI: 1.96, 7.68,
      P<0.001). Using variations in the vitamin D-binding protein gene and the
      filaggrin gene as instrumental variables, the causal effect in % was estimated to
      61.46, 95% CI: 17.51, 120.28, P=0.003 higher adiponectin per doubling of 25(OH)D.
      In the MONICA10 cohort, no significant association was observed between the serum
      concentrations of 25(OH)D and HMW adiponectin (the effect estimate in % per
      doubling of 25(OH)D was -1.51, 95% CI: -5.80, 2.98, P=0.50), although the
      instrumental variables analysis to some extent supported a positive causal
      association (the effect estimate in % per doubling of 25(OH)D was 37.13, 95% CI: 
      3.67, 95.20, P=0.080). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a possible causal
      association between serum 25(OH)D and total adiponectin. However, the association
      was not replicated for HMW adiponectin. Thus, further studies are needed to
      confirm a causal relationship.

PMID- 24219895
TI  - Dietary intake of patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease
      and that of healthy controls in Iran.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between
      dietary intake and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in individuals with and
      without angiographically defined coronary artery disease. SUBJECTS/METHODS:
      Coronary angiography was undertaken in 445 individuals who were divided into
      those with significant disease (>50% occlusion) (Angio+ (n=273)) and those with
      <50% coronary artery occlusion (Angio- (n=172)). Apparently healthy, non
      symptomatic individuals (n=443) were considered as the control group. Dietary
      intake was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall method and dietary analysis was
      performed using Diet Plan 6 software. RESULTS: Concentrations of starch,
      saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, magnesium, iron and copper in
      the control group were less than those in the other groups (P<0.05), but after
      adjusting for total energy intake these differences were no longer apparent. The
      mean intake of protein, cholesterol, phosphorus, zinc, zinc/copper ratio,
      selenium, iodine, carotene, vitamin E, niacin, pantothene and pyridoxine was less
      in the control group compared with the other two groups (P<0.05), and the mean of
      sugar, fiber, transfatty acids, manganese, folate and vitamin C was higher in the
      control group than in other groups (P<0.05). Lipid profile values between the
      three groups did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate
      that the amount of intake of various nutrients can be considered as an
      independent risk factor for CAD. Further research on the relationship between CAD
      and nutrient intake, especially intake of essential micronutrients, is needed.

PMID- 24219897
TI  - Janus cyclic peptide-polymer nanotubes.
AB  - Self-assembled nanotubular structures have numerous potential applications but
      these are limited by a lack of control over size and functionality. Controlling
      these features at the molecular level may allow realization of the potential of
      such structures. Here we report a new generation of self-assembled cyclic peptide
      polymer nanotubes with dual functionality in the form of either a Janus or mixed
      polymeric corona. A 'relay' synthetic strategy is used to prepare nanotubes with
      a demixing or mixing polymeric corona. Nanotube structure is assessed in solution
      using (1)H-(1)H nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy NMR, and in bulk using
      differential scanning calorimetry. The Janus nanotubes form artificial pores in
      model phospholipid bilayers. These molecules provide a viable pathway for the
      development of intriguing nanotubular structures with dual functionality via a
      demixing or a mixing polymeric corona and may provide new avenues for the
      creation of synthetic transmembrane protein channel mimics. 

PMID- 24219896
TI  - Vitamin B12: one carbon metabolism, fetal growth and programming for chronic
      disease.
AB  - This review brings together human and animal studies and reviews that examine the
      possible role of maternal vitamin B12 (B12) on fetal growth and its programming
      for susceptibility to chronic disease. A selective literature review was
      undertaken to identify studies and reviews that investigate these issues,
      particularly in the context of a vegetarian diet that may be low in B12 and
      protein and high in carbohydrate. Evidence is accumulating that maternal B12
      status influences fetal growth and development. Low maternal vitamin B12 status
      and protein intake are associated with increased risk of neural tube defect, low
      lean mass and excess adiposity, increased insulin resistance, impaired
      neurodevelopment and altered risk of cancer in the offspring. Vitamin B12 is a
      key nutrient associated with one carbon metabolic pathways related to substrate
      metabolism, synthesis and stability of nucleic acids and methylation of DNA which
      regulates gene expression. Understanding of factors regulating maternal-fetal one
      carbon metabolism and its role in fetal programming of non communicable diseases
      could help design effective interventions, starting with maternal nutrition
      before conception. 

PMID- 24219898
TI  - Decentralised paediatric HIV care in Ethiopia: a comparison between outcomes of
      patients managed in health centres and in a hospital clinic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to increase access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV
      infected children, paediatric HIV care has been introduced in health centres in
      Ethiopia, where patients are managed by health professionals with limited
      training. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of paediatric HIV care in hospital and
      health centre clinics and to determine risk factors for death and loss to follow
      up (LTFU). DESIGN: Retrospective comparison of patient characteristics and
      outcomes among children managed in a public hospital and all five public health
      centres in the uptake area. RESULTS: Among 1,960 patients (health centres 572,
      hospital clinic 1,388), 34% were lost to follow-up, 2% died, 14% were transferred
      out, and 46% remained in care. Children initiating ART in the hospital clinic had
      lower median CD4 cell counts (age <1 year: 575 vs. 1,183 cells/mm3, p=0.024; age
      1-5 years: 370 vs. 598 cells/mm3, p<0.001; age >5 years: 186 vs. 259 cells/mm3,
      p<0.001), and a higher proportion were <1 year of age (22% vs. 15%, p=0.025). ART
      initiation rates and retention in care were similar between children managed in
      health centres and in the hospital clinic (36% vs. 37% and 47% vs. 46%,
      respectively). Among patients starting ART, mortality was associated with age <1
      year [hazard ratio (HR) 12.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.5, 41]. LTFU was
      associated with CD4 cell counts <350 cells/mm3 (HR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.0), weight
      for-age z-scores below -4 (HR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.4, 5.6), and age <5 years (1-5
      years: HR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.0, 2.5; <1 year: HR 3.3; 95% CI: 1.6, 6.6). CONCLUSIONS:
      Outcomes of HIV care were similar for Ethiopian children managed in a hospital
      clinic or in health centres. However, patients treated at the hospital clinic had
      characteristics of more advanced disease. Rates of LTFU were high in both types
      of health facility.

PMID- 24219899
TI  - Primary stability of an intramedullary calcaneal nail and an angular stable
      calcaneal plate in a biomechanical testing model of intraarticular calcaneal
      fracture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nowadays, open anatomic reduction and internal fixation can be
      considered as a valuable treatment for displaced intra-articular fractures of the
      calcaneus. However, the application of a calcaneal plate via an extensile lateral
      approach is at risk for a substantial rate of complications including delayed
      healing, skin necrosis, or infection. There is some evidence that a limited
      exposure might contribute to a decreased soft tissue complication rate bearing in
      mind that most minimally invasive techniques have to accept a reduced primary
      stability compared with the open application of an angular stable plate.
      Recently, an intrafocal minimal invasive reduction technique has been established
      employing an intramedullary nail for fracture stabilisation and support of the
      subtalar joint. The aim of this study was to compare the primary biomechanical
      performance of the new device versus lateral angular stable plating. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Biomechanical testings were performed on 14 human cadaveric feet (7
      pairs). Dry calcaneal bones were fractured resulting in a Sanders type IIB
      fracture pattern and fixed by either a calcaneal locking plate or an
      intramedullary calcaneal nail. Compressive testing via the corresponding talus
      was employed at a constant loading velocity until failure with an universal
      testing machine and a specific mounting device to avoid any shear forces. Apart
      from the data of the load deformation diagram the relative motion of the fracture
      elements during loading was recorded by 8 extensometric transducers. After
      failure the specimens were carefully examined to check the failure patterns.
      RESULTS: The displacement of the subtalar joint fragment was substantially lower
      in specimens fixed with the nail. Stiffness and load to failure were
      significantly higher after fixation with the intramedullary nail than after
      application of the angular stable plate. Failure with both fixation modes
      generally occurred at the anterior calcaneal process fragment. CONCLUSIONS: The
      primary stability of an intramedullary nail appeared to be superior to an angular
      stable plate representing the present standard technique in open reconstruction
      of the fractured calcaneus. The results from the experimental model speak in
      favour of the clinical use of the intramedullary calcaneal nail.

PMID- 24219900
TI  - A survey of trauma database utilisation in England.
AB  - Trauma registries are used worldwide to coordinate patient care as well as
      provide data for audit and research purposes. National registries collect this
      data, producing research opportunities, outcome standards and a means by which to
      benchmark trauma centre performance. The Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN)
      is the UK national registry, with data upload being mandatory from all major
      trauma centres (MTCs), a process which is manual and time and resource intensive.
      A telephone survey was carried out to collect data from all 26 MTCs in England. A
      questionnaire was designed to identify how data was collected at a local level,
      what software and methods were used and what resources were allocated to collect
      and upload trauma data to the TARN. Further information on hospital size and
      number of beds was collected from internet searches. Twenty-three MTCs were
      contacted in total. The majority used Microsoft Excel, with the next most common
      programme being Bluespier. Other commercially available registries used included
      Collector, VTOMS and McKesson. One trust created its own software and three used
      no electronic database at all. Electronic patient record integration was variable
      and limited to some commercially available registries. The mean number of TARN
      data collectors was two per centre, with a mean duration of data collection of
      4.5 years. The wide range of software options and their lack of integration with
      the hospital electronic patient records results in the duplication of data as
      well as requiring time and resources. This may also be due to the difference in
      data required for coordinating on-going patient care and that required for upload
      to the TARN. Whilst some of these programmes do have the capabilities for
      automatic data upload, further efforts must be made to provide a cohesive system
      that provides the required integration and customisability in order to improve
      efficiency and ultimately trauma care. 

PMID- 24219901
TI  - Determinants of limitations in unpaid work after major trauma: a prospective
      cohort study with 15 months follow-up.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of limitations in unpaid work (household
      work, shopping, caring for children and odd jobs around the house) in patients
      who had suffered major trauma (ISS>=16) and who were in full-time employment
      (>=80%) at the time of injury. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING:
      University Medical Centre Utrecht, a level 1 trauma centre in the Netherlands.
      METHOD: All severely injured (ISS>=16) adult (age>=16) trauma survivors admitted
      from January 1999 to December 2000 who were full-time employed at time of the
      injury were invited for follow-up (n=214). Outcome was assessed with the 'Health
      and Labour Questionnaire' (HLQ) at a mean of 15 months (SD=1.5) after injury. The
      HLQ was completed by 211 patients. RESULTS: Response rate was 93%. Logistic
      regression analyses identified the percentage of permanent impairment (% PI),
      level of participation (RtW), co-morbidity, lower extremity injury (LEI) and
      female gender as determinants of limitations in unpaid work. Patients with a post
      injury status of part-time or no return to work experienced more limitations in
      unpaid work than those who returned to full-time employment. CONCLUSIONS:
      Resuming paid work after major trauma is not associated with reductions in unpaid
      activities. To assess the long-term outcome of rehabilitation programmes, we
      recommend a measure that combines patient's satisfaction in their post-injury
      jobs with a satisfactory level of activities in their private lives.

PMID- 24219902
TI  - Interrupting my shift: disaster preparedness and response.

PMID- 24219903
TI  - Clinical utility of screening laboratory tests in pediatric psychiatric patients
      presenting to the emergency department for medical clearance.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: We assess whether screening laboratory tests obtained to
      medically clear pediatric psychiatric patients altered management or disposition.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients younger
      than 18 years and presenting to an academic pediatric emergency department for
      medical clearance of an acute psychiatric emergency potentially requiring an
      involuntary hold (danger to self, danger to others, grave disability) from July
      2009 to December 2010. Patients were identified by discharge diagnosis codes.
      History and physical examination and screening laboratory tests were reviewed for
      changes in management or disposition. Further analysis compared length of stay
      according to type of laboratory test performed. To avoid missing patients
      presenting with or for evaluation of an involuntary hold for whom an organic
      cause was diagnosed, charts with psychiatric chief complaints were reviewed for
      the same period. RESULTS: One thousand eighty-two visits resulting in 13,725
      individual laboratory tests were analyzed. Of 871 visits with laboratory tests
      performed, abnormal laboratory tests were associated with 7 disposition changes
      (0.8%) and 50 management changes (5.7%) not associated with a disposition change.
      Twenty-five patients with noncontributory history and physical examination
      results had management changes, all non-urgent. One patient with a
      noncontributory history and physical examination result had a disposition
      changing laboratory result, a positive urine pregnancy test. Patients who had any
      screening test performed had a longer length of stay than patients without
      testing (117 minutes longer; 95% confidence interval 109.7 to 124.4 minutes). In
      charts reviewed according to chief complaint, no patient was found to have an
      organic cause of their symptoms according to only screening tests. CONCLUSION:
      Screening laboratory tests resulted in few management and disposition changes in
      patients with noncontributory history and physical examination results but were
      associated with increased length of stay.

PMID- 24219904
TI  - Short range order in liquid pnictides.
AB  - Liquid pnictides have anomalous physical properties and complex radial
      distribution functions. The quasi-crystalline model of liquid structure is
      applied to interpret the three-dimensional structure of liquid pnictides. It is
      shown that all the column V elements can be characterized by a short range order
      lattice symmetry similar to that of the underlying solid, the A7 structure, which
      originates from a Peierls distorted simple cubic lattice. The evolution of the
      liquid structure down the column as well as its temperature and pressure
      dependence is interpreted by means of the effect of thermodynamic parameters on
      the Peierls distortion. Surprisingly, it is found that the Peierls effect
      increases with temperature and the nearest neighbour distances exhibit negative
      thermal expansion. 

PMID- 24219905
TI  - Pre-conditioning mesenchymal stromal cell spheroids for immunomodulatory
      paracrine factor secretion.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit the inherent potential
      to regulate multiple signaling pathways and cell types that contribute to the
      pathogenesis of inflammatory and immune diseases. However, more recent studies
      have suggested that the secretion of immunomodulatory factors by MSCs can be
      enhanced by three-dimensional aggregation or pro-inflammatory cytokine treatment.
      METHODS: Human MSC spheroids were formed by forced aggregation into agarose micro
      wells and subsequently cultured in either minimal essential medium alpha
      supplemented with fetal bovine serum or serum-free, defined MesenCult-XF medium
      (STEMCELL Technologies, Vancouver, Canada). A subset of the spheroids were
      treated with pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma or tumor necrosis
      factor (TNF)-alpha or both for 4 days. Immunomodulatory factor (prostaglandin E2,
      indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, transforming growth factor-beta1 and interleukin-6)
      secretion was quantified after 4 days of culture, and the immunomodulatory
      activity of MSCs was assessed by quantifying activated macrophage expression of
      TNF-alpha after trans-well co-culture. RESULTS: Culturing human MSCs as three
      dimensional aggregates increased secretion of immunomodulatory paracrine factors,
      which was enhanced further by treatment with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha,
      demonstrating that these parameters can synergistically enhance endogenous human
      MSC immunomodulatory properties. However, immunomodulatory factor secretion was
      found to be highly dependent on the composition of cell culture medium. Human
      MSCs cultured in MesenCult-XF medium displayed significantly less expression of
      prostaglandin E2, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, transforming growth factor-beta1
      and interleukin-6 compared with human MSCs cultured in medium supplemented with
      fetal bovine serum. Finally, pre-conditioning of human MSC spheroids with IFN
      gamma and TNF-alpha resulted in greater immunomodulatory activity in a macrophage
      co-culture assay. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, engineering the environment of human
      MSCs to develop pre-conditioning strategies for enhancing human MSC
      immunomodulation may be a simple approach for improving MSC-based therapies for
      the treatment of inflammatory and immune diseases.

PMID- 24219906
TI  - Magnetic resonance and near-infrared imaging using a novel dual-modality nano
      probe for dendritic cell tracking in vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: The effect of cellular-based immunotherapy is highly correlated
      with the success of dendritic cells (DCs) homing to the draining lymph nodes
      (LNs) and interacting with antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells. In this study, a
      novel magneto-fluorescent nano-probe was used to track the in vivo migration of
      DCs to the draining LNs. METHODS: A dual-modality nano-probe composed of
      superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) dye
      (NIR797) was developed, and its magnetic and optical contrasting properties were
      characterized. DCs generated from mouse bone marrow were co-cultured with the
      probe at a lower concentration of 10 MUg/mL. The cell phenotype and function of
      DCs were also investigated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis and
      mixed leukocyte reactivity assay. Labeled DCs were injected into the footpad of
      C57BL/6 mice. Afterward, magnetic resonance imaging, NIRF imaging, Perls staining
      and CD11c immunofluorescence were used to observe the migration of the labeled
      DCs into draining LNs. RESULTS: The synthetic SPIO-NIR797 nano-probe had a
      desirable superparamagnetic and near-infrared behavior. Perls staining showed
      perfect labeling efficiency. The cell phenotypes, including CD11c, CD80, CD86 and
      major histocompatibility complex class II, as well as the T-cell activation
      potential of the mature DCs were insignificantly affected after incubation (P >
      0.05). Labeled DCs migrating into LNs could be detected by both magnetic
      resonance imaging and NIRF imaging simultaneously, which was further confirmed by
      Perls staining and immunofluorescence. CONCLUSIONS: The novel dual-modality SPIO
      NIR797 nano-probe has highly biocompatible characteristics for labeling and
      tracking DCs, which can be used to evaluate cancer immunotherapy in clinical
      applications.

PMID- 24219907
TI  - Oxidative stress, metalloproteinase and LDH in children with intractable and non
      intractable epilepsy as reflected in salivary analysis.
AB  - Oxidative stress and metalloproteinase (MMPs) may have a pivotal role in the
      pathogenesis of epilepsy. This study examined the underlying mechanism of
      epilepsy in children and especially in its intractable form, with respect to the
      roles of MMP's and free radicals in general and in saliva in particular. We also
      explored the possible diagnostic role of a compositional salivary analysis in
      these children, as salivary collection is simple, non-invasive (and thus
      'children-friendly') and requires almost no expertise. We analyzed saliva
      parameters of 33 epileptic children: 22 with non-intractable (E's) and 11 with
      intractable epilepsy (IE's), and compared them with 16 healthy controls. Mean
      salivary LDH concentration in controls was 213.1+/-34.0IU/L, dropping by 38%
      (p=0.014) in E's and by 76% (p=0.0003) in IE's. Mean salivary values of
      peroxidase activity, SOD activity and carbonyls level were 480+/-14mU/mL, 1.30+/
      0.15U/mL and 0.34+/-0.04nmol/mg, respectively, in controls, increasing by 6%
      (p=0.03), by 37% (p=0.04) and by 59% (p=0.003) in E's, and by 10% (p=0.02), by
      29% (p=0.03) and by 56% (p=0.004) in IE's. Mean salivary MMP 9 concentration was
      0.062+/-0.003 (OD) in controls, decreased by 12% (p=0.048) in E's, and by 23%,
      (p=0.009) in IE's. Our results enhance our understanding of epilepsy's biological
      underlying mechanism as reflected in the saliva of children with both intractable
      and non intractable disease. SIGNIFICANCE: The currently reported salivary
      analysis and the demonstrated salivary alterations in children suffering from
      epilepsy represent a novel direction. We found various salivary alterations
      demonstrated in the general composition as well as the oxidative and
      metalloproteinase analyses and more so in the intractable epilepsy group than in
      the non intractable epilepsy group. Hence, salivary oxidative components and MMP
      levels were found useful in the detection and follow-up of children with
      epilepsy. As such, we recommend using this non-invasive salivary analysis for
      diagnosis and monitoring of epileptic activity in children.

PMID- 24219908
TI  - Contribution of oligomerization to the anti-HIV-1 properties of SAMHD1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: SAMHD1 is a restriction factor that potently blocks infection by HIV
      1 and other retroviruses. We have previously demonstrated that SAMHD1
      oligomerizes in mammalian cells by immunoprecipitation. Here we investigated the
      contribution of SAMHD1 oligomerization to retroviral restriction. RESULTS:
      Structural analysis of SAMHD1 and homologous HD domain proteins revealed that key
      hydrophobic residues Y146, Y154, L428 and Y432 stabilize the extensive dimer
      interface observed in the SAMHD1 crystal structure. Full-length SAMHD1 variants
      Y146S/Y154S and L428S/Y432S lost their ability to oligomerize tested by
      immunoprecipitation in mammalian cells. In agreement with these observations, the
      Y146S/Y154S variant of a bacterial construct expressing the HD domain of human
      SAMHD1 (residues 109-626) disrupted the dGTP-dependent tetramerization of SAMHD1
      in vitro. Tetramerization-defective variants of the full-length SAMHD1
      immunoprecipitated from mammalian cells and of the bacterially-expressed HD
      domain construct lost their dNTPase activity. The nuclease activity of the HD
      domain construct was not perturbed by the Y146S/Y154S mutations. Remarkably,
      oligomerization-deficient SAMHD1 variants potently restricted HIV-1 infection.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that SAMHD1 oligomerization is not required
      for the ability of the protein to block HIV-1 infection.

PMID- 24219909
TI  - Macrophage polarization and function with emphasis on the evolving roles of
      coordinated regulation of cellular signaling pathways.
AB  - Monocytes/macrophages are heterogeneous and versatile cells that could undergo
      their phenotypically/functionally dynamic switch in response to the
      microenvironment signals. Two major macrophage subpopulations with different
      functions which represent extreme of a continuum in a universe of activation
      states, including classically activated/inflammatory (M1) and alternatively
      activated/regenerative (M2) macrophages, have long been recognized. Emerging
      evidence through genetic or pharmacologic approaches has now been made in
      defining the actual fate in vivo and in vitro underlying M1 or M2-like polarized
      activation under physiological and pathological conditions. These cells are
      characterized by their expression of cell surface markers, secreted cytokines and
      chemokines, and transcription and epigenetic pathways. Here in this review, we
      shed new light on the contribution of several major signaling pathways and their
      modulators/targets involved in directing the macrophage plasticity and polarized
      function, assess the mechanisms of macrophage polarization by interacting
      endogenous cellular mechanisms and molecules associated with reciprocal skewing
      of macrophage polarization between the M1 and M2 states. The identification of
      mechanisms underlying functional polarization of macrophages into M1 or M2 cells
      might provide new insights into a basis for macrophage-centered diagnostic and
      therapeutic strategies for multiple diseases. 

PMID- 24219911
TI  - Life expectancy at birth and at age 65 for local areas in England and Wales.

PMID- 24219910
TI  - Evidence for a regulatory role of Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase 7 in insulin
      signaling.
AB  - Dysfunctional regulation of signaling pathways downstream of the insulin receptor
      plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2
      diabetes. In this study we report both in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence
      for a role of Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase 7 (CRL7) in the regulation of
      insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. We show that Cul7(-/-) mouse embryonic
      fibroblasts displayed enhanced AKT and Erk MAP kinase phosphorylation upon
      insulin stimulation. Depletion of CUL7 by RNA interference in C2C12 myotubes led
      to increased activation of insulin signaling pathways and cellular glucose
      uptake, as well as a reduced capacity of these cells to execute insulin-induced
      degradation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1). In vivo, heterozygosity of
      either Cul7 or Fbxw8, both key components of CRL7, resulted in elevated PI3
      kinase/AKT activation in skeletal muscle tissue upon insulin stimulation when
      compared to wild-type controls. Finally, Cul7(+/-) or Fbxw8(+/-) mice exhibited
      enhanced insulin sensitivity and plasma glucose clearance. Collectively, our
      findings point to a yet unrecognized role of CRL7 in insulin-mediated control of
      glucose homeostasis by restraining PI3 kinase/AKT activities in skeletal muscle
      cells. 

PMID- 24219912
TI  - Risk factors for acute decompensation of chronic kidney disease in hospitalized
      patients in the nephrology department: a case-control study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in
      hospitalized patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) a case-control study was
      conducted in the Nephrology Department of Hedi Chaker University Hospital in
      Sfax, Tunisia, for a 1-year period. METHODS: All patients with baseline renal
      insufficiency hospitalized for AKI were considered as cases. They were compared
      with control patients with CKD. A conditional logistic regression model was used
      to identify independent risk factors for AKI in patients with CKD. RESULTS: A
      total of 58 cases were compared with 114 control subjects. In multivariable
      models, baseline diabetes, cardiopathy disease, and exposure to non-steroidal
      anti-inflammatory drugs were independent risk factors for AKI in patients with
      CKD. However, exposure to calcium channel blockers (CCBs) was associated with
      decreased risk for AKI on CKD (OR = 0.4; CI 95%: 0.2 - 0.8, p = 0.007).
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CKD may benefit from more aggressive cardiovascular
      screening to prevent episodes of acute kidney injury. More efforts should be made
      to prevent prescription drug abuse and to demonstrate the role of CCBs in renal
      protection in these patients.

PMID- 24219913
TI  - Limited health literacy is associated with low glomerular filtration in the
      Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low health literacy in the general population is associated with
      increased risk of death and hospitalization. The evaluation of health literacy in
      individuals with predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. METHODS: We
      conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the associations of limited health
      literacy with kidney function and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in
      2,340 non-Hispanic (NH) Whites and Blacks aged 21 - 74 years with mild-to
      moderate CKD. Limited health literacy was defined as a Short Test of Functional
      Health Literacy in Adults (STOFHLA) score <= 22. Outcomes evaluated included
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 24-hour urine protein excretion, and
      CVD risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of limited health literacy was 28% in
      NH-Blacks and 5% in NH-Whites. Compared with participants with adequate health
      literacy, those with limited health literacy were more likely to have lower eGFR
      (34 vs. 42 mL/min/1.73 m2); higher urine protein/24-hours (0.31 vs. 0.15 g); and
      higher self-reported CVD (61 vs. 37%); and were less likely to have BP < 130/80
      mmHg (51 vs. 58%); p <= 0.01 for each comparison. After adjustment, limited
      health literacy was associated with self-reported CVD (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.13 -
      2.03) and lower eGFR (beta -2.47, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In this CKD cohort,
      limited health literacy was highly prevalent, especially among NH-Blacks, and it
      was associated with lower eGFR and a less favorable CVD risk factor profile.
      Further studies are needed to better understand these associations and inform the
      development of health literacy interventions among individuals with CKD.

PMID- 24219915
TI  - Morphological awareness and reading difficulties in adolescent Spanish-speaking
      language minority learners and their classmates.
AB  - This study investigated the role of morphological awareness weaknesses in the
      reading difficulties encountered by Spanish-speaking language minority learners
      and their native English-speaking peers in sixth grade. One hundred and thirty
      eight students (82 language minority learners; 56 native English speakers) were
      assessed on English measures of reading comprehension, silent word reading
      fluency, and derivational morphological awareness. Students with specific reading
      comprehension difficulties, specific word reading difficulties, and combined
      difficulties were identified using categorical cut-scores. Findings indicated
      that morphological awareness differentiated skilled readers from students with
      reading difficulties. Substantial proportions of students with reading
      difficulties (38%-63%, depending on reading difficulty subtype) demonstrated
      weaknesses in morphological awareness. Language minority learners with reading
      difficulties were particularly likely to demonstrate weaknesses in morphological
      awareness (55%-64%), compared to native English speakers with similar reading
      difficulties (13%-50%). Findings suggest the diagnostic potential of
      morphological awareness for adolescent learners with reading difficulties,
      especially those from language minority backgrounds. 

PMID- 24219914
TI  - Multisyllabic word reading as a moderator of morphological awareness and reading
      comprehension.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the relation between
      morphological awareness on reading comprehension is moderated by multisyllabic
      word reading ability in fifth-grade students (N = 169, 53.7% female, 65.2%
      minority status, 69.2% free/reduced lunch status), oversampled for poor reading
      skill, when controlling for general knowledge and vocabulary. Based on the
      lexical quality hypothesis, it was expected that morphological awareness would
      have a stronger effect on comprehension for children with poor word reading
      skills, suggesting possible use of morphological awareness for word
      identification support. Results indicated that neither morphological awareness
      nor word reading was uniquely associated with reading comprehension when both
      were included in the model along with vocabulary and general knowledge. Instead,
      the interaction between word reading and morphological awareness explained
      significant additional variance in reading comprehension. By probing this
      interaction, it was determined that the effect of morphological awareness on
      reading comprehension was significant for the 39% of the sample that had more
      difficulty reading multisyllabic words but not for students at the higher end of
      the multisyllabic word reading continuum. We conclude from these results that the
      relation between morphological awareness and reading comprehension is moderated
      by multisyllabic word reading ability, providing support for the lexical quality
      hypothesis. Although we have only correlational data, we suggest tentative
      instructional practices for improving the reading skill of upper elementary
      struggling readers. 

PMID- 24219916
TI  - The representation of roots in the spelling of children with specific language
      impairment.
AB  - Children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) have demonstrated general
      spelling and writing difficulties. We investigated the sensitivity of children
      with SLI to the consistent spelling of root morphemes, a feature to which young
      typically developing children demonstrate sensitivity. We asked children with SLI
      and two groups of typically developing children (n = 17 in each group) to spell
      the same letter-sound sequence (e.g., win) as a root, and as a component of
      inflected, derived, and control words (e.g., win, wins, winner, wink). Children
      with SLI and spelling-age-matched children (mean age of 9 and 7 years,
      respectively) were more accurate and more consistent in spelling the initial
      sections of the inflected and derived words than of the control words, a pattern
      that suggests sensitivity to the representation of roots in spelling. The absence
      of a group-level interaction suggests comparable sensitivity in the two groups.
      Our results suggest that elementary-school-aged children with SLI are sensitive
      to the consistent spelling of roots, at least to the extent predicted by their
      general spelling abilities. 

PMID- 24219917
TI  - Morphological knowledge and literacy acquisition.
AB  - The purpose of this special issue of the Journal of Learning Disabilities is to
      bring to the attention of researchers and educators studies on morphology and
      literacy that either involve students with learning difficulties or have
      educational implications for teaching such students. In our introduction, we
      first provide background information about morphological knowledge and consider
      the role of morphology in literacy, focusing on findings that are relevant for
      instruction of students who struggle with reading and writing. Next we present an
      overview of the studies included in this issue, organized by current issues
      concerning the role of morphological knowledge in literacy. Collectively, the
      articles in this issue suggest that students with weaker literacy skills tend to
      lag behind their peers in morphological knowledge but that all students are
      likely to benefit from morphological instruction. Morphological interventions
      hold promise, especially for students who face challenges in language learning
      and literacy, but additional research is needed to provide a basis for informed
      decisions about the design of effective morphological interventions. 

PMID- 24219918
TI  - Shape constancy measured by a canonical-shape method.
AB  - Shape constancy is the ability to perceive that a shape remains the same when
      seen in different orientations. It has usually been measured by asking subjects
      to match a shape in the frontal plane with an inclined shape. But this method is
      subject to ambiguity. In Experiment 1 we used a canonical-shape method, which is
      not subject to ambiguity. Observers selected from a set of inclined trapezoids
      the one that most resembled a rectangle (the canonical shape). This task requires
      subjects to register the linear perspective of the image, and the distance and
      inclination of the stimulus. For inclinations of 30 degrees  and 60 degrees  and
      distances up to 1m, subjects were able to distinguish between a rectangle and a
      trapezoid tapered 0.4 degrees . As the distance of the stimulus increased to 3m,
      linear perspective became increasingly perceived as taper. In Experiment 2
      subjects matched the perceived inclination of an inclined rectangle, in which the
      only cue to inclination was disparity, to the perceived inclination of a
      rectangle with all depth cues present. As the distance of the stimulus increased,
      subjects increasingly underestimated the inclination of the rectangle. We show
      that this pattern of inclination underestimation explains the distance-dependent
      bias in taper judgments found in Experiment 1. 

PMID- 24219919
TI  - Differential up-regulation of Vesl-1/Homer 1 protein isoforms associated with
      decline in visual performance in a preclinical glaucoma model.
AB  - Glaucoma is a multifactorial progressive ocular pathology, clinically presenting
      with damage to the retina and optic nerve, ultimately leading to blindness.
      Retinal ganglion cell loss in glaucoma ultimately results in vision loss.
      Vesl/Homer proteins are scaffolding proteins that are critical for maintaining
      synaptic integrity by clustering, organizing and functionally regulating synaptic
      proteins. Current anti-glaucoma therapies target IOP as the sole modifiable
      clinical parameters. Long-term pharmacotherapy and surgical treatment do not
      prevent gradual visual field loss as the disease progresses, highlighting the
      need for new complementary, alternative and comprehensive treatment approaches.
      Vesl/Homer expression was measured in the retinae of DBA/2J mice, a preclinical
      genetic glaucoma model with spontaneous mutations resulting in a phenotype
      reminiscent of chronic human pigmentary glaucoma. Vesl/Homer proteins were
      differentially expressed in the aged, glaucomatous DBA/2J retina, both at the
      transcriptional and translational level. Immunoreactivity for the long Vesl
      1L/Homer 1c isoform, but not of the immediate early gene product Vesl-1S/Homer 1a
      was increased in the synaptic layers of the retina. This increased protein level
      of Vesl-1L/Homer 1c was correlated with phenotypes of increased disease severity
      and a decrease in visual performance. The increased expression of Vesl-1L/Homer
      1c in the glaucomatous retina likely results in increased intracellular Ca(2+)
      release through enhancement of synaptic coupling. The ensuing Ca(2+) toxicity may
      thus activate neurodegenerative pathways and lead to the progressive loss of
      synaptic function in glaucoma. Our data suggest that higher levels of Vesl
      1L/Homer 1c generate a more severe disease phenotype and may represent a viable
      target for therapy development. 

PMID- 24219920
TI  - ABC transporter activity linked to radiation resistance and molecular subtype in
      pediatric medulloblastoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resistance to radiation treatment remains a major clinical problem
      for patients with brain cancer. Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant
      brain tumor of childhood, and occurs in the cerebellum. Though radiation
      treatment has been critical in increasing survival rates in recent decades, the
      presence of resistant cells in a substantial number of medulloblastoma patients
      leads to relapse and death. METHODS: Using the established medulloblastoma cell
      lines UW228 and Daoy, we developed a novel model system to enrich for and study
      radiation tolerant cells early after radiation exposure. Using fluorescence
      activated cell sorting, dead cells and cells that had initiated apoptosis were
      removed, allowing surviving cells to be investigated before extensive
      proliferation took place. RESULTS: Isolated surviving cells were tumorigenic in
      vivo and displayed elevated levels of ABCG2, an ABC transporter linked to stem
      cell behavior and drug resistance. Further investigation showed another family
      member, ABCA1, was also elevated in surviving cells in these lines, as well as in
      early passage cultures from pediatric medulloblastoma patients. We discovered
      that the multi-ABC transporter inhibitors verapamil and reserpine sensitized
      cells from particular patients to radiation, suggesting that ABC transporters
      have a functional role in cellular radiation protection. Additionally, verapamil
      had an intrinsic anti-proliferative effect, with transient exposure in vitro
      slowing subsequent in vivo tumor formation. When expression of key ABC
      transporter genes was assessed in medulloblastoma tissue from 34 patients, levels
      were frequently elevated compared with normal cerebellum. Analysis of microarray
      data from independent cohorts (n = 428 patients) showed expression of a number of
      ABC transporters to be strongly correlated with certain medulloblastoma subtypes,
      which in turn are associated with clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: ABC transporter
      inhibitors are already being trialed clinically, with the aim of decreasing
      chemotherapy resistance. Our findings suggest that the inhibition of ABC
      transporters could also increase the efficacy of radiation treatment for
      medulloblastoma patients. Additionally, the finding that certain family members
      are associated with particular molecular subtypes (most notably high ABCA8 and
      ABCB4 expression in Sonic Hedgehog pathway driven tumors), along with cell
      membrane location, suggests ABC transporters are worthy of consideration for the
      diagnostic classification of medulloblastoma.

PMID- 24219921
TI  - A multi-disciplinary approach to medication safety and the implication for
      nursing education and practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication management is a complex multi-stage and multi-disciplinary
      process, involving doctors, pharmacists, nurses and patients. Errors can occur at
      any stage from prescribing, dispensing and administering, to recording and
      reporting. There are a number of safety mechanisms built into the medication
      management system and it is recognised that nurses are the final stage of
      defence. However, medication error still remains a major challenge to patient
      safety globally. OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to illustrate two main aspects of
      medication safety practices that have been elicited from an action research study
      in a Scottish Health Board and three local Higher Education Institutions: firstly
      current medication safety practices in two clinical settings; and secondly pre
      and post-registration nursing education and teaching on medication safety.
      METHOD: This paper is based on Phase One and Two of an Action Research project.
      An ethnography-style observational method, influenced by an Appreciative Inquiry
      (AI) approach was adapted to study the everyday medication management systems and
      practices of two hospital wards. This was supplemented by seven in-depth
      interviews with nursing staff, numerous informal discussions with healthcare
      professionals, two focus-groups, one peer-interview and two in-depth individual
      interviews with final year nursing students from three Higher Education
      Institutions in Scotland. RESULT: This paper highlights the current positive
      practical efforts in medication safety practices in the chosen clinical areas.
      Nursing staff do employ the traditional 'five right' principles - right patient,
      right medication, right dose, right route and right time - for safe
      administration. Nursing students are taught these principles in their pre
      registration nursing education. However, there are some other challenges
      remaining: these include the establishment of a complete medication history
      (reconciliation) when patients come to hospital, the provision of an in-depth
      training in pharmacological knowledge to junior nursing staff and pre
      registration nursing students. CONCLUSION: This paper argues that the 'five
      rights' principle during medication administration is not enough for holistic
      medication safety and explains two reasons why there is a need for strengthened
      multi-disciplinary team-work to achieve greater patient safety. To accomplish
      this, nurses need to have sufficient knowledge of pharmacology and medication
      safety issues. These findings have important educational implications and point
      to the requirement for the incorporation of medication management and
      pharmacology in to the teaching curriculum for nursing students. There is also a
      call for continuing professional development opportunities for nurses working in
      clinical settings.

PMID- 24219925
TI  - Houses at Murnau: Wassily Kandinsky.

PMID- 24219922
TI  - Continuing professional development and changed re-registration requirements:
      midwives' reflections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2010 new legislation in Australia led to the establishment of the
      Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Authority standards, now used to manage
      nursing and midwifery registration and the annual re-registration requirements
      for midwives and nurses. These clearly articulate the continuing professional
      development (CPD) requirements together with a guiding framework. Individuals
      need to engage in adult pedagogy which makes explicit the need for self
      examination to identify and prioritise their learning needs. OBJECTIVES: This
      study aimed to investigate how existing registered midwives approach and are
      challenged by these changed statutory requirements in Australia, particularly
      completion of CPD activity. DESIGN: This paper reports the findings from phase
      one of a two phase, longitudinal, case study in which midwives describe their
      experience during in-depth qualitative interviews. SETTING: Australia
      PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 20 female participants was recruited nationally from
      four states using a purposive sampling approach to provide maximum variation to
      explore the issue. METHODS: Each participant took part in an in-depth interview.
      In order to facilitate reflection on experiences each participant was asked to
      discuss an object that held professional value or meaning to them. RESULTS: A key
      theme in the findings is the relationship between motivation which influences the
      decisions that midwives are making about CPD, their ongoing registration and
      practice context. The findings reveal implicit values and beliefs about practice
      relationships and how these function as motivational factors that influence
      midwives' decisions about CPD and practice options. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      provide insight into the need for system wide dialogue to devise ways to support
      midwives to maintain as well as to continue to develop their practice, through
      CPD and to acknowledge the challenges faced by those midwives who currently hold
      dual registration as a registered nurse in the context of the changed
      requirements.

PMID- 24219926
TI  - Shutdown underscored vulnerability of US public health and biomedical research to
      political wrangling.

PMID- 24219927
TI  - APA targets unnecessary antipsychotic use.

PMID- 24219928
TI  - Greater nurse staffing may lower hospital readmissions.

PMID- 24219938
TI  - The toxic politics of health care.

PMID- 24219939
TI  - Toward a new social compact for health research.

PMID- 24219940
TI  - Going to the moon in health care: medicine's Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG).

PMID- 24219942
TI  - Academic health centers and the evolution of the health care system.

PMID- 24219941
TI  - The disruptive innovation of price transparency in health care.

PMID- 24219943
TI  - Unraveling the physician supply dilemma.

PMID- 24219944
TI  - Resolving the tension between population health and individual health care.

PMID- 24219945
TI  - Reliable and sustainable comprehensive care for frail elderly people.

PMID- 24219946
TI  - A health care encounter of the 21st century.

PMID- 24219947
TI  - Consumers gaining ground in health care.

PMID- 24219948
TI  - The media and health care reform.

PMID- 24219949
TI  - A piece of my mind. Removing the "Me" from "MD".

PMID- 24219950
TI  - Critical issues in US health care: health care on the edge.

PMID- 24219951
TI  - The anatomy of health care in the United States.
AB  - Health care in the United States includes a vast array of complex
      interrelationships among those who receive, provide, and finance care. In this
      article, publicly available data were used to identify trends in health care,
      principally from 1980 to 2011, in the source and use of funds ("economic
      anatomy"), the people receiving and organizations providing care, and the
      resulting value created and health outcomes. In 2011, US health care employed
      15.7% of the workforce, with expenditures of $2.7 trillion, doubling since 1980
      as a percentage of US gross domestic product (GDP) to 17.9%. Yearly growth has
      decreased since 1970, especially since 2002, but, at 3% per year, exceeds any
      other industry and GDP overall. Government funding increased from 31.1% in 1980
      to 42.3% in 2011. Despite the increases in resources devoted to health care,
      multiple health metrics, including life expectancy at birth and survival with
      many diseases, shows the United States trailing peer nations. The findings from
      this analysis contradict several common assumptions. Since 2000, (1) price
      (especially of hospital charges [+4.2%/y], professional services [3.6%/y], drugs
      and devices [+4.0%/y], and administrative costs [+5.6%/y]), not demand for
      services or aging of the population, produced 91% of cost increases; (2) personal
      out-of-pocket spending on insurance premiums and co-payments have declined from
      23% to 11%; and (3) chronic illnesses account for 84% of costs overall among the
      entire population, not only of the elderly. Three factors have produced the most
      change: (1) consolidation, with fewer general hospitals and more single-specialty
      hospitals and physician groups, producing financial concentration in health
      systems, insurers, pharmacies, and benefit managers; (2) information technology,
      in which investment has occurred but value is elusive; and (3) the patient as
      consumer, whereby influence is sought outside traditional channels, using social
      media, informal networks, new public sources of information, and self-management
      software. These forces create tension among patient aims for choice, personal
      care, and attention; physician aims for professionalism and autonomy; and public
      and private payer aims for aggregate economic value across large populations.
      Measurements of cost and outcome (applied to groups) are supplanting individuals'
      preferences. Clinicians increasingly are expected to substitute social and
      economic goals for the needs of a single patient. These contradictory forces are
      difficult to reconcile, creating risk of growing instability and political
      tensions. A national conversation, guided by the best data and information, aimed
      at explicit understanding of choices, tradeoffs, and expectations, using broader
      definitions of health and value, is needed. 

PMID- 24219952
TI  - Hospitals, market share, and consolidation.
AB  - A large reduction in use of inpatient care combined with the incentives in the
      Affordable Care Act is leading to significant consolidation in the hospital
      industry. What was once a set of independent hospitals having arms-length
      relationships with physicians and clinicians who provide ambulatory care is
      becoming a small number of locally integrated health systems, generally built
      around large, prestigious academic medical centers. The typical region in the
      United States has 3 to 5 consolidated health systems, spanning a wide range of
      care settings, and a smaller fringe of health care centers outside those systems.
      Consolidated health systems have advantages and drawbacks. The advantages include
      the ability to coordinate care across different practitioners and sites of care.
      Offsetting this is the potential for higher prices resulting from greater market
      power. Market power increases because it is difficult for insurers to bargain
      successfully with one of only a few health systems. Antitrust authorities are
      examining these consolidated systems as they form, but broad conclusions are
      difficult to draw because typically the creation of a system will generate both
      benefit and harm and each set of facts will be different. Moreover, the remedies
      traditionally used (eg, blocking the transaction or requiring that the parties
      divest assets) by antitrust authorities in cases of net harm are limited. For
      this reason, local governments may want to introduce new policies that help
      ensure consumers gain protection in the event of consolidation, such as insurance
      products that charge consumers more for high-priced clinicians and health care
      centers, bundling payments to clinicians and health care organizations to
      eliminate the incentives of big institutions to simply provide more care, and
      establishing area-specific price or spending targets. 

PMID- 24219953
TI  - Increasing demands for quality measurement.
AB  - Measurement of health care quality and patient safety is rapidly evolving, in
      response to long-term needs and more recent efforts to reform the US health
      system around "value." Development and choice of quality measures is now guided
      by a national quality strategy and priorities, with a public-private partnership,
      the National Quality Forum, helping determine the most worthwhile measures for
      evaluating and rewarding quality and safety of patient care. Yet there remain a
      number of challenges, including diverse purposes for quality measurement, limited
      availability of true clinical measures leading to frequent reliance on claims
      data with its flaws in determining quality, fragmentation of measurement systems
      with redundancy and conflicting conclusions, few high-quality comprehensive
      measurement systems and registries, and rapid expansion of required measures with
      hundreds of measures straining resources. The proliferation of quality measures
      at the clinician, hospital, and insurer level has created challenges and
      logistical problems. Recommendations include raising the bar for qualtiy
      measurements to achieve transformational rather than incremental change in the US
      quality measurement system, promoting a logical set of measures for the various
      levels of the health system, leaving room for internal organizational
      improvement, harmonizing the various national and local quality measurement
      systems, anchoring on National Quality Forum additions and subtractions of
      measures to be applied, reducing reliance on and retiring claims-based measures
      as quickly as possible, promoting comprehensive measurement such as through
      registries with deep understanding of patient risk factors and outcomes, reducing
      attention to proprietary report cards, prompt but careful transition to measures
      from electronic health records, and allocation of sufficient resources to
      accomplish the goals of an efficient, properly focused measurement system. 

PMID- 24219954
TI  - State repayment programs for health care education loans.

PMID- 24219955
TI  - Preventable acute care spending for medicare patients.

PMID- 24219956
TI  - Preventable acute care spending for medicare patients.

PMID- 24219957
TI  - New definition of term pregnancy.

PMID- 24219958
TI  - Preventable acute care spending for medicare patients-reply.

PMID- 24219959
TI  - Term pregnancy-reply.

PMID- 24219963
TI  - The passing of the family doctor: George W. Guthrie, M.D., Wilkes-Barre, PA.

PMID- 24219964
TI  - JAMA Patient Page. US Health compared with like countries.

PMID- 24219965
TI  - Substrate-induced effects on the optical properties of individual ZnO nanorods
      with different diameters.
AB  - We present the influence of a substrate on the properties of well-dispersed
      individual ZnO nanorods (NRs) with different diameters, especially on the
      photoluminescence (PL) properties. The studied ZnO NRs were partially supported
      by the quartz substrate and partially suspended in air. Continuous redshift and
      intensity decrease of the near band-edge emission (NBE) were observed along the
      suspended segment of the ZnO NRs due to the increasing temperature under UV laser
      excitation, suggesting that the presence of the substrate can effectively enhance
      the heat-sinking capability of ZnO NRs. Based on the PL measurements on
      individual suspended ZnO NRs with diameters from 86 nm to 2.35 MUm, the redshift
      of NBE along the suspended segment was more obvious for ZnO NRs with a smaller
      diameter, indicating that the thermal conductive ability increases as diameter
      increases. Additionally, by combining the experimental and simulation results, we
      found that the presence of the substrate also quenched the whispering gallery
      modes (WGMs) of the ZnO NRs with a diameter above about 350 nm due to the
      symmetry breaking induced by the quartz substrate which has a larger refractive
      index compared with air. Our studies confirm that the substrate significantly
      influences the properties of ZnO NRs. To fully utilize the potential properties
      of nanomaterials for applications in nanodevices, the substrate-induced effects
      should be considered thoughtfully. 

PMID- 24219966
TI  - Osthole inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of osthole on
      osteosarcoma cell proliferation and apoptosis. METHOD: Cell counting Kit-8 assay
      was performed to establish the effects of osthole on osteosarcoma MG-63 cell
      proliferation. Annexin V-FITC/PI was performed to analyze the apoptotic rate of
      the cells. RESULT: The inhibitory effects of osthole on the expression of BCL-2,
      BAX, and caspase-3 were detected by Western blotting. Osthole inhibited the
      growth of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells by inhibiting cell proliferation and
      induced cell apoptosis. Western blotting demonstrated that osthole downregulated
      the expressions of BCL-2 and caspase-3 and upregulated the expression of BAX in
      human osteosarcoma cells. CONCLUSION: Osthole can inhibit osteosarcoma cell
      proliferation and induced apoptosis effectively in a dose-dependent manner
      through downregulating the expression of BCL-2 and caspase-3 proteins levels and
      upregulating the expression of BAX proteins levels.

PMID- 24219967
TI  - Population pharmacokinetics of adefovir dipivoxil tablets in healthy Chinese
      volunteers.
AB  - AIM: To develop a population pharmacokinetic model of adefovir dipivoxil in
      healthy volunteers and evaluate the effect of individual factors on the
      pharmacokinetics of adefovir dipivoxil. METHODS: Plasma concentration data
      collected from 32 healthy Chinese subjects in a Phase I clinical study was
      pooled. Subjects received a single oral dose of 10 mg, 20 mg, or 30 mg adefovir
      dipivoxil, or multiple doses of 10 mg once a day for 9 days. Plasma
      concentrations of adefovir dipivoxil were measured using a validated liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometric method. A nonlinear mixed-effect model was used
      to analyze the plasma concentration data of adefovir dipivoxil in healthy
      volunteers and to calculate the relevant parameters as well as inter- and intra
      individual variability. RESULTS: The time course of adefovir dipivoxil
      concentration is best described by a first-order absorption and first-order
      elimination two-compartment model with lag time. The final estimate of total body
      clearance (CL) is 56.9 L/h and 78.7 L/h for single and multiple dosing regimen,
      respectively; the volume distribution of the central compartment (V2) is 106 L;
      inter-compartmental clearance (Q) is 220 L/h; volume distribution of the
      peripheral compartment (V3) is 498 L and 800 L for single and multiple dosing
      regimen, respectively; absorption rate is 0.509 h-1; and lag time is 0.315 hours.
      The inter-individual variabilities of CL and V2 were 22.4% and 58.9%,
      respectively. The proportional error of residual variability is 14.1% and the
      additive error is 0.30 ng/L. The final pharmacokinetic model was evaluated using
      a bootstrap method. CONCLUSIONS: A nonlinear mixed effect model for oral adefovir
      dipivoxil formulations was developed in healthy Chinese subjects. A multiple
      dosing regimen may significantly increase the body clearance and volume
      distribution of the peripheral compartment compared to a single dosing regimen.
      *These authors contribute equally to this work.

PMID- 24219968
TI  - Exosomal microRNA transfer varies with specific microRNAs functional in
      colorectal cancer and cellular differentiation.

PMID- 24219969
TI  - NSCLC cells adapted to EGFR inhibition accumulate EGFR interacting proteins and
      down-regulate microRNA related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

PMID- 24219970
TI  - Common genetic variants do not associate with CAD in familial
      hypercholesterolemia.
AB  - In recent years, multiple loci dispersed on the genome have been shown to be
      associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated whether these
      common genetic variants also hold value for CAD prediction in a large cohort of
      patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). We genotyped a total of 41
      single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1701 FH patients, of whom 482 patients
      (28.3%) had at least one coronary event during an average follow up of 66 years.
      The association of each SNP with event-free survival time was calculated with a
      Cox proportional hazard model. In the cardiovascular disease risk factor adjusted
      analysis, the most significant SNP was rs1122608:G>T in the SMARCA4 gene near the
      LDL-receptor (LDLR) gene, with a hazard ratio for CAD risk of 0.74 (95% CI 0.49
      0.99; P-value 0.021). However, none of the SNPs reached the Bonferroni threshold.
      Of all the known CAD loci analyzed, the SMARCA4 locus near the LDLR had the
      strongest negative association with CAD in this high-risk FH cohort. The effect
      is contrary to what was expected. None of the other loci showed association with
      CAD. 

PMID- 24219971
TI  - Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) induces human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)
      transcription.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is
      highly prevalent in tumours of different origin. This virus is implied to have
      oncogenic and oncomodulatory functions, through its ability to control host gene
      expression. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) are also frequently active in
      tumours of different origin, and are supposed to contribute as cofactors to
      cancer development. Due to the high prevalence of HCMV in several different
      tumours, and its ability to control host cell gene expression, we sought to
      define whether HCMV may affect HERV transcription. FINDINGS: Infection of 3
      established cancer cell lines, 2 primary glioblastoma cells, endothelial cells
      from 3 donors and monocytes from 4 donors with HCMV (strains VR 1814 or TB40/F)
      induced reverse transcriptase (RT) activity in all cells tested, but the response
      varied between donors. Both, gammaretrovirus-related class I elements HERV-T,
      HERV-W, HERV-F and ERV-9, and betaretrovirus-related class II elements HML-2 - 4
      and HML-7 - 8, as well as spuma-virus related class III elements of the HERV-L
      group were up-regulated in response to HCMV infection in GliNS1 cells. Up
      regulation of HERV activity was more pronounced in cells harbouring active HCMV
      infection, but was also induced by UV-inactivated virus. The effect was only
      slightly affected by ganciclovir treatment and was not controlled by the IE72 or
      IE86 HCMV genes. CONCLUSIONS: Within this brief report we show that HCMV
      infection induces HERV transcriptional activity in different cell types.

PMID- 24219973
TI  - Fed-batch SSCF using steam-exploded wheat straw at high dry matter consistencies
      and a xylose-fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain: effect of laccase
      supplementation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lignocellulosic bioethanol is expected to play an important role in
      fossil fuel replacement in the short term. Process integration, improvements in
      water economy, and increased ethanol titers are key considerations for cost
      effective large-scale production. The use of whole steam-pretreated slurries
      under high dry matter (DM) conditions and conversion of all fermentable sugars
      offer promising alternatives to achieve these goals. RESULTS: Wheat straw slurry
      obtained from steam explosion showed high concentrations of degradation
      compounds, hindering the fermentation performance of the evolved xylose
      recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae KE6-12 strain. Fermentability tests using
      the liquid fraction showed a higher number of colony-forming units (CFU) and
      higher xylose consumption rates when treating the medium with laccase. During
      batch simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) processes, cell
      growth was totally inhibited at 12% DM (w/v) in untreated slurries. However,
      under these conditions laccase treatment prior to addition of yeast reduced the
      total phenolic content of the slurry and enabled the fermentation. During this
      process, an ethanol concentration of 19 g/L was obtained, corresponding to an
      ethanol yield of 39% of the theoretical yield. By changing the operation from
      batch mode to fed-batch mode, the concentration of inhibitors at the start of the
      process was reduced and 8 g/L of ethanol were obtained in untreated slurries with
      a final consistency of 16% DM (w/v). When fed-batch SSCF medium was supplemented
      with laccase 33 hours after yeast inoculation, no effect on ethanol yield or cell
      viability was found compared to untreated fermentations. However, if the laccase
      supplementation (21 hours after yeast inoculation) took place before the first
      addition of substrate (at 25 hours), improved cell viability and an increased
      ethanol titer of up to 32 g/L (51% of the theoretical) were found. CONCLUSIONS:
      Laccase treatment in SSCF processes reduces the inhibitory effect that
      degradation compounds have on the fermenting microorganism. Furthermore, in
      combination with fed-batch operational mode, laccase supplementation allows the
      fermentation of wheat straw slurry at high DM consistencies, improving final
      ethanol concentrations and yields.

PMID- 24219974
TI  - Staging classification for cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum.

PMID- 24219975
TI  - The influence of ionized impurity scattering on the thermopower of Si nanowires.
AB  - The thermopower of Si nanowires was investigated on the basis of electronic
      transport theory, taking into account ionized impurity scattering as well as
      electron-phonon scattering. It was found that the enhancement of the Seebeck
      coefficient in nanowires arising from quantum confinement is unimportant due to
      the ionized impurity scattering associated with donor deactivation. Furthermore,
      because the electrical conductivity is degraded significantly as the nanowire
      size becomes smaller, despite the accompanying slightly enhanced Seebeck
      coefficient, the reduction of the nanowire size is not beneficial, at least for
      the thermopower of devices. 

PMID- 24219976
TI  - Intraoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer deserves a mention.

PMID- 24219977
TI  - Free radical routes for prebiotic formation of DNA nucleobases from formamide.
AB  - Modeling the complicated chemical reactions in the interstellar medium and
      surface materials of Titan is nontrivial. Since both the atmosphere and the
      surface are rich in organic molecules, the chemistry may have important
      implications for the origin of biomolecules. Prebiotic synthesis of DNA
      nucleobases from simple molecules such as formamide has been known for more than
      half a century. In this study, new free radical pathways leading to the synthesis
      of guanine, hypoxanthine, purine, and adenine have been studied using density
      functional theory (B3LYP with the 6-311G(d,p) basis set). The pathways of the
      selected nucleobases demonstrate the importance of free radicals in the
      production of useful biomolecules under conditions appropriate for the
      interstellar medium or on Titan. The pathways may be universal in nature and
      proceed without solvent requirements. Calculations indicate that radical pathways
      yield lower reaction barriers as compared to previously reported pathways.
      Overall, these results suggest that the chemistry on Titan's surface and/or the
      growth of organic particulates in the haze layers in Titan's atmosphere likely
      involve free radicals. The mechanisms demonstrate that important prebiotic
      precursors can be predicted. The reaction sequences reported here may lead to the
      production and build-up of molecules with prebiotic relevance. 

PMID- 24219978
TI  - Reactivity to accelerometer measurement of children and adolescents.
AB  - PURPOSE: Awareness of being monitored can influence participants' habitual
      physical activity (PA) behavior. This reactivity effect may threaten the validity
      of PA assessment. Reports on reactivity when measuring the PA of children and
      adolescents have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate
      whether PA outcomes measured by accelerometer devices differ from measurement day
      to measurement day and whether the day of the week and the day on which
      measurement started influence these differences. METHODS: Accelerometer data
      (counts per minute [cpm]) of children and adolescents (n = 2081) pooled from
      eight studies in Switzerland with at least 10 h of daily valid recording were
      investigated for effects of measurement day, day of the week, and start day using
      mixed linear regression. RESULTS: The first measurement day was the most active
      day. Counts per minute were significantly higher than on the second to the sixth
      day, but not on the seventh day. Differences in the age-adjusted means between
      the first and consecutive days ranged from 23 to 45 cpm (3.6%-7.1%). In
      preschoolchildren, the differences almost reached 10%. The start day
      significantly influenced PA outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Reactivity to
      accelerometer measurement of PA is likely to be present to an extent of
      approximately 5% on the first day and may introduce a relevant bias to
      accelerometer-based studies. In preschoolchildren, the effects are larger than
      those in elementary and secondary schoolchildren. As the day of the week and the
      start day significantly influence PA estimates, researchers should plan for at
      least one familiarization day in school-age children and randomly assign start
      days.

PMID- 24219980
TI  - Adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy for borderline serous ovarian tumors with
      invasive implants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are cured with surgery. However
      BOTs with invasive implants have a poor prognosis with a mortality of 20-40%. The
      benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) in this setting remains poorly defined.
      METHODS: Retrospective study of serous BOT+invasive implants treated with
      adjuvant CT. RESULTS: 36 patients were referred with serous BOTs+invasive
      implants and treated with surgery and platinum-based CT between 06/1982 and
      02/2011. 83% were stage III/IV. Tumors demonstrated microinvasion, micropapillary
      pattern or desmoplastic implants in 53%, 47% and 67% of cases, respectively. 8%
      had fertility-sparing surgery. Taking into account initial and completion
      surgeries, R0 was achieved in 84% (27/32) (NA, N=4). The majority (72%) received
      a combination of platinum+taxane. 11% of patients experienced a G3/G4 toxicity.
      13 of 36 (36%) patients relapsed at a median of 27.3 months after diagnosis of
      invasive implants. Among 12 patients with histologically confirmed relapse, 8
      patients progressed with invasive disease in the form of carcinoma or invasive
      implants. 5 year PFS/OS were 67%/96%. Neither microinvasion, micropapillary
      pattern, nor desmoplastic implants predicted relapse. In cases with evaluable
      disease, an objective response to chemotherapy was observed in 4 of 6 patients.
      CONCLUSION: This is the largest study of BOT with invasive implants treated with
      surgery and adjuvant platinum-based CT. Treatment was well tolerated and the
      invasive relapse rate was 22% (8/36). Although numbers are small, the objective
      responses suggest a possible role for adjuvant CT in BOTs with invasive implants.

PMID- 24219979
TI  - The ETS transcription factor Etv1 mediates FGF signaling to initiate proneural
      gene expression during Xenopus laevis retinal development.
AB  - Fibroblast growth factor signaling plays a significant role in the developing
      eye, regulating both patterning and neurogenesis. Members of the Pea3/Etv4
      subfamily of ETS-domain transcription factors (Etv1, Etv4, and Etv5) are
      transcriptional activators that are downstream targets of FGF/MAPK signaling, but
      whether they are required for eye development is unknown. We show that in the
      developing Xenopus laevis retina, etv1 is transiently expressed at the onset of
      retinal neurogenesis. We found that etv1 is not required for eye specification,
      but is required for the expression of atonal-related proneural bHLH transcription
      factors, and is also required for retinal neuron differentiation. Using
      transgenic reporters we show that the distal atoh7 enhancer, which is required
      for the initiation of atoh7 expression in the Xenopus retina, is responsive to
      both FGF signaling and etv1 expression. Thus, we conclude that Etv1 acts
      downstream of FGF signaling to regulate the initiation of neurogenesis in the
      Xenopus retina. 

PMID- 24219981
TI  - Tumor-stroma ratio is an independent predictor for survival in early cervical
      carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) has recently been identified as an
      independent prognostic parameter for several solid tumors. The aim of the present
      study was to evaluate the prognostic role of TSR in early cervical cancer.
      METHODS: A cohort of 184 patients who had surgery for early stage cervical cancer
      (FIGO [International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics] stages IA2-IIA)
      were enrolled in this study. TSR was estimated on hematoxylin-eosin-stained
      tissue sections from the most invasive part of the primary tumor. Patients with
      less than 50% stroma were classified as stroma-poor and patients with >= 50%
      stroma were classified as stroma-rich. The relationship between TSR and survival
      time was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The disease-free survival and overall
      survival rates were 88.44% and 92.52%, respectively, in the stroma-poor group,
      and 62.16% and 70.27%, respectively, in the stroma-rich group. Both the disease
      free and overall survival rates in the stroma-poor group were significantly
      better than those in the stroma-rich group (p=0.001). In a multivariate analysis,
      TSR was further confirmed as a significant prognostic factor for disease-free
      survival (hazard ratio 3.125; p=0.005) and overall survival (hazard ratio 3.464;
      p=0.003), independent of tumor size, FIGO stage and lymph node metastasis.
      CONCLUSION: Our study identified that TSR was an independent prognostic factor of
      early cervical cancer. Patients with stroma-rich tumors had worse prognosis and
      higher risk of relapse compared with those with stroma-poor tumors. Considering
      its simplicity and availability for conventional clinical pathology, TSR may
      serve as a new prognostic histological characteristic in early cervical cancer.

PMID- 24219982
TI  - Phase II trial of vaginal cuff brachytherapy followed by chemotherapy in early
      stage endometrial cancer patients with high-intermediate risk factors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the progression free survival (PFS), toxicity, and
      patterns of failure for early stage, high-intermediate risk (H-IR) patients in a
      phase II trial with adjuvant vaginal cuff brachytherapy (VCB) and three cycles of
      carboplatin and paclitaxel. METHODS: Surgically staged patients with stage I-IIb
      endometrial cancer with H-IR factors were treated with VCB (2100cGy) followed by
      three cycles of carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)). The primary
      endpoint was PFS at 2 years, with toxicity and sites of failure as secondary
      endpoints. Toxicity was assessed by patient report (CTCAE v. 3) as well as by
      delays or dose modifications in treatment. RESULTS: All patients completed VCB
      and 19/23 (83%) completed both VCB and 3 cycles of chemotherapy. Mean time to
      complete VCB was 14.5 days with minimal acute toxicity noted. At 6 months, all
      toxicity related to VCB had resolved. In total 60 cycles of chemotherapy were
      given, with one dose reduction (1.6%) for grade 2 neuropathy and seven delays
      (11.6%) in treatment due to hematologic toxicity. At a median follow-up of 44.5
      months, 91% of patients remained progression free at 2 years. Four patients
      experienced a recurrence; they recurred both locally and distant. CONCLUSIONS:
      Adjuvant therapy with VCB and chemotherapy is well tolerated in a population of
      patients with H-IR endometrial carcinoma and provides 2 year PFS of 91%. A
      randomized trial is currently underway to assess whether combined VCB and
      chemotherapy reduces the rate of recurrence compared to external beam radiation
      therapy (EBRT) in this patient population.

PMID- 24219983
TI  - Population-based treatment and outcomes of Stage I uterine serous carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is a rare type of endometrial cancer
      that often recurs in patients with Stage I disease. Our objective was to evaluate
      treatment and outcomes in Stage I USC in the context of a population-based study.
      METHODS: This was a population-based retrospective cohort study of all patients
      with Stage I USC in British Columbia, Canada from 2004 to 2012. The British
      Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) recommends three cycles of paclitaxel and
      carboplatin chemotherapy followed by pelvic radiotherapy for all women with Stage
      I USC and any myometrial invasion (Stage IA MI-). If no myometrial invasion
      (Stage IA MI-), no postoperative treatment is given. Patient and disease
      characteristics, surgery, adjuvant therapy, recurrence rates and sites, and 5
      year disease-free survival rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 127 patients
      with Stage I USC, 41 were Stage IA MI-, 56 Stage IA MI+, and 30 Stage IB. Median
      follow-up was 25 months (2-98 months). Five year disease-free survival rates were
      80.7%, 74.4%, and 48.5% for Stages IA MI-, IA MI+, and IB, respectively, and
      recurrence rates according to BCCA guidelines were 10%, 2.9% and 30%,
      respectively. Of the 18 with recurrences, 13 had a distant component (72.2%).
      There were no pelvic recurrences among those receiving adjuvant radiotherapy.
      CONCLUSION: Our current protocol of observation alone postoperatively for Stage
      IA MI- and chemoradiotherapy for Stage IA MI+ is associated with a low recurrence
      rate. In contrast, those with Stage IB USC have a higher recurrence rate despite
      chemoradiotherapy, and likely require alternate treatment strategies.

PMID- 24219984
TI  - How distressing is referral to colposcopy in cervical cancer screening?: a
      prospective quality of life study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Referral for colposcopy because of abnormal Pap test results is likely
      to be distressing, but the extent and duration of these effects are unknown. We
      aimed to fill this gap. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study
      at two departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology (an academic and a non-academic
      setting). Women referred for colposcopy completed questionnaires before
      colposcopy, and at 1, 3, and 6 months afterwards. A reference group of 706 screen
      participants, aged 29-60 years old, was included and completed questionnaires
      once. Main outcome measures were generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL),
      assessed through the EQ-5D and the SF-12 physical and mental scores (PCS-12 and
      MCS-12); anxiety as assessed by STAI-6, and screen-specific anxiety as assessed
      by the psychological consequences questionnaire (PCQ). RESULTS: 154 women
      responded to the questionnaire, of whom 132 were included in the analyses.
      Histological results were CIN 1 in 17/115 women (15%) and CIN 2+ in 62 (54%). In
      36 women (31%) there was no histologically confirmed neoplasia. Before colposcopy
      physical HRQoL scores were similar or slightly better than in the reference
      group, while mental HRQoL (MSC-12) and (screen-specific) anxiety were worse
      (p<0.001). Irrespective of CIN-grades, anxiety washed out during follow-up
      (p<0.001), with changes being clinically relevant. CONCLUSIONS: Referral for
      gynecological evaluation because of abnormal PAP-test results was distressing.
      Anxiety--and not the physical burden of management--seemed to be the most
      bothersome to women. For all CIN-grades, distress disappeared over six months
      following colposcopy, suggesting a reassuring effect of gynecological management.

PMID- 24219985
TI  - Mental health pre-registration nursing students' experiences of group clinical
      supervision: a UK longitudinal qualitative study.
AB  - There is widespread international interest in the use of clinical supervision in
      nursing as well as recognition of the need to introduce nursing students to its
      concepts and value. This article reports on a three-year longitudinal qualitative
      focus group study which explored students' views and experiences of a group
      clinical supervision initiative. Students attended supervision groups facilitated
      by teaching staff over their three year pre-registration mental health nursing
      course, with a main aim of developing skills, knowledge and attitudes as
      supervisees. The findings showed that students derived benefit from the
      experience, gained greater awareness of the nature of supervision and became
      active supervisees within their groups. These benefits took time to emerge and
      were not universal however. While the findings support the value of exposing
      students to the experience of group clinical supervision educators wishing to
      implement such a programme need to address a host of issues. These include; the
      preparation of students, structural and resource concerns, and issues relating to
      group dynamics. 

PMID- 24219986
TI  - Physical activity helps patients with cancer too.

PMID- 24219987
TI  - Radiosensitization of noradrenaline transporter-expressing tumour cells by
      proteasome inhibitors and the role of reactive oxygen species.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The radiopharmaceutical 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) is
      used for the targeted radiotherapy of noradrenaline transporter (NAT)-expressing
      neuroblastoma. Enhancement of 131I-MIBG's efficacy is achieved by combination
      with the topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan - currently being evaluated
      clinically. Proteasome activity affords resistance of tumour cells to radiation
      and topoisomerase inhibitors. Therefore, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib was
      evaluated with respect to its cytotoxic potency as a single agent and in
      combination with 131I-MIBG and topotecan. Since elevated levels of reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) are induced by bortezomib, the role of ROS in tumour cell
      kill was determined following treatment with bortezomib or the alternative
      proteasome inhibitor, MG132. METHODS: Clonogenic assay and growth of tumour
      xenografts were used to investigate the effects of proteasome inhibitors alone or
      in combination with radiation treatment. Synergistic interactions in vitro were
      evaluated by combination index analysis. The dependency of proteasome inhibitor
      induced clonogenic kill on ROS generation was assessed using antioxidants.
      RESULTS: Bortezomib, in the dose range 1 to 30 nM, decreased clonogenic survival
      of both SK-N-BE(2c) and UVW/NAT cells, and this was prevented by antioxidants. It
      also acted as a sensitizer in vitro when administered with X-radiation, with 131I
      MIBG, or with 131I-MIBG and topotecan. Moreover, bortezomib enhanced the delay of
      the growth of human tumour xenografts in athymic mice when administered in
      combination with 131I-MIBG and topotecan. MG132 and bortezomib had similar
      radiosensitizing potency, but only bortezomib-induced cytotoxicity was ROS
      dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Proteasome inhibition shows promise for the treatment of
      neuroblastoma in combination with 131I-MIBG and topotecan. Since the cytotoxicity
      of MG132, unlike that of bortezomib, was not ROS-dependent, the latter proteasome
      inhibitor may have a favourable toxicity profile in normal tissues.

PMID- 24219988
TI  - Amphisomes: out of the autophagosome shadow?
AB  - Amphisomes are intermediate organelles, formed during autophagy through the
      fusion between autophagosomes and endosomes. Complex multivesicular vacuoles that
      resemble amphisomes have been observed in various cell types, but whether they
      have cellular roles other than being a precursor structure is still enigmatic.
      While autophagy-related (ATG) proteins interact with the endocytic pathways in
      other processes different from autophagy, Patel and colleagues now report that
      these factors come together to generate amphisome-like compartments that regulate
      mucin secretion in goblet cells.

PMID- 24219989
TI  - Acetylation of p53 stimulates miRNA processing and determines cell survival
      following genotoxic stress.
AB  - It is widely accepted that different forms of stress activate a common target,
      p53, yet different outcomes are triggered in a stress-specific manner. For
      example, activation of p53 by genotoxic agents, such as camptothecin (CPT),
      triggers apoptosis, while non-genotoxic activation of p53 by Nutlin-3 (Nut3)
      leads to cell-cycle arrest without significant apoptosis. Such stimulus-specific
      responses are attributed to differential transcriptional activation of various
      promoters by p53. In this study, we demonstrate that CPT, but not Nut3, induces
      miR-203, which downregulates anti-apoptotic bcl-w and promotes cell death in a
      p53-dependent manner. We find that acetylation of K120 in the DNA-binding domain
      of p53 augments its association with the Drosha microprocessor and promotes
      nuclear primary miRNA processing. Knockdown of human orthologue of Males absent
      On the First (hMOF), the acetyltransferase that targets K120 in p53, abolishes
      induction of miR-203 and cell death mediated by CPT. Thus, this study reveals
      that p53 acetylation at K120 plays a critical role in the regulation of the
      Drosha microprocessor and that post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression
      by p53 via miRNAs plays a role in determining stress-specific cellular outcomes. 

PMID- 24219990
TI  - Feeling both victim and perpetrator: investigating duality within the needs-based
      model.
AB  - Victimized versus perpetrating individuals or groups are known to experience
      enhanced needs for empowerment or acceptance, respectively. The present research
      examined the emotional needs and consequent anti- and prosocial behaviors (e.g.,
      vengefulness vs. helpfulness) of individuals or groups serving both as victims
      and perpetrators simultaneously ("duals"). Focusing on interpersonal
      transgressions, Study 1 used variations of the dictator game to induce
      participants with victimization, perpetration, duality, or none (control). Duals
      showed heightened needs for both empowerment and acceptance and equal willingness
      to reconcile following either empowering or accepting messages from their
      adversaries. However, duals' need for empowerment overrode their need for
      acceptance in determining behavior. Similar to victims, and unlike perpetrators,
      duals showed greater antisocial (rather than prosocial) behavior. Study 2
      replicated this pattern on the intergroup level, inducing Israeli Jews with
      victimization, perpetration, or duality using a recall task referring to the
      Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Theoretical and practical implications are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24219991
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-(trimethoxyphenyl)-2(3H)-thiazole
      thiones as combretastatin analogs.
AB  - A series of 3-(trimethoxyphenyl)-2(3H)-thiazole thiones 5 were designed as new
      heterocyclic analogs of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4). Indeed, the olefinic core
      structure of CA-4 has been replaced by 2(3H)-thiazole thione. The general
      synthetic strategy to prepare compounds 5 was based on the cyclocondensation
      reaction between triethylammonium N-(trimethoxyphenyl)dithiocarbamate and
      appropriate phenacyl halide. The cytotoxic activity evaluation of 3
      (trimethoxyphenyl)-2(3H)-thiazole thiones 5 against human cancer cell lines T47D,
      MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 demonstrated that 4-methyl analog 5f showed the highest
      activity against all cell lines. Compound 5f had no significant toxicity towards
      non-tumoral cells MRC-5 and its cytotoxicity was apparently selective for cancer
      cells. The results of bioassays showed that the representative compound 5f
      depolymerized tubulin, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis in
      cancer cells. 

PMID- 24219992
TI  - The synthesis, antiviral, cytostatic and cytotoxic evaluation of a new series of
      acyclonucleotide analogues with a 1,2,3-triazole linker.
AB  - The efficient synthesis of a new series of acyclonucleotide analogues with a
      1,2,3-triazole linker is described starting from diethyl azidomethyl-, 2
      azidoethyl-, 3-azidopropyl-, 4-azidobutyl-, 2-azido-1-hydroxyethyl-, 3-azido-2
      hydroxypropyl- and 3-azido-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates and selected alkynes under
      microwave irradiation. Several O,O-diethylphosphonate acyclonucleotides were
      transformed into the respective phosphonic acids. All compounds were evaluated in
      vitro for activity against a broad variety of DNA and RNA viruses and cytostatic
      activity against murine leukaemia L1210, human T-lymphocyte CEM and human cervix
      carcinoma HeLa cells. Acyclonucleotide 22e exhibited activity against both herpes
      simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2) in HEL cell cultures (EC50 = 17 MUM) and feline
      herpes virus (EC50 = 24 MUM) in CRFK cell cultures, while compounds 20k, 21k, 22k
      and 23k preferentially inhibited proliferation of human T-lymphocyte CEM cells at
      IC50 in the 2.8-12 MUM range.

PMID- 24219994
TI  - Universal behavior of magnetoresistance in quantum dot arrays with different
      degrees of disorder.
AB  - The magnetoresistance in a two-dimensional array of Ge/Si quantum dots was
      studied in a wide range of zero magnetic field conductances, where the transport
      regime changes from a hopping to a diffusive one. The behavior of the
      magnetoresistance is found to be similar for all samples--it is negative in weak
      fields and becomes positive with increasing magnetic field. The result apparently
      contradicts existing theories. To explain experimental data we suggest that
      clusters of overlapping quantum dots are formed. These clusters are assumed to
      have metal-like conductance, the charge transfer taking place via hopping between
      the clusters. Relatively strong magnetic field shrinks electron wavefunctions,
      decreasing inter-cluster hopping and, therefore, leading to a positive
      magnetoresistance. Weak magnetic field acts on 'metallic' clusters, destroying
      the interference of the electron wavefunctions corresponding to different paths
      (weak localization) inside clusters. The interference may be restricted either by
      inelastic processes, or by the cluster size. Taking into account weak
      localization inside clusters and hopping between them within the effective medium
      approximation, we extract effective parameters characterizing charge (magneto-)
      transport.

PMID- 24219996
TI  - Co-expression network analysis and genetic algorithms for gene prioritization in
      preeclampsia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we explored the gene prioritization in preeclampsia,
      combining co-expression network analysis and genetic algorithms optimization
      approaches. We analysed five public projects obtaining 1,146 significant genes
      after cross-platform and processing of 81 and 149 microarrays in preeclamptic and
      normal conditions, respectively. METHODS: After co-expression network
      construction, modular and node analysis were performed using several approaches.
      Moreover, genetic algorithms were also applied in combination with the nearest
      neighbour and discriminant analysis classification methods. RESULTS: Significant
      differences were found in the genes connectivity distribution, both in normal and
      preeclampsia conditions pointing to the need and importance of examining
      connectivity alongside expression for prioritization. We discuss the global as
      well as intra-modular connectivity for hubs detection and also the utility of
      genetic algorithms in combination with the network information. FLT1, LEP, INHA
      and ENG genes were identified according to the literature, however, we also found
      other genes as FLNB, INHBA, NDRG1 and LYN highly significant but underexplored
      during normal pregnancy or preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Weighted genes co
      expression network analysis reveals a similar distribution along the modules
      detected both in normal and preeclampsia conditions. However, major differences
      were obtained by analysing the nodes connectivity. All models obtained by genetic
      algorithm procedures were consistent with a correct classification, higher than
      90%, restricting to 30 variables in both classification methods applied.Combining
      the two methods we identified well known genes related to preeclampsia, but also
      lead us to propose new candidates poorly explored or completely unknown in the
      pathogenesis of preeclampsia, which may have to be validated experimentally.

PMID- 24219995
TI  - Decreased plasticity of coreceptor use by CD4-independent SIV Envs that emerge in
      vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV and SIV generally require CD4 binding prior to coreceptor
      engagement, but Env can acquire the ability to use CCR5 independently of CD4
      under various circumstances. The ability to use CCR5 coupled with low-to-absent
      CD4 levels is associated with enhanced macrophage infection and increased
      neutralization sensitivity, but the additional features of these Envs that may
      affect cell targeting is not known. RESULTS: Here we report that CD4-independent
      SIV variants that emerged in vivo in a CD4+ T cell-depleted rhesus macaque model
      display markedly decreased plasticity of co-receptor use. While CD4-dependent
      Envs can use low levels of macaque CCR5 for efficient entry, CD4-independent
      variants required high levels of CCR5 even in the presence of CD4. CD4
      independent Envs were also more sensitive to the CCR5 antagonist Maraviroc. CD4
      dependent variants mediated efficient entry using human CCR5, whereas CD4
      independent variants had impaired use of human CCR5. Similarly, CD4-independent
      Envs used the alternative coreceptors GPR15 and CXCR6 less efficiently than CD4
      dependent variants. Env amino acids D470N and E84K that confer the CD4
      independent phenotype also regulated entry through low CCR5 levels and GPR15,
      indicating a common structural basis. Treatment of CD4-dependent Envs with
      soluble CD4 enhanced entry through CCR5 but reduced entry through GPR15,
      suggesting that induction of CD4-induced conformational changes by non-cell
      surface-associated CD4 impairs use of this alternative co-receptor. CONCLUSIONS:
      CD4 independence is associated with more restricted coreceptor interactions.
      While the ability to enter target cells through CCR5 independently of CD4 may
      enable infection of CD4 low-to-negative cells such as macrophages, this phenotype
      may conversely reduce the potential range of targets such as cells expressing low
      levels of CCR5, conformational variants of CCR5, or possibly even alternative
      coreceptors.

PMID- 24219997
TI  - Size effect of lithium peroxide on charging performance of Li-O2 batteries.
AB  - We report herein that the particle size of Li2O2, which is the discharged product
      of a Li-O2 battery, remarkably influences the charging performance. As the
      particle size decreases, the average voltage of charge plateaus is lowered due to
      reduced electrode polarization and enhanced kinetics of the oxidation reaction of
      Li2O2. 

PMID- 24219998
TI  - Function-related morphological characteristics and specialized structures of the
      avian tongue.
AB  - As a reflection of different life styles and environment, the tongue of
      vertebrates, which plays a major role in the intake and swallowing of food,
      displays significant morphological differences. The gross form and microscopic
      structure of the avian tongue differ greatly according to lifestyle. The avian
      tongue plays a fundamental role in many functions such as capturing, filtering,
      sucking and manipulating food in order to compensate absence of subsidiary organs
      like teeth in the oropharyngeal cavity. Variations in lingual papillae play an
      important role in feeding of birds, as they represent a structure similar to
      teeth in the upper and lower beaks and can be used to hold and direct food in the
      oropharyngeal cavity. Tongues of birds exhibit common as well as varying
      anatomical characteristics in terms of surface morphology, structure and
      topographical distribution of lingual papillae as well as distinct specialized
      structures, epithelial layers, taste buds and lingual glands. This review
      evaluates the important morphological peculiarities of the tongue in birds,
      focusing on the relationship between anatomical features and feeding functions.

PMID- 24219999
TI  - Students as teachers in an anatomy dissection course.
AB  - One way to improve students' learning outcomes and well-being is to change
      teaching practices to allow students to become more active participants. We used
      an anatomy dissection course to test a cooperative group work method in which
      first-year veterinary students took turns leading their peer group and were each
      responsible for teaching the anatomy of a particular topographic region. The
      important blood vessels, lymphatic system, and nerves of each region of the body
      were covered. Students felt that exploration of the entire topographic region
      helped them to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the respiratory apparatus
      and the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Assigning individual tasks to each
      group member resulted in sharing the workload equally. Open-ended comments
      revealed that support from other group members was important for the students'
      learning experience, but the results also offered insight into a lack of
      constructive criticism. While teaching was considered challenging, and even a
      stress factor that hindered learning for some students, group work was generally
      held to be supportive of learning. The results suggest that more thorough
      instruction of students in their group work and in their individual tasks is
      required. Some students experienced difficulty in expressing their concerns
      openly and in seeking guidance from teachers, demonstrating the need for further
      investigation regarding students' self-regulation skills. Comments from the open
      ended responses suggest that use of a cooperative learning method in anatomy
      dissection courses not only deepens student understanding of a subject but also
      offers first-year students an opportunity to practice the generic skills that
      will be needed in their future profession. 

PMID- 24220000
TI  - Uncertainty in end-of-life care.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Uncertainty surrounding medical decision-making is
      particularly important during end-of-life decision-making. Doubts about the
      patient's best interests and prognostic accuracy may lead to conflict. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Many authors have suggested recently that medical attitudes to
      uncertainty need review. It is inappropriate to avoid discussion of uncertainty
      during end-of-life care and American literature suggests that patients and
      families accept uncertainty in end-of-life discussions. Recently, authors have
      advocated the concept of 'Practical Certainty' accepting that absolute certainty
      is rarely possible in end-of-life decision-making and openly acknowledging that
      the physicians are as certain as they can be in the circumstances. Allowing time
      to provide acceptance of a palliative care pathway and using the collective
      wisdom of colleagues improves the accuracy of prediction and reduces conflict at
      the end of life. SUMMARY: The implications of this review are that doctors should
      not avoid discussing uncertainty in end-of-life conversations and the article
      provides some recommendations for minimizing conflict arising from end-of-life
      discussion.

PMID- 24220002
TI  - Significant variation of surface spin polarization through group IV atom (C, Si,
      Ge, Sn) adsorption on Fe3O4(100).
AB  - The adsorption of group IV atoms (C, Si, Ge, Sn) on the magnetite Fe3O4(100)
      surface is investigated by density functional theory calculations. All these
      atoms prefer to bond to the surface oxygen atom which has no tetrahedral Fe(A)
      neighbor. The spin-up surface states of clean Fe3O4(100) are completely removed
      and half-metallicity is recovered by C adsorption. The spin-up band gap of the C
      adsorbed Fe3O4(100) surface is wider than that of the H-adsorbed one and closer
      to the value of bulk Fe3O4. For the adsorption of other group IV atoms, the
      adsorbate-substrate interaction decreases and the adsorbate-adsorbate interaction
      increases with the increase of atomic number Z. As a consequence, the spin
      polarization varies from -99.4% (C adsorption) to +44.2% (Sn adsorption) for the
      electronic states of the adsorbed atom integrated from -0.5 eV to the Fermi
      level. The ability to tune the surface spin polarization by the choice of
      adsorbate is of significance for magnetite-based spintronic devices. 

PMID- 24220001
TI  - Application of TREECS Modeling System to Strontium-90 for Borschi Watershed near
      Chernobyl, Ukraine.
AB  - The Training Range Environmental Evaluation and Characterization System
      (TREECSTM) (http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/treecs/) is being developed by the U.S.
      Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) for the U.S. Army to
      forecast the fate of munitions constituents (MC) (such as high explosives (HE)
      and metals) found on firing/training ranges, as well as those subsequently
      transported to surface water and groundwater. The overall purpose of TREECSTM is
      to provide environmental specialists with tools to assess the potential for MC
      migration into surface water and groundwater systems and to assess range
      management strategies to ensure protection of human health and the environment.
      The multimedia fate/transport models within TREECSTM are mathematical models of
      reduced form (e.g., reduced dimensionality) that allow rapid application with
      less input data requirements compared with more complicated models. Although
      TREECSTM was developed for the fate of MC from military ranges, it has general
      applicability to many other situations requiring prediction of contaminant
      (including radionuclide) fate in multi-media environmental systems. TREECSTM was
      applied to the Borschi watershed near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine.
      At this site, TREECSTM demonstrated its use as a modeling tool to predict the
      fate of strontium 90 ((90)Sr). The most sensitive and uncertain input for this
      application was the soil-water partitioning distribution coefficient (Kd) for
      (90)Sr. The TREECSTM soil model provided reasonable estimates of the surface
      water export flux of (90)Sr from the Borschi watershed when using a Kd for (90)Sr
      of 200 L/kg. The computed export for the year 2000 was 0.18% of the watershed
      inventory of (90)Sr compared to the estimated export flux of 0.14% based on field
      data collected during 1999-2001. The model indicated that assumptions regarding
      the form of the inventory, whether dissolved or in solid phase form, did not
      appreciably affect export rates. Also, the percentage of non-exchangeable
      adsorbed (90)Sr, which is uncertain and affects the amount of (90)Sr available
      for export, was fixed at 20% based on field data measurements. A Monte Carlo
      uncertainty analysis was conducted treating Kd as an uncertain input variable
      with a range of 100-300 L/kg. This analysis resulted in a range of 0.13-0.27% of
      inventory exported to surface water compared to 0.14% based on measured field
      data. Based on this model application, it was concluded that the export of (90)Sr
      from the Borschi watershed to surface water is predominantly a result of soil
      pore water containing dissolved (90)Sr being diverted to surface waters that
      eventually flow out of the watershed. The percentage of non-exchangeable adsorbed
      (90)Sr and the soil-water Kd are the two most sensitive and uncertain factors
      affecting the amount of export. The 200-year projections of the model showed an
      exponential decline in (90)Sr export fluxes from the watershed that should drop
      by a factor of 10 by the year 2100. This presentation will focus on TREECS
      capabilities and the case study done for the Borschi Watershed. 

PMID- 24220003
TI  - Application of monoclonal antibody against granulocytes of scallop Chlamys
      farreri on granulocytes occurrence at different developmental stages and
      antigenic cross-reactivity of granulocytes in five other bivalve species.
AB  - A monoclonal antibody (MAb) 6H7 raised specifically against granulocytes of
      scallop (Chlamys farreri) was employed to observe granulocyte occurrence
      successively in blastulae, gastrulae, trochophore larvae, D-shape larvae, umbo
      veliger larvae and creeping larvae of C. farreri by immunohistochemistry assay
      contrasted with H&E stain using semi-thin sections. Moreover, the reactivity of
      the MAb with granulocytes of C. farreri, Bay scallop Argopecten irradians,
      Japanese scallop Patinopecten yessoensis, Blue mussel Mytilus edulis, Pacific
      oyster Crassostrea gigas and Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum, was detected by
      immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with differential interference contrast and
      fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometric immunofluorescence assay (FCIFA). The
      results showed that positive signals were first observed at D-shape larval stage,
      about 28 h post fertilization, after that, umbo-veliger larvae exhibited the
      positive cells with a diameter of 3-5 MUm distributed in velum, digestive gland
      and esophagus. Then in creeping larvae, the number of positive cells increased
      with average diameter of 5-7 MUm, and widely distributed in foot, digestive
      gland, gills and adductor muscles. No positive signal was found in blastulae,
      gastrulae and trochophore larvae. The results of IFA and FCIFA showed MAb 6H7
      reacted to granulocytes of C. farreri, A. irradians, P. yessoensis and C. gigas,
      and the positive percentage reactivity were 53 +/- 2.5%, 15 +/- 2.5%, 12 +/- 2.1%
      and 19 +/- 2.1%, respectively, however, no cross-reaction was detected in
      hemocytes of R. philippinarum and M. edulis.

PMID- 24220004
TI  - Identification of a novel N4BP1-like gene from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon
      idella) in response to GCRV infection.
AB  - Nedd4 binding protein 1 (N4BP1) has been identified as an interacting protein and
      a substrate of Nedd4 E3 ligase. However, the report about N4BP1's function is
      limit. In this study, a novel N4BP1 gene (CiN4BP1) was cloned from grass carp
      (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The full-length cDNA sequence of CiN4BP1 (3022 bp)
      included an open reading frame (ORF) of 2565 bp, which encoded a putative
      peptides of 854 amino acids containing one KH domain and one NYN domain. It was
      close homology (47% identify) to Oryzias latipes N4BP1. And mRNA expression of
      CiN4BP1 gene showed relatively high level in skin, gill, head kidney and spleen.
      After grass carp reovirus (GCRV) infection, CiN4BP1 was up-regulated in vivo and
      in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of CiN4BP1 in CIK cells inhibited viral
      gene transcription. These data indicated that CiN4BP1 might play an important
      role in immune response to viral invasion. 

PMID- 24220005
TI  - Measuring surgical outcomes in subaxial degenerative cervical spine disease
      patients: minimum clinically important difference as a tool for determining
      meaningful clinical improvement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the concept of minimum clinically important difference
      (MCID) as a measurement of surgical outcome has been extensively studied, there
      is lack of consensus on the most valid or clinically relevant MCID calculation
      approach. OBJECTIVE: To compare the range of MCID threshold values obtained by
      different anchor-based and distribution-based approaches to determine the best
      clinically meaningful and statistically significant MCID for our studied group.
      METHODS: Eighty-eight consecutive patients undergoing surgery for subaxial
      degenerative cervical spine disease were analyzed from a prospective blinded
      database. Preoperative, 3-, and 6-month postoperative patient reported outcome
      (PRO) scores and blinded surgeon ratings were collected. Four calculation methods
      were used to calculate MCID threshold values: average change, change difference,
      minimum detectable change, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
      Three anchors were used to evaluate meaningful improvement postsurgery: health
      transition item, patient overall status, and surgeon ratings. RESULTS: On
      average, all patients had a statistically significant improvement (P < .001)
      postoperatively for neck disability index (score 27.42 preoperatively to 19.42
      postoperatively), physical component of the Short Form of the Medical Outcomes
      Study (SF-36) (33.02-42.23), mental component of the SF-36 (44-50.74), and visual
      analog scale (2.85-1.93). The 4 MCID approaches yielded a range of values for
      each PRO: 2.23 to 16.59 for physical component of the SF-36, 0.11 to 16.27 for
      mental component of the SF-36, and 2.72 to 12.08 for neck disability index. In
      comparison with health transition item and patient overall status anchors, the
      area under the ROC curve was consistently greater for surgeon ratings for all 4
      PROs. CONCLUSION: Minimum detectable change together with surgeon ratings anchor
      appears to be the most appropriate MCID method. Based on our findings, this
      combination offers the greatest area under the ROC curve (threshold above the 95%
      confidence interval). The choice of the anchor did not significantly affect this
      result.

PMID- 24220006
TI  - Neck tumor dissection improved with 3-dimensional ultrasound image guidance:
      technical case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Three-dimensional ultrasound navigation has been
      performed to assist in resection of cranial and spinal tumors, but to the best of
      our knowledge, no one has described the use of real-time 3-dimensional ultrasound
      navigation in the resection of neck tumors beyond biopsy. CLINICAL PRESENTATION:
      This case report describes the use of 3-dimensional ultrasonic navigation in
      assisting with resection of a large neck paraganglioma. The 3-dimensional
      ultrasonic navigation improved real-time visualization of the carotid arteries,
      the trachea, and other vital structures. CONCLUSION: The use of 3-dimensional
      ultrasound navigation should be considered in aiding resection of large neck
      tumors because it can allow more efficient and safer tumor resection.

PMID- 24220007
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of 3-dimensional vs 2-dimensional and high-definition
      vs standard-definition neuroendoscopy: a preclinical randomized crossover study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the potential benefits of 3-dimensional (3-D) vs 2
      dimensional (2-D) and high-definition (HD) vs standard-definition (SD) endoscopic
      visualization have long been recognized in other surgical fields, such endoscopes
      are generally considered too large and bulky for use within the brain. The recent
      development of 3-D and HD neuroendoscopes may therefore herald improved depth
      perception, better appreciation of anatomic details, and improved overall
      surgical performance. OBJECTIVE: To compare simultaneously the effectiveness of 3
      D vs 2-D and HD vs SD neuroendoscopy. METHODS: Ten novice neuroendoscopic
      surgeons were recruited from a university hospital. A preclinical randomized
      crossover study design was adopted to compare 3-D vs 2-D and HD vs SD
      neuroendoscopy. The primary outcomes were time to task completion and accuracy.
      The secondary outcomes were perceived task workload using the NASA (National
      Aeronautics and Space Administration) Task Load Index and subjective impressions
      of the endoscopes using a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Time to task completion
      was significantly shorter when using the 3-D vs the 2-D neuroendoscopy (P =
      .001), and accuracy of probe placement was significantly greater when using the
      HD vs the SD neuroendoscopy (P = .009). We found that 3-D endoscopy significantly
      improved perceived depth perception (P < .001), HD endoscopy significantly
      improved perceived image quality (P < .001), and both improved participants'
      overall impression (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional neuroendoscopy and
      HD neuroendoscopy have differing but complementary effects on surgical
      performance, suggesting that neither alone can completely compensate for the lack
      of the other. There is therefore strong preclinical evidence to justify 3-D HD
      neuroendoscopy.

PMID- 24220008
TI  - Polyarteritis nodosa complicating multiple myeloma - a case report and review of
      the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a necrotizing vasculitis of small to
      medium-sized vessels, rarely associated with hematologic neoplasms. CASE REPORT:
      We report a 44-year-old man with a history of monoclonal gammopathy of
      undetermined significance (MGUS) who presented with rapidly progressing
      sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. Two weeks after onset the patient developed
      severe acute acral and retinal ischemia. MR-angiography and nerve biopsy revealed
      a systemic necrotizing vasculitis (PAN type). At this time, bone marrow biopsy
      identified a smoldering multiple myeloma. Immediate immunosuppressive and anti
      neoplastic treatment (steroids, immunoglobulins, bortezomib combined with
      cyclophosphamide followed by lenalidomide maintenance) resulted in a favorable
      clinical outcome. After 4 years, the patient is in good clinical condition with
      sustained partial remission from myeloma and without evidence of relapse of PAN.
      CONCLUSION: This is a remarkable case of a histologically confirmed peripheral
      neuropathy due to polyarteritis nodosa associated with progression of MGUS to
      multiple myeloma. Immediate diagnosis and combined immunosuppressive and anti
      neoplastic treatment may improve the outcome of this potentially life-threatening
      clinical condition.

PMID- 24220009
TI  - Evaluation of PhTX-74 as subtype-selective inhibitor of GluA2-containing AMPA
      receptors.
AB  - The alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPARs)
      are glutamate-gated cation channels that mediate fast excitatory synaptic
      transmission in the central nervous system. AMPARs are tetramers formed by homo-
      or heteromeric assembly of GluA1-4 subunits to produce multiple subtypes with
      varying biophysical properties. Polyamine toxins such as joro spider toxins,
      philanthotoxins (PhTXs), and argiotoxins are use-dependent ion channel blockers
      of AMPARs widely employed as highly potent antagonists of GluA2-lacking receptor
      subtypes. In addition to this use, recent findings have indicated that a
      philanthotoxin analog, PhTX-74, can distinguish among GluA2-containing AMPAR
      subtypes in the presence of the prototypical transmembrane AMPAR regulatory
      protein gamma-2 (or stargazin). Thus, PhTX-74 may be of potential use in studies
      of the neurobiological role of GluA2-containing subtypes. We have evaluated the
      pharmacological profile of PhTX-74 and related polyamine toxins at homo- and
      heteromeric AMPARs in the presence and absence of gamma-2. Determination of
      IC(50) values for inhibition of glutamate-evoked currents from Xenopus oocytes
      expressing recombinant homo- or heteromeric combinations of GluA1, GluA2, and
      GluA3 in the presence of gamma-2 shows that PhTX-74 inhibits homomeric GluA1 and
      GluA3 receptors nonselectively, with IC(50) values in the nanomolar range (252
      356 nM), and heteromeric GluA1/A2 and GluA2/A3 receptors nonselectively, with
      IC(50) values in the micromolar range (22 MUM). Thus, in contrast to earlier
      findings, we find that PhTX-74 cannot pharmacologically discriminate between
      GluA2-containing AMPAR subtypes.

PMID- 24220010
TI  - Structural and functional analysis of g protein-coupled receptor kinase
      inhibition by paroxetine and a rationally designed analog.
AB  - Recently we identified the serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine as an
      inhibitor of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) that improves cardiac
      performance in live animals. Paroxetine exhibits up to 50-fold selectivity for
      GRK2 versus other GRKs. A better understanding of the molecular basis of this
      selectivity is important for the development of even more selective and potent
      small molecule therapeutics and chemical genetic probes. We first sought to
      understand the molecular mechanisms underlying paroxetine selectivity among GRKs.
      We directly measured the K(D) for paroxetine and assessed its mechanism of
      inhibition for each of the GRK subfamilies and then determined the atomic
      structure of its complex with GRK1, the most weakly inhibited GRK tested. Our
      results suggest that the selectivity of paroxetine for GRK2 largely reflects its
      lower affinity for adenine nucleotides. Thus, stabilization of off-pathway
      conformational states unique to GRK2 will likely be key for the development of
      even more selective inhibitors. Next, we designed a benzolactam derivative of
      paroxetine that has optimized interactions with the hinge of the GRK2 kinase
      domain. The crystal structure of this compound in complex with GRK2 confirmed the
      predicted interactions. Although the benzolactam derivative did not significantly
      alter potency of inhibition among GRKs, it exhibited 20-fold lower inhibition of
      serotonin reuptake. However, there was an associated increase in the potency for
      inhibition of other AGC kinases, suggesting that the unconventional hydrogen bond
      formed by the benzodioxole ring of paroxetine is better accommodated by GRKs.

PMID- 24220011
TI  - Salicylate, a catalytic inhibitor of topoisomerase II, inhibits DNA cleavage and
      is selective for the alpha isoform.
AB  - Topoisomerase II (topo II) is a ubiquitous enzyme that is essential for cell
      survival through its role in regulating DNA topology and chromatid separation.
      Topo II can be poisoned by common chemotherapeutics (such as doxorubicin and
      etoposide), leading to the accumulation of cytotoxic enzyme-linked DNA double
      stranded breaks. In contrast, nonbreak-inducing topo II catalytic inhibitors have
      also been described and have more limited use in clinical chemotherapy. These
      agents, however, may alter the efficacy of regimens incorporating topo II
      poisons. We previously identified salicylate, the primary metabolite of aspirin,
      as a novel catalytic inhibitor of topo II. We have now determined the mechanism
      by which salicylate inhibits topo II. As catalytic inhibitors can act at a number
      of steps in the topo II catalytic cycle, we used multiple independent,
      biochemical approaches to interrogate the catalytic cycle. Furthermore, as
      mammalian cells express two isoforms of topo II (alpha and beta), we examined
      whether salicylate was isoform selective. Our results demonstrate that salicylate
      is unable to intercalate DNA, and does not prevent enzyme-DNA interaction, nor
      does it promote stabilization of topo IIalpha in closed clamps on DNA. Although
      salicylate decreased topo IIalpha ATPase activity in a dose-dependent
      noncompetitive manner, this was secondary to salicylate-mediated inhibition of
      DNA cleavage. Surprisingly, comparison of salicylate's effects using purified
      human topo IIalpha and topo IIbeta revealed that salicylate selectively inhibits
      the alpha isoform. These findings provide a definitive mechanism for salicylate
      mediated inhibition of topo IIalpha and provide support for further studies
      determining the basis for its isoform selectivity. 

PMID- 24220012
TI  - Reduced expression of claudin-2 is associated with high histological grade and
      metastasis of feline mammary carcinomas.
AB  - Claudins (CLDNs) are a family of tight junction (TJ) proteins that play an
      important role in maintaining cell polarity, in controlling paracellular ion flux
      and in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. There is a growing body
      of evidence that associates changes in CLDN expression with the development of
      human breast cancer. In the present study CLDN-2 expression was examined
      immunohistochemically in samples of normal feline mammary tissue (n = 5) and
      mammary carcinomas (n = 52), including metastatic lesions (n = 29). Seventy-seven
      percent of carcinomas showed reduced CLDN-2 expression compared with that
      observed in normal mammary gland. Reduced expression of CLDN-2 was significantly
      associated with a high histological grade of carcinoma (P = 0.011), with 88.6% of
      grade II/III carcinomas showing decreased expression. Furthermore, CLDN-2 down
      regulation was significantly associated with metastatic disease (P = 0.0027),
      with 93.1% of cases with signs of metastasis showing decreased expression of this
      protein. CLDN-2 may constitute a molecular marker for identification of a
      subgroup of feline mammary carcinomas characterized by high histological grade
      and the development of metastasis.

PMID- 24220013
TI  - Risk of cryptorchidism among sons of horticultural workers and farmers in
      Denmark.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Previous studies indicate an increased risk of cryptorchidism,
      incomplete testicular descent, among sons of women working with pesticides. This
      study assessed the risk of cryptorchidism among boys of parents employed as
      horticultural workers and farmers using nationwide registers on occupation and
      cryptorchidism. METHODS: The cohort consisted of >600 000 boys born in Denmark
      from 1980-2007 with a parent in employment during pregnancy. These boys were
      followed for cryptorchidism from 1980-2009 comparing risks among sons of
      horticultural workers and farmers with sons of parents in other occupations.
      Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using Cox
      regression adjusting for parental age, birth years, parity, and geographical
      region. RESULTS: Sons of maternal farmers were at increased risk of
      cryptorchidism (157 cases; HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.12-1.53) compared to boys of mothers
      in other occupations (15 511 cases). Paternal occupation as farmer was unrelated
      to the risk among sons. Maternal occupation as a horticultural worker was
      associated with a non-significantly increased risk (72 cases; HR 1.20, 95% CI
      0.95-1.52). A similar association was found for paternal horticultural workers.
      Sons of maternal farmers or horticultural workers who likely worked in the first
      trimester were not at increased risk of cryptorchidism. CONCLUSIONS: This
      nationwide cohort study found a slightly increased risk of cryptorchidism in sons
      of maternal horticultural workers and farmers. However, subgroup analyses
      indicated similar findings for paternal horticultural workers, and no association
      for women likely working in the first trimester. The main findings should
      therefore be interpreted with caution.

PMID- 24220014
TI  - A systematic review of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction techniques.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction of the elbow has
      become increasingly more frequent among elite overhead athletes. The purpose of
      this study was to conduct a systematic review comparing the clinical outcomes and
      biomechanical results of the Jobe, modified Jobe, docking, modified docking,
      Endobutton, and interference screw techniques for UCL reconstruction. HYPOTHESIS:
      The docking technique will have significantly fewer complications and improved
      return-to-play rate. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.
      METHODS: Using the Medline PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases, a search was
      performed of all published articles, including randomized controlled trials,
      cohort studies, and case series, examining UCL reconstructions performed using
      one of the above noted techniques and excluding case reports and hybrid
      techniques. Statistical analysis was performed using a chi(2) test of
      independence and 2-proportion Z test. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies, 7
      biomechanical and 14 clinical, met the inclusion criteria. There were 1368
      patients. The overall complication rate was 18.6% (255/1368), further subdivided
      into 21 for the Jobe technique (29.2%), 203 for the modified Jobe technique
      (19.1%), 2 for the interference screw technique (10.0%), 2 (4.3%) for the
      modified docking technique, and 10 for the docking technique (6.0%). The most
      common complication across all studies was ulnar nerve neurapraxia in 176
      patients (12.9%). The overall rate of return to play was 78.9%. CONCLUSION: Ulnar
      collateral ligament reconstruction utilizing the docking technique results in a
      significantly higher rate of return to play and a lower complication rate when
      compared with the Jobe and modified Jobe techniques. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A lower
      complication rate can lead to increased rates of return to play and better
      outcomes postoperatively.

PMID- 24220015
TI  - Clinical outcomes of revision meniscal repair: a case series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Meniscal preservation results in better clinical outcomes than
      meniscectomy; however, no studies have evaluated the results of revision meniscal
      repair. HYPOTHESIS: Revision meniscal repair can achieve good clinical outcomes.
      STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: The study participants
      were 16 patients with symptomatic meniscal retears of a total of 96 patients who
      underwent primary arthroscopic meniscal repair. Fifteen of these 16 patients
      underwent revision meniscal repair. The mean age at revision was 27 years, and
      the mean duration between the primary operation and revision was 27 months. Eight
      patients had degenerative changes of the meniscus at revision. Clinical outcomes
      were assessed using the Lysholm score and the Tegner sports activity score, and
      image assessment was performed using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Five
      patients had re-retears of a resutured meniscus, and the mean duration between
      revision and the re-retear was 25 months (range, 8-68 months). The mean follow-up
      of patients without re-retears was 41 months (range, 24-74 months), and the mean
      Lysholm score in those without re-retears significantly improved from 81.4 points
      (range, 73-89 points) at pre-revision to 97.4 points (range, 90-100 points) at
      the final survey (P = .0001). Degenerative changes of the meniscus at the
      revision site were observed in all 5 patients with re-retears but in only 3 of
      the 10 patients without re-retears. CONCLUSION: Revision meniscal repair should
      be considered in the setting of a retorn meniscus without degenerative changes.

PMID- 24220017
TI  - Management of Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Posterolateral Corner Tears: A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A consensus on the treatment of combined anterior cruciate ligament
      (ACL) and posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries is still lacking. PURPOSE: To
      review the available literature on the management of these combined lesions to
      investigate the influence that injuries of knee posterolateral structures play in
      the outcome of an ACL lesion. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence,
      4. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed on PubMed, Medline, CINAHL,
      Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar databases using various combinations of the
      following keywords: "posterolateral corner," "plc," "posterolateral instability,"
      "posterolateral injury," "anterior cruciate ligament," and "acl." RESULTS: A
      total of 6 studies involving 95 patients were included. For those with PLC
      lesions, 14 patients were treated nonoperatively, 9 underwent an early anatomic
      repair, while the remaining 72 underwent a reconstruction. In all 95 patients, an
      ACL reconstruction was performed. Sixty-seven of the 72 patients who underwent a
      PLC reconstruction were assessed for anteroposterior laxity, with a mean side-to
      side difference of 1.5 +/- 1.1 mm. Evaluated by the objective International Knee
      Documentation Committee (IKDC) Knee Form, 88% of the patients who underwent a PLC
      reconstruction were graded as good/excellent (A/B). The 9 patients who underwent
      an early surgical repair of the PLC lesion were evaluated by means of the
      objective IKDC score, with 3 patients (33%) graded as good/excellent (A/B), and
      by means of a clinical evaluation, with 5 of 9 patients (56%) graded as 1+ for
      varus laxity. For the 14 patients who were managed nonoperatively for PLC
      injuries, the only clinical score available was the subjective IKDC score, with a
      mean value of 80.5 (87.8 for the 6 patients with type A PLC injuries and 75.0 for
      type B PLC injuries). CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of literature focused on the
      management of combined ACL and PLC injuries. Combined ACL and PLC reconstruction
      seems to be the most effective approach to these combined lesions. However,
      future work is needed to explore the long-term outcome of the different treatment
      options.

PMID- 24220018
TI  - Osteoblasts proliferation and differentiation stimulating activities of the main
      components of Fructus Psoraleae corylifoliae.
AB  - Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture.
      Fructus of Psoralea corylifolia L. (scurfpea fruit) is commonly utilized for
      treating bone fractures and joint diseases for thousands of years in China. This
      study was aimed to screen active principles, which might have the potency to
      stimulate osteoblasts proliferation and differentiation from scurfpea fruit. A
      HPLC method was established to analyze the main components in scurfpea fruit.
      Totally 11 compounds have been identified by comparing their retention time with
      correspondent standard substances. The MTT and ALP methods were utilized for the
      assay of osteoblasts proliferation and differentiation activity. Icariin, a
      prenylated flavonoid glycoside was treated as the positive control. Bavachin and
      isobavachin significantly stimulated cell proliferation, while bakuchiol
      exhibited stronger effect to enhance osteoblasts differentiation. All these
      compounds were found with a characterized structure that in each of their
      molecule backbones, a prenylated side chain was attached. These results lead to a
      hypothesis that prenyl group might be crucial to exhibit the activity. The
      structure-effect relationship of these compounds with prenyl group in mouse
      primary calvarial osteoblasts needs to be explored in further research. 

PMID- 24220016
TI  - Stem cell therapies for knee cartilage repair: the current status of preclinical
      and clinical studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Articular cartilage damage of the knee is common, causing significant
      morbidity worldwide. Many adult tissues contain cells that are able to
      differentiate into multiple cell types, including chondrocytes. These stem cells
      have gained significant attention over the past decade and may become frontline
      management for cartilage defects in the very near future. PURPOSE: The role of
      stem cells in the treatment of knee osteochondral defects was reviewed. Recent
      animal and clinical studies were reviewed to determine the benefits and potential
      outcomes of using stem cells for cartilage defects. STUDY DESIGN: Literature
      review. METHODS: A PubMed search was undertaken. The key phrase "stem cells and
      knee" was used. The search included reviews and original articles over an
      unlimited time period. From this search, articles outlining animal and clinical
      trials were selected. A search of current clinical trials in progress was
      performed on the clinicaltrials.gov website, and "stem cells and knee" was used
      as the search phrase. RESULTS: Stem cells have been used in many recent in vitro
      and animal studies. A number of cell-based approaches for cartilage repair have
      progressed from preclinical animal studies into clinical trials. CONCLUSION: The
      use of stem cells for the treatment of cartilage defects is increasing in animal
      and clinical studies. Methods of delivery of stem cells to the knee's cartilage
      vary from direct injection to implantation with scaffolds. While these approaches
      are highly promising, there is currently limited evidence of a direct clinical
      benefit, and further research is required to assess the overall outcome of stem
      cell therapies for knee cartilage repair.

PMID- 24220020
TI  - Thermochromic effects in a Jahn-Teller active CuCl(4-)6 layered hybrid system.
AB  - The hybrid material copper (II) tetrachloro-bis(phenyl ethyl ammonium)
      (C6H5CH2CH2NH3)2CuCl4, or PEACuCl, has been investigated by temperature-dependent
      spectroscopic absorption experiments. The absorption bands observed in the near
      infrared region (1.3-1.9 eV) generally exhibit redshifts with increasing
      temperature. The temperature-induced energy shifts of the spectral components are
      shown to be consistently related to temperature-induced Cu-Cl bond length
      changes. Additionally, the thermochromic color change is caused by a charge
      transfer band edge redshifting (in the visible region 2.0-2.8 eV) with increasing
      temperature. By comparison with similar Cu-based systems, it is suggested that
      this shift is caused by broadening and strengthening of the band. 

PMID- 24220019
TI  - Genetic influences on response to alcohol and response to pharmacotherapies for
      alcoholism.
AB  - Although very many individuals drink alcohol at safe levels, a significant
      proportion escalates their consumption with addiction as the end result.
      Alcoholism is a common, moderately heritable, psychiatric disorder that is
      accompanied by considerable morbidity and mortality. Variation in clinical
      presentation suggests inter-individual variation in mechanisms of vulnerability
      including genetic risk factors. The development of addiction is likely to involve
      numerous functional genetic variants of small effects. The first part of this
      review will focus on genetic factors underlying inter-individual variability in
      response to alcohol consumption, including variants in alcohol metabolizing genes
      that produce an aversive response (the flushing syndrome) and variants that
      predict the level of subjective and physiological response to alcohol. The second
      part of this review will report on genetic variants that identify subgroups of
      alcoholics who are more likely to respond to pharmacotherapy to reduce levels of
      drinking or maintain abstinence. Genetic analyses of the level of response to
      alcohol, particularly of the functional OPRM1 A118G polymorphism and 5' and 3'
      functional polymorphisms in SLC6A4, are beginning to provide insights into the
      etiology of alcoholism and also genotype-stratified subgroup responses to
      naltrexone and SSRIs/ondansetron respectively. Because of large inter-ethnic
      variation in allele frequencies, the relevance of these functional polymorphisms
      will vary between ethnic groups. However there are relatively few published
      studies in this field, particularly with large sample sizes in pharmacogenetic
      studies, therefore it is premature to draw any conclusions at this stage. 

PMID- 24220021
TI  - Histopathological changes in the liver of tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis)
      persistently infected with hepatitis B virus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An animal model for HBV that more closely approximates the disease in
      humans is needed. The tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) is closely related to
      primates and susceptible to HBV. We previously established that neonatal tree
      shrews can be persistently infected with HBV in vivo, and here present a six year
      follow-up histopathological study of these animals. METHODS: Group A consists of
      six tree shrews with persistent HBV infection, group B consists of three tree
      shrews with suspected persistent HBV infection, while group C consists of four
      tree shrews free of HBV infection. Serum and liver tissues samples were collected
      periodically from all animals. HBV antigen and HBV antibodies were detected by
      ELISA and/or TRFIA. HBV DNA in serum and in liver biopsies was measured by FQ
      PCR. Liver biopsies were applied for general histopathologic observation and
      scoring, immunohistochemical detections of HBsAg and HBcAg, and ultrastructural
      observation with electron microscope technique. RESULTS: Hydropic, fatty and
      eosinophilic degeneration of hepatocytes, lymphocytic infiltration and
      hyperplasia of small bile ducts in the portal area were observed in group A. One
      animal infected with HBV for over six years showed multiple necrotic areas which
      had fused to form bridging necrosis and fibrosis, and megalocytosis. The hepatic
      histopathological scores of group A were higher than those of group B and C. The
      histopathological score correlated positively with the duration of infection.
      CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic histopathological changes observed in chronically HBV
      infected tree shrews are similar to those observed in HBV-infected humans. The
      tree shrew may represent a novel animal model for HBV infection.

PMID- 24220022
TI  - Comprehensive probabilistic modelling of environmental emissions of engineered
      nanomaterials.
AB  - Concerns about the environmental risks of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) are
      growing, however, currently very little is known about their concentrations in
      the environment. Here, we calculate the concentrations of five ENM (nano-TiO2,
      nano-ZnO, nano-Ag, CNT and fullerenes) in environmental and technical
      compartments using probabilistic material-flow modelling. We apply the newest
      data on ENM production volumes, their allocation to and subsequent release from
      different product categories, and their flows into and within those compartments.
      Further, we compare newly predicted ENM concentrations to estimates from 2009 and
      to corresponding measured concentrations of their conventional materials, e.g.
      TiO2, Zn and Ag. We show that the production volume and the compounds' inertness
      are crucial factors determining final concentrations. ENM production estimates
      are generally higher than a few years ago. In most cases, the environmental
      concentrations of corresponding conventional materials are between one and seven
      orders of magnitude higher than those for ENM. 

PMID- 24220023
TI  - Ingestion and transfer of microplastics in the planktonic food web.
AB  - Experiments were carried out with different Baltic Sea zooplankton taxa to scan
      their potential to ingest plastics. Mysid shrimps, copepods, cladocerans,
      rotifers, polychaete larvae and ciliates were exposed to 10 MUm fluorescent
      polystyrene microspheres. These experiments showed ingestion of microspheres in
      all taxa studied. The highest percentage of individuals with ingested spheres was
      found in pelagic polychaete larvae, Marenzelleria spp. Experiments with the
      copepod Eurytemora affinis and the mysid shrimp Neomysis integer showed egestion
      of microspheres within 12 h. Food web transfer experiments were done by offering
      zooplankton labelled with ingested microspheres to mysid shrimps. Microscopy
      observations of mysid intestine showed the presence of zooplankton prey and
      microspheres after 3 h incubation. This study shows for the first time the
      potential of plastic microparticle transfer via planktonic organisms from one
      trophic level (mesozooplankton) to a higher level (macrozooplankton). The impacts
      of plastic transfer and possible accumulation in the food web need further
      investigations. 

PMID- 24220024
TI  - Systemic vascular phenotypes of Loeys-Dietz syndrome in a child carrying a de
      novo R381P mutation in TGFBR2: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Loeys-Dietz syndrome, also known as Marfan syndrome type II, is a
      rare connective tissue disorder caused by dominant mutations in transforming
      growth factor-beta receptors (TGFBR1 and 2). CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 7
      year-old Japanese boy with Loeys-Dietz syndrome who carried a novel, de novo
      missense mutation in TGFBR2 (c.1142g > c, R381P). He showed dysmorphic faces and
      skeletal malformations that were typical in previous cases with Loeys-Dietz
      syndrome. The cardiac studies disclosed the presence of markedly dilated aortic
      root and patent ductus aorteriosus. The cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      and angiography (MRA) detected the tortuous appearances of the bilateral middle
      cerebral and carotid arteries. CONCLUSION: This study depicts the systemic
      vascular phenotypes of a child with Loeys-Dietz syndrome that were caused by a
      novel heterozygous mutation of TGFR2. A large cohort with serial imaging studies
      for vascular phenotypes will be useful for delineating the genotype-phenotype
      correlations of Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

PMID- 24220025
TI  - Imaging nicotine- and amphetamine-induced dopamine release in rhesus monkeys with
      [(11)C]PHNO vs [(11)C]raclopride PET.
AB  - The radiotracer [(11)C]PHNO may have advantages over other dopamine (DA) D2/D3
      receptor ligands because, as an agonist, it measures high-affinity, functionally
      active D2/D3 receptors, whereas the traditionally used radiotracer
      [(11)C]raclopride measures both high- and low-affinity receptors. Our aim was to
      take advantage of the strength of [(11)C]PHNO for measuring the small DA signal
      induced by nicotine, which has been difficult to measure in preclinical and
      clinical neuroimaging studies. Nicotine- and amphetamine-induced DA release in
      non-human primates was measured with [(11)C]PHNO and [(11)C]raclopride positron
      emission tomography (PET) imaging. Seven adult rhesus monkeys were imaged on a
      FOCUS 220 PET scanner after injection of a bolus of [(11)C]PHNO or
      [(11)C]raclopride in three conditions: baseline; preinjection of nicotine (0.1
      mg/kg bolus+0.08 mg/kg infusion over 30 min); preinjection of amphetamine (0.4
      mg/kg, 5 min before radiotracer injection). DA release was measured as change in
      binding potential (BPND). Nicotine significantly decreased BPND in the caudate (7
      +/- 8%), the nucleus accumbens (10 +/- 7%), and in the globus pallidus (13 +/-
      15%) measured with [(11)C]PHNO, but did not significantly decrease BPND in the
      putamen or the substantia nigra or in any region when measured with
      [(11)C]raclopride. Amphetamine significantly reduced BPND in all regions with
      both radiotracers. In the striatum, larger amphetamine-induced changes were
      detected with [(11)C]PHNO compared with [(11)C]raclopride (52-64% vs 33-35%,
      respectively). We confirmed that [(11)C]PHNO is more sensitive than
      [(11)C]raclopride to nicotine- and amphetamine-induced DA release. [(11)C]PHNO
      PET may be more sensitive to measuring tobacco smoking-induced DA release in
      human tobacco smokers.

PMID- 24220027
TI  - Structure stability and high-temperature distortion resistance of trilayer
      complexes formed from graphenes and boron nitride nanosheets.
AB  - The molecular dynamics was employed to study the structure stability and high
      temperature distortion resistance of a trilayer complex formed by a monolayer
      graphene sandwiched in bilayer boron nitride nanosheets (BN-G-BN) and graphenes
      (G-G-G). The investigation shows that the optimal interlayer distances are about
      0.347 nm for BN-G-BN and 0.341 nm for G-G-G. Analysis and comparison of the
      binding energy, van der Waals interactions between layers and radial distribution
      function (RDF) revealed that the BN-G-BN achieves a more stable combined
      structure than G-G-G. The interlayer graphene in the trilayer complex nanosheets,
      especially the graphene in BN-G-BN, is more integrated than monolayer graphenes
      in a crystal structure. The structures at high temperature of 1500 K show that
      the BN-G-BN exhibits less distortion than G-G-G; especially, fixing the atomic
      positions on up-down layers can obviously further reduce structural deformation
      of interlayer graphene. The result further indicates that the high-temperature
      distortion resistance of interlayer graphene in the trilayer complex is related
      to both material type and conditions of constraints at the up-down layers. 

PMID- 24220026
TI  - Association of depressive symptoms with hippocampal volume in 1936 adults.
AB  - Hippocampal atrophy is reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). However,
      sample sizes were generally modest, and participant characteristics, including
      age, differed between studies. This study used a community sample to examine
      relationships between current depressive symptom severity and hippocampal volume
      across the adult lifespan. A total of 1936 adults with magnetic resonance images
      of the brain and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS
      SR) scores were included. Brain volumes were quantified using the FSL program.
      Multiple linear regressions were performed using left, right, and total
      hippocampal volume as criterion variables, and predictor variables of QIDS-SR
      total, total brain volume, age, gender, education, psychotropic medications,
      alcohol use, and race/ethnicity. Post hoc analyses were conducted in participants
      with QIDS-SR scores ?11 (moderate or greater depressive symptom severity) and
      <11, and older and younger adults. In the primary analysis (sample as a whole)
      QIDS-SR was inversely associated with total hippocampal volume (b=-0.044,
      p=0.032, (CI-0.019 to -0.001)) but not with left or right hippocampal volume
      evaluated individually. In participants with QIDS-SR scores of <11, hippocampal
      volumes were not associated with QIDS-SR scores. In those with QIDS-SR scores ?11
      total, right, and left hippocampal volumes were modestly, but significantly,
      associated with QIDS-SR scores. The association between QIDS-SR scores and the
      hippocampal volume was much stronger in older persons. Findings suggest smaller
      hippocampal volumes among those with greater reported depressive symptom severity
      an association that is strongest in people with at least moderate depressive
      symptom levels. 

PMID- 24220028
TI  - The p38-interacting protein (p38IP) regulates G2/M progression by promoting alpha
      tubulin acetylation via inhibiting ubiquitination-induced degradation of the
      acetyltransferase GCN5.
AB  - p38-interacting protein (p38IP) is a component of the GCN5 histone
      acetyltransferase-containing coactivator complex (GCN5-SAGA complex). It remains
      unclear whether p38IP or GCN5-SAGA is involved in cell cycle regulation. Using
      RNA interference to knock down p38IP, we observed that cells were arrested at the
      G2/M phase, exhibiting accumulation of cyclins, shrunken spindles, and
      hypoacetylation of alpha-tubulin. Further analysis revealed that knockdown of
      p38IP led to proteasome-dependent degradation of GCN5. GCN5 associated with and
      acetylated alpha-tubulin, and recovering GCN5 protein levels in p38IP knockdown
      cells by ectopic expression of GCN5 efficiently reversed alpha-tubulin
      hypoacetylation and G2/M arrest. During the G2/M transition, the association of
      alpha-tubulin with GCN5 increased, and the acetylation of alpha-tubulin reached a
      peak. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that the interaction between p38IP and
      GCN5 depended on the p38IP N terminus (1-381 amino acids) and GCN5 histone
      acetyltransferase domain and bromodomain. The p38IP N terminus could effectively
      reverse p38IP depletion-induced GCN5 degradation, thus recovering alpha-tubulin
      acetylation and G2/M progression. p38IP-mediated suppression of GCN5
      ubiquitination most likely occurs via nuclear sequestration of GCN5. Our data
      indicate that the GCN5-SAGA complex is required for G2/M progression, mainly
      because p38IP promotes the acetylation of alpha-tubulin by preventing the
      degradation of GCN5, in turn facilitating the formation of the mitotic spindle. 

PMID- 24220029
TI  - Sphingomyelin depletion impairs anionic phospholipid inward translocation and
      induces cholesterol efflux.
AB  - The phosphatidylserine (PS) floppase activity (outward translocation) of ABCA1
      leads to plasma membrane remodeling that plays a role in lipid efflux to
      apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI) generating nascent high density lipoprotein. The
      Tangier disease W590S ABCA1 mutation has defective PS floppase activity and
      diminished cholesterol efflux activity. Here, we report that depletion of
      sphingomyelin by inhibitors or sphingomyelinase caused plasma membrane
      remodeling, leading to defective flip (inward translocation) of PS, higher PS
      exposure, and higher cholesterol efflux from cells by both ABCA1-dependent and
      ABCA1-independent mechanisms. Mechanistically, sphingomyelin was connected to PS
      translocation in cell-free liposome studies that showed that sphingomyelin
      increased the rate of spontaneous PS flipping. Depletion of sphingomyelin in
      stably transfected HEK293 cells expressing the Tangier disease W590S mutant ABCA1
      isoform rescued the defect in PS exposure and restored cholesterol efflux to
      apoAI. Liposome studies showed that PS directly increased cholesterol
      accessibility to extraction by cyclodextrin, providing the mechanistic link
      between cell surface PS and cholesterol efflux. We conclude that altered plasma
      membrane environment conferred by depleting sphingomyelin impairs PS flip and
      promotes cholesterol efflux in ABCA1-dependent and -independent manners. 

PMID- 24220030
TI  - Mutation for nonsyndromic mental retardation in the trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase
      TER gene involved in fatty acid elongation impairs the enzyme activity and
      stability, leading to change in sphingolipid profile.
AB  - Very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs, chain length >C20) exist in tissues
      throughout the body and are synthesized by repetition of the fatty acid (FA)
      elongation cycle composed of four successive enzymatic reactions. In mammals, the
      TER gene is the only gene encoding trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase, which catalyzes
      the fourth reaction in the FA elongation cycle. The TER P182L mutation is the
      pathogenic mutation for nonsyndromic mental retardation. This mutation
      substitutes a leucine for a proline residue at amino acid 182 in the TER enzyme.
      Currently, the mechanism by which the TER P182L mutation causes nonsyndromic
      mental retardation is unknown. To understand the effect of this mutation on the
      TER enzyme and VLCFA synthesis, we have biochemically characterized the TER P182L
      mutant enzyme using yeast and mammalian cells transfected with the TER P182L
      mutant gene and analyzed the FA elongation cycle in the B-lymphoblastoid cell
      line with the homozygous TER P182L mutation (TER(P182L/P182L) B-lymphoblastoid
      cell line). We have found that TER P182L mutant enzyme exhibits reduced trans-2
      enoyl-CoA reductase activity and protein stability, thereby impairing VLCFA
      synthesis and, in turn, altering the sphingolipid profile (i.e. decreased level
      of C24 sphingomyelin and C24 ceramide) in the TER(P182L/P182L) B-lymphoblastoid
      cell line. We have also found that in addition to the TER enzyme-catalyzed fourth
      reaction, the third reaction in the FA elongation cycle is affected by the TER
      P182L mutation. These findings provide new insight into the biochemical defects
      associated with this genetic mutation. 

PMID- 24220032
TI  - Mutant p53 regulates Dicer through p63-dependent and -independent mechanisms to
      promote an invasive phenotype.
AB  - The control and processing of microRNAs (miRs) is critical in the regulation of
      all cellular responses. Previous studies have suggested that a reduction in the
      expression of certain miRs, or an overall decrease in miR processing through the
      partial depletion of Dicer, can promote enhanced metastatic potential. We show
      here that Dicer depletion can promote the invasive behavior of cells that is
      reflected in enhanced recycling and activation of the growth factor receptors Met
      and EGF receptor. These responses are also seen in response to the expression of
      tumor-derived mutant p53s, and we show that mutant p53 can down-regulate Dicer
      expression through both direct inhibition of the TAp63-mediated transcriptional
      activation of Dicer and a TAp63-independent control of Dicer protein expression.
      Our results delineate a clear relationship between mutant p53, TAp63, and Dicer
      that might contribute to the metastatic function of mutant p53 but,
      interestingly, also reveal TAp63-independent functions of mutant p53 in
      controlling Dicer activity. 

PMID- 24220031
TI  - Mitochondrial alterations and oxidative stress in an acute transient mouse model
      of muscle degeneration: implications for muscular dystrophy and related muscle
      pathologies.
AB  - Muscular dystrophies (MDs) and inflammatory myopathies (IMs) are debilitating
      skeletal muscle disorders characterized by common pathological events including
      myodegeneration and inflammation. However, an experimental model representing
      both muscle pathologies and displaying most of the distinctive markers has not
      been characterized. We investigated the cardiotoxin (CTX)-mediated transient
      acute mouse model of muscle degeneration and compared the cardinal features with
      human MDs and IMs. The CTX model displayed degeneration, apoptosis, inflammation,
      loss of sarcolemmal complexes, sarcolemmal disruption, and ultrastructural
      changes characteristic of human MDs and IMs. Cell death caused by CTX involved
      calcium influx and mitochondrial damage both in murine C2C12 muscle cells and in
      mice. Mitochondrial proteomic analysis at the initial phase of degeneration in
      the model detected lowered expression of 80 mitochondrial proteins including
      subunits of respiratory complexes, ATP machinery, fatty acid metabolism, and
      Krebs cycle, which further decreased in expression during the peak degenerative
      phase. The mass spectrometry (MS) data were supported by enzyme assays, Western
      blot, and histochemistry. The CTX model also displayed markers of oxidative
      stress and a lowered glutathione reduced/oxidized ratio (GSH/GSSG) similar to
      MDs, human myopathies, and neurogenic atrophies. MS analysis identified 6 unique
      oxidized proteins from Duchenne muscular dystrophy samples (n = 6) (versus
      controls; n = 6), including two mitochondrial proteins. Interestingly, these
      mitochondrial proteins were down-regulated in the CTX model thereby linking
      oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. We conclude that mitochondrial
      alterations and oxidative damage significantly contribute to CTX-mediated muscle
      pathology with implications for human muscle diseases. 

PMID- 24220033
TI  - Structural model for covalent adhesion of the Streptococcus pyogenes pilus
      through a thioester bond.
AB  - The human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes produces pili that are essential for
      adhesion to host surface receptors. Cpa, the adhesin at the pilus tip, was
      recently shown to have a thioester-containing domain. The thioester bond is
      believed to be important in adhesion, implying a mechanism of covalent attachment
      analogous to that used by human complement factors. Here, we have characterized a
      second active thioester-containing domain on Cpa, the N-terminal domain of Cpa
      (CpaN). Expression of CpaN in Escherichia coli gave covalently linked dimers.
      These were shown by x-ray crystallography and mass spectrometry to comprise two
      CpaN molecules cross-linked by the polyamine spermidine following reaction with
      the thioester bonds. This cross-linked CpaN dimer provides a model for the
      covalent attachment of Cpa to target receptors and thus the streptococcal pilus
      to host cells. Similar thioester domains were identified in cell wall proteins of
      other Gram-positive pathogens, suggesting that thioester domains are more widely
      used and provide a mechanism of adhesion by covalent bonding to target molecules
      on host cells that mimics that used by the human complement system to eliminate
      pathogens. 

PMID- 24220034
TI  - Nitric oxide activation of guanylate cyclase pushes the alpha1 signaling helix
      and the beta1 heme-binding domain closer to the substrate-binding site.
AB  - The complete structure of the assembled domains of nitric oxide-sensitive
      guanylate cyclase (NOsGC) remains to be determined. It is also unknown how
      binding of NO to heme in guanylate cyclase is communicated to the catalytic
      domain. In the current study the conformational change of guanylate cyclase on
      activation by NO was studied using FRET. Endogenous tryptophan residues were used
      as donors, the substrate analog 2'-Mant-3'-dGTP as acceptor. The enzyme contains
      five tryptophan residues distributed evenly over all four functional domains.
      This provides a unique opportunity to detect the movement of the functional
      domains relative to the substrate-binding catalytic region. FRET measurements
      indicate that NO brings tryptophan 22 in the alphaB helix of the beta1 heme NO
      binding domain and tryptophan 466 in the second short helix of the alpha1 coiled
      coil domain closer to the catalytic domain. We propose that the respective
      domains act as a pair of tongs forcing the catalytic domain into the nitric oxide
      activated conformation. 

PMID- 24220036
TI  - Philosophy and practice of advance care planning in Scotland.

PMID- 24220035
TI  - Biosynthesis and expression of a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase domain
      with thrombospondin-1 repeats-15: a novel versican-cleaving proteoglycanase.
AB  - The proteoglycanase clade of the ADAMTS superfamily shows preferred proteolytic
      activity toward the hyalectan/lectican proteoglycans as follows: aggrecan,
      brevican, neurocan, and versican. ADAMTS15, a member of this clade, was recently
      identified as a putative tumor suppressor gene in colorectal and breast cancer.
      However, its biosynthesis, substrate specificity, and tissue expression are
      poorly described. Therefore, we undertook a detailed study of this proteinase and
      its expression. We report propeptide processing of the ADAMTS15 zymogen by furin
      activity, identifying RAKR(212)? as a major furin cleavage site within the
      prodomain. ADAMTS15 was localized on the cell surface, activated extracellularly,
      and required propeptide processing before cleaving V1 versican at position
      (441)E?A(442). In the mouse embryo, Adamts15 was expressed in the developing
      heart at E10.5 and E11.5 days post-coitum and in the musculoskeletal system from
      E13.5 to E15.5 days post-coitum, where it was co-localized with hyaluronan.
      Adamts15 was also highly expressed in several structures within the adult mouse
      colon. Our findings show overlapping sites of Adamts15 expression with other
      members of ADAMTS proteoglycanases during embryonic development, suggesting
      possible cooperative roles during embryogenesis, consistent with other ADAMTS
      proteoglycanase combinatorial knock-out mouse models. Collectively, these data
      suggest a role for ADAMTS15 in a wide range of biological processes that are
      potentially mediated through the processing of versican. 

PMID- 24220037
TI  - Formation of octapod MnO nanoparticles with enhanced magnetic properties through
      kinetically-controlled thermal decomposition of polynuclear manganese complexes.
AB  - Polynuclear manganese complexes are used as precursors for the synthesis of
      manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO NPs). Altering the thermal decomposition
      conditions can shift the nanoparticle product from spherical, thermodynamically
      driven NPs to unusual, kinetically-controlled octapod structures. The resulting
      increased surface area profoundly alters the NP's surface-dependent magnetism and
      may have applications in nanomedicine. 

PMID- 24220038
TI  - White matter microstructure changes induced by motor skill learning utilizing a
      body machine interface.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to identify white matter microstructure changes
      following bilateral upper extremity motor skill training to increase our
      understanding of learning-induced structural plasticity and enhance clinical
      strategies in physical rehabilitation. Eleven healthy subjects performed two
      visuo-spatial motor training tasks over 9 sessions (2-3 sessions per week).
      Subjects controlled a cursor with bilateral simultaneous movements of the
      shoulders and upper arms using a body machine interface. Before the start and
      within 2days of the completion of training, whole brain diffusion tensor MR
      imaging data were acquired. Motor training increased fractional anisotropy (FA)
      values in the posterior and anterior limbs of the internal capsule, the corona
      radiata, and the body of the corpus callosum by 4.19% on average indicating white
      matter microstructure changes induced by activity-dependent modulation of axon
      number, axon diameter, or myelin thickness. These changes may underlie the
      functional reorganization associated with motor skill learning.

PMID- 24220039
TI  - Early attentional processes distinguish selective from global motor inhibitory
      control: an electrical neuroimaging study.
AB  - The rapid stopping of specific parts of movements is frequently required in daily
      life. Yet, whether selective inhibitory control of movements is mediated by a
      specific neural pathway or by the combination between a global stopping of all
      ongoing motor activity followed by the re-initiation of task-relevant movements
      remains unclear. To address this question, we applied time-wise statistical
      analyses of the topography, global field power and electrical sources of the
      event-related potentials to the global vs selective inhibition stimuli presented
      during a Go/NoGo task. Participants (n=18) had to respond as fast as possible
      with their two hands to Go stimuli and to withhold the response from the two
      hands (global inhibition condition, GNG) or from only one hand (selective
      inhibition condition, SNG) when specific NoGo stimuli were presented.
      Behaviorally, we replicated previous evidence for slower response times in the
      SNG than in the Go condition. Electrophysiologically, there were two distinct
      phases of event-related potentials modulations between the GNG and the SNG
      conditions. At 110-150 ms post-stimulus onset, there was a difference in the
      strength of the electric field without concomitant topographic modulation,
      indicating the differential engagement of statistically indistinguishable
      configurations of neural generators for selective and global inhibitory control.
      At 150-200 ms, there was topographic modulation, indicating the engagement of
      distinct brain networks. Source estimations localized these effects within
      bilateral temporo-parieto-occipital and within parieto-central networks,
      respectively. Our results suggest that while both types of motor inhibitory
      control depend on global stopping mechanisms, selective and global inhibition
      still differ quantitatively at early attention-related processing phases.

PMID- 24220040
TI  - Detection of optical neuronal signals in the visual cortex using continuous wave
      near-infrared spectroscopy.
AB  - Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measures slow hemodynamic signals noninvasively
      to indirectly infer the neuronal activity in the brain. However, it remains a
      controversy on whether this optical measurement technique can detect the optical
      neuronal signal, which reflects the optical changes directly associated with
      neuronal activity, within the visual cortex of human and non-human primates. By
      carefully reviewing the important factors in the detection of optical neuronal
      signals, we aim to investigate the feasibility of performing NIRS measurements of
      optical neuronal signals within the visual cortex in humans. To ensure a strong
      optical neuronal response, a full-field circular black and white reversing
      checkerboard stimulus was presented, and the reversal frequency was carefully
      chosen. We used a homemade continuous wave (CW) NIRS system with high detection
      sensitivity (of the order of 0.1 pW) to record a large area of the visual cortex
      (approximately 6 * 14 cm(2)). EEG was simultaneously acquired with the optical
      signal. Based on the mathematical morphology, we adapted the filter proposed by
      Gratton et al. to remove the influence of arterial pulsation and facilitate the
      detection and elimination of unknown artifacts from the data. We obtained
      reliable optical neuronal signals in 77% of the participants (10 out of 13). The
      amplitudes (latencies) of the obtained optical neuronal signals corresponding to
      the 785 and 850 nm wavelengths were 0.017 +/- 0.003% (94.7 +/- 8.4 ms) and 0.025
      +/- 0.006% (99.0 +/- 7.7 ms), respectively. There were no significant differences
      between the latencies of the N75 component of the visual evoked potential (VEP)
      and optical neuronal signals at either wavelength. This is the first study to
      report optical neuronal signals within the visual cortex in the intact human
      brain using a CW NIRS system. These results indicate the feasibility of measuring
      noninvasive optical neuronal signals using a CW NIRS system with high detection
      sensitivity.

PMID- 24220042
TI  - Geometric and architectural contributions to hamstring musculotendinous
      stiffness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Greater hamstring musculotendinous stiffness is associated with
      lesser anterior cruciate ligament loading mechanisms during both controlled joint
      perturbations and dynamic tasks, suggesting a potential protective mechanism.
      Additionally, lesser hamstring stiffness has been reported in females,
      potentially contributing to their greater risk of anterior cruciate ligament
      injury. However, the factors which contribute to high vs. low stiffness are
      unclear. Muscle geometry and architecture influence force production and may,
      therefore, influence stiffness. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate
      the contributions of geometric and architectural muscle characteristics to
      hamstring stiffness. METHODS: Thirty healthy individuals (15 males, 15 females)
      volunteered for participation. Biceps femoris long head cross-sectional area,
      pennation angle, fiber length, tendon stiffness, and posterior thigh fat
      thickness were assessed via ultrasound imaging, and strength was measured via
      isometric contraction. Stiffness was assessed via the damped oscillatory
      technique. FINDINGS: Following normalization to anthropometric factors, only
      strength (r=0.535) and posterior thigh fat thickness (Spearman rho=-0.305) were
      correlated with stiffness. Normalized tendon stiffness (0.06 vs. 0.10N/m.kg(-1))
      and strength (7.1 vs. 10.0N.kg(-1)) were greater in males, while posterior thigh
      fat thickness (10.4 vs. 5.0mm) was greater in females. INTERPRETATION: Greater
      posterior thigh fat thickness may influence stiffness by contributing to greater
      intramuscular fat and shank segment mass, and lesser muscle per unit mass in the
      thigh segment. These findings suggest that training designed to increase
      hamstring strength and decrease fat mass may be beneficial for anterior cruciate
      ligament injury prevention.

PMID- 24220041
TI  - Neural network of cognitive emotion regulation--an ALE meta-analysis and MACM
      analysis.
AB  - Cognitive regulation of emotions is a fundamental prerequisite for intact social
      functioning which impacts on both well being and psychopathology. The neural
      underpinnings of this process have been studied intensively in recent years,
      without, however, a general consensus. We here quantitatively summarize the
      published literature on cognitive emotion regulation using activation likelihood
      estimation in fMRI and PET (23 studies/479 subjects). In addition, we assessed
      the particular functional contribution of identified regions and their
      interactions using quantitative functional inference and meta-analytic
      connectivity modeling, respectively. In doing so, we developed a model for the
      core brain network involved in emotion regulation of emotional reactivity.
      According to this, the superior temporal gyrus, angular gyrus and (pre)
      supplementary motor area should be involved in execution of regulation initiated
      by frontal areas. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may be related to regulation
      of cognitive processes such as attention, while the ventrolateral prefrontal
      cortex may not necessarily reflect the regulatory process per se, but signals
      salience and therefore the need to regulate. We also identified a cluster in the
      anterior middle cingulate cortex as a region, which is anatomically and
      functionally in an ideal position to influence behavior and subcortical
      structures related to affect generation. Hence this area may play a central,
      integrative role in emotion regulation. By focusing on regions commonly active
      across multiple studies, this proposed model should provide important a priori
      information for the assessment of dysregulated emotion regulation in psychiatric
      disorders. 

PMID- 24220043
TI  - Social media and nutrition education: the food hero experience.
AB  - Social media can be a quick, low-cost, direct way for nutrition educators to
      broaden the scope of their targeted programs. The authors' viewpoint is that for
      social media to be effective, strategies for its use should follow "best
      practices" guidelines. This viewpoint suggests social media best practices based
      on experience gained from the Food Hero social marketing campaign. Understanding
      of how nutrition educators can take advantage of social media as a new mechanism
      for reaching their target audience is needed, including best practices for
      implementation, management, and evaluation. 

PMID- 24220044
TI  - Training in methods of preventing childhood obesity increases self-efficacy in
      nurses in child health services: a randomized, controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of training in methods of preventing childhood
      obesity on self-efficacy (SE) in nurses. METHODS: In a randomized, controlled
      trial conducted in child health services in Sweden, nurses in the intervention
      and control groups of the PRIMROSE prevention trial of childhood obesity were
      offered a 5-day workshop on dietary and physical activity interventions, and
      motivational interviewing. Self-efficacy for influencing parents to promote
      healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors in their children was measured
      using an 18-item instrument. Difference in SE between groups at post-assessment
      was analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Compared to
      control nurses (n = 38), intervention nurses (n = 22) demonstrated higher SE
      (beta = 14.70, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Training in methods of
      preventing childhood obesity increased SE in nurses. Self-efficacy should be
      included as a construct in evaluations of clinical training.

PMID- 24220046
TI  - Vascularized composite allotransplantation.

PMID- 24220045
TI  - Parent perspectives on nutrition and physical activity during out-of-school time.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Out-of-school time (OST) programs serve a large, diverse population of
      children, including those at increased obesity risk. In this study, parents'
      perspectives about nutrition and physical activity (PA) during OST were assessed.
      DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: Online. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred parents with a school
      aged child participating in programs from selected OST organizations. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Parent perspectives about the importance and availability of
      different foods, beverages, and PA opportunities during OST, and OST program and
      parent involvement in promoting healthful environments. ANALYSIS: Frequencies
      were used to describe parents' perspectives. Wilcoxon tests and logistic
      regression analyses were conducted to test for significant differences. RESULTS:
      Most parents reported that it was important that their children have water
      (96.2%), fresh fruits and vegetables (79.0%), and PA (97.2%) during OST; fewer
      parents reported that these were regularly available. About two thirds of parents
      agreed that OST programs should promote healthy environments for children,
      whereas one third agreed that parents alone should be responsible for children's
      nutrition and PA. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that many parents
      would support efforts to improve OST nutrition and PA. Yet, there is a need to
      further understand the perceptions and motivations of different subgroups to
      enact successful obesity prevention efforts during OST.

PMID- 24220047
TI  - Monitoring and long-term outcomes in vascularized composite allotransplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The field of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA)
      is young, with less than 150 transplants worldwide. However, we now possess as
      much as 14 years of clinical follow-up. There are similarities and distinct
      differences between solid-organ transplantation (SOT) and VCA. This review will
      summarize how VCA recipients are monitored, outcomes observed, and what aspects
      are unique to VCA. RECENT FINDINGS: Of about 90 documented cases, 10% of VCA
      recipients are out more than 10 years and 14% are out 5 or more years. There have
      been both graft losses and patient mortality. In most cases, these losses have
      been acute, most within the first year, and all within 3 years. Unlike SOT, VCA
      grafts function well during severe rejection. Chronic rejection-like sequelae are
      less frequent than in SOT, but do appear. Immunosuppression ranges from standard
      protocols to novel trials aimed at immunosuppression minimization. Patient
      selection greatly affects the outcome. Graft loss after year 1 is associated with
      compliance issues. SUMMARY: Functional outcomes have exceeded expectations. VCA
      recipients enjoy a quality of life not achievable with conventional
      reconstruction. Outstanding long-term results of more than a decade have been
      achieved. Monitoring of VCA patients will require new strategies to incorporate
      external visualization and effects of environment on rejection. Graft loss has
      occurred early, suggesting we focus improvement on this time period. More follow
      up is needed to determine the rates and targets of chronic rejection, and the
      characteristics of VCA unique to face vs. hand transplantation.

PMID- 24220048
TI  - Update on infections in composite tissue allotransplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Several excellent recent reviews have summarized the
      infectious complications of all composite tissue allograft recipients previously
      reported. The current review will highlight key management principles derived
      from these reports. RECENT FINDINGS: Severe Gram-negative infections may occur in
      the early posttransplant period, particularly Pseudomonas spp. Cytomegalovirus
      continues to be a major pathogen and is closely linked to allograft rejection;
      however, some patients have had uncomplicated cytomegalovirus (CMV) episodes.
      Candida has emerged as a cause of early infections, but the incidence of invasive
      mold infections has been low. More descriptions of infection risk in the late
      posttransplant period will be helpful, as more composite tissue
      allotransplantation recipients survive longer. Newer immunosuppressive regimens
      may reduce infection risks, but more information will be helpful. SUMMARY: Recent
      reports have provided expanded information on infections in composite tissue
      allograft recipients. Centers may choose to broaden the Gram-negative
      prophylaxis, and to include antifungal prophylaxis directed at Candida spp. CMV
      prevention protocols should take into account recent reports of CMV outcomes.
      Future reports should contain infection outcomes in sufficient detail to allow
      for constructive modifications of antimicrobial management in an era of novel
      immunosuppression and increasing antimicrobial resistance.

PMID- 24220049
TI  - Donor and procurement related issues in vascularized composite allograft
      transplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To understand the unique requirements of vascularized
      composite allograft (VCA) donation and procurement practices and the integral
      role of the established nationwide organ procurement organizations in organ
      procurement. RECENT FINDINGS: The recent issuance of a Final Rule (July 2013) by
      the United States Secretary of Health that redefines VCAs as organs rather than
      tissues, opens up the potential to formalize policies and procedures, under the
      auspices of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, that can improve
      VCA donation, procurement practices, develop allocation algorithms and provide
      transparent oversight. SUMMARY: Improved VCA donation rates, procurement
      procedures and broader sharing nationwide of VCA donors will have important
      implications in advancing the emerging field of VCA transplantation.

PMID- 24220051
TI  - Clinical translation of autologous Schwann cell transplantation for the treatment
      of spinal cord injury.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the current status of testing Schwann cell
      transplantation as a therapy for human spinal cord injury (SCI). RECENT FINDINGS:
      Transplanted Schwann cells have reparative effects in the damaged spinal cord. A
      few clinical studies have reported that Schwann cell transplantation appears
      safe. Compared with allogeneic cell transplants, autologous cells do not require
      immune suppression, but the workload of cell manufacturing is greater.
      Preclinical Schwann cell transplant studies conducted at the University of Miami
      in 2009-2012 supported an investigational new drug approved by the Food and Drug
      Administration. A Phase 1 safety study has been initiated. SUMMARY: Spinal cord
      repair after severe SCI requires that axonal regeneration and myelination occur
      in a context of reduced inhibition, enhanced plasticity, and new circuit
      formation. Evolving clinical experience with Schwann cell transplantation may
      provide a basis upon which additionally combined therapeutics can be tested to
      increase the extent of repair after SCI. Safety is the primary consideration when
      ex-vivo manipulated cells are introduced into the damaged nervous system.
      Preclinical studies across several species have not indicated safety concerns
      regarding Schwann cells. Initial clinical reports from studies in Iran and China
      are suggestive of clinical safety, although more rigorous characterization of the
      implanted cells is needed.

PMID- 24220052
TI  - Liver natural killer cell inoculum for liver transplantation with hepatocellular
      carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune lymphocytes. NK
      cells contribute to host antimicrobial and antitumor immunity. Liver
      transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased
      recently. The possibility of NK cell immunotherapy for liver cancer has been
      studied. RECENT FINDINGS: Adoptive transfer of interleukin-2 (IL-2)-stimulated NK
      cells extracted from donor liver perfusate could increase an antitumor response
      without causing toxicity against 1-haplotype identical recipient intact tissues
      in patients with live donor liver transplant. Donor liver NK cells showed the
      most vigorous cytotoxicity against an HCC after in-vitro IL-2 stimulation,
      compared with donor and recipient peripheral blood NK cells and recipient liver
      NK cells. IL-2 stimulation led to an increased expression of tumor necrosis
      factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) on liver NK cells. T-cell
      contamination and risk of graft-versus-host disease can be minimized with a T
      cell depleting agent such as anti-CD3 antibody. SUMMARY: Allogeneic NK cells
      might have an advantage for adoptive immunotherapy. Liver NK cells from a
      deceased donor liver can be used safely as adoptive immunotherapy under current
      good manufacturing practice conditions for the treatment of liver transplantation
      with HCC. IL-2-stimulated liver NK cells have strong cytotoxicity, express TRAIL
      and secret interferon-gamma.

PMID- 24220050
TI  - Mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells to improve solid organ transplant outcome:
      lessons from the initial clinical trials.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Discuss the recent progress on the clinical use of mesenchymal
      stromal (stem) cells (MSC) in solid organ transplantation (SOT). RECENT FINDINGS:
      Tissue repair and immunomodulatory properties have been recognized for MSC
      obtained from different human tissues. MSC-based therapy has been proposed to
      reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury and to promote immune tolerance. The results
      of recent clinical trial support the safety and promising effects of autologous
      and allogeneic MSC in SOT. Collectively, the use of MSC in recipients of living
      donor kidney transplantation was associated with improved graft function, reduced
      rejection, ability to omit induction and/or lower maintenance immunosuppression
      regimen, as well as to treat rejection episodes. SUMMARY: We are living in very
      exciting times with the implementation of novel clinical trials aimed at
      establishing safety, feasibility and efficacy of cellular therapies including MSC
      to improve SOT outcomes. The results of the initial clinical trials support the
      safety of MSC-based therapy and justifying cautious optimism for the immediate
      future.

PMID- 24220054
TI  - 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography and risk stratification after
      neoadjuvant treatment in esophageal cancer patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of F
      fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (CT) after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT)
      in locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      recruited 79 EC patients from a sample of 210 who underwent F-fluorodeoxyglucose
      PET/CT after NAT and who did not have evidence or suspicion of distant
      metastases. All patients were followed up for a median period of 18 months
      (range: 2-53 months) from nuclear imaging. PET/CT findings were correlated with
      surgical management and long-term prognosis. The chi-test was used for
      categorical variables and the Student t-test for continuous data. Survival curves
      were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method. A P value less than 0.05 was
      considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty patients (25.3%) had
      negative PET/CT and 59 (74.7%) had positive PET/CT results after NAT. Of the 20
      patients with negative PET/CT results, eight underwent radical-intent surgery and
      12 did not, whereas of the 59 patients with positive PET/CT 44 were scheduled for
      surgery and 15 were not (P<0.05). On follow-up, 38 patients were seen to be
      disease free, whereas 23 had relapsed and 15 had died. The overall survival was
      different between patients with negative PET/CT and those with positive PET/CT
      scans (98 vs. 40%; P=0.019). Event-free survival was higher in patients with
      negative PET/CT than in those with positive PET/CT after NAT (78 vs. 0%;
      P=0.003). Considering patients with positive PET/CT, in the nonsurgical group
      only three patients were alive without evidence of disease, whereas in the
      surgical group 19 patients were disease free (20 vs. 46%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION:
      PET/CT is able to stratify the recurrence risk of EC patients. After a median
      follow-up period of 18 months, 91% of patients with negative PET/CT scans who did
      not undergo surgery were seen to be disease free. A positive PET/CT after NAT
      should be followed by surgery for improving event-free survival.

PMID- 24220055
TI  - Comparison between anatomical cross-sectional imaging and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the
      staging, restaging, treatment response, and long-term surveillance of squamous
      cell head and neck cancer: a systematic literature overview.
AB  - The outcome of head and neck squamous cell cancer depends primarily on its prompt
      diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, in many cases ominous prognostic factors
      such as lymph node metastases or osteomandibular extension are present at the
      time of diagnosis. We review the relative efficacy of contrast-enhanced computed
      tomography (ceCT), MRI, and F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/computed tomography
      (CT) in the early detection of head and neck squamous cell cancer, as well as its
      impact on treatment management and outcomes. Medline and Web of Knowledge
      databases, from 2000 to January 2013, were evaluated. Ninety-seven reports were
      selected, but only 11 studies comparing PET or PET/CT with CT and 11 comparing
      PET or PET/CT with MRI were found appropriate for analysis. ceCT and MRI continue
      to be the reference imaging modalities for the study of primary tumors,
      especially in the evaluation of the extension of disease and its relationship
      with nearby anatomical structures. There is increasing evidence that F-FDG
      PET/ceCT can provide accurate anatomical details similar to ceCT alone, as well
      as accurate information on osteomandibular tumor invasion similar to MRI. The
      major advantage of PET/CT over other imaging methods is its ability to detect
      relatively small lymph node metastases located in difficult-to-interpret
      positions. PET/CT is also highly sensitive for the detection of distant
      metastases and in assessing the response to chemotherapy or chemoradiation
      treatment and in predicting outcome. ceCT and MRI are the gold standards for
      evaluating primary and osteomandibular tumoral infiltration. F-FDG PET/CT plays a
      major role in the detection of lymph node and distant metastases, in assessing
      the response to neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy, and
      in predicting outcome. 

PMID- 24220056
TI  - Occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic literature
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Occupational-attributable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      presents a substantial health challenge. Focusing on spirometric criteria for
      airflow obstruction, this review of occupational COPD includes both population
      wide and industry-specific exposures. METHODS: We used PubMed and Embase to
      identify relevant original epidemiological peer-reviewed articles, supplemented
      with citations identified from references in key review articles. This yielded
      4528 citations. Articles were excluded for lack of lung function measurement,
      insufficient occupational exposure classification, lack of either external or
      internal referents, non-accounting of age or smoking effect, or major analytic
      inadequacies preventing interpretation of findings. A structured data extraction
      sheet was used for the remaining 147 articles. Final inclusion was based on a
      positive qualitative Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) score
      (>=2+) for study quality, yielding 25 population-wide and 34 industry/occupation
      specific studies, 15 on inorganic and 19 on organic dust exposure, respectively.
      RESULTS: There was a consistent and predominantly significant association between
      occupational exposures and COPD in 22 of 25 population-based studies, 12 of 15
      studies with an inorganic/mineral dust exposure, and 17 of 19 studies on organic
      exposure, even though the studies varied in design, populations, and the use of
      measures of exposure and outcome. A nearly uniform pattern of a dose-response
      relationship between various exposures and COPD was found, adding to the evidence
      that occupational exposures from vapors, gas, dust, and fumes are risk factors
      for COPD. CONCLUSION: There is strong and consistent evidence to support a causal
      association between multiple categories of occupational exposure and COPD, both
      within and across industry groups.

PMID- 24220057
TI  - Intraluminal thrombus thickness is not related to lower concentrations of trace
      elements in the wall of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intraluminal thrombus (ILT) formation plays a significant role in the
      progression of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Potentially, as ILT
      thickness increases the availability of trace elements in the aneurysm wall could
      decrease thereby leading to oxidative stress and intensifying pro-inflammatory
      cytokine generation. AIM: To determine if thrombus thickness is related to the
      concentration of trace elements in the wall of infrarenal AAA. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: The concentrations of trace elements in the wall of the aneurysm sack
      and ILT obtained from 19 consecutive patients during surgery for infrarenal AAA
      were determined using emission spectrometry. RESULTS: The concentrations of
      magnesium, zinc, manganese, and lead in the wall of AAA were significantly
      greater than in the ILT. Only the concentration of copper was lower in the AAA
      wall compared with the thrombus. The concentration of calcium, phosphorus, zinc,
      lead, copper, and magnesium increased with ILT thickness. The concentrations of
      no other trace elements in the wall of AAA were found to be related to the ILT
      thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Intraluminal thrombus thickness is not associated with a
      lower concentration of trace elements in the wall of the infrarenal AAA. Thus,
      the intraluminal thrombus participates in the progression of AAA by mechanisms
      independent of trace element supply to the wall of the aneurysm sack.

PMID- 24220058
TI  - [Violent injuries: a oppressive feeling expressed in numbers].

PMID- 24220059
TI  - [Primary hyperparathyroidism].

PMID- 24220061
TI  - [Violence-related injuries in an urban environment-view from an accident and
      emergency department].
AB  - Violence is a growing problem worldwide. In Switzerland, interpersonal violence
      seems to be an increasing problem as well. The aim of the current study was to
      describe a comprehensive picture of violence in a swiss city with regard to
      medical and social aspects. A total of 1740 patients injured by violent crimes
      between April 2004 and January 2011 were enrolled into this study. Most of them
      were male. There were no relevant changes regarding the number of within the
      observation period. However, the proportion of affected females increased.
      Especially at the weekend, there is a need for preventive measures to reduce the
      high number of affected patients and the associated costs. 

PMID- 24220062
TI  - [The educational website Dermaguard to prevent the incidence of skin cancer after
      transplantation].
AB  - Solid organ transplant recipients are highly susceptible to skin cancer. The
      major driving factors are immunosuppressive medication and ultraviolet light.
      Appropriate sun protection markedly reduces the development of skin cancer. Skin
      cancer recognized at an early stage can reliably be cured, and fatal outcomes can
      be prevented. The aim of this work is to educate organ transplant recipients and
      health care professionals involved in their care, to increase awareness of skin
      cancer in this high-risk population and thus to optimize the long-term outcome of
      patients with skin cancer. Our newly developed website provides free access to
      various educational materials, including leaflets, presentations and interactive
      elements using edutainment. 

PMID- 24220063
TI  - [Crooked legs- just an aesthetic problem].
AB  - Because the lower extremities are weight bearing, malalignment plays a key role
      in the development of degenerative disease of the joints. This is particularly
      true as degenerative arthropathy is of mechanical and not inflammatory cause.
      Deviation of the axis has been shown to alter the load and force distribution in
      the joint and thereby causing excessive wear. Whether or not a deformity is
      clinically relevant or not depends on the symptoms, the amount of the deformity
      and the location of the deformity. Relevant deformities can be treated with
      orthotics or corrective osteotomies in early stages. In late stages fusions or
      joint replacement is the mainstay of treatment. 

PMID- 24220065
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 24220066
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 24220068
TI  - [CME dermatology 3. Chronic anorectal pain. Lymphogranuloma venereum].

PMID- 24220073
TI  - Drug targets for lymphatic filariasis: a bioinformatics approach.
AB  - This review article discusses the current scenario of the national and
      international burden due to lymphatic filariasis (LF) and describes the active
      elimination programmes for LF and their achievements to eradicate this most
      debilitating disease from the earth. Since, bioinformatics is a rapidly growing
      field of biological study, and it has an increasingly significant role in various
      fields of biology. We have reviewed its leading involvement in the filarial
      research using different approaches of bioinformatics and have summarized
      available existing drugs and their targets to re-examine and to keep away from
      the resisting conditions. Moreover, some of the novel drug targets have been
      assembled for further study to design fresh and better pharmacological
      therapeutics. Various bioinformatics-based web resources, and databases have been
      discussed, which may enrich the filarial research. 

PMID- 24220074
TI  - Dispersal of Aedes aegypti: field study in temperate areas using a novel method.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Since Aedes aegypti was identified as vector of yellow
      fever and dengue, its dispersal is relevant for disease control. We studied the
      dispersal of Ae. aegypti in temperate areas of Argentina during egglaying, using
      the existing population and egg traps. METHODS: Two independent replicas of a
      unique experimental design involving mosquitoes dispersing from an urbanized area
      to adjacent non-urbanized locations were carried out and analyzed in statistical
      terms. RESULTS: We found relationship between stochastic variables related to the
      egg-laying mosquito activity (ELMA), useful to assess dispersal probabilities,
      despite the lack of knowledge of the total number of ovipositions in the zone. We
      propose to evaluate the egg-laying activity as minus the logarithm of the
      fraction of negative ovitraps at different distances from the buildings.
      INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Three zones with different oviposition activity were
      determined, a corridor surrounding the urbanization, a second region between 10
      and 25 m and the third region extending from 30 to 45 m from the urbanization.
      The landscape (plant cover) and the human activity in the area appear to have an
      influence in the dispersal of Ae. aegypti. The proposed method worked
      consistently in two different replicas.

PMID- 24220075
TI  - Larvicidal activity and GC-MS analysis of flavonoids of Vitex negundo and
      Andrographis paniculata against two vector mosquitoes Anopheles stephensi and
      Aedes aegypti.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Development of insect resistance to synthetic
      pesticides, high operational cost and environmental pollution have created the
      need for developing alternative approaches to control vector-borne diseases. In
      the present study, larvicidal activity of flavonoid extracts of different parts
      of Vitex negundo (Linnaeus) and Andrographis paniculata (Nees) have been studied
      against the late III or early IV instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles
      stephensi (Liston). METHODS: Flavonoids were extracted from different parts of
      the selected plants using standard method. Bioassay test was carried out by WHO
      method for determination of larvicidal activity against mosquitoes. Different
      compounds of the most active extract were identified by the gas chromatography
      mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. RESULTS: Flavonoid extract of whole aerial
      part of A. paniculata was found to be inactive against the selected larvae of Ae.
      aegypti even at the concentration of 600 ppm, whereas it caused 70% mortality in
      An. stephensi at the concentration of 200 ppm. Flavonoid extract of flower-buds
      produced highest mortality (100%) at the concentration of 600 ppm for the late
      III or early IV instar larvae of Ae. aegypti and at the concentration of 200 ppm
      for the larvae of An. stephensi. GC-MS analysis of the most active flavonoid
      extract from flower-buds of Vitex showed 81 peaks. Phenol (26.83% area),
      naphthalene (4.95% area), 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (6.79% area), Phenol-2,4-Bis (1,1
      dimethyl) (4.49% area), flavones 4'-OH,5-OH,7-di-O-glucoside (0.25% area) and 5
      hydroxy- 3,6,7,3',4'-pentamethoxy flavones (0.80% area) were present in major
      amount. CONCLUSION: Flavonoid extracts from different parts of two selected
      plants possess larvicidal activity against two selected mosquito species, hence,
      could be utilized for developing flavonoid-based, eco-friendly insecticide as an
      alternative to synthetic insecticides.

PMID- 24220071
TI  - The impact of body temperature abnormalities on the disease severity and outcome
      in patients with severe sepsis: an analysis from a multicenter, prospective
      survey of severe sepsis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Abnormal body temperatures (Tb) are frequently seen in patients
      with severe sepsis. However, the relationship between Tb abnormalities and the
      severity of disease is not clear. This study investigated the impact of Tb on
      disease severity and outcomes in patients with severe sepsis. METHODS: We
      enrolled 624 patients with severe sepsis and grouped them into 6 categories
      according to their Tb at the time of enrollment. The temperature categories (<=
      35.5  degrees C, 35.6-36.5  degrees C, 36.6-37.5  degrees C, 37.6-38.5  degrees
      C, 38.6-39.5  degrees C, >= 39.6  degrees C) were based on the temperature data
      of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scoring. We
      compared patient characteristics, physiological data, and mortality between
      groups. RESULTS: Patients with Tb of <= 36.5  degrees C had significantly worse
      sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores when compared with patients
      with Tb >37.5  degrees C on the day of enrollment. Scores for APACHE II were also
      higher in patients with Tb <= 35.5  degrees C when compared with patients with Tb
      >36.5  degrees C. The 28-day and hospital mortality was significantly higher in
      patients with Tb <= 36.5  degrees C. The difference in mortality rate was
      especially noticeable when patients with Tb <= 35.5  degrees C were compared with
      patients who had Tb of >36.5  degrees C. Although mortality did not relate to Tb
      ranges of >= 37.6  degrees C as compared to reference range of 36.6-37.5  degrees
      C, relative risk for 28-day mortality was significantly greater in patients with
      35.6-36.5  degrees C and <= 35.5  degrees C (odds ratio; 2.032, 3.096,
      respectively). When patients were divided into groups based on the presence (<=
      36.5  degrees C, n = 160) or absence (>36.5  degrees C, n = 464) of hypothermia,
      disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as well as SOFA and APACHE II scores
      were significantly higher in patients with hypothermia. Patients with hypothermia
      had significantly higher 28-day and hospital mortality rates than those without
      hypothermia (38.1% vs. 17.9% and 49.4% vs. 22.6%, respectively). The presence of
      hypothermia was an independent predictor of 28-day mortality, and the differences
      between patients with and without hypothermia were observed irrespective of the
      presence of septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe sepsis,
      hypothermia (Tb <= 36.5  degrees C) was associated with increased mortality and
      organ failure, irrespective of the presence of septic shock. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      UMIN-CTR ID UMIN000008195.

PMID- 24220072
TI  - Evidence of the causal role of human papillomavirus type 58 in an oropharyngeal
      carcinoma.
AB  - Persistent human papillomavirus infection (HPV) is recognized as an important
      etiologic factor for a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCC),
      especially those arising from the oropharynx. Whereas HPV16 accounts for the
      majority of HPV DNA-positive oropharyngeal SCC, infections with other mucosal
      high-risk HPV types are quite rare and biological data demonstrating their causal
      involvement are insufficient. Here we present the first case of an oropharyngeal
      SCC driven by HPV type 58. A 69-year-old Caucasian woman presented with an
      enlarged and firm left tonsil. A computed tomography scan showed a left tonsillar
      mass, extending to the soft palate and the glossotonsillar sulcus. The patient
      underwent extended radical tonsillectomy and ipsilateral selective neck
      dissection. Pathology confirmed an infiltrating, poorly differentiated SCC of the
      left tonsil with node metastasis (pT2N1). Adjuvant external beam radiation
      therapy (60 Grays (Gy)) was administered. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient
      is well with no evidence of cancer recurrence. HPV analyses of the tumor tissue
      by BSGP5+/6+ -PCR/MPG, targeting 51 mucosal HPV types, showed single positivity
      for HPV type 58. Presence of HPV58 E6*I RNA demonstrated biological activity of
      the virus in the tumor tissue, and presence of serum antibodies to HPV58
      oncoproteins E6 and E7 indicated presence of an HPV58-driven cancer.
      Overexpression of cellular protein p16INK4a and reduced expression of pRb, two
      cellular markers for HPV-induced cell transformation, were observed. Exons 4-10
      of TP53 showed no mutations or polymorphisms. The presence of HPV58 as single HPV
      infection in combination with a broad variety of direct and indirect markers of
      HPV transformation provides comprehensive evidence that this oropharyngeal SCC
      was driven by HPV58. 

PMID- 24220076
TI  - Spatial correlations of population and ecological factors with distribution of
      visceral leishmaniasis cases in southwestern Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Leishmaniasis as a dynamic disease may be markedly
      influenced by demographic and ecological factors. A geospatial information system
      study was developed to determine the distribution of visceral leishmaniasis (VL)
      cases in relation to population, climatic and environmental factors in Fars
      province, southwest of Iran. METHODS: The dwelling addresses of 217 VL patients
      were obtained from hospital files. A hazard map produced by unifying buffers (5
      km) around nomads travel routes (NTR) was developed to survey the effect of close
      proximity to NTR on the distribution of VL. Mean annual rainfall (MAR), mean
      annual temperature (MAT), four months temperature mean (T4), elevation, slope and
      landcover were climatic and environmental factors that have been analysed.
      Finally, data of dwelling foci were extracted from maps and analysed using
      logistic regression models. RESULTS: Close proximity to NTR was the most
      important factor influenced on the disease distribution. Climatic factors were in
      second rank. Among them, temperature especially T4 is the most effective variable
      and rainfall was also shown to be another effective climatic agent. Most cases of
      VL were reported from temperate and semiarid areas in western and central regions
      while arid condition was a confined factor. The environmental factor of
      landcovers including urban, dry farm and thin forest regions was revealed as the
      third rank effective factor. Altitude importance was only shown when its effect
      was studied independently from other factors. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: These
      findings present the distribution of VL in Fars province is influenced by
      combination of ecological and nomads demographical variables although closeness
      to NTR and nomads role in distribution and continuance of kala-azar are the most
      important factors.

PMID- 24220077
TI  - Positive selection and evolution of dengue type-3 virus in the Indian
      subcontinent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dengue virus infection has recently taken endemic proportions in
      India with dengu type-3 (DEN-3) as a predominant serotype. In this study, we
      carried out the selection pressure analysis of three critical immunogenic regions
      of DEN-3. Phylogenetic analysis was then carried out on the positively selected
      genomic region in the DEN-3 virus strains isolated in the Indian subcontinent
      over a time span of 25 yr (1984-2008). Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)
      calculation of the substitution rate was carried out for the DEN-3 genotype-III
      sequences. METHODS: Sequences corresponding to the C-prM, E-NS1 and NS1 sequence
      regions of DEN-3 strains were taken for the positive selection analysis. The C
      prM junction sequences were then used to construct a maximum likelihood (ML)
      phylogenetic tree. Substitution rates were also calculated under various models
      of population growth. RESULTS: It was found that codon 86, corresponding to a
      conserved arginine residue in a crucial T-cell epitope of the C-protein was under
      significant positive selection. The K86R substitution was found to exist in
      almost all the Indian strains isolated after 2004. The ML tree constructed from
      the C-prM junction sequences indicated that strains from the 2006 dengue
      incidences in Delhi, namely: 04/03/del2006, 05/03/del2006, and 06/03/del2006 were
      the most rapidly evolving. Substitution rates of a DEN-3 genotype-III sequences
      from the Indian subcontinent were found to be ~3.0 times higher than those
      reported from other parts of the world. CONCLUSION: Positive selection in the
      codon corresponding to R86 of the highly conserved surface C-protein is important
      in view of its occurrence in a T-cell epitope as well as its strict conservation
      in all the DEN strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the C-prM junction sequences
      showed that three strains of 2006 are rapidly evolving. These results were also
      supported by calculations of the substitution rates. Their significance in the
      expansion of viral epidemics requires to be investigated.

PMID- 24220078
TI  - Genotyping of MSP3beta gene in Indian Plasmodium vivax.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The search for effective polymorphic markers in
      Plasmodium vivax is highly demanding to understand its transmission in a
      population. Due to the limited knowledge existing for P. vivax, the search for
      polymorphic markers for population studies is ongoing. The MSP gene family of
      Plasmodia has been linked with immune evasion. To study the circulating parasite
      population P. vivax merozoite surface protein 3beta (PvMSP3beta) polymorphic
      marker was used to investigate the genetic diversity of P. vivax in natural
      infections. METHODS: Polymorphism of PvMSP3beta gene was determined in 46 P.
      vivax blood samples from six different regions of India by polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with PstI.
      RESULTS: Two different parasite genotypes, viz. type-A and type-B were detected
      among 46 samples that were positive for PCR, based on the size of the
      amplification. RFLP analysis with PstI showed 22 allelic groups and 15.2% samples
      revealed mixed infections on analysis. CONCLUSION: PvMSP3beta was found to be an
      effective molecular marker for P. vivax as it shows high diversity in India and
      multiple genotypes easily distinguishable without the need for sequencing.

PMID- 24220079
TI  - Aedes albopictus in northeast Mexico: an update on adult distribution and first
      report of parasitism by Ascogregarina taiwanensis.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Aedes albopictus has been known as efficient vector of
      dengue in Asian countries and its wide displacement of Ae. aegypti has been
      documented in many parts of the world. The present survey was carried out to
      update the distribution of Ae. albopictus in northeast Mexico and to report the
      first record of parasitism of mosquitoes by Ascogregarina taiwanensis in Mexico.
      METHODS: Human landing collections were conducted in the month of May every year
      between 2007 and 2009 across the three states, Nuevo Leon (NL), Tamaulipas and
      Coahuila in northeast Mexico. Six human bait collections were also organized at
      the cemetery of Gomez Farias (GF), a village in southern Tamaulipas during the
      rainy and dry seasons in 2010. Aedes albopictus caught in 2010 were dissected for
      parasitic protozoan gregarines. RESULTS: The results of human landing collections
      carried out during 2007-10 across the three states of northeast zone of Mexico
      revealed that Ae. albopictus is invading along the route between Monterrey City
      in NL and Tampico, Tamaulipas, but not into the arid state of Coahuila. Aedes
      albopictus was recorded in nine new municipalities in addition to the 15
      municipalities reported before 2005. Furthermore, six human-bait collections
      performed during the dry and rainy seasons in 2010 at the cemetery of GF suggest
      the exclusion of Ae. aegypti on that site. Dominance was shared by Ae.
      quadrivittatus, another container-inhabitant but indigenous species, and Ae.
      albopictus during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. The results of
      dissection of the mosquitoes for gregarines revealed the parasitism of Ae.
      albopictus by A. taiwanensis. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results of this
      study showed that Ae. albopictus has spread to all the municipalities in the
      northeastern Mexico except the arid area and reported the first record of
      parasitic protozoan A. taiwanensis in Mexico. We recommend further studies on
      larval and adult populations of natural container-occupant mosquitoes in
      northeastern Mexico in order to have a better documentation of the impact of Ae.
      albopictus upon the indigenous species community, and its epidemiological role in
      dengue transmission.

PMID- 24220080
TI  - Field efficacy and acceptability of PermaNet(r) 3.0 and OlysetNet(r) in Kinshasa,
      Democratic Republic of the Congo.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Insecticide resistance in mosquitoes at Kinshasa may
      jeopardize the efficacy and usage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).
      Entomological impact, user acceptance and bioefficacy of a combination LLIN
      (PermaNet(r) 3.0) and a standard LLIN (OlysetNet(r)) were evaluated at two sites
      in Kinshasa characterized by high densities of either Anopheles gambiae s.s.
      (Kindele) or Culex spp (Kimbangu). METHODS: Insecticide susceptibility
      (permethrin, deltamethrin, bendiocarb, propoxur and DDT) was determined via tube
      tests and bottle assays. Entomological impact of unwashed and washed LLINs and
      untreated nets was assessed via Latin square, based on rotation of nets and their
      users through selected houses at each site. User acceptability was evaluated
      through interviews using a questionnaire and net bioefficacy was measured via
      cone bioassays with field-derived An. gambiae s.s. RESULTS: The An. gambiae s.s.
      population from Kindele was resistant to DDT and permethrin with mortality rate
      of 27.3 and 75.8%, respectively, and kdr mutations (L1014F) plus suspected
      metabolic resistance. The Culex spp population was resistant to all five
      insecticides tested. No differences in entomological indices were observed for
      the five net treatments, but bioefficacy against An. gambiae was significantly
      higher for unwashed and washed PermaNet 3.0 (100 and 71% mortality) than for
      OlysetNet (56 and 36%). Householders reported a good sleep most often when using
      unwashed and washed PermaNet (94 and 88%) and least often with unwashed OlysetNet
      (46%). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: High bioefficacy via cone bioassays against
      an An. gambiae s.s. population with kdr and suspected metabolic resistance was
      observed with PermaNet 3.0. Lower biting rates and a higher chance of a good
      night of sleep were reported when using PermaNet 3.0 compared to OlysetNet.

PMID- 24220081
TI  - Physicochemical characteristics of habitats in relation to the density of
      container-breeding mosquitoes in Asom, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Container-breeding mosquitoes, especially Aedes spp are
      vectors of diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. The abundance of these
      disease vectors in an area depends on the availability of container habitats and
      their physicochemical characteristics. The species composition of container
      breeding mosquitoes in Asom, India was studied and the larval density was
      correlated with the habitat characteristics. METHODS: Natural and man-made water
      holding containers in Sonitpur district of Asom were surveyed for the presence of
      mosquito larvae. The percent composition of container-breeding mosquitoes and
      container index were calculated. The physicochemical characteristics of breeding
      water such as pH, conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, turbidity and
      dissolved oxygen were measured. RESULTS: Aedes albopictus (93.7%) was the
      predominant species in the container-breeding habitats whereas Culex
      quinquefasciatus (2.77%), Armigeres subalbatus (2.26%), Ae. aegypti (0.76%),
      Toxorhynchites sp (0.4%) and Lutzia sp (0.11%) were recorded in relatively low
      numbers. The larval density (mean +/- SEmean) of the container breeding
      mosquitoes ranged from 4.4 +/- 1.8 to 15.4 +/- 8.2, while the container index
      ranged from 1.58 to 5.68%. The mean (+/- SEmean) pH, conductivity, salinity,
      total dissolved solids, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen of water in the container
      habitats were 7.15 +/- 0.11; 396.1 +/- 58.5 MUS/cm; 0.24 +/- 0.04 ppt; 207.1 +/-
      30.4 mg/l; 32.3 +/- 5.1 NTU; and 1.42 +/- 0.12% respectively. The mosquito larval
      density in the container habitats was having significant negative correlation
      with the conductivity of breeding water (r = - 0.89; p = 0.003). Salinity, total
      dissolved solids and turbidity of water in the habitats were negatively
      correlated, whereas pH and dissolved oxygen were positively correlated with the
      larval density. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The studies indicated the
      predominance of Ae. albopictus in the container-breeding habitats and reiterated
      its importance as a potential vector of dengue and chikungunya in the region. The
      spread of Ae. aegypti, the principal vector of dengue, in the semi-urban areas
      probably through road transport is a matter of public health concern. The use of
      conductivity of breeding water as an index for the proliferation of container
      breeding mosquitoes in the region could be explored further.

PMID- 24220082
TI  - Altitude, temperature, and malaria vectors in Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar
      districts of Uttarakhand, India: an evidence-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The relationship between altitude, temperature and
      malaria are poorly understood. Hence, a study was undertaken at three sites of
      Udham Singh Nagar (erstwhile Nainital district) and Nainital district
      (Uttarakhand) during 2010- 11 for the generation of evidences in the context of
      potential threat of climate change. METHODS: Data on temperature and relative
      humidity (RH) were recorded through data-logger device in study villages at the
      altitudes of 166, 226 and 609 m were selected for detailed work. Mosquito
      collections were made fortnightly during 0600- 0800 hrs. Malaria incidence data
      were procured from concerned Primary Health Centres. RESULTS: The study provides
      evidences of decrease in temperature with increase in altitude, even within a
      district resulting in variation in temporal distribution of malaria vector. With
      the increase of 67 m altitude between plains and foothill village, there was a
      reduction in temperature to the tune of 1.1 degrees C and with further increase
      in altitude of 416 m between foothill and hilly villages, the temperature
      decreased by 0.27 degrees C. The difference in temperature at three altitudes
      affects the Transmission windows (TWs) of both Plasmodium vivax (Pv) and P.
      falciparum (Pf), and opening of TWs are inversely proportional to altitude. In
      the plains, the TW for Pv and Pf were open for 11 and 10 months respectively,
      while 10 and 9 months in the foothills and 9 and 8 months, respectively for both
      the parasites at hilly altitude. Comparison of malaria vectors in plains,
      foothills, and hilly villages showed that the availability of Anopheles
      culicifacies and An. fluviatilis decreased with an increase in altitude from
      foothills to hilly areas. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: This study may be
      extrapolated to know the suitability of occurrence of malaria vectors and
      transmission of parasites at different altitudes from the viewpoint of
      temperature as limiting factor in unknown areas.

PMID- 24220083
TI  - Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of nanoparticles of public health
      larvicides for mosquito control.

PMID- 24220084
TI  - Japanese encephalitis virus isolation from mosquitoes during an outbreak in 2011
      in Alappuzha district, Kerala.

PMID- 24220085
TI  - Cardiac involvement in malaria: an overlooked important complication.

PMID- 24220086
TI  - Reversible myelopathy in Plasmodium vivax malaria: report of a case and review of
      literature.

PMID- 24220087
TI  - Introgressive hybridization as a promoter of genome reshuffling in natural
      homoploid fish hybrids (Cyprinidae, Leuciscinae).
AB  - Understanding the mechanisms underlying diversification and speciation by
      introgressive hybridization is currently one of the major challenges in
      evolutionary biology. Here, the analysis of hybridization between two pairs of
      Iberian Leuciscinae provided new data on independent hybrid zones involving
      Achondrostoma oligolepis (AOL) and Pseudochondrostoma duriense (PDU), and
      confirmed the occurrence of hybrids between AOL and Pseudochondrostoma polylepis
      (PPO). A multilevel survey combining morphological, genetic and cytogenomic
      markers on a vast population screening successfully sorted the selected fishes as
      admixed. Results were similar in both AOL * PDU and AOL * PPO systems. Overall,
      hybrid morphotypes, cytogenomic data and genetic profiling indicated preferential
      backcrossing and suggested AOL as a major genomic contributor. Moreover, results
      implied AOL as more permissive to introgression than PDU or PPO. Although PDU-
      and PPO-like individuals appeared more resilient to genome modifications, AOL
      appeared to be more involved and affected by the ongoing hybridization events, as
      chromosomal translocations were only found in AOL-like individuals. All hybrids
      analysed evidenced extensive ribosomal DNA (rDNA) polymorphism that was not found
      in parental species, but usually seen falling within the range of possible
      parental combinations. Yet, transgressive phenotypes that cannot be explained by
      normal recombination, including more rDNA clusters than expected or the
      occurrence of syntenic rDNAs, were also detected. Present results proved rapid
      genomic evolution providing the genetic novelty for species to persist. In
      addition, although the ultimate consequences of such apparently extensive and
      recurrent events remain unknown, modern genome-wide methodologies are of great
      promise towards answering questions concerning the causes, dynamics and impacts
      of hybridization. 

PMID- 24220088
TI  - Genetic differentiation and species cohesion in two widespread Central American
      Begonia species.
AB  - Begonia is one of the ten largest plant genera, with over 1500 species. This high
      species richness may in part be explained by weak species cohesion, which has
      allowed speciation by divergence in allopatry. In this study, we investigate
      species cohesion in the widespread Central American Begonia heracleifolia and
      Begonia nelumbiifolia, by genotyping populations at microsatellite loci. We then
      test for post-zygotic reproductive barriers using experimental crosses, and
      assess whether sterility barriers are related to intraspecific changes in genome
      size, indicating major genome restructuring between isolated populations. Strong
      population substructure was found for B. heracleifolia (FST=0.364, F'ST=0.506)
      and B. nelumbiifolia (FST=0.277, F'ST=0.439), and Bayesian admixture analysis
      supports the division of most populations into discrete genetic clusters.
      Moderate levels of inferred selfing (B. heracleifolia s=0.40, B. nelumbiifolia
      s=0.62) and dispersal limitation are likely to have contributed to significant
      genetic differentiation (B. heracleifolia Jost's D=0.274; B. nelumbiifolia
      D=0.294). Interpopulation crosses involving a divergent B. heracleifolia
      population with a genome size ~10% larger than the species mean had a ~20%
      reduction in pollen viability compared with other outcrosses, supporting
      reproductive isolation being polymorphic within the species. The population
      genetic data suggest that Begonia populations are only weakly connected by gene
      flow, allowing reproductive barriers to accumulate between the most isolated
      populations. This supports allopatric divergence in situ being the precursor of
      speciation in Begonia, and may also be a common speciation mechanism in other
      tropical herbaceous plant groups. 

PMID- 24220089
TI  - Genetic mapping of two components of reproductive isolation between two sibling
      species of moths, Ostrinia nubilalis and O. scapulalis.
AB  - We report the quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of reproductive isolation
      traits between Ostrinia nubilalis (the European corn borer) and its sibling
      species O. scapulalis (the Adzuki bean borer), focusing on two traits: mating
      isolation (mi) and pheromone production (Pher). Four genetic maps were generated
      from two backcross families, with two maps (one chromosomal map and one linkage
      map) per backcross. We located 165-323 AFLP markers on these four maps, resulting
      in the identification of 27-31 linkage groups, depending on the map considered.
      No-choice mating experiments with the offspring of each backcross led to the
      detection of at least two QTLs for mi in different linkage groups. QTLs
      underlying Pher were located in a third linkage group. The Z heterochromosome was
      identified by a specific marker (Tpi) and did not carry any of these QTLs.
      Finally, we considered the global divergence between the two sibling species,
      distortions of segregation throughout the genome, and the location and effect of
      mi and Pher QTLs in light of the known candidate genes for reproductive isolation
      within the genus Ostrinia and, more broadly, in phytophagous insects. 

PMID- 24220091
TI  - RNA Bricks--a database of RNA 3D motifs and their interactions.
AB  - The RNA Bricks database (http://iimcb.genesilico.pl/rnabricks), stores
      information about recurrent RNA 3D motifs and their interactions, found in
      experimentally determined RNA structures and in RNA-protein complexes. In
      contrast to other similar tools (RNA 3D Motif Atlas, RNA Frabase, Rloom) RNA
      motifs, i.e. 'RNA bricks' are presented in the molecular environment, in which
      they were determined, including RNA, protein, metal ions, water molecules and
      ligands. All nucleotide residues in RNA bricks are annotated with structural
      quality scores that describe real-space correlation coefficients with the
      electron density data (if available), backbone geometry and possible steric
      conflicts, which can be used to identify poorly modeled residues. The database is
      also equipped with an algorithm for 3D motif search and comparison. The algorithm
      compares spatial positions of backbone atoms of the user-provided query structure
      and of stored RNA motifs, without relying on sequence or secondary structure
      information. This enables the identification of local structural similarities
      among evolutionarily related and unrelated RNA molecules. Besides, the search
      utility enables searching 'RNA bricks' according to sequence similarity, and
      makes it possible to identify motifs with modified ribonucleotide residues at
      specific positions. 

PMID- 24220090
TI  - Intertwined pathways for Argonaute-mediated microRNA biogenesis in Drosophila.
AB  - Although Dicer is essential for general microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis, vertebrate
      mir-451 is Dicer independent. Instead, its short pre-miRNA hairpin is 'sliced' by
      Ago2, then 3'-resected into mature miRNAs. Here, we show that Drosophila cells
      and animals generate functional small RNAs from mir-451-type precursors. However,
      their bulk maturation arrests as Ago-cleaved pre-miRNAs, which mostly associate
      with the RNAi effector AGO2. Routing of pre-mir-451 hairpins to the miRNA
      effector AGO1 was inhibited by Dicer-1 and its partner Loqs. Loss of these miRNA
      factors promoted association of pre-mir-451 with AGO1, which sliced them and
      permitted maturation into ~ 23-26 nt products. The difference was due to the 3'
      modification of single-stranded species in AGO2 by Hen1 methyltransferase, whose
      depletion permitted 3' trimming of Ago-cleaved pre-miRNAs in AGO2. Surprisingly,
      Nibbler, a 3'-5' exoribonuclease that trims 'long' mature miRNAs in AGO1,
      antagonized miR-451 processing. We used an in vitro reconstitution assay to
      identify a soluble, EDTA-sensitive activity that resects sliced pre-miRNAs in
      AGO1 complexes. Finally, we use deep sequencing to show that depletion of dicer-1
      increases the diversity of small RNAs in AGO1, including some candidate mir-451
      like loci. Altogether, we document unexpected aspects of miRNA biogenesis and Ago
      sorting, and provide insights into maturation of Argonaute-cleaved miRNA
      substrates.

PMID- 24220092
TI  - Regional and genotypic differences in intrinsic electrophysiological properties
      of cerebellar Purkinje neurons from wild-type and dystrophin-deficient mdx mice.
AB  - Cerebellar subregions are recognized as having specialized roles, with lateral
      cerebellum considered crucial for cognitive processing, whereas vermal cerebellum
      is more strongly associated with motor control. In human Duchenne muscular
      dystrophy, loss of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin is thought to cause
      impairments in cognition, including learning and memory. Previous studies
      demonstrate that loss of dystrophin causes dysfunctional signaling at gamma
      aminobutyric acid (GABA) synapses on Purkinje neurons, presumably by
      destabilization of GABAA receptors. However, potential differences in the
      intrinsic electrophysiological properties of Purkinje neurons, including membrane
      potential and action potential firing rates, have not been investigated. Here,
      using a 2*2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) experimental design, we employed patch
      clamp analysis to compare membrane properties and action potentials generated by
      acutely dissociated Purkinje neurons from vermal and lateral cerebellum in wild
      type (WT) mice and mdx dystrophin-deficient mice. Compared to Purkinje neurons
      from WT mice, neurons from mdx mice exhibited more irregular action potential
      firing and a hyperpolarization of the membrane potential. Firing frequency was
      also lower in Purkinje neurons from the lateral cerebellum of mdx mice relative
      to those from WT mice. Several action potential waveform parameters differed
      between vermal and lateral Purkinje neurons, irrespective of dystrophin status,
      including action potential amplitude, slope (both larger in the vermal region),
      and duration (shorter in the vermal region). Moreover, the membrane potential of
      Purkinje neurons from the vermal region of WT mice exhibited a significant
      hyperpolarization and concurrent reduction in the frequency of spontaneous action
      potentials compared to Purkinje neurons from the lateral region. This regional
      hyperpolarization and reduction in spontaneous action potential frequency was
      abolished in mdx mice. These results from mice demonstrate the presence of
      differential electrophysiological properties between Purkinje neurons from
      different regions of the WT mouse cerebellum and altered intrinsic membrane
      properties in the absence of dystrophin. These findings provide a possible
      mechanism for the observations that absence of cerebellar dystrophin contributes
      to deficits in mental function observed in humans and mouse models of muscular
      dystrophy. Moreover, these results highlight the importance of distinguishing
      functional zones of the cerebellum in future work characterizing Purkinje neuron
      electrophysiology and studies using the model of dissociated Purkinje neurons
      from mice. 

PMID- 24220093
TI  - Ageing: a little bit of stress does you good.

PMID- 24220095
TI  - Adolescent anxiety and aggression can be differentially predicted by
      electrocortical phase reset variables.
AB  - Increasing evidence supports the notion that both internalizing (e.g., anxiety)
      and externalizing (e.g., aggression) behavioral dysregulation are associated with
      abnormal communication between brain regions. Electroencephalographic (EEG)
      signals across two electrode sites are said to be coherent with one another when
      they show consistent phase relations. However, periods of desynchrony with
      shifting of phase relations are a necessary aspect of information processing. The
      components of EEG phase reset ('locking' when two regions remain in synchrony,
      and 'shifting' when the two regions desynchronize momentarily) show dramatic
      changes across development. We collected resting EEG data from typically
      developing 12 to 15-year-olds and calculated phase shift and lock values in the
      alpha frequency band across 14 pairs of electrodes varying in inter-electrode
      distance. A composite measure of participants' aggression levels was positively
      associated with phase shifting, particularly in the low alpha frequency range,
      most strongly over the left hemisphere, consistent with the relatively greater
      left-prefrontal activity reported in aggressive adults. A composite measure of
      anxiety levels was positively associated with alpha phase locking at sites over
      both hemispheres, consistent with changes in connectivity reported during anxious
      thinking in adults. Associations with anxiety could not be explained by
      traditional EEG coherence measures and suggest that phase shifting and locking
      might provide an important non-invasive associate of clinically problematic
      behavior. 

PMID- 24220096
TI  - Novel association between CD74 polymorphisms and hematologic toxicity in patients
      with NSCLC after platinum-based chemotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Platinum-based chemotherapy regimens can cause DNA damage. Macrophage
      migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays an important role in the regulation of
      the cell cycle by either controlling the activity of the SKP1-Cullin/Cdc53-F-box
      protein ubiquitin ligase (SCF) complex or activating its receptor, CD74. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: We used a pathway-based approach to investigate the association
      between genetic polymorphisms in MIF-pathway genes and the outcomes of platinum
      based chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We used
      iSelect 24*1 HD BeadChip (Illumina, Inc, San Diego, CA) to genotype 32 tag and
      potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 8 selected genes
      and evaluated their associations with different outcomes for 1004 patients with
      advanced NSCLC treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. In particular,
      gastrointestinal toxicity and hematologic toxicity were analyzed for associations
      with specific genotypes, alleles, and haplotypes. RESULTS: Two polymorphisms of
      CD74, rs2748249 (C/A) and rs1560661 (A/G), were significantly associated with
      hematologic toxicity. Carrying an A allele in rs2748249 was associated with
      higher hematologic toxicity (odds ratio [OR], 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      1.24-2.39; P = .001) and carrying a G allele in rs1560661 was associated with
      lower hematologic toxicity (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.25-0.70; P = .00099) compared
      with the wild type. Haplotype analysis revealed that the patients with the CG
      haplotype (consisting of rs2748249 and rs1560661) had reduced hematologic
      toxicity compared with patients with other haplotypes (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.56
      0.87; P = .0013). The binding domain shared by 3 transcription factors (activator
      protein-2alpha [AP-2alpha], progesterone response A/B, and TFII-I) comprised the
      2 SNPs that may be involved in the regulation of CD74-related B-cell survival.
      CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to suggest, to our knowledge, that
      polymorphisms in CD74 might be a marker of lower hematologic toxicity for
      patients with advanced NSCLC receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.

PMID- 24220097
TI  - Metastatic melanoma in an esophagus demonstrating Barrett esophagus with high
      grade dysplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metastatic melanoma involving the esophagus is rare; the occurrence
      of metastatic melanoma in a background of Barrett esophagus is rarer still. We
      report a case of an 80 year-old male who presented to our institution for workup
      of Barrett esophagus with high-grade dysplasia and who proved to have metastatic
      melanoma occurring in the background of Barrett esophagus, the first report of
      this kind, to our knowledge, in the English literature. CASE PRESENTATION: An 80
      year-old Caucasian male was diagnosed at an outside institution with Barrett's
      esophagus with high grade dysplasia and presented to our institution for therapy.
      The patient underwent endoscopic mucosal resection using a band ligation
      technique of an area of nodularity within the Barrett esophagus. Microscopic
      examination demonstrated extensive Barrett esophagus with high-grade dysplasia as
      well as a second tumor which was morphologically different from the surrounding
      high-grade dysplasia and which was positive for S-100, HMB 45 and Melan-A on
      immunohistochemistry, consistent with melanoma. Further workup of the patient
      demonstrated multiple radiologic lesions consistent with metastases. Molecular
      studies demonstrated that the melanoma was positive for the 1799T>A (V600E)
      mutation in the BRAF gene. The overall features of the tumor were most consistent
      with metastatic melanoma occurring in a background of Barrett esophagus with high
      grade dysplasia. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates a unique intersection between
      a premalignant condition (Barrett esophagus with high grade dysplasia) and a
      separate malignancy (melanoma). This report also shows the utility of molecular
      testing to support the hypothesis of primary versus metastatic disease in
      melanoma.

PMID- 24220094
TI  - The biophysics and cell biology of lipid droplets.
AB  - Lipid droplets are intracellular organelles that are found in most cells, where
      they have fundamental roles in metabolism. They function prominently in storing
      oil-based reserves of metabolic energy and components of membrane lipids. Lipid
      droplets are the dispersed phase of an oil-in-water emulsion in the aqueous
      cytosol of cells, and the importance of basic biophysical principles of emulsions
      for lipid droplet biology is now being appreciated. Because of their unique
      architecture, with an interface between the dispersed oil phase and the aqueous
      cytosol, specific mechanisms underlie their formation, growth and shrinkage. Such
      mechanisms enable cells to use emulsified oil when the demands for metabolic
      energy or membrane synthesis change. The regulation of the composition of the
      phospholipid surfactants at the surface of lipid droplets is crucial for lipid
      droplet homeostasis and protein targeting to their surfaces. 

PMID- 24220098
TI  - Ocular adnexal lymphoma: monitoring response to therapy with diffusion-weighted
      imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Outcome evaluation in ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) is based on clinical
      assessment and conventional volumetric changes in tumor size. The purpose of this
      retrospective study was to compare if changes in apparent diffusion coefficient
      (ADC) tumor values obtained by diffusion-weighted MRI corresponded to changes in
      enhancing tumor volume in the evaluation of early treatment response or failure
      in patients with OAL. METHODS: A retrospective case series analysis of
      conventional contrast-enhanced orbital MRI and diffusion-weighted sequences was
      performed on 8 pathologically confirmed OAL tumors before and after therapy. Mean
      ADC values and normalized ADC ratios were obtained using a region-of-interest
      analysis method on enhancing OAL lesions; tumor volumes were calculated using a
      manual segmentation method. Changes in tumor volume, mean ADC tumor values, and
      normalized ADC ratios were compared before and after therapy using a Wilcoxon
      rank-sum test. RESULTS: Overall, a significant difference was found in mean ADC
      values and normalized ADC ratios within OAL tumors before and after therapy (p <
      0.05), irrespective of the type of therapy administered. There was a trend toward
      decreased mean enhancing tumor volume after therapy (p = 0.161). An increase in
      ADC values and a decrease in enhancing tumor volume after therapy correlated with
      a positive treatment response in 7 of 8 tumors; a decrease in ADC values and an
      increase in enhancing tumor volume after therapy correlated with a negative
      treatment response in 1 of 8 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Tracking changes in tumor ADC
      values after various treatment regimens for OAL may be useful in predicting early
      treatment response or failure and can provide complementary information that
      corresponds to conventional volume changes in tumor size. Further validation of
      these preliminary results in larger prospective randomized trials is needed.

PMID- 24220099
TI  - Results of a randomized controlled trial to promote physical activity behaviours
      in mothers with young children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Increasing levels of physical activity in mothers have long-term
      health benefits for the mother and family. The study aimed to evaluate the effect
      of a six-month, physical activity RCT for mothers of young children. METHODS:
      Women were recruited via playgroups and randomly assigned to intervention (n=394)
      or control group (n=322). The intervention group received a six-month multi
      strategy programme delivered via playgroups in Perth, Australia. measures were
      mean minutes per week of moderate (M) and vigorous (V) intensity physical
      activity (PA), and number of days/week of muscle strength exercises. RESULTS: The
      intervention had a significant effect on mean time for vigorous (p=0.008),
      moderate (p=0.023) and total physical activity (p=0.001) when compared to the
      control group. The intervention group increased their vigorous activity by a mean
      of 24min/week, moderate activity by 23min/week and total physical activity by
      72min/week. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively minimum home based intervention was able to
      demonstrate modest but statistically significant improvements in physical
      activity in a hard to reach group. These changes if maintained over a longer
      period are likely to improve the health of mothers and have a positive impact on
      their partners and children. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry
      ACTRN12609000735257.

PMID- 24220100
TI  - Personal, social and environmental correlates of physical activity in adults from
      Curitiba, Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leisure-time physical activity is a complex behavior influenced by
      factors at multiple levels. OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between
      intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental factors and leisure-time walking
      (LTW) and leisure-time physical activities (LTPA), excluding walking. We also
      examined the moderating effect of sociodemographic characteristics on these
      associations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1461 adults
      from Curitiba, Brazil (63.7% women). LTW and LTPA were assessed through the
      International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a cutoff point of >=
      150 min/week was used. Associations were examined through multilevel logistic
      regressions. RESULTS: LTW was positively associated with self-efficacy,
      enjoyment, social support from family and friends, presence of public places for
      leisure and neighborhood esthetics. LTPA was associated with self-efficacy,
      enjoyment, social support from family and friends, safety from crime and
      neighborhood esthetics. Safety from crime was a predictor of LTPA among older
      adults only. CONCLUSIONS: Factors at multiple levels were associated with LTW and
      LTPA. Interventions to promote LTPA would likely benefit from considering
      personal, social and environmental factors and different levels of influence.

PMID- 24220101
TI  - DNA-dependent protein kinase regulates DNA end resection in concert with Mre11
      Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) and ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM).
AB  - The resection of DNA double strand breaks initiates homologous recombination (HR)
      and is critical for genomic stability. Using direct measurement of resection in
      human cells and reconstituted assays of resection with purified proteins in
      vitro, we show that DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), a
      classic nonhomologous end joining factor, antagonizes double strand break
      resection by blocking the recruitment of resection enzymes such as exonuclease 1
      (Exo1). Autophosphorylation of DNA-PKcs promotes DNA-PKcs dissociation and
      consequently Exo1 binding. Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated kinase activity can
      compensate for DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation and promote resection under
      conditions where DNA-PKcs catalytic activity is inhibited. The Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1
      (MRN) complex further stimulates resection in the presence of Ku and DNA-PKcs by
      recruiting Exo1 and enhancing DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation, and it also inhibits
      DNA ligase IV/XRCC4-mediated end rejoining. This work suggests that, in addition
      to its key role in nonhomologous end joining, DNA-PKcs also acts in concert with
      MRN and ataxia telangiectasia-mutated to regulate resection and thus DNA repair
      pathway choice. 

PMID- 24220102
TI  - Integration of molecular and physiological models to explain time of anthesis in
      wheat.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A model to predict anthesis time of a wheat plant from
      environmental and genetic information requires integration of current concepts in
      physiological and molecular biology. This paper describes the structure of an
      integrated model and quantifies its response mechanisms. METHODS: Literature was
      reviewed to formulate the components of the model. Detailed re-analysis of
      physiological observations are utilized from a previous publication by the second
      two authors. In this approach measurements of leaf number and leaf and primordia
      appearance of near isogenic lines of spring and winter wheat grown for different
      durations in different temperature and photoperiod conditions are used to
      quantify mechanisms and parameters to predict time of anthesis. KEY RESULTS: The
      model predicts the time of anthesis from the length of sequential phases: 1,
      embryo development; 2, dormant; 3, imbibed/emerging; 4, vegetative; 5, early
      reproductive; 6, pseudo-stem extension; and 7, ear development. Phase 4 ends with
      vernalization saturation (VS), Phase 5 with terminal spikelet (TS) and Phase 6
      with flag leaf ligule appearance (FL). The durations of Phases 4 and 5 are linked
      to the expression of Vrn genes and are calculated in relation to change in Haun
      stage (HS) to account for the effects of temperature per se. Vrn1 must be
      expressed to sufficient levels for VS to occur. Vrn1 expression occurs at a base
      rate of 0.08/HS in winter 'Batten' and 0.17/HS in spring 'Batten' during Phases
      1, 3 and 4. Low temperatures promote expression of Vrn1 and accelerate progress
      toward VS. Our hypothesis is that a repressor, Vrn4, must first be downregulated
      for this to occur. Rates of Vrn4 downregulation and Vrn1 upregulation have the
      same exponential response to temperature, but Vrn4 is quickly upregulated again
      at high temperatures, meaning short exposure to low temperature has no impact on
      the time of VS. VS occurs when Vrn1 reaches a relative expression of 0.76 and
      Vrn3 expression begins. However, Vrn2 represses Vrn3 expression so Vrn1 must be
      further upregulated to repress Vrn2 and enable Vrn3 expression. As a result, the
      target for Vrn1 to trigger VS was 0.76 in 8-h photoperiods (Pp) and increased at
      0.026/HS under 16-h Pp as levels of Vrn2 increased. This provides a mechanism to
      model short-day vernalization. Vrn3 is expressed in Phase 5 (following VS), and
      apparent rates of Vrn3 expression increased from 0.15/HS at 8-h Pp to 0.33/HS at
      16-h Pp. The final number of leaves is calculated as a function of the HS at
      which TS occurred (TS(HS)): 2.86 + 1.1 * TS(HS). The duration of Phase 6 is then
      dependent on the number of leaves left to emerge and how quickly they emerge.
      CONCLUSIONS: The analysis integrates molecular biology and crop physiology
      concepts into a model framework that links different developmental genes to
      quantitative predictions of wheat anthesis time in different field situations.

PMID- 24220104
TI  - Post-synthesis reshaping of gold nanorods using a femtosecond laser.
AB  - This work describes the interaction between femtosecond laser pulses (~130 fs,
      800 nm) and gold nanorods (NRs) leading to reshaping of the NRs. We focus on the
      investigation of structural changes of the NRs and the parameters influencing the
      reshaping, like surface modification using sodium sulphide, laser power and the
      position of the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance band (l-SPR) with respect
      to the laser wavelength. A thermogravimetric analysis experiment is performed to
      examine changes in the composition of NRs upon heating. A new type of banana
      shaped NPs is described and the conditions of their appearance are discussed.

PMID- 24220103
TI  - Population genetic evidence for speciation pattern and gene flow between Picea
      wilsonii, P. morrisonicola and P. neoveitchii.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Genetic drift due to geographical isolation, gene flow and
      mutation rates together make it difficult to determine the evolutionary
      relationships of present-day species. In this study, population genetic data were
      used to model and decipher interspecific relationships, speciation patterns and
      gene flow between three species of spruce with similar morphology, Picea
      wilsonii, P. neoveitchii and P. morrisonicola. Picea wilsonii and P. neoveitchii
      occur from central to north-west China, where they have overlapping
      distributions. Picea morrisonicola, however, is restricted solely to the island
      of Taiwan and is isolated from the other two species by a long distance. METHODS:
      Sequence variations were examined in 18 DNA fragments for 22 populations,
      including three fragments from the chloroplast (cp) genome, two from the
      mitochondrial (mt) genome and 13 from the nuclear genome. KEY RESULTS: In both
      the cpDNA and the mtDNA, P. morrisonicola accumulated more species-specific
      mutations than the other two species. However, most nuclear haplotypes of P.
      morrisonicola were shared by P. wilsonii, or derived from the dominant haplotypes
      found in that species. Modelling of population genetic data supported the
      hypothesis that P. morrisonicola derived from P. wilsonii within the more recent
      past, most probably indicating progenitor-derivative speciation with a distinct
      bottleneck, although further gene flow from the progenitor to the derivative
      continued. In addition, the occurrence was detected of an obvious mtDNA
      introgression from P. neoveitchii to P. wilsonii despite their early divergence.
      CONCLUSIONS: The extent of mutation, introgression and lineage sorting taking
      place during interspecific divergence and demographic changes in the three
      species had varied greatly between the three genomes. The findings highlight the
      complex evolutionary histories of these three Asian spruce species.

PMID- 24220105
TI  - The effects of total sleep deprivation on semantic priming: event-related
      potential evidence for automatic and controlled processing strategies.
AB  - There is general consensus that performance on a number of cognitive tasks
      deteriorates following total sleep deprivation. At times, however, subjects
      manage to maintain performance. This may be because of an ability to switch
      cognitive strategies including the exertion of compensatory effort. The present
      study examines the effects of total sleep deprivation on a semantic word priming
      task. Word priming is unique because it can be carried out using different
      strategies involving either automatic, effortless or controlled, effortful
      processing. Twelve subjects were presented with word pairs, a prime and a target,
      that were either highly semantically associated (cat...dog), weakly associated
      (cow...barn) or unassociated (apple...road). In order to increase the probability
      of the use of controlled processing following normal sleep, the subject's task
      was to determine if the target word was semantically related to the prime.
      Furthermore, the time between the offset of the prime and the onset of the target
      was relatively long, permitting the use of an effortful, expectancy-predictive
      strategy. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 64 electrode sites.
      After normal sleep, RTs were faster and accuracy higher to highly associated
      targets; this performance advantage was also maintained following sleep
      deprivation. A large negative deflection, the N400, was larger to weakly
      associated and unassociated targets in both sleep-deprived and normal conditions.
      The overall N400 was however larger in the normal sleep condition. Moreover, a
      long-lasting negative slow wave developed between the offset of the prime and the
      onset of the target. These physiological measures are consistent with the use of
      an effortful, predictive strategy following normal sleep but an automatic,
      effortless strategy following total sleep deprivation. A picture priming task was
      also run. This task benefits less from the use of a predictive strategy.
      Accordingly, in this task, ERPs following the target did not differ as a function
      of the amount of sleep. 

PMID- 24220106
TI  - Buccal partial pressure of carbon dioxide outweighs traditional vital signs in
      predicting the severity of hemorrhagic shock in a rat model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic shock (HS) is a leading cause of death in both military
      and civilian settings. Researchers have investigated different parameters as
      predictors of HS, but reached inconsistent conclusions. We hypothesized that
      buccal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) was a better predictor of HS
      than traditional vital signs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four anesthetized
      Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: one control group (no
      bleeding) and three surgical groups (25%, 35%, and 45% blood loss). Hemorrhage
      was induced by withdrawing blood from the left femoral artery over a period of 30
      min. After that, resuscitation was performed on animals in surgical groups using
      the Ringer lactate solution. Buccal PCO2 was continuously measured by a newly
      designed sensor holder during the experiments. Traditional vital signs, cardiac
      output, base excess, and microvascular perfusion (MPF) were also measured or
      calculated. RESULTS: Buccal PCO2 differed significantly among four groups
      beginning at 20 min, approximately 10 min earlier than the shock index and more
      earlier than the heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure.
      Buccal PCO2 correlated well with cardiac index and the changes in MPF. The
      correlation coefficients with cardiac index, chest MPF, and upper-limb MPF for
      buccal PCO2 were 0.781, -0.879, and -0.946, respectively. Besides, buccal PCO2
      showed a good value for predicting mortality. Furthermore, an approximate
      critical threshold of buccal PCO2 was also identified for predicting the severity
      of HS. CONCLUSIONS: Buccal PCO2 was a noninvasive, sensitive indicator of HS than
      traditional vital signs and may help on-scene rescuers administer early treatment
      of injured patients.

PMID- 24220107
TI  - A novel ribonuclease with antiproliferative activity toward leukemia and lymphoma
      cells and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity from the mushroom,
      Hohenbuehelia serotina.
AB  - In this study, a 27-kDa ribonuclease (RNase) was purified from the dried fruiting
      bodies of the mushroom, Hohenbuehelia serotina. The isolation protocol involved
      anion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, cation exchange
      chromatography and gel filtration in succession. The RNase was unadsorbed on DEAE
      cellulose, but was adsorbed on Affi-gel blue gel and CM-cellulose. The N-terminal
      amino acid sequence was TVGGSLAEKGN which showed homology to other fungal RNases
      to a certain degree. The RNase exhibited maximal RNase activity at pH 5 and 80C.
      It demonstrated the highest ribonucleolytic activity toward poly(C), a relatively
      high activity toward poly(U), and a considerably weaker activity toward poly(A)
      and (G). The RNase inhibited human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse
      transcriptase with an IC50 of 50 uM and reduced [3H-methyl]-thymidine uptake by
      L1210 leukemia cells and MBL2 lymphoma cells with an IC50 of 25 uM and 40 uM,
      respectively.

PMID- 24220108
TI  - Glycopeptide antibiotic biosynthesis.
AB  - Glycopeptides such as vancomycin, teicoplanin and telavancin are essential for
      treating infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Unfortunately, the dwindled
      pipeline of new antibiotics into the market and the emergence of glycopeptide
      resistant enterococci and other resistant bacteria are increasingly making
      effective antibiotic treatment difficult. We have now learned a great deal about
      how bacteria produce antibiotics. This information can be exploited to develop
      the next generation of antimicrobials. The biosynthesis of glycopeptides via
      nonribosomal peptide assembly and unusual amino acid synthesis, crosslinking and
      tailoring enzymes gives rise to intricate chemical structures that target the
      bacterial cell wall. This review seeks to describe recent advances in our
      understanding of both biosynthesis and resistance of these important antibiotics.

PMID- 24220109
TI  - Cytochrome P450-mediated hydroxylation is required for polyketide
      macrolactonization in stambomycin biosynthesis.
AB  - Many polyketide antibiotics contain macrolactones that arise from polyketide
      synthase chain release via thioesterase (TE) domain-catalyzed macrolactonization.
      The hydroxyl groups utilized in such macrolactonization reactions typically
      derive from reduction of beta-ketothioester intermediates in polyketide chain
      assembly. The stambomycins are a group of novel macrolide antibiotics with
      promising anticancer activity that we recently discovered via rational activation
      of a silent polyketide biosynthetic gene cluster in Streptomyces ambofaciens.
      Here we report that the hydroxyl group utilized for formation of the macrolactone
      in the stambomycins is derived from cytochrome P450-catalyzed hydroxylation of
      the polyketide chain rather than keto reduction during chain assembly. This is a
      novel mechanism for macrolactone formation in polyketide antibiotic biosynthesis.

PMID- 24220110
TI  - Structure and activity of lobophorins from a turrid mollusk-associated
      Streptomyces sp.
AB  - A novel lumun-lumun sampling methodology was used to obtain a large diversity of
      micromollusks, including the new species Lienardia totopotens. In turn, from L.
      totopotens we cultivated a Streptomyces sp. strain that contained new and known
      spirotetronate polyketides, lobophorins (1-5). The structures were elucidated
      using spectroscopy, and the compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity to human
      cells and activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bacillus subtilis,
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia. Compounds 2-5 showed varying
      degrees of activity against human cells, M. tuberculosis and B. subtilis in the
      low MUM to mid nM range but were inactive against the other strains, while 1
      lacking digitoxose was inactive. Very slight structural changes in 2-5 led to
      varying antibacterial:cytotoxicity ratios, providing a possible basis to
      synthesize more selective derivatives. 

PMID- 24220111
TI  - Isolation, structural elucidation and biosynthesis of 3-hydroxy-6
      dimethylallylindolin-2-one, a novel prenylated indole derivative from
      Actinoplanes missouriensis.
AB  - Many prenylated indole derivatives are widely distributed in nature. Recently,
      two Streptomyces prenyltransferases, IptA and its homolog SCO7467, were
      identified in the biosynthetic pathways for 6-dimethylallylindole (DMAI)-3
      carbaldehyde and 5-DMAI-3-acetonitrile, respectively. Here, we isolated a novel
      prenylated indole derivative, 3-hydroxy-6-dimethylallylindolin (DMAIN)-2-one,
      based on systematic purification of metabolites from a rare actinomycete,
      Actinoplanes missouriensis NBRC 102363. The structure of 3-hydroxy-6-DMAIN-2-one
      was determined by HR-MS and NMR analyses. We found that A. missouriensis produced
      not only 3-hydroxy-6-DMAIN-2-one but also 6-dimethylallyltryptophan (DMAT) and 6
      DMAI when grown in PYM (peptone-yeast extract-MgSO4) medium. We searched the
      complete genome of A. missouriensis for biosynthesis genes of these compounds and
      found a gene cluster composed of an iptA homolog (AMIS_22580, named iptA-Am) and
      a putative tryptophanase gene (AMIS_22590, named tnaA-Am). We constructed a tnaA
      Am-deleted (DeltatnaA-Am) strain and found that it produced 6-DMAT but did not
      produce 6-DMAI or 3-hydroxy-6-DMAIN-2-one. Exogenous addition of 6-DMAI to mutant
      DeltatnaA-Am resulted in the production of 3-hydroxy-6-DMAIN-2-one. Furthermore,
      in vitro enzyme assays using recombinant proteins produced by Escherichia coli
      demonstrated that 6-DMAI was synthesized from tryptophan and dimethylallyl
      pyrophosphate in the presence of both IptA-Am and TnaA-Am, and that IptA-Am
      preferred tryptophan to indole as the substrate. From these results, we concluded
      that the iptA-Am-tnaA-Am gene cluster is responsible for the biosynthesis of 3
      hydroxy-6-DMAIN-2-one. Presumably, tryptophan is converted into 6-DMAT by IptA-Am
      and 6-DMAT is then converted into 6-DMAI by TnaA-Am. 6-DMAI appears to be
      converted into 3-hydroxy-6-DMAIN-2-one by the function of some unknown oxidases
      in A. missouriensis. 

PMID- 24220112
TI  - FeCl3-catalyzed synthesis of functionally diverse dibenzo[b,f]oxepines and
      benzo[b]oxepines via alkyne-aldehyde metathesis.
AB  - An efficient synthesis of dibenzo[b,f]oxepines and benzo[b]oxepines via FeCl3
      catalyzed alkyne-aldehyde metathesis reaction is described. Structurally diverse
      dibenzo[b,f]oxepines and benzo[b]oxepines have been achieved in good yields with
      high regio- and chemoselectivity under mild conditions. Notably, among the
      various catalysts such as Fe(III), Au(III), In(III), Zn(II), Ag(I) and triflic
      acid, the alkyne-aldehyde metathesis reaction of 2-(2'-phenylethynyl-phenyloxy)
      benzaldehyde is only catalyzed by environmentally friendly and sustainable
      iron(III) chloride.

PMID- 24220113
TI  - A combination of anatomical and functional evaluations improves the prediction of
      cardiac event in patients with coronary artery bypass.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the usefulness of combined risk stratification of coronary CT
      angiography (CTA) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with
      previous coronary-artery-bypass grafting (CABG). DESIGN: A retrospective,
      observational, single centre study. SETTING AND PATIENTS: 204 patients (84.3%
      men, mean age 68.7+/-7.6) undergoing CTA and MPI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CTA
      defined unprotected coronary territories (UCT; 0, 1, 2 or 3) by evaluating the
      number of significant stenoses which were defined as the left main trunk >=50%
      diameter stenosis, other native vessel stenosis >=70% or graft stenosis >=70%.
      Using a cut-off value with receiver-operating characteristics analysis, all
      patients were divided into four groups: group A (UCT=0, summed stress score
      (SSS)<4), group B (UCT>=1, SSS<4), group C (UCT=0, SSS>=4) and group D (UCT>=1,
      SSS>=4). RESULTS: Cardiac events, as a composite end point including cardiac
      death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring
      revascularisation and heart-failure hospitalisation, were observed in 27 patients
      for a median follow-up of 27.5 months. The annual event rates were 1.1%, 2%, 5.7%
      and 12.9% of patients in groups A, B, C and D, respectively (log rank p value
      <0.0001). Adding UCT or SSS to a model with significant clinical factors
      including left ventricular ejection fraction, time since CABG and Euro SCORE II
      improved the prediction of events, while adding UCT and SSS to the model improved
      it greatly with increasing C-index, net reclassification improvement and
      integrated discrimination improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of anatomical
      and functional evaluations non-invasively enhances the predictive accuracy of
      cardiac events in patients with CABG.

PMID- 24220114
TI  - Mortality following a brain tumour diagnosis in patients with multiple sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: As brain tumours and their treatment may theoretically have a poorer
      prognosis in inflammatory central nervous system diseases such as multiple
      sclerosis (MS), all-cause mortality following a brain tumour diagnosis was
      compared between patients with and without MS. The potential role of age at
      tumour diagnosis was also examined. SETTING: Hospital inpatients in Sweden with
      assessment of mortality in hospital or following discharge. PARTICIPANTS: Swedish
      national registers identified 20 543 patients with an MS diagnosis (1969-2005)
      and they were matched individually to produce a comparison cohort of 204 163
      members of the general population without MS. Everyone with a primary brain
      tumour diagnosis was selected for this study: 111 with MS and 907 without MS.
      PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: 5-year mortality risk following brain
      tumour diagnosis and age at brain tumour diagnosis. RESULTS: A non-statistically
      significant lower mortality risk among patients with MS (lower for those with
      tumours of high-grade and uncertain-grade malignancy and no notable difference
      for low-grade tumours) produced an unadjusted HR (and 95% CI) of 0.75 (0.56 to
      1.02). After adjustment for age at diagnosis, grade of malignancy, sex, region of
      residence and socioeconomic index, the HR is 0.91 (0.67-1.24). The change in
      estimate was largely due to adjustment for age at brain tumour diagnosis, as
      patients with MS were on average 4.7 years younger at brain tumour diagnosis than
      those in the comparison cohort (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Younger age at tumour
      diagnosis may contribute to mortality reduction in those with high-grade and
      uncertain-grade brain tumours. Survival following a brain tumour is not worse in
      patients with MS; even after age at brain tumour diagnosis and grade of
      malignancy are taken into account.

PMID- 24220115
TI  - Percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (PEVAR) - superior to traditional EVAR?

PMID- 24220116
TI  - State-of-the-art aortic imaging: part I - fundamentals and perspectives of CT and
      MRI.
AB  - Over the last two decades, imaging of the aorta has undergone a clinically
      relevant change. As part of the change non-invasive imaging techniques have
      replaced invasive intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography as the former
      imaging gold standard for aortic diseases. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) constitute the backbone of pre- and postoperative aortic
      imaging because they allow for imaging of the entire aorta and its branches. The
      first part of this review article describes the imaging principles of CT and MRI
      with regard to aortic disease, shows how both technologies can be applied in
      every day clinical practice, offering exciting perspectives. Recent CT scanner
      generations deliver excellent image quality with a high spatial and temporal
      resolution. Technical developments have resulted in CT scan performed within a
      few seconds for the entire aorta. Therefore, CT angiography (CTA) is the imaging
      technology of choice for evaluating acute aortic syndromes, for diagnosis of most
      aortic pathologies, preoperative planning and postoperative follow-up after
      endovascular aortic repair. However, radiation dose and the risk of contrast
      induced nephropathy are major downsides of CTA. Optimisation of scan protocols
      and contrast media administration can help to reduce the required radiation dose
      and contrast media. MR angiography (MRA) is an excellent alternative to CTA for
      both diagnosis of aortic pathologies and postoperative follow-up. The lack of
      radiation is particularly beneficial for younger patients. A potential side
      effect of gadolinium contrast agents is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). In
      patients with high risk of NSF unenhanced MRA can be performed with both ECG- and
      breath-gating techniques. Additionally, MRI provides the possibility to visualise
      and measure both dynamic and flow information. 

PMID- 24220117
TI  - Restenosis after infrapopliteal angioplasty - clinical importance, study update
      and further directions.
AB  - Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) represent the most severe form of
      peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and exhibit high mortality rates. Frequently,
      PAD in CLI patients involves the infrapopliteal arterial segment challenging
      endovascular revascularization strategies. Restenosis remains the major drawback
      of tibial angioplasty encountered in more than two thirds of CLI patients
      undergoing tibial revascularization. In contrast to earlier observations, tibial
      patency was recently shown to be essential to attain an optimal clinical outcome
      in CLI patients subsequent to tibial angioplasty. The exact pathopyhsiological
      mechanisms of tibial restenosis remains unclear. To date, most of our knowledge
      on tibial restenosis and its pathophysiology is derived from coronary arteries,
      based on the similarity of coronary arteries to tibial artery morphology.
      Nervertheless, multiple antirestenosis concepts are investigated within clinical
      trials to reduce tibial restenosis.Purpose of the present manuscript is to
      provide a current update on the pathophysiology of tibial restenosis and
      potential antirestenosis strategies.

PMID- 24220118
TI  - Alpha-linolenic acid intake prevents endothelial dysfunction in high-fat diet-fed
      streptozotocin rats and underlying mechanisms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is an important factor in the pathogenesis of
      diabetes related vascular complications, and acute alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
      intake can increase flow-mediated dilation of the diabetic artery at 4 h
      postprandially. However, whether chronic ALA supplementation may prevent
      endothelial dysfunction in the process of diabetes and underlying mechanisms
      remains largely unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high-fat diet-fed
      streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) rats provided an animal model for T2DM. Age-matched
      normal and HFD-STZ rats randomly received normal diet or ALA (500 mg/kg per day).
      After 5 weeks of feeding, endothelial function was determined. RESULTS: Diabetes
      caused significant endothelial dysfunction (maximal vasorelaxation responses to
      ACh) in aortic segments, and ALA intake alleviated endothelial dysfunction.
      Superoxide production and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) formation were reduced with ALA
      supplement in diabetic vascular segments. Interestingly, ALA intake enhanced eNOS
      but inhibited iNOS activity in diabetic vessels. Moreover, ALA intake
      significantly increased eNOS phosphorylation. On the other hand, gp91phox and
      iNOS overexpression were reduced moderately with ALA intake in diabetic vessels.
      CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that ALA prevents diabetes-induced endothelial
      dysfunction by enhancing eNOS activity and attenuates oxidative/nitrative stress
      by inhibiting iNOS and NADPH oxidase expression and ONOO- production.

PMID- 24220119
TI  - Breast artery calcium noted on screening mammography is predictive of high risk
      coronary calcium in asymptomatic women: a case control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between breast artery calcification (BAC) noted on
      mammography and both coronary artery disease and cardiovascular risk remains
      controversial. Few studies have examined the clinical significance of BAC in
      asymptomatic women. In the present study we evaluated the relationship between
      BAC and coronary artery calcium (CAC) as identified by multi-slice CT scanning
      (MSCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive women (n = 98) with BAC noted on
      routine mammography but without known coronary artery disease (CAD) were assessed
      for CAD risk factors and had assessment of coronary calcium by MSCT. A control
      cohort of consecutive women who were BAC(-) (n = 104) underwent an identical
      assessment. RESULTS: Women who were BAC(+) were older than those who were BAC(-);
      otherwise, there were no differences between the 2 groups with regard to
      traditional cardiac risk factors. Significantly more BAC(+) vs. BAC(-) women were
      found to have ?high risk? CAC scores, defined as CAC > 400 (11.2 % vs. 1.0 %, p =
      0.006). However, the rates of CAC scores of 0 were not different between the two
      groups (50.0 % vs. 54.8 % for BAC(+) and BAC(-) , respectively, p = 0.586). When
      examined in a multivariate model including the traditional risk factors of
      diabetes, increasing age, smoking, hyperlipidemia, and family history of CAD, the
      presence of BAC remained significantly associated with CAC > 400 (OR = 22.6, 95 %
      CI = 2.1 - 237.1). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of breast artery calcium on
      screening mammography was a strong independent predictor (odds ratio > 22) of
      high risk coronary artery calcium scores (defined as CAC > 400). The presence of
      BAC in those with significant CAD risk factors may warrant further evaluation.

PMID- 24220120
TI  - Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of infrainguinal vein graft stenosis is not
      a negative predictor for long-term patency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate whether maintenance percutaneous transluminal
      angioplasty (PTA) for significant stenosis after infrainguinal bypass grafting
      affects long-term patency of the bypass grafts in comparison to those not needing
      intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cohort includes 141 consecutive patients
      with 157 infrainguinal vein grafts performed from January 1996 to December 2005.
      Grafts occluded within three months after operation were excluded.
      Revascularisations needing maintenance PTA for significant stenoses of graft or
      adjacent in- or outflow vessels (intervention group, n = 39) were compared to
      those not needing intervention during follow up (non-intervention group, n =
      118). Primary end point was bypass occlusion. Secondary end points were major
      amputation or death. Long-term patency in the intervention and non-intervention
      groups was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared using the Tarone-Ware
      test. RESULTS: In the intervention group, primary assisted patency rate after 36
      and 60 months was 94.1 % and 89.4 %, respectively, whereas in the non
      intervention group patency rate was 92.5 % and 91.0 %, respectively (p = 0.644).
      Comparing the intervention group to the non-intervention group, 1 versus 2 major
      amputations (p = 0.642) and 14 versus 40 deaths (p = 0.233) occurred.
      CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence of graft stenosis did not decrease long-term patency rate
      when treated by PTA in comparison to grafts not needing maintenance PTA.

PMID- 24220121
TI  - Outcome after open surgery repair in endovascular-suitable patients with ruptured
      abdominal aortic aneurysms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been suggested in several
      studies to be superior to open surgery repair (OSR) for the treatment of ruptured
      abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs), but this finding might be affected by
      selection bias based on aneurysm morphology and patient characteristics. We
      tested rAAA anatomy according to EVAR suitability in patients undergoing OSR to
      assess the impact on mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis
      reports on 83 patients with rAAAs treated between November 2002 and July 2013.
      Pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scans were evaluated based on EVAR
      suitability and were determined by blinded independent reviewers. CT scans were
      lacking due to acquisition in an external institution with no availability (n =
      9) or solely ultrasound evaluations (n = 8). In addition patient characteristics
      and outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: All patients who underwent OSR and who had
      available preoperative CT scans were included in the study (n = 66). In summary,
      42 % of the patients (28/66; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 30.5 - 54.4) were
      considered eligible for EVAR according to pre-operative CT scans and 58 % of the
      patients (38/66; 95 % CI, 45.6 - 69.5) were categorized as unsuitable for
      endovascular repair. Patients suitable for EVAR had a significantly lower
      prevalence of in-hospital deaths (25 % [7/28]; 95 % CI, 9 - 41) in contrast to
      patients unsuitable for EVAR (53 % [20/38]; 95 % CI, 36.8 - 68.5; p = 0.02).
      CONCLUSIONS: EVAR-suitable patients had a highly significant mortality reduction
      undergoing OSR. Thus, the present study proposes that EVAR suitability is a
      positive predictor for survival after open repair of rAAA.

PMID- 24220122
TI  - Lumbar artery aneurysms as a rare cause of life threatening retroperitoneal
      bleeding.

PMID- 24220123
TI  - Blood will find its way. Retrograde perfusion of a transplant- kidney via a
      femoro- femoral crossover bypass.

PMID- 24220124
TI  - Marfan syndrome and cervical internal carotid artery aneurysm.

PMID- 24220125
TI  - Venous occlusion due to cystic adventitial degeneration of the common femoral
      vein.

PMID- 24220131
TI  - Frontal meningioma mimicking relapse of schizophrenia.

PMID- 24220130
TI  - Episodes of horizontal gene-transfer and gene-fusion led to co-existence of
      different metal-ion specific glyoxalase I.
AB  - Glyoxalase pathway plays an important role in stress adaptation and many clinical
      disorders. The first enzyme of this pathway, glyoxalase I (GlxI), uses
      methylglyoxal as a substrate and requires either Ni(II)/Co(II) or Zn(II) for
      activity. Here we have investigated the origin of different metal ion
      specificities of GlxI and subsequent pattern of inheritance during evolution. Our
      results suggest a primitive origin of single-domain Ni dependent GlxI [Ni-GlxI].
      This subsequently evolved into Zn activated GlxI [Zn-GlxI] in
      deltaproteobacteria. However, origin of eukaryotic Zn-GlxI is different and can
      be traced to GlxI from Candidatus pelagibacter and Sphingomonas. In eukaryotes
      GlxI has evolved as two-domain protein but the corresponding Zn form is lost in
      plants/higher eukaryotes. In plants gene expansion has given rise to multiple two
      domain Ni-GlxI which are differentially regulated under abiotic stress
      conditions. Our results suggest that different forms of GlxI have evolved to help
      plants adapt to stress. 

PMID- 24220132
TI  - Comparing profiles of mental disorder across birth cohorts: results from the 2007
      Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare individuals with any DSM-IV mental disorder
      from three different birth cohorts - young (16-34 years), middle age (35-59
      years) and older age (60-85 years) - on a range of clinically relevant factors.
      METHOD: Data were derived from the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental
      Health and Wellbeing. Individuals from three birth cohorts with a range of mental
      health and substance use disorders were identified using DSM-IV criteria and
      compared using regression analysis. The specific factors that were compared
      include: (1) type of disorder/disorders present; (2) suicidality; (3) number of
      co-occurring disorders; (4) levels of distress and impairment; (5) self-assessed
      physical and mental health; (6) presence of physical conditions; (7) size and
      quality of social support/network; and (8) treatment-seeking behaviour. RESULTS:
      The birth cohorts differed dramatically in terms of the specific disorders that
      were present. The older cohort were significantly more likely to experience
      internalising disorders and significantly less likely to experience externalising
      disorders in comparison to the young cohort. The older cohort were significantly
      more likely to experience co-morbid physical conditions as well as lower life
      satisfaction, poorer self-rated physical health, increased functional impairment,
      and more days out of role. The younger cohort had a significantly larger peer
      group that they could confide in and rely on in comparison to the older cohort.
      CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and researchers need to be cognisant that mental
      disorders manifest as highly heterogeneous constructs. The presentation of a
      disorder in a younger individual could be vastly different from the presentation
      of the same disorder in an older individual. The additional burden associated
      with these factors and how they apply to different birth cohorts must be taken
      into consideration when planning mental health services and effective treatment
      for the general population.

PMID- 24220133
TI  - Do mindfulness-based therapies have a role in the treatment of psychosis?

PMID- 24220134
TI  - Synaesthesia, reflex hallucinations and Mitempfindung - one of the same or
      different entities?

PMID- 24220135
TI  - Is food addiction a valid phenomenon through the lens of the DSM-5?

PMID- 24220136
TI  - What difference a decade? The costs of psychosis in Australia in 2000 and 2010:
      comparative results from the first and second Australian national surveys of
      psychosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess differences in costs of psychosis between the first and
      second Australian national surveys of psychosis and examine them in light of
      policy developments. METHOD: Cost differences due to changes in resource use
      and/or real price rises were assessed by minimizing differences in recruitment
      and costing methodologies between the two surveys. For each survey, average
      annual societal costs of persons recruited through public specialized mental
      health services in the census month were assessed through prevalence-based,
      bottom-up cost-of-illness analyses. The first survey costing methodology was
      employed as the reference approach. Unit costs were specific to each time period
      (2000, 2010) and expressed in 2010 Australian dollars. RESULTS: There was minimal
      change in the average annual costs of psychosis between the surveys, although
      newly included resources in the second survey's analysis cost AUD$3183 per
      person. Among resources common to each analysis were significant increases in the
      average annual cost per person for ambulatory care of AUD$7380, non-government
      services AUD$2488 and pharmaceuticals AUD$1892, and an upward trend in supported
      accommodation costs. These increases were offset by over a halving of mental
      health inpatient costs of AUD$11,790 per person and a 84.6% (AUD$604) decrease in
      crisis accommodation costs. Productivity losses, the greatest component cost,
      changed minimally, reflecting the magnitude and constancy of reduced employment
      levels of individuals with psychosis across the surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Between
      2000 and 2010 there was little change in total average annual costs of psychosis
      for individuals receiving treatment at public specialized mental health services.
      However, there was a significant redistribution of costs within and away from the
      health sector in line with government initiatives arising from the Second and
      Third National Mental Health Plans. Non-health sector costs are now a critical
      component of cost-of-illness analyses of mental illnesses reflecting, at least in
      part, a whole-of-government approach to care.

PMID- 24220137
TI  - MAT gene idiomorphs suggest a heterothallic sexual cycle in a predominantly
      asexual and important pine pathogen.
AB  - Diplodia pinea (=Sphaeropsis sapinea) is a well-known and economically important
      latent pathogen of Pinus spp. in many parts of the world. Despite intensive
      scrutiny, its sexual state has never been observed and the fungus has thus been
      considered exclusively asexual. It was, therefore, surprising that a recent
      population genetics study showed high genotypic diversity and random association
      of alleles in a number of populations, suggesting that the pathogen has a cryptic
      sexual stage. Using the genome sequence of two individual D. pinea isolates, we
      interrogated the structure of the MAT locus in this fungus. The results suggested
      that D. pinea is heterothallic (self-sterile) with complete and apparently
      functional copies of the MAT genes containing the alpha-1 and HMG domains present
      in different isolates. In addition to the MAT1-2-1 and MAT1-1-1 genes, we found a
      MAT1-1-4 gene in the MAT1-1 idiomorph and a novel MAT1-2-5 gene in the MAT1-2
      idiomorph. Importantly, the frequencies of occurrence of both idiomorphs in
      populations examined were not significantly different from a 1:1 ratio, which
      would be expected in sexually reproducing populations. Although the sexual state
      has never been observed, the results strongly suggest that D. pinea has a
      cryptic, heterothallic sexual cycle. 

PMID- 24220138
TI  - Impaired standing balance in elderly: a new engineering method helps to unravel
      causes and effects.
AB  - Deteriorated balance control is the most frequent cause of falls and injuries in
      the elderly. Balance control comprises a complex interplay of several underlying
      systems (ie, the sensory systems, the motor system, and the nervous system).
      Available clinical balance tests determine the patient's ability to maintain
      standing balance under defined test conditions and aim to describe the current
      state of this ability. However, these tests do not reveal which of the underlying
      systems is deteriorated and to what extent, so that the relation between cause
      and effect often remains unclear. Especially detection of early-stage balance
      control deterioration is difficult, because the balance control system is
      redundant and elderly may use compensation strategies. This article describes a
      new method that is able to identify causal relationships in deteriorated balance
      control, called CLSIT (Closed Loop System Identification Technique).
      Identification of impaired balance with CLSIT is a base for development of
      tailored interventions and compensation strategies to reduce the often serious
      consequences of deteriorated balance control in the elderly. 

PMID- 24220139
TI  - Quality of life and quality of care for people with dementia receiving long term
      institutional care or professional home care: the European RightTimePlaceCare
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore how quality of life (QoL) and quality of care (QoC) for
      people with dementia (PwD) vary across 8 European countries; to explore how QoL
      and QoC for PwD vary across living arrangements; and to assess the association
      between QoL and QoC. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Institutional long
      term care and home care in 8 European countries (England, Estonia, Finland,
      France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden). PARTICIPANTS: PwD receiving
      formal home care but at risk for admission to an institutional setting, and PwD
      who were recently admitted. MEASUREMENTS: QoL was assessed by the PwD and by
      their best informed proxies using the Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease scale
      (QoL-AD) (range 13-52). QoC was measured using quality of care indicators (eg,
      the presence of depressive symptoms, the presence of pressure ulcers). RESULTS: A
      total of 1123 PwD living at home (mean age 82.2, 63%women) and 791 PwD living in
      institutional care (mean age 84.1, 74% women) participated. QoL of PwD was most
      often rated highest in Sweden and England and lowest in Estonia and Spain. No
      differences in QoL were detected among the settings. For the QoC indicators, no
      consistent patterns were visible in such a way that certain countries or settings
      scored "higher" or "lower." The presence of depressive symptoms was most
      consistently associated with lower QoL (P <= .001). CONCLUSION: There is great
      variation in QoL and QoC scores among European countries and settings. To gain
      insight into the underlying causes of these differences, more knowledge is needed
      about the effect of different national health care systems and dementia
      strategies on QoL and QoC indicators. Depressive symptoms were associated with
      QoL, and executing longitudinal studies investigating which factors are
      associated with change in QoL is highly recommended.

PMID- 24220140
TI  - Acute complications and outcomes of acute head injury in adult patients with
      haemophilia.
AB  - The aim of the present study is to describe the clinical and epidemiological
      characteristics, complications and outcome of patients with haemophilia and acute
      head injury (AHI) at the emergency department (ED), and develop a protocol to
      prevent early and late complications. This is a retrospective cohort study
      including all patients with haemophilia and AHI admitted to the ED. We identified
      26 patients with AHI. A computed tomography scan was carried out on all patients
      at admission, and again on two patients (with neurosurgical complications) 48 h
      later. The discharge diagnosis was as follows: 3.8% subdural haematoma, 3.8%
      cerebellar epidural haematoma and 92.3% uncomplicated AHI. We propose the
      following protocol: a computed tomography scan upon arrival and another within 48
      h post-AHI, unless there is an absence of clinical symptoms. In addition, all
      patients must self-administer a clotting factor as soon as possible and be
      observed in the ED for at least 48 h. 

PMID- 24220142
TI  - Homogenous mixing of ionic liquids: molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - Binary mixtures of room temperature ionic liquids (IL) with a common cation were
      investigated using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Two different
      binary ILs, viz., [C4mim][PF6]-[C4mim][Cl] and [C4mim][PF6]-[C4mim][BF4], were
      studied with varying fractions of either anion. The coordination environment of
      an anion around the cation is altered in the presence of another type of anion.
      The extent of change is larger for anions with much different radii. Atomistic MD
      and coarse grain MD simulations do not show any evidence for the clustering of
      like anions at any concentration. The binary liquids are well mixed at the
      molecular level. 

PMID- 24220141
TI  - Impact of MACC1 on human malignant glioma progression and patients' unfavorable
      prognosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) has been established
      as an independent prognostic indicator of metastasis formation and metastasis
      free survival for patients with colon cancer and other solid tumors. However, no
      data are available concerning MACC1 expression in human astrocytic tumors.
      Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent primary brain tumor of
      adulthood, and due to its invasive and rapid growth, patients have unfavorable
      prognoses. Although these tumors rarely metastasize, their invasive and migratory
      behavior is similar to those of metastatic cells of tumors of different origin.
      Thus, we hypothesized that MACC1 may be involved in progression of human gliomas.
      METHODS: We performed real-time measurements of proliferation and migration in
      MACC1-transfected GBM cell lines (U138, U251) and evaluated tumor formation in
      organotypic hippocampal slice cultures of mice. Semiquantitative and quantitative
      real-time reverse transcription PCR analyses were performed for MACC1 and for its
      transcriptional target c-Met in human astrocytoma of World Health Organization
      grade II (low-grade astrocytoma) and GBM biopsies. Data were validated by MACC1
      immunohistochemistry in independent matched samples of low-grade astrocytoma and
      GBM. RESULTS: MACC1 increases the proliferative, migratory, and tumor-formation
      abilities of GBM cells. The c-Met inhibitor crizotinib reduced MACC1-induced
      migration and tumor formation in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures of mice.
      Analyzing patients' biopsies, MACC1 expression increased concomitantly with
      increasing World Health Organization grade. Moreover, MACC1 expression levels
      allowed discrimination of dormant and recurrent low-grade astrocytomas and of
      primary and secondary GBM. Strong MACC1 expression correlated with reduced
      patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: MACC1 may represent a promising biomarker for
      prognostication and a new target for treatment of human gliomas.

PMID- 24220143
TI  - Normal cut-off values for hyperandrogenaemia in Iranian women of reproductive
      age.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The normal cut-off values for hyperandrogenaemia differ between
      populations. Although there are various ways to determine the normal range of
      hormones in a population, use of a gold standard and the 95th percentile approach
      are not appropriate to diagnose hyperandrogenism. This study aimed to determine
      normative cut-off androgen levels for Iranian women of reproductive age using k
      means cluster analysis. STUDY DESIGN: The subjects were 1126 women, aged 18-45
      years, initially selected at random from women of reproductive age from different
      geographic regions of Iran. Serum levels of hormones were measured, and complete
      data were available for 923 women following the implementation of exclusion
      criteria. The reference group comprised 423 eumenorrhoeic non-hirsute women
      selected from the total population. Normative cut-off levels were computed using
      k-means cluster analysis (k=3). Analyses were also conducted based on age and
      body mass index (BMI) groups for the 923 subjects. RESULTS: Cluster cut-off
      values for the total study population were similar to the 95th percentile values,
      whereas the percentiles for the free androgen index, total testosterone,
      dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate and androstenedione were 79.3%, 74.1%, 96.7%
      and 71%, respectively, in the reference group. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of cut
      off values for hyperandrogenism based on age and BMI categories provides the most
      objective way of determining normal upper limits of androgen levels among Iranian
      women of reproductive age.

PMID- 24220144
TI  - SeqReporter: automating next-generation sequencing result interpretation and
      reporting workflow in a clinical laboratory.
AB  - A wide repertoire of bioinformatics applications exist for next-generation
      sequencing data analysis; however, certain requirements of the clinical molecular
      laboratory limit their use: i) comprehensive report generation, ii) compatibility
      with existing laboratory information systems and computer operating system, iii)
      knowledgebase development, iv) quality management, and v) data security.
      SeqReporter is a web-based application developed using ASP.NET framework version
      4.0. The client-side was designed using HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript. The server
      side processing (VB.NET) relied on interaction with a customized SQL server 2008
      R2 database. Overall, 104 cases (1062 variant calls) were analyzed by
      SeqReporter. Each variant call was classified into one of five report levels: i)
      known clinical significance, ii) uncertain clinical significance, iii) pending
      pathologists' review, iv) synonymous and deep intronic, and v) platform and panel
      specific sequence errors. SeqReporter correctly annotated and classified 99.9%
      (859 of 860) of sequence variants, including 68.7% synonymous single-nucleotide
      variants, 28.3% nonsynonymous single-nucleotide variants, 1.7% insertions, and
      1.3% deletions. One variant of potential clinical significance was re-classified
      after pathologist review. Laboratory information system-compatible clinical
      reports were generated automatically. SeqReporter also facilitated quality
      management activities. SeqReporter is an example of a customized and well
      designed informatics solution to optimize and automate the downstream analysis of
      clinical next-generation sequencing data. We propose it as a model that may
      envisage the development of a comprehensive clinical informatics solution.

PMID- 24220145
TI  - Transcriptomic classification of genetically engineered mouse models of breast
      cancer identifies human subtype counterparts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease consisting of multiple
      molecular subtypes. Genetically engineered mouse models are a useful resource for
      studying mammary cancers in vivo under genetically controlled and immune
      competent conditions. Identifying murine models with conserved human tumor
      features will facilitate etiology determinations, highlight the effects of
      mutations on pathway activation, and should improve preclinical drug testing.
      RESULTS: Transcriptomic profiles of 27 murine models of mammary carcinoma and
      normal mammary tissue were determined using gene expression microarrays.
      Hierarchical clustering analysis identified 17 distinct murine subtypes. Cross
      species analyses using three independent human breast cancer datasets identified
      eight murine classes that resemble specific human breast cancer subtypes.
      Multiple models were associated with human basal-like tumors including TgC3(1)
      Tag, TgWAP-Myc and Trp53-/-. Interestingly, the TgWAPCre-Etv6 model mimicked the
      HER2-enriched subtype, a group of human tumors without a murine counterpart in
      previous comparative studies. Gene signature analysis identified hundreds of
      commonly expressed pathway signatures between linked mouse and human subtypes,
      highlighting potentially common genetic drivers of tumorigenesis. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study of murine models of breast carcinoma encompasses the largest
      comprehensive genomic dataset to date to identify human-to-mouse disease subtype
      counterparts. Our approach illustrates the value of comparisons between species
      to identify murine models that faithfully mimic the human condition and indicates
      that multiple genetically engineered mouse models are needed to represent the
      diversity of human breast cancers. The reported trans-species associations should
      guide model selection during preclinical study design to ensure appropriate
      representatives of human disease subtypes are used.

PMID- 24220146
TI  - Whole genome sequencing and de novo assembly identifies Sydney-like variant
      noroviruses and recombinants during the winter 2012/2013 outbreak in England.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Norovirus is the commonest cause of epidemic gastroenteritis among
      people of all ages. Outbreaks frequently occur in hospitals and the community,
      costing the UK an estimated L110 m per annum. An evolutionary explanation for
      periodic increases in norovirus cases, despite some host-specific post immunity
      is currently limited to the identification of obvious recombinants. Our
      understanding could be significantly enhanced by full length genome sequences for
      large numbers of intensively sampled viruses, which would also assist control and
      vaccine design. Our objective is to develop rapid, high-throughput, end-to-end
      methods yielding complete norovirus genome sequences. We apply these methods to
      recent English outbreaks, placing them in the wider context of the international
      norovirus epidemic of winter 2012. METHOD: Norovirus sequences were generated
      from 28 unique clinical samples by Illumina RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) of total
      faecal RNA. A range of de novo sequence assemblers were attempted. The best
      assembler was identified by validation against three replicate samples and two
      norovirus qPCR negative samples, together with an additional 20 sequences
      determined by PCR and fractional capillary sequencing. Phylogenetic methods were
      used to reconstruct evolutionary relationships from the whole genome sequences.
      RESULTS: Full length norovirus genomes were generated from 23/28 samples. 5/28
      partial norovirus genomes were associated with low viral copy numbers. The de
      novo assembled sequences differed from sequences determined by capillary
      sequencing by <0.003%. Intra-host nucleotide sequence diversity was rare, but
      detectable by mapping short sequence reads onto its de novo assembled consensus.
      Genomes similar to the Sydney 2012 strain caused 78% (18/23) of cases, consistent
      with its previously documented association with the winter 2012 global outbreak.
      Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis and recombination detection analysis of the
      consensus sequences identified two related viruses as recombinants, containing
      sequences in prior circulation to Sydney 2012 in open reading frame (ORF) 2.
      CONCLUSION: Our approach facilitates the rapid determination of complete
      norovirus genomes. This method provides high resolution of full norovirus genomes
      which, when coupled with detailed epidemiology, may improve the understanding of
      evolution and control of this important healthcare-associated pathogen.

PMID- 24220148
TI  - Influence of aeration modes on leachate characteristic of landfills that adopt
      the aerobic-anaerobic landfill method.
AB  - As far as the optimal design, operation, and field application of the Aerobic
      Anaerobic Landfill Method (AALM) are concerned, it is very important to
      understand how aeration modes (different combinations of aeration depth and air
      injection rate) affect the biodegradation of organic carbon and the
      transformation of nitrogen in landfill solid waste. Pilot-scale lysimeter
      experiments were carried out under different aeration modes to obtain detailed
      information regarding the influence of aeration modes on leachate
      characteristics. Results from these lysimeter experiments revealed that aeration
      at the bottom layer was the most effective for decomposition of organic carbon
      when compared with aeration at the surface or middle layers. Moreover, the air
      injection rate led to different nitrogen transformation patterns, unlike the
      lesser influence it has on organic carbon decomposition. Effective simultaneous
      nitrification and denitrification were observed for the aeration mode with a
      higher air injection rate (=1.0 L/min). On the other hand, the phenomenon of
      sequenced nitrification and denitrification could be observed when a low air
      injection rate (=0.5L/min.) was employed. Finally, it is concluded that, for
      AALM, air injection with a higher air injection rate at the deepest layer near
      the leachate collection pipe tends to accelerate the stabilization of landfill
      waste as defined in terms of the enhancement of denitrification as well as
      organic carbon decomposition.

PMID- 24220149
TI  - Utilization of sepiolite materials as a bottom liner material in solid waste
      landfills.
AB  - Landfill bottom liners are generally constructed with natural clay soils due to
      their high strength and low hydraulic conductivity characteristics. However, in
      recent years it is increasingly difficult to find locally available clay soils
      that satisfy the required engineering properties. Fine grained soils such as
      sepiolite and zeolite may be used as alternative materials in the constructions
      of landfill bottom liners. A study was conducted to investigate the feasibility
      of using natural clay rich in kaolinite, sepiolite, zeolite, and their mixtures
      as a bottom liner material. Unconfined compression tests, swell tests, hydraulic
      conductivity tests, batch and column adsorption tests were performed on each type
      of soil and sepiolite-zeolite mixtures. The results of the current study indicate
      that sepiolite is the dominant material that affects both the geomechanical and
      geoenvironmental properties of these alternative liners. An increase in sepiolite
      content in the sepiolite-zeolite mixtures increased the strength, swelling
      potential and metal adsorption capacities of the soil mixtures. Moreover,
      hydraulic conductivity of the mixtures decreased significantly with the addition
      of sepiolite. The utilization of sepiolite-zeolite materials as a bottom liner
      material allowed for thinner liners with some reduction in construction costs
      compared to use of a kaolinite-rich clay. 

PMID- 24220150
TI  - Tar-free fuel gas production from high temperature pyrolysis of sewage sludge.
AB  - Pyrolysis of sewage sludge was studied in a free-fall reactor at 1000-1400 
      degrees C. The results showed that the volatile matter in the sludge could be
      completely released to gaseous product at 1300  degrees C. The high temperature
      was in favor of H2 and CO in the produced gas. However, the low heating value
      (LHV) of the gas decreased from 15.68 MJ/Nm(3) to 9.10 MJ/Nm(3) with temperature
      increasing from 1000  degrees C to 1400  degrees C. The obtained residual solid
      was characterized by high ash content. The energy balance indicated that the most
      heating value in the sludge was in the gaseous product.

PMID- 24220151
TI  - The residual life of bendiocarb on different substrates under laboratory and
      field conditions in Benin, Western Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The efficacy of bendiocarb against pyrethroid resistant An. gambiae
      and the residual life of this insecticide on different substrates were evaluated
      under laboratory and field conditions. METHODS: Bioassays according to the WHO
      (World Health Organization) standard protocol were carried out on different
      substrates impregnated with bendiocarb. Data were analyzed using a binomial
      regression model with R software. RESULTS: A good efficacy of the bendiocarb
      against pyrethroid resistant An. gambiae and a high variation of its residual
      life according to the surfaces treated was observed. The probability that a
      female mosquito died after exposure to a treated substrate was below 80% after 13
      weeks for the teak wood; 7 weeks for the wall made with a mixture of sand and
      cement and 6 weeks for walls made with red clay and those made with a mixture of
      the red clay and cement. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the residual life of bendiocarb
      on walls made with red clay, the main substrates treated during IRS campaigns in
      rural areas in Benin, more than 2 treatments rounds per year would be necessary
      to achieve a long term efficacy of IRS using bendiocarb in these areas. Financial
      and logistical resources required to achieve such levels of coverage need more
      political will from leaders of African endemic countries. While waiting for
      innovative malaria control tool, alternative insecticides or combinations of
      insecticides have to be used for insecticide resistance management in Benin.

PMID- 24220152
TI  - Glycoprotein import: a common feature of complex plastids?
AB  - Complex plastids evolved by secondary endosymbiosis and are, in contrast to
      primary plastids, surrounded by 3 or 4 envelope membranes. Recently, we provided
      evidence that in diatoms proteins exist that get N-glycosylated during transport
      across the outermost membrane of the complex plastid. This gives rise to unique
      questions on the transport mechanisms of these bulky proteins, which get
      transported across up to 3 further membranes into the plastid stroma. Here we
      discuss our results in an evolutionary context and speculate about the existence
      of plastidal glycoproteins in other organisms with complex plastids. 

PMID- 24220153
TI  - Discussion.

PMID- 24220154
TI  - Endovascular coil embolization of segmental arteries prevents paraplegia after
      subsequent thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair: an experimental model.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To test a strategy for minimizing ischemic spinal cord injury after
      extensive thoracoabdominal aneurysm (TAAA) repair, we occluded a small number of
      segmental arteries (SAs) endovascularly 1 week before simulated aneurysm repair
      in an experimental model. METHODS: Thirty juvenile Yorkshire pigs (25.2 +/- 1.7
      kg) were randomized into 3 groups. All SAs, both intercostal and lumbar, were
      killed by a combination of surgical ligation of the lumbar SAs and occlusion of
      intercostal SAs with thoracic endovascular stent grafting. Seven to 10 days
      before this simulated TAAA replacement, SAs in the lower thoracic/upper lumbar
      region were occluded using embolization coils: 1.5 +/- 0.5 SAs in group 1
      (T13/L1), and 4.5 +/- 0.5 SAs in group 2 (T11-L3). No SAs were coiled in the
      controls. Hind limb function was evaluated blindly from daily videotapes using a
      modified Tarlov score (0 = paraplegia, 9 = full recovery). After death, each
      segment of spinal cord was graded histologically using the 9-point Kleinman score
      (0 = normal, 8 = complete necrosis). RESULTS: Hind limb function remained normal
      after coil embolization. After simulated TAAA repair, paraplegia occurred in 6 of
      10 control pigs, but in only 2 of 10 pigs in group 1; no pigs in group 2 had a
      spinal cord injury. Tarlov scores were significantly better in group 2 (control
      vs group 1, P = .06; control vs group 2, P = .0002; group 1 vs group 2, P = .05).
      A dramatic reduction in histologic damage, most prominently in the coiled region,
      was seen when SAs were embolized before simulated TAAA repair. CONCLUSIONS:
      Endovascular coiling of 2 to 4 SAs prevented paraplegia in an experimental model
      of extensive hybrid TAAA repair, and helped protect the spinal cord from ischemic
      histopathologic injury. A clinical trial in a selected patient population at high
      risk for postoperative spinal cord injury may be appropriate.

PMID- 24220155
TI  - Variant vicilins from a resistant Vigna unguiculata lineage (IT81D-1053)
      accumulate inside Callosobruchus maculatus larval midgut epithelium.
AB  - It has been demonstrated that variant vicilins are the main resistance factor of
      cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata) against attack by the cowpea beetle
      Callosobruchus maculatus. There is evidence that the toxic properties of these
      storage proteins may be related to their interaction with glycoproteins and other
      microvillar membrane constituents along the digestive tract of the larvae. New
      findings have shown that following interaction with the microvilli, the vicilins
      are absorbed across the intestinal epithelium and thus reach the internal
      environment of the larvae. In the present paper we studied the insecticidal
      activity of the variant vicilins purified from a resistant cowpea variety (IT81D
      1053). Bioassays showed that the seeds of this genotype affected larval growth,
      causing developmental retardation and 100% mortality. By feeding C. maculatus
      larvae on susceptible and IT81D-1053 derived vicilins (FITC labelled or
      unlabelled), followed by fluorescence and immunogold cytolocalization, we were
      able to demonstrate that both susceptible and variant forms are internalized in
      the midgut cells and migrate inside vesicular structures from the apex to the
      basal portion of the enterocytes. However, when larvae were fed with the labelled
      vicilins for 24h and then returned to a control diet, the concentration of the
      variant form remained relatively high, suggesting that variant vicilins are not
      removed from the cells at the same rate as the non-variant vicilins. We suggest
      that the toxic effects of variant vicilins on midgut cells involve the binding of
      these proteins to the cell surface followed by internalization and interference
      with the normal physiology of the enterocytes, thereby affecting larval
      development in vivo. 

PMID- 24220156
TI  - Should bowel preparation, antifoaming agents, or prokinetics be used before video
      capsule endoscopy? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The ideal bowel preparation regime before small bowel video capsule
      endoscopy (VCE) is not known. We carried out a systematic review and meta
      analysis to study the effect of purgatives, antifoaming agents, and prokinetics
      on the outcomes associated with VCE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed
      literature searches in MEDLINE and Cochrane Library and included randomized
      controlled trials studying the effect of purgatives, antifoaming agents, and
      prokinetics in patients undergoing VCE. Our outcomes of interest were
      visualization quality, diagnostic yield, and completion rate. Meta-analyses were
      carried out using the RevMan software and heterogeneity was assessed using the I
      statistic. RESULTS: Fifteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. As compared
      with no bowel preparation, bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) led
      to adequate visualization in a significantly higher number of patients undergoing
      VCE [odds ratio (OR) 3.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.70-5.75]. Both PEG and
      sodium phosphate significantly improved the diagnostic yield (OR 1.68; 95% CI
      1.16-2.42 and OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.18-2.64, respectively) but did not affect the
      completion rate. All studies with simethicone showed significantly improved
      visualization quality with its use as compared with overnight fasting or
      purgatives alone. Prokinetics did not significantly improve the completion rate
      of VCE. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the data available, a combination of PEG and
      simethicone appears to be the best approach for small bowel preparation before
      VCE. However, large multicenter randomized-controlled trials are needed to
      validate this recommendation and to evaluate the ideal dose of PEG and timing of
      bowel preparation before VCE. Prokinetics administered before VCE do not improve
      the completion rate and should not be used.

PMID- 24220157
TI  - Spondyloarthritis: may the force be with you?

PMID- 24220158
TI  - Contemporary systemic therapy for male breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use, effectiveness, and tolerability of tamoxifen, aromatase
      inhibitors, and trastuzumab in early and advanced male breast cancer were
      examined at a population level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 158
      consecutively referred men with invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 2000 and
      2010 were identified. Stage and prognostic factors were compared with a random
      sample of contemporary female patients. Survival outcomes were compared with a
      separate female cohort matched 2:1 by prognostic and treatment factors. RESULTS:
      Men were older (median 69.5 years) than women (median 60 years) and presented
      with more advanced stage disease. Estrogen receptor was positive in 96% (n = 152)
      of cases. Tamoxifen was more commonly used than aromatase inhibitors in the
      curative and metastatic settings. Adherence to adjuvant tamoxifen therapy was
      generally adequate with estimated actuarial rates of persistence at 1 year and
      3.5 years of 89% and 70%, respectively. For the 146 men treated with curative
      intent, 5-year overall survival, breast cancer-specific survival and progression
      free survival were 72%, 86%, and 62%, respectively. Outcomes were similar to
      matched female patients in univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In
      this large population-based study, outcomes appear similar between male and risk
      matched female patients with breast cancer. Side effect profiles, tolerance,
      adherence, and outcomes after tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and trastuzumab in
      men appear comparable with those described in the literature for women.

PMID- 24220159
TI  - An overview on HMGB1 inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents in HMGB1-related
      pathologies.
AB  - HMGB1 (High-Mobility Group Box-1) is a nuclear protein that acts as an
      architectural chromatin-binding factor involved in the maintenance of nucleosome
      structure and regulation of gene transcription. It can be released into the
      extracellular milieu from immune and non-immune cells in response to various
      stimuli. Extracellular HMGB1 contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous chronic
      inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis,
      atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as
      well as cancer pathogenesis. Interaction of released HMGB1 with the cell-surface
      receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is one of the main signaling
      pathways triggering these diseases. It has been also demonstrated that the
      inhibition of the HMGB1-RAGE interaction represents a promising approach for the
      modulation of the inflammatory and tumor-facilitating activity of HMGB1. In this
      review we describe various approaches recently proposed in the literature to
      inhibit HMGB1 and the related inflammatory processes, especially focusing on the
      block of RAGE-HMGB1 signaling. Several strategies are based on molecules which
      mainly interact with RAGE as competitive antagonists of HMGB1. As an alternative,
      encouraging results have been obtained with HMGB1-targeting, leading to the
      identification of compounds that directly bind to HMGB1, ranging from small
      natural or synthetic molecules, such as glycyrrhizin and gabexate mesilate, to
      HMGB1-specific antibodies, peptides, proteins as well as bent DNA-based duplexes.
      Future perspectives are discussed in the light of the overall body of knowledge
      acquired by a large number of research groups operating in different but related
      fields. 

PMID- 24220160
TI  - Activity of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in the liver of rats with multi
      vitamin deficiency.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to determine how multi-vitamin deficiency affects
      xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme (XME) activities in the rat liver. Vitamin levels
      and XME activities were studied in the livers of male Wistar rats who were fed
      for 4 weeks with semi-synthetic diets containing either adequate (100 % of
      recommended vitamin intake) levels of vitamins (control), or decreased vitamin
      levels (50 % or 20 % of recommended vitamin intake). The study results have shown
      that moderate vitamin deficiency (50 %) leads to a decrease of vitamin A levels
      only, and to a slight increase, as compared with the control, in the following
      enzyme activities: methoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (MROD) activity of CYP1 A2 - by
      34 % (p < 0.05), UDP-glucuronosyl transferase - by 26 % (p < 0.05), and quinone
      reductase - by 55 % (p < 0.05). Profound vitamin deficiency (20 %) led to a
      decrease of vitamins A, E, B1, B2, and C, and enzyme activities in the liver:
      MROD - to 78 % of the control level (p < 0.05), 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase - to 74
      % (p < 0.05), heme oxygenase-1 - to 83 % (p < 0.05), and quinone reductase - to
      60 % (p < 0.05). At the same time, the UDP-glucuronosyl transferase activity and
      ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity of CYP1A1, pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase
      activity of CYP2B1/2 and 6beta-testosterone hydroxylase, as well as the total
      activity of glutathione transferase did not differ from the control levels. The
      study has demonstrated that profound multi-vitamin deficiency is associated with
      a decrease in the expression of CYP1A2 and CYP3A1 mRNAs to 62 % and 79 %,
      respectively. These data indicated that a short-term but profound multi-vitamin
      deficiency in rats leads to a decrease in the activities and expression of the
      some XME that play an important role in detoxification of xenobiotics and
      metabolism of drugs and antioxidant protection. 

PMID- 24220161
TI  - The impact of prenatal vitamin A and zinc supplementation on birth size and
      neonatal survival - a double-blind, randomized controlled trial in a rural area
      of Indonesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prenatal supplementation with micronutrients may increase birth
      weight and thus improve infant health and survival in settings where infants and
      children are at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether
      vitamin A and/or zinc supplementation given during pregnancy can improve birth
      weight, birth length, neonatal morbidity, or infant mortality. METHODS: A double
      blind, randomized controlled trial supplementing women (n = 2173) in Central
      Java, Indonesia throughout pregnancy with vitamin A, zinc, combined vitamin
      A+zinc, or placebo. RESULTS: Out of 2173 supplemented pregnant women, 1956
      neonates could be evaluated. Overall, zinc supplementation improved birth length
      compared to placebo or combined vitamin A+zinc (48.8 vs. 48.5 cm, p = 0.04);
      vitamin A supplementation improved birth length compared to placebo or combined
      vitamin A+zinc (48.7 vs. 48.2 cm, p = 0.04). These effects remained after
      adjusting for maternal height, pre-pregnancy weight, and parity. There was no
      effect of supplementation on birth weight, the proportion of low birth weight,
      neonatal morbidity, or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal zinc or vitamin A
      supplementation demonstrates a small but significant effect on birth length, but
      supplementation with zinc, vitamin A or a combination of zinc and vitamin A, have
      no effect on birth weight, neonatal morbidity, or mortality.

PMID- 24220162
TI  - The Effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguariensis) consumption on IL-1, IL-6, TNF
      alpha and IL-10 production by bone marrow cells in wistar rats fed a high-fat
      diet.
AB  - An excessive consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) results in becoming overweight
      or obese, which triggers a chronic inflammatory condition that is associated with
      a high white blood cell count. Because of the potential for yerba mate (Ilex
      paraguariensis) (YM) to impact obesity, this study aimed to investigate the
      effects of YM consumption on the hematological response and on the production of
      interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-10 by
      bone marrow cells from Wistar rats fed a HFD. Male Wistar rats were fed a control
      (CON) or HFD diet for twelve weeks. At the end of this period, the rats received
      YM (1 g/kg/day body weight) for 4 weeks. After euthanasia, hemograms and
      myelograms were evaluated, while the bone marrow cells were cultured in the
      presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the production of IL
      1alpha, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-10. The consumption of YM reduced the body
      weight, the body adiposity, and the cholesterol levels in HFD-fed rats. Bone
      marrow cells from the HFD group produced more IL-1alpha, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, and
      less IL-10, when compared to cells from the control group, and YM consumption
      reduced the IL-1alpha, IL-6, and TNF-alpha production by the cells. However,
      cells from the HFD rats that were stimulated with LPS increased their IL-1alpha,
      IL-6, and TNF-alpha production, but YM consumption did not change this result. In
      summary, the consumption of YM affects the production of IL-1alpha, IL-6, and TNF
      alpha by bone marrow cells, promotes weight loss, decreases the number of white
      blood cells, and significantly improves serum cholesterol level in HFD-fed rats.
      However, the bone marrow cells from the HFD+YM-fed rats challenged with LPS did
      not show improvement in the inflammatory response compared to the cells from
      animals fed only a HFD that were also challenged with LPS. 

PMID- 24220163
TI  - Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids intake and dietary sources in a representative
      sample of Spanish adults.
AB  - The present study analyzes the intake of omega 3 (n-3 PUFAs) and omega 6 (n-6
      PUFAs) and dietary sources in a representative sample of Spanish adults. For this
      purpose 418 adults (18 - 60 y), from 15 Spanish provinces were studied. The
      intake of energy and nutrients [specifically, the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
      (PUFAs,) alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic
      acid (DHA); and the n-6 PUFA, linoleic acid (LA)] was determined using a 24-hour
      recall questionnaire for two days. The Multiple Source Method (MSM) was used to
      estimate participants? usual fatty acid intake. The total n-3 PUFAs intake was
      1.8 +/- 0.60 g/day (ALA: 1.3 +/- 0.32, EPA: 0.16 +/- 0.14, and DHA: 0.33 +/- 0.21
      g/day) and n-6 PUFA intake was 11.0 +/- 2.7 g/day (LA: 10.8 +/- 2.7 g/day). A
      high proportion of participants did not meet their nutrient intake goals for
      total n-3 PUFAs (84.7 %), ALA (45.0 %), and EPA plus DHA (62.9 %). The main food
      sources for ALA were oil, dairy products, and meat; for EPA fish; for DHA, fish,
      eggs, and meat; and for LA, oils, meat, and cereals. Therefore, an increase in
      the intake of foods rich in n-3 PUFAs or the use of supplements with n-3 PUFAs
      might help to improve the n-3 PUFA intake. 

PMID- 24220164
TI  - Nutritional supplements usage by Portuguese athletes.
AB  - In this study, we determined the prevalence of nutritional supplements (NS)
      usage, the type of supplements used, the reasons for usage, and the source of
      nutritional advice among Portuguese athletes. Two hundred ninety-two athletes (68
      % male, 12 - 37 years old) from 13 national sports federations completed a
      questionnaire that sought information on socio-demographics, sports data, and NS
      usage. Most athletes (66 %) consumed NS, with a median consumption of 4
      supplements per athlete. The most popular supplements included
      multivitamins/minerals (67 %), sport drinks (62 %), and magnesium (53 %).
      Significant differences for the type of NS consumed were found between gender and
      age groups and the number of weekly training hours. Most athletes used NS to
      accelerate recovery (63 %), improve sports performance (62 %), and have more
      energy/reduce fatigue (60 %). Athletes sought advice on supplementation mainly
      from physicians (56 %) and coaches (46 %). Age and gender were found to influence
      reasons for use and the source of information. Reasons for NS usage were
      supported scientifically in some cases (e. g., muscle gain upon protein
      supplementation), but others did not have a scientific basis (e. g., use of
      glutamine and magnesium). Given the high percentage of NS users, there is an
      urgent need to provide athletes with education and access to scientific and
      unbiased information, so that athletes can make assertive and rational choices
      about the utilization of these products. 

PMID- 24220165
TI  - Rice fortified with iron given weekly increases hemoglobin levels and reduces
      anemia in infants: a community intervention trial.
AB  - More than two billion people suffer from anemia worldwide, and it is estimated
      that more than 50 % of cases are caused by iron deficiency. In this community
      intervention trial, we evaluated infants aged 10 to 23 months of age (n = 171)
      from two public child day-care centers. Intervention lasted 18 weeks. The 50-g
      individual portion (uncooked) of fortified rice provided 56.4 mg of elemental
      iron as ferric pyrophosphate. Capillary blood samples to test for anemia were
      taken at baseline and at endpoint. The objective of this study was to evaluate
      the impact of rice fortified with iron (Ultrarice(r)) on hemoglobin and anemia
      prevalence compared with standard household rice. For the fortified rice center,
      baseline mean hemoglobin was 113.7 +/- 9.2 g/L, and at endpoint 119.5 +/- 7.7
      g/L, p < 0.0001; for the standard rice center, baseline mean hemoglobin value was
      113.5 +/- 40.7 g/L, and at endpoint 113.6 +/- 21.0, p = 0.99. Anemia prevalence
      for the fortified rice center was 27.8 % (20/72) at baseline, and 11.1 % (8/72)
      at endpoint, p = 0.012; for the control center, 47.1 % (33/70) were anemic at
      baseline, and 37.1 % (26/70) at the end of the study, p = 0.23. The Number Needed
      to Treat (NNT) was 4. In this intervention, rice fortified with iron given weekly
      was effective in increasing hemoglobin levels and reducing anemia in infants. 

PMID- 24220166
TI  - Rapid determination of coenzyme Q10 in food supplements using 1H NMR
      spectroscopy.
AB  - A methodology utilizing 1H NMR spectroscopy has been developed to measure the
      concentration of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in dietary supplements. For sample
      preparation, a very simple dilution with deuterated chloroform and addition of
      internal standard is sufficient. CoQ10 produces a distinct peak of the CH groups
      in the isoprene side chain of the molecule in the delta 5.15 - 5.05 ppm range,
      where it can be distinguished from other matrix compounds. The method was shown
      to be of adequate sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 7.8 mg/L, to
      control the CoQ10 content in the majority of the products. The precision
      expressed as relative standard deviation was around 5 %; linearity was observed
      from 14 to 2000 mg/L (R = 0.99). The developed methodology was applied for the
      analysis of 21 food supplements (capsules, tablets, and liquid products). On the
      basis of the labeled amounts, only two products contained substantially lower
      concentrations of CoQ10 (57 % and 51 %). All other concentrations varied between
      83 % and 190 % with respect to labeling. The developed NMR method may be used by
      quality assurance laboratories for routine control of CoQ10 products. 

PMID- 24220168
TI  - Reversal of metabolic deficits by lipoic acid in a triple transgenic mouse model
      of Alzheimer's disease: a 13C NMR study.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by
      deterioration of cognition and loss of memory. Several clinical studies have
      shown Alzheimer's disease to be associated with disturbances in glucose
      metabolism and the subsequent tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle-related metabolites
      like glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), and N-acetylaspartate (NAA). These
      metabolites have been viewed as biomarkers by (a) assisting early diagnosis of
      Alzheimer's disease and (b) evaluating the efficacy of a treatment regimen. In
      this study, 13-month-old triple transgenic mice (a mouse model of Alzheimer's
      disease (3xTg-AD)) were given intravenous infusion of [1-(13)C]glucose followed
      by an ex vivo (13)C NMR to determine the concentrations of (13)C-labeled
      isotopomers of Glu, Gln, aspartate (Asp), GABA, myo-inositol, and NAA. Total
      ((12)C+(13)C) Glu, Gln, and Asp were quantified by high-performance liquid
      chromatography to calculate enrichment. Furthermore, we examined the effects of
      lipoic acid in modulating these metabolites, based on its previously established
      insulin mimetic effects. Total (13)C labeling and percent enrichment decreased by
      ~50% in the 3xTg-AD mice. This hypometabolism was partially or completely
      restored by lipoic acid feeding. The ability of lipoic acid to restore glucose
      metabolism and subsequent TCA cycle-related metabolites further substantiates its
      role in overcoming the hypometabolic state inherent in early stages of
      Alzheimer's disease. 

PMID- 24220169
TI  - Sterile inflammation after permanent distal MCA occlusion in hypertensive rats.
AB  - The pathophysiology of stroke is governed by immune reactions within and remote
      from the injured brain. Hypertension, a major cause and comorbidity of stroke,
      entails systemic vascular inflammation and may influence poststroke immune
      responses. This aspect is, however, underestimated in previous studies. Here we
      aimed to delineate the sequence of cellular inflammation after stroke in
      spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were
      subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion and killed after 1 or 4
      days. Immune cells of the peripheral blood and those which have infiltrated the
      injured brain were identified and quantified by flow cytometry. The spatial
      distribution of myeloid cells and T lymphocytes, and the infarct volume were
      assessed by histology. We observed a concerted infiltration of immune cells into
      the ischemic brain of SH rats. At day 1, primarily neutrophils, monocytes,
      macrophages, and myeloid dendritic cells entered the brain, whereas the situation
      at day 4 was dominated by microglia, macrophages, lymphatic dendritic cells, and
      T cells. Postischemic inflammation did not cause secondary tissue damage during
      the subacute stage of experimental stroke in SH rats. Considering the intrinsic
      vascular pathology of SH rats, our study validates this strain for further
      translational research in poststroke inflammation. 

PMID- 24220170
TI  - In vitro cytotoxicity on human ovarian cancer cells by T-type calcium channel
      blockers.
AB  - The growth inhibition of human cancer cells via T-type Ca(2+) channel blockade
      has been well known. Herein, a series of new 3,4-dihydroquinazoline derivatives
      were synthesized via a brief SAR study on KYS05090 template and evaluated for
      both T-type Ca(2+) channel (Cav3.1) blockade and cytotoxicity on three human
      ovarian cancer cells (SK-OV-3, A2780 and A2780-T). Most of compounds except 6i
      generally exhibited more potent cytotoxicity on SK-OV-3 than mibefradil as a
      positive control regardless of the degree of T-type channel blockade. In
      particular, eight compounds (KYS05090, 6a and 6c-6h) showing strong channel
      blockade exhibited almost equal and more potent cytotoxicity on A2780 when
      compared to mibefradil. On A2780-T paclitaxel-resistant human ovarian carcinoma,
      two compounds (KYS05090 and 6d) were 20-fold more active than mibefradil. With
      respect to cell cycle arrest effect on A2780 and A2780-T cells, KYS05090 induced
      large proportion of sub-G1 phase in the cell cycle progression of A2780 and A2780
      T, meaning the induction of cancer cell death instead of cell cycle arrest via
      blocking T-type Ca(2+) channel. Among new analogues, compounds 6g and 6h induced
      cell cycle arrest at G1 phase of A2780 and A2780-T cells in dose-dependent manner
      and exhibited strong anti-proliferation effects of ovarian cancer cells by
      blocking T-type Ca(2+) channel. Furthermore, 6g and 6h possessing strong
      cytotoxic effects could induce apoptosis of A2780 cells, which was detected by
      confocal micrographs using DAPI staining. 

PMID- 24220171
TI  - Novel glycosylated endomorphin-2 analog produces potent centrally-mediated
      antinociception in mice after peripheral administration.
AB  - We report the synthesis and pharmacological characterization of a novel
      glycosylated analog of a potent and selective endogenous MU-opioid receptor (MOP)
      agonist, endomorphin-2 (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2, EM-2), obtained by the introduction
      in position 3 of the tyrosine residue possessing the glucose moiety attached to
      the phenolic function via a beta-glycosidic bond. The improved blood-brain
      barrier permeability and enhanced antinociceptive effect of the novel
      glycosylated analog suggest that it may be a promising template for design of
      potent analgesics. Furthermore, the described methodology may be useful for
      increasing the bioavailability and delivery of opioid peptides to the CNS. 

PMID- 24220172
TI  - Novel tacrine-ebselen hybrids with improved cholinesterase inhibitory, hydrogen
      peroxide and peroxynitrite scavenging activity.
AB  - A series of tacrine-ebselen hybrids were synthesised and evaluated as possible
      multifunctional anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) agents. Compound 6i, which is
      tacrine linked with 5,6-dimethoxybenzo[d][1,2]selenazol-3(2H)-one by a six-carbon
      spacer, was the most potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butylcholinesterase
      (BuChE) inhibitor, with IC50 values of 2.55 and 2.80 nM, respectively.
      Furthermore, this compound demonstrated similar hydrogen peroxide and
      peroxynitrite scavenging activity as ebselen by horseradish peroxidase assay and
      peroxynitrite scavenging activity assay, indicating that this hybrid is a good
      multifunctional drug candidate for the treatment of AD.

PMID- 24220173
TI  - Preparation, in vitro evaluation and molecular modelling of pyridinium
      quinolinium/isoquinolinium non-symmetrical bisquaternary cholinesterase
      inhibitors.
AB  - Two series of non-symmetrical bisquaternary pyridinium-quinolinium and pyridinium
      isoquinolinium compounds were prepared as molecules potentially applicable in
      myasthenia gravis treatment. Their inhibitory ability towards human recombinant
      acetylcholinesterase and human plasmatic butyrylcholinesterase was determined and
      the results were compared to the known effective inhibitors such as ambenonium
      dichloride, edrophonium bromide and experimental compound BW284C51. Two
      compounds, 1-(10-(pyridinium-1-yl)decyl)quinolinium dibromide and 1-(12
      (pyridinium-1-yl)dodecyl)quinolinium dibromide, showed very promising affinity
      for acetylcholinesterase with their IC50 values reaching nM inhibition of
      acetylcholinesterase. These most active compounds also showed satisfactory
      selectivity towards acetylcholinesterase and they seem to be very promising as
      leading structures for further modifications and optimization. Two of the most
      promising compounds were examined in the molecular modelling study in order to
      find the possible interactions between the ligand and tested enzyme. 

PMID- 24220174
TI  - Deep cognitive imaging systems enable estimation of continental-scale fire
      incidence from climate data.
AB  - Unplanned fire is a major control on the nature of terrestrial ecosystems and
      causes substantial losses of life and property. Given the substantial influence
      of climatic conditions on fire incidence, climate change is expected to
      substantially change fire regimes in many parts of the world. We wished to
      determine whether it was possible to develop a deep neural network process for
      accurately estimating continental fire incidence from publicly available climate
      data. We show that deep recurrent Elman neural network was the best performed out
      of ten artificial neural networks (ANN) based cognitive imaging systems for
      determining the relationship between fire incidence and climate. In a decennium
      data experiment using this ANN we show that it is possible to develop highly
      accurate estimations of fire incidence from monthly climatic data surfaces. Our
      estimations for the continent of Australia had over 90% global accuracy and a
      very low level of false negatives. The technique is thus appropriate for use in
      estimating the spatial consequences of climate scenarios on the monthly incidence
      of wildfire at the landscape scale. 

PMID- 24220175
TI  - New promising hybrid materials for electromagnetic interference shielding with
      improved stability and mechanical properties.
AB  - A novel transparent Co0.2Fe2.8O4@SiO2-polyetheretherketone hybrid material is
      prepared for electromagnetic interference shielding via in situ sol-gel process.
      20% amino-functionalized polyetheretherketone (AFPEEK), containing
      trifluoromethyl units with excellent solubility is designed and synthesized to
      improve the stability and mechanical properties of Co0.2Fe2.8O4@SiO2
      nanoparticles. The hydrophilic nanoparticles and hydrophobic polymer matrix are
      covalently connected after the effective interface modification with 3
      isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane. SEM and TEM images demonstrate that the strong
      interaction between inorganic-organic phases results in great improvement of
      dispersion and compatibility at even 40 wt% nanoparticles contents. The
      functional integration of organic polymer and inorganic nanoparticles leads to
      excellent comprehensive performances such as high transparency, thermal stability
      and mechanical properties of the hybrid material, as well as the high adhesion
      with substrate, which benefits its application as coating materials. This high
      performance material exhibits good superparamagnetic behaviour and microwave
      electromagnetic properties (RLmax ~ -13 dB), which can be utilized as a promising
      electromagnetic interference shielding material. 

PMID- 24220176
TI  - [Plasma urea along with every plasma creatinine test?].
AB  - The concentration of plasma creatinine and the estimated glomerular filtration
      rate, calculated from plasma creatinine, age, weight, and gender, are used to
      assess kidney function. In routine clinical practice the concentration of plasma
      urea is often determined at the same time as the creatinine concentration. Urea
      is a waste product of the breakdown of amino acids and is excreted by the
      kidneys. Thus reduced kidney function results in a rise of blood urea. In
      addition, the urea concentration is determined by protein supply and catabolism.
      The sensitivity and specificity of urea in the diagnosis of kidney dysfunction
      are therefore low. In only a limited number of cases might measuring urea be
      helpful in determining the cause of reduced kidney function. 

PMID- 24220177
TI  - [IgG4-related disease].
AB  - The diagnosis IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is often difficult to make. The
      clinical spectrum is diverse, with a variety of organ systems that may be
      affected simultaneously or sequentially. Patients often present with symptoms
      that mimic a malignant disease, for example, symptoms compatible with a
      pancreatic tumour. The lack of reliable tests often prolongs the diagnostic
      process. Limited insight into the causative disease mechanisms has confined the
      therapeutic options to the empirical use of immunosuppression. During the past
      year, the first papers on the fundamental aspects of the disease have resulted in
      the emergence of a new disease model for IgG4-RD. Recently published clinical and
      experimental findings support the hypothesis that antigenic stimulation plays a
      pivotal role in the aetiology of IgG4-RD. These new insights may pave the way for
      more sensitive diagnostic tests and more evidence-based strategies to cope with
      the many manifestations of IgG4-related disease.

PMID- 24220178
TI  - [Societal costs of asthma, COPD and respiratory allergy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the societal costs of asthma, COPD and respiratory allergy
      for the year 2007 and future healthcare costs for the period 2007-2032. DESIGN:
      Descriptive study. METHODS: Representative registries were used to estimate the
      healthcare costs of asthma, COPD and respiratory allergy for the year 2007. A
      simulation model for asthma and COPD and a demographic projection for respiratory
      allergy were used to determine future healthcare costs. Production losses due to
      sick leave and work incapacity were calculated using the friction-cost method.
      RESULTS: Total healthcare costs for asthma, COPD and respiratory allergy in 2007
      were estimated at 287, 415 and 103 million euros respectively; on average 530,
      1400 and 170 euros per patient with asthma, COPD and respiratory allergy. Average
      costs of sick leave for asthma were on average 1200 euros and for COPD 1900 euros
      per employee per year. The costs of work incapacity of an employee with COPD were
      1200 euros. There is expected to be an increase in the number of patients from
      443,000 in 2007 to 567,000 in 2032 for asthma and from 335,000 to 600,000 for
      COPD. The number of patients with a respiratory allergy are expected to remain
      approximately stable at 625,000 patients. The healthcare costs for respiratory
      allergy are expected to rise by 73%, those for asthma to double, and those for
      COPD to triple. CONCLUSION: Patients with asthma and COPD have high healthcare
      costs. Sick leave makes up a large part of the costs of asthma and COPD. In
      addition, the costs of work incapacity for employees with COPD are high. The
      number of patients with asthma and COPD will rise in the coming decades, as well
      as the healthcare costs for these diseases.

PMID- 24220179
TI  - [Hypoglycaemia with low insulin levels: what insulin tests do not measure].
AB  - Insulin can be measured by immunochemical methods using polyclonal or monoclonal
      antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are specific in the detection of pure human
      insulin, and may show little to no cross reactivity with pro-insulin or
      recombinant insulin. Polyclonal antibodies, however, do show such cross
      reactivity. Most medical laboratories use commercial (monoclonal) methods to
      measure insulin 75% of which are not capable of detecting pro-insulin or
      exogenous insulin. This pitfall in diagnostics may lead to prolonged uncertainty
      for both patient and physician, which we illustrate with two patients. The first
      patient was a 45-year-old woman with DM type 1 who for years suffered from
      hypoglycaemic attacks. Factitious hypoglycaemia went undiagnosed because our
      monoclonal assay did not detect the overdose insulin analogues. The second
      patient was a 47-year-old woman with recurrent hypoglycaemic attacks. An
      insulinoma, which produced pro-insulin, was only detected after using polyclonal
      insulin and specific pro-insulin assays. 

PMID- 24220180
TI  - [Illness, health and sunlight].
AB  - New scientific insights show that the influence of sunlight on health is
      profound. Recent data suggest that our skin is well adapted to the Dutch climate,
      but changes in the exposure pattern cause a steady increase in skin cancer. These
      changes mainly consist of a decrease in daily exposure and a shift from a regular
      to an intermittent exposure. In the Netherlands, probably the best advice is for
      moderate, frequent exposure to the sun. Evidence is accumulating that frequent
      exposure to sunlight is a protective factor against colorectal, prostate, and
      breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple sclerosis and metabolic
      syndrome. The circadian rhythm is affected by light. Too low levels of exposure
      to light in daytime and too high levels of exposure to light in the evening and
      at night can weaken and disrupt the circadian rhythm. This disruption most
      probably is a risk factor for some types of cancer and metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 24220181
TI  - [A woman with a wound on her hand].
AB  - A 37-year-old woman came to the Emergency Room. Since 7 days she had a growing
      wound of the left hand with a necrotic centre. She had increasing erythema and
      edema of the left arm, and a fever. PCR-investigation revealed the cow pox virus.
      Cow pox are rare but self-limiting. 

PMID- 24220182
TI  - [Dynamic compression brace for pectus carinatum].
AB  - Pectus carinatum occurs in one of 1500-1700 people and may lead to physical,
      cosmetic and psychosocial problems. Surgical treatment of pectus carinatum is
      performed using the 'Ravitch procedure'. An alternative and less invasive
      treatment consists of external compression with a brace. Results are often
      disappointing because of skin complications, a low level of comfort of the brace
      and low compliance. Nowadays a new brace (dynamic compression brace) exists with
      which the comfort and thus the compliance can be increased by measuring and
      regulating the pressure of correction during the treatment. This leads to better
      results and fewer complications. In 80-90% of patients the results are good to
      excellent and an operation can be avoided. This new brace is therefore a less
      invasive, cheap and safe alternative to the Ravitch procedure in the treatment of
      pectus carinatum in children. 

PMID- 24220183
TI  - [Pain during labour: sterile water injections?].
AB  - In the spring of 2013, the association of Dutch midwifes announced that midwifes
      would be offering sterile water injections for women in pain during labour.
      Shortly afterwards, the Dutch associations of gynaecologists and
      anaesthesiologists criticized this step, as the evidence for this intervention
      was considered insufficient. We reviewed the literature by critically appraising
      two recent systematic reviews. Although the overlap of included randomized trials
      was considerable, the reviews came to different conclusions regarding the primary
      outcome of one of the reviews, i.e. the proportion of unplanned caesarean
      sections. The order of magnitude of the effect estimated was similar, but in only
      one of the reviews the confidence interval encompassed 'no difference'. This
      discrepancy between the reviews was caused by a small difference in included
      trials. The results of planned and ongoing trials may reveal whether sterile
      water injections deserve a place in guidelines. 

PMID- 24220184
TI  - [Screening for lung cancer using CT: time for implementation?].
AB  - Screening for lung cancer with computed tomography (CT) appears to be highly
      effective. A large randomized trial in the United States reported a 7% reduction
      in all-cause mortality in patients screened by CT in comparison with those
      screened by chest radiography. The problem of dealing with the large number of
      pulmonary nodules and false positive test results could be solved by a protocol
      from the Dutch-Belgian lung cancer screening trial which proposes a strategy
      based on nodule volume and volumetry. Additional findings related to chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease are common in lung
      cancer screening and may provide an opportunity to increase screening benefits at
      minimal cost in the future. As CT is superior to radiography in lung cancer
      detection, CT seems the preferred imaging modality for case finding. As more
      trial results have to be awaited and cost-effectiveness and optimal screening
      strategy remain uncertain, CT lung cancer screening is not yet ready for
      implementation. 

PMID- 24220185
TI  - Human milk feeding supports adequate growth in infants <= 1250 grams birth
      weight.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite current nutritional strategies, premature infants remain at
      high risk for extrauterine growth restriction. The use of an exclusive human milk
      based diet is associated with decreased incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis
      (NEC), but concerns exist about infants achieving adequate growth. The objective
      of this study was to evaluate growth velocities and incidence of extrauterine
      growth restriction in infants <= 1250 grams (g) birth weight (BW) receiving an
      exclusive human milk-based diet with early and rapid advancement of fortification
      using a donor human milk derived fortifier. METHODS: In a single center,
      prospective observational cohort study, preterm infants weighing <= 1250 g BW
      were fed an exclusive human milk-based diet until 34 weeks postmenstrual age.
      Human milk fortification with donor human milk derived fortifier was started at
      60 mL/kg/d and advanced to provide 6 to 8 additional kilocalories per ounce (or
      0.21 to 0.28 kilocalories per gram). Data for growth were compared to historical
      growth standards and previous human milk-fed cohorts. RESULTS: We consecutively
      evaluated 104 infants with mean gestational age of 27.6 +/- 2.0 weeks and BW of
      913 +/- 181 g (mean +/- standard deviation). Weight gain was 24.8 +/- 5.4
      g/kg/day with length 0.99 +/- 0.23 cm/week and head circumference 0.72 +/- 0.14
      cm/week. There were 3 medical NEC cases and 1 surgical NEC case. 22 infants (21%)
      were small for gestational age at birth. Overall, 45 infants (43%) had
      extrauterine growth restriction. Weight velocity was affected by day of
      fortification (p = 0.005) and day of full feeds (p = 0.02). Our cohort had
      significantly greater growth in weight and length compared to previous entirely
      human milk-fed cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: A feeding protocol for infants <= 1250 g BW
      providing an exclusive human milk-based diet with early and rapid advancement of
      fortification leads to growth meeting targeted standards with a low rate of
      extrauterine growth restriction. Consistent nutritional policies using this
      approach may be considered for this population.

PMID- 24220186
TI  - The UK National Ligament Registry.

PMID- 24220187
TI  - Fractography and oxidative analysis of gamma inert sterilized posterior
      stabilized tibial insert post fractures: report of two cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Highly crosslinked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
      has shown success in reducing wear in hip arthroplasty but there remains
      skepticism about its use in Total Knee Replacement (TKR) inserts that are known
      to experience fatigue loading and higher local cyclic contact stresses. METHODS:
      Two Legacy Posterior-Stabilized (LPS) Zimmer NexGen tibial implants sterilized by
      gamma irradiation in an inert environment with posts that fractured in vivo were
      analyzed. Failure mechanisms were determined using optical and scanning electron
      microscopy along with oxidative analysis via Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR)
      spectroscopy. RESULTS: Micrographs of one retrieval revealed fatigue crack
      initiation on opposite sides of the post and quasi-brittle micromechanisms of
      crack propagation. FTIR of this retrieval revealed no oxidation. The fracture
      surface image of the second retrieval indicated a brittle fracture process and
      FTIR revealed oxidation in the explant. CONCLUSIONS: These two cases suggest that
      crosslinking of UHMWPE as a manufacturing process or sterilization method in
      conjunction with designs that incorporate high stress concentrations, such as the
      tibial post, may reduce material strength. Moreover, free radicals generated from
      ionizing radiation can render the polymer susceptible to oxidative embrittlement.
      CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings suggest that tibial post fractures may be the
      results of in vivo oxidation and low level crosslinking. These and previous
      reports of fractured crosslinked UHMWPE devices implores caution when used with
      high stress concentrations, particularly when considering the potential for in
      vivo oxidation in TKR.

PMID- 24220188
TI  - Integrated profiling of microRNA expression in membranous nephropathy using high
      throughput sequencing technology.
AB  - The present study analyzed microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in peripheral
      blood lymphocyte cells (PBLCs) from patients with membranous nephropathy (MN) and
      normal controls (NC), in an effort to improve the understanding of the
      pathogenesis of MN. High-throughput sequencing was performed on 30 MN patients
      and 30 healthy individuals (NC group). Known and novel miRNAs were analyzed and
      the results were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR).
      In total, 326 miRNAs showed a significant difference in expression between the MN
      and NC groups. This included 286 downregulated miRNAs and 40 upregulated miRNAs.
      In addition, there were 6 novel miRNAs that presented differential levels of
      expression between the MN and NC groups. The miRNAs were mapped to the genome,
      using a short oligonucleotide alignment program (SOAP), to analyze their
      expression and distribution. Twenty-five percent of the unique miRNAs in the MN
      group and 52.1% in the NC group were mapped to the genome. One hundred and eight
      mismatches were identified. Seventy-seven mismatches were detected in a higher
      proportion of the MN samples, compared with the NC samples. Twenty-five
      mismatches were detected in a higher proportion of the NC samples than the MN
      samples. Differential miRNA expression was also detected between 10 randomly
      selected pair groups, as depicted in a cluster analysis diagram. These data
      indicate that differential miRNA expression may be involved in the pathogenesis
      of MN. In addition, the discrepancies between the MN and NC groups, in the
      mismatched miRNAs that were mapped to the genome, strongly suggest that miRNAs
      play an important role in the pathogenesis of human disorders. miRNAs may provide
      a potential breakthrough in the research of MN and may provide a novel biomarker
      for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

PMID- 24220189
TI  - Near full-length genome analysis of HCV genotype 5 strains from South Africa.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 5 is the predominant genotype in South Africa.
      However, to date, only 2 full-length genotype 5 genomes have been sequenced and
      only one is from South Africa. This study characterized HCV genotype 5 sequences
      from South Africa, including six near full-length genomes, as well as the E1
      region from an additional 12 genotype 5 samples. Phylogenetic analysis of these
      near full-length genome sequences revealed that all genotype 5 sequences formed a
      close cluster with high bootstrap support. Bayesian analysis of the E1 region was
      used to estimate the time of the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA). The tMRCA
      for HCV genotype 5a was estimated at 114-134 years before the last sampling date.
      In conclusion, this study provides six near full-length genotype 5 nucleotide
      sequences for use as references to design efficient vaccines and for the
      development of new antiviral agents, and provides further insight into the
      diversity of HCV genotypes circulating in South Africa.

PMID- 24220192
TI  - Microwave synthesis and adsorption performance of a novel crosslinked starch
      microsphere.
AB  - A new crosslinked starch microsphere (CSM) was synthesized in a microwave
      assisted inversed emulsion system with soluble starch (ST) as a raw material,
      MBAA as a crosslinker, and K2S2O8-NaHSO3 as an initiator. The synthesized starch
      microsphere was characterized and examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM),
      FTIR spectroscopy and adsorption isotherms of N2 at 77K. Adsorption performance
      was investigated in methyl violet solution. The results showed that the maximum
      adsorption capacity for MV was 99.3mg/g at 298 K, and the adsorption fitted
      pseudo-second-order kinetic model well with correlation coefficients greater than
      0.99. The isothermal data obeyed the Langmuir model better compared to Freundlich
      model and Tempkin model, and the adsorption was exothermic and spontaneous. pH
      variations (2.0-10.0) did not significantly affect the adsorption of MV onto CSM.

PMID- 24220190
TI  - Q6, a novel hypoxia-targeted drug, regulates hypoxia-inducible factor signaling
      via an autophagy-dependent mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Tumor hypoxia underlies treatment failure and yields more aggressive and
      metastatic cancer phenotypes. Although therapeutically targeting these hypoxic
      environments has been proposed for many years, to date no approaches have shown
      the therapeutic value to gain regulatory approval. Here, we demonstrated that a
      novel hypoxia-activated prodrug, Q6, exhibits potent antiproliferative efficacy
      under hypoxic conditions and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in 2
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, with no obvious toxicity being
      detected in 2 normal liver cell lines. Treatment with Q6 markedly downregulated
      HIF1A [hypoxia inducible factor 1, alpha subunit (basic helix-loop-helix
      transcription factor)] expression and transcription of the downstream target
      gene, VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A). This dual hypoxia-targeted
      modulation mechanism leads to high potency in suppressing tumor growth and
      vascularization in 2 in vivo models. Intriguingly, it is the autophagy-dependent
      degradation pathway that plays a crucial role in Q6-induced attenuation of HIF1A
      expression, rather than the proteasome-dependent pathway, which is normally
      regarded as the predominant mechanism underlying posttranslational regulation of
      HIF1A. Inhibition of autophagy, either by short interfering RNA (siRNA) or by
      chemical inhibitors, blocked Q6-induced HIF1A degradation. Autophagic degradation
      of HIF1A was further confirmed by the observation that HIF1A coimmunoprecipitated
      with the ubiquitin-binding adaptor protein, SQSTM1, which is degraded through
      autophagy. Additionally, silencing of SQSTM1 inhibited Q6-induced HIF1A
      degradation. These findings suggest that the novel hypoxia-targeted agent, Q6,
      has potential clinical value in the therapy of HCC. Furthermore, the
      identification of autophagy as a crucial regulator of HIF1A provides new insights
      into hypoxia-related treatments. 

PMID- 24220191
TI  - Estimating personal exposures from ambient air pollution measures: using meta
      analysis to assess measurement error.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although ambient concentrations of particulate matter <=10 MUm (PM10)
      are often used as proxies for total personal exposure, correlation (r) between
      ambient and personal PM10 concentrations varies. Factors underlying this
      variation and its effect on health outcome-PM exposure relationships remain
      poorly understood. METHODS: We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to
      estimate effects of study, participant, and environmental factors on r; used the
      estimates to impute personal exposure from ambient PM10 concentrations among
      4,012 nonsmoking, participants with diabetes in the Women's Health Initiative
      clinical trial; and then estimated the associations of ambient and imputed
      personal PM10 concentrations with electrocardiographic measures, such as heart
      rate variability. RESULTS: We identified 15 studies (in years 1990-2009) of 342
      participants in five countries. The median r was 0.46 (range = 0.13 to 0.72).
      There was little evidence of funnel plot asymmetry but substantial heterogeneity
      of r, which increased 0.05 (95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.09) per 10 ug/m
      increase in mean ambient PM10 concentration. Substituting imputed personal
      exposure for ambient PM10 concentrations shifted mean percent changes in
      electrocardiographic measures per 10 ug/m increase in exposure away from the null
      and decreased their precision, for example, -2.0% (-4.6% to 0.7%) versus -7.9% (
      15.9% to 0.9%), for the standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR interval
      duration. CONCLUSIONS: Analogous distributions and heterogeneity of r in extant
      meta-analyses of ambient and personal PM2.5 concentrations suggest that observed
      shifts in mean percent change and decreases in precision may be generalizable
      across particle size.

PMID- 24220193
TI  - High photocatalytic activity of immobilized TiO2 nanorods on carbonized cotton
      fibers.
AB  - In this study, TiO2 nanorods were successfully immobilized on carbon fibers by a
      facile pyrolysis of natural cotton in nitrogen atmosphere followed by a one-pot
      hydrothermal method. Carbonized cotton fibers (CCFs) and TiO2-CCFs composites
      were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM),
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),
      Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), diffuse reflectance UV-vis
      spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Results implied that
      the band gap narrowing of TiO2 was achieved after integration of CCFs. Dye
      adsorption isotherm indicated that the maximum dye adsorption capacity (qm) of
      CCFs-1000 (13.4 mg/g) was 2 times higher than that of cotton fibers and qm of
      TiO2-CCFs-1000 (9.0mg/g) was 6-7 times higher than that of TiO2 nanorods.
      Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanorods prepared with 3 mL Ti(OBu)4 showed the
      highest photocatalytic activity. TiO2-CCFs-1000 exhibited higher activity than
      TiO2 immobilized on CCFs-400, CCFs-600 and CCFs-800. Good photostability of TiO2
      CCFs-1000 was found for dye degradation under visible light irradiation. The
      enhancement of photocatalytic dye degradation was due to the high adsorptivity of
      dye molecules, enhanced light adsorption and effective separation of electron
      hole pairs. This work provides a low-cost and sustainable approach to immobilize
      nanostructured TiO2 on carbon fibers for environmental remediation.

PMID- 24220194
TI  - Ferrous-activated persulfate oxidation of arsenic(III) and diuron in aquatic
      system.
AB  - In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) can be an effective technology for the
      remediation of soil and groundwater polluted by organic and inorganic
      contaminants. This study investigated the oxidation of arsenic(III) (As(III)) and
      diuron using ferrous activated persulfate-based ISCO. The results indicated that
      Fe(II)/persulfate oxidation could be an effective method to oxidize As(III) and
      diuron. Effects of pH, S2O8(2-) and Fe(II) amounts on the destruction of As(III)
      and diuron were examined in batch experiments. Acidic conditions favored the
      removal of As(III) and diuron. Four chelating agents, citric acid (CA), Na2S2O3,
      diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid
      disodium (EDTA-Na2) were used in attempt to maintain the quantity of ferrous ion
      in solution. In our experiments, CA and Na2S2O3 were found to be more effective
      than DTPA and EDTA-Na2. Our results also revealed a widely practical prospect of
      inorganic chelating agent Na2S2O3. Hydroxyl and sulfate radical were determined
      to play key roles in the oxidation process by using ethanol and tertiary butanol
      as molecular probes. Oxidation of As(III) yielded As(V) via the electron-transfer
      reaction. In the oxidation process of diuron, a stepwise nucleophilic
      substitution of chlorine by hydroxyl and a stepwise oxidation process of the
      methyl on the dimethylurea group by hydroxyl and sulfate radical were proposed. 

PMID- 24220195
TI  - Hybrid BiOBr-TiO2 nanocomposites with high visible light photocatalytic activity
      for water treatment.
AB  - Novel highly active visible light photocatalysts BiOBr-TiO2 nanocomposites were
      prepared by a facile one-pot solvothermal approach. Series of characterizations
      verified that the BiOBr nanoscale crystals are highly dispersed in amorphous TiO2
      to form the hybrid mesoporous structure. The material shows excellent
      photocatalytic performance towards photodegradation of Rhodamine B under visible
      light irradiation. The content ratio between TiO2 and BiOBr plays a key role in
      the microstructure of the nanocomposites, so as to result in distinguished
      photocatalytic activity. The sample with a molar ratio of 10 between TiO2 and
      BiOBr shows the optimum performance. The high photocatalytic activity of BiOBr
      TiO2 nanocomposites under visible light could be ascribed to the large surface
      area, opened mesoporous structure, appropriate band-gap, as well as synergistic
      effect between TiO2 and BiOBr. Besides, the BiOBr-TiO2 composites render a facile
      separation due to the three-dimensional superstructure. The BiOBr-TiO2
      photocatalyst is very promising for water purification as well as other
      environmental applications. 

PMID- 24220196
TI  - Understanding effects of water characteristics on natural organic matter
      treatability by PACl and a novel PACl-chitosan coagulants.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the relationship between water characteristics and
      removal of natural organic matter (NOM) using polyaluminium chloride (PACl) and a
      newly developed coagulant obtained by hybridising PACl with chitosan (PACl
      chitosan) for two different types of water. Using UV-visible spectroscopy
      analysis, we showed that PACl-chitosan is more effective than PACl for treating
      water samples that contain higher levels of activated polyhydroxyaromatic
      moieties. As a result, a lower level of total trihalomethanes formation potential
      (THMFP) was detected for synthetic water treated with PACl-chitosan coagulant
      compared to water treated with PACl only. In contrast, no difference was observed
      for the total THMFP that were formed following coagulation with either coagulant,
      for water sample containing the same level of organic carbon concentration, but
      lower levels of polyhydroxyaromatic moieties. Our work shows how the complex
      characteristics and interactions of organic matter with coagulant component can
      affect the outcome of the treatment process, and in this case, enhance the
      treatment. The use of PACl-chitosan was also shown to produce larger floc for
      both water samples; this again, can lead to better removal. 

PMID- 24220197
TI  - Effective sulfur and energy recovery from hydrogen sulfide through incorporating
      an air-cathode fuel cell into chelated-iron process.
AB  - The chelated-iron process is among the most promising techniques for the hydrogen
      sulfide (H2S) removal due to its double advantage of waste minimization and
      resource recovery. However, this technology has encountered the problem of
      chelate degradation which made it difficult to ensure reliable and economical
      operation. This work aims to develop a novel fuel-cell-assisted chelated-iron
      process which employs an air-cathode fuel cell for the catalyst regeneration. By
      using such a process, sulfur and electricity were effectively recovered from H2S
      and the problem of chelate degradation was well controlled. Experiment on a
      synthetic sulfide solution showed the fuel-cell-assisted chelated-iron process
      could maintain high sulfur recovery efficiencies generally above 90.0%. The EDTA
      was preferable to NTA as the chelating agent for electricity generation, given
      the Coulombic efficiencies (CEs) of 17.8 +/- 0.5% to 75.1 +/- 0.5% for the EDTA
      chelated process versus 9.6 +/- 0.8% to 51.1 +/- 2.7% for the NTA-chelated
      process in the pH range of 4.0-10.0. The Fe (III)/S(2-) ratio exhibited notable
      influence on the electricity generation, with the CEs improved by more than 25%
      as the Fe (III)/S(2-) molar ratio increased from 2.5:1 to 3.5:1. Application of
      this novel process in treating a H2S-containing biogas stream achieved 99% of H2S
      removal efficiency, 78% of sulfur recovery efficiency, and 78.6% of energy
      recovery efficiency, suggesting the fuel-cell-assisted chelated-iron process was
      effective to remove the H2S from gas streams with favorable sulfur and energy
      recovery efficiencies.

PMID- 24220198
TI  - Estrogenic chemical effects are independent from the degree of sex role reversal
      in pipefish.
AB  - Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to disturb several
      ecological relevant endpoints. Surprisingly, EDC-induced effects on fish sexual
      behaviour have been poorly studied despite the fact that even subtle alterations
      might contribute to a disruption of sexual interactions, thus negatively
      impacting reproduction. As the few assessments on sexual behaviour have been
      conducted in species with orthodox sex roles, it might be argued that sex-role
      reversed species might provide a potentially complementary system to further
      explore the effects of EDCs on reproduction. In the present study, two pipefish
      species with distinct degrees of sex-role reversal were selected to further
      elucidate the impact of chronic EE2 exposure on sexual behaviour and reproduction
      related endpoints. The obtained results indicate that, independently of the
      degree of sex role reversal, courtship behaviour seems to resist oestrogenic
      chemical exposure. However, exposure to environmentally relevant EE2 levels did
      induce a complete absence of pregnancies at 18 ng/L. Even though pregnancies were
      observed at intermediate concentrations, the percentage of non-transferred or
      misplaced oocytes increased and a dose-dependent decrease of oocyte volume was
      observed. Imbalances in the oogenesis process, induction of vitellogenin in males
      and the absence of pregnancies highlight that environmental relevant
      concentrations of EE2 have the potential to negatively affect pipefish
      populations, most of them inhabiting coastal areas where oestrogenic
      contamination is more prevalent.

PMID- 24220199
TI  - Could microwave induced catalytic oxidation (MICO) process over CoFe2O4
      effectively eliminate brilliant green in aqueous solution?
AB  - In this study, we adopted the chemical co-precipitation (CP) method and sol-gel
      method followed by calcination at temperatures of 100-900 degrees C for 12h to
      synthesize CoFe2O4 materials, which were further characterized by TEM, XRD and
      XPS techniques. The properties of CoFe2O4 materials were evaluated in a microwave
      (MW) induced catalytic oxidation (MICO) process for the elimination of brilliant
      green (BG). The results showed that: (1) the removal rates of BG gradually
      decreased over a series of CoFe2O4 materials prepared by CP method and calcinated
      with 100-700 degrees C (except 900 degrees C) for 12h within three reuse cycles;
      for comparison, no removal of BG was obtained over CoFe2O4 synthesized by sol-gel
      method and CoFe2O4-900 (CP); (2) no hydroxyl radicals were captured with
      salicylic acid used as molecular probe in the MICO process; (3) MW irradiation
      enhanced the release of residual NaOH within the microstructure of CoFe2O4 and
      further discolored BG, because BG is sensitive to pH; (4) granular activated
      carbon (GAC), an excellent MW-absorbing material possessing higher dielectric
      loss tangent compared to that of a series of CoFe2O4 materials, could not remove
      BG in suspensions at a higher efficiency, even if the loading amount was 20 g L(
      1). Accordingly, MICO process over CoFe2O4 materials and GAC could not
      effectively eliminate BG in suspensions.

PMID- 24220200
TI  - Electrocatalytic degradation of methylene blue on PbO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite
      electrodes prepared by pulse electrodeposition.
AB  - PbO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite electrodes (P) were prepared by pulse electrodeposition
      and used for the electrocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). The SEM and
      XRD tests show that PbO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite electrodes (P) possess more compact
      structure and finer grain size than PbO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite electrodes (D)
      prepared by direct electrodeposition. The electrochemical measurements show that
      PbO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite electrodes (P) have higher oxygen evolution overpotential
      and the oxidation regions of MB and water are significantly separated. The
      experimental parameters on electrocatalytic degradation of MB by PbO2-ZrO2
      nanocomposite electrodes (P) were evaluated, such as initial MB concentration,
      current density, pH value and supporting electrolyte concentration. The results
      indicate that MB and COD removal efficiency of PbO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite electrodes
      (P) reach 100% and 72.7%, respectively, after 120 min electrolysis at initial 30
      mg L(-1) MB concentration at current density of 50 mA cm(-2) in 0.2 mol L(-1)
      Na2SO4 supporting electrolyte solution, and the degradation of MB follows pseudo
      first-order kinetics. Compared with PbO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite electrodes (D), PbO2
      ZrO2 nanocomposite electrodes (P) show higher COD removal efficiency and
      instantaneous current efficiency with MB degradation. The experimental results
      demonstrate that PbO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite electrodes (P) possesses the excellent
      electrocatalytic properties and show great potential applications in refractory
      pollutants.

PMID- 24220201
TI  - Effect of cadmium ion on biodegradation of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) by
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - The influence of Cd(II) ions on the degradation of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE
      209) by an aerobic degrading strain, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was investigated.
      The results demonstrated that the strain P. aeruginosa exhibited a high level of
      resistance against cadmium toxicity, and Cd(II) ions of different concentrations
      possessed mixed reactions on BDE-209 bioremoval. The degradation efficiency was
      stimulated at low concentrations of Cd(II) ions (<= 1 mg L(-1)) but inhibited at
      higher levels (>= 5 mg L(-1)). Subsequent analyses revealed that the increase of
      cell hydrophobicity and membrane permeability were two main factors for Cd(II)
      ions of low concentrations to accelerate BDE-209 degradation. However, inhibition
      effect by high concentrations of Cd(II) ions was mainly attributed to the
      negative impact of metals on growth and metabolism of the strain. It was also
      showed through cellular distribution of BDE-209 that different concentration of
      Cd(II) ions affected the amount of BDE-209 inside or outside the cell at
      different incubation time.

PMID- 24220202
TI  - Combination of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy and parallel factor
      analysis to characterize the binding of heavy metals with DOM in lake sediments.
AB  - Enhanced knowledge on the binding of heavy metal (HM) with dissolved organic
      matter (DOM) is essential for understanding the toxicity and migration of HMs. In
      this study, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) and parallel factor
      (PARAFAC) analysis were combined to characterize the metal binding properties of
      DOMs, which were respectively extracted from macrophyte- and algal-dominant
      sediments (named MDOM and ADOM) in a eutrophic shallow lake. 2D absorption COS
      revealed that MDOM exhibited more HM binding sites (193, 195, 196, 199, 201, 203,
      205, 207, 208, 212, 217 nm) than ADOM (201, 205 nm). PARAFAC analysis identified
      one protein- and two humic-like components from all titrated samples, with each
      component exhibiting different binding behaviors. The modified Stern-Volmer model
      showed that PARAFAC-derived components in MDOM had higher conditional stability
      constants (logKM) than in ADOM, suggesting that macrophyte-dominant sediments
      might play a more important role in the detoxification of HMs. Meanwhile, low
      binding abilities of Zn(II)-DOM complexes indicated that the toxicity of zinc in
      eutrophic lakes should not be overlooked. More aromatic functional groups and
      binding sites were suggested to be responsible for the high binding ability. 2D
      COS was a better approach than PARAFAC analysis for exploring HM-DOM interaction.

PMID- 24220203
TI  - Will the revised NICE guidelines fuel population caesarean rates in Britain?

PMID- 24220204
TI  - Quantification of pelvic soft tissue artifact in multiple static positions.
AB  - Soft tissue artifact (STA) has been identified as the most critical source of
      error in clinical gait analysis. Multiple calibration is a technique to reduce
      the impact of STA on kinematic data, which involves several static calibrations
      through the range of motion of the joint of interest. This study investigated how
      skin markers at the pelvis were displaced in relation to anatomical body
      landmarks in multiple static calibration positions. The magnitude and direction
      of the pelvic marker displacement was assessed in nine different body positions
      including 90 degrees  and 45 degrees  hip flexion, maximum hip extension, and
      pelvic tilt in 20 healthy young adults. ASIS markers were found to be more
      susceptible to relative displacement than PSIS markers, with displacement
      particularly evident in positions where the hip was flexed (up to 17 mm). A
      strong correlation was found between the hip flexion angle and marker
      displacement (r(2) = 0.70). While the estimated impact of pelvic STA on gait
      kinematics was relatively small, the findings suggest that activities with large
      hip flexion would cause larger STA with a greater impact on pelvic kinematics.
      The skin surface located over the ASIS differed by a mean of 17 mm between
      standing and supine positions, which could affect the inter-ASIS distance and the
      location of hip joint center (HJC) by up to 20mm and 10mm, respectively.

PMID- 24220205
TI  - Comparison of plantar pressures and contact area between normal and cavus foot.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In pes cavus, the medial longitudinal arch elevation reduces the
      contact surface area and consequently increases the corresponding plantar
      pressure measurements. This poor distribution of loads may produce associated
      pathology and pain in this or other areas of the body. Normal reference values
      need to be established in order to determine which patterns are prone to
      pathology. OBJECTIVES: To compare the plantar pressures and weight-bearing
      surface in a population with pes cavus to a population with neutral feet. METHOD:
      The sample comprised 68 adults, 34 with pes cavus and 34 with neutral feet. The
      Footscan USB Gait Clinical System((r)) was used as a platform to measure the
      total contact area and plantar pressure under the forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot,
      each metatarsal head, and the overall metatarsal area. A statistical analysis of
      the data was performed using Student's t-test for independent samples. RESULTS:
      The pes cavus subjects showed a significant reduction in their weight-bearing
      area [neutral feet: 165.04 ( +/- 20.68) cm(2); pes cavus: 118.26 ( +/- 30.31)
      cm(2); p < 0.001] and significantly increased pressures under all zones of the
      forefoot except the fifth metatarsal [metatarsal pressure: in neutral feet
      503,797 ( +/- 9.32) kPa; in pes cavus 656.12 ( +/- 22.39) kPa; p < 0.001].
      CONCLUSIONS: Compared to neutral feet, pes cavus feet show a reduction in total
      contact surface and the load under the first toe. A significant increase is
      present in the load under the metatarsal areas, but the relative distribution of
      this load is similar in both groups.

PMID- 24220206
TI  - Morphologic and hemodynamic analysis of paraclinoid aneurysms: ruptured versus
      unruptured.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to determine the risk factors related to aneurysm rupture,
      we studied the aneurysms at the paraclinoid segment of the internal carotid
      artery by applying morphologic and hemodynamic numerical analyzes. METHODS: 107
      patients with 110 paraclinoid aneurysms (26 ruptured, 84 unruptured) were
      analyzed using computational fluid dynamics based on patient-specific three
      dimensional geometrical models. A series of morphologic and hemodynamic
      parameters were evaluated to find the potential indicators of aneurysm rupture.
      RESULTS: Aneurysms with an irregular shape accounted for 23.1% of the ruptured
      group and only 8.3% of the unruptured group. The difference was statistically
      significant (p=0.042, chi(2) test). Ruptured paraclinoid aneurysms were found to
      be significantly smaller than unruptured aneurysms (p=0.041), which is different
      from the results of most previous studies. Energy loss (EL) and inflow
      concentration showed a level of statistical significance to assess the risk of
      rupture in paraclinoid aneurysms. By multivariate logistic regression analysis,
      aneurysm shape (regular or irregular), EL and inflow concentration were retained
      as independently significant parameters. The odds of rupture were increased by
      1.65 times for a 10% increase in EL, by 4.88 times for an aneurysm with an
      irregular shape and by 2.91 times for an aneurysm with concentrated inflow jet.
      CONCLUSIONS: Irregular shape, larger EL and concentrated inflow jet were
      independently associated with the rupture status of paraclinoid aneurysms. These
      findings need to be further confirmed based on large multicenter and
      multipopulation data.

PMID- 24220207
TI  - PharmGKB summary: mycophenolic acid pathway.

PMID- 24220208
TI  - T cell-depleted splenocytes from mice pre-immunized with neuroantigen in
      incomplete Freund's adjuvant involved in protection from experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis.
AB  - Mice immunized with neuroantigens in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) are
      resistant to subsequent induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
      (EAE). The mechanisms involved in this protection are complex. Studies on
      relevant CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells, including effective and regulatory T cells,
      have been performed by others. In this work, the effects of CD4(-)-, CD8(-)-
      splenocytes on protection from EAE in C57BL/6 mice which were immunized with
      myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG)35-55 in IFA were evaluated. We
      observed that MOG-reactive CD4(+) T cells failed to be activated and proliferate
      when CD4(-)-, CD8(-)- splenocytes from MOG/IFA-immunized mice were regarded as
      antigen-presenting cells (APC). It was shown that these APC expressed lower
      levels of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II), CD80, and CD86 than
      naive cells. In addition, CD4(-)-, CD8(-)- splenocytes from MOG/IFA-immunized
      mice showed significantly higher levels of IL-10 mRNA expression. When the
      immunized-mice were induced to develop EAE, these cells secreted significantly
      higher levels of IL-10 and produced lower levels of IL-6, leading to decreased
      secretion of IL-17 and IFN-gamma from MOG-specific CD4(+) T cells. The transfer
      of CD4(-)-, CD8(-)- splenocytes from MOG/IFA-immunized mice was able to
      ameliorate the subsequent induction of EAE in recipient mice. Thus, MOG/IFA
      immunization can modulate CD4(-)-, CD8(-)- splenocytes by reducing the expression
      of antigen-presenting molecules and altering the levels of secreted cytokines.
      Our study reveals an additional mechanism involved in the protective effects of
      MOG/IFA pre-immunization in an EAE model. 

PMID- 24220209
TI  - Electrofluorescence switching from a multilayer thin film by spin-assisted layer
      by-layer assembly of an anionic fluorescent conjugated polyelectrolyte with
      poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride).
AB  - An electrofluorochromic conjugated polyelectrolyte, PFTSO3Na as a polyanion, was
      synthesized and used in the fabrication of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled
      multilayer film with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) as a
      polycation. The electrofluorescent device (EFD) fabricated from the multilayer
      thin film of PFTSO3Na /PDDA emits blue light under UV excitation. The
      fluorescence intensity can be switched off upon electrochemical oxidation. The
      electrofluorescent behavior of the EFD is reversible and can be switched between
      the non-fluorescent (oxidized) state and the fluorescent (neutral) state with a
      maximum contrast ratio (If/If0) of 5.20.

PMID- 24220210
TI  - The virtual skeleton database: an open access repository for biomedical research
      and collaboration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Statistical shape models are widely used in biomedical research. They
      are routinely implemented for automatic image segmentation or object
      identification in medical images. In these fields, however, the acquisition of
      the large training datasets, required to develop these models, is usually a time
      consuming process. Even after this effort, the collections of datasets are often
      lost or mishandled resulting in replication of work. OBJECTIVE: To solve these
      problems, the Virtual Skeleton Database (VSD) is proposed as a centralized
      storage system where the data necessary to build statistical shape models can be
      stored and shared. METHODS: The VSD provides an online repository system tailored
      to the needs of the medical research community. The processing of the most common
      image file types, a statistical shape model framework, and an ontology-based
      search provide the generic tools to store, exchange, and retrieve digital medical
      datasets. The hosted data are accessible to the community, and collaborative
      research catalyzes their productivity. RESULTS: To illustrate the need for an
      online repository for medical research, three exemplary projects of the VSD are
      presented: (1) an international collaboration to achieve improvement in cochlear
      surgery and implant optimization, (2) a population-based analysis of femoral
      fracture risk between genders, and (3) an online application developed for the
      evaluation and comparison of the segmentation of brain tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The
      VSD is a novel system for scientific collaboration for the medical image
      community with a data-centric concept and semantically driven search option for
      anatomical structures. The repository has been proven to be a useful tool for
      collaborative model building, as a resource for biomechanical population studies,
      or to enhance segmentation algorithms.

PMID- 24220212
TI  - Assessing DSM-5 section III personality traits and disorders with the MMPI-2-RF.
AB  - An alternative model for diagnosing personality disorders (PDs) appears in DSM-5
      Section III. This model includes a set of dimensional personality traits, which
      along with impairment in personality functioning can be configured to represent
      one of six PDs. Although specific assessment instruments for these personality
      traits have already been developed (e.g., the Personality Inventory for DSM-5
      [PID-5]), clinicians will likely continue to use omnibus measures of
      psychopathology that are familiar to them to inform diagnostic decision making.
      One such measure, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured
      Form (MMPI-2-RF), will likely remain in the test armamentarium of many
      practitioners and be employed to assess the DSM-5 dimensional traits. In the
      current investigation, we examined the associations between MMPI-2-RF scale
      scores and the PID-5 trait scores and DSM-5 Section III PDs in a combined sample
      of university students (n = 668) from the United States and Canada. Our results
      indicated that the MMPI-2-RF scale scores mostly converge with PID-5 dimensional
      traits as well as the Section III PDs in a conceptually expected manner. As such,
      we conclude that the MMPI-2-RF is a potentially useful instrument in assessing
      personality psychopathology as conceptualized in DSM-5 Section III. 

PMID- 24220211
TI  - Mutational analysis of the rotavirus NSP4 enterotoxic domain that binds to
      caveolin-1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rotavirus (RV) nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4) is the first described
      viral enterotoxin, which induces early secretory diarrhea in neonatal rodents.
      Our previous data show a direct interaction between RV NSP4 and the structural
      protein of caveolae, caveolin-1 (cav-1), in yeast and mammalian cells. The
      binding site of cav-1 mapped to the NSP4 amphipathic helix, and led us to examine
      which helical face was responsible for the interaction. METHODS: A panel of NSP4
      mutants were prepared and tested for binding to cav-1 by yeast two hybrid and
      direct binding assays. The charged residues of the NSP4 amphipathic helix were
      changed to alanine (NSP446-175-ala6); and three residues in the hydrophobic face
      were altered to charged amino acids (NSP4(46-175)-HydroMut). In total, twelve
      mutants of NSP4 were generated to define the cav-1 binding site. Synthetic
      peptides corresponding to the hydrophobic and charged faces of NSP4 were examined
      for structural changes by circular dichroism (CD) and diarrhea induction by a
      neonatal mouse study. RESULTS: Mutations of the hydrophilic face (NSP4(46-175)
      Ala6) bound cav-1 akin to wild type NSP4. In contrast, disruption of the
      hydrophobic face (NSP4(46-175)-HydroMut) failed to bind cav-1. These data suggest
      NSP4 and cav-1 associate via a hydrophobic interaction. Analyses of mutant
      synthetic peptides in which the hydrophobic residues in the enterotoxic domain of
      NSP4 were altered suggested a critical hydrophobic residue. Both NSP4HydroMut112
      140, that contains three charged amino acids (aa113, 124, 131) changed from the
      original hydrophobic residues and NSP4AlaAcidic112-140 that contained three
      alanine residues substituted for negatively charged (aa114, 125, 132) amino acids
      failed to induce diarrhea. Whereas peptides NSP4wild type 112-140 and
      NSP4AlaBasic112-140 that contained three alanine substituted for positively
      charged (aa115, 119, 133) amino acids, induced diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: These data
      show that the cav-1 binding domain is within the hydrophobic face of the NSP4
      amphipathic helix. The integrity of the helical structure is important for both
      cav-1 binding and diarrhea induction implying a connection between NSP4
      functional and binding activities.

PMID- 24220213
TI  - Practice sensitive quality indicators in RAI-MDS 2.0 nursing home data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, improving the quality of care for nursing home
      residents has generated a considerable amount of attention. In response, quality
      indicators (QIs), based on available evidence and expert consensus, have been
      identified within the Resident Assessment Instrument-Minimum Data Set 2.0 (RAI
      MDS 2.0), and validated as proxy measures for quality of nursing home care. We
      sought to identify practice sensitive QIs; that is, those QIs believed to be the
      most sensitive to clinical practice. METHOD: We enlisted two experts to review a
      list of 35 validated QIs and to select those that they believed to be the most
      sensitive to practice. We then asked separate groups of practicing physicians,
      nurses, and policy makers to (1) rank the items on the list for overall "practice
      sensitivity" and then, (2) to identify the domain to which the QI was most
      sensitive (nursing care, physician care, or policy maker). RESULTS: After
      combining results of all three groups, pressure ulcers were identified as the
      most practice sensitive QI followed by worsening pain, physical restraint use,
      the use of antipsychotic medications without a diagnosis of psychosis, and
      indwelling catheters. When stratified by informant group, although the top five
      QIs stayed the same, the ranking of the 13 QIs differed by group. CONCLUSIONS: In
      addition to identifying a reduced and manageable set of QIs for regular
      reporting, we believe that focusing on these 13 practice sensitive QIs provides
      both the greatest potential for improving resident function and slowing the
      trajectory of decline that most residents experience.

PMID- 24220214
TI  - Urinary iodine concentrations of pregnant women in rural Bangladesh: a
      longitudinal study.
AB  - Iodine is an essential dietary element required for normal fetal growth and
      development. We aimed to explore intraindividual and interindividual variations
      in iodine intake in pregnant women and whether non-dietary factors might
      influence the intake. Iodine intake was assessed in 271 women, residing in
      Matlab, rural Bangladesh, by measuring their urinary iodine concentration (UIC)
      at gestational week (GW) 8, 14, 19, and 30 with inductively coupled plasma mass
      spectrometry. The women's UIC increased significantly during pregnancy (median
      241 (GW8) and 300 MUg/l (GW30)). About 6% of the women had insufficient iodine
      intake (UIC<150 MUg/l) and 10% had excessive iodine intake (UIC>=500 MUg/l) at
      all of their four sampling occasions. The women's UIC were dependent on their
      education, socio-economic status, and BMI, as well as the season of sampling and
      iodine concentrations in drinking water. Supplementation with a multi
      micronutrient capsule, including 150 MUg potassium iodine, increased the UIC in
      women with the lowest UIC (10th percentile) at GW30 but decreased the UIC in
      women with the highest UIC (90th percentile) at GW30. In conclusion, median UIC
      throughout pregnancy indicated adequate intake of iodine among pregnant women in
      Matlab, but, notably, consistently insufficient and excessive intake was also
      prevalent. 

PMID- 24220215
TI  - Geospatial relationships of air pollution and acute asthma events across the
      Detroit-Windsor international border: study design and preliminary results.
AB  - The Geospatial Determinants of Health Outcomes Consortium (GeoDHOC) study
      investigated ambient air quality across the international border between Detroit,
      Michigan, USA and Windsor, Ontario, Canada and its association with acute asthma
      events in 5- to 89-year-old residents of these cities. NO2, SO2, and volatile
      organic compounds (VOCs) were measured at 100 sites, and particulate matter (PM)
      and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at 50 sites during two 2-week
      sampling periods in 2008 and 2009. Acute asthma event rates across neighborhoods
      in each city were calculated using emergency room visits and hospitalizations and
      standardized to the overall age and gender distribution of the population in the
      two cities combined. Results demonstrate that intra-urban air quality variations
      are related to adverse respiratory events in both cities. Annual 2008 asthma
      rates exhibited statistically significant positive correlations with total VOCs
      and total benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) at 5-digit zip code
      scale spatial resolution in Detroit. In Windsor, NO2, VOCs, and PM10
      concentrations correlated positively with 2008 asthma rates at a similar 3-digit
      postal forward sortation area scale. The study is limited by its coarse temporal
      resolution (comparing relatively short term air quality measurements to annual
      asthma health data) and interpretation of findings is complicated by contrasts in
      population demographics and health-care delivery systems in Detroit and Windsor. 

PMID- 24220217
TI  - Recoil effects of a motional scatterer on single-photon scattering in one
      dimension.
AB  - The scattering of a single photon with sufficiently high energy can cause a
      recoil of a motional scatterer. We study its backaction on the photon's coherent
      transport in one dimension by modeling the motional scatterer as a two-level
      system, which is trapped in a harmonic potential. While the reflection spectrum
      is of a single peak in the Lamb-Dicke limit, multi-peaks due to phonon
      excitations can be observed in the reflection spectrum as the trap becomes looser
      or the mass of the two-level system becomes smaller. 

PMID- 24220219
TI  - Fabrication of dense two-dimensional assemblies over vast areas comprising
      gold(core)-silver(shell) nanoparticles and their surface-enhanced Raman
      scattering properties.
AB  - Fabrication of dense two-dimensional assemblies consisting of gold(core)
      silver(shell) nanoparticles and the resulting peculiar surface-enhanced Raman
      scattering (SERS) activity are reported. The assemblies were prepared via
      assembly at air-toluene interfaces by drop-casting toluene solutions containing
      the nanoparticles protected with octadecylamine molecules onto glass plates. This
      simple process, which does not require special apparatus or significant
      fabrication time, leads to uniform assemblies over vast areas (~34 cm(2)). In the
      SERS measurements, the high spatial reproducibility of the SERS signals from p
      aminothiophenol adsorbed on the assemblies over vast areas demonstrates that this
      method is useful for the quantitative investigation of SERS mechanisms. Under 532
      nm laser excitation, the difference in the enhancement factors of the SERS
      signals at the a1 mode between assemblies consisting of gold, silver, and core
      shell nanoparticles can be explained by the degree of overlap of the excitation
      wavelength with their plasmon coupling modes. In contrast, under 785 nm
      excitation, even though the plasmon band of the core-shell nanoparticle
      assemblies does not significantly overlap with the excitation wavelength as
      compared with that of gold nanoparticle assemblies, the enhancement factor from
      the core-shell nanoparticle assemblies was stronger than those from the gold
      nanoparticle assemblies. Therefore, we have demonstrated that the gold(core)
      silver(shell) nanoparticle assemblies are excellent SERS active materials, which
      have strong electromagnetic mechanism (EM) as well as chemical mechanism (CM)
      effects due to the silver shells.

PMID- 24220216
TI  - A novel system to generate WTC dust particles for inhalation exposures.
AB  - First responders (FRs) present at Ground Zero within the critical first 72 h
      after the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse have progressively exhibited
      significant respiratory injury. The majority (>96%) of WTC dusts were >10 MUm and
      no studies have examined potential health effects of this size fraction. This
      study sought to develop a system to generate and deliver supercoarse (10-53 MUm)
      WTC particles to a rat model in a manner that mimicked FR exposure scenarios. A
      modified Fishing Line generator was integrated onto an intratracheal inhalation
      (ITIH) system that allowed for a bypassing of the nasal passages so as to mimic
      FR exposures. Dust concentrations were measured gravimetrically; particle size
      distribution was measured via elutriation. Results indicate that the system could
      produce dusts with 23 MUm mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) at levels up to
      >=1200 mg/m(3). To validate system utility, F344 rats were exposed for 2 h to
      ~100 mg WTC dust/m(3). Exposed rats had significantly increased lung weight and
      levels of select tracer metals 1 h after exposure. Using this system, it is now
      possible to conduct relevant inhalation exposures to determine adverse WTC dusts
      impacts on the respiratory system. Furthermore, this novel integrated Fishing
      Line-ITIH system could potentially be used in the analyses of a wide spectrum of
      other dusts/pollutants of sizes previously untested or delivered to the lungs in
      ways that did not reflect realistic exposure scenarios. 

PMID- 24220221
TI  - Considerations for the design of future clinical trials in metastatic renal cell
      carcinoma.
AB  - Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) remains incurable in most cases, and there
      is a need to improve outcomes through clinical research, which will include
      development of novel molecularly targeted or immunotherapeutic agents. There are
      also many remaining questions regarding the optimization of currently available
      regimens, including the utility of dose escalation, the benefit of combination
      therapy, and the optimal sequences of therapies. Addressing these clinical
      questions will require careful planning and the inclusion of novel elements in
      trial designs. Future trials should include molecular phenotyping and selection
      of patients most likely to benefit from targeted therapies. In this article, we
      consider lessons learned from previous trials in mRCC and discuss how these
      lessons might be implemented in the design of future trials that focus on
      clinically useful questions and provide results that can be readily interpreted.
      The ultimate aim of the next generation of mRCC trials will be rapid cost
      effective identification, testing, and approval of agents that can improve
      prognosis in this challenging disease. 

PMID- 24220220
TI  - Six-month progression-free survival as the primary endpoint to evaluate the
      activity of new agents as second-line therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Second-line systemic therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC)
      has substantial unmet needs, and current agents show dismal activity. Second-line
      trials of metastatic UC have used response rate (RR) and median progression-free
      survival (PFS) as primary endpoints, which may not reflect durable benefits. A
      more robust endpoint to identify signals of durable benefits when investigating
      new agents in second-line trials may expedite drug development. PFS at 6 months
      (PFS6) is a candidate endpoint, which may correlate with overall survival (OS) at
      12 months (OS12) and may be applicable across cytostatic and cytotoxic agents.
      METHODS: Ten second-line phase II trials with individual patient outcomes data
      evaluating chemotherapy or biologics were combined for discovery, followed by
      external validation in a phase III trial. The relationship between PFS6/RR and
      OS12 was assessed at the trial level using Pearson correlation and weighted
      linear regression, and at the individual level using Pearson chi-square test with
      Yates continuity correction. RESULTS: In the discovery dataset, a significant
      correlation was observed between PFS6 and OS12 at the trial (R(2) = 0.55, Pearson
      correlation = 0.66) and individual levels (82%, ? = 0.45). Response correlated
      with OS12 at the individual level less robustly (78%, ? = 0.36), and the trial
      level association was not statistically significant (R(2) = 0.16, Pearson
      correlation = 0.37). The correlation of PFS6 (81%, ? = 0.44) appeared stronger
      than the correlation of response (76%, ? = 0.17) with OS12 in the external
      validation dataset. CONCLUSIONS: PFS6 is strongly associated with OS12 and
      appears more optimal than RR to identify active second-line agents for advanced
      UC.

PMID- 24220222
TI  - A short review on the implications of base excision repair pathway for neurons:
      relevance to neurodegenerative diseases.
AB  - Oxidative DNA damage results from the attack by reactive oxygen and nitrogen
      species (ROS/RNS) on human genome. This includes base modifications such as
      oxidized bases, abasic (AP) sites, and single-strand breaks (SSBs), all of which
      are repaired by the base excision repair (BER) pathway, one among the six known
      repair pathways. BER-pathway in mammalian cells involves several evolutionarily
      conserved proteins and is also linked to genome replication and transcription.
      The BER-pathway enzymes, namely, DNA glycosylases (DGs) and the end-processing
      proteins such as abasic endonuclease (APE1), form complexes with downstream
      repair enzymes via protein-protein and DNA-protein interactions. An emerging
      concept for BER proteins is their involvement in non-canonical functions
      associated to RNA metabolism, which is opening new interesting perspectives.
      Various mechanisms that are underlined in maintaining neuronal cell genome
      integrity are identified, but are inconclusive in providing protection against
      oxidative damage in neurodegenerative disorders, main emphasis is given towards
      the role played by the proteins of BER-pathway that is discussed. In addition,
      mechanisms of action of BER-pathway in nuclear vs. mitochondria as well as the
      non-canonical functions are discussed in connection to human neurodegenerative
      diseases. 

PMID- 24220223
TI  - Virulence and genotype-associated infectivity of interferon-treated macrophages
      by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses.
AB  - The polarization into M1 and M2 macrophages (MPhi) is essential to understand
      MPhi function. Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of
      IFN-gamma (M1), IL-4 (M2) and IFN-beta activation of MPhi on the susceptibility
      to genotype 1 and 2 porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus
      (PRRSV) strains varying in virulence. To this end, monocyte-derived MPhi were
      generated by culture during 72h and polarization was induced for another 24h by
      addition of IFN-gamma, IL-4 or IFN-beta. MPhi were infected with a collection of
      PRRSV isolates belonging to genotype 1 and genotype 2. Undifferentiated and M2
      MPhi were highly susceptible to all PRRSV isolates. In contrast, M1 and IFN-beta
      activated MPhi were resistant to low pathogenic genotype 1 PRRSV but not or only
      partially to genotype 2 PRRSV strains. Interestingly, highly virulent PRRSV
      isolates of both genotypes showed particularly high levels of infection compared
      with the prototype viruses in both M1 and IFN-beta-treated MPhi (P<0.05). This
      was seen at the level of nucleocapsid expression, viral titres and virus-induced
      cell death. In conclusion, by using IFN-gamma and IFN-beta stimulated MPhi it is
      possible to discriminate between PRRSV varying in genotype and virulence.
      Genotype 2 PRRSV strains are more efficient at escaping the intrinsic antiviral
      effects induced by type I and II IFNs. Our in vitro model will help to identify
      viral genetic elements responsible for virulence, an information important not
      only to understand PRRS pathogenesis but also for a rational vaccine design. Our
      results also suggest that monocyte-derived MPhi can be used as a PRRSV infection
      model instead of alveolar MPhi, avoiding the killing of pigs. 

PMID- 24220224
TI  - Effect of treadmill training on fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
AB  - People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) tend to be less physically active than the
      general population. Limited physical activity increases fatigue, possibly
      affecting other functions such as balance. Treadmill training is a promising
      method to ameliorate these symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the
      effect of treadmill training on fatigue and balance. Thirty PwMS were recruited;
      the mean age was 47.6 (SD 9.2). The median EDSS score was 5.5 (range 3-6.5).
      Individuals were randomized into a control group receiving 12 sessions of
      conventional therapy and an experimental group receiving conventional therapy
      including 15 min of treadmill training. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE), heart
      rate (HR), the Fatigue Severity Scale, and the Berg Balance Scale were assessed
      before and after rehabilitation. Despite a low HR (107 beats/min), the RPE score
      was high (15.8) at baseline assessment. In the experimental group, RPE decreased
      significantly to 12.8 (P=0.04) after training. Treadmill training also had a
      positive effect on HR, but no changes in the Fatigue Severity Scale and balance
      were observed. In conclusion, PwMS showed a high level of exertion before
      treatment. Treadmill training was effective in reducing the level of perceived
      fatigue, with no impact on balance. 

PMID- 24220225
TI  - Evaluation of the effects of different culture media on the myogenic
      differentiation potential of adipose tissue- or bone marrow-derived human
      mesenchymal stem cells.
AB  - The creation of functional muscles/muscle tissue from human stem cells is a major
      goal of skeletal muscle tissue engineering. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from
      fat/adipose tissue (AT-MSCs), as well as bone marrow (BM-MSCs) have been shown to
      bear myogenic potential, which makes them candidate stem cells for skeletal
      muscle tissue engineering applications. The aim of this study was to analyse the
      myogenic differentiation potential of human AT-MSCs and BM-MSCs cultured in six
      different cell culture media containing different mixtures of growth factors. The
      following cell culture media were used in our experiments: mesenchymal stem cell
      growth medium (MSCGM)TM as growth medium, MSCGM + 5-azacytidine (5-Aza), skeletal
      muscle myoblast cell growth medium (SkGM)-2 BulletKitTM, and 5, 30 and 50%
      conditioned cell culture media, i.e., supernatant of human satellite cell
      cultures after three days in cell culture mixed with MSCGM. Following the
      incubation of human AT-MSCs or BM-MSCs for 0, 4, 8, 11, 16 or 21 days with each
      of the cell culture media, cell proliferation was measured using the
      alamarBlue(r) assay. Myogenic differentiation was evaluated by quantitative gene
      expression analyses, using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunocytochemical
      staining (ICC), using well-defined skeletal markers, such as desmin (DES),
      myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), myosin, heavy chain 8, skeletal muscle, perinatal
      (MYH8), myosin, heavy chain 1, skeletal muscle, adult (MYH1) and skeletal muscle
      actin-alpha1 (ACTA1). The highest proliferation rates were observed in the AT
      MSCs and BM-MSCs cultured with SkGM-2 BulletKit medium. The average proliferation
      rate was higher in the AT-MSCs than in the BM-MSCs, taking all six culture media
      into account. qRT-PCR revealed the expression levels of the myogenic markers,
      ACTA1, MYH1 and MYH8, in the AT-MSC cell cultures, but not in the BM-MSC
      cultures. The muscle-specific intermediate filament, DES, was only detected (by
      ICC) in the AT-MSCs, but not in the BM-MSCs. The strongest DES expression was
      observed using the 30% conditioned cell culture medium. The detection of myogenic
      markers using different cell culture media as stimuli was only achieved in the AT
      MSCs, but not in the BM-MSCs. The strongest myogenic differentiation, in terms of
      the markers examined, was induced by the 30% conditioned cell culture medium.

PMID- 24220226
TI  - Coffee polyphenols exert hypocholesterolemic effects in zebrafish fed a high
      cholesterol diet.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia is an important risk factor for the development
      of coronary artery disease. Some dietary polyphenols, such as coffee polyphenols
      (CPPs), reduce cholesterol levels. The mechanism of this cholesterol-lowering
      effect is not fully understood, although 5-CQA, a major component of CPPs,
      reportedly inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis. Here, we investigated the mechanism
      of the cholesterol-lowering effect of CPPs on the basis of cholesterol metabolism
      related gene expression in the liver. We also examined the effects of CPPs on
      vascular lipid accumulation in zebrafish with high cholesterol diet-induced
      hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: Over 14 weeks, adult zebrafish were fed a control
      diet, a high-cholesterol diet, or the latter diet supplemented with CPPs. To
      measure the extent of vascular lipid accumulation, for 10 days larval zebrafish
      (which are optically transparent) were fed these same diets with the addition of
      a fluorescent cholesteryl ester. RESULTS: In adult zebrafish, addition of CPPs to
      a high-cholesterol diet significantly suppressed the increase in plasma and liver
      cholesterol levels seen when fish ingested the same diet lacking CPPs.
      Transcription levels of the liver genes hmgcra (encoding 3-hydroxy-3
      methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase A, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol
      biosynthesis) and mtp (encoding microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, a lipid
      transfer protein required for assembly and secretion of lipoproteins) were
      significantly lower in fish fed the CPP-containing diet than in fish fed the
      unsupplemented high-cholesterol diet. In contrast, the expression level of the
      liver gene cyp7a1a (encoding the cytochrome P450 polypeptide 1a of subfamily A of
      family 7, a rate-limiting enzyme for bile acid biosynthesis) increased
      significantly upon consumption of the CPP-containing diet. In larval fish,
      accumulation of fluorescently labeled cholesterol in the caudal artery was
      greatly reduced on the CPP-containing diet. CONCLUSIONS: CPP ingestion suppressed
      cholesterol accumulation in the plasma, liver, and vascular system of zebrafish.
      Downregulation of cholesterol and lipoprotein synthesis and upregulation of bile
      acid synthesis in the liver may be the fundamental underlying mechanisms by which
      CPPs exert their hypocholesterolemic effects. CPP intake may help prevent and
      manage hypercholesterolemia in humans, and further investigations along these
      lines using a variety of CPP dose rates are warranted.

PMID- 24220227
TI  - Autophagy and phagocytosis converge for better vision.
AB  - The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a single layer of nonregenerating cells
      essential to homeostasis in the retina and the preservation of vision. While the
      RPE perform a number of important functions, 2 essential processes are
      phagocytosis, which removes the most distal tips of the photoreceptors to support
      disk renewal, and the visual cycle, which maintains the supply of chromophore for
      regeneration of photo-bleached visual pigments. We recently reported that these
      processes are linked by a noncanonical form of autophagy termed LC3-associated
      phagocytosis (LAP) in which components of the autophagy pathway are co-opted by
      phagocytosis to recover vitamin A in support of optimal vision. Here we summarize
      these findings. 

PMID- 24220228
TI  - Molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in
      serial cultures from the respiratory tract of children with cystic fibrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about strain relatedness of methicillin-resistant
      Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA) isolated at serial time points from the respiratory
      tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The objectives are to interrogate
      the genetic diversity of MRSA recovered in serial cultures from children with CF
      and to correlate strain relatedness with clinical characteristics. METHODS: We
      performed a retrospective analysis of children with CF from whom MRSA was
      isolated from serial respiratory cultures from 2005 to 2011. Within individual
      patients, relatedness of isolated strains was determined by repetitive-sequence
      polymerase chain reaction, and the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type of
      each isolate was characterized. Medical records corresponding to the MRSA
      cultures were reviewed. RESULTS: We identified 54 CF patients with serial MRSA
      cultures (145 distinct cultures). Over time, 45 (83%) patients maintained the
      same strain type and 9 (17%) possessed at least 2 distinct strain types. A total
      of 91 pairs of isolates were analyzed for strain relatedness. Of these, 81 (89%)
      were identical and 10 (11%) were distinct strain types. About 117 (83%) isolates
      were staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type II, 24 (17%) were staphylococcal
      cassette chromosome mec type IV and 4 were other types not resolvable with our
      assay. Clinical factors, including time interval and prescription of antibiotics
      effective against MRSA between positive cultures, did not correlate with
      acquisition of a distinct MRSA strain by individual patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      data suggest that sustained presence of MRSA in CF patients is most commonly
      attributable to identical strain types. Acquisition of distinct MRSA strains in
      the airway is infrequent.

PMID- 24220230
TI  - Clostridium septicum brain abscesses in a premature neonate.
AB  - Brain abscesses in neonates are typically caused by Gram-negative organisms.
      There are no previously described cases caused by Clostridium septicum. We
      present a case of a premature male infant who developed recurrent episodes of
      suspected necrotizing enterocolitis followed by brain abscesses, cerebritis and
      ventriculitis caused by C. septicum. 

PMID- 24220229
TI  - Epidemiology of Bordetella pertussis in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
AB  - We analyzed data from 147 patients with suspected pertussis in San Luis Potosi,
      Mexico. Bordetella pertussis was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction
      in 59 (40.1%) cases. The incidence of B. pertussis infection was 2.3 per 100,000
      population. There were 6 deaths among the study patients. We conclude that the
      impact of pertussis in our state is significantly higher than previously
      estimated. 

PMID- 24220231
TI  - No evidence for replication of a field strain of bluetongue virus serotype 1 in
      the blood of domestic dogs.
AB  - The potential role of domestic dogs in the long-distance transmission of
      bluetongue virus (BTV) is currently unproven. This study set out, through an
      experimental infection study, to investigate whether domestic dogs mount a
      viraemia post-infection with a field strain of BTV serotype 1. All six
      experimentally infected dogs seroconverted within 14 days and viral RNA was
      detected in the blood of the dogs, albeit at significantly lower levels than that
      seen in domestic ruminants. There was no clear evidence for viral replication in
      the dogs as no increase in viral RNA was observed in, and it was not possible
      isolate virus from, the blood of the dogs. There was however evidence for a
      persistence of viral RNA in the blood of the dogs, which may be evidence for a
      low level of replication or could be indicative of persistence of the viral
      inoculum.

PMID- 24220232
TI  - Temperature dependence of photoluminescence dynamics of self-assembled monolayers
      of CdSe quantum dots: the influence of the bound-exciton state.
AB  - We have investigated the temperature dependence of photoluminescence (PL)
      dynamics of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The PL
      decay profiles become slower with an increase in temperature up to 160 K,
      contrary to an ordinary behavior due to thermal quenching. Such anomalous
      temperature dependence of the PL-decay profile is explained using a four-state
      model which introduces a bound-exciton state into a conventional three-state
      model consisting of a ground state and two excited states: a lower-lying dark
      exciton state and a higher-lying bright-exciton state. Furthermore, it is
      proposed that the radiative decay time of QDs is strongly influenced by the
      presence or absence of the bound-exciton state. 

PMID- 24220233
TI  - Patients' reported reasons for non-use of an internet-based patient-provider
      communication service: qualitative interview study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The adoption of Internet-based patient-provider communication
      services (IPPC) in health care has been slow. Patients want electronic
      communication, and the quality of health care can be improved by offering such
      IPPCs. However, the rate of enrollment in such services remains low, and the
      reasons for this are unclear. Knowledge about the barriers to use is valuable
      during implementation of IPPCs in the health care services, and it can help
      timing, targeting, and tailoring IPPCs to different groups of patients.
      OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was to investigate patients' views of an IPPC
      that they could use from home to pose questions to nurses and physicians at their
      treatment facility, and their reported reasons for non-use of the service.
      METHODS: This qualitative study was based on individual interviews with 22
      patients who signed up for, but did not use, the IPPC. RESULTS: Patients
      appreciated the availability and the possibility of using the IPPC as needed,
      even if they did not use it. Their reported reasons for not using the IPPC fell
      into three main categories: (1) they felt that they did not need the IPPC and had
      sufficient access to information elsewhere, (2) they preferred other types of
      communication such as telephone or face-to-face contact, or (3) they were
      hindered by IPPC attributes such as login problems. CONCLUSIONS: Patients were
      satisfied with having the opportunity to send messages to health care providers
      through an IPPC, even if they did not use the service. IPPCs should be offered to
      the patients at an appropriate time in the illness trajectory, both when they
      need the service and when they are receptive to information about the service. A
      live demonstration of the IPPC at the point of enrollment might have increased
      its use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00971139;
      http://clinicaltrial.gov/ct2/show/NCT00971139 (Archived by WebCite at
      http://www.webcitation.org/6KlOiYJrW).

PMID- 24220234
TI  - High-power broadband organic THz generator.
AB  - The high-power broadband terahertz (THz) generator is an essential tool for a
      wide range of THz applications. Here, we present a novel highly efficient electro
      optic quinolinium single crystal for THz wave generation. For obtaining intense
      and broadband THz waves by optical-to-THz frequency conversion, a quinolinium
      crystal was developed to fulfill all the requirements, which are in general
      extremely difficult to maintain simultaneously in a single medium, such as a
      large macroscopic electro-optic response and excellent crystal characteristics
      including a large crystal size with desired facets, good environmental stability,
      high optical quality, wide transparency range, and controllable crystal
      thickness. Compared to the benchmark inorganic and organic crystals, the new
      quinolinium crystal possesses excellent crystal properties and THz generation
      characteristics with broader THz spectral coverage and higher THz conversion
      efficiency at the technologically important pump wavelength of 800 nm. Therefore,
      the quinolinium crystal offers great potential for efficient and gap-free
      broadband THz wave generation.

PMID- 24220235
TI  - Cervicogenic pain in Eagle's syndrome.

PMID- 24220236
TI  - New cyclometallated Ru(II) complex for potential application in
      photochemotherapy?
AB  - In an effort to create a molecule that absorbs further into the optimum window
      for photochemotherapy (PCT), the new cyclometallated complex
      [Ru(biq)2(phpy)](PF6) (1, biq = 2,2'-biquinoline, phpy(-) = deprotonated 2
      phenylpyridine) was synthesized, characterized and compared to the known
      photoactive complexes [Ru(biq)2(bpy)](PF6)2 (2, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and
      [Ru(biq)2(phen)](PF6)2 (3, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), both of which undergo
      exchange of one biq ligand when irradiated with red light in coordinating
      solvents. Excited state ligand dissociation in 2 and 3 is believed to be related
      to the steric hindrance afforded by the presence of two coordinated biq ligands.
      The ligand exchange quantum yield of 2 is ~2-fold greater than that of 3, which
      was shown to be cytotoxic when irradiated with visible light. Cyclometallation
      results in a red shift of the MLCT absorption maximum of ' by ~100 nm relative to
      those of 2 and 3, but, although 1 exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry,
      photoinduced ligand exchange does not occur. DFT calculations were used to aid in
      our understanding of the lack of photochemistry of 1 which is explained by the
      destabilization of the eg(sigma*) orbitals upon cyclometallation.

PMID- 24220237
TI  - Symptomatic pericardial cyst in the presence of partial congenital absence of the
      pericardium.

PMID- 24220239
TI  - Effects of electrical stimulation of autonomic nerves to the ovary on the ovarian
      testosterone secretion rate in rats.
AB  - Previously, we demonstrated that electrical stimulation of the superior ovarian
      nerve (SON), but not the ovarian nerve plexus (ONP), reduces the secretion rate
      of estradiol from the ovary via activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rats. The
      inhibitory effect of SON on estradiol secretion may be due to reduced production
      of testosterone, a direct precursor of estradiol. Here, we examined the effects
      of electrical stimulation of the SON and the ONP on ovarian testosterone
      secretion in rats. On the day of estrous, ovarian venous blood samples were
      collected intermittently from the ovarian vein. The secretion rate of
      testosterone from the ovary was calculated from the difference in the
      testosterone concentration between ovarian venous plasma and systemic arterial
      blood plasma, and the rate of ovarian venous plasma flow. Stimulation of either
      the SON or ONP reduced the secretion rate of testosterone from the ovary. The
      reduction of the testosterone secretion rate by SON stimulation was not
      influenced by an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist (yohimbine), but it was
      abolished by an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist (prazosin). Our results show that
      ovarian nerves have an inhibitory role in ovarian testosterone secretion, via
      activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, but not alpha 2-adrenoceptors. This,
      therefore, indicates that the reduction of estradiol secretion by SON stimulation
      is independent of the reduction of testosterone secretion. 

PMID- 24220238
TI  - Dynamic remodeling of the guinea pig intrinsic cardiac plexus induced by chronic
      myocardial infarction.
AB  - Myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with remodeling of the heart and
      neurohumoral control systems. The objective of this study was to define time
      dependent changes in intrinsic cardiac (IC) neuronal excitability, synaptic
      efficacy, and neurochemical modulation following MI. MI was produced in guinea
      pigs by ligation of the coronary artery and associated vein on the dorsal surface
      of the heart. Animals were recovered for 4, 7, 14, or 50 days. Intracellular
      voltage recordings were obtained in whole mounts of the cardiac neuronal plexus
      to determine passive and active neuronal properties of IC neurons.
      Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated an immediate and persistent increase in
      the percentage of IC neurons immunoreactive for neuronal nitric oxide synthase.
      Examination of individual neuronal properties demonstrated that after
      hyperpolarizing potentials were significantly decreased in both amplitude and
      time course of recovery at 7 days post-MI. These parameters returned to control
      values by 50 days post-MI. Synaptic efficacy, as determined by the stimulation of
      axonal inputs, was enhanced at 7 days post-MI only. Neuronal excitability in
      absence of agonist challenge was unchanged following MI. Norepinephrine increased
      IC excitability to intracellular current injections, a response that was
      augmented post-MI. Angiotensin II potentiation of norepinephrine and bethanechol
      induced excitability, evident in controls, was abolished post-MI. This study
      demonstrates that MI induces both persistent and transient changes in IC neuronal
      functions immediately following injury. Alterations in the IC neuronal network,
      which persist for weeks after the initial insult, may lead to alterations in
      autonomic signaling and cardiac control.

PMID- 24220240
TI  - 6-C-(E-phenylethenyl)-naringenin suppresses colorectal cancer growth by
      inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1.
AB  - Recent clinical trials raised concerns regarding the cardiovascular toxicity of
      selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) is now
      being reconsidered as a target for chemoprevention. Our aims were to determine
      whether selective COX-1 inhibition could delay or prevent cancer development and
      also clarify the underlying mechanisms. Data clearly showed that COX-1 was
      required for maintenance of malignant characteristics of colon cancer cells or
      tumor promoter-induced transformation of preneoplastic cells. We also
      successfully applied a ligand-docking computational method to identify a novel
      selective COX-1 inhibitor, 6-C-(E-phenylethenyl)-naringenin (designated herein as
      6CEPN). 6CEPN could bind to COX-1 and specifically inhibited its activity both in
      vitro and ex vivo. In colorectal cancer cells, it potently suppressed anchorage
      independent growth by inhibiting COX-1 activity. 6CEPN also effectively
      suppressed tumor growth in a 28-day colon cancer xenograft model without any
      obvious systemic toxicity. Taken together, COX-1 plays a critical role in human
      colorectal carcinogenesis, and this specific COX-1 inhibitor merits further
      investigation as a potential preventive agent against colorectal cancer.

PMID- 24220241
TI  - Effects of notch signaling on regulation of myeloid cell differentiation in
      cancer.
AB  - Functionally altered myeloid cells play an important role in immune suppression
      in cancer, in angiogenesis, and in tumor cells' invasion and metastases. Here, we
      report that inhibition of Notch signaling in hematopoietic progenitor cells
      (HPC), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), and dendritic cells is directly
      involved in abnormal myeloid cell differentiation in cancer. Inhibition of Notch
      signaling was caused by the disruption of the interaction between Notch receptor
      and transcriptional repressor CSL, which is normally required for efficient
      transcription of target genes. This disruption was the result of serine
      phosphorylation of Notch. We demonstrated that increased activity of casein
      kinase 2 (CK2) observed in HPC and in MDSC could be responsible for the
      phosphorylation of Notch and downregulation of Notch signaling. Inhibition of CK2
      by siRNA or by pharmacological inhibitor restored Notch signaling in myeloid
      cells and substantially improved their differentiation, both in vitro and in
      vivo. This study demonstrates a novel mechanism regulation of Notch signaling in
      cancer. This may suggest a new perspective for pharmacological regulation of
      differentiation of myeloid cells in cancer.

PMID- 24220242
TI  - Integrin-free tetraspanin CD151 can inhibit tumor cell motility upon clustering
      and is a clinical indicator of prostate cancer progression.
AB  - Normal physiology relies on the organization of transmembrane proteins by
      molecular scaffolds, such as tetraspanins. Oncogenesis frequently involves
      changes in their organization or expression. The tetraspanin CD151 is thought to
      contribute to cancer progression through direct interaction with the laminin
      binding integrins alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta1. However, this interaction cannot
      explain the ability of CD151 to control migration in the absence of these
      integrins or on non-laminin substrates. We demonstrate that CD151 can regulate
      tumor cell migration without direct integrin binding and that integrin-free CD151
      (CD151(free)) correlates clinically with tumor progression and metastasis.
      Clustering CD151(free) through its integrin-binding domain promotes accumulation
      in areas of cell-cell contact, leading to enhanced adhesion and inhibition of
      tumor cell motility in vitro and in vivo. CD151(free) clustering is a strong
      regulator of motility even in the absence of alpha3 expression but requires
      PKCalpha, suggesting that CD151 can control migration independent of its integrin
      associations. The histologic detection of CD151(free) in prostate cancer
      correlates with poor patient outcome. When CD151(free) is present, patients are
      more likely to recur after radical prostatectomy and progression to metastatic
      disease is accelerated. Multivariable analysis identifies CD151(free) as an
      independent predictor of survival. Moreover, the detection of CD151(free) can
      stratify survival among patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen levels.
      Cumulatively, these studies demonstrate that a subpopulation of CD151 exists on
      the surface of tumor cells that can regulate migration independent of its
      integrin partner. The clinical correlation of CD151(free) with prostate cancer
      progression suggests that it may contribute to the disease and predict cancer
      progression.

PMID- 24220244
TI  - Tumor hypoxia does not drive differentiation of tumor-associated macrophages but
      rather fine-tunes the M2-like macrophage population.
AB  - Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are exposed to multiple microenvironmental
      cues in tumors, which collaborate to endow these cells with protumoral
      activities. Hypoxia, caused by an imbalance in oxygen supply and demand because
      of a poorly organized vasculature, is often a prominent feature in solid tumors.
      However, to what extent tumor hypoxia regulates the TAM phenotype in vivo is
      unknown. Here, we show that the myeloid infiltrate in mouse lung carcinoma tumors
      encompasses two morphologically distinct CD11b(hi)F4/80(hi)Ly6C(lo) TAM subsets,
      designated as MHC-II(lo) and MHC-II(hi) TAM, both of which were derived from
      tumor-infiltrating Ly6C(hi) monocytes. MHC-II(lo) TAM express higher levels of
      prototypical M2 markers and reside in more hypoxic regions. Consequently, MHC
      II(lo) TAM contain higher mRNA levels for hypoxia-regulated genes than their MHC
      II(hi) counterparts. To assess the in vivo role of hypoxia on these TAM features,
      cancer cells were inoculated in prolyl hydroxylase domain 2 (PHD2)-haplodeficient
      mice, resulting in better-oxygenated tumors. Interestingly, reduced tumor hypoxia
      did not alter the relative abundance of TAM subsets nor their M2 marker
      expression, but specifically lowered hypoxia-sensitive gene expression and
      angiogenic activity in the MHC-II(lo) TAM subset. The same observation in
      PHD2(+/+) -> PHD2(+/-) bone marrow chimeras also suggests organization of a
      better-oxygenized microenvironment. Together, our results show that hypoxia is
      not a major driver of TAM subset differentiation, but rather specifically fine
      tunes the phenotype of M2-like MHC-II(lo) TAM.

PMID- 24220243
TI  - Blocking eIF5A modification in cervical cancer cells alters the expression of
      cancer-related genes and suppresses cell proliferation.
AB  - Cancer etiology is influenced by alterations in protein synthesis that are not
      fully understood. In this study, we took a novel approach to investigate the role
      of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF5A in human cervical cancers,
      where it is widely overexpressed. eIF5A contains the distinctive amino acid
      hypusine, which is formed by a posttranslational modification event requiring
      deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH), an enzyme that can be inhibited by the drugs
      ciclopirox and deferiprone. We found that proliferation of cervical cancer cells
      can be blocked by DOHH inhibition with either of these pharmacologic agents, as
      well as by RNA interference-mediated silencing of eIF5A, DOHH, or another enzyme
      in the hypusine pathway. Proteomic and RNA analyses in HeLa cervical cancer cells
      identified two groups of proteins in addition to eIF5A that were coordinately
      affected by ciclopirox and deferiprone. Group 1 proteins (Hsp27, NM23, and DJ-1)
      were downregulated at the translational level, whereas group 2 proteins (TrpRS
      and PRDX2) were upregulated at the mRNA level. Further investigations confirmed
      that eIF5A and DOHH are required for Hsp27 expression in cervical cancer cells
      and for regulation of its key target IkappaB and hence NF-kappaB. Our results
      argue that mature eIF5A controls a translational network of cancer-driving genes,
      termed the eIF5A regulon, at the levels of mRNA abundance and translation. In
      coordinating cell proliferation, the eIF5A regulon can be modulated by drugs such
      as ciclopirox or deferiprone, which might be repositioned to control cancer cell
      growth.

PMID- 24220247
TI  - Genetic disruption of protein phosphatase 5 in mice prevents high-fat diet
      feeding-induced weight gain.
AB  - The role of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) in the development of
      obesity and insulin resistance associated with high-fat diet-feeding (HFD) was
      examined using PP5-deficient mice (Ppp5c(-/-)). Despite similar caloric intake,
      Ppp5c(-/-) mice on HFD gained markedly less weight and did not accumulate
      visceral fat compared to wild-type littermates (Ppp5c(+/+)). On a control diet,
      Ppp5c(-/-) mice had markedly improved glucose control compared to Ppp5c(+/+)
      mice, an effect diminished by HFD. However, even after 10 weeks of HFD glucose
      control in Ppp5c(-/-) mice was similar to that observed in Ppp5c(+/+) mice on the
      control diet. Thus, PP5 deficiency confers protection against HFD-induced weight
      gain in mice.

PMID- 24220249
TI  - Calculation of the performance of magnetic lenses with limited machining
      precision.
AB  - To meet a required STEM resolution, the mechanical precision of the pole pieces
      of a magnetic lens needs to be determined. A tolerancing plugin in the EOD
      software is used to determine a configuration which both meets the optical
      specifications and is cost effective under the constraints of current
      manufacturing technologies together with a suitable combination of correction
      elements.

PMID- 24220248
TI  - I think I can't: drink refusal self-efficacy as a mediator of the relationship
      between self-reported drinking identity and alcohol use.
AB  - This study examined the relationship between self-reported drinking identity
      (SRDI), defined as how closely individuals believe drinking is a crucial aspect
      of their identity (Conner, Warren, Close, & Sparks, 1999), and alcohol use by
      considering drink-refusal self-efficacy (DRSE) as a potential mediator. Based on
      previous findings, we expected that SRDI would be negatively associated with DRSE
      and positively associated with drinking, and that DRSE would be negatively linked
      with drinking. Further, we expected that DRSE would mediate the association
      between SRDI and drinking. Participants included 1069 undergraduate students (M
      age=22.93years, SD=6.29, 76.25% female) from a large southern university who
      completed computer-based study materials. Gender was associated with SRDI, each
      of the DRSE subscales, and drinking, indicating that males report greater SRDI,
      lower DRSE, and increased alcohol consumption. Consistent with expectations, SRDI
      was negatively linked with DRSE and positively linked with drinking. DRSE
      subscales were negatively associated with drinking. Further, four measurement
      models for latent variables were tested for SRDI and each of the three DRSE
      subscales. Results showed that the emotional relief and social subscales of DRSE
      mediated the association between SRDI and drinking, however this mediating
      relationship did not emerge for the opportunistic subscale. Implications of these
      results are discussed. 

PMID- 24220251
TI  - Quantifying vascular heterogeneity using microbubble disruption-replenishment
      kinetics in patients with renal cell cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to establish the physiological
      interpretation of the shape parameter of the dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      (DCE-US) lognormal perfusion model and to evaluate the clinical significance of
      the parameter in a sample of patients undergoing antiangiogenic therapy for
      metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The physiological
      interpretation of the lognormal shape parameter was explored using computer
      simulations of disruption-replenishment in fractal models of the microcirculation
      generated by a piecewise iterative algorithm in MATLAB. Architectural variety was
      accomplished by introducing random perturbations to the diameter, length, and
      branching angles to the growing vascular tree. The shape parameter was extracted
      from the time-intensity curves and compared with the transit time distributions
      calculated directly from the simulations. Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      data were obtained from 31 consenting patients with mRCC being treated with
      antiangiogenic therapy. Lognormal parameters related to the blood volume, mean
      flow speed, and vascular morphology/heterogeneity extracted before, during, and
      after therapy were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS). Cox
      proportional hazard ratios were calculated alongside receiver operator
      characteristics for different combinations of the vascular parameters to
      determine their ability to distinguish patients who would progress early (less
      than the median PFS) versus late (greater than the median PFS). RESULTS: The
      lognormal shape parameter correlated strongly to the width of the transit time
      distribution calculated directly from the simulations, and by extension, to the
      morphology/heterogeneity of the microvascular network (Spearman r = 0.80, P <
      0.001, n = 28). Shorter time to progression was predicted by higher baseline
      heterogeneity (P = 0.003) and a reduction in tumor blood volume less than 43% (P
      = 0.002) after 2 weeks of treatment. Combining baseline parameters with changes
      that occur shortly after starting treatment increased the sensitivity and
      specificity of DCE-US to identify which patients would progress/resist therapy
      early versus late compared with when the vascular parameters were considered in
      isolation. CONCLUSIONS: The DCE-US shape parameter from the lognormal perfusion
      model is representative of microvascular morphology/heterogeneity and may be used
      to noninvasively characterize the vascular architecture of cancer lesions. A more
      abnormal flow distribution at baseline predicts for poorer outcome for patients
      treated with antiangiogenic therapy for metastatic renal cell cancer. Combining
      pretreatment and on-treatment measurements of vascularity can improve the
      performance of DCE-US to predict which patients will progress earlier versus
      later when on antiangiogenic therapy for mRCC.

PMID- 24220250
TI  - Internet search patterns of human immunodeficiency virus and the digital divide
      in the Russian Federation: infoveillance study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a serious health problem in the
      Russian Federation. However, the true scale of HIV in Russia has long been the
      subject of considerable debate. Using digital surveillance to monitor diseases
      has become increasingly popular in high income countries. But Internet users may
      not be representative of overall populations, and the characteristics of the
      Internet-using population cannot be directly ascertained from search pattern
      data. This exploratory infoveillance study examined if Internet search patterns
      can be used for disease surveillance in a large middle-income country with a
      dispersed population. OBJECTIVE: This study had two main objectives: (1) to
      validate Internet search patterns against national HIV prevalence data, and (2)
      to investigate the relationship between search patterns and the determinants of
      Internet access. METHODS: We first assessed whether online surveillance is a
      valid and reliable method for monitoring HIV in the Russian Federation. Yandex
      and Google both provided tools to study search patterns in the Russian
      Federation. We evaluated the relationship between both Yandex and Google
      aggregated search patterns and HIV prevalence in 2011 at national and regional
      tiers. Second, we analyzed the determinants of Internet access to determine the
      extent to which they explained regional variations in searches for the Russian
      terms for "HIV" and "AIDS". We sought to extend understanding of the
      characteristics of Internet searching populations by data matching the
      determinants of Internet access (age, education, income, broadband access price,
      and urbanization ratios) and searches for the term "HIV" using principal
      component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: We found generally strong correlations between
      HIV prevalence and searches for the terms "HIV" and "AIDS". National correlations
      for Yandex searches for "HIV" were very strongly correlated with HIV prevalence
      (Spearman rank-order coefficient [rs]=.881, P <= .001) and strongly correlated
      for "AIDS" (rs = .714, P <= .001). The strength of correlations varied across
      Russian regions. National correlations in Google for the term "HIV" (rs = .672, P
      = .004) and "AIDS" (rs = .584, P <= .001) were weaker than for Yandex. Second, we
      examined the relationship between the determinants of Internet access and search
      patterns for the term "HIV" across Russia using PCA. At the national level, we
      found Principal Component 1 loadings, including age (-0.56), HIV search (-0.533),
      and education (-0.479) contributed 32% of the variance. Principal Component 2
      contributed 22% of national variance (income, -0.652 and broadband price, 
      0.460). CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the methodological literature on
      search patterns in public health. Based on our preliminary research, we suggest
      that PCA may be used to evaluate the relationship between the determinants of
      Internet access and searches for health problems beyond high-income countries. We
      believe it is in middle-income countries that search methods can make the
      greatest contribution to public health.

PMID- 24220252
TI  - Seven-tesla magnetic resonance imaging in Wilson disease using quantitative
      susceptibility mapping for measurement of copper accumulation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In Wilson disease (WD), the copper content of cerebral tissue is
      increased, particularly in the basal ganglia. This study investigated whether a
      change in magnetic susceptibility can be detected using quantitative
      susceptibility mapping of the brain in patients with WD compared with healthy
      controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with WD (6 with the neurological
      form, 5 with the hepatic form) and 10 age-matched healthy controls who gave
      informed consent were examined at 7 T in a whole-body scanner (MAGNETOM; Siemens
      Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) using a 24-channel phased array coil (Nova
      Medical). For imaging, a 3-dimensional spoiled gradient multiecho sequence
      (repetition time, 40 milliseconds; echo time, 9.76/19.19/28.62 milliseconds;
      bandwidth, 150 hertz per pixel; voxel size, 0.6 * 0.6 * 0.8 mm) was used. The
      susceptibility of selected regions (substantia nigra, red nucleus, pallidum,
      putamen, caudate nucleus) was analyzed in susceptibility maps. RESULTS: The
      patients with WD showed significantly increased susceptibility (P value, 0.001
      0.05) in all analyzed regions compared with healthy controls. This was evident
      not only in patients with a neurological syndrome but also, with lower values, in
      patients with isolated hepatic manifestations. The distribution patterns of
      copper accumulation were different between the patients with neurological and non
      neurological manifestations of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: In neurologically
      symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with WD, we found increased magnetic
      susceptibility in the brain tissue using quantitative susceptibility mapping.

PMID- 24220253
TI  - Value of 3-T multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance
      guided biopsy for early risk restratification in active surveillance of low-risk
      prostate cancer: a prospective multicenter cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of 3-T
      multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI) and magnetic resonance-guided
      biopsy (MRGB) in early risk restratification of patients on active surveillance
      at 3 and 12 months of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within 4 hospitals
      participating in a large active surveillance trial, a side study was initiated.
      Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, prostate MP-MRI, and MRGB were performed at 3
      and 12 months (latter prostate MP-MRI and MRGB only) after prostate cancer
      diagnosis in 1 of the 4 participating hospitals. Cancer-suspicious regions (CSRs)
      were defined on prostate MP-MRI using Prostate Imaging Reporting And Data System
      (PI-RADS) scores.Risk restratification criteria for active surveillance
      discontinuance were (1) histopathologically proven magnetic resonance imaging
      suspicion of node/bone metastases and/or (2) a Gleason growth pattern (GGP) 4
      and/or 5 and/or cancer multifocality (>=3 foci) in MRGB specimens of a CSR on MP
      MRI. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2012, a total of 64 of 82 patients were consecutively
      and prospectively included and underwent MP-MRI and a subsequent MRGB. At 3 and
      12 months of follow-up, 14% (9/64) and 10% (3/30) of the patients were risk
      restratified on the basis of MP-MRI and MRGB. An overall CSR PI-RADS score of 1
      or 2 had a negative predictive value of 84% (38/45) for detection of any prostate
      cancer and 100% (45/45) for detection of a GGP 4 or 5 containing cancer upon
      MRGB, respectively. A CSR PI-RADS score of 4 or higher had a sensitivity of 92%
      (11/12) for detection of a GGP 4 or 5 containing cancer upon MRGB. CONCLUSIONS:
      Application of MP-MRI and MRGB in active surveillance may contribute in early
      identification of patients with GGP 4 or 5 containing cancers at 3 months of
      follow-up. If, during further follow-up, a PI-RADS score of 1 or 2 continues to
      have a negative predictive value for GGP 4 or 5 containing cancers, a PI-RADS
      standardized reported MP-MRI may be a promising tool for the selection of
      prostate cancer patients suitable for active surveillance.

PMID- 24220254
TI  - Bone marrow edema pattern identification in patients with lytic bone lesions
      using digital subtraction angiography-like bone subtraction on large-area
      detector computed tomography.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of digital
      subtraction angiography (DSA)-like bone subtraction with 2 different registration
      methods for the identification of bone marrow edema pattern (BMEP) in patients
      with lytic bone lesions, using magnetic resonance imaging as the criterion
      standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients with a lytic bone lesion
      were included in this prospective study with approval from the ethics committee.
      All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging and low-dose computed
      tomographic (CT) perfusion after signing an informed consent. Two CT volumes were
      used for bone subtraction, which was performed with 2 different algorithms (rigid
      and nonrigid). Enhancement at the nonlytic bone marrow was considered as a sign
      of BMEP. Two readers evaluated the images blindly. The presence of BMEP on bone
      subtracted CT images was evaluated subjectively and quantitatively. Image quality
      was assessed. Magnetic resonance imaging was used as the criterion standard.
      RESULTS: Using a rigid registration method, the sensitivity, specificity,
      positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of CT with DSA
      like bone subtraction BMEP was 77%, 100%, 100%, 68%, and 85%, respectively. The
      interobserver agreement was good (kappa, 0.782). Image quality was better using a
      nonrigid registration. With this algorithm, artifacts interfered with image
      interpretation in only 5% of cases. However, there was a noticeable drop in
      sensitivity and negative predictive value when a nonrigid algorithm was used: 56%
      and 52%, respectively. The interobserver agreement was average with a nonrigid
      subtraction algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography with DSA-like bone
      subtraction is sensitive and highly specific for the identification of BMEP
      associated with lytic bone lesions. Rigid registering should be preferred, but
      nonrigid algorithms can be used as a second option when artifacts interfere with
      image interpretation.

PMID- 24220255
TI  - Three milieux for interstellar chemistry: gas, dust, and ice.
AB  - The interdisciplinary science of astrochemistry is 45 years of age, if we
      pinpoint its origin to have occurred when the first polyatomic molecules were
      detected in the interstellar gas. Since that time, the field has grown remarkably
      from an esoteric area of research to one that unites scientists around the globe.
      Almost 200 different molecules have been detected in the gas-phase of
      interstellar clouds, mainly by rotational spectroscopy, while dust particles and
      their icy mantles in colder regions can be probed by vibrational spectroscopy.
      Astrochemistry is exciting to scientists in a number of different fields.
      Astronomers are interested in molecular spectra from the heavens because such
      spectra are excellent probes of the physical conditions where molecules exist,
      while chemists are interested in the exotic molecules, their spectra, and the
      unusual chemical processes that produce and destroy them under conditions often
      very different from those on our home planet. Chemical simulations involving
      thousands of reactions are now used to calculate concentrations and spectra of
      interstellar molecules as functions of time. Even biologists share an interest in
      the subject, because the interstellar clouds of gas and dust, portions of which
      collapse to form stars and planetary systems, contain organic molecules that may
      become part of the initial inventory of new planets and may indeed be the
      precursors of life. An irresistible subject to its practitioners, astrochemistry
      is proving to be exciting to a much wider audience. In this perspective article,
      the field is first introduced, and the emphasis is then placed on the three
      environments in which chemistry occurs in the interstellar medium: the gas phase,
      the surfaces of bare dust particles, and the ice mantles that cover bare grains
      in cold dense interstellar clouds. What we do know and what we do not know is
      distinguished. The status of chemical simulations for a variety of interstellar
      sources having to do with stellar and planetary evolution is surveyed. An
      optimistic view of the future of astrochemistry ends the article. 

PMID- 24220256
TI  - Fluorescein fundus angiography with smartphone.

PMID- 24220257
TI  - Choroidal thickness in age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine choroidal thickness in age-related macular degeneration
      (AMD). METHODS: The hospital-based case series study included patients with
      nonexudative or exudative AMD as study group, and the control group consisted of
      subjects with a normal fundus. Choroidal thickness was measured by enhanced depth
      imaging of spectral domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The study group
      (126 patients; 204 eyes) included a nonexudative subgroup (n = 50 eyes) and an
      exudative subgroup (n = 154 eyes), differentiated into eyes with mostly retinal
      pigment epithelium detachment (n = 35), mostly retinal edema (n = 36), and a
      subretinal fibrotic scar (n = 83). For 29 patients with unilateral AMD,
      contralateral normal eyes were compared with affected eyes. The control group
      consisted of 189 patients (228 eyes). Comparing choroidal thickness between the
      affected eyes and contralateral unaffected eyes in patients with unilateral AMD
      revealed no statistically significant differences (all P > 0.20). After adjusting
      for age and refractive error, subfoveal choroidal thickness was not significantly
      (all P > 0.10) related with AMD neither as a whole nor with the nonexudative or
      exudative AMD subgroup nor with the single exudative AMD subtypes (except for the
      subretinal fibrotic scar subgroup; P = 0.03). Correspondingly, choroidal
      thickness at a horizontal distance of 1000 MUm from the fovea was not
      significantly (all P >= 0.30) associated with any subgroup of AMD. In binary
      regression analysis, the presence of AMD or of its subtypes (except for
      subretinal fibrotic scar type) was not significantly (all P >= 0.20) associated
      with subfoveal or parafoveal choroidal thickness after adjustment for age and
      refractive error. After matching for age, refractive error, and axial length,
      study group and control group did not differ significantly (all P >= 0.25) in
      foveal or parafoveal choroidal thickness measurements. CONCLUSION: After
      adjusting for age and refractive error, AMD, neither in its nonexudative form nor
      exudative form, was significantly associated with a marked thinning or thickening
      of the choroid in the foveal and parafoveal region.

PMID- 24220258
TI  - Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

PMID- 24220259
TI  - Less strained and more efficient GaN light-emitting diodes with embedded silica
      hollow nanospheres.
AB  - Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) become an attractive alternative to conventional
      light sources due to high efficiency and long lifetime. However, different
      material properties between GaN and sapphire cause several problems such as high
      defect density in GaN, serious wafer bowing, particularly in large-area wafers,
      and poor light extraction of GaN-based LEDs. Here, we suggest a new growth
      strategy for high efficiency LEDs by incorporating silica hollow nanospheres (S
      HNS). In this strategy, S-HNSs were introduced as a monolayer on a sapphire
      substrate and the subsequent growth of GaN by metalorganic chemical vapor
      deposition results in improved crystal quality due to nano-scale lateral
      epitaxial overgrowth. Moreover, well-defined voids embedded at the GaN/sapphire
      interface help scatter lights effectively for improved light extraction, and
      reduce wafer bowing due to partial alleviation of compressive stress in GaN. The
      incorporation of S-HNS into LEDs is thus quite advantageous in achieving high
      efficiency LEDs for solid-state lighting. 

PMID- 24220260
TI  - PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB concentrations during municipal solid waste
      biomethanation and subsequent composting.
AB  - PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB concentrations were compared in different samples of a
      municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment plant: the initial MSW fraction that enters
      the biomethanation from the digester, the semi-solid digestate obtained after
      biomethanation of MSW, and the solids after composting the digestate since the
      final product is destined for land application and special attention must be paid
      to these compounds for environmental considerations. The initial MSW sample
      showed low concentrations of PCDD/Fs, although in the biomethanation output
      sample the concentration was more than ten times higher. The difference was even
      more significant for PCBs. In compost samples concentrations for both PCDD/Fs and
      PCBs were in the same range as in biomethanation or lower. Nevertheless,
      concentrations found for all samples were low and these treatments do not pose a
      major problem for the environment in the working conditions used. 

PMID- 24220261
TI  - Removal of steroid estrogens from waste activated sludge using Fenton oxidation:
      influencing factors and degradation intermediates.
AB  - The presence of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in waste activated sludge
      (WAS) is raising concerns about their influence on animals and the overall food
      cycle. Traditional sludge stabilization processes cannot remove EDCs effectively.
      The main objective of this work was to study the removal of four estrogens
      (estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol
      (EE2)) in waste activated sludge treated with Fenton oxidation. The effects of
      H2O2 dosage, initial pH, reaction time, and Fe(II) to H2O2 molar ratio were
      investigated. Base on both the removal of estrogens and the solubilization of
      WAS, the proper reaction conditions were recommended as follows: H2O2
      dosage=15.62 mmol g(-1), initial pH=3, reaction time=60 min, Fe(II) to H2O2 molar
      ratio=0.167. Under these conditions, the removal efficiencies of E1, E2, EE2, and
      E3 were 70%, 90%, 84% and 98%, respectively; compared with non-Fenton treatment,
      a 24-fold increase in STOC was achieved, and the extent of solubilization of TSS
      and VSS was close to 13 and 20%, respectively. The degradation intermediates were
      detected using GC/MS. Results showed that the phenol structures of targets were
      mostly oxidized to cyclohexenone moieties and quinone-like structures, which
      indicated that estrogenic activity was weakened. Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione and pregn
      4-en-20-yn-3-one were observed for the first time. Fenton oxidation was shown to
      offer a promising alternative method of removing EDCs from sludge in pretreatment
      applications.

PMID- 24220262
TI  - Target and screening analysis of 940 micro-pollutants in sediments in Tokyo Bay,
      Japan.
AB  - Urban societies are using an increasingly diverse array of chemicals, many of
      which ultimately end up accumulating in urban harbors, where they can act as
      contaminants alone or as part of a mixture. In attempt to grasp a more complete
      picture of anthropogenic chemicals in an urban harbor, we analyzed 940 organic
      chemicals in sediments in Tokyo Bay, one of the most densely populated and
      modernized areas in the world. For the chemical analysis, we used targeted
      analytical methods using a GC-MS-MS and a GC-MS-SIM, and a screening analysis
      using an automated identification and quantification system with a GC-MS
      database. We detected 195 organic chemicals in the sediments; the sum of
      concentrations of compounds detected varied from 6095 to 39140MUgkg(-1)dry wt.
      Since their concentrations increased with proximity to the innermost part of the
      bay, their sources seem to be mainly sewage treatment plants (STPs) and rivers
      flowing to this area. Additional confirmation comes from the nature of the
      identified pollutants, which are characteristic of chemicals used in households
      as well as fecal matter, business activities and urban run-off. From these
      results, it was confirmed that sediments in Tokyo Bay are still polluted with a
      wide range of chemicals, particularly domestic chemicals, despite nearly 100% of
      wastewater from household and business activities being treated by STPs. 

PMID- 24220263
TI  - The ER-Golgi intermediate compartment feeds the phagophore membrane.
AB  - A long-standing quest in the autophagy field is to define the membrane origin of
      the autophagosome. We have established a cell-free assay based on LC3 lipidation
      that recapitulates multiple regulatory hallmarks of early autophagosome
      biogenesis. Using a systematic membrane fractionation approach, we have
      identified the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) as the most efficient
      membrane substrate for LC3 lipidation. Further studies indicate that the ERGIC
      plays an essential role to trigger LC3 lipidation and autophagosome biogenesis by
      recruiting the key early autophagic factor ATG14. 

PMID- 24220264
TI  - Factors that affect substance users' suicidal behavior: a view from the Addiction
      Severity Index in Korea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In South Korea, it has not been easy to negotiate studies that target
      drug users who are being punished by law, and accordingly, no study on suicidal
      ideation among substance users has been accomplished yet. In this study, the
      factors that affect substance users' suicidal ideation were confirmed. METHODS:
      It was based on the data collected from 'The 2009 Study on Substance-Dependent
      Individuals in Korea' , which was conducted by The Catholic University of Korea
      in 2010 as a project sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea.
      This study targeted 523 former hospital inpatients, prison inmates, and persons
      under protective supervision who had used substances such as psychotropic drugs,
      marijuana, and narcotic agents, and were in the recovery stage at various
      treatment/rehabilitation centers. Student's t and chi-square tests were used, and
      multivariate analysis was performed to examine the strength of the relationships
      between suicide ideation and various factors. RESULTS: According to this study,
      41% of these substance users planned suicide with suicidal ideation. Suicidal
      ideation was confirmed as associated with an unsatisfactory domestic environment,
      insufficient and unsatisfactory spare time experiences with others, emotional
      abuse, severe depression, and trouble with controlling violent behavior. Of the
      substance users who had planned to commit suicide, 56% attempted suicide. Their
      suicide attempts were shown to have been associated with insufficient protective
      supervision and the experiences of physical abuse, trouble with controlling
      violent behavior, and doctors' prescriptions due to psychological or emotional
      problems. CONCLUSION: Based on this analysis of the factors that affect suicidal
      behavior, preventive measures and strategies for substance user were suggested in
      this study.

PMID- 24220265
TI  - Knockdown of Livin inhibits growth and invasion of gastric cancer cells through
      blockade of the MAPK pathway in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Livin, a novel member of the human inhibitors of apoptosis protein family, has
      been shown to be critical for tumor progression and poor prognosis for several
      types of malignancies. However, limited reports exist regarding the biological
      functions of Livin in human gastric cancer (GC). The present study investigated
      the clinical significance of Livin and caspase-3 (CAS-3) in human GC using
      immunohistochemistry assay, and explore the potential using RNA interference to
      knockdown Livin expression, including the subsequent effects on tumor growth and
      invasion in GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that the rate of
      positive expression of Livin was significantly higher in GC tissues compared to
      that in adjacent non-cancer tissues (ANCT) (64.1 vs. 30.8%, P<0.001), while CAS-3
      was lower in GC tissues than in ANCT (33.3 vs. 66.7%, P=0.001). Livin expression
      was positively correlated with tumor differentiation and lymph node metastases
      (P=0.009; P=0.007), while CAS-3 was negatively correlated with them (P=0.036;
      P=0.002) in patients with GC. Furthermore, knockdown of Livin inhibited cell
      proliferative activities and invasive potential, and induced cell in situ
      apoptosis in GC cells, accompanied with decreased expression of p38 MAPK, VEGF
      and MMP-2 and increased expression of CAS-3. In addition, the tumor volumes in
      the SGC7901 subcutaneous nude mouse model treated with Lv-shLivin was
      significantly smaller compared to those of the PBS group (P<0.01). Taken
      together, our findings indicate that the expression of Livin is increased in
      human GC and correlates with tumor differentiation and lymph node metastases,
      while knockdown of Livin inhibits cell growth and invasion through blockade of
      the MAPK pathway in GC cells, suggesting that Livin may be a potential
      therapeutic target for the treatment of GC.

PMID- 24220266
TI  - The value of tear osmolarity as a metric in evaluating the response to dry eye
      therapy in the clinic and in clinical trials.

PMID- 24220267
TI  - Serum biomarker signature identifies patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
      associated with cryoglobulinemia vasculitis in chronic HCV infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with B-cell disorders,
      including mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). We
      hypothesized that combination of serum biomarkers could be used to identify B-NHL
      in HCV patients. METHODS: We measured in 155 HCV infected patients, with and
      without MC and/or B-NHL, serum levels of eight markers previously described to be
      increased in patients with B-NHL, i.e. sCD22, sCD27, sIL-2Ralpha, sCD137, free
      light chains of Ig (ratio kappa/lambda), heavy chains of Ig (ratio
      IgMkappa/IgMlambda), gammaglobulins and C4. We used a multiparametric analysis to
      determine a signature that identifies patients with overt B-NHL. RESULTS: Serum
      levels were significantly different between patients without MC, patients with
      asymptomatic MC, patients with MC vasculitis and those with MC vasculitis and B
      NHL for all biomarkers except for sCD137. Using multiparametric analysis, we
      identified a signature involving sCD27, sIL-2Ralpha, gammaglobulins and C4 levels
      associated with the presence of overt B-NHL in HCV-infected patients. This
      signature had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 90%, and positive and
      negative predictive values of 97 and 100%, respectively for discriminating
      patients with overt B-NHL and those without B-NHL. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate
      that serum biomarker signature allows identifying HCV-infected patients
      presenting with overt B-NHL.

PMID- 24220268
TI  - Automated antinuclear immunofluorescence antibody screening: a comparative study
      of six computer-aided diagnostic systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) plays an important role in
      immunological assays for detecting and measuring autoantibodies. However, the
      method is burdened by some unfavorable features: the need for expert
      morphologists, the subjectivity of interpretation, and a low degree of
      standardization and automation. Following the recent statement by the American
      College of Rheumatology that the IIF technique should be considered as the
      standard screening method for the detection of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), the
      biomedical industry has developed technological solutions which might
      significantly improve automation of the procedure, not only in the preparation of
      substrates and slides, but also in microscope reading. METHODS: We collected 104
      ANA-positive sera from patients with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of autoimmune
      disease and 40 ANA-negative sera from healthy blood donors. One aliquot of each
      serum, without information about pattern and titer, was sent to six laboratories
      of our group, where the sera were tested with the IIF manual method provided by
      each of the six manufacturers of automatic systems. Assignment of result
      (pos/neg), of pattern and titer was made by consensus at a meeting attended by
      all members of the research team. Result was assigned if consensus for pos/neg
      was reached by at least four of six certifiers, while for the pattern and for the
      titer, the value observed with higher frequency (mode) was adopted. Seventeen ANA
      positive sera and six ANA-negative sera were excluded. Therefore, the study with
      the following automatic instrumentation was conducted on 92 ANA-positive sera and
      on 34 ANA-negative sera: Aklides, EUROPattern, G-Sight (I-Sight-IFA), Helios,
      Image Navigator, and Nova View. Analytical imprecision was measured in five
      aliquots of the same serum, randomly added to the sample series. RESULTS: Overall
      sensitivity of the six automated systems was 96.7% and overall specificity was
      89.2%. Most false negatives were recorded for cytoplasmic patterns, whereas among
      nuclear patterns those with a low level of fluorescence (i.e., multiple nuclear
      dots, midbody, nuclear rim) were sometimes missed. The intensity values of the
      light signal of various instruments showed a good correlation with the titer
      obtained by manual reading (Spearman's rho between 0.672 and 0.839; P<0.0001 for
      all the systems). Imprecision ranged from 1.99% to 25.2% and, for all the
      systems, it was lower than that obtained by the manual IIF test (39.1%). The
      accuracy of pattern recognition, which is for now restricted to the most typical
      patterns (homogeneous, speckled, nucleolar, centromere, multiple nuclear dots and
      cytoplasmic) was limited, ranging from 52% to 79%. CONCLUSIONS: This study, which
      is the first to compare the diagnostic accuracy of six systems for automated ANA
      IIF reading on the same series of sera, showed that all systems are able to
      perform very well the task for which they were created. Indeed, cumulative
      automatic discrimination between positive and negative samples had 95% accuracy.
      All the manufacturers are actively continuing the development of new and more
      sophisticated software for a better definition in automatic recognition of
      patterns and light signal conversion in end-point titer. In the future, this may
      avert the need for serum dilution for titration, which will be a great advantage
      in economic terms and time-saving.

PMID- 24220269
TI  - Rule-based exposure assessment versus case-by-case expert assessment using the
      same information in a community-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retrospective exposure assessment in community-based studies is
      largely reliant on questionnaire information. Expert assessment is often used to
      assess lifetime occupational exposures, but these assessments generally lack
      transparency and are very time-consuming. We explored the agreement between a
      rule-based assessment approach and case-by-case expert assessment of occupational
      exposures in a community-based study. METHODS: We used data from a case-control
      study of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in which parental occupational
      exposures were originally assigned by expert assessment. Key questions were
      identified from the completed parent questionnaires and, on the basis of these,
      rules were written to assign exposure levels to diesel exhaust, pesticides and
      solvents. We estimated exposure prevalence separately for fathers and mothers,
      and used kappa statistics to assess the agreement between the two exposure
      assessment methods. RESULTS: Exposures were assigned to 5829 jobs among 1079 men
      and 6189 jobs among 1234 women. For both sexes, agreement was good for the two
      assessment methods of exposure to diesel exhaust at a job level (kappa=0.70 for
      men and kappa=0.71 for women) and at a person level (kappa=0.74 and kappa=0.75).
      The agreement was good to excellent for pesticide exposure among men (kappa=0.74
      for jobs and kappa=0.84 at a person level) and women (kappa=0.68 and kappa=0.71
      at a job and person level, respectively). Moderate to good agreement was observed
      for assessment of solvent exposure, which was better for women than men.
      CONCLUSIONS: The rule-based assessment approach appeared to be an efficient
      alternative for assigning occupational exposures in a community-based study for a
      selection of occupational exposures.

PMID- 24220270
TI  - Pesticides and respiratory health: where do we go from here?

PMID- 24220271
TI  - Recurrent mutations, including NPM1c, activate a BRD4-dependent core
      transcriptional program in acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Recent evidence suggests that inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET)
      epigenetic readers may have clinical utility against acute myeloid leukemia
      (AML). Here we validate this hypothesis, demonstrating the efficacy of the BET
      inhibitor I-BET151 across a variety of AML subtypes driven by disparate
      mutations. We demonstrate that a common 'core' transcriptional program, which is
      HOX gene independent, is downregulated in AML and underlies sensitivity to I-BET
      treatment. This program is enriched for genes that contain 'super-enhancers',
      recently described regulatory elements postulated to control key oncogenic driver
      genes. Moreover, our program can independently classify AML patients into
      distinct cytogenetic and molecular subgroups, suggesting that it contains
      biomarkers of sensitivity and response. We focus AML with mutations of the
      Nucleophosmin gene (NPM1) and show evidence to suggest that wild-type NPM1 has an
      inhibitory influence on BRD4 that is relieved upon NPM1c mutation and
      cytosplasmic dislocation. This leads to the upregulation of the core
      transcriptional program facilitating leukemia development. This program is
      abrogated by I-BET therapy and by nuclear restoration of NPM1. Finally, we
      demonstrate the efficacy of I-BET151 in a unique murine model and in primary
      patient samples of NPM1c AML. Taken together, our data support the use of BET
      inhibitors in clinical trials in AML. 

PMID- 24220272
TI  - Landscape of genetic lesions in 944 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.
AB  - High-throughput DNA sequencing significantly contributed to diagnosis and
      prognostication in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We determined
      the biological and prognostic significance of genetic aberrations in MDS. In
      total, 944 patients with various MDS subtypes were screened for known/putative
      mutations/deletions in 104 genes using targeted deep sequencing and array-based
      genomic hybridization. In total, 845/944 patients (89.5%) harbored at least one
      mutation (median, 3 per patient; range, 0-12). Forty-seven genes were
      significantly mutated with TET2, SF3B1, ASXL1, SRSF2, DNMT3A, and RUNX1 mutated
      in >10% of cases. Many mutations were associated with higher risk groups and/or
      blast elevation. Survival was investigated in 875 patients. By univariate
      analysis, 25/48 genes (resulting from 47 genes tested significantly plus PRPF8)
      affected survival (P<0.05). The status of 14 genes combined with conventional
      factors revealed a novel prognostic model ('Model-1') separating patients into
      four risk groups ('low', 'intermediate', 'high', 'very high risk') with 3-year
      survival of 95.2, 69.3, 32.8, and 5.3% (P<0.001). Subsequently, a 'gene-only
      model' ('Model-2') was constructed based on 14 genes also yielding four
      significant risk groups (P<0.001). Both models were reproducible in the
      validation cohort (n=175 patients; P<0.001 each). Thus, large-scale genetic and
      molecular profiling of multiple target genes is invaluable for subclassification
      and prognostication in MDS patients. 

PMID- 24220273
TI  - The Ten-Eleven Translocation-2 (TET2) gene in hematopoiesis and hematopoietic
      diseases.
AB  - Ten-Eleven Translocation-2 (TET2) inactivation through loss-of-function mutation,
      deletion and IDH1/2 (Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 and 2) gene mutation is a common
      event in myeloid and lymphoid malignancies. TET2 gene mutations similar to those
      observed in myeloid and lymphoid malignancies also accumulate with age in
      otherwise healthy subjects with clonal hematopoiesis. TET2 is one of the three
      proteins of the TET (Ten-Eleven Translocation) family, which are evolutionarily
      conserved dioxygenases that catalyze the conversion of 5-methyl-cytosine (5-mC)
      to 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine (5-hmC) and promote DNA demethylation. TET
      dioxygenases require 2-oxoglutarate, oxygen and Fe(II) for their activity, which
      is enhanced in the presence of ascorbic acid. TET2 is the most expressed TET gene
      in the hematopoietic tissue, especially in hematopoietic stem cells. In addition
      to their hydroxylase activity, TET proteins recruit the O-linked beta-D-N
      acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) enzyme to chromatin, which
      promotes post-transcriptional modifications of histones and facilitates gene
      expression. The TET2 level is regulated by interaction with IDAX, originating
      from TET2 gene fission during evolution, and by the microRNA miR-22. TET2 has
      pleiotropic roles during hematopoiesis, including stem-cell self-renewal, lineage
      commitment and terminal differentiation of monocytes. Analysis of Tet2 knockout
      mice, which are viable and fertile, demonstrated that Tet2 functions as a tumor
      suppressor whose haploinsufficiency initiates myeloid and lymphoid
      transformations. This review summarizes the recently identified TET2
      physiological and pathological functions and discusses how this knowledge
      influences our therapeutic approaches in hematological malignancies and possibly
      other tumor types. 

PMID- 24220275
TI  - Consolidation and maintenance therapy with lenalidomide, bortezomib and
      dexamethasone (RVD) in high-risk myeloma patients.
AB  - Prior studies have shown that myeloma patients exhibiting either genetically
      defined high-risk disease or plasma cell leukemia have a poor outcome with a
      median overall survival (OS) of <=3 years. Results of IFM 2005-01 and 02 suggest
      that relatively limited bortezomib-containing induction regimens did not produce
      a major survival benefit among these patients. However, results of recent studies
      suggest that combination therapy may benefit these patients when given early and
      again later in the treatment. We evaluated a combination
      maintenance/consolidation regimen (RVD) following autologous stem cell transplant
      (ASCT) for high-risk patients to evaluate the impact of this approach on outcome.
      Following initiation of RVD maintenance, 51% of patients achieved stringent
      complete response (sCR), with 96% achieving at least VGPR as best response.
      Median progression free survival (PFS) for all patients is 32 months with a 3
      year OS of 93%. The regimen was well tolerated with no grade 3/4 neuropathy.
      Early ASCT followed by RVD maintenance is a promising strategy for high-risk
      myeloma patients and delivered excellent response rates, and promising PFS and
      OS.

PMID- 24220276
TI  - [Long-term outcome in context of intra uterine growth restriction and/or small
      for gestational age newborns].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term outcome after history of intra-uterine growth
      restriction (IUGR) and/or birth small for gestational age (SGA). METHODS: This
      systematic evidence review is based on Pubmed search, Cochrane library and
      experts recommendations. RESULTS: Neurodevelopmental evaluation at 2 years is
      lower in those infants, born premature or not. SGA is associated with a high risk
      of minor cognitive deficiencies, hyperactivity or attention deficit disorders at
      5 years or scholar difficulties at 8 years. Those infants are at high risk of
      metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Most of them will catch up at 6 months for
      weight and 12 months for height. Even if IUGR is associated with high risk of
      bronchodysplasia, up to this day, the review of literature did not permit to
      evaluate respiratory outcome. Adults born SGA have good quality of live and
      normal professional insertion. One cohort study and more and more animal studies
      suggest potential trans generational effects. CONCLUSION: Infants born SGA and/or
      with history of IUGR are at high risk of minor cognitive deficiencies and scholar
      difficulties. They are also at high risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood.
      However, prematurity seems to have a higher effect than IUGR and/or SGA on long
      term outcomes.

PMID- 24220274
TI  - Bendamustine in combination with ofatumumab in relapsed or refractory chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia: a GIMEMA Multicenter Phase II Trial.
AB  - We conducted a phase II, noncomparative, open-label, multicenter GIMEMA (Gruppo
      Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell'Adulto) study (CLL0809) to assess the
      efficacy and safety of bendamustine in combination with ofatumumab (BendOfa) in
      relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Forty-seven patients from
      14 centers were evaluated. Therapy consisted of bendamustine (70 mg/m(2)) for 2
      consecutive days every 28 days, and ofatumumab 300 mg on day 1 and 1000 mg on day
      8 during the first cycle, and 1000 mg on day 1 subsequently. Treatment was
      administered up to six cycles. The overall response rate (ORR), as per intention
      to-treat analysis, was 72.3% (95% confidence of interval (CI), 57-84%), with 17%
      complete responses. After a median follow-up of 24.2 months, the overall survival
      was 83.6% (95% CI, 73.0-95.7%) and the progression-free survival (PFS) was 49.6%
      (95% CI, 35.9-68.6%). The median PFS was 23.6 months. Univariate and multivariate
      analyses were used to identify clinical and biological characteristics associated
      with ORR and PFS. Myelosuppression was the most common toxicity; grade >=3
      neutropenia was observed in 61.7% of patients; however, grade >=3 infections
      occurred in 6% of patients. BendOfa is feasible and effective in
      relapsed/refractory CLL patients, including patients with high-risk clinical and
      biological features.

PMID- 24220277
TI  - Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for procrastination: study protocol for
      a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Procrastination, to voluntarily delay an intended course of action
      despite expecting to be worse-off for the delay, is a persistent behavior pattern
      that can cause major psychological suffering. Approximately half of the student
      population and 15%-20% of the adult population are presumed having substantial
      difficulties due to chronic and recurrent procrastination in their everyday life.
      However, preconceptions and a lack of knowledge restrict the availability of
      adequate care. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is often considered treatment of
      choice, although no clinical trials have previously been carried out. OBJECTIVE:
      The aim of this study will be to test the effects of CBT for procrastination, and
      to investigate whether it can be delivered via the Internet. METHODS:
      Participants will be recruited through advertisements in newspapers, other media,
      and the Internet. Only people residing in Sweden with access to the Internet and
      suffering from procrastination will be included in the study. A randomized
      controlled trial with a sample size of 150 participants divided into three groups
      will be utilized. The treatment group will consist of 50 participants receiving a
      10-week CBT intervention with weekly therapist contact. A second treatment group
      with 50 participants receiving the same treatment, but without therapist contact,
      will also be employed. The intervention being used for the current study is
      derived from a self-help book for procrastination written by one of the authors
      (AR). It includes several CBT techniques commonly used for the treatment of
      procrastination (eg, behavioral activation, behavioral experiments, stimulus
      control, and psychoeducation on motivation and different work methods). A control
      group consisting of 50 participants on a wait-list control will be used to
      evaluate the effects of the CBT intervention. For ethical reasons, the
      participants in the control group will gain access to the same intervention
      following the 10-week treatment period, albeit without therapist contact.
      RESULTS: The current study is believed to result in three important findings.
      First, a CBT intervention is assumed to be beneficial for people suffering from
      problems caused by procrastination. Second, the degree of therapist contact will
      have a positive effect on treatment outcome as procrastination can be partially
      explained as a self-regulatory failure. Third, an Internet based CBT intervention
      is presumed to be an effective way to administer treatment for procrastination,
      which is considered highly important, as the availability of adequate care is
      limited. The current study is therefore believed to render significant knowledge
      on the treatment of procrastination, as well as providing support for the use of
      Internet based CBT for difficulties due to delayed tasks and commitments.
      CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the current study is the first clinical trial to
      examine the effects of CBT for procrastination, and is assumed to render
      significant knowledge on the treatment of procrastination, as well as
      investigating whether it can be delivered via the Internet. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01842945; http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01842945
      (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6KSmaXewC).

PMID- 24220278
TI  - Sulfur-doped graphene as a potential alternative metal-free electrocatalyst and
      Pt-catalyst supporting material for oxygen reduction reaction.
AB  - In this study, sulfur-doped graphene (S-graphene) was synthesized by thermal
      treatment of exfoliated graphene under CS2 gas flow. Its electrocatalytic
      activity as a metal-free catalyst was evaluated and compared with other doped
      graphenes and commercial platinum nanoparticles loaded on carbon black (Pt/C)
      catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cell cathodes. The
      resultant S-graphene was shown to act as a viable catalyst for ORR and its
      limiting current density and durability were improved compared to those of the
      commercial Pt/C catalyst. The current density at -1.0 V for the commercial Pt/C
      catalyst, pristine graphene, nitrogen-doped graphene (N-graphene) and S-graphene
      was 4.7, 0.15, 6.26 and 6.99 mA cm(-2), respectively. The durability of S
      graphene (70.3%) was much better compared to commercial Pt/C (37.2%) and N
      graphene (67.9%). When S-graphene was used as a supporting material for Pt
      nanoparticles, its catalytic performance was significantly higher than other Pt
      catalysts supported on different doped graphenes. Here, we demonstrate that S
      graphene can be used as a novel graphene-based efficient metal-free ORR catalyst
      in fuel cells. 

PMID- 24220279
TI  - Carbon nanotubes in medicine & biology - therapy and diagnostics.

PMID- 24220280
TI  - Frequency of aortic dilation in Noonan syndrome.
AB  - Noonan syndrome (NS) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations altering proteins
      relevant to RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction. Cardiac
      involvement is common, most prevalently pulmonary valve stenosis and hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy. Because abnormal mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling
      contributes to the aortopathy in Marfan syndrome and with rare reports of aortic
      aneurysm in NS, we undertook a retrospective study of ascending aortic anatomy in
      37 patients with NS and without confounding medical conditions. Age ranged from
      0.6 to 32 years. Based on the most recent echocardiogram, the aortic annulus and
      root were dilated in the cohort (mean z scores of 1.14 and 0.98, respectively, p
      <0.005) but the sinotubular junction and ascending aorta were not (mean z scores
      of 0.05 and 0.19, respectively). The aortic root was aneurysmal (>2 z scores) in
      8 subjects (21.6%). PTPN11 mutations were present in 14 subjects, whose aortic
      status was similar to the cohort overall. Comparison of age and z scores revealed
      a modest tendency for the aortic annulus and root to dilate over time. Among 13
      subjects with multiple imaging studies over an average of 6.8 years, the average
      z score increased to 0.78 and 0.39 for the aortic annulus and root, respectively.
      Multivariate analysis revealed that age accounted for 7.0% and 11.0% of the
      variance in the aortic annular and root diameters, respectively. In conclusion,
      we found that aortic annular dilation and aortic root aneurysm are prevalent in
      NS, often presenting during childhood and progressing over time. Further study is
      needed to identify potential risks associated with these abnormalities.

PMID- 24220281
TI  - Commercial versus PARTNER study experience with the transfemoral Edwards SAPIEN
      valve for inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis.
AB  - In patients with aortic stenosis who cannot have surgery, transcatheter aortic
      valve replacement using the Edwards SAPIEN valve has been shown to improve
      survival rate and is approved for commercial use in the United States. This study
      aims to assess the clinical profile, procedural characteristics, and in-hospital
      complications in patients treated with a commercial SAPIEN valve outside the
      clinical trial context. We retrospectively analyzed 69 consecutive patients who
      underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a commercial SAPIEN valve
      compared with 55 Placement of AoRTic traNscathetER valves (PARTNER) trial
      patients from cohort B enrolled in the same institution by the same Heart Team.
      Compared with the commercial group, patients in the PARTNER cohort B had higher
      mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (10 +/- 5 vs 9 +/- 4, p = 0.04) and a
      lower rate of peripheral arterial disease (19% vs 44%, p = 0.004). Most patients
      in the commercial group had the procedure under conscious sedation (83% vs 66%, p
      = 0.03). Planned surgical cut down for vascular access was rare in the commercial
      group (1.4% vs 46%, p <0.001). The overall rates of major vascular complications,
      life-threatening or major bleeding, and blood transfusions were lower in
      commercial group (7.2% vs 27%, p = 0.003; 2.9% vs 16%, p = 0.01; and 28% vs 60%,
      p <0.001, respectively). In-hospital all-cause mortality (5.8% vs 9.1%, p = 0.51)
      and stroke rates (7.2% vs 14.5%, p = 0.19) were not statistically different
      between groups. The median length of hospitalization (p <0.001) and
      postprocedural length of stay (p = 0.01) was shorter in the commercial group. In
      conclusion, transfemoral commercial use of the Edwards SAPIEN valve for
      inoperable patients shows similar in-hospital mortality and stroke rates compared
      with PARTNER cohort B. The refinements in the procedure such as more conscious
      sedation, experience of the operators, and careful vascular planning in the
      commercial group led to lesser vascular and bleeding complications and shorter
      length of stay. 

PMID- 24220282
TI  - Acute effects of estradiol on lung inflammation due to intestinal ischemic insult
      in male rats.
AB  - Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (intestinal I/R) causes acute lung
      inflammation that is characterized by leukocyte migration, increased lung
      microvascular permeability, and, in severe forms, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema
      and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Female sex hormones interfere with
      immune response, and experimental and clinical evidence shows that females are
      more resistant than males to organ injury caused by gut trauma. To reduce the
      lung inflammation caused by intestinal I/R, we have acutely treated male rats
      with estradiol. Intestinal I/R was performed by the clamping (45 min) of the
      superior mesenteric artery (SMA), followed by 2 h of intestinal reperfusion
      (unclamping SMA). Groups of rats received 17beta estradiol (E2, 280 ug/kg, i.v.,
      single dose) 30 min after the SMA occlusion (ischemia period) or 1 h after the
      unclamping of SMA (reperfusion period). Leukocytes influx into the lung and
      microvascular leakage were assessed by lung myeloperoxidase activity and Evans
      blue dye extravasation, respectively. The lung expression of adhesion molecules
      (intercellular adhesion molecule 1, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule
      1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM]) was evaluated by
      immunohistochemistry. Interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), IL-10, and NOx concentrations
      were quantified in supernatants of cultured lung tissue. We have found that
      intestinal I/R increased the lung myeloperoxidase activity and Evans blue dye
      extravasation, which were reduced by treatment of rats with E2. Intestinal I/R
      increased ICAM-1 expression only, and it was decreased by E2 treatment. However,
      E2 treatment reduced the basal expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion
      molecule 1. E2 treatment during intestinal ischemia was effective to reduce the
      levels of IL-10 and IL-1beta in explant supernatant, but only IL-10 levels were
      reduced by E2 at reperfusion phase. The treatment with E2 did not affect NOx
      concentration. Taken together, our data suggest that estradiol modulates the lung
      inflammatory response induced by lung injury, likely by acute effects. Thus,
      acute estradiol treatment could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent in
      ischemic events. 

PMID- 24220283
TI  - Expression of carbonic anhydrase, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR)
      and V-H(+)-ATPase in the lancelet Branchiostoma lanceolatum (Pallas, 1774).
AB  - Sequencing of the amphioxus genome revealed that it contains a basic set of
      chordate genes involved in development and cell signaling. Despite the
      availability of genomic data, up till now no studies have been addressed on the
      comprehension of the amphioxus osmoregulation. Using primers designed on
      Branchiostoma floridae carbonic anhydrase (CA) II, cystic fibrosis transmembrane
      regulator (CFTR) and V-H(+)-ATPase, a 100bp long region, containing the protein
      region recognized by the respective antibodies, has been amplified and sequenced
      in B. lanceolatum indicating the presence of hortologous V-ATPase, CFTR and
      carbonic anhydrase II genes in Branchiostoma lanceolatum. Immunohistochemical
      results showed that all three transporting proteins are expressed in almost 90%
      of epithelial cells of the skin in B. lanceolatum adults with a different degree
      of positivity in different regions of body wall and with a different localization
      in the cells. The comparison of results between young and adult lancelets showed
      that the distribution of these transporters is quite different. Indeed, in the
      young specimens the expression pattern of all tested molecules appears
      concentrated at the gut level, whereas in adult the gut loses its key role that
      is mostly supported by skin. 

PMID- 24220284
TI  - Impedance matched thin metamaterials make metals absorbing.
AB  - Metals are generally considered good reflectors over the entire electromagnetic
      spectrum up to their plasma frequency. Here we demonstrate an approach to tailor
      their absorbing characteristics based on the effective metamaterial properties of
      thin, periodic metallo-dielectric multilayers by exploiting a broadband,
      inherently non-resonant, surface impedance matching mechanism. Based on this
      mechanism, we design, fabricate and test omnidirectional, thin (<1 micron),
      polarization independent, extremely efficient absorbers (in principle being
      capable to reach A > 99%) over a frequency range spanning from the UV to the IR.
      Our approach opens new venues to design cost effective materials for many
      applications such as thermo-photovoltaic energy conversion devices, light
      harvesting for solar cells, flat panel display, infrared detectors, stray light
      reduction, stealth and others. 

PMID- 24220285
TI  - Reduction of intermetatarsal angle after first metatarsophalangeal joint
      arthrodesis in patients with hallux valgus.
AB  - We present a radiographic review of 94 patients who underwent first
      metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis. The main focus of our review was to assess
      the change in the intermetatarsal angle (IMA). The change in the IMA was measured
      for the entire group and for 2 subgroups (IMA 11 degrees  to 15 degrees  and IMA
      >15 degrees ). The results of the angular measurements for the total data set
      were as follows: mean preoperative first IMA, 15.32 degrees  (range 11 degrees 
      to 24 degrees ), mean postoperative IMA, 9.88 degrees  (range 3 degrees  to 18
      degrees ), and mean change in IMA of 5.44 degrees  (range -2 degrees  to 13
      degrees ; p < .001). Group 1, with an IMA of 11 degrees  to 15 degrees , included
      52 patients, with a mean change in the IMA of 4.21 degrees  (range -2 degrees  to
      9 degrees ; p < .001). Group 2, with an IMA greater than 15 degrees  (range 16
      degrees  to 24 degrees ), included 42 patients, with a mean change in the IMA of
      6.83 degrees  (range 2 degrees  to 13 degrees ; p < .001). The change in the
      preoperative to postoperative IMA in group 1 compared with that in group 2 was
      statistically significant (p < .001). The results of the present study have
      confirmed the observations of previous investigators that arthrodesis of the
      first metatarsophalangeal joint for hallux abducto valgus deformity results in a
      reduction of the IMA and that a proportionately larger reduction can be expected
      when the IMA is larger. 

PMID- 24220286
TI  - Highly homologous eEF1A1 and eEF1A2 exhibit differential post-translational
      modification with significant enrichment around localised sites of sequence
      variation.
AB  - REVIEWERS: This article was reviewed by Frank Eisenhaber and Ramanathan
      Sowdhamini.Translation elongation factors eEF1A1 and eEF1A2 are 92% identical but
      exhibit non-overlapping expression patterns. While the two proteins are predicted
      to have similar tertiary structures, it is notable that the minor variations
      between their sequences are highly localised within their modelled structures. We
      used recently available high-throughput "omics" data to assess the spatial
      location of post-translational modifications and discovered that they are highly
      enriched on those surface regions of the protein that correspond to the clusters
      of sequence variation. This observation suggests how these two isoforms could be
      differentially regulated allowing them to perform distinct functions.

PMID- 24220287
TI  - Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis versus mefloquine intermittent preventive treatment to
      prevent malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women: two randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria during pregnancy has serious consequences that are worsened
      by HIV infection. Malaria preventive measures for HIV-infected pregnant women
      include cotrimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis given to prevent HIV-related
      opportunistic infections and also protective against malaria, or intermittent
      preventive treatment (IPTp) with an antimalarial drug. Here, we present the first
      study evaluating CTX efficacy versus mefloquine (MQ)-IPTp, alone and in
      combination, in HIV-infected pregnant women. METHODS: We conducted 2 randomized,
      open-label, noninferiority trials in Benin. In the CTX-mandatory trial, HIV
      infected women with CD4 counts of <350 per cubic millimeter received CTX either
      alone or with MQ-IPTp (N = 292). In the CTX-not-mandatory trial (CD4 count
      >350/mm), CTX was compared with MQ-IPTp (N = 140). In both the trials, the
      primary end point was microscopic placental parasitemia. RESULTS: At delivery, 1
      woman in each CTX-alone treatment group exhibited placental parasitemia, versus
      no women in the groups receiving MQ. CTX alone demonstrated noninferiority in the
      CTX-mandatory trial. However, polymerase chain reaction-detected placental
      parasitemia was markedly reduced in the CTX + MQ group compared with CTX alone
      (0/105 vs. 5/103, P = 0.03). Because of insufficient recruitment in the CTX-not
      mandatory trial, noninferiority could not be conclusively assessed. Dizziness and
      vomiting of moderate intensity were reported by 34%-37% of women receiving MQ in
      both the trials, versus 0%-3% in CTX groups (P < 0.0001). No serious adverse
      events related to these drugs were found. CONCLUSIONS: CTX alone provided
      adequate protection against malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women, although MQ
      IPTp showed higher efficacy against placental infection. Although more frequently
      associated with dizziness and vomiting, MQ-IPTp may be an effective alternative
      given concerns about parasite resistance to CTX.

PMID- 24220288
TI  - C-reactive protein predicts 96-week carotid intima media thickness progression in
      HIV-infected adults naive to antiretroviral therapy.
AB  - : This is a 96-week prospective cohort study of antiretroviral therapy (ART)
      naive HIV-infected adults and matched healthy controls to assess progression of
      carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and its relationship to inflammation.
      Median common carotid artery (CCA) CIMT increased significantly but similarly in
      both groups [CCA: 0.02 (interquartile range: 0-0.05); P < 0.01 within HIV
      infected adults vs. 0.01 (0-0.05) mm; P < 0.01 within controls; and P = 0.83
      between groups]. Change in bulb CIMT yielded similar results. Independent
      predictors of CCA CIMT progression in HIV-infected adults were higher systolic
      blood pressure, total cholesterol, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein.
      Independent predictors of bulb CIMT progression were higher non-high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Other
      inflammation markers were not associated with CIMT progression. 

PMID- 24220289
TI  - Reversal of the Kynurenine pathway of tryptophan catabolism may improve
      depression in ART-treated HIV-infected Ugandans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder is highly prevalent among HIV-infected
      persons, and depression symptom severity improves during the course of HIV
      antiretroviral therapy (ART). The potential biologic pathways explaining these
      phenomena remain unclear. We investigated the extent to which ART-mediated
      suppression of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan catabolism (via indoleamine
      2,3-dioxygenase-1 and potentially other sources) may correlate with improvements
      in depression symptom severity in this setting. METHOD: We used the first year of
      data from the Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes Study, a prospective cohort of
      504 HIV-infected individuals initiating their first ART regimen in rural Uganda.
      We fitted random-effects regression models to estimate the associations between
      plasma tryptophan, plasma kynurenine, dietary diversity, and self-reported
      depression symptom severity. RESULTS: Greater depressive symptoms were associated
      with both lower plasma tryptophan and higher plasma kynurenine/tryptophan (KT)
      ratio over 12-month follow-up. In multivariable-adjusted models, declines in KT
      ratio and increases in plasma tryptophan levels partially explained ART-mediated
      improvements in depressive symptom severity. The association between KT ratio and
      depression symptom severity was stronger among persons with protein-deficient
      diets than among those with protein-rich diets. CONCLUSIONS: Indoleamine 2,3
      dioxygenase-1-mediated tryptophan catabolism may contribute to depression symptom
      severity among HIV-infected individuals, particularly among those with poor
      dietary protein intake. ART-mediated improvements in depressive symptom severity
      may also be at least partially mediated by immunologic mechanisms. Interventions
      to reduce immune activation, and dietary protein supplementation, may be
      promising strategies to further reduce depression in this setting.

PMID- 24220290
TI  - TGFbeta-Mediated Downregulation of Thrombopoietin Is Associated With Platelet
      Decline in Asymptomatic SIV Infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is a known consequence of HIV infection, and
      decreased production of platelets has been previously implicated in the
      pathogenesis of platelet decline during asymptomatic infection. Thrombopoietin
      (THPO) drives platelet production by stimulating the maturation of bone marrow
      megakaryocytes and can be transcriptionally downregulated by cytokines that are
      increased during infection such as transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and
      platelet factor 4 (pf4). DESIGN: To determine whether transcriptional
      downregulation of THPO contributed to decreased platelet production during
      asymptomatic infection in the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/macaque model
      of HIV, we compared hepatic THPO mRNA levels to platelet number and megakaryocyte
      density. To identify potential inhibitory factors that decrease THPO
      transcription during asymptomatic infection, we measured TGFbeta and pf4 plasma
      levels. To determine whether combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) could correct
      platelet decline by altering cytokine levels, we measured TGFbeta and pf4 in cART
      treated SIV-infected macaques and compared these values to cART-untreated SIV
      infected macaques. RESULTS: Hepatic THPO transcription was downregulated during
      asymptomatic SIV infection concurrent with platelet decline. Hepatic THPO mRNA
      levels correlated with bone marrow megakaryocyte density. In contrast, plasma
      TGFbeta levels were inversely correlated with hepatic THPO transcription and bone
      marrow megakaryocyte density. With cART treatment, plasma TGFbeta levels and
      platelet count returned to values similar to those in uninfected macaques.
      CONCLUSIONS: TGFbeta-mediated downregulation of hepatic THPO may lead to decline
      in platelet number during asymptomatic SIV infection, and cART may prevent
      platelet decline by normalizing plasma TGFbeta levels.

PMID- 24220291
TI  - Identification of KLF17 as a novel epithelial to mesenchymal transition inducer
      via direct activation of TWIST1 in endometrioid endometrial cancer.
AB  - Kruppel-like factor 17 (KLF17), a member of the KLF transcription factor family,
      has been shown to inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor
      growth. However, the expression, the cellular function and the mechanism of KLF17
      in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC; a dominant type of endometrial cancer)
      remain elusive. Here, we report that among the KLF family members, KLF17 was
      consistently upregulated in EEC cell lines compared with immortalized endometrial
      epithelial cells. Overexpression of KLF17 in EEC cell lines induced EMT and
      promoted cell invasion and drug resistance, resulting in increased expression of
      TWIST1. In contrast, KLF17 suppression reversed EMT, diminished cell invasion,
      restored drug sensitivity and suppressed TWIST1 expression. Luciferase assays,
      site-directed mutagenesis and transcription factor DNA-binding analysis
      demonstrated that KLF17 transactivates TWIST1 expression by directly binding to
      the TWIST1 promoter. Knockdown of TWIST1 prevented KLF17-induced EMT. Consistent
      with these results, both KLF17 and TWIST1 levels were found to be elevated in
      EECs compared with normal tissues. KLF17 expression positively correlated with
      tumor grade but inversely correlated with estrogen and progesterone receptor
      expression. Thus, KLF17 may have an oncogenic role during EEC progression via
      initiating EMT through the regulation of TWIST1. 

PMID- 24220293
TI  - Detection of a charge-separated catalyst precursor state in a linked
      photosensitizer-catalyst assembly.
AB  - We have designed two new supramolecular assemblies based on Co(ii)-templated
      coordination of Ru(bpy)3(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl) analogues as photosensitizers
      and electron donors to a cobaloxime macrocycle, which are of interest as proton
      reduction catalysts. The self-assembled photocatalyst precursors were
      structurally characterized by Co K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and
      solution-phase X-ray scattering. Visible light excitation of one of the
      assemblies has yielded instantaneous electron transfer and charge separation to
      form a transient Co(i) state which persists for 26 ps. The development of a
      linked photosensitizer-cobaloxime architecture supporting efficient Co(i) charge
      transfer is significant since it is mechanistically critical as the first photo
      induced electron transfer step for hydrogen production, and has not been detected
      in previous photosensitizer-cobaloxime linked dyad assemblies. X-band EPR
      spectroscopy has revealed that the Co(ii) centres of both assemblies are high
      spin, in contrast to most previously described cobaloximes, and likely plays an
      important role in facilitating photoinduced charge separation. Based on the
      results obtained from ultrafast and nanosecond transient absorption optical
      spectroscopies, we propose that charge recombination occurs through multiple
      ligand states present within the photosensitizer modules. The studies presented
      here will enhance our understanding of supramolecular photocatalyst assembly and
      direct new designs for artificial photosynthesis. 

PMID- 24220292
TI  - Surface plasmon resonance for monitoring the interaction of Potato virus Y with
      monoclonal antibodies.
AB  - Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensors have been widely utilized for
      measuring interactions of a variety of molecules. Fewer examples include higher
      biological entities such as bacteria and viruses, and even fewer deal with plant
      viruses. Here, we describe the optimization of an SPR sensor chip for evaluation
      of the interaction of the economically relevant filamentous Potato virus Y (PVY)
      with monoclonal antibodies. Different virus isolates were efficiently and stably
      bound to a previously immobilized polyclonal antibody surface, which remained
      stable over subsequent injection regeneration steps. The ability of the biosensor
      to detect and quantify PVY particles was compared with ELISA and RT-qPCR. Stably
      captured virus surfaces were successfully used to explore kinetic parameters of
      the interaction of a panel of monoclonal antibodies with two PVY isolates
      representing the main viral serotypes N and O. In addition, the optimized
      biosensor proved to be suitable for evaluating whether two given monoclonal
      antibodies compete for the same epitope within the viral particle surface. The
      strategy proposed in this work can help to improve existing serologic diagnostic
      tools that target PVY and will allow investigation of the inherent serological
      variability of the virus and exploration for new interactions of PVY particles
      with other proteins. 

PMID- 24220294
TI  - P2Y12-receptor-inhibiting antiplatelet strategies in acute coronary syndromes.
AB  - Antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes is essential for preventing
      stent thrombosis and for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events. Treatment
      strategy has changed over the last years by frequent use of more active agents
      inhibiting the ADP mediated activation of platelets instead of clopidogrel, such
      as prasugrel and ticagrelor. Compared to clopidogrel these modern antiplatelet
      drugs showed a significant reduction of efficacy endpoints as well as an
      acceptable safety profile in large multicenter randomized trials (TRITON TIMI 38,
      PLATO). Going in with higher efficacy a generally higher bleeding risk of
      prasugrel could be reduced by optimizing the maintenance dose in elderly and
      underweight patients (TRILOGY-ACS). However even prasugrel and ticagrelor have
      shown a delayed onset of action in special patient populations (e.g. STEMI)
      suggesting that the optimal ADP inhibitor has not been found yet. Results of the
      CHAMPION PHOENIX trial indicate that cangrelor, an intravenous agent, might
      fulfill these high expectations of an ideal platelet inhibitor in the first hours
      of an ACS in special patient cohorts. This review summarizes the results of most
      important clinical studies investigating the novel P2Y12 receptor inhibiting
      antiplatelet drugs. 

PMID- 24220295
TI  - Development of a primary mouse intestinal epithelial cell monolayer culture
      system to evaluate factors that modulate IgA transcytosis.
AB  - There is significant interest in the use of primary intestinal epithelial cells
      in monolayer culture to model intestinal biology. However, it has proven to be
      challenging to create functional, differentiated monolayers using current culture
      methods, likely due to the difficulty in expanding these cells. Here, we adapted
      our recently developed method for the culture of intestinal epithelial spheroids
      to establish primary epithelial cell monolayers from the colon of multiple
      genetic mouse strains. These monolayers contained differentiated epithelial cells
      that displayed robust transepithelial electrical resistance. We then functionally
      tested them by examining immunoglobulin A (IgA) transcytosis across Transwells.
      IgA transcytosis required induction of polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) expression,
      which could be stimulated by a combination of lipopolysaccharide and inhibition
      of gamma-secretase. In agreement with previous studies using immortalized cell
      lines, we found that tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-17,
      and heat-killed microbes also stimulated pIgR expression and IgA transcytosis. We
      used wild-type and knockout cells to establish that among these cytokines, IL-17
      was the most potent inducer of pIgR expression/IgA transcytosis. Interferon
      gamma, however, did not induce pIgR expression, and instead led to cell death.
      This new method will allow the use of primary cells for studies of intestinal
      physiology. 

PMID- 24220296
TI  - Activation of memory Th17 cells by domain 4 pneumolysin in human nasopharynx
      associated lymphoid tissue and its association with pneumococcal carriage.
AB  - Pneumococcal carriage is common in children that may account for the high
      incidence of disease in this age group. Recent studies in animals suggest an
      important role for CD4+ T cells, T helper type 17 (Th17) cells in particular, in
      pneumococcal clearance. Whether this Th17-mediated mechanism operates in humans
      and what pneumococcal components activate Th17 are unknown. We investigated the
      ability of domain 4 pneumolysin (D4Ply) to activate CD4+ T cells including Th17
      in human nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and peripheral blood. We
      show that D4Ply elicited a prominent CD4+ T-cell proliferative response. More
      importantly, D4Ply elicited a significant memory Th17 response in NALT, and a
      moderate response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). This D4Ply
      elicited memory Th17 response was more marked in carriage- than in carriage+
      children in both NALT and PBMCs. In contrast, no difference was shown in D4Ply
      induced Th1 response between the two groups. We also show D4Ply activated human
      monocytes and murine macrophages that was in part dependent on Toll-like receptor
      4 (TLR-4). Our results support a protective role of Th17 against pneumococcal
      carriage in human nasopharynx, and identify a novel property of D4Ply to activate
      Th17 in NALT that may offer an attractive vaccine candidate in intranasal
      immunization against pneumococcal infection. 

PMID- 24220298
TI  - TNF superfamily member TL1A elicits type 2 innate lymphoid cells at mucosal
      barriers.
AB  - Immune responses at mucosal barriers are regulated by innate type 2 lymphoid
      cells (ILC2s) that elaborate effector cytokines interleukins 5 and 13 (IL5 and
      IL13). IL25 and IL33 are key cytokines that support ILC2s; however, mice
      deficient in these pathways retain some functional ILC2s. Analysis of human and
      murine cells revealed that ILC2s highly express tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
      receptor superfamily member DR3 (TNFRSF25). Engagement of DR3 with cognate ligand
      TL1A promoted ILC2 expansion, survival, and function. Exogenous protein or
      genetic overexpression of TL1A activated ILC2s independent of IL25 or IL33. Dr3(
      /-) mice failed to control gut helminthic infections, and failed to mount ILC2
      responses in the lung after nasal challenge with papain. Our data demonstrate a
      key role for TL1A in promoting ILC2s at mucosal barriers. 

PMID- 24220297
TI  - Desmoglein-1 regulates esophageal epithelial barrier function and immune
      responses in eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB  - The desmosomal cadherin desmoglein-1 (DSG1) is an essential intercellular
      adhesion molecule that is altered in various human cutaneous disorders; however,
      its regulation and function in allergic disease remains unexplored. Herein, we
      demonstrate a specific reduction in DSG1 in esophageal biopsies from patients
      with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an emerging allergic disorder characterized
      by chronic inflammation within the esophageal mucosa. Further, we show that DSG1
      gene silencing weakens esophageal epithelial integrity, and induces cell
      separation and impaired barrier function (IBF) despite high levels of desmoglein
      3. Moreover, DSG1 deficiency induces transcriptional changes that partially
      overlap with the transcriptome of inflamed esophageal mucosa; notably, periostin
      (POSTN), a multipotent pro-inflammatory extracellular matrix molecule, is the top
      induced overlapping gene. We further demonstrate that IBF is a pathological
      feature in EoE, which can be partially induced through the downregulation of DSG1
      by interleukin-13 (IL-13). Taken together, these data identify a functional role
      for DSG1 and its dysregulation by IL-13 in the pathophysiology of EoE and suggest
      that the loss of DSG1 may potentiate allergic inflammation through the induction
      of pro-inflammatory mediators such as POSTN. 

PMID- 24220299
TI  - Contrasting immune responses mediate Campylobacter jejuni-induced colitis and
      autoimmunity.
AB  - Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of foodborne enteritis that has been
      linked to the autoimmune neuropathy, Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS). C57BL/6
      interleukin (IL)-10(+/+) and congenic IL-10(-/-) mice serve as C. jejuni
      colonization and colitis models, respectively, but a mouse model for GBS is
      lacking. We demonstrate that IL-10(-/-) mice infected with a C. jejuni
      colitogenic human isolate had significantly upregulated type 1 and 17 but not
      type 2 cytokines in the colon coincident with infiltration of phagocytes, T cells
      and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Both ILC and T cells participated in interferon
      gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-17, and IL-22 upregulation but in a time- and organ
      specific manner. T cells were, however, necessary for colitis as mice depleted of
      Thy-1(+) cells were protected while neither Rag1(-/-) nor IL-10R blocked Rag1(-/
      ) mice developed colitis after infection. Depleting IFN-gamma, IL-17, or both
      significantly ameliorated colitis and drove colonic responses toward type 2
      cytokine and antibody induction. In contrast, C. jejuni GBS patient strains
      induced mild colitis associated with blunted type 1/17 but enhanced type 2
      responses. Moreover, the type 2 but not type 1/17 antibodies cross-reacted with
      peripheral nerve gangliosides demonstrating autoimmunity. 

PMID- 24220300
TI  - Severe viral respiratory infections: are bugs bugging?
AB  - Viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) pose a high burden on the youngest
      members of our society. Several risk factors are known for severe viral
      respiratory disease. However, a large proportion of the severe RTI cannot be
      explained by these risk factors. A growing body of evidence shows that the
      composition of the microbiota has a major influence on the training of both the
      mucosal and the systemic immune response and can thus potentially determine
      susceptibility for severe viral infections. In this review, we discuss the
      current evidence regarding the influence of bacterial colonization on the
      severity of viral respiratory infections. 

PMID- 24220303
TI  - Proteome changes induced by c-myb silencing in human chronic myeloid leukemia
      cells suggest molecular mechanisms and putative biomarkers of hematopoietic
      malignancies.
AB  - To shed light on the molecular mechanisms associated with aberrant accumulation
      of c-Myb in chronic myeloid leukemia, comparative proteomic analysis was
      performed on c-myb RNAi-specifically silenced K562 cells, sampled on a time
      course basis. 2D-DIGE technology highlighted 37 differentially-represented
      proteins that were further characterized by nLC-ESI-LIT-MS/MS and validated by
      western blotting and qRT-PCR analysis. Most of the deregulated proteins were
      related to protein folding, energy/primary metabolism, transcription/translation
      regulation and oxidative stress response. Protein network analysis suggested that
      glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and protein ubiquitination biosynthesis pathways were
      highly represented, confirming also the pivotal role of c-Myc. A specific reduced
      representation was observed for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase and
      alpha-enolase, suggesting a possible role of c-Myb in the activation of aerobic
      glycolysis. A reduced amount was also observed for stress responsive heat shock
      70kDa protein and 78kDa glucose-regulated protein, previously identified as
      direct targets of c-Myb. Among over-represented proteins, worth mentioning is the
      chromatin modifier chromobox protein homolog 3 that contributes to silencing of
      E2F- and Myc-responsive genes in quiescent G0 cells. Data here presented, while
      providing novel insights onto the molecular mechanisms underlying c-Myb activity,
      indicate potential protein biomarkers for monitoring the progression of chronic
      myeloid leukemia. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Myeloid leukemia is a malignant
      disease of the hematopoietic system in which cells of myeloid lineages accumulate
      to an undifferentiated state. In particular, it was shown that an aberrant
      accumulation of the c-Myb transcriptional factor is associated with the
      suppression of normal differentiation processes promoting the development of the
      hematopoietic malignancies. Many efforts have been recently made to identify
      novel genes directly targeted by c-Myb at a transcriptome level. In this work, we
      originally describe a differential proteomic approach to facilitate the
      comprehension of the regulation of the protein networks exerted by c-Myb. Our
      study reveals a complex network of proteins regulated by c-Myb. The functional
      heterogeneity of these proteins emphasizes the pleiotropic role of c-Myb as a
      regulator of genes that are crucial for energy production and stress response in
      leukemia. In fact, variations in glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase and
      alpha-enolase suggest a possible role of c-Myb in the activation of aerobic
      glycolysis. Moreover, significant differences were found for heat shock 70kDa
      protein and 78kDa glucose-regulated protein known as direct c-Myb targets. This
      work highlights potential protein biomarkers to look into disease progression and
      to develop translational medicine approaches in myeloid leukemia.

PMID- 24220302
TI  - Proteome of the porosome complex in human airway epithelia: interaction with the
      cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).
AB  - The surface of the airways is coated with a thin film of mucus composed primarily
      of mucin, which is under continuous motion via ciliary action. Mucin not only
      serves to lubricate the airways epithelia, but also functions as a trap for
      foreign particles and pathogens, thereby assisting in keeping the airways clean
      and free of particulate matter and infections. Altered mucin secretion especially
      increased mucin viscosity, results in mucin stagnation due to the inability of
      the cilia to propel them, leading to infections and diseases such as cystic
      fibrosis (CF). Since porosomes have been demonstrated to be the secretory portals
      at the cell plasma membrane in cells, their presence, structure, and composition
      in the mucin-secreting human airway epithelial cell line Calu-3 expressing CF
      transmembrane receptor (CFTR), were investigated. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
      of Calu-3 cells demonstrates the presence of approximately 100nm in diameter
      porosome openings at the plasma membrane surface. Electron microscopy confirms
      the AFM results, and tandem mass spectrometry and immunoanalysis performed on
      isolated Calu-3 porosomes, reveal the association of CFTR with the porosome
      complex. These new findings will facilitate understanding of CFTR-porosome
      interactions influencing mucous secretion, and provide critical insights into the
      etiology of CF disease. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the present study, the
      porosome proteome in human airway epithelia has been determined. The interaction
      between the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the
      porosome complex in the human airway epithelia is further demonstrated. The
      possible regulation by CFTR on the quality of mucus secretion via the porosome
      complex at the cell plasma membrane is hypothesized. These new findings will
      facilitate understanding of CFTR-porosome interactions influencing mucous
      secretion, and provide critical insights into the etiology of CF disease.

PMID- 24220301
TI  - Retinoic acid prevents mesenteric lymph node dendritic cells from inducing IL-13
      producing inflammatory Th2 cells.
AB  - The vitamin A (VA) metabolite retinoic acid (RA) affects the properties of T
      cells and dendritic cells (DCs). In VA-deficient mice, we observed that
      mesenteric lymph node (MLN)-DCs induce a distinct inflammatory T helper type 2
      (Th2)-cell subset that particularly produces high levels of interleukin (IL)-13
      and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). This subset expressed homing
      receptors for skin and inflammatory sites, and was mainly induced by B220(
      )CD8alpha(-)CD11b(+)CD103(-) MLN-DCs in an IL-6- and OX40 ligand-dependent
      manner, whereas RA inhibited this induction. The corresponding MLN-DC subset of
      VA-sufficient mice induced a similar T-cell subset in the presence of RA receptor
      antagonists. IL-6 induced this subset differentiation from naive CD4(+) T cells
      upon activation with antibodies against CD3 and CD28. Transforming growth factor
      beta inhibited this induction, and reciprocally enhanced Th17 induction.
      Treatment with an agonistic anti-OX40 antibody and normal MLN-DCs enhanced the
      induction of general inflammatory Th2 cells. In VA-deficient mice, proximal colon
      epithelial cells produced TNF-alpha that may have enhanced OX40 ligand expression
      in MLN-DCs. The repeated oral administrations of a T cell-dependent antigen
      primed VA-deficient mice for IL-13-dependent strong immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1)
      responses and IgE responses that caused skin allergy. These results suggest that
      RA inhibits allergic responses to oral antigens by preventing MLN-DCs from
      inducing IL-13-producing inflammatory Th2 cells. 

PMID- 24220304
TI  - Maternal choline modifies fetal liver copper, gene expression, DNA methylation,
      and neonatal growth in the tx-j mouse model of Wilson disease.
AB  - Maternal diet can affect fetal gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms.
      Wilson disease (WD), which is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in ATP7B
      encoding a biliary copper transporter, is characterized by excessive hepatic
      copper accumulation, but variability in disease severity. We tested the
      hypothesis that gestational supply of dietary methyl groups modifies fetal DNA
      methylation and expression of genes involved in methionine and lipid metabolism
      that are impaired prior to hepatic steatosis in the toxic milk (tx-j) mouse model
      of WD. Female C3H control and tx-j mice were fed control (choline 8 mmol/Kg of
      diet) or choline-supplemented (choline 36 mmol/Kg of diet) diets for 2 weeks
      throughout mating and pregnancy to gestation day 17. A second group of C3H
      females, half of which were used to cross foster tx-j pups, received the same
      diet treatments that extended during lactation to 21 d postpartum. Compared with
      C3H, fetal tx-j livers had significantly lower copper concentrations and
      significantly lower transcript levels of Cyclin D1 and genes related to
      methionine and lipid metabolism. Maternal choline supplementation prevented the
      transcriptional deficits in fetal tx-j liver for multiple genes related to cell
      growth and metabolism. Global DNA methylation was increased by 17% in tx-j fetal
      livers after maternal choline treatment (P<0.05). Maternal dietary choline
      rescued the lower body weight of 21 d tx-j mice. Our results suggest that WD
      pathogenesis is modified by maternal in utero factors, including dietary choline.

PMID- 24220305
TI  - Clinical significance of cytogenetic aberrations in bone marrow of patients with
      diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: prognostic significance and relevance to
      histologic involvement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although knowledge of the genetics of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
      (DLBCL) has been increasing, little is known about the characteristics and
      prognostic significance of cytogenetic abnormalities and the clinical utility of
      cytogenetic studies performed on bone marrow (BM) specimens. To investigate the
      significance of isolated cytogenetic aberrations in the absence of histologic BM
      involvement, we assessed the implication of cytogenetic staging and prognostic
      stratification by a retrospective multicenter analysis of newly diagnosed DLBCL
      patients. METHODS: We analyzed cytogenetic and clinical data from 1585 DLBCL
      patients whose BM aspirates had been subjected to conventional karyotyping for
      staging. If available, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) data
      were also collected from patients. RESULTS: Histologic BM involvement were found
      in 259/1585 (16.3%) patients and chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 192
      (12.1%) patients (54 patients with single abnormalities and 138 patients with 2
      or more abnormalities). Isolated cytogenetic aberrations (2 or more
      abnormalities) without histologic involvement were found in 21 patients (1.3%).
      Two or more cytogenetic abnormalities were associated with inferior overall
      survival (OS) compared with a normal karyotype or single abnormality in both
      patients with histologic BM involvement (5-year OS, 16.5% vs. 52.7%; P < 0.001)
      and those without BM involvement (31.8% vs. 66.5%; P < 0.001). This result
      demonstrated that BM cytogenetic results have a significant prognostic impact
      that is independent of BM histology. The following abnormalities were most
      frequently observed: rearrangements involving 14q32, 19q13, 19p13, 1p, 3q27, and
      8q24; del(6q); dup(1q); and trisomy 18. In univariate analysis, several specific
      abnormalities including abnormalities at 16q22-q24, 6p21-p25, 12q22-q24, and -17
      were associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate analyses performed for patients
      who had either chromosomal abnormalities or histologic BM involvement, revealed
      IPI high risk, = 2 cytogenetic abnormalities, and several specific chromosomal
      abnormalities, including abnormalities at 19p13, 12q22-q24, 8q24, and 19q13 were
      significantly associated with a worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that
      isolated cytogenetic aberrations can be regarded as BM involvement and
      cytogenetic evaluation of BM improves staging accuracy along with prognostic
      information for DLBCL patients.

PMID- 24220306
TI  - Wnt5b promotes the cell motility essential for metastasis of oral squamous cell
      carcinoma through active Cdc42 and RhoA.
AB  - The activation of Wnt signaling has been reported in many types of squamous cell
      carcinoma. In this study, using human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells
      with different metastatic potential, we investigated the involvement of Wnt
      signaling in metastasis. Further, we aimed to elucidate the characteristic
      biological features related to high metastatic potential and to identify new
      target molecules for the suppression of OSCC lymph node metastasis. We compared
      SAS-Venus (SAS OSCC cells expressing green fluorescent protein) and SAS-LM8,
      which is a highly metastatic cell line derived from SAS-Venus by in vivo
      selection. The SAS-LM8 cell line had greater ability of migration and invasion
      compared to SAS-Venus. Furthermore, a higher number of filopodia-like protrusive
      structures were produced in SAS-LM8 cells compared to SAS-Venus cells, and the
      levels of active Cdc42 and active RhoA protein were higher in SAS-LM8 cells
      compared to SAS-Venus cells. We did not observe any differences in the expression
      of Wnt/beta-catenin target genes between the two cell lines; however, the mRNA
      levels of Wnt5b were higher in SAS-LM8 cells compared to SAS-Venus cells. To
      confirm the involvement of Wnt5b in migration in OSCC cells, we examined the
      effects of the siRNA-mediated knockdown of Wnt5b in SAS-Venus cells and SAS-LM8
      cells. The siRNA treatment significantly inhibited migration and the formation of
      filopodia-like protrusive structures. Conversely, when stimulated with Wnt5b, the
      migration and formation of filopodia-like protrusions were significantly enhanced
      and the levels of active Cdc42 and active RhoA proteins were also increased.
      These results indicate that Wnt5b is involved in the migration ability of OSCC
      cells through active Cdc42 and RhoA.

PMID- 24220307
TI  - Fifteen years of the cochrane back review group.

PMID- 24220308
TI  - An innovative fulcrum-bending radiographical technique to assess curve
      flexibility in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical and radiographical study. OBJECTIVE: To
      introduce a redesigned fulcrum-bending radiographical (FBR) method, and to
      validate the effectiveness of this method in assessing patients with (AIS).
      SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several radiographical methods exist to evaluate
      curve flexibility in patients with AIS. The technique of FBR has been
      demonstrated to better predict coronal plane correction of main thoracic curves.
      However, the amount of weight applied may affect the results of flexibility
      evaluation and have not been well studied to date. METHODS: Seventeen patients
      with AIS with 19 curves were involved in this study. The assessment of
      radiographs included preoperative standing posterior-anterior, supine side
      bending, traditional FBR, new FBR (CH-FBR), and postoperative standing posterior
      anterior radiographs. CH-FBR was performed at variable device heights while
      measuring the applied weight at the apex. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the mean Cobb
      angle was 47.5 degrees  +/- 8.8 degrees  on the posterior-anterior radiographs,
      14.3 degrees  +/- 7.0 degrees  on supine side-bending radiographs, 13.3 degrees 
      +/- 5.7 degrees  on traditional FBR, 11.3 degrees  +/- 4.5 degrees  at the lowest
      height using CH-FBR (lowest weight), and 7.8 degrees  +/- 4.1 degrees  at the
      optimized height using CH-FBR (maximal weight). Postoperatively, the mean Cobb
      angle was 9.1 degrees  +/- 5.2 degrees . There was a significant difference found
      between supine side-bending radiograph and postoperative Cobb angle (P = 0.001),
      traditional FBR, and postoperative Cobb angle (P = 0.002). There was no
      significant difference found between optimized height CH-FBR and postoperative
      Cobb angle (P = 0.16). Correlation analysis indicated that the maximum height of
      CH-FBR positively correlated with maximum weight applied (r = 0.68, r= 0.46, P =
      0.001). CONCLUSION: CH-FBR is a more reliable and effective method than
      traditional FBR and supine side-bending radiographs to measure curve flexibility
      in patients with AIS. Moreover, the flexibility suggested by the CH-FBRs more
      closely approximated the postoperative results from posterior pedicle screw
      instrumentation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 24220310
TI  - Energy dissipation and error probability in fault-tolerant binary switching.
AB  - The potential energy profile of an ideal binary switch is a symmetric double
      well. Switching between the wells without energy dissipation requires time
      modulating the height of the potential barrier separating the wells and tilting
      the profile towards the desired well at the precise juncture when the barrier
      disappears. This, however, demands perfect timing synchronization and is
      therefore fault-intolerant even in the absence of noise. A fault-tolerant
      strategy that requires no time modulation of the barrier (and hence no timing
      synchronization) switches by tilting the profile by an amount at least equal to
      the barrier height and dissipates at least that amount of energy in abrupt
      switching. Here, we present a third strategy that requires a time modulated
      barrier but no timing synchronization. It is therefore fault-tolerant, error-free
      in the absence of thermal noise, and yet it dissipates arbitrarily small energy
      in a noise-free environment since an arbitrarily small tilt is required for slow
      switching. This case is exemplified with stress induced switching of a shape
      anisotropic single-domain soft nanomagnet dipole-coupled to a hard magnet. When
      thermal noise is present, we show analytically that the minimum energy dissipated
      to switch in this scheme is ~2kTln(1/p) [p = switching error probability]. 

PMID- 24220311
TI  - Establishing the origin of metastatic deposits in the setting of multiple primary
      malignancies: the role of massively parallel sequencing.
AB  - In this proof-of-principle study, we sought to define whether targeted capture
      massively parallel sequencing can be employed to determine the origin of
      metastatic deposits in cases of synchronous primary malignancies and metastases
      in distinct anatomical sites. DNA samples extracted from synchronous tumor masses
      in the breast, adnexal, and pelvic-peritoneal regions from a 62-year-old BRCA1
      germline mutation carrier were subjected to targeted massively parallel
      sequencing using a platform comprising 300 cancer genes known to harbor
      actionable mutations. In addition to BRCA1 germline mutations, all lesions
      harbored somatic loss of the BRCA1 wild-type allele and TP53 somatic mutations.
      The primary breast cancer displayed a TP53 frameshift (p.Q317fs) mutation,
      whereas and the adnexal lesion harbored a TP53 nonsense (p.R213*) mutation,
      consistent with a diagnosis of two independent primary tumors (i.e. breast and
      ovarian cancer). The adnexal tumor and all pelvic-peritoneal implants harbored
      identical TP53 (p.R213*) and NCOA2 (p.G952R) somatic mutations. Evidence of
      genetic heterogeneity within and between lesions was observed, both in terms of
      somatic mutations and copy number aberrations. The repertoires of somatic genetic
      aberrations found in the breast, ovarian, and pelvic-peritoneal lesions provided
      direct evidence in support of the distinct origin of the breast and ovarian
      cancers, and established that the pelvic-peritoneal implants were clonally
      related to the ovarian lesion. These observations were consistent with those
      obtained with immunohistochemical analyses employing markers to differentiate
      between carcinomas of the breast and ovary, including WT1 and PAX8. Our results
      on this case of a patient with BRCA1-mutant breast and ovarian cancer demonstrate
      that massively parallel sequencing may constitute a useful tool to define the
      relationship, clonality and intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity between primary
      tumor masses and their metastatic deposits in patients with multiple primary
      malignancies and synchronous metastases. 

PMID- 24220312
TI  - High fat diet causes renal fibrosis in LDLr-null mice through MAPK-NF-kappaB
      pathway mediated by Ox-LDL.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia, particularly increased LDL-cholesterol level in serum,
      is associated with atherosclerosis and fibrosis in different organs. This study
      was designed to investigate the effects of increase in LDL-cholesterol on renal
      fibrosis. METHODS: Wild-type (WT) and LDLr knockout (KO) mice were fed standard
      or high fat diet (HFD), and their kidneys were collected after 26 weeks of
      dietary intervention for identification of fibrosis and study of potential
      mechanisms. Additional studies were performed in cultured renal fibroblasts.
      RESULTS: We observed extensive and diffuse fibrosis in the kidneys of mice given
      HFD (P < 0.05 vs. standard chow). Fibrosis was associated with enhanced
      expression of fibronectin, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases
      and activated p38 and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and
      nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB). There
      was evidence for accumulation of 4-hydroxynonenal, a lipid peroxidation product,
      in the kidneys and of ox-LDL in the arteries of LDLr KO mice given HFD. The
      expression of ox-LDL receptor LOX-1 and of transforming growth factor beta 1
      (TGFbeta1) was increased in these kidneys. All these changes were more pronounced
      in LDLr KO mice than in the WT mice. In in vitro studies, treatment of
      fibroblasts from kidneys of LDLr KO mice with ox-LDL showed intense proliferation
      and collagen formation (all P < 0.05, fibroblasts from WT mice kidneys). Blockade
      of p38 MAPK, p44/42 MAPK, or NF-kappaB significantly attenuated expression of
      profibrotic signals, collagen formation, and proliferation of fibroblasts.
      CONCLUSIONS: HFD induces renal fibrosis in LDLr-null mice primarily through
      activation of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase MAPK-NF
      kappaB pathway by ox-LDL.

PMID- 24220313
TI  - Tongxinluo decreases apoptosis of mesenchymal stem cells concentration
      dependently under hypoxia and serum deprivation conditions through the AMPK/eNOS
      pathway.
AB  - Tongxinluo (TXL), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used to treat
      cardiovascular diseases in China. Our previous study has demonstrated the pro
      survival role of TXL on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vivo. But whether TXL
      could decrease apoptosis of MSCs in vitro, and the underlying mechanism are still
      unknown. Moreover, AMPK/eNOS pathway is crucial in regulating cell apoptosis.
      Therefore, we designed the study to investigate whether TXL could decrease MSCs
      apoptosis under hypoxia and serum deprivation (H/SD) conditions and to determine
      the role of AMPK/eNOS pathway. To test the hypothesis, MSCs were treated with TXL
      (50-400 MUg/mL) under H/SD for 6 hours. For inhibitor studies, the cells were
      preincubated with AMPK inhibitor compound C. Results indicated that TXL decreased
      MSCs apoptosis concentration-dependently evidenced by reduced Annexin V+/PI-
      cells and increased red/green ratio of JC-1. Further, TXL enhanced the
      phosphorylation of AMPK and eNOS. Whereas, treatment with compound C decreased
      the phosphorylation of AMPK and eNOS and was accompanied by attenuated anti
      apoptotic effect of TXL. In conclusion, TXL protected MSCs against H/SD-induced
      injury at least in part through the AMPK/eNOS pathway, which provides a novel
      explanation for the multi-effect of TXL on cardiovascular system.

PMID- 24220314
TI  - Effects of Na+ channel blockers on extrasystolic stimulation-evoked changes in
      ventricular conduction and repolarization.
AB  - Antiarrhythmic agents which belong to class Ia (quinidine) and Ic (flecainide)
      reportedly increase propensity to ventricular tachyarrhythmia, whereas class Ib
      agents (lidocaine and mexiletine) are recognized as safe antiarrhythmics.
      Clinically, tachyarrhythmia is often initiated by a premature ectopic beat, which
      increases spatial nonuniformities in ventricular conduction and repolarization
      thus facilitating reentry. This study examined if electrical derangements evoked
      by premature excitation may be accentuated by flecainide and quinidine, but
      unchanged by lidocaine and mexiletine, which would explain the difference in
      their safety profile. In perfused guinea pig hearts, a premature excitation
      evoked over late repolarization phase was associated with prolonged epicardial
      activation time, reduced monophasic action potential duration (APD), and
      increased transepicardial dispersion of the activation time and APD. Flecainide
      and quinidine increased conduction slowing evoked by extrasystolic stimulation,
      prolonged APD, and accentuated spatial heterogeneities in ventricular conduction
      and repolarization associated with premature excitation. Spontaneous episodes of
      nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia were observed in 50% of heart
      preparations exposed to drug infusion. In contrast, lidocaine and mexiletine had
      no effect on extrasystolic stimulation-evoked changes in ventricular conduction
      and repolarization or arrhythmic susceptibility. These findings suggest that
      flecainide and quinidine may promote arrhythmia by exaggerating
      electrophysiological abnormalities evoked by ectopic beats.

PMID- 24220315
TI  - Cardioprotective effect of VEGF and venom VEGF-like protein in acute myocardial
      ischemia in mice: effect on mitochondrial function.
AB  - Coronary endothelial dysfunction is involved in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR)
      injury. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activates endothelial cells and
      exerts cardioprotective effects in isolated hearts. The recently discovered viper
      venom protein called increasing capillary permeability protein (ICPP) exerts VEGF
      like effects in endothelial cells. We examined whether VEGF or ICPP can influence
      IR outcome in vivo in mice. Dosages of VEGF and ICPP were determined by
      preliminary blood pressure study. In IR, both the proteins administered
      intravenously at reperfusion reduced infarct size (IS) by 57% for VEGF and 52%
      for ICPP (P < 0.01). Pretreatment with a selective VEGFR2 receptor antagonist
      abolished the reduction in IS. VEGF and ICPP induced ERK phosphorylation in the
      myocardium. IR triggered mitochondrial pore opening and impaired mitochondrial
      respiratory function. These effects of IR were prevented by VEGF or ICPP, which
      increased mitochondrial calcium retention capacity by 37% compared with saline (P
      < 0.05) and improved mitochondrial respiratory function (by 71% and 65%,
      respectively for state 3, and 51% and 38% for state 4, P < 0.01 for VEGF). Thus,
      intravenous administration of VEGF or ICPP at reperfusion largely reduces IS in
      IR, through stimulation of VEGFR2 receptors. This effect is mediated, at least in
      part, by improvement of IR-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

PMID- 24220316
TI  - Does modifying the thick texture and creamy flavour of a drink change portion
      size selection and intake?
AB  - Previous research indicates that a drink's sensory characteristics can influence
      appetite regulation. Enhancing the thick and creamy sensory characteristics of a
      drink generated expectations of satiety and improved its actual satiating
      effects. Expectations about food also play an important role in decisions about
      intake, in which case enhancing the thick and creamy characteristics of a drink
      might also result in smaller portion size selection. In the current study forty
      eight participants (24 female) completed four test days where they came into the
      laboratory for a fixed-portion breakfast, returning two hours later for a mid
      morning drink, which they could serve themselves and consume as much as they
      liked. Over the test days, participants consumed an iso-energetic drink in four
      sensory contexts: thin and low-creamy; thin and high-creamy; thick and low
      creamy; thick and high-creamy. Results indicated that participants consumed less
      of the thick drinks, but that this was only true of the female participants; male
      participants consumed the same amount of the four drinks regardless of sensory
      context. The addition of creamy flavour did not affect intake but the thicker
      drinks were associated with an increase in perceived creaminess. Despite
      differences in intake, hunger and fullness ratings did not differ across male and
      female participants and were not affected by the drinks sensory characteristics.
      The vast majority of participants consumed all of the drink they served
      themselves indicating that differences in intake reflected portion size
      decisions. These findings suggest women will select smaller portions of a drink
      when its sensory characteristics indicate that it will be satiating. 

PMID- 24220318
TI  - A novel mutation in IFN-gamma receptor 1 presenting as multisystem Mycobacterium
      intracellulare infection.

PMID- 24220317
TI  - Increased density of intraepithelial mast cells in patients with exercise-induced
      bronchoconstriction regulated through epithelially derived thymic stromal
      lymphopoietin and IL-33.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a prototypical feature
      of indirect airway hyperresponsiveness. Mast cells are implicated in EIB, but the
      characteristics, regulation, and function of mast cells in patients with EIB are
      poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine mast cell infiltration of the
      airway epithelium in patients with EIB and the regulation of mast cell phenotype
      and function by epithelially derived cytokines. METHODS: Endobronchial biopsy
      specimens, epithelial brushings, and induced sputum were obtained from asthmatic
      patients with and without EIB and healthy control subjects. Mast cell proteases
      were quantified by using quantitative PCR, and mast cell density was quantified
      by using design-based stereology. Airway epithelial responses to wounding and
      osmotic stress were assessed in primary airway epithelial cells and ex vivo
      murine lung tissue. Mast cell granule development and function were examined in
      cord blood-derived mast cells. RESULTS: Tryptase and carboxypeptidase A3
      expression in epithelial brushings and epithelial mast cell density were
      selectively increased in the asthma group with EIB. An in vitro scratch wound
      initiated the release of thymic stromal lymphopoietin, which was greater in
      epithelial cells derived from asthmatic patients. Osmotic stress induced the
      release of IL-33 from explanted murine lungs, which was increased in allergen
      treated mice. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin combined with IL-33 increased tryptase
      and carboxypeptidase A3 immunostaining in mast cell precursors and selectively
      increased cysteinyl leukotriene formation by mast cells in a manner that was
      independent of in vitro sensitization. CONCLUSIONS: Mast cell infiltration of the
      epithelium is a critical determinant of indirect airway hyperresponsiveness, and
      the airway epithelium might serve as an important regulator of the development
      and function of this mast cell population.

PMID- 24220319
TI  - Flow diversion: exciting new technology in its infancy.

PMID- 24220321
TI  - Neurosurgical recruitment: the gold rush.

PMID- 24220320
TI  - Rhabdoid sarcoma of the brain in adults: which treatment?

PMID- 24220322
TI  - Chemical modifications and bioconjugate reactions of nanomaterials for sensing,
      imaging, drug delivery and therapy.
AB  - As prepared nanomaterials of metals, semiconductors, polymers and carbon often
      need surface modifications such as ligand exchange, and chemical and bioconjugate
      reactions for various biosensor, bioanalytical, bioimaging, drug delivery and
      therapeutic applications. Such surface modifications help us to control the
      physico-chemical, toxicological and pharmacological properties of nanomaterials.
      Furthermore, introduction of various reactive functional groups on the surface of
      nanomaterials allows us to conjugate a spectrum of contrast agents, antibodies,
      peptides, ligands, drugs and genes, and construct multifunctional and hybrid
      nanomaterials for the targeted imaging and treatment of cancers. This tutorial
      review is intended to provide an introduction to newcomers about how chemical and
      bioconjugate reactions transform the surface of nanomaterials such as silica
      nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, gold quantum clusters, semiconductor quantum
      dots, carbon nanotubes, fullerene and graphene, and accordingly formulate them
      for applications such as biosensing, bioimaging, drug and gene delivery,
      chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy. Nonetheless,
      controversial reports and our growing concerns about toxicity and
      pharmacokinetics of nanomaterials suggest the need for not only rigorous in vivo
      experiments in animal models but also novel nanomaterials for practical
      applications in the clinical settings. Further reading of original and review
      articles cited herein is necessary to buildup in-depth knowledge about the
      chemistry, bioconjugate chemistry and biological applications of individual
      nanomaterials. 

PMID- 24220324
TI  - Diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT, ultrasonography and MRI. Detection of
      axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic abilities of 18F
      fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)
      compared with those of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for
      axillary lymph node staging in breast cancer patients. PATIENTS, METHODS:
      Preoperative 18F-FDG PET/non-contrast CT, ultrasonography and MRI were performed
      in 215 women with breast cancer. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed in
      all patients and the diagnostic performance of each modality was evaluated using
      histopathologic assessments as the reference standard. ROC curves were compared
      to evaluate the diagnostic ability of several imaging modalities (i. e.,
      ultrasonography, MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT). RESULTS: In total, 132 patients (61.4%)
      had axillary lymph node metastasis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive
      predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for the detection of
      axillary lymph node metastasis were 72.3%, 77.3%, 66.7%, 81.6%, 75.3% for
      ultrasonography, 67.5%, 78.0%, 65.9%, 79.2%, 74.0% for MRI, and 62.7%, 88.6%,
      77.6%, 79.1%, 78.6% for 18F-FDG PET/CT, respectively. There was no significant
      difference in diagnostic ability among the imaging modalities (i.e.,
      ultrasonography, MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT). The diagnostic ability of 18F-FDG
      PET/CT was significantly improved by combination with MRI (p = 0.0002) or
      ultrasonography (p < 0.0001). The combination of 18F-FDG PET/CT with
      ultrasonography had a similar diagnostic ability to that of all three modalities
      combined (18F-FDG PET/CT+ultrasonography+MRI, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The
      diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detection of axillary node
      metastasis was not significantly different from that of ultrasonography or MRI in
      breast cancer patients. Combining 18F-FDG PET/CT with ultrasonography or MRI
      could improve the diagnostic performance compared to 18F-FDG PET/CT alone.

PMID- 24220323
TI  - Genetically modified hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for HIV-1-infected
      patients: can we achieve a cure?
AB  - The cure of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected patient following
      allogeneic transplantation from a CCR5-null donor and potential cure of two
      patients transplanted with CCR5 wild-type hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) have
      provided renewed optimism that a potential alternative to conventional
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) is forthcoming. While allogeneic grafts have thus
      far suggested complete eradication of viral reservoirs, it has yet to be observed
      following autologous HSC transplantation. Development of curative autologous
      transplantation strategies would significantly increase the number of treatable
      patients, eliminating the need for matched donors and reducing the risks of
      adverse events. Recent studies suggest gene therapy may provide a mechanism for
      developing curative therapies. Expression of cellular/artificial restriction
      factors or disruption of CCR5 has been shown to limit viral replication and
      provide protection of genetically modified cells. However, significant obstacles
      remain with regards to the depletion of established viral reservoirs in an
      autologous transplantation setting devoid of the "allo-effect". Here, we discuss
      results from early-stage clinical trials and recent findings in animal models of
      gene modified HSC transplantation. Finally, we propose innovative combination
      therapies that may aid in the reduction and/or elimination of viral reservoirs in
      HIV-1-infected patients and promote the artificial development of a natural
      controller phenotype. 

PMID- 24220325
TI  - A fluorescent curcumin-based Zn(II)-complex reactivates mutant (R175H and R273H)
      p53 in cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mutations of the p53 oncosuppressor gene are amongst the most
      frequent aberration seen in human cancer. Some mutant (mt) p53 proteins are prone
      to loss of Zn(II) ion that is bound to the wild-type (wt) core, promoting protein
      aggregation and therefore unfolding. Misfolded p53 protein conformation impairs
      wtp53-DNA binding and transactivation activities, favouring tumor growth and
      resistance to antitumor therapies. Screening studies, devoted to identify small
      molecules that reactivate mtp53, represent therefore an attractive anti-cancer
      therapeutic strategy. Here we tested a novel fluorescent curcumin-based Zn(II)
      complex (Zn-curc) to evaluate its effect on mtp53 reactivation in cancer cells.
      METHODS: P53 protein conformation was examined after Zn-curc treatment by
      immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays, using conformation-specific
      antibodies. The mtp53 reactivation was evaluated by chromatin-immunoprecipitation
      (ChIP) and semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses of wild-type p53 target genes. The
      intratumoral Zn-curc localization was evaluated by immunofluorescence analysis of
      glioblastoma tissues of an ortothopic mice model. RESULTS: The Zn-curc complex
      induced conformational change in p53-R175H and -R273H mutant proteins, two of the
      most common p53 mutations. Zn-curc treatment restored wtp53-DNA binding and
      transactivation functions and induced apoptotic cell death. In vivo studies
      showed that the Zn-curc complex reached glioblastoma tissues of an ortothopic
      mice model, highlighting its ability to crossed the blood-tumor barrier.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Zn-curc complex may reactivate specific
      mtp53 proteins and that may cross the blood-tumor barrier, becoming a promising
      compound for the development of drugs to halt tumor growth.

PMID- 24220327
TI  - Application of a new technique, spiral tissue microarrays constructed using
      needle biopsy specimens, to prostate cancer research.
AB  - Tissue microarrays were constructed using prostate needle biopsy specimens
      obtained from 58 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for localized or
      locally advanced prostate cancer (PC). We used the spiral array (SA) technique, a
      novel approach for tissue array construction in a spiral form, which has
      advantages over small needle biopsy specimens. Roll-shaped tissue pieces produced
      by slicing a prostate biopsy tissue block and trimming the cancer segment were
      used to obtain a tissue array block. Cancer segments measuring >3 mm were
      incorporated into the tissue arrays. Cancer fragments (n=253) were obtained from
      formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded needle biopsy specimens. The median number of
      cancer fragments per patient was four (1-8, min-max). On SA, the median number of
      confirmed cancer fragments per patient was four (1-7) and 224 cancer fragments
      (88.5%) were confirmed histologically. Each core of reeled tissue contained at
      least one cancer fragment. The expressions of multiple prognostic molecular
      markers for PC (Ki-67, p53 and bcl-2) were immunohistochemically measured using
      the SA. The Ki-67 and bcl-2 expressions were significantly associated with the
      Gleason score (GS). A univariate analysis identified Ki-67, bcl-2 and GS as
      significant predictors of cancer-specific survival, p53 and bcl-2 as significant
      predictors of overall survival and Ki-67, adjuvant androgen deprivation and GS as
      significant predictors of biochemical progression. In a multivariate analysis,
      p53 was independently associated with overall survival, while adjuvant androgen
      deprivation and GS were associated with biochemical progression. These results
      indicate that SA has potential as a new tool for translational research on PC.

PMID- 24220326
TI  - Immunogenicity and safety of a CRM-conjugated meningococcal ACWY vaccine
      administered concomitantly with routine vaccines starting at 2 months of age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infants are at the highest risk for meningococcal disease and a
      broadly protective and safe vaccine is an unmet need in this youngest population.
      We evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a 4-dose infant/toddler regimen of
      MenACWY-CRM given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of age concomitantly with pentavalent
      diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-Hemophilus influenzae type b-inactivated
      poliovirus-combination vaccine (DTaP-IPV/Hib), hepatitis B vaccine (HBV), 7- or
      13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV), and measles, mumps, and rubella
      vaccine (MMR). RESULTS: Four doses of MenACWY-CRM induced hSBA titers >=8 in 89%,
      95%, 97%, and 96% of participants against serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y,
      respectively. hSBA titers >=8 were present in 76-98% of participants after the
      first 3 doses. A categorical linear analysis incorporating vaccine group and
      study center showed responses to routine vaccines administered with MenACWY-CRM
      were non-inferior to routine vaccines alone, except for seroresponse to the
      pertussis antigen fimbriae. The reactogenicity profile was not affected when
      MenACWY-CRM was administered concomitantly with routine vaccines. CONCLUSION:
      MenACWY-CRM administered with routine concomitant vaccinations in young infants
      was well tolerated and induced highly immunogenic responses against each of the
      serogroups without significant interference with the immune responses to routine
      infant vaccinations. METHODS: Healthy 2 month old infants were randomized to
      receive MenACWY-CRM with routine vaccines (n = 258) or routine vaccines alone (n
      = 271). Immunogenicity was assessed by serum bactericidal assay using human
      complement (hSBA). Medically attended adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs)
      and AEs leading to study withdrawal were collected throughout the study period.

PMID- 24220328
TI  - Energy and lipid metabolism gene expression of D18 embryos in dairy cows is
      related to dam physiological status.
AB  - We analyzed the change in gene expression related to dam physiological status in
      day (D)18 embryos from growing heifers (GH), early lactating cows (ELC), and late
      lactating cows (LLC). Dam energy metabolism was characterized by measurement of
      circulating concentrations of insulin, glucose, IGF-1, nonesterified fatty acids,
      beta-hydroxybutyrate, and urea before embryo flush. The metabolic parameters were
      related to differential gene expression in the extraembryonic tissues by
      correlation analysis. Embryo development estimated by measuring the length of the
      conceptuses and the proportion of expected D18 gastrulating stages was not
      different between the three groups of females. However, embryo metabolism was
      greatly affected by dam physiological status when we compared GH with ELC and GH
      with LLC but to a lesser extent when ELC was compared with LLC. Genes involved in
      glucose, pyruvate, and acetate utilization were upregulated in GH vs. ELC
      conceptuses (e.g., SLC2A1, PC, ACSS2, ACSS3). This was also true for the pentose
      pathway ( PGD, TKT), which is involved in synthesis of ribose precursors of RNA
      and DNA. The pathways involved in lipid synthesis were also upregulated in GH vs.
      ELC. Despite similar morphological development, the molecular characteristics of
      the heifers' embryos were consistently different from those of the cows. Most of
      these differences were strongly related to metabolic/hormone patterns before
      insemination and during conceptus free-life. Many biosynthetic pathways appeared
      to be more active in heifer embryos than in cow embryos, and consequently they
      seemed to be healthier, and this may be more conducive to continue development. 

PMID- 24220329
TI  - Bovine beta-defensin gene family: opportunities to improve animal health?
AB  - Recent analysis of the bovine genome revealed an expanded suite of beta-defensin
      genes that encode what are referred to as antimicrobial or host defense peptides
      (HDPs). Whereas primate genomes also encode alpha- and theta-defensins, the
      bovine genome contains only the beta-defensin subfamily of HDPs. beta-Defensins
      perform diverse functions that are critical to protection against pathogens but
      also in regulation of the immune response and reproduction. As the most
      comprehensively studied subclass of HDPs, beta-defensins possess the widest
      taxonomic distribution, found in invertebrates as well as plants, indicating an
      ancient point of origin. Cross-species comparison of the genomic arrangement of
      beta-defensin gene repertoire revealed them to vary in number among species
      presumably due to differences in pathogenic selective pressures but also genetic
      drift. beta-Defensin genes exist in a single cluster in birds, but four gene
      clusters exist in dog, rat, mouse, and cow. In humans and chimpanzees, one of
      these clusters is split in two as a result of a primate-specific pericentric
      inversion producing five gene clusters. A cluster of beta-defensin genes on
      bovine chromosome 13 has been recently characterized, and full genome sequencing
      has identified extensive gene copy number variation on chromosome 27. As a
      result, cattle have the most diverse repertoire of beta-defensin genes so far
      identified, where four clusters contain at least 57 genes. This expansion of beta
      defensin HDPs may hold significant potential for combating infectious diseases
      and provides opportunities to harness their immunological and reproductive
      functions in commercial cattle populations. 

PMID- 24220330
TI  - Lipid composition of membrane rafts, isolated with and without detergent, from
      the spleen of a mouse model of Gaucher disease.
AB  - Biological membranes are composed of functionally relevant liquid-ordered and
      liquid-disordered domains that coexist. Within the liquid-ordered domains are low
      density microdomains known as rafts with a unique lipid composition that is
      crucial for their structure and function. Lipid raft composition is altered in
      sphingolipid storage disorders, and here we determined the lipid composition
      using a detergent and detergent-free method in spleen tissue, the primary site of
      pathology, in a mouse model of the sphingolipid storage disorder, Gaucher
      disease. The accumulating lipid, glucosylceramide, was 30- and 50-fold elevated
      in the rafts with the detergent and detergent-free method, respectively.
      Secondary accumulation of di- and trihexosylceramide resided primarily in the
      rafts with both methods. The phospholipids distributed differently with more than
      half residing in the rafts with the detergent-free method and less than 10% with
      the detergent method, with the exception of the fully saturated species that were
      primarily in the rafts. Individual isoforms of sphingomyelin correlated with
      detergent-free extraction and more than half resided in the raft fractions.
      However, this correlation was not seen with the detergent extraction method as
      sphingomyelin species were spread across both the raft and non-raft domains.
      Therefore caution must be exercised when interpreting phospholipid distribution
      in raft domains as it differs considerably depending on the method of isolation.
      Importantly, both methods revealed the same lipid alterations in the raft domains
      in the spleen of the Gaucher disease mouse model highlighting that either method
      is appropriate to determine membrane lipid changes in the diseased state. 

PMID- 24220331
TI  - Early postnatal maternal separation causes alterations in the expression of beta3
      adrenergic receptor in rat adipose tissue suggesting long-term influence on
      obesity.
AB  - The effects of early postnatal maternal deprivation on the biological
      characteristics of the adipose tissue later in life were investigated in the
      present study. Sprague-Dawley rats were classified as either maternal deprivation
      (MD) or mother-reared control (MRC) groups. MD was achieved by separating the rat
      pups from their mothers for 3h each day during the 10-15 postnatal days. mRNA
      levels of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1), beta3-adrenergic receptor
      (beta3-AR), and prohibitin (PHB) in the brown and white adipose tissue were
      determined using real-time RT-PCR analysis. UCP-1, which is mediated through
      beta3-AR, is closely involved in the energy metabolism and expenditure. PHB is
      highly expressed in the proliferating tissues/cells. At 10 weeks of age, the body
      weight of the MRC and MD rats was similar. However, the levels of the key
      molecules in the adipose tissue were substantially altered. There was a
      significant increase in the expression of PHB mRNA in the white adipose tissue,
      while the beta3-AR mRNA expression decreased significantly, and the UCP-1 mRNA
      expression remained unchanged in the brown adipose tissue. Given that these
      molecules influence the mitochondrial metabolism, our study indicates that early
      postnatal maternal deprivation can influence the fate of adipose tissue
      proliferation, presumably leading to obesity later in life.

PMID- 24220332
TI  - Disease-associated single amino acid mutation in the calf-1 domain of integrin
      alpha3 leads to defects in its processing and cell surface expression.
AB  - Integrin alpha3beta1, a receptor for laminins, is involved in the structural and
      functional organization of epithelial organs, including the lung, kidney, and
      skin. Recently, a missense mutation that causes substitution of Arg628 with Pro
      (R628P) in the calf-1 domain of human alpha3 was shown to be associated with
      disorders of the lung, kidney, and skin. Here, we found that the R628P mutation
      leads to aberrations in the posttranslational processing of alpha3. Specifically,
      alpha3 with the R628P mutation showed hardly any cleavage at the calf-2 domain,
      which usually occurs in the Golgi apparatus during the delivery of de novo
      synthesized alpha3. The mutant alpha3 retained the ability to associate with
      integrin beta1, but not with the tetraspanin CD151, and the bound beta1 was a
      partially glycosylated immature form, the maturation of which also takes place in
      the Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, the cell surface expression of the mutant
      protein was markedly reduced. These results suggest that the R628P mutation leads
      to a deficit in the transport of alpha3beta1 from the ER to the Golgi apparatus.
      When Arg628 was mutated to Gln or Glu, instead of Pro, the resulting mutants did
      not display aberrations in processing or CD151 binding, indicating that the
      presence of Pro, rather than the absence of Arg, at amino acid residue 628 of
      alpha3 is important for the abnormalities in the R628P mutant. In support of this
      notion, a homology modeling analysis of the calf-1 domain of alpha3 showed that
      replacement with Pro, but not with Gln or Glu, caused partial disruption of the
      beta-sheet structures. Furthermore, the ER-associated degradation of the R628P
      mutant was not enhanced compared with that of the wild-type protein, suggesting
      that the deficits in the posttranslational processing and cell surface expression
      of the R628P mutant are independent of the ER-associated degradation, but arise
      from the defect in its export from the ER. We conclude that the calf-1 domain is
      required for the transport of alpha3 from the ER to the Golgi apparatus to
      maintain the integrity of epithelial tissues, and hence the impairment of the
      calf-1 domain by the R628P mutation leads to severe diseases of the kidneys,
      lungs, and skin. 

PMID- 24220334
TI  - Dynamic expression pattern of Pde4d and its relationship with CpG methylation in
      the promoter during mouse embryo development.
AB  - Mouse Pde4d is located on chromosome 13 and serves many functions in important
      physiological processes involving cyclic adenosine monophosphate. In this study,
      imprinting analysis indicated that Pde4d exhibits a dynamic and specific allelic
      expression pattern during embryo development. This showed paternal-origin sex
      bias in embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) whole embryos and placenta, and biallelic
      expression in the major embryonic organs and placenta at E15.5. In situ
      hybridization determined the spatiotemporal expression pattern of Pde4d in mouse
      embryos from the mid- to late-embryonic stages. This demonstrated that Pde4d was
      widely expressed in the neural tissues, including the forebrain, midbrain,
      hindbrain, and neural tube, at the mid-embryonic stage. By the late-embryonic
      stage, Pde4d was extensively detected throughout the developing organism,
      including in the liver, brain, lung, kidney, and tongue. In addition, methylation
      analyses indicated that tissue-specific CpG methylation of the Pde4d promoter was
      correlated with Pde4d mRNA expression in major E15.5 tissues. Furthermore, stage
      specific CpG methylation of the Pde4d promoter was associated with gene
      expression in the liver at three developmental stages. Our results suggest that
      Pde4d might serve specific biological functions in regulating the development
      process of the mouse embryo, and that CpG methylation of the Pde4d promoter may
      play an important role in regulating Pde4d at a transcriptional level. 

PMID- 24220333
TI  - Identification of an enhancer region for immune activation in the human GTP
      cyclohydrolase I gene.
AB  - GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH) catalyzes the first and rate limiting step reaction
      for the de novo synthesis of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). The expression of
      GCH is dramatically elevated by immune activation, while the mechanism remains to
      be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the transcription mechanism of the
      GCH gene using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate mouse macrophage RAW264.7
      cells. With luciferase assay, we found a highly conserved enhancer region
      spanning approximately 300 bp in intron 1 of GCH gene as a response element to
      LPS stimulation. The same enhancer region was also responsible for the induction
      of the GCH gene by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in HUVECs. With electrophoresis
      mobility shift assay (EMSA) and site directed mutation analysis, we identified
      two key fragments containing C/EBP and Ets binding motifs within the enhancer.
      Furthermore, C/EBP-beta was involved in LPS activated GCH transcription through
      direct binding to the enhancer shown by supershift, chromatin
      immunoprecipitation, and RNA interference experiments. In conclusion, our
      findings uncovered a novel mechanism of GCH transcriptional regulation by immune
      activation.

PMID- 24220335
TI  - LC3B-II deacetylation by histone deacetylase 6 is involved in serum-starvation
      induced autophagic degradation.
AB  - Autophagy is a conserved mechanism for controlling the degradation of misfolded
      proteins and damaged organelles in eukaryotes and can be induced by nutrient
      withdrawal, including serum starvation. Although differential acetylation of
      autophagy-related proteins has been reported to be involved in autophagic flux,
      the regulation of acetylated microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)
      is incompletely understood. In this study, we found that the acetylation levels
      of phosphotidylethanolamine (PE)-conjugated LC3B (LC3B-II), which is a critical
      component of double-membrane autophagosome, were profoundly decreased in HeLa
      cells upon autophagy induction by serum starvation. Pretreatment with lysosomal
      inhibitor chloroquine did not attenuate such deacetylation. Under normal culture
      medium, we observed increased levels of acetylated LC3B-II in cells treated with
      tubacin, a specific inhibitor of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). However, tubacin
      only partially suppressed serum-starvation-induced LC3B-II deacetylation,
      suggesting that HDAC6 is not the only deacetylase acting on LC3B-II during serum
      starvation-induced autophagy. Interestingly, tubacin-induced increase in LC3B-II
      acetylation was associated with p62/SQSTM1 accumulation upon serum starvation.
      HDAC6 knockdown did not influence autophagosome formation but resulted in
      impaired degradation of p62/SQSTM1 during serum starvation. Collectively, our
      data indicated that LC3B-II deacetylation, which was partly mediated by HDAC6, is
      involved in autophagic degradation during serum starvation. 

PMID- 24220336
TI  - NS1-binding protein abrogates the elevation of cell viability by the influenza A
      virus NS1 protein in association with CRKL.
AB  - The influenza A virus non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is a multifunctional
      virulence factor consisting of an RNA binding domain and several Src-homology
      (SH) 2 and SH3 binding motifs, which promotes virus replication in the host cell
      and helps to evade antiviral immunity. NS1 modulates general host cell physiology
      in association with various cellular molecules including NS1-binding protein (NS1
      BP) and signaling adapter protein CRK-like (CRKL), while the physiological role
      of NS1-BP during influenza A virus infection especially in association with NS1
      remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the intracellular association of NS1
      BP, NS1 and CRKL to elucidate the physiological roles of these molecules in the
      host cell. In HEK293T cells, enforced expression of NS1 of A/Beijing (H1N1) and
      A/Indonesia (H5N1) significantly induced excessive phosphorylation of ERK and
      elevated cell viability, while the over-expression of NS1-BP and the abrogation
      of CRKL using siRNA abolished such survival effect of NS1. The pull-down assay
      using GST-fusion CRKL revealed the formation of intracellular complexes of NS1
      BP, NS1 and CRKL. In addition, we identified that the N-terminus SH3 domain of
      CRKL was essential for binding to NS1-BP using GST-fusion CRKL-truncate mutants.
      This is the first report to elucidate the novel function of NS1-BP collaborating
      with viral protein NS1 in modulation of host cell physiology. In addition, an
      alternative role of adaptor protein CRKL in association with NS1 and NS1-BP
      during influenza A virus infection is demonstrated. 

PMID- 24220337
TI  - Identification of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase gene family and MKK
      MAPK interaction network in maize.
AB  - Plant mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are involved in important
      processes, including stress signaling and development. MAPK kinases (MAPKK, MKK)
      have been investigated in several plant species including Arabidopsis thaliana,
      Oryza sativa, Populus trichocarpa, and Brachypodium distachyon. In the present
      study, nine putative maize MKK genes have been identified. Analysis of the
      conserved protein motifs, exon-intron junctions and intron phase has revealed
      high levels of conservation within the phylogenetic groups. Next, we defined four
      new ZmMKK-ZmMPK interactions using yeast two-hybrid. Finally, we examined the
      biological functions of the ZmMKK4 gene. Overexpression of ZmMKK4 in Arabidopsis
      conferred tolerance to oxidative stress by increased germination rate and early
      seedling growth compared with WT plants. Taken together, we provide a
      comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the MKK gene family in maize genome and
      our data provide an important foundation for further functional study of MAPK and
      MKK families in maize. 

PMID- 24220338
TI  - Positron emission tomography study on pancreatic somatostatin receptors in normal
      and diabetic rats with 68Ga-DOTA-octreotide: a potential PET tracer for beta cell
      mass measurement.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia,
      and the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells has been reported before the
      appearance of clinical symptoms and hyperglycemia. To evaluate beta cell mass
      (BCM) for improving the detection and treatment of DM at earlier stages, we
      focused on somatostatin receptors that are highly expressed in the pancreatic
      beta cells, and developed a positron emission tomography (PET) probe derived from
      octreotide, a metabolically stable somatostatin analog. Octreotide was conjugated
      with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), a chelating
      agent, and labeled with (68)Gallium ((68)Ga). After intravenous injection of
      (68)Ga-DOTA-octreotide, a 90-min emission scan of the abdomen was performed in
      normal and DM model rats. The PET studies showed that (68)Ga-DOTA-octreotide
      radioactivity was highly accumulated in the pancreas of normal rats and that the
      pancreatic accumulation was significantly reduced in the rats administered with
      an excess amount of unlabeled octreotide or after treatment with streptozotocin,
      which was used for the chemical induction of DM in rats. These results were in
      good agreement with the ex vivo biodistribution data. These results indicated
      that the pancreatic accumulation of (68)Ga-DOTA-octreotide represented specific
      binding to the somatostatin receptors and reflected BCM. Therefore, PET imaging
      with (68)Ga-DOTA-octreotide could be a potential tool for evaluating BCM. 

PMID- 24220339
TI  - MicroRNA-490-5p inhibits proliferation of bladder cancer by targeting c-Fos.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-protein-coding sequences that play a crucial role in
      tumorigenesis by negatively regulating gene expression. Here, we found that miR
      490-5p is down-regulated in human bladder cancer tissue and cell lines compared
      to normal adjacent tissue and a non-malignant cell line. To better characterize
      the function of miR-490-5p in bladder cancer, we over-expressed miR-490-5p in
      bladder cancer cell lines with chemically synthesized mimics. Enforced expression
      of miR-490-5p in bladder cancer cells significantly inhibited the cell
      proliferation via G1-phase arrest. Further studies found the decreased c-Fos
      expression at both mRNA and protein levels and Luciferase reporter assays
      demonstrated that c-Fos is a direct target of miR-490-5p in bladder cancer. These
      findings indicate miR-490-5p to be a novel tumor suppressor of bladder cancer
      cell proliferation through targeting c-Fos. 

PMID- 24220340
TI  - Inactivation of lipoprotein lipase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by angiopoietin-like
      protein 4 requires that both proteins have reached the cell surface.
AB  - Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) were studied
      in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Transfections of the adipocytes with Angptl4 esiRNA caused
      reduction of the expression of Angptl4 to about one fourth of that in cells
      treated with vehicle only. This resulted in higher levels of LPL activity both on
      cell surfaces (heparin-releasable) and in the medium, while LPL activity within
      the cells remained unaffected. This demonstrated that even though both proteins
      are made in the same cell, Angptl4 does not inactivate LPL during intracellular
      transport. Most of the Angptl4 protein was present as covalent dimers and
      tetramers on cell surfaces, while within the cells there were only monomers. LPL
      gradually lost activity when incubated in medium, but there was no marked
      difference between conditioned medium from normal cells (rich in Angptl4) and
      medium after knockdown of Angptl4. Hence Angptl4 did not markedly accelerate
      inactivation of LPL in the medium. Experiments with combinations of different
      cells and media indicated that inactivation of LPL occurred on the surfaces of
      cells producing Angptl4. 

PMID- 24220341
TI  - MiR-34a targets GAS1 to promote cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in
      papillary thyroid carcinoma via PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are fundamental regulators of cell proliferation,
      differentiation, and apoptosis, and are implicated in tumorigenesis of many
      cancers. MiR-34a is best known as a tumor suppressor through repression of growth
      factors and oncogenes. Growth arrest specific1 (GAS1) protein is a tumor
      suppressor that inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis through
      inhibition of RET receptor tyrosine kinase. Both miR-34a and GAS1 are frequently
      down-regulated in various tumors. However, it has been reported that while GAS1
      is down-regulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), miR-34a is up-regulated
      in this specific type of cancer, although their potential roles in PTC
      tumorigenesis have not been examined to date. A computational search revealed
      that miR-34a putatively binds to the 3'-UTR of GAS1 gene. In the present study,
      we confirmed previous findings that miR-34a is up-regulated and GAS1 down
      regulated in PTC tissues. Further studies indicated that GAS1 is directly
      targeted by miR-34a. Overexpression of miR-34a promoted PTC cell proliferation
      and colony formation and inhibited apoptosis, whereas knockdown of miR-34a showed
      the opposite effects. Silencing of GAS1 had similar growth-promoting effects as
      overexpression of miR-34a. Furthermore, miR-34a overexpression led to activation
      of PI3K/Akt/Bad signaling pathway in PTC cells, and depletion of Akt reversed the
      pro-growth, anti-apoptotic effects of miR-34a. Taken together, our results
      demonstrate that miR-34a regulates GAS1 expression to promote proliferation and
      suppress apoptosis in PTC cells via PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway. MiR-34a functions as an
      oncogene in PTC. 

PMID- 24220342
TI  - A new model of integrated primary-secondary care for complex diabetes in the
      community: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A new model of complex diabetes care is provided by a
      multidisciplinary team which incorporates general practitioner (GP) Clinical
      Fellows supported by an Endocrinologist and diabetes educator within a community
      based general practice setting. This study evaluates the health and clinical
      benefits of the new model of care, assesses the acceptability of the model to
      patients, GPs and other health professionals, and examines the cost-effectiveness
      of the model. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is an open, non-inferiority randomised
      controlled trial with data collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Participants
      are identified from new patients on hospital-based diabetes outpatient clinic
      waiting lists and new GP referrals. Eligible consenting patients are randomised
      to either a community practice site (intervention) or a hospital site (usual
      care). In the intervention model, medical care is led by a GP Clinical Fellow in
      partnership with an Endocrinologist. Quantitative measures include clinical
      indicators with HbA1c as the primary outcome; patient-reported outcomes include
      health-related quality of life, mental health and satisfaction with care.
      Qualitative methods will be used to explore the perspectives and experiences of
      patients and providers regarding the new model of care. An economic evaluation
      will also be undertaken. DISCUSSION: This model of care seeks to improve the
      quality and safety of healthcare at the interface between the hospital and
      primary care sectors for patients with complex diabetes. The study will provide
      empirical evidence about the impact of the model of care on health outcomes,
      patient and clinician satisfaction, as well as any economic impacts. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12612000380897.

PMID- 24220343
TI  - Permanent contact with females increases testosterone and improves fresh semen
      traits in pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) males.
AB  - Socio-sexual signals can stimulate neuroendocrinal control of reproduction. The
      aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that permanent and close contact with
      females stimulates testosterone production and enhances fresh seminal
      characteristics of pampas deer males. Five adult males (group CF) were
      established in a paddock in five breeding groups each comprising one stag and
      between five and ten hinds. Six adult males (group IS) were held in another
      paddock without any direct contact with females. Fecal testosterone
      concentrations were determined for each male, weekly, from October to May. Semen
      was collected by electro-ejaculation and evaluated before and after the addition
      of diluents [November: Fructose-Tris-Glycine with 20% egg yolk (FTG); April:
      Andromed]. Males in contact with females from mid-December to February exhibited
      significantly (P=0.04) greater concentrations of testosterone than those without.
      In November, CF males ejaculated semen of significantly (P=0.03) higher quality,
      with a significantly (P=0.02) greater proportion of progressive motile
      spermatozoa than IS males. After dilution with FTG, semen from the CF males had
      greater quality (P=0.04), a greater percentage of motile spermatozoa (P=0.04),
      spermatozoa with progressive motility (P=0.01), and spermatozoa with intact
      acrosomes (P=0.03). Semen from CF males also had lower fractions of spermatozoa
      with damaged acrosomes (P=0.04). In April, there were no significant differences
      in semen properties between the two groups. After the addition of extender, semen
      from CF males had a greater percentage of spermatozoa with damaged acrosomes
      (P=0.04). It is concluded that contact with females stimulates reproductive
      patterns of male pampas deer, resulting in better fresh semen characteristics
      before rutting and higher testosterone concentrations during the rut. 

PMID- 24220344
TI  - Integration of TiO2 into the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii during frustule
      synthesis.
AB  - Nature has inspired the design of complex hierarchical structures in the field of
      material science. Diatoms, unicellular algae with a hallmark intricate siliceous
      cell wall, have provided such a stimulus. Altering the chemistry of the diatom
      frustule has been explored to expand on the potential application of diatoms. The
      ability to modify the diatom in vivo opens the possibility to tailor the diatom
      to the end application. Herein, we report the chemical modification of the living
      diatom T. weissflogii using a titania precursor, titanium (IV) bis-(ammonium
      lactato)-dihydroxide (TiBALDH). Incorporation of Ti into the diatom is achieved
      via repeated treatment of cultures with non-toxic concentrations of TiBALDH. The
      characteristic architectural features of the diatom are unaltered following
      chemical modification. Transformation of the living diatom provides opportunity
      to confer novel structural, chemical or functional properties upon the diatom. We
      report on a photocatalytic ability imparted upon the TiBALDH-modified diatom. 

PMID- 24220345
TI  - Au nanoparticle-modified DNA sensor based on simultaneous electrochemical
      impedance spectroscopy and localized surface plasmon resonance.
AB  - Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and localized surface plasmon
      resonance (LSPR) were performed on the same Au nanoparticle (AuNP)-modified
      indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass surfaces. Cyclic voltammetry was applied to
      electrodeposit AuNPs on ITO surface directly. The surface plasmon band
      characterization of AuNPs was initially studied by controlling the
      electrodeposition conditions. It was found that the size of AuNP clusters was
      significantly affected by the applied potential and KCl concentration in
      solution. The dual-detection platform was applied to detect DNA hybridization
      related to a specific point mutation in apolipoprotein E gene (ApoE), which was
      related to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The preliminary results
      facilitate the development of a versatile biosensor that can be easily
      miniaturized and integrated into a high-throughput diagnostic device.

PMID- 24220346
TI  - A filter-like AuNPs@MS SERS substrate for Staphylococcus aureus detection.
AB  - An accurate, highly sensitive and rapid identification assay of cells is
      extremely important in areas such as medical diagnosis, biological research, and
      environmental monitoring. Laboratory examinations of clinical isolates require
      time-consuming and complex processes to identify the colony count, with
      approximately 10(6)-10(8) cells needed for the characterization of strains. In
      the present study, a highly sensitive SERS filter-like substrate is prepared with
      AuNPs embedded in mesoporous silica (denoted as AuNPs@MS) synthesized by a simple
      one-spot method, and an example of its use for the filtration and concentration
      of analytes from aqueous samples is reported. In an application for
      Staphylococcus aureus SERS discrimination, the results show that the target cells
      can be concentrated on the filter-like AuNPs@MS substrates within a few seconds,
      with much better reproducibility with regard to the SERS spectra that are
      obtained. The experimental findings suggest that the AuNPs@MS substrate supports
      much higher intensity with more distinguishable peaks compared to Au/Cr-coated
      substrate, and the reproducibility is also significantly improved. The substrates
      investigated in this study generated 900 times more SERS signals at a
      concentration of 10(6)CFU/mL in the detection of S. aureus on mesoporous silica
      (Au wt%=0) when using AuNPs@MS with 16 wt% AuNPs. The limitation of this filter
      like SERS substrate can be applicable for small volume samples (few to hundred
      microliter).

PMID- 24220347
TI  - Finite element analysis of equine incisor teeth. Part 1: determination of the
      material parameters of the periodontal ligament.
AB  - In equine dentistry, periodontal diseases are frequently found in aged horses.
      Excessive strains and stresses within the periodontal ligament (PDL) occurring
      during the masticatory cycle may be predisposing factors especially in old horses
      with short, worn teeth. The finite element (FE) analysis is a valuable tool to
      investigate such strains and stresses in biological materials but a precondition
      for a realistic and reliable FE analysis is accurate knowledge of material
      parameters. As no data exist concerning the PDL of equine incisor teeth, this
      study was undertaken to determine the equine specific, age related and load
      dependent Young's modulus of equine incisors. To determine the biomechanical
      behaviour of the PDL, the incisor jaw-regions of horses of different ages were
      sectioned into 5mm thick slice samples and the incisors experimentally intruded
      (i.e. axially displaced into the alveolus) while recording the load-displacement
      relationship. Based on high resolution micro-computer tomography (MUCT)-datasets,
      reliable and detailed 3-dimensional models of the slice samples were constructed
      focusing on precisely modelling the anatomy of the PDL. FE calculations were then
      performed and set-actual comparisons of the FE results with the experimentally
      measured displacements enabled the Young's modulus of the PDL to be determined.
      The results of this study reflect the typical non-linear behaviour of the
      collagen fibres of the PDL and present a high load dependency of the PDL's
      Young's modulus. Further investigations calculating the strains and stresses
      within the periodontal ligament, teeth and surrounding bone of the entire rostral
      aspect of the jaw are warranted. 

PMID- 24220348
TI  - The legacy of sexually transmitted disease research: lessons from Guatemala and
      Dr. Thomas Parran: the American STD Association Distinguished Career Award
      Lecture.

PMID- 24220349
TI  - Scale-up and case-finding effectiveness of an HIV partner services program in
      Cameroon: an innovative HIV prevention intervention for developing countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Partner services (PSs) are a long-standing component of HIV control
      programs in the United States and some parts of Europe. Small randomized trials
      suggest that HIV PS can be effective in identifying persons with undiagnosed HIV
      infection. However, the scalability and effectiveness of HIV PS in low-income
      countries are unknown. METHODS: We used data collected from 2009 to 2010 through
      a large HIV PS program in Cameroon to evaluate HIV PS in a developing country.
      HIV-positive index cases diagnosed in antenatal care, voluntary counseling and
      testing, and inpatient facilities were interviewed to collect information on
      their sexual partners. Partners were contacted via telephone or home visit to
      notify, test, and enroll those found to be HIV positive in medical care. RESULTS:
      Health advisors interviewed 1462 persons with HIV infection during the evaluation
      period; these persons provided information about 1607 sexual partners. Health
      advisors notified 1347 (83.8%) of these partners, of whom 900 (66.8%) were HIV
      tested. Of partners tested, 451 (50.1%) were HIV positive, of whom 386 (85.6%)
      enrolled into HIV medical care. An average 3.2 index cases needed to be
      interviewed to identify 1 HIV case. CONCLUSIONS: HIV PS can be successfully
      implemented in a developing country and is highly effective in identifying
      persons with HIV infection and linking them to care.

PMID- 24220351
TI  - Criteria for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis in cerebrospinal fluid: relationships
      with intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier
      dysfunction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The origin of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) syphilis antibodies
      (intrathecal or blood-derived) is in doubt. Little is known about CSF test
      behavior under the condition of physiological or disturbed functioning of blood
      CSF barrier (BCB) and intrathecal immunoglobulin (Ig) production. METHODS: We
      collected 126 serum/CSF pairs from patients with serological evidence of
      syphilis. We explored the relationships between the established facts of
      intrathecal Ig synthesis and/or BCB dysfunction and the results of CSF diagnostic
      tests: the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) test, the fluorescent
      treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-Abs) test, the Venereal Disease Research
      Laboratory (VDRL) test, and white blood cell counts. We checked the criteria used
      either to support or refute the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. RESULTS: Reactive CSF
      VDRL tests, elevated CSF-white blood cell counts, and elevated CSF-TPHA
      titers/indices were associated with the signs of intrathecal Ig synthesis,
      whereas nonreactive CSF-fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption, nonreactive
      CSF-TPHA tests, and CSF-TPHA titers from 1:4 to 1:160 were associated with cases
      where the intrathecal synthesis was not detected. There were some peculiarities
      of the tests toward BCB dysfunction.Most of reactive CSF-VDRL test samples and
      CSF samples with pleocytosis were also meeting at least 1 of the CSF-TPHA
      titer/indices-based criteria. T. pallidum hemagglutination indices were in no
      better conformity with the facts of intrathecal immune response than CSF-TPHA
      titers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have shown that all the examined criteria for
      the diagnosis of neurosyphilis in CSF are different assessment tools of
      intrathecal humoral immune activity and support the hypothesis that high CSF
      treponemal-specific antibody titers are a consequence of inflammatory pathology
      of the central nervous system.

PMID- 24220350
TI  - HIV partner notification: possible and essential.

PMID- 24220352
TI  - Etiology of genital ulcer disease and association with HIV infection in Malawi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends the use of syndromic
      management for patients presenting with genital ulcer disease (GUD) in developing
      countries. However, effective treatment guidelines depend on a current country
      specific GUD etiological profile, which may change over time. METHODS: From 2004
      to 2006, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from patients
      presenting with GUD at a reference STI clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. Participants
      were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of acyclovir added to syndromic
      management and followed up for up to 28 days. Serologies for HIV (using parallel
      rapid tests), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2; using Focus HerpeSelect IgG2
      ELISA [Focus Technologies, Cypress Hill, CA]), and syphilis (rapid plasma reagin
      confirmed by Treponema pallidum hemagglutination) were determined, with plasma
      HIV-1 RNA and CD4 count in HIV-positive patients. Genital ulcer disease etiology
      was determined by real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction from lesional
      swabs. RESULTS: A total of 422 patients with GUD (313 men; 74%) were enrolled.
      Overall seroprevalence of HIV-1, HSV-2, and syphilis were 61%, 72%, and 5%,
      respectively. Ulcer etiology was available for 398 patients and showed the
      following: HSV-2, 67%; Haemophilus ducreyi, 15%; T. pallidum, 6%; lymphogranuloma
      venereum, 6%; mixed infections, 14%, and no etiology, 20%. Most HSV-2 ulcers were
      recurrent (75%). Among all patients with HSV-2, HIV prevalence was high (67%) and
      HIV seroprevalence was higher among patients with recurrent HSV-2 compared with
      patients with first-episode HSV-2 (78% vs. 39%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Herpes
      simplex virus type 2 ulcers are highly prevalent in this symptomatic population
      and strongly associated with HIV. Unlike most locations in sub-Saharan Africa, H.
      ducreyi remains prevalent in this population and requires periodic monitoring and
      an appropriate treatment regimen.

PMID- 24220353
TI  - Fast-track services for all? The preferences of Chinese-, Korean-, and Thai
      speaking women attending a sexual health service.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) Xpress clinic has significantly
      reduced the length of stay and waiting time for clients at SSHC but is currently
      only available to clients who can read and understand a high level of English.
      This reduces access for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) clients.
      This study sought to determine the acceptability of 4 proposed components of an
      express clinic model among CALD clients: computer-assisted self-interview (CASI),
      self-collection of swabs/urine specimens, not having a physical examination, and
      consultation with a health promotion officer rather than with a clinician.
      Differences in acceptability based on language group, new or return client
      status, sex worker status, clinic visited status, and age were analyzed. METHODS:
      A cross-sectional, anonymous questionnaire was offered to all female Chinese,
      Thai, and Korean clients attending SSHC between March and November 2012.
      Multivariate regression and Pearson chi statistical analyses were conducted using
      STATA 12 software. RESULTS: A total of 366 questionnaires were returned from 149
      Thai, 145 Chinese, and 72 Korean participants. After multivariate analysis, the
      only predictor of willingness to use an express model of service provision was
      language group: overall, 67% Thai (odds ratio, 3.74: confidence interval [CI],
      2.03-6.89; P < 0.01) and 64% Korean (odds ratio, 3.58; CI, 1.77-7.25, P < 0.01)
      said that they would use it compared with 35% Chinese. Age, history of sex work,
      new or returning clients, and general or language clinic attendance did not
      impact on choices. Within the preference for individual components of the model,
      more Thai women were happy with using a health promotion officer (43.2%) than
      Chinese (14.1%) or Korean (8.5%) (P < 0.001); no groups were happy with
      forfeiting a physical examination; Thai (48.6%) and Korean (40.9%) were happier
      with self-swabbing than Chinese women (23.9%, P < 0.001); and more Thai were
      happy to use a CASI (44.2%) than Chinese (12%) or Korean (11.1%; P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: This research shows that the components of an express model used at
      SSHC are not favorable to our CALD client base. Despite a CALD express clinic
      having the potential to reduce waiting times, most clients did not favor reduced
      waiting time over being physically examined or using a CASI.

PMID- 24220354
TI  - Sex networking of young men who have sex with men in densely connected saunas in
      Hong Kong.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some men who have sex with men (MSM) meet and have sex with male
      partners at gay saunas, the connections between which are little explored for
      designing HIV prevention measures. This study aims to describe the network
      configuration of gay saunas and explore its relationship with risk behavior of
      MSM in the respective sauna communities, in the city of Hong Kong. METHODS: Using
      venue-based sampling, 205 MSM were recruited in 8 saunas in July 2011 for a cross
      sectional anonymous questionnaire survey. A network of saunas was constructed
      based on the proportion of clients shared between them. Core saunas with higher
      intensity of linkages were delineated from core-periphery analysis. Men who have
      sex with men in core saunas were compared with those in peripheral ones in terms
      of their demographics and risk behavioral profiles. RESULTS: Eight core saunas
      were differentiated from a highly connected sauna network, consisting of 13
      saunas with a diameter of 2. Men who have sex with men visiting core saunas were
      more likely to be younger and users of the Internet for sex networking (odds
      ratio, 5.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.84-16.01). On average, they visited 1.7
      saunas and had 2.6 sauna partners over a 1-month period, which were both
      significantly higher than those for MSM in peripheral saunas. However, there was
      no association between having unprotected anal sex and visiting core saunas.
      Sauna affiliation patterns were age dependent and geographically related.
      CONCLUSIONS: Saunas were not homogeneously connected with each other.
      Prioritization may be considered so that public health interventions can be
      targeted at saunas in denser networks. An assortative mixing in age among MSM in
      sauna community informs planning for client-specific venue-based prevention
      programs.

PMID- 24220355
TI  - Use of the dye stain assay and ultraviolet light test for assessing vaginal
      insertion of placebo-filled applicators before and after sex.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Applicator dye staining and ultraviolet (UV) light have been used in
      trials to measure adherence, but not in the setting of before and after sex gel
      dosing (BAT-24). This study was designed to determine if semen or presex gel
      dosing impacts the sensitivity and specificity of a dye stain assay (DSA) for
      measuring vaginal insertion of placebo-filled applicators with BAT-24 dosing.
      METHODS: Healthy monogamous couples received Microlax-type applicators (Tectubes,
      Astorp, Sweden) filled with hydroxyethylcelluose placebo gel. Women were
      instructed to vaginally insert 1 dose of gel before and a second dose after sex
      and to return applicators within 48 hours after sex. Applicators were stained to
      detect semen, followed by UV then DSA, and scored by 2 readers. Positive and
      negative controls were randomly included in applicator batches. RESULTS: Fifteen
      couples completed the study. Each woman returned at least 6 applicators over a 30
      day period. The sensitivity for insertion of postsex applicators was higher for
      UV (97%) compared with DSA (90%), and the specificity was similar (>=96%). For
      presex applicators, the sensitivity and specificity were higher for DSA (100%)
      compared with UV testing (87% sensitivity, 96% specificity). Among returned
      postsex applicators, 95% tested positive by UV compared with 87% by DSA.
      Agreement between readers was significantly better on the presex applicators for
      DSA than for UV, and for postsex readings, agreement was less than half that for
      UV, although the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS:
      Applicator tests are feasible for measuring adherence in trials with gel dosing
      before and after sex.

PMID- 24220356
TI  - Bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria in men: association of
      Leptotrichia/Sneathia spp. with nongonococcal urethritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 45% of nongonococcal urethritis cases have no
      identified etiology. Novel bacteria recently associated with bacterial vaginosis
      (BV) in women may be involved. We evaluated the association of idiopathic
      nongonococcal urethritis and 5 newly described BV-associated bacteria (BVAB).
      METHODS: Heterosexual men 16 years or older attending a sexually transmitted
      disease clinic in Seattle, Washington, from May 2007 to July 2011 and negative
      for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis,
      Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum-biovar2 were eligible. Cases
      had urethral discharge or 5 or more polymorphonuclear leukocytes per high-power
      field in urethral exudates. Controls had no urethral discharge and less than 5
      polymorphonuclear leukocytes per high-power field. Urine was tested for Atopobium
      spp., BVAB-2, BVAB-3, Megasphaera spp., and Leptotrichia/Sneathia spp. using
      quantitative taxon-directed polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Cases (n = 157)
      and controls (n = 102) were of similar age, education, and income, and most were
      white. Leptotrichia/Sneathia spp. was significantly associated with urethritis
      (24/157 [15.3%] vs. 6/102 [5.9%], P = 0.03). BVAB-2 was more common in cases than
      in controls (7/157 [4.5%] vs. 1/102 [1.0%], P = 0.15), and BVAB-3 (n = 2) and
      Megasphaera spp. (n = 1) were only detected in men with urethritis, but these
      bacteria were found only in men who also had Leptotrichia/Sneathia spp. Atopobium
      spp. was not associated with urethritis. The quantity of bacteria did not differ
      between cases and controls. Among treated cases, doxycycline was more effective
      than azithromycin for clinical cure of men with Leptotrichia/Sneathia spp. (9/10
      vs. 7/12, P = 0.16) and BVAB-2 (3/3 vs. 0/3, P = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS:
      Leptotrichia/Sneathia spp. may be urethral pathogens or contribute to a
      pathogenic microbiota that can also include BVAB-2, BVAB-3, and Megasphaera spp.
      Doxycycline may be more effective than azithromycin against these newly
      identified bacteria.

PMID- 24220357
TI  - Evaluation of 3 approaches for assessing adherence to vaginal gel application in
      clinical trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate measurement of adherence to product use is an ongoing
      challenge in microbicide trials. METHODS: We compared adherence estimates using 2
      applicator tests (a dye stain assay [DSA] and an ultraviolet light assay [UVA]),
      the Wisebag (an applicator container that electronically tracks container
      openings), and self-reported adherence (ability, frequency, and percent missed
      doses). Healthy, HIV-negative, nonpregnant US women aged 23 to 45 years received
      a Wisebag and 32 applicators filled with placebo gel were instructed to insert 1
      applicator daily for 30 days, returned the Wisebag and all applicators, and
      completed an exit interview. Emptied applicators were tested by UVA and then DSA,
      and scored by 2 blinded readers. Positive and negative controls were randomly
      included in applicator batches. RESULTS: Among 42 women enrolled, 39 completed
      the study. Both DSA and UVA yielded similar sensitivity (97% and 95%) and
      specificity (79% and 79%). Two participants had fully inoperable Wisebags, and 9
      had partially inoperable Wisebags. The proportion of participants considered to
      have high adherence (>=80%) varied: 43% (Wisebag), 46% (UVA), 49% (DSA), and 62%
      to 82% (self-reports). For estimating high adherence, Wisebag had a sensitivity
      of 76% (95% confidence interval, 50%-93%) and a specificity of 85% (95%
      confidence interval, 62%-97%) compared with DSA. Although 28% of participants
      reported forgetting to open the Wisebag daily, 59% said that it helped them
      remember gel use. CONCLUSIONS: Dye stain assay and UVA performed similarly.
      Compared with these tests, self-reports overestimated and Wisebag underestimated
      adherence. Although Wisebag may encourage gel use, the applicator tests currently
      seem more useful for measuring use in clinical trials.

PMID- 24220358
TI  - Characteristics and risk of syphilis diagnosis among HIV-infected male cohort: a
      population-based study in Houston, Texas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This population-based study assessed the characteristics, timing, and
      risk of syphilis diagnoses among HIV-infected males in Houston, Texas. METHODS: A
      retrospective cohort of males newly diagnosed as having HIV between January 2000
      and December 2002 was constructed using HIV surveillance data. These individuals
      were cross-referenced to sexually transmitted disease surveillance data to
      ascertain early syphilis diagnoses for the subsequent 10 years. Multivariable Cox
      regression was used to identify risk factors for syphilis diagnosis while
      controlling for the effects of covariates. RESULTS: Approximately 6% of the HIV
      infected male cohort received early syphilis diagnoses during a 10-year period.
      Of these comorbid individuals, 40.8% received an incident syphilis diagnosis 5
      years or more after their HIV diagnosis. Men who have sex with men (MSM)
      transmission risk was associated with significantly increased hazard of having a
      syphilis diagnosis in multivariable analysis (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] of a
      syphilis diagnosis, 5.24; 95% confidence interval, 3.41-8.05). Compared with men
      who were older than 40 years at HIV diagnosis, those 13 to 19 years old were 4.06
      (2.18-7.55) times more likely to obtain a syphilis diagnosis. The HRs of having
      an HIV-syphilis comorbidity decreased as age increased. Compared with whites, non
      Hispanic African Americans had 1.59 (1.11-2.26) times increased risk of having a
      subsequent syphilis diagnosis. Risk-stratified HRs showed that MSM had an
      increased risk of contracting syphilis in all race/ethnicity and age groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that HIV-positive African Americans, youth, and
      MSM had increased risk of having a subsequent syphilis diagnosis. Targeting these
      groups with STI prevention messaging may be beneficial to reducing comorbidity.

PMID- 24220359
TI  - Are wives of gay men becoming the next target of HIV infection in China?

PMID- 24220360
TI  - Evidence of higher levels of testosterone during the velvet period in muntjac
      than in other cervids.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that despite having a clear seasonal fluctuation in
      fecal testosterone concentration, the significantly lower testosterone levels
      found in velvet stags of the nonseasonal breeder muntjac (Muntiacus sp.)
      apparently did not stop their spermatogenesis as in other deer species. In the
      present study, in vitro cultivated Leydig cells isolated from adult stags of
      three native deer species of Taiwan were treated with androstenedione, with or
      without adding human chorionic gonadotropin. Results showed that, unlike the two
      seasonal breeders, sika deer (Cervus nippon) and sambar deer (Rusa unicolor),
      Leydig cells of velvet muntjac had no dramatic reduction in or even maintained
      the full capability of their testosterone productivity compared with the hard
      antlered stage. The decrease in fecal testosterone level observed earlier in
      muntjac during the velvet period was probably due to a reduction of number of
      Leydig cells. These results support the hypothesis that testosterone production
      in muntjac during its velvet period might never be low enough to trigger the
      quiescent phase of the reproduction cycle.

PMID- 24220361
TI  - The new system of shorter porcine oocyte in vitro maturation (18 hours) using >=8
      mm follicles derived from cumulus-oocyte complexes.
AB  - Despite recent efforts to improve in vitro maturation (IVM) systems for porcine
      oocytes, developmental competence of in vitro-matured oocytes is still suboptimal
      compared with those matured in vivo. In this study, we compared oocytes obtained
      from large (>=8 mm; LF) and medium (3-7 mm; MF) sized follicles in terms of
      nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione and reactive oxygen species levels,
      gene expression, and embryo developmental competence after IVM. In the control
      group, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from MF and matured for 22
      hours with hormones and subsequently matured for 18 to 20 hours without hormones
      at 39  degrees C, 5% CO2 in vitro. In the LF group, COCs were obtained from
      follicles larger than 8 mm and were subjected to IVM for only 18 hours. The
      ovaries have LF were averagely obtained with 1.7% per day during 2012 and it was
      significantly higher in the winter season. The results of the nuclear stage
      assessment of the COCs from the LFs are as follows: before IVM (0 hours);
      germinal vesicle stage (15.2%), metaphase I (MI) stage (55.4%), anaphase and
      telophase I stages (15.8%), and metaphase II (MII) stage (13.6%). After 6 hours
      IVM; germinal vesicle (4.2%), MI (43.6%), anaphase and telophase I (9.4%), and
      MII (42.8%). After 18-hour IVM; MI (9.7%) and MII (90.3%). Oocytes from LF showed
      a significant (P < 0.001) increase in intracellular glutathione (1.41 vs. 1.00)
      and decrease in reactive oxygen species (0.8 vs. 1.0) levels compared with the
      control. The cumulus cells derived from LFs showed lower (P < 0.1) mRNA
      expression of COX-2 and TNFAIP6, and higher (P < 0.1) mRNA expression of PCNA and
      Nrf2 compared with the control group-derived cumulus cells. After parthenogenetic
      activation, in vitro fertilization and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) using
      matured oocytes from LFs, the embryo development was significantly improved
      (greater blastocyst formation rates and total cell numbers in blastocysts)
      compared with the control group. In conclusion, oocytes from LFs require only 18
      hours to complete oocyte maturation in vitro and their developmental competence
      is significantly greater than those obtained from MFs. Although their numbers are
      limited, oocytes from LFs might offer an alternative source for the efficient
      production of transgenic pigs using SCNT.

PMID- 24220362
TI  - Characterization of follicle and CL development in beef heifers using high
      resolution three-dimensional ultrasonography.
AB  - The aim was to characterize dominant follicle (DF) and CL development through the
      estrous cycle of cattle using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography while making
      a comparison with conventional two-dimensional (2D) B-mode ultrasound (US) and to
      relate the measures taken to systemic concentrations of steroid hormones and
      gonadotropins. After synchronization of estrus, the ovaries of crossbred beef
      heifers (N = 5) were assessed using daily US with a GE Voluson i US scanner until
      the end of the first follicle wave, then every other day until emergence of the
      final (ovulatory) wave, when daily US resumed until ovulation. Follicle and CL
      growth were recorded and mapped. Measures of diameter (2D) and volume (3D) of the
      DF from the first and ovulatory waves of the cycles; and CL development were
      captured and stored for further analysis. Blood flow to the DF and CL were
      assessed using 3D power Doppler US measuring vascularization index (VI; %),
      vascularization flow index (0/100) and flow index (0/100). Jugular blood samples
      were collected every 24 hours for progesterone from the first estrus until the
      second ovulation. Concentrations of estradiol (E2) and follicle stimulating
      hormone (FSH) were measured every 8 hours from estrus to second follicle wave
      emergence; then, E2 only was measured from final follicle wave emergence until
      ovulation. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED and PROC REG in SAS. Dominant
      follicle blood flow tended to decrease during follicle wave emergence and DF VI
      increased (P < 0.05) 24 hours before ovulation after peak E2. Measures of the DF
      and CL volume (3D) were highly predictive of 2D diameter measures throughout the
      cycle (P < 0.0001). Predictive values (r(2)) for day of wave emergence and day
      from ovulation were similar for 2D and 3D measures; however, 2D measures had
      higher repeatability when compared with 3D measures. There was no relationship
      between CL VI and progesterone early in the cycle (r(2) = 0.12; P = 0.1);
      however, there was a strong positive relationship approaching ovulation (r(2) =
      0.77; P < 0.0001). In conclusion, 3D power Doppler measures of blood flow appears
      to be representative of vascular changes in the DF and CL throughout the estrous
      cycle. However, the extra time required to acquire and analyze a 3D image and the
      relatively little additional information obtained over that achievable with 2D
      imaging in terms of follicle and CL development might preclude its widespread use
      other than for detailed research purposes. 

PMID- 24220363
TI  - Progesterone exposure of seasonally anoestrous ewes alters the expression of
      angiogenic growth factors in preovulatory follicles.
AB  - Small-dose, multiple injections of GnRH given to seasonally anoestrous ewes
      induce final stages of the preovulatory follicle development, but result in an
      high incidence of defective CL unless animals are primed with progesterone, which
      completely eliminates luteal dysfunction. Progesterone priming upregulates luteal
      vascularization; however, its effect on follicular angiogenesis is poorly
      understood. This study tested the hypothesis that progesterone priming of
      seasonally anoestrous ewes treated with dose multiple injections of GnRH
      eliminates defective luteal function by altering the expression of vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-2, angiopoietin (ANG)-1, ANG-2,
      and TIE-2 during early and late preovulatory follicle development. Ten seasonally
      anoestrous ewes were given 20 mg of progesterone im 3 days before the start of
      GnRH treatment; 10 other animals served as controls. Intravenous injections of
      500 ng GnRH were given to all animals every 2 hours for 28 hours, followed at 30
      hours with a 300-MUg GnRH bolus injection to synchronize the preovulatory LH
      surge. Ovaries were collected at 24 and 46 hours after the start of GnRH
      treatment. Small (2-2.5 mm) and large (>2.5 mm) follicles were analyzed for
      protein and mRNA expression of the angiogenic factors using immunohistochemistry
      and in situ hybridization assays. Progesterone priming did not have an influence
      on angiogenic factor levels in small follicles. However, progesterone-primed
      animals showed significantly (P <= 0.05) higher levels of VEGF, VEGFR-2, ANG-1,
      and ANG-2 in large follicles compared with nonprimed ones. These data suggest
      that progesterone priming alters the expression of angiogenic factors in large
      preovulatory follicles, ensuring adequate luteal development and function. 

PMID- 24220364
TI  - The new era of scientific information systems change; or just a natural evolution
      in the works.

PMID- 24220365
TI  - Accuracy of upper jaw positioning with intermediate splint fabrication after
      virtual planning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.
AB  - The purpose of the study is to present and discuss a workflow regarding computer
      assisted surgical planning for bimaxillary surgery and intermediate splint
      fabrication. This study describes a protocol starting from wax bite registration
      to fabrication of the necessary intermediate splint. The procedure is a proof of
      concept to replace not only the model surgery but also facebow registration and
      transfer from facebow to articulator. Three different modalities were utilized to
      obtain this goal: cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), optical dental scanning,
      and 3-dimensional printing. A universal registration block was designed to
      register the optical scan of the wax bite to the CBCT data set. Integration of
      the wax bite avoided problems related to artifacts caused by dental fillings in
      the occlusal plane of the CBCT scan. Fifteen patients underwent bimaxillary
      orthognathic surgery. The printed intermediate splint was used during the
      operation for each patient. A postoperative CBCT scan was taken and registered to
      the preoperative CBCT scan. The difference between the planned and the actual
      bony surgical movement at the edge of the upper central incisor was 0.50 +/- 0.22
      mm in sagittal, 0.57 +/- 0.35 mm in vertical, and 0.38 +/- 0.35 mm in horizontal
      direction (midlines). There was no significant difference between the planned and
      the actual surgical movement in 3 dimensions: sagittal (P = 0.10), vertical (P =
      0.69), and horizontal (P = 0.83). In conclusion, under clinical circumstances,
      the accuracy of the designed intermediate splint satisfied the requirements for
      bimaxillary surgery. 

PMID- 24220366
TI  - Comparison of orbital volume obtained by tomography and rapid prototyping.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aims to compare orbital volume obtained by helical tomography
      and rapid prototyping. METHODS: The study sample was composed of 6 helical
      tomography scans. Eleven healthy orbits were identified to have their volumes
      measured. The volumetric analysis with the helical tomography utilized the same
      protocol developed by the Plastic Surgery Unit of the Federal University of
      Parana. From the CT images, 11 prototypes were created, and their respective
      volumes were analyzed in 2 ways: using software by SolidWorks and by direct
      analysis, when the prototype was filled with saline solution. For statistical
      analysis, the results of the volumes of the 11 orbits were considered
      independent. RESULTS: The average orbital volume measurements obtained by the
      method of Ono et al was 20.51 cm, the average obtained by the SolidWorks program
      was 20.64 cm, and the average measured using the prototype method was 21.81 cm.
      The 3 methods demonstrated a strong correlation between the measurements. The
      right and left orbits of each patient had similar volumes. CONCLUSIONS: The
      tomographic method for the analysis of orbital volume using the Ono protocol
      yielded consistent values, and by combining this method with rapid prototyping,
      both reliability validations of results were enhanced.

PMID- 24220367
TI  - Rainbow graft: a technique for the replacement of the lower lateral cartilages,
      improvement of tip projection, and correction of external nasal valve
      dysfunction.
AB  - Revision rhinoplasties are extremely difficult to perform even for the surgeons
      mastering nasal surgery. In fact, they must be skilled at adapting surgical
      strategies to the anatomical changes induced by primary rhinoplasty.We herein
      describe an original technique using an auricular cartilage graft after 6
      revision rhinoplasties.The aforementioned graft succeeded in improving tip
      support, correct external nasal valve dysfunction and alar pinch, and providing
      tip definition, projection, and ptosis.In our opinion, rainbow graft is a safe
      approach in case of severe nasal structural deficiencies, improving both the
      functional and esthetic results in revision rhinoplasties. 

PMID- 24220368
TI  - Augmented corticotomy-assisted presurgical orthodontics of class III
      malocclusions: a cephalometric and cone-beam computed tomography study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate mandibular incisor
      decompensation and the surrounding periodontal status with augmented corticotomy
      assisted presurgical orthodontics of class III patients. METHODS: Fifty-six
      surgical class III patients were enrolled in this study, 26 of whom chose
      augmented corticotomy-assisted presurgical orthodontics (G1), and 30 chose
      conventional procedures (G2). Cone-beam computed tomography images and lateral
      cephalograms were obtained from each patient before and after presurgical
      orthodontics. Measurements of variables were compared using Student t tests and
      separate variance estimation t tests. RESULTS: The amount of mandibular incisor
      decompensation and the increase in labial alveolar bone thickness in G1 were
      greater than those in G2 during presurgical orthodontics (P < 0.001), however,
      root resorption (P < 0.001), the decrease in lingual alveolar bone thickness (P <
      0.001), and vertical alveolar bone loss on both labial (P < 0.05) and lingual
      sides (P < 0.001) were less in G1 than in G2. CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient mandibular
      incisor decompensation and better periodontal preservation were achieved with
      augmented corticotomy-assisted presurgical orthodontics for class III patients
      compared with traditional procedures.

PMID- 24220369
TI  - Fractures of the pediatric zygoma: a review of the clinical trends, management
      strategies, and outcomes associated with zygomatic fractures in children.
AB  - Fractures of the pediatric zygoma are uncommon and are often associated with high
      impact trauma, as evidenced by the relatively increased prevalence of concomitant
      injuries observed in these patients. Despite advances in the prevention,
      diagnosis, and management of pediatric craniofacial injuries, data regarding
      zygomatic fractures in children remain poorly established. The diagnosis of
      zygomatic disruption is more difficult in children and requires the maintenance
      of a high index of suspicion on behalf of the surgeon. Early recognition and
      implementation of appropriate therapy are critical and depend on the acquisition
      of a thorough history and physical examination as well as the accurate
      interpretation of computed tomographic imaging. Options for management depend on
      fracture severity and can range from observation or closed reduction in
      nondisplaced or only minimally displaced fractures, to open reduction and
      internal fixation in fractures that are comminuted or severely displaced.
      Currently, there is a lack of level I evidence evaluating the long-term
      consequences associated with pediatric zygomatic fractures and their management.
      A review of the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and management
      of pediatric zygomatic fractures is essential for optimizing function and
      aesthetic outcomes in children who sustain these injuries. 

PMID- 24220370
TI  - The impact of a parent liaison at a major craniofacial center.
AB  - The psychosocial impact of craniofacial disfigurement affects both the developing
      child and his/her family. The Facial Reconstruction Center at the Children's
      Hospital of Philadelphia has employed a Parent Liaison (PL) to provide
      psychosocial support to families and has been an invaluable resource in this
      regard. We hypothesize that a PL impacts the overall outcome of the surgery by
      building trust between the parents and medical institution, and increasing
      satisfaction. An anonymous satisfaction survey was sent to families of
      craniofacial patients treated between January 1976 and June 2012. All patients
      who had undergone at least 1 craniofacial procedure had addresses on file and
      were included in this study. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann
      Whitney U test.During the study, 441 surveys were mailed to families meeting the
      inclusion criteria. A total of 151 families returned completed surveys (34.2%),
      and 121 surveys were included for analysis (27.4%). In rating overall
      satisfaction, families who met with the PL had statistically higher scores than
      those who had not (P = 0.0011). Parents who met with the PL preoperatively
      reported greater satisfaction in time spent answering questions (P = 0.0029) and
      the perception that questions were adequately answered (P = 0.0039). No
      statistical difference was observed in postoperative preparedness between
      families that did and did not meet the PL. The results demonstrate that the PL is
      beneficial in the education, experience, and satisfaction of families treated at
      a large Craniofacial Center. The PL complements the surgeon's treatment of the
      physical by adding psychosocial support. 

PMID- 24220371
TI  - Scintigraphic and histopathologic evaluation of combined bone grafts.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess various bone grafts on bone formation using bone
      scintigraphy and histology, especially the first study that evaluated the
      demineralized bone matrix (DBM) + tricalcium phosphate (TCP) + hyaluronic acid
      (HA) combination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 44 pieces in groups of
      autogenous bone graft, TCP, DBM, DBM + TCP combination, and DBM + TCP + HA
      combination were applied to parietal bones of 24 New Zealand rabbits. Bone
      scintigraphies of the rabbits were performed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks. The uptake
      ratios were compared for the different types of grafts. In addition, in 2, 6, and
      12 weeks, the graft areas were taken from the sacrificed rabbits and examined
      histologically. RESULTS: In the 2-week evaluation, DBM + TCP combination and DBM
      + TCP + HA combination had more osteoblastic activity accumulation than the TCP
      and DBM groups. These findings supported that the DBM + TCP combination group
      showed new bone formation earlier in the histopathological evaluation. The DBM +
      TCP + HA combination had more uptake than the TCP and DBM groups on bone
      scintigraphy at 2 weeks, and this uptake ratio decreased in the following weeks.
      It was thought that the increased uptake in DBM + TCP + HA combination at 2 weeks
      was due to severe inflammation seen in the histopathological evaluation.
      CONCLUSION: The DBM + TCP + HA combination should not be used for graft repair,
      although it was thought to be a good combination in the early weeks.

PMID- 24220372
TI  - Is there an effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on oxidative stress and
      inflammatory parameters in patients with craniofacial anomalies?
AB  - The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that obstructive sleep apnea
      syndrome (OSAS) exhibits oxidative stress and inflammation in patients who have a
      congenital, craniofacial anomaly.This prospective, cross-sectional cohort study
      included ambulant sleep study data to asses OSAS in patients with syndromic
      craniosynostosis and Treacher Collins syndrome. Laboratory analyses were
      performed including malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha),
      interleukin 6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.Forty-eight patients were
      included; 11 were adults; 37 were children. The patients' body mass indexes were
      normal, with a median (SD) of 0.7 (-1.82 to 2.48) in children and 20.5 (15.2
      29.4) in adults. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was diagnosed in 23 of 48
      patients. It was mild (median obstructive apnea-hypopnea index [oAHI], 2.3;
      oxygenation-desaturation index [ODI], 0.9) in 16 patients and moderate/severe in
      7 patients (median oAHI, 10.8; ODI, 5.0). Neither oxidative stress nor
      inflammation had a correlation with the oAHI and ODI. Only TNF-alpha was found
      significantly higher in both the OSAS and non-OSAS groups compared with the
      reference values (median, 15.1 pg/mL and 12.3 pg/mL versus 4.05 [0.0-8.1 pg/mL],
      P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).Based on our findings we conclude that
      (mainly mild) OSAS, oxidative stress, as well as high-sensitivity C-reactive
      protein and interleukin 6 levels are not abnormal in the day time in a population
      of nonobese patients with a craniofacial anomaly. The increased level of TNF
      alpha cannot be explained by OSAS. Future research should focus on mapping
      chronobiologic changes for further interpretation of the results. 

PMID- 24220373
TI  - Prefabricated bone flap: an experimental study comparing deep-frozen and
      lyophilized-demineralized allogenic bones and tissue expression of transforming
      growth factor beta.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extensive bone defects are still a challenge for reconstructive
      surgery. Allogenic bones can be an alternative with no donor area morbidity and
      unlimited amount of tissue. Better results can be achieved after allogenic bone
      preparation and adding a vascular supply, which can be done along with flap
      prefabrication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate
      demineralized/lyophilized and deep-frozen allogenic bones used for flap
      prefabrication and the tissue expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF
      beta) in these bone fragments. METHODS: Fifty-six Wistar rat bone diaphyses were
      prepared and distributed in 4 groups: demineralized/lyophilized (experimental
      group 1 and control group 2) and deep freezing (experimental group 3 and control
      group 4). Two bone segments (one of each group) were implanted in rats to
      prefabricate flaps using superficial epigastric vessels (experimental groups) or
      only transferred as grafts (control groups). These fragments remained in their
      respective inguinal regions until the death that occurred at 2, 4, and 6 weeks
      after the operation. Semiquantitative histologic (tetracycline marking, cortical
      resorption, number of giant cells, and vascularization) and histomorphometrical
      quantitative (osteoid thickness, cortical thickness, and fibrosis thickness)
      analyses were performed. Transforming growth factor beta immunohistochemistry
      staining was also performed. RESULTS: Group 1 fragments presented an osteoid
      matrix on their external surface in all periods. Cartilage formation and
      mineralization areas were also noticed. These findings were not observed in group
      3 fragments. Group 1 had more mineralization and double tetracycline marks, which
      were almost not seen in group 3. Cortical resorption and the number of giant
      cells were greater in group 3 in all periods. Vascularization and fibrosis
      thickness were similar in both experimental groups. Group 1 had more intense TGF
      beta staining within 2 weeks of study. Nevertheless, from 4 weeks onward, group 3
      presented statistically significant stronger staining. CONCLUSIONS: Although
      there are some differences between the preparation methods of allogenic bone, it
      is possible to prefabricate flaps with demineralized/lyophilized and deep-frozen
      bones.

PMID- 24220374
TI  - Facial fractures of the upper craniofacial skeleton predict mortality and occult
      intracranial injury after blunt trauma: an analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this article was to assess how regional facial fracture
      patterns predict mortality and occult intracranial injury after blunt trauma.
      METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed for blunt-mechanism
      craniofacial fracture patients who presented to an urban trauma center from 1998
      to 2010. Fractures were confirmed by author review of computed tomographic
      imaging and then grouped into 1 of 5 patterns of regional involvement
      representing all possible permutations of facial-third injury. Mortality and the
      presence of occult intracranial injury, defined as those occurring in patients at
      low risk at presentation for head injury by Canadian CT Head Rule criteria, were
      evaluated. Relative risk estimates were obtained using multivariable regression.
      RESULTS: Of 4540 patients identified, 338 (7.4%) died, and 171 (8.1%) had
      intracranial injury despite normal Glasgow Coma Scale at presentation. Cumulative
      mortality reached 18.8% for isolated upper face fractures, compared with 6.9% and
      4.0% for middle and lower face fractures (P < 0.001), respectively. Upper face
      fractures were independently associated with 4.06-, 3.46-, and 3.59-fold
      increased risk of death for the following fracture patterns: isolated upper,
      combined upper, panfacial, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients who were at low
      risk for head injury remained 4 to 6 times more likely to suffer an occult
      intracranial injury if they had involvement of the upper face. CONCLUSIONS: The
      association between facial fractures, intracranial injury, and death varies by
      regional involvement, with increasing insult in those with upper face fractures.
      Cognizance of the increased risk for intracranial injury in patients with upper
      face fractures may supplement existing triage tools and should increase suspicion
      for underlying or impending neuropathology, regardless of clinical picture at
      presentation.

PMID- 24220375
TI  - Silk fibroin and 4-hexylresorcinol incorporation membrane for guided bone
      regeneration.
AB  - The objective of this study was to demonstrate that a silk fibroin (SF) and 4
      hexylresorcinol (4-HR) incorporation membrane could be used for a guided bone
      regeneration technique. Fourier transform infrared measurements were obtained to
      determine change of physical property of SF membrane by 4-HR incorporation. Two
      peri-implant defects, 3.0 * 5.0 mm (width * length), were prepared on the lateral
      side of the implant hole in the tibia of New Zealand white rabbits (n = 8). The
      peri-implant defect was left unfilled in the control group. Silk fibroin + 4-HR
      membrane was applied to the peri-implant defect in the experimental group. The 8
      animals were killed at 8 weeks after implantation. Subsequently, removal torque
      test and histomorphometric evaluation were done. Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy showed no specific chemical interaction between 4-HR and SF. In the
      histomorphometric analysis, the mean bone regeneration was 18.3 +/- 1.9 mm(2) in
      the experimental group and 9.3 +/- 0.9 mm(2) in the control group (P = 0.004). In
      conclusion, the SF and 4-HR incorporation membrane successfully regenerated bone
      in the rabbit tibia peri-implant bone defect model.

PMID- 24220376
TI  - The effect of duration of merocel in glove finger with tetracaine solution on
      septoplasty morbidity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to decrease the postseptoplasty morbidities depending on
      nasal packing by using Merocel within glove finger moistened with tetracaine
      0.25% solution. STUDY DESIGN: The study was designed as a randomized prospective
      study. SETTING: A university hospital in Turkey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our study
      consisted of 80 patients who underwent septoplasty. The Merocel nasal tampon
      within glove finger was inserted after surgery in the study group and removed
      after 24 or 48 hours. Merocel was moistened with tetracaine 0.25% solution after
      insertion into the nasal cavity and just before removal. The morbidities and
      normal breathing time were recorded and compared with those of the control group.
      RESULTS: The postseptoplasty morbidities were significantly decreased in the
      study group compared with those in the control group. The morbidities were also
      improved after removal of tampons after 24 hours compared with 48 hours. However,
      the normal breathing time was prolonged when the nasal tampons were removed after
      24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The glove finger provides comfortable removal of nasal
      packing. The Merocel tampons might be safely removed just after 24 hours
      postoperatively without any complication.

PMID- 24220377
TI  - Glass particle injury to the maxillofacial region.
AB  - A retrospective study was carried out wherein 10 patients with glass particle
      injury reporting to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery between
      January 2011 and March 2012 were included. Preoperative photographs and
      radiographs were done, and detailed surgical planning followed. Ninety percent of
      the patients were males with involvement of the right side of the face in 70% of
      the cases. The most common presenting symptom was patient sensation, which was
      the reason for availing delayed treatment in 70% of cases, followed by delayed or
      fibrotic healing (20%) and pain (10%). The diagnosis and planning were done based
      on computed tomographic scan (50% cases), plain radiographs (30%), needle as
      tactile aid (10%), and palpation (10%). Eighty percent of cases were
      diagnosed/presented late. The timely diagnosis of glass particle injuries
      requires a high degree of suspicion for the same. A systematic diagnosis and
      treatment planning for such injuries can minimize the morbidity and prevent such
      injuries from being overlooked at time of primary injury. 

PMID- 24220378
TI  - Juvenile idiopathic/rheumatoid arthritis and orthognatic surgery without
      mandibular osteotomies in the remittent phase.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Orthognathic treatment of patients with juvenile
      idiopathic/rheumatoid arthritis is still controversial. Mandibular procedures may
      result in relapse and further condylar resorption and pain. Maxillary osteotomies
      and genioplasty may be effective for the correction of malocclusion and for
      aesthetics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients with juvenile
      idiopathic/rheumatoid arthritis with severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
      involvement underwent orthognathic surgery with a simultaneous Le Fort I
      osteotomy and advancement genioplasty. The age of the patients at the time of
      surgery ranged between 17 and 29 years (mean, 21.75 years). The patients were
      under follow-up for a minimum of 8 months after surgery, and measurements were
      performed using Dolphin 3D imaging. RESULTS: All 5 patients have an improved
      occlusion and improved facial aesthetics. The mean mandible rotation advancement
      was 5.6 mm (range, 4 to 7 mm). The mean posteroanterior face height ratio (S-Go/N
      Me) after surgery was 63.9 (range, 62.9 to 65.8). No exacerbation of the juvenile
      rheumatoid arthritis was encountered as a result of the surgical procedure.
      CONCLUSIONS: Le Fort I osteotomy with impaction and advancement genioplasty are
      effective procedures for occlusal and aesthetic correction of juvenile
      idiopathic/rheumatoid patients. Mandibular procedures may evoke further condylar
      resorption with pain and functional impairment of the TMJ.

PMID- 24220379
TI  - Effect of changes in divine proportion on esthetic perception of smile in frontal
      view.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In orthognathic surgery, the surgeon is capable of creating new
      dimensions to the patient's face. Because a beautiful smile could be related to
      the divine proportion, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the
      changes in the perception of smile after approximating some components of smile
      to the divine proportion orthodontically or surgically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten
      20- to 25-year-old women with pleasant smiles and no obvious malocclusions
      participated in this study. Five standard photographs were taken from each
      participant in a posed smile, and the most natural one was selected and scanned
      into black and white pictures. Ten anthropometric landmarks were detected on each
      image and 10 ratios including Labial inferioris (Li)/right chelion (RCh)-right
      antegonion (RAgo), subnasale (Sn)-Li/left chelion (LCh)-left antegonion (LAgo),
      RCh-RAgo/labial superioris (Ls)-Li, LCh-LAgo/Ls-Li, Ch-Ch/Ls-Li,stomion (St)
      Sn/St-Li, the maxillary central incisor width/maxillary centralincisor height, Ls
      right cuspid (RCus)/RCh-RCus, Ls-left cuspid (LCus)/LCh-LCus, and LCus-RCus/Ch-Ch
      were measured on each picture. The numerators or denominators of the mentioned
      ratios were then changed in a way that mentioned the divine proportion (1/1.618)
      was approximated. All the 110 pictures were evaluated by 40 judges in 2 sessions
      using a visual analog scale. Intraclass correlation coefficient was also
      calculated (single measure, 0.644; F = 26.27; P < 0.001). The level of
      significance for this study was P = 0.05. The tests used to analyze the data were
      general linear model, the Friedman, and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: This study
      showed that LCus-RCus/Ch-Ch, Ls-Lcus/LCh-Lcus, and Ls-RCus/RCh-RCus (with mean
      scores of 64.2, 57.2, and 56.1, respectively) had the most positive effects on
      the esthetic perception of smile. However, RCh-RAgo/Ls-Li with a mean score of
      29.1 and LCh-LAgo/Ls-Li with a mean score of 24.5 had the mostnegative effects.
      There were significant differences among the variables with each other except for
      A0 to J0 and A6 to J6 (F = 450.6; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximating the
      ratio RCus-LCus/Ch-Ch to the divine proportion may definitely help in achieving a
      more pleasant smile. On the next level, altering the ratios Ls-LCus/LCh-LCus and
      Ls-RCus/RCh-RCus could also play a role in making a beautiful smile.

PMID- 24220380
TI  - Investigation of middle ear pressure changes during prone position under general
      anesthesia without using nitrous oxide.
AB  - PURPOSE: The effects of different body positions on the middle ear were reported
      in several studies, but there are no data about the effects on patients under
      general anesthesia. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of prone
      position on middle ear pressure (MEP) during general anesthesia without using
      nitrous oxide. METHODS: Twenty patients under general anesthesia during prone
      position were included in the study. The performed anesthesia method was the same
      for all patients. Remifentanil was used for analgesia instead of nitrous oxide.
      MEPs were measured 5 times with a middle ear analyzer: before induction (BI),
      after intubation (AI), after turned to the prone position (PP1), at the end of
      the prone position (PP2), and after returned to the supine position (SP).
      Duration of prone position was also recorded. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients were 11
      women and 9 men with a 49 +/- 13 mean age. BI-AI, AI-PP1, PP1-PP2, and PP2-SP
      comparisons of both MEPs were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Right mean
      MEPs were BI, -1 +/- 23 daPa; AI, 41 +/- 51 daPa; PP1, 124 +/- 76 daPa; PP2, 152
      +/- 59 daPa; and SP, 63 +/- 29 daPa; whereas left mean MEPs were BI, -24 +/- 55
      daPa; AI, 28 +/- 34 daPa; PP1, 132 +/- 67 daPa; PP2, 162 +/- 48 daPa; and SP, 70
      +/- 89 daPa. Significant increases were detected at the start and continuation of
      the prone position. The mean duration of prone position was 98 +/- 51 per minute.
      CONCLUSIONS: The significant MEP increases during the prone position under
      general anesthesia depend on a number of reasons. Among them are inhaler agents,
      pressure changes in mucosal blood vessels due to venous congestion, and the
      mastoid bone volume. Further researches are required to determine and explain the
      mechanisms of increase in MEP during prone position.

PMID- 24220381
TI  - Facial paralysis and mediastinitis due to odontogenic infection and poor
      prognosis.
AB  - Cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) is a rare, rapidly advancing infection that
      involves the skin, the subcutaneous fibrofatty tissue, as well as the superficial
      and deep fascia and can cause life-threatening complications. The most frequent
      initiating factors in the head and neck region are a primary odontogenic
      infection, a peritonsillar infection, as well as posttraumatic or iatrogenic skin
      and mucosal injuries. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) can expand within hours, and the
      reported mortality rate is up to 75% with delay interference. If the patients
      have any risk factors, poor prognosis can be seen. In this study, 1 patient with
      CNF with a history of peritonsillar infection and 2 patients with CNF who had a
      history of odontogenic infection with spreading to the temporal region and the
      mediastinum were described, with information of the literature and a clinical
      experience that was gained from 5 patients with NF who were seen at our clinic in
      the recent year, despite the fact that CNF was not seen up to last year. None of
      the patients had any risk factors. One of them had a worse clinical state with
      ascending infection to the temporal region, cranial nerve paralysis, and
      descending necrotizing mediastinitis, but he recovered from NF. After the oral
      intake began, dyspnea due to aspiration was seen and he died because of sepsis
      and multiorgan dysfunction. We aimed to attract attention to the importance of
      dental pathologies and increased mortality in a healthy patient. 

PMID- 24220382
TI  - Camel bite injury to the maxillofacial region: unusual cause and uncommon
      location.
AB  - Animal bite injuries are prevalent worldwide, but the causative animal and the
      spectrum of injuries are dependent on the kind of animals cohabitating with the
      human population. Camel bites as a cause are relatively rare. Camels are
      particularly aggressive, especially during the mating season, when conflicts
      between the males occasionally lead to dangerous fights resulting in the death of
      one or both of the combatants. We present a case of camel bite injury to the
      maxillofacial region inducing an uncommon fracture and the management of both
      soft and hard tissue injuries, especially addressing the literature for this
      uncommon bite injury. Because of the unique mode of injury, the ramus was
      horizontally fractured and displaced. The fracture was also compound because of
      the deep intraoral bite wounds. The ramal fracture itself is a rare entity. The
      issue of primary or delayed closure in such cases is addressed. 

PMID- 24220383
TI  - Functional and histologic changes in the lacrimal gland after botulinum toxin
      injection.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in tear volume,
      epidermal growth factor (EGF), and histology of the rabbit lacrimal gland after
      intraglandular application of botulinum toxin. METHODS: Ten New Zealand rabbits
      were separated into 3 groups. Eight rabbits received botulinum toxin injection
      (2.5 U per 0.1 mL) into the right lacrimal gland and saline injection (0.1 mL)
      into the left lacrimal gland as a sham control. Two rabbits were untreated to
      serve as normal controls. Tear volume was measured using cotton thread every 2
      weeks, and 4 rabbits were killed after 2 and 4 weeks. The lacrimal glands were
      surgically excised and sectioned or lysed for gene expression analysis. Epidermal
      growth factor expression and concentration were evaluated by real-time polymerase
      chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; morphometric and histologic
      analyses were performed. RESULTS: The rabbits that were killed 2 weeks after the
      injection showed decreased tear volume and increased EGF expression and
      concentration, but differences were not statistically significant. The rabbits
      that were killed 4 weeks after the injection exhibited similar results. When all
      8 rabbits were considered, we detected a significant decrease in tear volume and
      increased EGF expression and concentration (P = 0.012, P = 0.011, and P = 0.012,
      respectively). The EGF level was not significantly correlated with the tear
      volume. There were no prominent histologic changes between the glands, and the
      lumen versus fibrosis ratio in the interlobular ducts showed no statistically
      significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: The use of botulinum toxin in patients with
      epiphora is effective, safe, and repeatable because it reduces tear volume and
      increases the EGF level to prevent corneal damage while causing no histologic
      changes.

PMID- 24220384
TI  - Basicranial venous anomalies associated with complex nonsyndromic
      craniosynostosis in a child.
AB  - We report the radiological findings of severe bilateral jugular foraminal
      stenosis along with anomalous basicranial venous drainage in a child with a
      history of complex nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. CT with 3D reconstructions and
      MR venography revealed that the lateral sinuses were draining transosseously
      through several markedly enlarged emissary veins. The main route of transverse
      and sigmoid sinus drainage was through large mastoid emissaries to the deep
      cervical veins. There was additional drainage of these mastoid emissaries into
      the vertebral and paravertebral plexuses as well as into venous collaterals which
      subsequently reconstituted the internal jugular veins. Basicranial venous
      anomalies are common among children with complex craniosynostosis, and although
      they may not resemble intracranial vascular outflow deficiencies, they can pose
      significant surgical risks. This case emphasizes the need for proper clinical
      assessment and documentation of anomalous basicranial venous anatomy to
      facilitate management of complex craniosynostosis patients. 

PMID- 24220385
TI  - Treatment effects of distal movement of lower arch with miniscrews in the
      retromolar area compared with miniscrews in the posterior area of the maxillary.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of group distal
      movement of lower teeth obtained with the aid of direct usage of miniscrews in
      the retromolar area and indirect usage of miniscrews in the posterior area of the
      maxillary. METHODS: Nineteen patients with mild-to-moderate class III
      malocclusion (4 males and 15 females) were divided into 2 groups. Ten patients (2
      males and 8 females; mean age, 20.7 +/- 2.5 years) in group 1 were treated by
      miniscrews in the retromolar area. Nine patients (2 males and 7 females; mean
      age, 21.5 +/- 3.7 years) in group 2 were treated by miniscrews in the posterior
      area of the maxillary. Lateral cephalometric headfilms were taken at the
      beginning of treatment and after distal movement of mandibular dentition for the
      evaluation of the treatment changes. RESULTS: In group 1, the crown and root apex
      of lower first molars were moved distally by 3.4 mm and 1.2 mm with distal
      tipping of 8.7 degrees and intruded by 0.7 mm. In group 2, the crown and root
      apex of lower first molars were moved distally by 3.3 mm (P = 0.8976, P > 0.05)
      and 0.2 mm (P = 0.0124, P < 0.05) with distal tipping of 10.7 degrees (P =
      0.0467, P < 0.05) and extruded by 0.2 mm (P = 0.0124, P < 0.05). Retraction of
      the mandibular arch lasted 6.31 +/- 1.45 months for group 1 and 7.61 +/- 1.46
      months for group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Direct usage of miniscrews in the retromolar
      area took less time and more bodily movement to retract the lower arch without
      cooperation of the patients and was a better choice for the patients with
      potential temporomandibular joint disorders problems.

PMID- 24220386
TI  - Systematic analysis of clinical outcomes of anterior maxillary and mandibular
      subapical osteotomy with preoperative modeling in the treatment of bimaxillary
      protrusion.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in teeth and hard tissues
      after preoperative modeling and bimaxillary anterior subapical osteotomy for the
      treatment of bimaxillary protrusion. Cephalometric analysis was used to evaluate
      the aesthetic effects and occlusal relationships obtained. The subjects included
      19 women and 1 man (aged 19-41 years; average, 29 years) with bimaxillary
      protrusion who underwent anterior subapical osteotomy of both the maxilla and
      mandible, with simultaneous genioplasty, if required. Based on a preoperative
      computer-aided manufacturing/design-assisted and model surgical design and an
      occlusal guide plate, new occlusal relationships were established for the
      patients. In addition, the preoperative and postoperative cephalometric
      radiographs were systematically analyzed. In all patients, the surgical incisions
      underwent primary healing, with no infection or osteonecrosis. Significant
      differences were observed in the preoperative and postoperative values of all
      hard tissue and teeth parameters, except for SGn-FH degrees and Co-MP. The most
      obvious significant differences were seen in L1-OP degrees , Id-Pog-Go degrees ,
      IIA degrees , U1E-Apog, L1E-Apog, U1E-NA, and L1-NA degrees  (P < 0.001).
      Postoperative follow-up lasted for 12 to 36 months. All patients eventually
      achieved normal jaw relationships, tooth arch forms, and Spee curves. No evident
      irregularities of teeth arrangement or abnormal occlusal relationships were
      observed. All patients were satisfied with their postoperative facial appearance,
      except for 1 patient, who underwent repeat surgery because of relapse. With the
      use of a precise preoperative model surgical design, orthognathic surgery, a
      simple and time-saving technique, can be used to correct bimaxillary protrusion
      with satisfactory postoperative occlusal relationship and facial aesthetic
      appearance and minimal postoperative complications. 

PMID- 24220387
TI  - Depressor muscle division through a subbrow excision for the improvement of brow
      ptosis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to introduce a technique of dividing forehead depressor
      muscles with a subbrow excision for improvement of brow ptosis or redundant upper
      eyelid skin and glabella wrinkles. Upper incisions were designed at the lower
      limit of the eyebrow with a lateral extension along the eyebrow curvature. After
      measuring the redundant upper eyelid skin, the excess skin was excised. The
      orbital part of the orbicularis oculi muscle was identified and split
      longitudinally. The forehead depressor muscles (depressor supercilii, oblique and
      transverse head of corrugator, and medial part of orbicularis oculi) in the brow
      fat pad were identified and avulsed. In the patients who have a lowered brow, the
      brow was elevated and fixed to the underlying periosteum about 1 cm above the
      superior orbital rim after subgaleal dissection. During the dissection, the
      supraorbital nerve was preserved. Preaponeurotic fat was transferred and sutured
      between the cut stumps of the corrugator and procerus. The 78 patients (19 men,
      60 women; age range, 41-72 years [mean, 52.0 +/- 7.1 years]) were operated on.
      The follow-up periods ranged from 3 to 48 months. Preoperative and postoperative
      photographs were taken, and the following evaluations were conducted by 1 surgeon
      via a Likert scale (1 = not improved, 2 = slightly improved, 3 = somewhat
      improved, 4 = much improved, 5 = markedly improved). The mean score for
      improvement of the glabella frowns in contraction was 3.7 +/- 1.6. The mean score
      for the improvement of the glabella frowns in relaxation was 4.1 +/- 1.3. The
      mean score for improvement of drooping eyelids was 4.7 +/- 0.5. The mean score
      for the improvement of forehead wrinkles was 4.8 +/- 0.7. We improved brow
      ptosis, redundant upper eyelid skin, and glabella wrinkles simultaneously using a
      subbrow excision and depressor muscle division while preserving the superficial
      branch of the supraorbital nerve. 

PMID- 24220388
TI  - The transconjunctival approach a minimally invasive approach to various kinds of
      retrobulbar tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Orbital tumors, particularly those within the retrobulbar space, were
      approached by maxillofacial, ophthalmic, and neurological surgeons. Less
      traumatic approaches in this functionally and cosmetically important region are
      desirable. We describe another method to remove orbital tumor in the retrobulbar
      space by a transconjunctival approach with lateral canthotomy and transient
      extraocular muscle severing without lateral orbitotomy. METHODS: We report 5
      retrobulbar tumors operated with a transconjunctival approach, 2 of which were
      intraconal. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging
      scans were used to determine precise location of the retrobulbar tumor. RESULTS:
      Retrobulbar tumors could be removed successfully through a transconjunctival
      approach. Three pleomorphic adenomas, 1 carvenous hemangioma, and 1 pseudotumor
      were the pathologic findings encountered. These patients were free from visible
      scars, proptosis, and any other noticeable complications at last follow-up, 6
      months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The transconjunctival approach, which involves
      lateral canthotomy and transient extraocular muscle severing without lateral
      orbitotomy, is an unconventional procedure for retrobulbar tumor and results in a
      successful outcome. The indications for this approach depend on the size,
      location, and nature of the tumor. In this regard, contrast-enhanced computed
      tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans give useful information for
      planning operative strategy.

PMID- 24220389
TI  - Transoral robotic surgery for atypical carcinoid tumor of the larynx.
AB  - In recent years, transoral robotic surgery has been introduced as an efficient
      and a reliable method for excision of selected oral cavity, tongue base, and
      supraglottic tumors in otolaryngology. In this case report, a 39-year-old woman
      with a history of hoarseness and dysphagia for approximately 6 months is
      presented. The patient was diagnosed with atypical carcinoid tumor on the
      laryngeal aspect of the epiglottis, and excision of the tumor was performed
      through transoral robotic surgery using the robotic da Vinci surgical system, a 0
      degree three-dimensional endoscope, 5-mm microinstruments compatible with the da
      Vinci robot, and a Feyh-Kastenbauer/Weinstein-O'Malley retractor. The mass was
      removed completely, and no complications occurred. The patient recovered without
      a need for tracheotomy. Findings of the 1-year clinical follow-up revealed no
      locoregional recurrence or distant metastasis. This case shows, once again, that
      transoral robotic surgery could be used safely and effectively regardless of
      pathologic diagnosis in the supraglottic region tumors. 

PMID- 24220390
TI  - Maxillary mucocele with proptosis and visual impairment: a late complication of
      Le Fort III distraction.
AB  - Maxillary mucoceles are a relatively rare entity especially following surgical
      procedures involving osteotomies of the maxilla. The etiology of maxillary
      mucoceles has been ascribed to facial trauma (fractures), sinus surgery, and
      chronic inflammatory diseases or infections. Mucoceles can follow injury to the
      sinus mucosa and/or sinus outflow tract with a resulting expansile cystic mass.
      The clinical presentation ranges from swelling, pain, a palpable mass, proptosis,
      enophthalmos, and diplopia. The treatment involves either open or endoscopic
      incision and drainage of the cyst, mucosal resection, and an antrostomy for
      drainage.We report the case of a patient with Pfeiffer syndrome who underwent Le
      Fort III distraction osteogenesis and developed a symptomatic mucocele 15 years
      postoperatively. 

PMID- 24220391
TI  - Laser-assisted indocyanine green imaging to assess perfusion of scalp closure in
      an infant.
AB  - The current treatment of craniosynostosis is open surgical excision of the
      prematurely fused suture and cranial vault remodeling. Due to the change in skull
      morphology and the increase in volume, some tension on the skin flaps is noted
      with closure. Although complete wound breakdown is rare, it can be a devastating
      complication. We present our experience with the use of the SPY imaging system
      (Lifecell Corporation, Branchburg, NJ, USA) to visualize and record blood flow
      within the flaps of a 1-year-old patient with anterior plagiocephaly.
      Intraoperative indocyanine green angiography has the potential to be a
      significant advantage in such cases, providing a safe and objective method to
      assess intraoperative scalp perfusion, allowing the surgeon to take additional
      measures to ameliorate any ischemic problems. 

PMID- 24220392
TI  - Efficacy of hyaluronic acid injections in patients with osteoarthritis of the
      temporomandibular joint. A comparative study.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to report the 1-year therapeutic outcome of
      intra-articular injections of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA) without
      arthrocentesis in a group of 25 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the
      temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The results were compared with those of a group of
      10 patients with OA of the TMJ, treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
      drugs.Twenty-five patients (group A) underwent a cycle of 5 injections of HA into
      the TMJ. Ten patients (group B) underwent a therapy with nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs for 1 month. The follow-up assessments after the end of
      treatment were at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.Regarding the first follow-up (1 month),
      statistical analysis for all clinical parameters showed no significant
      differences (ie, beneficial effect for 2 groups) between groups A and B (P >
      0.001). Significant statistical differences (ie, encouraging effect for group A)
      for all clinical parameters were recorded 1 year after the end of treatment
      between groups A and B (P < 0.001).A cycle of 5 intra-articular injections of HA
      without arthrocentesis for patients with OA of the TMJ is considered successful
      at 1-year follow-up period. 

PMID- 24220393
TI  - Free fibula flap: assessment of quality of life of patients with head and neck
      cancer who have had defects reconstructed.
AB  - This study investigated the quality of life (QoL) of patients with head and neck
      cancer undergoing immediate reconstruction of the mandible with free fibula flap.
      From March 2006 to January 2011, the QoL of 42 patients was assessed using the
      Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 and the University of Washington QoL
      (version 4) questionnaires. The assessments were performed at least 24 months
      after surgery. A total of 31 of the 42 questionnaires (73.8%) were returned. The
      length of harvested fibula varied from 17.5 to 26.1 cm. In the Short Form 36, the
      lowest-scoring domain was vitality, whereas the highest scores occurred in
      physical role. According to the University of Washington QoL, the key domains
      affected by surgery are chewing, speech, and appearance. The domain of pain has
      the best score. There was a significant effect on the QoL of patients with head
      and neck cancer with resections of the mandible who had undergone free fibula
      flap reconstruction. Data from this study may provide useful information for
      physicians and patients, which may be of value during discussion of treatment
      modalities for head and neck cancers. 

PMID- 24220394
TI  - A novel method to determine the potential rotational axis of the mandible during
      virtual three-dimensional orthognathic surgery.
AB  - During virtual three-dimensional orthognathic surgery in cases where an overlap
      or penetrability occurs between the 2 jaws due to the repositioning of the
      maxillary segment, it is necessary to establish a vertical opening of the
      mandible to obtain a relatively good relationship with the maxillary segment for
      the fabrication of an intermediate occlusal splint. However, there are few
      reports that address the precise definition of the rotational axis of the
      mandible during virtual surgery. Here, we present the idea that the mandible's
      movement during virtual three-dimensional orthognathic surgery is similar to
      hinge movement in vivo and developed a method for locating the geometric center
      of the three-dimensional condyle using Hypermesh software combined with Mimics
      software. Subsequently, we defined the rotational axis of the mandible based on
      the located geometric centers of the bilateral condyles, and the mandible was
      then rotated around the defined axis from the retruded contact position to mimic
      the hinge movement. Preliminary results indicated that the presented method could
      approximately mimic the hinge movement of the mandible with a relatively high
      accuracy in a three-dimensional environment, which may improve the accuracy of
      virtual intermediate occlusal splint. 

PMID- 24220395
TI  - Management of extensive frontal cranioplasty defects.
AB  - Cranioplasty is a medical technique to correct cranial bone defects. Depending on
      the size and location of the defect, a bone substitute can be used to replace the
      missing bone. Frontal bone defects are important to patients in terms of
      cosmetics because they are visible. Advances in computer design allow the
      production of customized implants with improved cosmetic and functional results.
      This report describes hybrid optimization of three-dimensional technological
      methods along with traditional methods toward the manufacture of deep-buried
      titanium implants, restoring frontal skull defects for 4 patients. A three
      dimensional model was produced from the computed tomographic scan data of 3
      patients using an in-house three-dimensional printer. A new approach was followed
      in treating the fourth patient. The defect was restored using preoperative scan
      before cranioplasty. These data were transported digitally into the defect skull
      to recreate the bone contour required, and a three-dimensional model was produced
      from the "new" digital model using the three-dimensional printer. Defect areas of
      the patients were large and measured 101.21 * 123.35 (vertical * horizontal) in
      average (mm). Conventional wax-up of the defect was carried to restore normal
      conformity. A titanium sheet (0.5 mm) was swaged into the desired shape; however,
      convexity of the defect area makes titanium swaging challenging, especially at
      the deep lateral undercuts. Making side flanges at reasonable lengths made it
      easy to swage without creasing. Three-dimensional models aided to produce
      accurately fitting plates. Finally, the sequential method of using both digital
      and manual procedures is a low-cost, reliable, accurate, and reproducible method.

PMID- 24220396
TI  - Video analysis of the biomechanics of a bicycle accident resulting in significant
      facial fractures.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to use video analysis techniques to determine the
      velocity, impact force, angle of impact, and impulse to fracture involved in a
      video-recorded bicycle accident resulting in facial fractures. Computed
      tomographic images of the resulting facial injury are presented for correlation
      with data and calculations. To our knowledge, such an analysis of an actual
      recorded trauma has not been reported in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      video recording of the accident was split into frames and analyzed using an image
      editing program. Measurements of velocity and angle of impact were obtained from
      this analysis, and the force of impact and impulse were calculated using the
      inverse dynamic method with connected rigid body segments. These results were
      then correlated with the actual fracture pattern found on computed tomographic
      imaging of the subject's face. RESULTS: There was an impact velocity of 6.25 m/s,
      impact angles of 14 and 6.3 degrees of neck extension and axial rotation,
      respectively, an impact force of 1910.4 N, and an impulse to fracture of 47.8 Ns.
      These physical parameters resulted in clinically significant bilateral mid-facial
      Le Fort II and III pattern fractures. DISCUSSION: These data confer further
      understanding of the biomechanics of bicycle-related accidents by correlating an
      actual clinical outcome with the kinematic and dynamic parameters involved in the
      accident itself and yielding a concrete evidence of the velocity, force, and
      impulse necessary to cause clinically significant facial trauma. These findings
      can aid in the design of protective equipment for bicycle riders to help avoid
      this type of injury.

PMID- 24220397
TI  - Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis as a treatment complication of nonsyndromic
      Kleeblattschadel.
AB  - A patient with nonsyndromic Kleeblattschadel, who underwent a craniotomy
      involving a constricting calvarial ring and frontal calvarial remodeling,
      developed a superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. The superior sagittal sinus
      venous outflow was obstructed as a consequence of the rapid brain expansion,
      along with a conflict of a remaining posterior bone crest. A successful second
      operation was performed to remove the posterior bone crest and facilitate the
      venous outflow. Meticulous preoperative planning should be carried out before
      addressing this complex craniofacial deformity. 

PMID- 24220398
TI  - Delayed reduction of a displaced zygomatic arch fracture by external traction.
AB  - An easy and useful method designed for the reduction of delayed and displaced
      zygomatic arch fractures used by the treatment of a 33-year-old female patient is
      presented. 

PMID- 24220399
TI  - Use of high-frequency ultrasound guidance for intraoperative zygomatic arch
      fracture reduction.
AB  - Zygomatic arch fractures are common facial fractures; the management depends on
      the extent of the injury, the displacement of the bone, and coronoid impingement.
      For fractures without a need for fixation, an intraoral approach, known as Keen,
      or a temporal hairline approach, known as Gillies, can be used. However, without
      direct visualization of the fracture line, there is a risk for inadequate
      reduction. We have therefore begun to use ultrasound assistance to confirm proper
      reduction. We believe that intraoperative ultrasound guidance can be used to
      guide the surgeon toward the most precise fracture reduction and present 3
      examples from our practice. We recommend the use of ultrasound in the reduction
      of zygomatic arch fractures. 

PMID- 24220400
TI  - Indirect cerebral revascularization with a temporoparietal fascial flap in
      pediatric moyamoya patients: a novel technique and review of current surgical
      options.
AB  - Moyamoya syndrome is a progressive occlusive disease of the cerebral vessels.
      There are a variety of surgical treatments directed at revascularizing the
      ischemic brain in pediatric moyamoya disease. Many reports of varying success
      with both direct and indirect type of procedures can be found in medical
      literature. We present a novel technique, encephalo-TPF-synangiosis (ETS) with a
      pedicled bone flap, for indirect moyamoya revascularization in pediatric
      patients. A three-quarters osteoplastic temporal craniotomy was created. A
      pedicled temporoparietal fascial flap was passed intracranially through the
      temporalis muscle and placed into contact with the pial surface. The bone flap
      was the reaffixed to the skull. We performed 8 ETS in 6 patients. This is a well
      vascularized, highly reliable method that offers broad-based surface area for
      revascularization. We also offer a composite overview of current surgical
      indirect revascularization techniques. 

PMID- 24220401
TI  - Infraorbital nerve posttraumatic deficit and displaced zygomatic fractures: a
      double-center study.
AB  - Typical associated signs and symptoms of displaced zygomatic fractures include
      lack of zygoma projection, diplopia, and sensory disturbances of the infraorbital
      nerve (ION). The aim of this article was to assess eventual associations between
      ION sensory disturbances and zygomatic fractures patterns. This study is based on
      2 databases that have continuously recorded patients hospitalized with
      maxillofacial fractures in 2 Departments of Maxillofacial Surgery in Amsterdam,
      The Netherlands, and Turin, Italy between 2001 and 2010. The following data for
      patients surgically treated for displaced zygomatic fractures were considered:
      gender, age, site and severity of facial fractures, etiology, and presenting
      symptoms. Statistically significant associations were found between ION sensory
      disturbances and assaults (P = 0.007) and sport accidents (P = 0.00003), as well
      as between ION sensory disturbances and isolated zygomatic fractures (P =
      0.000002) and between ION sensory disturbances and diplopia (P = 0.00009).The
      severity of injury and the absorption of middle-energy and high-energy forces by
      the zygomatic complex only were associated with ION sensory disturbances. The
      etiology and severity of the injury as well as the presence of associated
      symptoms should be thoroughly investigated when a zygomatic fracture is
      suspected. 

PMID- 24220402
TI  - Horner syndrome due to vertebral artery stenosis.
AB  - The author reports a rare case of Horner syndrome in a patient who resulted from
      stenosis of the vertebral artery after blunt trauma. A 31-year-old man was
      transferred to our department for evaluation of left medial orbital wall and
      nasal bone fractures. Five days ago, he was hospitalized due to multiple second
      to fourth rib fractures of the right chest following blunt trauma of the face,
      neck, and chest. Surgery was performed. Ten days later, he complained of drooping
      of the right eyelid. Physical examination revealed a discrete miosis and ptosis
      with normal levator function in the right eye. A workup for Horner syndrome was
      performed. Magnetic resonance angiography of the head and neck revealed a
      stenosis of the distal part of the right vertebral artery without the abnormality
      of carotid artery. He wore a cervical collar and underwent anticoagulation.
      However, Horner syndrome was not resolved over the next 12 months. Acute
      traumatic Horner syndrome may be associated with vertebral artery dissection in
      which the possibility of life-threatening injury can be masked. 

PMID- 24220403
TI  - Transosseous fixation of pediatric displaced mandibular fractures with
      polyglactin resorbable suture--a simplified technique.
AB  - Management of pediatric mandibular fractures presents a unique challenge to
      surgeons in terms of its numerous variations compared to adults. Both
      conservative and open methods have been advocated with their obvious limitations
      and complications. However, conservative modalities may not be possible in
      grossly displaced fractures, which necessitate the open method of fixation. We
      present a novel and simplified technique of transosseous fixation of displaced
      pediatric mandibular fractures with polyglactin resorbable suture, which provides
      adequate stability without any interference with tooth buds and which is easy to
      master. 

PMID- 24220404
TI  - A new facial artery free-style perforator flap and conchal cartilage graft for
      one-step reconstruction of the alar defects.
AB  - The nose is the most commonly affected area by basal and squamous skin carcinomas
      of the head and neck area (D'Arpa et al. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2009,
      62:36-42). The nasolabial flap is a very well known local flap that provides
      excellent color and texture matches. However, its major drawback is that it
      requires a 2-stage procedure to restore an adequate nasal cheek groove (Karsidag
      et al. J Craniofac Surg. 2010;21:1887-1889). In the perforator flaps, there are
      numerous studies that describe flaps whose vascular supply depend on perforators
      from the fascial artery.We planned to harvest a perforator flap around the medial
      cheek area, which included one cutaneous perforator from the facial artery. Free
      style facial artery perforator flaps and auricular conchal cartilage framework
      were performed in 9 patients who have alar defect due to malignancies.From
      September 2010 to December 2011, the free-style facial perforator artery flap was
      performed in 9 patients at the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of
      the Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. The whole flap was used
      to reconstruct the whole alar unit, which includes cartilaginous tissues.Our aim
      is to define a one-stage reconstruction technique with a perforator-based flap.
      Our flap is supplied by a perforating branch of the facial artery. We develop
      this method because of its reliable vascularization, that is, the possibility of
      performing one-stage technique with sensation preservation.In conclusion, we
      strongly recommend one-stage reconstruction in any kind of alar region defect
      with this versatile facial perforator flap.

PMID- 24220405
TI  - Microscope-assisted reconstruction of canalicular laceration using Mini-Monoka.
AB  - A canalicular laceration is the most common injury of the lacrimal drainage
      system and can result from direct or indirect injury to the canalicular system.
      If the wounds are not managed properly, they can lead to scarring, stenosis, and
      inflammation, which may lead to symptomatic epiphora. We successfully
      reconstructed canalicular lacerations using Mini-Monoka tubes (FCI Ophthalmics,
      Marshfield Hills, MA) under microscopic magnification.We treated 14 patients for
      canalicular lacerations at the Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital between
      August 2009 and October 2012. All patients underwent placement of a Mini-Monoka
      tube and a mucosal canalicular anastomosis microscopically to reconstruct
      monocanalicular lacerations. The tubes were removed at 6 to 8 months
      postoperatively, and follow-up was 8 to 12 months. No complications related to
      the Mini-Monoka tube, such as punctual plug migration, eye irritation,
      inflammation, granuloma formation, or erosion, occurred during the follow-up
      period.The goal of reconstructing a lacerated canaliculus is accurate
      approximation of the injured end of the canaliculus to facilitate mucosal healing
      and to prevent a canalicular obstruction. We believe that microscopic canalicular
      reconstruction with a Mini-Monoka tube is a safe, reliable, and straightforward
      method with fewer complications and is more effective for preventing iatrogenic
      injury in the unaffected canaliculus and minimizing patient discomfort. 

PMID- 24220406
TI  - The double scalpel flap: a new technique for the closure of circular skin
      defects.
AB  - Reconstruction needs to be designed attentively to obtain a functional and a good
      aesthetic consequence for closing skin defects. Numerous local flaps have been
      defined to conceal skin defects. However, new techniques are still required,
      especially for circular type of skin defects.This study describes a new technique
      that has been well defined to repair the circular type of skin defects. The
      technique basically uses extra skin relaxation provided with 2 opposing flaps'
      rotation maneuver in favor of the defect closure. The objective of this technique
      is for the flaps to start from one border of the defect and extend just to the
      other border, not invading beyond the defect borders. This enables us to apply
      the procedure on defects that are close to important anatomical structures
      because it is sufficient to use only the opposing 2 sides of the defect for its
      closure.With this method, 2 opposing flaps that resemble the tip of a scalpel
      were rotated to the existing circular defect; and by suturing these 2 flaps at
      the midline, the defect was closed. This technique was applied to 17 patients
      between the ages of 48 and 83 years. Defect sizes were between 2.5 * 2.5 and 5 *
      5 cm.With the use of opposing flaps designed narrower than half-width of the
      defect, a tension-free closure could be achieved on both the donor and the
      recipient site. No flap necrosis was detected on any patients. After a mean
      follow-up of 11 months (3-26 months), it was realized that a good aesthetic
      appearance could be achieved in all the patients about 2 to 3 months
      postoperatively. 

PMID- 24220407
TI  - A learning curve of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma.
AB  - Experience is an important point in the effectiveness of the surgical procedure
      and in the reduction of complications in pituitary surgery. Endoscopic pituitary
      surgery differs from microscopic surgery because it requires a steep learning
      curve for endoscopic skills. In this study, we investigated the learning curve of
      endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery in our department. Endoscopic
      transsphenoidal operations were performed on 80 patients, who were
      retrospectively examined and grouped as the early and late experience groups to
      evaluate the learning curve. The patients' characteristics, gross total
      resection, endocrinological cure, visual field improvement, duration of surgery,
      postoperative hospital stay, and complications were noted. After examining our
      patients of the 2 groups of period, our experience showed that as the
      effectiveness of endoscopic surgery increases, the duration of surgery and
      postoperative hospital stay decrease. In this study, we identified a learning
      curve in endoscopic pituitary surgery. 

PMID- 24220408
TI  - A patient with severe maxillary gingival exposure treated with combined
      compression osteogenesis of the anterior alveolar bone and conventional Le Fort I
      osteotomy.
AB  - Excessive gingival exposure at the maxillary anterior region during not only
      smiling (a gummy face) but also at rest creates both functional and aesthetic
      problems for patients. We herein introduce a unique treatment procedure for
      mandibular retrognathia with a gummy face. This procedure combines conventional
      Le Fort I osteotomy and following corticotomy at the anterior region of the
      maxilla. Subsequently, the anterior segment is continuously compressed
      (compression osteogenesis) in a posterior-superior direction until it reaches an
      ideal position. This procedure appears to safely and adequately resolve both the
      aesthetic and functional complaints associated with patients with a gummy face. 

PMID- 24220409
TI  - Distal transsylvian-traninsular approach for the putaminal hypertensive
      hemorrhages: surgical experience and technical note.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Up to now, no systemic studies about the surgical approaches and
      microsurgical techniques of distal transsylvian-transinsular approach to
      putaminal hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages (PHHs) were reported. METHODS: A
      retrospective analysis was performed on 68 consecutive patients with PHH who
      underwent surgical treatment at the Department of the affiliated Bayi Brain
      Hospital, the Military General Hospital of Beijing PLA, from May 2009 to December
      2011. RESULTS: By using transsylvian-transinsular approach, near-complete (>90%)
      evacuation was achieved in 51 cases (75%). Glasgow Coma Scale scores were
      significantly improved at discharge compared with admission scores (P < 0.001).
      The overall survival rate at 6 months was 95.6% (65/68), including 60.3% (41/68)
      with good function (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score, 4-5), 19.1% (13/68) with
      disability (GOS score, 3), and 16.2% (11/68) in a vegetative state (GOS score,
      2). The mortality rate (GOS score, 1) was 4.4% (3/68). CONCLUSIONS: Transsylvian
      transinsular approach is effective and minimally invasive for PHH. The opening of
      sylvian fissure toward the pars opercularis behind the level of anterior
      ascending rami could provide a more suitable angle to hematoma and the ability to
      treat the responsible vessels.

PMID- 24220410
TI  - Reverse facial artery flap to reconstruct the medium-sized defects in the middle
      facial region following cancer ablation.
AB  - This retrospective clinical study assessed the reliability of the reverse facial
      artery flap to reconstruct the medium-sized defects in the middle facial region
      following cancer ablation.Fifteen medium-sized defects were repaired with
      reversed facial artery flap following cancer surgery. The ages of the patients
      ranged from 2 to 69 years; 9 were male and 6 were female. The primary lesions
      included palate (5 cases), maxillary gingival (6 cases), cheek or buccal mucosa
      (3 case), and upper lip (1 case). The size of the skin paddle varied from 4.0 cm
      * 6.0 cm to 5.0 cm * 10.0 cm. Direct closure was achieved at all donor sites.
      Fourteen of the 15 flaps survived. No donor-site problems occurred. Two patients
      appeared to have temporary injury of facial nerve after operation. The follow-up
      period ranged from 8 to 36 months; 1 patient died as a result of local recurrence
      and 1 patient developed cervical recurrence.Consequently, it has been
      demonstrated that the reversed facial artery flap had reliable blood supply and
      can reliably and conveniently be used for reconstruction of the medium-sized
      defects, especially in the middle third of oral and maxillofacial region. 

PMID- 24220411
TI  - "Roller coaster maneuver via lateral orbital approach" for reduction of isolated
      zygomatic arch fractures.
AB  - Numerous techniques have been reported for the reduction of zygomatic arch
      fractures. In this article, we aimed to describe a technique we named as "roller
      coaster maneuver via lateral orbital approach" to closed reduction of the
      isolated-type zygomatic arch fractures. Surgical outcomes of 14 patients treated
      with this method were outlined. 

PMID- 24220413
TI  - Lower lateral crural reverse plasty.
AB  - The lateral crus plays a significant role in the aesthetic appearance of the
      nose. Excessive concavities of the lower lateral crura can lead to heavy
      aesthetic disfigurement of the nasal tip and to insufficiencies of the external
      nasal valve. The lateral crus of the alar cartilage may also cause a concavity of
      the alar rim and even collapse of the alar rim in severe cases. Surgical
      techniques performed on the lateral crus help to treat both functional and
      aesthetic deformities of the lateral nasal tip. We present a reverse plasty
      technique for the lateral crus, and we evaluated the advantages and disadvantages
      of the technique. 

PMID- 24220412
TI  - Comparison between routine and improved decompressive craniectomy on patients
      with malignant cerebral artery infarction without traumatic brain injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malignant cerebral artery infarction is one kind of ischemic stroke
      with high mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze comparatively the
      preoperative and postoperative clinical data as well as the prognostic factors in
      these patients who underwent improved decompressive craniectomy or routine
      decompressive craniectomy. METHODS: A total of 131 patients with malignant
      cerebral artery infarction were included during the period from January 2000 to
      December 2012. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the improved
      decompressive craniectomy group (n = 85) and the routine decompressive
      craniectomy group (control group) (n = 46). We reviewed the detailed information
      of the patients; moreover, a comparative analysis of the 2 groups based on age
      (<= 60 or >60 y) was performed. RESULTS: The improved decompressive craniectomy
      group had a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in mortality without clinical
      functional improvement. The patients who were treated through routine
      decompressive craniectomy had a higher incidence of hydrocephalus and pulmonary
      infection (P = 0.011 and 0.003). Moreover, younger patients usually took less
      resident time in the hospital than did the patients in the elderly group (P =
      0.047 vs P < 0.05). Statistical results indicated that the younger patients took
      a better recovery than did the elderly patients. There was a significant
      difference between the groups A and B both in the Barthel index and the modified
      Rankine scale for 3 or 6 months after discharge (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In
      comparison with the routine decompressive craniectomy, the improved decompressive
      craniectomy can reduce the mortality rate and improve the neurologic outcome.
      However, it increases the incidence of encephalocele and pulmonary infection,
      which may cause secondary vital injury to patients after surgery. In addition,
      younger patients can gain a better further functional recovery by undergoing
      improved decompressive craniectomy.

PMID- 24220414
TI  - The application of multilobed flap designs for anatomic and functional
      oropharyngeal reconstructions.
AB  - The oropharynx has a variety of functions, such as mastication, deglutition,
      articulation, taste, and airway protection. Because of its many roles, recent
      goals in head and neck reconstruction have focused on anatomic and functional
      reconstructions to minimize functional deficits. Since chemoradiation has earned
      a good reputation in the management of head and neck cancer, the manifestation of
      oropharyngeal defects has changed. Although we could not control the anatomic
      defects that were known to be related to the oropharyngeal functions, we
      hypothesized that optimizing the flap designs would be helpful for minimizing the
      functional deficits.Two hundred fifty cases of the head and neck reconstruction
      using free flaps were carried out between March 2006 and December 2010, where
      modified flap designs were applied. Among these, 37 tongue and 15 tonsillar
      reconstructions were analyzed for functional outcomes. The patients were of Asian
      ethnic background, and the average age was 52 years, including 38 males and 17
      females. The average follow-up period was 20.5 months. Based on previous studies,
      the flap designs were categorized into type I, unilobe; type II, bilobe; type
      III, trilobe; type IV, quadrilobe; type V, additional lobe for lateral and
      posterior pharyngeal wall; and type VI, additional lobe for tongue base. The
      functional outcomes of both tongue and tonsillar reconstructions were
      investigated.To quantify the outcome in terms of swallowing and pronunciation, we
      analyzed the patients' function based on the 7-scale parameter. In terms of
      swallowing, the tongue reconstruction group scored 5.70 on average, whereas the
      tonsillar reconstruction group showed an average score of 4.53. With regard to
      speech intelligibility, the tongue reconstruction group revealed an average score
      of 5.67, whereas the tonsillar reconstruction group scored 5.46 on average.Our
      findings indicate that specification of the flap designs is helpful for
      minimizing the functional deficits in head and neck reconstructions. 

PMID- 24220415
TI  - Anterior clinoid process and the surrounding structures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The anterior clinoid process (ACP) is located close to the optic
      nerve, internal carotid artery, ophthalmic artery, and can be easily injured in
      an ACP-related surgery. An anatomical study clearly defining the ACP is of great
      importance. In addition, computed tomographic (CT) images may be a new tool for
      the anatomical analysis of ACP compared with the use of a cadaver and skull
      study, and more data related to ACP can be measured by CT images. PURPOSE: We
      studied the anatomical structure of ACP and the structures surrounding it to
      provide information to surgeons for ACP-related surgery. METHODS: Computed
      tomography angiographic images of 102 individuals were reviewed. The measurement
      was performed on coronal, sagittal, and axis planes after multiplanar
      reformation. The length of ACP and the distance between apex of ACP and sagittal
      midline were measured in the axial plane; the classification of ACP and the
      occurrence rate of bone bridge were also viewed in axial plane. The thickness of
      ACP was measured in sagittal plane. RESULT: In Chinese population, 12.3% of the
      ACP is gasified, and the pneumatization of ACP has a relationship with the
      pneumatization of sphenoid sinus. The length and thickness of ACP are similar to
      that in previous studies in cadaver. The apex of ACP is relatively stationary to
      the C3 and C4 segments of the internal carotid artery. The occurrence rate of
      anterior and middle clinoid bone bridge was 7.8%; the occurrence rate of anterior
      and posterior clinoid bone bridge was 9.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical structure
      of ACP can be studied effectively in CT images. Recognizing the anatomical
      characteristics of the ACP and optic strut is important in decreasing the
      incidence of surgical complications of an anterior clinoidectomy and in the
      proper intraoperative management to prevent these complications.

PMID- 24220416
TI  - The safe zone of posterior semicircular canal resection in suboccipital
      retrosigmoid sinus approach for acoustic neuroma surgery.
AB  - The aim of the study was to find the safe zone of posterior semicircular canal
      resection that can avoid structure damage in suboccipital retrosigmoid sinus
      approach for acoustic neuroma. One hundred twenty subjects (72 male and 48 female
      subjects) were involved in this study anonymously. Five parameters are measured
      in computed tomography: L1 is the line that goes through the common bony crus and
      parallel to the plane that contains posterior semicircular canal at axial plane.
      L2 is the middle sagittal line at axial plane. A is the point of posterior wall
      of the internal auditory canal at the level of the common bony crus. B is the
      intersection point of L1 and posterior wall of auditory canal. L3 is the line
      that goes through the plane that contains posterior semicircular canal at
      coronary plane. L4 is the middle sagittal line at coronary plane. C is the common
      bony crus. D is the ampulla. E is the most posterior point of posterior wall of
      auditory canal at the plane that goes through the posterior semicircular canal.
      The angle between L1 and L2 was 41.76 (SD, 5.64) degrees on the right and 43.40
      (SD, 5.25) degrees on the left (P = 0.003). The distance between A and B was 0.59
      (SD, 0.13) cm. The angle between L3 and L4 was 16.57 (SD, 6.51) degrees on the
      right and 17.57 (SD, 6.98) degrees on the left (P = 0.017). The distance between
      C and D was 0.60 (SD, 0.05) cm. The distance between E and line CD was 0.48 (SD,
      0.09). 

PMID- 24220417
TI  - Locating of the pituitary stalk for craniopharyngioma surgery of transfrontobasal
      interhemispheric approach.
AB  - The aim of this study was to provide a relatively safe operation range for the
      protection of the pituitary stalk in transfrontobasal interhemispheric approach
      for craniopharyngioma surgery by measuring the related parameters of the
      pituitary stalk. Based on the whole-head magnetic resonance imaging scans of 119
      healthy subjects (57 men and 62 women) anonymously, three-dimensional
      reconstructions were rebuilt. The results of the study are as follows: M is the
      common midpoint of anterior and inferior border of anterior commissure. O and P
      are the midpoint of the anterior border of the pituitary stalk's superior and
      inferior extremity, respectively. The distance between M and O (D1) was 12.42
      (SD, 2.35) mm. The distance between M and P (D2) was 22.47 (SD, 2.57) mm. The
      length of the pituitary stalk (D3) was 10.68 (SD, 2.34) mm. The widest diameter
      of the pituitary stalk (D4) was 2.78 (SD, 0.50) mm. The inclination of the
      pituitary stalk at the coronal plane (A1) was 2.73 (SD, 2.60) degrees. Of the 119
      pituitary stalks involved in this study, 14.29% were centered, 47.06% inclined to
      the left with the value (A1L) of 3.41 (SD, 2.58) degrees and 38.66% inclined to
      the right with the value (A1R) of 2.93 (SD, 2.49) degrees. The angle between MO
      and MP(A2) was 11.81 (SD, 4.76) degrees. No statistical difference was found
      between male and female subjects for all the measurements (P > 0.05). With the
      parameters measured in this study, we can locate the pituitary stalk by anterior
      commissure; thus, it is relatively safe to do the craniopharyngioma surgery
      through frontobasal interhemispheric approach when the pituitary stalk cannot be
      seen clearly because of the shelter of tumor, which will reduce both the
      unnecessary damage to the pituitary stalk and the probability of postoperative
      complications. 

PMID- 24220418
TI  - Anthropometric comparison of painting portraits of beautiful women, femme
      fatales, and artists' mothers.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the painting portraits of beautiful women,
      femme fatales, and artists' mothers using anthropometry.Portraits of each theme
      were selected in modern novels, essays and picture books, and categorized
      portraits. A total of 52 samples were collected, including 20 beautiful women, 20
      femme fatales, and 12 artists' mothers. In 5 persons, 17 anthropometric ratios
      including the alae-alae/zygion-zygion ratio were compared in a 15-degree oblique
      view and in anteroposterior view photographs, and they were proved to not differ
      significantly. To distinguish oblique portraits less than 15 degrees, we measured
      the exocanthion-stomion-exocanthion (ESE) angle in photographs of 5 volunteers.
      The mean +/- SD of the ESE angle was 64.52 +/- 4.87 in the 15-degree angle view
      and 57.68 +/- 54.09 in the 30-degree angle view. Thereafter, if the ESE angle was
      greater than 65 degrees, we considered the portrait to have less than a 15-degree
      angle and included it in the samples.The ratio did not differ significantly in 11
      anthropometric proportions. However, the remaining 5 proportions were
      statistically significant. Beautiful women had wider noses (85% of the
      endocanthion-endocanthion width) than those of the femme fatale group (77%). Lips
      in the beautiful woman group are nicer and thicker (36% of lip's width) compared
      with the artists' mother group (27%). Femme fatales were relatively similar to
      beautiful women such as those women with nice and thick lips. However, the femme
      fatale group had an attractive midface ratio (36% of the total face height) that
      has been mentioned in the older literature, and the noses of the femme fatale
      group were narrower and sharper (77% of the endocanthion-endocanthion width) than
      those of the beautiful women (85%). The artists' mother group has a relatively
      narrower upper face (29% of the total face height) and thinner lips (27% of the
      lip width) compared with the other 2 groups (36%).Proportions from works of art
      are more ideal and attractive than clinically measured proportions. The ideal
      ratios measured from historical portraits might be useful in planning facial
      surgeries. 

PMID- 24220419
TI  - The magnetic resonance imaging measurement of the hippocampal formation volume of
      normal Chinese adults.
AB  - The objective of this study was to measure the normal hippocampal formation of
      the adults in China and to provide data for the prevention and diagnoses of the
      related diseases. 3D-fSPGR sequence scanning was used in 68 cases of healthy
      adult brain to gain the image between lateral border of bilateral fourth
      ventricle and vitreous body. The image then was divided into 10 equal parts in
      the sagittal plane. We can trace the area of the hippocampal formation in each
      part and the data gained was analyzed by SPSS to calculate the volume. The
      calibrated normal adult average hippocampal formation volume on the right was
      2649.92-2903.17 mm(3) while on the left was 2579.42-2803.27 mm(3). The male right
      average hippocampal formation volume was 2601.84-2986.44 mm(3) and the left was
      2526.32-2886.94 mm(3). The female right average hippocampal formation volume was
      2531.88-2819.06 mm(3) and the left was 2579.42-2803.27 mm(3). There was no
      obvious difference in various gender and age groups (P > 0.05), but there was a
      significant difference between bilateral hippocampal formation volume in middle
      aged and elderly male group whether calibrated (t = 2.892, P< 0.05) or not (t =
      2.924, P < 0.05). We can conclude that the hippocampal formation volume of normal
      Han adults has no relation to gender and age except that the bilateral fourth
      ventricle volume of middle-aged and elderly men were evidently different from
      each other.

PMID- 24220420
TI  - Location and tension of the medial palpebral ligament.
AB  - The aim of this study was to elucidate the precise anatomic location and tension
      of the medial palpebral ligament (MPL). Eleven hemifaces of 10 fresh Korean adult
      cadavers were used in this study. Nine specimens were used for measurement of
      dissection and tension, and 2 were used for histologic study. Measurements of
      tensile strength of each part of the MPL and Horner muscle were performed using a
      force gauge.The MPL consisted of 2 layers in all specimens dissected. The
      superficial layer of the palpebral ligament (SMPL) was observed from the anterior
      lacrimal crest to the upper and lower tarsal plates. The deep layer of the
      palpebral ligament (DMPL) lay from the anterior lacrimal crest to the posterior
      lacrimal crest, covering the lacrimal sac. The Horner muscle was observed at the
      posterior lacrimal crest just lateral to the attachment of the DMPL and ran
      laterally to the tarsal plate deep to the SMPL. The SMPL began at 4.5 +/- 2.3 mm
      lateral to the nasomaxillary suture line to the upper and lower tarsal plates.
      Its transverse length was 9.6 +/- 1.5 mm, and vertical width was 2.4 +/- 0.7 mm,
      and its thickness was 4.5 +/- 2.3 mm. The transverse length of the DMPL was 3.7
      +/- 0.4 mm, and its vertical width was 2.9 +/- 1.3 mm, with a thickness of 0.3 +/
      0.1 mm. The transverse length of the Horner muscle was 7.6 +/- 1.9 mm, and its
      vertical width was 4.06 +/- 1.5 mm, with a thickness of 0.4 +/- 0.1 mm. The
      tensile strength of the SMPL was 13.4 +/- 3.2 N, that of the DMPL was 4.1 +/- 1.7
      N, and that for Horner muscle was 9.0 +/- 3.1 N. The tensile strength of the SMPL
      was significantly higher than that of the DMPL (P = 0.003).We reconfirmed that
      the MPL consisted of 2 layers: superficial layer and deep layer. Our results
      might be of use in surgeries of the medial canthi. 

PMID- 24220421
TI  - Anatomical and morphometric analysis of accessory infraorbital foramen.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to analyze the anatomical and morphometric
      variation in shape, frequency of occurrence, direction, and position of accessory
      infraorbital foramen (AIOF) in relation to infraorbital foramen (IOF) in
      cadaveric dry skulls to minimize clinical complications and aid in surgical
      maneuvering in the maxillofacial region and implementing the regional block
      anesthesia. The IOF is an important anatomical landmark in these surgical
      manipulations. Because there is limited literature available on AIOF, which
      transmits accessory branch of the infraorbital nerve, the present study was
      designed. In the current study, 45 human dry skulls and 20 disarticulated
      maxillae have been used irrespective of sex. The other parameters included
      measuring the distance of AIOF from anterior nasal spine, frontomaxillary suture,
      infraorbital margin, IOF, and zygomaticomaxillary suture. The transverse and
      vertical diameter of foramen was also noted. All these measurements were taken
      using a digital caliper. The result of our study reveals that the presence of
      AIOF is more on the right side compared with the left side. Because the presence
      of accessory infraorbital nerve needs to be taken care of during maxillofacial
      surgical interventions, knowledge regarding the presence of AIOF should be taken
      into consideration for preoperative evaluation. 

PMID- 24220422
TI  - The effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on osteoblast-like cells
      cultured on titanium and titanium-zirconium surfaces.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Commercially pure Ti, together with Ti Ni, Ti-6Al-4V, and Ti-6Al-7Nb
      alloys, are among the materials currently being used for this purpose. Titanium
      zirconium (TiZr) has been developed that allows SLActive surface modification and
      that has comparable or better mechanical strength and improved biocompatibility
      compared with existing Ti alloys. Furthermore, approaches have targeted making
      the implant surface more hydrophilic, as with the Straumann SLActive surface, a
      modification of the SLA surface. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate
      the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) to the behavior of neonatal
      rat calvarial osteoblast-like cells cultured on commercially pure titanium (cpTi)
      and titanium-zirconium alloy (TiZr) discs with hydrophilic surface properties.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Osteoblast cells were cultured on titanium and TiZr discs,
      and PEMF was applied. Cell proliferation rates, cell numbers, cell viability
      rates, alkaline phosphatase, and midkine (MK) levels were measured at 24 and 72
      hours. RESULTS: At 24 hours, the number of cells was significantly higher in the
      TiZr group. At 72 hours, TiZr had a significantly higher number of cells when
      compared to SLActive, SLActive + PEMF, and machine surface + PEMF groups. At 24
      hours, cell proliferation was significantly higher in the TiZr group than
      SLActive and TiZr + PEMF group. At 72 hours, TiZr group had higher proliferation
      rate than machine surface and TiZr + PEMF. Cell proliferation in the machine
      surface group was lower than both SLActive + PEMF and machine surface + PEMF. MK
      levels of PEMF-treated groups were lower than untreated groups for 72 hours.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings conclude that TiZr surfaces are similar to cpTi
      surfaces in terms of biocompatibility. However, PEMF application has a higher
      stimulative effect on cells cultured on cpTi surfaces when compared to TiZr.

PMID- 24220423
TI  - The effect of carrier type on bone regeneration of demineralized bone matrix in
      vivo.
AB  - Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is a bone substitute biomaterial used as an
      excellent grafting material. Some factors such as carrier type might affect the
      healing potential of this material. The background data discuss the present
      status of the field: Albumin as a main protein in blood and carboxymethyl
      cellulose (CMC) were applied frequently in the DBM gels. We investigated the bone
      repairing properties of 2 DBMs with different carriers. Bone regeneration in 3
      groups of rat calvaria treated with DBM from the Iranian Tissue Bank Research and
      Preparation Center, DBM from Hans Biomed Corporation, and an empty cavity was
      studied. Albumin and CMC as carriers were used. The results of bone regeneration
      in the samples after 1, 4, and 8 weeks of implantation were compared. The block
      of the histologic samples was stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and the
      percentage area of bone formation was calculated using the histomorphometry
      method. The results of in vivo tests showed a significantly stronger new
      regenerated bone occupation in the DBM with albumin carrier compared with the one
      with CMC 8 weeks after the implantation. The 2 types of DBM had a significant
      difference in bone regeneration. This difference is attributed to the type of
      carriers. Albumin could improve mineralization and bioactivity compared with CMC.

PMID- 24220424
TI  - Effects of laser and ozone therapies on bone healing in the calvarial defects.
AB  - This study aims to analyze the effect of the low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and
      ozone therapy on the bone healing of critical size defect (CSD) in rat calvaria.
      A total of 30 Wistar male rats were used. A 5-mm-diameter trephine bur was used
      to create CSD on the right side of the parietal bone of each rat calvarium. Once
      the bone was excised, a synthetic biphasic calcium phosphate graft material was
      implanted to all the bone defect sites. The animals were randomly divided into 3
      groups as follows: the control group (n = 10), which received no LLLT or ozone
      therapy; the LLLT group (n = 10), which received only LLLT (120 seconds, 3 times
      a week for 2 weeks); and the ozone therapy group (n = 10) (120 seconds, 3 times a
      week for 2 weeks). After 1 month, all the rats were killed, and the sections were
      examined to evaluate the presence of inflammatory infiltrate, connective tissue,
      and new bone formation areas. Histomorphometric analyses showed that in the LLLT
      and ozone groups, the new bone areas were significantly higher than in the
      control group (P < 0.05). In the LLLT group, higher new bone areas were found
      than in the ozone group (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that both ozone and
      laser therapies had a positive effect on bone formation in rat calvarial defect,
      compared with the control group; however, ozone therapy was more effective than
      LLLT (808 nm; 0.1 W; 4 J/cm(2); 0.028 cm(2), continuous wave mode).

PMID- 24220425
TI  - Analysis of microRNA expression detected by microarray of the cerebral cortex
      after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
AB  - Small and noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) are known as key regulators of biological
      processes such as cell differentiation and tumor generation. They are also the
      important mediators of posttranscriptional gene silencing in both pathogenic and
      pathologic aspects of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. miRNA microarray has been
      considered to be a high-throughput and precise analysis tool for detecting miRNA
      expression profiling, and it does greatly facilitate the research of the
      biological function of miRNAs. To investigate the changes of miRNA expression in
      cortex of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) and the
      possible roles of miRNA in the pathogenesis of HIBI, we constructed the model of
      rat with HIBI and the cortex tissues were obtained 14 days after the HIBI
      operation. The large-scale miRNA microarrays and bioinformatics analysis were
      used to determine the differentially expressed miRNAs of HIBI rats compared with
      controls. Expression of 3 miRNAs (mir-429, mir-200b, and mir-182) was determined
      by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results of miRNA
      expression profiles indicated that 5 miRNAs were up-regulated more than twice and
      29 miRNAs were down-regulated more than twice compared with the normal control
      group. The results of the 3 miRNAs detected by quantitative real-time polymerase
      chain reaction were consistent with those detected by miRNA microarray. Hypoxic
      ischemic brain injury rats have significant changes in miRNA expression, which
      demonstrated that miRNAs may play important roles in the pathogenesis of HIBI. 

PMID- 24220426
TI  - Combination of chondroitinase ABC, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor
      and Nogo A antibody delayed-release microspheres promotes the functional recovery
      of spinal cord injury.
AB  - Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating injuries for patients.
      Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is an important neurotrophic
      factor for the regeneration of the spinal neuraxial bundle, but GDNF would
      degrade rapidly if the protein was injected into the site of injury; thus, it
      cannot exert its fullest effects. Therefore, we introduced a delivery system of
      GDNF, poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) delayed-release microspheres, in the
      current study and observed the effect of PLGA-GDNF and the combination of PLGA
      GDNF and another 2 agents PLGA-chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) and PLGA-Nogo A
      antibody in the treatment of SCI rats. Our results showed that PLGA-GDNF and the
      combination of chABC, GDNF, and Nogo A antibody microspheres could elevate the
      locomotor scores of SCI rats. The effect of PLGA-GDNF was much better than that
      of GDNF. The cortical somatosensory evoked potential was also improved by PLGA
      GDNF and the combination of chABC, GDNF, and Nogo A antibody microspheres. Our
      results suggest that PLGA delayed-release microsphere may be a useful and
      effective tool in delivering protein agents into the injury sites of patients
      with SCI. This novel combination therapy may provide a new idea in promoting the
      functional recovery of the damaged spinal cord. 

PMID- 24220427
TI  - Oral foregut cyst in a neonate.
AB  - Oral foregut cysts are congenital choristomas that arise in the oral cavity
      during embryonic development from remnants of foregut-derived epithelium. This is
      an unusual report of a neonate with a large congenital sublingual cystic lesion,
      extending superficially from the left ventral tongue to the anterior floor of the
      mouth, impeding breast-feeding. The differential diagnosis included dermoid cyst,
      epidermoid cyst, mucous retention cyst, and oral lymphangioma. The treatment of
      choice was enucleation under general anesthesia. Histology showed a cystic lesion
      with a ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with numerous goblet cells.
      Immunohistochemistry was positive for cytokeratin 7 and thyroid transcription
      factor 1 and negative for cytokeratin 20, resulting in a final diagnosis of an
      oral foregut cyst. Three weeks after surgery, the tongue had healed with good
      mobility, and breast-feeding could be established. No recurrence was present at 6
      months of follow-up. 

PMID- 24220428
TI  - Postradiation sarcoma from a free flap.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Postradiation sarcomas constitute approximately 0.5% to 5.5% of all
      sarcomas. They develop locally approximately 3 to 20 years after the
      administration of radiotherapy (RT). They are generally high-grade tumors.
      Osteosarcomas, fibrosarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, angiosarcomas, and
      leiomyosarcomas are the most frequently observed. It is rare for these tumors to
      originate from free flaps, and this patient report is one of the first in the
      literature. PATIENT: A 59-year-old man was operated on because of ethmoid sinus
      cancer in 2004, and the reconstruction was performed with a rectus abdominis free
      muscle flap. He received postoperative RT and subsequently presented to our
      clinic with a medially protruding mass on his upper jaw. A biopsy was performed.
      Its pathologic diagnosis was reported as malignant mesenchymal tumor. Computed
      tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed, demonstrating that the
      mass originated from the free muscle flap (m. rectus abdominis) at the front wall
      of the sphenoid sinus. A total excision of the free muscle flap and near-total
      maxillectomy were performed. The pathologic finding was reported as
      leiomyosarcoma with bone invasion. DISCUSSION: With the advancement of medical
      and pharmaceutical technologies, our patient's life expectancy is increasing. In
      long-living patients who have received RT, tumors can develop 20 years after the
      RT. The close follow-up of patients receiving RT is of utmost importance because
      treatment survival is linked to early diagnosis and resection with negative
      surgical margins. We must not forget that, even if years have passed since
      receiving RT, these patients may present with such tumors.

PMID- 24220429
TI  - Modification of mandibular advancement osteotomy in a patient with Hanhart
      syndrome.
AB  - The oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndrome is a group of anomalies affecting the
      mandible, tongue, and maxilla with or without reductive limb anomalies. It was
      first described by Hanhart in 1950. In severe syndromic cases of mandibular
      hypoplasia, a number of techniques have been described for mandibular advancement
      including sagittal split osteotomies, segmental osteotomies, or distraction
      osteogenesis just to name a few. A 25-year-old male patient presented to our
      clinic with symptoms including difficulty in speech and eating, disability in
      opening the mouth, together with hand and foot abnormalities; we want to describe
      a modification in the technique of mandibular advancement and the patient's late
      postoperative results. The design of the step osteotomy is modified by softening
      the angles of the steps and elongating the horizontal segment of the step to
      approximately 25 mm to allow for a more efficient advancement of the mandible.
      The postoperative period was uneventful, with no signs of inferior alveolar nerve
      disturbance. The patient showed an increase of the mouth opening distance
      immediately after surgery. We believe that this tongue-in-groove-like modified
      mandibular step osteotomy technique is a good alternative in patients where
      advancement greater than 15 mm is required, preserving the nerve and achieving
      solid bony intact surfaces. 

PMID- 24220430
TI  - Arthroscopic surgery for removal of 112 loose bodies of synovial chondromatosis
      of the temporomandibular joint.
AB  - We present a new case of unilateral synovial chondromatosis of the
      temporomandibular joint, including diagnostic images, the treatment performed,
      and histologic analysis. In this report, we describe a case of temporomandibular
      joint synovial chondromatosis treated only through arthroscopy to remove 112
      loose bodies completely. 

PMID- 24220431
TI  - Giant intradiploic epidermoid cyst presenting as solitary skull mass with
      intracranial extension.
AB  - Epidermoid cysts are rare benign tumors that constitute 0.3% to 1.8% of all
      intracranial tumors. They are inclusion tumors that include epidermoid elements
      and are most commonly located in the cerebellopontine angle cistern and the
      parasellar region, and their location in the diploic space is very rare. These
      lesions slowly grow and usually do not involve the intracranial compartment. In
      this article, a case of giant epidermoid cyst located in the left frontal
      intradiploic space is presented with clinical, radiologic features and surgical
      treatment. 

PMID- 24220432
TI  - Endoscopically assisted removal of a lingually displaced third molar adjacent to
      the inferior alveolar nerve.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteotomy of impacted lower third molars still represents a major
      trauma because of periosteal flap preparation and buccal bone loss. We present a
      new occlusal flapless approach for the removal of lingually impacted lower third
      molars adjacent to the inferior alveolar nerve without lateral or lingual
      osteotomy. METHOD: After occlusal exposure under local anesthesia, visualization
      of the third molar region is obtained from a posterior perspective using support
      endoscopy. Under magnifying endoscopic visualization, the crown is removed using
      an inward fragmentation technique. After exposure of the furcation area, the
      roots are separated and removed via the occlusal cavity. CONCLUSIONS:
      Endoscopically assisted removal of mandibular third molars allows the maintenance
      of the adjacent bone structures and the integrity of the mandibular canal. It is
      valuable in complex anatomic sites in particular.

PMID- 24220433
TI  - Bilateral parotid swelling with blindness.
AB  - We report a case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with bilateral parotid
      gland enlargement. She had no systemic symptoms such as fever, cough, and weight
      loss. She had bilateral blindness for a long time. The results of a physical
      examination revealed a bilateral firm, painless mass in the parotid region. A
      computed tomographic scan showed no clear lymphadenopathy in the neck but showed
      localized infiltrates and multiple pulmonary nodules with enlargement of the
      mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes in the chest. The patient underwent a
      superficial parotidectomy. A histopathologic finding revealed an epithelioid
      noncaseating granuloma, which is consistent with sarcoidosis. In summary, this
      current study shows that sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis of all painless swelling of the parotid gland, especially in women,
      which could be an earlier complaint. 

PMID- 24220434
TI  - Long-term complication after rhinoplasty using porous polyethylene implant:
      cutaneous fistula of the forehead.
AB  - Nasal dorsum augmentation is one of the most frequently performed procedures
      during rhinoplasty, especially in Asians and reconstructive cases. One can use
      autogenous cartilage grafts or alloplastic implants for this purpose. However,
      the potential for permanent damage to the skin and soft tissues as well as
      complications such as infection and extrusion of the implant make autogenous
      tissue augmentation preferable to alloplastic implantation. Furthermore, there is
      scant literature information about long-term outcomes and complications related
      to these implants. This brief report aimed to describe a unique case of migration
      of an alloplastic implant from the nose to the forehead, simulating a frontal
      sinus fistula. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

PMID- 24220435
TI  - An unforeseen complication arising from inferior alveolar nerve block: is anemia
      possible?
AB  - Complications after administration of local anesthesia for dental procedures are
      well recognized. We present here 2 cases of patients with anemic areas on their
      faces resulting from inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). The precise cause of
      this complication is unknown; however, it may be derived from anastomosis of the
      maxillary artery, rapid injection of local anesthetic solution, misdirection of
      the needle, and spread of the solution to the upper region of the mandible.
      Although neurologic occurrences resulting from IANB are rare, dentists should
      keep in mind that certain dental procedures such as administering IANB could
      cause anemic areas on the face. Henceforth, dentists should consider the
      possibility of anemia after administration of IANB and pay attention to avoid
      complications during the procedure. 

PMID- 24220436
TI  - Multidisciplinary approach to lethal bleeding from an arteriovenous malformation
      in the external auditory canal.
AB  - Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are composed of abnormally connecting feeding
      arteries as well as draining veins and lack a regulatory system. Frequent
      recurrences and unpredictable behavior are their main problems. Potential
      mortality and morbidity associated with therapeutic procedures must be considered
      with these patients. Improper treatment often aggravates the condition,
      potentially rendering therapy more complex. A multidisciplinary approach,
      including an endovascular approach, surgical excision, and flap reconstruction,
      is considered to completely eradicate an AVM. This study introduces a complicated
      case of AVM with massive bleeding through the external auditory canal that was
      treated with a multidisciplinary approach. 

PMID- 24220437
TI  - Keratoameloblastoma, a very rare variant of ameloblastoma.
AB  - The keratoameloblastoma is a rare histologic variant of ameloblastoma. Fewer than
      15 cases of keratoameloblastoma have been documented in the literature. We report
      a new case of keratoameloblastoma in a 21-year-old female patient with a
      unilocular radiolucent lesion between the roots of the right mandibular incisors.
      We describe the clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features of this
      lesion along with a review on the characteristics of previous cases. We also
      discuss about classification and management of this lesion. 

PMID- 24220438
TI  - A novel approach to immediate restoration of the cosmetic deformity after
      regional temporalis flap reconstruction of a maxillary defect: a case report.
AB  - Restoration of large maxillary defects can be achieved by using various muscle
      and bone flap transfers. Free muscle and bone transfer has become the
      reconstruction standard because it offers a combination of bone and soft tissues,
      which allows primary closure of the defect and secondary placement of dental
      implants for a full rehabilitation approach. If free tissue transfer is not a
      viable option, regional flaps such as temporalis muscle offer a viable
      alternative. This report presents a novel approach to immediate reconstruction of
      temporalis defects after muscle transfer to repair a maxillary defect. A custom
      made titanium onlay was constructed preoperatively using a three-dimensional
      model of the patient to restore the absent muscle contour. The implant was placed
      at the same time as the muscle transfer. A good cosmetic outcome was achieved,
      and no postoperative complications were reported. 

PMID- 24220439
TI  - Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion associated with
      olfactory neuroblastoma.
AB  - This study reports a patient having olfactory neuroblastoma complicated by
      syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Olfactory neuroblastoma
      is a rare tumor that begins in the olfactory membrane. Only 10 cases have been
      reported previously. Because of having nonspecific symptoms, most patients
      manifest at an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Olfactory neuroblastoma
      may show local invasion and/or distant metastasis. We demonstrated preoperatively
      clinical and biochemical parameters consistent with antidiuretic hormone syndrome
      turned to normal ranges after the treatment. Surgery, chemotherapy, and
      radiotherapy are the choices of treatment; among these, surgery is an
      indispensible treatment. 

PMID- 24220440
TI  - Ulcerated anterior maxillary swelling showing radiopaque bodies on cone beam
      computed tomography.
AB  - The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT), also known as Pindborg tumor,
      is a rare benign tumor of epithelial origin of locally aggressive behavior, which
      represents less than 1% of all odontogenic tumors affecting the oral cavity. The
      lesion usually presents as a nonulcerated painless mass of slow growth, commonly
      affecting the posterior region of the mandible. Depending on the stages of
      development, CEOTs may present variable radiographic appearances. To date, a few
      number of cases affecting the anterior maxillary region have been published in
      the English-language literature. This article describes an interesting and rare
      case of an anterior ulcerated maxillary swelling diagnosed as a CEOT based on
      clinical, cone beam computed tomography and pathologic findings. Functional
      results were obtained with the surgical approach, and no recurrence of the lesion
      during a 2-year follow-up period was observed. 

PMID- 24220441
TI  - Pleomorphic adenoma of the whole parotid gland: a rare clinical finding.
AB  - Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common tumor arising from the parotid salivary
      gland. In most instances, it involves the superficial part of the gland rarely
      affecting the deep part, which often presents as a swelling on the lateral
      pharyngeal wall. The neoplastic process involving the superficial and the deep
      part of the same gland is extremely unusual. We had a patient who presented to
      our clinic with a recurrent swelling of his left parotid gland with a diagnosis
      of pleomorphic adenoma. On a computed tomographic scan, it was found to involve
      both the superficial and deep parts of the gland. The gland was excised
      completely, preserving the facial nerve and all its branches. A histopathologic
      study of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis and extent of the disease. 

PMID- 24220442
TI  - Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the nasal cavity presenting as abducens nerve
      palsy.
AB  - An 87-year-old man presented with a 1-week history of transient facial numbness,
      followed by the onset of left diplopia 1 month later. In the neurological
      examination, he was found to have left abducens nerve palsy. A brain MRI showed
      an infiltrative lesion invading the left posterior nasal cavity and
      pterygopalatine fossa, and extending into the left paracavernous region. The
      histological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We report an unusual
      case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma occurring in the sinonasal tract with
      unilateral abducens nerve palsy presenting as an early feature. 

PMID- 24220443
TI  - Diagnostic challenge in papillary thyroid carcinoma with cervical
      lymphadenopathy, metastasis, or tuberculous lymphadenitis.
AB  - Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most frequent histological subtype of
      thyroid cancer. Total thyroidectomy with neck dissection is recommended for
      treatment. Tuberculous adenitis is a common cause of lymphadenopathy in endemic
      areas. Therefore, tuberculous lymphadenitis should be considered in the etiology
      of enlarged lymph nodes when PTC patients with risk factors such as tuberculosis
      present with cervical lymph node enlargement. Detailed evaluation of the neck
      metastasis of patients with PTC is necessary to avoid postoperative complications
      due to neck dissection. We present a 55-year-old female patient with tuberculous
      lymphadenitis mimicking metastatic lymph nodes from PTC. 

PMID- 24220447
TI  - Review of peripheral giant cell granulomas.

PMID- 24220448
TI  - Solitary osteoma in the zygomatic arch.

PMID- 24220449
TI  - Sutureless technique in third molar surgery: an overview.
AB  - Sutureless technique following mandibular third molar surgery is an endearing
      concept in modern oral and maxillofacial surgery: regardless, few articles appear
      in literature with different methods, results, and flaps. A modern state of the
      art of this technique does not exist.In this article, an overview of studies
      regarding sutureless technique in mandibular third molar surgery is presented:
      relation to postoperative infection, recovery, and proper flap are discussed. 

PMID- 24220450
TI  - Adult sporadic parotid hemangioma with COX2 expression.

PMID- 24220451
TI  - Pigmented dentigerous cyst.

PMID- 24220452
TI  - Clinical observation of single-tooth implant in the deficient anterior maxilla
      with intraoral bone grafts of thin periodontal biotype patients.

PMID- 24220453
TI  - Propranolol as diagnostic tool for infantile hemangiomas.

PMID- 24220454
TI  - Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal.

PMID- 24220455
TI  - Bilateral accessory alar lobule: report of a hidden anomaly.

PMID- 24220456
TI  - Dentofacial deformity is not an appropriate term.

PMID- 24220457
TI  - The neuronal feedback (NF) technique in third molar surgery.

PMID- 24220458
TI  - A useful device for the improvement of maximal interincisor opening after
      operations of temporomandibular region: the clothes PEG.

PMID- 24220459
TI  - Lung adenocarcinoma metastasis to frontal sinus mimicking Pott's puffy tumor.
AB  - Metastasis of the lung adenocarcinoma to the paranasal sinuses is a rare clinical
      entity. We present a 75-year-old male patient who presented with swelling of the
      forehead and left upper eyelid with proptosis in left eye due to metastasis from
      lung adenocarcinoma. It appears as a puffy swelling of the forehead like a Pott's
      puffy tumor. Pott's puffy tumor is a subperiostal abscess of the frontal bone
      associated with osteomyelitis and usually occurs as a complication of sinusitis
      or trauma. 

PMID- 24220460
TI  - Congenital aplasia of the external ear canal and total dehiscence of mastoid
      tympanic segment of the facial nerve as a cause of recurrent facial paralysis.
AB  - Facial nerve (FN) macrodehiscence, in contrast to microdehiscence, generally
      occurs as a result of chronic otitis media and is rarely seen congenitally. A
      patient with normal hearing who had no history of ear disease or ear operation
      came to the clinic with recurrent facial paralysis (FP) and frequent blockage of
      the external ear canal with epithelial debris complaints. In the explorative ear
      surgery, we observed that the posterior wall of the external ear canal or
      tympanic ring was absent, a large external ear cavity was covered with a thin
      skin, the FN was under the skin, and the tympanic-mastoid segment of the FN and
      chorda tympani extending to the stylomastoid foramen was completely open. FP
      episodes were associated with the unprotected FN.To prevent an attack of FP, and
      to self-clean the external ears, mastoid obliteration surgery was performed, and
      the mastoid segment of the FN was covered with a conchal cartilage graft. This
      case was diagnosed as congenital aplasia of the external ear canal due to the
      tympanic bone aplasia-mastoid bone hypoplasia, and the dehiscence of the mastoid
      tympanic segment of the FN, and as a cause of recurrent FP, has never to date
      been identified. 

PMID- 24220461
TI  - Intracerebral schwannoma mimicking parasagittal meningioma.
AB  - A 24-year-old female patient presented to the neurological department after a
      seizure that lasted for 10 minutes. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic
      and heterogeneously enhanced giant mass in the right frontal lobe mimicking
      parasagittal meningioma. Surgery via a single frontal craniotomy confirmed the
      tumor was attached to the falx cerebri and sagittal sinus. The histological
      diagnosis was schwannoma. Since total resection of the tumor, the patient was
      seizure free. Twelve months of follow-up revealed good outcome. 

PMID- 24220462
TI  - Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in the oral cavity: a huge oral cavity mass with
      neck metastasis.
AB  - Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CEPA) is a rare, aggressive, poorly understood
      malignancy. In CEPA, an epithelial malignancy develops in association with a
      primary or recurrent benign pleomorphic adenoma. Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma
      is very difficult to identify before surgery because the clinical presentation of
      many cases is similar to that of pleomorphic adenomas. The risk for malignancy
      increases with the duration of a mixed tumor. Treatment of CEPA must be
      individualized on the basis of the tumor location, involvement of adjacent
      structures, histologic subtype, and grade. The authors recently experienced a
      case of CEPA arising in the oral cavity with neck metastasis. The patient was a
      70-year-old man presenting a huge mass that was present for 20 years and that
      slowly grew on the left side of the neck. We treated it with a total excision
      with wide margins and neck dissection. There was no recurrence during the follow
      up period of 5 years up until now. We present a case of an unusually huge CEPA in
      the oral cavity. 

PMID- 24220463
TI  - Microstrain around dental implants supporting fixed partial prostheses under
      axial and non-axial loading conditions, in vitro strain gauge analysis.
AB  - The current study used strain gauge analysis to perform an in vitro evaluation of
      the effect of axial and non-axial loading on implant-supported fixed partial
      prostheses, varying the implant placement configurations and the loading points.
      Three internal hexagon implants were embedded in the center of each polyurethane
      block with in-line and offset placements. Microunit abutments were connected to
      the implants using a torque of 20 N . cm, and plastic prosthetic cylinders were
      screwed onto the abutments, which received standard patterns cast in Co-Cr alloy
      (n = 10). Four strain gauges (SGs) were bonded onto the surfaces of the blocks,
      tangentially to the implants: SG 01 mesially to implant 1, SG 02 and SG 03
      mesially and distally to implant 2, respectively, and SG 04 distally to implant
      3. Each metallic structure was screwed onto the abutments using a 10-N.cm torque,
      and axial and non-axial loads of 30 kg were applied at 5 predetermined points.
      The data obtained from the strain gauge analyses were analyzed statistically
      through the repeated measures analysis of variance and the Tukey test, with a
      conventional level of significance of P < 0.05. The results showed a
      statistically significant difference for the loading point (P = 0.0001), with
      point E (nonaxial) generating the highest microstrain (327.67 MU[Latin Small
      Letter Open E]) and point A (axial) generating the smallest microstrain (208.93
      MU[Latin Small Letter Open E]). No statistically significant difference was found
      for implant placement configuration (P = 0.856). It was concluded that the offset
      implant placement did not reduce the magnitude of microstrain around the implants
      under axial and non-axial loading conditions, although loading location did
      influence this magnitude.

PMID- 24220464
TI  - The use of computer-guided flapless dental implant surgery (NobelGuide) and
      immediate function to support a fixed full-arch prosthesis in fresh-frozen
      homologous patients with bone grafts.
AB  - The behavior of fresh-frozen homologous bone (FFB) when used in combination with
      computer-guided implant surgery has not been investigated yet, and there is a
      lack of clinical evidence in the literature. The purpose of this retrospective
      study is to evaluate the implant survival and related fixed full-arch prostheses
      at the 1- to 5-year follow-up when performed with immediate function using a
      flapless surgical procedure and computer-aided technology (NobelGuide; Nobel
      Biocare AB, Goteborg, Sweden) in patients previously treated with FFB grafts.
      Furthermore, the related values of torque and complications observed were
      analyzed and discussed. Clinical charts of patients with edentulous arches
      treated with FFB grafts and NobelGuide system with at least 1 year follow-up were
      reviewed retrospectively.A total of 65 patients met the criteria of inclusion,
      receiving a total of 342 implants and 77 full-arch prostheses, with a mean follow
      up of 32.87 months (range, 1-5 years). Survival of implants and prostheses was
      high, reaching 96.5% and 95%, respectively. Factors significantly related to
      failure of the implants were smoking, position of the implant as last distal
      abutment, and fracture of basal maxillary bone. Prostheses survival was
      influenced by bruxism, failure of multiple implants, and torque level of implant
      equal to 0 at implant insertion. All implants and prostheses failures occurred in
      the first year. A higher torque level at implant insertion did not correspond to
      a lower risk of implant failure.Within the limitations of our retrospective
      study, this treatment modality was predictable with high survival rates and high
      insertion torque. However, a few implant and prosthetic failures were found,
      together with several complications. 

PMID- 24220465
TI  - Quality of life in patients younger than 40 years treated for anterior tongue
      squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - This study investigated the quality of life in patients younger than 40 years
      with tongue squamous cell carcinoma. We used the University of Washington Head
      and Neck Quality of Life scale to compare the quality of life outcomes between
      young and old patients. Cases were patients younger than 40 years who were
      treated for anterior tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Controls were patients older
      than 40 years who were matched to the cases regarding diagnosis, sex, and TNM
      classification. Two controls were matched for each case; thus, 21 cases and 42
      controls were selected. Twenty-one of 33 questionnaires (63.6%) were returned.
      The median follow-up duration was 3.7 years (range, 1-12 y). In the group of
      young patients, the best-scoring domains were pain, chewing, and swallowing,
      whereas the lowest scores were for appearance, mood, and anxiety. Young patients
      (40 years or younger) reported better function, notably regarding activity,
      recreation, shoulder, taste, and saliva compared with the old patients with
      anterior tongue squamous cell carcinoma. The patients younger than 40 years tend
      to have a good quality of life. Most of them were not significantly affected by
      pain. Quality of life should be used as part of our treatment of anterior tongue
      squamous cell carcinoma. 

PMID- 24220466
TI  - Tonsillar leiomyosarcoma.
AB  - Leiomyosarcomas of the head and neck is an extremely rare entity that because of
      its infrequency has been associated with both delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.
      Sinonasal tract is the most common site in this region. The overall prognosis is
      poor. It is necessary for appropriate immunohistochemical investigation for
      accurate diagnosis. Tonsillar leiomyosarcoma presented only 1 case in the English
      language literature (PubMed, Ovid, and Proquest databases). We report a second
      case of leiomyosarcoma arising in the tonsil in a 38-year-old woman. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level IV therapeutic study.

PMID- 24220467
TI  - Outcome of bone availability after secondary alveolar bone graft in two age
      groups.
AB  - The aim of this study is to evaluate outcome of bone availability after the
      secondary alveolar bone graft in 2 age groups: group 1 patients were between 9
      and 13 years old and group 2 patients were above 14 years old. Acceptance success
      criteria (ASC) consisted of sufficient bone height (more than 10 mm), bone width
      (more than 4 mm), and adequate continuity between maxillary segments. The height
      and width of alveolar grafted bone were measured by using the cone-beam CT scans.
      We studied 45 patients who underwent a bone graft in their alveolar cleft in 2
      groups (25 patients in group 1 and 20 in group 2). The results showed that as the
      patients' ages increased, the incidence of ASC significantly decreased. In group
      1, 23 patients had ACS (92%), and in group 2, only 4 patients (20%) had ASC.
      Cleft type did not affect the ASC. The critical age for decreasing ASC was 14.5
      years. Our study showed successful outcomes of grafted bone were good when done
      in the mixed dentition period. Additionally, bone availability was more
      predictable at the mixed dentition stage. 

PMID- 24220468
TI  - Complete resection and immediate reconstruction with costochondral graft for
      recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandibular condyle.
AB  - Aneurysmal bone cyst is a non-neoplastic expansile lesion characterized by
      replacement with fibro-osseous tissue and blood-filled cavernous spaces.
      Involvement of the condyle is rare, and only 11 cases have been reported in
      English-language literature to date. Its common treatment modalities are lesion
      excision or condylar resection, but recurrence is high in patients treated with
      the former. The authors reported a 19-year-old female patient with swelling of
      the right preauricular region, who had a surgical curettage history in another
      hospital. The lesion was completely resected and the jaw was immediately
      reconstructed with costochondral graft with the help of SurgiCase software. The
      patient has been symptom-free for 6 months postoperatively. 

PMID- 24220469
TI  - Image-guided endoscopic navigation for the precise resection of a mandibular
      condylar osteochondroma.
AB  - PURPOSE: The authors describe an intraoral approach to accessing the mandibular
      condyle using endoscopy combined with a navigation system and explore the
      feasibility of this technique for the precise excision of a benign tumor in the
      condyle. METHODS: The junction between the osteochondroma and the condyle was
      recognized and defined as the osteotomy line in a CT-based surgery planning
      software, and the surgical plan was then exported to a navigation system. A 4-mm
      diameter 30-degree endoscope was placed in the wound with direct access to the
      entire condyle. Based on constant feedback from the navigation system in
      multiplanar and 3D views, the landmarks of the osteotomy line were identified,
      and precise tumor resection was achieved. RESULTS: The magnified endoscopic view
      allowed the condylar head and neck to be easily dissected with good illumination
      and clear visualization. The landmarks of the osteotomy line were transferred
      from the virtual surgical plan to the surgical field, and precise resection of
      the condylar tumor was achieved. CONCLUSION: The combined technique reported in
      this paper could represent a valid minimally invasive approach to the ramus
      condyle unit for direct visualization of the medial aspect of the condyle and
      precise resection of benign tumor located here.

PMID- 24220470
TI  - Synchronous ossifying fibromas of maxilla and mandible.
AB  - Ossifying fibroma is a benign neoplasm composed of fibrocellular tissue and
      mineralized material of varying appearance, which is most commonly seen in the
      posterior region of the mandible as a solitary lesion. We report an unusual case
      of synchronous ossifying fibroma of maxilla and mandible. To the best of our
      knowledge, only 13 similar cases have been previously reported. 

PMID- 24220471
TI  - Arch coordination does not affect the stability in class III orthognathic surgery
      patients.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the arch coordination manifested by
      preorthodontics had an effect on the short-term stability after orthognathic
      surgery by evaluating the B point, menton, overjet, and overbite. The subjects
      were 10 healthy adult female and male Koreans (mean age, 24.9 years) with
      insufficient arch coordination and 10 healthy adult female and male Koreans (mean
      age, 22 years) with sufficient arch coordination. All subjects had sagittal split
      ramus osteotomy with 1-piece maxillary Le Fort I surgery with/without genioplasty
      done from the same practitioner at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from
      2009 to 2011. All arch widths of the maxilla and mandible were measured.
      Cephalometric tracings of the subjects were made of the presurgical and
      postsurgical period with a follow-up at 3 months. Relapse was measured according
      to cephalometric tracing changes using the V-ceph Cephalometric Analysis Software
      version 5.5(Osstem, Seoul, South Korea). Insufficient arch coordination did not
      definitively affect the overall treatment outcome. There was significant
      difference in the horizontal dimensions of the mandible (vertical plane to point
      B, overjet) in the study group. The study group showed instability in orthodontic
      factors, whereas skeletal factors were stable. Vertical dimensions (horizontal
      plane to point B, horizontal plane to menton, overbite) were not statistically
      significant. 

PMID- 24220472
TI  - Minimal invasive and cost-effective method in reduction of maxillofacial fracture
      by using a Foley catheter ballooning technique.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to introduce 2 successful cases of orbital inferior
      wall fracture and maxillary sinus anterior wall fracture using the Foley catheter
      ballooning technique. One patient is a 43-year-old man with left orbital inferior
      wall fracture. A window on the sinus was made for visualization, and a Foley
      catheter was accessed through the natural ostium. The ballooned catheter was
      inflated to lift the inferior orbital wall rim and stationed for 2 weeks. The
      window was closed using metal plates and screws. Another patient is a 64-year-old
      woman with right maxillary sinus anterior wall fracture, nasal fracture, and
      orbital blow-out fracture. A Foley catheter was accessed through the fractured
      maxillary sinus and reduced into place and fixed with absorbable plates screws.
      The technique of stabilization of reduced maxillofacial fractures using a Foley
      balloon catheter with restorable plates and titanium plates showed stable
      results. This technique is relatively easy to undergo with minimal or no
      complications because of reduced operation time. Also, it is cost-effective
      compared with other materials providing similar results and heightens patient
      satisfaction. 

PMID- 24220473
TI  - Combined bilateral hatchet and nasolabial advancement flaps for a large defect of
      the lower lip.
AB  - A large full-thickness defect of the lower lip is difficult to reconstruct.
      Preservation of eating and speaking functions based on maintenance of oral
      sphincter and muscle function, sensation, and the oral aperture are the basic
      aims. It is also important to achieve a good aesthetic appearance. Here, we
      describe a new procedure using combined bilateral hatchet and nasolabial
      advancement flaps for a large full-thickness defect of the lower lip. The aim of
      use of the hatchet flap is to make a natural curve from the mentolabial fold to
      the mental protuberance using the "dog ear" resulting from suturing medially
      advanced bilateral hatchet flaps and to preserve a more certain blood supply to
      the medial edge of the flap. Our results indicate that the procedure using
      combined bilateral hatchet flaps and nasolabial flaps is useful for a U-shaped
      large full-thickness defect, with good functional and aesthetic outcomes. 

PMID- 24220474
TI  - Traumatic lysis of the inferior rectus muscle.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study aims to report a rare case of traumatic lysis of inferior
      rectus muscle after a traffic accident. METHODS: This is a case report wherein
      the clinical features, computed tomographic findings, and surgical treatment were
      presented. RESULTS: A 42-year-old woman complained of double vision and upward
      deviation of the left eye for 13 months after being involved in a traffic
      accident. The alternate prism and cover test both at distance and near testing
      showed an exotropia of 18 prism diopters (PD) and hypertropia of 50 PD of the
      left eye. The left eye had complete restriction of downward movement, and the
      forced duction test was negative. Computed tomography disclosed that the middle
      portion of the left inferior rectus muscle was absent. Diagnosis was traumatic
      lysis of left inferior rectus muscle. The deviation of the left eye was corrected
      by left superior rectus muscle recession and partial transposition of the medial
      and lateral rectus muscles. Six months after surgery, no deviation at the primary
      position both at distance and near testing was present; however, the left eye
      remained at a -3 restriction of downward movement. CONCLUSIONS: Paralysis of the
      inferior rectus muscle may have resulted from the traumatic lysis, a rare
      clinical feature that can be confirmed by computed tomography.

PMID- 24220475
TI  - Unusual presentation of monostatic fibrous dysplasia in zygoma.
AB  - Fibrous dysplasia is a nonneoplastic, developmental disease of the bone that
      begins in childhood with obscure etiology. Clinically, it is presented as a
      continuously growing, painless mass at late childhood. Maxilla and mandible are
      mostly involved in facial skeleton. Involvement of the zygomatic bone is rare.
      Fibrous dysplasia of the zygomatic bone may cause orbital dystopia, diplopia,
      proptosis, loss of visual acuity, swelling, mass formation, or facial asymmetry.
      We present 1 case of fibrous dysplasia with isolated zygomatic bone involvement. 

PMID- 24220476
TI  - Extensive cervical necrotizing fasciitis of odontogenic origin.
AB  - Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an uncommon infection, but potentially lethal,
      especially when associated with systemic disorders such as diabetes. The authors
      report a case of necrotizing fasciitis from odontogenic origin in a patient with
      uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. The initial diagnosis was based on clinical
      information, in which multiple necrosis areas in cervical and thoracic regions
      were observed. Wide antibiotic therapy was applied, followed by surgical drain
      age and debridement. Culture was positive for methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus. Although the treatment is established, the patient dies
      after sepsis and failure of vital organs. Clearly, the morbidity associated to
      this infection, even in diabetic patients, can be minimized if an early diagnosis
      and effective debridement are done. 

PMID- 24220477
TI  - Wide excision and anterolateral thigh perforator flap reconstruction for
      dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the face.
AB  - Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare cutaneous malignant tumor associated
      with a high cure rate but with a high incidence of local recurrence. Because of
      its tentacle-like subcutaneous infiltrating pattern that extends far beyond the
      clinically visible skin lesion, a wide resection margin is recommended. Hence,
      its localization to the head-and-neck regions, although rare, represents a real
      challenge for both the oncologic surgeon and the reconstructive surgeon, who aim
      to achieve a radical resection of the tumor with the best possible aesthetic
      outcome.A case of a 21-year-old Mediterranean man who presented with a 7-month
      history of a slowly growing subcutaneous lesion of the left preauricular region
      is reported. A diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans CD34+ was confirmed
      through surgical biopsy, and the patient subsequently underwent a wide en bloc
      local surgical resection, followed by anterolateral thigh perforator free flap
      reconstruction. Healing was uneventful. Initially, there was some facial nerve
      neurapraxia; however, this completely subsided within 3 months after the surgery.
      At the 13-month follow-up, the patient was completely well and free from the
      disease. 

PMID- 24220478
TI  - Occupational safety threats among dental personnel and related risk factors.
AB  - Occupational diseases are primarily considered to be important health problems
      for individuals with occupations in heavy industry fields. Although dentists work
      in very clean and elegant offices, they are frequently exposed to various
      chemicals and high-intensity, sound-producing instruments, such as compressors
      and aerators. In our study, we aimed to investigate the risk for occupational
      hearing loss of dental personnel, by performing pure-tone audiometry in 40
      dentists and comparing the results with those of healthy individuals. We also
      sampled the nasal mucosa to investigate the effects of occupational chemicals on
      the nasal mucosa of the dentists. The pure-tone audiometric thresholds at 5
      different frequencies (1000, 2000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz) and working time were
      evaluated as potential risk factors. The pure-tone audiometric results (as
      decibels) at each frequency and the median values for each side (right and left
      ears) were significantly higher for dentists than for the control group (P <
      0.05). The pure-tone audiometric results did not significantly differ between the
      women and men in the study group (P > 0.05). The findings in the nasal mucosa
      (goblet cell hyperplasia, neutrophil/eosinophil/basophil distribution,
      metaplasia, dysplasia, premalignant or malignant cells) were similar in the study
      and control groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, our study indicated that high
      intensity, sound-producing equipment is an important occupational threat for
      dentists, whereas chemical agents have minimal hazardous effects. 

PMID- 24220479
TI  - Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the ethmoido-orbital region.
AB  - Primary paranasal sinus lymphoma is a rare presentation of extranodal non-Hodgkin
      lymphoma. It is less aggressive and carries a relatively better prognosis. We
      describe a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the left ethmoido
      orbital region. 

PMID- 24220480
TI  - A novel technique for preventing skin pressure sores using a rubber tube during
      surgical treatment of mandibular condyle fractures.
AB  - Craniofacial surgery occasionally results in sores and necrosis of the facial
      skin because of pressure from surgical instruments. During surgical treatment of
      mandibular condylar process fractures, the main mandibular fragment is routinely
      retracted downward using a wire to achieve a satisfactory anatomic reduction.
      This procedure may injure the facial skin. This potential complication is easily
      overlooked by medical staff, but it is easily preventable. We herein describe a
      method of using a rubber tube to avoid causing pressure sores of the facial skin
      during surgical treatment of mandibular condylar process fractures. 

PMID- 24220481
TI  - Evaluation of preoperative model surgery and the use of a maxillary sinus
      surgical template in sinus floor augmentation surgery.
AB  - Maxillary sinus augmentation is an accepted technique for dental implant
      placement in presence of insufficient maxillary bone. There are various
      techniques in the literature, either by crestal or lateral approach in maxillary
      sinus augmentation that have high percentage of success, while all have
      complications. Schneiderian membrane perforation is the most common complication
      encountered during surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of
      preoperative model surgery and the ease of use of a maxillary sinus surgical
      template (MSST) during maxillary sinus augmentation surgery with a lateral
      approach. Ten patients included in the study needed rehabilitation of a partially
      or totally edentulous maxilla with an implant-supported fixed prosthesis and
      requiring sinus augmentation. A questionnaire was asked to performing surgeons,
      and study results showed the use of an MSST was found to be effective in terms of
      adaptation (62.5%), window preparation (87.5%), ease of elevation (95.9%), ease
      of grafting (95.9%), reduction of perforation risk (91.7%), and achieving
      immobility during the procedure (62.5%); however, the use of an MSST was also
      found to prolong the surgical procedure (100%) and restrict the view of the
      surgical area (79.2%). Maxillary sinus augmentation appears to be a useful tool
      for locating an appropriate entrance to the sinus cavity, allowing for safe
      elevation of the sinus membrane and effectively grafting the sinus floor. 

PMID- 24220482
TI  - Clinical and pathological features of the giant, invasive basal cell carcinoma of
      the scalp.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The giant, invasive basal cell carcinoma of the scalp is a rare
      clinical form of this tumor that appears on the skin, but may spread to some of
      the following structures: soft tissues of the scalp, bones, meninges, and the
      brain. In literature, so far, it is known as the GBCC. It is caused by aggressive
      BCC subtypes. METHODS: We will present here a research of clinical and
      pathological features of 47 pathological specimens in 31 patients where the
      following features were examined: the dimension of the tumor, the dimension of
      the tissue segment, tumor area, segmentation area, resection margin width,
      microscopic resection margin status, tumor invasion level, and the outcome.
      RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We have concluded that microscopic resection margin
      dimensions from 1 to 10 mm are safe and that relapse occurrences in giant,
      invasive BCCs of the scalp depend on microscopic resection margin dimensions,
      resection margin status, tumor invasion levels, risky occupation, and risky
      behavior of the patient.

PMID- 24220483
TI  - Nodular fasciitis in the buccal region with rapid growth after incisional biopsy
      mimicking sarcoma.
AB  - Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a reactive and proliferative fibroblastic lesion that
      occurs predominantly in the upper limbs but rarely develops in the oral cavity.
      This lesion can be misdiagnosed as malignant owing to its frequent display of
      rapid growth, rich cellularity, and high mitotic activity. Unlike a sarcoma, NF
      can resolve spontaneously or after an incisional biopsy. We describe a
      challenging case involving a lesion in the buccal region that rapidly enlarged
      after incisional biopsy. This variation of clinical behavior illustrates the
      difficulty in predicting whether NF will continue to grow or regress. Clinicians
      dealing with cases of an enlarging fibrous lesion of short duration should remain
      aware of this disease entity and its potential diagnostic dilemma. 

PMID- 24220484
TI  - A basosquamous cell carcinoma of the periorbital region arising from a chronic
      wound created by laser ablation of a basal cell carcinoma.
AB  - Basosquamous cell carcinomas (BSCs) are very rare and behave aggressively, with
      features of both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The diagnosis
      of BSC includes a spectrum of histologic definitions, ranging from coexistence of
      basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with or without a transition
      zone, to any basal cell carcinoma with evidence of keratinization.A 63-year-old
      man presented with a BSC within a chronic periorbital wound, which was confirmed
      through a postoperative histologic examination. The wound was created from a
      previous laser ablation of a diagnosed basal cell carcinoma. The BSC was excised
      without causing any deformity, and coverage of the defect was obtained using a
      local perforator-based flap. No recurrence was observed during a 5-month follow
      up. 

PMID- 24220485
TI  - A rare benign parotid gland tumor: angiomyolipoma.
AB  - Angiomyolipomas are benign neoplasms composed of smooth muscle, vasculature, and
      mature adipose tissue, which most commonly occur in the kidney and located in the
      head and neck region. A very rare neoplasm, there are only 3 cases of
      angiomyolipoma in the parotid gland that have been reported to date. Here, we
      report a case of a 38-year-old man who had a slow-growing mass in the parotid
      gland for the past 7 years. The results of a physical examination revealed a
      rubbery mass that was 2.5 cm in diameter in the below superficial lobe of the
      left parotid gland. A computed tomographic scan showed a heterogeneous and
      lobulated nodule with a well-defined margin, which was resected through partial
      parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve. A histologic finding
      revealed an angiomyolipoma of the parotid gland. In conclusion, angiomyolipoma
      should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rubbery parotid gland
      masses. 

PMID- 24220486
TI  - Cavernous hemangioma with large phlebolith of the parotid gland.
AB  - Hemangiomas are vascular anomalies characterized by increased proliferation and
      turnover of endothelial cells. Hemangiomas of the parotid region are relatively
      uncommon in adult population, and there are a few reports of hemangioma with
      large phlebolith within the parotid gland. We herein report a case of it.
      Sialography may be a useful investigation method in the evaluation of radiopaque
      lesions localized intraglandularly in the parotid area to rule out the sialolith.
      Cavernous hemangioma with phleboliths should be included in the differential
      diagnosis of a swelling in the mandibular area. 

PMID- 24220487
TI  - A randomized double-blinded placebo controlled study of four interventions for
      the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in maxillofacial trauma
      surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine if preoperative oral administration of
      metoclopramide, chlorpromazine, gabapentin, or dexamethasone would effectively
      reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the first 24 hours after
      surgery in patients undergoing maxillofacial trauma surgery. METHODS: One hundred
      fifty patients with maxillofacial skeletal trauma that need open reduction and
      internal fixation were randomly assigned to receive one of the following drugs
      orally, 1 hour preoperative: 10 mg metoclopramide (group A), 300 mg gabapentin
      (group B), 100 mg chlorpromazine (group C), 5 mg dexamethasone (group D), and
      placebo (group E). All patients were observed in the first 24 hours for PONV.
      Data analysis was done with the SPSS software (version 19), using chi-square
      test, Fisher exact test, and multiple logistic regression methods. RESULTS: The
      incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in groups A (2/30), B (3/30), and C
      (2/30) compared with the placebo group (9/30) (P < 0.05). Also, the incidence of
      postoperative nausea was significantly high in the placebo group (11/30) as
      compared to treatment groups A (2/30), B (3/30), and C (3/30) (P < 0.05). No
      significant differences in the incidence of PONV were found between groups D
      (7/30) and E (P > 0.05). Of all demographic variables, anesthesia time (P =
      0.034) and surgery time (P = 0.047) were predictors of PONV. CONCLUSION: Our
      results demonstrated that premedication with oral metoclopramide, gabapentin, or
      chlorpromazine can significantly decrease the incidence of PONV in patients
      undergoing maxillofacial trauma surgery.

PMID- 24220488
TI  - Surgical management of synchronous central giant cell granuloma and ossifying
      fibroma of the mandible.
AB  - We describe the surgical management of an uncommon case of synchronous
      presentation of central giant cell granuloma and ossifying fibroma in the
      mandible. A mandibular resection was performed and a fibula-free flap was
      harvested to reconstruct the defect. 

PMID- 24220489
TI  - Reconstruction of congenital vomeral bone defect using the outer table of the
      skull.
AB  - A congenital nasal septal defect involving vomeral bone is a rare nasal anomaly,
      and few reconstructed cases have been reported. Reconstruction of the nasal
      septum using the outer table of skull to allow the use of glasses was performed.
      The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged
      on the tenth postoperative day. A transferred bone remains and shows no deviation
      to the right or left in the ninth postoperative month. The tubercle of the nasal
      part remains, and the patient is satisfied with the cosmetic result 9 months
      postoperatively. The timing of the operation and the surgical procedure are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24220490
TI  - Brachiocephalic artery anomaly at the neck: importance during minimally invasive
      video-assisted parathyroidectomy.
AB  - A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a parathyroid
      adenoma, detected on sonography. It had been located posteroinferiorly to the
      right thyroid lobe. Parathyroid scintigraphy confirmed the right inferior
      parathyroid adenoma. During physical examination of the neck, a pulsatile mass in
      the anterior inferior right was determined, and because of suspicion for a
      vascular anomaly, a computed tomography angiography was performed. The computed
      tomography showed that the right brachiocephalic artery ascended vertically to
      the level of the inferior border of right thyroid lobe and dividing into the
      right common carotid artery and subclavian artery at this level. Right subclavian
      artery after its origin brought about a curve by means of turning first
      posteromedially and then anterolaterally. Parathyroid adenoma remained between
      the right thyroid lobe, right common carotid artery, and right brachiocephalic
      artery. Minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy was performed and no
      complication appeared. 

PMID- 24220491
TI  - Nuclease activity and protein-binding properties of a novel tetranuclear
      thiosemicarbazide Pt(II) complex.
AB  - A novel tetranuclear [Pt4(Am4M)4].16.25H2O (1), where H2Am4M is the
      thiosemicarbazone ligand (Z)-2-(amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)-N
      methylhydrazinecarbothioamide, has been synthesized and characterized by using
      various physico-chemical techniques. X-ray analysis revealed that the Pt(II)
      complex consists of a neutral tetranuclear [Pt4(Am4M)4] unit and abundant water
      molecules. The tetranuclear unit is stabilized by strong intramolecular pi-pi
      stacking and thus presents a ship-like eight-membered ring [Pt4S4] with four
      tridentate ligands peripherally coordinated to four Pt(II) ions, constituting a
      novel type of "well" structure. DNA and protein binding properties of complex 1
      have been studied by UV and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. The binding
      constant (Kb = 3.05 * 10(6) M(-1)) and the apparent binding constant (Kapp =
      7.732 * 10(6) M(-1)) to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were accurately fitted by two
      respective non-linear equations, suggesting an efficient DNA intercalative
      binding mode which was confirmed by viscometric experiments. Furthermore,
      following agarose gel electrophoresis experiments, we observed that the plasmid
      DNA pUC19 could be completely digested by complex 1, depending on incubation time
      and concentration, indicating that complex 1 may possess an effective nuclease
      activity on DNA. Singlet oxygen ((1)O2) inhibitors showed an inhibitory effect on
      the cleavage. Fluorescence spectrometry also detected a medium affinity of
      complex 1 to bovine serum albumin (BSA) at different temperatures, which was
      tentatively assigned to a static binding mode. All these results suggested that
      this poly-Pt(II) complex might exhibit biological action as a potential
      chemotherapy agent.

PMID- 24220492
TI  - Chondroitin sulphate N-acetylgalactosaminyl-transferase-1 inhibits recovery from
      neural injury.
AB  - Extracellular factors that inhibit axon growth and intrinsic factors that promote
      it affect neural regeneration. Therapies targeting any single gene have not yet
      simultaneously optimized both types of factors. Chondroitin sulphate (CS), a
      glycosaminoglycan, is the most abundant extracellular inhibitor of axon growth.
      Here we show that mice carrying a gene knockout for CS N
      acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-1 (T1), a key enzyme in CS biosynthesis, recover
      more completely from spinal cord injury than wild-type mice and even
      chondroitinase ABC-treated mice. Notably, synthesis of heparan sulphate (HS), a
      glycosaminoglycan promoting axonal growth, is also upregulated in TI knockout
      mice because HS-synthesis enzymes are induced in the mutant neurons. Moreover,
      chondroitinase ABC treatment never induces HS upregulation. Taken together, our
      results indicate that regulation of a single gene, T1, mediates excellent
      recovery from spinal cord injury by optimizing counteracting effectors of axon
      regeneration--an extracellular inhibitor of CS and intrinsic promoters, namely,
      HS-synthesis enzymes.

PMID- 24220493
TI  - Lean mass as a predictor of bone density and microarchitecture in adult obese
      individuals with metabolic syndrome.
AB  - The effects of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS) on bone health are
      controversial. Furthermore, the relationship between body composition and bone
      quality has not yet been determined in this context. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the correlations between body composition and bone mineral density
      (BMD) and bone microstructure in obese individuals with MS. This cross-sectional
      study assessed 50 obese individuals with MS with respect to their body
      composition and BMD, both assessed using dual X-ray absorptiometry, and bone
      microarchitecture, assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed
      tomography (HR-pQCT) of the distal tibia and radius. Several HR-pQCT measurements
      exhibited statistically significant correlations with lean mass. Lean mass was
      positively correlated with parameters of better bone quality (r: 0.316-0.470) and
      negatively correlated with parameters of greater bone fragility (r: -0.460 to 
      0.310). Positive correlations were also observed between lean mass and BMD of the
      total femur and radius 33%. Fat mass was not significantly correlated with BMD or
      any HR-pQCT measurements. Our data suggest that lean mass might be a predictor of
      bone health in obese individuals with MS. 

PMID- 24220494
TI  - Epigallocatechin-3-gallate prevents tumor cell implantation/growth in an
      experimental rat bladder tumor model.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of epigallocatechin-3-gallate
      (EGCG) (Polyphenon E(r)) in comparison with mitomycin C (MMC) to prevent tumor
      cell implantation/growth in an animal model of superficial bladder cancer and
      search for possible mechanism(s) of action. Female Fisher 344 rats were used to
      study the effects of EGCG and mitomycin C for the prevention of transitional cell
      tumor implantation (AY-27). Twenty rats served as a control, tumor implantation
      and saline wash only. Sixty rats were treated with EGCG (100, 200 and 400 uM)
      intravesically for 60 or 120 min after tumor implantation. Thirty other rats were
      divided equally and pretreated with 400 uM EGCG or saline for 120 min before
      tumor initiation. In a separate series of experiments, 30 rats were treated 2
      weeks after tumor initiation with saline or EGCG (400 uM). In a different
      experiment 39 rats were treated with: saline (n=10) EGCG (n=9) 400 uM, MMC (n=10)
      0.5 uM, MMC (n=10) 400 uM. Rats were sacrificed 3 weeks following treatment.
      Gross and histological analyses were performed on the bladders. EGCG and
      mitomycin C prevented intravesical tumor growth in a concentration- and time
      dependent manner. EGCG pretreatment or treatment 2 weeks post tumor implantation
      did not have therapeutic effects. Molecular modeling suggests that EGCG inhibits
      urokinase and matrix metalloproteinase-9. EGCG prevents intravesical tumor
      implantation/growth with a slightly better efficacy than mitomycin C in this
      experimental model. The data suggest that EGCG lowers proteolytic activity and
      lowers probability of cancer cell implantation rather than direct cancer cell
      killing.

PMID- 24220495
TI  - Ultrafast biexciton spectroscopy in semiconductor quantum dots: evidence for
      early emergence of multiple-exciton generation.
AB  - Understanding multiple-exciton generation (MEG) in quantum dots (QDs) requires in
      depth measurements of transient exciton dynamics. Because MEG typically faces
      competing ultrafast energy-loss intra-band relaxation, it is of central
      importance to investigate the emerging time-scale of the MEG kinetics. Here, we
      present ultrafast spectroscopic measurements of the MEG in PbS QDs via probing
      the ground-state biexciton transients. Specifically, we directly compare the
      biexciton spectra with the single-exciton ones before and after the intra-band
      relaxation. Early emergence of MEG is evidenced by observing transient Stark
      shift and quasi-instantaneous linewidth broadening, both of which take place
      before the intra-band relaxation. Photon-density-dependent study shows that the
      broadened biexciton linewidth strongly depends on the MEG-induced extra-exciton
      generation. Long after the intra-band relaxation, the biexciton broadening is
      small and the single-exciton state filling is dominant. 

PMID- 24220496
TI  - Cardiolipin-dependent formation of mitochondrial respiratory supercomplexes.
AB  - The organization of individual respiratory Complexes I, III, and IV (mammalian
      cells) or III and IV (yeast) of the mitochondria into higher order supercomplexes
      (SCs) is generally accepted. However, the factors that regulate SC formation and
      the functional significance of SCs are not well understood. The mitochondrial
      signature phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) plays a central role in formation and
      stability of respiratory SCs from yeast to man. Studies in yeast mutants in which
      the CL level can be regulated displayed a direct correlation between CL levels
      and SC formation. Disease states in which CL levels are reduced also show defects
      in SC formation. Three-dimensional density maps of yeast and bovine SCs by
      electron cryo-microscopy show gaps between the transmembrane-localized interfaces
      of individual complexes consistent with the large excess of CL in SCs over that
      integrated into the structure of individual respiratory complexes. Finally, the
      yeast SC composed of Complex III and two Complexes IV was reconstituted in
      liposomes from purified individual complexes containing integrated CLs.
      Reconstitution was wholly dependent on inclusion of additional CL in the
      liposomes. Therefore, non-integral CL molecules play an important role in SC
      formation and may be involved in regulation of SC stability under metabolic
      conditions where CL levels fluctuate. 

PMID- 24220497
TI  - Novel methods for liposome preparation.
AB  - Liposomes are bilayer vesicles which have found use, among other applications, as
      drug delivery vehicles. Conventional techniques for liposome preparation and size
      reduction remain popular as these are simple to implement and do not require
      sophisticated equipment. However, issues related to scale-up for industrial
      production and scale-down for point-of-care applications have motivated
      improvements to conventional processes and have also led to the development of
      novel routes to liposome formation. In this article, these modified and new
      methods for liposome preparation have been reviewed and classified with the
      objective of updating the reader to recent developments in liposome production
      technology. 

PMID- 24220498
TI  - Membranes and mammalian glycolipid transferring proteins.
AB  - Glycolipids are synthesized in and on various organelles throughout the cell.
      Their trafficking inside the cell is complex and involves both vesicular and
      protein-mediated machineries. Most important for the bulk lipid transport is the
      vesicular system, however, lipids moved by transfer proteins are also becoming
      more characterized. Here we review the latest advances in the glycolipid transfer
      protein (GLTP) and the phosphoinositol 4-phosphate adaptor protein-2 (FAPP2)
      field, from a membrane point of view. 

PMID- 24220499
TI  - Global approaches for the elucidation of phosphoinositide-binding proteins.
AB  - Phosphoinositide lipids (PIPns) control numerous critical biological pathways,
      typically through the regulation of protein function driven by non-covalent
      protein-lipid binding interactions. Despite the importance of these systems, the
      unraveling of the full scope of protein-PIPn interactions has represented a
      significant challenge due to the massive complexity associated with these events,
      including the large number of diverse proteins that bind to these lipids,
      variations in the mechanisms by which proteins bind to lipids, and the presence
      of multiple distinct PIPn isomers. As a result of this complexity, global methods
      in which numerous proteins that bind PIPns can be identified and characterized
      simultaneously from complex samples, which have been enabled by key technological
      advancements, have become popular as an efficient means for tackling this
      challenge. This review article provides an overview of advancements in large
      scale methods for profiling protein-PIPn binding, including experimental methods,
      such as affinity enrichment, microarray analysis and activity-based protein
      profiling, as well as computational methods, and combined
      computational/experimental efforts. 

PMID- 24220503
TI  - Reprint: 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce
      Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults.

PMID- 24220502
TI  - Human BRS-3 receptor: functions/role in cell signaling pathways and glucose
      metabolism in obese or diabetic myocytes.
AB  - Several studies showed that the orphan Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3 (BRS-3) -
      member of the bombesin receptor family - has an important role in glucose
      homeostasis (v.g.: BRS-3-KO mice developed mild obesity, and decreased levels of
      BRS-3 mRNA/protein have been described in muscle from obese (OB) and type 2
      diabetic (T2D) patients). In this work, to gain insight into BRS-3 receptor cell
      signaling pathways, and its implication on glucose metabolism, primary cultured
      myocytes from normal subjects, OB or T2D patients were tested using high affinity
      ligand - [d-Tyr(6),beta-Ala(11),Phe(13),Nle(14)]bombesin6-14. In muscle cells
      from all metabolic conditions, the compound significantly increased not only
      MAPKs, p90RSK1, PKB and p70s6K phosphorylation levels, but also PI3K activity;
      moreover, it produced a dose-response stimulation of glycogen synthase a activity
      and glycogen synthesis. Myocytes from OB and T2D patients were more sensitive to
      the ligand than normal, and T2D cells even more than obese myocytes. These
      results widen the knowledge of human BRS-3 cell signaling pathways induced by a
      BRS-3 agonist, described its insulin-mimetic effects on glucose metabolism,
      showed the role of BRS-3 receptor in glucose homeostasis, and also propose the
      employing of BRS-3/ligand system, as participant in the obese and diabetic
      therapies. 

PMID- 24220501
TI  - Role of autophagy, SQSTM1, SH3GLB1, and TRIM63 in the turnover of nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptors.
AB  - Removal of ubiquitinated targets by autophagosomes can be mediated by receptor
      molecules, like SQSTM1, in a mechanism referred to as selective autophagy. While
      cytoplasmic protein aggregates, mitochondria, and bacteria are the best-known
      targets of selective autophagy, their role in the turnover of membrane receptors
      is scarce. We here showed that fasting-induced wasting of skeletal muscle
      involves remodeling of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) by increasing the
      turnover of muscle-type CHRN (cholinergic receptor, nicotinic/nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptor) in a TRIM63-dependent manner. Notably, this process
      implied enhanced production of endo/lysosomal carriers of CHRN, which also
      contained the membrane remodeler SH3GLB1, the E3 ubiquitin ligase, TRIM63, and
      the selective autophagy receptor SQSTM1. Furthermore, these vesicles were
      surrounded by the autophagic marker MAP1LC3A in an ATG7-dependent fashion, and
      some of them were also positive for the lysosomal marker, LAMP1. While the amount
      of vesicles containing endocytosed CHRN strongly augmented in the absence of ATG7
      as well as upon denervation as a model for long-term atrophy, denervation-induced
      increase in autophagic CHRN vesicles was completely blunted in the absence of
      TRIM63. On a similar note, in trim63(-/-) mice denervation-induced upregulation
      of SQSTM1 and LC3-II was abolished and endogenous SQSTM1 did not colocalize with
      CHRN vesicles as it did in the wild type. SQSTM1 and LC3-II coprecipitated with
      surface-labeled/endocytosed CHRN and SQSTM1 overexpression significantly induced
      CHRN vesicle formation. Taken together, our data suggested that selective
      autophagy regulates the basal and atrophy-induced turnover of the pentameric
      transmembrane protein, CHRN, and that TRIM63, together with SH3GLB1 and SQSTM1
      regulate this process. 

PMID- 24220500
TI  - The yeast sphingolipid signaling landscape.
AB  - Sphingolipids are recognized as signaling mediators in a growing number of
      pathways, and represent potential targets to address many diseases. The study of
      sphingolipid signaling in yeast has created a number of breakthroughs in the
      field, and has the potential to lead future advances. The aim of this article is
      to provide an inclusive view of two major frontiers in yeast sphingolipid
      signaling. In the first section, several key studies in the field of
      sphingolipidomics are consolidated to create a yeast sphingolipidome that ranks
      nearly all known sphingolipid species by their level in a resting yeast cell. The
      second section presents an overview of most known phenotypes identified for
      sphingolipid gene mutants, presented with the intention of illuminating not yet
      discovered connections outside and inside of the field. 

PMID- 24220504
TI  - Golden plaster for pain therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis: study
      protocol for a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a relatively common musculoskeletal disorder that
      increases in prevalence with age. Worldwide, knee osteoarthritis is one of the
      leading causes of disability, particularly in the elderly. In numerous trials of
      agents for long-term pain therapy, no well-established and replicable results
      have been achieved. Complementary and alternative medical approaches have been
      employed for thousands of years to relieve knee osteoarthritis pain. Among herbal
      medicines, the golden plaster is the preferred and most commonlyused method in
      China to reduce pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, as it causes few
      adverse effects. The purpose of this study will be to evaluate the efficacy and
      safety of golden plaster on pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
      METHODS/DESIGN: This study will be a multicenter randomized, double-blind,
      placebo-controlled trial. A total of 320 participants aged 45 to 79 years with
      knee osteoarthritis, whose scores on a visual analog scale (VAS) are more than 20
      mm,will be randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group. A
      golden plaster will be administered externally to participants in the treatment
      group for 2 weeks, while the control group will receive a placebo plaster
      externally for 2 weeks. Follow-up will be at regular intervals during a 4-week
      period with a VAS score for pain, quality of life, and complications. DISCUSSION:
      This study will be a methodologically sound randomized controlled trial to assess
      pain relief after the intervention of golden plaster, compared to a placebo
      intervention in patients with knee osteoarthritis. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-13003418.

PMID- 24220505
TI  - Disruption of Aspm causes microcephaly with abnormal neuronal differentiation.
AB  - AIMS: A number of ASPM mutations have been detected in primary microcephaly
      patients. In order to evaluate the function of ASPM in brain development, we
      generated model animals of human autosomal recessive primary microcephaly-5
      (MCPH5). METHODS: In the Aspm knock-out mice, the exon 2-3 of the Aspm gene was
      encompassed by a pair of loxP signals so that cre-recombinase activity switched
      the allele from wild-type to null zygotes as frequently, as expected from the
      Mendelian inheritance. We precisely analyzed the brains of adults and fetuses
      using immunohistochemistry and morphometry. RESULTS: The adult brains of the
      Aspm(-/-) mice were smaller, especially in the cerebrum. In the barrel field of
      the somatosensory cortex, layer I was significantly thicker, whereas layer VI was
      significantly thinner in Aspm(-/-) mice, compared with Aspm(+/+) mice. The total
      number of cells and the thickness of the cortical plate at embryonic day 16.5 was
      significantly decreased in Aspm(-/-) mice, compared with Aspm(+/+) mice.
      Furthermore, the expression of transcription factors, such as Tbr1 and Satb2, was
      significantly increased in the subplate of the Aspm(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results suggested that Aspm is essential to the proliferation and differentiation
      of neural stem/progenitor cells. The Aspm gene loss model provided a novel
      pathogenetic insight into acquired microcephaly, which can be caused by in utero
      exposure to both known and unknown teratogens.

PMID- 24220506
TI  - Spatial self-organization favors heterotypic cooperation over cheating.
AB  - Heterotypic cooperation-two populations exchanging distinct benefits that are
      costly to produce-is widespread. Cheaters, exploiting benefits while evading
      contribution, can undermine cooperation. Two mechanisms can stabilize heterotypic
      cooperation. In 'partner choice', cooperators recognize and choose cooperating
      over cheating partners; in 'partner fidelity feedback', fitness-feedback from
      repeated interactions ensures that aiding your partner helps yourself. How might
      a spatial environment, which facilitates repeated interactions, promote fitness
      feedback? We examined this process through mathematical models and engineered
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains incapable of recognition. Here, cooperators and
      their heterotypic cooperative partners (partners) exchanged distinct essential
      metabolites. Cheaters exploited partner-produced metabolites without
      reciprocating, and were competitively superior to cooperators. Despite initially
      random spatial distributions, cooperators gained more partner neighbors than
      cheaters did. The less a cheater contributed, the more it was excluded and
      disfavored. This self-organization, driven by asymmetric fitness effects of
      cooperators and cheaters on partners during cell growth into open space, achieves
      assortment. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00960.001. 

PMID- 24220507
TI  - Essential yet limited role for CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes during Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis-specific T cell priming.
AB  - Defense against infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is mediated by CD4
      T cells. CCR2(+) inflammatory monocytes (IMs) have been implicated in Mtb
      specific CD4 T cell responses but their in vivo contribution remains unresolved.
      Herein, we show that transient ablation of IMs during infection prevents Mtb
      delivery to pulmonary lymph nodes, reducing CD4 T cell responses. Transfer of MHC
      class II-expressing IMs to MHC class II-deficient, monocyte-depleted recipients,
      while restoring Mtb transport to mLNs, does not enable Mtb-specific CD4 T cell
      priming. On the other hand, transfer of MHC class II-deficient IMs corrects CD4 T
      cell priming in monocyte-depleted, MHC class II-expressing mice. Specific
      depletion of classical DCs does not reduce Mtb delivery to pulmonary lymph nodes
      but markedly reduces CD4 T cell priming. Thus, although IMs acquire
      characteristics of DCs while delivering Mtb to lymph nodes, cDCs but not moDCs
      induce proliferation of Mtb-specific CD4 T cells. DOI:
      http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01086.001. 

PMID- 24220508
TI  - Position of UNC-13 in the active zone regulates synaptic vesicle release
      probability and release kinetics.
AB  - The presynaptic active zone proteins UNC-13/Munc13s are essential for synaptic
      vesicle (SV) exocytosis by directly interacting with SV fusion apparatus. An open
      question is how their association with active zones, hence their position to
      Ca(2+) entry sites, regulates SV release. The N-termini of major UNC-13/Munc13
      isoforms contain a non-calcium binding C2A domain that mediates protein homo- or
      hetero-meric interactions. Here, we show that the C2A domain of Caenorhabditis
      elegans UNC-13 regulates release probability of evoked release and its precise
      active zone localization. Kinetics analysis of SV release supports that the
      proximity of UNC-13 to Ca(2+) entry sites, mediated by the C2A-domain containing
      N-terminus, is critical for accelerating neurotransmitter release. Additionally,
      the C2A domain is specifically required for spontaneous release. These data
      reveal multiple roles of UNC-13 C2A domain, and suggest that spontaneous release
      and the fast phase of evoked release may involve a common pool of SVs at the
      active zone. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01180.001. 

PMID- 24220509
TI  - CO2directly modulates connexin 26 by formation of carbamate bridges between
      subunits.
AB  - Homeostatic regulation of the partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) is vital for life.
      Sensing of pH has been proposed as a sufficient proxy for determination of PCO2
      and direct CO2-sensing largely discounted. Here we show that connexin 26 (Cx26)
      hemichannels, causally linked to respiratory chemosensitivity, are directly
      modulated by CO2. A 'carbamylation motif', present in CO2-sensitive connexins
      (Cx26, Cx30, Cx32) but absent from a CO2-insensitive connexin (Cx31), comprises
      Lys125 and four further amino acids that orient Lys125 towards Arg104 of the
      adjacent subunit of the connexin hexamer. Introducing the carbamylation motif
      into Cx31 created a mutant hemichannel (mCx31) that was opened by increases in
      PCO2. Mutation of the carbamylation motif in Cx26 and mCx31 destroyed CO2
      sensitivity. Course-grained computational modelling of Cx26 demonstrated that the
      proposed carbamate bridge between Lys125 and Arg104 biases the hemichannel to the
      open state. Carbamylation of Cx26 introduces a new transduction principle for
      physiological sensing of CO2. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01213.001. 

PMID- 24220510
TI  - Deprivation-related and use-dependent plasticity go hand in hand.
AB  - Arm-amputation involves two powerful drivers for brain plasticity-sensory
      deprivation and altered use. However, research has largely focused on sensory
      deprivation and maladaptive change. Here we show that adaptive patterns of limb
      usage after amputation drive cortical plasticity. We report that individuals with
      congenital or acquired limb-absence vary in whether they preferentially use their
      intact hand or residual arm in daily activities. Using fMRI, we show that the
      deprived sensorimotor cortex is employed by whichever limb individuals are over
      using. Individuals from either group that rely more on their intact hands (and
      report less frequent residual arm usage) showed increased intact hand
      representation in the deprived cortex, and increased white matter fractional
      anisotropy underlying the deprived cortex, irrespective of the age at which
      deprivation occurred. Our results demonstrate how experience-driven plasticity in
      the human brain can transcend boundaries that have been thought to limit
      reorganisation after sensory deprivation in adults. DOI:
      http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01273.001. 

PMID- 24220511
TI  - Dissecting apoptosis the omics way.
AB  - A combined analysis of transcription, translation and protein degradation reveals
      the global effects of an anticancer drug on tumour cells. 

PMID- 24220513
TI  - Analysis of c.801-2A>G mutation in the DNAJC6 gene in Parkinson's disease in
      southern Spain.

PMID- 24220512
TI  - Gold nanoparticle based Tuberculosis immunochromatographic assay: the
      quantitative ESE Quanti analysis of the intensity of test and control lines.
AB  - A rapid dual channel lateral flow assay for the detection of Mycobacterium
      Tuberculosis antibodies (MTB 38 kDa monoclonal antibody) in human blood was
      developed. The MTB 6-14-38 kDa fusion antigen and anti-Protein A were used as the
      capture proteins for test and control lines respectively. Protein A labeled 40 nm
      gold nanoparticles were used as the detection conjugate. Whole blood and serum
      were spiked with MTB 38 kDa monoclonal antibody to make a positive sample model.
      The developed lateral flow was used to test MTB 38 kDa monoclonal antibody, and a
      detection limit of 5 ng/ml was used as a cut-off concentration of the analytes.
      The effect of the analyte concentration on the MTB lateral flow assay was studied
      using the variation of the intensity obtained from a ESE Quanti reader. There was
      a direct correlation between the analyte (MTB 38 kDa monoclonal antibody)
      concentration and the intensity of the test line. The intensity increased with an
      increase in the concentration of MTB 38 kDa monoclonal antibody, while in
      contrast, an increase in analyte concentration decreased the intensity of the
      control line.

PMID- 24220514
TI  - Mobilization patterns of patients after an acute myocardial infarction: a pilot
      study.
AB  - This study was aimed to identify the mobilization patterns of acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI) patients during their first three days in the coronary care unit
      (CCU) by performing a prospective observational pilot study design. The study
      included 31 diagnosed AMI patients admitted to three CCUs. Mobilization patterns
      classified as bed rest, semi-fowler, transfer to chair, and standing/walking were
      documented by CCU nurses for 72 consecutive hours after patient admission to the
      CCU. Of 2,232 possible mobilization periods (72 hr * 31 patients), 1,385 recorded
      observations of mobilization (62%) were obtained. Bed rest and semi-fowler
      positions were the most common mobilization patterns; together they accounted for
      70% of the documented positions over the first 72 hr in the CCU. Patients who
      experience an uncomplicated AMI spend the majority of their first 72 hr in CCU in
      bed. 

PMID- 24220516
TI  - Review: the transcriptional and signalling networks of mouse trophoblast stem
      cells.
AB  - Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) are a self-renewing stem cell population derived
      from the early trophoblast lineage, analogous to embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that
      can be generated from the inner cell mass (ICM) of the mouse blastocyst. In that
      sense TSCs and ESCs reflect the earliest lineage differentiation event after
      fertilization. TSCs are characterized by an indefinite proliferation potential
      and by multipotency, i.e. the ability to differentiate into all the various
      trophoblast cell types of the placenta. These properties are driven by specific
      signalling pathways orchestrating characteristic transcriptional outputs. Here we
      review the recent advances in studying the signalling cascades and the
      transcriptional regulatory networks that define specification and maintenance of
      TSCs, and provide a future outlook of TSC research. 

PMID- 24220515
TI  - Risk-taking behavior among adolescents with prenatal drug exposure and
      extrauterine environmental adversity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: High-risk environments characterized by familial substance use,
      poverty, inadequate parental monitoring, and violence exposure are associated
      with an increased propensity for adolescents to engage in risk-taking behaviors
      (e.g., substance use, sexual behavior, and delinquency). However, additional
      factors such as drug exposure in utero and deficits in inhibitory control among
      drug-exposed youth may further influence the likelihood that adolescents in high
      risk environments will engage in risk-taking behavior. This study examined the
      influence of prenatal substance exposure, inhibitory control, and
      sociodemographic/environmental risk factors on risk-taking behaviors in a large
      cohort of adolescents with and without prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE). METHOD:
      Risk-taking behavior (delinquency, substance use, and sexual activity) was
      assessed in 963 adolescents (433 cocaine-exposed, 530 nonexposed) at 15 years of
      age. RESULTS: Prenatal cocaine exposure predicted later arrests and early onset
      of sexual behavior in controlled analyses. Associations were partially mediated,
      however, by adolescent inhibitory control problems. PCE was not associated with
      substance use at this age. In addition, male gender, low parental involvement,
      and violence exposure were associated with greater odds of engaging in risk
      taking behavior across the observed domains. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings
      substantiate concern regarding the association between prenatal substance
      exposure and related risk factors and the long-term outcomes of exposed youth.
      Access to the appropriate social, educational, and medical services is essential
      in preventing and intervening with risk-taking behaviors and the potential
      consequences (e.g., adverse health outcomes and incarceration), especially among
      high-risk adolescent youth and their families.

PMID- 24220517
TI  - Strongly emissive long-lived 3IL excited state of coumarins in cyclometalated
      Ir(III) complexes used as triplet photosensitizers and application in triplet
      triplet annihilation upconversion.
AB  - Three different coumarin chromophores were used to prepare the Ir(III) complexes,
      i.e. coumarin 6 (Ir-1), 7-diethylamino coumarin (Ir-2) and x-phenyl-y
      diethylamino coumarin (Ir-3). Ir(ppy)2(bpy)[PF6] was used as the reference
      complex (Ir-0). The coumarin units were connected to the coordination center of
      the complexes by using a C=C pi-conjugation bond. The photophysical properties of
      the complexes were studied with steady state and time-resolved absorption and
      luminescence spectroscopy, low-temperature luminescence (77 K), as well as DFT
      calculations. All the three new complexes show strong absorption of visible light
      (molar absorption coefficient epsilon is up to 42,000 M(-1) cm(-1) at 487 nm) and
      a long-lived triplet excited state (tauT = 65.9 MUs), compared to the reference
      complex Ir(ppy)2(bpy)[PF6], which shows the typical weak visible light-absorption
      (epsilon < 5000 M(-1) cm(-1) in the region beyond 400 nm) and a short triplet
      excited state (tauT = 0.3 MUs). Interestingly the long-lived triplet excited
      states are strongly phosphorescent (quantum yield is up to 18.2%, with emission
      maxima at 607 nm), which is rare for phosphorescent transition metal complexes.
      With nanosecond time-resolved transient difference absorption spectroscopy we
      proved that a coumarin-localized triplet excited state ((3)IL) was produced upon
      photoexcitation. The complexes were used as triplet photosensitizers for triplet
      triplet annihilation upconversion and upconversion quantum yields up to 22.8%
      were observed. Our results are useful for the preparation of visible light
      harvesting transition metal complexes, the study of the triplet excited state of
      organic chromophores, as well as the application of these visible light
      harvesting transition metal complexes as efficient triplet photosensitizers.

PMID- 24220519
TI  - The future of electronic health records.

PMID- 24220518
TI  - Prevalence of psbA-containing cyanobacterial podoviruses in the ocean.
AB  - Podoviruses that infect marine picocyanobacteria are abundant and could play a
      significant role on regulating host populations due to their specific phage-host
      relationship. Genome sequencing of cyanophages has unveiled that many marine
      cyanophages encode certain photosynthetic genes like psbA. It appears that psbA
      is only present in certain groups of cyanopodovirus isolates. In order to better
      understand the prevalence of psbA in cyanobacterial podoviruses, we searched the
      marine metagenomic database (GOS, BATS, HOT and MarineVirome). Our study suggests
      that 89% of recruited cyanopodovirus scaffolds from the GOS database contained
      the psbA gene, supporting the ecological relevance of the photosynthesis gene for
      surface oceanic cyanophages. Diversification between Clade A and B are consistent
      with recent finding of two major groups of cyanopodoviruses. All the data also
      shows that Clade B cyanopodoviruses dominate the surface ocean water, while Clade
      A cyanopodoviruses become more important in the coastal and estuarine
      environments. 

PMID- 24220520
TI  - What has replaced foundation programme work-based assessments?

PMID- 24220522
TI  - Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma: past, present and future perspectives.

PMID- 24220523
TI  - Computed tomography urography 2: clinical applications.

PMID- 24220524
TI  - Colorectal disorders during pregnancy: a review.

PMID- 24220525
TI  - Nasal obstruction in children.

PMID- 24220526
TI  - Pre-excitation on the electrocardiogram: what next?

PMID- 24220527
TI  - Edwin Klebs: discoverer of the bacillus of diphtheria.

PMID- 24220528
TI  - A cry for help: time to re-think the patient call bell in an ageing population.
AB  - Historically, the patient call bell has been the mechanism by which patients can
      alert a health-care worker to provide help. The authors were concerned that, in
      an increasingly comorbid population, this method of raising help was not fit for
      purpose. They therefore reviewed every level 3 bed space (n = 283) in a district
      general hospital over a 2-week period and assessed the usability of the call bell
      at each occupied bed. The call bells were on average 82 cm away from the bed.
      More worryingly, over one third (38.1%) of all inpatients were unable to
      understand independently the role of the call bell and how to use it. The authors
      conclude that, in times of immense inpatient bed pressures, it is critical that
      there are robust strategies to highlight the significant number of patients who
      cannot use the call bell and ensure they are given an appropriate ward location. 

PMID- 24220529
TI  - The Best Practice Tariff helps improve management of neck of femur fractures: a
      completed audit loop.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Best Practice Tariff incentivizes hospitals in the UK to improve
      the care they deliver, and includes a requirement to deliver multiprofessional
      care to patients with neck of femur fractures. The Best Practice Tariff for 2010
      11 included six targets: (1) surgery within 36 hours, (2) admission under
      consultant-led joint orthopaedic-geriatric care, (3) admission using a
      multidisciplinary assessment protocol, (4) review by a geriatrician within 72
      hours, (5) geriatrician-directed multi-professional rehabilitation, and (6)
      assessment for falls and bone protection. The authors chose to audit their
      Trust's compliance with these targets. METHODS: A retrospective audit was
      conducted in 2011 at the authors' university-affiliated tertiary care hospital,
      which is a regional major trauma centre. Only patients 65 years or older, with
      fragility-type neck of femur fractures who were treated surgically at the
      authors' unit and were eligible for geriatric review and multiprofessional
      rehabilitation, were included. The results of this audit (2010-11 Best Practice
      Tariff targets) were analysed and a series of procedural and logistical measures
      were introduced. A re-audit was performed in April 2012 for 2011-12, and the
      results for the 2 years were compared using appropriate statistics (Chi square
      tests and analysis of variance). Thirty-day mortality was compared using the
      summary hospital-level mortality indicator. RESULTS: A total of 410 patients were
      eligible for Best Practice Tariff in 2010-11, which increased to 463 in 2011-12.
      The changes from the first year's audit helped increase the rates for 36-hour
      surgery from 48.3% to 73.4% and for 72-hour geriatric review from 68.8% to 81.8%
      (P<0.05). The annual Best Practice Tariff achievement increased from 31.7% to
      61.3% (P<0.05). The summary hospital-level mortality indicator declined from 96.5
      to 61.3. CONCLUSIONS: Focusing on poorly satisfied Best Practice Tariff
      indicators can produce a significant improvement in the per capita Best Practice
      Tariff achievement. Further studies are needed to assess the health and financial
      gain in detail.

PMID- 24220530
TI  - Adenoma with rectal villous diarrhoea and severe hypokalaemia (McKittrick
      Wheelock syndrome).

PMID- 24220531
TI  - Fever, rash and neutrophilia: not always an infectious cause.

PMID- 24220532
TI  - Painful nodule at the laparoscopic port site.

PMID- 24220534
TI  - Protecting you and your family's income.

PMID- 24220533
TI  - Spontaneous rupture of the spleen resulting from infectious mononucleosis.

PMID- 24220535
TI  - Use of CT-PET imaging investigation of pyrexia of unknown origin.

PMID- 24220537
TI  - Gelatin solutions for critically unwell septic adults.

PMID- 24220538
TI  - Mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy versus traditional cognitive
      behavioral group therapy for social anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - Recent research has supported the use of mindfulness and acceptance-based
      interventions for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the
      present study was to compare mindfulness and acceptance-based group therapy
      (MAGT) with cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) with respect to outcome. It
      was hypothesized that MAGT and CBGT would both be superior to a control group but
      not significantly different from one another. METHOD: Individuals (N = 137, mean
      age = 34 years, 54% female, 62% White, 20% Asian) diagnosed with SAD were
      randomly assigned to MAGT (n = 53), CBGT (n = 53) or a waitlist control group (n
      = 31). The primary outcome was social anxiety symptom severity assessed at
      baseline, treatment midpoint, treatment completion, and 3-month follow-up.
      Secondary outcomes were cognitive reappraisal, mindfulness, acceptance, and
      rumination. Depression, valued living, and group cohesion were also assessed.
      RESULTS: As hypothesized, MAGT and CBGT were both more effective than the control
      group but not significantly different from one another on social anxiety
      reduction and most other variables assessed. CONCLUSIONS: The present research
      provides additional support for the use of mindfulness and acceptance-based
      treatments for SAD, and future research should examine the processes by which
      these treatments lead to change.

PMID- 24220539
TI  - Predictive codes of familiarity and context during the perceptual learning of
      facial identities.
AB  - Face recognition is a key component of successful social behaviour. However, the
      computational processes that underpin perceptual learning and recognition as
      faces transition from unfamiliar to familiar are poorly understood. In predictive
      coding, learning occurs through prediction errors that update stimulus
      familiarity, but recognition is a function of both stimulus and contextual
      familiarity. Here we show that behavioural responses on a two-option face
      recognition task can be predicted by the level of contextual and facial
      familiarity in a computational model derived from predictive-coding principles.
      Using fMRI, we show that activity in the superior temporal sulcus varies with the
      contextual familiarity in the model, whereas activity in the fusiform face area
      covaries with the prediction error parameter that updated facial familiarity. Our
      results characterize the key computations underpinning the perceptual learning of
      faces, highlighting that the functional properties of face-processing areas
      conform to the principles of predictive coding. 

PMID- 24220541
TI  - Involvement of autophagy in tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate- induced delayed
      neuropathy in hens.
AB  - Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular self-degradative process that plays a
      housekeeping role in removing aggregated proteins and damaged organelles. Our
      recent work has found that tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP), a neuropathic
      organophosphate (OP), decreased the level of beclin 1 (a key molecule in the
      process of autophagy) in hen nerve tissues (Song et al., 2012). However, the role
      of autophagy in the pathogenesis of organophosphorus ester-induced delayed
      neuropathy (OPIDN) remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether dysfunctional
      autophagy was associated with the initiation and development of TOCP-induced
      delayed neuropathy. Adult hens were given a single dose of 750mg/kg TOCP (p.o.)
      and sacrificed on days 1, 5, 10, and 21 after dosing, respectively. The formation
      of autophagosomes in spinal cord motor neurons was observed by transmission
      electron microscopy, the level of autophagy-related proteins in hen spinal cords
      and tibial nerves was determined by Western blot analysis. The results
      demonstrated that the number of autophagosomes was markedly increased in the
      myelinated and unmyelinated axons of hen spinal cords after TOCP exposure. In the
      meantime, the level of two molecular markers for autophagy, microtubule
      associated protein light chain-3 (LC3) and p62/SQSTM1 in hen nerve tissues was
      significantly decreased and increased, respectively. Furthermore, a marked
      reduction in autophagy-regulated proteins including ULK 1, AMBRA 1, ATG 5, ATG 7,
      ATG 12 and VPS34 expression was also observed. Our results suggested that the
      administration of TOCP resulted in a significant inhibition of autophagy activity
      in neurons, which might be associated with the pathogenesis of OPIDN. 

PMID- 24220540
TI  - Antioxidant action of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone protects PC12 cells against 6
      hydroxydopamine-induced cytotoxicity.
AB  - Oxidative stress-induced neuronal death plays a pivotal role in pathogenesis of
      neurodegenerative disorders. Recently, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) has been
      shown to exert neuroprotective effects by acting as a selective tyrosine kinase
      receptor B (TrkB) agonist. In addition, the antioxidant action of 7,8-DHF may
      protect neuronal cells against oxidative injury. In the present study, we used
      PC12 cells, a cell line generally thought to lack TrkB, to investigate the effect
      of 7,8-DHF on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cytotoxicity and the underlying
      mechanism. We found that 7,8-DHF effectively prevented cell death, apoptosis and
      mitochondrial dysfunction induced by 6-OHDA. In a cell free system, 7,8-DHF did
      not slow down extracellular auto-oxidation of 6-OHDA which may generate H2O2.
      However, We found that 7,8-DHF dramatically reduced cellular malondialdehyde
      content and phospho-histone H2A.X protein level. 7,8-DHF also elevated total
      superoxide dismutase activity in 6-OHDA-treated cells. These results indicate
      that 7,8-DHF might protect PC12 cells against 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity through
      its powerful antioxidant activity. By acting as a potent TrkB agonist and an
      antioxidant together with its easiness to pass across blood-brain barrier, 7,8
      DHF may be developed into a promising candidate in treatment of neurodegenerative
      diseases. 

PMID- 24220543
TI  - Enzymatic membrane reactor for full saccharification of ionic liquid-pretreated
      microcrystalline cellulose.
AB  - Ultrafiltration reactors based on polymeric or ceramic membranes were shown to be
      suitable catalytic systems for fast enzymatic saccharification of cellulose,
      allowing the full recovery and reuse of enzymes. By pre-treating cellulose with
      the IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, the suitability of this substrate
      for enzymatic saccharification in a reactor based on polymeric ultrafiltration
      membranes was demonstrated, leading to 95% cellulose hydrolysis in 4h at 50
      degrees C. The filtration process gave a clear glucose solution (up to 113 mM) at
      constant permeate flow (24.7 L h(-1) m(-2)), allowing the enzyme to be reused for
      9 operation cycles under semi-continuous operation, without any loss of enzyme
      activity. Under continuous operation mode and using ceramic ultrafiltration
      membranes at different residence times, the enzymatic reactor showed constant
      profiles in both the permeate flow rate and the glucose concentration,
      demonstrating the excellent suitability of the proposed approach for the
      saccharification of cellulose.

PMID- 24220542
TI  - Astrocytic p-connexin 43 regulates neuronal autophagy in the hippocampus
      following traumatic brain injury in rats.
AB  - Gap junctions are conductive channels formed by membrane proteins termed
      connexins, which permit the intercellular exchange of metabolites, ions and small
      molecules. Previous data demonstrated that traumatic brain injury (TBI) activates
      autophagy and increases microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)
      immunostaining predominantly in neurons. Although previous studies have
      identified several extracellular factors that modulate LC3 expression, knowledge
      of the regulatory network controlling LC3 in health and disease remains
      incomplete. The aim of the present study was to assess whether gap junctions
      control the in vivo expression of LC3 in TBI. Using a modified weight-drop
      device, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight, 350-375 g) were subjected to TBI.
      Phosphorylated gap junction protein levels and LC3-II levels were quantified
      using western blot analysis. The spatial distribution of immunoreactivity for
      phosphorylated connexin 43 (p-CX43) and LC3-II was analyzed by
      immunofluorescence. The results showed that p-CX43 expression in the hippocampus
      reached a maximum level 6 h following injury. In addition, the immunoreactivity
      of p-CX43 was localized in the astrocytes surrounding pyramidal neurons. The LC3
      II protein content remained at high levels 24 h following injury. Double
      immunolabeling demonstrated that LC3-II dots colocalized with the hippocampus
      pyramidal neurons. Furthermore, inhibition of p-CX43 reduced TBI-induced
      autophagy, according to western blot analysis. As astrocytic gap junction
      coupling is affected in various forms of brain injury, the results suggest that
      point gap junctions/connexins are important regulators of autophagy in the
      hippocampal neurons following TBI. 

PMID- 24220544
TI  - The future viability of algae-derived biodiesel under economic and technical
      uncertainties.
AB  - This study presents a techno-economic assessment of algae-derived biodiesel under
      economic and technical uncertainties associated with the development of algal
      biorefineries. A global sensitivity analysis was performed using a High
      Dimensional Model Representation (HDMR) method. It was found that, considering
      reasonable ranges over which each parameter can vary, the sensitivity of the
      biodiesel production cost to the key input parameters decreases in the following
      order: algae oil content>algae annual productivity per unit area>plant production
      capacity>carbon price increase rate. It was also found that the Return on
      Investment (ROI) is highly sensitive to the algae oil content, and to a lesser
      extent to the algae annual productivity, crude oil price and price increase rate,
      plant production capacity, and carbon price increase rate. For a large scale
      plant (100,000 tonnes of biodiesel per year) the production cost of biodiesel is
      likely to be L0.8-1.6 per kg.

PMID- 24220545
TI  - Greenhouse gas emissions from home composting in practice.
AB  - In Sweden, 16% of all biologically treated food waste is home composted.
      Emissions of the greenhouse gases CH4 and N2O and emissions of NH3 from home
      composts were measured and factors affecting these emissions were examined. Gas
      and substrate in the compost bins were sampled and the composting conditions
      assessed 13 times during a 1-year period in 18 home composts managed by the home
      owners. The influence of process parameters and management factors was evaluated
      by regression analysis. The mean CH4 and N2O concentration was 28.1 and 5.46 ppm
      (v/v), respectively, above the ambient level and the CH4:CO2 and N2O:CO2 ratio
      was 0.38% and 0.15%, respectively (median values 0.04% and 0.07%, respectively).
      The home composts emitted less CH4 than large-scale composts, but similar amounts
      of N2O. Overall NH3 concentrations were low. Increasing the temperature, moisture
      content, mixing frequency and amount of added waste all increased CH4 emissions.

PMID- 24220546
TI  - Avoiding preoperative breast MRI when conventional imaging is sufficient to stage
      patients eligible for breast conserving therapy.
AB  - AIM: To determine when preoperative breast MRI will not be more informative than
      available breast imaging and can be omitted in patients eligible for breast
      conserving therapy (BCT). METHODS: We performed an MRI in 685 consecutive
      patients with 692 invasive breast tumors and eligible for BCT based on
      conventional imaging and clinical examination. We explored associations between
      patient, tumor, and conventional imaging characteristics and similarity with MRI
      findings. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to
      compute the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: MRI and conventional breast
      imaging were similar in 585 of the 692 tumors (85%). At univariate analysis, age
      (p<0.001), negative preoperative lymph node status (p=0.011), comparable tumor
      diameter at mammography and at ultrasound (p=0.001), negative HER2 status
      (p=0.044), and absence of invasive lobular cancer (p=0.005) were significantly
      associated with this similarity. At multivariate analysis, these factors, except
      HER2 status, retained significant associations. The AUC was 0.68. CONCLUSIONS: It
      is feasible to identify a subgroup of patients prior to preoperative breast MRI,
      who will most likely show similar results on conventional imaging as on MRI.
      These findings enable formulation of a practical consensus guideline to determine
      in which patients a preoperative breast MRI can be omitted.

PMID- 24220547
TI  - Adolescent depressive disorders and family based interventions in the Family
      Options multicenter evaluation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is increasing community and government recognition of the
      magnitude and impact of adolescent depression. Family based interventions have
      significant potential to address known risk factors for adolescent depression and
      could be an effective way of engaging adolescents in treatment. The evidence for
      family based treatments of adolescent depression is not well developed. The
      objective of this clinical trial is to determine whether a family based
      intervention can reduce rates of unipolar depressive disorders in adolescents,
      improve family functioning and engage adolescents who are reluctant to access
      mental health services. METHODS/DESIGN: The Family Options study will determine
      whether a manualized family based intervention designed to target both individual
      and family based factors in adolescent depression (BEST MOOD) will be more
      effective in reducing unipolar depressive disorders than an active (standard
      practice) control condition consisting of a parenting group using supportive
      techniques (PAST). The study is a multicenter effectiveness randomized controlled
      trial. Both interventions are delivered in group format over eight weekly
      sessions, of two hours per session. We will recruit 160 adolescents (12 to 18
      years old) and their families, randomized equally to each treatment condition.
      Participants will be assessed at baseline, eight weeks and 20 weeks. Assessment
      of eligibility and primary outcome will be conducted using the KID-SCID
      structured clinical interview via adolescent and parent self-report. Assessments
      of family mental health, functioning and therapeutic processes will also be
      conducted. Data will be analyzed using Multilevel Mixed Modeling accounting for
      time x treatment effects and random effects for group and family characteristics.
      This trial is currently recruiting. Challenges in design and implementation to
      date are discussed. These include diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mental
      disorders in the context of adolescent development, non-compliance of adolescents
      with requirements of assessment, questionnaire completion and treatment
      attendance, breaking randomization, and measuring the complexity of change in the
      context of a family-based intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia and New
      Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Title: engaging youth with high prevalence
      mental health problems using family based interventions; number 12612000398808.
      Prospectively registered on 10 April 2012.

PMID- 24220548
TI  - Angiotensin (1-7) increases the potassium current and the resting potential of
      arterial myocytes from vascular resistance vessels of normal adult rats:
      Pathophysiological implications.
AB  - The influence of angiotensin (Ang) (1-7) on potassium current (Kv) and resting
      potential of smooth muscle cells isolated from mesenteric artery of Sprague
      Dawley rats was investigated. Measurements of potassium current were performed
      using the whole cell configuration of pCLAMP. The results indicated that Ang (1
      7) (10(-9) M) increased the potassium current by 120% +/- 2.6% (P < .05) and the
      resting potential of smooth muscle cells by 8 +/- 2.8 mV (n = 23; P < .05). Ang
      II (10(-9) M) administered to the bath reduced the potassium current by 35% +/-
      3.6% (n = 23; P < .05) and depolarized the arterial myocytes by 7.8 +/- 2.1 mV (n
      = 25; P < .05). The effect of the heptapeptide on potassium current was inhibited
      by a Mas receptor inhibitor (A779; 10(-8) M) as well as by a protein kinase A
      (PKA) inhibitor (10(-9) M) dialyzed into the cell. Intracellular dialysis of the
      catalytic subunit of PKA (5 * 10(-8) M) enhanced the potassium current by 38% +/-
      3.4% (n = 14; P < .05) but did not abolish the effect of Ang (1-7). On the other
      hand, Bis-1 (10(-9) M), which is a specific inhibitor of PKC, suppressed the
      effect of Ang (1-7) on potassium current. In conclusion, Ang (1-7) counteracts
      the effect of Ang II on potassium current and membrane potential of smooth muscle
      cells from mesenteric arteries, which are resistance vessels involved in the
      regulation of peripheral resistance and blood pressure. The activation of the
      cAMP/PKA cascade is essential for the effect of the heptapeptide.
      Pathophysiological implications are discussed.

PMID- 24220549
TI  - Early treatment of hypertension in acute ischemic and intracerebral hemorrhagic
      stroke: progress achieved, challenges, and perspectives.
AB  - Hypertension is the leading risk factor for ischemic and intracerebral
      hemorrhagic subtypes of stroke. Additionally, high blood pressure (BP) in the
      acute cerebrovascular event is associated with poor outcome, and a high
      percentage of stroke survivors have inadequate control of hypertension. The
      present is a systematic review of prospective, randomized, and controlled trials
      carried out on safety and efficacy of antihypertensive treatment of both subtypes
      of acute stroke. Six trials involving 7512 patients were included, which revealed
      controversies on the speed and the goals of treatment. These controversies could
      be due at least in part, from the fact that some studies analyzed the results of
      antihypertensive treatment in ischemic and intracerebral hemorrhagic subtypes of
      acute stroke together, and from a different prevalence of past-stroke in the
      randomized groups. Further research is necessary to establish whether standard
      antihypertensive treatment provides greater benefit than simple observation in
      patients with ischemic acute stroke and Stage 2 hypertension of JNC 7, albeit
      they were not candidates for acute reperfusion. In that case, the target
      reduction in BP could be 10% to 15% within 24 hours. The recently published
      INTERACT 2 has provided evidence that patients with hemorrhagic stroke may
      receive intensive antihypertensive treatment safely with the goal of reducing
      systolic BP to levels no lower than 130 mm Hg. It is important to take into
      account that marked BP lowering in acute stroke increases the risk of poor
      outcome by worsening cerebral ischemia from deterioration of cerebral blood flow
      autoregulation. 

PMID- 24220550
TI  - Effect of maintaining neck flexion on anti-saccade reaction time: an
      investigation using transcranial magnetic stimulation to the frontal oculomotor
      field.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reaction time for anti-saccade, in which the gaze is directed to the
      position opposite to an illuminated target, shortens during maintenance of neck
      flexion. The present study applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the
      frontal oculomotor field, and investigated the effect of maintaining neck flexion
      on information processing time in the anti-saccade neural pathway before the
      frontal oculomotor field. METHODS: The reaction time was measured with the chin
      resting on a stand ('chin-on' condition) and with voluntary maintenance of neck
      flexion ('chin-off' condition) at 80% maximal neck flexion angle, with and
      without TMS. The TMS timing producing the longest prolongation of the reaction
      time was first roughly identified for 10 ms intervals from 0 to 180 ms after the
      target presentation. Thereafter, TMS timing was set finely at 2 ms intervals from
      -20 to +20 ms of the 10 ms step that produced the longest prolongation. RESULTS:
      The reaction time without TMS was significantly shorter (21.9 ms) for the chin
      off (235.9 +/- 14.9 ms) than for the chin-on (257.5 +/- 17.1 ms) condition.
      Furthermore, TMS timing producing maximal prolongation of the reaction time was
      significantly earlier (18.6 ms) for the chin-off than the chin-on condition. The
      ratio of the forward shift in TMS timing relative to the reduction in reaction
      time was 87.8%. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that information processing time in the
      anti-saccade neural pathway before the frontal oculomotor field shortened while
      neck flexion was maintained, and that this reduction time accounted for
      approximately 88% of the shortening of reaction time.

PMID- 24220551
TI  - Enzymatic creatinine assays allow estimation of glomerular filtration rate in
      stages 1 and 2 chronic kidney disease using CKD-EPI equation.
AB  - The National Kidney Disease Education Program group demonstrated that MDRD
      equation is sensitive to creatinine measurement error, particularly at higher
      glomerular filtration rates. Thus, MDRD-based eGFR above 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 should
      not be reported numerically. However, little is known about the impact of
      analytical error on CKD-EPI-based estimates. This study aimed at assessing the
      impact of analytical characteristics (bias and imprecision) of 12 enzymatic and 4
      compensated Jaffe previously characterized creatinine assays on MDRD and CKD-EPI
      eGFR. In a simulation study, the impact of analytical error was assessed on a
      hospital population of 24084 patients. Ability using each assay to correctly
      classify patients according to chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages was evaluated.
      For eGFR between 60 and 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, both equations were sensitive to
      analytical error. Compensated Jaffe assays displayed high bias in this range and
      led to poorer sensitivity/specificity for classification according to CKD stages
      than enzymatic assays. As compared to MDRD equation, CKD-EPI equation decreases
      impact of analytical error in creatinine measurement above 90 mL/min/1.73 m2.
      Compensated Jaffe creatinine assays lead to important errors in eGFR and should
      be avoided. Accurate enzymatic assays allow estimation of eGFR until 90
      mL/min/1.73 m2 with MDRD and 120 mL/min/1.73 m2 with CKD-EPI equation.

PMID- 24220552
TI  - Evaluation of ultrasensitive cardiac Troponin I levels in patients with breast
      cancer during chemotherapy.

PMID- 24220553
TI  - Reprint: 2013 AHA/ACC Guideline on Lifestyle Management to Reduce Cardiovascular
      Risk.

PMID- 24220554
TI  - Follow-up care, surveillance protocol, and secondary prevention measures for
      survivors of colorectal cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical
      practice guideline endorsement.
AB  - PURPOSE: The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has a policy and set of
      procedures for endorsing recent clinical practice guidelines that have been
      developed by other professional organizations. METHODS: The Cancer Care Ontario
      (CCO) Guideline on Follow-up Care, Surveillance Protocol, and Secondary
      Prevention Measures for Survivors of Colorectal Cancer was reviewed by ASCO for
      methodologic rigor and considered for endorsement. RESULTS: The ASCO Panel
      concurred with the CCO recommendations and recommended endorsement, with the
      addition of several qualifying statements. CONCLUSION: Surveillance should be
      guided by presumed risk of recurrence and functional status of the patient
      (important within the first 2 to 4 years). Medical history, physical examination,
      and carcinoembryonic antigen testing should be performed every 3 to 6 months for
      5 years. Patients at higher risk of recurrence should be considered for testing
      in the more frequent end of the range. A computed tomography scan (abdominal and
      chest) is recommended annually for 3 years, in most cases. Positron emission
      tomography scans should not be used for surveillance outside of a clinical trial.
      A surveillance colonoscopy should be performed 1 year after the initial surgery
      and then every 5 years, dictated by the findings of the previous one. If a
      colonoscopy was not preformed before diagnosis, it should be done after
      completion of adjuvant therapy (before 1 year). Secondary prevention (maintaining
      a healthy body weight and active lifestyle) is recommended. If a patient is not a
      candidate for surgery or systemic therapy because of severe comorbid conditions,
      surveillance tests should not be performed. A treatment plan from the specialist
      should have clear directions on appropriate follow-up by a nonspecialist.

PMID- 24220555
TI  - Randomized, multicenter, phase II study of CO-101 versus gemcitabine in patients
      with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: including a prospective
      evaluation of the role of hENT1 in gemcitabine or CO-101 sensitivity.
AB  - PURPOSE: Gemcitabine requires transporter proteins to cross cell membranes. Low
      expression of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1 (hENT1) may result in
      gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). CO-101, a
      lipid-drug conjugate of gemcitabine, was rationally designed to enter cells
      independently of hENT1. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine
      whether CO-101 improved survival versus gemcitabine in patients with metastatic
      PDAC (mPDAC) with low hENT1. The study also tested the hypothesis that
      gemcitabine is more active in patients with mPDAC tumors with high versus low
      hENT1 expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to CO-101
      or gemcitabine, after providing a metastasis sample for blinded hENT1 assessment.
      An immunohistochemistry test measuring tumor hENT1 was developed. To dichotomize
      the population, an hENT1 cutoff value was defined using primary PDAC samples from
      an adjuvant trial, and a high/low cutoff was applied. The primary end point was
      overall survival (OS) in the low hENT1 subgroup. RESULTS: Of 367 patients
      enrolled, hENT1 status was measured in 358 patients (97.5%). Two hundred thirty
      two (64.8%) of 358 patients were hENT1 low. There was no difference in OS between
      treatments in the low hENT1 subgroup or overall, with hazard ratios (HRs) of
      0.994 (95% CI, 0.746 to 1.326) and 1.072 (95% CI, 0.856 to 1.344), respectively.
      The toxicity profiles in both arms were similar. Within the gemcitabine arm,
      there was no difference in survival between the high and low hENT1 subgroups (HR,
      1.147; 95% CI, 0.809 to 1.626). CONCLUSION: CO-101 is not superior to gemcitabine
      in patients with mPDAC and low tumor hENT1. Metastasis hENT1 expression did not
      predict gemcitabine outcome.

PMID- 24220556
TI  - Transcription factor STAT3 as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in
      cancer.

PMID- 24220557
TI  - Validation of the 12-gene colon cancer recurrence score in NSABP C-07 as a
      predictor of recurrence in patients with stage II and III colon cancer treated
      with fluorouracil and leucovorin (FU/LV) and FU/LV plus oxaliplatin.
AB  - PURPOSE: Accurate assessments of recurrence risk and absolute treatment benefit
      are needed to inform colon cancer adjuvant therapy. The 12-gene Recurrence Score
      assay has been validated in patients with stage II colon cancer from the Cancer
      and Leukemia Group B 9581 and Quick and Simple and Reliable (QUASAR) trials. We
      conducted an independent, prospectively designed clinical validation study of
      Recurrence Score, with prespecified end points and analysis plan, in archival
      specimens from patients with stage II and III colon cancer randomly assigned to
      fluorouracil (FU) or FU plus oxaliplatin in National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and
      Bowel Project C-07. METHODS: Recurrence Score was assessed in 892 fixed, paraffin
      embedded tumor specimens (randomly selected 50% of patients with tissue). Data
      were analyzed by Cox regression adjusting for stage and treatment. RESULTS:
      Continuous Recurrence Score predicted recurrence (hazard ratio for a 25-unit
      increase in score, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.50 to 2.55; P < .001), as well as disease-free
      and overall survival (both P < .001). Recurrence Score predicted recurrence risk
      (P = .001) after adjustment for stage, mismatch repair, nodes examined, grade,
      and treatment. Recurrence Score did not have significant interaction with stage
      (P = .90) or age (P = .76). Relative benefit of oxaliplatin was similar across
      the range of Recurrence Score (interaction P = .48); accordingly, absolute
      benefit of oxaliplatin increased with higher scores, most notably in patients
      with stage II and IIIA/B disease. CONCLUSION: The 12-gene Recurrence Score
      predicts recurrence risk in stage II and stage III colon cancer and provides
      additional information beyond conventional clinical and pathologic factors.
      Incorporating Recurrence Score into the clinical context may better inform
      adjuvant therapy decisions in stage III as well as stage II colon cancer.

PMID- 24220558
TI  - Response to A.A.M. van der Veldt et al.

PMID- 24220559
TI  - De novo treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with rituximab,
      cyclophosphamide, vincristine, gemcitabine, and prednisolone in patients with
      cardiac comorbidity: a United Kingdom National Cancer Research Institute trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: The treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
      with cardiac comorbidity is problematic, because this group may not be able to
      receive anthracycline-containing chemoimmunotherapy. We designed a single-arm
      phase II multicenter trial of rituximab, gemcitabine, cyclophosphamide,
      vincristine, and prednisolone (R-GCVP) in patients considered unfit for
      anthracycline-containing chemoimmunotherapy because of cardiac comorbidity.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one of 62 patients received R-GCVP, administered on
      day 1 with gemcitabine repeated on day 8 of a 21-day cycle. Median age was 76.5
      years. All patients had advanced disease; 27 (43.5%) had left ventricular
      ejection fraction of <= 50%, and 35 (56.5%) had an ejection fraction of > 50% and
      comorbid cardiac risk factors such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus,
      or hypertension [Corrected]. Primary end point was overall response rate at the
      end of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (61.3%; 95% CI, 49.2 to 73.4)
      achieved disease response (complete response [CR], n = 18;
      undocumented/unconfirmed CR, n = 6; partial response, n = 14). Two-year
      progression-free survival for all patients was 49.8% (95% CI, 37.3 to 62.3), and
      2-year overall survival was 55.8% (95% CI, 43.3 to 68.4). Thirty-four patients
      experienced grade >= 3 hematologic toxicity. There were 15 cardiac events, of
      which seven were grade 1 to 2, five were grade 3 to 4, and three were fatal,
      reflecting the poor cardiac status of the study population. CONCLUSION: Our phase
      II multicenter trial showed that the R-GCVP regimen is an active, reasonably well
      tolerated treatment for patients with DLBCL for whom anthracycline-containing
      immunochemotherapy was considered unsuitable because of coexisting cardiac
      disease.

PMID- 24220560
TI  - Reply to R.J. Chan.

PMID- 24220561
TI  - Is antiviral prophylaxis necessary to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV)
      reactivation in patients with HBV-resolved infection receiving rituximab
      containing chemotherapy?

PMID- 24220562
TI  - Reply to S. Kusumoto et al.

PMID- 24220564
TI  - Do nursing interventions targeting concurrent symptoms hold promise for managing
      fatigue in patients with advanced cancer?

PMID- 24220565
TI  - Pituitary gland: do anticancer drugs sit in the Turkish saddle?

PMID- 24220563
TI  - Activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway is associated with poor survival in
      diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP.
AB  - PURPOSE: We previously reported that constitutive STAT3 activation is a prominent
      feature of the activated B-cell subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (ABC
      DLBCL). In this study, we investigated whether STAT3 activation can risk stratify
      patients with DLBCL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: By an immunohistochemical method, we
      investigated phosphotyrosine STAT3 (PY-STAT3) expression from 185 patients with
      DLBCL treated with R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin,
      vincristine, and prednisone). Cell line-based siRNA experiments were also
      performed to generate an 11-gene, PY-STAT3 activation signature, which was used
      to study a previously published cohort of 222 patients with DLBCL. The STAT3
      activation status determined by these two methods and by STAT3 mRNA levels were
      then correlated with survival. RESULTS: PY-STAT3 was detected in 37% of DLBCL and
      enriched in ABC-DLBCL cases (P = .03). PY-STAT3 positivity significantly
      correlated with poor overall survival (OS; P = .01) and event-free survival (EFS;
      P = .006). Similar observations were made for high levels of STAT3 mRNA. In
      multivariable analysis, PY-STAT3 status (P = .02), International Prognostic Index
      (P = .02), and BCL2 expression (P = .046) were independent prognosticators of OS
      in this cohort. Among the cell-of-origin subgroups, PY-STAT3 was associated with
      poor EFS among non-germinal center B-cell DLBCL cases only (P = .027). Similarly,
      the 11-gene STAT3 activation signature correlated with poor survival in the
      entire DLBCL cohort (OS, P < .001; EFS, P < .001) as well as the ABC-DLBCL
      subgroup (OS, P = .029; EFS, P = .025). CONCLUSION: STAT3 activation correlated
      with poor survival in patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP, especially those
      with tumors of the ABC-DLBCL subtype.

PMID- 24220566
TI  - Menstrual phase as predictor of outcome after mild traumatic brain injury in
      women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether menstrual cycle phase in women at the time of
      mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) predicts 1-month outcomes. SETTING: Six
      emergency departments; 5 in Upstate New York, and 1 in Pennsylvania.
      PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-four female participants (age, 16-60) who
      presented to participating emergency departments within 4 hours of mTBI. DESIGN:
      Nested cohort study with neurologic and quality-of-life outcome assessment, 1
      month after enrollment. Female subjects aged 16 to 60 enrolled in the parent
      cohort study, with 1-month neurological determination data available, were
      classified into menstrual cycle groups by serum progesterone concentration and
      self-reported contraceptive use. MAIN MEASURES: Rivermead Post Concussion
      Questionnaire and EuroQoL/EQ5D. RESULTS: Women injured during the luteal phase of
      their menstrual cycle, when progesterone concentration is high, had significantly
      lower EuroQoL General Health Ratings and Index Scores than women injured during
      the follicular phase of their cycle or women taking oral contraceptives.
      Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant independent effect of menstrual
      cycle phase on EuroQoL Index Score and the Rivermead Post Concussion
      Questionnaire Somatic Subscore. CONCLUSION: Menstrual cycle phase and
      progesterone concentration at the time of mTBI affect 1-month quality-of-life and
      neurologic outcomes. This association has important implications for treatment
      and prognosis after mTBI.

PMID- 24220567
TI  - PACAP and PAC1 receptor in brain development and behavior.
AB  - Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive
      intestinal peptide (VIP) act through three class B G-protein coupled receptors,
      PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2, initiating multiple signaling pathways. In addition to
      natural peptides ligands, a number of synthetic peptides and a small molecular
      antagonist have been generated. Genetically modified animals have been produced
      for the neuropeptides and receptors. Neuroanatomical, electrophysiological,
      behavioral and pharmacological characterization of the mutants and transgenic
      mice uncovered diverse roles of PACAP-PAC1-VAPC2 signaling in peripheral tissues
      and in the central nervous system. Human genetic studies suggest that the PACAP
      PAC1-VPAC2 signaling can be associated with psychiatric illness via mechanisms of
      not only loss-of-function, but also gain-of-function. For example, a duplication
      of chromosome 7q36.3 (encoding the VPAC2 receptor) was shown to be associated
      with schizophrenia, and high levels of PACAP-PAC1 signaling are associated with
      posttraumatic stress disorder. Whereas knockout animals are appropriate to
      address loss-of-function of human genetics, transgenic mice overexpressing human
      transgenes in native environment using artificial chromosomes are particularly
      valuable and essential to address the consequences of gain-of-function. This
      review focuses on role of PACAP and PAC1 receptor in brain development, behavior
      of animals and potential implication in human neurodevelopmental disorders. It
      also encourages keeping an open mind that alterations of VIP/PACAP signaling may
      associate with psychiatric illness without overt neuroanatomic changes, and that
      tuning of VIP/PACAP signaling may represent a novel avenue for the treatment of
      the psychiatric illness. 

PMID- 24220568
TI  - Cortical spreading depression and calcitonin gene-related peptide: a brief review
      of current progress.
AB  - Although detailed disease mechanisms of migraine remain poorly understood,
      migraine is known to have a complex pathophysiology with both vascular and
      neuronal mechanisms. The neuronal mechanisms of migraine may be attributed to
      cortical spreading depression (CSD); consequently, CSD has been widely studied
      for understanding the pathophysiology of migraine. Well validated CSD models have
      been developed for evaluating anti-migraine drugs. Neuropeptides, mainly,
      calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), have been proposed as an emerging class
      of effective drugs against migraine headache. The central role of this
      neuropeptide has led to research into CSD for understanding disease mechanisms of
      migraine. This review briefly summarizes our current understanding of CSD and
      CGRP involvement in CSD. Although CSD can also worsen strokes, this brief paper
      has excluded the possible connection between the neuropeptide and CSD associated
      with them. Instead it has focused solely on CGRP in CSD associated with migraine.

PMID- 24220569
TI  - Biomarkers in the management of breast cancer: great expectations, hard times.
AB  - Progress in biomarkers research has resulted in increasing awareness of the
      heterogeneity of breast cancer. The identification of subtypes with different
      clinical behavior and the possibility of using targeted therapy in specific
      subgroup of patients (eg, those with tumors overexpressing HER2) raise
      expectations for increasing personalization of treatment. However, there is a
      widening gap between scientific discoveries and practical application in everyday
      practice: too many patients are still being managed based only on traditional
      clinical and pathologic parameters, because of lack of access to up to date
      technology-such as gene profiling, or cell proliferation assays-in many cancer
      centers in the United Kingdom. In this article, we provide some examples of this
      contrast, drawn from the literature and from our own clinical experience in South
      West Wales, and discuss possible solutions. 

PMID- 24220570
TI  - Activated boron nitride as an effective adsorbent for metal ions and organic
      pollutants.
AB  - Novel activated boron nitride (BN) as an effective adsorbent for pollutants in
      water and air has been reported in the present work. The activated BN was
      synthesized by a simple structure-directed method that enabled us to control the
      surface area, pore volume, crystal defects and surface groups. The obtained BN
      exhibits an super high surface area of 2078 m(2)/g, a large pore volume of 1.66
      cm(3)/g and a special multimodal microporous/mesoporous structure located at ~
      1.3, ~ 2.7, and ~ 3.9 nm, respectively. More importantly, the novel activated BN
      exhibits an excellent adsorption performance for various metal ions (Cr(3+),
      Co(2+), Ni(2+), Ce(3+), Pb(2+)) and organic pollutants (tetracycline, methyl
      orange and congo red) in water, as well as volatile organic compounds (benzene)
      in air. The excellent reusability of the activated BN has also been confirmed.
      All the features render the activated BN a promising material suitable for
      environmental remediation.

PMID- 24220571
TI  - Allospecific CD8 T suppressor cells induced by multiple MLC stimulation or
      priming in the presence of ILT3.Fc have similar gene expression profiles.
AB  - Alloantigen specific CD8 T suppressor cells can be generated in vitro either by
      multiple stimulations of CD3 T cells with allogeneic APC or by single stimulation
      in primary MLC containing recombinant ILT3.Fc protein. The aim of the present
      study was to determine whether multiple MLC stimulation induced in CD8(+) CD28(-)
      T suppressor cells molecular changes that are similar to those observed in CD8 T
      suppressor cells from primary MLC containing ILT3.Fc protein. Our study
      demonstrates that the characteristic signatures of CD8 T suppressor cells,
      generated by either of these methods are the same consisting of up-regulation of
      the BCL6 transcriptional repressor and down-regulation of inflammatory microRNAs,
      miR-21, miR-30b, miR-146a, and miR-155 expression. In conclusion microRNAs which
      are increased under inflammatory conditions in activated CD4 and CD8 T cells with
      helper or cytotoxic function show low levels of expression in CD8 T cells which
      have acquired antigen-specific suppressor activity. 

PMID- 24220572
TI  - Functional characterization of a plastid-specific ribosomal protein PSRP2 in
      Arabidopsis thaliana under abiotic stress conditions.
AB  - Plastids possess a small set of proteins unique to plastid ribosome, named
      plastid-specific ribosomal proteins (PSRPs). Among the six PSRPs found in
      Arabidopsis thaliana, PSRP2 is unique in that it harbors two RNA-recognition
      motifs found in diverse RNA-binding proteins. A recent report demonstrated that
      PSRP2 is not essential for ribosome function and plant growth under standard
      greenhouse conditions. Here, we investigated the functional role of PSRP2 during
      Arabidopsis seed germination and seedling growth under different light
      environments and various stress conditions, including high salinity, dehydration,
      and low temperature. The transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing PSRP2
      showed delayed germination compared with that of the wild-type plants under salt,
      dehydration, or low temperature stress conditions. The T-DNA insertion psrp2
      mutant displayed better seedling growth but PSRP2-overexpressing transgenic
      plants showed poorer seedling growth than that of the wild-type plants under salt
      stress conditions. No noticeable differences in seedling growth were observed
      between the genotypes when grown under different light environments including
      dark, red, far-red, and blue light. Interestingly, the PSRP2 protein possessed
      RNA chaperone activity. Taken together, these results suggest that PSRP2
      harboring RNA chaperone activity plays a role as a negative regulator in seed
      germination under all three abiotic stress conditions tested and in seedling
      growth of Arabidopsis under salt stress but not under cold or dehydration stress
      conditions. 

PMID- 24220573
TI  - Excellent prognosis of node negative patients after sentinel node procedure in
      colon carcinoma: a 5-year follow-up study.
AB  - AIM: Investigate the prognostic impact and clinical relevance of the sentinel
      node (SN)-procedure in colon carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2002
      and January 2004, the SN-procedure was performed in 55 patients that underwent
      elective resection for clinically non-advanced colon carcinoma. A control group
      of 110 patients was identified from a cohort between January 2000 and April 2002.
      All lymph nodes were analysed by conventional haematoxylin-eosin staining. All
      negative SNs underwent in-depth analysis using immunohistochemical-staining and
      automated microscopy with the Ariol-system. Patients with positive lymph nodes
      were offered adjuvant chemotherapy. All patients were routinely monitored at 6
      month intervals and follow-up was more than 5 years. RESULTS: The SN was
      successfully identified in 98% of the patients, with 94% sensitivity. In-depth
      analysis with immunohistochemistry and automated microscopy (Ariol-system)
      upstaged 3 and 4 patients respectively. When only node-negative patients were
      analysed, overall 5-year-survival was significantly better in the SN group (91%
      vs. 76%, p = 0.04). Cancer-specific-mortality was even 0% (vs. 8%, p = 0.08).
      Disease-free-survival was significantly improved to 96% (vs. 77%, p < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the prognostic impact of the SN-procedure in
      colon carcinoma after 5-year-follow-up. Only one patient had recurrent disease
      after a negative SN procedure (disease-free-survival 96%). These results indicate
      that the SN-procedure is of prognostic relevance and might be useful to select
      patients for adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients that are lymph node negative after
      an SN-procedure have an excellent prognosis and do not need adjuvant treatment.

PMID- 24220574
TI  - Have rates of behavioral health assessment and treatment increased for
      Massachusetts children since the Rosie D. decision? A report from two primary
      care practices.
AB  - Following a court decision (Rosie D. v. Romney), the Medicaid program in
      Massachusetts launched the statewide Children's Behavioral Health Initiative in
      2008 to increase the recognition and treatment of behavioral health problems in
      pediatrics. We reviewed billing data (n = 64,194) and electronic medical records
      (n = 600) for well child visits in pediatrics in 2 practices to examine rates of
      behavioral health screening, problem identification, and treatment among children
      seen during the year before and 2 years after the program's implementation.
      According to electronic medical records, the percentage of well child visits that
      included any form of behavioral health assessment increased significantly during
      the first 2 years of the program, and pediatricians significantly increased their
      use of standardized screens. According to billing data, behavioral health
      treatment increased significantly. These findings suggest that behavioral health
      screening and treatment have increased following the Rosie D. decision. 

PMID- 24220576
TI  - Fluoroquinolones and peripheral neuropathy.

PMID- 24220575
TI  - Identification of a pan-cancer oncogenic microRNA superfamily anchored by a
      central core seed motif.
AB  - MicroRNAs modulate tumorigenesis through suppression of specific genes. As many
      tumour types rely on overlapping oncogenic pathways, a core set of microRNAs may
      exist, which consistently drives or suppresses tumorigenesis in many cancer
      types. Here we integrate The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) pan-cancer data set with
      a microRNA target atlas composed of publicly available Argonaute Crosslinking
      Immunoprecipitation (AGO-CLIP) data to identify pan-tumour microRNA drivers of
      cancer. Through this analysis, we show a pan-cancer, coregulated oncogenic
      microRNA 'superfamily' consisting of the miR-17, miR-19, miR-130, miR-93, miR-18,
      miR-455 and miR-210 seed families, which cotargets critical tumour suppressors
      via a central GUGC core motif. We subsequently define mutations in microRNA
      target sites using the AGO-CLIP microRNA target atlas and TCGA exome-sequencing
      data. These combined analyses identify pan-cancer oncogenic cotargeting of the
      phosphoinositide 3-kinase, TGFbeta and p53 pathways by the miR-17-19-130
      superfamily members. 

PMID- 24220577
TI  - Electronic cigarettes.

PMID- 24220578
TI  - An OTC corticosteroid nasal spray for allergic rhinitis.

PMID- 24220579
TI  - A prostatic urethral lift for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PMID- 24220580
TI  - A meningococcal vaccine for infants.

PMID- 24220581
TI  - Asthma and the socio-economic reality in Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma is a prevalent disease that is considered a health problem
      worldwide. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and socioeconomic
      characteristics of a cohort of asthmatics receiving specialized outpatient
      treatment in a tertiary/teaching public hospital in Brazil. METHODS: Persistent
      asthmatics older than 5 years old were consecutively included. They received
      clinical treatment at 3- to 4-month intervals and were interviewed 2 times at 6
      month intervals over a 12-month observation period. The data were collected
      directly from the patients or their parents by 2 researchers who did not
      participate in their clinical care. The primary variables were age, gender,
      education level, monthly family income, place of residence, number of lost days
      of school or work, BMI, the severity and control level of asthma, the number of
      scheduled and non-scheduled visits and hospitalization days and the best peak
      flow measurement. RESULTS: Of the 117 participants, 108 completed the study. Of
      the participants, 73.8% were women, and 25.0% lived outside the county. Of those
      who lived within the county, 60.1% lived in areas far from the health care unit.
      The majority (83.3%) had associated rhinitis, and more than 50.0% were overweight
      or obese, in whom the prevalence of severe asthma was greater (p = 0.001). The
      median monthly income was US$ 536.58 and was greater among the patients with
      controlled asthma (p = 0.005 and p = 0.01 at the start and the end of the study,
      respectively). In the initial evaluation, 16 participants had severe asthma, and
      in the final evaluation, 8 out of 21 patients with uncontrolled asthma had
      improved. Three-quarters of the students and half of the workers had missed days
      of school or work, respectively. The asthmatic population in this study had
      medium to low socioeconomic status in Brazil and socioeconomic status was
      associated with overweigth/obesity and with poor control of asthma. CONCLUSION:
      Asthma has a great impact on absenteeism in Brazil. Lower monthly family income
      and body weight above the ideal level were associated with greater severity and
      worse control of asthma.

PMID- 24220582
TI  - Prenatal detection of TAR syndrome in a fetus with compound inheritance of an
      RBM8A SNP and a 334-kb deletion: a case report.
AB  - Thrombocytopenia-absent radius syndrome (TAR) is a rare genetic disorder that is
      characterized by the absence of the radius bone in each forearm and a markedly
      reduced platelet count that results in life-threatening bleeding episodes
      (thrombocytopenia). Tar syndrome has been associated with a deletion of a segment
      of 1q21.1 cytoband. The 1q21.1 deletion syndrome phenotype includes Tar and other
      features such as mental retardation, autism and microcephaly. This study
      describes a case of a prenatally diagnosed fetus with compound inheritance of a
      small (334 kb) deletion, as detected by array-comparative genomic hybridization,
      and a 5' untranslated region (UTR) low-frequency allele (rs139428292) in gene
      RBM8A as detected by Sanger sequencing. The study describes the first case of
      prenatal analysis of TAR syndrome in a fetus with compound inheritance of a 334
      kb deletion in the 1q21.1 region and a low-frequency 5' UTR single nucleotide
      polymorphism, and provides confirmation of the causal nature of the RBM8A gene in
      the diagnosis of TAR syndrome. 

PMID- 24220583
TI  - The aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) modulates the
      antioxidant response in AML cells.
AB  - We observed AML cell lines vary in their sensitivity to induction of apoptosis by
      troglitazone (TG), which induces apoptosis through the generation of
      intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). TG-resistant cell lines had
      increased abundance of ARNT transcripts and protein. Expression of ARNT in TG
      sensitive cells made these cells resistant to both TG and daunorubicin. ARNT
      expressing cells had increased expression of SOD2 and Nrf2 transcripts and
      elevated intracellular GSH concentration. Our results indicate that ARNT
      expression in AML cells augments antioxidant response and confers resistance to
      ROS inducers. This suggests ARNT may modulate ROS signaling and drug response in
      AML. 

PMID- 24220584
TI  - Current pathology practices in and barriers to MDS diagnosis.
AB  - Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematopoietic stem
      cell malignancies that represent a diagnostic challenge for pathologists.
      Accurate classification and prognostic scoring are essential to treating MDS. To
      understand factors that affect MDS management, a case-based survey was
      distributed to hematopathologists (n=53) and general pathologists (n=72) to
      identify perceived barriers, attitudes, and practices in MDS diagnosis. Results
      demonstrated confidence and practice gaps. Only 33% of general pathologists are
      confident in diagnosing MDS. Neither general pathologists nor hematopathologists
      are comfortable using the International Prognostic Scoring System to characterize
      risk. Thirty percent of general pathologists and 22% of hematopathologists would
      not include bone marrow aspirate and cytogenetics in initial testing of a
      neutropenic patient. Most practitioners tested appropriately for disease
      classification and prognosis; discrepancies were identified in testing to
      differentiate MDS from acute myeloid leukemia and testing in post treatment
      specimens. These results have implications in the management of MDS. 

PMID- 24220585
TI  - Investigation clues for prognosis, diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 24220586
TI  - Genetics of diastolic heart failure.
AB  - Heart failure explains a large portion of heart diseases. Molecular mechanisms
      determining cardiac function, by inference dysfunction in heart failure, are
      incompletely understood, especially in the common (or congestive) systolic (SHF)
      and diastolic heart failure (DHF). Limited genome-wide association studies
      (GWASs) in humans are reported on SHF and no GWAS has been performed on DHF.
      Genetic analyses in a rodent model of true DHF, Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats,
      have begun to unravel the genetic components determining diastolic function.
      Diastolic dysfunction of DSS rats can be ameliorated or even normalized by
      distinct quantitative trait loci (QTLs), designated as diastolic function/blood
      pressure QTLs (DF/BP QTLs), which also affect blood pressure (BP). However, an
      improvement in diastolic dysfunction is merely transitory from a single DF/BP
      QTL, despite a permanent lowering of BP. A long-term protection against diastolic
      dysfunction can be realized only through combining specific DF/BP QTLs. Moreover,
      the worsening diastolic dysfunction with age can also be reversed in a different
      combination of DF/BP QTLs. Thus, distinct genes in combinations must be involved
      in the physiological mechanisms ameliorating or reversing diastolic dysfunction.
      As not all the QTLs that influence BP can affect diastolic function, it is not BP
      reduction itself that restores diastolic function, but rather specific genes that
      are uniquely integrated into the pathways of blood pressure homeostasis as well
      as diastolic function. Thus, the elucidation of pathophysiological mechanisms
      causal to hypertensive diastolic dysfunction will not only provide new diagnostic
      tools, but also novel therapeutic targets and strategies in reducing, curing, and
      even reversing DHF. 

PMID- 24220587
TI  - Aortic stiffening, cerebral resistance vessel function and structure, and
      cerebral perfusion.

PMID- 24220588
TI  - Night-time blood pressure and new onset kidney disease.

PMID- 24220589
TI  - Cardiovascular risk in Mozambique: who should be treated for hypertension?
AB  - AIM: To estimate the proportion of Mozambicans eligible for pharmacological
      treatment for hypertension, according to single risk factor and total
      cardiovascular risk approaches. METHODS: A representative sample of Mozambicans
      aged 40-64 years (n=1116) was evaluated according to the WHO STEPwise Approach to
      Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS). We measured blood pressure (BP)
      and 12-h fasting blood glucose levels and collected data on sociodemographic
      characteristics, smoking, and use of antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs. We
      estimated the 10-year risk of a fatal or nonfatal major cardiovascular event
      (WHO/International Society of Hypertension risk prediction charts), and computed
      the proportion of untreated participants eligible for pharmacological treatment
      for hypertension, according to BP values alone and accounting also for the total
      cardiovascular risk (WHO guidelines for assessment and management of
      cardiovascular diseases). RESULTS: Among the Mozambicans aged 40-64 years and not
      taking antihypertensive drugs, less than 4% were classified as having
      cardiovascular risk at least 20% whereas the prevalence of SBP/DBP at least
      140/90 mmHg was nearly 40%. A total of 19.8% of 40-64-year-olds would be eligible
      for pharmacological treatment of hypertension according to the WHO guidelines,
      all of whom had SBP/DBP at least 160/100 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Among the Mozambicans
      aged 40-64 years not taking antihypertensive drugs and having SBP/DBP at least
      140/90 mmHg, only half were eligible for pharmacological treatment according to
      the WHO guidelines. Taking the latter into account, when defining strategies to
      control hypertension at a population level, may allow a more efficient use of the
      scarce resources available in developing settings.

PMID- 24220590
TI  - P2X7 receptor polymorphisms do not influence endothelial function and vascular
      tone in neo-diagnosed, treatment-naive essential hypertensive patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness are early vascular
      alterations, linked to oxidative stress and inflammation, with prognostic
      significance in essential hypertensive patients. P2X7 receptors (P2X7R),
      responding to extracellular ATP, are encoded by a highly polymorphic gene and
      modulate inflammatory responses and cell growth, potentially playing a role in
      the control of vascular tone. This study evaluated the effects of P2X7R gene
      polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) on a detailed vascular
      hypertensive phenotype. METHODS: We determined by real-time PCR two SNPs of the
      P2X7R gene (489C>T and 1513A>C) in 134 newly diagnosed, treatment-naive essential
      hypertensive patients and 131 normotensive controls (CTL). Endothelium-dependent
      response was assessed as flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery,
      arterial stiffness as aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index
      (AIx) by tonometry. Markers of oxidative stress were also measured. RESULTS: FMD
      was lower (P < 0.05), whereas aortic PWV and AIx were higher (P < 0.01) in
      essential hypertensive patients than in CTL. The allelic distribution of the two
      P2X7R SNPs was similar in essential hypertensive patients and CTL, either
      concerning homozygosis or presence of the mutant alleles. No difference was
      observed for FMD, aortic PWV, AIx or markers of oxidative stress between carriers
      and noncarriers of the mutant alleles, either in essential hypertensive patients
      and in CTL. In the whole group, logistic regression showed that the mutant allele
      of 1513A>C was a main determinant of AIx (odds ratio 1.90; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION:
      P2X7R 489C>T and 1513A>C SNPs are not associated with altered endothelial
      function or arterial stiffness in untreated newly diagnosed essential
      hypertensive patients; a possible role in influencing peripheral wave reflection
      should be further addressed.

PMID- 24220591
TI  - Central artery stiffness, neuropsychological function, and cerebral perfusion in
      sedentary and endurance-trained middle-aged adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Midlife vascular disease risk is a strong risk factor for late-life
      dementia. Central arterial stiffness, a hallmark of vascular aging, is associated
      with accelerated brain aging and cognitive decline. Habitual aerobic exercise is
      an effective lifestyle strategy to reduce central arterial stiffness and is
      related to lower risk of cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE: To determine the
      associations among cardiopulmonary fitness, neuropsychological function, central
      arterial stiffness, and cerebral perfusion in the sedentary and endurance-trained
      middle-aged adults. METHODS: Twenty-six sedentary and 32 endurance-trained middle
      aged adults were measured for maximal oxygen consumption, central arterial
      stiffness determined by aortic pulse wave velocity and carotid ultrasound,
      neuropsychological function, and regional cerebral blood flow assessed by MRI.
      RESULTS: There were no group differences in age, sex, ethnicity, education, blood
      pressure, and carotid intima-media wall thickness (all P>0.05).
      Neuropsychological performance and occipitoparietal perfusion were greater, and
      central arterial stiffness was lower in endurance-trained individuals than in
      sedentary individuals (all P<0.05). Greater cardiopulmonary fitness was related
      to better cognitive composite scores, including memory and attention-executive
      function (r=0.28-0.40, P<0.05). Lower carotid arterial stiffness was associated
      with better neuropsychological outcome independent of age, sex, and education (r=
      0.32 to -0.35, P<0.05), and correlated with greater occipitoparietal blood flow
      (r= -0.37 to -0.51, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Lower carotid artery stiffness in
      endurance-trained adults is associated with better neuropsychological outcome and
      greater occipitoparietal perfusion.

PMID- 24220592
TI  - Impact of hypertension on infarct size in ST elevation myocardial infarction
      patients undergoing primary angioplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a well known risk factor for atherosclerosis.
      However, data on the impact of hypertension in patients with ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI) are inconsistent, and mainly related to studies
      performed in the thrombolytic era, with very few data on patients undergoing
      primary angioplasty. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of
      hypertension on scintigraphic infarct size in STEMI patients undergoing primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHOD: Our population is represented
      by 830 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Infarct size was evaluated at 30
      days by technetium-99m-sestamibi. RESULTS: Hypertension was associated with more
      advanced age (P<0.001), a larger prevalence of diabetes (P=0.001), female sex
      (P<0.001), but lower prevalence of smoking (P<0.001) and anterior infarction
      (P=0.042). No difference was observed in ischemia time, cardiogenic shock at
      presentation, in preprocedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow,
      and collateral circulation. Hypertension did not affect the rate of
      postprocedural TIMI 3 flow. Hypertension did not affect infarct size [12.5% (4.1
      23.8%) vs. 12.8% (4.3-24.7%), P=0.38]. Similar results were observed in
      subanalyses in major high-risk subgroups. No impact of hypertension on infarct
      size was confirmed when the analysis was conducted according to the percentage of
      patients with infarct size above the median [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)=0.97
      (0.72-1.33), P=0.92]. CONCLUSION: This study shows that among STEMI patients,
      undergoing primary PCI hypertension does not affect scintigraphic infarct size.

PMID- 24220593
TI  - Precise assessment of noncompliance with the antihypertensive therapy in patients
      with resistant hypertension using toxicological serum analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of pseudo
      resistance caused by noncompliance with treatment among patients with severe
      resistant hypertension and to analyze the contributing factors. METHOD: Three
      hundred and thirty-nine patients (195 men) with resistant essential hypertension
      were studied. The first group consisted of 176 patients admitted for
      hospitalization for exclusion of a secondary cause to our hypertension centre
      (103 men); the second one consisted of 163 out-patients (92 men) investigated for
      the first time in an out-patient hypertension clinic. Unplanned blood sampling
      for assessment of serum antihypertensive drug concentrations by means of liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Our main
      finding is a surprisingly low compliance with drug treatment in out-patients with
      resistant hypertension (23% partially noncompliant and 24% totally noncompliant -
      in total, 47% prevalence of noncompliance). Eighty-one percent of hospitalized
      patients were positive, in 10% the results were partially positive and in 9% of
      the patients, the drugs were all negative. The compliance among hospitalized
      patients was probably better due to lower numbers of prescribed drugs and
      expected thorough investigation. More frequently, noncompliance was found in
      nonworking (potential purpose-built behaviour), younger and less well educated
      patients. The most frequent noncompliance was to doxazosine, spironolactone and
      hydrochlorothiazide. We have observed a surprisingly low compliance with
      treatment among out-patients with severe hypertension. CONCLUSION: We conclude
      that the evaluation of antihypertensive drugs concentrations is a useful and
      precise method for assessment of noncompliance in patients with resistant
      hypertension. This evaluation is useful before starting the diagnostic work-up of
      secondary forms of hypertension and before assignment patients into protocols
      with new therapy modalities such as renal denervation.

PMID- 24220594
TI  - New blood pressure control goals, more rational but facilitating therapeutic
      inertia?

PMID- 24220595
TI  - New blood pressure control goals, more rational but facilitating therapeutic
      inertia? : reply.

PMID- 24220596
TI  - Guidelines for the management of hypertension and target organ damage.

PMID- 24220597
TI  - Guidelines for the management of hypertension and target organ damage: reply.

PMID- 24220598
TI  - Reprint: 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS Guideline for the Management of Overweight and Obesity
      in Adults.

PMID- 24220600
TI  - Laparoscopic Heller myotomy versus endoscopic balloon dilatation for the
      treatment of achalasia: a network meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Comparison of short- and long-term effects after laparoscopic Heller
      myotomy (LHM) and endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) considering the need for
      retreatment. BACKGROUND: Previously published studies have indicated that LHM is
      the most effective treatment for Achalasia. In contrast to that a recent
      randomized trial found EBD equivalent to LHM 2 years after initial treatment.
      METHODS: A search in Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
      Trials was conducted for prospective studies on interventional achalasia therapy
      with predefined exclusion criteria. Data on success rates after the initial and
      repeated treatment were extracted. An adjusted network meta-analysis and meta
      regression analysis was used, combined with a head-to-head comparison, for follow
      up at 12, 24, and 60 months. RESULTS: Sixteen studies including results of 590
      LHM and EBD patients were identified. Odds ratio (OR) was 2.20 at 12 months (95%
      confidence interval: 1.18-4.09; P = 0.01); 5.06 at 24 months (2.61-9.80; P <
      0.00001) and 29.83 at 60 months (3.96-224.68; P = 0.001). LHM was also
      significantly superior for all time points when therapy included re-treatments
      [OR = 4.83 (1.87-12.50), 19.61 (5.34-71.95), and 17.90 (2.17-147.98); P <= 0.01
      for all comparisons) Complication rates were not significantly different. Meta
      regression analysis showed that amount of dilations had a significant impact on
      treatment effects (P = 0.009). Every dilation (up to 3) improved treatment effect
      by 11.9% (2.8%-21.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In this network meta-analysis, LHM
      demonstrated superior short- and long-term efficacy and should be considered
      first-line treatment of esophageal achalasia.

PMID- 24220601
TI  - Estimating fatty alcohol contributions to the environment from laundry and
      personal care products using a market forensics approach.
AB  - Fatty alcohol-based surfactants are widely used in detergents and personal care
      products; they are typically disposed of down-the-drain and are degraded or
      removed during wastewater treatment. Analytical data had shown concentration and
      profile differences between regions of the United States. Market sales data were
      purchased relevant to the sampling dates. In combination with analysis of the
      fatty alcohol profiles in the top selling products, the influent profiles were
      reconstructed and compared to the whole U.S. sales data. The per capita usage
      rate for fatty alcohols through these 4000+ top selling products was 4.9 g per
      day, with 88% arising from liquid laundry detergents and hand dish detergents.
      This extrapolates to a national usage of 185,000 tonnes per year. There were
      significant differences in the purchasing habits of the inhabitants across the
      four regions sampled, although this had minimal impact on the fatty alcohol
      profile which was dominated by the C12 moiety. The U.S. market was also dominated
      by petrochemically-sourced chemicals. This market forensics approach using
      purchased sales data was able to extend our knowledge of the fate of these
      chemicals without a major (expensive) sampling and analytical campaign.

PMID- 24220599
TI  - Targeting of white matter tracts with transcranial magnetic stimulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: TMS activations of white matter depend not only on the distance from
      the coil, but also on the orientation of the axons relative to the TMS-induced
      electric field, and especially on axonal bends that create strong local field
      gradient maxima. Therefore, tractography contains potentially useful information
      for TMS targeting. OBJECTIVE/METHODS: Here, we utilized 1-mm resolution diffusion
      and structural T1-weighted MRI to construct large-scale tractography models, and
      localized TMS white matter activations in motor cortex using electromagnetic
      forward modeling in a boundary element model (BEM). RESULTS: As expected, in
      sulcal walls, pyramidal cell axonal bends created preferred sites of activation
      that were not found in gyral crowns. The model agreed with the well-known coil
      orientation sensitivity of motor cortex, and also suggested unexpected activation
      distributions emerging from the E-field and tract configurations. We further
      propose a novel method for computing the optimal coil location and orientation to
      maximally stimulate a pre-determined axonal bundle. CONCLUSIONS: Diffusion MRI
      tractography with electromagnetic modeling may improve spatial specificity and
      efficacy of TMS.

PMID- 24220602
TI  - Automated Risk Assessment for Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation (AURAS-AF)--an
      automated software system to promote anticoagulation and reduce stroke risk:
      study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at significantly increased
      risk of stroke. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) substantially reduce this risk, with
      gains seen across the spectrum of baseline risk. Despite the benefit to patients,
      OAC prescribing remains suboptimal in the United Kingdom (UK). We will
      investigate whether an automated software system, operating within primary care
      electronic medical records, can improve the management of AF by identifying
      patients eligible for OAC therapy and increasing uptake of this treatment.
      METHODS/DESIGN: We will conduct a cluster randomised controlled trial, involving
      general practices using the Egton Medical Information Systems (EMIS) Web clinical
      system. We will randomise practices to use an electronic software tool or to
      continue with usual care. The tool will a) produce (and continually refresh) a
      list of patients with AF who are eligible for OAC therapy--practices will invite
      these patients to discuss therapy at the start of the trial--and b) generate
      electronic screen reminders in the medical records of those eligible, appearing
      throughout the trial. The software will run for 6 months in 23 intervention
      practices. A total of 23 control practices will manage their AF register in line
      with the usual care offered. The primary outcome is change in proportion of
      eligible patients with AF who have been prescribed OAC therapy after six months.
      Secondary outcomes are incidence of stroke, transient ischaemic attack, other
      major thromboembolism, major haemorrhage and reports of inappropriate OAC
      prescribing in the data collection sample--those deemed eligible for OACs. We
      will conduct a process evaluation in parallel with the randomised trial. We will
      use qualitative methods to examine patient and practitioner views of the
      intervention and its impact on primary care practice, including its time
      implications. DISCUSSION: AURAS-AF will investigate whether a simple
      intervention, using electronic primary care records, can improve OAC uptake in a
      high risk group for stroke. Given previous concerns about safety, especially
      surrounding inappropriate prescribing, we will also examine whether electronic
      reminders safely impact care in this clinical area. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      http://ISRCTN 55722437.

PMID- 24220603
TI  - Conjugated organic framework with three-dimensionally ordered stable structure
      and delocalized pi clouds.
AB  - Covalent organic frameworks are a class of crystalline organic porous materials
      that can utilize pi-pi-stacking interactions as a driving force for the
      crystallization of polygonal sheets to form layered frameworks and ordered pores.
      However, typical examples are chemically unstable and lack intrasheet pi
      conjugation, thereby significantly limiting their applications. Here we report a
      chemically stable, electronically conjugated organic framework with topologically
      designed wire frameworks and open nanochannels, in which the pi conjugation-spans
      the two-dimensional sheets. Our framework permits inborn periodic ordering of
      conjugated chains in all three dimensions and exhibits a striking combination of
      properties: chemical stability, extended pi-delocalization, ability to host guest
      molecules and hole mobility. We show that the pi-conjugated organic framework is
      useful for high on-off ratio photoswitches and photovoltaic cells. Therefore,
      this strategy may constitute a step towards realizing ordered semiconducting
      porous materials for innovations based on two-dimensionally extended pi systems. 

PMID- 24220605
TI  - T cell responses in dengue viral infections.
AB  - Dengue viral infections are the commonest mosquito borne viral infection in the
      world, affecting more than 100 countries and 390 million individuals annually.
      Currently, there are no effective antiviral drugs or an effective vaccine to
      prevent infection. A main hurdle in developing a safe and effective vaccine has
      been our poor understanding of the complex nature of the protective immune
      response in acute dengue infection and the presence of four dengue virus (DV)
      serotypes that are highly homologous. The role of DV specific T cells in the
      pathogenesis of severe clinical disease in not clear. It has been speculated that
      highly cross reactive T cells for the previous infecting heterologous DV
      serotype, which produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, contribute to disease
      pathogenesis. These cross reactive T cells are believed to be suboptimal in
      clearing the infection with the current DV-serotype. However, other studies have
      shown that cross-reactive DV-specific T cells are absent or present in very low
      frequency during acute infection, appearing only during the convalescent period
      in the majority of patients. Furthermore, significant apoptosis of T cells occurs
      in severe acute clinical disease. Overall therefore, it is unclear what role T
      cells play in contributing to disease pathogenesis during acute dengue infection.
      Existing data have been complicated by cross-reactivity in T cells assays. These
      findings can now be re-evaluated in the light of novel technologies to identify
      serotype-specific T cell responses. 

PMID- 24220604
TI  - Exploring autistic traits in anorexia: a clinical study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to explore associations between
      autistic traits and self-reported clinical symptoms in a population with anorexia
      nervosa (AN). Experimental and self-report evidence reveals similarities between
      AN and autism spectrum condition (ASC) populations in socio-emotional and
      cognitive domains; this includes difficulties with empathy, set-shifting and
      global processing. Focusing on these similarities may lead to better tailored
      interventions for both conditions. METHODS: A cross-sectional independent-groups
      design was employed. Participants with AN (n = 66) and typical controls (n = 66)
      completed self-report questionnaires including the Short (10-Item) Version Autism
      Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) questionnaire (the first time this has been implemented
      in this population), the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Hospital
      Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale. Group
      differences and the relationship between autistic traits and other questionnaire
      measures were investigated. RESULTS: The AN group had a significantly higher AQ
      10 total score and a greater proportion scored above the clinical cut-off than
      the control group. Seven out of ten AQ-10 items significantly discriminated
      between groups. In the AN group, levels of autistic traits correlated with a
      greater self-reported anxiety and depression and a lower ability to maintain
      close relationships; however, eating disorder symptoms were not associated with
      autistic traits. CONCLUSIONS: Women with anorexia possess a greater number of
      autistic traits than typical women. AQ-10 items that discriminated between groups
      related to 'bigger picture' (global) thinking, inflexibility of thinking and
      problems with social interactions, suggesting that autistic traits may exacerbate
      factors that maintain the eating disorder rather than cause the eating disorder
      directly. Using screening instruments may improve understanding of patients'
      problems, leading to better tailoring of intervention. We conclude that further
      investigation of autistic traits in AN could inform new intervention approaches
      based on joint working between ASC and eating disorder services.

PMID- 24220606
TI  - In-vivo dark-field and phase-contrast x-ray imaging.
AB  - Novel radiography approaches based on the wave nature of x-rays when propagating
      through matter have a great potential for improved future x-ray diagnostics in
      the clinics. Here, we present a significant milestone in this imaging method: in
      vivo multi-contrast x-ray imaging of a mouse using a compact scanner. Of
      particular interest is the enhanced contrast in regions related to the
      respiratory system, indicating a possible application in diagnosis of lung
      diseases (e.g. emphysema). 

PMID- 24220608
TI  - Morphology, differentiation and adhesion molecule expression changes of bone
      marrow mesenchymal stem cells from acute myeloid leukemia patients.
AB  - Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been identified as an important
      component of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche, which is essential for the
      maintenance of HSCs. HSC niche alternation has been considered to be the main
      cause of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, little is known with regard to
      BMSC alteration in AML patients. BMSCs were collected from 10 AML patients and 13
      controls in order to examine the morphology, differentiation and adhesion
      molecule expression changes. It was observed that primary BMSCs from AML patients
      exhibited aberrant morphologies compared with those from the controls. Prior to
      adipogenic differentiation, the mRNA and protein levels of the lipid marker gene
      lipoprotein lipase, from the BMSCs of AML patients, were significantly higher.
      lipid drops were present early during differentiation in the BMSCs of AML
      patients and exhibited greater numbers later. Following adipogenic
      differentiation, the mRNA level of E-cadherin in the BMSCs of AML patients was
      significantly lower than that identified in the BMSCs of the control groups.
      Following osteogenic induction, the mRNA level of E-cadherin in the BMSCs of AML
      patients was significantly higher than in the controls. Therefore BMSCs from the
      AML patients exhibited irregular morphology, tendency to pre-differentiate to
      adipocytes and different adhesion molecule expression following differentiation.
      These differences may further our understanding of the HSC niche in the
      pathological condition. 

PMID- 24220607
TI  - Nonselective inhibition of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases by naproxen
      ameliorates acute or chronic liver injury in animals.
AB  - The rising prevalence of hepatic injury due to toxins, metabolites, viruses,
      etc., necessitates development of further mechanisms for protecting the liver and
      for treating acute or chronic liver diseases. To examine whether inhibition of
      inflammation is directed by cyclo-oxygenase pathways, we performed animal studies
      with naproxen, which inhibits prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases 1 and 2 and is
      in extensive clinical use. We administered carbon tetrachloride to induce acute
      liver injury and ligated the common bile duct to induce chronic liver injury in
      adult rats. These experimental manipulations produced abnormalities in liver
      tests, tissue necrosis, compensatory hepatocyte or biliary proliferation, and
      onset of fibrosis, particularly after bile duct ligation. After carbon
      tetrachloride-induced acute injury, naproxen decreased liver test abnormalities,
      tissue necrosis and compensatory hepatocellular proliferation. After bile duct
      ligation-induced chronic injury, naproxen decreased liver test abnormalities,
      tissue injury and compensatory biliary hyperplasia. Moreover, after bile duct
      ligation, naproxen-treated rats showed more periductular oval liver cells, which
      have been classified as hepatic progenitor cells. In naproxen-treated rats, we
      found greater expression in hepatic stellate cells and mononuclear cells of
      cytoprotective factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor. The ability
      of naproxen to induce expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was
      verified in cell culture studies with CFSC-8B clone of rat hepatic stellate
      cells. Whereas assays for carbon tetrachloride toxicity using cultured primary
      hepatocytes established that naproxen was not directly cytoprotective, we found
      conditioned medium containing vascular endothelial growth factor from naproxen
      treated CFSC-8B cells protected hepatocytes from carbon tetrachloride toxicity.
      Therefore, naproxen was capable of ameliorating toxic liver injury, which
      involved naproxen-induced release of physiological cytoprotective factors in
      nonparenchymal liver cells. Such drug-induced release of endogenous
      cytoprotectants will advance therapeutic development for hepatic injury. 

PMID- 24220609
TI  - Influence of the immunogenetic KIR and HLA systems on long-term renal transplant
      outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have established the importance of innate immunity,
      particularly natural killer (NK) cells, in transplantation tolerance. NK cells
      express killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) on their surface. By
      recognizing and binding major histocompatibility complex class I antigens, KIRs
      prevent autologous cell killing and promote lysis of non-self antigen-presenting
      cells. This study investigated the role of 16 KIR genes and donor-recipient
      KIR/HLA combinations on 5-year outcomes in a population of deceased donor kidney
      transplant recipients. MATERIAL/METHODS: We genotyped 126 renal transplant
      patients and their donors for HLA A, B, C, DR, and KIR genes. Patients underwent
      standardized transplantation and immunosuppressive protocols and were followed-up
      for 5 years. Graft function was evaluated by serum creatinine level and
      glomerular filtration rate calculated using the 4-variable modification of diet
      in renal disease (MDRD) equation. RESULTS: The presence of KIR2DS3 in the
      recipients was associated with better graft function indexes over time (p<0.05),
      but this effect was not confirmed by multivariate analysis. Conversely, the
      presence KIR2DS3 in the recipients combined with the presence of its HLA ligand
      in the donor had a detrimental effect on the trends of serum creatinine levels
      and eGFR trends, also confirmed by multivariate analysis. Kidney transplant
      recipients negative for the KIR2DL1 gene displayed higher creatinine levels after
      5 years. Lastly, transplantation of HLA-A3/A11-negative donor kidneys into
      KIR3DL2-positive patients exerted a protective effect in terms of 5-years outcome
      (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates an important role of the
      KIR immunogenetic system in the long-term immune response to kidney
      transplantation.

PMID- 24220611
TI  - Reprint: 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk.

PMID- 24220610
TI  - Identification and management of toxicological hazards of street foods in
      developing countries.
AB  - Street food vending represents an important food security strategy for low-income
      communities worldwide. However, no comprehensive risk analysis framework yet
      exists as regards specific aspects of chemical/toxicological hazards in street
      foods. Indeed, all steps of street food production and vending can be vulnerable,
      from the selection of raw materials, through to the storage and preparation of
      meals and even the vending site, often exposed to urban pollutants. Relevant
      examples are cheap ingredients with illegal or undesirable residues, substances
      arising in poorly stored commodities (e.g., mycotoxins, histamine in scombroid
      fish), metals leaching from cookware, and process contaminants such as PAHs and
      acrylamide. As a consequence, greater awareness and preventive measures need to
      be implemented for coping with chemical/toxicological risk factors in a
      systematic and effective way. This review proposes specific points of attention
      for street foods preparation and vending with related hazard-tailored actions.
      The proposed measures in street food vending could integrate the prevention of
      biological risk factors, in order to promote comprehensive and up-to-date
      consumer safety. 

PMID- 24220612
TI  - Gait analysis in orthopedic foot and ankle surgery--topical review, part 1:
      principles and uses of gait analysis.
AB  - Gait analysis, the systematic study of human walking, is a field that has been
      studied for well over 100 years. With the technological and scientific
      advancements of the last several decades, there has been substantial improvement
      in our understanding of the mechanics of human walking. Particularly important
      has been the advancement in understanding of the differences between normal and
      pathological gait. The purpose of this paper is to review the principles of gait
      analysis, with a particular focus on the underlying methods and science. This
      will assist orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons in better understanding the
      methods and meaning of gait research and the publications that commonly appear in
      the orthopedic foot and ankle surgery literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V,
      expert opinion.

PMID- 24220613
TI  - Adiabatic Rotor-Echo-Short-Pulse-Irradiation mediated cross-polarization.
AB  - We present a new dipolar recoupling method for efficient and robust heteronuclear
      polarization transfer in solid-state NMR under magic-angle-spinning (MAS)
      conditions. The method combines the recent (RESPIRATION)CP method with a
      modulation of the amplitude of the rotor-synchronized pulses at one of the
      involved rf channels through the recoupling condition. In this manner, it is
      possible to achieve high transfer efficiencies while maintaining robustness
      towards rf-field inhomogeneities and resonance offsets. The performance of the so
      called adiabatic-(RESPIRATION)CP experiment is demonstrated numerically and
      experimentally using uniformly (13)C,(15)N-labeled samples of alanine and
      ubiquitin. In particular for cases with relatively high rf inhomogeneity, the
      scheme offers advantages over the commonly used dipolar recoupling pulse
      sequences. 

PMID- 24220614
TI  - Constant gradient PFG sequence and automated cumulant analysis for quantifying
      dispersion in flow through porous media.
AB  - This paper describes a new variant of established stimulated echo pulse
      sequences, and an analytical method for determining diffusion or dispersion
      coefficients for Gaussian or non-Gaussian displacement distributions. The
      unipolar displacement encoding PFGSTE sequence uses trapezoidal gradient pulses
      of equal amplitude g and equal ramp rates throughout while sampling positive and
      negative halves of q-space. Usefully, the equal gradient amplitudes and gradient
      ramp rates help to reduce the impact of experimental artefacts caused by residual
      amplifier transients, eddy currents, or ferromagnetic hysteresis in components of
      the NMR magnet. The pulse sequence was validated with measurements of diffusion
      in water and of dispersion in flow through a packing of spheres. The analytical
      method introduced here permits the robust determination of the variance of non
      Gaussian, dispersive displacement distributions. The noise sensitivity of the
      analytical method is shown to be negligible, using a demonstration experiment
      with a non-Gaussian longitudinal displacement distribution, measured on flow
      through a packing of mono-sized spheres. 

PMID- 24220615
TI  - Patterns of infection in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and acute
      myeloid leukemia receiving azacitidine as salvage therapy. Implications for
      primary antifungal prophylaxis.
AB  - Incidence, etiology, and outcome of infectious episodes in patients with myeloid
      neoplasms receiving azacitidine are uncertain, with no prospective data available
      in this group of patients. The aim of the current study was to analyze the
      incidence and factors related to the probability of infection in a cohort of
      patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
      treated with azacitidine who did not receive any type of antimicrobial
      prophylaxis. Significantly, the group of patients who received prior intensive
      chemotherapy had more infectious episodes (P = 10(-4)), and particularly,
      invasive aspergillosis (P = .015), than patients who received frontline
      azacitidine. Primary antifungal prophylaxis might be recommended in MDS and AML
      patients receiving azacitidine as salvage therapy after intensive regimens.

PMID- 24220616
TI  - A post hoc sensitivity analysis of survival probabilities in a multinational
      phase III trial of decitabine in older patients with newly diagnosed acute
      myeloid leukemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In a multicenter, randomized, open-label phase III study, patients >=
      65 years with newly diagnosed AML received decitabine 20 mg/m(2) once daily for 5
      days every 4 weeks (n = 242) or treatment choice (supportive care or cytarabine
      20 mg/m(2) once daily for 10 days every 4 weeks; n = 243). Decitabine use
      demonstrated greater response rates (P = .001) and OS data favored decitabine.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a post hoc sensitivity analysis of mature data of
      patients in the intent-to-treat population (N = 485), OS at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24
      months after randomization was estimated for each arm using Kaplan-Meier methods.
      Age, cytogenetic risk, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status
      were used as stratification factors in the Cox regression model to estimate the
      hazard ratio. RESULTS: A survival advantage was seen with decitabine at each
      cutoff time point; hazard ratios for OS for decitabine vs. treatment choice were
      0.83, 0.71, 0.83, 0.80, and 0.79 at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. A
      trend toward improved OS with decitabine was observed at fixed time points over 2
      years. CONCLUSION: Decitabine should be considered as a treatment option for
      older patients with AML and poor prognostic risk factors.

PMID- 24220617
TI  - A case of primary cardiac lymphoma showing isolated central nervous system
      relapse.

PMID- 24220618
TI  - Large-cell transformation of mycosis fungoides occurring at the site of
      previously treated cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.

PMID- 24220619
TI  - Pure erythroid leukemia presenting in a HIV-positive patient.

PMID- 24220620
TI  - Coexistence of myeloproliferative neoplasm and plasma-cell dyscrasia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms
      (MPNs) include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and
      primary myelofibrosis (PMF), and are characterized by clonal proliferation of
      hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow. There are numerous case reports and
      reviews reporting patients with coexisting MPN and plasma-cell disease such as
      multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
      (MGUS). METHODS: We report 15 patients treated at our institution over a 5-year
      period (January 2008 to December 2012) with a diagnosis of both an MPN and MGUS
      or MM. We also reviewed and summarized published case reports and studies
      describing the coexistence of these two disease entities. RESULTS: Most patients
      (12/15) had an MPN diagnosis made before or at the same time as the MGUS/MM
      diagnosis. Eventually, 2 patients developed a lymphoid leukemia, 1 patient
      developed lymphoma, and 1 patient developed acute myeloid leukemia, raising the
      question of whether patients with coexistence of myeloid- and lymphoid-derived
      neoplasms are more prone to leukemic or lymphomatous transformation. We did not
      find any treatment-related effect that could have contributed to the development
      of coexisting MGUS or MM and MPN. Of the 7 patients with an abnormal karyotype, 3
      patients had trisomy 8. CONCLUSION: At present, management strategies are aimed
      at treating the MPN and regularly monitoring the MGUS for transformation to an
      overt plasma-cell malignancy. However, for patients who develop overt MM,
      management is focused more on treating the myeloma and monitoring the MPN. It has
      not yet been definitively shown that these 2 entities arise from a common
      ancestor hematopoietic stem cell.

PMID- 24220621
TI  - Chemopreventative effects of tetrahydrocurcumin on human diseases.
AB  - Chemoprevention is a relatively new and promising strategy to prevent human
      degenerative diseases, including cancer, and is defined as the use of natural
      dietary compounds and/or synthetic substances to block, inhibit, reverse, or
      retard the progress of human diseases. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is a major
      metabolite of curcumin (extracted from the roots of the Curcuma longa Linn). THC
      has been demonstrated to prevent oxidative stress and inflammation, to act
      against neurodegeneration, and to possess anti-cancer activity. In this review,
      we summarize the current knowledge and underlying molecular mechanisms of the
      chemopreventative activities of THC and its potential effects on the development
      of various human diseases. 

PMID- 24220622
TI  - Tumor necrosis factor alpha induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and
      promotes metastasis via NF-kappaB signaling pathway-mediated TWIST expression in
      hypopharyngeal cancer.
AB  - Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important mechanism in cancer
      metastasis. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) can induce cancer invasion and
      metastasis associated with EMT. However, the underlying mechanisms are not
      entirely clear. Therefore, we investigated whether TNFalpha has an effect on EMT
      and invasion and metastasis in human hypopharyngeal cancer FaDu cells, and
      further explored the potential mechanisms. In the present study, we demonstrated
      that TNFalpha induced EMT in FaDu cells and promoted FaDu cell migration and
      invasion. TNFalpha-induced EMT was characterized by a change from well organized
      cell-cell adhesion and cell polarity to loss of cell-cell contacts, cell
      scattering and increased expression of vimentin and N-cadherin accompanied by a
      decrease in E-cadherin. Furthermore, we found that p65 translocated to the
      nucleus after TNFalpha stimulation and increased the nuclear expression of TWIST.
      We demonstrated that TNFalpha treatment also increased the expression of TWIST by
      activating the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. While p65 was inhibited by siRNA-65
      or BAY11-7082 (inhibitor of NF-kappaB), TWIST expression was also decreased.
      Therefore, we conclude that TNFalpha induces EMT and promotes metastasis via NF
      kappaB signaling pathway-mediated TWIST expression in hypopharyngeal cancer. 

PMID- 24220623
TI  - Human infants' learning of social structures: the case of dominance hierarchy.
AB  - We tested 15-month-olds' capacity to represent social-dominance hierarchies with
      more than two agents. Our results showed that infants found it harder to memorize
      dominance relations that were presented in an order that hindered the incremental
      formation of a single structure (Study 1). These results suggest that infants
      attempt to build structures incrementally, relation by relation, thereby
      simplifying the complex problem of recognizing a social structure. Infants also
      found circular dominance structures harder to process than linear dominance
      structures (Study 2). These expectations about the shape of structures may
      facilitate learning. Our results suggest that infants attempt to represent social
      structures composed of social relations. They indicate that human infants go
      beyond learning about individual social partners and their respective relations
      and form hypotheses about how social groups are organized. 

PMID- 24220624
TI  - Symmetry in cold-to-hot and hot-to-cold valuation gaps.
AB  - Individuals commonly mispredict their future preferences when they make decisions
      in a visceral state different from their anticipated state at consumption. In the
      research reported here, we asked subjects to bid on different foods while
      exogenously varying their hunger levels at the time of decision and at the time
      of consumption. This procedure allowed us to test whether cold-to-hot and hot-to
      cold gaps are symmetric in size and driven by similar mechanisms. We found that
      the effect size was symmetric: Hungry subjects overbid 20c for a snack they would
      eat later when they were satiated, and satiated subjects underbid 19c for a snack
      they would eat later when they were hungry. Furthermore, we found evidence that
      these gaps were driven by symmetric mechanisms that operate on the evaluation of
      visceral features of food, such as taste, as opposed to more cognitive features,
      such as healthiness.

PMID- 24220625
TI  - Parents are slightly happier than nonparents, but causality still cannot be
      inferred: a reply to Bhargava, Kassam, and Loewenstein (2014).

PMID- 24220626
TI  - War's enduring effects on the development of egalitarian motivations and in-group
      biases.
AB  - In suggesting that new nations often coalesce in the decades following war,
      historians have posed an important psychological question: Does the experience of
      war generate an enduring elevation in people's egalitarian motivations toward
      their in-group? We administered social-choice tasks to more than 1,000 children
      and adults differentially affected by wars in the Republic of Georgia and Sierra
      Leone. We found that greater exposure to war created a lasting increase in
      people's egalitarian motivations toward their in-group, but not their out-groups,
      during a developmental window starting in middle childhood (around 7 years of
      age) and ending in early adulthood (around 20 years of age). Outside this window,
      war had no measurable impact on social motivations in young children and had only
      muted effects on the motivations of older adults. These "war effects" are broadly
      consistent with predictions from evolutionary approaches that emphasize the
      importance of group cooperation in defending against external threats, though
      they also highlight key areas in need of greater theoretical development. 

PMID- 24220627
TI  - The ground side of an object: perceived as shapeless yet processed for semantics.
AB  - Traditional theories of perception posit that only objects access semantics;
      abutting, patently shapeless grounds do not. Surprisingly, this assumption has
      been untested until now. In two experiments, participants classified silhouettes
      as depicting meaningful real-world or meaningless novel objects while event
      related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. The borders of half of the novel objects
      suggested portions of meaningful objects on the ground side. Participants were
      unaware of these meaningful objects because grounds are perceived as shapeless.
      In Experiment 1, in which silhouettes were presented twice, N400 ERP repetition
      effects indicated that semantics were accessed for novel silhouettes that
      suggested meaningful objects in the ground and for silhouettes that depicted real
      world objects, but not for novel silhouettes that did not suggest meaningful
      objects in the ground. In Experiment 2, repetition was manipulated via matching
      prime words. This experiment replicated the effect observed in Experiment 1.
      These experiments provide the first neurophysiological evidence that semantic
      access can occur for the apparently shapeless ground side of a border. 

PMID- 24220628
TI  - A reassessment of the defense of parenthood.

PMID- 24220629
TI  - The new statistics: why and how.
AB  - We need to make substantial changes to how we conduct research. First, in
      response to heightened concern that our published research literature is
      incomplete and untrustworthy, we need new requirements to ensure research
      integrity. These include prespecification of studies whenever possible, avoidance
      of selection and other inappropriate data-analytic practices, complete reporting,
      and encouragement of replication. Second, in response to renewed recognition of
      the severe flaws of null-hypothesis significance testing (NHST), we need to shift
      from reliance on NHST to estimation and other preferred techniques. The new
      statistics refers to recommended practices, including estimation based on effect
      sizes, confidence intervals, and meta-analysis. The techniques are not new, but
      adopting them widely would be new for many researchers, as well as highly
      beneficial. This article explains why the new statistics are important and offers
      guidance for their use. It describes an eight-step new-statistics strategy for
      research with integrity, which starts with formulation of research questions in
      estimation terms, has no place for NHST, and is aimed at building a cumulative
      quantitative discipline. 

PMID- 24220630
TI  - Regulation of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase on SCN2A in SH-SY5Y cells as a potential
      therapy for temporal lobe epilepsy.
AB  - In order to evaluate SCN2A as a candidate gene for epileptic susceptibility and
      the use of a Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) supplement as a potential therapy
      for epilepsy, SCN2A expression in the cortex and the correlation between SCN2A
      and Cu-Zn SOD in SH-SY5Y cells were examined. SCN2A expression and the
      concentration of Cu-Zn SOD in the cerebral cortexes of patients with primary and
      secondary temporal lobe epilepsy and normal brain cortex tissues were detected.
      By transfecting SH-SY5Y cells, the expression of SCN2A and the concentration of
      Cu-Zn SOD was analyzed and the single-cell patch clamp technique was employed in
      order to investigate the changes in sodium ion levels following SCN2A knockdown.
      SCN2A level restoration was also investigated with a Cu-Zn SOD supplement using
      an expression study and evaluated the changes in sodium ion levels following
      SCN2A knockdown. SCN2A expression and Cu-Zn SOD concentration decreased in the
      epileptic cerebral cortex. Following SCN2A knockdown, the concentration of Cu-Zn
      SOD declined and the si-SCN2A vector group showed a repeated discharge.
      Furthermore, the Cu-Zn SOD concentration was capable of restoring the expression
      of SCN2A following SCN2A knockdown in SH-SY5Y cells and the overexpression of Cu
      Zn SOD prevented the repeated discharge caused by si-SCN2A. The results indicated
      that there is a low expression of SCN2A and Cu-Zn SOD in the epileptic cerebral
      cortex and provided novel insights into potential therapies for temporal lobe
      epilepsy. 

PMID- 24220631
TI  - Two herbivore-induced cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP79D6 and CYP79D7 catalyze the
      formation of volatile aldoximes involved in poplar defense.
AB  - Aldoximes are known as floral and vegetative plant volatiles but also as
      biosynthetic intermediates for other plant defense compounds. While the
      cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP) from the CYP79 family forming aldoximes as
      biosynthetic intermediates have been intensively studied, little is known about
      the enzymology of volatile aldoxime formation. We characterized two P450 enzymes,
      CYP79D6v3 and CYP79D7v2, which are involved in herbivore-induced aldoxime
      formation in western balsam poplar (Populus trichocarpa). Heterologous expression
      in Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed that both enzymes produce a mixture of
      different aldoximes. Knockdown lines of CYP79D6/7 in gray poplar (Populus *
      canescens) exhibited a decreased emission of aldoximes, nitriles, and alcohols,
      emphasizing that the CYP79s catalyze the first step in the formation of a complex
      volatile blend. Aldoxime emission was found to be restricted to herbivore-damaged
      leaves and is closely correlated with CYP79D6 and CYP79D7 gene expression. The
      semi-volatile phenylacetaldoxime decreased survival and weight gain of gypsy moth
      (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars, suggesting that aldoximes may be involved in
      direct defense. The wide distribution of volatile aldoximes throughout the plant
      kingdom and the presence of CYP79 genes in all sequenced genomes of angiosperms
      suggest that volatile formation mediated by CYP79s is a general phenomenon in the
      plant kingdom.

PMID- 24220632
TI  - The cold signaling attenuator HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENE1
      activates FLOWERING LOCUS C transcription via chromatin remodeling under short
      term cold stress in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Exposure to short-term cold stress delays flowering by activating the floral
      repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis thaliana. The cold signaling
      attenuator HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENE1 (HOS1) negatively
      regulates cold responses. Notably, HOS1-deficient mutants exhibit early
      flowering, and FLC expression is suppressed in the mutants. However, it remains
      unknown how HOS1 regulates FLC expression. Here, we show that HOS1 induces FLC
      expression by antagonizing the actions of FVE and its interacting partner histone
      deacetylase 6 (HDA6) under short-term cold stress. HOS1 binds to FLC chromatin in
      an FVE-dependent manner, and FVE is essential for the HOS1-mediated activation of
      FLC transcription. HOS1 also interacts with HDA6 and inhibits the binding of HDA6
      to FLC chromatin. Intermittent cold treatments induce FLC expression by
      activating HOS1, which attenuates the activity of HDA6 in silencing FLC
      chromatin, and the effects of intermittent cold are diminished in hos1 and fve
      mutants. These observations indicate that HOS1 acts as a chromatin remodeling
      factor for FLC regulation under short-term cold stress.

PMID- 24220633
TI  - Towards breeding strong but fine cotton fibers with a little help from WLIM1a.

PMID- 24220635
TI  - Biologically enhanced cathode design for improved capacity and cycle life for
      lithium-oxygen batteries.
AB  - Lithium-oxygen batteries have a great potential to enhance the gravimetric energy
      density of fully packaged batteries by two to three times that of lithium ion
      cells. Recent studies have focused on finding stable electrolytes to address poor
      cycling capability and improve practical limitations of current lithium-oxygen
      batteries. In this study, the catalyst electrode, where discharge products are
      deposited and decomposed, was investigated as it has a critical role in the
      operation of rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries. Here we report the electrode
      design principle to improve specific capacity and cycling performance of lithium
      oxygen batteries by utilizing high-efficiency nanocatalysts assembled by M13
      virus with earth-abundant elements such as manganese oxides. By incorporating
      only 3-5 wt% of palladium nanoparticles in the electrode, this hybrid
      nanocatalyst achieves 13,350 mAh g(-1)(c) (7,340 mAh g(-1)(c+catalyst)) of
      specific capacity at 0.4 A g(-1)(c) and a stable cycle life up to 50 cycles
      (4,000 mAh g(-1)(c), 400 mAh g(-1)(c+catalyst)) at 1 A g(-1)(c).

PMID- 24220634
TI  - The dual functions of WLIM1a in cell elongation and secondary wall formation in
      developing cotton fibers.
AB  - LIN-11, Isl1 and MEC-3 (LIM)-domain proteins play pivotal roles in a variety of
      cellular processes in animals, but plant LIM functions remain largely unexplored.
      Here, we demonstrate dual roles of the WLIM1a gene in fiber development in upland
      cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). WLIM1a is preferentially expressed during the
      elongation and secondary wall synthesis stages in developing fibers.
      Overexpression of WLIM1a in cotton led to significant changes in fiber length and
      secondary wall structure. Compared with the wild type, fibers of WLIM1a
      overexpressing plants grew longer and formed a thinner and more compact secondary
      cell wall, which contributed to improved fiber strength and fineness. Functional
      studies demonstrated that (1) WLIM1a acts as an actin bundler to facilitate
      elongation of fiber cells and (2) WLIM1a also functions as a transcription factor
      to activate expression of Phe ammonia lyase-box genes involved in phenylpropanoid
      biosynthesis to build up the secondary cell wall. WLIM1a localizes in the cytosol
      and nucleus and moves into the nucleus in response to hydrogen peroxide. Taken
      together, these results demonstrate that WLIM1a has dual roles in cotton fiber
      development, elongation, and secondary wall formation. Moreover, our study shows
      that lignin/lignin-like phenolics may substantially affect cotton fiber quality;
      this finding may guide cotton breeding for improved fiber traits.

PMID- 24220636
TI  - Metabolic inflammation exacerbates dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in response
      to acute MPTP challenge in type 2 diabetes mice.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD), one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, is
      characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
      Increasing epidemiological evidence has indicated that type 2 diabetes (T2D) may
      be implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. However, the exact association and the
      underlying mechanism remain unclear. In the present study, ob/ob and db/db mice,
      the well accepted T2D models, were acutely treated with MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl
      1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine) to mimic PD-like neural injury. We found that
      insulin signaling impairment occurred not only in pancreas and livers, but also
      in the midbrain of ob/ob and db/db mice. Notably, the expressions of monomeric
      and oligomeric alpha-synuclein as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress markers
      (CHOP and GRP78) were significantly upregulated in both pancreas and midbrain of
      T2D mice, accompanied by the increased activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes to
      produce excess IL-1beta. Furthermore, we found that acute MPTP administration
      aggravated the loss of dopaminergic neurons and increased the activation of glial
      cells in the substantia nigra of db/db mice. Collectively, these findings
      demonstrate that alpha-synuclein accumulation and neuroinflammation are
      aggravated in the midbrain of T2D mice and T2D mice are more susceptible to the
      neurotoxicity induced by MPTP. Our study indicates that metabolic inflammation
      exacerbates DA neuronal degeneration in the progress of PD, which will provide a
      novel insight into the etiology of PD.

PMID- 24220637
TI  - Validation of doubled haploid plants by enzymatic mismatch cleavage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Doubled haploidy is a fundamental tool in plant breeding as it
      provides the fastest way to generate populations of meiotic recombinants in a
      genetically fixed state. A wide range of methods has been developed to produce
      doubled haploid (DH) plants and recent advances promise efficient DH production
      in otherwise recalcitrant species. Since the cellular origin of the plants
      produced is not always certain, rapid screening techniques are needed to validate
      that the produced individuals are indeed homozygous and genetically distinct from
      each other. Ideal methods are easily implemented across species and in crops
      where whole genome sequence and marker resources are limited. RESULTS: We have
      adapted enzymatic mismatch cleavage techniques commonly used for TILLING
      (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) for the evaluation of heterozygosity
      in parental, F1 and putative DH plants. We used barley as a model crop and tested
      26 amplicons previously developed for TILLING. Experiments were performed using
      self-extracted single-strand-specific nuclease and standard native agarose gels.
      Eleven of the twenty-six tested primers allowed unambiguous assignment of
      heterozygosity in material from F1 crosses and loss of heterozygosity in the DH
      plants. Through parallel testing of previously developed Simple Sequence Repeat
      (SSR) markers, we show that 3/32 SSR markers were suitable for screening. This
      suggests that enzymatic mismatch cleavage approaches can be more efficient than
      SSR based screening, even in species with well-developed markers. CONCLUSIONS:
      Enzymatic mismatch cleavage has been applied for mutation discovery in many plant
      species, including those with little or no available genomic DNA sequence
      information. Here, we show that the same methods provide an efficient system to
      screen for the production of DH material without the need of specialized
      equipment. This gene target based approach further allows discovery of novel
      nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes in the parental lines.

PMID- 24220638
TI  - Akt2/LDLr double knockout mice display impaired glucose tolerance and develop
      more complex atherosclerotic plaques than LDLr knockout mice.
AB  - AIM: To characterize the phenotype of Akt2/low-density-lipoprotein receptor
      double knockout (dKO) (Akt2/LDLr dKO) mice with respect to insulin resistance and
      features of atherosclerotic plaque progression. METHODS AND RESULTS: Metabolic
      profile and atherosclerotic plaque progression were compared between LDLr KO mice
      and Akt2/LDLr dKO mice. Total cholesterol, glucose, and insulin levels were
      significantly higher and oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) was more impaired in
      Akt2/LDLr dKO mice than in LDLr KO mice. Although atherosclerotic plaques at both
      the carotid artery and the aortic root of Akt2/LDLr dKO mice were significantly
      smaller (P < 0.05) compared with LDLr KO controls, plaque composition in these
      mice was more complex, showing 34-50% reduced collagen content (P < 0.01), 1.4
      fold larger necrotic cores (P < 0.05) and six-fold more TUNEL-positive cells (P <
      0.01). In situ zymography revealed a more than two-fold higher gelatinolytic
      activity in Akt2/LDLr dKO mice (P < 0.05). In vitro analyses showed that deletion
      of Akt2 caused decreased migration, proliferation, and collagen content of
      vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and disturbed the balance of
      metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) mRNA
      expression in macrophages and VSMCs. CONCLUSION: Akt2/LDLr dKO mice develop
      insulin resistance and complex atherosclerotic lesions. These phenotypic
      characteristics make Akt2/LDLr dKO mice an interesting mouse model to study the
      effects of insulin resistance on the development and progression of
      atherosclerosis.

PMID- 24220639
TI  - Hypoxic mesenchymal stem cells engraft and ameliorate limb ischaemia in
      allogeneic recipients.
AB  - AIMS: Local injection of stem cells or endothelial progenitors directly into the
      ischaemic tissue remains an option for the management of arterial occlusion. Bone
      marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising alternative
      autologous cell source for ischaemic limb cell therapy. However, methods for
      applying MSCs in allogeneic transplantation remain to be developed. The purpose
      of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of MSCs cultured under a
      different environment in ameliorating limb ischaemia in allogeneic recipients.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we demonstrated that hypoxic MSCs from B6 mice
      ameliorate limb ischaemia of Balb/c mice compared with normoxic MSCs. We also
      demonstrated that hypoxic MSCs have an increased ability to engraft in allogeneic
      recipients by reducing natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity and decrease the
      accumulation of host-derived NK cells when transplanted in vivo. These allogeneic
      hypoxic MSCs gave rise to CD31+ endothelial cells and alpha-smooth muscle actin
      (SMA)+ and desmin+ muscle cells, thereby enhancing angiogenesis and restoring
      muscle structure. Moreover, application of anti-NK antibodies together with
      normoxic MSCs enhanced angiogenesis and prevented limb amputation in allogeneic
      recipients with limb ischaemia. CONCLUSION: These results strongly suggest that
      hypoxic MSCs are intrinsically immunoprivileged and can serve as a 'universal
      donor cell' for treating cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 24220640
TI  - NFAT signalling and the differentiation of coronary smooth muscle cells.

PMID- 24220641
TI  - Mixed lanthanide oxide nanoparticles as dual imaging agent in biomedicine.
AB  - There is no doubt that the molecular imaging is an extremely important technique
      in diagnosing diseases. Dual imaging is emerging as a step forward in molecular
      imaging technique because it can provide us with more information useful for
      diagnosing diseases than single imaging. Therefore, diverse dual imaging
      modalities should be developed. Molecular imaging generally relies on imaging
      agents. Mixed lanthanide oxide nanoparticles could be valuable materials for dual
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-fluorescent imaging (FI) because they have both
      excellent and diverse magnetic and fluorescent properties useful for dual MRI-FI,
      depending on lanthanide ions used. Since they are mixed nanoparticles, they are
      compact, robust, and stable, which is extremely useful for biomedical
      applications. They can be also easily synthesized with facile composition
      control. In this study, we explored three systems of ultrasmall mixed lanthanide
      (Dy/Eu, Ho/Eu, and Ho/Tb) oxide nanoparticles to demonstrate their usefulness as
      dual T2 MRI-FI agents. 

PMID- 24220642
TI  - Leptin increases mitotic index and regeneration ratio in hepatectomized rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of
      intraperitoneal administration of leptin on the hepatic regeneration and the
      mitotic index. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 56 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 7
      groups each containing 8 rats. Group 1 was evaluated as the sham group and no
      surgical procedure was performed on animals. The rats in groups 2, 3, and 4
      (named C24, C48, C72, respectively) were given intraperitoneal injection of 2
      ml/kg normal saline 60 minutes before the surgical procedure consisting of
      laparotomy and 70% hepatectomy. These groups were used as controls at 24, 48, and
      72 hours. The rats in groups 5, 6, and 7 (named L24, L48, and L72, respectively)
      were given intraperitoneal injection of 20 ug/kg doses of recombinant mouse
      leptin 60 minutes before the same surgical procedure. These groups were evaluated
      as the experiment groups at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Blood samples were collected
      for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the
      remaining tissue samples were obtained for liver histopathology, regeneration
      rate, and mitotic index (MI). The weights of the remaining livers were also
      noted. RESULTS: The values of AST and ALT were higher in the groups that were
      administered leptin and they had significantly higher mitotic index than the
      other groups. Leptin also significantly increased the regeneration ratio as
      compared to the control group. The weights of the remaining livers were also
      higher in the leptin groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal administration of
      leptin was observed to increase liver regeneration and mitotic rate in 70%
      hepatectomized rats.

PMID- 24220643
TI  - Salmonella osteomyelitis of the calcaneum bone in an immunocompetent child.
AB  - Salmonella osteomyelitis occurs infrequently in healthy children and can manifest
      in the subacute form. This condition has only been reported in few cases
      previously. We report the first case of primary subacute haematogenous
      osteomyelitis of the calcaneum in a healthy 12-year-old child. The patient made
      uneventful recovery following surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy. Histology
      of the tissue biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of Salmonella livingstone infection.
      Although the diagnosis of Salmonella osteomyelitis of the calcaneum can be
      difficult to establish, it should be considered as an aetiological factor even in
      healthy children. 

PMID- 24220644
TI  - Association of violence with emergence of persecutory delusions in untreated
      schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Psychosis is considered an important risk factor for violence, but
      studies show inconsistent results. The mechanism through which psychotic
      disorders influence violence also remains uncertain. The authors investigated
      whether psychosis increased the risk of violent behavior among released prisoners
      and whether treatment reduced this risk. They also explored whether active
      symptoms of psychosis at the time of violent behavior explained associations
      between untreated psychosis and violence. METHOD: The U.K. Prisoner Cohort Study
      is a prospective longitudinal study of prisoners followed up in the community
      after release. Adult male and female offenders serving sentences of 2 or more
      years for a sexual or violent offense were classified into four groups: no
      psychosis (N=742), schizophrenia (N=94), delusional disorder (N=29), and drug
      induced psychosis (N=102). Symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations,
      thought insertion, strange experiences, and delusions of persecution, were
      measured before and after release. Information on violence between release and
      follow-up was collected through self-report and police records. RESULTS:
      Schizophrenia was associated with violence but only in the absence of treatment
      (odds ratio=3.76, 95% CI=1.39-10.19). Untreated schizophrenia was associated with
      the emergence of persecutory delusions at follow-up (odds ratio=3.52, 95% CI=1.18
      10.52), which were associated with violence (odds ratio=3.68, 95% CI=2.44-5.55).
      The mediating effects of persecutory delusions were confirmed in mediation
      analyses (beta=0.02, 95% CI=0.01-0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that
      the emergence of persecutory delusions in untreated schizophrenia explains
      violent behavior. Maintaining psychiatric treatment after release can
      substantially reduce violent recidivism among prisoners with schizophrenia.
      Better screening and treatment of prisoners is therefore essential to prevent
      violence.

PMID- 24220645
TI  - Socioeconomic patterns in use of private and public health services in Spain and
      Britain: implications for equity in health care.
AB  - This paper estimates the pattern of private and public physician visits and
      hospitalisation by socioeconomic position in two countries in which private
      healthcare expenditure constitutes a different proportion of the total amount
      spent on health care: Britain and Spain. Private physician visits and private
      hospitalisations were quantitatively more important in Spain than in Britain. In
      both countries, the use of private services showed a direct socioeconomic
      gradient. In Spain, the use of public GPs and public specialists tends to favour
      the worst-off, but no significant differences were observed in public
      hospitalisation. In Britain, with some exceptions, no significant socioeconomic
      differences were observed in the use of public health care services. The
      different pattern observed in the use of public specialist services may be due to
      the high frequency of visits to private specialists in Spain. 

PMID- 24220646
TI  - Selective responses of enzymes in the two parallel pathways of rosmarinic acid
      biosynthetic pathway to elicitors in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy root cultures.
AB  - Rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B are two important phenolic compounds with
      therapeutic properties in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. The biosynthesis of
      rosmarinic acid is initiated by two parallel pathways, namely the phenylpropanoid
      pathway and the tyrosine-derived pathway. Salvianolic acid B is a structural
      dimer of rosmarinic acid and is believed to be derived from rosmarinic acid. In
      the current study, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and hyphal extracts from fungi were
      used as elicitors to examine the relationship between enzymes in the two parallel
      pathways and accumulation of phenolic compounds in S. miltiorrhiza hairy root
      cultures. The results showed that accumulations of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic
      acid B and total phenolics were enhanced by MeJA while suppressed by fugal
      extracts. Responses of enzymes in the tyrosine-derived pathway, at both the gene
      transcript and enzyme activity levels, showed a better consistency with
      alterations of phenolic compounds content after the two elicitors treated. Our
      study implied that compared with enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway, enzymes
      in the tyrosine-derived pathway are more correlated to rosmarinic acid and
      salvianolic acid B biosynthesis in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots.

PMID- 24220647
TI  - DeCon: a tool to detect emotional concordance in multivariate time series data of
      emotional responding.
AB  - The occurrence of concordance among different response components during an
      emotional episode is a key feature of several contemporary accounts and
      definitions of emotion. Yet, capturing such response concordance in empirical
      data has proven to be elusive, in large part because of a lack of appropriate
      statistical tools that are tailored to measure the intricacies of response
      concordance in the context of data on emotional responding. In this article, we
      present a tool we developed to detect two different forms of response concordance
      response patterning and synchronization-in multivariate time series data of
      emotional responding, and apply this tool to data concerning physiological
      responding to emotional stimuli. While the findings provide partial evidence for
      both response patterning and synchronization, they also show that the presence
      and nature of such patterning and synchronization is strongly person-dependent. 

PMID- 24220648
TI  - Capture, release and culture of circulating tumor cells from pancreatic cancer
      patients using an enhanced mixing chip.
AB  - Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from peripheral blood hold important information
      for cancer diagnosis and disease monitoring. Analysis of this "liquid biopsy"
      holds the promise to usher in a new era of personalized therapeutic treatments
      and real-time monitoring for cancer patients. But the extreme rarity of CTCs in
      blood makes their isolation and characterization technologically challenging.
      This paper reports the development of a geometrically enhanced mixing (GEM) chip
      for high-efficiency and high-purity tumor cell capture. We also successfully
      demonstrated the release and culture of the captured tumor cells, as well as the
      isolation of CTCs from cancer patients. The high-performance microchip is based
      on geometrically optimized micromixer structures, which enhance the transverse
      flow and flow folding, maximizing the interaction between CTCs and antibody
      coated surfaces. With the optimized channel geometry and flow rate, the capture
      efficiency reached >90% with a purity of >84% when capturing spiked tumor cells
      in buffer. The system was further validated by isolating a wide range of spiked
      tumor cells (50-50,000) in 1 mL of lysed blood and whole blood. With the
      combination of trypsinization and high flow rate washing, captured tumor cells
      were efficiently released. The released cells were viable and able to
      proliferate, and showed no difference compared with intact cells that were not
      subjected to the capture and release process. Furthermore, we applied the device
      for detecting CTCs from metastatic pancreatic cancer patients' blood; and CTCs
      were found from 17 out of 18 samples (>94%). We also tested the potential utility
      of the device in monitoring the response to anti-cancer drug treatment in
      pancreatic cancer patients, and the CTC numbers correlated with the clinical
      computed tomograms (CT scans) of tumors. The presented technology shows great
      promise for accurate CTC enumeration, biological studies of CTCs and cancer
      metastasis, as well as for cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

PMID- 24220649
TI  - There is no benefit to universal carotid artery duplex screening before a major
      cardiac surgical procedure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perioperative stroke is a devastating complication after cardiac
      surgery. In an attempt to minimize this complication, many cardiac surgeons
      routinely preoperatively order carotid artery duplex scans to assess for
      significant carotid stenosis. We hypothesize that the routine screening of
      preoperative cardiac surgery patients with carotid artery duplex scans detects
      few patients who would benefit from carotid intervention or that a significant
      carotid stenosis reliably predicts stroke risk after cardiac surgery. METHODS: A
      retrospective review identified 1,499 patients who underwent cardiac surgical
      procedures between July 1999 and September 2010. Data collected included patient
      demographics, comorbidities, history of previous stroke, preoperative carotid
      artery duplex scan results, location of postoperative stroke, and details of
      carotid endarterectomy (CEA) procedures before, in conjunction with, or after
      cardiac surgery. Statistical methods included univariate analysis and Fisher's
      exact test. RESULTS: Twenty-six perioperative strokes were identified (1.7%). In
      the 21 postoperative stroke patients for whom there is complete carotid artery
      duplex scan data, 3 patients had a hemodynamically significant lesion (>70%) and
      1 patient underwent unilateral carotid CEA for bilateral disease. Postoperative
      strokes occurred in the anterior cerebral circulation (69.2%), posterior cerebral
      circulation (15.4%), or both (15.4%). Patient comorbidities, preoperative carotid
      artery duplex scan screening velocities, or types of cardiac surgical procedure
      were not predictive for stroke. Thirteen patients (0.86%) underwent CEA before,
      in conjunction with, or after cardiac surgery. Two of these patients had
      symptomatic disease, 1 of whom underwent CEA before and the other after his
      cardiac surgery. Of the 11 asymptomatic patients, 2 underwent CEA before, 3
      concurrently, and 6 after cardiac surgery. Left main disease (>=50% stenosis),
      previous stroke, and peripheral vascular disease were found to be statistically
      significant predictors of carotid revascularization. A cost analysis of universal
      screening resulted in an estimated net cost of $378,918 during the study period.
      CONCLUSIONS: The majority of postoperative strokes after cardiac surgery are not
      related to extracranial carotid artery disease and they are not predicted by
      preoperative carotid artery duplex scan screening. Consequently, universal
      carotid artery duplex scan screening cannot be recommended and a selective
      approach should be adopted.

PMID- 24220650
TI  - Effects of clustered comorbid conditions on walking capacity in patients with
      peripheral artery disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Comorbid conditions are known to increase cardiovascular risk in
      patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, whether comorbid
      conditions affect walking capacity remains controversial. Previous studies have
      analyzed comorbidities separately, but they are known to occur in a clustered
      fashion in PAD patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the
      influence of clustered comorbid conditions on walking capacity in PAD patients.
      METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 415 PAD patients (155 women and 260
      men with an average age of 63 years). Claudication distance and total walking
      distance were assessed with the graded maximal treadmill test. Medical histories
      of hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), coronary artery disease
      (CAD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were obtained. Binary
      logistic regression was carried out to analyze whether clustered comorbid
      conditions were associated with walking capacity. RESULTS: CVD was associated
      with lower total walking distance (odds ratio [OR] = 2.45; 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: 1.11-5.39). The cluster hypertension, diabetes, CVD, CAD, and COPD
      were associated with a lower claudication distance (OR = 7.63; 95% CI: 1.42
      40.96). In addition, the clusters of CVD and hypertension (OR = 3.16; 95% CI:
      1.38-7.23), CVD and CAD (OR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.25-9.57), CVD, hypertension, and
      diabetes (OR = 11.38; 95% CI: 2.27-57.00) were associated with a lower total
      walking distance. CONCLUSIONS: CVD was associated with walking impairment of IC
      patients and in particular when CVD is clustered with other comorbid conditions.

PMID- 24220651
TI  - Protective effect of ocotillol against doxorubicin-induced acute and chronic
      cardiac injury.
AB  - Doxorubicin (Dox) has been clinically observed to exert marked anticancer
      activity. However, it is severely restricted by its associated dose-dependent
      cardiotoxicity, which may be attenuated by decreasing the cumulative dosage via
      combining with a non-toxic 'sensitizer'. We previously reported that ocotillol is
      capable of enhancing the antitumor activity of Dox; however, the effects of
      ocotillol on its cardiotoxicity remain unclear. In the current study, the effects
      of ocotillol on the toxicity of Dox were investigated, particularly its role in
      cardiotoxicity. In the acute injury model, pre-administration of ocotillol
      prolonged the survival time. In the chronic animal model, pre-administration of
      ocotillol decreased the elevated levels of plasma creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MB,
      as well as attenuated the pathological changes that occurred. Pre-treatment with
      ocotillol ameliorated the decreased glutathione level and reduced the cumulated
      malondialdehyde in the heart tissue. In addition, pre-treatment with ocotillol
      restored the lowered white blood cell count. The results indicate that Dox co
      treatment with ocotillol may effectively alleviate its associated toxic injury,
      particularly cardiotoxicity. Thus, co-administration of Dox with ocotillol may be
      a potential therapeutic strategy. 

PMID- 24220652
TI  - Endoreduplication is not involved in bundle-sheath formation in the C4 species
      Cleome gynandra.
AB  - There is currently significant interest in engineering the two-celled C4
      photosynthesis pathway into crops such as rice in order to increase yield. This
      will require alterations to the biochemistry of photosynthesis in both mesophyll
      (M) and bundle-sheath (BS) cells, but also alterations to leaf anatomy. For
      example, the BS of C4 species is enlarged compared with that in C3 species.
      Because cell and nucleus size are often correlated, this study investigated
      whether nuclear endoreduplication is associated with increased differentiation
      and expansion of BS cells. Nuclei in the BS of C4 Cleome gynandra were tagged
      with green fluorescent protein. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy and flow
      cytometry of isolated nuclei were used to quantify size and DNA content in BS
      cells. The results showed a significant endoreduplication in BS cells of C.
      gynandra but not in additional C4 lineages from both the monocotyledonous and
      dicotyledenous plants. Furthermore, in the C3 species Arabidopsis thaliana, BS
      cells undergo endoreduplication. Due to this significant endoreduplication in the
      small BS cells of C3 A. thaliana, it was concluded that endoreduplication of BS
      nuclei in C4 plants is not linked to expansion and differentiation of BS cells,
      and therefore that alternative strategies to increase this compartment need to be
      sought in order to engineer C4 traits into C3 crops such as rice. 

PMID- 24220654
TI  - Calcium partitioning and allocation and blossom-end rot development in tomato
      plants in response to whole-plant and fruit-specific abscisic acid treatments.
AB  - The mechanisms regulating Ca(2+) partitioning and allocation in plants and fruit
      remain poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to determine Ca(2+)
      partitioning and allocation in tomato plants and fruit in response to whole-plant
      and fruit-specific abscisic acid (ABA) treatments, as well as to analyse the
      effect of changes in Ca(2+) partitioning and allocation on fruit susceptibility
      to the Ca(2+) deficiency disorder blossom-end rot (BER) under water stress
      conditions. Tomato plants of the cultivar Ace 55 (Vf) were grown in a greenhouse
      and exposed to low Ca(2+) conditions during fruit growth and development.
      Starting 1 day after pollination (DAP), the following treatments were initiated:
      (i) whole plants were sprayed weekly with deionized water (control) or (ii) with
      500mg l(-1) ABA; or fruit on each plant were dipped weekly (iii) in deionized
      water (control) or (iv) in 500mg l(-1) ABA. At 15 DAP, BER was completely
      prevented by whole-plant or fruit-specific ABA treatments, whereas plants or
      fruit treated with water had 16-19% BER incidence. At 30 DAP, BER was prevented
      by the whole-plant ABA treatment, whereas fruit dipped in ABA had a 16% and water
      treated plants or fruit had a 36-40% incidence of BER. The results showed that
      spraying the whole plant with ABA increases xylem sap flow and Ca(2+) movement
      into the fruit, resulting in higher fruit tissue and water-soluble apoplastic
      Ca(2+) concentrations that prevent BER development. Although fruit-specific ABA
      treatment had no effect on xylem sap flow rates or Ca(2+) movement into the
      fruit, it increased fruit tissue water-soluble apoplastic Ca(2+) concentrations
      and reduced fruit susceptibility to BER to a lesser extent. 

PMID- 24220653
TI  - NO homeostasis is a key regulator of early nitrate perception and root elongation
      in maize.
AB  - Crop plant development is strongly dependent on nitrogen availability in the soil
      and on the efficiency of its recruitment by roots. For this reason, the
      understanding of the molecular events underlying root adaptation to nitrogen
      fluctuations is a primary goal to develop biotechnological tools for sustainable
      agriculture. However, knowledge about molecular responses to nitrogen
      availability is derived mainly from the study of model species. Nitric oxide (NO)
      has been recently proposed to be implicated in plant responses to environmental
      stresses, but its exact role in the response of plants to nutritional stress is
      still under evaluation. In this work, the role of NO production by maize roots
      after nitrate perception was investigated by focusing on the regulation of
      transcription of genes involved in NO homeostasis and by measuring NO production
      in roots. Moreover, its involvement in the root growth response to nitrate was
      also investigated. The results provide evidence that NO is produced by nitrate
      reductase as an early response to nitrate supply and that the coordinated
      induction of non-symbiotic haemoglobins (nsHbs) could finely regulate the NO
      steady state. This mechanism seems to be implicated on the modulation of the root
      elongation in response to nitrate perception. Moreover, an improved agar-plate
      system for growing maize seedlings was developed. This system, which allows
      localized treatments to be performed on specific root portions, gave the
      opportunity to discern between localized and systemic effects of nitrate supply
      to roots. 

PMID- 24220655
TI  - Impacts of predicted climate change on recruitment at the geographical limits of
      Scots pine.
AB  - Ongoing changes in global climate are having a significant impact on the
      distribution of plant species, with effects particularly evident at range limits.
      We assessed the capacity of Pinus sylvestris L. populations at northernmost and
      southernmost limits of the distribution to cope with projected changes in
      climate. We investigated responses including seed germination and early seedling
      growth and survival, using seeds from northernmost (Kevo, Finland) and
      southernmost (Granada, Spain) populations. Seeds were grown under current climate
      conditions in each area and under temperatures increased by 5  degrees C, with
      changes in precipitation of +30% or -30% with reference to current values at
      northern and southern limits, respectively, in a fully factorial controlled
      conditions experimental design. Increased temperatures reduced germination time
      and enhanced biomass gain at both range edges but reduced survival at the
      southern range edge. Higher precipitation also increased survival and biomass but
      only under a southern climate. Seeds from the southern origin emerged faster,
      produced bigger seedlings, allocated higher biomass to roots, and survived better
      than northern ones. These results indicate that recruitment will be reduced at
      the southernmost range of the species, whereas it will be enhanced at the
      northern limit, and that the southern seed sources are better adapted to survive
      under drier conditions. However, future climate will impose a trade-off between
      seedling growth and survival probabilities. At the southern range edge, higher
      growth may render individuals more susceptible to mortality where greater
      aboveground biomass results in greater water loss through evapotranspiration. 

PMID- 24220656
TI  - Light perception and signalling by phytochrome A.
AB  - In etiolated seedlings, phytochrome A (phyA) mediates very-low-fluence responses
      (VLFRs), which initiate de-etiolation at the interphase between the soil and
      above-ground environments, and high-irradiance responses (HIR), which complete de
      etiolation under dense canopies and require more sustained activation with far
      red light. Light-activated phyA is transported to the nucleus by FAR-RED
      ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL1 (FHY1). The nuclear pool of active phyA increases under
      prolonged far-red light of relatively high fluence rates. This condition
      maximizes the rate of FHY1-phyA complex assembly and disassembly, allowing FHY1
      to return to the cytoplasm to translocate further phyA to the nucleus, to replace
      phyA degraded in the proteasome. The core signalling pathways downstream of
      nuclear phyA involve the negative regulation of CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1,
      which targets for degradation transcription factors required for
      photomorphogenesis, and PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORs, which are transcription
      factors that repress photomorphogenesis. Under sustained far-red light
      activation, released FHY1 can also be recruited with active phyA to target gene
      promoters as a transcriptional activator, and nuclear phyA signalling activates a
      positive regulatory loop involving BELL-LIKE HOMEODOMAIN 1 that reinforces the
      HIR. 

PMID- 24220658
TI  - Polymyxin B agonist capture therapy for intrauterine inflammation: proof-of
      principle in a fetal ovine model.
AB  - Intrauterine infection is a leading cause of preterm birth (PTB), most notably in
      deliveries occurring before 32 weeks gestation. Preterm infants exposed to
      intrauterine inflammation are more likely to have a host of neurological,
      respiratory, gastrointestinal, and visual pathologies. Preventing preterm
      delivery and protecting the fetus from injury is thus likely to require treatment
      of both intrauterine infection and inflammation. Polymyxin B (PMXB) is a cationic
      peptide antibiotic that binds Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and
      prevents inflammatory activation. We hypothesized that intraamniotic
      administration of PMXB would selectively inhibit LPS-driven inflammation, serving
      as a proof-of-principle for targeted agonist capture therapy as a treatment for
      PTB and fetal injury. In vitro studies with primary fetal ovine keratinocytes
      demonstrated a significant and sustained reduction in tumor necrosis factor alpha
      and interleukin 8 messenger RNA expression after treatment with PMXB and LPS,
      relative to cells treated with LPS alone. In vivo studies with fetal sheep
      demonstrated a significant reduction in proinflammatory cytokines in the amniotic
      fluid and fetal lung (but not fetal skin or chorioamnion) in LPS + PMXB-treated
      animals, relative to those treated with LPS alone. These data are consistent with
      a partial resolution of LPS-driven intrauterine inflammation. They suggest the
      potential for agonist capture as a conceptual means of resolving the
      proparturition inflammation caused by infection of the amniotic cavity. 

PMID- 24220657
TI  - The genetic contribution of the NO system at the glutamatergic post-synapse to
      schizophrenia: further evidence and meta-analysis.
AB  - NO is a pleiotropic signaling molecule and has an important role in cognition and
      emotion. In the brain, NO is produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I,
      encoded by NOS1) coupled to the NMDA receptor via PDZ interactions; this protein
      protein interaction is disrupted upon binding of NOS1 adapter protein (encoded by
      NOS1AP) to NOS-I. As both NOS1 and NOS1AP were associated with schizophrenia, we
      here investigated these genes in greater detail by genotyping new samples and
      conducting a meta-analysis of our own and published data. In doing so, we
      confirmed association of both genes with schizophrenia and found evidence for
      their interaction in increasing risk towards disease. Our strongest finding was
      the NOS1 promoter SNP rs41279104, yielding an odds ratio of 1.29 in the meta
      analysis. As findings from heterologous cell systems have suggested that the risk
      allele decreases gene expression, we studied the effect of the variant on NOS1
      expression in human post-mortem brain samples and found that the risk allele
      significantly decreases expression of NOS1 in the prefrontal cortex.
      Bioinformatic analyses suggest that this might be due the replacement of six
      transcription factor binding sites by two new binding sites as a consequence of
      proxy SNPs. Taken together, our data argue that genetic variance in NOS1
      resulting in lower prefrontal brain expression of this gene contributes to
      schizophrenia liability, and that NOS1 interacts with NOS1AP in doing so. The
      NOS1-NOS1AP PDZ interface may thus well constitute a novel target for small
      molecules in at least some forms of schizophrenia. 

PMID- 24220659
TI  - An N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) 'aggregation-prone'
      segment involved in isolated atrial amyloidosis.
AB  - Isolated atrial amyloidosis (IAA) is a common localized form of amyloid
      deposition within the atria of the aging heart. The main constituents of amyloid
      fibrils are atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the N-terminal part of its
      precursor form (NT-proANP). An 'aggregation-prone' heptapeptide
      ((114)KLRALLT(120)) was located within the NT-proANP sequence. This peptide self
      assembles into amyloid-like fibrils in vitro, as electron microscopy, X-ray fiber
      diffraction, ATR FT-IR spectroscopy and Congo red staining studies reveal.
      Consequently, remedies/drugs designed to inhibit the aggregation tendency of this
      'aggregation-prone' segment of NT-proANP may assist in prevention/treatment of
      IAA, congestive heart failure (CHF) or atrial fibrillation (AF). 

PMID- 24220661
TI  - Zerumbone inhibits tumor angiogenesis via NF-kappaB in gastric cancer.
AB  - Zerumbone derived from a subtropical ginger, Zingiber zerumbet Smith, was
      previously reported to have antitumor growth and anti-inflammatory properties in
      some types of cancer. However, the effects of zerumbone against cancer
      angiogenesis have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we clarified the role
      of zerumbone in gastric cancer angiogenesis. We examined the expression of
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in gastric cancer cell lines both in
      the basal state and following zerumbone treatment by real-time RT-PCR and enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Changes in gastric cancer cell proliferation
      in response to zerumbone treatment were measured by WST-1 assay. Additionally,
      the effects of zerumbone on NF-kappaB activity were examined in AGS cells.
      Finally, the effects of zerumbone on angiogenesis in AGS cells were measured by
      in vitro angiogenesis assay in which human umbilical vein endothelial cells
      (HUVECs) and fibroblasts were cocultured with AGS cells. Among the 6 gastric
      cancer cell lines tested, AGS cells exhibited the highest expression of VEGF.
      Cell proliferation, VEGF expression and NF-kappaB activity in AGS cells were all
      significantly inhibited by zerumbone. Moreover, the tube formation area of HUVECs
      was increased by coculture with AGS cells, and this effect was inhibited by
      zerumbone. Both VEGF expression and NF-kappaB activity in AGS cells were reduced
      by treatment with zerumbone, thereby inhibiting angiogenesis. Thus, zerumbone may
      become a new anti-angiogenic and antitumor drug in the treatment of gastric
      cancer. 

PMID- 24220660
TI  - A KT intervention including the evidence alert system to improve clinician's
      evidence-based practice behavior--a cluster randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is difficult to foster research utilization among allied health
      professionals (AHPs). Tailored, multifaceted knowledge translation (KT)
      strategies are now recommended but are resource intensive to implement. Employers
      need effective KT solutions but little is known about; the impact and viability
      of multifaceted KT strategies using an online KT tool, their effectiveness with
      AHPs and their effect on evidence-based practice (EBP) decision-making behavior.
      The study aim was to measure the effectiveness of a multifaceted KT intervention
      including a customized KT tool, to change EBP behavior, knowledge, and attitudes
      of AHPs. METHODS: This is an evaluator-blinded, cluster randomized controlled
      trial conducted in an Australian community-based cerebral palsy service. 135 AHPs
      (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists
      and social workers) from four regions were cluster randomized (n = 4), to either
      the KT intervention group (n = 73 AHPs) or the control group (n = 62 AHPs), using
      computer-generated random numbers, concealed in opaque envelopes, by an
      independent officer. The KT intervention included three-day skills training
      workshop and multifaceted workplace supports to redress barriers (paid EBP time,
      mentoring, system changes and access to an online research synthesis tool).
      Primary outcome (self- and peer-rated EBP behavior) was measured using the Goal
      Attainment Scale (individual level). Secondary outcomes (knowledge and attitudes)
      were measured using exams and the Evidence Based Practice Attitude Scale.
      RESULTS: The intervention group's primary outcome scores improved relative to the
      control group, however when clustering was taken into account, the findings were
      non-significant: self-rated EBP behavior [effect size 4.97 (95% CI -10.47, 20.41)
      (p = 0.52)]; peer-rated EBP behavior [effect size 5.86 (95% CI -17.77, 29.50) (p
      = 0.62)]. Statistically significant improvements in EBP knowledge were detected
      [effect size 2.97 (95% CI 1.97, 3.97 (p < 0.0001)]. Change in EBP attitudes was
      not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in EBP behavior was not
      statistically significant after adjusting for cluster effect, however similar
      improvements from peer-ratings suggest behaviorally meaningful gains. The large
      variability in behavior observed between clusters suggests barrier assessments
      and subsequent KT interventions may need to target subgroups within an
      organization. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered on the Australian New Zealand
      Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12611000529943).

PMID- 24220662
TI  - Comparative evaluation of two different volumes of lidocaine in intravenous
      regional anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to compare low concentration-high volume
      intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) method with local anesthetic method in
      upper extremity surgery in terms of efficiency and adverse effects. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Thirty-nine patients were divided into 2 groups; the first group
      received a 2% concentration of 12-15 mL lidocaine (Group 1) and the second group
      received a 0.5% concentration of 30-50 mL lidocaine (Group 2). Intraoperative
      hemodynamic data of patients (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure,
      mean blood pressure, heart rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation- SpO2) was
      recorded before and after anesthesia at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 minutes.
      RESULTS: The intergroup and intragroup comparisons did not reveal any significant
      differences in hemodynamic data. The onset time of sensorial block was shorter
      and the regression time of sensorial block was longer in Group 1 than Group 2.
      Group 1 had shorter onset time of motor block and longer regression time of motor
      block than Group 2. There were no significant differences between the study
      groups in terms of the time of tourniquet and postoperative analgesia time.
      CONCLUSIONS: IVRA technique applied with 2% concentration and volume of 12-15 mL
      lidocaine may be suggested as a safe option.

PMID- 24220663
TI  - Impact of phytopathogen infection and extreme weather stress on internalization
      of Salmonella Typhimurium in lettuce.
AB  - Internalization of human pathogens, common in many types of fresh produce, is a
      threat to human health since the internalized pathogens cannot be fully
      inactivated/removed by washing with water or sanitizers. Given that pathogen
      internalization can be affected by many environmental factors, this study was
      conducted to investigate the influence of two types of plant stress on the
      internalization of Salmonella Typhimurium in iceberg lettuce during pre-harvest.
      The stresses were: abiotic (water stress induced by extreme weather events) and
      biotic (phytopathogen infection by lettuce mosaic virus [LMV]). Lettuce with and
      without LMV infection were purposefully contaminated with green fluorescence
      protein-labeled S. Typhimurium on the leaf surfaces. Lettuce was also subjected
      to water stress conditions (drought and storm) which were simulated by irrigating
      with different amounts of water. The internalized S. Typhimurium in the different
      parts of the lettuce were quantified by plate count and real-time quantitative
      PCR and confirmed with a laser scanning confocal microscope. Salmonella
      internalization occurred under the conditions outlined above; however
      internalization levels were not significantly affected by water stress alone. In
      contrast, the extent of culturable S. Typhimurium internalized in the leafy part
      of the lettuce decreased when infected with LMV under water stress conditions and
      contaminated with high levels of S. Typhimurium. On the other hand, LMV-infected
      lettuce showed a significant increase in the levels of culturable bacteria in the
      roots. In conclusion, internalization was observed under all experimental
      conditions when the lettuce surface was contaminated with S. Typhimurium.
      However, the extent of internalization was only affected by water stress when
      lettuce was infected with LMV.

PMID- 24220664
TI  - Genetic environment of the multi-resistance gene cfr in methicillin-resistant
      coagulase-negative staphylococci from chickens, ducks, and pigs in China.
AB  - The present study focussed on the analysis of the genetic environment of the
      multi-resistance gene cfr detected among 21, mostly methicillin-resistant,
      coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) isolates obtained from chickens, ducks
      and pigs in China. It included sequencing of the regions up- and downstream of
      the cfr gene on various plasmid types in 13 isolates, such as pSS-02 and pSS-02
      like (n=7), pSS-03-like (n=1), pJP1-like (n=3), pSS-04 (n=1) and pJP2 (n=1). This
      analysis revealed that insertion sequences (IS21-558, IS256, IS257, or IS1216E)
      and other resistance genes (aacA-aphD and aadD for aminoglycoside resistance, ble
      for bleomycin resistance, fosD for fosfomycin resistance, erm(B) and erm(C) for
      macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance, or fexA for phenicol
      resistance) coexisted on the respective plasmids. In the chromosomal copies of
      cfr identified in eight S. lentus isolates, the cfr gene was found to be
      bracketed by insertion sequences, such as IS256 or ISEnfa5. Stability tests
      confirmed that all chromosomal cfr-containing regions could be looped out via IS
      mediated recombination. The observations made in this study extend the rather
      rudimentary knowledge about the genetic environment of cfr in staphylococci from
      chickens and ducks and confirmed that insertion sequences play an important role
      in the dissemination of cfr, not only among different types of plasmids, but also
      for the integration in the chromosomal DNA. 

PMID- 24220665
TI  - Viridans and bovis group streptococci that cause infective endocarditis in two
      regions with contrasting epidemiology.
AB  - Viridans group (VGS) or bovis group streptococci (BGS) are the major causes for
      streptococcal infective endocarditis (IE). However, the causative isolates are
      not sufficiently characterized. Using multilocus sequence analysis we have
      examined VGS and BGS (VGS/BGS) isolates that caused IE in southern India and
      Germany, two distant geographic regions with a contrasting IE epidemiology. Other
      than in Germany, the majority of patients (68%) in Chennai, southern India had an
      underlying rheumatic heart disease (RHD). In accord with the high prevalence of
      RHD in the younger population and with the expansive age structure of India, the
      median age (24 years) of the VGS/BGS endocarditis patients was lower than in
      Germany (63 years), where RHD is rare and the age structure is contractive. Both
      in Germany and in southern India, the majority of cases were caused by mitis
      group streptococci, however, with considerable differences in the spectra of
      causative (sub)species. BGS endocarditis was more frequent in Germany. The
      spectrum of VGS/BGS that cause IE differs considerably between distant geographic
      regions in which different predisposing conditions prevail. Therefore, improved
      microbiological diagnosis in IE may facilitate determination of the optimal
      therapy. 

PMID- 24220666
TI  - Indications and outcomes for 100 patients managed with a pectoralis major flap
      within a UK maxillofacial unit.
AB  - There are few studies reporting the role of the pedicled pectoralis major (PPM)
      flap in modern maxillofacial practice. The outcomes of 100 patients (102 flaps)
      managed between 1996 and 2012 in a UK maxillofacial unit that preferentially
      practices free tissue reconstruction are reported. The majority (88.2%) of PPM
      flaps were for oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), stage IV (75.6%) disease, and
      there was substantial co-morbidity (47.0% American Society of Anesthesiologists 3
      or 4). The PPM flap was the preferred reconstruction on 80.4% of occasions; 19.6%
      followed free flap failure. Over half of the patients (57%) had previously
      undergone major surgery and/or chemoradiotherapy. Ischaemic heart disease
      (P=0.028), diabetes mellitus (P=0.040), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus (MRSA) infection (P=0.013) were independently associated with flap loss
      (any degree). Free flap failure was independently associated with total (2.0%)
      and major (6.9%) partial flap loss (P=0.044). Cancer-specific 5-year survival for
      stage IV primary SCC and salvage surgery improved in the second half (2005-2012)
      of the study period (22.2% vs. 79.8%, P=0.002, and 0% vs. 55.7%, P=0.064,
      respectively). There were also declines in recurrent disease (P=0.008), MRSA
      (P<0.001), and duration of admission (P=0.014). The PPM flap retains a valuable
      role in the management of advanced disease combined with substantial co
      morbidity, and following free flap failure.

PMID- 24220667
TI  - Multicenter voxel-based morphometry mega-analysis of structural brain scans in
      obsessive-compulsive disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Results from structural neuroimaging studies of obsessive-compulsive
      disorder (OCD) have been only partially consistent. The authors sought to assess
      regional gray and white matter volume differences between large samples of OCD
      patients and healthy comparison subjects and their relation with demographic and
      clinical variables. METHOD: A multicenter voxel-based morphometry mega-analysis
      was performed on 1.5-T structural T1-weighted MRI scans derived from the
      International OCD Brain Imaging Consortium. Regional gray and white matter brain
      volumes were compared between 412 adult OCD patients and 368 healthy subjects.
      RESULTS: Relative to healthy comparison subjects, OCD patients had significantly
      smaller volumes of frontal gray and white matter bilaterally, including the
      dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the inferior
      frontal gyrus extending to the anterior insula. Patients also showed greater
      cerebellar gray matter volume bilaterally compared with healthy subjects. Group
      differences in frontal gray and white matter volume were significant after
      correction for multiple comparisons. Additionally, group-by-age interactions were
      observed in the putamen, insula, and orbitofrontal cortex (indicating relative
      preservation of volume in patients compared with healthy subjects with increasing
      age) and in the temporal cortex bilaterally (indicating a relative loss of volume
      in patients compared with healthy subjects with increasing age). CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings partially support the prevailing fronto-striatal models of OCD and
      offer additional insights into the neuroanatomy of the disorder that were not
      apparent from previous smaller studies. The group-by-age interaction effects in
      orbitofrontal-striatal and (para)limbic brain regions may be the result of
      altered neuroplasticity associated with chronic compulsive behaviors, anxiety, or
      compensatory processes related to cognitive dysfunction.

PMID- 24220668
TI  - 1-Pentamethylbenzyl-3-(n)buthylbenzimidazolesilver(I)bromide complex: synthesis,
      characterization and DFT calculations.
AB  - A novel NHC complex of silver(I) ion, 1-pentamethylbenzyl-3
      (n)buthylbenzimidazolesilver(I)bromide, was prepared and fully characterized by
      single crystal X-ray structure determination. FT-IR, NMR and UV-vis
      spectroscopies were employed to investigate the electronic transition behaviors
      of the complex. Additionally, the molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies,
      gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) (1)H and (13)C chemical shift and
      electronic transition values of silver(I) complex were calculated by using
      density functional theory levels (B3LYP and PBE1PBE) with LANL2DZ basis set.
      Also, the vibrational frequencies were supported on the basis of the potential
      energy distribution (PED) analysis calculated for PBE1PBE level. We were also
      investigated total static dipole moment (MU), the mean polarizability (<alpha>),
      the anisotropy of the polarizability (Deltaalpha), the mean first-order
      hyperpolarizability (<beta>) of the title complex. Natural bond orbital (NBO)
      analysis was performed to determine the presence of hyperconjugative
      interactions, and charge distributions. 

PMID- 24220669
TI  - MgO:Eu3+ red nanophosphor: low temperature synthesis and photoluminescence
      properties.
AB  - Nanoparticles of Eu(3+) doped (0-9 mol%) MgO were prepared using low temperature
      (400 degrees C) solution combustion technique with metal nitrate as precursor and
      glycine as fuel. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns of the as-formed
      products show single cubic phase and no further calcination was required. The
      crystallite size was obtained using Scherer's formula and was found to be 5-6 nm.
      The effect of Eu(3+) ions on luminescence characteristics of MgO was studied and
      the results were discussed in detail. These phosphors exhibit bright red emission
      upon 395 nm excitation. The characteristic photoluminescence (PL) emission peaks
      at ~580, 596, 616, 653, 696 and 706 nm ((5)D0->(7)Fj=0, 1, 2, 3, 4) were recorded
      due to Eu(3+) ions. The electronic transition corresponding to (5)D0->(7)F2 of
      Eu(3+) ions (616 nm) was stronger than the magnetic dipole transition
      corresponding to (5)D0->(7)F1 of Eu(3+) ions (596 nm). The international
      commission on illumination (CIE) chromaticity co-ordinates were calculated from
      emission spectra, the values (x, y) were very close to national television system
      committee (NTSC) standard value of red emission. Therefore the present phosphor
      was highly useful for display applications.

PMID- 24220670
TI  - Experimental and theoretical studies of 2,5-dichloroanilinium picrate.
AB  - Organic 2,5-dichloroanilinium picrate crystal was grown by using slow evaporation
      solution technique. The lattice parameter was estimated by powder X-ray
      diffraction. The absence of absorption at around Nd:YAG fundamental wavelength
      was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible absorption study. The vibrational analyses
      confirm the various functional groups present in the grown crystal. The NMR study
      confirms the presence of chemical environment of hydrogen in the title crystal.
      The thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential
      scanning calorimetry (DSC) traces reveals the thermal stability of the compound.
      The second harmonic generation (SHG) of the crystal was confirmed by Kurtz Perry
      powder technique. The theoretical studies such as first-order hyperpolarizability
      (beta), molecular orbitals, electronic excitation and electrostatic potential
      (ESP) were performed using Gaussian 03W software at HF/6-31G (d) level. 

PMID- 24220671
TI  - Synthesis of silver nanocubes as a SERS substrate for the determination of
      pesticide paraoxon and thiram.
AB  - The silver cube-like nanostructure with uniform size and high yield have been
      synthesized through the rapid sulfide-mediated polyol method. The morphology,
      structure and optical properties of the as-prepared silver nanocubes were
      characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron
      microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Surface-Enhanced Raman
      Scattering (SERS) performance of the as-prepared Ag nanocubes was characterized
      by crystal violet (CV) as the probe molecules. Furthermore, the low levels of
      thiram and pesticide paraoxon can be detected by the SERS technique, which shows
      that the silver nanocubes as a SERS substrate have excellent sensitivity and
      reproducibility. 

PMID- 24220672
TI  - Synthesis, interaction with DNA and antiproliferative activities of two novel
      Cu(II) complexes with Schiff base of benzimidazole.
AB  - Two novel copper(II) complexes with Schiff base of benzimidazole [Cu(L)Cl]2.CH3OH
      have been synthesized. HL(1) (N-(benzimidazol-2-ymethyl)-5
      chlorosalicylideneimine, C15H11ClN3O) and HL(2) (N-(benzimidazol-2-ymethyl)
      salicylideneimine, C15H12N3O) are ligands of complex (1) and complex (2),
      respectively. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis,
      TGA and X-ray diffraction. Within the complexes, Cu(II) ions were four
      coordinated by two nitrogen atom of azomethine and imine, one phenolic oxygen
      atom from HL and one chloride atom. A distorted quadrilateral structure was
      formed. Complex (1) crystallized in the triclinic crystal system. Results showed
      that pi-pi stacking effect occurred due to the existence of aromatic ring from
      Schiff base and hydrogen bonding between methanol and adjacent atoms. The DNA
      binding properties of the complexes were investigated by electronic absorption
      spectra, fluorescence spectra and viscosity measurements. Results indicated that
      complexes bound to DNA via partial intercalation mode. The DNA binding constants
      Kb/(L mol(-1)) were 1.81*10(4) (1), 1.37*10(4) (2), 6.27*10(3) (HL(1)) and
      3.14*10(3) (HL(2)) at 298 K. The title complexes could quench the emission
      intensities of EB-DNA system significantly. The results of agarose gel
      electrophoresis indicated complex (1) could cleave supercoiled DNA through the
      oxidative mechanism. The inhibition ratios revealed that complex (1) and HL(1)
      had strong antiproliferative activities against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7)
      lines and human colorectal cancer cells (COLO205) lines in vitro. The
      antiproliferative activities of complex (1) against MCF-7 lines (IC50=16.9+/-1.5
      MUmol L(-1)) and against COLO205 lines (IC50=16.5+/-3.4 MUmol L(-1)) is much
      stronger than that of HL(1), which had the potential to develop anti-cancer drug.

PMID- 24220674
TI  - Coronary endothelial function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with increased risk
      for cardiovascular events, possibly mediated by endothelial dysfunction. The
      current study evaluates the association between invasive coronary endothelial
      dysfunction and OSA in patients with nonobstructive coronary atherosclerosis.
      METHODS: All patients who had undergone both polysomnography and an invasive
      coronary vasomotor study at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, from January
      1997 to August 2011 were identified (n=143). OSA was defined as an apnea-hypopnea
      index of 5 or higher. Three endpoints of coronary endothelial function -
      percentage change in coronary artery diameter at the mid and distal left anterior
      descending artery to intracoronary acetylcholine and percentage change in
      coronary blood flow to intracoronary acetylcholine - were assessed. Differences
      between patients with OSA (n=102) and those without OSA (n=41) were evaluated
      using multivariate analysis of variance. Follow-up mortality data were collected
      and Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to evaluate differences in mortality between
      patients with and without OSA. RESULTS: Patients with OSA were more likely to
      have hypertension compared with patients without OSA. OSA was not significantly
      associated with coronary endothelial dysfunction on univariate analysis (P=0.23)
      and after adjustment for hypertension (P=0.19). Similarly, there was no
      significant difference in coronary endothelial function in patients who had
      oxygen desaturation of less than 90% during polysomnography (P=0.42). There was a
      trend toward higher mortality in patients with OSA compared with those without
      OSA, but this did not reach statistical significance (5 vs. 0% at 10 years,
      P=0.25). CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that OSA is not an independent
      risk factor for coronary endothelial dysfunction in patients with early coronary
      atherosclerosis. Adverse coronary outcomes in patients with OSA may be
      independent of coronary endothelial dysfunction.

PMID- 24220673
TI  - Genetics and epigenetics of adrenocortical tumors.
AB  - Adrenocortical tumors are common neoplasms. Most are benign, nonfunctional and
      clinically irrelevant. However, adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare disease with a
      dismal prognosis and no effective treatment apart from surgical resection. The
      molecular genetics of adrenocortical tumors remain poorly understood. For
      decades, molecular studies relied on a small number of samples and were directed
      to candidate-genes. This approach, based on the elucidation of the genetics of
      rare genetic syndromes in which adrenocortical tumors are a manifestation, has
      led to the discovery of major dysfunctional molecular pathways in adrenocortical
      tumors, such as the IGF pathway, the Wnt pathway and TP53. However, with the
      advent of high-throughput methodologies and the organization of international
      consortiums to obtain a larger number of samples and high-quality clinical data,
      this paradigm is rapidly changing. In the last decade, genome-wide expression
      profile studies, microRNA profiling and methylation profiling allowed the
      identification of subgroups of tumors with distinct genetic markers, molecular
      pathways activation patterns and clinical behavior. As a consequence, molecular
      classification of tumors has proven to be superior to traditional histological
      and clinical methods in prognosis prediction. In addition, this knowledge has
      also allowed the proposal of molecular-targeted approaches to provide better
      treatment options for advanced disease. This review aims to summarize the most
      relevant data on the rapidly evolving field of genetics of adrenal disorders. 

PMID- 24220676
TI  - A comparison of cell salvage strategies in posterior spinal fusion for adolescent
      idiopathic scoliosis.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. OBJECTIVE: To compare the
      efficacy of 3 blood management strategies in patients undergoing posterior spinal
      fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in reducing donor blood
      transfusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although intraoperative cell salvage and
      predonated banked blood may be effective in reducing donor blood transfusion in
      the perioperative period, the optimal blood management strategy is unclear. A
      combined cell salvage strategy holds several potential advantages but has not yet
      been investigated. METHODS: Patients who underwent isolated PSF for AIS (n=167)
      were subdivided into 3 groups by perioperative blood management strategy: (1)
      intraoperative retransfusion of shed blood (cell saver) and predonated autologous
      banked blood (n=51); (2) cell saver alone (n=33); and (3) combined cell saver and
      postoperative collection and retransfusion of drained blood (Retransfusion drain)
      (n=83). Data collected included age, sex, diagnosis, body weight, number of
      levels fused, operative time, intraoperative and postoperative blood loss and
      retransfusion, preoperative and postoperative (72 h) hemoglobin and hematocrit
      (Hct), and amount of autologous and donor blood transfused in the perioperative
      period. RESULTS: Fewer patients in the cell saver and predonated blood (3.9%) and
      cell saver and retransfusion drain (1.2%) groups received donor transfusions than
      did those managed with cell saver alone (33%). There was no significant
      difference in the donor transfusion rate between cell saver/predonated blood and
      retransfusion groups. Mean postoperative Hct (72 h) was higher in the
      retransfusion group 3 than in the other 2 (group 3: 29.3%, group 1: 25.4%, group
      2: 26.1%). There was no significant difference in the mean change in hemoglobin
      and Hct after surgery between the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study
      demonstrates the efficacy of a combined intraoperative and postoperative cell
      salvage strategy in PSF for AIS, significantly reducing perioperative donor blood
      transfusions, maintaining physiological Hct, and conserving blood bank resources.

PMID- 24220675
TI  - A differential dielectric affinity glucose sensor.
AB  - A continuous glucose monitor with a differential dielectric sensor implanted
      within the subcutaneous tissue that determines the glucose concentration in the
      interstitial fluid is presented. The device, created using microelectromechanical
      systems (MEMS) technology, consists of sensing and reference modules that are
      identical in design and placed in close proximity. Each module contains a
      microchamber housing a pair of capacitive electrodes residing on the device
      substrate and embedded in a suspended, perforated polymer diaphragm. The
      microchambers, enclosed in semi-permeable membranes, are filled with either a
      polymer solution that has specific affinity to glucose or a glucose-insensitive
      reference solution. To accurately determine the glucose concentration, changes in
      the permittivity of the sensing and the reference solutions induced by changes in
      glucose concentration are measured differentially. In vitro characterization
      demonstrated the sensor was capable of measuring glucose concentrations from 0 to
      500 mg dL(-1) with resolution and accuracy of ~1.7 MUg dL(-1) and ~1.74 mg dL(
      1), respectively. In addition, device drift was reduced to 1.4% (uncontrolled
      environment) and 11% (5  degrees C of temperature variation) of that from non
      differential measurements, indicating significant stability improvements.
      Preliminary animal testing demonstrated that the differential sensor accurately
      tracks glucose concentration in blood. This sensor can potentially be used
      clinically as a subcutaneously implanted continuous monitoring device in diabetic
      patients. 

PMID- 24220677
TI  - alpha-Crystallin protects RGC survival and inhibits microglial activation after
      optic nerve crush.
AB  - AIMS: Activation of retinal microglial cells (RMCs) is known to contribute to
      retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death after optic nerve injury. The purpose of this
      study was to investigate the effects of intravenous injection of alpha-crystallin
      on RGC survival and RMC activation in a rat model of optic nerve crush. MAIN
      METHODS: RGCs were retrogradely labeled with fluorogold. Rats were intravenously
      injected with normal saline or alpha-crystallin (0.05g/kg, 0.5g/kg, and 5 g/kg)
      at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days after the optic nerve crush. Activated RMCs were
      characterized using immunofluorescence labeling with CD11b, and TNF-alpha and
      iNOS expression was detected using immunoblot analyses. We analyzed the
      morphology and numbers of RGC and RMC 2 and 4 weeks after injury using
      fluorescence and confocal microscopy. KEY FINDINGS: The number of RGCs decreased
      after optic nerve injury, accompanied by significantly increased numbers of
      activated RMCs. Intravenous injection of alpha-crystallin decreased the number of
      RMCs, and enhanced the number of RGCs compared to saline injection. alpha
      Crystallin administration inhibited TNF-alpha and iNOS protein expression induced
      by optic nerve injury. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that alpha-crystallin
      promotes RGC survival and inhibits RMC activation. Intravenous injection of alpha
      crystallin could be a possible strategy for the treatment of optic nerve injury.

PMID- 24220678
TI  - Blockage of TRPM7 channel induces hepatic stellate cell death through endoplasmic
      reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis.
AB  - AIMS: Proliferation is a 'multiplier' for extracellular matrix production and
      contraction of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in fibrotic liver.
      Transient receptor potential melastatin-like 7 channels (TRPM7) are implicated in
      the survival and proliferation of several kinds of cells. This study was aimed to
      investigate the effect of TRPM7 blocker 2-APB on survival and proliferation of
      HSC and the underlying mechanisms. MAIN METHODS: Rat HSC were stimulated by 2-APB
      for 24 h and then collected for further use. Cell viability was detected by MTT,
      and apoptosis was determined by AnnexinV/PI staining and TUNEL assay. Gene
      expressions of TRPM7, alpha-SMA, bcl-2, bax, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      stress key members CHOP, caspase-12, ATF4, ATF6, Xbp1, GRP78 and calnexin were
      evaluated with quantitative RT-PCR. Quantifications of alpha-SMA, TRPM7, CHOP and
      GRP78 proteins were carried out by Western blot. Transmission electron microscopy
      and Xbp1 mRNA splicing analysis were also used for detection of ER stress. KEY
      FINDINGS: 2-APB decreased TRPM7 and alpha-SMA expressions in primary HSC, and
      inhibited proliferation of activated HSC in a dose-dependent manner. 2-APB also
      decreased total count of activated HSC and increased the number of apoptotic
      cells. 2-APB increased expressions of bax and ER stress key factors CHOP, caspase
      12, ATF4, ATF6, Xbp1, GRP78 and calnexin. Meanwhile, ultra-structural ER changes
      and spliced Xbp1 mRNA were also observed in 2-APB treated HSC. SIGNIFICANCE:
      Blockage of TRPM7 could inhibit activation and proliferation of primary HSC and
      induce apoptotic death of activated cells, in which ER stress was identified as
      one of possible underlying molecular bases.

PMID- 24220679
TI  - Heat-shock protein dysregulation is associated with functional and pathological
      TDP-43 aggregation.
AB  - Conformational disorders are involved in various neurodegenerative diseases.
      Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the major contributors to neurodegenerative
      disease; however, ROS that affect the structural changes in misfolded disease
      proteins have yet to be well characterized. Here we demonstrate that the
      intrinsic propensity of TDP-43 to aggregate drives the assembly of TDP-43
      positive stress granules and soluble toxic TDP-43 oligomers in response to a ROS
      insult via a disulfide crosslinking-independent mechanism. Notably, ROS-induced
      TDP-43 protein assembly correlates with the dynamics of certain TDP-43-associated
      chaperones. The heat-shock protein (HSP)-90 inhibitor 17-AAG prevents ROS-induced
      TDP-43 aggregation, alters the type of TDP-43 multimers and reduces the severity
      of pathological TDP-43 inclusions. In summary, our study suggests that a common
      mechanism could be involved in the pathogenesis of conformational diseases that
      result from HSP dysregulation. 

PMID- 24220681
TI  - Protection of mesenchymal stem cells on acute kidney injury.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to determine the protection of allogeneic bone
      marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on an ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced
      acute kidney injury (AKI) rat model and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
      The BMSCs were isolated and cultured from adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and the
      I/R-induced AKI model was established by bilateral clamping of renal pedicles for
      60 min. Following successfully establishing the AKI model, 1x106 BMSCs were
      administered by intrarenal injection. All animals were randomly divided into four
      groups (n=10 in each): 1 (sham control), 2 (I/R), 3 (I/R+culture medium) and 4
      (I/R+BMSCs). Serum levels of creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were
      measured in all four groups at 24 and 72 h. Three days post-surgery, the level of
      inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the kidney was
      analysed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Three days following surgery,
      mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly lower, however,
      the expression level of VEGF was significantly higher in group 4 compared with
      groups 2 and 3 (P<0.05). By contrast, the immunofluorescence results showed that
      the injected BMSCs differentiated into vascular endothelial cells. In conclusion,
      the present study identified that intrarenal administration of BMSCs improved I/R
      induced AKI through the anti-inflammatory effect and a paracrine mechanism and
      therefore, may be hypothesised for the use in clinical trials.

PMID- 24220682
TI  - How much do preexisting chronic conditions contribute to age differences in
      health care expenditures after a work-related musculoskeletal injury?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the contribution of preexisting chronic conditions on age
      differences in health care expenditures for the management of work-related
      musculoskeletal injuries in British Columbia. METHODS: A secondary analysis of
      workers' compensation claims submitted over the 5-year period between January 1,
      2002 and December 31, 2006 (N = 55,827 claims among men and 32,141 claims among
      women). Path models examined the relationships between age and health care
      expenditures, and the extent to which age differences in health care expenditures
      were mediated by preexisting chronic conditions. Models were adjusted for
      individual, injury, occupational, and industrial covariates. RESULTS: The
      relationship between age and health care expenditures differed for men and women,
      with a stronger age gradient observed among men. Preexisting osteoarthritis and
      coronary heart disease were associated with elevated health care expenditures
      among men and women. Diabetes was associated with elevated health care
      expenditures among men only, and depression was associated with elevated health
      care expenditures among women only. The percentage of the age effect on health
      care expenditures that was mediated through preexisting chronic conditions
      increased from 12.4% among 25-34-year-old men (compared with 15-24 y) to 26.6%
      among 55+-year-old men; and 14.6% among 25-34-year-old women to 35.9% among women
      55 and older. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that differences
      in preexisting chronic conditions have an impact on the relationship between
      older age and greater health care expenditures after a work-related
      musculoskeletal injury. The differing prevalence of preexisting osteoarthritis,
      coronary heart disease, and to a lesser extent diabetes (among men) and
      depression (among women) across age groups explain a nontrivial proportion of the
      age effect in health care expenditures after injury. However, approximately two
      thirds or more of the age effect in health care expenditures remains unexplained.

PMID- 24220680
TI  - Sensitivity to Flg22 is modulated by ligand-induced degradation and de novo
      synthesis of the endogenous flagellin-receptor FLAGELLIN-SENSING2.
AB  - FLAGELLIN-SENSING2 (FLS2) is the plant cell surface receptor that perceives
      bacterial flagellin or flg22 peptide, initiates flg22-signaling responses, and
      contributes to bacterial growth restriction. Flg22 elicitation also leads to
      ligand-induced endocytosis and degradation of FLS2 within 1 h. Why plant cells
      remove this receptor precisely at the time during which its function is required
      remains mainly unknown. Here, we assessed in planta flg22-signaling competency in
      the context of ligand-induced degradation of endogenous FLS2 and chemical
      interference known to impede flg22-dependent internalization of FLS2 into
      endocytic vesicles. Within 1 h after an initial flg22 treatment, Arabidopsis
      (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf tissue was unable to reelicit flg22 signaling in a
      ligand-, time-, and dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that flg22
      induced degradation of endogenous FLS2 may serve to desensitize cells to the same
      stimulus (homologous desensitization), likely to prevent continuous signal output
      upon repetitive flg22 stimulation. In addition to impeding ligand-induced FLS2
      degradation, pretreatment with the vesicular trafficking inhibitors Wortmannin or
      Tyrphostin A23 impaired flg22-elicited reactive oxygen species production that
      was partially independent of BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1-ASSOCIATED KINASE1.
      Interestingly, these inhibitors did not affect flg22-induced mitogen-activated
      protein kinase phosphorylation, indicating the ability to utilize vesicular
      trafficking inhibitors to target different flg22-signaling responses. For
      Tyrphostin A23, reduced flg22-induced reactive oxygen species could be separated
      from the defect in FLS2 degradation. At later times (>2 h) after the initial
      flg22 elicitation, recovery of FLS2 protein levels positively correlated with
      resensitization to flg22, indicating that flg22-induced new synthesis of FLS2 may
      prepare cells for a new round of monitoring the environment for flg22. 

PMID- 24220683
TI  - Rethinking health services research.

PMID- 24220685
TI  - Explaining variation in hospice visit intensity for routine home care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medicare pays a flat per diem rate by level of hospice service
      without case-mix adjustment, although previous research shows that visit
      intensity varies considerably over the course of hospice episodes. Concerns
      pertain to the inherent financial incentives for routine home care, the most
      frequently used level, and whether payment efficiency can be improved using case
      mix adjustment. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess variation in
      hospice visit intensity during hospice episodes by patient, hospice, and episode
      characteristics to inform policy discussions regarding hospice payment methods.
      RESEARCH DESIGN: This observational study used Medicare claims for hospice
      episodes in 2010. Multiple observations were constructed per episode phase (eg,
      days 1-14, 15-30, etc.). Episode phase and observed characteristics were
      regressed on average routine home care visit intensity per day; patient and
      hospice fixed effects controlled for unobserved characteristics. MEASURES: Visit
      intensity was constructed using national wages to weight visits by provider type.
      Observed patient characteristics included age, sex, race, diagnoses, venue of
      care, use of other hospice levels of care, and discharge status; hospice
      characteristics included ownership, affiliation, size, and urban/state location.
      RESULTS: Visit intensity varied substantially by episode phase. This pattern was
      largely invariant to observed patient and hospice characteristics, which
      explained <4% of variation in visit intensity per day after adjusting for episode
      phase. Unobserved patient characteristics explained approximately 85% of
      remaining variation. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that case-mix adjustment
      based on commonly observed factors would only minimally improve hospice payment
      methodology.

PMID- 24220684
TI  - Do HIV-infected non-small cell lung cancer patients receive guidance-concordant
      care?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of lung cancer cases among HIV-infected individuals is
      increasing with time. It is unclear whether HIV-infected individuals receive the
      same care for lung cancer as immunocompetent patients because of comorbidities,
      the potential for interaction between antiretroviral agents and cancer
      chemotherapy, and concerns regarding complications related to treatment or
      infection. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of
      HIV infection on receipt of guidance-concordant care, and its impact on overall
      survival among non-small cell lung cancer Medicare beneficiaries. DESIGN: The
      study design was a matched case-control design where each HIV patient was matched
      by age group, sex, race, and lung cancer stage at diagnosis with 20 controls
      randomly selected among those who were not HIV infected. SUBJECTS: The patients
      included in this study were Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with non-small cell
      lung cancer between 1998 and 2007, who qualified for Medicare on the basis of age
      and were 65 years of age or older at the time of lung cancer diagnosis. HIV
      infection status was based on Medicare claims data. A total of 174 HIV cases and
      3480 controls were included in the analysis. MEASURES: Odds ratios for receiving
      guidance-concordant care and hazard ratios for overall survival were estimated.
      RESULTS: HIV infection was not independently associated with the receipt of
      guidance-concordant care. Among stage I/II patients, median survival times were
      26 and 43 months, respectively, for those with and without HIV infection (odds
      ratio=1.48, P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection was not associated with receipt
      of guidance-concordant care but reduced survival in early-stage patients.

PMID- 24220686
TI  - Conditions causing disability and current pregnancy among US women with chronic
      physical disabilities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Growing numbers of reproductive-age US women with chronic physical
      disabilities (CPD) are becoming pregnant. Little is known about the health
      conditions causing their CPD. OBJECTIVES: To identify health conditions causing
      CPD among reproductive-age women and specifically among currently pregnant women.
      RESEARCH DESIGN: Cross-sectional, nationally representative National Health
      Interview Survey data from 2006 to 2011. SUBJECTS: A total of 6043 civilian,
      noninstitutionalized women aged 18-49 with CPD. MEASURES: National Health
      Interview Survey asks about various movement difficulties and their underlying
      causes and about current pregnancy. We used responses from 8 movement difficulty
      and other questions to identify women with mobility difficulties caused by
      chronic physical health conditions. RESULTS: Among women with CPD, 2.0% report
      current pregnancy, with pregnancy rates falling monotonically as CPD severity
      rises. Regardless of pregnancy, 20.8% report 2 causes for their CPD, and 12.7%
      report 3+ causes; the most common causes are arthritis, back or neck problems,
      and other musculoskeletal conditions. Compared with nonpregnant women, currently
      pregnant women report fewer causal conditions: 15.8% report 2 causes and 8.0% 3+
      causes; back or neck problems are reported most frequently, followed by
      musculoskeletal problems and arthritis. Multivariable logistic regression
      analyses predicting current pregnancy controlling for age category and individual
      common causes of CPD found that no cause was significantly associated with higher
      or lower adjusted odds of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Almost one quarter of currently
      pregnant women with CPD report more than one cause for their disability. Further
      research will needed to examine how obstetrical needs vary for depending on the
      cause of a pregnant woman's disability.

PMID- 24220687
TI  - Sanguinarine inhibits invasiveness and the MMP-9 and COX-2 expression in TPA
      induced breast cancer cells by inducing HO-1 expression.
AB  - Most complications of breast cancer are attributed to metastasis to distant
      organs, including lymph nodes, bone, lung and liver. Metastasis is considered the
      leading cause of mortality in patients with breast cancer. The emergence of anti
      metastatic properties in breast cancer is an important clinical phenomenon
      affecting long-term survival. In the present study, we investigated the anti
      invasive mechanism of sanguinarine by focusing on its role in inducing HO-1 in
      breast cancer cells. The results showed that sanguinarine inhibited TPA-induced
      MMP-9 and COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner at non
      cytotoxic concentrations. Similarly, the MMP-9 enzymatic activity and the PGE2
      levels significantly decreased in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. TIMP-1 and TIMP-2,
      specific endogenous inhibitors of MMP-9, were slightly induced by sanguinarine.
      Subsequent studies revealed that sanguinarine suppressed TPA-induced NF-kappaB
      and AP-1 activation, as well as the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK. Furthermore,
      sanguinarine significantly inhibited TPA-induced invasion and migration in breast
      cancer cells. We also demonstrated that sanguinarine induced HO-1 expression, and
      that the inhibition of MMP-9 and COX-2 expression and the enzymatic activity of
      sanguinarine were abrogated by siRNA-mediated knockdown of HO-1 expression. Thus,
      knockdown of endogenous HO-1 decreased TPA-induced cell invasion. Overall, the
      results of the present study demonstrate that HO-1 plays a pivotal role in the
      anti-invasive response of sanguinarine in TPA-stimulated breast cancer cells.

PMID- 24220688
TI  - Self administration of oxycodone by adolescent and adult mice affects striatal
      neurotransmitter receptor gene expression.
AB  - Illicit use of prescription opioid analgesics (e.g., oxycodone) in adolescence is
      a pressing public health issue. Our goal was to determine whether oxycodone self
      administration differentially affects striatal neurotransmitter receptor gene
      expression in the dorsal striatum of adolescent compared to adult C57BL/6J mice.
      Groups of adolescent mice (4 weeks old, n=12) and of adult mice (11 weeks old,
      n=11) underwent surgery during which a catheter was implanted into their jugular
      veins. After recovering from surgery, mice self administered oxycodone (0.25
      mg/kg/infusion) 2 h/day for 14 consecutive days or served as yoked saline
      controls. Mice were sacrificed within 1h after the last self-administration
      session and the dorsal striatum was isolated for mRNA analysis. Gene expression
      was analyzed with real time PCR using a commercially available neurotransmitter
      receptor PCR array containing 84 genes. We found that adolescent mice self
      administered less oxycodone than adult mice over the 14 days. Monoamine oxidase A
      (Maoa) and neuropeptide Y receptor 5 mRNA levels were lower in adolescent mice
      than in adult mice without oxycodone exposure. Oxycodone self administration
      increased Maoa mRNA levels compared to controls in both age groups. There was a
      positive correlation of the amount of oxycodone self administered in the last
      session or across 14 sessions with Maoa mRNA levels. Gastrin-releasing peptide
      receptor mRNA showed a significant Drug * Age interaction, with point-wise
      significance. More genes in the dorsal striatum of adolescents (19) changed in
      response to oxycodone self administration compared to controls than in adult (4)
      mice. Overall, this study demonstrates that repeated oxycodone self
      administration alters neurotransmitter receptors gene expression in the dorsal
      striatum of adolescent and adult mice.

PMID- 24220689
TI  - Dopaminergic enhancement of excitatory synaptic transmission in layer II
      entorhinal neurons is dependent on D1-like receptor-mediated signaling.
AB  - The modulatory neurotransmitter dopamine induces concentration-dependent changes
      in synaptic transmission in the entorhinal cortex, in which high concentrations
      of dopamine suppress evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and lower
      concentrations induce an acute synaptic facilitation. Whole-cell current-clamp
      recordings were used to investigate the dopaminergic facilitation of synaptic
      responses in layer II neurons of the rat lateral entorhinal cortex. A constant
      bath application of 1 MUM dopamine resulted in a consistent facilitation of EPSPs
      evoked in layer II fan cells by layer I stimulation; the size of the facilitation
      was more variable in pyramidal neurons, and synaptic responses in a small group
      of multiform neurons were not modulated by dopamine. Isolated inhibitory synaptic
      responses were not affected by dopamine, and the facilitation of EPSPs was not
      associated with a change in paired-pulse facilitation ratio. Voltage-clamp
      recordings of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)
      glutamate receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were
      facilitated by dopamine, but N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated currents were
      not. Bath application of the dopamine D1-like receptor blocker SCH23390 (50 MUM),
      but not the D2-like receptor blocker sulpiride (50 MUM), prevented the
      facilitation, indicating that it is dependent upon D1-like receptor activation.
      Dopamine D1 receptors lead to activation of protein kinase A (PKA), and including
      the PKA inhibitor H-89 or KT 5720 in the recording pipette solution prevented the
      facilitation of EPSCs. PKA-dependent phosphorylation of inhibitor 1 or the
      dopamine- and cAMP-regulated protein phosphatase (DARPP-32) can lead to a
      facilitation of AMPA receptor responses by inhibiting the activity of protein
      phosphatase 1 (PP1) that reduces dephosphorylation of AMPA receptors, and we
      found here that inhibition of PP1 occluded the facilitatory effect of dopamine.
      The dopamine-induced facilitation of AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic responses in
      layer II neurons of the lateral entorhinal cortex is therefore likely mediated
      via a D1 receptor-dependent increase in PKA activity and a resulting inhibition
      in PP1-dependent dephosphorylation of AMPA receptors.

PMID- 24220690
TI  - Fetal sulcation and gyrification in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
      obtained by ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - The present study characterized fetal sulcation patterns and gyrification in the
      cerebrum of the New World monkey group, common marmosets, using a 3D T2-weighted
      high-resolution anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence from the
      fixed brain at 7-tesla ex vivo. Fetal sulcation in the marmoset cerebrum began to
      indent the lateral fissure and hippocampal sulcus in gestational week (GW) 12,
      and then the following sulci emerged: the callosal and calcarine sulci on GW 15;
      the superior temporal sulcus on GW 17; and the circular and occipitotemporal
      sulci on GW 18. The degree of cortical convolution was evaluated quantitatively
      based on 2D MRI slices by the gyrification index (GI) and based on 3D MRI data by
      sulcation index (SI). Both the mean GI and SI increased from GW 16, and were
      closely correlated with the cortical volume and the cortical surface area during
      fetal periods (their correlation coefficients marked more than 0.95). After
      birth, both the mean GI and SI decreased slightly by 2years of age, whereas the
      cortical volume and surface area continuously increased. Notably, histological
      analysis showed that the outer subventricular zone (oSVZ) in non-sulcal regions
      was thicker than that in the presumptive calcarine sulcal region on GW 13,
      preceding the infolding of the calcarine sulcus. The present results showed
      definite sulcal infolding on the cerebral cortical surface of the marmosets, with
      similar pattern and sequence of their emergences to other higher-order primates
      such as macaques and humans. Differential expansion of the oSVZ may be involved
      in gyral convolution and sulcal infolding in the developing cerebrum. 

PMID- 24220691
TI  - Advanced airway management simulation training in medical education: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on
      teaching airway management using technology-enhanced simulation. DATA SOURCES: We
      searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, Web of Science, and Scopus for
      eligible articles through May 11, 2011. STUDY SELECTION: Observational or
      controlled trials instructing medical professionals in direct or fiberoptic
      intubation, surgical airway, and/or supraglottic airway using technology-enhanced
      simulation were included. Two reviewers determined eligibility. DATA EXTRACTION:
      Study quality, instructional design, and outcome data were abstracted
      independently and in duplicate. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 10,904 articles screened, 76
      studies were included (n = 5,226 participants). We used random effects meta
      analysis to pool results. In comparison with no intervention, simulation training
      was associated with improved outcomes for knowledge (standardized mean
      difference, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.19-1.35]; n = 7 studies) and skill (1.01 [0.68-1.34];
      n = 28) but not for behavior (0.52 [-0.30 to 1.34]; n = 4) or patient outcomes (
      0.12 [-0.41 to 0.16]; n = 4). In comparison with nonsimulation interventions,
      simulation training was associated with increased learner satisfaction (0.54
      [0.37-0.71]; n = 2), improved skills (0.64 [0.12-1.16]; n = 5), and patient
      outcomes (0.86 [0.12-1.59]; n = 3) but not knowledge (0.29 [-0.28 to 0.86]; n =
      4). We found few comparative effectiveness studies exploring how to optimize the
      use of simulation-based training, and these revealed inconsistent results. For
      example, animal models were found superior to manikins in one study (p = 0.004)
      using outcome of task speed but inferior in another study in terms of skill
      ratings (p = 0.02). Five studies comparing simulators of high versus low
      technical sophistication found no significant difference in skill outcomes (p >
      0.31). Limitations of this review include heterogeneity (I2 > 50% for most
      analysis) and variation in quality among primary studies. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation
      based airway management curriculum is superior to no intervention and
      nonsimulation intervention for important education outcomes. Further research is
      required to fine-tune optimal curricular design.

PMID- 24220692
TI  - Prospective randomized trial comparing shock wave lithotripsy and flexible
      ureterorenoscopy for lower pole stones smaller than 1 cm.
AB  - In this study, we aimed to compare the success and complications of flexible
      ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) with its advanced technology and the accomplished method
      of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in the treatment of lower pole stones smaller
      than 1 cm. One hundred and forty patients were randomized as 70 undergoing SWL
      (Group 1) and 70 undergoing F-URS (Group 2). Patients were evaluated by plain X
      ray and urinary ultrasound 1 week and after 3 months following SWL. The same
      procedure was done for F-URS patients 1 week after surgery and after 3 months.
      Success rates were established the day following the procedure and after 3
      months. Fragmentation less than 3 mm was considered success. Mean operative time
      was 44 +/- 7.4 min for Group 2 and mean fluoroscopy duration was 51 +/- 12 s. In
      F-URS group, all the patients were stone free after 3 months (100 %). Group 1 had
      2.7 +/- 0.4 sessions of SWL. Sixty-four patients were stone free in that group
      after 3 months (91.5 %). The procedure yielded significant success in FURS group,
      even though patients underwent SWL for 2.7 +/- 0.4 sessions and F-URS for 1
      session (p < 0.05). With higher success and similar complication rates, fewer
      sessions per treatment, and advances in technology and experience, we believe F
      URS has a potential to be the first treatment option over SWL in the future.

PMID- 24220693
TI  - HDAC inhibitor confers radiosensitivity to prostate stem-like cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy can be an effective treatment for prostate cancer, but
      radiorecurrent tumours do develop. Considering prostate cancer heterogeneity, we
      hypothesised that primitive stem-like cells may constitute the radiation
      resistant fraction. METHODS: Primary cultures were derived from patients
      undergoing resection for prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia. After
      short-term culture, three populations of cells were sorted, reflecting the
      prostate epithelial hierarchy, namely stem-like cells (SCs,
      alpha2beta1integrin(hi)/CD133(+)), transit-amplifying (TA,
      alpha2beta1integrin(hi)/CD133(-)) and committed basal (CB,
      alpha2beta1integrin(lo)) cells. Radiosensitivity was measured by colony-forming
      efficiency (CFE) and DNA damage by comet assay and DNA damage foci
      quantification. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to measure
      heterochromatin. The HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitor Trichostatin A was used
      as a radiosensitiser. RESULTS: Stem-like cells had increased CFE post irradiation
      compared with the more differentiated cells (TA and CB). The SC population
      sustained fewer lethal double-strand breaks than either TA or CB cells, which
      correlated with SCs being less proliferative and having increased levels of
      heterochromatin. Finally, treatment with an HDAC inhibitor sensitised the SCs to
      radiation. INTERPRETATION: Prostate SCs are more radioresistant than more
      differentiated cell populations. We suggest that the primitive cells survive
      radiation therapy and that pre-treatment with HDAC inhibitors may sensitise this
      resistant fraction.

PMID- 24220694
TI  - Epigenetic status of LINE-1 predicts clinical outcome in early-stage rectal
      cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical prognostic value of methylation of two non
      coding repeat sequences, long interspersed element 1 (LINE-1) and Alu, in rectal
      tumour tissues. In addition to DNA methylation, expression of histone
      modifications H3K27me3 and H3K9Ac was studied in this patient cohort. METHODS:
      LINE-1 and Alu methylation were assessed in DNA extracted from formalin-fixed
      paraffin-embedded tissues. A pilot (30 tumour and 25 normal tissues) and
      validation study (189 tumour and 53 normal tissues) were performed. Histone
      modifications H3K27me3 and H3K9Ac were immunohistochemically stained on tissue
      microarrays of the study cohort. RESULTS: In early-stage rectal cancer (stage I
      II), hypomethylation of LINE-1 was an independent clinical prognostic factor,
      showing shorter patient survival (P=0.014; HR: 4.6) and a higher chance of tumour
      recurrence (P=0.001; HR: 9.6). Alu methylation did not show any significant
      correlation with clinical parameters, suggesting an active role of LINE-1 in
      tumour development. Expression of H3K27me3 (silencing gene expression) and H3K9Ac
      (activating gene expression) in relation to methylation status of LINE-1 and Alu
      supported this specific role of LINE-1 methylation. CONCLUSION: The epigenetic
      status of LINE-1, but not of Alu, is prognostic in rectal cancer, indicating an
      active role for LINE-1 in determining clinical outcome.

PMID- 24220696
TI  - Long-term use of multivitamins and risk of colorectal adenoma in women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Use of multivitamins may reduce the risk of colorectal adenoma, but
      the duration of use needed is unclear. METHODS: We prospectively examined years
      of multivitamin use and risk of colorectal adenoma among 43,641 women who had a
      first endoscopy between 1991 and 2007 in the Nurses' Health Study II. Use of
      multivitamins was assessed through biennial questionnaires since 1989. RESULTS:
      We documented 2277 colorectal adenoma cases. Reporting multivitamin use at any
      time during the study period compared with never reporting its use was associated
      with a reduced risk of adenoma (multivariable relative risk (RR)=0.86, 95%
      confidence interval (CI): 0.76-0.97). There was no clear trend with duration of
      multivitamin use: years of use compared with never use, <= 4 years (RR=0.84, 95%
      CI: 0.74-0.96), 5-9 years (RR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.77, 1.02), 10-14 years (RR=0.86,
      95% CI: 0.74, 1.01), 15-19 years (RR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.70, 1.02), and 20-26 years
      (RR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.64, 1.01); (P trend=0.87). The strongest associations (years
      of use vs never user) were for size of adenoma: large (>= 1 cm) <4 years
      (RR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.58-0.96) and in alcohol users (>= 1.4 g per day) 20-26 years
      (RR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.49-0.91). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that use of
      multivitamins is associated with lower risk of colorectal adenoma, even with
      relatively short duration of use.

PMID- 24220695
TI  - Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor signalling via Janus kinase
      2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer remains a major cause of cancer mortality in women,
      with only limited understanding of disease aetiology at the molecular level.
      Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a key regulator of both normal
      and emergency haematopoiesis, and is used clinically to aid haematopoietic
      recovery following ablative therapies for a variety of solid tumours including
      ovarian cancer. METHODS: The expression of G-CSF and its receptor, G-CSFR, was
      examined in primary ovarian cancer samples and a panel of ovarian cancer cell
      lines, and the effects of G-CSF treatment on proliferation, migration and
      survival were determined. RESULTS: G-CSFR was predominantly expressed in high
      grade serous ovarian epithelial tumour samples and a subset of ovarian cancer
      cell lines. Stimulation of G-CSFR-expressing ovarian epithelial cancer cells with
      G-CSF led to increased migration and survival, including against chemotherapy
      induced apoptosis. The effects of G-CSF were mediated by signalling via the
      downstream JAK2/STAT3 pathway. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that G-CSF has the
      potential to impact on ovarian cancer pathogenesis, and that G-CSFR expression
      status should be considered in determining appropriate therapy.

PMID- 24220697
TI  - Excision Repair Cross-Complementation group 1 (ERCC1) C118T SNP does not affect
      cellular response to oxaliplatin.
AB  - AIMS: ERCC1 is involved in the repair of oxaliplatin-induced DNA damage. Studies
      for the association of the C118T SNP with clinical response to treatment with
      platinum drugs have rendered inconsistent results. We investigated the ERCC1
      C118T SNP with respect to overall and progression-free survival in patients with
      advanced colorectal cancer (ACC) treated with oxaliplatin and in vitro DNA repair
      capacity after oxaliplatin exposure. In addition we discuss discrepancies from
      other studies concerning ERCC1 C118T. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Progression-free
      survival was determined in 145 ACC patients treated with oxaliplatin-based
      chemotherapy in a phase 3 trial. For the in vitro studies regarding ERCC1
      functionality, we transfected an ERCC1 negative cell line with 118C or 118T
      ERCC1. Cellular sensitivity and DNA repair capacity after exposure to oxaliplatin
      was examined by Sulphorodamine B growth inhibition assay, COMET assay and Rad51
      foci staining. RESULTS: We found no association between ERCC1 C118T and
      progression-free or overall survival. In addition, transfection of either 118C or
      118T restores DNA-repair capacity of UV20 cells to the same level and
      chemosensitivity to oxaliplatin was similar in ERCC1 118C and 118T transfected
      cells. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the ERCC1 C118T variants are not
      associated with survival in ACC patients treated with oxaliplatin or the in vitro
      sensitivity and DNA-repair capacity in 118C and 118T transfected cell lines.
      Therefore, ERCC1 C118T genotyping seems of no value in individualizing
      oxaliplatin based chemotherapy in ACC.

PMID- 24220698
TI  - Closed head injury-induced changes in brain pathophysiology assessed with near
      infrared structured illumination in a mouse model.
AB  - Use of near-infrared (NIR) structured illumination technique has recently
      received great interest in biomedical research and clinical studies because of
      its ability to perform wide-field imaging and quantitatively map changes in
      tissue hemodynamic properties and morphological features in a noncontact and scan
      free fashion. We report on the feasibility of using the same to quantitatively
      monitor and map changes in brain optical properties and physiological parameters
      pre- and post-closed head injury in a mouse model. Five anesthetized male mice
      underwent head injury by weight-drop model using a ~50-g cylindrical metal object
      falling from a height of 90 cm onto the intact scalp. During experiments, NIR
      structured illumination was projected on the mouse head at two spatial
      frequencies and six different NIR wavelengths. A CCD camera positioned
      perpendicular to the head recorded the diffuse-reflected light. Computer analysis
      performed off-line on the captured data reveals spatiotemporal changes in the
      distribution of brain tissue absorption and reduced scattering coefficients.
      Using Beer's law and Mie theory, hemodynamic (hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, and
      lipids) and morphological (scattering amplitude and power) changes up to 1-h post
      trauma were observed in comparison with baseline measurements. Functional maps of
      different brain properties were also generated. Following injury, we found
      difference in both brain hemodynamic and morphologic properties with respect to
      baseline levels, where in some properties, this difference was considered
      statistically significant. Specifically, a t-test indicates a substantial
      decrease in oxyhemoglobin (HbO(2)) concentration and tissue oxygen saturation
      (StO(2)) post-injury (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Overall, our
      preliminary results demonstrate the potential application of NIR structured
      illumination technique to track and spatially map changes in intact mouse brain
      pathophysiological parameters following head injury.

PMID- 24220699
TI  - A common variant at 8q24.21 is associated with renal cell cancer.
AB  - Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents between 80 and 90% of kidney cancers.
      Previous genome-wide association studies of RCC have identified five variants
      conferring risk of the disease. Here we report the results from a discovery RCC
      genome-wide association study and replication analysis, including a total of
      2,411 patients and 71,497 controls. One variant, rs35252396[CG] located at
      8q24.21, is significantly associated with RCC after combining discovery and
      replication results (OR=1.27, P(combined)=5.4 * 10(-11)) and has an average risk
      allele frequency in controls of 46%. rs35252396[CG] does not have any strongly
      correlated variants in the genome and is located within a region predicted to
      have regulatory functions in several cell lines, including six originating from
      the kidney. This is the first RCC variant reported at 8q24.21 and it is largely
      independent (r(2)<=0.02) of the numerous previously reported cancer risk variants
      at this locus.

PMID- 24220700
TI  - An evaluation of Sherwood-Gilland models for NAPL dissolution and their
      relationship to soil properties.
AB  - Predicting the longevity of non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) source zones has
      proven to be a difficult modeling problem that has yet to be resolved. Research
      efforts towards understanding NAPL depletion have focused on developing empirical
      models that relate lumped mass transfer rates to velocities and organic
      saturations. These empirical models are often unable to predict NAPL dissolution
      for systems different from those used to calibrate them, indicating that system
      specific factors important for dissolution are not considered. This introduces
      the need for a calibration step before these models can be reliably used to
      predict NAPL dissolution for systems of arbitrary characteristics. In this paper,
      five published Sherwood-Gilland models are evaluated using experimental
      observations from the dissolution of two laboratory-scale complex three
      dimensional NAPL source zones. It is shown that the relative behavior of the five
      models depends on the system and source zone characteristics. Through a
      theoretical analysis, comparing Sherwood-Gilland type models to a process-based,
      thermodynamic dissolution model, it is shown that the coefficients of the
      Sherwood-Gilland models can be related to measurable soil properties. The derived
      dissolution model with soil-dependent coefficients predicts concentrations
      identical to those predicted by the thermodynamic dissolution model for cases
      with negligible hysteresis. This correspondence breaks down when hysteresis has a
      significant impact on interfacial areas. In such cases, the derived dissolution
      model will slightly underestimate dissolved concentrations at later times, but is
      more likely to capture system-specific dissolution rates than Sherwood-Gilland
      models. 

PMID- 24220701
TI  - The impact of examining the meiotic spindle by polarization microscopy on
      assisted reproduction outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of submitting oocytes to polarization microscopy
      (PM) before intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN: Retrospective
      observational study. SETTING: University hospital in Brazil. PATIENT(S): Couples
      undergoing ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): PM before ICSI (PM group) compared with no PM
      before ICSI (No-PM group) MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE(S): Fertilization and cleavage
      rates, formation of top-quality embryos (TQEs), and implantation, clinical
      pregnancy, miscarriage, and live-birth rates. RESULT(S): The PM group consisted
      of 1,000 consecutive oocytes from 201 couples submitted to PM during the year of
      2008. The No-PM group consisted of 1,400 oocytes from 249 couples: 700
      consecutive oocytes were retrieved before we started using PM and 700 consecutive
      oocytes were retrieved after we stopped using PM. In the PM group, we observed an
      increased fertilization rate (79.7% vs. 72.5%, PM group vs. No-PM group,
      respectively) but reduced cleavage rate (86.2% vs. 92.5%) and TQE formation
      (33.1% vs. 49.9%). Implantation (18.7% vs. 20.6%), clinical pregnancy (31.8% vs.
      33.3%), miscarriage (21.9% vs. 15.7%), and live-birth (24.9% vs. 28.1%) rates
      were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION(S): Use of PM was
      associated with increased fertilization rate but reduced cleavage rate and TQE
      formation; no significant difference was observed for implantation, clinical
      pregnancy, or live-birth rates.

PMID- 24220702
TI  - Sex-related growth differences are present but not enhanced in in vitro
      fertilization pregnancies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether IVF modifies the effect of fetal sex on growth.
      DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care center and related
      facilities. PATIENT(S): Singleton live births without fetal/maternal
      comorbidities from fertile women who conceived without the use of assisted
      reproductive technologies and infertile women who conceived with IVF.
      INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcome was birth
      weight (BW). Secondary outcomes were fetal crown-rump length (CRL) in the first
      trimester, biparietal diameter (BPD), and estimated fetal weight (EFW) in the
      second trimester. RESULT(S): There were no differences in baseline
      characteristics between women carrying male fetuses and those carrying female
      fetuses in either mode of conception. In unadjusted analyses, the male-female
      differentials in fetal BPD and BW were more pronounced in the IVF cohort than in
      the unassisted cohort. In multivariable regression analysis, male BPD exceeded
      female BPD by 0.12 cm, male EFW exceeded female EFW by 12 g, and male BW exceeded
      female BW by 172 g. IVF did not have a significant effect on BPD but was
      associated with a 52 g increase in EFW in the midgestation. IVF was associated
      with an 81-g reduction in BW. IVF did not modify the magnitude of size
      differences between the sexes in the midgestation or at birth. CONCLUSION(S):
      Comparable sex-dependent differential growth occurs in unassisted and IVF
      pregnancies.

PMID- 24220703
TI  - Vaginal mifepristone for the treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomata: an
      open-label study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3 months of vaginal
      mifepristone treatment on leiomyoma volume and related symptoms. DESIGN:
      Prospective, open-label, two tertiary centers, phase II clinical trial. SETTING:
      Two tertiary medical centers in Israel. PATIENT(S): Thirty-three enrolled women,
      ages 30-53 years, diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids. INTERVENTION(S):
      Patients received 10 mg mifepristone vaginally daily for 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE(S): Reduction in uterine leiomyoma volume. Improvement in symptoms
      related to uterine fibroids was assessed with the use of the "Uterine Fibroid
      Symptoms Quality of Life Questionnaire" (UFS-QoL). The number of bleeding days,
      safety, and tolerability were secondary measures. RESULT(S): Mifepristone
      treatment significantly reduced leiomyoma volume from 135.3 +/- 22.9 cc at
      enrollment to 101.2 +/- 22.4 cc after 3 months of treatment. The UFS-QoL Score
      significantly decreased from 20.7 +/- 0.7 at enrollment to 14.0 +/- 0.8 after 3
      months of treatment. The number of bleeding days significantly decreased by 3.5
      days. Endometrial biopsies showed no evidence of endometrial hyperplasia or
      cellular atypia. There were no major side effects during the course of the study,
      and treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION(S): Vaginal mifepristone may offer
      an effective treatment option for women with symptomatic uterine leiomyoma and
      can improve the patients' quality of life. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
      NCT00881140.

PMID- 24220705
TI  - Interspecific somatic hybridization between lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and wild
      species L. virosa.
AB  - Somatic hybrids between cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and a wild species L.
      virosa were produced by protoplast electrofusion. Hybrid selection was based on
      inactivation of L. sativa with 20mM iodoacetamide for 15 min, and the inability
      of L. virosa protoplasts to divide in the culture conditions used. Protoplasts
      were cultured in agarose beads in a revised MS media. In all 71 calli were formed
      and 21 of them differentiated shoots on LS medium containing 0.1mg/l NAA and
      0.2mg/l BA. Most regenerated plants exhibited intermediate morphology. These
      plants were confirmed as hybrids by isoenzyme analysis. The majority of somatic
      hybrids had 2n=4x=36 chromosomes, and had more vigorous growth than either
      parent. Hybrids had normal flower morphology, but all were sterile. 

PMID- 24220704
TI  - Reference range for the antimullerian hormone Generation II assay: a population
      study of 10,984 women, with comparison to the established Diagnostics Systems
      Laboratory nomogram.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop an optimal model and age-specific centiles for the decline
      in antimullerian hormone (AMH) as measured by the new Beckman Coulter AMH
      Generation II (Gen II) assay and compare this to the previous nomogram derived
      for the Diagnostics Systems Laboratory (DSL) assay. DESIGN: Multicenter
      retrospective population study, with validation of linear, biphasic linear,
      differential, power, and quadratic equations. SETTING: Two clinical pathology
      laboratories. PATIENT(S): A new cohort of 10,984 women aged 25 to 45 years old
      attending infertility clinics, randomly divided into a training cohort of 5,492
      women and a validation cohort of 5,492 women, and an existing cohort of 9,601
      women, who had contributed to the development and validation of a nomogram for
      AMH measured by the DSL assay. INTERVENTION(S): Serum measurement of AMH as
      determined by the Beckman Coulter AMH Generation II assay in 10,984 women. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Optimal model for the decline in AMH as measured by the AMH
      Gen II assay with age, with age-specific 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and
      95th percentiles. RESULT(S): A quadratic model defined as (2.431 + 0.089 * Age + 
      0.003 * Age(2)) fitted the decline in AMH with age. The anticipated 40% increase
      in age-specific population values relative to the previously validated DSL assay
      nomogram was not observed. CONCLUSION(S): Age-specific reference ranges for the
      AMH gen II assay suggest a systematic shift in assay calibration since initial
      evaluation and commercial release of the AMH Gen II assay.

PMID- 24220706
TI  - Transformation of Vicia narbonensis via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer.
AB  - Shoot tips and epicotyl-segments of Vicia narbonensis were co-cultivated with
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58C1 pGV 3850 HPT, carrying a plasmid coding
      for hygromycin-phosphotransferase. On callus-induction medium containing 60 mg/l
      hygromycin for selection, approximately 18% of the explants produced hygromycin
      resistant callus. After transfer to regeneration-medium these calluses produced
      hygromycin-resistant and nopaline-positive somatic embryos which could be
      regenerated to plantlets. The integration of the T-DNA into the plant genome was
      confirmed by Southern analysis. 

PMID- 24220707
TI  - Improvement of regeneration of Lycopersicon pennellii protoplasts by decreasing
      ethylene production.
AB  - Lycopersicon pennellii shoots, cultured in vitro for more than a year (type I
      plants) produced few viable protoplasts in contrast to shoots cultured in vitro
      for less than five months (type II plants). Ethylene production of both plant
      types was compared. The low viability of plant type I protoplasts could be
      correlated with high ethylene production and an increased cell sap osmolality.
      The ethylene action inhibitor silver thiosulphate improved protoplast yield and
      viability, especially when using donor tissue, germinated and cultured on medium
      containing silver thiosulphate (type III plants). Moreover, the choice of cell
      wall degrading enzymes influenced protoplast viability, since ethylene release
      was significantly lower using Cellulase R 10 than Cellulysin. All improvements
      together resulted in an efficient protocol for the isolation and regeneration of
      Lycopersicon pennellii protoplasts. 

PMID- 24220708
TI  - Characterization of a maize endosperm culture expressing zein genes and its use
      in transient transformation assays.
AB  - An endosperm derived tissue culture of maize (Zea mays L.) variety A636 has been
      characterised for its ability to synthesize zein protein and respond to a zein
      gene regulatory element. Western analysis with zein specific antibodies revealed
      the distinct presence of zein proteins of the 15, 19 and 21 kDa classes in this
      tissue, in contrast to an embryo-derived Black Mexican Sweet variety tissue
      culture which exhibited no zein proteins. Transient transformation studies with a
      cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and luciferase reporter gene construct
      demonstrate that protoplasts from this tissue culture, but not from the embryo
      derived culture, respond positively to the potential enhancer which is located
      approximately 300 base pairs upstream of the coding region in most zein genes of
      maize, thus establishing the usefulness of this culture for studies of tissue
      specific gene regulation. 

PMID- 24220709
TI  - Efficient shoot regeneration of Brassica campestris using cotyledon explants
      cultured in vitro.
AB  - A system has been developed for efficient regeneration of shoots from Brassica
      campestris in vitro. Using 4-day old cotyledons with petioles as expiants and a
      combination of BA and NAA in the regeneration media, up to 70% of expiants
      produced shoots after 2 weeks in culture. The optimal conditions for regeneration
      were found to include a BA concentration of 2mgL(-1) and NAA concentration of
      1mgL(-1). Light intensity had a profound effect on regeneration potential. The
      use of silver ions as an inhibitor of ethylene action reduced regeneration rates
      in this system. Rooting occured simultaneously with shoot formation on these
      media and the resultant shoots could be rooted readily on minimal medium. The
      genotype dependency was investigated and indicated that this method would be
      widely applicable to B. campestris cultivars. Regeneration of one cultivar, a
      high erucic acid type (R-500), was inefficient in the system described here.
      Histological studies indicated the development of multiple shoot primordia from
      the petiolar cut ends of the expiants after the initiation of meristematic
      activity in the cells about 100MUm from the cut site within 2 days of culture
      initiation. The system described is compatible with previously reported
      Agrobacterium - mediated transformation protocols involving cotyledonary
      petioles. 

PMID- 24220710
TI  - Stable endosperm cell suspension cultures from wild-type and opaque-2 maize.
AB  - Stable cell suspension cultures have been established from immature endosperms of
      A69Y wild-type and opaque-2 maize (Zea mays L.). Cultured cells are capable of
      storage protein (zein) synthesis and accumulation throughout the growth period.
      Electrophoretic patterns of zeins show, for opaque-2 cells, the preferential
      inhibition of the accumulation of 22 kDa peptides typical of the mutation. Viable
      protoplasts, able to regenerate cell walls, as well as to divide and to express
      foreign DNA in transient expression experiments, can be obtained with high yields
      from cultures of both genotypes. 

PMID- 24220711
TI  - High efficiency plant regeneration from cotyledons of watermelon (Citrullus
      vulgaris Schrad).
AB  - Cotyledons of various ages from seedlings of eight watermelon (Citrullus
      vulgaris) cultivars were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different
      combinations of phytohormones. High frequency shoot regeneration (60.0-92.0%) was
      induced from 5-day-old cotyledons of cultivars cultured on MS medium containing
      5.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.5 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA).
      Multiple shoot buds elongated on MS medium containing 0.2 mg/l kinetin (KT) and 5
      10 shoots per expiant could be recovered depending on the cultivars. Elongated
      shoots rooted on MS medium with 0.1 mg/l alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA).
      Zeatin riboside (ZT) had a similar efficiency as BA in shoot induction, and it
      was significantly more functional than 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP) or kinetin
      (KT). Cotyledons from 5-day-old seedlings were the most responsive to shoot
      induction. 

PMID- 24220712
TI  - Regeneration of multiple shoots and plants from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum.
AB  - Mesembryanthemum crystallinum plants have been regenerated via organogenesis from
      hypocotyl, cotyledonary node, and leaf expiants with varying frequencies. The
      highest regeneration frequencies were obtained from either hypocotyls (23-34%) or
      cotyledonary nodes (21-41%). Leaf expiants yielded very poor regeneration
      frequencies (0-11%). Expiants were placed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media
      supplemented with 3% sucrose, 0.8% bacto-agar and either, 10.8*10(-6)M NAA and
      8.8*10(-6)M BA (MSmsh), 1*10(-5)M BA and 1*10(-6)M IAA, (MS4) or 1*10(-6)M BA and
      1*10(-6)M IAA (MS5). Shoot formation frequencies were greater on MS4 and MS5 and
      lower on MSmsh, however, overall differences of regeneration frequency among
      media tested were not statistically significant. Regenerated plantlets were
      rooted on MS medium without growth regulators. Mature, regenerated plants were
      fertile and exhibited DNA content and ploidy profiles that were identical to wild
      type plants. 

PMID- 24220713
TI  - Efficient shoot formation on internodal segments and alkaloid formation in the
      regenerates of Cephaelis ipecacuanha A. Richard.
AB  - Rapid shoot proliferation was established by adventitious shoot formation on
      internodal segments. Cross sections of the shoot initiation area were observed
      microscopically and adventitious shoots were studied under the scanning electron
      microscope. Shoots were directly formed on the epidermis of internodal segments
      in vitro without callusing, but not on that of nodal segments with axillary buds.
      The use of media containing 0.01 - 0.1 mg/l 6-benzyladenine or 0.1 mg /l kinetin
      and culture under 16 h light increased the number of shoots per segment. The
      shoots thus obtained were rooted on phytohormone-free Woody Plant or Gamborg B5
      solid medium, and were then transferred to soil. When potted, these grew well in
      a greenhouse. The emetic alkaloid content of adventitious shoots and regenerated
      plants was determined by HPLC. In vitro shoots cultured in Woody Plant liquid
      medium supplemented with 0.01 - 0.1 mg/l 6-benzyladenine contained 0.04 - 0.07 %
      dry wt. emetine and 0.4 - 0.5 % dry wt. cephaeline. One-year old regenerated
      plants cultivated in a greenhouse demonstrated the same alkaloid content (roots
      contained 0.82 % dry wt. emetine and 2.16 % dry wt. cephaeline) as the parental
      plant. 

PMID- 24220714
TI  - Direct gene transfer to protoplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - We performed a series of direct gene transfer experiments with protoplasts of
      Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Zurich. An average of more than 100 transformants
      were selected per 10(6)6 treated protoplasts. Stable transformation was confirmed
      by integration of the marker gene into high molecular weight DNA and by its
      genetic transmission to subsequent offspring generations. 

PMID- 24220715
TI  - Arabidopsis thaliana: protocol for plant regeneration from protoplasts.
AB  - We report a protocol for plant regeneration from leaf protoplasts of Arabidopsis
      thaliana ecotype Zurich. The protocol has been established in 1988 and has since
      been in routine use in our laboratory. Whereas recovery of proliferating
      protoplast-derived clones is routine, the success in plant regeneration from
      protoplast-derived clones is highly variable. In the hands of one of us (H.K.)
      average shoot regeneration frequency (% of calli regenerating at least one shoot)
      was ca. 60% and average plant regeneration frequency (% of calli yielding fertile
      plants in soil) was ca. 40%. 

PMID- 24220716
TI  - Hernandulcin in hairy root cultures of Lippia dulcis.
AB  - The hairy root culture of Lippia dulcis Trev., Verbenaceae, was established by
      transformation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4. The transformed roots grew well
      in Murashige and Skoog medium containing 2% sucrose. The roots turned light green
      when they were cultured under 16 h/day light. The green hairy roots produced the
      sweet sesquiterpene hernandulcin (ca. 0.25 mg/g dry wt) together with 20 other
      mono- and sesquiterpenes, while no terpenes were detected in the nontransformed
      root cultures. The growth and hernandulcin production in the hairy root cultures
      were influenced by the addition of auxins to the medium. The addition of a low
      concentration of chitosan (0.2 - 10.0 mg / l) enhanced the production of
      hernandulcin 5-fold. 

PMID- 24220717
TI  - Formation of plantlets through somatic embryogeny in the Himalayan blue poppy,
      Meconopsis simplicifolia (Papaveraceae).
AB  - Exuberant and subculturable calli could be induced from only hypocotyl and leaf
      segments of ca 4-month-old seedlings of Meconopsis simplicifolia cultured on
      Murashige & Skoog's medium supplemented with 10(-6)M kinetin + 10(-5)M alpha 
      naphthalene acetic acid. Suspension cultures were initiated from the calli in a
      similar medium but with 10(-5)M 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid in place of alpha
      -naphthalene acetic acid. In ca 80% of the suspension cultures somatic embryos
      differentiated freely (80-85%) as well as on the surface of small clumps of
      tissue (15-20%). Somatic embryos that developed beyond heart-shaped stage were
      transferred to agar-solidified Murashige & Skoog's medium free of growth
      substances. When maintained in 10 h light and 14 h dark the somatic embryos
      developed into plantlets bearing cauline leaves. From seed sowing to raising
      normal plantlets via callus required 28 weeks; on average 80 plantlets were
      obtained from one explant in three passages. 

PMID- 24220718
TI  - Nodule culture and regeneration of Eucalyptus grandis hybrids.
AB  - Callus of three superior Eucalyptus grandis hybrids was induced from immature
      inflorescences, floral parts, shoot tips, zygotic embryos, and hypocotyl explants
      on various auxin (2,4-D or NAA) and cytokinin (kinetin) supplemented media.
      Hypocotyl callus initiated on 4 mg/l NAA and 1 mg/l kinetin formed massive
      nodular structures, and shoots and roots after four weeks on hormone free-medium.
      Callus from all other expiants turned brown and died upon transfer to hormone
      free or reduced hormone media. The nodular structures originating from hypocotyl
      callus were maintained by subculture for over three years and retained the
      ability to form thousands of shoots. Shoots were successfully rooted (98%
      rooting) and plantlets developed were transferred to mist-greenhouse and then to
      greenhouse conditions with 95% survival. Plantlets were grown for six months in
      the greenhouse without sign of abnormal growth. 

PMID- 24220719
TI  - Stable transformation of Populus and incorporation of pest resistance by electric
      discharge particle acceleration.
AB  - Three different target tissues (protoplast-derived cells, nodules, and stems) and
      two unrelated hybrid genotypes of Populus (P. alba x P. grandidentata 'Crandon'
      and P. nigra 'Betulifolia' x P. trichocarpa) have been stably transformed by
      electric discharge particle acceleration using a 18.7 kb plasmid containing NOS
      NPT, CaMV 35S-GUS, and CaMV 35S-BT. Four transformed plants of one hybrid
      genotype, NC5339, containing all 3 genes were recovered and analyzed. Two
      expressed GUS and one was highly resistant to feeding by 2 lepidopteran pests
      (the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria, and the gypsy moth, Lymantria
      dispar.) Pretreatment of the target tissues, fine-tuning of the bombardment
      parameters, and the use of a selection technique employing flooding of the target
      tissues were important for reliable recovery of transformed plants. 

PMID- 24220720
TI  - Scavenging of blood glutamate for enhancing brain-to-blood glutamate efflux.
AB  - The presence of excess glutamate in the brain interstitial fluid characterizes
      several acute pathological conditions of the brain, including traumatic brain
      injury and stroke. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to eliminate
      excess glutamate in the brain by decreasing blood glutamate levels and,
      accordingly, accelerating the brain-to-blood glutamate efflux. It is feasible to
      accomplish this process by activating blood resident enzymes in the presence of
      the respective glutamate cosubstrates. In the present study, several glutamate
      cosubstrates and cofactors were studied in an attempt to identify the optimal
      conditions to reduce blood glutamate levels. The administration of a mixture of 1
      mM pyruvate and oxaloacetate (Pyr/Oxa) for 1 h decreased blood glutamate levels
      by <=50%. The addition of lipoamide to this mixture resulted in a further
      reduction in blood glutamate levels of >80%. In addition, in vivo experiments
      showed that lipoamide together with Pyr/Oxa is able to decrease blood glutamate
      levels to a greater extent than Pyr/Oxa alone, and accordingly, this enhances the
      glutamate efflux from the brain to the blood. These results may outline a novel
      neuroprotective strategy with increased effectiveness for the removal of excess
      brain glutamate in various neurodegenerative conditions. 

PMID- 24220721
TI  - Evolution of viral sensing RIG-I-like receptor genes in Leporidae genera
      Oryctolagus, Sylvilagus, and Lepus.
AB  - One of the most severe European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) pathogens is
      myxoma virus (MYXV), a rabbit-specific leporipoxvirus that causes the highly
      lethal disease myxomatosis. Other leporid genera, Sylvilagus and Lepus, encompass
      species with variable susceptibilities to MYXV, but these do not develop the
      lethal form of the disease. The protective role of the retinoic acid-inducible
      gene-I (RIG-I/DDX58) in sensing MYXV in nonpermissive human myeloid cells
      prompted the study of the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) family evolution in the three
      leporid genera. This viral-sensor family also includes the melanoma
      differentiation-associated factor 5 (MDA5/IFIH1), and the laboratory of genetics
      and physiology 2 (LGP2/DHX58). Considering specifically the MYXV susceptible host
      (European rabbit) and one of the virus natural long-term hosts (Sylvilagus
      bachmani, brush rabbit), the amino acid differences of positively selected sites
      in RIG-I between the two species were located in the protein region responsible
      for viral RNA recognition and binding, the repressor domain. Such differences
      might play a determinant role in how MYXV is sensed. When looking for episodic
      selection on MDA5 and LGP2 of the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), we
      also uncovered evidence of selective pressures that might be exerted by a species
      specific leporipoxvirus, the Shope fibroma virus. Finally, a putative alternative
      splicing case was identified in Oryctolagus and Lepus MDA5 isoforms,
      corresponding to the deletion of one specific exon. This study provided the first
      insights into the evolution of the leporid RLR gene family that helps illuminate
      the origins of the species-specific innate responses to pathogens and more
      specifically to MYXV. 

PMID- 24220722
TI  - Cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity in patients with atopic dermatitis:
      reactivity to topical preservatives.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have chronic dry skin to which
      they frequently apply skin care products containing preservatives, and they are
      predisposed to developing cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity. OBJECTIVE: We
      sought to compare the rates of positive patch test reactions to allergens on the
      North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) standard tray among patients with
      and without AD and to assess whether atopic patients in our database were more
      likely to patch test positive to preservatives. METHODS: A total of 2453 patients
      underwent patch testing to the NACDG standard screening series. The incidence of
      positive patch test reaction among patients with AD (n = 342) and without AD (n =
      2111) was assessed. Statistical analysis was done using a chi(2) test. RESULTS:
      Compared with nonatopic patients, patients with AD were statistically more likely
      to have positive patch tests. AD was associated with contact hypersensitivity to
      quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane
      1,3-diol but not to parabens, formaldehyde, or diazolidinyl urea. LIMITATIONS:
      Only patients suspected of having allergic contact dermatitis were tested. Our
      population was geographically limited to metropolitan Kansas City, MO, and
      metropolitan New York City, NY. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AD should avoid the
      use of skin care products preserved with formaldehyde releasers.

PMID- 24220724
TI  - From the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation: Recommendations for
      screening for hepatitis B infection prior to initiating anti-tumor necrosis
      factor-alfa inhibitors or other immunosuppressive agents in patients with
      psoriasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No consensus exists regarding the optimal laboratory screening for
      hepatitis B infection that should be performed before initiating therapy with
      tumor necrosis factor-alfa inhibitors or other immunosuppressive agents.
      OBJECTIVE: We sought to give guidelines on which tests to order for hepatitis B
      screening. METHODS: We review the pathophysiology and serology of hepatitis B
      infection and provide recommendations for screening for hepatitis B infection in
      patients with psoriasis before beginning anti-tumor necrosis factor-alfa therapy
      or other immunosuppressive agents. RESULTS: We propose the standardized use of
      triple serology testing: hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface
      antibody, and hepatitis B core antibody in combination with liver function tests
      as screening. LIMITATIONS: Conclusions based on review of available literature is
      a limitation. CONCLUSIONS: All patients with psoriasis who are candidates for
      tumor necrosis factor-alfa inhibitor should undergo screening for hepatitis B
      virus infection using the triple serology: hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis
      B surface antibody, and hepatitis B core antibody. It is advisable that patients,
      who are candidates for ustekinumab, cyclosporine, or methotrexate undergo the
      same screening.

PMID- 24220723
TI  - The Integrated Skin Exam film: an educational intervention to promote early
      detection of melanoma by medical students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the skin cancer examination (SCE) and its practice
      remain relevant competency gaps among medical students. OBJECTIVE: We elaborate
      on a method of SCE known as the Integrated Skin Exam and discuss the development
      of an instructional film that illustrates its principles. We assess the tool's
      effect on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to the SCE. METHODS:
      Second-year students among 8 randomized schools viewed the film and completed pre
      post questionnaires. RESULTS: After viewing The Integrated Skin Exam film,
      students demonstrated improved melanoma knowledge, including identification of
      high-risk demographic groups (61% vs 42.9%, P < .001), high-risk anatomic sites
      in women (88.6% vs 46.5%, P < .001) and men (92.1% vs 34.8%, P < .001), and the
      ABCDEs of melanoma (98.4% vs 91.2%, P < .001). Students demonstrated increased
      confidence in the SCE (66.93% vs 16.40%, P < .001) and augmented intentions to
      practice it (99.05% vs 13.9%, P < .001). A greater proportion (70.4% vs 41.9%, P
      < .001) of students thought less than 3 minutes were required to integrate SCE
      into the routine examination. LIMITATIONS: Longitudinal impact of the film was
      not assessed. CONCLUSION: The Integrated Skin Exam film introduces an integrated
      approach to the SCE that addresses knowledge gaps, mitigates perceived barriers,
      and augments intention related to practice of the SCE.

PMID- 24220725
TI  - Extract of Bryophyllum laetivirens reverses etoposide resistance in human lung
      A549 cancer cells by downregulation of NF-kappaB.
AB  - Since multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the main reasons for failure in cancer
      treatment, its suppression may increase the efficacy of cancer therapy. In the
      present study we attempted to identify a new and effective anticancer drug
      against MDR cancer cells. We first found that lung cancer A549 cells resistant to
      etoposide (A549RT-eto) exhibit upregulation of NF-kappaB and SIRT1 in comparison
      to A549 parental cells. During a search for anticancer drug candidates from
      medicinal plant sources, we found that an extract fraction (F14) of Bryophyllum
      laetivirens leaves downregulated expression of NF-kappaB and SIRT1, sensitizing
      the levels of A549RT-eto cells to apoptosis through downregulation of P
      glycoprotein (P-gp), which is encoded by the MDR1 gene. To address whether NF
      kappaB is involved in resistance to etoposide through P-gp, we treated A549RT-eto
      cells with Bay11-7802, an inhibitor of NF-kappaB. We then observed that Bay11
      7802 treatment reduced P-gp expression levels, and furthermore combined treatment
      with the F14 extract and Bay11-7802 accelerated apoptosis through a decrease in P
      gp levels, suggesting that NF-kappaB is involved in MDR. To address whether
      upregulation of SIRT1 is involved in resistance to etoposide through P-gp, we
      treated A549RT-eto cells with SIRT1 siRNA or nicotinamide (NAM), an inhibitor of
      SIRT1. we found that suppression of SIRT1 did not reduce P-gp levels.
      furthermore, the combined treatment with the F14 extract, and SIRT1 siRNA or NAM
      did not accelerate apoptosis, indicating that SIRT1 is not involved in the
      regulation of P-gp levels in A549RT-eto cells. Taken together, we suggest that
      upregulation of NF-kappaB determines etoposide resistance through P-gp expression
      in human A549 lung cancer cells. We herein demonstrated that B. laetivirens
      extract reverses etoposide resistance in human A549 lung cancer cells through
      downregulation of NF-kappaB. 

PMID- 24220726
TI  - Simultaneous determination of the second-harmonic generation emission
      directionality and reduced scattering coefficient from three-dimensional imaging
      of thick tissues.
AB  - Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy has intrinsic contrast for imaging
      fibrillar collagen and has shown great promise for disease characterization and
      diagnostics. In addition to morphology, additional information is achievable as
      the initially emitted SHG radiation directionality is related to subresolution
      fibril size and distribution. We show that by two parameter fittings, both the
      emission pattern (FSHG/BSHG)creation and the reduced scattering coefficient MUs',
      can be obtained from the best fits between three-dimensional experimental data
      and Monte Carlo simulations. The improved simulation framework accounts for
      collection apertures for the detected forward and backward components. We apply
      the new simulation framework to mouse tail tendon for validation and show that
      the spectral slope of MUs' obtained is similar to that from bulk optical
      measurements and that the (FSHG/BSHG)creation values are also similar to previous
      results. Additionally, we find that the SHG emission becomes increasingly forward
      directed at longer wavelengths, which is consistent with decreased dispersion in
      refractive index between the laser and SHG wavelengths. As both the spectral
      slope of MUs' and (FSHG/BSHG)creation have been linked to the underlying tissue
      structure, simultaneously obtaining these parameters on a microscope platform
      from the same tissue provides a powerful method for tissue characterization.

PMID- 24220727
TI  - Improving permeability and oral absorption of mangiferin by phospholipid
      complexation.
AB  - Mangiferin is an active ingredient of medicinal plant with poor hydrophilicity
      and lipophilicity. Many reports focused on improving aqueous solubility, but oral
      bioavailability of mangiferin was still limited. In this study, we intended to
      increase not only solubility, but also membrane permeability of mangiferin by a
      phospholipid complexation technique. The new complex's physicochemical properties
      were characterized in terms of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential
      scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR), aqueous
      solubility, oil-water partition coefficient and in vitro dissolution. The
      intestinal absorption of the complex was studied by the rat in situ intestinal
      perfusion model. After oral administration of mangiferin-phospholipid complex and
      crude mangiferin in rats, the concentrations of mangiferin were determined by a
      validated RP-HPLC method. Results showed that the solubility of the complex in
      water and in n-octanol was enhanced and the oil-water partition coefficient was
      improved by 6.2 times and the intestinal permeability in rats was enhanced
      significantly. Peak plasma concentration and AUC of mangiferin from the complex
      (Cmax: 377.66 MUg/L, AUC: 1039.94 MUg/L*h) were higher than crude mangiferin
      (Cmax: 180 MUg/L, AUC: 2355.63 MUg/L*h). In view of improved solubility and
      enhanced permeability, phospholipid complexation technique can increase
      bioavailability of mangiferin by 2.3 times in comparison to the crude mangiferin.

PMID- 24220728
TI  - In-vivo observations of a spherical aggregate of endoplasmic reticulum and of
      Golgi vesicles in the tip of fast-growing Chara rhizoids.
AB  - In-vivo differential interference contrast microscopy was used to detect
      individual Golgi vesicles and a new structure in the tip of fast-growing rhizoids
      of Chara fragilis Desvaux. This structure is a spherical clear zone which is free
      of Golgi vesicles, has a diameter of 5 MUm and is positioned in the center of the
      apical Golgi-vesicle accumulation ("Spitzenkorper"). After glutaraldehyde
      fixation and osmium tetroxide-potassium ferricyanide staining of the rhizoid,
      followed by serial sectioning and three-dimensional reconstruction, the spherical
      zone shows a tight accumulation of anastomosing endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      membranes. The ER membranes radiate from this aggregate towards the apical
      plasmalemma and to the membranes of the statolith compartments. Upon
      gravistimulation the ER aggregate changes its position according to the new
      growth direction, indicating its participation in growth determination. After
      treatment of the rhizoid with cytochalasin B or phalloidin the ER aggregate
      disappears and the statoliths sediment. It is concluded that the integrity of the
      ER aggregate is actin-dependent and that it is related to the polar organisation
      of the gravitropically growing cell tip. 

PMID- 24220729
TI  - Detection of lectins in nodulated peanut and soybean plants.
AB  - The direct double-antibody enzymelinked immunosorbent assay system was used in
      the detection and measurement of seed lectins from peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
      and soybean (Glycine max L.) plants (PSL and SBL, respectively) that had been
      inoculated with their respective rhizobia. Concentrations of PSL dropped to
      undetectable levels in peanut roots at 9 d and stems and leaves at 27 d after
      planting; SBL could no longer be detected in soybean roots at 9 d and in stems
      and leaves at 12 d. A lectin antigenically similar to PSL was first detected in
      root nodules of peanuts at 21 d reaching a maximum of 8 MUg/g at 29 d then
      decreasing to 2.5 MUg/g at 60 d. There was no evidence of a corresponding lectin
      in soybean nodules.Sugar haemagglutination inhibition tests with neuraminidase
      treated human blood cells established that PSL and the peanut nodule lectin were
      both galactose/lactose-specific. Further tests with rabbit blood cells
      demonstrated a second mannosespecific lectin in peanut nodule extracts that was
      not detected in root extracts of four-week-old inoculated plants or six-week-old
      uninoculated plants, although six-week-old root extracts from inoculated plants
      showed weak lectin activity. The root extracts from both nodulated and
      uninoculated plants contained another peanut lectin that agglutinated rabbit but
      not human blood cells. Haemagglutination by this lectin was, however, not
      inhibited by simple sugars but a glycoprotein, asialothyroglobulin, was effective
      in this respect. 

PMID- 24220730
TI  - Differences in properties of peanut seed lectin and purified galactose- and
      mannose-binding lectins from nodules of peanut.
AB  - Two lectins were purified by affinity chromatography from mature peanut (Arachis
      hypogaea L.) nodules, and compared with the previously characterised seed lectin
      of this plant. One of the nodule lectins was similar to the seed lectin in its
      molecular weight and amino-acid composition and ability to bind derivatives of
      galactose. However, unlike the seed lectin, this nodule lectin appeared to be a
      glycoprotein and the two lectins were only partially identical in their reaction
      with antibodies prepared against the seed lectin. The other nodule lectin also
      appeared to be a glycoprotein but bound mannose/glucose-like sugar derivatives,
      and differed from the seed lectin in molecular weight, antigenic properties and
      amino-acid composition. 

PMID- 24220731
TI  - Regulation of assimilatory nitrate reduction at the level of nitrite in Chlorella
      fusca.
AB  - Batch cultures of Chlorella fusca excreted nitrite into the medium if gassed with
      air (0.03% CO2), but they did not if supplied with air containing 5% CO2. After a
      change from high to low CO2 concentration in the gas stream, nitrite excretion
      started immediately. After an increase in CO2 concentration to 5%, nitrite uptake
      started within only 30 min. Changes of in-vitro activities of nitrate reductase,
      nitrite reductase and glutamine synthetase did not correspond to changes of
      nitrite concentration in the medium and therefore could not explain these
      observations. A nitrite-binding site, whose activity corresponded with both
      nitrite excretion and uptake, was detected at the chloroplast envelope. From
      these data an additional regulatory step in the assimilatory nitrate-reduction
      sequence is suggested. This includes an envelopeprotein fraction probably
      regulating the availability of nitrite within the chloroplast. 

PMID- 24220732
TI  - Purification of tobacco O-methyltransferases by affinity chromatography and
      estimation of the rate of synthesis of the enzymes during hypersensitive reaction
      to virus infection.
AB  - The three tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) S-adenosyl-L-methionine: o-diphenol-O
      methyltransferases (OMTs; EC 2.1.1.6) were purified to homogeneity by affinity
      chromatography on adenosine-agarose. Amounts and catalytic actities of the
      enzymes were measured in tobacco leaves during the hypersensitive reaction to
      tobacco mosaic virus. The drastic increase in activity of each enzyme upon
      infection was shown to arise from the accumulation of enzymatic protein with
      constant specific enzymatic activity. Rates of OMT synthesis were determined from
      pulse-labeling experiments with L-[(14)C]leucine injected into the leaves. The
      specific radioactivities of the homogenous enzymes were compared in healthy and
      tobacco mosaic virus-infected tobacco. The results demonstrated that increase in
      OMT amounts is a consequence of de novo synthesis of the enzymes. 

PMID- 24220733
TI  - Kinetics of L-valine uptake in tobacco leaf discs. Comparison of wild-type, the
      digenic mutant Val(r)-2, and its monogenic derivatives.
AB  - Uptake rates of L-valine in epidermis-free leaf discs of tobacco (Nicotiana
      tabacum L. cv. Xanthi) were measured over the concentration range 0.1 MUM to 50
      mM. Wild-type tobacco was compared with the digenic mutant Val(r)-2 (genotype
      vr2/vr2; vr3/vr3), and with the monogenic mutant strains h9 and h10 (genotype
      +/+; vr3/vr3) and h17 and h23 (genotype vr2/vr2; +/+). Rate equations consisting
      of one to three Michaelis-Menten terms, possibly in combination with a linear
      term were fitted to the kinetic data. These rate equations are equivalent to
      rational polynomials which may be regarded as the general type of mathematical
      function describing the kinetics of enzymes and carriers. Kinetic data of the
      four genotypes conformed to the sum of three Michaelis-Menten terms. Accordingly,
      three kinetic components could be distinguished. In the wild-type the approximate
      Kms were 40 MUM, 1mM, and 40 mM, respectively. In Val(r)-2 a component with a
      very low Km (about 4 MUM) was found which may represent either the modified low
      Km component of the wild-type or a fourth component which is undetectable in the
      wild-type by kinetic analysis. The Vmax of the low-Km component in Val(r)-2 was
      at least a 100-fold lower than in the wild-type. In the presence of one of the
      mutant genes the calculated Vmax of the low-Km component was 48% (strains h9 and
      h10) or 40% (strains h17 and h23) of the corresponding Vmax in the wild-type. It
      is reasoned that the mutations have no effect on the activity of the other two
      kinetic components, though the evidence for this is circumstantial.
      Autoradiographs of leaf discs showed that in Val(r)-2 the uptake of (14)C
      labelled valine in both mesophyll and minor veins was strongly reduced as
      compared with the wild-type. 

PMID- 24220734
TI  - Compartmentation of uridine 5'-triphosphate occurs during synthesis of
      cytoplasmic and mitochondrial ribosomal RNAs of cultured tomato cells but not
      during synthesis of cytoplasmic ribosomal and transfer RNAs.
AB  - Compartmentation of uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) was studied during the
      nucleolar synthesis of cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA (cyt-rRNA) and the synthesis of
      cytoplasmic transfer RNA (cyt-tRNA) in the nuclear matrix as well as the
      synthesis of mitochondrial ribosomal RNA (mt-rRNA) in tomato (Lycopersicon
      esculentum Mill. cv. Lukullus) cell-suspension culture using the approach of
      Wiegers et al. (Eur. J. Biochem. 64, 535-540, 1976). Before measurements were
      made, it was ensured that: (i) there was steady-state labeling of all RNAs
      studied as well as UTP; (ii) there was stability of cyt-tRNA and cyt-rRNA; (iii)
      there was no label randomization through degradation of [(3)H]uridine; (iv) there
      were significant differences in the specific radioactivity of UTP, the final
      immediate precursor of RNA, after supplying the cells with two different
      exogenous [(3)H]uridine concentrations.By comparing the steady-state specific
      radioactivity of UTP with that of cyt-tRNA and cyt-18S rRNA during constant
      [(3)H]uridine supply, we found that the three molecules had equal specific
      radioactivities which, however, differed significantly from that of the mt-rRNA.
      With a 20-fold higher uridine concentration, i.e. a 20-fold lower specific
      radioactivity of exogenous [(3)H]uridine, the specific radioactivity of cyt-rRNA,
      cyt-tRNA and UTP decreased proportionally whereas that of mt-RNA increased. These
      results argue against different UTP pools during synthesis of cyt-rRNA and cyt
      tRNA, but indicate compartmentation of UTP during rRNA synthesis in the nucleus
      and the mitochondria of tomato cells. 

PMID- 24220735
TI  - Calcium and the mechanical properties of soybean hypocotyl cell walls: Possible
      role of calcium and protons in cell-wall loosening.
AB  - The role of calcium in the mechanical strength of isolated cell walls of soybean
      (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Wayne) hypocotyls has been investigated, using the
      Instron technique to measure the plastic extensibility (PEx) of methanol-boiled,
      bisected hypocotyl sections and epidermal strips, and atomic absorption
      spectroscopy to measure wall calcium. Plastic extensibility was closely
      correlated with the growth rate of intact soybean hypocotyls. Removal of calcium
      from isolated cell walls by ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'
      tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or low pH increased PEx, while addition of calcium
      decreased PEx; both effects were reversible. The amount of calcium removed and
      the increase in PEx at pH 4.5 were strongly dependent upon the chelating ability
      of the buffer anion. There was a direct correlation between the amount of calcium
      removed from the wall by EGTA or acid and the increase in PEx. Removal of up to
      60% of the calcium increased PEx of half-section up to two fold, but further loss
      of calcium caused a much greater increase in PEx. With epidermal strips, PEx
      increased only when calcium was reduced below a threshold. At pH 3.5, there was
      an additional increase in PEx after a lag of about 2 h; this additional increase
      may be the result of acid-induced cleavage of a different set of load-bearing
      bonds. We conclude that calcium bridges are part of the load-bearing bonds in
      soybean hypocotyl cell walls, and that breakage of these crosslinks by apoplastic
      acid participates in wall loosening. Acid-induced solubilization of wall calcium
      may be one mechanism involved in wall loosening of dicotyledonous stems. 

PMID- 24220736
TI  - Interaction of sulfate and glutathione transport in cultured tobacco cells.
AB  - Photoheterotrophic and heterotrophic suspension cultures of tobacco (Nicotiana
      tabacum L.) were grown with 1 mM glutathione (reduced; GSH) as sole source of
      sulfur. Addition of sulfate to both cultures did not alter the rate of
      exponential growth, but affected the removal of GSH and sulfate in different
      ways. In photoheterotrophic suspensions, addition of sulfate caused a decline in
      the net uptake of GSH, whereas sulfate was taken up by the green cells
      immediately. In heterotrophic suspensions, however, addition of sulfate did not
      affect the net uptake of GSH and sulfate was only taken up by the cells after the
      GSH supply in the medium had been exhausted. Apparently, GSH uptake in
      photoheterotrophic cells is inhibited by sulfate, whereas sulfate uptake is
      inhibited by GSH in heterotrophic cells. The differences in the effect of GSH on
      sulfate uptake in photoheterotrophic and heterotrophic tobacco suspensions cannot
      be attributed to differences in the kinetic properties of sulfate carriers. In
      short-time transport experiments, both cultures took up sulfate almost entirely
      by an active-transport system as shown by experiments with metabolic inhibitors;
      sulfate transport of both cultures obeyed monophasic Michaelis-Menten kinetics
      with similar app. Km (photoheterotrophic cells: 16.0+/-2.0 MUM; heterotrophic
      cells: 11.8+/-1.8 MUM) and Vmax (photoheterotrophic cells: 323+/-50 nmol.min(
      1).g(-1) dry weight; heterotrophic cells: 233+/-3 nmol.min(-1).g(-1) dry weight).
      Temperature- and pH-dependence of sulfate transport showed almost identical
      patterns. However, the cultures exhibited remarkable differences in the
      inhibition of sulfur influx by GSH in short-time transport experiments. Whereas 1
      mM GSH inhibited sulfate transport into heterotrophic tobacco cells completely,
      sulfate transport into photoheterotrophic cells proceeded at more than two-thirds
      of its maximum velocity at this GSH concentration. The mode of action of GSH on
      sulfate transport in chloroplast-free tobacco cell does not appear to be direct:
      a 14-h exposure to 1 mM GSH was found to be necessary to completely block sulfate
      transport; a 4-h time of exposure did not affect this process. Consequently,
      glutathione does not seem to be a product of sulfur metabolism acting on sulfate
      carrier entities by negative feedback control. When transferred to the whole
      plant, the observed differences in sulfate and glutathione influx into green and
      chloroplast-free cells may be interpreted as a regulatory device to prevent the
      uptake of excess sulfate by plants. 

PMID- 24220737
TI  - Different cell-wall components from Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea
      elicit phytoalexin production in soybean and parsley.
AB  - Different components of a crude cell-wall preparation from the phytopathogenic
      fungus, Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea, act as elicitors of phytoalexin
      accumulation in parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and soybean (Glycine max).
      Treatments of cultured parsley cells and protoplasts or soybean cells and
      cotyledons with proteinase-digested or deglycosylated elicitor preparations
      identify proteinaceous constituents as active eliciting compounds in parsley,
      which are inactive in soybean. The proteinase-treated elicitor as well as a
      defined heptaglucan are active in soybean but do not stimulate phytoalexin
      synthesis in parsley. Soybean and parsley cells therefore not only perceive
      different signals from cell walls of Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea, but
      are unable to respond to the fungal compounds primarily recognized by the other
      plant. 

PMID- 24220738
TI  - Alkaloid N-oxides as transport and vacuolar storage compounds of pyrrolizidine
      alkaloids in Senecio vulgaris L.
AB  - Cell-suspension cultures of pyrrolizidinealkaloid-producing species selectively
      take up and accumulate senecionine (sen) and its N-oxide (sen-Nox). Cultures
      established from non-alkaloid-producing species are unable to accumulate the
      alkaloids. The uptake and accumulation of (14)C-labelled alkaloids was studied
      using a Senecio vulgaris cell-suspension culture as well as protoplasts and
      vacuoles derived from it. The alkaloid uptake exhibits all characteristics of a
      carrier-mediated transport. The uptake of sen-Nox follows a multiphasic
      saturation kinetics. The Km-values for sen Nox of 53 MUM and 310 MUM are
      evaluated. Senecionine competitively inhibits sen-Nox uptake, indicating that the
      tertiary alkaloid and its N-oxide share the same membrane carrier. The N-oxide of
      sen shows a pH optimum below 5.5, whereas sen is taken up over a range from pH 4
      to 8. Activation energies of 90 and 53 kJ.mol(-1) are calculated for sen-Nox and
      sen transport, respectively. At concentrations of 10 to 100 MUM, sen-Nox is
      rapidly taken up by cells and protoplasts; within 2 h >90% of total N-oxide is
      within the cells. By contrast the uptake of sen is less efficient. Vacuoles
      isolated from protoplasts preloaded with sen-Nox totally retained the alkaloid N
      oxide, whereas sen is rapidly lost during the procedure of vacuole preparation. N
      oxidation converts the weak lipophilic tertiary base into a charged polar
      molecule which is excellently adapted to serve as the cellular transport and
      storage form of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. 

PMID- 24220739
TI  - Calcium-dependent protein kinase from apple fruit membranes is calmodulin
      independent but has calmodulin-like properties.
AB  - Crude Ca(2+)-activated protein kinase from membranes of apple (Malus domestica L.
      Borkh., Cox's Orange Pippin) fruit can be partially purified to yield a Ca(2+)
      dependent protein kinase whose activity is apparently not regulated by
      calmodulin. The autophosphorylating catalytic subunit of this protein kinase
      shows a Ca(2+)-dependent mobility shift of approx. 10 kilodaltons (kDa) on sodium
      dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; in the absence of added
      Ca(2+) or ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid
      (EGTA) its apparent molecular mass is approx. 50 kDa. The Ca(2+)-dependent
      protein kinase is inhibited by the calmodulin antagonists N-(6-aminohexyl)-5
      chloro-1-naphthalenesulphonamide and trifluoperazine with IC50 values of approx.
      45 MUM and 15 MUM, respectively. These similarities between the protein kinase
      and calmodulin indicate that the kinase may be a calmodulin-like protein. 

PMID- 24220740
TI  - Calcium influx at the plasmalemma of Chara corallina.
AB  - Influx of (45)Ca into internodal cells of Chara corallina has been measured,
      using short uptake times, and a wash in ice-cold La(3+)-containing pondwater
      after the labelling period to overcome the difficulty of distinguishing
      extracellular tracer from that in the cell. Over 5-15 min the uptake was linear
      with time, through the origin. The basal influx from 0.1 mM Ca(2+) externally was
      0.25-0.5 pmol.cm(-2).s(-1), but some batches of cells showed higher fluxes. The
      influx was markedly stimulated by depolarisation in pondwater containing 20 mM
      K(+). In cells in which the control flux was less than about 0.5 pmol.cm(-2).s(
      1) there was no effect of 50 MUM nifedipine. In cells in which the control flux
      was greater than about 0.5 pmol.cm(-2).s(-1) (whether by natural variability,
      pretreatment, or by depolarisation in 20 mM K(+)), the flux was reduced by 50 MUM
      nifedipine to a value in the range 0.25-0.59 pmol.cm(-2).s(-1). It is suggested
      that two types of Ca-channel are probably involved, both opening on
      depolarisation, but only one sensitive to nifedipine. The flux was inhibited by
      10 MUM BAY K 8644, which in animal cells more commonly opens Ca-channels. The
      apparent influx measured over long uptake times was much reduced, and the
      kinetics indicated filling a pool of apparent size about 1.45 nmol.cm(-2) with a
      halftime of about 38 min, probably representing cytoplasmic stores. It is argued
      that in spite of the very small pool of (free+bound) cytoplasmic Ca(2+) the
      measured influx is a reasonable estimate of the influx at the plasmalemma. 

PMID- 24220741
TI  - Mechanism of rapid suppression of cell expansion in cucumber hypocotyls after
      blue-light irradiation.
AB  - Rapid suppression of hypocotyl elongation by blue light in cucumber (Cucumis
      sativus L.) was studied to examine possible hydraulic and wall changes
      responsible for diminished growth. Cell-sap osmotic pressure, measured by
      vaporpressure osmometry, was not decreased by blue light; turgor pressure,
      measured by the pressureprobe technique, remained constant during the growth
      inhibition; and stem hydraulic conductance, measured by dynamic and static
      methods, was likewise unaffected by blue light. Wall yielding properties were
      assessed by the pressure-block technique for in-vivo stress relaxation. Blue
      light reduced the initial rate of relaxation by 77%, but had little effect on the
      final amount of relaxation. The results demonstrate that blue irradiation acts to
      decrease the wall yielding coefficient, but not the yield threshold. Stress
      strain (Instron) analysis showed that irradiation of the seedlings had little
      effect on the mechanical extensibilities of the isolated wall. The results
      indicate that blue light can reduce cell-wall loosening without affecting bulk
      viscoelastic properties, and indicate a chemorheological mechanism of cell-wall
      expansion. 

PMID- 24220742
TI  - Phosphate sequestration by glycerol and its effects on photosynthetic carbon
      assimilation by leaves.
AB  - Glycerol induced a limitation on photosynthetic carbon assimilation by phosphate
      when supplied to leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and spinach (Spinacia
      oleracea L.). This limitation by phosphate was evidenced by (i) reversibility of
      the inhibition of photosynthesis by glycerol by feeding orthophosphate (ii) a
      decrease in light-saturated rates of photosynthesis and saturation at a lower
      irradiance, (iii) the promotion of oscillations in photosynthetic CO2
      assimilation and in chlorophyll fluorescence, (iv) decreases in the pools of
      hexose monophosphates and triose phosphates and increases in the ratio of
      glycerate-3-phosphate to triose phosphate, (v) decreased photochemical quenching
      of chlorophyll fluorescence, and increased non-photochemical quenching,
      specifically of the component which relaxed rapidly, indicating that thylakoid
      energisation had increased. In barley there was a massive accumulation of
      glycerol-3-phosphate and an increase in the period of the oscillations, but in
      spinach the accumulation of glycerol-3-phosphate was comparatively slight. The
      mechanism(s) by which glycerol feeding affects photosynthetic carbon assimilation
      are discussed in the light of these results. 

PMID- 24220743
TI  - Multiple molecular forms of beta-amylase in seeds and vegetative tissues of
      barley.
AB  - The molecular forms of beta-amylase present in developing, mature, germinating
      and malted grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and in vegetative tissues, have
      been studied using Western-blot analyses and isoelectric focusing of isoenzymes.
      Five isoforms with different relative molecular masses (Mrs) could be recognised.
      The major isoform present in the mature grain, called isoform B, had an Mr of
      about 60 000. This was converted on malting or germination to two lower-Mr forms
      called C and D. Previous work (R. Lundgard and B. Svensson, 1986, Carlsberg Res.
      Commun. 51, 487-491) has shown that these result from partial proteolysis of
      isoform B. Isoenzyme analyses showed complex patterns of bands, with pIs between
      about 5.0 and 6.0. Two allelic types were present in the eight lines. A number of
      new bands with a range of pIs appeared during germination and malting.An isoform
      with the same Mr as D and a minor low-Mr isoform (E) were present in young
      developing whole caryopses (8-12 d after anthesis), but not in older developing
      endosperms (14-21 d after anthesis). Isoenzyme analyses also showed different
      patterns of bands in these two tissues, while hybrid-dot analyses indicated the
      presence of separate populations of mRNAs. It is suggested that the early
      endosperm isoforms (D and E) are "green" beta-amylases present in the pericarp
      and-or testa of the young caryopses.Roots but not shoots or leaves also contained
      an isoform with the same Mr as D, although the pattern of isoenzymes differed
      from that present in the seed tissues.The fifth isoform, A, was a diffuse high-Mr
      form present in small amounts in all seed and vegetative tissues, and may
      correspond to a constitutively expressed form.These multiple molecular forms of
      beta-amylase are discussed in relation to the recent report that beta-amylase is
      encoded by two structural loci, with a total copy number of two to three per
      haploid genome (Kreis et al, 1988, Genet. Res. Camb. 51, 13-16). 

PMID- 24220744
TI  - Biosynthesis of gallotannins. Enzymatic conversion of 1,6-digalloylglucose to
      1,2,6-trigalloylglucose.
AB  - Cell-free extracts from Rhus typhina L. (staghorn sumach) leaves were found to
      catalyze the transfer of the galloyl moiety of beta-glucogallin (1-O-galloyl-beta
      D-glucose) to 1,6-di-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, resulting in the specific
      formation of 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, an intermediate of gallotannin
      biosynthesis. The reaction product was unequivocally identified by co
      chromatography with authentic references using reversed-phase high-performance
      liquid chromatography and by (1)H-nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy. 

PMID- 24220745
TI  - Tourniquet used in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a system review.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify whether routine use of a tourniquet is a better choice for
      anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHOD: We searched Amed, British
      Nursing Index, Embase, Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. We
      used revised Jadad score to evaluate the trial quality. Each reference list was
      viewed for any ignored studies. Two reviews independently extracted data from all
      eligible trials, including study design, patients' characteristics, interventions
      and outcomes. The available data were using random effects models with mean
      differences for continuous variables. RESULTS: The only meta-analysis indicated
      there was no significant difference in operative time between the tourniquet and
      non-tourniquet groups (mean differences -5.71, 95 % CI -12.40, 0.99). The
      remaining outcomes had variations in the outcome measures, so it was not possible
      to perform meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There was insufficient evidence to support
      the hypothesis that patients would benefit from routinely applying a tourniquet.
      More high-quality randomized controlled trials were needed to test the result.

PMID- 24220746
TI  - Surgical treatment of chronic acromioclavicular joint dislocation using the
      Weaver-Dunn procedure augmented by the TightRope(r) system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Variable outcomes resulting from the availability of multiple
      techniques for the treatment of chronic acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation
      have led to difficulty in choosing the optimal therapeutic strategy. Accordingly,
      the authors describe a technique for the treatment of chronic ACJ dislocation and
      its benefits. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The authors present a technique for
      surgically treating chronic ACJ dislocation using the Weaver-Dunn procedure in
      combination with a commercially available system (TightRope; Arthrex, Naples, FL,
      USA). Nine patients with chronic ACJ dislocation were surgically treated and
      postoperative results were evaluated. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for
      a mean of 20 months. Shoulder function was evaluated using the Constant score,
      with a mean score of 97%. Compared with the uninjured side, radiography showed
      anatomical repositioning in the vertical plane in seven cases and slight loss of
      reduction in two cases. The procedure provided good functional and subjective
      results. All patients returned to their pre-injury activity levels. CONCLUSION:
      The Weaver-Dunn procedure augmented by the TightRope system appeared to be an
      effective for treating chronic ACJ dislocation and led to excellent outcomes in
      terms of return to pre-injury level of function.

PMID- 24220747
TI  - Distraction-free ankle arthroscopy for anterolateral impingement.
AB  - The origin of chronic pain after external ankle sprain is better known with
      arthroscopy's contribution. Chronic hypertrophic synovitis of the anterolateral
      ankle region is seemingly the cause, resulting in "anterolateral ankle
      impingement." But is partial synovectomy with fibrosis resection under
      arthroscopy always possible without any distraction? Are results affected? This
      retrospective study concerned only patients with soft tissue ankle impingement.
      All cases with bone and joint diseases were excluded. The final sample of 24
      patients had a mean age of 35 years (21-54 years) and presented anterolateral
      mechanical pain associated with oedema following external ankle sprain. Medical
      and rehabilitative treatment was undertaken for more than 6 months before
      arthroscopy. Average time between trauma and arthroscopy was 21 months (5-60
      months). Clinical examination revealed no ankle instability or laxity.
      Debridement with joint lavage was systematically performed under arthroscopy
      without any distraction. Average patient follow-up was 22 months (12-92 months).
      All patients had a good Kitaoka score, with 22 patients registering excellent
      results. There were no septic complications or algodystrophy. Two transient
      hypoesthesias were observed in the dorsal surface and lateral border of the foot
      with full postoperative recovery at 6 months. Distraction was never used and
      simple dorsiflexion was sufficient to perform arthroscopic debridement. In this
      study, anterolateral ankle impingement diagnosis was primarily clinical.
      Arthroscopic treatment yielded significant benefits on pain, oedema and
      resumption of sport activities. Arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral ankle
      impingements is thus possible with simple dorsiflexion and no distraction,
      resulting in a possible decrease in complication rates. Level of evidence
      Retrospective cohort study, Level IV.

PMID- 24220748
TI  - Does timing of surgery affect the outcome of open articular distal humerus
      fractures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Open intraarticular distal humerus fractures classified as
      Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) 13 C may have devastating consequences for
      patient's quality of life, especially if leading arm in younger active patient is
      involved. We conducted a study to determine whether the timing of open reduction
      and internal fixation of open intraarticular distal humerus fractures affects the
      outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Multicentric prospective study: In the first
      group, there were 15 patients, 10 men and 5 women, mean age 38.7 years, operated
      in <6 h of injury. In the second group 17 patients, 11 men and 6 women, mean age
      42.3 years operatively treated in delayed settings, mean delay to operation 4.6
      days of injury. In both groups, patients had open distal humerus articular
      metaphyseal multifragmentary fractures classified as OTA 13.C2 or 13.C3.
      Functional outcome was assessed with Mayo elbow performance score and
      Disabilities of Arm and Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Mean Mayo elbow performance
      (MEP) score in the first group was 71 (range 30-100); in the second, mean MEP was
      64.3 (range 25-100). The mean DASH in the first group was 27.89 (range from 1.7
      to 75.8), and in the second, mean DASH score was 32.6 (range 5.8-77.5). There
      were no statistically significant differences between two groups, MEP
      t(28)=0.935, p<0.358; DASH t(28)=-0.636, p<0.530. CONCLUSION: Our study shows
      that early open reduction and internal fixation of open distal articular humerus
      fractures reduces the hospital stay, but does not significantly affect the
      overall outcomes and complications.

PMID- 24220749
TI  - Efficacy of celecoxib for pain management after arthroscopic surgery of hip: a
      prospective randomized placebo-controlled study.
AB  - The present work was conducted to examine whether celecoxib, a selective COX-2
      inhibitor, 200 mg administered 1 h preoperatively to patients undergoing
      arthroscopic hip surgery reduces postoperative pain. Fifty-three patients
      undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomized to
      receive either 200 mg of celecoxib (Group I) or 200 mg of placebo (Group II) 1 h
      preoperatively. Narcotic use was monitored for 24 h, and time in recovery room
      was determined. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and Short-Form 12 (SF-12),
      including a physical composite score (PCS) and a mental composite score (MCS),
      documented pain in recovery, 12 h postoperatively, and 24 h postoperatively.
      Moreover, time in recovery room was also investigated. We enrolled 27 patients in
      Group I and 26 patients in Group II. Groups were comparable for patient
      characteristics. No significant difference was detected in terms of VAS scores
      and SF-12 in recovery room. Statistically, patients in Group I showed
      significantly lower pain VAS scores at 12 and 24 h postoperatively. Patients
      taking celecoxib had significantly higher PCS at 12 and 24 h postoperatively. No
      difference occurred between groups for the MCS. Patients taking celecoxib also
      showed a significant reduction in postoperative narcotic consumption. The
      obtained results from the current study indicate that patients who took celecoxib
      200 mg 1 h before arthroscopic hip surgery had a less painful and more rapid
      recovery. Celecoxib 200 mg as a single preoperative dose could be considered as
      part of a perioperative analgesic plan in arthroscopic hip surgery.

PMID- 24220750
TI  - Expression of IGFBP-6 in proliferative vitreoretinopathy rat models and its
      effects on retinal pigment epithelial-J cells.
AB  - Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is one of the most common causes for failed
      retinal detachment surgeries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the
      role of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-6 (IGFBP-6) in PVR using rat
      models and its effects on retinal pigment epithelial-J (RPE-J) cells. PVR Wistar
      rat models were administered intravitreal injection of RPE-J cells (1x106/5 ul)
      combined with platelet-rich plasma (1x107/5 ul). The concentration of IGFBP-6 in
      the vitreous and serum of rats was tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      and the expression of IGFBP-6 mRNA in the liver and retina of rats was determined
      by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression of IGFBP-6 mRNA
      in the RPE-J cells stimulated by vitreous or serum from PVR patients or normal
      volunteers was also determined by qPCR. The proliferation of RPE-J cells was
      evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4
      sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt (MTS) method. The success rate of PVR rat
      model induction at the 8th week was 89.5% (34/38). The concentration of IGFBP-6
      in the vitreous and serum of PVR rats was significantly higher than that of the
      control group (P<0.05). The expression of IGFBP-6 mRNA in the retina of PVR rats
      was also significantly higher compared with the control group (P<0.05). The
      vitreous from PVR patients and donors significantly stimulated the expression of
      IGFBP-6 mRNA in the RPE-J cells (P<0.05). IGFBP-6 only inhibited IGF-II
      stimulated proliferation but not the basal level of proliferation or the
      PDGF/VEGF-stimulated RPE-J cell proliferation. Thus, the trends and effects of
      IGFBP-6 provide the possibility of PVR therapeutic targets, with the vitreous
      representing a significant environmental factor in the progression of PVR. 

PMID- 24220751
TI  - Microbicide dosage forms.
AB  - Microbicides are topically applied, user controlled dosage forms that are being
      developed to prevent the transmission of HIV during coitus. Early candidates
      focused on coitally dependent dosage forms such as gels and creams. More recent
      development has focused on broadening the coitally dependent options through the
      introduction of films and fast dissolving tablets. Additionally, it has become
      important to have longer acting products to minimize the burden of user
      compliance and thus vaginal rings have been developed providing sustained
      delivery of antiretroviral drugs. This chapter discusses the history of
      microbicides along with a detailed description of coitally dependent products,
      gels, films, tablets diaphragms, as well as coitally independent dosage forms
      such as vaginal rings and the introduction of a new technology, electrospun
      fibers. 

PMID- 24220752
TI  - Incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in hospitalised patients with cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of and possible factors related to
      contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in hospitalised patients with cancer. METHODS:
      Ninety adult patients were enrolled. Patients with risk factors for acute renal
      failure were excluded. Blood samples were examined the day before contrast
      enhanced computed tomography (CT) and serially for 3 days thereafter. CIN was
      defined as an increase in serum creatinine (Cr) of 0.5 mg/dl or more, or
      elevation of Cr to 25 % over baseline. Relationships between CIN and possible
      risk factors were investigated. RESULTS: CIN was detected in 18/90 (20 %)
      patients. CIN developed in 25.5 % patients who underwent chemotherapy and in 11 %
      patients who did not (P = 0.1). CIN more frequently developed in patients who had
      undergone CT within 45 days after the last chemotherapy (P = 0.005); it was also
      an independent risk factor (P = 0.017). CIN was significantly more after
      treatment with bevacizumab/irinotecan (P = 0.021) and in patients with
      hypertension (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CIN after CT in
      hospitalised oncological patients was 20 %. CIN developed 4.5-times more
      frequently in patients with cancer who had undergone recent chemotherapy.
      Hypertension and the combination of bevacizumab/irinotecan may be additional risk
      factors for CIN development. KEY POINTS: * Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is
      a concern for oncological patients undergoing CT. * CIN occurs more often when CT
      is performed <45 days after chemotherapy. * Hypertension and treatment with
      bevacizumab appear to be additional risk factors.

PMID- 24220753
TI  - Median nerve stiffness measurement by shear wave elastography: a potential
      sonographic method in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To measure the median nerve (MN) stiffness by quantitative shear wave
      elastography (SWE) at the carpal tunnel inlet and to determine whether SWE can be
      used in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: The study
      included 37 consecutive patients (60 wrists) with a definitive diagnosis of CTS
      and 18 healthy volunteers (36 wrists). The MN cross-sectional area (CSA) by
      ultrasound and stiffness by SWE were studied. The difference between CTS patients
      and controls, and the difference among subgroups based on electrodiagnostic tests
      were studied by the Student's t test. Interobserver variability and ROC analysis
      were performed. RESULTS: The MN stiffness was significantly higher in the CTS
      group (66.7 kPa) when compared to controls (32.0 kPa) (P < 0.001), and higher in
      the severe or extreme severity group (101.4 kPa) than the mild or moderate
      severity group (55.1 kPa) (P < 0.001). A 40.4-kPa cut-off value on SWE revealed
      sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of 93.3%, 88.9%, 93.3%, 88.9% and
      91.7%, respectively. Interobserver agreement was excellent for SWE measurements.
      CONCLUSIONS: Median nerve stiffness at the carpal tunnel inlet is significantly
      higher in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, for whom shear wave elastography
      appears to be a highly reproducible diagnostic technique. KEY POINTS: * Clinical
      examination is important for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome * Shear wave
      elastography (SWE) offers new clinical opportunities within diagnostic ultrasound
      * SWE is highly reproducible in evaluation of median nerve stiffness * Median
      nerve stiffness is significantly increased in carpal tunnel syndrome *
      Elastography could become useful in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

PMID- 24220754
TI  - Free-breathing contrast-enhanced T1-weighted gradient-echo imaging with radial k
      space sampling for paediatric abdominopelvic MRI.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the image quality of contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic 3D
      fat-suppressed T1-weighted gradient-echo imaging with radial and conventional
      Cartesian k-space acquisition schemes in paediatric patients. METHODS: Seventy
      three consecutive paediatric patients were imaged at 1.5 T with sequential
      contrast-enhanced T1-weighted Cartesian (VIBE) and radial gradient echo (GRE)
      acquisition schemes with matching parameters when possible. Cartesian VIBE was
      acquired as a breath-hold or as free breathing in patients who could not suspend
      respiration, followed by free-breathing radial GRE in all patients. Two
      paediatric radiologists blinded to the acquisition schemes evaluated multiple
      parameters of image quality on a five-point scale, with higher score indicating a
      more optimal examination. Lesion presence or absence, conspicuity and edge
      sharpness were also evaluated. Mixed-model analysis of variance was performed to
      compare radial GRE and Cartesian VIBE. RESULTS: Radial GRE had significantly (all
      P < 0.001) higher scores for overall image quality, hepatic edge sharpness,
      hepatic vessel clarity and respiratory motion robustness than Cartesian VIBE.
      More lesions were detected on radial GRE by both readers than on Cartesian VIBE,
      with significantly higher scores for lesion conspicuity and edge sharpness (all P
      < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Radial GRE has better image quality and lesion conspicuity
      than conventional Cartesian VIBE in paediatric patients undergoing contrast
      enhanced abdominopelvic MRI. KEY POINTS: * Numerous techniques are required to
      provide optimal MR images in paediatric patients. * Radial free-breathing
      contrast-enhanced acquisition demonstrated excellent image quality. * Image
      quality and lesion conspicuity were better with radial than Cartesian
      acquisition. * More lesions were detected on contrast-enhanced radial than on
      Cartesian acquisition. * Radial GRE can be used for performing abdominopelvic MRI
      in paediatric patients.

PMID- 24220755
TI  - Accuracy and efficacy of percutaneous biopsy and ablation using robotic
      assistance under computed tomography guidance: a phantom study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of a robotic interventional radiologist (IR)
      assistance platform with a standard freehand technique for computed-tomography
      (CT)-guided biopsy and simulated radiofrequency ablation (RFA). METHODS: The
      accuracy of freehand single-pass needle insertions into abdominal phantoms was
      compared with insertions facilitated with the use of a robotic assistance
      platform (n = 20 each). Post-procedural CTs were analysed for needle placement
      error. Percutaneous RFA was simulated by sequentially placing five 17-gauge
      needle introducers into 5-cm diameter masses (n = 5) embedded within an abdominal
      phantom. Simulated ablations were planned based on pre-procedural CT, before
      multi-probe placement was executed freehand. Multi-probe placement was then
      performed on the same 5-cm mass using the ablation planning software and robotic
      assistance. Post-procedural CTs were analysed to determine the percentage of
      untreated residual target. RESULTS: Mean needle tip-to-target errors were reduced
      with use of the IR assistance platform (both P < 0.0001). Reduced percentage
      residual tumour was observed with treatment planning (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION:
      Improved needle accuracy and optimised probe geometry are observed during
      simulated CT-guided biopsy and percutaneous ablation with use of a robotic IR
      assistance platform. This technology may be useful for clinical CT-guided biopsy
      and RFA, when accuracy may have an impact on outcome. KEY POINTS: * A recently
      developed robotic intervention radiology assistance platform facilitates CT
      guided interventions. * Improved accuracy of complex needle insertions is
      achievable. * IR assistance platform use can improve target ablation coverage.

PMID- 24220756
TI  - Characterization of hyperbranched glycopolymers produced in vitro using enzymes.
AB  - Asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (AF4) has proven to be a very powerful
      and quantitative method for the determination of the macromolecular structure of
      high molar mass branched biopolymers, when coupled with multi-angle laser light
      scattering (MALLS). This work describes a detailed investigation of the
      macromolecular structure of native glycogens and hyperbranched alpha-glucans
      (HBPs), with average molar mass ranging from 2 * 10(6) to 4.3 * 10(7) g mol(-1),
      which are not well fractionated by means of classical size-exclusion
      chromatography. HBPs were enzymatically produced from sucrose by the tandem
      action of an amylosucrase and a branching enzyme mimicking in vitro the
      elongation and branching steps involved in glycogen biosynthesis. Size and molar
      mass distributions were studied by AF4, coupled with online quasi-elastic light
      scattering (QELS) and transmission electron microscopy. AF4-MALLS-QELS has shown
      a remarkable agreement between hydrodynamic radii obtained by online QELS and by
      AF4 theory in normal mode with constant cross flow. Molar mass, size, and
      dispersity were shown to significantly increase with initial sucrose
      concentration, and to decrease when the branching enzyme activity increases.
      Several populations with different size range were observed: the amount of small
      size molecules decreasing with increasing sucrose concentration. The spherical
      and dense global conformation thus highlighted was partly similar to native
      glycogens. A more detailed study of HBPs synthesized from low and high initial
      sucrose concentrations was performed using complementary enzymatic hydrolysis of
      external chains and chromatography. It emphasized a more homogeneous branching
      pattern than native glycogens with a denser core and shorter external chains. 

PMID- 24220757
TI  - N-glycosidase treatment with 18O labeling and de novo sequencing argues for
      flagellin FliC glycopolymorphism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - In prokaryote organisms, N-glycosylation of proteins is often correlated to cell
      cell recognition and extracellular events. Those glycoproteins are potential
      targets for infection control. To date, many surface-glycosylated proteins from
      bacterial pathogens have been described. However, N-linked Pseudomonas surface
      associated glycoproteins remain underexplored. We report a combined enrichment
      and labeling strategy to identify major glycoproteins on the outside of
      microorganisms. More precisely, bacteria were exposed to a mix of biotinylated
      lectins able to bind with glycoproteins. The latter were then recovered by avidin
      beads, digested with trypsin, and submitted to mass spectrometry. The targeted
      mixture of glycoproteins was additionally deglycosylated in the presence of
      H2(18)O to incorporate (18)O during PNGase F treatment and were also analyzed
      using mass spectrometry. This approach allowed us to identify a few tens of
      potential N-glycoproteins, among which flagellin FliC was the most abundant. To
      detect the possible sites of FliC modifications, a de novo sequencing step was
      also performed to discriminate between spontaneous deamidation and N-glycan loss.
      This approach led to the proposal of three potential N-glycosylated sites on the
      primary sequence of FliC: N26, N69, and N439, with two of these three asparagines
      belonging to an N-X-(S/T) consensus sequence. These observations suggest that
      flagellin FliC is a heterogeneous protein mixture containing both O- and N
      glycoforms.

PMID- 24220758
TI  - Evidence-based reform of teaching and learning.
AB  - Over the years a great deal of time and attention has been devoted to reform of
      teaching and learning in chemistry. However, many of these efforts have focused
      on individual faculty's experiences and intuition, rather than our understanding
      of how people learn or evidence about the effects of such reforms. For example,
      while it is widely known that students emerge from our courses with non
      scientific ideas about core concepts, the reasons why this happens are often
      ascribed to the students' lack of ability or work ethic. However, there is
      emerging evidence that both the traditional pedagogical approach and the
      structure of the curriculum contribute to this problem. Students must be provided
      both with a strong foundation on which to build and link new knowledge, and an
      understanding of what that knowledge will be used for. In order to achieve this
      we need to rely on the research base and evidence emerging from discipline-based
      education research (DBER)-a field that combines deep disciplinary expertise with
      knowledge and understanding of the science of teaching and learning. This paper
      presents a short overview of these ideas.

PMID- 24220759
TI  - Amperometric bienzyme screen-printed biosensor for the determination of leucine.
AB  - Leucine plays an important role in protein synthesis, brain functions, building
      muscle mass, and helping the body when it undergoes stress. Here, we report a new
      amperometric bienzyme screen-printed biosensor for the determination of leucine,
      by coimmobilizing p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (HBH) and leucine dehydrogenase
      (LDH) on a screen-printed electrode with NADP(+) and p-hydroxybenzoate as the
      cofactors. The detection principle of the sensor is that LDH catalyzes the
      specific dehydrogenation of leucine by using NADP(+) as a cofactor. The product,
      NADPH, triggers the hydroxylation of p-hydroxybenzoate by HBH in the presence of
      oxygen to produce 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, which results in a change in electron
      concentration at the working carbon electrode, which is detected by the
      potentiostat. The sensor shows a linear detection range between 10 and 600 MUM
      with a detection limit of 2 MUM. The response is reproducible and has a fast
      measuring time of 5-10 s after the addition of a given concentration of leucine. 

PMID- 24220760
TI  - Chemical imaging of trichome specialized metabolites using contact printing and
      laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - Cell transfer by contact printing coupled with carbon-substrate-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization was used to directly profile and image secondary
      metabolites in trichomes on leaves of the wild tomato Solanum habrochaites. Major
      specialized metabolites, including acyl sugars, alkaloids, flavonoids, and
      terpenoid acids, were successfully detected in positive ion mode or negative ion
      mode, and in some cases in both modes. This simple solvent-free and matrix-free
      sample preparation for mass spectrometry imaging avoids tedious sample
      preparation steps, and high-spatial-resolution images were obtained. Metabolite
      profiles were generated for individual glandular trichomes from a single Solanum
      habrochaites leaf at a spatial resolution of around 50 MUm. Relative quantitative
      data from imaging experiments were validated by independent liquid chromatography
      mass spectrometry analysis of subsamples from fresh plant material. The spatially
      resolved metabolite profiles of individual glands provided new information about
      the complexity of biosynthesis of specialized metabolites at the cellular
      resolution scale. In addition, this technique offers a scheme capable of high
      throughput profiling of metabolites in trichomes and irregularly shaped tissues
      and spatially discontinuous cells of a given cell type. 

PMID- 24220761
TI  - Comparison of targeted peptide quantification assays for reductive dehalogenases
      by selective reaction monitoring (SRM) and precursor reaction monitoring (PRM).
AB  - Targeted absolute protein quantification yields valuable information about
      physiological adaptation of organisms and is thereby of high interest. Especially
      for this purpose, two proteomic mass spectrometry-based techniques namely
      selective reaction monitoring (SRM) and precursor reaction monitoring (PRM) are
      commonly applied. The objective of this study was to establish an optimal
      quantification assay for proteins with the focus on those involved in
      housekeeping functions and putative reductive dehalogenase proteins from the
      strictly anaerobic bacterium Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain CBDB1. This microbe
      is small and slow-growing; hence, it provides little biomass for comprehensive
      proteomic analysis. We therefore compared SRM and PRM techniques. Eleven peptides
      were successfully quantified by both methods. In addition, six peptides were
      solely quantified by SRM and four by PRM, respectively. Peptides were spiked into
      a background of Escherichia coli lysate and the majority of peptides were
      quantifiable down to 500 amol absolute on column by both methods. Peptide
      quantification in CBDB1 lysate resulted in the detection of 15 peptides using SRM
      and 14 peptides with the PRM assay. Resulting quantification of five
      dehalogenases revealed copy numbers of <10 to 115 protein molecules per cell
      indicating clear differences in abundance of RdhA proteins during growth on
      hexachlorobenzene. Our results indicated that both methods show comparable
      sensitivity and that the combination of the mass spectrometry assays resulted in
      higher peptide coverage and thus more reliable protein quantification. 

PMID- 24220762
TI  - Analysis of mechanical contrast in optical coherence elastography.
AB  - Optical coherence elastography (OCE) maps the mechanical properties of tissue
      microstructure and has potential applications in both fundamental investigations
      of biomechanics and clinical medicine. We report the first analysis of contrast
      in OCE, including evaluation of the accuracy with which OCE images (elastograms)
      represent mechanical properties and the sensitivity of OCE to mechanical contrast
      within a sample. Using phase-sensitive compression OCE, we generate elastograms
      of tissue-mimicking phantoms with known mechanical properties and identify
      limitations on contrast imposed by sample mechanics and the imaging system,
      including signal-processing parameters. We also generate simulated elastograms
      using finite element models to perform mechanical analysis in the absence of
      imaging system noise. In both experiments and simulations, we illustrate
      artifacts that degrade elastogram accuracy, depending on sample geometry,
      elasticity contrast between features, and surface conditions. We experimentally
      demonstrate sensitivity to features with elasticity contrast as small as 1.1?1
      and calculate, based on our imaging system parameters, a theoretical maximum
      sensitivity to elasticity contrast of 1.002?1. The results highlight the
      microstrain sensitivity of compression OCE, at a spatial resolution of tens of
      micrometers, suggesting its potential for the detection of minute changes in
      elasticity within heterogeneous tissue.

PMID- 24220763
TI  - Comparison of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and transcatheter arterial
      chemotherapy infusion for patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular
      carcinoma.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to compare clinical outcomes in patients with
      intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent the following
      treatments: transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using an epirubicin
      mitomycin-lipiodol (EML) emulsion at initial therapy (TACE group; n=145), and
      transcatheter chemotherapy infusion (TACI) using an EML emulsion at initial
      therapy (TACI group; n=81). Overall survival (OS) and treatment efficacy in the
      TACE and TACI groups were retrospectively compared. Prognostic factors associated
      with OS were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Treatment
      related mortality was also calculated. The median observation periods were 1.8
      years (range, 0.2-9.0 years) in the TACE group and 2.0 years (range, 0.2-8.7
      years) in the TACI group. The median survival time and the 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year
      cumulative OS rates were 2.68 years and 81.5, 63.4, 43.9 and 32.7%, respectively,
      in the TACE group, and 2.64 years and 85.0, 60.0, 43.2 and 26.0%, respectively,
      in the TACI group (P=0.691). The objective response rate was significantly higher
      in the TACE group compared to the TACI group (80.0 vs. 66.7%; P=0.009). Using
      multivariate analysis, the Child-Pugh classification (P=0.017), tumor number <=5
      (P=0.045) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin level >100 mAU/ml (P=0.002) were
      found to be significant predictors linked to OS. In all subgroup analyses
      involving Child-Pugh classification, maximum tumor size and tumor distribution,
      the differences in the two groups did not reach statistical significance in terms
      of OS. Treatment mortality was 0% in the two groups. In conclusion, patients with
      intermediate-stage HCC had a comparable prognosis when treated with TACI or TACE.

PMID- 24220764
TI  - Kidney biomimicry--a rediscovered scientific field that could provide hope to
      patients with kidney disease.
AB  - Most studies on kidney disease have relied on classic experimental studies in
      mice and rats or clinical studies in humans. From such studies much understanding
      of the physiology and pathophysiology of kidney disease has been obtained.
      However, breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases have
      been relatively few, and new approaches to fight kidney disease are needed. Here
      we discuss kidney biomimicry as a new approach to understand kidney disease.
      Examples are given of how various animals have developed ways to prevent or
      respond to kidney failure, how to protect themselves from hypoxia or oxidative
      stress and from the scourge of hyperglycemia. We suggest that investigation of
      evolutionary biology and comparative physiology might provide new insights for
      the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. 

PMID- 24220765
TI  - Understanding the chronic impacts of oil refinery wastewater requires
      consideration of sediment contributions to toxicity.
AB  - Previous studies at an oil refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, found a
      diminished fish community downstream of the effluent outfall that appeared to be
      associated with periodic low dissolved oxygen concentrations due to episodic
      discharges of contaminated transport vessel ballast water. This study was
      initiated after the ballast water was removed from the effluent to further
      investigate the potential causes of residual effects in the study stream, Little
      River. We used field caging of fish, laboratory bioassays, and chemical analysis
      of effluents and sediments from the field site to determine if the effluent or
      contaminated sediments were affecting the recovery of the fish community in
      Little River. The field studies suggested that exposed, caged fish were affected,
      displaying >40 % increases in liver sizes and increased liver detoxification
      enzyme activity (cytochrome P450 1A, CYP1A); however, similar responses were
      absent in laboratory exposures that used effluent only. Adding sediments
      collected from the vicinity of the refinery's outfall to the laboratory bioassays
      reproduced some of the field responses. Chemical analyses showed high
      concentrations of PAHs in sediments but low concentrations in the effluent,
      suggesting that the PAHs in the sediment were contributing more to the impacts
      than the effluent. Application of effects-based monitoring is suggested as
      beneficial to identify impacts to fisheries where refinery effluents of this type
      are involved. 

PMID- 24220767
TI  - In-situ seed production after pollination with in-vitro-matured, isolated pollen.
AB  - Immature tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) pollen has been isolated from anthers in
      three distinct stages of development, including the microspore stage. In in-vitro
      cultures, fully functional, mature pollen was obtained. In a germination medium,
      this pollen produced pollen tubes. After application to stigmas in situ, the in
      vitro-matured pollen fertilized ovules, and seeds were produced. Genetic tests
      with seedlings obtained from pollinations with in-vitro-matured pollen from a
      transgenic plant revealed normal Mendelian segregation of two marker genes, the
      neomycin-phosphotransferase II gene and the nopaline-synthase gene. These results
      are of interest with respect to the control of self-incompatibility, cytoplasmic
      male sterility and pollen-allergen formation, and it offers an alternative route
      for gene transfer in those plants which cannot be regenerated in vitro. 

PMID- 24220766
TI  - Are clindamycin and ciprofloxacin appropriate for the empirical treatment of
      diabetic foot infections?
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine if specific species of
      microorganisms are associated with severe infection and amputation in patients
      with a diabetic foot infection and to evaluate the effectiveness of clindamycin
      and ciprofloxacin in this population. A retrospective cohort study was performed
      at the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, for the period January
      1st 2005 to January 1st 2010. Patients with ICD-9 codes 'diabetic foot' were
      selected from the hospital database. We evaluated the association of
      Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative species (GNS) with severity of infection,
      number of amputations, and healing rates. No significant association was found
      between the different microorganisms and infection severity. Coinfections of GNS
      and S. aureus were significantly associated with amputation compared to
      infections with only S. aureus [p = 0.016, odds ratio (OR) 4.9, confidence
      interval (CI) 1.4-16.9]. The empiric antibiotic regimen of clindamycin and
      ciprofloxacin covered only 85 % of S. aureus and 78 % of GNS diabetic foot
      infections. In mild diabetic foot infection in the studied population, where
      methicillin-sensitive S. aureus and streptococci are the most likely pathogens, a
      beta-lactam antibiotic such as flucloxacillin would likely be more effective than
      clindamycin. In moderate and severe infections, where GNS as a causative organism
      cannot be safely excluded, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy may be more
      adequate.

PMID- 24220768
TI  - Import of peroxisomal hydroxypyruvate reductase into glyoxysomes.
AB  - A new procedure was used to purify the peroxisomal matrix enzyme hydroxypyruvate
      reductase (HPR) from green leaves of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) and spinach
      (Spinacia oleracea L.). Monospecific antibodies were prepared against this enzyme
      in rabbits. Immunoprecipitation of HPR from watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris
      Schrad.) yielded a single protein with a subunit molecular weight of 45 kDa.
      Immunohistochemical labeling of HPR was found exclusively in watermelon
      microbodies. Isolated polyadenylated mRNA from light-grown watermelon cotyledons
      was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The heterologous in-vivo translation
      product of HPR exhibited the same molecular weight as the immunoprecipitate from
      watermelon cotyledons, indicating the lack of a cleavable extra sequence. The
      watermelon HPR translated in oocytes was imported into isolated glyoxysomes from
      castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) endosperm and remained resistant to proteolysis
      after the addition of proteinase K. The HPR did not change its apparent molecular
      weight during sequestration; however, it may have changed its conformation. 

PMID- 24220769
TI  - Ultrastructural indications for coexistence of symplastic and apoplastic phloem
      loading in Commelina benghalensis leaves : Differences in ontogenic development,
      spatial arrangement and symplastic connections of the two sieve tubes in the
      minor vein.
AB  - The ultrastructural ontogeny of Commelina benghalensis minor-vein elements was
      followed. The mature minor vein has a restricted number of elements: a sheath of
      six to eight mestome cells encloses one xylem vessel, three to five vascular
      parenchyma cells, a companion cell, a thin-walled protophloem sieve-tube member
      and a thick-walled metaphloem sieve-tube member. The protophloem sieve-tube
      member (diameter 4-5 MUm; wall thickness 0.12 MUm) and the companion cell
      originated from a common mother cell. The metaphloem sieve-tube member (diameter
      3 MUm; wall thickness 0.2 MUm) developed from the same precursor cell as the
      phloem parenchyma cells. Counting the plasmodesmatal frequencies demonstrated a
      symplastic continuum from mesophyll to the minor-vein phloem. The metaphloem
      sievetube member and the phloem parenchyma cells are the termini of this
      symplast. The protophloem sieve-tube member and companion cell constitute an
      insulated symplastic domain. The symplastic route, mesophyll to metaphloem sieve
      tube, appears to offer a path for symplastic loading; the protophloem sieve tube
      may be capable of accumulation from the apoplast. A similar two-way system of
      loading may exist in a number of plant families. Plasmodesmograms (a novel way to
      depict cell elements, plasmodesmatal frequencies and vein architecture) of some
      other species also displayed the anatomical requirements for two routes from
      mesophyll to sieve tube and indicate the potential coexistence of symplastic and
      apoplastic loading. 

PMID- 24220770
TI  - Formation of wheat protein bodies: Involvement of the Golgi apparatus in gliadin
      transport.
AB  - Developing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) endosperm was examined using ultrathin
      sections prepared from tissues harvested at 5, 9, 16 and 25 d after flowering.
      Protein bodies were evident by 9 d and displayed a variety of membranous
      structures and inclusions. The Golgi apparatus was a prominent organelle at all
      stages, and by 9 d was associated with small electron-dense inclusions. By
      immunocytochemical techniques, gliadin (wheat prolamine) was localized within
      these vesicles and in homogeneous regions of protein bodies, but not in the lumen
      of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The protein bodies appear to enlarge by
      fusion of smaller protein bodies resulting in larger, irregular-shaped
      organelles. The affinity of the Golgi-derived vesicles for gliadin-specific
      probes during the period of maximal storage-protein synthesis and deposition
      indicates that this organelle includes the bulk, if not all, of the gliadin
      produced. The involvement of the Golgi apparatus in the packaging of gliadins
      into protein bodies indicates a pathway which differs from the mode of prolamine
      deposition in other cereals such as maize, rice and sorghum, and resembles the
      mechanism employed for the storage of rice glutelin and legume globulins. 

PMID- 24220771
TI  - Desensitization by red and blue light of phototropism in maize coleoptiles.
AB  - The effects of pretreatments with red and blue light (RL, BL) on the fluence
      response curve for the phototropism induced by a BL pulse (first positive
      curvature) were investigated with darkadapted maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles. A
      pulse of RL, giving a fluence sufficient to saturate phytochrome-mediated
      responses in this material, shifted the bell-shaped phototropic fluence-response
      curve to higher fluences and increased its peak height. A pulse of high-fluence
      BL given immediately prior to this RL treatment temporarily suppressed the
      phototropic fluence-response curve, and shifted the curve to higher fluences than
      induced by RL alone. The shift by BL progressed rapidly compared to that by RL.
      The results indicate (1) that first positive curvature is desensitized by both
      phytochrome and a BL system, (2) that desensitization by BL occurs with respect
      to both the maximal response and the quantum efficiency, and (3) that the
      desensitization responses mediated by phytochrome and the BL system can be
      induced simultaneously but develop following different kinetics. It is suggested
      that theses desensitization responses contribute to the induction of second
      positive curvature, a response induced by prolonged irradiation. 

PMID- 24220772
TI  - Phototropic fluence-response relations for Avena coleoptiles on a clinostat.
AB  - Phototropism of Avena sativa L. has been characterized using a clinostat to
      negate the gravitropic response. The kinetics for development of curvature was
      measured following induction by a single pulse of blue light (BL), five pulses of
      BL at 20-min intervals, and this same pulsed-light regime following a 2-h red
      light (RL) pre-irradiation. A final curvature of about 14 degrees  is expressed
      within 180 min following the single pulse; a final curvature of about 62 degrees 
      in about 240 min following five pulses without pre-irradiation; and a curvature
      of over 125 degrees  in 360 min following five pulses after the RL pre
      irradiation. For seedlings not pre-irradiated, the final curvature to five pulses
      of BL at a total fluence of 9.4 pmol.cm(-2) increases with time of darkness
      between pulses up to 15 min; with seedlings pre-irradiated with RL, curvature
      increased more slowly with time of darkness between pulses to a maximum at 35
      min. The final curvature induced by a constant fluence of 9.4 pmol.cm(-2)
      increases linearly with time between the first pulse and last pulse of a five
      pulse sequence. The curvature induced by a single BL pulse with a 5-min RL co
      irradiation increases with fluence to a maximum of about 60 degrees  at about 10
      pmol.cm(-2), and then decreases to 0 degrees  at about 200 pmol.cm(-2). Curvature
      induced by five BL pulses following a 2-h RL pre-irradiation increased with
      fluence from a threshold of about 0.05 pmol.cm(-2) to a maximum of 90 degrees  at
      about 10 pmol.cm(-2), and then gradually decreased with fluence to 50 degrees  at
      1 000 pmol.cm(-2). Based on these data, it is concluded that the initial
      photoproduct formed by a BL pulse has a limited lifetime, that there is a kinetic
      limitation "downstream" of the photoreceptor pigment for phototropism, and that
      the additivive effect of pulsed BL is distinct from the potentiating effect of RL
      on phototropism. Thus, any degree of curvature from 0 degrees  to over 90 degrees
      may be induced by a fluence in the ascending arm of what is traditionally called
      the "first positive" phototropic response. 

PMID- 24220773
TI  - Acquisition of embryogenic potential in carrot cell-suspension cultures.
AB  - Embryogenic suspension cultures of domesticated carrot (Daucus carota L.) are
      characterized by the presence of proembryogenic masses (PEMs) from which somatic
      embryos develop under conditions of low cell density in the absence of
      phytohormones. A culture system, referred to as starting cultures, was developed
      that allowed analysis of the emergence of PEMs in newly initiated hypocotyl
      derived suspension cultures. Embryogenic potential, reflected by the number of
      FEMs present, slowly increased in starting cultures over a period of six weeks.
      Addition of excreted, high-molecular-weight, heat-labile cell factors from an
      established embryogenic culture considerably accelerated the acquisition of
      embryogenic potential in starting cultures. Analysis of [(35)S]methionine-labeled
      proteins excreted into the medium revealed distinct changes concomitant with the
      acquisition of embryogenic potential in these cultures. Analysis of the pattern
      of gene expression by in-vitro translation of total cellular mRNA from starting
      cultures with different embryogenic potential and subsequent separation of the
      [(35)S]methionine-labeled products by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis demonstrated a small number of abundant in-vitro-translation
      products to be present in somatic embryos and in embryogenic cells but absent in
      nonembryogenic cells. Several other in-vitro-translation products were present in
      explants, non-embryogenic and embryogenic cells but were absent in somatic
      embryos. Hybridization of an embryoregulated complementary-DNA sequence, Dc3, to
      RNA extracted from starting cultures showed that the corresponding gene is
      expressed in somatic embryos and PEMs but not in non-embryogenic cells. 

PMID- 24220774
TI  - Gene-expression programs in embryogenic and non-embryogenic carrot cultures.
AB  - Somatic embryogenesis can be synchronized by enriching carrot (Daucus carota L.)
      suspension cultures for small, dense clusters of cells termed proembryogenic
      masses (PEMs). Gene-expression programs of PEMs were compared with those of
      embryonic and mature tissues by in-vitro translation of representative mRNA
      populations and by nucleic-acid hybridization. Analysis of invitro-translated
      polypeptides by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed
      striking similarities between the mRNA populations of PEM and torpedo-stage
      embryos; substantial differences, however, were observed when in-vitro
      translation products of PEMs and torpedo embryos were compared with those of
      hypocotyls and leaves. Northern blots of RNA isolated from PEMs, staged embryos,
      and mature carrot tissues were hybridized with cDNA probes for Dc3, Dc5 and Dc13;
      these cDNA recombinants represent mRNAs that are regulated during carrot somatic
      embryogenesis. The pattern of expression of these embryo-regulated transcripts
      was similar in PEMs and somatic embryos but differed in other carrot tissues.
      These results indicate that many of the molecular processes of embryogenesis are
      already established in PEMs in the presence of auxin. Additional experiments
      indicate the utility of Dc3 as a molecular marker for the acquisition of
      embryogenic potential. 

PMID- 24220775
TI  - Phototropism of maize coleoptiles Influences of light gradients.
AB  - The lateral fluence-rate gradients in unilaterally irradiated maize (Zea mays L.)
      coleoptiles were calculated on the basis of the proportions of P fr (far-red
      absorbing form of phytochrome) measured spectroscopically in transverse slices of
      the coleoptiles (top 1 cm). The results showed the occurrence of significant
      gradients that are wavelength-dependent. The gradient at 449 nm was steeper than
      those measured at 516, 534 and 551 nm, which were steeper than that measured at
      665 nm. The ratios between the sides proximal and distal to the light source
      were, for example, 1:0.12 (449 nm), 1:0.23 (534 nm), and 1:0.28 (665 nm). Fluence
      response curves for coleoptile phototropism (first positive curvature produced by
      less than 100 s unilateral irradiation) were measured at 449, 516, 534 and 551
      nm. Comparison of the threshold fluences indicated that the responsiveness to 551
      nm is about 10(4.8) less than that to 449 nm. Increasing wavelengths led to a
      decrease in maximal curvature, which correlated with the decrease of the fluence
      rate ratios between the proximal and distal sides. Phototropic fluence-response
      curves were also measured using bilateral irradiation (449 nm). In one set of
      experiments, the fluence ratio was kept constant (either 1:1/2, 1:1/4 or 1:1/16)
      and the total fluence was varied, and in the other set the fluence applied to one
      side was kept constant and the fluence ratio was varied. A simple model based on
      the assumption that only one photoreaction occurs, and that the response is a
      function of the difference between the proximal and distal sides in the local
      photoreceptor action was tested. A fluence-response curve for this local
      photoreceptor action was calculated based on the fluence-rate ratio and the
      phototropic fluence-response curve measured for 449 nm. This curve was used, in
      conjunction with the measured fluence-rate ratios, as a basis for calculating
      phototropic fluence-response curves for other wavelengths and those for 449 nm
      obtained with bilateral irradiation. The calculated fluence-response curves
      showed excellent agreement with the experimental data. It is concluded that the
      threshold for maize coleoptile phototropism reflects the apparent photoconversion
      cross-section of the blue-light receptor whereas the maximal curvature depends on
      the steepness of the light gradient across the coleoptile. 

PMID- 24220776
TI  - Isolation and characterization of thirteen new salt-soluble proteins from barley
      by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - Thirteen new proteins from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) have been isolated and
      characterized. These proteins and seven other previously known components were
      isolated from a 0.5-M NaCl extract of endosperm by single-step, reversed-phase,
      high-performance liquid chromatography, using a Vydac C4 semi-preparative column.
      The purity of the isolated proteins was analyzed by polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis at pH 3.2 or in sodium dodecyl sulfate, by two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis and was further confirmed by partial NH2-terminal sequencing. The
      NH2-terminal amino-acid sequences of fourteen of the components were determined,
      from 5 to 27 cycles, by automated liquid-phase sequencing. According to the
      sequence data and predictions of secondary structure, different groups of
      homologous proteins were established. Based on the presented results, two
      thionins, one trypsin inhibitor and one alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor are
      included among the purified proteins. 

PMID- 24220777
TI  - Mass-spectrometric quantitation of cytokinins in tobacco crown-gall tumours
      induced by mutated octopine Ti plasmids of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - The levels of the major cytokinins, zeatin, zeatin riboside, zeatin riboside-5'
      monophosphate and zeatin-7-glucoside were measured in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum
      L.) crown-gall tissues carrying insertion and deletion mutations in the T-DNA.
      Measurements were made by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using
      selected ion monitoring with (15)N- and (2)H-labelled internal standards. The
      results demonstrate that, relative to wild-type tumour tissue, cytokinin levels
      are considerably elevated in tissues lacking functional T-DNA auxin-biosynthetic
      genes. From a detailed analysis of the major cytokinin metabolites it is
      concluded that a reduction in the extent of cytokinin degradation via N(6)-side
      chain cleavage is an important factor leading to increased cytokinin levels in
      these tissues. 

PMID- 24220778
TI  - Induction of a high-capacity nitrate-uptake mechanism in barley roots prompted by
      nitrate uptake through a constitutive low-capacity mechanism.
AB  - Roots of nitrate-starved and nitrate-pretreated seedlings of Hordeum vulgare were
      used to investigate the induction of a high-capacity uptake mechanism for
      nitrate. When exposed to 0.2 mmol.l(-1)KNO3, nitrate-starved roots took up
      nitrate at a rate of approx. 1 MUmol.(g FW)(-1).h(-1); K(+) was absorbed at a
      rate ten-times higher. Nitrate uptake accelerated after a lag of about 1 h, until
      it matched the rate of K(+) uptake about 4 h later. p-Fluorophenylalanine (FPA),
      which prevents the synthesis of functioning proteins, suppressed the development
      of the high-capacity mechanism. Pretreatment of the roots with 0.2 mmol.l(-1)
      Ca(NO3)2 for 24 h established the high-capacity mechanism. Pretreated roots were
      able to absorb nitrate at high rates immediately upon exposure to 0.2 mmol.l(
      1)KNO3, in the absence or presence of FPA. The high-capacity mechanism, once
      established, appeared to have a protein turnover as slow as that of the low
      capacity mechanism or that of the mechanism involved in the uptake of K(+). In
      contrast, the mechanisms for the transport of nitrate and K(+) into the xylem
      vessels were completely blocked by FPA within 1 h of application, confirming
      earlier evidence for a rapid turnover of the transport proteins in the xylem
      parenchyma.Nitrate reduction proceeded at rates which were roughly one-tenth as
      large as the rates of the respective nitrate-uptake processes, indicating that
      nitrate-reductase activity was determined by the rate of nitrate uptake and not
      vice versa.We conclude that the formation of a high-capacity nitrate-uptake
      mechanism in barley roots occurs in response to nitrate uptake through a
      constitutive mechanism of low capacity which appears to function as a sensing
      mechanism for nitrate in the environment of the roots. 

PMID- 24220779
TI  - Jasmonate-induced alteration of gene expression in barley leaf segments analyzed
      by in-vivo and in-vitro protein synthesis.
AB  - Jasmonic-acid methylester promotes barley leaf senescence without changing the
      average synthesizing capacity for bulk leaf proteins in the treated tissues. This
      protein balance is the result of a massive formation of jasmonate-induced
      proteins (JIPs), which cannot be detected in controls (water-treated leaf
      segments). Jasmonate-induced proteins synthesized in vivo are virtually identical
      to the respective polypeptides translated in a wheat-germ system if programmed
      with the RNA of jasmonate-treated leaf segments. Both in-vivo-and in-vitro-formed
      JIPs correspond with molecular sizes of Mr 110, 66, 30, 23 and 10/12 kilodaltons.
      This observation indicates little if any post-translational modification.
      Specific mRNAs for JIPs and the JIPs labeled in vivo can be detected 3-5 h after
      jasmonate addition. Synthesis of JIPs increases up to 24 h whereas, at the same
      time, the translatable mRNAs for normal leaf proteins decrease drastically. This
      massive alteration of gene expression is reminiscent of heat-shock or other
      stress responses, but the proteins induced by jasmonate differ from those induced
      by elevated temperature with respect to molecular size, immunological
      relatedness, and kinetics of synthesis. It is suggested that JIP synthesis is
      rather a cause than a consequence of the common senescence symptoms and thus
      could represent some kind of early "stress" response in senescence induced by
      jasmonic-acid methylester. The action of jasmonic-acid methylester in gene
      expression points to a control at the transcript level. 

PMID- 24220780
TI  - Cytoplasmic free calcium in Riccia fluitans L. and Zea mays L.: Interaction of
      Ca(2+) and pH?
AB  - In cells of Zea mays (root hairs, coleoptiles) and Riccia fluitans (rhizoids,
      thalli) intracellular Ca(2+) and pH have been measured with double-barrelled
      microelectrodes. Free Ca(2+) activities of 109-187 nM (Riccia rhizoids), 94-160
      nM (Riccia thalli), 145-231 nM (Zea root hairs), 84-143 nM (Zea coleoptiles) were
      found, and therefore identified as cytoplasmic. In a few cases (Riccia rhizoids),
      free Ca(2+) was in the lower millimolar range (2.3+/-0.8 mM). A change in
      external Ca(2+) from 0.1 to 10 mM caused an initial and short transient increase
      in cytoplasmic free Ca(2+) which finally levelled off at about 0.2 pCa unit below
      the control, whereas in the presence of cyanide the Ca(2+) activity returned to
      the control level. It is suggested that this behaviour is indicative of active
      cellular Ca(2+) regulation, and since it is energy-dependent, may involve a
      Ca(2+)-ATPase. Acidification of the cytoplasmic pH and alkalinization of the
      vacuolar pH lead to a simultaneous increase in cytoplasmic free Ca(2+), while
      alkalinization of pHc decreased the Ca(2+) activity. Since this is true for such
      remote organisms as Riccia and Zea, it may be concluded that regulation of
      cytoplasmic pH and free Ca(2+) are interrelated. It is further concluded that
      double-barrelled microelectrodes are useful tools for investigations of
      intracellular ion activities in plant cells. 

PMID- 24220781
TI  - Photosynthesis and apparent affinity for dissolved inorganic carbon by cells and
      chloroplasts of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii grown at high and low CO2
      concentrations.
AB  - Chloroplasts with high rates of photosynthetic O2 evolution (up to 120 MUmol O2.
      (mg Chl)(-1).h(-1) compared with 130 MUmol O2. (mg Chl)(-1).h(-1) of whole cells)
      were isolated from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells grown in high and low CO2
      concentrations using autolysine-digitonin treatment. At 25 degrees  C and pH=7.8,
      no O2 uptake could be observed in the dark by high- and low-CO2 adapted
      chloroplasts. Light saturation of photosynthetic net oxygen evolution was reached
      at 800 MUmol photons.m(-2).s(-1) for high- and low-CO2 adapted chloroplasts, a
      value which was almost identical to that observed for whole cells. Dissolved
      inorganic carbon (DIC) saturation of photosynthesis was reached between 200-300
      MUM for low-CO2 adapted chloroplasts, whereas high-CO2 adapted chloroplasts were
      not saturated even at 700 MUM DIC. The concentrations of DIC required to reach
      half-saturated rates of net O2 evolution (Km(DIC)) was 31.1 and 156 MUM DIC for
      low- and high-CO2 adapted chloroplasts, respectively. These results demonstrate
      that the CO2 concentration provided during growth influenced the photosynthetic
      characteristics at the whole cell as well as at the chloroplast level. 

PMID- 24220782
TI  - The oxidation of exogenous NADH by mitochondria of Euglena gracilis.
AB  - A novel oxidase activity of external NADH was found in mitochondria of a
      streptomycin-bleached mutant and the wild strain of Euglena gracilis. In contrast
      to higher plants the oxidation of external NADH in mitochondria of E. gracilis is
      sensitive to rotenone and yields the same phosphorylation efficiency as the
      matrix pool of NADH. Simulation of this activity by the classic complex I of the
      matrix side of the mitochondrial membrane, as a result of preparation-generated
      artefacts, is excluded. The external NADH-dehydrogenase activity is bound to the
      inner mitochondrial membrane with its active side facing the cytosol. State-4
      enzyme activity is only slightly influenced by pH in the physiological range,
      whereas state-3 oxidation indicates an optimum in the physiological pH, as
      expected from a limitation by the ATPase. The external redox potential of NADH
      does not control enzyme activity. The results are discussed with respect to the
      metabolic status of the cells at the time of harvesting. 

PMID- 24220783
TI  - Light-dependent, but phytochrome-independent, translational control of the
      accumulation of the P700 chlorophyll-a protein of photosystem I in barley
      (Hordeum vulgare L.).
AB  - This work reports on the regulation of synthesis of the P700 chlorophyll-a
      apoprotein of photosystem I in barley. The mRNA for the P700 apoprotein is almost
      exclusively confined to the plastid membrane-bound polysomes. However, the mRNA
      for the 32-kDa herbicide-binding protein of photosystem II is found in both the
      soluble and membrane-bound polysomes.The mRNA for the P700 apoprotein is found in
      similar amounts in dark-grown and light-grown wild-type as well as mutant xantha
      l(81) barley. The latter mutant is deficient in chlorophyll biosynthesis.
      However, while wild-type leaves accumulate the P700 chlorophyll-a protein only in
      the light, mutant leaves never accumulate the P700 apoprotein.A more sensitive
      approach was taken using isolated plastids to study P700 apoprotein synthesis.
      Etioplasts did not synthesize detectable P700 apoprotein even when the etioplasts
      were exposed to light. However, only a 1-min exposure of leaves to light was
      necessary to induce P700 apoprotein synthesis by isolated plastids.Phytochrome
      involvement in controlling P700 apoprotein synthesis was tested by using
      red/farred light treatment of leaves. These treatments showed no far-red
      reversibility of red-induced P700-apoprotein synthesis in isolated plastids even
      after 3 h of darkness after the light treatments. From these data we conclude
      that the accumulation of P700 apopootein is not under the control of phytochrome
      and that the light induction of P700 apoprotein is most likely mediated through
      the protochlorophyllide/chlorophyllide system. This control, however, may also
      involve cytoplasmic signals as the synthesis of the P700 apoprotein is not turned
      on in illuminated etioplasts. 

PMID- 24220784
TI  - The loci of perception for phytochrome control of internode growth in light-grown
      mustard: Promotion by low phytochrome photoequilibria in the internode is
      enhanced by blue light perceived by the leaves.
AB  - Under continuous white light (WL), extension growth of the first internode in
      Sinapis alba L. was promoted by low red (R): far-red (FR) ratios reaching the
      stem and-or the leaves. Conversely, the growth promotion by end-of-day light
      treatments was only triggered by FR perceived by the leaves and cotyledons, while
      FR given to the growning internode alone was tatally ineffective. Continuous
      WL+FR given to the internode was also in-effective if the rest of the shoot
      remained in darkness. Both the background stem growth, and the growth promotion
      caused by either an end-of-day FR pulse or continuous WL+FR given to the
      internode, increased with increasing fluence rates of WL given to the rest of the
      shoot. The increase by WL of the growth-stimulatory effect of low phytochrome
      photoequilibria in the internode appears to be mediated by a specific blue-light
      absorbing photoreceptor, as blue-deficient light from sodium-discharge lamps, or
      from filtered fluorescent tubes, promoted background stem growth similarly to WL
      but did not amplify the response to the R:FR ratio in the internode.
      Supplementing the blue-deficient light (94 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1)) with low fluence
      rates of blue (<9 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1)) restored the promotive effect of low R:FR
      reaching the internode. 

PMID- 24220785
TI  - The calmodulin-stimulated ATPase of maize coleoptiles is a 140000-Mr polypeptide.
AB  - The calmodulin-stimulated ATPase of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles has been
      purified by calcium-dependent binding to a calmodulin affinity column. In the
      presence of protease inhibitors (phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride and chymostatin) a
      polypeptide of relative molecular mass (Mr) 140000 (+/-10000) is obtained on
      sodium-dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gels. This polypeptide is recognised
      specifically by an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody to mammalian calmodulin
      stimulated calcium-pumping ATPases and is of similar Mr to the erythrocyte
      membrane calcium pump (138000 Mr). 

PMID- 24220786
TI  - Pubic ramus convexity or ballooning: a sentinel sign for severe periacetabular
      osteolysis in total hip arthroplasty.
AB  - Osteolysis is a significant long-term problem in hip arthroplasty. Plain
      radiographs are the routine investigation of choice for monitoring hip
      arthroplasty patients; however, the recognition of clinically significant
      osteolysis can be challenging. We present two case reports of arthroplasty
      patients with ballooning and expansion of the superior pubic ramus with loss of
      the normal concavity of the ilio-pectineal line. Both patients subsequently
      displayed massive pubic osteolysis at the time of revision surgery. We suggest
      that the presence of convexity of the ilio-pectineal line/superior pubic ramus
      indicates established pelvic osteolysis. 

PMID- 24220787
TI  - An editor's journey: 6 years with European Radiology.
AB  - Recent changes in the journal European Radiology and the development of our
      sister journal Insights into Imaging are discussed. So too are problems related
      to redundant publications and assessments of quality. In particular, it must be
      realised that the Impact Factor of a journal is not the only parameter of
      success. 

PMID- 24220788
TI  - [Precipitation of piritramide and cefazolin. Study of the dependence on
      concentration and pH].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug incompatibility might lead to precipitation with subsequent
      serious complications, such as transient pulmonary embolism. Recently,
      incompatibility of the opioid piritramide with cephalosporin antibiotics was
      described. As both drugs are frequently administered in a perioperative setting,
      the present study addressed the question whether the precipitation effect depends
      on the piritramide concentration or on the pH of the solution. Moreover, it was
      tested whether the precipitate reversibly dissolves in a physiological saline
      solution. METHODS: Piritramide was diluted to the final test concentrations in
      0.9 % sodium chloride solution. Precipitation tests were performed by combining 1
      ml of the respective piritramide dilution with 1 ml of cefazolin (20 mg/ml) in a
      syringe. Precipitation was detected by visual inspection as an opaque whitish
      appearance of the mixture. Each concentration was tested 5 times. The pH values
      of the tested piritramide concentrations were determined using a 3-point
      calibrated pH meter. The precipitate formed in 1 ml of cefazolin (20 mg/ml) and 1
      ml of piritramide (5 mg/ml) was diluted in 3 ml physiological saline. RESULTS:
      The piritramide concentrations 5 mg/ml, 3.75 mg/ml and 3 mg/ml precipitated in
      the presence of cefazolin (20 mg/ml), while the concentrations 1.875 mg/ml, 1
      mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml did not produce a precipitate. To exclude the possibility
      that changes in pH of the tested dilutions might be responsible for these
      findings, the pH values of the piritramide dilutions were measured. The mean pH
      values of the concentrations 5 mg/ml, 3.75 mg/ml, 3 mg/ml, 1.875 mg/ml and 1
      mg/ml did not differ significantly (pH 3.89 +/- 0.004, n = 26, tested by ANOVA).
      However, the mean pH of 0.5 mg/ml was significantly different from the other
      tested dilutions (pH 3.98 +/- 0.02, n = 6; p < 0.01 by ANOVA). After diluting the
      precipitate of piritramide and cefazolin in physiological saline the whitish
      precipitate completely dissolved and the resulting solution became clear (n = 5).
      CONCLUSION: The results imply a concentration dependence of the precipitation
      with cefazolin, while a correlation with pH changes could not be detected. In
      cases of co-administration of cephalosporins and piritramide, a piritramide
      concentration of 1 mg/ml seems to be safe and does not form a precipitate. As the
      precipitate could be reversed by diluting in saline solution it is most likely
      that a proton switch between the carboxylic acid moiety of cefazolin and the
      amino group of piritramide causes the precipitation.

PMID- 24220789
TI  - [Hydroxyethyl starch].

PMID- 24220791
TI  - Function of aspartic acid residues in optimum pH control of L-arabinose isomerase
      from Lactobacillus fermentum.
AB  - L-Arabinose isomerase (L-AI) catalyzes the isomerization of L-arabinose to L
      ribulose and D-galactose to D-tagatose. Most reported L-AIs exhibit neutral or
      alkaline optimum pH, which is less beneficial than acidophilic ones in industrial
      D-tagatose production. Lactobacillus fermentum L-AI (LFAI) is a thermostable
      enzyme that can achieve a high conversion rate for D-galactose isomerization.
      However, its biocatalytic activity at acidic conditions can still be further
      improved. In this study, we report the single- and multiple-site mutagenesis on
      LFAI targeting three aspartic acid residues (D268, D269, and D299). Some of the
      lysine mutants, especially D268K/D269K/D299K, exhibited significant optimum pH
      shifts (from 6.5 to 5.0) and enhancement of pH stability (half-life time
      increased from 30 to 62 h at pH 6.0), which are more favorable for industrial
      applications. With the addition of borate, D-galactose was isomerized into D
      tagatose by D268K/D269K/D299K at pH 5.0, resulting in a high conversion rate of
      62 %. Based on the obtained 3.2-A crystal structure of LFAI, the three aspartic
      acid residues were found to be distant from the active site and possibly did not
      participate in substrate catalysis. However, they were proven to possess similar
      optimum pH control ability in other L-AI, such as that derived from Escherichia
      coli. This study sheds light on the essential residues of L-AIs that can be
      modified for desired optimum pH and better pH stability, which are useful in D
      tagatose bioproduction. 

PMID- 24220793
TI  - Humus-reducing microorganisms and their valuable contribution in environmental
      processes.
AB  - Humus constitutes a very abundant class of organic compounds that are chemically
      heterogeneous and widely distributed in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
      Evidence accumulated during the last decades indicating that humic substances
      play relevant roles on the transport, fate, and redox conversion of organic and
      inorganic compounds both in chemically and microbially driven reactions. The
      present review underlines the contribution of humus-reducing microorganisms in
      relevant environmental processes such as biodegradation of recalcitrant
      pollutants and mitigation of greenhouse gases emission in anoxic ecosystems,
      redox conversion of industrial contaminants in anaerobic wastewater treatment
      systems, and on the microbial production of nanocatalysts and alternative energy
      sources. 

PMID- 24220792
TI  - Engineering of the TetR family transcriptional regulator SAV151 and its target
      genes increases avermectin production in Streptomyces avermitilis.
AB  - Avermectins produced by Streptomyces avermitilis are used commercially for broad
      spectrum parasite control in medical, veterinary, and agricultural fields. Our
      previous comparative transcriptome analysis of wild-type strain ATCC31267 vs.
      avermectin-overproducing strain 76-02-e revealed that the gene SAV151, which
      encodes a TetR family transcriptional regulator, was downregulated in 76-02-e. In
      the present study, we investigated the role of SAV151 in avermectin production.
      Deletion of SAV151 increased avermectin yield ~1-fold in ATCC31267, and this
      phenotype was complemented by a single copy of SAV151. Overexpression of SAV151
      in ATCC31267 reduced avermectin yield by ~70%. RT-PCR analysis showed that the
      promoting effect of SAV151 deletion on avermectin production was not due to
      alteration of ave genes at the transcriptional level. SAV151 negatively regulated
      the transcription of itself and of the adjacent transcriptional unit SAV152
      SAV153-SAV154. In chromatin immunoprecipitation and gel shift assays, purified
      His6-tagged SAV151 protein bound to the bidirectional SAV151-SAV152 promoter
      region. SAV151 bound to two palindromic sequences in this region and thereby
      repressed transcription from both directions. Two of the SAV151 target genes,
      SAV152 (which encodes a putative dehydrogenase) and SAV154 (which encodes a
      putative hydrolase), had promoting effects on avermectin production. Our findings
      provide the basis for a strategy to increase avermectin production by controlling
      SAV151 and its target genes.

PMID- 24220794
TI  - Movement initiation in groups of feral horses.
AB  - Herds of ungulates, flocks of birds, swarms of insects and schools of fish move
      in coordinated groups. Computer models show that only one or very few animals are
      needed to initiate and direct movement. To investigate initiation mechanisms
      further, we studied two ways in which movement can be initiated in feral horses:
      herding, and departure from the group. We examined traits affecting the
      likelihood of a horse initiating movement i.e. social rank, affiliative
      relationships, spatial position, and social network. We also investigated whether
      group members join a movement in dominance rank order. Our results show that
      whereas herding is exclusive to alpha males, any group member may initiate
      movement by departure. Social bonds, the number of animals interacted with, and
      the spatial position were not significantly associated with movement initiation.
      We did not find movement initiation by departure to be exclusive to any type of
      individual. Instead we find evidence for a limited form of distributed
      leadership, with higher ranking animals being followed more often. 

PMID- 24220795
TI  - The energy-maintenance strategy of goitered gazelles Gazella subgutturosa during
      rut.
AB  - In many polygynous ruminant species, males decrease their food intake
      considerably during the rut. To explain this phenomenon of rut-reduced
      hypophagia, two main hypotheses, the Foraging-Constraint Hypothesis and Energy
      Saving Hypothesis, have been proposed. In our research, we assessed the
      behavioral strategy of goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) through the
      rutting period. According to our findings, male goitered gazelles spent less time
      feeding during the rut compared to pre- and post-rut feeding times, but then
      maximized their energy intake during the rutting season when they were not
      engaged in rut-related behaviors. Females, in contrast, did not change their time
      budgets across the different stages of the rut. Therefore, rut-induced hypophagia
      is mainly arising from the constraints of rut-related behaviors for male goitered
      gazelles, so that the Foraging-Constraint Hypothesis better explains their
      strategy during rut. 

PMID- 24220790
TI  - Linking seasonal inorganic nitrogen shift to the dynamics of microbial
      communities in the Chesapeake Bay.
AB  - Seasonal shifts of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and the dynamics of
      microbial communities for nitrogen transformation were investigated in the water
      column of Chesapeake Bay. The relative abundance of nitrogen over phosphorus (N)
      showed a strong seasonal and spatial pattern: gradually decreased from upstream
      to downstream; high in winter and low in summer. Because the phosphorus
      concentration remained relatively stable, the spatiotemporal pattern of N implied
      that a substantial fraction of DIN was removed in the bay, especially in summer.
      Correlation analyses indicated the functional microbial communities and
      environmental variables, such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, played
      important roles for connecting the seasonal variation of N. Among them,
      temperature was the trigger factor. High temperature in the summer induced the
      growth of functional microbes, which subsequently consumed a large portion of DIN
      inputted from the tributaries and reduced the N. The current study provided the
      relative importance of microbial communities and environmental variables in
      driving the DIN loss in the bay.

PMID- 24220796
TI  - Development of observational learning during school formation in jack mackerel
      Trachurus japonicus juveniles.
AB  - We assessed whether the development of observational learning in jack mackerel
      Trachurus japonicus juveniles corresponds with that of their schooling behaviour.
      Schooling behaviour was quantitatively analyzed by nearest neighbour distance and
      separation angle in two size classes of fish, 20-mm and 40-mm in body length.
      Observer and non-observer fish with matching sizes were conditioned to pellets by
      temporarily stopping aeration. Observer fish were provided with five observation
      trials of other individuals feeding near an air stone when aeration was stopped.
      After the observation trial, fish were conditioned to pellets with the stop of
      aeration, and then the learning process was evaluated by the increase in the
      association with the feeding area when aeration was stopped. In 20-mm fish, which
      were at an immature stage of schooling behaviour, there was no difference in the
      learning process between observer and non-observer fish. In contrast, 40-mm fish
      were confirmed to have a well-developed schooling behaviour, and the observer
      learnt the feeding area more efficiently than the non-observer. This study
      provides evidence that observational learning develops along with the development
      of the social interaction. 

PMID- 24220797
TI  - Why do cervids feed on aquatic vegetation?
AB  - Consumption of aquatic plants is rare among cervids, despite the common
      occurrence of this form of vegetation. However, the paucity of literature
      reporting on this feeding behaviour suggests that Na (but also other minerals),
      protein, and the ubiquitous availability of aquatic vegetation may play a role in
      its consumption. We present results quantifying those factors that regulate the
      consumption of aquatic plants in the Iberian red deer. We focussed our study
      primarily on two questions: (i) what nutritional values are red deer seeking in
      the aquatic plants?; and (ii) why do red deer primarily use aquatic plants during
      the summer? A comparison of the seasonal variations in Na content between
      terrestrial vs. aquatic vegetation did not fully support the hypothesis that
      aquatic plants are being consumed more in summer because of any seasonal
      variation in Na availability. The Na content in the aquatic vegetation was
      adequate all the year-round; whereas, the Na content in the terrestrial
      vegetation was consistently deficient. However, a greater summer content of
      essential minerals and protein in the aquatic vegetation may be the cause for
      their consumption exclusively during the summer. We suggest that seasonal
      variations in the consumption of aquatic vegetation by cervids is primarily
      driven by temporal variations in the nutrient content, combined with seasonal
      variations in the physiological demands for these nutrients. 

PMID- 24220798
TI  - Morphological and quantitative analysis of BCL6 expression in human colorectal
      carcinogenesis.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to determine whether BCL6 is expressed during
      malignant transformation of the large bowel and to assess whether, and to what
      extent, immunoreactivity is related to the different stages of neoplastic
      progression. Samples of normal colorectal mucosa (n=22), microadenomas (n=22) and
      colorectal cancer (n=22), were analyzed by immunohistochemistry,
      immunofluorescence coupled with confocal microscopy and western blotting. Our
      results clearly outlined the marked increase occurring in both intensity and
      density of BCL6 protein expression in the normal mucosa-microadenoma-carcinoma
      sequence. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses showed that BCL6
      is expressed at low levels in normal mucosa and increases in microadenoma and in
      cancer with statistical significance. These results were confirmed by western
      blotting data. The increasing expression of BCL6 in human colorectal cancer
      development suggests the involvement of BCL6 in tumor progression, from the
      earliest stages of carcinogenesis with significant increase in cancer. The
      enhanced understanding of the biological role of BCL6, previously shown to exert
      a key role in lymphomagenesis, may lead to a re-evaluation of this protein and
      may highlight the importance of performing further studies in order to identify
      novel therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 24220799
TI  - Caspase inhibition via A3 adenosine receptors: a new cardioprotective mechanism
      against myocardial infarction.
AB  - PURPOSE: 2-CL-IB-MECA, (A3 adenosine receptor agonist)(A3AR) mediated
      cardioprotection is well documented although the associated intracellular
      signalling pathways remain unclear. Here we demonstrate a role of the pro
      survival signalling pathways MEK1/2-ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT and their effect on
      modifying Caspase-3 activity in A3AR mediated cardioprotection. METHODS: Isolated
      perfused rat hearts or primary adult rat cardiac myocytes were subjected to
      ischaemia/hypoxia and reperfusion/reoxygenation, respectively. 2-CL-IB-MECA (1
      nM) was administered at the onset of reperfusion/reoxygenation in the presence
      and absence of either the PI3K inhibitor Wortmannin (5 nM) or MEK1/2 inhibitor
      UO126 (10 MUM). Heart tissues were harvested for assessment of p
      ERK1/2(Thr202/Tyr204) or p-AKT (Ser-473) status or underwent infarct size
      assessment. Cardiac myocytes underwent flow-cytometric analysis for apoptosis,
      necrosis, cleaved-caspase 3/p-BAD (Ser-112 and Ser-136) activity post
      reoxygenation. RESULTS: 2-CL-IB-MECA significantly reduced infarct size compared
      to non-treated controls, where co-administration with either of the kinase
      inhibitors abolished the infarct sparing effects. Administration of 2-CL-IB-MECA
      at reperfusion significantly upregulated the status of p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT
      compared to time matched controls in a UO126 and Wortmannin sensitive manner
      respectively. 2-CL-IB-MECA when administered throughout reoxygenation
      significantly reduced apoptosis, necrosis, cleaved-caspase 3 activity and
      increased p-BAD (Ser-112) and p-BAD (Ser-136) activity in myocytes subjected to
      hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. The cytoprotective effect was abolished by co
      administration with the kinase inhibitors Wortmannin and/or UO126. CONCLUSIONS:
      We have described the molecular mechanisms associated with A3AR mediated
      cardioprotection indicating a role for the pro-survival signalling pathways that
      decrease caspase-3 activity. These observations provide novel insight into the
      pharmacological effects of A3ARs in ameliorating myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion
      injury.

PMID- 24220800
TI  - The NLRP3 inflammasome and diabetic cardiomyopathy : editorial to: "Rosuvastatin
      alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and MAPK
      pathways in a type 2 diabetes rat model" by Beibei Luo et al.

PMID- 24220801
TI  - Longitudinal assessments of quality of life and late toxicities before and after
      definitive chemoradiation for esophageal cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Definitive chemoradiotherapy is often considered for locally advanced
      esophageal cancer. We studied the effect of chemoradiotherapy treatment on
      patients' quality of life and late toxicities. METHODS: Patients undergoing
      definitive 5-fluorouracil and cis-diammine-glycolatoplatinum (nedaplatin) therapy
      concurrent with radiotherapy for esophageal cancer without operation adaptation
      completed standardized quality-of-life questionnaires before and after
      chemoradiotherapy and at regular times up to ~5 years. We analyzed differences in
      a generic quality-of-life score questionnaire (Functional Assessment of Cancer
      Therapy-Esophageal scoring) over time by using a linear mixed-effects model.
      RESULTS: Longitudinal changes before the start of treatment were able to be
      evaluated in a total of 80 patients. The quality-of-life score before treatment
      was worse in patients with advanced stages than those with early stages. The
      quality-of-life score deteriorated once at the time of 2 or 3 months after
      starting chemoradiotherapy compared with pre-chemoradiotherapy and recovered and
      rose higher at 4 or 5 months than before starting chemoradiotherapy. After that,
      the recovery of quality of life was maintained up to the observation end. The
      score of physical functioning such as fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain and dyspnea
      deteriorated at the time of 2 or 3 months after starting chemoradiotherapy
      compared with before chemoradiotherapy (80, 86, 94 and 89%). CONCLUSIONS: The
      quality-of-life score deteriorates once from before treatment due to acute
      complications by chemoradiotherapy, but recovers at 4 or 5 months and becomes
      better than before treatment.

PMID- 24220802
TI  - Different histological status of gastritis in superficial adenocarcinoma of the
      esophagogastric junction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although many gastric cancers arise in chronic gastritis, the
      association between adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and the status
      of background gastritis remains unclear. We aim to investigate the histological
      status of gastritis in the background fundic gland mucosa of adenocarcinoma of
      the esophagogastric junction. METHODS: The present study included 121 consecutive
      patients with superficial adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction obtained
      by surgical and/or endoscopic resection. We re-evaluated the histogenesis of
      adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction, including the background fundic
      gland mucosa using the Updated Sydney System. The prevalence of histologic
      atrophic gastric mucosa with gastritis (positive gastritis), non-atrophic gastric
      mucosa without gastritis (negative gastritis) and Barrett's adenocarcinoma was
      examined. RESULTS: Histologic-positive gastritis was found in 67 (55%) of all
      patients, in 24 (38%) of 63 Barrett's adenocarcinoma patients and in 43 (74%) of
      58 non-Barrett's adenocarcinoma patients (P < 0.01). A higher female ratio in non
      Barrett's adenocarcinoma with gastritis patients 'and younger age in non
      Barrett's adenocarcinoma without gastritis patients were shown. There were no
      differences in clinicopathological features related to the gastritis status in
      Barrett's adenocarcinoma patients. Reflux esophagitis was observed in most (81%)
      of all patients, and 32 (74%) of the non-Barrett's adenocarcinoma with gastritis
      patients. In the 67 positive gastritis patients, the mean Updated Sydney System
      scores of glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were 1.45 and 1.10,
      respectively, and these scores were higher in the non-Barrett's adenocarcinoma
      patients than in the Barrett's adenocarcinoma patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      suggests that about half of the patients with adenocarcinoma of the
      esophagogastric junction harbor histological gastritis. Adenocarcinoma of the
      esophagogastric junction is considered to be a heterogeneous entity, including
      Barrett's esophagus-related, positive gastritis-related, and Barrett's esophagus
      and gastritis-unrelated adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.

PMID- 24220803
TI  - Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis identifies genomic DNA polymorphism with
      high frequency in maize.
AB  - We have used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to identify genomic
      DNA polymorphism in maize (Zea mays L.). DGGE probes detect polymorphism in maize
      at a frequency comparable to the incidence of restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (RFLP). Probes identifying polymorphism were mapped to maize
      chromosome arms by utilizing DGGE and maize lines carrying B-A chromosomal
      translocations. The methods for library construction, probe screening, and genome
      analysis, described here for maize, can also be applied to the genomic analysis
      of other organisms. 

PMID- 24220804
TI  - Relationships between genotype x environment interaction and genetic correlation
      of the same trait measured in different environments.
AB  - Relationships between genotype x environment interaction and genetic correlation
      of the same trait measured in different fixed environments are derived by
      comparing the variance-covariance structures of observations between a one-way
      multiple-trait linear model and a two-way single-trait mixed linear model. In the
      latter model, heterogeneity of interaction variances among environments and non
      zero covariances among interactions are assumed, in addition to the heterogeneity
      of error variances and non-zero covariances between genetic-group effects and
      interactions that were accommodated in earlier work. The results are applicable
      to more than two environments and to unbalanced data. This paper is a
      generalization and a correction of earlier works. 

PMID- 24220805
TI  - Fertile progeny of a hybridization between soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and
      G. tomentella Hayata.
AB  - A colchicine-doubled F1 hybrid (2n=118) of a cross between PI 360841 (Glycine
      max) (2n=40) x PI 378708 (G. tomentella) (2n=78), propagated by shoot cuttings
      since January 1984, produced approximately 100 F2 seed during October 1988. One
      fourth of the F2 plants or their F3 progeny have been analyzed for chromosome
      number, pollen viability, pubescence tip morphology, seed coat color, and
      isoenzyme variation. Without exception, all plants evaluated possessed the
      chromosome number of the G. max parent (2n=40). Most F2 plants demonstrated a
      high level of fertility, although 2 of 24 plants had low pollen viability and had
      large numbers of fleshy pods. One F2 plant possessed sharp pubescence tip
      morphology, whereas all others were blunt-tipped. All evaluated F2 and F3 plants
      expressed the malate dehydrogenase and diaphorase isoenzyme patterns of the G.
      max parent and the endopeptidase isoenzyme pattern of the G. tomentella parent.
      Mobility variants were observed among progeny for the isoenzymes
      phosphoglucomutase, aconitase, and phosphoglucoisomerase. This study suggests
      that the G. Tomentella chromosome complement has been eliminated after genetic
      exchange and/or modification has taken place between the genomes. 

PMID- 24220806
TI  - Hordeum chilense repetitive sequences. Genome characterization using biotinylated
      probes.
AB  - A library of random DNA fragment clones of wild barley Hordeum chilense was
      screened for clones of repeated nucleotide sequences. Five clones were isolated
      that gave a stronger hybridization signal in colony and dot blot hybridization
      with total H. chilense DNA in comparison to Triticum aestivum DNA. Clones
      labelled with biotinylated nucleotides were used as probes to investigate the
      repeated sequences organization in the H. chilense genome. Tandemly arranged and
      interspersed sequences have been found, together with homology differences with
      related sequences present in T. Aestivum, which could allow the differentiation
      of H. chilense DNA when it is present in wheat. We show that biotin can replace
      the use of (32)P in preparing repeated sequence probes for Southern and DNA dot
      blot analyses. 

PMID- 24220807
TI  - The Rj4 allele in soybean represses nodulation by chlorosis-inducing
      bradyrhizobia classified as DNA homology group II by antibiotic resistance
      profiles.
AB  - To determine the relationship between nodulation restriction by the Rj4 allele of
      soybean, rhizobitoxine-induced chlorosis, and taxonomic grouping of
      bradyrhizobia, 119 bradyrhizobial isolates were tested in Leonard jar culture for
      nodulation response and chlorosis induction. In addition to strain USDA 61, the
      strain originally reported as defining the Rj4 response, eight other isolates
      (i.e., USDA 62, 83, 94, 238, 252, 259, 260, and 340) were discovered to elicit
      the nodulation interdiction of the Rj4 allele. Only 16% of all the bradyrhizobial
      strains tested induced chlorosis, but seven of the nine strains (78%) interdicted
      by the Rj4 allele were chlorosis-inducing strains. Furthermore, in tests for
      antibiotic resistance profile, eight of the nine interdicted strains (89%) were
      classed in DNA homology group II. This evidence suggests that the Rj4 allele has
      a positive value to the host plant in shielding it from nodulation by certain
      chlorosis-inducing bradyrhizobia of a DNA homology group with impaired efficiency
      of nitrogen fixation with soybean. 

PMID- 24220808
TI  - Intergeneric (intersubtribe) hybridization between Moricandia arvensis and
      Brassica A and B genome species by ovary culture.
AB  - Intergeneric hybrids between Moricandia arvensis (C3-C4 intermediate species) and
      Brassica A and B genome species (B. campestris and B. nigra) were produced via
      ovary culture. When M. arvensis was used as a female parent, the hybrid embryo
      yield (0.25-0.45 embryo per pollination) was similar between two genomes,
      regardless of the male parent. The reciprocal hybrid using B. campestris as a
      female was also obtained, although yield of embryo was lower (0.02 embryo per
      pollination). On the other hand, no hybrids were obtained without the in vitro
      technique. As most hybrid embryos could not develop normal shoots, plants were
      regenerated by inducing shoots on the cultured hypocotyl. The hybrid nature of
      the regenerated plant was confirmed morphologically and cytogenetically. A
      certain amount of bivalents (2.52-2.71) in the hybrids indicated the existence of
      partial chromosome homology between two genera. The present results indicate that
      ovary culture is an effective technique for overcoming the crossing barrier
      between M. arvensis and Brassica cultivated species. 

PMID- 24220809
TI  - Molecular cloning and chromosomal location of genes encoding the "Early
      methionine-labelled" (Em) polypeptide of Triticum aestivum L. var. Chinese
      Spring.
AB  - The "Early-methionine-labelled" (Em) polypeptide is the most abundant cytosolic
      polypeptide found in mature wheat embryos. Using a near full-length cDNA clone as
      a hybridisation probe to detect genomic sequences by Southern blotting of
      electrophoretic separations of genomic DNA derived from Triticum aestivum L. var.
      Chinese Spring and a series of its aneuploid derivatives, we demonstrate that the
      Em polypeptide is the product of a small multigene family in which the copies are
      located on each of the long arms of the homoeologous group 1 chromosomes.
      Screening of a variety of genotypes additionally reveals a number of restriction
      fragment length polymorphisms associated with these loci. Screening of a library
      of genomic DNA cloned in the vector lambdaEMBL 4 has resulted in the isolation of
      a genomic fragment containing two closely linked Em genes. These are separated by
      ca. 2.5 kb. Analysis of restriction enzyme digests of this clones fragment has
      identified it as originating from chromosome 1A. 

PMID- 24220810
TI  - Genetic relatedness in open-pollinated families of two leguminous tree species,
      Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Gleditsia triacanthos L.
AB  - When conducting tree breeding experiments, geneticists often assume that
      individuals from open-pollinated families are halfsibs. The reliability of this
      assumption was tested using data from enzyme electrophoresis to estimate the
      genetic relatedness among progeny within 22 open-pollinated families of Robinia
      pseudoacacia L. (black locust) and 34 open-pollinated families of Gleditsia
      triacanthos L. (honey locust) from natural stands. An algorithm employing
      population estimates of fixation indices, pollen allele frequencies, and selfing
      rates was used to calculate the mean expected number of alleles in common across
      loci under assumptions of either full-sib (i.e., a single pollen parent) or half
      sib (i.e., random mating) relationships. For each open-pollinated family, the
      average coefficient of relationship among progeny was calculated by linear
      interpolation from the observed number of alleles in common. For most families of
      both species, coefficients were significantly higher than 0.25 (half-sib
      relation), but were significantly lower than 0.50 (full-sib relation). These
      results suggest that the assumption of a half-sib relationship among progeny of
      open-pollinated families is violated for these tree species. More critical to the
      estimation of heritabilities and the prediction of genetic gains was the
      observation that estimates of the coefficient of relationship varied widely among
      open-pollinated families (for R. pseudoacacia r 0=0.20-0.43, mean=0.34; for G.
      triacanthos r 0=0.29-0.55, mean=0.36). 

PMID- 24220811
TI  - Linkage arrangement of restriction fragment length polymorphism loci in Brassica
      oleracea.
AB  - A detailed genetic linkage map of Brassica oleracea was constructed based on the
      segregation of 258 restriction fragment length polymorphism loci in a broccoli *
      cabbage F2 population. The genetic markers defined nine linkage groups, covering
      820 recombination units. A majority of the informative genomic DNA probes
      hybridized to more than two restriction fragments in the F2 population.
      "Duplicate" sequences having restriction fragment length polymorphism were
      generally found to be unlinked for any given probe. Many of these duplicated loci
      were clustered non-randomly on certain pairs of linkage groups, and conservation
      of the relative linkage arrangement of the loci between linkage groups was
      observed. While these data support previous cytological evidence for the
      existence of duplicated regions and the evolution of B. oleracea from a lower
      chromosome number progenitor, no evidence was provided for the current existence
      of blocks of homoeology spanning entire pairs of linkage groups. The arrangement
      of the analyzed duplicated loci suggests that a fairly high degree of genetic
      rearrangement has occurred in the evolution of B. oleracea. Several probes used
      in this study were useful in detecting rearrangements between the B. oleracea
      accessions used as parents, indicating that genetic rearrangements have occurred
      in the relatively recent evolution of this species. 

PMID- 24220812
TI  - Two-step one-dimensional SDS-PAGE analysis of LMW subunits of glutelin : 1.
      Variation and genetic control of the subunits in hexaploid wheats.
AB  - A collection of 222 hexaploid wheat cultivars (including the 207 cultivars
      studied by Gupta and Shepherd in 1988) from 32 countries was analyzed for
      variation in the banding patterns of LMW subunits of glutenin using a modified
      two-step 1-D SDS-PAGE. Seventy percent ethanol at high temperature (>=50  degrees
      C) was used to selectively dissolve the native glutenins containing A, B, and C
      subunits and not the albumins and globulins (non-prolamins). This procedure
      allowed the glutenin subunits A, B and C to be separated in a background free of
      albumins and globulins, which normally overlap the B and C subunits (LMW subunits
      of glutenin). Although 40 different B and C subunits were detected, except where
      the cultivars carried a 1BL-1RS translocation or 1B/1R substitution, each
      cultivar exhibited from 7 to 16 subunits. These subunits could be divided into 20
      band patterns which fell into three groups on the basis of their mutual
      exclusiveness, with 6, 9, and 5 patterns. Analysis of substitution lines revealed
      that the different patterns in these groups are controlled by genes on
      chromosomes 1A, 1B, and 1D, respectively. The least number of subunits was
      controlled by chromosome 1A and approximately 40% of the cultivars did not
      contain any band controlled by this chromosome. Thirteen of the cultivars were
      found to consist of two biotypes with respect to LMW subunits of glutenin. The
      genetic, evolutionary, and technological implications of these findings are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24220813
TI  - Genetic evaluation with autosomal and X-chromosomal inheritance.
AB  - At present, genetic evaluation in livestock using best linear unbiased prediction
      (BLUP) assumes autosomal inheritance. There is evidence, however, of X
      chromosomal inheritance for some traits of economic importance. BLUP can
      accommodate models that include X-chromosomal in addition to autosomal
      inheritance. To obtain BLUP with autosomal and X-chromosomal additive inheritance
      for a population in which allelic frequency is equal in the sexes, and that is in
      gametic equilibrium, we write y i = x'ibeta + ai + si + ei, where y i is the
      phenotypic value for individual i, x'i, is a vector of constants relating y i to
      fixed effects, beta is a vector of fixed effects, a i is the additive genetic
      effect for autosomal loci, S i is the additive genetic effect for X-chromosomal
      loci, and e i is random error. The covariance matrix of a i's is Asigma A (2) ,
      where A is the matrix of twice the co-ancestries between relatives for autosomal
      loci, and sigma A (2) is the variance of additive genetic effects for autosomal
      loci. The covariance matrix of s i's is Ssigma F (2) , where S is a matrix of
      functions of co-ancestries between relatives for X-chromosomal loci and sigma F
      (2) is the variance of additive genetic effects for X-chromosomal loci for
      noninbred females. Given the covariance matrices of random effects a i, si, and e
      i, BLUPs of autosomal and of X-chromosomal additive effects can be obtained using
      mixed model equations. Recursive rules to construct S and an efficient algorithm
      to compute its inverse are given. 

PMID- 24220814
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA variation in long-term tissue cultured rice lines.
AB  - The effects of long-term tissue culture on mitochondrial DNAs were examined using
      rice (Oryza sativa) cell suspension cultures. Mitochondrial DNAs were isolated
      from P. I. 353705 (an indica subspecies of rice similar to 'Asam 5'), its anther
      culture-derived line BL2 (an 8-year-old cell suspension culture), and five other
      cell lines (A1, A7, A11, A13, and A23), also derived from BL2 and independently
      selected for resistance to the lysine analog, S-(2-amino)-ethyl-L-cysteine.
      Mitochondrial DNAs of the rice lines were digested with ten restriction
      endonucleases (BamHI, BglII, EcoRI, EcoRV, HindIII, PstI, PvuII, SalI, SmaI, and
      XhoI), electrophoresed, and transferred to nylon membranes. Southern blots were
      hybridized with one rice and five maize probes containing mitochondrial genes.
      The restriction patterns of ten Southern blots and hybridization patterns of 60
      endonuclease/probe combinations were analyzed. DNAs from all sources produced
      unique restriction patterns when digested with HindIII or BglII; with the other
      endonucleases an array of similarities and differences was observed. Lines BL2
      and A11 showed unique patterns with all restriction endonucleases tested. No
      hybridization pattern differences were observed among the lines when probes
      containing apt9 and atpA were used. However, extensive hybridization pattern
      differences were observed with coxI, coxII, rrn18-rrn5, and atp6 probes. Both
      restriction and hybridization patterns revealed variation due to tissue culture
      effect. Coxll was most efficient in revealing the uniqueness of BL2. Among the
      analog selected lines A11 was most divergent, and probes rrn18-rrn5 and atp6 were
      most efficient in revealing its distinctiveness. Unique mitochondrial genomic
      organizations were found to be associated with long-term tissue culture. 

PMID- 24220815
TI  - Genetic mapping of isozyme loci in Secale cereale L.
AB  - The genetics and linkage relationships of several isozymatic and morphological
      markers have been investigated in different cultivars of rye (Secale cereale L.).
      The inheritance and the variability among cultivars of three new isozymatic zones
      are described: GOT2 and LAP, each of them under the control of a two-allele
      single locus, namely Got2 and Lap, respectively; and 6PGD1 controlled by two
      loci, 6Pgd1a and 6Pgd1b, which have alleles in common. Four linkage groups have
      been found: Acp2-Acp3, Got3-Mdh2-Lper4, Mdh1-6Pgd2-Pgi2, and Pgm-Eper2-[Eper1
      Eper3]. The assignment of these four groups to the chromosomes 7R, 3R, 1R, and 4R
      is discussed. 

PMID- 24220816
TI  - Insect-resistant plants with improved horticultural traits from interspecific
      potato hybrids grown in vitro.
AB  - Plants were regenerated from petiole calli of interspecific hybrids of Solanum
      tuberosum x S. berthaultii, an insect-resistant wild species. Callus culture was
      used to generate genetic changes to overcome the restricted recombination between
      the two genomes. Two plants out of 58 (3.5%) from calli of hybrid J114-1 showed
      stable and heritable differences from the hybrid over two cycles of evaluations
      in the field. Replicated trials were conducted in 1987 and 1988, using two
      populations of plants propagated by nodal cuttings from the original regenerates
      maintained in vitro. One regenerate showed insect resistance and increased
      marketable yield (approximately two fold) in the field. The other had higher
      levels of phenolic exudate in one of the two types of foliar trichomes associated
      with the insect resistance mechanism. Some desirable changes were discernible
      only in sexual progeny of regenerates, not in the regenerates themselves. In a
      backcross to S. tuberosum, 7 of 14 (50%) regenerates from hybrid F743-4 showed
      more progeny (up to 15-fold) with improved trichome traits and horticultural
      characteristics than the original hybrid. The variations were not associated with
      changes in ploidy. Fifteen plants obtained from these crosses are currently being
      incorporated into breeding lines. These results suggest that a period of callus
      culture followed by plant regeneration may aid in the introgression of desirable
      traits from wild species into crop plants. 

PMID- 24220817
TI  - An alternative statistic for identifying lines useful for improving parents of an
      elite single cross.
AB  - Theory and methods for identifying inbred lines (I w) with favorable dominant
      alleles not present in an elite single cross (I 1*I 2) have been developed
      recently. Selected I w lines can be crossed to I 1 or to I 2 to transfer new
      favorable alleles to the single cross. However, favorable alleles already present
      in the single cross may be lost during selection. It is important to consider
      both potential gain of favorable alleles from I w and loss of favorable alleles
      already present in I 1*I 2. The "net improvement" statistic (NI)=maximum [(I 1*I
      w-I 1xI 2)/2, (I 2*I w-I 1*I 2)/2] estimates the number of loci where favorable
      alleles can be gained minus the number of loci where favorable alleles can be
      lost in the single cross. Because I 1*I 2 is constant in an experiment, the
      method reduces to choosing I w lines with the best mean performance in
      combination with either I 1 or I 1. NI was compared to estimators previously
      proposed for identifying lines, namely: (1) minimally biased estimates (MUG') of
      favorable dominant alleles present in I w but not in I 1 and I 2; (2) minimum
      estimate of an upper bound (UBND) on MUG; and (3) predicted three-way cross (PTC)
      performance. Based on a set of maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield data, correlations
      among the four estimators were relatively high, but indicated that rankings of I
      w lines vary with the particular estimator used. Rankings of three I w lines
      based on the frequency of F2 test crosses superior to B73*Mo17 were identical to
      rankings based on NI, but differed from rankings based on MUG', PTC, and UBND. NI
      also was the best predictor of the mean of the upper 10% ({ovx}0.1) of (I 2*I w)
      F2*I 1 or (I 1*I w) F2*I 2 test crosses based on simulated data. Being a simple
      statistic highly correlated to {ovx}0.1, NI may be useful in applied breeding
      programs. 

PMID- 24220818
TI  - The use of ecogeographical data in the exploitation of variation from gene banks.
AB  - As the variation of species is known to be influenced both by ecological and
      geographical factors, data on the origin of a sample from a given species could
      be used to infer some of its genetic characteristics. This concept was examined
      in the context of gene banks, where the assembled diversity usually represents a
      large range of environments and geographic locations. Results suggest that,
      although ecological variables in the site of origin can be useful in predicting
      genetic characteristics in the samples, the use of such data is neither simple
      nor precise. On the other hand simple geographic data, irrespective of their
      ecological content, were found to offer an effective method of stratifying and
      sampling variation in germ plasm collections. 

PMID- 24220819
TI  - Antigenic relationships between petunia peroxidase a and specific peroxidase
      isoenzymes in other Solanaceae.
AB  - A highly specific rabbit antiserum raised against peroxidase (PRXa) from petunia
      (Petunia hybrida) was used to investigate the antigenic relatedness of
      peroxidases in the Solanaceae. After SDS-PAGE of crude leaf extracts from a large
      number of species of this family, immunoblotting revealed that cross-reacting
      protein bands were present in all species tested. In order to determine whether
      these protein bands represent peroxidases, the peroxidase isoenzymes in thorn
      apple (Datura stramonium L.), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), sweet pepper
      (Capsicum annuum L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), and tomato (Lycopersicon
      esculentum Mill.) were further analyzed. Immunoblots obtained after native PAGE
      revealed that the antiserum only recognized fast-moving peroxidase isoenzymes
      that are localized in the apoplast. Despite their serological relatedness, these
      peroxidases differed with respect to heat stability and apparent molecular
      weight. Differences in avidity for the petunia PRXa antiserum were suggested by
      immunoprecipitation with antibodies bound to protein A-Sepharose. The antiserum
      did not react with peroxidases from horseradish (Armoracea rusticana Gaertn., Mey
      and Scherb), turnip (Brassica napus L.), African marigold (Tagetes cresta L.),
      maize (Zea mays L.), and oats (Avena sativa L.). Apparently, the Solanaceae
      contain orthologous genes encoding the fast-moving anionic peroxidases homologous
      to petunia PRXa. 

PMID- 24220820
TI  - Worldwide pattern of multilocus structure in barley determined by discrete log
      linear multivariate analyses.
AB  - Data from the electrophoretic assay for seven enzyme loci of 1,032 accessions of
      cultivated barley, Hordeum vulgare L., from the USDA world barley collection were
      analyzed for multilocus structure using discrete log-linear multivariate
      techniques. Three major steps were involved in the analysis: (i) identification
      and elimination of terms that have inconsequential effects in multilocus
      association; (ii) construction of a log-linear model that best describes the
      complete multilocus structure of the genetic system; and (iii) evaluation of each
      of the association terms included in the model. The results of analyses of two
      subsets of loci show that the multilocus genetic system of cultivated barley,
      including loci located on different chromosomes, is organized into hierarchically
      structured complexes of loci. Multilocus structure differs in various
      geographical regions of the world. The structure of barleys from Southwest Asia,
      the putative center of origin for cultivated barley, is intermediate for both
      subsets of loci. Differences increased progressively across the Eurasian-African
      landmasses in each direction with increasing distance from Southwest Asia, with
      the consequence that the barleys from West Europe, East Asia, and Ethiopia are
      maximally different from those of Southwest Asia and Middle South Asia. 

PMID- 24220821
TI  - Phylogenetic relationships among species of Prunus as inferred by isozyme
      markers.
AB  - An isozyme survey of 34 species of Prunus representing subgenera Prunus,
      Amygdalus, Cerasus, and Lithocerasus detected 110 presumptive alleles at 11
      isozyme loci. Principal component analysis was conducted on the covariance matrix
      derived from allelic frequencies calculated for each species. Cluster analysis
      was performed on the first 30 principal components. Results generally support
      traditional classification of Prunus at the subgeneric level, except for members
      of subgenus Lithocerasus and two members of subgenus Amygdalus. Prunus glandulosa
      Thunb., P. japonica Thunb., and P. tomentosa Thunb. of subgenus Lithocerasus and
      P. triloba Lindl. of subgenus Amygdalus appear to represent primitive species. P.
      besseyi Bailey and P. pumila L. of subgenus Lithocerasus and P. andersonii of
      subgenus Amygdalus should be assigned to subgenus Prunus. Placement of its
      members indicates that subgenus Lithocerasus is an artificial grouping of species
      that are very different genetically although similar phenotypically. 

PMID- 24220822
TI  - In vitro protein synthesis in isolated microspores of Zea mays at several stages
      of development.
AB  - A new procedure has been used providing large and homogenous populations of
      pollen from maize at different stages of their development. In order to label
      proteins synthesized during the course of microsporogenesis, a method has been
      developed that allows an efficient uptake of amino acids in the microspores.
      Results are presented showing that during pollen development three specific steps
      are involved: an early period active in protein synthesis, followed by a rest
      period when starch is accumulated, and a third period preceding the sorting out
      of mature pollen grains and during which protein synthesis starts again at a
      relatively low level. New polypeptides, some of which are very basic, appear at
      the time of starch deposition and accumulate up to the mature stage. 

PMID- 24220823
TI  - Pollen germination in vitro at low temperature in European and Andean tetraploid
      potatoes.
AB  - Confined design combined with use of tolerance ratio was used to compare pollen
      germination capacity at low and high temperature in Andean and European potato
      material. Four clones of Solanum tuberosum from the European gene pool were
      compared with four Andean potato clones derived from the breeding program for
      frost resistance at the International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, Peru. For each
      clone, the same pollen lot was used throughout each replication. Pollen were
      germinated at 9  degrees C and 21  degrees C. Fortification of media with potato
      starch and 14 min preincubation at 25  degrees C were used as variables. The
      Andean material maintained its germination capacity better than the European
      material when temperature was decreased. It was possible significantly to
      distinguish potato clones with low temperature requirement for pollen germination
      if incubation proceeded germination at 21  degrees C, but not at 9  degrees C.
      Fortification with starch had no significant effect. 

PMID- 24220824
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24220825
TI  - The good, the bad and the ugly of monitoring programs: Defining questions and
      establishing objectives.

PMID- 24220826
TI  - Design elements of monitoring programs: The necessary ingredients for success.
AB  - Natural resource managers must know the condition of resources entrusted to their
      steward-ship so that they can maintain unimpaired resources and know when to
      restore impaired ecosystems. Resource monitoring programs should be designed to
      provide indications of ecosystem health, define limits of normal variation,
      identify abnormal conditions, and suggest potential agents of abnormal changes.
      Development of a conceptual model that identifies all ecosystem components and
      their relationships is the first step in the design of such a diagnostic
      monitoring program. Design studies, with field testing on each selected system
      component, are required to determine the parameters to be measured and to
      establish monitoring protocols. The best approach to diagnostic monitoring
      appears to be based on the population dynamics of selected species relative to
      physical and chemical environmental factors. Both management and monitoring of
      natural ecosystems need to be recognized as experimental endeavors, and thus
      approached in an iterative fashion with the scientific method to reduce
      uncertainty and cost. 

PMID- 24220827
TI  - Statistical approaches to environmental monitoring: Did we teach the wrong
      things?
AB  - Two statistical topics that are frequently 'missed' at the level of an applied
      statistics course or workshop are presented here, along with examples of their
      use in natural resource monitoring. The first topic deals with use of correlated
      observations in calculations of variance estimates for a regional mean, required
      sample size determination, and confidence intervals. Even if correlation values
      are known only approximately, one can still obtain information on the effect of
      correlation on the aforementioned computations. The second topic concerns the use
      of Bayesian techniques in hypothesis testing. Although many authors have
      advocated its use, Bayesian analysis can be quite complex. Some Bayesian
      techniques are translated into graphical form that can be readily used by the
      reader. Both topics represent areas of statistical expertise that can be explored
      at a very theoretical level; however, there is enough applied material that
      merits translation for use by those in natural resource monitoring. 

PMID- 24220828
TI  - Data, data everywhere but not a byte to read: Managing monitoring information.
AB  - The problem of managing scientific information for widespread availability and
      use can be overwhelming. At Oregon State University, the Quantitative Sciences
      Group has found a workable solution. The group has developed a Forest Science
      Data Bank (FSDB) to house data generated by scientists and collaborating
      researchers in the Andrews Long-Term Ecological Research program. Today the FSDB
      houses some 2400 data sets from over 350 existing ecological studies and adds
      about 20 new studies yearly. This paper describes what we have learned in setting
      up the FSDB as a facility that can be used by researchers who both deposit
      information in and retrieve information from the FSDB. 

PMID- 24220829
TI  - Quality assurance and quality control in monitoring programs.
AB  - There are three general characteristics of the data to be collected in a
      monitoring program that should be met in order to maximize the use and value of
      the data: the data quality should be known, the data type and quality should be
      consistent and comparable, and the data should be available and accessible.
      Potential problems with each of these characteristics are addressed effectively
      by quality assurance and quality control. One of the most important aspects of
      quality assurance in a monitoring program is the development of a quality
      assurance plan, which should identify clearly the quality of the data needed and
      describe in detail the planned actions to provide confidence that the program
      will meet its stated objectives.Quality control data, which allow for the quality
      and suitability of the environmental data to be evaluated and ascertained, should
      be collected and utilized as an integral part of the QA effort associated with a
      monitoring program. 

PMID- 24220830
TI  - Monitoring the urban forest: Case studies and evaluations.
AB  - Urban forestry is a new science, with monitoring techniques that are still
      evolving. Tree inventory is most commonly practiced, but we are learning to
      better monitor the benefits and liabilities provided by urban trees. These
      results are often for political, social, and biological purposes. Although most
      monitoring is done at the project or local level, examples of state and national
      projects are given. Quality control procedures are infrequently used, but could
      substantially improve the accuracy of data collected. 

PMID- 24220832
TI  - Monitoring urban forest canopy cover using satellite imagery.

PMID- 24220831
TI  - Monitoring urban forest health.
AB  - Renewed interest in urban forestry has resulted in significant public investment
      in trees during the past few years, yet comprehensive urban forest monitoring
      programs are uncommon. Monitoring is an integral component of a program to
      sustain healthy community forests and long term flows of net benefits. Volunteer
      based monitoring will promote continued public involvement and support in
      community forestry. To overcome constraints to monitoring in urban environments,
      programs must be personally relevant, socially desirable, scientifically
      credible, and economically feasible. A three-tiered monitoring approach is
      presented. Canopy cover analysis documents net gains and losses in regional urban
      forest cover. Simplified detection monitoring uses trained volunteers to better
      understand tree population dynamics, while intensive monitoring characterizes
      urban forest functions and stressors. Implementation of an urban forest health
      initiative to develop, place, and evaluate monitoring programs is advocated. 

PMID- 24220833
TI  - Planning for implementation of long-term resource monitoring programs.
AB  - Guidelines for the early stages of developing a monitoring program are presented.
      Jumping right into a monitoring program based on standard protocols and a number
      of commonly monitored parameters is an attractive idea, but it is unlikely to
      lead to an intelligent allocation of time and money. Rather, a number of well
      defined planning steps must be followed before monitoring is begun: 1. Objectives
      for the program should be well defined. 2. The attributes to be monitored in
      order to meet objectives should be listed. 3. Methods of monitoring these
      attributes should be developed. 4. A pilot study should be conducted to determine
      spatial and temporal variability of the attributes being monitored and the cost
      of sampling. 5. The results of the pilot study should be carefully evaluated to
      determine whether program objectives can be met for an acceptable cost. 6.
      Objectives, attributes to be monitored, and methods should be revised in
      accordance with the results of the pilot study. 

PMID- 24220834
TI  - Monitoring new forestry.
AB  - Techniques to monitor growth and mortality of live trees, and longevity of snags
      were developed and tested on 8 units in the Oregon and Washington Cascades where
      new forestry (structural retention) cuttings were utilized. Time and costs were
      quantified. The total area of three aggregated units and five dispersed units was
      27.8 ha, with 2407 trees and snags measured on 25.1 ha of sample area. Cost of
      field work was approximately $4590 (4 person crew at 6 weeks) while costs of data
      entry, analysis and report writing were approximately $2000 (250 person hours).
      Monitoring is an important component of adaptive management and is essential if
      we are to understand the ramifications of new silvicultural systems. 

PMID- 24220835
TI  - Monitoring of growth and yield and response to silvicultural treatments.
AB  - The objectives for monitoring the growth and yield of forests can range from
      collecting data to validate current management on an ownership to collecting data
      at a regional level to develop models, measure treatment response, or observe
      long-term growth trends. Traditional inventory and research data each have
      drawbacks for observing growth and yield and treatment response. The actual
      design of a monitoring system should try to minimize these problems, but will
      depend on the specific objectives. Monitoring of operations may take an inventory
      type approach, while gathering regional information to build models requires a
      design more like research. Each organization must be responsible for monitoring
      its own operations, however, cooperatives offer a viable and cost effective
      alternative to gathering regional growth and response data. Monitoring programs
      will lead to confidence and credibility in management practices and in the use of
      tested models. 

PMID- 24220836
TI  - Beyond the Guidelines: Practical lessons for monitoring.
AB  - A series of workshops have provided extensive feedback on a recently published
      manual, Monitoring Guidelines to Evaluate Effects of Forestry Activities on
      Streams in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska (Guidelines) (MacDonald et al.,
      1991). These workshops and other discussions have led to the identification of
      fourteen additional 'lessons' for monitoring. These lessons are concepts which
      either were not incorporated into the Guidelines, were not sufficiently
      emphasized, or which are needed to put the Guidelines in context. The topics
      include: monitoring as a continuum; defining objectives and hypotheses; peer
      review; uncertainty and risk; upslope vs. instream monitoring; photo sequences;
      scale considerations; data storage, data interpretation, and data base
      management; 'activities monitoring'; and personal commitment as a critical
      component in monitoring projects. Many of these lessons might appear self
      evident, but our experience indicates that they are often ignored. Like the
      Guidelines, these lessons are widely applicable and should be explicitly
      recognized when formulating and conducting monitoring projects. 

PMID- 24220837
TI  - The need for long-term stream monitoring programs in forest ecosystems of the
      Pacific Northwest.
AB  - Concepts, planning and design procedures are examined that are needed in the
      development of long-term stream monitoring programs in forested regions. A long
      term stream monitoring program is viewed as the key component for bringing
      together management organizations, researchers and decision-makers to improve the
      management of natural resources. The keystones of such ecosystem monitoring are
      long-term data records that provide the basis for analysis of environmental
      assessment objectives, predictions and analysis of outcomes which in-turn can be
      used to modify and improve future projects. Management organizations that
      initiate long-term monitoring programs are urged to use monitoring actions and
      information to facilitate decision-making processes that pertain to conserving
      and allocating resources for future beneficial uses. Recommendations are provided
      for careful planning and definition of interactive activities of monitoring
      programs and that should provide information feedbacks that can be used to
      evaluate issues pertaining to beneficial uses of resources. Procedural
      requirements and literature sources are suggested for developing long-term stream
      monitoring programs. They include reviews of background and historical
      information to provide precise definitions of long-term objectives, planning
      considerations and monitoring methods. Examples are given of specific procedures
      that need to be identified during the planning process. They include the
      application of management standards to variable conditions encountered within
      natural ecosystems and the detection of the timing of recovery phases of stream
      ecosystem development following a disturbance. These procedures are viewed as
      being essential for improving applications of management standards and perceived
      thresholds to stream and watershed ecosystems monitoring programs. 

PMID- 24220838
TI  - Monitoring in the Tualatin River Basin to assess the effectiveness of the Oregon
      Forest Practicers Program: Preliminary results of phosphorus monitoring.
AB  - The Oregon Department of Forestry is a designated management agency to provide a
      forestry program to assist in bringing the Tualatin River into complicance with
      pH and dissolved oxygen water quality standards. The Oregon Environmental Quality
      Commission set a total maximum daily load (TMDL) of 70 ug/l total phosphorus to
      control algae growth and meet these standards. The Department of Forestry has a
      basin effectiveness monitoring plan to determine that the Oregon Forest Practice
      Rules' BMPs are maintaining adequate control of phosphorus loadings from forest
      operations. Three sites monitored during May to October of 1990 were augmented by
      eight more sites in 1991. As laboratory methods were refined, the results became
      more accurate. The 1991 monitoring showed lower phosphorus levels that were
      consistent for each tributary. Mean total phosphorus levels ranged from 17 to 65
      ug/l. Preliminary field reconnaissance suggests a correlation between phosphorus
      levels and underlying geology. Concentrations were lowest at sites underlain by
      tertiary intrusive basalts, next higher for sites with terrestrial basalt, next
      higher for one site with a basalt-sandstone bedrock mix, and highest for sites
      underlain predominately by sandstone. These results may be modified by 1992
      monitoring and further analysis. 

PMID- 24220839
TI  - Water quality monitoring in Washington's Timber/Fish/Wildlife program.
AB  - The Timber, Fish, and Wildlife program (TFW) in Washington is a consensus
      approach to implementing reforms in forest practice regulations involving
      industrial timberland owners, state agencies, environmental groups, Indian
      tribes, and non-industrial forest landowners. A cooperative monitoring and
      research effort (CMER) has been included as a part of this program. Technical
      projects undertaken by CMER are overseen by a series of steering committees, one
      of which is the Water Quality Steering Committee. Projects currently being
      addressed by the Water Quality Steering Committee include: forestry impacts on
      water temperature, water quality impacts from forestry derived sediment, use of
      bio-indicators to assess the water quality impacts of forest practices, and the
      effect of forest chemical applications on water quality. A close link between the
      research efforts in TFW and the procedure for implementing regulatory change has
      greatly improved the responsiveness of the rule making process to new
      information. Results from the water temperature and forest chemical work is
      currently being incorporated into the forest practice regulations. 

PMID- 24220840
TI  - Multimedia environmental monitoring: 50 years at Hanford.
AB  - Environmental monitoring has been an ongoing activity on the U.S. Department of
      Energy's Hanford Site in southeastern Washington for almost 50 years. Objectives
      are to detect and assess potential impacts of Site operations on air, surface and
      ground waters, foodstuffs, fish, wildlife, soil and vegetation. Data from
      monitoring effects are used to calculate the overall radiological dose to humans
      working onsite or residing in nearby communities. In 1989, measured Hanford Site
      perimeter concentrations of airborne radionuclides were below applicable
      guidelines. Concentrations of radionuclides and nonradiological water quality in
      the Columbia River were in compliance with applicable standards. Foodstuffs
      irrigated with river water taken downstream of the Site showed radionuclide
      levels that were similar to those found in foodstuffs from control areas. Low
      levels of (137)Cs and (90)Sr in most onsite wildlife samples and concentrations
      of radionuclides in soils and vegetation from on- and offsite locations were
      typical of those attributable to worldwide fallout. The calculated dose
      potentially received by a maximally exposed individual (i.e., based on
      hypothetical, worst-case assumptions for all routes of exposure) in 1989 (0.05
      mrem/yr) was similar to those calculated for 1985 through 1988.In addition to
      monitoring radioactivity in fish and wildlife, population numbers of key species
      are determined. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) spawning in the
      Columbia River at Hanford has increased in recent years with a concomitant
      increase in winter roosting activity of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).
      An elk (Cervus elaphus) herd, established by immigration in 1972, is also
      increasing. The Hanford Site currently serves as a refuge for Canada goose
      (Branta canadensis), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), and various plants and
      other animals, e.g., mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and coyotes (Canis
      latrans). 

PMID- 24220841
TI  - Potential biases in site and species selection for ecological monitoring.
AB  - A number of the contributions to this workshop (particularly in the session on
      biodiversity and population monitoring) have stressed the importance of choosing
      appropriate species and locations for ecological monitoring. This is of pragmatic
      necessity: it is impossible to monitor all species at all locations. The purpose
      of this note is to caution against some possible pitfalls in the selection of
      species and sites. These pitfalls are a result of the statistical concept of
      regression. 

PMID- 24220842
TI  - Regional monitoring with plot networks.
AB  - The national Forest Health Detection Monitoring Program, was initiated first in
      the eastern United States, in partial response to findings from the National Acid
      Precipitation Assessment Program. This paper presents an overview of that program
      as it is extended from its focus in the eastern United States to a national
      program. The paper describes the basic concerns driving the program; presents a
      summary of the sampling design; emphasizes the importance of proper planning,
      beginning with an information needs assessment with the various data and
      information users; and discusses the process of selecting data elements and
      indicators of change to monitor. 

PMID- 24220843
TI  - Monitoring global change: Comparison of forest cover estimates using remote
      sensing and inventory approaches.
AB  - Satellite-based remote sensing offers great potential for frequent assessment of
      forest cover over broad spatial scales, however, calibration and validation using
      ground-based surveys are needed. In this study, forest cover estimates for the
      United States from a recently developed land surface cover map generated from
      satellite remote sensing data were compared to state-level inventory data from
      the U.S. National Resources Planning Act Timber Database. The land cover map was
      produced at the U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center and is based on imagery
      from the AVHRR sensor (spatial resolution ~1.1 km). Vegetation type was
      classified using the temporal signal in the Normalized Difference Vegetation
      Index derived from AVHRR data. Comparisons revealed close agreement in the
      estimate of forest cover for extensively forested states with large polygons of
      relatively similar vegetation such as Oregon. Larger forest cover differences
      were observed in other states with some regional patterns in the level of
      agreement apparent.Comparisons in inventory- and remote sensing-based estimates
      of current forested area with potential vegetation maps indicated the magnitude
      of past land use change and the potential for future changes. The remote sensing
      approach appears to hold promise for conducting surveys of forest cover where
      inventory data are limited or where rates of vegetation change, due to human or
      climatic factors, are rapid. 

PMID- 24220844
TI  - What does it all mean?
AB  - Now that the concerns, issues, ideas and constraints have been discussed, how
      does all of this come together? There are three basic questions we should ask.*
      Can we improve natural resource management through monitoring?* Will those that
      make the decisions listen?* Will they use the generated data in their decision?I
      am going to relate to you what has happened in California over the last fifteen
      years. I believe it will point out that the answer to the three questions are a
      resounding yes, with some qualifications and some bumpy roads along the way. 

PMID- 24220845
TI  - The concept of the certification system of the German Cancer Society and its
      impact on gynecological cancer care.
AB  - PURPOSE: This article describes the status of gynecological cancer care in
      Germany and gives an overview of the certification of gynecological cancer care
      by the German Cancer Society (Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft DKG). The DKG certifies
      cancer centers to promote a high-quality level in the treatment of oncological
      patients. METHODS: Searches were conducted in PubMed and ScienceDirect to
      identify the relevant literature. Catalog of requirements for centers
      certification as well as benchmark reports were used to characterize cancer care
      in centers certified by DKG. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The certification system of
      the DKG has been developed to ensure comprehensive care for cancer patients in
      Germany. The criteria for certification are based on interdisciplinary and inter
      professional care conforming to guidelines and specialist expertise. These
      requirements have been shown to improve structural and process quality, and thus
      satisfaction and health outcomes in patients.

PMID- 24220846
TI  - Spontaneous bilateral tubal pregnancy following hysterosalpingography.

PMID- 24220847
TI  - CO2 laser debonding of a ceramic bracket bonded with orthodontic adhesive
      containing thermal expansion microcapsules.
AB  - We have been studying an easy bracket debonding method using heating of an
      orthodontic adhesive containing thermal expansion microcapsules. However, heating
      with a high-temperature heater brings obvious risks of burns around the oral
      cavity. Thus, we examined safer and more effective bracket debonding methods. The
      purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the reduction in debonding strength
      and the time taken using a bracket bonded with an orthodontic adhesive containing
      thermal expansion microcapsules and a CO2 laser as the heating method while
      maintaining safety. Ceramic brackets were bonded to bovine permanent mandibular
      incisors using bonding materials containing various microcapsule contents (0, 30,
      and 40 wt%), and the bond strengths were measured after laser irradiation for 4,
      5, and 6 s and compared with nonlaser-treated groups. Subsequently, the
      temperature in the pulp chamber during laser irradiation was measured. After
      laser irradiation for 5 or 6 s, the bond strengths of the adhesive containing 40
      wt% microcapsules were significantly decreased to ~0.40 - 0.48-fold (4.6-5.5 MPa)
      compared with the nonlaser groups. The mean temperature rise of the pulp chamber
      was 4.3  degrees C with laser irradiation for 6 s, which was less than that
      required to induce pulp damage. Based on these results, we conclude that the
      combined use of a CO2 laser and an orthodontic adhesive containing thermal
      expansion microcapsules can be effective and safe for debonding ceramic brackets
      with less enamel damage or tooth pain. 

PMID- 24220849
TI  - Ranging behavior of eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) in a northern
      montane forest in Gaoligongshan, Yunnan, China.
AB  - Generally, food abundance and distribution exert important influence on primate
      ranging behavior. Hoolock gibbons (genus Hoolock) live in lowland and montane
      forests in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China. All information about hoolock
      gibbons comes from studies on western hoolock gibbons (Hoolock hoolock) living in
      lowland forest. Between August 2010 and September 2011, we studied the ranging
      behavior of one habituated group of eastern hoolock gibbon (H. leuconedys) living
      in a seasonal montane forest in Gaoligongshan, Yunnan, China. Results show that
      the study group did not increase foraging effort, calculated in this study as the
      daily path length, when fruit was less available. Instead, the gibbons fed more
      on leaves and decreased traveling to conserve energy. They relied heavily on a
      single food species in most study months which was patchily distributed within
      their total (14-month) home range, and during most months they used only a small
      portion of their total home range. In order to find enough food, the group
      shifted its monthly home range according to the seasonal availability of food
      species. To satisfy their annual food requirements, they occupied a total home
      range of 93 ha. The absence of neighboring groups of gibbons and the presence of
      tsaoko cardamom (Amomum tsaoko) plantations may also have influenced the ranging
      behavior of the group. Further long-term studies of neighboring groups living in
      intact forests are required to assess these effects. 

PMID- 24220850
TI  - Activation of early phase of adipogenesis through Kruppel-like factor KLF9
      mediated, enhanced expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta in 3T3-L1
      cells.
AB  - In this study, we found that Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 9 activate the progression
      of the early phase of adipocyte differentiation in mouse adipocytic 3T3-L1 cells.
      KLF9 mRNA was detected in preadipocytes; and its level increased after the
      initiation of adipocyte differentiation, reached its maximum at 1h, and gradually
      decreased thereafter. Functional suppression of KLF9 mRNA by its siRNAs repressed
      the accumulation of the intracellular lipids with a reduction in the expression
      of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) beta, but not in that of C/EBPdelta. In
      contrast, C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta did not affect the expression of KLF9 in 3T3
      L1 cells. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that KLF9 bound the KLF
      binding element at position -874 of the mouse C/EBPbeta promoter. Moreover, the
      ability of KLF9 to bind to this element was enhanced, with a peak at 1-2h after
      the initiation of adipogenesis, whose profile well resembled that of the
      expression of the C/EBPbeta gene in 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that
      KLF9 activated the early phase of adipogenesis by enhancing the expression of the
      C/EBPbeta gene in 3T3-L1 cells.

PMID- 24220848
TI  - Transcutaneous laser treatment of leg veins.
AB  - Leg telangiectasias and reticular veins are a common complaint affecting more
      than 80% of the population to some extent. To date, the gold standard remains
      sclerotherapy for most patients. However, there may be some specific situations,
      where sclerotherapy is contraindicated such as needle phobia, allergy to certain
      sclerosing agents, and the presence of vessels smaller than the diameter of a 30
      gauge needle (including telangiectatic matting). In these cases, transcutaneous
      laser therapy is a valuable alternative. Currently, different laser modalities
      have been proposed for the management of leg veins. The aim of this article is to
      present an overview of the basic principles of transcutaneous laser therapy of
      leg veins and to review the existing literature on this subject, including the
      most recent developments. The 532-nm potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser, the
      585-600-nm pulsed dye laser, the 755-nm alexandrite laser, various 800-983-nm
      diode lasers, and the 1,064-nm neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser
      and various intense pulsed light sources have been investigated for this
      indication. The KTP and pulsed dye laser are an effective treatment option for
      small vessels (<1 mm). The side effect profile is usually favorable to that of
      longer wavelength modalities. For larger veins, the use of a longer wavelength is
      required. According to the scarce evidence available, the Nd:YAG laser produces
      better clinical results than the alexandrite and diode laser. Penetration depth
      is high, whereas absorption by melanin is low, making the Nd:YAG laser suitable
      for the treatment of larger and deeply located veins and for the treatment of
      patients with dark skin types. Clinical outcome of Nd:YAG laser therapy
      approximates that of sclerotherapy, although the latter is associated with less
      pain. New developments include (1) the use of a nonuniform pulse sequence or a
      dual-wavelength modality, inducing methemoglobin formation and enhancing the
      optical absorption properties of the target structure, (2) pulse stacking and
      multiple pass laser treatment, (3) combination of laser therapy with
      sclerotherapy or radiofrequency, and (4) indocyanin green enhanced laser therapy.
      Future studies will have to confirm the role of these developments in the
      treatment of leg veins. The literature still lacks double-blind controlled
      clinical trials comparing the different laser modalities with each other and with
      sclerotherapy. Such trials should be the focus of future research.

PMID- 24220851
TI  - Enhancement of expression of survivin promoter-driven CD/TK double suicide genes
      by the nuclear matrix attachment region in transgenic gastric cancer cells.
AB  - This work aimed to study a novel transgenic expression system of the CD/TK double
      suicide genes enhanced by the nuclear matrix attachment region (MAR) for gene
      therapy. The recombinant vector pMS-CD/TK containing the MAR-survivin promoter
      CD/TK cassette was developed and transfected into human gastric cancer SGC-7901
      cells. Expression of the CD/TK genes was detected by quantitative real-time PCR
      (qPCR) and Western blot. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured using the
      methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. When the MAR
      fragment was inserted into the upstream of the survivin promoter, the qPCR result
      showed that the expression of the CD/TK genes significantly increased 7.7-fold in
      the transgenic SGC-7901 cells with plasmid pMS-CD/TK compared with that without
      MAR. MTT and flow cytometry analyses indicated that treatment with the prodrugs
      (5-FC+GCV) significantly decreased the cellular survival rate and enhanced the
      cellular apoptosis in the SGC-7901 cells. The expression of the CD/TK double
      suicide genes driven by the survivin promoter can be enhanced by the MAR fragment
      in human gastric cancer cells. 

PMID- 24220852
TI  - Pheno-Pub: a total support system for the publication of mouse phenotypic data on
      the web.
AB  - We have developed an open-source database system named "Pheno-Pub" to support a
      series of data-handling and publication tasks, including statistical analyses,
      data review, and web site construction, for mouse phenotyping experiments. This
      system is composed of three applications. "Mou-Stat" provides semiautomatic
      statistical analyses for a batch of phenotypic data, including a variety of
      conditions for group comparisons (e.g., different scales of measurement
      parameters). "Genotype Viewer" and "Strain Viewer" provide representation of
      genotype-driven and measurement parameter-driven views of phenotypic data; they
      highlight significant differences in genotypes and between strains, respectively.
      Direct links from the Strain Viewer web site to the Genotype Viewer web site
      provide flexible navigation in the exploration of phenotypic data. With these
      publication tools, phenotypic data can be made available on the Internet by
      simple operations. This system is expandable for a wide range of uses in
      phenotypic comparative analyses, including comparisons among different genotypes
      and strains and comparisons among groups exposed to different environmental
      conditions. Finally, Pheno-Pub provides advanced usability for both producers of
      experimental data and consumers of phenotypic information. Therefore, Pheno-Pub
      contributes significantly to the publication of data in various fields of
      phenotyping research and to broad data sharing, thereby promoting the
      understanding of the functions of the entire mouse genome. 

PMID- 24220853
TI  - A high-throughput image-based screen for the identification of Bax/Bak
      independent caspase activators against drug-resistant cancer cells.
AB  - Despite the use of new generation target specific drugs or combination
      treatments, drug-resistance caused by defective apoptosis signaling remains a
      major challenge in cancer treatment. A common apoptotic defect in drug-resistant
      tumor is the failure of cancer cells to undergo Bax/Bak-dependent mitochondrial
      permeabilization due to impaired signaling of Bcl-2 family proteins. Therefore,
      Bax and Bak-independent caspase-activating compounds appear to be effective in
      killing such tumor cells. An image-based cellular platform of caspase sensors in
      Bax and Bak deficient background allowed us to identify several potential Bax/Bak
      independent caspase-activating compounds from a limited high-throughput compound
      screening. FRET-based caspase sensor probe targeted at the nucleus enabled
      accurate and automated segmentation, yielding a Z-value of 0.72. Some of the
      positive hits showed promising activity against drug-resistant human cancer cells
      expressing high levels of Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL. Using this approach, we describe
      thiolutin, CD437 and TPEN as the most potentially valuable drug candidates for
      addressing drug-resistance caused by aberrant expression of Bcl-2 family proteins
      in tumor cells. The screen also enables the quantification of multiparameter
      apoptotic events along with caspase activation in HTS manner in live mode,
      allowing characterization of non-classical apoptosis signaling. 

PMID- 24220854
TI  - The DAPK family: a structure-function analysis.
AB  - DAP-kinase (DAPK) is the founding member of a family of highly related, death
      associated Ser/Thr kinases that belongs to the calmodulin (CaM)-regulated kinase
      superfamily. The family includes DRP-1 and ZIP-kinase (ZIPK), both of which share
      significant homology within the common N-terminal kinase domain, but differ in
      their extra-catalytic domains. Both DAPK and DRP-1 possess a conserved CaM
      autoregulatory domain, and are regulated by calcium-activated CaM and by an
      inhibitory auto-phosphorylation within the domain. ZIPK's activity is independent
      of CaM but can be activated by DAPK. The three kinases share some common
      functions and substrates, such as induction of autophagy and phosphorylation of
      myosin regulatory light chain leading to membrane blebbing. Furthermore, all can
      function as tumor suppressors. However, they also each possess unique functions
      and intracellular localizations, which may arise from the divergence in structure
      in their respective C-termini. In this review we will introduce the DAPK family,
      and present a structure/function analysis for each individual member, and for the
      family as a whole. Emphasis will be placed on the various domains, and how they
      mediate interactions with additional proteins and/or regulation of kinase
      function. 

PMID- 24220855
TI  - The DAP-kinase interactome.
AB  - DAP-kinase (DAPK) is a Ca(2+)/calmodulin regulated Ser/Thr kinase that activates
      a diverse range of cellular activities. It is subject to multiple layers of
      regulation involving both intramolecular signaling, and interactions with
      additional proteins, including other kinases and phosphatases. Its protein
      stability is modulated by at least three distinct ubiquitin-dependent systems.
      Like many kinases, DAPK participates in several signaling cascades, by
      phosphorylating additional kinases such as ZIP-kinase and protein kinase D (PKD),
      or Pin1, a phospho-directed peptidyl-prolyl isomerase that regulates the function
      of many phosphorylated proteins. Other substrate targets have more direct
      cellular effects; for example, phosphorylation of the myosin II regulatory chain
      and tropomyosin mediate some of DAPK's cytoskeletal functions, including membrane
      blebbing during cell death and cell motility. DAPK induces distinct death
      pathways of apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis. Among the substrates
      implicated in these processes, phosphorylation of PKD, Beclin 1, and the NMDA
      receptor has been reported. Interestingly, not all cellular effects are mediated
      by DAPK's catalytic activity. For example, by virtue of protein-protein
      interactions alone, DAPK activates pyruvate kinase isoform M2, the microtubule
      affinity regulating kinases and inflammasome protein NLRP3, to promote
      glycolysis, influence microtubule dynamics, and enhance interleukin-1beta
      production, respectively. In addition, a number of other substrates and
      interacting proteins have been identified, the physiological significance of
      which has not yet been established. All of these substrates, effectors and
      regulators together comprise the DAPK interactome. By presenting the components
      of the interactome network, this review will clarify both the mechanisms by which
      DAPK function is regulated, and by which it mediates its various cellular
      effects. 

PMID- 24220857
TI  - Microtubules and epithem-cell morphogenesis in hydathodes of Pilea cadierei.
AB  - When cell divisions have ceased, the epithem of the hydathodes of Pilea cadierei
      Gagnep. et Guill. consists of small polyhedral cells exhibiting a meristematic
      appearance, and completely lacks intercellular spaces. The cortical microtubules
      in epithem cells exhibit a unique organization: they are not scattered along the
      whole wall surface but form groups lying at some distance from each other. In
      sections, from two to eight groups of microtubules can be observed, each lining a
      wall region averaging between 0.5 and 1.5 MUm in length. These groups represent
      sections of microtubule bundles girdling a major part or the whole of the cell
      periphery. They are connected to one another by anastomoses, forming a
      microtubular reticulum. The assembly of microtubule bundles is followed by the
      appearance of distinct local thickenings in the adjacent wall areas. The
      cellulose microfibrils in the thickenings are deposited in parallel to the
      underlying microtubules. Gradually, the vacuolating epithem cells undergo
      swelling, except for the areas bounded by the wall thickenings. Since the latter,
      and actually their constituent bundles of cellulose microfibrils, cannot extend
      in length the differential cell growth results in schizogenous formation of
      intercellular spaces between contiguous cell walls at their thickened regions.
      The spaces then broaden and merge to become an extensive intercellular space
      system. As a result of the above processes, the epithem cells become constricted
      and finally deeply lobed. The observations show that (i) the cortical
      microtubules are intimately involved in the morphogenesis of the epithem cells
      and (ii) the initiation and development of the epithem intercellular spaces is a
      phenomenon directly related to cell morphogenesis and therefore to the cortical
      microtubule cytoskeleton. The sites of initiation of these spaces are highly
      predictable. 

PMID- 24220858
TI  - Monoclonal antibodies to sperm surface antigens of the brown alga Fucus serratus
      exhibit region-, gamete-, species- and genus-preferential binding.
AB  - A panel of twelve monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), designated FS1 to FS12, have been
      raised against surface antigens of Fucus serratus sperm. The antibodies were
      selected on the basis that they show region-, gamete-, species- or genus
      preferential binding. Indirect immunofluorescence shows that the antigens bound
      by the MAbs are distributed non-randomly over the cell surface. Seven MAbs (FS1,
      FS3, FS4, FS6, FS8, FS9, FS10) bind antigens located primarily on the cell body,
      while the others (FS2, FS5, FS7, FS11, FS12) bind antigens located primarily on
      the anterior flagellum. Of the MAbs that label the anterior flagellum, FS2, FS5,
      FS7 and FS12 form a 'halo' at the perimeter of the flagellum. Electron
      microscopic-immunogold studies indicate that the 'halo' results from labelling of
      the mastigonemes, as opposed to the flagellar plasmamembrane. Gamete-preferential
      binding of antibodies was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      with egg membrane vesicles. Eight of the MAbs bind sperm antigens not common to
      eggs, though FS2, FS4, FS5 and FS9 bind antigens present on both sperm and eggs.
      In studies of species- and genus-specificity FS2, FS3, FS5, FS6, FS7, FS8, FS10,
      FS11 and FS12 exhibit genus-preferential binding, labelling sperm of F. serratus
      and F. vesiculosus more intensely than that of Ascophyllum nodosum. Only FS10
      showed marked species-preferential binding, labelling sperm of F. serratus much
      more intensely than that of F. vesiculosus. 

PMID- 24220856
TI  - Human cancer cell line microRNAs associated with in vitro sensitivity to
      paclitaxel.
AB  - Paclitaxel is a mainstay of treatment for many solid tumors, and frequently,
      clinical outcome is influenced by paclitaxel sensitivity. Despite this, our
      understanding of the molecular basis of paclitaxel response is incomplete.
      Recently, it has been shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) influence messenger RNA
      (mRNA) transcriptional control and can contribute to human carcinogenesis. In the
      present study, our objective was to identify miRNAs associated with cancer cell
      line response to paclitaxel and to evaluate these miRNAs as therapeutic targets
      to increase paclitaxel sensitivity. We measured the expression of 335 unique
      miRNAs in 40 human cancer cell lines selected from the NCI panel. We then
      integrated miRNA expression data with publicly available paclitaxel-sensitivity
      (GI50) data for each of the 40 cell lines to identify miRNAs associated with
      paclitaxel sensitivity. Ovarian cancer cell lines with differential miRNA
      expression and paclitaxel sensitivity were transiently transfected with miRNA
      precursors and inhibitors, and the effects on in vitro cell paclitaxel
      sensitivity were evaluated. Pearson's correlation identified 2 miRNAs (miR-367
      and miR-30a-5p) associated with the NCI40 cell line in vitro paclitaxel response
      (P<0.0003). Ovarian cancer cells were selected based on the association between
      paclitaxel sensitivity and miR-367/miR-30a-5p expression. Overexpression of miR
      367 in the paclitaxel-sensitive cells [PA1; IC50, 1.69 nM, high miR-367 (2.997),
      low miR-30a-5p (-0.323)] further increased paclitaxel sensitivity, whereas miR
      367 depletion decreased paclitaxel sensitivity. In contrast, overexpression and
      depletion of miR-30a-5p in the paclitaxel-resistant cells [OVCAR4; IC50, 17.8 nM,
      low miR-367 (-0.640), high miR-30a-5p (3.270)] decreased and increased paclitaxel
      sensitivity, respectively. We identified and successfully targeted miRNAs
      associated with human cancer cell line response to paclitaxel. Our strategy of
      integrating in vitro miRNA expression and drug sensitivity data may not only aid
      in the characterization of determinants of drug response but also in the
      identification of novel therapeutic targets to increase activity of existing
      therapeutics.

PMID- 24220859
TI  - A morphometric analysis of the phloem-unloading pathway in developing tobacco
      leaves.
AB  - A morphometric analysis of developing leaves of Nicotiana tabacum L. was
      conducted to determine whether imported photoassimilates could be unloaded by
      symplastic transport and whether interruption of symplastic transport could
      account for termination of import. Five classes of veins were recognized, based
      on numbers of cells in transverse section. Photoassimilate is unloaded primarily
      from Class III veins in tissue nearing the end of the sink phase of development.
      Smaller veins (Class IV and V) do not transport or unload photoassimilate in sink
      tissue because the sieve elements of these veins are immature until after the
      tissue stops importing. In Class III veins the sieve element-companion cell (SE
      CC) complexes are surrounded by phloem parenchyma which abuts the bundle sheath.
      Along the most obvious unloading route, from SE-CC complex to phloem parenchyma
      to bundle sheath to mesophyll cells, the frequency of plasmodesmata at each
      interface increases. To determine whether this pattern of plasmodesmatal contact
      is consistent with symplastic unloading we first demonstrated, by derivation from
      Fick's law that the rate of diffusion from a compartment is proportional to a
      number N which is equal to the ratio of surface area to volume of the compartment
      multiplied by the frequency of pores (plasmodesmata) which connect it to the next
      compartment. N was calculated for each compartment within the vein which has the
      SE-CC complex as its center, and was shown to be statistically the same in all
      cases except one. These observations are consistent with a symplastic unloading
      route. As the leaf tissue matures and stops importing, plasmodesmatal frequency
      along the unloading route decreases and contact area between cells also decreases
      as intercellular spaces enlarge. As a result, the number of plasmodesmata between
      the SE-CC complex and the first layer of mesophyll cells declines in nonimporting
      tissue to 34% of the number found in importing tissue, indicating that loss of
      symplastic continuity between the phloem and surrounding cells plays a role in
      termination of photoassimilate unloading. 

PMID- 24220860
TI  - Dinitrogenase reductase (Fe-protein) of nitrogenase in the cyanobacterial
      symbionts of three Azolla species: Localization and sequence of appearance during
      heterocyst differentiation.
AB  - Transmission electron microscopy and immunocytological labeling were used to
      study the distribution and ontological occurrence of dinitrogenase reductase (Fe
      protein) of nitrogenase in cyanobacterial symbionts within young leaves of the
      water-ferns Azolla filiculoides Lamarck, A. caroliniana Willdenow, and A. pinnata
      R. Brown. Rabbit anti-dinitrogenase reductase antisera and goat anti-rabbit
      immunoglobulin G antibody conjugated to colloidal gold were used as probes.
      Western blot analyses showed that a polypeptide of approx. 36 kDa (kdalton) was
      recognized in the symbionts of all three Azolla species and that the polyclonal
      sera used were monospecific. In all symbionts, nitrogenase was immunologically
      recognizable within heterocysts. It was absent from vegetative cells, and also
      from the akinetes of the A. caroliniana and A. pinnata symbionts. The
      differentiation of vegetative cells into heterocysts in all three symbionts was
      initiated by formation of additional external cell-wall layers and narrowing of
      the neck followed by loss of glycogen, mild vesiculation of thylakoid membranes,
      and the appearance of polar nodules. No nitrogenase was detected at these early
      stages, but it appeared in the intermediate proheterocyst stage concomitantly
      with the formation of contorted membranes, and reached the strongest labeling in
      mature heterocysts, containing extensive tightly packed membranes. Nitrogenase
      was evenly distributed throughout heterocysts except at the polar regions, which
      contained honey-comb configurations and large polar nodules. With increased age
      of the A. caroliniana and A. pinnata symbionts, heterocysts became highly
      vesiculated, with a concomitant decrease in the amount of nitrogenase detected. 

PMID- 24220861
TI  - An alternative explanation for plant growth promotion by bacteria of the genus
      Azospirillum.
AB  - Experiments were performed to identify the substances that are excreted by the
      soil bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 and that were reported to stimulate
      the formation of lateral roots and of root hairs of grasses. Azospirillum forms
      indole-3 acetic acid (IAA) but only in the late stationary growth phase or when
      tryptophan is present in the medium, but not in continuous cultures or in the
      logarithmic growth phase of batch cultures. Formation of IAA by Azospirillum
      requires aerobic conditions. Nitrite can replace IAA in several phytohormone
      assay, and is even more active than IAA in a test with wheat root segments in
      which the increase of wet weight is determined. Higher amounts of nitrite are
      necessary for activity in other classical auxin assays. Nitrite shows 40-60% of
      the activity of IAA in the straight-growth test of Avena coleoptiles and in the
      formation of C2H4 by pea epicotyl segments. Like IAA, nitrite is inactive in
      promoting C2H4 formation by ripe apple tissues. Since nitrite alone can hardly
      exert phytohormonal effects, it is postulated that nitrite reacts with a
      substance in the cells and that a product formed by this reaction functions as
      auxin. Such a substance could be ascorbate. Exogenously added ascorbate enhances
      the rate of nitrite-dependent C2H4 formation by pea epicotyl sections and the
      nitrite-dependent increase in the wet weight of wheat root segments. Nitrite is
      formed by nitrate respiration of Azospirillum. The findings that nitrite can have
      phytohormonal effects offers an alternative explanation of the promotion of the
      growth of roots and the enhancement of mineral uptake of grasses by Azospirillum.
      Indole-acetic acid completely and nitrite partly substitute for an inoculation
      with Azospirillum in an assay where the increase of the dry weight of intact
      wheat roots is determined after an incubation for 10 d. Nitrite and IAA are,
      therefore, possibly the only factors causing an enhancement of the growth of
      roots of grasses. 

PMID- 24220862
TI  - Bisulfite interacts with binding sites of the auxin-transport inhibitor N-1
      naphthylphthalamic acid.
AB  - The affinity of the auxin-transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA)
      for membrane particles as well as for solubilized binding sites from Cucurbita
      pepo L. hypocotyls was reduced by low concentrations of bisulfite (half-maximal
      inhibition at 2.10(-3)-3.10(-3) M). Two membrane fractions obtained by
      sedimentation aided with polyethylene glycol showed differential sensitivity to
      bisulfite. Other oxidizing or reducing substances tested at 1 mM had no effect,
      except for N-ethylmaleimide (80% inhibition) and iodine (complete inhibition),
      both of which reduced the number of binding sites but not their affinity.
      Addition of bisulfite to either the isoalloxane ring of flavoproteins or to
      pyridoxal phosphate or quinones is proposed as a possible mechanism of action.
      Sulfur dioxide, at concentrations measured in polluted air, can lead to bisulfite
      concentrations in plant tissue sufficient to interfere with NPA-binding sites and
      hence with auxin transport. 

PMID- 24220863
TI  - Indication of transthylakoid proton-fluxes in Aegopodium podagraria L. by light
      induced changes of plasmalemma potential, chlorophyll fluorescence and light
      scattering.
AB  - The time course of the responses of chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves of
      Aegopodium podagraria to changes in irradiance does not necessarily show the time
      constant of thylakoid energization at energy fluence rates below 10-25 W.m(-2).
      In addition, other measures of thylakoid energization, such as lightscattering at
      532 nm and the responses to saturating flashes, show that the related component
      disappears from these signals at low fluence rates, but not necessarily all
      together at the same fluence rate. However, this time constant still appears in
      the light-induced responses of the plasmalemma potential. This implies that the
      effect on the electrogenic proton pump in the plasmalemma is the most sensitive
      indicator of proton fluxes into the inner thylakoid space. These results are a
      further indication that energy-quenching is coupled ther indication that energy
      quenching is coupled to transthylakoid proton fluxes via an intermediate, which
      is not active in Aegopodium podagraria at low irradiances. 

PMID- 24220864
TI  - Characterization of vacuolar polypeptides of barley mesophyll cells by two
      dimensional gel electrophoresis and by their affinity to lectins.
AB  - Vacuoles were isolated from primary leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) by
      mechanical breakage of protoplasts, and their polypeptide composition analyzed by
      two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Vacuoplasts which consist of the vacuole, a
      portion of the plasmalemma and of the cytoplasma were prepared from protoplasts
      by ultracentrifugation. By comparing the vacuolar polypeptide pattern with
      polypeptide patterns of isolated chloroplasts and of vacuoplasts, vacuolar
      polypeptides could clearly be distinguished from polypeptides derived from cross
      contaminating cell compartments. At least 14 polypeptides of apparent molecular
      mass between 12 and 76 kilodaltons and an isoelectric point between 4.5 and 7.6
      could be attributed to the tonoplast fraction of the vacuole, and 35 polypeptides
      to the soluble fraction of the vacuole. Several lectins with different
      specificity were employed to characterize the degree and nature of glycosylation
      of vacuolar polypeptides. Concanavalin A bound to a large number of polypeptides.
      Three out of the 14 tonoplast polypeptides exhibited detectable carbohydrate
      moieties and almost two-thirds of the surveyed soluble polypeptides were
      glycosylated. 

PMID- 24220865
TI  - Channel-mediated K(+) flux in barley aleurone protoplasts.
AB  - Gibberellic acid (GA3) stimulates K(+) efflux from the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.
      cv. Himalaya) aleurone. We investigated the mechanism of K(+) flux across the
      plasma membrane of aleurone protoplasts using patch-clamp techniques. Potassium
      ion currents, measured over the entire surface of the protoplast plasma membrane,
      were induced when the electrochemical gradient for K(+) was inward (into the
      cytoplasm). The magnitude and voltage-dependence of this inward current were the
      same in protoplasts treated with GA3 and in control protoplasts (no GA3). Inward
      currents activated by negative shifts in the membrane potential (EM) from the
      Nernst potential for K(+) (EK) showed membrane conductance to be a function of
      the electrochemical gradient (i.e. EM-EK). Single-channel influx currents of K(+)
      were recorded in small patches of the plasma membrane. These channels had a
      single-channel conductance of 5-10 pS with 100 mM K(+) on the inside and 10 mM
      K(+) on the outside of the plasma membrane. Single-channel currents, like whole
      cell currents, were the same in protoplasts treated with GA3 and control
      protoplasts. Voltage-gated efflux currents were found only in protoplasts tha
      thad been incubated without GA3. We conclude that K(+) influx in the aleurone is
      mediated by channels and these membrane proteins are not greatly effected by GA3.

PMID- 24220866
TI  - Transport of phenylalanine into vacuoles isolated from barley mesophyll
      protoplasts.
AB  - The energy-dependent transport of phenylalanine into isolated vacuoles of barley
      (Hordeum vulgare L.) mesophyll protoplasts has been studied by silicone-layer
      floatation filtering. The uptake of this aromatic amino acid into the vacuolar
      compartment is markedly increased by MgATP, showing saturation kinetics; the K m
      values were 0.5 mM for MgATP and 1.2 mM for phenylalanine. V max for
      phenylalanine transport was estimated to 140 nmol phenylalanine.(mg.Chl)(-1).h(
      1). The transport shows a distinct pH optimum at 7.3 and is markedly inhibited by
      40 mM nitrate. Azide (1 mM) and vanadate (400 MUM) had no or little effect on
      rates of transport while p-fluorophenylalanine seemed to be an effective
      inhibitor, indicating a possible competition at an amino-acid carrier. Ionophores
      such as valinomycin, nigericin or gramicidin were strong inhibitors of
      phenylalanine transport, indicating that this process is coupled to both the
      transmembrane pH gradient (DeltapH) and the transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi). 

PMID- 24220867
TI  - Time courses for phytochrome-induced enzyme levels in phenylpropanoid metabolism
      (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, naringenin-chalcone synthase) compared with time
      courses for phytochrome-mediated end-product accumulation (anthocyanin,
      quercetin).
AB  - Time course for changes in the levels of enzymes characteristic of general
      phenylpropanoid metabolism (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, PAL; EC 4.3.1.5) and of
      the flavonoid-glycoside branch pathway (naringenin-chalcone synthase, CHS; EC
      2.3.1.74) were measured in the cotyledons of mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedlings
      and compared with the rates of accumulation of related end products (anthocyanin
      and quercetin). Induction of enzyme levels and of end-product accumulation was
      carried out with red and far-red (FR) light, operating via phytochrome. The data
      are compatible with the concept that the phytochrome-mediated appearance of
      enzymes such as PAL and CHS is indeed a prerequisite for the appearance of
      anthocyanins and flavonols. However, there is no close correlation between enzyme
      levels and the rates of synthesis of end products which could justify the
      identification of specific rate-limiting enzymes. Rather, the data indicate that
      there is a second phytochrome-dependent step, beyond enzyme induction, where the
      actual rate of flavonoid accumulation is determined. Anthocyanin and quercetin
      accumulation respond differently to light. However, the relative action of
      continuous FR, red light pulses and 'stored phytochrome signal' is the same in
      both cases. This indicates that the mode of operation of phytochrome is the same
      in both cases. The two syntheses differ only in the degree of responsiveness
      towards phytochrome. The time course for changes in CHS levels in continuous FR,
      i.e. under conditions of phytochrome photosteady state, is similar to the time
      course for PAL levels whereas the time courses in darkness, following transfer
      from FR to darkness, are totally different. In the case of CHS, a transient rise
      is observed whereas, with PAL, an instantaneous drop in enzyme level occurs after
      transfer from FR to darkness. It is concluded that the 'stored phytochrome
      signal' operates in darkness in the case of CHS but not in the case of PAL. 

PMID- 24220868
TI  - Polyclonal antibodies raised to phycocyanins contain components specific for the
      red-absorbing form of phytochrome.
AB  - Polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits to a mixture of sodium-dodecyl-sulphate
      denatured C- and allo-phycocyanin, isolated from Anabaena cylindrica, cross-react
      with 124-kilodalton (kDa) phytochrome from etiolated oats, in enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assays and on Western blots. The component(s) of the anti
      phycocyanin serum that cross-reacts with phytochrome appears to be specific for
      the red-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pr). These antibodies can be detached from
      Pr by irradiation with red light, and thus show photoreversible binding. This
      property has been used to immunopurify the anti-phytochrome component from the
      antiserum using red light as the eluting agent. Competition assays and epitope
      mapping studies indicate that the anti-phytochrome component may bind to a site
      located between 6 and 10 kDa from the amino-terminus of etiolated oat
      phytochrome. 

PMID- 24220869
TI  - Control of wheat root growth. The effects of excision on growth, wall rheology
      and root anatomy.
AB  - Excision and subsequent incubation of the apices (1 cm) of wheat (Triticum
      aestivum L.) seedling roots in simple media severely reduced elongation from 28
      mm.(24 h)(-1) in intact roots to a maximum of 2 mm.(24 h)(-1) in excised roots.
      The reduction in growth was accompanied by a loss of cell turgor in the growing
      zone but was correlated with a hardening of the cell walls in this region.
      Rheological properties were measured as percent extensibility (both plastic and
      elastic) using a tensiometer, and as instantaneous volumetric elastic modulus
      (epsilon i) using the pressure probe. Excision decreased plastic and elastic
      properties with a half-time of some 60 min. Plastic extension was reduced from
      2.5% to 0.9% and elastic from 4.8% to 2.6% for an 8-g load. By contrast, epsilon
      i was increased by excision. The observed reduction in root elongation rate was
      accompained by a reduction in mature cell length from 240 MUm to 40 MUm and a
      shortening of the zone of cell expansion. 

PMID- 24220870
TI  - Cell-type-specific expression of a wheat-germ agglutinin gene in embryos and
      young seedlings of Triticum aestivum.
AB  - We have investigated the levels of cell-specific expression of wheat-germ
      agglutinin (WGA) during the development of embryos and in 3-d-old seedlings.
      Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA derived from hexaploid and diploid wheat
      (Triticum) species indicates that the isolated cDNA (complementary DNA) clone is
      specific for isolectin B (WGA-B). Specific accumulation of transcript for WGA-B
      was determined by RNA blot analysis and in-situ hybridization. The WGA-B mRNA
      increased tenfold during embryogenesis between 10 and 40 d post-anthesis and then
      declined again as the seed reached maturity. The root tips of 3-d-old seedlings
      contained approximately threefold more WGA-B mRNA than mature seeds. In-situ
      hybridization experiments showed that during embryogenesis, WGA-B mRNA was
      present only in the epidermal layers of the radicle and the coleorhiza, while in
      3-d-old seedlings it was found in the root-cap cells. To analyze de-novo
      transcription of WGA-B mRNA a new variation of in-situ hybridization was
      developed. RNAs from developing embryos and seedlings were labeled with
      [(3)H]uridine and then hybridized in-situ with unlabeled antisense and sense
      transcripts. These experiments demonstrated that accumulation of WGA-B mRNA in
      embryos and 3-d-old seedlings resulted, at least partially, from de-novo
      transcription. All cells containing WGA-B mRNA also contained WGA, as shown by
      immunocytochemistry. 

PMID- 24220871
TI  - Regulation of photosynthetic electron-transport in Phaseolus vulgaris L., as
      determined by room-temperature chlorophyll a fluorescence.
AB  - The regulation of photosystem II (PSII) by light-, CO2-, and O2-dependent changes
      in the capacity for carbon metabolism was studied. Estimates of the rate of
      electron transport through PSII were made from gas-exchange data and from
      measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence. At subsaturating photon-flux density
      (PFD), the rate of electron transport was independent of O2 and CO2. Feedback on
      electron transport was observed under two conditions. At saturating PFD and low
      partial pressure of CO2, p(CO2), the rate of electron transport increased with
      p(CO2). However, at high p(CO2), switching from normal to low p(O2) did not
      affect the net rate of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation but the rate of electron
      transport decreased by an amount related to the change in the rate of
      photorespiration. We interpret these effects as 1) regulation of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphatecarboxylase (RuBPCase, EC 4.1.1.39) activity to match the rate of
      electron transport at limiting PFD, 2) regulation of electron-transport rate to
      match the rate of RuBPCase at low p(CO2), and 3) regulation of the electron
      transport rate to match the capacity for starch and sucrose synthesis at high
      p(CO2) and PFD. These studies provide evidence that PSII is regulated so that the
      capacity for electron transport is matched to the capacity for other processes
      required by photosynthesis, such as ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylation and
      starch and sucrose synthesis. We show that at least two mechanisms contribute to
      the regulation of PSII activity and that the relative engagement of these
      mechanisms varies with time following a step change in the capacity for ribulose
      bisphosphate carboxylation and starch and sucrose synthesis. Finally, we take
      advantage of the relatively slow activation of deactivated RuBPCase in vivo to
      show that the activation level of this enzyme can limit the rate of electron
      transport as evidenced by increased feedback on PSII following a step change in
      p(CO2). As RuBPCase as activated, the feedback on PSII declined. 

PMID- 24220872
TI  - Attenuation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase activity contributes
      to GABA increase in the cerebral cortex of mice exposed to beta-cypermethrin.
AB  - The current study investigated the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and GABA
      metabolic enzymes (GABA transaminase (GABA(T)) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD))
      activities at 2 and 4 h after treatment, using a high-performance liquid
      chromatography with ultraviolet detectors and colorimetric assay, in the cerebral
      cortex of mice treated with 20, 40 or 80 mg/kg beta-cypermethrin by a single oral
      gavage, with corn oil as vehicle control. In addition, GABA protein (4 h after
      treatment), GABA(T) protein (2 h after treatment) and GABA receptors messenger
      RNA (mRNA) expression were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and
      real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction,
      respectively. beta-Cypermethrin (80 mg/kg) significantly increased GABA levels in
      the cerebral cortex of mice, at both 2 and 4 h after treatment, compared with the
      control. Also, GABA immunohistochemistry results suggested that the number of
      positive granules was increased in the cerebral cortex of mice 4 h after exposure
      to 80 mg/kg beta-cypermethrin when compared with the control. Furthermore, the
      results also showed that GABA(T) activity detected was significantly decreased in
      the cerebral cortex of mice 2 h after beta-cypermethrin administration (40 or 80
      mg/kg). No significant changes were found in GAD activity, or the expression of
      GABA(T) protein and GABAB receptors mRNA, in the cerebral cortex of mice, except
      that 80 mg/kg beta-cypermethrin caused a significant decrease, compared with the
      vehicle control, in GABAA receptors mRNA expression 4 h after administration.
      These results suggested that attenuated GABA(T) activity induced by beta
      cypermethrin contributed to increased GABA levels in the mouse brain. The
      downregulated GABAA receptors mRNA expression is most likely a downstream event.

PMID- 24220873
TI  - Effects of 900 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular phones on
      electrocardiograms of guinea pigs.
AB  - This study was carried out to determine the effects of electromagnetic field
      (EMF) emitted by cellular phones (CPs) on electrocardiograms (ECGs) of guinea
      pigs. A total of 30 healthy guinea pigs weighing 500-800 g were used. After 1
      week of adaptation period, animals were randomly divided into two groups: control
      group (n = 10) and EMF-exposed group (n = 20). Control guinea pigs were housed in
      a separate room without exposing them to EMFs of CPs. Animals in second group
      were exposed to 890-915 MHz EMF (217 Hz of pulse rate, 2 W of maximum peak power
      and 0.95 wt kg(-1) of specific absorption rate) for 12 h day(-1) (11 h 45 min
      stand-by and 15 min speaking mode) for 30 days. ECGs of guinea pigs in both the
      groups were recorded by a direct writing electrocardiograph at the beginning and
      10th, 20th and 30th days of the experiment. All ECGs were standardized at 1 mV =
      10 mm and with a chart speed of 50 mm sec(-1). Leads I, II, III, lead augmented
      vector right (aVR), lead augmented vector left (aVL) and lead augmented vector
      foot (aVF) were recorded. The durations and amplitudes of waves on the trace were
      measured in lead II. The data were expressed as mean with SEM. It was found that
      12 h day(-1) EMF exposure for 30 days did not have any significant effects on ECG
      findings of guinea pigs. However, this issue needed to be further investigated in
      a variety of perspectives, such as longer duration of exposure to be able to
      elucidate the effects of mobile phone-induced EMFs on cardiovascular functions.

PMID- 24220874
TI  - Protective effect of selected calcium channel blockers and prednisolone, a
      phospholipase-A2 inhibitor, against gentamicin and carbon tetrachloride-induced
      nephrotoxicity.
AB  - The ameliorative effect of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and a phospholipase-A2
      inhibitor in drug-/chemical-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated. Rats were
      divided into 7 groups of 5 rats in each group. In the gentamicin model, group I
      rats were pretreated with normal saline (10 ml kg(-1)), while groups II-VII rats
      were pretreated with normal saline (10 ml kg(-1)), ascorbic acid (10 mg kg(-1)),
      nifedipine (0.86 mg kg(-1)), verapamil (4.3 mg kg(-1)), diltiazem (3.43 mg kg(
      1)), and prednisolone (0.57 mg kg(-1)), respectively, perorally 1 h before
      intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of gentamicin (40 mg kg(-1)) for 14 days. In the
      carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) model, rats were pretreated with CCBs and
      prednisolone for 7 days before inducing nephrotoxicity with 20% CCl4 (1.5 ml kg(
      1)). Rats were thereafter killed and blood and tissue samples were collected for
      assessments. I.p. injections of gentamicin and CCl4 caused significant
      hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and hyperchloremic
      alkalosis and reduced renal tissue levels of antioxidants. Also, significant
      reductions in the hemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cells, and platelet
      indices were observed. Pretreatments with nifedipine (0.86 mg kg(-1)), verapamil
      (4.3 mg kg(-1)), diltiazem (3.43 mg kg(-1)), and prednisolone (0.57 mg kg(-1))
      significantly ameliorated the deleterious effects of gentamicin and CCl4 possibly
      via antioxidant and anti-lipoperoxidation mechanisms. The results obtained in
      this study suggest potential clinical usefulness of tested CCBs and prednisolone
      in drug-/chemical-induced nephrotoxicity. 

PMID- 24220875
TI  - The detox strategy in smoking comprising nutraceutical formulas of non-hydrolyzed
      carnosine or carcinine used to protect human health.
AB  - The increased oxidative stress in patients with smoking-associated disease, such
      as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is the result of an increased burden of
      inhaled oxidants as well as increased amounts of reactive oxygen species
      generated by various inflammatory, immune and epithelial cells of the airways.
      Nicotine sustains tobacco addiction, a major cause of disability and premature
      death. In addition to the neurochemical effects of nicotine, behavioural factors
      also affect the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. For some people, the
      feel, smell and sight of a cigarette and the ritual of obtaining, handling,
      lighting and smoking a cigarette are all associated with the pleasurable effects
      of smoking. For individuals who are motivated to quit smoking, a combination of
      pharmacotherapy and behavioural therapy has been shown to be most effective in
      controlling the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. In the previous studies, we
      proposed the viability and versatility of the imidazole-containing dipeptide
      based compounds in the nutritional compositions as the telomere protection
      targeted therapeutic system for smokers in combination with in vitro cellular
      culture techniques being an investigative tool to study telomere attrition in
      cells induced by cigarette smoke (CS) and smoke constituents. Our working
      therapeutic concept is that imidazole-containing dipeptide-based compounds (non
      hydrolyzed carnosine and carcinine) can modulate the telomerase activity in the
      normal cells and can provide the redox regulation of the cellular function under
      the terms of environmental and oxidative stress and in this way protect the
      length and the structure of telomeres from attrition. The detoxifying system of
      non-hydrolyzed carnosine or carcinine can be applied in the therapeutic nutrition
      formulations or installed in the cigarette filter. Patented specific oral
      formulations of non-hydrolyzed carnosine and carcinine provide a powerful
      manipulation tool for targeted therapeutic inhibition of cumulative oxidative
      stress and inflammation and protection from telomere attrition associated with
      smoking. It is demonstrated in this work that both non-hydrolyzed carnosine and
      carcinine are characterized by greater bioavailability than pure l-carnosine
      subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with carnosinase, and perform the
      detoxification of the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds present in
      tobacco smoke. We argue that while an array of factors has shaped the history of
      the 'safer' cigarette, it is the current understanding of the industry's past
      deceptions and continuing avoidance of the moral implications of the sale of
      products that cause the enormous suffering and death of millions that makes
      reconsideration of 'safer' cigarettes challenging. In contrast to this, the data
      presented in the article show that recommended oral forms of non-hydrolyzed
      carnosine and carcinine protect against CS-induced disease and inflammation, and
      synergistic agents with the actions of imidazole-containing dipeptide compounds
      in developed formulations may have therapeutic utility in inflammatory lung
      diseases where CS plays a role. 

PMID- 24220876
TI  - The association between serum Dickkopf-1 levels and esophageal squamous cell
      carcinoma.
AB  - Serum Dickkopf-1(DKK-1) is elevated in many malignancies and is an important
      indicator of malignant potential. However, its significance in esophageal
      squamous cell cancer (ESCC) has not yet been clarified. We hypothesized a role
      for DKK-1 in patients with ESCC. The study consisted of 90 ESCC patients and 85
      healthy controls. After diagnosis, the level of DKK-1 was measured in the serum
      samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the levels of DKK-1 were much
      higher in the ESCC patients than in the healthy control group (p < 0.0001). For
      serum DKK-1, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 70 and 80%,
      respectively. The preoperative serum DKK-1 level was elevated in the ESCC
      patients. Although serum DKK-1 is not a specific biomarker for ESCC, it might be
      a useful marker for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC. 

PMID- 24220877
TI  - In vitro study on cytotoxicity and intracellular formaldehyde concentration
      changes after exposure to formaldehyde and its derivatives.
AB  - HeLa cells were exposed to formaldehyde and its metabolic derivatives, methanol,
      formic acid, and acetaldehyde, to investigate that the toxicity of formaldehyde
      is not caused by the chemical group. After 1 h of treatment with formaldehyde,
      mitochondrial assays showed that low concentrations (e.g. 10 MUmol/L) of
      formaldehyde promoted growth of the HeLa cells, while higher concentrations (e.g.
      >=62.5 MUmol/L) inhibited cell growth; while all four chemicals at a
      concentration of 125 MUmol/L affected cell growth, formaldehyde affected the
      largest. Reactive oxygen species concentration increased with the concentration
      of the exposure chemical. The endogenous formaldehyde content increased the most
      in the formaldehyde group, but in other three groups, it did not increase as the
      exposure concentration increased. Expression of dehydrogenase (formaldehyde
      dehydrogenase (FDH)) in the formaldehyde (10.40) and methanol (10.60) groups
      increased significantly compared with the control (1), while it was similar to
      the control in formic acid (0.90) and acetaldehyde (1.10) groups. Our results
      suggest that formaldehyde could affect cell activity and even enter cells.
      Exposure to formaldehyde changes the endogenous formaldehyde concentration in
      cells within 24 h, and this induces expression of FDH for formaldehyde
      degradation to maintain the formaldehyde balance. The toxicity of formaldehyde is
      not caused by the carbon atoms in the aldehyde, hydroxyl, or carboxyl groups.
      Formaldehyde is hypothesized to be an important signaling molecule in the
      regulation of cell growth and maintenance of the endogenous formaldehyde level. 

PMID- 24220878
TI  - Rhabdomyolysis induced by excessive coffee drinking.
AB  - Excessive ingestion of caffeine-containing beverages is a rare cause of
      rhabdomyolysis. Here, we describe the case of a 44-year-old woman presented with
      nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and tea-colored urine 6 h after drinking a liter
      of black coffee containing approximately 565 mg of caffeine for mental alertness.
      Laboratory studies were notable for myoglobinuria and markedly elevated plasma
      creatine kinase (CK) level of 7315 U/L. With volume expansion and alkalization,
      her plasma CK level returned to normal within 5 days. Rhabdomyolysis should be
      considered a potential health hazard from excessive consumption of caffeine
      containing products. 

PMID- 24220879
TI  - Atypical outer retinal fluid accumulation in choroidal neovascularization: a
      novel OCT finding.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT)
      finding in choroidal neovascularization (CNV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors
      identified seven eyes with CNV demonstrating the atypical pattern of fluid
      accumulation within the outer retina on OCT. Patient demographics, best corrected
      visual acuity and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) images were collected for all
      available follow-up visits. Volume and area of the fluid were measured on SD-OCT.
      Microperimetry was performed in one case. RESULTS: The outer retinal fluid was
      located between the external limiting membrane (ELM) and the outer photoreceptor
      band on SD-OCT. Within this area, the outer segments of the photoreceptors were
      visualized as a continuous band, which appeared to split from the retina,
      dropping down toward the retinal pigment epithelium (mean area: 2.53 +/- 1.23
      mm(2); mean volume: 0.19 +/- 0.20 mm(3)). All cases demonstrated the finding only
      at one time point during follow-up. Recovery of the outer retina and retinal
      function could be detected. CONCLUSION: Atypical intraretinal fluid accumulation
      externally to the ELM may be detected on SD-OCT in eyes with CNV. This finding
      may be transient and may not preclude subsequent improvement in visual function.
      The frequency of the presumed photoreceptor delamination and its full clinical
      significance remain to be defined.

PMID- 24220880
TI  - Optical coherence tomography in pediatric ophthalmology: current roles and future
      directions.
AB  - The application of existing optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology to the
      pediatric population is limited in both the design specification of the device
      and its hardware. However, the potential of OCT in the pediatric population has
      not been fully realized. The authors review the literature, highlighting the
      currently available spectral-domain OCT technology and summarizing the reported
      normal pediatric OCT parameters for retinal nerve fiber layer and macular
      thickness. They also review the pediatric ophthalmological conditions in which
      OCT has been used and discuss advancements in OCT design and their potential
      applications to the pediatric population. The use of OCT in pediatric populations
      is likely to increase greatly in the coming years, aiding clinical decision
      making and providing new insights into pediatric disease pathophysiology.

PMID- 24220881
TI  - Paracentral acute middle maculopathy and acute macular neuroretinopathy.
AB  - Type 1 acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN), also known as paracentral acute
      middle maculopathy (PAMM), is a novel form of AMN in which spectral-domain
      optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) demonstrates a characteristic hyper
      reflective band-like lesion at the level of the inner nuclear layer. This form of
      AMN has only recently been described in five patients who were predominantly
      older men with vasculopathy. Herein, we describe a young, healthy female patient
      with classic features of type 1 AMN or PAMM with SD-OCT.

PMID- 24220882
TI  - Enhanced depth imaging OCT and indocyanine green angiography changes in acute
      macular neuroretinopathy.
AB  - The authors describe indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and enhanced depth
      imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in a 46-year-old male patient with
      acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN). The chief complaint was decreasing visual
      acuity and metamorphopsia in both eyes of 1-month duration. Visual field
      assessment, fluorescein angiography, OCT, ICGA, and EDI-OCT were performed
      initially and at 3 months. ICGA showed choroidal vascular hyperpermeability and
      punctuate choroidal hyperfluorescent spots, especially in the left eye. EDI-OCT
      showed increased choroidal macular thickness, with inner and outer retinal layers
      affected. EDI-OCT and ICGA reveal that both the choroid and retina can be
      affected in AMN; however, the primary pathology and localization of depth of
      involvement in AMN remains unclear.

PMID- 24220883
TI  - Optical coherence tomography 2014.

PMID- 24220884
TI  - Enhanced visualization of the choroido-scleral interface using swept-source OCT.
AB  - An accurate analysis of the thickness and volume of choroid using optical
      coherence tomography (OCT) requires precise visualization of the choroido-scleral
      interface. Results of studies that use spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) to look at
      the percent visualization of the choroido-scleral interface for accurate analysis
      of choroidal thickness show varying success rates. This study assessed the
      visualization of choroido-scleral interface in 19 healthy participants (19 eyes)
      prospectively recruited for consecutive high-definition raster scanning with an
      SD-OCT system with and without enhanced depth imaging (EDI) and a prototype long
      wavelength swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) system. Choroido-scleral interface was
      visualized in all eyes imaged on SS-OCT, compared with 13 of 19 (68.4%) and 14 of
      19 (73.6%) eyes imaged on SD-OCT without EDI (P = .009) and with EDI (P = .02),
      respectively. The prototype long-wavelength SS-OCT system, with its higher
      acquisition speed and deeper tissue penetration, may have better clinical utility
      in determining the involvement of choroid in various chorioretinal diseases.

PMID- 24220885
TI  - Comparison of retinal layer intensity profiles from different OCT devices.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to use automated multiple
      retinal layer segmentation to compare retinal layer intensity profiles between
      different spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) devices with and
      without normalization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A graph-based multistage
      segmentation approach was used to identify 11 boundaries in horizontal SD-OCT B
      scans passing through the foveal center. Four acquisition protocols from two
      different SD-OCT devices were applied on 34 eyes from 17 healthy participants.
      The mean intensity of the 11 layers was compared within each device and between
      the two devices. In addition, the intensity of the various layers was normalized
      against the vitreous and retinal pigment epithelium band, and the normalized
      intensity profiles were also compared. RESULTS: Within each OCT device, the mean
      intensity of the 11 retinal layers did not show significant difference (P values
      of paired t test ranging between 0.15 and 0.30). For the two different devices,
      before normalization, the mean intensity of the 11 retinal layers differed
      significantly (P = .02 to .03). After normalization, the mean intensity no longer
      differed significantly (P = .26 to .51). Linear regression demonstrated an
      average R(2) of 0.94 (P < .001) before normalization and 0.98 (P < .001) after
      normalization between the two devices. CONCLUSION: The morphology of the
      intensity profiles was found to be similar within each SD-OCT device. Comparing
      intensity profiles from the two different devices, significant differences in
      unnormalized layer intensity were observed. Following normalization, the
      differences between OCT devices were no longer significant.

PMID- 24220887
TI  - Cytogenetics of four telotrisomics in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).
AB  - Four barley telotrisomics (Triplo 3S, 5S, 6S, and 7S) were studied. No major
      qualitative differences in morphology between the telotrisomics and their diploid
      sibs were found. The pollen and seed fertility of these telotrisomics was
      comparable to their diploid sibs. The meiotic study showed that the average
      frequency of 6II + 1III at diakinesis and metaphase I was 84.2% and 71.7%,
      respectively. The normal chromosome separation ranged from 77.2% to 89.4% at
      anaphase I through telophase II. The transmission rate of the extra telocentric
      chromosomes averaged 28.4% upon selfing and 28.7% through the female. All four
      telotrisomics showed various degrees of pollen transmission, the average being
      3.6%. Ditelotetrasomic plants (2n = 14 + 2 homologous telocentrics) were obtained
      in the progenies of selfed monotelotrisomic plants of all four types. These
      ditelotetrasomic plants were viable and showed various degrees of seed fertility.

PMID- 24220886
TI  - High-temperature GC-MS-based serum cholesterol signatures may reveal sex
      differences in vasospastic angina.
AB  - Alterations of cholesterol metabolism are responsible for vasospastic angina and
      atherosclerosis. To comprehensively evaluate cholesterol metabolism, 18 sterols,
      including cholesterol, 6 cholesteryl esters (CEs), 3 cholesterol precursors, and
      8 hydroxycholesterols (OHCs), were simultaneously analyzed using hybrid solid
      phase extraction (SPE) purification coupled to high-temperature gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (HTGC-MS). Methanol-based hybrid SPE increased
      the selective extraction, and HTGC resulted in a good chromatographic resolution
      for the separation of lipophilic compounds. The limits of quantification of
      cholesterol and CEs ranged from 0.2 to 10.0 MUg/ml, while OHCs and cholesterol
      precursors ranged from 0.01 to 0.10 MUg/ml. Linearity as the correlation
      coefficient was higher than 0.99 with the exception of cholesteryl laurate,
      myristate, oleate, and linoleate (r2 > 0.98). The precision (% coefficient of
      variation) and accuracy (% bias) ranged from 1.1 to 9.8% and from 75.9 to 125.1%,
      respectively. The overall recoveries of CEs ranged from 26.1 to 64.0%, and the
      recoveries of other sterols ranged from 83.8 to 129.3%. The cholesterol
      signatures showed sex differences in patients with vasospastic angina and may
      associate with 24-reductases. This technique can be useful for making clinical
      diagnoses and for an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of
      vasospastic angina.

PMID- 24220888
TI  - Full and reduced models for yield trials.
AB  - Empirical results routinely demonstrate that the reduced Additive Main effects
      and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model achieves better predictive accuracy
      for yield trials than does the full treatment means model. It may seem mysterious
      that treatment means are not the most accurate estimates, but rather that the
      AMMI model is often more accurate than its data. The statistical explanation
      involves the Stein effect, whereby a small sacrifice in bias can produce a large
      gain in accuracy. The corresponding agricultural explanation is somewhat complex,
      beginning with a yield trial's design and ending with its research purposes and
      applications. In essence, AMMI selectively recovers pattern related to the
      treatment design in its model, while selectively relegating noise related to the
      experimental design in its discarded residual. For estimating the yield of a
      particular genotype in a particular environment, the AMMI model uses the entire
      yield trial, rather than only the several replications of this particular trial,
      as in the treatment means model. This use of more information is the source of
      AMMI's gain in accuracy. 

PMID- 24220889
TI  - Allelism of Endosperm Balance Number (EBN) in Mexican tuber-bearing Solanum
      species.
AB  - Endosperm Balance Number (EBN) is a genetic, dose-dependent crossability system
      functioning in tuber-bearing Solanum species. Each species has been assigned
      1EBN, 2EBN, or 4EBN. Species thus designated cross only within their EBN group.
      Doubling of chromosome number also doubles the EBN. The ploidy: EBN ratio is not
      consistent among Solanum species. Some diploids are 2EBN while others are 1EBN.
      Some tetraploids are 4EBN while others are 2EBN. Species from Mexico typically
      have EBNs that are one-half of their ploidy [e.g. 2x(1EBN), 4x(2EBN)]. Hybrids of
      Mexican species and a South American species, 2x(1EBN) S. Commersonii, and its
      4x(2EBN) colchicine derivative were made and crossed to 1, 2, and 4EBN standard
      testers to determine the relationship of the genetic organization of EBN among
      and within these species. Diploid hybrids crossed only to 1EBN standard testers.
      Hybrids of 4x(2EBN) S. commersonii and 4x(2EBN) Mexican species crossed almost
      exclusively to 2EBN standard testers. Complex tetraploid hybrids involving S.
      commersonii, S. stenophyllidium (a Mexican diploid), and Mexican tetraploids of
      series Longipedicellata also crossed only to 2EBN testers. The apparent lack of
      recombination and segregation for EBN in these hybrids indicates that the genomes
      of the Mexican diploid and tetraploid species carry EBN in a way genetically
      similar to that of the South American species S. Commersonii. 

PMID- 24220890
TI  - Genetic characterization of a double-flowered tobacco plant obtained in a
      transformation experiment.
AB  - A leaf-disk transformation experiment was performed with tobacco (Nicotiana
      tabacum L.) using a binary vector and a strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens that
      carried a wild-type Ti-plasmid, pTiBo542. Although the majority of kanamycin
      resistant, transgenic plants was morphologically normal, one of the plants was
      double-flowered and had a slightly wavy stem and leaves whose edges were bent
      slightly upwards. The abnormal morphology was controlled by a single, dominant
      Mendelian gene. Young plants that carried this gene were distinguishable from
      normal plants at the stage of cotyledons. The homozygotes, with respect to this
      gene, were more seriously deformed than the heterozygotes. DNA segments derived
      from the binary vector and from the TL-and TR-DNA of pTiBo542 were detected in
      the double-flowered plant, but the T-DNA genes involved in biosynthesis of
      phytohormones were absent from the plant. The abnormal morphology, the resistance
      to kanamycin, and the segments of foreign DNA were genetically linked, and the
      linkage was very tight, at least between the abnormal morphology and the
      resistance to kanamycin; the meiotic recombination frequency was less than 0.02%,
      if recombination occurred at all. 

PMID- 24220891
TI  - The ms1 mutation in soybean: involvement of gametes in crosses with tetraploid
      soybean.
AB  - Previous studies indicated that ms1ms1 malesterile female-fertile soybean
      (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) plants can produce seeds with different ploidy levels.
      The codominant chlorophyll-deficient mutant y11 was used in attempts to
      understand the embryo-endosperm relationship in seed production in ms1ms1 plants
      and to determine the mechanism of gamete formation in the ms1 mutation. Crosses
      were conducted between yellow-green male-sterile plants (ms1ms1Y11y11) and green
      fertile tetraploid cultivars (Ms1Ms1Ms1Ms1Y11Y11Y11Y11) in the greenhouse in the
      summers of 1987 and 1988. A total of 2,007 cross-pollinations were made. Thirty
      hybrid seeds were obtained, and plants were analyzed for chromosome number,
      fertility, and color. All the hybrid seedlings were tetraploid and fertile. No
      triploids were found. Among the 30 F1 plants, 7 were green (Y11Y11Y11Y11), 17
      were green-yellow (Y11Y11Y11y11), and 6 were yellow-green (Y11Y11y11y11). The
      segregation ratio was close to the expected 1 green: 2 green-yellow: 1 yellow
      green (X(2) = 0.38; 0.90>p>0.75). From the results of this experiment, we
      conclude that: (1) triploids were not produced by crossing diploid ms1ms1 soybean
      plants with tetraploid plants; (2) tetraploid progeny can be produced from these
      crosses by the fusion of 2n ms1 eggs, or fusion of other 2n gametophyte cells in
      the embryo sac with a 2x sperm from tetraploid plants; (3) the megaspore mother
      cell of male-sterile plants undergoes meiotic division without cytokinesis after
      telophase II and forms more than the normal number of gametes, which can fuse
      with each other to generate tetraploid gametophyte cells. 

PMID- 24220892
TI  - Cytogenetic analysis of three genetic sexing strains of Ceratitits capitata.
AB  - Polytene chromosomes of three genetic sexing strains of Ceratitis capitata were
      analyzed. The genetic sexing mechanism is based on a pupal color dimorphism
      (white-brown) and is the result of a reciprocal translocation between the Y
      chromosome and the autosome bearing the w locus (white pupal case). The analyzed
      polytene chromosomes were derived from two different pupal tissues, the orbital
      bristle and fat body cells. The Y chromosome is visible in both tissues, while
      the autosomes present a different banding pattern. Based on these features, the
      autosome breakpoints in the three Y; autosome translocations were mapped, and the
      homology of the translocated autosome in both tissues was established. In
      addition, the location of the break-points was compared to the stability of these
      three strains. 

PMID- 24220893
TI  - Two-step one-dimensional SDS-PAGE analysis of LMW subunits of glutelin : 2.
      Genetic control of the subunits in species related to wheat.
AB  - Analysis of intergeneric substitution lines in hexaploid wheats by a two-step
      electrophoretic method of protein separation revealed that low-molecular-weight
      (LMW) subunits of glutelin in Triticum longissimum, T. Umbelullatum, Elytrigia
      elongata (2 x) were controlled by chromosomes/chromosome arms 1S (l) , 1U, and
      1ES, respectively. A LMW glutelin band in Secale montanum was detected but its
      chromosomal location could not be determined. Genes controlling gliadins and HMW
      subunits of glutelin were also located on chromosome 1S (l) in T. longissimum. 

PMID- 24220894
TI  - Evidence of simple genetic control in potato of ability to restrict potato leaf
      roll virus concentration in leaves.
AB  - The concentration of potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), measured by quantitative
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in foliage of plants of cv Maris Piper and
      clone G7445(1) with secondary infection was 2,700 ng/g leaf and 120 ng/g leaf,
      respectively. In experiments to examine the genetic control of their ability to
      restrict the multiplication of PLRV, reciprocal crosses were made between these
      two clones. Among 40 genotypes from the progeny of the crosses, about half had a
      low PLRV concentration in plants with secondary infection and the other half had
      a high concentration. The possibility of monogenic control of the character that
      restricts PLRV multiplication in such clones of Solanum tuberosum is discussed. 

PMID- 24220895
TI  - Characterization of responses to temperature and photoperiod for time to
      flowering in a world lentil collection.
AB  - The times from sowing to first flowering (f) of 231 accessions of lentil (Lens
      culinaris Medik.), comprising germ plasm from eight countries and breeding lines
      from ICARDA in Syria, were recorded in four glasshouse environments; two
      photoperiods (16 and 13 h/day) combined with warmer (24 degrees /13 degrees C)
      and cooler (18 degrees /9 degrees C) day/night temperatures. The linear model
      1/f=a+bT + cP (where T is mean diurnal temperature and P is photoperiod) provided
      an average fit over the 231 accessions of r (2)=0.852. Since there is no
      interaction term in this linear model, the flowering responses of an accession to
      temperature and photoperiod are independent. The values of the constants b and c
      indicate relative responsiveness of rate of progress towards flowering (1/f) to
      temperature and photoperiod, respectively. Comparison among the 231 accessions
      showed a weak, but significant, negative correlation between the values of b and
      c (r=-0.291, P<0.01). Since the proportion of the variance of b not attributed to
      its linear regression on c was >0.91, we conclude that these phenological
      responses are under separate control and that there is considerable scope for
      selection of any combination of sensitivities to temperature and photoperiod in
      lentil. Just as a large proportion of the variation among accessions in mean time
      to first flowering was attributed to country of origin, so also was variability
      in the values of the constants a, b, and c. In particular, sensitivity to
      photoperiod (i.e., the value of constant c) was dependent upon latitude of
      origin. Breeding lines from ICARDA were equally variable in a, b, and c as were
      germ plasm accessions from elsewhere, while the mean values were similar to those
      of accessions from neighboring Jordan. A single accession of wild lentil (L.
      culinaris subsp. orientalis) from Turkey showed flowering responses to T and P
      similar to the mean value of accessions of cultivated lentil from that country.
      Results from diverse environments for the Argentinian cv Precoz show that the use
      of this linear model facilitates predictions of time to flowering in any
      environment (within wide limits) of known mean temperature and photoperiod. The
      model, then, minimizes the need for multisite evaluations of phenology, since
      predictions of pre-flowering duration in any environment, and characterization of
      flowering responses to photoperiod and temperature, can now be achieved by
      screening germ plasm in a few, carefully selected locations. 

PMID- 24220896
TI  - Transfer of germ plasm from the secondary to the primary gene pool in pennisetum.
AB  - Germ plasm from the A'-genome of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. (A'A'BB) of the
      secondary gene pool was transferred to cultivated pearl millet (AA) [P. glaucum
      (L.) R. Br.] by pollinating cytoplasmicnuclear male-sterile (cms) pearl millet
      with fertile allohexaploid pearl millet x P. purpureum hybrids (AAA'A'BB).
      Certain allohexaploids used as pollinators on cms pearl millet resulted in 14
      chromosome diploid pearl millet progenies. Three types of diploid pearl millet
      plants were produced in addition to the expected 28-chromosome AAA'B-genome
      plants: (1) cms plants with only the A-genome, (2) cms plants with the A- and A'
      genomes, and (3) fertile plants with the A- and A'-genomes. The latter group has
      allowed the utilization of genes for fertility restoration, stiff stalk,
      maturity, height, and morphological characteristics from the A'-genome of P.
      purpureum in the pearl millet breeding program. Production of monoploid gametes
      by the allohexaploids appeared to be genetically controlled. 

PMID- 24220897
TI  - Marker-based mapping of quantitative trait loci using replicated progenies.
AB  - When heritability of the trait under investigation is low, replicated progenies
      can bring about a major reduction in the number of individuals that need to be
      scored for marker genotype in determining linkage between marker loci and
      quantitative trait loci (QTL). Savings are greatest when heritability of the
      trait is low, but are much reduced when heritability of the quantitative trait is
      moderate to high. Required numbers for recombinant inbred lines will be greater
      than those required for a simple F2 population when heritabilities are moderate
      to high and the proportion of recombination between marker locus and quantitative
      trait locus is substantial. 

PMID- 24220898
TI  - Chloroplast DNA diversity in wild and cultivated species of rice (Genus Oryza,
      section Oryza). Cladistic-mutation and genetic-distance analysis.
AB  - Using a novel nonaqueous procedure, chloroplast DNA was isolated from 318
      individual adult rice plants, representing 247 accessions and the breadth of the
      diversity in section Oryza of genus Oryza. Among them, 32 different cpDNA
      restriction patterns were distinguished using the restriction endonucleases EcoRI
      and AvaI, and they were further characterized by restriction with BamHI, HindIII,
      SmaI, PstI, and BstEII enzymes. The differences in the electrophoretic band
      patterns were parsimoniously interpreted as being the result of 110 mutations,
      including 47 restriction site mutations. The relationships between band patterns
      were studied by a cladistic analysis based on shared mutations and by the
      computation of genetic distances based on shared bands. The deduced relationships
      were compared with earlier taxonomical studies. The maternal parents for BC
      genome allotetraploids were deduced. Within species, cpDNA diversity was found
      larger in those species with an evolutionary history of recent introgression
      and/or allotetraploidization. Occasional paternal inheritance and recombination
      of cpDNA in rice was suggested. 

PMID- 24220899
TI  - Nonparametric approach to multitrait selection for yield in groundnut (Arachis
      hypogaea L.).
AB  - Eight characters related to nitrogen fixation and pod development measured 30
      days after flowering were evaluated for their correct grading of the relative
      yield performance of 17 genetically diverse lines of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea
      L.). Each line was assigned a high or low yield status based on its pod yield,
      shelling percentage, and 100-kernel weight. Seventeen character combinations were
      examined for their relative merit in correct identification of the yield status
      of lines. The character sets, nitrogenase activity alone or in combination with
      nitrogen percent or shoot weight identified the status of 77% of lines correctly.
      The extent to which various characters accounted for the variation in pod yield
      was also checked by multiple regression analysis. While the character
      combination, nitrogen percent plus leaf area explained 75% of variation in pod
      yield, nodule mass, nitrogenase activity, and leaf area occurred in some other
      combinations that explained yield variation to a lesser extent. These analyses
      point to the profitability of involving crop physiological traits such as leaf
      area and nitrogen percent in selecting for relative yield performance in
      groundnut. 

PMID- 24220900
TI  - The improbability of irradiated spermatozoa as gene transfer vectors in chickens.
AB  - It is concluded that chromatin fragments derived from irradiated chicken
      spermatozoa are not viable vectors for gene transfer. In three experiments
      conducted at sequential intervals over a period of 1 1/2 years, no marker traits
      were found in 1,065 G0 progeny from irradiated spermatozoa of Minnesota Dominant
      Marker males inseminated into recessive Rhode Island Red and White Leghorn
      females. The inability to secure transformants is ascribed to the following
      factors: a maximum of five and probably fewer potential vector fragments for each
      G0 progeny because of irradiation effect on spermatozoan ability to enter the
      germinal disc; uncertainty of DNA integrity from highly irradiated chromatin; no
      known mechanism for release of chromatin fragments from irradiated spermatozoa
      supernumerary pronuclei; and the uncertainty of selective integration into the
      zygotic nucleus. 

PMID- 24220901
TI  - Mutants of Arabidopsis with alterations in seed lipid fatty acid composition.
AB  - A diverse collection of mutants of Arabidopsis with altered seed lipid
      compositions was isolated by determining the fatty acid composition of samples of
      seed from 3,000 mutagenized lines. A series of mutations was identified that
      caused deficiencies in the elongation of 18?1 to 20?1, desaturation of 18?1 to
      18?2, and desaturation of 18?2 to 18?3. In each of these cases the wild type
      exhibited incomplete dominance over the mutant allele. These results, along with
      results from earlier studies, point to a major influence of gene dosage in
      determining the fatty acid composition of seed lipids. A mutation was also
      isolated that resulted in increased accumulation of 18?3. On the basis of the
      effects on fatty acid composition, the nature of the biochemical lesion in three
      of the mutants could be tentatively attributed to deficiencies in activities of
      specific enzymes. The other mutant classes had relatively less pronounced changes
      in fatty acid composition. These mutants may represent alterations in genes that
      regulate lipid metabolism or seed development. The availability of the mutants
      should provide new opportunities to investigate the mechanisms that control seed
      lipid fatty acid composition. 

PMID- 24220902
TI  - Isolation of EMS-induced mutants in Arabidopsis altered in seed fatty acid
      composition.
AB  - Mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana were identified by screening pedigreed M3 seed
      collections from EMS-treated plants for changes in fatty acid (FA) composition.
      The FA phenotypes of the most dramatic mutants are as follows: G30 and 1E5
      (allelic) lack linolenic acid (18?3) and are elevated in linoleic acid (18?2);
      4A5 is deficient in 18?2 and 18?3 and fourfold increased in oleic acid (18?1);
      9A1 lacks all FAs > C18 and is twofold increased in 18?1; 1A9 is twofold
      increased in palmitic acid (16?0) and decreased by one-half in 18?1; 2A11 is two
      to threefold increased in stearic acid (18?0) and decreased by one-half in 18?1.
      Based on segregation of F2 selfed plants derived from crosses to wild type, all
      of these phenotypes are the result of single gene mutations. 

PMID- 24220903
TI  - Production of transgenic pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants by Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens - mediated gene transfer.
AB  - A transformation system that allows regeneration of transgenic pea plants from
      calli selected for antibiotic resistance was developed. Explants from axenic
      shoot cultures and seedling epicotyls were cocultivated with nononcogenic
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains, and transformed callus could be selected on
      callus-inducing media containing either 15 mg/l hygromycin or 75 mg/l kanamycin.
      After several passages on regeneration medium, shoot organogenesis could be
      reproducibly induced on hygromycin-resistant calli, but not on the calli selected
      for kanamycin resistance. Regenerated shoots could subsequently be rooted and
      transferred into the greenhouse. In addition, the effects of different callus
      inducing and growth media on organogenesis were investigated. The transformation
      of the calli and regenerated plants was confirmed by DNA analysis. 

PMID- 24220904
TI  - Intraspecific diversity of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) mitochondrial DNA.
AB  - Mitochondrial (mt) DNA, isolated from different sugar beet populations, was
      analyzed using BamHI and EcoRI restriction enzymes. It was shown that plants
      possessing the new mtDNA types are revealed among O-type fertilizers quite
      frequently. Among cytoplasmic male sterile (cms) plants, which evolved during
      cultivation of O-type fertilizers, plants with altered mt genome were found. 

PMID- 24220905
TI  - Additive inheritance of resistance to pod rot caused by Phytophthora palmivora in
      cocoa.
AB  - Quantitative inheritance of resistance to Phytophthora pod rot (Ppr) was studied
      in cocoa hybrid progeny from 12 Trinitario x Amazonian crosses and their
      reciprocal crosses. The crossing scheme was similar to a factorial design.
      Disease was assessed by the number and percentage of infected pods on each tree.
      Highly significant differences due to general combining abilities (GCA) were
      obtained for all characters, except for the GCA of Trinitario on total pod
      production. Differences for specific combining ability (SCA) were not significant
      for all characters. There were no significant differences between reciprocal
      crosses. The Trinitario clone K82 provided the only source for the hybrid
      progenies of strong Ppr resistance to the hybrid progenies, while K20 provided
      moderate resistance. Other parental clones - KA2-101, KA5-201, KEE 2, KEE 5, and
      KEE 52 - produced progenies which were susceptible to Ppr. It is evident that
      resistance to Ppr in cocoa is inherited additively. Maternal and cytoplasmic
      effects were assumed to have no influence on inheritance of resistance. It is
      also concluded that resistance to Ppr of the kind shown by K82 is likely to be
      horizontal resistance. Breeding for high-yielding cultivars combined with Ppr
      resistance is the most effective way of controlling Ppr of cocoa on the crops of
      growers with small holdings in Papua New Guinea. 

PMID- 24220906
TI  - High resolution bands in maize chromosomes by G-banding methods.
AB  - It was demonstrated that G-bands are unequivocally present in plant chromosomes,
      in contrast to what had been formerly believed by plant cytologists. Maize
      chromosomes prepared by an enzymatic maceration method and treated with trypsin
      or SDS showed clear G-bands spreading along the chromosomes. The most critical
      point during the G-banding procedures was the post-fixation with glutaraldehyde
      solution. Banding patterns were processed by using the chromosome image analyzing
      system and a clearer image was obtained. Gbanding technique and the image
      manipulation method described here can be applied to many plant species, and
      would contribute new information in the field of plant cytology and genetics. 

PMID- 24220907
TI  - Relationship of restriction fragment length polymorphisms to single-cross hybrid
      performance of maize.
AB  - Isozymes and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) have been proposed
      for use in varietal identification and selection for agronomic traits. Although
      the use of isozymes for these purposes has been well documented, evaluation of
      the efficacy of RFLP technology as applied to crop improvement is far from
      complete. This investigation was conducted to study the relationship between RFLP
      derived genotypes and heterotic patterns of a group of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred
      lines. A total of 22 inbreds was crossed to four testers (B73, B76, Mo17, and
      Va26) in combinations that minimized crossing within heterotic groups. Forty
      seven single-cross progeny were subsequently evaluated for several agronomic
      traits (including grain yield and moisture, ear height, and root lodging) over 2
      4 consecutive years at two to four Iowa locations in a randomized complete-block
      design. The inbred lines were subjected to RFLP analysis, which involved 47
      genomic clones and the restriction enzymes EcoRI and HindIII. Hybrid RFLP
      patterns were predicted from their inbred parents. Modified Roger's distances
      were computed to estimate genetic distance among the inbred lines. Principal
      component analysis facilitated ascertainment of relative dispersion of the
      inbreds based on the frequency of variants at specific RFLP loci. Evident
      associations of variants with genes affecting agronomic traits were identified by
      principal component regression analysis, in which adjusted hybrid means were
      regressed on the matrix of hybrid variants frequencies. The hybrid means were
      adjusted by removing environmental effects, using residuals as dependent
      variables in the regression analysis. Results from this study suggest that RFLP
      analysis may be of value in allocating maize inbreds to heterotic groups, but no
      relationship between RFLP-based genetic distance and hybrid performance was
      apparent. Principal component regression identified variants potentially linked
      to genes that control specific agronomic traits. 

PMID- 24220908
TI  - Dosage effects of chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6 upon bread-making
      quality in hexaploid wheat.
AB  - The endosperm storage proteins, glutenin and gliadin, are major determinants of
      bread-making quality in hexaploid wheat. Genes encoding them are located on
      chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6. Aneuploid lines of these groups in
      spring wheat cultivar 'Chinese Spring' have been used to investigate the effect
      of varying the dosage of chromosomes and chromosome arms upon bread-making
      quality, where quality has been assessed using the SDS-sedimentation test.
      Differences between the group 1 chromosomes for quality were greater than those
      between the group 6 chromosomes. The chromosomes were ranked within homoeologous
      groups for their effect on quality as follows (>=better quality): 1D>1B>1A and
      6A>6B=6D. The relationship of chromosome dosage with quality was principally
      linear for four of the chromosomes, but not for 6B and 6D. Increases in the
      dosage of 1B, 6A and, especially, 1D, were associated with significant
      improvements in quality, whereas increases in the dosage of 1A were associated
      with reductions in quality. The effects of 1A and 1D were such that the best
      genotype for quality was nullisomic 1A-tetrasomic 1D. For group 1, effects of the
      long arm appeared in general to be more important than effects of the short arm.
      For group 6, effects were found associated with the long arms as well as with the
      short arms, a surprising result in view of the absence of genes encoding storage
      proteins on the long arms. Significant interactions were found between
      chromosomes and genetic backgrounds, and between individual chromosomes. Analysis
      of trials grown over two years demonstrated that, although additive environmental
      differences over years and genotype x years interaction were present, they were
      relatively small in magnitude compared with purely genetic differences. 

PMID- 24220909
TI  - Plasma alkylresorcinol metabolites as biomarkers for whole-grain intake and their
      association with prostate cancer: a Swedish nested case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Observational studies have mostly found no association between self
      reported whole-grain intake and prostate cancer. Plasma alkylresorcinol
      metabolites have been suggested as biomarkers for whole-grain intake in free
      living populations. METHODS: We investigated the major dietary and lifestyle
      determinants of plasma alkylresorcinol metabolites in a nested case-control study
      (1,016 cases and 1,817 controls) in the Malmo Diet and Cancer Study. Multivariate
      adjusted ORs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated to assess the
      association between plasma alkylresorcinol metabolites and prostate cancer using
      logistic regression. RESULTS: Whole-grain intake, waist circumference,
      educational level, and smoking status were the main determinants of
      alkylresorcinol metabolites. We observed significant correlations between
      alkylresorcinol metabolites and whole-grain (r = 0.31) and fiber (r = 0.27)
      intake. Metabolite concentration was positively associated with prostate cancer
      risk (Poverall effect = 0.0004) but the association was not linear (P = 0.04).
      The lowest risk was seen among men with moderate plasma concentrations. The OR
      for high compared with moderate plasma alkylresorcinol metabolites was 1.41 (95%
      CI, 1.10-1.80) for prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that plasma
      alkylresorcinol metabolites are mainly determined by whole-grain intake in this
      nested case-control study of Swedish men. The increased risk of prostate cancer
      seen among men with high plasma alkylresorcinol metabolites requires further
      study, but residual confounding, detection bias, or competing risks of
      nonprostate cancer-related deaths are plausible explanations that could not be
      ruled out. IMPACT: We found no evidence of a protective effect of whole grains on
      incident prostate cancer. Further validation of alkylresorcinol metabolites as a
      biomarker for whole-grain intake is needed.

PMID- 24220910
TI  - A genome-wide association study of renal cell carcinoma among African Americans.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in
      populations of European ancestry have identified four susceptibility loci. No
      GWAS has been conducted among African Americans (AA), who experience a higher
      incidence of RCC. We conducted a GWAS in which we analyzed 1,136,723 common
      single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) among 255 cases and 375 controls of African
      ancestry, and further investigated 16 SNPs in a replication set (140 cases and
      543 controls). The 12p11.23 variant rs10771279, located 77 kb from the European
      ancestry RCC marker rs718314, was associated with RCC risk in the GWAS (P = 1.2 *
      10(-7)) but did not replicate (P = 0.99). Consistent with European-ancestry
      findings, the A allele of rs7105934 on 11q13.3 was associated with decreased risk
      [OR, 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64-0.91; P = 0.0022]. The frequency of
      this allele was higher than that observed in the European-ancestry GWAS (0.56 and
      0.07, respectively, among controls). The rs7105934 association was stronger for
      clear cell RCC (ccRCC: OR, 0.56; P = 7.4 * 10(-7)) and absent for cases of other
      or unknown histology (OR, 1.02; P = 0.86). Analyses of rs7105934 by subtype among
      European-ancestry participants from these studies yielded similar findings (ORs
      0.69 and 0.92, respectively). This study provides, to our knowledge, the first
      evidence that rs7105934 is an RCC susceptibility locus among AAs. Our finding
      that the association with this SNP may be specific to clear-cell RCC is novel and
      requires additional investigation. Additional investigation of rs10771279 and
      other suggestive GWAS findings is also needed.

PMID- 24220911
TI  - The detection of hepatocellular carcinoma using a prospectively developed and
      validated model based on serological biomarkers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common complication of chronic liver
      disease (CLD), and is conventionally diagnosed by radiological means. We aimed to
      build a statistical model that could determine the risk of hepatocellular
      carcinoma in individual patients with CLD using objective measures, particularly
      serological tumor markers. METHODS: A total of 670 patients with either CLD alone
      or hepatocellular carcinoma were recruited from a single UK center into a case
      control study. Sera were collected prospectively and specifically for this study.
      A logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent factors
      associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and a model built and assessed in terms
      of sensitivity, specificity, and proportion of correct diagnoses. RESULTS: The
      final model involving gender, age, AFP-L3, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and des
      carboxy-prothrombin ("GALAD") was developed in a "discovery" data set and
      validated in independent data sets both from the same institution and from an
      external institution. When optimized for sensitivity and specificity, the model
      gave values of more than 0.88 irrespective of the disease stage. CONCLUSIONS: The
      presence of hepatocellular carcinoma can be detected in patients with CLD on the
      basis of a model involving objective clinical and serological factors. It is now
      necessary to test the model's performance in a prospective manner and in a
      routine clinical practice setting, to determine if it may replace or, more
      likely, enhance current radiological approaches. IMPACT: Our data provide
      evidence that an entirely objective serum biomarker-based model may facilitate
      the detection and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and form the basis for a
      prospective study comparing this approach with the standard radiological
      approaches.

PMID- 24220912
TI  - Serum levels of cytokines and biomarkers for inflammation and immune activation,
      and HIV-associated non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV infection is associated with a marked increase in risk for non
      Hodgkin lymphoma (AIDS-NHL). However, the mechanisms that promote the development
      of AIDS-NHL are not fully understood. METHODS: In this study, serum levels of
      several cytokines and other molecules associated with immune activation were
      measured in specimens collected longitudinally during 1 to 5 years preceding AIDS
      NHL diagnosis, in 176 AIDS-NHL cases and 176 HIV(+) controls from the Multicenter
      AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). RESULTS: Multivariate analyses revealed that serum
      levels of immunoglobulin free light chains (FLC), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IP
      10/CXCL10, neopterin, and TNF-alpha were elevated in those HIV(+) individuals who
      went on to develop AIDS-NHL. In addition, the fraction of specimens with
      detectable IL-2 was increased and the fraction with detectable IL-4 was decreased
      in these subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that long-term, chronic
      immune activation, possibly driven by macrophage-produced cytokines, precedes
      development of NHL in HIV(+) individuals. IMPACT: FLC, IL-6, IL-10, IP-10/CXCL10,
      neopterin, and TNF-alpha may serve as biomarkers for AIDS-NHL. .

PMID- 24220913
TI  - Postdiagnosis C-reactive protein and breast cancer survivorship: findings from
      the WHEL study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of acute inflammatory
      response and has been associated with health outcomes in some studies.
      Inflammation and immune response may have potential prognostic implications for
      breast cancer survivors. METHODS: The Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study
      includes 2,919 early-stage breast cancer survivors with serum collected 2 years
      postdiagnosis and follow-up for clinical outcomes over approximately 7 years. CRP
      concentrations were measured using high-sensitivity electrochemiluminescence
      assay. Outcomes, including all-cause mortality, breast cancer-specific mortality,
      and additional breast cancer events were oncologist verified from medical records
      and death certificates. Cox proportional hazards models were conducted with
      adjustment for potential confounding factors to generate HRs and 95% confidence
      intervals (CI). RESULTS: CRP concentrations in women diagnosed with breast cancer
      were associated with death due to any cause, death due to breast cancer, and
      additional breast cancer events, after adjustment for sociodemographic and cancer
      characteristics (lnCRP: P < 0.05 for all three outcomes). The HR for women with
      (vs. without) acute inflammation suggests a threshold effect on overall survival,
      rather than a dose-response relationship (>= 10.0 mg/L vs. <1 mg/L: HR, 1.96; 95%
      CI, 1.22-3.13). Associations were similar for breast cancer-specific mortality
      (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.13-3.23) and any additional breast cancer-related event (HR,
      1.69; 95% CI, 1.17-2.43). CONCLUSIONS: Acute inflammation status (CRP >= 10 mg/L)
      may be an important independent biomarker for long-term survival in breast cancer
      survivors. IMPACT: Interventions to decrease circulating CRP concentrations in
      breast cancer survivors with acute inflammation may improve prognosis.

PMID- 24220914
TI  - Psychological distress after a positive fecal occult blood test result among
      members of an integrated healthcare delivery system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) reduces morbidity and mortality;
      however, the positive benefits might be partially offset by long-term distress
      following positive screening results. We examined relationships among colorectal
      cancer-specific worry and situational anxiety after positive fecal occult blood
      tests [FOBT (+)] compared with receipt of negative results. METHODS: Of note,
      2,260 eligible members of Group Health, an integrated healthcare delivery system,
      completed baseline surveys and received FOBT screening kits, with 1,467 members
      returning the kits. We matched FOBT (+) patients (n = 55) 1:2 on age and sex with
      FOBT (-) respondents (n = 110). Both groups completed follow-up surveys at 7 to
      14 days and 4 months after screening. We assessed situational anxiety (State
      Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI), colorectal cancer worry frequency, and mood
      disturbance. RESULTS: Mean age was 59 years, and majority were women (62%) and
      White (89%). After adjusting for age, sex, and baseline worry, at 7 to 14 days
      after screening, the FOBT (+) group was 3.82 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09
      13.43] times more likely to report colorectal cancer-related mood disturbances
      and significantly higher mean STAI scores than the FOBT (-) group (mean = 38.8
      vs. 30.9; P = 0.007). At 4-month posttest, mood disturbances and situational
      anxiety seemed to drop to baseline levels for FOBT (+). No colon cancer worry
      frequency was observed. CONCLUSIONS: FOBT (+) results are associated with short
      term situational anxiety and colorectal cancer-specific mood disturbances.
      IMPACT: Distress from FOBT (+) results declined to near-baseline levels by 4
      months. Additional studies are needed to clarify the relationship between long
      term distress and follow-up colonoscopy.

PMID- 24220916
TI  - Enhanced hypoosmoregulatory response to growth hormone after cortisol treatment
      in immature rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.
AB  - The growth-independent effect of ovine growth hormone (oGH) and oGH + cortisol
      treatment on seawater (SW) adaptation in immature rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri
      was investigated. Fish were injected every second day with saline, 2.0 MUg oGH/g
      or 2.0 MUg oGH + 8.0 MUg cortisol/g for a maximum of 8 injections in freshwater
      (FW). Subgroups were transferred to 280/00 SW after 4 or 8 injections, and
      changes in plasma Na(+) and Cl(-), muscle water content and gill Na(+)/K(+)
      ATPase activity were measured. In both of the hormone-treated groups retained in
      FW, gill Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity and interlamellar chloride cell density
      increased. The effects were most pronounced in the oGH + cortisol group after 2
      weeks of treatment. After transfer to SW most of the control fish died due to the
      osmotic stress, whereas in the hormone-treated groups, mortality was low and
      there was a positive correlation between pretransfer gill Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and
      the ability to maintain ionic-osmotic homeostasis after SW transfer. After two
      weeks of oGH + cortisol treatment, gill Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity was maximal.
      In contrast, after SW transfer, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity increased further in
      the oGH-treated group. This group regulated ionic-osmotic parameters less
      effectively than the oGH + cortisol-treated group. The data indicate that GH and
      cortisol are important hormones in the regulation of hypoosmoregulatory
      mechanisms in S. gairdneri. 

PMID- 24220917
TI  - Determination of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) levels in tissues of rainbow
      trout (Salmo gairdneri) and the effect of low ambient pH and aluminum.
AB  - Tissue T3 (3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine) concentrations were measured in rainbow
      trout, Salmo gairdneri, after digestion by Pronase or collagenase and extraction
      with ethanolic ammonia (99:1, v/v) followed by 2N NH4OH and chloroform.
      Recoveries of [(125)I]T3 administered in vivo or in vitro were high and
      consistent and there was close parallelism between sample dilutions and the
      radioimmunoassay curve, but recoveries of unlabeled T3 administered in vitro were
      low and variable. Alternatively, trout were brought to isotopic equilibrium by
      [(125)I]T3 infusion for 96 h, the extracted [(125)I]T3 determined by gel
      filtration and the tissue T3 content calculated from the specific activity of
      plasma [(125)I]T3. By the latter method, tissue T3 concentrations were: intestine
      (4.2 ng/g), kidney (2.5), liver (2.8), stomach (1.5), heart (1.0), muscle (0.7),
      gill (0.6) and skin (0.3). Muscle (67% of body weight) comprised the largest
      tissue T3 pool (82% of all tissues examined). Seven days exposure of trout to
      water acidified with H2SO4 (pH 4.8) or acidified water containing aluminum (21.6
      mM), decreased tissue T3 content generally and particularly in muscle (14% of
      controls). In conclusion, skeletal muscle is the largest T3 tissue pool and seems
      highly responsive to altered physiologic state. 

PMID- 24220915
TI  - Personal history of diabetes, genetic susceptibility to diabetes, and risk of
      brain glioma: a pooled analysis of observational studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Brain glioma is a relatively rare and fatal malignancy in adulthood
      with few known risk factors. Some observational studies have reported inverse
      associations between diabetes and subsequent glioma risk, but possible mechanisms
      are unclear. METHODS: We conducted a pooled analysis of original data from five
      nested case-control studies and two case-control studies from the United States
      and China that included 962 glioma cases and 2,195 controls. We examined self
      reported diabetes history in relation to glioma risk, as well as effect
      modification by seven glioma risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNP). We also examined the associations between 13 diabetes risk-associated
      SNPs, identified from genome-wide association studies, and glioma risk. Odds
      ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multivariable
      adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: We observed a 42% reduced risk of
      glioma for individuals with a history of diabetes (OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.84).
      The association did not differ by sex, study design, or after restricting to
      glioblastoma, the most common histological subtype. We did not observe any
      significant per-allele trends among the 13 diabetes-related SNPs examined in
      relation to glioma risk. CONCLUSION: These results support an inverse association
      between diabetes history and glioma risk. The role of genetic susceptibility to
      diabetes cannot be excluded, and should be pursued in future studies together
      with other factors that might be responsible for the diabetes-glioma association.
      IMPACT: These data suggest the need for studies that can evaluate, separately,
      the association between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and subsequent risk of adult
      glioma.

PMID- 24220918
TI  - Differential effects of photoperiod and temperature on hypothalamic monoaminergic
      activity in the teleost Channa punctatus (Bloch).
AB  - In Channa punctatus maintained under ambient photothermal conditions
      (10.5L:13.5D; 13 +/- 2 degrees C) in the postspawning season, hypothalamic
      dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) content varied diurnally, but serotonin (5
      HT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) did not. Exposure of the fish to high temperature
      (25 +/- 2 degrees C), with or without altering the photopheriod, increased the NE
      and DA content, and NE turnover but decreased DA turnover. Increasing the
      photoperiod (16L:8D) alone had no significant effect on catecholaminergic (CA)
      content or activity. When the fish were exposed to long photoperiod, with or
      without altering the temperature, a day-night variation in 5-HT content and
      activity was induced in the postspawning season. An increase in temperature alone
      had no significant effect on 5-HT content or activity. Hypothalamic MAO activity
      was elevated in fish exposed to high temperature alone, or in combination with
      long photoperiod, but was not affected significantly by long photoperiod
      treatment. These results indicate that CA activity is influenced largely by
      ambient high temperature, whereas serotonergic activity is controlled primarily
      by photoperiod, with high temperature having an additive effect. MAO activity
      seems to be influenced by both temperature and photoperiod in this species. 

PMID- 24220919
TI  - The role of glycogen phosphorylase in the regulation of glycogenolysis by insulin
      and glucagon in isolated eel (Anguilla rostrata) hepatocytes.
AB  - The effects of porcine, scombroid, and salmon insulins, and bovine and anglerfish
      glucagons on glycogen depletion and glycogen phosphorylase (GPase) activities
      were examined in freshly isolated American eel (Anguilla rostrata) hepatocytes.
      Eel liver GPase in crude homogenates was activated (increase in % GPase a) by
      phosphorylating conditions and was rapidly inactivated (less than 1 h) when a
      phosphatase inhibitor (fluoride) was absent. Caffeine inhibits, and AMP
      activates, the b form of GPase consistent with their effects on rat liver GPase.
      Both mammalian and fish glucagons increased glucose production in eel
      hepatocytes, but had more ambiguous effects on glycogen levels and GPase
      activities. The magnitude of bovine glucagon effects were dependent on the
      initial glycogen content of the cells; only at glycogen concentrations less than
      approximately 70 MUmoles.g(-1) did glucagon significantly increase % GPase a.
      Anglerfish glucagon significantly increased cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentrations by
      90% at 10(-7) M, but had no effects at 10(-9) M and 10(-8) M. Scombroid and
      salmon insulins maintained hepatocyte glycogen concentrations and decreased
      glucose production, with these effects more pronounced at low (10(-9) to 10(-8)
      M) rather than high (10(-7) M) hormone concentrations. Porcine and salmon
      insulins decreased total GPase and % GPase a activities, and salmon insulin
      decreased CAMP levels, but only at 10(-8) M (by 44%).Glycogen is, therefore,
      depleted by glucagon and maintained by insulin in freshly isolated American eel
      hepatocytes, and these changes are accomplished, at least in part, by changes in
      the activities of GPase. Changes in cAMP do not explain all of the observed
      hormone effects. 

PMID- 24220920
TI  - Polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in cultured fish cells: Incorporation and
      metabolism of (n-3) and (n-6) series acids by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
      cells.
AB  - The incorporation and metabolism of (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids
      (PUFA) supplemented to growing cultures were studied in Atlantic salmon (AS)
      cells. A fatty acid concentration of 25 MUM considerably altered the fatty acid
      composition of AS cells without increasing the neutral lipid content of the cells
      or inducing the production of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Whereas Delta6 and
      Delta5 desaturase activities were significantly expressed in AS cells, Delta4
      desaturase activity was very low. Both the Delta6 desaturase activity and the
      Delta5 desaturase activity showed some preference for (n-3) PUFA. 

PMID- 24220921
TI  - Circulatory and ionoregulatory effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on rainbow
      trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson) fed normal or high levels of dietary salt.
AB  - Rainbow trout fed a normal salt diet (1.3% NaCl) or a high salt diet (12% NaCl
      for at least 6 months) were chronically cannulated in the dorsal aorta and
      received 10 MUg kg(-1) ANP (1-28 human, UBC-Bioproducts) infused over a 10 min
      period. This had an insignificant influence on sodium balance, blood electrolytes
      and branchial sodium fluxes. In fish given a normal diet, the blood pressure and
      heart rate were uninfluenced by ANP, but pulse pressure was reduced by on average
      60% and in some cases was not evident at all. Blood pressure in the fish fed a
      high salt diet was significantly higher than in the control fish; this together
      with heart rate and pulse pressure was not affected by ANP administration. 

PMID- 24220922
TI  - Diurnal rhythm of serum steroid hormone levels in the Japanese whiting, Sillago
      japonica, a daily-spawning teleost.
AB  - Ovarian developmental stages and serum steroid hormone levels were examined at
      six different times of day (0100, 0600, 1000, 1300, 1600, 2000 h) in a marine
      teleost, the Japanese whiting Sillago japonica, which has an asynchronous-type
      ovary containing oocytes at various stages of development and spawns every day
      during a period ranging up to three months. The largest oocytes in the ovaries at
      the active vitellogenic or post-vitellogenic stages were found between 0100 and
      1300 h. Oocyte maturation indicated by germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) occurred
      at 1600 h, and ovulated oocytes were observed in the ovaries collected at 2000 h.
      These processes were accompanied by a significant daily change in serum steroid
      hormone levels. The serum level of estradiol-17beta showed a peak in fish with
      mature oocytes sampled at 1600 h. In these fish, the second-largest oocytes in
      the ovaries were at the initial stage of vigorous vitellogenesis, the secondary
      yolk stage. Therefore the highest level of serum estradiol-17beta was considered
      to be due to the second-largest oocytes. Testosterone levels remained low and
      constant throughout the experimental period. The serum levels of 17alpha,20beta
      dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha,20beta-diOHprog) peaked at 1600 h at which
      time all fish had mature oocytes. These results indicate that the Japanese
      whiting possesses a diurnal rhythm of oocyte development including
      vitellogenesis, oocyte maturation and ovulation, and further suggest that daily
      cycles in oocyte growth and maturation which simultaneously take place in an
      ovary are regulated by diurnal secretions of estradiol-17beta and the maturation
      inducing steroid, 17alpha,20beta-diOHprog. 

PMID- 24220923
TI  - Studies on the mode of action of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on maturational
      gonadotropin (GtH) secretion from perifused rainbow trout pituitary glands.
AB  - The action of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (s-GnRH)
      have been compared on the release of gonadotropin (GtH) by perifused rainbow
      trout pituitary glands sampled from freshly ovulated female rainbow trout. We
      have already demonstrated that NPY stimulated the secretion of GtH in vitro.The
      pituitary responses to s-GnRH and NPY were similar either after repeated 10 min
      infusions or a one hour prolonged application. In both cases, after the first
      application, the pituitary did not responded to subsequent secretagogues
      stimulations, and appeared to be desensitized. The stimulatory action of s-GnRH
      was partly inhibited (60%) by LH-RH antagonist (DpGlu(1), DPhe(2), DTrp(3-6)) LH
      RH, which completely inhibited the response to NPY in perifused pituitary glands
      sampled from freshly ovulated females, but did not modify the response of
      pituitaries taken from vitellogenic animals in which NPY induced a transient
      inhibition of the GtH secretion. These results may indicate that the mode of
      action of NPY would differ between vitellogenic and matured animals. NPY also
      stimulated the GtH secretion from perifused pituitary dispersed cells prepared
      from pituitaries taken from freshly ovulated rainbow trout, indicating that NPY
      may act directly on the pituitary gonadotropic cells to stimulate GtH secretion. 

PMID- 24220924
TI  - Isolation of peroxisomal enoyl-CoA hydratase in rainbow trout and immunochemical
      identification with the bifunctional enzyme.
AB  - Peroxisomes are the sites for beta-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids. The
      peroxisomal bifunctional enzyme (PBE) enoyl-CoA hydratase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA
      dehydrogenase catalyzes the second and third reactions of the beta-oxidation
      system. Originally termed PPA-80 for peroxisome-proliferation associated 80,000
      MW polypeptide, PBE levels are monitored to measure peroxisome proliferation in
      rodents and other species. The quantity of a 79,000 MW polypeptide in the light
      mitochondrial fraction of the liver, as analyzed by SDS-PAGE, increases when
      rainbow trout are exposed to peroxisome proliferating agents. This correlates
      with increases in acyl-CoA oxidase activity and peroxisome volume density. In the
      present study, peroxisomal enoyl-CoA hydratase was purified from trout liver and
      analyzed by immunoblotting with anti-PBE. A positive reaction with the 79,000 MW
      polypeptide band was observed providing strong evidence that this is the
      bifunctional enzyme. 

PMID- 24220925
TI  - A refined parameterization of the analytical Cd-Zn-Te bond-order potential.
AB  - This paper reports an updated parameterization for a CdTe bond order potential.
      The original potential is a rigorously parameterized analytical bond order
      potential for ternary the Cd-Zn-Te systems. This potential effectively captures
      property trends of multiple Cd, Zn, Te, CdZn, CdTe, ZnTe, and Cd(1-x)Zn(x)Te
      phases including clusters, lattices, defects, and surfaces. It also enables
      crystalline growth simulations of stoichiometric compounds/alloys from non
      stoichiometric vapors. However, the potential over predicts the zinc-blende CdTe
      lattice constant compared to experimental data. Here, we report a refined
      analytical Cd-Zn-Te bond order potential parameterization that predicts a better
      CdTe lattice constant. Characteristics of the second potential are given based on
      comparisons with both literature potentials and the quantum mechanical
      calculations.

PMID- 24220927
TI  - Modifications of the transition flow reactor theory for the more accurate
      measurement of nitric acid and nitrate and ammonium ions.
AB  - Sixty five samples were taken with a Transition Flow Reactor (TFR) for the
      measurement of nitric acid (HNO3) and nitrate particulates (NO 3 (-) ), in a
      central Athens street having a heavy traffic density, between February 1989 and
      February 1990. It was established that the TFR theory overestimated HNO3 and
      underestimated NO 3 (-) . This is caused by the retention of a fraction of the
      NO2 and a fraction of the HNO2 as NO 2 (-) on the sampler's nylon linear. NO 2 (
      ) is in turn oxidized to NO 3 (-) and this is determined as HNO3. Two
      modifications of the TFR theory are proposed for a better estimation of the HNO3
      and NO 3 (-) . With the first modification HNO3 is estimated as being equal to
      the smaller of two values: HNO3 TFR and the value calculated if it is considered
      that 91% of HNO3 is retained by the nylon filter. The second modification was
      based on the quantification of the effect of NO2 on the concentrations of HNO3
      and NO 3 (-) . This modification is an improvement on the first one and enables
      the calculation of a lower limit for the concentration of HNO2. Both
      modifications improve the accuracy of the TFR sampler in measuring HNO3 and NO 3
      (-) , without altering it structurally. It was also found that the nylon filter
      partially retains some NH3, causing a negative error in the measurement of NH 4
      (+) with the TFR. The extent of NH3 retention on the nylon filter is proportional
      to the HNO3 concentration. This error must be taken into account whenever NH 4
      (+) is being determined. 

PMID- 24220926
TI  - Evaluation of density functional methods on the geometric and energetic
      descriptions of species involved in Cu+-promoted catalysis.
AB  - We have evaluated the performance of 15 density functionals of diverse complexity
      on the geometry optimization and energetic evaluation of model reaction steps
      present in the proposed reaction mechanisms of Cu(I)-catalyzed indole synthesis
      and click chemistry of iodoalkynes and azides. The relative effect of the Cu(+)
      ligand on the relative strength of Cu(+)-alkyne interactions, and the strong
      preference for a pi-bonding mode is captured by all functionals. The best
      energetic correlations with MP2 are obtained with PBE0, M06-L, and PBE1PW91,
      which also provide good quality geometries. Furthermore, PBE0 and PBE1PW91 afford
      the best agreement with the high-level CCSD(T) computations of the deprotonation
      energies of Cu(+)-coordinated eneamines, where MP2 strongly disagrees with
      CCSD(T) and the examined DFT functionals. PBE0 also emerged as the most suitable
      functional for the study of the energetics and geometries of Cu(+) hydrides,
      while at the same time correctly capturing the influence of the Cu(+) ligands on
      the metal reactivity. 

PMID- 24220928
TI  - The use of X-ray fluorescence to detect lead contamination of carpeted surfaces.
AB  - The recognition of the hazards to young children of low-level lead intoxication
      and the widespread distribution of lead in the urban environment have resulted in
      massive federal, state, and local lead awareness and abatement programs. Two of
      the most significant exposure routes of lead to young children are the soils and
      dusts found within the child's home. Most state and federal lead abatement
      programs deal with lead-based paint contamination but often do not address the
      issue of soft-surface contamination, such as that of carpets, furniture, and
      draperies. Carpets can be a reservoir of contaminated soils and dusts; currently,
      there exists no standard method to test carpeted surfaces for lead
      contamination.This paper describes a study that uses X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to
      test carpeted surfaces for lead contamination. XRF technology is the standard
      technology used in lead-based paint testing and is known to be an accurate
      technique to test for lead in soils. This study uses a controlled laboratory
      atmosphere to evaluate this technology; the objectives are to determine: (1) a
      lower limit of detection for the instrument; and (2) whether soil loading levels
      can be differentiated by XRF using trace elements also present in the soil.
      Results indicate that XRF can easily differentiate soil loading levels (g
      soil/m(2) carpet). The lower limit of detection of soil lead concentration on the
      carpet is a function of both soil lead concentration and soil loading; therefore,
      lead loading (mg Pb/m(2)) is a better indicator of detection limit than soil lead
      concentration. Lead loading detection levels from 108-258 mg Pb/m(2) were
      obtained, as compared to a level of 10 000 mg/m(2) (1 mg/cm(2)) for lead on
      painted surfaces as required by theLead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act.XRF
      technology has the potential to be a fast, inexpensive screening technique for
      the evaluation of lead contamination on carpeted surfaces. 

PMID- 24220929
TI  - Appraisal of work hazards and safety in the industrial estate of Jeddah.
AB  - An environmental study for the appraisal of work hazards and safety in Jeddah
      Industrial Estate (JIE), Saudi Arabia has been conducted. The study is based upon
      a representative (stratified random) sample of 44 enterprises, including 52
      plants and employing 5830 workers.Nearly 2/3 of the workers have heat exposure,
      orginating from climatic heat and heat dissipated from industrial operations,
      while exposure to noise is slightly less, and is attributed to noisy operations
      and machinery and to lack of meticulous maintenance; both exposures are mild in
      most of the plants and moderate in some. Mild exposures to nonionizing radiations
      (UV and IR) and to deficient illumination occur in 25% and 19.2% of the plants
      studied. Respiratory exposure to chemical agents (organic and inorganic dusts,
      metal fumes, gases and vapours - including asphyxiants, irritants, liver and
      nervous system offenders and acid and alkali mists) occurs in 75% of the plants,
      particularly in the medium-size enterprises plants; however, is mainly mild with
      a few moderate and severe exposures. Skin absorption contributes to absorption of
      chemical agents in 29% of the plants, and direct skin contact to chemicals
      (particularly to lubricating oils) occurs in 81% of the plants.Meanwhile, only
      eight plants, out of the 32 plants where controls for physical hazards are
      required (51.2%), apply engineering controls, and even in a few of these plants
      the efficiency of the control measures has been rated 'bad'. A few of them
      provide personal protective equipment, and even no maintenance to this equipment
      is provided.The level of safety is better in the large plants than in the small
      and medium-size plants; the safety score is the best in the recently established
      plants, while is the worst in the plastic industry, which is relatively old. The
      appraisal of fire protection is better than that of the safety, due to efficient
      supervision of the General Directorate of Civil Defense (GDCD). However, most of
      the safety problems are managerial and are preventable.First aid is present in
      all enterprises, as required by the Saudi Labor Laws; however, an in-plant
      medical service is present in 75% of the large enterprises, in 31.6% of the
      medium-size and in only 17.6% of the small enterprises. Also, satisfactory
      medical, accidents and absenteeism records exist in only 15.9% of the
      enterprises; safety supervision exists in 27.3, and safety education exists in
      91% of them, while no environmental monitoring is carried out in any enterprise.
      Sanitation facilities exist in satisfactory numbers in most of the enterprises;
      however, their maintenance is poor in most of them, due to lack of hygienic
      supervision. All enterprises dispose of their liquid wastes into the JIE sewerage
      system without any treatment, while the solid wastes are collected by the city
      authorities in 56.8% of them; both wastes are anticipated to cause environmental
      pollution problems. 

PMID- 24220930
TI  - A bench-scale rock-plant filter investigation.
AB  - Three bench-scale rock filters containing 0.6 m of gravel were used in this
      investigation. Two of the filters were planted withSagittaria Iancifolia
      andScirpus validus, while the third filter was an unvegetated control filter. The
      wastewater directed through these systems was a synthetic mixture containing
      nutrient broth as the carbon source. An 80-day experiment was run on the filters
      using eight combinations of two flow rates and four influent biochemical oxygen
      demand (BOD5) concentrations, each combination remaining constant for ten days.
      These combinations resulted in BOD5 surface loadings from 4.63-30.96 g/day/m(2).
      From other studies of batch and continuous flow rock-plant filter systems, the
      first-order BOD5 reaction rate constant was found to decrease exponentially with
      detention time. In this study, however, little correlation was found between BOD5
      loading rate and removal percentages, which averaged 69%, 57%, and 47% for
      theScirpus, Sagittaria, and control systems, respectively. This is probably due
      to the relatively small change in detention times studied and the short time
      period of each loading rate. Oxidation/reduction potential (ORP) and dissolved
      oxygen (DO) measurements within these systems indicated that no free oxygen was
      available at any depth. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) removal was higher in the
      plant systems relative to the control, with theScirpus system achieving a higher
      overall removal than theSagittaria system. 

PMID- 24220931
TI  - A study on cadmium phytoremediation potential of water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes
      L.
AB  - Aquatic macrophytes have tremendous potential for remediation of the heavy metal
      cadmium. The objective of this study was to investigate Cd phytoremediation
      ability of water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes L. The study was conducted with 5,
      10, 15 and 20 mg L(-1) CdCl2 in hydroponic system for 21 days and the Cd
      concentrations in the root and shoot tissues were estimated by atomic absorption
      spectroscopy. The values obtained were used to evaluate the bioconcentration
      factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF) and translocation efficiency of this
      plant. The plant showed high Cd tolerance of up to 20 mg L(-1) but there was a
      general trend of decline in the root and shoot biomass. The maximum BCF values
      for root and shoot tissues were 2,294 and 870 respectively, obtained for 5 mg L(
      1) Cd, which indicated that the plant was a Cd hyperaccumulator. The TF maxima
      was found to be 0.6 and as much as 60 % root to shoot translocation efficiency
      was observed for 15 mg L(-1) Cd which points towards the suitability of water
      lettuce for removing Cd from surface waters.

PMID- 24220932
TI  - Antitumor effects of recombinant antivascular protein ABRaA-VEGF121 combined with
      IL-12 gene therapy.
AB  - Development and neoplastic progression strongly rely on tumor microenvironment
      cells. Various kinds of cells that form such tumor milieu play substantial roles
      in angiogenesis and immunosuppression. Attempts to inhibit tumor vascularization
      alter tumor milieu and enhance immune response against the tumor. Anticancer
      therapeutic strategy bringing together antiangiogenic and immunostimulating
      agents has emerged as a promising approach. We here investigated whether therapy
      directed against preexisting vessels, combined with an immunomodulatory factor
      would be equally effective in arresting tumor growth. To this goal, we
      investigated the effectiveness of ABRaA-vascular endothelial growth factor
      isoform 121 (VEGF121), an antivascular drug constructed by us. It is a fusion
      protein composed of VEGF121, and abrin A chain (translation-inhibiting toxin). We
      used it in combination with interleukin (IL-12) gene therapy and tried to inhibit
      B16-F10 melanoma tumor growth. ABRaA-VEGF121 is a chimeric recombinant protein
      capable of destroying tumor vasculature and triggering necrosis in the vicinity
      of damaged vessels. IL-12 cytokine, in turn, activates both specific and non
      specific immune responses. Our results demonstrate that combination of ABRaA
      VEGF121 antivascular agent with immunostimulatory cytokine IL-12 indeed inhibits
      tumor growth more effectively than either agent alone, leading to complete cure
      of ca. 20 % mice. Post-therapeutic analysis of tumors excised from mice treated
      with combination therapy showed decreased numbers of blood microvessels in the
      tumor microenvironment, lowered numbers of regulatory T lymphocytes, as well as
      showed higher levels of CD4(+) and CD8(+) as compared to control mice. It seems
      that bringing together antivascular strategy and the action of immunostimulating
      agents indeed inhibits growth of tumors. 

PMID- 24220933
TI  - Longitudinal assessment of TUBB3 expression in non-small cell lung cancer
      patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Class-III-beta-tubulin (TUBB3) expression may be a potential
      predictive factor for treatment with microtubule interfering cytotoxic drugs in
      non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Potential changes in TUBB3 expression during
      chemotherapy may be of interest if future choice of chemotherapy is to be based
      on TUBB3 expression. If the biomarker expression changes during chemotherapy,
      biopsies before initiation of chemotherapy beyond first line may be needed if
      treatment decision is to be based on TUBB3 expression. Thus, the aim was to
      explore TUBB3 expression heterogeneity and changes during chemotherapy. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: TUBB3 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry performed
      on diagnostic biopsies and on available subsequent resection specimens in 65
      NSCLC patients stage T1-3N0-2 who received neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel
      (NAC-group). Another group of 53 NSCLC patients stage T1-4N0-1 was treated with
      surgery alone without preceding chemotherapy (OP-group). Paired repeated samples
      were compared in order to evaluate for changes in TUBB3 expression. RESULTS: No
      statistically significant change in TUBB3 expression was observed between initial
      diagnostic biopsies and subsequent surgical resections of primary tumors in
      either the OP-group (p = 0.124) or the NAC-group (p = 0.414). When dichotomized
      into high and low TUBB3 expression, discordance between diagnostic biopsies and
      resection specimens of the primary tumors occurred in 22 % and 40 % in the OP
      group and NAC-group, respectively (p = 0.169). Significantly more patients having
      low TUBB3 expression experienced down-staging during neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      compared to patients having high TUBB3 expression (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: A high
      degree of discordance of TUBB3 expression between paired repeated tumor samples
      was observed, which likely reflects intratumoral heterogeneity. This emphasizes a
      need for optimal tumor tissue samples in order to stratify patients based on
      TUBB3 expression. No significant changes in TUBB3 expression after neoadjuvant
      carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy occurred, suggesting no need for rebiopsy
      in case second-line chemotherapy with microtubule interfering cytotoxic
      treatments is necessary.

PMID- 24220934
TI  - Assessing physico-chemical compatibility of concomitantly diluted antiemetics
      including palonosetron-HCl and fosaprepitant dimeglumine.

PMID- 24220935
TI  - Circulating proteins as potential biomarkers of sunitinib and interferon-alpha
      efficacy in treatment-naive patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated potential biomarkers of efficacy in a phase III trial of
      sunitinib versus interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), first-line in metastatic renal
      cell carcinoma (mRCC), by analyzing plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-C, soluble VEGF receptor-3 (sVEGFR-3) and interleukin (IL)
      8. METHODS: Seven hundred and fifty mRCC patients were randomized to oral
      sunitinib 50 mg/day in repeated cycles of a 4-week on/2-week off schedule or IFN
      alpha 9 million units subcutaneously thrice weekly. Plasma samples collected from
      a subset of 63 patients on days 1 and 28 of cycles 1-4 and at end of treatment
      were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of biomarker-evaluated
      patients in sunitinib (N = 33) and IFN-alpha (N = 30) arms were comparable to
      their respective intent-to-treat populations. By univariate Cox regression
      analysis, low baseline soluble protein levels were associated with lower risk of
      progression/death (all P < 0.05): in both treatment arms, baseline VEGF-A and IL
      8 were associated with overall survival (OS) and baseline VEGF-C with progression
      free survival (PFS); in the sunitinib arm, baseline VEGF-A was associated with
      PFS and baseline sVEGFR-3 with PFS and OS; in the IFN-alpha arm, baseline IL-8
      was associated with PFS. In multivariate analysis, baseline sVEGFR-3 and IL-8
      remained independent predictors of OS in the sunitinib arm, while no independent
      predictors of outcome remained in the IFN-alpha arm. Pharmacodynamic changes were
      not associated with PFS or OS for any plasma protein investigated. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our findings suggest that, in mRCC, baseline VEGF-A and IL-8 may have prognostic
      value, while baseline sVEGFR-3 may predict sunitinib efficacy.

PMID- 24220936
TI  - Phase I dose-escalation study of oral vinflunine in combination with erlotinib in
      pre-treated and unselected EGFR patients with locally advanced or metastatic non
      small-cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Erlotinib, the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor, and the intra-venous vinflunine vinca alkaloid microtubule inhibitor
      have been shown to be effective in the setting of non-small-cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) palliative patients with acceptable toxicities. This phase I study was
      conducted to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) and the safety of an all
      oral combination. A potential pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction was also
      investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with unresectable stage IIIB or
      stage IV NSCLC who failed one or two previous chemotherapy regimens were treated
      with flat doses of oral vinflunine from day 1 to day 5 and from day 8 to day 12
      every 3 weeks and erlotinib daily on a continuous basis. The dose levels of
      vinflunine/erlotinib were 95/100, 115/100, 115/150 and 135/100 mg. RESULTS:
      Thirty patients were enroled. The recommended dose was 115/150 mg and the MTD
      135/100 mg. Dose-limiting toxicities included grade 3 febrile neutropenia (1
      patient) and related death (1 patient). Non-haematologic grade 3/4 toxicities
      included fatigue, condition aggravated, hypokalaemia, tumour pain, acneiform
      dermatitis, diarrhoea, hyperbilirubinaemia and pulmonary haemorrhage, in one
      patient each. Of 25 patients evaluable for tumour response, 2 patients had
      partial response and 20 patients had stable disease. CONCLUSION: The recommended
      doses for oral vinflunine and erlotinib combination were, respectively, 115
      mg/day from day 1 to day 5 and from day 8 to day 12 every 3 weeks and 150 mg/day.
      There was no mutual impact on pharmacokinetics. The combination was safe but
      evaluation in phase II is needed to further refine the activity and toxicity that
      can be expected with prolonged administration of this dose schedule.

PMID- 24220937
TI  - Changes of cytokines in patients with liver cirrhosis and advanced hepatocellular
      carcinoma treated by sorafenib.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recently, the oral multikinase inhibitor sorafenib has been used to
      treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
      induces apoptosis of tumor cells by binding to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing
      ligand, while binding of the Fas ligand on cytotoxic T lymphocytes to the Fas
      receptor on hepatocytes also causes apoptosis. The aim of this study was to
      retrospectively evaluate changes of cytokines in patients with liver cirrhosis
      (LC) and aHCC receiving sorafenib therapy. METHODS: Fifty-seven adult Japanese LC
      patients received sorafenib for aHCC (200-800 mg/day for 4 weeks) between 2009
      and 2012 at our hospital. Blood samples were collected in the early morning
      before and after treatment, and the serum levels of soluble TNF-alpha (sTNF
      alpha), soluble TNF receptor (sTNF-R), soluble Fas ligand (sFas L), and soluble
      Fas (sFas) were evaluated. RESULTS: Ten patients were treated with sorafenib at
      200 mg/day (200 mg group), 37 patients were given 400 mg/day (400 mg group), and
      10 patients received 800 mg/day (800 mg group). The serum level of sTNF-alpha was
      significantly increased after treatment compared with before treatment in the 400
      and 800 mg groups. The serum level of sTNF-R also showed a significant increase
      after treatment in the 400 mg group, although there was no significant difference
      of sTNF-R between before and after treatment in the 200 and 800 mg groups. sFas
      showed a significant decrease after treatment compared with before treatment in
      the 400 and 800 mg groups, although the serum level of sFas L never exceeded 0.15
      ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that treatment with sorafenib at doses
      >=400 mg/day might promote TNF-related or Fas-related apoptosis by increasing the
      circulating level of TNF-alpha or decreasing that of sFas.

PMID- 24220938
TI  - Convergence of the endocytic and lysosomal pathways in soybean protoplasts.
AB  - Ultrastructural analysis of endocytosis of cationized ferritin (CF) has been
      combined with ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatases (AcPase) in
      soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) protoplasts. While CF is an electron-dense
      marker of organelles of the endocytic pathway, ultrastructural histochemistry of
      AcPase identifies the organelles involved in the synthesis, transport, and
      storage of lytic-compartment enzymes, i.e. the lysosomal pathway. Acid
      phosphatases have been localized using both lead- and cerium-precipitation
      techniques. Protoplasts have been exposed to CF for 5 min, 30 min, or 3 h and
      processed for AcPase localization. At 5 min, smooth vesicles contain both CF and
      AcPase. By 30 min, Golgi cisternae and multivesicular bodies contain both labels.
      By 3 h, vacuoles become labelled with both CF and AcPase. The large central
      vacuoles contain intraluminal membranes which are associated with both AcPase and
      CF. These observations extend the analogy between plant vacuoles and animal
      lysosomes and demonstrate the points at which the endocytic pathway of plants
      converges with the lysosomal pathway. 

PMID- 24220939
TI  - Regulation of electron transport in maize mesophyll chloroplasts: The
      relationship between chlorophyll a fluorescence quenching and O2 evolution.
AB  - The relationship between the redox state of the primary electron acceptor of
      photosystem II (QA) and the rate of O2 evolution in isolated mesophyll
      chloroplasts from Zea mays L. is examined using pulse-modulated chlorophyll a
      fluorescence techniques. A linear relationship between photochemical quenching of
      chlorophyll fluorescence (qQ) and the rate of O2 evolution is evident under most
      conditions with either glycerate 3-phosphate or oxaloacetate as substrates. There
      appears to be no effect of the transthylakoid pH gradient on the rate of electron
      transfer from photosystem II into QA in these chloroplasts. However, the
      proportion of electron transport occurring through cyclic-pseudocyclic pathways
      relative to the non-cyclic pathway appears to be regulated by metabolic demand
      for ATP. The majority of non-photochemical quenching in these chloroplasts at
      moderate irradiances appeared to be "energy"-dependent quenching. 

PMID- 24220940
TI  - The cell wall of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii gametes: Composition, structure and
      autolysin-mediated shedding and dissolution.
AB  - The cell walls of Chlamydomonas gametes are multilayered structures supported on
      frameworks of polypeptides extending from the plasma membrane. The wall
      polypeptide catalogue reported by Monk et al. (1983, Planta 158, 517-533) and
      extended by U.W. Goodenough et al. (1986, J. Cell Biol. 103, 405-417) was re
      evaluated by comparative analysis of mechanically isolated cell walls purified
      from several strains. The extracellular locus of wall polypeptides was verified
      by in vivo iodogen-catalysed iodination and by autolysin-mediated elimination of
      the bulk of these polypeptides from the cell surface. Three (w15, w16, w17) and
      possibly four (w14) polypeptides were located to the most exterior aspect of the
      wall because of their susceptibility to Enzymobeadcatalysed iodination and their
      retention by a cell-wall-less mutant. The composition of shed walls stabilised
      with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid during natural mating and kinetic analysis
      of the dissolution of walls purified from a bald-2 mutant demonstrated the rapid
      and specific destruction of polypeptide w3. Differential solubilisation of wall
      polypeptides occurred after loss of w3. Wall dissolution, characterised by the
      generation of fishbone structures from the W2 layer, gave as many as four
      additional polypeptides. Charged detergents and sodium perchlorate extracted a
      comparable range of polypeptides at room temperature from mechanically isolated
      walls, i.e. components of the W4-W6 layers, hot sodium dodecyl sulphate
      solubilised framework polypeptides, while reducing agent was required to
      solubilise the W2 layer. A model of wall structure is presented. 

PMID- 24220941
TI  - The use of a chloride-sensitive fluorescent probe to measure chloride transport
      in isolated tonoplast vesicles.
AB  - A fluorescence method for the direct measurement of Cl(-) transport in isolated
      tonoplast vesicles is described. This technique utilises the Cl(-)-sensitive
      fluorescent compound, 6-methoxy-1-(3-sulfonatopropyl)quinolinium (SPQ). This is a
      water-soluble compound with excitation and emission wavelengths of 350 and 440
      nm, respectively. Its fluorescence is quenched by Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), SCN(-), NO
      2 (-) and tetraphenylborate but not by NO 3 (-) , SO 4 (2-) , iminodiacetate or
      malate. These effects are independent of pH. This compound was loaded into
      tonoplast vesicles from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) storage roots or from barley
      (Hordeum vulgare L.) roots by incubation at 37 degrees  C and the external probe
      was then removed by repeated centrifugation of the vesicles in SPQ-free medium.
      In this way a large proportion of the observed fluorescence signal was from the
      interior of the vesicles, and its quenching could be used to monitor,
      quantitatively, and in real time, the intravesicular Cl(-) concentration. In this
      paper we describe some of the problems encountered in using this probe to measure
      Cl(-) transport in tonoplast vesicles, how these were overcome and some
      characteristics of Cl(-) transport at the tonoplast as measured by the probe. 

PMID- 24220942
TI  - Pathways of assimilation and transfer of fixed nitrogen in coralloid roots of
      cycad-Nostoc symbioses.
AB  - Freshly detached coralloid roots of several cycad species were found to bleed
      spontaneously from xylem, permitting identification of products of nitrogen
      transfer from symbiotic organ to host. Structural features relevant to the export
      of fixed N were described for Macrozamia riedlei (Fisch. ex Gaud.) Gardn. the
      principal species studied. Citrulline (Cit), glutamine (Gln) and glutamic acid
      (Glu), the latter usually in a lesser amount, were the principal translocated
      solutes in Macrozamia (5 spp.), Encephalartos (4 spp.) and Lepidozamia (1 sp.),
      while Gln and a smaller amount of Glu, but no Cit were present in xylem sap of
      Bowenia (1 sp.),and Cycas (2 spp.). Time-course studies of (15)N enrichment of
      the different tissue zones and the xylem sap of (15)N2-pulse-fed coralloid roots
      of M. riedlei showed earlier (15)N incorporation into Gln than into Cit, and a
      subsequent net decline in the (15)N of Gln of the coralloid-root tissues, whereas
      Cit labeling continued to increase in inner cortex and stele and in the xylem
      sap. Hydrolysis of the (15)N-labeled Cit and Gln consistently demonstrated much
      more intense labeling of the respective carbamyl and amide groups than of the
      other N-atoms. Coralloid roots of M. riedlei pulse-fed (14)CO2 in darkness showed
      (14)C labeling of aspartic acid (Asp) and Cit in all tissue zones and of Cit of
      xylem bleeding sap. Lateral roots and uninfected apogeotropic roots of M. riedlei
      and M. moorei also incorporated (14)CO2 into Cit. The (14)C of Cit was restricted
      to the carbamyl-C. Comparable (15)N2 and CO2-feeding studies on corallid roots of
      Cycas revoluta showed Gln to be the dominant product of N2 fixation, with Asp and
      alanine as other major (14)C-labeled amino compounds, but a total absence of Cit
      in labeled or unlabeled form. 

PMID- 24220943
TI  - Monoclonal antibodies identify common and differentiation-specific antigens on
      the plasma membrane of guard cells of Vicia faba L.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies were raised against the plasma membrane of Vicia faba L.
      guard cells by immunizing either with total membranes from purified guard-cell
      protoplasts or with sealed, predominantly right-side-out plasma-membrane vesicles
      prepared from abaxial epidermes of V. faba by aqueous two-phase partitioning.
      Hybridoma screening was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using
      polystyrene-adsorbed plasma-membrane vesicles as solid phase and by indirect
      immunofluorescence analysis using unfixed, immobilized protoplasts in a
      microvolume Terasaki assay. A range of monoclonal antibodies was characterized
      and is reported here. One monoclonal antibody, G26-6-B2, is guard-cell-specific
      and does not react with mesophyll-cell protoplasts of the same species. It binds
      to a periodate-resistant but trypsin-labile epitope, probably a differentiation
      specific plasma-membrane protein. 

PMID- 24220944
TI  - Antibodies to pollen exines.
AB  - A polyclonal antiserum and monoclonal antibodies have been prepared to purified
      pollen exines of Calocedrus decurrens Florin. The location of the antigen is in
      the exine, as shown by light-and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry. The
      greatest reduction in antibody binding follows treatment of the exine with
      chemicals known to alter sporopollenin. These results provide evidence that
      sporopollenin is antigenic. Exines of ten species of gymnosperms and angiosperms
      also bound the polyclonal antiserum, indicating similarity of sporopollenin
      structure. 

PMID- 24220945
TI  - A guanosine 5'-triphosphate-dependent protein kinase is localized in the outer
      envelope membrane of pea chloroplasts.
AB  - A guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP)-dependent protein kinase was detected in
      preparations of outer chloroplast envelope membranes of pea (Pisum sativum L.)
      chloroplasts. The protein-kinase activity was capable of phosphorylating several
      envelope-membrane proteins. The major phosphorylated products were 23- and 32.5
      kilo-dalton proteins of the outer envelope membrane. Several other envelope
      proteins were labeled to a lesser extent. Following acid hydrolysis of the
      labeled proteins, most of the label was detected as phosphoserine with only minor
      amounts detected as phosphothreonine. Several criteria were used to distinguish
      the GTP-dependent protein kinase from an ATP-dependent kinase also present in the
      outer envelope membrane. The ATP-dependent kinase phosphorylated a very different
      set of envelope-membrane proteins. Heparin inhibited the GTP-dependent kinase but
      had little effect upon the ATP-dependent enzyme. The GTP-dependent enzyme
      accepted phosvitin as an external protein substrate whereas the ATP-dependent
      enzyme did not. The outer membrane of the chloroplast envelope also contained a
      phosphotransferase capable of transferring labeled phosphate from [gamma
      (32)P]GTP to ADP to yield (gamma-(32)P]ATP. Consequently, addition of ADP to a
      GTP-dependent protein-kinase assay resulted in a switch in the pattern of labeled
      products from that seen with GTP to that typically seen with ATP. 

PMID- 24220946
TI  - Patterns of protein synthesis in dormant and growing vegetative buds of pea.
AB  - Lateral buds on intact pea plants (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) remain dormant
      until they are stimulated to develop by decapitating the terminal bud. Using two
      dimensional gel electrophoresis, we have examined the protein content of terminal
      and lateral buds from intact plants and from plants at various times after
      decapitation. Silver-staining and in-vivo-labeling demonstrated very different
      sets of proteins. The level of expression of 18 stained and 25 labeled proteins
      was altered when growth was stimulated; this represents 3.4% and 9.1% of the
      total proteins detected by each method, respectively. Within 24 h of being
      stimulated, lateral buds doubled in length and their protein content was
      qualitatively nearly the same as that of terminal buds. Six hours after
      decapitation, before the onset of detectable growth, the overall pattern of
      protein synthesis in lateral buds was more like that of growing lateral buds or
      of terminal buds than that of dormant lateral buds. Direct application of N(6)
      furfurylaminopurine (kinetin) to buds on intact plants stimulated their growth
      and resulted in the same pattern of protein synthesis as did decapitation.
      Inhibition of bud growth by addition of indole-3-acetic acid to the stumps of
      decapitated plants resulted in the synthesis of dormancy-related proteins.
      Lateral buds at all stages of development incorporated labeled amino acids at
      similar rates, indicating that metabolic activity is not a component of dormancy
      in these buds. 

PMID- 24220947
TI  - Role of plastidial acyl-acyl carrier protein: Glycerol 3-phosphate
      acyltransferase and acyl-acyl carrier protein hydrolase in channelling the acyl
      flux through the prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathway.
AB  - In order to investigate whether the relative activities of the plastidial acyl
      acyl carrier protein (ACP):glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.15) and
      acyl-ACP hydrolase play a role in controlling the acyl flux through the
      prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathway, we determined these enzymic activities in
      stroma fractions from 16:3- and 18:3-plants using glycerol 3-phosphate and
      labelled acyl-ACP as substrates. Several factors were examined which might
      influence the activities within plastids, such as leaf development, salts at
      physiological concentrations, stroma pH and substrates available to the enzymes.
      An appreciable alteration of the two enzymic activities was only observed with
      changes in the pH and substrate concentration, especially the concentration of
      glycerol 3-phosphate. An increase in pH from 7 to 8 resulted in a decreased ratio
      of acyltransferase versus hydrolase activity in stroma fractions from both pea
      (Pisum sativum L.) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), whereas exogenously added
      glycerol 3-phosphate, which only influenced the acyltransferase, raised this
      ratio. On the other hand, the relative activities of the two enzymes stayed
      rather constant at oleoyl-ACP concentrations between 1 and 2 MUM not only when it
      was offered alone but also in a mixture with palmitoyl-ACP. At pH 8, the stroma
      pH of illuminated chloroplasts, and at physiologically relevant substrate
      concentrations we observed clear differences between the 16:3-plants spinach and
      mustard (Sinapis alba ssp. alba L.) and the 18:3-plants pea and maize (Zea mays
      L.). In accordance with the different proportions of prokaryotic glycerolipids in
      the two groups of plants, pea and maize showed distinctly lower ratios of
      acyltransferase versus hydrolase activity than spinach and mustard. Consequently
      the relative activities of the plastidial glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase
      and acyl-ACP hydrolase can play a decisive role in controlling the acyl flux
      through the different pathways at least in these plants. 

PMID- 24220948
TI  - Preparation and characterisation of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to maize
      membrane auxin-binding protein.
AB  - Binding proteins, thought to be auxin receptors, can be solubilised from maize
      (Zea mays L.) membranes after acetone treatment. From these crude extracts,
      receptor preparations of over 50% purity can be obtained by a reliable, straight
      forward procedure involving three chromatographic steps - anion exchange, gel
      filtration and high-resolution anion exchange. Such preparations have been used
      to immunise rats for subsequent production of monoclonal antibodies. By the
      further step of native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the semi-purified
      preparations yield homogeneous, dimeric (22-kilodalton, kDa) auxin-binding
      protein, which has been used to produce a polyclonal rabbit antiserum. The
      preliminary characterisation of this antiserum and of the five monoclonal
      antibodies is presented. Two of the monoclonal antibodies specifically recognise
      the major 22-kDa-binding protein polypeptide whilst the other three recognise, in
      addition, a minor 21-kDa species. All the monoclonal antibodies recognise the
      polypeptide rather than the glycan side chain and the polyclonal antiserum also
      recognises deglycosylated binding protein. The antibodies have been used to
      quantify the abundance of auxinbinding protein in a number of tissues of
      etiolated maize seedlings. Root membranes contain 20-fold less binding protein
      than coleoptile membranes. 

PMID- 24220949
TI  - Distribution of photorespiratory enzymes between bundle-sheath and mesophyll
      cells in leaves of the C3-C 4 intermediate species Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC.
AB  - In order to study the location of enzymes of photorespiration in leaves of the C3
      C4 intermediate species Moricandia arvensis (L.). DC, protoplast fractions
      enriched in mesophyll or bundlesheath cells have been prepared by a combination
      of mechanical and enzymic techniques. The activities of the mitochondrial enzymes
      fumarase (EC 4.2.1.2) and glycine decarboxylase (EC 2.1.2.10) were enriched by
      3.0- and 7.5-fold, respectively, in the bundle-sheath relative to the mesophyll
      fraction. Enrichment of fumarase is consistent with the larger number of
      mitochondria in bundle-sheath cells relative to mesophyll cells. The greater
      enrichment of glycine decarboxylase indicates that the activity is considerably
      higher on a mitochondrial basis in bundle-sheath than in mesophyll cells. Serine
      hydroxymethyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.1) activity was enriched by 5.3-fold and
      glutamate-dependent glyoxylate-aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.4) activity by 2.6-fold
      in the bundle-sheath relative to the mesophyll fraction. Activities of serine-
      and alanine-dependent glyoxylate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.45 and EC 2.6.1.4),
      glycollate oxidase (EC 1.1.3.1), hydroxypyruvate reductase (EC 1.1.1.81),
      glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) and phosphoribulokinase (EC 2.7.1.19) were not
      significantly different in the two fractions. These data provide further
      independent evidence to complement earlier immunocytochemical studies of the
      distribution of photorespiratory enzymes in the leaves of this species, and
      indicate that while mesophyll cells of M. arvensis have the capacity to
      synthesize glycine during photorespiration, they have only a low capacity to
      metabolize it. We suggest that glycine produced by photorespiratory metabolism in
      the mesophyll is decarboxylated predominantly by the mitochondria in the bundle
      sheath. 

PMID- 24220950
TI  - Movement of Lucifer Yellow CH in potato tuber storage tissues: A comparison of
      symplastic and apoplastic transport.
AB  - The fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow CH (LYCH) was introduced directly into the
      symplast of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber storage parenchyma by
      microinjection and also into the apoplast through cuts made in the stolon cortex.
      Microinjected LYCH moved away rapidly from a single storage cell and spread
      radially via the symplast. When the microinjected tissue was subsequently fixed
      in glutaraldehyde and sectioned the dye was seen clearly to be localised in the
      cytoplasm but not in the vacuole. In comparison, when LYCH was introduced into
      cuts made in the stolon cortex the dye entered the tuber by the xylem and
      subsequently spread apoplastically. No movement of dye was observed in the
      phloem. In glutaraldehyde-fixed tissues, in which LYCH was introduced to the
      apoplast, the dye was found within xylem vessels, in the cell walls and in
      intercellular spaces. Wall regions, possibly associated with plasmodesmata,
      became stained by the dye as it moved through the apoplast. Three hours after
      introduction of the dye to the stolon, intense deposits of LYCH were found in the
      vacuoles of all cells in the tuber, many aligned along the tonoplast.
      Differentiating vascular parenchyma elements contained large amounts of dye
      within enlarging vacuoles. However, with the exception of plasmolysed and-or
      damaged cells, LYCH was absent from the cytoplasm following its introduction to
      the plasmalemma it is suggested that the most likely pathway from the cell wall
      to the vacuole was by endocytosis, the dye being transported across the cytoplasm
      in membrane-bound vesicles. Clathrin-coated vesicles were abundant in the storage
      cells, providing a possible endocytotic pathway for dye movement. The
      significance of these observations is discussed in relation to the movement of
      LYCH in plant tissues and to the movement of solutes within and between storage
      cells of the tuber. 

PMID- 24220951
TI  - Uptake of Lucifer Yellow CH into intact barley roots: Evidence for fluid-phase
      endocytosis.
AB  - Intact barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) roots have been shown to take up the highly
      fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow CH (LYCH) into their cell vacuoles. In the apical
      1 cm of root tip, differentiating and dividing cells showed a prolific uptake of
      LYCH into their provacuoles. The LYCH was retained during fixation, apparently
      becoming bound to electron-dense material in the vacuoles. The dye freely entered
      the apoplast of roots in which the Casparian band was not developed, being taken
      up into the vacuoles of cells in both the cortex and stele. However, when LYCH
      was applied to a 1-cm zone approx. 6 cm behind the root tip the Casparian band on
      the radial walls of the endodermis completely prevented the dye from entering the
      cells of the stele, only the cell walls and vacuoles of the cortical cells taking
      up the dye. The inability of LYCH to cross the plasmalemma of the endodermal
      cells and enter the stele via the symplast substantiates previous claims that the
      dye is unable to cross the plasmalemma of plant cells. The results are discussed
      in the light of recent demonstrations that LYCH is a particularly effective
      marker for fluid-phase endocytosis in animal and yeast cells. A calculation of
      the energetic requirements for LYCH uptake into barley roots supports the
      contention that LYCH is taken up into the vacuoles of plant cells by fluid-phase
      endocytosis. 

PMID- 24220952
TI  - Apparent induction of key enzymes of the glyoxylic acid cycle in senescent barley
      leaves.
AB  - The activities of two key enzymes of the glyoxylic-acid cycle, isocitrate lyase
      and malate synthase, can barely be detected in mature, presenescent primary
      leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) but are apparently induced in senescent
      leaf tissue. Upon incubation of leaf segments in permanent darkness, the
      activities appear and increase dramatically up to the sixth day and thereafter
      decline. The glyoxylic-acid cycle may thus be functional during foliar
      senescence. The main period of galactolipid loss is characterized by RQ values as
      low as 0.63, indicating that long-chain fatty acids produced from thylakoidal
      acyl-lipids may be utilized for gluconeogenesis involving corresponding
      glyoxisomal metabolic pathways. Foliar senescence may be characterized by a
      peroxisomeglyoxysome transition analogous to the glyoxisome-peroxisome transition
      in greening cotyledons of fat-storing seeds. 

PMID- 24220953
TI  - [Hybrid operation theatre].

PMID- 24220955
TI  - [Laparoscopic versus open total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Results
      from the actual medical care situation].

PMID- 24220954
TI  - [The interdisciplinary hybrid operation theatre. Current experience and future].
AB  - Since June 2013 a hybrid operation theatre is used interdisciplinary in the
      department for surgery of Ulm University. In this operation theatre a floor-based
      flat panel c-arm, which is mounted on a robotic arm that can be controlled by the
      surgeon in a sterile environment, is linked to the operating table. Furthermore
      for the first time it was possible to integrate a navigation system in this
      setting. The interdisciplinary utilization (trauma, neurosurgery, cardiac and
      vascular surgery) makes this hybrid operation theatre very time and cost
      effective. In the orthopedic trauma department this system is mainly used for
      traumatic and oncologic pelvic and spinal injuries. In these anatomical regions
      the excellent image quality and large field of view of the robotic flat panel
      detector based 3D imaging combined with an intraoperative navigation system is a
      huge advantage. The system can also be used for complex fractures of the
      extremities. In the future there will be an integration of further imaging
      modalities and referenced holding devices in this setting. 

PMID- 24220956
TI  - [Surgical management of disappearing colorectal liver metastases].

PMID- 24220957
TI  - [Laparoscopic anterior hemi-fundoplication versus Nissen fundoplication. Long
      term results].

PMID- 24220958
TI  - [Antibiotic prophylaxis in thyroid gland surgery].

PMID- 24220959
TI  - Comparison of the response to aluminum toxicity in gametophyte and sporophyte of
      four tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars.
AB  - We tested pollen from four tomato cultivars differing in sensitivity to aluminum
      in the sporophyte to determine if Al sensitivity was also expressed in pollen.
      Pollen sensitivity to Al was measured by the ability to germinate and grow in a
      control solution after a short period in a high concentration of Al. The response
      was ranked and compared to the Al sensitivity ranking of the four cultivars based
      on top growth in Al toxic soil. In addition, seedlings from the most and least
      sensitive cultivars, based on pollen germination, were compared for Al
      sensitivity in nutrient solutions. Treatment with Al significantly reduced pollen
      germination in the two more sensitive cultivars, but not in the two more
      resistant cultivars. However, the ranking was not the same as that based on the
      shoot growth of the sporophyte. Root growth as a criterion of sporophytic Al
      sensitivity produced results similar to pollen germination. The study suggests
      that although the correspondence is better for some phenotypic responses of the
      sporophyte than others, Al tolerance appears to be another character expressed in
      both pollen and sporophyte. 

PMID- 24220960
TI  - Allozyme variation among the spontaneous species of Sorghum section Sorghum
      (Poaceae).
AB  - A survey of allozyme variation among the spontaneous taxa of Sorghum section
      Sorghum was undertaken. Eight plants each of 90 accessions representing the
      diploid S. bicolor (ssp. arundinaceum and drummondii) and the tetraploids S.
      almum and S. halepense were analyzed for 17 enzyme systems encoded by 30 loci.
      Low levels of variation were found within and among accessions, although there
      was more variation than is typical of inbreeding species. We found an average of
      3.2 alleles per locus in ssp. arundinaceum, with a mean expected heterozygosity
      for the accessions of 0.034 and total panmictic heterozygosity of 0.154. An
      analysis of the apportionment of genetic variation among accessions of ssp.
      arundinaceum indicated that 26% of the variation occurs within accessions and 74%
      among accessions. Cultivated sorghum contains far less allozymic variation than
      ssp. arundinaceum, its presumed progenitor. This is consistent with the
      prediction that cultivated sorghum experienced a loss of genetic variation during
      domestication. For the most part, cultivated sorghum contains a subset of the
      allozymes found in ssp. arundinaceum. Principal component analysis revealed
      continuous variation among the accessions and geographic regions, with accessions
      failing to segregate into discrete clusters. However, accessions of race virgatum
      of ssp. arundinaceum occupied one end of the continuum and were, in that sense,
      distinguished from the other accessions. Similarly, most accessions of S.
      halepense and S. almum occupied the central portion of the continuum. The
      allozymic data presented here are consistent with the hypothesized origin of S.
      halepense via autopolyploidy or segmental allopolyploidy. 

PMID- 24220961
TI  - Asymmetric somatic hybrids between Lycopersicon esculentum and irradiated
      Lycopersicon peruvianum : 1. Cytogenetics and morphology.
AB  - Asymmetric somatic hybrids of Lycopersicon esculentum and Lycopersicon peruvianum
      were obtained by fusion of leaf protoplasts from both species after irradiation
      of protoplasts or leaf tissue of L. peruvianum with 50, 300, or 1,000 Gy of gamma
      rays. These radiation doses were sufficient to abolish the growth of the L.
      peruvianum protoplasts. The hybrids were selected for their ability to regenerate
      plants; this regeneration capacity derived from L. peruvianum. All asymmetric
      hybrid plants were aneuploid. The ploidy level, the morphology, and the
      regeneration rate were analyzed in relation to the radiation dose applied to L.
      peruvianum. After a low dose (50 Gy), most hybrids had near-triploid chromosome
      numbers, whereas after a high dose (300 or 1,000 Gy), most hybrids had near
      pentaploid numbers. The morphology of the asymmetric hybrids was intermediate
      between that of L. esculentum and symmetric somatic hybrids of both species
      (obtained without irradiation treatment), and approached the morphology of L.
      esculentum to a greater extent after a high dose of irradiation. The asymmetric
      hybrids regenerated more slowly than the symmetric hybrids and regeneration
      proceeded more slowly after a high dose than after a low dose of irradiation. The
      high-dose hybrids also grew more slowly, flowered less, and set fruits less than
      the low-dose hybrids. No seeds could be obtained from any asymmetric hybrid. 

PMID- 24220962
TI  - Mixing ability analysis of wheat cultivar mixtures under diseased and nondiseased
      conditions.
AB  - Mixing ability analyses, adapted from combining ability analyses used in plant
      breeding, were performed on yield and stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) severity
      data for two-way mixtures among either four or five club wheat (Triticum
      aesitivum) cultivars grown in five environments. Initially, two statistics were
      calculated for each trait: general mixing ability (GMA), the average performance
      of a cultivar over all of the mixtures, and specific mixing ability (SMA), the
      deviation of a mixture from the estimated performance of the pair based on its
      average performance in mixtures. General mixing ability was further divided into
      two components: genotype performing ability (GPA), the innate ability of a
      cultivar to yield and resist disease in pure stand, and true general mixing
      ability (TGMA), the average ability of a cultivar to influence yield and disease
      when mixed with other cultivars. Significant mean squares for genotypes, GMA,
      SMA, and TGMA were found for all of the traits in most environments. Examination
      of TGMA and SMA revealed cultivars and cultivar combinations that were
      statistically better "mixers" than the others. Some of the significant effects
      were probably due to the use of cultivars that differed in height and stripe rust
      resistance, but for other combinations there was no apparent explanation for
      enhanced mixing ability. 

PMID- 24220963
TI  - Prediction of heterosis in crosses between inbred lines of Drosophila
      melanogaster.
AB  - The aim of the experiment was to determine if the estimated genetic distance
      between two populations could be used to predict the amount of heterosis that
      would occur when they were crossed. Eight lines of known relatedness to each
      other were produced by eight generations of sib mating and sub-lining. This
      produced lines that varied in coefficient of coancestry from zero to 0.78.
      Fourteen reciprocal crosses of these lines were used to measure heterosis for
      larval viability and adult fecundity. Gene frequencies at six polymorphic enzyme
      loci were used to estimate the genetic distances between lines, which were then
      compared with the known degrees of coancestry. The estimated genetic differences
      were poorly correlated with the known coancestry coefficients (r=0.4), possibly
      due to the small number of loci typed. Also genetic distances were only about 1/3
      of what was expected. Selection acting on blocks of genes linked to the enzyme
      loci probably prevented the expected increase in homozygosity. Coancestry
      coefficient was correlated with heterosis (r=0.44-0.71). This level of
      correlation implied differences in heterosis among parent lines with the same
      level of coancestry. This variability is expected if a small number of loci
      explain most of the heterosis. The average level of heterosis was less than
      expected after eight generations of sib mating. This is most likely due to
      selection opposing the increase in homozygosity caused by inbreeding. The
      combination of these two imperfect correlations resulted in no significant
      correlation between genetic distance estimated from markers and heterosis. 

PMID- 24220964
TI  - Chloroplast DNA variation in diploid and polyploid species of Bromus (Poaceae)
      subgenera Festucaria and Ceratochloa.
AB  - Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction endonuclease patterns are used to examine
      phylogenetic relationships between Bromus subgenera Festucaria and Ceratochloa.
      Festucaria is considered monophyletic based on the L genome, while Ceratochloa
      encompasses two species complexes: the B. catharticus complex, which evolved by
      combining three different genomes, and the B. carinatus complex, which is thought
      to have originated from hybridization between polyploid species of B. catharticus
      and diploid members of Festucaria. All species of subgenus Ceratochloa
      (hexaploids and octoploids) were identical in chloroplast DNA sequences.
      Similarly, polyploid species of subgenus Festucaria, except for B. auleticus,
      were identical in cpDNA sequences. In contrast, diploid species of subgenus
      Festucaria showed various degrees of nucleotide sequence divergence. Species of
      subgenus Ceratochloa appeared monophyletic and phylogenetically closely related
      to the diploid B. anomalus and B. auleticus of subgenus Festucaria. The remaining
      diploid and polyploid species of subgenus Festucaria appeared in a distinct
      grouping. The study suggests that the B. catharticus complex must have been the
      maternal parent in the proposed hybrid origin of B. carinatus complex. Although
      there is no direct evidence for the paternal parent of the latter complex, the
      cpDNA study shows the complex to be phylogenetically very related to the diploid
      B. anomalus of subgenus Festucaria. 

PMID- 24220965
TI  - 5S-RNA genes of barley are located on the second chromosome.
AB  - The genes coding for 5S RNA in barley were cloned, sequenced, and their cluster
      was assigned to chromosome 2 using wheat-barley chromosome addition lines. High
      resolution gel-electrophoresis of DNA and subsequent hybridization revealed new
      details of the organization of 5S DNA both in wheat and barley. The in situ
      hybridization of the cloned 5S gene with triploid endosperm nuclei also suggests
      that these genes are located in a single locus. 

PMID- 24220966
TI  - Metabolic complementation for a single gene function associated with partial and
      total loss of donor DNA in interspecific somatic hybrids.
AB  - We report here on the obtainment of interspecific somatic, asymmetric, and highly
      asymmetric nuclear hybrids via protoplast fusion. Asymmetric nuclear hybrids were
      obtained after fusion of mesophyll protoplasts from a nitrate reductase-deficient
      cofactor mutant of N. plumbaginifolia with irradiated (100 krad) kanamycin
      resistant leaf protoplasts of a haploid N. tabacum. Selection for nitrate
      reductase (NR) and/or kanamycin (Km) resistance resulted in the production of
      three groups of plants (NR(+), NR(+), Km(R), and NR(-)Km(R)). Cytological
      analysis of some hybrid regenerants showed the presence of numerous tobacco
      chromosomes and chromosome fragments, besides a polyploid N. plumbaginifolia
      genome (tetra or hexaploid). All the regenerants tested were male sterile but
      some of them could be backcrossed to the recipient partner. In a second
      experiment, somatic and highly asymmetric nuclear hybrids were obtained after
      fusion of mesophyll protoplasts from the universal hybridizer of N.
      plumbaginifolia with suspension protoplasts of a tumor line of N. tabacum.
      Selection resulted in two types of colonies: nonregenerating hybrid calli turned
      out to be true somatic hybrids, while cytological analysis of regenerants
      obtained on morphogenic calli did not show any presence of donor-specific
      chromosomes. Forty percent of the hybrid regenerants were completely fertile,
      while the others could only be backcrossed to the recipient N. plumbaginifolia.
      Since the gene we selected for is not yet cloned, we were not able to demonstrate
      the transfer of genetic material at the molecular level. However, since no
      reversion frequency for the nitrate reductase mutant is known, and due to a
      detailed cytological knowledge of both fusion partners, we feel confident in
      speculating that intergenomic recombination between N. plumbaginifolia and N.
      tabacum has occurred. 

PMID- 24220967
TI  - Relative efficiency of selection methods to improve a ratio of two traits in
      Tribolium.
AB  - Three generations of upward selection for the egg mass/adult weight ratio were
      carried out in Tribolium castaneum. The experiment involved five lines: E -
      selected for increased egg mass; W - selected for decreased adult weight; R -
      selected for egg mass/adult weight directly; L - linear index selected with
      economic weights of m 2: -m 1 egg mass to adult weight (m 1 and m 2 are the means
      for adult weight and egg mass, respectively); NL - nonlinear index selected.
      Adult weight (7 days after adult emergence) and egg mass (between 7 and 11 days)
      were measured. The NL, E, and L lines had the greatest observed responses for the
      ratio; the R and W lines were not effective in improving the egg mass/adult
      weight ratio. It was expected that the NL line would be superior to the E, L, and
      R lines, and that the W line would respond the least. Observed response was
      significant for egg mass in the NL line, and for adult weight in the E, W, and R
      lines. Strong selection to increase egg mass seems to represent the optimal
      criterion for the ratio to be improved. The usefulness of nonlinear indices as
      selection criteria to improve a nonlinear trait, previously found to be optimal
      for a trait defined as the product of two component traits, appears to hold also
      for the selective improvement of the ratio of two traits. Serious limitations
      expected for direct selection of the ratio have been confirmed in this
      experiment. 

PMID- 24220968
TI  - Identifying populations useful for improving parents of a single cross based on
      net transfer of alleles.
AB  - Theory and methods for identifying populations (P y ) with the highest frequency
      of favorable dominant alleles not present in an elite single cross (I 1* I 2)
      have been developed recently. During selection, new favorable alleles can be
      transferred from P y to either I 1 or I 2 only at the risk of losing favorable
      alleles already present in the single cross. A "net improvement" (NI) statistic,
      which estimates the relative number of favorable alleles that can be gained from
      P y minus the relative number of favorable alleles that can be lost from I 1 or I
      2, is presented. NI is calculated as maximum [(I 1*P y -I 1*I 2)/2,(I 2*P y -I
      1*I 2)/2]. Because I 1 * I 2 is constant in an experiment, the method reduces to
      choosing P y populations with the best mean performance in combination with
      either I 1 or I 2. For a set of maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield data, NI was
      highly correlated to three other statistics proposed for choosing populations,
      namely: (1) minimally biased estimate (l [Formula: see text]MU') of the relative
      number of favorable dominant alleles present in P y but not in I 1 and I 2; (2)
      minimum upper bound on l [Formula: see text]MU; and (3) predicted performance of
      the three-way cross [P y (I 1* I 2)]. While l [Formula: see text]MU' estimates
      potential improvement likely to be achieved only through long-term recurrent
      selection, NI is probably a better predictor of short-term improvement in single
      cross performance. 

PMID- 24220969
TI  - Genetic and biochemical characterization of corn inbred lines tolerant to the
      sulfonylurea herbicide primisulfuron.
AB  - Inbred lines of corn (Zea mays L.) have been characterized, which exhibit
      differential sensitivity to the sulfonylurea herbicide primisulfuron (2-[3-(4,6
      bis(di-fluoromethoxy) pyrimidin-2-yl)-ureidosulfonyl]-benzoic acid methylester).
      When treated postemergence with 160 g a.i. per hectare, inbred 4CO exhibited
      complete tolerance while inbred 4N5 was killed. The F1 hybrid 4C0 x 4N5 was
      uniformly tolerant indicating dominance of the tolerance trait. The field
      observations correlated with laboratory tests in which seedling root growth was
      measured. Based on IC50, inbred 4CO was more than ten times more tolerant than
      inbred 4N5. In the F2 and F3 generations, a 3?1 segregation of tolerant and
      sensitive individuals was observed, consistent with tolerance being inherited as
      a single dominant trait. Backcrosses of heterozygous F1 plants with the sensitive
      parent (4N5) yielded progeny that segreated at the expected 1?1 ratio.
      Backcrosses with 4C0 yielded tolerant offspring only. Inhibition characteristics
      of acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS; E.C. 4.1.3.18) were determined. The enzymes
      from both inbreds and their F1 hybrid were equally sensitive and strongly
      inhibited by primisulfuron (IC50: 7 nM). The fate of (14)C-labeled primisulfuron
      in seedling tissues of inbred 4C0 and the hybrid, 4C0 x 4N5, indicated rapid
      metabolism with a half-life (t 1/2) of approximately 3 h. On the other hand, the
      herbicide-sensitive inbred 4N5 was considerably slower to metabolize
      primisulfuron (t 1/2 >24 h). These data indicate that differential metabolism is
      the mechanism of tolerance to the sulfonylurea herbicide primisulfuron in
      tolerant corn. 

PMID- 24220970
TI  - Progeny tests of barley, wheat, and potato regenerated from cell cultures after
      in vitro selection for disease resistance.
AB  - Because plant cells cultured in vitro express genetic variability and since they
      can be regenerated into functional plants, procedures have been designed to use
      this system for the production of plants with new important agronomic
      characteristics, particularly for disease resistance. For barley, wheat, and
      potato somaclones have been found that were less susceptible to a toxin of
      Helminthosporium, fusaric acid, Fusarium coeruleum, F. sulphureum, or
      Phytophthora infestans, when screened in the first in-vitro-derived generation.
      Here the progeny of such somaclones is evaluated after natural and artificial
      infection, using greenhouse-grown or field material. The progenies of the same
      somaclones did not express detectable differences, which indicated that no
      heterozygous mutations occurred. Most lines and clones differed in their level of
      susceptibility to the pathogen compared to the level of the starting material,
      but these data were in no instance significant. It is discussed here whether this
      lack of significance is due to a lack of genetic differences or whether the test
      procedures are in adequate for detecting and securing the slight, probably
      quantitative, alterations. 

PMID- 24220971
TI  - The molecular basis of genetic diversity among cytoplasms of Triticum and
      Aegilops : 7. Restriction endonuclease analysis of mitochondrial DNAs from
      polyploid wheats and their ancestral species.
AB  - Many related species and strains of common wheat were compared by matching
      differences among their mitochondrial genomes with their "parent" nuclear
      genomes. We examined three species of Aegilops, section Sitopsis (Ae. bicornis,
      Ae. sharonensis, and Ae. speltoides), emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccoides, T.
      dicoccum, and T. durum), common wheat (T. spelta, T. aestivum, and T.
      compaction), and timopheevi wheat (T. araraticum, T. timopheevi, and T.
      zhukovskyi). A single source of the cytoplasm was used in all the species, except
      Ae. speltoides (two sources), T. araraticum (two), and T. aestivum (three).
      Following restriction endonuclease analyses, the mitochondrial genomes were found
      to comprise seven types, and a dendrogram showing their genetic relatedness was
      constructed, based upon the percentage of common restriction fragments. MtDNAs
      from T. dicoccum, T. durum, T. aestivum, and T. compactum yielded identical
      restriction fragment patterns; these differed from T. dicoccoides and T. spelta
      mtDNAs in only 2.3% of their fragments. The fragment patterns of T. timopheevi
      and T. zhukovskyi were identical, and these differed from T. araraticum mtDNA by
      only one fragment. In both the emmer-dinkel and timopheevi groups, mitochondrial
      genome differentiation is evident, suggesting a diphyletic origin of each group.
      MtDNAs from four accessions of the Sitopsis species of Aegilops differ greatly
      from one another, but those of Ae. bicornis, Ae. sharonensis, and Ae. searsii,
      belonging to the same subsection Emarginata, are relatively similar. MtDNAs of
      timopheevi species are identical, or nearly so, to those of Ae. speltoides
      accession (09), suggesting that the latter was the cytoplasm donor to the former,
      polyploid group. The origin of this polyploid group seems to be rather recent in
      that the diploid and polyploid species possess nearly identical mitochondrial
      genomes. We cannot determine, with precision, the cytoplasm donor to the emmer
      dinkel group. However, our results do suggest that mitochondrial DNAs show larger
      evolutionary divergence than do the ctDNAs from these same strains. 

PMID- 24220972
TI  - Characterization of relic DNA from barley genome.
AB  - High-molecular-weight "relic" DNA fraction can be electrophoretically separated
      from the bulk of barley DNA digested with different restriction enzymes. We have
      cloned and analyzed a population of relic DNA fragments. The majority of AluI
      relic DNA clones contained barley simple sequence satellite DNA and other
      families of repetitive DNA. One of these families, designated HvRT, has been
      analyzed in detail. This family is composed of tandemly arranged 118-bp monomers
      and is present in 7 * 10(5) copies in the barley genome. Clones representing the
      HvRT family were sequenced. HvRT repeats were found to contain high levels of
      methylated cytosine. The HvRT family was found in the genomes of H. vulgare, H.
      leporinum, H. murinum, H. jubatum, but not in H. marinum, H. geniculatum, and
      wheat. Different barley species and cultivars show restriction fragment length
      polymorphism with the HvRT probe. Chromosome-specific subfamilies of HvRT were
      found to be present on different barley chromosomes, providing the possibility of
      using the HvRT probe as a chromosome specific marker. HvRT fragments up to 810
      kbp in length were resolved by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. 

PMID- 24220973
TI  - The value of gametoclonal variation in breeding for quantitative traits in flue
      cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.).
AB  - In tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), anther-derived doubled haploid populations
      have been shown to exhibit large amounts of unexpected genetic variation and a
      severe depression in cured leaf yield when compared to conventionally inbred
      genotypes from comparable sources. A previous study had predicted that the yield
      depression observed in a doubled haploid population-derived from a near
      homozygous cultivar, NC95, might be overcome through a recurrent selection
      program. In the current study, progress from three cycles of full-sib family
      selection for improved yield in an anther-culture derived population of NC95 was
      measured, as well as the remaining genetic variation within the population. A
      design II experiment was conducted in the population following three cycles of
      selection. Results indicate that the NC95 yield level has been recovered in the
      third selection cycle population. Although most of the genetic variation in the
      population appears to be exhausted, the additive genetic variance among maternal
      half-sib families for yield is significant, and it appears that continued yield
      improvement can be made through recurrent selection. Significant additive-genetic
      variance for yield was found among maternal half-sib families but was essentially
      zero among the paternal half-sib families, suggesting that remaining genetic
      variation is not being transmitted through pollen. One possible explanation
      results from the phenomenon of DNA amplification that can occur during the anther
      culture process, and that may enable extraordinary recombinational events and
      reduce the viability of male gametes. 

PMID- 24220974
TI  - Effect of different restriction enzymes, probe source, and probe length on
      detecting restriction fragment length polymorphism in tomato.
AB  - Since the construction and use of RFLP genetic maps depends on the ability of
      cloned sequences to detect polymorphism, we have attempted to determine
      conditions under which maximum levels of polymorphism can be detected. Forty
      cloned nuclear sequences from three different libraries (cDNA, EcoRI genomic, and
      Pstl genomic) were hybridized to total DNA from 149 plants representing eight
      species of the tomato genus Lycopersicon. Five different restriction enzymes were
      employed in this study. We examined the relationship between polymorphism (number
      of restriction patterns) and clone size, restriction enzyme, size of hybridizing
      restriction fragments, and clone source (library). We found no relationship
      between clone size (ranging from 0.4 to 5.3 kb) and polymorphism. There was a
      strong positive relationship (r (2) = 0.79) between polymorphism and the average
      size of the fragments produced by each restriction enzyme. cDNA clones hybridized
      to larger fragments compared to genomic clones. cDNAs also detected significantly
      more polymorphism (approximately 25% more) than genomic clones - possibly
      indicating high levels of sequence variability in introns and/or areas flanking
      coding regions. 

PMID- 24220975
TI  - Somaclonal variant UC-T3: the expression of Fusarium wilt resistance in progeny
      arrays of celery, Apium graveolens L.
AB  - First generation (S1) progeny, second generation (S2) progeny, and backcross (BC)
      progeny of a celery (Apium graveolens L. var. dulce) somaclonal variant, UC-T3,
      were evaluated for resistance to the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii, race
      2 (FOA2). Chisquare analysis of S1 progeny showed that the expression of
      resistance did not fit a single-locus model. S2 progeny means were similar among
      families, except in a heavily infested field. The lowest ranking S2 family in
      both the lightly infested and heavily infested fields was significantly more
      resistant to FOA2 than individuals of the susceptible progenitor line 'Tall-Utah
      527OR'; therefore; it was concluded that the trait was heritable. The phenotypic
      distribution of the backcross progeny was broad, suggesting that the new
      resistance was conferred by at least two genes whose expression was dominant to
      susceptibility. The mean scores for disease resistance of the progeny of crosses
      between UC-T3 and the moderately resistant line, 'Tall-Utah 527OHK', generally
      equaled the resistance found among the progeny of the most resistant parent. 

PMID- 24220976
TI  - Genomic DNA can be used with cationic methods for highly efficient transformation
      of maize protoplasts.
AB  - Efficient delivery of genomic DNA fragments to maize protoplasts was obtained by
      new methods using the polycation Polybrene or Lipofectin cationic liposomes.
      Stable kanamycin-resistant secondary transformants were recovered after
      transfection with genomic DNA from a maize cell line that had previously been
      tagged with the bacterial gene neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) in a first
      round transformation. The frequency of secondary transformants with nptII
      homologous DNA sequences was 3% or 6% of all randomly picked microcalli after
      Polybrene or Lipofectin-mediated transfection, respectively. Transformation with
      genomic DNA by these methods may allow easy transfer of uncloned genes encoding
      desirable characteristics to crop species that can be regenerated from
      protoplasts. 

PMID- 24220977
TI  - Predominance and tissue specificity of adenine methylation in rice.
AB  - Using 'A' and 'C' methylation-specific restriction enzymes, namely, MboI, Sau3AI,
      DpnI, MspI, and HpaII, total rice cv Basmati 370 DNA, repetitive DNAs, and a
      specific repeat sequence indicated an abundance of adenine methylation. Although
      cytosine methylation in 5'-CCGG-3' sequences suggested more CpC methylation than
      CpG, the 'C' methylation in sequence 5'-GATC-3' was comparatively less than 'A'
      methylation. Furthermore, the presence of adenine methylation was tissue
      specific; it was predominant in rice shoot DNA as compared to embryo DNA. This
      pattern was also observed in two other cultivars of rice, i.e., R-24 and Sona,
      and was again confirmed using a cloned probe of a specific repeat sequence.
      Besides the changes in adenine methylation, there was also a qualitative change
      in 5mC from CpG to CpC dinucleotides in these two tissue systems. 

PMID- 24220978
TI  - The expression and perpetuation of inherent somatic variation in regenerants from
      embryogenic cultures of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. (pearl millet).
AB  - Genetic analysis was conducted on the qualitative and quantitative traits of
      sexual progeny derived from embryogenic cultures of two inbred lines of
      Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. (pearl millet). These lines included a genetically
      stable inbred of Tift 23 BE and a genetic marker line, derived from Tift 23BE,
      which bore qualitative genetic markers for a dominant purple plant trait (P) and
      two recessive traits, early flowering (e1) and yellow stripe (ys). Tissue culture
      regenerant populations (R0) and progeny populations (R1) produced from these
      plants by selfing showed no qualitative genetic variation when derived from the
      genetically stable inbred Tift 23BE. In contrast, stably inherited qualitative
      variation for a number of genetic markers was observed in R0, R1, and R2 progeny
      of the genetic marker line. In a population of 1,911 plants regenerated over a 12
      month period, 0.02% of the population lost or showed reduced expression of the
      purple plant trait and 92% of plants were chlorophyll deficient. Plants showing
      reduction or loss of anthocyanin synthesis also flowered later. None of the
      purple plants showed any significant variation in flowering time. The incidence
      of chlorophyll deficiency increased with time in culture, 51 % of the progeny
      regenerated after 1 month were chlorophyll deficient, while 100% of the plants
      regnerated after 12 months were chlorophyll deficient. Qualitative variation was
      also observed in control populations of the genetic marker line where 1 plant in
      a total of 1,010 lacked purple pigmentation and a total of 6% showed chlorophyll
      variation in the first generation (S0). The presence of qualitative variation in
      controls suggests that the inherent variation present in the original explant was
      expressed and perpetuated in vitro. Quantitative variation was observed for a
      number of traits in the first sexual cycle (R1) of the marker line but did not
      occur in a subsequent generation, suggesting that this variation was epigenetic. 

PMID- 24220979
TI  - Iron-deficiency chlorosis evaluation of soybean with tissue culture.
AB  - The objectives of this study were: (i) to develop a tissue culture technique for
      the evaluation of Fe efficiency in soybean, and (ii) to compare the laboratory
      technique with field Fe chlorosis scores. Nineteen genotypes that had low and
      high levels of Fe efficiency were evaluated in the laboratory and at five field
      locations. Friable callus was induced from epicotyl sections, weighed, and placed
      on two different modified Murashige and Skoog media; one low in alpha
      naphthaleneacetic acid and the other low in Fe. Callus growth was rated as lack
      of growth compared to respective controls. As an example, Fe-inefficient
      cultivars ('Asgrow A3205' and 'Pride B216') had significantly reduced growth
      compared to Fe-efficient germ plasm lines ('All' and 'A14'). Correlation between
      the laboratory and field chlorosis rating was highest for the low auxin medium (r
      (2) = 0.78), although correlation for the low Fe medium was also significant (r
      (2) = 0.72). These results show that in vitro evaluation for Fe efficiency can be
      a useful tool for plant breeders. 

PMID- 24220980
TI  - Intergeneric transfer of cytoplasmic male sterility between Raphanus sativus (cms
      line) and Brassica napus through cytoplast-protoplast fusion.
AB  - Cytoplasts isolated from hypocotyl protoplasts of Raphanus sativus cv Kosena (cms
      line) by ultracentrifugation through Percoll/mannitol discontinuous gradient were
      fused with iodoacetamide(IOA)-treated protoplasts of Brassica napus cv Westar.
      Seventeen randomly selected regenerated plants were characterized for morphology
      and chromosome numbers. All of the regenerated plants had morphology identical to
      B. napus and 10 of them possessed the diploid chromosome number of B. napus. The
      remaining plants had chimeric or aneuploid chromosome numbers. The mitochondrial
      genomes in the 10 fusion products possessing the diploid chromosome numbers of B.
      napus were examined by Southern hybridization analysis. Four of the 10 plants
      contained mitochondrial DNA showing novel hybridization patterns. Of these 4
      plants, 1 was male sterile, and 3 were male fertile. The remaining plants showed
      mitochondrial DNA patterns identical to B. napus and were male fertile. 

PMID- 24220981
TI  - Long-term strategy for the statistical design of a forest health monitoring
      system.
AB  - A conceptual framework is given for a broad-scale survey of forest health that
      accomplishes three objectives: generate descriptive statistics; detect changes in
      such statistics; and simplify analytical inferences that identify, and possibly
      establish cause-effect relationships. Our paper discusses the development of
      sampling schemes to satisfy these three objectives, but without any design
      restrictions implied by existing sample surveys. A general vision of a desirable
      future system will increase chances that short-term decisions will lead to better
      environmental monitoring systems in the long term. 

PMID- 24220982
TI  - Patchy distributions: Optimising sample size.
AB  - A method for estimating sample size which does not require an a priori definition
      of desired precision, or the assumption that the population is normally
      distributed with constant variance, has recently been proposed. This paper
      discusses this method and presents five modifications which make the method
      easier to use and reduce the probability of estimating a larger sample size than
      is actually required. The method is extended and used to estimate the mean
      abundance of patchily distributed benthic organisms. The technique can be used to
      guide the design of any environmental sampling programme, be it physical,
      chemical or biological, where comparisons between times and/or locations are
      required. Trade-offs between numbers of replicates and numbers of levels/sites
      are discussed. 

PMID- 24220983
TI  - Air quality monitoring for multiple pollutants: Optimization of a network around
      a hypothetical potash plant and two thermal power stations in open countryside.
AB  - A method is presented for the design of multi-pollutant air quality monitoring
      networks (AQMN). This technique leads to an optimal network, i.e. a network
      providing a maximum of information with a minimum of measurement devices. The
      spatial correlation analysis technique is used to compare the information given
      by the potential sites that may form the network. The concept of potential of
      violation is defined to take into account the number of times that the maximum
      emission values tolerated by law are exceeded. Both objectives are weighted
      automatically through an adjustable parameter, b, for which an estimation
      procedure has been developed in this study, depending on the purpose of the
      network. Several methods are described, allowing simultaneous consideration of
      different pollutants. As an illustration of these methods, a number of air
      quality monitoring networks is designed to perform an analysis of the
      environmental impact due to a hypothetical potash processing plant and two
      thermal power stations. 

PMID- 24220984
TI  - Organochlorine contaminant concentrations in caddisfly adults (Trichoptera)
      collected from great lakes connecting channels.
AB  - Pennsylvania-style light traps were used to capture adult Trichoptera from the
      St. Marys, St. Clair, Detroit and Niagara rivers, Canada. Adequate biomass was
      acquired in single, 2-h collections to permit triplicate gas chromatographic
      analyses of 1-4 g samples for 36 organochlorine contaminants. Contaminant levels
      varied unpredictably but relatively little among samples taken at monthly
      intervals over the summer. Samples collected simultaneously from the two sides of
      the Detroit R. reflected local sediment contaminant patterns, suggesting limited
      dispersal by adults. Genus-specific differences in contaminant concentrations
      within the Hydropsychidae and Leptoceridae probably reflect differences in larval
      habitats and manner of feeding. Contaminant concentrations and relative
      composition paralleled published reports of contaminants in sediments from
      collection locations. St. Marys R. caddisflies contained contaminant levels
      indistinguishable from samples collected at reference sites. St. Clair R. samples
      contained high levels of compounds associated with petrochemical industries
      located in the river's upstream reaches. High levels of polychlorinated biphenyls
      (PCBs) and most other contaminants in Detroit R. samples reflected industrial
      loadings near Detroit, Michigan. Niagara R. samples contained elevated
      concentrations of PCBs and pesticides. Cluster analysis grouped samples into five
      clusters each with unique contaminant composition. These also corresponded to
      geographic origin: St. Marys, St. Clair, Detroit and upper and lower Niagara
      rivers. The relative ease of collection and consistent results obtained render
      adult Trichoptera potentially valuable candidates for surveys of aquatic
      contamination over a broad range of geographical and ecological conditions. 

PMID- 24220985
TI  - Development of the hypophysis of the arctic lamprey, Lampetra japonica.
AB  - The hypophysis of early larval stages, from the moment of hatching on the 18th
      day after fertilization to the 101st day of larval life, of the arctic lamprey
      Lampetra japonica was studied with scanning and transmission electron
      microscopes. A solid cord of cells of the distal part of the nasopharyngeal duct
      represents the early adenohypophysis. On the 20th day after fertilization,
      several of the epithelial cells of this structure showed first indications of
      secretory activity with an extensive Golgi apparatus and small electron-dense
      secretory granules. On the 26th day, non-secretory, stellate (=supporting) cells
      and secretary cells can be distinguished. Already on the 39th day, two different
      parts can be distinguished in the adenohypophysis: the pars distalis with cells
      containing small dense granules, and the pars intermedia with cells containing
      larger granules of medium density. The number of granulated cells increases
      steadily; on the 101st day two pars distalis cell types can be distinguished. The
      neurohypophysis consists of a thin anterior and a thick posterior part. Already
      on the 20th day single nerve terminals in the ependymal layer of the diencephalic
      (=infundibular) floor contain dense elementary granules. The number of granule
      containing terminals increases steadily; on the 101st day almost all terminals
      contain granules. The present observations suggest an early secretory function of
      the lamprey hypophysis. 

PMID- 24220986
TI  - Neuroendocrine control of reproduction in lampreys.
AB  - In most vertebrate classes, the hypothalamus and pituitary have well-defined
      roles in the control of reproduction. Until recently, there was little evidence
      for neuroendocrine control of reproduction in lampreys, one of the only two
      living representative groups of the oldest lineage of vertebrates, the Agnathans.
      The question whether there is hypothalamic control over reproduction has special
      significance since these fishes, with the hagfishes, are modern descendants of
      the most primitive vertebrates available for study. This paper summarizes the
      studies on the structure and function of lamprey GnRH which provide evidence for
      the regulatory influence of the hypothalamus on the pituitary-gonadal axis. These
      data imply that evolution of this mechanism most likely antedated the origin of
      all known vertebrates. 

PMID- 24220987
TI  - The role of external and internal factors during the phase of reproduction in
      lampreys, with special regard to the interplay between gonadal and extragonadal
      (interrenal) steroids.

PMID- 24220988
TI  - Morphogenesis of somatostatin- and insulin-secreting cells in the lamprey
      endocrine pancreas.
AB  - The development of the endocrine pancreatic tissue during the entire life cycle
      of lampreys was provided through a review of previous literature and through a
      description of new, preliminary immunohistochemical data on a number of species.
      There seems to be no firm conclusions on the method of development of the
      endocrine pancreas during embyrogenesis, but observations of 79-day old larvae
      suggest that somatostatin-positive cells are confined to the epithelium of the
      alimentary canal, which is also the site at which insulin-immunoreactive islets
      form. This type of cellular distribution and morphogenesis at the oesophago
      intestinal junction continues throughout the larval period. In northern
      hemisphere species, a caudal pancreatic mass forms at metamorphosis from the
      transformed epithelium of the bile duct. Evidence is presented to suggest that
      the process of bile duct degeneration and transformation is highly synchronized
      and that interference with the morphogenetic event will alter the normal
      distribution of pancreatic islets in the adult. The position of the bile duct in
      larvae of southern hemisphere species results in no caudal pancreas in adults.
      The adult cranial pancreas of all lamprey species, forms from remnants of the
      larval islets and through proliferation of new islets from the epithelium of the
      developing intestinal diverticulum. In holarctic lampreys, the cranial and caudal
      masses are connected by a discontinuous intermediate cord of islets and all three
      regions contain equal numbers of somatostatin- and insulin-immunoreactive cells.
      Following metamorphosis, growth of the caudal pancreas occurs through cellular
      proliferation from within but the cranial pancreas continues to recruit islets
      from the diverticular epithelium through the upstream-migrant (prespawning)
      period. 

PMID- 24220989
TI  - Gut hormones in cyclostomes.
AB  - The current state of knowledge about regulatory peptides in endocrine cells and
      nerves of the alimentary canal of lampreys and hagfishes is reviewed. Cyclostomes
      have a wide range of peptides similar immunochemically to those of higher
      vertebrates. They include, in the endocrine cells of the intestine, peptides
      resembling glucagon, gastrin/cholecystokinin, peptide YY (pancreatic
      polypeptide/neuropeptide Y), substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide,
      somatostatin and, in the larval stages at least, insulin. The enteric nerves of
      some lamprey species contain peptides resembling bombesin (gastrin-releasing
      peptide) and calcitonin gene-related peptide, as well as serotonin. The
      occurrence of other peptides is less well documented.Little is known of the
      molecular structure or the biological roles of the enteric peptides in
      cyclostomes. Extraction, purification, sequencing and physiological experiments
      are greatly needed. 

PMID- 24220990
TI  - Seasonal and estradiol-17beta-stimulated changes in thyroid function of adult
      Geotria australis, a southern hemisphere lamprey.
AB  - Measurable in vitro hepatic monodeiodinase activity of the southern hemisphere
      lamprey, Geotria australis, was present only during the first 5 of the 16 month
      upstream spawning migration of this species. The production of T3 from T4 in
      vitro was pH-sensitive, and exhibited typical Michaelis-Menton kinetics. No
      consistent differences in the serum T4 concentrations were found in animals
      sampled at different times during the period of their residence in fresh water.
      However, serum T3 concentrations underwent a progressive decline during this
      period. Estradiol-17beta (E2), administered as a suspension in hydrogenated
      coconut oil, induced a lowering of serum T4 concentrations and a rise in serum
      T3:T4 ratios, but had no measureable effect on liver size and serum
      concentrations of total calcium and protein. In the males, E2 induced the
      production of a small amount of a serum protein assumed to be vitellogenin, but
      there was no conspicuous increase in the amount of the same protein in females.
      This response to E2-challenge parallels more closely that of cyprinids than that
      of salmonids. 

PMID- 24220991
TI  - Xanthine derivatives quantification in serum by capillary zone electrophoresis.
AB  - A capillary electrophoresis method was developed to quantify caffeine and
      theophylline, xanthine derivatives with bronchodilator activity. Buffer
      concentration, pH and applied voltage were optimized using a central composite
      design-face centred. Separation conditions were: silica capillary tube, 75 MUm
      (i.d.) and 61 cm (total length); absorbance detection, 280 nm; borate buffer, 20
      mM, pH 9.0; applied voltage, 25 kV and 1 psi injection/8 s. Validation was
      performed in blank serum following the International Conference Harmonization
      guidelines: resolution (peaks without overlapping), linear range (0.125-50 ug/mL;
      r(2) > 0.9999), limits of detection and quantification (10; 20 and 33; 66 ppb for
      caffeine and theophylline, respectively), intra- and inter-day precision
      (Relative standard deviation lower than 1.9%) and accuracy (98-101%). Migration
      times were <8 min. This method is simple, specific and suitable and reaches high
      label claims (98.7-100.4%) in pharmaceutical formulations analysis. Moreover, the
      method was applied to the monitoring of the analytes in serum of patients. 

PMID- 24220992
TI  - Purification of two triterpenoids from Schisandra chinensis by macroporous resin
      combined with high-speed counter-current chromatography.
AB  - A method for preparative purification of corosolic acid and nigranoic acid from
      Schisandra chinensis (SC) was established using a combination of macroporous
      absorption resin column separation and high-speed counter-current chromatography
      (HSCCC). The crude extracts obtained from SC using 70% ethanol were separated on
      a macroporous resin column and then eluted with a graded ethanol series. The 70%
      ethanol fraction was used as the sample for separation of the two triterpenoids
      by HSCCC. The two-phase solvent system used for HSCCC separation was chloroform-n
      butanol-methanol-water (10:0.5:7:4, v/v/v/v). The upper phase was used as the
      stationary phase of HSCCC. Corosolic acid (16.4 mg) of 96.3% purity and nigranoic
      acid (9.5 mg) of 98.9% purity were obtained in a one-step HSCCC separation from
      100 mg of the sample. The structures of corosolic acid and nigranoic acid were
      identified by (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and (13)C-NMR. 

PMID- 24220993
TI  - Monte carlo studies of electronic processes in dye-sensitized solar cells.
AB  - This topic reviews random walk Monte Carlo simulation models of charge transport
      in DSSC. The main electron transport approaches used are covered. Monte Carlo
      methods and results are explained, addressing the continuous time random walk
      model developed for transport in disordered materials in the context of the large
      number of trap states present in the electron transporting material. Multiple
      timescale MC models developed to look at the morphology dependence of electron
      transport are described. The concluding section looks at future applications of
      these methods and the related MC models for polymer blend cells. 

PMID- 24220994
TI  - Dispersion corrected hartree-fock and density functional theory for organic
      crystal structure prediction.
AB  - We present and evaluate dispersion corrected Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density
      Functional Theory (DFT) based quantum chemical methods for organic crystal
      structure prediction. The necessity of correcting for missing long-range electron
      correlation, also known as van der Waals (vdW) interaction, is pointed out and
      some methodological issues such as inclusion of three-body dispersion terms are
      discussed. One of the most efficient and widely used methods is the semi
      classical dispersion correction D3. Its applicability for the calculation of
      sublimation energies is investigated for the benchmark set X23 consisting of 23
      small organic crystals. For PBE-D3 the mean absolute deviation (MAD) is below the
      estimated experimental uncertainty of 1.3 kcal/mol. For two larger pi-systems,
      the equilibrium crystal geometry is investigated and very good agreement with
      experimental data is found. Since these calculations are carried out with huge
      plane-wave basis sets they are rather time consuming and routinely applicable
      only to systems with less than about 200 atoms in the unit cell. Aiming at
      crystal structure prediction, which involves screening of many structures, a pre
      sorting with faster methods is mandatory. Small, atom-centered basis sets can
      speed up the computation significantly but they suffer greatly from basis set
      errors. We present the recently developed geometrical counterpoise correction
      gCP. It is a fast semi-empirical method which corrects for most of the inter- and
      intramolecular basis set superposition error. For HF calculations with nearly
      minimal basis sets, we additionally correct for short-range basis incompleteness.
      We combine all three terms in the HF-3c denoted scheme which performs very well
      for the X23 sublimation energies with an MAD of only 1.5 kcal/mol, which is close
      to the huge basis set DFT-D3 result. 

PMID- 24220996
TI  - Nodal combined blue nevus and benign nevus cells in multiple axillary sentinel
      nodes in a patient with breast carcinoma: report of a case.
AB  - Combined blue nevus and benign nevus cells were identified in the same sentinel
      lymph node. Blue nevus alone was also present in an additional sentinel lymph
      node in the same axilla in a patient who underwent needle localization, wide
      local excision, and sentinel lymph node biopsy for her pT1cN1mi(sn)M(na) invasive
      duct carcinoma of the breast. Of the 4 sentinel lymph nodes, 1 showed
      micrometastasis and 2 other lymph nodes showed blue nevus involving the capsule
      and trabeculae of the nodes. The patient had no significant previous clinical
      history of any skin tumors and had a negative clinical examination for malignant
      melanoma or pigmented skin lesions after the diagnosis of nodal blue nevus. To
      our knowledge, this is the first case report of combined blue nevi involving
      multiple sentinel lymph nodes in the same axilla. An equally interesting finding
      is the presence of benign nonpigmented nevus cells in continuation with the blue
      nevus in the same node. 

PMID- 24220995
TI  - Neurological damage in MSUD: the role of oxidative stress.
AB  - Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a metabolic disease caused by a deficiency in
      the branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex, leading to the
      accumulation of branched-chain keto acids and their corresponding branched-chain
      amino acids (BCAA) in patients. Treatment involves protein-restricted diet and
      the supplementation with a specific formula containing essential amino acids
      (except BCAA) and micronutrients, in order to avoid the appearance of
      neurological symptoms. Although the accumulation of toxic metabolites is
      associated to appearance of symptoms, the mechanisms underlying the brain damage
      in MSUD remain unclear, and new evidence has emerged indicating that oxidative
      stress contributes to this damage. In this context, this review addresses some of
      the recent findings obtained from cells lines, animal studies, and from patients
      indicating that oxidative stress is an important determinant of the
      pathophysiology of MSUD. Recent works have shown that the metabolites accumulated
      in the disease induce morphological alterations in C6 glioma cells through
      nitrogen reactive species generation. In addition, several works demonstrated
      that the levels of important antioxidants decrease in animal models and also in
      MSUD patients (what have been attributed to protein-restricted diets). Also,
      markers of lipid, protein, and DNA oxidative damage have been reported in MSUD,
      probably secondary to the high production of free radicals. Considering these
      findings, it is well-established that oxidative stress contributes to brain
      damage in MSUD, and this review offers new perspectives for the prevention of the
      neurological damage in MSUD, which may include the use of appropriate
      antioxidants as a novel adjuvant therapy for patients. 

PMID- 24220997
TI  - Combined mesothelial cyst and lymphangioma of the small bowel: a distinct hybrid
      intra-abdominal cyst.
AB  - Intra-abdominal cysts have a variety of origins, of which lymphatic and
      mesothelial types are the most commonly encountered. Here we describe a combined
      mesothelial cyst and lymphangioma arising within the small bowel subserosa of an
      80-year-old woman. This was found incidentally at laparotomy performed for an
      unrelated condition. To date, such a hybrid lesion has not been previously
      reported. The ways by which this lesion might have arisen are discussed. 

PMID- 24220998
TI  - Fibroblastic Reticulum Cell Tumor of Spleen: A Case Report.
AB  - Fibroblastic reticulum cells (FBRCs) belong to a major subtype of stromal support
      cells in the lymphoid system and rarely give rise to tumors. We report a case of
      fibroblastic reticulum cell tumor arising in the spleen. The tumor was clinically
      and radiologically mistaken for a metastatic deposit in the spleen.
      Microscopically the tumor was composed of spindle cells arranged in fascicles and
      storiform pattern. The cells had oval to elongated vesicular nuclei and pale
      eosinophilic cytoplasm with indistinct cell borders. There were admixed
      inflammatory cells, including large numbers of plasma cells. The tumor cells were
      positive for smooth muscle actin, desmin, AE1/AE3, and MNF116. They were negative
      for S100, CD1a, CD21, CD23, CD34, CD31, and CD35 among other markers. The
      morphological features and immunoprofile of this rare tumor in comparison to the
      few cases reported in the literature are discussed along with the positive
      reaction with cytokeratins and their relationship to the smaller subset of FBRCs,
      the cytokeratin-positive interstitial reticulum cells in the spleen. 

PMID- 24220999
TI  - Genetic variability for esterase enzyme in Onobrychis species.
AB  - Understanding polymorphism at the enzyme level is basic to its use in population
      and genetic studies. However, no such information is available on the variability
      among different sainfoin (Onobrychis) species. Therefore, our objective was to
      study the existence of genetic polymorphism for esterase in 17 Onobrychis species
      and three cultivars of O. viciifolia Scop. Three regions of banding were observed
      in all the materials tested, with the number of bands varying from 0 to 3, 3 to
      14, and 1 to 2 bands in each of these zones, which have been designated EST1,
      EST2, and EST3 respectively. All the materials studied had unique banding
      patterns, the only common feature being that all of them, except one species, had
      isozyme 1. Identification was possible only for four species (O. iberica, O.
      kachetica, O. transcaucasica, and O. bieberstenii) and one cultivar ('Nova')
      based on the banding patterns. Large diversity was evident from the wide range of
      percent similarity values (0%-79%). Subsequent studies should be directed in
      using these isozyme banding patterns as markers to the desirable agronomic and
      quality traits of different germplasm lines. 

PMID- 24221000
TI  - RFLP analysis of phylogenetic relationships and genetic variation in the genus
      Lycopersicon.
AB  - Forty single-copy, nuclear probes of known chromosomal position were used to
      examine restriction fragment length polymorphism in the tomato genus Lycopersion.
      The probes were from three libraries: one cDNA, and two genomic libraries
      [Symbol: see text]ne genomic made with EcoRI and the other with PstI. Total DNA
      from 156 plants representing eight species was cut with five different
      restriction enzymes and scored in 198 probe-enzyme combinations. Genetic
      distances between accessions (populations) and species were calculated from the
      resultant restriction patterns and proportion of shared bands. Accessions
      belonging to the same species largely clustered together, confirming their
      current classification. However, one mountain accession, classified as L.
      peruvianum var. humifusum (LA2150), was sufficiently distinct from the other
      accessions of L. peruvianum that it may qualify as a separate species L.
      esculentum and L. pimpinellifolium were the least clearly differentiated,
      possibly reflecting introgressive hybridization, known to have been promoted by
      man in recent history. Dendrograms constructed from cDNA versus genomic clones
      were nearly identical in their general grouping of species. The dendrograms
      revealed two major dichotomies in the genus: one corresponding to mating behavior
      [self-compatible (SC) versus self-incompatible (SI) species] and the other
      corresponding to fruit color (red versus green-fruited species). The ratio of
      withinversus between-accession diversity was much lower for SC species,
      indicating that most of the diversity within these species exists between
      populations, rather than within populations. Overall, the amount of genetic
      variation in the SI species far exceeded that found in SC species. This result is
      exemplified by the fact that more genetic variation could be found within a
      single accession of one of the SI species (e.g., L. peruvianum) than among all
      accessions tested of any one of the SC species (e.g., L. esculentum or L.
      pimpinellifolium). Results from this study are discussed in relationship to germ
      plasm collection/utilization and with regard to the use of RFLPs in tomato
      breeding and genetics. 

PMID- 24221001
TI  - Transformation of Brassica napus canola cultivars with Arabidopsis thaliana
      acetohydroxyacid synthase genes and analysis of herbicide resistance.
AB  - A survey of selected crop species and weeds was conducted to evaluate the
      inhibition of the enzyme acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) and seedling growth in
      vitro by the sulfonylurea herbicides chlorsulfuron, DPX A7881, DPX L5300, DPX
      M6316 and the imidazolinone herbicides AC243,997, AC263,499, AC252,214.
      Particular attention was given to the Brassica species including canola cultivars
      and cruciferous weeds such as B. kaber (wild mustard) and Thlaspi arvense
      (stinkweed). Transgenic lines of B. napus cultivars Westar and Profit, which
      express the Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type AHAS gene or the mutant gene csr1-1 at
      levels similar to the resident AHAS genes, were generated and compared. The
      mutant gene was essential for resistance to the sulfonylurea chlorsulfuron but
      not to DPX A7881, which appeared to be tolerated by certain Brassica species.
      Cross-resistance to the imidazolinones did not occur. The level of resistance to
      chlorsulfuron in transgenic canola greatly exceeded the levels that were toxic to
      the Brassica species or cruciferous weeds. Direct selection of transgenic lines
      with chlorsulfuron sprayed at field levels under greenhouse conditions was
      achieved. 

PMID- 24221002
TI  - Genetic studies of corn (Zea mays L.) anther culture response.
AB  - Anthers of two maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines, DBTS (P1) and B73 (P2), their
      F1, F2 and first backcross generations - F1 x DBTS (B1), and F1 x B73 (B2) - were
      float cultured in YP medium to study the inheritance of corn anther culturability
      using generation mean analysis. Significant effects of generation were observed
      for the three traits measured: anther response (%), frequency of embryos (%) and
      anther productivity. Variation among the generations was similar for anther
      response and frequency of embryos: no significant differences were found among
      the P1, F1, F2 and B1 means, but the means of P2 and B2 were significantly lower
      than those of the other generations. For anther productivity, the F2 generation
      tended to have a slightly higher tendency for multiple embryo formation. A simple
      additive-dominance model was adequate in explaining the inheritance of anther
      response and frequency of embryos, but digenic epistasis (additive x dominance)
      was involved in the inheritance of anther productivity. Additive genetic variance
      was higher than non-additive genetic variance for all the traits; however, only
      environmental variance was significant. Narrow-sense heritability estimates were
      65% and 75% for anther response and frequency of embryos, respectively.
      Significant inter-plant variation was observed within generations, even for the
      inbred line DBTS, but isozymic analysis involving five enzyme loci did not reveal
      any genotypic variability within the inbred lines DBTS and B73. 

PMID- 24221003
TI  - Fatty acid inheritance in microspore-derived Populations of spring rapeseed
      (Brassica napus L.).
AB  - The inheritance of major fatty acids in seed triglycerides was studied in three
      homozygous microspore-derived populations of spring rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).
      Crosses were made among parents with contrasting amounts of erucic, oleic,
      linoleic and linolenic acids. Microspores from F1 plants were cultured, and
      haploid plants were colchicine-doubled to provide homozygous populations
      reflecting F1 gametic arrays for fatty acid genotypes. Segregation ratios of the
      gametic arrays for specific fatty acid contents were compared to hypothetical
      models by the Chi-square test. Segregation pattern confirmed that erucic acid
      levels were controlled by two major loci, each having two alleles with additive
      effects. Oleic acid segregation indicated control of accumulation by at least two
      segregating genetic systems, one acting on chain elongation and the other
      involving desaturation. Accumulations of erucic acid and oleic acid were
      influenced by the same two loci, which control the chain elongation steps leading
      from oleic acid to erucic acid. Oleic acid was further influenced by at least two
      additional segregating loci involved in control of desaturation of oleic acid to
      form linoleic acid. Segregating alleles at loci involved in desaturation had a
      much smaller influence on oleic acid content than alleles segregating at loci
      controlling, the elongation of oleic acid to erucic acid. In a population free of
      erucic acid, the segregation pattern of linoleic acid levels fit a model
      involving segregating alleles at two loci. In contrast, segregation for linolenic
      acid content fits a three-locus additive model. In this study, microspore culture
      technology provided a rapid method of defining F1 gametic segregation for
      inheritance analyses. 

PMID- 24221004
TI  - Genetic evaluation of haploid clonal lines of a single donor plant of Populus
      maximowiczii.
AB  - Haploid clonal lines derived from anthers of a single donor plant of Populus
      maximowiczii were evaluated for several quantitative traits. In a nursery test,
      variances due to clonal lines ranged from 8% to 12% of the phenotypic variance in
      growth cessation and flushing date, respectively. No variance in relative shoot
      growth rate was associated with clonal lines. In a greenhouse study, gametoclonal
      variance in several leaf morphology traits ranged from 9% to 37% of the total
      variance. In relative wood density, variation due to haploid lines accounted for
      25% of the total variance. In an isozyme analysis of 20 haploid and dihaploid
      plants, significant non-Mendelian segregation in isocitrate dehydrogenase was
      detected. The implications of these results for tree breeding are discussed. 

PMID- 24221005
TI  - Efficient gene introduction into rice by electroporation and analysis of
      transgenic plants: use of electroporation buffer lacking chloride ions.
AB  - We have developed a method for reproducibly obtaining transgenic rice at a high
      frequency (10(-4)): electroporation with a buffer in which chloride ions are
      replaced with organic acids. Co-transformation frequencies of the beta
      glucuronidase (GUS) and hygromycin phosphotransferase (HPT) genes located on two
      separate plasmids were higher than 50%. Transgenic rice plants contained multiple
      copies of introduced genes integrated into their genomes in a complex manner. GUS
      enzyme activity was not proportional to gene copy number. Introduced HPT genes
      were detected and expressed in the progeny of transformants. 

PMID- 24221006
TI  - Asymmetric hybridization between Nicotiana tabacum and N. repanda by donor
      recipient protoplast fusion: transfer of TMV resistance.
AB  - Genetically asymmetric hybrids were recovered by fusion of Nicotiana tabacum
      protoplasts with irradiated protoplasts of kanamycin-resistant, nopalineproducing
      plants of N. repanda. Hybrid calli were selected by culture on media containing
      kanamycin and were regenerated. These plants were morphologically similar to N.
      tabacum but produced nopaline, indicating they retained genes from N. repanda.
      Esterase isozyme profiles also indicated that the plants are somatic hybrids, but
      are more similar to N. tabacum than N. repanda. Chromosome counts showed most of
      the hybrids had 55-62 chromosomes, which is consistent with extensive, although
      incomplete elimination of N. repanda chromosomes. The hybrids were largely male
      sterile, but about half of them set seed when crossed with N. tabacum. Chromosome
      numbers of the progeny and the pattern of inheritance of kanamycin resistance
      indicated the continued elimination of N. repanda genetic material in these
      backcrosses. The N. repanda parent used in these fusions gave a hypersensitive
      response to TMV, whereas the N. tabacum parent was TMV sensitive. When inoculated
      with TMV, plants from two hybrid clones gave a hypersensitive response. Plants
      from the other clones became systemically infected with the virus. 

PMID- 24221007
TI  - Genetic diversity for restriction fragment length polymorphisms and heterosis for
      two diallel sets of maize inbreds.
AB  - Changes that may have occurred over the past 50 years of hybrid breeding in maize
      (Zea maize L.) with respect to heterosis for yield and heterozygosity at the
      molecular level are of interest to both maize breeders and quantitative
      geneticists. The objectives of this study were twofold: The first, to compare two
      diallels produced from six older maize inbreds released in the 1950's and earlier
      and six newer inbreds released during the 1970's with respect to (a) genetic
      variation for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and (b) the size
      of heterosis and epistatic effects, and the second, to evaluate the usefulness of
      RFLP-based genetic distance measures in predicting heterosis and performance of
      single-cross hybrids. Five generations (parents, F1; F2, and backcrosses) from
      the 15 crosses in each diallel were evaluated for grain yield and yield
      components in four Iowa environments. Genetic effects were estimated from
      generation means by ordinary diallel analyses and by the Eberhart-Gardner model.
      Newer lines showed significantly greater yield for inbred generations than did
      older lines but smaller heterosis estimates. In most cases, estimates of additive
      x additive epistatic effects for yield and yield components were significantly
      positive for both groups of lines. RFLP analyses of inbred lines included two
      restriction enzymes and 82 genomic DNA clones distributed over the maize genome.
      Eighty-one clones revealed polymorphisms with at least one enzyme. In each set,
      about three different RFLP variants were typically found per RFLP locus. Genetic
      distances between inbred lines were estimated from RFLP data as Rogers' distance
      (RD), which was subdivided into general (GRD) and specific (SRD) Rogers'
      distances within each diallel. The mean and range of RDs were similar for the
      older and newer lines, suggesting that the level of heterozygosity at the
      molecular level had not changed. GRD explained about 50% of the variation among
      RD values in both sets. Cluster analyses, based on modified Rogers' distances,
      revealed associations among lines that were generally consistent with
      expectations based on known pedigree and on previous research. Correlations of RD
      and SRD with f1 performance, specific combining ability, and heterosis for yield
      and yield components, were generally positive, but too small to be of predictive
      value. In agreement with previous studies, our results suggest that RFLPs can be
      used to investigate relationships among maize inbreds, but that they are of
      limited usefulness for predicting the heterotic performance of single crosses
      between unrelated lines. 

PMID- 24221008
TI  - Multivariate analysis of polypeptide synthesis in field-grown maize inbreds and
      hybrids.
AB  - A leaf disc method is described to permit the localized incorporation of (35)S-L
      methionine into polypeptides synthesized in individual leaves of maize plants
      grown in the field. The method of incorporation employs minimal external
      manipulation of the intact leaf, is simple, repeatable, and may be used at any
      plant age after leaf emergence. Incorporation (cpm/MUg protein) in 12 leaves per
      plant was compared among three inbred (Oh43, W23, M14) and three F1 hybrid
      (Oh43/M14, W23/M14, Oh43/W23) genotypes. The incorporation was 40% higher (hybrid
      versus inbred) in 9 of the 12 leaves studied. Samples from leaf 07 (7th leaf
      numbered from base of plant) for four inbreds (Oh43, M14, B73, Mol 7) and two
      pairs of reciprocal F1 hybrids (Oh43/M14, M14/Oh43; B73/Mo17, Mo17/B73) were
      labelled in situ using the leaf disc method. Each cultivar was sampled at three
      different ages in each of 1985, 1986, and 1987. High-resolution, two-dimensional
      isoelectric focusing sodium-dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
      and fluorography were used to display the polypeptides synthesized in the
      samples. Multivariate methods - Principal Coordinate Analysis, Cluster Analysis,
      and Standard Deviation Distance - were used to analyze variation and to identify
      trends in the variation for year, genotype, and age sampled. Our analyses
      disclose a hierarchy to polypeptide synthesis variation in maize leaves:
      differences in polypeptide synthesis are greater for year-to-year comparisons
      than differences due to sample age, which in turn are greater than differences
      for inbred versus hybrid comparisons. 

PMID- 24221009
TI  - Methods for predicting rates of inbreeding in selected populations.
AB  - In selected populations, families superior for the selected trait are likely to
      contribute more offspring to the next generation than inferior families and, as a
      consequence, the rate of inbreeding is likely to be higher in selected
      populations than in randomly mated populations of the same structure. Methods to
      predict rates of inbreeding in selected populations are discussed. The method of
      Burrows based on probabilities of coselection is reappraised in conjunction with
      the transition matrix method of Woolliams. The method of Latter based on
      variances and covariances of family size is also examined. These methods are one
      generation approaches in the sense that they only account for selective advantage
      over a single generation, from parents to offspring. Two-generation methods are
      developed that account for selective advantage over two generations, from
      grandparent to grandoffspring as well as from parent to offspring. Predictions
      are compared to results from simulation. The best one-generation method was found
      to underpredict rates of inbreeding by 10-25%, and the two-generation methods
      were found to underpredict rates of inbreeding by 9-18%. 

PMID- 24221010
TI  - Inheritance of tolerance to rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) in rice (Oryza
      sativa L.).
AB  - From a large number of rice varieties tested, no variety was identified as
      resistant to tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV). Only in Utri Merah was the RTBV
      multiplication restrictive, whereas other varieties such as Kataribhog and
      Pankhari 203 were identified as tolerant. These varieties were crossed with a
      susceptible variety. TN1, to study the inheritance of restrictive multiplication
      and tolerance to RTBV. After 3 weeks of inoculation with RTBV, F1; F2, and F3
      progenies were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The RTBV
      concentration in all F1 populations was intermediate between parents. The
      frequency distribution of F2 seedlings with various levels of RTBV concentration
      indicated that the RTBV tolerance is controlled by multiple genes. The RTBV
      concentrations in F1 and F2 progenies from the Utri Merah x TN1 cross revealed
      that restrictive multiplication of RTBV in Utri Merah is a polygenic character.
      The continuous variation observed in F2 populations from crosses between tolerant
      varieties and Utri merah indicated no allelic relationships between tolerant and
      restrictive multiplication traits. 

PMID- 24221011
TI  - Allozyme marker loci associated with favorable alleles for grain yield in maize.
AB  - The evaluation of germplasm to identify its potential as a source of new
      favorable alleles is a time-consuming phase of maize hybrid breeding programs.
      The objective of this paper was to study the relationship between allozyme
      diversity and quantitative estimators of the relative number of new favorable
      alleles for grain yield, present in donor lines but not present in the elite
      hybrid. Twenty-two maize inbred lines representing heterotic groups from the
      United States (US) and Yugoslavia (YU) were used as donors to estimate the
      presence of new favorable alleles for grain yield improvement for the hybrid B73
      x Mo17. In a second experiment, a 15-line diallel was grown, and 13 single
      crosses differing in allozyme relatedness measure (ARM) and heterotic grouping
      were considered as targets to be improved by the remaining 13 lines. Minimally
      biased estimates of new favorable alleles for grain yield (MUG) and ARM values
      were made for all donor lines within each target hybrid. Donor lines were grouped
      in four allozyme-pedigree classes for each target hybrid to compare the effect of
      allozyme diversity with pedigree diversity. Pedigree dissimilarities had
      significant effects on MUG estimates. Dissimilar pedigree classes had higher MUG
      estimates than similar pedigree classes. Allozyme differences between donor
      inbred lines and target hybrids had inconsistent effects on MUG estimates.
      Significant differences in MUG estimates among allozyme classes were found for
      31% of the target hybrids. Classes with similar allozymes had higher MUG
      estimates more frequently than classes with disimilar allozymes. Correlation
      coefficients between MUG estimates and ARM values were low and not significant
      for 12 of the 14 target hybrids. 

PMID- 24221012
TI  - Multidisciplinary approach to genome analysis in the diploid species, Thinopyrum
      bessarabicum and Th. elongatum (Lophopyrum elongatum), of the Triticeae.
AB  - The J and E genome species of the Triticeae are invaluable sources of salt
      tolerance. The evidence concerning the phyletic relatedness of the J genome of
      diploid Thinopyrum bessarabicum and the E genome of diploid Th. elongatum
      (=Lophopyrum elongatum) is discussed. Low level of chromosome pairing between J
      and E at different ploidy levels, suppression of J-E pairing by the Ph1 pairing
      regulator that inhibits homoeologous pairing, complete sterility of the diploid
      hybrids (JE), karyotypic divergence of the two genomes, differences in total
      content and distribution of heterochromatin along their chromosomes, and marked
      differences in gliadin proteins, isozymes, 5S DNA, and rDNA indicate that J and E
      are distinct genomes. Well-defined biochemical markers have been identified in
      the two genomes and may be useful in plant breeding. The level of distinction
      between J and E is comparable to that among the universally accepted homoeologous
      genomes A, B, and D of wheat. Therefore, the J and E genomes are homoeologous and
      not homologous, although some workers continue to call them homologous. The
      previous workers' data on chromosome pairing in diploid hybrids and/ or
      karyotypic differences in the conventionally stained chromosomes do not provide
      sufficient evidence for the proposed merger of J and E genomes (and, hence, of
      the genera Thinopyrum and Lophopyrum) specifically and for establishing genome
      relationships generally. Extra precautions should be exercised before changing
      the designation of an established genome and before merging two genera. A
      uniform, standardized system of genomic nomenclature for the entire Triticeae is
      proposed, which should benefit cytogeneticists, plant breeders, taxonomists, and
      evolutionists. 

PMID- 24221013
TI  - Intergeneric hybridization between Diplotaxis siifolia, a wild species and crop
      brassicas.
AB  - Attempts were made to obtain intergeneric hybrids between Diplotaxis siifolia, a
      wild species, and cultivars of Brassica (B. campestris, B. juncea, and B. napus).
      The crosses showed unilateral incompatibility. When the wild species was used as
      female parent, pollen germination and pollen tube growth were normal, but hybrid
      seeds aborted due to post-fertilization barriers. Reciprocal crosses (cultivars
      as female parent) showed strong pre-fertilization barriers; although pollen
      grains showed germination, pollen tubes failed to enter the stigma. Hybrids were
      realized in two of the crosses, D. siifolia x B. juncea and D. siifolia x B.
      napus, through ovary culture. The hybrids were multiplied in vitro by
      multiplication of axillary shoots, or somatic embryogenesis. Detailed studies
      were carried out on the hybrid D. siifolia x B. juncea. F1 hybrids had shrivelled
      anthers and were pollen sterile. Amphiploids of this hybrid showed 60% pollen
      fertility and produced seeds upon self-pollination as well as backcross
      pollination with the pollen of B. juncea. 

PMID- 24221014
TI  - Durable resistance to two leaf blights in two maize inbred lines.
AB  - It has been determined that the occurrence of 'durable resistance' as defined by
      Johnson and Kranz operates in maize inbred lines CM104 and CM105 against the leaf
      blight pathogens Setosphaeria turcica (= Exserohilum turcicum) and Drechslera
      maydis (=Cochliobolus heterostrophus), by analyzing data for 16 and 14 years,
      respectively. Essentially the methodology estimated the longevity of cultivar
      resistance by determining whether the regression coefficient of linear regression
      with years of testing and mean disease intensity is zero or not significantly
      different from zero. The values for both Turcicum Leaf Blight and Maydis Leaf
      Blight were not significantly different from zero. The resistant inbred lines
      have been used in hybrid combinations and have the potential to transmit this
      resistance to progenies in hybrid combinations that are governed by additive gene
      action. 

PMID- 24221015
TI  - Fertile somatic hybrids of Solanum species: RFLP analysis of a hybrid and its
      sexual progeny from crosses with potato.
AB  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were used to distinguish
      the chromosomes of Solanum brevidens from those of potato (S. tuberosum) in a
      fertile somatic hybrid. The hybrid had markers that account for all 24 chromosome
      arms from each parent, indicating that the hybrid contained at least one copy of
      each chromosome from each parent. The markers were then used to follow
      segregation of chromosomes in sexual progeny that resulted from a cross of the
      somatic hybrid with the potato cultivar 'Katahdin'. Approximately 10% of the
      sexual progeny lacked one or more of the markers specific to S. brevidens. No one
      chromosome or marker appeared to be lost preferentially. This infrequent absence
      of a chromosome marker derived from the wild parent could be explained by
      intergenomic pairing and recombination. The loss of a marker band for chromosome
      8, coupled with the retention of two flanking markers, suggested that a small
      region of DNA was deleted during regeneration of the somatic hybrid. These
      results show the value of RFLP analysis when applied to somatic hybrids and their
      progeny. Clearly, RFLPs will be useful for following the DNA from wild species
      during its introgression into potato cultivars. 

PMID- 24221016
TI  - Quantitative analysis of correlations among flower traits in Gerbera hybrida
      Compositae : 1. Genetic and environmental correlations.
AB  - Phenotypic (r p ), genetic (r g ), and environmental, (r e ) correlations were
      estimated for 38 flower traits in the Davis population of gerbera (Gerbera
      hybrida, Compositae). Fifty-two percent of r p and 38% of r g were statistically
      significant at P < 0.05. Significant negative r p were infrequent, but
      significant negative r g occurred in 10% of cases. There was a negative
      correlation between estimates of r g and r e , resulting in cases where r g was
      significant, but r p was not. Individual traits varied in their tendency to
      correlate phenotypically or genetically, and positively or negatively, with other
      traits. Traits within the same morphological category, such as disk florets or
      transitional florets, were more highly intercorrelated than were traits from
      different categories. 

PMID- 24221017
TI  - Quantitative analysis of correlations among flower traits in Gerbera hybrida,
      Compositae : 2. Direct and mean correlated response to selection.
AB  - A Mean Correlation Response (MCR) model was developed to estimate the relative
      effectiveness of direct selection when other traits also respond to the
      selection. A measure of the relative effects of mean correlated response and
      direct response (R) and a measure of the relative efficiency of direct selection
      (IE) were applied to a genetic correlation matrix of 38 traits. These were
      measurements of inflorescence, receptacle and involucre, scape, disk florets, ray
      florets, and trans florets in the Davis population of Gerbera hybrida,
      Compositae. Generally, traits with high heritability had high direct and mean
      correlated response; these were often traits measuring disk and trans florets.
      Traits with low heritability had low direct and mean correlated response; these
      were often traits measuring the inflorescence. Traits of the inflorescence had
      the lowest efficiency of direct to mean correlated response. 

PMID- 24221018
TI  - Recurrent selection alternating with haploid steps - a rapid breeding procedure
      for combining agronomic traits in inbreeders.
AB  - Doubled haploid lines are increasingly used in practical breeding programs.
      Depending on the nature of the starting material as well as on the breeding aims,
      one or more haploid steps are recommended, and F1 hybrids or selfed progenies in
      later generations serve as starting material for the haploidization. It is
      demonstrated that one haploid step followed by selection in the greenhouse and in
      the field during the first androgenetic (A1) and two subsequent selfed
      generations (A2; A3) is the most efficient procedure, if characters from related
      varieties are to be combined. For breeding programs that include wild types or
      unrelated genotypes, recurrent selection alternating with several haploid steps
      is the most efficient. A prerequisite for successful application of this
      combination of repeated haploidization and selection steps alternating with
      backcrosses is an effective selection system. The different approaches are
      demonstrated on a winter barley breeding program, with the central aim of
      combining the qualitatively inherited character resistance to barley yellow
      mosaic virus with quantitatively inherited complexes, particularly yield. 

PMID- 24221019
TI  - Heterosis in crosses between geographically separated populations of Drosophila
      melanogaster.
AB  - An experiment was performed to test the hypothesis that the genetic distance
      between populations estimated from enzyme loci could be used to predict the
      amount of heterosis that would occur in crosses between these populations. A
      partial diallel cross using 11 populations of Drosophila melanogaster from the
      AustralianPacific region and from England was carried out. Heterosis for larval
      viability, fecundity, cold shock mortality, and an index of these three traits
      was recorded. When two populations originating from the same location were
      crossed, no heterosis occurred, but otherwise heterosis was significant for all
      traits. For larval viability, a similar low level of heterosis occurred in all
      crosses. For cold shock mortality, the level of heterosis varied widely and
      fecundity showed a pattern intermediate between these two. The geographic
      distance between the sites from which populations originated was not correlated
      with the amount of heterosis in their crosses. There was a tendency for
      populations from ecologically different environments to show heterosis in
      crosses. Genetic distance based on ten enzyme loci was correlated with heterosis
      for cold shock mortality and the combined trait index. These results can be
      explained by the hypothesis that genes affecting larval viability are subject to
      strong, uniform selection in all populations, which limits the extent to which
      gene frequencies can drift apart. However, genes affecting cold shock mortality
      and the enzyme loci are subject to different selection pressures in different
      environments. This divergent selection combined with genetic drift causes
      divergence in gene frequency and heterosis. 

PMID- 24221020
TI  - The spectrum of facial fractures in motor vehicle accidents: an MDCT study of 374
      patients.
AB  - Road traffic accidents are a major health problem worldwide resulting frequently
      in maxillofacial injuries. The purpose of the study was to assess the incidence
      and spectrum of facial fractures in patients involved in a motor vehicle accident
      (MVA). Using picture archiving and communication system, all requests for
      suspected facial trauma were retrieved during a 62-month period; 374 met the
      inclusion criteria. Two researchers interpreted the multidetector computed
      tomography images by consensus. The motor vehicles involved were divided into two
      groups: those involving a passenger car or a larger vehicle and those involving a
      motorized two-wheeler. Furthermore, the motor vehicle accidents were divided into
      collisions and run-off-road accidents. Of the 374 patients (aged 15-80, mean 34),
      271 (72 %) were male and 103 (28 %) female. Of all patients, 262 (70 %) had a
      facial or skull base fracture; of these, multiple separate fractures were present
      in 56 %. Nasal fractures were the most common fractures followed by orbital,
      skull base, and maxillary fractures. Frontal bone, LeFort, and zygomatic arch
      fractures were always accompanied by other fractures. Fractures were more
      frequent in the group of collisions compared with run-off-road accidents. In the
      two-wheeled group, only 15 % did not have facial or skull base fractures.
      Fractures often occur in multitudes as 39 % of all patients have multiple facial
      or skull bone fractures, and thus, emergency radiologists should be familiar with
      the complexity of the injuries. Negative clear sinus sign and low-energy sentinel
      injuries should be trusted as indications of undetected injuries in MVA victims.

PMID- 24221022
TI  - Multi-element geochemical analysis of snow samples: Use of discriminant analysis
      in interpreting the results.
AB  - This paper records the concentrations of major and trace elements determined from
      snow samples collected during a comprehensive survey undertaken in the Scottish
      Highlands during the winter and spring period of 1987. The configuration of
      calculated back-trajectories allowed the samples to be categorized into one of
      five geographical sectors. Discriminant analysis was used to check the validity
      of these calculations, to isolate potentially deviant samples, and to predict the
      possible source of one sample whose back-trajectory could not be computed with
      confidence. Limitations of the statistical method are discussed, but we conclude
      that the technique justifies more use by environmental scientists involved in the
      evaluation of data. 

PMID- 24221021
TI  - Two tobacco AP1-like gene promoters drive highly specific, tightly regulated and
      unique expression patterns during floral transition, initiation and development.
AB  - The genetic engineering of agronomic traits requires an array of highly specific
      and tightly regulated promoters that drive expression in floral tissues. In this
      study, we isolated and characterized two tobacco APETALA1-like (AP1-like)
      promoters (termed NtAP1La and NtAP1Lb1) in transgenic plants using the GUS
      reporter system, along with tissue-specific ablation analyses. Our results
      demonstrated that the two promoters are active in floral inflorescences but not
      in vegetative apical meristems or other vegetative tissues, as reflected by
      strong GUS staining and DT-A-mediated ablation of apical shoot tips during
      reproductive but not vegetative growth. We also showed that the NtAP1Lb1 promoter
      was more active than NtAP1La in inflorescences, as the former yielded higher
      frequencies and greater phenotypic evidence of tissue ablation compared to the
      latter. We further revealed that both promoters were uniformly expressed in the
      meristems of stage 1 and 2 floral buds, but were differentially expressed in
      floral organs later during development. While NtAP1La was found to be active in
      stage 4-5 carpels, later becoming confined to ovary tissue from stage 9 onwards,
      NtAP1Lb1 activity was apparent in all floral organs from stages 3 to 7, becoming
      completely absent in all floral organs from stage 11 onward. Therefore, it seems
      that the two tobacco promoters have acquired similar but distinct inflorescence-,
      floral meristem- and floral organ-specific and development-dependent regulatory
      features without any leaky activity in vegetative tissues. These features are
      novel and have rarely been observed in other flower-specific promoters
      characterized to date. The potential application of these promoters for
      engineering sterility, increasing biomass production and modifying flower
      architecture, as well as their putative use in flower-specific transgene
      excision, will be discussed. 

PMID- 24221023
TI  - Seasonal ecology of hydrocarbon-utilizing microbes in the surface Waters of a
      river.
AB  - Seasonal changes in the microbial communities of the New Calabar Riverwater have
      been investigated. Analyses of the BOD, pH, salinity, oil and grease levels of
      effluents of industries sited along the river were also conducted. High
      hydrocarbon-utilizing microbial populations were found. The percentage of
      hydrocarbon-utilizing heterotrophic bacteria ranged between 0-98% and 0-68% in
      the rainy and dry months, respectively. Counts of hydrocarbon-utilizing
      actinomycetes in the rainy months ranged between 0-95% and 2-55% in the dry
      months. The hydrocarbon-utilizing yeast population ranged between 1-95% and 2-85%
      for the rainy and dry months, respectively. Rainy month values for hydrocarbon
      utilizing mould population ranged from 0-17% while dry month values ranged from 0
      47%. The hydrocarbon-utilizing cyanobacterial population ranged between 0-95% and
      0-33% in the rainy and dry months, respectively. Our results suggest that the
      heterotrophic bacterial and cyanobacterial populations are higher in the rainy
      months than in the dry months. However, the hydrocarbon-utilizing yeast, mould
      and actinomycete populations did not show seasonal variation. 

PMID- 24221024
TI  - Importance of eating habits and sample size in the estimation of environmental
      mercury contamination using biological indicators.
AB  - The importance of eating habits and the number of fish sampled in the estimation
      of mercury environmental contamination through biological indicators was studied.
      The species used were one with piscivorous habits (Anguilla anguilla) and another
      with omnivorous habits (Ciprinus carpio). From one original sample for each
      species, randomized samples were generated using the subroutine GGSRS from the
      mathematics library IMSL, and later the statistical significance of Pearson's
      correlation coefficient for the relationship between fish weight and mercury
      concentrations in muscle was obtained for each random sample. The results show
      that the use of omnivorous species such as Ciprinus carpio as a biological
      indicator of contamination enables us to carry out estimations with a greater
      degree of confidence than when piscivorous species such as Anguilla anguilla are
      used. 

PMID- 24221025
TI  - Statistical trends in ground-water monitoring data at a landfill Superfund site:
      A case study.
AB  - This paper describes the use of statistical regression models to characterize
      temporal trends in groundwater monitoring data collected between 1980 and 1990 on
      15 wells and 13 parameters (195 cases in all) at the KL Avenue landfill site in
      Kalamazoo County, Michigan. This site was used as a municipal landfill prior to
      1980, then was placed on the Superfund site list in 1982 after ground-water
      contamination was found.Six temporal regression trend models were defined using
      linear and quadratic regression models. These trends were used to classify each
      of the 195 cases as: improving, deteriorating, or stable over the 1980-1990 time
      period. Using these classifications it was determined that there were more than
      twice as many improving cases as deteriorating conditions at the KL site during
      this time period. These models provide a method for visualizing and interpreting
      trends in ground-water quality at individual well locations within the
      contaminant plume and for assessing the chemical trend behavior of the overall
      plume. The improving, deteriorating, and stable trend categories were developed
      for two purposes. The first purpose is to facilitate comprehension of information
      contained in large amounts of water quality data. The second is to assist
      communication among the many different groups of people who recommend actions,
      including remediation responsibilities at Superfund sites, like the KL site.A
      normal probability model was used in the trend classifications. This model
      contained provisions to accommodate nondetect data and other 'abnormal'
      laboratory determinations which can influence the trend selection process. The
      robustness of this classification procedure was examined using a lognormal
      probability model. The overall conclusions about the KL site using the lognormal
      model were similar to those obtained using the normal model. However, some
      individual trend indications were different using the lognormal model. The
      Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the adequacy of both the normal and lognormal
      models. The lognormal model was found to be a somewhat more adequate model for
      fitting the KL site data, but was not found to be superior to the normal model
      for each case.The normal and lognormal models were both found to be suitable for
      determining overall trend conditions at this site. Both models are recommended
      for these purposes assuming an understanding of the statistical constraints and
      hydrochemical context. However, it is recommended that the search for more
      adequate trend models continues. 

PMID- 24221026
TI  - Biological monitoring of particulate pollutants during exploration work at a
      niobium mineralization in Greenland.
AB  - The purpose of this investigation was to monitor airborne dipersion of
      particulates in connection with exploration activities at a niobium
      mineralization in the Sarfartoq area, SW Greenland, during the summer of 1989,
      and to provide a basis for monitoring strategies in later phases of the
      development of the mining site. During three periods moss bags were exposed at 9
      stations close to the outcrop and at 3 background stations, and indigenous
      lichens and mosses were sampled before and after the exploration work.Analyses of
      element concentrations showed that the natural enrichment of elements in the
      indigenous vegetation is restricted to areas immediately at or on the outcrop.
      The elements found in elevated concentrations were Nb, La, Ce, Th and U.The moss
      bags and the indigenous monitor organisms showed rises in concentrations of the
      elements Nb, Ce, Cd, Pb and Zn after the exploration activities during the
      summer. This shows that some dispersion of dust has occurred in the area. 

PMID- 24221027
TI  - Phylogeography-based delimitation of subspecies boundaries in the common pheasant
      (Phasianus colchicus).
AB  - To test the validity of subspecies status within the common pheasant (Phasianus
      colchicus), we used genetic data to assess differences among five subspecies
      distributed across the Loess Plateau in central China. Samples were collected
      from 191 individuals representing subspecies P. c. strauchi, P. c. satscheuensis,
      P. c. kiangsuensis, P. c. suehschanensis, and P. c. edzinensis. Analysis of
      mitochondrial genetic variation suggested that there were no phylogenetically
      distinct subspecies clades, and we could not exclude that hybridization has
      occurred among subspecies. A potential explanation of the observed pattern is
      that an increase in common pheasant rearing farms may have led to enforcement of
      hybridization between different subspecies. Consistent with phenotypic data, our
      analysis suggests that a previously identified common pheasant subspecies (P. c.
      strauchi) represents an intermediate form between the subspecies P. c.
      satscheuensis and P. c. suehschanensis. 

PMID- 24221028
TI  - Ascorbate-2-sulfate as a dietary vitamin C source for atlantic salmon (Salmo
      salar): 1. Growth, bioactivity, haematology and humoral immune response.
AB  - The present experiment shows that ascorbate-2-sulfate (AS) is not equivalent to
      ascorbic acid (AA) as a dietary vitamin C source for Atlantic salmon (Salmo
      salar). Within reasonable feed supplemental levels AS does not provide the
      tissues with adequate supplies of vitamin C to secure optimal physiological
      functions as demonstrated by biochemical and haematological analyses.AS could not
      be detected in the liver of fish fed either AA or AS, nor in vitamin C - deprived
      salmon, suggesting that AS is not the natural storage form of vitamin C in this
      species.There were no significant differences in antibody production against a
      soluble artificial antigen (NIP11-LPH) in fish fed 500 and 5000 mg AA/Kg dry diet
      or equivalent amounts of AS during a period of six weeks at a water temperature
      of 7.2 degrees C. 

PMID- 24221029
TI  - Ascorbate-2-sulfate as a dietary vitamin C source for Atlantic salmon (Salmo
      salar): 2. Effects of dietary levels and immunization on the metabolism of trace
      elements.
AB  - Atlantic salmon fingerlings were fed a vitamin C deficient diet for four months.
      The fish were then provided a dry, practical fishmeal based diet supplemented
      with 0, 500 or 5000 mg vitamin C/kg as L-ascorbic acid or equivalent amounts of
      ascorbate-2-sulfate. After six weeks on these diets ten fish in each group were
      injected with a soluble antigen (NIP11-LPH). Six weeks thereafter blood, liver,
      kidney, spleen and vertebrae were examined for trace elements. The livers were
      also analysed for metallothionein.The vitamin C deficient fish were anemic
      despite the significantly elevated iron concentrations in the liver. Vitamin C
      had no positive effect in lowering tissue levels of cadmium. The highest level of
      dietary vitamin C given as ascorbic acid reduced the liver selenium
      concentrations. In response to antigen injection, the fish in all groups showed
      increased levels of hepatic metallothionein, copper, zinc and cadmium, while
      hepatic selenium and iron levels were less affected. The elemental composition in
      other organs was affected by the antigen injection to a minor extent. 

PMID- 24221030
TI  - Isolation, properties and induction of plaice liver cytosolic glutathione-S
      transferases.
AB  - Three cytosolic glutathione S-transferases [E.C. 2.5.1.18] were identified in
      liver of a marine flatfish, the plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and the two major
      isoforms were purified to homogeneity. There was no evidence for the presence of
      basic transferases. The plaice GST's exhibited comparable hematin binding to rat
      ligandin, however, bilirubin was only bound weakly and the enzymes did not
      display the inhibition characteristics of ligandin. They were extremely sensitive
      to inhibition by organotin compounds.Plaice transferase A was a homodimer of Mr
      27 kDa subunits; it displayed strongest activity with CDNB and some activity with
      DCNB as substrates. Specific antibodies to it did not show any relationship with
      other plaice GST's or rat GST subunits 1,2,3,4,7,8 or 10. Plaice transferase B
      was a homodimer of Mr 25 kDa subunits, it displayed similar activities with CDNB
      and DCNB as substrates to transferase A and a low activity with ethacrynic acid
      or p-nitrobenzylchloride. It was immunologically related to the rat alpha class
      transferase subunits 1,2 and 8. A minor form, transferase AM, which was not
      separated from transferase A, appeared to be a heterodimer of Mr 25.5 and 27 kDa
      subunits. It displayed a greater activity with DCNB than the other plaice GST's
      and some activity with bromosulphalein indicative of a possible relationship with
      the Mu class transferases. 

PMID- 24221031
TI  - An increase in the concentration of hepatic iron during the metamorphosis of the
      lamprey Geotria australis is accompanied by increased superoxide dismutase
      activity.
AB  - The concentration of total non-haem iron and its ferritin iron component, and the
      activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), were measured in the livers of
      ammocoetes, metamorphosing animals (stages 1-7) and recently metamorphosed
      downstream migrants of the lamprey Geotria australis. Total non-haem iron in the
      liver rose significantly from 0.15-0.55 MUg.mg wet weight(-1) in ammocoetes and
      metamorphosing stages 1-3 to 2.2-2.9 MUg.mg(-1) in stages 5-7 and to 8.8 MUg.mg(
      1) in downstream migrants. The comparable values for ferritin iron were 0.06
      0.26, 1.4-2.0, and 5.3 MUg.mg(-1). Superoxide dismutase activity fell sharply
      from 0.39 MUg.mg(-1) in large ammocoetes to between 0.07 MUg.mg(-1) in stage 1
      and 0.15 MUg.mg(-1) in stage 6, before rising significantly to 0.26 MUg.mg(-1) in
      stage 7 and 0.35 MUg.mg(-1) in downstream migrants. The sharp fall in SOD
      activity at the beginning of metamorphosis is assumed to be related to the marked
      decline in plasma iron which occurs at the onset of this non-trophic phase in the
      life cycle. It is proposed that the subsequent increase in SOD activity in the
      liver of G. australis with increasing iron represents a mechanism aimed at
      reducing the potentially toxic effects of iron accumulation. This view is
      consistent with the significant and positive correlation found between both total
      non-haem and ferritin iron and SOD activity in the liver of non-trophic animals. 

PMID- 24221032
TI  - Interrelationships between red cell nucleoside triphosphate content, and blood
      pH, O2-tension and haemoglobin concentration in the carp, Cyprinus carpio.
AB  - As a starting point for investigations of possible control factors for the
      nucleoside triphosphate content in carp red cells, we utilized the natural
      variability in blood physico-chemical parameters to test for interrelationships.
      By application of two-variable regression analysis, the red cell NTP content was
      found to be significantly correlated with arterial PO 2 and pH as well as with
      the blood haemoglobin (Hb) concentration. These correlations show a rise in red
      cell NTP content with falling pH as well as with falling Hb concentration,
      whereas a decrease in PO 2 was associated with a decrease in the content of NTP,
      particularly at low PO 2 values. Evaluation based on multiple regression analysis
      suggested that only PO 2 and pH significantly affected the red cell NTP content,
      and that the influence of changes in Hb concentration could be accounted for by
      naturally occurring simultaneous changes in PO 2 and pH. The multifactorial
      control of red cell nucleoside triphosphates is discussed in relation to the role
      of still unknown factors. 

PMID- 24221033
TI  - Anatomic and metabolic responses to thermal acclimation in the ninespine
      stickleback, Pungitius pungitius.
AB  - Male ninespine sticklebacks, Pungitius pungitius, acclimated to 3 degrees C have
      higher activities of mitochondrial enzymes in their axial muscles than males
      acclimated to 20 degrees C. Phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase activities
      tended to be higher in cold than warm acclimated males. For females, warm
      acclimation tended to decrease only mitochondrial enzyme activities. As thermal
      acclimation did not change the physical condition and most anatomic parameters of
      the sticklebacks, the enzymatic changes do not seem due to mobilization of
      somatic reserves. Field acclimatization to warm temperatures led to a marked
      decrease in physical condition in both males and females. This decrease in
      physical condition could largely be attributed to atrophy of the carcass mass.
      Spring males had higher activities of phosphofructokinase, citrate synthase and
      cytochrome oxidase in the axial muscle than summer males. Again, females showed a
      less marked response. These data suggest that environmental temperature is a
      major determinant of muscle aerobic capacity, at least for male ninespine
      sticklebacks. Thus, these northern temperate zone fish retain the capacity for
      thermal compensation, much like their temperate zone counterparts. 

PMID- 24221034
TI  - Mitochondrial NAD(P)-dependent malic enzyme from herring testicular tissue:
      Purification, kinetic behaviour and regulatory properties.
AB  - Mitochondrial NAD(P)-dependent malic enzyme [EC 1.1.1.39, L-malate: NAD(+)
      oxidoreductase (decarboxylating)] was purified from herring testicular tissue to
      a specific activity of 26.4 MUmol NADH/min/mg protein. Herring testicular tissue
      is one of the most abundant sources of this enzyme. The purification procedure
      involved differential centrifugation of mitochondria and then chromatography on
      DEAE-Sephacel, Red Agarose and Sephacryl S-300. This enzyme catalyzes the
      oxidative decarboxylation of malate in the presence of Mn(2+) and either NAD or
      NADP. Under Vmax conditions the ratios for the rate of NAD/NADP reduction was
      1.8. A study of the reductive carboxulation reaction indicated that this enzyme
      reaction is reversible; at pH 7.0 the reverse reaction exhibited 22% of the
      activity of forward reaction. Some kinetic characteristics of the enzyme were
      determined. ATP was found to be a competitive inhibitor with respect to malate.
      Fumarate reversed ATP inhibition. Regulation of NAD(P)-dependent malic enzyme
      from herring testicular tissue mitochondria could respond to changing levels of
      mitochondrial ATP and fumarate in vivo. 

PMID- 24221035
TI  - Proteins of seminal fluid and spermatozoa in the trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss):
      Partial characterization and variations.
AB  - The protein composition of seminal fluid, blood serum, sperm plasma membrane and
      flagellum of rainbow trout were analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis. Immunological identity between proteins of the 2 fluids and
      sperm components was studied using crossed immunoelectrophoresis, rocket
      immunoelectrophoresis and immunoblotting. Results indicate that many seminal
      proteins are antigenically-related to serum proteins, proteins of sperm origin
      are present in seminal fluid in varying amounts, depending on the animals and
      sampling time, and several serum-like seminal proteins are bound to
      spermatozoa.Lipoproteins were isolated from seminal fluid (mean level: 33 MUg/ml)
      and characterized. They were identified as being HDL-like lipoproteins. A
      possible physiological role is proposed for these seminal lipoproteins. 

PMID- 24221036
TI  - Short communication: Induced ovulation of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)
      following oral administration of des Gly(10)-(D-Ala (6))LH-RH ethylamide.

PMID- 24221038
TI  - Salinity and temperature effects on whole-animal thyroid hormone levels in larval
      and juvenile striped bass, Morone saxatilis.
AB  - Whole-animal thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) levels were measured
      in larval and juvenile striped bass, Morone saxatilis, reared for 10 days at one
      of three levels of salinity (equivalent to fresh water (FW), one-third seawater
      (1/3 SW), and seawater (SW) and two temperatures (15 degrees C and 20 degrees C).
      The striped bass were pre-metamorphic larvae, metamorphic larvae or juveniles.
      The short-term effects of seawater on plasma T4 levels of juvenile striped bass
      were also measured. Higher salinities increased T4 levels in premetamorphic
      larvae. In metamorphic larvae, SW and 1/3 SW increased T4 levels and SW increased
      T3 levels at 20 degrees C. This response was eliminated in those at 15 degrees C.
      Whole-animal thyroid hormone content was unaffected by salinity or temperature in
      juvenile striped bass, although significant fluctuations in plasma T4 levels
      occurred in those transferred to 1/3 SW and SW. The thyroid axis of striped bass
      responds to salinity and temperature as early as in the pre-metamorphic stage.
      Thyroid hormones may mediate the beneficial effects of salinity on larval striped
      bass growth and survival. 

PMID- 24221037
TI  - Distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine and related compounds in various brain
      regions of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
AB  - The levels of tryptophan (Try), 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) and 5
      hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined in the brain regions of rainbow
      trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by high performance liquid chromatography with
      electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). Brain tryptophan concentrations varied from
      3.972 +/- 357 ng/g cerebellum) to 8.841 +/- 772 ng/g (hypothalamus). The 5-HT
      concentrations varied from 69 +/- 7 ng/g (optic tectum) to 573 +/- 34 ng/g
      (hypothalamus). The concentrations of 5-HIAA varied from 29 +/- 3 ng/g (medulla
      oblongata) to 68 +/- 7 ng/g (hypothalamus). Total and free serum tryptophan
      levels were also determined; in adult rainbow trout 92% of the serum tryptophan
      was observed to be free i.e., not protein-bound. 

PMID- 24221039
TI  - Thyroid hormones in eggs of various freshwater, marine and diadromous teleosts
      and their changes during egg development.
AB  - Thyroid hormone concentrations in unfertilized eggs of 26 species of various
      freshwater, marine and diadromous teleosts were examined, together with changes
      in their concentrations during egg development in some species. Significant
      quantities of both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were found in eggs of
      all species examined. Mean T4 and T3 concentrations in eggs varied from 0.04
      (marbled sole) to 15.00 ng/g (chum salmon), and from 0.07 (goldfish) to 9.95 ng/g
      (Pacific herring), respectively. T4 concentrations were significantly greater
      than T3 concentrations in eggs of most freshwater fishes, whereas T3
      concentrations were greater in seawater fishes. During the course of development,
      thyroid hormones in eggs decreased markedly before hatching. These findings
      suggest that thyroid hormones are consistently present in teleost eggs, and thus
      may play an important role in the egg development. 

PMID- 24221040
TI  - Effects of calcium channel blockers on pharmacologically induced contractions of
      rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) intestine.
AB  - Calcium depletion/replacement studies were carried out to examine the role of
      calcium in contraction of trout intestinal smoot muscle in vitro. Three
      chemically distinct calcium channel blockers were used to determine whether
      voltage operated calcium channels (VOCs) were involved in calcium entry with
      either agonist or depolarization-induced contractions. Contractions induced by
      depolarizing intestinal smooth muscle with potassium were totally dependent on
      extracellular calcium, whereas receptor-mediated responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine
      (5-HT) and carbachol also relied on calcium derived from intracellular stores.
      The calcium channel blockers, verapamil, nitrendipine, and diltiazem, all shifted
      the calcium-response curve for potassium to the right, supporting the existence
      of VOCs in trout intestinal smooth muscle. The calcium-response curve for 5-HT
      was also shifted to the right, suggesting that 5-HT can induce calcium uptake
      into the smooth muscle via VOCs, in addition to mobilizing intracellular calcium.
      Verapamil also appeared to block 5-HT receptors directly. Carbachol-induced
      contractions were only reduced by diltiazem at low concentrations of calcium (0.1
      1 mM), suggesting that diltiazem has some other mechanisms of action than the
      other calcium channel blockers. Activation of muscarinic receptors may induce
      calcium entry through channels other than the VOCs, in addition to mobilizing
      intracellular calcium. 

PMID- 24221041
TI  - Purification and physicochemical properties of deoxyribonuclease from pyloric
      caeca of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhuaL.).
AB  - A deoxyribonuclease (DNase) of pancreatic origin has been purified from extracts
      of the pyloric caeca from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.). The crude extract was
      prepared by mincing frozen caeca tissue in equal volumes of buffer. The enzyme
      was isolated from the supernatant after streptomycin sulfate precipitation and
      centrifugation. The purification scheme further included chromatography on Q
      Sepharose Fast Flow and hydroxyapatite columns. Affinity adsorption
      chromatography of the hydroxyapatite fraction on 8-(6-aminohexyl)-amino-5'-AMP
      Sepharose, revealed an apparently homogeneous protein with molecular weight of
      35,000 Da as judged by NaDodSO4-PAGE. In sum a 644-fold enzymatic enrichment and
      3.5% total enzyme recovery was achieved. The cod enzyme resembles DNase I-type
      enzymes with an alkaline pH activity optimum and shows dependency for Mg(2+). The
      pI of the enzyme is 6.5 as determined by isoelectric focusing and DNase
      zymography. Our findings suggest that the nuclease is a member of the cod's
      digestive enzymes secreted from the connective tissue surrounding the caeca. 

PMID- 24221042
TI  - Optical properties of the pineal window of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).
AB  - The spectral composition and intensity of light penetrating different parts of
      fresh preparations of the upper part of the skull of Atlantic salmon (Salmo
      salar) (fork length 25-30 cm) was investigated. All measurements were made in an
      aqueous medium, by moving the tip of an optical fibre in a three dimensional
      lattice below preparations that were illuminated by a parallel light source from
      above. The intensity of the transmitted light showed a well-defined maximum just
      below the pineal groove. Light that penetrated the skull from a source vertically
      above was refracted to produce a focusing point in the approximate position of
      the pineal body. Light projected from angles of 45 degrees  relative to the
      vertical position was only slightly (25%) attenuated, thus indicating a wide
      acceptance angle.There was an almost uniform transmission of light (of 3%)
      between 500 and 700 nm. The transmittance of UV light (350 nm) was about 10% of
      that of green light. These differences are small when compared with the intensity
      range reported for the pineal light receptors. The transmission properties are
      discussed in relation to the known diurnal changes in the spectral composition of
      natural light. 

PMID- 24221044
TI  - Contents, vol. 8, nos. 1-6, 1990.

PMID- 24221045
TI  - Transfer and stability of drug resistance plasmids inEscherichia coli K12.
AB  - Mating experiments between pairs of strains ofEscherichia coli containing either
      the compatible plasmids TP120 (Inc N) and R1 (Inc FII) or the incompatible
      plasmids TP125 (Inc B) and TP113 (Inc B) were undertaken in mixed continuous-flow
      cultures and in dialysis sacs suspended in pond water. Plasmid transfer was
      readily demonstrated between strains carrying compatible plasmids TP120 and R1 in
      both continuous-flow culture and pond water. In mixed cultures of strains
      carrying plasmids TP125 and TP113, transfer was only observed in continuous-flow
      culture systems. Strains ofE. coli containing aggregates of plasmids TP120 and R1
      were shown to be stable over 5 months continuous cultivation under carbon limited
      conditions at a growth rate of 0.1 hours(-1) in the presence of drugs which
      select for the maintenance of both plasmids. In the strains containing plasmid
      aggregates, a gene dosage effect was observed with respect to the levels of
      resistance to drugs whose resistance was encoded by both plasmids. Chemostat
      experiments showed that no cointegrate plasmids were found from the strains ofE.
      coli initially containing both plasmid TP120 and plasmid R1. 

PMID- 24221046
TI  - Characteristics of some fermentative bacteria from a thermophilic methane
      producing fermenter.
AB  - Anaerobic bacteria from a 55?C methane-producing beef waste fermenter were
      enumerated, isolated, and characterized. Direct microscopic bacterial counts were
      5.2-6.8*10(10) per g fermenter effluent. Using a nonselective roll-tube medium
      which contained 40% fermenter effluent, 8.5-14.1% of the microscopic count was
      culturable. Deletion of fermenter effluent significantly reduced the viable
      count. Sixty-four randomly picked strains were characterized. All were
      pleomorphic, gram-negative, anaerobic rods, many of which were difficult to grow
      in liquid media. The strains were divided into 5 major groups based on glucose
      fermentation, hydrogen sulfide production, starch hydrolysis, fermentation
      products, and morphology. Glucose was fermented by 75% of the isolates, 76%
      utilized starch, 25% produced hydrogen sulfide, 76% produced hydrogen, 37%
      produced indole, 21% hydrolyzed gelatin, and 13% were sporeformers. Ethanol,
      lactate, formate, acetate, and hydrogen were common fermentation products. Twenty
      four representative strains had 1-12 flagella. Growth was observed between 35 and
      73?C. These studies indicate that species diversity among the isolated organisms
      was low. 

PMID- 24221047
TI  - Measurement of nitrification rates in lake sediments: Comparison of the
      nitrification inhibitors nitrapyrin and allylthiourea.
AB  - A method for measuring rates of nitrification in intact marine sediment cores has
      been modified and adapted for use in freshwater sediments. The technique involves
      subsampling a sediment core into minicores. Half of these cores are treated with
      an inhibitor of chemolithotrophic nitrification and, after incubation,
      differences in ammonia and nitrate concentration between inhibited and
      uninhibited systems are calculated. The within-treatment variability of ammonia
      and nitrate concentrations could be reduced by storing the cores overnight prior
      to subsampling. Estimates of the nitrification rate using the difference in
      ammonia concentrations between the inhibited and uninhibited mini-cores were
      always greater than the rate estimate using the difference in nitrate
      concentrations. Comparison between the results using the nitrification inhibitors
      allylthiourea (ATU) and nitrapyrin (N-Serve) indicated that the former appeared
      to give larger values for the nitrification rate than did the latter. Differences
      in the efficiency of these inhibitors in the control of nitrification under the
      conditions used partly explain these results. Data are also presented on the
      effect of N-Serve and ATU on some other nitrogen transformations affecting
      ammonia and nitrate concentrations. 

PMID- 24221048
TI  - The contribution of nitrification in the water column and profundal sediments to
      the total oxygen deficit of the hypolimnion of a mesotrophic lake (Grasmere,
      English Lake District).
AB  - Estimates ofin situ nitrifying activity have been made in the hypolimnetic water
      column and surface 1.0 cm of profundal sediments at 2 sites in Grasmere, a
      mesotrophic lake in the English Lake District. Increases of nitrate
      concentrations were used to estimate nitrification in the water column whereas a
      mini-core technique, involving the use of a nitrification inhibitor
      (allylthiourea), was used to estimate the rate in surface sediments. The pattern
      of oxygen depletion in the water column was used to estimate the maximum depth to
      which sediments affect the overlying water. Nitrification in the sediment and in
      the water column made approximately equal contributions to the total areal oxygen
      deficit and, as a whole, nitrification accounted for 15-20% of the total oxygen
      depletion. There was no significant difference in oxygen depletion due to
      nitrification between the 2 sites. Attempts were made, using the nitrification
      potential technique, to determine the depth distribution of nitrifying activity
      in the surface 1.0 cm of sediment. 

PMID- 24221049
TI  - Survival of ciliate protozoa under starvation conditions and at low bacterial
      levels.
AB  - Under starvation conditions, 50% survivorship times displayed no significant
      relationship with cell size in 2 ciliate species in this study and 5 protozoan
      species from the literature. Differences in survival ability were attributed to
      differences in weight-specific respiratory rate and relative motility among these
      7 species. At low bacterial levels, 4 ciliate species in this study displayed
      significant differences in survivorship. High survivorship ofEuplotes patella
      relative to that ofParamecium caudatum andParaurostyla sp. at low ciliate
      densities was attributed to the lower individual energy requirements of this
      smaller species. High survivorship ofStentor coeruleus was interpreted as an
      effect of its large quantity of reserves and low respiratory rate. The
      survivorship ofE. patella was reduced at a higher population density. Four
      ciliate species survived longer at 15?C than at 22?C. Q10 values based on 50%
      survivorship times at these 2 temperatures were much lower than Q10 values based
      on respiratory rates and growth rates of well-fed ciliates over a similar
      temperature range. 

PMID- 24221050
TI  - Competition of two suspension-feeding protozoan populations for a growing
      bacterial population in continuous culture.
AB  - Mathematical studies for ecosystems involving 2 predators competing for a growing
      prey population have shown that the 2 competitors can coexist in a state of
      sustained oscillations for a range of values of the system parameters. For the
      case of 1 suspension-feeding protozoan population, recent experimental
      observations suggest that the predator-prey interaction is complicated by the
      ability of the bacteria to grow on products produced by the lysis of protozoan
      cells. This situation is studied here for the case where 2 suspension-feeding
      protozoan populations compete for a growing bacterial population in a chemostat.
      Computer simulations show that the 2 protozoan populations can coexist over a
      range of the operating parameters. Some necessary conditions for coexistence are
      presented as are some speculations regarding the possible physical explanations
      of results. 

PMID- 24221051
TI  - Contribution by symbiotically luminous fishes to the occurrence and
      bioluminescence of luminous bacteria in seawater.
AB  - Seawater samples from a variety of locations contained viable luminous bacteria,
      but luminescence was not detectable although the system used to measure light was
      sensitive enough to measure light from a single, fully induced luminous bacterial
      cell. When the symbiotically luminous fishCleidopus gloriamaris was placed in a
      sterile aquarium, plate counts of water samples showed an increase in luminous
      colony-forming units. Luminescence also increased, decreasing when the fish was
      removed. Light measurements of water samples from a sterile aquarium
      containingPhotoblepharon palpebratus, another symbiotically luminous fish, whose
      bacterial symbionts have not been cultured, showed a similar pattern of
      increasing light which rapidly decreased upon removal of the fish. These
      experiments suggest that symbiotically luminous fishes release brightly luminous
      bacteria from light organs into their environment and may be a source of
      planktonic luminous bacteria. Although planktonic luminous bacteria are generally
      not bright when found in seawater, water samples from environments with
      populations of symbiotically luminous fish may show detectable levels of light. 

PMID- 24221052
TI  - Microbial colonization of rat colonic mucosa following intestinal perturbation.
AB  - An allochthonous population of spiral-shaped bacteria was found colonizing the
      surfaces of the colonic mucosa of rats after they had been given magnesium
      sulphate (MgSO4)-induced diarrhea. These organisms were rarely seen in normal
      control rats and were not displaced when the treatment was ceased, remaining
      associated with the tissue for periods of up to 180 days. Similar bacteria were
      also found when specific pathogen-free rats, lacking mucosa-associated
      populations, were inoculated with homogenized rat intestine from conventional
      animals. Light and electron microscopic observations showed that the organisms
      were attached to the surface of the colon, orientated at right angles to the
      tissue, with one end inserted into the microvillus border. This is the first
      report of long-term colonization, following perturbation of the gut ecosystem, of
      a site on the gastrointestinal mucosa not normally associated with bacteria. The
      ultrastructure and mode of attachment of these organisms were very similar to
      that of spiral-shaped bacteria known to associate with the colonic mucosa in
      monkeys and man. 

PMID- 24221053
TI  - Triple-negative breast cancer possibly transforming into malignant melanoma due
      to targeted therapy? A case report and review of literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by lacking
      expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor as well as absence of
      human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpression and is an aggressive
      clinical phenotype. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the case of a 33-year-old
      woman who has been treated using a targeted approach for TNBC and developed a
      malignant melanoma metastasis without any primary. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Using
      targeted therapies, tumors can be treated much more effectively, but up to now,
      we do not know much about potential adverse reactions. Due to the targeted
      therapy, tumors may be pressurized for transformation. We call for further
      investigations to rule out the potential risks of targeted therapy in TNBC. This
      is the first report of a potential transforming of one tumor entity to another by
      a targeted therapy.

PMID- 24221054
TI  - Anorectal malignant melanoma in a hemorrhoidal nodule: a diagnostic and
      therapeutic problem.
AB  - Anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) is an extremely rare condition, often
      misdiagnosed and mistreated until development of metastatic disease. Clinical
      presentation mimicking hemorrhoids is a well-known pitfall. We present a male
      patient with hemorrhoidal nodules who was referred to the policlinic of
      dermatology for management of anal pruritus. A dark macule was detected over one
      of the hemorrhoidal nodules histologically verified as melanoma. Subsequent CT
      and PET/CT showed lymph nodes involvement and the patient underwent wide local
      excision (WSE) followed by abdominoperineal resection (APR). The rarity of ARMM
      does not allow for establishment of a validated staging system, placebo
      controlled treatment trials and management guidelines adoption. The current
      treatment for the condition is surgical excision, using different techniques
      according to the stage of the disease and depth of invasion. The prognosis and
      overall survival are poor, but recent genetic studies give promising results for
      molecular targeting. Awareness for this disease is indispensable, as early
      recognition could result in improved survival and quality of life. 

PMID- 24221056
TI  - Fuzzy clustering analysis in environmental impact assessment - A complement tool
      to environmental quality index.
AB  - In spite of rapid progress achieved in the methodological research underlying
      environmental impact assessment (EIA), the problem of weighting various
      parameters has not yet been solved. This paper presents a new approach, fuzzy
      clustering analysis, which is illustrated with an EIA case study on Baoshan
      Wusong District in Shanghai, China. Fuzzy clustering analysis may be used
      whenever a composite classification of environmental quality/impact incorporates
      multiple parameters. In such cases the technique may be used as a complement or
      an alternative to comprehensive assessment. In fuzzy clustering analysis, the
      classification is determined by a fuzzy relation. After a fuzzy similarity matrix
      has been established and the fuzzy relation stabilized, a dynamic clustering
      chart can be developed. Given a suitable threshold, the appropriate
      classification can be accomplished. The methodology is relatively simple and the
      results can be interpreted to provide valuable information to support decision
      making and improve management of the environment. 

PMID- 24221055
TI  - Surgical treatment of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia in adults.
AB  - Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare disorder that may require
      neurosurgical expertise for definitive management; however, surgical management
      of FD in adult patients is uncommon. Although other therapies have been shown to
      slow progression, the only definitive cure for adult craniofacial FD is complete
      resection with subsequent reconstruction. The authors review the biological,
      epidemiologic, clinical, genetic, and radiographic characteristics of adult FD,
      with an emphasis on surgical management of FD. They present a small series of
      three adult patients with complex FD that highlights the surgical complexity
      required in some adult patients with FD. Because of the complex nature of these
      adult polyostotic craniofacial cases, the authors used neurosurgical techniques
      specific to the different surgical indications, including a transsphenoidal
      approach for resection of sphenoidal sinus FD, a transmaxillary approach to
      decompress the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve with widening of the
      foramen rotundum, and complete calvarial craniectomy with cranioplasty
      reconstruction. These cases exemplify the diverse range of skull base techniques
      required in the spectrum of surgical management of adult FD and demonstrate that
      novel variations on standard neurosurgical approaches to the skull base can
      provide successful outcomes with minimal complications in adults with complex
      craniofacial FD. 

PMID- 24221057
TI  - Monitoring of methoxychlor residues in the Athabasca River system in northern
      Alberta after treatment for control of black fly larval populations.
AB  - Methoxychlor (2,2-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane) was used in the
      Athabasca River in northern Alberta for the control of black fly larvae, Simulium
      arcticum, during May to July of 1981 to 1987. Samples of river water and sediment
      were analyzed for methoxychlor residues each year as part of Alberta
      Environment's program to assess environmental impact and monitor compliance with
      issued permits. During 1985 fish samples were also collected at various sites
      downstream and upstream of the point of application of methoxychlor. This paper
      summarizes the residue data obtained by analysing these fish, sediment and water
      samples collected from the Athabasca River system during the years 1981 to 1987. 

PMID- 24221058
TI  - Estimating oil spill characteristics from oil heads in scattered monitoring
      wells.
AB  - The results are presented of a comparison of four different methods of
      interpolating observed hydrocarbon depths in monitoring wells, as well as a
      comparison of different methods of selecting sampling points for interpolation.
      The results provide criteria for selecting one interpolation method over another,
      under different scenarios. The methods analyzed are: (1) inverse-distance
      weighting; (2) punctual kriging; (3) minimum surface curvature; and (4) Akima's
      quintic polynomial. 

PMID- 24221059
TI  - Optimizing environmental monitoring networks with direction-dependent distance
      thresholds.
AB  - In the direction-dependent approach to location modeling developed herein, the
      distance within which a point of demand can find service from a facility depends
      on direction of measurement. The approach is effective for environmental location
      problems in which an underlying process with a prevailing gradient (e.g., wind or
      water flow) influences the interaction between sites in a modeled field. The
      utility of the approach is illustrated through an application to groundwater
      remediation. 

PMID- 24221060
TI  - Chemical composition of the NH3-HNO 3-H 2SO 4-NaCl system in the atmosphere of
      Athens, Greece.
AB  - This paper presents a procedure for estimating the distribution of ionic material
      in the NH3-HNO3-H2SO4-NaCl system and applies this procedure in a particular
      case. The data used were measurements of HNO3, NH3, NO 3 (-) , SO 4 (-) , NH 4
      (+) Cl(-) and Na(+) performed during February 1989 - February 1990 in a central
      Athens street with high traffic density. According to the procedure, ions combine
      in the following manner: Na(+) combines preferentially with SO 4 (-) , then with
      NO 3 (-) , followed by NH 4 (+) with the remaining SO 4 (-) and then with the
      remaining NO 3 (-) to form bisulphates, sulphates and nitrates. The combination
      procedure showed that the main constituents of the NH3-HNO3-H2SO4-NaCl system are
      primarily (NH4)2SO4 and, to a lesser extent, NH4NO3 and NH4HSO4, with mean and
      maximum concentrations, during morning hours, (NH4)2SO4: 14.5 (max 46.8), NH4NO3:
      2.97 (max 23) and NH4HSO4: 1.78 (max 40.6) ug m(-3). Lower concentations of
      Na2SO4, NaHSO4, NaNO3 and NH4Cl and very low concentrations of H2SO4 are also
      present, depending on the availability of NaCl. It became apparent from the ionic
      distribution that there is sufficient NH3 to neutralize the H2SO4 and HNO3. It
      was also shown that a significant fraction of the HNO3, especially on days with
      high pollution, occurs as aqueous NO 3 (-) . A number of empirical equations have
      been proposed, which enable the approximate estimation of the constituents of the
      NH3-HNO3-H2SO4-NaCl system from air pollution monitoring data and meteorological
      parameters. 

PMID- 24221061
TI  - Guidelines for evaluating selenium data from aquatic monitoring and assessment
      studies.
AB  - It is now possible to formulate diagnostic selenium concentrations in four
      distinct ecosystem-level components; water, food-chain, predatory fish (consuming
      fish or invertebrate prey), and aquatic birds. Waterborne selenium concentrations
      of 2 ug/l or greater (parts per billion; total recoverable basis in 0.45 MU
      filtered samples) should be considered hazardous to the health and long-term
      survival of fish and wildlife populations due to the high potential for food
      chain bioaccumulation, dietary toxicity, and reproductive effects. In some cases,
      ultra-trace amounts of dissolved and particulate organic selenium may lead to
      bioaccumulation and toxicity even when total waterborne concentrations are less
      than 1 ug/l.Food-chain organisms such as zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and
      certain forage fishes can accumulate up to 30 ug/g dry weight selenium (some taxa
      up to 370 ug/g) with no apparent effect on survival or reproduction. However, the
      dietary toxicity threshold for fish and wildlife is only 3 ug/g; these food
      organisms would supply a toxic dose of selenium while being unaffected
      themselves. Because of this, food-chain organisms containing 3 ug/g (parts per
      million) dry weight or more should be viewed as potentially lethal to fish and
      aquatic birds that consume them.Biological effects thresholds (dry weight) for
      the health and reproductive success of freshwater and anadromous fish are: whole
      body=4 ug/g; skeletal muscle=8 ug/g; liver=12 ug/g; ovaries and eggs=10 ug/g.
      Effects thresholds for aquatic birds are: liver=10 ug/g; eggs=3 ug/g. The most
      precise way to evaluate potential reproductive impacts to adult fish and aquatic
      bird populations is to measure selenium concentrations in gravid ovaries and
      eggs. This single measure integrates waterborne and dietary exposure, and allows
      an evaluation based on the most sensitive biological endpoint. Resource managers
      and aquatic biologists should obtain measurements of selenium concentrations
      present in water, food-chain organisms, and fish and wildlife tissues in order to
      formulate a comprehensive and conclusive assessment of the overall selenium
      status and health of aquatic ecosystems. 

PMID- 24221063
TI  - Production of a triple mutant, chlorophyll-deficient, streptomycin-, and
      kanamycin-resistant Nicotiana tabacum, and its use in intergeneric somatic hybrid
      formation with Solanum melongena.
AB  - In order to produce a triple mutant, sexual crosses between a chlorophyll
      deficient, streptomycin-resistant mutant of Nicotiana tabacum (SA) and a
      kanamycin-resistant transformant of N. tabacum (KR.) were carried out. From the
      offspring of this cross, a triple mutant (KR-SA) was selected. In N. tabacum KR
      SA, chlorophyll deficiency is due to recessive mutation in the nuclear genome,
      streptomycin resistance is due to a dominant mutation in the chloroplast genome,
      and kanamycin resistance is shown to be a dominant nuclear marker. Cell
      suspension protoplasts of N. tabacum KRSA were fused with callus protoplasts of
      Solanum melongena by dextran treatment. Somatic hybrid plants were selected for
      streptomycin resistance and the ability to produce clorophyll in regenerated
      plants. By using this selection system, green plants were recovered from two
      colonies. When these green plants were then tested for kanamycin resistance, all
      analyzed plants carried this trait. In addition, the hybrid nature of these
      plants was confirmed by investigation of the peroxidase isozyme. The present
      results show that the use of N. tabacum KR-SA in studies of somatic hybridization
      makes it possible to select somatic hybrid plants easily and provides information
      of the N. tabacum genome. 

PMID- 24221062
TI  - Somatic hybridization by microfusion of defined protoplast pairs in Nicotiana:
      morphological, genetic, and molecular characterization.
AB  - Somatic hybrid/cybrid plants were obtained by microfusion of defined protoplast
      pairs from malefertile, streptomycin-resistant Nicotiana tabacum and cytoplasmic
      male-sterile (cms), streptomycin-sensitive N. tabacum cms (N. bigelovii) after
      microculture of recovered fusants. Genetic and molecular characterization of the
      organelle composition of 30 somatic hybrid/cybrid plants was performed. The fate
      of chloroplasts was assessed by an in vivo assay for streptomycin resistance/
      sensitivity using leaf explants (R0 generation and R1 seedlings). For the
      analysis of the mitochondrial (mt) DNA, species-specific patterns were generated
      by Southern hybridization of restriction endonuclease digests of total DNA and
      mtDNA, with three DNA probes of N. sylvestris mitochondrial origin. In addition,
      detailed histological and scanning electron microscopy studies on flower ontogeny
      were performed for representative somatic hybrids/cybrids showing interesting
      flower morphology. The present study demonstrates that electrofusion of
      individually selected pairs of protoplasts (microfusion) can be used for the
      controlled somatic hybridization of higher plants. 

PMID- 24221064
TI  - Genetical control and linkage relationships of Isozyme markers in sugar beet (B.
      vulgaris L.). 2. NADP- and NAD-specific malate dehydrogenases, 6-P-gluconate
      dehydrogenase, shikimate dehydrogenase, diaphorase and aconitase.
AB  - The NADP-specific malate dehydrogenase isozymes were controlled by multiple gene
      systems. Three genes coding for dimeric enzymes segregated in a dependent fashion
      (NADP-Mdh 1, NADP-Mdh 2, NADP-Mdh 3). A fourth gene (NADP-Mdh 4), also coded for
      dimers, but was not polymorphic in B. vulgaris. A fifth gene (NADP-Me 1) coded
      for enzymes active as monomers. Two genes were found to control the main zone of
      NAD-specific malate dehydrogenase: one coded for dimers (Mdh 1), while a second
      (Mdh 2) was not polymorphic in the assessions studied. 6-P-Gluconate
      dehydrogenase was not polymorphic in B. vulgaris; the two types detected on SGE1
      electrophoresis were due to developmental expression of the different systems. No
      genetical segregations could be detected in progeny of crosses of the distinct
      phenotypes. A shikimate dehydrogenase gene (Skdh 1) that coded for monomers was
      identified. The diaphorase system was rather complex, but one gene (Dia 1) coding
      for monomeric enzymes could be identified. Aconitase was found to be controlled
      by two independent genes (Aco 1, Aco 2), both polymorphic and coding for proteins
      active as monomers. Tight linkage was found between the genes NADP-Mdh 1, NADP
      Mdh 2 and NADP-Mdh 3. Linkage was also found between a pollen fertility restorer
      (Z) and the Mdh 1 gene. The identification of linkage with Aco 1 needs further
      investigation. R segregated independently from Mdh 1, Aco 1 and Dia 1.
      Independent segregations were scored for isozyme genes Pgm 2, Icd 1, Ak 1, Gpi 1,
      Aco 1 and Dia 1. 

PMID- 24221065
TI  - Identification of a short rDNA spacer sequence highly specific of a tomato line
      containing Tm-1 gene introgressed from Lycopersicon hirsutum.
AB  - We studied rDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism between two tomato lines
      used for F1 hybrid seed production: line A, containing the Tm-1 gene responsible
      for tobacco mosaic virus tolerance introgressed from the wild species
      Lycopersicon hirsutum, and line B, a tobacco mosaic virus sensitive line.
      Hybridization patterns led to distinct rDNA maps with two size classes, 10.4 and
      10.7 kb, in line A and a single, 8.9-kb class in line B. Size differences were
      located in the intergenie sequence (IGS). A highly specific 54-bp TaqI fragment
      was cloned from the line A IGS and used in dot blot experiments to probe total
      DNA from line A, line B, and their F1 hybrid. It proved capable of discriminating
      B from A and the hybrid. This probe could thus serve to screen inbreds in
      commercial seed lots where line A is used as male. This fragment showed 80-90%
      sequence homology with the 53-bp subrepeats previously characterized in a region
      of the tomato IGS close to the 25S rRNA gene. Preliminary comparison of rDNA in
      line A and several wild related species indicated that the L. hirsutum H2
      genotype was the closest to line A. rDNA variations between line A and this wild
      genotype could be explained by recombination during the introgression process
      involving numerous backcrosses or by an important intraspecific polymorphism. Our
      results strongly suggest that Tm-1 and the rDNA were introgressed together into
      tomato from L. hirsutum through linkage drag. 

PMID- 24221066
TI  - Linkage mapping of genes for resistance to leaf, stem and stripe rusts and omega
      secalins on the short arm of rye chromosome 1R.
AB  - The genes controlling resistance to three wheat rusts, viz., leaf rust (Lr26),
      stem rust (Sr31) and stripe or yellow rust (Yr9), and omega-secalins (Sec1),
      located on the short arm of rye chromosome 1R, were mapped with respect to each
      other and the centromere. Analysis of 214 seeds (or families derived from them)
      from testcrosses between a 1BL.1RS/1R heterozygote and 'Chinese Spring'
      ditelocentric 1BL showed no recombination between the genes for resistance to the
      three rusts, suggesting very tight linkage or perhaps a single complex locus
      conferring resistance to the three rusts. The rust resistance genes were located
      5.4 +/- 1.7 cM from the Sec1 locus, which in turn was located 26.1 +/- 4.3 cM
      from the centromere; the gene order being centromere - Sec1 - Lr26/Sr31/Yr9 -
      telomere. In a second test-cross, using a different 1BL.1RS translocation which
      had only stem rust resistance (SrR), the above gene order was confirmed despite a
      very large proportion of aneuploids (45.8%) among the progeny. Furthermore, a map
      distance of 16.0 +/- 4.8 cM was estimated for SrR and the telomeric
      heterochromatin (C-band) on 1RS. These results suggest that a very small segment
      of 1RS chromatin is required to maintain resistance to all three wheat rusts. It
      should be possible but difficult to separate the rust resistance genes from the
      secalin gene(s), which are thought to contribute to dough stickiness of wheat-rye
      translocation lines carrying 1RS. 

PMID- 24221067
TI  - Cytological analysis of tetraploid hybrids between sweet potato and diploid
      Ipomoea trifida (H. B. K.) Don.
AB  - Tetraploid F1 hybrids between Ipomoea batatas, sweet potato (2n = 6x = ca. 90),
      and diploid (2n = 2x = 30) I. trifida (H. B. K.) Don. showed various degrees of
      fertility reduction. The present study aimed to clarify its causes by cytological
      analysis of meiotic chromosome behavior in the diploid and sweet potato parents
      and their tetraploid hybrids. The diploid parents showed exclusively 15
      bivalents, and the sweet potato parents exhibited almost perfect chromosome
      pairing along with predominant multivalent formation. Their hybrids (2n = 4x= 57
      63) formed 2.6-5.0 quadrivalents per cell, supporting the autotetraploid nature.
      The meiotic aberratios of the hybrids were characterized by the formation of
      univalents, micronuclei, and abnormal sporads (monad, dyad, triad, and polyad).
      The causes underlying these aberrations were attributed in part to the
      multivalent formation, and in part to a disturbance in the spindle function.
      Three hybrids showing serious meiotic aberrations were very low in fertility. The
      utilization of the sweet potato-diploid I. trifida hybrids for sweet potato
      improvement is described and, further, the role of interploidy hybridization in
      the study of the sweet potato evolution is discussed. 

PMID- 24221068
TI  - Selection response for litter size at birth and litter weight at weaning in the
      first parity in mice.
AB  - Five 60-pair lines of mice were selected for seven generations for the following
      criteria: number born alive (LSO), random selection of litters (LC), number born
      alive divided by the weight of the dam at 9 weeks (LSO/DWT), total litter weight
      weaned divided by the weight of the dam at 9 weeks (LWT/DWT), and weight of
      litter weaned (LWT). All traits were measured in the first parity only and
      litters were not standardized. Realized heritabilities for LSO, LWT, LSO/DWT, and
      LWT/ DWT were 0.10+/- 0.06, 0.11+/-0.07, 0.22 +/- 0.04, and 0.22 +/- 0.08,
      respectively. Selection response for the two ratio lines was due to correlated
      responses in the respective numerators, LSO and LWT, as DWT did not decrease. In
      terms of improving LWT, selection for LWT/ DWT was three times as effective as
      selection for LSO/ DWT. 

PMID- 24221069
TI  - The identification of the kappa-casein genotype in Holstein dairy cattle using
      the polymerase chain reaction.
AB  - The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify a 99-bp region from the
      kappa-casein gene of Holstein dairy cattle which contains nucleotide
      substitutions that are diagnostic of the two major protein variants of kappa
      casein. Identity of the amplified product was confirmed by direct sequencing.
      Digestion of the PCR product with MboII (A-variant specific) or TaqI (B-variant
      specific) allowed direct determination of the genotype of the animal (homozygous
      or heterozygous). A total of 58 lactating cows with known kappa-casein phenotype
      were tested using PCR. In all cases, the measured genotype confirmed the
      phenotype. We have also tested the genotype of 42 sires that were top ranked for
      milk yield by the CIAQ (Centre d'insemination artificielle du Quebec). The B
      allele of kappa-casein which occurred at a frequency of 0.13 among the proven
      bulls is associated with superior milk for industrial applications.
      Identification of the kappa-casein genotype by PCR in bulls and calves would
      provide a means for rapidly changing the frequency of the B-allele in the
      breeding population by selection. 

PMID- 24221070
TI  - Evolutionary analysis of Pinus densata Masters, a putative Tertiary hybrid : 1.
      Allozyme variation.
AB  - Allozyme differentiation at 13 loci was studied in populations of Pinus
      tabulaeformis, P. densata, and P. yunnanensis from China. It was previously
      suggested that P. densata represents a Tertiary hybrid between P. tabulaeformis
      and P. yunnanensis. The observed levels of allozyme variation within and among
      the investigated species were comparable to those of other conifers. P.
      tabulaeformis differed markedly from P. yunnanensis with respect to allozyme
      frequencies, while P. densata was intermediate between the two putative parents.
      There was evidence of homozygote excess in embryos from all investigated species,
      as compared to Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The observed allozyme composition of
      P. densata conformed to earlier morphological and molecular evidence indicating
      hybrid origin of this taxon. It was proposed that fusion of gene pools from P.
      tabulaeformis and P. yunnanensis has led to adaptive evolution of a new species,
      P. densata. 

PMID- 24221071
TI  - Evolutionary analysis of Pinus densata (Masters), a putative Tertiary hybrid. :
      2. A study using species-specific chloroplast DNA markers.
AB  - Restriction fragment analysis and heterologous hybridization of chloroplast (cp)
      DNA was used to develop species-specific markers for P. tabulaeformis, P.
      yunnanensis and P. massoniana. Fragment patterns created by the BclI and DraI
      restriction enzymes and hybridization patterns to the psbC and psbD probes were
      distinctive among the three species. No intraspecific variation was detected with
      respect to any of the cpDNA markers developed in this study. The cpDNA markers
      obtained were subsequently used to examine the parentage of P. densata, a
      putative Tertiary hybrid between P. tabulaeformis and P. yunnanensis. The
      analysis demonstrated for the first time that P. densata populations accommodate
      chloroplast genomes of P. tabulaeformis and P. yunnanensis, which strongly
      supports earlier suggestions of the hybrid origin of this species. It appears
      that P. densata represents a stabilized natural hybrid that has become adapted to
      high mountain environments where neither of the parental species can normally
      grow. 

PMID- 24221072
TI  - Genetic control and linkage relations of additional isozyme markers in chick-pea.
AB  - Allozyme polymorphisms of nine enzymes - aspartate aminotransferase (AAT),
      diaphorase (DIA), esterase (EST), formate dehydrogenase (FDH), beta-galactosidase
      (GAL), beta-glucosidase (GLU), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), malic enzyme (ME), and
      peroxidase (PRX) - were described in chick-pea (Cicer L.). Thirteen isozyme loci,
      Aat-c, Dia-4, Est-2, Est-4, Est-10, Fdh, Gal-2, Gal-3, Gal-4, Glu-3, Mdh-2, Me-2,
      and Prx-2, were genetically defined. Alleles of each of these isozyme loci
      expressed codominantly in heterozygotes and exhibited a codominant, single-locus
      segregation ratio in F2. The loci Est-2, Mdh-2, and Me-1 were expressed only in
      flower. Linkage relations were determined for these 13 and several previously
      defined isozyme loci. The following new genetic linkages were identified: Pgm-p
      (locus for plastid phosphoglucomutase) - Est-10; Ald-p1 (one of the duplicate
      loci for plastid aldolase) - Glu-3 - Gal-2 - Est-2,3; Gal-3 - Aco-m (locus for
      mitochondrial aconitase) - Prx-2,3; Gpi-c (locus for cytosolic glucosephosphate
      isomerase) - Fdh; and Est-4 - Me-1. This study provides further confirmation on
      the existence of several conserved linkage groups among Cicer, Pisum, and Lens. 

PMID- 24221073
TI  - Pollination in vitro: effects on the growth of pollen tubes, seed set and
      gametophytic self-incompatibility in Trifolium pratense L. and T. repens L.
AB  - Growth of pollen tubes and seed set were compared after hand pollination in situ
      and in vitro in two self-incompatible species, Trifolium pratense and Trifolium
      repens. Adhesion of pollen grains to the stigma was greater in vitro for both
      species. After cross-pollination, in vitro culture gave a significant increase in
      the cumulative growth of pollen tubes in pistils of T. pratense compared to in
      situ conditions. After selfing in T. repens, pollen tube growth was significantly
      increased by in vitro culture of florets. Seed set after crossing in situ and in
      vitro was similar for both species. Seed set after selfing in vitro was not
      increased in T. pratense. Several genotypes of T. repens were classified as very
      good, good and poor selfers based on their capacity for seed set following
      selfing in situ. In vitro pollination increased self seed formation by 1.7-, 18.0
      and 31.0-fold for each class, respectively. Ovules located nearest to the style
      were fertilized more often after selfing than after crossing. 

PMID- 24221074
TI  - Asymmetric somatic hybrids between Lycopersicon esculentum and irradiated
      Lycopersicon peruvianum : 2. Analysis with marker genes.
AB  - Asymmetric somatic hybrids of Lycopersicon esculentum and Lycopersicon peruvianum
      were analysed for the retention of genes and alleles specific for L. peruvianum.
      The hybrids were obtained by fusion of protoplasts from L. esculentum with those
      of L. peruvianum (the donor), the latter having been irradiated before fusion
      with 50, 300 or 1,000 Gy of gamma-rays. The retention of three different types of
      genes or alleles was analysed. (1) The gene coding for kanamycin resistance,
      which is dominant and had been introduced in most of the L. peruvianum donor
      plants by transformation. It was present at one locus in 16 L. peruvianum donor
      plants and at two loci in one donor plant. (2) The genes coding for acid
      phosphatase, locus Aps-1, and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT);
      different alleles of these genes are co-dominant and were detected by isozyme
      analysis. (3) Eighteen single gene morphological markers for which most of the L.
      esculentum genotypes used were homozygous recessive. Kanamycin resistance from
      donor plants with one locus was retained in about 50% of the asymmetric 30H
      hybrids (the donor was irradiated with 300 Gy). L. peruvianum specific alleles of
      Aps-1 and GOT were present in at least 70% of the hybrids; the retention of donor
      alleles was lower in 30H- than in 5H-hybrids (donor irradiated with 50 Gy). On
      average, 73% of the L. peruvianum-specific alleles (one or both) of the
      morphological markers were detected in the 30H-hybrids. Several of the L.
      esculentum genotypes used were homozygous recessive for two morphological markers
      on the same chromosome; in 43% of the 30H-hybrids derived from them, only one of
      these markers was complemented by the L. peruvianum allele. This is an indication
      of frequent breakage of the L. peruvianum chromosomes. Several hybrid calli
      regenerated genotypically different shoots. On the whole, this analyses confirms
      the conclusion drawn from the cytogenetic and morphological analysis of these
      asymmetric hybrids, namely that irradiation prior to fusion eliminates the L.
      peruvianum genome to only a limited extent. 

PMID- 24221075
TI  - DNA variation in tissue-culture-derived rice plants.
AB  - Regenerants of rice were examined by RFLP analysis to determine the occurrence
      and extent of somaclonal variation. DNA polymorphisms were observed both among
      plants regenerated from different callus cultures as well as among sibling plants
      derived from a single callus. Regardless of the basal medium, a higher degree of
      genetic instability was found among plants regenerated from callus cultures
      maintained for longer incubation periods (67 days) than among those from shorter
      incubation periods (28 days). Detailed analysis showed that in several
      regenerants, there was a close correlation among those plants exhibiting DNA
      rearrangements and those with apparent methylation changes. Such alterations were
      observed with both structural and housekeeping genes. 

PMID- 24221076
TI  - Distribution of Bs1 retrotransposons in Zea and related genera.
AB  - Thirty-eight accessions from Zea and 20 accessions from related genera were
      probed for the presence of Bs1, a retrotransposon originally found in maize. All
      maize and teosinte plants tested show the presence of Bs1 in one to five densely
      hybridizing bands. The mean copy numbers of Bs1 elements among the maize and
      teosinte accessions were similar: 2.92 and 3.25, respectively, with no large
      differences between any subgroups. Most exotic maize samples exhibited two common
      bands of 7.8 kb and 4.7 kb. Section Zea teosintes (but not teosintes of section
      Luxuriantes) also show the presence of a common band of the same size as the
      smaller common band in maize. At reduced stringency, Tripsacum dactyloides
      exhibited a single hybridizing band at 6.9 kb. Results argue for the evolution of
      maize from a mexicana or parviglumis teosinte, and the evolution of the Bs1
      element within the tribe Andropogoneae. Additionally, recombinant inbred lines
      were probed for the presence of Bs1, in order to map the chromosomal locations of
      Bs1 elements in four different maize lines. Two of the recombinant inbred
      parental lines had an element (Bs1-F) on chromosome 5, while the other two lines
      had an element (Bs1-S) on chromosome 8. Restriction site polymorphisms have
      apparently arisen in the vicinity of Bs1-S since its insertion. Segregation
      analysis of other lines was also performed; the data indicate that Bs1 has the
      distribution expected of a transposable element, different locations in different
      lines, and not that of a fixed gene locus. However, the common bands in the Zea
      mays lines and the recombinant inbred data imply that Bs1 is not highly mobile. 

PMID- 24221077
TI  - Inheritance of some Mendelian factors in intra- and interspecific crosses between
      Setaria italica and Setaria viridis.
AB  - The inheritance of seed coat color, pericarp color, polyphenoloxidase activity
      and bristle, glume, collar, and leaf-base anthocyanic colorations was
      investigated using intra- and interspecific crosses between Setaria italica and
      S. viridis. The results were compared to inheritance results obtained by previous
      authors. In most cases, the inheritance is simple (one or two loci) and data from
      different crosses (intra- and interspecific) and from different authors can be
      compared. Two sets of two characters were found to share common loci: the
      polyphenoloxidase locus is one of the loci responsible for seed coat color, and
      bristle and glume color are determined by the same two loci. The evolutionary
      significance of these results is discussed. 

PMID- 24221078
TI  - Species-specific sequences in the genus Solanum: identification,
      characterization, and application to study somatic hybrids of S. brevidens and S.
      tuberosum.
AB  - To aid in the identification and analysis of somatic hybrids between potato
      (Solanum tuberosum, dihaploid line PDH 40) and the non tuber-bearing wild species
      S. brevidens, a series of species-specific repetitive DNA sequences have been
      isolated. This was accomplished by making libraries of HaeIII-digested total DNA
      of S. tuberosum and S. brevidens, by cloning fragments into the SmaI site of
      plasmid pUC18 and transforming them into E. coli (JM83). The S. brevidens library
      consisted of 1,000 recombinant clones, and that of S. tuberosum, 700.
      Nitrocellulose filters with recombinant clones were hybridised to nick-translated
      total DNA of S. brevidens and also S. tuberosum, and, following autoradiography,
      clones that hybridised strongly to the DNA of only one of the species were
      chosen. Two highly repeated S. brevidens clones (pSB1, 400 bp and pSB7,210 bp),
      one highcopy-number s. tuberosum clone (pST10, 200 bp) and one low-copy-number
      sequence of S. tuberosum (pST3, 1.5 kbp) were selected for further analysis by
      Southern hybridisation to digested total DNA. Clone pSB7 gave a ladder pattern on
      hybridisation to EcoR1-digested total DNA of S. brevidens, with signals at
      multiples of 200 bp DNA. Using these probes it was possible to verify the
      hybridity of putative hybrids of dihaploid S. tuberosum and S.brevidens, and to
      confirm by Southern analysis and by slot blots the parental genome dosage of
      hexaploid hybrids (two s. brevidens: one S. tuberosum, and vice-versa). The S.
      tuberosum-specific probe, pSTIO, hybridised with DNA of three other tuber-bearing
      wild species (S. hjertingii, S. capsicibaccatum and S. berthaultii). A squash
      blot procedure was developed using the probes that would allow early
      identification of somatic hybrid callus. There are a number of useful
      applications of such species-specific probes in the identification and analysis
      of somatic hybrids. 

PMID- 24221079
TI  - An En (Spm) -system insertion partly reduces the color-suppressing potency of the
      dominant C-I allele in maize.
AB  - Two mutable C-I alleles, C-Im857059 and C-Im857062 of the Enhancer-Inhibitor (En
      I) or Suppressormutator (Spm) transposable-element system, were shown to express
      a sectored phenotype (colorless sectors on a colored background). This sectoring
      is a consequence of an I receptor element at the C-I allele responding to an
      independently segregating, transactive En element. The I element insertion
      results in the partial reduction of the suppressive potency of the normal C-I
      alleles. A wide range of suppressive potencies of these two C-Im(r) alleles was
      found when tested against other C alleles, including C-S and C. Though each of
      the C-Im(r) alleles has a standard I element, there is a significant difference
      in the suppressive potencies of the two C-Im(r) alleles, which possibly indicates
      a different position of the I insert in the coding region affecting the C-I
      transcript. 

PMID- 24221080
TI  - Expression of the catalase and superoxide dismutase genes in mature pollen in
      maize.
AB  - The expression of the Cat and Sod genes encoding the multiple catalases and
      superoxide dismutases in maize has been studied in maize pollen at anther
      dehiscence. Pollen from three catalase activity variant inbred lines was
      examined. Zymorgram analysis, immunoassays, and RNA blots show that, in the lines
      used, only the CAT-1 catalase isozyme is expressed in mature pollen; the CAT-2
      and CAT-3 isozymes are not. The data presented further demonstrate that the Cat1
      gene is transcribed and translated after tetrad formation. The relative protein
      levels of the various superoxide dismutase (SOD) isozymes appear to be similar in
      pollen and scutella, and correspond to the relatively low levels observed for the
      different Sod transcripts in these tissues. The presence of "double" transcripts
      for Sod3 and Sod4A is discussed. 

PMID- 24221081
TI  - Inheritance of height and maturity in crosses between pearl millet landraces and
      inbred Tift 85DB.
AB  - Over 300 landraces of pearl millet were collected in Burkina Faso and grown at
      the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton/GA. At Tifton, these landraces are
      predominantly tall and late-maturing. The photoperiod requirements of these
      landraces hinder evaluation of their performance in the field and their use in
      breeding programs. A conversion program has been initiated to transfer genes for
      dwarf stature and early flowering into the tall, late-maturing landraces. The
      inbred Tift 85DB is being used as a donor of genes for the dwarf and early
      characteristics, and was crossed to nine randomly selected landraces from Burkina
      Faso. The parents, F1, F2, and backcrosses to each parent were grown in the field
      and evaluated for plant height at anthesis and time in days from planting to
      anthesis. In general, plant height of F1s was taller than the tallest parent, and
      in all crosses the maturity of F1s was intermediate between the parents. Numbers
      of loci conferring height varied among crosses, ranging from 0 to 9.6, and
      averaged 1.6. Estimated numbers of loci conferring maturity ranged from 0 to 12.8
      and averaged 3.4. Broad-sense heritability estimates for height and maturity
      averaged 60.2 and 65.7%, respectively. Corresponding narrow-sense estimates
      averaged 23.8 and 48.2%. Joint scaling tests revealed that additive-genetic
      effects were highly significant for both traits, but dominance and epistatic
      genetic effects contributed to the inheritance of each trait in some crosses. The
      low gene numbers, high heritability estimates, and preponderance of additive
      genetic effects suggest that selection for these traits should be effective. 

PMID- 24221082
TI  - Nitrogen storage dynamics are affected by masting events in Fagus crenata.
AB  - It is generally assumed that the production of a large crop of seeds depletes
      stores of resources and that these take more than 1 year to replenish; this is
      accepted, theoretically, as the proximate mechanism of mast seeding (resource
      budget model). However, direct evidence of resource depletion in masting trees is
      very rare. Here, we trace seasonal and inter-annual variations in nitrogen (N)
      concentration and estimate the N storage pool of individuals after full masting
      of Fagus crenata in two stands. In 2005, a full masting year, the amount of N in
      fruit litter represented half of the N present in mature leaves in an old stand
      (age 190-260 years), and was about equivalent to the amount of N in mature leaves
      in a younger stand (age 83-84 years). Due to this additional burden, both tissue
      N concentration and individual N storage decreased in 2006; this was followed by
      significant replenishment in 2007, although a substantial N store remained even
      after full masting. These results indicate that internal storage may be important
      and that N may be the limiting factor for fruiting. In the 4 years following full
      masting, the old stand experienced two moderate masting events separated by 2
      years, whilst trees in the younger stand did not fruit. This different fruiting
      behavior may be related to different "costs of reproduction" in the full masting
      year 2005, thus providing more evidence that N may limit fruiting. Compared to
      the non-fruiting stand, individuals in the fruiting stand exhibited an additional
      increase in N concentrations in roots early in the 2007 growing season,
      suggesting additional N uptake from the soil to supply resource demand. The
      enhanced uptake may alleviate the N storage depletion observed in the full
      masting year. This study suggests that masting affects N cycle dynamics in mature
      Fagus crenata and N may be one factor limiting fruiting.

PMID- 24221083
TI  - Do climate and soil influence phenotypic variability in leaf litter, microbial
      decomposition and shredder consumption?
AB  - We tested the hypothesis that water stress and soil nutrient availability drive
      leaf-litter quality for decomposers and detritivores by relating chemical and
      physical leaf-litter properties and decomposability of Alnus glutinosa and
      Quercus robur, sampled together with edaphic parameters, across wide European
      climatic gradients. By regressing principal components analysis of leaf traits
      [N, P, condensed tannins, lignin, specific leaf area (SLA)] against environmental
      and soil parameters, we found that: (1) In Q. robur the condensed tannin and
      lignin contents increased and SLA decreased with precipitation, annual range of
      temperature, and soil N content, whereas leaf P increased with soil P and
      temperature; (2) In A. glutinosa leaves N, P, and SLA decreased and condensed
      tannins increased with temperature, annual range of temperature, and decreasing
      soil P. On the other hand, leaf P and condensed tannins increased and SLA
      decreased with minimum annual precipitation and towards sites with low
      temperature. We selected contrasting leaves in terms of quality to test
      decomposition and invertebrate consumption. There were intraspecific differences
      in microbial decomposition rates (field, Q. robur) and consumption by shredders
      (laboratory, A. glutinosa). We conclude that decomposition rates across
      ecosystems could be partially governed by climate and soil properties, affecting
      litter quality and therefore decomposers and detritivores. Under scenarios of
      global warming and increased nutrients, these results suggest we can expect
      species-specific changes in leaf-litter properties most likely resulting in slow
      decomposition with increased variance in temperatures and accelerated
      decomposition with P increase. 

PMID- 24221084
TI  - TDAG8 activation inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption.
AB  - Although the roles of acids in bone metabolism are well characterized, the
      function of proton-sensing receptors in bone metabolism remains to be explored.
      In this study, we evaluated the role of proton-sensing receptor T-cell death
      associated gene 8 (TDAG8) in osteoclastic activity during bone loss after
      ovariectomy. Through observations of bone mineral content, we found that
      pathological bone resorption was significantly exacerbated in mice homozygous for
      a gene trap mutation in the Tdag8 gene. Furthermore, osteoclasts from the
      homozygous mutant mice resorbed calcium in vitro more than the osteoclasts from
      the heterozygous mice did. Impaired osteoclast formation under acidic conditions
      was ameliorated in cultures of bone marrow cells by Tdag8 gene mutation.
      Extracellular acidification changed the cell morphology of osteoclasts via the
      TDAG8-Rho signaling pathway. These results suggest that the enhancement of TDAG8
      function represents a new strategy for preventing bone resorption diseases, such
      as osteoporosis.

PMID- 24221085
TI  - Ethanol contributes to neurogenic pancreatitis by activation of TRPV1.
AB  - Alcohol abuse is a major cause of pancreatitis in people, but the mechanism is
      unknown. It has been recently demonstrated that transient receptor potential
      vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) activation causes neurogenic inflammation and plays an
      important role in acute pancreatitis. Moreover, TRPV1 is activated by ethanol. We
      examined the direct effects of ethanol on acute pancreatitis. Acute inflammation
      of the pancreas was produced by injection of ethanol and palmitoleic acid (POA),
      a nonoxidative metabolite of ethanol, in wild-type C57BL/6J mice and Trpv1
      knockout C57BL/6J mice. Inflammatory indexes were analyzed 24 h later. Injection
      of ethanol + POA produced acute pancreatitis indicated by significant increases
      in histopathological damage, serum amylase levels, and pancreatic MPO
      concentrations (P<0.05-0.001). All parameters of pancreatitis were blocked by
      pretreatment with the TRPV1 antagonist drug AMG9810. In addition, ethanol + POA
      administration to Trpv1knockout mice did not produce pancreatic inflammation.
      Treatment with vehicle, ethanol alone, or POA alone had no inflammatory effects.
      TRPV1 partially mediates inflammation induced by ethanol + POA in the mouse
      pancreas, consistent with the ability of ethanol to activate TRPV1. We propose
      that ethanol may contribute to alcohol-induced pancreatitis by a neurogenic
      mechanism.

PMID- 24221086
TI  - An NT4/TrkB-dependent increase in innervation links early-life allergen exposure
      to persistent airway hyperreactivity.
AB  - Children who are exposed to environmental respiratory insults often develop
      asthma that persists into adulthood. In this study, we used a neonatal mouse
      model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway inflammation to understand the
      long-term effects of early childhood insults on airway structure and function. We
      showed that OVA sensitization and challenge in early life led to a 2-fold
      increase in airway smooth muscle (ASM) innervation (P<0.05) and persistent airway
      hyperreactivity (AHR). In contrast, OVA exposure in adult life elicited short
      term AHR without affecting innervation levels. We found that postnatal ASM
      innervation required neurotrophin (NT)-4 signaling through the TrkB receptor and
      that early-life OVA exposure significantly elevated NT4 levels and TrkB signaling
      by 5- and 2-fold, respectively, to increase innervation. Notably, blockade of
      NT4/TrkB signaling in OVA-exposed pups prevented both acute and persistent AHR
      without affecting baseline airway function or inflammation. Furthermore,
      biophysical assays using lung slices and isolated cells demonstrated that NT4 was
      necessary for hyperreactivity of ASM induced by early-life OVA exposure.
      Together, our findings show that the NT4/TrkB-dependent increase in innervation
      plays a critical role in the alteration of the ASM phenotype during postnatal
      growth, thereby linking early-life allergen exposure to persistent airway
      dysfunction.

PMID- 24221088
TI  - The effect of temperature on the growth ofCandida sake isolated from the leaves
      of a subantarctic grass.
AB  - During a survey of microfungi on the subantarctic island of South Georgia, large
      numbers of phylloplane yeasts were isolated in late spring from leaves of a
      tussock grass. The dominant yeast was identified asCandida sake, this being the
      first record for the Antarctic region. Isolates in liquid culture had a
      temperature optimum for growth of 20-25 degrees C. It was capable of assimilation
      of a range of simple carbohydrates, similar to those found in leachates from new
      leaves of the tussock grass. The seasonal decline of yeasts on the phylloplane is
      discussed in terms of the availability of leachate and the growth of filamentous
      microfungi on new leaves. 

PMID- 24221089
TI  - The maintenance ofBdellovibrio at low prey density.
AB  - A mathematical model for the interaction ofBdellovibrio and its prey predicted
      that a relatively high prey density (7*10(5) cells ml(-1)) would be required for
      the establishment of an equilibrium in a mixed population [8]. The present report
      shows thatBdellovibrio can be maintained in a continuous culture when the prey
      cell density is much lower (2-5*10(4) cells ml(-1)), and closer to that of
      naturally occurring bacterial populations in sea waters. 

PMID- 24221087
TI  - Sustained delivery of proangiogenic microRNA-132 by nanoparticle transfection
      improves endothelial cell transplantation.
AB  - Transplantation of endothelial cells (ECs) for therapeutic vascularization or
      tissue engineering is a promising method for increasing tissue perfusion. Here,
      we report on a new approach for enhanced EC transplantation using targeted
      nanoparticle transfection to deliver proangiogenic microRNA-132 (miR-132) to
      cultured ECs before their transplantation, thereby sensitizing cells to the
      effects of endogenous growth factors. We synthesized biodegradable PLGA polymer
      nanoparticles (NPs) that were loaded with miR-132 and coated with cyclic RGD
      (cRGD) peptides that target integrin alphavbeta3 expressed on cultured human
      umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs), increasing NP uptake through clathrin-coated pits.
      Unlike previously reported NPs for miR delivery, these NPs slowly release RNA for
      several weeks. The endocytosed NPs remain in clathrin-coated vesicles from which
      they mediate intracellular delivery of siRNA or miRNA. Transfection of HUVECs
      with miR-132 enhances growth factor-induced proliferation and migration in 2D
      culture, producing a 1.8- and 5-fold increase, respectively. However, while the
      effects of conventional transfection were short-lived, NP transfection produced
      protein knockdown and biological effects that were significantly longer in
      duration (>= 6 d). Transfection of HUVECs with miR-132 NP resulted in a 2-fold
      increase in the number of microvessels per square millimeter compared to lipid
      after transplantation into immunodeficient mice and led to a higher number of
      mural cell-invested vessels than control transfection. These data suggest that
      sustained delivery of miR-132 encapsulated in a targeted biodegradable polymer NP
      is a safe and efficient strategy to improve EC transplantation and
      vascularization.

PMID- 24221090
TI  - Comparative study of the growth of two strains ofNitrobacter in batch and
      continuous culture.
AB  - Growth kinetics of 2Nitrobacter strains (N.w. and L) coexisting in the same soil
      are studied in batch and continuous culture. Monod's parameters are estimated
      numerically from experimental data in the case of the batch experiment, and from
      steady-state equations in the case of the chemostat. In both cases, the 2 strains
      show different values for their growth parameters. N.w. may be characterized by
      its highMU max-Ks values, relative to strain L. But for each strain,MU max is
      significantly lowered between batch and continuous culture. In this latter case,
      at N-NO2 (-) concentrations less than 1.5MUg.ml(-1), the 2 strains exhibit
      similar growth rates showing that for concentrations of the limiting substrate
      prevailing in the soil, they may compete for this substrate. 

PMID- 24221091
TI  - Nitrous oxide production by nitrogen-fixing, fast-growing Rhizobia.
AB  - Rhizobium trifolii, R. leguminosarum, andR. "hedysarum", grownex planta under
      anoxic conditions in a chemically defined medium, evolve N2O from NO3 (-), NO2 (
      ), and (NH4)2NO3. The amount of nitrous oxide formed after 96 hours is about
      0.2MUM*mg(-1) cells d.w. Large availability of organic matter enhances the
      production of N2O from nitrate by free-livingR. trifolii in peat/sand mixtures.
      Denitrification of the above species andR. meliloti was detected also in planta.
      Nitrous oxide production increases almost linearly from 10-45MUM*mg(-1) nodules
      d.w. when nitrogen-fixing plants are exposed to increasing concentrations of
      nitrate (1-12MUM). 

PMID- 24221092
TI  - Catalase and sulfur in the rice rhizosphere: An ultrastructural histochemical
      demonstration of a symbiotic relationship.
AB  - An ultrastructural study has been made of a symbiotic association between a
      sulfur bacterium and the roots of the rice plant (Oryza saliva L.). This
      association is proposed to have useful economic consequences in ameliorating
      hydrogen sulfide toxicity and associated Akiochi or Straighthead disease in
      lowland rice cultivation. The presence of catalase (E.C. 1.11.1.6) in rice roots
      and in some rhizosphere bacteria has been demonstrated in ultrathin sections of
      field-grown rice using a catalasespecific medium. Catalase was detected in
      capsules surrounding the catalase-negative S-bacteria. These capsules were of a
      novel fibrillar structure. Two sizes of inclusion bodies were present in these
      large bacteria. The disappearance of the smaller inclusions during carbon
      disulfide treatment suggests that they are the sulfur granules. The name
      "thiosome" is proposed for these membrane-bound structures. 

PMID- 24221093
TI  - Studies on the ecology of West Australian actinomycetes: Factors which influence
      the diversity and types of actionomycetes in Australian soils.
AB  - A statistical technique has been employed to study the effects of various
      environmental factors in altering the actinomycete populations of soils located
      in the western part of Australia. Over 12,000 actinomycetes obtained at 28
      different locations were included in the evaluation. Among factors that had a
      significant influence were the geographic area at which the sample was taken, the
      nature of plant rhizosphere, and a rainstorm. Seasonal changes in population did
      occur, but there was considerable stability of population with time. Although
      marked differences occurred in types of actinomycetes present among different
      geographic locations, multiple samples taken within a location at distances of 30
      cm or greater showed marked similarity in populations. There were varied degrees
      of diversity among the populations studied. The population that developed after a
      rainstorm was low in diversity, whereas the populations of root rhizospheres were
      as diverse as those of plant-free soil-litter areas. In assessing the ecology of
      soil actinomycetes, it is important to consider the degree of change in
      population induced by an environmental factor and also its effect on diversity,
      since the effects may be complementary or may be opposite in nature. 

PMID- 24221094
TI  - Measuring microzooplankton grazing on planktonic marine bacteria by its impact on
      bacterial production.
AB  - Grazing on planktonic bacteria by microzooplankton was estimated by separating
      bacteria from the larger plankton with 1MUm pore Nuclepore filtration and
      measuring changes in bacteria in filtered and unfiltered samples over 24 hours.
      In the absence of grazers, bacteria increased linearly. The regression
      coefficient of linear increase was used to estimatein situ bacterial production.
      When grazers were present, the changes in bacteria concentration usually took the
      form of a linear decline, and grazing was estimated by subtracting the regression
      coefficient of the unfiltered sample from that of the 1MUm filtrate. Results from
      the Essex estuary-coastal system of northern Massachusetts show grazing and
      production at rates that indicate a daily turnover of the standing crop of
      bacteria, with highest values in mid-estuarine waters. Experiments on the size
      distribution of grazing showed that microzooplankton from 1-3MUm were responsible
      for most of the observed decrease in bacteria. It was suggested that the basic
      pattern of linear increase of the bacteria in the absence of grazing reflects
      density-dependent limitation by substrate present at the outset of the incubation
      and is indicative of a population that has been maintained around the mid-point
      of the logistic growth curve by grazing. 

PMID- 24221095
TI  - Observations on microbial percent respiration values in arctic and subarctic
      marine waters and sediments.
AB  - Percent respiration was measured in over 1,100 arctic and subarctic marine water
      and sediment samples using(14)C-labeled glucose and glutamate. These measurements
      were made at different times of the year in 4 regions. Percent respiration values
      were typically lower in regions where the waters of large rivers mixed with
      seawater. They were also lower in sediments and in waters collected near the
      bottom than in surface waters. They were higher in winter arctic waters than
      water samples collected in the summer; however, a similar seasonal trend was not
      observed in subarctic waters. There were a number of studies in which there were
      significant positive rank correlations between percent respiration and salinity
      and between percent respiration and temperature. From what is known about the
      range of temperature and salinity encountered in samples collected during these
      studies and the results of temperature and salinity effects experiments, it was
      concluded that changes in these 2 variables did not explain the variation
      observed in percent respiration. Correlations between percent respiration and the
      inorganic nutrients PO4 (-3), NH4 (+) and NO3 (-) showed that of the 3 variables,
      only NO3 (-) showed relatively high correlations with all the same sign. From
      this it was concluded that there may be situations in which NO3 (-) levels may
      influence percent respiration in nearshore marine waters. It is also likely that
      qualitative characteristics of the available organic nutrients may also influence
      percent respiration levels. Although no organic nutrient data is available for
      statistical analysis, the patterns of percent respiration near river plumes and
      the relatively strong negative correlation often observed between uptake rates
      (heterotrophic activity) and percent respiration suggests that organic nutrients
      may be a factor in controlling percent respiration. It is suggested that there
      are situations in which percent respiration measurements may be used to document
      stress in natural microbial populations due to nutrient deficiencies. 

PMID- 24221096
TI  - Simultaneous estimation ofV max, K m, and the rate of endogenous substrate
      production (R) from substrate depletion data.
AB  - The nonlinear and 3 linearized forms of the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation
      were evaluated for their ability to provide reliable estimates of uptake kinetic
      parameters, when the initial substrate concentration (S0) is not error-free. Of
      the 3 linearized forms, the one where t/(S0-S) is regressed against ln(S0/S)/(S0
      S) gave estimates ofV max and Km closest to the true population means of these
      parameters. Further, this linearization was the least sensitive of the 3 to
      errors (+/-1%) in S0. Our results illustrate the danger of relying on r(2) values
      for choosing among the 3 linearized forms of the integrated Michaelis-Menten
      equation. Nonlinear regression analysis of progress curve data, when S0 is not
      free of error, was superior to even the best of the 3 linearized forms. The
      integrated Michaelis-Menten equation should not be used to estimateV max and Km
      when substrate production occurs concomitant with consumption of added substrate.
      We propose the use of a new equation for estimation of these parameters along
      with a parameter describing endogenous substrate production (R) for kinetic
      studies done with samples from natural habitats, in which the substrate of
      interest is an intermediate. The application of this new equation was illustrated
      for both simulated data and previously obtained H2 depletion data. The only means
      by whichV max, Km, and R may be evaluated from progress curve data using this new
      equation is via nonlinear regression, since a linearized form of this equation
      could not be derived. Mathematical components of computer programs written for
      fitting data to either of the above nonlinear models using nonlinear least
      squares analysis are presented. 

PMID- 24221097
TI  - Applicability of the fluorescein diacetate method of detecting active bacteria in
      freshwater.
AB  - Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis was evaluated as a means to detect
      actively metabolizing bacteria in freshwater. Fluorescein diacetate, a
      nonfluorescent derivative of fluorescein, can be transported across cell
      membranes and deacetylated by nonspecific esterases. Resultant fluorescein
      accumulates within cells and allows direct visualization by epifluorescent
      microscopy. Application of FDA to a variety of freshwater habitats yielded
      estimates of active cells ranging from 6-24% of the total population. These
      estimates were 49-61% lower than estimates of active cells obtained from measures
      of electron transport activity. The difference was attributed to low permeability
      of the fluorogen through the outer membrane of heterotrophic gram-negative cells.
      Data suggest that FDA hydrolysis as a means of detecting active bacteria may be
      limited to environments rich in eucaryotes and gram-positive cells. 

PMID- 24221098
TI  - Effects of interferential care: a community-based care program for persons with
      severe problems on several life areas.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Interferential care differs from the current community-based
      care programs in that it targets a larger, heterogeneous group and combines
      brokerage and full service elements in a multi-organizational care team. The team
      provides all the services itself, but with the aim to prepare clients within a
      few months for referral to regular (ambulant) healthcare services. The aim of
      this study was to assess the effectiveness of interferential care. METHODS: In a
      multisite, pretest-posttest design, 523 patients of three interferential care
      teams were followed. Quality of life, problem severity, problems with referral
      and engagement were assessed at baseline, at referral and again after 6 months.
      Analyses were performed using linear mixed modeling. RESULTS: Interferential care
      showed moderate to strong effects on quality of life and problem severity. These
      effects persisted (quality of life) or further improved (problem severity) until
      follow-up 6 months after referral to regular services. There were also small
      effects on both engagement and problems with referral. CONCLUSION: Interferential
      care offers significant improvements in quality of life and problem severity in
      persons who have severe problems on several life areas and who are currently not
      reached by healthcare services. It is a promising community-based care program
      for healthcare systems in which regular care already contains many elements of
      home-based practice.

PMID- 24221099
TI  - Recommendations of the Sardinian public for the treatment of depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Public beliefs about appropriate treatment impact, help-seeking and
      treatment adherence. AIM: To determine the recommendations of the Sardinian
      public for the treatment of depression. METHODS: In 2012, a population-based
      survey was conducted by phone in Sardinia (N = 1,200). In the context of a fully
      structured interview, respondents were presented with a vignette depicting a case
      of depression. Subsequently, they were asked about their treatment
      recommendations. The results are contrasted with findings from a similar survey
      which had been conducted in Vienna 3 years before. RESULTS: In Sardinia as in
      Vienna, psychotherapy was the uncontested favorite, while antidepressant
      medication was recommended by relatively few respondents. In Sardinia, there were
      also no marked differences between urban and rural areas with regard to these two
      treatments. However, between Sardinia and Vienna, as well as within Sardinia,
      great differences were found with regard to autogenic training and 'alternative'
      methods like homeopathic medicines and acupuncture. CONCLUSION: Cross-cultural
      comparisons may help better understand treatment preferences of the public. In
      Sardinia, as in Vienna, there seems to be a need for improving the public's
      knowledge about the appropriate treatment of depression.

PMID- 24221100
TI  - An improved system to obtain fertile regenerants via maize protoplasts isolated
      from a highly embryogenic suspension culture.
AB  - Regenerants from a 30-month-old haploid and a 10-month-old diploid tissue culture
      were cross-pollinated to generate a synthetic genotype (HE/89) with improved
      competence for maintenance of totipotency in various cultured expiants. The HE/89
      zygotic embryos developed friable, embryogenic cultures in the commonly used MS
      and N6-based media without the addition of L-proline. By optimalization and
      changing the culture conditions, we were able to regulate the maintenance of the
      earlier, more synchronous (Type II) and the later, asynchronous (Type I) in vitro
      embryogenesis, as well as the shift between different ontogenic stages. Within 70
      days after the inoculation of immature embryos a relatively homogeneous, early
      embryogenic suspension culture usable for protoplast isolation was established
      from the initially surface-grown cultures. Using modified solutions for
      protoplast isolation and culture, viable protoplasts were reproducibly obtained
      from which plants were regenerated via defined ontogenic steps. Despite the long
      in vitro history of the parental genotypes, 60-70% of the more than 500 plants
      derived from the HE/89 protoplasts set seeds following self or sib-pollination. 

PMID- 24221101
TI  - Chloroplast DNA polymorphism in fertile and male-sterile cytoplasms of sorghum
      (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).
AB  - Restriction endonuclease patterns of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) were consistently
      distinguishable between fertile and male-sterile cytoplasms of sorghum [Sorghum
      bicolor (L.) Moench], whereas no differences in restriction patterns of cpDNA
      among male-sterile (A1) lines, including six isocytoplasmic strains, were
      revealed in this study. It is suggested that chloroplast DNA may contribute to
      the male sterility of A1 lines used currently in hybrid sorghum production. 

PMID- 24221102
TI  - Variation in a single protoplast- and seed-derived population of Lotus
      corniculatus L.
AB  - Lotus comiculatus L. is a widely cultivated, outbreeding, leguminous forage crop.
      Seventy-one plants, most of which were tetraploid, were regenerated from calli
      derived from a single protoplast. Their morphological and agronomic traits were
      evaluated and compared with those of the seed-produced population. The variances
      of most of the traits in the protoplast-derived (protoclonal) population were
      smaller than those of the seed-produced population. Mean values of all the traits
      of the protoclonal population shifted significantly towards lower values.
      However, new phenotypic variants with higher values than those of the plant
      initially used for protoplast isolation were also observed. Plants with less
      hydrocyanic acid (which has a toxic effect on cattle) than the initial plant were
      obtained in the protoclones. Generally, the pollen fertility of protoclones was
      significantly low compared with the seed-produced plants. This seems to be partly
      due to the occurrence of abnormalities in chromosome structure during protoplast
      and/or callus culture, as suggested by the formation of univalents, lagging, and
      fragment chromosomes and bridges at metaphase I and anaphase I and II of the
      regenerants. The changes in chromosome structure, however, did not induce any
      malformed morphologies. 

PMID- 24221103
TI  - Introgression of genes from Oryza officinalis Well ex Watt to cultivated rice, O.
      sativa L.
AB  - Sterile AC hybrids between cultivated Oryza sativa (AA) and a distant wild
      species, O. officinalis (CC), were backcross to O. sativa. Most of the BC1
      progenies were allotriploid (AAC), a few were hypotriploid. AAC progenies were
      again backcrossed to O. sativa. BC2 progenies consisting of disomic or aneuploid
      individuals were examined for the presence of O. officinalis traits. Eleven
      different traits from O. officinalis were identified in these progenies.
      Segregation data in the subsequent generations suggest that these traits are
      monogenic in nature. Two of these genes - for resistance to BPH and WBPH - are of
      value in rice improvement. The extremely low recovery of recombinant progenies is
      in agreement with the very low amount of pairing between A and C genomes. Because
      of this restricted recombination, the genotype of the recurrent parent was
      reconstituted after two backcrosses only. Thus, the BC2 progenies look remarkably
      similar to O. sativa. Most of them are stable and fertile and also interfertile
      with other O. sativa breeding lines. Some of the BPH-and WBPH-resistant progenies
      are comparable in yield to the best O. sativa parents and are being evaluated as
      varietal possibilities. 

PMID- 24221104
TI  - Effect of selection on genetic parameters of correlated traits.
AB  - Changes in genetic parameters of correlated traits due to the buildup of linkage
      (gametic phase) disequilibrium from repeated truncation selection on a single
      trait are studied. After several generations of selection, an equilibrium is
      approached where there are no further changes in genetic parameters and limiting
      values are reached. Formulae are derived under an infinitesimal model for these
      limiting values of genetic variances and covariances, heritabilities, and genetic
      correlations between traits directly and indirectly selected. Changes from
      generation zero to the limit in all these parameters become greater as
      heritability of the trait under direct selection increases and, to a lesser
      extent, as intensity of selection increases. Change in heritability of a trait
      under indirect selection also increases as the absolute value of the correlation
      between the trait under indirect and the trait under direct selection increases.
      The change is maximum when the initial value of heritability is close to 0.5 and
      insignificant when the initital value is close to zero or one. Change in the
      genetic correlation between the trait under direct selection and the trait under
      indirect selection is maximum when its initial value is close to +/-0.6 and
      insignificant when its initial value is close to zero or +/-1. Heritability of
      the trait indirectly selected and genetic correlation between that trait and the
      trait directly selected always decrease in absolute value, whereas genetic
      correlation between two traits indirectly selected can either decrease or
      increase in absolute value. It is suggested that use be made of formulae at
      selection equilibrium in the prediction of correlated responses after several
      generations of selection. 

PMID- 24221105
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms of Malawian bean lines: further evidence for two
      major gene pools.
AB  - Intraspecific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity was determined in 23 Phaseolus
      vulgaris genotypes, and compared to previously observed variability of
      morphoagronomic characters and isozyme loci. Twenty of the lines were collected
      from Malawian landraces; the other three were pure-bred cultivars. The mtDNAs
      were digested with eight restriction endonucleases, revealing complex banding
      patterns. Southern hybridization using cosmid clones covering about 200-kb of the
      genome showed a considerable amount of uniformity of the mtDNA banding patterns.
      However, five restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were detected,
      dividing the bean lines into two groups corresponding to the previously known
      Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools of P. vulgaris. The cultivar "Mecosta" was
      separated from the rest of the lines by an additional RFLP. At least two out of
      the six RFLPs are believed to be due to base-pair mutation events. Our results
      provide the first evidence that the cytoplasms of the two major germ plasm pools
      of beans are distinct. 

PMID- 24221106
TI  - Quantitative phenotypical expression of three mutant genes in barley and the
      basis for defining an ideotype for Mediterranean environments.
AB  - Three mutants induced in the two-rowed barley variety Beka and their three binary
      recombinants have been used in an attempt to define an ideotype suitable for
      Mediterranean agroclimatic conditions. Physiological methods (classical plant
      growth analysis) together with the study of genotype x environment interaction
      for grain yield were used to characterize the genotypes. That characterization
      brought out the huge phenotypical variation produced by only three mutant genes,
      suggesting that single Mendelian genes may alone explain the quantitative
      variation, including grain yield, without the necessity of using the polygenic
      concept. The genotype best adapted to the environments studied is later in
      heading and has shorter straw and denser spikes than Beka; it also has higher
      inverse of leaf area rate and grain: leaf area ratio, a lower rate of leaf
      senescence, and a shorter grain filling period than the original variety. 

PMID- 24221107
TI  - Relationship between gene expression and hybrid vigor in primary root tips of
      young maize (Zea mays L.) plantlets.
AB  - To provide an insight into the molecular basis of heterosis, we investigated gene
      expression in primary root tips of a heterotic maize hybrid (B73 * Mo17) and its
      parental lines (B73 and Mo17). This analysis was carried out (i) by differential
      plaque hybridization of a recombinant cDNA library made to poly(A) RNA isolated
      from B73 * Mo17 primary root tips, and (ii) by comparing with two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis proteins synthesized in vitro in the rabbit reticulocyte system
      by poly(A) RNA isolated, at different stages of development, from the three
      genotypes. The results showed that there are sets of proteins and mRNAs that are
      differentially synthesized and expressed in the F1 primary root tips in
      comparison to the parental lines. Moreover, results from the survey of 21 major
      in-vitrosynthesized polypeptide variants, from mRNAs of primary root tips of the
      parental lines and their F1 hybrid, indicated that in seven instances hybrid
      proteins translated in vitro were more abundant or possibly new. In most of the
      remaining cases, hybrid spots were similar in intensity to the same protein
      produced by one of the two parental lines. 

PMID- 24221108
TI  - Analysis of chloroplast and mitochondrial segregation in three different
      combinations of somatic hybrids produced within Brassicaceae.
AB  - Mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA were characterized in three different
      combinations of somatic hybrids produced between different species within
      Brassicaceae. The fusions were made between B. campestris and B. oleracea, B.
      napus and B. nigra and between B. napus and Eruca sativa. The combinations
      represent interspecific hybridizations, but the phylogenetic distance between the
      species used in each instance is different. Whereas the B. campestris (+) B.
      oleracea and the B. napus (+)B. nigra hybrids are both examples of intrageneric
      hybrids, B. campestris is more closely related to B. oleracea than B. napus is to
      B. nigra. The fusion of B. napus and E. sativa represents an intergeneric
      hybridization. Since hybrids were produced with reproducible and uniform fusion
      and culture methods, a comparison of chloroplast and mitochondrial segregation
      and mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) rearrangements could be made between the
      combinations. The segregation of both chloroplasts and mitochondria was biased in
      the B. napus (+)B. nigra and the B. napus (+)E. sativa combination. The nonrandom
      segregation of chloroplasts and mitochondria could be due to the different ploidy
      levels of the fusion partners and/or reflect differences in organelle replication
      rate. Furthermore, segregation of mitochondria was correlated to the differences
      in phylogenetic distance between the species used in the fusions. However,
      mitochondrial segregation, in contrast to chloroplast segregation, could in all
      combinations also have been affected by the cell type used as protoplast source
      in the fusions. All different chloroplast types could be established within each
      combination. Hybrids containing chloroplast from one parent together with
      mitochondria from the other parent were found in two of the combinations,
      although the majority of the hybrids had mt-DNA that was altered compared to the
      parental species. The rearranged mt-DNA found in most hybrids was an effect of
      the heteroplasmic state following protoplast fusion rather than of the tissue
      culture methods, since no mt-DNA rearrangements were found in B. napus plants
      regenerated from protoplast culture. The mtDNA restriction patterns of the
      hybrids with rearranged mt-DNA indicated that specific regions of the mt-DNA were
      involved in the rearrangements following protoplast fusion. 

PMID- 24221109
TI  - Induction of triploid Citrus plants from endosperm calli in vitro.
AB  - Triploid hybrid Citrus plants were regenerated by somatic embryogenesis in vitro
      from endosperm derived calli. A sequence of media formulations was used to induce
      and support proliferation of primary callus from endosperm, to induce
      embryogenesis from primary callus, and to allow embryo development leading to
      viable plantlets. Calli were induced from cellular endosperm of Citrus sinensis
      (sweet orange), C. Xparadisi (grapefruit), and C. grandis (pummelo) excised 12-14
      weeks post-anthesis. Induction of embryogenesis from sweet orange and pummelo
      primary calli required gibberellic acid and double mineral nutrient
      concentrations. Embryogenesis was not induced from grapefruit calli in these
      experiments. Only sweet orange embryos developed sufficiently to allow plant
      regeneration. Triploid axillary buds were minigrafted onto etiolated diploid
      rootstock seedlings in vitro in order to transfer triploid regenerants to soil
      and the external environment. Triploidy (2n = 3x = 27) was observed consistently
      in all phases of regeneration and in recovered plants. These results demonstrate
      that triploid hybrid plant recovery from Citrus endosperm can overcome barriers
      to sexual hybridization resulting from apomixis. 

PMID- 24221110
TI  - Genetic mapping between Gli-B1 locus and a telomeric C-heterochromatin band in
      wheat.
AB  - Using C-banding it has been possible to prove that the bread wheat varieties
      'Holdfast' and 'CapelleDesprez' shows an intense band of telomeric
      heterochromatin on the short arm of chromosome 1B, while the variety 'Pane-247'
      presents a very thin band. Gliadin study using pH-acid electrophoresis revealed
      the existence of differences in the Gli-B1 locus in the three varieties. Analysis
      of the progeny of the (P x H) x CD hybrid revealed recombination between the
      heterochromatin C-band and locus Gli-B1, and allowed the genetic distance between
      the two markers to be calculated as 6.55+/-3.16 cMorgan. This is the first time
      the genetic distance from a locus to the chromosome telomere has been directly
      obtained in wheat. The heterochromatin C-band studied here gives us a cytological
      marker on chromosome 1B that can be used as a reference point in the localization
      of other genes. 

PMID- 24221111
TI  - Enhanced N2-fixing ability of a deletion mutant of arctic rhizobia with sainfoin
      (Onobrychis viciifolia).
AB  - Mutagenesis provoked by exposure at elevated temperature of the cold-adapted,
      arctic Rhizobium strain N31 resulted in the generation of five deletion mutants,
      which exhibited loss of their smaller plasmid (200 kb), whereas the larger
      plasmid (> 500 kb) was still present in all mutants. Deletion mutants did not
      show differences from the wild type in the antibiotic resistance pattern, the
      carbohydrates and organic acids utilization, and the growth rate at low
      temperature. However, deletion mutants differed from the wild type and among
      themselves in the ex planta nitrogenase activity, the nodulation index, and the
      symbiotic effectiveness. The deletion mutant N31.6rif (r) showed higher
      nodulation index and exhibited higher nitrogenase activity and symbiotic
      efficiency than the other deletion mutants and the wild type. The process of
      deletion mutation resulted in the improvement of an arctic Rhizobium strain
      having an earlier and higher symbiotic nitrogen fixation efficiency than the wild
      type. 

PMID- 24221112
TI  - The use of constrained selection indexes in breeding for economic merit.
AB  - Various methods exist for the derivation of restricted and/or desired gains
      selection indexes, and their use in applied breeding has been advocated. It is
      shown that there exists a set of implied linear economic weights for all
      constrained indexes and their derivation is given. Where economic weights are
      linear and known, a standard selection index is, by definition, optimal and thus
      a constrained index will usually be suboptimal. It is argued that economic
      weights can always be estimated and that the effects of uncertain weights can be
      examined by sensitivity analysis. If economic weights are nonlinear, use of the
      first order (linear) economic weights or a derived linear index, using previously
      described methods, will give very close to optimum economic selection responses.
      Examples from the literature indicate that severe losses of potential economic
      gain can possibly occur through use of a constrained index. It is concluded that
      constrained indexes should be avoided for economic genetic selection. 

PMID- 24221113
TI  - Milling energy requirement of the aneuploid stocks of common wheat, including
      alien addition lines.
AB  - Aneuploid stocks, which included Triticum aestivum/alien, disomic, chromosome
      addition lines, wheat/alien, ditelosomic, chromosome addition lines, and the
      available aneuploids of "Chinese Spring" wheat, were used to locate genes that
      influence milling energy requirement (ME). Genes that affected ME were found on
      all seven homoeologous chromosome groups. The addition of complete wheat
      chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2A, 2D, 5B, 6B, 7B and 7D increased ME. Positive effects were
      also found in specific chromosome arms: 1BS, 2DS, 5AS, 5BS and 6BL. Wheat
      chromosome 3B conditioned low ME and the gene(s) responsible was located on the
      short arm. Other negative effects were attributed to wheat chromosome arms 4BL,
      4DL, 5DS and 6DS. Alien chromosome additions that conferred high ME included 2H,
      5H, 6H and 7H of barley, Hordeum vulgare and 2R, 2Ralpha, 4R, 4RL, 6R, 6RL and
      7RL of rye, Secale cereale. Those that conferred a low ME included 1H (ch) of H.
      chilense, and 6u and 7u of Aegilops umbellulata, 5R and 5RS of S. cereale and 5R
      (m) and 5R (m)S of S. montanum. Although the control of ME is polygenic, there is
      a major effect of genes located on the short arms of homoeologous group 5
      chromosomes. 

PMID- 24221114
TI  - Resistance of maize to Meloidogyne arenaria and Meloidogyne javanica.
AB  - A diallel cross of eight maize, Zea mays L., inbred lines was analyzed for
      reaction to two species of root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal)
      Chitwood and M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood. Egg production following inoculation
      of F1 hybrid seedlings with nematode eggs was determined in a greenhouse
      experiment. Data were analyzed using Griffing's Method 4, Model I. General
      combining ability was a significant source of variation in egg production of both
      M. arenaria and M. javanica; specific combining ability was not a significant
      source of variation for either. The correlation between egg production of the two
      nematode species on the 28 F1 hybrids was highly significant. Hybrids with Mp313
      or SC213 as one parent were the most resistant to both species. This indicates
      that germ plasm is available for developing inbred lines and hybrids with
      resistance to both M. arenaria race 2 and M. javanica. 

PMID- 24221115
TI  - Gene delivery into cultured plant cells by DNA-coated gold particles accelerated
      by a pneumatic particle gun.
AB  - Transient expression of the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene in suspension-cultured
      cells of tobacco was obtained after gene delivery with a pneumatic particle gun
      device driven by compressed air. Both the pneumatic pressure used to accelerate
      the particles as well as the distance between the point of release of the
      particles from the device and the location of the target cells could be varied.
      Efficiency of gene delivery was tested by accelerating pressure from 63 to 200
      kg/cm(2) and distances from 5 to 15 cm. At 150 kg/cm(2) and 10cm, 618+/-49 blue
      spots of GUS-expressing cells were evenly distributed over the surface of the
      cell layer (3.5 cm diameter). The frequency of transient gene expression was
      estimated to be more than 1.2*10(-3), which is comparable to, or even higher
      than, that obtained by the gunpowder-driven device. 

PMID- 24221116
TI  - Somaclonal variation in tomato: effect of explant source and a comparison with
      chemical mutagenesis.
AB  - Plants were regenerated from leaf, cotyledon, and hypocotyl explants of tomato cv
      Moneymaker. Various phenotypic alterations were observed among regenerated plants
      (R1), but were not transmitted to the progenies, except for ploidy variation.
      Variation in ploidy level, mainly tetraploidy, occurred in R1 plants and their R2
      progenies, and the frequency of polyploid plants depended on the explant source.
      More than 50% of the regenerants derived from hypocotyl explants were found to be
      polyploid. A correlation was observed between the percentage of polyploid cells
      present in the explant material in vivo and the frequency of polyploid plants.
      Several monogenic mutations were recovered in the R2, four of which were shown to
      be allelic to known, recessive, single-gene mutants. No significant effect of
      explant source or duration of tissue culture period on mutant frequency or
      spectrum was found. For several mutant types that could be scored unambiguously,
      somaclonal variation was compared to variation induced by treatment of seeds with
      ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS). The results showed that the mutant frequencies
      were higher after EMS treatment than those generated through tissue culture. With
      respect to the mutant spectrum, no clear differences were observed between the
      spectra obtained after EMS treatment and those after tissue culture. However,
      tissue culture gave rise to polyploid plants, whereas no ploidy variants occurred
      after EMS treatment. 

PMID- 24221117
TI  - Assessment of the degree and the type of restriction fragment length polymorphism
      in barley (Hordeum vulgare).
AB  - In order to determine the extent of polymorphism in barley (Hordeum vulgare), DNA
      from 48 varieties was analyzed with 23 genomic, single-copy probes, distributed
      across all seven chromosomes. Upon hybridization to wheat-barley addition lines,
      the probes showed different degrees of homology compared to the wheat genome.
      Polymorphisms were detected in the barley genome at a frequency of 43% after
      digestion with EcoRI, BamHI, and HindIII. Subgroups of spring and winter barley
      and of two- and six-rowed types showed less diversity which, in most cases, was
      due to shifts in allelic frequencies. One probe (MWG1H504) hybridized to an EcoRI
      restriction fragment exclusively observed in winter barley. A comparison of six
      different restriction enzymes revealed clear differences with regard to their
      efficiency in detecting polymorphisms. The respective frequencies were between
      13% (HindIII) and 37% (EcoRV). A significant correlation between the efficiency
      of a restriction enzyme and the mean fragment size detected by the different
      probes identified insertion/deletion events as the major factor causing
      polymorphism in barley. 

PMID- 24221118
TI  - Similarities among a group of elite maize inbreds as measured by pedigree, F1
      grain yield, grain yield, heterosis, and RFLPs.
AB  - Genetic distances were calculated among 37 inbred lines representing a wide range
      of related and unrelated elite Corn Belt germ plasm of maize (Zea Mays L.), using
      257 probe restriction enzyme combinations. Genetic distances based on RFLP data
      were highly correlated with coefficients of parentage among pairs of lines. The
      RFLP-based distance had a higher correlation with single-cross grain yield
      performance and grain yield heterosis than any of the other measures of
      similarity we calculated using these same lines. The coefficients of
      determination (r (2)) from regressing the coefficient of parentage, grain yield,
      and grain yield heterosis on Nei's measure of genetic similarity based on RFLP
      data were 0.81, 0.87 and 0.77, respectively. A cluster diagram based upon the
      RFLP data grouped the lines into families consistent with the breeding history
      and heterotic response of these lines. We believe that measures of similarity
      calculated from RFLP data, coupled with pedigree knowledge and using molecular
      markers to locate quantitative trait loci (QTL), could allow maize breeders to
      predict combinations of lines that result in high-yielding, single-cross hybrids.

PMID- 24221119
TI  - Modification of amino acid composition of endosperm proteins from in-vitro
      selected high lysine mutants in rice.
AB  - Endosperm protein mutants in rice may be recovered by biochemical selections with
      inhibitory levels of lysine and threonine. Among the phenotypes recovered from in
      vitro selections are lines with increased protein and percent lysine in the
      protein. This work was designed to identify changes in proteins of rice mutants
      and to further our understanding of the mechanisms of lysine plus threonine
      selections in rice. Among the most obvious amino acid changes in mutants was a
      higher lysine level in all protein solubility fractions and a decrease in
      tyrosine. Methionine and glutamate are reduced in some protein fractions.
      However, methionine is significantly higher in the mutant than the control in the
      glutelin fraction. Several other aspartate pathway amino acids are higher in the
      mutant than the unselected controls. Separation of proteins in SDS-PAGE gels
      showed shifts in the protein profiles in the mutants, including a decrease in the
      major 30 kDa low lysine globulin component, and an increase in several high
      molecular-weight components, approximately 60-100 kDa. Increases in the lysine
      content of proteins of different solubility classes and different proteins within
      classes are detailed. 

PMID- 24221120
TI  - Genetic and environmental factors in the resistance of Drosophila subobscura
      adults to high temperature shock : 2. Modification of heat resistance by indirect
      selection.
AB  - We have carried out two equivalent selection experiments to increase and decrease
      heat shock resistance of Drosophila subobscura adults, using an indirect
      selection method that avoids excessive consanguinity. Heat shock was 33+/-0.5 
      degrees C at saturation humidity. Control lines showed a rapid change of the
      physiological trait as a consequence of laboratory culture conditions, expressed
      as a decrease both in heat shock resistance and in the initial population
      variability for heat shock resistance. Thus, this reduction of variability seems
      to consist in the loss of those combinations of genes that confer high resistance
      to heat shock. After eight generations of selection, the selected lines were
      differentiated from their respective control lines, and the selection response
      obtained was similar in "resistant" and "sensitive" lines. Differences in
      survival of progeny of reciprocal crosses between selected lines suggest that
      inheritance of heat resistance may depend in part on the origin of egg cytoplasm.

PMID- 24221121
TI  - The isolation and characterization of gibberellin-deficient mutants in tomato.
AB  - In tomato, nine independent EMS-induced mutants representing recessive mutations
      at three different loci (gib-1, gib-2, and gib-3) were isolated. Six of these
      have an almost absolute gibberellin requirement for seed germination and
      elongation growth. In addition, the leaves are darker green, smaller, and changed
      in structure as compared to wild type. The three other mutants, which germinate
      without GA, are allelic to specific, nongerminating mutants and have less severe
      mutant characteristics. The respective loci are situated on three different
      chromosomes. The genes identified by these mutants control steps in gibberellin
      biosynthesis, as endogenous gibberellins are strongly reduced. 

PMID- 24221122
TI  - Prognostic value of arterial blood gas disturbances for in-hospital mortality in
      pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of arterial blood
      gas as a secondary insult in children and young adults suffering from severe
      traumatic brain injury, and to assess the correlation, if any, with their in
      hospital mortality. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, the medical data of
      all children and adolescents with severe head trauma admitted to the Rasht
      Poursina Hospital were reviewed between April 2006 and September 2011. Data
      including age, gender, GCS upon admission, arrival and daily ABG values for the
      first 3 days, results of brain CT scan, as well as in-hospital mortality rate
      were collected. A logistic regression model was used to determine the association
      between acid-base disturbance and in-hospital mortality after adjustment for
      potential confounding factors. RESULT: Of the 108 patients, 75% were male and 25%
      were female; and 31.5% of them died in the hospital. Univariate analysis showed a
      significantly higher risk of mortality in patients who developed mixed metabolic
      acidosis plus respiratory acidosis on their admission day (OR = 3.94, p = 0.012).
      Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that mixed metabolic acidosis
      plus respiratory acidosis (OR = 3.81, 95% CI = 1.18-12.27, p-value = 0.025) and
      GCS (OR = 0.457, 95 % CI = 0.31-0.65, p-value < 0.001) were two significant
      predictors of mortality, regardless of other confounding variables. CONCLUSION:
      The results of present study show that, in pediatric patients with severe head
      injuries, initial mixed metabolic acidosis plus respiratory acidosis and GCS are
      significant predictors of mortality, but other factors after adjustment for
      potential confounding factors had no prognostic effect.

PMID- 24221123
TI  - Concentrations of heavy metals in oysters from the coastline of Northern
      Territory, Australia.
AB  - The concentrations of five metals in oysters from ten locations along the
      Northern Territory coastline were determined during the dry season of 1989. The
      measured concentrations of iron, cadmium, zinc, manganese and copper in oysers
      were 11.6-274, 0.17-9.1, 4.79-735, 0.25-69.85 and nd-70.2 ug g(-1) wet weight.
      The level of cadmium exceeded the National Health and Medical Research Council
      (NHMRC) recommended limit at five sites. The largest fluctuation occurred in zinc
      and cadmium while the other metals displayed much less variation. 

PMID- 24221124
TI  - Comparison of a matrix solid phase dispersion and a classical extraction method
      for the determination of chlorinated pesticides in fish muscle.
AB  - A new multiresidue extraction technique was used to determine incurred
      chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide residues in various fish species sampled at 2
      locations along the Tensas River in Louisiana. Residue levels of total DDT
      (combined DDT, DDE, and DDD levels) in fish muscle fillets from paired samples
      ranged from 0.2 to 3.9 ppm on a wet weight basis. These findings were compared to
      those of another laboratory that used a different protocol to isolate the
      residues from the fish muscle fillets. This latter protocol typifies the more
      complicated, time-consuming protocols used by governmental agencies for screening
      purposes. Results demonstrated that the new extraction technique reduced analysis
      time, solvent waste, and cost per sample without affecting the quality of residue
      detection and measurement. 

PMID- 24221125
TI  - Lake Ontario sediments in monitoring pollution.
AB  - An investigation was carried out to select locations for long-term monitoring of
      inputs of contaminants into Lake Ontario using fine-grained bottom sediments as
      an historical record of pollution. The sediment sampling program was designed to
      determine sediment heterogeneity in the western, central and eastern depositional
      basins of the lake. Surficial sediments and sediment cores were collected in each
      basin to obtain information on horizontal distribution and concentration profiles
      of major and trace elements in the sediments (Si, Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, K, Ti, Mn,
      P, As, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn). The results of the investigation indicated
      that fine-grained sediments in three Lake Ontario depositional basins are
      homogeneous to a high degree, and that only a few sediment cores need to be
      collected within each basin for the long-term monitoring of inputs of
      contaminants to the lake. 

PMID- 24221126
TI  - In vivo effects of trivalent and hexavalent chromium on renal and hepatic atpases
      of a freshwater teleost Anabas scandens.
AB  - The in vivo toxic effect of trivalent and hexavalent chromium (25 mg/L) on the
      renal and hepatic tissue ATPases of an edible teleost Anabas scandens was
      studied. In an exposure span of 30 days Na(+)-K(+) ATPase activity exhibited a
      progressive inhibition in the kidney, but marked inhibition in Na(+)-K(+) ATPase
      activity was observed in the liver. Mg(2+) ATPase activity, however, exhibited an
      elevation on early exposures, with a later inhibition. 

PMID- 24221127
TI  - Biological monitoring of atmospheric trace metal deposition in North-Eastern
      Nigeria.
AB  - The epiphytic moss Polytrichum juniperinum and the tree bark of Azardirachta
      indica were used to determine the atmospheric Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Fe, Ni and Zn
      levels in the North-East region of Nigeria. A good correlation exists between
      levels in the moss and the tree barks. The Pb, Zn and Fe levels in both sample
      types were higher than other metals in most sites. There was no significant
      difference in the levels of Cd, Cu, Ni and Mn recorded for inhabited and forest
      sites. The area derives its atmospheric metal contamination from vehicular,
      urban, industrial and agricultural sources. 

PMID- 24221128
TI  - Depositional profiles and relationships between organotin compounds in freshwater
      and estuarine sediment cores.
AB  - A range of organotin compounds including tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and
      monobutyltin (MBT) were measured in sediment cores collected from contaminated
      freshwater and estuarine sites in Essex and Suffolk, U.K. Butyltin compounds were
      found in significant quantities at depths of up to 60 cm within the sediments of
      marina and boatyard complexes with TBT concentrations ranging from <3 ng g(-1)
      (the detection limit) to >3000 ng g(-1). In general sediment TBT concentrations
      decreased with depth, but maximum enrichment tended to occur just below the
      surface. It was evident from these core profiles that the accumulation of
      organotins in surface deposits was on the decline and coincided approximately,
      with the implementation in 1987 of the UK retail ban on the sale of TBT based
      antifouling paints for application on vessels <25 m in length. The degradation
      rate for TBT in sediments was found to exhibit first order kinetics with half
      lives ranging from 0.9-5.2 years between different sites. Estimated degradation
      rates have also been determined for DBT and MBT. These ranged from 1.5-3.0 years
      for DBT and 1.8-3.7 years for MBT. 

PMID- 24221129
TI  - Evolutionary consequences for ecological risk assessment and management.
AB  - The human health risk assessment (HRA) paradigm is being used as a basis for
      developing ecological risk assessment (ERA). The modification of the HRA paradigm
      to ERA will be most useful in an ecotoxicological sense, to assess the effect of
      hazards to single indicator species and populations, rather than to ecosystems.
      However, even for single species and population assessments, there are major
      differences in HRA and ERA. One such difference derives from the HRA tenet that
      human impairment at any age is important, and that each individual is important.
      For ERA, individuals are less important, and it is the population and its
      survival and interactions that are of concern. One exception is in the case of
      endangered species where every individual is critical because of its potential
      impact on survival and genetic diversity of the species. We suggest that ERA must
      take into account the relative reproductive value of the potentially impacted
      individuals in assessing hazards. This will involve adding additional steps to
      evaluate the value of the individual to current population levels, assessing
      reproductive value, and assessing recovery potential. Although ecologists
      recognize the importance of these factors, we suggest that they should be
      integral parts of ecological risk assessment. 

PMID- 24221131
TI  - Forest damage assessments in Austria.
AB  - Different types of assessments of forest damage are conducted in Austria. Faced
      with forest dieback reports, a needle and leaf sampling programme and a
      terrestrial crown assessment have been started after 1983, in addition to the
      forest inventory. In order to obtain more comprehensive and detailed information
      for the analysis of cause-effect relationships, as many investigations concerning
      forest health status as possible were concentrated on permanent plots out of the
      grid of the Austrian National Forest Inventory. This new, long-term project,
      started in 1987, was called the Forest Damage Monitoring System. An overview of
      the investigations and assessments, as they have been conducted by the end of
      1991, is given in this paper. 

PMID- 24221130
TI  - Effective monitoring of pollution by toxic trace elements in waters, sediment and
      biota of the Derwent River Estuary, Tasmania, through long-term retention of
      analytical facilities.
AB  - This study considers the effectiveness of the monitoring of toxic trace elements
      in various media from a polluted river estuary over a period of 15 years, using
      the same analytical techniques, facilities and, in some cases, the same
      operators. It shows that reliable comparisons can be made for monitoring waters,
      sediment and biota from the Derwent River Estuary between 1975 data and that from
      1990. Rigorous studies were undertaken before and during 1975 to ensure that
      reliable data was achieved at that time. Such studies are reviewed and included
      the evaluation of digestion techniques for a range of heavy metals, specific
      attention to the reliability of mercury determination in sediments between
      laboratories, a comparison of direct calibration and standard addition techniques
      for metals in seawater, recoveries of an organomercury compound from fish, and
      sources of error arising from sample preparation of biota for subsequent metal
      analysis. Comparative results for standard reference materials in both 1975 and
      1990 show good agreement and are considered reliable except for lead at low
      concentrations. The long-term retention of the analytical facilities permits a
      direct comparison of data from 2 monitoring programmes over the space of 15
      years. 

PMID- 24221132
TI  - Heavy metals and selenium in feathers of three shorebird species from Delaware
      bay.
AB  - Concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, chromium and manganese were
      examined in breast feathers of shorebirds migrating north through Cape May, New
      Jersey in 1991 and 1992. Although we predicted that metal levels would be
      positively correlated with weight, this was only true for mercury in red knots
      (Calidris canutus). Selenium was negatively correlated with weight in red knots.
      No other significant correlation of metal concentrations with weight were found.
      Lead and mercury were highest in sanderlings (C. alba). Selenium and manganese
      were highest in red knots, while chromium and cadmium levels were highest in
      semipalmated sandpipers (C. pusilus). For 1991, interspecific metals differences
      were significant for all metals except lead. For semipalmated sandpipers, cadmium
      and chromium concentrations were significantly higher in 1991 while managese
      concentrations were significantly higher in 1992. 

PMID- 24221134
TI  - Anti-Candida activity of 1-18 fragment of the frog skin peptide esculentin-1b: in
      vitro and in vivo studies in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model.
AB  - Candida albicans represents one of the most prevalent species causing life
      threatening fungal infections. Current treatments to defeat Candida albicans have
      become quite difficult, due to their toxic side effects and the emergence of
      resistant strains. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are fascinating molecules with a
      potential role as novel anti-infective agents. However, only a few studies have
      been performed on their efficacy towards the most virulent hyphal phenotype of
      this pathogen. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the anti-Candida activity
      of the N-terminal 1-18 fragment of the frog skin AMP esculentin-1b, Esc(1-18),
      under both in vitro and in vivo conditions using Caenorhabditis elegans as a
      simple host model for microbial infections. Our results demonstrate that Esc(1
      18) caused a rapid reduction in the number of viable yeast cells and killing of
      the hyphal population. Esc(1-18) revealed a membrane perturbing effect which is
      likely the basis of its mode of action. To the best of our knowledge, this is the
      first report showing the ability of a frog skin AMP-derived peptide (1) to kill
      both growing stages of Candida; (2) to promote survival of Candida-infected
      living organisms and (3) to inhibit transition of these fungal cells from the
      roundish yeast shape to the more dangerous hyphal form at sub-inhibitory
      concentrations. 

PMID- 24221133
TI  - Mechanisms of cellular invasion by intracellular parasites.
AB  - Numerous disease-causing parasites must invade host cells in order to prosper.
      Collectively, such pathogens are responsible for a staggering amount of human
      sickness and death throughout the world. Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease,
      toxoplasmosis, and malaria are neglected diseases and therefore are linked to
      socio-economical and geographical factors, affecting well-over half the world's
      population. Such obligate intracellular parasites have co-evolved with humans to
      establish a complexity of specific molecular parasite-host cell interactions,
      forming the basis of the parasite's cellular tropism. They make use of such
      interactions to invade host cells as a means to migrate through various tissues,
      to evade the host immune system, and to undergo intracellular replication. These
      cellular migration and invasion events are absolutely essential for the
      completion of the lifecycles of these parasites and lead to their for disease
      pathogenesis. This review is an overview of the molecular mechanisms of protozoan
      parasite invasion of host cells and discussion of therapeutic strategies, which
      could be developed by targeting these invasion pathways. Specifically, we focus
      on four species of protozoan parasites Leishmania, Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium,
      and Toxoplasma, which are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. 

PMID- 24221137
TI  - C-reactive protein (CRP) responses in neonates with hypoxic ischaemic
      encephalopathy.

PMID- 24221138
TI  - Comparison of different pseudotumor grading systems in a single cohort of metal
      on-metal hip arthroplasty patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Follow-up of pseudotumors observed with metal-artefact reducing
      sequence (MARS)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following metal-on-metal total
      hip arthroplasty (MoMTHA) depends on how severe these pseudotumors are graded.
      Several pseudotumor grading systems for MARS-MRI have emerged but little is known
      of their validity. We studied the intra- and interobserver reliability of three
      different pseudotumor grading systems in a single cohort of MoMTHA. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists independently used three
      different pseudotumor grading systems for classifying MARS-MRI results of the
      same cohort of 42 MoMTHA patients (49 hips, mean follow-up 5.2 years).
      Intraobserver and interobserver reliability for each grading system was measured
      using Cohen's kappa (kappa). Variance in pseudotumor severity grading between
      systems was analyzed. RESULTS: Intraobserver reliability on grading pseudotumor
      severity with the Anderson, Matthies, and Hauptfleisch grading system scored
      0.47, 0.10, and 0.35 (observer 1), and 0.75, 0.38, and 0.42 (observer 2),
      respectively. Interobserver reliability scores for pseudotumor severity were
      0.58, 0.23, and 0.34, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intraobserver reliability for
      grading pseudotumor severity on MARS-MRI ranged from poor to good, dependent on
      observer and grading system used. Interobserver reliability scored best with the
      Anderson system. A more succinct pseudotumor severity grading system is needed
      for clinical use.

PMID- 24221135
TI  - Challenging the future of siRNA therapeutics against cancer: the crucial role of
      nanotechnology.
AB  - The identification of numerous deregulated signaling pathways on cancer cells and
      supportive stromal cells has revealed several molecular targets whose
      downregulation can elicit significant benefits for cancer treatment. In this
      respect, gene downregulation can be efficiently achieved by exploiting the RNA
      interference mechanism, particularly by the delivery of chemical synthesized
      small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which have the ability to mediate, in a specific
      manner, the degradation of any mRNA with complementary nucleotide sequence.
      However, several concerns regarding off-target effects and immune stimulation
      have been raised. Depending on their sequence, siRNAs can trigger an innate
      immune response, which might mediate undesirable side effects that ultimately
      compromise their clinical utility. This is a very relevant effect that will be
      discussed in the present manuscript. Moreover, the major drawback in the
      translation of siRNAs into the clinical practice is undoubtedly their inability
      to accumulate in tumor sites, particularly in organs other than the liver. In
      fact, upon systemic administration, owing to siRNAs physico-chemical features,
      they are rapidly cleared from the blood stream. Therefore, the development of a
      proper drug delivery system is of utmost importance. In this review, some of the
      latest advances on different nanotechnological platforms for siRNA delivery under
      clinical evaluation will be discussed. Along with this, targeting approaches
      towards cancer and/or endothelial cells will also be addressed, as these are some
      of the most promising strategies to enhance specific tumor accumulation while
      avoiding healthy tissues. Finally, clinical information on ongoing studies in
      patients with advanced solid tumors will be also provided. 

PMID- 24221140
TI  - Dextran/Albumin hydrogel sealant for Dacron(R) vascular prosthesis.
AB  - In this paper, the authors describe a novel type of hydrogel coating prepared
      from the copolymer of human serum albumin and oxidized dextran. The material was
      designed as a hydrogel sealant for polyester (Dacron(r))-based vascular grafts.
      Dextran was chosen as a coating material due to its anti-thrombogenic properties.
      Prepared hydrogels were compared with similar, already known biomaterial made
      from gelatine with the same cross-linking agent. Obtained hydrogels, prepared
      from various ratios of oxidized dextran/albumin or oxidized dextran/gelatine,
      showed different cross-linking densities, which caused differences in swelling,
      degradation rate and mechanical properties. Permeability tests confirmed the
      complete tightness of the hydrogel-modified prosthesis. Results showed that
      application of the hydrogel coating provided leakage-free prosthesis and
      eliminated the need of pre-clotting. 

PMID- 24221139
TI  - The effects of weight-bearing conditions on patellofemoral indices in individuals
      without and with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences between the
      patellofemoral joint indices after supine, non-weight-bearing and standing
      position, and weight-bearing Merchant view radiographs in individuals without and
      with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiographs of
      44 knees without PFPS and 51 knees with PFPS were retrospectively evaluated. In
      both positions, the non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing Merchant views,
      patellar indices such as patellar tilt angle, lateral patellofemoral angle,
      lateral subluxation distance, lateral patellar displacement, and congruence angle
      were measured, respectively. The differences between the patellofemoral joint
      indices in knees with and without PFPS were analyzed using univariate and
      multivariate regression analysis, in regards to correlation factors. RESULTS: The
      patellar tilt angle (p = 0.0002), lateral subluxation distance (p = 0.038),
      lateral patellar displacement (p = 0.0004), and congruence angle (p < 0.0001) on
      the weight-bearing Merchant view was significantly decreased in normal knees
      without PFPS. In pathologic knees with PFPS, the patellar tilt angle (p <
      0.0001), lateral subluxation distance (p < 0.0001), lateral patella displacement
      (p < 0.0001), and congruence angle (p < 0.0001) on weight-bearing Merchant view
      was also significantly decreased. The difference between the patellofemoral
      indices was significantly more in knees specifically with PFPS (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that patellofemoral indices measured during
      non-weight-bearing supine position do not sufficiently represent the
      patellofemoral kinematics during normal weight-bearing activities. We conclude
      that this study establishes the clinical significance and relevance of assessing
      the patellofemoral kinematics by weight-bearing, standing Merchant view
      radiographs, when evaluating patients with patellofemoral problems.

PMID- 24221141
TI  - Pure culture growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi on inorganic nitrogen sources.
AB  - Four ectomycorrhizal fungi were tested for their ability to grow (i.e., mycelial
      mat radial extension and fungal biomass) on nutrient media either supplemented
      with ammonium-nitrogen or nitrate-nitrogen or in the absence of an inorganic
      nitrogen source.Pisolithus tinctorius, Cenococcum geophilum andThelephora
      terrestris exhibited greater growth on ammonium-nitrogen.Suillus granulatus grew
      better on the nitrate-nitrogen nutrient medium. Regardless of inorganic nitrogen
      form preference (i.e., ammonium-nitrogen or nitrate-nitrogen), all 4 species
      showed some growth on each of the 3 nutrient media. Growth rate maxima varied by
      fungal species as well as by inorganic nitrogen source. Maximum growth rate forT.
      terrestris exceeded rates exhibited by the other 3 fungi by 2-5 times. 

PMID- 24221142
TI  - Fungal populations in podzolic soil experimentally acidified to simulate acid
      rain.
AB  - The effect of experimental acidification on the soil microfungal community was
      studied in the humus layer of a coniferous forest in northern Sweden. The study
      was made 4 years after the last application of sulfuric acid. Fungal species
      composition was altered by treatments of 100 and 150 kg sulfuric acid ha(-1) each
      year for 6 years, yet no differences were found between the control treatment and
      an application of 50 kg ha(-1). The abundance ofPenicillium spinulosum
      andOidiodendron cf.echinulatum II increased with increasing rates of acid
      application, whereas only small changes were found for other isolated fungal
      taxa. Soil respiration rate and fluorescein diacetate (FDA)-active fungal biomass
      were significantly different from the control treatment at all 3 levels of
      acidification. 

PMID- 24221136
TI  - Transcriptional control of mammalian pancreas organogenesis.
AB  - The field of pancreas development has markedly expanded over the last decade,
      significantly advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that
      control pancreas organogenesis. This growth has been fueled, in part, by the need
      to generate new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of diabetes. The
      creation of sophisticated genetic tools in mice has been instrumental in this
      progress. Genetic manipulation involving activation or inactivation of genes
      within specific cell types has allowed the identification of many transcription
      factors (TFs) that play critical roles in the organogenesis of the pancreas.
      Interestingly, many of these TFs act at multiple stages of pancreatic
      development, and adult organ function or repair. Interaction with other TFs,
      extrinsic signals, and epigenetic regulation are among the mechanisms by which
      TFs may play context-dependent roles during pancreas organogenesis. Many of the
      pancreatic TFs directly regulate each other and their own expression. These
      combinatorial interactions generate very specific gene regulatory networks that
      can define the different cell lineages and types in the developing pancreas.
      Here, we review recent progress made in understanding the role of pancreatic TFs
      in mouse pancreas formation. We also summarize our current knowledge of human
      pancreas development and discuss developmental pancreatic TFs that have been
      associated with human pancreatic diseases. 

PMID- 24221143
TI  - Can bacteria outcompete phytoplankton for phosphorus? a chemostat test.
AB  - Although the bacterioplankton of lakes are usually considered primarily in terms
      of mineralization processes, recent studies suggest that they may also strongly
      compete for phosphorus with the phytoplankton. In the present study, we have
      tested in chemostat culture, and found support for the hypotheses that (1) a
      freshwater bacterium (Pseudomonas paucimobilis), whose carbon source is excretion
      from a phosphorus-limited alga (Synedra ulna var.danica), can outcompete that
      alga for phosphorus (P) under widely varied P supply rates; (2) exogenously
      supplied organic carbon positively influences bacterial biomass and negatively
      influences algal biomass; (3) the ratio of bacterial to algal phosphorus uptake
      in short-term(32)P orthophosphate uptake experiments is an accurate predictor of
      their relative long-term phosphorus assimilation (i.e., growth) in mixed culture.

PMID- 24221144
TI  - Bacterial adaptation to low-nutrient conditions as studied with algal
      extracellular products.
AB  - Kinetic analyses indicate that members of natural bacterial populations from 2
      marine environments near Woods Hole, MA, possess enzyme-mediated transport
      systems which permit utilization of(14)C-labeled extracellular organic C ((14)C
      EOC) prepared from the algae,Skeletonema costatum, Thalassiosira pseudonana,
      andDunaliella tertiolecta, and supplied over a concentration range of 15
      150MUC.liter(-1). It is shown that previous exposure of the bacteria to the EOC
      from these algae cannot explain the linear kinetic patterns obtained. Therefore,
      the ability to utilize algal EOC at low concentrations is a general feature of
      metabolically active bacterial populations. Further, as the native bacteria do
      not restrict this ability to a specific EOC pool, the results are consistent with
      the hypothesis that bacteria adapted to low nutrient environments possess uptake
      systems of high substrate affinity and low substrate specificity. Elevation of
      substrate levels with as little as 10 mg.1(-1) peptone is shown to favor
      development of a bacterial population that lacks these adaptations. Standard
      enrichment techniques typically result in the isolation of bacteria that are poor
      models for evaluating the ecology of native microbiota. 

PMID- 24221145
TI  - Sea ice microbial communities. III. Seasonal abundance of microalgae and
      associated bacteria, Mcmurdo Sound, Antarctica.
AB  - Numbers of bacteria in annual sea ice increased directly with numbers of algae
      during the 1981 spring ice diatom bloom in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Algae and
      bacteria in a control site grew at rates of 0.10 and 0.05 day(-1), respectively,
      whereas in an experimentally darkened area neither increased after six weeks.
      Epiphytic bacteria grew at a rate twice that of the nonattached bacteria and were
      significantly larger, contributing approximately 30% of the total bacterial
      biomass after October. The microalgal assemblage was dominated by two species of
      pennate diatoms, anAmphiprora sp. andNitzschia stellata. Greater than 65% of
      epiphytic bacteria were associated withAmphiprora sp. after October.N. stellata,
      however, remained largely uncolonized throughout the study. We hypothesize that
      microalgae stimulate bacterial growth in sea ice, possibly by providing the
      bacteria with organic substrates. 

PMID- 24221146
TI  - Distribution and activity of bacteria in the headwaters of the Rhode River
      Estuary, Maryland, USA.
AB  - A transect along the axis of the headwaters of a tidal estuary was sampled for
      microbial, nutrient, and physical parameters. Chlorophylla averaged 42MUg 1(-1)
      and phytoplankton comprised an estimated 80% of the total microbial biomass as
      determined by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Bacterial concentrations ranged from
      0.3-53.9*10(6) cells ml(-1) and comprised about 4% of the total living microbial
      biomass. Bacterial production, determined by(3)H-methyl-thymidine incorporation
      was about 0.05-2.09* 10(9) cells 1(-1) h(-1), with specific growth rates of 0.26
      1.69 d(-1). Most bacterial production was retained on 0.2MUm pore size filters,
      but passed through 1.0MUm filters. Significant positive correlations were found
      between all biomass measures and most nutrient measures with the exception of
      dissolved inorganic nitrogen nutrients where correlations were negative. Seasonal
      variability was evident in all parameters and variability among the stations was
      evident in most. The results suggest that bacterial production requires a
      significant carbon input, likely derived from autotrophic production, and that
      microbial trophic interactions are important. 

PMID- 24221147
TI  - Interactions of carbaryl with estuarine bacterial communities.
AB  - The addition of carbaryl (100MUg/ml) to a model estuarine ecosystem did not
      affect the number of bacteria in the sediment, but reduced the diversity (as
      measured by the rarefaction technique) of the microbial community as compared
      with a control model ecosystem. Two carbaryltolerant strains of bacteria were
      isolated from the carbaryl-treated system, but none were isolated from the
      control system. Bacterial growth and filter paper decomposition in mixed cultures
      was prevented by 100MUg/ml carbaryl, but this amount had no effect on the
      extracellular cellulase of an estuarine isolate. Increasing the amount of organic
      matter in the medium attenuated the toxicity of carbaryl to pure cultures of an
      estuarine isolate. The addition of 1, 10, or 100MUg/ml carbaryl to field plots
      had no effect on bacterial numbers, diversity, or filter paper decomposition. The
      amount of carbaryl in sediments exposed to 100MUg/ml fell below the limit of
      detection by thin-layer chromatography within 12 hours. In sterile and nonsterile
      model systems, carbaryl rapidly adsorbed to sediment, and hydrolyzed to 1
      naphthol in both sediment and water. Although carbaryl may be toxic to bacteria
      under some conditions, the amounts that might enter and persist in an estuary are
      insufficient to have a significant impact on the sediment microbial community. 

PMID- 24221148
TI  - Vibrio species associated with mortality of sharks held in captivity.
AB  - Two urease-positiveVibrio spp. were isolated from a brown shark (Carcharhinus
      plumbeus) that died in captivity at a national aquarium. Morphological,
      biochemical, and molecular genetic studies revealed one of the isolates to beV.
      damsela; the other isolate was unique and has been classified asV. carchariae sp.
      nov. BothV. damsela andV. carchariae were found to be virulent for spiny dogfish
      (Squalus acanthias), causing death in less than 18 hours after intraperitoneal
      injection of ca. 4*10(6) cells.V. damsela was strongly cytotoxic for Y1 adrenal
      cell monolayers;V. carchariae exhibited weak cytotoxicity for Y1 cells.V. damsela
      contained cryptic plasmids and both isolates were urease positive.V. carchariae
      was able to utilize urea as sole source of carbon and nitrogen. 

PMID- 24221149
TI  - Application of FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) analysis in the numerical taxonomic
      determination of bacterial guild structure.
AB  - Comparative numerical taxonomic analyses, using fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)
      profiles and phenetic characteristics, were conducted to examine bacterial guild
      structure in freshwater sediments. Both approaches were used to examine a subset
      of 60 OTUs obtained from a previously well characterized microbial community in
      sediments of a shallow fast flowing stream. For both classifications, greater
      than 80% of the OTUs were recovered in 11 and 12 major groups for FAME and
      phenetics approaches. However, there was not complete correspondence for the
      groupings of the 2 classifications, with most FAME groups being distributed among
      the phenetic groups and 2 phenetic groups not providing usable characteristics
      for FAME analysis. The results did demonstrate significant taxonomic variation in
      bacteria capable of occupying the same or a similar fundamental niche. 

PMID- 24221150
TI  - A bird's eye view of home.

PMID- 24221151
TI  - Characterization of a gametoclonal variant controlling virus resistance in
      tobacco.
AB  - Potato virus Y (PVY), susceptible tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cultivar, McNair
      944, was subjected to in vitro anther culture to determine if genetic variability
      for virus resistance could be induced among resulting haploids. Five hundred and
      forty-five haploids were produced and inoculated with a highly necrotic strain
      (NN) of PVY. One haploid plant survived, even though it was infected with the
      virus. Selfed progenies of a chromosome-doubled plant of this variant, designated
      NC 602, proved to be highly resistant to the necrotic effects of the virus. An
      investigation into the genetic nature of this variant showed the resistance
      mechanism to be controlled by a single gene exhibiting incomplete dominance.
      Cytoplasmic and maternal effects were not involved in the disease resistance
      reaction. The variant was challenged with ten additional strains of PVY from an
      international collection, and it proved to be resistant to three (VAM-B, MM, and
      Spanish) strains. NC 602 was evaluated for five agronomic traits and
      concentrations of total alkaloids as nicotine and reducing sugars in cured leaf.
      The gametoclonal variant differed from McNair 944 only for cured leaf yield,
      where an 18.4% reduction was measured. 

PMID- 24221152
TI  - Triploidy induction in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. using pressure,
      heat and cold shocks.
AB  - The results of a study aimed at the identification of treatment optima for
      triploidy induction in recently fertilised Oreochromis niloticus L. eggs by
      altering the intensity, duration and timing of application of pressure, heat and
      cold shocks are reported. Preliminary, but not directly comparable, trials
      suggested the following treatments to be close to the individual agent optima.
      Pressure: 8,000 psi 2-min duration applied 9 min after fertilisation (a.f.);
      heat: 41  degrees C, 3.5-min duration applied 5 min a.f., cold: 9 degrees C, 30
      min duration applied 7 min a.f. In a directly comparable trial in which the eggs
      of eight different females were separately exposed to the optimum shocks listed
      above, individual triploid yields were more variable following cold shocks and
      mean triploid yields were, therefore, higher following pressure and heat shock.
      These and other results obtained are presented and the light they shed on the
      timing of the second meiotic division in this species is discussed. 

PMID- 24221153
TI  - Chloroplast DNA evolution in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).
AB  - A deletion specific to chloroplast (ct) DNA of potato (Solanum tuberosum ssp.
      tuberosum) was determined by comparative sequence analysis. The deletion was 241
      bp in size, and was not flanked by direct repeats. Five small, open reading
      frames were found in the corresponding regions of ctDNAs from wild potato (S.
      tuberosum ssp. andigena) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Comparison of the
      sequences of 1.35-kbp HaeIII ctDNA fragments from potato, tomato, and tobacco
      (Nicotiana tabacum) revealed the following: the locations of the 5' ends of both
      rubisco large subunit (rbcL) and ATPase beta subunit (atpbeta) mRNAs were
      probably the same as those of spinach (Spinacia oleracea); the promoter regions
      of the two genes were highly conserved among the four species; and the 5'
      untranslated regions diverged at high rates. A phylogenetic tree for the three
      potato cultivars, one tomato cultivar, and one tobacco cultivar has been
      constructed by the maximum parsimony method from DNA sequence data, demonstrating
      that the rate of nucleotide substitution in potato ctDNA is much slower than that
      in tomato ctDNA. This fact might be due to the differences in the method of
      propagation between the two crops. 

PMID- 24221154
TI  - Quantitative cytology of the alfalfa generative cell and its relation to male
      plastid inheritance patterns in three genotypes.
AB  - Studies utilizing restriction analysis of plastid DNA, as well as those employing
      chlorophyll-deficient mutants, have shown a high frequency of paternal plastid
      transmission in alfalfa. Recent research has also shown that plastid inheritance
      patterns among alfalfa genotypes and are under genetic control. In a previous
      study we were unable to detect any correlations between qualitative, three
      dimensional ultrastructure of generative cells and male plastid transmission
      strength in certain genotypes. In the present study we used serial ultrathin
      sectioning, computerized reconstruction and quantitation, and stereology to
      further analyze generative cells within mature pollen. Measurements included
      volumes and surface areas of cells, nuclei, and organelles, as well as organelle
      number and distribution. Three genotypes were investigated, one that is a strong
      transmitter of male plastids (genotype 301), one that is a weaker transmitter of
      male plastids (genotype 7W), and a third that is an even weaker male plastid
      transmitter (genotype MS-5). Our results show that genotype MS-5 has
      significantly fewer plastids/generative cell than either of the other genotypes,
      which may account for it being a relatively poor transmitter of male plastids.
      However, plastid number does not explain known differences in male plastid
      inheritance between genotypes 301 and 7W, since plastid number does not differ
      significantly between these two genotypes. Regarding the other features of
      generative cells measured in this study, no consistent correlations were found
      that might account for differences in male plastid inheritance patterns between
      genotypes. Plastid distribution is equal in each end of the spindle-shaped
      generative cell in all genotypes studied. Similar relative results were found
      with regard to mitochondria within generative cells; however, comparative genetic
      data are not available on mitochondrial transmission patterns in alfalfa
      genotypes. 

PMID- 24221155
TI  - AMMI adjustment for statistical analysis of an international wheat yield trial.
AB  - Multilocation trials are important for the CIMMYT Bread Wheat Program in
      producing high-yielding, adapted lines for a wide range of environments. This
      study investigated procedures for improving predictive success of a yield trial,
      grouping environments and genotypes into homogeneous subsets, and determining the
      yield stability of 18 CIMMYT bread wheats evaluated at 25 locations. Additive
      Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis gave more precise
      estimates of genotypic yields within locations than means across replicates. This
      precision facilitated formation by cluster analysis of more cohesive groups of
      genotypes and locations for biological interpretation of interactions than
      occurred with unadjusted means. Locations were clustered into two subsets for
      which genotypes with positive interactions manifested in high, stable yields were
      identified. The analyses highlighted superior selections with both broad and
      specific adaptation. 

PMID- 24221156
TI  - Pollen viability and pollen vigor.
AB  - Investigations were carried out to correlate pollen viability, assessed on the
      basis of a fluorochromatic reaction (FCR) test, with pollen vigor, assessed on
      the basis of the time taken for in vitro germination in pollen grains subjected
      to high humidity (>95% RH) and temperature (38  degrees C) or storage stress of
      Nicotiana tabacum, Agave sp., Tradescantia virginiana, and Iris sp. Both high RH
      and temperature, as well as storage stresses, affected pollen vigor before
      affecting pollen viability. The results are discussed in the light of available
      data on the viability and vigor of stressed pollen and of aged seeds. The need
      for consideration of pollen vigor, particularly in stored pollen, the inadequacy
      of the methods presently used, and some of the methods suitable to assess pollen
      vigor are elaborated. 

PMID- 24221157
TI  - Characterization of disomic addition lines Brassica napus-Brassica nigra by
      isozyme, fatty acid, and RFLP markers.
AB  - Six Brassica napus - B. nigra disomic addition lines were characterized by
      isozyme, fatty acid, and RFLP markers. The markers were arranged in six synteny
      groups, representing six of the eight chromosomes present in the B. nigra genome.
      Synteny group 1 displayed high levels of linoleic and linolenic acids in the
      seeds of the B. nigra parent. Synteny group 3 accumulated higher levels of
      eicosenoic and erucic acid than B. nigra. Three of the lines transmitted the
      alien chromosome to 100% of the progeny. The rest had variable transmission rates
      but all were above 50%. Most of the lines produced disomic addition plants in
      their progeny, suggesting pollen transmission of the alien chromosome. In
      addition to the marked lines, six others remained unmarked. These could be
      grouped into two classes according to their alien chromosome transmission. It is
      likely that they represent the two other B. nigra chromosomes that remained
      uncharacterized by the markers. No diploid individuals carrying B. nigra genome
      specific markers were detected in the progenies studied. 

PMID- 24221158
TI  - Molecular heterogeneity and genetics of Vicia faba seed storage proteins.
AB  - Legumin and vicilin were purified from seeds of Vicia faba L. var. Scuro,
      characterized in different electrophoretic systems, and used to produce
      polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. Two-dimensional electrophoretic studies showed
      a wide range of heterogeneity in the subunits of both legumin and vicilin.
      Legumin was found to be composed of 29 disulphide-linked subunit pairs with
      different molecular weight and/or isoelectric point. Western blot analysis of
      legumin of several mutants revealed molecular polymorphism based on a
      corresponding gene family. Three different alpha-major legumin patterns were
      found, and inheritance studies showed that the 34.3-kD legumin polypeptide is the
      product of one locus, Lg-1alpha, which is the first legumin genetic locus
      described in Vicia faba. Vicilin was found to be composed of as many as 59
      subunits distributed in a molecular weight range of 65.7 to 42.8 kD (major
      polypeptides) and 37.2 to 15.2 kD (minor polypeptides), with different
      isoelectric points. A model is proposed that explains the possible formation of
      the minor subunits and the major subunits of 48.2 and 46 kD molecular weight (MW)
      from proteolytic cleavages and/or glycosilation of precursor polypeptides. Ten
      different vicilin electrophoretic patterns were observed among the analyzed
      accessions, which showed large molecular polymorphism that proved to be under
      genetic control. 

PMID- 24221159
TI  - Cytological evidences of SDR-FDR mixture in the formation of 2n eggs in a potato
      diploid clone.
AB  - Macrosporogenesis and microsporogenesis were investigated in a diploid S.
      tuberosum x S. chacoense potato hybrid, characterized by more than 50% 2n egg
      formation. Fifty-five percent of dyad formation of 2n macrospores is ascribed to
      two meiotic abnormalities: omission of the second meiotic division, occurring at
      a frequency of 38%, and irregular spindle axis orientation at metaphase I at a
      frequency of 16%: These abnormalities give origin to a mixture of 2n eggs,
      composed of mostly second division restitution (SDR) and a small portion of first
      division restitution (FDR). Microsporogenesis showed rare dyads of 2n microspores
      depending on parallel spindles observed in anaphase II. 

PMID- 24221160
TI  - Leaf physiological aspects of nitrogen-use efficiency in Brassica campestris L.:
      quantitative genetic variation across nutrient treatments.
AB  - Quantitative genetic parameters for leaf physiological and whole-plant aspects of
      nitrogen-use efficiency in Brassica camprestris L. were estimated in three
      nutrient treatments in the greenhouse. Narrow-sense heritabilities and genetic
      correlations varied across treatments for some traits. Sire effects were
      significant for leaf nitrogen content in near-optimal and super-optimal, but not
      in suboptimal nutrient treatments. Additive genetic variation for two estimates
      of leaf physiological nitrogen-use efficiency (nitrogen-based photosynthetic
      capacity and leaf carbon: nitrogen ratio) was significant only in the suboptimal
      nutrient treatment. Area-based photosynthetic capacity, on the other hand,
      exhibited no heritable variation in any nutrient treatment. Heritability
      estimates of aboveground biomass and flower production were greatest in sub- and
      super-optimal treatments, respectively. Negative genetic correlations between
      leaf nitrogen content and both estimates of leaf nitrogen-use efficiency were
      evident in the super-optimal treatment. Aboveground biomass and leaf nitrogen-use
      efficiency were positively correlated in the suboptimal treatment, suggesting
      that growth differences were due in part to the efficiency with which nitrogen
      was utilized in physiological processes. Although implications for breeding may
      differ for different sources of germ plasm or different measures of performance
      or yield, selection for improved whole-plant performance through increased
      nitrogen-use efficiency should proceed best in suboptimal nutrient treatments. 

PMID- 24221161
TI  - A genome-specific repeat sequence from kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var.
      deliciosa).
AB  - Six members of a family of moderately repetitive DNA sequences from kiwifruit
      (Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa) have been cloned and characterized. The
      repeat family is composed of elements that have a unit length of 463 bp, are
      highly methylated, occur in tandem arrays of at least 50 kb in length, and
      constitute about 0.5% of the kiwifruit genome. Individual elements diverge in
      nucleotide sequence by up to 5%, which suggests that the repeat sequence is
      evolving rapidly. Homologous sequences were found in A. deliciosa var.
      chlorocarpa. The repeat sequence was not found under low stringency hybridization
      conditions in the diploid A. chinensis, the species most closely related to the
      hexaploid kiwifruit, or in eight other Actinidia species. However, homologous
      repeats were detected in a tetraploid species, A. chrysantha. The results provide
      the first molecular evidence to suggest that kiwifruit may be an allopolyploid
      species. 

PMID- 24221162
TI  - Prediction of F3 row performance from F2 individual plant data in oats.
AB  - Parameters estimated from a Gardner-Eberhart analysis of the F2 generation of a
      six-parent diallel in oats (Avena sativa L.) were used to compare methods for
      predicting the performance of F3 row plots. The prediction methods were: (1)
      individual F2 plant performance (F2I), (2) parent average plus F2 plot deviations
      (PF2), (3) parent average plus weighted F2 plot deviations (PF2P), (4) best
      linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) of parent average plus F2 plot deviations
      (BPF2), and (5) BLUP plus weighted F2 deviations (BF2). The F2 single-plant
      traits used for prediction were biological yield to predict F3 biological yield,
      whole plant and primary tiller grain yield for prediction of F3 grain yield, and
      whole plant and primary tiller harvest index (HI) to predict F3 HI. Prediction
      methods were evaluated by correlations between predicted and observed F3
      performance. Prediction methods and traits for which correlations were greater
      than for F2I included: BF2 for biological yield, PF2, PF2P and BF2 for whole
      plant grain yield, PF2, BPF2, and BF2 for primary tiller grain yield. None had a
      correlation significantly greater than F2I for either measure of HI, where
      heritability was large. PF2 is the recommended method for traits with low
      heritability because of its simplicity and because it had the largest or nearly
      the largest correlation for each of the yield traits. F2I is the recommended
      method for traits with larger heritability. 

PMID- 24221163
TI  - Chloroplast DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism in Sequoia sempervirens
      D. Don Endl., Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, Calocedrus decurrens (Torr.),
      and Pinus taeda L.
AB  - The extent and type of chloroplast DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism
      was determined among individual tree samples of coast redwood, Douglas fir,
      incense-cedar, and loblolly pine. A total of 107 trees was surveyed for three
      restriction enzymes (BamHI, EcoRI, HindIII) and six chloroplast DNA probes from
      petunia (P3, P4, P6, P8, P10, S8). The probes comprise 64% of the petunia
      chloroplast genome. Polymorphisms were detected in all species but loblolly pine.
      Coast redwood and incense-cedar had a small number of rare variants, whereas
      Douglas fir had one highly polymorphic region of insertions/deletions in
      sequences revealed by the P6 probe from petunia. The mutation hotspot is
      currently being studied by DNA sequence analysis. 

PMID- 24221164
TI  - Activation of the maize transposable element Suppressor-mutator (Spm) in tissue
      culture.
AB  - Previous experiments have revealed that the maize transposable element Activator
      (Ac) may become active during tissue culture. The objective of the present study
      was to determine whether a second transposable element, Suppressor-mutator (Spm),
      could also be activated in tissue culture and detected in regenerated maize
      plants. Approximately 500 R1 progeny of 143 regenerated plants (derived from 49
      embryo cell lines) were crossed as males onto an Spm-responsive tester stock. Spm
      activity was observed in two R1 progeny of a single regenerated plant. This plant
      had been regenerated from Type II (friable embryogenic) callus of an A188 * B73
      genetic background after 8 months in culture; the absence of Spm activity in four
      other plants regenerated from this same callus demonstrates that Spm activity was
      not present before culturing. Approximately 20 Spm-homologous DNA sequences were
      detected in each of the inbreds used to initiate the tissue cultures; it is
      presumed that one of these became active to give rise to Spm activity. 

PMID- 24221165
TI  - Chromosomal location of genes for Rubisco small subunit and Rubisco-binding
      protein in common wheat.
AB  - The genes coding for the Rubisco small subunit (SSU) and for the alpha-subunit of
      the Rubisco-binding protein were located to chromosome arms of common wheat.
      HindIII-digested total DNA from the hexaploid cultivar Chinese Spring and from
      ditelosomic and nullisomic-tetrasomic lines was probed with these two genes,
      whose chromosomal location was deduced from the disappearance of or from changes
      in the relative intensity of the relevant band(s). The Rubisco SSU pattern
      consisted of 14 bands, containing at least 21 different types of DNA fragments,
      which were allocated to two homoeologous groups: 15 to the short arm of group 2
      chromosomes (4 to 2AS, 7 to 2BS, and 4 to 2DS) and 6 to the long arm of group 5
      chromosomes (2 on each of arms 5AL, 5BL, and 5DL). The pattern of the Rubisco
      binding protein consisted of three bands, each containing one type of fragment.
      These fragments were located to be on the short arm of group 2 chromosomes. The
      restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of several hexaploid and
      tetraploid lines were highly conserved, whereas the patterns of several of their
      diploid progenitors were more variable. The variations found in the polyploid
      species were mainly confined to the B genome. The patterns of the diploids T.
      monococcum var. urartu and Ae. squarrosa were similar to those of the A and D
      genome, respectively, in polyploid wheats. The pattern of T. monococcum var.
      boeoticum was different from the patterns of the A genome, and the patterns of
      the diploids Ae. speltoides, Ae. longissima, and Ae. Searsii differed from that
      of the B genome. 

PMID- 24221166
TI  - Complementarity of genes for resistance to greenbug [Schizaphis graminum
      (Rondani)], biotype E, in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench].
AB  - Gene complementarity among various sources of resistance to greenbug biotype E
      was assessed. Analysis of the F2 generation of crosses between susceptible and
      resistant parents (mating 1) and among sources of resistance (mating 2) suggested
      that resistance in sorghum to greenbug biotype E was complexly inherited and, to
      some extent, dependent on the nature of both the resistant and susceptible
      parents. Positive transgressive segregation in the F2 generations of both matings
      was found to be due to effective plus factors, contributed by both parents in a
      cross, which complemented each other. The number of plus factors ranged from one
      to two in the susceptible parents and from two to five in the resistant parents
      of mating 1, and from one to five in the parents of mating 2. The consistently
      significant reciprocal effects shown by Sarvasi and PI264453 indicated that these
      sources had major factors for resistance in their cytoplasms, which were
      expressed in all their crosses. The results from this study indicated that the
      sources of resistance complemented each other to give increased number of F2
      segregates with increased resistance. Thus, it should be possible to increase and
      diversify resistance of sorghum to greenbug biotype E by accumulating different,
      effective plus factors from various sources through recurrent selection. 

PMID- 24221167
TI  - Genetic analysis of morphological variability in three Plantago species with
      different mating systems.
AB  - Morphological variability in three Plantago species possessing different mating
      systems - P. Major, P. coronopus, and P. lanceolata - was analyzed. From each
      species several populations were analyzed. In comparing the species, it appeared
      that both the inbreeding P. major and the outbreeding P. lanceolata showed a high
      degree of morphological differentiation between populations. It was hypothesized
      that the absence of population differentiation for the species with a mixed
      mating system, P. coronopus, was caused by high adaptive plasticity. Plasticity
      is probably the predominant mechanism by which this species copes with different
      environments. There were considerable differences between populations within each
      species for their levels of variability and their heritabilities. It appeared
      that besides the influence of the mating system, selection may diminish
      morphological variability in the case of strong directional selection, especially
      in P. major and P. lanceolata. 

PMID- 24221168
TI  - Analysis of allozyme variability in three Plantago species and a comparison to
      morphological variability.
AB  - The level of electrophoretic variability in three Plantago species, P. major, P.
      coronopus, and P. lanceolata, was analyzed in relation to their breeding systems
      and compared with their morphological variability. From each species several
      populations were analyzed. The outcrossing P. lanceolata had the highest level of
      electrophoretic variability and the lowest population differentiation. The
      inbreeding P. major showed the opposite: a low level of electrophoretic
      variability and a high population differentiation. P. coronopus, with an
      intermediate breeding system, had an intermediate level of variability and
      differentiation. In comparing the species, it appeared that P. coronopus and P.
      major showed good concordance in the distribution of both kinds of variability,
      each having only a slightly higher morphological than electrophoretic
      differentiation between populations. P. lanceolata showed a higher morphological
      than electrophoretic differentiation between populations. A comparison of
      populations, within species, revealed good concordance of electrophoretic and
      morphological variability only within P. coronopus, while some populations of the
      other two species had relatively lower morphological variability compared with
      electrophoretic variability. 

PMID- 24221169
TI  - Encoding genes for endosperm proteins in Hordeum chilense.
AB  - The endosperm proteins encoded by the genome Hch in Hordeum chilense, Tritordeum
      (amphiploid Hordeum chilense x Triticum turgidum), common wheat-H. chilense
      addition lines, and the segregating plants resulting from the cross Tritordeum x
      T. turgidum, were fractionated by three electrophoretical techniques: SDS-PAGE, A
      PAGE, and bidimensional PAGE. Prolamin subunits with a high molecular weight
      (HMW) were well visualized by SDS-PAGE, the A-PAGE technique permitted good
      resolution for many hordeins and gliadins, and two-dimensional electrophoresis
      allowed new sets of bands coded by gene complexes from H. chilense chromosomes to
      be distinguished. The loci Hor-Hch1 (up to 11 subunits belonging to the omega-,
      beta - and alpha-hordeins), Glu-Hch1 (one HMW prolamin subunit), Hor-Hch2 (one
      alpha-hordein), and Hor-Hch3 (up to four alpha-hordeins) were located on the H.
      chilense chromosomes 1Hch, 5Hch, and 7Hch. 

PMID- 24221170
TI  - New disease resistance genes in soybean against Pseudomonas syringae pv glycinea:
      evidence that one of them interacts with a bacterial elicitor.
AB  - Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars Flambeau and Merit differed in their
      resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv glycinea (Psg) race 4, carrying each of
      four different avirulence (avr) genes cloned from Psg or the related bacterium,
      Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato. Segregation data for F2 and F3 progeny of
      Flambeau x Merit crosses indicated that single dominant and nonallelic genes
      account for resistance to Psg race 4, carrying avirulence genes avrA, avrB, avrC,
      or avrD. Segregants were also recovered that carried all four or none of the
      disease resistance genes. One of the disease resistance genes (Rpg1,
      complementing bacterial avirulence gene B) had been described previously, but the
      other three genes - designated Rpg2, Rpg3, and Rpg4 - had not here to fore been
      defined. Rpg3 and Rpg4 are linked (40.5 +/- 3.2 recombination units). Rpg4
      complements avrD, cloned from Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato, but a functional
      copy of this avirulence gene has not thus far been observed in Pseudomonas
      syringae pv glycinea. Resistance gene Rpg4 therefore may account in part for the
      resistance of soybean to Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato and other pathogens
      harboring avrD. 

PMID- 24221171
TI  - Comment on "Selection system efficiencies for computer-simulated progeny test
      field designs in loblolly pine" J. A. Loo-Dinkins, C. G. Tauer and C. C. Lambeth.
AB  - Loo-Dinkins et al. reported relatively poor 'realized' gains from selecting
      individuals on departures from the means of small multi-tree plots. This could be
      largely attributed to disregarding a heritability of plot effects. 

PMID- 24221172
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24221173
TI  - How sensitive is the light microscope for observations on microorganisms in
      natural habitats?
AB  - Theoretical calculations based on the depth of field of standard microscope
      objectives and the visual acuity of normal observors show that direct microscopy
      of natural samples is rarely able to reveal the presence of small microorganisms
      at the densities found in natural systems. Over-estimation of the importance of
      bacterial aggregates is also likely from an uncritical use of light microscopy. 

PMID- 24221174
TI  - Are dissolved free amino acids free?
AB  - Microbial assimilation of 3 amino acids (glutamic acid, alanine, and ornithine)
      was characterized in 3 lakes and 2 marine stations using the Michaelis-Menten
      kinetic approach. The calculated Kt + Sn concentrations were related to chemical
      concentration measurements of dissolved free amino acids (DFAA) to evaluate the
      biological and the chemical determinations of the DFAA pools. Concentrations of
      Kt + Sn always were larger than chemical measurements of the Sn concentrations.
      Kt + Sn and Sn varied from 11.5 and 9.5 nM (alanine, oligotrophic lake) to 288.7
      and 89.9 nM (ornithine, marine harbor station), respectively. Subtracting Sn from
      the Kt + Sn concentrations, Kt was found to range from 12-897% of the chemically
      measured Sn concentrations. To test whether the DFAA actually were free,
      dissolved molecules, dissolved material in the water samples was separated into
      various molecular size classes by means of gel permeation chromatography. From 47
      116% of the DFAA in the untreated water samples was recovered in the low
      molecular fraction (<700 Daltons). Variation in recoveries mainly appeared to be
      due to an incomplete chromatographic separation and difficulties in obtaining
      proper blank levels. The present observations suggest that labeled tracers can be
      used in the study of DFAA assimilation and that the DFAA are free, dissolved
      molecules. This partly conflicts with previously published reports. 

PMID- 24221175
TI  - Activities of benthic nitrifiers in streams and their role in oxygen consumption.
AB  - The in situ rates of oxygen consumption by benthic nitrifiers were estimated at
      11 study sites in 4 streams. Two methods were used: an in situ respiration
      chamber method and a method involving conversion of nitrifying potential
      measurements to in situ rates. Estimates of benthic nitrogenous oxygen
      consumption (BNOC) rate ranged from 0-380 mmol of O2 m(-2).day(-1), and BNOC
      contributed between 0-85% of the total benthic oxygen consumption rate. The
      activity of nitrifiers residing in the sediments was influenced by O2
      availability, temperature, pH, and substrate. Depending upon site, nitrification
      could approximate either first-order or zero-order kinetics with respect to
      ammonium concentration. The source of ammonium for benthic nitrifiers could be
      either totally from within the sediment or totally from the overlying water.
      Nitrate produced in the sediments could flux to the water above or be lost within
      the sediment. The sediments could act as a source (positive flux) or sink
      (negative flux) for both ammonium (-185 mmol.m(-2).day(-1) to +195 mmol.m(
      2).day(-1)) and nitrate (-135 mmol.m(-2).day(-1) to +185 mmol.m(-2).day(-1)).This
      study provides evidence to suggest that measurements of down-stream mass flow
      changes in inorganic nitrogen forms may give poor estimates of in situ rates of
      nitrification in flowing waters. 

PMID- 24221176
TI  - Benthic bacterial biomass supported by streamwater dissolved organic matter.
AB  - Bacterial biomass in surface sediments of a headwater stream was measured as a
      function of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) flux and temperature. Bacterial
      biomass was estimated using epifluorescence microscopic counts (EMC) and ATP
      determinations during exposure to streamwater containing 1,788MUg DOC/liter and
      after transfer to groundwater containing 693MUg DOC/liter. Numbers of bacteria
      and ATP concentrations averaged 1.36*10(9) cells and 1,064 ng per gram dry
      sediment, respectively, under initial DOC exposure. After transfer to low DOC
      water, biomass estimates dropped by 53 and 55% from EMC and ATP, respectively.
      The decline to a new steady state occurred within 4 days from ATP assays and
      within 11 days from EMC measures. A 4 degrees C difference during these exposures
      had little effect on generation times. The experiment indicated that 27.59
      mg/hour of natural DOC supported a steady state bacterial biomass of
      approximately 10MUg C/g dry weight of sediment (from EMC determinations). Steady
      state bacterial biomass estimates on sediments that were previously muffled to
      remove organic matter were approximately 20-fold lower. The ratio of GTP?ATP
      indicated differences in physiological condition or community composition between
      natural and muffled sediments. 

PMID- 24221177
TI  - Effects of streptomycin, cycloheximide, Fungizone, captan, carbofuran, cygon, and
      PCNB on soil microorganisms.
AB  - Eight biocides were chosen to determine whether they had any effects on nontarget
      organisms in soil and to what extent they would reduce their target populations
      under laboratory experimental conditions. A simplified microcosm system was
      utilized in which reduced species arrays that included field populations of
      either only bacteria and fungi, or bacteria, fungi, and protozoa (no nematodes,
      arthropods, or plants) were inoculated into sterilized soil. In a second set of
      experiments, plants were grown in sterilized soil. A bactericide-streptomycin
      four fungicides-cycloheximide, Fungizone (amphotericin B), captan, and PCNB
      (quintozene)-an acaricide-cygon-an insecticide-nematicide-carbofuran-and an
      insecticide-diazinon-were used. Each biocide had effects on nontarget organisms
      although the increases or decreases, with respect to the control, were of only
      limited duration. Reductions in target groups were typically of longer duration.
      Streptomycin, applied at 1 mg.g(-1) soil, did not decrease bacterial populations
      during the experimental incubation. At 3 mg.g(-1) soil, streptomycin decreased
      the numbers of bacteria that grew on tryptone agar, but also reduced active
      hyphae. Fungizone was the most effective of the 4 fungicides tested in reducing
      active hyphae. Increased bacterial populations were usually observed following
      fungal reductions. Carbofuran had the fewest effects on the test organisms
      (bacteria, fungi, and protozoa). Only an initial stimulation of bacterial and
      fungal populations was observed with cygon although it also increased NH4 (+)-N
      concentrations in soil during most of the incubation, as did streptomycin and
      cycloheximide. A transitory increase in fungal populations following a decrease
      in ciliate numbers was observed in the cygon with grazers treatments. Diazinon
      reduced all microbial populations and inorganic nitrogen concentrations measured.
      Cygon and PCNB decreased growth of blue grama plants, while streptomycin reduced
      shoot weights of blue grama. These results should be useful in assessing the
      effects of these biocides when applied to more complex systems. 

PMID- 24221178
TI  - Absorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by bark chips and its role in microbial PCP
      degradation.
AB  - A pentachlorophenol (PCP)-degrading mixed bacterial population was enriched in a
      biofilter filled with soft wood bark chips. We found that bark chips were
      essential for the degradation to proceed at PCP concentrations higher than 10MUM.
      PCP-degrading bacteria were found to be extremely sensitive to PCP. Bark chips
      absorbed PCP reversibly, thus detoxifying the medium and allowing degradation to
      proceed at higher concentrations of PCP (beyond 200MUM). 

PMID- 24221179
TI  - Distribution and sporulation phenology of myxomycetes in the Sonoran Desert of
      Arizona.
AB  - All pith samples from 68 dead saguaro cacti in 3 plots and 11 isolated dead
      plants in Saguaro National Monument, Arizona, produced at least one species of
      myxomycete upon incubation at 20 or 30 degrees C. Three species,Badhamia gracilis
      (Macbr.) Macbr.,Physarum straminipes Lister, andDidymium eremophilum M. Blackwell
      et Gilbertson, developed at high frequencies on the substrates in moist chamber
      culture.Perichaena corticalis (Batsch) Rost, andProtophysarum phloiogenum M.
      Blackwell et Alexopoulos were also present. Although previous literature reports
      [9] indicated that Myxomycetes grow best at low pH, these species all tolerated
      substrates of pH 8.7-10.4.Didymium eremophilum andP. phloiogenum had peaks in
      sporulation within 6 days; other species were slower. There was no difference in
      time of sporulation ofB. gracilis orD. eremophilum at 20 and 30 degrees C;
      however, sporulation ofP. straminipes was significantly later at 30 degrees C.
      Reduced spore germination and slower buildup of critically sized amoebal
      populations ofP. straminipes at 30 degrees C may be a factor. 

PMID- 24221180
TI  - The ecology of the yeast flora in necroticOpuntia cacti and of
      associatedDrosophila in Australia.
AB  - A survey was made of the yeast communities isolated from necrotic tissue of 4
      species of prickly-pear cacti (Opuntia stricta, O. tomentosa, O. monacantha,
      andO. streptacantha) which have colonized in Australia. Yeast communities were
      sampled from a number of localities and at different times. Cactus specific
      yeasts accounted for 80% of the total isolates, and the 3 most common species
      contributed 63% of the total. Comparisons of the species compositions of the
      yeast communities indicated that the differences among communities were greater
      betweenOpuntia species than between different localities within a single cactus
      species, and also that differences between years were greater than average
      differences between localities within years. Multivariate statistical tests of
      association between yeast community and physical features of rots indicated that
      temperature, pH, and age of rot all exerted some influence on the structure of
      the yeast community. Similar analyses involvingDrosophila species inhabiting
      these cactus rots suggested the existence of complex associations
      betweenDrosophila community, yeast community, and physical and chemical
      attributes of the cactus necroses. 

PMID- 24221183
TI  - Evaluation of a real-time monitoring system for river quality - a trade-off
      between risk attitudes, costs, and uncertainty.
AB  - Uncertainty is definitely one of the key topics in environmental assessment and
      management. Typically, attempts to reduce uncertainty are subject to expenses.
      But how to compare and trade-off expenses and the reduced uncertainty? They only
      seldom allow the use of a single unit. Instead, the whole analysis and decision
      procedure is very subjective. This paper presents one approach to handle such
      problems, namely the combined use of Bayesian influence diagrams, and
      probabilistic risk attitude analysis. The approach was used in the evaluation of
      three alternatives for a real time river water quality forecasting system. A
      trade-off analysis of risk attitudes, costs and uncertainty indicated the levels
      of socioeconomic utility required for investments in the respective systems, and
      accordingly illuminated the impact of the uncertainties involved on inference and
      decision-making with various risk attitudes and discount rates. 

PMID- 24221184
TI  - A method for facilitating the use of algae growing on tree trunks as
      bioindicators of air quality.
AB  - The abundance of epiphytic green algae has been observed to correlate strongly
      with air quality in several studies. In contrast to lichens, the abundance of
      green algae is difficult to measure accurately by visual observation. A new
      method based on photography and digital image processing was developed to
      estimate the chlorophyll content of algae growing on the bark of pine.
      Calibration data for the method was collected from polluted areas by
      spectrophotometric analysis of chlorophyll density. 

PMID- 24221182
TI  - Role of non-electrocardiogram-gated contrast-enhanced computed tomography in the
      diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.
AB  - Non-electrocardiogram-gated contrast-enhanced computed tomography (non-ECG-gated
      CT) is available in most hospitals where patients with chest and/or back pain are
      admitted to the emergency department. Although it has been established as the
      initial diagnostic imaging modality for acute aortic dissection (AAD) and
      pulmonary thromboembolism (PE), its diagnostic ability for acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department has not been elucidated. We
      retrospectively investigated 154 consecutive patients who required non-ECG-gated
      CT to differentiate AAD and PE in the emergency department, but had no evidence
      of them on CT. Furthermore, a subanalysis was performed in the patients who were
      subsequently suspected of ACS and underwent emergent invasive coronary
      angiography followed by CT. We evaluated left ventricular enhancement to detect
      myocardial perfusion deficit by calculating Hounsfield units, and the results
      were compared with ultimate diagnoses and angiography findings. A perfusion
      deficit was detected in 43 patients, among whom 26 were ultimately diagnosed with
      acute myocardial infarction (AMI); 24 patients required emergent
      revascularization. The subanalysis indicated that perfusion abnormalities
      corresponded with the territory of the culprit artery in all except one patient.
      In the remaining 111 patients without perfusion deficit, only two required
      emergent revascularization, and their levels of creatine kinase MB were not
      elevated. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive
      values of non-ECG-gated CT in predicting AMI/emergent revascularization were 93
      %, 87 %, 61 %, and 98 %/92 %, 85 %, 56 %, and 98 %, respectively. Non-ECG-gated
      CT facilitates the diagnosis of ACS and the decision on emergent catheterization,
      providing information on the ischemic myocardial area by detection of a localized
      decrease in left ventricular enhancement. 

PMID- 24221185
TI  - A risk-based screening approach for prioritizing contaminants and exposure
      pathways at Superfund sites.
AB  - Contamination at Superfund sites can involve mixtures of chemicals and
      radionuclides in a variety of environmental media. Determining priorities for
      evaluation and remediation of various contaminants is an important part of the
      initial phases of any site investigation. An effective screening analysis at the
      beginning of the project can help by identifying both those situations in need of
      immediate remedial attention and those which require further sampling and
      evaluation. The screening approach discussed here is made up of two sets of
      calculations designed to provide upper- and lower-bound estimates of health risk
      to individuals likely to receive the highest exposures. This approach allows
      rapid identification of contaminants which pose a negligible risk and can be
      assigned a low priority for remedial attention or which pose a substantial risk
      and should be given the highest priority for appropriate remediation efforts.
      Contaminants designated as neither high- nor low-priority should be investigated
      in more detail prior to making decisions regarding the need for or method of
      remediation. The utility of this approach has already been demonstrated in the
      evaluation of contamination in the Clinch and Tennessee River systems originating
      from historical operations of atomic weapons and energy research facilities near
      Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 

PMID- 24221186
TI  - Studies of the possibility of measuring changes in environmental pollution with
      the pixe method using moths as a monitor.
AB  - The possibility has been investigated of using the PIXE method to yield long and
      reliable time series for indicating changes in the environment, with moths or
      butterflies as a sample target. The suitability of this approach was demonstrated
      by studying standard deviations of measurements of single moths and those of
      populations of moths. The properties of targeting at different anatomical sites
      were investigated and the wing gave the most stable results, perhaps because its
      metabolic development is completed at the imago (newborn butterfly) stage.
      According to test measurements of different populations it seems possible to use
      moth or butterfly wing measurements to study environmental changes over the past
      century or so using moth or butterfly collections. 

PMID- 24221187
TI  - The value of chick feathers to assess spatial and interspecific variation in the
      mercury contamination of seabirds.
AB  - In 1991 we compared eggs, down and body feathers of chicks of Common Terns,
      Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls in their utility to assess contamination
      with mercury. Like eggs feathers distinctly show interspecific and intersite
      differences in contamination. Highest levels were found in Common Terns, lowest
      in Black-headed Gulls. Chicks hatched at the Elbe had much higher mercury levels
      than those in other areas of the German North Sea coast. Conversion ratios
      between tissues have to be used with caution. 

PMID- 24221188
TI  - Environmental variation between habitats and uptake of heavy metals by Urtica
      dioica.
AB  - The observation from previous surveys, that Urtica dioica plants that had grown
      in metal contaminated soil in the floodplains of the former Rhine estuary in
      different habitats, but at comparable total soil metal concentrations, showed
      significant differences in tissue metal concentrations, led to the hypothesis
      that variation in other environmental characteristics than soil composition and
      chemical speciation of metals between habitats is also important in determining
      uptake and translocation of metals in plants. A field survey indicated that
      differences in root Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations might partly be explained by
      variation in speciation of metals in different habitats. However, shoot
      concentrations showed a different pattern that did not relate to variation in
      soil metal concentrations. In a habitat experiment Urtica dioica plants were
      grown in artificially contaminated soil in pots that were placed in the four
      habitats (grassland, pure reed, mixed reed, osier bed) that were also included in
      the field survey. After seven weeks the plants showed significant differences in
      Cu and Zn concentrations in roots and aboveground plant parts and in distribution
      of the metals in the plants between habitats. It was concluded that variation
      between habitats in environmental characteristics other than soil composition can
      explain as much variation in plants as can variation in soil metal concentrations
      and/or speciation. The implications for assessment of soil metal contamination
      and uptake by plants are discussed. 

PMID- 24221189
TI  - Issues in monitoring wilderness lake chemistry: A case study in the Sawtooth
      Mountains, Idaho.
AB  - A probability-based sample of 48 of the 152 lakes in the Sawtooth Wilderness,
      Idaho was conducted in summer 1988. Results from this sample were compared to the
      Environmental Protection Agency's 1985 probability survey of lakes throughout the
      western United States, which included 17 lakes in the Sawtooth Wilderness.
      Although methods differed in several respects, including year, season, sampling
      location within the lakes, holding times, and sample size, general
      characterization of lake chemistry for the population of lakes in the wilderness
      based on the two surveys was very similar. The results indicate that general lake
      characterization in difficult-to-access wilderness areas of the West can be
      achieved with a modest investment in resources with the use of volunteers.
      However, accurate measurement of some non-conservative and low-level analytes
      such as NO 3 (-) ,NH 4 (+) , total P, and aluminiun in the lakes probably
      requires more rigorous attention to sampling protocols and holding times. A two
      stage sampling strategy employing extensive use of conductivity on a large number
      of lakes and intensive detailed chemical characterization on a smaller number of
      lakes offers an alternative design for describing large populations of wilderness
      lakes. The relatively high concentrations of fluoride and sulfate in many of the
      study lakes reflect the weathering of minerals not usually identified on geologic
      maps. These natural sources of acid anions violate the assumptions in commonly
      employed empirical models of acidification. 

PMID- 24221191
TI  - Successful conservative treatment of a candida albicans intraperitoneal mesh
      infection following laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Fungal mesh infections are a poorly documented complication
      following abdominal wall hernia repairs. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 65
      year-old female with a Candida albicans mesh infection after laparoscopic
      emergency repair of a large para-umbilical hernia. She was treated conservatively
      with antifungal therapy and regular washouts. DISCUSSION: Mesh infections are
      notoriously difficult to treat and frequently require removal of the mesh. The
      most common pathogens are Staphylococcus species. Fungal mesh infections are
      uncommon and their treatment is not well documented in the literature.
      CONCLUSION: It is possible to treat candida albicans infection of intraperitoneal
      mesh without the need for surgical debridement or mesh removal by antifungal
      therapy and regular washouts alone.

PMID- 24221190
TI  - Patients with the most advanced rheumatoid arthritis remain with Th1 systemic
      defects after TNF inhibitors treatment despite clinical improvement.
AB  - Systemic immune defects might reflect severely dysregulated control of chronic
      inflammation related to disease progression. Th17/Treg cell imbalance has been
      demonstrated to be involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. Despite
      controversial results, a growing anti-inflammatory role in this process has been
      recently attributed to Th1 responses. The aim of the study was to estimate the
      extent of Th1/Th17/Treg imbalance in peripheral blood (PB) of patients with short
      and long-term RA in relation to cytokine milieu and its reversal after therapy
      with methotrexate and/or TNF inhibitors, respectively. Patients with different
      duration of RA (median 6 vs. 120 months) in the active phase of RA were enrolled
      in this study. We performed flow cytometric analysis of PB Th1, Th17, and Treg
      populations together with estimation of serum cytokine concentrations using
      cytometric bead array. Disease activity was calculated on the basis of clinical
      and biochemical indices of inflammation (DAS28, ESR, CRP). All parameters were
      measured and correlated with each other before and after 6 months therapy.
      Elevated levels of circulating Th17 cells and IL-6 were found in all active
      patients, of which Th17 cells were down-regulated by the treatment. Significantly
      reduced Th1 and functional CTLA-4+ Treg cell frequencies as well as Th1 cytokines
      observed only in progressive RA seemed to be irreversible. Although therapy
      induced clinical improvement in almost all patients, those with advanced RA
      remained with signs of inflammation. Our report demonstrates that both the extent
      of systemic immune abnormalities and their restoration are dependent on duration
      of the active RA. 

PMID- 24221192
TI  - Aortic annular sizing using a novel 3-dimensional echocardiographic method: use
      and comparison with cardiac computed tomography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown cross-sectional 3-dimensional (3D)
      transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) measurements to severely underestimate
      multidetector row computed tomographic (MDCT) measurements for the assessment of
      aortic annulus before transcatheter aortic valve replacement. This study compares
      annulus measurements from 3D-TEE using off-label use of commercially available
      software with MDCT measurements and assesses their ability to predict
      paravalvular regurgitation. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred patients with
      severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis who had both contrast MDCT and 3D-TEE for
      annulus assessment before balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve
      replacement were analyzed. Annulus area, perimeter, and orthogonal maximum and
      minimum diameters were measured. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was
      performed with mild or greater paravalvular regurgitation as the classification
      variable. Three-dimensional TEE and MDCT cross-sectional perimeter and area
      measurements were strongly correlated (r=0.93-0.94; P<0.0001); however, the small
      differences (<=1%) were statistically significant (P=0.0002 and 0.0074,
      respectively). Discriminatory ability for >= mild paravalvular regurgitation was
      good for both MDCT (area under the curve for perimeter and area cover index=0.715
      and 0.709, respectively) and 3D-TEE (area under the curve for perimeter and area
      cover index=0.709 and 0.694, respectively). Differences in receiver operating
      characteristic analysis between MDCT and 3D-TEE perimeter and area cover indexes
      were not statistically significant (P=0.15 and 0.35, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:
      Annulus measurements using a new method for analyzing 3D-TEE images closely
      approximate those of MDCT. Annulus measurements from both modalities predict mild
      or greater paravalvular regurgitation with equivalent accuracy.

PMID- 24221194
TI  - Fertile fruit trees obtained by somatic hybridization: navel orange (Citrus
      sinensis) and Troyer citrange (C. sinensis x Poncirus trifoliata).
AB  - Nucellar cell suspension protoplasts of navel orange (Citrus sinsensis Osb.) were
      chemically fused with mesophyll protoplasts of Troyer citrange (C. sinensis x
      Poncirus trifoliata) and cultured in hormone-free Murashige and Tucker medium
      containing 0.6 M sucrose. Two types of plant were regenerated through
      embryogenesis. One type showed intermediate mono-and difoliate leaves and the
      other types was identical to Troyer citrange. The regenerated plants with
      intermediate morphology were demonstrated by chromosome counts and rDNA analysis
      to be amphidiploid somatic hybrids. Five clones of these somatic hybrids were
      grafted in the field. After 4 years, they set flowers having a morphology
      intermediate between those of the two parents. The pollen grains showed high
      stainability and sufficient germinability, and were larger than those of Troyer
      citrange. The fruits of the somatic hybrids were large and spherical with thick
      rinds. Most of them contained seeds with normal germinability. These results
      indicate that somatic hybridization is a useful tool for Citrus breeding. 

PMID- 24221195
TI  - Heterochromatic differentiation in barley chromosomes revealed by C- and N
      banding techniques.
AB  - Heterochromatin distribution in barley chromosomes was investigated by analyzing
      the C- and N-banding patterns of four cultivars. Enzymatic maceration and air
      drying were employed for the preparation of the chromosome slides. Although the
      two banding patterns were generally similar to each other, a clear difference was
      observed between them at the centromeric sites on all chromosomes. Every
      centromeric site consisted of N-banding positive and C-banding negative (N(+) C(
      )) heterochromatin in every cultivar examined. An intervarietal polymorphism of
      heterochromatin distribution was confirmed in each of the banding techniques. The
      appearance frequencies of some bands were different between the two banding
      techniques and among the cultivars. The heterochromatic differentiation observed
      is discussed with respect to cause. 

PMID- 24221196
TI  - Tissue-culture-facilitated production of aneupolyhaploid Thinopyrum ponticum and
      amphidiploid Hordeum violaceum x H. bogdanii and their uses in phylogenetic
      studies.
AB  - An aneupolyhaploid (2n = 36) of the decaploid Thinopyrum ponticum and an
      amphidiploid (2n = 28) of Hordeum violaceum x Hordeum bogdanii were produced
      through anther and inflorescence culture, respectively. Meiotic associations in
      pollen mother cells at metaphase I of these plants were analyzed. The
      aneupolyhaploid arose by direct embryogenesis from a microspore without passing
      through a callus phase. The mean pairing frequencies of 2.67 univalents (+) 0.54
      rod bivalents (+) 8.85 ring bivalents (+) 2.75 trivalents (+) 0.17 chain
      quadrivalents (+) 0.56 ring quadrivalents (+) 0.65 pentavalents in the
      aneupolyhaploid (2n = 36) best fit the 2?2?1 model. However, the frequent
      multivalents (up to five trivalents, or three quadrivalents, or four pentavalents
      in a cell) indicated that decaploid T. ponticum has five sets of closely related
      genomes representable by the genome formula J1 J1 J1 J2 J2. Colchicine treatment
      of inflorescence-derived H. violaceum x H. bogdanii regenerants greatly enhanced
      the rate of chromosome doubling, and completely doubled regenerants could be
      isolated. The H. violaceum x H. bogdanii amphidiploid had a mean pairing pattern
      of 12.53 univalents (+) 5.57 rod bivalents (+) 1.97 ring bivalents (+) 0.07
      trivalents (+) 0.03 hexavalents, indicating the presence of desynaptic gene(s) in
      the original diploiid hybrid. Therefore, the pairing frequency in that diploid
      hybrid was an under-estimate of chromosome homology between the parental genomes,
      and additional diploid hybrids are needed to assess the genome homology between
      H. violaceum and H. bogdanii. These two contrasting experiments demonstrated that
      tissue culture techniques are useful in altering the ploidy level to produce
      plant materials suitable for genome analysis and phylogenetic studies. 

PMID- 24221193
TI  - Genomic and transcriptomic plasticity in treatment-naive ovarian cancer.
AB  - Intra-tumor heterogeneity is a hallmark of many cancers and may lead to therapy
      resistance or interfere with personalized treatment strategies. Here, we combined
      topographic mapping of somatic breakpoints and transcriptional profiling to probe
      intra-tumor heterogeneity of treatment-naive stage IIIC/IV epithelial ovarian
      cancer. We observed that most substantial differences in genomic rearrangement
      landscapes occurred between metastases in the omentum and peritoneum versus tumor
      sites in the ovaries. Several cancer genes such as NF1, CDKN2A, and FANCD2 were
      affected by lesion-specific breakpoints. Furthermore, the intra-tumor variability
      involved different mutational hallmarks including lesion-specific kataegis (local
      mutation shower coinciding with genomic breakpoints), rearrangement classes, and
      coding mutations. In one extreme case, we identified two independent TP53
      mutations in ovary tumors and omentum/peritoneum metastases, respectively.
      Examination of gene expression dynamics revealed up-regulation of key cancer
      pathways including WNT, integrin, chemokine, and Hedgehog signaling in only
      subsets of tumor samples from the same patient. Finally, we took advantage of the
      multilevel tumor analysis to understand the effects of genomic breakpoints on
      qualitative and quantitative gene expression changes. We show that intra-tumor
      gene expression differences are caused by site-specific genomic alterations,
      including formation of in-frame fusion genes. These data highlight the plasticity
      of ovarian cancer genomes, which may contribute to their strong capacity to adapt
      to changing environmental conditions and give rise to the high rate of recurrent
      disease following standard treatment regimes. 

PMID- 24221197
TI  - Large-scale deletions of rice plastid DNA in anther culture.
AB  - Plastid DNA (ptDNA) in albino rice plants regenerated from pollen by anther
      culture was investigated by Southern blotting. Of the 20 albino plants
      investigated, 7 contained ptDNA that had suffered large-scale deletion. The size
      and location of the deletions differed among the plants. In all cases about 30
      kbp of the region containing the PstI-2 fragment (15.7 kbp) had been retained.
      The deleted ptDNA molecules were retained in calluses derived from the roots of
      each albino plant. 

PMID- 24221198
TI  - Application of a stability statistic to international maize yield trials.
AB  - Genotype x environment (GE) interaction encountered in experiments complicates
      genotype selection and varietal recommendation. The integration of yield and
      stability of genotypes into a single parameter may make selection and
      recommendation easier. Kang developed a rank-sum method that allows selection for
      both yield and the stability variance statistics (sigma i (2) or s i (2) ) of
      Shukla. The objective of this research was to compare the rank-sum selection
      method to selection based on yield alone in five international maize (Zea mays
      L.) yield trials. Ranks were assigned for yield (the highest mean yield received
      a rank of 1) and for sigma i (2) and s i (2) (the lowest value received a rank of
      1). The yield and sigma i (2) ranks and/or the yield and s i (2) ranks for each
      genotype were summed. Each trial contained two reference entries (REs). Yield
      rank or rank-sum of each genotype was compared to yield rank or rank-sum of the
      best RE (BRE). GE interaction was significant for all trials. Heterogeneity in
      the GE interaction due to the linear effect of a covariate (differences in
      fertility and/or cultural practices) was significant in Trials 1, 2, and 5.
      Overall, in all trials, 29 genotypes were selected on the basis of yield alone.
      On the basis of sigma i (2) and yield rank-sum, 32 genotypes were identified,
      with 11 being lower yielding than the 29 yield-based selections. On the basis of
      s i (2) and yield rank-sum, 31 genotypes were selected, with 11 being lower
      yielding than the yield-bases selections. Obviously, yield is sacrificed when the
      rank-sum method is used in the selection process. However, selection based on
      yield alone may not be adequate when GE interaction is significant because of
      testing in diverse environments. 

PMID- 24221199
TI  - Efficiency of indirect selection at selection equilibrium.
AB  - Efficiency of indirect selection compared with that of direct selection to
      increase the mean value of some trait has been usually studied by considering a
      single generation of indirect and direct responses to selection only. However,
      under continued selection, genetic variances and covariances, and therefore
      expected genetic responses, change each generation due to linkage disequilibrium.
      With directional and truncation selection, genetic parameters asymptote to
      limiting values after several generations. The efficiency of indirect selection
      is examined in this limiting situation. The ratio of correlated response to
      direct response for the trait to improve in the limit is compared with the ratio
      after the first generation of selection. For all initial parameter values for
      which indirect selection is more efficient than direct selection, relative
      efficiency of indirect selection is smaller in the limit than in the first
      generation. For some parameter values, indirect selection is more efficient than
      direct selection in the first generation, but less efficient in the limit.
      Expressions for minimum values of the initial genetic correlation and
      heritability of the alternative trait required for indirect selection to be
      preferred in the limit are derived. These values are higher when limiting
      responses are used instead of single generation responses. The loss in relative
      efficiency of indirect selection from changes in genetic parameters due to
      selection should be taken into account when applications of indirect selection
      are considered. 

PMID- 24221200
TI  - Components of juvenile-mature correlations in forest trees.
AB  - Juvenile-mature correlation has played an important role in indirect selection
      for size traits in forest trees. The juvenile size of a tree is a part of the
      mature size, and the juvenile-mature correlation is an example of a "part-whole"
      type of correlation. As is the case with any other "part-whole" type of
      correlation, the juvenile-mature correlation can be subdivided into two
      components; one is a function of variance only, and the other a function of
      variance and covariance. In this paper the components of the juvenile-mature
      correlation is described, the basic properties and the dynamics of its components
      analyzed, and the role of these components in explaining the gain from indirect
      juvenile selection discussed. Six forest tree populations were used to review the
      various properties of the model. The most important applied conclusions were: (1)
      even if two populations have the same juvenile-mature correlations, different
      selection strategies can be used depending on the nature of correlation
      components. (2) Choosing the proper mature age is as important as choosing
      juvenile age. (3) Understanding the growth curves of mean and variance is
      essential to developing selection strategies. 

PMID- 24221201
TI  - A recombination hotspot in the maize A1 intragenic region.
AB  - We find that recombination between two alleles of the maize A1 locus that contain
      transposon insertions at known molecular positions can occur at 0.04-0.08 cM per
      kbp (centimorgan per kilobase pair), which is two orders of magnitude higher than
      the recombination rate for the whole maize genome. It is however, close to the
      rates found within the bronze locus, another maize structural gene for which both
      genetic and molecular data are available. This observation supports the idea that
      the genome consists of regions that are highly recombinogenic - in some cases, at
      least, structural genes - interspersed with regions that are less recombinogenic.

PMID- 24221202
TI  - RFLP mapping using near-isogenic lines in the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr].
AB  - A molecular marker analysis of a near-isogenic line (NIL), its donor parent (DP),
      and its recurrent parent (RP) can provide information about linkages between
      molecular markers and a conventional marker introgressed into the NIL. If the DP
      and RP possess different alleles for a given molecular marker, and if the NIL
      possesses the same allele as the DP, then it is reasonable to presume a linkage
      between that molecular marker and the introgressed marker. In this study, we
      examined the utility of RFLPs as molecular markers for the NIL genemapping
      approach. The allelic status of fifteen RFLP loci was determined in 116 soybean
      RP/NIL/DP line sets; 66 of the 'Clark' RP type and 50 of the 'Harosoy' RP type.
      Of the 1740 possible allelic comparisons (116 NILs x 15 RFLP loci), 1638 were
      tested and 462 (33.9%) of those were informative (i.e., the RP and DP had
      different RFLP alleles). In 15 (3.2%) of these 462 cases the NIL possessed the DP
      derived RFLP allele, leading to a presumption of linkage between the RFLP locus
      and the introgressed conventional marker locus. Two presumptive linkages, pK-3 -
      and pK-472 - Lf i, were subsequently confirmed by cosegregation linkage analysis.
      Although not yet confirmed, two other associations, pk-7 ab and pK-229 - y 9
      seemed to be plausible linkages, primarily because the pk-7 - ab association was
      detected in two independently derived NILs and both markers of the pK-229 - y 9
      association were known to be linked to Pb. The data obtained in this
      investigation indicated that RFLP loci were useful molecular markers for the NIL
      gene-mapping technique. 

PMID- 24221203
TI  - Organelle analysis of symmetric and asymmetric hybrids between Lycopersicon
      peruvianum and Lycopersicon esculentum.
AB  - The organelles of somatic hybrids obtained from symmetric and asymmetric fusions
      between the Lycopersicon species L. peruvianum and L. esculentum were analyzed by
      DNA hybridization methods. In the asymmetric fusions the L. peruvianum
      protoplasts were gamma-irradiated at a dose of 50, 300 and 1,000 Gy. The
      organelles were characterized using the Petunia chloroplast probe pPCY64 and the
      mitochondrial EcoRI-SalI fragment of the Pcf gene. In all symmetric and
      asymmetric hybrid plants, a total of 73 being analyzed, only one of the parental
      chloroplast genomes was present, except for one hybrid plant which harbored both
      parental chloroplast genomes. No recombination and/or rearrangement in the
      chloroplast genome could be identified with the pPCY64 probe. Irradiation of the
      L. peruvianum protoplasts did not significantly reduce the fraction of asymmetric
      hybrids with L. peruvianum chloroplasts. A novel mitochondrial restriction
      pattern was present in 5 out of 24 hybrids tested. In 9 hybrids novel
      combinations of chloroplasts and mitochondria were found, indicating that both
      organelle types sorted out independently. 

PMID- 24221204
TI  - The use of antimicrotubule herbicides for the production of doubled haploid
      plants from anther-derived maize callus.
AB  - Four antimicrotubule herbicides, amiprophosmethyl (APM), pronamide, oryzalin, and
      trifluralin, were evaluated for their ability to induce chromosome doubling in
      anther-derived, haploid maize callus. Effects of various herbicide treatments on
      the growth and regenerative capacity of callus along with the ploidy and seed set
      of regenerated plants were determined. Flow cytometric analysis was also used to
      measure changes in ploidy levels of callus cells following treatments. More than
      50% of the cells were doubled in chromosome number after the haploid callus was
      treated with 5 or 10 MU M APM or 10 MU M pronamide for 3 days. A similar
      proportion of plants regenerated from the treated callus produced seed upon self
      pollination. APM and pronamide did not inhibit callus growth at these
      concentrations and the treated callus retained a high plant regeneration
      capacity. Oryzalin very effectively induced chromosome doubling, but severely
      inhibited the growth of regenerable callus and plant regeneration. Trifluralin
      induced chromosome doubling in a small proportion of cells at lower
      concentrations (0.5 and 1 MU M), however, at a higher concentration (5 MUM) it
      inhibited callus growth and plant regeneration. The results indicate that APM and
      pronamide may be useful agents for inducing chromosome doubling of anther-derived
      maize haploid callus at very low concentrations. 

PMID- 24221205
TI  - Quantitative genetic variance associated with chromosomal markers in segregating
      populations.
AB  - Use of chromosomal markers can accelerate genetic progress for quantitative
      traits in pedigree selection programs by providing early information on Mendelian
      segregation effects for individual progeny. Potential effectiveness of selection
      using markers is determined by the amount of additive genetic variance traced
      from parents to progeny by the markers. Theoretical equations for the amount of
      additive genetic variance associated with a marker were derived at the individual
      level and for a segregating population in joint linkage equilibrium. Factors
      considered were the number of quantitative trait loci linked to the marker, their
      individual effects, and recombination rates with the marker. Subsequently, the
      expected amount of genetic variance associated with a marker in a segregating
      population was derived. In pedigree selection programs in segregating
      populations, a considerable fraction of the genetic variance on a chromosome is
      expected to be associated with a marker located on that chromosome. For an
      average chromosome in the bovine, this fraction is approximately 40% of the
      Mendelian segregation variance contributed by the chromosome. The effects of
      interference and position of the marker on this expectation are relative small.
      Length of the chromosome has a large effect on the expected variance.
      Effectiveness of MAS is, however, greatly reduced by lack of polymorphism at the
      marker and inaccuracy of estimation of chromosome substitution effects. The size
      of the expected amount of genetic variance associated with a chromosomal marker
      indicates that, even when the marker is not the active locus, large chromosome
      substitution effects are not uncommon in segregating populations. 

PMID- 24221206
TI  - Molecular and cytological evidence of deletions in alien chromosomes for two
      monosomic addition lines of Brassica campestris-oleracea.
AB  - A series of RFLP and isozyme markers were followed in the progenies of two alien
      addition lines of Brassica campestris-oleracea. One of the lines, carrying the C
      genome chromosome 4 as the alien chromosome, was surveyed for six markers. Fifty
      four percent of the plants carrying alien chromosomes displayed all the expected
      makers, whereas the rest had one to five markers missing. The second line for C
      genome chromosome 5 displayed a similar behavior when surveyed for three markers.
      All three markers were transmitted together in 46% of the plants carrying alien
      chromosomes, whereas the rest carried only one or two of the markers. The loss of
      markers was associated with reduced chromosome size caused by deletions. The
      observed chromosome deficiencies permitted deletion analysis for a rough physical
      mapping and ordering of the markers on the two C genome chromosomes. The
      deletions observed may represent another mechanism for molding the chromosomes of
      the Brassica genomes during their evolution. 

PMID- 24221207
TI  - RFLP analysis of Zea mays callus cultures and their regenerated plants.
AB  - Tissue culture of the Zea mays inbred line A188 resulted in the regeneration of
      plants having a high level of phenotypic variation compared to seed-grown control
      plants. To determine how such variation was induced and whether this could be
      related to specific in vitro culture methods, callus cultures were established
      and maintained on different, commonly used culture media. Plants were regenerated
      and the genomic DNA of callus cultures and regenerants analysed for RFLP
      differences. The results show that regardless of the gene probe used, callus
      formation resulted in significant deviations from the DNA pattern normally found
      in seed-grown control plants. Alterations in gene copy number also occurred. As
      differentiation and organogenesis began, the level of DNA variation fell, and
      most of the regenerated plants showed a genetic similarity to the controls; those
      with RFLP differences were the somaclonal variants. 

PMID- 24221208
TI  - On the principle underlying the tabular method to compute coancestry.
AB  - The tabular method to compute coancestry between two individuals is based on the
      principle that coancestry may be computed as the average coancestry between one
      individual and the parents of the other, on the condition that the former
      individual is not a direct descendent of the latter. It follows that coancestry
      also may be computed as the average of the four coancestries between the parents
      of the two individuals, on the condition that each individual is not a direct
      descendent of the other. The requirement for these conditions is explained. 

PMID- 24221209
TI  - Genotype x strain interactions for resistance to Fusarium head blight caused by
      Fusarium culmorum in winter wheat.
AB  - In 3 consecutive years, a set of 17 winter wheat genotypes, representing a wide
      range of Fusarium head blight resistance, was inoculated with four strains of
      Fusarium culmorum. Fusarium head blight ratings were analyzed. The interaction
      between genotypes, strains, and years was described using a Finlay-Wilkinson
      model and an Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction effects (AMMI)
      model. The interaction consisted primarily of a divergence of genotypical
      responses with increasing disease pressure, modified by genotype specific
      reactions in certain years. The divergence was mainly caused by one very
      pathogenic strain. The Fusarium head blight resistance in this study can be
      described as horizontal resistance in terms of Vanderplank, with the exception of
      three genotypes selected from one particular cross that showed a 'strain-year
      combination' dependent resistance which was ineffective in 1 year. 

PMID- 24221210
TI  - Genetic linkage between C-bands and storage protein genes in chromosome 1B of
      tetraploid wheat.
AB  - Genetic mapping of polymorphic C-bands allows direct comparisons between genetic
      and physical maps. Eleven C-bands and two seed storage protein genes on
      chromosome 1B, polymorphic between Langdon durum and four accessions of T.
      dicoccoides, were used to study the distribution of recombination along the
      entire length of the chromosome. Recombination in the short arm was almost
      completely restricted to the satellite, two-thirds of the arm's length from the
      centromere; the Gli-B1 gene was found to be tightly linked to the telomeric C
      band. In the long arm, the distal 51.4% of the arm accounted for 88% of
      recombination; the proximal half of the arm accounted for the remaining 12%.
      While the amount of crossing-over differed significantly between the four T.
      dicoccoides 1B chromosomes, there were no significant differences in the relative
      distributions of crossing-over along the chromosome. Consequently, the genetic
      maps obtained from the four individual T. dicoccoides chromosomes were combined
      to yield a consensus map of 14 markers (including the centromere) for the
      chromosome. 

PMID- 24221211
TI  - Genetic variation and covariation in a population of tetraploid Dactylis L.
      accessions.
AB  - Efficient utilization of divergent germ plasm sources in breeding cultivated
      Dactylis glomerata L. ssp. glomerata Domin depends on knowledge of quantitative
      variation within and among accessions. This study was undertaken to quantify
      variation and covariation for forage yield, maturity, disease reaction, and
      ground cover within a population of tetraploid Dactylis accessions. Variation was
      observed among families within the population for each variable. Most genetic
      variation (73%-93% of the family sums of squares) was within country sources or
      within accessions. Thus, country boundaries, which are traditionally important
      factors used in defining limits of plant exploration expeditions, have limited
      expected use in targeting future exploration for specific sources of high yield,
      disease resistance, or ground cover. Maturity was the exception to this; late
      maturing accessions were identified as originating exclusively from the USSR.
      Some relationships among traits, such as that for yield and disease reaction,
      differed for accessions and cultivars. Several accessions and families within
      accessions were identified to have performance superior to most or all cultivars
      included in this study. Existing germ plasm from several countries was identified
      to have potential in breeding orchardgrass, while that from other countries
      appeared to have little or no potential in supplying germ plasm for hay
      production in humid-temperate environments. 

PMID- 24221212
TI  - Procedures for selecting composites based on prediction methods.
AB  - Procedures for selecting among parental varieties to be used in the synthesis of
      composites are discussed. In addition to the criterion based on the mean and
      variance of composites of the same size (k) proposed by Cordoso (1976), we
      suggest the index Ij=w1vj+w2 hj or I'j=(2/k) Ij for a preliminary selection among
      parental varieties. We show that by increasing k (size of the composite) I'j
      tends to gj, the general combining ability effect. Such a criterion is
      particularly important when n, the number of parental varieties, is large, so
      that the number of possible composites (Nc=2(n)-n-1) becomes too large to be
      handled when using the common prediction procedures. Yield data from a 9 * 9
      variety diallel cross were used for illustration. 

PMID- 24221213
TI  - Somaclonal variation in a maize inbred line is not associated with changes in the
      number or location of Ac-homologous sequences.
AB  - Somaclonal variation (tissue culture-induced mutations) may result, in some
      instances, from the activation of transposable elements. This study was conducted
      to determine whether somaclonal variants in the Zea maize L. inbred line FR27rhm
      were associated with movement of the transposable element Activator (Ac). Ten
      variants, seven of which from genetic analyses fit a single recessive gene model
      and three which did not due to a low number of mutant plants, were selected for
      analysis. Total DNA from these and from uncultured FR27rhm seedlings were
      examined by Southern blot analysis using the internal 1.6-kb Hind III fragment
      derived from the cloned Ac7 element as a probe. By using a restriction
      endonuclease which does not cut within the element, the number and distribution
      of the copies of Acrelated sequences in the FR27rhm genome could be determined.
      From the number of bands seen in the blots, we conclude that the FR27rhm inbred
      contains large numbers of Ac -related sequences. However, the pattern of bands
      seen in the ten variants and in the uncultured seedlings were identical,
      indicating that there had been no movement of any of the Acrelated sequences to
      cause the tissue culture-induced mutations. 

PMID- 24221214
TI  - Insertional mutagenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana: isolation of a T-DNA-linked
      mutation that alters leaf morphology.
AB  - We investigated the potential of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens T-DNA as an
      insertional mutagen in Arabidopsis thaliana. Arabidopsis lines transformed with
      different T-DNA vectors were generated using a leaf disc infection procedure
      adapted for efficient selection on either kanamycin or hygromycin medium. A
      standardized screening procedure was developed for the detection of recessive
      mutations in T2 populations of regenerated and/or transformed lines. Recessive
      mutations originating from the tissue culture procedure occurred at a low
      frequency - between 2% and 5%. Within 110 transformed lines that contained a
      total of about 150 T-DNA inserts, one recessive mutation, named pfl, cosegregated
      with a specific T-DNA copy. This pfl mutation mainly affected the morphology of
      the first seedling leaves under normal growth conditions and was mapped to
      chromosome 1. No recombination between the pfl locus and the kanamycin resistance
      marker on the T-DNA was detected when screening F2 and F3 populations of a mutant
      crossed to the wild type. The maximal genetic distance between the pfl locus and
      the kanamycin resistance gene, determined as 0.4+/-0.4 cMorgan, strongly suggests
      that the pfl mutation is induced by the insertion of the T-DNA. Our finding of
      one T-DNA-linked recessive mutation in 110 transgenic lines indicates that T-DNA
      can be used for mutagenization of the Arabidopsis genome under tissue culture
      conditions. 

PMID- 24221215
TI  - Impaired motor speech performance in Huntington's disease.
AB  - Dysarthria is a common symptom of Huntington's disease and has been reported,
      besides other features, to be characterized by alterations of speech rate and
      regularity. However, data on the specific pattern of motor speech impairment and
      their relationship to other motor and neuropsychological symptoms are sparse.
      Therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe and objectively analyse
      different speech parameters with special emphasis on the aspect of speech timing
      of connected speech and non-speech verbal utterances. 21 patients with manifest
      Huntington's disease and 21 age- and gender-matched healthy controls had to
      perform a reading task and several syllable repetition tasks. Computerized
      acoustic analysis of different variables for the measurement of speech rate and
      regularity generated a typical pattern of impaired motor speech performance with
      a reduction of speech rate, an increase of pauses and a marked disability to
      steadily repeat single syllables. Abnormalities of speech parameters were more
      pronounced in the subgroup of patients with Huntington's disease receiving
      antidopaminergic medication, but were also present in the drug-naive patients.
      Speech rate related to connected speech and parameters of syllable repetition
      showed correlations to overall motor impairment, capacity of tapping in a
      quantitative motor assessment and some score of cognitive function. After these
      preliminary data, further investigations on patients in different stages of
      disease are warranted to survey if the analysis of speech and non-speech verbal
      utterances might be a helpful additional tool for the monitoring of functional
      disability in Huntington's disease. 

PMID- 24221216
TI  - Intracranial germinoma in the pineal region arising after subtotal resection of
      epidermoid cyst: case report.
AB  - We present an unusual case of a germinoma of the pineal region arising adjacent
      to an epidermoid cyst in a 16-year-old male. Initial imaging findings were
      classic for epidermoid cyst. The patient underwent two partial resections at an
      outside institution, each specimen demonstrating pure epidermoid cyst. Follow-up
      imaging over a period of 24 months showed an area of progressive contrast
      enhancement adjacent to the initial lesion, suggesting the development of a
      neoplasm. Given the area of contrast enhancement in addition to worsening
      headaches and visual changes, he underwent a third and final resection at our
      institution. Pathology revealed a mixed germ cell tumor with prominent germinoma
      component in addition to a well-differentiated epidermoid cyst. Details of his
      imaging and pathologic findings are presented, and possible explanations for
      these findings are explored, the most likely of which is lack of complete
      resection at the onset failed to identify the whole of the neoplasm. We conclude
      that pediatric epidermoid cysts of the pineal region should always receive close
      follow-up, particularly when total resection is not performed.

PMID- 24221217
TI  - [Multimodality and interdisciplinarity in cancer therapy : highlights of the ASCO
      Meeting 2013].

PMID- 24221218
TI  - [The most important study results of primary chemoradiation for head and neck
      squamous cell carcinoma : highlights of the ASCO Meeting 2013].
AB  - Primary concomitant and sequential chemoradiation is a commonly used therapeutic
      strategy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. At the annual meeting of the
      American Society of Clinical Oncology 2013 numerous trial results were presented.
      A selection of the most important trials will be summarized in this article. This
      year several results from phase II and III trials in concomitant and sequential
      therapy were demonstrated. 

PMID- 24221219
TI  - [Therapy of recurrent and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
      : highlights of the ASCO Meeting 2013].
AB  - In many cases squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is already in an
      advanced stage when initially diagnosed. Despite definitive treatment, loco
      regional recurrences and metastases are common and patients ultimately require
      systemic treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors have
      proven to significantly prolong survival and have therefore become the first line
      treatment in recurrent and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and
      neck in addition to platinum and 5-FU treatment. Good results have also been
      reported for EGFR inhibitors in cases where platinum-based treatment has failed.
      Further strategies, such as salvage surgery, platinum-based chemotherapy,
      targeted therapy, chemoradiation and reirradiation are currently under
      investigation to reduce toxicity and improve survival and health-related quality
      of life. 

PMID- 24221220
TI  - [Certification of head and neck tumor centers by the German Cancer Society : an
      overview].
AB  - The German Cancer Society has certified centers of oncological care since 2003.
      This is realized by clearly specified criteria that are implemented in the
      centers' clinical practice and thus enable holistic care of oncology patients.
      The most important instrument here is the interdisciplinary and multiprofessional
      teamwork of all relevant disciplines. This transsectoral cooperation leads to
      continuous cooperation between out- and inpatient partners and contributes
      significantly to the high-quality care of oncology patients in all stages of
      disease. Validation of the fulfillment and implementation of the required
      criteria proceeds in the form of audits, the feedback from which enables the
      centers to continually improve their quality of care. The integration of these
      sustainable approaches into clinical practice not only increases patient
      satisfaction, but also improves the motivation of the center staff. 

PMID- 24221221
TI  - [Language comprehension in late talkers].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Late talkers (LTs) show very different courses of language
      development. The aim of this study was to examine whether subgrouping LTs in
      terms of language comprehension could allow the identification of specific
      subtypes with different prognoses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Amongst other assessment
      strategies, standardized language (SETK-2, SETK 3-5), general nonverbal
      development (MFED, SON-R 21/2-7) and hearing tests (TOAE) were used to examine 48
      LTs at the ages of 25 and 37 months. RESULTS: Deficits in language comprehension
      were recorded for 38 % of the LTs. LTs with and without impaired language
      comprehension differed only slightly in terms of their further language and
      nonverbal development, as well as in terms of anamnestic data. Comprehension of
      words but not of sentences proved to be a predictor of later speech impairments.
      CONCLUSION: Classification of LTs based on the comprehension of single words, but
      not of sentences or general language comprehension, at the age of 25 months can
      define subgroups of children with different prognoses. However, this only leads
      to marginal improvements in the predicted development of LTs, since substantial
      impairment of word comprehension is rarely observed.

PMID- 24221223
TI  - [A specific type of cyst].

PMID- 24221222
TI  - [Sk2 guidelines"diagnosis and therapy of snoring in adults" : compiled by the
      sleep medicine working group of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head
      and Neck Surgery].
AB  - These guidelines aim to facilitate high quality medical care of adults with
      snoring problems. The guidelines were devised for application in both in- and
      outpatient environments and are directed primarily at all those concerned with
      the diagnosis and therapy of snoring. According to the AWMF three-level concept,
      these represent S2k guidelines.A satisfactory definition of snoring does not
      currently exist. Snoring is the result of vibration of soft tissue structures in
      narrow regions of the upper airway during breathing while asleep. Ultimately,
      these vibrations are caused by the sleep-associated decrease in muscle tone in
      the area of the upper airway dilator muscles. A multitude of risk factors for
      snoring have been described and its occurrence is multifactorial. Data relating
      to the frequency of snoring vary widely, depending on the way in which the data
      are collected. Snoring is usually observed in middle-aged individuals and
      affected males predominate. Clinical diagnosis of snoring should comprise a free
      evaluation of the patient's medical history. Where possible this should also
      involve their bed partner and the case history can be complimented by
      questionnaires. To determine the airflow relevant structures, a clinical
      examination of the nose should be performed. This examination may also include
      nasal endoscopy. Examination of the oropharynx is particularly important and
      should be performed. The larynx and the hypopharynx should be examined. The size
      of the tongue and the condition of the mucous membranes should be recorded as
      part of the oral cavity examination, as should the results of a dental
      assessment. Facial skeleton morphology should be assessed for orientation
      purposes. Technical examinations may be advisable in individual cases. In the
      instance of suspected sleep-related breathing disorders, relevant comorbidities
      or where treatment for snoring has been requested, an objective sleep medicine
      examination should be performed. Snoring is not-at least as we currently
      understand it-a disease associated with a medical threat; therefore there is
      currently no medical necessity to treat the condition. All overweight patients
      with snoring problems should strive to lose weight. If snoring is associated with
      the supine position, positional therapy can be considered. Some cases of snoring
      can be appropriately treated using an intraoral device. Selected minimally
      invasive surgical procedures on the soft palate can be recommended to treat
      snoring, provided that examinations have revealed a suitable anatomy. The choice
      of technique is determined primarily by the individual anatomy. At an appropriate
      interval after the commencement or completion a therapeutic measure, a follow-up
      examination should be conducted to assess the success of the therapy and to aid
      in the planning of any further treatments. 

PMID- 24221224
TI  - [Clicking larynx syndrome : a literature review and multiple-case report].
AB  - BACKGROUND: A clicking noise in the larynx can probably be provoked in many
      adults. However, these clicks are not usually associated with pain and physicians
      are not consulted. The combination of a clicking larynx and pain may severely
      reduce an individual's quality of life. Up until now, the so-called clicking
      larynx syndrome (CLS) has not been defined in German teaching literature.
      Therefore, this article reviews the international literature on CLS and also
      presents three case reports. METHODS: A selective literature search using PubMed
      and Google was conducted. The Google search resulted in the identification of
      several patient forums. Three case reports are also presented (multiple-case
      report). RESULTS: A total of 4 studies were identified in which different kinds
      of clicking sounds in the larynx were described. These sounds were typically
      provoked by movements of the head and/or neck, swallowing or circumlaryngeal
      manipulation. In forums patients reported many different types of laryngeal
      clicking sounds, which were often described as extremely irritating. Three
      patients have recently presented with such symptoms at our department.
      DISCUSSION: The literature published on CLS suggests (although does not strictly
      prove) that laryngeal clicking sounds are caused by friction between the superior
      cornu or the top edge of the thyroid cartilage and the hyoid, or alternatively
      due to contact of these structure with the cervical spine. Seldom do patients
      report a former laryngeal trauma. The causes of the associated pain remain
      unclear. The treatment of choice seems to be resection of the structures
      associated with the clicking noise by thyroplastic surgery or reduction of the
      hyoid bone greater horn. It is therefore important to inform patients with mild
      CLS that these clicking sounds are harmless and to advise CLS patients suffering
      from pain of the appropriate treatment options.

PMID- 24221225
TI  - [Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing by non-medical therapists and
      physicians without specialist ENT or phoniatry and pediatric audiology
      qualifications : medical and legal aspects].

PMID- 24221227
TI  - Field scale variability of cadmium and zinc in soil and barley.
AB  - CaCl2-extractable soil Cd and Zn contents have been suggested as a measure of
      bioavailability. To investigate the ability of this measure to reflect spatial
      patterns of Cd and Zn concentrations in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in an arable
      field, plant and soil samples were taken from a 0.5 ha area sandy soil
      contaminated with Cd and Zn. Cd and Zn contents in barley and yield were
      spatially variable. Yield was low, which may have been caused by Zn toxicity or
      atrazine turnover. For Cd, CaCl2-extractable soil contents explained only 17% of
      the variation in Cd contents in grain, and for Zn no significant correlation was
      observed. Nevertheless, surface plots of CaCl2-extractable soil contents and
      contents of barley grain illustrated their corresponding spatial patterns.
      Despite the poor linear correlation between CaCl2-extractable soil-Cd and grain
      Cd, a stochastic model for long term behaviour of Cd in field soils predicted
      observed variability in Cd contents of barley grain well from spatial variability
      of soil pH and organic matter content. The probabilistic model predicted
      behaviour of Cd in terms of probability, and was more appropriate than the
      deterministic approach. 

PMID- 24221226
TI  - [Dysosmia : current aspects of diagnostics and therapy].
AB  - Olfactory dysfunction is a common disorder, especially in elderly people. From
      the etiological point of view a differentiation is made between sinunasal,
      traumatic and non-sinunasal causes of dysosmia. Olfactory disorders are often
      observed in neurodegenerative diseases, especially in patients with Parkinson's
      disease or Alzheimer's disease. Apart from an extensive medical history important
      diagnostic tools are a complete ear nose and throat (ENT) examination including
      nasal endoscopy and olfactory testing, for example, with "sniffin' sticks". For
      diagnostic purposes modern imaging procedures, such as magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) are becoming more and more important. For testing children, olfactory
      testing needs to be adapted and depending on the etiology, olfactory training,
      antiphlogistic and surgical procedures are the most promising therapeutic
      approaches. In cases of intracranial causes of dysosmia neurosurgeons should know
      and respect the anatomical structures of the olfactory signal pathway, not least
      for the long-term prognosis. 

PMID- 24221228
TI  - Lichen biomonitoring of trace metals in the Pistoia area (central northern
      Italy).
AB  - The epiphytic lichen Parmelia caperata (L.) Ach. was used as bioaccumulator of
      the heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in the environs of the town of
      Pistoia (central northern Italy). The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg and Pb
      were comparable with those found in areas not subject to atmospheric pollution.
      Copper and especially Zn were found in rather high concentrations. Fertilizers
      and pesticides were the main source of atmospheric contamination. 

PMID- 24221229
TI  - Risk assessment of water pollutants.
AB  - The sources of toxic xenobiotics and different factors such as ecological
      diversity, differences in comparative anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, food
      chain variation, interrelationship within species and life span, etc., are
      considered during risk assessment of pollutants, and their impact on aquatic
      ecotoxicology is identified. A fugacity and multimedia compartment model is
      suggested, based on toxicodynamic (toxicity of the chemical) and toxicokinetic
      (metabolism of the chemical) considerations to predict and screen the behaviour
      of pollutants quantitatively in the aquatic environment. The significance of the
      risk analysis approach in anticipatory actions and regulation of pollution levels
      is discussed. 

PMID- 24221230
TI  - Determination of elemental carbon emission.
AB  - The studies on elemental carbon content in the atmospheric air, performed at the
      air monitoring station in Katowice (Poland), have revealed violations of
      allowable maximum average annual and diurnal concentrations. Elemental carbon is
      introduced into the atmosphere mainly as soot generated from combustion
      processes. This work presents the determination of elemental carbon in emission
      generated from coal combustion processes. 

PMID- 24221231
TI  - Temporal and spatial changes in primary biomass as a diagnosis and prognosis in
      environmental impact (Rapel Reservoir, Central Chile).
AB  - Extensive mortality of silversides (Atherinidae), Odontesthes bonariensis, was
      recorded during July 1989 in the Rapel Reservoir. Temporal and spatial changes
      observed in biomass concentration (chlorophyll-a) through both ground and remote
      sensing samples (LANDSAT), allowed us to establish a potential environmental
      impact. Ground measurements established an input of sulfate (SO4) in a eutrophic
      area. The mean concentration of biomass tended to decrease in this area in
      comparison with other mesotrophic areas. The local disfunction associated with
      the observed biomass changes has been used to develop a prediction in species
      composition and in biomass concentration. 

PMID- 24221232
TI  - Trace metal residues in tissues of two crustacean species from the Bahia Blanca
      Estuary, Argentina.
AB  - Trace metals (total mercury, cadmium and zinc) were studied in several tissues of
      the edible shrimps Pleoticus muelleri and Artemesia longinaris from the Bahia
      Blanca estuary, Argentina. The digestive gland was shown to be the main organ in
      which metals accumulate, followed by the stomach-alimentary canal and abdominal
      muscle.The metal contents found in the present study largely exceeded those of
      the same species caught from the Argentine Sea. Mercury concentrations increased
      proportionally to the total length of the shrimps studied. Only little variation
      in metal concentrations among individuals seemed to exist.Finally, the usefulness
      of these species as bioindicators of trace metal pollution in the Bahia Blanca
      estuary is discussed. 

PMID- 24221233
TI  - Chemical mass balance model for source apportionment of aerosols in Bombay.
AB  - Aerosol samples collected within an industrial region of Bombay were analyzed for
      elemental concentrations using inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy,
      ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.
      Nineteen elements were selected as tracers of identified sources of aerosol in
      the region. The U.S. EPA chemical mass balance model was employed for source
      apportionment. Seven major source types were identified and the performance of
      the model was evaluated at different sampling locations. Model results were
      unsatisfactory at highly polluted sites in the study regions. It was found that
      U.S. EPA source profiles are not suitable for such regions in India and site
      specific source profiles should be used in the application of chemical mass
      balance for source apportionment. 

PMID- 24221234
TI  - The duckweed Wolffia globosa as an indicator of heavy metal pollution:
      Sensitivity to Cr and Cd.
AB  - The potential of Wolffia globosa, a profusely occurring rootless duckweed, was
      evaluated as an indicator of metal pollution in the water bodies. Plants of W.
      globosa were cultured in 3% Hoagland's nutrient medium which was supplemented
      with 0.05, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L of Cr and Cd. Plants showed substantial
      accumulation of both the metals at lowest concentrations. For example, at 0.05
      ppm, the concentration factor (Cf) value for Cr was significantly higher (5616)
      than for Cd (1018). A high level of tolerance was shown by the plants to both Cr
      and Cd. The results show that the plants are sensitive to the variations in metal
      concentration and are capable of high metal enrichment at very low ambient
      concentration of the metals. This information may be useful for detecting metals
      in the water. 

PMID- 24221235
TI  - Excretion of photosynthetically fixed organic carbon by metalimnetic
      phytoplankton.
AB  - The effects of light intensity, oxygen concentration, and pH on the rates of
      photosynthesis and net excretion by metalimnetic phytoplankton populations of
      Little Crooked Lake, Indiana, were studied. Photosynthetic rates increased from
      1.42 to 3.14 mg C.mg(-1) chlorophylla.hour(-1) within a range of light
      intensities from 65 to 150MUE.m(-2).sec(-1), whereas net excretion remained
      constant at 0.05 mg C.mg(-1) chlorophylla.hour(-1). Bacteria assimilated
      approximately 50% of the carbon released by the phytoplankton under these
      conditions. Excreted carbon (organic compounds either assimilated by bacteria or
      dissolved in the lake water) was produced by phytoplankton at rates of 0.02-0.15
      mg C.mg(-1) chlorophylla.hour(-1). These rates were 6%-13% of the photosynthetic
      rates of the phytoplankton. Both total excretion of carbon and bacterial
      assimilation of excreted carbon increased at high light intensities whereas net
      excretion remained fairly constant. Elevated oxygen concentrations in samples
      incubated at 150MUE. m(-2).sec(-1) decreased rates of both photosynthesis and net
      excretion. The photosynthetic rate increased from 3.0 to 5.0 mg C.mg(-1)
      chlorophylla. hour(-1) as the pH was raised from 7.5 to 8.8. Net excretion within
      this range decreased slightly. Calculation of total primary production using a
      numerical model showed that whereas 225.8 g C.m(-2) was photosynthetically fixed
      between 12 May and 24 August 1982, a maximum of about 9.3 g C.m(-2) was released
      extracellularly. 

PMID- 24221236
TI  - Metabolic inhibition of size-fractionated marine plankton radiolabeled with amino
      acids, glucose, bicarbonate, and phosphate in the light and dark.
AB  - The effects of various metabolic inhibitors (dichlorophenyl dimethylurea,
      chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone) on the
      accumulation of radiolabeled substrates (amino acids, glucose, bicarbonate,
      phosphate) by size-fractionated marine microbial plankton from the Sargasso Sea
      and the eastern Canadian arctic were studied in time-course fashion during
      experimental incubations either exposed to or shielded from ambient solar
      radiation. Picoplankton accounted for >=65% of the organic substrates and
      phosphate accumulated by the assemblages. The rate of organic substrate
      accumulation was stimulated by solar radiation in some cases but inhibited in
      other cases. Presumably, stimulation and inhibition co-occur and the measured
      response is the net result arising from these counteracting tendencies.
      Approximately 40% of H(14) CO3 (-) accumulation in the Sargasso Sea was
      associated with the picoplankton. The insensitivity of picoplankton(14)C-labeling
      to cycloheximide suggested active prokaryotic photosynthesis rather than
      heterotrophic assimilation of(14)C-labeled algal photosynthates as the route of
      labeling. The usefulness of some inhibitors was restricted in this study because
      of inconsistent correlations between the intended primary metabolic effect and
      the measured ecological response within the duration of the experiment. 

PMID- 24221237
TI  - Virus adsorption to mineral surfaces is reduced by microbial overgrowth and
      organic coatings.
AB  - In experiments with strains of poliovirus, reovirus, echovirus, and
      Coxsackievirus, overgrowth with exopolymer-forming bacteria reduced virus
      adsorption to mineral surfaces. Adsorption was improved when organic materials
      adsorbed to minerals were removed by low-temperature ashing. In a soil series,
      virus adsorption increased with soil depth. This paralleled a decrease in organic
      content, but differences in charge development of the soil particles may also be
      involved. Prolonged (40-year) irrigation with treated sewage effluents, leading
      to a buildup of organic coatings, also decreased adsorption. However, saturation
      of the virus-binding capacity of the soil as a result of continuous exposure to
      virus-containing effluents was not apparent. 

PMID- 24221238
TI  - Factor analysis of fluctuation in populations ofPseudomonas syringae
      pv.savastanoi on the phylloplane of the olive.
AB  - Populations ofPseudomonas syringae pv.savastanoi on the surface of olive leaves
      were monitored quarterly from 1974 to 1981. Seven microbiological parameters were
      measured: the density of the bacteria on the leaves unfolded in March, in June,
      and in September; the density of the bacteria on random leaves; the mean vigor of
      bacterial isolates obtained at each sampling time; and the similarity between the
      isolates, based on both the simple matching coefficient and the pattern
      coefficient. Seven environmental parameters were also recorded: the mean
      temperature, the rainfall, and the frequency and velocity of east and west winds
      during a period of 30 days before each sampling; the rate of turnover of the
      leaves during the same period; the number of pollen grains on the leaves at the
      time of sampling; and the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand of the wash water of
      leaves in each sample. Factor analysis led to extraction of 7 factors that
      accounted for 70.69%-92.80% of the maximum variance of every microbiological
      parameter and 68.92%-96.62% of the maximum variance of every environmental
      parameter. The factors were identified as "cambial activity", "leaf age",
      "summertime", "time of blossoming", "summer rains", "winter rains", and "warm
      weather fronts." More than 43% of the total parameter variance was loaded in the
      first 2 factors. Higher communality values (>86% of maximum variance) were
      obtained for the microbiological parameters based on the distribution of
      phenotypic characters among the bacterial isolates than for those based on
      bacterial densities on the phylloplane. 

PMID- 24221239
TI  - Yeasts associated with pollinating bees and flower nectar.
AB  - A study of the yeast flora of 328 honey stomachs from 7 different pollinating bee
      species, and 342 flower nectar samples of 9 different flower species yielded 766
      yeast isolates composed of 16 genera and 47 species. Most of the yeast species
      from both the sources belonged to the genusCandida, while the most frequently
      isolated yeasts wereDekkera intermedia from honey stomach andCandida blankii from
      flower nectar. Among the honey bees,Xylocopa sp., and among flowers,Citrus
      medica, yielded the highest number of yeast species. Nineteen species of yeasts
      belonging to 9 genera were common to both the sources. 

PMID- 24221240
TI  - Association of rumen ciliate populations with plant particles in vitro.
AB  - Seven known species of rumen ciliates and mixedEntodinium spp. showed association
      with plant particles in rumen fluid in vitro. Association was greater with fresh
      particles than with hay, and substantially decreased when the water-soluble
      components of the particles were removed, suggesting that the water-soluble
      components may be responsible for the association. The association was rapid and
      maximal between 5 and 35 min (depending on the ciliate species) after exposure to
      the particles, and involved major transfers of ciliate populations and biomass
      from the liquid phase to the solid phase of the system. The most rapid and
      largest population transfers to the particles from the rumen fluid were shown by
      the holotrich ciliates, where transfers of up to 97% of the population were
      recorded. Association with plant particles by all species examined occurred
      within the pH range 5.5-7.5, and decreased with time when the particles were
      incubated in rumen contents in vivo. The ciliate biomass transferring from the
      liquid to the solid phase varied with the composition of the ciliate population. 

PMID- 24221241
TI  - A taxonomic and ecological study of candidosis.
AB  - A total of 450 yeast isolates were obtained from up to 34 sites on 59 human
      subjects. The yeasts were characterized using morphological features and
      assimilation tests. Ten species were identified but, of these,Candida albicans
      andCandida parapsilosis were the most common and accounted for 84% of the
      isolates. An examination of the biotypes of the various species indicated a much
      greater diversity in the yeast microflora than that detected by species
      identifications alone. Fifty-five biotypes were differentiated and it is
      suggested that these could be regarded as distinct taxonomic or ecological
      entities. 

PMID- 24221242
TI  - Comparison of conventional and miniaturized biochemical techniques for
      identification of animal streptococcal isolates.
AB  - Human clinical streptococcal isolates can be identified rapidly by means of
      commercially available miniaturized biochemical systems, in contrast to animal
      and environmental isolates which may require extensive characterization using
      conventional methods. Streptococcal isolates (n=548) from fresh animal feces of
      cattle, swine, and broiler chickens were tested by means of conventional
      biochemical and physiological techniques, and also with a miniaturized technique
      in which conventional formulations were dispensed in 0.1 ml volume into
      microtiter plates. Agreement of the positive feature frequencies of the two
      methods were compared. Results from the tolerance tests in the two methods were
      generally in good agreement. However, the miniaturized method tended to give
      false negative results in some carbohydrate fermentation tests. Agreement between
      the 2 methods ranged from 100% for bile esculin tests to 71% for raffinose
      fermentation. Cluster analysis of the conventional method data indicated that
      there were 11 biochemically related groups of isolates, 2 of which were
      identified asStreptococcus faecalis, andS. morbillorum. Half of the isolates
      biochemically resembledS. faecium. Errors of miniaturized tests occurred mainly
      in certain tests and in certain biochemically related clusters of isolates. The
      data indicate that further investigation of experimental conditions such as
      medium formulation and inoculum size could lead to a successful miniaturized
      technique for testing animal streptococcal isolates. 

PMID- 24221243
TI  - Impact of FDG PET in optimizing patient selection for cytoreductive surgery in
      recurrent ovarian cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of PET and PET/CT scanning on decision-making
      in management planning and to identify the optimal setting for selecting
      candidates for surgery in suspicious recurrent ovarian cancer. METHODS: A
      retrospective chart review was performed in patients with possible recurrent
      ovarian cancer after primary optimal cytoreduction and taxane/carboplatin
      chemotherapy who had undergone FDG PET or FDG PET/CT scans from July 2002 to
      August 2008 to help make treatment decisions. The analysis included 44 patients
      who had undergone a total of 89 PET scans. The positive PET scans were classified
      as follows. (1) localized (one or two localized sites of FDG uptake), (2)
      multiple (three or more sites of FDG uptake), (3) diffuse (extensive low-grade
      activity outlining serosal and peritoneal surfaces). RESULTS: Of the 89 PET
      scans, 52 (58.4%) led to a change in management plan. The total number of
      patients in whom cytoreductive surgery was selected as the treatment of choice
      increased from 12 to 35. Miliary disseminated disease, which was not detected by
      PET scan, was found in 22.2% of those receiving surgery. Miliary disseminated
      disease was detected in 6 of the 12 patients with recurrent disease whose
      treatment-free interval (TFI) was <12 months, whereas none of those with a TFI of
      >=12 months had such disease (P = 0.0031). CONCLUSION: PET or PET/CT is useful
      for selecting candidates for cytoreductive surgery among patients with recurrent
      ovarian cancer. To avoid surgical attempts in those with miliary dissemination,
      patients with a TFI of >=12 months are the best candidates for cytoreductive
      surgery.

PMID- 24221244
TI  - Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for neuroendocrine tumours: standardized
      and randomized, or personalized?

PMID- 24221245
TI  - Patellofemoral pain syndrome.
AB  - The patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a possible cause for anterior knee
      pain, which predominantly affects young female patients without any structural
      changes such as increased Q-angle or significant chondral damage. This literature
      review has shown that PFPS development is probably multifactorial with various
      functional disorders of the lower extremity. Biomechanical studies described
      patellar maltracking and dynamic valgus in PFPS patients (functional
      malalignment). Causes for the dynamic valgus may be decreased strength of the hip
      abductors or abnormal rear-foot eversion with pes pronatus valgus. PFPS is
      further associated with vastus medialis/vastus lateralis dysbalance, hamstring
      tightness or iliotibial tract tightness. The literature provides evidence for a
      multimodal non-operative therapy concept with short-term use of NSAIDs, short
      term use of a medially directed tape and exercise programmes with the inclusion
      of the lower extremity, and hip and trunk muscles. There is also evidence for the
      use of patellar braces and foot orthosis. A randomized controlled trial has shown
      that arthroscopy is not the treatment of choice for treatment of PFPS without any
      structural changes. Patients with anterior knee pain have to be examined
      carefully with regard to functional causes for a PFPS. The treatment of PFPS
      patients is non-operative and should address the functional causes. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: V.

PMID- 24221246
TI  - Distinctive collagen maturation process in fibroblasts derived from rabbit
      anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and patellar tendon in
      vitro.
AB  - PURPOSE: Differences in the tissue-specific collagen maturation process between
      tendon and ligament are still unknown. Collagen cross-link formation is crucial
      for the collagen maturation process. The aim of this study is to examine collagen
      maturation processes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral
      ligament (MCL), and patellar tendon (PT) in vitro, in order to determine the
      optimal cell source for tissue engineering of ligament. METHODS: Cells derived
      from the ACL, MCL, and PT of New Zealand white rabbits were isolated. Each cell
      type was cultured for up to 4 weeks after reaching confluence. Cell-matrix layers
      were evaluated and compared for their morphology, collagen cross-links, and gene
      expression levels of lysine hydroxylase 1 and 2, lysyl oxidase (LOX),
      tenomodulin, collagen1A1 (Col1A1), and collagen3A1 (Col3A1). RESULTS:
      Transmission electron microscopy photomicrographs verified that collagen fibrils
      were secreted from all three types of fibroblasts. A higher ratio of
      dihydroxylysinonorleucine/hydroxylysinonorleucine was evident in the ligament
      compared to the tendon, which was consistent with lysine hydroxylase 2/lysine
      hydroxylase 1 gene expression. The gene expression of LOX, which regulates the
      total amount of enzymatic cross-linking, and the gene expression levels of Col1A1
      and Col3A1 were higher in the ACL matrix than in the MCL and PT matrices.
      CONCLUSION: ACL, MCL, and PT cells have distinct collagen maturation processes at
      the cellular level. In addition, the collagen maturation of ACL cells is not
      necessarily inferior to that of MCL and PT cells in that all three cell types
      have a good ability to synthesize collagen and induce collagen maturation. This
      bioactivity of ACL cells in terms of ligament-specific mature collagen induction
      can be applied to tissue-engineered ACL reconstruction or remnant preserving
      procedure with ACL reconstruction.

PMID- 24221248
TI  - Sequence-modified primers for the differential RT-PCR detection of Andean potato
      latent and Andean potato mild mosaic viruses in quarantine tests.
AB  - To enable the differential PCR detection of Andean potato latent virus (APLV) and
      Andean potato mild mosaic virus (APMMV) strains, sense primers were designed that
      correspond to regions directly upstream of the coat protein genes. Their
      differentiating power was increased by A->C or T->C replacements in their 3'
      terminal parts. Together with the broad-specificity antisense primer EM3, primer
      AL-a-mod3C detected all APLV strains tested, but none of the APMMV strains.
      Primer AM-a-mod4C yielded PCR products with all APMMV preparations, but also with
      some APLV preparations. Sequence analysis revealed that this was not due to a
      lack of primer specificity, but to the sensitive detection of contaminating APMMV
      in some of our APLV preparations. 

PMID- 24221247
TI  - Genetic heterogeneity in the leader and P1-coding regions of foot-and-mouth
      disease virus serotypes A and O in Africa.
AB  - Genetic information regarding the leader (L) and complete capsid-coding (P1)
      region of FMD serotype A and O viruses prevalent on the African continent is
      lacking. Here, we present the complete L-P1 sequences for eight serotype A and
      nine serotype O viruses recovered from FMDV outbreaks in East and West Africa
      over the last 33 years. Phylogenetic analysis of the P1 and capsid-coding regions
      revealed that the African isolates grouped according to serotype, and certain
      clusters were indicative of transboundary as well as intra-regional spread of the
      virus. However, similar analysis of the L region revealed random groupings of
      isolates from serotypes O and A. Comparisons between the phylogenetic trees
      derived from the structural coding regions and the L region pointed to a
      possibility of genetic recombination. The intertypic nucleotide and amino acid
      variation of all the isolates in this study supported results from previous
      studies where the externally located 1D was the most variable whilst the
      internally located 1A was the most conserved, which likely reflects the selective
      pressures on these proteins. Amino acids identified previously as important for
      FMDV structure and functioning were found to be highly conserved. The information
      gained from this study will contribute to the construction of structurally
      designed FMDV vaccines in Africa. 

PMID- 24221249
TI  - Production and immunogenicity of VP2 protein of porcine parvovirus expressed in
      Pichia pastoris.
AB  - Viral protein 2 (VP2) of porcine parvovirus (PPV) is the major viral structural
      protein and is responsible for eliciting neutralizing antibodies in immunized
      animals. In this study, we constructed and characterized a recombinant yeast
      vector encoding the VP2 protein, designated as pGAPZalphaA-VP2. The construct was
      confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion, PCR, and sequencing and then
      introduced into P. pastoris strain SMD1168 by electroporation. The expressed VP2
      protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western blot. Immunization of mice with the
      VP2 protein elicited a PPV-specific humoral immune response. Notably, a
      preparation of VP2 protein containing adjuvant induced a much better antibody
      response than VP2 alone. Clearly, the adjuvant strongly enhanced the
      immunogenicity of VP2. This study provides a foundation for the application of
      the VP2 protein in the clinical diagnosis of PPV and in vaccination against PPV
      in the future. 

PMID- 24221250
TI  - The membrane on the surface of hepatitis E virus particles is derived from the
      intracellular membrane and contains trans-Golgi network protein 2.
AB  - Our previous studies demonstrated that hepatitis E virus (HEV) requires the
      multivesicular body (MVB) pathway to release virus particles, suggesting that HEV
      utilizes the cellular ESCRT machinery in the cytoplasm, not at the cell surface,
      to be released from infected cells. In this study, we generated a murine
      monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the membrane-associated HEV particles to
      examine whether the membrane is derived from intracellular vesicles or the cell
      surface. An established mAb, TA1708, was found to capture the membrane-associated
      HEV particles, but not the membrane-dissociated particles or fecal HEV, in an
      immunocapture RT-PCR assay. Furthermore, digitonin treatment confirmed that the
      membrane on the surface of cell-culture-generated HEV particles was a lipid
      membrane. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed that mAb TA1708
      specifically recognizes trans-Golgi network protein 2 (TGOLN2), an intracellular
      antigen derived from the trans-Golgi network. Supporting these findings, HEV
      particles with lipid membranes and ORF3 proteins on their surface were found
      abundantly in the lysates of HEV-infected cells. These results indicate that HEV
      forms membrane-associated particles in the cytoplasm, most likely by budding into
      intracellular vesicles, and that the released HEV particles with a lipid membrane
      retain the antigenicity of TGOLN2 on their surface. 

PMID- 24221251
TI  - Molecular detection of human parechovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis
      in Guangzhou, China.
AB  - Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are widespread pathogens causing a wide spectrum of
      diseases. The prevalence and genetic diversity of HPeV in children with acute
      diarrhea in China is not well known. The purpose of this study was to investigate
      the epidemiological characteristics of HPeV in Guangzhou, China. A total of 328
      stool specimens collected from children under the age of 5 years with acute
      diarrhea were tested for the presence of HPeV. Of these, 44 (13.4 %, 44/328) were
      HPeV positive, with the majority of the infected children (97.7 %, 43/44) being
      younger than two years of age. HPeV was more frequently detected during July and
      August. The epidemiological profile of co-infections was similar to that observed
      in a previous study. Six different HPeV genotypes, including HPeV1, -3, -4, -5, 
      6, and -14, were identified, and of these, HPeV14, a rarely reported genotype,
      was reported for the first time in children with acute gastroenteritis in China.
      In summary, this study clearly demonstrated that HPeV circulating in Guangzhou,
      China, is genetically diverse, including six genotypes, and it provides useful
      epidemiological data on the features of HPeV infection in this area.

PMID- 24221252
TI  - ypN0 nodal status after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal carcinoma is not
      associated with adverse prognosis as compared with pN0 after primary surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) has been established as
      standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (cT3/4 or cN+ cM0, distance
      from circumferential resection margin <=1 mm) to enhance local disease control
      and minimize the rate of locoregional recurrence. As a consequence of
      downstaging, a significant proportion of patients show non-viable tumor deposits
      within regional lymph nodes that qualify as ypN0 according to the current TNM
      classification irrespective of the actual pre-treatment status. Accordingly, the
      prognostic relevance of ypN0 status as compared with true pN0 without preceding
      nCRT is not known. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 132 patients
      who underwent standard total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery after nCRT for
      rectal carcinoma and were classified as ypN0, and compared their prognoses with
      those of 341 patients with pN0 without nCRT. RESULTS: Re-evaluation of regional
      lymph nodes after nCRT showed no evidence of previous metastasis in 91 cases
      (ypN0(-)), sure but non-viable metastasis in 14 patients (ypN0(+)), and unsure
      status in 27 patients (ypN0(X)). The local recurrence rate, distant metastases,
      and disease-free, observed, and cancer-related survival were similar in all
      subgroups (p = 0.447, 0.695, 0.759, 0.655, and 0.354, respectively). CONCLUSION:
      Our results showed a similar outcome in patients with ypN0 and in the control
      group with pN0 regarding local recurrence rate, distant metastases, and disease
      free, observed, and cancer-related survival. Validation of these results is
      necessary to clarify the questions regarding postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy
      for patients with ypN0(+).

PMID- 24221253
TI  - Adenocarcinoma arising from a long-standing Kock pouch.

PMID- 24221254
TI  - Efficient production of wheat-barley hybrids and preferential elimination of
      barley chromosomes.
AB  - Intergeneric hybridization between four common wheat cultivars, Triticum aestivum
      L. cultivars Chinese Spring, Norin 12, Norin 61, and Shinchunaga, and cultivated
      barley, Hordeum vulgare L. cultivars Betzes, Nyugoruden, Harunanijou, and Kinai 5
      were carried out in a greenhouse under 15 - 20  degrees C and long-day (15 h)
      photoperiod conditions. Two days prior to pollination, a 100 mg/1 2,4-D solution
      was injected into wheat stems. Among wheat cultivars, Norin 12, Norin 61, and
      Shinchunaga showed higher crossabilities than that of Chinese Spring, suggesting
      the presence of crossability gene(s) other than the kr system of Chinese Spring.
      Variation was also found among the barley cultivars as male parents. Betzes
      barley showed the highest crossability with wheat. Thus, the cross Norin
      12*Betzes showed the highest crossability (8.25%), followed by Norin 61 *Betzes
      (6.04%), Shinchunaga*Betzes (5.00%), and Shinchunaga*Kinai 5 (5.00%). The embryos
      were rescued by culture at 15-20 days after pollination. Seventyfour plants were
      obtained from 82 embryos. The morphology of the hybrid plants resembled that of
      wheat parents. Among 60 seedlings observed, 28 had 28 chromosomes, 8 had 21, 23
      had aneuploid numbers of chromosomes (22-27), and 1 had 29 chromosomes. About
      half of the aneuploid hybrids showed mosaicism for chromosome number. By
      analyzing five isozyme markers of barley chromosomes, the chromosome
      constitutions of the aneuploid hybrids were determined. Barley chromosomes 1 and
      5 were found to be preferentially eliminated in the hybrids, while chromosomes 2
      and 4 were eliminated infrequently. The conditions and genetic factors for high
      crossability and the tendency of barley chromosome elimination are discussed. 

PMID- 24221255
TI  - Selection of a mutation conferring high NaCl tolerance to gametophytes of
      Ceratopteris.
AB  - Spores from a weakly salt tolerant strain of Ceratopteris richardii containing
      the mutation stl1 were irradiated and sown on nutrient medium supplemented with
      200 mM NaCl. A single highly salt tolerant gametophyte was recovered and selfed
      to generate a homozygous sporophyte. Spores from this strain, 10alpha23, were
      used to document the sexual transmission of the trait and to monitor the
      inheritance of tolerance in crosses to both the wild type and to the parental
      salt tolerant strain. Genetic analysis showed the 10alpha23 strain to possess
      both the original stl1 mutation and an additional semi-dominant nuclear mutation,
      stl2, that individually conferred a high level of tolerance to gametophytes. In
      combination, both mutations had additive effects. Tolerance was also evident in
      sporophytes, but at a lower level than in gametophytes. 

PMID- 24221256
TI  - Selection for increased percentage phaseolin in common bean : 1. Comparison of
      selection for seed protein alleles and S1 family recurrent selection.
AB  - Two selection methods were compared to determine which was more efficient for
      increasing percentage phaseolin in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). A
      base population consisting of families segregating for six seed protein alleles
      (Phas (S) , Phas (C) , Phas (T) , phas (-), lec(-), and Arcl (+)), all of which
      have measurable effects on percentage phaseolin, was subjected to either three
      cycles of S1 family recurrent selection for increased percentage phaseolin (PPS),
      or one cycle of selection for combinations of the protein alleles (PAS) known to
      have positive effects on phaseolin accumulation. One cycle of PAS resulted in an
      increase in percentage phaseolin that was equivalent to three cycles of PPS.
      Selection under both methods produced increases in several correlated traits
      including percentage total protein, phaseolin as a percent of total protein, mg
      protein/seed, and mg phaseolin/seed. The amount of nonphaseolin protein per seed
      decreased, while seed yield was unaffected by either selection procedure. By
      selecting for favorable seed protein alleles identified by electrophoresis, it
      was possible to rapidly increase percentage phaseolin without the need for field
      evaluation. 

PMID- 24221257
TI  - Selection for increased percentage phaseolin in common bean : 2. Changes in
      frequency of seed protein alleles with S1 family recurrent selection.
AB  - Recurrent selection methods are designed to increase the frequency of favorable
      alleles within a population(s) with each cycle of selection. Yet it is likely
      that different methods will change allele frequencies at different rates or may
      act on different alleles. To investigate the ability of S1 family selection to
      shift the frequencies of favorable alleles within a population of Phaseolus
      vulgaris (L.), we examined the changes in frequencies of six alleles (Phas (S) ,
      Phas (C) , Phas (T) , phas (-), lec (-), and Arc1 (+)) that affect the amount of
      phaseolin accumulated in seeds, over three cycles of selection for increased
      percentage phaseolin (PPS). The frequency of alleles Phas (C) and lec (-), both
      of which have positive effects on percentage phaseolin, increased with selection
      while the frequencies of phas (-) and Arc1 (+), which have strong negative
      effects, decreased. The frequencies of the Phas (S) and Phas (T) alleles showed
      no linear trends with selection, indicating that the frequency changes may be due
      to random drift and not to the selection procedure. The proportion of the
      phenotypic variation (R (2)) for percentage phaseolin that was explained by each
      of the alleles, and by all the alleles combined, changed with each cycle of
      selection. In most cases the change resulted in a decrease in the R (2) value. In
      this population, S1 family selection was effective at increasing the frequencies
      of all favorable alleles except Phas (T) , and rapidly decreased the frequencies
      of deleterious alleles. 

PMID- 24221258
TI  - Hybridization between Triticum aestivum L. and Agropyron michnoi Roshev. : 1.
      Production and cytogenetic study of F1 hybrids.
AB  - Intergeneric hybrids between Triticum aestivum cv 'Chinese Spring' (2n=6x=42,
      AABBDD) and Agropyron michnoi Roshev. (2n=4x=28, PPPP) were obtained by embryo
      culture. Their spike characteristics were similar to those of common wheat but,
      unlike their parents, they were long-awned. The average meiotic chromosome
      pairing at MI of F1 hybrids was: 6.39 I +3.75 rodII+8.64 ringII+0.81 III+0.30
      IV+0.04 V, the bivalent and multivalent formation of which was much higher than
      expected from the genomic formulae. It is especially worthwhile to note that the
      F1 hybrids were self-fertile, self set being 0.15%, and seeds were easily
      obtained from the backcross of f1 plants with hexaploid and tetraploid wheats;
      here the seed set was more than 20.0%. The polyploid taxa and the position of A.
      Michnoi in Agropyron are discussed. 

PMID- 24221259
TI  - P element transposon-induced quantitative genetic variation for inebriation time
      in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - Bi-directional selection was carried out in coisogenic stocks with and without
      mobilised P element transposons to determine whether P elements induce
      quantitative genetic variation for inebriation time in Drosophila. There was
      significant response to 11 generations of selection in both pairs of replicates
      of bi-directional selection from an isogenic base stock in which P elements had
      been mobilised. Conversely, there was no significant response to 11 generations
      of identical selection in the control lines derived from a relatively inbred line
      lacking P elements. Thus, P elements have induced quantitative genetic variation
      for inebriation time. 

PMID- 24221260
TI  - Genetic analysis of salt tolerance during germination in Lycopersicon.
AB  - The salt-tolerant cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) accession,
      'PI174263', and a sensitive cv, 'UCT5', were crossed to develop reciprocal F1, F2
      and BC1 populations for genetic analysis of salt tolerance in tomatoes during
      seed germination. Variation was partitioned into embryo, endosperm and maternal
      (testa and cytoplasmic) components. Generation means analysis indicated that
      there were no significant embryo (additive, dominance or epistatic) effects on
      germination performance under salt stress. Highly significant endosperm additive
      and testa dominance effects were detected. The proportion of the total variance
      explained by the model containing these two components was R(2)=98.2%. Variance
      component analysis indicated a large genetic variance with additive gene action
      as the predominant component. Furhter inspection indicated that this variance was
      attributable to endosperm additive effects on germinability under salt stress.
      Narrow-sense heritability was estimated as moderately high. Implications for
      breeding procedures are discussed. 

PMID- 24221261
TI  - Decreased frequency of the rat growth hormone transgene in mouse populations with
      or without selection for increased adult body weight.
AB  - Frequencies of mice with the rat growth hormone (rGH) transgene were examined in
      lines derived from two genetic bases (P/W and P/C). The genetic bases were
      developed from males (P) with the rGH transgene, mated with non-transgenic
      females of different origin: a line previously selected for large body size (W)
      and a corresponding unselected control line (C). They were maintained for six
      generations under random mating with or without selection for increased 42-day
      body weight. The frequencies of P/W and P/C males with the rGH transgene wer
      0.075 and 0.300, respectively at generation 0 of the genetic bases. They were
      significantly (P<0.05) lower than the expected frequency (about 0.5). At
      generation 6, the frequencies had decreased further both in selected and
      unselected lines (ranging from 0.025 to 0.125). Decreased frequencies of mice
      with the transgene were confirmed in a separate experiment testing segregation of
      the transgene. The reasons for these decreases are not clear. The results suggest
      that transgenes need to be monitored when transgenic animals are mated with
      animals of different origin. 

PMID- 24221262
TI  - Using molecular markers to map multiple quantitative trait loci: models for
      backcross, recombinant inbred, and doubled haploid progeny.
AB  - To maximize parameter estimation efficiency and statistical power and to estimate
      epistasis, the parameters of multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) must be
      simultaneously estimated. If multiple QTL affect a trait, then estimates of means
      of QTL genotypes from individual locus models are statistically biased. In this
      paper, I describe methods for estimating means of QTL genotypes and recombination
      frequencies between marker and quantitative trait loci using multilocus
      backcross, doubled haploid, recombinant inbred, and testcross progeny models.
      Expected values of marker genotype means were defined using no double or multiple
      crossover frequencies and flanking markers for linked and unlinked quantitative
      trait loci. The expected values for a particular model comprise a system of
      nonlinear equations that can be solved using an interative algorithm, e.g., the
      Gauss-Newton algorithm. The solutions are maximum likelihood estimates when the
      errors are normally distributed. A linear model for estimating the parameters of
      unlinked quantitative trait loci was found by transforming the nonlinear model.
      Recombination frequency estimators were defined using this linear model. Certain
      means of linked QTLs are less efficiently estimated than means of unlinked QTLs. 

PMID- 24221263
TI  - Tomato cybrids with mitochondrial DNA from Lycopersicon pennelli.
AB  - Cybrids have been regenerated following protoplast fusion of iodoacetamide
      treated leaf mesophyll cells of Lycopersion esculentum cv UC82 and gamma
      irradiated cell suspensions of L. pennellii, LA716. The cybrids were recovered in
      the regenerant population at a frequency of 19%, no selection pressure was
      applied for the persistence of the donor cytoplasm. The nuclear genotype of ten
      cybrids was characterized extensively using isozyme markers, cDNA-based
      restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), and the morphology of the
      plants. No nuclear genetic information from L. pennellii was detected in the
      cybrids. The organellar genotype of the cybrids was determined using cloned
      probes and species-specific RFLPs. All the cybrids had inherited the tomato
      chloroplast genome and had varying amounts of L. pennellii mitochondrial DNA. The
      cybrids all had a diploid chromosome number of 24, produced pollen, and set seed.

PMID- 24221264
TI  - Molecular and cytological characterization of repetitive DNA sequences in
      Brassica.
AB  - We isolated three different repetitive DNA sequences from B. campestris and
      determined their nucleotide sequences. In order to analyze organization of these
      repetitive sequences in Brassica, Southern blot hybridization and in situ
      hybridization with metaphase chromosomes were performed. The sequence cloned in
      the plasmid pCS1 represented a middle repetitive sequence present only in B.
      campestris and not detected in closely related B. Oleracea. This sequence was
      localized at centromeric regions of six specific chromosomes of B. campestris.
      The second plasmid, pBT4, contained a part of the 25S ribosomal RNA gene, and its
      copy number was estimated to be 1,590 and 1,300 per haploid genome for B.
      campestris and B. oleracea, respectively. In situ hybridization with this
      sequence showed a clear signal at the NOR region found in the second largest
      chromosome of B. Campestris. The third plasmid, pBT11, contained a 175-bp insert
      that belongs to a major family of tandem repeats found in all the Brassica
      species. This sequence was detected at centromeric regions of all the B.
      campestris chromosomes. Our study indicates that in situ hybridization with
      various types of repetitive sequences should give important information on the
      evolution of repetitive DNA in Brassica species. 

PMID- 24221265
TI  - In situ hybridization with species-specific DNA probes gives evidence for
      asymmetric nature of Brassica hybrids obtained by X-ray fusion.
AB  - We have previously reported production of somatic hybrids between B. oleracea and
      B. campestris by fusion of B. oleracea protoplasts with X-irradiated B.
      campestris protoplasts, in order to transfer a part of the B. campestris genome
      into B. Oleracea. Our previous analysis of morphology, chromosome number, and
      isozyme patterns of the hybrids suggested that they are asymmetric in nature. To
      obtain further evidence for the asymmetric nature of the hybrids, we isolated B.
      campestris-specific repetitive sequences and used them for in situ hybridization
      of the chromosomes of the hybrids. The repetitive DNA probes could specifically
      identify 8 out of 20 chromosomes of the B. campestris genome, and analysis of the
      hybrids indicates that 1-3 chromosomes of B. campestris are lacking in all five
      hybrids examined, giving clear evidence for the asymmetric nature of the hybrids.
      Furthermore, in situ hybridization revealed that some of the abnormal chromosomes
      observed in the hybrids are generated by rearrangements of B. Campestris
      chromosomes caused by X-irradiation. Altogether, our study indicates that in situ
      hybridization using species-specific repetitive sequences is a useful tool to
      analyze chromosomal compositions of various types of hybrids obtained by cell
      fusion or conventional methods. 

PMID- 24221266
TI  - Expression of Thinopyrum distichum NORs in wheat*Thinopyrum amphiploids and their
      backcross generations.
AB  - The C-banding pattern of the satellited chromosomes in Thinopyrum distichum and
      Triticum durum was established. Both T. durum and Th. distichum contained two
      pairs of satellited chromosomes, which could be distinguished from one another.
      In the amphiploids [T. durum*Th. distichum (2x=56)] and in the backcross T.
      durum/(T. durum*Th. distichum)(2), BC1F3, and BC1F5 (2n = 42) the satellite was
      visible on only 1B and 6B of T. durum. The vector pTa 71 containing the rRNA gene
      from wheat hybridized to two pairs of chromosomes (four hybridization sites) in
      T. durum and Th. distichum, to eight sites in the amphiploid hybrid (2n=56), and
      to six sites in the backcross populations BC1F1. BC1F3, and BC1F5 (2n=42). The
      two satellite pairs in Th. distichum could be distinguished by the chromosomal
      location of the rRNA site (median or subterminal) and by the centromere position.
      One copy of each pair was present in the BC1F1, but in the BC1F3 and BC1F5
      populations the pair with the subterminal location of rRNA genes was absent.
      Silver nitrate staining indicated that the rRNA genes of T. durum did not
      completely suppress those of Th. distichum. The octoploid amphiploid (2n = 56)
      contained a maximum of four large and four small nucleoli and the hexaploid BC1s
      (2n=42), four large and two small nucleoli. 

PMID- 24221267
TI  - The cytological and genetic characterisation of doubled haploid lines derived
      from triticale*wheat hybrids.
AB  - Anther culture, when applied to hexaploid triticale*wheat hybrids, offers the
      opportunity to re-assort wheat D genome and rye R genome chromosomes into
      homozygous doubled haploid lines in a single generation. The characterisation of
      such lines is the first step in their utilisation in wheat improvement. Two
      lines, M24 and M25 from the cross of 'Beagle'*'Kedong 58', and one line, M27,
      from the cross 'Beagle'*'Jinghua No. 1' have been characterised using different
      methods including conventional cytology and chromosome banding, and by using
      marker systems for storage protein composition (glutenins and gliadins), isozymes
      (alpha-amylase, aminopeptidase, glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT)) and
      RFLP markers. The results from all approaches were consistent in proving that M24
      is a whole chromosome 6R/6D substitution line, while M25 and M27 are whole
      chromosome 1R/1D substitution lines. The relative advantages and disadvantages of
      each method of identification are also discussed. 

PMID- 24221268
TI  - Identification and genetic analysis of semidwarfism-related proteins in rice
      (Oryza sativa L.).
AB  - By transferring a semidwarf gene (sd-1) from Taichung Native 1 into a tall
      Japanese cultivar, Norin 29, through seven backcrosses, a semidwarf near-isogenic
      line SC-TN1 was obtained. The proteins of the embryo in Norin 29 and SC-TN1 were
      separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Most of the proteins showed the
      same electrophoretic pattern. However, it was found that there was a difference
      in the appearance of two basic glycoproteins designated as SRP-1 and SRP-2. These
      proteins exhibited the same molecular mass, but different isoelectric points.
      Hybridization results indicated that a single locus controls SRP-1 and SRP-2 with
      codominant alleles. The gene symbol Srp was given to this locus, with alleles Srp
      1 and Srp-2 responsible for SRP-1 and SRP-2, respectively. Srp-2 was found in all
      of the semidwarf cultivars and lines having sd-1, except a tall cultivar Tsaiyuan
      chung. This finding suggests that Srp-2 may be closely linked with sd-1. The
      amounts of these proteins markedly increased after water absorption of the seed,
      suggesting that these proteins may be related to the early development of the
      plant. 

PMID- 24221269
TI  - Identification of alien chromatin specifying resistance to wheat streak mosaic
      and greenbug in wheat germ plasm by C-banding and in situ hybridization.
AB  - The chromosome constitutions of eight wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV)-resistant
      lines, three of which are also greenbug resistant, derived from wheat/ Agropyron
      intermedium/Aegilops speltoides crosses were analyzed by C-banding and in situ
      hybridization. All lines could be traced back to CI15092 in which chromosome 4A
      is substituted for by an Ag. intermedium chromosome designated 4Ai-2, and the
      derived lines carry either 4Ai-2 or a part of it. Two (CI17881, CI17886) were 4Ai
      2 addition lines. CI17882 and CI17885 were 4Ai-2-(4D) substitution lines. CI17883
      was a translocation substitution line with a pair of 6AL.4Ai-2S and a pair of
      6AS.4Ai-2L chromosomes substituting for chromosome pairs 4D and 6A of wheat.
      CI17884 carried a 4DL.4Ai-2S translocation which substituted for chromosome 4D.
      CI17766 carried a 4AL.4Ai-2S translocation substituting for chromosome 4A. The
      results show that the 4Ai-2 chromosome is related to homoeologous group 4 and
      that the resistance gene(s) against WSMV is located on the short arm of 4Ai-2. In
      addition, CI17882, CI17884, and CI17885 contained Ae. speltoides chromosome 7S
      substituting for chromosome 7A of wheat. The greenbug resistance gene Gb5 was
      located on chromosome 7S. 

PMID- 24221270
TI  - Restoration of normal stamen development and pollen formation by fusion of
      different cytoplasmic male-sterile cultivars of Nicotiana tabacum.
AB  - Fusion of two cytoplasmic male-sterile cultivars of Nicotiana tabacum, one with
      N. bigelovii cytoplasm and one with N. undulata cytoplasm, resulted in the
      restoration of male fertility in cybrid plants. All male-fertile cybrids
      exhibited fused corollas, which is characteristic for the cultivar with N.
      undulata cytoplasm, while their stamen structures varied from cybrid to cybrid,
      some producing stamens with anthers fused to petal-like appendages and one
      producing stamens of a normal appearance for N. tabacum. Restriction enzyme
      digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis of mitochondrial DNA showed that
      mitochondrial DNA of the fertile cybrids was more similar to the male-sterile
      cultivar with the cytoplasm of N. undulata than to the cultivar with N. bigelovii
      cytoplasm. Some restriction fragments were unique to the male-fertile cybrids.
      Comparisons between stamen structure and mitochondrial DNA for eight fertile
      progeny from one cybrid plant led to the identification of several restriction
      fragments that appeared at enhanced levels in connection with normal stamen
      development. 

PMID- 24221271
TI  - A chromosome-specific DNA sequence which reveals a high level of RFLP in wheat.
AB  - An unusual genomic DNA clone, PSR454, was isolated from a partial genomic library
      of wheat. This sequence is moderately repeated and detects at least 30 related
      sequences, all located in a tight linkage block on the long arm of chromosome 3B.
      When used as a RFLP probe, PSR454 detects a high level of polymorphism between
      wheat varieties that carry the sequence. There is no detectable hybridisation to
      sequences in one-third of the varieties tested, providing an "on-off"
      polymorphism that can be detected on dot blots, rather than the more resource
      consuming conventional Southern analysis. 

PMID- 24221272
TI  - Influence of wheat and rye parents on agronomic characters in primary hexaploid
      and octoploid triticale.
AB  - Thirty-five hexaploid and twenty octoploid primary triticales (xTriticosecale
      Wittmack) derived from homozygous wheat and rye inbred lines were used (1) to
      investigate the parental wheat, rye, and interaction effects and (2) to estimate
      quantitative genetic parameters for agronomic traits. The winter triticales were
      tested in four environments in a three-replicate split-plot design with drilled 1
      m(2) plots. Superior performance of hexaploid triticales as compared to the
      octoploids was revealed. Substantial genetic variation and high heritability
      estimates were found for nearly all of the characters investigated. Estimates of
      wheat, rye, and wheat*rye interaction variance components disclosed parental main
      effects to be the most important source of genetic variation in primary
      triticales. The rye parent was dominant for all characters affecting fertility,
      and the wheat parent was more important for vegetative development. Character
      correlations were very similar for triticales of both ploidy levels. The lack of
      association between grain yield and tillering and the positive correlation
      between kernels per spike and thousand kernel weight indicated physiological
      disorders specific for primary triticales. 

PMID- 24221273
TI  - Gametic selection in anther culture of rice (Oryza sauva L.).
AB  - The segregation and recombination of heterozygous isozyme markers have been
      monitored in anther culture derivatives (i.e., six nonmorphogenic microspore
      derived callus [NMC] populations and two anther culture plant [ACP] populations)
      and F2 plants generated from six F1 hybrids of rice, including five japonica
      upland/improved indica tropical hybrids. The alleles in excess at some loci
      displaying skewed segregations in the F2s were consistently overrepresented in
      the NMC populations. These alleles were also generally found to be overabundant
      in the two ACP populations except for certain loci that contrastingly segregated
      in a 1?1 ratio. Additional distortions were found to be specific to AC
      derivatives indicating the existence of in vitro gametic selection. Overall,
      however, the gametic selection in the ACP materials was neutral with regard to
      the indica and japonica differentiation. Estimates of linkages between markers
      borne by chromosome 6 using AC-derivative data were consistent with those noted
      in the F2s and with current knowledge of the isozyme locus linkage map. Given the
      average neutrality of gametic selection and the consistency of linkage
      relationships in the ACPs, their further use as rice molecular mapping and gene
      tagging populations can be investigated with confidence. 

PMID- 24221274
TI  - Linkage between isozyme markers and a locus affecting seed size in Phaseolus
      vulgaris L.
AB  - Backcross and F2 progenies were produced between two bean genotypes, 'XR-235' and
      'Calima,' which differ in seed weight by a factor of two. The small-seeded 'XR
      235' was used as the pistillate and recurrent parent. These genotypes showed
      polymorphisms at nine isozyme loci and at the phaseolin locus. Seed size
      parameters (weight, length, width, and thickness) were determined for each BC1
      and F2 individual, i.e., for seeds harvested from 'XR-235' after pollination with
      F1 and from the F1 after selfing, respectively. A combination of starch gel
      electrophoresis and enzyme activity staining was used to determine the genotype
      of each BC1 and F2 individual at the segregating loci. SDS-PAGE and Coomassie
      blue staining were used to determine geno-type at the phaseolin locus. Tests for
      independent assortment using two-way contingency and maximum likelihood tables
      revealed three linkage pairs: Aco-1 - 20 cM - Dia-1; Adh-1 - 2 cM - Got-2; and
      Est-2 - 11 cM - Pha. Statistical comparisons were made between the means of
      genotype classes at each segregating locus for all seed size parameters. The
      results from two independently obtained BC1s and the F2 consistently indicated
      that the Adh-1-Got-2 segment was linked to a locus that affected seed size and
      overcame maternal control over seed size. This locus has been designated Ssz-1.
      This gene exhibited additive gene action and accounted for 30-50% of the seed
      size difference between the parents. 

PMID- 24221275
TI  - Comparison of the organization of the mitochondrial genome in tomato somatic
      hybrids and cybrids.
AB  - The organization of the mitochondrial genome in somatic hybrids and cybrids
      regenerated following fusion of protoplasts from cultivated tomato, Lycopersicon
      esculentum, and the wild species, L. Pennellii, was compared to assess the role
      of the nuclear genotype on the inheritance of organellar genomes. No organellar
      encoded traits were required for the recorvery of either somatic hybrids or
      cybrids. The organization of the mitochondrial genome was characterized using
      Southern hybridization of restriction digestions of total DNA isolated from ten
      cybrids and ten somatic hybrids. A bank of cosmid clones carrying tomato
      mitochondrial DNA was used as probes, as well as a putative repeated sequence
      from L. pennellii mitchondrial DNA. The seven cosmids used to characterize the
      mitochondrial genomes are predicted to encompass at least 60% of the genome. The
      frequency of nonparental organizations of the mitochondrial genome was highest
      with a probe derived from a putative repeat element from the L. pennellii
      mitochondrial DNA. There was no difference in the average frequency of rearranged
      mitochondrial sequences in somatic hybrids (12%) versus cybrids (10%), although
      there were individual cybrids with a very high frequency of novel fragments
      (30%). The frequency of tomato-specific mtDNA sequences was higher in cybrids
      (25%) versus somatic hybrids (12%), suggesting a nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction
      on the inheritance of tomato mitochondrial sequences. 

PMID- 24221276
TI  - Tracheostomy in adolescent patients bridged to lung transplantation with
      ambulatory venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
AB  - Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is quickly becoming a
      method to bridge patients with advanced pulmonary disease to lung
      transplantation. Historically, pediatric hospitals have more in-depth experience
      with the use of ECMO; however, bridging children with this method of respiratory
      support to lung transplantation is carried out infrequently with limited reported
      experiences in the medical literature. This article describes the optimal use of
      ambulatory VV-ECMO in two adolescent patients who were bridged to lung
      transplantation aided by tracheostomy placement. 

PMID- 24221278
TI  - A simple rapid photometric estimation of the growth response of immobilized cells
      to fusaric acid and gamma radiation.
AB  - A simple and rapid photometric method was developed in order to evaluate the
      growth responses of cells to various factors in vitro. Cells of Asparagus
      officinalis L. were mixed with autoclaved agar at 40 degrees C and 90 MUl drops
      were dispensed into several Petri dishes. After the drops solidified, they were
      covered with a liquid growth medium and incubated on a gyratory shaker. Growth
      was measured every 2 or 3 days by two methods. In the first, the agar drop was
      placed under a stereomicroscope with substage illumination and the light passing
      through the embedded cells was measured by a light-meter. Growth, expressed by
      the increase in cell density, was inversely proportional to the intensity of
      transmitted light. In the second method, the agar drop was melted in a microwave
      oven and the packed cell volume was measured. The correlation between the two
      methods showed that the photometric method can be used to assess growth response
      of immobilized cells, during the first two weeks of culture. This method was used
      to evaluate growth responses to the toxin fusaric acid and to gamma radiation.
      The photometric method requires a small amount of inoculum, standard microscopic
      equipment and can be used to determine the effect of various factors on the
      growth of intact plant cells in vitro without disruption. 

PMID- 24221277
TI  - Surgical completeness of robotic thyroidectomy: a prospective comparison with
      conventional open thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Using the da Vinci((r)) robotic system, surgeons can complete secure
      thyroidectomy without noticeable neck scarring. This study compared the surgical
      completeness of transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy (RT) with conventional open
      procedures (OT) in treating papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: From April 2009 through February 2011, 94 PTC patients underwent
      total thyroidectomy with central compartment neck dissection (CCND) at Yonsei
      University College of Medicine. All patients received 1.1 GBq radioactive iodine
      (RAI) ablation, post-therapy whole-body scans (TxWBS), and diagnostic WBS (DxWBS)
      1 year later. We prospectively compared patient clinicopathologic characteristics
      and surgical completeness between the two groups. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients
      underwent OT and 43 underwent RT. Mean age was significantly younger in the RT
      group. Tumor size, capsular-invasion frequency, multifocality, bilaterality, and
      central nodal metastasis were not different between the two groups. The number of
      retrieved nodes during CCND did not significantly differ between the groups.
      There was no significant difference between the OT and RT groups in stimulated
      thyroglobulin levels acquired during TxWBS and DxWBS. The RAI uptake ratios at
      TxWBS were significantly higher in the RT group compared with the OT group;
      however, follow-up DxWBS showed no difference in RAI uptake ratios. Also, the
      ablation success rate was similar between the two groups. There were no abnormal
      findings in follow-up neck ultrasonography in either group. CONCLUSION: Remnant
      thyroid tissue ablation after transaxillary RT was successfully managed by 1.1
      GBq RAI. RT showed similar surgical completeness versus conventional OT, and
      provides a safe and feasible surgical option for PTC patients.

PMID- 24221279
TI  - Histological comparison of single somatic embryos of maize from suspension
      culture with somatic embryos attached to callus cells.
AB  - An embryogenic suspension culture of Zea mays, genotype 4C1, was obtained from
      friable callus that was cultured on solid medium and had been obtained from
      zygotic embryos. The suspension contained non-dividing elongated cells, clusters
      of dividing isodiametric cells, and globular, ovoid, and polar stages of somatic
      embryos. The single somatic embryos were blocked in shoot meristem formation:
      when transferred to regeneration medium they developed a root and, at the shoot
      side, a green cap with meristematic cells, but a scutellum and leaf primordia
      were not formed. In medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, somatic
      embryos formed embryogenic callus aggregates, consisting of globular stage
      somatic embryos attached to each other via undifferentiated callus cells. These
      somatic embryos developed into mature embryos with the zygotic histological
      characteristics, such as scutellum and leaf primordia, in maturation medium, and
      then regenerated into plants in regeneration medium. By omitting the maturation
      phase, regeneration occurred via organogenesis. Polyembryos, i. e. embryos
      attached to each other without callus tissue in between, behaved as single
      somatic embryos. It is concluded that the attached callus tissue provides a
      factor that stimulates scutellum and leaf primordia formation. 

PMID- 24221280
TI  - Crown gall transformation of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) with virulent strains
      of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Four diverse strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens (C58, Ach5, GV3111, and A281)
      were capable of inducing tumors at a high frequency on inoculated stems of lentil
      (Lens culinaris Medik. cultivar Laird) in vivo, and on excised shoot apices in
      vitro. GV3111 and Ach5 produced the largest and heaviest tumors in vivo, while
      A281 produced the heaviest tumors in vitro. Tumor formation and opine production
      are indicative of plant cell transformation and tumors produced appropriate
      opines: nopaline (C58), octopine (Ach5 and GV3111), and agropine and mannopine
      (A281). Southern analysis of DNA from a tumor line produced by strain C58 showed
      that a T-DNA fragment had been transferred into the lentil genome. 

PMID- 24221281
TI  - Enhancement of berberine production by spermidine in Thalictrum minus cell
      suspension cultures.
AB  - Berberine production in cell suspension cultures of Thalictrum minus L. var.
      hypoleucum Miq. was significantly enhanced by administration of spermidine,
      whereas other polyamines such as cadaverine, putrescine and spermine were
      ineffective. The results of experiments indicated that spermidine causes an
      increase of ethylene generation which is closely associated with activation of
      berberine biosynthesis. 

PMID- 24221282
TI  - Activity of 1,2-benzisoxazole-3-one and indole-2,3-dione on plant regeneration in
      vitro and on cell elongation.
AB  - We tested the morphogenetic and cell elongating activity of 1,2-benzisoxazole-3
      one, a compound similar to 1,2-benzisoxazole-3-acetic acid but lacking the
      lateral carbon chain. For comparison, we tested also the activity of indole 2,3
      dione, having the same indolic ring as indole 3-acetic acid but no lateral carbon
      chain. The tests were made on the regeneration of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum
      Miller var. Alice) from cotyledons and on pea (Pisum sativum L. var. Alaska) stem
      elongation. We found that 1,2 benzisoxazole-3-one retains part of the high shoot
      inducing activity of 1,2-benzisoxazole-3-aceticacid, while indole-2,3-dione is
      inactive. Both compounds have no effect on root induction or cell elongation. It
      seems therefore that the activity of 1,2 benzisoxazole-3-acetic acid is partly
      related to the structure of its ring, and that also in this respect 1,2
      benzisoxazole-3-acetic acid differs from other auxinlike compounds. 

PMID- 24221283
TI  - In vitro morphogenetic response and distribution of endogenous plant hormones in
      hypocotyl segments of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.).
AB  - Snapdragon seedlings, 20 mm in length, were cut into 5 segments from the
      cotyledon to the root, which were cultured in vitro on hormone-free MS medium.
      Adventitious shoot formation was highest in the basal hypocotyl segments with
      stimulation by the addition of BA. Endogenous cytokinins were higher in the basal
      hypocotyl segments than in the two upper hypocotyl segments, whereas auxin
      content was higher in the two upper than in the basal hypocotyl segments. Ratios
      of cytokinins to auxin were also the highest in the basal hypocotyl segment. A
      general principle in in vitro culture that a high concentration of cytokinin and
      a low concentration of auxin promotes the induction of shoot morphogenesis was
      confirmed from measurements of endogenous growth regulator concentrations. 

PMID- 24221284
TI  - Identification of broccoli and cauliflower cultivars with RAPD markers.
AB  - RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers generated by 4 arbitrary 10-mer
      primers, discriminated 14 broccoli and 12 cauliflower cultivars (Brassica
      oleracea L.) by banding profiles. The size of the amplified DNA fragments ranged
      from 300 to 2600 base pairs. Twenty-eight percent of the markers were fixed in
      both broccoli and cauliflower, whereas 12.5% were specific to either crop. The
      rest were polymorphic in either or both crops. The markers generated by two and
      three primers were sufficient to distinguish each of the broccoli and cauliflower
      cultivars, respectively. The average difference in markers was 14.5 between
      broccoli and cauliflower markers, 5.8 between two broccoli cultivars and 7.9
      between two cauliflower cultivars. Larger differences for each crop were found
      between cultivars from different seed companies than within the same company.
      RAPD markers provide a quick and reliable alternative to identify broccoli and
      cauliflower cultivars. 

PMID- 24221285
TI  - Avocado fruit protoplasts: a cellular model system for ripening studies.
AB  - Mesocarp protoplasts were isolated from mature avocado fruits (Persea americana
      cv. Hass) at varying stages of propylene-induced ripening. Qualitative changes in
      the pattern of radiolabel incorporation into polypeptides were observed in cells
      derived from fruit at the different stages. Many of these differences correlate
      with those observed during radiolabeling of polypeptides from fresh tissue slices
      prepared from unripe and ripe fruit. Protoplasts isolated from fruit treated with
      propylene for one day or more were shown to synthesize cellulase (endo-beta-1,4
      glucanase) antigen, similar to the intact propylene-treated fruit. These results
      suggest that the isolated protoplasts retain at least some biochemical
      characteristics of the parent tissue. The cells may also be used in transient
      gene expression assays. Protoplasts isolated from preclimacteric and climacteric
      fruit were equally competent in expressing a chimeric test gene, composed of the
      CaMV 35S RNA promoter fused to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase
      gene, which was introduced by electroporation. 

PMID- 24221286
TI  - Transient gene expression of microprojectile-introduced DNA in Douglas-fir
      cotyledons.
AB  - Plasmid DNA containing the reporter gene uidA encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS),
      driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, was introduced on high
      velocity microprojectiles into cultured cotyledons of Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga
      menziesii (Mirb.) Franco]. Transient gene expression was measured by counting the
      number of distinct loci of GUS activity per cotyledon. Contrary to published
      results on angiosperms, repeated bombardments did not increase expression in
      Douglas-fir. Expression varied significantly among cotyledons from different
      seedlings. The amount of time between DNA delivery and treatment of cotyledons
      with auxins and cytokinins strongly affected GUS expression. The optimal
      cytokinin pretreatment produced an average of 20 loci per cotyledon. In several
      experiments, more than 95% of the treated cotyledons exhibited at least some
      transient expression. Expression remained constant up to three days following DNA
      delivery into cotyledons. 

PMID- 24221287
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA patterns are similar in gametosomatic and somatic hybrids of
      two Nicotiana species.
AB  - The segregation and recombination patterns of mitochondrial genome in the somatic
      hybrids of Nicotiana tabacum and N. rustica were studied by RFLP analysis using
      four heterologous mitochondrial DNA probes, namely cytochrome oxidase subunit I
      (COI), cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), 26s rDNA and 5s-18s rDNA. These RFLP
      patterns were compared with those of the gametosomatic hybrids of these two
      species. A preponderance of N. rustica type patterns was observed in the somatic
      hybrids. One of the somatic hybrids had N. rustica type pattern with COI probe,
      novel pattern with COII, and 26s rDNA probe and N. tabacum type pattern with 5s
      18s rDNA probe. These patterns are identical to those of some of the
      gametosomatic hybrids and could only be due to the recombination of mitochondrial
      genomes of the two parents. The extent and the nature of recombination of
      mitochondrial genomes is similar in gametosomatic and somatic hybrids. 

PMID- 24221288
TI  - Propagation of Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. through in vitro rhizome production.
AB  - Rhizomes developed in vitro on shoots of Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. which were
      initiated from zygotic embryos. The effect of different hormonal and nutritional
      additions to Schenk and Hildebrandt' s (SH) basal nutrient medium on rhizome
      development was studied. Rhizomes developed on SH basal salts but formed with
      increased frequency on medium supplemented with adenine sulfate, casamino acids
      (CA) and various combinations of cytokinins and auxins. Incubation in light was
      necessary for rhizome formation. Isolated basal as well as nodal (aerial)
      rhizomes formed and produced new shoots. In basal medium without any growth
      additives (control) the average number of shoots produced per inoculum was 3.3 +/
      0.73 whereas in the best suited medium i.e. supplemented with 250 mg l(-1) CA the
      number of shoots obtained was 22.7+/-1.92. There was no dormancy period for
      rhizomes under the cultural conditions investigated. Rhizome-sprouts were easily
      transplanted from the in vitro conditions to the field. More than five hundred
      propagules (i.e. sprouted-rhizomes) were obtained within 5 months and it has been
      estimated that more than 2.4 * 10(5) propagules could be achieved per year
      through four subsequent in vitro rhizomes-generation cycles. Thus, a rapid method
      of propagation has been established. 

PMID- 24221289
TI  - Plant regeneration from embryogenic suspension cultures of oil palm (Elaeis
      guineensis Jacq.).
AB  - Suspension cultures of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) were established in a
      medium with 80 or 100 mg.l(-1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1 g.l(-1)
      activated charcoal, from calli producing embryogenic cells and protruding
      proembryos. The suspension was composed of meristematic clumps, breaking away and
      giving rise to new smaller aggregates. Under the best conditions, the initial
      weight increased about 4 fold in one month. Embryo differentiation was achieved
      when plating the clumps either directly, or after a phase in hormone-free liquid
      medium. In the second case, early maturation occurred in liquid medium. Secondary
      embryogenesis was reduced, and up to 18.1 % embryos formed shoots. Rooted plants
      were sucessfully transferred to soil. 

PMID- 24221290
TI  - The stability of foreign protein production in genetically modified plant cells.
AB  - The stability of foreign protein production in genetically engineered plant cells
      was studied. A cultured tobacco cell line was transformed with a chimeric
      molecule carrying a bacterial gene, beta-glucuronidase (GUS), under plant
      regulatory sequences. The specific GUS activity was monitored for 294 days with
      ten independently transformed cell lines either in the presence or the absence of
      selectable antibiotics. Specific GUS activity was stably maintained in five
      lines. About a two-to four-fold increase in the GUS activity was observed from
      three cell lines. The remaining two cell lines lost the activity within the first
      70 to 210 days. The presence of antibiotics did not significantly alter the
      stability of the foreign protein production in all cell lines examined. 

PMID- 24221291
TI  - Rice seed toxicity tests for organic and inorganic substances.
AB  - Plant seed toxicity tests can be used to evaluate hazardous waste sites and to
      assess toxicity of complex effluents and industrial chemicals. Conventional plant
      seed toxicity tests are performed using culture dishes containing filter paper.
      Some reports indicate that filter papers might interfere with the toxicity of
      inorganic substances. In this study, a plastic seed tray was used. Rice was used
      as the test species.A comparison of results in the literature and this study
      revealed that variation of test species, methods, exposure duration, and other
      factors may affect the test results. The results of this study showed that the
      order of decreasing toxicity of metal ions was Cu>Ag>Ni>Cd>Cr(VI)>Pb>Zn>Mn>NaF
      for rice. The test results were similar to those reported in the literature for
      lettuce Ag>Ni>Cd,Cu>Cr(VI)>Zn>Mn, millet Cu,Ni>Cd>Cr(VI)>Zn>Mn, and ryegrass
      Cu>Ni>Mn>>Pb>Cd>Zn>Al>Hg>Cr>Fe. The order of decreasing toxicity of organic
      herbicides was paraquat, 2,4-D>>glyphosate>bromacil. 

PMID- 24221292
TI  - Comparative environmental threat analysis: Three case studies.
AB  - In comparative threat analysis, threats imposed by different environmental
      problems are measured and compared. This type of analysis can be used to assess
      the overall threat to the environment, and to identify the most serious threat
      ('key problem') and areas which are particularly threatened ('problem areas').
      Fundamental to comparative threat analysis is a common yardstick by which
      stresses imposed by different environmental problems can be compared. Such a
      yardstick may be the carrying capacity of the environment for environmental
      loads.In this paper we review how carrying capacity for different environmental
      problems is operationalized. Next, we discuss whether it is possible to compare
      threats, using the exceeding of carrying capacity as a yardstick. We point out
      problems and uncertainties in such a comparative threat analysis using three case
      studies: threats to European groundwater resources; threats to ecosystems in
      Europe; and threats to ecosystems, human health and groundwater resources in the
      Netherlands. On the basis of the results we advocate the application of risk
      assessment to enhance methodological uniformity in assessing protection levels
      for different environmental problems. 

PMID- 24221293
TI  - Optimum macrobenthic sampling protocol for detecting pollution impacts in the
      Southern California Bight.
AB  - The optimum macrobenthic sampling protocol [sampling unit, sieve mesh size, and
      sample size (n)] was determined for detecting ecologically important pollution
      impacts in the Southern California Bight, U.S.A. Cost, in laboratory processing
      time, was determined for samples obtained using fourteen sampling units (0.005
      0.1 m(2) surface area) and two sieve mesh sizes (1.0 and 0.5 mm). Statistical
      power analyses for t-tests of means were performed to estimate the minimum sample
      size (n min) needed to reliably (alpha=0.05, 1-beta?0.95) reject the null
      hypothesis of no difference between a reference and both a stimulated and a
      degraded station on twelve measures of community structure. The optimum sampling
      protocol for detecting impacts was determined as that with the lowest total cost
      *n min on most measures.Five replicate, 0.02 m(2)*5 cm deep, 1.0 mm mesh samples
      per station could reliably distinguish reference from impacted conditions on nine
      or ten measures of community structure at less than one quarter of the cost of
      the standard sampling protocol of 5 replicate, 0.1 m(2), 1.0 mm mesh samples per
      station. About 5 replicate, small (<0.1 m(2)), 1.0 mm mesh samples per station
      may often be optimal for detecting important structural changes in macrobenthic
      communities with naturally high species richness and abundance. 

PMID- 24221294
TI  - The effect of salinity, temperature and time on the accumulation and depuration
      of copper in ragworm, Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor (O.F. Muller).
AB  - Under a low temperature condition of 12 degrees C, accumulation of copper by the
      ragworm, Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor, increased at low salinity of 7.60/00 but
      was reduced at intermediate and high salinities of 15.25 and 30.50/00,
      respectively. Copper contents of the worms at low salinity and temperature ranged
      from 68 to 185 ug/g. Under increasing temperature of 17 and 22 degrees C,
      bioavailability of copper to the worms increased irrespective of salinity
      gradient. The copper contents of the worm ranged from 59 to 784 ug/g dry weight.
      ANOVA analysis of data showed that salinity did not significantly affect
      accumulation of copper by the worm. Temperature significantly affected
      accumulation. The interaction of salinity and temperature was significant and
      complex, and days of exposure did not influence accumulation. Depuration of
      copper by the worm was independent of salinity which ranged from 510 to 15.6
      ug/g. Temperature significantly affected depuration. The interaction of salinity
      and temperature was significant. However, individual worms neither accumulated
      nor depurated at the same rate. 

PMID- 24221295
TI  - Comparative spray drift studies of aerial and ground applications 1983-1985.
AB  - The amount of off-site pesticide spray drift from aerial and ground applications
      was determined at 26 sites across Ontario. These were conducted along transects,
      parallel and at right angles to the flight path during aerial spray applications
      and at right angles to the direction of ground spray applications. All sites
      monitored were where commercial spray operations were in progress. The aerial
      applications involved both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters and the ground
      applications involved concentrated air-blast machines and high and low pressure
      boom sprayers. Deposits of spray drift outside the target area were common to all
      spray equipment monitored. All except low-pressure boom spraying equipment
      resulted in measurable spray drift to 80 m off-target with appreciable deposits
      up to 30-40 m. In a forest spray operation, where insecticide release was the
      highest, measurable residues were found up to 120 m off-target. The amount of
      chemical deposited off-target varied with the chemical, the climatical conditions
      and the equipment used. With a low-pressure boom sprayer, serious drift was
      confined to 9 m off-target and measurable residues to 15 m. 

PMID- 24221296
TI  - Cadmium and zinc source assessment in the Sepetiba Bay and basin region.
AB  - Industrial and weathering inputs of Cd and Zn to the Sepetiba Bay and basin were
      assessed, based on production parameters obtained from local environment and
      industry authorities, and literature data. The results are compared with similar
      evaluations from other coastal regions and field data obtained in measuring Zn
      and Cd transport by rivers, direct run-off and atmospheric deposition in the
      region. Cadmium and zinc inputs to the bay increased by three orders of magnitude
      relative to pre-industrial fluxes and presently reach up to 1.6 and 180 tonnes
      per year for Cd and Zn, respectively, which represents a large input-to-area
      ratio, and explains the high concentration of these metals previously reported in
      the estuarine biota and sediments of Sepetiba Bay. Industrial activities, mainly
      metallurgical and chemical, comprise 94% and 84% of the total Cd and Zn inputs to
      the Bay. This figure identifies the point sources as being responsible for the
      environmental contamination and for regional poisoning risks. 

PMID- 24221298
TI  - Utilization of surface localized substrate by non-adhesive marine bacteria.
AB  - Thirty-four marine bacteria were isolated from the eluate of seawater passed
      through a column of glass beads coated with stearic acid. Irreversible attachment
      of these isolates to stearic acid-coated glass surfaces ranged from 7.6-100% of
      the total attached population, with 7 isolates exhibiting less than 10%
      irreversible adhesion. All 14 isolates tested were able to utilize surface
      bound(14)C-stearic acid, even though some showed mostly reversible adhesion to
      the surface. More detailed studies were made comparing the reversibly
      adheringVibrio MH3 with the irreversibly adheringPseudomonas NCMB2021. MH3 cells
      were readily removed from the surface by a gentle shear force, and a significant
      degree of(14)C-labeling of MH3 cells, but not of NCMB2021 cells, in the bulk
      phase was observed. The ecological significance of nutrient scavenging at solid
      surfaces by reversibly attached bacteria is considered. 

PMID- 24221299
TI  - Variation of environmental features and microbial populations with salt
      concentrations in a multi-pond saltern.
AB  - A multi-pond saltern that creates a gradient of salt concentrations has been
      studied with respect to some characteristics of the resulting environments and
      their microbial populations. The increase in salt concentration was correlated
      with increase in diurnal temperature and biomass present and with decrease in
      oxygen concentrations. Many types of organisms below 15% (w/v) total salts, were
      found, many of them normal inhabitants of seawater and even freshwater. Most
      organisms over 15% salts were halophilic. The salt concentrations comprised two
      ranges, each characterized by different microbial populations. First, between 15
      and 30% salts, the populations ofDunaliella increased, reaching large numbers;
      moderately halophilic eubacteria and some fast-growing halobacteria predominated
      as heterotrophic microorganisms and, among the first, thePseudomonas-Alteromonas
      Alcaligenes group andVibrio were the more abundant taxonomic groups; and gram
      positive cocci appeared mainly over 25% salts. Phototrophic bacteria, both
      oxygenic and anoxygenic, were also found in this range, and among the anoxygenic
      type,Chromatium species andRodospirillum salexigens were probably predominant.
      Second, over 30% salts the diversity decreased greatly, all organisms found at
      the lower salt concentrations disappeared, and instead large populations of
      halobacteria developed. Over 50% salts, only three species of halobacteria were
      found. 

PMID- 24221300
TI  - Variability in fermentation patterns of sugar-utilizing bacteria isolated from
      anaerobic, intertidal sediments.
AB  - Three dominant types of sugar-fermenting bacteria were isolated from the
      anaerobic, intertidal sediments of the Eems-Dollard estuary by applying
      techniques involving anaerobic agar shake tubes. One of the isolated types was
      tentatively identified as aStreptococcus species, the other two asBacteroides
      species. All types were versatile with respect to the utilization of sugars. The
      fermentation patterns of two types were dependent upon conditions of cultivation.
      In glucose-limited cultures ofStreptococcus strain NS.G52, the production of
      lactate was suppressed in favor of formate, acetate, and ethanol. In glucose
      limited syntrophic cultures withMethanospirillum hungatei, Bacteroides strain
      NS.G42 was forced to produce acetate and hydrogen at the expense of ethanol. The
      fermentation pattern ofBacteroides strain NS.S42, which consisted of acetate,
      propionate, and succinate, was not affected by conditions of cultivation. 

PMID- 24221301
TI  - Factors influencing hydrocarbon degradation in three freshwater lakes.
AB  - The mixed microbial flora of 3 lakes in Ohio with differing histories of
      hydrocarbon pollution was examined in relation to the ability to use
      hydrocarbons. Weathered kerosene was spiked with naphthalene, pristane, 1,13
      tetradecadiene, andn-hexadecane and added to water-sediment mixtures from the 3
      lakes, and utilization of the 4 marker hydrocarbons was measured. Each of the
      marker hydrocarbons was metabolized; naphthalene was the most readily used and
      pristane was the most resistant. Values for dissolved oxygen suggest that oxygen
      did not limit hydrocarbon degradation in the water column at any site examined.
      Nutrient addition studies indicated that nitrogen and phosphorus limited
      hydrocarbon degradation at all sites examined. Maximum numbers of heterotrophic
      bacteria were detected when the water temperature was 10 degrees C or higher. The
      data indicate that temperature limits hydrocarbon degradation in the winter,
      except at a site which had been impacted by an oil spill and which received
      chronic inputs of hydrocarbons and nutrients. In samples from that site, all 4
      marker hydrocarbons were degraded at 0 degrees C. Results of temperature and
      nutrient-addition experiments suggest that different seasonal populations of
      hydrocarbon users are selected at that site, but not at other lake sites. 

PMID- 24221302
TI  - Copper toxicity to cyanobacteria and its dependence on extracellular ligand
      concentration and degradation.
AB  - Copper toxicity to the cyanobacteriumPlectonema boryanum (UTEX 594) has been
      investigated in the presence of citrate and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) using a
      copper-saturated culture medium. The coppercitrate complex was biodegradable, and
      toxicity was dependent on the free ligand concentration. The ratio of citrate to
      copper also affected the extent of metal toxicity. NTA was not degraded byP.
      boryanum. Ligand degradation in the cyanobacterial culture increased the ionic
      copper concentration and caused a concomitant reduction in growth. The ecological
      implications of these findings are discussed. 

PMID- 24221303
TI  - Antibiotic activity of epiphytic bacteria isolated from intertidal seaweeds.
AB  - A survey of antibiotic-producing bacteria from the microbial flora attached to
      seaweeds and the study of their antibiotic capacities were carried out. From 5
      species of green and brown marine algae, 224 bacterial strains were isolated and
      tested for antibiotic production. A total of 38 strains displayed antibiotic
      activity, withEnteromorpha intestinalis being the source of the highest number of
      producer strains. All epiphytic bacteria with antibiotic activity were assigned
      to thePseudomonas-Alteromonas group. Antagonism assays among the isolates
      demonstrated that each producer strain inhibits the growth of the other
      producers, as well as of some nonproducer strains also isolated from seaweeds.
      Likewise, an autoinhibitory effect was observed in all antibiotic-producing
      strains. Antibacterial spectra of all the strains include activity
      againstStaphylococcus, Alcaligenes, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Pasteurella,
      andAchromobacter. A preliminary characterization of the antibiotic substances
      produced by these epiphytic bacteria demonstrated that they are low molecular
      weight compounds, thermolabile, and anionic and are not affected by proteolytic
      enzymes. The role that these inhibitory substances can play in the natural
      environment is discussed. 

PMID- 24221297
TI  - The far side of auxin signaling: fundamental cellular activities and their
      contribution to a defined growth response in plants.
AB  - Recent years have provided us with spectacular insights into the biology of the
      plant hormone auxin, leaving the impression of a highly versatile molecule
      involved in virtually every aspect of plant development. A combination of
      genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology has established auxin signaling
      pathways, leading to the identification of two distinct modes of auxin perception
      and downstream regulatory cascades. Major targets of these signaling modules are
      components of the polar auxin transport machinery, mediating directional
      distribution of the phytohormone throughout the plant body, and decisively
      affecting plant development. Alterations in auxin transport, metabolism, or
      signaling that occur as a result of intrinsic as well as environmental stimuli,
      control adjustments in morphogenetic programs, giving rise to defined growth
      responses attributed to the activity of the phytohormone. Some of the results
      obtained from the analysis of auxin, however, do not fit coherently into a
      picture of highly specific signaling events, but rather suggest mutual
      interactions between auxin and fundamental cellular pathways, like the control of
      intracellular protein sorting or translation. Crosstalk between auxin and these
      basic determinants of cellular activity and how they might shape auxin effects in
      the control of morphogenesis are the subject of this review. 

PMID- 24221304
TI  - Analysis of the community structure of yeasts associated with the decaying stems
      of cactus. III.Stenocereus thurberi.
AB  - Yeast communities in necroses of organpipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) were
      surveyed at 3 localities in Arizona. Quantitative analysis of random samples
      allows comparisons of the types and numbers of yeasts at 3 levels: within plants,
      between plants within a locality, and between localities. The analysis shows that
      the major source of variability is between plants. This pattern is identical with
      the pattern shown by agria cactus (Stenocereus gummosus) and is thought to be due
      to sampling different successional stages. No significant differences in
      estimates of the effective number of yeast species (ENS) in agria and organpipe
      samples were found. Comparisons of agria, organpipe, and prickly pear (Opuntia)
      cacti support the hypothesis that cactus chemistry is an important determinant of
      the yeast community structure which, in turn, is an important determinant of the
      diversity ofDrosophila species which utilize necrotic cacti as feeding and
      breeding substrates. 

PMID- 24221305
TI  - Interaction of competing fungi with fly larvae.
AB  - Saprophytic fungi have degradative abilities and interspecific interactions which
      suggest that resource use and yield should increase as species number increases,
      but previous studies show the opposite. As a test of the possibility that
      invertebrate activity changes fungal resource use patterns, we grew coprophilous
      fungi on rabbit feces at the same initial density singly or in mixtures of 2, 4,
      or 6 species, with or without activity of larvalLycoriella mali (Diptera:
      Sciaridae). Fungi in mixtures without larvae caused less weight loss in one
      mixture, and greater weight loss in 2 mixtures than when growing alone; fungi in
      4 of 6 mixtures produced fewer spores than when growing alone. Overall, without
      larvae, weight loss did not increase as number of fungal species increased.
      Larvae did not change the pattern of weight loss or proportions of spores caused
      by mixing fungal species. Numbers of larvae surviving to pupate rose as fungal
      species numbers increased; as a result, weight loss increased with fungal species
      number in cultures with larvae. 

PMID- 24221307
TI  - Analysis of genetic control of mating behavior in screwworm (Diptera:
      Calliphoridae) males through diallel crosses and artificial selection.
AB  - The mode of genetic control of male screw-worm (Diptera: Calliphoridae) mating
      behavior was examined using diallel cross and artificial selection. Diallel
      crosses showed strong dominance effects, with hybrids being uniformly more
      successful in copulation than their more inbred parental strains. Weaker additive
      and reciprocal effects were also noted. Environmental (replicate) effects were
      highly significant. Regression of array variances and covariances indicated that
      epistatic interactions or unequal allele distribution during gametogenesis may
      have occurred and that high courtship propensity polygenes show dominance over
      low propensity genes. Artificial selection on males from outbred strains from
      Guatemala and Belize resulted in a decreased number of mating attempts for lines
      selected for reduced activity, but mating attempts in lines selected for high
      mating activity did not increase. A combination of inbreeding during the
      selection cycles as well as selection for recessive traits would explain this
      response. The two types of experiments were in general agreement, indicating
      significant dominance and environmental influence on male mating behavior with
      weaker additive and possible maternal effects. 

PMID- 24221306
TI  - Interventions against nutrient-sensing pathways represent an emerging new
      therapeutic approach for diabetic nephropathy.
AB  - Autophagy has evolved as a stress response that allows unicellular eukaryotic
      organisms to survive in starved conditions by regulating energy homeostasis
      and/or by protein and organelle quality control. The diabetes-induced
      accumulation of damaged proteins and organelles results in the development and
      progression of diabetic nephropathy. In contrast, autophagy machinery is
      activated by calorie restriction and environmental stress in proximal tubular
      cells, and is maintained at a high level in podocytes, suggesting its crucial
      role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. However, its role in diabetic
      nephropathy has not been fully known. Here, we will discuss the role of autophagy
      and its involvement in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. 

PMID- 24221308
TI  - Stable transformation of barley via PEG-induced direct DNA uptake into
      protoplasts.
AB  - Protoplasts isolated from a barley cell suspension (cv Dissa) were transformed
      with plasmid DNA containing the neomycinphosphotransferase II (NPT) and beta
      glucuronidase (GUS) genes, using polyethyleneglycol (PEG) to induce DNA uptake.
      Transformed microcalli were selected in media containing G418 sulphate. NPT
      activity was detected in all antibiotic-resistant cell lines, but not all NPT
      positive cell lines had GUS activity. Southern analysis confirmed the presence of
      sequences homologous to the APT and GUS genes in DNA of G418-resistant callus. 

PMID- 24221309
TI  - Photosynthetic performance in wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides: ecological
      and genetic predictability.
AB  - In a twin study, we have shown that wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, the
      progenitor of all cultivated wheats, harbours important genetic variation (Vg) in
      photosynthetic characteristics. This Vg resides within and between populations
      and ecogeographical regions in Israel, which is the center of origin and
      diversity of wild emmer wheat. Here we analyzed, by univariate and multivariate
      methods, the significant differentiation of variation in photosynthetic
      characteristics of 107 genotypes from 27 populations of wild emmer in Israel,
      distributed in three ecogeographical regions including central, xeric (northern
      cold and eastern warm) marginal, and mesic (western) marginal populations. The
      highest photosynthetic efficiency was displayed by populations of the xeric
      marginal region, but most variation for photosynthetic capacity occurs between
      accessions within ecogeographical regions and populations. Genotypes and
      populations of T. dicoccoides having high photosynthetic capacity can be
      identified by climatic factors and isozyme markers. The identification by genetic
      markers, if substantiated by testcrosses, can facilitate the maximization of
      conservation, in situ or ex situ, and utilization of these photosynthetic genetic
      resources for improvement of hexaploid wheat (T. aestivum). 

PMID- 24221310
TI  - Intraspecific variation of chloroplast DNA in Dioscorea bulbifera L.
AB  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of chloroplast (ct) DNAs
      from 15 accessions of Dioscorea bulbifera collected from Africa and Asia was
      carried out using the Southern hybridization technique. Eight cloned ctDNA
      fragments of D. bulbifera and D. opposita, which cover 80% of the total
      chloroplast genome, were used as the probes to detect variation in ctDNA digested
      with nine restriction endonucleases. Ten variable sites, located in the large and
      small single-copy regions, were disclosed among the 15 accessions, of which six
      showed base substitution and four carried length mutation. Positions of the
      latter mutations were determined on the physical map of ctDNA. Based on these
      results, chloroplast genomes of the 15 accessions could be classified into nine
      types. Their phylogenetic relationships are assumed to be as follows: (1) African
      and Asian chloroplast genomes diverged from each other at the earliest point in
      time; (2) E-type chloroplast genome, occurring in the south-east edge of the
      Asian continent, appears to be the most ancient among all the Asian chloroplast
      genomes; and (3) four chloroplast genomes, found in Asian insular regions, are
      probably derived independently from the E-type genome. The discrepancy between
      the taxonomic relationship and the proposed chloroplast genome phylogeny of the
      present materials is noted. 

PMID- 24221311
TI  - Tagging genes for blast resistance in rice via linkage to RFLP markers.
AB  - Both Pi-2(t) and Pi-4(t) genes of rice confer complete resistance to the blast
      fungal pathogen Pyricularia oryzae Cav. As economically important plant genes,
      they have been recently characterized phenotypically, yet nothing is known about
      their classical linkage associations and gene products. We report here the
      isolation of DNA markers closely linked to these blast resistance genes in rice.
      The DNA markers were identified by testing 142 mapped rice genomic clones as
      hybridization probes against Southern blots, consisting of DNA from pairs of
      nearly isogenic lines (NILs) with or without the target genes. Chromosomal
      segments introgressed from donor genomes were distinguished by restriction
      fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) between the NILs. Linkage associations of
      the clones with Pi-2(t) and Pi4(t) were verified using F3 segregating populations
      of known blast reaction. Cosegregation of the resistant genotype and donor
      derived allele indicated the presence of linkage between the DNA marker and a
      blast resistance gene. RFLP analysis showed that Pi-2(t) is closely linked to a
      single-copy DNA clone RG64 on chromosome 6, with a distance of 2.8+1.4(SE)
      cMorgans. Another blast resistance gene, Pi-4(t), is 15.3+4.2(SE) cMorgans away
      from a DNA clone RG869 on chromosome 12. These chromosomal regions can now be
      examined with additional markers to define the precise locations of Pi-2(t) and
      Pi-4(t). Tightly linked DNA markers may facilitate early selection for blast
      resistance genes in breeding programs. These markers may also be useful to map
      new genes for resistance to blast isolates. They may ultimately lead to the
      cloning of those genes via chromosome walking. The gene tagging approach
      demonstrated in this paper may apply to other genes of interest for both
      monogenic and polygenic traits. 

PMID- 24221312
TI  - Organelle transfer by microfusion of defined protoplast-cytoplast pairs.
AB  - Defined cybridization was performed by one-to-one electrofusion (microfusion) of
      preselected protoplast-cytoplast pairs of male-fertile, streptomycin-resistant
      Nicotiana tabacum and cytoplasmic male-sterile, streptomycin-sensitive N. tabacum
      cms (N. bigelovii), followed by microculture of the fusion products until plant
      regeneration. Dominant selectable markers, namely, kanamycin resistance (nptII)
      and hygromycin B resistance (hpt) genes had been previously integrated in the
      nuclear genomes of the otherwise almost fully isogenic parental strains using
      direct gene transfer to protoplasts. In addition to chromosome counts indicating
      the expected allotetraploid tobacco count of 48, the absence of the nucleus from
      the cytoplast donor line was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization using nptII
      and hpt probes, as well as by an in vitro selection test with leaf expiants and
      the corresponding enzyme assays for 30 cybrids. The cytoplasmic composition of
      the cybrids obtained was analyzed for chloroplast type using the streptomycin
      resistance/sensitivity locus. The fate of mitochondria in cybrids was checked by
      species-specific patterns in Southern analysis of restriction endonuclease
      digests of total DNA with N. sylvestris mitochondrial DNA probes. 

PMID- 24221313
TI  - The inheritance of genetic markers in microspore-derived plants of barley Hordeum
      vulgare L.
AB  - Biochemical, molecular and morphological markers have been used to monitor the
      segregation of alleles at major gene loci in microspore-derived lines of four
      spring barley crosses and their parents. Significant deviations from the expected
      Mendelian ratios were observed for four of the ten markers studied in the cross.
      Distorted ratios were associated with loci located on chromosomes 4H and 6H. The
      differential transmission of alleles was in favour of the responsive parent
      (Blenheim) used in the anther culture studies. For the alpha-Amy-1 locus on
      chromosome 6H, the preferential transmission of Blenheim alleles was most
      pronounced in the haploid regenerants that were colchicine treated. These results
      are discussed in relation to the genetic control of androgenetic response in
      barley and with respect to the exploitation of another culture in barley
      improvement. 

PMID- 24221314
TI  - A general approach for the study of a population of testcross progenies and
      consequences for recurrent selection.
AB  - A model to study genetic effects at the level of a population of testcross
      progenies is presented. As there is no dominance for the testcross value, with
      the restriction of epistasis to pairs of loci, only additive x additive epistasis
      can contribute to the variance among progenies. To estimate the variance among
      progenies due to epistasis, it is necessary to have the population structured in
      families of full sibs, half sibs or S1, with only a few plants per family tested
      in combination with the tester. Using a two-way mating design to produce the
      families, it is possible to estimate the variance due to additive x additive
      epistasis. The consequence of the presence of epistasis is studied at the level
      of recurrent selection for combining ability with the tester. It seems that
      epistasis itself does not change the efficiency of the breeding methods
      considered. However, when the population from intercrossing is structured in
      families, it could be efficient to use a combined selection when the heritability
      is very low. In this case it would be efficient to produce full-sib families (by
      single-pair matings) at the level of intercrossing. The best procedure is to
      produce such families at the same time as crossing with the tester. In comparison
      to the classical scheme of selection for combining ability with a tester, such a
      modification increases the efficiency of selection 41.1% if an off-season
      generation can be used. 

PMID- 24221315
TI  - Estimation of preferential pairing in tetraploid x diploid hybridizations.
AB  - Crosses made between tetraploid and diploid, 2n pollen-producing species directly
      transfer from one-half to the entire diploid genome from the diploid to the
      tetraploid level, depending on the mechanism of 2n pollen formation and the
      amount of crossing-over that occurs. Tetraploid plants that result from
      tetraploid x diploid hybridizations can be further utilized in a breeding
      program. It is postulated that preferential pairing between homologous
      chromosomes derived from the original tetraploid or diploid parent occurs in the
      tetraploid x diploid hybrid. Depending on the genetic divergence of the species
      involved, preferential pairing of homologous chromosomes may range from zero to
      one. Theoretical estimates of the amount of preferential pairing and the standard
      errors of these estimates are derived for cases where the diploid parent produces
      2n gametes by either a first division or a second division restitution mechanism.

PMID- 24221316
TI  - Regeneration of intergeneric somatic hybrid plants between Lycopersicon
      esculentum and Solanum muricatum.
AB  - Mesophyll protoplasts of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and pepino (Solanum
      muricatum) were fused by using an electrofusion method and cultured in modified
      MS medium supplemented with naphthaleneacetic acid and kinetin, in which only
      pepino and somatic hybrid protoplasts could divide. Somatic hybrid plants showing
      intermediate characteristics in morphology were regenerated from the calli
      exhibiting vigorous growth in contrast with those of pepino. The hybrid nature of
      these plants was confirmed by cytological observation and biochemical analyses of
      phosphoglucomutase isozymes and the fraction-1-protein. The regenerated somatic
      hybrids grew to flowering stage and set fruits. 

PMID- 24221317
TI  - Recovery of normal photosynthesis and respiration in common wheat with Agropyron
      cytoplasms by telocentric Agropyron chromosomes.
AB  - Alloplasmic common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cultivais 'Penjamo 62' and 'Siete
      Cerros 66') with cytoplasms of wheatgrass (Agropyron trichophorum and Ag.
      glaucum) showed two aberrant phenotypes, i.e., gross reduction in plant vigor and
      male sterility. Plant vigor and male fertility were restored by cytoplasm
      specific telocentric chromosomes (telosomes). Studies on carbon assimilation and
      consumption and on oxygen evolution and uptake showed that maximum rates of
      apparent photosynthesis were significantly lower in the alloplasmic lines than in
      their corresponding euplasmic lines and that the telosomes restored a normal
      level of photosynthesis. The decreased apparent photosynthetic rates in the
      alloplasmic lines were shown to be not due to decreased rates of true
      photosynthesis but to increased rates of dark respiration in the green leaves. In
      contrast, dark respiration in the roots was significantly low in the alloplasmic
      lines. The alloplasmic lines also showed decreased rates of respiratory
      consumption of new photosynthates. These results suggest that growth depression
      and male sterility in the alloplasmic lines are related to aberrant mitochondrial
      function, which is compensated for by cytoplasm-specific telosomes. 

PMID- 24221318
TI  - Determination of the transmission frequency of chromosome 4S (l) of Aegilops
      sharonensis in a range of wheat genetic backgrounds.
AB  - The transmission of chromosome 4S (l) from Aegilops sharonensis was observed in a
      range of wheat genetic backgrounds. Chromosome 4S (l) was transmitted at a very
      high frequency (at least 97.8%) in all crosses. The genetic background appears to
      only have a small effect on transmission. The frequency of transmission of
      chromosome 4S (l) was the same in each genetic background through both the male
      and female gametes. 

PMID- 24221319
TI  - Cytogenetic studies of the intergeneric hybrids between Secale cereale and Elymus
      caninus, E. brevipes, and E. tsukushiensis (Triticeae: Poaceae).
AB  - Integeneric hybridizations were carried out between Secale cereale L. (2n = 14,
      RR) and three Elymus species, namely, E. caninus (L.) L. (2n = 28, SSHH), E.
      brevipes (Keng) Love (2n = 28, SSYY) and E. tsukushiensis Honda (2n = 42,
      SSHHYY). Chromosome pairing was studied at metaphase I in the parental species
      and the hybrids. Meiotic configurations of the hybrids were 20.74 1+0.14 II for
      E. caninus x S. cereale (SHR), 16.35 I+2.17 II+0.09 III for E. brevipes x S.
      cereale (SYR) and 25.84 I+1.10 II+0.02 III for E. tsukushiensis x S. cereale
      (SHYR), in addition to some secondary associations in the different hybrids. It
      is concluded from the study that (1) a certain, different homoeologous
      relationship exists among "S", "H" and "Y" genomes in the investigated Elymus
      species; (2) low homoeology is present between genomes of Elymus (S or H or Y)
      and rye (R); (3) the Secale genome affects homoeologous chromosome pairing
      between different genomes in E. brevipes and E. tsukushiensis. 

PMID- 24221320
TI  - Plastid DNA diversity in natural populations of Beta maritima showing additional
      variation in sexual phenotype and mitochondrial DNA.
AB  - Plants of two natural populations of Beta maritima, characterized by high
      percentages of male-sterile plants, have been investigated for organelle DNA
      polymorphism. We confirm the two classes of mitochondrial DNA variation
      previously described: (i) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) type N is associated with
      male fertility, whereas mtDNA type S can cause cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS);
      (ii) the 10.4-kb linear plasmid is observed in both types of mitochondria and is
      not correlated with the cytoplasmic male sterility occurring in this plant
      material. A third polymorphism is now described for chloroplast DNA (ctDNA). This
      polymorphism occurs within single populations of Beta maritima. Three different
      ctDNA types have been identified by HindIII restriction analysis. Among the
      plants studied, ctDNA type 1 is associated with N mitochondria and type 2 with S
      mitochondria. Chloroplast DNA type 3 has been found both in a fertile N plant and
      in a sterile S plant. This finding suggests that the chloroplast DNA polymorphism
      reported is not involved in the expression of male sterility. A comparison with
      Beta vulgaris indicates that ctDNA type 3 of Beta maritima corresponds to the
      ctDNA of fertile sugar beet maintainer lines. The three types of Beta maritima
      ctDNA described in this study differ from the ctDNA of male-sterile sugar beet. 

PMID- 24221321
TI  - Inheritance of morphological and chemical characters in interspecific hybrids
      between Papaver bracteatum and Papaver pseudo-orientale.
AB  - The alkaloid profiles and morphological traits of the capsules of Papaver
      bracteatum, P. pseudo-orientale, and their hybrids were studied. Dominance of the
      hexaploid parent P. pseudo-orientale was observed for various characters. A
      genetic model assuming allelic additive effects and polysomic inheritance was
      elaborated for the control of isothebaine content in the capsules. The
      distribution of thebaine content in the segregating generations, F2 and BCF1 was
      evidence of the transfer of genes from the diploid parent P. bracteatum in the
      gametes of the interspecific hybrid and their expression in its progenies. These
      findings indicate the potential use of inter-specific hybrids between the Oxytona
      species in the breeding of cultivars for industrial or ornamental purposes. 

PMID- 24221322
TI  - Relative family performance and variance structure of open-pollinated Douglas-fir
      seedlings grown in three competitive environments.
AB  - Open-pollinated Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var 'menziesii' (Mirb.)
      Franco) families were tested in three contrasting competitive environments to
      test the hypothesis that relative performance as measured by total seedling dry
      weight is dependent upon distance or genotype of neighbors. The three competitive
      environmnts included (1) a mixture of individuals from all families planted at
      close spacing, (2) single (pure) family blocks planted at close spacing, and (3)
      individuals from all families planted at a wide, non-competitive spacing. Despite
      occasional large changes in rank between competitive environments and only
      moderate correlations of family means between competitive environments, the
      family x competitive environment interaction was non-significant. Furthermore,
      families did not differ significantly in competitive ability or density
      tolerance. The competitive environment in which seedlings were grown, however,
      had a large effect on estimates of variance components, which in turn led to
      large differences in estimates of heritability and genetic gain. Evaluation of
      families in mixture resulted in the largest estimates of heritability, while
      evaluation in pure family blocks resulted in the lowest. Analysis of correlated
      response to selection indicated that testing and selection in mixture result in
      the largest estimated gain, even if progeny of selected individuals are
      subsequently grown in a pure or non-competitive environment. 

PMID- 24221323
TI  - Cytological analysis on the distribution and origin of the alien chromosome pair
      conferring blue aleurone color in several European common wheat (Triticum
      aestivum L.) strains.
AB  - Meiotic chromosome pairing and Giemsa C-banding analyses in crosses of several
      European blue-grained wheat strains with Chinese Spring double ditelosomic and
      other aneuploid lines showed that Triticum aestivum Blaukorn strains "Berlin,"
      "Probstdorf," "Tschermak," and "Weihenstephan" are chromosome substitutions, in
      which the complete wheat chromosome 4A pair is replaced, whereas the strains
      "Brunn" and "Moskau" are 4B substitutions. The alien chromosome pair in all of
      these strains is an A genome chromosome (4A) from diploid Triticum monococcum or
      T. boeoticum not present in common tetraploid and hexaploid cultivated wheats.
      The Blaukorn strain Weihenstephan "W 70a86" possesses, in addition to a rye
      chromosome pair 5R compensating for the loss of part of chromosome 5D, a 4A/5DL
      translocation replacing chromosome pair 4B of wheat. 

PMID- 24221324
TI  - Weighted regression analysis for comparing varietal adaptation.
AB  - The normally used joint linear regression analysis (OLS) is not appropriate for
      comparing estimates of stability parameters of varieties when the error variances
      of site means are heterogeneous. Weighted regression analysis (WLS), in these
      situations, yields more precise estimates of stability parameters. A comparison
      of the two analytical methods using the grain yield (kg ha(-1)) data of 12
      varieties and one hybrid of pearl millet [Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) S. & H.],
      tested at 26 sites in India, revealed that the weighted regression analysis
      yields more efficient estimates of regression coefficients (b i ) than the
      ordinary regression analysis, and that the standard errors of b i values were
      reduced by up to 43%. The estimated b i differed with the two procedures. The
      number of varieties with b i ssignificantly deviating from unity was not only
      more (five varieties) with weighted regression analysis than the ordinary
      regression analysis (one variety), but the classification of varieties as
      possessing general or specific adaptation differed with the two procedures. 

PMID- 24221325
TI  - Effect of fungal homogenate, enzyme inhibitors and osmotic stress on alkaloid
      content of Catharanthus roseus cell suspension cultures.
AB  - The addition of Aspergillus niger homogenate to Catharanthus roseus cell
      suspension cultures produced an increment of more than 60% in the alkaloid
      content of two different cell lines. The use of an inhibitor of phenylalanine
      ammonia lyase, i. e. cinnamic acid, along with the homogenate, resulted in an
      appearance of 90% of the alkaloids in the medium. Furthermore, even in the
      absence of fungal homogenate, there was a marked increase in the alkaloid
      content. The exposure of the cells to an osmotic stress produced a marked
      increment (320%) in the total alkaloid content. When both stress treatments were
      applied sequentially, an additive effect on alkaloid accumulation was observed.
      It was 300% higher than in cells cultured without treatment, the majority of the
      alkaloids found in the medium. 

PMID- 24221326
TI  - The influence of jasmonic acid on biophysical properties of potato leaf
      protoplasts and roots.
AB  - Jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivatives are a novel group of plant endogenous
      growth regulators. In our experiments some new data about the physiological
      effects of JA were obtained using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.
      Experiments were performed on potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Vesna)
      grown in vitro. Different quantities of JA (0.1-10 MUM) were added to the growth
      medium. Root samples of plants grown on media supplemented with JA showed a more
      rapid spin probe N-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine reduction than the control
      plants, which is a possible indicator of altered root permeability. Samples of
      leaf protoplasts were probed with methyl ester of 5-doxyl-haxadecanoic acid. We
      observed a membrane fluidity decrease in protoplasts isolated from plants grown
      on higher concentrations of JA (1 and 10 MUM). 

PMID- 24221327
TI  - Induction of virulence response in Agrobacterium tumefaciens by tissue explants
      of various plant species.
AB  - Forty-four plant species belonging to different taxa were tested for their
      ability to induce the expression of the virulence E gene in Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens containing virE:lacZ fusion constructs. With the exception of 6
      algae, one fern and 2 monocots, tissue explants of all other plants (2 Algae, 3
      Bryophytes, 2 Pteridophytes, 15 Gymnosperms, 8 Monocots and 5 Dicots) induced the
      expression of the virE gene as detected by the presence of beta-galactosidase
      activity in the bacteria. 

PMID- 24221328
TI  - Evidence for the occurrence of polyamine oxidase in the dicotyledonous plant
      Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa).
AB  - Polyamine oxidase (EC 1.5.3.3) activity has not been detected previously in cells
      of dicotyledonous plants, although it has been characterized extensively in
      monocotyledonous plants. Evidence is presented in this report for the occurrence
      of polyamine oxidase in dialyzed crude extracts of the dicotyledonous plant,
      Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa). Three enzyme assays were used to quantitate the
      formation of the three products of the reaction catalyzed by polyamine oxidase. 1
      Pyrroline formation was measured colorimetrically as a yellow quinazolinium
      complex with o-aminobenzaldehyde. Hydrogen peroxide formation was measured
      spectrophotometrically with a coupled peroxidase assay system by peroxidative
      oxidation of guaiacol. [(3)H]1,3-Diaminopropane formation was measured by using
      [1,8-(3)H]spermidine as the substrate and separating the radiolabelled reaction
      product from the substrate by paper electrophoresis. This latter assay provided
      evidence that a polyamine oxidase of type [EC 1.5.3.3] catalyzed the cleavage
      reaction between a secondary nitrogen atom and an adjacent carbon of the butyl
      moiety of spermidine. Significant polyamine oxidase activity was detected in
      floral tissues, cortex tissues of the root, young leaves, and young germinated
      seedlings of alfalfa. The occurrence of polyamine oxidase in alfalfa accounts for
      the formation of the essential substrate, 1,3-diaminopropane, required for the
      biosynthesis of the uncommon polyamines, norspermidine and norspermine, which we
      have recently detected in alfalfa. 

PMID- 24221329
TI  - Patterns of transformation intensity on flax hypocotyls inoculated with
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Cellular transformation intensities on flax (Linum usitatissimum) hypocotyl
      explants using disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens were investigated through
      various preculture durations, cocultivation durations and removal of epidermis.
      The expression of an intron-containing beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene driven by
      CaMV 35S promoter served as a reporter for determination of transformed tissues
      on hypocotyls. The binary plasmid p35SGUSINT in octopine-type Agrobacterium
      strain GV2260 was used as the vector system. A prolonged cocultivation duration
      (5-7 days) resulted in a much higher transformation staining intensity (frequency
      * tissue area) than 2- or 3-day-cocultivation duration on hypocotyls variously
      precultured prior to inoculation. A high staining intensity on the two cut ends
      was obtained from nonprecultured hypocotyls. A reduction in intensity on the
      upper cut end of hypocotyls was observed with preculture times greater than 6
      days. Peeled hypocotyls with a post-peeling preculture of 2 or 3 days had a high
      proportion of superficial area covered by transformed tissues after a 7 day
      cocultivation duration. These results will help to improve the efficiency of
      recovery of transgenic plants by increasing the proportion of transformation in
      the regenerable tissues. 

PMID- 24221330
TI  - Characterization of salt tolerant alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants regenerated
      from salt tolerant cell lines.
AB  - Salt tolerant cell lines have been selected from Medicago sativa, by a single
      step selection process on tissue culture medium containing 1% NaCl. Plants
      regenerated from these lines show improved salt tolerance compared to parent
      plants. The regenerated plants are vigorous, have flowered and are self fertile.
      The cellular salt tolerance characteristic can be passaged through the
      regenerated plants, since callus cultures initiated from immature ovaries of the
      salt tolerant regenerated plants are salt tolerant without additional selection
      on 1% NaCl. Several of these "second generation" callus cultures have been
      regenerated to produce vigorous plants which maintain the salt tolerance
      characteristic. The tolerance phenotype appears dominant in seeds obtained from
      self fertilization of the tolerant plants. The regenerated salt tolerant plants
      are therefore a valuable source as genotypes in plant breeding for salt tolerance
      and isolation, identification and manipulation of genes which confer salt
      tolerance in alfalfa. 

PMID- 24221331
TI  - Embryo culture of Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. to regenerate variable diosgenin
      yielding clones.
AB  - Mature embryos of Costus speciosus were excised and cultured on Schenk and
      Hildebrandt's (1972) nutrient medium containing auxins and cytokinins either
      alone or in combination. Multiple shoots were obtained when kinetin and indole-3
      butyric acid were supplemented each at 0.1 mg 1(-1) concentration. Embryo-derived
      plantlets were multiplied through propagation of rhizomes and the propagules
      derived from a single embryo were designated as an embryoclone. Twenty such
      embryo-clones were maintained in the field. Variations in rhizome biomass yield
      and diosgenin contents of these embryoclones were noted. Thirty-six percent of
      the embryo-clones studied were high diosgenin yielding types. Diosgenin contents
      at the intraclonal level were uniform. The in vitro raised plants were
      morphologically uniform and indistinguishable from their parent. 

PMID- 24221332
TI  - In vitro high frequency plant regeneration of a tree legume Tamarindus indica
      (L.).
AB  - Optimal culture conditions for high frequency plant regeneration from excised
      cotyledons of Tamarindus indica were established. Maximum shoot bud
      differentiation (100%) occurred when the adaxial surface of the entire cotyledon
      (excised from 12-d old seedlings) was in contact with MS medium containing 5*10(
      6)M BAP. On MS alone only roots were formed. Shoot or root formation was confined
      to nodal tissue at the top of the notch present on the adaxial surface at the
      proximal end of the cotyledon. Thirty-four to 95 shoots were regenerated in a 4
      month period from individual cotyledons. Shoots were rooted on MS with 5.7*10(
      6)M IAA. IAA (5.7*10(-7)M) alone induced complete plant formation. Regenerated
      plants were established in the soil with 70% success. 

PMID- 24221333
TI  - High frequency production of haploid embryos in asparagus anther culture.
AB  - A method for obtaining a high frequency of haploid asparagus embryos through
      anther culture was developed. Flowers collected from plants in the field in July,
      August and September 1990, for the genotype G203, were stored at 5 degrees C for
      24 h. Anthers were placed on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) containing 500 mg l
      (-1) casein hydrolysate, 800 mg l(-1) glutamine, 2 mg l (-1) NAA, 1 mg l (-1) BA
      and 5 % sucrose at 32  degrees C in the dark for three to four weeks to induce
      calli. Calli were then grown at 25  degrees C with a 16 h photoperiod for three
      to four weeks. Developing embryos and calli were transferred to embryo maturation
      medium, MS containing 6% sucrose, 0.1 mg l (-1) NAA, 0.1 mg l (-1) kinetin and
      0.65 mg l (-1) ancymidol, for four weeks. More than 50% of the recovered mature
      embryos germinated on MS containing l mg l (-1) GA3. Anthers with microspores at
      the late-uninucleate stage had the highest frequency of total and embryogenic
      calli formation, 40% and 15%, respectively. Each embryogenic callus usually
      produced 10-15 embryos. Aproximately 75 plants per 100 anthers cultured were
      recovered: 76% haploid, 22% diploid and 2% triploid. High temperature was
      critical for the induction of embryogenic callus. 

PMID- 24221334
TI  - Reduction of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride by the KCN-insensitive,
      salicylhydroxamic acid-sensitive alternative respiratory pathway of mitochondria
      from cultured grapevine cells.
AB  - The reduction of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) by grapevine cells
      cultured in suspension was studied in order to assess the reliability of using
      TTC reduction as a measure of cell viability. Similar to the reduction observed
      in animals cells, TTC can be reduced in grapevine cells by the cytochrome
      respiratory path of the mitochondria, although it is mostly reduced (about 72 %)
      by the alternative respiratory path sensitive to salicylhydroxamic acid.
      Engagement of the alternative path in TTC reduction was calculated through the
      ?Valt plot, and was established to be 89 %. 

PMID- 24221335
TI  - Culture medium pH is influenced by basal medium, carbohydrate source, gelling
      agent, activated charcoal, and medium storage method.
AB  - When four carbohydrates were tested against six commonly cited inorganic basal
      media, post-autoclave pH was highest for carbohydrate-free and sucrose containing
      media, and progressively lower for maltoseglucose and fructose-containing media,
      respectively. Post-autoclave pH for these media without carbohydrates was related
      to medium buffering capacity. Addition of gelling agents (10 of 11 tested)
      increased the postautoclave pH of MS medium containing sucrose. Neutralized and
      acid-washed activated charcoal also increased the post-autoclave pH of liquid and
      agarsolidified MS medium, and the pH changed further during 8 weeks of storage.
      Changes in medium pH caused by gelling agents, but not charcoal, could be
      alleviated by adjusting the pH after their addition but prior to autoclaving. 

PMID- 24221336
TI  - Phenylacetic acid-induced somatic embryogenesis in cultured hypocotyl explants of
      geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey).
AB  - The effect of a non-indole compound, phenylacetic acid (PAA), on the induction of
      somatic embryogenesis in tissue cultures of geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum
      Bailey cv. Scarlet Orbit Improved) was investigated. Hypocotyl explants derived
      from young, dark-grown seedlings were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962)
      medium (MS) supplemented with PAA or IAA (0.01-120 MUM) alone or in combination
      with BAP (8 MUM). Somatic embryogenesis was induced by both PAA and IAA at 0.01
      20 MUM with 8 MUM BAP, however, the optima differed considerably for the two
      compounds. Maximal activity of IAA for somatic embryogenesis was found at 0.1-2.5
      MUM, whereas PAA gave best results at 10 and 20 MUM under identical culture
      conditions. Higher concentrations (30-120 MUM) of IAA or PAA in the medium
      induced callusing in the explants, but the callus was neither embryogenic nor
      morphogenic. 

PMID- 24221337
TI  - Plant regeneration from callus-derived protoplasts of Pelargonium x domesticum.

PMID- 24221338
TI  - Down-regulation of PTEN expression modulated by dysregulated miR-21 contributes
      to the progression of esophageal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: miR-21, a putative tumor oncomiR, is a frequently
      overexpressed miRNA in a variety of tumors. Because it targets tumor-suppressor
      genes it has been linked to tumor progression. In this study we investigated the
      role of miR-21 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and its possible
      mechanism. METHODS: Expression of miR-21 was detected by stem-loop RT-PCR in
      tissue from 76 invasive ESCC at stage I-IV and in their corresponding para
      cancerous histological normal tissues (PCHNT). Thirty endoscopic esophageal
      mucosal biopsy specimens from non-tumor patients were used as controls.
      Expression of PTEN in 76 paired ESCC and PCHNT was investigated by real-time RT
      PCR and an immunohistochemical method, respectively. Paired tumor and PCHNT
      specimens of 20 ESCC cases were randomly selected for western blot analysis. The
      effect of miR-21 on PTEN expression was assessed in the ESCC cell line with an
      miR-21 inhibitor to reduce miR-21 expression. Furthermore, the roles of miR-21 in
      cell biology were analyzed by use of miR-21 inhibitor-transfected cells. RESULTS:
      Stem-loop RT-PCR revealed miR-21 was significantly overexpressed in ESCC tissues
      and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-21 correlated with tumor status, lymph node
      metastasis, and clinical stage. We demonstrated that knockdown of miR-21
      significantly increased expression of PTEN protein. Consequent PTEN expression
      reduced cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      suggest that miR-21 could be a potential oncomiR, probably by regulation of PTEN,
      and a novel prognostic factor for ESCC patients.

PMID- 24221339
TI  - ERCP: the unresolved question of endotracheal intubation.
AB  - The anesthesia community is still divided as to the appropriate airway management
      in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
      Increasingly, gastroenterologists are comfortable with deep sedation (normally
      propofol) without endotracheal intubation. There are no comprehensive reviews
      addressing the various pros and cons of an un-intubated airway management. It is
      hoped that the present review will benefit both anesthesia providers and
      gastroenterologists. The reasons to avoid routine endotracheal intubation and the
      approaches for an un-intubated anesthetic management are discussed. The special
      situations where endotracheal intubation is the preferred approach are mentioned.
      Many special techniques to manage airway are illustrated. 

PMID- 24221340
TI  - A causal relationship between cough and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
      has been established: a pro/con debate.
AB  - Along with upper airway cough syndrome (formerly, postnasal drip syndrome) and
      eosinophilic airway inflammation (asthma, nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis),
      gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is generally considered among the most
      common etiologies of chronic cough. Indeed, cough management guidelines published
      by numerous respiratory societies worldwide recommend evaluation and treatment of
      GERD as an integral component of the diagnostic/therapeutic algorithm for the
      management of chronic cough. However, a significant number of patients with
      chronic cough presumed due to GERD do not report improvement despite aggressive
      acid-suppressive therapy. Some of these refractory cases may be due to the
      recently appreciated entity of nonacid or weakly acidic reflux. Further
      contributing to the controversy are recent studies that demonstrate that patients
      with chronic cough do not have excessive reflux events relative to healthy
      volunteers. Although a temporal relationship between cough and reflux events has
      been suggested by studies utilizing impedance-pH monitoring of reflux events and
      objective cough recording, consensus is lacking in terms of whether this temporal
      relationship proves a causal link between reflux and cough. The fourth American
      Cough Conference (New York, June 2013) provided an ideal forum for the debate of
      this issue between two internationally recognized experts in the field of reflux
      and chronic cough. 

PMID- 24221341
TI  - Staging of acute exacerbation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictors of a 3-month
      mortality rate of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and
      provide a new staging system. METHODS: A total of 594 patients with IPF were
      included in this retrospective, observational study conducted from January 2001
      to December 2010 at Okinawa Chubu Hospital. RESULTS: Among the 594 patients, 58
      (9.8 %) developed acute exacerbation (AE) of IPF during the 10-year observation
      period. The median follow-up period for AE was 10.4 months. In-hospital mortality
      was 56.9 % and the 3-month mortality rate was 63.8 %. We identified the following
      four parameters in a multivariate analysis as: serum lactate dehydrogenase,
      sialylated carbohydrate antigen (KL-6), ratio of partial pressure of oxygen and
      fraction of inspiratory oxygen, and total extent of abnormal findings on high
      resolution computed tomography of the chest. Patients were divided into two
      groups on the basis of the four composite parameters. Patients in the extensive
      disease-stage group required more mechanical ventilation and intensive therapy
      than those in the limited disease-stage group. The 3-month mortality rate was
      higher in patients in the extensive disease-stage group than in patients in the
      limited disease-stage group (80.6 vs. 54.5 %, respectively; p = 0.007).
      CONCLUSIONS: Staging of AE in patients with IPF provided useful information
      regarding disease severity and short-term outcome.

PMID- 24221344
TI  - Reliability of differing densities of sample grids used for the monitoring of
      forest condition in Europe.
AB  - Concern about the possible deterioration of forest health led to the
      establishment in the 1980s of inventories of forest condition throughout Europe.
      International standardisation of the programmes was sought and a number of
      recommendations were made concerning sampling and assessment procedures. One of
      the most important rulings was that the assessment should be made on a systematic
      grid, the minimum density of which was 16*16 km. However, many countries adopted
      denser sampling grids, with 4*4 km being used in several countries and 1*1 km
      being used in the Netherlands. With five or more years of monitoring completed,
      there is a growing belief that a rapid and irreversible decline in forest health
      is not occurring. Consequently, some countries/regions are seeking to reduce
      their annual investment in forest health monitoring.The precision of
      national/regional estimates of forest health can be directly related to the
      sample size. As the sample size decreases, so also does the precision of the
      estimates. This is illustrated using data collected in Switzerland in 1992 and
      using grid densities of 4*4 km, 8*8 km, 12*12 km and 16*16 km. The value of the
      data is dependent on the sample size and the degree to which it is broken down
      (by region or species). The loss of precision associated with most subdivisions
      at the 8*8 km grid level remains acceptable, but a sharp deterioration in the
      precision occurs at the 12*12 km and 16*16 km grid levels. This has considerable
      implications for the interpretation of the inventories from those countries using
      a 16*16 km grid. In Switzerland, a reduction from the current 4*4 km grid to an
      8*8 km grid (i.e. 75% reduction in sample size) would have relatively little
      impact on the overall results from the annual inventories of forest health. 

PMID- 24221343
TI  - Increased Toll-like receptor 5 expression indicates esophageal columnar
      dysplasia.
AB  - Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) is an immune receptor, which recognizes bacterial
      flagellin. Increased expression has been reported in various premalignant and
      malignant lesions indicating a role in carcinogenesis. We assessed the expression
      of TLR5 in normal esophageal squamous epithelium, Barrett's esophagus with and
      without dysplasia, and in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Specimens with normal
      esophagus (n=93), gastric (n=75) or intestinal metaplasia (n=53) without
      dysplasia, and low-grade (n=56) or high-grade dysplasia (n=33) and esophageal
      adenocarcinoma (n=94) were studied. TLR5 immunohistochemical stainings were
      analyzed for the proportion of positive cells and the intensity of expression. In
      normal squamous epithelium, only the basal third showed TLR5 expression. In
      esophageal gastric or intestinal metaplasia, expression was present in majority
      of the cells but significantly weaker (p<0.001) than in dysplastic epithelium. In
      dysplasia, expression extended to the apical cytoplasm, contrasting basolateral
      expression in non-dysplastic columnar epithelium. Receiver operating
      characteristic curve analysis showed that moderate to high expression intensity
      of TLR5 indicates low-grade dysplasia with 86 % sensitivity and 83 % specificity.
      Carcinomas showed increased expression in comparison with non-dysplastic columnar
      epithelium, but there was no association with prognosis. Our results indicate
      that the esophageal columnar dysplasia is associated with clear increase of TLR5
      expression and dissolution of regular polarized expression. TLR5 staining
      provides a possible biomarker for the recognition of low-grade dysplasia. In
      addition, the findings suggest a role for abnormal expression of TLR5 in the
      pathogenesis of esophageal adenocarcinoma and suggest importance of altered
      microbiome in the pathogenesis of complications of Barrett's esophagus.

PMID- 24221342
TI  - Large cell carcinoma of the lung: clinically oriented classification integrating
      immunohistochemistry and molecular biology.
AB  - This study aimed at challenging pulmonary large cell carcinoma (LLC) as tumor
      entity and defining different subgroups according to immunohistochemical and
      molecular features. Expression of markers specific for glandular (TTF-1, napsin
      A, cytokeratin 7), squamous cell (p40, p63, cytokeratins 5/6, desmocollin-3), and
      neuroendocrine (chromogranin, synaptophysin, CD56) differentiation was studied in
      121 LCC across their entire histological spectrum also using direct sequencing
      for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma
      viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations and FISH analysis for ALK gene
      translocation. Survival was not investigated. All 47 large cell neuroendocrine
      carcinomas demonstrated a true neuroendocrine cell lineage, whereas all 24
      basaloid and both 2 lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas showed squamous cell
      markers. Eighteen out of 22 clear cell carcinomas had glandular differentiation,
      with KRAS mutations being present in 39 % of cases, whereas squamous cell
      differentiation was present in four cases. Eighteen out of 20 large cell
      carcinomas, not otherwise specified, had glandular differentiation upon
      immunohistochemistry, with an exon 21 L858R EGFR mutation in one (5 %) tumor, an
      exon 2 KRAS mutation in eight (40 %) tumors, and an ALK translocation in one (5
      %) tumor, whereas two tumors positive for CK7 and CK5/6 and negative for all
      other markers were considered adenocarcinoma. All six LCC of rhabdoid type
      expressed TTF-1 and/or CK7, three of which also harbored KRAS mutations. When
      positive and negative immunohistochemical staining for these markers was
      combined, three subsets of LCC emerged exhibiting glandular, squamous, and
      neuroendocrine differentiation. Molecular alterations were restricted to tumors
      classified as adenocarcinoma. Stratifying LCC into specific categories using
      immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis may significantly impact on the
      choice of therapy.

PMID- 24221345
TI  - Ammonia uptake by plants.
AB  - The paper considers the methodology and results of experimental determination of
      dry deposition and ammonia uptake by isolated plant leaves. Analytical
      expressions are proposed which allow a transition from rates obtained in an
      isolated chamber to dry ammonia deposition by standing crops leaves. 

PMID- 24221346
TI  - Geographical distribution of organochlorine contaminants and reproductive
      parameters in Herring Gulls on Lake Superior in 1983.
AB  - As part of the Great Lakes International Surveillance Plan, 1978-83, egg
      contaminant levels and reproductive output were determined for Herring Gull
      colonies on Lake Superior in 1983. Since 1974, the Herring Gull has been widely
      used in the Great Lakes as a spatial and temporal monitor of organochlorine (OC)
      contaminant levels and associated biological effects. Most eggs contained a wide
      range of OCs, the main compounds being DDE, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
      dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, hexachlorobenzene and mirex. Levels
      of an additional ten OCs and five polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD)
      congeners were also determined for some sites. Overall, levels varied
      significantly among colonies, but there was no obvious relationship to spatial
      distribution of contaminants in sediments or fish species. OC levels in eggs had
      declined by up to 84% since 1974. Eggshells were only 8% thinner than before the
      introduction of DDT, and shell thinning was not a cause of breeding failure.
      Average reproductive output varied from 0.15 to 1.57 young per apparently
      occupied nest in 1983: at 56% of colonies the value was below that thought
      necessary to maintain stable populations. The main causes of failure were egg
      disappearence and cannibalism of chicks. Despite this, the population appeared to
      have been increasing at about 4% per annum. Reduced availability of forage fish
      during the early 1980s was the most likely reason for the poor reproductive
      output in 1983. 

PMID- 24221347
TI  - Notes on the dynamics and decomposition of leaves in a Nothofagus pumilio forest.
AB  - A research project was conducted in a native forest of Nothofagus pumilio in one
      of the southernmost Chilean Nation Parks, Torres del Paine, to check the amount
      and timing of leaf fall, their decomposition rate and the respiration rate of the
      soil on an annual cycle.This paper also provides the results of the decay of
      fallen leaves in time, the loss curve of leaf weights, the evolution of water
      content and records of the larger taxonomic groups of microarthropods associated
      with the decomposition of the material. 

PMID- 24221348
TI  - Lead in hawks, falcons and owls downstream from a mining site on the Coeur
      d'Alene River, Idaho.
AB  - Mining and smelting at Kellogg-Smelterville, Idaho, resulted in high
      concentrations of lead in Coeur d'Alene (CDA) River sediments and the floodplain
      downstream, where American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), Northern Harriers (Circus
      cyaneus), Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), Great Horned Owls (Bubo
      virginianus), and Western Screech-owls (Otus kennicotti) nested. Nestling
      American Kestrels contained significantly higher (P=0.0012) blood lead
      concentrations along the CDA River (0.24 ug/g, wet wt) than the nearby reference
      area (0.087 ug/g). A 35% inhibition of blood delta-aminolevulinic acid
      dehydratase (ALAD) in nestling Northern Harriers (P=0.0001), 55% in nestling
      American Kestrels (P=0.0001) and 81% in adult American Kestrels (P=0.0004)
      provided additional evidence of lead exposure in the CDA River population. In
      nestling American Kestrels and Northern Harriers, ALAD activity was negatively
      correlated with lead in blood. An earlier report on Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus)
      showed slightly less inhibition of ALAD than in American Kestrels, but no
      significant reduction in hemoglobin or hematocrit and no negative influence on
      production rates. The adult and nestling American Kestrels along the CDA River
      contained about twice as much blood lead as Ospreys during the same years (adult
      0.46 vs. 0.20 ug/g, and nestling 0.24 vs. 0.09 ug/g), but adults showed a 7.5%
      reduction in hemoglobin (P=0.0356) and nestlings an 8.2% reduction in hemoglobin
      (P=0.0353) and a 5.8% reduction in hematocrit (P=0.0482). We did not observe
      raptor deaths related to lead, and although the production rate for American
      Kestrels was slightly lower along the CDA River, we found no significant negative
      relation between productivity and lead. Limited data on the other raptors provide
      evidence of exposure to lead along the CDA River. Several traits of raptors
      apparently reduce their potential for accumulating critical levels of lead which
      is primarily stored in bones of prey species. 

PMID- 24221349
TI  - Use of eculizumab and plasma exchange in successful combined liver-kidney
      transplantation in a case of atypical HUS associated with complement factor H
      mutation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) evolves into end-stage
      renal failure in nearly half of affected patients and is associated with
      defective regulation of the alternative complement pathway. Patients with a
      complement factor H (CFH) mutation have a 30-100% risk of graft loss due to aHUS
      recurrence or graft thrombosis. Since CFH is produced predominantly by the liver,
      combined liver-kidney transplant is a curative treatment option. One major
      unexpected risk includes liver failure secondary to uncontrolled complement
      activation. We report a successful combined liver-kidney transplantation with
      perioperative plasma exchange and use of the humanized anti-C5 monoclonal
      antibody eculizumab. CASE DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT: An 11-month-old female presented
      with oliguric renal failure after 3 weeks of flu-like symptoms in the absence of
      diarrhea. Following the identification of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in her stool,
      she was discharged home on peritoneal dialysis with a diagnosis of Shiga toxin
      associated HUS. Three months later, she developed severe anemia,
      thrombocytopenia, and neurological involvement. aHUS was diagnosed and confirmed,
      and genetic testing revealed a mutation in CFH SCR20. Once donor organs became
      available, she received preoperative plasma exchange followed by eculizumab
      infusion with intra-operative fresh frozen plasma prior to combined liver-kidney
      transplant. At 19 months post-transplant, she continues to have excellent
      allograft and liver function without signs of disease recurrence. CONCLUSION:
      Perioperative use of eculizumab in conjunction with plasma exchange during
      simultaneous liver-kidney transplant can be used to inhibit terminal complement
      activity, thereby optimizing successful transplantation by reducing the risk of
      graft thrombosis.

PMID- 24221351
TI  - Incorporation of post-translational modified amino acids as an approach to
      increase both chemical and biological diversity of conotoxins and conopeptides.
AB  - Bioactive peptides from Conus venom contain a natural abundance of post
      translational modifications that affect their chemical diversity, structural
      stability, and neuroactive properties. These modifications have continually
      presented hurdles in their identification and characterization. Early endeavors
      in their analysis relied on classical biochemical techniques that have led to the
      progressive development and use of novel proteomic-based approaches. The critical
      importance of these post-translationally modified amino acids and their specific
      assignment cannot be understated, having impact on their folding, pharmacological
      selectivity, and potency. Such modifications at an amino acid level may also
      provide additional insight into the advancement of conopeptide drugs in the quest
      for precise pharmacological targeting. To achieve this end, a concerted effort
      between the classical and novel approaches is needed to completely elucidate the
      role of post-translational modifications in conopeptide structure and dynamics.
      This paper provides a reflection in the advancements observed in dealing with
      numerous and multiple post-translationally modified amino acids within conotoxins
      and conopeptides and provides a summary of the current techniques used in their
      identification.

PMID- 24221350
TI  - Experimental renal progenitor cells: repairing and recreating kidneys?
AB  - Strategies to facilitate repair or generate new nephrons are exciting prospects
      for acute and chronic human renal disease. Repair of kidney injury involves not
      just local mechanisms but also mobilisation of progenitor/stem cells from
      intrarenal niches, including papillary, tubular and glomerular locations. Diverse
      markers characterise these unique cells, often including CD24 and CD133.
      Extrarenal stem cells may also contribute to repair, with proposed roles in
      secreting growth factors, transfer of microvesicles and exosomes and immune
      modulation. Creating new nephrons from stem cells is beginning to look feasible
      in mice in which kidneys can be dissociated into single cells and will then
      generate mature renal structures when recombined. The next step is to identify
      the correct human markers for progenitor cells from the fetus or mature kidney
      with similar potential to form new kidneys. Intriguingly, development can
      continue in vivo: whole foetal kidneys and recombined organs engraft, develop a
      blood supply and grow when xenotransplanted, and there are new advances in
      decellularised scaffolds to promote differentiation. This is an exciting time for
      human kidney repair and regeneration. Many of the approaches and techniques are
      in their infancy and based on animal rather than human work, but there is a rapid
      pace of discovery, and we predict that therapies based on advances in this field
      will come into clinical practice in the next decade. 

PMID- 24221352
TI  - Underestimated contribution of skeletal muscle in ornithine metabolism during
      mouse postnatal development.
AB  - Ornithine aminotransferase (L-ornithine 2-oxoacid aminotransferase, OAT) is
      widely expressed in organs, but studies in mice have focused primarily on the
      intestine, kidney and liver because of the high OAT-specific activity in these
      tissues. This study aimed to investigate OAT activity in adult mouse tissues to
      assess the potential contribution to ornithine metabolism and to determine OAT
      control during postnatal development. OAT activity was widely distributed in
      mouse tissues. Sexual dimorphism was observed for most tissues in adults, with
      greater activity in females than in males. The contribution of skeletal muscles
      to total OAT activity (34% in males and 27% in females) was the greatest (50%) of
      the investigated tissues in pre-weaned mice and was similar to that of the liver
      in adults. OAT activity was found to be regulated in a tissue-specific manner
      during postnatal development in parallel with large changes in the plasma
      testosterone and corticosterone levels. After weaning, OAT activity markedly
      increased in the liver but dropped in the skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.
      Anticipating weaning for 3 days led to an earlier reduction of OAT activity in
      skeletal muscles. Orchidectomy in adults decreased OAT activity in the liver but
      increased it in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. We concluded that the
      contribution of skeletal muscle to mouse ornithine metabolism may have been
      underestimated. The regulation of OAT in skeletal muscles differs from that in
      the liver. The present findings suggest important and tissue-specific metabolic
      roles for OAT during postnatal development in mice.

PMID- 24221353
TI  - Proline-glutamate chimera's side chain conformation directs the type of beta
      hairpin structure.
AB  - Our aim was to study the impact of two proline chimeras, containing a glutamic
      acid side chain in cis- or trans-configuration, on secondary structure formation.
      We further investigated to what extent the configuration of the side chain
      contributes to the overall peptide conformation. We used a 10 residue peptide
      (IYSNPDGTWT) that forms a beta-hairpin in water. The turn-forming proline was
      substituted with either a cis- or trans-proline-glutamic acid chimera, resulting
      in the peptides IYSNPcis -E DGTWT (P1_Pcis-E) and IYSNP(trans-E)DGTWT (P1_Ptrans
      E). We studied the conformation of the modified peptides by circular dichroism
      (CD) and NMR-spectroscopy, and SEC/static light scattering (SLS) analysis. NMR
      analysis reveals that the modified peptides maintain the beta-hairpin
      conformation in aqueous solution. At 5  degrees C and pH 4.3, the peptide
      (P1_Pcis-E) was found to adopt two coexisting beta-hairpin conformations (2:2
      beta-hairpin, and 3:5 beta-hairpin). In contrast to that, the peptide (P1_Ptrans
      E) adopts a 2:2 beta-hairpin that exists in equilibrium with a 4:4 beta-hairpin
      conformation. The adoption of ordered beta-hairpin structures for both modified
      peptides could be confirmed by CD spectroscopy, while SEC/SLS analysis showed a
      monomeric oligomerization state for all three investigated peptides. With the
      combination of several NMR methods, we were able to elucidate that even small
      alterations in the side chain conformation of the proline-glutamate chimera (cis
      or trans) can significantly influence the conformation of the adopted beta
      hairpin.

PMID- 24221354
TI  - Oral MSG administration alters hepatic expression of genes for lipid and nitrogen
      metabolism in suckling piglets.
AB  - This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of oral administration
      of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on expression of genes for hepatic lipid and
      nitrogen metabolism in piglets. A total of 24 newborn pigs were assigned randomly
      into one of four treatments (n = 6/group). The doses of oral MSG administration,
      given at 8:00 and 18:00 to sow-reared piglets between 0 and 21 days of age, were
      0 (control), 0.06 (low dose), 0.5 (intermediate dose), and 1 (high dose) g/kg
      body weight/day. At the end of the 3-week treatment, serum concentrations of
      total protein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the intermediate dose
      group were elevated than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Hepatic mRNA
      levels for fatty acid synthase, acetyl-coA carboxylase, insulin-like growth
      factor-1, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, and glutamate-pyruvate
      transaminase were higher in the middle-dose group (P < 0.05), compared with the
      control group. MSG administration did not affect hepatic mRNA levels for hormone
      sensitive lipase or carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1. We conclude that oral MSG
      administration alters hepatic expression of certain genes for lipid and nitrogen
      metabolism in suckling piglets.

PMID- 24221355
TI  - Bacterial killing mechanism of sheep myeloid antimicrobial peptide-18 (SMAP-18)
      and its Trp-substituted analog with improved cell selectivity and reduced
      mammalian cell toxicity.
AB  - To develop short antimicrobial peptide with improved cell selectivity and reduced
      mammalian cell toxicity compared to sheep myeloid antimicrobial peptide-29 (SMAP
      29) and elucidate the possible mechanisms responsible for their antimicrobial
      action, we synthesized a N-terminal 18-residue peptide amide (SMAP-18) from SMAP
      29 and its Trp-substituted analog (SMAP-18-W). Due to their reduced hemolytic
      activity and retained antimicrobial activity, SMAP-18 and SMAP-18-W showed higher
      cell selectivity than SMAP-29. In addition, SMAP-18 and SMAP-18-W had no
      cytotoxicity against three different mammalian cells such as RAW 264.7, NIH-3T3
      and HeLa cells even at 100 MUM. These results suggest that SMAP-18 and SMAP-18-W
      have potential for future development as novel therapeutic antimicrobial agent.
      Unlike SMAP-29, SMAP-18 and SMAP-18-W showed relatively weak ability to induce
      dye leakage from bacterial membrane-mimicking liposomes, N-phenyl-1-napthylamine
      (NPN) uptake and o-nitrophenyl-beta-galactoside (ONPG) hydrolysis. Similar to
      SMAP-29, SMAP-18-W led to a significant membrane depolarization (> 80%) against
      Staphylococcus aureus at 2 * MIC. In contrast, SMAP-18 did not cause any membrane
      depolarization even at 4 * MIC. In confocal laser scanning microscopy, we
      observed translocation of SMAP-18 across the membrane in a non-membrane
      disruptive manner. SMAP-29 and SMAP-18-W were unable to translocate the bacterial
      membrane. Collectively, we propose here that SMAP-29 and SMAP-18-W kill
      microorganisms by disrupting/perturbing the lipid bilayer and forming pore/ion
      channels on bacterial cell membranes, respectively. In contrast, SMAP-18 may kill
      bacteria via intracellular-targeting mechanism.

PMID- 24221356
TI  - Insulin downregulates the expression of the Ca2+-activated nonselective cation
      channel TRPM5 in pancreatic islets from leptin-deficient mouse models.
AB  - We recently proposed that the transient receptor potential melastatin 5 (TRPM5)
      cation channel contributes to glucose-induced electrical activity of the beta
      cell and positively influences glucose-induced insulin release and glucose
      homeostasis. In this study, we investigated Trpm5 expression and function in
      pancreatic islets from mouse models of type II diabetes. Gene expression analysis
      revealed a strong reduction of Trpm5 mRNA levels in pancreatic islets of db/db
      and ob/ob mice. The glucose-induced Ca(2+) oscillation pattern in db/db and ob/ob
      islets mimicked those of Trpm5 (-/-) islets. Leptin treatment of ob/ob mice not
      only reversed the diabetic phenotype seen in these mice but also upregulated
      Trpm5 expression. Leptin treatment had no additional effect on Trpm5 expression
      levels when plasma insulin levels were comparable to those of the vehicle
      injected control group. In murine beta cell line, MIN6, insulin downregulated
      TRPM5 expression in a dose-dependent manner, unlike glucose or leptin. In
      conclusion, our data show that increased plasma insulin levels downregulate TRPM5
      expression in pancreatic islets from leptin-deficient mouse models of type 2
      diabetes. 

PMID- 24221357
TI  - Effects of IL-6 on pyruvate dehydrogenase regulation in mouse skeletal muscle.
AB  - Skeletal muscle regulates substrate choice according to demand and availability
      and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) is central in this regulation. Circulating
      interleukin (IL)-6 increases during exercise and IL-6 has been suggested to
      increase whole body fat oxidation. Furthermore, IL-6 has been reported to
      increase AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and AMPK suggested
      to regulate PDHa activity. Together, this suggests that IL-6 may be involved in
      regulating PDH. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single
      injection of IL-6 on PDH regulation in skeletal muscle in fed and fasted mice.
      Fed and 16-18 h fasted mice were injected with either 3 ng . g(-1) recombinant
      mouse IL-6 or PBS as control. Fasting markedly reduced plasma glucose, muscle
      glycogen, muscle PDHa activity, as well as increased PDK4 mRNA and protein
      content in skeletal muscle. IL-6 injection did not affect plasma glucose or
      muscle glycogen, but increased AMPK and ACC phosphorylation and tended to
      decrease p38 protein content in skeletal muscle in fasted mice. In addition IL-6
      injection reduced PDHa activity in fed mice and increased PDHa activity in fasted
      mice without significant changes in PDH-E1alpha phosphorylation or PDP1 and PDK4
      mRNA and protein content. The present findings suggest that IL-6 contributes to
      regulating the PDHa activity and hence carbohydrate oxidation, but the metabolic
      state of the muscle seems to determine the outcome of this regulation. In
      addition, AMPK and p38 may contribute to the IL-6-mediated PDH regulation in the
      fasted state.

PMID- 24221359
TI  - Method for measuring microbial degradation and mineralization of(14)C-labeled
      chitin obtained from the blue crab,Callinectes sapidus.
AB  - A method for measuring microbial degradation and mineralization of radiolabeled
      native chitin is described.(14)C-labeled chitin was synthesized in vivo by
      injecting shed blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) with N-acetyl-D-[1-(14)C]
      glucosamine and allowing for its incorporation into the exoskeleton. The cuticle
      had a total organic carbon content of 0.48 mg C mg(-1) with a specific
      radioactivity of 6,356 CPM mg(-1). Glucosamine, i.e., chitin content as
      determined colorimetrically, was 22% (w/w). Microbial degradation and
      mineralization rates were assessed in batch culture using(14)C-chitin as
      substrate and York River water as inoculum. Replicate flasks were sampled daily
      for enumeration of chitinoclastic bacteria and the radiolabel recovered as
      particulate(14)C-chitin or(14)CO2. The amount of(14)CO2 generated was directly
      proportional to the loss of particulate(14)C-chitin, with 96% of the added label
      recovered as the sum of both phases. The maximum rate of mineralization was 207
      mg day(-1) g(-1) seeded(14)C-chitin at 20 degrees C. Highest chitinoclastic
      bacterial counts corresponded to the period of maximum rate of chitinolysis. It
      is suggested that the rate of chitin mineralization is limited by exoenzymatic
      depolymerization and not by chitin concentration. 

PMID- 24221360
TI  - Influence of phagotrophic processes on the regeneration of nutrients in two-stage
      continuous culture systems.
AB  - Regeneration of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems may be affected by autolysis,
      bacterial degradation, and activities of phagotrophic organisms. To examine the
      relative importance of these processes, mineralization of carbon, nitrogen, and
      phosphorus was studied in a two-stage continuous culture system. In the first
      stage (production compartment), aChlorella sp. was grown either axenically or in
      the presence of bacteria under P-limited conditions. In the presence of bacteria,
      the biomass of algae decreased due to efficient competition for P by bacteria. In
      the second stage (remineralization compartment), which was kept continuously in
      the dark, the nutrients incorporated by the organisms in the first stage were
      remineralized only slightly (0-25%) irrespective of the presence or absence of
      bacteria. However, remineralization of all nutrients tested was strongly
      increased (60-80%) after addition of zooflagellates, which grazed on algae and
      bacteria. These observations suggest that a net regeneration of nutrients was
      provided by phagotrophic organisms, whereas nutrients were trapped rather than
      released by bacteria. It is concluded that nutrient cycling could probably not
      proceed at the high velocities observed in the field without the participation of
      phagotrophic organisms. 

PMID- 24221358
TI  - Saturated fatty acids up-regulate COX-2 expression in prostate epithelial cells
      via toll-like receptor 4/NF-kappaB signaling.
AB  - Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been implicated in prostate carcinogenesis, and
      recently it has been confirmed to be a molecular target of saturated fatty acids
      (SFAs). In the present study, we investigated the effect of stearic acid (SA) and
      palmitic acid (PA), two of the most abundant SFAs contained in dietary fat, on
      COX-2 expression in prostate epithelial cells and the signaling transduction
      pathway involved. First, we demonstrated that both SA and PA increased the mRNA
      and protein expression of COX-2, and consistently induced the activation of NF
      kappaB in RWPE-1, BPH-1 and PC-3 prostate epithelial cell lines. The effect of SA
      and PA on COX-2 over-expression and NF-kappaB activation was in a dose-dependent
      manner, and PA was more potent than SA at the same concentration. Then, we
      demonstrated inhibition of NF-kappaB using its specific inhibitor strikingly
      attenuated PA-induced COX-2 expression. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was revealed
      to be expressed on RWPE-1, BPH-1 and PC-3 cell lines by PCR and
      immunofluorescence staining, and blocking its signaling significantly inhibited
      PA induced COX-2 over-expression and NF-kappaB activation. Taken together, we
      demonstrated that SFAs can up-regulate COX-2 expression in prostate epithelial
      cells, and this effect was mediated mainly through the TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling
      pathway. 

PMID- 24221361
TI  - Physiological characterization of heterotrophic bacterial communities from
      selected aquatic environments.
AB  - Three different biotopes, groundwater, surface water, and activated sludge, were
      examined and the total colony count on nutrient agar determined. The bacteria
      that could be isolated from the agar plates were identified and their in vitro
      activities investigated. Three principal approaches were used: (1) isolates were
      identified and the results used in a numerical analysis to determine their
      similarity; (2) the different physiological properties of isolates originating
      from a single biotope were compiled and used to characterize the community
      (collective total activity); and (3) the diversity of the physiological
      properties of the isolates of all populations was determined; on the basis of
      main characters a "heterotrophic" diversity index was calculated. The possibility
      of using a polyphasic ecological study to characterize aquatic bacterial
      communities is considered. 

PMID- 24221362
TI  - The bacterial biota on crustose (nonarticulated) coralline algae from Tasmanian
      waters.
AB  - The bacterial biota associated with the cuticle surface of healthy benthic
      samples of crustose nonarticulated coralline algae from the east coast of
      Tasmania (Australia) was examined by bacteriological cultivation and electron
      microscopy. In 32 samples studied, the viable count on Zobell's marine agar
      (supplemented with vitamins) was 3.3*10(6) bacteria g(-1) wet wt. (range
      2.9*10(4)-2.7*10(7)). Of 732 strains isolated from 16 out of 32 samples and
      identified to genus level,Moraxella was the predominant genus (66%). In
      contrast,Moraxella comprised only 11% of 217 strains isolated from benthic
      seawater samples collected at the same time as coralline algae. In 22 out of 32
      algal samples examined by scanning electron microscopy, the total count was 1.6 *
      10(7) bacteria g(-1) wet wt. (range 5.1* 10(6)-3.8*107); the major morphotype was
      cocco-bacilli (80%). Several environmental factors did not significantly
      influence the viable count or generic distribution, or the total count or
      morphotypic distribution of bacteria on the cuticle. These factors included
      geographical site, season, storage of samples in aquarium conditions, and the
      presence or absence of abalone from shells that the coralline algae encrusted.
      The microbiota, consisting mostly of the nonmotile bacterial genusMoraxella,
      appeared to be highly adapted to its calcerous plant host. 

PMID- 24221363
TI  - A numerical analysis of counts of diatom frustules, and other algae, in water
      samples from the River Wey.
AB  - During May 1978, samples of water were collected from 24 sites on, or associated
      with, the River Wey between its source south of Haslemere and Send just
      downstream of Guildford (approx. 57.5 km). Counts of diatom frustules, and other
      algae surviving the sampling technique, were analyzed by numerical taxonomic
      techniques. On the basis of community structure, the river was clearly separated
      into two regions. The seven sites along the first 18 km formed a cluster, and
      those of the remaining stretch formed a second cluster, which was more similar to
      Broadwater, a large shallow pond that discharges into the river between Godalming
      and Guildford (approx. 34.2 km below the source). Two methods are compared for
      reducing the counts obtained for each sample to a single index. 

PMID- 24221364
TI  - A statistical analysis of the relationships among viable microbial populations,
      vegetation, and environment in a subantarctic tundra.
AB  - Parametric and nonparametric analyses were used to investigate the relationships
      between the populations of viable microbes and 4 edaphic variables - soil
      moisture, rainfall, temperature, and pH. Microbial populations were sampled over
      a 2-year period in contrasting grass and moss stands on the subantarctic island
      of South Georgia. Moisture was found to be the most significant edaphic variable,
      but there were highly significant correlations between bacterial and fungal
      populations at both sites. Individual plant species showed clear correlations
      with both bacterial and fungal populations. 

PMID- 24221365
TI  - Biological activity in soil from forest stands in Central Sweden, as related to
      site properties.
AB  - The relationship between biological activities in samples from the forest floor
      and, respectively, stand (site quality class, tree age, and latitude) and soil
      (pH, carbon, carbon/nitrogen, and available phosphorus) properties was examined
      in a multi-site study performed in Central Sweden. The biological activities
      measured were respiration and phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity. The
      incubations were made in the laboratory on sieved and homogenized samples. When
      the biological activities were expressed on a dry matter weight basis, the
      concentration of organic C was the strongest predictor of respiration and
      phosphatase activity. In contrast, the strongest predictor of dehydrogenase
      activity was the pH value. Respiration and dehydrogenase activity were not
      significantly correlated. When excluding the influence of C concentration by
      expressing the activities on a C weight basis, respiration and phosphatase
      activity were not significantly correlated with any of the independent variables
      studied. Curvilinear models (polynomial equations of second and third order) gave
      significantly better descriptions of the relationship between respiration and,
      respectively, pH and C/N ratio, than linear models. Optimum conditions for
      respiration were indicated at intermediate pH (4-5 in 0.01 M CaCl2) and C/N ratio
      (20-30). The dehydrogenase activity on a C weight basis was correlated with the
      pH value even more strongly than it was on a dry matter basis. The phosphatase
      activity was not significantly correlated with the content of available P either
      on a dry matter basis or on a C weight basis. 

PMID- 24221366
TI  - Microbial symbiotes of the ambrosia beetleXyloterinus politus.
AB  - Progression in the understanding of the microecology of ambrosia beetles and
      their associated microorganisms is briefly reviewed. Between the 1840s and the
      early 1960s the concept of one ambrosial fungus per ambrosia beetle was
      emphasized. Some subsequent research has supported the view that each ambrosia
      beetle plus several associated microorganisms constitute a highly co-evolved
      symbiotic community. It was hypothesized in this study that such a community of
      symbiotic microbial species, not just one ambrosial fungus, is actively
      cultivated and perpetuated by the ambrosia beetleXyloterinus politus.
      Experimental results indicated that bacteria, yeasts, a yeastlike fungus, and
      ambrosial fungi compose such a symbiotic microbial complex in association withX.
      politus. The microecology of the ectosymbiotic microorganisms in relation to this
      insect is discussed. 

PMID- 24221367
TI  - A preliminary survey of the relative abundance of fecal coliform bacteria in
      water and sediment and in the fresh water bivalve,Lamellidens marginalis, of the
      Buriganga river, Bangladesh.
AB  - Studies on the concentration of fecal coliforms in freshwater bivalves were
      carried out using a spread plate method and membrane fecal coliform medium.
      Water, sediment, and bivalves collected from the Buriganga River at Dhaka,
      Bangladesh, were examined. As demonstrated in many previous studies, fecal
      coliform counts were consistently higher for the bivalve tissue than those for
      water and sediment samples; in the bivalveLamellidens marginalis, they were ~10.0
      to 87.0-fold higher than those in water, and 2.0- to 11.0-fold higher than those
      in sediment. 

PMID- 24221368
TI  - RFLP variability in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars and wild species.
AB  - RFLP variability was studied in eight U.S. peanut cultivars, representing the
      four market types, and in 14 wild Arachis species accessions, using random
      genomic clones from a PstI library. Very low levels of RFLP variability were
      found among the allotetraploids, which included the U.S. cultivars and Arachis
      monticola, a wild species. The diploid wild species were very diverse, however.
      RFLP patterns of the allotetraploids were more complex than the diploids, and the
      two constituent genomes could usually be distinguished. On the basis of RFLP band
      sharing, A. ipaensis, A. duranensis, and A. spegazzinii appeared most closely
      related to the diploid progenitor species of the allotetraploids. A dendrogram of
      relationships among the diploid wild species was constructed based on band
      sharing. 

PMID- 24221369
TI  - Relationship between heterosis and heterozygosity at marker loci: a theoretical
      computation.
AB  - In this paper we have studied the linear correlation between a genetic distance
      index between two parent lines (based on marker loci information) and the
      heterosis observed in the F1 hybrid from the two lines, for a quantitative
      character (determined by several loci, or QTL). Theoretical computations of the
      correlation coefficient (rho) between the distance index and the heterosis were
      made, assuming the biallelic model (defined by Fisher). When the alleles at both
      marker loci and QTL are equally distributed among the whole population of
      considered lines, the coefficient rho is a function of the squares of linkage
      disequilibria between alleles at marker loci and alleles at QTL. The QTL that are
      not marked by marker loci and marker loci that do not mark any QTL play
      symmetrical roles and can decrease rho greatly. We conclude that the prediction
      of F1 hybrid heterosis based on marker loci would be more efficient if these
      markers were selected for their relationship to the alleles implicated in the
      heterotic traits considered. 

PMID- 24221370
TI  - Seed set after pollination with in-vitro-matured, isolated pollen of Triticum
      aestivum.
AB  - Immature pollen of two varieties of Triticum aestivum, at the stage right after
      the first pollen mitosis, was isolated from individual anthers and cultured in
      microcultures of microliter droplets. In a specifically designed medium, some of
      the pollen grains developed to maturity. These were applied to excised stigmas on
      agar, where they produced pollen tubes. Application to flowers in vivo led to
      seed set. Pollen was matured in vitro from a variety that produced a different
      protein banding pattern on SDS-PAGE as compared to the variety that was
      pollinated. The protein banding in the produced seeds showed the hybrid pattern,
      demonstrating that the seeds were not produced by self-pollination in this in
      breeding species but by pollination with the in-vitro-matured pollen. 

PMID- 24221371
TI  - pEmu: an improved promoter for gene expression in cereal cells.
AB  - A recombinant promoter, pEmu, has been constructed to give a high level of gene
      expression in monocots. It is based on a truncated maize Adh1 promoter, with
      multiple copies of the Anaerobic Responsive Element from the maize Adh1 gene and
      ocs-elements from the octopine synthase gene of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The
      pEmu promoter was one of 12 different promoter constructs that were linked to the
      beta-glucuronidase (GUS) marker gene. Promoter activity was measured 48 h after
      introduction of the constructs into protoplasts of five different monocot species
      [wheat, maize, rice, einkorn (Triticum monococcum), and Lolium multiflorum] and
      one dicot (Nicotiana plumbaginifolia). In suspension cell protoplasts, the most
      highly expressing construct (pEmuGN) gave 10- to 50-fold higher expression than
      the CaMV 35S promoter in all the monocot species. The pEmu promoter should be
      valuable where a high level of gene expression is required in monocots. The pEmu
      promoter showed instability in several widely used Escherichia coli strains but
      was stable in a recA, recD strain AC001, which is described. Another construct,
      p4OCSDelta35SIGN, gave a tenfold increase in expression over the CaMV 35S
      promoter in dicot (Nicotiana plumbaginifolia) protoplasts. 

PMID- 24221372
TI  - Somatic chromosome map of rice by imaging methods.
AB  - Rice somatic chromosomes were completely identified and quantitatively mapped
      based on an image parameter, condensation pattern (CP), or a chromosomal density
      profile determined by imaging methods. The CP corresponds to the compactness of
      the chromatin fibers along the chromatid, which is characteristic in small plant
      chromosomes such as rice chromosomes at the mitotic pro-metaphase stage. The
      standard CP for every chromosome was obtained by averaging 60 CPs from 30
      chromosome spreads. Each standard CP exhibited a characteristic pattern of the
      chromosome, which enabled it to be distinguished from the other chromosomes. An
      ideogram based on the numerical data and the standard CP was established. The
      chromosomal address was also determined based on the degree of condensation, and
      the fractional length of each chromosomal address was quantitatively presented. 

PMID- 24221373
TI  - Identification and characterization of somatic rice chromosomes by imaging
      methods.
AB  - Somatic rice chromosomes from 30 spreads were analyzed by imaging methods.
      Morphological characters of each of the 12 rice chromosomes were obtained both by
      the imaging methods and by visual inspection. The numerical data of relative
      length, arm ratio, and condensation pattern (CP) were statistically analyzed. The
      descriptive morphological information obtained was also summarized into numbers
      of "key characters" or essential short sentences to characterize the traits. The
      fitness probability or the appearing frequencies of the key character for each of
      the 30 chromosomes was calculated. Altogether, 118 key characters were extracted
      to distinguish each rice chromosome. Furthermore, several "discriminants" or
      critical key characters were determined among the key characters, and a
      discrimination chart or flowchart to identify all the rice chromosomes was
      constructed using the discriminants. 

PMID- 24221374
TI  - Marker chromosomes commonly observed in the genus Glycine.
AB  - Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] chromosomes were analyzed using the chromosome
      image analyzing system, CHIAS, and seven groups, including subgroups, were
      identified based on morphological characteristics. Two pairs of chromosomes were
      conspicuous in their morphological traits. One pair of chromosomes, which had the
      largest arm ratio among all the chromosomes, was commonly observed in the species
      in all three subgenera of the genus Glycine. These chromosomes also displayed a
      unique pattern after N-banding and were detected as marker chromosomes. G. soja,
      which is considered to be the ancestor of G. max, has two types of marker
      chromosomes. The lines that carry the same type as G. max may be the ancestors of
      G. max among the lines of G. soja. The morphological differences of the marker
      chromosomes within the species in the subgenus Soja are discussed in relation to
      the domestication process of soybean. 

PMID- 24221375
TI  - Isozyme gene markers in the dioecious species Asparagus officinalis L.
AB  - Extracts from phylloclads of Asparagus officinails were electrophoretically
      analyzed for isozyme polymorphism. Fourteen enzyme systems were examined using
      four buffer systems: seven enzymes (acid phosphatase, catalase, glutamate
      oxaloacetate transaminase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase,
      peroxidase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) exhibited clear and consistent
      banding patterns. Isozyme polymorphism was studied in seven pairs of male and
      female doubled haploids and in their male F1s. Segregation of polymorphic loci
      was examined in the backcross progenies and was found to be consistent with a
      simple Mendelian inheritance in all cases, except for three anodical peroxidases,
      where two factors have been hypothesized. No linkage could be found between
      isozyme markers that were segregating in the same cross, but association was
      demonstrated between one malate dehydrogenase locus and the sex determining
      genes. The availability of isozyme markers may be useful in breeding and, in
      particular, the localization of one malate dehydrogenase locus on the sex
      chromosomes may be helpful in mapping the sex genes. 

PMID- 24221376
TI  - Chromosomal inversions and genetic control revisited: the use of inversions in
      sexing systems for higher Diptera.
AB  - Genetic sexing systems based on sex-linked translocations and deleterious
      mutations are subject to breakdown from genetic recombination in males. Including
      inversions in these strains may provide a solution to this problem, by ensuring
      selective elimination of recombinant products. Inversions could be used either in
      coupling to or in repulsion to the translocation. The latter system, requiring
      homozygous-viable inversions, would be more difficult to construct, but would
      offer several advantages not available with coupled translocation/inversion
      systems. A system proposed for the blowfly Lucilia cuprina is outlined, which
      combines homozygous-viable pericentric inversions in repulsion to existing sex
      linked translocations. This system should both stabilize the genetic sexing
      system and increase the suppressive potential of such strains. 

PMID- 24221377
TI  - Selection of sires to reduce sampling variance in the estimates of heritability
      by half-sib correlation.
AB  - Standard methods to estimate heritability by half-sib correlation are biased if
      selection has operated in the parental generation. In this paper a simple method
      to correct for selection of animals used as sires is described. By selection of
      both the top and the bottom ranking sires, the sampling variances of the
      corrected estimates of heritability are substantially reduced. Algebraic
      expressions to predict the sampling variance of the estimates of heritability
      using selected sires are derived. Theoretical predictions were checked by Monte
      Carlo simulation. The results may have application in the design of experiments
      to estimate heritabilities. 

PMID- 24221378
TI  - Identification of 'Amigo' and 'Kavkaz' translocations in Ohio soft red winter
      wheats (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - One cultivar ('GR876') and two advanced Ohio soft red winter wheat lines ('OH413'
      and 'OH414'), with 'Kavkaz' in their pedigrees, were examined for the presence of
      the 'Kavkaz,' 1RS/1BL rye/wheat chromosome translocation. Another advanced line
      ('OH416'), with 'Amigo' in its pedigree, was examined for the presence of the
      'Amigo,' 1RS/1AL translocation. Only two satellited chromosomes were observed in
      most mitotic root-tip cells from 'GR876,' 'OH413,' and 'OH414,' compared to four
      in most cells from 'OH416.' Heteromorphic bivalents were observed in most PMCs
      from hybrids produced by crossing 'GR876,' 'OH413,' and 'OH414' as females to
      'Chinese Spring.' No heteromorphic bivalents were observed in PMCs from 'OH416' x
      'Chinese Spring' hybrids. When 'GR876' and the Ohio lines were hybridized with
      'Chinese Spring' dimonotelosomic-1B, telosomic trivalents, consisting of the
      short- and longarm telosomes paired with chromosome 1B, were only observed in
      PMCs from 43-chromosome hybrids involving 'OH416.' The long-arm telosome paired
      with the translocation chromosome, while the short-arm telosome remained unpaired
      in all other 43-chromosome hybrids. Separation of gliadin proteins from 'GR876'
      and the Ohio lines by PAGE revealed that secalin bands for 'GR876,' 'OH413,' and
      'OH414,' migrated similarly to the secalins for 'Kavkaz.' Bands for 'OH416,'
      identified as possible secalins, migrated similarly to those for 'Amigo.'
      Cultivar 'GR876' and advanced Ohio soft red winter wheat lines 'OH413' and
      'OH414' carry the 'Kavkaz' translocation, while 'OH416' carries the 'Amigo'
      translocation. 

PMID- 24221379
TI  - The CAT-2 null phenotype in maize is likely due to a DNA insertion into the Cat2
      gene.
AB  - The molecular basis for a shorter Cat2 transcript in maize lines null for the CAT
      2 catalase iso/yme was investigated using cDNA libraries and genomic DNA blots.
      Sequence comparison of partial Cat2 cDNAs obtained from two CAT-2 null lines and
      a wild-type CAT-2 encoding cDNA showed that the Cat2 null transcripts diverged
      from the wild-type transcript but remained homologous to each other. Genomic DNA
      blots indicated that the missing portion of the transcript is present in the
      genomes of lines null for the CAT-2 isozyme. Differences in the hybridization
      patterns of normal and null lines were revealed when genomic DNA blots were
      probed with the full-length Cat2 cDNA, a Cat2 gene-specific probe, and a "null
      sequence" probe. Together, the DNA blotting results suggest that a rearrangement
      of the Cat2 gene has occurred in the CAT-2 null lines. The available data suggest
      that the CAT-2 null mutation in maize is due to a DNA insertion into the Cat2
      gene. 

PMID- 24221380
TI  - Quantitatively determined self-incompatibility : 3. Genetical variability in
      Borago officinalis.
AB  - It is shown by simulation that a hypothetical multilocus, quantitatively
      determined self-incompatibility system, whether gametophytic or sporophytic,
      should maintain variability in small populations at a higher level than would
      panmixia. Studies of more than 20 isozyme loci show that borage has almost no
      variability. 

PMID- 24221381
TI  - Use of 2n pollen-producing triploid hybrids to introduce tetraploid Mexican wild
      species germ plasm to cultivated tetraploid potato gene pool.
AB  - Tetraploid (2n=4x=48) 2EBN Mexican wild species in the series Longipedicellata,
      which consists of Solanum fendleri, S. hjertingii, S. papita, S. polytrichon, and
      S. stoloniferum, were crossed with two 2EBN cultivated diploid (2n=2x=24) clones.
      The resulting triploid hybrids (2n=3x=36) produced 2n pollen (triplandroids) by
      the mechanism of parallel orientation of anaphase II spindles. The percentage of
      stainable pollen in 520 triploids ranged between 0 and 23.5%, with a mean of
      2.7%. Triploids producing between 13.0 and 23.5% stainable pollen were crossed as
      staminate parents to the tetraploid cultivars, resulting in abundant pentaploid
      (2n=5x=60) and near-pentaploid hybrid progeny. Crosses of triploids with lower
      percentage of stainable pollen as pollen parent to the tetraploid cultivars did
      not yield fruit, unless rescue pollen from a tetraploid cultivar was added 2 days
      later. Pentaploid hybrids were selected among selfed tetraploid progenies using
      morphological and isoxyme markers transmitted from their cultivated diploid
      parents. These pentaploid hybrids were vigorous and had uniformly sterile pollen.
      They were female fertile and were crossed with tetraploid cultivars, yielding an
      average of 19 seeds per fruit. Triplandroids provide the opportunity of
      transferring 2EBN tetraploid Mexican wild species in the series Longipedicellata
      germ plasm into the 4EBN cultivated potatoes. 

PMID- 24221382
TI  - Molecular characterization of a low-molecular-weight glutenin cDNA clone from
      Triticum durum.
AB  - A full-length, low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin cDNA clone, pTdUCD1, has been
      isolated from a Triticum durum cv 'Mexicali' wheat cDNA library. The complete
      sequence was determined and compared to the LMW glutenin genes that have been
      isolated from hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum. This cDNA codes for a protein
      of 295 amino acids (33,414 daltons) including a 20-amino acid signal peptide as
      deduced from the DNA sequence. Northern analysis showed that this cDNA hybridizes
      to a family of related sequences ranging in length from 1,200 to 1,000
      nucleotides. This gene is similar but not identical to previously published LMW
      glutenin gene sequences. The most striking characteristic of all cloned LMW
      glutenin genes is the conservation of eight cysteine residues, which could be
      involved in potential secondary or tertiary structure, disulfide bond
      interactions. This paper presents a structural map defining distinct regions of
      the LMW glutenin gene family. 

PMID- 24221383
TI  - RFLP markers linked to the root knot nematode resistance gene Mi in tomato.
AB  - The Mi gene originating from the wild tomato species Lycopersicon peruvianum
      confers resistance to all major root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). This
      single dominant gene is located on chromosome 6 and is very closely linked to the
      acid phosphatase-1 (Aps-1) locus. Resistance to nematodes has been introgressed
      into various cultivars of the cultivated tomato (L. esculentum), in many
      cultivars along with the linked L. peruvianum Aps-1 (1) allele. By using a pair
      of nearly isogenic lines differing in a small chromosomal region containing the
      Mi and Aps-1 loci, we have identified two RFLP markers, GP79 and H6A2c2, which
      are located in the introgressed L. peruvianum region. Analysis of a test panel of
      51 L. esculentum genotypes of various origins indicated that GP79 is very tightly
      linked to the Mi gene and allows both homozygous and heterozygous nematode
      resistant genotypes to be distinguished from susceptible genotypes, irrespective
      of their Aps-1 alleles. Marker H6A2c2 is linked to the Aps-1 locus and is capable
      of discriminating between the L. peruvianum Aps-1 (1) allele and the L.
      esculentum Aps-1 (3) and Aps-1 (+) alleles. In combination, these RFLP markers
      may provide a powerful tool in breeding tomatoes for nematode resistance. 

PMID- 24221384
TI  - Gene-enzyme relations in the pathway of flavonoid biosynthesis in barley.
AB  - Mutations in genes associated with the pathway of flavonoid biosynthesis can be
      easily induced in barley, and more than 600 mutants have been isolated in which
      the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidins is genetically blocked. Diallelic crosses
      have localized a majority of the proanthocyanidin-free mutants to nine different
      ant genes. In order to characterize the ant gene assays for flavanone 3
      hydroxylase, flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase and dihydroflavonol reductase activities in
      protein extracts from developing grains of proanthocyanidin-free mutants in six
      ant genes and wild-type barley were performed. The presence of chalcone synthase
      enzyme protein in wild-type barley and the mutant ant 13-152 was investigated by
      SDS-PAGE, protein blotting, and reaction with an antiserum against parsley
      chalcone synthase. The results of these experiments combined with earlier studies
      of flavonoid content in barley grains of different genotypes characterize the
      functions of six ant genes as follows. The gene ant 13 is a regulatory gene
      affecting the transcription of structural genes in the flavonoid pathway. The
      genes ant 17 and ant 22 are probably coding for different components necessary
      for hydroxylation of flavanones in 3-position. The gene ant 18 is the structural
      gene coding for dihydroflavonol reductase, and ant 19 is most likely the
      structural gene coding for leucoanthocyanidin reductase. Ant 21 is probably a
      regulatory gene affecting the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins.

PMID- 24221385
TI  - Direct effect of colchicine on the microspore embryogenesis to produce dihaploid
      plants in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - In the present experiment, different chromosome reduplication techniques were
      applied to microspore-originated Triticum aestivum L. (cv 'Ciano') haploids. In
      addition to the conventional treatment (whole plant exposure to colchicine
      solution), spontaneously redoubled haploids were also examined. As an
      experimental treatment, different concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.04%) of
      colchicine were added directly to the induction media. Colchicine did not affect
      the anther response or the plant regeneration capacity. The success and stability
      of genome redoubling was estimated on the basis of the fertility of the
      regenerated (R0) plants and their progeny (R1). Chromosome doubling produced by
      colchicine before the first microspore mitosis was significantly more efficient
      than the conventionally used techniques. 

PMID- 24221386
TI  - An integrated approach to oilseed rape cultivar selection using phenotypic
      stability.
AB  - Various methods of evaluating phenotypic stability have been proposed; however,
      no single method can adequately describe cultivar performance. The objectives of
      this study were to integrate a number of methods of evaluating stability and to
      use this approach for cultivar selection. These objectives were considered in the
      context of the broad-based oilseed rape cultivar (Brassica napus spp. oleifera)
      evaluation system currently used in western Canada. Regression analysis was used
      to assess cultivar response to environments. Cluster analysis was used to
      assemble cultivars into groups with similar regression coefficients (b i ) and
      mean yield. Three parametric stability parameters, years within locations mean
      square (MS; Y/L), Shukla's stability variance (sigma i (2) ), and Francis and
      Kannenberg's coefficient of variability (CV i ), were compared to determine which
      method would be most suitable for selection of oilseed rape cultivars from within
      clustered groups. Yield data from three cultivars and six breeding lines that had
      been tested for 2 years at 26 locations in the Western Canola Cooperative Test
      'A' were used for all calculations. The cluster analysis was successful in
      identifying commercially acceptable breeding lines. The parameter MS i Y/L was
      considered to be more appropriate than either CV i or sigma i (2) , because it
      measured only the unpredictable portion of the genotype x environment interaction
      and was independent of the other cultivars in the test. The use of cluster
      analysis to group entries with similar b i values and mean yields, followed by
      selection for stability within groups, was advocated. 

PMID- 24221387
TI  - Replicated selection for insulin-like growth factor-1 and body weight in mice.
AB  - Five generations of divergent selection for plasma concentration of insulin-like
      growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and for 12-week body weight were carried out in mice,
      including randomly selected control lines for each trait. All lines were
      replicated once (12 lines in total). Each replicate line consisted of eight male
      and eight female parents per generation. Litter size was standardized to eight
      pups at birth. Mass selection was applied in the selected lines and within-family
      random selection in the control lines. Blood was taken from the orbital sinus of
      individual mice at 12 weeks of age for IGF-1 assay. Realized heritabilities were
      0.10+/-0.01 for IGF-1 and 0.41 +/- 0.02 for 12-week weight. The realized genetic
      correlation between IGF-1 and 12-week weight was 0.58 +/- 0.01, with a phenotypic
      correlation of 0.38. Although the genetic correlation between IGF-1 and body
      weight in mice is moderately positive, 12-week weight responded 3.5 times as fast
      to weight selection as to selection for IGF-1. 

PMID- 24221388
TI  - Phylogenetic relationships of annual and perennial wild rice: probing by direct
      DNA sequencing.
AB  - The phylogenetic relationships between Asian wild rice strains were analyzed by
      direct sequencing of PCR-amplified DNA fragments. The sequence of three introns
      located in the phytochrome gene was determined for eight strains of the Asian
      wild rice, Oryza rufipogon, and one strain of the related African species, Oryza
      longistaminata. The number of nucleotide substitutions per site between various
      strains within a single species, O. rufipogon, ranged between 0.0017 and 0.0050,
      while those between two related species, O. rufipogon and O. longistaminate, were
      0.043-0.049 (23-26 within 532 bp). Taken together with the sequence differences
      of the 10-kDa prolamin gene, a model is proposed for the phylogenetic
      relationships and evolutionary history of annuals and perennials within O.
      rufipogon. 

PMID- 24221389
TI  - Analyses of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and P. coccineus Lam. hybrids by RFLP:
      preferential transmission of P. vulgaris alleles.
AB  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was determined among P. vulgaris
      genotypes and Phaseolus species using 19 probes. The incidence of polymorphism
      was high (70-86%) between species, but relatively low (22-26%) between genotypes
      of P. vulgaris. Suitable probes were identified for the analysis of P. vulgaris
      and P. coccineus hybrids. The segregation pattern in F2 populations was Mendelian
      for two probes (LHB and VEE20) and non-Mendelian for GS-g, CHS, and CHI.
      Statistical analyses indicated gametic selection with preferential transmission
      of the P. vulgaris alleles, which may account for the selective recovery of P.
      vulgaris progeny types observed earlier. The available hybrids of P. vulgaris and
      P. coccineus and the high degree of interspecific RFLP will facilitate the
      construction of a linkage map for Phaseolus. 

PMID- 24221390
TI  - Adventitial nab-rapamycin injection reduces porcine femoral artery luminal
      stenosis induced by balloon angioplasty via inhibition of medial proliferation
      and adventitial inflammation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endovascular interventions on peripheral arteries are limited by high
      rates of restenosis. Our hypothesis was that adventitial injection of rapamycin
      nanoparticles would be safe and reduce luminal stenosis in a porcine femoral
      artery balloon angioplasty model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen juvenile male
      crossbred swine were included. Single-injury (40%-60% femoral artery balloon
      overstretch injury; n=2) and double-injury models (endothelial denudation injury
      2 weeks before a 20%-30% overstretch injury; n=2) were compared. The double
      injury model produced significantly more luminal stenosis at 28 days, P=0.002,
      and no difference in medial fibrosis or inflammation. Four pigs were randomized
      to the double-injury model and adventitial injection of saline (n=2) or 500 MUg
      of nanoparticle albumin-bound rapamycin (nab-rapamycin; n=2) with an endovascular
      microinfusion catheter. There was 100% procedural success and no difference in
      endothelial regeneration. At 28 days, nab-rapamycin led to significant reductions
      in luminal stenosis, 17% (interquartile range, 12%-35%) versus 10% (interquartile
      range, 8.3%-14%), P=0.001, medial cell proliferation, P<0.001, and fibrosis,
      P<0.001. There were significantly fewer adventitial leukocytes at 3 days,
      P<0.001, but no difference at 28 days. Pharmacokinetic analysis (single-injury
      model) found rapamycin concentrations 1500* higher in perivascular tissues than
      in blood at 1 hour. Perivascular rapamycin persisted >=8 days and was not
      detectable at 28 days. CONCLUSIONS: Adventitial nab-rapamycin injection was safe
      and significantly reduced luminal stenosis in a porcine femoral artery balloon
      angioplasty model. Observed reductions in early adventitial leukocyte
      infiltration and late medial cell proliferation and fibrosis suggest an
      immunosuppressive and antiproliferative mechanism. An intraluminal microinfusion
      catheter for adventitial injection represents an alternative to stent- or balloon
      based local drug delivery.

PMID- 24221391
TI  - Outcomes of transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement in high-risk
      patients with aortic stenosis and left ventricular dysfunction: results from the
      Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) trial (cohort A).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) trial
      demonstrated similar survival after transcatheter and surgical aortic valve
      replacement (TAVR and SAVR, respectively) in high-risk patients with symptomatic,
      severe aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of left
      ventricular (LV) dysfunction on clinical outcomes after TAVR and SAVR and the
      impact of aortic valve replacement technique on LV function. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      The PARTNER trial randomized high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis to
      TAVR or SAVR. Patients were stratified by the presence of LV ejection fraction
      (LVEF) <50%. All-cause mortality was similar for TAVR and SAVR at 30-days and 1
      year regardless of baseline LV function and valve replacement technique. In
      patients with LV dysfunction, mean LVEF increased from 35.7+/-8.5% to 48.6+/
      11.3% (P<0.0001) 1 year after TAVR and from 38.0+/-8.0% to 50.1+/-10.8% after
      SAVR (P<0.0001). Higher baseline LVEF (odds ratio, 0.90 [95% confidence interval,
      0.86, 0.95]; P<0.0001) and previous permanent pacemaker (odds ratio, 0.34 [95%
      confidence interval, 0.15, 0.81]) were independently associated with reduced
      likelihood of >=10% absolute LVEF improvement by 30 days; higher mean aortic
      valve gradient was associated with increased odds of LVEF improvement (odds
      ratio, 1.04 per 1 mm Hg [95% confidence interval, 1.01, 1.08]). Failure to
      improve LVEF by 30 days was associated with adverse 1-year outcomes after TAVR
      but not SAVR. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and
      LV dysfunction, mortality rates and LV functional recovery were comparable
      between valve replacement techniques. TAVR is a feasible alternative for patients
      with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and LV dysfunction who are at high risk
      for SAVR. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique
      identifier: NCT00530894.

PMID- 24221392
TI  - Simple agrometeorological models for estimating Guineagrass yield in Southeast
      Brazil.
AB  - The objective of this work was to develop and evaluate agrometeorological models
      to simulate the production of Guineagrass. For this purpose, we used forage yield
      from 54 growing periods between December 2004-January 2007 and April 2010-March
      2012 in irrigated and non-irrigated pastures in Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo state,
      Brazil (latitude 21 degrees 57'42" S, longitude 47 degrees 50'28" W and altitude
      860 m). Initially we performed linear regressions between the agrometeorological
      variables and the average dry matter accumulation rate for irrigated conditions.
      Then we determined the effect of soil water availability on the relative forage
      yield considering irrigated and non-irrigated pastures, by means of segmented
      linear regression among water balance and relative production variables (dry
      matter accumulation rates with and without irrigation). The models generated were
      evaluated with independent data related to 21 growing periods without irrigation
      in the same location, from eight growing periods in 2000 and 13 growing periods
      between December 2004-January 2007 and April 2010-March 2012. The results
      obtained show the satisfactory predictive capacity of the agrometeorological
      models under irrigated conditions based on univariate regression (mean
      temperature, minimum temperature and potential evapotranspiration or degreedays)
      or multivariate regression. The response of irrigation on production was well
      correlated with the climatological water balance variables (ratio between actual
      and potential evapotranspiration or between actual and maximum soil water
      storage). The models that performed best for estimating Guineagrass yield without
      irrigation were based on minimum temperature corrected by relative soil water
      storage, determined by the ratio between the actual soil water storage and the
      soil water holding capacity.irrigation in the same location, in 2000, 2010 and
      2011. The results obtained show the satisfactory predictive capacity of the
      agrometeorological models under irrigated conditions based on univariate
      regression (mean temperature, potential evapotranspiration or degree-days) or
      multivariate regression. The response of irrigation on production was well
      correlated with the climatological water balance variables (ratio between actual
      and potential evapotranspiration or between actual and maximum soil water
      storage). The models that performed best for estimating Guineagrass yield without
      irrigation were based on degree-days corrected by the water deficit factor. 

PMID- 24221393
TI  - Optimization of maize microspore isolation and culture conditions for reliable
      plant regeneration.
AB  - The effects of different factors were investigated in the process of isolated
      microspore culture of Zea mays L., Using donor plants grown in standard
      conditions and an efficient isolation technology, homogeneous populations of
      viable microspores at specific developmental stages were obtained and tested in
      culture. The cytological evolution of the microspores during the first week of
      culture was monitored using a DNA-specific fluorochrome. It was found that
      developmental stages of microspores, number of days of pretreatment at 7 degrees
      C of the tassel, and culture density greatly influenced the number of microspore
      derived embryos. Optimal conditions required for embryo and plant production are
      described. 

PMID- 24221394
TI  - Phenylpropanoid defence responses in transgenic Lotus corniculatus 1. Glutathione
      elicitation of isoflavan phytoalexins in transformed root cultures.
AB  - When Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformed root cultures of Lotus corniculatus
      were treated with glutathione, isoflavan phytoalexins accumulated in both tissue
      and culture medium. This accumulation of phytoalexins was preceded by a transient
      increase in the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL). Elicitation of PAL
      occurred throughout the growth curve of Lotus 'hairy roots' and in different
      sectors of transformed root material. 

PMID- 24221395
TI  - Osmotic potential of media affecting green plant percentage in wheat anther
      culture.
AB  - The percentage of green plants in anther culture is known to be controlled by the
      genetics of anther donor materials. The objective of this study was to determine
      whether components in the culture media also would have a significant influence
      on the percentage of green plants from wheat anther culture. Anthers of a spring
      wheat cultivar, "Pavon 76", were cultured on potato 4 (P4) induction media with
      various modifications. Addition of 200 g/l ficoll to the liquid P4 medium
      significantly increased the percentage of green plants even though the final
      yield of green plants per 100 anthers was lower than the liquid medium. A higher
      concentration of maltose (135 g/l) produced significantly higher percentage of
      green plants than the medium containing 90 g/l maltose or sucrose. These results
      demonstrate culture medium effects on albinism, indicating that the percentage of
      green plants in wheat anther culture can be increased by optimizing medium
      osmotic potential. 

PMID- 24221396
TI  - In vitro propagation of Coleus forskohlii Briq., a threatened medicinal plant.
AB  - In vitro clonai multip1ication of Coleus forskahlii Briq a threatened plant, has
      been achieved on MS medium supplemented with Kn (2.0 mg/l) and IAA (1.0 mg/l)
      using nodal segments as explants, Shoots multiplied at a rate of 12 - fold every
      six weeks. Rooting was achieved upon transfer of shoots onto MS medium containing
      IAA (1.0 mg/l). The micropropagated plants were successfully established under
      field conditions. Forskolin content in tubers of plants obtained by
      micropropagation was found to be 0.1%, the same as that found in wild plants.
      This micropropagation procedure should be useful for conservation as well as
      production of this important plant. 

PMID- 24221397
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis in asparagus: the role of explants and growth regulators.
AB  - The explant used to initiate embryogenic callus and the growth regulators used in
      subsequent induction (IM) and embryo development media (EDM) both influenced rate
      of somatic embryo development and conversion to plantlets in asparagus.
      Embryogenic callus derived from spear-cross sections (SS), in vitro crowns (IVC)
      and lateral buds (LB) was cultured on IM of MS salts and vitamins with 2, 4-D or
      NAA at 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 or 10 mg/l and kinetin at 0, 0.1, 1.0 or 10 mg/l. The
      auxin 2,4-D at 1-10 mg/l, in combination with kinetin at 0-1 mg/l, in IM induced
      the highest frequency of embryos after four weeks; callus derived from SS, IVC
      and LB had means of 394, 382, and 344 small globular embryos, and 4, 11 and 9
      bipolar embryos per gram of callus, respectively. After 6 weeks on EDM, 128, 116
      and 51 bipolar embryos (4-7 mm in length) occurred per gram callus and 4.5, 1.4
      and 2.1 embryos converted for IVC, SS and LB, respectively. NAA at 1-10 mg/l, in
      combinations with kinetin 0-1 mg/l, yielded means of 64, 175 and 225 small
      globular embryos per gram callus on IM for SS, IVC and LB, respectively. NAA
      promoted a higher rate of embryo development: means of 27, 54 and 91 bipolar
      embryos per gram callus for SS, LB and IVC, respectively, on EDM. There were 0.5,
      9.4 and 11.9 plantlets from these respective callus sources. There was no
      difference between kinetin levels of 0-1 mg/l on callus growth and embryogenesis,
      whereas, 10 mg/l in IM was inhibitory. 

PMID- 24221398
TI  - Somatic hybridization between selected Lycopersicon and Solanum species.
AB  - Mesophyll protoplasts of an interspecific Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, (tomato)
      x Lycopersicon pennellii hybrid plant (EP) were fused with callus-derived
      protoplasts of Solanum lycopersicoides Dun. using a modified PEG/DMSO procedure.
      The EP plant was previously transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens which
      carried the NPTII and nopaline synthase genes. Protoplasts were plated at
      10(5)/ml in modified KM medium and 16 days post-fusion 25 ug/ml kanamycin was
      added to the culture medium. During shoot regeneration, 212 morphologically
      similar putative somatic hybrids were delineated visually from kanamycin
      resistant EP's. Forty-eight shoots, randomly selected among the 212, were further
      verified as somatic hybrids by their leaf phosphoglucoisomerase heterodimer
      isozyme pattern. However, the resulting plants were virtually pollen sterile. In
      a second fusion, mesophyll protoplasts of Solanum melongena (eggplant) were fused
      with EP callus-derived protoplasts. Using the same fusion and culture procedure,
      only two dark green calli were visually selected among the pale green parental EP
      and verified as somatic cell hybrids by several isozyme patterns. These two calli
      have produced only leaf primordia in one and half years on regeneration medium. 

PMID- 24221399
TI  - Cell growth and water relations of the halophyte, Atriplex nummularia L., in
      response to NaCl.
AB  - Growth reduction or cessation is an initial response of Atriplex nummularia L.
      cells to NaCl. However, A. nummularia L. cells that are adapted to 342 and 428 mM
      NaCl are capable of sustained growth in the presence of salt. Cells that are
      adapted to NaCl exhibit a reduced rate of division compared to unadapted cells.
      Unlike salt adapted cells of the glycophyte Nicotiana tabacum L., A. nummularia
      L. cells do not exhibit reduced rate of cell expansion after adaptation. However,
      the cell expansion rate of unadapted A. nummularia L. cells is considerably
      slower than that of unadapted glycophyte cells and this normally low rate of cell
      expansion may contribute to the enhanced capacity of the halophyte to tolerate
      salt. Turgor of NaCl adapted cells was equivalent to unadapted cells indicating
      that the cells of the halophyte do not respond to salt by osmotic "over
      adjustment" as reported for the glycophyte tobacco (Binzel et al. 1985, Plant
      Physiol. 79:118-125). 

PMID- 24221401
TI  - Effect of culture conditions on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in datura.
AB  - A two step selection procedure is described for high frequency transformation and
      regeneration of transgenic plants by coculture of leaf discs of Datura innoxia
      with Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying binary vectors. Leaf discs were
      cocultured with disarmed A. tumefaciens vectors pGS Glucl, pGSTRN943, pGV2260 and
      pBI121, and subcultured on regeneration media containing kanamycin.
      Kanamycinresistant, putatively "transformed" callus and vegetative buds were
      isolated, and subcultured on media containing reduced amounts of growth
      regulators and kanamycin to induce shooting. Rooted shoots produced normal
      fertile plants. Transformation frequency was related to duration of preculture,
      co-culture, and the bacterial strain used. With pGS Glue 1, a 3 day co-culture
      resulted in 70% of leaf discs being transformed. Transformation was confirmed by
      histochemical test for GUS activity, by the ability of leaf discs to initiate
      callus and from NPTII test, and Southern blot analysis. Progeny of the transgenic
      plants showed Mendelian segregation for kanamycin resistance. 

PMID- 24221400
TI  - Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of Echinacea purpurea.
AB  - Echinacea purpurea seedlings were inoculated with several Agrobacterium
      rhizogenes strains in order to obtain hairy roots. Infection with A. rhizogenes
      strains LMG63 and LMG150 resulted in callus formation. Upon infection with
      strains ATCC 15834 and R1601 hairy roots were obtained. Opine detection confirmed
      transformation of E. purpurea. Comparative HPLC fingerprint analysis of the
      alkamides from natural plant source, control tissues, and transformed callus and
      roots indicated that transformed callus and hairy roots might be a promising
      source for continuous and standardized production of the dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10E/Z
      tetraenoic acid isobutylamide and related amides. 

PMID- 24221402
TI  - Micropropagation of meadowfoam (Limnanthes spp.).
AB  - A rapid micropropagation system was developed for meadowfoam (Limnanthes spp.
      Brown) using four genotypes of three species. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium
      supplemented with N(6) benzyladenine (BA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at 0,
      0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/l was tested for multiplication, shoot elongation and
      rooting. Expiants were taken from pot-grown plants. The most useful level for
      shoot growth and multiplication of both floral induced and non-induced plants was
      0.5 mg/l BA. IAA failed to affect shoot growth or multiplication. Expiants from
      non-induced plants multiplied at moderate to high rates on 0.5 mg/l BA, while
      those from induced plants multiplied slowly and tended to elongate and flower.
      Non-induced plants on 2 mg/l BA produced large numbers of tiny shoots; induced
      plants did not respond. Shoots of all genotypes rooted on MS medium without
      hormones and all plants grew normally after transplanting to soil. This system
      provides a new tool for the development of meadowfoam as a crop plant. 

PMID- 24221403
TI  - Regeneration of transformed shoots from electroporated soybean (Glycine max (L.)
      Merr.) protoplasts.
AB  - Stable transformation of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) protoplasts isolated
      from immature cotyledons was achieved following electroporation with plasmid DNA
      carrying chimeric genes encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and hygromycin
      phosphotransferase (HPT) under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)
      35S promoter. Transformed colonies were stringently selected by growing 15-day
      old protoplast-derived cells in the presence of 40 MUg/ml of hygromycin-B for 6
      weeks. Over 93% of the resistant cells and colonies exhibited GUS activity,
      indicating that the two marker genes borne on a single plasmid were co-introduced
      and co-expressed at a very high freguency. This transformation procedure
      reproducibly yields transformants at frequencies of 2.9-6.8 * 10(-4) (based on
      the number of protoplasts electroporated) or 23.0% (based on the number of
      control microcalli formed) counted after 6 weeks of selection. After repeated
      subculturing on regeneration medium, shoots were induced from 8.0% of the
      transformed calli. Southern hybridization confirmed the presence of both the GUS
      and hygromycin genes in the transformed calli and shoots. 

PMID- 24221404
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis from leaf protoplasts of Rauvolfia vomitoria shoot
      cultures.
AB  - Rauvolfia vomitoria mesophyll protoplasts have been isolated from axenic shoot
      cultures and cultured (10(5)-10(6) protoplasts per ml) in Murashige and Tucker
      liquid medium containing growth regulators. Within 6-8 weeks, a mixed population
      of calli and proembryos were obtained and transferred on solid media. Calli
      produced shoots; however, rooting did not occur. Somatic embryos achieved
      different patterns of development. In particular, whole plantlets have been
      obtained either directly through germination of primary embryos or via
      embryogenic calli. 

PMID- 24221405
TI  - Factors affecting transient gene expression in electroporated Glycine max
      protoplasts.
AB  - Electroporation was used to evaluate parameters affecting transient gene
      expression in Glycine max protoplasts. Protoplast viability and reporter enzyme
      activity for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) and beta-glucuronidase
      (GUS) depended on the field strength employed. Maximum CAT and GUS activity was
      obtained when a field strength of 500 V/cm at 1000 MUF and a protoplast
      concentration of 1-3 * 10(6)/ml was used. Transformation efficiencies up to
      approximately 1.6% GUS positive protoplasts were obtained. Transient gene
      expression increased with increasing plasmid DNA concentration and with the time
      after electroporation, reaching a maximum after 48 hr. Addition of polyethylene
      glycol at 5.6% and heat shock (5 rain at 45  degrees C) given to the protoplasts
      before adding DNA further enhanced the transformation efficiency. Under the
      optimized experimental conditions, CAT and GUS activity increased simultaneously,
      thereby indicating that the increased expression is caused by DNA uptake by more
      cells rather than greater DNA uptake by the same cells. Our results demonstrate
      that both GUS and CAT can be used as efficient screenable markers for
      transformation studies in soybean. 

PMID- 24221406
TI  - Resilience in international migrant women following violence associated with
      pregnancy.
AB  - Exposure to violence associated with pregnancy (VAP) is an underrecognized public
      health and social problem that has an enormous impact on the physical and mental
      health of women and their children. Our recent study of 1,127 new mothers living
      in two urban areas of Canada found refugees and asylum-seekers to be more likely
      to have experienced VAP than immigrant or Canadian-born women. Interestingly,
      some migrants who had experienced VAP had low rates of postpartum depression risk
      on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, suggesting that resilience may play
      an important role in maintaining their mental health. Hence, we sought to explore
      processes which enhance migrants' resilience to VAP. We conducted in-depth
      interviews with ten women who had been identified as experiencing VAP and having
      low risk of postpartum depression and performed thematic analyses. International
      migrant women found internal psychological and coping resources, external social
      supports, and systemic factors including government policies to be vital to their
      resilience. Participants perceived differences in resilience by gender and
      immigration status. International migrant women used a range of processes to
      maintain and enhance their resilience after VAP, and these may be helpful to less
      resilient women who are vulnerable to postpartum depression. 

PMID- 24221407
TI  - Risk factors for depressive symptoms in adolescent pregnancy in a late-teen
      subsample.
AB  - Depression in adolescent pregnancy is common but underrecognized and can be
      associated with negative medical outcomes. This brief report examines the
      relationship between depressive symptoms and various demographic and obstetrical
      risk factors, as well as the use of antidepressants in pregnant adolescents of
      late teenage years. Data were derived from a relatively large sample (506 women)
      recruited from university-based and community mental health centers in Iowa. A
      cross-sectional analysis did not reveal significant statistical associations
      between the risk factors and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory).
      Antidepressant use was very low (3.7 %), and adolescents with higher depression
      scores were more likely to take medications. In conclusion, screening for
      depression in pregnant adolescents should be universal, regardless of demographic
      and obstetrical risk factors, and promptly addressed. 

PMID- 24221409
TI  - Differential TIMP3 expression affects tumor progression and angiogenesis in
      melanomas through regulation of directionally persistent endothelial cell
      migration.
AB  - The angiogenic potential of solid tumors, or the ability to initiate
      neovasculature development from pre-existing host vessels, is facilitated by
      soluble factors secreted by tumor cells and involves breaching of extracellular
      matrix barriers, endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, migration and reassembly.
      We evaluated the angiogenic potential of human melanoma cell lines differing in
      their degree of aggressiveness, based on their ability to regulate directionally
      persistent EC migration. We observed that conditioned-medium (CM) of the
      aggressive melanoma cell line BLM induced a high effective migratory response in
      ECs, while CMs of Mel57 and 1F6 had an inhibitory effect. Further, the melanoma
      cell lines exhibited a varied expression profile of tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3), detectable in the CM. TIMP3 expression inversely
      correlated with aggressiveness of the melanoma cell line, and ability of the
      respective CMs to induce directed EC migration. Interestingly, TIMP3 expression
      was found to be silenced in the BLM cell line, concurrent with its role as a
      tumor suppressor. Treatment with recombinant human TIMP3 and CM of modified,
      TIMP3 expressing, BLM cells mitigated directional EC migration, while CM of TIMP3
      silenced 1F6 cells induced directed EC migration. The functional implication of
      TIMP3 expression on tumor growth and angiogenic potential in melanoma was
      evaluated in vivo. We observed that TIMP3 expression reduced tumor growth,
      angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration of BLM tumors while silencing TIMP3
      increased tumor growth and angiogenesis of 1F6 tumors. Taken together, our
      results demonstrate that TIMP3 expression correlates with inhibition of
      directionally persistent EC migration and adversely affects the angiogenic
      potential and growth of melanomas. 

PMID- 24221408
TI  - Exposure to childhood traumas ups the odds of giving birth to daughters.
AB  - This study examined the likelihood of giving birth to a daughter as a function of
      women's exposure to four categories of stressors: childhood trauma, adult trauma,
      chronic stressors, and recent (adverse) life events. Hypothesis 1 stated that
      exposure to recent life events (near conception) and to childhood traumas would
      increase women's chances of having a girl baby. Hypothesis 2 stated that the
      relationship between stress and gender outcome is mediated by persistent
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The final sample was comprised of
      225 women. The design was prospective observational. At first contact, women were
      retained if they were <27 weeks pregnant and met initial inclusion criteria. In
      interview 2, at 27-30 weeks, women were excluded for positive diagnoses of
      anxiety disorders besides PTSD with or without depression (Structured Clinical
      Interview for DSM-IV Disorders). In interview 3 (30-34 weeks), reports on stress
      categories (Social Stress Indicator Questionnaire) and PTSD symptoms (Post
      Traumatic Checklist) were obtained. Infant gender was obtained from medical
      records. The relationship between stress categories and the distribution of
      girl/boy infants was examined with Chi Squares and logistic regression analyses.
      Mediation was tested with the macro PROCESS (Hayes 2012). Childhood trauma was
      the only stress category that increased the odds of having a girl, with an odds
      ratio of >3.0 for women who had been exposed to more than two such events. PTSD
      symptoms (partially) mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and
      infant gender. Findings suggest that women's exposure to childhood trauma
      contributes to the determination of the sex ratio at birth and that PTSD symptoms
      are part of the cause. 

PMID- 24221410
TI  - The integration of whole-root and cellular hydraulic conductivities in cereal
      roots.
AB  - The hydraulic conductivities of excised whole root systems of wheat (Triticum
      aestivum L. cv. Atou) and of single excised roots of wheat and maize (Zea mays L.
      cv. Passat) were measured using an osmotically induced back-flow technique.
      Ninety minutes after excision the values for single excised roots ranged from
      1.6.10(-8) to 5.5.10(-8) m.s(-1).MPa(-1) in wheat and from 0.9.10(-8) to 4.8.10(
      8) m.s(-1).MPa(-1) in maize. The main source of variation was a decrease in the
      value as root length increased. The hydraulic conductivities of whole root
      systems, but not of single excised roots, were smaller 15 h after excision. This
      was not caused by occlusion of the xylem at the cut end of the coleoptile. The
      hydraulic conductivities of epidermal, cortical and endodermal cells were
      measured using a pressure probe. Epidermal and cortical cells of both wheat and
      maize roots gave mean values of 1.2.10(-7) m.s(-1).MPa(-1) but in endodermal
      cells (measured only in wheat) the mean value was 0.5.10(-7) m.s(-1).MPa(-1). The
      cellular hydraulic conductivities were used to calculate the root hydraulic
      conductivities expected if water flow across the root was via transcellular
      (vacuole-to-vacuole), apoplasmic or symplasmic pathways. The results indicate
      that, in freshly excised roots, the bulk of water flow is unlikely to be via the
      transcellular pathway. This is in contrast to our previous conclusion (H. Jones,
      A.D. Tomos, R.A. Leigh and R.G. Wyn Jones 1983, Planta 158, 230-236) which was
      based on results obtained with whole root systems of wheat measured 14-15 h after
      excision and which probably gave artefactually low values for root hydraulic
      conductivity. It is now concluded that, near the root tip, water flow could be
      through a symplasmic pathway in which the only substantial resistances to water
      flow are provided by the outer epidermal and the inner endodermal plasma
      membranes. Further from the tip, the measured hydraulic conductivities of the
      roots are consistent with flow either through the symplasmic or apoplasmic
      pathways. 

PMID- 24221411
TI  - The action potential of Dionaea muscipula Ellis.
AB  - The intention of this investigation was to acquire more concise information about
      the nature of the action potential of Dionaea muscipula Ellis and the different
      types of cells generating and conducting it. It is shown by microelectrode
      measurements that, besides the sensory cells, all the major tissues of the trap
      lobes are excitable, firing action potentials with pronounced after
      hyperpolarizations. The action potentials are strictly dependent on Ca(2+). Their
      peak depolarizations are shifted 25-27 mV in a positive direction after a tenfold
      increase in external Ca(2+) concentration. Perfusions with 1 mM ethylene glycol
      bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or 1 mM LaCl3
      completely inhibit excitability. Magnesium ions only slightly affect the peak
      depolarizations but considerably prolong action potentials. Sodium azide and 2,4
      dinitrophenol also abolish excitation, probably by reducing the intracellular ATP
      concentration. Furthermore, it is tested whether the sensory cells can be
      distinguished from the other cells of the trap by their electrical behaviour. The
      resting potentials of sensory cells (-161+/-7 mV) and mesophyll cells (-155+/-8
      mV) are of the same magnitude. Changes in external ion concentrations affect
      resting and action potentials in both cell types in a similar way. Additional
      freeze-fracture studies of both cell types reveal similar numbers and
      distributions of intramembrane particles on the fracture faces of the plasma
      membrane, which is most likely the mechanosensor. These findings stress the view
      that the high mechanosensitivity of the sensory hair results from its anatomy and
      not from a specialized perception mechanism. It is proposed that trap closure is
      triggered by a rise in the cytoplasmic concentration of Ca(2+) or a Ca(2+)
      activated regulatory complex, which must exceed a threshold concentration. Since
      the Ca(2+) influx during a single action potential does not suffice to reach this
      threshold, at least two stimulations of the trap are necessary to elicit
      movement. 

PMID- 24221412
TI  - Phytochrome-controlled ethylene biosynthesis of intact etiolated bean seedlings.
AB  - Intact etiolated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Limburgse vroege) seedlings were
      illuminated with red light (10.5 W.m(-2)) for 10 min. After different time
      intervals ethylene production, and contents of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic
      acid (ACC) and 1-(malonylamino)cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid were measured. The
      red-light-induced decrease of ethylene production in 8-d-old intact etiolated
      bean seedlings was fast, strong and long-lasting ad was mediated through the
      phytochrome system. This effect appeared to be strictly age-dependent, as it
      could not be detected in plants younger than 6 d or older than 11 d.The capacity
      for the conversion of ACC to ethylene was not affected by red light. The
      inhibitory effect of the light treatment on ethylene production could be related
      to a reduced free-ACC content. This reduction was a consequence of a temporary
      non-reversible increase of ACC malonylation and a long-lasting, for a certain
      time reversible, inhibition of ACC synthesis. The effect of a brief irradiation
      with red light on the decrease of ethylene production and free-ACC content was
      completed after about 2 h. Reversibility by far-red, however, persisted for at
      least 3 h, and was lost between 3 and 6 h. 

PMID- 24221413
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of Sphacelaria (Phaeophyceae).
AB  - Protoplast were isolated from a filamentous brown alga, Sphacelaria sp.
      (Sphacelariales, Phaeophyta), using alginate-lyases extracted from marine
      molluscs, and commercial pectinase and cellulase. Yields were about 4000
      protoplasts per gram of fresh tissue. Different types of protoplasts, originating
      from apical, subapical, nodal and internodal cells, could be readily identified
      based on their size and pigmentation. Apical cells produced a higher percentage
      of protoplasts (approx. 2%), compared with other cell types. All apical-cell
      protoplasts regenerated into new thalli and most other types of protoplasts
      divided at least once in culture, but did not develop further. 

PMID- 24221414
TI  - Differences between wheat and rice in the enzymic properties of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and the relationship to photosynthetic gas
      exchange.
AB  - The kinetic parameters of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase
      (EC 4.1.1.39) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) were
      determined by rapidly assaying the leaf extracts. The respective K m and V max
      values for carboxylase and oxygenase activities were significantly higher for
      wheat than for rice. In particular, the differences in the V max values between
      the two species were greater. When the net activity of CO2 exchange was
      calculated at the physiological CO2-O2 concentration from these kinetic
      parameters, it was 22% greater in wheat than in rice. This difference in the in
      vitro RuBP-carboxylase/oxygenase activity between the two species reflected a
      difference in the CO2-assimilation rate per unit of RuBP-carboxylase protein.
      However, there was no apparent difference in the CO2-assimilation rate for a
      given leaf-nitrogen content between the two species. When the RuBP
      carboxylase/oxygenase activity was estimated at the intercellular CO2 pressure
      from the enzyme content and kinetic parameters, these estimated enzyme activities
      in wheat and rice were similar to each other for the same rate of CO2
      assimilation. These results indicate that the difference in the kinetic
      parameters of RuBP carboxylase between the two species was offset by the
      differences in RuBP-carboxylase content and conductance for a given leaf-nitrogen
      content. 

PMID- 24221415
TI  - Reevaluation of the changes in polygalacturonases in tomatoes during ripening.
AB  - A procedure was developed for the differential extraction of polygalacturonases
      (PG) I and II from tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Extraction of
      pericarp tissue from ripe fruit at conventional conditions of 1.0 M NaCl and pH
      6.0 yielded nearly equal amounts of the two enzymes. However, most of the PG
      activity could be extracted also with water at pH 1.6, and the water extract
      contained only PG II. Subsequent extraction of the pellet with 1.0 M NaCl at pH
      6.0 and 10.0 yielded some PG I and high levels of PG converter, the protein in
      tomatoes that reacts with PG II to form PG I. Application of this procedure to
      tomatoes at different stages of ripening showed that PG II appeared as ripening
      began and then increased during ripening. Much lower levels of PG I than of PG II
      were extracted at all stages of ripeness. The PG converter was present in unripe
      fruit and increased during ripening. The results demonstrate that PG I is formed
      when PG II and PG converter are solubilized simultaneously and that PG II is the
      only endogenous PG in tomatoes. 

PMID- 24221416
TI  - Redox activity and peroxidase activity associated with the plasma membrane of
      guard-cell protoplasts.
AB  - Redox systems have been reported in the plasma membrane of numerous cell types
      and in cells from various species of higher plant. A search for a redox system in
      the plasma membrane of guard cells was therefore made in efforts to explain how
      blue light stimulates stomatal opening, a process which is coupled to guard cell
      H(+) efflux and K(+) uptake. The rates of O2 uptake by intact guard-cell
      protoplasts (GCP) of Commelina communis L., in the dark, were monitored in the
      presence of NAD(P)H since the stimulation of O2 consumption by reduced pyridine
      nucleotides is used as an indicator of the presence of a redox system in the
      plasma membrane. Oxygen consumption by intact GCP increased two- to threefold in
      the presence of NAD(P)H. The NAD(P)H-stimulation of O2 uptake was dependent on
      Mn(2+) and was stimulated 10- to 15-fold by salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM).
      Catalase, cyanide and ascorbate, a superoxide scavenger, all individually
      inhibited the SHAM-stimulated O2 uptake. These are all characteristics of
      peroxidase activity although some of these features have been used to imply the
      presence of a redox system located in the plasma membrane. High levels of
      peroxidase activity (using guaiacol as a substrate) were also detected in the GCP
      and in the supernatant. The activity in the supernatant increased with time
      indicating that peroxidase was being excreted by the protoplasts. The properties
      of O2 uptake by the incubation medium after separation from the protoplasts were
      similar to those of the protoplast suspension. It is concluded that our
      observations can be more readily explained by peroxidase activity associated with
      the plasma membrane and secreted by the GCP than by the presence of a redox
      system in the plasma membrane of the protoplasts. 

PMID- 24221417
TI  - Utilization of nitrate by bacteroids of Bradyrhizobium japonicum in the soybean
      root nodule.
AB  - Bacteroids of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain CB1809, unlike CC705, do not have a
      high level of constitutive nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.7.99.4) in the soybean
      (Glycine max. Merr.) nodule. Ex planta both strains have a high activity of NR
      when cultured on 5 mM nitrate at 2% O2 (v/v). Nitrite reductase (NiR) was active
      in cultured cells of bradyrhizobia, but activity with succinate as electron donor
      was not detected in freshly-isolated bacteroids. A low activity was measured with
      reduced methyl viologen. When bacteroids of CC705 were incubated with nitrate
      there was a rapid production of nitrite which resulted in repression of NR.
      Subsequently when NiR was induced, nitrite was utilized and NR activity
      recovered. Nitrate reductase was induced in bacteroids of strain CB1809 when they
      were incubated in-vitro with nitrate or nitrite. Increase in NR activity was
      prevented by rifampicin (10 MUg. ml(-1)) or chloramphenicol (50 MUg.ml(-1)).
      Nitrite-reductase activity in bacteroids of strain CB1809 was induced in parallel
      with NR. When nitrate was supplied to soybeans nodulated with strain CC705,
      nitrite was detected in nodule extracts prepared in aqueous media and it
      accumulated during storage (1 degrees C) and on further incubation at 25 degrees
      C. Nitrite was not detected in nodule extracts prepared in ethanol. Thus nitrite
      accumulation in nodule tissue appears to occur only after maceration and although
      bacteroids of some strains of B. japonicum have a high level of a constitutive
      NR, they do not appear to reduce nitrate in the nodule because this anion does
      not gain access to the bacteroid zone. Soybeans nodulated with strains CC705 and
      CB1809 were equally sensitive to nitrate inhibition of N2 fixation. 

PMID- 24221418
TI  - The photoregulation of carotenoid biosynthesis in Aspergillus giganteus mut.
      alba.
AB  - Aspergillus giganteus mut. alba grown in darkness produced no carotenoids, but
      illuminated shake cultures accumulated 170 MUg.g(-1) dry weight of beta-carotene.
      Maximum carotenoid production occurred in white light of energy fluence rate of
      50 W.m(-2). Blue light, but not red light, induced beta-carotene formation. A
      light induction period of 10 h was required for maximum beta-carotene synthesis,
      and this was attained 48 h after illumination. 5-Fluorouracil, actinomycin D and
      cycloheximide prevented photoinduction of carotenogenesis, indicating that
      photoregulation is at the transcriptional level. Comparisons of carotenogenic
      enzyme activities of light- and dark-grown cultures showed that phytoene
      synthetase, phytoene dehydrogenase and lycopene cyclase were totally
      photoinduced. Photoinduction of all three carotenogenic enzymes occurred after 12
      h illumination. Squalene formation increased some four-fold upon illumination. 

PMID- 24221419
TI  - Cellulose-microfibril-orienting mechanisms in plant cells walls.
AB  - A brief review is given of the changing views over the years, as knowledge of
      wall structure has developed, concerning the mechanism whereby cellulose chains
      may be oriented. This leads to an examination of current concepts, particularly
      those concerning microtubules. It is shown that none of the mechanisms suggested
      whereby microtubules might cause orientation of cellulose microfibrils is
      consistent with the known range of molecular architectures found in plant cell
      walls. It is further concluded that any mechanism which necessitates an
      indissoluble link between the plasmalemma and the cellulose-synthesising complex
      at the tip of a microfibril is unacceptable. A new proposal is presented in which
      it is speculated that both microtubules and microfibrils are oriented by a
      mechanism separate from both. It is shown that if two vectors are contemplated,
      one parallel to cell length and one at right angles, and a sensor exists on the
      plasmalemma surface which responds to changes in the vectors, then all known wall
      structures may be explained. The possible nature of the vectors and the sensor
      are considered. 

PMID- 24221420
TI  - Physiological characterization of a plastidic signal required for nitrate-induced
      appearance of nitrate and nitrite reductases.
AB  - We compared the response of NO 3 (-) -induced nitrate-reductase (NR) and nitrite
      reductase (NIR) levels in virtually carotenoid-free far-red-light-grown mustard
      (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons following a photooxidative treatment of the
      plastids. The cytosolic localization of NR and the plastidic localization of NIR
      were confirmed with this approach. Emphasis was on a plastidic factor previously
      postulated to be involved obligatorily in the transcriptional control of nuclear
      genes coding for proteins destined for the chloroplast. Photooxidative damage of
      the plastid would be to destroy the ability of the organelle to send off this
      signal. Dependency of NIR and NR induction by NO 3 (-) on the plastidic factor is
      described in detail, and it is concluded that requirement for the plastidic
      factor is relatively high in the case of NR while factor requirement to allow
      induction is low in the case of NIR. The data indicate that in the case of NIR
      the photooxidative damage done to the plastid also affects accumulation of the
      enzyme directly. Since this effect is absent in the case of cytosolic NR,
      induction of NR is a particularly suitable system for further molecular studies
      of the plastidic factor and its mode of action. 

PMID- 24221421
TI  - Systemic induction of proteinase-inhibitor-II gene expression in potato plants by
      wounding.
AB  - The systemic induction of expression of the gene for proteinase inhibitor II
      after wounding different parts of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants was
      analysed at the RNA level. Wounding of either leaves or tubers led to an
      induction of expression of this gene in non-wounded upper and lower leaves as
      well as in the upper stem segment, whereas no expression was observed in
      nonwounded roots or in the lower stem segment. The signal mediating the systemic
      induction in nonwounded tissue must therefore be able to move both acropetally
      and basipetally. The systemic wound response is specific for the expression of
      the proteinase-inhibitor-II gene as no influence was observed for the expression
      of genes encoding the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and
      the tuber storage protein patatin which were examined in parallel with the
      proteinase-inhibitor-II gene. 

PMID- 24221422
TI  - Carnitine-acyltransferase activity of mitochondria from mung-bean hypocotyls.
AB  - Carnitine-acyltransferase activity assayed with acetyl-CoA, octanoyl-CoA, or
      palmitoyl-CoA is associated with the mitochondrial but not with the peroxisomes
      of mung-bean hypocotyls. Using mitochondria as an enzyme source, a half-maximal
      reaction rate is obtained with a palmitoyl-CoA concentration approximately twice
      that required with acetyl-CoA. In the presence of a saturating acetyl-CoA
      concentration the carnitine-acyltransferase activity is not enhanced by palmitoyl
      CoA as additional substrate. However, palmitoylcarnitine is formed in addition to
      acetylcarnitine, and the formation of acetylcarnitine is competitively inhibited
      by palmitoyl-CoA. It is concluded that the mitochondria of mung-bean hypocotyls
      possess a carnitine acyltransferase of broad substrate specificity with respect
      to the chainlength of the acyl-CoA and that the demonstration of a carnitine
      palmitoyltransferase activity in plant mitochondria does not indicate the
      presence of a specific carnitine long-chain acyltransferase. 

PMID- 24221423
TI  - The role of calcium ions in phytochrome-controlled swelling of etiolated wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.) protoplasts.
AB  - Protoplasts from dark-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) maintained at a constant
      osmotic potential at 22 degrees C, were found to swell upon red irradiation (R)
      and the effect was negated by subsequent far-red light (FR), indicating
      phytochrome involvement. Swelling only occurred when Ca(2+) ions were present in
      the surrounding medium, or were added within 10 min after R. Furthermore, Mg(2+),
      Ba(2+) or K(+) could not replace this requirement for Ca(2+). The presence of
      K(+) did not enhance the Ca(2+)-dependent swelling response. When the Ca(2+)
      ionophore A 23187 was added to the medium, protoplasts swelled in the dark to the
      same extent as after R. Both the Ca(2+)-channelblocker Verapamil and La(3+)
      inhibited R-induced swelling. It is proposed that R causes the opening of Ca(2+)
      channels in the plasma membrane. Boyle-van't Hoff analyses of protoplast volume
      after R and FR are consistent with the conclusion that R irradiation causes
      changes in membrane properties. 

PMID- 24221424
TI  - Synthesis of hydroxycinnamic acid esters of betacyanins via 1-O-acylglucosides of
      hydroxycinnamic acids by protein preparations from cell suspension cultures of
      Chenopodium rubrum and petals of Lampranthus sociorum.
AB  - Protein preparations from cell suspension cultures of Chenopodium rubrum L. and
      petals of Lampranthus sociorum (L.Bol.) N.E.Br. (Mes.C.L.Bol.) catalyzed the
      formation of acylated betacyanins, i.e. celosianin I and II (p-coumaroyl-and
      feruloylamaranthins) and lampranthin I and II (p-coumaroyl- and
      feruloylbetanins), from 1-O-(p-coumaroyl)-and 1-O-feruloyl-beta-glucoses as
      acyldonors and the respective acceptor molecules amaranthin (betanidin 5-O
      sophorobiuronic acid = betanidin 5-O-beta-[1"->2']-glucuronosyl-beta-glucoside)
      and betanin (betanidin 5-O-beta-glucoside). The enzymes involved could generally
      be classified as 1-O-hydroxycinnamoyl-beta-glucose:betanidinglycoside O
      hydroxycinnamoyltransferases (EC 2.3.1.-). 

PMID- 24221425
TI  - Cellular basis of the effects of gibberellin and the pro gene on stem growth in
      tomato.
AB  - Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants homozygous for the mutant pro gene,
      exhibiting the distinctive procera phenotype, appeared virtually identical to
      gibberellic acid (GA3)-treated isogenic normal plants. The pro gene and GA3
      caused analogous increases in internode length, and in the length and number of
      cells in the outer cell layers of each internode. Internode number was also
      increased by pro and GA3 over the period of the experiment. Despite their greater
      length, the internodes of GA3-treated and pro plants reached their final size
      within a time period similar to that of internodes of untreated normal plants.
      The pro mutant itself was responsive to GA3, especially in the seedling stage,
      but the proportional increase in height seen in the later stages of growth was
      less than that of normal plants. 

PMID- 24221426
TI  - Apical localization of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and its conversion
      to ethylene in etiolated pea seedlings.
AB  - The biosynthetic basis for the high rates of ethylene production by the apical
      region of etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings was investigated. The
      ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) was quantified in
      extracts of various regions of seedlings by measuring isotopic dilution of a (2)H
      labelled internal standard using selected-ion-monitoring gas chromatography/mass
      spectrometry. The ACC levels in the apical hook and leaves were much higher than
      in the expanded internodes of the epicotyl. The capacity of excised tissue
      sections to convert exogenous ACC to ethylene was also much greater in the apical
      region, reflecting the distribution of soluble protein in the epicotyl. 

PMID- 24221427
TI  - Characterization and localization of fusicoccin-binding sites in leaf tissues of
      Vicia faba L. probed with a novel radioligand.
AB  - Tritiated 9'-nor-fusicoccin-8'-alcohol provides a highly bioactive radioligand of
      high specific activity which is easily prepared by oxidation of fusicoccin and
      subsequent reduction with tritiated sodium borohydride. Using this radioligand,
      we have identified and characterized a selective binding site for fusicoccin (Ka
      for [(3)H]-9'-nor-fusicoccin-8'-alcohol=0.20.10(9) M(-1); Ka, apparent for
      fusicoccin=0.21.10(9) M(-1)) located at the plasmalemma of Vicia faba leaf
      tissue. The site is thermolabile, readily degraded by trypsin and located at the
      apoplastic face of the plasmalemma based on results obtained using right-side-out
      plasmalemma vesicles prepared by aqueous two-phase partitioning and
      macromolecular fusicoccin-derivatives. The binding-protein is present in guard
      cells of Vicia faba, as shown by the use of purified guard-cell protoplasts. 

PMID- 24221428
TI  - Osmotic regulation of starch synthesis in potato tubers?
AB  - Using potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber discs incubated in a range of mannitol
      concentrations it has been demonstrated that both sucrose uptake and the
      conversion of sucrose to starch are sensitive to the osmotic environment of the
      storage cells. Starch synthesis was optimised at 300 mM but declined sharply at
      both lower and higher osmotic concentrations. The decline in starch synthesis on
      either side of optimum was not proportional to the change in mannitol
      concentration, indicating different inhibitory mechanisms under low and high
      osmotica. The fraction of the total sucrose converted to starch i.e. the
      partitioning between sucrose and starch, was also influenced by osmotic
      environment. The amount of soluble material taken up by the storage cells, but
      not converted to starch, was maintained under mannitol concentrations (300-400
      mM) which inhibited starch synthesis, indicating that sucrose uptake continued
      during declining starch synthesis. At mannitol concentrations above 400 mM,
      sucrose uptake was greatly enhanced but no significant change in starch synthesis
      occurred. 

PMID- 24221429
TI  - Development of plant cuticles: fine structure and cutin composition of Clivia
      miniata Reg. leaves.
AB  - The fine structure and monomeric composition of the ester-cutin fraction
      (susceptible to BF3/CH3OH transesterification) of the adaxial leaf cuticle of
      Clivia miniata Reg. were studied in relation to leaf and cuticle development.
      Clivia leaves grow at their base such that cuticle and tissues increase in age
      from the base to the tip. The zone of maximum growth (cell expansion) was located
      between 1 and 4 cm from the base. During cell expansion, the projected surface
      area of the upper epidermal cells increased by a factor of nine. In the growth
      region the cuticle consists mainly of a polylamellate cuticle proper of 100-250
      nm thickness. After cell expansion has ceased both the outer epidermal wall and
      the cuticle increase in thickness. Thickening of the cuticle is accomplished by
      interposition of a cuticular layer between the cuticle proper and the cell wall.
      The cuticular layer exhibits a reticulate fine structure and contributes most of
      the total mass of the cuticle at positions above 6 cm from the leaf base. The
      composition of ester cutin changed with the age of cuticles. In depolymerisates
      from young cuticles, 26 different monomers could be detected whereas in older
      ones their number decreased to 13. At all developmental stages, 9,16-/10,16
      dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (positional isomers not separated), 18-hydroxy-9
      octadecenoic acid, 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid and 9,10-epoxy-18
      hydroxyoctadecanoic acid were most frequent with the epoxy alkanoic acid clearly
      predominating (47% at 16 cm). The results are discussed as to (i) the age
      dependence of cutin composition, (ii) the relationship between fine structure and
      composition, (iii) the composition of the cuticle proper, the cuticular layer and
      the non-depolymerizable cutin fraction, and (iv) the polymeric structure of
      cutin. 

PMID- 24221430
TI  - Molecular markers (RFLPs and HSPs) for the genetic dissection of thermotolerance
      in maize.
AB  - Cellular membrane stability (CMS) is a physiological index widely used to
      evaluate thermostability in plants. The genetic basis of the character has been
      studied following two different approaches: restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and the effects of segregating heat shock protein
      (HSP) loci. RFLP analysis was based on a set of recombinant inbreds derived from
      the T32 * CM37 F1 hybrid and characterized for about 200 RFLP loci. Heritability
      of CMS estimated by standard quantitative analysis was 0.73. Regression analysis
      of CMS on RFLPs detected a minimum number of six quantitative trait loci (QTL)
      accounting for 53% of the genetic variability. The analysis of the matrices of
      correlation between RFLP loci, either within or between chromosomes, indicates
      that no false assignment was produced by this analysis. The effect of HSPs on the
      variability of the CMS was tested for a low-molecular-weight peptide (HSP-17)
      showing presence-absence of segregation in the B73 * Pa33 F2 population. Although
      the genetic variability of the character was very high (h (2)=0.58) the effect of
      HSP-17 was not significant, indicating either that the polypeptide is not
      involved in the determination of the character or that its effect is not
      statistically detectable. 

PMID- 24221431
TI  - Crossbreeding effects after long-term selection for purebred performance: a model
      experiment with mice : 1. Performance of F1 crosses.
AB  - The influence of purebred selection on the combining abilities of five lines of
      mice was examined. Two replicated testcross diallels were made after 10 and 20
      generations of purebred selection for litter size, weaning weight, weight gain,
      and feed efficiency. Average direct genetic effects were of major importance,
      followed by average maternal genetic effects. In all of the replications, between
      two and four out of ten crosses showed significant heterosis. Heterosis ranged
      from 0 to 38% in litter size, from 0 to 20% in weaning weight, from -11 to 11% in
      weight gain, and from -8 to 17% in feed efficiency. For litter size and weaning
      weight, heterosis estimates increased between 80 and 100% from generation 10 to
      20. Weight gain and feed efficiency showed decreasing heterosis with partly
      negative estimates in the second diallel. Combinations exhibiting significant
      heterosis varied between replicates and between the two diallels. 

PMID- 24221432
TI  - Associations of genes encoding allozymes peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in
      poplar and spruce species.
AB  - Isozymes of peroxidase (PER) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analyzed in
      vegetative buds or very young leaves of seven species and two interspecific
      hybrids of Populus, in progenies of seven controlled crosses of three Populus
      species, and in needles of five Picea species and one putative hybrid. One to
      three PER, and one or two SOD zones of activity were observed. Electrophoretic
      mobility (EM) and banding phenotypes of isozymes of one PER locus were identical
      to those of one SOD locus in vegetative buds of five Populus species and hybrid.
      In leaves of the four Populus species and hybrid and progenies of controlled
      crosses, EM and phenotypes of isozymes of two PER loci were identical to those of
      two SOD loci. In Picea species, EM of isozymes of the only SOD locus was somewhat
      similar but not identical to that of one PER locus, and isozyme phenotypes of all
      individuals at the SOD locus were not identical to those at a PER locus. Chi
      square tests verified the single-gene Mendelian control of the segregating
      allozyme variants at each of Per-L1 and Sod-1 in the three Populus species. The
      results of joint two-locus segregation tests indicated a very tight linkage and
      no recombination between Per-L1 and Sod-1 in three Populus species. Genes coding
      for isozymes of one or two PER loci are either presumably the same as, or very
      tightly linked to, the genes coding for isozymes of one or two SOD loci in the
      Populus species. 

PMID- 24221433
TI  - Analysis of the resistance of Aegilops squarrosa to the wheatgrass mildew fungus
      by using the gene-for-gene reationship.
AB  - Pm10 and Pm15, resistance genes to Erysiphe graminis f. sp. agropyri, are located
      on the D genome of common wheat. It was determined whether or not they were
      carried by existing lines of the D genome donor, Aegilops squarrosa, using the
      gene-for-gene relationship. Two lines of Ae. squarrosa tested (one was var.
      meyeri and the other was var. anathera) were susceptible to culture Tk-1 of E.
      graminis f. sp. tritici and were highly resistant to culture Ak-1 of E. graminis
      f. sp. agropyri. The two lines were inoculated with an F1 population derived from
      the cross Ak-1 * Tk-1. Comparative analyses of the segregation patterns revealed
      that Ppm10 and Ppm15, avirulence genes corresponding to Pm10 and Pm15,
      respectively, are involved in the avirulence of Ak-1 on var. meyeri and var.
      anathera, respectively. According to the gene-for-gene relationship, var. meyeri
      and var. anathera were inferred to carry Pm10 and Pm15, respectively. Analysis
      with a synthetic hexaploid confirmed the inference. 

PMID- 24221434
TI  - Isolation and characterization of two middle repetitive DNA sequences of nuclear
      tobacco genome.
AB  - Two DNA sequences, R8.1 and R8.3, representing two distinct classes of tobacco
      genomic repeated DNA, were cloned and characterized by Southern blot analysis.
      Both R8.1 and R8.3 were found to be homologous to the Nicotiana tomentosiformis
      component of the allotetraploid Nicotiana tabacum genome, and each of them
      represents about 0.3% of nuclear DNA. The R8.1 and R8.3 differ in the mode of
      distribution in chromosomes, as revealed by in situ DNA/DNA hybridization. 

PMID- 24221435
TI  - Genetic variability of the wild incompatibility alleles of the tetrapolar
      basidiomycete Agrocybe aegerita.
AB  - The variability of the sexual incompatibility genes of Agrocybe aegerita was
      investigated in the homokaryotic progeny of 13 wild dikaryotic strains from five
      distinct European geographic origins. Results of mating tests allowed
      identification of 18 A alleles and 16 B alleles out of a possible 26 different
      alleles for each in the sample. The determination and the comparison by a
      contingency chi (2) test of the frequencies of allele replications between intra-
      and interregional matings showed no departure from a random distribution of
      incompatibility alleles. The allelic series estimated for the incompatibility
      genes of the entire population of A. aegerita, 30 A and 25 B aleles, are
      significantly less extensive than those already hypothesized for other tetrapolar
      hymenomycetes. However, the low variability of incompatibility genes has little
      effect on the outbreeding efficiency (92.6%) of this mushroom. The low
      variability of the incompatibility alleles and the apparent absence of
      intrafactorial recombination could relate to a single-locus structure of the
      incompatibility genes in A. aegerita. 

PMID- 24221436
TI  - Phylogenetic relationships among cultivated Allium species from restriction
      enzyme analysis of the chloroplast genome.
AB  - The genus Allium contains many economically important species, including the bulb
      onion, chive, garlic, Japanese bunching onion, and leek. Phylogenetic
      relationships among the cultivated alliums are not well understood, and taxonomic
      classifications are based on relatively few morphological characters. Chloroplast
      DNA is highly conserved and useful in determining phylogenetic relationships. The
      size of the chloroplast genome of Allium cepa was estimated at 140 kb and
      restriction enzyme sites were mapped for KpnI, PstI, PvuII, SalI, XbaI, and XhoI.
      Variability at restriction enzyme sites in the chloroplast DNA was studied for at
      least three accessions of each of six cultivated, old-world Allium species. Of
      189 restriction enzyme sites detected with 12 enzymes, 15 mutations were
      identified and used to estimate phylogenetic relationships. Cladistic analysis
      based on Wagner and Dollo parsimony resulted in a single, most-parsimonious tree
      of 16 steps and supported division of the species into sections. Allium species
      in section Porrum were distinguished from species in sections Cepa and
      Phyllodolon. Two species in section Rhiziridium, A. schoenoprasum and A.
      tuberosum, differed by five mutations and were placed in separate lineages.
      Allium cepa and A. fistulosum shared the loss of a restriction enzyme site and
      were phylogenetically closer to each other than to A. schoenoprasum. This study
      demonstrates the usefulness of restriction enzyme site analysis of the
      chloroplast genome in the elucidation of phylogenetic relationships in Allium. 

PMID- 24221437
TI  - Cytology and morphology of the amphiploid Hordeum chilense (4x) * Aegilops
      squarrosa (4x).
AB  - The intergeneric amphiploid Hordeum chilense * Aegilops squarrosa has been
      synthesized. The amphiploid plants have the expected chromosome number of 28. The
      average meiotic chromosome pairing was 12.48 bivalents + 3.04 univalents. The
      morphology of the amphiploid resembles that of the Aegilops parent. Nucleoli from
      both H. chilense and A. squarrosa are expressed in the amphiploid. Neither
      chromosome instability nor homoeologous pairing was found. The amphiploid is
      fertile and vigorous. 

PMID- 24221438
TI  - Cotransformation and differential expression of introduced genes into potato
      (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv Bintje.
AB  - The Dutch potato cultivar Bintje has been transformed by Agrobacterium strain
      LBA1060KG, which contains two plasmids carrying three different DNAs (TL- and TR
      DNA on the Agrobacterium rhizogenes plasmid and TKG-DNA on the pBI121 plasmid).
      Several transformed root clones were obtained after transformation of leaf, stem,
      and tuber segments, and plants were then regenerated from these root clones. The
      expression of the various marker genes [rol, opine, beta-glucuronidase (GUS), and
      neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII)] was determined in several root clones and in
      regenerated plants. The selection of vigorously growing root clones was as
      efficient as selection for kanamycin resistance. In spite of the location of
      NPTII and GUS genes on the same T-DNA, 17% of the root clones did not show GUS
      activity. Nevertheless, Southern blot analysis showed that these root clones
      contained at least three copies of the GUS gene. Sixty-four per cent of the root
      clones contained opines. The expression of these genes, however, was negatively
      correlated with plant regeneration capacity and normal plant development. The
      differential expression of the marker genes in the transgenic potato tissues is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24221439
TI  - Transformation of Brassica oleracea with an S-locus gene from B. campestris
      changes the self-incompatibility phenotype.
AB  - An SLG gene derived from the S-locus and encoding and S-locus-specific
      glycoprotein of Brassica campestris L. was introduced via Agrobacterium-mediated
      transformation into B. oleracea L. A self-incompatible hybrid and another with
      partial self-compatibility were used as recipients. The transgenic plants were
      altered in their pollen-stigma interaction and were fully compatible upon self
      pollination. Reciprocal crosses between the transgenic plants and untransformed
      control plants indicated that the stigma reaction was changed in one recipient
      strain while the pollen reaction was altered in the other. Due to interspecific
      incompatibility, we could not demonstrate whether or not the introduced SLG gene
      confers a new allelic specificity in the transgenic plants. Our results show that
      the introduced SLG gene perturbs the self-incompatibility phenotype of stigma and
      pollen. 

PMID- 24221440
TI  - Cloning of the coat protein gene from beet necrotic yellow vein virus and its
      expression in sugar beet hairy roots.
AB  - Expression of the beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) coat protein (CP) gene
      in transgenic sugar beet hairy roots was accomplished as a step towards CP
      mediated virus resistance. A cDNA for the CP gene and its 5' terminal
      untranslated leader sequence was prepared from BNYVV RNA, using two
      oligodeoxynucleotides to prime the synthesis of both strands. Second-strand
      synthesis and amplification of the cDNA were done by Taq DNA polymerase chain
      reactions. Run-off transcripts of the cloned cDNA sequence were obtained and
      translated in vitro, yielding immunoreactive CP. A binary vector construction
      containing the CP gene under the control of the 35S promoter of cauliflower
      mosaic virus was prepared and used for Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated
      transformation of sugar beet tissue. Stable integration and expression of the CP
      gene in sugar beet hairy roots was demonstrated by Southern, Northern, and
      Western blot analysis, respectively. 

PMID- 24221441
TI  - Chloroplast DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in Musa
      species.
AB  - Taxonomic and phylogenetic determinations within the genus Musa are established
      using a numerical, morphology-based scoring system. However, within this system,
      the classification and relationships of some types are disputed. The application
      of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)
      analysis to Musa taxonomy provided valuable, supplemental information about the
      classification of, and relationships between, Musa species and subspecies. Whole
      cell DNA was extracted from lyophilized Musa leaf-blade tissue and digested with
      various restriction enzymes, Southern blotted onto nylon membranes, and probed
      using radioactively labeled heterologous orchid cpDNA fragments. Phylogenies were
      inferred from cpDNA RFLP patterns using PAUP software. The relationships between
      most species examined were as expected; however, some species (M. beccarii and M.
      basjoo) did not conform to the conventional morphology-based phylogeny. 

PMID- 24221442
TI  - Water-soluble proteins of mature barley endosperm: genetic control, polymorphism,
      and linkage with beta-amylase and spring/winter habit.
AB  - Water-soluble proteins (WSP-2 and WSP-3) and beta-amylase (beta-AMY-1) were
      extracted from mature endosperms of 44 spring and 39 winter barley genotypes. The
      protein and enzyme isoforms were separated in isoelectric focusing gels with a pH
      gradient of 4-6.5. The Wsp-3 and beta-Amy-1 loci were located to chromosomes 4H
      using the wheat/barley chromosome addition lines. Segregation analysis of F2 and
      doubled haploid populations showed Wsp-2 and beta-Amy-1 to be tightly linked,
      with a map distance of 11 cMorgans. Isoforms of WSP-2 possessed similar pIs to
      that of WSP-3 and overlapping bands were observed in the gels. These bands
      segregated independently in F2 and doubled haploid populations, implying two
      unlinked genes. All three loci were found to be polymorphic: two alleles were
      detected at the Wsp-2 locus, three at Wsp-3 and two at beta-Amy-1. The frequency
      of alleles at all three loci was found to be different in winter and spring
      genotypes. Spring genotypes possessed a wider range of phenotypes than winter
      genotypes. Spring and winter genotypes could be distinguished on the basis of WSP
      3 and beta- AMY-1 phenotypes. The linkage between Wsp-3 and beta-Amy-1 loci and
      genes controlling spring/winter habit on chromosome 4H is discussed. It is
      concluded that Wsp-3 and beta-Amy-1 can be used as genetic markers for
      spring/winter habit in barley genetic research and breeding. 

PMID- 24221443
TI  - Characterization of pearl millet mitochondrial DNA fragments rearranged by
      reversion from cytoplasmic male sterility to fertility.
AB  - Cloned pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] mitochondrial (mt) DNA
      fragments rearranged by spontaneous reversion from cytoplasmic male sterility
      (cms) to fertility were characterized by restriction mapping, hybridization with
      maize mt genes, and transcription analyses. The clones characterized were a 4.7
      kb fragment found only in the male-sterile cytoplasm and lost upon reversion to
      fertility, a 10.9-kb fragment found in all cytoplasms and not changed by
      reversion, a 13.6-kb fragment found in the male-sterile and -fertile normal
      cytoplasms and lost in seven of the eight revertants studied, and a 9.7-kb
      fragment not found in the male-sterile cytoplasm but produced by reversion from
      male sterility to fertility. The restriction maps verified that the four cloned
      pearl millet fragments contained two sets of repeated sequences, one on the 4.7-,
      10.9-, and 13.6-kb fragments, the other on the 13.6- and 9.7-kb fragments. The
      rrn18, rrn5, and coxI genes were located in the repeated regions of the 4.7-,
      10.9-, and 13.6-kb cloned fragments. The correlation of reversion (eight
      independent events) with the loss of fragments containing the rrn18, rrn5, and
      coxI genes suggests that those lost fragments and their gene content could be
      responsible for the expression of cms. Transcriptional analyses using both
      Northern blots and end-labeled mtRNA probes verified that transcripts homologous
      to the rrn18 and coxI genes were present in pearl millet total mtRNA. However, no
      transcript differences were detected among cms, revertant, and fertile normal
      cytoplasms, suggesting that the reversion process involves mutational changes
      that may not affect transcript size. Transcript analyses indicated that the 10.9
      kb clone contained an unidentified gene on the end opposite the rrn18 gene;
      however, since it was present in all cytoplasms, it is not believed to be
      involved in cms. 

PMID- 24221444
TI  - Pisum lipoxygenase genes.
AB  - The copy number, genomic arrangement and linkage relationships of two classes of
      lipoxygenase gene have been investigated in Pisum(pea) lines. Each of the two
      classes contained two to three members in P. sativum lines. RFLPs associated with
      genomic fragments containing the 5' sequences of one gene class permitted its
      correlation in genetical analyses with a lipoxygenase locus on linkage group 4,
      which was previously identified through polypeptide variation. Genetical analyses
      of RFLPs associated with other fragments identified by low- and medium-stringency
      hybridization to lipoxygenase cDNAs indicate the existence of other unlinked
      lipoxygenase gene loci. 

PMID- 24221445
TI  - DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms correlate with isozyme diversity in
      Phaseolus vulgaris L.
AB  - Genetic variation in Phaseolus vulgaris L. (P. vulgaris) was investigated at the
      isozyme and DNA levels. We constructed a library of size-selected Pst I clones of
      P. vulgaris nuclear DNA. Clones from this library were used to examine 14 P.
      vulgaris accessions for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). DNAs
      from each accession were analyzed with three restriction enzymes and 18 single
      copy probes. The same accessions were also examined for variability at 16 isozyme
      loci. Accessions included four representatives of the T phaseolin group and five
      representatives each of the C and S phaseolin groups. One member of the S group
      (the breeding line XR-235-1-1) was derived from a cross between P. vulgaris and
      P. coccineus. Isozymes and RFLPs revealed very similar patterns of genetic
      variation. Little variation was observed among accessions with C and T phaseolin
      types or among those with the S phaseolin type. However, both isozyme and RFLP
      data grouped accessions with S phaseolin separately from those accessions with C
      or T phaseolin. The highest degree of polymorphism was observed between XR-235-1
      1 and members of the C/T group. RFLP markers will supplement isozymes, increasing
      the number of polymorphic loci that can be analyzed in breeding, genetic, and
      evolutionary studies of Phaseolus. 

PMID- 24221446
TI  - Nucleotide sequence and transcriptional analysis of a mitochondrial plasmid from
      a cytoplasmic male-sterile line of sunflower.
AB  - A mitochondrial plasmid of 1,939 bp (P2) from a cytoplasmic male-sterile line of
      sunflower has been cloned and sequenced. It presents 437 bp of near-perfect
      homology to the 1.4-kb mitochondrial plasmid P1 from sunflower. Sequences
      homologous to P2 were found in nuclear DNA. P2 was transcribed into a major 980
      nucleotide (nt) RNA molecule and two minor transcripts of 570 and 520 nt. They
      were all transcribed from the same strand and within the region nonhomologous to
      P1. A single 5' boundary and three 3' termini were determined for P2 transcripts.
      The 5' end is similar to a consensus sequence for plant mitochondrial genes. No
      evidence of translation products can be provided. 

PMID- 24221447
TI  - Rapid hybridization-based assays for identification by DNA probes of male-sterile
      and male-fertile cytoplasms of the sugar beet Beta vulgaris L.
AB  - Methods are described whereby hybridization of mitochondrial (mt) DNA with
      different DNA probes can definitely distinguish male-fertile and and male-sterile
      (cms) cytoplasms of sugar beet Beta vulgaris L. We have developed two types of
      miniassays. (1) Comparative methods requiring the isolation and restriction of
      total cellular DNA, hybridization with cloned mtDNA fragments from either fertile
      or male-sterile cytoplasms, and comparison of the hybridization patterns to the
      fertile-and sterile-specific patterns of mtDNA of sugar beet for the given mtDNA
      probe. For these analyses, we routinely used 1 g of plant material to determine
      the type of cytoplasm. (2) Noncomparative ("plus-minus") methods requiring
      neither the isolation of pure DNA nor restriction, electrophoresis, or Southern
      blotting. Instead, alkaline-SDS plant extracts from as little as 50 mg of plant
      material were dot-blotted and hybridized with fertile-specific (mitochondrial
      minicircular DNA) and/or cms-specific probes (consisting of a 2.3-kb mtDNA
      sequence exclusively occurring in the cms cytoplasm). The assays are simple to
      perform, give definitive results, are nonde-structive to the plants, and may be
      used in mass screening of sugar beet populations for hybrid production or in in
      vitro culture processes. 

PMID- 24221448
TI  - Expected utility maximization and selection of stable plant cultivars.
AB  - In most plant breeding programs, selection of the best commercially suitable
      cultivars for a target group of environments is based on information obtained
      from evaluation trials cultivated in a sample of environments. Information on the
      performance of cultivars collected in a sample of environments can only be
      approximate and, consequently, selection of the best cultivar involves choosing
      among cultivars that respond uncertainly in many environments. The agronomic
      and/or economic value of a cultivar across environments may be considered the
      general or overall utility of the cultivar. Data from a sample of environments
      therefore provides only an estimate of any cultivar's overall utility, with the
      overall goal of selection among all cultivars being the maximization of the
      expected utility. Within this frame-work, expected utility maximization, an
      approach to decision making that has been well developed in the disciplines of
      economics and statistics, can assist the plant breeder in making such decisions.
      This research was initiated (1) to determine how expected utility maximization
      might be used to develop indices that are useful for selecting broadly adapted
      plant cultivars, and (2) to determine how the breeder's preferences might affect
      choice of the best cultivar. The data used in this research were from USDA
      Regional Soybean Tests. The results indicated that expected utility maximization,
      which explicitly incorporates into the selection rule the plant breeder's
      preferences regarding stability, can be a useful aid in the selection of stable
      plant cultivars. 

PMID- 24221449
TI  - Production, morphology, and cytogenetics of Triticum aestivum (L.) Thell * Elymus
      scabrus (R. Br.) Love intergeneric hybrids obtained by in ovulo embryo culture.
AB  - Intergeneric hybrids were produced between common wheat, Triticum aestivum
      (2n=6x=42, AABBDD), and an apomictic Triticeae species, Elymus scabrus (syn.
      Agropyron scabrum) (2n=6x=42, HHSSSS), the first successful report of this cross.
      Nine tiny, underdeveloped, and structureless embryos were obtained in vitro only
      by in ovulo embryo culture at 4 days after pollination, which gave rise to five
      mature hybrid plants. All the hybrid plants were vigorous and possessed a
      phenotype intermediate to the two parents. There were 2n=6x=42 (ABDHSS) somatic
      chromosomes in the hybrids. There was little or no homology between the parental
      genomes, as shown by an overall meiotic chromosome association of 32.83 I + 4.08
      rod II + 0.21 ring II + 0.18 III + 0.02 IV. The hybrids were completely sterile
      and so far backcrosses to wheat parent have not been successful. Alternate
      approaches to induce gene transfer(s) from E. scabrus to wheat are being
      attempted. 

PMID- 24221450
TI  - Increase in prophylaxis of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis by pharmacist
      feedback: a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine whether feedback by pharmacists to
      prescribers of patients eligible for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
      prophylaxis would stimulate the prescribing of osteoporosis prophylaxis. The
      intervention did not significantly increase the prescribing of bisphosphonates in
      the total study population, but a significant increase was seen in men and in the
      elderly. However, the proportion of bisphosphonate-treated patients remained low.
      INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine whether feedback by
      pharmacists to prescribers of patients eligible for glucocorticoid-induced
      osteoporosis prophylaxis (GIOP) would stimulate the implementation of the Dutch
      GIOP guideline. METHODS: This randomised controlled trial included 695 patients
      who were dispensed >=675 mg prednisone equivalents without a concomitant
      bisphosphonate prescription within 6 months before baseline. Pharmacists were
      asked to contact the physicians of GIOP-eligible patients in the intervention
      group to suggest osteoporosis prophylaxis. The primary endpoint was a
      bisphosphonate prescription. Secondary endpoints were a prescription of calcium
      supplements, vitamin D or any prophylactic osteoporosis drug (bisphosphonate,
      calcium supplements, vitamin D). RESULTS: The group assigned to the intervention
      was slightly younger than the control group (68.7 +/- 15.4 vs. 65.9 +/- 16.9
      years, p = 0.02) and used hydrocortisone more often (7.0% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.02).
      Within 6 months, the intervention did not significantly increase the prescribing
      of bisphosphonates (11.4% after intervention vs. 8.0% for controls; hazard ratio
      [HR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-2.39). However, subgroup analyses
      showed a significant increase for the primary endpoint in men (12.8% vs. 5.1%, HR
      2.53, 95% CI 1.11-5.74) and patients >=70 years (13.4% vs. 4.9%, HR 2.88, 95% CI
      1.33-6.23). The prescribing of calcium and vitamin D was not significantly
      altered. CONCLUSION: This study showed that active identification of patients
      eligible for GIOP by pharmacists did not significantly increase the prescribing
      of bisphosphonates in the total study population, but there was an increase in
      men and the elderly. However, the proportion of GIOP-treated patients remained
      low.

PMID- 24221451
TI  - Prospective evaluation of renal function, serum vitamin D level, and risk of fall
      and fracture in community-dwelling elderly subjects.
AB  - SUMMARY: This prospective study in elderly showed that kidney function plays a
      minor role in explaining the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency seen in
      noninstitutionalized elderly subjects. However, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were
      clearly inversely associated with risk for first fall, which was especially seen
      in subjects with calcium levels above median. INTRODUCTION: Few prospective
      studies in elderly exist that have investigated the association of renal
      dysfunction and vitamin D status on risk of falls. The aim of this study is to
      evaluate the association of renal function with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D)
      levels and, secondly, to assess the role of both factors on the risk of falls and
      subsequent bone fractures. METHODS: This is a prospective population-based cohort
      study among noninstitutionalized elderly subjects during a 1-year follow-up. 25
      OH-D levels and renal function were estimated, the latter by cystatin C-based
      equations. Information on falls was assessed prospectively. RESULTS: Overall,
      1,385 subjects aged 65 and older were included in the study (mean age 75.6
      years), of whom 9.2 % had a 25-OH-D serum level above 75 nmol/L (US units 30
      ng/mL); 41.4 %, between 50 and 75 nmol/L (US units 20 to 29 ng/mL,
      insufficiency); and 49.4 %, <50 nmol/L (US units <20 ng/mL, deficiency). We found
      no association of chronic kidney disease with risk of first fall. In contrast, 25
      OH-D serum categories were clearly associated with risk of first fall and we
      found evidence of effect modification with calcium levels. In the group with a
      calcium level above the median (>= 9.6 mg/dL), subjects with 25-OH-D serum level
      between 50 and 75 nmol/L and with concentrations <50 nmol/L had a hazard rate
      ratio (HRR) of 1.75 (1.03-2.87) and 1.93 (1.10-3.37) for risk of first fall. 25
      OH-D serum levels were also associated with several markers of inflammation and
      hemodynamic stress. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated an association of 25-OH-D serum
      levels and risk of first fall, which was especially evident in subjects with
      serum calcium in upper normal, independent of renal function.

PMID- 24221452
TI  - Regional depth-specific subchondral bone density measures in osteoarthritic and
      normal patellae: in vivo precision and preliminary comparisons.
AB  - SUMMARY: Computed tomography-based depth-specific image processing is able to
      precisely identify regional differences between healthy patellae and patellae
      with osteoarthritis. INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the precision errors
      and potential differences in regional, depth-specific subchondral bone mineral
      density (BMD) in normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human patellae in vivo using CT
      based density analyses. METHODS: Fourteen participants (2 men and 12 women; mean
      age, 51.4; SD, 11.8 years) were scanned using clinical quantitative CT (QCT)
      three times over 2 days. Participants were categorized as either normal (n = 7)
      or exhibiting radiographic OA (n = 7). Average subchondral BMD was assessed at
      three depths relative to the subchondral surface. Regional BMD analysis included:
      total lateral facet BMD, total medial facet BMD, and superior/middle/inferior BMD
      of lateral and medial facets at normalized depths of 0-2.5, 2.5-5, and 5-7.5 mm
      from the subchondral surface. We assessed precision using root mean square
      coefficients of variation (CV%). We evaluated differences between OA and normal
      BMD by (1) calculating percentage differences between the groups (in relation to
      normal BMD) (2) relating percentage differences to respective CV% errors and (3)
      determining effect sizes using Cohen's d. RESULTS: Root mean square CV% precision
      errors ranged from 1.1 to 5.9 %. Percentage differences between OA and normal BMD
      varied from -1.6 to -30.1 % (BMD lower in OA patellae). In relation to precision
      errors, percentage differences were, on average, 5.5* greater than CV% errors.
      Cohen's d effect sizes ranged from -1.7 to -0.1. Largest differences were noted
      at depths of 2.5-5 and 5-7.5 mm from the subchondral surface. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patellar subchondral BMD measures were precise (average CV%, <=3 %). This region-
      and depth-specific CT-based imaging tool characterized regional standardized BMD
      differences between normal and OA patellae in vivo.

PMID- 24221454
TI  - [Pneumococcus vaccination in immunosuppressed patients: current recommendations].

PMID- 24221455
TI  - Duodenal exclusion devices: promising tools in treating obesity and type 2
      diabetes.

PMID- 24221453
TI  - Vertebral deformities and fractures are associated with MRI and pQCT measures
      obtained at the distal tibia and radius of postmenopausal women.
AB  - SUMMARY: We investigated the association of postmenopausal vertebral deformities
      and fractures with bone parameters derived from distal extremities using MRI and
      pQCT. Distal extremity measures showed variable degrees of association with
      vertebral deformities and fractures, highlighting the systemic nature of
      postmenopausal bone loss. INTRODUCTION: Prevalent vertebral deformities and
      fractures are known to predict incident further fractures. However, the
      association of distal extremity measures and vertebral deformities in
      postmenopausal women has not been fully established. METHODS: This study involved
      98 postmenopausal women (age range 60-88 years, mean 70 years) with DXA BMD T
      scores at either the hip or spine in the range of -1.5 to -3.5. Wedge,
      biconcavity, and crush deformities were computed on the basis of spine MRI.
      Vertebral fractures were assessed using Eastell's criterion. Distal tibia and
      radius stiffness was computed using MRI-based finite element analysis. BMD at the
      distal extremities were obtained using pQCT. RESULTS: Several distal extremity
      MRI and pQCT measures showed negative association with vertebral deformity on the
      basis of single parameter correlation (r up to 0.67) and two-parameter regression
      (r up to 0.76) models involving MRI stiffness and pQCT BMD. Subjects who had at
      least one prevalent vertebral fracture showed decreased MRI stiffness (up to 17.9
      %) and pQCT density (up to 34.2 %) at the distal extremities compared to the non
      fracture group. DXA lumbar spine BMD T-score was not associated with vertebral
      deformities. CONCLUSIONS: The association between vertebral deformities and
      distal extremity measures supports the notion of postmenopausal osteoporosis as a
      systemic phenomenon.

PMID- 24221456
TI  - Acid-suppressive medications and risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in patients
      with Barrett's oesophagus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acid-suppressive medications, particularly proton pump
      inhibitors (PPIs), may decrease the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) in
      patients with Barrett's oesophagus (BO). We performed a systematic review with
      meta-analysis of studies evaluating the association between acid-suppressive
      medications (PPIs and histamine receptor antagonists (H2RAs)) and risk of OAC or
      high-grade dysplasia (BO-HGD) in patients with BO. METHODS: We performed a
      systematic search of multiple electronic databases and conference proceedings up
      to June 2013 to identify studies reporting the association between use of acid
      suppressive medications and risk of OAC and/or BO-HGD in patients with BO.
      Summary ORs with 95% CIs were estimated. RESULTS: We identified seven
      observational studies (2813 patients with BO, 317 cases of OAC or BO-HGD, 84.4%
      PPI users). On meta-analysis, PPI use was associated with a 71% reduction in risk
      of OAC and/or BO-HGD in patients with BO (adjusted OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.79).
      There was a trend towards a dose-response relationship with PPI use for >2-3
      years protective against OAC or BO-HGD (three studies; PPI use >2-3 years vs <2-3
      years: OR 0.45 (95% CI 0.19 to 1.06) vs 1.09 (0.47 to 2.56)). Considerable
      heterogeneity was observed. Two studies reported the association between H2RA use
      and risk of OAC and/or BO-HGD (1352 patients with BO, 156 cases of OAC, 25.4% on
      H2RAs), and both studies did not show a significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: Based on
      meta-analysis of observational studies, the use of PPIs is associated with a
      decreased risk of OAC and/or BO-HGD in patients with BO. None of the studies
      showed an increased risk of OAC. PPI use should be considered in BO, and
      chemopreventive trials of PPIs in patients with BO are warranted.

PMID- 24221457
TI  - What is the role for bisphosphonates in IBD?

PMID- 24221458
TI  - p21Waf1/Cip1 revisited: oncogenic function in hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 24221459
TI  - Controversies in the management of Irvine-Gass syndrome.

PMID- 24221460
TI  - Electronic health records: future clinical applications. Part 2 in a two-part
      series.
AB  - In this second installment of his two-part column on electronic health records,
      Dr. Robert Wang addresses the ways in which EHRs can enhance clinical operations.
      He explores how to improve revenue and efficiency by enlisting an EHR system to
      facilitate charting, coding, ICD-10 implementation, patient flow, and meaningful
      use submission.

PMID- 24221461
TI  - Comparison of fundus autofluorescence between fundus camera and confocal scanning
      laser ophthalmoscope-based systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging via
      fundus camera (FC) and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO). PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: FAF images were obtained with a digital FC (530 to 580 nm
      excitation) and a cSLO (488 nm excitation). Two authors evaluated correlation of
      autofluorescence pattern, atrophic lesion size, and image quality between the two
      devices. RESULTS: In 120 eyes, the autofluorescence pattern correlated in 86% of
      lesions. By lesion subtype, correlation rates were 100% in hemorrhage, 97% in
      geographic atrophy, 82% in flecks, 75% in drusen, 70% in exudates, 67% in pigment
      epithelial detachment, 50% in fibrous scars, and 33% in macular hole. The mean
      lesion size in geographic atrophy was 4.57 +/- 2.3 mm(2) via cSLO and 3.81 +/-
      1.94 mm(2) via FC (P < .0001). Image quality favored cSLO in 71 eyes. CONCLUSION:
      FAF images were highly correlated between the FC and cSLO. Differences between
      the two devices revealed contrasts. Multiple image capture and confocal optics
      yielded higher image contrast with the cSLO, although acquisition and exposure
      time was longer.

PMID- 24221462
TI  - Serum erythropoietin, insulin-like growth factor 1, and vascular endothelial
      growth factor in etiopathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The role of growth factors in the pathogenesis of
      retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is known. To better understand this issue, the
      authors investigated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like
      growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and erythropoietin (EPO) levels in the cord blood of
      premature newborns. PATIENTS AND METHODS: IGF-1, VEGF, and EPO levels were
      measured in cord blood samples obtained from 93 infants less than 32 weeks of
      gestational age at birth, and their predictive value in the development of ROP
      was investigated. RESULTS: The mean birth age and mean birth weight were 32.2 +/-
      1.5 weeks and 1,678 +/- 326 g, respectively, in infants without ROP and 29.6 +/-
      2.3 weeks and 1,384 +/- 343 g, respectively, in infants with ROP. Multivariate
      logistic regression analysis showed that only the gestational age and the serum
      VEGF at birth were independently associated with the risk of developing ROP (P =
      .002, Exp[B] = 0.514, CI = 95%: 0.341-0.775; P = .028, Exp[B] = 0.999, CI = 95%:
      0.997-1.00). CONCLUSION: Serum VEGF levels at birth were lower in infants who
      later developed ROP. This may have a predictive value for ROP and contribute to
      the pathogenesis, because affected infants may be more susceptible to
      extrauterine hyperoxic insult.

PMID- 24221463
TI  - Assessment of novel guarded needle to increase patient comfort and decrease
      injection time during intravitreal injection.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a novel guarded 33-gauge injection
      device can make the intravitreal injection procedure faster and more comfortable
      for patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-center, prospective, randomized
      interventional study. Seventy participants receiving bilateral injections on the
      same day had one eye injected with the 33-gauge injection device without a
      speculum and the other eye injected with a standard 30-gauge needle using a
      speculum. Length of time needed for the injection procedure was assessed, and
      subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their comfort level
      with each device during the injection procedure as well as immediately after,
      later that evening, and the next day. RESULTS: Intravitreal injections using the
      33-gauge injection device were significantly faster, but there was no significant
      difference in the incidence or levels of pain between the two needle types.
      CONCLUSION: The 33-gauge injection device may offer advantages over a standard 30
      gauge needle when performing an intravitreal injection.

PMID- 24221464
TI  - Management of retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid.
AB  - Subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) is a rare but serious complication
      associated with retinal detachment repair primarily due to the potential for
      toxic effects of the liquid on various structures of the eye. While it is optimal
      to detect and remove subretinal PFCL intraoperatively, retained PFCL may be
      missed in 1% to 11% of cases and not detected until follow-up visits.3,26 In such
      cases, early intervention appears to be warranted particularly if central vision
      remains at risk with subfoveally located droplets. Restoration of the foveal
      contour and attenuation of scotoma size as indicated by optical coherence
      tomography and microperimetry imaging suggest a good prognosis based on the
      limited number of case reports reviewed. Prognosis of retained PFCL depends on
      the location, size, and duration of its contact with retinal structures.

PMID- 24221465
TI  - Fundus autofluorescence and photoreceptor bleaching in multiple evanescent white
      dot syndrome.
AB  - The authors present three cases of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS)
      with characteristic fundus autofluorescence (FAF) findings, including one patient
      without any visible white dots on funduscopic examination and another with many
      more hyperautofluorescent lesions than seen ophthalmoscopically. Additionally,
      the findings support an alternative mechanism for the hyperautofluorescent
      lesions in MEWDS, whereby photoreceptor loss causes unmasking of normal
      underlying retinal pigment epithelium autofluorescence. This hypothesis is
      demonstrated in two cases by optical coherence tomography showing clear ellipsoid
      zone attenuation with registration to hyperautofluorescent lesions. It is further
      supported in two cases by photoreceptor bleaching in successive FAF images
      captured in the same session leading to diminished autofluorescence intensity of
      the characteristic dots.

PMID- 24221466
TI  - Combination anti-VEGF and corticosteroid therapy for idiopathic retinal
      vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis syndrome.
AB  - Vision loss associated with the idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and
      neuroretinitis (IRVAN) syndrome most commonly occurs from macular edema or
      complications related to neovascularization. The authors present a case of
      advanced IRVAN associated with a massive exudative response characterized by
      peripheral retinal telangiectasias, exudative retinal detachment, and macular
      edema with lipid maculopathy. The patient was managed successfully with visual
      acuity from hand motion to 20/150 using a combination of local corticosteroids,
      intravitreal bevacizumab, panretinal photocoagulation, and eventually pars plana
      vitrectomy for progressive vitreomacular traction. VEGF- and non-VEGF-mediated
      mechanisms appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of IRVAN given the efficacy
      of combination therapy. [ophthalmic surg lasers imaging retina. 2013;44:599
      602.].

PMID- 24221468
TI  - Eight questions with Dr. Puliafito.

PMID- 24221467
TI  - Small hyperreflective intraretinal material observable on spectral-domain optical
      coherence tomography in high myopia.
AB  - With the rapid adoption of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)
      in clinical practice and recent advances in technology, SD-OCT has become an
      important tool for detecting and managing retinal pathology. The diagnosis of
      degenerative changes in pathologic myopia can sometimes be difficult and delayed,
      as the clinical presentation may be subtle. In this series, SD-OCT proved useful
      in the detection of small hyperreflective intraretinal material in cases in which
      retinal changes are minimally visible and may explain visual changes that may not
      have been otherwise elucidated. The results show that SD-OCT in conjunction with
      clinical examination may provide useful information in the management of patients
      with pathologic myopia.

PMID- 24221469
TI  - Carbon-isotope discrimination by leaves of Flaveria species exhibiting different
      amounts of C3-and C 4-cycle co-function.
AB  - Carbon-isotope ratios were examined as delta(13)C values in several C3, C4, and
      C3-C4 Flaveria species, and compared to predicted delta(13)C, values generated
      from theoretical models. The measured delta(13)C values were within 40/00 of
      those predicted from the models. The models were used to identify factors that
      contribute to C3-like delta(13)C values in C3-C4 species that exhibit
      considerable C4-cycle activity. Two of the factors contributing to C3-like
      delta(13)C values are high CO2 leakiness from the C4 pathway and pi/pa values
      that were higher than C4 congeners. A marked break occurred in the relationship
      between the percentage of atmospheric CO2 assimilated through the C4 cycle and
      the delta(13)C value. Below 50% C4-cycle assimialtion there was no significant
      relationship between the variables, but above 50% the delta(13)C values became
      less negative. These results demonstrate that the level of C4-cycle expression
      can increase from, 0 to 50% with little integration of carbon transfer from the
      C4 to the C3 cycle. As expression increaces above 50%, however, increased
      integration of C3- and C4-cycle co-function occurs. 

PMID- 24221470
TI  - Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in intact kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa)
      leaves: Effect of temperature.
AB  - Photoinhibition of photosynthesis was induced in attached leaves of kiwifruit
      grown in natural light not exceeding a photon flux density (PFD) of 300 MUmol.m(
      2).s(-1), by exposing them to a PFD of 1500 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1). The temperature
      was held constant, between 5 and 35 degrees  C, during the exposure to high
      light. The kinetics of photoinhibition were measured by chlorophyll fluorescence
      at 77K and the photon yield of photosynthetic O2 evolution. Photoinhibition
      occurred at all temperatures but was greatest at low temperatures.
      Photoinhibition followed pseudo first-order kinetics, as determined by the
      variable fluorescence (F v) and photon yield, with the long-term steady-state of
      photoinhibition strongly dependent on temperature wheareas the observed rate
      constant was only weakly temperature-dependent. Temperature had little effect on
      the decrease in the maximum fluorescence (F m) but the increase in the
      instantaneous fluorescence (F o) was significantly affected by low temperatures
      in particular. These changes in fluorescence indicate that kiwifruit leaves have
      some capacity to dissipate excessive excitation energy by increasing the rate
      constant for non-radiative (thermal) energy dissipation although temperature
      apparently had little effect on this. Direct photoinhibitory damage to the
      photosystem II reaction centres was evident by the increases in F o and extreme,
      irreversible damage occurred at the lower temperatures. This indicates that
      kiwifruit leaves were most susceptible to photoinhibition at low temperatures
      because direct damage to the reaction centres was greatest at these temperatures.
      The results also imply that mechanisms to dissipate excess energy were inadequate
      to afford any protection from photoinhibition over a wide temperature range in
      these shade-grown leaves. 

PMID- 24221471
TI  - Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in intact kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa)
      leaves: Recovery and its dependence on temperature.
AB  - Recovery of photoinhibition in intact leaves of shade-grown kiwifruit was
      followed at temperatures between 10 degrees  and 35 degrees  C. Photoinhibition
      was initially induced by exposing the leaves for 240 min to a photon flux density
      (PFD) of 1 500 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1) at 20 degrees  C. In additional experiments to
      determine the effect of extent of photoinhibition on recovery, this period of
      exposure was varied between 90 and 400 min. The kinetics of recovery were
      followed by chlorophyll fluorescence at 77K. Recovery was rapid at temperatures
      of 25-35 degrees  and slow or negligible below 20 degrees  C. The results
      reinforce those from earlier studies that indicate chilling-sensitive species are
      particularly susceptible to photoinhibition at low temperatures because of the
      low rates of recovery. At all temperatures above 15 degrees  C, recovery followed
      pseudo first-order kinetics. The extent of photoinhibition affected the rate
      constant for recovery which declined in a linear fashion at all temperatures with
      increased photoinhibition. However, the extent of photoinhibition had little
      effect on the temperature-dependency of recovery. An analysis of the fluorescence
      characteristics indicated that a reduction in non-radiative energy dissipation
      and repair of damaged reaction centres contributed about equally to the apparent
      recovery though biochemical studies are needed to confirm this. From an
      interpretation of the kinetics of photoinhibition, we suggest that recovery
      occurring during photoinhibition is limited by factors different from those that
      affect post-photoinhibition recovery. 

PMID- 24221472
TI  - Guard cells of Commelina communis L. do not respond metabolically to osmotic
      stress in isolated epidermis: Implications for stomatal responses to drought and
      humidity.
AB  - We investigated the hypothesis that stomatal aperture is regulated by epidermal
      water status. Detached epidermal peels of Commelina communis L. or leaf disks
      with epidermis attached were incubated in graded solutions of mannitol (0-1.2 M)
      containing KCl. In isolated epidermis, guard-cell solute content of open stomata
      did not decrease in response to desiccation. Guard cells of closed stomata
      accumulated solutes to the same extent in all levels of mannitol tested. There
      was no evidence of stress-induced hydroactive closure nor of inhibition of
      hydroactive opening, even when guard cells of closed stomata were initially
      plasmolyzed. Hydropassive, osmometer-like, changes in stomatal aperture in the
      isolated epidermis were induced by addition or removal of mannitol, but these did
      not involve changes in guard-cell solute content. In leaf disks, stomata
      exhibited clear hydroactive stomatal responses. Steady-state guard-cell solute
      content of initially open and initially closed stomata decreased substantially
      with increasing mannitol. Stomata were completely closed above approx. 0.4 M
      mannitol, near the turgor-loss point for the bulk leaf tissue. Stomata of
      Commelina did not exhibit direct hydroactive responses to environmental or
      epidermal water status. Stomatal responses to water deficit and low humidity may
      be indirect, mediated by abscisic acid or other signal metabolite(s) from the
      mesophyll. 

PMID- 24221473
TI  - Phototropic fluence-response curves for Pilobolus crystallinus sporangiophore.
AB  - Fluence-response relationships were examined for positive and negative
      phototropism induced by blue (450 nm) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280 nm) light,
      respectively, in the Pilobolus crystallinus sporangiophore. Fluence-response
      curves for both blue and UV-B light obtained by changing the fluence by varying
      exposure time only showed the classical first and second positive bending.
      However, fluence-response curves obtained by varying the fluence rate were bell
      shaped irrespective of the length of the exposure time. With increasing exposure
      time the peak became higher along the ascendant arm and the descendant arm was
      shifted toward the higher fluence. The Bunsen-Roscoe reciprocity law was valid
      only when the fluence was less than approx. 400 pmol.m(-2) for both blue and UV-B
      light. Because the shapes of the fluence-response curves for blue and UV-B light
      were nearly the same, the photoreceptor systems for both blue and UV-B light are
      considered to be the same. 

PMID- 24221474
TI  - The apoplastic pool of abscisic acid in cotton leaves in relation to stomatal
      closure.
AB  - Suboptimal nitrogen nutrition, leaf aging, and prior exposure to water stress all
      increased stomatal closure in excised cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaves
      supplied abscisic acid (ABA) through the transpiration stream. The effects of
      water stress and N stress were partially reversed by simultaneous application of
      kinetin (N(6)-furfurylaminopurine) with the ABA, but the effect of leaf aging was
      not. These enhanced responses to ABA could have resulted either from altered
      rates of ABA release from symplast to apoplast, or from some "post-release"
      effect involving ABA transport to, or detection by, the guard cells. Excised
      leaves were preloaded with [(14)C]ABA and subjected to overpressures in a
      pressure chamber to isolate apoplastic solutes in the exudate. Small quantities
      of (14)C were released into the exudate, with the amount increasing greatly with
      increasing pressure. Over the range of pressures from 1 to 2.5 MPa, ABA in the
      exudate contained about 70% of the total (14)C, and a compound co
      chromatographing with phaseic acid contained over half of the remainder. At a low
      balancing pressure (1 MPa), release of (14)C into the exudate was increased by N
      stress, prior water stress, and leaf aging. Kinetin did not affect (14)C release
      in leaves of any age, N status, or water status. Distribution of ABA between
      pools can account in part for the effects of water stress, N stress, and leaf age
      on stomatal behavior, but in the cases of water stress and N stress there are
      additional kinetinreversible effects, presumably at the guard cells. 

PMID- 24221475
TI  - Mechanisms of fusicoccin action: A dominant role for secondary transport in a
      higher-plant cell.
AB  - Fusicoccin (FC) is commonly thought to promote "electrogenic" H(+) extrusion
      through its action on the H(+)-ATPase of the plant plasma membrane. Nonetheless,
      essential support from rigorous electrophysiological analysis has remained
      largely absent. The present investigation surveys the effects of FC on the charge
      transport properties at the membrane of a higher-plant cell - stomatal guard
      cells of Vicia faba L. - for which the electrical geometry is defined, and from
      which the voltage-dependent kinetic characteristic for the pump has been
      identified. Current-voltage (I-V) relations of the guard cells were determined
      before and during treatments with FC, and during brief exposures to NaCN plus
      salicylhydroxamic acid. Responses of the pump and of the ensemble of secondary
      transport processes were identified in the whole-membrane conductance-voltage
      relations and in the difference-current-voltage (dI-V) characteristic for the
      pump. In 0.1 mM K(+), exposure to 10 MUM FC shifted guard-cell potentials
      negative by 29-61 mV. Current-and conductance-voltage profiles indicated limited
      changes in the pump I-V characteristic, an observation which was confirmed
      through explicit kinetic analysis of pump dI-V relations. However, the voltage
      response was accompanied by a 1.5-to 2.6-fold fall in membrane conductance. These
      results challenge conventional views of fusicoccin action by ascribing the
      electrical responses to reduced current passage through secondary transport
      pathways as well as to enhanced electrogenic ion pumping. 

PMID- 24221476
TI  - Transport of glucose, fructose and sucrose by Streptanthus tortuosus suspension
      cells : I. Uptake at low sugar concentration.
AB  - Streptanthus tortuosus Kell. suspension cells will grow in a medium with sucrose
      as carbohydrate source. It was investigated whether the cells are able to take up
      sucrose or whether sucrose has to be hydrolyzed to glucose and fructose which
      eventually are taken up. The detailed quantitative analysis of sugar-uptake rates
      in the low concentration range up to 1 mM showed the following features: (i)
      There is definitely no sucrose-uptake system working in the low concentration
      range; any uptake of radioactivity from labelled sucrose proceeds via hydrolysis
      of sucrose by cell-wallbound invertase. (ii) Hexoses are taken up by two systems,
      a glucose-specific system with a K m of 45 MUM and a high V max for glucose and a
      K m of 6 mM and a low V max for fructose, and a fructosespecific system with a K
      m of 500 MUM and high a V max for fructose and a K m of 650 MUM and a low V max
      for glucose. (iii) There is a more than tenfold preference for uptake of the
      fructose derived from sucrose versus uptake of free fructose, with the result
      that the kinetic disadvantage of the fructoseuptake system compared to the
      glucose-uptake system is diminished if sucrose is supplied as the carbon source.
      It is speculated that invertase might work as an enzyme aiding in fructose
      transport. 

PMID- 24221477
TI  - Transport of glucose, fructose and sucrose by Streptanthus tortuosus suspension
      cells : II. Uptake at high sugar concentration.
AB  - In the concentration range above 1 mM a linear diffusion-like component of sugar
      uptake by Streptanthus suspension cells is observed. The rate of permeation is
      the same for sucrose, glucose, fructose and sorbitol, despite the very different
      uptake features of these sugars at low concentrations, where sorbitol and sucrose
      are not taken up at all and where different affinities for glucose and fructose
      are seen. The linear uptake component is responsible for 80% of sugar uptake at
      100 mM, and it is an efficient permeation path for sucrose and fructose, which
      show poor permeation compared to glucose in the low concentration range. The
      mechanistic nature of the linear uptake component remains obscure: it is not
      directly dependent on metabolic energy (uncoupler does not inhibit it) and it is
      neither saturable up to 100 mM nor is it sugar-specific, but it is changeable,
      for instance, by plasmolysis or by protoplast generation. The permeation rates
      are very similar to those found in other plants for the linear component, but are
      much higher than in artificial membranes. These features are neither fully
      compatible with diffusion through a lipid phase nor with catalysed transport, and
      it is therefore suggested that this linear uptake proceeds through hydrophilic
      domains of the membrane. The linear uptake component will have consequences for
      apoplastic sugar concentration, sugar-accumulation factors and cell metabolism. 

PMID- 24221478
TI  - Coarse control of sucrose-phosphate synthase in leaves: Alterations of the
      kinetic properties in response to the rate of photosynthesis and the accumulation
      of sucrose.
AB  - It has been investigated whether diurnal rhythms of sucrose-phosphate synthase
      (SPS) are involved in controlling the rate of photosynthetic sucrose synthesis.
      Extracts were prepared from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L.) leaves and assayed for enzyme activity. The activity of SPS increased
      in parallel with a rising rate of photosynthesis, and was increased by feeding
      mannose and decreased by supplying inorganic phosphate. In leaf material where
      sucrose had accumulated during the photoperiod or when sucrose was supplied
      exogenously, SPS activity decreased. During a diurnal rhythm, SPS activity
      increased after illumination, declined gradually during the light period,
      decreased further after darkening and then recovered gradually during the night.
      These changes did not involve an alteration of the maximal activity, but were
      caused by changes in the kinetic properties, revealed as a change in sensitivity
      to inhibition by inorganic phosphate. In experiments which modelled the response
      of SPS to changing metabolite concentrations, it was shown that these alterations
      of kinetic properties would strongly modify the activity of SPS in vivo. It is
      proposed that SPS can exist in kinetically distinct forms in vivo, and that the
      distribution between these forms can be rapidly altered. As the rate of
      photosynthesis increases there is an activation of SPS, which may be directly or
      indirectly linked to changes in the availability of Pi. This activation can be
      modified by factors related to the accumulation of sucrose. Under normal
      conditions there is a balance between these factors, and the leaf contains a
      mixture of the different forms of SPS. 

PMID- 24221479
TI  - The effect of auxin concentration on cytokinin stability and metabolism.
AB  - The stability of [(3)H]zeatin riboside supplied to freshly excised tobacco pith
      explants was found to be inversely related to alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid
      concentration in the incubation medium. At higher concentrations of alpha
      naphthaleneacetic acid greater breakdown of [(3)H]zeatin riboside was indicated
      by higher levels of degradative metabolites (adenine, adenosine and adenosine
      nucleotides) formed. This auxin effect on cytokinin metabolism appears to be
      mediated, at least in part, through cytokinin oxidase. The results of in-vitro
      assays carried out with partially purified enzyme from corn kernels substantiale
      this conclusion. These findings are discussed in relation to recent observations
      of auxin and cytokinin levels in crown-gall tumours with altered morphology. 

PMID- 24221480
TI  - Preferential synthesis of plastid DNA and increased replication of plastids in
      cultured tobacco cells following medium renewal.
AB  - During the culture of tobacco BY 2 cells derived from Nicotiana tabacum L. cv.
      Bright Yellow 2, morphological changes of plastid (pt) nucleoids and their
      replication were examined by fluorescence microscopy after staining with 4'6
      diamidino-2-phenylindole. Upon transfer to fresh medium, the fluorescence
      intensity originating from pt nucleoids increased markedly. Copy numbers of ptDNA
      per cell calculated from the quantitative data by super-sensitive
      microspectroscopy increased 11-fold within 1 d of culture to reach 11 000, then
      decreased gradually to 1 000 after one week of culture. Autoradiography by
      labelling with [(3)H]thymidine showed that DNA synthesis in plastids occurred
      exclusively during the first day of culture, whereas nuclear DNA synthesis was
      observed from the first to the sixth day of culture. Replication of plastids was
      most frequently observed on the second day. Thereafter the formation of starch
      granules predominated in plastids up to the fifth day of culture, but the starch
      granules disappeared in the stationary-phase cells. The meaning of such
      preferential synthesis of ptDNA upon transfer to fresh medium is discussed in
      relation to the interaction between plastids and nuclei. 

PMID- 24221481
TI  - Rhythms of fragrance emission in flowers.
AB  - A method for the sampling of volatiles emitted by individual flowers is
      described. Sampling over periods of 3 h allowed the examination of diurnal
      changes in quantity and quality of fragrance. In the species studied,
      Odontoglossum constrictum Lindl., Citrus medica L., Hoya carnosa R. Br., and
      Stephanotis floribunda Brongs., the fragrance was characterized by a few major
      components accompanied by a larger number of minor components. Flowers of all
      species produced volatiles in a rhythmical, diurnal fashion. Whereas in detached
      flowers of O. constrictum and C. medica rhythmicity could be observed for up to
      four cycles, flowers of H. carnosa showed this phenomenon only when attached to
      the plant. Maxima of emission were observed during the day in C. medica and O.
      constrictum whereas in H. carnosa it occurred during the night. In S. floribunda
      a conspicuous asynchronism of the emission of different volatiles was observed,
      resulting in the rhythmical change of fragrance quality. 

PMID- 24221482
TI  - Circadian rhythmicity of fragrance emission in flowers of Hoya carnosa R. Br.
AB  - In flowers of Hoya carnosa R. Br. the nocturnal emission of fragrance occurs
      according to an endogenous circadian rhythmicity. This was demonstrated by the
      continuation of rhythmical emission for two to three cycles under conditions of
      permanent illumination. The free-running period was approx. 29 h under these
      conditions. The inversion of light/dark cycles caused the entrainment of the next
      peak of emission by approx. 12 h whether the inversion was started with a light
      period or a with dark period prolonged for 12 h. When only the flower used for
      fragrance analysis was subjected to an inverted photoperiod, the rest of the
      plant remaining under the original light/dark cycle, the synchronization of
      fragrance emission occurred according to the Zeitgeber perceived by the
      individual flower. 

PMID- 24221483
TI  - The relationship between contents of photosynthetic metabolites and the rate of
      photosynthetic carbon assimilation in leaves of Amaranthus edulis L.
AB  - The relationship between the gas-exchange characteristics of attached leaves of
      Amaranthus edulis L. and the contents of photosynthetic intermediates was
      examined in response to changing irradiance and intercellular partial pressure of
      CO2. After determination of the rate of CO2 assimilation at known intercellular
      CO2 pressure and irradiance, the leaf was freeze-clamped and the contents of
      ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, glycerate-3-phosphate, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate,
      glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, triose phosphates,
      phosphoenolpyruvate, pyruvate, oxaloacetate, aspartate, alanine, malate and
      glutamate were measured. A comparison between the sizes of metabolite pools and
      theoretical calculations of metabolite gradients required for transport between
      the mesophyll and the bundle-sheath cells showed that aspartate, alanine,
      glycerate-3-phosphate and triose phosphates were present in sufficient quantities
      to support transport by diffusion, whereas pyruvate and oxaloacetate were not
      likely to contribute appreciably to the flux of carbon between the two cell
      types. The amounts of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate were high at low intercellular
      partial pressures of CO2, and fell rapidly as the CO2-assimilation rate increased
      with increasing intercellular partial pressures of CO2, indicating that bundle
      sheath CO2 concentrations fell at low intercellular partial pressures of CO2. In
      contrast, the amount of phosphoenolpyruvate and of C4-cycle intermediates
      declined at low intercellular partial pressures of CO2. This behaviour is
      discussed in relation to the co-ordination of carbon assimilation between the
      Calvin and C4 cycles. 

PMID- 24221484
TI  - Particle density and protein composition of the peribacteroid membrane from
      soybean root nodules is affected by mutation in the microsymbiont Bradyrhizobium
      japonicum.
AB  - Particle frequency of the peribacteroid membrane (PBM) from nodules of Glycine
      max (L.) Merr. cv. Maple Arrow infected with Bradyrhizobium japonicum 61-A-101
      (wild-type strain) was determined by freeze-fracturing to be about 2200.MUm(-2)
      in the protoplasmic fracture face and 700.MUm(-2) in the exoplasmic fracture
      face. In membranes isolated from nodules infected with the mutant RH 31-Marburg
      of B. japonicum, the particle frequency was similar in both fracture faces with
      1200-1300 particles.MUm(-2). Analysis of particlesize distribution on
      peribacteroid membranes showed a loss, especially of particle sizes larger than
      11 nm, in the mutant-infected nodules. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis
      (isoelectric focussing and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide) showed 27
      different polypeptides in the PBM from nodules infected with the wild-type
      strain, four of which were absent from the PBM of nodules infected with the
      mutant RH 31-Marburg, which also exhibited one extra small-molecular-weight
      polypeptide. At least 14 of the 27 polypeptides in the PBM from the wild-type
      infected nodule were glycoproteins. In three of these glycoproteins, post
      translational modifications were either lacking or different when the membrane
      was derived from mutant-infected nodules. 

PMID- 24221485
TI  - Transport and posttranslational processing of the vacuolar enzyme alpha
      mannosidase in jack-bean cotyledons.
AB  - alpha-Mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) is a vacuolar enzyme which occurs abundantly in
      the cotyledons of the jack-bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC). The mature enzyme
      is a tetramer with two polypeptides each of relative molecular mass (Mr) 66000
      and Mr 44000. The enzyme has an interesting molecular structure because in its
      native form, it does not bind to concanavalin A (ConA) in spite of the presence
      of a high-mannose glycan. alpha-Mannosidase is synthesized in the developing
      cotyledons of jack-beans at the same time as the abundant proteins canavalin and
      ConA. The enzyme is synthesized as a precursor which has an Mr of 110000 and is
      associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Antibodies against the
      deglycosylated subunits cross-react with the Mr-110000 precursor. Processing of
      the precursor to the constituent polypeptides occurs posttranslationally,
      probably in the protein bodies. Immunocytochemical evidence shows that alpha
      mannosidase is present in the ER and the Golgi complex of developing cells, and
      accumulates in the protein bodies.Labeling with [(3)H]glucosamine shows that
      after processing only the Mr-66000 polypeptide has glucosamine-containing
      glycans. The synthesis of these glycans is inhibited by tunicamycin, indicating
      that they are asparagine-linked oligosaccharides. Analysis of the glycans shows
      that there is a large glycan that is retained by ConA and a small glycan that is
      not retained by ConA. The large glycan is only partially sensitive to alpha
      mannosidase because of the presence of a terminal glucose residue. Cross-reaction
      of the large subunit with an antiserum directed against small, complex glycans of
      plant glycoproteins indicates that this polypeptide probably has a xylose
      containing glycan. Pulse-chase experiments carried out in the presence of
      tunicamycin show that the presence of glycans is not required for transport of
      alpha-mannosidase out of the ER-Golgi system. 

PMID- 24221486
TI  - The activity of powdery-mildew haustoria after feeding the host cells with
      different sugars, as measured with a potentiometric cyanine dye.
AB  - The biotrophic parasite Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei produces haustoria within
      the cells of its host Hordeum vulgare. To determine the physiological activity of
      these haustoria, the electric potential across the membranes in the mitochondria
      of the haustorium was studied. The membrane potential was estimated with the
      fluorescent potentiometric cyanine dye 3,3'-dibutyloxacarbocyanine iodide. The
      addition of depolarizing agents (carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, 2,4
      dinitrophenol or KCN) to infected cells resulted in an increase of fluorescence
      after the addition of low concentrations or a decrease of fluorescence after the
      addition of higher concentrations. When the infected host cell was fed with
      increasing concentrations of D-glucose (25, 50, 75 mM), corresponding decreases
      of fluorescence were measured immediately in the mitochondria of the fungal
      haustoria. Sucrose induced a similar reduction of fluorescence about 20 min late.
      D-Galactose and D-fructose induced a somewhat smaller reduction of fluorescence,
      L-glucose and D-glucitol had no effect. The results indicate that haustoria take
      up glucose from the host cells immediately. Sucrose, D-galactose and D-fructose
      seem to require time to be metabolized before their products reach the fungal
      haustorium or mitochondria. 

PMID- 24221487
TI  - Abiotic factors elicit sesquiterpenoid phytoalexin production but not alkaloid
      production in transformed root cultures of Datura stramonium.
AB  - The treatment of root cultures of Datura stramonium with copper and cadmium salts
      at external concentrations of approximately 1mM has been found to induce the
      rapid accumulation of high levels of sesquiterpenoid defensive compounds, notably
      lubimin and 3-hydroxylubimin. These compounds were undetectable in unelicited
      cultures. No net change was seen in the alkaloid content of the system following
      treatment with Cu(2+) or Cd(2+), the tropane alkaloid titre apparently being
      insensitive to elicitation. However, a considerable rapid and, in some instances,
      reversible release of alkaloid was observed. This resulted in the appearance of
      up to 50-75% of the total alkaloid in the medium after 40-60 h. Subsequently, in
      cultures treated with Cu(2+) ions, though not in cultures treated with Cd(2+)
      ions, this alkaloid was re-absorbed. These observations show how, in a single
      system, different groups of secondary products can show distinct differences in
      their responses to potential elicitors. 

PMID- 24221488
TI  - Avoidance of precipitation and carbohydrate breakdown in autoclaved plant tissue
      culture media.
AB  - The extent of breakdown of fructose and glucose derived from sucrose in the
      medium of Murashige and Skoog (1962) during autoclaving was investigated by
      polarographic measurement. Although not present in the original MS medium but
      often used in place of FeSO4 + Na2-EDTA, FeNa-EDTA was found to be primarily
      responsible for catalyzing the breakdown of these monosaccharides. It would
      therefore be good practice to autoclave FeNa-EDTA separate from the carbohydrate
      constituents of the medium in order to reduce the formation of toxic substances
      derived from the latter's breakdown. Autoclaving FeNa-EDTA separately has the
      additional advantage of preventing precipitation of certain micronutrient
      elements. Further precipitation can be avoided by autoclaving FeNa-EDTA and
      KH2PO4 together, but separately, from other components of the medium. By
      eliminating precipitation and minimizing the breakdown of monosaccharides during
      autoclaving, it is possible to improve the quality of the medium without
      resorting to sterilization by filtering. 

PMID- 24221489
TI  - Histology of, and physical factors affecting, transient GUS expression in pearl
      millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) embryos following microprojectile
      bombardment.
AB  - Transient GUS (beta-glucuronidase) expression was visualized in whole and
      sectioned embryos of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. (pearl millet) after
      microprojectile bombardment with pMON 8678 DNA. Strongest GUS expression occurred
      in cells located in the center of GUS positive spots with decreasing intensity in
      surrounding cells. GUS positive cells could be seen up to 12 cell layers beneath
      the epidermis. Needle-like crystals of the GUS assay product were found
      throughout the cytoplasm of GUS positive cells. The number of GUS positive spots
      was correlated to the microprojectile spread pattern on the medium surface.
      Shorter bombardment distances (6.6 and 9.8 cm) and the standard accelerator speed
      gave the best results for transient expression but also caused maximum tissue
      damage. The speed and distance, however, had little influence on the ability of
      bombarded embryos to form compact callus. The developmental stage of the
      bombarded immature embryos was the determining factor in the formation of compact
      callus, from which plants were regenerated. 

PMID- 24221490
TI  - Regulation of DNA synthesis and cell division by polyamines in Catharanthus
      roseus suspension cultures.
AB  - Various inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis were used to study the role of
      polyamines in DNA synthesis and cell division in suspension cultures of
      Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. Arginine decarboxylase (ADC; EC 4.1.1.19) was
      the major enzyme responsible for putrescine production. DL alpha
      difluoromethylarginine inhibited ADC activity, cellular putrescine content, DNA
      synthesis, and cell division. The effect was reversible by exogenous putrescine.
      Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; EC 4.1.1.17) activity was always less than 10% of
      the ADC activity. Addition of DL alpha-difluoromethylornithine had no effect on
      ODC activity, cellular polyamine levels, DNA synthesis, and cell division within
      the first 24 h but by 48 to 72 h it did inhibit these activities. Methylglyoxal
      bis(guanyl-hydrazone) inhibited S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.50)
      activity without affecting DNA synthesis and cell division. 

PMID- 24221491
TI  - Clonal propagation of Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.) by organogenesis.
AB  - Clonal propagation of Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.) was achieved by
      organogenesis on cotyledon explants. The influence of several cytokinins and
      abscisic acid on adventitious shoot production from cotyledon explants was
      investigated. Benzyladenine was more effective in shoot induction than three
      other cytokinins tested. Benzyladenine (22.2 MUM) in combination with
      naphthaleneacetic acid(0.05 MUM) in a Gresshoff and Doy (1972) medium was found
      to increase shoot bud production. Abscisic acid (7.6 MUM) in combination with
      benzyladenine and naphthaleneacetic acid enhanced shoot formation by an
      additional 65%. Root initiation was achieved with 0.5 strength Gresshoff and Doy
      media amended with naphthaleneacetic acid (1.3 MUM), indole-3-butyric acid (1.2
      MUM) and benzyladenine (0.4 MUM). Over 2400 plantlets from 2 families survived
      and were transferred to a greenhouse in preparation for field planting. After ten
      months, the maximum number of surviving plantlets/seed explant from these two
      sources was 57 for family ALPV-38 and 41 for family ALPV-78, respectively. 

PMID- 24221492
TI  - Transformation by Agrobacterium rhizogenes and regeneration of transgenic shoots
      of the wild soybean Glycine argyrea.
AB  - Glycine argyrea accession G1420 was evaluated for its response to inoculation
      with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains LBA9402 and A4T, carrying wild type Ri
      plasmids, and by strains R1601 and A4TIII with engineered plasmids. Hypocotyls
      from young seedlings were the most responsive in producing roots at inoculation
      sites. Root production was also dependent on bacterial concentration. Excised,
      cultured roots produced green nodular callus which regenerated shoots on SC2
      medium containing 1.1 mg l(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.005 mg l(-1) indole-3
      butyric acid. The transformed nature of the roots and of callus regenerating
      shoots was confirmed by the presence of opines and by dot blot analysis for Ri TL
      DNA. Tissues regenerated from roots transformed by A. rhizogenes strains R1601
      and A4TIII exhibited NPTII enzyme activity, confirming the stable integration and
      expression of the chimaeric kanamycin resistance gene in transgenic tissues. 

PMID- 24221493
TI  - Relationship between protoplast size and critical field strength in protoplast
      electropulsing and application to reliable DNA uptake in Brassica.
AB  - Protoplast diameter, a physical parameter controlling the susceptibility to
      electropermeation, was observed to vary between different batches of Brassica
      napus and Brassica campestris protoplasts. In order to control the permeation
      field strength associated with the protoplast size, we investigated the
      mathematical relationship between permeant field strength and protoplast size by
      measuring electroloading of the calcein dye under conditions that did not alter
      protoplast survival. A roughly linear relationship was obtained when the permeant
      field strength was plotted against the reciprocal of the radius. The plot
      characteristics were found to be tissue specific (mesophyll, hypocotyl and
      cotyledon), species specific (turnip, rapeseed) and modulated by the pulse
      duration. These plots were used as reference curves to determine accurate
      electrical conditions for DNA transfer whatever the size distributions of
      different protoplast batches. 

PMID- 24221494
TI  - Cryopreservation of immature embryos of Theobroma cacao.
AB  - Immature, white zygotic embryos of Theobroma cacao L. (cacao) retained the
      ability to produce callus and to undergo somatic embryogenesis after slow
      hydrated freezing and desiccated fast freezing in liquid nitrogen. The highest
      rate of somatic embryogenesis occurred in embryos which were precultured on a
      medium containing 3% sucrose, frozen slowly with cryoprotectants before exposure
      to liquid nitrogen, and recovered on a medium containing 3 mg/liter NAA. Embryos
      precultured on media containing sucrose increasing to 21% had a higher rate of
      survival but were less embryogenic after freezing. These results suggest that
      immature embryos might be used for long-term germplasm storage of T. cacao
      germplasm. 

PMID- 24221495
TI  - A segment of rye chromosome 1 enhances growth and embryogenesis of calli derived
      from immature embryos of wheat.
AB  - The influence of the short arm of rye chromosome 1 (1RS) from Secale cereale var.
      Imperial on the growth and differentiation of callus cultures from wheat Triticum
      aestivum var. Chinese Spring immature embryos was analysed. This chromosome arm
      was found to stimulate both embryogenesis and the rate of growth of calli.
      Recombinant lines carrying segments of 1RS were used to delineate the regions of
      1RS responsible for the tissue culture effects. The enhancement of embryogenesis
      and the stimulation of growth were shown to be associated with two distinct
      genetic regions of the chromosome arm; the former is located between the
      centromere and the Sec 1 locus, while the latter is situated in the immediate
      vicinity of the Sec 1 locus. 

PMID- 24221496
TI  - Biochemical differences between carrot inbreds differing in plant regeneration
      potential.
AB  - Cultures derived from domestic carrot (Daucus carota L.) inbreds were found to
      vary with respect to regeneration potential as measured by the production of
      somatic embryos in suspension cultures. A number of biochemical parameters
      previously reported to distinguish embryogenic from non-embryogenic cultures of
      other species were measured in these carrot cell lines. Ethylene production was
      found to be inversely related to regeneration potential. The cell line producing
      the greatest number of somatic embryos exhibited the lowest rate of ethylene
      biosynthesis, even when grown on 2, 4-D-containing maintenance medium. A specific
      isozyme of acid phosphatase was associated with embryogenic calli. Proteins
      visualized by SDS-PAGE did not discriminate between embryo-forming and
      proliferating calli in all inbreds. 

PMID- 24221497
TI  - A liquid cytokinin pulse induces adventitious shoot formation from Douglas-fir
      cotyledons.
AB  - The effects of high-concentration, 2-h liquid pulses of N(6)-benzylaminopurine
      (BA) and thidiazuron (TD) on adventitious bud and shoot formation were tested in
      cotyledons of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Seedling age proved important;
      on average, cotyledons from the youngest seedlings formed 10-fold more buds than
      cotyledons from the oldest seedlings. Optimal cytokinin concentrations for the
      youngest cotyledons were 400 and 800 MUM BA, and 100 and 200 MUM TD. Shoots
      developed best from buds induced with 300, 400, and 800 MUM BA. Four gelling
      agents were tested; BRL agarose yielded more than three times the number of buds,
      and Gelrite nearly twice the number of buds, as either Sigma agar or Difco Bacto
      Agar. One of the best treatments (400 MUM BA, agarose) yielded more cotyledons
      with buds, and more buds per cotyledon, than when cytokinins were incorporated
      into the growth medium. 

PMID- 24221498
TI  - The detection and characterization of bacteria-sized protists in "Protist-free"
      filtrates and their potential impact on experimental marine ecology.
AB  - Nuclepore filters of 0.6-1.0MUm pore size have been used to prepare "protist
      free" water for a number of studies in microbial ecology. This procedure has been
      called into question by a recent study claiming that a significant portion of
      bacterial loss in filtrates could be due to uncharacterized predators passing
      through 0.6MUm filters. We were unable to directly observe protists in 0.6MUm
      filtrates using phase contrast, epifluorescence, or transmission electron
      microscopy. Using the culture techniques of rice grain enrichment and most
      probable number, however, we were able to observe and quantify several species of
      bacterivorous nanoflagellates that developed not only in 0.6MUm, but also in
      0.4MUm seawater filtrates. The ability of predacious nanoflagellates to squeeze
      through bacteria-sized pores questions studies of bacterial production and
      chemical cycling that have assumed protist-free filtrates. 

PMID- 24221499
TI  - Adsorption mediated decrease in the biodegradation rate of organic compounds.
AB  - A negative correlation between adsorption of low molecular weight organic acids
      and sugars onto a hydroxyapatite surface and biodegradation rates of the
      compounds in the presence of the mineral was observed. Qualitatively, the effect
      was the same whether the organics were equilibrated with the surface prior to the
      addition of organisms or the organisms were preattached to the surface. Glucose,
      acetic acid, succinic acid, glutamic acid, and citric acid showed equilibrium
      adsorption values ranging from 0-94% from a 2MUM solution. Changes in both
      respiration and assimilation of the substrates in the presence of hydroxyapatite
      were inversely correlated with adsorption. 

PMID- 24221500
TI  - Effects of organic amendments on sulfate reduction activity, H2 consumption, and
      H 2 production in salt marsh sediments.
AB  - Sulfate reduction activity (SRA) was measured via the radioactive tracer ((35)SO4
      (=)) technique in sediment samples from the Canary Creek Marsh in Lewes,
      Delaware. Basal levels of SRA ranged from 130 to 319 nmoles of sulfate
      reduced/gram dry sediment/hour. With the exception of lactate and formate, all
      organic acids tested resulted in no stimulation of SRA, whereas straight chain
      alcohols (C1-C4) all gave a significant increase in SRA. In addition, H2,
      glucose, and cellobiose caused a twofold or greater increase in SRA, while
      cellulose amendments did not alter SRA. Molybdate, an inhibitor of sulfate
      reducing bacteria (SRB), caused a total inhibition in SRA. 2-Bromoethanesulfonic
      acid (BES), an inhibitor of methanogenic bacteria, caused a slight decrease in
      SRA. Hydrogen was not produced in detectable quantities in unamended samples but
      was produced in large amounts in glucose-amended samples. Hydrogen was rapidly
      consumed in unamended samples with molybdate additions causing a significant
      decrease in the rate of H2 consumption. A variety of organic amendments was found
      to stimulate H2 uptake. These studies suggest that SRB are stimulated by a large
      variety of organic amendments in situ and that SRB play a major role in
      maintaining low partial pressures of H2 in marsh sediments. 

PMID- 24221501
TI  - Metabolism of low molecular weight organic compounds by sulfate-reducing bacteria
      in a Delaware salt marsh.
AB  - Oxidation of acetate, lactate, pyruvate, and ethanol to CO2 in anaerobic salt
      marsh sediments was rapid, with the oxidation rate being significantly inhibited
      (60-90% decrease) in the presence of 2 mM sodium molybdate, an inhibitor of
      sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). 2-Bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES), an inhibitor
      of methanogenic bacteria, generally had no effect on the oxidation rate. Acetate
      was the only intermediate product detected in the oxidation of lactate and
      ethanol. Competition studies with lactate, acetate, and ethanol indicated that
      the preferred order of substrate utilization was lactate, then acetate, then
      ethanol. The turnover times of these three compounds in salt marsh sediments via
      the combined CO2 plus acetate pool was rapid (10-13 hours) with a two- to
      threefold increase in the turnover time in the presence of molybdate. These
      results strongly suggest that SRB play a major role in the terminal metabolism of
      low molecular weight organic compounds in anaerobic salt marsh sediment. 

PMID- 24221502
TI  - Microbial response to crude oil and Corexit 9527: SEAFLUXES enclosure study.
AB  - The response of marine bacteria to Corexit 9527, with and without Prudhoe Bay
      crude oil labeled withn-(1-(14)C)hexadecane, in a temperate pelagic environment
      was monitored over 22 days using controlled ecosystem enclosures. The results
      indicated that Corexit and Corexit-dispersed crude oil stimulated bacterial
      production by serving as substrates and/or by inducing the release of organic
      compounds from the indigenous phytoplankton population. Highest bacterial
      standing stock was observed in the enclosure treated with a mixture of Corexit
      and crude oil, in which a large fraction of the predominant bacterivores were
      eliminated. Biodegradation appeared to be more significant than abiotic processes
      in contributing to the loss of low volatility n-alkanes in Corexit-dispersed oil.
      Twenty-two days following its addition, 50% of the radiotracer was recovered: 3%
      in the suspended particulate fraction, 10% in sedimentary material, 36% as CO2,
      and less than 1% in the dissolved organic pool. 

PMID- 24221503
TI  - Development of a heterotrophic bacterial community within a closed prawn
      aquaculture system.
AB  - The quantitative and qualitative development of a heterotrophic bacterial
      community in seawater was studied throughout an experimental rearing of the
      prawnPenaeus japonicus. The maturation of juvenile prawns had been carried out
      for 8 months in aerated tanks of seawater without any water renewal. Bacteria
      (337 strains) were isolated from seawater, which had been sampled at different
      times. Samples from one of the mussels used to feed the prawns and from the
      digestive tract of one prawn each supplied 40 more strains. 101 tests were
      performed on each strain, and cluster analysis showed the existence of 4
      different groups containing 95% of the sampled strains. Characteristics of the
      various samples and groups were described in terms of ecotype diversities,
      catabolic potentialities, nutritional capacities, and morpho-physiological
      groups. Until nitrification attained a steady state, the heterotrophic community
      clearly decreased in number and was composed mostly of auxotrophic bacteria
      (pseudomonads andMoraxella-Acinetobacter groups). These bacteria needed growth
      factors and were unable to use amino acids (group B). At the end of the
      experiment (7 months) the bacteria isolated from the water were vibrios and
      enterobacteria, as were those isolated from the prawn and the mussel. They
      clustered together in group A. The number of strains that clustered with those of
      natural seawater (group E) decreased steadily during the experimental period. 

PMID- 24221504
TI  - Attenuated osteoarticular phenotype of type VI mucopolysaccharidosis: a report of
      four patients and a review of the literature.
AB  - Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, MPS VI, OMIM 253200) is
      caused by mutations in the gene coding for N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase (4
      sulfatase, arylsulfatase B, ARSB, EC 3.1.6.12), a lysosomal enzyme involved in
      the degradation of dermatan sulfate (DS). The clinical presentation of MPS VI
      varies greatly with respect to age of onset and rate of disease progression. This
      report focuses on the attenuated form of MPS VI, which can go unrecognized for
      years and often presents with atypical signs or symptoms. We described a cohort
      of MPS VI patients (n = 4) heterozygous for the p.Y210C mutation who had a
      significant osteoarticular involvement at the onset of their disease and who were
      diagnosed years or even decades later. We have also reviewed the literature (n =
      36). Two types of attenuated MPS VI phenotypes could be distinguished:
      osteoarticular and cardiac. The majority of MPS VI patients reported so far as
      relatively attenuated presented with an essentially osteoarticular phenotype
      associated with the p.Y210C mutation. Patients homozygous for the p.R152W
      mutation presented with a cardiac phenotype, which, despite fulfilling the
      generally used criteria for attenuated phenotype, may lead to fast disease
      progression and abrupt death. The knowledge of natural history and genotype
      phenotype correlation may help in developing a tailored therapy potentially using
      enzyme replacement therapy with substrate reduction therapy or chaperones. 

PMID- 24221505
TI  - Translation into Brazilian Portuguese, cross-cultural adaptation and validation
      of the Stanford presenteeism scale-6 and work instability scale for ankylosing
      spondylitis.
AB  - Loss of productivity at work, as a result of health problems, is becoming an
      issue of interest due to the high burden it represents in society. The
      measurement of such phenomenon can be made using generic and specific scales for
      certain diseases such as the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6) and the Work
      Instability Scale for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS-WIS), specific for patients with
      ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to translate and perform a
      cross-cultural adaptation of SPS-6 and AS-WIS into Portuguese and check their
      psychometric properties. The study also aimed to evaluate the relationship
      between the general scores of the scales and the main sociodemographic and
      clinical data, lifestyles, and absenteeism in patients with AS and correlate
      these variables with SPS-6 and AS-WIS scales. A sample of 120 patients with AS
      and 80 workers at a university hospital was evaluated. The processes for the
      translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the instruments followed
      preestablished steps and rules presented in the literature. For the evaluation of
      measurement properties and correlations between scales, intra-class correlation
      coefficient (reproducibility analysis), Cronbach alpha (internal consistency),
      and Pearson correlation coefficient (validity) were employed. The inter-observer
      (0.986) and intra-observer (0.992) reproducibilities of the AS-WIS were shown to
      be high as well as the internal consistency (0.995). Similarly, the inter
      observer reliability of SPS-6 was considered good (0.890), although it showed a
      poorer performance when considering the same observer (Pearson correlation
      coefficient = 0.675 and intra-class correlation = 0.656). Internal consistency,
      for the total number of items, as measured by Cronbach alpha, was 0.889. The
      validity of the scales was evaluated thru the comparison of the achieved scores
      with the results of the WLQ, SF-36, ASQoL, BASFI, BASDAI, HAQ-S, and SRQ-20
      instruments. Correlations between loss of productivity at work, worse quality of
      life, presence of emotional disturbances, and worse health conditions were
      positive. The process of translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation
      of the SPS-6 as a generic measurement for the loss of productivity at work and of
      the AS-WIS as a specific measurement for patients with AS are valid,
      reproducible, and specific instruments to be used in Brazil. In both scales,
      productivity at work was associated to advanced age, higher rate of absenteeism
      in the last month and year, presence of peripheral arthritis, and a larger number
      of comorbidities in patients with AS. The AS-WIS and SPS-6 showed a good
      correlation among them although they are not mutually exclusive but
      supplementary.

PMID- 24221506
TI  - Does vitamin D affect femoral cartilage thickness? An ultrasonographic study.
AB  - This study aims to investigate the association between vitamin D levels and
      distal femoral cartilage thickness in healthy subjects. Eighty patients who were
      admitted to our outpatient clinic between May and July 2013 were classified into
      three subgroups according to their 25-OH vitamin D levels of <10, 10-20, and >=20
      ng/mL. Distal femoral cartilage thickness was measured from the midpoints of the
      right medial condyle (RMC), right lateral condyle (RLC), right intercondylar area
      (RIA), left medial condyle (LMC), left lateral condyle (LLC), and left
      intercondylar area (LIA) by using musculoskeletal ultrasound (US). The group with
      severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) had thinner femoral cartilage thickness
      at LMC (p = 0.005). Positive correlations were determined only between vitamin D
      levels and US measurements in the severe vitamin D deficiency group at RLC (r =
      444, p = 0.020), LMC (r = 357, p = 0.067), and LLC (r = 568, p = 0.002). Low
      levels of vitamin D seem to affect the femoral cartilage thickness, adversely.
      Further studies are necessary to ascertain the clinical relevance of this change
      in cartilage thickness and whether vitamin D supplementation can reverse the
      cartilage thinning process or the allied clinical symptoms in the course of knee
      osteoarthritis.

PMID- 24221507
TI  - Auditory event-related signals in mouse ERG recordings.
AB  - PURPOSE: In murine disease models, particularly in cases when retinal electrical
      activity is reduced, an event-related component becomes apparent that does not
      change with the stimulus intensity in electroretinogram (ERG) recordings. In this
      work, we show that this electric component is evoked by the sound of the flash
      discharge rather than the light flash itself. METHODS: Wild-type mice (C57BL/6),
      mice with rod function only (Cnga3 (-/-)), mice lacking any photoreceptor
      function (Cnga3 (-/-) rho (-/-)), and mice with no auditory function (Cdh23
      (vAlb/vAlb) ) were examined with Xenon flash ERG systems. An acoustic noise
      generator was used to mask discharge sounds. RESULTS: ERG recording modalities
      were identified where usually no discernible response can be elicited. These
      include photopic conditions in Cnga3 (-/-) mice, photopic conditions together
      with very low stimulus intensities in C57BL/6 mice, and both scotopic and
      photopic conditions in Cnga3 (-/-) rho (-/-) mice. However, in all of these
      cases, small signals, featuring an initial a-wave like deflection at about 20 ms
      and a subsequent b-wave like deflection peaking at about 40 ms after the flash,
      were detected. In contrast, such signals could not be detected in deaf Cdh23
      (vAlb/vAlb) mice. Furthermore, masking the Xenon discharge sound by continuous
      acoustic noise led to a loss of the event-related signals in a reversible manner.
      CONCLUSIONS: We could identify an auditory event-related component, presumably
      resembling auditory evoked potentials, as a major source of ERG signals of non
      visual origin in mice. This finding may be of particular importance for the
      analysis and interpretation of ERG data in mice with reduced visual responses.

PMID- 24221508
TI  - Recovery of plastids from photooxidative damage: Significance of a plastidic
      factor.
AB  - It was inferred from previous findings that a plastid-derived factor (plastidic
      factor) is involved in the transcriptional control of nuclear genes coding for
      proteins destined for the chloroplast. Photooxidative damage to the plastid
      destroys the ability of the organelle to give off this factor. Cytosolic enzyme
      levels are not impaired if plastids are damaged, and morphogenesis of seedlings
      is normal. The only exception found so far is nitrate reductase, a cytosolic
      enzyme, which is regulated by the cellas if it were a plastidic protein. In the
      present study we have shown that the plastids in the mesophyll of mustard
      (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons, damaged by 3 h photooxidation in red light (6.8
      W.m(-2)) and then returned to darkness or to continuous, non-photooxidative far
      red light (cFR), recover from photooxidative damage. The rate of recovery is
      stimulated by phytochrome (operationally, cFR). Since the cytosolic enzyme
      nitrate reductase is affected by the different treatments in principally the same
      way as the levels of plastidic enzymes, we conclude that it is recovery of the
      plastids' ability to give off the plastidic factor rather than structural
      recovery which leads to recovery of gene expression and protein (and chlorophyll)
      re-accumulation. The extent of recovery varied according to the enzyme and this
      variation could be explained by different plastidic-factor requirements for gene
      expression. This explanation was confirmed by measurements of translatable mRNAs.
      It was found that LHCP-gene expression (light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding
      protein of photosystem II) is far more sensitive to photooxidative damage of the
      plastids than SSU-gene expression (small subunit of ribulose-1.5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase). Correspondingly, recovery is expressed to a much greater extent in
      the latter than in the former case. 

PMID- 24221509
TI  - The detection of fucose residues in plant nuclear envelopes.
AB  - Protoplasts from suspension-culturedDaucus carota L. cells, when fixed and
      incubated with fluorescein conjugates of the fucosyl-specific lectinUlex
      europaeus agglutinin I, exhibited the following pattern of labeling: plasma
      membranes were not marked, but striking halos of fluorescence appeared around the
      periphery of all nucleic. Identical observations were made with protoplasts
      fromVicia faba L. leaves,Pisum sativum L. epicotyls,Zea mays L. roots andGlycine
      max L. cell suspensions, as well as with nucleic in cell-free preparations from
      the same sources. These results indicate that in a broad spectrum of angiosperm
      cells, fucose residues are associated with the nuclear envelope. The relationship
      of this finding in plant cells to recent discoveries regarding nuclear
      glycoconjugates in animal cells remains to be explored. 

PMID- 24221510
TI  - The sensitive period for light and temperature regulation of sporangiophore
      development inPhycomyces.
AB  - Light and temperature markedly influence sporangiophore development inPhycomyces
      blakesleeanus. Under normal conditions in the dark, low temperature drastically
      stimulates the production of dwarf sporangiophores (microphorogenesis) and
      inhibits that of giant sporangiophores (macrophorogenesis). These effects of low
      temperature could still be observed if applied only for a short period before
      sporangiophore initiation. Continuous white illumination strongly inhibits
      microphorogenesis and slightly stimulates macrophorogenesis. Short exposures to
      white light noticeably inhibit microphorogenesis and stimulate macrophorogenesis
      when given to mycelia grown for between 90 and 160 h at 14 degrees  C or 150 h or
      more at 10 degrees  C. These results indicate the existence in the mycelium of
      developmental stages for the regulation of sporangiophorogenesis by environmental
      signals. 

PMID- 24221511
TI  - Photomorphogenesis inPhycomyces: Dependence on environmental conditions.
AB  - The production of two kinds of vegetative reproductive structures, microphores
      and macrophores, byPhycomyces blakesleeanus Bgff. depends on plating density,
      ventilation, asparagine supply, and illumination. Quantitative determinations of
      these variables lead us to propose a new experimental system for developmental
      photobiology: standard plastic Petri plates containing 25 ml minimal medium are
      inoculated with 10(5) viable, heat-activated spores and incubated, unpiled and
      unsealed, at 22 degrees  C. After 4 d microphores are counted and macrophores are
      weighed. Both microphorogenesis and macrophorogenesis are governed by light.
      Photosensitivity is a developmental phenomenon which occurs 32 to 68 h after
      inoculation, just before the beginning of vegetative reproduction in the dark
      controls. The maximum photosensitivity occurs 48 h after inoculation. 

PMID- 24221512
TI  - Photomorphogenesis inPhycomyces: Fluence-response curves and action spectra.
AB  - Blue light regulates vegetative reproduction inPhycomyces blakesleeanus Bgff. by
      inhibiting the development of microphores and stimulating that of macrophores.
      Fluence-response curves were obtained at twelve different wavelengths. Each
      response exhibits a two-step ("biphasic") dependence on fluence, as if it
      resulted from the addition of two separate components with different thresholds,
      midpoints, and amplitudes. The absolute threshold is close to 10 photons.MUm(2).
      The threshold fluence of the low-intensity component is about 10(4) times smaller
      than that of the high-intensity component. The action spectra for each of the two
      components of the two responses share general similarities, but exhibit
      significant differences that might be taken to favour four separate photosystems.
      Additional complexity is indicated by the wavelength dependence of the saturation
      levels. 

PMID- 24221513
TI  - Antibody localization of extensin in cell walls of carrot storage roots.
AB  - The accumulation and cross-linking of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs)
      in cell walls of dicotyledonous plants has been correlated with a number of wall
      strengthening phenomena. Polyclonal antibodies raised against glycosylated
      extensin-1, the most abundant HRGP in carrot (Daucus carota L.) cell walls,
      recognize this antigen on gel and dot blots and on thin sections of epoxy
      embedded carrot-root cell walls. Since wall labeling can be largely reduced by
      preincubating the antibodies with purified extensin-1, most labeling can be
      attributed to recognition of this antigen. The remaining label may be the result
      of recognition of extensin-2, a second carrot HRGP, or other wall components
      (cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin are not recognized). Extensin-1 label was
      distributed quite uniformly across the cell wall but was absent from the expanded
      middle lamella at the intersection of three or more cells and was reduced in the
      narrow middle lamella between two cells. This distribution is essentially the
      same as that of cellulose. Because of limitations of this labeling technique, it
      is not possible to construct a complete model of the structure of the cross
      linked extensin matrix. Nonetheless, short, linear arrays of gold particles may
      represent small portions of the extensin matrix or of individual extensin
      molecules as they are exposed on the surface of sections. These and other results
      presented here indicate that: a) newly synthesized extensin is added to the wall
      by intussusception; b) extensin cannot cross the middle lamella separating the
      walls of adjacent cells; and c) incorporation of extensin is a late event in the
      development of phloem-parenchyma cell walls in carrot. 

PMID- 24221514
TI  - Physical properties of the cell wall of photoautotrophic suspension cells
      fromChenopodium rubrum L.
AB  - Photoautotrophic suspension cells ofChenopodium rubrum were used to determine
      Donnan potential, charge density and pore-radius distribution in the cell wall.
      Experiments were done either with turgescent cells or with isolated cell walls.
      Titration of a cell-wall-generated 9-aminoacridine fluorescence quench with salts
      of mono- and divalent cations was used to determine Donnan potential and charge
      density. The experiments and theory were adapted from measurements of membrane
      surface charges. A tenfold increase in ionic strength, which decreases the
      repellant forces between charges of the same sign, led to an approximately
      threefold increase in the measured charge density, thus resulting in a much
      smaller decrease of the Donnan potential than would be expected if the charge
      density remained fixed. This decreased influence of ionic strength on the Donnan
      potential, resulting from the elasticity of the cell wall, was also measurable
      but less pronounced when the wall of intact cells was stretched by turgor. The
      porosity of the cell wall was determined by longterm uptake of polyethylene
      glycols of different molecular weights, and by gel filtration of polyethylene
      glycols and dextrans as well as mono- and disaccharides using intact suspension
      cells as matrix. Both methods gave a mean pore diameter of about 4.5 nm and a
      maximum pore size of 5.5 nm. The resulting pores-size distribution was slightly
      broader with the latter method. 

PMID- 24221515
TI  - Stimulation of sugar exit from leaf tissues ofVicia faba L.
AB  - After removal of the lower epidermis, leaf discs ofVicia faba L. were loaded with
      either [(14)C]sucrose or [(3)H]3-O-methylglucose (3-O-MeG). The exit of preloaded
      sucrose was strongly stimulated when sucrose was present in the bathing medium,
      and the exit of 3-O-MeG was also markedly increased in the presence of 3-O-MeG.
      This specific stimulation exhibited single saturation dependence on the external
      concentration of sugar (K m=9 mM for sucrose, 5 mM for 3-O-MeG), and was
      sensitive to low temperature, uncouplers and thiol reagents. Sucrose exit was
      never affected by 3-O-MeG in the bathing medium. Sucrose did not affect the exit
      of 3-O-MeG in fresh discs, but promoted this exit in discs previously aged for 12
      h, indicating partial external hydrolysis of sucrose in the latter tissues.
      Ageing also dramatically increased the exit of 3-O-MeG induced by 3-O-MeG but had
      no effect on the exit of sucrose induced by sucrose. The ability of 53 compounds
      (pentoses, hexoses, hexose-phosphates, polyols, di- and trisaccharides, phenyl-
      and nitrophenyl-derivatives, sweeteners) to interact with the sucrose carrier and
      with the hexose carrier was tested. Sucrose, maltose, alpha-phenylglucoside andp
      nitrophenyl-alpha-glucoside interacted with the sucrose carrier.D-glucose,D
      xylose,D-fucose,D-galactose,D-mannose, 3-O-MeG and 2-deoxyglucose interacted with
      the hexose carrier. 

PMID- 24221516
TI  - Sugar nucleotides dissipate ATP-generated transmembrane pH gradient in Golgi
      vesicles from suspension-cell protoplasts ofChenopodium rubrum L.
AB  - A microsomal vesicle fraction (GV) markedly enriched by the Golgi marker enzyme
      latent inosine diphosphatase (IDPase) has been isolated from photoautotrophic
      suspension-cell protoplasts ofChenopodium rubrum L. Addition of ATP creates a
      substantial pH gradient across the GV membrane as measured by accumulation of
      acridine orange. The GV showed a density of 1.14 g.cm(-3) by equilibrium density
      centrifugation on sucrose gradients. Coincidence of acridine-orange accumulation
      and IDPase activity was confirmed on Percoll gradients. Formation of the pH
      gradient half-saturates at 0.3 mM MgATP, peaks at pH 7, and is competitively
      inhibited by ADP (k i<=0.1 mM), but not by Pi; it is hardly inhibited by
      orthovanadate, quickly dissipated by monensink 2=18 nM), nigericin (k 1/2=25 nM),
      and sluggishly by N-ethylmaleimide (k 1/2~35 MUM). Inhibition by KNO3 (k 1/2~6.7
      mM) is incomplete (60%). Uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-glucose, UDP-galactose, but
      not UDP-mannose and the pertinent sugars, dissipate the ATP-generated pH gradient
      (k 1/2~10-20 mM UDP-glucose; optimum pH at 7.8). This UDP-glucose activity is
      accompanied by release of Pi, but not of glucose or sucrose. UDP-glucoseinduced
      Pi release from the GV saturates (k 1/2=1 mM UDP-glucose; optimum pH at 7) and is
      completely inhibited by the anion-channel blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'
      stilbene disulfonic acid (DIDS;k 1/2=140 MUM). The GV incorporates UDP-[U
      (14)C]glucose into an acid-labile, alkaline-stable macromolecular compound; this
      process is like-wise inhibited by DIDS. We propose a model including, inter alia,
      a UDP-glucose/uridine-5'-monophosphate translocator and a phosphate-permeable
      anion channel to operate in Golgi vesicles ofChenopodium rubrum. 

PMID- 24221517
TI  - Inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate inhibit cell-to-cell passage of
      carboxyfluorescein in staminal hairs ofSetcreasea purpurea.
AB  - pH-buffered carboxyfluorescein (Buffered-CF) alone (control), or Buffered-CF
      solutions containing one of the following: (1)D-myo-inositol (I); (2)D-myo
      inositol 2-monophosphate (IP1); (3)D-myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate (IP2); (4)D
      myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3); (5)D-fructose 2,6-diphosphate (F-2,6P2)
      were microinjected into the terminal cells of staminal hairs ofSetcreasea
      purpurea Boom. Passage of the CF from this terminal cell along the chain of cells
      towards the filament was monitored for 5 min using fluorescence microscopy and
      quantified using computer-assisted fluorescence-intensity video analysis. Cell-to
      cell transport of CF in hairs microinjected with Buffered-CF containing either I,
      IP1 or F-2,6P2 was similar to that in hairs microinjected with Buffered-CF only.
      On the other hand, cell-to-cell transport of CF in hairs microinjected with
      Buffered-CF containing either IP2 or IP3 was inhibited. These results indicate
      that polyphosphoinositols may be involved in the regulation of intercellular
      transport of low-molecular-weight, hydrophilic molecules in plants. 

PMID- 24221518
TI  - Co-ordinated regulation of chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase in bean leaves.
AB  - Ethylene induced chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) and beta-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.29) to
      a similar extent in primary leaves of bean seedlings (Phaseolus vulgaris cv.
      Saxa). Both enzymes were purified from ethylene-treated leaves, and monospecific
      antibodies were raised aginst them. Ethylene treatments strongly increased the
      amount of immunore-active chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase. Ethylene enhanced
      synthesis of chitinase in vivo, as tested by immunoprecipitation after pulse
      labelling with [(35)S]methionine. RNA was isolated from bean leaves and
      translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system in vitro. The chitinase and the
      beta-1,3-glucanase antiserum each precipitated a single polypeptide from the
      translation products. The precipitated polypeptides were 1500 and 4000 daltons
      larger, respectively, than native chitinase and native beta-1,3-glucanase,
      indicating that the two enzymes were synthesized as precursors in vitro. The
      translatable mRNAs for both enzymes increased at least tenfold within 2 h in
      response to a treatment with ethylene. When ethylene was withdrawn after 8 h of
      incubation, the translatable mRNAs for both enzymes decreased somewhat more
      slowly, reaching the basal level about 25 h later. In all cases, there was a
      close correlation between the levels of translatable mRNA for chitinase and beta
      1,3-glucanase. A putative beta-1,3-glucanase cDNA clone, pCH16, was isolated by
      hybrid-selected translation. The amount of beta-1,3-glucanase mRNA, as measured
      by RNA blot analysis using pCH16 as a probe, increased rapidly in response to
      ethylene and decreased again after withdrawal of ethylene, indicating that the
      amount of hybridizable RNA and of translatable mRNA for beta-1,3-glucanase were
      correlated. In conclusion, the results indicate that chitinase and beta-1,3
      glucanase are regulated co-ordinately at the level of mRNA. 

PMID- 24221519
TI  - Transient reduction of responsiveness of blue-light-mediated hair-whorl
      morphogenesis inAcetabularia mediterranea induced by blue light.
AB  - After a prolonged period of red light the formation of a new whorl of lateral
      hairs can be induced inAcetabularia mediterranea Lamouroux (=A. acetabulum (L.)
      Silva) by a pulse of blue light. It has previously been shown that the response
      to blue light obeys the law of reciprocity. In this paper we demonstrate that the
      responses to blue light are additive only within 10 min after the onset of blue
      light treatment, since the responsiveness of the cells is also affected by blue
      light. One hour after a short blue-light pulse the response to a second blue
      light pulse has come to a minimum. After that, the responsiveness is restored in
      a refractory period of several hours. The fluenceresponse curves for hair-whorl
      formation at the time of minimum responsiveness are shifted parallel to the
      original fluence-response curves without preirradiation. Again, the law of
      reciprocity applies. This indicates an increased light requirement only for the
      same degree of hair-formation response. The sensitivity to blue light of the
      "reduction of responsiveness" response is higher by a factor of about 50 than the
      "induction of hairformation" response. 

PMID- 24221520
TI  - Characterization of phloem exudation from castor-bean cotyledons.
AB  - Exudate was collected fromRicinus communis L. cotyledons after cutting the
      hypocotyl. It contained high levels of sucrose and potassium, a low level of
      calcium, and a pH of approx. 7.5. After application of [(14)C] sucrose to the
      cotyledons, radioactivity could be recovered from the exudate, indicating that
      the exudate was derived from the phloem. Using data from a number of individual
      seedlings, correlations between loading rates of sucrose, translocation rates,
      and sucrose and potassium contents were analyzed. A positive correlation was
      found between the rate of sucrose loading and the rate of sucrose exudation,
      whereas a negative correlation existed between the contents of sucrose and
      potassium in the phloem. 

PMID- 24221521
TI  - Enhanced nodule initiation on alfalfa by wild-typeRhizobium meliloti co
      inoculated withnod gene mutants and other bacteria.
AB  - Nodule formation on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) roots was determined at
      different inoculum dosages for wild-typeRhizobium meliloti strain RCR2011 and for
      various mutant derivatives with altered nodulation behavior. The number of
      nodules formed on the whole length of the primary roots was essentially constant
      regardless of initial inoculum dosage or subsequent bacterial multiplication,
      indicative of homeostatic regulation of total nodule number. In contrast, the
      number of nodules formed in just the initially susceptible region of these roots
      was sigmoidally dependent on the number of wild-type bacteria added, increasing
      rapidly at dosages above 5.10(3) bacteria/plant. This behavior indicates the
      possible existence of a threshold barrier to nodule initiation in the host which
      the bacteria must overcome. When low dosages of the parent (10(3) cells/plant)
      were co-inoculated with 10(6) cells/plant of mutants lacking functionalnodA,
      nodC, nodE, nodF ornodH genes, nodule initiation was increased 10- to 30-fold.
      Analysis of nodule occupancy indicated that these mutants were able to help the
      parent (wild-type) strain initiate nodules without themselves occupying the
      nodules. Co-inoculation withR. trifolii orAgrobacterium tumefaciens cured of its
      Ti plasmid also markedly stimulated nodule initiation by theR. meliloti parent
      strain. Introduction of a segment of the symbiotic megaplasmid fromR. meliloti
      intoA. tumefaciens abolished this stimulation.Bradyrhizobium japonicum and a
      chromosomal Tn5 nod(-) mutant ofR. meliloti did not significantly stimulate
      nodule initiation when co-inoculated with wild-typeR. meliloti. These results
      indicate that certainnod gene mutants and members of theRhizobiaceae may produce
      extracellular "signals" that supplement the ability of wild-typeR. meliloti cells
      to induce crucial responses in the host. 

PMID- 24221522
TI  - Sequence analysis of proteolytic fragments of 124-kilodalton phytochrome from
      etiolatedAvena sativa L.: Conclusions on the conformation of the native protein.
AB  - Proteolytic fragments were obtained by limited proteolysis of 124-kDa
      (kilodalton) phytochrome from etiolatedAvena sativa using trypsin, endoproteinase
      Lys-C, endoproteinase-Glu-C and subtilisin. The fragments were separated by
      sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, blotted onto activated glass-fiber
      sheets and investigated by amino-acid sequencing in a gas-phase sequencer.
      Determination of N-terminal sequences in three to six Edman degradation steps
      allowed the exact localization of the fragments within the published entire amino
      acid sequence of 124-kDaAvena phytochrome (H.P. Hershey, R.F. Barker, K.B. Idler,
      J.L. Lissemore, P.H. Quail (1985), Nucleic Acids Res.13, 8543-8559). From the
      knowledge of the exact sites for preferred proteolytic cleavage of undenatured
      phytochrome, conclusions on the conformation of the phytochrome protein were
      drawn. Sites of preferred cleavage are considered to be freely exposed to the
      environment whereas potential cleavage sites which are resistant to proteolysis
      over a long time are considered to be localized in the interior of the native
      phytochrome. Two different sites which are exposed in the far-red-absorbing form
      but not in the red-absorbing form of phytochrome are localized at amino-acid
      residues 354 and 753, respectively. The N-terminal region which is exposed only
      in the red-absorbing form stretches only as far as amino-acid residue 60. 

PMID- 24221523
TI  - Hormonal regulation of ripening in the strawberry, a non-climacteric fruit.
AB  - Anthocyanin accumulation is one measure of ripening in the strawberry (Fragaria
      ananassa Duch.), a non-climacteric fruit. Neither aminoethoxyvinylglycine, an
      inhibitor of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase, nor inhibitors of
      ethylene action (silver, norbornadiene) affected anthocyanin accumulation in
      ripening fruit. When the achenes were removed from one half of an unripe fruit
      there was an accelerated accumulation of anthocyanin and induction of
      phenylalanine ammonia lyase on the de-achened portion of the ripening fruit.
      These effects of achene removal could be prevented by the application of the
      synthetic auxins 1-naphthaleneacetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to
      the de-achened surface. The introduction of 1-naphthalene acetic acid into intact
      unripe strawberry fruit through the peduncle delayed their subsequent ripening,
      as measured by the accumulation of anthocyanin, loss of chlorophyll and decrease
      in firmness. These findings suggest that the decline in the concentration of
      auxin in the achenes as strawberry fruit mature modulates the rate of fruit
      ripening. 

PMID- 24221524
TI  - The in-vivo response of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activation
      state and the pool sizes of photosynthetic metabolites to elevated CO2
      inPhaseolus vulgaris L.
AB  - The short-term, in-vivo response to elevated CO2 of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase (RuBPCase, EC 4.1.1.39) activity, and the pool sizes of ribulose 1,5
      bisphosphate, 3-phosphoglyceric acid, triose phosphates, fructose 1,6
      bisphosphate, glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate in bean were studied.
      Increasing CO2 from an ambient partial pressure of 360-1600 MUbar induced a
      substantial deactivation of RuBPCase at both saturating and subsaturating photon
      flux densities. Activation of RuBPCase declined for 30 min following the CO2
      increase. However, the rate of photosynthesis re-equilibrated within 6 min of the
      switch to high CO2, indicating that RuBPCase activity did not limit
      photosynthesis at high CO2. Following a return to low CO2, RuBPCase activation
      increased to control levels within 10 min. The photosynthetic rate fell
      immediately after the return to low CO2, and then increased in parallel with the
      increase in RuBPCase activation to the initial rate observed prior to the CO2
      increase. This indicated that RuBPCase activity limited photosynthesis while
      RuBPCase activation increased. Metabolite pools were temporarily affected during
      the first 10 min after either a CO2 increase or decrease. However, they returned
      to their original level as the change in the activation state of RuBPCase neared
      completion. This result indicates that one role for changes in the activation
      state of RuBPCase is to regulate the pool sizes of photosynthetic intermediates. 

PMID- 24221525
TI  - Influence of acetate and malonate on the production of 1,8-dihydroxyanthracene
      derivatives in suspension cultures ofRhamnus purshiana.
AB  - Acetate and malonate, basic precursors in the biosynthesis of polyketides, were
      added to suspension cultures ofRhammus purshiana DC. It was found that the
      production of anthra-derivatives (i.e. 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinones, anthrones and
      or dianthrones) in these cultures was significantly stimulated by malonate, while
      addition of acetate had an inhibitory effect under similar conditions. 

PMID- 24221526
TI  - Light-stimulated respiration in the green algaDunaliella tertiolecta: Involvement
      of the ultraviolet/blue-light photoreceptor(s) and phytochrome?
AB  - Starch breakdown and respiratory O2 uptake in the green algaDunaliella
      tertiolecta (Butcher) are stimulated not only by blue, but also by red light. In
      the present study, attempts are described to identify the photoreceptor(s)
      involved. Fluence rate-response curves with different slopes in the ultraviolet
      (UV)/blue and in the red spectral region as well as differences in the kinetics
      and in the unfluence of dark pre-incubation on the stimulation of respiratory O2
      uptake by blue and red light strongly indicate the action of two photoreceptors.
      Since the effect of red light shows some far-red reversibility, and since
      simultaneous irradiation with red and far-red light decreases the effectiveness
      of red light, the involvement of phytochrome - in addition to the UV/blue
      photoreceptor(s) - is suggested in the light-stimulated respiration inDunaliella.

PMID- 24221527
TI  - Control by phytochrome of the appearance of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase
      and the mRNA for its small subunit.
AB  - We have measured levels of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) and
      levels of in-vitro-translatable mRNA for the small subunit (SSU) of RuBPCase up
      to 96 h after sowing in mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons, in order to
      investigate to what extent the rate of enzyme synthesis is related to the level
      of SSU-mRNA. Both enzyme and mRNA level are controlled strongly by phytochrome,
      but the rate of RuBPCase accumulation was found to be unrelated to the level of
      translatable SSU-mRNA. As an example, it was found that the amount of SSU-mRNA in
      far-red light (FR)-grown mustard seedlings doubles between 54 and 84 h after
      sowing while the rate of RuBPCase accumulation remains constant over this period.
      Since the holoenzyme shows zero turnover during this period it is concluded that
      the rate of enzyme synthesis remains constant although the level of SSU-mRNA
      increases strongly. Following an FR->dark transition, with different levels of
      physiologically active phytochrome (Pfr) established at the end of the light
      period, no correlation was found between the time course of mRNA levels in
      darkness and the rate of enzyme synthesis. Rather, the data indicate that there
      is at least one translational or post-translational regulatory step which is also
      phytochrome-dependent. It is concluded that coarse control of the appearance of
      translatable SSU-mRNA is essential for RuBPCase to appear at a high rate but that
      fine tuning by phytochrome of the actual appearance of RuBPCase is not
      transcriptional. 

PMID- 24221530
TI  - Occlusion of vertebral artery due to transverse canal osteochondroma.

PMID- 24221531
TI  - Walk the line: from diffusion imaging to the microstructure of the brain.

PMID- 24221532
TI  - Cingulum injury by external ventricular drainage procedure: diffusion tensor
      tractography study.

PMID- 24221533
TI  - Assessment of abstract reasoning abilities in alcohol-dependent subjects: an fMRI
      study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic alcohol abuse has been traditionally associated with
      impaired cognitive abilities. The deficits are most evident in higher order
      cognitive functions, such as abstract reasoning, problem solving and visuospatial
      processing. The present study sought to increase current understanding of the
      neuropsychological basis of poor abstract reasoning abilities in alcohol
      dependent subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS:
      An abstract reasoning task-based fMRI study was carried out on alcohol-dependent
      subjects (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 18) to examine neural activation
      pattern. The study was carried out using a 3-T whole-body magnetic resonance
      scanner. Preprocessing and post processing was performed using SPM 8 software.
      RESULTS: Behavioral data indicated that alcohol-dependent subjects took more time
      than controls for performing the task but there was no significant difference in
      their response accuracy. Analysis of the fMRI data indicated that for solving
      abstract reasoning-based problems, alcohol-dependent subjects showed enhanced
      right frontoparietal neural activation involving inferior frontal gyrus, post
      central gyrus, superior parietal lobule, and occipito-temporal gyrus.
      CONCLUSIONS: The extensive activation observed in alcohol dependents as compared
      to controls suggests that alcohol dependents recruit additional brain areas to
      meet the behavioral demands for equivalent task performance. The results are
      consistent with previous fMRI studies suggesting decreased neural efficiency of
      relevant brain networks or compensatory mechanisms for the execution of task for
      showing an equivalent performance.

PMID- 24221535
TI  - Refinement of the prediction of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) phenotypes with
      respect to enzyme activity and urinary bladder cancer risk.
AB  - Polymorphisms of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) are well known to modify urinary
      bladder cancer risk as well as efficacy and toxicity of pharmaceuticals via
      reduction in the enzyme's acetylation capacity. Nevertheless, the discussion
      about optimal NAT2 phenotype prediction, particularly differentiation between
      different degrees of slow acetylation, is still controversial. Therefore, we
      investigated the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms and their haplotypes
      on slow acetylation in vivo and on bladder cancer risk. For this purpose, we used
      a study cohort of 1,712 bladder cancer cases and 2,020 controls genotyped for
      NAT2 by RFLP-PCR and for the tagSNP rs1495741 by TaqMan((r)) assay. A subgroup of
      344 individuals was phenotyped by the caffeine test in vivo. We identified an
      'ultra-slow' acetylator phenotype based on combined *6A/*6A, *6A/*7B and *7B/*7B
      genotypes containing the homozygous minor alleles of C282T (rs1041983, *6A, *7B)
      and G590A (rs1799930, *6A). 'Ultra-slow' acetylators have significantly about 32
      and 46 % lower activities of caffeine metabolism compared with other slow
      acetylators and with the *5B/*5B genotypes, respectively (P < 0.01, both). The
      'ultra-slow' genotype showed an association with bladder cancer risk in the
      univariate analysis (OR = 1.31, P = 0.012) and a trend adjusted for age, gender
      and smoking habits (OR = 1.22, P = 0.082). In contrast, slow acetylators in
      general were not associated with bladder cancer risk, neither in the univariate
      (OR = 1.02, P = 0.78) nor in the adjusted (OR = 0.98, P = 0.77) analysis. In
      conclusion, this study suggests that NAT2 phenotype prediction should be refined
      by consideration of an 'ultra-slow' acetylation genotype. 

PMID- 24221534
TI  - First demonstration of resolution of an infundibulum by direct treatment of the
      arterial wall with Pipeline flow-diverting stent.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Infundibula are symmetrical funnel-shaped widening, measuring more
      than 3 mm at its base with the branch artery arising from its apex. The
      pathological significance of this entity remains controversial. Although a
      relatively common appearance in otherwise normal angiograms, they have
      occasionally been described to progress into saccular aneurysms or directly
      rupture. METHODS/RESULTS: We describe the first case of a disappearing
      infundibulum after a flow diverting stent was deployed across the infundibulum
      during the treatment of an adjacent aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: We concur in the view
      that infundibula are at least pre-pathological lesions that may in certain
      circumstances require consideration for treatment. Our case for the first time
      offers a potential treatment option for such situations.

PMID- 24221536
TI  - Recent developments in in vitro toxicology: perspectives of European research and
      Tox21.

PMID- 24221537
TI  - Regeneration of fertile plants from protoplasts of sunflower (Helianthus annuus
      L.).
AB  - Sunflower hypocotyl protoplasts (Helianthus annuus L.) from 5 PIONEER genotypes
      (PT024, SMF3, EMIL, HA300*PT024, VK5F) and 1 public line (RHa 274) formed
      colonies at frequencies of up to 60% when plated in 0.25ml agarose beads in a
      modified L4 medium (Lenee and Chupeau 1986) containing 3mg/l NAA, 1mg/l BA and
      0.1mg/l 2,4-D, and 1000mg/l casamino acids. Protoplast-derived colonies grew
      slowly into calli. Organogenesis was obtained from callus of PT024 on a MS medium
      containing NAA and BA at 1mg/l and GA at 0.1mg/l. Freshly excised shoots were
      induced to root by an IAA treatment. Regenerated plants were transferred to the
      greenhouse and seed was harvested within 7 months of the initial protoplast
      isolation. 

PMID- 24221538
TI  - Selection for Fusarium wilt disease resistance from regenerants derived from leaf
      callus of strawberry.
AB  - Resistant lines of strawberry to the fungal wilt disease caused by Fusarium
      oxysporum f. sp. fragariae were selected strawberry plants regenerated from leaf
      derived callus tissues. Regenerants were transplanted to a field heavily infested
      with this pathogen, and normally growing plants were selected as the putative
      resistant lines. Daughter plants produced vegetatively through runner formation
      of the lines were similarly tested in the pathogen-infested field over an
      additional three generations. Finally, two resistant lines were obtained from a
      total of 1,225 regenerants. The stable propagation of disease resistance in these
      lines was confirmed by directly inoculating the daughter plants with the pathogen
      and planting in a pathogen-infested soil. All of the control plants were
      efficiently infected and died within one month. The isolated plant lines grew and
      developed runners even after direct inoculation and produced daughter plants in
      this soil. Thus, the present study demonstrated the existence of somaclonal
      variation for disease resistance against a soil-borne fngal pathogen. 

PMID- 24221539
TI  - Retention of the capacity to produce plants from protoplasts in cryopreserved
      cell lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.).
AB  - A method is described for cryopreservation of cell suspension lines of rice
      (Oryza sativa L.) for use in protoplast research and as a way of retaining
      desirable characteristics of cell lines. The procedure involves pre-culture with
      mannitol, addition of a cryoprotectant solution of sucrose, dimethyl sulfoxide,
      glycerol and L-proline, two step freezing and storage in liquid nitrogen. Cells
      have been preserved for up to 14 months (the longest period tried in these
      experiments). Cryopreserved cells proliferated after plating on solid medium and
      new cell suspensions could be initiated within 15 days. Viable protoplasts,
      capable of divisions and callus formation, could be obtained 15-21 days after
      thawing. Variation between cell lines in terms of recovery rate after
      cryopreservation occurred. Differences between cell lines in plating efficiencies
      on solidified medium, however, contributed to this variation. Protoplasts from
      cryopreserved regenerable cell lines gave rise to embryogenic callus from which
      plants could be regenerated. These plants developed to maturity. A transformed
      cell line was also cryopreserved and it had retained the hygromycin resistance
      and regenerative capacity of the original cell line. 

PMID- 24221540
TI  - Relation of the developmental stage of zygotic embryos of yellow-poplar to their
      somatic embryogenic potential.
AB  - The goal of the study was to characterize the optimal developmental stage of
      zygotic embryo expiants of the hardwood forest tree species yellow-poplar
      (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) for the initiation of embryogenic cultures, using
      morphological measurements and polypeptide profiles of the embryos. Developing
      zygotic embryos from seeds of six full-sib families, collected every two weeks
      from 4 weeks postpollination until seed maturity (18 weeks postpollination) were
      divided into 2 subsamples for each collection date. One group was used to
      initiate tissue cultures. Embryos in the other group were measured (total length,
      cotyledon length and hypocotyl thickness) and soluble polypeptide profiles of the
      embryos were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Potential of an
      expiant to produce an embryogenic culture peaked during the eighth week following
      pollination, with an average of 28% of the expiants producing proembryogenic
      masses, and declined to near zero for mature zygotic embryos. The maximum
      embryogenic potential corresponded to the globular stage of embryo developmet.
      Soluble protein profiles of zygotic embryos from 5 sampling dates indicated that
      decline in embryogenic potential appeared to parallel an increase in the level of
      a polypeptide of approximately 55 kDa, possibly a storage protein. 

PMID- 24221541
TI  - Effect of plant growth regulators on somatic embryogenesis in leaf cultures of
      Coffea canephora.
AB  - The effects of plant growth regulators on somatic embryogenesis were studied in
      leaf cultures of Coffea canephora. The maximum number of somatic embryos were
      obtained on media that contained only cytokinin as a plant growth regulator. All
      of the auxins tested (NAA, IBA, IAA and 2, 4-D) inhibited the formation of
      embryos. The optimal concentration of each cytokinin (2-iP, BA and kinetin) for
      somatic embryogenesis was 5 MUM. Under optimal conditions, each explant formed
      more than 100 embryoids with little callus and few adventitious roots. Embryoids
      were formed only at the cut edges of the leaf discs. Cytokinins were absorbed
      only at the cut edges of leaf discs that were in contact with the medium, and
      were not transported to other parts of the explant. 

PMID- 24221542
TI  - Regeneration of Cladrastis lutea (Fabaceae) via somatic embryogenesis.
AB  - Immature embryos from 5 Cladrastis lutea (Michx.) K. Koch (yellowwood) trees were
      initially cultured on modified Schenk and Hildebrandt medium (SH) containing
      either 4.5, 9.0, 13.5 or 23 MUM 2,4-D. One-third of the explants were transferred
      to SH medium supplemented with 25.0 MUM NAA after 2 and 3 weeks respectively. The
      remaining explants were incubated on the initial 2,4-D containing media for 6
      weeks. Groups of somatic embryos formed directly only at the proximal end of
      cotyledons; only a few formed as single embryos. The greatest numbers were formed
      from zygotic embryos explanted from 6-8 weeks post-anthesis and initially
      cultured on medium containing 9 or 13 MUM 2,4-D. However, all treatments
      supported somatic embryogenesis. In the second year, explants were initially
      cultured on SH medium containing either 9.0, 13.5, or 23 MUM 2,4-D and then
      transferred to SH medium containing 4.0 MUM ABA after 2 or 3 weeks. ABA did not
      affect the development of somatic embryos. Six of 21 somatic embryos germinated
      on half-strength SH medium without growth regulators. Three entire plantlets were
      formed, but only one was established in soil. 

PMID- 24221543
TI  - Transient expression from microprojectile-mediated DNA transfer in pinus taeda.
AB  - Transfer of plasmid DNA to Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) cotyledon cells by
      microprojectile bombardment has been demonstrated using beta-glucuronidase (GUS).
      GUS histochemical staining indicated active enzyme in localized centers (blue
      spots) 24 hours after bombardment. GUS expression declined during subsequent
      culture, but remained detectable in meristematic tissue 62 days post-bombardment,
      however, transgenic shoots were not recovered. Localized GUS expression events
      resulted predominantly from single-cell events containing one microprojectile.
      The staining pattern was complex, with indigo found both in the central target
      cell and in adjacent cells. Cellular damage sustained by GUS-positive cells
      ranged from undetectable to sufficiently extensive to cause cell death.
      Microprojectile bombardment provides a useful method to assay transient gene
      expression in loblolly pine and has potential for the production of transgenic
      plants in pine. 

PMID- 24221544
TI  - Transient expression of the beta-glucuronidase gene in embryogenic callus of
      Picea mariana following microprojection.
AB  - A microprojection protocol using the DuPont Biolistic(TM) particle delivery
      system and the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene fused with the 35S promoter
      of Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) was developed for Picea mariana callus.
      Comparison of four tungsten microprojectile sizes showed the highest transient
      gene expression with 1.11MUm diameter particles. Adsorption of DNA on the
      microcarriers using calcium chloride led to higher GUS gene activity than using
      polyethylene glycol. GUS gene activity in P. mariana was the highest when cells
      were treated 5 and 6 days after subculturing to fresh media. The wheat ABA
      inducible Em gene promoter yielded 4.5 times higher GUS gene activity than the
      35S CaMV promoter. Comparison of transient GUS gene expression among 10 P.
      mariana embryogenic cell lines from six different open-pollinated families showed
      comparable gene activity, with the exception of one family showing no GUS gene
      activity. 

PMID- 24221545
TI  - Regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of chrysanthemum.
AB  - A method has been developed to regenerate shoots directly from leaf pieces of the
      autumn flowering chrysanthemum Dendranthema indicum (L.) Des Moul (genotype
      Korean). Transgenic plants of this genotype were generated using transformation
      mediated by the disarmed strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404, containing
      either pKIWI110 or pGA643. Both pKIWI110 and pGA643 contain the selectable marker
      gene neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) and pKIWI110 also contains the
      reporter gene beta-D-glucuronidase. Leaf pieces inoculated with pKIWI110 produced
      zones of blue cells two days after inoculation. Shoots from leaf pieces
      inoculated with pGA643 were selected on kanamycin. PCR and Southern analysis of
      shoots that were able to root on kanamycin confirmed the presence of the NPTII
      gene in the plant genome. 

PMID- 24221546
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.).
AB  - Embryogenic callus initiated from basal segments of micropropagated shoots of
      Oryza rufipogon were used to initiate cell suspension cultures. After
      approximately 3 months these cultures were capable of yielding large numbers of
      protoplasts which underwent sustained division in agarose-solidified medium at a
      frequency comparable to that observed with Japonica rice protoplasts in previous
      studies. O. rufipogon plants were reproducibly regenerated from the protoplast
      derived callus and are currently being grown to maturity. This is the first
      report of plant regeneration from protoplasts of a wild species of Oryza. 

PMID- 24221547
TI  - Stimulation of shoot regeneration from cotyledons of Helianthus annuus by the
      ethylene inhibitors, silver and cobalt.
AB  - The effects of CoCl2, AgNO3 and ethylene released by exogenous 2
      chloroethylphosphonic acid (Ethephon), were studied on shoot regeneration from
      cotyledons of Helianthus annuus cv. E8206R, a poorly regenerative cultivar.
      Inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis by CoCl2, at concentrations of 20 MUK,
      provoked a substantial enhancement of shoot regeneration (30 %): the control was
      poorly regenerative. However, CoCl2 had no effect when Ethephon was supplied.
      Inhibition of ethylene action by AgNO3, at concentrations of 10-25 MUM, caused a
      significant increase in plant regeneration: 25 % instead of 1.2 % in the control.
      Furthermore, addition of Ethephon to AgNO3-treated tissues failed to reduce the
      stimulation of shoot regeneration caused by AgNO3. On the basis of these
      findings, it is suggested that ethylene inhibits the regeneration process from
      cotyledons of sunflower. 

PMID- 24221548
TI  - Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of pepino and regeneration of transgenic
      plants.
AB  - Regeneration of pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.) shoots was achieved both by
      organogenesis and by embryogenesis. Shoots derived via organogenesis were easily
      rooted and most regenerated plants appeared phenotypically normal. Transgenic
      plants were obtained using the binary vector pKIWI110 in the avirulent
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404. Optimization of transformation
      protocols was rapidly achieved by monitoring early expression of the GUS (beta-D
      glucuronidase) reporter gene carried on pKIWI110. Transgenic plants expressed GUS
      and selectable marker genes for kanamycin resistance and chlorsulfuron
      resistance. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and Southern analysis provided
      molecular evidence for transformation. 

PMID- 24221549
TI  - Effect of cellulases on spontaneous fusion of maize protoplasts.
AB  - The effect of protoplast-isolating enzymes on spontaneous fusion of maize
      protoplasts (Zea mays L. cv. Black Mexican Sweet) was investigated using a
      convenient ethidium bromide nuclear staining procedure. After 2-2.5 hour
      digestion in an enzyme solution containing 1% Cellulysin, 0.5% Rhozyme, and 0.02%
      Pectolyase Y-23, 50-75% of the protoplasts contained multiple nuclei. The
      cellulase Cellulysin was identified as the factor causing the spontaneous
      protoplast fusion; when Cellulysin was replaced by CELF cellulase, most
      protoplasts were uninucleate. Calcium and other components in the enzyme solution
      did not affect spontaneous fusion. Cellulysin also increased the percentage of
      multinucleate protoplasts from rice and asparagus suspensions. Presence of
      multiple nuclei might affect genetic manipulations involving protoplasts. 

PMID- 24221550
TI  - Cytochrome P-450 mediated O-dealkylation of 7-alkoxycoumarins in liver microsomes
      from rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).
AB  - Evidence has recently been presented for variation in the inducibility of various
      7-alkoxycoumarin-O-dealkylase activities in liver microsomes from a number of
      mammalian species by beta-naphthoflavone (betaNF). In the present study we have
      investigated the inducibility of hepatic microsomal 7-methoxycoumarin-O
      demethylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase, 7-propoxycoumarin-O-depropylase and 7
      butoxycoumarin-O-debutylase activities in rainbow trout by betaNF. O-demethylase
      activity was increased approximately 17-fold, O-deethylase and O-depropylase
      activities approximately 9-fold and O-debutylase activity approximately 25-fold.
      The kinetics of the various hepatic microsomal 7-alkoxycoumarin-O-dealkylase
      activities were investigated in control and betaNF-treated rainbow trout. The O
      demethylase-, O-depropylase- and O-debutylase activities exhibited monophasic
      Michaelis-Menten kinetics in liver microsomes from both control and betaNF
      treated rainbow trout, whereas the O-deethylase activity exhibited biphasic
      Michaelis-Menten kinetics in control liver microsomes and monophasic Michaelis
      Menten kinetics in liver microsomes from betaNF-treated rainbow trout. 

PMID- 24221551
TI  - Catecholestrogens inhibit dopamine methylation in the gonadotrops of the African
      catfish,Clarias gariepinus.
AB  - Isolated gonadotrops of the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, were incubated
      with dopamine (DA) and/or catecholestrone and the activity of the enzyme catechol
      O-methyltransferase (COMT) was determined by measuring the methylated products.
      From the apparent Km values for DA and catecholestrone of 0.4-1.3 MUM and 17.9
      25.2 MUM respectively, it was concluded that catecholestrone is a better
      substrate for the enzyme COMT, compared to DA. Moreover, the methylation of DA is
      inhibited by comparatively low concentrations of catecholestrone. 

PMID- 24221552
TI  - Autonomic innervation of the ovary of the Atlantic cod,Gadus morhua.
AB  - The autonomic innervation of the ovary of the Atlantic cod was investigated using
      histochemical and physiological/pharmacological methods. The paired ovary
      receives autonomic innervation via branches of the posterior splanchnic nerve
      (vesicular nerve).Histochemical studies demonstrated vasoactive intestinal
      polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive, 5-hydroxytryptamine-immunoreactive and
      adrenergic nerve fibers, but a number of antisera raised against other peptides
      failed to reveal any specific reaction in the tissue preparations. It is
      concluded that the cod ovary receives a double antagonistic autonomic innervation
      of excitatory cholinergic fibers and non-adrenergic inhibitory fibers. The nature
      of the inhibitory neurotransmitter is not known. 

PMID- 24221553
TI  - Induction of metallothionein synthesis in rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri, during
      long-term exposure to waterborne cadmium.
AB  - Rainbow trout were exposed to 200 MUg cadmium/l in the water during four months
      at 6-10 degrees C. The liver, kidney and gills were analyzed for cadmium, copper,
      zinc, metallothionein and metallothionein mRNA. Cadmium accumulated in all three
      organs and reached the highest concentration in the kidney. The tissue zine and
      copper concentrations showed no major alterations during the experiment. The
      cytosolic distribution of cadmium, copper and zinc was followed during four
      months of exposure by Sephadex G-75 chromatography. It was found that cadmium was
      predominantly associated with proteins of an apparent molecular vieght of 10,000
      daltons. These proteins were further identified as metallothioneins after fast
      protein liquid chromatography on a Mono-Q column. The metallothionein
      concentration was significantly higher in liver of exposed fish than in control
      fish after only one month. The kidneys reached significantly elevated levels of
      metallothionein in the exposed group after three months. In the gills, elevated
      metallothionein concentrations were observed after four months of exposure. After
      four months of exposure, the metallothionein mRNA content of liver and kidney was
      analyzed using a rainbow trout anti-sense RNA probe. Elevated MT mRNA levels were
      observed in both kidney and liver. These results demonstrate thatde novo
      synthesis of metallothionein is induced by cadmium in rainbow trout after
      exposure to the metalvia water. 

PMID- 24221554
TI  - Mitochondrial enzyme and Na(+), K (+)-ATPase activity, and ion regulation during
      parr-smolt transformation of Atlantic salmon (Salmon salar).
AB  - Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) exposed to either simulated natural photoperiod
      (SNP) or continuous light (L24) were used to examine developmental changes in the
      presence and absence, respectively, of the parrsmolt transformation. Plasma
      osmolarity and ion concentrations were unaffected by photoperiod treatment. Gill
      Na(+), K(+)-ATPase specific activity increased 150% between February and June in
      SNP fish and was low and unchanged in L24 fish. Kidney Na(+), K(+)-ATPase
      specific activity varied within similar, narrow limits in both groups. Citrate
      synthase of liver, gill and kidney, expressed as specific activity or activity/g
      total body weight (relative activity), increased 25-60% between March and June in
      SNP fish. With the exception of kidney relative activity, citrate synthase
      activity declined to initial (March) levels by August. Liver, gill and kidney
      cytochrome c oxidase activity of the SNP group underwent similar though less
      marked changes. Liver, gill and kidney citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase
      activities of the L24 group remained relatively constant between March and
      August, and where significant differences occurred, they were lower than those of
      the SNP group. These results indicate that respiratory capacities of the liver,
      gill and kidney increase in smolls concurrent with preparatory osmoregulatory
      changes, and subsequently decline. The findings are consistent with a
      hypothesized transient increase in catabolic activity during the parr-smolt
      transformation that may be due to the metabolic demands of differentiation. 

PMID- 24221555
TI  - Influence of salinity on the energetics of gill and kidney of Atlantic salmon
      (Salmo salar).
AB  - The effect of seawater acclimation and adaptation to various salinities on the
      energetics of gill and kidney of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was examined.
      Smolts and non-smolts previously reared in fresh water were exposed to a rapid
      increase in salinity to 30 ppt. Plasma osmolarity, [Na(+)], [Cl(-)], [K(+)] and
      [Mg(++)] increased in both groups but were significantly lower in smolts than non
      smolts. Gill Na(+), K(+)-ATPase specific activity, initially higher in smolts,
      increased in both groups after 18 days in seawater. Kidney Na(+), K(+)-ATPase
      specific activity was not affected by salinity in either group. Gill and kidney
      citrate synthase specific activity was not affected by seawater exposure in
      smolts but decreased in non-smolts. In a second experiment, Atlantic salmon
      smolts reared in fresh water were acclimated to 0, 10 or 30 ppt seawater for 3
      months at a temperature of 13-14 degrees C. Gill Na(+), K(+)-ATPase was
      positively correlated with salinity, displaying 2.5- and 5-fold higher specific
      activity at 10 and 30 ppt, respectively, than at 0 ppt. Kidney Na(+), K(+)-ATPase
      specific activity was not significantly affected by environmental salinity.
      Citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase specific activities in gill were
      slightly (6-13%) lower at 10 ppt than at 0 and 30 ppt, whereas kidney activities
      were lowest at 30 ppt. Oxygen consumption of isolated gill filaments was
      significantly higher when incubated in isosmotic saline and at 30 ppt than at 0
      ppt, but was not affected by the prior acclimation salinity. The results indicate
      that although high salinity induces increased gill Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity,
      it does not induce substantial increases in metabolic capacity of gill or kidney.

PMID- 24221556
TI  - T3 enhancement ofin vitro estradiol-17beta secretion by oocytes of rainbow
      trout,Salmo gairdneri, is dependent on cAMP.
AB  - The cellular mechanism of action of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) in enhancing
      SG-G100 gonadotropin-induced ovarian secretion of 17beta-estradiol (E2) was
      studiedin vitro using oocyte follicular preparations of rainbow trout. The
      dependence of the T3 stimulatory action on the level of intracellular 3',5'
      cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was shown in experiments in which forskolin
      or dibutyryl cAMP enhanced E2 secretion. In the presence of partially purified
      salmon gonadotropin (SG-G100), T3 stimulation of E2 secretion was prevented by
      theophylline, suggesting that T3 may exert part of its stimulatory action by
      inhibiting phosphodiesterase. 

PMID- 24221557
TI  - Assessment of the hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality of the Tarim River
      Basin in an extreme arid region, NW China.
AB  - The concentrations of the major and trace elements in the groundwater of the
      Tarim River Basin (TRB), the largest inland river basin of China, were analyzed
      before and during rainy seasons to determine the hydrogeochemistry and to assess
      the groundwater quality for irrigation and drinking purposes. The groundwater
      within the TRB was slightly alkaline and characterized by high ionic
      concentrations. The groundwater in the northern sub-basin was fresh water with a
      Ca(2+)-HCO3(-) water type, whereas the groundwater in the southern and central
      sub-basins was brackish with a Na(+)-Cl(-) water type. Evaporite dissolution and
      carbonate weathering were the primary and secondary sources of solutes in the
      groundwater within the basin, whereas silicate weathering played a minor role.
      The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), water quality index (WQI), and sodium
      percentage (%Na) indicated that the groundwater in the northern sub-basin was
      suitable for irrigation and drinking, but that in the southern and central sub
      basins was not suitable. The groundwater quality was slightly better in the wet
      season than in the dry season. The groundwater could be used for drinking after
      treatment for B(3+), F(-), and SO4(2-) and for irrigation after control of the
      sodium and salinity hazards. Considering the high corrosivity ratio of the
      groundwater in this area, noncorrosive pipes should be used for the groundwater
      supply. For sustainable development, integrated management of the surface water
      and the groundwater is needed in the future.

PMID- 24221558
TI  - Immunogold localization of the cell-wall-matrix polysaccharides
      rhamnogalacturonan I and xyloglucan during cell expansion and cytokinesis
      inTrifolium pratense L.; implication for secretory pathways.
AB  - We have localized two cell-wall-matrix polysaccharides, the main pectic
      polysaccharide, rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I), and the hemicellulose, xyloglucan
      (XG), in root-tip and leaf tissues of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) using
      immunoelectron microscopy. Our micrographs show that in both leaf and root
      tissues RG-I is restricted to the middle lamella, with 80-90% of the label
      associated with the expanded regions of the middle lamella at the corner
      junctions between cells. Xyloglucan, however, is nearly exclusively located in
      the cellulose-microfibril-containing region of the cell wall. Thus, these cell
      wall-matrix polysaccharides are present in distinct and complementary regions of
      the cell wall. Our results further show that during cell expansion both RG-I and
      XG are present within Golgi cisternae and vesicles, thus confirming that the
      Golgi apparatus is the main site of synthesis of the non-cellulosic cell-wall
      polysaccharides. No label is seen over the endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that
      synthesis of these complex polysaccharides is restricted to the Golgi. The
      distribution of RG-I and XG in root-tip cells undergoing cell division was also
      examined, and it was found that while XG is present in the Golgi stacks and cell
      plate during cytokinesis, RG-I is virtually absent from the forming cell plate. 

PMID- 24221559
TI  - Root contraction in hyacinth. II. Changes in tubulin levels, microtubule number
      and orientation associated with differential cell expansion.
AB  - Root contraction in hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L.) is marked by reoriented
      cell growth in the cortex of the contractile region. Cellular volume of the inner
      cortex enlarges fourfold during root contraction. This is associated with large
      increases in the radial and tangential dimensions and decreases in the
      longitudinal dimension of the cells. In order to determine the possible role of
      microtubules (MTs) in these changes we compared tubulin levels and MT numbers and
      orientation in contracted and non-contracted regions of hyacinth roots. Tubulin
      content was analysed by a radioimmunoassay; MT numbers and orientation were
      analyzed by counting profiles in sectioned material using transmission electron
      microscopy. Contracted tissue was found to have significantly higher levels of
      tubulin on a per-cell basis than non-contracted tissue, and also increased
      tubulin levels relative to total protein. The spatial MT frequencies were the
      same in contracted and non-contracted tissues, indicating a proportional increase
      in MT numbers in the expanded cells. Although the absolute spatial frequency of
      MTs was constant, the orientation, as determined by morphometric analysis of MT
      profiles, was not. While in the longitudinal section plane 42% of the MTs in the
      non-contracted cells were oblique, in the contracted cells the percentage of MTs
      presenting oblique profiles increased to 87%. Additionally, a qualitative
      difference in MTs was observed in contracted cells; electron-opaque material was
      seen peripherally associated with the MTs of the inner cortex. The changes in
      tubulin levels and in MT numbers as well as the qualitative differences in the
      MTs of contracted and non-contracted root regions indicate that, in hyacinth,
      reoriented cellular enlargement associated with root contraction cannot be
      explained simply by shifts in the arrangement of preexisting cortical MT arrays,
      but involves more complex changes in the cytoskeleton. 

PMID- 24221560
TI  - Temperature effects on malic-acid efflux from the vacuoles and on the
      carboxylation pathways in crassulacean-acid-metabolism plants.
AB  - The studies described in the paper were conducted with tissue slices of
      Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants floating in isotonic buffer. In a first
      series of experiments, temperature effects on the efflux of [(14)C]malate
      and(14)CO2 were studied. An increase of temperature increased the efflux from the
      tissue in a non-linear manner. The efflux was markedly influenced also by the
      temperatures applied during the pretreatment. The rates of label export in
      response to the temperature and the relative contributions of(14)CO2 and
      [(14)C]malate to the label export were different in the two studied CAM plants
      (Kalanchoe daigremontiana, Sempervivum montanum). In further experiments,
      temperature response of the labelling patterns produced by(14)CO2 fixation and
      light and darkness were studied. In tissue which had accumulated malate
      (acidified state) an increase of temperature decreased the rates of dark CO2
      fixation whilst the rates of CO2 fixation in light remained largely unaffected.
      An increase of temperature shifted the labelling patterns from a C4-type (malate
      being the mainly labelled compound) into a C3-type (label in carbohydrates). No
      such shift in the labelling patterns could be observed in the tissue which had
      depleted the previously stored malate (deacidified state). The results indicate
      that in the acidified tissue the increase of temperature increases the efflux of
      malate from the vacuole by changing the properties of the tonoplast. It is
      assumed that the increased export of malic acid lowers the in-vivo activity of
      phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase by feedback inhibition. 

PMID- 24221561
TI  - A nuclear protein associated with cell divisions in plants.
AB  - A nuclear protein, present in carrot meristems and rapidly proliferating cultured
      cells of carrot (Daucus carota L.) has been identified by the use of a monoclonal
      antibody (MAb 21D7). By combining the techniques of two-dimensional
      polyacrylamide gel analysis and blotting separated proteins onto nitrocellulose
      sheets, it was shown that the antibody detected a single polypeptide of apparent
      molecular mass (M r) of 45000 and an isoelectric focusing point (pI) of 6.7. This
      protein was found by subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence to be
      highly concentrated in the nucleoli of somatic and zygotic embryos of a wide
      range of plants. It was not detectable in logarthmically growing cells
      ofEscherichia coli, yeast, embryos ofDrosophila melanogaster or cultured C3H
      mouse cells. These data indicate that this protein is a highly conserved non
      histone protein associated with nuclei of rapidly dividing plant cells. 

PMID- 24221562
TI  - Water stress and galactomannan breakdown in germinated fenugreek seeds. Stress
      affects the production and the activities in vivo of galactomannan-hydrolysing
      enzymes.
AB  - Imposition of water stress on germinated fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)
      seeds and isolated fenugreek endosperms after the beginning of galactomannan
      mobilisation caused a reduction in the rate of breakdown of the polysaccharide
      relative to unstressed controls. The activities, measured in vitro, of the three
      hydrolytic enzymes involved in the breakdown process (alpha-D-galactosidase, EC
      3.2.1.22;endo-beta-D-mannanase, EC 3.2.1.78;exo-beta-D-mannanase, EC 3.2.1.25)
      were not decreased. Although there was some accumulation of galactomannan
      hydrolysis products in endosperms under stress, there was no clear correlation
      between sugar levels and the inhibition of galactomannan breakdown. When water
      stress was applied to fenugreek seeds after germination but before the beginning
      of galactomannan hydrolysis, both galactomannan breakdown and the development of
      the hydrolytic enzyme activities were inhibited. Washing of newly germinated
      seeds for 2 h in water prior to the imposition of stress gave partial relief of
      the inhibition of galactomannan mobilisation, partial recovery ofendo-beta-D
      mannanase levels, and full recovery of alpha-D-galactosidase levels. It is
      argued: 1) that water stress after germination but before the beginning of
      galactomannan hydrolysis inhibits the production of hydrolytic enzymes in the
      endosperm, probably via decreased removal at lowered water content of diffusible
      inhibitory substances; and 2) that water stress after the beginning of
      galactomannan hydrolysis decreases the rate of galactomannan breakdown in vivo
      principally via decreased diffusion at lowered water content of enzymes from the
      aleurone layer through the storage tissue of the endosperm. 

PMID- 24221563
TI  - Mobile charges in the cell membranes ofHalicystis parvula.
AB  - Charge-pulse experiments were performed on cells of the giant marine
      algaHalicystis parvula. At normal pH (8.2), the voltage decay following a charge
      pulse of 500 ns duration fed to the vacuole could be described by summing two
      exponential relaxations. The amplitudes and time constants of these relaxations
      were widely separated. The parameters of the two relaxation processes were found
      to be pH-dependent. Reduction of the external pH value from pH 8.2 to 5 resulted
      in a complete change of the two relaxation processes within a few minutes. Only
      one relaxation process could be observed at pH 5, within the time resolution of
      our instrumentation. The experimental data could not be explained by a two
      membrane model with reasonable values for the specific capacitances of tonoplast
      and plasmalemma. The results of the charge-pulse relaxations were found to be
      consistent with the assumption that both membranes have very similar electrical
      properties and that both contain mobile charges with a total surface
      concentration of about 30 nmol.m(-2) and a translocation-rate constant of about
      500.s(-1). The mobile charges became neutralized at pH 5 hhich led to a decrease
      of the apparent specific capacitance of the algal cells. They are presumably
      either part of a transport system for cations or connected with the chloride pump
      ofHalicystis parvula. 

PMID- 24221564
TI  - Rapid variations in the content of the RNA of the small subunit of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase of mature tobacco leaves in response to localized
      changes in light quantity. Relationships between the activity and quantity of the
      enzyme.
AB  - Mature green leaves from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants were submitted to
      contrasting light conditions; half of each leaf was shaded (changed from 60 to 25
      MUmol photons. m(-2) .s(-1)=LL) and the other half was exposed to higher light
      (changed from 60 to 360 MUmol.m(-2). s(-1)=HL) for 24 h. The activity and
      quantity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) were measured during
      the first 24 h in each leaf region and the variation was compared with that of
      small subunit (SSU)-and large subunit (LSU)-mRNA contents determined by a
      hybridot technique. Each leaf half responded separately to the actual light
      received. The activity of RuBPCase increased progressively in the HL zones and
      decreased in the LL zones. The RuBPCase-protein content was not significantly
      modified during the first 24 h but SSU-mRNA content responded very rapidly to the
      treatment. Within 2 h a significant difference in SSU mRNA appeared between LL
      and HL zones: at the end of the photoperiod the content in LL zones was approx.
      25% of the initial value. The increase in the exposed zone, however, was not
      significant, indicating that there was a dissymmetry of the response to variation
      in incident white light. The LSU-mRNA contents from the same leaf extracts were
      totally unaffected by the light treatment. No day-night variations were noted in
      either SSU or LSU mRNAs in control plants. 

PMID- 24221565
TI  - Auxin causes oscillations of cytosolic free calcium and pH inZea mays
      coleoptiles.
AB  - In epidermal cells of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles, cytosolic pH (pHc),
      cytosolic free calcium, membrane potential and changes thereof were monitored
      continuously and simultaneously (pHc/,psi m, Ca(2+)/psi m) using double-barrelled
      ion-sensitive microelectrodes. In the resting cells the cytosolic pH was 7.3-7.5
      and the concentration of free calcium was 119+/-24 nM. One-micromolar indole-3
      acetic acid (IAA), added to the external medium at pH 6.0 triggered oscillations
      inpsi m, pHc and free calcium with a period of 20 to 30 min. Acidification of the
      cytosolic pH increased the cytosolic free calcium. Thepsi m oscillations are
      attributed to changes in activity of the H(+)-extrusion pump at the plasmalemma,
      triggered off by DeltapH and controlled by pH regulation (pH oscillation). The
      origin of the pHc and Ca(2+) changes remains unclear, but is possibly caused by
      auxin-receptor-induced lipid breakdown and subsequent second-messenger formation.
      It is suggested that the observed cytosolic pH and Ca(2+) changes are
      intrinsically interrelated, and it is concluded that this onset of regulatory
      processes through the phytohormone IAA is indicative of calcium and protons
      mediating early auxin action in maize coleoptiles. It is further concluded that
      the double-barrelled ion-sensitive microelectrode is an invaluable tool for
      investigating in-vivo hormone action in plant tissues. 

PMID- 24221566
TI  - Gibberellin-induced hydrolysis of endosperm cell walls in gibberellin-deficient
      tomato seeds prior to radicle protrusion.
AB  - The weakening of the mechanical restraint of the endosperm layer in tomato
      (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seeds, a prerequisite for germination, has been
      studied with the use of seeds of the gibberellin (GA)-deficientgib-1 mutant.
      Incubation ofgib-1 endosperms, including part of the testa, in 10 MUM GA4+7,
      resulted within 12 h in the release of fructose, glucose, galactose and mannose
      into the incubation medium. Only small amounts of sugars diffused out of thegib-1
      endosperms during incubation in water. Chemical hydrolysis of endosperm cell
      walls ofgib-1 seeds showed that they are mainly composed of mannose, and smaller
      quantities of glucose and galactose. Treatment with GA4+7 induced in the
      endosperms the production of endo-beta-mannanase activity that was not detectable
      during incubation in water, and also increased the activities of mannohydrolase
      and alpha-galactosidase as compared with the water controls. No cellulase
      activity was found. It is concluded that in tomato seeds the weakening of
      endosperms prior to radicle protrusion is mediated by a GA-induced enzymatic
      degradation of the mannan-rich cell walls. 

PMID- 24221568
TI  - Phytin is synthesized in the cotyledons of germinated castor-bean seeds in
      response to exogenously supplied phosphate.
AB  - Following germination of the castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) seed, levels of
      phytin decline in both the endosperm and the embryo. However, as seedling growth
      continues, phytin increase in the latter to a level exceeding that present in the
      mature dry embryo, while phytin declines concomitantly in the endosperm. It is
      likely that phosphate mobilized from phytin in the endosperm acts as a substrate
      for phytin synthesis in the embryo. This is supported by the observation that
      isolated embryos supplied with phosphate accumulate phytin, particularly in the
      cotyledons. This increase is enhanced whenmyo-inositol is provided concurrently
      as a carbon source. Phytin synthesis in the cotyledons of the isolated embryos
      can occur without the attached axis. Whether initially exposed to exogenous
      phosphate or not, the isolated cotyledons remain competent in their ability to
      synthesize phytin for an extended post-germinative period, even though the major
      reserves are being mobilized at this time. 

PMID- 24221567
TI  - Differential expression of nuclear- and organelle-encoded genes during tomato
      fruit development.
AB  - Steady-state mRNA levels of nuclear-and organelle-encoded genes were determined
      during fruit development and ripening. Transcripts specific for subunits of the
      mitochondrial and chloroplast ATPase complexes appear simultaneously and reach
      high levels two to three weeks after anthesis, but follow a different expression
      pattern during the ripening period. While the chloroplast-specific mRNA levels
      continuously decrease to low levels in ripe tomato fruits, the transcripts
      specific for two mitochondrial ATPase subunits continue to be present at relative
      high levels in red fruits. Transcript levels for the fructose-1,6-bisphosphate
      aldolase increase significantly during ripening. Structural proteins such as the
      alpha-subunit of tubulin and the hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein extensin are
      expressed during maximal fruit growth. In addition, comparisons of mRNA levels of
      different genes in several plant organs (leaf, fruit, stem, and root) show
      characteristic differences. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that
      changes at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level during fruit
      development can be correlated with morphological and physiological alterations. 

PMID- 24221569
TI  - Preprophase bands of microtubules and the cell cycle: Kinetics and experimental
      uncoupling of their formation from the nuclear cycle in onion root-tip cells.
AB  - We have studied the timing of preprophase band (PPB) development in the division
      cycle of onion (Allium cepa L.) root-tip cells by combinations of
      immunofluorescence microscopy of microtubules, microspectrophotometry of nuclear
      DNA, and autoradiography of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation during pulse-chase
      experiments. In normally grown onion root tips, every cell with a PPB had the G2
      level of nuclear DNA. Some were in interphase, prior to chromatin condensation,
      and some had varying degrees of chromatin condensation, up to the stage of
      prophase at which the PPB-prophase spindle transition occurs. In addition,
      autoradiography showed that PPBs can be formed in cells which have just finished
      their S phase, and microspectrophotometry enabled us to detect a population of
      cells in G2 which had no PPBs, these presumably including cells which had left
      the division cycle. The effects of inhibitors of DNA synthesis showed that the
      formation of PPBs is not fully coupled to events of the nuclear cycle. Although
      the mitotic index decreased 6-10-fold to less than 0.5% when roots were kept in
      20 MUg.ml(-1) aphidicolin for more than 8 h, the percentage of cells containing
      PPBs did not decrease in proportion: the number of cells in interphase with PPBs
      increased while the number in prophase decreased. Almost the same phenomena were
      observed in the presence of 100 MUg.ml(-1) 5-aminouracil and 40 MUg.ml(-1)
      hydroxyurea. In controls, all cells with PPBs were in G2 or prophase, but in the
      presence of aphidicolin, 5-aminouracil or hydroxyurea, some of the interphase
      cells with PPBs were in the S phase or even in the G1 phase. We conclude that PPB
      formation normally occurs in G2 (in at least some cases very early in G2) and
      that this timing can be experimentally uncoupled from the timing of DNA
      duplication in the cell-division cycle. The result accords with other evidence
      indicating that the cytoplasmic events of cytokinesis are controlled in parallel
      to the nuclear cycle, rather than in an obligatorily coupled sequence. 

PMID- 24221570
TI  - Concurrent measurements of oxygen- and carbon-dioxide exchange during lightflecks
      inAlocasia macrorrhiza (L.) G. Don.
AB  - Oxygen and CO2 exchange were measured concurrently in leaves of shade
      grownAlocasia macrorrhiza (L.) G. Don during lightflecks consisting of short
      periods of high photon flux density (PFD) superimposed on a low-PFD background
      illumination. Oxygen exchange was measured with a zirconium-oxide ceramic cell in
      an atmosphere containing 1 600 MUbar O2 and 350 MUbar CO2. Following an increase
      in PFD from 10 to 500 MUmol photons.m(-2).s(-1), O2 evolution immediately
      increased to a maximum rate that was about twice as high as the highest CO2
      exchange rates that were observed. Oxygen evolution then decreased over the next
      5-10 s to rates equal to the much more slowly increasing rates of CO2 uptake.
      When the PFD was decreased at the end of a lightfleck, O2 evolution decreased
      nearly instantaneously to the low-PFD rate while CO2 fixation continued at an
      elevated rate for about 20 s. When PFD during the lightfleck was at a level that
      was limiting for steady-state CO2 exchange, then the O2-evolution rate was
      constant during the lightfleck. This observed pattern of O2 evolution during
      lightflecks indicated that the maximum rate of electron transport exceeded the
      maximum rate of CO2 fixation in these leaves. In noninduced leaves, rates of O2
      evolution for the first fraction of a second were about as high as rates in fully
      induced leaves, indicating that O2 evolution and the electron-transport chain are
      not directly affected by the leaf's induction state. Severalfold differences
      between induced and noninduced leaves in O2 evolution during a lightfleck were
      seen for lightflecks longer than a few seconds where the rate of O2 evolution
      appeared to be limited by the utilization of reducing power in CO2 fixation. 

PMID- 24221571
TI  - Characteristics of 2-oxoglutarate and glutamate transport in spinach chloroplasts
      : Studies with a double-silicone-layer centrifugation technique and in liposomes.
AB  - The transport of glutamate, 2-oxoglutarate and malate in intact spinach
      chloroplasts was determined using a double-silicone-layer centrifugation
      technique in which the silicone layers stayed separated at the end of
      centrifugation. Glutamate was found to be transported via the dicarboxylate but
      not the 2-oxoglutarate translocator. Hence the kinetic parameters (i.e.K m,K i
      andV max) determined in glutamate-preloaded chloroplasts represent the kinetic
      constants of the dicarboxylate translocator. Measurements from malate- or
      succinate-preloaded chloroplasts represent the aggregate values of both the
      dicarboxylate and the 2-oxoglutarate translocators. Calculations showed that the
      2-oxoglutarate and glutamate transport required to support the high fluxes of
      photorespiratory NH3 recycling could be achieved if the transport of these two
      dicarboxylates occurred on separate translocators. It is proposed that during
      photorespiration the transport of 2-oxoglutarate into and glutamate out of the
      chloroplast occurred via the 2-oxoglutarate and the dicarboxylate translocators,
      respectively. These transports are coupled to malate counter-exchange in a
      cascade-like manner resulting in a net 2-oxoglutarate/glutamate exchange with no
      net malate uptake. 

PMID- 24221572
TI  - Unassembled polypeptides of the plastidic ribosomes in heat-treated 70S-ribosome
      deficient rye leaves.
AB  - The polypeptides of the subunits of 70S ribosomes isolated from rye (Secale
      cereale L.) leaf chloroplasts were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis. The 50S subunit contained approx. 33 polypeptides in the range
      of relative molecular mass (Mr) 13000-36000, the 30S subunit contained approx. 25
      polypeptides in the range of Mr 13000-40500. Antisera raised against the
      individual isolated ribosomal subunits detected approx. 17 polypeptides of the
      50S and 10 polypeptides of the 30S subunit in the immunoblotting assay. By
      immunoblotting with these antisera the major antigenic ribosomal polypeptides (r
      proteins) of the chloroplasts were clearly and specifically visualized also in
      separations of leaf extracts or soluble chloroplast supernatants. In extracts
      from rye leaves grown at 32 degrees  C, a temperature which is non-permissive for
      70S-ribosome formation, or in supernatants from ribosome-deficient isolated
      plastids, six plastidic r-proteins were visualized by immunoblotting with the
      anti-50S-serum and two to four plastidic r-proteins were detected by
      immunoblotting with the anti-30S-serum, while other r-proteins that reacted with
      our antisera were missing. Those plastidic r-proteins that were present in 70S
      ribosome-deficient leaves must represent individual unassembled ribosomal
      polypeptides that were synthesized on cytoplasmic 80S ribosomes. For the
      biogenesis of chloroplast ribosomes the mechanism of coordinate regulation appear
      to be less strict than those known for the biogenesis of bacterial ribosomes,
      thus allowing a marked accumulation of several unassembled ribosomal polypeptides
      of cytoplasmic origin. 

PMID- 24221573
TI  - Hormonal regulation of gene expression in barley aleurone layers : Induction and
      suppression of specific genes.
AB  - As part of our investigation of the mode of action of plant hormones in barley
      (Hordeum vulgare L.) aleurone layers, we have studied the expression of five
      identified and three unidentified mRNA species in the presence of exogenous
      gibberellic acid (GA3) and abscisic acid. Three of the mRNAs are GA3-inducible,
      three are suppressed by GA3, and two are constitutive. The extent of the GA3
      effect differs considerably for both inducible and suppressible mRNAs. For
      example, a ten-fold higher concentration of GA3 (10(-8) M) is required for full
      induction of the high-pl group alpha-amylase mRNA than is required for the low-pI
      alpha-amylase mRNA (10(-9) M). Temporal regulation of mRNA abundance also varies
      between the two alpha-amylase isoenzyme groups. The three GA3-suppressible mRNA
      species studied, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1), a probable amylase and protease
      inhibitor, and an unidentified barley mRNA species also varied in response to
      GA3. The ADH1 mRNA decreased drastically within 8 h of GA3 treatment, whereas the
      other two began to decrease in abundance only after 12-16 h of GA3 treatment.
      Abscisic-acid treatment counteracted the GA3 effects for both the inducible and
      suppressible mRNA species. Comparison of alpha-amylase-mRNA levels and alpha
      amylase-synthesis rates showed a strong correlation between the two parameters,
      the only exception being a lack of alpha-amylase synthesis in the presence of
      alpha-amylase mRNA at low GA3 concentrations. Therefore, the expression of alpha
      amylase seems to be regulated primarily by its mRNA levels. 

PMID- 24221574
TI  - The biosynthesis and conjugation of indole-3-acetic acid in germinating seed and
      seedlings ofDalbergia dolichopetala.
AB  - Germinating seed ofDalbergia dolichopetala converted both [(2)H5]L-tryptophan and
      [(2)H5]indole-3-ethanol to [(2)H5]indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Metabolism of [2'
      (14)C]IAA resulted in the production of indole-3-acetylaspartic acid (IAAsp), as
      well as several unidentified components, referred to as metabolites I, II, IV and
      V. Re-application of [(14)C]IAAsp to the germinating seed led to the accumulation
      of the polar, water-soluble compound, metabolite V, as the major metabolite,
      together with a small amount of IAA. Metabolites I, II and IV were not detected,
      nor were these compounds associated with the metabolism of [2'-(14)C]IAA by
      shoots and excised cotyledons and roots from 26-d-oldD. dolichopetala seedlings.
      Both shoots and cotyledons converted IAA to IAAsp and metabolite V, while IAAsp
      was the only metabolite detected in extracts from excised roots. The available
      evidence indicates that inDalbergia, and other species, IAAsp may not act as a
      storage product that can be hydrolysed to provide the plant with a ready supply
      of IAA. 

PMID- 24221575
TI  - Determination of ethyl glucuronide in hair: a rapid sample pretreatment involving
      simultaneous milling and extraction.
AB  - A combination of simultaneous milling and extraction known as micropulverized
      extraction was developed for the quantification of the alcohol marker ethyl
      glucuronide (EtG) in hair samples using a homogeneous reference material and a
      mixer mill. Best extraction results from 50 mg of hair were obtained with 2-mL
      plastic tubes containing two steel balls (? = 5 mm), 0.5 mL of water and with an
      oscillating frequency of 30 s(-1) over a period of 30 min. EtG was quantified
      employing a validated GC-MS procedure involving derivatization with
      pentafluoropropionic acid anhydride. This micropulverization procedure was
      compared with dry milling followed by separate aqueous extraction and with
      aqueous extraction after manual cutting to millimeter-size snippets.
      Micropulverization yielded 28.0 +/- 1.70 pg/mg and was seen to be superior to
      manually cutting (23.0 +/- 0.83 pg/mg) and equivalent to dry grinding (27.7 +/-
      1.71 pg/mg) with regard to completeness of EtG extraction. The option to process
      up to 20 samples simultaneously makes micropulverization especially valuable for
      the high throughput of urgent samples. 

PMID- 24221576
TI  - Developing an operational model for an integrative oncology program: a
      qualitative descriptive feasibility study.
AB  - PURPOSE: We describe a descriptive qualitative study with the purpose of
      assessing the feasibility of developing an integrative oncology program in our
      region. METHODS: We conducted 39 interviews and two focus groups (n = 20) with
      cancer patients, their caregivers and complementary and conventional (n = 15)
      healthcare professionals. RESULTS: One primary theme emerged, acceptance or
      tolerance of an integrative oncology program, which represents concepts within
      four emergent categories: (1) operational model; (2) values to guide an
      integrative oncology program; (3) physical location and design; and (4)
      facilitators and barriers to establishing an integrative oncology program.
      CONCLUSIONS: The study was instrumental in establishing support for an
      integrative oncology program in our region, including a feasible model. Based in
      part on the results of this study, the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre (
      www.oicc.ca ) opened in November 2011. We recommend a similar process of
      stakeholder engagement for others who wish to develop an integrative program in
      their location.

PMID- 24221577
TI  - A randomized placebo-controlled trial of manuka honey for radiation-induced oral
      mucositis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few treatments have the potential to reduce the severity of radiation
      induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. Some small studies have
      suggested that organic honey may be a useful preventive treatment. METHODS: This
      investigator-initiated double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial
      investigated whether honey reduced the severity of radiation-induced oral
      mucositis (ROM). One hundred six head and neck cancer patients from the Vancouver
      and Sudbury Cancer Centers in Canada were randomized to swish, hold, and swallow
      either 5 ml of irradiated organic manuka honey or a placebo gel, four times a day
      throughout radiation treatment, plus seven more days. Severity of oral mucositis
      according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), World Health
      Organization (WHO), and Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale scales, weight, and
      subjects' symptom severity and quality of life were assessed weekly. Sialometry
      was performed at baseline and at the last study visit. RESULTS: One hundred six
      patients were recruited. Twenty-four did not attend any mucositis assessments.
      One was removed from the study because of off-study consumption of store-bought
      manuka honey. The remaining 81 patients had at least one mucositis assessment and
      were included in the analysis. Sixty-two percent of subjects received concurrent
      chemotherapy; 81 % were male. The groups were well-matched, and blinding was
      excellent. Dropouts were mostly due to nausea and were similar in both arms, with
      78 % being able to tolerate the study products for more than 1 week. The dropout
      rate was 57 % in those who received honey and 52 % in those who received placebo
      gel. The dropout rate in those who had concurrent chemotherapy was 59 % and in
      those who only received radiation was 47 %. There was no statistically
      significant difference between the honey and placebo arms in any of the outcome
      indicators. Those who completed the study in both treatment arms had low rates of
      RTOG greater than or equal to grade 3 mucositis; 35 % in the honey group and 43 %
      in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Despite promising earlier reports, manuka honey
      was not tolerated well by our patients and, even when used as directed, did not
      have a significant impact on the severity of ROM.

PMID- 24221578
TI  - Expression of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA in CD4(+)CD25 (+) T regulatory cells from
      patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease with
      complex genetic predisposing factors involved. Ets-1 transcription factor plays
      an important role in the suppressive activity of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells and
      stable expression of FOXP3. To find its potential role in the pathogenesis of
      SLE, we investigate the mRNA expression of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA in CD4(+)CD25(+)
      Treg cells from patients with SLE. Real-time transcription-polymerase chain
      reaction analysis was used to determine the expression of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA in
      CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells from 36 patients with SLE and 18 sex-and-age-matched
      healthy controls. The Ets-1 mRNA expression level was decreased in patients with
      SLE [0.225 (0.135, 0.337)] than healthy controls [0.528 (0.303, 0.681)] (P <
      0.001). The expression levels of FOXP3 mRNA were lower in SLE patients [0.608
      (0.272, 1.164)] than healthy controls [0.919 (0.690, 1.223)], but the difference
      was not significant (P = 0.106). Significant reduction in Ets-1 and FOXP3
      expression was also found in new-onset SLE subgroup when compared with healthy
      controls (P < 0.001). The level of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA was not significantly
      different in hyperactive and lower active SLE group when compared with inactive
      SLE group, respectively (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between
      SLE with lupus nephritis (LN) and SLE without LN either (P > 0.05). Associations
      of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA expression levels with major clinical and laboratory
      parameters of SLE patients were also analyzed. However, no significant
      association was found. Significant positive correlation was found between Ets-1
      and FOXP3 mRNA expression in CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells from SLE patients (r =
      0.698, P < 0.001). Our results found that the expression levels of Ets-1 mRNA
      were decreased in SLE patients and Ets-1 expression was positively correlated
      with the expression of FOXP3. It indicated that Ets-1 may play an important role
      in the stable expression of FOXP3 in CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells.

PMID- 24221579
TI  - Anabolic steroids affect human periodontal health and microbiota.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate periodontal microbiological differences
      between systemically healthy nonsmoker males taking anabolic androgenic steroids
      (AASs) and non-AAS users and to find associations between disease severity and
      AAS use. METHODS: Ninety-two men practicing bodybuilding were included in the
      study. They were divided into AAS users and a matched control nonuser group and
      subgrouped based on their most severe periodontal condition. Pooled subgingival
      samples from each individual were cultured to evaluate specific
      periodontopathogen infection. RESULTS: AAS users had significantly higher
      prevalence of severe periodontitis. AAS users had greater gingival inflammation
      and clinical attachment loss of >= 3 mm than nonusers (odds ratio (OR) = 2.4; p =
      0.09; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.8-6.4). AAS users were 4.9 times more
      likely to be infected with Prevotella intermedia than AAS nonusers (OR = 4.9; p =
      0.003; 95 % CI 1.6-14.7). The OR of presenting subgingival Aggregatibacter
      actinomycetemcomitans was 8.2 times higher in AAS users (OR = 8.2; p = 0.03; 95 %
      CI 0.9-70.8). AAS users were 5.6 times more likely to present subgingival Candida
      spp. than nonusers (OR = 5.6; p = 0.02; 95 % CI 1.1-27.1). AAS users were 14.8
      times more likely to present subgingival Candida parapsilosis than nonusers (OR =
      14.8; p < 0.0001; 95 % CI 3.1-69.2). The likelihood of AAS users presenting
      subgingival Candida tropicalis was 4.3 times higher than nonusers (OR = 4.3; p =
      0.03; 95 % CI 1.1-16.9). A. actinomycetemcomitans was mostly isolated in
      individuals with severe periodontitis and was associated with subgingival
      Porphyromonas gingivalis, P. intermedia, and Candida spp. CONCLUSIONS: AAS use
      may increase the risk for severe periodontitis and may cause a subgingival
      selection of certain Candida species. Specific periodontopathogens, such as
      Candida dubliniensis and Candida albicans, seem to be negatively affected by AAS
      use. The higher risk for disease progression in AAS users may be explained by the
      significantly higher proportions of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P.
      intermedia, and Candida species as compared to controls. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
      Data on the influence of AAS on subgingival periodontopathogens and disease
      progression are scarce. Higher proportions of specific periodontopathogens are
      plausible in AAS users. AAS users had a higher prevalence of severe
      periodontitis, gingival inflammation, and clinical attachment loss. Men taking
      AAS are at greater risk of periodontitis and specific periodontopathogen
      infection.

PMID- 24221580
TI  - TGF-betaRI kinase activity mediates Emdogain-stimulated in vitro
      osteoclastogenesis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Emdogain, containing an extract of fetal porcine enamel matrix
      proteins, is a potent stimulator of in vitro osteoclastogenesis. The underlying
      molecular mechanisms are, however, unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Here, we have
      addressed the role of transforming growth factor-beta receptor type 1 (TGF
      betaRI) kinase activity on osteoclastogenesis in murine bone marrow cultures.
      RESULTS: Inhibition of TGF-betaRI kinase activity with SB431542 abolished the
      effect of Emdogain on osteoclastogenesis induced by receptor activator of nuclear
      factor kappa-B ligand or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. SB431542 also suppressed
      the Emdogain-mediated increase of OSCAR, a co-stimulatory protein, and dendritic
      cell-specific transmembrane protein and Atp6v0d2, the latter two being involved
      in cell fusion. Similar to transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta), Emdogain
      could not compensate for the inhibition of IL-4 and IFNgamma on osteoclast
      formation. When using the murine macrophage cell line RAW246.7, SB431542 and the
      smad-3 inhibitor SIS3 blocked Emdogain-stimulated expression of the transcription
      factor NFATc1. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the data suggest that TGF-betaRI
      kinase activity is necessary to mediate in vitro effects of Emdogain on
      osteoclastogenesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Based on these in vitro data, we can
      speculate that at least part of the clinical effects of Emdogain on
      osteoclastogenesis is mediated via TGF-beta signaling.

PMID- 24221581
TI  - Feeding repellence in Antarctic bryozoans.
AB  - The Antarctic sea star Odontaster validus and the amphipod Cheirimedon femoratus
      are important predators in benthic communities. Some bryozoans are part of the
      diet of the asteroid and represent both potential host biosubstrata and prey for
      this omnivorous lysianassid amphipod. In response to such ecological pressure,
      bryozoans are expected to develop strategies to deter potential predators,
      ranging from physical to chemical mechanisms. However, the chemical ecology of
      Antarctic bryozoans has been scarcely studied. In this study we evaluated the
      presence of defenses against predation in selected species of Antarctic
      bryozoans. The sympatric omnivorous consumers O. validus and C. femoratus were
      selected to perform feeding assays with 16 ether extracts (EE) and 16 butanol
      extracts (BE) obtained from 16 samples that belonged to 13 different bryozoan
      species. Most species (9) were active (12 EE and 1 BE) in sea star bioassays.
      Only 1 BE displayed repellence, indicating that repellents against the sea star
      are mainly lipophilic. Repellence toward C. femoratus was found in all species in
      different extracts (10 EE and 12 BE), suggesting that defenses against the
      amphipod might be both lipophilic and hydrophilic. Interspecific and
      intraspecific variability of bioactivity was occasionally detected, suggesting
      possible environmental inductive responses, symbiotic associations, and/or
      genetic variability. Multivariate analysis revealed similarities among species in
      relation to bioactivities of EE and/or BE. These findings support the hypothesis
      that, while in some cases alternative chemical or physical mechanisms may also
      provide protection, repellent compounds play an important role in Antarctic
      bryozoans as defenses against predators. 

PMID- 24221582
TI  - Suppression of the powdery mildew pathogen by chitinase microinjected into barley
      coleoptile epidermal cells.
AB  - An exogenous chitinase from Streptomyces griseus was introduced into coleoptile
      epidermal cells of barley (Hordeum vulgare) by microinjection, and the effect of
      injected chitinase on the growth or development of the powdery mildew pathogen
      (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei) was examined. Prior to microinjection, an
      enzymatic degradation of fungal haustorium, the organ taking nutrients from host
      plant cells, was examined by treating fixed coleoptile epidermis harboring
      haustoria with this enzyme. The result showed that haustoria were effectively
      digested by chitinase, suggesting the effectiveness of chitinase treatment for
      suppressing the fungal development. Microinjection of chitinase was conducted
      using living coleoptile tissues inoculated with the pathogen. Epidermal cells in
      which the haustorial primordia had been formed, or in which the haustoria had
      matured, were selected as targets for injection. The result clearly indicated
      that injection at the stage of primordium formation was effective in completely
      digesting haustoria and suppressing the subsequent formation of secondary hyphae
      of the pathogen. In microinjection after haustorial maturation, hyphal elongation
      was considerably suppressed though there was no detectable morphological change
      in the haustoria. Thus, the present study provides the experimental basis for
      genetically manipulating barley to produce transgenic plants resistant to the
      powdery mildew disease. 

PMID- 24221583
TI  - The use of the polymerase chain reaction in plant transformation studies.
AB  - Transformed root lines of Nicotiana species, containing NPTII and Gus genes, were
      used to study the parameters affecting the use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction
      as a routine analytical tool for quickly analysing plant transformants for the
      presence of a foreign gene. The basic reaction mix as described by Cetus
      Corporation (Saiki 1989) was close to optimal for successful PCR amplification of
      internal sequences of both NPTII and Gus from genomic plant DNA. The temperature
      of primer annealing in the PCR protocols was found to be the most important
      variable, as low temperatures caused amplification of artefact bands and smearing
      after analysis on ethidium bromide agarose gels. Various formulae for calculating
      the Tm for binding of primers of various lengths (20-30 bases) are described in
      relation to predicting suitable annealing temperatures in the PCR.For tobacco
      species the PCR reaction worked efficiently with up to 2 MUg of genomic DNA.
      However, with DNA from Mentha species (mint), an inhibitor of the PCR process was
      co-extracted with the DNA which prevented amplification of target sequences, if
      more than 10 ng of genomic DNA was present in the reaction. 

PMID- 24221584
TI  - Regulation of organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis by auxin in melon, Cucumis
      melo L.
AB  - Various tissues of seeds and seedlings of melon were cultured in vitro to study
      the effects of auxin concentration on organogenesis and embryogenesis.
      Adventitious shoots and somatic embryos were formed from explants of cotyledons
      of mature seeds, hypocotyls of seedlings, and leaves and petioles of young
      plantlets. Expanded cotyledons of seedlings formed only adventitious shoots. All
      tissues responded similarly to the 2,4-D concentration in the media, that is,
      adventitious shoots were formed at low concentration, callus proliferated without
      differentiation at intermediate concentration and somatic embryos were induced at
      high concentration. Cotyledons of mature seeds formed both adventitious shoots
      and somatic embryos more efficiently than any other tissues cultured.Effects of
      three auxins, 2,4-D, NAA and IAA, on organogenesis and embryogenesis were
      compared using cotyledons of mature seeds. Adventitious shoots were formed at low
      level of auxins (0 to 0.01 mg/l 2,4-D; 0 to 0.1 mg/l NAA; 0 to 1.0 mg/l IAA), and
      embryos were formed at high level of auxins (1.0 to 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D; 3.0 to 10.0
      mg/l NAA; 20.0 to 100.0 mg/l IAA). IAA gave more efficient shoot formation and
      embryogenesis than the other auxins. 

PMID- 24221585
TI  - Improved culture conditions for somatic embryogenesis from Asparagus officinalis
      L. using an aseptic ventilative filter.
AB  - Calli were induced from the crown of seedlings or lateral bud of young spears of
      Asparagus officinalis L. on Linsmaier and Skoog's (LS) solid-medium supplemented
      with 5 MU M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Embryogenic callus was
      selected from induced calli and proliferated in LS liquid medium supplemented
      with 5 MU M 2,4-D. Non-vitrified somatic embryos were formed and efficiently
      developed into club-shaped embryos in LS hormone-free medium with 1 % gelrite in
      a culture vessel capped with an aseptic ventilative filter. Non-vitrified club
      shaped embryos developed into normal plants when transferred to half-strength LS
      medium without hormones, and 0.8 % agar. Carbon dioxide concentration and
      moisture content inside the culture vessels were measured, and their effect on
      embryo development is discussed. 

PMID- 24221586
TI  - Facile transformation of Arabidopsis.
AB  - A protocol is described for the simple, rapid and efficient production of
      transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The procedure was developed using growth regulator
      regimes that promote adventitious embryogenesis during or immediately following
      Agrobacterium mediated transformation. Both the RLD and Columbia genotypes of
      Arabidopsis were transformed using slightly different growth regulator regimes.
      For the Columbia genotype two modifications of the protocol were identified which
      substantially improved regeneration. Cold treatment of the plants used as a
      source of root explants resulted in a three-fold increase in the number of
      morphogenic sectors produced. A more important modification was the inclusion of
      25 mg/l silver nitrate (an inhibitor of ethylene action) to the medium used for
      shoot regeneration. This provided a ten-fold increase in the number of shoots
      produced. These procedures made it possible to obtain over 100 putative
      transformants of RLD or Columbia from a single 10 cm petri dish, within 2 or 4
      weeks after exposure of root explants to the bacteria. When these were
      transferred to rooting media containing antibiotics, approximately 20% were able
      to root after kanamycin selection and 80% after hygromycin selection. All the
      rooted plantlets tested were shown to contain integrated donor DNA as determined
      by Southern blot analysis. 

PMID- 24221587
TI  - Plantlet regeneration from cultured leaves of Cydonia oblonga L. (quince).
AB  - Adventitious shoots of Cydonia oblonga Quince A were obtained from leaves
      cultured on MS-N6 medium containing thidiazuron (TDZ) and alpha-naphthaleneacetic
      acid (NAA). The frequency of regeneration was high (78% of the cultured leaves
      with 3.2 shoots per regenerating leaf) at 32 MUM TDZ plus 0.3 MUM NAA on young
      leaves obtained from micropropagated shoots. Shoots were rooted by culturing them
      first on medium containing 5 MUM NAA for one week and then on auxinfree medium
      for four weeks. The regeneration protocol may be useful for selection of
      somaclonal variants with increased tolerance to low Fe and for transformation
      mediated by Agrobacterium. 

PMID- 24221588
TI  - Callus formation and plant regeneration from somatic embryos of oat (Avena sativa
      L.).
AB  - Globular-stage somatic embryos were isolated by vortexing friable, embryogenic
      callus of oat (Avena sativa L.) followed by fractionation based on size. Somatic
      embryos were most frequently found in the 300-380 MUm size fraction. Friable,
      embryogenic callus was reinitiated from 55% of isolated somatic embryos. Fertile
      plants were regenerated from 22% of isolated somatic embryos. Reinitiation of
      callus from somatic embryos and growth of friable, embryogenic callus was
      inhibited by the selective agents G418 and methotrexate. These results suggest
      that somatic embryos isolated from friable, embryogenic callus of oat may be
      useful totipotent targets for particle acceleration-mediated transformation. 

PMID- 24221589
TI  - Plantlets from somatic callus tissue of the woody legume Sesbania bispinosa
      (Jacq.) W. F. Wight.
AB  - In vitro regeneration of plantlets and multiplication of Sesbania bispinosa
      (Jacq.) W.F. Wight plants from cultured callus tissue were demonstrated. Callus
      was established from both cotyledons and mature leaflets on Murashige and Skoog
      (MS) basal medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg/l) and 2,4-D (2 mg/l). Callus
      mediated shoot bud differentiation was studied under defined nutritional,
      hormonal and cultural conditions. Various concentrations of BAP or kinetin (Kn)
      with coconut milk (CM) in MS media induced different levels of shoot bud
      differentiation as well as multiplication. Multiple shoot bud differentiation
      occurred in most of the primary calli. The best medium for shoot bud
      differentiation from cotyledon derived callus, contained BAP (2 mg/l) and 15% CM
      (V/V). More efficient shoot bud organogenesis was recorded with BAP than Kn.
      Supplementation with CM in MS media accelerated shoot bud organogenesis in
      differentiating callus tissue. Rooting of differentiated shoots was achieved by a
      three step culture procedure involving (a) MS solid medium containing IBA (2
      mg/l), (b) growth regulator free half strength MS medium with 1% charcoal, and
      (c) half strength MS liquid medium free of vitamins, growth regulators and
      charcoal. 

PMID- 24221590
TI  - Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, phenolic acids and ethylene in alfalfa (Medicago
      sativa L.) cell cultures in relation to their embryogenic ability.
AB  - Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, contents of phenolic acids and
      ethylene production during the lag-phase, and contents of phenolic acids at the
      late exponential phase, showed significant differences in embryogenic (EC) and
      non-embryogenic (NEC) suspension cultures of Medicago sativa L. Maximum PAL
      activity at 6 h after inoculation was followed by an increase in the level of
      phenolic acids from 9.6 MUg g(-1) fresh mass to 21 MUg g(-1) fresh mass in NEC at
      12 h. Thereafter the level of phenolic acids decreased to 5.2 MUg g(-1) fresh
      mass at 72 h. The decline was caused predominantly by the decrease of ester-bound
      cinnamic acid derivatives, the decrease ranging from 83 to 20% of total
      phenolics. Two maxima of ethylene production were observed in NEC: the first one
      immediately after inoculation and the second at 6 h, coinciding with the peak of
      PAL activity. In NEC, most of the phenolic acids occurred in esterified form.
      Ability to form somatic embryos (EC) was associated with the absence of the
      second peak of ethylene production as well as of the peak of PAL activity at 6 h.
      The level of phenolic acids during the lag-phase remained low (7.2 MUg g(-1) FM)
      and did not change. The proportion of cinnamic acid derivatives was very low (18%
      of total phenolics), mostly due to the extremely low level of ferulic acid. In
      EC, phenolic acids bound to methanol insoluble material formed the major
      fraction. Loss of embryogenic potential of the embryogenic culture (ECL) was
      associated with qualitative and quantitative changes in the contents of phenolic
      acids insignificantly increased PAL activity after inoculation was followed by a
      moderate increase in the contents of phenolic acids from 9.35 MUg g(-1) fresh
      mass to 12.42 MUg g fresh mass. A high rate of ethylene production was observed
      only immediately after the transfer of the culture to fresh medium. The loss of
      embryogenicity correlated also with changes in the relative amounts of the
      investigated fractions of phenolic acids. A distinct increase in the level of
      methoxy-substituted phenolic acids is a characteristic feature of the ECL
      culture. 

PMID- 24221591
TI  - Detection of ginkgolide A in Ginkgo biloba cell cultures.
AB  - Ginkgo biloba cells were cultured in two 500 mL shake flasks and in 2 L and 6 L
      immobilization bioreactors using MS medium supplemented with 1 mg.L(-1) NAA, 0.1
      mg.L(-1) K and 30 g.L(-1) sucrose. Specific growth rates were 0.06 d(-1), 0.11 d(
      1) and 0.07 d(-1) for the 2 L and 6 L bioreactors and shake flask cultures,
      respectively. Extracellular phosphate, nitrate, ammonium and carbohydrate uptake
      rates of the bio reactor cultures were approximately 17 to 39% slower than those
      of shake flask cultures. The specific oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide transfer
      rates of immobilized Ginkgo biloba cells ranged from 0.027 to 0.041 mmol O2.g(
      1).d.w.hr(-1) (maximum uptake at 14 days) and 0.020 to 0.057 mmol CO2g. (
      1).d.w.hr(-1) (maximum production at 14 days). Extracts from the biomass of the
      two immobilized and shake flask suspension cultures were analysed for ginkgolide
      A by GC-MS. Yields of 7, 17, 19 and 7 ng.g. (-1)d.w. of ginkgolide A were
      determined for shake flask 1, shake flask 2 and the 2 L and 6 L immobilized
      cultures, respectively. Traces of ginkgolide B were detected with the signal to
      noise ratio, however, being too low for positive confirmation of this last
      product. 

PMID- 24221592
TI  - Stable transformation of sorghum cell cultures after bombardment with DNA-coated
      microprojectiles.
AB  - Cells from a suspension culture of Sorghum vulgare (sorghum) have been
      transformed to either hygromycin or kanamycin resistance following uptake of pBC1
      or pNGI plasmids, respectively, introduced on DNA-coated high velocity
      microprojectiles. Hygromycin- and kanamycin-resistant transformants contained
      hygromycin B phosphotransferase- and neomycin phosphotransferasehybridizing
      restriction fragments of the expected size, respectively. A second introduced,
      but unselected for, reporter uidA gene which encodes beta-glucuronidase activity
      was also detected by DNA gel blot analysis in these transformants and shown to be
      expressed at low levels in two of the ten transformants analyzed. Transcripts
      from the introduced foreign genes accumulated to detectable levels in only these
      two transformants, both of which had a high copy number of genes integrated into
      their genome. This report further establishes the biolistic method as a useful
      route for delivery of DNA into the difficult-to-transform monocotyledonous plant
      species and represents the first stable transformation of this agronomically
      important cereal grain. 

PMID- 24221593
TI  - A comparative study of somatic embryogenesis in Secale vavilovii.
AB  - The ability of immature embryos, inflorescences and leaves of Secale vavilovii to
      form embryogenic callus was tested on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium
      supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D. All cultured immature
      embryos formed calluses. The highest percentage of embryogenic callus production
      was from 1-2 mm embryos. Young leaves also formed calluses, mainly from the 10-15
      mm basal segment, the percentages of embryogenic calluses being higher when
      cultures were maintained in darkness. Embryogenic calluses were obtained also
      from all the cultured immature inflorescences, in the three cases, rooted green
      plants were obtained and grown in soil. Comparison of the responses of the three
      explants used indicates that immature inflorescence is the most useful explant
      for obtaining regenerated plants in Secale vavilovii. 

PMID- 24221594
TI  - Reduced intracellular content of methotrexate in an isolated MTX-resistant cell
      line of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.
AB  - In plant cells methotrexate (MTX) may exert its toxic effect through several
      mechanisms, including inhibition of its target protein dihydrofolate reductase.
      Resistance based on a mechanism operating before MTX binds to proteins should
      confer protection to plant cells. A methotrexate-resistant cell line of Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia was isolated by a stepwise selection procedure. This cell line
      survived in the presence of 10 MUM MTX which is 50-100 fold higher than the
      lethal dose for the wild type cells. Neither alteration in kinetic
      characteristics of dihydrofolate reductase, nor elevated binding capacity of (3)H
      MTX to target protein(s), were observed. However, in comparison with wild type
      cells, markedly lower amounts of intracellular (3)H-MTX were found after the
      selected cell line was incubated with (3)H-MTX, indicating that either reduced
      uptake or enhanced efflux of MTX is the major reason for MTX-resistance in this
      cell line. 

PMID- 24221595
TI  - Changes in thyroid hormone levels in eggs and larvae and in iodide uptake by eggs
      of coho and chinook salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutsch andO. tschawytscha.
AB  - Developmental profiles of thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and radioactive
      iodide uptake were established for eggs and T4 and T3 profiles were established
      for larvae (whole-body, yolk-only and body-only) of coho and chinook salmon. T4
      and T3 were consistently present in all samples. In eggs, hormone levels remained
      fairly constant in all cohorst for at least the first three weeks of incubation,
      but then fluctuated in both directions in some sample groups. Large increases in
      T4 (from 9 ng/g to 245 ng/g) were seen in 1985 chinook eggs 28 days after
      fertilization. Radioactive iodide uptake (which was used as a possible indicator
      of thyroxinogenesis) increased at least 10-fold in both 1986 coho and chinook
      eggs from 23-30 days after fertilization. T4 (62 ng/g) and T3 (393 ng/g) were
      found in the bodies of 28-day-old 1986 chinook embryos. In whole larvae, hormone
      levels varied depending upon the cohort studied. In general, initial body-only
      concentrations of both T4 and T3 decreased as body weight increased, but before
      yolksac resorption was completed, both thyroid hormone content and concentration
      increased (except for chinook T3). T4 and T3 content in larval yolk stayed
      constant as yolksac size decreased, resulting in increased thyroid hormone
      concentration in the yolksac. All of these data suggest that the initial source
      of thyroid hormones in coho and chinook salmon eggs is maternal, but that by
      approximately 3-4 weeks after fertilization, the developing embryos begin to
      produce their own thyroid hormones. After hatching, increases in tissue T4 and T3
      concentration coupled with constant T4 and T3 content in diminishing yolksacs
      suggest that larvae also produce their own thyroid hormones; yolksac content then
      may reflect both the original maternal hormones and the larva-producted hormones.

PMID- 24221596
TI  - The GnRH systems in the brain and pituitary of normal and hCG treated European
      silver eels.
AB  - The distribution of immunoreactive GnRH was studied in the brain and pituitary
      gland of normal and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injected silver eels. It
      was found that the general organization of GnRH systems in this species is
      similar to that reported in other teleosts. Cell bodies were present in the
      olfactory bulbs, ventral telencephalon, periventricular hypothalamus and dorsal
      tegmentum. No positive perikarya could be detected in the preoptic region. Only
      scarce fibers were observed in the proximal neurohypophysis. Treatment with hCG
      does not modify the distribution of GnRH but it increases the density of positive
      structures, in particular at the level of the pituitary. The results are
      discussed in relation with the present status of knowledge of the mechanisms
      underlying the blockage of sexual maturation in the European eel at the silver
      stage. 

PMID- 24221597
TI  - Dopamine inhibits gonadotropin secretion in the Chinese loach (Paramisgurnus
      dabryanus).
AB  - The effects of dopamine on gonadotropin (GtH) secretion in sexually mature
      Chinese loach were investigated. Spontaneous secretion of GtH was inhibited
      within 1 h following an intramuscular injection of dopamine (100 MUg/g body wt).
      Similarly, dopamine (50 and 100 MUg/g body wt) caused a significant reduction in
      serum GtH in fish with elevated GtH levels as a result of pretreatment with
      gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs either alone or in combination with
      the dopamine receptor antagonist domperidone. In summary, the present study
      provides direct evidence that dopamine functions as a gonadotropin-release
      inhibitory factor in the Chinese loach by blocking spontaneous and GnRH
      stimulated GtH release. 

PMID- 24221598
TI  - Relativein vitro effectiveness of estradiol-17beta, androgens, corticosteroids,
      progesterone and other pregnene derivatives on germinal vesicle breakdown in
      oocytes of Indian major carps,Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala andCatla catla.
AB  - The relative effectiveness of estradiol-17beta, androgens, corticosteroids,
      progesterone and other pregnene derivatives on germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD)
      was investigatedin vitro using folliculated oocytes of three carps,Labeo rohita,
      Cirrhinus mrigala, andCatla catla. In all three species progesterone and 17alpha
      hydroxyprogesterone could induce GVBD but relatively 17alpha,20beta
      dihydroxyprogesterone was consistently found to be the most potent maturation
      inducing steroid. Both estradiol-17beta and testosterone were ineffective in
      inducing GVBD. Androsterone and dehydroepiandrosterone were found to be effective
      inC. catla at all the concentrations used. Deoxycorticosterone (DOC),
      hydrocortisone (HC) and cortisone were effective inducer of GVBD inC. catla
      whereas inL. rohita andC. mrigala only cortisone was found to be effective. All
      5beta-reduced pregnenes were effective in inducing GVBD inL. rohita but inC.
      catla, only 5beta-pregnane-17alpha-01-3,20-dione and 5beta-pregnane
      3alpha,17alpha,20beta-triol and inC. mrigala, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha-ol-20- one
      could induce oocyte maturation. 

PMID- 24221599
TI  - A critical analysis of gas transferin vivo and in a blood-perfused trout head
      preparation.
AB  - Gas transfer and blood acid-base status in the blood-perfused trout head
      preparation (in vitro) were compared with intact trout (in vivo) fitted with oral
      membranes, dorsal aortic, ventral aortic, and opercular cannulae. Gas transfer
      rates were calculated from both arterial-venous blood differences and inspired
      expired water differences using the Fick method. Oxygen uptake[Formula: see text]
      and carbon dioxide excretion[Formula: see text] were lower, while ammonia
      excretion[Formula: see text] was higher, in the blood-perfused head relative toin
      vivo rates. Gas transfer rates calculated from water were consistently greater
      than rates calculated from blood, the difference being greaterin vitro compared
      toin vivo. We conclude that the inadequacy of O2 and CO2 transfer in the blood
      perfused head was not due to abnormal gill diffusive conductance, but was more
      likely related to the reduced magnitude of the blood-to-water O2 and CO2
      diffusion gradients, low hematocrit, and decreased perfusion flow rate[Formula:
      see text]. Under the conditions of the present study, the blood-perfused trout
      head is not a suitable preparation for the study of oxygen transfer. We conclude
      this preparation is useful for evaluating branchial carbon dioxide or ammonia
      transfer only when comparable measurements or manipulations cannot be made on
      intact fish. 

PMID- 24221600
TI  - The innervation pattern of fast myotomal muscle in the teleostMyoxocephalus
      scorpius: A reappraisal.
AB  - The pattern of polyneuronal innervation in the sculpinMyoxocephalus scorpius was
      examined. The majority of fast fibres in sculpin are innervated by both adjacent
      nerves, and <15% receive input from sub-adjacent myotomes. Stimulation through
      both adjacent and sub-adjacent nerves results in muscle action potentials. Each
      adjacent nerve supplies 2-5 axons to a given fibre. A typical fibre is probably
      innervated by around 4-6 axons, and pre-terminal branching accounts for the 8-20
      endplates present on these fibres. 

PMID- 24221601
TI  - Regulation of cardiac output and gut blood flow in the sea raven,Hemitripterus
      americanus.
AB  - Coeliac artery blood flow (Fca) before and after feeding was recorded in the sea
      raven. To obtain basic information about the scope of cardiovascular adjustment
      in the sea raven, a separate series of experiments was performed, in which
      ventral (Pva), and dorsal (Pda) aortic blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and
      cardiac output (jaz) were monitored during rest and encouraged
      exercise.Measurements of coeliac artery flow showed that visceral blood flow is
      substantial, particularly after feeding, and variations in the visceral vascular
      conductance affect Pda directly. Simultaneous recordings of intestinal and dorsal
      aortic blood pressures showed no measurable difference in the two arterial
      pressures, refuting the idea of a vascular control at the level of the main
      coeliac artery. Thus, in the sea raven, the adrenergic tonus affecting the
      visceral vasculature presumably acts at the arteriolar level.Sea ravens
      encouraged to exercise increased theirjaz by 64%; 32% through HR and 25% through
      stroke volume. The increase injaz during encouraged exercise was sufficient to
      produce an elevation of both Pva and Pda, despite an increase of systemic
      vascular conductance, beta-adrenoceptor blockade with sotalol, however, severely
      impaired the increase injaz during exercise, and the change in Pda was
      reversed.During rest there were both an adrenergic and a cholinergic tonus
      affecting the HR, as revealed by the effects of injected pharmacological
      antagonists. Swimming activity decreased the cholinergic tonus, while the
      adrenergic tonus increased. 

PMID- 24221602
TI  - Performance of the heat of the hagfish,Eptatretus cirrhatus.
AB  - The maximum power output of isolated perfused ventricles of the hafish
      (Eptatretus cirrhatus) averaged 0.367+/-0.031 mW g(-1) (n=9), considerably high
      than estimates for the heart of the Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa). Maximal
      minute volumes averaged 21.55+/-1.28 ml min(-1)kg(-1), with a mean stroke volume
      of 0.71+/-0.14 ml kg(-1) body weight, values which are similar to those reported
      for many teleost and elasmobranch hearts.Ventricular output showed the
      characteristic dependence upon atrial filling pressure up to an optimum filling
      pressure ofc. 4 mm Hg. At output pressures exceeding 14 mm Hg the stroke volume
      and power output fell sharply. At these afterloads, the ventral aorta remained
      distended following semilunar valve closure and so the volume of fluid ejected on
      ventricular systole was reduced. There was little change in the frequency of the
      heart as either input or output pressures were varied. 

PMID- 24221603
TI  - Impact analysis of an evidence-based guideline on diagnosis of urinary tract
      infection in infants and young children with unexplained fever.
AB  - Several guidelines exist on urinary tract infection (UTI) in children. The
      objectives of this study were to (1) implement an evidence-based diagnostic
      guideline on UTI and evaluate determinants of successful implementation, and (2)
      determine compliance to and impact of the guideline in febrile, non-toilet
      trained children at the emergency department (ED). We performed a prospective
      cross-sectional observational study, with observations before and after
      implementation. Children aged 1 month to 2 years, presenting at the ED with
      unexplained fever (temperature above 38.5  degrees C), were included. We excluded
      children with a chronic underlying disease. Primary outcome measure was
      compliance to the standardized diagnostic strategy and determinants influencing
      compliance. Secondary outcome parameters included the following: number of used
      dipsticks, contaminated cultures, number of genuine UTI, frequency of prescribed
      antibiotic treatment, and hospitalization. The pre-intervention group {169
      children (male 60.4 %, median age 1.0 [range 0.1-2.0])} was compared with the
      post-intervention group {150 children (male 54.7 %, median age 1.0 [range 0.1
      1.9])}. In 42 patients (24.9 %), there was compliance to local guidelines before
      implementation, compared with 70 (46.7 %) after implementation (p-value < 0.001).
      Improvement in compliance after implementation was higher in patients 3-24 months
      and outside the office hours (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Implementation of a
      guideline for diagnosing UTI in febrile children at the ED has led to a
      significantly better compliance, especially in children aged 3-24 months.
      However, this study also underlines the need for a well-defined implementation
      strategy after launching an (inter)national guideline, taking determinants
      influencing implementation into account.

PMID- 24221604
TI  - Reply to L. Reale et al. "More and better should be done to guarantee evidence
      based management of ADHD in children across Europe".

PMID- 24221605
TI  - Characteristics of invasive pneumococcal disease in hospitalized children in
      Austria.
AB  - In a prospective surveillance study covering all pediatric wards in Austria, 308
      cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) were reported in hospitalized
      children <5 years of age between 2002 and 2012. Incidence was 7.1 per 100,000 per
      year for IPD with a case fatality rate of 3 %, and 1.9 per 100,000 per year for
      pneumococcal meningitis with a case fatality rate of 9 %. At hospital discharge,
      17 % of the children were not fully recovered and suffered from problems such as
      hearing or motor deficits. Persistent sequelae 6 months after hospital discharge
      were present in 13 % of the children, a finding that emphasizes the seriousness
      of IPD. From 2007 onwards, we observed a shift of pneumococcal serotypes from
      those covered by the heptavalent vaccine to serotypes consequently added to 10-
      and 13-valent vaccines, particularly regarding serotype 19A. Among antimicrobial
      resistances detected, macrolide resistance was predominant; however, between 2002
      and 2012, we saw an overall decrease of resistance rates. CONCLUSION: Considering
      this change of serotypes and the high rate of permanent sequelae after IPD, our
      data show the importance of pediatric pneumococcal vaccination and the relevance
      of continuous monitoring of circulating serotypes. By the end of 2012, which was
      the first year of universal mass vaccination against pneumococcal disease in
      Austria, no change in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease was observed
      yet.

PMID- 24221606
TI  - Clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion
      associated with febrile urinary tract infection.
AB  - Common pathogens of clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible
      splenial lesion (MERS) are viruses, such as influenza virus. However, bacteria
      are rare pathogens for MERS. We report the first patient with MERS associated
      with febrile urinary tract infection. A 16-year-old lupus patient was admitted to
      our hospital. She had fever, headache, vomiting, and right back pain. Urinary
      analysis showed leukocyturia, and urinary culture identified Klebsiella
      pneumoniae. Cerebrospinal fluid examination and brain single-photon emission
      computed tomography showed no abnormalities. Therefore, she was diagnosed with
      febrile urinary tract infection. For further examinations, 99mTc
      dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy showed right cortical defects, and a
      voiding cystourethrogram demonstrated right vesicoureteral reflux (grade II).
      Therefore, she was diagnosed with right pyelonephritis. Although treatment with
      antibiotics administered intravenously improved the fever, laboratory findings,
      and right back pain, she had prolonged headaches, nausea, and vomiting. T2
      weighted, diffusion-weighted, and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images in
      brain magnetic resonance imaging showed high intensity lesions in the splenium of
      the corpus callosum, which completely disappeared 1 week later. These results
      were compatible with MERS. To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the first
      patient who showed clinical features of MERS associated with febrile urinary
      tract infection. CONCLUSION: In patients with pyelonephritis and an atypical
      clinical course, such as prolonged headache, nausea, vomiting, and neurological
      disorders, the possibility of MERS should be considered.

PMID- 24221607
TI  - Reply to Doctor S. Ozsoylu.

PMID- 24221608
TI  - Vitamin D at the onset of type 1 diabetes in Italian children.
AB  - Low vitamin D levels have been reported in multiple immune disorders such as type
      1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The purpose of our study was to determine vitamin D
      levels in children at the onset of T1DM compared with children with other
      diseases and to test the hypothesis that low vitamin D may increase the odds for
      developing diabetes. All the children (n = 58) that were consecutively admitted
      to our clinic at T1DM onset between May 2010 and July 2012 were compared with a
      control group of children (n = 166) hospitalized for other diseases, matched for
      sex, season of visit, and age. For each subject, we considered clinical and
      anthropometric data, the season at time of hospitalization, and serum 25
      hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), which were analyzed and compared using multivariable
      conditional logistic regression. Median 25(OH)D was significantly lower in the
      diabetic patients (36.2 nmol/l, range = 7.5-121.0 nmol/l) than in controls (48.7
      nmol/l, range = 7.5-190.2 nmol/l), p = 0.010. Low 25(OH)D levels seem to increase
      the odds for developing T1DM (odds ratio (OR) = 3.45 for 25(OH)D 51-74 nmol/l, OR
      = 5.56 for 25(OH)D <= 50 nmol/l). There was no seasonal effect on the risk of
      developing T1DM. Median 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in patients
      admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (30.2 nmol/l, range = 7.5-101.8 nmol/l) than
      in patients without ketoacidosis (40.7 nmol/l, range = 15.2-121.1 nmol/l), p =
      0.019; but when adjusted for season, the p value was 0.116. CONCLUSIONS: Children
      at onset of T1DM have lower vitamin D serum levels than those with other
      diseases. Further longitudinal studies on children before the onset of T1DM will
      allow clinicians to explore the causal relationship between vitamin D and T1DM.

PMID- 24221609
TI  - Premature ovarian failure due to tetrasomy X in an adolescent girl.
AB  - Tetrasomy X associated with premature ovarian failure has been described in a few
      patients, and the parental origin of the extra X chromosomes has not been
      investigated so far in this group. A 15-year-old girl with mental retardation and
      minor physical anomalies showed secondary amenorrhea, high gonadotropin levels,
      and osteoporosis. Molecular analysis of the fibroblast cells revealed pure
      48,XXXX constitution despite 48,XXXX/47,XXX mosaicism in peripheral blood.
      Analysis of the polymorphic markers (X22, DXYS218, DXYS267, HPRT) on the X
      chromosome by the quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR)
      method demonstrated that the extra X chromosomes were maternal in origin.
      CONCLUSION: Patients with tetrasomy X syndrome should be screened for ovarian
      insufficiency during early adolescence because hormone replacement therapy may be
      required for prevention of osteoporosis. In order to understand a potential
      impact of the parental origin of the extra X chromosomes on ovarian development
      and function, further studies are needed.

PMID- 24221611
TI  - Derivation of a growth rate equation describing microbial surface colonization.
AB  - A surface growth rate equation is derived which describes simultaneous growth and
      attachment during microbial surface colonization. The equation simplifies
      determination of attachment and growth rate, and does not require a computer
      program for solution. This rate equation gives the specific growth rate (MU) as a
      function of the number of cells on the surface (N), the incubation period (t),
      and the number of colonies (Ci) containing either one cell, two cells, four
      cells, etc, as shown below.[Formula: see text] The attachment rate (A) is given
      by the following relationship:[Formula: see text] The proposed colonization
      kinetics are compared with exponential growth kinetics using 3-dimensional
      computer plots. Colonization kinetics diverged most from exponential kinetics
      when the growth rate was low or the attachment rate was high. Using these
      kinetics, it is possible to isolate the effects of growth and attachment on
      microbial surface colonization. 

PMID- 24221610
TI  - Attitudes towards medication use in a general population of adolescents.
AB  - Adolescents are becoming more independently responsible for their medication
      regimen; therefore, adolescence is a crucial period to address medication
      beliefs, as many of the beliefs may persist into adulthood and can impair
      adherence and willingness to continue a prescribed therapy. Within this study, we
      aimed to explore adolescents' general perceptions towards medicines. Adolescent
      students attending secondary schools in the Netherlands were invited through the
      school's virtual learning environment to fill in an online questionnaire.
      Medication beliefs were assessed using the Beliefs About Medicines Questionnaire
      General assessing general harm and general overuse beliefs. Within a 2-week
      period, 434 adolescent students responded to the questionnaire; 47.2 % thought
      that doctors overprescribed medication, and 20.5 % perceived medication as
      harmful in general. Being religious was associated with stronger harm (odds ratio
      (OR) 2.0, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.2-3.2) and overuse beliefs (OR 1.4, 95
      % CI 0.9-2.1). Adolescents of native background had less concerns about overuse
      (OR 0.4, 95 % CI 0.2-0.8). Adolescents who actually consulted physicians had
      lower overuse beliefs (OR 0.6, 95 % CI 0.4-1.0). CONCLUSION: Adolescents more
      strongly believe in the general overuse of medicines than in general harm.
      Religious and ethnic background influence medication beliefs, as does previous
      experiences with the health-care system. Gaining more insight in adolescent
      patients' medication use behavior and identifying patients at risk for negative
      medication beliefs associated with poor adherence in clinical practice might be a
      first step towards a lifelong good medication use.

PMID- 24221612
TI  - A computer simulation of surface microcolony formation during microbial
      colonization.
AB  - Several models of microbial surface colonization have been devised to quantitate
      growth and attachment rates on surfaces. One of these, the surface growth rate
      equation, is based on the assumption that the number of microcolonies of a given
      size (Ci) reaches a constant value (Cmax) that is equal to the attachment rate
      (A) divided by the specific growth rate (MU). In this study, a computer
      simulation was used to determine the time required to reach Cmax. It was shown
      that Ci approaches Cmax asymptotically. The time required is dependent solely
      upon the growth rate and size of microcolonies. The number of one-celled
      microcolonies reaches 95% of Cmax after 4.3 generations. At low growth rates, a
      relatively long incubation period is required. Alternate methods that shorten the
      incubation time are considered. 

PMID- 24221613
TI  - Habitat selection in two species of aquatic hyphomycetes.
AB  - Two species of aquatic hyphomycetes,Tetracladium marchalianum andTricladium
      splendens, were isolated from decaying leaves in a stream.T. marchalianum was
      abundant on alder leaves but absent on beech leaves, which were dominated byT.
      splendens. It was hypothesized that differences in some chemical key factors in
      the leaves would account for differences in the distribution of the 2 species. In
      the experiment designed to test the hypothesis, combinations of sterilized leaves
      and isolated fungi were used. Differences in growth of FDA active mycelium were
      related to differences in leaf weight loss;T. splendens decomposed beech leaves
      andT. marchalianum decomposed alder leaves. Extracellular protease activity
      corresponded with these trends but there was no detectable protein loss in the
      leaves. Both fungi showed a nitrogen demand, and hydrolysis of leaf proteins was
      complemented with absorption of free amino acids and ammonium. High
      concentrations of free amino acids modified the pattern for habitat selection so
      thatT. splendens grew substantially on alder leaves andT. marchalianum colonized
      beech leaves. No protease activity was, however, found fromT. marchalianum on
      beech leaves, and it is concluded that a more general metabolic inhibition
      prevents extensive growth of this species on beech leaves. The low natural
      abundance ofT. splendens on alder leaves, where it may grow well, may be a
      consequence of a specific protease inhibition and competition from other species.

PMID- 24221614
TI  - Effect of litter nitrogen on decomposition and microbial biomass inSpartina
      alterniflora.
AB  - The effect on decomposition of 4 different levels of nitrogen in aerial tissue
      ofSpartina alterniflora, collected at the end of its growing season litter, was
      studied in laboratory percolators for 56 days at 20?C. The CO2 evolution and the
      release of organic nitrogen and organic carbon were monitored. From these data,
      the ash-free dry weight (AFDW), nitrogen (N) content, and carbon?nitrogen (C/N)
      ratio were calculated at various times during decomposition. Fungal biomass,
      bacterial biomass, and the relative autoradiographic activity of bacteria were
      measured at the end of the study. Decomposition was significantly affected by the
      nitrogen content of the litter. A 55% increase in plant N increased overall
      weight loss and k by 50% and 40%, respectively. Furthermore, k (calculated from
      time course weight loss data) responded linearly to the 4 different levels of
      nitrogen inSpartina tissue. Fungi appear to dominate the microbial community. At
      the end of the experiment, fungal biomass was between 2.23 and 3.08% of the AFDW,
      and was calculated to contain 12 to 22% of the nitrogen in the litter. Bacterial
      biomass was 1/10 of the fungal biomass, and 12-17% of the bacteria were active.
      The total microbial biomass was not affected by increased plant nitrogen. In the
      course of decomposition, the organic nitrogen and carbon were highest in the
      effluent water in all treatments during the first 8 days. The respiration rate
      (CO2 evolution) first increased to a maximum at day 18 and then decreased to a
      constant rate (1-2 mg C/day/g detritus). Respiration was highest in the high N
      litter. The C/N ratio in all treatments increased from the start to day 8, then
      decreased to day 20. In low N litter, C/N then increased again as a result of
      increased total organic nitrogen (TON) loss relative to carbon mineralization. In
      the high N, this was reversed. 

PMID- 24221615
TI  - Heterotrophic bacterial guild structure: Relationship to biodegradative
      populations.
AB  - Numerical taxonomic analysis of a freshwater bacterial guild demonstrated that
      the bacteria capable of growth on phenanthrene and polychlorinated biphenyl media
      were representative of the taxa obtained from low nutrient oligotrophic media.
      The diversity of heterotrophic bacteria and members of new taxa recovered from
      the guild followed a poisson distribution relative to the number of isolation
      media used. Moderately high nutrient, yeast extract peptone and glucose agar was
      found to be the most selective isolation medium relative to the total number of
      taxa recovered whereas low nutrient, lake water agar was the least selective
      medium used. Carbon source utilization patterns of the isolated taxa indicated
      that taxa within the guild had broad niche ranges and could potentially occupy
      many niches within a dynamic environment. The structure of the bacterial guild
      was dominated by mesophilic oligotrophs.The results of this investigation
      demonstrate that potential biodegradative populations are representative of the
      diverse taxa found in uncontaminated freshwater environments. 

PMID- 24221617
TI  - Distribution ofVibrio cholerae in two Florida estuaries.
AB  - The distribution ofVibrio cholerae was examined in 2 Florida estuaries,
      Apalachicola and Tampa Bay.Vibrio cholerae serotype non-01 was the most abundant
      serotype, being isolated from 45% of the oyster samples, 30% of the sediments,
      50% of the waters, and 75% of the blue crabs.Vibrio cholerae serotype 01 was
      isolated from only one oyster sample. Strong linear correlations betweenV.
      cholerae and temperature, salinity, or the other physical/chemical parameters
      measured,Escherichia coli, or fecal coliforms were not observed, but a range of
      temperatures and salinities appeared relevant to the distribution of the
      organism. The organism was present in the highest concentrations when salinities
      were 100/00-250/00 and temperatures were 20?C-35?C.In vitro growth curves of 95V.
      cholerae environmental isolates further supported that 100/00-250/00 was an ideal
      salinity range for the organisms. The results suggest thatV. cholerae is a widely
      distributed organism in the nutrient-rich warm waters of the Gulf Coast
      estuaries. 

PMID- 24221616
TI  - Electron microscope study of the interaction of epibiontic bacteria
      withChromatium minus in natural habitats.
AB  - Epibiontic cells on the surface of the photosynthetic purple sulfur
      bacteriumChromatium minus, collected several times during the year from 3
      different Spanish lakes, were examined using scanning and transmission electron
      microscopy. The cells attached to theC. minus cell wall by an electron-dense pad,
      but did not enter the cell. They were ovoidal (about 0.6MUm wide) when free, and
      slightly curved rods (0.3*0.6MUm) when undergoing division. Division only
      occurred when cells remained attached toChromatium. A septum was formed,
      resulting in 2 or 3 curved rods surrounded by a common capsule. Detached daughter
      cells became ovoidal.The host ultrastructure changed as a result of epibiontic
      attachment, showing symptoms of cellular degradation. Simultaneously, plaques
      could be detected on cell lawns formed spontaneously upon cell sedimentation from
      field samples. 

PMID- 24221618
TI  - [Transfusion management in gastrointestinal hemorrhage].

PMID- 24221619
TI  - [The gastroenterology intensive care patient-a special problem patient?].

PMID- 24221620
TI  - [Psychopharmacotherapy in emergency medicine].
AB  - Part two of the CME article Psychotropic agents and psychopharmacotherapy in
      emergency medicine aims to give an understanding of the pharmacotherapy of
      psychiatric disorders in emergency medicine. In contrast to somatic emergencies,
      many emergency physicians are not familiar with the treatment of psychiatric
      emergencies, although there are guidelines and recommendations. In the following
      article, treatment recommendations for the 5 most common and relevant syndromes
      in emergency medicine (i.e., suicide, delirium, agitation, stupor, and syndromes
      due to psychopharmaceutical use) are described based on the German S2-Guideline
      Emergency Psychiatry that will be published soon.

PMID- 24221622
TI  - Photoassimilate-transport characteristics of nonchlorophyllous and green tissue
      in variegated leaves of Coleus blumei Benth.
AB  - The nonchlorophyllous (albino) tissue of mature C. blumei leaves is a sink for
      photoassimilate. Transport from the green to the albino region of the same leaf
      was inhibited by cold and anoxia. When the green tissue of mature leaves was
      removed, the remaining albino portion imported labeled translocate from other
      mature leaves in the phloem. Photoassimilate unloading in the albino region of
      mature leaves was studied by quantitative autoradiography. The unloading was
      inhibited by cold but not by anoxia. No labeled photoassimilate could be detected
      in the free space of mature albino tissue by compartmental efflux analysis as
      phloem unloading proceeded in a N2 atmosphere, indicating that unloading, may
      occur by a symplastic pathway as it apparently does in sink leaves of other
      species. The minor veins of mature albino leaf tissue did not accumulate
      exogenous [(14)C]sucrose. Minor veins of green tissue in the same leaves
      accumulated [(14)C]sucrose but, in contrast to other species studied to date,
      this accumulation was insensitive to the inhibitor p-chloromercuribenzensulfonic
      acid (PCMBS).In its capacity to import and unload photoassimilate, and in the
      inability, of the minor veins to accumulate exogenous sucrose, the albino region
      of the mature C. blumei lamina differs from mature albino tobacco leaves and
      darkened mature leaves of other species. This, together with evidence indicating
      that phloem loading in C. blumei and other species may occur by different routes
      and with different sensitivity to PCMBS, indicates that the mechanism of transfer
      of photoassimilates between veins and surrounding tissues, and the mechanism of
      the sink-source transition, may not be the same in the leaves of all species. It
      is speculated that the unusual properties of the C. blumei leaf may be a
      consequence of the presence, in the minor veins, of "intermediary cells", large
      companion cells connected to the bundle sheath by abundant plasmodesmata. 

PMID- 24221623
TI  - Development of maize plants from cultured shoot apices.
AB  - Excised shoot apices of maize (Zea mays L.), comprising the apical meristem and
      one or two leaf primordia, have been cultured and can form rooted plantlets. The
      plantlets, derived from meristems that had previously formed 7-10 nodes, develop
      into mature, morphologically normal plants with as many nodes as seed-grown
      plants. These culture-derived plants exhibited the normal pattern of development,
      with regard to the progression of leaf lengths along the plant and position of
      axillary buds and aar shoots. Isolation of the meristem from previously formed
      nodes reinitiates the pattern and number of nodes formed in the new plant. Thus,
      cells of the meristem of a maize plant at the seedling stage are not determined
      to form a limited number of nodes. 

PMID- 24221624
TI  - Cell-lineage patterns in the shoot apical meristem of the germinating maize
      embryo.
AB  - A fate map for the shoot apical meristem of Zea mays L. at the time of
      germination was constructed by examining somatic sectors (clones) induced by
      gamma-rays. The shoot apical meristem produced stem, leaves, and reproductive
      structures above leaf 6 after germination and the analysis here concerns their
      formation. On 160 adult plants which had produced 17 or 18 leaves, 277
      anthocyanin-deficient sectors were scored for size and position. Sectors found on
      the ear shoot or in the tassel most often extended into the vegetative part of
      the plant. Sectors ranged from one to six internodes in length and some sectors
      of more than one internode were observed at all positions on the plant. Single
      internode sectors predominated in the basal internodes (7,8,9) while longer
      sectors were common in the middle and upper internodes. The apparent number of
      cells which gave rise to a particular internode was variable and sectors were not
      restricted to the lineage unit: a leaf, the internode below it, and the axillary
      bud and prophyll at the base of the internode. These observations established two
      major features of meristem activity: 1) at the time of germination the
      developmental fate of any cell or group of cells was not fixed, and 2) at the
      time of germination cells at the same location in a meristem could produce
      greatly different amounts of tissue in the adult plant. Consequently, the
      developmental fate of specific cells in the germinating meristem could only be
      assigned in a general way. 

PMID- 24221625
TI  - Induction by antimycin A of cyanide-resistant respiration in heterotrophic
      Euglena gracilis: Effects of growth, respiration and protein biosynthesis.
AB  - The addition of antimycin A during the logarithmic phase of growth of
      heterotrophic Euglena gracilis cultures (in lactate or glucose medium) was
      immediately followed by decreased respiration and a cessation of grwoth. Induced
      cyanideresistent respiration appeared 5 h after the addition of the inhibitor
      then the cells started to grow again and could be cultured in the presence of
      antimycin A. Thus the cells exhibited a cyanide-and antimycin-resistant
      respiration which was, in addition, sensitive to salicylhydroxamic acid and
      propylgallate. Antimycin-adapted Euglena and control cells were compared for
      their biomass production and protein synthesis. The difference in growth yield
      between control and antimycin-adapted cells was not as high as would be expected
      if only the first phosphorylation site of the normal respiratory chain was active
      in the presence of antimycin A. Furthermore, the ability to incorporate labelled
      valine into proteins, under resting-cell conditions, was not changed. Strong
      correlations were established between the effects of respiratory effectors on O2
      consumption and valine incorporation. These results suggest that sufficient
      energy for protein synthesis and growth is provided by the operation of the
      cyanide-resistant respiratory pathway in antimycin-adapted Euglena. 

PMID- 24221626
TI  - Starch synthesis by isolated amyloplasts from wheat endosperm.
AB  - The aim of this work was to discover which compound(s) cross the amyloplast
      envelope to supply the carbon for starch synthesis in grains of Triticum aestivum
      L. Amyloplasts were isolated, on a continuous gradient of Nycodenz, from lysates
      of protoplasts of endosperm of developing grains, and then incubated in solutions
      of (14)C-labelled: glucose, glucose 1-phosphate, glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6
      phosphate, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glycerol 3
      phosphate. Only glucose 1-phosphate gave appreciable labelling of starch that was
      dependent upon the integrity of the amyloplasts. Incorporation into starch was
      linear with respect to time for 2 h. At the end of the incubations, 98% of the
      (14)C in the soluble fraction of the incubation mixture was recovered as
      [(14)C]glucose 1-phosphate. Thus it is unlikely that the added [(14)C glucose 1
      phosphate was extensively metabolized prior to uptake by the amyloplasts. It is
      argued that the behaviour of the isolated amyloplasts, and previously published
      data on the labelling of starch by [(13)C]glucose, are consistent with the view
      that in wheat grains it is a C-6, not a C-3, compound that enters the amyloplast
      to provide the carbon for starch synthesis. 

PMID- 24221627
TI  - Storage of the phytochrome-mediated phototropic stimulus of moss protonemal tip
      cells.
AB  - A phytochrome-regulated phototropic response of the moss Ceratodon purpureus was
      investigated. Chlorotetracycline (CTC) was used to visualize membrane-associated
      calcium gradients in the tip cell of moss caulonemal filaments. A tip-to-base
      Ca(2+) gradient was observed. The ionophore monensin rapidly inhibited the growth
      of the tip cell and abolished the CTC fluorescence. Six hours after transferring
      to inhibitor-free medium, protonemal growth resumed and reached the normal growth
      rate within 12 h. The growth was accompanied by a reappearance of the CTC
      fluorescence gradient. Unilateral irradiation given during the monensin treatment
      or after the treatment during the period when growth inhibition persisted led,
      with the re-initiation of growth, to a typical positive phototropic bending in
      complete darkness. Far-red light applied just before the growth response started,
      or during growth inhibition, abolished the phototropic response. The phytochrome
      mediated signal was qualitatively (position) and quantitatively (degree of
      bending) memorized. Signal perception and response could be separated temporally.
      This result indicates that at least under some circumstances, e.g. under the
      influence of monensin, the phytochrome-mediated signal can be stored for several
      hours in darkness. Calcium seems to be essential for the processing of polar
      growth only. A specific function (second messenger) in phytochrome-dependent
      signal transduction could not be confirmed. 

PMID- 24221628
TI  - Chloroplast messenger RNAs of free and thylakoid-bound polysomes from Vicia faba
      L.
AB  - Purified chloroplasts from developing leaves of Vicia faba L. were broken and
      separated into stroma and thylakoid fractions. Both fractions contained polysomes
      as demonstrated by analytical density gradient centrifugation and in-vitro read
      out translation. Messenger RNAs of free and thylakoid-bound polysomes were
      isolated and analysed by hybridization with heterologous gene probes from spinach
      and tobacco. Transcripts of the chloroplast genes psaA, psbB, psbC, psbD and petA
      were found predominantly on thylakoidbound polysomes engaged in the synthesis and
      the contrasslational integration of membrane proteins. In contrast, transcripts
      of the genes rbcL, psbE, petD, atpA, atpB, atpE and atpH were found more
      frequently on free polysomes corresponding to a stroma-located translation of
      these mRNAs and a posttranslational integration of the encoded intrinsic membrane
      proteins. We conclude from these findings that chloroplast-encoded membrane
      proteins are integrated by co-and posttranslational mechanisms. 

PMID- 24221629
TI  - A membrane-bound enzyme complex synthesising glucan and glucomannan in pine
      tissues.
AB  - Particulate membrane preparations isolated from cambial cells and differentiating
      and differentiated xylem cells of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees synthesised
      [(14)C]glucans using either guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP)-D-[U-(14)C]glucose or
      uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-D-[U-(14)C]glucose as glycosyl donors. Although
      these glucans had beta-(1->3) and beta-(1->4) linkages in an approximate ratio
      1:1, the distribution of the linkages in the glucan synthesised from GDP-D
      glucose was different from that synthesised from UDP-D-glucose. The synthesis of
      the mixed beta-(1->3) and beta-(1->4) glucan from GDP-D-[U-(14)C]glucose was
      changed to that of beta-(1->4) glucomannan in the presence of increasing
      concentrations of GDP-D-mannose. The glucan formed from UDP-D-[U-(14)C]glucose
      was not affected by any concentration of GDP-D-mannose. The membrane preparations
      epimerized GDP-D-glucose to GDP-D-mannose; however, the low amount of GDP-D
      mannose formed was not incorporated into the polymer becaus the affinity of the
      synthase for GDP-D-glucose was much greater than that for GDP-D-mannose. The
      glucan formed from GDP-D-glucose and the glucomannan formed from GDP-D-glucose
      together with GDP-D-mannose were characterized. The apparent K m and V max of the
      glucan synthase for GDP-D-glucose were 6.38 MUM and 5.08 MUM.min(-1),
      respectively. No lipid intermediates were detected during the synthesis of either
      glucan or glucomannan. The results indicated that an enzyme complex for the
      formation of the glucomannan was bound to the membrane. 

PMID- 24221630
TI  - Initiation of morphogenic cell-suspension and protoplast cultures of barley
      (Hordeum vulgare L.).
AB  - Cell-suspension cultures were initiated from embryogenic calli of various barley
      cultivars. Seven fast-growing suspension lines were obtained from four different
      cultivars (cvs. Dissa, Emir, Golden Promise and Igri). Two of these cell
      suspensions showed morphogenic capacity. From a cell suspension of cv. Dissa,
      albino plantlets were regenerated when aggregates were cultured on solid medium.
      Aggregates of cv. Igri usually stopped differentiation at the globular stage, but
      occasionally formed scutellum-like structures. Five suspension lines were used
      for protoplast isolation and culture. Dividing protoplasts were obtained from all
      lines, but with cv. Igri a few divisions only and no further development were
      observed. Protoplasts from the various lines differed in the time of first
      division (2-14 d), division frequency (0.09-70.9%) and efficiency of colony
      formation (0.09-7.3%). Protoplasts isolated from the morphogenic cell suspension
      of cv. Dissa developed compact calli which sporadically regenerated albino
      plantlets. 

PMID- 24221631
TI  - Metabolic links between the biosynthesis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and
      polyamines in root cultures of Senecio vulgaris.
AB  - Isotope feeding and inhibitor experiments were performed in order to elucidate
      the pathway common to polyamine and alkaloid biosynthesis in root cultures of
      Senecio vulgaris L. alpha-Difluoromethylarginine, a specific inhibitor of
      arginine decarboxylase, prevented completely the incorporation of radioactivity
      from [(14)C]arginine and [(14)C]ornithine into spermidine and the pyrrolizidine
      alkaloid senecionine N-oxide. In contrast, alpha-difluoromethylornithine, a
      specific ornithine-decarboxylase inhibitor, had no effect on the flow of
      radioactivity from labelled ornithine and arginine into polyamines and alkaloids.
      Thus, putrescine, the common precursor of polyamines and pyrrolizidine alkaloids,
      is exclusively derived via the arginine-agmatine route. Ornithine is rapidly
      transformed into arginine. Recycling of the guanido moiety of agmatine back to
      ornithine can be excluded. Putrescine and spermidine were found to be reversibly
      interconvertable and to excist in a highly dynamic state. In contrast,
      senecionine N-oxide did not show any turnover but accumulated as a stable
      metabolic product. In-vivo evidence is presented that the carbon flow from
      arginine into the polyamine/alkaloid pathway may be controlled by spermidine. The
      possible importance of the metabolic coupling of pyrrolizidine-alkaloid
      biosynthesis to polyamine metabolism is discussed. 

PMID- 24221632
TI  - beta-Oxidation of fatty acids in algae: Localization of thiolase and acyl-CoA
      oxidizing enzymes in three different organisms.
AB  - In the algae Mougeotia, Bumilleriopsis and Eremosphaera, recently shown to
      possess the enzymes hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.35) and enoyl-CoA
      hydratase (EC 4.2.1.17), the presence of thiolase (EC 2.3.1.9) and acyl-CoA
      oxidizing enzymes can also be demonstrated, indicating that beta-oxidation of
      fatty acids is possible in these organisms. The compartmentation of enzymes is
      different in the various algae. In Mougeotia, both thiolase and the acyl-CoA
      oxidizing enzyme are located exclusively in the peroxisomes. The latter enzyme
      was found to be an oxidase using molecular oxygen as an electron acceptor. On the
      other hand, in Bumilleriopsis all enzymes of the fatty-acid beta-oxidation
      pathway tested are constituents only of the mitochondria, and acyl-CoA is
      oxidized by a dehydrogenase incapable of reducing oxygen. Finally, in
      Eremosphaera thiolase and acyl-CoA-oxidizing enzymes were found in the
      peroxisomes as well as in the mitochondria. In the peroxisomes, oxidation of acyl
      CoA is catalyzed by an oxidase, whereas the corresponding enzyme in the
      mitochondria is a dehydrogenase. The acyl-CoA oxidases/dehydrogenases of the
      three algae differ not only by their capability for oxidation of acyl-CoA of
      different chain lengths but also with regard to their Km values and substrate
      specificities. Indications were obtained that the oxygen is reduced to water
      rather than to H2O2 by the algal acyl-CoA oxidases. When cells of Eremosphaera
      were cultured with hypolipodemic substances in the growth medium the activities
      of the peroxisomal enzymes, but not those of the mitochondrial enzymes of the
      fatty-acid beta-oxidation pathway, were increased by a factor of two to three. 

PMID- 24221633
TI  - Regulation of glutathione S-transferases of Zea mays in plants and cell cultures.
AB  - An antiserum to glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) from maize (Zea mays L.)
      responsible for herbicide detoxification has been raised in rabbit. The antiserum
      was specific to the Mr 26000 subunit of the enzyme from maize seedlings and
      suspension-cultured cells, and recognized the isoenzymes active toward both
      atrazine and metolachlor. When plants were treated for 24 h with the herbicide
      antidote N,N-diallyl-2-2-dich-loroacetamide (DDCA), enzyme activities toward
      metolachlor were doubled in the roots and this was associated with a 70% increase
      in immunodetectable protein. Translation of polysomal RNA in vitro showed that
      the increase in the transferase in root tissue was brought about by a ninefold
      increase in mRNA activity encoding the enzyme. Treatment of suspension-cultured
      cells with cinnamic acid, metolachlor and DDCA raised enzyme activities but did
      not increase synthesis of glutathione S-transferase. In cultured maize cells,
      enzyme synthesis was maximal in mid-logarithmic phase, coinciding with the
      highest levels of enzyme activity. When callus cultures were established from the
      shoots of a maize line known to conjugate chloro-s-triazines, enzyme activity
      towards atrazine was lost during primary dedifferentiation. However, levels of
      total immunodetectable enzyme and activity toward metolachlor were increased in
      cultured cells compared with the parent shoot tissue. 

PMID- 24221634
TI  - Slender barley: A constitutive gibberellin-response mutant.
AB  - In barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Herta), slender (sln1) is a single-locus
      recessive mutation which causes a plant to appear as if it had been grown in
      sturating concentrations of gibberellin (GA). We have investigated two of the GA
      mediated processes in slender barley, shoot elongation and the induction of
      hydrolytic enzymes in aleurone layers. Shoot elongation is severely retarded in
      normal (wild-type) barley if the biosynthesis of GA is blocked by an inhibitor,
      ancymidol (alpha-cyclopropyl-alpha-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-pyrimidinemethanol).
      However, the slender mutant continues to elongate in the presence of ancymidol.
      In isolated normal aleurone layers, the synthesis and secretion of alpha-amylase
      (EC 3.2.1.1), protease (EC 3.4) and nuclease (EC 3.1.30.2) are induced by
      exogenously applied GA3. However, in the aleurone layers of the slender mutant
      these enzymes are produced even in the absence of GA but their synthesis is still
      susceptible to inhibition by abscisic acid. Bioassays of half-seeds of the
      slender mutant and their normal siblings show no detectable differences in
      endogenous levels of GA-like substances. We suggest that the slender mutation
      allows competent tissues to express fully, or over-express, appropriate GA
      induced processes independent of GA. We also conclude that shoot elongation, and
      hydrolytic-enzyme secretion in aleurone layers, share a common regulatory
      element. 

PMID- 24221635
TI  - Hormonal regulation of gene expression in the "slender" mutant of barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L.).
AB  - The "slender" mutant of barley resembles a normal barley plant treated with high
      doses of gibberellic acid (GA3). Expression of GA3-regulated and abscisic acid
      (ABA)-regulated mRNAs was studied in the endosperm and roots of mutant and wild
      type (WT) plants.Production of alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) by WT embryoless half
      grains was dependent on the presence of GA3, and was prevented by ABA. In
      contrast, alpha-amylase was produced by half-grains of the slender mutant in the
      absence of added GA3, although it was still reduced by ABA. The spectrum of alpha
      amylase mRNAs in "slender" embryoless half-grains incubated in the absence of
      added GA3 was the same as in WT endosperm half-grains incubated in the presence
      of GA3. These results indicate that the endosperm of the slender mutant exhibits
      similar properties to WT endosperm treated with GA3.In roots the expression of an
      ABA-inducible mRNA was similar in slender and WT seedlings either treated with
      exogenous ABA or exposed to dehydration. This result, and the effect of ABA on
      alpha-amylase production by the endosperm, indicate that the slender plants
      retain sensitivity to ABA. 

PMID- 24221636
TI  - Estimating position-time relationships in steady-state, one-dimensional growth
      zones.
AB  - Two methods are described for estimating position-time relationships (pathlines)
      in steady, one-dimensional growth zones. Pathlines can be used to provide a time
      base for spatial data in developmental studies. The methods apply within
      extension-only zones (zones of growth without cell division) and require data for
      cell-number densities, or cumulative cell numbers, or mean cell lengths, and for
      the overall elongation rate of an organ. The first method ("continuous-pathline"
      method) can be used to estimate spatial velocity fields within extension-only
      zones and pathlines can then be obtained by integration of the velocity data.
      This method is based on the continuity equation for cell-number densities.
      Pathlines can also be estimated using a simple graphical version of this method.
      The second method ("pathline-coordinate" method) is based on the approximation
      that a cell of mean length remains of mean length as it moves through the
      extension-only zone, and can be used to estimate the coordinates of wall
      pathlines at discrete intervals. The methods are illustrated using published data
      from studies of apical growth in Zea mays L. roots and of intercalary growth in
      Triticum aestivum L. leaves. 

PMID- 24221637
TI  - Action of light, nitrate and ammonium on the levels of NADH- and ferredoxin
      dependent glutamate synthases in the cotyledons of mustard seedlings.
AB  - In mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons, NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH
      GOGAT, EC 1.4.1.14) is only detectable during early seedling development with a
      peak of enzyme activity occurring between 2 and 2.5 d after sowing. With the
      beginning of plastidogenesis at approximately 2 d after sowing,
      ferredoxindependent glutamate synthase (Fd-GOGAT, EC 1.4.7.1) appears while NADH
      GOGAT drops to a very low level. The enzymes were separated by anion exchange
      chromatography. Both enzymes are stimulated by light operating through
      phytochrome. However, the extent of induction is much higher in the case of Fd
      GOGAT than in the case of NADH-GOGAT. Moreover, NADH-GOGAT is inducible
      predominantly by red light pulses, while the light induction of Fd-GOGAT operates
      predominantly via the high irradiance response of phytochrome. The NADH-GOGAT
      level is strongly increased if mustard seedlings are grown in the presence of
      nitrate (15 mM KNO3,15 mM NH4NO3) while the Fd-GOGAT level is only slightly
      affected by these treatments. No effect on NADH-GOGAT level was observed by
      growing the seedlings in the presence of ammonium (15 mM NH4Cl) instead of water,
      whereas the level of Fd-GOGAT was considerably reduced when seedlings were grown
      in the presence of NH4Cl. Inducibility of NADH-GOGAT by treatment with red light
      pulses or by transferring water-grown seedlings to NO 3 (-) -containing medium
      follows a temporal pattern of competence. The very low Fd-GOGAT level in mustard
      seedlings grown under red light in the presence of the herbicide Norflurazon,
      which leads to photooxidative destruction of the plastids, indicates that the
      enzyme is located in the plastids. The NADH-GOGAT level is, in contrast,
      completely independent of plastid integrity which indicates that its location is
      cytosolic. It is concluded that NADH-GOGAT in the early seedling development is
      mainly concerned with metabolizing stored glutamine whereas Fd-GOGAT is involved
      in ammonium assimilation. 

PMID- 24221640
TI  - Preparation and characterization of conductive and transparent ruthenium dioxide
      sol-gel films.
AB  - RuO2 conductive thin films were synthesized using the sol-gel method and
      deposited onto transparent insulating substrates. The optical transmission, film
      thickness, surface morphology and composition, resistivity, and
      spectroelectrochemical performance have been characterized. The optical
      transmission values of these films ranged from 70 to 89% in the visible region
      and from 56 to 88% in the infrared region. Resistivity values of the RuO2 sol-gel
      films varied from 1.02 * 10(-3) to 1.13 Omega cm and are highly dependent on the
      initial solution concentration of RuO2 in the sol-gel. The RuO2 sol-gel films
      were used as electrodes for the electrochemical oxidation and reduction of
      ferrocenemethanol. The electrochemical behavior of our novel RuO2 sol-gel films
      was compared to that of a standard platinum disk electrode and showed no
      appreciable differences in the half-wave potential (E1/2). The mechanical and
      chemical stability of the coatings was tested by physical abrasion and exposure
      to highly acidic, oxidizing Piranha solution. Repeated exposure to these extreme
      conditions did not result in any appreciable decline in electrochemical
      performance. Finally, the use of the novel RuO2 sol-gel conductive and
      transparent films was demonstrated in a spectroelectrochemistry experiment in
      which the oxidation and reduction of ferrocenemethanol was monitored via UV-vis
      spectroscopy as the applied potential was cycled. 

PMID- 24221639
TI  - Two rapidly evolving genes contribute to male fitness in Drosophila.
AB  - Purifying selection often results in conservation of gene sequence and function.
      The most functionally conserved genes are also thought to be among the most
      biologically essential. These observations have led to the use of sequence
      conservation as a proxy for functional conservation. Here we describe two genes
      that are exceptions to this pattern. We show that lack of sequence conservation
      among orthologs of CG15460 and CG15323-herein named jean-baptiste (jb) and karr,
      respectively-does not necessarily predict lack of functional conservation. These
      two Drosophila melanogaster genes are among the most rapidly evolving protein
      coding genes in this species, being nearly as diverged from their D. yakuba
      orthologs as random sequences are. jb and karr are both expressed at an elevated
      level in larval males and adult testes, but they are not accessory gland proteins
      and their loss does not affect male fertility. Instead, knockdown of these genes
      in D. melanogaster via RNA interference caused male-biased viability defects.
      These viability effects occur prior to the third instar for jb and during late
      pupation for karr. We show that putative orthologs to jb and karr are also
      expressed strongly in the testes of other Drosophila species and have similar
      gene structure across species despite low levels of sequence conservation. While
      standard molecular evolution tests could not reject neutrality, other data hint
      at a role for natural selection. Together these data provide a clear case where a
      lack of sequence conservation does not imply a lack of conservation of expression
      or function. 

PMID- 24221641
TI  - Assessment of cardiac safety during fingolimod treatment initiation in a real
      world relapsing multiple sclerosis population: a phase 3b, open-label study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term safety and tolerability of
      fingolimod in a real-world population with relapsing multiple sclerosis, focusing
      on cardiac safety during treatment initiation. Patients received fingolimod 0.5
      mg once daily for four months. Patients excluded from the pivotal studies with
      certain pre-existing cardiac conditions or baseline cardiac findings (PCCs), and
      those receiving beta blockers (BBs) and/or calcium channel blockers (CCBs), were
      eligible. Heart rate (HR) and electrical conduction events were monitored using
      ambulatory electrocardiography for at least 6 h after the first dose. Of 2,417
      enrolled patients, 2,282 (94.4 %) completed the study. Fingolimod initiation was
      associated with a transient, mostly asymptomatic decrease in HR. Bradycardia
      adverse events occurred in 0.6 % of patients and were more frequent in
      individuals receiving BBs/CCBs (3.3 %) than in other patient subgroups (0.5-1.4
      %); most events were asymptomatic, and all patients recovered without
      pharmacological intervention. In the 6 h post-dose, the incidences of Mobitz type
      I second-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) and 2:1 AVB were higher in patients
      with PCCs (4.1 and 2.0 %, respectively) than in those without (0.9 and 0.3 %,
      respectively); at pre-dose screening, patients with PCCs had the same incidence
      of Mobitz type I second-degree AVB (4.1 %) and a slightly lower incidence of 2:1
      AVB (0.7 %) than 6 h post-dose. All recorded conduction abnormalities were
      asymptomatic. This study adds to the evidence showing that cardiac effects during
      fingolimod initiation remain consistent with those known from previous,
      controlled studies, even if patients with PCCs are included. 

PMID- 24221642
TI  - Pharmacological therapies in post stroke recovery: recommendations for future
      clinical trials.
AB  - Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in adults and is the
      second leading cause of death worldwide. Early reperfusion and neuroprotection
      techniques have been the focus of much effort with the aim of very acute
      treatment of the stroke. Targeting different mechanisms, pharmacological
      therapies have the potential to reduce disability in a large fraction of patients
      who survive the acute stroke. The brain's capacity to reorganize after stroke
      through plasticity mechanisms can be modulated by pharmacological agents. A
      number of therapeutic interventions are under study, including small molecules,
      growth factors, and monoclonal antibodies. Recently it has been shown that the
      SSRI fluoxetine improved motor deficit in patients with ischaemic stroke and
      hemiplegia which appeared to be independent of the presence of depression. In
      this context, it is of major importance to support innovative research in order
      to promote the emergence of new pharmacological treatments targeting neurological
      recovery after stroke, as opposed to acute de-occlusion and neuroprotection. This
      paper is the work of a group of 14 scientists with aim of (1) addressing key
      areas of the basic and clinical aspects of human brain plasticity after stroke
      and potential pharmacological targets for recovery, (2) asking questions about
      the most appropriate characteristics of clinical trials testing drugs in post
      stroke recovery and (3) proposing recommendations for future clinical trials. 

PMID- 24221643
TI  - Enhanced reticulospinal output in patients with (REEP1) hereditary spastic
      paraplegia type 31.

PMID- 24221644
TI  - Ischemic stroke as clinical onset of POEMS syndrome.

PMID- 24221645
TI  - Prevalence of cortical superficial siderosis in patients with cognitive
      impairment.
AB  - Cortical superficial siderosis (cSS) is a magnetic resonance imaging marker of
      cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and can be its sole imaging sign. cSS has
      further been identified as a risk marker for future intracranial hemorrhage.
      Although uncommon in the general population, cSS may be much more prevalent in
      high risk populations for amyloid pathology. We aimed to determine the frequency
      of cSS in patients with cognitive impairment presenting to a memory clinic. We
      prospectively evaluated consecutive patients presenting to our memory clinic
      between April 2011 and April 2013. Subjects received neuropsychological testing
      using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease battery
      (CERAD-NP). Two hundred and twelve patients with documented cognitive impairment
      further underwent a standardized 3T-MR-imaging protocol with T2*-weighted
      gradient-echo sequences for detection of cSS. Thirteen of 212 patients (6.1 %)
      displayed cSS. In seven of them (54 %) cSS was the only imaging sign of CAA.
      Patients with cSS did not differ from patients without cSS with regard to medical
      history, age or cardiovascular risk profile. Subjects with cSS performed worse in
      the mini-mental state examination (p = 0.001), showed more white matter
      hyperintensities (p = 0.005) and more often had microbleeds (p = 0.001) compared
      to those without cSS. cSS is common in patients with cognitive impairment. It is
      associated with lower cognitive scores, white matter hyperintensities and
      microbleeds and can be the only imaging sign for CAA in this patient group. 

PMID- 24221647
TI  - Environmental regulation of H2 utilization ( (3)H 2 exchange) among natural and
      laboratory populations of N2 and non-N 2 fixing phytoplankton.
AB  - Regulation of H2 utilization, as monitored by the hydrogenase-mediated(3)H2
      exchange reaction, was examined among phytoplankton communitiesin situ and
      populations in culture. During a 2-year study in the Chowan River, North
      Carolina, at least 2 major groups of phytoplankton dominated(3)H2 exchange rates.
      They included N2 fixing cyanobacteria and NO3 (})- utilizing genera. Utilization
      of(3)H2 by N2 fixers was mainly dark-mediated, whereas(3)H2 utilization
      associated with periods of NO3 (})- abundance revealed an increasing dependence
      on light. Inhibitors of N2 fixation (C2H2 and NH4 (+)) negatively affected(3)H2
      utilization, substantiating previous findings that close metabolic coupling of
      both processes exists among N2 fixing cyanobacteria. Conversely, NO3 (})-
      stimulated(3)H2 utilization among N2 and non-N2 fixing genera, particularly under
      illuminated conditions. A variety of environmental factors were shown to
      control(3)H2 exchange. In addition to the nitrogen sources discussed above,
      dissolved O2, photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), temperature, and pH
      changes altered(3)H2 exchange rates. It is likely that other factors not
      addressed here could also affect(3)H2 exchange rates. At least 2 ecological
      benefits from H2 utilization in natural phytoplankton can be offered. They
      include the simultaneous generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and
      consumption of O2 during the oxidation of H2 via an oxyhydrogen or "Knallgas"
      reaction. Both processes could help sustain phytoplankton, and particularly
      cyanobacterial, bloom intensity under natural conditions when O2 supersaturation
      is common in surface waters. H2 utilization appeared to be a general feature of
      natural and laboratory phytoplankton populations. The magnitudes of(3)H2
      utilization rates were directly related to community biomass. Although it can be
      shown that utilization rates are controlled by specific environmental factors,
      the potential relationships between H2 utilization and phytoplankton primary
      production remain poorly understood. 

PMID- 24221648
TI  - Respiration rates in heterotrophic, free-living protozoa.
AB  - Published estimates of protozoan respiratory rates are reviewed with the object
      of clarifying their value in ecological studies. The data show a surprisingly
      large variance when similarly sized cells or individual species are compared.
      This is attributed to the range of physiological states in the cells concerned.
      The concept of basal metabolism has little meaning in protozoa. During balanced
      growth, energy metabolism is nearly linearly proportional to the growth rate
      constant; at the initiation of starvation, metabolic rate rapidly declines.
      Motility requires an insignificant fraction of the energy budget of protozoans.
      For growing cells, metabolic rate is approximately proportional to weight(0.75)
      and the data fall nearly exactly on a curve extrapolated from that describing the
      respiration rates of poikilotherm metazoans as a function of body weight. It is
      conceivable that protozoan species exist with lower maximum potential growth and
      metabolic rates than those predicted from cell volume and the equations derived
      from the available data. However, the lack of information concerning the state of
      the cells studied prevents verification of this idea. Laboratory measurements of
      protozoan respiratory rates have no predictive value for protozoa in nature other
      than delimiting a potential range. For small protozoans, this range may, on an
      individual basis, represent a factor of 50. 

PMID- 24221649
TI  - Chlorophylla and adenosine triphosphate levels in Antarctic and temperate lake
      sediments.
AB  - Analysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from surficial sediment layers in two
      antarctic lakes and two temperate lakes showed a high degree of similarity in
      spite of differences between trophic state, mictic state, or geographic location.
      Adenosine triphosphate was found at all levels sampled in temperate lake sediment
      cores but occasionally was present only in surficial layers of antarctic cores.
      Surficial sediment layers from antarctic lakes contained high chlorophylla (Chla)
      levels due to the extensive benthic algal mats which occur there. In some
      antarctic cores, Chla was detectable in deep, old mat layers, whereas Chla was
      not found in any of the temperate lake cores. Antarctic lake sediments appear to
      be unique environments where Chla molecules can remain intact for long periods of
      time due to low light, temperature, and microbial activity. As such, these lakes
      are important natural laboratories where a long history of microbial interactions
      can be studied without metazoan perturbation effects. Although there was much
      variability in concentration of Chla and ATP between samples, there appears to be
      no relationship between Chla or ATP levels to mictic or trophic states of the
      lakes. These data suggest that sediment microbial communities may be independent
      of environmental and biological properties of the overlying water masses. 

PMID- 24221650
TI  - A model for the density ofAeromonas hydrophila in Albemarle Sound, North
      Carolina.
AB  - The abundance ofAeromonas hydrophila was measured monthly at 29 sites in
      Albemarle Sound, North Carolina and its tributaries from April 1977 through July
      1979. Simultaneous measurements included heterotrophic plate count bacteria,
      fecal coliform bacteria, and 18 physical and chemical parameters. Using only 6
      water quality parameters, multiple correlation and regression analysis of the
      data produced a best-fit regression which explained 38% of the variation observed
      inA. hydrophila density. The 6 water quality parameters included dissolved
      oxygen, temperature, orthophosphate, chlorophyll A trichromatic, total Kjeldahl
      nitrogen, and ammonia. Heterotrophic plate count bacteria and fecal coliform
      densities were highly correlated withA. hydrophila density, but made the model
      very unstable. The model was successfully tested against similar data collected
      for 2 other North Carolina reservoirs, Lake Norman and Badin Lake. Data from 10
      sites in Badin Lake over 18 months and from 7 sites on Lake Norman over 5 months
      were not significantly different from the Albemarle Sound model. Conditions of
      water quality that may give rise to "blooms" ofA. hydrophila will simultaneously
      contribute to the probability of increased epizootics in fish in the southeastern
      United States. 

PMID- 24221651
TI  - Changes in water and sediment bacterial community structure in a lake receiving
      acid mine drainage.
AB  - Water and sediment bacterial communities in a freshwater impoundment were studied
      over a 13-month period for stress-related responses to a point source of acid
      mine drainage (AMD). Comparisons of community structure were made on collections
      taken at the mouth of the acid stream, at a point 2 km downstream, and at the
      mouth of an uncontaminated stream. Monthly measurements of pH and specific
      conductance indicated the expected decrease in the AMD pollution with increasing
      distance from the source. Acridine orange direct counts did not differ
      significantly among the sites; however significantly fewer viable heterotrophs
      were observed by plate counts at the acid impacted station relative to the
      uncontaminated site. The diversity of the communities was significantly lower at
      the sites receiving mine drainage as compared with the unaffected station, and
      comparisons of community similarity showed that collections from the impacted
      sites were more like each other than like the control site. The assemblage at the
      latter site contained many bacterial guilds not found at the contaminated sites.
      The guilds unique to the control site showed a reduced in vitro ability to
      tolerate heavy metals as compared with the general community. 

PMID- 24221652
TI  - Occurrence ofCandida albicans in fresh gull feces in temperate and subtropical
      areas.
AB  - The occurrence ofCandida albicans in fresh gull (Larus spp.) feces was compared
      in temperate and subtropical locations. Of 239 fresh samples, 133 were obtained
      in southeastern Connecticut and 106 from different sites on the southeastern and
      central western coasts of Florida. Overall, 60% of all feces containedC.
      albicans. Of the Connecticut samples, 78% were positive, whereas 38% of the
      Florida samples revealed the presence of the yeast. Only 1 of 24 samples of fresh
      brown pelican feces containedC. albicans. Differences inC. albicans occurrence in
      birds in various locations was ascribed to variations in habitat and feeding
      behavior. Samples of water from a municipal reservoir in Connecticut were
      routinely positive, with an average cell density of 20/liter. Two fresh gull
      samples obtained on the reservoir bank containedC. albicans at an average cell
      concentration of 5, 200/g. The frequency ofC. albicans in gull droppings was
      higher than reported by others, and the yeast is common in temperate waters.
      These findings have important public health implications. 

PMID- 24221653
TI  - A membrane adsorption-SEM technique for observing neuston organisms.
AB  - A technique to observe neuston organisms, combining membrane adsorption and
      scanning electron microscopy, is described. Bacteria, algae, and protozoa
      collected from the surface of 2 freshwater ponds using this methodology appeared
      well preserved by the fixation and dehydration procedures used. 

PMID- 24221654
TI  - Detection of mycoparasitism by infrared photomicrography.
AB  - The fungusTrichoderma harzianum which parasitizes its hostRhizoctonia solani (AG
      1-6) was observed under a light microscope and the interaction sites
      photomicrographed with infrared film. Bright regions indicating infrared
      irradiation were observed at the interaction sites, apparently due to the high
      parasitic activity occurring there. The possible use of infrared photomicrography
      in cell-cell interactions is discussed. 

PMID- 24221655
TI  - Haploid plants regenerated via anther culture in wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum
      C. Kock).
AB  - Androgenic plants have been obtained via anther culture in four natural
      populations of Hordeum spontaneum. Microscopic observations revealed that
      androgenesis started with the formation of two vegetative-type nuclei derived
      from the mitotic division of the uninucleate microspores. In this species
      androgenesis was affected by the type and concentration of the sugars added to
      the culture medium: the highest response (17% of callusing anthers) was observed
      on media containing 80 g l(-1) maltose. The highest production of androgenic
      plants (per 100 anthers, 5.9 green and 4.3 albino plants) was obtained from
      callus grown on these same media. About half of the green plants regenerated were
      haploid, while the others were diploid and set seed. 

PMID- 24221656
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of Panax ginseng (C.A. Meyer) through somatic
      embryogenesis.
AB  - Protoplasts of Panax ginseng were isolated from embryos obtained from the 4-year
      old embryogenic cell line KCTC PCL 49031 which was derived from a zygotic embryo.
      High protoplast yields of 22-25 * 10(6) protoplast / g tissue were obtained
      following 5-6 h digestion with 2% Cellulysin, 1% Pectinase and 1% Macerasae in
      half strength Murashige and Skoog's medium containing 12% mannitol. A plating
      density of 1*10(5) protoplasts /ml was found optimal for protoplast culture. An
      initial division frequency of 10% was obtained in an agarosegelled defined
      medium. Myo-inositol (6%) was found to be the most suitable osmoticum. Somatic
      embryos were formed from protoplast derived embryogenic callus, which regenerated
      into plantlets. 

PMID- 24221657
TI  - Shikonin production and secretion by hairy root cultures of Lithospermum
      erythrorhizon.
AB  - Hairy root cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon were established by
      transformation of in vitro grown shoots with Agrobacterium rhizogenes 15834.
      Hairy roots cultured on Murashige and Skoog solid medium did not produce any red
      pigments. However, the hairy roots cultured in Root Culture solid or liquid media
      produced a large amount of red pigments, which were released to the medium. The
      addition of adsorbents to the culture medium stimulated shikonin production by
      ca. 3-fold. Using this method an air-lift fermenter system was established,
      equipped with a XAD-2 column, which continuously produced ca. 5 mg/day of
      shikonin during a period of more than 220 days. 

PMID- 24221658
TI  - Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration of kiwi fruit.
AB  - Genetically transformed kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa) plants were obtained
      from hypocotyl and stem segments co-cultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens
      strain EHA101 harboring a binary vector, pLAN411 or pLAN421, which contained the
      neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene and the beta-glucuronidase (GUS)
      gene. After co-culturing with the A. tumefaciens, the hypocotyl or stem segments
      were cultured on a selection medium containing 25MUg/ml kanamycin and 500MUg/ml
      Claforan. After one month in culture, shoots had regenerated from the cuttings.
      Green shoots were analyzed for NPTII activity and GUS activity. Eighty-five
      percent of the green shoots examined expressed the nptII and GUS genes. GUS
      histochemical assays revealed strong GUS expression in guard cells, mesophyll
      cells, and trichomes. 

PMID- 24221659
TI  - Increase of rooting ability in the woody species kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa A.
      Chev.) by transformation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes rol genes.
AB  - The woody species kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa A. Chev.), a male and late flowering
      clone of the cv Hayward, has been transformed by a T-DNA fragment encompassing
      rol A, B, C genes of A. rhizogenes. Transgenic plants, regenerated from leaf disc
      callus, showed the typical "hairy root" phenotype as described in herbaceous
      species. Explants from these plants (both leaf discs or 3 to 4 node leafy
      microcuttings) showed an increased ability to produce roots. Since root formation
      is one of the limiting factors in the vegetative propagation of woody species,
      the results have been discussed in relation to the use of A. rhizogenes rol genes
      in improving root morphogenesis in trees. 

PMID- 24221660
TI  - Long-term optimized embryogenic cultures in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.).
AB  - Five varieties of durum wheat: Appulo, Ofanto, Latino, Creso, and Castello
      (Triticum durum Desf.) adapted to the semi-arid mediterranean environment have
      been tested for their in vitro response. Compact, embryogenic, highly regenerable
      calli originated from primary callus derived through proliferation of the
      scutellum of immature embryos explanted in the presence of 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Selective subculture of the white, compact,
      embryogenic sectors led to the establishment of long-term cultures. Regeneration
      occurred on hormone-free medium either via germination of somatic embryos, or via
      multiple-shoot formation probably due to precocious germination of somatic
      embryos. The three varieties, Ofanto, Creso and Appulo, were the best responding
      genotypes. Callus fragmentation and two subsequent transfers onto fresh medium at
      7-day intervals yielded a frequency of plant regeneration of some 25-40 plantlets
      per gram fresh weight callus in 21 days on Murashige and Skoog's hormone-free
      medium. Plantlets could be efficiently established in soil, thus confirming the
      possibility of biotechnological approaches with varieties of this crop species. 

PMID- 24221661
TI  - Transformation of Medicago arborea L. with an Agrobacterium rhizogenes binary
      vector carrying the hygromycin resistance gene.
AB  - Plants of Medicago arborea have been infected with Agrobacterium rhizogenes
      strain LBA9402 harbouring the plasmids Ri 1855 and AGS125 carrying a gene
      conferring resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin. About 7056 of the hairy roots
      showed callus formation on hygromycin-supplemented medium. Regeneration took
      place on antibiotic free medium only. Plantlets suitable for transfer to soil
      were obtained after the manual removal of most of the leaves. Plant morphology
      showed the usual alterations induced by the Ri plasmid; moreover, two years after
      soil-transfer, transformants have not flowered. Molecular analysis indicates the
      presence of T-DNA from both pAGS 125 and p1855. The expression of the hygromycin
      phosphotransferase gene allowed callus and protoplasts of transformed plants to
      grow on media supplemented with the antibiotic. This trait will be utilized as a
      marker in protoplast fusion between Medicago arborea and Medicago sativa
      (alfalfa). 

PMID- 24221662
TI  - Light-inducible pigmentation in Portulaca callus; selection of a high betalain
      producing cell line.
AB  - We have established a unique betalain pigmentation system in callus cultures that
      originated from seedlings of Portulaca sp. 'Jewel'. Within three different
      'Jewel' lines examined, one line (JR) was clearly superior with regard to callus
      growth rate and pigment formation. Furthermore, after ten cycles of selection of
      deeply colored callus patches, the selected clones contained on an average four
      times the amount of betalain as compared to the non-selected mother line. The
      colorization was induced by light, but disappeared in the dark. Pigment synthesis
      was detectable within 30 h after irradiation and showed positive correlation with
      irradiation periods. 

PMID- 24221663
TI  - Gene transfer in plants of Brassica juncea using Agrobacterium tumefaciens
      mediated transformation.
AB  - An efficient system for gene transfer into plants of Brassica juncea var. India
      Mustard, mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. was developed through the
      manipulation of the culture medium and the use of the appropriate Agrobacterium
      strain. High frequency shoot regeneration (90-100%) was obtained from hypocotyl
      explants grown on medium containing 0.9% agarose, 3.3 mg/L AgNO3 and 0.5-2 mg/L
      BA in combination with 0.01-0.05 mg/L 2,4-D or 0.1-1 mg/L NAA. Of all the
      Agrobacterium strains tested, A. tumefaciens A208-SE, carrying the disarmed Ti
      plasmid and a binary vector pROA93, was the most effective for B. juncea
      transformation. pROA93 carries the coding sequences of the NPTII and the GUS
      genes, both driven by a common CaMV 35S promoter in two divergent directions.
      Inoculated explants grown on the selection medium in the presence of 0.5 mg/L BA
      and 0.1 mg/L NAA gave rise to transgenic shoots at the highest frequency (9%).
      All Ro transgenic plants were phenotypically normal, but variation in expression
      patterns of the GUS gene occurred among the transgenic plants in an organ- and
      tissue-specific manner. Both the NPTII and the GUS genes were transmitted to the
      R1 seed progeny and showed co-segregation. 

PMID- 24221664
TI  - Preparation of high molecular weight plant DNA and its use for artificial
      chromosome construction.
AB  - The availability of a substantial amount of high molecular weight DNA is an
      essential prerequisite for the construction of yeast artificial chromosome (YAC)
      libraries. Parameters concerning protoplast isolation and DNA extraction have
      been systematically analyzed. Conditions have been established for the obtainment
      of high molecular weight DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia protoplasts either embedded in agarose plugs or in liquid
      suspension. Restriction fragments were obtained by partial and total digestion
      with different endonucleases, and separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.
      Ligation of partially EcoRI-digested DNA (range 30-300 kbp) followed by
      transformation of yeast spheroplasts gave rise to YACs with an average size of 60
      kbp. The introduction of a DNA size-selection step before ligation led to
      production of YACs in the range of 100-200 kbp. Clones of up to 460 kbp were
      obtained by blunt-end ligation of pre-selected unrestricted DNA. 

PMID- 24221665
TI  - Rosmarinic acid formation and differential expression of tyrosine
      aminotransferase isoforms in Anchusa officinalis cell suspension cultures.
AB  - Time-course changes in rosmarinic acid (RA) formation and activities of tyrosine
      aminotransferase (TAT) isoforms were examined in Anchusa officinalis suspension
      cultures. Three TAT isoforms (TAT-1, TAT-3, TAT-4) were resolved by Mono-Q anion
      exchange column chromatography. The proportion of the TAT-3 activity within the
      total TAT activity remained high regardless of the growth stage of the cultured
      cells. TAT-1 activity was positively correlated with the rate of RA biosynthesis
      during linear growth stage of the culture cycle, while TAT-4 activity was rapidly
      induced in conjunction with transfer to fresh medium coincident with a transient
      increase in RA synthesis. Based on these results, as well as the substrate
      specificity of each TAT isoform, it was concluded that both TAT-1 and TAT-4 are
      closely involved in RA biosynthesis. TAT-1 controls conversion of tyrosine to 4
      hydroxyphenyl pyruvate, and TAT-4 acts by participating in the formation of
      tyrosine and phenylalanine via prephenate. 

PMID- 24221666
TI  - Effects of L-proline and post-plating temperature treatment on Maize (Zea mays
      L.) anther culture.
AB  - Comparison of different post-plating temperature regimes with a control treatment
      (27 degrees  C) revealed that a short-term cold (8/14 degrees C:2/2 days or 14
      degrees C:4 days) as well as a heat treatment (30 degrees C:14 days) increased
      the production of embryro-like-structures (ELS) from cultured maize anthers. The
      beneficial effects of short-term cold treatments were magnified 2-3 times when L
      proline (PROL) was added to the induction medium (125-500 mg/L). In the best
      treatment (14 degrees C:4 days, 125 mg/L L-proline) one genotype produced 143.5
      ELS/100 anthers. Anthers subjected to high temperature (30 degrees C:4 days, 30
      degrees C:7 days, 30 degrees C:14 days) generally showed a lower response than
      did cold treated anthers, although genotypic differences were observed.
      Regeneration frequency did not appear to be affected by the presence of L-proline
      in the induction medium. 

PMID- 24221667
TI  - A simple procedure for the isolation of pure nuclei from carrot embryos in
      synchronized cultures.
AB  - A simple method is presented for the isolation of nuclei from somatic embryos of
      carrot (Daucus carota L.), which is applicable to small amounts of material in
      synchronized culture. The method employs buffers containing a high concentration
      of glycerol to stabilize the structure of the nuclei. Purification was carried
      out by centrifugation using preformed Percoll gradients. Treatment with cell wall
      degrading enzymes prior to homogenization improved the efficiency of isolation
      and permitted a reproducible yield of nuclei. The pure preparations were obtained
      with an efficiency of approximately 60%. The isolated nuclei retained their
      morphological characteristics as demonstrated by phase - contrast and electron
      microscopy. Nuclear proteins displayed the expected species of histones by two
      dimensional gel electrophoresis. The isolated nuclei showed high RNA polymerase
      activity. 

PMID- 24221668
TI  - Isochorismate hydroxymutase from Rubiaceae cell suspension cultures.
AB  - The enzyme catalysing the isomerisation of chorismic to isochorismic acid
      (isochorismate hydroxymutase E.C. 5.4.99.6) has been detected in protein
      preparations of various cell suspension cultures derived from plants of Rubiaceae
      species. 

PMID- 24221669
TI  - A new approach to direct somatic embryogenesis in Medicago.
AB  - A highly efficient system for direct somatic embryogenesis is described. Leaf
      sections originating from young trifoliate leaves of Medicago falcata line 47/1-5
      and Medicago sativa line No2/9R, directly produced embryos after cultivation in
      liquid B5IV induction medium. In comparison with indirect somatic embryogenesis
      the system omits the callus stage and thus allows shortening of the process of
      somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa by 35-40 days. It permits the avoidance of
      secondary changes occurring during the process of dedifferentiation. A modified
      B5/3H medium containing Polyethylene Glycol 6000 promoted embryo development from
      globular up to torpedo stage. It was clearly shown that 2.5% Polyethylene Glycol
      stimulated this process for both H. falcata 47/1-5 and M. sativa No 2/9R.
      Maturation of torpedo stage embryos was carried out on solidified or liquid
      abscisic acidcontaining medium. A 30MUM abscisic acid concentration was optimal
      in allowing one embryo to yield one plant. Somatic embryo conversion to plants
      and plant regeneration was performed on Murashige and Skoog medium. Regenerated
      plants showed a normal morphology. 

PMID- 24221670
TI  - Desiccation of microspore derived embryos of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).
AB  - Microspore-derived embryos from Brassica napus L. were dried to less than 15%
      moisture and stored dry for a minimum of 7 days. Successful plant regeneration
      was observed when embryos at the cotyledonary stage of development were treated
      with 50 uM ABA for 7 days prior to desiccation. Solid agar or liquid medium gave
      similar results. The rate of drying of embryos after ABA pretreatment had only
      minor effects on embryo survival, but for untreated embryos, slow drying gave a
      small degree of survival. These results are very comparable to those with alfalfa
      somatic embryos, suggesting that the ABA treatment of cotyledonary stage embryos
      may be broadly used as a pretreatment for inducing the expression of desiccation
      tolerance in plant embryos. 

PMID- 24221671
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of embryogenic cell suspensions of Coffea
      arabica L. cv. caturra.
AB  - Coffee plants were regenerated from protoplasts isolated from embryogenic cell
      suspension cultures derived from somatic embryos of Coffea arabica L. cv.
      caturra. Yields of viable protoplasts ranged from 1*10(5) to 6*10(5) protoplast/g
      fresh weight. Protoplast preparations usually contained no contaminating cells,
      and when present, the number of cells never exceeded 0.1% of the total. Plating
      efficiencies of protoplast ranged from 1 to 10%. Embryogenic protocolonies
      obtained after several subcultures in a medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l each of
      benzylaminopurine, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and naphtaleneacetic acid, were
      transferred to a medium lacking plant growth regulators. Well differentiated
      embryos were formed in selected protocolonies that contained many embryos-like
      structures. Approximately 70% of the somatic embryos developed into green rooted
      plantlets which were succesfully transferred to vessels containing sterilized
      scoria. Plants grown for two months in scoria were finally transferred to
      greenhouse. 

PMID- 24221672
TI  - Enhanced codeine and morphine production in suspended Papaver somniferum cultures
      after removal of exogenous hormones.
AB  - Morphine and codeine accumulation in Papaver somniferum suspension cultures
      increased markedly after removal of hormones from the medium. Cultures developed
      hormone self-sufficiency without organogenesis or development of meristemoids;
      enhanced synthesis of morphinan alkaloids was not dependent on formation of
      shoots, roots or embryos. Without exogenous hormones, maximum codeine and
      morphine concentrations were 3.0 mg g(-1) dry weight and 2.5 mg g(-1) dry weight
      respectively, up to three times higher than in cultures supplied with hormones.
      Hormone-deprived cells produced a higher ratio of codeine:morphine than cultures
      supplied with auxin and cytokinin. Improved alkaloid production was correlated
      with slower overall growth rate. 

PMID- 24221673
TI  - Gene transfer into peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Introduction of foreign genes into plant tissues via Agrobacterium tumefaciens
      based vectors requires specific knowledge of Agrobacterium-host compatibility.
      Therefore, to develop a transformation protocol for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.),
      five Brazilian cultivars were screened with four wild-type A.tumefaciens strains.
      Successful transformation was dependent on specific bacterial strain-plant
      cultivar interactions and strain A281 was the most effective for tumor induction.
      Tumors displayed hormone autonomous growth, were opine positive and contained DNA
      that was homologous to the T-DNA of the inciting strain. Tumors induced on seed
      and seedling explants by A281 (pTD02) also expressed the reporter genes gus and
      npt-II contained in the binary vector. These results show that peanut is a
      permissive host for the acceptance of genes from specific A.tumefaciens gene
      vectors. 

PMID- 24221674
TI  - A novel technique to overcome browning in tissue culture.
AB  - Experiments conducted using Dioscorea alata L. revealed that an exudate from the
      cut end of the explants was responsible for browning of the culture medium.
      Browning did not affect growth of roots and shoots when explants were cultured in
      a large volume of medium, but in a small volume it was lethal. Sealing the cut
      ends with paraffin wax was found to control browning by preventing exudation.
      This simple technique permitted establishment of cultures in a small volume of
      medium in about 90 percent of the cases, while in unsealed cultures lethal
      browning was recorded in 80 percent of the cases. The advantages of this
      technique over other methods of controlling browning are discussed. 

PMID- 24221675
TI  - Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from suspension culture-derived
      protoplasts of Paspalum scrobiculatum L.
AB  - Protoplasts were released from embryogenic suspension culture of Paspalum
      scrobiculatum and cultured in either liquid or semisolid KM medium supplemented
      with 2,4-D in the dark at 24 degrees C with or without a feeder layer. Cell wall
      formation was observed in 75% of the plated protoplasts. Microcolonies developed
      after 10 d of culture, which in turn formed callus upon transfer to M-2 medium
      (Nayak and Sen, 1989). The highest plating effeciency (ca 7%) was obtained in
      thin-layer liquid culture. The macrocalli formed somatic embryos which
      regenerated to plantlets. The plantlets were grown to flowering plants upon
      transfer to soil. 

PMID- 24221676
TI  - Bioreactor culture of heterotrophic sandalwood (Santalum album L.) cell
      suspensions utilizing a cell-lift impeller.
AB  - Growth and phenolic production by two heterotrophic suspension cultures (SW-1 and
      SW-2) of sandalwood cultivated in a 2.5 L bioreactor were investigated. Cultures
      of SW-1 cell suspensions resulted in a maximum phenolic content of 32.5 mg L(-1)
      compared to 12.5 mg L(-1) produced by SW-2 cell suspensions. Fresh weight
      doubling time (Td) was 5.8 days and the specific growth rate (MU) was 0.12 d(-1)
      during exponential growth for both cell lines. The pH of the culture medium
      decreased from 5.5 to 3.5 during the exponential growth phase of SW-1 and SW-2
      cell suspensions. The dissolved oxygen content also dropped steadily during
      culture and remained at 40% throughout exponential growth phase. These results
      should provide a basis for developing sandalwood cell cultures for bioproduction
      of useful compounds. 

PMID- 24221677
TI  - Medicarpin and maackiain 3-O-glucoside-6'-O-malonate conjugates are constitutive
      compounds in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cell cultures.
AB  - The pterocarpan phytoalexin conjugates medicarpin 3-O-glucoside-6'-O-malonate and
      maackiain 3-O-glucoside-6'-O-malonate were isolated from cell suspension cultures
      of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivar ILC 3279 and structurally elucidated.
      Both pterocarpan conjugates are constitutive metabolites of the chickpea cell
      cultures. Upon application of an elicitor from yeast to the cell cultures a
      substantial increase in the level of the phytoalexin aglycones medicarpin and
      maackiain was observed although a delayed but significantly higher rise of the
      conjugates also occurred. The significance of the pterocarpan conjugates for
      phytoalexin production is discussed. 

PMID- 24221678
TI  - Airs, waters and places.

PMID- 24221679
TI  - Water quality of runoff from revegetated mine spoil.
AB  - Permanent vegetation plots were established on mixed overburden and topsoiled
      overburden on a lignite test pit in eastern Texas in 1982. Vegetative treatments
      included two grass-legume treatments [switchgrass (panicum virgattun) - sideoats
      grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) - subterrancan elover (Trifolitun subterranean)
      and litte bluestem (Schizachyriun scoparium) - sideoats grama (Bouteloua
      curtipendula) - Illinois hundleflower (Dessmanthus illinoiensis)] and three
      monocultures [Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), bahia grass (paspalum
      notatum) and yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)]. Water was applied to the
      0.5m(2) plots using a sprinklertype rainfall simulator and quality of runoff was
      determined for each plot. Parameters analyzed included: settleable solids, total
      filterable solids, sediment production, infiltration rate, nitrites, nitrates,
      total iron and total manganese. Topsoiling significantly increased inliltration
      and significantly decreased filterable sediments, sediment production and
      settleable solids. The hydrologie qualities of the switchgrass-sideoats grama
      subterranean elover mixture coincided closely with those of the Coastal
      bermudagrass monoculture. 

PMID- 24221680
TI  - Generating productive topsoil substitutes from hard rock overburden in the
      southern appalachians.
AB  - Natural soils on steeply sloping landscapes in the Appalachian coal fields of
      Virginia. West Virginia. Kentucky, and Tennessee are often thin, rocky, acidic
      and infertile, making the topsoiling of surface mined sites impractical in many
      cases. Topsoil substitutes composed of blasted rock fragments are commonly used
      in this region. The proper selection and placement of designated topsoil
      substitutes is therefore critical to long term reclamation success. These mine
      soil surfaces are not in equilibrium and with the surface environment, and it is
      quite difficult to diferentiate among dissolution, adsorption, desorption and
      precipitation reactions as these surfaces weather with time. Severe compaction
      limits the productivity of many otherwise suitable topsoil substitutes. A minimum
      non-compacted thickness of 1 m is desirable to insure long run mine soil
      productivity for a variety of post-mining land uses. Significant changes in the
      physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of mine soils occur within one
      year after placement. Mine soils high in silt content often form hard vesicular
      surface crusts, particularly when left unvegetated. The long term survival of
      plant communities on these mine soils is dependent upon mine soil organic matter
      accumulation and N and P cycling. Little is currently known about N and P
      dynamics in these mine soils, but P-fixation is a profound problem in high Fe(3-)
      spoils. Revegetation practices that were designed to meet 2-year bond release
      requirements may not he sufficient to meet new 5-year release standards. Hard
      rock derived mine soils can often equal or exceed native topsoil in productivity
      and post mining land use potential. 

PMID- 24221681
TI  - Acid mine drainage from inactive eastern coal operations.
AB  - The most widely used technique for abatement of acid drainage from inactive
      surface mines and refuse disposal areas is revegetation of a soil cover applied
      to the waste material. Nonetheless, acid production often persists and in some
      cases, limits establishment of vegetation. This paper reports on several field
      studies intended to determine the location of pyrite oxidation zones and
      migration pathways of oxidation products at inactive spoil and refuse
      sites.Oxygen required for pyrite oxidation is believed to he provided in the
      gaseous state from the atmosphere. Therefore, the oxygen concentration in
      unsaturated mine waste should provide an estimate of the weathering tendency in
      the local environment. We are currently monitoring gas composition in refuse and
      spoil at six sites. Barren refuse appeared to be oxygenated (>2% 02) in a shallow
      zone extending less than 1 metre below the surface during most of the year.
      Preliminary data from coal spoil showed that oxygen can be available throughout
      the unsaturated thickness, even at a revegetated site. Gas composition varied
      vertically and laterally at a single site and also appeared to show seasonal
      dependence.Hydrologic factors are also important in acid production and
      transport. Discharge monitoring alone does not adequately describe the mass
      transport of acid products through the spoil. For example, at one reclaimed mine
      the mean sulfate content in six monitoring wells ranged from 24% to 240% of the
      mean concentration at the discharge point. Sources of recharge and relative flow
      rates determine the contribution of a particular zone to overall discharge
      quality.These basic studies of acid production and transport indicate some
      shortcomings of standard reclamation practices at certain sites. This information
      will he used to develop alternative abatement technology designed to mitigate
      acid production at the source. 

PMID- 24221682
TI  - Reclamation techniques in southwestern wyoming.
AB  - Bridger Coal Company operates a 5.8 million tpy surface coal mine thrity five
      miles northeast of Rock Springs. Wyoming. Approximately 20.000 acres are under
      permit, with disturbance over the life of the mine projected to reach 10,000
      acres. Located on the western rim of the continental divide, the mine receives
      less than 8.5 inches of precipitation annually. Soils in the area are coarse
      textured. and problems associated with elevated salinity and sodicity arc
      encountered.A variety of common reclamation techniques have been modified to
      reflect these conditions. Soil horizons are segregated during salvage operations
      (the surface six inches as topsoil and the balance as subsoil). Unsuitable
      materials are not salvaged. Direct application of soil is used (over 130 acres in
      1983) to maximize native plant regeneration and conserve soil fertility. Inter
      seeding of seeding failures has proven to be significantly more successful than
      chisel plowing and reseeding. Broadcast seeding has been ineffective because of
      strong winds, and a no till drill has been modified to handle diverse seed mixes
      and rock conditions. The utility of fertilization under typically xeric moisture
      regimes is being evaluated. A research project has been initiated to assess
      establishment of a predominately native, diverse seed mix under irrigation, as
      well as to determine irrigation rates and duration. 

PMID- 24221683
TI  - Microbial relationships in surface-mine revegetation.
AB  - The establishment and interrelationships of microorganisms with soil and plant
      processes during reclamation are greatly influenced by the composition of the
      planting medium and vegetation practices. While in some instances the parent
      material may be used as the vegetation medium, the practice of topsoiling,
      particularly the direct haul method, may be beneficial in introducing
      microorganisms and improving the quality of the plant growth medium of spoils
      that are chemically or physically less desirable than the native soils. The
      influence of different vegetation types on soil development on surface mines may
      be a reflection of physioiogical differences that affect microbial development in
      the rhizosphere. Such differences include levels of carbohydrate translocated to
      the root system and/or released into the surrounding soil; the plant's
      effectiveness as a mycorrhizal host; and the rate of degradation of plant
      residues. It has become apparent that microbial interactions are an important
      part of plant and soil processes in reclamation. While some of the microorganisms
      important in plant growth and soil development can be introduced readily by
      management practices, the majority usually are disseminated by natural means and
      only gradually become a part of the microbial population. More research is needed
      on developing new methods or refining current procedures for early introduction
      of these microorganisms in reclamation practices. 

PMID- 24221684
TI  - Forage production and quality as influenced by amended quartz sand-tailings
      following phosphate mining.
AB  - Quartz-sand tailings is a waste product from the Florida phosphate mining
      industry. Individual tailings disposal areas may occupy 20 to 60 ha and support
      no vegetation. A split plot field experiment was conducted on a sand tailings
      deposit to study the effect of various amendments on yield, quality, and mineral
      concentrations of 'Callie' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon var.aridus Harlan et de
      Wet) and 'Siratro' [Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC) Urb]. The two species were
      established on nine treatments: one sand-tailings control (SC); three with air
      dried phosphatic clay (PC) at 110, 225, and 340 Mg ha(-1); and three with
      overburden (OB) at 448, 1,120, and 1,800 Mg ha(-1). All PC and OB treatment rates
      contained air-dried sewage sludge (SS) at 45 Mg ha(-1) and were all roto-tilled
      to a 20 to 25 cm depth. There were two additional treatments of OB at 1800 Mg ha(
      1) without SS, with and without roto-tilling into sand tailings. Callie
      established slower (P<0.05) on SC and OB, than on treatments containing SS and/or
      PC. However, after the root system developed, yields were similar on all sand
      tailings treatments. Crude protein andin vitro organic matter digestion for
      Callie and Siratro did not differ between soil treatments, but Siratro was
      generally superior to Callie in forage quality. Forage concentrations of P, K,
      Ca. Mg, Mn, and Zn were adequate in both species for good cattle growth on all
      treatments. However, Cu tended to be low in Siratro for plant and cattle growth.
      Once root systems were well established, good yields of quality forage with
      suitable mineral concentrations were produced on regularly fertilized, quartz
      sand tailings. 

PMID- 24221685
TI  - Reclamation of bentonite mined lands in the northern great plains.
AB  - Ninety percent of the nation's supply of bentonite is mined in Montana, South
      Dakota and Wyoming. These lands are difficult to reclaim because of the chemical
      and physical properties of the soil/spoil material and the arid/semiarid climate
      of the area. Replacement of the limited topsoil available has shown some benefit
      but supplies are generally inadequate. The use of inorganic amendments, such as
      sulfuric acid, gypsum, calcium chloride, vermiculite and perlite, have not shown
      consistent benefits in plant establishment and growth. Organic amendments;
      sawmill wood residues, straw and manure, have provided the greatest benefits in
      the reclamation of bentonite mined lands. Cultural and management practices are
      important in determining the long-term success of these reclaimed lands.
      Reclamation technology development for bentonite mined lands is recent and
      limited and the refinement and application of such technology will depend on
      increased activity and cooperation among researchers, regulators and the mining
      industry. 

PMID- 24221686
TI  - Myosin heavy chain synthesis in white trunk muscle of cod (Gadus morhua) fed
      different ration sizes.
AB  - In this study the expression of myosin heavy chain was investigated at the
      messenger RNA and protein level of the muscle ribosome. Cod (Gadus morhua)
      weighing 80 g were fed for 70 days eitherad libitum or with rations consisting of
      75%, 50%, or 25% of thead libitum food intake. Protein and RNA contents of the
      ribosome from the white trunk muscle decreased with the diminished ration sizes.
      Myosin heavy chain content relative to total ribosome protein increased with the
      50% ration size but fell again to thead libitum level at 25%. Expressed relative
      to RNA, a decrease in the protein content occurred in parallel with the
      decreasing ration size. The amount of protein/total muscle homogenate fell with
      diminished ration sizes, and that of myosin heavy chain/mg of protein remained
      unchanged with a slight increase at the 25% food energy intake. The messenger RNA
      for myosin heavy chain (relative to poly(A)(+) messenger (RNA) was increased in
      response to the decreased ration size but was decreased when calculated per g wet
      weight of the muscle. The changes in messenger RNA for myosin heavy chain were
      less pronounced than those of the protein itself. The levels of gene
      transcription and translation for myosin heavy chain were affected to a lesser
      extent by the low food intake than the synthesis of total RNA and protein.
      Immunological methods and messenger RNA hybridization to cloned DNA for myosin
      heavy chain permitted the precise determinations of the events taking place
      during a food-energy supply shortage. Translation appeared to diminish prior to
      changes in messenger RNA concentrations. 

PMID- 24221687
TI  - Energetics of swimming in fishes using different methods of locomotion: I.
      Labriform swimmers.
AB  - The patterns relating rates of oxygen consumption to steady sustained and
      prolonged swimming at different speeds were determined in adults or near adults
      of two species of marine fishes that use the labriform mode of swimming
      (labriform swimmers). Effects of acute temperature changes on these patterns were
      measured. Species were the shiner surfperch,Cymatogaster aggregata and the
      senorita wrasse,Oxyjulis californica.Metabolic data were analyzed three different
      ways. The first (method of Brett) was based upon mass specific oxygen uptake and
      length specific swim speed; data in this form were analyzed both as best-fit
      power functions and as the mathematically equivalent least squares linear
      regressions for semi-log plots. The second and third methods were based upon drag
      based hydromechanical theory concerning power requirements for swimming in
      fishes: total metabolic ratesvs. absolute swimming speeds, analyzed both as best
      fit power functions and least squares linear regressions for log-log plots.The
      main finding, demonstrated by all three methods of calculation, was that the
      slopes of all regression lines (both semi-log and log-log) and the exponents of
      almost all power functions (five out of six) were very low. The Brett method
      applied to subcarangiform swimmers usually produces slopes averaging 0.36 (using
      base-10 logarithms). The slopes calculated by that method in the present study
      were 0.02-0.08. Low slope values could result from the interactions of many
      factors. Additional data are needed to determine which combinations of factors
      actually produced them. On this basis metabolic rate data on intact labriform
      swimmers, by themselves, appear unusable as empirical tests of theory based
      predictions concerning power requirements for fish swimming. 

PMID- 24221688
TI  - Relationships between dietary ascorbic acid status and deficiency, weight gain
      and brain neurotransmitter levels in juvenile rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri.
AB  - A study was conducted to determine the interrelationships between dietary
      ascorbic acid (AA) concentrations, brain neurotransmitter levels and weight gain
      in juvenile rainbow trout. At the end of 4 weeks and until the end of 12 weeks of
      feeding test diets of varying AA concentrations (0-320 mg AA/kg diet), increased
      weight gain was noted in fish fed the AA-free diet. However, by the end of 13
      weeks and until the end of the experiment this phenomenon was no longer evident;
      instead the fish showed the more classical deficiency signs of anorexia and
      decreased weight gain. After 12 and 24 weeks, there were no significant
      differences in brain serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA),
      norepinephrine (NE) or dopamine (DA) between fish reared on the different test
      diets. However, after 12 weeks of feeding the test diets, brain 5-HT, brain AA
      and weight gain were significantly correlated with one another. No such
      relationships were found for brain NE or brain DA. After 24 weeks of feeding the
      diets, the relationships between brain 5-HT, brain AA and weight gain were no
      longer apparent. Similarly, after 24 weeks brain NE and DA were also unrelated to
      brain AA and weight gain. These results provide evidence that in very young
      rainbow trout, AA deficiency, brain 5-HT levels and weight gain were related.
      However in fish reared on the diets for 24 weeks these relationships were no
      longer evident. 

PMID- 24221689
TI  - The liver parenchymal cells of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) endocytose mannose
      terminated glycoproteins.
AB  - A mannose-terminated glycoprotein,(125)I-invertase, was taken up and degraded by
      isolated rainbow trout liver cells at 12 degrees C. The uptake was inhibited by
      EGTA and no degradation occurred in the presence of ammonium ions. The liver cell
      suspension was fractionated by differential centrifugation in parenchymal and
      nonparenchymal cells, respectively. The parenchymal liver cells seemed to be the
      most active cells in uptake of labelled invertase bothin vitro andin vivo. Only
      negligible amounts of ligand were recovered in the nonparenchymal cells.
      Internalization of(125)I-invertase at different temperatures was demonstrated
      indirectly by releasing surface-bound ligand with EGTA. Ligand was internalized
      even at 0 degrees C in trout liver cells.In vitro uptake of(125)I-invertase was
      inhibited by excess unlabelled invertase, by mannan and by N
      acetylglucosamine.These data suggest that invertase is endocytosed by a mannose
      specific pathway by the parenchymal liver cells of rainbow trout. 

PMID- 24221690
TI  - Oxidative metabolism in a teleost,Anabas testudineus Bloch: effect of
      testosterone and estradiol-17beta on hepatic enzyme activities.
AB  - Testosterone (T) administration to maleAnabas testudineus significantly
      stimulated the activities of cytochrome oxidase, alpha-glycerophosphate
      dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH) and Mg(2+) adenosine triphosphatase (Mg(2+) ATPase)
      and inhibited lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cytosolic and mitochondrial malate
      dehydrogenases (MDH). The activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), glucose-6
      phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and catalase were unaffected by testosterone
      treatment. Administration of estradiol-17beta (E2) in female fish, significantly
      stimulated cytochrome oxidase activity, inhibited Mg(2+) ATPase, SDH, catalase
      and cytosolic and mitochondrial MDH activity, and was without effect on other
      enzymes studied.The simultaneous injections of actinomycin D or chloramphenicol
      and T or E2 prevented the hormonal influence on hepatic enzyme activities. The
      present study demonstrates that inA. testudineus sex steroids influence hepatic
      oxidative metabolism by a mechanism sensitive to the action of inhibitors of
      protein synthesis. 

PMID- 24221692
TI  - An analysis of the ion-exchange characteristics of fish-egg chorions.
AB  - The chorions of rainbow trout were investigated to measure their ion-exchange
      characteristics. These characteristics have been incorporated into a model, based
      on ion-exchange theory, which attempts to describe interactions between chorions
      and a range of water qualities, in terms of the distribution of K(+). The model
      was tested by comparing predicted K(+) accumulation by chorions with that
      actually measured in experimental conditions. The model successfully predicted
      the influence of combinations of K(+) and Ca(2+) on K(+) accumulation, and was
      able to predict the direction of changes in K(+) accumulation in the presence of
      aluminium and low pH. 

PMID- 24221691
TI  - Glycogenolytic action of glucagon-family peptides and epinephrine on catfish
      hepatocytes.
AB  - Glycogenolytic effects of salmon and mammalian glucagons, salmon glucagon-like
      peptide (GLP) and epinephrine were studied on liver cells isolated from catfish
      (Ictalurus melas). In spring and summer, salmo-glucagon (3*10(-10) to 3*10(-8) M)
      was more effective than its mammalian counterpart in the stimulation of glucose
      release and cAMP synthesis in hepatocytes. GLP was less potent as compared to
      both glucagons. gamma-amylase activity was not affected by the treatment with
      either glucagon-family peptides or epinephrine.The comparison of the
      glycogenolytic effects of salmon glucagon to those of epinephrine reveals a
      greater potency of the latter hormone in the stimulation of cAMP synthesis,
      glycogen-phosphorylase activity and glucose release. Glycogen content in the
      liver cells was equally depleted after treatment with both of the two hormones. 

PMID- 24221693
TI  - New developed DR detector performs radiographs of hand, pelvic and premature
      chest anatomies at a lower radiation dose and/or a higher image quality.
AB  - A newly developed Digital Radiography (DR) detector has smaller pixel size and
      higher fill factor than earlier detector models. These technical advantages
      should theoretically lead to higher sensitivity and higher spatial resolution,
      thus making dose reduction possible without scarifying image quality compared to
      previous DR detector versions. To examine whether the newly developed Canon CXDI
      70C DR detector provides an improved image quality and/or allows for dose
      reductions in hand and pelvic bone examinations as well as premature chest
      examinations, compared to the previous (CXDI-55C) DR detector version. A total of
      450 images of a technical Contrast-Detail phantom were imaged on a DR system
      employing various kVp and mAs settings, providing an objective image quality
      assessment. In addition, 450 images of anthropomorphic phantoms were taken and
      analyzed by three specialized radiologists using Visual Grading Analysis (VGA).
      The results from the technical phantom studies showed that the image quality
      expressed as IQFINV values was on average approximately 45 % higher with the CXDI
      70C detector compared to the CXDI-55C detector. Consistently, the VGA results
      from the anatomical phantom studies indicated that by using the CXDI-70C
      detector, diagnostic image quality could be maintained at a dose reduction of in
      average 30 %, depending on anatomy and kVp level. This indicates that the CXDI
      70C detector is significantly more sensitive than the previous model, and
      supports a better clinical image quality. By using the newly developed DR
      detector a significant dose reduction is possible while maintaining image
      quality. 

PMID- 24221694
TI  - Aspirin and non-aspirin NSAIDs increase risk of colonic diverticular bleeding: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Lower gastrointestinal bleeding is a frequent cause of hospitalization,
      particularly in the elderly, and its incidence appears to be on the rise. Colonic
      diverticular bleeding is the most common form of lower gastrointestinal bleeding
      and is responsible for 30-40 % of bleeding episodes. Risk factors associated with
      diverticular bleeding include obesity, hypertension, anticoagulants, diabetes
      mellitus, and ischemic heart disease. Recent studies have suggested a
      relationship between usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and
      colonic diverticular bleeding; however, most studies were small with wide
      confidence intervals. We identified studies by searching the PubMed and Scopus
      databases (from inception through 31 December 2012) and by searching
      bibliographies of relevant articles. Summary relative risks (RRs) with 95 %
      confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with fixed-effects and random-effects
      models. A total of six studies (five case-control studies and one cohort study)
      met inclusion criteria for analysis. Non-aspirin NSAIDs (NANSAIDs) and aspirin
      were associated with an increased risk of colonic diverticular bleeding (summary
      RR = 2.48, 95 % CI 1.86-3.31), with moderate heterogeneity among these studies (P
      heterogeneity = 0.11, I (2) = 44.4 %). Stratification to evaluate the
      heterogeneity found that both NANSAIDs (summary RR = 2.24, 95 % CI 1.63-3.09; 5
      studies) and aspirin (summary RR = 1.73; 95 % CI 1.31-2.30; 3 studies) were
      associated with the risk of diverticular bleeding. Aspirin/NANSAIDs use was
      strongly and consistently associated with an increased risk of colonic
      diverticular bleeding. Further studies are needed to stratify individuals at risk
      of diverticular bleeding associated with the use of these agents.

PMID- 24221695
TI  - Hybrid sensor using gold nanoparticles and conjugated polyelectrolytes for
      studying sequence rule in protein-DNA interactions.
AB  - Protein-DNA interactions play center roles in many biological processes. Studying
      sequence specific protein-DNA interactions and revealing sequence rules require
      sensitive and quantitative methodologies that are capable of capturing subtle
      affinity difference with high accuracy and in a high throughput manner. In this
      study, double stranded DNA-conjugated gold nanoparticles (dsDNA-AuNPs) and water
      soluble conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) are used as cooperative sensing
      elements to construct a suit of hybrid sensors for detecting protein-DNA
      interactions, exploiting the differential Forster resonance energy transfer
      (FRET) with and without protein binding. Through a proper selection of CPEs in
      terms of charge properties relative to the charge of dsDNA-AuNPs and emission
      wavelengths relative to the AuNP extinction peak, the hybrid sensors can be
      constructed into "light-on", "light-off", and "two-way" models. Protein binding
      can be detected by fluorescence recovery, fluorescence quenching, or both ways,
      respectively. The "two-way" sensor allows for detection of proteins of any charge
      properties or unknown charge properties. With estrogen receptor (ERalpha and
      ERbeta), their consensus DNA (5'-GGTCAnnnTGACC-5') element, and all 15 possible
      singly mutated elements (i.e., 3 possible base substitutions at each of 1 to 5
      positions from left to right of the 5' end half site, GGTCA), we have
      demonstrated the accuracy of the hybrids sensors for determination of binding
      affinity constant, binding stoichiometry, and site- and nucleotide-specific
      binding energy matrix. The in vitro binding energy determined by the hybrid
      sensors correlates very well with the energy matrix computed from in vivo genome
      wide ERalpha binding data using Thermodynamic Modeling of ChIP-Seq (rank
      correlation coefficient 0.98). The high degree of correlation of the in vitro
      energy matrix versus the in vivo matrix renders the new method a highly reliable
      alternative for understanding in vivo protein binding in the whole genome. 

PMID- 24221696
TI  - [Image postprocessing part 2: algorithms and workflow].
AB  - Apart from various display options, a large variety of complex algorithms to
      analyze radiological datasets have become available by means of advanced
      visualization. Basic knowledge of common concepts and properties allows the
      physician to choose and employ these algorithms more efficiently and
      successfully. In addition to functionality alone, the seamless integration of
      these methods into the radiological workflow is of special importance. Different
      scenarios can be implemented to achieve this integration. Detailed information on
      the individual goals of an installation and on the existing infrastructure
      represent prerequisites for successful integration. 

PMID- 24221697
TI  - [Value of new MR techniques in MR-PET].
AB  - The unparalleled soft tissue contrast of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the
      functional information obtainable with 18-F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography (FDG-PET) render MR-PET well-suited for oncological and psychiatric
      imaging. The lack of ionizing radiation with MRI also makes MR-PET a promising
      modality for oncology patients requiring frequent follow-up and pediatric
      patients. Lessons learned with PET computed tomography (CT) over the last few
      years do not directly translate to MR-PET. For example, in PET-CT the Hounsfield
      units derived from CT are used for attenuation correction (AC). As 511 keV
      photons emitted in PET examinations are attenuated by the patient's body CT data
      are converted directly to linear attenuation coefficients (LAC); however, proton
      density measured by MRI is not directly related to the radiodensity or LACs of
      biological tissue. Thus, direct conversion to LAC data is not possible making AC
      more challenging in simultaneous MRI-PET scanning. In addition to these
      constraints simultaneous MRI-PET acquisitions also improve on some solutions to
      well-known challenges of hybrid imaging techniques, such as limitations in motion
      correction. This article reports on initial clinical experiences with
      simultaneously acquired MRI-PET data, focusing on the potential benefits and
      limitations of MRI with respect to motion correction as well as metal and
      attenuation correction artefacts. 

PMID- 24221699
TI  - [New aspects on the macroanatomy of anterolateral ligament structures of the knee
      and the implications for Segond fractures].

PMID- 24221698
TI  - [Diagnostic odyssey in progressive dysphagia].

PMID- 24221700
TI  - The use of multiple-vessel, open flow systems to investigate carbon flow in
      anaerobic microbial communities.
AB  - Five vessels, connected in series, were used for a continuous flow system to
      model carbon flow in anaerobic microbial communities. Two such 5-vessel systems
      were constructed, the inflows containing 10 mM sulfate and either 10 mM glucose
      or benzoate. Dilution was slow (D=0.0018 h(-1) for the whole system).Analyses of
      dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, and of CO2 and CH4, showed that the
      systems attained steady states in which biomass was constant, although there was
      net biosynthesis in the early vessels and net mineralization in succeeding
      vessels.Examination of the distributions of sulfate reduction, methanogenesis,
      and of H2+CO2-utilizing fatty acid-forming bacteria revealed spatial separation
      of these functional groups of bacteria in different vessels of the array,
      resembling the vertical spatial separation found in many natural sediments. Such
      model systems should, therefore, prove valuable in investigating the many
      microbial activities that contribute to the flow of carbon in anaerobic microbial
      communities. 

PMID- 24221701
TI  - Microbial diversity of Minnesota peatlands.
AB  - Microbial diversity, numbers, and metabolic activities in Minnesota peatlands
      were investigated using a variety of microbial enrichment and enumeration
      procedures together with radioisotopic measurements of microbial degradative
      processes. Minnesota peatlands were shown to contain large microbial populations
      of wide metabolic diversity. Direct counts of bacteria using epifluorescence
      microscopy indicated bacterial populations of about 10(8) ml(-1) of peatland
      water, irrespective of depth. Radioisotopic most-probable-number (MPN) counts of
      heterotrophs able to mineralize(14)C-labeled substrates to(14)CO2 showed
      significant populations of glucose degraders (10(4)-10(6) ml(-1)) as well as
      degraders of benzoate (10(2)-10(3) ml(-1)), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (10(2)
      10(5) ml(-1)), and sphagnum (10(3)-10(7) ml(-1)) in the various peatlands
      examined. The MPNs of NO3 (-) reducers varied from 10(3)-10(6) ml(-1), SO4 (-)
      reducers from 10(2)-10(3) ml(-1), methanogenic bacteria from 10(3)-10(6) ml(-1),
      and methane oxidizers from 10(3)-10(4) ml(-1), depending on sampling site and
      depth. Eighty pure cultures of aerobic bacteria and fungi were isolated from
      Minnesota peats. Most of those cultures tested were able to grow on at least 20
      organic compounds (carbohydrates, aromatic molecules, hydrocarbons, etc.) as sole
      sources of carbon and energy. One isolate, aBacillus, was able to fix atmospheric
      N2. Several of the isolates were able to mineralize(14)C-labeled lignin. 

PMID- 24221702
TI  - Amino acid assimilation and respiration by attached and free-living populations
      of a marinePseudomonas sp.
AB  - The uptake kinetics of leucine and the assimilation and respiration of leucine,
      glycine, glutamate and arginine by a marinePseudomonas sp. was evaluated to
      determine whether the uptake and efficiency of substrate utilization of free
      living bacteria differed from that of bacteria associated with surfaces. Bacteria
      were allowed to attach to plastic substrata with known hydrophilicities, as
      measured by advancing water contact angle (theta A); these were Thermanox,
      poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(ethelene) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene). The
      assimilation and respiration of surface-associated bacteria depended on the amino
      acid and substratumtheta A, but assimilation by surface-associated cells was
      generally greater than and respiration was generally less than that by free
      living bacteria. The uptake kinetics with leucine demonstrated that the half
      saturation constant (K) of surface-associated bacteria was greater than that for
      free-living cells. The Vmax values for surface-associated and free-living
      bacteria were similar, except for cells associated with
      poly(tetrafluoroethylene), which had a higher Vmax value. 

PMID- 24221703
TI  - Fungi and bacteria involved in desert varnish formation.
AB  - Desert varnish is a coating of ferromanganese oxides and clays that develops on
      rock surfaces in arid to semi-arid regions. Active respiration but not
      photosynthesis was detected on varnished rock surfaces from the Sonoran Desert.
      Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM) observations, and cultivation experiments indicate that both
      fungi, primarily dematiaceous hyphomycetes, and bacteria are found on and within
      desert varnish coatings from the arid regions studied. Some fungi grow as
      microcolonial fungi (MCF) on rocks, and microscopic observations suggest MCF
      become incorporated in the varnish coating. SEM-EDAX (energy dispersive X-ray
      systems) analyses indicate the MCF contain 3 of the characteristic elements of
      varnish: iron, aluminum, and silicon. In some locations, MCF are also enriched in
      manganese relative to the rock substratum. Furthermore, some of the dematiaceous
      hyphomycetes that have been cultivated are able to oxidize manganese under
      laboratory conditions. It is possible that manganese-oxidizing bacteria, which
      are found in varnish, also play an important role in varnish formation. 

PMID- 24221704
TI  - Analysis of the community structure of yeasts associated with the decaying stems
      of cactus. II.Opuntia species.
AB  - A survey was made of yeast species associated with the decaying pads of 3 prickly
      pear cacti (Opuntia phaeacantha, O. ficus-indica, andO. lindheimeri) in Arizona
      and Texas. Yeast communities from 12 localities were compared among localities,
      amongOpuntia species, and with previous data on yeast communities associated with
      columnar cacti. The results indicate thatOpuntia necroses contain relatively more
      yeast species with broader physiological abilities in their communities than
      columnar necroses. It is argued that differences in chemistry of the opuntias and
      columnar forms in concert with the insect vectors specific for these cacti
      account for the differences in yeast community structure. It is further
      hypothesized that the differences in yeast community structure have been
      important in the evolution and maintenance of species diversity forDrosophila
      species which live in the decaying stems or cladodes of various cacti. Most of
      the yeast community evolution in the cacti is postulated to have proceeded by
      evolution in situ and not by additions and replacements from outside of the
      system. 

PMID- 24221705
TI  - Mass balance of heavy metal uptake by encapsulated cultures ofKlebsiella
      aerogenes.
AB  - Dialysis was employed as a method of speciating heavy metals in cultures of an
      extracellular polymer forming strain ofKlebsiella aerogenes. A noncapsulated
      strain of the same bacterium was used as a control, and a mass balance of copper,
      cadmium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese in batch culture at pH 4.5 and pH 6.8 and
      in continuous culture at pH 6.8 was constructed. Copper and cadmium were
      accumulated by the cell during rapid proliferation whereas all 5 metals were
      bound nonspecifically by extracellular polymer produced during stationary phase
      and at low dilution rates. The presence of extracellular polymer appeared to
      inhibit cellular uptake of nickel. At the lower pH, metal uptake was considerably
      reduced. The results are discussed in the context of metal removal in the
      activated sludge process of waste water treatment. 

PMID- 24221707
TI  - Vibrios in the Louisiana gulf coast environment.

PMID- 24221706
TI  - Ecology and taxonomy of chitinoclasticCytophaga and related chitin-degrading
      bacteria isolated from an estuary.
AB  - A total of 103 strains of estuarine, Chitinoclastic bacteria isolated from water,
      and sediment samples collected from the upper Chesapeake Bay, including 17
      freshwater and 11 seawater isolates, were subjected to numerical taxonomy
      analysis. The isolates included 44 yellow-orange pigmented strains classified
      asCytophaga-like bacteria (CLB) of theCytophagaceae. Salt requirement of the
      strains ranged from tolerance to <=1% NaCl to an absolute requirement for NaCl,
      with 1% NaCl satisfying this requirement. The largest phenon consisted of
      facultatively anaerobic, oligo-nitrophilic, and flexirubin pigment-producing
      freshwater and estuarine isolates, and included reference strains of
      bothCytophaga johnsonae Stanier andCytophaga aquatilis Strohl and Tait. Other
      phena, containing a smaller number of strains, comprised marine and estuarine
      isolates which did not produce flexirubin pigments, and required organic nitrogen
      for growth and for production of chitinolytic enzymes. Salt-requiring, flexirubin
      pigment-producing, chitin-degrading strains were, on occasion, isolated from
      estuarine samples and represented phena found in estuaries. Most of theCytophaga
      isolates, as well as chitin-degrading species not of the genusCytophaga that were
      isolated from Chesapeake Bay, clustered in phena representing previously
      described species of aerobic, zymogenic, chitinoclastic bacteria. When the
      frequency of occurrence of features related to environmental parameters, viz.,
      pH, salinity, temperature range of growth, and growth on media lacking organic
      nitrogen, was calculated, ecological groupings of strains in the 2 major phena of
      CLB could be distinguished among the estuarine, chitin-degrading bacteria. 

PMID- 24221708
TI  - Immunogold localization of acyl carrier protein in plants and Escherichia coli:
      Evidence for membrane association in plants.
AB  - Immunogold labelling was used to study the distribution of acyl carrier protein
      (ACP) in Escherichia coli and a variety of plant tissues. In E. coli, ACP is
      distributed throughout the cytoplasm, confirming the observation of S. Jackowski
      et al. (1985, J. Bacteriol., 162, 5-8_. In the mesocarp of Avocado (Persea
      americana) and maturing seeds of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus cv. Jet Neuf),
      over 95% of the ACP is localised to plastids. The protein is almost exclusively
      located in the chloroplasts of leaf material from oil-seed rape. Approximately
      80% of the gold particles associated with the ACP were further localized to the
      thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast. Since acetyl-CoA carboxylase has been
      reported to be localized to the thylakoid membrane (C.G. Kannangara and C.J.
      Jensen, 1975, Eur. J. Biochem., 54, 25-30), these results are consistent with the
      view that the two sequential enzymes in fatty-acid synthesis are in close spacial
      proximity. 

PMID- 24221709
TI  - A theory for inflorescence development and flower formation based on
      morphological and biophysical analysis in Echeveria.
AB  - Floral development is generally viewed as involving interactions between recently
      made organs and generative activity on the apical dome; one set of floral organs
      is thought to induce the next. To investigate such interactions, flowering in
      Echeveria derenbergii (J. Purpus) was studied at two levels of structure. At the
      larger, morphological, level the inflorescence apex is shown to have simple
      cyclic development. Seen from above, it elongates horizontally, then forms a
      transverse cleft to demarcate a flower primordium in one of two rows. The
      meristem then elongates at 90 degrees  to its previous axis, also horizontally,
      and demarcates a flower in the other row. Activity on the apical surface
      correlates well with the nature and activity of adjacent sub-apical organs. For
      example, the 90 degrees  shifts in elongation of the meristem correlate with that
      tissue's being attached, laterally, to successive large growing bracts whose
      bases lie at 90 degrees . Also, on the flower primordium, the five sepals arise
      in a spiral sequence which correlates with one of increasing age, since formation
      by the cleft, of the edges of the primordium.The second level of study was to
      test whether the developmental correlations could have a biophysical explanation.
      By biophysical theory, organs arise where the dome surface is structurally
      predisposed to bulge. This is a function of the cellulose reinforcement pattern
      in the surface. Successive patterns of cellulose reinforcement in isolated
      surface layers from floral organs were determined using polarized light. This was
      done for the cyclic activity of the inflorescence meristem and the development of
      the flower. The results indicate that patterns of cellulose reinforcement on the
      apical dome surface could lead to the production of organs, through local
      promotion of bulging of the tunica. Subsequent growth of the base of each organ
      stretches the adjacent dome tissue in a directional fashion. Cytoskeletal
      responses of these stretched cells lead to new cellulose alignments on the dome
      which generate the reinforcement pattern for the next round of organs. 

PMID- 24221710
TI  - Correct glycosylation, Golgi-processing, and targeting to protein bodies of the
      vacuolar protein phytohemagglutinin in transgenic tobacco.
AB  - We used a heterologous system (transgenic Nicotiana tabacum L.) to investigate
      the processing, assembly and targeting of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), the lectin of
      the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. In the bean, this glycoprotein accumulates
      in the protein bodies of the storage parenchyma cells in the cotyledons, and each
      polypeptide has a high-mannose glycan attached to Asn12 and a complex glycan on
      Asn60. The gene for PHA-L, dlec2, with 1200 basepairs (bp) 5' upstream and 1600
      bp 3' downstream from the coding sequence was introduced into tobacco using
      Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (T. Voelker et al., 1987, EMBO J. 6, 3571
      3577). Examination of thin sections of tobacco seeds by immunocytochemistry with
      antibodies against PHA showed that PHA-L accumulated in the amorphous matrix of
      the protein bodies in the embryo and endosperm. This localization was confirmed
      using a non-aqueous method to isolate the protein bodies from mature tobacco
      seeds. The biochemical analysis of tobacco PHA indicated that the signal peptide
      had been correctly removed, and that the polypeptides formed 6.4 S oligomers;
      tobacco PHA had a high-mannose glycan at Asn12 and a complex glycan at Asn60. The
      presence of the complex glycan shows that transport to the protein bodies was
      mediated by the Golgi complex. At seed maturity, a substantial portion of the PHA
      L remained associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex, as
      indicated by fractionation experiments using aqueous media and the presence of
      two high-mannose glycans on some of the polypeptides. Taken together, these data
      show that insertion of the nascent PHA into the endoplasmic reticulum, signal
      peptide processing, glycosylation, assembly into oligomers, glycan modification
      in the Golgi, and targeting of the protein occur faithfully in this heterologous
      system, although transport may not be as efficient as in bean cotyledons. 

PMID- 24221711
TI  - Regulation of malic-acid metabolism in Crassulacean-acid-metabolism plants in the
      dark and light: In-vivo evidence from (13)C-labeling patterns after (13)CO 2
      fixation.
AB  - The labeling patterns in malic acid from dark (13)CO2 fixation in seven species
      of succulent plants with Crassulacean acid metabolism were analysed by gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry and (13)C-nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectrometry. Only singly labeled malic-acid molecules were detected and on the
      average, after 12-14 h dark (13)CO2 fixation the ratio of [4-(13)C] to [1-(13)C]
      label was 2:1. However the 4-C carboxyl contained from 72 to 50% of the label
      depending on species and temperature. The (13)C enrichment of malate and fumarate
      was similar. These data confirm those of W. Cockburn and A. McAuley (1975, Plant
      Physiol. 55, 87-89) and indicate fumarase randomization is responsible for
      movement of label to 1-C malic acid following carboxylation of
      phosphoenolpyruvate. The extent of randomization may depend on time and on the
      balance of malic-acid fluxes between mitochondria and vacuoles. The ratio of
      labeling in 4-C to 1-C of malic acid which accumulated following (13)CO2 fixation
      in the dark did not change during deacidification in the light and no doubly
      labeled molecules of malic acid were detected. These results indicate that
      further fumarase randomization does not occur in the light, and futile cycling of
      decarboxylation products of [(13)C] malic acid ((13)CO2 or [1-(13)C]pyruvate)
      through phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase does not occur, presumably because malic
      acid inhibits this enzyme in the light in vivo. Short-term exposure to (13)CO2 in
      the light after deacidification leads to the synthesis of singly and multiply
      labeled malic acid in these species, as observed by E.W. Ritz et al. (1986,
      Planta 167, 284-291). In the shortest times, only singly-labeled [4-(13)C]malate
      was detected but this may be a consequence of the higher intensity and better
      detection statistics of this ion cluster during mass spectrometry. We conclude
      that both phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.32) and ribulose-1,5
      biphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) are active at this time. 

PMID- 24221712
TI  - Cell walls as reservoirs of potassium ions for reversible volume changes of
      pulvinar motor cells during rhythmic leaf movements.
AB  - The laminar pulvinus of primary leaves of Phaseolus coccineus L. was investigated
      with respect to the total K(+) content, the apoplastic K(+) content, and the
      water potential of extensor and flexor sections in relation to the leaf positions
      in a circadian leaf-movement cycle, as well as the cation-exchange properties of
      isolated extensor- and flexor-cell walls. Turgid tissue showed a high total but
      low apoplastic K(+) content, shrunken tissue a low total but high apoplastic K(+)
      content. Thus, part of the K(+) transported into and out of the swelling or
      shrinking protoplasts is shuttled between the protoplasts and the surrounding
      walls, another part between different regions of the pulvinus. The K(+) fraction
      shuttled between protoplasts and walls was found to be 30-40% of the total
      transported K(+) fraction. Furthermore, 15-20% of the total K(+) content of the
      tissue is located in the apoplast when the apoplastic reservoir is filled, 5-10%
      when the apoplastic reservoir is depleted. The ion-exchange properties of walls
      of extensor and flexor cells appear identical in situ and in isolated
      preparations. The walls behave as cation exchangers of hhe weak-acid type with a
      strong dependence of the activity of fixed negative charges as well as of the
      K(+)-storing capacity on pH and [K(+)] of the equilibration solution. The high
      apoplastic K(+) contents of freshly cut tissues reflect the cation-storing
      capacity of the isolated walls. We suggest that K(+) ions of the Donnan free
      space are used for the reversible volume changes (mediating the leaf movement)
      mainly by an electrogenic proton pump which changes the pH and-or the [K(+)] in
      the water free space of the apoplast. 

PMID- 24221713
TI  - Subcellular compartmentation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in oat mesophyll cells.
AB  - Evacuolated mesophyll protoplasts from oat (Avena sativa L.) were fractionated by
      a membrane-filtration technique. This method of rapid quenching of metabolic
      reactions permitted estimation of the in-vivo pools of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate
      (Fru2,6bisP) in the cytosol, chloroplasts and mitochondria. Vacuolar Fru2,6bisP
      was calculated as the difference between control protoplasts and evacuolated
      ones. The results indicate that Fru2,6bisP is exclusively cytosol-located in oat
      mesophyll protoplasts. Assuming a cytosolic volume of about 2 pl per evacuolated
      protoplast, the cytosolic concentration there was 11 MUM if protoplasts were in
      darkness. Illumination of either control or evacuolated protoplasts resulted in a
      significant decrease in the Fru2,6bisP content within 5 min. 

PMID- 24221714
TI  - Calcium and phytochrome control of leaf unrolling in dark-grown barley seedlings.
AB  - The red light-stimulated component of unrolling in sections from 7-d-old dark
      grown barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) leaves is inhibited by ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta
      aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetracetic acid (EGTA). A free-Ca(2+) activity of
      less than 40 MUM restores the ability to respond to red light, but only if
      supplied within 1 h of red light. Magnesium ions are an ineffective substitute.
      At least two processes in unrolling appear to be Ca(2+)-sensitive.Fluence
      response measurements indicate that the levels of the far-red-absorbing from of
      phytochrome (Pfr) still present 4 h after red-light treatment should be above
      saturation for the unrolling response; consequently, loss of Pfr does not explain
      the loss in effectiveness of Ca(2+) during prolonged EGTA treatment. However, if
      a further red-light treatment is given simultaneously with Ca(2+) addition 4 h
      after the initial light stimulus, then full unrolling occurs in EGTA-treated
      sections. These data indicate that, under normal circumstances, a functional
      change in the properties of Pfr must occur, uncoupling it from the transduction
      chain. 

PMID- 24221715
TI  - Persistent effects of changes in phytochrome status on internode growth in light
      grown mustard: Occurrence, kinetics and locus of perception.
AB  - Extension growth of the first internode in fully de-etiolated mustard (Sinapis
      alba L.) seedlings (11-12.5 d old) is under the control of both the current
      phytochrome photoequilibrium (Pfr/P, ratio of the far-red-absorbing form of
      phytochrome to total phytochrome) and that established by short (<12 h)
      pretreatments. Plants were pretreated with either light pulses providing
      different calculated Pfr/P followed by dark incubations of different durations
      (a), or with a 12-h period of white light establishing different Pfr/P (b). After
      the pretreatments, the plants received either light pulses providing different
      Pfr/P, followed by dark incubations (c), or continuous white light with or
      without addtional far-red light (d). Thus, four experimental approaches were
      followed: (a)->(c); (a)->(d); (b)->(c) and (b)->(d). Extension growth during the
      second period (c or d) was not only affected by the current phytochrome status,
      but also by that established during the pretreatment period (a or b). The results
      show the existence of a long-term promotion of stem growth which persists after
      the end of the low Pfr/P pretreatment. This effect is different from the
      previously reported rapid effect of far-red light added to background white light
      as follows: (i) the duration of low Pfr/P required to effect a full response is
      longer (2.5 h); (ii) the duration of the promotion after returning to high Pfr/P
      is longer (approx. 24 h) and (iii) the locus of perception is mainly in the
      leaves, rather than the growing internode. 

PMID- 24221716
TI  - Floral-specific polypeptides of the Japanese morning glory.
AB  - Polypeptides from stems, leaves, sepals, corollas, stamens and pistils of the
      Japanese morning glory (Ipomoea nil Roth (Pharbitis nil Chois.)) were separated
      by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and visualized by silver
      staining. The majority of polypeptides were expressed in two or more organs,
      while those specific to only one organ were comparatively rate. Among the
      polypeptides of the former class were two which appeared to be floral-specific. A
      46-kDa (kilodalton) polypeptide was expressed in corollas, stamens and pistils,
      whereas a 32-kDa polypeptide was observed only in extracts prepared from
      reproductive organs. Polypeptide spots from the various organs were compared with
      those from leaves, and it was found that sepals and stems shared 40-50% of their
      polypeptides with leaves, whereas corollas, stamens and pistils shared 20% or
      less. The latter organs shared 120 polypeptides or roughly 15% of those
      identified in the floral extracts. Floralorgan-specific polypeptides comprised
      nearly 10% of the total floral polypeptides identified. 

PMID- 24221717
TI  - Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in willow leaves under field conditions.
AB  - Chlorophyll fluorescence of leaves of a willow (Salix sp.) stand grown in the
      field in northern Sweden was measured on several occasions during the growing
      season of 1987. For leaves that received mostly full daylight, the F V/F P ratio
      declined roughtly 15% in the afternoon on cloudless days in July (F P is the
      fluorescence at the peak of the induction curve obtained at the prevailing air
      temperature after 45 min of dark adaptation, and F V is variable fluoresence, F
      V=F P-F O, where F O is minimal fluorescence). There was no decrease in the F V/F
      P ratio on cloudy days, while the effect was intermediate on changeable days. In
      view of this light dependence, together with the fact that the decline in the F
      V/F P ratio was paralleled with an equal decline in the corresponding
      fluorescence ratio F V/F M at 77K, and a similar decline in the maximum quantum
      yield of O2 evolution, it is suggested that the decline in the F V/F P ratio
      represents a damage in photosyntem II attributable to photoinhibition. Recovery
      of the F V/F P ratio in dim light following a decline on a cloudless day took 7
      16 h to go to completion; the F V/F P ratio was fully restored the following
      morning. When all active leaves of a peripheral shoot were compared, the F V/F P
      ratio in the afternoon of a day of bright light varied greatly from leaf to leaf,
      though the majority of leaves showed a decline. This variation was matched by a
      pronounced variation in intercepted photon flux density. When leaves developed in
      the shade were exposed to full sunlight by trimming of the stand an increased
      sensitivity to photoinhibition was observed as compared to peripheral leaves. The
      present study indicates that peripheral willow shoots experienced in the order of
      10-20% photoinhibition during an appreciable part of their life. This occurred
      even though the environmental conditions were within the optimal range of
      photosynthesis and growth. 

PMID- 24221718
TI  - Calcium localization in oat aleurone cells using chlorotetracycline and X-ray
      microanalysis.
AB  - Calcium distribution was studied in oat caryopses. Using the chlorotetracycline
      method it was found that membrane-associated Ca(2+) was present in the aleurone
      layer. X-ray microanalysis confirmed the presence of calcium in aleurone cells;
      it also demonstrated the presence of considerable amounts of calcium in the cell
      wall surrounding these cells. 

PMID- 24221719
TI  - A new set of regulatory molecules in plants: A plant phospholipid similar to
      platelet-activating factor stimulates protein kinase and proton-translocating
      ATPase in membrane vesicles.
AB  - 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, an ether phospholipid from
      mammals known as platelet-activating factor (PAF), specifically stimulates proton
      transport in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) microsomes (G.F.E. Scherer, 1985,
      Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commm. 133, 1160-1167). When plant lipids were analyzed by
      two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography a lipid was found with chromatographic
      properties very similar to the PAF (G.F.E. Scherer and B. Stoffel, 1987, Planta,
      172, 127-130). This lipid was isolated from zucchini hypocotyls, red beet root,
      lupin root, maize seedlings and crude soybean phospholipids. It had biological
      activity similar to that of the PAF, based on phosphorus content, and stimulated
      the steady-state DeltapH in zucchini hypocotyl microsomes about twofold. Other
      phospholipids, monoglyceride, diglyceride, triglyceride, oleic acid, phorbol
      ester, and 1-O-alkylglycerol did not stimulate proton transport. When microsomes
      were washed the PAF was ineffective but when soluble protein was added the PAF
      stimulation of H(+) transport was reconstituted. The soluble protein responsible
      for the PAF-dependent stimulation of transport activity could be partially
      purified by diethylaminoethyl Sephacel column chromatography. In the same
      fractions where the PAF-dependent transport-stimulatory protien was found, a
      protein kinase was active. This protein kinase was stimulated twofold either by
      the PAF or by Ca(2+). When Ca(2+) was present the PAF did not stimulate protein
      kinase activity. When either the PAF, protein kinase, or both were added to
      membranes isolated on a linear sucrose gradient, ATPase activity was stimulated
      up to 30%. Comparison with marker enzymes indicated the possibility that
      tonoplast and plasma-membrane H(+)-ATPase might be stimulated by the PAF and
      protein kinase. We speculate that a PAF-dependent protein kinase is involved in
      the regulation of proton transport in plants in vitro and in vivo. 

PMID- 24221720
TI  - Chronology of the differentiation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber cells.
AB  - Cotton fibers are single elongated cells that develop from epidermal cells of the
      ovule. The chronology of fiber differentiation was investigated using cultured
      ovules. Epidermal cells differentiate into fiber cells approx. 3 d before
      anthesis. When ovules were cultured on a defined medium, fiber growth could be
      initiated on ovules any time between 2 d preanthesis and the time of anthesis by
      adding indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellic acid to the medium. In the absence of
      phytohormones, fibers did not grow, and when ovules between 2 d preanthesis and
      anthesis were cultured without hormones past the day of anthesis and hormones
      then added, most ovules failed to produce fibers. The results define the timing
      of fiber differentiation from epidermal cells, and also define a window of time
      when differentiated cells are capable of further development. During this window,
      fiber cells are latent awaiting appropriate stimulation which in the intact plant
      is apparently associated with anthesis. 

PMID- 24221721
TI  - Biochemical differentiation in the tobacco flower probed with monoclonal
      antibodies.
AB  - We have isolated a series of monoclonal antibodies that react to antigens in
      flowers of Nicotiana tabacum L. (tobacco) displaying specificity or
      preferentiality in their cell and tissue distributions. We immunized mice with
      extracts from tobacco flowers and then screened the hybridomas by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against extracts from leaves, sepals, petals, stamens
      and pistils; twenty five were chosen from the total screened. The antigens
      detected by about half of the antibodies were periodate-sensitive, implying that
      the epitopes were carbohydrate. Competition ELISA assays were used to determine
      if any antibodies were reacting to the same epitopes. Western blot analysis
      showed that while some antibodies reacted to specific bands, the bulk either
      failed to react or reacted to multiple bands, consistent with a glyco-conjugate
      nature for many of the antigens. Analysis of the spatial pattern of antigen
      distribution within tobacco flowers by immunolocalization showed that some
      antibodies recognized epitopes that were limited to very specific cells and
      tissues. We used the immunolocalization technique to analyze a mutant with
      stigmoid anthers: an antibody recognizing a pistil transmitting-tract antigen
      also reacted to cells in stigmoid anthers. Our results with this antibody set
      imply that biochemical differentiation within the tobacco flower includes cell
      and tissue-specific glyco-moeities, and also that similarities, at the
      biochemical level, exist between a normal floral organ and the abnormal organ in
      a phenotype with a developmental switch. 

PMID- 24221722
TI  - Major differences in isoforms of starch-branching enzyme between developing
      embryos of round- and wrinkled-seeded peas (Pisum sativum L.).
AB  - In order to determine whether round-and wrinkled-seeded peas (Pisum sativum L.)
      differ in the activity and properties of starch-branching enzyme (1,4-alpha-D
      glucan, 1,4-alpha-D-glucan-6-glycosyl transferase; EC 2.4.1.18) in their
      developing embryos, essentially isogenic lines of peas, differing only at the r
      (rugosus) locus that confers the round (RR, Rr) or wrinkled (rr) phenotype, were
      studied. Activity of the enzyme rises rapidly from an early stage of development
      in embryos of round peas, but only at later stages in embryos of wrinkled peas.
      The purified enzyme from mature embryos of round peas can be resolved into two
      isoforms that differ in molecular weight and in their ability to branch amylose.
      The purified enzyme from mature embryos of wrinkled peas is a single protein with
      the same molecular weight and branching properties as one of the isoforms from
      embryos of round peas. The difference in activity of starch-branching enzyme
      between embryos of round and wrinkled peas is likely to be due to the absence
      from embryos of wrinkled peas of one of the isoforms occurring in embryos of
      round peas. 

PMID- 24221723
TI  - Ionic basis of currents in somatic embryos of Daucus carota.
AB  - A vibrating probe was used to measure extracellular electrical currents around
      developing somatic embryos in two lines (RCC27, RCC48) of cultured cells of
      Daucus carota L. at the heart and torpedo stages. At pH 5.5, an inward current of
      1.2+/-0.1 MUA.cm(-2) (n=23) was detected at the cotyledon, and an outward current
      of 1.0+/-0.1 MUA.cm(-2) (n=22) was found at the radicle in torpedostage embryos
      from the RCC27 line. At a pH of 5.75 the currents increased by 0.2-0.3 MUA.cm(-2)
      (n=60-62). In a few cases an additional small inward current was detected at the
      tip of the radicle in toepedo-stage embryos from RCC27 line. Such an inward
      current at the radicle seemed to appear earlier, some time after the heart stage,
      in embryos from the RCC48 line.Both extracellular pH measurements (using
      microelectrodes filled with ion-sensitive resin) and ion-substitution studies
      were carried out in order to ascertain the ionic composition of the currents in
      torpedo-stage embryos from the RCC27 line. Regions adjacent to the cotyledon and
      radicle, at the points of current entry and exit, were found to be more acidic by
      0.02+/-0.01 (n=14) and 0.07+/-0.01 (n=12) pH units, respectively, than the bulk
      medium. Removal of K(+) from the medium reversibly reduced the currents to about
      25% of their original value at both cotyledon and radicle. Deletion of Cl(-)
      decreased the currents slightly. Removal of Ca(2+) resulted in a rapid doubling
      of currents. Addition of either N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or tetraethyl
      ammonium chloride substantially reduced overall currents, and their removal
      resulted in partial recovery of the currents. It is suggested that the inward
      current at the cotyledon is comprised largely of K(+) influx and the outward
      current at the radicle is mainly the result of active H(+) efflux. 

PMID- 24221724
TI  - Emotion regulation mediates the association between ADHD and depressive symptoms
      in a community sample of youth.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between
      attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, emotion regulation (ER)
      ability, and depressive symptoms within a diverse community sample of 277 youth,
      ages 9-12 (56 % male). Participants were drawn from a larger study examining
      adolescent risk behaviors, and completed annual assessments over 3 years. Youth
      ADHD symptoms were assessed at Time 1 (T1) using the parent-reported Disruptive
      Behavior Disorders Rating Scale, ER was assessed with the parent-reported Emotion
      Regulation Checklist at Time 2 (T2), and youth depressive symptoms were assessed
      using the self-reported Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scales at Time 3
      (T3). Analyses examined T2 ER as a mediator between T1 ADHD symptoms (including
      the unique contributions of inattentive [IA] versus hyperactive/impulsive [HI]
      symptoms) and T3 depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling (SEM)
      indicated the path model specified provided an excellent fit to the data. Tests
      of indirect effects suggested that T2 ER appears to be a significant mechanism
      that underlies the relationship between T1 ADHD and T3 depression, even when
      accounting for T1 oppositional defiant and depressive symptoms. Furthermore,
      while both T1 IA and HI symptoms had significant indirect effects on T3
      depression through the mechanism T2 ER, HI proved a more robust predictor of T2
      ER than IA. Results of this prospective study support cross-sectional findings
      pointing to ER as a potential mechanism linking ADHD and depressive symptoms in
      youth. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed. 

PMID- 24221726
TI  - Efficient regeneration of Brassica oleracea hypocotyl protoplasts and high
      frequency genetic transformation by direct DNA uptake.
AB  - Efficient regeneration (80%) and high frequency genetic transformation (10-33%)
      were achieved by culturing protoplasts isolated from hypocotyl tissues of six day
      old Brassica oleracea seedlings and by subjecting these protoplasts to PEG
      mediated direct plasmid uptake. Three different plasmid vectors carrying marker
      genes for resistance to methotrexate (dhfr), hygromycin (hpt) and phosphinotricin
      (bar) were constructed and used for transformation. Large number of normal,
      fertile transformants were obtained with vectors carrying hpt and bar genes. No
      transformants could be regenerated for resistance to methotrexate as it severely
      suppressed shoot differentiation. 

PMID- 24221725
TI  - Risk factors for disordered eating during early and middle adolescence: a two
      year longitudinal study of mainland Chinese boys and girls.
AB  - Even though reliable eating disorder risk factors have been identified among
      adolescent girls, little is known about predictors of increased vulnerability
      within specific phases of adolescence or among adolescent boys, particularly in
      highly populated non-Western contexts. In this study, early and middle adolescent
      boys (n = 1,271) and girls (n = 1,415) from Chongqing, China completed validated
      measures of eating disorder pathology and putative risk factors at baseline and 2
      years follow-up. Multivariate models for boys of each age group indicated
      increases in disordered eating at follow-up were predicted by higher initial body
      mass index, negative affect and body dissatisfaction levels as well as attendant
      increases in perceived appearance pressure from mass media, body dissatisfaction,
      negative affect between assessments. High baseline levels of reported appearance
      pressure from parents and dating partners contributed, respectively, to
      prediction models of younger and older boys. More distinct constellations of
      significant predictors emerged in multivariate models of early versus middle
      adolescent girls. Together, findings indicated body dissatisfaction and negative
      affect were fairly robust risk factors for exacerbations in disturbances across
      samples while risk factors such as perceived pressure from desired/prospective
      dating partners were salient only during particular phases of adolescence. 

PMID- 24221727
TI  - Growth and disinfestation of 6 different bacteria in embryogenic suspension
      cultures of cotton.
AB  - Growth of 6 different common laboratory bacteria (Escherichia coli,
      Flavobacterium balustrum, Xanthomonas maltophilia, Enterobacter cloacae,
      Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens) in a bacterial medium,
      fresh plant medium, and "spent" plant media was initially measured. In all cases,
      bacteria grew best in the bacterial medium followed by the fresh plant medium.
      The spent plant medium did not support growth of the bacteria and apparently was
      actively toxic to bacterial cells. Proliferating, embryogenic suspension cultures
      of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) were then inoculated with these 6 different
      bacteria. Two to three d following bacterial inoculation, embryogenic tissues
      were placed in various concentrations of bleach for various amounts of time,
      rinsed with sterile water, and placed on a bacterial culture medium. Clumps of
      embryogenic tissue which showed no visible bacterial growth after 3 d of culture
      were then transferred to an agar-solidified plant tissue culture medium to
      determine viability of bleachdisinfested tissues. Viable, single pieces of the
      disinfested embryogenic tissue were then used to reinitiate embryogenic
      suspension cultures. Treatment of contaminated tissue with a 1% bleach solution
      for 1-5 min resulted in the highest recovery of viable, disinfested tissues using
      5 of the 6 bacteria. It was not possible to remove F. balustrum from clumps of
      embryogenic tissue without also killing the plant tissue. 

PMID- 24221728
TI  - Characterization of embryogenic cell lines of Picea abies in relation to their
      competence for maturation.
AB  - Embryogenic cell lines of Picea abies are categorized into three groups (polar,
      solar, and undeveloped) based on the organization of the somatic embryos within
      the tissue and the ability of the somatic embryos to proceed through a maturation
      process when treated with ABA. The polar and the solar types consist of somatic
      embryos with densely packed embryonic regions subtended by vacuolated suspensors.
      Both types of tissue regenerate mature somatic embryos when treated with ABA.
      Almost all mature somatic embryos develop further into shoots or plantlets. The
      undeveloped type consists of somatic embryos comprised of only a few loosely
      aggregated cells in their embryonic regions. Mature somatic embryos were not
      observed with this tissue type. 

PMID- 24221729
TI  - Mendelian inheritance of streptomycin resistance in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.
AB  - In a previous study two haploid streptomycin-resistant clones of Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia were isolated. The chromosome number of one of these clones has
      now been doubled through leaf-midvein culture and the resultant diploids were
      characterized genetically. Our results show that streptomycin resistance in this
      clone is conditioned by a recessive nuclear gene. Haploid protoplasts of this
      streptomycin-resistant mutant were selected for chlorate resistance. All clones
      obtained from the selection were deficient in nitrate reductase activity in
      addition to resistance to streptomycin. Genetic analysis of progeny of one of
      these clones revealed that the genes for streptomycin resistance and for the
      apoenzyme of nitrate reductase are unlinked. 

PMID- 24221730
TI  - Production of aposporous gametophytes and calli from Pteris vittata L. pinnae
      strips cultured in vitro.
AB  - Murashige and Skoog's modified medium in 1% Difco Bacto-agar supplemented with
      sugar alcohols (sorbsitol, mannitol), growth regulators (1-naphthalenacetic acid,
      2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, benzyladenine, kinetin) and sugars (fructose,
      glucose, sucrose) induced aposporous gametophytes from pinnae of Pteris vittata
      cultured in vitro at lower concentrations of all the mentioned components.
      Aposporous gametophytes and vegetative calli were produced at higher
      concentrations. The calli regenerated sporophytes when cultured on MS medium
      without growth regulators. The gametophytes grew vegetatively on MS medium but
      produced sporophytes when transferred into 0.1 strength MS medium. This is the
      first report of simultaneous production of calli and gametophytes from fern
      explants. 

PMID- 24221731
TI  - Effect of calcium, manganese and lithium on growth and cardenolide content in
      cell suspension cultures of Digitalis thapsi L.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures of Digitalis thapsi were grown in Murashige and Skoog
      medium under continuous light. The effects of the absence of CaCl2, elevation of
      the MnSO4 concentration from 0.1 mM to 5 mM or the addition of 100 MUM LiCl on
      their growth and digoxin production were investigated. The elimination of calcium
      reduced growth and viability of cultures but promoted digoxin formation. An
      increase of the MnSO4 concentration or the addition of LiCl resulted in higher
      digoxin content. Under such conditions growth was not affected. 

PMID- 24221732
TI  - Methodical improvements in rye anther culture.
AB  - The crucial problem in anther culture of rye (Secale cereale L.) is the very low
      regeneration capacity. Our study was conducted to overcome this restriction. The
      plant material used included a doubled haploid line (DH), two single crosses
      between DH Unes, and a tetraploid Secale cereale L. population. The factors
      carbohydrate source, post-plating temperature treatment, and gelling agent were
      investigated. Substantial progress was achieved by substituting maltose for
      sucrose. Top rates of 49 % responding anthers and 20 % green plants were obtained
      from one of the single crosses after a post-plating cold treatment on geirrte
      solidified medium. We consider our results a methodical step forward in rye
      anther culture. 

PMID- 24221733
TI  - An internal standard improves the reliability of transient expression studies in
      plant protoplasts.
AB  - Transient expression of foreign genes introduced on a plasmid into isolated plant
      protoplasts is widely used to study the control of gene expression.
      Unfortunately, many experimental variables implicated in this technique are
      difficult or impossible to control, resulting in a disturbing degree of
      variability between otherwise identical experiments. We have studied the co
      expression of two constitutively expressed genes located on the same plasmid.
      This has allowed us to identify the lot of plasmid DNA as an important source of
      variation, along with the protoplast lot. Plasmid DNA concentration was found to
      be of minor importance. Since the variation of expression level of the two genes
      was identical for the two genes in all experiments, we propose the use of an
      internal standard in all comparative transient expression studies, which allows
      the reduction of the variation between experiments by one order of magnitude. 

PMID- 24221734
TI  - Influence of agar gel properties on the in vitro micropropagation of different
      clones of Thuja plicata.
AB  - The influence of four agar-type polysaccharides, used as solidifying agents for
      culture media and differing in their sulfate content (0.14 to 10.95 % w/w), was
      tested on the budding and the elongation of five clones of Thuja plicata. Budding
      is reduced on the most sulfated polysaccharide and the differences observed
      between clones in elongation are as important as those observed between agar
      types. 

PMID- 24221735
TI  - Accumulation of the sesquiterpenes nootkatone and valencene by callus cultures of
      Citrus paradisi, Citrus limonia and Citrus aurantium.
AB  - The production of the sesquiterpenes nootkatone and valencene by callus cultures
      of Citrus species is described. The levels of these compounds were examined by
      gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their yields were compared with the
      amounts found in mature fruits. A simultaneous increase and decrease in the
      levels of nootkatone and valencene, respectively, were observed with the aging of
      callus cultures of Citrus paradisi. These results suggest that valencene might be
      a possible precursor of nootkatone in this species. The high level of nootkatone
      detected in 9-month-old callus cultures of Citrus paradisi might be associated
      with the corresponding cell morphological changes observed. 

PMID- 24221736
TI  - In vitro plant regeneration from cotyledon and hypocotyl segments in two bell
      pepper cultivars.
AB  - In vitro plant regeneration has been obtained from Capsicum annuum cvs. Pico and
      Piquillo. Shootbuds were induced from hypocotyl and cotyledon segments after 15
      20 days of culture on MS basal medium supplemented with IAA and BAP or Zeatin.
      Shoot-buds grew into rosettes that rooted in MS plus NAA (0.1 mg/l) and IBA (0.05
      mg/l) after 15 days. The small plantlets were successfully transferred to pots
      with a mixture of peat and perlite and maintained under greenhouse conditions.
      Elongation took place when the plantlets were growing in the greenhouse. 

PMID- 24221737
TI  - Plant regeneration from callus-derived protoplasts of Pelargonium x domesticum.
AB  - A protocol for regenerating plants from callus-derived protoplasts of Pelargonium
      x domesticum (rega l geranium cv. 'Melissa') has been developed. Protoplasts were
      isolated from leaf-derived callus tissue on MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/l
      naphthalene acetic acid, 2.0 mg/l 6- benzylaminopurine, and 3.0% sucrose. This
      callus yielded 2.7*10(5) protoplasts/gram of tissue after a 6 hr incubation in an
      enzyme solution consisting of 2.0% cellulysin, 0.5% macerase, and 0.5 M sucrose.
      Protoplasts were plated at 1*10(5) protoplasts/ml in a mixture (1?1 v/v) of
      KMP8/KP liquid medium layered on the same medium solidified with 0.6% agarose.
      Protoplast division was initiated within 2 days, and colonies of 15 to 50 cells
      developed 8 wk after plating. P-calli 1-2 mm(3) developed 15 wk after plating,
      and plants regenerated from the p-calli have been transferred to the greenhouse. 

PMID- 24221738
TI  - The influence of phytohormones on growth, organ differentiation and fructan
      production in callus of Symphytum officinale L.
AB  - Callus derived from Symphytum officinale L. regenerants was cultured in the
      presence of various phytohormones. The growth rate of callus was stimulated by
      all phytohormones at various concentrations. With 1-naphthaleneacetic acid no
      organ differentiation could be observed. With indole-3-butyric acid at low
      concentrations only roots were formed, whereas 6-benzylaminopurine, kinetin and
      zeatin at various concentrations induced either root or shoot formation or the
      simultaneous regeneration of both. Minor amounts of fructans were formed at high
      6-benzylaminopurine-, zeatin- and at all indole-3-acetic acid-concentrations. The
      concentration of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid had no influence on the fructan
      content. Highest rates of fructan synthesis occurred at low zeatin-concentrations
      up to 1.5 mg/l. Only zeatin at all concentrations induced the synthesis of
      polyfructans, whereas appreciable amounts of oligofructans were formed under the
      influence of all other phytohormones. 

PMID- 24221739
TI  - Evaluation of somaclonal variation during somatic embryogenesis of interior
      spruce (Picea glauca engelmannii complex) using culture morphology and isozyme
      analysis.
AB  - Somaclonal variation during interior spruce (Picea glauca engelmannii complex)
      somatic embryogenesis was evaluated using culture morphology and isozyme
      analysis. Genotype-specific abscisic acid-dependent developmental profiles and
      isozyme patterns were similar for subclone and parent line embryogenic cultures
      and cotyledonary somatic embryos. Extensive analysis of fifteen hundred subclone
      embryos of one genotype revealed no isozyme pattern variation. Initiation of
      embryogenic cultures was dependent on the developmental stage of the explant
      although cultures derived from different stages were morphologically similar. The
      embryogenic cultures initiated from interior spruce embryos show a high degree of
      genetic stability in that the morphological behavior and isozyme phenotype were
      always consistent with that of the explant genotype. These results support the
      conclusion that this culture system is appropriate for clonal propagation of
      interior spruce. 

PMID- 24221740
TI  - Reduced intracellular content of methotrexate in an isolated MTX-resistant cell
      line of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.

PMID- 24221741
TI  - Evaluation of lime requirement tests for minesoils.
AB  - Evaluation of twelve minesoils collected from restored or abandoned surface mines
      in eastern Kentucky with six standard lime requirement procedures showed that one
      of the procedures accurately forecasted long term lime requirements. The
      minesoils were then evaluated for potassium choloride-extractable aluminum using
      the Yang exchangeable acidity procedure. When the extractable A1(3+) was
      multiplied by a factor of 2.24 it was found to also be an accurate measure for
      longterm limestone requirements. To bring the minesoil to pH 5.5 the results
      obtained using the modified Yuan procedure indicate that for each MEQ Al(3+)
      extracted per 100 grams of minesoil 2.24 Mg of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
      equivalent lime per hectare be applied. Application of lime based on this
      procedure and one of the standard lime procedures resulted in pH stability of the
      minesoils for forty months. 

PMID- 24221742
TI  - Evaluation procedures for restored land.
AB  - Release of land for mineral extraction is often dependent on the quality of the
      restoration which can be achieved. It follows, therefore, that some means of
      judging the success of restoration is required, especially where restoration is
      an agricultural after use.In order to assess whether land has been well restored
      it is therefore necessary to know what the physical characteristics of the land
      were before mineral extraction took place, what changes are likely to have
      occurred to the land and soil as a result of mineral extraction, and lastly
      whether the physical characteristics of the land are as good as when the land was
      last used for agriculture. Most permissions however, were granted before there
      was a requirement to record pre-site conditions so it is impossible to know what
      the site was like when it was last used for agriculture. Furthermore, this paper
      will argue that land quality is only one factor which should be considered in
      assessing the quality of restored land, other factors for example, visual
      integration, farm management must also be taken into consideration. This paper
      will outline the existing evaluation procedures used by the Ministry of
      Agriculture, Fisheries & Food and Minerals Planners and suggest developing an
      evaluation procedure which considers various dimensions of restored land namely
      soil and land quality, visual integration and the management and productivity of
      restored land. This evaluation procedure has been applied to seventeen study
      sites of sand and gravel pits. The paper will indicate whether the evaluation
      procedure successfully classified these sites or not. 

PMID- 24221743
TI  - Arsenic management in shale oil upgrading.
AB  - Although the timing remains uncertain, the production of synthetic crude from oil
      shale seems to be a likely response to diminishing petroleum reserves. Although
      not unique to shale oil, the presence of arsenic, ranging in concentration from a
      few to over 100 parts per million, poses a special concern.Arsenic is typically
      removed from the shale oil by a hydro-processing technique and is concentrated on
      a catalyst as thermally stable metal arsenides and metal arsenous sulfides.
      Because this arsenic is still slightly soluble in water, making the spent
      catalyst a hazardous material, passivation and extraction techniques were
      investigated to make the catalyst safe for disposal. Passivation techniques were
      not successful. While extraction procedures were capable of removing over 75% of
      the arsenic, treated material may still be acceptable. 

PMID- 24221744
TI  - Coal rejects - a wasted resource?
AB  - The paper outlines potential uses for coal washery rejects. It considers in
      detail the use of fluidized-bed combustion as a means of lessening rejects
      disposal problems, as a method of recovering energy for drying, steam raising and
      electricity production and as a source of ash as a substitute for natural
      aggregate. Considerable technical information is now available on the use of
      fluidized beds for these purposes and the paper concludes that it is appropriate
      to consider a more detailed, site-specific, evaluation. 

PMID- 24221745
TI  - Cyanide effluent control by freeze/thaw processing.
AB  - With many northern gold mining operations the disposal of waste water from the
      process presents some unique problems. The level of heavy metals and cyanide is
      generally too high to allow discharge to the environment. Total impoundment of
      the effluent in tailing dams or the use of expensive treatment plants is
      necessary to ensure protection of the environment. The costs and dangers of these
      treatment methods cannot always be justified in the remote locations of these
      mines and alternatives must be explored.In this paper, experiments have been
      performed to determine the partial freezing and melting characteristics of
      cyanide solutions as well as the rates of natural degradation. These studies
      could result in a novel method to protect our northern environments and ensure
      the continued operation of gold mines in these regions in a safe and economic
      manner. A multi-pond containment system has been proposed which may be feasible
      in certain circumstances. 

PMID- 24221746
TI  - Clinical studies examining the impact of obesity on breast cancer risk and
      prognosis.
AB  - Obesity is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, and increased risk
      of recurrence in women who develop breast cancer. Evidence suggests that the risk
      of estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer is increased in obese
      postmenopausal women, whereas in premenopausal women the risk of triple negative
      breast cancer is increased. Nonetheless, the presence of obesity at diagnosis,
      and possibly weight gain after diagnosis, may independently contribute to an
      individual's risk of recurrence of both pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer.
      Factors associated with adiposity that are likely contributing factors include
      hyperinsulinemia, inflammation, and relative hyperestrogenemia. Some studies
      suggest that some aromatase inhibitors may be less effective in obese women than
      lean women. Clinical trials have evaluated pharmacologic (eg, metformin) and
      dietary/lifestyle interventions to reduce breast cancer recurrence, although
      these interventions have not been tested in obese women who may be most likely to
      benefit from them. Further research is required in order to identify adiposity
      associated factors driving recurrence, and design clinical trials to specifically
      test interventions in obese women at highest risk of recurrence. 

PMID- 24221748
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 24221749
TI  - Roots of fish endocrinology, a perspective.

PMID- 24221747
TI  - Biology of glucose transport in the mammary gland.
AB  - Glucose is the major precursor of lactose, which is synthesized in Golgi vesicles
      of mammary secretory alveolar epithelial cells during lactation. Glucose is taken
      up by mammary epithelial cells through a passive, facilitative process, which is
      driven by the downward glucose concentration gradient across the plasma membrane.
      This process is mediated by facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs), of which
      there are 14 known isoforms. Mammary glands mainly express GLUT1 and GLUT8, and
      GLUT1 is the predominant isoform with a Km of ~10 mM and transport activity for
      mannose and galactose in addition to glucose. Mammary glucose transport activity
      increases dramatically from the virgin state to the lactation state, with a
      concomitant increase in GLUT expression. The increased GLUT expression during
      lactogenesis is not stimulated by the accepted lactogenic hormones. New evidence
      indicates that a possible low oxygen tension resulting from increased metabolic
      rate and oxygen consumption may play a major role in stimulating glucose uptake
      and GLUT1 expression in mammary epithelial cells during lactogenesis. In addition
      to its primary presence on the plasma membrane, GLUT1 is also expressed on the
      Golgi membrane of mammary epithelial cells and is likely involved in facilitating
      the uptake of glucose and galactose to the site of lactose synthesis. Because
      lactose synthesis dictates milk volume, regulation of GLUT expression and
      trafficking represents potentially fruitful areas for further research in dairy
      production. In addition, this research will have pathological implications for
      the treatment of breast cancer because glucose uptake and GLUT expression are up
      regulated in breast cancer cells to accommodate the increased glucose need.

PMID- 24221750
TI  - The tilapia prolactin cell: A model for stimulus-secretion coupling.
AB  - The tilapia prolactin (PRL) cell responds rapidly (10-20 min) to small
      physiological changes in medium osmotic pressure (OP), releasing increasing
      quantities of hormone as medium OP is reduced. This release is rapidly (<= 10
      min) inhibited by somatostatin (SRIF). There is now extensive evidence that
      tilapia PRL cell function is regulated through the second messengers Ca(++) and
      cAMP. Our studies have shown that PRL release is augmented by treatments that
      lead to increased levels of intracellular Ca(++) or cAMP. On the other hand, PRL
      release is blocked when tissues are incubated in Ca(++)-depleted medium or upon
      the addition of Co(++), an inhibitor of Ca(++)-mediated processes. The use
      of(45)Ca(++) to characterize the movement of Ca(++) into PRL cells has provided
      evidence that an increase in the influx of extracellular Ca(++) may participate
      in PRL release upon exposure to hyposmotic medium. Our studies have also shown
      that SRIF suppresses the increase in(45)Ca(++) accumulation that is brought about
      when OP is reduced. We have also examined the effects of OP and SRIF on cAMP
      levels. The reduction of medium OP did not alter cAMP metabolism during 20 min of
      incubation. By contrast, cAMP accumulation in the presence of IBMX was enhanced
      at 1 hr of incubation in reduced OP. Thus, an increase in cAMP turnover may play
      a role in maintaining PRL release under sustained stimulation. SRIF reduced the
      accumulation of cAMP during 10 min of incubation with IBMX and also reduced the
      forskolin-stimulated increase in cAMP. Thus, SRIF may suppress adenylate cyclase
      activity. Finally, our studies have revealed that the forskolin-stimulated
      increase in cAMP levels is not dependent upon medium Ca(++). The presence of
      Ca(++) in the medium is required, however, for PRL release even when the cAMP
      messenger system has been activated. Moreover, cAMP accumulation was augmented
      when intracellular Ca(++) was increased. This raises the possibility that reduced
      OP may stimulate an increase in cAMP turnover indirectly through its action(s) on
      cytosolic Ca(++). 

PMID- 24221751
TI  - Neuropeptides regulating the activity of goldfish corticotropes and melanotropes.
AB  - The goldfish (Carassius auratus) has proven an advantageous model for
      investigations of the neuroendocrine regulation of pituitary hormone secretion in
      teleost fishes. Investigations examining the secretion of adrenocorticotropin
      (ACTH) and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) from pituitary cellsin vitro have
      been used to identify neuropeptides influencing goldfish corticotrope and
      melanotrope activity. Ovine CRF, urotensin I (UI), arginine vasotocin (AVT),
      isotocin and angiotensins I and II stimulate the release of ACTH from
      corticotropesin vitro. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), oCRF, UI and
      neuropeptide Y stimulate the release of MSH from melanotropesin vitro.
      Immunocytochemical studies have revealed the presence of separate CRF- and UI
      immunoreactive perikarya in the hypothalamus suggesting the existence of two
      structurally similar, yet distinct, hypothalamic CRF-UI-like peptides.
      Interactions of AVT and CRF in the regulation of ACTH secretion is suggested from
      studies demonstrating the co-localization of AVT- and CRF-immunoreactivities in
      perikarya of the preoptic-hypophyseal system. These investigations demonstrate
      that the secretory activity of goldfish corticotropes and melanotropes is
      influenced by a diversity of neuropeptides of hypothalamic origin. 

PMID- 24221752
TI  - The duality of teleost gonadotropins.
AB  - The duality of salmon gonadotropins has been proved by biochemical, biological,
      and immunological characterization of two chemically distinc gonadotropins. GTH I
      and GTH II were equipotent in stimulating estradiol production, whereas GTH II
      appears to be more potent in stimulating maturational steroid synthesis. The
      ratio of plasma levels and pituitary contents of GTHs and the secretory control
      by a GnRH suggest that GTH I is the predominant GTH during vitellogenesis and
      early stages of spermatogenesis in salmonids, whereas GTH II is predominant at
      the time of spermiation and ovulation. GTH I and GTH II are found in distinctly
      separate cells. In trout, GTH I is expressed first in ontogeny, whereas GTH II
      cells appear coincident with the onset of spermatogenesis and vitellogenesis, and
      increase dramatically at the time of final reproductive maturation. Comparison of
      the amino acid sequences of polypeptides and the base sequences of cDNA revealed
      that salmon GTH I beta is more similar to bovine FSHbeta than bovine LHbeta and
      salmon GTH II beta shows higher homology to bovine LHbeta than to bovine FSHbeta.
      The existence of two pituitary gonadotropins in teleosts as well as tetrapods
      suggests that the divergence of the GTH gene took place earlier than the time of
      divergence of teleosts from the main line of evolution leading to tetrapods. 

PMID- 24221753
TI  - Physiology of fish endocrine pancreas.
AB  - From the very beginning of physiological studies on the endocine pancreas, fish
      have been used as experimental subjects. Fish insulin was one of the first
      vertebrate insulins isolated and one of the first insulins whose primary and then
      tertiary structures were reported. Before a second pancreatic hormone, glucagon,
      was characterized, a physiologically active 'impurity', similar to that in
      mammalian insulin preparations, was found in fish insulins.Fish have become the
      most widely used model for studies of biosynthesis and processing of the
      pancreatic hormones. It seems inconceivable, therefore, that until the recent
      past cod and tuna insulins have been the only purified piscine islet hormones
      available for physiological experiments. The situation has changed remarkably
      during the last decade.In this review the contemporary status of physiological
      studies on the fish pancreas is outlined with an emphasis on the following
      topics: 1) contents of pancreatic peptides in plasma and in islet tissue; 2)
      actions of piscine pancreatic hormones in fish; 3) specific metabolic
      consequences of an acute insufficiency of pancreatic peptides; 4) functional
      interrelations among pancreatic peptides which differ from those of mammals. The
      pitfalls, lacunae and the perspectives of contemporary physiological studies on
      fish endocrine pancreas are outlined. 

PMID- 24221754
TI  - Endocrinology and fish culture.
AB  - In the current practice of fish culture the use of hormones is mainly limited to
      the field of reproduction, and more precisely to induce or synchronize ovulation
      and stimulate spermiation. The practice of pituitary homogenates injection
      (called hypophysation) which started in the early 1930's has allowed spectacular
      developments in the culture of some cyprinid species, especially in China, India
      and Europe. HCG has been used successfully in a limited number of species and
      LHRH-A, often associated with antidopaminergic compounds, started to be used in
      some species, especially cyprinids, on a commercial scale. Sex steroids are now
      commonly used to reverse the sex of some species in salmonids, cyprinids,
      tilapias. Due to legal restriction and consumer opposition, the tendency is to
      limit the use of steroids, especially in fish which are later offered to
      consumption. GH, which significantly stimulates growth and reduces the food
      conversion rate in laboratory experiments, will possibly be used on a large scale
      in fish farms. Endocrinology has considerably increased the knowledge of the
      mechanisms controlling some physiological functions; this has allowed the
      identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity, and helps in the
      management and the process of domestication (most of the cultured fish species
      have been taken form the wild recently). 

PMID- 24221755
TI  - The bioactivity of gonadotropin releasing hormones and its regulation in the
      gilthead seabream,Sparus aurata: in vivo andin vitro studies.
AB  - Thein vivo andin vitro potency of native and modified forms of gonadotropin
      releasing hormone (GnRH) to release gonadotropin (GtH) was studied inSparus
      aurata and correlated with their relative susceptibility to degradation by
      cytosolic-bound enzymes of the pituitary, kidney, and liver. Salmon (s) GnRH and
      luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) are equipotent whereas analogs of
      these peptides ((D-Arg(6)-Pro(9)NET)-sGnRH, (D-Ala(6)-Pro(9)NET)-LHRH, (D-Trp(6))
      LHRH) are superactive in inducingin vivo GtH release (at 10 ug/kg body weight).
      In anin vitro superfusion system of pituitary fragments all analogs are
      equipotent to the native peptides (at 10(-10) to 2.5 * 10(-7)M). sGnRH and LHRH
      are rapidly degraded by cytosolic peptidases of the pituitary, liver, and kidney.
      The preferred site of cleavage is the Tyr(5)-Gly(6) bond. Substitution of the
      position 6 glycine by D-amino acids renders the 5-6 bond resistant to degradation
      and shifts the main site of cleavage to the Pro(9)-Gly(10)NH2 bond. Substitution
      at position 6 (as above) and at position 10 with Pro(9)NET results in analogs
      that are resistant to degradation. We propose that enzymatic cleavage terminates
      GnRH bioactivityin vivo and thus increased resistance to degradation is a major
      determinant of GnRH analog superactivity. 

PMID- 24221756
TI  - Characterization, cerebral distribution and gonadotropin release activity of
      neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the goldfish.
AB  - The presence of a peptide closely related to porcine NPY has been demonstrated in
      the goldfish brain and pituitary by means of radioimmunoassay (RIA) and high
      performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The RIA data demonstrate that
      displacement curves of brain extracts are parallel to a porcine NPY standard and
      that in HPLC a compound present in brain extracts is co-eluted with porcine NPY.
      The distribution of this NPY-like factor within the central nervous system was
      studied by radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry. The results indicated that
      NPY has a widespread distribution with the highest concentrations being found in
      the telencephalon and diencephalon. In the pituitary gland, NPY immunoreactive
      terminals characterized at the electron microscope level were found in the
      different lobes and, in particular, in close association with the gonadotrophin
      (GTH) secreting cells. Using anin vitro perifusion system, it was shown that NPY
      causes a dose dependent increase of GTH release from anterior lobe
      fragments.These data indicate for the first time in teleosts that NPY is present
      and widely distributed in the brain and pituitary, and that among other putative
      functions, could be implicated in the multihormonal release of GTH from the
      pituitary. 

PMID- 24221757
TI  - Neuropeptide Y (NPY) modulatesin vitro gonadotropin in release from rainbow trout
      pituitary glands.
AB  - This work investigated the action of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on thein vitro
      pituitary release of the maturing gonadotropic hormone (GtH) of the rainbow trout
      using a perifusion system employing trout balanced salt solution (pH 7.5) at 15
      degrees C and a 12.5 ml/h flow rate. In vitellogenic females a 20 minutes NPY
      application (10(-7) M) induced a 20-30% decrease in GtH secretion. Removal of NPY
      was followed by a rebound in GTH secretion. On the contrary, in ovulated females,
      NPY (15 minutes, 10(-7) M) directly stimulated GTH secretion. The greatest
      stimulation was obtained the day of ovulation where the stimulatory effect of NPY
      was similar to those induced by s.GnRH in the same conditions, reaching 400% of
      the basal GTH level. In vitellogenic females treated with 1-4-6 androstadien 3-7
      dione, an inhibitor of aromatase activity, the pituitary response to NPY was
      similar to that obtained in ovulated females. Thus thein vitro action of NPY
      might depend on thein vivo steroidogenic environment. 

PMID- 24221758
TI  - The origin of the mammalian form of GnRH in primitive fishes.
AB  - The presence of neuroendocrine hormones in extant agnathan fishes suggests that a
      method of control involving these hormones was operating 500-600 million years
      ago in emerging vertebrates. Data on a limited number of species show that
      several members of the GnRH family of peptides may have arisen in non-teleost
      fishes. Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) GnRH has a unique composition and has not
      been detected in other vertebrates. It is not yet clear whether the chicken II
      GnRH-like molecule arose in cartilaginous fishes, but a chromatographically and
      immunologically similar molecule is found in dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and
      ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei). Finally, a mammalian GnRH-like molecule is detected
      in three primitive bony fish: sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), reed fish
      (Calamoichthys calabaricus), and alligator gar (Lepidosteus spatula). Minor forms
      are also present, but are not yet characterized. Clearly, the basic structure of
      GnRH peptides was established in primitive fish. In contrast, at least three
      other identified forms of GnRH have been detected in teleosts or tetrapods:
      Salmon I, catfish I, and chicken I GnRH. Evidence for the presence of members of
      the GnRH family and the neurohypophysial hormone family in primitive fishes
      argues for the importance of neuroendocrine control throughout the history of
      vertebrates. 

PMID- 24221759
TI  - Monoaminergic substances in the teleost brain: Catecholamine levels in male and
      female winter flounder,Pseudopleuronectes americanus Walbaum, associated with
      gonadal recrudescence.
AB  - High performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC)
      was used to quantitate catecholamine (CA) levels in the winter flounder brain
      following perchloric acid extraction/alumina purification of CNS tissues. Greater
      concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) were present in the
      hypothalamus compared with the CA levels in whole brain. A seasonal study of CA
      brain levels in reproductively active male and female flounder demonstrated that
      monoamine levels reach their maxima in October in association with the rapid
      increases in gonadosomatic index. When perchloric acid extracts of the teleost
      and rat hypothalamus were submitted to direct HPLC-EC analysis, without alumina
      purification of CA neurotransmitters, similar hypothalamic profiles were obtained
      indicating the presence of identifiable biogenic amine neurotransmitters
      substances including NE, DA and serotonin (5-HT). 

PMID- 24221760
TI  - Effects of lamprey gonadotropin-releasing hormone and analogs on steroidogenesis
      and spermiation in male sea lampreys.
AB  - The biological activities of lamprey GnRH and analogs were determined in the
      adult male lamprey,Petromyzon marinus. Two successive injections of lamprey GnRH
      at 0.005, 0.065 or 0.163 MUg/g body weight or [D-Ala(6),Pro(9)-NHEt] mammal GnRH
      at 0.05 MUg/g stimulated plasma estradiol and progesterone levels in adult male
      lampreys undergoing final maturation. In these experiments, a lamprey GnRH
      putative antagonist, [D-Phe(2,6),Pro(3)] lamprey GnRH, at 0.075, 0.150 or 0.3
      MUg/g stimulated plasma estradiol but not progesterone levels. Four successive
      injections of lamprey GnRH at 0.05 or 0.1 MUg/g stimulated plasma progesterone
      and spermiation. [D-Phe(2,6),Pro(3)] lamprey GnRH at 0.05 or 0.1 MUg/g depressed
      plasma progesterone levels and inhibited spermiation. In contrast, lamprey GnRH
      analog, [D-Ala(6),Pro(9)-OH free carboxylic acid] lamprey GnRH, at 0.05 or 0.1
      MUg/g stimulated plasma progesterone levels and inhibited spermiation. In
      summary, lamprey GnRH is biologically active in stimulating the pituitary-gonadal
      axis in adult male lampreys as determined by steroidogenesis and spermiation. 

PMID- 24221761
TI  - Pituitary gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor activity in goldfish and
      catfish: seasonal and gonadal effects.
AB  - The goldfish pituitary contains two classes of gonadotropin-releasing hormone
      (GnRH) binding sites, a high affinity/low capacity site and a low affinity/high
      capacity site (Habibiet al. 1987a), whereas the catfish pituitary contains a
      single class of high affinity GnRH binding sites (De Leeuwet al. 1988a). Seasonal
      variations in pituitary GnRH receptor binding parameters, and the effect of
      castration on pituitary GnRH receptor binding were investigated in goldfish and
      catfish, respectively. In goldfish, GnRH receptors undergo seasonal variation
      with the highest pituitary content of both high and low affinity sites occurring
      during the late stages of gonadal recrudescence. The observed changes in
      pituitary GnRH receptor content correlate closely with responsiveness to a GnRH
      agonistin vivo in terms of serum gonadotropin (GTH) levels. In catfish,
      castration results in a two-fold increase in pituitary GnRH receptor content,
      which can be reversed by concomitant treatment with androstenedione, but not by
      the non-aromatizable androgen 11beta-hydroxyandrostenedione; changes observed in
      GnRH receptor content correlate with variations in serum GTH levels and
      responsiveness to a GnRH agonist. In summary, the present study provides a clear
      evidence for seasonal variation in pituitary GnRH receptor activity in goldfish,
      and demonstrates a gonadal feedback mechanism regulating GnRH receptor activity
      in the catfish pituitary. 

PMID- 24221762
TI  - Unequal activities of the two tilapia prolactins in the whole-animal
      transepithelial potential bioassay using the red eft.
AB  - The cichlid fish tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) produces two forms of
      prolactin (tPRL177 and tPRL188) at equal rates. The primary sequences of this
      prolactin pair share only 69% identity. In these experiments, the whole-animal
      transepithelial potential (TEP) in the eft stage of the red-spotted newt
      (Notophthalmus viridescens) was measured in response to two injections totaling
      about 2 MUg of tPRL177, tPRL188, ovine PRL, or tilapia growth hormone (tGH), or
      distilled water (5 MUL/injection). This investigation was undertaken in order to
      locate prolactin receptors which discriminate between the two molecular forms of
      tilapia prolactin. The salamandrid integumental bioassay for prolactin was found
      to respond to tPRL177 as it does to ovine PRL. The more mainline tPRL188 was
      without effect at this dose and thus behaved more similarly to growth hormone
      (tilapia and ungulate) in this bioassay. The suspected magnitude of differences
      in the molecular surface characteristics between the two prolactins seem to be
      adequate to allow the binding of tPRL177 and to hinder the binding of tPRL188 to
      prolactin specific receptors in eft epithelial tissues. 

PMID- 24221763
TI  - Morphogenesis and distribution of the endocrine pancreas in adult lampreys.
AB  - The endocrine pancreas of larval lampreys appears as islets of cells isolated in
      the submucosa and those both continuous with, and within, the gut epithelium at
      the intestinal-oesophageal-bile duct junction. The islets, and occasionally
      follicles, are composed of only insulin-secreting (B) cells. During
      metamorphosis, the bile duct either completely degenerates or its epithelium
      transforms into a caudal endocrine pancreas while a cranial pancreas appears as a
      specialization and expansion of the larval pancreas. Immunocytochemistry and
      histochemistry demonstrates that there is a wide variation in the distribution of
      the pancreatic tissue in adults of lamprey species, and this variation may result
      from interspecific differences in morphogenetic events at metamorphosis. Despite
      species variability in its distribution, the endocrine pancreatic tissue in all
      adult lampreys is composed of equal numbers of B cells and somatostatin-secreting
      (D) cells, but there are no glucagon-secreting (A) cells. Immunocytochemistry
      reveals that B and D cells of the caudal pancreas differentiate from cells of the
      larval bile duct during metamorphosis of the sea lamprey,Petromyzon marinus. 

PMID- 24221764
TI  - Hypothalamic peptides influencing growth hormone secretion in the
      goldfish,Carassius auratus.
AB  - In vivo andin vitro techniques were used to examine the influence of various
      vertebrate peptides on growth hormone (GH) secretion in the goldfish.
      Tetradecapeptide somatostatin (SRIF-14) was found to inhibit GH secretionin vitro
      from perifused pituitary fragments, whereas similar concentrations of a salmonid
      SRIF peptide (sSRIF-25) did not affect GH secretion from the goldfish pituitary
      fragments. This indicates that SRIF receptors on the goldfish pituitary are very
      specific for SRIF-14-like peptides. Salmon gonadotropin (GTH)-releasing hormone
      (sGnRH) was found to elevate serum GH levels in male goldfish. The dopamine
      antagonist pimozide alone or injected in combination with sGnRH did not influence
      serum GH levels, although injection of pimozide alone significantly elevated
      serum GTH levels, in addition to potentiating the effects of sGnRH on GTH
      secretion. sGnRH stimulated GH secretion from goldfish pituitary fragmentsin
      vitro, indicating that sGnRH acts directly at the level of the pituitary to
      stimulate GH secretion in the goldfish. These results suggest that GnRH may also
      function as a GH-releasing factor in the goldfish, although the release
      inhibitory factors for GH and GTH secretion do appear to be separate and
      distinct. Two human GH-releasing hormone (hGHRH) peptides were found to be
      ineffective in altering GH secretionin vitro from the perifused pituitary
      fragments. Consequently, a role for a mammalian GHRH-like peptide in the
      hypothalamic regulation of GH secretion in the goldfish remains questionable. 

PMID- 24221765
TI  - Involvement of steroid hormones in the preovulatory gonadotropin surge in female
      goldfish.
AB  - Goldfish,Carassius auratus, spawn several times within a spawning season. A
      gonadotropin (GtH) surge occurs at the time of ovulation in this cyprinid
      species. This ovulatory GtH surge mediates the processes of final oocyte
      maturation and ovulation, and occurs at the end of each spawning cycle. Within a
      cycle, there is a shift in the predominant plasma steroid from estradiol to
      testosterone, and finally 17alpha, 20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one at the time
      of the ovulatory GtH surge. High levels of testosterone were always observed
      before ovulation. When ovariectomized or sexually regressed female goldfish were
      implanted with testosterone, they exhibited a GtH surge which was similar to
      those normally observed at ovulation. These results strongly suggest that
      elevated plasma testosterone is an important physiological requirement for the
      occurrence of the GtH surge. 

PMID- 24221766
TI  - Relationship between metabolic and reproductive hormones in salmonid fish.
AB  - Circulating concentrations of estradiol (E2), vitellogenin (VTG), thyroxine (T4),
      triiodothyronine (T3) and insulin were measured in reproductively maturing four
      and five year-old Atlantic salmon. Blood samples were collected from the fish in
      seawater for one year prior to their spawning in November in fresh water. In
      females, E2 and VTG were low but detectable from December to July, and then
      increased to peak levels in September and October. Plasma levels of T4 and T3
      were relatively constant in winter and spring, and decreased in July. Plasma
      concentration of T4 increased in November when the fish returned to fresh water.
      Plasma T3 levels remained low during the autumn. Both T4 and T3 levels tended to
      be higher in males than in females during September through November. Plasma
      insulin concentrations increased during the spring to peak values in May, and
      then decreased in June and July in fish of both sexes. There was a significant
      elevation of plasma insulin in males during October, and the levels in males
      tended to be higher than those found in females during final maturation. 

PMID- 24221767
TI  - Positive feedback control by the gonads on gonadotropin (GTH) and gonadoliberin
      (GnRH) levels in experimentally matured female silver eels,Anguilla anguilla.
AB  - Treatment of sham-operated female silver eels with carp pituitary extract
      stimulated ovarian development and induced increases in pituitary gonadotropin
      (GTH) and gonadoliberin (GnRH) contents. Both effects of carp pituitary extract
      were abolished in ovariectomized eels, indicating the involvement of the gonads.
      Endogenous sexual steroids, the secretion of which was increased during sexual
      maturation, should be responsible for the stimulation of GTH and GnRH levels.
      Ovariectomy itself had no significant effect on pituitary GTH and GnRH contents,
      reflecting the fact that, at the silver stage, sexual steroid levels are too low
      to exert any significant effect on pituitary GTH and GnRH. The positive feedback
      control exerted by the gonads on GTH and GnRH levels during sexual maturation, in
      the eel as well as in some other teleosts, would produce an amplification of the
      pubertal stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. 

PMID- 24221768
TI  - The role of prostaglandins in the control of ovulation in yellow perch,Perca
      flavescens.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one
      (17alpha,20beta-P) can induce both germinal vesicle breakdown and ovulationin
      vitro of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) oocytes. The stimulation of ovulation
      can be blocked by indomethacin and restored by the subsequent addition of several
      primary prostaglandins (Goetz and Theofan 1979).In the present investigation,
      medium levels of prostaglandin F (PGF) and E (PGE) were measured by
      radioimmunoassay duringin vitro 17alpha,20beta-P-induced ovulation of perch
      oocytes. PGF levels increased significantly (compared to controls) from 30 to 36h
      of incubation. Hourly samples taken through the time of ovulation revealed that
      the increase in PGF was very closely correlated to the time of ovulation though
      it did not preceed it. Cortisol, testosterone, estradiol-17beta, 17alpha,20alpha
      dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and 17alpha-hydorxyprogesterone did not increase PGF
      levels by 48h of incubation, however, several other progestational steroids
      including 20beta-dihydroprogesterone (20beta-P) and progesterone did.
      17alpha,20beta-P, 20beta-P and progesterone also stimulated an increase in PGF in
      spontaneously ovulating oocytes (in which all oocytes ovulated including
      controls), indicating that the increase in PGF was not merely a result of the
      physical process of ovulation but was related to the presence of the steroid. 

PMID- 24221769
TI  - Gonadotropins I and II in juvenile coho salmon.
AB  - The present study was designed to obtain basic endocrine information on GTH I and
      GTH II in previtellogenic and prespermatogenic coho salmon (immature). Levels of
      GTH II in pituitary extracts were 6.5 +/- 2.0 and 6.7 +/- 2.0 pg/MUg pituitary
      protein in male and female fish, respectively. In contrast, the pituitary content
      of GTH I was approximately 100-fold higher than GTH II (1.302 +/- .22 and 1.173
      +/- .21 ng/MUg pituitary protein in male and female fish, respectively). Plasma
      levels of GTH II in immature salmon were not detectable by RIA whereas plasma GTH
      I levels were approximately 0.62 +/- 0.12 and 0.78 +/- 0.13 ng/ml in male and
      female fish, respectively. Highly purified coho salmon GTH I and GTH II
      stimulated testicular testosterone production and ovarian estradiol productionin
      vitro in a similar manner, though GTH II appeared more potent than GTH I.
      Therefore, it appears that although the salmon pituitary contains predominantly
      GTH I prior to puberty, the gonad can respond to both GTH I and GTH II. 

PMID- 24221770
TI  - Isolation of pituitary glycoprotein gonadotropins from the grass carp
      (Ctenopharyngodon idell).
AB  - Gonadotropins (GTH) were isolated from pituitary glands of grass carp and their
      properties investigated. Acetone-dried pituitaries were extracted with ammonium
      acetate-ethanol and were then passed through cation exchanger, anion exchanger,
      and gel filtration column. Two glycoprotein gonadotropins (DE I and DE II) were
      isolated of MW 56,000 and 53,000 daltons, respectively, as determined by gel
      filtration technique. Isoelectric points of the two GTHs also differed from each
      other. Sialic acid contents were 3.64% and 1.47% for DE I and DE II,
      respectively. Both GTH's stimulated, in a similar manner, testicular androgen and
      ovarian estradiol synthesisin vitro. 

PMID- 24221771
TI  - Evidence that 17alpha,20beta,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one is a maturation
      inducing steroid in spotted seatrout.
AB  - Ovarian steroidogenesis during final oocyte maturation (FOM) in the spotted
      seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) was investigated by incubating ovarian fragments
      with tritiated pregnenolone, followed by chromatographic separation of the
      radioactive products. The major tritiated steroid produced during FOM comigrated
      with 17alpha,20beta,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20beta-dihydro-11
      deoxycortisol, 20beta-S) on HPLC and TLC. Only minor amounts of radioactive
      material coeluted with 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha,20beta
      P), 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), estradiol-17beta and testosterone standards in
      the HPLC system. Additional chromatography by TLC confirmed the presence of
      radioactive estradiol-17beta and testosterone but not 17alpha,20beta-P and
      DOC.All the ovarian steroids producedin vitro during FOM were assayed for their
      ability to induce germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) of spotted seatrout oocytes.
      Twenty grams of ovarian tissue were incubated with human chorionic gonadotropin
      and exogenous pregnenolone. The steroidal products were purified by HPLC and TLC.
      Most of the maturation-inducing activity was confined to steroidal material which
      comigrated in these systems with 20beta-S. This material was active at a
      concentration of 1 ng steroid/ml medium in the GVBD assay. Smaller amounts of
      material which coeluted with 11-deoxycortisol, DOC, 17alpha,20beta-P and several
      minor unidentified fractions induced GVBD at concentrations of 10 ng
      steroid(s)/ml.The structure-activity relationships of authentic steroids in
      inducing GVBD of spotted seatrout oocytes was investigated. Hydroxylation at the
      17alpha, 20beta or 21 positions increased potency to induce GVBD. Steroids with
      multiple hydroxyl groups at the 17alpha and 20beta positions (17alpha, 20beta-P)
      and at the 17alpha, 20beta, and 21 positions (20beta-S) had maximum biological
      activity in the GVBD bioassay. The results suggest that 20beta-S is a major
      maturation-inducing steroid in spotted seatrout. 

PMID- 24221772
TI  - Mechanisms of synthesis and action of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, a
      teleost maturation-inducing substance.
AB  - This article briefly reviews the current status of investigations, mainly based
      on the amago salmon,Oncorhynchus rhodurus, on the mechanisms of synthesis and
      action of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha,20beta-diOHprog).
      Pituitary gonadotropin is of primary importance in triggering meiotic maturation
      in teleost oocytes. However, the maturational action of gonadotropin is not
      direct, but is mediated by the follicular production of maturation-inducing
      substance (MIS). It is now well established that 17alpha,20beta-diOHprog is the
      major MIS of salmonids. Production of this steroid occursvia the interaction of
      two distinct cell layers, the thecal and granulosa cell layers (2-cell type
      model). The first step of the stimulating effect of gonadotropin in both layers
      is the receptor-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase and formation of cAMP.
      Our findings suggest that the major stimulating action of gonadotropin on
      17alpha,20beta-diOHprog biosynthesis is due to the stimulation of 17alpha
      hydroxyprogesterone production by the thecal layer and the selective induction of
      thede novo synthesis of 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the granulosa
      layer. 17alpha,20beta-diOHprog acts at the surface of the oocyte. The early steps
      following 17alpha,20beta-diOHprog action involve the formation of the major
      cytoplasmic mediator of this steroid, maturation-promoting factor (MPF). It was
      shown that goldfish MPF induces meiotic maturation inXenopus oocytes andvice
      versa. The chemical characterization of fish MPF is important for our
      understanding of the precise mode of maturational action of 17alpha,20beta
      diOHprog. 

PMID- 24221773
TI  - Catechol-O-methyltransferase in the brain of the male African catfish,Clarias
      gariepinus; distribution and significance for the metabolism of catecholestrogens
      and dopamine.
AB  - Catechol-O-methyltransferase, involved in the methylation of catechol substrates,
      was localized in the brain of the male African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, by
      means of a radiometric assay using [Methyl-(3)H]S-adenosylmethionine as
      methyldonor and catecholestrone as substrate. Fore- and midbrain were divided
      into eighteen, 500 MUm thick, transverse sections. With a hollow needle (diameter
      1 mm), specific areas of the brain were punched out and assayed. The catechol-O
      methyltransferase activity was calculated from the amount of radioactive
      methoxyestrone formed from catecholestrone and expressed in pmol.mg(-1) tissue.h(
      1).The enzyme could be demonstrated throughout the brain. Although the enzyme
      activity did not differ very much between the various brain regions (max. 15.4;
      min. 7.5 pmol), there were some areas in the brain with a more than average
      activity,i.e., the lateral telencephalon (10.3 pmol), the nucleus preopticus
      (13.1 pmol), nucleus lateralis tuberis (11.0 pmol) and nucleus recessus
      posterioris (12.0 pmol) of the diencephalon, the tectum opticum (15.4 pmol) and
      torus semicircularis (13.6 pmol) of the mesencephalon, and the caudal cerebellum
      of the metencephalon (10.8 pmol). The lowest activity was detected in the caudal
      metencephalon (7.5 pmol).The presence of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase
      in the brain of the African catfish and the observation that both
      catecholestrogens and dopamine can be methylated by this enzyme suggest that
      catecholestrogens can influence the methylation (inactivation) of dopamine.
      Incubations of forebrain homogenates with dopamine and catecholestrone or
      catecholestradiol confirmed that both catecholestrogens can inhibit the
      methylation of dopamine. Lineweaver-burk plots with various concentrations of the
      catecholestrogens indicated that the inhibition is competitive. Dixon plots from
      the inhibition studies gave inhibition constants of 1.4 and 0.6 MUM for
      catecholestrone and catecholestradiol, respectively, indicating that
      catecholestradiol is a two times stronger inhibitor than catecholestrone.The
      significance of the inhibition of the methylation of dopamine by the
      catecholestrogens in the brain is discussed in the light of the negative feedback
      of gonadal steroids on the central regulation of reproductive processes. 

PMID- 24221774
TI  - Differentiation and development of Leydig cells, and changes of testosterone
      levels during testicular differentiation in tilapiaOreochromis niloticus.
AB  - Initial appearance and development of Leydig cells (LCs) during testicular
      differentiation in tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus, were investigated
      histologically. In addition, changes of testosterone levels in gonadal tissue and
      serum were examined by radioimmunoassay. In the gonads of fry at 23-26 days after
      hatching, initial testicular differentiation was confirmed by the observation of
      the differentiation of connective tissues into tissues which are characteristic
      of the adult testis. LCs, which were identified by the ultrastructural features
      (a moderate number of mitochondria with tubular cristae, well developed smooth
      endoplasmic reticulum and many free ribosomes) appeared initially at the time of
      testicular differentiation. LCs increased in number rapidly in the testes of fish
      at 70 days after hatching. Concomitant with this increase, spermatogonia
      increased in number. Testosterone was detectable in the fish at 40-50 days after
      hatching, but levels in tissue and serum were low. Testosterone levels increased
      gradually in the fish beginning at 70 days after hatching and increased still
      more at 100-150 days accompanying active spermatogenesis. 

PMID- 24221775
TI  - Role of the sertoli cell in spermatogenesis: TheSqualus testis model.
AB  - In the dogfish sharkSqualus acanthias different germ cell stages are
      topographically segregated within the testis. Using this species we have
      developed methods for the isolation and culture of Sertoli cells from premeiotic,
      meiotic and post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis and present preliminary
      evidence for stage-dependent variations in cell morphology and behavior,
      thymidine incorporation, protein synthesis and steroidogenesis. The goal of
      future studies is to determine how maturational changes are regulated in Sertoli
      cells and, in turn, to elucidate Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions. 

PMID- 24221776
TI  - Sex steroids in intersexual fishes.
AB  - Studies of thein vitro gonadal steroidogenesis in intersexual fishes, using
      labelled testosterone as precursor, showed large species variation. The
      protogynousMonopterus albus produced predominantly 5alpha-reduced metabolites
      while the protandrousRhabdosargus sarba produced mainly 5beta-reduced products.
      Both fishes synthesized 11-oxotestosterone; the synthesis of which appeared to
      mediate mainly through adrenosterone inM. albus butvia 11beta-hydroxytestosterone
      inR. sarba.When the plasma levels of androstenedione, testosterone, 11
      oxotestosterone, 11beta-hydroxytestosterone, estrone and 17beta-estradiol among
      the male, intersexual and female phase of the same species were compared,
      available data showed that either there was no obvious difference among the
      different sexual phases or the differences could be accounted for by the seasonal
      reproductive activities of the animal.Except for androstenedione, there are no
      marked changes in plasma testosterone, 11-oxotestosterone, 11beta
      hydroxytestosterone, estrone and 17beta-estradiol levels in the intersexual phase
      compared with the female and male, it is unlikely that these classical sex
      steroids act as a primary trigger of natural sex reversal in these fishes; the
      role of androstenedione awaits further elucidation. 

PMID- 24221777
TI  - Genetic influences on reproductive system development and function: A review.
AB  - This paper presents a current view of the genomic and neuroendocrine interaction
      based on our studies of the reproductive system in the platyfish (Xiphophorus
      maculatus). It also presents observations from basic research and applied
      biologists on natural and artificially reared fishes and indicates that there is
      a direct genetic involvement in the control of spawning, growth rates, size and
      age at maturation and final body size, similar to that described in platyfish.
      The past, present and future association of aquaculture and basic science,
      especially DNA technology, is discussed and potential directions for future
      research are presented. 

PMID- 24221778
TI  - Purification of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) GH for receptor study.
AB  - A method for the purification of chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) GH,
      which retains its biological activity, is described. The biological activity was
      investigated with an established radioreceptor assay using liver membranes from
      pregnant rabbits and bovine GH as standard and labelled hormone. The enrichment
      of the preparation was checked with electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Extraction and
      further steps were carried out using low molarity alkaline buffer (pH 8-10, M =
      100 mM). Three chromatography steps were performed (Concanavalin-A sepharose, Bio
      gel P60, DEAE). Ion exchange chromatography was performed under isocratic
      conditions (using a 50 cm column). Two isoforms (sGH1 and sGH2) were isolated.
      The purification yield is 0.7% compared to lyophilized pituitaries. The molecule
      is homogeneous in SDS-PAGE. Contamination by prolactin, gonadotrophin and
      corticotrophin is negligible (< 0.5%). It could be demonstrated that the
      biological activity of the preparation is maintained since this preparation
      stimulates the growth of juvenile trout (Salmo gairdneri) and binds specifically
      (35%) to trout liver membranes. 

PMID- 24221779
TI  - Stress responses and disease resistance in salmonid fish: Effects of chronic
      elevation of plasma cortisol.
AB  - Basal levels of plasma cortisol in unstressed salmonid fish are normally in the
      range 0-5 ng ml(-1). An acute stress such as handling or 1 h confinement caused a
      temporary elevation of the plasma cortisol levels of both brown trout,Salmo
      trutta L., and rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri Richardson, in the range 40-200 ng
      ml(-1) with a return to basal levels within 24-48 h. The extent of the cortisol
      elevation in response to an acute stress was dependent upon both the species and
      strain of trout. Chronic stresses, such as prolonged confinement or crowding,
      resulted in an elevation of plasma cortisol levels to approximately 10 ng ml(-1).
      Under these circumstances, blood cortisol levels remained elevated for periods of
      up to 4 weeks before acclimation finally occurred.It is shown, by means of
      intraperitoneal implantation of cortisol, that chronic elevation of plasma
      cortisol levels in the brown trout results in a dose-dependent increase in
      mortality due to common bacterial and fungal diseases. This effect is apparent at
      plasma cortisol levels as low as 10 ng ml(-1), levels below those often reported
      as being representative of 'unstressed' fish. These findings are discussed in
      relation to the known immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids in teleost
      fish. 

PMID- 24221780
TI  - Regulation of the interrenal of fishes: non-classical control mechanisms.
AB  - The regulation of the interrenal of teleostean fishes is reviewed from the
      perspective of non-classical control mechanisms and new evidence is presented
      suggesting gonadotropic control of the interrenal. Cortisol secretion by the
      interrenal, in addition to regulation by ACTH, appears to be mediated by other
      hormones. Physiologically relevant, direct control of interrenal function by
      hydromineral factors is unclear.In vitro experiments with interrenals of coho
      salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) indicate that salmon gonadotropin is extremely
      corticotropic and both ACTH and gonadotropin stimulate the secretion of large
      quantities of androstenedione from the interrenal. 

PMID- 24221781
TI  - Effect of acid environments on cortisol and cortisol receptor activity in
      Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar.
AB  - The cytosol and nuclear extract of gill tissue obtained from laboratory held
      Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar manifested saturable cortisol binding of high
      affinity and low capacity (cytosol: Ka = 0.198 +/- 0.024 * 10(9)/M, Nmax = 116.8
      +/- 20.8 fmol/mg protein; nuclear extract: Ka = 0.823 +/- 0.057 * 10(7)/M, Nmax =
      1563 +/- 330 fmol/mg protein; n = 4). The cytosol receptor activity displayed
      high steroid and tissue specificity and a single binding peak at 191,000 Da
      following gel permeation chromatography.Atlantic salmon exposed for 3 or 8 months
      to waters from the Medway River (pH about 5.1), the Westfield River (pH about
      4.8) and calcium carbonate treated Westfield River (pH about 5.6) showed no gill
      cytosol receptor activity. Cortisol receptor activity in the gill nuclear
      extracts from fish in limed Westfield River water in December (3 months) was less
      than half the activity in the fish treated with Medway River water (p < 0.05)
      although the plasma cortisol values were not different. In May (8 months), the
      plasma cortisol of fish in limed water was almost twice that of the fish held in
      acid Westfield River water (p = 0.058). 

PMID- 24221782
TI  - Circulatory catecholamines in the eel: origins and functions.
AB  - While the three catecholamines (CAs) dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and
      epinephrine (E), are wide-spread in tissues of the American eel (Anguilla
      rostrata), the bulk of these CAs in the systemic blood originates from chromaffin
      cells in the wall of the posterior cardinal veins. In addition, the brain and
      unidentified structures in the opisthonephric kidney also release appreciable
      quantities of CAs. The functional realms attributed to systematically circulating
      CAs in teleosts comprise cardiovascular, respiratory, osmoregulatory, metabolic
      and endocrinotropic actions. In the eel, cardiovascular and respiratory effects
      are well established. However, we were unable to prove a physiological role of
      the CAs in osmoregulation. On the other hand, the eel is the only species among
      five vertebrates of greatly varying phylogenetic position (the others: hagfish,
      lamprey, rat, human) in which physiological doses of E were hyperglycemic. As in
      lamprey and rat, DA and NE are released in the eel by physiological doses of E.
      In addition, DA and NE also release the respective other two CAs. The
      physiological significance of the catecholaminotropic (CA-tropic) interactions
      remains to be established; however, the CA-tropic effect of E does not require
      the presence of the brain or 'preganglionic' nerve cells. In the eel, mild stress
      causes an immediate 'unorthodox' drop of plasma CAs, while stronger stress is
      followed by the expected increase of plasma CAs. 

PMID- 24221783
TI  - Metabolic actions of glucagon-family hormones in liver.
AB  - This review addresses direct and indirect metabolic actions of hormones co
      encoded in the preproglucagon gene of fishes. Emphasis is placed on a critical
      analysis of the effects of glucagon and glucagon-like peptide (GLP) and the
      current knowledge of the respective modes of action is reviewed. In mammals GLPs
      exert no direct metabolic actions. In fish liver, GLP and glucagon act on similar
      targets of intermediary metabolism by enhancing flux through glycogenolysis,
      lipolysis and gluconeogenesis. Increases in substrate oxidation are not uniform.
      Hormonal activation of glycogen phosphorylase and triglyceride lipase and
      inhibition of pyruvate kinase are implicated in these actions. Hormone-dependent
      hyperglycemia, depletion of hepatic glycogen and increases in free fatty acids
      are noticeablein vivo. Glucagon also activates hepatic amino acid uptake and
      ammonia excretion.Glucagon actions are accompanied by large increases in hepatic
      cAMP and increased phosphorylation of pyruvate kinase. Metabolic effects measured
      after GLP administration are associated with minor, if any, increases in cAMP and
      effects on pyruvate kinase are variable. We hypothesize that different hepatic
      receptors with differing modes of intracellular message transduction are involved
      in glucagon and GLP actions while targetting identical metabolic routes.
      Responses of different species of fish cover a wide spectrum, and variation of
      response with the circannual cycle of experimental animals makes comparisons of
      results, even within one species, difficult. 

PMID- 24221784
TI  - The relationship between T3 production and energy balance in salmonids and other
      teleosts.
AB  - Extrathyroidal T4 5'-monodeiodination, demonstrated in several teleost species,
      generates T3 which binds more effectively than T4 to putative nuclear receptors
      and is probably the active thyroid hormone. T4 to T3 conversion is sensitive to
      the physiological state and provides a pivotal regulatory link between the
      environment and thyroid hormone action. T3 generation is enhanced in anabolic
      states (positive energy balance or conditions favoring somatic growth; food
      intake or treatment with androgens or growth hormone) and is suppressed in
      catabolic states (negative energy balance or conditions not favoring somatic
      growth; starvation, stress, or high estradiol levels associated with
      vitellogenesis). In fish, as in mammals, thyroidal status may be finely tuned to
      energy balance and through T3 production regulate energy-demanding processes,
      which in fish include somatic growth, development and early gonadal maturation. 

PMID- 24221785
TI  - Enhanced survival in striped bass fingerlings after maternal triiodothyronine
      treatment.
AB  - Elevation of the triiodothyronine (T3) content of striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
      eggs by maternal T3 injection confirms the uptake of T3 by oocytes. The resulting
      offspring were influenced favorably by the T3, as seen in quantitative indices of
      development. As reported previously, larvae from T3-supplemented eggs raised
      under laboratory conditions exhibited increased body area, length, dry weight,
      and rates of swimbladder inflation and survival, compared to controls. Also, the
      T3 content of unfertilized oocytes correlated positively and highly significantly
      with survival to two weeks of age within individual cohorts (Brownet al., 1988).
      In the present study, the survival of experimental and control striped bass was
      monitored through the fingerling stage, under hatchery production conditions. The
      rate of recovery of maternally T3-treated cohorts from pond-culture was
      approximately fourfold that of controls. The striking effects of T3 enrichment of
      eggs on offspring indicate the potential contribution of maternal hormones in
      striped bass development, and suggest possible applications in aquaculture. 

PMID- 24221786
TI  - Hypothalamic control of prolactin release in the rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri:
      in vitro studies.
AB  - Hypothalamic control of prolactin (PRL) release in immature rainbow troutSalmo
      gairdneri was investigated using anin vitro perifusion system of the rostral pars
      distalis. Hypothalamic extract of trout induced a dose-dependent stimulation of
      PRL release. A similar effect was observed when infusing the medium from a 24h
      static incubation of the hypothalamus. Extracts from different control tissues
      (muscle, liver, gut) did not changein vitro release, thus confirming the
      specificity of this stimulatory effect. Hypothalamic extract from adult male rat,
      known to contain PRL release inhibiting factors, stimulatedin vitro PRL secretion
      in rainbow trout. This suggests that PRL cells are predominantly influenced by
      PRL releasing factors. Measurement of TRH and serotonin content in trout
      hypothalamus indicated consistent physiological levels of these two factors. HPLC
      studies of hypothalamic extract showed that immunoreactive - TRH eluted at the
      same place as labelled TRH standard. Moreover, pizotifen, a serotonin antagonist,
      partially inhibited the stimulation observed with trout hypothalamic extract.
      These results suggest that, in immature rainbow trout, PRL release is under
      stimulatory hypothalamic control and that serotonin and probably TRH play a major
      role in this control. 

PMID- 24221787
TI  - Changes in plasma prolactin and growth hormone concentrations during freshwater
      adaptation of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) reared in seawater for a
      prolonged period.
AB  - Freshwater adaptability of chum salmon was examined in juvenile fish reared in
      seawater for 4 months. The fish, weighing about 40g, were transferred directly to
      fresh water in October, when their cohorts are migrating in the North Pacific
      Ocean. Plasma sodium concentration decreased from 167 mM in seawater to about 130
      mM during the first 24h, and increased gradually during 2-7 days after the
      transfer. No immunoreactive prolactin (PRL) was detected in the plasma of the
      seawater-adapted fish nor during the first 24h in fresh water. Significant levels
      of PRL were detected after 2-3 days. The maximal level (2.6 ng/ml) was observed
      after 5 days and became undetectable again after 7 days; no significant
      correlation was seen between the changes in plasma sodium and PRL levels during
      the transfer. Plasma growth hormone levels were relatively constant, except for a
      significant decrease 12h after the transfer. Although plasma thyroxine levels
      were highly variable during the experiment, a significant decrease and an
      increase were observed 12h and 5 days after the transfer, respectively. The
      present study indicates that juvenile chum salmon retain hyperosmoregulatory
      ability even after prolonged rearing in seawater. Examination of turnover rates,
      rather than changes in plasma levels, seems to be essential to clarify the
      osmoregulatory roles of the hormones. 

PMID- 24221788
TI  - Survival of salmonids in seawater and the time-frame of growth hormone action.
AB  - In salmonids, growth hormone (GH) effectively promotes adaptation of freshwater
      (FW) fish to seawater (SW), but it has been unclear whether GH has osmoregulatory
      actions apart from those consequent to an increase in body size. Our objectives
      were first, to examine the minimum time and dose required for GH to enhance SW
      adaptation; and second, to optimize the conditions for the acute GH response in
      developing a convenient GH bioassay based on its plasma ion lowering effect.
      Trout showed markedly improved SW survival when transferred from fresh water 6,
      24, or 48h after a single chum salmon GH injection (0.25 MUg/g). Preadapting
      trout to 1/3 SW enhanced the plasma ion lowering effect of ovine GH (oGH)
      injected 48h before transfer of the fish to 80% SW. Endogenous plasma GH levels
      were elevated in control trout switched from low salinities to 80% SW but were
      depressed in oGH-injected fish after transfer. Under optimal test conditions (1/3
      SW preadaptation, 48h pre-transfer injection, and 100% SW final challenge), the
      reduction in plasma Na(+), Ca(++), and Mg(++) levels of oGH-injected fish was
      dose-dependent. The oGH doses giving minimum and maximum responses were 50 and
      200 ng/g, respectively. In short, GH exerts acute osmoregulatory actions that
      promote SW adaptation in the absence of changes in body size. Compared with
      growth GH bioassays, the osmoregulatory assay is superior in economy of time,
      animal costs, and hormone quantity required and potentially in specificity. 

PMID- 24221789
TI  - Signals controlling renin release in aglomerular toadfish.
AB  - The toadfish,Opsanus tau, lacks renal glomeruli and macula densa, but has high
      renal renin activity and abundant granulated cells in renal arteries and
      arterioles. Reduction of blood pressure (BP) or blood volume by hemorrhage or
      vasodilatory drugs causes renin release, indicating that an intrarenal or
      extrarenal pressure- or volume-sensitive mechanism exists for controlling renin
      release in the toadfish. Thus, we examined whether 1) beta-adrenergic receptor
      mediated activation of renin release, and 2) calcium influx which may underlie
      the baroreceptor mechanism are involved in the cellular control of renin release.
      Acute injection of isoproterenol (1 MUg/kg, n = 6) decreased BP and increased
      plasma renin activity (PRA) 4-5 fold in unanesthetized toadfish. Propranolol
      abolished both effects, but did not decrease basal PRA levels.In vitro
      superfusion of renal slices with bicarbonate Ringer's solution showed a steady
      secretion of renin, and addition of 50 mM K(+) (K(+) methylsulfate replacing
      NaCl, n = 10) to the superfusate markedly suppressed renin secretion. Nifedipine
      (10(-5) M, n = 8) completely restored the high K(+)-induced inhibition of renin
      secretion from renal slices, whereas isoproterenol (10(-4) M, n = 6) neither
      increased basal renin secretion nor restored K(+)-induced renin suppression.
      These results suggest that calcium influx may mediate inhibitory messages for
      renin secretion, while the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated activation of granulated
      cells appears absent in toadfish. 

PMID- 24221790
TI  - Control of ion transport by the sperm duct epithelium of brook trout (Salvelinus
      fontinalis).
AB  - The sperm duct epithelium of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), mountedin vitro
      in Ussing-style epithelial chambers actively absorbs Na(+) (measured as the short
      circuit current, Isc) and secretes K(+) (measured using(86)Rb(+) as tracer).
      Dibutyryl-cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP) and 3-isobutyl-1
      methylxanthine (IMX) produce a rapid, sustained stimulation of both ion transport
      processes, but the hormone connected to the response is unknown. Purified sockeye
      salmon CON A2 gonadotropin (GtH) produces a dose-dependent, rapid and sustained
      rise in Na(+) uptake and K(+) secretion. The time course, electrophysiological
      and transport characteristics are similar to those evoked by IMX. Carbohydrate
      poor (chum salmon CON A1) GtH is ineffective. Pretreatment of fish with
      17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha,20beta-P) significantly
      increases milt volume but is without effect on resting or stimulated (IMX + db
      cAMP) levels of sperm duct ion transport. This is the first indication of a
      direct, rapid action of GtH on ion transport by the vertebrate blood-testis
      barrier. The results suggest direct involvement of GtH in control of later stages
      of sperm maturation. 

PMID- 24221791
TI  - Localization of calcium regulatory hormones in fish.
AB  - Immunocytochemical localization of hypocalcin, a hypocalcemic factor in the
      corpuscles of Stannius (CS), in American eels was examined at the light (ABC
      method) and electron microscopic (protein A-gold technique) levels with the
      specific antiserum raised against purified rainbow trout hypocalcin. Only type 1
      cells in the CS were immunoreactive in the light microscopic immunocytochemistry.
      At the electron microscopic level, however, hypocalcin immunoreactivity was
      observed in secretory granules of both type 1 and type 2 cells. Our findings may
      indicate that type 1 cells are the main source of hypocalcin, but that type 2
      cells also produce it, suggesting that the presence of two cell types reflects
      different physiological conditions of a single cell type, rather than
      functionally different cell types.In addition, we summarize our recent data on
      the localization of other calcium regulatory, or putative calcium regulatory,
      hormones in fish: parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related
      peptide. 

PMID- 24221792
TI  - Studies on teleost corpuscles of Stannius: Physiological and biochemical aspects
      of synthesis and release of hypocalcin in trout, goldfish and eel.
AB  - Hypercalcemia (induced by CaCl2-injection or seawater exposure of the fish)
      reduced the hypocalcin content of corpuscles of Stannius (CS) in trout, goldfish
      and eel; concomitantly the synthetic activity of CS of hypercalcemic fish, as
      determinedin vitro, was enhanced. The monomeric forms of prohypocalcin and of
      hypocalcin of trout and goldfish are 32 and 28 kDA Mr glycoprotein species
      respectively; those of the eel are 2 kDa bigger,viz. 34 and 30 kDa respectively.
      Moreover, eel CS producein vitro an enigmatic 70 kDa glycoprotein with affinity
      for concanavalin-A. It is concluded that plasma calcium levels control storage
      and synthesis rates of hypocalcin in the CS. 

PMID- 24221793
TI  - Vitamin D3 and the renal handling of phosphate in American eels.
AB  - Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) increased plasma inorganic phosphate concentration
      in American eels,Anguilla rostrata, in a dose-dependent fashion. This response
      was more marked in phosphate loaded fish. In control as well as phosphate loaded
      eels the hyperphosphatemic response to D3 was associated with a sharp reduction
      in renal phosphate clearance relative to(14)C-polyethelene glycol (PEG)
      clearance. Glomerular filtration and urine flow rates were not affected by D3. As
      renal phosphate clearance, even in phosphate loaded eels, never significantly
      exceeded that of PEG, it is suggested that D3 reduced the relative clearance rate
      of phosphate by increasing renal phosphate reabsorption rather than by reducing
      the tubular secretion of phosphate. 

PMID- 24221794
TI  - Processing and bioactivity of the corpuscles of Stannius protein of the
      Australian eel.
AB  - The primary structure of the major protein from the Corpuscles of Stannius (CS)
      of the Australian eel was elucidated from the cDNA sequence and was found to bear
      close similarity to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the presumably
      homologous salmon hormone, teleocalcin (TC). The cDNA sequence predicted a
      preproprotein of 263 amino acids. Following removal of a 17 amino acid signal
      peptide, specific monobasic cleavage at an Arg-Phe bond generates the 231 amino
      acid mature form of the protein. The isolation and sequence determination of the
      prosequence confirms that the precursor contains a prosegment of 15 residues.
      Various fragments of the protein have been synthesized chemically and their
      biological activity assessed. The N-terminal 1-20 fragment of the mature protein
      inhibits calcium uptake in fingerling trout, the effect being similar, but not
      equipotent to salmon teleocalcin. Further, infusion of either the N-terminal 1-20
      or the 81-94 fragment at 50 MUg/h into the renal artery of conscious sheep,
      caused significant decreases in systemic plasma potassium concentration and in
      potassium excretion. The 1-20 fragment also gave rise to a small but significant
      increase in sodium excretion. Infusion of TC at the same rate results in a
      significant decrease in plasma potassium and phosphate concentration as well as a
      significant decrease in potassium excretion. Bovine PTH (1-34) at 100 MUg/h
      causes a small decrease in plasma potassium and phosphate and an increase in
      plasma calcium concentration, and was the only peptide to cause a significant
      decrease in calcium excretion. 

PMID- 24221795
TI  - Studies on the structure and physiology of salmon teleocalcin.
AB  - The structure and physiology of salmon teleocalcin, a Ca(+2) regulating hormone
      from the corpuscles of Stannius (CS) is reviewed. Teleocalcin is produced by the
      PAS+, type 1 cells in the CS. The hormone is a disulfide-linked homodimer, with a
      unique amino acid sequence and a carbohydrate moiety on residue 29. The
      teleocalcin monomer has a MW of 30 KD, whereas the pro-form of the monomer is 32
      KD. The hormone is positively regulated by Ca(+2) and its function is to slow the
      active transport of Ca(+2) across the gill epithelium. In conjunction with
      prolactin, which stimulates Ca(+2) transport, teleocalcin is one of the major
      factors involved in Ca(+2) homeostasis in fish. 

PMID- 24221796
TI  - Molecular cloning and expression of salmon pituitary hormones.
AB  - A cDNA library was prepared from chinook salmon pituitaries. Growth hormone (GH),
      prolactin (PRL) and the beta subunit of gonadotropin (GTH) genes were screened
      using synthetic oligonucleotides as probes. Full size cDNA clones coding for
      these polypeptide hormones were isolated and characterized. The cDNA sequences
      for PRL and betaGTH have been reported earlier from our laboratories. The cDNA
      clone for GH contains 1148 bp and codes for a preGH of 210 amino acids. The
      chinook salmon GH, reported in the present investigation, differs from chum
      salmon GH in only 1 amino acid, and from coho salmon GH in 5 amino acids.
      Plasmids containing modified nucleotide sequences coding for GH, PRL and betaGTH
      were constructed individually into an expression vector using the heat-inducible
      lambda pL promotor. Mature PRL, GH and unglycosylated betaGTH were expressed in
      the bacteria at elevated temperature. 

PMID- 24221797
TI  - Evolutionary implications of two rainbow trout growth hormone genes.
AB  - The primary structures of two rainbow trout growth hormone mRNAs (GH1 and GH2)
      have been deduced by direct sequencing of their respective cDNA clones and
      portions of the mRNA. Both GH1 and GH2 mRNA contain open reading frames comprised
      of 630 nucleotides and encode 210 amino acid residues of which 11 are variant.
      The translated regions of both mRNA are flanked by a short but rather conserved
      5'-end, and a relatively long but highly diverged 3'-end. The differences at
      translated and 3'-untranslated regions suggest that the GH1 and GH2 mRNA
      originate from different loci. The GH1 and GH2 mRNA are likely transcribed from
      two distinct loci which were duplicated during tetraploidization of salmonid
      genome between 50 to 100 million years ago.The GH2 gene has been isolated and
      sequenced from a rainbow trout genomic library. This gene spans a region of
      approximately 4 kilobases. The trout GH gene is comprised of 6 exons and 5
      introns, in contrast to 5 exons and 4 introns in mammals. The additional intron
      in the trout gene interrupts the translated regions that are analogous to the
      last exon of the mammalian counterpart. The alleged internally repeating
      sequences in mammalian GH, prolactin (Pr1) and placental lactogen (PL) are not
      observed in the predicted polypeptide sequence of trout GH. In addition, direct
      repeats that flank exons I, III and V of mammalian GH, Pr1 and PL genes are
      absent in trout gene. These findings indicate that the rainbow trout GH gene
      structure does not support the current hypothesis that internally repeated
      regions in GH, Pr1 and PL arose from a small primordial gene. 

PMID- 24221798
TI  - Hormonal regulation of antifreeze protein gene expression in winter flounder.
AB  - The essential features of experiments carried out over the past fifteen years are
      brought together with new data to formulate a model describing the hormonal
      regulation of the annual plasma antifreeze polypeptide (AFP) cycle in winter
      flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus). The precise time of onset of antifreeze
      synthesis in the fall appears to be regulated by photoperiod acting through the
      central nervous system (CNS) on the pituitary gland. During the summer, growth
      hormone (GH) blocks transcription of the AFP genes. With the loss of long
      daylengths in the fall, the CNS inhibits the release of GH allowing AFP gene
      transcription in the liver to proceed. In the spring GH is again released from
      the pituitary and AFP gene transcription is blocked. 

PMID- 24221799
TI  - Endocrinology and fish farming: Aspects in reproduction, growth, and
      smoltification.

PMID- 24221800
TI  - Cyclostome workshop.

PMID- 24221801
TI  - Transgenic fish: present status and future directions.
AB  - Successful production of transgenic fish by gene transfer technology is a very
      important breakthrough in the techniques of genetic manipulation in animals. This
      will have an impact of an unprecedented scale in fish biology, aquaculture and
      mariculture. This is a summary of the workshop on the Transgenic Fish presented
      at this Symposium. The Workshop discussed the current knowledge, experimental
      difficulties and related topics of the transgenic fish. It recommended further
      research on better gene constructs, methods development, safety containment and
      the closer collaboration of researchers of different disciplines. 

PMID- 24221802
TI  - Some perspectives on fish endocrinology.

PMID- 24221804
TI  - Antiplatelet therapy in prevention of cardio- and venous thromboembolic events.
AB  - The contribution of platelets in the pathophysiology of low-shear thrombosis
      specifically, in atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolic events (VTE)
      remains less clear than for arterial thrombosis. AF itself appears to lead to
      platelet activation, offering a potential target for aspirin and other
      antiplatelet agents. Randomized trial results suggest a small benefit of aspirin
      over placebo, and of dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus clopidogrel) over
      aspirin alone, for prevention of cardioembolic events in AF. Antiplatelet therapy
      thus can represent an option for patients with AF who are unsuitable for therapy
      with warfarin or novel oral anticoagulant agents. For VTE, the rationale for
      antiplatelet therapy reflects the venous response to disrupted blood flow
      interactions among monocytes, neutrophil extracellular traps, and platelets.
      Early randomized trials generally showed poorer performance of aspirin relative
      to heparins and danaparoid sodium in prevention of VTE. However, results from
      large placebo- and dalteparin-controlled randomized trials have spurred changes
      in the most recent practice guidelines-aspirin is now recommended after major
      orthopedic surgery for patients who cannot receive other antithrombotic
      therapies. 

PMID- 24221808
TI  - Veterinarians and the Institute of Medicine.

PMID- 24221805
TI  - Comparison of cost-effectiveness of anticoagulation with dabigatran, rivaroxaban
      and apixaban in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation across countries.
AB  - We did a cost-utility analysis for the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in the
      German population based on the quality-adjusted life years (QALY), total costs,
      and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). The aim of our investigation
      was to examine cost-utility for current German drug market costs and compared to
      other countries. Outcome data were taken from dabigatran's RE-LY, rivaroxaban's
      ROCKET AF, and apixaban's ARISTOTLE trials. A Markov decision model, the Monte
      Carlo simulation (MCS), and further sensitivity analyses were used to simulate
      comparisons between NOACs over a follow up period of 20 years. The main
      perspective used for the analyses is from a German public health care insurance
      perspective. The base-case analyses of a 65 years old person with a CHADS2 score
      >1 resulted in 7.56-7.64 QALYs gained for warfarin. NOACs added 0.04-0.19 QALYs.
      Total costs for warfarin ranged from 7622 to 9069<euro> and for NOACs from 19537
      to 20048<euro>. The sensitivity analysis indicated that current German market
      costs for the NOACs exceed a willingness-to-pay threshold of (hypothetical)
      50000<euro>/QALY in all treatment regimen. The MCS showed willingness-to-pay
      thresholds from 60500<euro>/QALY for apixaban to 278000<euro>/QALY for dabigatran
      110 mg bid, with values for dabigatran 150 mg bid and rivaroxaban in between. In
      conclusion, from a German public health care insurance perspective current market
      costs are high in relation to the quality of life gained. These results from
      clinical studies (efficacy) remain to be confirmed under real life conditions
      (effectiveness). 

PMID- 24221812
TI  - Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus: a new challenge for
      veterinarians?

PMID- 24221813
TI  - Pneumoperitoneum in a patient with Larsen syndrome.

PMID- 24221814
TI  - Green, scalable, binderless fabrication of a single-walled carbon nanotube
      nonwoven fabric based on an ancient Japanese paper process.
AB  - We propose a fabrication method for carbon nanotube (CNT) nonwoven fabrics based
      on an ancient Japanese papermaking process where paper is made from natural plant
      fibers. In our method, CNT nonwoven fabrics are made by a scalable process of
      filtering binder-free, aqueous suspensions of CNTs. The aqueous suspension of
      these entangled single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) aggregates enabled smooth
      filtration through a cellulose filter with large pores (8 MUm). The "wet SWNT
      cakes," which were composed solely of SWNT and water and obtained after
      filtration, were press-dried to fabricate an SWNT nonwoven fabric. This
      environmentally friendly process employs water and the raw CNT material alone.
      Moreover, the scalability of this process was demonstrated by manufacturing a
      large area (A3, 30 * 42 cm; thickness: 40-150 MUm), self-supporting SWNT nonwoven
      fabric with a density of 0.4 g/cm(3), a basis weight of 0.2 g/m(2) , a porosity
      of 63%, and a specific surface area of 740 m(2)/g. This SWNT nonwoven fabric is
      anticipated to find application as functional particle-supported sheets,
      electrode materials, and filters. 

PMID- 24221815
TI  - Exceptionally large solitary fibrous tumor arising from the cheek: an
      immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study with a review of the literature.
AB  - Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare mass-forming soft tissue tumor that occurs
      most commonly in the pleura, but has been described in various extrathoracic
      sites. Extrapleural manifestation of SFT, particularly in the head and neck
      region, is rare. The most common extrapleural site is the oral cavity; these
      tumors have also been described in the orbit, nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses,
      salivary glands, and larynx. We report an extremely rare case of a SFT in the
      subcutaneous region of the cheek. This tumor in the left cheek was a large firm
      mass, approximately 8.5 cm * 6 cm in size and was successfully treated by
      surgical resection. Immunohistochemistry revealed reactivity for vimentin, CD34,
      and bcl-2, but no staining for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, S-100,
      desmin, caldesmon, actin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, CD117, and CD99.
      Immunohistochemical study is the key to establish a definitive diagnosis of SFT,
      and ultrastructural study is also useful for making an accurate diagnosis. The
      patient recovered uneventfully without evidence of tumor recurrence 2 years after
      surgery.

PMID- 24221816
TI  - Being a girl in a boys' world: investigating the experiences of girls with autism
      spectrum disorders during adolescence.
AB  - This study investigates the experiences of adolescent girls with autism spectrum
      disorders (ASD) during adolescence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted
      with three mother-daughter dyads and two additional mothers. A range of issues
      were highlighted covering physical, emotional, social and sexual domains. Some of
      these issues were similar to those experienced by boys with ASD during
      adolescence, such as negative implications of late diagnosis, challenges of
      transitioning to and coping with high school, 'hands-on' role of parents into
      adolescence, difficulties adjusting to the increased demands of adolescent
      hygiene routines, and the importance of learning personal boundaries in
      interactions with others. Other issues discussed were of particular relevance to
      adolescent girls with ASD, such as difficulties socialising with neurotypically
      developing girls, sex-specific puberty issues, and sexual vulnerabilities. This
      study highlights an important research area and is a preliminary step towards
      understanding the experiences of adolescent girls with ASD and their families. 

PMID- 24221818
TI  - Evaluation of surface colonization kinetics in continuous culture.
AB  - Two equations, describing surface colonization, were evaluated and compared using
      suspended glass slides in a continuous culture ofPseudomonas aeruginosa. These
      equations were used to determine surface growth rates from the number and
      distribution of cells present on the surface after incubation. One of these was
      the colonization equation which accounts for simultaneous attachment and growth
      of bacteria on surfaces:[Formula: see text] where N=number of cells on surface
      (cells field(-1)); A=attachment rate (cells field(-1)h(-1));MU=specific growth
      rate (h(-1)); t=incubation period (h). The other was the surface growth rate
      equation which assumes that the number of colonies of a given size (Ci) will
      reach a constant value (Cmax) which is equal to A divided byMU:[Formula: see
      text] Both equations gave similar results and the time required to approximate
      Cmax may not be as long as was previously thought. In all cases both A andMU
      continuously decreased throughout the incubation period. These decreases may be
      due to various effects of microbial accumulation on the surface. Both equations
      accurately determined surface growth rates despite highly variable attachment
      rates. Growth rates were similar for both the liquid phase of the culture and the
      solid-liquid interface (0.4 h(-1)). Use of the surface growth rate equation is
      favored over the use of the colonization equation since the former does not
      require a computer to solve forMU and the counting procedure is simplified. 

PMID- 24221817
TI  - Lower electrodermal activity to acute stress in caregivers of people with autism
      spectrum disorder: an adaptive habituation to stress.
AB  - Caring for a relative with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) entails being under
      chronic stress that could alter body homeostasis. Electrodermal activity (EDA) is
      an index of the sympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system related to
      emotionality and homeostasis. This study compares EDA in response to acute stress
      in the laboratory between parents of people with (n = 30) and without (n = 34)
      ASD (caregivers and non-caregivers, respectively). Caregivers showed lower EDA in
      response to acute stress than non-caregivers. They also presented higher trait
      anxiety, anger, depression, and somatic symptoms than non-caregivers. Higher EDA
      was related to a worse mood and more severe somatic symptoms only in caregivers.
      These results could reflect an adaptive habituation to stress and establish that
      high EDA in response to acute stress depends on caregivers' health.

PMID- 24221819
TI  - Surface attachment of a sediment isolate ofEnterobacter cloacae.
AB  - Enterobacter cloacae was recovered from surface sediments of a flood control
      channel in an area where freshwater runoff mixed with coastal seawater. Cells of
      this bacterium elaborated an extensive capsule when cultured under laboratory
      conditions designed to promote extracellular polysaccharide production.
      Colonization of glass surfaces by cells was similar under aerobic and anaerobic
      conditions. Temperature exerted little effect on maximum adherent cell density in
      the range of 15-25 degrees C. The availability of organic nutrients also had
      little influence on the tendency of cells to adhere to surfaces. Maximum adherent
      cell densities decreased (76%) as salinity increased from 0 to 120/00 The results
      suggest that cells ofE. cloacae are suitably adapted to maintain a sessile
      existence in brackish water sediments of temperate coastal areas. 

PMID- 24221820
TI  - Bacterial activity at the air/water interface.
AB  - By using substrate molecules of varying degrees of surface activity, we were able
      to measure some features of bacterial activity in the surface microlayers (SM)
      and in the subsurface (bulk) water. The fraction of active cells was determined
      by a combined microautoradiography-epifluorescence (ME) method. Measurements were
      made of(14)CO2 evolution to determine the rate of respiration. Results from in
      situ measurements showed no significant difference between fraction of active
      cells in the SM and in the bulk. This may be due to an exchange of bacteria
      between SM and bulk. This exchange was assessed by spreading a film of(3)H
      palmitic acid on the surface and, after incubation, measuring the amount of
      labeled cells at the surface and in the bulk. Test bacteria showing a high
      accumulation at the surface also showed a low exchange between the 2 strata. When
      low concentrations of added(14)C-protein were used, the respiration measurements
      showed a lower value for bulk than for interface localized protein. At higher
      concentrations, the evolved(14)CO2 was the same whether the protein was mixed in
      the bulk or spread at the surface. When 2.4-12 ng.cm(-2) of(14)C-palmitic acid
      was spread on the surface, there was a linear relation between turnover time and
      amount of added substrate. At higher substrate concentrations there was a
      deviation from the straight line. Results are discussed in terms of the unique
      habitat found at an interface. 

PMID- 24221821
TI  - Effects of freeze-thaw stress on bacterial populations in soil microcosms.
AB  - To test the effect of freezing on soil biota, isolated from the shortgrass
      prairie of northeastern Colorado, a series of experiments were performed using
      gnotobiotic soil microcosms.Pseudomonas paucimobilis was used to examine the
      effects of freezing on bacteria of different growth stages. Secondly, the effect
      of multiple freeze-thaw cycles was tested on an assemblage of bacterial species.
      Lastly, the effect of freezing on predator-prey interactions was studied usingP.
      paucimobilis and an amoebal predator,Acanthamoeba polyphaga. A temperature of -9
      degrees C was not detrimental toP. paucimobilis at any growth stage. A single
      severe freeze-thaw cycle (-27 degrees C to 23 degrees C) resulted in 40-60%
      mortality ofP. paucimobilis and the mixed bacteria, although additional freezing
      events did not reduce the populations further. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles (-9
      degrees C to 23 degrees C) gave 40-60% mortality ofP. paucimobilis and the mixed
      bacteria. Predator-prey population cycles were possibly desynchronized by freeze
      thaw events. 

PMID- 24221822
TI  - Competition for L-lactate betweenDesulfovibrio, Veillonella, andAcetobacterium
      species isolated from anaerobic intertidal sediments.
AB  - Almost equal numbers ofDesulfovibrio, Veillonella, andAcetobacterium species were
      found in agar shake dilutions of anaerobic intertidal brackish sediments applying
      L-lactate as the only energy source and sulfate as electron acceptor. Pure
      cultures of these bacteria were studied in more detail in batch cultures as well
      as in L-lactate-limited chemostats. The maximal specific growth rates on L
      lactate were determined in washout experiments and amounted to 0.16, 0.30, and
      0.06 h(-1) forDesulfovibrio baculatus H.L21,Veillonella alcalescens NS.L49,
      andAcetobacterium NS.L40, respectively. Competition for L-lactate was studied in
      energy-limited chemostats at a dilution rate of 0.02 h(-1).D. baculatus H.L21
      turned out to be the best competitor at low L-lactate concentrations provided
      that sufficient sulfate and iron were present.V. alcalescens NS.L49 was favored
      by the absence of sulfate and iron. Coexistence ofD. baculatus H.L21 andV.
      alcalescens NS.L49 was observed in a L-lactate-limited chemostat with additional
      sulfate and citrate. Syntrophic growth ofV. alcalescens NS.L49 andAcetobacterium
      NS.L40 occurred in a L-lactate-limited chemostat in the absence of sulfate. No
      coexistence betweenD. baculatus H.L21 andAcetobacterium NS.L40 was observed in a
      L-lactate-limited chemostat without sulfate. Addition of calcium-saturated illite
      to an energy-limited mixed culture ofV. alcalescens NS.L49 andAcetobacterium
      NS.L40 induced iron limitation and subsequent washout of theAcetobacterium
      species. Finally, the ecological niches of the 3 species in relation to the
      consumption of lactate were discussed. 

PMID- 24221823
TI  - Microbial decomposition of leaf material at 0 degrees C.
AB  - The microbial decomposition of leaves (both fresh and autumnshed) at 0 degrees C
      using stream sediment-water was investigated. The maximum rates of loss of leaf
      carbohydrate and protein at 0 degrees C were considerable, being about 40% of
      those at 20 degrees C. These rates were only slightly affected by the type of
      leaf material present being 1.3-fold higher with fresh leaves as compared with
      autumn-shed leaves. In addition, an epifluorescence microscopic counting
      technique was developed and utilized to enumerate the microbial populations
      colonizing the decomposing leaves. The average microbial densities on fresh and
      autumn-shed leaves after 35 days of incubation were 1.3 * 10(6) and 9.0 * 10(5)
      microorganisms cm(-2) at 0 degrees C as compared with 5.5 * 10(6) and 3.3 * 10(6)
      microorganisms cm(-2) at 20 degrees C, respectively. Antibacterial and antifungal
      antibiotics were used to estimate the comparative involvement of sediment
      bacteria and fungi in leaf degradation. 

PMID- 24221824
TI  - Effects of mineral nutrients, sludge application rate, and application frequency
      on biodegradation of two oily sludges.
AB  - A continuous flow soil respirometer was used to evaluate the effect of nutrient
      addition, application rate, and application frequency on biodegradation of 2
      complex oily sludges in soil. The most rapid biodegradation of the refinery
      sludge occurred when nitrogen was added to reduce the carbon to nitrogen (C?N)
      ratio to 9?1. The petrochemical sludge was degraded most rapidly when nitrogen,
      phosphorus, and potassium were added at a rate of 124?1, C?NPK; CO2evolution from
      both wastes increased with increasing application rates, but the fraction of
      applied sludge which degraded decreased with increasing application rates. Small
      frequent applications resulted in a slight increase in respiration rate per unit
      applied over a single equivalent application, indicating that repeated
      applications of smaller amounts of sludge result in a more rapid rate of
      decomposition. The population of total soil bacteria was greatest when 1% of
      either sludge was added to the soil, whereas 5 and 10% sludge additions resulted
      in slightly lower microbial populations. 

PMID- 24221825
TI  - Extended access oxycodone self-administration and neurotransmitter receptor gene
      expression in the dorsal striatum of adult C57BL/6 J mice.
AB  - RATIONALE: Although non-medical use of oxycodone continues to be a growing
      problem in the United States, there are no animal studies examining the effects
      of long-term oxycodone self-administration (SA). OBJECTIVES: The current study
      was designed to examine chronic oxycodone SA by mice (14 days), in novel extended
      (4 h) SA sessions and its effect on selective striatal neurotransmitter receptor
      mRNA expression. METHODS: Adult male C57/BL6J mice were either allowed to self
      administer oxycodone (0.25 mg/kg/infusion, FR1) or served as yoked-saline
      controls in an extended access paradigm. Mice self-administered oxycodone for 4
      h/day for 14 consecutive days. Comparison groups with 14-days exposure to 1-h SA
      sessions were also studied. Within 1 h of the last extended SA session, mice were
      sacrificed, dorsal striatum was isolated and selective neurotransmitter receptor
      mRNA levels were examined. RESULTS: The oxycodone groups poked the active hole
      significantly more times than the yoked controls. The number of nose pokes at the
      active hole rose over the 14 days in the oxycodone group with extended access.
      The expression of 13 neurotransmitter receptor mRNAs was significantly altered in
      the dorsal striatum, including the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor beta
      2 subunit (Gabrb2) showing experiment-wise significant decrease, as a result of
      extended oxycodone SA. CONCLUSION: C57BL/6 J mice escalated the amount of
      oxycodone self-administered across 14 consecutive daily extended sessions, but
      not 1-h sessions. Decreases in Gabrb2 mRNA levels may underlie escalation of
      oxycodone intake in the extended access SA sessions.

PMID- 24221826
TI  - Dopamine D1 and MU-opioid receptor antagonism blocks anticipatory 50 kHz
      ultrasonic vocalizations induced by palatable food cues in Wistar rats.
AB  - RATIONALE: Fifty kilohertz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) have been sometimes
      shown to reflect positive affective-like states in rats. Rewarding events, such
      as access to palatable food or drugs of abuse, increase the number of
      anticipatory 50-kHz USVs. However, little is known about the predictability of
      USVs, subtypes of USVs involved, and underlying neurobiological mechanisms.
      OBJECTIVES: We examined whether cue-induced anticipatory 50-kHz USVs predict
      palatable food intake and tested the effects of dopamine D1 and MU-opioid
      receptor antagonism on anticipatory USVs. MATERIALS: Food-restricted rats
      received repeated sessions of a 2-min cue light immediately followed by a 5-min
      access to palatable food. Ultrasonic vocalizations were recorded during cue
      presentation. After 24 pairing sessions, the rats were pretreated with the D1
      receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (5, 10, and 20 MUg/kg) and MU-opioid receptor
      antagonist naltrexone (0.03, 0.06, 0.13, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg) in a Latin
      square design, and USVs were recorded during cue presentation. RESULTS: Rats
      emitted 50-kHz USVs during cue presentation, and the number of USVs increased
      across sessions with robust and stable interindividual differences. Escalation in
      USVs was subtype-dependent, with nontrill calls significantly increasing over
      time. Palatable food intake was positively correlated with anticipatory 50-kHz
      USVs. Moreover, anticipatory USVs were dose-dependently prevented by antagonism
      of D1 and MU-opioid receptors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that
      anticipatory 50-kHz USVs represent a stable phenotype of increased motivation for
      food, and dopamine and opioid systems appear to mediate anticipatory 50-kHz USVs.

PMID- 24221827
TI  - Antidepressants share the ability to increase catecholamine output in the bed
      nucleus of stria terminalis: a possible role in antidepressant therapy?
AB  - RATIONALE: Antidepressants include a relatively wide spectrum of drugs that
      increase the synaptic concentration of monoamines, mostly through
      neurotransmitter reuptake blockade. The bed nucleus of stria teminalis (BNST) is
      considered a relay station in mediating the activation of stress response but
      also in the acquisition and expression of emotions. BNST is richly innervated by
      monoamines and sends back projections to the nucleus of origin. We previously
      showed that the administration of selective blockers of norepinephrine
      transporter (NET) increases the extracellular concentration (output) of dopamine,
      suggesting that dopamine could be captured by NET in the BNST. OBJECTIVES: The
      aim of this study, carried out by means of in vivo microdialysis, was to
      ascertain the acute effects that antidepressants with varying mechanisms of
      action have on dopamine and norepinephrine output in the BNST. RESULTS: We
      observed that all the antidepressants tested (5-20 mg/kg i.p.) increased the
      output of catecholamines, dose dependently. In particular, the maximum increases
      (as a percent of basal) for norepinephrine and dopamine respectively, were as
      follows: desipramine, 239 and 137; reboxetine, 185 and 128; imipramine, 512 and
      359; citalopram, 95 and 122; fluoxetine, 122 and 68; bupropion, 255 and 164.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that catecholamine transmission in the BNST
      may be part of a common downstream pathway that is involved in the action
      mechanism of antidepressants. Consequently, it is hypothesized that a dysfunction
      of neuronal transmission in this brain area may have a role in the etiology of
      affective disorders.

PMID- 24221828
TI  - Social play behavior, ultrasonic vocalizations and their modulation by morphine
      and amphetamine in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats.
AB  - RATIONALE: Social play behavior is the most characteristic social behavior in
      young mammals. It is highly rewarding and crucial for proper neurobehavioral
      development. Despite the importance of genetic factors in normal and pathological
      social behaviors, little information is available about strain influences on
      social play. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate
      differences in social play behavior, 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and
      their modulation by acute morphine and amphetamine administration in two rat
      strains widely used in behavioral pharmacology studies, i.e., Wistar and Sprague
      Dawley rats. RESULTS: Sprague-Dawley rats showed higher levels of social play
      than Wistar rats. In both strains, no correlation was found between the
      performance of social behaviors and the emission of 50-kHz USVs. In Wistar and
      Sprague-Dawley rats, morphine increased and amphetamine decreased social play.
      The effects of morphine, however, were more pronounced in Wistar than Sprague
      Dawley animals. In both strains, morphine did not affect USV emission, while
      amphetamine increased it during cage exploration. In Sprague-Dawley rats only,
      amphetamine decreased USVs during social interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Wistar and
      Sprague-Dawley rats differ in their absolute levels of social play behavior and
      50-kHz USVs, and quantitative differences exist in their response to
      pharmacological manipulations of social play. The emission of 50-kHz USVs and the
      behavioral parameters thought to reflect rewarding social interactions in
      adolescent rats are dissociable.

PMID- 24221829
TI  - High prevalence of hypertension among collegiate football athletes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hypertension among collegiate football athletes is
      not well described. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective cohort of all male
      athletes who participated in varsity athletics at a National Collegiate Athletic
      Association Division I university between 1999 and 2012 was examined through
      chart review. Mandatory annual preparticipation physical examinations included
      blood pressure, body mass index, medication use, and supplement use. Prevalence
      of hypertension was compared between football and nonfootball athletes. A mixed
      effects linear regression model examined change in blood pressure over time. Six
      hundred thirty-six collegiate athletes, including 323 football players, were
      identified. In the initial year of athletic participation, 19.2% of football
      athletes had hypertension and 61.9% had prehypertension. The prevalence of
      hypertension was higher among football athletes than in nonfootball athletes in
      their initial (19.2% versus 7.0%; P<0.001) and final (19.2% versus 10.2%;
      P=0.001) years of athletic participation. In adjusted analyses, the odds of
      hypertension were higher among football athletes in the initial year (adjusted
      odds ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-4.30) but not in the final year
      (adjusted odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-2.28). Over the course
      of their collegiate career, football athletes had an annual decrease in systolic
      blood pressure (-0.82 mm Hg; P=0.002), whereas nonfootball athletes did not (0.18
      mm Hg; P=0.58). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension and prehypertension were common among
      collegiate football athletes, and football athletes were more likely to have
      hypertension compared with male nonfootball athletes. This presents a potential
      cardiovascular risk in a young population of athletes. Strategies for increasing
      awareness, prevention, and treatment are needed.

PMID- 24221830
TI  - Influence of cardiac surgeon report cards on patient referral by cardiologists in
      New York state after 20 years of public reporting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Report cards of risk-adjusted mortality rates of individual cardiac
      surgeons have been publicly available in New York State since 1991. A survey of
      New York cardiologists in 1996 found that these report cards had little effect on
      their referral recommendations to cardiac surgeons. It is unknown whether the
      influence of report cards on referral behavior has changed over time. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: We surveyed cardiologists in New York State in 2011 to determine their
      awareness of cardiac surgeon report cards, their use of the report card in
      formulating judgments about the quality of cardiac surgeons and selecting cardiac
      surgeons for referral of patients, and discussion of the report with patients in
      need of cardiac surgery. The relation between demographic (age, sex) and
      professional (teaching, board certification, faculty appointment, general
      cardiology practice, and hospital employee) characteristics and the influence of
      report cards on referral decisions was assessed using chi(2) for categorical
      variables and t test for continuous variables. Multivariable logistic regression
      models were created to determine the independent association of any variable with
      P<0.1 on univariate analysis. Almost all (94%) cardiologists were aware of report
      cards of cardiac surgeons. The influence of the report cards on cardiologists'
      referral decisions was limited, with 25% of cardiologists reporting a moderate or
      substantial influence on referral decisions. The report card was not discussed
      with any patients by 71% of cardiologists. The mean age of cardiologists
      reporting moderate or substantial influence of report cards was 58 years compared
      with 54 years for those who reported no/little influence (P=0.012). Fewer
      cardiologists who reported moderate or substantial influence were board certified
      (91% versus 99%; P=0.003). On multivariate analysis, general cardiology practice
      and employment by a hospital were independently associated with greater report
      card influence (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.05; P=0.13).
      CONCLUSIONS: After 20 years of public reporting and almost universal awareness of
      cardiac surgeon report cards, in 2011, cardiologists in New York State made
      little use of this information and rarely discussed it with patients at the time
      of referral for cardiac surgery.

PMID- 24221831
TI  - Association between a hospital's quality performance for in-hospital cardiac
      arrest and common medical conditions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Public reporting on hospital quality has been widely adopted for
      common medical conditions. Adding a measure of inpatient survival after cardiac
      arrest is being considered. It is unknown whether this measure would be
      redundant, given evidence that hospital organization and culture can have
      hospital-wide effects on quality. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the
      correlation between inpatient survival after cardiac arrest and 30-day risk
      standardized mortality rates for common medical conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      Using data between 2007 and 2010 from a national in-hospital cardiac arrest
      registry, we calculated risk-standardized in-hospital survival rates for cardiac
      arrest at each hospital. We obtained risk-standardized 30-day mortality rates for
      acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia from Hospital Compare
      for the same period. The relationship between a hospital's performance on cardiac
      arrest and these other medical conditions was assessed using weighted Pearson
      correlation coefficients. Among 26 270 patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest
      at 130 hospitals, survival rates varied across hospitals, with a median risk
      standardized hospital survival rate of 22.1% and an interquartile range of 19.7%
      to 24.2%. There were no significant correlations between a hospital's outcomes
      for its cardiac arrest patients and its patients admitted for acute myocardial
      infarction (correlation, -0.12; P=0.16), heart failure (correlation, -0.05;
      P=0.57), or pneumonia (correlation, -0.15; P=0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals that
      performed better on publicly reported outcomes for 3 common medical conditions
      did not necessarily have better cardiac arrest survival rates. Public reporting
      on cardiac arrest outcomes could provide new information about hospital quality.

PMID- 24221833
TI  - Most important outcomes research papers on body weight, obesity and
      cardiovascular outcomes.

PMID- 24221832
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of oral anticoagulants for treatment of atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: New anticoagulants may improve health outcomes in patients with
      atrial fibrillation, but it is unclear whether their use is cost-effective.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: A Markov state transition was created to compare 4
      therapies: dabigatran 150 mg BID, apixaban 5 mg BID, rivaroxaban 20 mg QD, and
      warfarin therapy. The population included those with newly diagnosed atrial
      fibrillation who were eligible for treatment with warfarin. Compared with
      warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran, costs were $93 063, $111 465,
      and $140 557 per additional quality-adjusted life year gained, respectively. At a
      threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year, apixaban provided the
      greatest absolute benefit while still being cost-effective, although warfarin
      would be superior if apixaban was 2% less effective than expected. Although
      apixaban was the optimal strategy in our base case, in probabilistic sensitivity
      analysis, warfarin was optimal in an equal number of iterations at a cost
      effectiveness threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year. CONCLUSIONS:
      While at a standard cost-effectiveness threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted
      life year, apixaban seems to be the optimal anticoagulation strategy; this
      finding is sensitive to assumptions about its efficacy and cost. In sensitivity
      analysis, warfarin seems to be the optimal choice in an equal number of
      simulations. As a result, although all the novel oral anticoagulants produce
      greater quality-adjusted life expectancy than warfarin, they may not represent
      good value for money.

PMID- 24221834
TI  - Differences in the profile, treatment, and prognosis of patients with cardiogenic
      shock by myocardial infarction classification: A report from NCDR.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock is a deadly complication of an acute myocardial
      infarction (MI). We sought to characterize differences in patient features,
      treatments, and outcomes of cardiogenic shock by MI classification: ST-segment
      elevation MI (STEMI) versus non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI). METHODS AND
      RESULTS: We compared differences in care by the shock status of 235 541 patients
      with STEMI and NSTEMI treated at 392 US hospitals from 2007 to 2011. Cardiogenic
      shock occurred in 12.2% of patients with STEMI versus 4.3% of patients with
      NSTEMI. Compared with STEMI shock, NSTEMI shock was more likely in patients who
      were older and predominantly women; had diabetes mellitus, hypertension, previous
      heart failure, MI, or peripheral arterial disease; and who received coronary
      artery bypass grafting (11.6% versus 21.2%; P<0.0001) but less likely to have
      received percutaneous coronary intervention (84.2% versus 35.3%; P<0.0001).
      Compared with patients with STEMI presenting with shock at admission, patients
      with NSTEMI presenting with shock had longer delays to percutaneous coronary
      intervention (1.2 versus 3.2 hours) and coronary artery bypass grafting (7.9
      versus 55.9 hours). Cardiogenic shock in patients with STEMI was associated with
      a lower mortality risk (33.1% shock versus 2.0% no shock; adjusted odds ratio,
      14.1; 95% confidence interval, 13.0-15.4; interaction P value <0.0001) compared
      with patients with NSTEMI (40.8% shock versus 2.3% no shock, odds ratio, 19.0;
      95% confidence interval, 17.1-21.2). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiogenic shock is associated
      with high mortality in patients with STEMI and NSTEMI. However, urgent
      revascularization is more commonly pursued in patients with STEMI presenting with
      shock than in patients with NSTEMI. More research is needed to improve the
      outcomes for patients with MI presenting with shock, particularly those
      presenting with NSTEMI.

PMID- 24221835
TI  - Psychological distress and medication adherence: creating order out of chaos?

PMID- 24221837
TI  - Influence of cardiac surgeon report cards on patient referral by cardiologists in
      New York state after 20 years of public reporting.

PMID- 24221838
TI  - The China Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (China PEACE)
      retrospective study of acute myocardial infarction: study design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are rising as a cause of death and disability
      in China. To improve outcomes for patients with these conditions, the Chinese
      government, academic researchers, clinicians, and >200 hospitals have created
      China Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (China PEACE), a
      national network for research and performance improvement. The first study from
      China PEACE, the Retrospective Study of Acute Myocardial Infarction (China PEACE
      Retrospective AMI Study), is designed to promote improvements in acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI) quality of care by generating knowledge about the
      characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of patients hospitalized with AMI
      across a representative sample of Chinese hospitals during the past decade.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: The China PEACE-Retrospective AMI Study will examine >18 000
      patient records from 162 hospitals identified using a 2-stage cluster sampling
      design within economic-geographic regions. Records were chosen from 2001, 2006,
      and 2011 to identify temporal trends. Data quality will be monitored by a central
      coordinating center and will, in particular, address case ascertainment, data
      abstraction, and data management. Analyses will examine patient characteristics,
      diagnostic testing patterns, in-hospital treatments, in-hospital outcomes, and
      variation in results by time and site of care. In addition to publications, data
      will be shared with participating hospitals and the Chinese government to develop
      strategies to promote quality improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The China PEACE
      Retrospective AMI Study is the first to leverage the China PEACE platform to
      better understand AMI across representative sites of care and during the past
      decade in China. The China PEACE collaboration among government, academicians,
      clinicians, and hospitals is poised to translate research about trends and
      patterns of AMI practices and outcomes into improved care for patients. CLINICAL
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier:
      NCT01624883.

PMID- 24221839
TI  - Association between perceived life chaos and medication adherence in a
      postmyocardial infarction population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The benefits of medication adherence to control cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) are well defined, yet multiple studies have identified poor
      adherence. The influence of life chaos on medication adherence is unknown.
      Because this is a novel application of an instrument, our preliminary objective
      was to understand patient factors associated with chaos. The main objective was
      to evaluate the extent to which an instrument designed to measure life chaos is
      associated with CVD-medication nonadherence. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using baseline
      data from an ongoing randomized trial to improve postmyocardial infarction (MI)
      management, multivariable logistic regression identified the association between
      life chaos and CVD-medication nonadherence. Patients had hypertension and a
      myocardial infarction in the past 3 years (n=406). Nearly 43% reported CVD
      medication nonadherence in the past month. In simple linear regression, the
      following were associated with higher life chaos: medication nonadherence
      (beta=1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96-2.76), female sex (beta=1.22; 95%
      CI [0.22-2.24]), minority race (beta=1.72; 95% CI [0.78-2.66]), having less than
      high school education (beta=2.05; 95% CI [0.71-3.39]), low health literacy
      (beta=2.06; 95% CI [0.86-3.26]), and inadequate financial status (beta=1.93; 95%
      CI [0.87-3.00]). Being married (beta=-2.09, 95% CI [-3.03 to -1.15]) was
      associated with lower life chaos. As chaos quartile increased, patients exhibited
      more nonadherence. In logistic regression, adjusting for sex, race, marital
      status, employment, education, health literacy, and financial status, a 1-unit
      life chaos increase was associated with a 7% increase (odds ratio, 1.07; 95% CI
      [1.02-1.12]) in odds of reporting medication nonadherence. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results suggest that life chaos may be an important determinant of medication
      adherence. Life chaos screenings could identify those at risk for nonadherence.
      CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique
      identifier: NCT000901277.

PMID- 24221840
TI  - Check it, change it: a community-based intervention to improve blood pressure
      control.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread availability of effective and affordable
      therapies, hypertension remains this country's most significant modifiable
      cardiovascular risk factor. Approximately 30% to 50% of individuals with
      hypertension currently fail to reach guideline-recommended target blood pressure
      (BP) goals. Although multiple interventions have been proposed to affect better
      hypertension control, the integration of multiple elements in a community-based
      program has not been evaluated to date. METHODS AND RESULTS: We created a broadly
      inclusive community-based initiative to control hypertension called Check It,
      Change It: The Durham Blood Pressure Challenge (CICI). We enrolled ~2000
      participants with hypertension in 8 ambulatory clinics across Durham County, NC.
      The CICI program engaged individuals by providing them with tools for self
      monitoring and tied this information to their caregivers via a web-based portal
      (the American Heart Association's Heart360, a remote BP monitoring system).
      Additionally, the CICI facilitated clinical intervention of high-risk individuals
      using physician assistants and community health coaches. The primary outcome will
      be a change in BP during the 6 months postenrollment in the program, which will
      be compared with concurrent and historical control populations of
      nonparticipants. CONCLUSIONS: We think that this integrated and tiered approach
      will lead to improved BP control within 6 months. If successful, the CICI program
      has the potential to enhance community-level BP control.

PMID- 24221841
TI  - The YOU CALL-WE CALL randomized clinical trial: Impact of a multimodal support
      intervention after a mild stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Comparison of a multimodal intervention WE CALL (study initiated
      phone support/information provision) versus a passive intervention YOU CALL
      (participant can contact a resource person) in individuals with first mild
      stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study is a single-blinded randomized clinical
      trial. Primary outcome includes unplanned use of health services (participant
      diaries) for adverse events and quality of life (Euroquol-5D, Quality of Life
      Index). Secondary outcomes include planned use of health services (diaries), mood
      (Beck Depression Inventory II), and participation (Assessment of Life Habits
      [LIFE-H]). Blind assessments were done at baseline, 6, and 12 months. A mixed
      model approach for statistical analysis on an intention-to-treat basis was used
      where the group factor was intervention type and occasion factor time, with a
      significance level of 0.01. We enrolled 186 patients (WE=92; YOU=94) with a mean
      age of 62.5 +/- 12.5 years, and 42.5% were women. No significant differences were
      seen between groups at 6 months for any outcomes with both groups improving from
      baseline on all measures (effect sizes ranged from 0.25 to 0.7). The only
      significant change for both groups from 6 months to 1 year (n=139) was in the
      social domains of the LIFE-H (increment in score, 0.4/9 +/- 1.3 [95% confidence
      interval, 0.1-0.7]; effect size, 0.3). Qualitatively, the WE CALL intervention
      was perceived as reassuring, increased insight, and problem solving while
      decreasing anxiety. Only 6 of 94 (6.4%) YOU CALL participants availed themselves
      of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Although the 2 groups improved equally over
      time, WE CALL intervention was perceived as helpful, whereas YOU CALL
      intervention was not used. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL:
      http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN95662526.

PMID- 24221843
TI  - Outsourcing and contract services.

PMID- 24221842
TI  - FRET-based calcium imaging: a tool for high-throughput/content phenotypic drug
      screening in Alzheimer disease.
AB  - Perturbed intracellular store calcium homeostasis is suggested to play a major
      role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease (AD). A number of mechanisms
      have been suggested to underlie the impairment of endoplasmic reticulum calcium
      homeostasis associated with familial AD-linked presenilin 1 mutations (FAD-PS1).
      Without aiming at specifically targeting any of those pathophysiological
      mechanisms in particular, we rather performed a high-throughput phenotypic screen
      to identify compounds that can reverse the exaggerated agonist-evoked endoplasmic
      reticulum calcium release phenotype in HEK293 cells expressing FAD-PS1. For that
      purpose, we developed a fully automated high-throughput calcium imaging assay
      using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based calcium indicator at single
      cell resolution. This novel robust assay offers a number of advantages compared
      with the conventional calcium measurement screening technologies. The assay was
      employed in a large-scale screen with a library of diverse compounds comprising
      20,000 low-molecular-weight molecules, which resulted in the identification of 52
      primary hits and 4 lead structures. In a secondary assay, several hits were found
      to alter the amyloid beta (Abeta) production. In view of the recent failure of AD
      drug candidates identified by target-based approaches, such a phenotypic drug
      discovery paradigm may present an attractive alternative for the identification
      of novel AD therapeutics. 

PMID- 24221845
TI  - Application of gas-permeable bags for in vitro cold storage of strawberry
      germplasm.
AB  - This study reports the first use of gaspermeable, heat-sealable polyethylene bags
      for cold storage of plant tissue cultures. The bags were used to develop a new
      cold storage system for the in vitro strawberry collection at the National Clonal
      Germplasm Repository (NCGR), Corvallis. In vitro Fragaria plantlets of 96
      different accessions (species and cultivars) were transferred to bags with basal
      medium without growth regulators, heat-sealed, grown for one week at 25 degrees
      C, cold hardened for one week, and then stored in the dark at 4 degrees C. These
      in vitro cultures were successfully stored for up to 24 months in polyethylene
      bags. Evaluations at three month intervals provided information on the condition
      of the diverse collection. Over 75% of the accessions originally stored remained
      in storage for 15 months and 47% remained for over 18 months. None of the 96
      accessions studied was lost due to contamination or decline in vigor. Over 300
      Fragaria accessions are currently stored using this system. 

PMID- 24221846
TI  - Volatiles identified from five stages of embryo development separated from a
      heterogeneous suspension culture of Daucus carota.
AB  - Five stages of embryo development were fractionated from a mature culture of
      Daucus carota (Gelbe Rheinsche), using a series of metal sieves. The composition
      of the population of embryos in each fraction was determined quantitatively from
      microscopic investigations. Volatiles from samples of tissue from six stages of
      development were trapped on activated charcoal cartridges. These volatiles, some
      of which may play a significant role in the interaction of the plant with the
      carrot root fly (Psila rosae), were analysed using gas chromatography/mass
      spectroscopy. The resulting chromatograms are arranged in order of embryo
      development. The progressive elaboration of the volatile profile reflects the
      increased biosynthetic capacity of the developing embryo. 

PMID- 24221847
TI  - Multiple shoot production from seedling explants of slash pine (Pinus elliottii,
      Engelm.).
AB  - Hypocotylary explants obtained from 30- to 40-day-old slash pine (Pinus
      elliottii, Engelm.) seedlings treated with 6-benzylaminopurine produced multiple
      buds that eventually elongated into axillary shoots. The explants were pulse
      treated (45-s dip) with 6-benzylaminopurine (22.2, 111, 222 MUM) plus a control
      and cultured on three different basal media containing activated charcoal (0.5%
      w/v). Hormonal concentration and basal medium were compared for the number and
      size of axillary shoots induced after 12 and 29 days. The greatest number of
      axillary shoots was produced by explants that were pulse treated with 111 MUM 6
      benzylaminopurine and cultured on Gresshoff and Doy medium. The axillary shoots
      were fewer in number per explant than shoots previously reported resulting from
      hormonally induced advantitious buds of slash pine, but the axillary shoots
      developed more rapidly. 

PMID- 24221848
TI  - Changes in abscisic acid and its beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester levels during tomato
      (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seed development.
AB  - The role of abscisic acid (ABA) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) zygotic
      embryogenesis was analysed. ABA and ABA beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (ABA-GE)
      changes were determined in seeds and fruit tissues - placenta and mesocarp -
      during seed development, which was defined with eight embryo stages: from
      globular (stage 1) to mature embryo (stage 8). In whole seeds, ABA changes
      paralleled fresh and dry weight pattern curves and could be characterized by a
      high increase during embryo growth followed by a decrease as the seed matured and
      dehydrated. Moreover this dehydration phase led, at stage 8, to a new ABA
      distribution within the seed, preferentially into integument and embryo. Fruit
      tissue analyses provided new information about the ABA origin in seeds. ABA-GE
      levels were also measured and the results suggested different ABA metabolism in
      seed and fruit tissues. 

PMID- 24221849
TI  - In vitro selection and regeneration of cotton resistant to high temperature
      stress.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures of cotton (Gossypium hitirsutum L. cv. Coker 312) were
      exposed to various temperature:time treatments in order to select cell lines
      resistant to high temperature stress. Cells were exposed to 45 degrees C for 3 h
      each day until the total accumulated hours of stress were: 0 h, 10 h, 75 h, 100
      h, or 105 h (81 h pulsed then 24 h continuous). After the stress treatments, the
      cells were plated onto embryo development medium and plants were recovered. The
      embryogenic calli that were recovered were subcultured monthly for 6 months and
      tested for increased resistance to the temperature:time treatments previously
      determined to be lethal and to water stress as imposed by PEG. All of the
      selected cell lines were more resistant to both types of stress than the control
      cell lines. Leaf tissue of stress selected (Ro) formed and maintained callus
      growth when incubated at 38 degrees C; whereas, tissue excised from nonselected
      controls rarely formed callus and calli which did form quickly became necrotic.
      These cells and plants will provide a tool for determining the mechanisms
      involved in resistance to high temperature stress. 

PMID- 24221850
TI  - Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis
      palustris Huds.).
AB  - We have established a high-frequency plant regeneration system via somatic
      embryogenesis from mature seeds of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds).
      The effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 3.6-dichloroo-anisic acid
      (dicamba) and 6-benzyladenine (BA) on callus formation and embryogenesis were
      evaluated. Callus produced on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) (1962) medium
      containing 2,4-D had low embryogenic potency. In the presence of 30 MUM dicamba,
      addition of 2.25 to 9 MUM BA significantly enhanced embryogenic callus formation
      over dicamba alone. Optimum frequency of somatic embryogenesis was achieved on MS
      basal medium containing 30 MUM dicamba and 2.25 MUM BA. Over 80% of somatic
      embryos germinated and formed plantlets on half-strength MS basal medium. These
      plantlets grew normally in the greenhouse. 

PMID- 24221851
TI  - In vitro propagation of Lilium testaceum and structural investigation of the
      storage beta-1,4-glucomannan.
AB  - Bulblet and callus cultures of Lilium testaceum were initiated in vitro from
      bulbscales. Continous propagation of the bulblet cultures was achieved on a
      modified Murashige and Skoog agar medium containing 1-naphthalene acetic acid
      (0.1 mg/l) and kinetin (0.1 mg/l) as phytohormones. The in vitro grown bulbs
      synthesized large quantities of storage beta-1,4-glucomannans (mannose: glucose =
      7?3; molecular weight = 200 kd) with an identical structure to the glucomannans
      from the in vivo grown bulbs. Higher 1-naphthalene acetic acid concentrations (1
      mg/l) resulted in increased callus formation. Liquid suspension cultures derived
      from callus exhibited only small amounts of reserve glucomannans. 

PMID- 24221852
TI  - Callus induction in Phyllanthus species and inhibition of viral DNA polymerase
      and reverse transcriptase by callus extracts.
AB  - Studies on callus induction and growth in Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn.
      (Euphorbiaceae) and some related species are described, as well as the inhibition
      of enzymes of hepatitis B and related viruses by callus extracts. Callus was
      induced from stem or branch pieces of P. amarus placed on several media
      combinations. Optimum induction and growth of friable, undifferentiated calli
      occurred on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with either 0.5 mg or 1 mg of
      BA/liter and 1 mg/liter of either 2,4-D or IBA, but not IAA. Callus induction
      using the same media was also attempted with other Phyllanthus spp. The best
      success was with P. abnormis. Aqueous extracts from fieldgrown plants were more
      active in vitro against viral DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase than
      extracts of calli. 

PMID- 24221853
TI  - Long-term cultures of barley synthesize and correctly deposit seed storage
      proteins.
AB  - Long-term cultures of four different cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
      have been established. Both callus and suspension cultures formed embryogenic
      structures at high frequency even after more than 18 months of culture. These
      compact proembryogenic cell clusters synthesize seed storage globulins whereas
      loose cell aggregates in callus culture and suspension cultures of fine dispersed
      consistency were free of globulins. Globulin synthesis was especially intense in
      compact structures of callus cultures established from suspension culture-derived
      protoplasts. Within the cells storage globulins are deposited in the vacuolar
      compartment as in zygotic embryos. The molecular data provided recommend the
      system for studies on factors determining seed protein gene expression and
      intracellular protein transport. 

PMID- 24221854
TI  - Adventitious bud regeneration from leaf expiants of the shrubby ornamental
      honeysuckle, Lonicera nitida Wils. cv. 'Maigrun': effects of thidiazuron and
      2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid.
AB  - Different combinations of auxins and cytokinins were employed to assess the
      regeneration capacity from in vitro leaf explants of Lonicera nitida Wils. cv
      'Maigrun'. A high frequency of rhizogenesis was noticed, with 2.3 MUM thidiazuron
      plus 2.9 MUM indole-3-acetic acid as the only hormonal combination to support
      caulogenic responses. Increasing thidiazuron concentration and/or suppressing
      auxin did not improve caulogenesis. Combining thidiazuron with 2,3,5
      triiodobenzoic acid produced a dramatic increase in the percentage of caulogenic
      explants. A maximum of 74% of adventitious bud forming explants was obtained with
      2.3 MUM thidiazuron plus 20 MUM 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid. Buds were often in a
      rosette form and were vitreous, so that shoot elongation was difficult to obtain.
      The effect of the duration of the 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid treatment on shoot
      elongation was investigated. 

PMID- 24221855
TI  - The gibberellin synthesis inhibitors, ancymidol and flurprimidol, promote in
      vitro rooting of white pine microshoots.
AB  - Ancymidol and flurprimidol were tested for their ability to induce in vitro
      rooting on axillary proliferated shoots of white pine (Pinus strobus L.). Shoots
      were treated for 30 days (pulse) with growth regulators, then subcultured to 0.5X
      medium for conifer morphogenesis without growth regulators. A pulse treatment
      containing 5 MUM ancymidol and 0.54 MUM naphthaleneacetic acid resulted in 43%
      rooted shoots, whereas a pulse treatment with 0.54 MUM naphthaleneacetic acid
      alone resulted in 7% root formation. Flurprimidol also stimulated rooting of
      white pine shoots, but was less effective than ancymidol. No detrimental effects
      on shoot growth were observed with the gibberellin synthesis inhibitors at the 5
      MUM concentration used. Some rooted shoots were successfully acclimatized to the
      greenhouse. 

PMID- 24221856
TI  - Plant regeneration from stem and petal of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.).
AB  - Plants were regenerated via adventitious shoot initiation from petal explants of
      carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cultivars Crowley Sim, Ember Rose, Orchid
      Beauty, Red Sim, White Sim and from stem segments of Crowley Sim, Red Sim, White
      Sim. Differences in cultivar response were observed, with White Sim being the
      most responsive for both explant types. Plants were also regenerated from
      receptacles of this cultivar. The effect of different cytokinins on regeneration
      from petal and stem explants of cultivar White Sim was compared. Thidiazuron was
      more effective than 6-benzylaminopurine or kinetin. In stem explants, morphogenic
      capacity was determined by the developmental stage of the explant. Highest
      percentage of shoot formation was observed in the youngest stem segments, on all
      the cytokinins tested. Stem-derived plants grew faster than petal or receptacle
      derived plants and produced normal, flowering plants eight to ten months after
      culture. 

PMID- 24221857
TI  - Could extreme emotional stress be a potential precipitating factor associated
      with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in postpartum woman? A case
      report.

PMID- 24221858
TI  - Validation of the Italian version of Parkinson's disease-cognitive rating scale
      (PD-CRS).
AB  - Cognitive impairment (CI) is a frequent feature associated with both early and
      advanced stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). An evaluation of cognitive functions
      is relevant to identify those parkinsonians at risk of developing dementia. In
      the present study, the Italian version of Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating
      Scale (PD-CRS) assessing fronto-subcortical and cortical cognitive functions in
      PD was validated in 387 parkinsonians and was used to test the empirical validity
      of the item 1.1 (cognitive impairment) of the Italian version of MDS-UPDRS as
      screening tool for CI in PD. PD-CRS was free from floor and ceiling effect. The
      mean PD-CRS score was 76.1 (mean cortical score, 24.5 +/- 4.6; mean subcortical
      score, 51.5 +/- 17.5). The internal consistency was satisfactory (alpha = 0.89);
      corrected item-total correlation was 0.570 (naming) to 0.696 (working memory).
      The correlation between PD-CRS and part I-IV of MDS-UPDRS was weak. The low
      agreement between classification of PD sample into patients with mild cognitive
      impairment (PD-MCI), dementia (PD-D) and normal cognition (PD-NC) according to
      scores of item 1.1 and classification according to cutoff scores of PD-CRS for PD
      MCI, PD-D and PD-NC indicated a poor empirical validity of item 1.1 of MDS-UPDRS
      as cognitive screening tool for CI in PD (Kappa = 0.114; weighted Kappa = 0.17;
      SE of Kappa = 0.038; 95 % confidence interval from 0.040 to 0.1895). The Italian
      version of PD-CRS is an easy, consistent and valid tool for assessment of the
      cognitive cortical and subcortical impairments in PD. 

PMID- 24221859
TI  - The effects of BMSCs transplantation on autophagy by CX43 in the hippocampus
      following traumatic brain injury in rats.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can initiate a series of complicated pathological
      events, and induce various types of neuronal cell death including autophagy and
      apoptosis. Currently, the treatment of TBI is one of the main challenges in
      neurobiology. In this regard, the administration of bone marrow stromal cells
      (BMSCs) represents a novel treatment modality for TBI. However, the protective
      mechanism of BMSCs was unknown in the TBI. The aim of the present study was to
      assess the effects of BMSCs on connexin 43(CX43) and autophagy in the hippocampus
      following TBI in rats. A rat model of TBI was created using a modified weight
      drop device. Double-membrane structures in the process of autophagy formation
      were frequently observed in injured brain by electron microscopy. The levels of
      autophagic pathway associated proteins and CX43 were also detected by western
      blot analysis. Specifically, immunoblotting results showed that BMSCs treatment
      after TBI could down-regulate light chain 3 (LC3), Beclin-1 and CX43 expression
      in the hippocampus. Taken together, our results demonstrated that BMSCs were able
      to significantly suppress TBI-induced autophagy activity, and the potential
      mechanism by regulating CX43 levels.

PMID- 24221860
TI  - Dr Junkie. The Doctor Addict in Bulgakov's Morphine: What are the Lessons for
      Contemporary Medical Practice?
AB  - Historical, cultural and professional factors have contributed to stigma and
      secrecy regarding addiction in the medical profession and there are calls to
      improve education in this area. This paper argues that physician-penned
      literature plays an important role in raising awareness of substance misuse in
      the medical profession. Bulgakov's short story Morphine documents the decline of
      Dr Polyakov and illustrates a number of salient professional issues such as self
      medication, abuse of authority and risks to patients. Physician-penned literature
      such as Morphine is of value in medical education as it offers a route into
      sensitive topics and an authoritative and insider perspective that is attractive
      to students and physicians alike. 

PMID- 24221861
TI  - Airs, waters and places.

PMID- 24221862
TI  - Evaluation of potential topsoil productivity.
AB  - A biomass productivity model based on soil properties and climate is developed
      from literature and used to evaluate and compare potential effects of mining and
      reclamation on several soils in the continental United States. Soil productivity
      is assumed to vary as a product of root distribution function modified by five
      soil properties: available water, aeration porosity, bulk density, electrical
      conductivity, and pH. Yield limiting property levels are derived from literature
      and input soil data are obtained from available USDA Soil Conservation Service
      information on typical profiles. Modelled values of potential productivity after
      mining, indicate problems and limitations to be expected. The proposed model can
      be used as a guide to reclamation strategy, to restore the land to premining
      conditions, or at times to enhance productivity of a reclaimed area. 

PMID- 24221863
TI  - Analysis of the effects of zinc pollution on the macro-invertebrate populations
      of the Afon Crafnant, North Wales.
AB  - The study of the input draining from mine-waste into the Afon Crafnant, N. Wales,
      revealed that the most significant pollutant was zinc. The concentrations of zinc
      were monitored during 1978 and 1979, and spot samples were concentrated and
      analysed for lead, copper, cadmium, iron, cobalt, manganese and nickel. Analysis
      was by flame atomic absorption specto-scopy. The 'total' zinc concentration of
      the input was about 4 mg Zn/l which was diluted by the Afon Crafnant to give mean
      annual concentrations of 213 MUg Zn/l and 146 MUg Zn/l for 1978 and 1979
      respectively at a site 60 metres downstream of the input. The numbers of
      individuals and number of taxa in the macro-invertebrate community were reduced
      at these concentrations. The taxa affected werePhagocata vitta,Erpobdella
      octoculata, Oligochaeta,Ithytrichia lamellaris, Simuliidae,Ancylus fluviatilis
      andRithrogena semicolorata. Several commonly used diversity indices failed to
      show differences between the macro- invertebrate communities at the affected and
      control sites whereas a modified version of Chandler's Biotic Score (detailed in
      this paper) revealed both the acute effects at higher concentrations and the
      chronic effects at lower concentrations. 

PMID- 24221864
TI  - Effects of initial irrigation, seeding date and directlyhauled topsoil on mined
      land community composition.
AB  - This study was implemented to determine the effects of one, two, or three months
      of establishment irrigation, after spring or summer seeding on the long-term
      composition of mined land plant associations. While the treatment plots were
      seeded with the same diverse mixture of native species, floristic differences
      among treatment combinations were apparent after five growing seasons. Summer
      seeding enhanced the development of seeded warm-season grasses by retarding the
      initial development of seeded cool-season grasses and by limiting competitive
      effects of nonseeded species through seedbed tillage. Supplemental irrigation was
      substantially more important to the development of warm- than cool-season
      grasses. Seeded perennial forbs performed poorly on all treatments, presumably
      due to low seed viability, low germination, and/or competition from more water
      responsive species. Despite drought conditions during plant establishment,
      supplemental irrigation was not critical to the ultimate development of nonseeded
      plant species when seedbed tillage occurred shortly after topsoil was applied.
      However, irrigation became more important to the long-term development of these
      species when tillage was delayed. Most forbs encountered were perennial natives
      that had volunteered from the direct-haul topsoil.Atriplex canescens was the only
      successful seeded shrub and performed particularly well on the summer seeded plot
      that received one month of initial irrigation. 

PMID- 24221865
TI  - Determining conservation priorities.
AB  - One important component in achieving an optimal compromise between mineral
      development and environmental conservation is to rank different geographical
      areas according to their priorities for development and conservation
      respectively. The latter is considered here.There are three main steps in
      assigning conservation priorities: (i) acquisition and assessment of information
      on the existing baseline environment and on potential impacts; (ii) assignment of
      values to the environmental components concerned and integration of these to
      yield overall values for alternative possible conservation targets; and (iii)
      incorporation of logistic considerations to determine the practical priorities
      for conservation.One particularly critical aspect of this process is the relative
      significance of different conservation criteria, specifically including the
      presence of rare species, high diversity, pristine condition and
      representativeness. These criteria all reflect the same underlying conservation
      values, but their relative significance varies from case to case. Their
      integration is based on professional judgement rather than any formal algorithm
      and explicit guidelines for such judgement are needed to promote consensus in the
      determination of conservation priorities. 

PMID- 24221866
TI  - Immunocytochemical localization of cytokinins in Craigella tomato and a
      sideshootless mutant.
AB  - Post-embedding immunocytochemical techniques using peroxidase-antiperoxidase or
      immunoglobulin G-gold as markers were used for the localization of cytokinins
      (CKs) in two isogenic lines, Craigella (C) and Craigella lateral suppressor
      (Cls), of tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Terminal buds, nodes, hypocotyl
      segments and root tips were submitted to a periodate-borohydride procedure, to
      obtain the coupling of isopentenyladeosine and zeatin riboside to cellular
      proteins, followed by a fixative step with a paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde
      mixture. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests performed on ovalbumin-coated
      microtitration plates have shown that this method was effective for CK riboside
      and base coupling to proteins. Paraffin-wax- or Spurr's-resin-embedded sections
      were cleared of wax or resin before incubation with anti-zeatin riboside or anti
      isopentenyladenosine antibodies. The procedure was thoroughly investigated and
      many controls were done in order to eliminate artefacts. The immunostaining
      patterns observed along the plants showed a basipetally decreasing gradient of
      CKs along the stem and in the roots. Immunolabelling was higher in the actively
      growing regions of the stem bud and root apices. Terminal buds of Cls appeared to
      be less immunoreactive than C, whereas no differences were detected in root-tip
      immunolabelling. The staining patterns are consistent with the idea that root and
      bud apices have a different CK metabolism. The absence of axillary bud formation
      in Cls is correlated with low CK levels in the organogensis sites. 

PMID- 24221867
TI  - Growth kinetics of the Golgi apparatus during the cell cycle in onion root
      meristems.
AB  - In onion root meristems, the number of dictyosomes per cell shows a kinetics of
      growth strongly related to the cell cycle. During the interphase of steady-state
      proliferative cells, the volume density and numerical density of the Golgi
      apparatus decrease to reach minimum values in late-interphase cells,
      characterized by their greatest length. This pattern is also found in the total
      volume occupied by Golgi apparatus. Once in mitosis, the above-mentioned
      parameters begin to increase reaching maximum mean values in telophase. After the
      experimental uncoupling of chromosome and growth cycles by presynchronization
      with hydroxyurea, we found a similar behaviour pattern in the Golgi apparatus:
      decreasing values during interphase and a triggering of Golgi-apparatus growth in
      prophase independently of the bigger cell sizes reached in mitosis as an effect
      of pretreatment with hydroxyurea. These results indicate a cyclic kinetics of
      this subcellular component in higher-plant meristems, coupled with early mitotic
      events. 

PMID- 24221868
TI  - Extracellular ice and cell shape in frost-stressed cereal leaves: A low
      temperature scanning-electron-microscopy study.
AB  - Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy was used to examine transverse
      fracture faces through cereal leaf pieces subjected to frost. Specimens were
      studied before and after sublimation of the ice. The position of extracellular
      ice in the leaf was inferred from the difference between the specimen before and
      after sublimation and from ridges and points which occurred in the extracellular
      ice during sublimation. Steps in the fracture surface indicated that the fracture
      plane passed through the extracellular ice crystals as well as through cells and
      also helped identify extracellular ice. The cells in controls were turgid and
      extracellular ice was absent. Leaf pieces from hardened rye were excised and
      frost-stressed to-3.3 degrees ,-21 degrees  and-72 degrees C, cooling at 2-12
      degrees .h(-1). Cell collapse and extracellular ice were evident at-3.3 degrees C
      and increased considerably by-21 degrees  C. At-21 degrees  and-72 degrees C the
      leaf pieces were mainly filled with extracellular ice and there were few
      remaining gas spaces. The epidermal and mesophyll cells were laterally flattened,
      perpendicular to their attachment to adjacent cells, and phloem and vascular
      sheath cells were more irregularly deformed. Leaf pieces from tender barley were
      cooled at 2 degrees C.min(-1) to-20 degrees  C; they were then mainly filled with
      extracellular ice, and the cells were highly collapsed as in the rye. In rye
      leaves frozen to-3.6 degrees  C before excision, ice crystals occurred in peri
      vascular, sub-epidermal and intervening mesophyll spaces. In rye leaf pieces
      frozen to-3.3 degrees  C after excision or to-3.6 degrees  C before excision,
      mesophyll cells were partly collapsed even when not covered by ice, indicating
      that collapse of the cell wall, as well as the enclosed protoplast, was driven by
      dehydration. No gas or ice-filled spaces were found between wall and the enclosed
      protoplast. It is suggested that this can be explained without invoking chemical
      bonding between cell wall and plasma membrane: when the wall pores are filled by
      water, the pore size would reduce vapour pressure so making penetration of the
      wall by ice or gas less likely. 

PMID- 24221869
TI  - Abscisic acid and water transport in sunflowers.
AB  - The role of abscisic acid (ABA) in the transport of water and ions from the root
      to the shoot of sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus) was investigated by
      application of ABA either to the root medium or to the apical bud. The exudation
      at the hypocotyl stump of decapitated seedlings was measured with and without
      hydrostatic pressure (0-0.3 MPa) applied to the root. All ABA concentrations
      tested (10(-10)-10(-4) mol.l(-1)) promoted exudation. Maximal amounts of exudate
      (200% of control) were obtained with ABA at 10(-6).mol.l(-1) and an externally
      applied pressure of 0.1 MPa. The effect was rapid and long-lasting, and involved
      promotion of ion release to the xylem (during the first hours) as well as an
      increase in hydraulic conductivity. Abscisic acid applied to the apical bud had
      effects similar to those of the rootapplied hormone. Increased rates of exudation
      were also obtained after osmotic stress was applied to the root; this treatment
      increased the endogenous level of ABA in the root as well as in the shoot. Water
      potentials of the hypocotyls of intact plants increased when the roots were
      treated with ABA at 5 degrees C, whereas stomatal resistances were lowered. The
      results are consistent with the view that ABA controls the water status of the
      plant not only by regulating stomatal transpiration, but also by regulating the
      hydraulic conductivity of the root. 

PMID- 24221870
TI  - Purification and properties of nitrite reductase from roots of pea (Pisum sativum
      cv. Meteor).
AB  - Nitrite reductase (EC 1.6.6.4) prepared from pea roots was found to be
      immunologically indistinguishable from pea leaf nitrite reductase. Comparisons of
      the pea root enzyme with nitrite reductase from leaf sources showed a close
      similarity in inhibition properties, light absorption spectrum, and electron
      paramagnetic resonance signals. The resemblances indicate that the root nitrite
      reductase is a sirohaem enzyme and that it functions in the same manner as the
      leaf enzyme in spite of the difference in reductant supply implicit in its
      location in a non-photosynthetic tissue. 

PMID- 24221871
TI  - Cell specificity in auxin- and ethylene-induced 'supergrowth' in Riella
      helicophylla.
AB  - In gemmalings of Riella helicophylla, auxin and ethylene stimulate elongation
      growth, especially of pillar cells. When the two hormones are supplied
      simultaneously, the effects are additive, i.e. the result is 'supergrowth'. In
      the cells of the meristem, elongation is enhanced by auxin, but not by ethylene
      when given alone. However, these cells also respond with 'supergrowth' to a
      combined treatment with auxin and ethylene. The antiauxin p
      chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid suppresses both the ethylene stimulation of cell
      growth and the additive 'supergrowth'. The results support the concept that auxin
      pre-conditions the cells to the ethylene-dependent growth event. We suggest that
      the response elicited by the specific cell types could be related to differences
      in their level of endogenous auxin. 

PMID- 24221872
TI  - Temperature-dependent feedback inhibition of photosynthesis in peanut.
AB  - Arachis hypogaea L. is a tropical crop that is slow-growing at temperatures below
      25 degrees C. Unadapted CO2-assimilation rate (A) showed insufficient variation
      between 15 and 30 degrees C in the short term (hours) to explain this marked
      reduction in growth. However, at longer periods (12 d), A was depressed as were
      growth rate and leafproduction rate. To examine the possible relationship between
      growth, A and sink demand plants were transferred from 30 degrees C, which is
      near the optimum for growth, to a suboptimal temperature (19 degrees C). In the
      first 2 d of cooling, A decreased by 50-70%, the stomata stayed open, and the
      intercellular CO2 concentration (ci) rose, i.e. the decrease in A of the cooled
      plants was the result of non-stomatal factors. Changes in dark respiration did
      not account for the decline in A.Clear evidence was obtained of sink control of A
      by independently manipulating the temperature of different leaves on the plant.
      Cooling (to 19 degrees C) most of the plant (the sink) led to a 70% decline in A
      of the remaining leaves at 30 degrees C after 3 d, whereas the converse
      treatments (30 degrees C sink, 19 degrees C source) resulted in small changes
      (17%). In plants at 19 degrees C which were exposed to low CO2 concentration to
      prevent photosynthesis, A was not reduced when measured at normal CO2
      concentrations, indicating that carbohydrate accumulation was responsible for the
      decline in A. Dry-matter build-up at suboptimal temperature was also consistent
      with end-product inhibition of photosynthesis. 

PMID- 24221873
TI  - Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in intact kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa)
      leaves: Effect of light during growth on photoinhibition and recovery.
AB  - Photoinhibition of photosynthesis was induced in intact kiwifruit (Actinidia
      deliciosa (A. Chev.) C. F. Liang et A. R. Ferguson) leaves grown at two photon
      flux densities (PFDs) of 700 and 1300 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1) in a controlled
      environment, by exposing the leaves to PFD between 1000 and 2000 MUmol.m(-2).s(
      1) at temperatures between 10 and 25 degrees C; recovery from photoinhibition was
      followed at the same range of temperatures and at a PFD between 0 and 500
      MUmol.m(-2).s(-1). In either case the time-courses of photoinhibition and
      recovery were followed by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence at 692 nm and 77K
      and by measuring the photon yield of photosynthetic O2 evolution. The initial
      rate of photoinhibition was lower in the high-light-grown plants but the long
      term extent of photoinhibition was not different from that in low-light-grown
      plants. The rate constants for recovery after photoinhibition for the plants
      grown at 700 and 1300 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1) or for those grown in shade were similar,
      indicating that differences between sun and shade leaves in their susceptibility
      to photoinhibition could not be accounted for by differences in capacity for
      recovery during photoinhibition. Recovery following photoinhibition was
      increasingly suppressed by an increasing PFD above 20 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1),
      indicating that recovery in photoinhibitory conditions would, in any case, be
      very slow. Differences in photosynthetic capacity and in the capacity for
      dissipation of non-radiative energy seemed more likely to contribute to
      differences in susceptibility to photoinhibition between sun and shade leaves of
      kiwifruit. 

PMID- 24221874
TI  - Purification of GP57, and auxin-regulated extracellular glycoprotein of carrots,
      and its immunocytochemical localization in dermal tissues.
AB  - A glycoprotein (GP57) was purified by ion-exchange and hydroxylapatite column
      chromatography from the 70%-ethanol precipitate of culture medium of non
      embryogenic carrot cells (Daucus carota L.) grown with 2,4-dichlorophen-oxyacetic
      acid (2,4-D). Its apparent molecular mass (M r) was estimated to be 57000 by
      sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 50000 by gel
      filtration. GP57 contained 14% (w/w) carbohydrate; the M r of the peptide portion
      was estimated to be 55000 after deglycosylation by trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.
      GP57 is composed of two polypeptides with the same Mr and with very similar amino
      acid composition but different pI values, 8.8 and 9.5. Both are rich in aspartic
      acid, serine and threonine, and may possess N-linked oligosaccharide chains,
      including fucose and xylose. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) against the purified
      GP57 reacted with both the pI 8.8 and the 9.5 components, as well as the
      deglycosylated GP57. Immunoblotting with the MAb indicated that GP57 is
      synthesized in and released from cultured cells which have been supplied with
      auxin. In immunocytochemical studies, GP57 was found in the space between the
      embryo and the endosperm of dry seeds, and its content decreased during
      germination. GP57 was also found in the endodermis and epidermis of young roots,
      the periderm of mature taproots, and the epidermis of petioles and young leaves. 

PMID- 24221875
TI  - Acclimation of photosynthesis in Zea mays to low water potentials involves
      alterations in protoplast volume reduction.
AB  - Effects of water-stress treatment of Zea mays L. plants on protoplast volume and
      photosynthesis in leaf slices exposed to solutions of different osmotic potential
      (Psi s) were studied. Decreased photosynthetic capacity in the leaf slices at low
      tissue Psi w was associated with dehydration-induced protoplast-volume reduction.
      Leaf slices from plants exposed to in-situ water deficits exhibited greater
      photosynthetic capacity and relative protoplast volume at low water potential
      (Psi w) invitro than tissue from control plants.In-situ water stress induced
      osmotic adjustment of the leaf tissue as determined by pressure/volume analysis.
      It is concluded that plant acclimation to low leaf Psi w may involve a reduced
      degree of cell shrinkage at a given Psi w. This acclimation would allow for the
      maintenance of relatively higher photosynthetic capacity at low water
      protentials. 

PMID- 24221876
TI  - Pectins as mediators of wall porosity in soybean cells.
AB  - The non-invasive technique of fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching
      was employed on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) root cells grown in suspension
      culture to examine macromolecular transport across plant cell walls. Using both
      fluorescently derivatized dextrans and proteins of graded size, a functional
      range of diameters for putative trans-wall channels was determined to be 6.6-8.6
      nm. A mild treatment with pectinase apparently enlarged the channels, without
      adversely affecting cell viability, enabling significantly larger molecules to
      pass through the wall. Treatment of the cells with cellulysin or protease did not
      have this enlargement effect. It appears that the organization of pectic
      substances is a major control element in defining the sieving properties of the
      wall. 

PMID- 24221877
TI  - Enrichment for Nicotiana heterokaryons after protoplast fusion and subsequent
      growth in agarose microdrops.
AB  - Protoplasts isolated from Nicotiana tabacum L. leaves and Nicotiana suaveolens
      Lehm. cell suspensions have been fused with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Enrichment
      for heterokaryons was based on a Percoll flotation protocol which allowed a
      preparation with 50% heterokaryons to be obtained. The heterokaryons developed
      into calli whose hybrid nature was shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of
      esterase isoenzymes. Sensitivity of the mesophyll protoplasts to PEG and
      different buoyant densities of the heterokaryon and cell-suspension protoplasts
      contribute to the enrichment. The 50%-fusion figure following purification is an
      improvement on standard PEG procedures.Heterokaryons obtained were embedded in
      20MUl drops of agarose and placed in a liquid nurse culture that allows optimum
      growth of the heterokaryons and maintains a physical boundary between the
      heterokaryons and the nurse culture. Once colonies develop, the agarose microdrop
      is removed from the nurse culture and placed on shoot-induction medium. Agarose
      microdrops containing the heterokaryons can be readily removed at any stage and
      processed for electron microscopy to follow the early stages of colony
      development.The procedures we have utilised provide a robust physical selection
      method that allows the total variation from a heterokaryon population to be
      expressed. 

PMID- 24221878
TI  - Arrangement of cortical microtubules in the shoot apex of Vinca major L. :
      Observations by immunofluorescence microscopy.
AB  - The arrangements of cortical microtubules (MTs) and of cellulose microfibrils in
      the median longitudinal cryosections of the vegetative shoot apex of Vinca major
      L., were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy and polarizing microscopy,
      respectively. The arrangement of MTs was different in the various regions of the
      apex: the MTs tended to be arranged anticlinally in tunica cells, randomly in
      corpus cells, and transversely in cells of the rib meristem. However, in the
      inner layers of the tunica in the flank region of the apex, cells with
      periclinal, oblique or random arrangements of MTs were also observed. In leaf
      primordia, MTs were arranged anticlinally in cells of the superficial layers and
      almost randomly in the inner cells. Polarizing microscopy of cell walls showed
      that the arrangement of cellulose microfibrils was anticlinal in tunica cells,
      random in corpus cells, and transverse in cells of the rib meristem; thus, the
      patterns of arrangement of microfibrils were the same as those of MTs in the
      respective regions. These results indicate that the different patterns of
      arrangement of MTs and microfibrils result in specific patterns of expansion in
      the three regions. These differences may be necessary to maintain the
      organization of the tissues in the shoot apex. 

PMID- 24221879
TI  - Inhibition of auxin-stimulated growth of pea stem segments by a specific
      nonasaccharide of xyloglucan.
AB  - Hemicellulose extracted from cell walls of suspension-cultured rose (Rosa "Paul's
      Scarlet") cells was digested with cellulase from Trichoderma viride. The
      quantitatively major oligosaccharide products, a nonasaccharide and a
      heptasaccharide derived from xyloglucan, were purified by gel permeation
      chromatography. The nonasaccharide was found to inhibit the 2,4-dichlorophenoxy
      acetic-acid-induced elongation of etiolated pea (Pisum sativum) stem segments.
      This confirms an earlier report (York et al., 1984, Plant Physiol. 75, 295-297).
      The inhibition of elongation by the nonasaccharide showed a maximum at around 10(
      9)M with higher and lower concentrations being less effective. The
      heptasaccharide did not significantly inhibit elongation at 10(-7)-10(-10)M and
      also did not affect the inhibition caused by the nonasaccharide when co-incubated
      with the latter. 

PMID- 24221880
TI  - Improved somatic embryogenesis in wheat by partial simulation of the in-ovulo
      oxygen, growth-regulator and desiccation environments.
AB  - The effects of O2, growth-regulators and desiccation on callus growth and somatic
      embryo (embryoid) development were investigated in cultures of immature embryos
      of two lines of Triticum aestivum L. Callus and embryoid formation were induced
      on media that contained N(6)-furfurylamin-opurine (kinetin) and either 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid, either with or without
      abscisic acid (ABA). Cultures containing differentiated embryoids were then
      exposed to high concentrations of both ABA and indole-3-acetic acid, after which
      samples were desiccated to approx. 10% tissue moisture. Incubating cultures in
      3.2 mmol.l(-1) O2 (approx. 9%, low-O2) increased embryoid formation sixfold in
      one wheat line and nearly threefold in another. In the former line low-O2 caused
      the formation of mostly embryogenic callus. Low-O2 also decreased precocious
      germination of immature embryos, decreased callus growth, and improved
      development and viability of the resultant embryoids. Including 1.9 MUmol.l(-1)
      ABA in the callus-induction medium reduced germination of immature embryos and
      reduced the incidence of embryoids with visible abnormalities. Despite the
      improved morphology, significantly fewer of the embryoids produced on ABA
      containing medium germinated. Desiccation significantly enhanced germination of
      these embryoids as well as those produced on ABA-free medium. 

PMID- 24221881
TI  - Amyloplast development in etiolated and ethylene-treated pea epicotyls.
AB  - The amyloplasts found in the apical hook cells of etiolated pea (Pisum sativum
      L.) epicotyls were randomly distributed. Sedimentation of endodermal amyloplasts
      in the direction of gravity became apparent in the transition from the hook to
      the top of the main axis of the epicotyl. Cortical amyloplasts in this region
      were not, however, sedimented. These patterns of sedimentation could not be
      related to changes in amyloplast size, and it is proposed that cytoplasmic
      properties determine amyloplast behaviour.The differentiation of plastids in the
      hook differed between the amyloplast-containing endodermal cells and the cortical
      cells, in which amoeboid plastids predominated over amyloplasts. Amyloplasts
      disappeared from the cortical cells in the main axis of the epicotyl, but in the
      endodermal cells sedimented amyloplasts were found throughout the upper
      epicotyl.Etiolated epicotyls induced to grow horizontally by treatment with
      ethylene had a normal content of amyloplasts, sedimented in the direction of
      gravity. 

PMID- 24221882
TI  - Autonomic dysfunction of overweight combined with low muscle mass.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between overweight combined with low
      muscle mass and the cardiac autonomic nervous system using heart rate variability
      (HRV) in healthy workers. METHODS: A total of 1,150 workers were included, with a
      mean age of 43.55 +/- 11.45 years. The subjects were classified as low muscle
      mass if their appendicular skeletal muscle mass was below the 50th percentile of
      the study sample. Similarly, subjects were classified as overweight if their body
      mass index was above 25 kg/m(2). Electrocardiography recordings were obtained for
      5 min, and the time-domain and frequency-domain indices of HRV were analyzed.
      RESULTS: Compared with the high muscle mass and non-overweight (HMM) group, the
      low-frequency power and the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals were
      significantly decreased in both the overweight and high muscle mass (OHMM) group
      and the overweight and low muscle mass (OLMM) group. The significantly decreased
      high-frequency (HF) power and square root of the mean squared differences of
      successive differences, which reflects efferent parasympathetic activity, was
      indicative of reduced parasympathetic modulation in the OHMM and OLMM groups. In
      addition, the OLMM group had a lower HF power than did the OHMM group.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that HRV is reduced in overweight combined with
      low muscle mass group than overweight and HMM group.

PMID- 24221883
TI  - Acaricide activity of different extracts from Piper tuberculatum fruits against
      Rhipicephalus microplus.
AB  - Rhipicephalus microplus is the main tick that affects cattle. Plant bioactive
      molecules can be used to control this ectoparasite. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the in vitro efficacy of Piper tuberculatum fruit extracts obtained with
      different solvents on R. microplus larvae and engorged females. Hexane, ethyl
      ether, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts of P. tuberculatum fruits were
      evaluated. After extraction, all of the extracts were dried. Adult immersion
      tests and larval packet tests were performed with five different concentrations
      of each of the extracts. The hexane extracts of P. tuberculatum showed the
      highest larvicidal activity against R. microplus (lethal concentration (LC50 =
      0.04 mg/mL), followed by the ethyl ether (LC50 = 0.08 mg/mL), ethanolic (LC50 =
      2.73 mg/mL), and methanolic (LC50 = 4.49 mg/mL) extracts. The P. tuberculatum
      fruit extracts were also effective against R. microplus-engorged females. Ethyl
      acetate extracts showed the highest efficiency (LC50 = 18.4 mg/mL), followed by
      the methanolic (LC50 = 105.6 mg/mL), ethanolic (LC50 = 140.0 mg/mL), and hexane
      (LC50 = 297.4 mg/mL) extracts. All of the extracts showed similar chromatographic
      profiles containing 24% piperine. The P. tuberculatum fruit extracts contain
      bioactive compounds with great potential to improve the standard formulations of
      acaricides for the control of R. microplus.

PMID- 24221884
TI  - Molecular characterization of voltage-gated calcium channel beta-subunits of
      Clonorchis sinensis.
AB  - The voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel beta-subunit is a member of the membrane
      associated guanylate kinase family and modulates kinetic properties of the Ca(2+)
      channels, such as their voltage-dependent activation and inactivation rates. Two
      cDNA clones were identified to encode each beta-subunit isotype of the voltage
      gated Ca(2+) channel of Clonorchis sinensis, CsCavbeta1 and CsCavbeta2, which
      consist of 606 and 887 amino acids, respectively. CsCavbeta1 was found to be
      similar to the beta-subunit containing two conserved serine residues that
      constitute the consensus protein kinase C phosphorylation site in the beta
      interaction domain (BID). CsCavbeta2 had cysteine and alanine residues instead of
      the two serine residues conserved in BID and was homologous to variant beta
      subunit of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum. CsCavbeta1 and
      CsCavbeta2 were almost equally expressed in the adults and metacercariae, but
      were more expressed in adult C. sinensis than in metacercariae. Collectively, our
      findings suggest that substitution of the two serine residues in BID of
      CsCavbeta2 may render C. sinensis sensitive to praziquantel. 

PMID- 24221885
TI  - Comparison between two commercially available serological tests and polymerase
      chain reaction in the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium in animals and diarrhoeic
      children.
AB  - For the detection of Cryptosporidium species in 804 animals and 165 diarrhoeic
      children (<10 years) in Egypt, two copro-antigen tests, the RIDASCREEN(r)
      Cryptosporidium test [enzyme immunoassay (EIA)] and the RIDA(r)QUICK
      Cryptosporidium/Giardia Combi [immuno-chromatographic test (ICT)] as well as
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium was
      15.0, 19.5 and 32.3% in animals and 2.4, 6.7 and 49.1% in children using EIA, ICT
      and PCR, respectively.Using PCR as reference method, animal samples sensitivity
      (Se) of the EIA was 46.5% when questionable samples were considered positive,
      whereas specificity (Sp) was 100%. Se of the ICT was 60.4% while Sp was 100%.
      Positive predictive values (PPVs) for both EIA and ICT test were 100%, and
      negative predictive values (NPVs) for EIA were 79.7 and 84.1% for ICT. For the
      children samples, the Se of EIA was 5%, Sp was 100%, PPV was 100% and NPV was
      52.2%, while the Se of ICT was 13.6%, Sp was 100%, PPV was 100% and NPV was
      54.6%.The Kappa score of agreement between PCR and ICT was 67.4%, 54.1% between
      PCR and EIA and 84.4% between ICT and EIA. Until the second serial dilution of
      the EIA and ICT test, 9 * 10(3) oocysts/MUl of Cryptosporidia was detected,
      whereas in PCR, they were detected until the sixth serial dilution. Copro-antigen
      tests were easy to perform and less time-consuming but less sensitive compared to
      PCR. They obviously are best applicable for screening and epidemiological studies
      of large numbers of subjects, for batch specimen processing and in isolated or
      rural areas where reliable tests like PCR are unfeasible. When in children, a
      single stool sample is used for the diagnosis of clinical cases; better results
      can be obtained when non-standardized PCR due low specificity is coupled with
      copro-antigen tests.

PMID- 24221886
TI  - Dietary selenium affects intestinal development of Eimeria papillata in mice.
AB  - Here, we investigated the effect of the trace element selenium (Se) on course and
      outcome of Eimeria-paplllata-induced coccidiosis in mice. Male mice were fed on
      Se-adequate (0.15 ppm), Se-deficient, and Se-high diets (1.0 ppm) for 6 weeks.
      Mice were orally infected with 1,000 oocysts. The prepatent period lasts for 3
      days, but the course of infections varied. At Se-adequate diet, the maximum fecal
      output of oocysts amounted to 68,300 ooccysts/g feces on day 5 p.i.. However,
      fecal shedding of oocysts was accelerated in mice on Se-deficient diet and
      occurred already on day 4 p.i.. By contrast, maximal shedding is impaired in mice
      on high-Se diet, which takes place on day 5 p.i., but with a decreased output of
      only 7,300 oocysts/g feces. Light microscopy reveals that all developmental
      stages are affected: meronts, micro- and macrogamonts, and developing oocysts are
      increased in comparison with mice fed on selenium-adequate diet. At high Se, the
      number of parasitic stages in the jejunum is substantially higher than at Se
      deficient diet. Se does not affect the number of jejunal Alcian blue-stained
      goblet cells. Se deficiency increased the number of apoptotic cells in the
      jejunum. Substantially increased histological injury scores reveal more injuries
      in jejunum tissue infected by E. papillata. Our data indicate that high dietary
      Se exerts potential anticoccidial activity. This may be taken advantage of in
      control measures towards Eimeriosis as a feed additive, potentially alleviating
      the need for concomitantly utilized anti-coccidial drugs in the feed.

PMID- 24221887
TI  - The prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes in Poland--current
      results (2009-2013).
AB  - The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Echinococcus
      multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Poland. Overall, 1,546 intestinal
      samples from 15 of the 16 provinces in Poland were examined by the sedimentation
      and counting technique (SCT). The mean prevalence of E. multilocularis in Poland
      was 16.5% and was found in 14 of the 15 examined provinces. The mean intensity of
      infection was 2,807 tapeworms per intestine. Distinct differences in prevalence
      were observed between regions. In some provinces of eastern and southern Poland,
      the level of prevalence was 50.0% (Warminsko-Mazurskie), 47.2% (Podkarpackie),
      30.4% (Podlaskie) and 28.6% (Malopolskie), while in other provinces (west and
      south-west), only a few percent was found: 2.0% (Dolnoslaskie), 2.5%
      (Wielkopolskie) and 0.0% (in Opolskie). The border between areas with higher and
      lower prevalence seems to coincide with a north-south line running through the
      middle of Poland, with prevalence from 17.5 to 50.0% in the eastern half and from
      0.0 to 11.8% in the western half. The dynamic situation observed in the
      prevalence of this tapeworm indicated the necessity of continuing to monitor the
      situation concerning E. multilocularis in red foxes in Poland.

PMID- 24221888
TI  - A field survey for Wolbchia and phage WO infections of Aedes albopictus in
      Guangzhou City, China.
AB  - Wolbachia are maternal endosymbiotic bacterium, which infect a diverse range of
      arthropods, ranging from 20 to 76% in nature. They are capable of inducing a wide
      range of reproductive abnormalities to their hosts, such as cytoplasmic
      incompatibility (CI), which has been proposed to be used as a tool to modify
      mosquitoes that are resistant to the development of pathogen, as an alternative
      vector control strategy. Here, we evaluated the prevalence of Wolbachia and phage
      WO infections in the field population of Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou City via
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using the Wolbachia specific Wolbachia
      surface protein (wsp) and phage WO orf7 gene primers. Based on the results of PCR
      and phylogeny analysis, we found that A. albopictus in Guangzhou City were
      infected with two Wolbachia strains, wAlbA and wAlbB. Phage WO, the virus
      infected Wolbachia, was also detected in A. albopictus. One hundred and ten
      female individuals were screened via PCR, with 109 super-infected with Wolbachia
      and one sample single-infected with wAlbB strain. And 104 of 113 male individuals
      were both infected with wAlbA and wAlbB, and nine male samples were found to be
      infected with wAlbA strain only. The infection rates of phage WO in female and
      male individuals were 82.73 and 46.02%, respectively. These results showed that
      the natural Wolbachia and phage WO infections in A. albopictus population in
      Guangzhou were at a higher frequency at present, indicating that Wolbachia appear
      to be a better candidate nature resource for biological control insect vectors to
      reduce vector-borne diseases.

PMID- 24221889
TI  - In vitro acaricidal efficacy of plant extracts from Brazilian flora and isolated
      substances against Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).
AB  - The tick Rhipicephalus microplus causes significant losses in livestock cattle
      and has developed increasing resistance to the primary acaricides that are used
      to treat these infections. The objective of this study was to identify new
      biomolecules or isolated substances showing acaricidal activity from plants.
      Larval packet tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of 11 species of
      plants and three isolated substances (betulinic acid, eugenol, and nerolidol) on
      R. microplus. An adult female immersion test was performed with the substance
      that showed the highest larvicidal activity, which was evaluated for inhibition
      of reproduction. Tests using Licania tomentosa, Hymenaea stigonocarpa, Hymenaea
      courbaril, Stryphnodendron obovatum, Jacaranda cuspidifolia, Jacaranda ulei,
      Struthanthus polyrhizus, Chrysobalanus icaco, Vernonia phosphorea, Duguetia
      furfuracea, and Simarouba versicolor extracts as well as the isolated substance
      betulinic acid indicated lower acaricidal effects on R. microplus larvae. The
      extract displaying the best larvicidal activity was the ethanolic extract from L.
      tomentosa at a concentration of 60%, resulting in a mortality rate of 40.3%.
      However, nerolidol and eugenol showed larvicidal activity, which was highest for
      eugenol. Nerolidol caused a 96.5% mortality rate in the R. microplus larvae at a
      high concentration of 30%, and eugenol caused 100% mortality at a concentration
      of 0.3%. In the adult immersion test, 5% eugenol was identified as a good
      biomolecule for controlling R. microplus, as demonstrated by its high acaricidal
      activity and inhibition of oviposition.

PMID- 24221890
TI  - Development of an indirect immunofluorescence technique for the diagnosis of
      toxoplasmosis in bottlenose dolphins.
AB  - The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is often complicated by the lack of specific
      clinical symptoms or postmortem features, in humans and other animals. The only
      diagnostic test described so far for the serological diagnosis of Toxoplasma
      gondii in marine mammals is the modified agglutination test (Dubey et al., Am J
      Vet Res 48(8):1239-1243, 1987). The development of more sensible and specific
      immunological techniques requires specific antibodies, which are currently
      unavailable in the scientific market. Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) is one of
      the most widely used methods for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in humans (Auer
      et al., Parasitol Res 12:965-970, 2000). In order to develop and apply this
      technique to the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), immunoglobulins were
      firstly purified using ion-exchange chromatography. The purified immunoglobulins
      were then injected in New Zealand rabbits in order to obtain polyclonal
      antibodies. These antisera were validated by the IIF technique, using as controls
      serum samples of dolphins infected by Toxoplasma. The results were visualized
      using antirabbit IgG labeled with fluorescein. This newly developed and specific
      serological assay was then tested with the dolphin collection of Loro Parque,
      Tenerife, Spain (group I), and L'Oceanografic of Valencia, Spain (group II). The
      obtained results in this study showed that none of the dolphins from group 1 were
      infected by T. gondii and two animals were positive in group 2. Furthermore, we
      conclude that this study has produced antibodies with high specificity against
      dolphin immunoglobulins and an IIF method which may be used as immunological
      diagnostic tools, especially for the serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. 

PMID- 24221891
TI  - Patterns of interaction between Neotropical freshwater fishes and their gill
      Monogenoidea (Platyhelminthes).
AB  - Using network analysis, we looked for broad patterns of distribution of
      Monogenoidea gill parasites on Neotropical freshwater fishes within a host
      phylogenetic framework. We analyzed a database of Monogenoidea parasitizing
      fishes from Neotropical rivers, from 23 watersheds, based on species descriptions
      published until 2011. Host-parasite interactions were organized into five
      matrices grouping species at different taxonomic levels. The network of
      interactions between host families and parasite genera was significantly modular
      and revealed that each fish order has a unique composition of parasite genera.
      Hence, interactions between lower taxa were analyzed separately for the largest
      fish orders (Perciformes, Siluriformes, and Characiformes). Networks tended to be
      loosely connected and organized in modules. Despite the putative high host
      specificity of monogenoids, some have a wider host range that includes distantly
      related host species. Among the hosts, the clade composed by the piranhas
      (Serrasalmus spp. and related species, Serrasalmidae) stands out in terms of
      parasite richness per host species, resulting in a more connected network. The
      history of the lineages of each host order within Neotropical freshwaters seems
      to have a great influence on the extent of parasite sharing. The observed
      modularity was influenced by both spatial structure and phylogenetic relatedness
      of species. In average, 37 % of modules of networks between host species and
      parasite genera were associated with a particular river basin and 63 % of modules
      were associated with a host family. Hence, spatial structure determines the co
      occurrence of host and parasite species, but their evolutionary history is the
      main factor defining which interactions are possible.

PMID- 24221892
TI  - Hepatic 5'-monodeiodinase activity in teleosts in vitro: A survey of thirty-three
      species.
AB  - The in vitro hepatic 5'-monodeiodination of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine
      (T3) in Oreochromis mossambicus, Channa striata, Clarias batrachus, Cyprinus
      carpio and Oxyeleotris marmorata was found to be time, pH and temperature
      dependent, and related to the amount of substrate (T4) and homogenate introduced
      into the reaction vessel, in a manner which was consistent with Menton-Michaelis
      kinetics, and thus indicative of an enzyme-regulated process. Dithiothreitol
      introduced into the reaction vessel stimulated T3 production in a dose-related
      manner.Hepatic 5'-monodeiodinase activity was also detected in a further 28
      species of teleosts suggesting that the peripheral monodeiodination of T4, which
      is well-documented in salmonids, is also widespread amongst other teleost fishes.
      All species examined exhibited evidence of enzymatic deiodination, but there were
      marked differences in Km and Vmax values between the species. There was no
      apparent phylogenetic or environmental relationships to explain the widely
      divergent Km and/or Vmax values, nor was there a correlation between Km and Vmax
      when the species were considered together. 

PMID- 24221893
TI  - Oxidation of glutathione during hydroperoxide metabolism in isolated hepatocytes
      of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).
AB  - Freshly isolated rainbow trout hepatocytes were exposed to tert-butyl
      hydroperoxide (BuOOH), a substrate for glutathione peroxidase. BuOOH at a
      concentration approximately equimolar (1 mM) with intracellular reduced
      glutathione (GSH) caused a reversible increase in intracellular glutathione
      disulphide (GSSG) but did not compromise cell viability or damage membrane
      lipids. BuOOH at 10 mM caused a large irreversible increase in intracellular GSSG
      followed by efflux into the medium. Considerable leakage of lactate dehydrogenase
      and loss of highly unsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid
      also occurred. Dependence of hydroperoxide removal on flux through the hexose
      monophosphate pathway was suggested by the increased release of (14)CO2 from [1
      (14)C] glucose from hepatocytes incubated with BuOOH. 

PMID- 24221894
TI  - Volume regulation in glutathione-treated brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
      erythrocytes.
AB  - Brook trout erythrocytes that were washed with and suspended in Ringer's solution
      with reduced glutathione (1.0 mM) maintained steady state cell volume for up to
      24h, while those without the thiol-protective agent steadily shrank. Changes in
      cell volume (measured as packed cell volume, PCV) were evoked by acidic media
      (Ringer's at pH 6.8), hypoosmotic solutions (or both) and intracellular K(+) and
      Cl(-) concentrations were monitored over 4h. Acid-swollen cells failed to volume
      regulate or release K(+) but had significantly elevated intracellular Cl(-)
      Osmotically-swollen cells at pH 7.8 but not at pH 6.8 underwent regulatory volume
      decrease (RVD) and returned to initial levels in 2h, accompanied by release of
      K(+) and Cl(-) In contrast, osmotically-shrunken cells did not show regulatory
      volume increase. The regulatory volume decrease and concomitant K(+) release were
      dependent on Cl(-) implying a direct or indirect coupling of K(+) to Cl(-)
      transport in volume regulation. RVD was partially blocked by 4,4'
      diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS, 0.1 mM), an anion exchange
      blocker, but was unaffected by amiloride (1.0 mM) which blocks Na(+)/H(+)
      exchange. Amiloride and DIDS prevented the swelling response to low pH but had no
      effect on control cells, suggesting involvement of Na(+)/H(+) and Cl(-)/HCO3 (-)
      exchanges in acid-induced cell swelling. Quinine (1.0 mM) a known blocker of K(+)
      channels, exacerbated the osmotically-induced swelling but had little effect on
      the subsequent RVD and release of KCl. The results suggest that low extracellular
      pH inhibits neutral C(-)-dependent K(+) release and the resultant regulatory
      volume decrease in osmotically-swollen cells. 

PMID- 24221895
TI  - Measurement of plasma leucine flux in rainbow trout (Salmo gairneri R.) using
      osmotic pump. Preliminary investigations on influence of diet.
AB  - A method for the direct measurement of plasma amino acid flux, in rainbow trout,
      using the continuous infusion of L-[U-(14)C]-leucine with ALZET mini-osmotic
      pumps implanted into the peritoneal cavity, was developed. The fish were fed
      successively on three different diets (a commercial control diet, a semi-purified
      diet and a purified diet) during the 4 weeks of experiment. The amounts of
      radioactivity in the free pool and the protein of both the plasma and skin mucus
      were measured in these fish. The total flux of leucine was calculated either from
      the specific activity of leucine in the plasma (61.8 mg leucine. 100 g(-1).d(-1))
      or from the amounts of labelled and unlabelled leucine flowing into the skin
      mucus protein (61.5 mg leucine. 100g(-1).day(-1)). The total plasma flux was not
      affected by changes in the diet. The contributions of total leucine oxidation and
      whole body protein turnover to plasma leucine flux (80% and 20% respectively)
      were estimated in fish fed the semi-purified diet. 

PMID- 24221896
TI  - Cortisol treatment improves the development of hypoosmoregulatory mechanisms in
      the euryhaline rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.
AB  - The effect of cortisol on osmoregulatory parameters was studied in rainbow trout,
      (Salmo gairdneri), kept in freshwater (FW) and/or transferred to seawater (SW).
      Repeated injections of 20 ug cortisol/g fish stimulated gill and gut Na(+)/K(+)
      ATPase activity and reduced plasma Na(+) and Cl(-) levels after 2 weeks of
      treatment in FW-adapted fish. Cortisol doses of 0.05 and 1.0 ug/g were without
      effect. Repeated injections of 10 ug cortisol/g stimulated gill Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase
      activity and reduced plasma Na+ and Cl(-) levels in fish in FW, and significantly
      improved ion regulation after their transfer to 28SW. Higher doses of cortisol
      (10 and 20 ug/g) induced hyperglycemia, whereas low doses (0.05 and 1.0 ug/g were
      without effect or induced hypoglycemia. Plasma glucose levels decreased in
      cortisol-treated fish transferred to SW, whereas transient hyperglycemia was seen
      in the control fish. 

PMID- 24221897
TI  - Absence of binding and impermeability to ferritins of gill endothelium in marine
      teleosts.
AB  - The surface binding characteristics and permeability properties of the
      endothelium of secondary lamellae from the gills of several species of marine
      teleosts were investigated by introducing cationized ferritin and native ferritin
      into the microcirculation under normal environmental conditions. Neither type of
      ferritin bound to the luminal surface of the gill endothelium. No transcellular
      movement of cationized ferritin was detected, either via transendothelial
      channels or individual vesicles, nor was passage of cationized ferritin through
      the tight intercellular junctions of the endothelium observed. Anionic binding
      sites in the endothelial basement membranes could not be identified. Binding and
      transport of ferritin were unaffected by normal changes in environmental
      temperatures over the range of -2 to + 15 degrees C. These findings suggest that
      the endothelial cell surface of the gills from these fishes is a primary barrier
      to the extracapillary movement of blood borne constituents. 

PMID- 24221898
TI  - A respirometer with controlled water quality and computerized data acquisition
      for experiments with swimming fish.
AB  - This paper describes the design of a modified Brett-type respirometer for use
      with fish up to 2 kg at swimming speeds as high as 2.5 m.s(-1). Control of the
      respirometer, experimental monitoring and data acquisition are performed by
      computer. Water velocity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide
      can be controlled at predetermined levels to enable experiments to be conducted
      over several days with minimal deterioration in water quality. 

PMID- 24221900
TI  - Effects of paraquat treatment on fish transaminase molecular subforms.
AB  - The effects of paraquat (PQ; 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium dichloride)
      treatment were investigated in carp, silver carp and wels. The serum glutamic
      oxalacetic transaminase (GOT; L-aspartate: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC
      2.6.1.1.) level was enhanced by 50% at 1 ppm exposure and by 100% at 10 ppm
      exposure in all species, and there was a change in the distribution of the
      molecular subforms of GOT in the liver and heart. The activities of the
      individual subforms decreased with increasing PQ concentration or after a longer
      exposure. In some cases, one of the subforms was no longer present in the liver.
      An increased serum GOT activity, a decreased enzyme activity in different organs
      and the disappearance of molecular subform indicate tissue damage. 

PMID- 24221899
TI  - Oxygen uptake in the Antarctic teleost Pagothenia borchgrevinki. Limitations
      imposed by X-cell gill disease.
AB  - Fish in a population of Pagothenia borchgrevinki in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica,
      are affected by a gill disease (X-cell disease) which causes tissue hyperplasia
      that results in a decreased gill surface area and an increased water/blood
      diffusion distance. P. borchgrevinki acquires 95% of its oxygen via the gills,
      but damage to the gills by X-cell disease did not affect this function. There was
      no compensatory shift to cutaneous respiration. X-cell disease reduced the
      ability for oxygen uptake at low ambient PO 2 and the decreased uptake was
      related to the extent of the disease. O 2 max was greatly reduced in X-cell
      affected fish and substantially reduced their aerobic potential. This effect may
      impair the ability of diseased fish to catch prey and avoid predators. 

PMID- 24221901
TI  - Effects of hypoxia on blood pressure and heart rate in three marine teleosts.
AB  - Ventral aortic blood pressure (Pva) and heart rate (HR) responses to rapidly
      (within 1 min) induced hypoxia (PWO2=4-5.3 kPa) were investigated in vivo in
      three species of marine teleosts (shorthorn sculpin, Myoxo-cephalus scorpius; eel
      pout, Zoarces viviparus; and five-bearded rockling, Ciliata mustela). Fish were
      exposed to hypoxia for 4 min (M.scorpius) or 5 min (Z.viviparus and
      C.mustela).Pva was unaffected in M.scorpius, decreased in Z.viviparus and
      increased in C.mustela in response to hypoxia.Untreated M.scorpius and Z.
      viviparus responded with a characteristic bradycardia during hypoxia, whereas
      C.mustela developed no bradycardia. Injection of atropine followed by the beta
      adrenoceptor antagonist sotalol in M.scorpius and Z. viviparus, revealed that
      both the inhibitory (cholinergic) and the excitatory (adrenergic) influence on
      the heart increase during hypoxia. The inhibitory influence dominates, resulting
      in the observed bradycardia. 

PMID- 24221902
TI  - Simultaneous specific in planta visualization of root-colonizing fungi using
      fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
AB  - In planta detection of mutualistic, endophytic, and pathogenic fungi commonly
      colonizing roots and other plant organs is not a routine task. We aimed to use
      fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for simultaneous specific detection of
      different fungi colonizing the same tissue. We have adapted ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
      FISH for visualization of common mycorrhizal (arbuscular- and ectomycorrhiza) and
      endophytic fungi within roots of different plant species. Beside general probes,
      we designed and used specific ones hybridizing to the large subunit of rRNA with
      fluorescent dyes chosen to avoid or reduce the interference with the
      autofluorescence of plant tissues. We report here an optimized efficient protocol
      of rRNA FISH and the use of both epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning
      microscopy for simultaneous specific differential detection of those fungi
      colonizing the same root. The method could be applied for the characterization of
      other plant-fungal interactions, too. In planta FISH with specific probes labeled
      with appropriate fluorescent dyes could be used not only in basic research but to
      detect plant colonizing pathogenic fungi in their latent life-period. 

PMID- 24221903
TI  - Comparison of root-associated communities of native and non-native
      ectomycorrhizal hosts in an urban landscape.
AB  - Non-native tree species are often used as ornamentals in urban landscapes.
      However, their root-associated fungal communities remain yet to be examined in
      detail. Here, we compared richness, diversity and community composition of
      ectomycorrhizosphere fungi in general and ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi in
      particular between a non-native Pinus nigra and a native Quercus macrocarpa
      across a growing season in urban parks using 454-pyrosequencing. Our data show
      that, while the ectomycorrhizosphere community richness and diversity did not
      differ between the two host, the EcM communities associated with the native host
      were often more species rich and included more exclusive members than those of
      the non-native hosts. In contrast, the ectomycorrhizosphere communities of the
      two hosts were compositionally clearly distinct in nonmetric multidimensional
      ordination analyses, whereas the EcM communities were only marginally so. Taken
      together, our data suggest EcM communities with broad host compatibilities and
      with a limited numbers of taxa with preference to the non-native host.
      Furthermore, many common fungi in the non-native Pinus were not EcM taxa,
      suggesting that the fungal communities of the non-native host may be enriched in
      non-mycorrhizal fungi at the cost of the EcM taxa. Finally, while our
      colonization estimates did not suggest a shortage in EcM inoculum for either host
      in urban parks, the differences in the fungi associated with the two hosts
      emphasize the importance of using native hosts in urban environments as a tool to
      conserve endemic fungal diversity and richness in man-made systems. 

PMID- 24221904
TI  - Relationship between endothelial vasomotor function and strut coverage after
      implantation of drug-eluting stent assessed by optical coherence tomography.
AB  - The use of drug-eluting stent (DES) has been associated with incomplete
      endothelialization and coronary endothelial dysfunction. However, the
      relationship between endothelial vasomotor function and strut coverage evaluated
      by optical coherence tomography (OCT) has not been sufficiently assessed.
      Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between endothelial vasomotor function
      and the degree of stent strut coverage after DES implantation. Coronary
      angiography and OCT were performed in 112 patients at the 6-month follow-up after
      DES implantation. The patients were divided into tertiles according to the degree
      of strut coverage as was assessed by OCT. Endothelial vasomotor function was
      evaluated with intracoronary infusion of incremental doses of acetylcholine (Ach;
      10(-8)-10(-6) mol/L). Vascular responses at the proximal and distal segments to
      the stent margin were evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography analysis
      before and after Ach infusion. The percentage of uncovered struts in tertiles 1-3
      was 4.2 +/- 3.3, 17.3 +/- 4.2 and 44.5 +/- 14.4 %, respectively, (p < 0.001). The
      percentage of maximal vasoconstriction in tertiles 1-3 was 8.3, 9.1 and 8.1 % at
      proximal segment to the stent margin (p = 0.95), respectively, and 13.9, 11.1 and
      14.2 % at distal segment to the stent margin (p = 0.74), respectively. The
      percentage of uncovered struts was not correlated with the degree of vasomotor
      function (r = -0.01, p = 0.92 at the proximal segment; r = -0.07, p = 0.47 at the
      distal segment). The percentage of strut coverage was not associated with the
      degree of abnormal vasoconstriction in response to intracoronary infusion of Ach
      6 months after DES implantation.

PMID- 24221905
TI  - In-vivo assessment of normal T1 values of the right-ventricular myocardium by
      cardiac MRI.
AB  - To test feasibility of myocardial T1 mapping of the right ventricle (RV) at
      systole when myocardium is more compact and to determine the most appropriate
      imaging plane. 20 healthy volunteers (11 men; 33 +/- 8 years) were imaged on a
      1.5T scanner (MAGNETOM Avanto, Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany). A modified look
      locker inversion-recovery sequence was acquired at mid-ventricular short axis
      (SAX), as horizontal long-axis view and as transversal view at systole (mean
      trigger time 363 +/- 37 ms). Myocardial T1 time of the left-ventricular and RV
      myocardium was measured within a region of interest (ROI) on generated T1-maps.
      The most appropriate imaging plane for the RV was determined by the ability to
      draw a ROI including the largest amount of myocardium without including adjacent
      tissue or blood. At systole, when myocardium is thicker, measurements of the RV
      myocardium were feasible in 18/20 subjects. Average size of the ROI was 0.42 +/-
      0.28 cm(2). In 10/18 subjects, short axis was the most appropriate imaging plane
      to obtain measurements (p = 0.034). Average T1 time of the RV myocardium was
      1,016 +/- 61 ms, and average T1 of the left-ventricular (LV) was 956 +/- 25 ms (p
      < 0.001). T1 mapping of the RV myocardium is feasible during systole in the
      majority of healthy subjects but with a small ROI only. SAX plane was the optimal
      imaging plane in the majority of subjects. Native myocardial T1 time of the RV is
      significantly longer compared to the LV, which might be explained by the
      naturally higher collagen content of the RV.

PMID- 24221906
TI  - Single-beat real-time three-dimensional echocardiographic automated contour
      detection for quantification of left ventricular volumes and systolic function.
AB  - To assess the feasibility and accuracy in measuring left ventricular (LV) end
      diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and ejection fraction (EF) with
      Siemens single-beat real-time 3D transthoracic echocardiography. The LV volumes
      and EF were measured in 3D datasets acquired by six imaging modes (time-1
      harmonic (T1H), time-1-fundamental, time-2-harmonic, time-2-fundamental, space-1
      harmonic (S1H), and space-1-fundamental) in 41 patients using the automated
      contouring algorithm and compared with manually corrected 3DE QLAB measurements.
      The main determinates of the temporal and spatial resolutions of 3D datasets
      acquired were the fundamental and harmonic modes. Consequently, the S1H mode had
      the lowest volume rate and highest spatial resolution. Compared with the 3DE QLAB
      analysis, the S1H mode resulted in the best LV volumes and EF estimates in all
      patients (0 +/- 10 % for EF, -7 +/- 44 ml for EDV, -7 +/- 39 ml for ESV) and in
      the 10 patients with correct LV contour tracking according to a visual assessment
      from the multiplanar reconstruction views in all six modes (0 +/- 9 % for EF, -3
      +/- 23 ml for EDV, -2 +/- 14 ml for ESV). The T1H mode was the best alternative.
      Overall 28 patients (68 %) could be analysed automatically and satisfyingly with
      the S1H and T1H modes: 0 +/- 8 % (EF), 0 +/- 27 ml (EDV) and -1 +/- 16 ml (ESV).
      The accuracy of the Siemens automated RT-3D algorithm in measuring LV volumes and
      EF is significantly influenced by the different imaging modes. The S1H mode may
      be the preferred 3D acquisition mode, supplemented by the T1H mode in enlarged
      LVs that do not fit in the S1H acquisition sector.

PMID- 24221907
TI  - Nanopatterning palladium surface layers through electrochemical deposition and
      dissolution of zinc in ionic liquid.
AB  - Cracklike nanopatterned palladium surface layers have been produced by a green
      chemistry method based on in situ electrochemical deposition-dissolution of zinc
      (Zn-ECDD) in an ionic liquid bath. During the cathodic process, reactive Zn was
      electrochemically deposited onto a polycrystalline Pd substrate. During the
      subsequent anodic process, Zn was removed from the substrate through
      electrochemical dissolution. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements
      showed that repetitive Zn-ECDD mediated by potential cycles results in the
      nanopatterning of Pd surface layers, characterized by uniform crack appearance
      with well-distributed concave spacings separated by nanowidth cracks. Energy
      dispersive X-ray microscopy (EDX) studies revealed that the nanopatterned surface
      layers chemically contain a small amount of Zn. A mechanism based on the
      development of stress induced by the Zn-ECDD on Pd surfaces was proposed to be
      responsible for the nanopatterning of Pd surface layers. Electrochemical
      oxidation of formic acid and reduction of nitrite were studied as model reactions
      to demonstrate potential applications of the nanopatterned Pd electrode to
      electrocatalysis and electrochemical determination of environmental contaminants.
      Highly improved electrochemical responses were obtained on the nanopatterned Pd
      for the two reactions, compared to the untreated Pd. 

PMID- 24221908
TI  - Sphingosine-1-phosphate prevents chemotherapy-induced human primordial follicle
      death.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Can Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a ceramide-induced death
      pathway inhibitor, prevent cyclophosphamide (Cy) or doxorubicin (Doxo) induced
      apoptotic follicle death in human ovarian xenografts? SUMMARY ANSWER: S1P can
      block human apoptotic follicle death induced by both drugs, which have differing
      mechanisms of cytotoxicity. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: S1P has been shown to decrease
      the impact of chemotherapy and radiation on germinal vesicle oocytes in animal
      studies but no human translational data exist. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION:
      Experimental human ovarian xenografting to test the in vivo protective effect of
      S1P on primordial follicle survival in the chemotherapy setting. The data were
      validated by assessing the same protective effect in the ovaries of xenografted
      mice in parallel. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Xenografted mice were
      treated with Cy (75 mg/kg), Cy+S1P (200 MUM), Doxo (10 mg/kg), Doxo+S1P or
      vehicle only (Control). S1P was administered via continuous infusion using a mini
      osmotic pump beginning 24 h prior to and ending 72 h post-chemotherapy. Grafts
      were then recovered and stained with anti-caspase 3 antibody for the detection of
      apoptosis in primordial follicles. The percentage of apoptotic to total
      primordial follicles was calculated in each group. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF
      CHANCE: Both Cy and Doxo resulted in a significant increase in apoptotic follicle
      death in human ovarian xenografts compared with controls (62.0 +/- 3.9% versus
      25.7 +/- 7.4%, P < 0.01 and 76.7 +/- 7.4% versus 25.7 +/- 7.4%, P < 0.01,
      respectively). This chemotherapy-induced apoptotic death was reduced both in the
      Cy+S1P (32.7 +/- 4.4%, P < 0.01) and the Doxo+S1P group (27.1 +/- 7.6%, P < 0.01)
      compared with Cy and Doxo groups, respectively. In the Doxo+S1P and Cy+S1P
      groups, the percentages of apoptotic follicles were similar to those of vehicle
      treated controls (P > 0.05). The findings from the ovaries of the severe combined
      immunodeficient mice mirrored the findings with human tissue. LIMITATIONS,
      REASONS FOR CAUTION: The functionality of the rescued human ovarian follicles
      needs to be evaluated in future studies though the studies in rodents showed that
      rescued oocytes can result in healthy offspring. In addition, the impact of S1P
      on cancer cells should be further studied. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS:
      S1P and its future analogs hold promise for preserving fertility by
      pharmacological means for patients undergoing chemotherapy. STUDY
      FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This research is supported by NIH's NICHD and NCI
      (5R01HD053112-06 and 5R21HD061259-02) and the Flemish Foundation for Scientific
      Research (FWO-Vlaanderen, grant number FWO G0.065.11N10). The authors have no
      conflicts of interest to disclose.

PMID- 24221910
TI  - Fertility preservation after caesarean delivery in a woman diagnosed with Morbus
      Hodgkin disease during pregnancy.

PMID- 24221911
TI  - Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, a relationship between recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and
      Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene polymorphisms has been proposed. In order to
      investigate the real association between Apo E polymorphisms and RPL, our meta
      analysis was carried out. METHODS: We estimated the association with RPL risk
      under dominant and recessive models, in combination with the OR and RR with a 95%
      confidence interval (CI), which was used to assess the association between RPL
      and Apo E polymorphisms. RESULTS: According to our criterion, there were 6
      studies included. The dominant model used the E4/E3 group and the OR was 1.919
      (95 %CI: 1.016-3.625, I(2) = 53.8%), the RR was 1.308 (95%Cl: 1.071-1.598)
      suggesting that carriers of the E4 allele would have a higher risk of causing
      spontaneous miscarriages. In addition, the OR was 0.727 (95%CI: 0.566-0.932, I(2)
      = 0.0%) and RR was 0.923 (95%CI: 0.867-0.982) in a fixed model for E3/E3
      homozygotes versus other genotypes, suggesting that the Apo E3 polymorphism could
      be a protective factor. The OR was 1.365 (95% CI: 1.029-1.811, I(2) = 0 .0%) in a
      fixed model comparing the E2 allele with the E3 allele, suggesting that Apo E2
      polymorphisms may contribute to RPL as a risk factor. Furthermore, after
      conducting sensitivity analysis in the E4/E3 group, the results showed this to be
      consistent and the OR was 2.249 (95%CI: 1.474-3.431). CONCLUSIONS: There is a
      close association between RPL and Apo E gene polymorphisms. For RPL, the Apo E4
      polymorphism could be a risk factor, the Apo E3 polymorphism may be a protective
      factor and the Apo E2 polymorphism may be another potential risk factor.

PMID- 24221909
TI  - Long-term treatment of hydrogen-rich saline abates testicular oxidative stress
      induced by nicotine in mice.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that long-term
      treatment with hydrogen-rich saline abated testicular oxidative stress induced by
      nicotine in mice. METHODS: The effects of hydrogen-rich saline (6 ml/kg, i.p.),
      vitamin C (60 mg/kg, i.p.) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg, i.p.) on reproductive system
      and testicular oxidative levels in nicotine-treated (4.5 mg/kg, s.b.) mice were
      investigated. RESULTS: It was found that vitamin C and vitamin E attenuated serum
      oxidative level, but did not lower testicular oxidative levels in mice subjected
      to chronic nicotine treatment, and did not improve the male reproductive damage
      and apoptosis induced by nicotine. Different from normal antioxidants, vitamin C
      and vitamin E, hydrogen-rich saline abated oxidative stress in testis, and
      protected against nicotine-induced male reproductive damages. CONCLUSION: Our
      results first demonstrated that long-term treatment with hydrogen-rich saline
      attenuated testicular oxidative level and improved male reproductive function in
      nicotine-treated mice.

PMID- 24221912
TI  - Differences in cumulus cells gene expression between modified natural and
      stimulated in vitro fertilization cycles.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to determine whether there are any differences
      in the cumulus cell gene expression profile of mature oocytes derived from
      modified natural IVF and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles and if these
      changes could help us understand why modified natural IVF has lower success
      rates. METHODS: Cumulus cells surrounding mature oocytes that developed to
      morulae or blastocysts on day 5 after oocyte retrieval were submitted to
      microarray analysis. The obtained data were then validated using quantitative
      real-time PCR. RESULTS: There were 66 differentially expressed genes between
      cumulus cells of modified natural IVF and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation
      cycles. Gene ontology analysis revealed the oxidation-reduction process,
      glutathione metabolic process, xenobiotic metabolic process and gene expression
      were significantly enriched biological processes in MNIVF cycles. Among
      differentially expressed genes we observed a large group of small nucleolar RNA's
      whose role in folliculogenesis has not yet been established. CONCLUSION: The
      increased expression of genes involved in the oxidation-reduction process
      probably points to hypoxic conditions in modified natural IVF cycles. This
      finding opens up new perspectives for the establishment of the potential role
      that oxidation-reduction processes have in determining success rates of modified
      natural IVF.

PMID- 24221913
TI  - Heterogeneous distribution of histone methylation in mature human sperm.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the presence of various histone modifications in ejaculated
      human spermatozoa METHODS: In this prospective study, seminal ejaculates from 39
      normozoospermic individuals were evaluated for semen analysis and the presence of
      histone modifications in isolated nuclei. RESULTS: We observed heterogeneous
      presence of histone methylation in normal mature human sperm. We observed that 12
      to 30 % of the nuclei of normal sperm contain a heterogeneous distribution of the
      marks H3K4Me1, H3K9Me2, H3K4Me3, H3K79Me2, and H3K36Me3. Moreover, the presence
      of these marks is higher in the poor motile fraction of the ejaculate, which is
      associated with poor morphology and functional quality. In contrast, we did not
      observe histone acetylation (H3K4Ac and H4K5Ac) in normal or abnormal mature
      human sperm CONCLUSIONS: Defects in the process of spermatogenesis may alter the
      correct epigenetic programming in mature sperm. Further studies are required to
      evaluate the impact of these findings in human infertility.

PMID- 24221915
TI  - Meta-analysis on brain representation of experimental dental pain.
AB  - Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been widely used for
      investigating the brain representation associated with dental pain evoked by
      pulpal electrical stimulation. However, because of the heterogeneity of
      experimental designs and the small sample size of individual studies, the common
      brain representation regarding dental pain has remained elusive. We used imaging
      meta-analysis to investigate six dental pain-related fMRI studies (n = 87) and
      tested 3 hypotheses: (1) Dental pain is associated with the 'core' pain-related
      network; (2) pain-related brain activation is somatotopically organized in the
      somatosensory cortex; and (3) dental pain is associated with the cognitive
      affective network related to pain. Qualitative and quantitative meta-analyses
      revealed: (1) common activation of the core pain-related network, including the
      somatosensory cortex, the insula, and the cingulate cortex; (2) inconsistency in
      somatotopically organized activation of the primary somatosensory cortex; and (3)
      common activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, suggesting a role of re
      appraisal and coping in the experience of dental pain. In conclusion, fMRI
      combined with pulpal stimulation can effectively evoke activity in the pain
      related network. The dental pain-related brain representation disclosed the
      mechanisms of how sensory and cognitive-affective factors shape dental pain,
      which will help in the development of more effective customized methods for
      central pain control.

PMID- 24221916
TI  - Free Web-based personal health records: an analysis of functionality.
AB  - This paper analyzes and assesses the functionality of free Web-based PHRs as
      regards health information, user actions and connection with other tools. A
      systematic literature review in Medline, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Digital
      Library and ScienceDirect was used to select 19 free Web-based PHRs from the 47
      PHRs identified. The results show that none of the PHRs selected met 100% of the
      28 functions presented in this paper. Two free Web-based PHRs target a particular
      public. Around 90 % of the PHRs identified allow users throughout the world to
      create their own profiles without any geographical restrictions. Only half of the
      PHRs selected provide physicians with user actions. Few PHRs can connect with
      other tools. There was considerable variability in the types of data included in
      free Web-based PHRs. Functionality may have implications for PHR use and
      adoption, particularly as regards patients with chronic illnesses or
      disabilities. Support for standard medical document formats and protocols are
      required to enable data to be exchanged with other stakeholders in the health
      care domain. The results of our study may assist users in selecting the PHR that
      best fits their needs, since no significant connection exists between the number
      of functions of the PHRs identified and their popularity.

PMID- 24221917
TI  - X-Ray assessment of the effect of pedicle screw on vertebra and spinal canal
      growth in children before the age of 7 years.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the reliability of pedicle screws placed in children
      younger than 7 years of age, and to evaluate the effect of pedicle screw
      insertion on further growth of the vertebra and spinal canal. METHODS: A
      retrospective study of 35 consecutive patients through Jan 2003-Dec 2010 for
      congenital scoliosis in <7 years children was performed at one spine center.
      Patients undergoing pedicle screw instrumentation of at least two levels, which
      had been followed-up for at least 24 months were included. Measurements were
      performed in instrumented and adjacent non-instrumented levels. The effect of
      pedicle screw insertion on further growth was evaluated. RESULTS: The average age
      at surgery was 4.4 year (53 months, range, 23-84 months). 190 segments in 35
      patients met the inclusion criteria. 77 segments had no screws and 113 had at
      least one screw. There was a significant difference between the pre-operative and
      final follow-up values of the measurement of spinal canal and vertebral body
      parameters (P < 0.001). No significant difference existed between growth rates of
      vertebral bodies and the sagittal diameters of spinal canal with or without
      screws. The growth rates of vertebral bodies in lumbar spine were higher than in
      thoracic spine in both instrumented and adjacent groups. CONCLUSION: Pedicle
      screw instrumentation does not cause a retardation effect on the development of
      vertebral bodies and the spinal canal in children at an early age. It is a safe
      and reliable procedure to achieve a stable fixation.

PMID- 24221918
TI  - Inflammatory pain pattern and pain with lumbar extension associated with Modic 1
      changes on MRI: a prospective case-control study of 120 patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare, in a case-control study, clinical characteristics of
      patients with low back pain (LBP) with and without Modic 1 signal changes on MRI.
      METHODS: Patients with chronic non-specific LBP and a recent (<6 months) MRI were
      prospectively screened and included in Modic 1 group or control group. Patients
      in control group were age- and gender-matched with patients with Modic 1 group.
      Pain characteristics, including night pain and worse pain on waking and morning
      stiffness, were recorded. The presence of at least one of these three
      characteristics indicated an inflammatory pain pattern. Patients were evaluated
      by questionnaires and physical examination (including lumbar range of motion).
      Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: 120 patients
      were included (60 in each group). The groups did not differ in sedentary work (p
      = 0.25), morning stiffness for >60 min (p = 0.19), waking at night (p = 0.08),
      worse pain on waking (p = 0.09), back stiffness (p = 0.12), or pain with flexion
      (p = 0.87). Modic 1 patients more frequently exhibited an inflammatory pain
      pattern (p = 0.006), worse pain with lumbar extension (p < 0.005) and responded
      better to oral steroids (p = 0.004) than did controls. On multivariate analysis,
      Modic 1 changes were associated with sedentary work [odds ratio 0.22 (95%
      confidence interval 0.05-0.93)], pain with lumbar extension [11.2 (3.1-40.4)] and
      an inflammatory pain pattern [4.5 (1.2-16.9)]. CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics of
      patients with LBP and Modic 1 changes on MRI consist of an inflammatory pain
      pattern and pain with lumbar extension. Level of evidence 3b.

PMID- 24221920
TI  - Long-term follow-up of clinical and radiological outcome after cervical
      laminectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term clinical and radiological results of cervical
      laminectomy without adjuvant-instrumented fusion for degenerative spinal cord
      compression. METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study of patients in which
      clinical data (n = 207), questionnaires (n = 96) and fluoroscopy (n = 77) were
      reviewed. RESULTS: Postoperative perceived recovery was reported by 76 and 63 %
      of patients at 3 months and 9 years, respectively. Functional status remained
      unchanged. The incidence of kyphosis and segmental instability was 15 and 18 %,
      respectively, and occurred almost exclusively if preoperative lordosis was <20
      degrees . Neither kyphosis nor segmental instability correlated to perceived
      recovery and no predisposing variables were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical
      laminectomy without adjuvant-instrumented fusion should be considered as a
      treatment for compressive degenerative cervical myelopathy in patients with a
      lordotic cervical spine without congenital deformities. Additional reconstructive
      correction of the cervical spine is only proven appropriate in selected cases.

PMID- 24221919
TI  - Primary prevention of disc degeneration-related symptoms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It has been shown previously that a history of low back pain often
      begins in childhood or adulthood. Indeed, the prevalence of severe back symptoms
      among schoolchildren is not insignificant. Possibilities for the primary
      prevention of intervertebral disc degeneration-related conditions are poorly
      reported in the literature despite the assumed socio-economical impact of the
      prevention of these conditions. METHODS: In this review, the authors have
      collated published data on the prevalence and risk factors of childhood low back
      pain as well as the structure and results of published primary prevention
      programs. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported low back pain is 7-65% among
      children and it increases with age. Several lifestyle factors have been reported
      as significant risk factors for back pain, many of which are related to the
      schools. Current educational primary prevention programs in schools show no clear
      or long-term stable effect. CONCLUSION: Considering the growing evidence about
      the importance of normal and bad posture, an exercise-based posture correction
      program is suggested as a school-based primary prevention of disc degeneration
      related symptoms. Further, prospective randomized studies with more than 20 years
      follow-up, however, are strongly required to confirm it.

PMID- 24221921
TI  - Effect of varying number of OSEM subsets on PET lesion detectability.
AB  - Iterative reconstruction has become the standard for routine clinical PET
      imaging. However, iterative reconstruction is computationally expensive,
      especially for time-of-flight (TOF) data. Block-iterative algorithms such as
      ordered-subsets expectation maximization (OSEM) are commonly used to accelerate
      the reconstruction. There is a tradeoff between the number of subsets and
      reconstructed image quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the
      effect of varying the number of OSEM subsets on lesion detection for general
      oncologic PET imaging. METHODS: Experimental phantom data were taken from the
      Utah PET Lesion Detection Database, modeling whole-body oncologic (18)F-FDG PET
      imaging of a 92-kg patient. The experiment consisted of 24 scans over 4 d on a
      TOF PET/CT scanner, with up to 23 lesions (diameter, 6-16 mm) distributed
      throughout the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Images were reconstructed with
      maximum-likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) and with OSEM using 2-84
      subsets. The reconstructions were repeated both with and without TOF.
      Localization receiver-operating-characteristic (LROC) analysis was applied using
      the channelized nonprewhitened observer. The observer was first used to optimize
      the number of iterations and smoothing filter for each case that maximized lesion
      detection performance for these data; this was done to ensure that fair
      comparisons were made with each test case operating near its optimal performance.
      The probability of correct localization and the area under the LROC curve were
      then analyzed as functions of the number of subsets to characterize the effect of
      OSEM on lesion-detection performance. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline MLEM
      algorithm, lesion-detection performance with OSEM declined as the number of
      subsets increased. The decline was moderate out to about 12-14 subsets and then
      became progressively steeper as the number of subsets increased. Comparing TOF
      with non-TOF results, the magnitude of the performance drop was larger for TOF
      reconstructions. CONCLUSION: PET lesion-detection performance is degraded when
      OSEM is used with a large number of subsets. This loss of image quality can be
      controlled using a moderate number of subsets (e.g., 12-14 or fewer), retaining a
      large degree of acceleration while maintaining high image quality. The use of
      more aggressive subsetting can result in image quality degradations that offset
      the benefits of using TOF or longer scan times.

PMID- 24221922
TI  - Comparison of Bruce treadmill exercise test protocols: is ramped Bruce equal or
      superior to standard bruce in producing clinically valid studies for patients
      presenting for evaluation of cardiac ischemia or arrhythmia with body mass index
      equal to or greater than 30?
AB  - Clinically valid cardiac evaluation via treadmill stress testing requires
      patients to achieve specific target heart rates and to successfully complete the
      cardiac examination. METHODS: A comparison of the standard Bruce protocol and the
      ramped Bruce protocol was performed using data collected over a 1-y period from a
      targeted patient population with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than
      30 to determine which treadmill protocol provided more successful examination
      results. RESULTS: The functional capacity, metabolic equivalent units achieved,
      pressure rate product, and total time on the treadmill as measured for the obese
      patients were clinically valid and comparable to normal-weight and overweight
      patients (P < 0.001). Data gathered from each protocol demonstrated that the
      usage of the ramped Bruce protocol achieved more consistent results in comparison
      across all BMI groups in achieving 80%-85% of their age-predicted maximum heart
      rate. CONCLUSION: This study did not adequately establish that the ramped Bruce
      protocol was superior to the standard Bruce protocol for the examination of
      patients with a BMI equal to or greater than 30.

PMID- 24221923
TI  - Ultrastructure of the partially coated reticulum and dictyosomes during
      endocytosis by soybean protoplasts.
AB  - Individual and serial sections were used to obtain detailed information regarding
      the morphology and distribution of the partially coated reticulum (PCR) and to
      determine its relationship with dictyosomes in endocytotically active soybean
      (Glycine max. (L.) Merr.) protoplasts. The results confirm and extend the
      description of the PCR provided by T.C. Pesacreta and W.J. Lucas (1985,
      Protoplasma 125, 173-184) from whole cells of selected angiosperms. The PCR of
      soybean protoplasts consists of a set of interconnected tubular membranes bearing
      a clathrin-like coat over part of their cytoplasmic surface. A dilation,
      sometimes containing small vesicles, is frequently seen in this organelle. The
      PCR often appears associated with dictyosomes but also occurs independent of
      other cell organelles. Only one example of a direct connection between the PCR
      and dictyosomes was observed.Following adsorptive endocytosis of cationized
      ferritin, the label appears in the PCR within 2 min and accumulates with time. It
      is never observed in the membrane dilations. Serial sectioning established that
      dictyosomes are labelled with cationized ferritin around the periphery of several
      cisternae, including those on both sides of the same dictyosome. 

PMID- 24221924
TI  - The occurrence of leghemoglobin protein in the uninfected interstitial cells of
      soybean root nodules.
AB  - The distribution of leghemoglobin (Lb) in resin-embedded root nodules of soybean
      (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) was investigated using immunogold labeling. Using anti
      Lb immunoglobulin G and protein A-gold, Lb or its apoprotein was detected both in
      cells infected by Bradyrhizobium japonicum and in uninfected interstitial cells.
      Leghemoglobin was present in the cytoplasm, exclusive of the organelles, and in
      the nuclei of both cell types. In a comparison of the density of labeling in
      adjacent pairs of infected and uninfected cells, Lb was found to be about four
      times more concentrated in infected cells. This is the first report of Lb in
      uninfected cells of any legume nodule; it raises the possibility that this
      important nodule-specific protein may participate in mediating oxygen flow to
      host plant organelles throughout the infected region of the nodule. 

PMID- 24221925
TI  - Glycine decarboxylase is confined to the bundle-sheath cells of leaves of C3-C 4
      intermediate species.
AB  - Immunogold labelling has been used to determine the cellular distribution of
      glycine decarboxylase in leaves of C3, C3-C4 intermediate and C4 species in the
      genera Moricandia, Panicum, Flaveria and Mollugo. In the C3 species Moricandia
      foleyi and Panicum laxum, glycine decarboxylase was present in the mitochondria
      of both mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells. However, in all the C3-C4 intermediate
      (M. arvensis var. garamatum, M. nitens, M. sinaica, M. spinosa, M. suffruticosa,
      P. milioides, Flaveria floridana, F. linearis, Mollugo verticillata) and C4 (P.
      prionitis, F. trinervia) species studied glycine decarboxylase was present in the
      mitochondria of only the bundle-sheath cells. The bundle-sheath cells of all the
      C3-C4 intermediate species have on their centripetal faces numerous mitochondria
      which are larger in profile area than those in mesophyll cells and are in close
      association with chloroplasts and peroxisomes. Confinement of glycine
      decarboxylase to the bundle-sheath cells is likely to improve the potential for
      recapture of photorespired CO2 via the Calvin cycle and could account for the low
      rate of photorespiration in all C3-C4 intermediate species. 

PMID- 24221926
TI  - Inorganic-carbon uptake by a small-celled strain of Stichococcus bacillaris.
AB  - Air-grown cells of a marine, small-celled (2 MUm diameter) strain of Stichococcus
      bacillaris contained appreciable carbonic-anhydrase activity but this was
      repressed when cells were grown on air enriched with 5% (v/v) CO2. Assay of
      carbonic-anhydrase activity using intact cells and cell extracts showed all
      activity was intracellular in this Stichococcus strain. Measurement of inorganic
      carbon-dependent photosynthetic O2 evolution at pH 5.0, where CO2 is the
      predominant form of inorganic carbon, showed that the concentration of inorganic
      carbon required for half-maximal rate of photosynthetic O2 evolution [K0.5(CO2)]
      was 4.0 MUM for both air- and CO2-grown cells. At pH 8.3 the K0.5(CO2) was 0.3 mM
      for air-grown and 0.6 mM for CO2-grown cells. Sodium ions did not enhance
      bicarbonate utilization. Measurement of the internal inorganic-carbon pool (HCO 3
      (-) +CO2) by the silicone-oil-layer centrifugal filtering technique showed that
      air- and CO2-grown cells were able to concentrate inorganic carbon up to 20-fold
      in relation to the external medium at pH 5.0 but not at pH 8.3. In this alga the
      high affinity for CO2 and inorganic-carbon accumulation in CO2- and air-grown
      cells results from active CO2 transport that is not dependent on carbonic
      anhydrase activity. 

PMID- 24221927
TI  - Separation and purification of the tonoplast ATPase and pyrophosphatase from
      plants with constitutive and inducible Crassulacean acid metabolism.
AB  - Tonoplast vesicles were isolated from Kalanchoe daigremontiana Hamet et Pierrer
      de la Bathie and Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L., exhibiting constitutive and
      inducible crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), respectively. Membrane-bound
      proteins were detergent-solubilized with 2% of Triton X-100. During CAM induction
      in M. crystallinum, ATPase activity increases four-fold, whereas pyrophosphatase
      activity decreases somewhat. With all plants, ATPase and pyrophosphatase could be
      separated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC, Sephacryl S 400), and the ATPase
      was further purified by diethylaminoethyl-ion-exchange chromatography. Sodium
      dodecyl-sulfate electrophoresis of the SEC fractions from K. daigremontiana
      containing maximum ATPase activity separates several protein bands, indicating
      subunits of 72, 56, 48, 42, 28, and 16 kDa. Purified ATPase from M. crystallinum
      in the C3 and CAM states shows a somewhat different protein pattern. With M.
      crystallinum, an increase in ATP-hydrolysis and changes in the subunit
      composition of the native enzyme indicate that the change from the C3 to the CAM
      state is accompanied by de-novo synthesis and by structural changes of the
      tonoplast ATPase. 

PMID- 24221928
TI  - Photoprotection of phytochrome.
AB  - High-fluence-rate white light is shown to retard the degradation of phytochrome
      in etiolated seedlings of four different species: Amaranthus caudatus, Phaseolus
      radiatus (mung bean), Pisum sativum (garden pea), and Avena sativa (oat). In
      Amaranthus, a high photon fluence rate (approx. 1000 MUmol . m(-2) . s(-1))
      preserved nearly 50% of the total phytochrome over a period of 5 h; at 3 MUmol .
      m(-2) . s(-1), less than 8% remained over the same period. Kinetics of the loss
      of total phytochrome could be interpreted in terms of two populations, one with
      rapid, and one with slow, turnover rates. A log-linear relationship between
      fluence rate and proportion of slowly degrading phytochrome was observed; a
      similar relationship between fluence rate and the amount of phytochrome remaining
      after a 5-h light treatment was seen. In mung bean, although two populations of
      differing degradation rates were not resolvable, a similar log-linear
      relationship between fluence rate and amount remaining after a standard light
      treatment was evident. Detailed kinetic analyses were not performed with peas and
      oats, but comparisons of low and high fluence rates demonstrated that
      photoprotection was similarly effective in these species. In Amaranthus, transfer
      from high to low fluence rate was accompanied by a rapid increase in degradation
      rate, indicating that the retarding effect of high-fluence-rate light is not a
      consequence of the disablement of the degradative machinery.Immunochemical
      analyses confirmed the existence of photoprotection in all four species, and
      allowed the extension of the observations to periods of light treatment during
      which substantial chlorophyll production occurred. Considerable photoprotection
      was observed in oat seedlings exposed to summer sunlight. These results are
      interpreted in terms of the accumulation under high fluence rates of
      photoconversion intermediates not available to the degradative machinery which is
      specific for the far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome. 

PMID- 24221929
TI  - Regeneration of tepals, stamens and ovules in explants from perianth of
      Hyacinthus orientalis L. importance of explant age and exogenous hormones.
AB  - Regeneration of tepals, stamens and ovules from perianth explants of Hyacinthus
      orientalis L. in different developmental stages could be controlled by means of
      exogenous hormones. Perianth explants in a relatively early stage of development
      were competent for differentiation of tepals on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium
      supplemented with 2 mg.1(-1) N(6)-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or zeatin and 0.1 mg.1(
      1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Perianth explants in a later stage of
      development regenerated stamens and ovules, and marked difference was observed in
      the activity of BAP and zeatin in this regard. Zeatin stimulated more strongly
      stamen formation, while BAP enhanced ovule formation. Thus, stamens were formed
      when the explants were cultured for four months on medium with 2 mg.1(-1) BAP and
      0.1 mg.1(-1) 2,4-D and then transferred to medium with 0.2 mg.1(-1) zeatin and
      0.005 mg.1(-1) 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. On the other hand, differentiation of
      ovules occured in explants cultured for two weeks on the former medium and then
      transferred to medium with 0.1 mg.1(-1) BAP and 0.01 mg.1(-1) 2,4-D. Although
      ovule formation could also be obtained with 2 mg.1(-1) BAP alone, it was
      substantially enhanced by the presence of 0.1 mg.1(-1) 2,4-D in the medium in the
      early stages of culture. The results demonstrate the importance of both the
      developmental stage of the source organ from which explants are excised and of
      the hormone composition of the medium for the regeneration of different floral
      organs by perianth explants of Hyacinthus. 

PMID- 24221930
TI  - Onset of desiccation tolerance during development of the barley embryo.
AB  - We have investigated events which take place in the developing barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L.) embryo during its acquisition of desiccation tolerance. Excised
      embryos are capable of precocious germination as early as 8 d after pollination
      (DAP). At this age, however, they are not capable of resisting a desiccation
      treatment which induces a loss of 96-98% of their initial water content. At 16
      DAP the embryos germinate despite the drastic drying treatment. The pattern of in
      vivo and in-vitro proteins synthesized by the developing embryos from 12 DAP
      (desiccation-intolerant) and 16 DAP (desiccation-tolerant) were compared. A set
      of 25-30 proteins was identified which is denovo synthesized or enhanced during
      the developmental period leading to desiccation tolerance. Abscisic acid (ABA;
      100 MUM) applied in vitro for 5 d to 12-DAP embryos induces desiccation tolerance
      and represses a subset of polypeptides preferentially associated with 16-DAP
      embryos. During in vitro culture of barley embryos ABA stimulates the appearance
      of a set of proteins and prevents the precocious germination allowing
      embryogenesis to continue in vitro. It also suppresses a set of germination
      related proteins which appear 4 h after the incubation of the dissected embryo on
      a germination medium without ABA. Almost all mRNAs remain functional for
      translation when isolated embryos are dried at the desiccation-intolerant and
      tolerant stages of embryo development. 

PMID- 24221931
TI  - The source of gibberellins in the parthenocarpic development of ovaries on topped
      pea plants.
AB  - The role and source of gibberellins (GAs) involved in the development of
      parthenocarpic fruits of Pisum sativum L. has been investigated. Gibberellins
      applied to the leaf adjacent to an emasculated ovary induced parthenocarpic fruit
      development on intact plants. The application of gibberellic acid (GA3) had to be
      done within 1 d of anthesis to be fully effective and the response was
      concentration-dependent. Gibberellin A1 and GA3 worked equally well and GA20 was
      less efficient. [(3)H]Gibberellin A1 applied to the leaf accumulated in the ovary
      and the accumulation was related to the growth response. These experiments show
      that GA applied to the leaf in high enough concentration is translocated to the
      ovary. Emasculated ovaries on decapitated pea plants develop without application
      of growth hormones. When [(3)H] GA1 was applied to the leaf adjacent to the ovary
      a substantial amount of radioactivity accumulated in the growing shoot of intact
      plants. In decapitated plants, however, this radioactivity was mainly found in
      the ovary. There it caused growth proportional to the accumulation of CA1.
      Application of LAB 150978, an inhibitor of GA biosynthesis, to decapitated plants
      inhibited parthenocarpic fruit development and this inhibition was counteracted
      by the application of GA3 (either to the fruit, or the leaf adjacent to the
      ovary, or through the lower cut end of the stem). All evidence taken together
      supports the view that parthenocarpic pea fruit development on topped plants
      depends on the import of gibberellins or their precursors, probably from the
      vegetative aerial parts of the plant. 

PMID- 24221932
TI  - Cytometric analysis of growth-regulator-dependent transcription and cell-cycle
      progression in Petunia protoplast cultures.
AB  - Acridine orange simultaneously stains DNA and RNA. Using flow cytometry,
      synthesis of these nucleic acids can be related throughout a culture time-course.
      This technique has been used with nuclei isolated from Petunia hybrida
      protoplasts during 48 h of culture. Nuclear RNA content has been evaluated with
      respect to DNA levels, namely the cell-cycle phase.Nuclear RNA synthesis was not
      dependent upon exogeneous hormones during the first 18 h of culture, but either
      auxin (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4-D) or cytokinin (N(6)-benzyladenine)
      were necessary for entry into the S phase. Cytokinin alone could stimulate
      maximal RNA synthesis within each cell-cycle phase up to 24 h. In complete
      medium, DNA synthesis only began from a phase "G1B" having substantial RNA,
      although a subnormal amount of RNA (in protoplasts cultivated only with 2,4-D)
      did not prevent protoplast entry into the S phase. However, both hormones were
      necessary for highest RNA levels and G2 frequencies after 48 h. As in mammalian
      cells, the mean RNA level in plant 4C nuclei is double that of 2C nuclei. G2
      nuclei are larger than G1 nuclei, but upon activation G1 nuclei in fact diminsh
      in size.This study aimed to identify restriction points in the cell cycle as
      affected by growth regulators and the specific synthesis of nucleic acids. For
      example, the RNA levels induced by N(6)-benzyladenine, although similar to those
      in complete medium, were not sufficient to induce mitosis. Conversely, 2,4-D
      action was probably limited by low nucleotide synthesis in the absence of
      cytokinin. 

PMID- 24221933
TI  - Identification of a monoclonal antibody to abscission tissue that recognises
      xylose/fucose-containing N-linked oligosaccharides from higher plants.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies raised against extracts of the rachis abscission zone of
      Sambucus nigra L. were selected for high reactivity towards abscission-zone
      proteins. One antibody (YZ1/2.23) has been shown to cross-react, by both indirect
      and competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by Western blotting, with a
      number of plant enzymes including horseradish peroxidase, rice alpha-glucosidase,
      almond beta-glucosidase and the lectins from Phaseolus vulgaris and Erythrina
      cristagalli.The major N-linked oligosaccharide isolated from horseradish
      peroxidase has the sequence Manalpha
      3(Manalpha6)(Xylbeta2)Manbeta4GlcNAcbeta4(Fucalpha3) GlcNAc. This oligosaccharide
      was found to be a potent inhibitor of the binding of YZ1/2.23 to the intact
      glycoprotein. The common determinant is therefore contained within this
      structure. 

PMID- 24221934
TI  - Oligosaccharide side chains of wall molecules are essential for cell-wall lysis
      in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
AB  - The glycoproteins of the cell walls of Chlamydomonas are lysed during the
      reproductive cycle by proteases (autolysins) which are specific for their
      substrates. The autolysin which digests the wall of sporangia to liberate the
      zoospore daughter cells in the vegetative life cycle is a collagenase-like enzyme
      which attacks only selected domains in its wall substrates containing (hydroxy)
      proline clusters. Cell-wall fractions obtained by salt-extraction (NaClO4) and
      oxidizing agents (NaClO2) and the insoluble residue were tested as substrates.
      The most-crosslinked insoluble inner part of the wall is the best substrate for
      the sporangia autolysin. Oligosaccharides obtained from the insoluble cell-wall
      fraction of sporangia by hydrolysis with Ba(OH)2 inhibit autolysin action. We
      conclude that the oligosaccharide side chains of wall substrates are essential
      for forming the reactive enzyme-substrate complex. 

PMID- 24221935
TI  - Influence of cell turgor on sucrose partitioning in potato tuber storage tissues.
AB  - Sucrose uptake and partitioning in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber discs were
      examined under a range of mannitol and ethylene-glycol concentrations. Mannitol
      caused the same changes in turgor over a wide range of incubation periods (90 min
      6 h), indicating that it did not penetrate the tissue. In comparison, ethylene
      glycol reduced turgor losses but did not eliminate them, even after 6 h. Between
      100 mM and 300 mM mannitol, turgor fell by 350 kPa, compared with 35 kPa in
      ethylene glycol. Uptake experiments in mannitol alone showed that total sucrose
      uptake was strongly correlated with both osmotic potential and with turgor
      potential. In subsequent experiments sucrose uptake and partitioning were
      examined after 3 h equilibration in 100 mM and 300 mM concentrations of mannitol
      and ethylene glycol. Total sucrose uptake and the conversion of sucrose to starch
      were enhanced greatly only at 300 mM mannitol, indicating an effect of turgor,
      rather than osmotic potential on sucrose partitioning. The inhibitors p
      chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid and carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone
      (CCCP) both reduced sucrose uptake, but in quite different ways. p
      Chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid reduced total sucrose uptake but did not affect
      the partitioning of sucrose to starch. By contrast, CCCP inhibited total uptake
      and virtually eliminated the conversion of sucrose to starch. Despite this,
      sucrose uptake in the presence of CCCP continued to increase as the mannitol
      concentration increased, indicating an increase in passive transport at higher
      mannitol concentrations. Increased sucrose uptake above 400 mM mannitol was shown
      to be the result of uptake into the free space. The data show that starch
      synthesis is optimised at low but positive turgors and the relation between
      sucrose partitioning and the changing diurnal water relations of the tuber are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24221936
TI  - Proteinase inhibitors I and II in fruit of wild tomato species: Transient
      components of a mechanism for defense and seed dispersal.
AB  - The juice of unripe fruit from a wild species of tomato, Lycopersicon peruvianum
      (L.) Mill., LA 107, contains over 50% of its soluble proteins as the sum of two
      proteinase inhibitors. These are the highest levels of proteinase inhibitors and
      highest percentage of soluble proteins as proteinase inhibitors of any plant or
      animal tissue found to date. Fruit of the modern tomato, L. esculentum Mill.,
      contains only negligible quantities of the two inhibitors. The two proteinase
      inhibitors in the fruit of L. peruvianum are members of the Inhibitor I and II
      families previously found in potato tubers and in leaves of wounded potato and
      tomato plants. The levels of the two inhibitors in the unripe fruit decrease
      significantly during ripening. Unripe fruit from other wild Lycopersicon species
      such as L. parviflorum Rick, Kesicki, Fobes et Holle, L. hirsutum Humb. et
      Bonpe., L. pimpinellifolium Mill., and other lines of L. peruvianum contain
      moderate levels of the inhibitors that also decrease during ripening. Another
      wild tomato species, L. pennellii Corr., is similar to L. esculentum in not
      containing the two proteinase inhibitors in either unripe or ripe fruit. The
      transient levels of the inhibitors in fruit of wild species indicate that they
      are present in unripe fruit as defensive chemicals against insects, birds or
      small mammals and their disappearance during ripening may render them edible to
      facilitate seed dispersal. High levels of mRNAs coding for Inhibitors I and II in
      unripe fruit of L. peruvianum, LA 107, indicate that strong promoters may
      regulate the developmentally expressed proteinase-inhibitor genes in tomato fruit
      that may have a substantial potential for use in genetic-engineering experiments
      to enhance the production of large quantities of proteinase inhibitors or other
      proteins in field tomatoes. 

PMID- 24221937
TI  - Production of gibberellins and indole-3-acetic acid by Rhizobium phaseoli in
      relation to nodulation of Phaseolus vulgaris roots.
AB  - Similar ranges of gibberellins (GAs) were detected by high-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC)-immunoassay procedures in ten cultures of wild-type and
      mutant strains of Rhizobium phaseoli. The major GAs excreted into the culture
      medium were GA1 and GA4. These identifications were confirmed by combined gas
      chromatographymass spectrometry. The HPLC-immunoassays also detected smaller
      amounts of GA9- as well as GA20-like compounds, the latter being present in some
      but not all cultures. In addition to GAs, all strains excreted indole-3-acetic
      acid (IAA) but there was no obvious relationship between the amounts of GA and
      IAA that accumulated. The Rhizobium strains studied included nod (-) and fix (-)
      mutants, making it unlikely that the IAA- and GA-biosynthesis genes are closely
      linked to the genes for nodulation and nitrogen fixation.The HPLC-immunoassay
      analyses showed also that nodules and non-nodulated roots of Phaseolus vulgaris
      L. contained similar spectra of GAs to R. phaseoli culture media. The GA pools in
      roots and nodules were of similar size, indicating that Rhizobium does not make a
      major contribution to the GA content of the infected tissue. 

PMID- 24221938
TI  - The metabolism of exogenous hydroxyproline by gametophytes of Plagiochila arctica
      Bryhn et Kaal. (Hepaticae).
AB  - The metabolic fate of free 4-hydroxyproline (Hyp), dual-labeled in specific
      positions, supplied to axenically cultured gametophytes of Plagiochila arctica
      was found to be complex. It could enter into at least three pathways, and the one
      that predominated depended on the concentration supplied. At low concentrations
      (i.e., 1 MUM), free Hyp was mostly converted to proline (Pro) by a pathway in
      which pyrroline-5-carboxylate is the most probable intermediate. Lesser amounts
      entered a pathway(s) in which hydrogen was lost from the 3(2) carbon. And a small
      amount was directly incorporated into protein. At the higher concentrations that
      have been found to desuppress leaf and branch development in P. arctica the
      proportion of the labeled Hyp converted to Pro was markedly diminished and the
      proportion that was directly incorporated into peptide linkage was increased.
      This direct incorporation of Hyp into protein may be closely related to the
      ability of Hyp to relieve suppression of ventral leaves in leafy liverworts. the
      suppression-desuppression phenomenon is thought to involve cell surface and-or
      extracellular matrix proteins. 

PMID- 24221939
TI  - Feedback regulation of nodule formation in alfalfa.
AB  - When high dosages of wild-type Rhizobium meliloti RCR2011 were inoculated at two
      different times, 24 h apart, onto either the primary roots of alfalfa (Medicago
      sativa L.) seedlings or onto lateral roots on opposite sides of a split-root
      system, the number of nodules generated by the second inoculum was much smaller
      than the number generated by the first inoculum. These results provide evidence
      that alfalfa has an active, systemic mechanism for feedback control of
      nodulation. Non-nodulating mutants and delayed, weakly nodulating mutants did not
      elicit a discernable suppression of nodulation by subsequently inoculated wild
      type cells. An appreciable number of Rhizobium infections thus seem required to
      elicit the suppressive response. Mutants in nodulation regions IIb and IIa
      nodulated extensively in the initially susceptible region of the root, but nodule
      initiation by these mutants was 100-1000 times less efficient, respectively, than
      the parent. Nodules formed by these mutants emerged 1 d later than normal. The
      IIb mutants elicited a relatively strong suppression of nodulation in younger
      parts of the root, but region-IIa mutants elicited only a weak response. These
      results indicate that elicitation of the regulatory response need not be
      proportional to nodule formation and imply that genes in region IIa play an
      important role in elicitation. At high dosages, the region-II mutants induced the
      development of thick, short roots in a considerably higher percentage of plants
      than the wild-type bacteria. Nodules generated by wild-type isolates and region
      II mutants did not emerge in strict acropetal sequence, probably because some
      infections developed more slowly than others. Prior exposure of the root to non
      nodulating mutants resulted in nodulation by the parent in regions of the root
      otherwise too mature to be susceptible, indicating that exposure to these mutants
      may affect the sequence of root development. 

PMID- 24221940
TI  - Different properties of two types of auxin-binding sites in membranes from maize
      coleoptiles.
AB  - Two types of auxin-binding sites (sites I and II) in membranes from maize (Zea
      mays L.) coleoptiles were characterized. Site I was a protein with a relative
      molecular mass of 21 000, and the distribution of site I protein on sucrose
      density gradient fractionation coincided with that of NADH-cytochrome-c reductase
      (EC 1.6.99.3), a marker enzyme of the endoplasmic reticulum. Immunoprecipitation
      and immunoblotting studies showed that the content of site I protein in maize
      coleoptiles was approx. 2 MUg.(g FW)(-1). Site II occurred in higher-density
      fractions and also differed immunologically from site I. Site I was present at
      the early developmental stage of the coleoptile and increased only twice during
      coleoptile growth between day 2 and 4. Site II activity was low at the early
      stage and increased more substantially between day 3 and 4, a period of rapid
      growth of the coleoptile. Both sites decreased concurrently after day 4, followed
      by a reduction in the growth rate of the coleoptile. Coleoptiles with the outer
      epidermis removed showed a lower site I activity than intact coleoptiles,
      indicating that site I was concentrated in the outer epidermis. Site II, in
      contrast, remained constant after removal of the outer epidermis. The results
      indicate that site I is not a precursor of site II and that the two sites are
      involved in different cellular functions. 

PMID- 24221942
TI  - Effect of broodstock diets on lipid classes and their fatty acid composition in
      eggs of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.).
AB  - Total lipid content, total lipid fatty acids, lipid classes and their fatty acid
      compositions were studied in eggs of gilthead sea bream from two different
      broodstocks.The two broodstock diets used had the same total lipid content, but
      differed with respect to their fatty acid levels. The lipid class composition of
      eggs from different origins was not significantly different. The predominant
      polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and
      sphingomyelin, and the main neutral lipid classes were cholesterol esters and
      triacylglycerols.The fatty acid composition of total lipids and main lipid
      classes in the two groups of eggs showed marked differences, reflecting the
      influence of fatty acid levels in the broodstock diets. 

PMID- 24221943
TI  - Effect of broodstock diets on total lipids and fatty acid composition of larvae
      of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) during yolksac stage.
AB  - Total lipid content and total lipid fatty acid compositions were studied in
      larvae at the yolksac stage of gilthead sea bream from two different broodstocks.
      The two broodstock diets had the same total lipid content but were different with
      respect to their fatty acid levels.There were differences in the fatty acid
      composition of total lipids in the two groups of larvae, reflecting the influence
      of fatty acid levels in the diets fed to the broodstock. The main fatty acids in
      both larvae lots during yolksac stage were 16:0, 18:1n-9 and 22:6n-3.The
      desaturation index Deltax = [P + Sigma (n - x) - Sigma (n - x) diet]/P allowed
      the determination of the relative importance of the Delta9, Delta6, Delta5 and
      Delta4 desaturations during the egg and larval yolksac stages.The levels of total
      lipid fatty acids in eggs and larvae during yolksac period were almost constant
      and very low desaturation and elongation activities were apparent.A competitive
      inhibition was observed between the fatty acids of the n-6 series with respect to
      the ones of the n-3 series in those eggs and larvae from broodstock whose diet
      contained a high proportion of linoleic acid and its derivatives. 

PMID- 24221941
TI  - A Drosophila melanogaster model of diastolic dysfunction and cardiomyopathy based
      on impaired troponin-T function.
AB  - RATIONALE: Regulation of striated muscle contraction is achieved by Ca2+ 
      dependent steric modulation of myosin cross-bridge cycling on actin by the thin
      filament troponin-tropomyosin complex. Alterations in the complex can induce
      contractile dysregulation and disease. For example, mutations between or near
      residues 112 to 136 of cardiac troponin-T, the crucial TnT1 (N-terminal domain of
      troponin-T)-tropomyosin-binding region, cause cardiomyopathy. The Drosophila
      upheld(101) Glu/Lys amino acid substitution lies C-terminally adjacent to this
      phylogenetically conserved sequence. OBJECTIVE: Using a highly integrative
      approach, we sought to determine the molecular trigger of upheld(101)
      myofibrillar degeneration, to evaluate contractile performance in the mutant
      cardiomyocytes, and to examine the effects of the mutation on the entire
      Drosophila heart to elucidate regulatory roles for conserved TnT1 regions and
      provide possible mechanistic insight into cardiac dysfunction. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Live video imaging of Drosophila cardiac tubes revealed that the
      troponin-T mutation prolongs systole and restricts diastolic dimensions of the
      heart, because of increased numbers of actively cycling myosin cross-bridges.
      Elevated resting myocardial stiffness, consistent with upheld(101) diastolic
      dysfunction, was confirmed by an atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation
      approach. Direct visualization of mutant thin filaments via electron microscopy
      and 3-dimensional reconstruction resolved destabilized tropomyosin positioning
      and aberrantly exposed myosin-binding sites under low Ca2+ conditions.
      CONCLUSIONS: As a result of troponin-tropomyosin dysinhibition, upheld(101)
      hearts exhibited cardiac dysfunction and remodeling comparable to that observed
      during human restrictive cardiomyopathy. Thus, reversal of charged residues about
      the conserved tropomyosin-binding region of TnT1 may perturb critical
      intermolecular associations required for proper steric regulation, which likely
      elicits myopathy in our Drosophila model.

PMID- 24221944
TI  - The purification and partial characterization of carp, Cyprinus carpio,
      vitellogenin.
AB  - A procedure is described for the isolation of intact vitellogenin (c-VTG) from
      the carp, Cyprinus carpio. VTG was induced in juvenile females using oestradiol
      17beta and purified from the plasma using a combination of gel-filtration
      chromatography on Sepharose 6B and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose.
      Purification procedures were conducted at low temperatures (below 9 degrees C) in
      the presence of the proteolytic enzyme inhibitor aprotinin to prevent
      degradation. Intact c-VTG had an apparent molecular mass of 390,000 Daltons, but
      when extracted from plasma in the absence of aprotinin it underwent proteolysis
      into at least 2 protein fragments (apparent molecular masses of 230,000 and
      96,000 Daltons), showing an instability of the native dimer. An amino acid
      analysis of c-VTG showed that its composition was almost identical to goldfish
      VTG, a species closely allied to the true carps and also similar to other
      oviparous vertebrate VTGs. Collectively, these data indicate that using these
      purification procedures VTG from carp, and probably other teleost species, can be
      isolated in an intact, highly purified form. 

PMID- 24221945
TI  - Estrogen treatment and its influence on protein synthesis and amino acid
      metabolism in Zoarces viviparus (L) males.
AB  - Overall protein synthesis was studied in estradiol-treated and control Zoarces
      viviparus males. Significant increases in total RNA, the RNA:DNA and the
      RNA:protein ratios in the liver were correlated with a 6-fold increase in total
      calcium levels in the plasma, indicating increased protein synthetic activity and
      the presence of circulating vitellogenin respectively in the induced males. The
      time-course incorporation of (14)C-phenylalanine into protein in a cell free
      liver system showed a linear increase during the first 30 min after poly (U) was
      added to the incubation medium in control as well as in the estradiol-treated
      males. The incorporation rate in the induced liver, however, was increased
      significantly above the level of the control livers. Estradiol-treatment altered
      the concentration of most amino acids in the plasma and a few in the liver with
      particular marked effects on alanine and tyrosine in the plasma and glutamate in
      the liver. 

PMID- 24221946
TI  - The development of a radioimmunoassay for carp, Cyprinus carpio, vitellogenin.
AB  - The development of an easily - performed and robust radioimmunoassay (RIA) to
      carp, Cyprinus carpio, vitellogenin (c-VTG) is described. Purified c-VTG was
      iodinated using Iodogen. The resulting c-VTG label was useful for up to 60 days.
      High titre antibodies were raised in rabbits to the purified c-VTG. The practical
      operating range of the c-VTG RIA was between 2 and 200 ng. ml(-1). VTG was
      detected in plasma from all female mirror carp investigated, and all plasmas
      diluted parallel to the standard. The plasma VTG level in female carp increased
      concomitantly with the GSI; levels increasing from the ng. ml(-1) level in
      juveniles to a maximum of 1 mg. ml(-1) in fully mature females. VTG level was a
      far more sensitive index of the degree of sexual development than was GSI. In
      males, blood levels of VTG were always undetectable. Vitellogenic plasma from all
      subspecies of C. carpio (e.g. mirror, common, Koi) diluted parallel to the
      standard, as did blood from most other female cyprinids, such as the roach
      (Rutilis rutilis), bream (Abramis brama), and dace (Leuciscus leuciscus), but not
      all. These results suggest that the structure of VTG is highly conserved within
      this family. However, plasma from vitellogenic salmonids did not cross-react in
      the RIA. The relationship between plasma VTG and calcium levels was studied in
      both carp and rainbow trout. In rainbow trout it was found that plasma calcium
      levels do not rise above basal levels until the VTG level exceeds about 1 mg. ml(
      1), and therefore in this species it is only useful as an indicator of the degree
      of ovarian development in the later stages of the reproductive cycle. In the
      carp, however, and probably other cyprinids, blood VTG levels do not appear to
      naturally exceed about 1 mg.ml(-1), and plasma calcium levels are not suitable as
      an indirect measure of the VTG level. 

PMID- 24221947
TI  - Regional distribution of microsomal xenobiotic and steroid metabolism in kidney
      microsomes from rainbow trout.
AB  - The regional distribution of microsomal cytochrome P-450-mediated reactions with
      exogenous and endogenous substrates in the kidney of rainbow trout was studied.
      The cytochrome P-450-dependent 7-ethoxyresorufin- and 7-ethoxycoumarin-0
      deethylase activities were significantly higher (3-4 and 10-14 fold,
      respectively) in the trunk kidney than in the head kidney, whereas ethylmorphine
      N-demethylase activity was evenly distributed along the kidney. The microsomal
      cytochrome P-450-dependent steroid hydroxylases and steroid reducing enzymes when
      using androstenedione as substrate also exhibited a regional distribution in
      trout kidney. The 6beta- and 16-hydroxylase activities as well as the 5alpha
      reductase and 17 hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activities were higher in the
      anterior part of the trunk kidney than in the head kidney and posterior trunk
      kidney. 

PMID- 24221948
TI  - Does Amia Calva aestivate?
AB  - During gradual air exposure, Amia calva show no reduction in oxygen consumption,
      no increase in plasma urea levels or in urea excretion. Blood pH remains
      constant, and plasma total CO2, PCO 2, HCO3 (-). total ammonia and NH3
      concentrations all rise significantly. Exposure to 923 MUmol/l NH4Cl does not
      elicit an increase in urea production or airbreathing. Aquatic hypoxia without
      access to air does not cause a reduction in aerobic metabolism, and moderate
      levels result in death. These results suggest that Amia are incapable of
      aestivation, due to an inability to detoxify ammonia to urea and reduce
      metabolism, and die following three to five days of air exposure. 

PMID- 24221949
TI  - Growth hormone secretion during longterm incubation of the pituitary of the
      Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica.
AB  - Growth hormone (GH) secretion from organ-cultured pituitaries of the eel
      (Anguilla japonica) was studied during incubation in a defined medium for 2
      weeks, using a homologous radioimmunoassay which does not distinguish between the
      two molecular forms of eel GH. The total amount of GH secreted increased
      gradually during the incubation period; so that the amount of GH released on day
      14 was about 30 times greater than that on day 1. On day 14, the proportion of GH
      released relative to the total amount of GH present (the sum of GH released into
      the medium and residual content in the pituitary) was 96% and the amount produced
      on day 14 was 4 times greater than the content in the unincubated pituitary.
      Somatostatin (SRIF, 1.8 * 10(-7) M) inhibited the increase in GH release. On day
      7, the proportion of GH released by pituitaries treated with SRIF (28%) was less
      than that released by the control pituitary (91%). There was no significant
      difference in GH release between the pituitaries incubated in isotonic medium
      (300 mOsm) and those in hypotonic medium (240 mOsm) for 2 weeks except for the
      first 3 days, when the pituitaries in hypotonic medium secreted significantly
      greater amounts of GH than those incubated under isotonic condition. Hypertonic
      medium (350 mOsm) had no effect on GH release except for significant inhibition
      on days 6 and 14. When secretion of the two forms of GH (GH I and II) was
      examined after separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by
      densitometry, slightly more GH I tended to be secreted than GH II during the
      culture period, although the effects of SRIF and osmolality of the media on GH I
      release were similar to those on GH II. It is concluded that GH secretion and
      production in the eel is mainly under the inhibitory control of hypothalamus, and
      that osmolality has a minimum influence on the GH release. 

PMID- 24221950
TI  - Changes in serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations during
      metamorphosis of the Southern Hemisphere Lamprey Geotria australis, and the
      effect of propylthiouracil, triiodothyronine and environmental temperature on
      serum thyroid hormone concentrations of ammocoetes.
AB  - Serum thyroid hormone concentrations were measured during the seven stages of
      metamorphosis (1-7) of the southern hemisphere lamprey, Geotria australis. The
      respective mean concentrations +/- SEM of serum thyroxine (T4) and
      triiodothyronine (T3) fell from 31.73 +/- 4.09 and 5.06 +/- 0.70 nM in large
      ammocoetes sampled in February, at the time when metamorphosis was initiated, to
      4.54 +/- 0.36 and 1.03 +/- 0.12 nM at stage 5. Although there was a small, but
      significant, recovery of serum T4 concentrations during stages 6 and 7, no such
      corresponding statistically significant rise occurred in serum T3
      concentrations.Serum thyroid hormone concentrations in ammocoetes sampled during
      the period when metamorphosis was taking place, exhibited a marked seasonal
      increase between February and May-June (late autumn/early winter); serum T3 and
      T4 concentrations peaked in May-June and were, respectively, > 2 fold and > 8
      fold higher than those recorded for samples in late February (mid summer). By mid
      July the serum T4 and T3 levels had declined from the peak values.Ammocoetes
      taken from streams at 16 degrees C in June and acclimated to aquaria water at 25
      degrees C or 6 degrees C had significantly lower serum T3 and T4 concentrations
      at the higher temperature, and also a lower serum T4, but not T3 concentration,
      at the lower temperature.Treatment of separate groups of ammocoetes with either
      propylthiouracil or T3 for 70 days significantly depressed and raised
      respectively, the serum thyroid hormone and hepatic T3 concentrations and caused
      significant changes in the body weight, but did not induce the onset of
      metamorphosis. 

PMID- 24221951
TI  - Tissue-specific distribution of amylase in the mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis
      holbrooki).
AB  - Tissue-specific expression of alpha-amylase (E.C.3.2.1; alpha 1,4-glucan-4
      glucano-hydrolase) was studied in the mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis holbrooki).
      Gut activity patterns, immunohistochemical distribution in the hepatopancreas and
      tissue-specific activities and amount of amylase protein were characterized. In
      the gut, activity was observed all along the gut and no variation in this pattern
      was observed in individuals from two natural populations. In the hepatopancreas,
      amylase is found in pancreatic tissue. Highest amylase activity was observed in
      gut tissue but highest amount of amylase protein was found in the hepatopancreas.

PMID- 24221952
TI  - Referees of articles submitted to the Journal in 1989.

PMID- 24221953
TI  - A Motivational Physical Activity Intervention for Improving Mobility in Older
      Korean Americans.
AB  - There has been limited empirical support for interventions designed to promote
      physical activity targeting mobility in racially diverse older adults. This study
      aims to examine the effects of a Motivational Physical Activity Intervention
      (MPAI) on social resource, behavioral change process, physical activity, and
      mobility variables in sedentary older Korean Americans. A quasi-experimental,
      repeated-measure, pre- and post-tests design was used. Sixty-four community
      dwelling, sedentary older Korean Americans (n = 33 for MPAI group, n = 31 for
      Attention Control group) participated in the study. There were significant
      improvements in social resources, including social support from family and
      friends; behavioral change process variables, including self-efficacy;
      motivational appraisal; and self-regulation for physical activity. There were
      significant intervention effects on physical activity, walking endurance, and
      flexibility. The MPAI is supported as improving mobility and physical activity,
      as well as increasing motivation for physical activity in older Korean Americans.

PMID- 24221954
TI  - Caregiving Choice and Emotional Stress Among Cancer Caregivers.
AB  - Caring for a relative or friend with cancer may be highly demanding and
      emotionally burdensome. Theory suggests that personal characteristics of a
      caregiver may contribute directly to a caregiver's emotional health. An
      underexplored variable is a caregiver's perception of choice in providing care to
      a relative or friend. Thus, this study sought to characterize perceived choice in
      providing care among family cancer caregivers and examine its association with
      emotional stress. This study is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional telephone
      interviews of 1,247 family caregivers, which included 104 cancer caregivers. The
      findings indicated that a high majority of cancer caregivers expressed elevated
      emotional stress. Most caregivers perceived themselves to have had a choice in
      providing care; however, a perceived lack of choice in providing care was
      significantly associated with greater emotional stress. Assessing clinical and
      policy-related strategies for alleviating concerns related to choice may be of
      value in the cancer context. 

PMID- 24221955
TI  - Teaching smoking cessation to future nurses: Quebec educators' beliefs.
AB  - Smoking cessation strategies are barely discussed in nursing education programs,
      even though initial education shapes how future professionals practice their
      profession. The aim of this research is to describe the practices, attitudes, and
      beliefs of nursing educators of Quebec with regard to smoking cessation
      strategies in initial nursing education. A descriptive design was chosen along
      with an online questionnaire. A total of 278 educators (20.8%) participated in
      the survey. Although educators recognize the importance of incorporating smoking
      cessation strategies into their teaching practice, they allocate an average of
      only one hour per year to the topic. Tobacco use is addressed mostly in terms of
      risk factors, with little focus on how to help patients quit. The perceived
      obstacles are related to false beliefs and a lack of knowledge. The results of
      this study demonstrate the need to raise educators' awareness of the importance
      of incorporating smoking cessation strategies into classroom teaching. 

PMID- 24221956
TI  - Integrated platform for production and purification of human pluripotent stem
      cell-derived neural precursors.
AB  - Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a promising source of cells for clinical
      applications, such as transplantation of clinically engineered tissues and
      organs, and drug discovery programs due to their ability to self-renew and to be
      differentiated into cells from the three embryonic germ layers. In this study,
      the differentiation of two hPSC-lines into neural precursors (NPs) was
      accomplished with more than 80% efficiency, by means of the dual-SMAD inhibition
      protocol, based on the use of two small molecules (SB431542 and LDN193189) to
      generate Pax6 and Nestin-positive neural entities. One of the major hurdles
      related to the in vitro generation of PSC-derived populations is the tumorigenic
      potential of cells that remain undifferentiated. These remaining hPSCs have the
      potential to generate teratomas after being transplanted, and may interfere with
      the outcome of in vitro differentiation protocols. One strategy to tackle this
      problem is to deplete these "contaminating" cells during the differentiation
      process. Magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) was used for the first time for
      purification of hPSC-derived NPs after the neural commitment stage using anti-Tra
      1-60 micro beads for negative selection of the unwanted hPSCs. The depletion had
      an average efficiency of 80.4 +/- 5% and less than 1.5% of Tra-1-60 positive
      cells were present in the purified populations. After re-plating, the purified
      neural precursors maintained their phenotype, and the success of the preparative
      purification with MACS was further confirmed with a decrease of 94.3% in the
      number of Oct4-positive proliferating hPSC colonies. Thus, the integration of the
      MACS depletion step with the neural commitment protocol paves the way towards the
      establishment of a novel bioprocess for production of purified populations of
      hPSC-derived neural cells for different applications.

PMID- 24221957
TI  - High-performance low-cost back-channel-etch amorphous gallium-indium-zinc oxide
      thin-film transistors by curing and passivation of the damaged back channel.
AB  - High-performance, low-cost amorphous gallium-indium-zinc oxide (a-GIZO) thin-film
      transistor (TFT) technology is required for the next generation of active-matrix
      organic light-emitting diodes. A back-channel-etch structure is the most
      appropriate device structure for high-performance, low-cost a-GIZO TFT
      technology. However, channel damage due to source/drain etching and passivation
      layer deposition has been a critical issue. To solve this problem, the present
      work focuses on overall back-channel processes, such as back-channel N2O plasma
      treatment, SiOx passivation deposition, and final thermal annealing. This work
      has revealed the dependence of a-GIZO TFT characteristics on the N2O plasma radio
      frequency (RF) power and frequency, the SiH4 flow rate in the SiOx deposition
      process, and the final annealing temperature. On the basis of these results, a
      high-performance a-GIZO TFT with a field-effect mobility of 35.7 cm(2) V(-1) s(
      1), a subthreshold swing of 185 mV dec(-1), a switching ratio exceeding 10(7),
      and a satisfactory reliability was successfully fabricated. The technology
      developed in this work can be realized using the existing facilities of active
      matrix liquid-crystal display industries. 

PMID- 24221958
TI  - Land use impact on soil quality in eastern Himalayan region of India.
AB  - Quantitative assessment of soil quality is required to determine the
      sustainability of land uses in terms of environmental quality and plant
      productivity. Our objective was to identify the most appropriate soil quality
      indicators and to evaluate the impact of six most prevalent land use types
      (natural forestland, cultivated lowland, cultivated upland terrace, shifting
      cultivation, plantation land, and grassland) on soil quality in eastern Himalayan
      region of India. We collected 120 soil samples (20 cm depth) and analyzed them
      for 29 physical, chemical, and biological soil attributes. For selection of soil
      quality indicators, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the
      measured attributes, which provided four principal components (PC) with
      eigenvalues >1 and explaining at least 5% of the variance in dataset. The four
      PCs together explained 92.6% of the total variance. Based on rotated factor
      loadings of soil attributes, selected indicators were: soil organic carbon (SOC)
      from PC-1, exchangeable Al from PC-2, silt content from PC-3, and available P and
      Mn from PC-4. Indicators were transformed into scores (linear scoring method) and
      soil quality index (SQI) was determined, on a scale of 0-1, using the weighting
      factors obtained from PCA. SQI rating was the highest for the least-disturbed
      sites, i.e., natural forestland (0.93) and grassland (0.87), and the lowest for
      the most intensively cultivated site, i.e., cultivated upland terrace (0.44).
      Ratings for the other land uses were shifting cultivation (0.60) > cultivated low
      land (0.57) > plantation land (0.54). Overall contribution (in percent) of the
      indicators in determination of SQI was in the order: SOC (58%) > exch. Al (17.1%)
      > available P (8.9%) > available Mn (8.2%) > silt content (7.8%). Results of this
      study suggest SOC and exch. Al as the two most powerful indicators of soil
      quality in study area. Thus, organic C and soil acidity management holds the key
      to improve soil quality under many exploitatively cultivated land use systems in
      eastern Himalayan region of India.

PMID- 24221959
TI  - The relationship between chemical elements in soil and whole blood, and fluorosis
      induced by coal-fired pollution.
AB  - To study the relationship between chemical elements in soil and whole blood, and
      fluorosis induced by coal-fired pollution, ecological and case-control studies
      were carried out. We determined the concentrations of 11 chemical elements and pH
      values in soil in two fluorosis-affected counties in Chongqing, China, and
      analyzed the correlation between these values and prevalence of dental fluorosis.
      Ni, I, F, Hg, and pH values positively correlated with fluorosis prevalence (P <
      0.05); these soil parameters may be related to coal-fired pollution fluorosis.
      Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, and Fe concentrations in whole blood, and fluoride levels in
      urine of residents in epidemic and non-epidemic areas were determined. Cu, Zn,
      Mg, and Fe levels of the children in the case group were lower than those of the
      children in the external control group; urine fluoride level in the children in
      the case group was higher than that of the children in the internal and external
      control groups (P < 0.05). The levels of Mg, Fe, and urine fluoride were higher
      in the case adult group than in the internal adult control group (P < 0.05). Anti
      fluoride elements were deficient in endemic areas.

PMID- 24221960
TI  - Transapical aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive off-pump bypass
      surgery.
AB  - Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has gained increasing popularity
      for high-risk patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. A concomitant
      coronary artery disease leads to a complicated management and an increased
      perioperative risk. This case report describes the successful total arterial
      coronary revascularization of the left anterior descending and the left marginal
      branch of the circumflex artery utilizing the left internal mammary artery (LIMA)
      and left radial artery in off-pump technique in combination with the transapical
      transcatheter aortic valve implantation via minimally invasive anterolateral
      access in the fifth intercostal space. 

PMID- 24221962
TI  - Micro-electrospray mass spectrometry: Ultra-high-sensitivity analysis of peptides
      and proteins.
AB  - A "micro-electrospray" ionization source has been developed that markedly
      increases the sensitivity of the conventional electrospray source. This was
      achieved by optimization of the source to accommodate nanoliter flow rates from
      300 to 800-nL/min spraying directly from a capillary needle that, for the
      analysis of peptides, contained C18 liquid chromatography packing as an
      integrated concentration-desalting device. Thus, a total of 1 fmol of methionine
      enkephalin was desorbed from the capillary column spray needle, loaded as a 10
      MUL injection of 100-amol/MUL solution. The mass spectrum showed the [M + H](+)
      ion at m/z 574.2 with a signal-to-noise ratio of better than 5:1 from a
      chromatographic peak with a width of about 12 s. A narrow range (15-u) tandem
      mass spectrum was obtained for methionine enkephalin from the injection of 500
      amol, and a full-scan tandem-mass spectrum was obtained from 50 fmol. For
      proteins, the average mass measurement accuracy was approximately 100-200 ppm for
      the injection of 2.5 fmol of apomyoglobin and 20-40 ppm for 200 fmol. Carbonic
      anhydrase B and bovine serum albumin showed similar mass measurement accuracies. 

PMID- 24221961
TI  - Trends in cancer-targeted antibody-drug conjugates.
AB  - Better knowledge of engineered antibodies and tumour biology has led to the
      development of novel targeted therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
      ADCs combine a monoclonal antibody, directed toward specific antigen highly
      expressed on the cancer cell, to potent cytotoxic drug through a stable linker.
      ADCs are designed to bind selectively to cancer cells and to deliver cytotoxic
      drugs into the cancer cell, which may preserve normal cells. ADCs should be
      stable and non-toxic in circulation. Upon binding to antigen, ADCs are
      internalized by different processes, followed by the intracellular release of an
      active form of the cytotoxic drug, which in turn kills the cancer cell. This
      technology has the potential to further improve the anticancer activity while
      limiting toxicity. First results from ongoing clinical trials are encouraging.
      Favourable pharmacokinetic profile was observed showing good stability in
      circulation. Clinical studies demonstrated that ADCs provide clinical efficacy
      with an acceptable safety profile. Objective responses and clinical benefits were
      demonstrated with the investigated ADCs. Major toxicities frequently associated
      to chemotherapy were barely or not reported with ADCs. Taken together, ADCs may
      become the new wave of anticancer drugs in the future. 

PMID- 24221963
TI  - A study of the thermal denaturation of ribonuclease S by electrospray ionization
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - The thermal stability of ribonuclease S (RNase S), an enzymatically active
      noncovalent complex composed of a 2166-u peptide (S-peptide) and a 11,534-u
      protein (S-protein), was investigated by electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry (ESI-MS) and capillary electrophoresis ESI-MS (CE-ESI-MS). The
      intensities of peaks corresponding to the RNase S complex were inversely related
      to both the applied nozzle-skimmer (or capillary-skimmer) voltage bias in the
      atmosphere-vacuum interface and the temperature of the RNase S solution. By using
      a heated metal capillary-skimmer interface and a room temperature solution of
      RNase S, the intensities of RNase S molecular ion peaks were observed to decrease
      with increasing metal capillary temperature. Mass spectrometric studies with both
      the nozzle-skimmer and capillary-skimmer interface designs allowed determination
      of phenomenological enthalpies for dissociation of the RNase S complex in both
      solution and for the electrosprayed microdroplet-gas phase species. Intact RNase
      S complex could also be detected with CE-ESI-MS separations by using a 10-mM
      ammonium bicarbonate (pH 7.9) solution as the electrophoretic buffer. These
      studies provide new insights into the stability of multiply charged noncovalent
      complexes in the gas phase and the mass spectrometric conditions required for
      such studies, and suggest that information regarding solution properties can be
      obtained by ESI-MS. 

PMID- 24221964
TI  - Gas-phase hydrogen/deuterium exchange as a molecular probe for the interaction of
      methanol and protonated peptides.
AB  - The gas-phase hydrogen/deuterium (HID) exchange kinetics of several protonated
      amino acids and dipeptides under a background pressure of CH3OD were determined
      in an external source Fourier transform mass spectrometer. H/D exchange reactions
      occur even when the gas-phase basicity of the compound is significantly larger (>
      20 kcal/mol) than methanol. In addition; greater deuterium incorporation is
      observed for compounds that have multiple sites of similar basicities. A
      mechanism is proposed that involves a structurally specific intermediate with
      extensive interaction between the protonated compound and methanol. 

PMID- 24221965
TI  - Gas-Phase studies of valinomycin-alkali metal cation complexes: attachment rates
      and cation affinities.
AB  - Reactions of laser-desorbed Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) with thermally
      vaporized valinomycin generate metal-ligand complexes in a Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance trapping cell, proving that complexes can form via gas-phase
      ion-molecule reactions. Although desorption of intact pre-formed complexes cannot
      be ruled out, this route appears minor. Relative rate constants for the
      complexation reactions show strong dependence on the charge densities of the
      cations. Competition experiments between valinomycin and the synthetic ionophores
      18-crown-6 (18C6) and [2.2.2]-cryptand ([2.2.2]) show that valinomycin has a
      higher intrinsic alkali metal cation affinity than either 18C6 or [2.2.2], in
      contrast to the complex formation constants observed in methanol, where K+
      affinities are in the order [2.2.2] > 18C6 > valinomycin. 

PMID- 24221966
TI  - Evidence for the direct desorption of crown ether-metal ion complexes in liquid
      secondary Ionization Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - The liquid secondary ionization mass spectra of crown ether solutions and crown
      ether solutions containing alkali metal cations were generated. Cesium cations
      acted as both the primary ion beam and as a competing gas-selvedge-phase
      reactant. The data suggest that crown ether complexes formed in the condensed
      phase survive intact the fast ion bombarding event and the transition into the
      gas phase. The data further suggest that crown ether complexes formed in the
      condensed phase predominate in the ion spectrum over the corresponding complexes
      formed in the selvedge. 

PMID- 24221967
TI  - Characteristics of high energy collision-induced dissociation tandem Mass Spectra
      of Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbon diolepoxide adducted peptides.
AB  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) diolepoxides are known to covalently modify
      serum albumin and hemoglobin. Mass spectrometric techniques have proven quite
      useful in the characterization of the site of adduction on these proteins. To
      facilitate the study of PAH diolepoxide adducted peptides, model peptide adducts
      of benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol-epoxide [anti-BaP(9,10)DE] and
      benzo[a]anthracene-trans-8,9-dihydrodiol-10,11-epoxide [anti-BaA(10,11)DE] have
      been synthesized for the purpose of studying their high energy collision-induced
      dissociation tandem mass spectra. These spectra are dominated by ions produced
      from cleavage of the peptide-adduct bond with charge retention by the adducting
      moiety. Such ions allow for the facile identification of adducted peptides in a
      mixture by use of neutral loss scans. The peptide sequence can still be deduced
      from the data in most cases, and the site of adduction can be determined. For
      those peptide-adducts in which this is not possible, a charged derivative placed
      at the N-terminus simplifies the peptide fragmentation pattern and makes the
      spectrum more interpretable. 

PMID- 24221968
TI  - Mass spectrometric analysis of nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing pesticides by
      liquid chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - A series of nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing pesticides (amines, anilides,
      carbamates, phosphonates, phenylureas, sulfonylureas, and triazines) was examined
      by thermospray (TSP) ionization. A method is described that employs off-line and
      on-line solid-phase extraction and TSP liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
      (LC-MS) with time-scheduled selected ion monitoring (SIM) for environmental
      monitoring of these pesticides in aqueous samples. SIM detection limits for the
      pesticides analyzed in conjunction with reversed-phase high-performance liquid
      chromatography range from 40 to 600 pg. In addition, methods for inducing
      fragmentation in thermospray LC-MS are presented. The structural information
      gained therefrom can be used to confirm a tentative identification. Therefore,
      fragmentation pathways under certain experimental conditions were investigated.
      Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, electrospray, fast-atom bombardment,
      (252)Cf plasma desorption, and collision-activated dissociation spectra are
      presented for several pesticides to confirm the proposed pathways and to gain
      additional and complementary information. Further confirmation may be achieved by
      postcolumn addition of different alkylated amines to the carrier stream in the
      TSP operation to induce postcolumn on-line derivatization (POD) reactions in the
      condensed phase of the vaporizer probe with selected pesticides. Additional
      clustering reactions in combination with solvent-mediated chemical ionization are
      observed by the POD technique. Both processes can be used to enhance the
      structural information from TSP spectra and thus the specificity of the method. 

PMID- 24221969
TI  - Extended theoretical considerations for Mass resolution in the resonance ejection
      mode of quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Proceeding from the pseudopotential-well approximation for ion motion in a
      quadrupole ion trap, mathematical expressions are derived to describe the
      excitation amplitude of an ion packet at a given mass-to-charge ratio. Ion
      neutral collisions are incorporated to describe the damping of ion trajectories
      and to describe the distribution of individual ion trajectories about a mean
      amplitude for the ion packet. The rate of increase of the amplitude during
      scanning is related to expressions that describe the amplitude dispersion of the
      ions at the time of ejection from the trap, which is operating in a resonance
      ejection scanning mode to describe the temporal line width of the ejected ion
      packet. The temporal line width is related to mass resolution under a number of
      different scanning conditions. Included in the discussion are considerations of
      the effect on resolution of the resonance excitation voltage, temperature,
      pressure, noise, and buffer-gas composition. An expression for the maximum
      possible resolution at high ion mass-to-charge ratios is developed, and these
      results are compared to an existing theoretical construction. The expressions
      derived under the pseudopotential-well approximation are further extended to high
      q z values and compared to experimental data previously published by two other
      researchers. 

PMID- 24221970
TI  - Observation of gas-phase molecular dications formed from neutral organics in
      solution via qemical electron-transfer reactions by using electrospray Ionization
      Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - The first observation of organic dications formed by multiple electron loss in
      electrospray mass spectra is reported. The dications of beta-carotene,
      canthaxanthine, cobalt(II) octaethylporphyrin, and nicke(II) octaethylporphyrin
      were created in solution via chemical electrontransfer reactions and detected in
      the gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ES-MS) using a flow
      injection experiment. The analytes were injected into a flowing solvent-oxidant
      stream (10 MUL/min) composed of dried methylene chloride containing ~ 0.1% by
      volume trifluoroacetic acid and 0.1% by volume antimony pentafluoride (SbF5). The
      dications created in this oxidizing solvent system were preserved for detection
      by rapidly transferring them from the reactive solvent-oxidant system to the gas
      phase, where, in the absence of the solvent system, they were "long-lived" and
      amenable to mass analysis. This work demonstrates means to produce ions novel to
      ES-MS and means to detect and study by ES-MS species that are short-lived in
      solution. In addition, this work shows that electrospray ionization can
      potentially be used to generate gas-phase dications for mass spectrometric study
      that are difficult to produce directly from gas-phase neutrals by other
      ionization techniques (e.g., M(2+) from beta-carotene). 

PMID- 24221972
TI  - The determination of an optimal waste management scenario for Kampala, Uganda.
AB  - The quality of the environment in the city of Kampala is deteriorating. The city
      needs a novel waste management approach to improve the environmental quality in
      its heterogeneous settlement patterns. Earlier, an integrated urban waste flow
      model (IUWFM) was applied to project the future waste flows and their impacts on
      the environment of Kampala using four waste management scenarios. These scenarios
      were 'business-as-usual', 'more enforcement', 'more collection' and 'proper
      management'. The robustness of the scenario results was determined by using a
      multi-criteria decision analysis. Twenty-four criteria were identified and
      grouped as environmental, economic, social, technological and general. Equal
      weights were assigned to these five sets of criteria. The four scenarios were
      evaluated against all criteria, and a sensitivity analysis was performed on the
      role of the equal weights on the choice of the scenarios. The results showed that
      'proper management' scenario, which integrates diverse technologies and
      management programs matching with the local context, is the optimal approach to
      improve Kampala's environmental quality. Scenarios that emphasized more waste
      collection, but less resource recovery were ranked in the middle. The scenario of
      maintaining the status quo performed worst. Application of a mix of diverse
      technologies and management programs matching the local conditions is the most
      optimal solution to improve Kampala's environmental quality. 

PMID- 24221973
TI  - [Nosocomial pneumonia during stress ulcer prophylaxis? - risk of nosocomial
      pneumonia is increased during stress ulcer prophylaxis].

PMID- 24221974
TI  - [Distress among physicians in hospitals - an investigation in Baden-Wurttemberg,
      Germany].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current working conditions of physicians in hospitals display
      characteristics, which on the long term are harmful for the physicians mental and
      physical health (distress). There are problems concerning the work flow and the
      organization of working time which finally leads to gratification crises. How
      physicians perceive their stress-related working conditions is the issue this
      study wants to investigate. METHODS: In this study 12 062 physicians in hospitals
      were invited to an anonymized online-survey. 2064 physicians took part. The basis
      of this investigation is built by 2 theoretical stress models: The effort-reward
      imbalance models of Siegrist and the job-demand-control model of Karasek. Through
      these theoretical models distress is measured. RESULTS: The study revealed a high
      prevalence (55,5 %) of distress among physicians in hospitals. Furthermore there
      were significant differences between gender (59,7 % of female and 51,5 % of male
      physicians; OR 1,40; 95 %-CI 1,17-1,66; p < 0,001), between age (61,9 % of under
      35-year-old and 49,4 % of over 59-year-old; OR 1,67; 95 %-CI 1,06-2,62; p <
      0,001) and between the functional position (24,6 % of chief physician and 63,8 %
      of junior doctors; OR 5,40; 95 %-CI 3,03-9,65; p < 0,001). An additional analysis
      of the psychosocial aspects of the working conditions showed that these aspects
      are rated positively by this sample. CONSEQUENCES: These results have to be
      considered as a cause for concern, because this high prevalence of distress will
      lead sooner or later to a migration of qualified physicians abroad or to other
      (less stressful) jobs. In order to prevent a future shortage of qualified
      physicians, the working conditions have to be adapted to current needs and
      expectations of the younger generation.

PMID- 24221975
TI  - [Orthotopic liver transplantation for polycystic liver disease with massive
      hepatomegaly].
AB  - HISTORY: A 51-year-old man (126 kg, 192 cm) with massive hepatomegaly causing
      cardiopulmonary symptoms was referred to our transplant center 14 years after
      initial diagnosis of polycystic liver disease. TREATMENT AND COURSE: Uneventful
      hepatectomy was followed by orthotopic liver transplantation using caval
      replacement. Donor liver came from a 73-year-old woman (extended criteria donor
      organ offer). A portocaval shunting was not established during transplantation
      although the explanted liver weighed 22 kg. 18 months after transplantation liver
      function is stable and the patient enjoys normal quality of life. CONCLUSION:
      This case report demonstrates the value and success of transplantation for
      patients suffering from enormous hepatomegaly due to polycystic liver disease.

PMID- 24221976
TI  - [Rare cause for severe hypertriglyceridemia - case 9/2013].
AB  - HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: We report on a 48-year-old female patient with
      recently developed severe hypertriglyceridemia. Medical history was remarkable
      for breast cancer with breast-preserving surgery and chemoradiotherapy. The
      patient has been treated with 20 mg tamoxifen per day for three months.
      INVESTIGATIONS: Laboratory results showed hypertriglyeridemia,
      hypercholesterolemia and lowered HDL-cholesterol. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND
      COURSE: Findings were consistent with a drug-induced hypertriglyceridemia caused
      by anti-estrogenic therapy with tamoxifen. After consulting the patient's
      gynaecologist, we discontinued tamoxifen treatment. Thereupon, triglyceride
      levels fell consistently. There were no signs of pancreatitis, serum amylase and
      lipase were in the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pre-diagnosed
      metabolic disorders, especially dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes, should undergo
      regular controls of serum triglycerides during tamoxifen treatment. Also, one
      should keep in mind that a subacute, severe rise in serum triglyceride levels may
      be caused, in rare cases, by tamoxifen treatment.

PMID- 24221977
TI  - [76-year-old woman with dyspnea and cardiac decompensation].

PMID- 24221978
TI  - [A current view to the diagnostic and therapeutic options of venous
      thromboembolism].
AB  - The acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life threatening event which might
      cause difficulties in diagnostic and therapeutic considerations because of the
      nonspecific symptomatic. In addition to the probability of a VTE, the risk
      stratification is of decisive importance to the further diagnostic and
      therapeutic management. The introduction of the new oral direct anticoagulation
      substances offer important variation to the previous therapy options and are
      mentioned in this article. The duration of the secondary prophylaxis therapy of
      VTE will be much more influenced by the reduced bleeding risk profile of the new
      agents. 

PMID- 24221979
TI  - [Nosocomial measles infections].
AB  - Measles is re-emerging in several developed countries because of suboptimal
      vaccination coverage. Health-care facilities play a crucial role in the
      transmission of measles infection. Nosocomial measles may contribute for an
      important part of cases in measles epidemics, especially in countries where
      measles is largely under control. The risk of acquiring measles is estimated to
      be 2 to 19 times higher for susceptible healthcare personnel (HCP) than for the
      general population. Measles vaccination of HCP should be included by all health
      care facilities as part of a strict occupational health program. All HCP should
      have documented evidence of measles immunity. Immunity against measles should be
      a prerequisite for working in areas where the most vulnerable patients are cared
      for. Both occupational and public health measures are needed to ensure that
      nosocomial measles should be comprehensively monitored and consistently
      prevented. 

PMID- 24221980
TI  - [Medical practice for the purpose of pension insurance].

PMID- 24221981
TI  - Seasonal cycle and regulation by temperature of antifreeze protein mRNA in a Long
      Island population of winter flounder.
AB  - The seasonal cycle and regulation by temperature of antifreeze protein mRNA (AF
      mRNA) were investigated in a Long Island population of winter flounder
      (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) by Northern blot hybridization and by in vitro
      translation of liver RNA. AF mRNA was expressed at high levels in the fall and
      winter (Nov.-Feb.) and at low or undetectable levels in the summer. The time of
      accumulation of AF mRNA coincides with the time during which water temperature
      and photoperiod decrease to 4 degrees C and 9 h of light per day, respectively. A
      temperature and photoperiod decrease in the laboratory during this time also
      resulted in high levels of AF mRNA. The levels of other mRNAs, as assayed by in
      vitro translation, were relatively constant during both seasonal acclimation and
      laboratory acclimation. The seasonal cycle of AF mRNA in Long Island winter
      flounder is similar to that of a more northern, Newfoundland population of winter
      flounder and different from that of an intermediate, New Brunswick population.
      These similarities and dissimilarities are discussed in light of potentially
      different exogenous and endogenous regulatory cues in the different populations. 

PMID- 24221982
TI  - Dynamic characteristics of serotonin and dopamine metabolism in the rainbow trout
      brain: a regional study using liquid chromatography with electrochemical
      detection.
AB  - Aminergic metabolism was studied in discrete brain regions of the postovulated
      female rainbow trout using a liquid chromatography electrochemical detection
      method. 3 Methoxytyramine (3MT) was the major dopaminergic catabolite, suggesting
      that catechol-o-methyl transferase is the main dopamine (DA) catabolic enzyme.
      Two populations of brain regions were found: one with a high DA content and low
      3MT/DA ratio (hypothalamus and telencephalon), suggesting that these regions
      could present a high density of DA perikarya; the other with a high 3MT/DA ratio
      (pituitary, preoptic area, myelencephalon and optic tectum) suggesting that these
      regions could present a high density of DA axonal endings. 5 Hydroxytryptamine
      (5HT) content differed, but an homogeneous distribution of monoamine oxidase was
      found in different brain regions. High 5HT content was found in the hypothalamus
      and telencephalon; 5HT was however not detectable in the pituitary. 

PMID- 24221983
TI  - Induction and duration of tonic immobility in the lemon shark, Negaprion
      brevirostris.
AB  - Tonic immobility (TI) is an unlearned behavioral response characterized by a
      state of immobility and torpor. Effect of inter-trial interval on duration of
      tonic immobility was assessed in thirty, juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion
      brevirostris). Regression analyses showed that massed trials of 12 per session
      increased the average duration of tonic immobility by 475 sec compared to spaced
      trials of 1 per session. Each experiment was composed of 24 trials. TI is stable
      and durations much longer in the lemon shark than for other sharks. These
      findings have enabled us to develop a quantitative bioassay for use in testing
      chemical shark repellents. 

PMID- 24221984
TI  - The dynamics of vitellogenin sequestration into vitellogenic ovarian follicles of
      the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.
AB  - This study provides quantitative data on the dynamics of protein sequestration
      into vitellogenic follicles of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. The ovarian
      uptake of both radiolabelled vitellogenin (VTG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)
      were investigated in a homogenous population of maturing vitellogenic females.Ten
      fish were injected with (3)H. VTG directly into the bloodstream. Concomitantly,
      five of these fish received an equal amount of (14)C.BSA. Twenty two hours after
      injection, of the tissues sampled, the greatest proportions of (3)H. VTG were
      present in the blood (into which the radio labels were administered) and in the
      ovary (up to 28% and 46% of that originally present in the blood, respectively).
      VTG uptake was both selective, rates of uptake far exceeding that of the
      (14)C.BSA, and rapid. (3)H. VTG was sequestered at rates of between 35 to 390
      ng.mm(2) follicle surface(-1).h(-1) in the different fish. The rates of VTG
      uptake into similarly sized follicles varied both between different sites within
      the ovary (by up to 30%) and also between the ovaries (by up to 38%) of an
      individual fish. 

PMID- 24221985
TI  - Can the mudskipper, Periophthalmus chrysospilos, tolerate acute environmental
      hypoxic exposure?
AB  - The mudskipper P. chrysospilos became inert at 0.76 MUl O2.ml(-1) when it was
      allowed to respire in a 'closed respiratory chamber'. No ethanol was detected
      although it excreted three times more total carbon dioxide into the surrounding
      sea water than the amount of oxygen consumed. However, P. chrysospilos could
      survive environmental hypoxic exposure (0.8 MUl O2.ml(-1)) for at least 6 h. Upon
      normoxic recovery, the oxygen debt repayment was only a small fraction of the
      oxygen deficit incurred during the 6 h of hypoxic exposure. It would therefore
      appear that P. chrysospilos was able to cope with environmental hypoxia by
      suppressing its metabolic rate. 

PMID- 24221986
TI  - Endocytosis via the scavenger- and the mannose-receptor in rainbow trout (Salmo
      gairdneri) pronephros is carried out by nonphagocytic cells.
AB  - Endocytosis of modified human serum albumin (HSA) and mannose-terminated
      glycoproteins was studied in pronephros cells from rainbow trout (Salmo
      gairdneri). Blood clearance and tissue uptake of dinitrophenylated human serum
      albumin (DNP-HSA) was dependent on the number of DNP-groups conjugated to the
      albumin molecule. Uptake of DNP35-HSA in isolated pronephros cells was saturable.
      Pronephros cells also internalized the mannose-terminated glycoprotein invertase
      by a receptor-mediated process. DNP-HSA and invertase were recovered in the same
      cell fractions when pronephros cells containing in vivo endocytosed ligands were
      separated by density gradient centrifugation. The cells endocytosing these
      ligands were apparently not macrophages. The macrophages were recovered in cell
      fractions with higher densities. They were identified by their ability to adhere
      to glass and to carry out phagocytosis. Cultured macrophages did not endocytose
      chemically modified albumin (DNP-HSA and formaldehyde-treated albumin) and
      mannose-terminated glycoproteins (ovalbumin) in vitro. These ligands were not
      recovered in glass adherent pronephros cells after in vivo endocytosis of the
      proteins. The present data suggest that macrophages in rainbow trout pronephros
      possess neither the receptor for chemically modified albumin, the scavenger
      receptor, nor the mannose-specific receptor. 

PMID- 24221987
TI  - Incorporation and metabolism of (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids in
      phospholipid classes in cultured rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) cells.
AB  - The incorporation and metabolism of various (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty
      acids supplemented to the culture medium was investigated in the rainbow trout
      cell line, RTG-2. The distribution, and the occurrence and relative extent of
      further desaturation and elongation of the incorporated acids was determined in
      individual phospholipid classes by analysis of the fatty acid compositions. RTG-2
      cells exhibited Delta6 and Delta5 desaturase activities whereas Delta4 desaturase
      activity was almost totally absent. The percentage of precursor acids was
      greatest in the phosphatidic acid/cardiolipin fraction (PA/CL), suggesting a role
      for possibly PA in the initial incorporation of these acids into the phospholipid
      pool. The compositional data indicated that individual intermediates and products
      of the desaturation pathways were associated with specific phospholipid classes
      probably via mechanisms depending upon the specificities of the acylating
      enzymes. The composition of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and the tightly controlled
      mechanisms for generating/maintaining it are consistent with a role for this
      phospholipid in providing precursor fatty acid for eicosanoid synthesis. 

PMID- 24221988
TI  - Incorporation and metabolism of (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids in
      phospholipid classes in cultured turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) cells.
AB  - The incorporation and metabolism of various (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty
      acids (PUFA) supplemented to the culture medium was investigated in a turbot cell
      line (TF). The distribution, and the occurrence and extent of further metabolism
      of incorporated PUFA via desaturation/elongation mechanisms in specific
      phospholipid classes was determined from the different fatty acid compositions.
      The cells contained Delta6 and Delta4 desaturase activities but were generally
      deficient in C18-20 elongase activity. Delta5 Desaturase activity was generally
      masked by this deficiency but was present. The compositional data indicated that
      there was a high degree of specificity between individual phospholipid classes
      and particular fatty acids probably driven by the specificities of the acylating
      enzymes. The highest percentages of the supplemented acids were generally
      observed in the phosphatidic acid/cardiolipin fraction (PA/CL), suggesting a role
      for PA in the incorporation of the supplemented acids into the phospholipid pool.
      PI had a characteristic composition consistent with a putative role as a pool of
      precursor fatty acid for eicosanoid synthesis. Mechanisms were evident for
      generating and/or maintaining this composition. 

PMID- 24221989
TI  - The conversion of linoleic acid and linolenic acid to longer chain
      polyunsaturated fatty acids by Tilapia (Oreochromis) nilotica in vivo.
AB  - Tilapia (Oreochromis) nilotica were fed either a commercial diet containing 2.2%
      (n-3) and 0.5% (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), or a diet containing
      1.0% methyl linoleate as the only PUFA. The fatty acid composition of tissue
      lipids generally reflected that of the diet. Fish from both dietary groups were
      injected intraperitoneally with (14)C-labelled linoleic acid, 18:2 (n-6), or
      linolenic acid, 18:3 (n-3), and the distribution of radioactivity in tissue
      lipids examined. The conversion of both 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3) to longer chain
      PUFA was lower in fish fed the commercial diet than in those fed the diet
      containing only 18:2 (n-6). Half of the radioactivity from both substrates
      recovered in liver polar lipids was present in C20 and C22 PUFA with fish
      maintained on the experimental diet. It is concluded that T. nilotica is capable
      of elongating and desaturating both 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3), but that this
      conversion is suppressed by dietary longer chain PUFA. 

PMID- 24221990
TI  - Alsobacter metallidurans gen. nov., sp. nov., a thallium-tolerant soil bacterium
      in the order Rhizobiales.
AB  - A thallium-tolerant, aerobic bacterium, designated strain SK200a-9(T), isolated
      from a garden soil sample was characterized using a polyphasic approach.
      Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SK200a-9(T)
      was affiliated with an uncultivated lineage within the Alphaproteobacteria and
      the nearest cultivated neighbours were bacteria in genera in the family
      Methylocystaceae (93.3-94.4% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and the family
      Beijerinckiaceae (92.3-93.1%) in the order Rhizobiales. Cells of strain SK200a
      9(T) were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, poly-beta
      hydroxybutyrate-accumulating rods. The strain was a chemo-organotrophic
      bacterium, which was incapable of growth on C1 substrates. Catalase and oxidase
      were positive. Atmospheric nitrogen fixation and nitrate reduction were negative.
      The strain contained ubiquinone Q-10 and cellular fatty acids C18 : 1omega7c, C18
      : 0, C16 : 1omega7c and C16 : 0 as predominant components. The major polar lipids
      were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and
      phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 64.8 mol%. On the basis of the
      information described above, strain SK200a-9(T) is considered to represent a
      novel species of a new genus in the order Rhizobiales, for which the name
      Alsobacter metallidurans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of
      Alsobacter metallidurans is SK200a-9(T) ( = NBRC 107718(T) = CGMCC 1.12214(T)).

PMID- 24221991
TI  - Serological survey and risk factors for brucellosis in water buffaloes in the
      state of Para, Brazil.
AB  - To evaluate the prevalence and possible risk factors for brucellosis caused by
      Brucella abortus in water buffaloes in the state of Para, Brazil, 3,917 female
      buffalo serum samples from pregnant and non-pregnant animals were examined: 2,809
      from Marajo Island and 1,108 from the mainland. The buffered acidified plate
      antigen (BAPA) screening test positively diagnosed 4.8% (188/3,917) of the
      animals with brucellosis, and the 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) confirmatory test
      affirmed 95.7% (180/188) of the results. The brucellosis prevalence was 4.17
      times greater in mainland animals than on Marajo Island, with the highest
      prevalence in Tailandia (11.30%) and Paragominas (12.38%). Brucellosis
      seroprevalence was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by reproductive status,
      with pregnant females being most vulnerable. These results demonstrate that
      brucellosis infection is active in the Brazilian region containing the largest
      buffalo population and that this disease poses a threat to public health and
      buffalo production in Para.

PMID- 24221992
TI  - New approach to quantification of molecularly targeted radiotracer uptake from
      hybrid cardiac SPECT/CT: methodology and validation.
AB  - Quantification of molecularly targeted radiotracer uptake in the myocardium from
      SPECT remains challenging in part due to potentially low levels of focal tracer
      uptake of presently available molecularly targeted agents and further degradation
      of cardiac SPECT by extracardiac radioactivity and partial-volume effect. The
      purpose of this study was to derive and validate a new SPECT quantification
      method for assessments of absolute radiotracer uptake in the myocardium. METHODS:
      The method was integrated with a hybrid micro-SPECT/CT imaging protocol to
      calculate radiotracer uptake of a molecularly targeted agent in the ischemic
      myocardium. CT coregistered with SPECT was used to identify the position and
      orientation of the left ventricle. Corrections for extracardiac activity and
      partial-volume errors were performed via a heuristic method derived with a total
      count sampling scheme. Myocardial radiotracer uptake was quantified from SPECT
      using an external point source as a known reference. Methods were validated using
      an ischemic rat model injected with a (99m)Tc-labeled SPECT radiotracer targeted
      at alphavbeta3 integrin. SPECT-quantified myocardial radiotracer uptake was
      compared with postmortem myocardial tissue well-counted radioactivity. RESULTS:
      Initial correlation between SPECT-quantified and well-counted radioactivity was
      fair (R(2) = 0.19, y = 0.50x + 0.05, P = 0.06) when no correction was applied to
      SPECT quantification. Correlation was significantly improved with tissue weight
      correction (R(2) = 0.84, y = 1.82x - 0.01, P < 0.001), and a trend toward the
      improvement of correlation was observed with extracardiac activity correction
      (R(2) = 0.85, y = 1.54x - 0.01, P < 0.001) and partial-volume correction (R(2) =
      0.86, y = 1.68x - 0.01, P < 0.001). Reproducibility of the SPECT quantification
      was excellent, either with no correction (R(2) = 0.99, y = 1.00x + 0.00, P <
      0.001) or with all corrections (R(2) = 1.00, y = 1.00x - 0.00, P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Corrections for the myocardial tissue weight, extracardiac activity,
      and partial-volume errors are crucial for precise assessments of myocardial
      radiotracer uptake using micro-SPECT/CT. The quantitative SPECT/CT approach
      developed provides a reasonable and reproducible in vivo estimation of absolute
      radiotracer uptake in a model of myocardial injury and should permit quantitative
      serial monitoring of subtle changes in the myocardial uptake of targeted
      radiotracers.

PMID- 24221993
TI  - Resveratrol suppresses cancer cell glucose uptake by targeting reactive oxygen
      species-mediated hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha activation.
AB  - Resveratrol is gaining attention for its anticancer effects and is also
      recognized for its antioxidant properties and influence on glucose metabolism.
      Augmented reactive oxygen species (ROS) and high glycolytic flux are common
      characteristics of malignant cells. We thus evaluated the effect of resveratrol
      on cancer cell glucose metabolism and investigated the role of ROS in the
      response. METHODS: Cancer cells were measured for cell content and (18)F-FDG
      uptake. Assays were performed for lactate production; hexokinase activity and
      intracellular ROS; and immunoblotting for hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF
      1alpha), Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin, and glucose transporter type 1 (Glut
      1). Animal studies were performed with small-animal PET imaging of Lewis lung
      carcinoma tumor-bearing mice. RESULTS: Resveratrol mildly decreased cell content
      and more pronouncedly suppressed (18)F-FDG uptake in Lewis lung carcinoma, HT-29
      colon, and T47D breast cancer cells. Hence, (18)F-FDG uptake normalized to cell
      content was reduced to less than half of controls by 24-h exposure to
      resveratrol. This reduction was attributed to reduced glycolytic flux and Glut-1
      expression. Resveratrol also decreased intracellular ROS in patterns that closely
      paralleled (18)F-FDG uptake. Scavenging of ROS with N-acetyl cysteine, but not
      inhibition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, was sufficient
      to suppress (18)F-FDG uptake. Conversely, ROS inducers effectively reversed the
      metabolic response of resveratrol. HIF-1alpha protein was markedly reduced by
      resveratrol, and inhibiting HIF-1alpha expression with cycloheximide or specific
      small interfering RNAs suppressed (18)F-FDG uptake. The proteosomal inhibitor
      MG132 partly restored HIF-1alpha level and (18)F-FDG uptake in resveratrol
      treated cells. Resveratrol also inhibited Akt activation; in addition, inhibitors
      and small interfering RNAs against phosphoinositide 3-kinase decreased (18)F-FDG
      uptake. Finally, small-animal PET results showed resveratrol treatment to
      suppress tumor (18)F-FDG uptake in vivo. CONCLUSION: Resveratrol suppresses
      cancer cell (18)F-FDG uptake and glycolytic metabolism in a manner that depends
      on the capacity of resveratrol to inhibit intracellular ROS, which downregulates
      HIF-1alpha accumulation.

PMID- 24221995
TI  - Study on the pretreatment of poly(ether ether ketone)/multiwalled carbon
      nanotubes composites through environmentally friendly chemical etching and
      electrical properties of the chemically metallized composites.
AB  - The high-volume resistivity and surface resistance of poly(ether ether
      ketone)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PEEK/MWCNT) composites restrict their use
      in an electronic field. To decrease the volume resistivity and surface
      resistance, we metalized the composites by electroless plating. The composites
      and metal coatings were characterized by SEM, XPS, AFM, EDX, and XRD
      spectroscopy. The swelling ratio of the composites, volume resistivity of two
      side-coated composites, sheet resistance of plated composites, and adhesion
      between the coating and PEEK/MWCNT were tested. The results are as follows. A
      high roughness and a small swelling ratio were obtained by swelling in 18 mol/L
      H2SO4 for 3 min. Most of the MWCNT on the surface were still wrapped with PEEK
      after swelling. To expose the MWCNT, an environmentally friendly and effective
      etchant (MnO2-NaH2PO4-H2SO4) was used. After etching, not only were high
      roughness and partially exposed MWCNT obtained but also the percentage of
      hydrophilic groups on the surface was increased. A dense cauliflower-like Ni-P
      coating was produced, and the exposed MWCNT were embedded in the metal coating
      after electroless plating for 20 min. The coating exhibited an amorphous
      structure with a phosphorus content of 11.21 wt %. The volume resistivity of two
      side-coated PEEK/MWCNT dropped sharply to 38 Omega.m after electroless plating
      for 5 min. The sheet resistance decreased with increasing the electroless-plating
      time, and it dropped to 0.88 Omega/square after electroless plating for 40 min.
      The adhesion of the coating reached the highest 5 B scale (ASTM D3359) and could
      even undergo the test 20 times. 

PMID- 24221994
TI  - Intended versus inferred care after PET performed for initial staging in the
      National Oncologic PET Registry.
AB  - The National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR) collected data on intended management
      before and after PET in cancer patients. We have previously reported that PET was
      associated with a change in intended management of about one third of patients
      and was consistent across cancer types. It is uncertain if intended management
      plans reflect the actual care these patients received. One approach to assess
      actual care received is using administrative claims to categorize the type and
      timing of clinical services. METHODS: NOPR data from 2006 to 2008 were linked to
      Medicare claims for consenting patients aged 65 y or older undergoing initial
      staging PET scanning for bladder, ovarian, pancreatic, small cell lung, or
      stomach cancers. We determined the 60-d agreement between claims-inferred care
      and NOPR treatment plans. RESULTS: Patients (n = 4,661) were assessed, and 30%
      52% had metastatic disease. Planned treatments were about two-thirds monotherapy,
      of which 46% was systemic therapy only, and one-third combinations. Claims paid
      by 60 d confirmed the NOPR plan of any systemic therapy, radiotherapy, or surgery
      in 79.3%, 64.7%, and 63.6%, respectively. Single-mode plans were much more often
      confirmed: systemic therapy in more than 85% of patients with ovarian,
      pancreatic, and small cell lung cancers and surgery in more than 73% of those
      with bladder, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. Intended combination treatments
      had claims for both in only 28% of patients receiving surgery-based combinations
      and in 55% receiving chemoradiotherapy. About 90% of patients with NOPR-planned
      systemic therapy had evaluation or management claims from a medical oncologist.
      An age of less than 75 y was associated more often with confirmation of
      chemotherapy, less often for radiotherapy but not with confirmation of surgery.
      Performance status or comorbidity did not explain confirmation rates within
      action categories, but confirmation rates were higher if the referrer specialized
      in the planned treatment. CONCLUSION: Claims confirmations of NOPR intent for
      initial staging were widely variable but were higher than previously reported for
      restaging PET, suggesting that measuring change in intended management is a
      reasonable method for assessing the impact diagnostic tests have on actual care.

PMID- 24221996
TI  - Reactions of proton-bound dimers.
AB  - Thermal reactions of proton-bound dimers, (CH3CN)2H (+), (CH3OCH3)2H (+), and
      (CH3COCH3)2H(+), were studied using a selected ion flow tube. Reactions observed
      include association, switching, and proton transfer. The association channel was
      observed only for base molecules that had hydrogen bonding protons such as NH3,
      CH3NH2, (CH3)2NH, and CH3OH. An association-insertion mechaniSoc was proposed in
      which the central proton of the symmetrically bound dimers is replaced by a
      protonated base, for example, NH 4 (+) . These reactions are relatively slow,
      which demonstrates a central barrier along the potential energy surface. Ether
      containing dimers do not demonstrate this insertion reaction, except for
      diethers, for example, CH3OCH2CH2OCH3, which can form stable bicyclic structures.
      Dimers such as (HCOOH)2H(+), which possess hydrogen bonding protons in the
      periphery, undergo switching reactions with ammonia and no insertion. 

PMID- 24221997
TI  - The effect of protonation site on bond strengths in simple peptides: Application
      of Ab initio and modified neglect of differential overlap bond orders and
      modified neglect of differential overlap energy partitioning.
AB  - A comparative study of ab initio 6-31G(*) and semiempirical modified neglect of
      differential overlap (MNDO) bond orders and MNDO diatomic energy contributions
      for the description of bond strengths in neutral and protonated glycine,
      diglycine, triglycine, and dialanine is presented. Good correlations were found
      between 6-31G(*) and MNDO bond orders and between MNDO bond orders and diatomic
      energy contributions. Although bond orders and diatomic energy contributions are
      inherently different quantities, both predict the changes in bond strengths due
      to protonation to be qualitatively the same. The theoretically predicted
      differences in bond strengths for different protonated forms clearly indicate
      that in peptide fragmentation schemes one should consider even those protonated
      forms whose formation is not preferred energetically. 

PMID- 24221998
TI  - Gas-phase basicities of serine and dipeptides of serine and glycine.
AB  - The gas-phase basicities of serine and dipeptides containing amino acid residues
      of serine and glycine were determined by proton transfer reactions in a Fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. The gas-phase basicity (GB)
      of L-serine was found to be 205.9 kcal/mol, with addition of a hydroxymethyl
      group (-CH2OH) increasing the basicity by 4.5 kcal/mol relative to the simplest
      amino acid glycine (GB = 201.4 kcal/mol). This is attributed to a combination of
      intramolecular hydrogen bonding, induction, and symmetry effects. For the
      dipeptides, addition of a hydroxymethyl group does not result in a large increase
      in basicity relative to the basicity of glycylglycine (GB = 208.0 kcal/mol). The
      gas-phase basicities determined for glycyl-L-serine, L-serylglycine, and L-sery-L
      serine are 209.3,210.6, and 210.9 kcal/mol, respectively. In comparison to
      glycylglycine, addition of the hydroxymethyl group at the N terminus has a
      greater impact on basicity than its placement at the C terminus. These data
      suggest that the protonation site for these dipeptides is the N-terminal amino
      nitrogen. 

PMID- 24221999
TI  - Chirality in microcystins.
AB  - A new method has been developed to identify the isomers of amino acids by
      derivatization of the corresponding standards with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5-L
      alanine amide (Marfey's reagent or FDAA) and analysis of the diastereomeric
      derivatives by a liquid chromatography-thermospray mass spectrometry technique.
      Quantification of the FDAA derivatives that originate from standards was possible
      by using L-phenylalanine as the internal standard. The procedure was applied to
      determine the chiralities of the amino acids present in some previously
      uncharacterized blue-green algal peptides (microcystins). 

PMID- 24222000
TI  - Analysis of hydrocarbon dendrimers by laser desorption time-of-flight and fourier
      transform mass spectrometry.
AB  - The first mass spectrometric analysis of a new class of hydrocarbon dendrimers
      that result from a convergent synthetic approach is reported. Molecular weights
      of a series of phenylacetylene dendrimers (715 to 14776 u MW) are characterized
      by ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDltime-of-flight (TOF) mass
      spectrometry, direct and silver chemical ionization infrared laser desorption
      Fourier transform mass spectrometry @I'MSl, and ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser
      desorption silver chemical ionization Fourier transform mass spectromeby. New
      matrices and techniques were developed to facilitate analysis of the dendrimers.
      Mass measurement accuracies between 10 and 25 ppm are obtained for molecular ion
      species of the five dendrimers analyzed. Laser desorption time-of-flight and
      FI'MS techniques are shown to be complementary, with FTMS providing high mass
      resolution (27,000-67,000 resolving power) and accuracy for lower mass dendrimers
      (10-14 ppm) and MALD TOF yielding the highest resolution (1100 resolving power)
      and accuracy (25 ppm) for the largest dendrimer. These results are consistent
      with proposed empirical formulas. 

PMID- 24222001
TI  - Ion trap tandem mass spectrometry applied to small multiply charged
      oligonucleotides with a modified base.
AB  - Two isomeric oligodeoxynucleotide hexamers, 5'-d(N-6meATGCAT)-3' and 5'
      d(ATGSmeCAT)-3', were subjected to analysis by electrospray and ion trap mass
      spectrometry. In the case of the isomer with a modified adenine, location of the
      modified base in the sequence was straightforward and a triple mass spectrometry
      experiment provided information on the identity of the modification. In contrast,
      the isomer with the methylated cytosine did not yield definitive information on
      the location or identity of the modification. Tandem mass spectrometry data in
      this case could indicate that the modification was present on either the third or
      fourth nucleoside. The two isomers represent extremes in the facility with which
      modified bases can be identified and located in a small oligonucleotide via
      multiple mass spectrometry of multiply charged anions. A preference for loss of
      particular bases strongly influences which structurally diagnostic ions are
      formed upon collisional activation. The likelihood for locating and identifying a
      modified base is dependent, therefore, upon the likelihood that the base is lost
      directly from the parention. 

PMID- 24222002
TI  - Ion spray-tandem mass spectrometry of supramolecular coordination complexes.
AB  - Double-helical [M2L2] (n+), triple-helical [M2L3] (n+), and toroidal [M3L3] (n+)
      (M = Cu, Co, Fe, Ni, La, Eu, Gd, Tb, or Lu) supramolecular complexes have been
      fully characterized by ion spray mass spectrometry (IS-MS). The IS-MS spectra
      from pure acetonitrile solutions reflect the nature of the cations present in
      solution with conservation of the charge state and allow an efficient qualitative
      speciation of the compounds. The mass spectrometry results can be correlated with
      other powerful techniques (nuclear magnetic resonance and electronic
      spectroscopy) for the characterization of supramolecular complexes in solution,
      Structural information is obtained by collision-induced dissociation, which
      strongly depends on the metal ions used in the supramolecular complexes and on
      the various connectivities and topologies of the ligands. When the ligand
      contains 3,5dimethoxybenzyl groups bound to the benzimidazole rings, the partial
      fragmentation of the complexes is associated with a decrease of the total charge
      of the complexes and the appearance of the characteristic fragment at m/z 151
      that corresponds to the 3,5-dimethoxybenzyl cation. A detailed analysis of the
      fragmentation pathways of these supramolecular complexes suggests that the metal
      nitrogen coordination bonds are very strong in the gas phase. 

PMID- 24222003
TI  - Negative chemical ionization in quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry: Effects of
      applied voltages and reaction times.
AB  - The effects of applied voltages and reaction times on negative ion chemical
      ionization in the quadrupole ion trap are investigated. Mass-selected ejection of
      undesired reagent ions and selective mass storage of only negative ions are
      required for practical negative ion chemical ionization. This is achieved by
      application of rf and dc voltages to the ring electrode to control the mass-to
      charge ratios one polarity) of ions stored, as well as by application of a
      supplemental rf voltage applied across the endcap electrodes to selectively eject
      ions of a particular mass-to-charge ratio. Even with careful control of these
      parameters, negative chemical ionization is not as sensitive as electron
      ionization and positive chemical ionization because of the lack of thermal
      electrons in the ion trap. Mass selection of the hydroxide anion as a reagent ion
      and exclusion of all positive ions provide [M - H](-) ions with little or no
      fragmentation for a wide variety of compounds. 

PMID- 24222004
TI  - Implementation of the chemical reaction interface mass spectrometry technique on
      a Hewlett-Packard mass-selective detector.
AB  - A microwave-powered chemical reaction interface has been installed in a Hewlett
      Packard gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) system (5890 IT gas
      chromatograph-S971 mass-selective detector). The technical details and
      optimization strategies are discussed. The evaluation of this new setup is
      presented, showing detection limits of 1 ng of (13)C-, (15)N-, and Cl-containing
      compounds with signal-to-noise ratios greater than or egual to 3. Selective
      detection was evaluated with a urine sample from a dog dosed with (15)N3
      midazolam that had been previously analyzed by using a differentially pumped
      research-level quadrupole mass spectrometer. The results show that the detection
      of (15)N and Cl remains highly selective and the mass-selective detector gives
      comparable sensitivity to the larger instrument when the latter is operating over
      a conventional mass range. The capability for chemical reaction interface mass
      spectrometry can be easily accomplished with an inexpensive GC-MS system. 

PMID- 24222005
TI  - Resolution limitations from detector pulse width and jitter in a linear
      orthogonal-acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer.
AB  - Recent and ongoing advances in timing electronics together with the development
      of ionization techniques suited to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) have
      contributed to renewed interest in this method of mass analysis. Whereas low
      resolving powers (m/?m < 500) were once an almost unavoidable drawback in TOF-MS,
      recent developments in instrument geometries have produced much higher resolving
      powers for many ion sources. The temporal width of detector pulses and jitter in
      timing electronics, however, lead to contributions to peak widths that are
      essentially independent of the mass-analyzer ion optics. The effective detector
      pulse width (?t d ~ 1-10 ns typically) can be a limiting factor in the
      development of high resolution time-of-flight (TOF) instruments with modest drift
      lengths (~1 m), It also reduces the mass resolution more seriously for light
      ions. This article presents a method for distinguishing the instrumental "ion
      arrival-time" resolution (R o) of a linear TOF mass analyzer from that which is
      locally measured at a particular mass, limited by the broadening of the detector
      pulse width and electronics. The method also provides an estimate of ?t d, that
      is useful in determining the temporal performance of the detection system. The
      model developed here is tested with data from a recently constructed orthogonal
      acceleration TOF mass spectrometer equipped with a commercially available
      transient recorder (a LeCroy 400-Msamplejs digital oscilloscope) from which we
      obtained R o = 4240 +/- 100 [full width at half maximum (FWHM)) and ?t d = 3.0 +/
      0.1 ns (FWHM). 

PMID- 24222006
TI  - Improved energy compensation for time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
AB  - A model for improved energy compensation in time-of-flight (TOF) mass
      spectrometry has been developed and tested. This model includes effects of both
      the acceleration and drift region on mass resolution for surface desorption TOP
      mass spectrometers that employ ion mirrors to improve mass resolution.
      Appropriate placement of an additional stage onto the conventional one- and two
      stage mirrors provides compensation for flight time spreads, caused by initial
      ion kinetic energy distributions, in both regions. Experimental results that
      validate the model calculations are presented for a modified commercial two-stage
      ion mirror. For example, m/?m for Na(+) was improved from ~ 100 to ~ 200 using
      only a 200-eV drift energy and a 58-cm drift path. 

PMID- 24222008
TI  - Co-regulation of primary mouse hepatocyte viability and function by oxygen and
      matrix.
AB  - Although oxygen and extracellular matrix cues both influence differentiation
      state and metabolic function of primary rat and human hepatocytes, relatively
      little is known about how these factors together regulate behaviors of primary
      mouse hepatocytes in culture. To determine the effects of pericellular oxygen
      tension on hepatocellular function, we employed two methods of altering oxygen
      concentration in the local cellular microenvironment of cells cultured in the
      presence or absence of an extracellular matrix (Matrigel) supplement. By
      systematically altering medium depth and gas phase oxygen tension, we created
      multiple oxygen regimes (hypoxic, normoxic, and hyperoxic) and measured the local
      oxygen concentrations in the pericellular environment using custom-designed
      oxygen microprobes. From these measurements of oxygen concentrations, we derived
      values of oxygen consumption rates under a spectrum of environmental contexts,
      thus providing the first reported estimates of these values for primary mouse
      hepatocytes. Oxygen tension and matrix microenvironment were found to
      synergistically regulate hepatocellular survival and function as assessed using
      quantitative image analysis for cells stained with vital dyes, and assessment of
      secretion of albumin. Hepatocellular viability was affected only at strongly
      hypoxic conditions. Surprisingly, albumin secretion rates were greatest at a
      moderately supra-physiological oxygen concentration, and this effect was
      mitigated at still greater supra-physiological concentrations. Matrigel enhanced
      the effects of oxygen on retention of function. This study underscores the
      importance of carefully controlling cell density, medium depth, and gas phase
      oxygen, as the effects of these parameters on local pericellular oxygen tension
      and subsequent hepatocellular function are profound.

PMID- 24222010
TI  - Hunchback is required for abdominal identity suppression and germband growth in
      the parthenogenetic embryogenesis of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum.
AB  - Aphid, a short germband insect, displays an embryogenesis different from that of
      long germband insect species. Furthermore, the development of its parthenogenetic
      and viviparous embryo is different from that of the embryo resulting from sexual
      reproduction. To better understand the genetic regulation of this type of
      embryogenesis, the functions of hunchback in asexual Acyrthosiphon pisum were
      investigated by parental RNAi. Microinjection of Aphb double-stranded RNA yielded
      several defective phenotypes. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that
      these defects resulted from reduction of Aphb mRNA level in injected aphids. All
      these results suggested that the hb gene in parthenogenetic and viviparous
      Acyrthosiphon pisum was involved in abdominal identity suppression and germband
      growth as its homologue does in sexual insects. 

PMID- 24222009
TI  - Informed consent when prescribing medication: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine patient recall of specific risks associated
      with medication prescription and whether or not handouts are an effective tool to
      augment the informed consent process. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blinded, randomized,
      controlled trial. METHODS: Informed consent for prednisone prescriptions was
      studied by comparing the effect of a verbal discussion (describing 10 specific
      adverse drug reactions) in conjunction with a handout going over same, to a
      verbal discussion alone. Blinded assessments occurred by telephone interview 2 to
      4 weeks following the intervention. Outcomes assessed were the number of risks of
      prednisone that patients could list and the number of risks they recalled having
      discussed with their physician. Other demographic details were also collected.
      RESULTS: Twenty-five participants were randomly allocated to each group. Without
      prompting, the median number of risks spontaneously recalled by the handout group
      was not significantly different than the control group, and both groups had very
      low recall (two vs. one, P = .24). When provided a list of potential side
      effects, it was observed that the handout group recalled a higher median number
      of risks having been discussed with their physician compared to patients in the
      control group (eight vs. five, P = .003). The groups' demographics were otherwise
      identical. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in general did not remember discussing adverse
      prednisone risks with their physician even a short time after the discussion took
      place. Although the patient handout resulted in improved recall of risks
      following the prescription of prednisone, its importance in the informed
      medication consent process remains an open question. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.

PMID- 24222011
TI  - Neuroenhancement among Swiss students--a comparison of users and non-users.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This survey aims to contribute to the current discussion about
      neuroenhancement by comparing cognitive enhancer(s) (CE) users with CE non-users
      with a focus on their characteristics and attitudes. METHODS: An online survey
      was sent out to all undergraduate and graduate students of the University of
      Zurich who allow such e-mails (n=8642), accompanied by advertisement for the
      survey in lectures. 1765 students completed the survey, which was about healthy
      people's use of Ritalin, Adderall and/or Modasomil to increase concentration
      and/or alertness. A complementary paper-and-pencil survey (n=97 students,
      response rate: 95.1%) was also carried out in order to compare data. RESULTS: Non
      therapeutic CE users (6.2%) were more often male, considered religion to be of
      less importance and had more experience with drugs. CE had been taken for study
      purposes by 4.7% of all students. CE users had tried Ritalin most often, which
      about half of them received from friends and colleagues. The CE users had more
      reasons for and fewer concerns about taking CE than non-users. The most common
      reasons for both groups were "the effects of learning quicker" and "for finishing
      more work in less time". The most common concerns for both groups were "the
      worries about possible side effects" and "the goal of CE to achieve more", and
      "an unnatural interference of such products with our bodies" (CE-users) or "the
      gut feeling of not using such products" (CE non-users). DISCUSSION: The
      comparison of CE users with CE non-users reveals insights about their attitudes,
      which will add to the understanding of why students take or could imagine taking
      such products.

PMID- 24222012
TI  - Sexual dysfunction related to psychotropic drugs: a critical review. Part III:
      mood stabilizers and anxiolytic drugs.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction is a potential side effect of mood stabilizers
      and anxiolytic drugs: this article presents a critical review of the current
      literature. Although many studies have been published on sexual side effects of
      psychopharmacological treatment, only a minority relate to mood stabilizers and
      anxiolytic drugs. Most of these studies are not methodologically robust, few are
      RCTs and most did not use a validated rating scale to evaluate sexual
      functioning. In addition, many of the studies on sexual dysfunction associated
      with mood stabilizers and anxiolytic drugs are limited by other methodological
      flaws. While there is evidence to suggest that mood stabilizers, with some
      exceptions, negatively affect sexual functioning, there is still insufficient
      evidence to draw any clear conclusions about the effects of anxiolytic drugs on
      sexual function. There is some weak evidence to indicate that switching from
      enzyme-inducing to non-enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant drugs, could be clinically
      useful. Some researchers recommend that sexual dysfunction in patients taking
      antiepileptic drugs should in general be treated according to standard guidelines
      for the management of sexual dysfunction, since reliable data on special
      populations is not available. However, specific approaches may be useful, but
      cannot yet be recommended until further validating research has been conducted.
      We did not find evidence supporting the use of any specific treatment strategy
      for sexual dysfunction associated with anxiolytic treatment. METHODS: This study
      was conducted in 2013 using the paper and electronic resources of the library of
      the Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS) in Trento, Italy
      (http://atoz.ebsco.com/Titles/2793). The library has access to a wide range of
      databases including DYNAMED, MEDLINE Full Text, CINAHL Plus Full Text, The
      Cochrane Library, Micromedex healthcare series, BMJ Clinical Evidence. The full
      list of available journals can be viewed at http://atoz.ebsco.com/Titles/2793, or
      at the APSS web site (http://www.apss.tn.it). In completing this review, a
      literature search was conducted using the key words "anxiolytic drugs", "mood
      stabilizers", "benzodiazepines", "psychotrophic drugs", "sexual dysfunction",
      "sexual side effects", "treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction". All resulting
      listed articles were reviewed. DISCUSSION: This review includes studies that
      investigated the relationship between mood stabilizer and anxiolytic drug
      treatment and sexual dysfunction. The purpose was to identify possible
      intervention strategies for sexual dysfunction related to these drugs.

PMID- 24222013
TI  - Opioids and traffic safety--focus on buprenorphine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Opioid maintenance therapy is a well-established first-line treatment
      approach in opioid dependence. The effects of opioids such as buprenorphine on
      cognitive functioning and driving ability are a matter of debate. OBJECTIVES: A
      comprehensive review of studies of the effects of buprenorphine on traffic safety
      is presented. RESULTS: A number of recent epidemiological and road surveys
      indicate that opioids have a moderate risk for causing accidents compared to
      other drugs of abuse, such as alcohol. A number of neuropsychological studies, a
      few of which were prospective and used a randomized control group, have used
      standardized test batteries to measure domains relevant for psychomotor
      functioning and driving ability. Single doses of buprenorphine have been shown to
      induce some impairment in healthy volunteers, but less than found in chronic
      users. Some non-randomized studies indicate somewhat better cognitive performance
      of patients on buprenorphine than of those on methadone but this finding has not
      been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials. CONCLUSIONS: Opioids as a
      class of drugs induce some impairment of driving ability, but less than other
      psychotropic agents or drugs of abuse. Personality features such as impulsivity,
      sensation seeking, low risk perception and antisocial behaviour, comorbid
      psychiatric and neurological disorders and additional substance use of opioid
      users are of relevance for traffic safety. Buprenorphine does not cause more
      cognitive impairment than methadone or may even cause less. Caution is required
      when initiating treatment with buprenorphine. The risk for driving ability
      impairment is probably less under steady state conditions. Finally, higher doses
      of buprenorphine are probably not associated with more impairment.

PMID- 24222014
TI  - Mycophenolic acid-treated dendritic cells generate regulatory CD4+ T cells that
      suppress CD8+ T cells' allocytotoxicity.
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a crucial role in controlling immunity and
      transplant rejection. Two main groups of Treg have been described: antigen
      induced Treg (iTreg) and natural Treg (nTreg). The ways to induce and the
      mechanisms of action of Treg subsets remained ill defined, particularly for their
      effects on CD8(+) T cells. CD8(+) T cells are major agents in the rejection of
      allografts; the aim of this study is to investigate the effects exerted on CD8(+)
      T cells by human CD4(+) iTreg induced by mycophenolic acid-treated dendritic
      cells. iTreg suppress the proliferation of CD8(+) T cells by allogeneic cell-cell
      interaction with mature dendritic cells and irrespectively of the TCR specificity
      of the CD8(+) T cells and cell-cell contact of iTreg with CD8(+) T cells. In our
      model, this suppression is independent of the action of IL-10 and TGF-beta1.
      iTreg were able to modify phenotype and inhibited IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha
      secretion by CD8(+) T cells. Most interestingly, iTreg inhibit the synthesis of
      perforin and of granzymes A and B by CD8(+) T cells and impaired their
      cytotoxicity against allogeneic targets. In summary, our study showed the
      involvement of iTreg in the down-regulation of cytotoxic responses mediated by
      CD8(+) T cells in an allospecific context. Following studies that have shown the
      existence of a regulation control exerted by iTreg on CD4(+) T cells and
      dendritic cells, this work ultimately shows that this regulation can reach CD8(+)
      T-cell functions. 

PMID- 24222015
TI  - 2013 AHA/ACC guideline on lifestyle management to reduce cardiovascular risk: a
      report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task
      Force on Practice Guidelines.

PMID- 24222016
TI  - 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce
      atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College
      of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines.

PMID- 24222020
TI  - An interdisciplinary, biosocial perspective on human nature.

PMID- 24222018
TI  - 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the assessment of cardiovascular risk: a report of the
      American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice
      Guidelines.

PMID- 24222019
TI  - Apparent diffusion coefficient reproducibility of the pancreas measured at
      different MR scanners using diffusion-weighted imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the reproducibility of the pancreatic apparent diffusion
      coefficient (ADC) measured at different MR scanners. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Twenty-four healthy volunteers underwent three consecutive diffusion-weighted
      imaging (DWI) at a GE 1.5 Tesla (T), a Siemens 1.5 T and a Philips 3.0 T (session
      1), and imaged again using the same protocol at the same GE 1.5 T (session 2) 12
      days later. The ADC values of pancreas were measured at all three MR scanners.
      Paired-sample t-test and the Bland-Altman method were used for ADC data analysis.
      RESULTS: The individual mean ADC values of pancreatic head, body, and tail (in
      10(-3) mm(2)/s) measured at GE 1.5 T (2.24, 2.01, 1.88 for observer 1 and 2.23,
      2.00, 1.92 for observer 2) and Siemens 1.5 T (2.24, 2.04, 1.84 for observer 1 and
      2.20, 1.98, 1.84 for observer 2) were significantly higher than those at Philips
      3.0 T (2.06, 1.80, 1.56 for observer 1 and 2.02, 1.79, 1.60 for observer 2) (P =
      0.000-0.008). There was no significant difference of ADC values either between GE
      1.5 T and Siemens 1.5 T (P = 0.115-0.966), or between imaging session 1 and 2 at
      GE 1.5 T (P = 0.072-0.938). The range of mean difference +/- limits of agreement
      (in 10(-3) mm(2)/s) was -0.07-0.04 +/- 0.39-0.53 between two 1.5 T scanners, and 
      0.04-0.04 +/- 0.24-0.47 between two imaging sessions at GE 1.5 T. CONCLUSION: The
      measured ADC values of pancreas are affected by the field strength of scanner,
      but show good reproducibility between different MR systems with same field
      strength and at the same MR system over time.

PMID- 24222021
TI  - Infertility, abortion, and biotechnology : When it's not nice to fool mother
      nature.
AB  - Patterns of reproductive failure described in humans and other mammals suggest
      that reproductive failure may in many instances be the result of adaptations
      evolved to suppress reproduction under temporarily harsh conditions. By
      suppressing reproduction under such conditions, females are able to conserve
      their time and energy for reproductive opportunities in which reproduction is
      most likely to succeed. Such adaptations have been particularly important for
      female mammals, given (a) the amount of time and energy that reproduction
      requires, and (b) the degree to which reproductive conditions can vary.The
      existence of conscious and unconscious mechanisms to suppress reproduction under
      poor conditions has several implications for obstetric/gynecologic practices. Two
      implications are discussed with reference to biotechnological advancements in our
      ability to facilitate conceptions and manage problem pregnancies: (a) potential
      dangers of sophisticated technologies overriding natural fertility controls; and
      (b) the need for greater appreciation of the association between psychosocial
      stress and reproductive failure in the treatment of reproductive problems.
      Implications for elective abortion practices are discussed as well. 

PMID- 24222017
TI  - 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in
      adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association
      Task Force on Practice Guidelines and The Obesity Society.

PMID- 24222022
TI  - Human adoption in evolutionary perspective.
AB  - Exploitation is a fundamental element of the parental strategies of many species
      of birds. Cuckoos, for example, lay their eggs in the nest of other birds, who
      often unwittingly rear the alien nestlings as their own. Nest parasitism is an
      efficient reproductive strategy for cuckoos, who do not have to worry about
      building a nest, incubating their eggs, or feeding their nestlings. But not all
      hosts respond passively to such intrusions. In response to parasitic cowbirds,
      for example, robins have evolved the ability to detect and selectively eject
      alien young from their nests. Human parenting strategies differ sharply from the
      strategies of cuckoos and robins. Unlike cuckoos, we are reluctant to allow our
      children to be raised by others. Unlike robins, we knowingly rear strange young.
      What makes human behavior toward children so different from that of cuckoos and
      robins? Humans seem to share a number of predispositions that facilitate
      successful adoptive relationships, and the desire to raise children seems to be
      pervasive among modern humans. Despite these commonalities, patterns of adoption
      transactions vary greatly among contemporary human societies. This paper
      considers the origins and causes of cross-cultural variation in human adoptive
      behavior from an evolutionary perspective. 

PMID- 24222024
TI  - Killing the competition : Female/female and male/male homicide.
AB  - Sex- and age-specific rates of killing unrelated persons of one's own sex were
      computed for Canada (1974-1983), England/Wales (1977-1986), Chicago (1965-1981),
      and Detroit (1972) from census information and data archives of all homicides
      known to police. Patterns in relation to sex and age were virtually identical
      among the four samples, although the rates varied enormously (from 3.7 per
      million citizens per annum in England/Wales to 216.3 in Detroit). Men's marital
      status was related to the probability of committing a same-sex, nonrelative
      homicide, but age effects remained conspicuous when married and unmarried men
      were distinguished.These findings and the treatment of age and sex effects by
      criminologists are discussed in the light of contemporary evolutionary
      psychological models of sex differences and life-span development. Same-sex
      homicides in which killer and victim are unrelated can be interpreted as an assay
      of competitive conflict. In every human society for which relevant information
      exists, men kill one another vastly more often than do women. Lethal
      interpersonal competition is especially prevalent among young men, which accords
      with many other aspects of life-span development in suggesting that sexual
      selection has maximized male competitive prowess and inclination in young
      adulthood. 

PMID- 24222023
TI  - Dietary and prophylactic iron supplements : Helpful or harmful?
AB  - Mild hypoferremia represents an aspect of the ability of the body to withhold
      iron from pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, and from neoplastic cells.
      However, our iron-withholding defense system can be thwarted by practices that
      enhance iron overload such as indiscriminate iron fortification of foods,
      medically prescribed iron supplements, alcohol ingestion, and cigarette smoking.
      Elevated standards for normal levels of iron can be misleading and even dangerous
      for individuals faced with medical insults such as chronic infection, neoplasia,
      cardiomyopathy, and arthritis. We are becoming increasingly aware that the wide
      spread hypoferremia in human populations is a physiological response to insult
      rather than a pathological cause of insult, and that attempts to correct the
      condition by simply raising iron levels may not only be misguided but may
      actually impair host defense. 

PMID- 24222026
TI  - A heated electrospray source for mass spectrometry of analytes from aqueous
      solutions.
AB  - An electrospray interface is described that provides high sensitivity and signal
      stability for mass spectrometric detection of analytes in solvents with high
      water content including 100% water. The electrospray capillary tip section is
      heated close to the boiling point of the solvent. An approximately 20 degrees C
      hotter airstream, with flow coaxial to the electrospray tip and codirectional to
      the electrospray.. is also used. With this arrangement, the analyte signal
      sensitivity and stability obtained with neat water is equal to that obtained with
      neat methanol. The heated electrospray also affords the use of a wide range of
      flow rates: 1-100 MUL/min. 

PMID- 24222025
TI  - Enzymatic "click" ligation: selective cysteine modification in polypeptides
      enabled by promiscuous glutathione S-transferase.

PMID- 24222027
TI  - Effects of heavy-atom substituents on matrices used for matrix-assisted laser
      desorption-Ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - The data reported show that heavy-atom substitution on matrices that are used for
      matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry enhance [M + H](+)
      ion yields of both Leu-enkephalin and vitamin B12. Heavy-atom substitution alters
      the excited state relaxation dynamics of the matrices as indicated by measured
      decreases in the measured luminescence (fluorescence and/or phosphorescence)
      observed for heavy atoms that contain matrices relative to the nonheavy-atom
      substituted matrices. The results presented are consistent with the direct
      involvement of an electronically excited state of the matrix in the formation of
      analyte [M + H](+) ions. 

PMID- 24222028
TI  - Simulated ion trajectory and induced signal in ion cyclotron resonance ion traps.
      Effect of ion initial axial position on ion coherence, induced signal, and radial
      or z ejection in a cubic trap.
AB  - The effects of ion initial axial position on coherence of ion motion, induced ion
      cyclotron resonance (ICR) signal. and radial and z ejection have been evaluated
      by numerical simulation for a cubic Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance ion
      trap. For a given initial ion cyclotron phase and radius, ions of different
      initial z position are shown to be excited to significantly different ion
      cyclotron radii (and ultimately radially ejected at significantly different
      excitation amplitude-duration products). Ion initial z displacement from the trap
      midplane affects observed ICR signal magnitude in two ways: (1) for the same
      postexcitation cyclotron radius, an ion with larger initial z displacement
      induces a smaller ICR signal and (2) an ion with larger initial z displacement is
      excited to a smaller cyclotron radius. We also evaluate the induced ICR signal as
      a function of excitation amplitude-duration product for spatially uniform or
      Gaussian ion initial z distributions. In general, if the excitation waveform
      contains components at frequency, 2 omegaz or (omega+ + 2 omegaz, in which omegaz
      is the axial C"trapping") oscillation frequency, then ejection occurs axially.
      However, the resulting excitation amplitude-duration product for such axial
      ejection is significantly higher (factor of, ~ 4) than that required for radial
      ejection (at omega+) for ions of small initial radius. The present results offer
      the first explanation of how, even if the ion is initially at rest on the z axis
      (i.e., zero excitation electric field amplitude on the z axis), z ejection (axial
      ejection) may nevertheless occur if the excitation waveform contains frequency
      components at omega+ + 2omegaz and/or 2w z Namely, our simulations reveal that
      off-resonant excitation pushes ions away from the z axis, after which the ions
      are exposed to z excitation and eventual z ejection. 

PMID- 24222029
TI  - A tandem mass spectrometric investigation of (C2H 5) 2X (+) ions (X = Cl, Br, I):
      The involvement of classical and nonclassical ethyl structures therein.
AB  - The formation of diethyl halonium ions (C2H5)2X(+) (X = Cl, Br, I) by a variety
      of ion-molecule reactions is described. The dissociation characteristics
      (metastable and collision-induced dissociation mass spectra) of these ions and
      their isomers were studied in detail. Some of the neutral fragmentation products
      were examined by their collision-induced dissociative ionization mass spectra.The
      participation of classical (1, CH3CH2X(+)CH2CH3) and nonclassical forms of the
      ions was considered. Dissociation reactions for which loss of positional identity
      of H-D atoms took place, for example C2H4 loss (a common fragmentation of
      metastable ions) and C2H5 (+) formation, were interpreted as involving
      nonclassical ions, 2. It was concluded that the ion-molecule reactions produced
      both ion structures, but in different halogen-dependent proportions. For
      (C2H5)2C1(+) ions, 2 is the major species, for (C2H5)2Br(+) both 1- and 2-type
      ions are generated, whereas for (C2H5)2I(+) the classical form 1 must be the
      predominant structure. 

PMID- 24222030
TI  - Dissociation of proton-bound complexes and proton affinity of benzamides.
AB  - Proton-bound heterodimers of substituted benzamides 1-15 and N,N-dimethyl
      benzamides 16-30, respectively, with a series of reference bases were generated
      under chemical ionization conditions. Their dissociation into the protonated
      amide AH(+) and protonated reference base BH(+) was studied by metastable ion
      techniques and by collision-induced dissociation (CID) to examine substituent
      effects on the proton affinity (PA) of the benzarnides and to elucidate some
      aspects of the dissociation dynamics of proton-bound clusters. The PAs of the
      substituted benzarnides were determined by bracketing the amide by a pair of
      reference bases to give rise to more and less abundant signals of the protonated
      base in the mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectra of the proton-bound
      heterodimers. The substituent effects observed agree with O-protonation in both
      the primary and the tertiary benzamides. However, the susceptibility of the
      benzamide to polar substituent effects is remarkably small, which indicates a
      "resonance saturation"), of the amide group. The relative abundances of AH(+) and
      BH(+) in the MIKE and collisional activation (CA) mass spectra depend strongly on
      the pressure of the collision gas during CID, and in certain cases a reversal of
      the relative abundances with increasing pressure that favors the formation of BH+
      from a less basic reference base is observed. Although this effect underlines the
      limited possibilities of the "kinetic method" for PA determination by CID of
      proton-bound heterodimers, it uncovers important kinetic effects during the
      dissociation of proton-bound heterodimers and of proton transfer reactions in the
      gas phase.. In the case of the protonated amide clusters, the observed intensity
      effects in the CA mass spectra are explained by a double-well potential energy
      surface caused by solvation of the protonated base by the polar amide in the
      protonated heterodimer. 

PMID- 24222031
TI  - The decompositions of N-(substituted benzalamino)phthalimide radical cations
      embody ion-neutral complexes and Stevenson's rule.
AB  - A previously unreported series of N-(substituted benzalamino)phthalimides was
      investigated by using the combined techniques of high resolution electron
      ionization mass spectrometry, metastable decomposition, and collisional
      activation mass spectrometry. The predominate fragmentation pathway is a
      McLafferty-type rearrangement. There also occurs, to a lesser extent, a transfer
      of hydrogen that originates from a substituent remote from the phthalimide moiety
      and terminates on the phthalimide, The process is interpreted as proceeding via
      an ion-neutral complex. The effects of substituents on both of the aforementioned
      fragmentation pathways provide a striking example that gives quantitative
      evidence for Stevenson's rule. The substituent effects are responsible for a
      trend in ion abundance that shows a sharp reversal at approximately the
      ionization energy of the iminium isomer of the phthalimide molecular ion. 

PMID- 24222032
TI  - Effects of target gas in collision-induced dissociation using a double quadrupole
      mass spectrometer and radiofrequency.
AB  - Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of polyatomic ions sampled from an rf
      powered glow discharge is examined by using three target gases including atomic
      (Ar and Xe) and molecular species (N2). Collisions with these targets in the
      first quadrupole of the double quadrupole system result in the loss of discharge
      species by dissociation, symmetric and asymmetric charge exchange, and
      scattering, each to varying degrees. These processes are seen to be a function of
      the relative mass, size... and ionization potentials of the target species, as
      well as the collision center-of-mass energies. In light of the comparisons, xenon
      appears to be the best collision target for both CID and charge exchange because
      of its relatively low ionization potential and high dissociation efficiency of
      polyatornic species. Evidence for both symmetric and asymmetric charge exchange
      is presented for Ar and Xe target gases. 

PMID- 24222033
TI  - A particulate isotopic standard of uranium and plutonium in an aluminosilicate
      matrix.
AB  - Mixed-actinide microstandard particles have been produced for calibration and
      performance testing of isotope-ratio mass spectrometers and ion and electron
      microprobe instruments. The spherical micrometer-size particles consist of an
      aluminosilicate matrix loaded with 2.2% by weight of isotopically certified
      uranium and 0.11% by weight of isotopically certified plutonium. The uranium and
      plutonium isotopic compositions have been verified by both thermal ionization
      mass spectrometry and secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS). The
      elemental composition of the microspheres has been determined by both electron
      microprobe and SIMS analysis. 

PMID- 24222034
TI  - Optimization and testing of mass spectral library search algorithms for compound
      identification.
AB  - Five algorithms proposed in the literature for library search identification of
      unknown compounds from their low resolution mass spectra were optimized and
      tested by matching test spectra against reference spectra in the NIST-EPA-NIH
      Mass Spectral Database. The algorithms were probability-based matching (PBM), dot
      product, Hertz et al. similarity index, Euclidean distance, and absolute value
      distance. The test set consisted of 12,592 alternate spectra of about 8000
      compounds represented in the database. Most algorithms were optimized by varying
      their mass weighting and intensity scaling factors. Rank in the list of candidatc
      compounds was used as the criterion for accuracy. The best performing algorithm
      (75% accuracy for rank 1) was the dot-product function that measures the cosine
      of the angle between spectra represented as vectors. Other methods in order of
      performance were the Euclidean distance (72%), absolute value distance (68%) PBM
      (65%), and Hertz et al. (64%). Intensity scaling and mass weighting were
      important in the optimized algorithms with the square root of the intensity scale
      nearly optimal and the square or cube the best mass weighting power. Several more
      complex schemes also were tested, but had little effect on the results. A modest
      improvement in the performance of the dot-product algorithm was made by adding a
      term that gave additional weight to relative peak intensities for spectra with
      many peaks in common. 

PMID- 24222035
TI  - Micro-Electrospray: Zeptomole/attomole per microliter sensitivity for peptides.
AB  - The micro-electrospray ionization source has been optimized for the specific
      analysis of neuropeptides such as neurotensin and methionine enkephalin. The
      source has the option of integrating nanoliter flow-rate desalting and
      preconcentration techniques into the micro-electrospray spray needle, eliminating
      post-column dead volumes. For neurotensin, the most sensitive neuropeptide
      analyzed thus far in this work, the injection of 10 MUL of a solution containing
      320 zeptomolesy/gmL gave an [M + 3H](+3) ion at m/z 558.4 with S/N of > 8?1. The
      MS/MS analysis of this peptide for the fragment ion at m/z 578.9 gave a S/N >
      20?1 for a solution containing 32 attomoles/MUL. 

PMID- 24222037
TI  - Network dynamics contribute to structure: nestedness in mutualistic networks.
AB  - Both ecological and evolutionary timescales are of importance when considering an
      ecological system; population dynamics affect the evolution of species traits,
      and vice versa. Recently, these two timescales have been used to explain
      structural patterns in host-parasite networks, where the evolution of the manner
      in which species balance the use of their resources in interactions with each
      other was examined.One of these patterns was nestedness, in which the set of
      parasite species within a particular host forms a subset of those within a more
      species-rich host. Patterns of both nestedness and anti-nestedness have been
      observed significantly more often than expected due to chance in host-parasite
      networks. In contrast, mutualistic networks tend to display a significant degree
      of nestedness, but are rarely anti-nested. Within networks with different
      interaction types, therefore, there appears to be a feature promoting non-random
      structural patterns, such as nestedness and anti-nestedness, depending on the
      interaction types involved.Here, we invoke the co-evolution of species trait
      values when allocating resources to interactions to explain the structural
      pattern of nestedness in a mutualistic community. We look at a bipartite, multi
      species system, in which the strength of an interaction between two species is
      determined by the resources that each species invests in that relationship. We
      then analyze the evolution of these interactions using adaptive dynamics.We found
      that the evolution of these interactions, reflecting the trade-off of resources,
      could be used to accurately predict that nestedness occurs significantly more
      often than expect due to chance alone in a mutualistic network. This complements
      previous results applying the same concept to an antagonistic network. We
      conclude that population dynamics and resource trade-offs could be important
      promoters of structural patterns in ecological networks of different types. 

PMID- 24222038
TI  - Bacteria and lytic phage coexistence in a chemostat with periodic nutrient
      supply.
AB  - The dynamics of bacteria and bacteriophage coexistence was examined in a
      chemostat in which the externally driven supply of nutrient for bacteria, and
      washout rate oscillates periodically. The proposed mathematical model for three
      interacting variables, bacteria, phage, and nutrient, consists of 3 differential
      equations with time delay, due to the phage latent period of lysing. The study
      was carried out in an interval of physical parameters where an equivalent model
      with constant supply of nutrient and washout rate is mathematically unstable,
      running in limit cycle regimes, with known self-frequencies. It addresses mainly
      the asymptotically persistent dynamics of the system.Bifurcation maps in terms of
      two externally controlled parameters, the amplitude and frequency of the
      controlled nutrient supply were constructed for various latent lysis periods, in
      order to determine the frequency entrainment, i.e., the resulting main operating
      frequency of the system, relative to the known external and self-frequencies.
      Also presented are bifurcation maps for the rich variety of dynamical types
      observed in the study. Bifurcation diagrams in terms of the lysing time delay
      were also included for completion.A new type of entrainment, combining in a
      simple way the external and self-periods (reciprocal frequencies), is shown to
      exist for a range of parameters. 

PMID- 24222039
TI  - Hypothalamic and brainstem neuronal circuits controlling homeostatic energy
      balance.
AB  - Alterations in adequate energy balance maintenance result in serious metabolic
      disturbances such as obesity. In mammals, this complex process is orchestrated by
      multiple and distributed neuronal circuits. Hypothalamic and brainstem neuronal
      circuits are critically involved in the sensing of circulating and local factors
      conveying information about the energy status of the organism. The integration of
      these signals culminates in the generation of specific and coordinated
      physiological responses aimed at regulating energy balance through the modulation
      of appetite and energy expenditure. In this article, we review current knowledge
      on the homeostatic regulation of energy balance, emphasizing recent advances in
      mouse genetics, electrophysiology, and optogenetic techniques that have greatly
      contributed to improving our understanding of this central process. 

PMID- 24222040
TI  - Role of the neural pathway from hindbrain to hypothalamus in interaction of GLP1
      and leptin in rats.
AB  - Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) and leptin are anorectic hormones. Previously, we
      have shown that i.p. coadministration of subthreshold GLP1 with leptin
      dramatically reduced food intake in rats. In this study, by using midbrain
      transected rats, we investigated the role of the neural pathway from the
      hindbrain to the hypothalamus in the interaction of GLP1 and leptin in reducing
      food intake. Food intake reduction induced by coinjection of GLP1 and leptin was
      blocked in midbrain-transected rats. These findings indicate that the ascending
      neural pathway from the hindbrain plays an important role in transmitting the
      anorectic signals provided by coinjection of GLP1 and leptin. 

PMID- 24222041
TI  - An early-stage epidemic: a systematic review of correlates of smoking among
      Chinese women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the historically low smoking prevalence among Chinese women,
      there is a trend of future increase. PURPOSE: We systematically reviewed the
      correlates of smoking among Chinese girls and women. METHOD: We conducted a
      systematic review of literature on correlates of smoking among Chinese women
      using Medline and China Academic Journals databases. Following the PRISMA
      statement, two investigators independently searched for literature, identified
      and reviewed papers, assessed the quality of the papers, and extracted
      information. The characteristics of studies and correlates of smoking were
      synthesized separately for youth and adults. RESULTS: A total of 15 articles (11
      on adults, 4 on youth) met the inclusion criteria. Based on these studies, peer
      smoking was the most consistent correlate of smoking among Chinese girls. Among
      Chinese women, partner smoking, job-related stress, and exposure to cigarettes
      made for women were consistent correlates of smoking. Knowledge of harms and
      negative attitudes towards smoking were found to be negatively associated with
      smoking. CONCLUSION: Overall, the evidence base for smoking among Chinese women
      is limited. Although smoking among Chinese women is still at an early stage, it
      is becoming more prevalent among specific population subgroups, such as rural-to
      urban migrant workers. Although further research is needed, findings from the
      current study provide a roadmap for research and policy on prevention of smoking
      among Chinese girls and women.

PMID- 24222042
TI  - Antioxidant neolignans from Cordia americana.
AB  - Five new neolignans with a bicyclo[2.2.2]octene framework were isolated from an
      ethanolic extract of the bark of Cordia americana. The structures and relative
      configurations of the compounds were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic
      methods. All the isolated compounds showed good antioxidant activities in the
      DPPH radical scavenging (0.5-100 ug/mL) and Ferric-reducing antioxidant power
      (FRAP, 1-100 ug/mL) assays. One of the compounds displayed mild fungistatic
      activity at 0.1 umol/spot against Fusarium virguliforme while, at the same time,
      all compounds were inactive against several strains of Gram (+) and Gram (-)
      bacteria at all assayed concentrations (10-1,000 ug/mL).

PMID- 24222044
TI  - Endovascular stroke trials: why we must enroll all eligible patients.

PMID- 24222043
TI  - Vitamin D receptor-modulated Hsp70/AT1 expression may protect the kidneys of SHRs
      at the structural and functional levels.
AB  - Previous hypertension studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D are linked
      to elevated renin-angiotensin system. The heat shock protein 70 regulates
      signaling pathways for cellular oxidative stress responses. Hsp70 has been shown
      to protect against angiotensin II-induced hypertension and exert a cytoprotective
      effect. Here, we wanted to evaluate whether the vitamin D receptor (VDR)
      associated with Hsp70/AT1 expression may be involved in the mechanism by which
      paricalcitol provides renal protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).
      One-month-old female SHRs were treated for 4 months with vehicle, paricalcitol,
      enalapril, or a combination of both paricalcitol and enalapril. The following
      were determined: blood pressure; biochemical parameters; fibrosis; apoptosis;
      mitochondrial morphology; and VDR, AT1 receptor, and Hsp70 expression in the
      renal cortex. Blood pressure was markedly reduced by enalapril or the combination
      but not by paricalcitol alone. However, VDR activation, enalapril or combination,
      prevented fibrosis, the number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells, mitochondrial
      damage, and NADPH oxidase activity in SHRs. Additionally, high AT1 receptor
      expression, like low Hsp70 expression (immunohistochemical/immunofluorescence
      studies), was reversed in the renal cortices of paricalcitol- and/or enalapril
      treated animals (SHRs), and these changes were most marked in the combination
      therapy group. Finally, all of the recovery parameters were consistent with an
      improvement in VDR expression. Data suggest that Hsp70/AT1 modulated by VDR is
      involved in the mechanism by which paricalcitol provides renal protection in
      SHRs. We propose that low AT1 expression through VDR induction could be a
      consequence of the heat shock response Hsp70-mediated cell protection.

PMID- 24222045
TI  - Loss of mural cells leads to wall degeneration, aneurysm growth, and eventual
      rupture in a rat aneurysm model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The biological mechanisms predisposing intracranial
      saccular aneurysms to growth and rupture are not yet fully understood. Mural cell
      loss is a histological hallmark of ruptured cerebral aneurysms. It remains
      unclear whether mural cell loss predisposes to aneurysm growth and eventual
      rupture. METHODS: Sodium dodecyl sulfate decellularized and nondecellularized
      saccular aneurysm from syngeneic thoracic aortas were transplanted to the
      abdominal aorta of Wistar rats. Aneurysm patency and growth was followed up for 1
      month with contrast-enhanced serial magnetic resonance angiographies. Endoscopy
      and histology of the aneurysms were used to assess the role of periadventitial
      environment, aneurysm wall, and thrombus remodeling. RESULTS: Nondecellularized
      aneurysms (n=12) showed a linear course of thrombosis and remained stable.
      Decellularized aneurysms (n=12) exhibited a heterogeneous pattern of thrombosis,
      thrombus recanalization, and growth. Three of the growing aneurysms (n=5)
      ruptured during the observation period. Growing and ruptured aneurysms
      demonstrated marked adventitial fibrosis and inflammation, complete wall
      disruption, and increased neutrophil accumulation in unorganized intraluminal
      thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: In the presented experimental setting, complete loss of
      mural cells acts as a driving force for aneurysm growth and rupture. The findings
      suggest that aneurysms missing mural cells are incapable to organize a luminal
      thrombus, leading to recanalization, increased inflammatory reaction, severe wall
      degeneration, and eventual rupture.

PMID- 24222046
TI  - Formation and function of acute stroke-ready hospitals within a stroke system of
      care recommendations from the brain attack coalition.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Many patients with an acute stroke live in areas without
      ready access to a Primary or Comprehensive Stroke Center. The formation of care
      facilities that meet the needs of these patients might improve their care and
      outcomes and guide them and emergency responders to such centers within a stroke
      system of care. METHODS: The Brain Attack Coalition conducted an electronic
      search of the English medical literature from January 2000 to December 2012 to
      identify care elements and processes shown to be beneficial for acute stroke
      care. We used evidence grading and consensus paradigms to synthesize
      recommendations for Acute Stroke-Ready Hospitals (ASRHs). RESULTS: Several key
      elements for an ASRH were identified, including acute stroke teams, written care
      protocols, involvement of emergency medical services and emergency department,
      and rapid laboratory and neuroimaging testing. Unique aspects include the use of
      telemedicine, hospital transfer protocols, and drip and ship therapies. Emergent
      therapies include the use of intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator and
      the reversal of coagulopathies. Although many of the care elements are similar to
      those of a Primary Stroke Center, compliance rates of >=67% are suggested in
      recognition of the staffing, logistical, and financial challenges faced by rural
      facilities. CONCLUSIONS: ASRHs will form the foundation for acute stroke care in
      many settings. Recommended elements of an ASRH build on those proven to improve
      care and outcomes at Primary Stroke Centers. The ASRH will be a key component for
      patient care within an evolving stroke system of care.

PMID- 24222047
TI  - Are acute stroke-ready hospitals ready?

PMID- 24222048
TI  - Death and family life in the past.
AB  - As recently as 1970 about one-fifth of the children living in single-parent
      households resided in ones created by the death of a father. In colonial and
      nineteenth-century America, death was a much more important factor in disrupting
      parent-child relationships than it is today. Past societal reaction to the death
      of a parent continues to influence social policy; for example, widows and their
      dependent children receive more public assistance than divorced mothers or single
      mothers with children born out-of-wedlock. Although the material conditions for
      widows have improved over time, the social network available to help them cope
      with the emotional distress caused by the death of a husband probably has
      diminished. 

PMID- 24222049
TI  - Teenage childbearing as an alternative life-course strategy in multigeneration
      black families.
AB  - This paper summarizes the findings of a three-year exploratory qualitative study
      of teenage childbearing in 20 low-income multigeneration black families. Teenage
      childbearing in these families is part of an alternative life-course strategy
      created in response to socioenvironmental constraints. This alternative life
      course strategy is characterized by an accelerated family timetable; the
      separation of reproduction and marriage; an age-condensed generational family
      structure; and a grandparental child-rearing system. The implications of these
      patterns for intergenerational family roles are discussed. 

PMID- 24222050
TI  - Evolution and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) : Part I: Infant responsivity
      to parental contact.
AB  - This paper and its subsequent parts (Part II and Part III) build on an earlier
      publication (McKenna 1986). They suggest that important clinical data on the
      relationship between infantile constitutional deficits and microenvironmental
      factors relevant to SIDS can be acquired by examining the physiological
      regulatory effects (well documented among nonhuman primates) that parents assert
      on their infants when they sleep together.I attempt to show why access to
      parental sensory cues (movement, touch, smell, sound) that induce arousals in
      infants while they sleep could possibly help one of many different subclasses of
      infants either to override certain kinds of sleep-induced breathing control
      errors suspected to be involved in SIDS or to avoid them altogether. I do not
      suggest that solitary nocturnal sleep "causes" SIDS, that all parents should
      sleep with their infants, or that traditional SIDS research strategies should be
      abandoned. However, using evolutionary data, I do suggest that an adaptive fit
      exists between parent-infant sleep contact and the natural physiological
      vulnerabilities of the neurologically immature human infant, whose breathing
      system is more complex than that of other mammals owing to its speech-breathing
      abilities. This "fit" is best understood, it is argued, in terms of the 4-5
      million years of human evolution in which parent-infant contact was almost
      certainly continuous during at least the first year of an infant's life. Thus, to
      dismiss the idea that solitary sleep has no physiological consequences for
      infants does not accord with scientific facts. 

PMID- 24222052
TI  - New approaches to the study of day care.

PMID- 24222051
TI  - Evolution and the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) : Part II: Why human
      infants?
AB  - Postnatal parent-infant physiological regulatory effects described in the
      previous paper (Part I) are viewed here as being biologically contiguous with
      events that occur prenatally, preparing and sensitizing the fetus to the average
      microenvironment into which the infant is expected, based on its evolutionary
      past, to be born. Following McKenna (1986), evidence (some of which is
      circumstantial) is presented concerning fetal hearing and fetal amniotic liquid
      breathing as they are affected both by maternal cardiovascular blood flow sounds
      in the uterus and by fluctuating maternal blood sugar levels. These data are
      linked in turn to the infant's postulated postnatal responsivity to parental
      sensory cues, including auditory and vestibular respiratory cues that may assist
      infants as they "learn" to breathe and, for some, to resist a SIDS event.Data on
      the respiratory and vocalizing behavior of normal and hearing-impaired persons
      are used to show that not all forms of human breathing are innate; some forms
      develop with experience. These data reveal how human infants learn, for example,
      to coordinate higher and lower brain respiratory nuclei in the context of
      learning initially to cry with intent and purpose and later to speak. Voluntary,
      cortex-based breathing emerges at the same time that infants are most likely to
      die from SIDS, between 2 and 4 months of age. This switch between voluntary and
      involuntary breathing during both sleep (while dreaming) and wake cycles, which
      depends on the integration of higher cortical and lower brain stem nuclei, is
      complex and is possibly the basis of the human species' unique susceptibility to
      SIDS-a syndrome as yet unrecognized in other species. These human infant
      vulnerabilities, including delayed maturity, can explain in part why natural
      selection ought to favor increased infant sensitivity to parental sensory cues
      provided by a caregiver-stimuli available in the evolving parental care
      environment that included parent-infant co-sleeping for more than 4-5 million
      years of human evolution. 

PMID- 24222053
TI  - Urinary PCR as an increasingly useful tool for an accurate diagnosis of
      leptospirosis in livestock.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to consider the wide usage of urinary PCR as an
      increasingly useful tool for an accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis in livestock.
      A total of 512 adult animals (300 cattle, 138 horses, 59 goats and 15 pigs), from
      herds/flocks with reproductive problems in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was studied by
      serology and urinary PCR. From the 512 serum samples tested, 223 (43.5 %) were
      seroreactive (cattle: 45.6 %, horses: 41.3 %, goats: 34%and pigs: 60 %). PCR
      detected leptospiral DNA in 32.4 % (cattle: 21.6 %, horses: 36.2 %, goats: 77.4 %
      and pigs: 33.3 %. To our knowledge there is no another study including such a
      large number of samples (512) from different species, providing a comprehensive
      analysis of the usage of PCR for detecting leptospiral carriers in livestock.
      Serological and molecular results were discrepant, regardless the titre, what was
      an expected outcome. Nevertheless, it is impossible to establish agreement
      between these tests, since the two methodologies are conducted on different
      samples (MAT - serum; PCR - urine). Additionally, the MAT is an indirect method
      and PCR is a direct one. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that urinary PCR
      should be considered and encouraged as an increasingly useful tool for an
      accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis in livestock.

PMID- 24222055
TI  - Polar [4+2(+)] diels-alder cycloaddition to nitrilium and immonium ions in the
      gas phase: Applications of multiple stage mass spectrometry in a pentaquadrupole
      instrument.
AB  - Multiple stage MS(2) and MS(3) mass spectrometric experiments, performed using a
      pentaquadrupole instrument, are employed to explore the gas-phase ion-molecule
      chemistry of several nitrilium [R-C=N(+)-H (1), R-C=N(+)-CH3 (2), and H-C=N(+)
      C2H5 (3)] as well as immonium ions RR(1)C=N(+)R(2)R(3) (4) with the neutral diene
      isoprene. Polar [4+2(+)] Diels-Alder cycloaddition is observed for nitrilium ions
      when the energy gap between the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the
      ion and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the isoprene is small
      and the competing proton transfer reaction is endothermic. Thus, C-protonated
      methyl isonitrile H-C=N(+)-CH3 (2a) and its higher homolog H-C=N(+)-C2H5 (3a)
      form abundant [4+2(+)] cycloadducts with isoprene, but several protonated
      nitriles 1 do not; instead they show exothermic proton transfer as the main ion
      molecule reaction. Replacement of the methyne hydrogen in 2a by a methyl, ethyl,
      or phenyl group (2b-d) raises the LUMO-HOMO gap, which greatly decreases the
      total yield of ion-molecule products and precludes cycloaddition. On the other
      hand, the electron-withdrawing acetyl and bromine substituents in 2e and 2f
      substantially lower the LUMO energy of the ions and cycloaddition reaction occurs
      readily. The simplest member of the immonium ion series, CH2=NH 2 (+) (4a),
      reacts readily by cycloaddition, whereas alkyl substitution on either the carbon
      or nitrogen (4b-f) dramatically lowers the overall reactivity, which
      substantially decreases or even precludes cycloaddition. In strong contrast, the
      N-phenyl (4g) and N-acetyl (4h) ions and the N-vinyl-substituted immonium ion, N
      protonated 2-aza-butadiene (4i), react extensively with isoprene, mainly by
      [4+2(+)] cycloaddition. However, the isomeric C-vinyl-substituted ion (4j)
      displays only modest reactivity in both the proton-transfer and the cycloaddition
      channels.Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the cycloadducts performed by on
      line MS(3) experiments demonstrates that they are covalently bound and supports
      their assignments as cycloaddition products. Retro Diels-Alder fragmentation is a
      major process for cycloadducts of both the immonium and the nitrilium ions, but
      other fragmentation processes also are observed. The cycloadduct of 4a with
      butadiene displays CID fragmentation identical to that of the authentic ion
      produced by protonation of 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, which thus strengthens the
      [4+2(+)] cycloaddition proposal. AM1 calculations also support the formation of
      the [4+2(+)] cycloadducts, which are shown in several cases to be much more
      stable than the products of simple addition, that is, the ring-open isomers. 

PMID- 24222054
TI  - Oncologists' and primary care physicians' awareness of late and long-term effects
      of chemotherapy: implications for care of the growing population of survivors.
AB  - PURPOSE: The population of cancer survivors is large and growing. Yet after
      successful completion of treatment, many experience chemotherapy-related late or
      long-term effects (LEs). The extent to which physicians are aware of LEs is
      unknown. METHODS: We conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,130
      oncologists and 1,072 primary care providers (PCPs). Respondents were asked to
      select the LEs they had either observed or seen reported for five chemotherapy
      agents used to treat breast and colon cancers. We described and compared
      oncologists' and PCPs' awareness of the specified LEs. Using multivariate
      logistic regression models, we determined predictors of physicians' awareness of
      the main LEs associated with the agents. RESULTS: Almost all oncologists (95%)
      reported awareness of cardiac dysfunction as an LE of doxorubicin and peripheral
      neuropathy as an LE of paclitaxel (97%) and oxaliplatin (97%). These LEs were
      reported by 55%, 27%, and 22% of PCPs, respectively. Most oncologists reported
      awareness of premature menopause (71%) and secondary malignancies (62%) as LEs of
      cyclophosphamide, compared with only 15% and 17% of PCPs, respectively. Main LEs
      associated with all four agents were identified by 65% of oncologists and only 6%
      of PCPs. CONCLUSION: Although more than half of PCPs were aware of cardiac
      dysfunction as an LE of doxorubicin, awareness of other LEs was limited. Because
      PCPs may not be directly exposed to chemotherapy-related LEs, oncologists must
      communicate this information to PCPs as patients transition to primary care
      settings. Education for all providers caring for the growing population of cancer
      survivors is needed.

PMID- 24222056
TI  - Gas phase bimolecular chemistry of isomeric C3H 6Br (+) cations.
AB  - The gas phase chemistry of C3H6Br(+) cations generated via low energy electron
      impact on various dibromopropanes has been studied by using Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Neutral substrate molecules that have been
      selected to probe the bimolecular reactivity of the C3H6Br(+) isomers are
      ammonia, methylamine, trimethylamine, cis-butene, and 2, 3-dimethyl-2-butene. At
      least three different isomers are characterized on the basis of their different
      reactivity toward the various substrate molecules. It is suggested that these
      isomers have (a) the 2-bromo-2-propyl cation structure, (b) the propylenebromomum
      ion structure, and (c) the cyclic four-membered trimethylenebromonium ion
      structure. The 2-bromo-2-propyl cations react predominantely via proton transfer.
      This reaction is hampered for the propylenebromonium ions, which react mainly as
      electrophiles or bromanyl cation donors. Cyclic trimethylenebromoruum ions react
      predominantly via adduct formation, even under low pressure conditions, which
      implies that tturd body collisions are not the only stabilization mechanism. 

PMID- 24222057
TI  - Reactive collisions in quadrupole cells. 3: H/D exchange reactions of protonated
      aromatic amines with ND3.
AB  - The H/D exchange reactions of a variety of protonated aromatic amines with ND3 m
      the collision cell of a hybrid BEqQ tandem mass spectrometer have been studied.
      The MH(+) ions were prepared by CH4, t-C4H10, and NH3 chemical ionization (CI)
      and, for some amines, by fast-atom bombardment (FAB). Evidence is presented that
      the kinetic energy of the incident ion as well as its internal energy must be
      dissipated by nonexchanging collisions before exchange occurs, once deactivated
      the MH(+) ions exchange efficiently, which leads, in most cases, to [MHJ(+) d x
      ions m which all active hydrogens have been exchanged. The MH(+) ion of 1,3
      phenylenediamine formed by gas-phase CI exchanges only very slightly with ND3
      whereas a significant fraction of the MH(+) ions formed by FAB exchange
      efficiently. This difference is rationalized in terms of dominant formation of
      the ring-protonated species in gas-phase CI reactions and significant formation
      of the N-protonated species by FAB with only the N-protonated species exchanging
      efficiently. Similar, although less pronounced, differences are observed for the
      MH(+) ion of m-anisidine. In a number of cases apparent exchange of aromatic
      hydrogens also is observed. Evidence is presented for the interchange of ring and
      amine hydrogens in protonated aromatic amines and it is suggested that only the N
      protonated species undergoes significant exchange with ND3. 

PMID- 24222058
TI  - Molecular mass measurement of intact ribonucleic acids via electrospray
      ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry.
AB  - The use of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the accurate
      determination of molecular masses of polynucleotides and small nucleic acids is
      developed. The common problem of gas phase cation adduction that is particularly
      prevalent in the mass spectrometric analysis of nucleic acids is reduced through
      the use of ammonium acetate precipitations and by the addition of chemical
      additives that compete for adduct ions in solution. The addition of chelating
      agents such as trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N,',N'-tetraacetic acid to remove
      divalent metal ions and triethylamine to displace monovalent cations from the
      analyte, in conjunction with ammonium acetate precipitation, reduces cation
      adduction to levels that permit accurate mass analysis (mass errors of less than
      0.01%) without further complex cleanup procedures. The potential utility of
      accurate mass measurements of small ribonucleic acids is discussed. 

PMID- 24222059
TI  - Analysis of hydroxy fatty acids as pentafluorobenzyl ester, trimethylsilyl ether
      derivatives by electron ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
AB  - Electron ionization (EI) gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of
      pentafluorobenzyl ester-trimethyl sllyl ether (PFB-TMS) derivatives of hydroxy
      subshtuted fatty acids provides structural information comparable to that
      obtained in analysis of methyl ester-trimethyl silyl ether (Me-TMS) derivatives.
      Use of this derivative eliminates the need to prepare two separate derivatives,
      the PFB-TMS derivative for molecular weight determination by electron capture
      ionization (negative ions) analysis and the Me-TMS derivative for structural
      determination by EI GC/MS analysis. The relative abundance of fragment ions
      observed during EI GC/MS analysis of these derivatized unsaturated fatty acids
      indicates the location of the -OTMS substituents relative to double bond
      positions in those cases studied. The most abundant fragment ions are observed
      when the compound contains an unsaturation two carbon atoms removed from the 
      OTMS ether carbon (the beta-OTMS position). The "saddle effect" observed in the
      GC/MS analyses of some derivatized monohy- droxy unsaturated fatty acids is
      suggested to be due to a thermally allowed pericyclic double bond rearrangement
      and indicates the presence of a conjugated diene one carbon atom removed from the
      -OTMS ether carbon (the alpha-OTMS position). The saddle effect is most prominent
      for fatty acids that contain additional unsaturation separated by a single
      methylene unit from the conjugated diene moiety. 

PMID- 24222060
TI  - Automated assignment of charge states from resolved isotopic peaks for multiply
      charged ions.
AB  - The recent proliferation of electrospray as an ionization method has greatly
      increased the ability to perform analyses of large biomolecules by using mass
      spectrometry. The major advantage of electrospray is the ability to produce
      multiply charged ions, which brings large molecules down to a mass-to-charge
      ratio range amenable to most instruments. Multiple charging is also a
      disadvantage because mass (m) becomes ambiguous unless charge (z) can be
      assigned. This is typically performed with simple algorithms that use multiple
      peaks of the same m and different z, but these methods are difficult to apply to
      complex mixtures and not applicable when only one z appears for each m. The use
      of mass analyzers with higher resolving powers, like the Fourier transform mass
      spectrometer, allows resolution of isotopic peaks, providing an internal 1-Da
      mass scale that can be used for unambiguous charge assignment. Manual assignment
      of charge state from the isotopic peaks is time consuming and becomes inaccurate
      when either the signal level or resolving power are low. For these cases,
      computer algorithms based on pattern recognition techniques have been developed
      to assist in assignment of charge states to isotopic clusters. These routines
      provide for more rapid analysis with higher accuracy than available manually. 

PMID- 24222061
TI  - Multiparticle simulation of ion motion in the ion trap mass spectrometer:
      Resonant and direct current pulse excitation.
AB  - A PC-based program that simulates the behavior of a collection of ions is
      extended to include the effects of collisions with the buffer gas and enhanced
      visualization methods. The simulations are based on the quadrupole field
      associated with the actual ion trap electrode structure. Ionization is simulated
      in such a way as to distribute ionization events randomly over rf phase angles
      and yield a realistic collection of stored ions. The effects of buffer gas
      collisions on ion motion during both mass-selective instability and resonance
      ejection scans are found to include the expected dampening of spatial excursions
      as well as limitation of the kinetic energy of trapped ions. In both experiments,
      ion ejection occurs over a number of secular cycles in the vicinity of the
      theoretical instability point. Activation via a resonant ac signal or a short dc
      pulse is shown to result in phase-locking of the ions as well as the expected
      increase in the size of the excursions in the z direction and in ion kinetic
      energy. Collisions cause dephasing and loss of kinetic energy. Radial dc
      activation is compared with activation in the axial direction. Experimental data
      for dc pulse activation of the n-butylbenzene molecular ion are analyzed in phase
      space and the onset of surface-induced dissociation is correlated with changes in
      the experimental m/z 91 to m/z 92 fragment ion ratio. Poincare sections are shown
      for resonantly excited ions and their value in demonstrating improvement of the
      resolution of these experiments over conventional mass-selective instability
      scans is shown. 

PMID- 24222062
TI  - Formation and characterization of the sulfur-containing distonic radical anion,
      [Formula: see text], in the gas phase, in the gas phase.
AB  - The reactions of the atomic oxygen radical anion O(-) with CH3-S-CH2-CN m the gas
      phase have been examined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance in
      combination with tandem mass spectrometric experiments performed with a double
      focusing quadrupole hybrid instrument. Deuterium labeling has revealed that the
      O(-) ion reacts with CH3-S-CH2-CN by proton abstraction from the methylene group
      as well as by competing 1,1- and 1,3-H 2 (+) abstractions to afford isomeric
      radical anions. High kinetic energy (8 keV) collision-induced charge reversal
      experiments indicate that the 1,1-H 2 (+.) -abstraction leads to a [Formula: see
      text] carbene ion, whereas the 1,3-H 2 (+) abstraction yields a novel sulfur
      containing distonic radical anion, which is formulated as [Formula: see text]. 

PMID- 24222063
TI  - Ion kinetic energy modulation for improved ion trapping in electrospray
      ionization fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
AB  - A new technique for manipulating the kinetic energy distribution of electrospray
      ions that arrive at a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance trapped-ion cell
      is presented. Narrow kinetic energy distributions can complicate the selection of
      appropriate trapping conditions for electrospray ions and introduce charge
      discrimination in resulting mass spectra. Modulation of the applied skimmer
      potential controllably broadens the kinetic energy distribution, which improves
      the reproducibility of acquired spectra and eliminates charge discrimination.
      Mass spectra of horse heart cytochrome c are presented to demonstrate the utility
      of the technique. For example, applied static skimmer potentials of 12 and 9 V
      yield charge state distributions ranging from [M+19H](+19) to [M+12H](+12) and
      [M+15H](+15) to [M+7H](+7), respectively. A 12 +/- 2 V, 100-Hz modulation of the
      skimmer potential yields an electrospray spectrum with charge states that range
      from [M+19H](+19) to [M+7H](+7), which is more representative of the source
      distribution. 

PMID- 24222065
TI  - [Diagnostic yield and safety of bronchoscopic cryotechnique in routine
      diagnostics for suspected lung cancer].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cryoprobes with flexible catheters are an additional important tool
      for endobronchial interventional therapy and histologic diagnosis. Different
      studies compared the diagnostic effectiveness and complications to the forceps as
      a standard. However, routine endoscopic procedures require a combined use of
      different methods in order to achieve the highest diagnostic yield. We
      investigated the impact of cryotechnique in comparison with combined diagnostic
      tools during routine diagnostics of malignant tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
      consecutive series of patients undergoing routine diagnostic for lung cancer was
      included over a 30 months period (n = 469). The use of the cryotechnique, the
      complication rates and diagnostic value were prospectively documented.
      Cryotechnique was used on top of conventional technologies. RESULTS: A histologic
      proof of tumor by cryotechnique in centrally located tumors was delivered more
      frequently compared to forceps biopsies alone (81.4 versus 59.9% and 66.2 versus
      37.7% in peripheral lesions). However, when the other non-cryotechniques were
      taken into account, the value was reduced in central probes (7.4%; p = 0.02), but
      remained high for peripheral findings (19.3%; p < 0.002). The frequency of
      complications seemed unchanged, however severe bleeding occurred. CONCLUSION: The
      cryotechnique bears high diagnostic potential beside its therapeutic value, also
      in routine investigations. The changed complication profile of this technology
      needs to be addressed in the informed consent and secured airway management may
      be helpful.

PMID- 24222066
TI  - [Implementation of the German guideline for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment
      and follow-up of non-small cell lung cancer at the Diakoniekrankenhaus
      Halle/Saale].
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than three years since the release of the german guideline for
      the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of lung cancer the database in
      terms of the implementation of guideline recommendations is deficient. The aim of
      this article is to analyze the implementation of the recommended algorithms for
      first-line therapy of non-small cell lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: On the
      basis of the patients records we determined all cases of newly diagnosed non
      small cell lung cancer which received a first-line therapy at the
      Diakoniekrankenhaus Halle/Saale between January 2010 and December 2011. The
      demographic data, tumor stage, time of diagnosis and performed first-line therapy
      were documented. Each case was assigned to the groups "guideline-adherent
      treatment" or "deviation from guideline recommendation" in dependency of its
      tumor stage. For this assignment the corresponding algorithms from guideline
      chapter "Therapy of non-small lung cancer" were used. RESULTS: A total of 126
      from 148 cases (85%) received guideline-adherent treatment. Deviation from
      guideline recommendation was found in 22 cases (15%). The categories "poor
      performance status", "technical factors", "patient decision" and "others" were
      determined as the main reasons for non guideline-adherent treatment. CONCLUSIONS:
      Based on the analyzed population this study determined a high grade of guideline
      adherence at the period of investigation. Otherwise it shows that guideline
      recommendations cannot include each individual factor of the complex lung cancer
      disease. It could be found a wide range of reasons for deviation from the
      guideline recommendations.

PMID- 24222067
TI  - Fumonisin and T-2 toxin production of Fusarium spp. isolated from complete feed
      and individual agricultural commodities used in shrimp farming.
AB  - Fusarium spp. are plant pathogens producing fumonisins and trichothecenes that
      both affect human and animal health. In the present study, 40 fungal strains were
      isolated and species identified from 35 shrimp feed samples and from 61
      agricultural raw materials. F. verticillioides was the predominant species (85 %)
      mostly found in corn and soybean meal, while no Fusarium contamination was
      detected in shrimp feed. Levels of 10 % of F. oxysporum were isolated from peanut
      and 5 % of F. equiseti contamination in corn and peanut. To determine the ability
      of toxin production, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain
      reaction, and ultra-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were
      performed. All but four of the fumonisin-producing strains contained the FUM1
      gene. No Fusarium synthesized T-2 toxin nor contained the Tri5 gene. This survey
      brings more data on mycotoxin contamination in the food chain of animal feed
      production, and leads to the awareness of the use of contaminated raw materials
      in shrimp farming. 

PMID- 24222068
TI  - Dedifferentiated laryngeal chondrosarcoma: combined morphologic and functional
      imaging with positron-emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a rare, low-grade malignancy in terms of
      histology and clinical behavior. We present an unusual case of laryngeal
      chondrosarcoma, which developed a large dedifferentiated component on recurrence
      after primary surgery. The diagnosis of dedifferentiation was suggested in view
      of the morphological and metabolic findings on hybrid positron-emission
      tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) and was subsequently confirmed
      surgically. Whole-organ, slice-by-slice radiologic-histologic correlation
      revealed excellent delineation of the well-differentiated and dedifferentiated
      tumor components with PET/MRI. PET/MRI can provide additional functional
      information to supplement the morphological mapping and histopathology of these
      tumors.

PMID- 24222069
TI  - HIV and HTLV-1 coinfection: the need to initiate antiretroviral therapy.

PMID- 24222070
TI  - Detection of noncovalent FKBP-FK506 and FKBP-Rapamycin complexes by capillary
      electrophoresis-mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis-tandem mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - The well known biospecific noncovalent receptor-ligand association complexes
      between the immunophilin FKBP and the immunosuppressive drugs FK506 and Rapamycin
      (RM) were investigated by on-line capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE
      MS) under selected ion monitoring (SIM) conditions and by CE-MS with tandem mass
      spectrometry (CE-MS/MS) under selected reaction monitoring (SRM) conditions.
      Solutions of hFKBP (33.3 uM) were dissolved in 50 mM ammonium acetate at pH 7.5.
      Samples that contained 100 uM of FK506 or RM also were prepared under the same
      solution conditions. By using these aqueous pH neutral conditions, samples were
      analyzed by SIM CE-MS and SRM CE-MS and the target complexes were separated by CE
      with mass spectrometer detection of the individual complexes between FKBP and
      FK506 [hFKBP + FK506 + 7HJ(7+) as well as FKBP and RM [hFKBP + RM + 7HJ(7+). In
      an experiment where a mixture of FK506 and RM was analyzed in the presence of
      FKBP, a nine-to-one ratio of ion current abundances between the RM and FK506
      complexes was observed as reported in the literature from other studies. These
      results suggest that CE-MS and CE-MS/MS may be yet another analytical method for
      studying noncovalent interactions of biologically important macromolecules under
      physiological conditions. 

PMID- 24222071
TI  - Intrinsic basicity of oligomeric peptides that contain glycine, alanine, and
      valine-The effects of the alkyl side chain on proton transfer reactions.
AB  - The gas-phase basicities of oligomers of alanine and valine have been determined
      by bracketing measurements in an external source Fourier transform mass
      spectrometer. The results are compared to the oligomers of glycine, which were
      reported in an earlier publication, to observe the effect of the alkyl group and
      the increasing gas-phase basicity of the monomer units on the rates of proton
      transfer reactions. Molecular orbital calculations were performed on protonated
      triglycine and trialanine to determine how the alkyl groups affect intramolecular
      interactions. The results show that a high degree of ordering of the carbonyl
      groups is present in the protonated species. The carbonyl groups in turn order
      the side chain alkyl groups and decrease the rates of proton transfer reactions
      in, for example, the oligomers of valine. 

PMID- 24222072
TI  - Ion trap collisional activation of the deprotonated deoxymononucleoside and
      deoxydinucleoside monophosphates.
AB  - Deoxymononucleoside and deoxydinucleoside monophosphate anions formed by
      electrospray have been subjected to ion trap collisional activation. The
      threshold for decomposition via loss of base is significantly lower for the
      deoxymononucleoside 3'-monophosphates than for the corresponding 5'
      monophosphates, which indicates that the presence of a charged 3' phosphate group
      facilitates base loss. The behavior of the bases among each class of isomers
      shows slight variation in threshold and tandem mass spectrometry efficiency with
      tile notable exception of 2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate. This ion is
      exceptionally stable toward decomposition via base loss, which reflects a strong
      hydrogen bonding interaction between the base and the phosphate group. All
      dinucleotides fragment via similar mechanisms, but the propensity for neutral
      base loss relative to loss of a charged base is highly dependent on the
      identities of both the 5' and 3' bases. The behavior of the dinucleotides under
      collisional activation conditions supports the proposal that base loss proceeds
      via a proton-bound dimer intermediate in which loss of the charged base directly
      competes with loss of the neutral base. Application of the kinetic method allows
      for quantitative predictions of the differences of the gas-phase acidities of the
      dimer components. 

PMID- 24222073
TI  - Formation of M(+) ions and electronic excitation under fast-atom bombardment
      conditions by using a liquid matrix.
AB  - Japan The mechanism for the formation of molecular ions M(+.) under fast-atom
      bombardment (FAB) conditions with a liquid matrix is discussed on the basis of
      the mass spectra of pyrene, coronene, and fullerene C60 obtained by using
      electron impact, gas-phase fast-atom bombardment, and gas-phase fast-molecule
      bombardment techniques. The obtained results suggest that formation of the M(+.)
      ions under FAB conditions is not due to direct collisions between analytes M and
      fast atoms A, but is due to collision interactions between M and recoiling matrix
      molecules B or matrix ions. It has been confirmed, furthermore, that the FAB
      conditions with a liquid matrix are sufficient in energy for formation of singly
      charged ions M(+.) and insufficient for the formation of multiply charged ions M
      (z+) (z=2, 3) of pyrene, coronene, and C60. 

PMID- 24222074
TI  - Electron impact mass spectrometry of alkanes in supersonic molecular beams.
AB  - The electron impact mass spectrometry of straight chain alkanes C8H18-C40H82,
      squalane, methylstearate, 1-chlorohexadecane, 1-bromohexadecane, and
      dioctylphthalate was studied by sampling them with supersonic molecular beams. A
      fly-through Brink-type electron impact ion source was used, utilizing a vacuum
      background ion filtration technique based on differences between the kinetic
      energy of the supersonic beam species and that of thermal molecules. The 70-eV
      electron impact mass spectra of all the alkanes were characterized by a
      pronounced or dominant molecular weight peak together with all the fragment ions
      normally exhibited by the standard thermal 70-eV EI mass spectra. In contrast,
      the NIST library of most of these molecules did not show any molecular weight
      peak. By eliminating tile intramolecular thermal vibrational energy we gained
      control over the degree of molecular ion fragmentation by the electron energy. At
      an electron energy of 18 eV the molecular ion dissociation was further reduced
      considerably, with only a small absolute reduction in the peak height by less
      than a factor of 2. The effect of vibrational cooling increased with the
      molecular size and number of atoms. Pronounced differences were observed between
      the mass spectra of the straight chain triacontane and its branched isomer
      squalane. Similar mass spectra of octacosane (C28H58) achieved with 70-eV EI in a
      supersonic molecular beam were obtained with a magnetic sector mass spectrometer
      by using an electron energy of 14 eV and an ion source temperature of 150 
      degrees C. However, this ion source temperature precluded the gas chromatography
      mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of octacosane. The GC-MS of alkanes was studied with an
      ion trap gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer at an ion source temperature of 230 
      degrees C. Thermal peak tailing was observed for C20H42 and heavier alkanes,
      whereas for C28H58 and heavier alkanes the severe peak tailing made quantitative
      GC-MS impractical. In contrast, no peak tailing existed even with C40H82 for GC
      MS in supersonic molecular beams. The minimum detected amount of eicosane (C20,
      H42) was shown to be 60 fg. This was demonstrated by using single ion monitoring
      with the quadrupole mass analyzer tuned to the molecular weight peak of 282 u.
      The coupling of electron impact mass spectrometry in supersonic molecular beams
      with hyperthermal surface ionization and a fast GC-MS inlet is briefly discussed.

PMID- 24222075
TI  - Analysis of coumarins by micro high-performance liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry with a particle beam interface.
AB  - Coumarins are a large group of compounds that are naturally present in plant
      tissues and that exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties. Analytical
      methods based on chromatographic techniques and conventional detectors are
      inadequate to accurately analyze coumarins in complex matrices such as plant
      extracts. In this article a new method based on a modified particle beam liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry interface is described. The method allows
      specific and accurate determination of several coumarins in biological matrices.
      An application regarding the analysis of 18 coumarins in the extract of Smyrnium
      perfoliatum L. is also reported. 

PMID- 24222076
TI  - Direct generation of ion beam images with a two-dimensional charge injection
      device.
AB  - The use of a two-dimensional charge injection device (CID) to directly image the
      spatial profile of impingent positively charged ions is described. By this
      approach, no prior conversion from an ion beam to a photon image is required.
      Because of the positive response of the device to plasma photons, ions that
      emanated from the radiofrequency glow discharge source were diverted around a
      photon stop and focused onto the CID. The resultant ion images were digitized via
      an external image processor and corrected for dark current contributions. Two
      dimensional ion images and single pixel line profiles are presented. 

PMID- 24222077
TI  - Characterization of anthraquinone-2-carbonyl chloride as an alcohol
      derivatization reagent for negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - Anthraquinone-2-carbonyl chloride has been utilized as a derivatization reagent
      for alcohols to impart electron affinity and aid in transport via a particle beam
      liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) interface. In addition, the gas
      chromatographic-mass spectrometry, UV, fluorescence, and electrochemical
      characteristics of the derivatives were determined. A series of model compounds,
      2-phenylethanol (phenethyl alcohol), 1-phenyl-2-propanol, 2-methyl-l-phenyl-2
      propanol, hexanol, and methyl 2-methylglycerate, were used as analytes.The
      particle beam LC/MS properties of the resultant anthraquinone carboxylate esters
      were determined in electron impact (EI) and negative ion chemical ionization
      (NCI) modes. The NCI responses of these anthraquinone carboxylate esters were
      compared with the corresponding 3,5-dinitrobenzoate esters. The anthraquinone
      carboxylate esters exhibited an NCI to EI sensitivity enhancement of 113 and were
      detected in NCI at a tenfold lower concentration than the corresponding 3,5
      dinitrobenzoate esters. A detection limit of 26 pg injected on column was
      achieved for phenethyl anthraquinone carboxylate in NCI by using selected ion
      monitoring. 

PMID- 24222080
TI  - Antioxidant enzymes as defense mechanism against oxidative stress in midgut
      tissue and hemocytes of Bombyx mori larvae subjected to various stressors.
AB  - In this study, larvae of silkworm Bombyx mori were subjected to low temperature,
      hypoxia, and viral infection to evaluate stressor-mediated oxidative stress (OS)
      and the induction of antioxidant enzymes (AOEs). Exposure to cold, hypoxia, and
      nuclear polyhedral virus for 24 h resulted in a significant increase in hydrogen
      peroxide generation with concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and
      protein carbonyl levels in midgut and hemocytes. AOEs such as superoxide
      dismutase and catalase also increased significantly in both the tissues and the
      increased AOEs reverted to control values during recovery. Ontogenic stages of
      the larvae showed a diminishing ability of the tissues to overcome OS induced by
      the stressors. A significant increase in AOE activity during short stress period
      indicated a possible transitory defense mechanism to avoid OS-induced cell
      damage. 

PMID- 24222079
TI  - Integrating novel therapeutic monoclonal antibodies into the management of head
      and neck cancer.
AB  - Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an immunosuppressive malignancy.
      Interest in developing novel immunotherapies in HNSCC has been reawakened by the
      success of cetuximab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the
      epidermal growth factor receptor, which likely relies on immune as well as
      antisignaling mechanisms. This review focuses on novel therapeutic mAbs in
      current clinical development against established mechanisms of immune evasion in
      HNSCC, targeting: 1) tumor antigens, with resultant potential to induce antibody
      dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and T cell activation; 2) immunosuppressive
      cytokines; 3) costimulatory tumor necrosis factor-family receptors; and 4)
      coinhibitory immune checkpoint receptors. Clinical trials of immunotherapeutic
      mAbs as monotherapy, in combination with cytolytic standard therapies exposing
      tumor antigens or in combination with other immunomodulatory mAbs, are urgently
      needed in HNSCC.

PMID- 24222082
TI  - Co-immobilization of an enzyme and a metal into the compartments of mesoporous
      silica for cooperative tandem catalysis: an artificial metalloenzyme.

PMID- 24222081
TI  - Emotional well-being years post-treatment for breast cancer: prospective, multi
      ethnic, and population-based analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study investigated factors associated with declines in emotional
      well-being (EWB) over time in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Women with breast
      cancer (Stages I-III) residing in Los Angeles, CA, or Detroit, MI, and reported
      to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries between June 2005
      and February 2007 completed surveys at 9 months and 4 years after diagnosis. EWB
      was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Breast. Using a
      stress coping framework, logistic regression models assessed associations between
      personal, social, and clinical correlates, appraisal (e.g., worry about
      recurrence) and coping factors (e.g., emotional support) to EWB declines.
      RESULTS: Among eligible women who completed primary breast cancer treatment, 772
      completed both surveys, and 192 (24.9 %) experienced EWB declines over time.
      Women with past or current depression were more likely to report EWB decline (p <
      0.01). Survivors who perceived they did not receive enough information about risk
      of breast cancer recurrence during primary treatment were more likely to have EWB
      decline (OR 0.53, 95 % CI 0.32-0.87). Greater perceived likelihood of recurrence
      (OR 1.95, 95 % CI 1.01-5.29) and increased worry about recurrence (OR 1.38, 95 %
      CI 1.10-1.72) were associated with EWB decline. Higher spirituality beliefs and
      practices were associated with EWB decline. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of
      breast cancer patients report emotional well-being declines over time. Early
      identification of women who are vulnerable, such as women with past depression,
      is crucial to improve quality of care. Women would benefit from education about
      cancer recurrence and tailored strategies to manage worry about recurrence over
      time. IMPLICATION FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Understanding actual risk of recurrence
      and managing worry about recurrence is important for cancer survivors. Emotional
      concerns are common for individuals with cancer so survivors should feel free to
      reach out and discuss such concerns with providers well into the survivorship
      period.

PMID- 24222083
TI  - Giving between generations in American families.
AB  - This paper documents the types and amounts of aid exchanged between adults and
      their non-coresidential parents. Data for the study are drawn from a
      representative national sample survey of Americans age 19 and older conducted in
      1987-1988. Exchanges of monetary and material resources, childcare, household
      assistance, and companionship and advice are considered.Patterns of
      intergenerational exchange are found to differ by gender, family structure, age,
      ethnicity, and socioeconomic situation. Differences in exchange between males and
      females and between whites and Mexican-Americans are related to other life-course
      characteristics, and to the availability and proximity of kin. Blacks and persons
      living in poverty are shown to be less involved than other groups in
      intergenerational exchanges. Finally, patterns of prior assistance and the
      available needs and resources of the respondents and their parents are found to
      influence current patterns of exchange. 

PMID- 24222084
TI  - An evolutionary theory of cuisine.
AB  - The evolution of human diet is the product of both biological and cultural
      adaptations to various plants and animals in the environment. This paper develops
      a new theory for the evolution of cuisine practices which attempts to account for
      how food processing provided a critical link in enhancing the nutrient balance of
      major domesticated plants. 

PMID- 24222085
TI  - Evolutionary explanations of emotions.
AB  - Emotions can be explained as specialized states, shaped by natural selection,
      that increase fitness in specific situations. The physiological, psychological,
      and behavioral characteristics of a specific emotion can be analyzed as possible
      design features that increase the ability to cope with the threats and
      opportunities present in the corresponding situation. This approach to
      understanding the evolutionary functions of emotions is illustrated by the
      correspondence between (a) the subtypes of fear and the different kinds of
      threat; (b) the attributes of happiness and sadness and the changes that would be
      advantageous in propitious and unpropitious situations; and (c) the social
      emotions and the adaptive challenges of reciprocity relationships. In addition to
      addressing a core theoretical problem shared by evolutionary and cognitive
      psychology, explicit formulations of the evolutionary functions of specific
      emotions are of practical importance for understanding and treating emotional
      disorders. 

PMID- 24222087
TI  - Lipids and the liver.

PMID- 24222086
TI  - Evolution and the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) : Part III: Infant arousal
      and parent-infant co-sleeping.
AB  - This paper extends the evolutionary and developmental research model for SIDS
      presented in previous articles (McKenna 1990a, 1990b). Data from variety of
      fields were used to show why we should expect human infants to be physiologically
      responsive in a beneficial way to parental contact, one form of which is parent
      infant co-sleeping. It was suggested that on-going sensory exchanges (touch,
      movement, smell, temperature, etc.) between co-sleeping parent-infant pairs might
      diminish the chances of an infantile cardiac-respiratory crisis (such as those
      suspected to occur in some SIDS cases).In this article we review recent
      epidemiological data and sleep research findings on SIDS to show how they relate
      to evolutionary and cross-cultural perspectives. Results of a preliminary study
      of the co-sleeping behavior of mother-infant pairs indicate that, with respect to
      sleep, arousal, and respiratory patterns, co-sleeping mother-infant pairs affect
      each other in potentially important ways. We suggest specifically that co
      sleeping may shorten periods of consolidated sleep among young infants by causing
      them to arouse more frequently. Moreover, we suggest that partner-induced
      arousals might help the infant to confront sleep crises more competently. In the
      long run, these arousals might prevent the premature emergence of prolonged
      (adultlike) sleep bouts from which some infants have difficulty arousing
      especially during a breathing pause or apnea. 

PMID- 24222089
TI  - The lipid droplet as a potential therapeutic target in NAFLD.
AB  - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing problem worldwide.
      Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of
      triglyceride-rich lipid droplets (LDs) in the liver, which can lead to liver
      inflammation and metabolic disturbances. Lipid droplets are dynamic organelles
      that have recently gained considerable scientific interest. Their formation and
      growth are regulated processes requiring the participation of many endoplasmic
      reticulum- (ER-) and LD-associated proteins, which may serve as potential
      therapeutic targets for NAFLD. Protein families such as fat-inducing
      transmembrane proteins 1 and 2 (FITM1/FIT1 and FITM2/FIT2), the CIDE family of
      proteins, and the perilipin family, play important roles in LD biology. In this
      review, the authors discuss current views on LD formation and growth, and how
      various proteins may affect LD metabolism and lipoprotein assembly in the
      pathogenesis of NAFLD. 

PMID- 24222088
TI  - Transcriptional control of hepatic lipid metabolism by SREBP and ChREBP.
AB  - The liver is a central organ that controls systemic energy homeostasis and
      nutrient metabolism. Dietary carbohydrates and lipids, and fatty acids derived
      from adipose tissue are delivered to the liver, and utilized for gluconeogenesis,
      lipogenesis, and ketogenesis, which are tightly regulated by hormonal and neural
      signals. Hepatic lipogenesis is activated primarily by insulin that is secreted
      from the pancreas after a high-carbohydrate meal. Sterol regulatory element
      binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein
      (ChREBP) are major transcriptional regulators that induce key lipogenic enzymes
      to promote lipogenesis in the liver. Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c
      is activated by insulin through complex signaling cascades that control SREBP-1c
      at both transcriptional and posttranslational levels. Carbohydrate-responsive
      element-binding protein is activated by glucose independently of insulin. Here,
      the authors attempt to summarize the current understanding of the molecular
      mechanism for the transcriptional regulation of hepatic lipogenesis, focusing on
      recent studies that explore the signaling pathways controlling SREBPs and ChREBP.

PMID- 24222091
TI  - Bile acid-mediated control of liver triglycerides.
AB  - Bile acids (BAs) are steroidal molecules generated in the liver by cholesterol
      oxidation. Beside their well-established role in lipid absorption and cholesterol
      homeostasis, they function as signaling molecules and activate dedicated BA
      receptors such as the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and the G-protein coupled
      receptor TGR5. Through activation of downstream signaling pathways of these key
      receptors, BAs regulate not only their own synthesis and enterohepatic
      circulation, but also impact on hepatic lipid, glucose, and energy homeostasis.
      Therefore, BA-regulated signaling pathways have emerged as attractive targets for
      understanding the regulation of hepatic triglyceride metabolism in health and
      disease and treating fatty liver disease and associated metabolic disorders. 

PMID- 24222090
TI  - The unfolded protein response in fatty liver disease.
AB  - The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a protective cellular response activated
      under conditions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The hepatic UPR is
      activated in several forms of liver disease including nonalcoholic fatty liver
      disease (NAFLD). Recent data defining the role of the UPR in hepatic lipid
      metabolism have identified molecular mechanisms that may underlie the association
      between UPR activation and NAFLD. It has become increasingly evident that the
      IRE1alpha/Xbp1 pathway of the UPR is critical for hepatic lipid homeostasis, and
      dysregulation of this evolutionarily conserved pathway is associated with human
      nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although increasing evidence has delineated
      the importance of UPR pathway signaling in fatty liver disorders, the regulation
      of the hepatic UPR in normal physiology and fatty liver disorders remains
      incompletely understood. Understanding the role of the UPR in hepatic lipid
      metabolism may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for the
      treatment of NAFLD. 

PMID- 24222093
TI  - HCV and host lipids: an intimate connection.
AB  - The hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires elements of host lipid metabolism for every
      step in the viral life cycle. Clinically, it has long been observed that patients
      with chronic hepatitis C have lower nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and
      these levels rise after successful treatment. The HCV itself circulates as a
      highly lipidated lipoviral particle, which closely resembles very low-density
      lipoprotein (VLDL). Several required coentry factors for the virus to gain access
      to the hepatocytes have been described, and several, including SRB1, LDL-R, and
      the NPC1L1 receptors, are important receptors for lipoprotein and cholesterol
      uptake. Inside the cell, the virus induces lipogenesis, and specifically induces
      the master regulator sterol response element binding protein. Viral replication
      then requires the concerted efforts of viral proteins combined with several host
      factors involved in cholesterol synthesis. The virus is then packaged alongside
      the cellular machinery for VLDL production. The complex interplay highlights
      pathways of hepatic steatosis and unveils drug targets for the treatment of HCV. 

PMID- 24222094
TI  - PNPLA3-associated steatohepatitis: toward a gene-based classification of fatty
      liver disease.
AB  - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most common hepatic disorders
      worldwide. Given the high-calorie nutrition of children and adults, nonalcoholic
      fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is expected to become a major cause of cirrhosis and
      eventually liver transplantation. Familial clustering and ethnic differences
      indicate that genetic factors contribute to NAFLD. Recently, the common variant
      p.I148M of the enzyme adiponutrin (PNPLA3) has emerged as a major genetic
      determinant of hepatic steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as well as its
      pathobiological sequelae fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer. PNPLA3
      encodes a lipid droplet-associated, carbohydrate-regulated lipogenic and/or
      lipolytic enzyme. Homozygous carriers of the PNPLA3 variant are prone to develop
      cirrhosis in the absence of other risk factors such as alcohol or viral
      hepatitis. Here we review the plethora of studies that unraveled the association
      between PNPLA3 and NAFLD in children and adults, discuss its distinct effects on
      liver and metabolic traits, and introduce the term PNPLA3-associated
      steatohepatitis (PASH) as a novel gene-based liver disease. Given the prevalence
      of the risk allele in 40 to 50% of Europeans, the authors conclude that PNPLA3
      should be considered in the diagnostic workup of fatty liver disease and that
      homozygous risk allele carriers might benefit from careful cancer surveillance. 

PMID- 24222092
TI  - The role of gastrointestinal hormones in hepatic lipid metabolism.
AB  - Hepatocellular accumulation of free fatty acids (FFAs) in the form of
      triglycerides constitutes the metabolic basis for the development of nonalcoholic
      fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recent data demonstrate that excess FFA hepatocyte
      storage is likely to lead to lipotoxicity and hepatocyte apoptosis. Hence, FFA
      mediated hepatocyte injury is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of
      nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, obesity, type
      2 diabetes, essential hypertension, and other common medical problems together
      comprise metabolic syndrome. Evidence suggests that peptide hormones from the L
      cells of the distal small intestine, which comprise the core of the
      enteroendocrine system (EES), play two key roles, serving either as incretins, or
      as mediators of appetite and satiety in the central nervous system. Recent data
      related to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and other known L-cell hormones have
      accumulated due to the increasing frequency of bariatric surgery, which increase
      delivery of bile salts to the hindgut. Bile acids are a key stimulus for the TGR5
      receptor of the L cells. Enhanced bile-salt flow and subsequent EES stimulation
      may be central to elimination of hepatic steatosis following bariatric surgery.
      Although GLP-1 is a clinically relevant pharmacological analogue that drives
      pancreatic beta-cell insulin output, GLP-1 analogues also have independent
      benefits via their effects on hepatocellular FFA metabolism. The authors also
      discuss recent data regarding the role of the major peptides released by the EES,
      which promote satiety and modulate energy homeostasis and utilization, as well as
      those that control fat absorption and intestinal permeability. Taken together,
      elucidating novel functions for EES-related peptides and pharmacologic
      development of peptide analogues offer potential far-ranging treatment for
      obesity-related human disease. 

PMID- 24222096
TI  - Steatohepatitis secondary to long-term glucocorticoid treatment for congenital
      adrenal hyperplasia: a potential diagnostic pitfall.
AB  - A 24-year-old woman with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) was referred for
      evaluation of elevated liver enzyme activities over the preceding 6 months. The
      patient was diagnosed with CAH at the age 12 when she presented with irregular
      menses and hirsutism. Since then, she had been on dexamethasone to maintain a
      normal menstrual cycle and prevent hirsutism and acne. She had no history of
      chronic liver disease and drank alcohol socially. An extensive workup for other
      treatable causes of liver disease was unrevealing. Therefore, a liver biopsy was
      performed, which revealed extensive ballooned degenerative hepatocytes containing
      Mallory-Denk hyalines. The ballooned hepatocytes were located predominantly in
      centrilobular areas and without any accompanying steatosis. Even though the
      histopathologic features are most compatible with alcoholic and/or nonalcoholic
      steatohepatitis, it was not supported by the patient's medical history and
      clinical presentation. The patient had a normal body mass index and only
      occasional alcohol use. Based on the biopsy finding and clinical presentation, we
      postulated that the abnormal liver enzyme and pathological features seen on the
      liver biopsy were secondary to CAH and long-term use of glucocorticoid. A few
      studies have shown that patients with CAH often develop metabolic abnormalities
      and insulin resistance, particularly women treated with glucocorticoid for
      several years. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing
      steatohepatitis secondary to CAH and prolonged glucocorticoid treatment. It is
      important to be aware that steatohepatitis can develop in these patients due to
      long-term glucocorticoid use and potentially lead to progressive liver damage.
      Furthermore, in patients with CAH who develop abnormal liver enzyme activities a
      liver biopsy is warranted to assess for steatohepatitis and any associated
      fibrosis. If indeed fibrosis is already present, a consultation with the
      endocrinologist should be undertaken in an effort to lower the dose of the
      glucocorticoids as much as possible while still controlling the symptoms of the
      disease. 

PMID- 24222095
TI  - Lipoprotein metabolism, dyslipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease represents the most common cause of death in patients with
      nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Patients with NAFLD exhibit an
      atherogenic dyslipidemia that is characterized by an increased plasma
      concentration of triglycerides, reduced concentration of high-density lipoprotein
      (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles that are smaller
      and more dense than normal. The pathogenesis of NAFLD-associated atherogenic
      dyslipidemia is multifaceted, but many aspects are attributable to manifestations
      of insulin resistance. Here the authors review the structure, function, and
      metabolism of lipoproteins, which are macromolecular particles of lipids and
      proteins that transport otherwise insoluble triglyceride and cholesterol
      molecules within the plasma. They provide a current explanation of the metabolic
      perturbations that are observed in the setting of insulin resistance. An improved
      understanding of the pathophysiology of atherogenic dyslipidemia would be
      expected to guide therapies aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality in patients
      with NAFLD. 

PMID- 24222097
TI  - Preservation of the inferior thyroidal vein reduces post-thyroidectomy
      hypocalcemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: We present a novel surgical method to preserve the
      inferior thyroidal vein and investigated its effectiveness in reducing
      postoperative transient hypocalcemia. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.
      METHODS: From January 2012 to October 2012, 109 total thyroidectomy patients with
      bilateral central neck dissection were included in this study. The controls were
      96 sex- and age-matched patients who underwent a conventional total thyroidectomy
      from January 2011 to December 2011. Differences in the incidence of postoperative
      hypocalcemia, serial ionized calcium levels, and postoperative day 1 intact
      parathyroid hormone levels were analyzed using chi(2) and independent t tests.
      RESULTS: Age, male-to-female ratio, T stage, N stage, thyroid size, number of
      inadvertently excised parathyroid glands, operation time, number of harvested
      central lymph nodes, and total drainage amount were not significantly different
      between the groups. By saving the bilateral inferior thyroidal veins, the
      incidence of both biochemical and symptomatic hypocalcemia were significantly
      decreased compared to the controls (P = .044 and .012, respectively). The number
      of patients whose postoperative day 1 intact parathyroid hormones were <10 pg/mL
      was significantly lower in the study group (P = .000). Average ionized calcium
      levels were significantly higher in study-group patients; among the hypocalcemic
      patients, postoperative ionized calcium levels in the study group showed
      significantly faster recovery times than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The
      described surgical method preserves the inferior thyroidal vein and may reduce
      post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia without disturbing the extent of central lymph
      node harvesting. Preservation of the bilateral inferior thyroidal veins is
      important for reducing hypocalcemia and promoting faster recovery following
      thyroidectomy.

PMID- 24222099
TI  - No pathogenic GNAL mutations in 192 sporadic and familial cases of cervical
      dystonia.

PMID- 24222098
TI  - Reducing time-to-treatment in underserved Latinas with breast cancer: the Six
      Cities Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The interaction of clinical and patient-level challenges following a
      breast cancer diagnosis can be a significant source of health care disparities.
      Failure to address specific cultural features that create or exacerbate barriers
      can lead to less-than optimal navigation results, specifically in Hispanic/Latino
      women. METHODS: To address these disparities, the study leaders in San Antonio,
      Texas, and 5 other regional partners of the federally-funded Redes En Accion: The
      National Latino Cancer Research Network developed a culturally-tailored patient
      navigation intervention model for Latinas with breast cancer. RESULTS: Compared
      with control patients, a higher percentage of navigated subjects initiated
      treatment within 30 days (69.0% versus 46.3%, P = .029) and 60 days (97.6% versus
      73.1%, P = .001) following their cancer diagnosis. Time from cancer diagnosis to
      first treatment was lower in the navigated group (mean, 22.22 days; median, 23.00
      days) than controls (mean, 48.30 days; median, 33.00 days). These results were
      independent of cancer stage at diagnosis and numerous characteristics of cancer
      clinics and individual participants. CONCLUSIONS: Successful application of
      patient navigation increased the percentage of Latinas initiating breast cancer
      treatment within 30 and 60 days of diagnosis. This was achieved through navigator
      provision of services such as accompaniment to appointments, transportation
      arrangements, patient telephone support, patient-family telephone support,
      Spanish-English language translation, and assistance with insurance paperwork.

PMID- 24222100
TI  - A critical analysis of the concepts and measurement of awareness and equanimity
      in Goenka's Vipassana meditation.
AB  - Goenka's Vipassana meditation (GVM), a widely applied mindfulness training system
      rooted in Buddhism, is currently widely used. Although the two abilities
      cultivated in GVM, awareness and equanimity, exhibit certain similarities with
      the mindfulness cultivated in mindfulness-based psychotherapies (MBTs), they are
      not major concerns in MBTs. While many mindfulness scales have been created to
      measure different aspects of mindfulness constructs and certain scales and items
      can indeed reflect the basic abilities of awareness and equanimity, none of them
      can adequately capture the way in which those abilities and related ideas are
      applied in GVM. This paper presents a critical examination of the problems
      associated with the concepts and measurement of awareness and equanimity and
      presents potential solutions for achieving better measurement of these concepts
      in the future. 

PMID- 24222101
TI  - Total Laboratory Automation of Routine Hemostasis Testing.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess whether preanalytical management of
      coagulation samples through an open total laboratory automation system may impair
      the reliability of routine hemostasis tests as compared with loading of
      centrifuged plasma specimens directly into the coagulation analyzer for routine
      testing. Forty inpatient samples were divided into two aliquots. The former was
      centrifuged and directly loaded in a hemostasis analyzer, whereas the latter was
      entered into a 16.5 m long track-line system (FlexLab), where it was
      automatically centrifuged and conveyed to the same coagulation analyzer. An
      analytically significant difference was found between values of samples directly
      loaded in the coagulation analyzer and those entered in the track-line system for
      prothombin time (19.6 +/- 1.7 versus 19.2 +/- 1.6 s; p < 0.001) and activated
      partial thromboplastin time (38.0 +/- 1.4 versus 37.5 +/- 1.3 s; p = 0.021) but
      not for fibrinogen (305 +/- 12 versus 304 +/- 12 mg/dL; p = 0.97). Nevertheless,
      the mean percentage bias of prothombin time (-1.8%), activated partial
      thromboplastin time (-1.0%), and fibrinogen (0.4%) was modest and always lower
      than the total allowable error and was thereby considered not clinically
      significant. The results of this study confirm that connection of coagulation
      analyzers to track-line systems is a viable solution for modern clinical
      laboratories. 

PMID- 24222102
TI  - The paradox of the unfolded protein response in cancer.
AB  - The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an elaborate organelle that is essential for
      cellular function and survival. Conditions that interfere with ER functioning can
      lead to the accumulation of unfolded proteins, which are detected by
      transmembrane sensors that then initiate the unfolded protein response (UPR) to
      restore ER proteostasis. If the adaptive response fails, apoptotic cell death
      ensues. Many studies have focused on how this failure initiates apoptosis,
      particularly because ER stress-induced apoptosis is implicated in the
      pathophysiology of several diseases, including cancer. Whether the UPR inhibits
      tumour growth or protects tumour cells by facilitating their adaptation to
      stressful conditions within the tumour microenvironment is unknown, and
      dissection of the UPR network will likely provide answers to this question. In
      this review, we aim to elucidate the paradoxical role of the UPR in apoptosis and
      cancer. 

PMID- 24222104
TI  - State of the art in the treatment of laryngeal cancer.
AB  - Nowadays clinics can offer patients a variety of different therapy options when
      laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed histologically. Depending on a
      variety of different factors, including tumor size, possible metastasis, health
      status and age of the patient, but also economic factors, a treatment schedule is
      established. Aim of every treatment decision should be organ larynx preservation
      and preservation of laryngeal function. The objective of this review is to give
      an overview of treatment modalities for laryngeal cancer, based not only on
      traditional but also on the latest studies regarding the treatment of this
      disease. Surgical approaches, as well as conservative treatment options, such as
      chemoradiotherapy, induction therapy and target therapy, are discussed. The
      optimal combination of surgical treatment and conservative treatment modalities
      need to be further investigated. Furthermore optimal laryngeal function as well
      as laryngeal preservation must be re-defined.

PMID- 24222105
TI  - Delivery approaches of gene therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Gene therapy has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits to hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) patients and has been the subject of intense pre-clinical and
      clinical research in recent years. In HCC, delivery of gene therapy has been
      attempted through multiple routes, using many vectors and genes in both animal
      models and patients. Unfortunately, a highly effective gene therapy for HCC has
      not been reported so far. The efficiency and selectivity of the gene transfer to
      the tumor tissue is too low. A great proportion of the failure can be attributed
      to the gene/vector complex itself. However, there is certainly a critical role
      played by the delivery technique. In the last decade a large amount of studies
      has been conducted to develop the ideal gene delivery technique for HCC, though
      questions regarding safety, repeatability, and efficiency still linger. The aim
      of this article is to review gene delivery techniques for HCC. It focuses on the
      relationship between the gene/vector complex and the delivery technique at
      promoting efficacy of gene therapy, without the cost of unacceptable systemic
      toxicity. The delivery techniques include systemic intravenous (IV) injection,
      intra-arterial (IA) injection, intra-tumoral (IT) injection, intra-portal (IP)
      injection, intra-biliary (IB) delivery and intra-splenic (IS) injection. The
      relative merits of each of these techniques are herein analyzed and discussed. 

PMID- 24222103
TI  - Therapeutic value of quinazoline-based compounds in prostate cancer.
AB  - Certain alpha1-adrenoreceptor antagonists induce significant apoptosis and impair
      tumor vascularity without affecting cellular proliferation, effects specific to
      the quinazoline structure. These anticancer effects have been attributed to both
      induction of classical apoptosis and reversal of anoikis resistance via
      disruption of integrin-mediated cell survival pathways. Recent drug optimization
      efforts have generated several novel compounds with quinazoline-derived chemical
      structure that exert potent anti-tumor activity via anoikis. Results from pre
      clinical and clinical studies implicate a potential value of quinazoline-based
      analogues in prostate cancer prevention and therapy. A retrospective study of a
      large patient cohort at our center, revealed that treatment with alpha1
      andrenoreceptor antagonists significantly reduced the risk of developing prostate
      cancer, indicating a potential chemopreventative mechanism for these FDA-approved
      agents. In the present review we discuss the current understanding of the
      signaling mechanisms reversing anoikis resistance by the quinazoline-based
      compounds in prostate tumors, towards enabling identification of novel
      therapeutic targets for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate
      cancer (CRPC).

PMID- 24222106
TI  - Targeting the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in multiple myeloma.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Recent investigations have shown that the Wnt signaling pathway
      is constitutively activated in multiple myeloma (MM), thereby promoting an
      exaggerated cell proliferation. Thus, influencing the Wnt pathway might represent
      a promising target in myeloma treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study
      investigated whether a combination of ethacrynic acid (EA) and ciclopirox olamine
      (CIC) with piceatannol (PIC) would influence the Wnt pathway and viability of
      human and murine myeloma cell lines by using DiOC6 and propidium iodide (PI)
      staining, flow cytometry and immunoblotting. RESULTS: The combination of EA with
      PIC as well as the combination of CIC with PIC had a significant additive effect
      on the vitality of myeloma cells compared to single-agent application, while
      healthy cells remained mainly unaffected. Additionally, EA and CIC altered the
      expression of beta-catenin itself and its downstream factors. CONCLUSION: A
      combination of Wnt inhibitors could lead to novel treatment options for MM
      patients.

PMID- 24222107
TI  - Growth inhibition by novel liposomes including trehalose surfactant against
      hepatocarcinoma cells along with apoptosis.
AB  - Novel liposomes composed of L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and
      trehalose surfactant (DMTreCn) were produced by the method of sonication in
      buffer solution. The thickness of fixed aqueous layer of DMTreCn was larger than
      that of DMPC liposomes and increased in a dose-dependent manner. The remarkable
      inhibitory effects of DMTreCn on the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC) (Hep-G2 and HuH-7) cells were obtained along with apoptosis, without
      affecting the growth of normal cells. DMTreCn induced apoptosis of Hep-G2 and HuH
      7 cells through the activation of caspase-3, 8 and 9. Release of cytochrome c
      from mitochondria and activation of Bcl-2 family protein (BAX) were recorded,
      indicating that DMTreCn induced apoptosis of Hep-G2 and HuH-7 cells through
      mitochondrial pathway via BAX. It is noteworthy that the remarkable inhibitory
      effects of DMTreCn on the growth of human HCC cells were obtained along with
      apoptosis for the first time.

PMID- 24222108
TI  - Pre-clinical validation of orthotopically-implanted pulmonary tumor by imaging
      with 18F-fluorothymidine-positron emission tomography/computed tomography.
AB  - The development of positron-emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed
      tomography (CT) imaging has improved the detection of tumor burden and, in turn,
      pre-clinical drug development and clinical treatment. In pre-clinical drug
      development, clinically-relevant murine cancer models, such as orthotopic models
      of lung cancer, have provided an accurate representation of tumor burden in
      humans. However, evidence demonstrating the capability of imaging-guided
      evaluation of these clinically-relevant models is limited. Here, we combined
      (18)F-fluorothymidine (FLT)-PET/CT imaging and a murine model of human non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to improve the accuracy of anticancer drug evaluation in
      pre-clinical studies. We found that FLT-PET/CT imaging enabled the progression of
      pulmonary tumors to be longitudinally monitored rather than FDG-PET/CT.
      Furthermore, in an efficacy study of a standard treatment of docetaxel in a
      murine lung cancer model, FLT-PET imaging detected the anticancer response
      earlier than volumetric analysis by CT imaging. We, thus, observed a relationship
      between the alteration of FLT signals and Ki-67 index in the pulmonary tumor
      during the period of chemotherapy. These results indicate that the combination of
      FLT-PET/CT imaging and an orthotopic NSCLC model is an effective strategy for
      evaluating clinical efficacy and potential of an anticancer agent during pre
      clinical development.

PMID- 24222109
TI  - A preclinical murine model for the detection of circulating human tumor cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cancer cells that disseminate
      from primary tumors and enter the bloodstream in the course of metastasis, may
      serve as an important indicator of metastatic disease and poor prognosis in
      patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to establish a preclinical animal
      model for detecting and studying human CTCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed
      a renal subcapsular implantation of human cancer cells in immunodeficient mice
      and recorded primary tumor growth, CTCs, and metastatic tumor development.
      RESULTS: Immunofluorescence, or immunohistochemical staining and whole-body
      imaging analysis revealed that the implanted cells developed primary renal
      tumors, CTCs were detected, and successfully established metastatic tumors in
      several organs, including the lung, colon, and lymph nodes, depending on the
      implanted cells. CONCLUSION: This model may be useful for detecting and
      characterizing CTCs and for investigating the mechanisms underlying the course of
      tumor metastasis.

PMID- 24222111
TI  - Chemoprevention with acetylsalicylic acid, vitamin D and calcium reduces risk of
      carcinogen-induced lung tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Research has shown that chemoprevention may be effective against
      the development of lung cancer. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate
      the effect of oral chemoprevention in a mouse model of tobacco carcinogen-induced
      lung tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 A/J mice were randomized to a
      normal diet, a diet with low calcium, or a chemoprevention diet with
      acetylsalicylic acid, 1-alpha 25(0H)2-vitamin D3 and calcium. In addition to the
      diet, mice received carcinogens by oral gavage for ten weeks. RESULTS: The
      chemoprevention diet significantly reduced the number of animals with tumors [1
      vs. 13, (p<0.001)] and the median number (range) of tumors [0 (0-1) vs. 1 (0-4),
      (p<0.001)] compared to controls. No signs of toxicity in relation to the diets
      were observed. CONCLUSION: The chemoprevention diet had a protective effect
      against tumor development in the mouse lungs.

PMID- 24222112
TI  - ID3 mutations are recurrent events in double-hit B-cell lymphomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Double-hit lymphomas (DHL) with chromosomal rearrangements affecting
      the avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (cMYC) and either the B-cell
      lymphoma-2 (BCL2) or -6 (BCL6) locus are uncommon neoplasms with an aggressive
      clinical course and dismal prognosis. Most cases exhibit a phenotype intermediate
      between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma. Recently
      mutations affecting the inhibitor of DNA binding 3 (ID3), a helix-loop-helix
      protein regulating cell cycle progression and B-cell differentiation, were
      identified as being molecular hallmarks in Burkitt lymphoma, with only rare
      mutations being found in other lymphomas with translocations affecting cMYC.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated the mutational status
      of ID3 in 37 cases of DHL and 16 cases of sporadic Burkitt lymphoma in order to
      identify a possible association of this new found hallmark with the rare and
      insufficiently-defined entity of DHL, seeking to broaden the understanding of
      these lymphomas at a molecular level. RESULTS: We identified ID3 mutations in
      lymphomas with chromosomal aberrations at cMYC and either BCL2 or BCL6 at a
      frequency intermediate between that of DLBCL and Burkitt lymphoma, hinting at a
      common pathway in lymphomagenesis for a subset of patients with DHL. CONCLUSION:
      The results of this study assist in the molecular characterization of these
      highly aggressive lymphomas, potentially giving rise to novel therapeutic
      approaches.

PMID- 24222110
TI  - Chemoprevention of oral cancer by lyophilized strawberries.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Oral cancer represents approximately 2.5% of all cancers in the
      United States, with five- and 10-year survival rates of 62% and 51%. In the
      present study, lyophilized strawberries (LS) were evaluated for their potential
      to inhibit tumorigenesis in the hamster cheek pouch (HCP) model of oral cancer
      and for their ability to modify expression of several genes relevant to oral
      cancer development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HCPs were painted three times a week
      for six weeks with 0.2% 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Hamsters were
      given 5% or 10% LS in their diet prior to, during, and after, or only after
      carcinogen treatment. Animals were sacrificed 12 weeks from the beginning of DMBA
      treatment and the number of total lesions and tumors was determined. RESULTS: A
      significant difference (p<0.01-0.04) in the number of tumors was found between
      the LS-treated groups and the carcinogen controls. Histological examination of
      HCPs revealed a significant reduction in mild and severe dysplasia following 12
      weeks of treatment with LS. Molecular analysis revealed that genes related to
      tumor development were modulated by LS. CONCLUSION: These experiments support
      previous studies in HCP that demonstrated a chemopreventive activity by black
      raspberries and show, to our knowledge for the first time, that strawberries can
      inhibit tumor formation in an animal model of oral cancer.

PMID- 24222113
TI  - Comprehensive survey of HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS mutations in proliferative thyroid
      lesions from an ethnically diverse population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The distribution and kind of rat sarcoma viral oncogenes homolog
      (RAS) mutations, as well as their clinical impact on different types of thyroid
      lesions, vary widely among the different populations studied. We performed a
      comprehensive mutational survey in the highly related RAS genes HRAS, KRAS, and
      NRAS in a case series of proliferative thyroid lesions with known BRAF mutational
      status, originating from an ethnically diverse group. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Mutational hotspot regions encompassing codons 12, 13, and 61 of the RAS genes
      were directly sequenced in 381 cases of thyroid lesions. In addition, the
      putative NRAS hotspot region encompassing codon 97 was sequenced in 36 thyroid
      lesions. The case series included lesions of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT),
      nodular goiters, hyperplastic nodules, follicular adenomas (FAs), Hurthle cell
      variants of FA, papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), follicular variants of PTC
      (FVPTCs), microcarcinomas of PTC (micro PTCs; tumor size <=1 cm), follicular TCs
      (FTCs), Hurthle cell variants of FTC, and non-well-differentiated TCs (NWDTCs).
      RESULTS: We identified RAS mutations in 16 out of 57 (28.1%) FAs, 2 out of 8
      (25%) NWDTCs, 8 out of 42 (19.0%) FVPTCs, 2 out of 10 (20.0%) FTCs, 1 out of 12
      (8.3%) Hurthle cell variants of FA, 3 out of 46 (6.5%) goiters, 1 out of 18
      (5.6%) hyperplastic nodules, 3 out of 56 (5.4%) micro PTCs, 2 out of 115 (1.7%)
      PTCs, 0 out of 7 (0%) Hurthle cell variants of FTC, and 0 out of 10 (0%) HT
      lesions. NRAS codon 61 mutation was the predominant form, followed by HRAS codon
      61 mutation. Only three mutations affected RAS codons 12 and 13, two of which
      were identified in goiters. No codon 97 mutation was detected in the examined
      FVPTCs. An as yet undescribed deletion of KRAS codon 59 was identified in one FA.
      DISCUSSION: RAS mutations in our case series were commonly associated with
      follicular-patterned thyroid lesions. Our data suggest that FAs with a RAS
      mutation may constitute precursor lesions for TC with follicular histology. The
      newly-discovered KRAS codon 59 deletion is one of the first reported codon
      deletions in a RAS hotspot region.

PMID- 24222114
TI  - MCP-1 promotes invasion and adhesion of human ovarian cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) can accelerate tumor
      progression by attracting tumor-associated macrophages. We studied the effects of
      MCP-1 on SKOV-3 cells in order to investigate MCP-1 biological activity ovarian
      cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A SKOV-3 cell invasion assay (Transwell assay) and
      cell adhesion assay (96-well assay) were performed. Immunohistochemical staining
      for C-C motif chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2), a receptor for MCP-1, was also
      performed on cultured SKOV-3 cells. RESULTS: Migration and adhesion of MCP-1
      treated SKOV-3 cells were significantly increased compared to untreated cells
      (p<0.01). A CCR2 antagonist attenuated the invasion and adhesion of MCP-1-treated
      cells. CCR2 was expressed in the cytoplasm of SKOV-3 cells. CONCLUSION: MCP-1
      promoted invasion and adhesion of ovarian cancer cells, and a CCR2 antagonist
      attenuated the effects of MCP-1 in vitro. These data suggest that MCP-1 is a
      potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer therapy.

PMID- 24222115
TI  - Impact of interleukin-10 on phenotype and gene expression during early monocyte
      differentiation into dendritic cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer is linked to defects in immunosurveillance. Vaccination
      studies using dendritic cells (DC) try to re-establish immune responses toward
      tumor cells. Tumor-derived products such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) have
      inhibitory effects on DC function, and tumor-bearing hosts exhibit a lower number
      of DCs, suggesting inhibitory effects of tumor-derived factors on the recruitment
      of precursor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We generated DCs in the presence and
      absence of IL-10. DCs were then characterized by flow cytometry and cDNA
      microarray analysis. RESULTS: IL-10 interferes with differentiation of peripheral
      blood monocytes to DCs and induces cells with a distinct phenotype. Microarray
      analysis revealed that IL-10 exhibits inhibitory as well as stimulatory effects
      on the expression of several genes. Addition of IL-10 to the differentiation
      cocktail induces a sustained inhibitory effect on subsequent maturation stimuli.
      CONCLUSION: IL-10 inhibits DC function and redirects differentiation of DCs to
      cells with a different phenotype, thereby reducing the pool of potential DC
      precursors.

PMID- 24222116
TI  - Therapeutic efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma by boric acid-mediated boron
      neutron capture therapy in a rat model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with poor
      prognosis. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) may provide an alternative
      therapy for HCC. This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of boric acid
      (BA)-mediated BNCT for HCC in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      pharmacokinetic and biodistribution of BA in N1S1 tumor-bearing rats were
      analyzed. Rats were injected with 25 mg B/kg body weight via tail veins before
      neutron irradiation at the Tsing Hua Open-pool Reactor, and the efficacy of BNCT
      was evaluated from the tumor size, tumor blood flow, and biochemical analyses.
      RESULTS: HCC-bearing rats administered BNCT showed reductions in tumor size on
      ultrasound imaging, as well as an obvious reduction in the distribution of tumor
      blood flow. The lesion located in livers had disappeared on the 80th day after
      BNCT; a recovery of values to normal levels was also recorded. CONCLUSION: BA
      mediated BNCT is a promising alternative for liver cancer therapy since the
      present study demonstrated the feasibility of curing a liver tumor and restoring
      liver function in rats. Efforts are underway to investigate the histopathological
      features and the detailed mechanisms of BA-mediated BNCT.

PMID- 24222117
TI  - Identification of androgen-responsive microRNAs and androgen-related genes in
      breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Androgen receptors (ARs) are expressed in many breast cancer cells,
      but the mechanism of action of androgens is not as well-characterized as in other
      cell types. The study of microRNAs has recently provided with important insights
      into the biology of hormone-dependent cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We attempted
      to identify microRNAs induced by dihydrotestosterone in an AR-positive cell line.
      We examined a possible correlation among microRNAs, target genes, and ARs in
      breast cancer tissues using immunohistochemistry and laser capture microscopy.
      RESULTS: Our analysis demonstrated that miR-363 and its possible target IQ motif
      and WD repeats-1 (IQWD1) are involved in a microRNA-mRNA pathway related to the
      mechanism of action of androgens. Our analyses showed that a high tumor level of
      IQWD1 in patients with breast cancer was significantly associated with adverse
      clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the recruitment of
      IQWD1 to ARs may be a prerequisite for the growth stimulation by androgens
      through ARs in breast cancer cells.

PMID- 24222118
TI  - Human pancreatic cancer cells with acquired gemcitabine resistance exhibit
      significant up-regulation of peroxiredoxin-2 compared to sensitive parental
      cells.
AB  - Gemcitabine (2'-deoxy-2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) is the only clinically effective
      drug for pancreatic cancer. However, high levels of inherent and acquired tumor
      resistance to gemcitabine lead to difficulty of chemotherapy for pancreatic
      cancer. We have reported on a proteomic study of gemcitabine-sensitive KLM1 and 
      resistant KLM1-R pancreatic cancer cells, and identified some proteins which were
      shown to be up-regulated in KLM1-R compared to KLM1 cells. In those proteomic
      studies, peroxiredoxin-2 was listed as an up-regulated protein in KLM1-R cells.
      Peroxiredoxin-2 is a member of a family of peroxiredoxins providing a protective
      role for redox damage. In this study, the expression of peroxiredoxin-2 in KLM1
      and KLM1-R cells was compared. It was found that peroxiredoxin-2 was
      significantly up-regulated in KLM1-R cells compared to KLM1 cells (p<0.001).
      However, peroxiredoxin-1 expression was significantly down-regulated in KLM1-R
      cells (p<0.001). These results suggest that peroxiredoxin-2 is a possible
      candidate biomarker for predicting the response of patients with pancreatic
      cancer to treatment with gemcitabine.

PMID- 24222119
TI  - Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation and gemcitabine on apoptosis of pancreatic
      ductal tumor cells in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine is first-line therapy for advanced pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with a poor survival and response rate. Hyperbaric
      oxygenation (HBO) enhances delivery of oxygen to hypoxic tumor cells and
      increases their susceptibility to cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. We
      hypothesized that the anticancer activity of gemcitabine (GEM) may be enhanced if
      tumor cells are placed in an oxygen-rich environment. The present study evaluated
      the effects of gemcitabine, HBO and their combination on apoptosis of tumor
      cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PANC-1 and AsPc-1 PDAC tumor cell lines were used.
      Cultured tumor cells were treated with GEM at its growth-inhibitory concentration
      (IC50) and HBO at 2.5 ATA for 90 min or a combination of both (HBO then GEM and
      GEM then HBO). Twenty-four hours later, apoptotic cells in each group were
      analyzed and the apoptotic index (AI) was calculated. RESULTS: PANC-1 cell line:
      HBO alone had no effect on AI: 6.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 5.9 +/- 0.1. HBO before and after
      gemcitabine did not further increase AI: 8.2 +/- 0.1 (HBO-GEM), 8.5 +/- 0.1 (GEM
      HBO) vs. 8.1 +/- 0.1 (GEM). The combination of HBO and gemcitabine significantly
      increased AI: 10.7 +/- 0.02 (p<0.001 vs. all groups). AsPc-1 cell line: HBO-alone
      had no effect on AI: 5.9 +/- 0.1 vs. 5.9 +/- 0.1. HBO before and after
      gemcitabine did not further increase AI: 8.2 +/- 0.1 (HBO-GEM), 8.4 +/- 0.1 (GEM
      HBO) vs. 8.0 +/- 0.1 (GEM). The combination of HBO and gemcitabine significantly
      increased AI: 9.7 +/- 0.1 (p<0.001 vs. all groups). CONCLUSION: HBO-alone,
      whether administered before and after gemcitabine has no effect on apoptosis of
      PDAC cells in vitro. HBO significantly enhanced gemcitabine-induced apoptosis
      when administered during gemcitabine. Our findings suggest that the time window
      would be critical for using HBO as adjuvant to chemotherapy.

PMID- 24222120
TI  - DNA methylation of MAPK signal-inhibiting genes in papillary thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the DNA methylation status
      of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal-inhibiting genes dual
      specificity phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) and 6 (DUSP6); and serpin peptidase inhibitor A
      member 5 (SERPINA5) in thyroid cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using 76 papillary
      thyroid cancer(PTC) tissues and three thyroid cancer cell lines (TPC1, WRO82-1
      and XTC), the expression of three genes and DNA methylation were determined by
      reverse transcription-PCR and methylation-specific PCR. RESULTS: In all cell
      lines, the expression of DUSP4 and DUSP6 increased; the corresponding gene
      promoters were unmethylated. However, SERPINA5 gene expression decreased and
      SERPINA5 DNA was methylated in the TPC1 cell line. With the de-methylating agent
      5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, SERPINA5 gene expression was restored. In 82.9% of PTC
      tissues (63/76), the SERPINA5 DNA promoter was methylated, which was associated
      with a higher v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1(BRAF) mutation rate
      in PTC tissues based on multivariate regression (odds ratio=3.573; 95% confidence
      interval=1.122-11.379; p=0.031). CONCLUSION: The expression of the MAPK signal
      inhibiting gene SERPINA5 decreased in the TPC1 cell line, SERPINA5 expression was
      regulated by DNA methylation, which was associated with a higher BRAF mutation
      rate in PTC.

PMID- 24222121
TI  - Protein-bound polysaccharide K reduced the invasive ability of colon cancer cell
      lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: A protein-bound polysaccharide, polysaccharide K (PSK), is a non
      specific immunological agent used in the treatment of colon cancer, however few
      studies have investigated the genetic changes in cancer cells treated with PSK.
      Therefore, we investigated the effect of PSK on cancer cell invasion, which is an
      indicator for the malignancy of colon cancer cell lines, and performed additional
      genetic analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed Matrigel invasion assay to
      examine whether the invasive ability of colon cancer cell lines HT29, HCT116, and
      LoVo would be impacted upon stimulation with PSK. We used reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to evaluate for changes in the expression of
      matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and - 9 upon stimulation of colon cancer cell
      lines with PSK. RESULTS: The mean number of invasive cells in untreated HCT116,
      HT29, and LoVo cells was 146, 81, and 65, respectively, while that in PSK-treated
      cell lines was reduced to 24, 7, and 4, respectively. mRNA levels of MMP2 and
      MMP9 in PSK-stimulated cell lines were significantly lower than those in
      unstimulated cell lines. CONCLUSION: PSK reduced the expression of MMP2 and MMP9
      mRNAs and cell invasion of this panel of colon cancer cell lines.

PMID- 24222122
TI  - Anticancer activity of a hydrogel containing folic acid towards MCF-7 and MDA-MB
      231 cells.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to prepare a hydrogel, based on ellagic
      acid and glycine, embedded with folic acid, as a subcutaneous implant for the
      treatment of breast cancer. The function of folic acid is to selectively and
      actively target tumor cells which are well-known to overexpress folic acid
      receptors on their surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pro-drug based on L-glycine
      and ellagic acid, was functionalized with a polymerizable group and loaded with
      folic acid to make it more natural, non-toxic, compatible and specific for the
      site of action. Cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells was also evaluated. Release
      studies of folic acid were conducted on aliquots of hydrogel at different pH (6.2
      and 7.4) and time-points (1, 6, 12 and 24 h) using a shaking water bath at 37
      degrees C (body temperature). RESULTS: Our results show that folic acid release
      by the hydrogel is characterized by a slow kinetic release, especially at pH 6.2.
      Moreover, it was evidenced that the exposure of human breast cancer cells to
      ellagic acid-based hydrogel containing folic acid significantly reduced cell
      viability.

PMID- 24222123
TI  - Differential expression and prognostic role of selected genes in colorectal
      cancer patients.
AB  - AIM: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant diseases. The
      aim of our study was to describe the expression status of 12 selected candidate
      genes, by comparing paired samples of healthy colon mucosa and tumour tissues and
      to correlate obtained data with clinical and pathological features, with the goal
      of revealing associations for individual gene expressions and tumour behaviour.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples from 53 patients with CRC were analyzed. Patients
      were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of distant
      metastases at the time of primary tumour surgery. Expression levels were assessed
      by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: We found changes in
      the expression of 10 out of 12 analyzed genes. Four genes were significantly up
      regulated in tumour tissues: leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled
      receptor 5 (LGR5; p<0.001), collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1;
      p<0.001), visinin-like 1 (VSNL1; p<0.001) and versican (VCAN; p=0.001). Six genes
      were down-regulated: destrin (DSTN; p=0.004), mesoderm induction early response
      1, family member 3 (MIER3; p<0.001), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member
      5 (ACSL5; p=0.002), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/ERK (MAPK1; p<0.001),
      claudin 23 (CLDN23; p<0.001) and solute carrier family 26 (sulfate transporter),
      member 2 (SLC26A2; p<0.001). We recorded longer overall survival (OS) in the
      group of patients with higher expression of VSNL1 (p=0.032). Patients with more
      pronounced down-regulation of CLDN23 had shorter OS (p=0.045). In the group of
      patients without distant metastases, longer OS and disease-free interval (DFI)
      were found for patients with higher SLC26A2 expression in tumour tissues (p=0.036
      and p=0.011, respectively). In the same group, lower expression of VSNL1 in
      healthy tissue corresponded to a longer DFI (p=0.020), smaller decrease of
      SLC26A2 and ACSL5 meant longer DFI (p=0.041 and p=0.040, respectively), as did
      greater increase of LGR5 expression (p=0.026). CONCLUSION: We identified
      differences in the expression of 10 genes in colorectal cancer tissue compared to
      healthy colon mucosa, and found prognostic significance for these changes which
      could be used for the development of a disease risk scoring system.

PMID- 24222124
TI  - Effects of chitosan on xenograft models of melanoma in C57BL/6 mice and hepatoma
      formation in SCID mice.
AB  - According to the World Health Organization, Complementary and alternative
      medicine (CAM) is a comprehensive term referring to traditional medical
      treatments and various forms of indigenous medicines, also known as indigenous or
      folk medicine. Cancer patients often use CAM in the form of nutritional
      supplements, psychological techniques and natural medical approaches in the place
      of or in parallel to conventional medicine. The present study aimed to determine
      if Chitosan can inhibit lung metastasis and hepatoma formation, by studying
      xenograft of B16F10 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice and of Smmu 7721 cells in SCID
      mice, respectively. For the lung metastasis model, after a five-week treatment,
      the survival rates of B6 mice were 15% for the control group and 35%, 20%, 45%
      and 40% for the 320,000 kDa, 173,000 kDa, 86,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa molecular
      weight treatment groups, respectively. Chitosan treatment dramatically increased
      lifespan and inhibited tumor metastasis especially in treatment groups of the low
      molecular weight compound. For the hepatoma growth model, the size of the liver
      tumor mass was approximately >14 mm in the control group. In comparison to the
      control group, the tumor mass grew slowly with Chitosan treatment, especially at
      the low-molecular weight treatment group. Chitosan slowed-down the rate of tumor
      growth but did not inhibit tumor formation. Data presented herein demonstrate
      that Chitosan has anticancer effects and thus further study of the substance is
      warranted to examine for mechanisms of action and optimal dosage.

PMID- 24222125
TI  - Co-existence of epithelioid and fibroblastoid subsets in a sarcomatoid renal
      carcinoma cell line revealed by clonal studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The biology of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its
      conversion from and to the clear cell RCC are not fully-understood. We aimed to
      analyze the sarcomatoid RCC cell line, RCC52, derived from a lymph node
      metastatic lesion consisting mostly of sarcomatoid RCC cells with occasional
      clear cell areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Representative clonal epithelioid and
      fibroblastoid sublines isolated from the RCC52 cell line were analyzed alongside
      the parental line. Cytofluorometric and western blot analyses were used for
      phenotypic study. Xenotransplantation and in vitro invasive assays were used to
      determine tumorigenicity and invasiveness. Immunohistology in conjunction with
      antibodies to paired box gene-2 (PAX2) were used to determine if xenografts or
      tumor biopsies had the clear cell component. RESULTS: RCC52 cells grown as
      monolayers in vitro were all PAX2-negative, and consisted mostly of epithelioid
      cells and partly of fibroblastoid cells as noted in a previous study, confirming
      the co-existence of these two cell types in the in vitro growth of exclusive
      sarcomatoid RCC cells. Immunohistology revealed that the parental line and all
      epithelioid sublines tested were able to develop into solid tumors consisting
      mostly of sarcomatoid cells with PAX2-positive clear cells in some areas. The RCC
      stem cell marker CD105 was selectively expressed by a small proportion of the
      epithelioid, but not fibroblastoid, sublines, which was in line with the
      tumorigenic property of the epithelioid sublines containing cancer stem cells
      (CSCs). In contrast, only fibroblastoid sublines exhibited migratory/invasive
      properties, as determined by in vitro assays. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm
      the presence of two distinct subsets in the RCC52 line, and suggest the
      epithelioid subset being able to de-differentiate to clear cells, albeit
      partially, and harboring CSCs as an emerging therapeutic target in order to
      achieve effective treatment of this malignancy.

PMID- 24222126
TI  - Synergistic anti-leukemic effects of CK2 inhibitors and
      pentabromobenzylisothioureas in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Casein kinase-2 (CK2) inhibitors and pentabromobenzylisothioureas are
      promising anti-leukemic agents for treatment, both alone and in combination. In
      this study, we examined pro-apoptotic and cytostatic effects of three CK2
      inhibitors: one known, 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole (DMAT)
      and two new: 2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole (MPT)
      and 2-aminoethyleneamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole (AEAT), as well as
      of certain S-2,3,4,5,6-pentabromobenzylisothiouronium bromides: ZKK-3, ZKK-9, ZKK
      13, against the human acute myelogenous leukemia cell line (KG-1). Cells were
      treated with CK2 inhibitors alone and in combination with the
      pentabromobenzylisothioureas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evaluation of synergistic
      and pro-apoptotic effects, mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) assay,
      poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage assay, and cell-cycle progression of
      KG-1 cells were carried out using the flow cytometric technique and fluorescent
      microscopic analysis. Western blots were used for analysis of B-cell lymphoma-2
      (BCL-2) family proteins in whole-cell extracts. RESULTS: The tested CK2
      inhibitors DMAT, MPT, AEAT exhibited synergistic proapoptotic effect in
      combination with ZKK-3, ZKK-9 and ZKK-13. The agents revealed different pro
      apoptotic efficacies against leukemia cell line KG-1. The highest apoptotic
      activity of the tested compounds was exhibited by AEAT. CONCLUSION: Combination
      of CK2 inhibitors and pentabromobenzylisothioureas-induced synergistic anti
      leukemic effects against KG-1 acute myelogenous leukemia cells in vitro.

PMID- 24222127
TI  - Calcitonin-induced NF-kappaB activation up-regulates fibronectin expression in
      MG63 osteosarcoma cells.
AB  - Salmon calcitonin has been used extensively as a therapeutic tool in the
      regulation of bone remodeling. However, there is a growing body of evidence
      indicating that the calcitonin peptides are involved in regulation of cell
      growth, differentiation, survival and tissue development. In the present study,
      we investigated the effect of calcitonin in cell matrix interactions in MG63 cell
      line. Our results demonstrated that calcitonin increases cell growth of MG63
      osteosarcoma cells in parallel with serine/threonine protein kinase B (AKT/PKB)
      activation. Moreover, calcitonin induced up-regulation of fibronectin expression
      in a nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB)-dependent manner, accompanied by enhanced
      enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and increased expression
      of tissue inhibitors of MMP-1 and -2. MMP-9 stimulation with calcitonin was
      accompanied by an increase in protein expression of the alpha5beta1 integrin
      receptor. To our knowledge, our results demonstrate, for the first time, that
      calcitonin is a potent inducer of fibronectin, an extacellular matrix component
      that is suggested to have a pro-oncogenic and healing effect, in a NF-kappaB
      dependent manner.

PMID- 24222128
TI  - Significant association of caveolin-1 (CAV1) genotypes with upper urothelial
      tract cancer.
AB  - AIM: Upper urothelial tract cancer is unusually of high incidence in Taiwan and
      it is valuable to study the specificity of this disease in Taiwan and compare the
      corresponding findings with those of Western countries. In the literature, it has
      been reported that single nucleotide variation of caveolin-1 gene (CAV1) plays an
      important role in risk of several types of cancer, such as hepatoma, leukemia,
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma, oral, breast, bladder and prostate cancer, but we are
      not aware of any reports on upper urothelial tract cancer. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the association of six polymorphic genotypes of CAV1 with upper
      urothelial tract cancer within a Taiwanese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      total of 218 patients with upper urothelial tract cancer and 580 healthy controls
      in central Taiwan were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and restriction
      fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for six CAV1 polymorphic genotypes, C521A
      (rs1997623), G14713A (rs3807987), G21985A (rs12672038), T28608A (rs3757733),
      T29107A (rs7804372), and G32124A (rs3807992), and their association with upper
      urothelial tract cancer susceptibility was examined. RESULTS: The distribution of
      genotypes of CAV1 rs3807987 and rs7804372 were significantly different between
      cancer patient and control groups (p=0.0188 and 0.0090, respectively), while
      those for CAV1 rs1997623, rs12672038, rs3757733 and rs3807992 were not
      significant (p>0.05). The haplotype analysis of the two polymorphic genotypes
      showed that compared with the GG/AT, and GG/AA haplotypes of CAV1
      rs3807987/rs7804372, those carrying GG/TT, AG/TT and AA/TT variants have a
      significantly increased risk of upper urothelial tract cancer (odds ratio=1.61,
      1.50 and 2.67, 95% confidence interval=1.05-2.47, 1.18-1.90, and 1.37-5.18,
      respectively). On the contrary, other haplotype variants conferred non
      significant elevated risk. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that individual and
      combined CAV1 rs3807987/rs7804372 genotypes are involved in predisposition to
      upper urothelial tract cancer in the Taiwanese population.

PMID- 24222129
TI  - Targeting biliverdin reductase overcomes multidrug resistance in leukemia HL60
      cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Altered redox status has been reported to play a significant role
      in the development of multidrug resistance (MDR) in leukemia cells. Human
      biliverdin reductase (hBVR) has been recently identified as a major
      cytoprotectant; however, its role in MDR has not been yet investigated. In the
      present study we evaluated the possible role of hBVR in MDR development in the
      human HL60 leukemia cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relationship between
      hBVR and MDR was examined using the drug-sensitive HL60 cells and the drug
      resistant HL60 subline, HL60/ADR. A possible chemosensitization by siRNA pre
      treatment was also investigated. RESULTS: We observed that hBVR expression,
      protein, and enzymatic activity were significantly increased in multidrug
      resistant HL60 leukemia cells. We also found that knockdown of hBVR reverses
      multidrug resistance in resistant leukemic HL60 cells by a ROS-dependent
      mechanism. CONCLUSION: hBVR plays a pivotal role in the development of multidrug
      resistance in human HL60 leukemia cells.

PMID- 24222130
TI  - Shortened isoforms of the androgen receptor are regulated by the cytoprotective
      heat-shock protein HSPB1 and the tumor-suppressive microRNA miR-1 in prostate
      cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shortened, constitutively active androgen receptor (AR) isoforms have
      been characterized and linked to tumor progression and chemoresistance in
      prostate cancer (PCa). We examined the regulation of shortened AR isoforms by a
      newly-identified AR regulatory signaling pathway involving heat-shock protein
      HSPB1 and microRNA miR-1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HSPB1 and miR-1 were modulated
      by overexpression and knock-down approaches utilizing the model PCa system,
      22Rv1. Subsequently, AR isoform expression levels were quantified by western blot
      analysis. RESULTS: HSPB1 was identified as an inducer and miR-1 as an inhibitor
      of AR variants, with no detectable discrimination between long and short AR
      isoform regulation. CONCLUSION: In 22Rv1 cells, all AR isoforms were co-regulated
      by the cytoprotective factor HSPB1 and the tumor suppressor miR-1. Notably, our
      data provide evidence that HSPB1 inhibition is able to target expression of long
      as well as of short AR isoforms.

PMID- 24222131
TI  - 25-year follow-up of HIV-positive patients with benign lymphoepithelial cysts of
      the parotid glands: a retrospective review.
AB  - AIM: To report long-term outcomes for HIV-positive patients who underwent
      radiation therapy (RT) for benign lymphoepithelial cysts (BLEC) of the parotid
      glands. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this single institution retrospective study of
      HIV-associated BLEC of the parotids, the medical records of 37 HIV-positive
      patients who were treated with RT between 1987-2012 were reviewed. Patients were
      stratified into two groups; group A consisted of 15 patients (40.5%) who received
      a total dose of <=18Gy, with a median dose 10 Gy (range 8-18Gy), and group B
      consisted of 22 patients (59.5%) who received a total dose of 24 Gy. In addition
      to dosing information, additional patient data were collected, including
      demographics, HAART compliance, follow-up, and re-treatment status. RESULTS: The
      median age at the time of treatment was 41 (range=7-70) years. With a median
      follow-up of 35 (range=12-75) months for the entire cohort, the complete response
      (CR) and partial response (PR) rates were 35% and 8%, respectively. All but one
      of 15 patients in Group A (lower total dose) eventually experienced local failure
      with the re-emergence of parotid hypertrophy. Among the patients in group B
      (higher total dose of 24 Gy), 55%, 13%, and 32% experienced CR, PR, and LF,
      respectively. Median times to failure in groups A and B were 7 and 20 months,
      respectively (p<0.0001). Similarly, logistic regression test revealed the higher
      dose to be associated with better response rate (i.e. CR or PR) (p<0.0001), which
      was also statistically significant (p=0.03) after adjusting for confounding
      variables (age, race, gender, HAART use, and fractionation). CONCLUSION: A total
      dose of 24 Gy continues to be recommended for durable cosmetic control of BLEC of
      the parotid glands that is associated with HIV-seropositivity.

PMID- 24222132
TI  - Electrocardiography changes during adjuvant breast cancer therapy: incidence and
      risk factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Breast cancer survivors have a higher cardiovascular
      morbidity/mortality rate, when compared with healthy age-matched general
      population. Electrocardiography (ECG) changes have been found to be associated
      with chemo- and radiation therapy. In the present study we investigated changes
      in ECG patterns following modern adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A standard 12-lead electrocardiogram was recorded at rest three times
      (prior and after adjuvant therapy) and retrospectively analyzed in 414 breast
      cancer patients, who participated in the open prospective phase III randomized
      trial (BREX) of exercise training 2005-2007. RESULTS: New electrocardiographic
      changes in the T-wave or ST-segment (depression or elevation) after the adjuvant
      therapy were recorded in 49 patients (13%). In multivariate analyses,
      hypertension treated with anti-hypertensive medication was the only significant
      factor associated with irreversible ECG changes (OR=4.71; 95% CI=1.36-16.38;
      p=0.015). CONCLUSION: New irreversible pathological electrocardiographic changes,
      which acquired during the adjuvant therapy, had a clear relationship with
      hypertension This patients subgroup needs to be studied further.

PMID- 24222133
TI  - Bi-weekly paclitaxel and capecitabine as a second- or third-line treatment for
      advanced breast cancer: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy given every third week is currently the mainstay in the
      treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, bi-weekly dosing might
      offer a better dose intensity, with better tolerability and response rates. This
      hypothesis was tested in a phase II study on bi-weekly paclitaxel combined with
      capecitabine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients [median age was 60 (range:
      43-68) years] with MBC were treated with paclitaxel (Taxol((r))) 120 mg/m(2),
      with 1-h infusion on days 1 and 15, and capecitabine (Xeloda((r))) 2650
      mg/m(2)/day orally given at two doses on days 1-7 and 15-21 on a 28-day cycle.
      Metastatic sites included the bone (68%), lung (63%) and liver (47%), and 95% of
      patients had more than one sites of metastasis. RESULTS: In the response
      evaluation, one complete and 12 partial responses (overall response rate 68%),
      two stable disease cases and two progressive disease cases were observed. The
      median duration of response was 13.4 (range: 3.9-43.5) months. Progression-free
      and overall survival were 13 (95% CI=10.8-15.3) months and 23 (95% CI=17.7-29.1),
      respectively. A total of 140 (median 8, range 1-28) cycles were delivered. Grade
      3-4 toxicity was uncommon: neutropenia was observed in 5% of the cycles;
      pulmonary problems in 1.4%; pain in 1.4%; and hand-and-foot syndrome, tiredness
      and arthralgia/myalgia, each in 0.7% of the study treatment cycles. CONCLUSION:
      Bi-weekly dosing of paclitaxel and capecitabine seems to yield promising
      responses in advanced breast cancer, with an acceptable adverse-event profile.

PMID- 24222134
TI  - Detection of cytomegalovirus DNA in colorectal tissue from Swedish and Vietnamese
      patients with colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been implicated as a factor, which
      might be associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Data from studies
      with HCMV-infected tumour cell lines have highlighted an oncomodulatory potential
      of HCMV. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCMV DNA in
      CRC tissue compared to matched normal tissue, and its association with clinical
      factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain
      reaction assay to detect HCMV DNA in 202 cancerous and paired normal tissue from
      Swedish (n=119) and Vietnamese (n=83) CRC patients. RESULTS: Overall, the HCMV
      DNA rate was significantly higher in cancerous in relation to paired normal
      tissue. Furthermore, a significantly higher frequency (39.8%) of HCMV DNA was
      observed in cancer tissues from the Vietnamese patients compared to the Swedish
      patients (15.1%). The prevalence of HCMV DNA in CRC tissue of 50% of those with
      disseminated disease tended to be higher compared to those with localized
      disease, with a prevalence of 33.3% in Vietnamese patients. CONCLUSION: Our
      observations indicate that the prevalence of HCMV DNA differs significantly
      between cancer and matched normal tissues. Thus, these data support a possible
      role of CMV in CRC. Moreover, we noted differences between Swedish and Vietnamese
      patients, indicating a role of ethnicity.

PMID- 24222135
TI  - Gut peptide profile and chemotherapy-associated dyspepsia syndrome in patients
      with breast cancer undergoing FEC60 chemotherapy.
AB  - AIM: The association of motilin, ghrelin, leptin, gastrin, pepsinogen (PG) I and
      II with cancer chemotherapy-associated dyspepsia syndrome (CADS) was investigated
      in 35 patients with breast cancer receiving first cycle of 5-fluorouracil,
      cyclophosphamide, epirubicin (FEC60) chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The
      onset of dyspeptic symptoms on days 3 and 10 after chemotherapy identified
      patients with and without CADS. Gastrointestinal symptoms were scored with the
      Gastrointestinal Symptom Scoring Rate (GSRS) questionnaire. Gastrointestinal
      peptides were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Twenty-one
      patients (60%) had CADS. The area under the curve (AUC) of ghrelin was higher,
      whereas that of PGI, PGII and motilin were lower in patients with CADS compared
      to those without. In patients with CADS, the AUC of PGI and PGII negatively
      correlated with the GSRS indigestion cluster. CONCLUSION: Impairment of
      gastrointestinal motility suggested by low motilin concentrations and mucosal
      damage mirrored by an increase of ghrelin seem to be involved in the onset of
      CADS in patients during chemotherapy for breast cancer.

PMID- 24222136
TI  - The feasibility and efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy for centrally
      located lung tumors.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the toxicity and outcome of stereotactic body radiotherapy
      (SBRT) for centrally-located lung tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective
      review was conducted in 45 consecutive patients with centrally-located lung
      tumors who underwent SBRT. The incidence rate of adverse events (AEs) and outcome
      after SBRT for primary (32 patients), metastatic and recurrent (13 patients) lung
      tumors were evaluated. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 21.2 months.
      Except for one patient who had grade 4 gastrointestinal toxicity, no patient
      exhibited any grade 4-5 AE. The 2-year overall survival of patients with primary
      non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was significantly better than that of those
      with metastatic and recurrent tumors of 69.4% vs. 46.9% (p=0.04). The local
      control rates at two years, for patients in the NSCLC and the
      metastatic/recurrent groups were 70.9% and 100%, respectively (p=0.98).
      CONCLUSION: SBRT provided effective treatment for centrally-located lung tumors
      with tolerable toxicity.

PMID- 24222137
TI  - The E3 ubiquitin ligase SIAH2 is a prosurvival factor overexpressed in oral
      cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed at investigating the expression and functional
      significance of seven in absentia homologues 2 (SIAH2), an E3 ubiquitin ligase,
      in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparative
      genomic hybridization and real-time PCR were performed to examine the
      amplification of SIAH2 gene in clinical specimens of OSCC tissues. Expression of
      SIAH2 mRNA and protein was examined by quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical assays, respectively.
      Apoptosis was examined by annexing V staining and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase
      (PARP) cleavage, with or without sienna-mediated SIAH2 knockdown. The expression
      of p53 was analyzed by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Levels of SIAH2 DNA and mRNA were
      significantly greater in clinical OSCC specimens and in cultured OSCC cells,
      which also stained positively for the SAIH2 protein. Knockdown of SIAH2 led to
      growth suppression and apoptosis induction in a p53-independent mechanism.
      CONCLUSION: These results revealed a tight correlation of SIAH2 overexpression
      with OSCC and suggest an oncogenic role of SIAH2 in oral cancer.

PMID- 24222138
TI  - Concordance of HER2 status in primary tumour and lymph node metastases in
      patients with esophageal carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is an important
      prognostic factor in several types of solid tumours. Although HER2 seems not to
      influence survival in esophageal carcinomas, an impact of the HER2 status of
      disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) on survival has been shown. The aim of our study
      was to investigate the significance of the HER2 status in primary esophageal
      carcinomas and matched lymph node metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HER2
      status of primary tumours and matched lymph node metastases were analysed for 158
      patients with esophageal carcinoma using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and
      fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). RESULTS: The study specimen included
      90 adenocarcinomas (AC) and 68 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). HER2 amplification
      was found in 12% and overexpression in 8.9% of all primary tumours. HER2
      amplification was identical in the primary tumour and lymph node metastases in
      all AC and in 75% of SCC. Discordant-positive HER2 lymph node status and negative
      primary tumour status was found in 4.4% of AC and 1.5% of SCC in FISH analyses.
      No significant associations were found between HER2 amplification/overexpression
      and overall survival. CONCLUSION: HER2 gene status remains highly conserved in
      metastatic esophageal carcinoma. Discrepancies occur rarely between primary
      tumour and lymph node metastases and might be due to heterogeneity of the HER2
      status of the primary tumour. This could be the reason for heterogeneity of DTCs
      and may result in metastasis of only a subset of tumour cells.

PMID- 24222139
TI  - Improved survival of baby boomer women with early-stage uterine cancer: A
      Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Study.
AB  - AIM: To study the prognostic impact of baby boomer (BB) generation on survival
      end-points of patients with early-stage endometrial carcinoma (EC). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Data were obtained from the SEER registry between 1988-2009. Inclusion
      criteria included women who underwent hysterectomy for stage I-II EC. Patients
      were divided into two birth cohorts: BB (women born between 1946 and 1964) and
      pre-boomers (PB) (born between 1926 and 1945). RESULTS: A total of 30,956
      patients were analyzed. Considering that women in the PB group were older than
      those of the BB generation, the statistical analysis was limited to women 50-59
      years of age at the time of diagnosis (n=11,473). Baby boomers had a
      significantly higher percentage of endometrioid histology (p<0.0001), higher
      percentage of African American women (p<0.0001), lower tumor grade (p<0.0001),
      higher number of dissected lymph nodes (LN) (p<0.0001), and less utilization of
      adjuvant radiation therapy (p=0.0003). Overall survival was improved in women in
      the BB generation compared to the PB generation (p=0.0003) with a trend for
      improved uterine cancer-specific survival (p=0.0752). On multivariate analysis,
      birth cohort (BB vs. PB) was not a significant predictor of survival end-points.
      Factors predictive of survival included: tumor grade, FIGO stage, African
      American race, and increased number of dissected LN. CONCLUSION: Our study
      suggests that the survival of BB women between 50-60 years of age is better
      compared to women in the PB generation. As more BB patients are diagnosed with
      EC, further research is warranted.

PMID- 24222140
TI  - Radiation therapy for stage IVA cervical cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcome and discover predictive factors for patients
      with stage IVA cervical cancer treated with definitive radiation therapy.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 34 patients with stage IVA
      cervical cancer who received definitive radiation therapy between 1992 and 2009.
      RESULTS: On univariate analysis, statistically significant prognostic factors for
      improved local control rate (LCR) were absence of pyometra (p=0.037) and
      equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) at point A greater than 60 Gy (p=0.023).
      Prognostic factors for improved progression-free survival (PFS) were absence of
      pelvic lymph node metastasis at initial presentation (p=0.014), and EQD2 at point
      A greater than 60 Gy (p=0.023). CONCLUSION: Patients with stage IVA disease had
      poor median survival. However adequate radiation dose to point A produced
      favorable LCR and PFS, therefore efforts should be made to increase the point A
      dose.

PMID- 24222141
TI  - Predicting skin toxicity according to EGFR polymorphisms in patients with
      colorectal cancer receiving antibody against EGFR.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Monoclonal antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor
      (EGFR) can extend progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in
      patients with unresectable colorectal cancer; however, skin toxicity often
      interferes with therapy continuation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the
      polymorphisms in EGFR and IgG fragment C receptor (FCGR) genes and determined
      their associations with clinical outcomes including PFS, OS, and skin toxicity.
      Five polymorphisms in EGFR and FCGR genes in 32 patients with unresectable
      colorectal cancer who were treated with antibodies against EGFR were examined.
      RESULTS: Patients carrying the C/C genotype of the EGFR D994D polymorphism
      displayed significantly less skin toxicity than those with other genotypes,
      although no significant differences in PFS and OS were noted and no significant
      interactions were detected for other gene polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: These
      results suggest that the EGFR D994D polymorphism is a useful biomarker for
      predicting the severity of skin toxicity in patients receiving antibody against
      EGFR.

PMID- 24222142
TI  - A retrospective analysis of two different sequences of therapy lines for advanced
      kidney cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: the ideal sequence of targeted agents for advanced kidney cancer
      is still unknown. In the present study we assessed the clinical benefit of two
      different sequential approaches, namely sorafenib, an inhibitor of mammalian
      target of rapamycin (mTORi) and sunitinib, or sunitinib (an mTORi) and sorafenib.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: we retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 40 advanced
      kidney cancer patients treated with one of the two above sequences. RESULTS: a
      total of 26 patients were treated with the sequence sorafenib-mTORi-sunitinib and
      14 with the sequence sunitinib-mTORi-sorafenib. The actuarial overall median
      progression-free survival (PFS) in the sorafenib-mTORi-sunitinib group and in the
      sunitinib-mTORi-sorafenib group were 21.9 and 22.8 months, respectively (log-rank
      test: p=0.928). In the sorafenib-mTORi-sunitinib group, patients in first-,
      second- and third-line therapy experienced PFS of 11.7, 5.1 and 9.1 months,
      respectively, while in the sunitinib-mTORi-sorafenib group PFS was 14.4, 4.3, and
      3.9 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest there is no significant
      difference between the two sequence modalities.

PMID- 24222143
TI  - A novel postoperative inflammatory score predicts postoperative pancreatic
      fistula after pancreatic resection.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to characterize a high-risk group of patients for
      pancreatic fistula (PF) after pancreatic resection using postoperative clinical
      variables of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective study included 297
      patients who underwent pancreatic resection between January 2001 and December
      2011. We examined the relationship between perioperative findings and the
      incidence of postoperative PF (POPF) among patients who underwent pancreatic
      resection between 2001 and 2009 (early period). Next, patients were stratified
      into three groups using serum albumin and CRP on postoperative day 1 (score 0:
      albumin >=2.7 g/dl and CRP <=10 mg/dl; score 1: albumin <2.7 g/dl or CRP >10
      mg/dl; score 2: albumin <2.7 g/dl and CRP >10 mg/dl) as postoperative
      inflammatory score (PIS). We examined perioperative findings including PIS and
      POPF among patients who underwent pancreatic resection between 2010 and 2011
      (late period). RESULTS: In univariate and multivariate analyses, male gender
      (p=0.032), serum albumin on postoperative day 1 (p=0.024) and serum CRP on
      postoperative day 1 were identified as independent risk factors for POPF in early
      period patients. In univariate and multivariate analyses, postoperative hospital
      stay (p=0.009) and PIS (score 1: p=0.005, score 2: p=0.017) were identifical as
      independent risk factors for POPF in late-period patients. CONCLUSION: We found a
      novel PIS to indicate risk for PF after elective pancreatic resection.

PMID- 24222144
TI  - Transumbilical defunctioning ileostomy: A new approach for patients at risks of
      anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic low anterior resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of a protective defunctioning stoma in rectal cancer surgery
      has been reported to reduce the rates of reoperation for anastomotic leakage, as
      well as mortality after surgery. However, a protective defunctioning stoma is not
      often used in cases other than low rectal cancer because of the need for stoma
      closure later, and hesitation by patients to have a stoma. We outline a novel and
      patient-friendly procedure with an excellent cosmetic outcome. This procedure
      uses the umbilical fossa for placement of a defunctioning ileostomy followed by a
      simple umbilicoplasty for ileostomy closure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study
      included a total of 20 patients with low rectal cancer who underwent a
      laparoscopic low anterior resection with defunctioning ileostomy (10 cases with a
      conventional ileostomy in the right iliac fossa before March 2012, and 10
      subsequent cases with ileostomy at the umbilicus) at the Jikei University
      Hospital in Tokyo from August 2011 to January 2013. The clinical characteristics
      of the two groups were compared: operative time, blood loss, length of hospital
      stay and postoperative complications of the initial surgery, as well as the stoma
      closure procedure. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups in the
      median operative time for initial surgery (248 min vs. 344 min), median blood
      loss during initial surgery (0 ml vs. 115 ml), and median hospital stay after
      initial surgery (13 days vs. 16 days). Complication rates after the initial
      surgery were similar. There were no differences between the groups in median
      operative time for stoma closure (99 min vs. 102 min), median blood loss during
      stoma closure (7.5 ml vs. 10 ml), and median hospital stay after stoma closure (8
      days in both groups). Complications after stoma closure such as wound infection
      and intestinal obstruction were comparable. Thus, no significant differences in
      any factor were found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The transumbilical
      protective defunctioning stoma is a novel solution to anastomotic leakage after
      laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery, with patient-friendliness as compared to
      conventional procedures in light of the cosmetic outcome.

PMID- 24222145
TI  - VEGF expression and response to sunitinib in patients with metastatic clear cell
      renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - AIM: To verify whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is associated
      with distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and Overall Survival (OS) of
      patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with sunitinib. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: We have studied 41 patients with metastatic RCC treated with radical
      nephrectomy, between 2008 and 2010, and sunitinib. Pathological features were
      compared with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) score, DMFS, and
      with OS, and PFS after first-line therapy. RESULTS: Tumor stage and grade, VEGF
      expression and H-score correlated with MSKCC score, DMFS, and with OS; VEGF
      expression correlated with stage and OS. Patients with higher H-score and higher
      VEGF expression had a significantly shorter survival; OS after first-line
      sunitinib therapy and PFS correlated with MSKCC score and DMFS but not with VEGF
      expression and H score. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest the potential use of tumor
      cell VEGF expression as a prognostic marker for DMFS and OS, but VEGF does not
      appear promising as a marker of response to therapy.

PMID- 24222146
TI  - Tumor budding and E-cadherin expression are useful predictors of nodal
      involvement in T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoscopic treatment has been increasingly used for T1 esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, this therapy is sometimes incomplete if
      the depth of the T1 primary tumor reaches the muscularis mucosae or submucosal
      layer because these tumors have a relatively high incidence of lymph node
      metastasis. However, to our knowledge, no previous reports on the prediction of
      nodal metastasis determined by evaluating primary tumor specimens of patients
      with ESCC are available. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 55 patients with T1
      ESCC invading as deep as the submucosal layer who underwent curative
      esophagectomy were examined. We investigated the significance of the
      immunohistochemical staining of Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and
      E-cadherin in the primary tumor and Tumor budding for prediction of nodal
      metastasis. RESULTS: Metastasis to the regional lymph nodes was observed in 26
      cases (47.3%) in this setting. VEGF-C expression and reduced E-Cadherin
      expression in the primary tumor was observed in 32 (58.1%) and 38 cases (69.1%),
      respectively. High-grade tumor budding was observed in 29 cases (52.7%). E
      cadherin expression and tumor budding were closely correlated with nodal
      metastasis (p=0.04 and <0.01 respectively), whereas VEGF-C expression tended to
      correlate with lymph node metastasis (p=0.06). In addition, high-grade tumor
      budding was significantly correlated (p<0.01) with reduced E-cadherin expression.
      The accuracy of tumor budding and E-cadherin expression for nodal metastasis were
      67.3% and 65.4% respectively, comparable with the one of lymphatic involvement
      (63%). Tumor budding (p<0.01), but not E-cadherin and VEGF-C expression, was
      significantly correlated with poor survival. CONCLUSION: After the endoscopic
      treatment, additional therapy, such as surgery or chemoradiotherapy, may be
      required if reduced E-cadherin expression and high-grade tumor budding are
      observed in primary tumor specimen.

PMID- 24222147
TI  - Meta-analysis of laparoscopic and open surgery for gastric gastrointestinal
      stromal tumor.
AB  - AIM: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate and compare the short- and long
      term outcomes of laparoscopic and conventional open surgery for gastric
      gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched
      MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial
      Register for relevant articles published between 2000 and July 2013 by using the
      search terms "laparoscopic", "laparoscopy-assisted", "surgery", "gastrointestinal
      tumor", "GIST" and "gastric". RESULTS: We identified 12 articles reporting
      results that compared laparoscopic surgery with open surgery for gastric GISTs.
      Our meta-analysis included 644 patients with GISTs; 312 had undergone
      laparoscopic surgery, and 332 had undergone open surgery. In the short-term
      period, 14 outcome variables were examined. In the long-term period, six
      oncological variables were analyzed. Laparoscopic surgery for gastric GIST was
      associated with a reduction in intraoperative blood loss, shorter period to
      flatus, earlier resumption of oral intake, and shorter duration of hospital stay
      over the short-term, and with a significantly lower rate of overall recurrence,
      metastatic recurrence and local recurrence in the long-term compared to open
      surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery may be an acceptable surgical treatment
      option compared to open surgery for gastric GIST.

PMID- 24222148
TI  - Management of adverse events in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
      treated with sunitinib and clinical outcomes.
AB  - Patients with progressive renal cell carcinoma who undergo sunitinib treatment,
      experience many adverse events (AEs), including thrombopenia and hypertension.
      Dose reduction or treatment discontinuation due to AEs makes it difficult to
      control the clinical condition. Therefore, patients' understanding regarding the
      basics of blood pressure (BP) measurement and how to deal with each AE are
      particularly important. Here we report whether or not pharmacist instructions
      help in order to increase patients' awareness of early AE management results in
      an improvement of treatment outcomes. The present study included 15 patients who
      were administered sunitinib. From the start of sunitinib treatment, pharmacists
      continuously provided drug administration guidance to the patients and confirmed
      their awareness and knowledge regarding AEs, symptom management, and drug
      adherence. The relative dose intensity (RDI) of 15 patients from week 1 to 24
      after sunitinib treatment was calculated. Pharmaceutical interventions
      significantly improved patients' understanding of BP measurements and reference
      values, etc. Although the RDI was 67.3%-78.7%, there were no cases of
      discontinuation of administration or reduction of the dose caused by e.g.
      hypertension, hand and foot syndrome (HFS) and stomatitis. Pharmaceutical
      interventions improved patients' awareness of the management of AEs and adherence
      to sunitinib therapy. As a result, a high RDI was maintained, which may lead to
      prolonged survival. Therefore, our results suggest that early AE management
      provided by pharmacists is particularly important to assure the safety and
      efficacy of sunitinib therapy.

PMID- 24222149
TI  - C-reactive protein is a negative independent factor in patients with stage IV
      colorectal cancer undergoing oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine the clinical significance of C-reactive protein
      (CRP) concentration in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) undergoing
      oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
      the medical charts of 112 patients with stage IV CRC who had received modified
      FOLFOX6 (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, leucovorin) between January 2006, and
      December 2010 and used Cox's proportional hazard model to determine for
      independent prognostic factors of survival. We generated receiver operating
      characteristics (ROC) curves to determine the optimal cut-off for the
      discrimination of the duration of survival by CRP concentration. RESULTS:
      According to the multivariate analysis, increased CRP concentration (p=0.04) and
      non-curative surgery (p<0.01) were independent unfavorable factors for survival,
      and the optimal cut-off CRP concentration according to dichotomized duration of
      survival (3-24 months) ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: Pre-chemotherapy
      CRP concentrations may be useful for predicting survival of patients with stage
      IV CRC.

PMID- 24222150
TI  - Clinical outcomes after first-line EGFR inhibitor treatment for patients with
      NSCLC, EGFR mutation, and poor performance status.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The phase II NEJ001 trial suggested that gefitinib was active against
      advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) even in patients with poor
      performance status (PS). Clinical response among the patients harboring epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation with poor PS is fair; however, gefitinib
      does not have as much continued efficacy as in patients with good PS. This study
      has retrospectively investigated the clinical outcomes of gefitinib treated
      patients with advanced NSCLC, EGFR mutations, and poor PS. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      A total of 208 patients with advanced NSCLC and poor PS treated with gefitinib
      from 2004 to 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. Outcomes were studied after
      stratification for gender, smoking status, histological subtype, and EGFR
      mutation status. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (25.0%) with advanced NSCLC, EGFR
      mutation, and poor PS were treated with gefitinib. The overall response rate was
      65.4%. The median progression-free survival, median survival time, and one-year
      survival rate was 6.6 months, 19.6 months, and 62.9%, respectively. Death due to
      interstitial lung disease occurred in 11.5% of the patient population. In
      multivariate analysis, a PS of 4 was independently associated with poor outcomes
      (hazard ratio=10.5; 95% Confidence interval=1.92-50.19; p=0.0091). CONCLUSION:
      Patients with advanced NSCLC, EGFR mutation, and poor PS have poor outcomes in
      response to gefitinib. However, the indication of gefitinib for such patients
      will not be changed in clinical practice and oncologists should treat these
      patients with more careful follow-up since for those with poor PS, therapy may be
      more toxic than for patients with good PS.

PMID- 24222151
TI  - C-reactive protein as predictor of recurrence in patients with rectal cancer
      undergoing chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of the systemic inflammatory response (SIR)
      in patients with rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), to
      the best of our knowledge, has not been thus far investigated. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR)
      and C-Reactive protein (CRP) levels for 84 patients with rectal cancer undergoing
      CRT were available as indicators of SIR status. The impact of SIR status on the
      prognosis of these patients was assessed. RESULTS: Elevated NLR, CRP,
      carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and pathological TNM stage III [ypN(+)] were
      identified as significant prognostic factors for poor overall survival (OS), with
      CRP and ypN(+) being validated as independent predictors of OS. Elevated CRP and
      CEA levels were significant predictive factors for poor disease-free survival
      (DFS), and an elevated CRP level was identified as the only independent
      predictive factor for DFS. In addition, an elevated CRP level predicted for
      poorer OS and DFS in patients with pathological TNM stage I-II [ypN(-)].
      CONCLUSION: CRP is a promising predictor of recurrence and prognosis in patients
      with rectal cancer treated by CRT.

PMID- 24222152
TI  - A new beta-tricalcium phosphate with uniform triple superporous structure as a
      filling material after curettage of bone tumor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A new beta-tricalcium phosphate with uniform triple superpore
      structure, SuperPore((r)) (HOYA, Tokyo, Japan), has been in clinical use since
      2010. As far as we are aware of, there have been no reported clinical studies
      using this material. We report on the first clinical cases of benign bone tumor
      filled with SuperPore((r)). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated
      the results for 34 benign bone tumors treated by curettage followed by
      implantation of the highly purified beta-tricalcium phosphates Osferion((r))
      (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) or SuperPore((r)). RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 12
      months, none of the patients experienced local recurrence of the tumor or any
      adverse effects from the filling materials. Radiographically, complete resorption
      of the material and bone remodeling were achieved in 32 cases. In 17 selected
      cases with a small bone tumor, the mean period for complete resorption of the
      filling material was 21 weeks in the Osferion((r)) group and 15 weeks in the
      SuperPore((r)) group, with the latter showing a trend for better outcomes.
      CONCLUSION: SuperPore((r)) is a safe and reliable filling substitute for defects
      following curettage of small bone tumors. Both SuperPore((r)) and Osferion((r))
      gave satisfactory results with good biocompatibility and fast resorption
      characteristics.

PMID- 24222153
TI  - Clinical significance of erlotinib monotherapy for gefitinib-resistant non-small
      cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The efficacy of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine
      kinase inhibitor (TKI) erlotinib is difficult to be accurately assessed in
      patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) because it is commonly employed
      after failure of another EGFR-TKI, gefitinib. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical
      records from 104 patients with NSCLC treated with erlotinib were retrospectively
      reviewed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in erlotinib efficacy
      between EGFR-mutated NSCLC with gefitinib resistance and NSCLC with wild-type
      EGFR. A therapeutic response of disease control (DC) and the onset of skin rash
      prolonged the progression-free survival (PFS), whereas the onset of interstitial
      lung disease shortened both PFS and overall survival (OS). The DC group also
      experienced prolonged OS. CONCLUSION: Erlotinib may be a therapeutic option for
      EGFR-mutated NSCLC with gefitinib resistance, as well as for NSCLC with wild-type
      EGFR. Therapeutic response of DC and the onset of the described adverse events
      may be practical predictors of survival in erlotinib treatment.

PMID- 24222154
TI  - The E-Cadherin expression vs. tumor cell proliferation paradox in endometrial
      cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: E-Cadherin is a putative marker of good prognosis in endometrial
      cancer. Paradoxically, in a previous study of endometrial carcinoma we found that
      E-Cadherin is significantly co-expressed with molecular markers of proliferation,
      usually associated with a worse prognosis in most tumor types. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: The expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), Ki67,
      Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2, c-ERB-B2), p53 and E-Cadherin
      was studied by means of immunohistochemistry in 126 endometrial carcinoma
      samples. The results were correlated with patient survival and included in a
      multivariate model, in order to identify factors independently associated with
      the patient outcome. RESULTS: E-Cadherin overexpression was associated with a
      significantly better overall survival in the whole group of patients with
      endometrial carcinoma (p=0.012), as well as in the group of patients exclusively
      harboring endometrioid tumors (p=0.004). In a restricted multivariate model, only
      tumor stage and E-Cadherin expression retained their independent prognostic
      power, both for the whole group of tumors (p=0.04), as well as for the subgroup
      of endometrioid carcinomas (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: E-Cadherin is an independent
      predictor of survival in endometrial carcinoma, regardless of histological
      variety. Proliferation, on the other hand, does not seem to play a prominent role
      in this same context. This may explain why E-Cadherin retains its prognostic
      power, despite being significantly co-expressed with all tested molecular
      proliferation markers.

PMID- 24222155
TI  - Changing trends in long-term outcomes after hepatic resection for hepatocellular
      carcinoma: A 30-year, single-center experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to characterize changes in outcome
      following hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over a 30-year period.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical records of 372 patients who underwent a
      macroscopic curative hepatectomy for treatment of HCC between 1980 and 2009 were
      retrospectively examined. Patients were divided into two groups: an early group
      (1980-2000) and a late group (2001-2009). The relationship between the
      chronological treatment period and the surgical outcomes was investigated.
      RESULTS: The disease-free survival (DFS) was comparable between the early and
      late groups (at 5 years: 30.3% vs. 31.2%, p=0.526), however, the overall survival
      (OS) of the late group was significantly better than the one of the early group
      (at 5 years: 80.1% vs. 50.4%, p<0.001), with this being an independent prognostic
      factor. Among the 148 patients who underwent transarterial chemoembolization
      (TACE) for initial hepatic recurrence, the OS after initial recurrence of the
      late group was significantly better than that of the early group (p=0.002). The
      OS after initial recurrence was significantly better in patients who underwent
      repeat hepatectomy than in those who underwent TACE (p=0.044). CONCLUSION: The
      results of hepatectomy for HCC have improved over time by use of various
      combination therapies after initial HCC recurrence. A repeat hepatectomy may be
      an acceptable treatment option for HCC recurrence in selected patients.

PMID- 24222156
TI  - Non-randomized comparison between irinotecan plus mitomycin C and irinotecan
      alone in patients with advanced gastric cancer refractory to fluoropyrimidine and
      platinum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Irinotecan alone and plus mitomycin C have been proven to be
      effective as second-line chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. The objective
      of the present study was to compare the efficacy and safety of irinotecan alone
      (CA) and with mitomycin C (CM) in clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Between November 2006 and December 2011, 46 patients with advanced gastric cancer
      refractory to fluoropyrimidine and platinum were treated with CM (n=22) or CA
      (n=24). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the patients were similar in the two
      treatment groups, with the exception of the sex ratio. The median progression
      free survival was 3.9 months in the CM arm and 3.7 months in the CA arm (p=0.25),
      and the median overall survival was 9.6 and 8.7 months (p=0.36), respectively.
      The overall response rate was 18% in the CA arm and 9% in the CM arm (p=0.38).
      Grade 3/4 neutropenia (45% vs. 25%), anemia (36% vs. 4%), febrile neutropenia
      (14% vs. 8%), anorexia (14% vs. 8%) tended to be higher in the CM arm than in the
      CA arm. CONCLUSION: Although the efficacy of CM and CA for advanced gastric
      cancer refractory to fluoropyrimidine and platinum was not significantly
      different, CM tended to lead to greater incidence of adverse events in clinical
      practice.

PMID- 24222157
TI  - Clinical significance of total colonoscopy for screening of colon lesions in
      patients with esophageal cancer.
AB  - AIM: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the significance of pre
      treatment screening for patients with esophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
      retrospective evaluation of the clinical significance of total colonoscopy in 136
      patients with primary esophageal cancer was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-three
      patients (16.9%) had diverticula, and five (3.7%) had colon cancer. Benign polyps
      were present in 57 patients (41.9%); 37 of these patients underwent endoscopic
      treatment, one underwent surgery (esophagectomy). Twenty-seven out of 32 patients
      (84.4%) who underwent histopathological studies had tubular adenoma. Significant
      associations were found between presence of colorectal lesions and body weight,
      body-mass index (p<0.001), Brinkman index (p<0.001), and the Sake index (p<0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Screening for colorectal lesions using total colonoscopy is important
      in patients with esophageal cancer, especially for those with a high body-mass
      index, and those who smoke or drink heavily.

PMID- 24222158
TI  - Early-onset brain metastases in a breast cancer patient after pathological
      complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
AB  - Breast cancer patients who achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) after
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) usually have a favourable prognosis. We report on
      a patient with early metastases to the brain after achieving pCR. The primary
      tumour was 7.0 cm in diameter with axillary lymph node metastases, hormone
      receptor-negative, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive (3+), and
      histological grade 2 with 60% of cells positive for Ki-67. The patient underwent
      NAC followed by surgery, and achieved pCR. Five months after surgery, during
      adjuvant treatment with trastuzumab, she developed headache and dizziness. Brain
      imaging revealed multiple metastatic brain tumours. She received whole-brain
      radiotherapy followed by lapatinib and capecitabine therapy. At 7 months after
      surgery, she remains alive with a persistent mild headache. Physicians should be
      aware of the possibility of early brain metastases, and consider new treatment
      strategies to prevent brain metastases in high-risk patients who achieve pCR.

PMID- 24222159
TI  - Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for non-bulky stage IB/II cervical cancer without
      pelvic node enlargement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has not been extensively studied
      in patients with small cervical cancer tumors with no pelvic node enlargement.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 55 patients with stage IB1-IIB
      cervical cancer and tumors of <=40 mm with no pelvic node enlargement treated
      with radiotherapy (RT)-alone. RESULTS: Cancer recurred in seven patients. Patient
      age (<=63 years) was identified as an independent factor for better disease-free
      survival (DFS) (p=0.027), and tumor size (>=25 mm) had a tendency to correlate
      with reduced locoregional DFS (p=0.089) by the Cox hazard model. Among patients
      aged 63 years or less, cancer recurred in five out of 18 patients with tumors of
      >=25 mm, but in only one of 10 patients with tumors of <=24 mm. CONCLUSION: In
      patients with stage IB1-IIB cervical cancer and small tumors with no node
      enlargement, CCRT may provide a better disease control for the group aged 63
      years or less and with tumor size of 25 mm or more.

PMID- 24222160
TI  - High-throughput molecular genotyping for small biopsy samples in advanced non
      small cell lung cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the key role of mutational analysis in targeted therapy, the
      difficulty in acquisition of adequate tumor tissues for molecular genotyping in
      advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has led to the need for a fast and
      efficient method for detecting genetic alterations for targeted therapy. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: We analyzed tissue specimens of advanced NSCLC. A mass spectrometry
      based assay was used to investigate 471 oncogenic mutations. All tumor specimens
      were prepared from fresh-frozen tissues. RESULTS: In total, there were 59 hotspot
      mutations in 67% of the entire patient group (41 out of 61 patients). The most
      frequent mutation was in TP53 (n=24, 39.3%), followed by EFGR (n=19, 31.1%).
      Others included MLH1, KRAS, PIK3CA, ERBB2, ABL1 and HRAS. CONCLUSION: Our results
      suggest that molecular genotyping using high-throughput technology such as
      OncoMap v4 is feasible, even with small biopsied specimens from patients with
      advanced NSCLC.

PMID- 24222161
TI  - Lymphadenectomy alone is a feasible option in managing incidentally-detected
      early-stage cervical cancer after simple hysterectomy without intermediate-risk
      factors: An application of the concept of less radical surgery.
AB  - AIM: To assess the feasibility of less radical surgery in patients with
      incidentally-detected cervical cancer at simple hysterectomy. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: High-risk factors (HFs) were evaluated in 104 patients who underwent
      radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy for the treatment of stage IA1-IB1
      cervical cancer according to intermediate-risk factors (IFs). RESULTS: Thirty
      three patients without IFs had no HFs. As the number of IFs increased, the number
      of HFs increased (p=0.009). Multivariate analysis revealed that lymph node
      metastasis was the only independent risk factor for parametrial involvement
      (hazard ratio, 31.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-599.4; p=0.022). An absence of
      IFs was associated with a longer progression-free survival than the presence of
      IFs in the subgroup analysis of favorable histologies (p=0.044). CONCLUSION: HFs
      could be excluded in stage IA1-IB1 cervical cancer without IFs. Omitting
      parametrectomy seems a feasible option for selected patients with incidentally
      detected early-stage cervical cancer at simple hysterectomy, without IFs.

PMID- 24222162
TI  - Histological inflammatory cell infiltration is associated with the number of
      lymph nodes retrieved in colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antitumor immune response is suggested to be a factor affecting the
      number of nodes retrieved after colorectal cancer surgery. The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate the correlation of antitumor immune response with the
      number of retrieved nodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with colorectal cancer
      (n=63, TNM stage II and III) were enrolled. Inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI)
      was assessed on hematoxylin and eosin staining and T-cell markers (CD3, CD8,
      CD45RO) were evaluated using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: On univariate
      analysis, high ICI, CD3 and CD8 expression were associated with a greater number
      of nodes being retrieved. On multivariate analysis, tumors of the right colon
      (p=0.01) and high ICI (p=0.04) were independent predictors of a greater retrieval
      of nodes. TNM stage III tumor with low ICI was associated with reduced cancer
      specific survival (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: ICI influences the number of nodes
      retrieved and affects survival of patients with stage III disease. Antitumor
      immune response may be an underlying factor determining the number of nodes
      retrieved after surgery for colorectal cancer.

PMID- 24222163
TI  - Ethnic variation in toxicity and outcome of adjuvant chemoradiation for gastric
      cancer in Israel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data on differences in toxicity and efficacy of chemotherapy and
      radiotherapy among different ethnic groups is limited. We evaluated differences
      in toxicity, tolerability and clinical outcome of Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi
      Jews receiving postoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced gastric cancer
      (LAGC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 6/2000-12/2007, 84 Ashkenazi patients and
      60 non-Ashkenazi patients underwent chemoradiation following resection of LAGC
      (INT-116 trial). RESULTS: Patients' and tumor characteristics were comparable.
      Ashkenazi patients experienced significantly higher rates of fatigue, anorexia,
      and grade 3-4 dysphagia, as well as a trend for a higher rate of diarrhea. The
      incidence of other toxicities, dose adjustments of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
      and patient prognosis did not differ. CONCLUSION: This study shows higher rates
      of various toxicities among Ashkenazi patients receiving postoperative
      chemoradiation for LAGC compared to non-Ashkenazi patients. To our knowledge,
      this is the first study comparing treatment toxicity, tolerability and outcome
      between these two groups.

PMID- 24222164
TI  - A9 region in EPHB2 mutation is frequent in tumors with microsatellite
      instability. Analysis of prognosis.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the relation of EPH tyrosine
      kinase receptor B2 (EPHB2) A9 region mutation and microsatellite instability
      (MSI); and to analyze their influence in prognosis of patients with sporadic
      colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 481 patients with CRC
      were examined. MSI (NCI criteria) and EPHB2 were analyzed using PCR and fragment
      analysis software. RESULTS: EPHB2 mutation was detected in 3.1% of patients.
      Mutation of EPHB2 was associated with location and with MSI status. We considered
      low instability (L-MSI) when only one marker showed instability, high instability
      (H-MSI) when two or more markers were positive and microsatelllite stable (MSS)
      when no instability was detected. The stratified analysis of overall survival
      (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in MSI according to EPHB2 status revealed no
      statistically significant differences. However, the risk of recurrence of H-MSI
      tumors with EPHB2 mutation carriers was 3.6-times higher than in non-mutation
      carriers. CONCLUSION: The frequency of EPHB2 mutation is higher in patients with
      H-MSI than MSS tumors. Promising results were found regarding the prognostic
      influence of EPHB2 in H-MSI.

PMID- 24222165
TI  - Effect of hospital volume on long-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy for
      clinical stage I gastric cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the effect of hospital volume on long
      term outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy for clinical
      stage I gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 420 patients with
      clinical stage I gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy at our
      university hospital (high-volume group) and affiliated hospitals (low-volume
      group) were included in this study. Overall survival (OS) and cause-specific
      survival (CSS) rates were analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences were
      observed in the number of lymph nodes retrieved (29.9 vs. 27.7, p=0.21) and CSS
      between the high- and low-volume groups (p=0.92), although the OS rate in the low
      volume group was significantly less than that in the high-volume group (p=0.045).
      CONCLUSION: These results indicate no clinical impact of hospital volume on
      prognosis of patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy for clinical stage I
      gastric cancer when performed by surgeons with sufficient experience in open
      gastrectomy.

PMID- 24222166
TI  - Predictors of long-term survival in hepatocellular carcinomas: A longitudinal
      follow-up of 108 patients with small tumors.
AB  - AIM: Locoregional treatment [including percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI)
      therapy and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)] provides an
      alternative treatment for early-diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
      However, the long-term survival of patients after locoregional treatments remains
      unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 108 patients with small HCC not
      indicated for surgical hepatic resection were recruited between 1991 and 1999.
      All patients received first treatment with PEI therapy alone or combined with
      TACE. We followed-up these patients until the end of 2007. Clinical attributes
      and biological markers in association with long-term survival were collected.
      Significant predictors were identified by using proportional hazards regression
      model. RESULTS: The overall 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year cumulative survival of
      patients with HCC (<5 cm) were 88.8%, 59.4%, 29.4%, and 12.3%, respectively.
      Child-Pugh status, type of tumor (solitary or multiple), levels of pre-treatment
      aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and treatment modality were significantly
      associated with long-term survival after adjustment for age and gender. Child
      Pugh B (hazard ration, HR=1.98, 95% confidence interval, CI=1.08-3.60) and higher
      level of pre-treatment AST (HR=1.91, 95% CI=1.18-3.08) were the two most
      significant predictors for risk of death from HCC-after adjusting for treatment
      modality and type of tumor. CONCLUSION: Child-Pugh score and AST level were
      demonstrated as the two major predictors for long-term survival in patients with
      small HCC not indicated for surgical treatment who underwent PEI-alone or
      combined with TACE. Clinical weights from Child-Pugh score and AST level are very
      informative for risk stratification and clinical surveillance of patients with
      small HCC treated by PEI-alone or combined with TACE.

PMID- 24222167
TI  - A survey of c-MET expression and amplification in 287 patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: c-N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine HOS transforming gene (c-MET)
      is a new potential drug target for treatment of patients with hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC), and a recent study of a c-MET inhibitor in such patients has
      shown promising results. In the present study, we investigated the incidence of c
      MET overexpression and its prognostic impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor tissue
      microarrays were used to detect the expression of c-MET in samples from 287
      patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection at Samsung Medical Center. We
      explored the relationships between c-MET overexpression and clinicopathological
      features of HCC, and investigated recurrence-free survival (RFS) and HCC-specific
      survival according to the level of c-MET expression. Additionally, we explored
      the correlation between c-MET protein overexpression, and MET mRNA expression and
      copy number variation. RESULTS: Most patients in the present study were male
      (n=297, 82.6%), with Child-Pugh class A liver function (n=286, 99.7%) and
      hepatitis B viral infection (n=217, 75.6%). c-MET overexpression was observed in
      80 patients (27.9%), and was not associated with Edmondson grade, tumor size,
      microvascular invasion, major portal vein invasion or stage. In addition, c-MET
      expression levels did not affect RFS or HCC-specific survival. c-MET expression
      was weakly correlated with c-MET copy number variation (r=0.255, p<0.001), but
      more than half of all patients with c-MET overexpression had a neutral c-MET copy
      number. c-MET protein expression was very weakly but significantly positively
      correlated with its mRNA expression (r=0.199, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: c-MET
      overexpression did not have any prognostic impact on recurrence or survival of
      patients with HCC undergoing surgical resection. However, 27.9% of patients who
      had c-MET overexpression could be considered candidates for treatment with c-MET
      inhibitor.

PMID- 24222168
TI  - Chemoradiation as a definitive treatment for cervical lymph node metastases from
      unknown primary cancer.
AB  - AIM: To assess the treatment outcomes of chemoradiation for cervical lymph node
      metastases from an unknown primary site (CUP), and to identify for prognostic
      factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients diagnosed as having CUP, and
      receiving chemoradiation as a definitive treatment were included in the analysis.
      Locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival
      (OS) rates were estimated, and the factors affecting treatment outcomes were
      analyzed. RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 25 months for surviving
      patients, the two- and five-year LRC, DFS, and OS rates were 56%/45%, 46%/36%,
      and 69%/52%, respectively. On univariate analysis, lower performance status (PS;
      p=0.001), and limitation of disease to level 2 or 3 lymph nodes (p=0.009) were
      significantly associated with better DFS. Low PS (p=0.002) was significantly
      associated with better LRC. No late toxicity of grade 3 or greater was observed.
      CONCLUSION: Definitive chemoradiation for CUP was well-tolerated, with
      improvement of DFS/LRC for those with good PS and disease limited to level 2 or 3
      lymph nodes.

PMID- 24222169
TI  - Outcome analysis of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography in
      patients with lung cancer after partial volume correction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the necessity for the partial volume
      effect (PVE) correction of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in
      (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) for predicting
      outcome in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A total of 191 patients, with tumor diameters ranging from 10-37 mm,
      underwent pre-operative FDG-PET and curative resection. The SUVmax (Pre-SUV) of
      the primary tumor was corrected (Cor-SUV) using a recovery coefficient curve
      based on phantom experiments. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OS) and
      disease-free survival (DFS) of the patients with high Pre-SUVs were lower than
      those with low Pre-SUVs (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). The 5-year OS and
      DFS of patients with high Cor-SUVs were significantly lower than those with low
      Cor-SUVs (p<0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Even without PVE
      correction, SUVmax was able to predict for outcome in patients with NSCLC.

PMID- 24222170
TI  - Aberrant methylation of the Ras-related associated with diabetes gene in human
      primary esophageal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Ras-related associated with diabetes (RRAD), a member of the Ras
      related GTPase superfamily, is frequently methylated in several human cancers,
      though its methylation profile remains unclear in esophageal cancer. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: We examined RRAD promoter hypermethylation using real-time
      quantitative methylation-specific PCR in 229 primary human esophageal tissues of
      contrasting histological types. RESULTS: RRAD hypermethylation showed highly
      discriminative receiver-operator characteristic curve profiles, clearly
      distinguishing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) from esophageal
      adenocarcinoma (EAC) or normal esophagus (NE) (p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively).
      RRAD normalized methylation values were significantly higher in ESCC (0.0242)
      than in NE (0.0057, p<0.05) or EAC (0.0139, p<0.01). RRAD hypermethylation
      frequency was also significantly higher in ESCC (23.1%) than in NE (0%, p<0.05)
      or EAC (5.4%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Promoter hypermethylation of RRAD is a
      frequent, tissue-specific event in ESCC, and is uncommon in EAC. The aberrant
      methylation of RRAD may be involved in the pathogenesis of a subset of ESCC, but
      not in EAC.

PMID- 24222171
TI  - Testis-sparing surgery for the conservative management of small testicular
      masses: an update.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malignant germ cell tumours represent the vast majority of palpable
      testicular masses, and radical orchiectomy is still considered the standard-of
      care. Testis-sparing surgery (TSS) could be an alternative to radical orchiectomy
      in patients diagnosed with small testicular masses (STMs). The aim of this
      article was to review the current indications and the oncological and functional
      outcomes of TSS when performed for STMs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a
      non-systematic review of literature using the Medline database, including a free
      text protocol using the terms "testis sparing surgery", "partial orchiectomy",
      "testis tumour" and "sex cord tumour". Only the articles reporting data on organ
      sparing surgery for testicular neoplasms were evaluated. RESULTS: No randomized
      controlled trials comparing TSS with radical orchiectomy have been reported.
      Indications for TSS are controversial, especially for patients with normal contra
      lateral testis. For testicular masses of less then 2 cm, TSS seems to be the best
      treatment option. Frozen-section examination is an essential assessment at the
      time of TSS, and allows for discrimination of benign from malignant neoplasms.
      Intermediate- and long-term follow-up results showed no significant risk of local
      and distant recurrences in the main series reported in literature. CONCLUSION:
      According to currently available data, TSS is a safe and effective treatment for
      STMs in selected patients, and bypasses surgical overtreatment, without
      compromising oncological and functional outcomes. Further studies are needed in
      order to confirm the oncological safety of this procedure.

PMID- 24222174
TI  - How do babies know their friends and foes?
AB  - The study of infant social cognition is the study of how human infants acquire
      information about people. By examining infants' sensory abilities and the
      stimulus characteristics of people, research can determine what information is
      available to infants from their social world. We can then consider what social
      environments are appropriate for infants of different ages. This paper examines
      the sociocognitive competencies of human infants during the first 6 months of
      their lives and asks how these competencies are functional in the daily social
      ecology of the human infant. Select examples of research with other species are
      used to illustrate how the adaptive significance of sociocognitive abilities
      could be more fruitfully explored in studies of human infancy. 

PMID- 24222175
TI  - The early crying paradox : A modest proposal.
AB  - In contemporary Western societies, infants in the first 3 months cry more than at
      any other time during their life. Although this crying is believed to function to
      assure nutrition, protection, and mother-infant interaction thought to be
      essential for later attachment, it also predisposes to complaints of excessive
      crying ("colic"), discontinuing breast-feeding, and, in the extreme case, child
      abuse. A resolution of this apparent paradox is proposed based on evidence that
      elements of caregiving are important determinants of some aspects of early
      crying. It is argued that early human crying under caretaking conditions typical
      in Western societies is characterized by prolonged crying bouts, that it is
      specifically the length of crying bouts (rather than frequency or pattern) that
      is affected by caregiving practice, and that prolonged crying bouts are probably
      not characteristic with caretaking practices typical in non-Western societies and
      possibly in our evolutionary past. It is suggested that caregiving behaviors may
      recruit normal physiological functions that potentiate cry bout duration in
      Western caregiving contexts, but reduce it in others. Frequent, short bouts are
      sufficient, and probably better suited than long bouts, to promote all the
      positive and presumably adaptive functions claimed for infant crying.
      Furthermore, they may have provided a mechanism by which infants could enhance
      their own fitness. 

PMID- 24222176
TI  - Anorexia nervosa : Levels of causation.
AB  - Anorexia nervosa remains an enigma among Western cultures. Various causal
      explanations have been offered, encompassing biological, psychological, and
      sociocultural models. These explanations, however, focus on the immediate or
      proximal mechanisms of causation. A more thorough understanding of anorexia
      nervosa can be achieved by understanding the relationship between these factors
      and ultimate causation, the level of explanation which deals with individual
      reproductive fitness. This paper reviews the biological, psychological,
      sociocultural, and evolutionary models and indicates a necessary synthesis
      between proximate and ultimate levels of causation in examining the anorexia
      nervosa puzzle. 

PMID- 24222177
TI  - The exotic and the mundane : Human immunodeficiency virus in Haiti.
AB  - The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Haiti has often been referred to as a "mystery," and
      "striking similarities" between patterns of disease in Haiti and in sub-Saharan
      Africa are often underlined. The occurrence of AIDS in Haitians has also led to
      the postulation of a number of theories positing a Haitian origin for AIDS and
      linking the syndrome in Haitians to voodoo. A review of the epidemiological data
      gathered and published in the early years of the pandemic suggests that these
      "exotic" theories are not necessary to explain the Haitian epidemic, which is
      clearly linked not to Africa but to the United States. Patterns of risk
      identified among many of the first Haitians with AIDS are similar to risk factors
      identified in North America and Europe (same-sex contact with an HIV-infected
      individual and blood transfusion). The Haitian epidemicsubsequently came to
      resemble patterns seen in sub-Saharan Africa, where AIDS is predominantly a
      heterosexually transmitted disease. Similarly shifting patterns are described for
      several other Caribbean nations, underlining the importance of a historical
      analysis of the Caribbean pandemic as well as the necessity to link analysis of
      local epidemiology of AIDS/HIV to larger considerations of political economy. 

PMID- 24222178
TI  - A traceless directing group for C-H borylation.
AB  - Not a trace: Borylation of the nitrogen in nitrogen heterocycles or anilines
      provides a traceless directing group for subsequent catalytic C-H borylation.
      Selectivities that previously required Boc protection can be achieved;
      furthermore, the NBpin directing group can be installed and removed in-situ, and
      product yields are substantially higher. Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl, pin=pinacolato.

PMID- 24222179
TI  - Plasma microRNA are disease response biomarkers in classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although microRNAs (miRNA) show potential as diagnostic biomarkers in
      cancer, their role as circulating cell-free disease response biomarkers remains
      unknown. Candidate circulating miRNA biomarkers for classical Hodgkin lymphoma
      (cHL) might arise from Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and/or nonmalignant
      tumor-infiltrating cells. HRS cells are sparse within the diseased node, embedded
      within a benign microenvironment, the composition of which is distinct from that
      seen in healthy lymph nodes. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Microarray profiling of more
      than 1,000 human miRNAs in 14 cHL primary tissues and eight healthy lymph nodes
      revealed a number of new disease node-associated miRNAs, including miR-494 and
      miR-1973. Using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), we tested the utility of
      these, as well as previously identified disease node-associated plasma miRNAs
      (including miR-21 and miR-155), as disease response biomarkers in a prospective
      cohort of 42 patients with cHL. Blood samples were taken in conjunction with
      radiologic imaging at fixed time points before, during, and after therapy.
      Absolute quantification was used so as to facilitate implementation in diagnostic
      laboratories. RESULTS: Levels of miR-494, miR-1973, and miR-21 were higher in
      patients than control (n = 20) plasma (P = 0.004, P = 0.007, and P < 0.0001,
      respectively). MiR-494 and miR-21 associated with Hasenclever scores >=3.
      Strikingly, all three miRNAs returned to normal at remission (P = 0.0006, P =
      0.0002, and P < 0.0001 respectively). However, only miR-494 and miR-1973
      reflected interim therapy response with reduction being more pronounced in
      patients achieving complete versus partial responses (P = 0.043 and P = 0.0012,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that in patients with cHL,
      circulating cell-free miRNAs can reflect disease response once therapy has
      commenced.

PMID- 24222180
TI  - Survival impact of surgical resection of primary tumor in patients with stage IV
      colorectal cancer: results from a large population-based cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Currently, there is very low-quality evidence available regarding
      benefit of surgical resection of the primary tumor (SRPT), in patients with stage
      IV colorectal cancer (CRC). In the absence of randomization, the reported benefit
      may reflect selection of younger and healthier patients with good performance
      status. A large population-based cohort study was undertaken to determine the
      survival benefit of SRPT in advanced CRC by eliminating various biases reported
      in the literature. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study involving patients with
      stage IV CRC, diagnosed between 1992 and 2005, in the province of Saskatchewan,
      Canada. Survival was estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival
      distribution was compared by log-rank test. Cox proportional multivariate
      regression analysis was performed to determine survival benefit of SRPT by
      controlling other prognostic variables. RESULTS: A total of 1378 eligible
      patients were identified. Their median age was 70 years (range, 22-98 years) and
      male:female ratio was 1.3:1; 944 (68.5%) of them underwent SRPT. Among 1378
      patients, 42.3% received chemotherapy and 19.1% received second-generation
      therapy. Patients who underwent SRPT and received chemotherapy had median overall
      survival of 18.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 16.6-20 months) compared
      with 8.4 months (95% CI = 7.1-9.7 months) if they were treated with chemotherapy
      alone (P < .0001). Cox proportional analysis revealed that use of chemotherapy
      (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.41-0.54), SRPT (HR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.41
      0.58), second-line chemotherapy (HR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.45-0.64), and
      metastasectomy (HR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.45-0.64) were correlated with superior
      survival. CONCLUSIONS: SRPT improves survival in patients with stage IV CRC,
      independent of other prognostic variables including age, performance status,
      comorbid illness and chemotherapy.

PMID- 24222181
TI  - Beyond the tangent point: gaze targets in naturalistic driving.
AB  - Moving in natural environments is guided by looking where you are going. When
      entering a bend, car drivers direct their gaze toward the inside of the curve, in
      the region of the curve apex. This behavior has been analyzed in terms of both
      "tangent point models," which posit that drivers are looking at the tangent point
      (TP), and "future path models," which posit that drivers are visually targeting a
      point on the desired trajectory or future path (FP). This issue remains
      unresolved, partly due to the challenge of representing the changing visual
      projection of the trajectory into the driver's field of view. This paper reports
      a study of naturalistic driving, in which the FP in the field of view is
      explicitly modeled, and the TP and reference points on the FP are simultaneously
      analyzed as potential gaze targets. We argue that traditional area-of-interest
      methods commonly interpreted as supporting the TP hypothesis are problematic when
      the interest is contrasting multiple gaze targets. This prompts a critical
      reassessment of the empirical case for the ubiquity of looking at the TP and the
      generality of the TP hypothesis as an account of where people look when they
      steer. As a basis for representing driver gaze behavior, the FP is an equally
      valid point of departure. There are no overwhelming theoretical or empirical
      reasons for favoring the TP models over the FP models. 

PMID- 24222182
TI  - A synchronous surround increases the motion strength gain of motion.
AB  - Coherent motion detection is greatly enhanced by the synchronous presentation of
      a static surround (Linares, Motoyoshi, & Nishida, 2012). To further understand
      this contextual enhancement, here we measured the sensitivity to discriminate
      motion strength for several pedestal strengths with and without a surround. We
      found that the surround improved discrimination of low and medium motion
      strengths, but did not improve or even impaired discrimination of high motion
      strengths. We used motion strength discriminability to estimate the perceptual
      response function assuming additive noise and found that the surround increased
      the motion strength gain, rather than the response gain. Given that eye and body
      movements continuously introduce transients in the retinal image, it is possible
      that this strength gain occurs in natural vision. 

PMID- 24222183
TI  - EEG precursors of detected and missed targets during free-viewing search.
AB  - When scanning a scene, the target of our search may be in plain sight and yet
      remain unperceived. Conversely, at other times the target may be perceived in the
      periphery prior to fixation. There is ample behavioral and neurophysiological
      evidence to suggest that in some constrained visual-search tasks, targets are
      detected prior to fixational eye movements. However, limited human data are
      available during unconstrained search to determine the time course of detection,
      the brain areas involved, and the neural correlates of failures to detect a
      foveated target. Here, we recorded and analyzed electroencephalographic (EEG)
      activity during free-viewing visual search, varying the task difficulty to
      compare neural signatures for detected and unreported ("missed") targets. When
      carefully controlled to remove eye-movement-related potentials, saccade-locked
      EEG shows that: (a) "Easy" targets may be detected as early as 150 ms prior to
      foveation, as indicated by a premotor potential associated with a button
      response; (b) object-discriminating occipital activity emerges during the saccade
      to target; and (c) success and failures to detect a target are accompanied by a
      modulation in alpha-band power over fronto-central areas as well as altered
      saccade dynamics. Taken together, these data suggest that target detection during
      free viewing can begin prior to and continue during a saccade, with failure or
      success in reporting a target possibly resulting from inhibition or activation of
      fronto-central processing areas associated with saccade control. 

PMID- 24222184
TI  - The composite effect for inverted faces is reliable at large sample sizes and
      requires the basic face configuration.
AB  - The absence of the face composite effect (FCE) for inverted faces is often
      considered evidence that holistic processing operates only on upright faces.
      However, such absence might be explained by power issues: Most studies that have
      failed to find the inverted FCE tested 24 participants or less. Here we find that
      the inverted FCE exists reliably when we tested at least 60 participants. The
      inverted FCE was ~ 18% the size of the upright FCE, and it was unaffected by
      testing order: It did not matter whether participants did the upright condition
      first (Experiment 1, n = 64) or the inverted condition first (Experiment 2, n =
      68). The effect also remained when upright and inverted trials were mixed
      (Experiment 3, n = 60). An individual differences analysis found a modest
      positive correlation between inverted and upright FCE, suggesting partially
      shared mechanisms. A critical control experiment demonstrates that the inverted
      FCE cannot be explained by visuospatial attention or other generic accounts
      because the effect disappeared when the basic face configuration was disrupted
      (Experiment 4, n = 50). Our study shows that the inverted FCE is a reliable
      effect that requires an intact face configuration, consistent with the notion
      that some holistic processing also operates on inverted faces. 

PMID- 24222185
TI  - Prognostic impact of NDRG2 and NDRG3 in prostate cancer patients undergoing
      radical prostatectomy.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the clinicopathologic significance of NDRG2 and NDRG3, and
      their involvement in recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of
      prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: NDRG2 and NDRG3 expression in 206 pairs of
      primary PCa and corresponding noncancerous prostate tissue samples from the same
      specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry. The association of NDRG2 and
      NDRG3 expression with the clinicopathologic features and with the prognosis of
      PCa was subsequently assessed. RESULTS: In PCa tissues, NDRG2 expression was
      significantly downregulated, while NDRG3 expression was significantly upregulated
      (both P<0.001), compared with those in corresponding noncancerous prostate
      tissues. In addition, the downregulation of NDRG2 in PCa tissues was
      significantly correlated with advanced pathological stage (P=0.001), positive
      metastatic status (P=0.001) and high Gleason score (P=0.003), while the
      upregulation of NDRG3 in PCa tissues was significantly correlated with advanced
      pathological stage (P=0.006), positive metastatic status (P=0.001) and lymph node
      status (P=0.002). Furthermore, multivariate survival analysis showed low NDRG2
      and high NDRG3 immunoreactivities were both significantly associated with short
      RFS and short OS in PCa independently of routine clinicopathological predictors.
      CONCLUSION: Our data offer convincing evidence for the first time that the
      aberrant expression of NDRG2 and NDRG3 may contribute to the malignant
      progression of PCa. More importantly, both the downregulation of NDRG2 and the
      upregulation of NDRG3 may be efficient prognostic indicators for PCa.

PMID- 24222186
TI  - Reliability of laryngostroboscopic evaluation on lesion size and glottal
      configuration: a revisit.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study investigated the inter-rater and intrarater
      reliability of four basic visual perceptual parameters (lesion size rating and
      glottal configuration) in laryngostroboscopic evaluation. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort
      Study. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-five laryngostroboscopic video samples were
      evaluated by three raters on four measurements: 1) mass lesion size rating, 2)
      amplitude of vocal fold vibration, 3) supraglottic activity, and 4) shape of the
      glottal closure using the modified Stroboscopy Examination Rating Form. RESULTS:
      Good inter- and intrarater reliability were found in rating the lesion size (0.75
      0.81, P=.001), anteroposterior supraglottic activity (0.64, P=.001), and glottal
      closure (0.65, P=.001). Inter-rater reliability in evaluating the mediolateral
      supraglottic activity and the amplitude of vocal fold vibration were low to
      moderate (0.50 and 0.46, respectively, P=.001), whereas the intrarater
      reliability was more variable (0.2-0.70). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated
      that the evaluation of static structures like lesion size rating, the
      anteroposterior supraglottic compression, and the glottal closure is a relatively
      reliable method. The evaluation of dynamic structures, such as the vocal fold
      vibratory amplitude measure was, however, found to be of low reliability. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: NA.

PMID- 24222187
TI  - Movement disorders associated with CLIPPERS.

PMID- 24222188
TI  - Transmission modes and the evolution of virulence : With special reference to
      cholera, influenza, and AIDS.
AB  - Application of evolutionary principles to epidemiological problems indicates that
      cultural characteristics influence the evolution of parasite virulence by
      influencing the success of disease transmission from immobilized, infected hosts.
      This hypothesis is supported by positive correlations between virulence and
      transmission by biological vectors, water, and institutional attendants. The
      general evolutionary argument is then applied to the causes and consequences of
      increased virulence for three diseases: cholera, influenza and AIDS. 

PMID- 24222189
TI  - Culture and the evolution of obesity.
AB  - Human predispositions to fatness and obesity are best understood in the context
      of cultural and biological evolution. Both genes and cultural traits that were
      adaptive in the context of past food scarcities play a role today in the etiology
      of maladaptive adult obesity. The etiology of obesity must account for the social
      distribution of the condition with regard to gender, ethnicity, social class, and
      economic modernization. This distribution, which has changed throughout history,
      undoubtedly involves cultural factors. A model of culture is presented that has
      advantages over an undifferentiated concept of the "environment" for hypothesis
      generation. Cultural predispositions to obesity are found in the productive
      economy, the mode of reproduction, social structure, and cultural beliefs about
      food and ideal body size. Cross-cultural comparison can contribute to an
      understanding of the prevalence of obesity in some modern affluent societies. 

PMID- 24222190
TI  - Physical violence, child abuse, and child homicide : A continuum of violence, or
      distinct behaviors?
AB  - The study of child abuse and child homicide has been based on the often implicit
      assumption that there is a continuum of violence ranging from mild physical
      punishment to severe abuse and homicide. Empirical data supporting this
      assumption are sparse. Existing data can be shown, however, to support an
      assumption that there are distinct forms of violence, not a continuum. This paper
      reviews these data and discusses their implications for the study of violence,
      abuse, and homicide in terms of substantive and methodological explanations. In
      addition, the implications of the assumption that violence consists of distinct
      behaviors as opposed to a continuum are discussed in light of sociobiological and
      evolutionary explanations of child abuse and child homicide. 

PMID- 24222191
TI  - Conserving resources for children.
AB  - Parents can benefit their offspring by conserving resources that the offspring
      stand to inherit. Thus, inheritance of resources should promote the evolution of
      propensities to conserve. But inheritance also has another, less obvious effect:
      it can reduce the fertility of the conserver's grandchildren, thus reducing the
      expected number of great-grandchildren. Consequently, inheritance of resources
      promotes the evolution of conservation less than might be supposed. 

PMID- 24222192
TI  - Hair analysis in the detection of long-term use of non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs and its relation to gastrointestinal hemorrhage: an
      examination of 268 hair and blood samples from autopsy cases.
AB  - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used as analgesics
      and antipyretics in Western countries. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are common
      side effects of NSAIDs and other drugs. This study investigated the correlation
      between chronic use of these substances and GI lesions by analyzing postmortem
      blood and hair samples from autopsy cases. This study included 268 hair and blood
      samples from autopsy cases. Deceased individuals with GI lesions were selected
      for the case group (n = 132) and those without any GI lesions were placed in the
      control group (n = 136). Collection of the samples took place from 2008 until
      2010 at the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Charite
      Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany. HPLC-DAD was used to analyze the blood
      samples while hair samples were analyzed using LC-quadrupole-time-of-flight-MS.
      The proximal 0-6 cm hair segment was analyzed. The full length of shorter hair
      samples was analyzed when longer segments were unavailable. Method validation was
      performed according to the guidelines of the German Society of Toxicological and
      Forensic Chemistry (GTFCh). Twenty-three per cent of the case group blood samples
      included one or more NSAIDs while 19 % of the control group blood samples
      included one or more NSAIDs. In contrast, the hair analysis results demonstrated
      that samples from the control and case group differed significantly; 67 % of the
      case group tested positive for one or more NSAIDs while 38 % of the control group
      tested positive for one or more NSAIDs. Hair analysis results provided a strong
      indication of a relationship between frequent NSAID consumption and GI lesions.

PMID- 24222193
TI  - Factors associated with social interactions between deaf children and their
      hearing peers: a systematic literature review.
AB  - Research indicates that deaf children can have marked social difficulties
      compared with their hearing peers. Factors that influence these social
      interactions need to be reviewed to inform interventions. A systematic search of
      5 key databases and 3 specialized journals identified 14 papers that met the
      inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of the articles was assessed using an
      adapted checklist. There was a general lack of consensus across studies. The main
      factors investigated were the deaf child's communication competency, age, and
      level of mainstreaming, which overall were positively associated with peer
      interactions. Some studies also found that females were more likely to have
      positive social interactions. The majority of studies were cross-sectional. Some
      studies lacked appropriate control groups and did not recruit an appropriate
      range of informants. A wide range of factors were associated with social
      interactions between deaf and hearing children. The role of communication gained
      the highest consensus across studies. Other factors were involved in more complex
      interactions. 

PMID- 24222194
TI  - Patient-reported outcomes from EMILIA, a randomized phase 3 study of trastuzumab
      emtansine (T-DM1) versus capecitabine and lapatinib in human epidermal growth
      factor receptor 2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This report describes the results of an analysis of patient-reported
      outcomes from EMILIA (TDM4370g/BO21977), a randomized phase 3 study of the
      antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) versus capecitabine and
      lapatinib in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive locally
      advanced or metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: A secondary endpoint of the EMILIA
      study was time to symptom worsening (time from randomization to the first
      documentation of a >= 5-point decrease from baseline) as measured by the Trial
      Outcome Index Physical/Functional/Breast (TOI-PFB) subset of the Functional
      Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast questionnaire. Predefined exploratory patient
      reported outcome endpoints included proportion of patients with a clinically
      significant improvement in symptoms (per TOI-PFB) and proportion of patients with
      diarrhea symptoms (per Diarrhea Assessment Scale). RESULTS: In the T-DM1 arm, 450
      of 495 patients had a baseline and >= 1 postbaseline TOI-PFB score versus 445 of
      496 patients in the capecitabine-plus-lapatinib arm. Time to symptom worsening
      was delayed in the T-DM1 arm versus the capecitabine-plus-lapatinib arm (7.1
      months versus 4.6 months, respectively; hazard ratio = 0.796; P = .0121). In the
      T-DM1 arm, 55.3% of patients developed clinically significant improvement in
      symptoms from baseline versus 49.4% in the capecitabine-plus-lapatinib arm (P =
      .0842). Although similar at baseline, the number of patients reporting diarrhea
      symptoms increased 1.5- to 2-fold during treatment with capecitabine and
      lapatinib but remained near baseline levels in the T-DM1 arm. CONCLUSIONS:
      Together with the EMILIA primary data, these results support the concept that T
      DM1 has greater efficacy and tolerability than capecitabine plus lapatinib, which
      may translate into improvements in health-related quality of life.

PMID- 24222195
TI  - Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations of beta-stereogenic alpha-ketoesters
      by direct aldolization.
AB  - Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DyKAT) of racemic beta-bromo-alpha
      keto esters by direct aldolization of nitromethane and acetone provide access to
      fully substituted alpha-glycolic acid derivatives bearing a beta-stereocenter.
      The aldol adducts are obtained in excellent yield with high relative and absolute
      stereocontrol under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies determined that
      the reactions proceed through a facile catalyst-mediated racemization of the beta
      bromo-alpha-keto esters under a DyKAT Type I manifold. 

PMID- 24222196
TI  - Adaptive mutation in nuclear export protein allows stable transgene expression in
      a chimaeric influenza A virus vector.
AB  - The development of influenza virus vectors with long insertions of foreign
      sequences remains difficult due to the small size and instable nature of the
      virus. Here, we used the influenza virus inherent property of self-optimization
      to generate a vector stably expressing long transgenes from the NS1 protein ORF.
      This was achieved by continuous selection of bright fluorescent plaques of a GFP
      expressing vector during multiple passages in mouse B16f1 cells. The newly
      generated vector acquired stability in IFN-competent cell lines and in vivo in
      murine lungs. Although improved vector fitness was associated with the appearance
      of four coding mutations in the polymerase (PB2), haemagglutinin and non
      structural (NS) segments, the stability of the transgene expression was dependent
      primarily on the single mutation Q20R in the nuclear export protein (NEP).
      Importantly, a longer insert, such as a cassette of 1299 nt encoding two
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis Esat6 and Ag85A proteins, could substitute for the GFP
      transgene. Thus, the inherent property of the influenza virus to adapt can also
      be used to adjust a vector backbone to give stable expression of long transgenes.

PMID- 24222197
TI  - Segmentation of scanning electron microscopy images from natural rubber samples
      with gold nanoparticles using starlet wavelets.
AB  - Electronic microscopy has been used for morphology evaluation of different
      materials structures. However, microscopy results may be affected by several
      factors. Image processing methods can be used to correct and improve the quality
      of these results. In this article, we propose an algorithm based on starlets to
      perform the segmentation of scanning electron microscopy images. An application
      is presented in order to locate gold nanoparticles in natural rubber membranes.
      In this application, our method showed accuracy greater than 85% for all test
      images. Results given by this method will be used in future studies, to
      computationally estimate the density distribution of gold nanoparticles in
      natural rubber samples and to predict reduction kinetics of gold nanoparticles at
      different time periods.

PMID- 24222198
TI  - Osteopenia: debates and dilemmas.
AB  - Whether or not to use pharmacologic agents for primary prevention of fracture
      among elderly men and women with osteopenia is debated by clinicians. In this
      review we provide an update to enable better understanding and characterization
      of this population, including the prevalence of osteopenia, transitioning from
      osteopenia to osteoporosis, and clinically applicable tools for fracture risk
      assessment. We also emphasize the very limited evidence of the benefits and risks
      of anti-osteoporotic agents for this population for primary fracture prevention,
      and the need for future studies to guide clinical practice. 

PMID- 24222206
TI  - The limbic system and culture : An allometric analysis of the neocortex and
      limbic nuclei.
AB  - The human ability to live according to learned, shared rules of behavior requires
      cortical functions. Is the limbic system also necessary for culture or are its
      functions opposed to it, requiring cortical inhibition? The sizes of monkey and
      ape neocortical and major limbic structures scale with brain weight, but the
      neocortex expands more (has a steeper exponent) than limbic structures. As the
      human brain evolved it did not deviate from the scaling relationships found in
      nonhuman anthropoids. This evidence for conservation in scaling supports the idea
      that limbic functions are necessary for human symbolism and culture. 

PMID- 24222207
TI  - Culture, biology, and human behavior : A mechanistic approach.
AB  - Social scientists have not integrated relevant knowledge from the biological
      sciences into their explanations of human behavior. This failure is due to a
      longstanding antireductionistic bias against the natural sciences, which follows
      on a commitment to the view that social facts must be explained by social laws.
      This belief has led many social scientists into the error of reifying abstract
      analytical constructs into entities that possess powers of agency. It has also
      led to a false nature-culture dichotomy that effectively undermines the place of
      biology in social scientific explanation. Following the principles of
      methodological individualism, we show how behavioral explanations supported by
      data and theory from the neurosciences can be used to correct the errors of
      reificationist thinking in the social sciences. We outline a mechanistic approach
      to the explanation of human behavior with the hope that the biological sciences
      will begin to find greater acceptance among social scientists. 

PMID- 24222205
TI  - Human neuropsychology and the concept of culture.
AB  - American anthropology is distinguished by a four-fields approach in which
      biological, cultural, archaeological, and linguistic dimensions of behavior are
      examined in evolutionary and cross-cultural perspective. Nevertheless,
      assumptions of mind-body dualism pervade scholarly thinking in anthropology and
      have prevented the development of a truly integrated science of human experience.
      This dualism is most exemplified by the lack of consideration of the role of the
      brain in both "physical" and "mental" processes, including phenomena labeled as
      cultural. In this paper, I review neural mechanisms of learning, communication,
      and emotion, and discuss the implications of these findings for culture theory. 

PMID- 24222208
TI  - PSAR-align: improving multiple sequence alignment using probabilistic sampling.
AB  - SUMMARY: We developed PSAR-Align, a multiple sequence realignment tool that can
      refine a given multiple sequence alignment based on suboptimal alignments
      generated by probabilistic sampling. Our evaluation demonstrated that PSAR-Align
      is able to improve the results from various multiple sequence alignment tools.
      AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The PSAR-Align source code (implemented mainly
      in C++) is freely available for download at http://bioen
      compbio.bioen.illinois.edu/PSAR-Align.

PMID- 24222209
TI  - tRanslatome: an R/Bioconductor package to portray translational control.
AB  - High-throughput technologies have led to an explosion of genomic data available
      for automated analysis. The consequent possibility to simultaneously sample
      multiple layers of variation along the gene expression flow requires
      computational methods integrating raw information from different '-omics'. It has
      been recently demonstrated that translational control is a widespread phenomenon,
      with profound and still underestimated regulation capabilities. Although
      detecting changes in the levels of total messenger RNAs (mRNAs; the
      transcriptome), of polysomally loaded mRNAs (the translatome) and of proteins
      (the proteome) is experimentally feasible in a high-throughput way, the
      integration of these levels is still far from being robustly approached. Here we
      introduce tRanslatome, a new R/Bioconductor package, which is a complete platform
      for the simultaneous pairwise analysis of transcriptome, translatome and proteome
      data. The package includes most of the available statistical methods developed
      for the analysis of high-throughput data, allowing the parallel comparison of
      differentially expressed genes and the corresponding differentially enriched
      biological themes. Notably, it also enables the prediction of translational
      regulatory elements on mRNA sequences. The utility of this tool is demonstrated
      with two case studies. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: tRanslatome is available
      in Bioconductor.

PMID- 24222210
TI  - DoMosaics: software for domain arrangement visualization and domain-centric
      analysis of proteins.
AB  - DoMosaics is an application that unifies protein domain annotation, domain
      arrangement analysis and visualization in a single tool. It simplifies the
      analysis of protein families by consolidating disjunct procedures based on often
      inconvenient command-line applications and complex analysis tools. It provides a
      simple user interface with access to domain annotation services such as
      InterProScan or a local HMMER installation, and can be used to compare, analyze
      and visualize the evolution of domain architectures. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: DoMosaics is licensed under theApache License, Version 2.0, and
      binaries can be freely obtained from www.domosaics.net.

PMID- 24222211
TI  - Phase 2 trial of aromatase inhibition with letrozole in patients with uterine
      leiomyosarcomas expressing estrogen and/or progesterone receptors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advanced uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is an incurable disease. A
      significant percentage of cases of ULMS express estrogen and/or progesterone
      receptors (ER and/or PR). To the authors' knowledge, the role of estrogen
      suppression in disease management is not known. METHODS: The authors performed a
      single-arm phase 2 study of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole at a dose of 2.5 mg
      daily in patients with unresectable ULMS with ER and/or PR expression confirmed
      by immunohistochemistry. Tumor assessments were performed at baseline, 6 weeks,
      12 weeks, and every 8 weeks thereafter. Toxicity was monitored throughout
      treatment. The primary endpoint was the progression-free survival at 12 weeks.
      RESULTS: A total of 27 patients was accrued, with a median of 2 prior treatment
      regimens (range, 0-9 treatment regimens). The median duration of protocol
      treatment was 2.2 months (range, 0.4 months-9.9 months). The 12-week progression
      free survival rate was 50% (90% confidence interval, 30%-67%). The best response
      was stable disease in 14 patients (54%; 90% CI, 36%-71%). Three patients, all of
      whom had tumors expressing ER and PR in > 90% of tumor cells, continued to
      receive letrozole for > 24 weeks. The most common reason for treatment
      discontinuation was disease progression (85%). Letrozole was found to be well
      tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Letrozole met protocol-defined criteria as an agent with
      activity in patients with advanced ULMS. Patients with the longest progression
      free survival rate were those whose tumors strongly and diffusely expressed ER
      and PR.

PMID- 24222212
TI  - Surgical management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: analysis of 162
      cases from 1995 to 2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to report on a series of 162
      patients presenting with juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in a single
      academic hospital during the past 17 years, in an effort to compare outcomes
      between open and transnasal endoscopic approach, and to define an ideal treatment
      strategy. STUDY DESIGN: Patients who received either open or endoscopic surgery
      with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were selected. Local control and
      complications were compared between groups. METHODS: Retrospectively, clinical
      data, surgical reports, pre- and postoperative images, and follow-up information
      were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: All patients were male subjects from 8 to 41
      years old. Ninety-six patients were treated by transpalatal or transmaxillary
      approach, and the remaining 66 patients were treated using transnasal endoscopic
      approach with/without labiogingival incision. When compared to the open surgery
      group, the endoscopic surgery group showed a lower median intraoperative blood
      loss (800 vs. 1100 mL, P = .017) and a lower number of postoperative
      complications (one vs. 10). In addition, recurrence statistically correlated with
      Radkowski's classification and patient age. CONCLUSIONS: Transnasal endoscopic
      approach can be successfully used for Radkowski's stages I-IIb tumors and
      selective IIc-IIIb lesions, allowing for less blood loss, fewer postoperative
      complications, and a lower percentage of recurrence in comparison to open
      surgery. The management of recurrent tumor is complex, should be individually
      tailored, and should take into account tumor location, patient age, complications
      of treatment, and the possibility of spontaneous involution, to better define
      treatment strategy.

PMID- 24222215
TI  - Reduced genetic diversity in endemic Brazilian Lymania spp (Bromeliaceae)
      populations and implications for conservation.
AB  - We analyzed the genetic diversity of populations of two sympatric species of
      Lymania (Bromeliaceae), both endemic to the Atlantic rainforest of southern Bahia
      (Brazil). Lymania azurea has a restricted occurrence, while Lymania smithii has a
      wider distribution. Our aim was to provide genetic data to contribute to the
      design of more efficient conservation strategies for these bromeliads, possibly
      justifying inclusion in the official Brazilian list of Endangered Species. Up to
      now, L. azurea has been classified by the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment
      as "data deficient". We sampled four populations of L. azurea throughout its
      distribution area in southern Bahia and two populations of L. smithii in the same
      region. Genotyping was performed with 48 random amplified polymorphic DNA
      markers. Based on the Jaccard genetic similarity index, L. smithii has greater
      diversity than L. azurea. An analysis of molecular variation showed greater
      genetic variance within than between populations for both species. L. azurea was
      found to have 20% inbreeding, probably due to population fragmentation, with L.
      smithii showing only 10%. When we analyzed pairs of populations of L. azurea
      within a conservation unit, we found low population structure (FST = 0.098),
      apparently due to a large degree of gene flow between them. In disturbed areas,
      we found a higher FST (0.372). We found low genetic variability for L. azurea,
      probably as a consequence of habitat fragmentation, supporting the need for its
      inclusion in the Brazilian list of endangered flora.

PMID- 24222214
TI  - Loss of P2X7 nucleotide receptor function leads to abnormal fat distribution in
      mice.
AB  - The P2X7 receptor is an ATP-gated cation channel expressed by a number of cell
      types. We have shown previously that disruption of P2X7 receptor function results
      in downregulation of osteogenic markers and upregulation of adipogenic markers in
      calvarial cell cultures. In the present study, we assessed whether loss of P2X7
      receptor function results in changes to adipocyte distribution and lipid
      accumulation in vivo. Male P2X7 loss-of-function (KO) mice exhibited
      significantly greater body weight and epididymal fat pad mass than wild-type (WT)
      mice at 9 months of age. Fat pad adipocytes did not differ in size, consistent
      with adipocyte hyperplasia rather than hypertrophy. Histological examination
      revealed ectopic lipid accumulation in the form of adipocytes and/or lipid
      droplets in several non-adipose tissues of older male KO mice (9-12 months of
      age). Ectopic lipid was observed in kidney, extraorbital lacrimal gland and
      pancreas, but not in liver, heart or skeletal muscle. Specifically, lacrimal
      gland and pancreas from 12-month-old male KO mice had greater numbers of
      adipocytes in perivascular, periductal and acinar regions. As well, lipid
      droplets accumulated in the renal tubular epithelium and lacrimal acinar cells.
      Blood plasma analyses revealed diminished total cholesterol levels in 9- and 12
      month-old male KO mice compared with WT controls. Interestingly, no differences
      were observed in female mice. Moreover, there were no significant differences in
      food consumption between male KO and WT mice. Taken together, these data
      establish novel in vivo roles for the P2X7 receptor in regulating adipogenesis
      and lipid metabolism in an age- and sex-dependent manner.

PMID- 24222213
TI  - Genome-wide annotation, expression profiling, and protein interaction studies of
      the core cell-cycle genes in Phalaenopsis aphrodite.
AB  - Orchidaceae is one of the most abundant and diverse families in the plant kingdom
      and its unique developmental patterns have drawn the attention of many
      evolutionary biologists. Particular areas of interest have included the co
      evolution of pollinators and distinct floral structures, and symbiotic
      relationships with mycorrhizal flora. However, comprehensive studies to decipher
      the molecular basis of growth and development in orchids remain scarce. Cell
      proliferation governed by cell-cycle regulation is fundamental to growth and
      development of the plant body. We took advantage of recently released
      transcriptome information to systematically isolate and annotate the core cell
      cycle regulators in the moth orchid Phalaenopsis aphrodite. Our data verified
      that Phalaenopsis cyclin-dependent kinase A (CDKA) is an evolutionarily conserved
      CDK. Expression profiling studies suggested that core cell-cycle genes
      functioning during the G1/S, S, and G2/M stages were preferentially enriched in
      the meristematic tissues that have high proliferation activity. In addition,
      subcellular localization and pairwise interaction analyses of various
      combinations of CDKs and cyclins, and of E2 promoter-binding factors and
      dimerization partners confirmed interactions of the functional units.
      Furthermore, our data showed that expression of the core cell-cycle genes was
      coordinately regulated during pollination-induced reproductive development. The
      data obtained establish a fundamental framework for study of the cell-cycle
      machinery in Phalaenopsis orchids. 

PMID- 24222216
TI  - Endothelial cells on the proliferation and expression of intercellular adhesion
      molecule 1 and interleukin 8 of vascular smooth muscle cells.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of activated endothelial
      cells on the proliferation and secretion of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
      Cultured lung microvascular endothelial cells were treated with or without tumor
      necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha; 10 ng/mL) for 6 h, and the supernatant was
      collected and filtered. The supernatant with TNF-alpha was called fluid A, and
      that without TNF-alpha was called fluid B. VSMCs were cultured and divided into 3
      groups with different media as follows: activated medium [fluid A and Dulbecco's
      modified Eagle medium (DMEM); activated group], inactivated medium (fluid B and
      DMEM; inactivated group), and DMEM only (control group) for 24 h. Intercellular
      adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-6 levels in the
      supernatant of VSMCs were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 0 and
      24 h after grouping. The proliferation of VSMCs was detected with 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. ICAM-1 and IL
      8 increased above baseline values in the 3 groups; the maximum increase occurred
      in activated medium. The optical densities in MTT assay of the activated,
      inactivated, and control groups was 1.35 +/- 0.11, 1.01 +/- 0.09, and 0.29 +/-
      0.01, respectively, which correlated positively with the initial IL-6 level in
      the supernatant of the VSMCs (r = 0.63, P < 0.05). TNF-alpha-activated
      endothelial cells promote VSMC proliferation and secretion of ICAM-1 and IL-8 by
      elevating IL-6 release.

PMID- 24222217
TI  - Antibody-based detection of alkaline phosphatase in lepidopteran insects
      (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of Helicoverpa armigera Hub. (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)
      (GenBank accession No. EU729322) was cloned and expressed. The target gene H.a
      ALP, having an open reading frame of 1608 bp, was reverse-transcribed from cDNA
      by the polymerase chain reaction. The open reading frame of the target gene was
      cloned into the pET-32a expression vector to obtain recombinant protein in
      Escherichia coli DE-3 cells for the subsequent production of polyclonal antibody.
      New Zealand white rabbits were used for production of anti-pET-32a-H.a-ALP. The
      production of antibody was also optimized by employing ELISA for titer
      determination. The produced antiserum was processed and used as an antibody.
      Western blot results showed that the polyclonal antibody produced was capable of
      effectively binding target protein not only from H. armigera but also from other
      lepidopterans such as Mythimna separata and Plutella xylostella. This antibody
      was also used to detect levels of ALP within different instars of H. armigera.
      Thus, it is concluded that this antibody-based assay is very useful for the
      effective detection of gene-specific expression. Furthermore, it may also be used
      to detect the expression levels and tissue localization of ALP, as well as in
      other physiological studies involving this enzyme.

PMID- 24222218
TI  - Relationship between dilated cardiomyopathy and the E23K and I337V polymorphisms
      in the Kir6.2 subunit of the KATP channel.
AB  - ATP-sensitive potassium channels play an important role in myocardial electrical
      activity. Genetic disruption of these channels predisposes the myocardium to
      cardiac diseases. Herein we investigated whether two polymorphisms, E23K and
      I337V, located in the Kir6.2 subunit of ATP-sensitive potassium channels are
      associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in a Chinese population. Blood was
      collected from DCM patients and controls. DNA was extracted for polymerase chain
      reaction, which was followed by DNA sequencing. The 2 polymorphisms were present
      in both DCM patients and normal controls. The frequencies of both the E23K and
      the I337V polymorphisms were not significantly different between DCM patients and
      normal controls. However, in DCM patients carrying the E23K polymorphism, the
      left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and the left atrial dimension
      (LAD) were significantly greater than those in DCM patients without the E23K
      polymorphism. Moreover, the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in DCM patients
      was also slightly increased in the presence of the E23K polymorphism (P < 0.05).
      We failed to identify an association between the I337V polymorphism and LVEDD,
      LAD, or ventricular arrhythmias in patients with DCM. The Kir6.2 E23K
      polymorphism in DCM patients of Han ethnicity may increase the risk of negative
      outcomes such as congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death by affecting
      LVEDD and LAD. 

PMID- 24222219
TI  - Molecular and biochemical characterization of the effects of insecticidal toxin
      from Meloidae beetles on Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - The molecular and biochemical effects of an insecticidal toxin extracted from
      Meloidae beetles were investigated on Helicoverpa armigera. The toxin was
      identified as cantharidin, a well-known natural compound produced by beetles of
      family Meloidae and Oedemeridae. Furthermore, the effect of the toxin on the
      metabolic enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST),
      responsible for the metabolism of insecticides, was also investigated. Results of
      a diet incorporation bioassay performed under laboratory conditions showed that
      the LC50 value of cantharidin was 0.068 mg/g. The body weight of the insect was
      also significantly reduced by cantharidin treatment. The LC10 concentration of
      cantharidin, 0.01 mg/g, was also tested to determine its effect on ALP and GST.
      Our results showed that cantharidin significantly inhibited ALP activity after 48
      h, whereas GST activity was significantly inhibited after 24 h. The decline of
      ALP and GST transcript levels was also validated by semiquantitative RT-PCR
      analysis. It may be concluded from the results that ALPs and GSTs may be targets
      of the cantharidin intoxication mechanism. Moreover, the inability of ALP and GST
      to metabolize cantharidin shows that the mechanism of detoxification for
      cantharidin is different from that for conventional insecticides. On the basis of
      our investigations, the chemical structure of insecticides may be modified using
      a model structure of cantharidin, to avoid metabolism by metabolic enzymes. 

PMID- 24222220
TI  - Molecular cloning and expression of the porcine S14R gene in Escherichia coli.
AB  - We amplified S14R protein gene cDNA of porcine, cloned it into a prokaryotic
      expression plasmid, and expressed it in Escherichia coli. A pair of primers was
      designed based on the cDNA sequence of the porcine S14R gene in GenBank. The
      target gene fragment from porcine liver tissue was amplified by RT-PCR. Confirmed
      by auto-sequencing, the target gene fragment was subcloned into an expression
      vector of pET28a. The pET28a-S14R construct was subsequently transformed into E.
      coli BL21 (DE3). This construct was verified by restriction endonuclease
      digestion and sequencing. Using isopropyl beta-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside
      induction, a new recombinant protein with the expected relative molecular mass of
      24 kDa appeared. The result was identified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Porcine
      S14R includes 549bp (GenBank No. JN793537), with an open reading frame of 549 bp
      coding 182 amino acids.

PMID- 24222221
TI  - Genetic contribution of CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and APOE variants in acenocoumarol
      response.
AB  - Oral anticoagulants of the coumarin type have an inconveniently narrow
      therapeutic window, making their use difficult. In Mexico, genetic variables that
      participate in the heterogeneity of the therapeutic response remain poorly
      investigated. With the focus on warfarin, extensive pharmacogenomic studies have
      been performed, including those on the CYP450 family and APOE. The objective of
      this study was to determine the contribution of CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and APOE
      polymorphisms to the variations in response to the doses of acenocoumarol, which
      is the main anticoagulant prescribed to the Mexican population. The polymerase
      chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was applied to
      identify 2 and 3 of CYP2C9, 2 of CYP2C19, and APOE variants. The genetic
      distribution of every polymorphism tested showed high variability when compared
      with other populations worldwide. Our results showed statistical differences only
      in the CYP2C19 gene between the 1 1 and 1 2 groups, with effective acenocoumarol
      doses of 2.56 +/- 1.34 mg/day vs 1.35 +/- 0.84 mg/day (P = 0.005), respectively.
      Multiple regression analysis, including patient age and both the CYP2C9 and
      CYP2C19 genes, showed that these variables explained more than 20% of the dose
      variations. This is the first report in Mexico searching for the relationship
      between CYP450 and APOE polymorphisms and the dose requirements of acenocoumarol.
      Our results suggest that, in the Mexican population, CYP2C19 is more involved in
      acenocoumarol metabolism than CYP2C9 and APOE. Besides considering the age
      factor, pharmacogenetic testing for CYP2C19 2 before initiating acenocoumarol
      treatment could lead to a safer anticoagulation therapy in Mexican patients.

PMID- 24222222
TI  - Bioprospection of bacteria and yeasts from Atlantic Rainforest soil capable of
      growing in crude-glycerol residues.
AB  - The increasing world production of biodiesel has resulted in an accumulation of
      crude glycerol as the major byproduct. This could be used as carbon source for
      industrial microbiology, with economic and environmental advantages for the
      biodiesel industry. We explored an Atlantic Rainforest soil sample to search for
      crude glycerol-degrading microorganisms. Microcosms of this soil were established
      containing minimal medium + 8% crude glycerol (w/w); the biological activity was
      measured by respirometry. High CO2 levels were found in some of the crude
      glycerol microcosms, suggesting the activity of microorganisms capable of
      degrading this residue. In an attempt to isolate and cultivate these
      microorganisms in vitro, aliquots of the soil suspension were plated on minimal
      medium containing 10% crude glycerol (v/v). Out of 19 morphologically distinct
      isolates, 12 bacteria and 6 yeasts were identified by PCR from universal primers
      16S and 26S rDNA, respectively. Optical density readings revealed growth
      differences among cultures. Two yeasts and three bacteria with distinct growth
      profiles stood out and appeared to have potential for liquid fermentation of
      crude glycerol. The yeasts adapted rapidly, but produced relatively little
      biomass. Opposite tendencies were found in the bacteria. Amplicon sequencing
      placed the bacterial isolates as close to Staphylococcus arlettae, Pseudomonas
      citronellolis, and Bacillus megaterium, and the yeasts to Trichosporon
      moniliiforme and Meyerozyma guilliermondii. We concluded that these species have
      potential for use in crude glycerol bioreactors and for bioremediation processes.

PMID- 24222223
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genomes of the Bright Sunbeam Curetis bulis and the Small
      Copper Lycaena phlaeas (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) and their phylogenetic
      implications.
AB  - In this study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of Curetis bulis and Lycaena
      phlaeas were determined and analyzed. The circular genomes are 15,162 bp long for
      C. bulis and 15,280 bp long for L. phlaeas, with a total A+T content of 82.6 and
      83.1%, respectively. Both mitogenomes contain 37 genes, and their gene orders are
      similar to those of other lepidopterans. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) are
      initiated by ATN codons, except for cox1, which is started with the CGA codon;
      all PCGs terminate in the typical stop codon TAA, except for cox1, cox2, and
      nad4, which end with a single T. The codons TTA (Leu), ATT (Ile), TTT (Phe), ATA
      (Met), and AAT (Asn) appear the most frequently. Both of the mitogenome A+T-rich
      regions harbor the motif ATAGA, followed by a 19-bp poly(T) stretch, with C.
      bulis containing a microsatellite-like (AT)5 element next to the ATTTA motif, and
      L. phlaeas containing a microsatellite-like (TA)6 (AT) element next to the ATTTA
      motif. The phylogenetic trees of the 17 representative butterfly species,
      including the two species of this study, were reconstructed with the maximum
      likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, based on the 13 PCG nucleotide
      sequence data. The results of the phylogenetic analyses strongly supported the
      relationships of ((((Lycaenidae + Pieridae) + Nymphalidae) + Hesperiidae) +
      Papilionidae), which was markedly different from the traditional morphological
      view of the Lycaenidae and Nymphalidae considered to be sisters of each other.

PMID- 24222224
TI  - Mutational analysis of AXIN2, MSX1, and PAX9 in two Mexican oligodontia families.
AB  - The genes for axin inhibition protein 2 (AXIN2), msh homeobox 1 (MSX1), and
      paired box gene 9 (PAX9) are involved in tooth root formation and tooth
      development. Mutations of the AXIN2, MSX1, and PAX9 genes are associated with non
      syndromic oligodontia. In this study, we investigated phenotype and AXIN2, MSX1,
      and PAX9 gene variations in two Mexican families with non-syndromic oligodontia.
      Individuals from two families underwent clinical examinations, including an intra
      oral examination and panoramic radiograph. Retrospective data were reviewed, and
      peripheral blood samples were collected. The exons and exon-intronic boundaries
      of the AXIN2, MSX1, and PAX9 genes were sequenced and analyzed. Protein and
      messenger RNA structures were predicted using bioinformative software programs.
      Clinical and oral examinations revealed isolated non-syndromic oligodontia in the
      two Mexican families. The average number of missing teeth was 12. The sequence
      analysis of exons and exon-intronic regions of AXIN2, MSX1, and PAX9 revealed 11
      single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including seven in AXIN2, two in MSX1,
      and three in PAX9. One novel SNP of MSX1, c.476T>G (Leu159Arg), was found in all
      of the studied patients in the families. MSX1 Leu159Arg and PAX9 Ala240Pro change
      protein and messenger RNA structures. Our findings suggested that a combined
      reduction of MSX1 and PAX9 gene dosages increased the risk for oligodontia in the
      Mexican families, as in vivo investigation has indicated that interaction between
      Msx1 and Pax9 is required for tooth development.

PMID- 24222225
TI  - Comparison of period-3 correlation amplitudes in genomic DNA sequences.
AB  - Period-3 oscillations in genome composition can be detected through correlation
      functions. Since these oscillations are closely related to the genetic code
      structure, we developed methods for quantitative comparison of genomic and exonic
      oscillation amplitudes and decay. In contrast to genomic correlations, exonic
      period-3 oscillation amplitudes are persistent. A model postulating an
      uncorrelated distribution of exons in the genome has been applied to the analysis
      of Escherichia coli K12, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans,
      Drosophila melanogaster, and Homo sapiens genomic decay, allowing for a
      quantitative discussion of genome organization. 

PMID- 24222226
TI  - Bayesian network structure learning based on the chaotic particle swarm
      optimization algorithm.
AB  - The Bayesian network (BN) is a knowledge representation form, which has been
      proven to be valuable in the gene regulatory network reconstruction because of
      its capability of capturing causal relationships between genes. Learning BN
      structures from a database is a nondeterministic polynomial time (NP)-hard
      problem that remains one of the most exciting challenges in machine learning.
      Several heuristic searching techniques have been used to find better network
      structures. Among these algorithms, the classical K2 algorithm is the most
      successful. Nonetheless, the performance of the K2 algorithm is greatly affected
      by a prior ordering of input nodes. The proposed method in this paper is based on
      the chaotic particle swarm optimization (CPSO) and the K2 algorithm. Because the
      PSO algorithm completely entraps the local minimum in later evolutions, we
      combined the PSO algorithm with the chaos theory, which has the properties of
      ergodicity, randomness, and regularity. Experimental results show that the
      proposed method can improve the convergence rate of particles and identify
      networks more efficiently and accurately.

PMID- 24222227
TI  - Analysis of differentially expressed genes in various stages of Duchenne muscular
      dystrophy by using a network view.
AB  - Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which is caused by mutations in the X-linked
      dystrophin gene, is a severe and progressive neuromuscular disease with no
      available cure. By integrating 2 microarray datasets from the Gene Expression
      Omnibus, we identified differentially expressed genes in 2 stages of DMD and
      systematically explored their potential disease-related mechanisms using a
      network view. Twenty differentially expressed genes were detected in various
      stages of DMD. According to the network with dystrophin as its center, none of
      the 20 proteins interacts with dystrophin directly. IQ motif-containing GTPase
      activating protein 1 was found in the 2nd-level neighbors with a degree of 21.
      Microtubule-associated protein tau, membrane metallo-endopeptidase, interleukin
      13 receptor alpha 1, and multiple epidermal growth factor-like domains 6 were
      found in the 3rd-level neighbors. These identifications require further
      investigation, as this report is the first of possible associations between DMD
      and these proteins. Analysis of differentially expressed genes through this
      network view may provide important information for further exploration of
      underlying mechanisms of DMD. 

PMID- 24222228
TI  - A high-throughput, high-quality plant genomic DNA extraction protocol.
AB  - The isolation of high-quality genomic DNA (gDNA) is a crucial technique in plant
      molecular biology. The quality of gDNA determines the reliability of real-time
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. In this paper, we reported a high
      quality gDNA extraction protocol optimized for real-time PCR in a variety of
      plant species. Performed in a 96-well block, our protocol provides high
      throughput. Without the need for phenol-chloroform and liquid nitrogen or dry
      ice, our protocol is safer and more cost-efficient than traditional DNA
      extraction methods. The method takes 10 mg leaf tissue to yield 5-10 ug high
      quality gDNA. Spectral measurement and electrophoresis were used to demonstrate
      gDNA purity. The extracted DNA was qualified in a restriction enzyme digestion
      assay and conventional PCR. The real-time PCR amplification was sufficiently
      sensitive to detect gDNA at very low concentrations (3 pg/uL). The standard curve
      of gDNA dilutions from our phenol-chloroform-free protocol showed better
      linearity (R(2) = 0.9967) than the phenol-chloroform protocol (R(2) = 0.9876).
      The results indicate that the gDNA was of high quality and fit for real-time PCR.
      This safe, high-throughput plant gDNA extraction protocol could be used to
      isolate high-quality gDNA for real-time PCR and other downstream molecular
      applications.

PMID- 24222229
TI  - Meta-analysis demonstrates lack of an association of microsomal epoxide hydrolase
      1 polymorphisms with esophageal cancer risk.
AB  - Epoxide hydrolases metabolize exogenous chemicals, including carcinogens such as
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The relationship between microsomal epoxide
      hydrolase 1 (EPHX1) polymorphisms and esophageal cancer risk has been
      investigated in various ethnic populations, but the results have been
      contradictory. We investigated the association of EPHX1 Tyr113His and His139Arg
      polymorphisms with esophageal cancer via a comprehensive meta-analysis.
      Publications before August 20, 2012 were included. Eight studies concerning
      Tyr113His polymorphism associated with 1158 esophageal cancer cases and 1868
      controls were identified; 7 studies concerning association of His139Arg with 901
      esophageal cancer cases and 1615 controls were also included. A random-effect
      model was applied, irrespective of between-study heterogeneity. Data and study
      quality were assessed in duplicate. No significant association was found in
      either the allele or genotype models for Tyr113His or His139Arg polymorphism with
      risk for esophageal cancer. Lack of association was also identified in stratified
      analyses by ethnicity. No publication bias was observed. We conclude that current
      evidence does not demonstrate association of EPHX1 Tyr113His or His139Arg
      polymorphisms with risk for development of esophageal cancer.

PMID- 24222230
TI  - Culture-independent analysis of endophytic bacterial communities associated with
      Brazilian sugarcane.
AB  - Sugarcane is an economically important culture in Brazil. Endophytic bacteria
      live inside plants, and can provide many benefits to the plant host. We analyzed
      the bacterial diversity of sugarcane cultivar RB-72454 by cultivation-independent
      techniques. Total DNA from sugarcane stems from a commercial plantation located
      in Parana State was extracted. Partial 16S rRNA genes were amplified and
      sequenced for library construction. Of 152 sequences obtained, 52% were similar
      to 16S rRNA from Pseudomonas sp, and 35.5% to Enterobacter sp. The genera
      Pantoea, Serratia, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella were also represented. The
      endophytic communities in these sugarcane samples were dominated by the families
      Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae (class Gammaproteobacteria).

PMID- 24222231
TI  - Genetic polymorphisms of LPL and HL and their association with the performance of
      Chinese sturgeons fed a formulated diet.
AB  - It is very important to investigate the reasons for the large individual
      differences in individual performance of food acceptance when using formulated
      diets for the successful culture of larvae and juveniles of the Chinese sturgeon
      Acipenser sinensis. Genetic differences of the mitochondrial control region were
      investigated by direct sequencing in two groups of Chinese sturgeon, which were
      apt to accept or refuse formulated diets. Among 968-bp sequences, 111 variable
      sites were identified. One variable site showed close association with the
      individual performance of specimens fed with formulated diets. The commercial
      diet for Chinese sturgeons usually contains high levels of lipids. Lipoprotein
      lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) are two members of the lipase gene family,
      which are essential for the utilization of dietary lipid. Single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) in intron 7 were detected in the two experimental groups of
      Chinese sturgeons. We were able to demonstrate that one SNP in the LPL gene and
      one SNP in the HL gene showed close association with the performance of sturgeons
      on the formulated diet. 

PMID- 24222232
TI  - RUNX2 mutations in cleidocranial dysplasia.
AB  - The runt-related transcription factor 2 gene (RUNX2), which is also known as
      CBFA1, is a master regulatory gene in bone formation. Mutations in RUNX2 have
      been identified in cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) patients. CCD is a rare
      autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia that is characterized by delayed closure of
      cranial sutures, aplastic or hypoplastic clavicle formation, short stature, and
      dental anomalies, including malocclusion, supernumerary teeth, and delayed
      eruption of permanent teeth. In this study, we recruited three de novo CCD
      families and performed mutational analysis of the RUNX2 gene as a candidate gene
      approach. The mutational study revealed three disease-causing mutations: a
      missense mutation (c.674G>A, p.Arg225Gln), a frameshift mutation (c.1119delC,
      p.Arg374Glyfs*), and a nonsense mutation (c.1171C>T, p.Arg391*). Clinical
      examination revealed a unique dental phenotype (no typical supernumerary teeth,
      but duplication of anterior teeth) in one patient. We believe that this finding
      will broaden the understanding of the mechanism of supernumerary teeth formation
      and CCD-related phenotypes.

PMID- 24222233
TI  - Universal primers to amplify the complete mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene in marine
      fish species.
AB  - A pair of new universal 12S mitochondrial rRNA gene primers was designed through
      multiple alignment analysis of the mitochondrial tRNA(Phe) and the 5' region of
      16S mitochondrial rRNA genes of different kinds of fishes. The primers were
      successfully used to amplify an expected product fragment of about 1.2 kb from
      various marine fish species, and the amplified DNA fragment was recognized to
      contain the complete 12S mitochondrial rRNA and tRNA(Val) genes, as well as a
      partial 16S mitochondrial rRNA gene of about 146 bp in length. The primers would
      facilitate the study of the species discrimination, population and evolution in
      marine fish species. 

PMID- 24222234
TI  - Genetic diversity of spineless Cereus jamacaru accessions using morphological and
      molecular markers.
AB  - This is the first study to examine the genetic diversity of mandacaru cactus
      (Cereus jamacaru P. DC.). Plants of spineless mandacaru are commonly found in
      gardens and parks of urban areas in northeastern Brazil. In addition to exploring
      their ornamental potential, morphological, and genetic characterization may
      contribute to the development of plant materials that can be used as a source of
      macromolecules of potential economic interest. The goal of this study was to
      estimate the genetic variability of spineless mandacaru accessions using random
      amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)
      molecular markers, and to characterize their morphology. Ten samples of newly
      emitted shoots with differentiated areolas and ribs were collected from each
      accession from the Cactaceous Germplasm Collection of Embrapa Agroindustria
      Tropical, in Fortaleza, CE. Shoot shape and aspects of spine primordia (presence,
      location, grouping, and size of spines) were evaluated. The morphological
      analysis showed that the spineless mandacaru presented spine primordia. Twenty
      six RAPD and 15 ISSR primers were polymorphic. A total of 262 markers were
      obtained, 129 of which were polymorphic. The average polymorphism of ISSR markers
      was higher than that of RAPD markers. The dendrograms for both analyses showed
      differentiation between accessions. Nevertheless, the molecular markers detected
      higher levels of diversity and a different pattern of diversity than those found
      using morphological markers. The molecular results revealed significant genetic
      variability both within and between groups.

PMID- 24222235
TI  - Effects of metallothionein-3 and metallothionein-1E gene transfection on
      proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells.
AB  - Metallothionein (MT)-3 has cell growth inhibitory activity, and is the only
      currently known MT subtype with unique physiological functions. The expression
      levels of MT-1E, a subtype of MT-1, were positively correlated with the degree of
      esophageal cancer malignancy. The present study aimed to investigate the effects
      of MT-3 and MT-1E gene transfection on the proliferation, cell cycle, and
      apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. The cationic liposome method was used to
      transfect the esophageal cancer strains Eca-109 and TE13. Reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction was used to detect target gene expression, 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction was applied to
      detect cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was used for cell cycle and
      apoptosis detection. Esophageal cancer cells with MT-3 and MT-1E gene
      transfection showed high expression of the foreign target gene and mRNA. Cells
      with MT-3 gene transfection showed markedly inhibited proliferation (P < 0.05), a
      significantly higher proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase (P < 0.05), a
      significantly lower proportion of cells in the S phase (P < 0.05), and a
      significantly increased apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). Cells with MT-1E gene
      transfection did not show significant changes in proliferation, cell cycle, or
      apoptosis rate (P > 0.05). Therefore, the upregulation of MT-3 gene expression
      can inhibit esophageal cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, which may
      be achieved by blocking the tumor cell growth cycle, whereas effects of the MT-1E
      gene on the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells were not evident. 

PMID- 24222236
TI  - Variability analysis of 'Persian' acid lime tree selections using agronomic and
      molecular markers.
AB  - 'Persian' acid lime (PAL) is the most important triploid commercial citrus crop
      planted in the world. Little is known about the genetic variability of the
      selections used in Brazil. Therefore, 25 genotypes originating from the PAL, and
      three control species, Citrus sunki, C. limon, and C. aurantiifolia, were
      assessed using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and inter-retrotransposon
      amplified polymorphism (IRAP) molecular markers and agronomic traits of the
      fruit. The dendrograms were designed using the mean Euclidean distance for the
      physicochemical attributes of the fruit (weight, length, diameter, peel color,
      peel thickness, number of seeds, juice yield, titratable acidity, soluble solids,
      and ratio) and the Jaccard distances using the data from the ISSR and IRAP
      molecular markers. In the physicochemical analysis, the genotypes were grouped
      according to species. The trait that contributed most to the diversity among
      accessions was the number of seeds. The 17 ISSR primers produced 69 polymorphic
      bands in the molecular analysis, and the seven IRAP primers generated 30
      polymorphic bands. The markers detected polymorphisms within and among the PALs;
      two groups were formed within the PALs. 

PMID- 24222237
TI  - Population variability of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) in different hosts.
AB  - The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a
      cryptic species complex that contains some of the most damaging pests in tropical
      and subtropical regions. Recent studies have indicated that this complex is
      composed of at least 24 distinct and morphologically indistinguishable species
      that mainly differ in their ability to transmit phytoviruses, adapt to hosts, and
      induce physiological changes in certain hosts. The importance of this species has
      been increasing worldwide, because it serves as a phytovirus vector, particularly
      for geminiviruses, in economically important crops. Here, we aimed to examine the
      population variability of B. tabaci populations inhabiting 6 agricultural crops
      grown in 5 regions of Brazil and 1 region of the USA; BRrep [Brasilia (DF,
      Brazil) - cabbage], ILsoj [Urbana (IL/USA) - soybean], BJabo [Bom Jesus da Lapa
      (BA, Brazil) - pumpkin], CPsoj [Campinas (SP, Brazil) - soybean], UBman [Ubatuba
      (SP, Brazil) - cassava], and PEmel [Petrolina (PE, Brazil) - melon]. Thirteen
      polymorphic loci with 50 alleles were observed, with an average of 2.37 (range:
      2.00-2.91) alleles per population. The UBman and PEmel B. tabaci populations were
      the most differentiated, which was probably caused by insect adaptation to the
      host plant and the use of insecticides. A 33.87% inter-population variation was
      observed, indicating that microsatellites may be used to measure differentiation
      among these B. tabaci populations. Based on the comparison of microsatellites in
      the current study, only the Middle East-Asia Minor 1 population of B. tabaci was
      found in the six populations.

PMID- 24222238
TI  - "Extended Fitness" hypothesis: a link between individual and group selection.
AB  - What are the targets of natural selection remains a controversial issue in
      Biology. Here I propose the "Extended Fitness" hypothesis, in which extended
      phenotypes emerge as a link between individual and group selection. The basic
      premise of the extended fitness hypothesis is that extended phenotypes can be
      used by members of the same group since they are adapted to use them. Thus,
      extended phenotypes can also contribute to the fitness of members of the same
      species. Group selection emerges as a natural consequence of the shared use of
      extended phenotypes, which allow the evolutionary forces acting on individuals to
      become effective at the group level. The extended fitness hypothesis is supported
      by several observations found in nature. The hypothesis presented here provides a
      theoretical framework for the design of both modeling and experimental approaches
      to studying the role of extended phenotypes in group selection. 

PMID- 24222239
TI  - Analysis of GATA1 mutations and leukemogenesis in newborns with Down syndrome.
AB  - It has been reported that patients with Down syndrome (DS) frequently develop
      transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) and less commonly myeloid leukemia in
      DS (ML-DS). We examined the pathogenetic relationship of these conditions with
      somatic mutations of the GATA1 gene in children with both TMD and ML-DS. To
      determine the incidence of GATA1 mutations in a cohort of DS patients and the
      applicability of these mutations as a clonal marker to detect minimal residual
      disease, we screened 198 samples of 169 patients with DS for mutations in GATA1
      exon 2 by direct sequencing. Novel mutations were detected in four of the 169 DS
      patients (2 with TMD and 2 with ML-DS). We examined spontaneous remission and
      response to therapy in TMD and ML-DS patients and concluded that these mutations
      can be used as stable markers in PCR analysis to monitor these events.

PMID- 24222240
TI  - Expression of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 in longissimus dorsi muscle related to meat
      tenderness in Nanyang cattle.
AB  - The ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 are secreted proteases, which can cleave aggrecan,
      brevican and versican to regulate rebuilding of the extracellular matrix. We
      analyzed the ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 gene expression patterns in longissimus dorsi
      muscle at intervals from 135 days fetal age to 30 months old by qRT-PCR in
      Nanyang cattle. Expression of ADAMTS4 was significantly higher in 135 and 185-day
      old fetuses than at other stages, while expression of ADAMTS5 decreased during
      development. The promoter regions of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 were cloned and the
      transcription factor binding sites were analyzed with bioinformatic methods.
      Twelve and six potential transcription factor binding sites were found in the
      promoter regions of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 genes, respectively. Three transcription
      factors (MZF1, C/EBPb, and NF-kap) were selected to analyze the expression
      pattern during the development of the longissimus dorsi muscle. MZF1 was
      significantly co-expressed with ADAMTS4, while C/EBPb expression was
      significantly negatively associated with that of ADAMTS4. We concluded that the
      expression of ADAMTS4 is positively regulated by MZF1 and negatively regulated by
      C/EBPb. We examined the relationships of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 expression with
      tenderness of longissimus dorsi muscle; ADAMTS4 was significantly and negatively
      correlated with meat tenderness. We conclude that ADAMTS4 participates in the
      regulation of muscle development in cattle.

PMID- 24222241
TI  - Association of NPP1 polymorphism with postoperative progression of ossification
      of the posterior longitudinal ligament in Chinese patients.
AB  - Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a condition of the
      spine that can cause paralysis by compressing the spinal cord. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the possible role of nucleotide pyrophosphatase
      phosphodiesterase 1 gene (NPP1) polymorphism in the etiology and pathology of the
      OPLL in Chinese patients. DNA from patients with OPLL (N = 95) and without OPLL
      (N = 90) were genotyped for 4 NPP1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): A533C,
      C973T, IVS15-14T->C, and IVS20-11delT. An association study evaluated the
      relationship between specific SNP genotypes and susceptibility. We also evaluated
      whether genotypes of these SNPs were associated with disease severity and the
      probability of disease progression after surgery. The C973T and IVS15-14T SNPs
      were associated with the existence of the disease. The TT genotypes of C973T and
      IVS15->14T as well wild-type IVS20 (lack of deletion) were associated with more
      severe disease. Patients with the T deletion of IVS20 or the AA genotype of A533C
      had an approximately 3 times greater chance of not having than having disease
      progression after surgery. We concluded that the 4 SNPs analyzed appeared to have
      different effects on the etiology and pathology of OPLL. To our knowledge, this
      study is the first to investigate the relationship between these SNPs and disease
      progression after surgery. Our findings suggest that the presence of specific
      genotypes of the IVS20-11delT and A533C SNPs may predict disease outcome after
      surgical intervention.

PMID- 24222242
TI  - An efficient algorithm for finding attractors in synchronous Boolean networks
      with biochemical applications.
AB  - Self-organized systems, genetic regulatory systems and other living systems can
      be modeled as synchronous Boolean networks with stable states, which are also
      called state-cycle attractors (SCAs). This paper summarizes three classes of SCAs
      and presents a new efficient binary decision diagram based algorithm to find all
      SCAs of synchronous Boolean networks. After comparison with the tool BooleNet,
      empirical experiments with biochemical systems demonstrated the feasibility and
      efficiency of our approach.

PMID- 24222243
TI  - Karyotype variation in cultivars and spontaneous cocoa mutants (Theobroma cacao
      L.).
AB  - Four mutant cocoa accessions with morphological changes and a cultivar sample
      were karyomorphologically characterized. Slides were prepared by enzymatic
      digestion of the root meristem and squashed in 45% acetic acid, followed by 2%
      Giemsa staining. The chromosome number of 2n = 20 was seen in all accessions. The
      karyotype formula for Cacau Comum and Cacau Rui was 2n = 20m. Submetacentric
      chromosomes were observed in Cacau Pucala and Cacau Jaca, both with 2n = 18m +
      2sm, but the karyotype formula for Cacau Sem Vidro was 2n = 16m + 4sm. Satellites
      were located on the long arm of the 1st and 2nd chromosome pairs of Cacau Comum,
      whereas Cacau Pucala had satellites on the 6th chromosome pair. Greater
      karyotypic variation in Cacau Sem Vidro was found, whose 1st and 2nd chromosome
      pairs had satellites on the long arm and 6th and 10th pairs had satellites on the
      short arm. Analysis revealed a lower average chromosome length in Cacau Comum
      (1.53 +/- 0.026 um) and a higher length in Cacau Sem Vidro (2.26 +/- 0.038 um).
      ANOVA revealed significant difference (P < 0.01) for the average chromosome
      length and the length of chromosome pairs within and between accessions. The
      average chromosome lengths of mutants of Cacau Rui and Cacau Jaca were not
      statistically different by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The karyotypic
      diversity observed in this study is not necessarily associated with the changing
      character of the accessions analyzed, but may reflect the genetic variation
      observed in Theobroma cacao.

PMID- 24222244
TI  - Interleukin-1beta +3954 polymorphisms and risk of external apical root resorption
      in orthodontic treatment: a meta-analysis.
AB  - The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine whether genetic variants of
      the interleukin-1beta[+3954 C>T (rs1143634)] (IL-1beta +3954 C>T) gene
      polymorphisms were associated with orthodontic external apical root resorption
      (EARR). A meta-analysis was carried out using data entered into the PubMed and
      Embase electronic databases before October 5, 2012. A total of 7 studies were
      identified for meta-analysis. The strength of the relationship between IL-1beta
      +3954 C>T polymorphism and the risk of EARR was assessed using odds ratio (OR).
      The studies provided overall OR estimates for EARR. Overall, the variant
      genotypes (CC and CT) of the IL-1beta +3954 C>T polymorphism were unassociated
      with EARR risk compared with the TT homozygote [CC vs TT, OR = 1.28, 95%
      confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.27-6.08; CT vs TT, OR = 0.74, 95%CI = 0.11-5.02].
      Similarly, no associations were found in the dominant and recessive models
      (dominant model, OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.24-4.86; recessive model, OR = 1.85, 95%CI
      = 0.87-3.93). No publication bias was found, and no association was apparent
      between the IL-1beta +3954 C>T polymorphism and risk of EARR in orthodontic
      treatment patients. Further multicenter and better-controlled studies are
      required to confirm these findings.

PMID- 24222245
TI  - Transcriptome network analysis of potential candidate genes for heart failure.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that a transcriptome
      network can be developed through a set of transcription factors regulated by the
      expression of various genes induced by dilated cardiomyopathy can be identified
      and modulated to respond to heart failure. We searched for significant pathways
      related to dilated cardiomyopathy using the GSE4172 microarray data to identify
      potential genes related to heart failure. We mapped differentially expressed
      genes to pathways and constructed a regulation network to investigate the
      regulatory relationships between transcription factors and pathways. Some
      transcription factors and target genes in the networks have been clearly linked
      to heart failure in previous studies. We also found new transcription factors and
      target genes, such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta and JunB, responsible
      for inflammatory cardiomyopathy. Transcriptome network analysis was useful in the
      identification of candidate genes in heart failure. This method is well suited
      for microarray data and therefore is proposed as a powerful tool in the search
      for new pathways related to disease.

PMID- 24222246
TI  - Molecular cloning and expression analysis of two sex-lethal homolog genes during
      development in the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense.
AB  - In this study, two Sxl gene homologs, designated as Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2, were
      cloned and characterized from the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium nipponense by
      rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequences of Mnsxl1 and
      Mnsxl2 showed high sequence homology to the insect Sxl and contained conserved
      domains in two RNA-binding motifs. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR) showed that the Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 genes were
      expressed in all investigated tissues, with the highest level of expression in
      the intestine and liver. RT-QPCR also revealed that Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 mRNAs
      expressions were both significantly increased at 5 and 20 days post-larvae after
      metamorphosis. Thus, the results of the present study imply that Mnsxl1 and
      Mnsxl2 play complex and important roles in the sex differentiation of M.
      nipponense.

PMID- 24222247
TI  - Expression of cationic amino acid transporters, carcass traits, and performance
      of growing pigs fed low-protein amino acid-supplemented versus high protein
      diets.
AB  - Free amino acids (AA) appear to be absorbed faster than protein-bound AA (PB-AA).
      We conducted an experiment to assess the effect of feeding pigs with a partially
      free (F-AA) or totally PB-AA diet on expression of selected genes and performance
      of pigs. The expression of cationic AA transporters b(0,+) and CAT-1 in
      intestinal mucosa, liver, and longissimus (LM) and semitendinosus (SM) muscles,
      as well as that of myosin in LM and SM, was analyzed. Twelve pigs (31.7 +/- 2.7
      kg) were used. The F-AA diet was based on wheat, supplemented with 0.59% L-Lys,
      0.33% L-Thr, and 0.10% DL-Met. The PB-AA diet was formulated with wheat-soybean
      meal. Average daily feed intake was 1.53 kg per pig. The expression of b(0,+) and
      CAT-1 was analyzed in jejunal and ileal mucosa, liver, LM, and SM; myosin
      expression was also analyzed in both muscles. Pigs fed the PB-AA diet tended to
      have higher weight gain and feed efficiency (P < 0.10), and had thinner back fat
      (P = 0.02). The expression of b(0,+) was higher (P < 0.01) in jejunum but lower
      (P < 0.01) in the liver of pigs fed the F-AA diet; CAT-1 tended to be lower in
      liver but higher in LM of PB-AA pigs. Myosin expression was not affected.
      Intestinal AA absorption was faster in pigs fed the F-AA diet, but AA uptake by
      the liver seemed to be faster in pigs fed the PB-AA. Performance and expression
      of AA transporters and myosin suggest that the dietary content of free or protein
      bound AA does not affect their availability for protein synthesis in pigs. 

PMID- 24222248
TI  - Development and characterization of new microsatellites for walnut (Juglans
      regia).
AB  - The expressed sequence tag (EST) database represents a potentially valuable
      resource for the development of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for use in
      evolutionary studies. EST-SSRs reveal polymorphisms not only within the source
      taxon, but in related taxa as well. In this paper, we describe a case study in
      which the publicly available walnut (Juglans regia) EST database was used to
      develop SSR markers for use in the genetic analysis of the widespread Juglans
      nigra and Carya cathayensis and an endangered species Annamocarya sinensis. A
      total of 7262 unigenes, including 1911 contigs and 5351 singletons, were obtained
      from 13,559 ESTs retrieved from the NCBI database. The 7262 unigenes were further
      reduced to 706 EST-SSR sequences containing 805 SSR loci. Then, 309 EST-SSR
      primers were randomly designed, and 77 were identified with five high across
      species transferability cross-species: namely, J. regia, J. nigra, C.
      cathayensis, Carya dabieshanensis, and A. sinensis. Thirteen highly polymorphic
      EST-SSRs were further used for genetic analyses in these above five species.

PMID- 24222249
TI  - Overexpression, purification, and pharmacologic evaluation of anticancer activity
      of ribosomal protein L24 from the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).
AB  - The ribosomal protein L24 (RPL24) belongs to the L24E family of ribosomal
      proteins and is located in the cytoplasm. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate the structure and anti-cancer function of RPL24 of the giant panda
      (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). The complementary DNA of RPL24 was cloned successfully
      using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technology. We constructed
      a recombinant expression vector containing RPL24 complementary DNA and
      overexpressed it in Escherichia coli using pET28a plasmids. The expression
      product obtained was purified using Ni-chelating affinity chromatography. The
      results indicated that the length of the fragment cloned is 509 bp, and it
      contains an open-reading frame of 474 bp encoding 157 amino acids. Primary
      structure analysis revealed that the molecular weight of the putative RPL24
      protein is 17.78 kDa with a theoretical isoelectric point of 11.86. The RPL24
      gene is readily expressed in E. coli, and the RPL24 fused with the N-terminal
      histidine-tagged protein to give rise to the accumulation of an expected 23.51
      kDa polypeptide. The inhibitory rate in mice treated with 0.1 mg/mL RPL24, the
      highest of 3 doses administered, can reach 67.662%, which may be comparable to
      the response to mannatide. The histology of organs with tumors showed that the
      tissues in the RPL24 group displayed a looser arrangement compared with that in
      the control group. Furthermore, no obvious damage was apparent in other organs,
      such as heart, lung, and kidney. The data showed that the recombinant RPL24 had
      time and dose dependency on the cell growth inhibition rate. Human laryngeal
      carcinoma Hep-2 cells treated with 0.3125-10 ug/mL RPL24 for 24 h displayed
      significant cell growth inhibition (P < 0.05; N = 6) in assays using 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide compared with that in
      control (untreated) cells. By contrast, human hepatoma Hep G-2 cells displayed no
      significant change (P > 0.05; N = 6) from control (untreated) cells. RPL24 has
      time and dose dependency on Hep-2 cell growth inhibition. The data indicate that
      the effect at low concentrations is better than that at high concentrations, and
      the concentration of 0.625 ug/mL provides the best rate of growth inhibition.
      Further research is ongoing to determine the bioactive principles of recombinant
      RPL24 protein that are responsible for its anticancer activity.

PMID- 24222250
TI  - Protein-protein interaction network and significant gene analysis of
      osteoporosis.
AB  - This study used DNA microarray data to identify differentially expressed genes of
      osteoporosis and provide useful information for treatments of the disease. We
      downloaded gene expression data of Osteoporosis GSE35956 from the Gene Expression
      Omnibus database, which included five normal and five osteoporosis samples. We
      then identified the differentially expressed genes between normal and disease
      samples using the R language software, and constructed the protein interaction
      network. DAVID was used to perform the biological process enrichment and KEGG
      pathway cluster analyses. We used the Cytoscape plug-in unit, Cluster ONE, to
      perform cluster module analysis to find hub proteins of the network module and to
      analyze their Gene Ontology (GO) functions. A total of 294 genes were found to be
      differentially expressed between normal and disease samples, which were used to
      construct the differential gene-protein interaction network. GO function analysis
      revealed that the genes' functions were mainly involved in the intracellular
      signaling cascade. KEGG pathway analysis suggested that the main metabolic
      pathways of these genes were those of cancer: the neurotrophin/T cell/Fc epsilon
      RI/B cell/ ErbB/p53 signaling pathway, the cell cycle pathway, and the chronic
      myeloid leukemia pathway. Screening analysis of hub proteins revealed that KRT18
      had the highest hub degree. In conclusion, we found differentially expressed
      genes related to osteoporosis. GO biological process enrichment and KEGG pathway
      enrichment analyses identified significant osteoporosis genes and their molecular
      functions. Finally, module analysis of hub proteins in interaction networks
      showed that cell death was one of the main biological processes of osteoporosis
      genes. 

PMID- 24222251
TI  - Using PCR-RFLP for sexing of the endangered Galapagos petrel (Pterodroma
      phaeopygia).
AB  - Pterodroma phaeopygia is a critically endangered avian species of the Galapagos
      Islands. This bird is sexually monomorphic, making it difficult to identify the
      sex. This information, however, is relevant to studies of behavior, ecology, and
      management of wild or captive populations. Here, we aimed to implement a
      molecular approach for determining sex in this petrel. DNA was extracted from the
      blood and the feathers of 24 adult P. phaeopygia, with samples from a female and
      a male Gallus gallus for comparison. We amplified the cromo-helicase DNA binding
      protein 1 (CHD-1) gene by PCR, using primers P2 and P8. Allele CHD-1W is unique
      to females and CHD-1Z occurs in both sexes. We then digested these PCR products
      using the restriction enzyme HaeIII. The PCR amplified a 400-bp product for both
      alleles. The digestion of the G. gallus, amplicons split the CHD-1Z allele into
      two fragments (of 320 and 80 bp), while CHD-1W remained intact. Thus, the male
      exhibited two bands (digested CHD- 1Z) and the female three bands (undigested CHD
      1W and digested CHD-1Z). Applying this RFLP method on DNA derived from blood, 9
      of the 24 petrels were found to be male, while 15 were females. The same results
      were obtained using feathers as the source of DNA. To our knowledge, this is the
      first report of molecular method for sexing this species. The potential of sexing
      this petrel from feathers is remarkable as it minimizes blood sampling induced
      stress. This method could be used to reinforce the conservation efforts for this
      bird, to investigate population sex ratios and to develop new conservation
      strategies.

PMID- 24222252
TI  - Association of insulin growth factor-1 receptor gene polymorphisms with genetic
      susceptibility to idiopathic short stature.
AB  - The association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the insulin
      like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) gene and susceptibility to idiopathic
      short stature (ISS) was investigated. Seven hundred and twelve Chinese children
      clinically diagnosed with ISS and 575 normal individuals were recruited between
      2008 and 2011, and their SNPs were genotyped. Preliminary screening revealed that
      the rs1976667 and rs2684788 loci were significantly associated with genetic
      susceptibility to ISS (P = 0.03636 and P = 0.01352, respectively). Stratification
      by sex revealed that in males, different genotypes at the rs1976667 locus were
      significantly associated with genetic susceptibility to ISS (P = 0.047), showing
      G dominant inheritance (P = 0.018). The G allele at the rs2684788 locus was
      significantly associated with genetic susceptibility to ISS (P = 0.016), showing
      G dominant inheritance (P < 0.001). In females, different genotypes at the
      rs1976667 locus were significantly associated with genetic susceptibility to ISS
      (P = 0.011), showing G dominant inheritance (P = 0.005). Different genotypes at
      the rs2684788 locus, the G allele, and the G recessive mode of inheritance were
      all significantly associated with genetic susceptibility to ISS (P < 0.005). The
      genotypes at the rs1976667 locus in the female ISS group were significantly
      correlated to IGF-1 standard deviation integral value (SDS) (P = 0.006). The
      rs1976667 and rs2684788 loci of the human IGF-1R gene are likely associated with
      different genetic susceptibilities to ISS in males and females. Different
      clinical phenotypes of ISS may be associated with SNPs of IGF-1R.

PMID- 24222253
TI  - Relationship between genetic parameters in maize (Zea mays) with seedling growth
      parameters under 40-100% soil moisture conditions.
AB  - We estimated the association of genetic parameters with production characters in
      64 maize (Zea mays) genotypes in a green house in soil with 40-100% moisture
      levels (percent of soil moisture capacity). To identify the major parameters that
      account for variation among the genotypes, we used single linkage cluster
      analysis and principle component analysis. Ten plant characters were measured.
      The first two, four, three, and again three components, with eigen values > 1
      contributed 75.05, 80.11, 68.67, and 75.87% of the variability among the
      genotypes under the different moisture levels, i.e., 40, 60, 80, and 100%,
      respectively. Other principal components (3-10, 5-10, and 4-10) had eigen values
      less than 1. The highest estimates of heritability were found for root fresh
      weight, root volume (0.99), and shoot fresh weight (0.995) in 40% soil moisture.
      Values of genetic advance ranged from 23.4024 for SR at 40% soil moisture to
      0.2538 for shoot dry weight in 60% soil moisture. The high magnitude of broad
      sense heritability provides evidence that these plant characters are under the
      control of additive genetic effects. This indicates that selection should lead to
      fast genetic improvement of the material. The superior agronomic types that we
      identified may be exploited for genetic potential to improve yield potential of
      the maize crop.

PMID- 24222254
TI  - A novel SCAR marker for detecting Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng chromatin
      introduced in wheat.
AB  - In this study, we cloned and sequenced a 938-base pair polymorphic band, pHs27,
      in the tightly linked random amplified polymorphic DNA marker OPU10 and converted
      it into a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker referred to as
      RHS141, which was specific for the Ns genome of Psathyrostachys huashanica. A
      GenBank basic local alignment search tool search showed that the sequence of
      pHs27 had no primary sequence homology with known sequences, and Southern
      blotting confirmed this result. This SCAR marker was used to detect Ns genome
      chromatin in wheat, and it was successfully amplified in P. huashanica itself, a
      complete set of wheat-P. huashanica disomic addition lines (1Ns-7Ns), and
      undetermined homoeologous group addition lines. This SCAR marker will be a
      powerful tool for the marker-assisted selection of P. huashanica chromosome(s) in
      a wheat background, and it should also allow wheat breeders to screen for the
      excellent traits found in P. huashanica chromatin.

PMID- 24222255
TI  - Cerebroplacental Doppler ratio and placental histopathological features in
      pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To correlate placental pathologic lesions, as defined by the Society
      for Pediatric Pathology, to the severity of the ratio of the pulsatility Doppler
      index (PI) of the fetal middle cerebral artery to that of the umbilical artery
      (cerebroplacental ratio, CPR). STUDY DESIGN: A cohort-study of 176 singleton
      pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR). RESULTS: The mean
      values of gestational age, birth weight and CPR of the entire cohort were 33.9+/
      3.6 weeks, 1552+/-561 g, and 1.33+/-0.68, respectively. In ordered logistic
      regression analysis, after adjustment for potential confounders, muscularised
      arteries (Odds Ratio [OR]=3.14; 95% confidence intervals [CI]=1.58-6.28,
      P=0.001), mural hypertrophy (OR=2.35; 95% CI=1.26-4.4, P=0.008), immature
      intermediate trophoblast (OR=2.0; 95% CI=1.07-3.71, P=0.03) and maternal vascular
      underperfusion (OR=2.32; 95% CI=1.25-4.23, P=0.007) were the only parameters
      associated with severity of CPR. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation between placental
      histological findings indicating maternal underperfusion and placental occlusion
      suggest that forced centralization of fetal circulation in FGR could be at least
      partially attributable to the hemodynamic consequences of increased placental
      vascular resistance.

PMID- 24222256
TI  - Impact of sex on perinatal mortality and morbidity in twins.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Twin studies offer opportunities to investigate mechanisms underlying
      sex-associated differences in perinatal outcomes. The objective of the study was
      to investigate sex-related differences in perinatal complications. STUDY DESIGN:
      A cohort of 16,045 twin pregnancies - 32,090 twins - was explored for obstetric
      complications, perinatal and infant mortality, and neonatal morbidities. RESULTS:
      Twin pregnancies with a female fetus had an increased risk for preeclampsia, but
      otherwise there were no pregnancy complications associated with fetal sex. After
      birth, female-female twins had lower early neonatal and infant mortality, and
      lower risk for respiratory morbidities than male-male twins at all gestational
      ages. In unlike-sexed twin pairs, very preterm males had higher respiratory
      morbidity than females and, females were at higher risk for being growth
      restricted. CONCLUSION: Male-male twins have higher respiratory morbidity and
      neonatal mortality than female-female twins. In unliked-sexed twin pairs, the
      males seem to be protected by having a female co-twin.

PMID- 24222257
TI  - Placental syndecan-1 and sulphated glycosaminoglycans are decreased in
      preeclampsia.
AB  - Glycosaminoglycans are found in extracellular matrix and on the cell surface in
      the form of proteoglycans. There is evidence that these molecules regulate
      biological processes, including cell survival, migration and angiogenesis.
      Preeclampsia is a common pregnancy disorder associated with insufficient
      placental development. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of
      glycosaminoglycans and the proteoglycan syndecan-1 within villous trophoblast and
      to investigate changes associated with preeclampsia. Seventy-five placental
      samples collected from third trimester singleton pregnancies were divided into
      term placentas following labour onset, gestational age-matched placentas prior to
      labour onset and preterm placentas. Preterm placentas were divided into three
      gestational age-matched groups, spontaneous preterm labour, preterm premature
      rupture of membranes (PPROM) and preterm preeclampsia. Sulphated
      glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) concentrations in placental extracts were quantified
      using a modified 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue assay. Syndecan-1 expression was
      localised using immunohistochemistry and concentrations in placental extracts
      determined by immunoassay. Preterm placentas had significantly lower sGAG
      concentrations compared to term tissues and concentrations were significantly
      lower in preeclampsia compared to spontaneous preterm labour (medians 5.80 and
      10.0 MUg/mg protein respectively, P<0.05). Syndecan-1 expression was localised to
      syncytiotrophoblast and median concentrations were lower in preeclampsia compared
      to PPROM material (preeclampsia median = 41.7, PPROM 74.4 ng/mg tissue) but not
      significantly different to concentrations in spontaneous preterm labour.
      Multivariate analysis revealed that decreased sGAG and syndecan-1 in preeclampsia
      were independent of labour, gestational age and birthweight centile. These
      findings may provide insights into a role for these molecules in the
      pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

PMID- 24222258
TI  - Hearing impairment in Estonia: an algorithm to investigate genetic causes in
      pediatric patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study was initiated to establish the etiological causes of
      early onset hearing loss (HL) among Estonian children between 2000-2009. METHODS:
      The study group consisted of 233 probands who were first tested with an arrayed
      primer extension assay, which covers 199 mutations in 7 genes (GJB2, GJB6, GJB3,
      SLC26A4, SLC26A5 genes, and two mitochondrial genes - 12S rRNA, tRNASer(UCN)).
      From probands whose etiology of HL remained unknown, DNA analysis of congenital
      cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and G-banded karyotype and/or chromosomal
      microarray analysis (CMA) were performed. RESULTS: In 110 (47%) cases, the
      etiology of HL was genetic and in 5 (2%) congenital CMV infection was diagnosed.
      We found mutations with clinical significance in GJB2 (100 children, 43%) and in
      2 mitochondrial genes (2 patients, 1%). A single mutation in SLC26A4 gene was
      detected in 5 probands (2.2%) and was considered diagnostic. In 4 probands a
      heterozygous IVS2-2A>G change in the SLC26A5 gene was found. We did not find any
      instances of homozygosity for this splice variant in the probands. CMA identified
      in 4 probands chromosomal regions with the loss of one allele. In 2 of them we
      were able to conclude that the found abnormalities are definitely pathogenic
      (12q13.3-q14.2 and 17q22-23.2 microdeletion), but the pathogenity of 2 other
      findings (3p26.2 and 1p33 microdeletion) remained unknown. CONCLUSION: This
      practical diagnostic algorithm confirmed the etiology of early onset HL for 115
      Estonian patients (49%). This algorithm may be generalized to other populations
      for clinical application.

PMID- 24222259
TI  - Effects of perioperative immunostimulating nutritional therapy on the phagocytic
      activity of blood platelets in patients with various clinical stages of gastric
      cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the total blood platelets count,
      fraction of phagocytizing thrombocytes (PhT%), and phagocytic index of
      thrombocytes (PhIT) in gastric cancer considering the stage of the disease, and
      perioperative immunonutrition support. METHODS: Our study included 44 patients
      operated for gastric cancer divided into 2 groups depending on the clinical
      stage, and 40 healthy volunteers -a control group. Group I included 18 patients
      with stage I-III locoregional malignancies and Group II included 26 patients with
      stage IV peritoneal dissemination. All patients received immunonutrition during
      the perioperative period. The phagocytic activity of blood platelets was assessed
      by measuring PhT% and PhIT prior to and after nutritional therapy. RESULTS: In
      Group I, the pre-treatment PhT% and PhIT amounted to 1.08 and 0.99, respectively,
      and 1.26, and 1.1 after the therapy (p<0.01). In Group II, pre-treatment PhT% and
      PhIT were 1.12 and 0.97, after 1.18 and 1.06, respectively (p<0.05). In the
      controls, PhT% and PhIT were 2.26 and 1.83, respectively, significantly higher
      comparing to gastric cancer patients (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Severe impairment of
      the thrombocyte phagocytic activity in gastric cancer patients has been found.
      Phagocytic activity of blood platelets was partially improved as a result of
      perioperative immunonutrition both in locoregional disease and in peritoneal
      dissemination.

PMID- 24222260
TI  - The effect of attenuating noradrenergic neurotransmission by clonidine on brain
      activity measures of visuospatial attention.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In the current study, we investigated the role of noradrenaline in
      directing (bias) and disengagement of visuospatial attention. METHODS: We
      assessed the effect of clonidine on event-related brain potential (ERP)
      reflections of bias and disengagement in a double-blind placebo-controlled
      crossover design. An initial dose of 200-MUg clonidine was replaced by 100 MUg
      because of marked side effects. Twenty-one healthy male participants performed
      the visual-spatial cueing task while an electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded.
      The behavioral output is the validity effect (benefit of cueing in terms of
      reaction time to targets). ERP indices for bias were the cue-related early
      directing attention negativity and late directing attention positivity, and the
      target-elicited P1 and N1 modulations by validity ('validity-effect'). The ERP
      index for disengagement was the target-elicited 'late positive deflection'
      modulation by validity. Behavioral analyses were performed on 16 participants,
      electrophysiological analyses on a subset (n=9). RESULTS: Clonidine attenuated
      the N1 effect, albeit in a subsample. Neither cue-elicited ERPs nor the
      behavioral validity effect were affected. Clonidine-induced blood pressure
      reduction was correlated with the reduction of the late positive deflection
      effect under clonidine. CONCLUSION: Clonidine attenuated the result of bias in a
      subsample and may have a modulating effect on disengagement.

PMID- 24222261
TI  - A single gunshot wound of the face with simultaneous aspiration and ingestion of
      two bullets.

PMID- 24222262
TI  - Strategies for ventilation in acute, severe lung injury after combat trauma.
AB  - Post-traumatic Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) continues to be a major
      critical care challenge with a high associated mortality and extensive morbidity
      for those who survive. This paper explores the evolution in recognition and
      management of this condition and makes some recommendations for treatment of post
      combat ARDS for military practitioners. It is aimed at the generalist in
      disciplines other than critical care, but will also be of interest to
      intensivists. 

PMID- 24222263
TI  - Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenolysis of N-sulfonyl aminoalcohols via
      achiral enesulfonamide intermediates.

PMID- 24222264
TI  - N-oxide as a traceless oxidizing directing group: mild rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H
      olefination for the synthesis of ortho-alkenylated tertiary anilines.
AB  - Double role: A traceless directing group also acts as an internal oxidant in a
      novel Rh(III) -catalyzed protocol developed for the synthesis of ortho
      alkenylated tertiary anilines. A five-membered cyclometalated Rh(III) complex is
      proposed as a plausible intermediate and confirmed by X-ray crystallographic
      analysis. 

PMID- 24222265
TI  - Recent developments in the treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia: a review
      of several new drug classes.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder of the low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) receptor leading to severe elevations in
      plasma levels of LDL-c which results in premature atherosclerosis and
      cardiovascular events. Statins, ezetimibe, and bile acid sequestrants
      significantly lower LDL-c levels in these patients and subsequently markedly
      improve survival; however, even with these interventions LDL-c goals often are
      not met. Several new drug classes are in development and have the potential to
      make reaching these cholesterol goals easier. In this article we review the most
      recent trials of several classes of drugs with the potential to change the future
      of familial hypercholesterolemia management: microsomal triglyceride transfer
      protein (MTP) inhibitors, apolipoprotein B synthesis inhibitors (mipomersen),
      cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors and inhibitors of pro
      protein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9). Each class has shown promise with
      regard to their effects on the lipid profile. However, the potential side-effects
      of each drug are also being determined and have limited the development of
      certain agents. Therefore, the long-term effects of these drug classes, both in
      terms of side-effects and their effect on clinical outcomes such as
      cardiovascular events and mortality, continue to be determined.

PMID- 24222266
TI  - Trade-offs in visual processing for stimuli near the hands.
AB  - It is known that stimuli near the hands receive preferential processing. In the
      present study, we explored changes in early vision near the hands. Participants
      were more sensitive to low-spatial-frequency information and less sensitive to
      high-spatial-frequency information for stimuli presented close to the hands. This
      pattern suggests enhanced processing in the magnocellular visual pathway for such
      stimuli, and impaired processing in the parvocellular pathway. Consistent with
      that possibility, we found that the effects of hand proximity in several tasks
      were eliminated by illumination with red diffuse light-a manipulation known to
      impair magnocellular processing. These results help clarify how the hands affect
      vision.

PMID- 24222267
TI  - A review of the advancements in probiotic delivery: Conventional vs. non
      conventional formulations for intestinal flora supplementation.
AB  - Probiotic delivery systems are widely used nutraceutical products for the
      supplementation of natural intestinal flora. These delivery systems vary greatly
      in effectiveness to exert health benefits for a patient. Probiotic delivery
      systems can be categorized into conventional, pharmaceutical formulations, and
      non-conventional, mainly commercial food-based, products. The degree of health
      benefits provided by these probiotic formulations varies in their ability to
      deliver viable, functional bacteria in large enough numbers (effectiveness), to
      provide protection against the harsh effects of the gastric environment and
      intestinal bile (in vivo protection), and to survive formulation processes
      (viability). This review discusses the effectiveness of these probiotic delivery
      systems to deliver viable functional bacteria focusing on the ability to protect
      the encapsulated probiotics during formulation process as well as against harsh
      physiological conditions through formulation enhancements using coatings and
      polymer enhancements. A brief overview on the health benefits of probiotics,
      current formulation, patient and legal issues facing probiotic delivery, and
      possible recommendations for the enhanced delivery of probiotic bacteria are also
      provided. Newer advanced in vitro analyses that can accurately determine the
      effectiveness of a probiotic formulation are also discussed with an ideal
      probiotic delivery system hypothesized through a combination of the two probiotic
      delivery systems described.

PMID- 24222268
TI  - Enhanced topical delivery of finasteride using glyceryl monooleate-based liquid
      crystalline nanoparticles stabilized by cremophor surfactants.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the capability of two surfactants,
      Cremophor RH 40 (RH) and Cremophor EL (EL), to prepare liquid crystalline
      nanoparticles (LCN) and to study its influence on the topical delivery of
      finasteride (FNS). FNS-loaded LCN was formulated with the two surfactants and
      characterized for size distribution, morphology, entrapment efficiency, in vitro
      drug release, and skin permeation/retention. Influence of FNS-loaded LCN on the
      conformational changes on porcine skin was also studied using attenuated total
      reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Transmission electron
      microscopical image confirmed the formation of LCN. The average particle size of
      formulations was in the range of 165.1-208.6 and 153.7-243.0 nm, respectively.
      The formulations prepared with higher surfactant concentrations showed faster
      release and significantly increased skin permeation. Specifically, LCN prepared
      with RH 2.5% presented higher permeation flux (0.100 +/- 0.005 MUgcm(-2)h(-1))
      compared with lower concentration (0.029 +/- 0.007 MUgcm(-2)h(-1)). Typical
      spectral bands of lipid matrix of porcine skin were shifted to higher wavenumber,
      indicating increased degree of disorder of the lipid acyl chains which might
      cause fluidity increase of stratum corneum. Taken together, Cremophor surfactants
      exhibited a promising potential to stabilize the LCN and significantly augmented
      the skin permeation of FNS.

PMID- 24222269
TI  - Investigation of critical core formulation and process parameters for osmotic
      pump oral drug delivery.
AB  - Push-pull osmotic pump (PPOP) tablets of a practically insoluble model drug were
      developed and the effect of various formulation and process parameters on tablet
      performance was evaluated in order to identify critical factors. The formulation
      factors such as the viscosity grade of polyethylene oxide as the primary polymer
      as well as the level and location of osmogen within the bilayer tablets led to a
      difference in performance of osmotic tablets and hence should be critically
      evaluated in the design of such dosage forms. Modification of granulation
      process, i.e., the granulating liquid composition or drying method of granules,
      did not impact the drug release from the osmotic tablets at the evaluated scale
      of this study. The influence of varying dose and aqueous solubility of other
      model drugs (i.e., theophylline, acetaminophen, and verapamil HCl) on the
      developed PPOP template was also investigated. Results showed that irrespective
      of the perceived complexity of development and manufacturing of osmotic pumps,
      the osmotic tablets in this study demonstrated a robust and yet flexible platform
      in accommodating different types of drug candidates, regardless of solubility,
      for the dose levels below 25% w/w of the pull layer formulation.

PMID- 24222270
TI  - Formulation and optimization of nonionic surfactants emulsified nimesulide-loaded
      PLGA-based nanoparticles by design of experiments.
AB  - This investigation aimed to develop nimesulide (NMS)-loaded poly(lactic-co
      glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanoparticulate formulations as a biodegradable
      polymeric drug carrier to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Polymeric nanoparticles
      (NPs) were prepared with two different nonionic surfactants, vitamin E d-alpha
      tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (vitamin E TPGS) and poly(vinyl
      alcohol) (PVA), using an ultrasonication solvent evaporation technique. Nine
      batches were formulated for each surfactant using a 3(2) factorial design for
      optimal concentration of the emulsifying agents, 0.03-0.09% for vitamin E TPGS
      and 2-4% for PVA. The surfactant percentage and the drug/polymer ratio (1:10,
      1:15, 1:20) of the NMS-loaded NPs were investigated based on four responses:
      encapsulation efficiency, particle size, the polydispersity index, and the
      surface charge. The response surface plots and linearity curves indicated a
      relationship between the experiment's responses and a set of independent
      variables. The NPs produced with both surfactants exhibited a negative surface
      charge, and scanning electron micrographs revealed that all of the NPs were
      spherical in shape. A narrower size distribution and higher drug loadings were
      achieved in PVA-emulsified PLGA NPs than in the vitamin E TPGS emulsified.
      Decreasing amounts of both nonionic surfactants resulted in a reduction in the
      emulsion's viscosity, which led to a decrease in the particle size of NPs.
      According to the ANOVA results obtained in this present research, vitamin E TPGS
      exhibited the best correlation between the independent variables, namely
      drug/polymer ratio and the surfactant percentage, and the dependent variables
      (encapsulation efficiency R(2) = 0.9603, particle size R(2) = 0.9965, size
      distribution R(2) = 0.9899, and surface charge R(2) = 0.8969) compared with PVA.

PMID- 24222271
TI  - Ultrastructural and three-dimensional study of post-LASIK ectasia cornea.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) corneal ectasia is a
      serious late postoperative complication. Here, we report the ultrastructural
      features of the post-LASIK cornea of two patients. METHODS: Two normal corneas
      (age 24 and 37 years old) and two post-LASIK ectaic corneas from two patients (A
      and B) were studied. The "patient A" (age 27 years) underwent penetrating
      keratoplasty and "patient B" (age 31 years) underwent deep-anterior lamellar
      keratoplasty. The excised corneas were processed for light and electron
      microscopy. A total of 120 images for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction were
      taken by using the software "Recorder" and using a bottom mounted camera
      "Quemesa" attached to a JOEL 1400 transmission electron microscope. The 3D images
      were constructed using "Visual Kai" software. RESULTS: In the post-LASIK cornea,
      the hemidesmosomes, the basement membrane, and Bowman"s layer were abnormal. The
      stromal lamellae were thin and disorganized. The collagen fibrils (CFs) diameter
      and interfibrillar spacing had decreased. Aggregated microfibrils were present in
      the Bowman's layer and all parts of the stroma. A large number of microfilaments
      were present at the detachment end of the flap and residual stroma. The 3D images
      showed the presence of collagen microfibrils and proteoglycans (PGs) within the
      CF of the normal and post-LASIK cornea. The collagen microfibrils and PGs within
      the CFs had degenerated in the post-LASIK cornea. CONCLUSION: Collagen
      microfibrils and PGs within the CFs were degenerated, leading to the degeneration
      of CFs, followed by the disorganization of lamellae in post-LASIK cornea. The CFs
      diameter and interfibrillar spacing decreased.

PMID- 24222272
TI  - Effects of rare earth ions (Tb, Ce, Eu, Dy) on the thermoluminescence
      characteristics of sol-gel derived and gamma-irradiated SiO2 nanoparticles.
AB  - Highly pure SiO2 and SiO2 :RE nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol-gel
      method. The morphological, structural and optical properties of the nanoparticles
      were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
      and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD results indicate that all the
      samples studied were free from impurities. SEM/TEM results indicate that the
      samples were well dispersed. Surface characterization of the nanocrystals by
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been carried out and the structure of
      surface-bound SiO2 based on spectral analysis is proposed. Thermoluminescence
      (TL) characteristics were investigated to study the influence of rare earth
      dopants (Tb, Ce, Eu, Dy) on SiO2 matrix subjected to 0.5 kG (1 h) gamma
      irradiation. Among these rare earth elements, Eu(3+) was found to be the most
      efficient dopant for SiO2 showing maximum thermoluminescence intensity. SiO2
      :Eu0.5 seems to be a promising candidate for use as a TL dosimeter.

PMID- 24222273
TI  - Balloon laryngoplasty for pediatric laryngeal stenosis: case series and
      systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to systematically review
      available literature on the outcomes of children treated with balloon
      laryngoplasty (BLP) as a primary or adjuvant treatment for subglottic or
      laryngeal stenosis, as well as briefly report on a new series of 60 children
      treated at the Medical University of South Carolina from 2007 to 2013. STUDY
      DESIGN: Review of published case series and retrospective chart review. METHODS:
      A literature search was performed in PubMed and MEDLINE to identify trials that
      reported clinical outcomes of BLP in human patients under the age of 18 with
      subglottic or laryngeal stenosis. Single case reports and series studying the
      dilation of tracheal or bronchial stenosis alone were excluded. Hospital billing
      codes were used to identify appropriate patients for retrospective chart review.
      A successful outcome for chart review was determined to be decannulation of
      previous tracheostomy or avoidance of open laryngotracheoplasty or tracheostomy.
      RESULTS: Seven studies published between 1991 and 2012 met inclusion criteria and
      reported outcomes with success defined through improvement of symptoms, decrease
      in Myer-Cotton level of stenosis, decannulation, or avoidance of reconstructive
      procedures. Including 60 children from our institution, 202 patients between 1
      day and 22 years of age (average 35 months) underwent 457 dilations, with an
      average of 2.26 dilations per patient (2.25 in our population). The overall
      success rate was 64% (77% in our population). No complications were reported with
      subglottic or laryngeal dilations. CONCLUSIONS: BLP is a highly effective, low
      risk alternative or adjunct to traditional reconstructive procedures in children
      with subglottic or laryngeal stenosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 24222274
TI  - The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and posttraumatic stress disorder: a meta-analysis.
AB  - Environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of posttraumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD). Variation in the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of the serotonin
      transporter gene has been hypothesized to affect risk for PTSD. With the aim of
      investigating this association, we conducted a meta-analysis to shed light on
      prior controversial results and increase statistical power to detect smaller
      effect sizes. PubMed and ISI databases were searched for studies published until
      December 2012. Twelve studies have been included, all based on trauma-exposed
      samples. Data were analyzed with Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager Software
      (Version 5). Quality and publication bias were assessed. Metaregressions were
      performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software, Version 2. Taking into
      account all studies, no association was found between 5-HTTLPR and PTSD (p =
      .10), with evidence of between-study heterogeneity, which could be partly
      explained by gender differences. In sensitivity analyses, we found an association
      between SS genotype and PTSD in high trauma-exposed participants (p < .001). To
      be a carrier of the SS genotype seems to represent a risk factor for PTSD in high
      trauma exposure. Further studies focusing on Gene * Environment interactions are
      needed to better understand the role of this polymorphism in PTSD.

PMID- 24222275
TI  - Mechanisms of antitumor and immune-enhancing activities of MUC1/sec, a secreted
      form of mucin-1.
AB  - Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a polymorphic type 1 transmembrane protein found on the apical
      surface of normal cells lining the lumen of ducts and glands. Mucins are thought
      to provide mucosal protection from environmental exposures and carcinogens. An
      altered form of the MUC1 glycoprotein, which is hypoglycosylated, is expressed in
      several types of human cancers. In our laboratory, we have found that
      transfection of a murine mammary tumor cell line with a human secreted isoform of
      MUC1 rendered these DA-3 cells (DA-3/sec) incapable of growing in intact BALB/c
      mice. In contrast, implantation of DA-3 cells transfected with the human
      transmembrane isoform of MUC1 (DA-3/TM), resulted in tumor formation and
      ultimately death of the animals, similar to the DA-3 parental line. Importantly,
      inoculation of the DA-3/sec cells in immunodeficient nude mice resulted in tumor
      formation, indicating that the MUC1/sec molecule's antitumor activity is
      immunologically controlled. In this review, we summarize the studies we have
      performed to elucidate possible mechanisms for the immune-mediated antitumor
      effect of MUC1/sec and/or a unique peptide present in this mucin. Understanding
      these mechanisms may provide new immunotherapeutic approaches that could be used
      to target different types of cancer. 

PMID- 24222276
TI  - CHI3L1 plays a role in cancer through enhanced production of pro-inflammatory/pro
      tumorigenic and angiogenic factors.
AB  - Elevated serum levels of a glycoprotein known as chitinase-3-like protein 1
      (CHI3L1) have been correlated with poor prognosis and shorter survival of
      patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. The biological and physiological
      functions of CHI3L1 in cancer have not yet been completely elucidated. In this
      review, we describe the role of CHI3L1 in inducing pro-inflammatory/pro
      tumorigenic and angiogenic factors that could promote tumor growth and
      metastasis. 

PMID- 24222277
TI  - Semaphorin7A: branching beyond axonal guidance and into immunity.
AB  - Semaphorins are a family of proteins that were originally described for their
      role in axonal guidance. Studies now show that semaphorins encompass many
      physiological functions outside of the nervous system, including immune
      responses. Semaphorin7A (SEMA7A) belongs to the "immune" semaphorin group and has
      been shown to play a crucial role in regulating immune responses. In this review,
      we discuss the structure and function of SEMA7A as well as its role in innate and
      adaptive immunity [corrected].We further describe SEMA7A's involvement in
      inflammatory disease and its emergent role in cancer.

PMID- 24222278
TI  - Pre- and perinatal brain development and enculturation : A biogenetic structural
      approach.
AB  - Ample evidence from various quarters indicates that the perceptual-cognitive
      competence of the pre- and perinatal human being is significantly greater than
      was once thought. Some of the evidence of this emerging picture of early
      competence is reviewed, and its importance both as evidence of the biogenetic
      structural concept of "neurognosis" and for a theory of enculturation is
      discussed. The literature of pre- and perinatal psychology, especially that of
      developmental neuropsychology, psychobiology, and social psychophysiology, is
      incorporated, and some of the implications of these data for a theory of
      enculturation are suggested. 

PMID- 24222279
TI  - The nature of crime : Is cheating necessary for cooperation?
AB  - The classical social theorist Emile Durkheim proposed the counterintuitive thesis
      that crime is beneficial for society because it provokes punishment, which
      enhances social solidarity. His logic, however, is blemished by a reified view of
      society that leads to group-selectionist thinking and a teleological account of
      the causes of crime. Reconceptualization of the relationship between crime and
      punishment in terms of evolutionary game theory, however, suggests that crime
      (cheating) may confer benefits on cooperating individuals by promoting stability
      in their patterns of cooperation. 

PMID- 24222281
TI  - Secular trends in human sex ratios : Their influence on individual and family
      behavior.
AB  - Secular change in sex ratios is examined in relation to experience in the family.
      Two theoretical perspectives are outlined: Guttentag and Secord's (1983)
      adaptation of social exchange theory, and sexual selection theory. Because of
      large-scale change in number of births and typical age differentials between men
      and women at marriage, low sex ratios at couple formation ages existed in the
      U.S. between 1965 and the early 1980s. The currently high sex ratios, however,
      will persist until the end of the century. High sex ratios appear to be
      associated with lower divorce rates, male commitment to careers that promise
      economic rewards, male willingness to engage in child care, higher fertility, and
      higher rates of sexual violence. Sexual selection theory calls attention to
      intrasexual competition in the numerically larger sex. 

PMID- 24222280
TI  - Ingestion and emotional health.
AB  - Evidence abounds of a close relation between ingestive and affective processes in
      rats and in humans. Emotional distress alters food intake and body weight;
      conversely, alterations in eating and weight influence emotional health. Thorough
      experimental analysis of the ingestion-affect relation may clarify the mechanisms
      of anxiety and depression. A strategy is proposed for examination of
      environmental and dispositional determinants of ingestive processes,
      emotionality, and responses to stress. 

PMID- 24222282
TI  - IAPs perspectives on current vaccination scenario in India.

PMID- 24222284
TI  - Recent advances in management of bronchiolitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis is one of the major causes for hospital admissions in
      infants. Managing bronchiolitis, both in the outpatient and inpatient setting
      remains a challenge to the treating pediatrician. The effectiveness of various
      interventions used for infants with bronchiolitis remains unclear. NEED AND
      PURPOSE: To evaluate the evidence supporting the use of currently available
      treatment and preventive strategies for infants with bronchiolitis and to provide
      practical guidelines to the practitioners managing children with bronchiolitis.
      METHODS: A search of articles published on bronchiolitis was performed using
      PubMed. The areas of focus were diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
      bronchiolitis in children. Relevant information was extracted from English
      language studies published over the last 20 years. In addition, the Cochrane
      Database of Systematic Reviews was searched. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Supportive
      care, comprising of taking care of oxygenation and hydration, remains the corner
      stone of therapy in bronchiolitis. Pulse oximetry helps in guiding the need for
      oxygen administration. Several recent evidence-based reviews have suggested that
      bronchodilators or corticosteroids lack efficacy in bronchiolitis and should not
      be routinely used. A number of other novel therapies (such as nebulized
      hypertonic saline, heliox, CPAP, montelukast, surfactant, and inhaled furosemide)
      have been evaluated in clinical trials, and although most of them did not show
      any beneficial results, some like hypertonic saline, surfactant, CPAP have shown
      promising results.

PMID- 24222285
TI  - Citrullinemia type 1: genetic diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis in subsequent
      pregnancy.
AB  - Citrullinemia type 1 was diagnosed by tandem mass spectrometry in a full term
      male neonate who presented with an acute catastrophic collapse on the 3rd day of
      life. Both parents were identified to be carriers for the exon 15 p Gly390Arg
      mutation in the argininosuccinate synthetase gene located at chromosome 9q34.1.
      Chorionic villus sampling and prenatal genetic testing in the subsequent
      pregnancy revealed an affected fetus resulting in termination of pregnancy. 

PMID- 24222286
TI  - Crossed polydactyly and Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome.
AB  - Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, with an
      autosomal dominant inheritance and consisting of a triad of polysyndactyly,
      macrocephaly and hypertelorism. Crossed polydactyly is a finding
      characteristically associated with this syndrome. We report a one and half year
      old male child who presented with classic clinical features and family history
      diagnostic of the above syndrome. 

PMID- 24222287
TI  - Atypical subacute sclerosing panencephalitis with short onset latency.

PMID- 24222288
TI  - Cholera-like illness due to Aeromonas caviae.

PMID- 24222289
TI  - Role of zinc in neonatal sepsis: emerging data.

PMID- 24222290
TI  - Congenital scaphoid megalourethra.

PMID- 24222291
TI  - N-acetyl cysteine in non-acetaminophen pediatric acute liver failure: recent
      evidence!

PMID- 24222292
TI  - Should N-acetylcysteine be used in treatment of non-acetaminophen pediatric acute
      liver failure?

PMID- 24222293
TI  - Reversible skin hyperpigmentation in Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome.

PMID- 24222294
TI  - Status of primary immunodeficiency disorders in India.

PMID- 24222295
TI  - Diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma.

PMID- 24222296
TI  - Reticulate acropigmentation of Kitamura.

PMID- 24222297
TI  - Unilateral linear porokeratosis.

PMID- 24222298
TI  - Black heel (talon noir) associated with a viral exanthem.

PMID- 24222299
TI  - Is handheld optical coherence tomography reliable in infants and young children
      with and without nystagmus?
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability of the spectral domain handheld OCT (HH-OCT)
      in assessing foveal morphology in children with and without nystagmus. METHODS:
      Forty-nine subjects with nystagmus (mean age 43.83 months; range, 1-82 months)
      and 48 controls (mean age 43.02 months; range, 0 to 83 months) were recruited and
      scanned using HH-OCT. A minimum of two separate volumetric scans on the same
      examination day of the fovea were obtained. The images were imported into ImageJ
      software where manual retinal layer segmentation of the central foveal B-scan was
      performed. Agreement between scans was assessed by determining the intraclass
      correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Both the
      nystagmus and control groups showed an excellent degree of reproducibility
      between two examinations with ICCs greater than 0.96 for central macular
      thickness (CMT) and greater than 0.8 for the outer nuclear layer and outer
      segment of the photoreceptors. The nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, outer
      plexiform layer, inner segment of the photoreceptors, and retinal pigment
      epithelium were less reliable with ICCs of less than 0.7. There was no difference
      in the reliability of scans obtained in children with nystagmus as compared with
      controls and both groups had good intereye agreement with ICCs greater than 0.94
      for CMT. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown for the first time that the HH-OCT provides
      reliable measurements in children with and without nystagmus. This is important,
      as the HH-OCT will have a greater diagnostic and prognostic role in young
      children with nystagmus and other eye diseases in the future.

PMID- 24222300
TI  - Enzymatic degradation identifies components responsible for the structural
      properties of the vitreous body.
AB  - PURPOSE: Vitreous degeneration contributes to several age-related eye diseases,
      including retinal detachment, macular hole, macular traction syndrome, and
      nuclear cataracts. Remarkably little is understood about the molecular
      interactions responsible for maintaining vitreous structure. The purpose of this
      study was to measure the structural properties of the vitreous body after
      enzymatic degradation of selected macromolecules. METHODS: Mechanical properties
      of plugs of bovine and porcine vitreous were analyzed using a rheometer.
      Oscillatory and extensional tests measured vitreous stiffness and adhesivity,
      respectively. Major structural components of the vitreous were degraded by
      incubation overnight in collagenase, trypsin, or hyaluronidase, singly or in
      combination. Vitreous bodies were also incubated in hyper- or hypotonic saline.
      Effects of these treatments on the mechanical properties of the vitreous were
      measured by rheometry. RESULTS: Enzymatic digestion of each class of
      macromolecules decreased the stiffness of bovine vitreous by approximately half
      (P < 0.05). Differential effects were observed on the damping capacity of the
      vitreous (P < 0.05), which was shown to correlate with material behavior in
      extension (P < 0.01). Digestion of hyaluronan significantly decreased the damping
      capacity of the vitreous and increased adhesivity. Collagen degradation resulted
      in the opposite effect, whereas digestion of proteins and proteoglycans with
      trypsin did not alter behavior relative to controls. Osmotic perturbations and
      double-enzyme treatments further implicated hyaluronan and hyaluronan-associated
      water as a primary regulator of adhesivity and material behavior in extension.
      CONCLUSIONS: Collagen, hyaluronan, and proteoglycans act synergistically to
      maintain vitreous stiffness. Hyaluronan is a key mediator of vitreous adhesivity,
      and mechanical damping is an important factor influencing dynamic vitreous
      behavior.

PMID- 24222301
TI  - Further insights into GPR179: expression, localization, and associated pathogenic
      mechanisms leading to complete congenital stationary night blindness.
AB  - PURPOSE: Mutations in GPR179, which encodes the G protein-coupled receptor 179,
      lead to autosomal recessive complete (c) congenital stationary night blindness
      (CSNB), which is characterized by an ON-bipolar retinal cell dysfunction. This
      study further defined the exact site of Gpr179 expression and its protein
      localization in human retina and elucidated the pathogenic mechanism of the
      reported missense and splice site mutations. METHODS: RNA in situ hybridization
      was performed with mouse retinal sections. A commercially available antibody was
      validated with GPR179-overexpressing COS-1 cells and applied to human retinal
      sections. Live-cell extracellular staining along with subsequent intracellular
      immunolocalization and ELISA studies were performed using mammalian cells
      overexpressing wild-type or missense mutated GPR179. Wild-type and splice site
      mutated mini-gene constructs were transiently transfected, and RNA was extracted.
      RT-PCR-amplified products were cloned, and Sanger sequenced. RESULTS: Mouse
      Gpr179 transcript was expressed in the upper part of the inner nuclear layer, and
      the respective human protein localized at the dendritic tips of bipolar cells in
      human retina. The missense mutations p.Tyr220Cys, p.Gly455Asp, and p.His603Tyr
      led to severely reduced cell surface localization, whereas p.Asp126His did not.
      The mutated splice donor site altered GPR179 splicing. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      indicate that the site of expression and protein localization of human and mouse
      GPR179 is similar to that of other proteins implicated in cCSNB. For most of the
      mutations identified so far, loss of the GPR179 protein function seems to be the
      underlying pathogenic mechanism leading to this form of cCSNB.

PMID- 24222302
TI  - A novel color vision test for detection of diabetic macular edema.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the sensitivity of the Seoul National University (SNU)
      computerized color vision test for detecting diabetic macular edema. METHODS:
      From May to September 2003, a total of 73 eyes of 73 patients with diabetes
      mellitus were examined using the SNU computerized color vision test and optical
      coherence tomography (OCT). Color deficiency was quantified as the total error
      score on the SNU test and as error scores for each of four color quadrants
      corresponding to yellows (Q1), greens (Q2), blues (Q3), and reds (Q4). SNU error
      scores were assessed as a function of OCT foveal thickness and total macular
      volume (TMV). RESULTS: The error scores in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 measured by the SNU
      color vision test increased with foveal thickness (P < 0.05), whereas they were
      not correlated with TMV. Total error scores, the summation of Q1 and Q3, the
      summation of Q2 and Q4, and blue-yellow (B-Y) error scores were significantly
      correlated with foveal thickness (P < 0.05), but not with TMV. CONCLUSIONS: The
      observed correlation between SNU color test error scores and foveal thickness
      indicates that the SNU test may be useful for detection and monitoring of
      diabetic macular edema.

PMID- 24222303
TI  - Absolute retinal blood flow measurement with a dual-beam Doppler optical
      coherence tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: To test the capability of a novel dual-beam Doppler optical coherence
      tomography (OCT) technique for simultaneous in vivo measurement of the Doppler
      angle and, thus, the absolute retinal blood velocity and the retinal flow rate,
      without the influence of motion artifacts. METHODS: A novel dual-beam Doppler
      spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT) was developed. The two probing beams are separated
      with a controllable distance along an arbitrary direction, both of which are
      controlled by two independent 2D optical scanners. Two sets of optical Doppler
      tomography (ODT) images are acquired simultaneously. The Doppler angle of each
      blood vessel segment is calculated from the relative coordinates of the centers
      of the blood vessel in the two corresponding ODT images. The absolute blood flow
      velocity and the volumetric blood flow rate can then be calculated. To measure
      the total retinal blood flow, we used a circular scan pattern centered at the
      optic disc to obtain two sets of concentric OCT/ODT images simultaneously.
      RESULTS: We imaged two normal human subjects at ages of 48 and 34 years. The
      total retinal blood flow rates of the two human subjects were calculated to be
      47.01 MUL/min (older subject) and 51.37 MUL/min (younger subject), respectively.
      Results showed that the performance of this imaging system is immune to eye
      movement, since the two sets of ODT images were acquired simultaneously.
      CONCLUSIONS: The dual-beam OCT/ODT system is successful in measuring the absolute
      retinal blood velocity and the volumetric flow rate. The advantage of the
      technique is that the two sets of ODT images used for the calculation are
      acquired simultaneously, which eliminates the influence of eye motion and ensures
      the accuracy of the calculated hemodynamic parameters.

PMID- 24222304
TI  - Progressive myopia or hyperopia can be induced in chicks and reversed by
      manipulation of the chromaticity of ambient light.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether progressive ametropia can be induced in chicks and
      reversed by manipulation of the chromaticity of ambient light. METHODS: One-day
      old chicks were raised in red light (90% red, 10% yellow-green) or in blue light
      (85% blue, 15% green) with a 12 hour on/off cycle for 14 to 42 days. Refraction
      was determined by streak retinoscopy, and by automated infrared photoretinoscopy
      and ocular biometry by A-scan ultrasonography. RESULTS: Red light induced
      progressive myopia (mean refraction +/- SD at 28 days, -2.83 +/- 0.25 diopters
      [D]). Progressive hyperopia was induced by blue light (mean refraction at 28
      days, +4.55 +/- 0.21 D). The difference in refraction between the groups was
      highly significant at P < 0.001. Induced myopia or hyperopia was axial as
      confirmed by ultrasound biometry. Myopia induced by 21 days of red light (-2.21
      +/- 0.21 D) was reversed to hyperopia (+2.50 +/- 0.29 D) by subsequent 21 days of
      blue light. Hyperopia induced by 21 days of blue light (+4.21 +/- 0.19 D) was
      reversed to myopia (-1.23 +/- 0.12 D) by 21 days of red light. CONCLUSIONS:
      Rearing chicks in red light caused progressive myopia, while rearing in blue
      light caused progressive hyperopia. Light-induced myopia or hyperopia in chicks
      can be reversed to hyperopia or myopia, respectively, by an alteration in the
      chromaticity of ambient light. Manipulation of chromaticity may be applicable to
      the management of human childhood myopia.

PMID- 24222305
TI  - Nonneuronal control of the differential distribution of myelin along retinal
      ganglion cell axons in the mouse.
AB  - PURPOSE: In most mammalian species, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons are
      myelinated in the optic nerve, but remain nonmyelinated in the retinal nerve
      fiber layer and the most proximal (i.e., retina-near) region of the nerve. Here
      we analyzed whether RGCs are involved in the control of this characteristic
      distribution of oligodendrocytes and myelin in the primary visual pathway of
      mice. METHODS: Neurospheres were enriched in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells
      (OPCs) by a short-term exposure to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and
      grafted into the retina of young postnatal mice close to the optic disc.
      Immunohistochemistry was performed to study the integration and differentiation
      of the grafted cells, and the formation of donor-derived myelin in the normally
      nonmyelinated retinal nerve fiber layer and intrabulbar and most proximal
      retrobulbar region of the optic nerve. RESULTS: Intraretinal transplantations of
      small-sized PDGF-treated neurospheres into young postnatal mice resulted in
      extensive integration of the grafted cells into host retinas. A significant
      fraction of the donor cells differentiated into oligodendrocytes that myelinated
      the nerve fiber layer. Importantly, RGC axon segments within the normally
      nonmyelinated intrabulbar and most proximal retrobulbar region of the nerve also
      became myelinated in a fraction of animals. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report
      demonstrating that the normally nonmyelinated intrabulbar and retrobulbar
      segments of RGC axons are competent to become myelinated. Results support the
      view that the differential distribution of myelin and oligodendrocytes in the
      primary visual pathway is controlled by nonneuronal factors rather than by the
      RGCs themselves.

PMID- 24222306
TI  - Corneal staining characteristics in limited zones compared with whole cornea
      documentation for the detection of dry eye subtypes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the reliability of single- and double-zone corneal
      fluorescent staining compared with five-zone analysis for the prediction of dry
      eye disease. METHODS: Prospective study of 510 subjects with dry eye disease
      characterized using corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer scores, and tear break
      up times. Corneal staining was quantified using Baylor scoring with ROC analysis
      used to assess predictive power of single- and double-zone compared with five
      zone analysis for aqueous, evaporative, and mixed dry eye disease. RESULTS:
      Double-zone analysis predicted each subtype of dry eye disease investigated.
      Aqueous disease was predicted by superior/inferior zones (AUCSup/Inf 0.797 versus
      AUCTotal 0.816), evaporative disease by inferior/central zones (AUCInf/Cen 0.759
      versus AUCTotal 0.778), and mixed disease by superior/inferior, inferior/nasal,
      and inferior/central zones (AUCSup/Inf 0.765, AUCInf/Nas 0.771, AUCInf/Cen 0.778
      versus AUCTotal 0.795). Inferior zone analysis predicted aqueous (AUCInf 0.751
      versus AUCTotal 0.750), evaporative (AUCInf 0.756 versus AUCTotal 0.752), and
      mixed (AUCInf 0.831 versus AUCTotal 0.788) dry eye disease with similar efficacy
      to complete analysis in diabetic individuals. Inferior zone analysis also
      predicted aqueous disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients (AUCInf 0.804 versus
      AUCTotal 0.785), whereas superior zone analysis predicted evaporative disease in
      thyroid disease patients (AUCSup 0.765 versus AUCTotal 0.752). CONCLUSIONS:
      Double-zone corneal staining predicts the presence of dry eye disease with
      predictive power similar to complete corneal analysis. Additionally, subtypes of
      dry eye can be predicted by single-zone analysis among patients with diabetes
      (inferior zone), rheumatoid arthritis (inferior zone), and thyroid disease
      (superior zone). Clinical characterization of dry eye can thus be hastened by
      limiting corneal examination to specific zones.

PMID- 24222307
TI  - Determinants of macular thickness using spectral domain optical coherence
      tomography in healthy eyes: the Singapore Chinese Eye study.
AB  - PURPOSE: We determined ocular and systemic factors influencing macular thickness
      measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a population
      based sample of healthy eyes. METHODS: We recruited 490 healthy Chinese adults,
      aged 40 to 80 years, from the Singapore Chinese Eye Study, a population-based
      survey. All participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination and a
      standardized interview. The SD-OCT (Cirrus HD-OCT, software version 6.0) was used
      to measure a range of macular thickness parameters (central foveal subfield
      thickness, average inner macular thickness, average outer macular thickness,
      overall average macular thickness, and overall macular cube volume). Linear
      regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of various ocular and
      systemic factors on macular thickness. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) age
      of the subjects was 53.17 (6.14) years and 50.0% of them were male. The mean
      central foveal subfield, average inner, and average outer macular thicknesses
      were 250.38 (20.58), 319.33 (14.40), and 276.67 (11.94) MUm, respectively. The
      overall average macular thickness was 280.25 (11.42) MUm and overall macular cube
      volume was 10.09 (0.41) mm(3). Sex, age, and axial length (AL) are the factors
      that influenced macular thicknesses. Thinner overall average macular thickness
      was associated with female sex (4.46 MUm thinner compared to males, P < 0.001),
      older age (0.38 MUm decrease per each year increase in age, P < 0.001), and
      longer AL (2.34-MUm decrease per each mm increase in AL, P < 0.001), whereas
      thinner central foveal subfield thickness was associated with female sex (13.5
      MUm thinner compared to males, P < 0.001) and shorter AL (3.33-MUm decrease per
      each mm increase in AL, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Female sex, older age, and
      longer AL were associated independently with thinner overall average macular
      thickness, whereas female sex and shorter AL were associated with thinner central
      foveal thickness in ethnic Chinese. These factors should be taken into
      consideration when interpreting macular thickness measurements with SD-OCT.

PMID- 24222308
TI  - Stress and visual function in infantile nystagmus syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: Infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) is an involuntary oscillation of the
      eyes that has been reported to impair vision and worsen under stress. This
      investigation aimed to measure visual function in terms of visual acuity (VA) and
      response time (RT), when INS subjects are placed under stress. METHODS: A total
      of 23 subjects with INS and 20 control subjects performed a 2-alternative forced
      choice (2AFC) staircase procedure identifying the gap in a Landolt C, under 4
      experimental conditions: initial acclimatization (A); task demand (TD), during
      which subjects received a small electrical shock for every incorrect answer;
      anticipatory anxiety (AA), during which subjects received a small shock at random
      intervals; and relaxed (R). Arousal was monitored with galvanic skin conductance
      (SkC). In addition to VA and eye movements, RTs were recorded. RESULTS: The SkC
      was higher in the TD and AA periods and lower during A and R. Shock significantly
      increased nystagmus amplitude (P < 0.01) and intensity (P < 0.007), and reduced
      foveation periods (FPs, P < 0.022). In both groups, VA was not reduced, but
      showed a slight improvement. However, shock increased RT (P < 0.009), and INS
      subjects were slower than controls (P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Increased arousal
      ("stress") provoked more intense nystagmus eye movements. As seen in other
      studies, stress did not reduce VA despite the shorter FPs. Although VA and FP can
      correlate across subjects, there would appear to be little correlation, if any,
      within a subject. However, RTs did increase with stress and shorter FPs, which
      may have an adverse impact on the visual performance of those with INS.

PMID- 24222309
TI  - The effect of degrading binocular single vision on fine visuomotor skill task
      performance.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of degrading binocular single vision (BSV) on
      performance of fine visuomotor skill tasks requiring speed/accuracy. METHODS:
      Binocular functions (Frisby/Preschool Randot [PSR] stereoacuity, horizontal
      phasic prism fusion amplitudes) were measured in visually normal participants
      aged 18 to 40 years (n = 80). Participants performed 2-timed visuomotor tasks:
      water pouring (450 mL accurately into five measuring cylinders at 90 mL) and bead
      threading on upright needles (30 large, 22 small beads, creating two difficulty
      levels). Task and binocular function measures were repeated in a randomized order
      with monocular visual acuity (VA) reduced in three-line increments using convex
      spherical lenses. Analyses used were Kruskal-Wallis/Mann-Whitney U tests and
      linear mixed modeling. RESULTS: Median Frisby stereoacuity levels were 20" arc at
      baseline, 55" arc when VA was degraded by 6 lines, 210" arc by 9 lines, and
      unmeasurable by 12 lines (9 lines in some individuals). Task performance times
      deteriorated for the large bead task (7%-10% between lenses, total 37% from
      median baseline time of 51 seconds, P < 0.001), and small bead task (0.5%-15%
      between lenses, total 42% from median baseline time of 57 seconds, P < 0.001).
      Binocular function measures causing significant fixed effects were base-out
      fusional amplitudes in both bead tasks (large: P = 0.010, small: P = 0.011) and
      PSR stereoacuity in the small bead task (P = 0.047). Water-pouring task
      performance was not significantly affected by changes in any experimental
      parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Degrading motor fusion as well as stereoacuity
      significantly affects performance in certain fine visuomotor tasks. This impact
      is differentially affected by task difficulty.

PMID- 24222310
TI  - The influence of horizontal convergence on slow oscillatory eye movements during
      visual fixation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Slow oscillatory eye movements (SOMs) occur simultaneously with tremor,
      drifts, and microsaccades during visual fixation. In a previous study, the
      amplitude of SOM was found to be affected by the visual characteristics of the
      stimuli. This indicates a perceptual influence on the control of the movement.
      However, the frequency of SOM did not change. The aim of our study was to
      investigate how SOM is affected by extraocular muscle tension. METHODS: In a
      repeated-measurement experiment, 14 subjects were instructed to maintain fixation
      for 3 minutes on a bright dot presented at four distances (15, 30, 60, and 120
      cm). The level of extraocular muscle tension is assumed to increase with
      decreased fixation distance due to convergence angle. Eye movements were recorded
      binocularly using a video eye tracker, and the amplitude and frequency of SOM for
      each eye were obtained by independently filtering the horizontal and vertical eye
      position signals with a discrete Fourier transformation. RESULTS: The results
      showed no significant differences for the amplitude. However, the horizontal
      frequency was found to be significantly lower at the closest distance. No
      significant differences were found for the vertical frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Based
      on these findings we conclude that extraocular muscle tension does have an effect
      on the frequency, but not the amplitude, of the oscillations. The apparent double
      dissociation between perceptual effects on amplitude versus muscle tension
      effects on frequency is discussed in relation to the origin and control of SOM.

PMID- 24222311
TI  - Internal dosimetry estimates using voxelized reference phantoms for thyroid
      agents.
AB  - This work presents internal dosimetry estimates for diagnostic procedures
      performed for thyroid disorders by relevant radiopharmaceuticals. The organ doses
      for (131)Iodine, (123)Iodine and (99m)Tc incorporated into the body were
      calculated for the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)
      reference voxel phantoms using the Monte Carlo transport method. A comparison
      between different thyroid uptakes of iodine in the range of 0-55% was made, and
      the effect of various techniques for administration of (99m)Tc on organ doses was
      studied. To investigate the necessity of calculating organ dose from all source
      regions, the major source organ and its contribution to total dose were specified
      for each target organ. Moreover, we compared effective dose in ICRP voxel
      phantoms with that in stylized phantoms. In our method, we directly calculated
      the organ dose without using the S values or SAFs, as is commonly done. Hence, a
      distribution of the absorbed dose to entire tissues was obtained. The chord
      length distributions (CLDs) were also computed for the selected source-target
      pairs to make comparison across the genders. The results showed that the S values
      for radionuclides in the thyroid are not sufficient for calculating the organ
      doses, especially for (123)I and (99m)Tc. The thyroid and its neighboring organs
      receive a greater dose as thyroid uptake increases. Our comparisons also revealed
      an underestimation of organ doses reported for the stylized phantoms compared
      with the values based on the ICRP voxel phantoms in the uptake range of 5-55%,
      and an overestimation of absorbed dose by up to 2-fold for Iodine administration
      using blocking agent and for (99m)Tc incorporation. 

PMID- 24222312
TI  - High-dose-rate brachytherapy and hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy
      combined with long-term hormonal therapy for high-risk and very high-risk
      prostate cancer: outcomes after 5-year follow-up.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of high-dose-rate (HDR)
      brachytherapy and hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined
      with long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for National Comprehensive
      Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria-defined high-risk (HR) and very high-risk (VHR)
      prostate cancer. Data from 178 HR (n = 96, 54%) and VHR (n = 82, 46%) prostate
      cancer patients who underwent (192)Ir-HDR brachytherapy and hypofractionated EBRT
      with long-term ADT between 2003 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. The mean
      dose to 90% of the planning target volume was 6.3 Gy/fraction of HDR
      brachytherapy. After five fractions of HDR treatment, EBRT with 10 fractions of 3
      Gy was administered. All patients initially underwent >= 6 months of neoadjuvant
      ADT, and adjuvant ADT was continued for 36 months after EBRT. The median follow
      up was 61 months (range, 25-94 months) from the start of radiotherapy. The 5-year
      biochemical non-evidence of disease, freedom from clinical failure and overall
      survival rates were 90.6% (HR, 97.8%; VHR, 81.9%), 95.2% (HR, 97.7%; VHR, 92.1%),
      and 96.9% (HR, 100%; VHR, 93.3%), respectively. The highest Radiation Therapy
      Oncology Group-defined late genitourinary toxicities were Grade 2 in 7.3% of
      patients and Grade 3 in 9.6%. The highest late gastrointestinal toxicities were
      Grade 2 in 2.8% of patients and Grade 3 in 0%. Although the 5-year outcome of
      this tri-modality approach seems favorable, further follow-up is necessary to
      validate clinical and survival advantages of this intensive approach compared
      with the standard EBRT approach.

PMID- 24222313
TI  - Inferring functional interaction and transition patterns via dynamic Bayesian
      variable partition models.
AB  - Multivariate connectivity and functional dynamics have been of wide interest in
      the neuroimaging field, and a variety of methods have been developed to study
      functional interactions and dynamics. In contrast, the temporal dynamic
      transitions of multivariate functional interactions among brain networks, in
      particular, in resting state, have been much less explored. This article presents
      a novel dynamic Bayesian variable partition model (DBVPM) that simultaneously
      considers and models multivariate functional interactions and their dynamics via
      a unified Bayesian framework. The basic idea is to detect the temporal boundaries
      of piecewise quasi-stable functional interaction patterns, which are then modeled
      by representative signature patterns and whose temporal transitions are
      characterized by finite-state transition machines. Results on both simulated and
      experimental datasets demonstrated the effectiveness and accuracy of the DBVPM in
      dividing temporally transiting functional interaction patterns. The application
      of DBVPM on a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) dataset revealed
      substantially different multivariate functional interaction signatures and
      temporal transitions in the default mode and emotion networks of PTSD patients,
      in comparison with those in healthy controls. This result demonstrated the
      utility of DBVPM in elucidating salient features that cannot be revealed by
      static pair-wise functional connectivity analysis.

PMID- 24222314
TI  - Signaling while eating: MCL is coupled with Mincle.
AB  - Recently, C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) have been identified as a newly emerging
      family of pattern-recognition receptors for pathogen-associated molecular
      patterns. The ligand and function of many "individual" CLRs have been clarified
      in the past few years. A new report by Lobato-Pascual et al. in this issue of the
      European Journal of Immunology [Eur. J. Immunol. 2013. 43: 3167-3174] shows that
      a rat CLR, named macrophage C-type lectin (also called Clec4d), forms a
      heterodimer with another CLR, macrophage inducible C-type lectin (also called
      Clec4e). This finding sheds light on a possible synergistic regulation of
      different C-type lectin receptors by forming heterodimers: such heterodimers may
      amplify signaling, expand ligand specificity, or confer multiple functions. 

PMID- 24222316
TI  - 1,1-carbozirconation: unusual reaction of an alkyne with a methyl zirconocene
      cation and subsequent frustrated lewis pair like reactivity.
AB  - Boron chemistry without the boron: In a reaction analogous to 1,1-carboboration,
      [Cp*2 Zr?CH3 ](+) reacts with diphenylphosphino(trimethylsilyl)acetylene by 1,1
      carbozirconation to give a vicinal [Zr](+) /P system. Like B/P frustrated Lewis
      pairs, the [Zr](+) /P system undergoes 1,2-addition to unsaturated compounds
      (including CO2 ) and reaction with metal complexes and up to three equivalents of
      CO. 

PMID- 24222315
TI  - Treatment of dementia with lewy bodies.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a multisystem disorder with
      diverse disease expression. A treatment regime restricted to the cognitive
      aspects of the disease does no favor to patients. Instead, patients should be
      educated to recognize the symptoms of this multisystem involvement. There are no
      treatments that slow the progression of disease, but symptomatic treatments can
      be effective. When thinking about treatment, we find it useful to divide the
      symptoms and signs into five categories: (a) cognitive features, (b)
      neuropsychiatric features, (c) motor dysfunction, (d) autonomic dysfunction, and
      (e) sleep dysfunction. Clinicians, funding bodies and industry are increasingly
      recognizing the importance of this common and debilitating disease.

PMID- 24222317
TI  - Tetrasomy 13q32.2qter due to an apparent inverted duplicated neocentric marker
      chromosome in an infant with hemangiomas, failure to thrive, laryngomalacia, and
      tethered cord.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 100 small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) with
      a non-alpha-satellite neocentromere structure have been reported in the
      literature. Of the few derived from chromosome 13, five have consisted of
      inverted duplicated segment 13q32qter. CASE REPORT: We herein describe the sixth
      case, characterized by genome wide SNP array, conventional cytogenetics and FISH
      studies. The de novo occurrence of the marker, the poor prognosis and the
      presence of hemangiomas are consistent with previous cases. CONCLUSION: We hereby
      expand the clinical spectrum of this rare cytogenetic disorder and suggest a
      possible mechanism for the pathogenesis of associated congenital vascular
      malformations.

PMID- 24222318
TI  - The relational integration task explains fluid reasoning above and beyond other
      working memory tasks.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate how well fluid reasoning can be predicted by a task
      that involves the monitoring of patterns of stimuli. This task is believed to
      measure the effectiveness of relational integration-the process that binds mental
      representations into more complex relational structures. In Experiments 1 and 2,
      the task was indeed validated as a proper measure of relational integration,
      since participants' performance depended on the number of bindings that had to be
      constructed in the diverse conditions of the task, whereas neither the number of
      objects to be bound nor the amount of elicited interference could affect this
      performance. In Experiment 3, by means of structural equation modeling and
      variance partitioning, the relation integration task was found to be the
      strongest predictor of fluid reasoning, explaining variance above and beyond the
      amounts accounted for by four other kinds of well-established working memory
      tasks. 

PMID- 24222319
TI  - Odor-context effects in free recall after a short retention interval: a new
      methodology for controlling adaptation.
AB  - The present study investigated context effects of incidental odors in free recall
      after a short retention interval (5 min). With a short retention interval, the
      results are not confounded by extraneous odors or encounters with the
      experimental odor and possible rehearsal during a long retention interval. A
      short study time condition (4 s per item), predicted not to be affected by
      adaptation to the odor, and a long study time condition (8 s per item) were used.
      Additionally, we introduced a new method for recovery from adaptation, where a
      dissimilar odor was briefly presented at the beginning of the retention interval,
      and we demonstrated the effectiveness of this technique. An incidental learning
      paradigm was used to prevent overshadowing from confounding the results. In three
      experiments, undergraduates (N = 200) incidentally studied words presented one-by
      one and received a free recall test. Two pairs of odors and a third odor having
      different semantic-differential characteristics were selected from 14 familiar
      odors. One of the odors was presented during encoding, and during the test, the
      same odor (same-context condition) or the other odor within the pair (different
      context condition) was presented. Without using a recovery-from-adaptation
      method, a significant odor-context effect appeared in the 4-s/item condition, but
      not in the 8-s/item condition. Using the recovery-from-adaptation method, context
      effects were found for both the 8- and the 4-s/item conditions. The size of the
      recovered odor-context effect did not change with study time. There were no
      serial position effects. Implications of the present findings are discussed. 

PMID- 24222320
TI  - Major hepatectomy is a safe modality for the treatment of intrahepatic
      cholangiocarcinoma in selected patients complicated with cirrhosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the perioperative outcomes
      of major hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in patients with
      cirrhosis. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the preoperative,
      intraoperative, and postoperative findings in 42 consecutive patients with
      cirrhosis and in 102 patients with normal livers who underwent major hepatectomy
      for ICC. RESULTS: Preoperative liver function was worse in patients with
      cirrhosis compared to patients without cirrhosis. Cirrhotic patients had
      significantly higher intraoperative blood loss, longer operation time, and longer
      hospital stay than non-cirrhotic patients. However, the two groups had similar
      overall morbidity and hospital mortality rates and similar rates of liver failure
      or other complications. Their R0 resection rates, resection margin widths and
      disease-free survival rates were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: Major hepatectomy for
      ICC can be performed in selected cirrhotic patients with acceptable morbidity and
      mortality rates, as compared to patients without cirrhosis.

PMID- 24222322
TI  - Retraction note: colorectal infraperitoneal anastomosis: the effects of
      perioperative supplemental oxygen administration on the anastomotic dehiscence.

PMID- 24222321
TI  - Does resident experience affect outcomes in complex abdominal surgery?
      Pancreaticoduodenectomy as an example.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Understanding the factors contributing to improved postoperative
      patient outcomes remains paramount. For complex abdominal operations such as
      pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), the influence of provider and hospital volume on
      surgical outcomes has been described. The impact of resident experience is less
      well understood. METHODS: We reviewed perioperative outcomes after PD at a single
      high-volume center between 2006 and 2012. Resident participation and outcomes
      were collected in a prospectively maintained database. Resident experience was
      defined as postgraduate year (PGY) and number of PDs performed. RESULTS: Forty
      three residents and four attending surgeons completed 686 PDs. The overall
      complication rate was 44 %; PD-specific complications (defined as pancreatic
      fistula, delayed gastric emptying, intraabdominal abscess, wound infection, and
      bile leak) occurred in 28 % of patients. The overall complication rates were
      similar when comparing PGY 4 to PGY 5 residents (55.3 vs. 43.0 %; p > 0.05). On
      univariate analysis, there was a difference in PD-specific complications seen
      between a PGY 4 as compared to a PGY 5 resident (44 vs. 27 %, respectively; p =
      0.016). However, this was not statistically significant when adjusted for
      attending surgeon. Logistic regression demonstrated that as residents perform
      more cases, PD-specific complications decrease (OR = 0.97; p < 0.01). For a
      resident's first PD case, the predicted probability of a PD-specific complication
      is 27 %; this rate decreases to 19 % by resident case number 15. CONCLUSIONS:
      Complex cases, such as PD, provide unparalleled learning opportunities and remain
      an important component of surgical training. We highlight the impact of resident
      involvement in complex abdominal operations, demonstrating for the first time
      that as residents build experience with PD, patient outcomes improve. This is
      consistent with volume-outcome relationships for attending physicians and high
      volume hospitals. Maximizing resident repetitive exposure to complex procedures
      benefits both the patient and the trainee.

PMID- 24222323
TI  - A comparative study of 'fast-track' versus traditional peri-operative care
      protocols in gastrointestinal surgeries.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A 'fast-track protocol' in surgery suggests the application of
      evidence-based practices to expedite patient recovery. It has shown to reduce
      hospital stay, hasten recovery as well as facilitate earlier return to work. It
      has a considerable impact in reducing healthcare costs. The basic tenet is to
      treat the patient's disease by minimal disturbance of their physiology. The
      protocol encompasses pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative
      interventions which when carried out together would show maximal benefits. The
      surgeon is usually the leader of the team managing the patient, but it cannot be
      over-emphasised that this is a multi-disciplinary team approach. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We conducted a prospective interventional study to investigate whether
      'fast-track' surgery protocols improve patient outcome when compared to
      traditional peri-operative care followed at our institute. By doing so, we
      observed that the patients who underwent 'fast tracking' required lesser
      analgesia, had earlier ambulation, earlier return of intestinal motility, were
      free from tubes, catheters and drains earlier and lastly were discharged earlier.
      This was achieved without a rise in complications or re-admissions.
      RESULTS/CONCLUSION: The results have proved that implementing the fast-track
      protocol for gastrointestinal surgeries is not only safe and effective, but also
      improves patient outcome.

PMID- 24222324
TI  - A new operative approach for type I choledochal cysts.
AB  - To present a novel modification of the surgical technique for open excision of
      type I choledochal cysts. The treatment of choice for choledochal cyst is
      surgical excision because such cysts are associated with an increased incidence
      of cancer. The commonly used operative technique provides poor access to the
      structures posterior to the cyst, principally the portal vein, and poor
      visibility of the junction of the cyst with the hepatic ducts and the pancreatic
      duct. The modification reduces these problems. The key operative step involves
      early transection of the choledochal cyst near its midpoint. This provides
      improved access to the back of the cyst. Slitting the sides of the cyst allows
      clear visibility from within the cyst of the union of the hepatic ducts with the
      cyst, and the entrance of the pancreatic duct, thus protecting them. Excision of
      type I choledochal cysts using the described method was completed in 11 adult
      patients between 2003 and 2012. One patient (9%) was found to have a concurrent
      gallbladder cancer and underwent an R0 resection at the time of choledochal cyst
      excision. No patients experienced any intraoperative complications. One patient
      (9%) developed a portal vein thrombosis postoperatively. The described technique
      is a safe and feasible method for the excision of extrahepatic choledochal cysts,
      and provides an advantage in allowing the surgeon to visualize the hepatic and
      pancreatic ducts from within the cyst and thus protect them during cyst excision.

PMID- 24222325
TI  - Intranodal lymphangiogenesis precedes development of lymph node metastasis and
      accelerates progression of gastric cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Peritumoral lymphangiogenesis is significantly correlated with
      lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in various cancers. However, there are
      few reports concerning the role of intranodal lymphangiogenesis in lymphatic
      metastasis. The aim of this study was to examine the association of
      lymphangiogenesis in regional lymph nodes with the progression of gastric cancer.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was immunohistochemically
      estimated in 1,596 lymph nodes from 52 patients who underwent gastrectomy.
      RESULTS: Intranodal LVD was significantly correlated with the size of metastasis
      and the progression of cancer. Patients in the high LVD group had significantly
      poorer prognosis relative to patients in the low LVD group. Furthermore,
      expression of VEGF-C mRNA was significantly up-regulated in lymph nodes of
      pathological node positive patients compared to node negative patients.
      DISCUSSION: Thus, intranodal lymphangiogenesis was correlated with nodal
      metastasis and poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Lymphangiogenesis
      in regional lymph nodes plays an early role in spreading of tumor cells through
      the lymphatic system to distant organs in gastric cancer.

PMID- 24222327
TI  - Tehranolide inhibits cell proliferation via calmodulin inhibition, PDE, and PKA
      activation.
AB  - Tehranolide, natural sesquiterpene lactone with an endoperoxide group, has been
      shown to inhibit cell growth in cancer cells. Tehranolide was purified from
      Artemisia diffusa. To detect cell viability and proliferation, MTT assay was
      performed. In order to determine the role of tehranolide on calmodulin (CaM)
      structure and activity, its effects were evaluated with fluorescence emission
      spectra and CaM-mediated activation of phosphodiesterase (PDE1), in comparison
      with artemisinin. In fact, PDE1 inhibition, cAMP accumulation, and cAMP-dependent
      protein kinase A (PKA) activation were examined. The inhibitory effect of
      tehranolide on CaM structure is more than artemisinin. The kinetic analysis of
      tehranolide-CaM interaction has shown that this agent competitively inhibited the
      activation of PDE1 without affecting Vmax. Tehranolide increased Km value in
      higher amounts compared with artemisinin. Moreover, tehranolide had a cytotoxic
      effect on K562 cell line but not on normal human lymphocytes. Additionally, PDE
      inhibition and consequent cAMP accumulation and PKA activity were required for
      inhibiting cancer cell growth by tehranolide. Our results show that tehranolide
      significantly reduces cell proliferation in a time and dose-dependent manner in
      K562 cells via CaM inhibition, following PDE inhibition, cAMP accumulation, and
      consequent PKA activity. 

PMID- 24222328
TI  - Induction of apoptosis by total flavonoids from Scutellaria barbata D. Don in
      human hepatocarcinoma MHCC97-H cells via the mitochondrial pathway.
AB  - Scutellaria barbata D. Don, a traditional Chinese medicine, reportedly possesses
      antitumor activity against a variety of tumors. In the present study, we
      investigated the cytotoxic effect of total flavonoids from S. barbata (TF-SB) on
      human hepatocarcinoma cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms regarding the
      effect were explored. TF-SB treatment significantly reduced the cell viability of
      human HCC MHCC97-H cells in a dose-dependent manner. Further flow cytometric
      analysis showed that the apoptosis rate of MHCC97-H cells increased and the
      mitochondrial membrane potential (?psim) of MHCC97-H cells decreased after TF-SB
      treatment. DNA ladder showed that TF-SB induced a significant increase in DNA
      fragmentation in MHCC97-H cells. Reverse transcription PCR and Western blot
      analysis revealed that the expression levels of Smac, Apaf-1, Cytochrome c,
      Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 were upregulated in a dose-dependent manner and after
      treatment with different concentrations of TF-SB for 48 h. These results suggest
      that TF-SB induces apoptosis in MHCC97-H cells through the mitochondrial pathway.

PMID- 24222329
TI  - A novel discriminant score based on tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor for
      accurate diagnosis of metastasis in patients with breast cancer.
AB  - Invasion and metastasis of solid tumors require proteolytic enzymes for
      degradation of the basal membrane and extracellular matrix. Currently, there are
      no reliable methodologies to predict the risk for metastatic disease. In this
      context, our aim has been focused on the development of a noninvasive score based
      on tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) for the assessment of metastasis in
      patients with breast cancer. TATI, trypsin, and soluble epidermal growth factor
      receptor (sEGFR) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CA 15.3 serum
      level was assayed by microparticle enzyme immunoassay in 265 patients with breast
      cancer. Statistical analyses were performed by logistic regression and receiver
      operating characteristic analysis curves. Using multivariate discriminant
      analysis, a score is selected based on absolute values of the four biochemical
      markers: TATI-metastatic breast cancer score (TATI-MBCS) = [0.03 * CA 15.3 (U/L)
      + 0.039 * TATI (ng/ml) + 0.04 * trypsin (ng/ml) + 0.023 * sEGFR (ng/ml) - 6.49
      (numerical constant)]. This function correctly classified 84% of metastatic
      breast cancer at cutoff value = 0.62 (i.e., greater than 0.62 indicates patients
      with metastatic breast cancer and less than 0.62 indicates patients with
      nonmetastatic breast cancer). In conclusion, TATI-MBCS is a novel, noninvasive,
      and simple score which can be applied to discriminate patients with metastatic
      breast cancer.

PMID- 24222330
TI  - Neuroanastomosis and the innervation territory of the mental nerve.
AB  - The aim of this study was to clarify the distribution pattern and innervation
      territory of the mental nerve (MN) in the skin and mucosa by topographic
      examination by Sihler's staining, thereby providing reference anatomical
      information for surgical procedures and to enable prediction of regions of
      sensory disturbance following nerve damage. Ten human specimens were subjected to
      Sihler's staining, which is a highly accurate method for visualizing the
      distribution of nerve fibers without altering their topography. Each branch of
      the MN overlapped adjacent branches (five cases), or else they were distributed
      individually at the lower lip (five cases). The MN anastomosed with some branches
      of the facial nerve near the mental foramen. Moreover, some branches of the MN
      anastomosed with the buccal nerve of the trigeminal nerve, which supplies
      sensation to the skin and mucosa over the lateral region of the lower lip (six
      cases). The details of the distribution pattern and innervations territory of the
      MN presented herein may enable the prediction of a region of sensory disturbance
      following MN damage. Moreover, knowledge of the pattern of synapses with adjacent
      branches of other nerves, such as the facial (marginal mandibular and cervical
      branches) and the buccal nerves, might help to improve our understanding around
      incomplete anesthesia during the surgical procedures in oral & maxillofacial
      region.

PMID- 24222331
TI  - Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and risk of lymphoid and
      myeloid malignancies: 728 cases followed up to 30 years in Sweden.
AB  - In 728 Swedish cases of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
      (MGUS), followed up to 30 years (median, 10 years), we estimated the cumulative
      risk of hematologic disorders originating from lymphoid and myeloid lineages.
      Using Cox regression models, we examined associations of demographic and
      laboratory factors with progression and determined the discriminatory power of 3
      prediction models for progression. Eighty-four MGUS cases developed a lymphoid
      disorder, representing a cumulative risk of 15.4%. Multiple myeloma (MM) occurred
      in 53 patients, and the 30-year cumulative risk was 10.6%; an ~0.5% annual risk.
      Three factors were significantly associated with progression: abnormal free light
      chain (FLC) ratio (<0.26 or >1.65), M-protein concentration (>=1.5 g/dL), and
      reduction of 1 or 2 noninvolved immunoglobulin isotype levels (immunoparesis). A
      prediction model with separate effects for these 3 factors and the M-protein
      isotype had higher discriminatory power than other models, although the
      differences were not statistically significant. The 30-year cumulative risk for
      myeloid malignancies was <2%. Our study confirms that abnormal FLC ratio and M
      protein concentration >1.5 g/dL, factors previously considered by Mayo Clinic
      researchers, are predictors for MM progression and suggests that separate
      consideration of immunoparesis and the Mayo Clinic risk factors could improve
      identification of MGUS patients at high risk for progression. 

PMID- 24222332
TI  - Fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia: a glass half full?
AB  - Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) modulates the phenotype of sickle cell anemia by
      inhibiting deoxy sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization. The blood concentration
      of HbF, or the number of cells with detectable HbF (F-cells), does not measure
      the amount of HbF/F-cell. Even patients with high HbF can have severe disease
      because HbF is unevenly distributed among F-cells, and some cells might have
      insufficient concentrations to inhibit HbS polymerization. With mean HbF levels
      of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, the distribution of HbF/F-cell can greatly vary, even
      if the mean is constant. For example, with 20% HbF, as few as 1% and as many as
      24% of cells can have polymer-inhibiting, or protective, levels of HbF of ~10 pg;
      with lower HbF, few or no protected cells can be present. Only when the total HbF
      concentration is near 30% is it possible for the number of protected cells to
      approach 70%. Rather than the total number of F-cells or the concentration of HbF
      in the hemolysate, HbF/F-cell and the proportion of F-cells that have enough HbF
      to thwart HbS polymerization is the most critical predictor of the likelihood of
      severe sickle cell disease. 

PMID- 24222334
TI  - Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abnormal blood flow patterns in fetal circulation detected by Doppler
      ultrasound may indicate poor fetal prognosis. It is also possible false positive
      Doppler ultrasound findings could encourage inappropriate early delivery.
      OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of Doppler
      ultrasound used to assess fetal well-being in high-risk pregnancies on obstetric
      care and fetal outcomes. SEARCH METHODS: We updated the search of the Cochrane
      Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register on 30 September 2013. SELECTION
      CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of Doppler ultrasound
      for the investigation of umbilical and fetal vessels waveforms in high-risk
      pregnancies compared with no Doppler ultrasound. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
      Two review authors independently assessed the studies for inclusion, assessed
      risk of bias and carried out data extraction. Data entry was checked. MAIN
      RESULTS: Eighteen completed studies involving just over 10,000 women were
      included. The trials were generally of unclear quality with some evidence of
      possible publication bias. The use of Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancy
      was associated with a reduction in perinatal deaths (risk ratio (RR) 0.71, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 0.52 to 0.98, 16 studies, 10,225 babies, 1.2% versus 1.7
      %, number needed to treat (NNT) = 203; 95% CI 103 to 4352). There were also fewer
      inductions of labour (average RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.99, 10 studies, 5633
      women, random-effects) and fewer caesarean sections (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84 to
      0.97, 14 studies, 7918 women). No difference was found in operative vaginal
      births (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.14, four studies, 2813 women), nor in Apgar
      scores less than seven at five minutes (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.24, seven
      studies, 6321 babies). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence suggests that the
      use of Doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies reduced the risk of perinatal
      deaths and resulted in less obstetric interventions. The quality of the current
      evidence was not of high quality, therefore, the results should be interpreted
      with some caution. Studies of high quality with follow-up studies on neurological
      development are needed.

PMID- 24222333
TI  - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children with Down syndrome: a retrospective
      analysis from the Ponte di Legno study group.
AB  - Children with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk of B-cell precursor (BCP)
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The prognostic factors and outcome of DS-ALL
      patients treated in contemporary protocols are uncertain. We studied 653 DS-ALL
      patients enrolled in 16 international trials from 1995 to 2004. Non-DS BCP-ALL
      patients from the Dutch Child Oncology Group and Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster were
      reference cohorts. DS-ALL patients had a higher 8-year cumulative incidence of
      relapse (26% +/- 2% vs 15% +/- 1%, P < .001) and 2-year treatment-related
      mortality (TRM) (7% +/- 1% vs 2.0% +/- <1%, P < .0001) than non-DS patients,
      resulting in lower 8-year event-free survival (EFS) (64% +/- 2% vs 81% +/- 2%, P
      < .0001) and overall survival (74% +/- 2% vs 89% +/- 1%, P < .0001). Independent
      favorable prognostic factors include age <6 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58, P =
      .002), white blood cell (WBC) count <10 * 10(9)/L (HR = 0.60, P = .005), and ETV6
      RUNX1 (HR = 0.14, P = .006) for EFS and age (HR = 0.48, P < .001), ETV6-RUNX1 (HR
      = 0.1, P = .016) and high hyperdiploidy (HeH) (HR = 0.29, P = .04) for relapse
      free survival. TRM was the major cause of death in ETV6-RUNX1 and HeH DS-ALLs.
      Thus, while relapse is the main contributor to poorer survival in DS-ALL,
      infection-associated TRM was increased in all protocol elements, unrelated to
      treatment phase or regimen. Future strategies to improve outcome in DS-ALL should
      include improved supportive care throughout therapy and reduction of therapy in
      newly identified good-prognosis subgroups. 

PMID- 24222336
TI  - Human dendritic cells - stars in the skin.
AB  - "A properly functioning adaptive immune system signifies the best features of
      life. It is diverse beyond compare, tolerant without fail, and capable of
      behaving appropriately with a myriad of infections and other challenges.
      Dendritic cells (DCs) are required to explain how this remarkable system is
      energized and directed." This is a quote by one of the greatest immunologists our
      community has ever known, and the father of dendritic cells, Ralph Steinman.
      Steinman's discovery of DCs in 1973 and his subsequent research opened a new
      field of study within immunology: DC biology and in particular the role of DCs in
      immune regulation in health and disease. Here, I review themes from our work and
      others on the complex network of dendritic cells in the skin and discuss the
      significance of skin DCs in understanding aspects of host defense against
      infections, the pathology of inflammatory skin diseases, and speculate on the
      future effective immune-based therapies. 

PMID- 24222335
TI  - Quantitative structure-property relationship modeling of Gratzel solar cell dyes.
AB  - With fossil fuel reserves on the decline, there is increasing focus on the design
      and development of low-cost organic photovoltaic devices, in particular, dye
      sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a DSSC
      is heavily influenced by the chemical structure of the dye. However, as far as we
      know, no predictive quantitative structure-property relationship models for DSSCs
      with PCE as one of the response variables have been reported. Thus, we report for
      the first time the successful application of comparative molecular field analysis
      (CoMFA) and vibrational frequency-based eigenvalue (EVA) descriptors to model
      molecular structure-photovoltaic performance relationships for a set of 40
      coumarin derivatives. The results show that the models obtained provide
      statistically robust predictions of important photovoltaic parameters such as
      PCE, the open-circuit voltage (V(OC)), short-circuit current (J(SC)) and the peak
      absorption wavelength lambda(max). Some of our findings based on the analysis of
      the models are in accordance with those reported in the literature. These
      structure-property relationships can be applied to the rational structural design
      and evaluation of new photovoltaic materials.

PMID- 24222337
TI  - Altered topological properties of the cortical motor-related network in patients
      with subcortical stroke revealed by graph theoretical analysis.
AB  - Cerebral neuroplasticity after stroke has been elucidated by functional
      neuroimaging. However, little is known concerning how topological properties of
      the cortical motor-related network evolved following subcortical stroke. In the
      present study, we investigated 24 subcortical stroke patients with only left
      motor pathway damaged and 24 matched healthy controls. A cortical motor-related
      network consisting of 20 brain regions remote from the primary lesion was
      constructed using resting-state functional MRI datasets. We subsequently used
      graph theoretical approaches to analyze the topological properties of this
      network in both stroke patients and healthy controls. In addition, we divided the
      stroke patients into two subgroups according to their outcomes in hand function
      to explore relationships between topological properties of this network and
      outcomes in hand function. Although we observed that the cortical motor-related
      network in both healthy controls and stroke patients exhibited small-world
      topology, the local efficiency of this network in stroke patients is higher than
      and global efficiency is lower than those in healthy controls. In addition,
      striking alterations in the betweenness centrality of regions were found in
      stroke patients, including the contralesional supplementary motor area,
      dorsolateral premotor cortex, and anterior inferior cerebellum. Moreover, we
      observed significant correlations between betweenness centrality of regions and
      Fugl-Meyer assessment scores. A tendency for the cortical motor-related network
      to be close to a regular configuration and altered betweenness centrality of
      regions were demonstrated in patients with subcortical stroke. This study
      provided insight into functional organization after subcortical stroke from the
      viewpoint of network topology.

PMID- 24222339
TI  - The evolution of premature reproductive senescence and menopause in human females
      : An evaluation of the "grandmother hypothesis".
AB  - Reproductive senescence in human females takes place long before other body
      functions senesce. This fact presents an evolutionary dilemma since continued
      reproduction should generally be favored by natural selection. Two commonly
      proposed hypotheses to account for human menopause are (a) a recent increase in
      the human lifespan and (b) a switch to investment in close kin rather than direct
      reproduction. No support is found for the proposition that human lifespans have
      only recently increased. Data from Ache hunter-gatherers are used to test the kin
      selection hypothesis. Ache data do not support the proposition that females can
      gain greater fitness benefits in old age by helping kin rather than continuing to
      reproduce. Nevertheless, one crucial parameter in the model, when adjusted to the
      highest value within the measured 95% confidence interval, would lead to the
      evolution of reproductive senescence at about 53 years of age. Further
      investigation is necessary to determine whether the kin selection hypothesis of
      menopause can account for its current maintenance in most populations. 

PMID- 24222338
TI  - Menstrual synchrony : An update and review.
AB  - Several studies have now documented menstrual synchrony in human females. There
      is a broad consensus that the phenomenon mainly occurs in women who spend a
      significant amount of time together, such as close friends and coworkers, and
      that social contact rather than a similar environment plays an important role in
      mediating the effect. However, the mechanisms involved and the adaptive function
      of menstrual synchrony are not understood. There is some evidence that olfactory
      cues between females might underlie the effect. More research is needed before
      the precise mechanisms that regulate menstrual synchrony are elucidated. 

PMID- 24222340
TI  - An evolutionary perspective on the patterning of maternal investment in
      pregnancy.
AB  - Pregnancy is thought to be a metabolically very expensive endeavor, yet
      investigations have produced inconsistent results concerning the responsiveness
      of human birth weight to maternal nutritional stress or nutritional intervention.
      These findings have led some researchers to conclude that fetal growth is
      strongly buffered against fluctuations in maternal energy balance, making the
      fetus in effect a "nearly perfect parasite." This buffering would appear to be a
      reasonable adaptive response given the high risk of morbidity and mortality
      associated with low birth weight. However, a life-history approach leads to the
      prediction that maternal investment strategies in pregnancy should be geared
      toward maximizing lifetime reproductive success rather than simply the success of
      the current pregnancy, and by extension that maternal investment strategies
      should vary with reproductive value. The physiology of human pregnancy in fact
      appears to include a number of mechanisms that protect maternal energy resources
      from diversion to the fetus and preserve them for future reproductive events.
      These mechanisms include adjustment of blood flow to the uterus and perhaps minor
      adjustments in gestation length, although evidence for the latter is scant.
      Suggestions are made for ways of investigating these maternal options. 

PMID- 24222341
TI  - Preferential parental investment in daughters over sons.
AB  - Female-biased parental investment is unusual but not unknown in human societies.
      Relevant explanatory models include Fisher's principle, the Trivers-Willard
      model, local mate and resource competition and enhancement, and economic rational
      actor models. Possible evidence of female-biased parental investment includes sex
      ratios, mortality rates, parents' stated preferences for offspring of one sex,
      and direct and indirect measurements of actual parental behavior. Possible
      examples of female-biased parental investment include the Mukogodo of Kenya, the
      Ifalukese of Micronesia, the Cheyenne of North America, the Herero of southern
      Africa, the Kanjar of south Asia, the Mundugumor of New Guinea, contemporary
      North America, and historical Germany, Portugal, and the United States. 

PMID- 24222342
TI  - A reply to Gelles: Stepchildrenare disproportionately abused, and diverse forms
      of violencecan share causal factors.

PMID- 24222343
TI  - A novel airway device with tactile sensing capabilities for verifying correct
      endotracheal tube placement.
AB  - We present a new device for verifying endotracheal tube (ETT) position that uses
      specialized sensors intended to distinguish anatomical features of the trachea
      and esophagus. This device has the potential to increase the safety of
      resuscitation, surgery, and mechanical ventilation and decrease the morbidity,
      mortality, and health care costs associated with esophageal intubation and
      unintended extubation by potentially improving the process and maintenance of
      endotracheal intubation. The device consists of a tactile sensor connected to the
      airway occlusion cuff of an ETT. It is intended to detect the presence or absence
      of tracheal rings immediately upon inflation of the airway occlusion cuff. The
      initial study detailed here verifies that a prototype device can detect contours
      similar to tracheal rings in a tracheal model. 

PMID- 24222344
TI  - FaceTime((r)) for teaching ultrasound-guided anesthetic procedures in remote
      place.
AB  - In isolated area in Japan, only one anesthesiologist must often do new anesthetic
      techniques such as ultrasound-guided procedures without receiving any teaching.
      One solution to this problem may involve teleanesthesia, by which experienced
      anesthesiologists teach novices in remote places, by utilizing information
      communication technologies. FaceTimeTM (Apple, USA), which provides 120p of the
      resolution and 30 frames per second (fps) is an application of free visual
      communications using iPod TouchTM, iPhoneTM or iPadTM (Apple, USA). We
      investigated the delay time, the loss of the frames and the picture quality of
      iPad (as the device in the teaching site) in combination with iPod Touch, iPhone4
      or iPhone5 (as the device in the isolated site) during FaceTime. At the operating
      rooms in Sado General Hospital (SGH) located in Sado Island (population;
      approximately 60,000), Japan, an anesthesiologist prepared 3 mobile devices (iPod
      Touch, iPhone4 or iPhone5). He called the other anesthesiologist at Yokohama City
      University Hospital (YCUH; approximately 300 km apart) by FaceTime using 1 of 3
      mobile devices. The anesthesiologist at YCUH received the FaceTime call using
      iPad. After the connection was established, the display of the same cervical
      ultrasound image at SGH was sent to YCUH to evaluate the distinctness visually.
      Then we measured the delay time of every second (n = 60) and the loss of the
      frames (total frames = 30 fps * 60 s = 1,800) in each device for a minute. P <
      0.01 was statistically significant. The quality of the pictures on the iPad
      display sent from iPhone5 was distinctly the best visually. The delay time of
      iPhone5 was significantly longer than the others (iPod Touch; 0.14 +/- 0.02 s,
      iPhone4; 0.13 +/- 0.02 s, iPhone5; 0.19 +/- 0.03 s), but clinically acceptable.
      The loss of the frames of iPhone5 (20; 1.1%) was significantly less than the
      others (iPhone4; 900, 50.0%, iPod Touch; 902, 50.1%). To teach anesthetic
      techniques in remote place by FaceTime, iPhone5 as the devise in isolate site was
      optimum compared with iPod Touch and iPhone4.

PMID- 24222345
TI  - Interactions among glucose delivery, transport, and phosphorylation that underlie
      skeletal muscle insulin resistance in obesity and type 2 Diabetes: studies with
      dynamic PET imaging.
AB  - Dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging was performed using sequential
      tracer injections ([(15)O]H2O, [(11)C]3-O-methylglucose [3-OMG], and
      [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose [FDG]) to quantify, respectively, skeletal muscle
      tissue perfusion (glucose delivery), kinetics of bidirectional glucose transport,
      and glucose phosphorylation to interrogate the individual contribution and
      interaction among these steps in muscle insulin resistance (IR) in type 2
      diabetes (T2D). PET imaging was performed in normal weight nondiabetic subjects
      (NW) (n = 5), obese nondiabetic subjects (OB) (n = 6), and obese subjects with
      T2D (n = 7) during fasting conditions and separately during a 6-h euglycemic
      insulin infusion at 40 mU . m(-2) . min(-1). Tissue tracer activities were
      derived specifically within the soleus muscle with PET images and magnetic
      resonance imaging. During fasting, NW, OB, and T2D subjects had similar [(11)C]3
      OMG and [(18)F]FDG uptake despite group differences for tissue perfusion. During
      insulin-stimulated conditions, IR was clearly evident in T2D (P < 0.01), and
      [(18)F]FDG uptake by muscle was inversely correlated with systemic IR (P <
      0.001). The increase in insulin-stimulated glucose transport was less (P < 0.01)
      in T2D (twofold) than in NW (sevenfold) or OB (sixfold) subjects. The fractional
      phosphorylation of [(18)F]FDG during insulin infusion was also significantly
      lower in T2D (P < 0.01). Dynamic triple-tracer PET imaging indicates that
      skeletal muscle IR in T2D involves a severe impairment of glucose transport and
      additional impairment in the efficiency of glucose phosphorylation.

PMID- 24222346
TI  - The mammalian INDY homolog is induced by CREB in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Reduced expression of the INDY (I'm not dead yet) tricarboxylate carrier
      increased the life span in different species by mechanisms akin to caloric
      restriction. Mammalian INDY homolog (mIndy, SLC13A5) gene expression seems to be
      regulated by hormonal and/or nutritional factors. The underlying mechanisms are
      still unknown. The current study revealed that mIndy expression and [(14)C]
      citrate uptake was induced by physiological concentrations of glucagon via a cAMP
      dependent and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)-dependent mechanism
      in primary rat hepatocytes. The promoter sequence of mIndy located upstream of
      the most frequent transcription start site was determined by 5'-rapid
      amplification of cDNA ends. In silico analysis identified a CREB-binding site
      within this promoter fragment of mIndy. Functional relevance for the CREB-binding
      site was demonstrated with reporter gene constructs that were induced by CREB
      activation when under the control of a fragment of a wild-type promoter, whereas
      promoter activity was lost after site-directed mutagenesis of the CREB-binding
      site. Moreover, CREB binding to this promoter element was confirmed by chromatin
      immunoprecipitation in rat liver. In vivo studies revealed that mIndy was induced
      in livers of fasted as well as in high-fat-diet-streptozotocin diabetic rats, in
      which CREB is constitutively activated. mIndy induction was completely prevented
      when CREB was depleted in these rats by antisense oligonucleotides. Together,
      these data suggest that mIndy is a CREB-dependent glucagon target gene that is
      induced in fasting and in type 2 diabetes. Increased mIndy expression might
      contribute to the metabolic consequences of diabetes in the liver. 

PMID- 24222347
TI  - Role of synaptic plasticity and EphA5-ephrinA5 interaction within the
      ventromedial hypothalamus in response to recurrent hypoglycemia.
AB  - Hypoglycemia stimulates counterregulatory hormone release to restore euglycemia.
      This protective response is diminished by recurrent hypoglycemia, limiting the
      benefits of intensive insulin treatment in patients with diabetes. We previously
      reported that EphA5 receptor-ephrinA5 interactions within the ventromedial
      hypothalamus (VMH) influence counterregulatory hormone responses during acute
      hypoglycemia in nondiabetic rats. In this study, we examined whether recurrent
      hypoglycemia alters the capacity of the ephrinA5 ligand to activate VMH EphA5
      receptors, and if so, whether these changes could contribute to pathogenesis of
      defective glucose counterregulation in response to a standard hypoglycemic
      stimulus. The expression of ephrinA5, but not EphA5 receptors within the VMH, was
      reduced by antecedent recurrent hypoglycemia. In addition, the number of synaptic
      connections was increased and astroglial synaptic coverage was reduced.
      Activation of VMH EphA5 receptors via targeted microinjection of ephrinA5-Fc
      before a hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamp study caused a reduction in the
      glucose infusion rate in nondiabetic rats exposed to recurrent hypoglycemia. The
      increase in the counterregulatory response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia was
      associated with a 150% increase in glucagon release (P < 0.001). These data
      suggest that changes in ephrinA5/EphA5 interactions and synaptic plasticity
      within the VMH, a key glucose-sensing region in the brain, may contribute to the
      impairment in glucagon secretion and counterregulatory responses caused by
      recurrent hypoglycemia. 

PMID- 24222348
TI  - Circulating inflammatory markers and the risk of vascular complications and
      mortality in people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease or risk
      factors: the ADVANCE study.
AB  - C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are associated
      with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death in general populations. However,
      studies of these factors in type 2 diabetes are limited. We studied their
      associations with the risk of major macrovascular events, microvascular
      complications, and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes who participated in
      the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified
      Release Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) Study. Plasma CRP, fibrinogen, and IL-6
      levels were determined in a case-cohort study (n = 3,865) nested within the
      11,140 men and women with type 2 diabetes and baseline CVD or risk factors in the
      ADVANCE Study. All three biomarkers of inflammation were associated with an
      increased risk of macrovascular events and death in analyses adjusted for age,
      sex, and treatment groups. After further adjustment, only IL-6 was an independent
      predictor of macrovascular events (hazard ratio per SD increase 1.37 [95% CI 1.24
      1.51]) and death (1.35 [1.23-1.49]). IL-6 significantly improved the prediction
      of macrovascular events and death. After adjustment, none of the markers
      predicted microvascular complications. We conclude that IL-6 levels, but not CRP
      or fibrinogen levels, add significantly to the prediction of macrovascular events
      and mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes who have baseline CVD or risk
      factors. 

PMID- 24222349
TI  - Occurrence of spontaneous pancreatic lesions in normal and diabetic rats: a
      potential confounding factor in the nonclinical assessment of GLP-1-based
      therapies.
AB  - Glucagon-like peptide 1-based therapies, collectively described as incretins,
      produce glycemic benefits in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent
      publications raised concern for a potential increased risk of pancreatitis and
      pancreatic cancer with incretins based in part on findings from a small number of
      rodents. However, extensive toxicology assessments in a substantial number of
      animals dosed up to 2 years at high multiples of human exposure do not support
      these concerns. We hypothesized that the lesions being attributed to incretins
      are commonly observed background findings and endeavored to characterize the
      incidence of spontaneous pancreatic lesions in three rat strains (Sprague-Dawley
      [S-D] rats, Zucker diabetic fatty [ZDF] rats, and rats expressing human islet
      amyloid polypeptide [HIP]; n = 36/group) on a normal or high-fat diet over 4
      months. Pancreatic findings in all groups included focal exocrine degeneration,
      atrophy, inflammation, ductular cell proliferation, and/or observations in large
      pancreatic ducts similar to those described in the literature, with an incidence
      of exocrine atrophy/inflammation seen in S-D (42-72%), HIP (39%), and ZDF (6%)
      rats. These data indicate that the pancreatic findings attributed to incretins
      are common background findings, observed without drug treatment and independent
      of diet or glycemic status, suggesting a need to exercise caution when
      interpreting the relevance of some recent reports regarding human safety. 

PMID- 24222351
TI  - Resident macrophages mediate islet amyloid polypeptide-induced islet IL-1beta
      production and beta-cell dysfunction.
AB  - Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) aggregates to form amyloid fibrils in patients
      with type 2 diabetes and acts as a potent stimulus for interleukin (IL)-1beta
      secretion by bone marrow-derived macrophages. We sought to determine the
      contribution of resident islet macrophages to IAPP-induced inflammation and beta
      cell dysfunction. In cultured islets, macrophages (F4/80(+)CD11b(+)CD11c(+)
      cells) were required for IAPP-induced mRNA expression of the proinflammatory
      cytokines IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-6 and the anti
      inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-1 receptor antagonist. Moreover, IAPP-induced
      IL-1beta synthesis and caspase-1 activation were detected in macrophages but not
      other islet cell types. Transgenic mice with beta-cell human IAPP (hIAPP)
      expression had impaired glucose tolerance, elevated islet Il1b mRNA, and
      decreased Il10 and Il1rn expression following high-fat feeding. Islet macrophages
      were the major source of these transcripts and expressed increased cell surface
      Ly6C and CD11c in hIAPP transgenic mice. Clodronate liposome-mediated depletion
      of islet macrophages improved glucose tolerance and blocked proinflammatory gene
      expression in hIAPP-expressing mice, despite increasing the amount of islet
      amyloid. These data provide the first evidence that IAPP aggregates skew resident
      islet macrophages toward a proinflammatory phenotype and suggest a mechanism by
      which anti-inflammatory therapies may protect beta-cells from IAPP-induced islet
      dysfunction. 

PMID- 24222352
TI  - Coupling between transcription and alternative splicing.
AB  - The scenario of alternative splicing regulation is far more complex than the
      classical picture of a pre-mRNA being processed post-transcriptionally in more
      than one way. Introns are efficiently removed while transcripts are still being
      synthesized, supporting the idea of a co-transcriptional regulation of
      alternative splicing. Evidence of a functional coupling between splicing and
      transcription has recently emerged as it was observed that properties of one
      process may affect the outcome of the other. Co-transcriptionality is thought to
      improve splicing efficiency and kinetics by directing the nascent pre-mRNA into
      proper spliceosome assembly and favoring splicing factor recruitment. Two models
      have been proposed to explain the coupling of transcription and alternative
      splicing: in the recruitment model, promoters and pol II status affect the
      recruitment to the transcribing gene of splicing factors or bifunctional factors
      acting on both transcription and splicing; in the kinetic model, differences in
      the elongation rate of pol II would determine the timing in which splicing sites
      are presented, and thus the outcome of alternative splicing decisions. In the
      later model, chromatin structure has emerged as a key regulator. Although
      definitive evidence for transcriptionally coupled alternative splicing
      alterations in tumor development or cancer pathogenesis is still missing, many
      alternative splicing events altered in cancer might be subject to transcription
      splicing coupling regulation. 

PMID- 24222350
TI  - T-cell costimulation protects obesity-induced adipose inflammation and insulin
      resistance.
AB  - A key pathophysiologic role for activated T-cells in mediating adipose
      inflammation and insulin resistance (IR) has been recently postulated. However,
      mechanisms underlying their activation are poorly understood. In this study, we
      demonstrated a previously unrecognized homeostatic role for the costimulatory B7
      molecules (CD80 and CD86) in preventing adipose inflammation. Instead of
      promoting inflammation, which was found in many other disease conditions, B7
      costimulation reduced adipose inflammation by maintaining regulatory T-cell
      (Treg) numbers in adipose tissue. In both humans and mice, expression of CD80 and
      CD86 was negatively correlated with the degree of IR and adipose tissue
      macrophage infiltration. Decreased B7 expression in obesity appeared to directly
      impair Treg proliferation and function that lead to excessive proinflammatory
      macrophages and the development of IR. CD80/CD86 double knockout (B7 KO) mice had
      enhanced adipose macrophage inflammation and IR under both high-fat and normal
      diet conditions, accompanied by reduced Treg development and proliferation.
      Adoptive transfer of Tregs reversed IR and adipose inflammation in B7 KO mice.
      Our results suggest an essential role for B7 in maintaining Tregs and adipose
      homeostasis and may have important implications for therapies that target
      costimulation in type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 24222353
TI  - Detection of Alternatively Spliced or Processed RNAs in Cancer Using
      Oligonucleotide Microarray.
AB  - Deregulation of gene expression plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, so the
      ability to detect RNA alterations is of great value in cancer diagnosis and
      management. DNA microarrays have been used to measure changes in mRNA or microRNA
      level, but less often the change of RNA isoforms. Here we appraise the
      utilization of microarray in detecting alternatively processed RNAs, which have
      alternative splice forms, retained introns, or altered 3' untranslated regions.
      We cover the methodology and focus on cancer studies. Recent development in
      parallel or deep sequencing used in transcriptome analysis is also discussed. 

PMID- 24222354
TI  - Cancer-Associated Perturbations in Alternative Pre-messenger RNA Splicing.
AB  - For most of our 25,000 genes, the removal of introns by pre-messenger RNA (pre
      mRNA) splicing represents an essential step toward the production of functional
      messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Alternative splicing of a single pre-mRNA results in the
      production of different mRNAs. Although complex organisms use alternative
      splicing to expand protein function and phenotypic diversity, patterns of
      alternative splicing are often altered in cancer cells. Alternative splicing
      contributes to tumorigenesis by producing splice isoforms that can stimulate cell
      proliferation and cell migration or induce resistance to apoptosis and anticancer
      agents. Cancer-specific changes in splicing profiles can occur through mutations
      that are affecting splice sites and splicing control elements, and also by
      alterations in the expression of proteins that control splicing decisions. Recent
      progress in global approaches that interrogate splicing diversity should help to
      obtain specific splicing signatures for cancer types. The development of
      innovative approaches for annotating and reprogramming splicing events will more
      fully establish the essential contribution of alternative splicing to the biology
      of cancer and will hopefully provide novel targets and anticancer strategies.
      Metazoan genes are usually made up of several exons interrupted by introns. The
      introns are removed from the pre-mRNA by RNA splicing. In conjunction with other
      maturation steps, such as capping and polyadenylation, the spliced mRNA is then
      transported to the cytoplasm to be translated into a functional protein. The
      basic mechanism of splicing requires accurate recognition of each extremity of
      each intron by the spliceosome. Introns are identified by the binding of U1 snRNP
      to the 5' splice site and the U2AF65/U2AF35 complex to the 3' splice site.
      Following these interactions, other proteins and snRNPs are recruited to generate
      the complete spliceosomal complex needed to excise the intron. While many introns
      are constitutively removed by the spliceosome, other splice junctions are not
      used systematically, generating the phenomenon of alternative splicing.
      Alternative splicing is therefore the process by which a single species of pre
      mRNA can be matured to produce different mRNA molecules (Fig. 1). Depending on
      the number and types of alternative splicing events, a pre-mRNA can generate from
      two to several thousands different mRNAs leading to the production of a
      corresponding number of proteins. It is now believed that the expression of at
      least 70 % of human genes is subjected to alternative splicing, implying an
      enormous contribution to proteomic diversity, and by extension, to the
      development and the evolution of complex animals. Defects in splicing have been
      associated with human diseases (Caceres and Kornblihtt, Trends Genet 18(4):186
      93, 2002, Cartegni et al., Nat Rev Genet 3(4):285-98, 2002, Pagani and Baralle,
      Nat Rev Genet 5(5):389-96, 2004), including cancer (Brinkman, Clin Biochem
      37(7):584-94, 2004, Venables, Bioessays 28(4):378-86, 2006, Srebrow and
      Kornblihtt, J Cell Sci 119(Pt 13):2635-2641, 2006, Revil et al., Bull Cancer
      93(9):909-919, 2006, Venables, Transworld Res Network, 2006, Pajares et al.,
      Lancet Oncol 8(4):349-57, 2007, Skotheim and Nees, Int J Biochem Cell Biol
      39:1432-1449, 2007). Numerous studies have now confirmed the existence of
      specific differences in the alternative splicing profiles between normal and
      cancer tissues. Although there are a few cases where specific mutations are the
      primary cause for these changes, global alterations in alternative splicing in
      cancer cells may be primarily derived from changes in the expression of RNA
      binding proteins that control splice site selection. Overall, these cancer
      specific differences in alternative splicing offer an immense potential to
      improve the diagnosis and the prognosis of cancer. This review will focus on the
      functional impact of cancer-associated alternative splicing variants, the
      molecular determinants that alter the splicing decisions in cancer cells, and
      future therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 24222355
TI  - Alternative splicing of tumor suppressors and oncogenes.
AB  - Alternative splicing is a fundamental mechanism to modulate gene expression
      programs in response to different growth and environmental stimuli. There is now
      ample evidence that alternative splicing errors, caused by mutations in cis
      acting elements and defects and/or imbalances in trans-acting factors, may be
      causatively associated to cancer progression. Recent work indicates the existence
      of an intricate network of interactions between alternative splicing events and
      signal transduction pathways. In this network, splicing factors occupy a central
      position and appear to function both as targets and effectors of regulatory
      circuits. Thus, a change in their activity deeply affects alternative splicing
      profiles and hence the cell behavior. Here, we discuss a number of cases that
      exemplify the involvement of deregulated alternative splicing in tumor
      progression. 

PMID- 24222356
TI  - MicroRNAs in Cancer.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of endogenous, small noncoding RNAs of
      approximately 22 nucleotides in lengths. As a new class of signaling modulators,
      miRNAs have attracted great attention for their unique features, including
      multitarget regulation, tissue specificity, and evolutionary conservation. These
      small endogenous RNAs are able to interact with many important genes and play
      critical roles in a wide range of biological processes, including cell
      proliferation and differentiation. Strikingly, miRNAs are frequently dysregulated
      in human cancers. A number of studies have shown that miRNAs are involved in
      cancer pathogenesis by regulating oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Here, we
      review recent studies of miRNAs in cancer development and discuss their potential
      applications in cancer therapeutics. 

PMID- 24222358
TI  - Regulation of ARE-mRNA Stability by Cellular Signaling: Implications for Human
      Cancer.
AB  - During recent years, it has become clear that regulation of mRNA stability is an
      important event in the control of gene expression. The stability of a large class
      of mammalian mRNAs is regulated by AU-rich elements (AREs) located in the mRNA 3'
      UTRs. mRNAs with AREs are inherently labile but as a response to different
      cellular cues they can become either stabilized, allowing expression of a given
      gene, or further destabilized to silence their expression. These tightly
      regulated mRNAs include many that encode growth factors, proto-oncogenes,
      cytokines, and cell cycle regulators. Failure to properly regulate their
      stability can therefore lead to uncontrolled expression of factors associated
      with cell proliferation and has been implicated in several human cancers. A
      number of transfactors that recognize AREs and regulate the translation and
      degradation of ARE-mRNAs have been identified. These transfactors are regulated
      by signal transduction pathways, which are often misregulated in cancers. This
      chapter focuses on the function of ARE-binding proteins with an emphasis on their
      regulation by signaling pathways and the implications for human cancer. 

PMID- 24222357
TI  - The perinucleolar compartment: RNA metabolism and cancer.
AB  - The perinucleolar compartment (PNC) is a nuclear substructure associated with,
      but structurally distinct from, the nucleolus. The PNC contains several RNA
      processing proteins and several RNA pol III transcripts, which form novel
      complexes. As determined by cell culture experiments and human tumor samples, the
      PNC forms exclusively in cancer cells and the percentage of cancer cells in a
      population that have one or more PNCs directly correlates with the malignancy of
      that population of cells. Therefore, the PNC is being developed as a prognostic
      marker for several malignancies. PNC elimination in cancer cells has proven to be
      a useful as screening method to discover probe compounds used to elucidate PNC
      biology and to discover compounds with the potential to be developed as minimally
      toxic anti-cancer drugs. 

PMID- 24222359
TI  - Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing, Cell Death, and Cancer.
AB  - Alternative splicing is one of the most powerful mechanisms for generating
      functionally distinct products from a single genetic loci and for fine-tuning
      gene activities at the post-transcriptional level. Alternative splicing plays
      important roles in regulating genes critical for cell death. These cell death
      genes encode death ligands, cell surface death receptors, intracellular death
      regulators, signal transduction molecules, and death executor enzymes such as
      caspases and nucleases. Alternative splicing of these genes often leads to the
      formation of functionally different products, some of which have antagonistic
      effects that are either cell death-promoting or cell death-preventing.
      Differential alternative splicing can affect expression, subcellular
      distribution, and functional activities of the gene products. Molecular defects
      in splicing regulation of cell death genes have been associated with cancer
      development and resistance to treatment. Studies using molecular, biochemical,
      and systems-based approaches have begun to reveal mechanisms underlying the
      regulation of alternative splicing of cell death genes. Systematic studies have
      begun to uncover the multi-level interconnected networks that regulate
      alternative splicing. A global picture of the complex mechanisms that regulate
      cell death genes at the pre-mRNA splicing level has thus begun to emerge. 

PMID- 24222360
TI  - Oligonucleotide therapeutics in cancer.
AB  - Alterations in pre-mRNA splicing can have profound effects on gene expression and
      lead to cellular transformation. Oligonucleotide therapeutics are drugs that
      manipulate gene expression and improve the disease state. Antisense
      oligonucleotides hybridize with a target mRNA to downregulate gene expression via
      an RNase H-dependent mechanism. Additionally, RNase H-independent splice
      switching oligonucleotides (SSO) modulate alternative or aberrant splicing, to
      favor the therapeutically relevant splicing product. This chapter summarizes the
      progress made in the application of these oligonucleotide drugs in the treatment
      of cancer. 

PMID- 24222361
TI  - Clinical perspective on chemo-resistance and the role of RNA processing.
AB  - Pre-messenger RNA splicing is significantly changed in cancer cells leading to
      the expression of cancer-specific transcripts. These transcripts have the
      potential to be used as cancer biomarkers and also as targets for new therapeutic
      approaches. In addition, the cancer-specific transcripts have the potential to
      alter the drug response of the cancer cells creating a chemo-resistant state.
      This later property of alternative splicing presents a challenge to clinicians in
      the design of effective therapeutic regimens. When a patient's cancer relapses it
      is frequently refractory to standard chemotherapies resulting in a poor clinical
      outcome. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of how alternative splicing can
      lead to chemo-resistance is critical to the effective delivery of treatment.
      Here, we will discuss the impact of alternative splicing variants on drug
      metabolism and activation; on drug interactions with cell signaling pathways; and
      on cell death pathways in cancer therapeutics. In addition to the initial
      characterization of splicing variants, the mechanisms leading to alterations in
      splicing are being studied in the setting of chemo-resistance and will be
      discussed here. The promise of therapeutic intervention to obviate the impact of
      these splicing variants will significantly enhance treatment options for cancer
      patients. 

PMID- 24222362
TI  - Expanding the scope of biomass-derived chemicals through tandem reactions based
      on oxorhenium-catalyzed deoxydehydration.
AB  - New modes of DODH: Oxorhenium compounds act as deoxydehydration(DODH)/acid dual
      purpose catalysts to transform biomass-derived diol substrates into a variety of
      commodity chemical precursors. The power of this approach is highlighted by a
      tandem [1,3]-OH shift/DODH of 2-ene-1,4-diols and 2,4-diene-1,6-diols, and by a
      DODH/esterification sequence of sugar acids to unsaturated esters for the
      production of polymers and plasticizers. 

PMID- 24222363
TI  - Capsule commentary on Ursua et al., awareness, treatment and control of
      hypertension among Filipino immigrants.

PMID- 24222364
TI  - Capsule commentary on Sentell et al., the influence of community and individual
      health literacy on self-reported health status.

PMID- 24222365
TI  - Outpatient versus inpatient induction of labour for improving birth outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than 20% of women undergo induction of labour in some countries.
      The different methods used to induce labour have been the focus of previous
      reviews, but the setting in which induction takes place (hospital versus
      outpatient settings) may have implications for maternal satisfaction and costs.
      It is not known whether some methods of induction that are effective and safe in
      hospital are suitable in outpatient settings. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects
      on outcomes for mothers and babies of induction of labour for women managed as
      outpatients versus inpatients. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy
      and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 June 2013). SELECTION CRITERIA:
      Published and unpublished randomised and quasi-randomised trials in which
      inpatient and outpatient methods of cervical ripening or induction of labour have
      been compared. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently
      assessed trial reports for inclusion. Two review authors carried out data
      extraction and assessment of risk of bias independently. MAIN RESULTS: We
      included four trials, with a combined total of 1439 women in the review; each
      trial examined a different method of induction and we were unable to pool the
      results from trials.1. Vaginal PGE2 (two studies including 1028 women). There
      were no differences between women managed as outpatients versus inpatients for
      most review outcomes. There was no evidence of a difference between the
      likelihood of women requiring instrumental delivery in either setting (risk ratio
      (RR) 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79 to 2.13). The overall length of
      hospital stay was similar in the two groups.2. Controlled release PGE2 10 mg (one
      study including 300 women). There was no evidence of differences between groups
      for most review outcomes, including success of induction. During the induction
      period itself, women in the outpatient group were more likely to report high
      levels of satisfaction with their care (satisfaction rated seven or more on a
      nine-point scale, RR 1.42; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.81), but satisfaction scores measured
      postnatally were similar in the two groups.3. Foley catheter (one study including
      111 women). There was no evidence of differences between groups for caesarean
      section rates, total induction time and the numbers of babies admitted to
      neonatal intensive care. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The data available to evaluate the
      efficacy or potential hazards of outpatient induction are limited. It is,
      therefore, not yet possible to determine whether induction of labour is effective
      and safe in outpatient settings.

PMID- 24222366
TI  - Failure to replicate the Mehta and Zhu (2009) color-priming effect on anagram
      solution times.
AB  - Mehta and Zhu (Science, 323, 1226-1229, 2009) hypothesized that the color red
      induces avoidance motivation and that the color blue induces approach motivation.
      In one experiment, they reported that anagrams of avoidance motivation words were
      solved more quickly on red backgrounds and that approach motivation anagrams were
      solved more quickly on blue backgrounds. Reported here is a direct replication of
      that experiment, using the same anagrams, instructions, and colors, with more
      than triple the number of participants used in the original study. The results
      did not show the Mehta and Zhu color-priming effects, even though statistical
      power was sufficient to detect the effect. The results call into question the
      existence of their color-priming effect on the solution of anagrams. 

PMID- 24222367
TI  - Grasping numbers: evidence for automatic influence of numerical magnitude on grip
      aperture.
AB  - Previous research has shown that the fingers' aperture during grasp is affected
      by the numerical values of numbers embedded in the grasped objects: Numerically
      larger digits lead to larger grip apertures than do numerically smaller digits
      during the initial stages of the grasp. The relationship between numerical
      magnitude and visuomotor control has been taken to support the idea of a common
      underlying neural system mediating the processing of magnitude and the
      computation of object size for motor control. The purpose of the present study
      was to test whether the effect of magnitude on motor preparation is automatic.
      During grasping, we asked participants to attend to the colors of the digit while
      ignoring numerical magnitude. The results showed that numerical magnitude
      affected grip aperture during the initial stages of the grasp, even when
      magnitude information was irrelevant to the task at hand. These findings suggest
      that magnitude affects grasping preparation in an automatic fashion. 

PMID- 24222368
TI  - Primary extrahepatic portal vein obstruction in adults: a single center
      experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) is a heterogenous
      disease with regards to etiology, pathogenesis, age, and geographical location.
      This study analyzed our experience with EHPVO in adults aged >20 years. EHPVO
      associated with pancreatitis and abdominal lymph node tuberculosis compressing
      the portal vein was excluded. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the hospital
      database from January 2000 to December 2009 was done. All patients with liver
      disease who are attending our department were also prospectively evaluated with
      Doppler ultrasound for the portal venous system to study the prevalence of EHPVO.
      Clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings; work up for thrombophilia; treatment
      given; and follow up were evaluated. RESULT: In the retrospective analysis,
      primary EHPVO in adults was seen in 108/10,095 (1 %), and in the prospective
      analysis, it was seen in 16/2,188 (0.73 %). The main clinical presentations were
      abdominal pain and variceal bleed. Imaging findings included portal cavernoma,
      portal biliopathy, gallbladder calculi, collaterals, and ascites. The major
      causative factors identified were hyperhomocysteinemia, antiphospholipid
      antibodies, and myeloproliferative disorders, while, in a third of patients, none
      of these risk factors could be identified. Twelve patients were subjected to
      surgery, while the remaining patients were managed either by medical, endoscopic,
      or interventional radiological techniques. More than 2 years of follow up was
      available in 90 patients; two patients died due to uncontrolled bleeding, seven
      patients required surgery, seven patients showed deterioration in liver function,
      and one patient developed hepatocellular carcinoma. In the prospective study,
      three patients were subjected to surgery, and the others were managed medically.
      CONCLUSION: Primary EHPVO is an uncommon cause of portal hypertension in adults
      in India, and its etiological spectrum is comparable to the West.

PMID- 24222369
TI  - Profile of hepatocellular carcinoma in a tertiary care hospital in Punjab in
      northern India.
AB  - PURPOSE/AIM: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of morbidity and
      mortality in all parts of the world. We analyzed the clinical presentation,
      etiology, and tumor characteristics of HCC presenting to our hospital. METHODS:
      All patients diagnosed to have HCC from September 2007 to August 2010 were
      prospectively enrolled. HCC was diagnosed according to EASL criteria-USG/CT/MRI
      of the abdomen and/or serum alpha-fetoprotein and/or histology (where indicated).
      Detailed clinical and laboratory parameters were noted. Barcelona Clinic Liver
      Cancer (BCLC) staging was done. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients
      (22 females, mean +/- SD; age, 49.8 +/- 10.2 years) were diagnosed to have HCC.
      Underlying cirrhosis was present in 99.2 %. Hepatitis C virus infection, alone
      (21.9 %) or with alcohol (22.9 %) was the most common etiological factor,
      followed by alcohol alone; 33.6 % of the patients had more than one etiological
      factor. Most patients (83.5 %) presented with features of decompensated
      cirrhosis. HCC leading to decompensation of cirrhosis was the first presentation
      of the liver disease in nearly one third of the cases. Serum alpha-fetoprotein
      was >200 ng/mL in 67.2 % of the patients, while it was normal in 18.7 % of the
      patients. The mean +/- SD size of HCC was 5.3 +/- 2.9 cm. HCC was multicentric in
      57 %, and portal vein thrombosis was present in 34.4 %. About 66 % of the
      patients belonged to BCLC stage C or D. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C virus infection
      was the most common cause of HCC in Punjab. One-third of the patients had
      multiple etiological factors and almost all had underlying cirrhosis and
      presented at advanced stage.

PMID- 24222370
TI  - Button battery ingestion in children--what one needs to know?

PMID- 24222371
TI  - Alagille syndrome: experience of a tertiary care center in North India.
AB  - Alagille syndrome (AGS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of chronic cholestasis
      characterized by paucity of interlobular bile ducts. The condition has been
      described only as isolated case reports in India. We describe clinical profile
      and outcome of nine subjects (six infants and three older children) with AGS.
      Cholestasis and characteristic facies were present in all, followed by congenital
      heart disease, vertebral anomalies, and posterior embryotoxon in seven, five, and
      four cases, respectively. Pruritus was the commonest symptom which was refractory
      to medical treatment in one third of cases. Two cases developed decompensated
      liver disease on follow up. High index of suspicion for this multisystemic
      condition is essential for correct diagnosis and management.

PMID- 24222372
TI  - Randomized clinical trial: atorvastatin versus placebo in patients with acute
      exacerbation of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Statins are known to possess pleiotropic anti-inflammatory properties
      which have been evaluated for clinical benefits in a number of disorders. Studies
      have demonstrated beneficial actions of statins in experimental models of
      colitis. Clinical evidence in acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis (UC) is
      lacking. AIM: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of add-on
      atorvastatin in mild to moderately severe acute exacerbation of UC. METHODS:
      Patients with acute exacerbation of UC were randomized to receive either
      atorvastatin (20 mg) or matching placebo once daily orally for 8 weeks in
      addition to the standard therapy. Clinical efficacy was assessed by using partial
      Mayo score (PMS). RESULTS: Previously diagnosed 64 cases of UC presenting with
      mild to moderately severe acute exacerbation were randomized to receive either
      atorvastatin of 20 mg or placebo. Mean PMS increased by 1.5 points and decreased
      by 0.31 points in atorvastatin and placebo groups, respectively, at 8 weeks
      compared to the baseline values (p = 0.04). Eight (25 %) and 13 (40.6 %) patients
      attained the primary outcome criteria for clinical improvement in the
      atorvastatin and placebo arms, respectively (p = 0.18). Fifteen (46.8 %) patients
      in the atorvastatin group and no patient in the placebo group had >=2 point
      increase in PMS after 8 weeks (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin therapy in
      acute exacerbation of UC may not be associated with beneficial effects.
      Paradoxical increase in disease activity may be seen in some patients. However,
      these findings need to be substantiated in larger studies.

PMID- 24222373
TI  - Clinical profile of early-onset and late-onset idiopathic chronic pancreatitis in
      South India.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) is the most common form
      of chronic pancreatitis reported in India. There is paucity of literature on the
      prevalence and profiles of early- and late-onset forms of ICP in India. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: We compared the profile of early- and late-onset ICP in a patient
      population attending a tertiary care hospital in South India. RESULTS: Pain was
      the characteristic feature as more than 90 % with both early-onset and late-onset
      ICP had pain as the most significant symptom. Onset of pain was at age 14.9 +/-
      7.7 years in early-onset and at 38.1 +/- 9.9 in late-onset ICP (p < 0.001). There
      was considerable delay between onset of pain in early onset as compared to late
      onset ICP. Diabetes was seen in 41.4 % in early-onset as compared to 69.1 % in
      late-onset ICP (p < 0.001). Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency was seen in 34.4 %
      in early-onset as compared to 53.2 % in late-onset ICP (p < 0.001). Increased
      prevalence of exocrine insufficiency and diabetes was observed in late-onset as
      compared to early-onset ICP. Univariate analysis showed that alcohol use,
      smoking, age, and family history of diabetes were significantly associated with
      diabetes. Multivariate analysis showed strong associations for diabetes with
      smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 4.2), calcification (OR = 7.7), as well as family
      history and age >40 years. CONCLUSIONS: There were differences between early
      onset and late-onset ICP in southern Indian patients. Diabetes was strongly
      associated with smoking and pancreatic calcification.

PMID- 24222375
TI  - XIV ISCM, Hangzhou, China, May 2013: opening remarks.

PMID- 24222374
TI  - PrP106-126 and Abeta 1-42 peptides induce BV-2 microglia chemotaxis and
      proliferation.
AB  - Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      belong to a growing family of neurodegenerative disorders that is characterized
      by the generation of toxic protein aggregates in affected brains (PrP(Sc) and
      Abeta in TSEs and AD, respectively). To better understand how protein aggregates
      can modulate microglial processes in these diseases, we treated BV-2 microglia
      with PrP(106-126) or Abeta1-42 peptides individually at three different
      concentrations (25-100 MUM PrP(106-12) and 2.5-10 MUM Abeta1-42) or with a
      mixture of PrP(106-126) and Abeta1-42 peptides at specified concentrations for 6
      24 h. BV-2 microglia chemotaxis, proliferation, and monocyte chemoattractant
      protein-1 and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) secretion were
      measured and compared between treatments. The results demonstrate that PrP(106
      126) and Abeta1-42 peptides induce increases in all four parameters from 6 to 12
      h. However, the measured indices plateaued beyond 12 h in BV-2 cells treated >50
      MUM PrP or >5 MUM Abeta1-42, with the exception of TGF-beta1 secretion, which
      continued to increase gradually. Overall, the results of this study indicate that
      these two peptides may mutually inhibit microglial chemotaxis and proliferation
      simultaneously via changes induced at the protein level.

PMID- 24222376
TI  - Nesfatin-1 decreases excitability of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia
      nigra.
AB  - Nesfatin-1, a newly discovered satiety molecule which reduces feeding behavior,
      has been recognized as a unique regulatory neuropeptide with its multiple roles,
      both central and peripheral. However, whether it had neuronal modulation effect
      on dopaminergic neurons is largely unknown. In the present study, using whole
      cell patch clamp under current-clamp mode, we investigate the effects of nesfatin
      1 on the electrical activity of rat nigral dopaminergic neurons. Nesfatin-1 could
      produce a resting membrane potential hyperpolarization on the majority of
      dopaminergic neurons tested. The spike frequency decreased by 23.13 +/- 5.93 and
      43.20 +/- 5.56 % in 5-nM and 10-nM nesfatin-1 groups, respectively. These effects
      persisted in the presence of ionotropic glutamate and GABA receptor antagonists.
      Our study suggests that nesfatin-1 postsynaptically inhibits the electrical
      activity of nigral dopaminergic neurons. 

PMID- 24222377
TI  - Water-resistant, solid-state, dye-sensitized solar cells based on hydrophobic
      organic ionic plastic crystal electrolytes.
AB  - Water-resistant, solid-state, dye-sensitized solar cells with excellent long-term
      stability at 100% relative humidity and at 50  degrees C are fabricated on the
      basis of a novel hydrophobic organic ionic plastic crystal electrolyte and hybrid
      redox couple. 

PMID- 24222379
TI  - Neutron diffraction evidence for kinetic  arrest of first order magneto
      structural  phase transitions in some functional  magnetic materials.
AB  - Neutron diffraction measurements, performed in the presence of an external
      magnetic field, have been used to show structural evidence for the kinetic arrest
      of the first order phase transition from (i) the high temperature austenite phase
      to the low temperature martensite phase in the magnetic shape memory alloy
      Ni37Co11Mn42.5Sn9.5, (ii) the higher temperature ferromagnetic phase to the lower
      temperature antiferromagnetic phase in the half-doped charge ordered compound
      La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 and (iii) the formation of glass-like arrested states in both
      compounds. The cooling and heating under unequal fields protocol has been used to
      establish phase coexistence of metastable and equilibrium states, and also to
      demonstrate the devitrification of the arrested metastable states in the neutron
      diffraction patterns. We also explore the field-temperature dependent kinetic
      arrest line TK(H), through the transformation of the arrested phase to the
      equilibrium phase. This transformation has been observed isothermally in reducing
      H, as also on warming in constant H. TK is seen to increase as H increases in
      both cases, consistent with the low-T equilibrium phase having lower
      magnetization.

PMID- 24222378
TI  - Parental problem-solving abilities and the association of sickle cell disease
      complications with health-related quality of life for school-age children.
AB  - Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for poor health-related
      quality of life (HRQOL). The current analysis sought to explore parent problem
      solving abilities/skills as a moderator between SCD complications and HRQOL to
      evaluate applicability to pediatric SCD. At baseline, 83 children ages 6-12 years
      and their primary caregiver completed measures of child HRQOL. Primary caregivers
      also completed a measure of social problem-solving. A SCD complications score was
      computed from medical record review. Parent problem-solving abilities
      significantly moderated the association of SCD complications with child self
      report psychosocial HRQOL (p = .006). SCD complications had a direct effect on
      parent proxy physical and psychosocial child HRQOL. Enhancing parent problem
      solving abilities may be one approach to improve HRQOL for children with high SCD
      complications; however, modification of parent perceptions of HRQOL may require
      direct intervention to improve knowledge and skills involved in disease
      management. 

PMID- 24222380
TI  - Multiscale simulation of pollution gases adsorption in porous organic cage CC3.
AB  - A general multiscale simulation procedure is proposed to accurately predict the
      uptakes of pollution gases such as CO2, SO2, H2S, and CO in one of the most
      investigated porous organic cages CC3 by using a sophisticated force field vdW3
      fitted by double hybrid functional (B2PLYP) with a dispersion correction (D3)
      separately for gas-gas and CC3-gas interactions. The fitted vdW3 was used in
      grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Good comparison with the coupled cluster
      single and double excitation and the perturbative triples (CCSD(T))/complete
      basis set (CBS) limit interaction energies make the B2PLYP-D3 results reliable
      for our purpose. The good agreement of simulated CO2 loading with experimental
      one and the low deviation in the fitting procedure for H2S and CO make our
      approach available in predicting gases in novel porous materials.

PMID- 24222382
TI  - A general "surface-locking" approach toward fast assembly and processing of large
      sized, ordered, mesoporous carbon microspheres.
AB  - Drying to meet you: Using microfluidic jet spray drying technology in conjunction
      with the evaporation-induced self-assembly strategy gives fast assembly (2 s) of
      mesoporous carbon microspheres. The key feature of the drying is the formation of
      a rigid silica crust which locks the particle size and shape. 

PMID- 24222381
TI  - CD11c+ cells primed with unrelated antigens facilitate an accelerated immune
      response to influenza virus in mice.
AB  - Recent evidence suggests that an individual's unique history and sequence of
      exposures to pathogens and antigens may dictate downstream immune responses to
      disparate antigens. We show that the i.n. delivery of nonreplicative virus-like
      particles (VLPs), which bear structural but no antigenic similarities to
      respiratory pathogens, acts to prime the lungs of both C56BL/6 and BALB/c mice,
      facilitating heightened and accelerated primary immune responses to high-dose
      influenza challenge, thus providing a nonpathogenic model of innate imprinting.
      These responses correspond closely to those observed following natural infection
      with the opportunistic fungus, Pneumocystis murina, and are characterized by
      accelerated antigen processing by DCs and alveolar macrophages, an enhanced
      influx of cells to the local tracheobronchial lymph node, and early upregulation
      of T-cell co-stimulatory/adhesion molecules. CD11c+ cells, which have been
      directly exposed to VLPs or Pneumocystis are necessary in facilitating enhanced
      clearance of influenza virus, and the repopulation of the lung by Ly-6C+
      precursors relies on CCR2 expression. Thus, immune imprinting 72 h after VLP
      priming, or 2 weeks after Pneumocystis-priming is CCR2-mediated and results from
      the enhanced antigen processing, maturation, and trafficking abilities of DCs and
      alveolar macrophages, which cause accelerated influenza-specific primary immune
      responses and result in superior viral clearance.

PMID- 24222383
TI  - Homeopathy for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic disorder that
      leads to decreased health-related quality of life and work productivity. Evidence
      based treatment guidelines have not been able to give guidance on the effects of
      homeopathic treatment for IBS because no systematic reviews have been carried out
      to assess the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment for IBS. Two types of
      homeopathic treatment were evaluated in this systematic review. In clinical
      homeopathy a specific remedy is prescribed for a specific condition. This differs
      from individualised homeopathic treatment, where a homeopathic remedy based on a
      person's individual symptoms is prescribed after a detailed consultation.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of homeopathic treatment for
      treating IBS. SEARCH METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register
      of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
      Literature (CINAHL), the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED),
      Cochrane IBD/FBD Group Specialised Register, Cochrane Complementary Medicine
      Field Specialised Register and the database of the Homeopathic Library (Hom
      inform) from inception to February 2013. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised
      controlled trials (RCTs), cohort and case-control studies that compared
      homeopathic treatment with placebo, other control treatments, or usual care, in
      adults with IBS were considered for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two
      authors independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data. The primary
      outcome was global improvement in IBS. The overall quality of the evidence
      supporting this outcome was assessed using the GRADE criteria. We calculated the
      mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous outcomes and
      the risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI for dichotomous outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: Three RCTs
      (213 participants) were included. No cohort or case-control studies were
      identified. Two studies published in 1976 and 1979 compared clinical homeopathy
      (homeopathic remedy) to placebo for constipation-predominant IBS. One study
      published in 1990 compared individualised homeopathic treatment (consultation
      plus remedy) to usual care (defined as high doses of dicyclomine hydrochloride,
      faecal bulking agents and diet sheets asking the patient to take a high fibre
      diet) for the treatment of IBS in female patients. Due to the low quality of
      reporting in the included studies the risk of bias in all three studies was
      unclear on most criteria and high for some criteria. A meta-analysis of two small
      studies (129 participants with constipation-predominant IBS) found a
      statistically significant difference in global improvement between the
      homeopathic remedy asafoetida and placebo at a short-term follow-up of two weeks.
      Seventy-three per cent of patients in the homeopathy group improved compared to
      45% of placebo patients (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.18). There was no
      statistically significant difference in global improvement between the
      homeopathic remedies asafoetida plus nux vomica and placebo. Sixty-eight per cent
      of patients in the homeopathy group improved compared to 52% of placebo patients
      (1 study, N = 42, RR 1.31, 95% CI 0.80 to 2.15). GRADE analyses rated the overall
      quality of the evidence for the outcome global improvement as very low due to
      high or unknown risk of bias, short-term follow-up and sparse data. There was no
      statistically significant difference found between individualised homeopathic
      treatment and usual care (1 RCT, N = 20) for the outcome "feeling unwell", where
      the participant scored how "unwell" they felt before, and after treatment (MD
      0.03; 95% CI -3.16 to 3.22). None of the included studies reported on adverse
      events. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: A pooled analysis of two small studies suggests a
      possible benefit for clinical homeopathy, using the remedy asafoetida, over
      placebo for people with constipation-predominant IBS. These results should be
      interpreted with caution due to the low quality of reporting in these trials,
      high or unknown risk of bias, short-term follow-up, and sparse data. One small
      study found no statistically difference between individualised homeopathy and
      usual care (defined as high doses of dicyclomine hydrochloride, faecal bulking
      agents and diet sheets advising a high fibre diet). No conclusions can be drawn
      from this study due to the low number of participants and the high risk of bias
      in this trial. In addition, it is likely that usual care has changed since this
      trial was conducted. Further high quality, adequately powered RCTs are required
      to assess the efficacy and safety of clinical and individualised homeopathy
      compared to placebo or usual care.

PMID- 24222384
TI  - Abnormal salience network in normal aging and in amnestic mild cognitive
      impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - The salience network (SN) serves to identify salient stimuli and to switch
      between the central executive network (CEN) and the default-mode network (DMN),
      both of which are impaired in Alzheimer's disease (AD)/amnestic mild cognitive
      impairment (aMCI). We hypothesized that both the structural and functional
      organization of the SN and functional interactions between the SN and CEN/DMN are
      altered in normal aging and in AD/aMCI. Gray matter volume (GMV) and resting
      state functional connectivity (FC) were analyzed from healthy younger (HYC) to
      older controls (HOC) and from HOC to aMCI and AD patients. All the SN components
      showed significant differences in the GMV, intranetwork FC, and internetwork FC
      between the HYC and HOC. Most of the SN components showed differences in the GMV
      between the HOC and AD and between the aMCI and AD. Compared with the HOC, AD
      patients exhibited significant differences in intra- and internetwork FCs of the
      SN, whereas aMCI patients demonstrated differences in internetwork FC of the SN.
      Most of the GMVs and internetwork FCs of the SN and part of the intranetwork FC
      of the SN were correlated with cognitive differences in older subjects. Our
      findings suggested that structural and functional impairments of the SN may occur
      as early as in normal aging and that functional disconnection between the SN and
      CEN/ DMN may also be associated with both normal aging and disease progression.

PMID- 24222386
TI  - Obesity increases heart disease risk in absence of metabolic risk factors.

PMID- 24222385
TI  - Enhanced cardioprotective effects mediated by plasmid containing the short
      hairpin RNA of angiotensin converting enzyme with a biodegradable hydrogel after
      myocardial infarction.
AB  - The expression of foreign gene was enhanced and prolonged by sustained releasing
      a target gene to cells from biodegradable dextran-poly(e-caprolactone)-2
      hydroxylethylmethacrylate-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (Dex-PCL-HEMA/PNIPAAm)
      hydrogel in vitro. Moreover, we have demonstrated that injection of the same
      hydrogel improved post-infarct ventricular remodeling. Therefore, we hypothesized
      that intramyocardial injection of plasmid containing the short-hairpin RNA
      (shRNA) of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) with the same hydrogel enhances
      the cardioprotective effects superior to either alone or after rat myocardial
      infarction (MI). In this study, equal volume of phosphate-buffered solution
      (PBS), 10 MUg ACE-shRNA plasmids, hydrogel containing 10 MUg negative control ACE
      shRNA plasmids and hydrogel containing 10 MUg ACE-shRNA plasmids were shortly
      injected into the infarct area of rats after MI, respectively. We found that ACE
      shRNA plasmid-loaded hydrogel extended the duration of gene expression in vivo.
      Moreover, it was shown that direct intramyocardial injection of ACE-shRNA plasmid
      loaded hydrogel significantly decreased the expression of local ACE expression,
      inhibited cell apoptosis, reduced infarct size, and improved cardiac function
      compared with the injection of either alone 30 days after MI in rats. These
      results suggest that injection of ACE-shRNA plasmid-loaded hydrogel into impaired
      myocardium obtains more cardioprotective effects than either alone in rat with MI
      by prolonging the gene silencing of ACE. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J
      Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3452-3458, 2014. 

PMID- 24222387
TI  - Magnetocaloric effect and critical behaviour in Mn2-pyridazine-[Nb(CN)8]
      molecular compound under press.
AB  - A comprehensive study of magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and critical behaviour in
      the ferrimagnetic Mn2-pyridazine-[Nb(CN)8] molecular magnet under hydrostatic
      pressure is reported. The pressure-induced structural changes provoke the
      strengthening of magnetic interaction between Mn and Nb centres. Consequently, an
      increase of critical temperature Tc is observed from 43 K for a sample at ambient
      pressure (A) to 52.5 K for a sample under a pressure of 1.19 GPa (AHP). The
      magnetocaloric effect was determined by the magnetization measurements. The
      application of a hydrostatic pressure of 1.19 GPa causes a decrease in the
      maximum value of magnetic entropy change DeltaS, which for AHP is equal to 4.63 J
      mol-1 K-1 (7.73 J kg-1 K-1) at MU0DeltaH = 5 T, while for A it is 5.36 J mol-1 K
      1 (8.95 J kg-1 K-1) for the same magnetic field change. The temperature-dependent
      parameter n obtained for AHP, describing the field dependence of MCE, is
      consistent with other critical exponents determined from magnetization
      measurements. The critical exponents allow us to classify AHP to the 3D
      Heisenberg universality class, similar to the case of the non-pressurized sample.

PMID- 24222388
TI  - The 3rd Transatlantic Frontiers in Chemistry Symposium.

PMID- 24222391
TI  - Three-pronged probes: high-affinity DNA binding with cap, beta-alanines and
      oligopyrrolamides.

PMID- 24222392
TI  - Valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy of iron-carbonyl complexes:
      implications for the examination of catalytic intermediates.
AB  - Valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy (V2C XES) has been applied to a
      series of compounds relevant to both homogeneous catalysts and intermediates in
      heterogeneous reactions, namely [Fe(CO)5], [Fe2(CO)9], [Fe3(CO)12],
      [Fe(CO)3(cod)] (cod=cyclo-octadienyl), [Fe2Cp2(CO)4] (Cp=cyclo-pentadienyl),
      [Fe2Cp*2(CO)4] (Cp*=tetramethylcyclopentadienyl), and [FeCp(CO)2(thf)][B(ArF)4]
      (ArF=pentafluorophenyl). DFT calculations of the V2C XES spectra show very good
      agreement with experiment, which allows for an in depth analysis of the origins
      of the observed spectral signatures. It is demonstrated that the observed
      spectral features can be broken down into specific ligand and metal fragment
      contributions. The relative intensities of the observed features are further
      explained through a quantitative investigation of the metal 3p and 4p
      contributions to the spectra. The ability to use V2C XES to separate carbonyl,
      hydrocarbon, and solvent contributions is highlighted.

PMID- 24222393
TI  - Cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes with deoxyribose substituents.
AB  - Fundamental study of enzymatic nucleoside transport suffers for lack of optical
      probes that can be tracked noninvasively. Nucleoside transporters are integral
      membrane glycoproteins that mediate the salvage of nucleosides and their passage
      across cell membranes. The substrate recognition site is the deoxyribose sugar,
      often with little distinction among nucleobases. Reported here are nucleoside
      analogues in which emissive, cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes are "clicked"
      to C-1 of deoxyribose in place of canonical nucleobases. The resulting complexes
      show visible luminescence at room temperature and 77 K with microsecond-length
      triplet lifetimes. A representative complex is crystallographically
      characterized. Transport and luminescence are demonstrated in cultured human
      carcinoma (KB3-1) cells.

PMID- 24222394
TI  - Male aggression against women : An evolutionary perspective.
AB  - Male aggression against females in primates, including humans, often functions to
      control female sexuality to the male's reproductive advantage. A comparative,
      evolutionary perspective is used to generate several hypotheses to help to
      explain cross-cultural variation in the frequency of male aggression against
      women. Variables considered include protection of women by kin, male-male
      alliances and male strategies for guarding mates and obtaining adulterous
      matings, and male resource control. The relationships between male aggression
      against women and gender ideologies, male domination of women, and female
      sexuality are also considered. 

PMID- 24222395
TI  - Women's strategies in polygynous marriage : Kipsigis, Datoga, and other East
      African cases.
AB  - Both behavioral ecological and social anthropological analyses of polygynous
      marriage tend to emphasize the importance of competition among men in acquisition
      of mates, whereas the strategic options to women both prior to and after the
      establishment of a marriage have been neglected. Focusing on African marriage
      systems that are in some senses analogous to resource-defense polygyny, I first
      review the evidence of reproductive costs of polygyny to women. Then I discuss
      why the conflict of interests between men and women over mate number is often
      likely to be settled in favor of men. Using East African ethnographic data I
      examine the strategic responses of women and their families to polygynous
      marriage, focusing on four topics: mate choice (Kipsigis), attitudes toward
      incoming wives (Kipsigis), labor allocation and cooperation (comparative data,
      Kipsigis), and use of parental wealth (Datoga). The results of these quantitative
      analyses suggest that through a combination of judicious marriage choice and
      strategic responses within marriage, polygyny need not be costly to women in
      resource-defense polygynous systems. The conclusion is that a hierarchy of
      questions need to be addressed in the analysis of any polygynous marriage system.

PMID- 24222396
TI  - Phylogenetic fallacies and sexual oppression : A review article onPedophilia:
      Biosocial Dimensions, Jay R. Feierman, ed. New York: Springer Verlag, 1990.

PMID- 24222397
TI  - Obstetricians and gynecologists' practice and opinions of expanded carrier
      testing and noninvasive prenatal testing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the opinions of Fellows of
      the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on expanded carrier
      testing (molecular detection of >100 genetic diseases of variable severity) and
      noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). METHODS: A survey conducted between March
      and August 2012, assessed current use of testing, provision of genetic
      counseling, types of disorders that should be identified, preferences for future
      use, ethical aspects, and views on regulatory oversight. RESULTS: Expanded
      carrier testing was offered to all patients by 15% of the responders and 52.1%
      upon patient request. Most (67.3%) favored testing only for mutations of known
      significance. In this study, 79.1% supported the use of NIPT as a screen for Down
      syndrome for all women with 47.9% viewing NIPT as a complete substitution for
      invasive testing. Most supported expansion to other aneuploidies (97.5%) and
      severe early-onset Mendelian disorders (90.4%) but not for adult-onset disorders
      (29.8%) or nonmedical sex identification (15.7%). A majority (73.2%) believed
      that NIPT would increase pregnancy terminations for mild disease states.
      Respondents favored a role for professional societies in providing regulatory
      oversight. CONCLUSION: Rapid incorporation of new genetic technologies may be
      limited by the availability of genetic counseling, concerns regarding inclusion
      of clinically mild disorders, results of unknown significance, and costs.

PMID- 24222398
TI  - 2-Aminobenzaldehydes as versatile substrates for rhodium-catalyzed alkyne
      hydroacylation: application to dihydroquinolone synthesis.

PMID- 24222399
TI  - Magnesium degradation products: effects on tissue and human metabolism.
AB  - Owing to their mechanical properties, metallic materials present a promising
      solution in the field of resorbable implants. The magnesium metabolism in humans
      differs depending on its introduction. The natural, oral administration of
      magnesium via, for example, food, essentially leads to an intracellular
      enrichment of Mg(2+) . In contrast, introducing magnesium-rich substances or
      implants into the tissue results in a different decomposition behavior. Here,
      exposing magnesium to artificial body electrolytes resulted in the formation of
      the following products: magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, and magnesium
      chloride, as well as calcium and magnesium apatites. Moreover, it can be assumed
      that Mg(2+) , OH(-) ions, and gaseous hydrogen are also present and result from
      the reaction for magnesium in an aqueous environment. With the aid of
      physiological metabolic processes, the organism succeeds in either excreting the
      above mentioned products or integrating them into the natural metabolic process.
      Only a burst release of these products is to be considered a problem. A multitude
      of general tissue effects and responses from the Mg's degradation products is
      considered within this review, which is not targeting specific implant classes.
      Furthermore, common alloying elements of magnesium and their hazardous potential
      in vivo are taken into account.

PMID- 24222401
TI  - The function of menstrual taboos among the dogon : Defense against Cuckoldry?
AB  - Menstrual taboos are nearly ubiquitous and assume parallel forms in
      geographically distant populations, yet their function has baffled researchers
      for decades. This paper proposes that menstrual taboos are anticuckoldry tactics.
      By signaling menstruation, they may advertise female reproductive status to
      husbands, affines, and other observers. Females may therefore have difficulty in
      obfuscating the timing of the onset of pregnancy. This may have three
      consequences: (a) males are better able to assess their probabilities of
      paternity and to direct their parental investment toward genetic offspring; (b)
      adulterous pregnancies are more easily detected and penalized, enhancing sexual
      fidelity; and (c) males avoid marrying pregnant females by relying on
      menstruation as evidence of nonpregnancy. This hypothesis is tested with 29
      months of field data on menstrual taboos among the Dogon of Mali. Key results
      include the following: (a) cuckoldry is a major Dogon concern, (b) menstrual huts
      advertise female reproductive status, (c) husbands impose the taboos upon their
      wives, (d) female defiance of the taboos is undetectable and probably rare, and
      (e) informants think that the taboos help husbands and patrilineages to avoid
      cuckoldry. Thus the anti-cuckoldry hypothesis provides helpful insight into the
      menstrual taboos of the Dogon and should be tested among other populations. 

PMID- 24222400
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of random massively parallel sequencing for non-invasive
      prenatal detection of common autosomal aneuploidies: a collaborative study in
      Europe.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to validate the diagnostic accuracy of
      a non-invasive prenatal test for detecting trisomies 13, 18, and 21 for a
      population in Germany and Switzerland. METHODS: Random massively parallel
      sequencing was applied using Illumina sequencing platform HiSeq2000. Fetal
      aneuploidies were identified using a median absolute deviation based z-score
      equation. A bioinformatics algorithm based on guanine-cytosine normalization was
      applied after the data were unblinded. Results of massively parallel sequencing
      and invasive procedures were compared. RESULTS: Overall, 40/42 samples were
      correctly classified as trisomy 21-positive, including a translocation trisomy 21
      [46,XY,der(13;21),+21] and a structural aberration of chromosome 21
      [46,XX,rec(21)dup(21q)inv(21)(p12q21.1)] but not including a low percentage
      mosaic trisomy 21 [47,XY,+21/46,XY], [sensitivity: 95.2%; one-sided lower
      confidence limit: 85.8%]; 430/430 samples were correctly classified as trisomy 21
      negative (specificity: 100%; one-sided lower CL: 99.3%). Using a new
      bioinformatics algorithm with guanine-cytosine normalization, detection of
      trisomy 21 was facilitated, and five of five trisomy 13 cases and eight of eight
      trisomy 18 cases were correctly identified. CONCLUSION: Our newly established non
      invasive prenatal test allows detection of fetal trisomies 13, 18, and 21 with
      high accuracy in a population in Germany and Switzerland.

PMID- 24222402
TI  - The evolution of female sexuality and mate selection in humans.
AB  - Understanding female sexuality and mate choice is central to evolutionary
      scenarios of human social systems. Studies of female sexuality conducted by sex
      researchers in the United States since 1938 indicate that human females in
      general are concerned with their sexual well-being and are capable of sexual
      response parallel to that of males. Across cultures in general and in western
      societies in particular, females engage in extramarital affairs regularly,
      regardless of punishment by males or social disapproval. Families are usually
      concerned with marriage arrangements only insofar as those arrangements are
      economically or politically advantageous, but females most often have a voice in
      arranged marriages. Extended families also concentrate on a couple's future
      reproduction rather than on sexual exclusivity. Although marriage for females is
      often compromised by male or family reproductive interests (which may not in fact
      differ from female interests), females appear to exercise their sexuality with
      more freedom than has previously been suggested. Notions of human females as
      pawns in the male reproductive game, or as traders of sex for male services,
      should be dispelled. 

PMID- 24222403
TI  - The question of animal culture.
AB  - In this paper I consider whether traditional behaviors of animals, like
      traditions of humans, are transmitted by imitation learning. Review of the
      literature on problem solving by captive primates, and detailed consideration of
      two widely cited instances of purported learning by imitation and of culture in
      free-living primates (sweet-potato washing by Japanese macaques and termite
      fishing by chimpanzees), suggests that nonhuman primates do not learn to solve
      problems by imitation. It may, therefore, be misleading to treat animal
      traditions and human culture as homologous (rather than analogous) and to refer
      to animal traditions as cultural. 

PMID- 24222404
TI  - A reply to Rogers : Conserving resources for children.

PMID- 24222405
TI  - Translating working memory into action: behavioral and neural evidence for using
      motor representations in encoding visuo-spatial sequences.
AB  - The neurobiological organization of action-oriented working memory is not well
      understood. To elucidate the neural correlates of translating visuo-spatial
      stimulus sequences into delayed (memory-guided) sequential actions, we measured
      brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants
      encoded sequences of four to seven dots appearing on fingers of a left or right
      schematic hand. After variable delays, sequences were to be reproduced with the
      corresponding fingers. Recall became less accurate with longer sequences and was
      initiated faster after long delays. Across both hands, encoding and recall
      activated bilateral prefrontal, premotor, superior and inferior parietal regions
      as well as the basal ganglia, whereas hand-specific activity was found (albeit to
      a lesser degree during encoding) in contralateral premotor, sensorimotor, and
      superior parietal cortex. Activation differences after long versus short delays
      were restricted to motor-related regions, indicating that rehearsal during long
      delays might have facilitated the conversion of the memorandum into concrete
      motor programs at recall. Furthermore, basal ganglia activity during encoding
      selectively predicted correct recall. Taken together, the results suggest that to
      be-reproduced visuo-spatial sequences are encoded as prospective action
      representations (motor intentions), possibly in addition to retrospective sensory
      codes. Overall, our study supports and extends multi-component models of working
      memory, highlighting the notion that sensory input can be coded in multiple ways
      depending on what the memorandum is to be used for.

PMID- 24222406
TI  - Application of metabolic flux analysis to plants.
AB  - This volume compiles a series of chapters that cover the major aspects of plant
      metabolic flux analysis, such as but not limited to labeling of plant material,
      acquisition of labeling data, mathematical modeling of metabolic network at the
      cell, tissue, and plant level. A short revue, including methodological points and
      applications of flux analysis to plants, is presented in this introductory
      chapter.

PMID- 24222407
TI  - Metabolic network reconstruction and their topological analysis.
AB  - This chapter focuses on the way to build a metabolic network and how to analyze
      its structure. The first part of this chapter describes the methods of the
      network model reconstruction from biochemical data found in specialized databases
      and/or literature. The second part deals with metabolic pathway analysis as a
      useful tool for better understanding the complex architecture of intracellular
      metabolism. The graph analysis and the stoichiometric network analysis are
      important approaches for understanding the network topology and consequently the
      function of metabolic networks. Among the methods presented, the Elementary Flux
      Modes analysis will be more detailed. Finally, we illustrate in this chapter an
      example of network reconstruction from heterotrophic plant cells metabolism and
      its topological analysis leading to a huge number of Elementary Flux Modes. 

PMID- 24222408
TI  - 14C pulse labeling to estimate external fluxes and turnovers in primary
      metabolism.
AB  - Steady state (13)C-MFA is classically used to measure fluxes in complex metabolic
      networks. However, the modeling of steady state labeling allows the
      quantification of internal fluxes only and requires the estimation, by other
      methods, of the external fluxes, corresponding to substrate uptake (carbon input
      into the network) and to the production rate of compounds that accumulate within
      plant cells (network output). Additionally, it is not always possible to
      discriminate between different pathways that lead to the same label distribution.
      Methods to measure fluxes, based on direct measurements of pool size and on (14)C
      short-time labeling experiments, are described in this chapter. To illustrate
      this approach, we focus on the quantification of sucrose and starch turnovers. 

PMID- 24222409
TI  - Optimization of steady-state 13C-labeling experiments for metabolic flux
      analysis.
AB  - While steady-state (13)C metabolic flux analysis is a powerful method for
      deducing multiple fluxes in the central metabolic network of heterotrophic and
      mixotrophic plant tissues, it is also time-consuming and technically challenging.
      Key steps in the design and interpretation of steady-state (13)C labeling
      experiments are illustrated with a generic protocol based on applications to
      plant cell suspension cultures.

PMID- 24222410
TI  - Quantification of 13C enrichments and isotopomer abundances for metabolic flux
      analysis using 1D NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - The analysis of stable isotope incorporation following feeding of (13)C-labeled
      precursors to plant tissues provides the constraints necessary for metabolic flux
      analysis. This protocol describes the use of one-dimensional (1)H and (13)C
      nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the quantification of (13)C
      enrichments and isotopomer abundances in mixtures of metabolites or hydrolyzed
      biomass components. 

PMID- 24222411
TI  - Analysis of proteinogenic amino acid and starch labeling by 2D NMR.
AB  - Comprehensive analysis of isotopic labeling patterns of metabolites in
      proteinogenic amino acids and starch for plant systems lay in the powerful tool
      of 2-Dimensional [(1)H, (13)C] Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (2D NMR) spectroscopy.
      From (13)C-labeling experiments, 2D NMR provides information on the labeling of
      particular carbon positions, which contributes to the quantification of
      positional isotope isomers (isotopomer). 2D Heteronuclear Single Quantum
      Correlation (HSQC) NMR distinguishes particularly between the labeling patterns
      of adjacent carbon atoms, and leads to a characteristic enrichment of each carbon
      atom of amino acids and glucosyl and mannosyl units present in hydrolysates of
      glycosylated protein. Furthermore, this technique can quantitatively classify
      differences in glucosyl units of starch hydrolysate and of protein hydrolysate of
      plant biomass. Therefore, the 2D HSQC NMR method uses proteinogenic amino acids
      and starch to provide an understanding of carbon distribution of
      compartmentalization in the plant system. NMR has the advantage of minimal sample
      handle without separate individual compounds prior to analysis, for example
      multiple isotopomers can be detected, and their distribution extracted
      quantitatively from a single 2D HSQC NMR spectrum. The peak structure obtained
      from the HSQC experiment show multiplet patterns, which are directly related to
      isotopomer balancing. These abundances can be translated to maximum information
      on the metabolic flux analysis. Detailed methods for the extractions of protein,
      oil, soluble sugars, and starch, hydrolysis of proteinogenic amino acid and
      starch, and NMR preparation using soybean embryos cultured in vitro as a model
      plant systems are reported in this text. In addition, this chapter includes
      procedures to obtain the relative intensity of 16 amino acids and glucosyl units
      from protein hydrolysate and the glucosyl units of starch hydrolysate of soybean
      embryos in 2D HSQC NMR spectra. 

PMID- 24222412
TI  - Analysis of kinetic labeling of amino acids and organic acids by GC-MS.
AB  - Plant metabolic pathways and the molecular and atomic fluxes through them can be
      deduced using stable isotopically labeled substrates. To this end one
      prerequisite is accurate measurement of the labeling pattern of targeted
      metabolites. Experiments are generally limited to the use of single-element
      isotopes, mainly (13)C. Here, we summarize the application of gas chromatography
      time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) for metabolic studies using
      differently labeled elemental isotopes applied to both intact organelles and
      whole plant tissue. This method allows quantitative evaluation of a broad range
      of metabolic pathways without the need for laborious (and potentially inaccurate)
      chemical fractionation procedures commonly used in the estimation of fluxes
      following incubation in radiolabeled substrates. We focus herein on the
      determination of isotope labeling in organic and amino acids. 

PMID- 24222413
TI  - Quantifying 13C-labeling in free sugars and starch by GC-MS.
AB  - We describe an approach to extract (13)C-labeled sugars (glucose, fructose,
      maltose, sucrose, myo-inositol as well as glucose from starch) from plant tissues
      and to analyze their isotopomer distribution by gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry (GC-MS). Sugars are derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)
      trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) into their Si(CH3)3 derivatives. Electronic and
      chemical ionizations are used to obtain suitable fragments for metabolic flux
      analysis (MFA). Unique fragments are identified by computer simulation and
      experimental verification with labeled standards. Linear equations for separating
      information from glucosyl and fructosyl moieties of sucrose are presented.
      Finally, mass distributions are corrected for natural isotope abundance using a
      home-written program. The method is illustrated by sugar isotopomer analysis of
      (13)C-labeled rapeseed embryos. 

PMID- 24222414
TI  - Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for measuring 13C-labeling in
      intermediates of the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway.
AB  - This chapter describes a procedure to analyze (13)C-labeled phosphorylated
      compounds by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Phosphorylated
      compounds, intermediaries of the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway, are
      separated by anion exchange chromatography and their isotopic labeling is
      determined by mass spectrometry. A sensitivity in the fmole range is achieved
      using scheduled multiple reaction monitoring mode. 

PMID- 24222415
TI  - In vivo NMR for 13C Metabolic Flux Analysis.
AB  - The use of in vivo NMR within the framework of Metabolic Flux Analysis in plants
      is presented. In vivo NMR allows to visualize the active metabolic network, to
      determine metabolic and isotopic steady state and to measure metabolic fluxes
      which are not necessarily accessible by isotopic steady state (stationary)
      Metabolic Flux Analysis. The kinetic data can be used as input for dynamic
      (nonstationary) Metabolic Flux Analysis. Both 1D and 2D NMR methods are employed.

PMID- 24222416
TI  - Steady-state and instationary modeling of proteinogenic and free amino acid
      isotopomers for flux quantification.
AB  - Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) is a powerful tool for exploring and quantifying
      carbon traffic in metabolic networks. Accurate flux quantification requires (1)
      high-quality isotopomer measurements, usually of biomass components including
      proteinogenic/free amino acids or central carbon metabolites, and (2) a
      mathematical model that relates the unknown fluxes to the measured isotopomers.
      Modeling requires a thorough knowledge of the structure of the underlying
      metabolic network, often available from many databases, as well as the ability to
      make reasonable assumptions that will enable simplification of the model. Here we
      describe a general methodology underlying computer-aided mathematical modeling of
      a flux-isotopomer relationship and some of the accompanying data-processing
      steps. One of two modeling strategies will need to be employed, depending on the
      type of isotope labeling experiment performed. These strategies-steady-state
      modeling and instationary modeling-have different experimental and computational
      demands. We discuss the concepts underlying these two types of modeling and
      demonstrate steady-state modeling in a step-by-step manner. Our methodology
      should be applicable to most isotope-assisted MFA applications and should serve
      as a general framework applicable to many realistic metabolic networks with
      little modification. 

PMID- 24222417
TI  - Isotopically nonstationary MFA (INST-MFA) of autotrophic metabolism.
AB  - Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) is a powerful approach for quantifying plant
      central carbon metabolism based upon a combination of extracellular flux
      measurements and intracellular isotope labeling measurements. In this chapter, we
      present the method of isotopically nonstationary (13)C MFA (INST-MFA), which is
      applicable to autotrophic systems that are at metabolic steady state but are
      sampled during the transient period prior to achieving isotopic steady state
      following the introduction of (13)CO2. We describe protocols for performing the
      necessary isotope labeling experiments, sample collection and quenching,
      nonaqueous fractionation and extraction of intracellular metabolites, and mass
      spectrometry (MS) analysis of metabolite labeling. We also outline the steps
      required to perform computational flux estimation using INST-MFA. By combining
      several recently developed experimental and computational techniques, INST-MFA
      provides an important new platform for mapping carbon fluxes that is especially
      applicable to autotrophic organisms, which are not amenable to steady-state (13)C
      MFA experiments. 

PMID- 24222418
TI  - Simulating labeling to estimate kinetic parameters for flux control analysis.
AB  - An important aspect of kinetic modeling is the ability to provide predictive
      information on network control and dynamic responses to genetic or environmental
      perturbations based on innate enzyme kinetics. In a top-down approach to model
      assembly, unknown kinetic parameters are calculated using experimental data such
      as metabolite pool concentrations and transient labeling patterns after supply of
      an isotopically labeled substrate. These kinetic parameters can then be used to
      calculate flux control coefficients for every reaction in a network, which aids
      in the identification of enzymatic reactions that exert the most control over the
      network as a whole. This chapter describes a modeling approach to estimate
      kinetic parameters which are then used to perform metabolic control analysis. An
      example is provided for the benzenoid network of Petunia hybrida; however, the
      methodologies can be applied to any small segment of metabolism. 

PMID- 24222419
TI  - High-throughput data pipelines for metabolic flux analysis in plants.
AB  - In this chapter we illustrate the methodology for high-throughput metabolic flux
      analysis. Central to this is developing an end to end data pipeline, crucial for
      integrating the wet lab experiments and analytics, combining hardware and
      software automation, and standardizing data representation providing importers
      and exporters to support third party tools. The use of existing software at the
      start, data extraction from the chromatogram, and the end, MFA analysis, allows
      for the most flexibility in this workflow. Developing iMS2Flux provided a
      standard, extensible, platform independent tool to act as the "glue" between
      these end points. Most importantly this tool can be easily adapted to support
      different data formats, data verification and data correction steps allowing it
      to be central to managing the data necessary for high-throughput MFA. An
      additional tool was needed to automate the MFA software and in particular to take
      advantage of the course grained parallel nature of high-throughput analysis and
      available high performance computing facilities.In combination these methods show
      the development of high-throughput pipelines that allow metabolic flux analysis
      to join as a full member of the omics family. 

PMID- 24222420
TI  - Analysis of enzyme activities.
AB  - The evaluation of enzyme activities, especially their capacities, represents an
      important step towards the modelling of biochemical pathways in living organisms.
      The implementation of microplate technology enables the determination of up to
      >50 enzymes in relatively large numbers of samples and in various biological
      materials. Most of these enzymes are involved in central metabolism and several
      pathways are entirely covered. Direct or indirect assays can be used, as well as
      highly sensitive assays, depending on the abundance of the enzymes under study.
      To exemplify such methods, protocols for UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (E.C.
      2.7.7.9) operating in real time and for pyrophosphate:fructose-6-phosphate 1
      phosphotransferase (E.C. 2.7.1.90) are presented. 

PMID- 24222421
TI  - Analytical kinetic modeling: a practical procedure.
AB  - This chapter describes a practical procedure to dissect metabolic systems,
      simplify them, and use or derive enzyme rate equations in order to build a
      mathematical model of a metabolic system and run simulations. We first deal with
      a simple example, modeling a single enzyme that follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics
      and operates in the middle of an unbranched metabolic pathway. Next we describe
      the rules that can be followed to isolate sub-systems from their environment to
      simulate their behavior. Finally we use examples to show how to derive suitable
      rate equations, simpler than those needed for mechanistic studies, though
      adequate to describe the behavior over the physiological range of conditions.Many
      of the general characteristics of kinetic models will be obvious to readers
      familiar with the theory of metabolic control analysis (Cornish-Bowden,
      Fundamentals of Enzyme Kinetics, Wiley-Blackwell, Weinheim, 327-380, 2012), but
      here we shall not assume such knowledge, as the chapter is directed toward
      practical application rather than theory.

PMID- 24222422
TI  - Flux balance analysis as an alternative method to estimate fluxes without
      labeling.
AB  - The analysis of plant metabolic networks essentially contributes to the
      understanding of the efficiency of plant systems in terms of their
      biotechnological usage. Metabolic fluxes are determined by biochemical parameters
      such as metabolite concentrations as well as enzyme properties and activities,
      which in turn are the result of various regulatory events at various levels
      between control of transcription and posttranslational regulation of enzyme
      protein activity. Thus, knowledge about metabolic fluxes on a large scale
      provides an integrated view on the functional state of a metabolically active
      cell, organ, or system. In this chapter, we introduce flux balance analysis as a
      constraint-based method for the prediction of optimal metabolic fluxes in a given
      metabolic network. Furthermore, we provide a step-by-step protocol for metabolic
      network reconstruction and constraint-based analysis using the COBRA Toolbox. 

PMID- 24222423
TI  - Flux variability analysis: application to developing oilseed rape embryos using
      toolboxes for constraint-based modeling.
AB  - Flux variability analysis enables comprehensive exploration of alternate optimal
      routes in a metabolic network. This method is especially useful with models such
      as bna572 for the developing oilseed rape embryo which is highly
      compartmentalized. Here, we describe a protocol for carrying out flux variability
      analysis on reactions and network projections of bna572 using well-established
      software (CellNetAnalyzer and COBRA) for constraint-based analysis of
      stoichiometric network reconstructions. 

PMID- 24222424
TI  - Plant genome-scale modeling and implementation.
AB  - Considerable progress has been made in plant genome-scale metabolic
      reconstruction and modeling in recent years. Such reconstructions made it
      possible to explore metabolic phenotypes through appropriate model formulation
      and optimization methods. As a result, plant genome-scale modeling has
      increasingly attracted interest from the plant research community. In this
      chapter, the first generation of plant genome-scale metabolic reconstructions is
      presented, along with the important concepts behind model and constraint
      formulation. A brief protocol describing the use of constraint-based
      reconstruction and analysis (COBRA) Toolbox in flux simulation and model
      modification is provided. This is followed by a presentation of metabolic
      constraints required to generate fluxes in AraGEM using COBRA that describe
      photosynthesis, photorespiration, and respiration, respectively. Overall, plant
      genome-scale modeling is a powerful approach that is accessible and readily
      adopted. 

PMID- 24222425
TI  - (34)S and (15)N labelling to model S and N flux in plants and determine the
      different components of N and S use efficiency.
AB  - In order to highlight our understanding on ecosystems functioning and resource
      sharing/competition, either in artificial environment or agrosystems, according
      to changes in the climatic conditions, it is necessary to measure accurately
      element fluxes within plants. Stable isotopes allow tracking safely and
      accurately on a short time frame the behavior of elements in plants. After a
      short review devoted to isotopic studies of elemental flux within plants, we
      explain how a direct multiple labelling study might be conducted in a plant, so
      as to measure over short time nitrogen and sulfur acquisition, and assimilates
      arising from a labelled source. 

PMID- 24222426
TI  - Ecophysiological process-based model to simulate carbon fluxes in plants.
AB  - Carbon fluxes in plants have been subject to many modeling studies. The
      conceptual framework of models of carbon acquisition, allocation, and metabolism
      in plants are first introduced, together with methods to calibrate and evaluate
      the validity of the resulting models. The possibility to combine different models
      within an integrated plant-organ system is illustrated. In the last part of the
      chapter, methods used to measure the carbon flows at the plant scale are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24222427
TI  - Preliminary differences in peripheral immune markers and brain metabolites
      between fatigued and non-fatigued breast cancer survivors: a pilot study.
AB  - Persistent cancer-related fatigue (PCRF) is one of the most troubling side
      effects of breast cancer (BC) treatment. One explanatory model for PCRF is
      sickness behavior, which is a set of adaptive responses including sleepiness and
      depressed mood in reaction to an inflammatory trigger. Prior research has
      investigated differences in inflammatory cytokines between fatigued and non
      fatigued BC survivors, but no study has examined differences in brain
      metabolites. Differences in inflammatory markers, and brain metabolites using
      proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy were evaluated within 16 fatigued and 13
      non-fatigued BC survivors. Fatigued BC survivors had significantly higher ratios
      of two markers derived from brain metabolites; namely (a) creatine, normalized to
      total creatine (creatine + phosphocreatine (Cr/tCr)) ratio (P = 0.03) and (b)
      glutamate + glutamine (Glx) to N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) ratio (P = 0.01) in the
      posterior insula compared to non-fatigued breast cancer survivor. Further, serum
      IL-6 was increased in fatigued women compared to non-fatigued women (P = 0.03),
      Using receiver operator curves (ROC) we determined that the posterior insula
      Glx/NAA ratio was the best predictor of fatigue with an overall area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 79%, with a sensitivity of 81%
      and a specificity of 69%. However, posterior insula Glx/NAA, Cr/tCr and serum IL
      6 were not significantly correlated with one another implying the possibility of
      independent biological mechanisms for PCRF rather than an interrelated mechanism
      as represented by the sickness behavior model. This study provides novel
      preliminary evidence of several distinct neurobiological changes in the posterior
      insula associated with PCRF in BC survivors. Future, longitudinal studies are
      needed to explore these distinct biological phenomena where changes through time
      in peripheral immune markers and brain metabolites are examined to determine if
      they correlate with changes in fatigue.

PMID- 24222428
TI  - Interplay of alpha,alpha- versus alpha,beta-conjugation in the excited states and
      charged defects of branched oligothiophenes as models for dendrimeric materials.
AB  - This article investigates the excited and charged states of three branched
      oligothiophenes with methyl-thienyl side groups as models to promote 3D
      arrangements. A comparison with the properties of the parent systems, linear all
      alpha,alpha-oligothiophenes, is proposed. A wide variety of spectroscopic methods
      (i.e., absorption, emission, triplet-triplet transient absorption, and
      spectroelectrochemistry) in combination with DFT calculations have been used for
      this purpose. Whereas the absorption spectra are slightly blueshifted upon
      branching, both the emission spectra and triplet-triplet absorption spectra are
      moderately redshifted; this indicates a larger contribution of the beta-linked
      thienyl groups in the delocalization of the S1 and T1 states rather than into the
      S0 state. The delocalization through the alpha,beta-conjugated path was found to
      be crucial for the stabilization of the trication species in the larger branched
      systems, whereas the linear sexithiophene homologue can only be stabilized up to
      the dication species. 

PMID- 24222429
TI  - Trade-Offs between female food acquisition and child care among hiwi and ache
      foragers.
AB  - Even though female food acquisition is an area of considerable interest in hunter
      gatherer research, the ecological determinants of women's economic decisions in
      these populations are still poorly understood. The literature on female foraging
      behavior indicates that there is considerable variation within and across
      foraging societies in the amount of time that women spend foraging and in the
      amount and types of food that they acquire. It is possible that this
      heterogeneity reflects variation in the trade-offs between time spent in food
      acquisition and child care activities that women face in different groups of
      hunter-gatherers. In this paper we discuss the fitness trade-offs between food
      acquisition and child care that Hiwi and Ache women foragers might face. Multiple
      regression analyses show that in both populations the daily food acquisition of a
      woman's spouse is negatively related to female foraging effort. In addition,
      nursing mothers spend less time foraging and acquire less food than do nonnursing
      women. As the number of dependents that a woman has increases, however, women
      also increase foraging time and the amount of food they acquire. Some interesting
      exceptions to these general trends are as follows: (a) differences in foraging
      effort between nursing and nonnursing women are less pronounced when fruits and
      roots are in season than in other seasons of the year; (b) foraging return rates
      decrease for Ache women as their numbers of dependents increase; and (c) among
      Ache women, the positive effect of number of dependents on foraging behavior is
      less pronounced when fruits are in season than at other times of the year.
      Lastly, in the Hiwi sample we found that postreproductive women work considerably
      harder than women of reproductive age in the root season but not in other seasons
      of the year. We discuss how ecological variation in constraints, the number of
      health insults to children that Hiwi and Ache mothers can avoid, and the fitness
      benefits they can gain from spending time in food acquisition and child care
      might account for differences and similarities in the foraging behaviors of
      subgroups of Hiwi and Ache mothers across different seasons of the year. Valid
      tests of the explanations we propose will require considerable effort to measure
      the relationship between maternal food acquisition, child care, and adverse
      health outcomes in offspring. 

PMID- 24222430
TI  - Evolutionary biology and feminism.
AB  - Evolutionary biology and feminism share a variety of philosophical and practical
      concerns. I have tried to describe how a perspective from both evolutionary
      biology and feminism can accelerate the achievement of goals for both feminists
      and evolutionary biologists. In an early section of this paper I discuss the
      importance of variation to the disciplines of evolutionary biology and feminism.
      In the section entitled "Control of Female Reproduction" I demonstrate how
      insight provided by participation in life as woman and also as a feminist
      suggests testable hypotheses about the evolution of social behavior-hypotheses
      that are applicable to our investigations of the evolution of social behavior in
      nonhuman animals. In the section on "Deceit, Self-deception, and Patriarchal
      Reversals" I have overtly conceded that evolutionary biology, a scientific
      discipline, also represents a human cultural practice that, like other human
      cultural practices, may in parts and at times be characterized by deceit and self
      deception. In the section on "Femininity" I have indicated how questions cast and
      answered and hypotheses tested from an evolutionary perspective can serve women
      and men struggling with sexist oppression. 

PMID- 24222431
TI  - Sex, gender, and difference : Dimensions of aggression in an australian
      aboriginal community.
AB  - Empirical research has demonstrated that women's aggressive behavior is
      widespread and displays regularities across societies. Until recently, however,
      discussions about the aggressive behavior of women and gender differences in
      aggressive behavior have been based largely on data from nonhuman primates,
      children, or laboratory experiments. Using a unique corpus of naturalistic data
      on aggressive human interactions both between and among men and women, I explore
      the complexity of our questions about sex differences in aggression and further
      illuminate the ways in which men and women may use aggression in human
      interactions. In this paper I compare the aggressive behavior of men and women in
      an Australian Aboriginal community. In doing so I argue for the continuing use of
      a "sex differences" framework for organizing our understanding of gender
      relations and gender hierarchy. I believe, however, that this form of analysis
      benefits from, if not requires, a sensitivity to the most taken-for-granted
      aspects of our gender ideology and a commitment to attend to evidence that
      challenges our convictions about men and women. 

PMID- 24222432
TI  - Reply to dickemann : The ethology of variant sexology.
AB  - This paper is a response to Dickemann's review ofPedophilia: Biosocial
      Dimensions. Her main criticism of the book is its inappropriate application of
      ethology to human sexology and its natural variations. She proposes instead the
      superiority of the "social constructionist" perspective. The "Phylogenetic
      Fallacy" of which her review speaks results from her erroneously having
      attributed ethological arguments about the phylogeny of coordinated motor
      patterns and sensory releasing stimuli to higher levels of behavioral-ecological
      strategies to which such arguments were never applied. Because no convincingly
      adaptive function of human pedophilia could be found at this higher level, as a
      working hypothesis, variant erotic age and gender orientations were both
      tentatively conceptualized as by-products of Darwinian natural selection for
      heterosexual "adultophilia." The social and political implications of this
      perspective, when compared to social constructionism, are discussed. 

PMID- 24222434
TI  - Modifications in the frustrated magnetism, oxidation state of Co and
      magnetoelectric coupling effects induced by a partial replacement of Ca by Gd in
      the spin-chain compound Ca3Co2O6.
AB  - We have systematically investigated the influence of the gradual replacement of
      Ca by Gd on the magnetic and complex dielectric properties of the well-known
      geometrically frustrated spin-chain system Ca3Co2O6 (TN = 24 K with additional
      magnetic transitions below 12 K), by studying the series Ca3-xGdxCo2O6 (x <=
      0.7), down to 1.8 K. Heat-capacity measurements establish that the reduction of
      TN with Gd substitution is much less compared to that by Y substitution. The
      magnetic moment data reveal that there are changes in the oxidation state of Co
      as well, unlike for Y substitution, beyond x = 0.2. Thus, despite being
      isovalent, both these substitutions interestingly differ in changing these
      magnetic properties in these oxides. We propose that the valence electrons of Y
      and those of R ions play different roles in deciding the magnetic characteristics
      of these mixed oxides. It is observed that a small amount (x = 0.3) of Gd
      substitution for Ca is enough to suppress glassy ac magnetic susceptibility
      behavior for the peak around 12 K. An additional low-temperature magnetic anomaly
      close to 5 K gets more prominent with increasing Gd concentration as revealed by
      heat-capacity data. Trends in temperature dependence of complex dielectric
      behavior were also tracked with varying composition and a frequency dependence is
      observed, not only for the transition in the region around 10 K (for some
      compositions), but also for the 5 K transition which is well resolved for a
      higher concentration of Gd. Thus, the Gd-substituted Ca3Co2O6 series is shown to
      reveal interesting magnetic and dielectric behaviors of this family of oxides.

PMID- 24222433
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis of nonsyndromic congenital heart defects.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) occur in nearly 1% of live births. We
      sought to assess factors associated with prenatal CHD diagnosis in the National
      Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS). METHODS: We analyzed data from mothers
      with CHD-affected pregnancies from 1998 to 2005. Prenatal CHD diagnosis was
      defined as affirmative responses to questions about abnormal prenatal ultrasounds
      and fetal echocardiography obtained during a structured telephone interview.
      RESULTS: Fifteen percent (1097/7299) of women with CHD-affected pregnancies
      (excluding recognized syndromes and single-gene disorders) reported receiving a
      prenatal CHD diagnosis. Prenatal CHD diagnosis was positively associated with
      advanced maternal age, family history of CHD, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, twin or
      higher-order gestation, CHD complexity, and presence of extracardiac defects.
      Prenatal CHD diagnosis was inversely associated with maternal Hispanic
      race/ethnicity, prepregnancy overweight or obesity, and preexisting hypertension.
      Prenatal CHD diagnosis varied by time to NBDPS interview and NBDPS study site.
      CONCLUSIONS: Further work is warranted to identify reasons for the observed
      variability in maternal reports of prenatal CHD diagnosis and the extent to which
      differences in health literacy or health system factors such as access to
      specialized prenatal care and fetal echocardiography may account for such
      variability.

PMID- 24222435
TI  - Genetic mapping of a 7R Al tolerance QTL in triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack).
AB  - Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) is a relatively new cereal crop. In Poland,
      triticale is grown on 12 % of arable land ( http://www.stat.gov.pl ). There is an
      increasing interest in its cultivation due to lowered production costs and
      increased adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. However, it has an
      insufficient tolerance to the presence of aluminum ions (Al(3+)) in the soil. The
      number of genes controlling aluminum tolerance in triticale and their chromosomal
      location is not known. Two F2 mapping biparental populations (MP1 and MP15)
      segregating for aluminum (Al) tolerance were tested with AFLP, SSR, DArT, and
      specific PCR markers. Genetic mapping enabled the construction of linkage groups
      representing chromosomes 7R, 5R and 2B. Obtained linkage groups were common for
      both mapping populations and mostly included the same markers. Composite interval
      mapping (CIM) allowed identification of a single QTL that mapped to the 7R
      chromosome and explained 25 % (MP1) and 36 % (MP15) of phenotypic variation. The
      B1, B26 and Xscm150 markers were 0.04 cM and 0.02 cM from the maximum of the LOD
      function in the MP1 and MP15, respectively and were highly associated with
      aluminum tolerance as indicated by Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. Moreover,
      the molecular markers B1, B26, Xrems1162 and Xscm92, previously associated with
      the Alt4 locus that encoded an aluminum-activated malate transporter (ScALMT1)
      that was involved in Al tolerance in rye (Secale cereale) also mapped within QTL.
      Biochemical analysis of plants represented MP1 and MP15 mapping populations
      confirmed that the QTL located on 7R chromosome in both mapping populations is
      responsible for Al tolerance. 

PMID- 24222436
TI  - Development of a fluorescent enzyme-linked DNA aptamer-magnetic bead sandwich
      assay and portable fluorometer for sensitive and rapid leishmania detection in
      sandflies.
AB  - A fluorescent peroxidase-linked DNA aptamer-magnetic bead sandwich assay is
      described which detects as little as 100 ng of soluble protein extracted from
      Leishmania major promastigotes with a high molarity chaotropic salt. Lessons
      learned during development of the assay are described and elucidate the pros and
      cons of using fluorescent dyes or nanoparticles and quantum dots versus a more
      consistent peroxidase-linked Amplex Ultra Red (AUR; similar to resazurin)
      fluorescence version of the assay. While all versions of the assays were highly
      sensitive, the AUR-based version exhibited lower variability between tests. We
      hypothesize that the AUR version of this assay is more consistent, especially at
      low analyte levels, because the fluorescent product of AUR is liberated into bulk
      solution and readily detectable while fluorophores attached to the reporter
      aptamer might occasionally be hidden behind magnetic beads near the detection
      limit. Conversely, fluorophores could be quenched by nearby beads or other
      proximal fluorophores on the high end of analyte concentration, if packed into a
      small area after magnetic collection when an enzyme-linked system is not used. A
      highly portable and rechargeable battery-operated fluorometer with on board
      computer and color touchscreen is also described which can be used for rapid (<1
      h) and sensitive detection of Leishmania promastigote protein extracts (~ 100 ng
      per sample) in buffer or sandfly homogenates for mapping of L. major parasite
      geographic distributions in wild sandfly populations.

PMID- 24222437
TI  - Facile and highly efficient approach for the fabrication of multifunctional silk
      nanofibers containing hydroxyapatite and silver nanoparticles.
AB  - In this study, a good combination consisting of electrospun silk fibroin
      nanofibers incorporated with high-purity hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (NPs)
      and silver NPs is introduced as antimicrobial for tissue engineering
      applications. The variable pressure field emission scanning electron microscope
      results confirmed randomly placed nanofibers are produced with highly dispersed
      HAp and silver NPs in nanofibers after electrospinning. The X-ray diffraction
      results demonstrated crystalline features of each of the three components used
      for electrospinning. Moreover, the TEM-EDS analysis confirmed the presence and
      chemical nature of each component over individual silk nanofiber. The FT-IR
      analyses was used confirm the different vibration modes caused due to functional
      groups present in silk fibroin, Hap, and silver NPs. The obtained nanofibers were
      checked for antimicrobial activity by using two model organisms Escherichia coli
      and Staphylococcus aureus. Subsequently, the antimicrobial tests have indicated
      that prepared nanofibers do possess good bactericidal activity. The ability of
      N,N-dimethylformamide and silk fibroin used to reduce silver nitrate into silver
      metal was evaluated using MTT assay. The nanofibers were grown in presence of NIH
      3T3 fibroblasts, which revealed toxic behavior to fibroblasts at higher
      concentrations of silver nitrate used in this study. Furthermore, cell attachment
      studies on nanofibers for 3 and 12 days of incubation time were minutely observed
      and correlated with the results of MTT assay. The reported results confirmed the
      high amounts of silver nitrate can lead to toxic effects on viability of
      fibroblasts and had bad effect in cell attachment.

PMID- 24222438
TI  - Kinetic resolution of axially chiral 2-amino-1,1'-biaryls by phase-transfer
      catalyzed N-allylation.

PMID- 24222439
TI  - WITHDRAWN: Interventions to promote the wearing of hearing protection.

PMID- 24222440
TI  - Biodegradation assessment of PLA and its nanocomposites.
AB  - Poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites containing Cloisite 15A, Cloisite 30B, and
      Dellite 43B were prepared by melt-mixing in a batch mixer and were exposed to UV
      radiation, temperature, and microorganism in solution and in a compost. Exposed
      samples, collected along the time, were characterized by several techniques.
      While the addition of organoclays had a positive effect on thermal stability, the
      degradation rate of nanocomposites increased when exposed to UV radiation and
      microorganism. Moreover, the degradation rate depends on the organoclay type.
      Even though the degradation rate is higher for nanocomposites, Fourier transform
      infrared spectrometry and gel permeation chromatography results demonstrated that
      the degradation mechanism is the same. 

PMID- 24222441
TI  - Characterization and phylogeny of Isaria spp. strains (Ascomycota: Hypocreales)
      using ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and elongation factor 1-alpha sequences.
AB  - The elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-alpha) and the internal transcribed spacer
      (ITS) regions ITS1 and ITS2 (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) sequences were used to characterize
      and to identify Isaria isolates from Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as to
      study the phylogenetic relationships among these isolates and other related fungi
      from the order Hypocreales. The molecular characterization, which was performed
      by PCR-RFLP of EF1-alpha and ITS1-5.8-ITS2 genes, was useful for resolving
      representative isolates of Isaria fumosorosea, Isaria farinosa, and Isaria
      tenuipes and to confirm the taxonomic identity of fungi from Argentina, Mexico,
      and Brazil. The phylogenetic analyses showed three clades corresponding to three
      families of Hypocreales. The genus Isaria was confirmed as polyphyletic and in
      family Cordycipitaceae, Isaria species were related to anamorphic species of
      Beauveria, Lecanicillium, and Simplicillium and to teleomorphic Cordyceps and
      Torrubiella. Therefore, EF1-alpha and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 genes were found to be
      powerful tools for improving the characterization, identification, and
      phylogenetic relationship of the Isaria species and other entomopathogenic fungi.

PMID- 24222442
TI  - Modeling costs and benefits of adolescent weight control as a mechanism for
      reproductive suppression.
AB  - The "reproductive suppression hypothesis" states that the strong desire of
      adolescent girls in our culture to control their weight may reflect the operation
      of an adaptive mechanism by which ancestral women controlled the timing of their
      sexual maturation and hence first reproduction, in response to cues about the
      probable success of reproduction in the current situation. We develop a model
      based on this hypothesis and explore its behavior and evolutionary and
      psychological implications across a range of parameter values. We use the process
      of model development to identify assumptions implicit in the reproductive
      suppression hypothesis and variables that need to be measured in order to
      investigate it more fully. In addition, because costs were probably associated
      with weight control, an important part of this analysis is the specification of
      situations in which the benefits of adaptive adjustment of the maturation
      schedule could have outweighed the costs of achieving that adjustment by slowing
      adolescent weight gain. 

PMID- 24222444
TI  - An evolutionary critique of cultural analysis in sociology.
AB  - A noteworthy development that has transpired in American sociology in the past
      quarter century has been the increasingly sophisticated interest in the analysis
      of human cultural systems. Sadly, however, these analyses reveal that social
      scientists rarely appreciate the profoundly evolutionary aspects of human
      culture. The chief purpose of this essay is to address this shortcoming and to
      offer some tentative suggestions toward its rectification. The essay begins by
      briefly reviewing recent developments in the analysis of cultural systems,
      primarily by reference to the influential work of Wuthnow. Second, a common flaw
      in these approaches is addressed-namely, the absence of any recognition of the
      value of grounding sociocultural theory in an informed evolutionary framework-and
      the case is made that this shortcoming is avoidable, even within the context of
      the intellectual traditions of the social sciences. Third, the evolutionary
      foundations of human cultural behavior are explored in terms of an analysis of
      relevant theoretical and empirical developments in the evolutionary
      neurosciences. Fourth, the value of these insights is illustrated by reference to
      an evolutionary critique of a recent and thought-provoking contribution to the
      study of modern political culture-Douglas and Wildavsky's analysis ofRisk and
      Culture. Finally, the article concludes by emphasizing the value of and the
      necessity for incorporating evolutionary reasoning into the domain of
      sociocultural theory. 

PMID- 24222443
TI  - Low birth weight, intrauterine growth-retarded, and pre-term infants : A research
      strategy.
AB  - Low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and prematurity are
      overwhelming risk factors associated with infant mortality and morbidity. The
      lack of efficacious prenatal screening tests for these three outcomes illuminates
      the problems inherent in bivariate estimates of association. A biocultural
      strategy for research is presented, integrating societal and familial levels of
      analysis with the metabolic, immune, vascular, and neuroendocrine systems of the
      body. Policy decisions, it is argued, need to be based on this type of
      biocultural information in order to impact the difficult-to-change problems of
      low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and prematurity. 

PMID- 24222446
TI  - Linear and nonlinear rheology of dense emulsions across the glass and the jamming
      regimes.
AB  - We discuss the linear and nonlinear rheology of concentrated microscale
      emulsions, amorphous disordered solids composed of repulsive and deformable soft
      colloidal spheres. Based on recent results from simulation and theory, we derive
      quantitative predictions for the dependences of the elastic shear modulus and the
      yield stress on the droplet volume fraction. The remarkable agreement with
      experiments we observe supports the scenario that the repulsive glass and the
      jammed state can be clearly identified in the rheology of soft spheres at finite
      temperature while crossing continuously from a liquid to a highly compressed yet
      disordered solid. 

PMID- 24222445
TI  - Wnt7b is an important intrinsic regulator of hair follicle stem cell homeostasis
      and hair follicle cycling.
AB  - The hair follicle (HF) is an exceptional mini-organ to study the mechanisms which
      regulate HF morphogenesis, cycling, hair follicle stem cell (hfSCs) homeostasis,
      and progeny differentiation. During morphogenesis, Wnt signaling is well
      characterized in the initiation of HF patterning but less is known about which
      particular Wnt ligands are required and whether individual Wnt ligands act in an
      indispensable or redundant manner during postnatal hfSCs anagen onset and HF
      cycle progression. Previously, we described the function of the bone
      morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling target gene WNT7a in intrinsic regulation
      of hfSCs homeostasis in vivo. Here, we investigated the role of Wnt7b, which was
      also intrinsically upregulated in hfSCs during physiological and precocious
      anagen after BMP inhibition in vivo. We demonstrated Wnt7b to be a direct target
      of canonical BMP signaling in hfSCs and using Wnt7b conditional gene targeting
      during HF morphogenesis revealed disrupted HF cycling including a shorter anagen,
      premature catagen onset with overall shorter hair production, and diminished HF
      differentiation marker expression. Additionally, we observed that postnatal
      ablation of Wnt7b resulted in delayed HF activation, affecting both the hair germ
      and bulge hfSCs but still maintaining a two-step sequence of HF stimulation.
      Interestingly, Wnt7b cKO hfSCs participated in reformation of the new HF bulge,
      but with slower self-renewal. These findings demonstrate the importance of
      intrinsic Wnt7b expression in hfSCs regulation and normal HF cycling and
      surprisingly reveal a nonredundant role for Wnt7b in the control of HF anagen
      length and catagen entry which was not compensated by other Wnt ligands.

PMID- 24222447
TI  - Synthesis of 6-alkylated phenanthridine derivatives using photoredox neutral
      somophilic isocyanide insertion.

PMID- 24222448
TI  - Social isomers of picolines in a small space.
AB  - Encapsulation complexes permit the observation of molecules under conditions of
      limited motion. Inside capsules, molecular encounters are prolonged, prearranged,
      and protected from the medium, in contrast to the short-lived and random
      encounters that occur in bulk solution. Herein, the interaction of alpha-, beta-,
      and gamma-picolines in a cylindrical capsule is described. Two picolines were
      taken up, and NMR spectra indicated dynamic combinations of various social
      isomers. The stabilities of the complexes are interpreted through computational
      methods. The shape of the space in the capsule allowed the alignment of molecules
      and revealed delicate, atom-to-atom interactions and attractive forces that elude
      observation in dilute solution. These weak forces were amplified in the isolated
      small space of the capsule. 

PMID- 24222449
TI  - The quality of periconception medical care in women with diabetes needs
      improvement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the quality of periconception medical care in pregnant
      women with diabetes and assessed the influence of sociodemographic
      characteristics. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was based on
      retrospective data collection from electronic database on cohort of Israeli women
      at Clalit Health Services (CHS) with pre-existing diabetes who gave birth in 2008
      2011. It included data on A1C and other laboratory test results, prescription
      fillings, diet and ophthalmology consultations, and sociodemographics extracted
      from CHS computerized systems. The performance of each of nine recommended
      measures in the periconception period and a composite quality score was
      evaluated; the score ranged from 0-8. Multivariate logistic regression was used
      to examine independent sociodemographic predictors of low-quality overall scores.
      RESULTS: A total of 166 women gave birth to 180 infants; the performance of the
      different quality parameters ranged from 81% for A1C and kidney function tests to
      only 30% for dietary consultation and 41.1% for ophthalmology exam. Forty-nine
      percent of women had A1C <7.0% (53 mmol/mol). Only 45% took folic acid, whereas
      13.9% continued the use of potentially teratogenic drugs in the first trimester.
      One-third of women were in the low-quality (0-3) overall score. In the multiple
      logistic regression analysis, the only significant variables to predict lower
      composite quality scores were multiparity odds ratio of 3.43 (95% CI 1.66-7.10; P
      = 0.001), Arabian ethnicity 3.76 (1.78-7.92; P = 0.001), and immigrant 3.73 (1.25
      11.16; P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The periconception medical care of diabetic women
      is suboptimal. More intensive and targeted care is needed in order to optimize
      periconception care of diabetic patients, especially in the high-risk
      subpopulations.

PMID- 24222450
TI  - Can proopiomelanocortin methylation be used as an early predictor of metabolic
      syndrome?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to compare early predictive marker
      of the metabolic syndrome with proopiomelanocortin (POMC) methylation status and
      to determine the association among birth weight, ponderal index, and cord blood
      methylation status. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We collected pregnancy outcome
      data from pregnant women, cord blood samples at delivery, and blood from children
      (7-9 years old; n = 90) through a prospective cohort study at Ewha Womans
      University, MokDong Hospital (Seoul, Korea), from 2003-2005. POMC methylation was
      assessed by pyrosequencing. We divided subjects into three groups according to
      cord blood POMC methylation: the low methylation (<10th percentile), mid
      methylation, and high methylation (>90th percentile) groups. We analyzed the
      association of POMC methylation status at birth with adiposity and metabolic
      components using ANCOVA and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Birth
      weights (P = 0.01) and ponderal indices (P = 0.01) in the high POMC methylation
      group were significantly lower than in the mid-POMC methylation group. In terms
      of metabolic components of childhood, blood triglycerides (57.97, 67.29 vs.
      113.89 mg/dL; P = 0.03, 0.01) and insulin (7.10, 7.64 vs. 10.13 MUIU/mL; P =
      0.05, 0.02) at childhood were significantly higher in the high POMC methylation
      group than in the low and mid-POMC methylation group. CONCLUSIONS: High POMC
      methylation in cord blood was associated with lower birth weight, and children
      with high POMC methylation in cord blood showed higher triglycerides and higher
      insulin concentrations in blood. Thus, POMC methylation status in cord blood may
      be an early predictive marker of future metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 24222451
TI  - Clinical characteristics of infections in humans due to Staphylococcus
      epidermidis.
AB  - Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common cause of primary bacteremia and
      infections of indwelling medical devices. The ability to cause disease is linked
      to its natural niche on human skin and ability to attach and form biofilm on
      foreign bodies. This review focuses on the S. epidermidis clinical syndromes most
      commonly encountered by clinicians and future potential treatment modalities. 

PMID- 24222452
TI  - Staphylococcus epidermidis pathogenesis.
AB  - Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most frequently encountered member of the
      coagulase-negative staphylococci on human epithelial surfaces. It has emerged as
      an important nosocomial pathogen, especially in infections of indwelling medical
      devices. The mechanisms that S. epidermidis uses to survive during infection are
      in general of a passive nature, reflecting their possible origin in the commensal
      life of this bacterium. Most importantly, S. epidermidis excels in forming
      biofilms, sticky agglomerations that inhibit major host defense mechanisms.
      Furthermore, S. epidermidis produces a series of protective surface polymers and
      exoenzymes. Moreover, S. epidermidis has the capacity to secrete strongly
      cytolytic members of the phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) family, but PSMs in S.
      epidermidis overall appear to participate primarily in biofilm development.
      Finally, there is evidence for a virulence gene reservoir function of S.
      epidermidis, as it appears to have transferred important immune evasion and
      antibiotic resistance factors to Staphylococcus aureus. Conversely, S.
      epidermidis also has a beneficial role in balancing the microflora on human
      epithelial surfaces by controlling outgrowth of harmful bacteria such as in
      particular S. aureus. Recent research yielded detailed insight into key S.
      epidermidis virulence determinants and their regulation, in particular as far as
      biofilm formation is concerned, but we still have a serious lack of understanding
      of the in vivo relevance of many pathogenesis mechanisms and the factors that
      govern the commensal life of S. epidermidis. 

PMID- 24222453
TI  - Identification of Staphylococcus epidermidis in the clinical microbiology
      laboratory by molecular methods.
AB  - Biochemical assays for the phenotypic identification of coagulase-negative
      staphylococci in the clinical microbiology laboratory have been well described in
      previous publications (Becker and Von Eiff Manual of Clinical Microbiology, ASM
      Press, Washington, pp. 308-330, 2011; Kloos and Wolfshohl J Clin Microbiol 16:509
      516, 1982). This discussion focuses on identification of Staphylococcus
      epidermidis through molecular and proteomic methods. Molecular assays have been
      shown to be more discriminatory between the coagulase-negative staphylococcal
      species than are phenotypic assays (Zadoks and Watts Vet Microbiol 134:20-28,
      2009; Sheraba et al. BMC Res Notes 3:278, 2010; Patteet et al. Eur J Clin
      Microbiol Infect Dis 31:747-751, 2012). The molecular and proteomic methods that
      have shown the greatest utilization potential within the clinical laboratory are
      as follows: PCR amplification and sequencing of discriminatory genes, real-time
      polymerase chain reaction with species-specific probes in conjunction with a melt
      curve analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and matrix-assisted laser
      desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 24222454
TI  - Pulsed field gel electrophoresis of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
AB  - Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is one of the older methods for the
      molecular characterization and comparison of microorganisms including bacteria.
      Nevertheless, PFGE continues to be recognized as the gold standard for molecular
      typing due to output spanning >90 % of the bacterial genome and standardized
      protocols and reagents applicable to a wide range of organisms including S.
      epidermidis. 

PMID- 24222455
TI  - Multilocus sequence typing of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
AB  - Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is a genotyping method that is well suited for
      studying the population genetics and evolution of Staphylococcus epidermidis. The
      central MLST database for S. epidermidis continues to grow, and new analysis
      methods for extracting historical information from MLST data continue to be
      developed. Even in this era of whole-genome sequencing, MLST provides a reference
      genotyping method, and the central MLST database provides a unique catalog of
      genetic variants. 

PMID- 24222456
TI  - Growth and preparation of Staphylococcus epidermidis for NMR metabolomic
      analysis.
AB  - The "omics" era began with transcriptomics and this progressed into proteomics.
      While useful, these approaches provide only circumstantial information about
      carbon flow, metabolic status, redox poise, etc. To more directly address these
      metabolic concerns, researchers have turned to the emerging field of
      metabolomics. In our laboratories, we frequently use NMR metabolomics to acquire
      a snapshot of bacterial metabolomes during stressful or transition events.
      Irrespective of the "omics" method of choice, the experimental outcome depends on
      the proper cultivation and preparation of bacterial samples. In addition, the
      integration of these large datasets requires that these cultivation conditions be
      clearly defined.

PMID- 24222457
TI  - The isolation and analysis of phenol-soluble modulins of Staphylococcus
      epidermidis.
AB  - Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are multifunctional peptide toxins produced by
      many staphylococcal strains. PSMs have received much recent attention, owing to
      multiple reports underscoring their importance for staphylococcal pathogenesis.
      Members of the PSM family may be strongly cytolytic to neutrophils and other cell
      types; promote inflammatory, receptor-mediated responses in several human cell
      types; and contribute to biofilm structuring and detachment. Here we describe
      biochemical methods to isolate, purify, and quantitatively analyze Staphylococcus
      epidermidis PSMs. 

PMID- 24222458
TI  - Genetic manipulation of staphylococci.
AB  - The ability to genetically manipulate bacteria is essential to understanding
      gene/protein function in these organisms. While basic cloning has become routine
      in molecular biology, many still view the ability to make directed mutations as a
      daunting or intimidating task. To aid the staphylococcal research community, the
      goal of this treatise is to describe the method of allelic exchange using
      temperature-sensitive plasmids that we have used to successfully produce a
      variety of mutations including single nucleotide changes in the Staphylococcus
      aureus chromosome. In addition, this chapter provides extensive summaries to aid
      in the construction of mutations, complementation plasmids, as well as
      transcription and translation reporters. 

PMID- 24222459
TI  - Isolation of chromosomal and plasmid DNA from Staphylococcus epidermidis.
AB  - The following describes noncommercial methods for the purification of genomic and
      plasmid DNA from S. epidermidis. These include both large-scale, high molecular
      weight and quick, small-scale chromosomal DNA extractions, and also a standard
      alkaline lysis method of plasmid preparation. 

PMID- 24222460
TI  - Isolation of Staphylococcus sp. RNA.
AB  - Isolation of RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a valuable technique to study gene
      regulation and functional RNAs. It is important to obtain pure samples of RNA for
      downstream applications, while avoiding the negative effects of ribonucleases
      (RNases). Here we describe several methods of extracting RNA, with an emphasis on
      Staphylococcus RNA isolation, and measures that must be taken to ensure high
      quality, high-yield RNA. 

PMID- 24222461
TI  - Use of electroporation and conjugative mobilization for genetic manipulation of
      Staphylococcus epidermidis.
AB  - To perform mechanistic studies on the biology of bacteria including metabolism,
      physiology, and pathogenesis, it is essential to possess the tools required for
      genetic manipulation. Introduction of plasmid DNA into Staphylococcus epidermidis
      for subsequent genetic manipulation, including allelic replacement and
      complementation experiments, is typically performed by either electroporation or
      conjugative mobilization. Herein, standard protocols and tips for the transfer of
      plasmid DNA to S. epidermidis by these two methods are provided. 

PMID- 24222462
TI  - Methods to generate a sequence-defined transposon mutant library in
      Staphylococcus epidermidis strain 1457.
AB  - Transposon mutant libraries are valuable resources to investigators studying
      bacterial species, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, which are difficult to
      genetically manipulate. Although sequence-defined transposon mutant libraries
      have been constructed in Staphylococcus aureus, no such library exists for S.
      epidermidis. Nevertheless, the study of Tn917-mediated mutations has been
      paramount in discovering unique aspects of S. epidermidis biology including
      initial adherence and accumulation during biofilm formation. Herein, we describe
      modifications to the methodology first described by Bae et al. to utilize the
      mariner-based transposon bursa aurealis to generate mutants in S. epidermidis
      strain 1457. 

PMID- 24222463
TI  - Examination of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms using flow-cell technology.
AB  - A common in vitro method to study Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm development
      is to allow the bacteria to attach and grow on a solid surface in the presence of
      a continuous flow of nutrients. Under these conditions, the bacteria progress
      through a series of developmental steps, ultimately forming a multicellular
      structure containing differentiated cell populations. The observation of the
      biofilm at various time-points throughout this process provides a glimpse of the
      temporal changes that occur. Furthermore, use of metabolic stains and fluorescent
      reporters provides insight into the physiologic and transcriptional changes that
      occur within a developing biofilm. Currently, there are multiple systems
      available to assess biofilm development, each with advantages and disadvantages
      depending on the questions being asked. In this chapter, we describe the use of
      two separate flow-cell systems used to evaluate the developmental characteristics
      of staphylococcal biofilms: the FC270 flow-cell system from BioSurface
      Technologies, Corp. and the BioFlux1000 microfluidic flow-cell system from
      Fluxion Bioscience, Inc. 

PMID- 24222464
TI  - Rapid quantitative and qualitative analysis of biofilm production by
      Staphylococcus epidermidis under static growth conditions.
AB  - Rapid screening of biofilm forming capacity by Staphylococcus epidermidis is
      possible using in vitro assays with 96-well plates. This method first developed
      by Christensen et al. in 1985 is fast and does not require specialized
      instruments. Thus, laboratories with standard microbiology infrastructure and a
      96-well plate reader can easily use this technique to generate data on the
      biofilm phenotypes of multiple S. epidermidis strains and clinical isolates.
      Furthermore, this method can be adapted to gain insights into biofilm regulation
      and the characteristics of biofilms produced by different S. epidermidis
      isolates. Although this assay is extremely useful for showing whether individual
      strains are biofilm-positive or biofilm-negative and distinguishing between form
      weak, moderate or strong biofilm, it is important to acknowledge that the
      absolute levels of biofilm produced by an individual strain can vary
      significantly between experiments meaning that strict adherence to the protocol
      used is of paramount importance. Furthermore, measuring biofilm under static
      conditions does not generally reflect in vivo conditions in which bacteria are
      often subjected to shear stresses under flow conditions. Hence, the biofilm
      characteristics of some strains are dramatically different under flow and static
      conditions. Nevertheless, rapid measurement of biofilm production under static
      conditions is a useful tool in the analysis of the S. epidermidis biofilm
      phenotype. 

PMID- 24222465
TI  - Bacteriophage Transduction in Staphylococcus epidermidis.
AB  - The genetic manipulation of Staphylococcus epidermidis for molecular
      experimentation has long been an area of difficulty. Many of the traditional
      laboratory techniques for strain construction are laborious and hampered by poor
      efficiency. The ability to move chromosomal genetic markers and plasmids using
      bacteriophage transduction has greatly increased the speed and ease of S.
      epidermidis studies. These molecular genetic advances have advanced the S.
      epidermidis research field beyond a select few genetically tractable strains and
      facilitated investigations of clinically relevant isolates. 

PMID- 24222466
TI  - Mouse model of post-arthroplasty Staphylococcus epidermidis joint infection.
AB  - Animal models are invaluable tools for translational research, allowing
      investigators to recapitulate observed clinical scenarios within the laboratory
      that share attributes with human disease. Here, we describe a mouse model of post
      arthroplasty Staphylococcus epidermidis joint infection which mimics human
      disease and may be utilized to explore the complex series of events during
      staphylococcal implant-associated infections by identifying key immunological,
      bacterial, and/or therapeutic mechanisms relevant to these persistent infections.

PMID- 24222467
TI  - A mouse model of Staphylococcus catheter-associated biofilm infection.
AB  - Biofilms are adherent communities of bacteria contained within a complex matrix.
      Staphylococcal species are frequent etiological agents of device-associated
      biofilm infections in humans that are highly recalcitrant to antimicrobial
      therapy and alter host immune responses to facilitate bacterial persistence. Here
      we describe a mouse model of catheter-associated biofilm infection, which can be
      utilized to investigate the importance of various staphylococcal determinants on
      disease progression as well as the host immune response to staphylococcal
      biofilms. 

PMID- 24222468
TI  - Generation of a central nervous system catheter-associated infection in mice with
      Staphylococcus epidermidis.
AB  - Animal models are valuable tools for investigating the in vivo pathogenesis of
      Staphylococcus epidermidis infections. Here, we present the procedure for
      generating a central nervous system catheter-associated infection in a mouse, to
      model the central nervous system shunt infections that frequently complicate the
      treatment of hydrocephalus in humans. This model uses stereotactic guidance to
      place silicone catheters, pre-coated with S. epidermidis, into the lateral
      ventricles of mice. This results in a catheter-associated infection in the brain,
      with concomitant illness and inflammation. This animal model is a valuable tool
      for evaluating the pathogenesis of bacterial infection in the central nervous
      system, the immune response to these infections and potential treatment options. 

PMID- 24222469
TI  - Rat jugular catheter model of biofilm-mediated infection.
AB  - Staphylococcus epidermidis is now recognized as the primary cause of nosocomial
      catheter-mediated infections. Bacteria may be introduced exogenously via
      contamination of the catheter hub or insertion site and endogenously from sepsis.
      The in vivo model described in this chapter examines the infection resulting from
      hematogenous seeding of jugular vein catheters. 

PMID- 24222470
TI  - Indigenously produced polyhydroxyalkanoate based co-polymer as cellular
      supportive biomaterial.
AB  - The focus of this study was to evaluate the growth of the cells on a scaffold
      based on novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) (Polyhydroxy propionate copoly hydroxy
      ocatadecanoate copolymer), derived from a mutant strain of Pseudomonas sp. Naive
      PHA was also blended with several biodegradable polymeric materials (PEG, PLA,
      and MMT) to improve the scaffold properties. Protein adsorption study was done to
      evaluate the capability of scaffolds for cellular interaction. PHA:PEG blended
      scaffold showed better adsorption than others. 3T3 fibroblast cultures on various
      polymers were equally viable when compared with control culture except for the
      blend PHA:MMT by CCK 8 kit. MTT assay, performed with the continuous cultures
      HeLa, HEp-2, Vero, and McCoy on the polymer blends, supported the above finding.
      Among the blends PHA:PEG showed increased viability and was selected for further
      studies. Cell proliferation assay with colorimetric BrdU ELISA kit showed
      increase in cell proliferation over the matrix PHA:PEG than that of control.
      There were no observable morphological changes of continuous cells grown over
      matrix PHA:PEG when observed by phase contrast microscopy. HEp-2 cells were
      enclosed within the matrix when analyzed by SEM. The current study states that
      the scaffold prepared by using the indigenous PHA in combination with PEG
      supports cell growth better than the conventional plastic surface. PHA:PEG would
      be a promising material for tissue engineering.

PMID- 24222471
TI  - Sexual dimorphism in the size and shape of the os coxae and the effects of
      microevolutionary processes.
AB  - Sexual dimorphism in the human pelvis has been studied widely for forensic
      purposes, but it is still unclear to what extent it varies among human
      populations. There is evidence that microevolutionary processes, both neutral
      (i.e., population history) and selective (e.g., thermoregulatory adaptation and
      size-related obstetrical constraints) contribute to explain pelvic variation
      among populations, but the extent to which these factors affect pelvic sexual
      dimorphism is unknown. In this study, I analyze sexual dimorphism of the os coxae
      in 20 globally distributed human populations, using 3D morphometric data to
      separate the size and shape components of sexual differences. After evaluating
      population differences in the degree and pattern of sexual dimorphism, I test for
      the effect of population history, climate, and body size in shaping global
      diversity. The results show that size and shape dimorphism follow different
      patterns. Coxal size dimorphism is generally quite consistent through
      populations, with males bigger than females, but it appears to be reduced in
      small-bodied populations, possibly in relation to obstetrically-related selective
      pressures for a spacious birth canal. Beyond a general species-wide pattern of
      shape dimorphism, commonly used for forensic sex determination, other aspects of
      sexual differences in coxal shape vary among human populations, reflecting the
      effects of neutral demographic processes and climatic adaptation.

PMID- 24222472
TI  - Hypothalamic food intake regulation in a cancer-cachectic mouse model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Appetite is frequently affected in cancer patients leading to
      anorexia and consequently insufficient food intake. In this study, we report on
      hypothalamic gene expression profile of a cancer-cachectic mouse model with
      increased food intake. In this model, mice bearing C26 tumour have an increased
      food intake subsequently to the loss of body weight. We hypothesise that in this
      model, appetite-regulating systems in the hypothalamus, which apparently fail in
      anorexia, are still able to adapt adequately to changes in energy balance.
      Therefore, studying changes that occur on appetite regulators in the hypothalamus
      might reveal targets for treatment of cancer-induced eating disorders. By
      applying transcriptomics, many appetite-regulating systems in the hypothalamus
      could be taken into account, providing an overview of changes that occur in the
      hypothalamus during tumour growth. METHODS: C26-colon adenocarcinoma cells were
      subcutaneously inoculated in 6 weeks old male CDF1 mice. Body weight and food
      intake were measured three times a week. On day 20, hypothalamus was dissected
      and used for transcriptomics using Affymetrix chips. RESULTS: Food intake
      increased significantly in cachectic tumour-bearing mice (TB), synchronously to
      the loss of body weight. Hypothalamic gene expression of orexigenic neuropeptides
      NPY and AgRP was higher, whereas expression of anorexigenic genes CCK and POMC
      were lower in TB compared to controls. In addition, serotonin and dopamine
      signalling pathways were found to be significantly altered in TB mice. Serotonin
      levels in brain showed to be lower in TB mice compared to control mice, while
      dopamine levels did not change. Moreover, serotonin levels inversely correlated
      with food intake. CONCLUSIONS: Transcriptomic analysis of the hypothalamus of
      cachectic TB mice with an increased food intake showed changes in NPY, AgRP and
      serotonin signalling. Serotonin levels in the brain showed to correlate with
      changes in food intake. Further research has to reveal whether targeting these
      systems will be a good strategy to avoid the development of cancer-induced eating
      disorders.

PMID- 24222473
TI  - Simultaneous analysis of polygala acid, senegenin and 3,6'-disinapoylsucrose in
      rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: application to a
      pharmacokinetic study after oral administration.
AB  - A rapid and specific LC-MS/MS method has been developed for the simultaneous
      analysis of polygala acid, senegenin and 3,6'-disinapoylsucrose (DSS) in rat
      plasma. The method was applied to the pharmacokinetics studies of polygala acid,
      senegenin and DSS. The analysis was carried out on an Agilent Eclipse plus C18
      reversed-phase column (100 * 4.6 mm, 3.5 um) by gradient elution with methanol
      and ammonia (0.01%, v/v). The flow rate was 0.4 mL/min. All analytes including
      internal standard (IS) were monitored by selected reaction monitoring with an
      electrospray ionization source. Linear responses were obtained for polygala acid
      and DSS ranging from 2.5 to 2000 ng/mL, and senegenin ranging from 5 to 2000
      ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions (relative standard deviation) were
      <11.34 and 8.99%. The extraction recovery ranged from 70.89 +/- 4.60 to 88.49 +/-
      3.26%, and that for the IS was 77.23 +/- 3.68%. Stability studies showed that
      polygala acid, senegenin and DSS are stable during the preparation and analytical
      process. The validated method was successfully used to determine the
      concentration-time profiles of polygala acid, senegenin and DSS.

PMID- 24222474
TI  - Health literacy: impact on the health of HIV-infected individuals.
AB  - Health literacy is known to affect vulnerable communities such as persons living
      with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this review was to provide a current summary of
      research on the impact of health literacy on the health of persons living with
      HIV/AIDS and to address future areas of need. Contemporary studies focused on
      expanding the reach of health literacy in HIV/AIDS to retention in HIV care, use
      of technology for assessing and intervening to improve health literacy, and
      health literacy across the globe, for example. A number of studies did not find
      health literacy to explain health behaviors whereas other studies supported such
      a relationship. Future issues relevant to health literacy in HIV/AIDS include the
      aging of the HIV population and associated comorbidities, studies to understand
      the role of health literacy in specific populations affected by HIV/AIDS, and the
      continued need to refine the definition and measurement of health literacy. 

PMID- 24222475
TI  - Case management interventions for HIV-infected individuals.
AB  - Engagement of HIV-positive persons into care and achieving optimal antiretroviral
      treatment outcomes is a fundamental HIV prevention strategy. Case management
      model was recommended as a beneficial model of care for patients with a new HIV
      diagnosis, focusing on individuals with unmet needs, and linking them with the
      coordinated health and social services to achieve desired outcomes. HIV case
      management is population-driven and programs are designed to respond to the
      unique needs of the client population they serve, such as substance users,
      homeless, youth, and prison inmates. This view found 28 studies addressing
      effectiveness and impacts of case management intervention for people living with
      or at risk of HIV/AIDS. Effectiveness of case management intervention was
      categorized as follows: decreased mortality and improve health outcomes, linkage
      to and retention in care, decreased unmet needs, and reducing risky behaviors. 

PMID- 24222476
TI  - Flory theory for polymers.
AB  - We review various simple analytical theories for homopolymers within a unified
      framework. The common guideline of our approach is the Flory theory, and its
      various avatars, with the attempt at being reasonably self-contained. We expect
      this review to be useful as an introduction to the topic at the graduate student
      level. 

PMID- 24222477
TI  - Cost effectiveness of medication adherence-enhancing interventions: a systematic
      review of trial-based economic evaluations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In light of the pressure to reduce unnecessary healthcare expenditure
      in the current economic climate, a systematic review that assesses evidence of
      cost effectiveness of adherence-enhancing interventions would be timely.
      OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine the cost effectiveness of adherence
      enhancing interventions compared with care as usual in randomised controlled
      trials, and to assess the methodological quality of economic evaluations.
      METHODS: MEDLINE, PsycInfo, EconLit and the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination
      databases were searched for randomised controlled trials reporting full economic
      evaluations of adherence-enhancing interventions (published up to June 2013).
      Information was collected on study characteristics, cost effectiveness of
      treatment alternatives, and methodological quality. RESULTS: A total of 14
      randomised controlled trials were included. The quality of economic evaluations
      and the risk of bias varied considerably between trials. Four studies showed
      incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) below the willingness-to-pay
      threshold. Few studies seemed to evaluate interventions that successfully changed
      adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Only 14 randomised controlled trials examined the cost
      effectiveness of adherence interventions. Despite that some studies showe
      favourable ICERs, the overall quality of studies was modest and the economic
      perspectives applied were frequently narrow. To demonstrate that adherence
      interventions can be cost effective, we recommend that proven-effective adherence
      programmes are subjected to comprehensive economic evaluations.

PMID- 24222478
TI  - Development of a neuromedin U-human serum albumin conjugate as a long-acting
      candidate for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Comparison with the
      PEGylated peptide.
AB  - Neuromedin U (NMU) is an endogenous peptide implicated in the regulation of
      feeding, energy homeostasis, and glycemic control, which is being considered for
      the therapy of obesity and diabetes. A key liability of NMU as a therapeutic is
      its very short half-life in vivo. We show here that conjugation of NMU to human
      serum albumin (HSA) yields a compound with long circulatory half-life, which
      maintains full potency at both the peripheral and central NMU receptors. Initial
      attempts to conjugate NMU via the prevalent strategy of reacting a maleimide
      derivative of the peptide with the free thiol of Cys34 of HSA met with limited
      success, because the resulting conjugate was unstable in vivo. Use of a
      haloacetyl derivative of the peptide led instead to the formation of a
      metabolically stable conjugate. HSA-NMU displayed long-lasting, potent anorectic,
      and glucose-normalizing activity. When compared side by side with a previously
      described PEG conjugate, HSA-NMU proved superior on a molar basis. Collectively,
      our results reinforce the notion that NMU-based therapeutics are promising
      candidates for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

PMID- 24222479
TI  - Outstanding catalytic activity of ultra-pure platinum nanoparticles.
AB  - Small (4 nm) nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution, exceptional surface
      purity, and increased surface order, which exhibits itself as an increased
      presence of basal crystallographic planes, can be obtained without the use of any
      surfactant. These nanoparticles can be used in many applications in an as
      received state and are threefold more active towards a model catalytic reaction
      (oxidation of ethylene glycol). Furthermore, the superior properties of this
      material are interesting not only due to the increase in their intrinsic
      catalytic activity, but also due to the exceptional surface purity itself. The
      nanoparticles can be used directly (i.e., as-received, without any cleaning
      steps) in biomedical applications (i.e., as more efficient drug carriers due to
      an increased number of adsorption sites) and in energy-harvesting/data-storage
      devices.

PMID- 24222480
TI  - Perinatal outcomes after bariatric surgery: nationwide population based matched
      cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare perinatal outcomes in births of women with versus without a
      history of bariatric surgery. DESIGN: Population based matched cohort study.
      SETTING: Swedish national health service. PARTICIPANTS: 1,742,702 singleton
      births identified in the Swedish medical birth register between 1992 and 2009.
      For each birth to a mother with a history of bariatric surgery (n=2562), up to
      five control births were matched by maternal age, parity, early pregnancy body
      mass index, early pregnancy smoking status, educational level, and year of
      delivery. Secondary control cohorts, including women eligible for bariatric
      surgery (body mass index >= 35 or >= 40), were matched for the same factors
      except body mass index. History of maternal bariatric surgery was ascertained
      through the Swedish national patient register from 1980 to 2009. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Preterm birth (<37 weeks), small for gestational age birth, large for
      gestational age birth, stillbirth (>= 28 weeks), and neonatal death (0-27 days).
      RESULTS: Post-surgery births were more often preterm than in matched controls
      (9.7% (243/2511) v 6.1% (750/12,379); odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4
      to 2.0; P<0.001). Body mass index seemed to be an effect modifier (P=0.01), and
      the increased risk of preterm birth was only observed in women with a body mass
      index <35. A history of bariatric surgery was associated with increased risks of
      both spontaneous (5.2% (130/2511) v 3.6% (441/12,379); odds ratio 1.5, 1.2 to
      1.9; P<0.001) and medically indicated preterm birth (4.5% (113/2511) v 2.5%
      (309/12,379); odds ratio 1.8, 1.4 to 2.3; P<0.001). A history of bariatric
      surgery was also associated with an increased risk of a small for gestational age
      birth (5.2% (131/2507) v 3.0% (369/12,338); odds ratio 2.0, 1.5 to 2.5; P<0.001)
      and lower risk of a large for gestational age birth (4.2% (105/2507) v 7.3%
      (895/12,338); odds ratio 0.6, 0.4 to 0.7; P<0.001). No differences were detected
      for stillbirth or neonatal death. The increased risks for preterm and small for
      gestational age birth, as well as the decreased risk for large for gestational
      age birth, remained when post-surgery births were compared with births of women
      eligible for bariatric surgery. CONCLUSION: Women with a history of bariatric
      surgery were at increased risk of preterm and small for gestational age births
      and should be regarded as a risk group during pregnancy.

PMID- 24222481
TI  - Population ageing: the timebomb that isn't?

PMID- 24222482
TI  - Should influenza vaccination be mandatory for healthcare workers?

PMID- 24222483
TI  - Three clinical experiences with SNP array results consistent with parental
      incest: a narrative with lessons learned.
AB  - Single nucleotide polymorphism microarrays have the ability to reveal parental
      consanguinity which may or may not be known to healthcare providers.
      Consanguinity can have significant implications for the health of patients and
      for individual and family psychosocial well-being. These results often present
      ethical and legal dilemmas that can have important ramifications. Unexpected
      consanguinity can be confounding to healthcare professionals who may be
      unprepared to handle these results or to communicate them to families or other
      appropriate representatives. There are few published accounts of experiences with
      consanguinity and SNP arrays. In this paper we discuss three cases where
      molecular evidence of parental incest was identified by SNP microarray. We hope
      to further highlight consanguinity as a potential incidental finding, how the
      cases were handled by the clinical team, and what resources were found to be most
      helpful. This paper aims to contribute further to professional discourse on
      incidental findings with genomic technology and how they were addressed
      clinically. These experiences may provide some guidance on how others can prepare
      for these findings and help improve practice. As genetic and genomic testing is
      utilized more by non-genetics providers, we also hope to inform about the
      importance of engaging with geneticists and genetic counselors when addressing
      these findings. 

PMID- 24222484
TI  - Frustrated Lewis pairs as molecular receptors: colorimetric and electrochemical
      detection of nitrous oxide.

PMID- 24222485
TI  - JCCS: a comprehensive journal for publishing all aspects of cell communication
      and signaling.

PMID- 24222486
TI  - False results caused by solvent impurity in tetrahydrofuran for MALDI TOF MS
      analysis of amines.
AB  - Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is one of the most frequently used solvents in the MALDI
      TOF MS analysis of synthetic compounds. However, it should be used with caution
      because a trace amount of 4-hydroxybutanal (HBA) might be generated and
      accumulated in THF during storage. Since only a tiny amount of analytes is
      required in MALDI MS measurements, a trace amount of HBA might have a significant
      effect on the MS results. It was found that HBA will quickly react with primary
      and secondary amino compounds, leading to false results about the sample
      composition with an extra series of ions with additional mass of 70 Da in
      between. The formation of HBA can be inhibited by butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
      antioxidant. Therefore, when THF is required as the solvent for sample
      preparation, it is strongly recommended to use a BHT-stabilized one, at least for
      the analysis of compounds with amino groups.

PMID- 24222487
TI  - The Staphylococcus aureus SrrAB two-component system promotes resistance to
      nitrosative stress and hypoxia.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is both a commensal and a pathogen of the human host.
      Survival in the host environment requires resistance to host-derived nitric oxide
      (NO.). However, S. aureus lacks the NO.-sensing transcriptional regulator NsrR
      that is used by many bacteria to sense and respond to NO.. In this study, we show
      that S. aureus is able to sense and respond to both NO. and hypoxia by means of
      the SrrAB two-component system (TCS). Analysis of the S. aureus transcriptome
      during nitrosative stress demonstrates the expression of SrrAB-dependent genes
      required for cytochrome biosynthesis and assembly (qoxABCD, cydAB, hemABCX),
      anaerobic metabolism (pflAB, adhE, nrdDG), iron-sulfur cluster repair (scdA), and
      NO. detoxification (hmp). Targeted mutations in SrrAB-regulated loci show that
      hmp and qoxABCD are required for NO. resistance, whereas nrdDG is specifically
      required for anaerobic growth. We also show that SrrAB is required for survival
      in static biofilms, most likely due to oxygen limitation. Activation by hypoxia,
      NO., or a qoxABCD quinol oxidase mutation suggests that the SrrAB TCS senses
      impaired electron flow in the electron transport chain rather than directly
      interacting with NO. in the manner of NsrR. Nevertheless, like NsrR, SrrAB
      achieves the physiological goals of selectively expressing hmp in the presence of
      NO. and minimizing the potential for Fenton chemistry. Activation of the SrrAB
      regulon allows S. aureus to maintain energy production and essential biosynthetic
      processes, repair damage, and detoxify NO. in diverse host environments.
      IMPORTANCE: The Hmp flavohemoglobin is required for nitric oxide resistance and
      is widely distributed in bacteria. Hmp expression must be tightly regulated,
      because expression under aerobic conditions in the absence of nitric oxide can
      exacerbate oxidative stress. In most organisms, hmp expression is controlled by
      the Fe-S cluster-containing repressor NsrR, but this transcriptional regulator is
      absent in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. We show here that S. aureus
      achieves hmp regulation in response to nitric oxide and oxygen limitation by
      placing it under the control of the SrrAB two-component system, which senses
      reduced electron flow through the respiratory chain. This provides a striking
      example of convergent evolution, in which the common physiological goals of
      responding to nitrosative stress while minimizing Fenton chemistry are achieved
      by distinct regulatory mechanisms.

PMID- 24222488
TI  - Overproduction of flotillin influences cell differentiation and shape in Bacillus
      subtilis.
AB  - Bacteria organize many membrane-related signaling processes in functional
      microdomains that are structurally and functionally similar to the lipid rafts of
      eukaryotic cells. An important structural component of these microdomains is the
      protein flotillin, which seems to act as a chaperone in recruiting other proteins
      to lipid rafts to facilitate their interaction. In eukaryotic cells, the
      occurrence of severe diseases is often observed in combination with an
      overproduction of flotillin, but a functional link between these two phenomena is
      yet to be demonstrated. In this work, we used the bacterial model Bacillus
      subtilis as a tractable system to study the physiological alterations that occur
      in cells that overproduce flotillin. We discovered that an excess of flotillin
      altered specific signal transduction pathways that are associated with the
      membrane microdomains of bacteria. As a consequence of this, we detected
      significant defects in cell division and cell differentiation. These
      physiological alterations were in part caused by an unusual stabilization of the
      raft-associated protease FtsH. This report opens the possibility of using
      bacteria as a working model to better understand fundamental questions related to
      the functionality of lipid rafts. IMPORTANCE: The identification of signaling
      platforms in the membrane of bacteria that are functionally and structurally
      equivalent to eukaryotic lipid rafts reveals a level of sophistication in signal
      transduction and membrane organization unexpected in bacteria. It opens new and
      promising venues to address intricate questions related to the functionality of
      lipid rafts by using bacteria as a more tractable system. This is the first
      report that uses bacteria as a working model to investigate a fundamental
      question that was previously raised while studying the role of eukaryotic lipid
      rafts. It also provides evidence of the critical role of these signaling
      platforms in orchestrating diverse physiological processes in prokaryotic cells.

PMID- 24222490
TI  - Bacteriophages as pathogens and immune modulators?
AB  - While Shiga toxins (Stx) are key determinants of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia
      coli (EHEC) pathophysiology in humans, their dissemination to target organs
      following gastrointestinal EHEC infection is still poorly understood. Most types
      of Stx target cells with globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) receptors, which are
      expressed on endothelial cells. According to current theory, Stx is trafficked on
      the surface of peripheral blood cells, and transfer of toxin from these
      trafficking cells to endothelial cells results in microvascular damage to target
      organs, including the kidneys and brain. Inside the cell, Stx inhibits protein
      synthesis, resulting in cell death. Host "repair" responses can lead to
      microthrombus formation, erythrocyte damage, and reduced oxygen supply,
      potentially resulting in organ failure. A recent study [L. V. Bentancor et al.,
      mBio 4(5):e00501-13, 2013, doi:10.1128/mBio.00501-13] indicates that another
      mechanism for Stx "dissemination" needs to be considered. Bentancor et al.
      demonstrated that high-pressure injection of a plasmid encoding the "prokaryotic"
      Stx2 sequence into mice can lead to mortality, with pathology indicative of Stx
      activity and antibody responses to Stx. While the plasmid levels and injection
      methodology were extreme, the study indicates that these sequences are
      potentially taken up into eukaryotic cells, transcribed, and translated,
      producing active Stx. Stx genes are present on integrated bacteriophage genomes
      in EHEC, and Stx-encoding phages are released following bacterial lysis in the
      gastrointestinal tract. We therefore need to consider whether bacteriophage
      sequences can be expressed in eukaryotic cells, what the wider implications are
      for our understanding of many "bacterial" diseases, and the possibility of
      developing novel interventions that target bacteriophages.

PMID- 24222489
TI  - A retrograde trafficking inhibitor of ricin and Shiga-like toxins inhibits
      infection of cells by human and monkey polyomaviruses.
AB  - Polyomaviruses are ubiquitous pathogens that cause severe disease in
      immunocompromised individuals. JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) is the causative agent of
      the fatal demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML),
      whereas BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) causes polyomavirus-induced nephropathy and
      hemorrhagic cystitis. Vaccines or antiviral therapies targeting these viruses do
      not exist, and treatments focus on reducing the underlying causes of
      immunosuppression. We demonstrate that retro-2(cycl), an inhibitor of ricin and
      Shiga-like toxins (SLTs), inhibits infection by JCPyV, BKPyV, and simian virus
      40. Retro-2(cycl) inhibits retrograde transport of polyomaviruses to the
      endoplasmic reticulum, a step necessary for productive infection. Retro-2(cycl)
      likely inhibits polyomaviruses in a way similar to its ricin and SLT inhibition,
      suggesting an overlap in the cellular host factors used by bacterial toxins and
      polyomaviruses. This work establishes retro-2(cycl) as a potential antiviral
      therapy that broadly inhibits polyomaviruses and possibly other pathogens that
      use retrograde trafficking. IMPORTANCE: The human polyomaviruses JC polyomavirus
      (JCPyV) and BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) cause rare but severe diseases in individuals
      with reduced immune function. During immunosuppression, JCPyV disseminates from
      the kidney to the central nervous system and destroys oligodendrocytes, resulting
      in the fatal disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Kidney
      transplant recipients are at increased risk of BKPyV-induced nephropathy, which
      results in kidney necrosis and loss of the transplanted organ. There are
      currently no effective therapies for JCPyV and BKPyV. We show that a small
      molecule named retro-2(cycl) protects cells from infection with JCPyV and BKPyV
      by inhibiting intracellular viral transport. Retro-2(cycl) treatment reduces
      viral spreading in already established infections and may therefore be able to
      control infection in affected patients. Further optimization of retro-2(cycl) may
      result in the development of an effective antiviral therapy directed toward
      pathogens that use retrograde trafficking to infect their hosts.

PMID- 24222492
TI  - An unusual mechanism of isopeptide bond formation attaches the collagenlike
      glycoprotein BclA to the exosporium of Bacillus anthracis.

PMID- 24222491
TI  - Genome-wide effects of selenium and translational uncoupling on transcription in
      the termite gut symbiont Treponema primitia.
AB  - When prokaryotic cells acquire mutations, encounter translation-inhibiting
      substances, or experience adverse environmental conditions that limit their
      ability to synthesize proteins, transcription can become uncoupled from
      translation. Such uncoupling is known to suppress transcription of protein
      encoding genes in bacteria. Here we show that the trace element selenium controls
      transcription of the gene for the selenocysteine-utilizing enzyme formate
      dehydrogenase (fdhFSec) through a translation-coupled mechanism in the termite
      gut symbiont Treponema primitia, a member of the bacterial phylum Spirochaetes.
      We also evaluated changes in genome-wide transcriptional patterns caused by
      selenium limitation and by generally uncoupling translation from transcription
      via antibiotic-mediated inhibition of protein synthesis. We observed that
      inhibiting protein synthesis in T. primitia influences transcriptional patterns
      in unexpected ways. In addition to suppressing transcription of certain genes,
      the expected consequence of inhibiting protein synthesis, we found numerous
      examples in which transcription of genes and operons is truncated far downstream
      from putative promoters, is unchanged, or is even stimulated overall. These
      results indicate that gene regulation in bacteria allows for specific post
      initiation transcriptional responses during periods of limited protein synthesis,
      which may depend both on translational coupling and on unclassified intrinsic
      elements of protein-encoding genes. IMPORTANCE: A large body of literature
      demonstrates that the coupling of transcription and translation is a general and
      essential method by which bacteria regulate gene expression levels. However, the
      potential role of noncanonical amino acids in regulating transcriptional output
      via translational control remains, for the most part, undefined. Furthermore, the
      genome-wide transcriptional state in response to translational decoupling is not
      well quantified. The results presented here suggest that the noncanonical amino
      acid selenocysteine is able to tune transcription of an important metabolic gene
      via translational coupling. Furthermore, a genome-wide analysis reveals that
      transcriptional decoupling produces a wide-ranging effect and that this effect is
      not uniform. These results exemplify how growth conditions that impact
      translational processivity can rapidly feed back on transcriptional productivity
      of prespecified groups of genes, providing bacteria with an efficient response to
      environmental changes.

PMID- 24222493
TI  - Dietary habits and metabolic control in adolescents and young adults with
      phenylketonuria: self-imposed protein restriction may be harmful.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In untreated patients, phenylketonuria (PKU) results in severe
      encephalopathy with mental retardation. A protein-restricted diet is recommended
      which can be relaxed in adolescence/adulthood. METHODS: We contacted all 72
      adult/adolescent PKU patients who had been treated in our center during early
      childhood. Some still regularly attended our outpatient clinics, while others
      were lost for follow-up, giving 51 patients in our study. We asked all patients
      to complete a dietary protocol as well as a questionnaire on quality of life.
      Blood and urine were analyzed and body impedance plethysmography and cerebral MRI
      were performed. RESULTS: 42 % of the patients followed protein restriction
      supplemented with amino acid mixtures (AAM), others had a vegan diet with (8 %)
      or without (14 %) AAM; 36 % said they were eating normally and did not need any
      AAM. However, based on dietary protocols and blood urea levels, protein intake
      was restricted in this patient group. None of the patients examined had serious
      nutritional deficits. Phenylalanine levels were higher in patients not taking
      AAM. MRI of the brain was not different from those following protein restriction
      and taking AAM. The lesions score and mood correlated best with the cumulative
      phenylalanine values during the first 10 years of life. CONCLUSION: In summary,
      50 % of adult/adolescent patients from our center did not take AAM at the start
      of our survey although they unknowingly followed self-imposed protein
      restriction. They had no overt nutritional deficits; however, long-term brain
      function may be compromised. Our study emphasizes the need for specialized
      metabolic care in PKU during adulthood.

PMID- 24222494
TI  - Danon Disease Due to a Novel LAMP2 Microduplication.
AB  - Danon disease is a rare X-linked disorder comprising hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,
      skeletal myopathy, intellectual disability, and retinopathy; mutations of the
      lysosome-associated membrane protein gene LAMP2 are responsible. Most affected
      persons exhibit "private" point mutations; small locus rearrangements have
      recently been reported in four cases. Here, we describe the clinical, pathologic,
      and molecular features of a male proband and his affected mother with Danon
      disease and a small LAMP2 microduplication. The proband presented at age 12 years
      with exercise intolerance, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and increased creatine
      kinase. Endomyocardial biopsy findings were nonspecific, showing myocyte
      hypertrophy and reactive mitochondrial changes. Quadriceps muscle biopsy
      demonstrated the characteristic autophagic vacuoles with sarcolemma-like
      features. LAMP2 tissue immunostaining was absent; however, LAMP2 sequencing was
      normal. Deletion/duplication testing by multiplex ligation-dependent probe
      amplification (MLPA) assay revealed a 1.5kb microduplication containing LAMP2
      exons 4 and 5. RT-PCR studies were consistent with the inclusion of these two
      duplicated exons in the final spliced transcript, resulting in a frameshift. The
      proband's mother, who had died following cardiac transplantation due to suspected
      myocarditis at age 35, was reviewed and was shown to be affected upon
      immunostaining of banked myocardial tissue. This case constitutes the second
      report of a pathogenic microduplication in Danon disease, and illustrates a
      number of potential diagnostic pitfalls. Firstly, given the imperfect sensitivity
      of LAMP2 sequencing, tissue immunostaining and/or MLPA should be considered as a
      diagnostic adjunct in the workup for this disorder. Secondly, the pathological
      findings in myocardium may be falsely indicative of relatively common conditions
      such as myocarditis. 

PMID- 24222495
TI  - Selection of a thermotolerant Kluyveromyces marxianus strain with potential
      application for cellulosic ethanol production by simultaneous saccharification
      and fermentation.
AB  - The development of technologies for cellulosic ethanol production by simultaneous
      saccharification and fermentation (SSF) depends on the use of microorganisms with
      high fermentative rates and thermotolerance. In this study, the ability of five
      Kluyveromyces marxianus strains to produce ethanol from glucose at 45  degrees C
      was investigated. The highest fermentative parameters were observed with K.
      marxianus NRRL Y-6860, which was then further studied. An initial evaluation of
      the oxygen supply on ethanol production by the selected yeast and a comparison of
      SSF process from acid pretreated rice straw between K. marxianus NRRL Y-6860 and
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 30 and 45  degrees C were carried out. Under the
      lowest evaluated conditions of aeration and agitation, K. marxianus NRRL Y-6860
      produced 21.5 g/L ethanol from 51.3 g/L glucose corresponding to YP/S of 0.44 g/g
      and QP of 3.63 g/L h. In the SSF experiments, K. marxianus NRRL Y-6860 was more
      efficient than S. cerevisiae at both evaluated temperatures (30 and 45  degrees
      C), attained at the highest temperature an ethanol yield of 0.24 g/g and
      productivity of 1.44 g/L h.

PMID- 24222496
TI  - Comparison of the catalytic activities of three isozymes of carnitine
      palmitoyltransferase 1 expressed in COS7 cells.
AB  - The enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) catalyzes the transfer of an
      acyl group from acyl-CoA to carnitine to form acylcarnitine, and three isozymes
      of it, 1a, 1b, and 1c, have been identified. Interestingly, the 1c isozyme was
      reported to show no enzymatic activity, but it was not clearly demonstrated
      whether this inactivity was due to its dysfunction or due to its poor expression.
      In the present study, we (a) expressed individual CPT1 isozymes in COS7 cells,
      (b) evaluated quantitatively their expression levels by Western blotting using
      the three bacterially expressed CPT1 isozymes as standards, and (c) evaluated
      their catalytic activities. With these experiments, we successfully demonstrated
      that the absence of the enzymatic activity of the 1c isozyme was due to its
      dysfunction. In addition, experiments on the preparation of standard CPT1
      isozymes revealed that the 1c isozyme did not show the standard relationship
      between migration in an SDS-PAGE gel and molecular size. We further tried to
      determine why the 1c isozyme was inert by preparing chimeric CPT1 between 1a and
      1c, but no clear conclusion could be drawn because one of the chimeric CPT1s was
      not sufficiently expressed. 

PMID- 24222497
TI  - Application of enzyme for improvement of Acacia APMP pulping and refining of
      mixed pulp for printing papermaking in Vietnam.
AB  - This study assesses the influence of commercial enzyme (FibreZyme LBR) treatment
      applied to APMP pulp and to the mixture of 55% Acacia CTMP75 pulp, 30% soft-wood
      bleached chemical pulp (LBKP 90 from Chile) and 15% hard-wood bleached chemical
      pulp (NPKP 90 from Indonesia). The treatment was conducted at different
      temperatures, reaction times and enzyme dosages. The APMP and mixed pulp treated
      with the enzyme showed a significant decrease of refining time to achieve the
      same refining degree (Schopper-Riegler freeness,  degrees SR) and better
      mechanical-physical properties due to the development of fibrillation. The fibre
      morphology difference between before and after treatment was revealed by the
      microscopic observations performed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The
      SEM analysis showed that the surface of the enzyme-treated fibre had some
      swelling and fibrillar phenomenon that lead to strong paper properties such as
      tear index, tensile index and burst index.

PMID- 24222498
TI  - Improved polysaccharide production in submerged culture of Ganoderma lucidum by
      the addition of coixenolide.
AB  - Polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum have various bioactivities and have been
      widely used as nutraceuticals and functional foods. Coixenolide was added into
      the media to enhance the production of mycelia biomass and polysaccharides in the
      submerged culture of G. lucidum in this work. The results showed that when a
      level of 0.2% coixenolide was added at day 1, the biomass, exopolysaccharide, and
      intracellular polysaccharide reached 5.224, 0.222, and 0.399 g l(-1),
      respectively, which were 1.39-fold, 2.58-fold, and 2.24-fold compared to that of
      control. Analysis of the fermentation kinetics of G. lucidum suggested that
      glucose concentration in the coixenolide-added group decreased more quickly as
      compared to the control group from days 3 to 9 of the fermentation process, and
      the polysaccharides biosynthesis were promoted at the same culture period.
      However, the culture pH profile was not affected by the addition of coixenolide.
      Enzyme activities analysis indicated that coixenolide affected the synthesis
      level of phosphoglucose isomerase and alpha-phosphoglucomutase.

PMID- 24222499
TI  - Evidence that pulsed electric field treatment enhances the cell wall porosity of
      yeast cells.
AB  - The application of rectangular electric pulses, with 0.1-2 ms duration and field
      intensity of 2.5-4.5 kV/cm, to yeast suspension mediates liberation of
      cytoplasmic proteins without cell lysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the effect of pulsed electric field with similar parameters on cell wall porosity
      of different yeast species. We found that electrically treated cells become more
      susceptible to lyticase digestion. In dependence on the strain and the electrical
      conditions, cell lysis was obtained at 2-8 times lower enzyme concentration in
      comparison with control untreated cells. The increase of the maximal lysis rate
      was between two and nine times. Furthermore, when applied at low concentration (1
      U/ml), the lyticase enhanced the rate of protein liberation from
      electropermeabilized cells without provoking cell lysis. Significant differences
      in the cell surface of control and electrically treated cells were revealed by
      scanning electron microscopy. Data presented in this study allow us to conclude
      that electric field pulses provoke not only plasma membrane permeabilization, but
      also changes in the cell wall structure, leading to increased wall porosity.

PMID- 24222500
TI  - Cultivation of Chlorella protothecoides with urban wastewater in continuous
      photobioreactor: biomass productivity and nutrient removal.
AB  - The capability to grow microalgae in nonsterilized wastewater is essential for an
      application of this technology in an actual industrial process. Batch experiments
      were carried out with the species in nonsterilized urban wastewater from local
      treatment plants to measure both the algal growth and the nutrient consumption.
      Chlorella protothecoides showed a high specific growth rate (about 1 day(-1)),
      and no effects of bacterial contamination were observed. Then, this microalgae
      was grown in a continuous photobioreactor with CO2-air aeration in order to
      verify the feasibility of an integrated process of the removal of nutrient from
      real wastewaters. Different residence times were tested, and biomass productivity
      and nutrients removal were measured. A maximum of microalgae productivity was
      found at around 0.8 day of residence time in agreement with theoretical
      expectation in the case of light-limited cultures. In addition, N-NH4 and P-PO4
      removal rates were determined in order to model the kinetic of nutrients uptake.
      Results from batch and continuous experiments were used to propose an integrated
      process scheme of wastewater treatment at industrial scale including a section
      with C. protothecoides.

PMID- 24222501
TI  - In vitro propagation and assessment of the genetic fidelity of Musa acuminata
      (AAA) cv. Vaibalhla derived from immature male flowers.
AB  - An efficient in vitro propagation method has been developed for the first time
      for Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. Vaibalhla, an economically important banana cultivar
      of Mizoram, India. Immature male flowers were used as explants. Murashige and
      Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with plant growth regulators (PGRs) were used
      for the regeneration process. Out of different PGR combinations, MS medium
      supplemented with 2 mg L(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.5 mg L(-1) alpha
      naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was optimal for production of white bud-like
      structures (WBLS). On this medium, explants produced the highest number of buds
      per explant (4.30). The highest percentage (77.77) and number (3.51) of shoot
      formation from each explants was observed in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L(
      1) kinetin + 0.5 mg L(-1) NAA. While MS medium supplemented with a combination of
      2 mg L(-1) BAP + 0.5 mg L(-1) NAA showed the maximum shoot length (14.44 cm).
      Rooting efficiency of the shoots was highest in the MS basal medium without any
      PGRs. The plantlets were hardened successfully in the greenhouse with 96%
      survival rate. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence
      repeat (ISSR) markers were employed to assess the genetic stability of in vitro
      regenerated plantlets of M. acuminata (AAA) cv. Vaibalhla. Eight RAPD and 8 ISSR
      primers were successfully used for the analysis from the 40 RAPD and 30 ISSR
      primers screened initially. The amplified products were monomorphic across all
      the regenerated plants and were similar to the mother plant. The present
      standardised protocol will find application in mass production, conservation and
      genetic transformation studies of this commercially important banana.

PMID- 24222502
TI  - Direct electron transfer at a glucose oxidase-chitosan-modified Vulcan carbon
      paste electrode for electrochemical biosensing of glucose.
AB  - This article describes the investigation of direct electron transfer (DET)
      between glucose oxidase (GOD) and the electrode materials in an enzyme-catalyzed
      reaction for the development of improved bioelectrocatalytic system. The GOD
      pedestal electrochemical reaction takes place by means of DET in a tailored
      Vulcan carbon paste electrode surfaces with GOD and chitosan (CS), allowing
      efficient electron transfer between the electrode and enzyme. The key
      understanding of the stability, biocatalytic activity, selectivity, and redox
      properties of these enzyme-based glucose biosensors is studied without using any
      reagents, and the properties are characterized using electrochemical techniques
      like cyclic voltammogram, amperometry, and electrochemical impedance
      spectroscopy. Furthermore, the interaction between the enzyme and the electrode
      surface is studied using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform
      infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The present glucose biosensor exhibited better
      linearity, limit of detection (LOD = 0.37 +/- 0.02 mol/L) and a Michaelis-Menten
      constant of 0.40 +/- 0.01 mol/L. The proposed enzyme electrode exhibited
      excellent sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. This provides
      a simple "reagent-less" approach and efficient platform for the direct
      electrochemistry of GOD and developing novel bioelectrocatalytic systems.

PMID- 24222503
TI  - Hydrolyzabilities of different corn stover fractions after aqueous ammonia
      pretreatment.
AB  - The effect of aqueous ammonia pretreatment on the hydrolysis of different corn
      stover fractions (rind, husk, leaf, and pith) by xylanase (XYL) with cellulases
      (CELs) was evaluated. The aqueous ammonia pretreatment had excellent
      delignification ability (above 66%) for different corn stover fractions. The corn
      rind exhibited the lowest susceptibility to aqueous ammonia pretreatment. The
      pretreated rind showed the lowest hydrolyzability by CEL and XYL, which was
      supported by a high content of crystalline cellulose in the hydrolyzed residues
      of rind, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). With the addition of 1 mg XYL/g
      dry matter, a high glucose yield (above 90%) could be obtained from the
      pretreated rind by CEL. The results revealed that a high hydrolyzate yield of
      corn rind after aqueous ammonia pretreatment could be obtained with 1 mg
      xylanase/g dry matter, showing that aqueous ammonia pretreatment and xylanase
      addition to cellulases have great potential for the efficient hydrolysis of corn
      stover without previous fractionation.

PMID- 24222504
TI  - Inflammatory and microenvironmental factors involved in breast cancer
      progression.
AB  - The primary reason for the high mortality rate of breast cancer is metastasis,
      which can result in a poor survival rate. The tumor environment is important for
      promotion and invasion of cancer cells. Recent studies have shown that
      inflammation is associated with breast cancer. Therefore, it is important to
      investigate the role of the inflammatory and microenvironment in breast cancer
      progression and metastasis. The present review summarizes some of the markers for
      inflammation and breast cancer invasion, which may aid in the design of an
      appropriate therapy for metastatic breast cancer. The following four inflammatory
      markers are discussed in this review: (1) Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs);
      (2) Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); (3) Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P); (4) C
      reactive protein (CRP). TAMs are commonly found in breast cancer patients, and
      high infiltration is positively correlated with poor prognosis and low survival
      rate. MMPs are well-known for their roles in the degradation of ECM components
      when cancer cells invade and migrate. MMPs are also associated with inflammation
      through recruitment of a variety of stromal cells such as fibroblasts and
      leukocytes. S1P is an inflammatory lipid and is involved in various cellular
      processes such as proliferation, survival, and migration. Recent studies indicate
      that S1P participates in breast cancer invasion in various ways. CRP is used
      clinically to indicate the outcome of cancer patients as well as acute
      inflammatory status. This review summarizes the current understanding on the role
      of S1P in CRP expression which promotes the breast epithelial cell invasion,
      suggesting a specific mechanism linking inflammation and breast cancer. The
      present review might be useful for understanding the relationship between
      inflammation and breast cancer for the development of pharmacological
      interventions that may control the primary molecules involved in the breast
      cancer microenvironment. 

PMID- 24222505
TI  - Nonviral delivery for reprogramming to pluripotency and differentiation.
AB  - Nonviral delivery is a promising strategy for cellular reprogramming to produce
      desired cell types from undifferentiated stem cells or terminally differentiated
      somatic cells. Nonviral delivery of genes (DNA, RNA), proteins, or peptides has
      the potential to reprogram somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells or other
      lineage cells, and to promote the differentiation of stem cells to specific
      lineages. Various delivery carriers (cationic polymers, lipids, scaffolds,
      transposons, cell-penetrating peptides), cargos (episomal plasmids, minicircle
      DNA, small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, proteins, peptides), and method
      (electroporation) have been reported. In this article, we review recent advances
      in nonviral delivery approaches for reprogramming cells to pluripotency or
      lineage specification.

PMID- 24222508
TI  - The relation between social support and smoking cessation: revisiting an
      established measure to improve prediction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although social support is an integral element in smoking cessation,
      the literature presents mixed findings regarding the type(s) of social support
      that are most helpful. The Partner Interaction Questionnaire (PIQ) is commonly
      used to measure social support in this context. PURPOSE: We explored the
      possibility that more nuanced distinctions between items on the PIQ than what is
      customarily used could improve the prediction of cessation. METHODS: Baseline PIQ
      responses of smokers enrolled in a cessation program was submitted to an
      exploratory factor analysis. Emergent factors were used to predict cessation at
      several time points. RESULTS: Four factors emerged, which differed from the two
      subscales that are typically used. The four-factor version predicted cessation;
      the two-factor version did not. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the types of social
      support that predict smoking cessation depend on our ability to measure social
      support. More nuanced measures will likely clarify the role of social support in
      cessation.

PMID- 24222509
TI  - Contemplating genetic feedback regarding lung cancer susceptibility.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We examined three theoretical models (self-enhancement
      theory, consistency theory, and a combined model) for understanding how
      expectations and test result favorability influence smokers' desire for a retest
      following hypothetical genetic test results. METHOD: College smokers (N = 128)
      read a brochure describing a biomarker for lung cancer (the GSTM1 gene) then
      reported whether they thought they had the gene (indicating lower lung cancer
      risk) or were missing the gene (indicating higher lung cancer risk). Participants
      then reported whether they would get retested if they received favorable GSTM1
      results versus unfavorable GSTM1 results. RESULTS: Participants were most likely
      to want a retest, suggesting rejection of the results, if they expected favorable
      news yet received unfavorable news. CONCLUSION: The findings supported the
      combined model such that smokers expressed greatest interest in a retest when
      they imagined genetic risk feedback that challenges both enhancement and
      consistency motives.

PMID- 24222510
TI  - MorphoNeuroNet: an automated method for dense neurite network analysis.
AB  - High content cell-based screens are rapidly gaining popularity in the context of
      neuronal regeneration studies. To analyze neuronal morphology, automatic image
      analysis pipelines have been conceived, which accurately quantify the shape
      changes of neurons in cell cultures with non-dense neurite networks. However,
      most existing methods show poor performance for well-connected and differentiated
      neuronal networks, which may serve as valuable models for inter alia
      synaptogenesis. Here, we present a fully automated method for quantifying the
      morphology of neurons and the density of neurite networks, in dense neuronal
      cultures, which are grown for more than 10 days. MorphoNeuroNet, written as a
      script for ImageJ, Java based freeware, automatically determines various
      morphological parameters of the soma and the neurites (size, shape, starting
      points, and fractional occupation). The image analysis pipeline consists of a
      multi-tier approach in which the somas are segmented by adaptive region growing
      using nuclei as seeds, and the neurites are delineated by a combination of
      various intensity and edge detection algorithms. Quantitative comparison showed a
      superior performance of MorphoNeuroNet to existing analysis tools, especially for
      revealing subtle changes in thin neurites, which have weak fluorescence intensity
      compared to the rest of the network. The proposed method will help determining
      the effects of compounds on cultures with dense neurite networks, thereby
      boosting physiological relevance of cell-based assays in the context of neuronal
      diseases.

PMID- 24222511
TI  - A distance- and orientation-dependent energy function of amino acid key blocks.
AB  - Blocks are the selected portions of amino acids. They have been used effectively
      to represent amino acids in distinguishing the native conformation from the
      decoys. Although many statistical energy functions exist, most of them rely on
      the distances between two or more amino acids. In this study, the authors have
      developed a pairwise energy function "DOKB" that is both distance and orientation
      dependent, and it is based on the key blocks that bias the distal ends of side
      chains. The results suggest that both the distance and the orientation are needed
      to distinguish the fine details of the packing geometry. DOKB appears to perform
      well in recognizing native conformations when compared with six other energy
      functions. Highly packed clusters play important roles in stabilizing the
      structure. The investigation about the highly packed clusters at the residue
      level suggests that certain residue pairs in a low-energy region have lower
      probability to appear in the highly packed clusters than in the entire protein.
      The cluster energy term appears to significantly improve the recognition of the
      native conformations in ig_structal decoy set, in which more highly packed
      clusters are contained than in other decoy sets.

PMID- 24222512
TI  - Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of alpha-aminoboronic-containing
      peptidomimetics.
AB  - A library of 175 dipeptidomimetics and tripeptidomimetics containing an alpha
      amino boronic acid or boronate has been synthesized, and the activity toward
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus,
      Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been
      screened. Although there is no clear structure-activity relationship, several
      compounds exhibit promising activity against different pathogens.

PMID- 24222513
TI  - A legend of the SNARE complex and synaptotagmin-the insight into synaptic
      transmission.

PMID- 24222515
TI  - Accurate masses for structure confirmation.

PMID- 24222514
TI  - A prospective analysis of smoking and human papillomavirus infection among men in
      the HPV in Men Study.
AB  - At present it is unknown whether the higher prevalence of human papillomavirus
      (HPV) infection among smokers in men is attributed to a higher probability of
      acquiring an infection or because of longer infection persistence. Thus, we
      investigated the role of smoking on the incidence (acquisition) and clearance
      (persistence) of genital HPV infections among 4,026 men in the HPV in Men (HIM)
      Study, a multinational prospective study of the natural history of genital HPV
      infection in men. Genital HPV infections were grouped by any, oncogenic and
      nononcogenic HPV infections and smoking status was categorized as current, former
      and never smokers. The incidence of any, oncogenic and nononcogenic HPV
      infections was significantly higher among current smokers compared to former and
      never smokers (p < 0.01). In multivariable analyses adjusting for sexual behavior
      and potential confounders, when compared to never smokers, current smokers
      exhibited significantly higher probability of acquiring any [hazard ratio (HR) =
      1.23; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.50] and nononcogenic (HR = 1.21; 95% CI
      1.00-1.45) infections and a borderline significant probability for oncogenic
      infections (HR = 1.18; 95% CI 0.98-1.41). Although the median duration of HPV
      infection was generally longer among current smokers, we found no statistically
      significant associations in the multivariable analyses. Overall, these results
      demonstrated that current smoking exhibited the highest incidence and highest
      probability of acquiring genital HPV infections. 

PMID- 24222516
TI  - Differentiation of isomeric C8- and N (2)-deoxyguanosine adducts of 2
      acetylaminofluorene by fast-atom bombardment and tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Product-ion studies of source-produced ions corresponding to acetylated and
      nonacetylated N (2)- and C8-substituted aminofluorene adducts of deoxyguanosine
      were conducted to identify specific fragmentation pathways differentiating the
      isomers and to determine the influence of the acetyl group on the fragmentation
      of the arylamide modified deoxyguanosine adducts. The collision-induced
      dissociation spectra of the BHZ 2 (+) ion and other significant source-produced
      ions showed no evidence to suggest that ketene loss (deacetylation) resulted in
      significant alteration of the structure of the adducts. However, other
      significant ion formation processes, particularly loss of water from the N (2)
      substituted arylamide did appear to require rearrangement, likely involving bond
      formation between the carcinogen moiety (acetyl group) and the N1 or N2 position
      of the guanine base. The combined loss of ketene and water constitute a
      fragmentation pattern specific for the N (2)-arylamide, 3-(deoxyguanosin-N (2)
      yl)-2-acetylaminofluorene. 

PMID- 24222517
TI  - Equilibrium space charge distribution in a quadrupole ion trap.
AB  - A simple model provides a basis for evaluating the ion spatial distribution in a
      uadrupole (Paul) ion trap and its effect on the total potential (trap potential
      plus space charge 3 acting on ions in the trap. By combining the pseudopotential
      approximation introduced by Dehmelt 25 years ago with the assumption of thermal
      equilibrium (leading to a Boltzmann ion energy distribution), the resulting ion
      spatial distribution (for ions of a single mass-to-charge ratio) depends only on
      total number of ions, trap pseudopotential, and temperature. (The equilibrium
      assumption is justified by the high helium bath gas pressure at which analytical
      quadrupole ion traps are typically operated.) The electric potential generated by
      the ion space charge may be generated from Poisson's equation subject to a
      Boltzmann ion energy distribution. However, because the ion distribution depends
      in turn on the total potential, solving for the potential and the ion
      distribution is no longer a simple boundary condition differential equation
      problem; an iterative procedure is required to obtain a self-consistent result.
      For the particularly convenient operating condition, (a z = -8qU/mrho 0 (2)
      Omega(2), and q z =-4qV mrho 0 (2) Omega(2), where U and V are direct current and
      radiofrequency (frequency, omega) voltages applied to the trap, m/q is ion mass
      to-charge ratio, and rho0 is the radius of the ring electrode at the z=0
      midplane], both the pseudopotential and the ion distribution become spherically
      symmetric. The resulting one-dimensional problem may be solved by a simple
      optimization procedure. The present model accounts qualitatively for the
      dependence of total potential and ion distribution on number of ions (higher ion
      density or lower temperature flattens the total potential and widens the spatial
      distribution of ions) and pseudopotential (higher pseudopotential increases ion
      density near the center of the trap without widening the ion spatial
      distribution). 

PMID- 24222518
TI  - Origins and structures of background ions produced by fast-atom bombardment of
      glycerol.
AB  - Accurate mass measurements were used to assign elemental compositions and tandem
      mass spectrometry was used to characterize the peak-at-every-mass background ions
      produced by kiloelectron-volt-particle bombardment of neat fast-atom bombardment
      matrices. The majority of the background ions observed in the mass spectrum of
      neat glycerol was identified. On the basis of the experiments with glycerol, a
      theory for the formation of background ions is presented. Results are discussed
      according to the chemical and physical changes that ygoe;on-volt-particle
      bombardment produces in the matrix. 

PMID- 24222519
TI  - Fast-atom bombardment-induced condensation of glycerol with ammonium surfactants
      II: Time dependence of mass spectra and tandem mass spectra.
AB  - Studies of fast-atom bombardment (FAB)-induced condensation between
      trimethyltetradecylammonium cations and glycerol have been extended to consider
      spectral time dependence. To enhance reproducibility of time dependence, a
      modified FAB target was used. FAB mass spectrometry of deuterium-labeled
      surfactants and FAB/collision-induced dissociation (CID) of nonlabeled material
      demonstrate that products of condensation at the surfactant "head group"
      predominate early in the analysis, while tail adducts become prominent later.
      This time dependence correlates with the expected surface activity of the
      products. It is incompatible with gas-phase reaction, but consistent with
      reaction in the condensed phase. Subtle variations in the surface activities of
      various condensation products (derived from changes in the number of hydroxyls
      from the reactive glycerol radical or in the position of attack along the
      surfactant chain) are reflected in the time dependence of FAB and CID spectra.
      CID spectra of deuterium-labeled cations provide evidence for intramolecular
      hydrogen transfer from the surfactant tail to the head within a surfactant
      radical. This transfer shows no significant kinetic isotope effect. 

PMID- 24222520
TI  - Determination of flux from a saddle field fast-atom bombardment gun.
AB  - The flux or beam density (equivalent current/area) of xenon atoms striking the
      sample target from a saddle field fast-atom bombardment (FAB) gun has been
      compared with that from a cesium ion gun mounted on the same instrument. A
      shielded Faraday cup mounted on the end of a solids probe was used to measure
      directly the flux of the Cs(+) beam. Samples of methylene blue in glycerol
      solution were then exposed to the ion beam at different fluxes and the extents of
      reduction were measured. The extent of reduction varied linearly with flux up to
      a value of about 1.16 * 10(13) particles s(-1) cm(-2) (1.85 MU cm(-2)); above
      this level, the reduction effect appeared to saturate. FAB spectra were obtained
      from the same dye solution by using varying settings of the FAB gun. By comparing
      the extents of reduction of the dye from the two guns, the flux from the atom gun
      could be estimated. Observation of luminescence from a CsI-coated target allowed
      estimation of the area of the atom beam. The atom beam "equivalent current" could
      then be calculated by multiplying the flux times the area. It was noted that for
      given settings, the flux from the atom gun depended on the physical condition of
      the gun electrodes. With new electrodes, a flux >= 1.16 * 10(13) particles s(-1)
      cm(-2) was obtained with nominal gun emission currents of 0.60-1.0 mA. Electrodes
      used extensively, but freshly cleaned, provided a flux of ~ 8 * 10(12) particles
      s(-1) cm(-2) at nominal emission currents of 0.40-1.0 mA. With dirty electrodes
      this flux could only be achieved at the highest (1.0 mA) emission current. This
      decline in performance occurs over a matter of months as a result of
      contamination and erosion of the electrodes during use. Such behavior can
      adversely affect spectral reproducibility even when nominal FAB gun voltage and
      emission current are carefully reproduced. 

PMID- 24222521
TI  - Direct chemical analysis of uv laser ablation products of organic polymers by
      using selective ion monitoring mode in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
AB  - Trace quantities of laser ablated organic polymers were analyzed by using
      commercial capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; the instrument
      was modified so that the iaser ablation products could be introduced into the
      capillary column directly and the constituents of each peak in the chromatogram
      were identified by using a mass spectrometer. The present study takes advantage
      of the selective ion monitoring mode for significantly improving the sensitivity
      of the mass spectrometer as a detector, which is critical in anatyzing the trace
      quantities and confirming the presence or absence of the species of interest in
      laser ablated polymers. The initial composition of the laser ablated polymers was
      obtained by using an electron impact reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer
      and the possible structure of the fragments observed in the spectra was proposed
      based on the structure of the polymers. 

PMID- 24222522
TI  - Electron impact ionization mass spectrometry and intramolecular cyclization in 2
      substituted pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones.
AB  - Electron impact ionization mass spectrometry indicates that the behavior of W
      unsubstituted pyrirnidin-4-ones with CH2-R type substitution at C-2 differs from
      homologs that are N-substituted and/or 2-aryl- or 2-methyl-substituted. A
      dominant intramolecular cycliza-tion was found to occur between 3ZV (in agreement
      with the predominance of the 3NH tautomers) and the ortho positions of the aryl
      moiety in compounds with a CH2-aryl substitution at C-2. Theoretical calculations
      with an AMI SCFR method on 2-, 6-, and 2, 6-disubstituted pyrimidin-4-ones
      support the mass spectrometric observations. 

PMID- 24222523
TI  - The mass-to-charge ratio scale.
AB  - Increases in the capacity for accurately measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of
      specific gas-phase ions justify the reconsideration and standard definition of
      the gas-phase mass-to-charge ratio scale and the clearly denned connection of
      that scale to condensed phases. We propose that the chemical mass standard for
      solids and the gas phase be based upon the mass of carbon-12 buckminsterfulierene
      ((12)C60). The mass-to-charge ratio scale in the gas phase would be based upon
      the mass of gas-phase (12)C60, the mass of the electron, and the electron charge
      in atomic units. As mass measurement accuracy improves, corrections to this mass
      to-charge ratio standard are anticipated for the vaporization energy of the 12C60
      molecule and its ionization potential or electron affinity. We propose that the
      positive ion scale be set by the mass-to-charge ratio of (12)C 60 (+) as
      (+)719.9994514+/-0.0000004 u per electron charge. We propose that the negative
      ion mass scale be set by the mass-to-charge ratio of (12)C 60 (-) as (
      )720.0005484+/-0.0000004 u per electron charge. 

PMID- 24222525
TI  - Contextual compound screening for improved therapeutic discovery.
AB  - Cellular behaviors are governed by combinations of systemic and
      microenvironmental factors; together, these regulate cell signaling responses to
      growth factors. This contextual microenvironmental influence also determines drug
      sensitivity. Hence using in vitro systems that model contextual cellular behavior
      is highly beneficial for effective therapeutic development. Angiogenesis
      (formation of blood vessels) is driven by a series of dynamic endothelial cell
      signaling responses to growth factors under the influence of the vascular
      extracellular matrix and adjacent pericytes. In vitro primary human vascular cell
      co-cultures self-assemble into capillary-like structures through reciprocal
      heterotypic interactions that mimic angiogenic context dynamics. By using
      temporal live-cell imaging-based analysis, unique angiogenic microenvironments
      can be delineated to quantify the contextual activity of compound inhibitors. We
      used this in vitro organotypic contextual screening approach to conduct structure
      activity relationship analysis on a combretastatin A-4 analogue series to
      identify novel compounds with potent vascular disrupting activity in vivo. 

PMID- 24222526
TI  - Culturally sensitive group therapy for Turkish patients suffering from chronic
      pain: a randomised controlled intervention trial.
AB  - SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The incidence of chronic pain is higher among
      immigrants in Europe than among the native European population. Therapeutic
      interventions in this population are far less effective than in patients for whom
      these programmes were originally developed. OBJECTIVES: In a randomised trial, we
      investigated whether a cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) programme
      supplemented with culturally sensitive aspects (CsCBT) improves pain intensity,
      pain disability and quality of life among immigrant patients, compared with a
      treatment of culturally sensitive exercise therapy (CsET) alone. Furthermore, we
      investigated whether healthcare costs would decrease. METHODS: First-generation
      Turkish immigrants residing in Switzerland (20-65 years of age) who suffered from
      chronic pain were enrolled in the trial. Patients were randomised to attend
      either CsCBT or CsET. The CsCBT intervention was based upon a manualised
      cognitive-behavioural group treatment programme for chronic pain patients and
      adapted to the needs of a Turkish immigrant population. The CsET intervention was
      based on principles of exercise therapy for treatment of nonspecific low back
      pain. RESULTS: A total of 116 outpatients were recruited between October 2004 and
      November 2006. The intervention was completed by 89 patients (77%). A total of 78
      subjects (67%) completed follow-up, 12 months after the completion of the
      intervention programme. The intervention showed no effects in reducing pain, pain
      disability or quality of life. The analysis of healthcare utilisation yielded no
      intervention effect. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive behavioural intervention is feasible
      with immigrants with chronic disabling pain, but the evidence-based CBT
      programme, as well as exercise therapy supplemented with culturally sensitive
      aspects, showed no improvement.

PMID- 24222527
TI  - Can local corticosteroid injection in the retrocalcaneal bursa lead to rupture of
      the Achilles tendon and the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle?
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to explain the cause-effect relationship in
      three patients who reported combined ruptures of the Achilles tendon and the
      gastrosoleus complex 6 months after they had received corticosteroids injections
      for the management of retrocalcaneal bursitis. METHODS: Three cryopreserved
      cadavers (three men, three left legs) were examined to assess the anatomic
      connection between the retrocalcaneal bursa and the Achilles tendon (distal and
      anterior fibers). Blue triptan medium contrast was injected. RESULTS: An
      unexpected connection between the retrocalcaneal bursa and the anterior fibers of
      the Achilles tendon was found in all instances. CONCLUSIONS: Local corticosteroid
      injection of the retrocalcaneal bursa may help the symptoms of retrocalcanear
      bursitis, but pose a risk of Achilles tendon rupture. This risk-benefit has to be
      taken into account when corticosteroid injections are prescribed to professional
      and high-level athletes.

PMID- 24222528
TI  - Synthesis and anti-cancer activity of a glycosyl library of N-acetylglucosamine
      bearing oleanolic acid.
AB  - N-Acetylglucosamine-bearing triterpenoid saponins (GNTS) were reported to be a
      unique type of saponins with potent anti-tumor activity. In order to study the
      structure-activity relationship of GNTS, 24 oleanolic acid saponins with (1 -->
      3)-linked, (1 --> 4)-linked, (1 --> 6)-linked N-acetylglucosamine oligosaccharide
      residues were synthesized in a combinatorial and concise method. The cytotoxicity
      of these compounds toward the leukemia cell line HL-60 and the colorectal cancer
      cell line HT-29 could not be improved. Half maximal inhibition below 10 MUM was
      achieved in one single case. The study revealed that the activity decreased
      following the order of 3' > 4' > 6' glycosyl modifications. GNTS that
      incorporated (D/L)-xylose and L-arabinose at positions 3' and 4' were more potent
      than those bearing other sugars.

PMID- 24222529
TI  - Stress and eating disorder behavior in anorexia nervosa as a function of
      menstrual cycle status.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fluctuations in ovarian hormones during the menstrual cycle and
      psychosocial stress contribute to eating disorder (ED) behavior. METHOD: Using
      ecological momentary assessment techniques, this study examined relationships
      between stress and binge eating, self-induced vomiting, and dietary restriction
      based on menstrual cycle status in anorexia nervosa (AN). One hundred nine
      females with full and subthreshold AN (17-45 years old) recorded ED behavior and
      stress ratings over 2 weeks. Using hierarchical linear modeling, individuals with
      eumenorrhea and those with amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea were compared. RESULTS:
      Following episodes of meal skipping, momentary stress decreased in individuals
      with normal menstrual cycles and increased in those with irregular menstrual
      cycles. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that changes in stress severity in response
      to food restriction may differ based on ovarian hormonal status and may be a
      mechanism by which AN is maintained in individuals without menstrual disturbance.

PMID- 24222530
TI  - WISC-III cognitive profiles in children with developmental dyslexia: specific
      cognitive disability and diagnostic utility.
AB  - This study analysed the usefulness of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for
      Children-Third Edition in identifying specific cognitive impairments that are
      linked to developmental dyslexia (DD) and the diagnostic utility of the most
      common profiles in a sample of 100 Portuguese children (50 dyslexic and 50 normal
      readers) between the ages of 8 and 12 years. Children with DD exhibited
      significantly lower scores in the Verbal Comprehension Index (except the
      Vocabulary subtest), Freedom from Distractibility Index (FDI) and Processing
      Speed Index subtests, with larger effect sizes than normal readers in
      Information, Arithmetic and Digit Span. The Verbal-Performance IQs discrepancies,
      Bannatyne pattern and the presence of FDI; Arithmetic, Coding, Information and
      Digit Span subtests (ACID) and Symbol Search, Coding, Arithmetic and Digit Span
      subtests (SCAD) profiles (full or partial) in the lowest subtests revealed a low
      diagnostic utility. However, the receiver operating characteristic curve and the
      optimal cut-off score analyses of the composite ACID; FDI and SCAD profiles
      scores showed moderate accuracy in correctly discriminating dyslexic readers from
      normal ones. These results suggested that in the context of a comprehensive
      assessment, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition provides
      some useful information about the presence of specific cognitive disabilities in
      DD. Practitioner Points. Children with developmental dyslexia revealed
      significant deficits in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third
      Edition subtests that rely on verbal abilities, processing speed and working
      memory. The composite Arithmetic, Coding, Information and Digit Span subtests
      (ACID); Freedom from Distractibility Index and Symbol Search, Coding, Arithmetic
      and Digit Span subtests (SCAD) profile scores showed moderate accuracy in
      correctly discriminating dyslexics from normal readers. Wechsler Intelligence
      Scale for Children-Third Edition may provide some useful information about the
      presence of specific cognitive disabilities in developmental dyslexia.

PMID- 24222532
TI  - Care ethics for guiding the process of multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder for which there is no
      definitive diagnostic test. Uncertainty characterises most of its features with
      diagnosis reached through a process of elimination. Coping with uncertainty has
      been recognised as a significant problem for MS patients. Discussions in the
      literature concerning the ethics of MS diagnosis have focused on an ethics of
      duty emphasising the rules for disclosure and healthcare professionals'
      obligations to provide information to patients. This narrow construal of the
      ethics at stake with MS diagnosis may be driven by a common misperception that
      diagnosis is an event, or series of events, rather than a process. Scant
      attention has been given to the dynamic, situated relational space between
      patient and physician as they journey potentially together (or apart) through the
      process of diagnosis. The healthcare provider cannot properly judge 'the how,
      what and when' of MS disclosure merely by applying rules pertaining to general
      professional duties to tell the truth and patients' rights to know their medical
      status. Proper disclosure and effective communication require the practice of
      flexible, caring responsibility and sustained, ongoing attention to the
      particular relational needs of 'this' patient in her own situational context.
      Accordingly, this article argues that care ethics is especially useful (but not
      without certain limitations) for attending to a broader swath of responsibilities
      (different from minimal duties) and affective components implicated in meeting
      patients' overall needs for care as the patient and physician cope with
      uncertainty through the process of establishing an MS diagnosis. 

PMID- 24222531
TI  - Structure-activity relationships of peptidomimetics that inhibit PPI of HER2
      HER3.
AB  - Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is a tyrosine kinase family
      protein receptor that is known to undergo heterodimerization with other members
      of the family of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) for cell signaling.
      Overexpression of HER2 and deregulation of signaling has implications in breast,
      ovarian, and lung cancers. We have designed several peptidomimetics to block the
      HER2-mediated dimerization, resulting in antiproliferative activity for cancer
      cells. In this work, we have investigated the structure-activity relationships of
      peptidomimetic analogs of Compound 5. Compound 5 was conformationally constrained
      by N- and C-terminal modification and cyclization as well as by substitution with
      d-amino acids at the N-and C-termini. Among the compounds studied in this work, a
      peptidomimetic Compound 21 with d-amino acid substitution and its N- and C
      termini capped with acetyl and amide functional groups and a reversed sequence
      compared to that of Compound 5 exhibited better antiproliferative activity in
      HER2-overexpressed breast, ovarian, and lung cancer cell lines. Compound 21 was
      further evaluated for its protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibition ability
      using enzyme fragment complementation assay, proximity ligation assay, and
      Western blot analysis. Results suggested that Compound 21 is able to block
      HER2:HER3 interaction and inhibit phosphorylation of the kinase domain of HER2.
      The mode of binding of Compound 21 to HER2 protein was modeled using a docking
      method. Compound 21 seems to bind to domain IV of HER2 near the PPI site of
      EGFR:HER2, and HER:HER3 and inhibit PPI.

PMID- 24222533
TI  - Altered postprandial responses in gastric myoelectrical activity and cardiac
      autonomic functions in healthy obese subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) and
      autonomic functions are altered in obesity. The aims of this study were to
      investigate GMA and autonomic functions in obese subjects and to compare their
      responses to different meals with lean subjects. METHODS: The study was performed
      in 12 lean and 12 obese subjects. GMA was measured using electrogastrography, and
      autonomic functions were assessed using spectral analysis of heart rate
      variability. RESULTS: The study achieved the following key results: (1) Compared
      to lean subjects, obese subjects showed unaltered gastric slow waves at baseline
      but enhanced responses to both fatty and protein meals. The lean subjects showed
      a reduced percentage of normal gastric slow waves with a fatty meal, which was
      not seen in obese subjects; lean subjects showed no changes in the dominant
      frequency or power of the gastric slow waves with a protein meal, whereas both of
      these parameters were increased in obese subjects. (2) Autonomic functions were
      altered in obese subjects in both fasting and fed states. Obese subjects showed
      an increased sympathetic activity in the fasting state, but absence of a normal
      postprandial response in sympathovagal balance to both fatty and protein meals.
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings on gastric slow waves demonstrate that obese subjects
      are more receptive to fatty meals and more responsive to protein meals. Obese
      subjects have impaired autonomic functions in both fasting and fed states. The
      alterations in gastric and autonomic functions may contribute to eating disorders
      in the obese.

PMID- 24222534
TI  - Comparison of weight loss and body composition changes in morbidly obese
      Taiwanese patients with different bariatric surgeries: a 1-year follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study investigated the impacts of two different bariatric
      surgeries on the body composition of morbidly obese patients in Taiwan. Also, the
      differences in body composition changes between genders were compared. METHODS:
      In total, 198 patients who underwent bariatric surgery were included, with 130
      receiving a sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and 68 receiving adjusted gastric banding
      (AGB). The weight and body composition were measured by bioelectrical impedance.
      Follow-up examinations were performed at subsequent visits after surgery and at 1
      year. Only 81 SG and 40 AGB patients continued follow-up for the entire 12
      months. RESULTS: All patients experienced significant weight loss beginning from
      3 months after surgery. Compared to patients with AGB, SG patients had a greater
      extent of body mass index (BMI) loss, whereas a greater muscle weight percentage
      increase was found compared to AGB patients. Female patients had a higher body
      fat mass and lower muscle weight percentage and BMI than did males. There were no
      differences in changes in BMI, or percentages of body fat and muscle mass between
      male and female patients for 12 months after surgery. However, the waist/hip
      ratio (WHR) decrement and percentage of excess weight loss (ExWL%) were
      significantly greater in female than male patients with both bariatric surgeries.
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that although females had greater extents of
      WHR decrement and ExWL% than male patients with both surgical procedures,
      patients who received SG had higher BMI changes and body fat losses than SGB
      patients regardless of differences in the gender distribution.

PMID- 24222535
TI  - The effect of laparoscopic gastric bypass on dyslipidemia in severely obese
      patients: a 5-year follow-up analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is common in the morbidly obese population. A previous
      study from our institution demonstrated improved lipid parameters 1 and 2 years
      after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) with fewer patients taking
      lipid-modifying medications postoperatively, suggesting cost-savings over time.
      Our objective was to evaluate lipid parameters and lipid-modifying medication use
      at 5 years postoperative. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent
      LRYGB from September 2001 through July 2008 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria
      consisted of both preoperative and 5-year postoperative lipid values available.
      RESULTS: Six hundred eighty-two patients underwent LRYGB during the study period;
      450 had data available at 5 years postoperative, and 187 patients met the
      inclusion criteria. Mean age was 46.3 years, and 83 % were women. Mean
      preoperative body mass index was 47.4 kg/m(2). Total cholesterol was 191.2 +/-
      35.4 preoperatively and 181.1 +/- 33.0 at 5 years postoperative (P = 0.003). Low
      density lipoprotein (LDL) was 107.9 +/- 30.9 preoperatively and 95.3 +/- 29.7 at
      5 years postoperative (P < 0.001). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) was 48.7 +/-
      12.8 preoperatively and 65.1 +/- 18.0 at 5 years postoperative (P < 0.001).
      Triglycerides were 171.3 +/- 78.6 preoperatively and 112.9 +/- 60.7 5 years
      postoperative (P < 0.001). Preoperatively, 35 % of patients were on lipid
      modifying medications, and at 5 years postoperatively, 26 % required lipid
      modifying medications (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have undergone LRYGB
      continue to show favorable change in their lipid profiles at 5 years
      postoperative. Furthermore, fewer patients were taking lipid-modifying
      medications at 5 years postoperatively than preoperatively.

PMID- 24222537
TI  - Single-cell printer: automated, on demand, and label free.
AB  - Within the past years, single-cell analysis has developed into a key topic in
      cell biology to study cellular functions that are not accessible by investigation
      of larger cell populations. Engineering approaches aiming to access single cells
      to extract information about their physiology, phenotype, and genotype at the
      single-cell level are going manifold ways, meanwhile allowing separation,
      sorting, culturing, and analysis of individual cells. Based on our earlier
      research toward inkjet-like printing of single cells, this article presents
      further characterization results obtained with a fully automated prototype
      instrument for printing of single living cells in a noncontact inkjet-like
      manner. The presented technology is based on a transparent microfluidic drop-on
      demand dispenser chip coupled with a camera-assisted automatic detection system.
      Cells inside the chip are detected and classified with this detection system
      before they are expelled from the nozzle confined in microdroplets, thus enabling
      a "one cell per droplet" printing mode. To demonstrate the prototype instrument's
      suitability for biological and biomedical applications, basic experiments such as
      printing of single-bead and cell arrays as well as deposition and culture of
      single cells in microwell plates are presented. Printing efficiencies greater
      than 80% and viability rates about 90% were achieved. 

PMID- 24222539
TI  - Advance care planning is everybody's business.

PMID- 24222540
TI  - Comparison of three thiol probes for determination of apoptosis-related changes
      in cellular redox status.
AB  - An early step in apoptosis is extrusion of reduced glutathione (GSH). Current
      assays for measuring apoptosis involve a number of incubation and washing steps,
      making them time consuming and laborious. Using two novel thiol reactive agents
      (VitaBright-43 and VitaBright-48) and a GSH specific probe; monochlorobimane, we
      investigated whether changes in the level of free thiols can be used as an
      apoptotic marker. Upon addition to cells the probes permeate the cell membrane
      and react with intracellular thiols, causing cellular fluorescence. Cytometric
      quantification of the cell fluorescence (without washing) can then be used to
      determine the population's cellular thiol level at the single cell level.
      Apoptotic traits such as phosphatidylserine externalisation, caspase activity and
      mitochondrial potential were investigated at different time points after
      induction of apoptosis and correlated to changes detected using the thiol probes.
      We found that though all three thiol probes could be used to detect changes in
      the level of free thiols correlating well with apoptotic markers, other
      properties such as detection of early versus late apoptosis and staining kinetics
      differed among the three probes. However, we suggest adding evaluation of the
      level of free thiols to the list of phenotypes which may be measured in order to
      detect apoptosis, as this provides a reliable and easy way of assaying apoptosis.

PMID- 24222541
TI  - Conformer selection of protein ions by ion mobility in a triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometer.
AB  - Electrospray mass spectra of multiply charged protein molecules show two distinct
      charge state distributions proposed to correspond to a more highly charged, open
      conformational form and a lower charged, folded form. Elastic collisions carried
      out in the radiofrequency-only collision cell of a triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometer have dramatic effects on the appearance of the mass spectra. The
      different cross sectional areas of the conformers allow preferential selection of
      one charge state distribution over the other on the basis of ion mobility.
      Preferential selection is dependent on the nature and pressure of the target gas
      as well as the nature of the protein. In the case of positively charged horse
      heart apomyoglobin (MW 16,951 da), a high charge state distribution centered
      around (M + 20H)(20+) predominates at low target gas pressures and a second
      distribution centered around (M + 10H)(10+) predominates at high target gas
      pressures. Bimodal distributions are observed at intermediate pressures and,
      remarkably, charge states between the two distributions are not effectively
      populated under most of the conditions examined. Hard sphere collision
      calculations show large differences in collision frequencies and in the
      corresponding kinetic energy losses for the two conformational states and they
      demonstrate that the observed charge state selectivity can be explained through
      elastic collisions. 

PMID- 24222542
TI  - Gas-phase anionic complexes of alkali metal ions and peptides: Structure and
      collision activated decompositions.
AB  - Alkali metal ions and anionic peptides can be desorbed into the gas phase to give
      metal-bound peptides and bis(peptide) complexes bearing a - 1 charge. Although
      amide nitrogens of peptide bonds are deprotonated in the gas phase by alkali
      metal ions, this reacion does not occur in solution. Metal-bound dipeptide anions
      exist as a single structure, whereas those of tripeptide complexes have three
      structures as revealed by tandem mass spectrometric studies. Ions of bis(peptide)
      complexes of alkali metals decompose upon collisional activation principally to
      form deprotonated peptides, in contrast to bis(peptide) complexes of alkaline
      earth metal ions, which undergo elimination of a neutral peptide. 

PMID- 24222543
TI  - Fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry of [(13)C]arachidonic acid labeled
      phospholipid molecular species.
AB  - A method employing stable isotope labeling and fast-atom bombardment (FAB) tandem
      mass spectrometry has been developed to directly assess events of biosynthesis
      and metabolism of arachidonic acid containing phospholipid molecular species by
      cells carried in culture. Mast cells, cultured with [(13)C]linoleic acid,
      converted this precursor into arachidonic acid which was then incorporated into
      cellular phospholipids. Over a 24 hour period, the extent of label enrichment in
      each arachidonate-containing phospholipid molecular species was monitored by
      using negative FAB ionization with selected reaction monitoring. Specific
      incorporation of [(13)C17] labeled arachidonate was determined from the ratio of
      the carboxylate anions at m/z 320 and 303, which correspond to
      [(13)C17]arachidonate and unlabeled arachidonate, respectively, produced by
      collision-induced dissociation of each specific molecular anion. The use of
      [(13)C]linoleic acid as a precursor of arachidonic acid avoids the problem of
      changing the endogenous pool size by directly adding labeled arachidonic acid.
      Measurement of the [(13)C17]label also avoids interferences from endogenous
      isobaric fatty acids that are naturally present at low levels. 

PMID- 24222544
TI  - Fast-atom bombardment and tandem mass spectrometry of macrolide antibiotics.
AB  - Molecular weights of macrolide antibiotics can be determined from either (M +
      H)(+) or (M + Met)(+), the latter desorbed from alkali metal salt-saturated
      matrices. The ion chemistry of macrolides, as determined by tandem mass
      spectrometry (MS/MS), is different for ions produced as metallated than those
      formed as (M + H)(+) species. An explanation for these differences is the
      location of the charge. For protonated species, the charge is most likely
      situated on a functional group with high proton affinity, such as the
      dimethylamino group of the ammo sugar. The alkali metal ion, however, is bonded
      to the highly oxygenated aglycone. As a result, the collision-activated
      dissociation spectra of protonated macrolides are simple with readily
      identifiable fragment ions in both the high and low mass regions but no fragments
      in the middle mass range. In contrast, the cationized species give complex
      spectra with many abundant ions, most of which are located in the high mass
      range. The complementary nature of the fragmentation of these two species
      recommends the study of both by MS/MS when determining the structure or
      confirming the identity of these biomaterials. 

PMID- 24222545
TI  - On the stabilization of carbanions by adjacent phenyl, cyano, methoxy-carbonyl,
      and nitro groups in the gas phase.
AB  - Institute of Mass Spectrometry, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The
      Netherlands By using the method of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass
      spectrometry, substituent stabilization energies of homologous series of
      cycloalkyl carbanions, Xi-c-CnH2n-2 (n = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) with pi-accepting
      substituents (Xi = Ph, CN, COOMe, NO2) have been determined experimentally in the
      gas phase as the difference between the proton affinity of the substituted and
      corresponding unsubstituted (Xi = H) cycloalkyl carbanions.The stabilization
      energy data have been analyzed in terms of Taft's parametrization of
      polarizability, field/inductive, and resonance effects. The linear regression
      analyses show excellent correlations within the XiCH2 (-) Xi-c-CnH2n-2 (-) (n =
      4, 5, 6, 7), and Xi-c-C3H4 (-) carbanion series, from which it appears that the
      contributions of polarizability effects are independent of the above type of
      carbanions and only depend on the nature of the substituent.Further, it follows
      that inductive stabilization is more effective in the substituted methyl, XiCH2 (
      ), than in the substituted cycloalkyl, Xi-c-CnH2n-2 (-) (n = 4, 5, 6, 7)
      carbanions. This result suggests that inductive stabilization is counteracted by
      the electron releasing effect of alkyl groups.Resonance stabilization is
      significantly more effective in the substituted cycloalkyl, Xi-c-CnH2n-2 (-) (n =
      4, 5, 6, 7), than in the substituted methyl, XiCH2 (-), carbanions, which
      suggests that m contrast to inductive stabilization, resonance stabilization is
      assisted by the electron releasing effect of alkyl groups.Finally, it appears
      that substitutent stabilization in the geometrically restricted substituted
      cyclopropyl carbanions, Xi-c-C3H4 (-), is dramatically less effective than in the
      corresponding geometrically unrestricted larger substituted cycloalkyl
      carbanions, Xi-c-CnH2n-2 (-) (n = 4, 5, 6, 7). The linear regression analyses of
      the substituted cycloalkyl carbanions indicate that reduction of the
      stabilization energy is caused not exclusively by a geometrically hindered
      resonance stabilization, but also to a smaller extent by a less efficient
      inductive stabilization in the substituted cyclopropyl carbanions. 

PMID- 24222546
TI  - Gas-phase ion-molecule chemistry of borate and boronate esters.
AB  - Borate esters B(OR)3 and boronate esters RB(OR)2 undergo ion-molecule reactions
      to yield both addition products (by an implied radiative emission mechanism),
      ligand exchange, and proton transfer products, in both positive and negative ion
      modes. Although an acidity for CH3B(OR)2 could not be determined, HOB(OR)2 has an
      acidity between acetaldehyde and nitromethane. In light of the negligible polar
      electron acceptor properties of the -B(OR)2 group, that functionality must
      therefore be one of the best resonance electron acceptor groups known, almost
      half again as effective as the nitro group. 

PMID- 24222547
TI  - Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of alkanes, alkenes, and cycloalkanes.
AB  - Normal and cyclic alkanes and alkenes form stable gas-phase ions in air at
      atmospheric pressure from 40 to 200 degrees C when moisture is below 1 ppm.
      Ionization of alkanes in a (63)Ni source favored charge transfer over proton
      transfer through pathways involving [M-1](+) and [M-3](+) ions. Ion mobility
      spectra for alkanes showed sharp and symmetrical profiles while spectra for
      alkenes suggested fragmentation. Ion identifications were made by using mass
      spectrometry, and ionization pathways were supported by using deuterated analogs
      of alkanes and alkenes. Alkanes were ionized seemingly through a hydrogen
      abstraction pathway and did not proceed through an alkene intermediate. New
      methods for interpretation of mobility spectra utilizing ion mobility
      spectrometry, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry,
      chemical ionization mass spectrometry, and ion mobility spectrometry-mass
      spectrometry data were demonstrated. 

PMID- 24222548
TI  - On the origin of some controversial ions (m/z 59, 60, 77, and 119) in the
      thermospray reagent plasma from ammonium acetate.
AB  - The origin of ions at m/z 60, 77, and 119 in the thermospray (TSP) reagent plasma
      is reconsidered. It is demonstrated that these major ions in the TSP spectrum of
      ammonium acetate are not due to dehydration processes in the gas or liquid phase,
      as is generally accepted, but to the preexistence of acetamide as an impurity in
      the commercial salts. Acetamide, characterized by TSP/tandem mass spectrometry,
      gas chromatography-electron impact ionization mass spectrometry, (1)H-NMR, and
      (13)C-NMR, is responsible for the [M +60](+) and [M + 77](+) adducts observed in
      some spectra. The buffer ion at m/z 59 is also due to impurities in the ammonium
      acetate salts. Washing the solid salt with chloroform eliminates most of these
      impurities. Examples using the pesticides linuron, monuron, and carbaryl show
      that the ions observed at m/z Mr + 60 and Mr + 59 disappear when a buffer
      obtained from acetic acid and ammonia is used instead of the commercial salts. 

PMID- 24222549
TI  - Improved detection limits for electrospray ionization on a magnetic sector mass
      spectrometer by using an array detector.
AB  - Array detection was compared with point detection for solutions of hen egg-white
      lysozyme, equine myoglobin, and ubiquitin analyzed by electrospray ionization
      with a magnetic sector mass spectrometer. The detection limits for samples
      analyzed by using the array detector system were at least 10 times lower than
      could be achieved by using a point detector on the same mass spectrometer. The
      minimum detectable quantity of protein corresponded to a signal-to-background
      ratio of approximately 2?1 for a 500 amol/MUL solution of hen egg-white lysozyme.
      However, the ultimate practical sample concentrations appeared to be in the 10
      100 fmol/MUL range for the analysis of dilute solutions of relatively pure
      proteins or simple mixtures. 

PMID- 24222550
TI  - Observation of noncovalent complexes to the avidin tetramer by electrospray
      ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - Intact avidin-biotin and avidin-biotin maleimide noncovalent complexes have been
      observed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) by using an
      extended mass range quadrupole mass spectrometer. By utilizing mild ES1 interface
      conditions, the expected solution behavior of four biotin or biotin maleimide
      molecules noncovalently binding to each avidin tetramer can be preserved in the
      gas phase. The ESI-MS results show the appropriate mass additions of 973 +/- 60
      Da for biotin and 1802 +/- 40 Da for biotin maleimide to the avidin tetramer
      species. These results support the hypothesis that substantial retention of
      higher order structure is possible in the gas phase by using gentle ESI
      conditions. 

PMID- 24222552
TI  - A predicted immunity protein confers resistance to pyocin S5 in a sensitive
      strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PMID- 24222553
TI  - Complications of total hip arthroplasty: periprosthetic fractures of the
      acetabulum.
AB  - Periprosthetic fractures of the acetabulum are a rare but potentially disastrous
      complication of total hip arthroplasty. Such fractures occur either as early
      perioperative complications or late complications when they are associated with
      either significant trauma or as a result of the loss of the structural integrity
      of the bone supporting the prosthesis, such as aseptic osteolysis. The incidence
      of such fractures appears to be increasing with the increased use of uncemented
      acetabular components. This article explores the current literature on the
      epidemiology, etiology, and classification of periprosthetic acetabular fractures
      as well as offering potential treatment strategies. 

PMID- 24222554
TI  - Biogenic tellurium nanorods as a novel antivirulence agent inhibiting pyoverdine
      production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - While antibiotic resistance in bacteria is rapidly increasing, the development of
      new antibiotics has decreased in recent years. Antivirulence drugs disarming
      rather than killing pathogens have been proposed to alleviate the problem of
      resistance inherent to existing biocidal antibiotics. Here, we report a nontoxic
      biogenic nanomaterial as a novel antivirulence agent to combat bacterial
      infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We synthesized, in an
      environmentally benign fashion, tellurium nanorods (TeNRs) using the metal
      reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis, and found that the biogenic TeNRs could
      effectively inhibit the production of pyoverdine, one of the most important
      virulence factors in P. aeruginosa. Our results suggest that amyloids and
      extracellular polysaccharides Pel and Psl are not involved in the interactions
      between P. aeruginosa and the biogenic TeNRs, while flagellar movement plays an
      important role in the cell-TeNRs interaction. We further showed that the TeNRs
      (up to 100 ug/mL) did not exhibit cytotoxicity to human bronchial epithelial
      cells and murine macrophages. Thus, biogenic TeNRs hold promise as a novel
      antivirulence agent against P. aeruginosa.

PMID- 24222555
TI  - Clinical features, testing, and management of patients with suspected prosthetic
      hip-associated cobalt toxicity: a systematic review of cases.
AB  - Safety concerns regarding cobalt-containing metal alloy hip prosthetics (Co-HP)
      have resulted in product recalls, a medical device alert, and issuance of
      guidance for clinicians. Recently, cases of suspected prosthetic hip-associated
      cobalt toxicity (PHACT) from Co-HP have been reported. Although little is known
      about suspected PHACT, these patients may be referred to medical toxicologists
      for evaluation and management recommendations. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and
      unpublished abstracts from toxicology scientific meetings for references relevant
      to PHACT. Authors independently screened publications for inclusion criteria:
      publication in English, human study population, subject(s) are symptomatic
      (except for isolated hip pain), and cobalt values in any matrix (blood, serum,
      urine, CSF, synovial fluid) available for review. Data from 10 cases are
      reviewed. Patients with suspected PHACT had findings consistent with cobalt
      toxicity, including thyroid, cardiac, and neurologic dysfunction. Signs and
      symptoms appeared between 3 and 72 months after arthroplasty (median 19 months).
      Neurologic symptoms were most common. Ancillary testing varied considerably. All
      patients had elevated cobalt levels in one or more matrices. Enhanced elimination
      was attempted in 27 % of patients. At this time, the information currently
      available regarding patients with suspected PHACT is inadequate to guide clinical
      decision making. No consensus has been reached regarding the management of Co-HP
      patients with systemic symptoms. Indications for chelation have not been
      established and require further study. Improved case definitions, improved
      surveillance, and controlled studies are needed to elucidate the scope of this
      problem and guide future investigations. 

PMID- 24222556
TI  - The effects of maternal eating disorders on offspring childhood and early
      adolescent psychiatric disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is evidence that parental psychiatric disorders are associated
      with offspring psychiatric disorder. Very few small studies have investigated the
      effect of maternal eating disorders on offspring psychopathology throughout
      childhood and early adolescence. We aimed to investigate psychiatric disorders at
      age 7, 10, and 13 years in offspring of women with eating disorders prior to
      pregnancy and investigate the relative contribution of other psychiatric
      disorders. METHOD: Women (N = 12,035) from a large population-based longitudinal
      cohort: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). A brief
      prepregnancy psychiatric history was obtained at enrollment to determine
      exposure. Offspring psychiatric disorder was measured using the developmental and
      well-being assessment at ages 7, 10, and 13. RESULTS: Maternal eating disorders
      were associated with a psychiatric diagnosis in the offspring at age 7 and 10,
      particularly emotional disorders (Odds ratio = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.1-2.8). Maternal
      psychiatric disorders other than eating disorders predicted psychiatric diagnoses
      across ages, and acted in an additive fashion with maternal eating disorders.
      DISCUSSION: Maternal eating disorders together with comorbid psychopathology
      increase risk for psychiatric disorders in childhood and early adolescence, in
      particular for emotional disorders. This has important implications for
      prevention and future research.

PMID- 24222557
TI  - Impact of family history of breast cancer on tumour characteristics, treatment,
      risk of second cancer and survival among men with breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Male breast cancer patients have a higher risk of developing a second
      primary cancer, but whether this risk differs according to the family history of
      breast or ovarian cancers remains to be elucidated. We aimed to determine the
      effect of a positive family history among men diagnosed with breast cancer on
      tumour characteristics, treatment, second cancer occurrence and overall survival.
      METHODS: We included 46 patients with known information on the family history of
      breast or ovarian cancer recorded at the Geneva Cancer Registry between 1970 and
      2009. We compared patients with and without a family history with chi-square of
      heterogeneity, risk of second cancer with standardised incidence ratios (SIRs),
      and overall survival by Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of men
      with breast cancer had a positive family history. No differences were observed
      between men with and without familial risk except that patients with increased
      risk were more likely to receive radiotherapy and hormone therapy when compared
      with patients without familial risk. This more complete therapy is likely to be
      explained by the heightened awareness of cancer treatment among breast cancer
      patients with affected family members. Six men developed a second cancer. SIRs
      for second cancer were not significantly increased among patients with or without
      familial risk (1.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-6.97 and 1.04, 95% CI 0.28
      2.66, respectively). Overall survival was not significantly different between the
      two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis was similar among patients with or without
      familial risk. Our results are however based on small numbers and larger registry
      based cohorts of males with precise data on familial risk are still warranted.

PMID- 24222558
TI  - Investigation of the gas-phase structure of electrosprayed proteins using ion
      molecule reactions.
AB  - Proton transfer reactions of ammonia, dimemylamine, diethylamine, and
      trimethylarnine with multiply protonated proteins generated by electrospray
      ionization (ESI) were examined to probe the relationship between solution and gas
      phase protein structure and the relationship with ion-molecule reactivity. The
      ion-molecule reactions were carried out in an atmospheric pressure capillary
      inlet/reactor based upon an ESI interface to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Two
      types of systems were explored: (1) proteins possessing cysteine-cysteine
      disulfide bonds and the analogous disulfide-reduced proteins, and (2) proteins
      sprayed from solution compositions where the protein has different conformations.
      While the cysteine-cysteine disulfide-bound proteins were more reactive than
      equally charged disulfide-reduced proteins under these conditions, no significant
      reactivity differences were noted for ions arising from different solution
      conformations. The effect of inlet/reactor temperature on charge distributions
      with and without amine reagent was also explored, demonstrating that thermal
      denaturation of proteins can occur in heated capillary inlets. The results are
      discussed in the context of recent results indicating the persistence of at least
      some higher order protein structure in the gas phase. 

PMID- 24222559
TI  - Selective generation of charge-cependent/independent ion energy distributions
      from a heated capillary electrospray source.
AB  - Retarding grid and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass
      spectrometry variable trap potential measurements are performed to determine
      factors that contribute to the kinetic energy distribution of ions formed in an
      electrospray source that uses a heated capillary for desolvation. The control of
      ion kinetic energies is achieved by manipulating the skimmer position in the
      postcapillary expansion and by varying the potential appEed to the skimmer. The
      selective generation of either charge-dependent or charge-independent ion energy
      distributions is demonstrated. Charge-dependent energy distributions of electro
      sprayed ions are created by sampling ions near the Mach disk of the supersonic
      expansion and by using a larger diameter skimmer orifice; the FTICR spectra
      acquired under these conditions exhibit mass-to-charge ratio-dependent mass
      discrimination determined by the potential used to trap the ions. Charge
      independent energies of electrosprayed ions are created by positioning the
      capillary adjacent to the skimmer to sample thermal ions and by using a smaller
      skimmer orifice to reduce expansion cooling; under these conditions ion kinetic
      energy is determined primarily by the skimmer potential and no mass-to-charge
      ratio-dependence is observed in the selection of optimum FTICR trapping
      conditions. The ability to select between proteins of different conformation on
      the basis of kinetic energy differences is demonstrated. For example, a 0.4 V
      difference in trap potential is observed in the selective trapping of open and
      closed forms of the +10 charge state of lysozyme. Finally, it is demonstrated
      that by operating the source under conditions which deliver a beam of ions with
      charge-independent energies to the cell, it is possible to obtain precursor and
      product ion signal magnitudes in FTTCR spectra without charge-dependent mass
      discrimina-tion. 

PMID- 24222560
TI  - Direct matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometric analysis of
      proteins immobilized on nylon-based membranes.
AB  - Direct analysis of proteins adsorbed onto the surface of nylon membranes has been
      performed at the picomole level by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization
      mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Nylon-66 and positive charge-modified nylon
      (Zetabind) membranes fixed to MALDI probe tips were successfully employed to
      analyze picomole quantities of sample that were adsorbed onto these inert
      supports prior to adding a matrix-containing solution. Proteins and peptides are
      readily solubilized from these types of membrane with conventional matrix
      solvents and cocrystallize with the matrix on the membrane surface. Because
      solubilization of membrane-adsorbed protein is necessary for successful sample
      preparation, nylon membranes are more suitable for use with MALDI-MS than other
      protein transfer membranes such as polyvinylidene difluoride or nitrocellulose.
      When compared to samples prepared conventionally, no apparent loss of sensitivity
      or resolution is observed when analysis by MALDI-MS is performed from nylon-66 or
      positive charge-modified nylon membranes. Detection limits and resolution are not
      apparently affected by the membrane immobilization/washing procedure, and no
      change in the mass accuracy is observed when analysis is performed on the nylon
      surface. However, there is a time shift (increase) in ion flight time when
      analysis by MALDI-time-of-flight-MS is performed directly from the membrane fixed
      to the probe tip (about 200 ns for an ion of mass 379.3). To maintain mass
      accuracy, the use of internal standards or external calibration performed on a
      membrane support was necessary. The immobilization of proteins on nylon membranes
      can be used to facilitate removal of water-soluble contaminants because the
      sample is retained when the membrane is immersed in water prior to adding the
      matrix solution. The feasibility of performing both chemical and enzymatic
      modifications of proteins adsorbed onto inert nylon supports prior to analysis by
      MALDi-MS is also demonstrated. 

PMID- 24222561
TI  - Simulated ion trajectory and induced signal in ion cyclotron resonance ion traps.
AB  - We present a numerical method for computation of electrostatic (trapping) and
      time-varying (excitation) electric fields and the resulting ion trajectory and
      detected time-domain-induced voltage signal in a rectangular (or cubic) ion
      cyclotron resonance (ICR) ion trap. The electric potential is calculated by use
      of the superposition principle and relaxation method with a large number of grid
      points (e.g., 100 * 100 * 100 for a cubic trap). Complex ICR experiments and
      spectra may now be simulated with high accuracy. Ion trajectories may be obtained
      for any combination of trapping and excitation modes, including quadrupolar or
      cubic trapping in static or dynamic mode; and dipolar, quadrupolar, or parametric
      excitation with single-frequency, frequency-sweep (chirp), or stored waveform
      inverse Fourier transform waveforms. The resulting ion trajectory may be
      represented either as its three dimensional spatial path or as two-dimensional
      plots of x-, y-, or z-position, velocity, or kinetic energy versus time in the
      absence or presence of excitation. Induced current is calculated by use of the
      reciprocity principle, and simulated ICR mass spectra are generated by Fourier
      transform of the corresponding time-domain voltage signal. 

PMID- 24222562
TI  - Relative dissociation energy measurements using ion trap collisional activation.
AB  - The measured minimum resonance excitation amplitudes for decomposition of
      polyatomic ions in the quadrupole ion trap collisional activation experiment are
      shown to correlate with literature critical energies. The present article
      describes how experiments can be performed to derive threshold resonance
      excitation amplitudes via the kinetics associated with collision-induced
      dissociation (i.e., dissociation rate constants) in the quadrupole ion trap. The
      relationship between these threshold values and critical energies is established
      empirically by using kinetic data acquired for molecular ions with critical
      energies measured with other techniques. The experiments are complicated by the
      change in optimum resonance excitation frequency with amplitude, due presumably
      to contributions from higher order fields. It is proposed that the threshold
      resonance excitation amplitude is a measure of the change in temperature of the
      parent ion population required to achieve a measurable rate of decomposition. The
      present results indicate that the quadrupole ion trap may see new applications as
      a quantitative tool for the study of gaseous ion chemistry. 

PMID- 24222563
TI  - Hydrogen-bonding interactions in gas-phase polyether/ammonium ion complexes.
AB  - Hydrogen bonds are among the most important interactions involved in selective
      complexation in host-guest chemistry. In this study a variety of hydrogen-bonded
      crown ether/ammonium ion complexes are generated in the gas phase by association
      reactions between an amine substrate and a polyether, one of which is initially
      protonated, and stabilized by many collisions in the chemical ionlzation source
      of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer or in a quadrupole ion trap. The nature
      of the hydrogen-bonding interactions of the ion complexes are evaluated by
      comparison of their collision-activated dissociation spectra. After collisional
      activation, those complexes that are weakly bound dissociate to form intact
      protonated polyether molecules and/or ammonium ions by simple cleavages of the
      hydrogen-bond association interactions. In contrast, those complexes strongly
      bound by multiple hydrogen bonds dissociate not only to the protonated polyether
      and/or ammonium ions but also by extensive covalent bond cleavage of the
      protonated ether skeleton.This latter type of dissociation behavior suggests that
      the polyether/ammonium ion complexes may be sufficiently strongly bound that
      surpassing the high barrier to decomposition results in formation of internally
      excited polyether molecules that may then undergo subsequent fragmentation by
      skeletal cleavages. Moreover, complexes involving multiple hydrogen bonds may
      have slower dissociation kinetics, allowing competition from fast dissociation
      processes that have substantial energy barriers. 

PMID- 24222564
TI  - Protonation of ferrocene in the gas phase.
AB  - Hydrogen-deuterium exchange, proton and deuteron transfer, and collision-induced
      dissociation experiments involving protonated ferrocene, [Fe(cC5H5)2]H(+), and
      isotopically labeled analogues have been carried out using a Fourier transform
      ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) spectrometer and a double-focusing mass
      spectrometer of reversed geometry. These experiments reveal that the structure in
      which the added proton is bound to one of the cyclopentadienyl rings, possibly
      via agostic interaction with the iron atom, plays an important role in the gas
      phase behavior of protonated ferrocene. It is demonstrated that extensive
      hydrogen atom scrambling occurs in the cyclopentadiene ring and that the extra
      hydrogen can also switch from one ring to the other, probably via the iron atom.
      An interpretation is presented which implicates slow thermal unimolecular
      rearrangement on the FKR time scale from a metal-protonated form to a ring
      protonated form which is higher in energy. This interpretation successfully
      rationalizes the current data as well as previous gas-phase measurements and is
      found to be in good agreement with solution and matrix isolation studies. 

PMID- 24222565
TI  - Mechanistic study of hydrogen/deuterium exchange between [M - 1](-) ions of
      chlorinated benzenes and D 2O or ND 3.
AB  - Low-energy collisions between [M - 1](-) ions derived from the three isomers of
      dichlorobenzene and deuterated water and ammonia are found to produce distinctive
      hydrogen/ deuterium (H/D) exchange reaction product patterns. The predominant
      products observed for p-, m-, and o-dichlorobenzene are 1, 2, and 3 sequential
      deuterium exchanges, respectively. The reactivity is substantially higher for D2O
      than ND3 We postulate a mechanism that involves the formation of a five-membered
      ring intermediate. The intermediate is thought to be initiated by the attack of
      ND3 or D2O at the localized negative charge site on the aromatic ring. A
      successful exchange is followed by the relocation of the charge site to the
      adjacent carbon. Ion products with higher degrees of deuterium substitution than
      the expected predominant products of their corresponding isomers are believed to
      be the results of isomerization of the reactant ions occurring in the ion source.
      The proposed mechanism fuily explains the observed product spectra derived from
      al1 the isomers of chlorinated benzenes. The trends for the formation of various
      H/D exchange products represented by the sweated product-time plots based on the
      proposed mechanism compare well with the similar trends obtained from the
      experimental product-pressure plots. The reaction is useful for the mass
      spectrometric differentiation of chlorobenzene isomers. 

PMID- 24222566
TI  - Enhancement of mass spectrometric detection of LTC4, LTD 4, and LTE 4 by
      derivatization.
AB  - Several acylating reagents are synthesized and used to introduce quatemary
      phosphonium or ammonium or ternary sulfonium functions into a simple model of a
      peptido leukotriene (PLT). One of these reagents was selected for further study
      with LTE4, LTD4, and LTC4. We demonstrate that acylation of the free amine
      function of PLTs to produce the 5-triphenylphosphoniumvaleryl-amide (TPPV)
      derivatives enhances chemical stabilities and significantly increases responses
      in fast-atom bombardment and continuous-flow liquid secondary ion mass
      spectrometry (CF-LSIMS) relative to the native PLTs. With high-performance liquid
      chromatography inlet to CF-LSIMS, we demonstrate the facile detection in selected
      ion monitoring of the TPPV derivative of 3 pg of LTD4. 

PMID- 24222567
TI  - Poly(amic acid) and polyimide characterization using gas chromatography/mass
      spectrometry and particle beam liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.
AB  - A number of polymers were hydrolyzed in NH4OH and studied using gas
      chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and particle beam liquid
      chromatography/mass spectrometry (particle beam LC/MS) techniques. The polymers
      studied in this report were as follows: BPDA-PDA, BPDA-PDA-ODA, BPDA-PDA-GFDA,
      PMDA-ODA, and BTDA-APB. Some of the polymer samples were hydrolyzed in both their
      acid and imide forms to see if any mass spectrometric differences could be
      detected. ln all cases, the acid and imide spectra looked the same. GC/MS was
      unable to determine either the amine or acid portion of these polymers via a
      direct injection of the sample, but when the samples were first extracted with
      diethyl ether and this ether extract was injected into the chromatograph, the
      amine portion of the polymers was readily detected. The acid portion was, again,
      not detected in either the sample or the ether extract. The particle beam was
      able to detect both the amine and acid monomeric units in the nonextracted
      sample. 

PMID- 24222568
TI  - Characterization of a glow discharge ion source for the mass spectrometric
      analysis of organic compounds.
AB  - A glow discharge ion source has been constructed for the mass spectrometric
      analysis of organic compounds. Characterization of the source has been made by
      studying the effect of pressure and discharge current on ionic distributions by
      anodic ion sampling along the discharge axis. Ion and electron densities and
      electronic temperatures have been calculated by using the single Langmuir probe
      technique to correlate the extraction efficiency with measured ion distributions
      and gain some insight into the ionization of organic molecules. The spectra
      obtained for several classes of organic compounds show that formation of parent
      molecular ions by proton transfer, resulting partly from the background water
      molecules, is a major low energy process while charge transfer, Penning
      ionization, and electron ionization ace probably responsible for the
      fragmentation observed. The spectra result from the simultaneous occurrence of
      high and low energy reactions, and their structural information content is very
      high, yielding both molecular and extensive fragment ion information. The glow
      discharge ion source has proved to be essentially maintenance-free, easy to
      operate, stable, and can be used at reasonable mass resolution (up to 70001. The
      source also provides picogram range detection limits and has a linear response
      range of about six orders of magnitude, which makes it an interesting ion source
      for routine analysis. Preliminary work conducted with chromatographic interfaces
      indicates that its use can be easily extended to both gas and liquid
      chromatography. 

PMID- 24222569
TI  - Estimating probabilities of correct identification from results of mass spectral
      library searches.
AB  - This work presents a method for using mass spectral match factors reported by
      library search systems to obtain certain probabilistic indicators of correct
      identification. The overall probability that a retrieval is correct is formally
      separated into two independent terms. One of these is the probability that a
      retrieval is correct assuming that the correct match is contained in the library.
      This can be computed directly from test results. The other term represents the
      probability that the spectrum of the unknown compound is actually in the library.
      While the absolute value of this term cannot be computed, a relative value based
      solely on search results can be derived. This value may, if desired, be used to
      refine an initial estimate of the overall probability. Parameters used in this
      calculation are based on changes in test results caused by the logical removal of
      the test compounds from the library. These methods were parameterized from
      results of searching the MST/EPA/NIH Mass Spectral Database with 12,592 good
      quality replicate spectra and a simple mass spectral comparison function. The
      methodology should be equal1 applicable to other libraries and search systems. 

PMID- 24222570
TI  - Gaseous myoglobin ions stored at greater than 300 K.
AB  - Multiply-charged myoglobin ions retaining the prosthetic heme group have been
      formed by electrospray, injected into a quadrupole ion trap, and stored for up to
      one second prior to mass analysis. Collisional activation experiments indicate
      that these ions readily fragment into the charged heme group and the
      complementary apomyoglobin ion. No fragmentation is observed, however, upon ion
      storage in the presence of a neutral bath gas at 1 * 10(-3) torr for up to one
      second. The significance of this observation is that these non-covalently-bound
      ions, in which both the heme group and the polypeptide carry charge, are
      kinetically stable for over one second at room temperature and, perhaps, at
      higher temperatures. This suggests that other biologically relevant ions derived
      using electrospray and bound by non-covalent interactions can be studied using
      the various tools available with ion storage mass spectrometers and by other
      techniques that employ relatively high pressure environments for the study of
      gaseous ions. 

PMID- 24222572
TI  - alpha-crystallin modulates its chaperone activity by varying the exposed surface.
AB  - The alpha-crystallin family of small heat shock proteins possesses chaperone
      activity in response to stress and is involved in several neurological, muscular,
      and ophthalmic pathologies. This family includes the vertebrate lens protein
      alpha-crystallin, associated with cataract disease. In this study, by combining
      small-angle X-ray and light scattering techniques, the structure and shape of
      alpha-crystallin was revealed in its native state and after a transition caused
      by heat stress. Below critical temperature (Tc ), alpha-crystallin appears as an
      ellipsoid with a central cavity; whereas at high temperatures the cavity almost
      disappears, and the protein rearranges its structure, increasing the solvent
      exposed surface while retaining the ellipsoidal symmetry. Contextually, at Tc ,
      alpha-crystallin chaperone binding shows an abrupt increase. By modelling the
      chaperone activity as the formation of a complex composed of alpha-crystallin and
      an aggregating substrate, it was demonstrated that the increase of alpha
      crystallin-exposed surface is directly responsible for its gain in chaperone
      functionality. 

PMID- 24222573
TI  - Rounding frequency and hospital length of stay for children with respiratory
      illnesses: a simulation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient discharge from the hospital is linked to physician-led
      rounds, whereas discharge from the emergency department (ED) is more fluid. The
      relationship between rounding and length of stay (LOS) has not been
      quantitatively described. OBJECTIVES: To describe the arrival and discharge
      patterns in the ED and inpatient settings for children with respiratory illnesses
      and to explore how the timing and frequency of rounding could impact LOS.
      DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective administrative data analyses of visits for
      respiratory illnesses to a tertiary care pediatric ED from May 2007 to April
      2010. METHODS: ED visits for common respiratory conditions were selected based on
      International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification
      codes, excluding complex comorbid conditions, severe illness, and intensive care
      unit admission. Discharge time was plotted against arrival time for the ED and
      inpatient unit. LOS was calculated. A Monte Carlo simulation model was developed
      to explore the influence of additional rounds on inpatient LOS. RESULTS: Of the
      5503 included visits, 1285 (23.4%) resulted in inpatient care. Discharges from
      the ED typically occurred 2 to 5 hours after arrival, whereas most inpatient
      discharges occurred between 11 am and 6 pm regardless of admission time.
      Simulating 1 additional rounding session decreased predicted inpatient LOS by
      approximately 5 hours. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to ED discharges that occurred
      around the clock, inpatient discharges for children with respiratory illnesses
      were concentrated during afternoon hours. Increasing rounding frequency may
      improve hospital efficiency but could result in unintended consequences such as
      fewer opportunities for patient education.

PMID- 24222577
TI  - Comparison of the reactivity of nonheme iron(IV)-oxo versus iron(IV)-imido
      complexes: which is the better oxidant?
AB  - Which is better? The first detailed comparison of the reactivity of nonheme
      iron(IV)-imido versus nonheme iron(IV)-oxo intermediates with substrates is
      presented. The iron(IV)-imido variant reacts with sulfides five times faster than
      iron(IV)-oxo, whereas the reverse trend is observed for hydrogen atom
      abstraction. These observed trends are analyzed and explained. 

PMID- 24222574
TI  - Intraoperative fluorescence delineation of head and neck cancer with a
      fluorescent anti-epidermal growth factor receptor nanobody.
AB  - Intraoperative near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging is a technology with high
      potential to provide the surgeon with real-time visualization of tumors during
      surgery. Our study explores the feasibility for clinical translation of an
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting nanobody for intraoperative
      imaging and resection of orthotopic tongue tumors and cervical lymph node
      metastases. The anti-EGFR nanobody 7D12 and the negative control nanobody R2 were
      conjugated to the NIR fluorophore IRDye800CW (7D12-800CW and R2-800CW).
      Orthotopic tongue tumors were induced in nude mice using the OSC-19-luc2-cGFP
      cell line. Tumor-bearing mice were injected with 25 ug 7D12-800CW, R2-800CW or 11
      ug 800CW. Subsequently, other mice were injected with 50 or 75 ug of 7D12-800CW.
      The FLARE imaging system and the IVIS spectrum were used to identify, delineate
      and resect the primary tumor and cervical lymph node metastases. All tumors could
      be clearly identified using 7D12-800CW. A significantly higher tumor-to
      background ratio (TBR) was observed in mice injected with 7D12-800CW compared to
      mice injected with R2-800CW and 800CW. The highest average TBR (2.00 +/- 0.34 and
      2.72 +/- 0.17 for FLARE and IVIS spectrum, respectively) was observed 24 hr after
      administration of the EGFR-specific nanobody. After injection of 75 ug 7D12-800CW
      cervical lymph node metastases could be clearly detected. Orthotopic tongue
      tumors and cervical lymph node metastases in a mouse model were clearly
      identified intraoperatively using a recently developed fluorescent EGFR-targeting
      nanobody. Translation of this approach to the clinic would potentially improve
      the rate of radical surgical resections.

PMID- 24222578
TI  - Superoxide disproportionation driven by zinc complexes with various steric and
      electrostatic properties.
AB  - Attractive models: Synthetic Zn(II) complexes were investigated as models of
      copper-zinc superoxide dismutase. Superoxide underwent a unique
      disproportionation reaction in the electrostatic sphere of the complexes (see
      picture; bpy=2,2'-bipyridyl). The effectiveness of the Zn(II) complexes in
      inducing the disproportionation of superoxide depended on both the Lewis acidity
      and the coordination geometry of the Zn center. 

PMID- 24222579
TI  - Indole synthesis by rhodium(III)-catalyzed hydrazine-directed C-H activation:
      redox-neutral and traceless by N-N bond cleavage.
AB  - Fishing for complements! There is an alternative to the useful Fischer indole
      synthesis. The new method utilizes the same retrosynthetic disconnection but is
      based on a Rh(III) -catalyzed directed C?H activation step and a successive
      coupling with alkynes. 

PMID- 24222580
TI  - Enhanced accuracy of single-molecule diffusion measurements with a photocleavable
      energy-transfer dyad.
AB  - A photocleavable energy-transfer dyad was synthesized, characterized, and applied
      to single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. After photocleavage, a combination of
      independent two-color single-molecule tracking and analysis of single-molecule
      energy-transfer efficiencies allows the determination of the temporal evolution
      of the relative distances between both fragments from the nm to the MUm scale.
      This gives access to a broad range of diffusion coefficients. 

PMID- 24222581
TI  - Ammonia-in-oil-microemulsions and their application.
AB  - Liquid ammonia on the nanoscale: Ammonia-in-oil microemulsions are used to
      synthesize Bi, Re, CoN, and GaN nanoparticles, which can be obtained without
      further thermal treatment. These microemulsions are as reproducible and simple as
      their water-in-oil conterparts, with the exception of the required low
      temperature of -40  degrees C. 

PMID- 24222582
TI  - Deletion of a dynamic surface loop improves stability and changes kinetic
      behavior of phosphatidylinositol-synthesizing Streptomyces phospholipase D.
AB  - Supplementary phosphatidylinositol (PI) was shown to improve lipid metabolism in
      animals, thus it is interesting for pharmaceutical and nutritional applications.
      Homogenous PI can be produced in transphosphatidylation of phosphatidylcholine
      (PC) with myo-inositol catalyzed by phospholipase D (PLD). Only bacterial enzymes
      able to catalyze PI synthesis are Streptomyces antibioticus PLD (SaPLD) variants,
      among which DYR (W187D/Y191Y/Y385R) has the best kinetic profile. Increase in PI
      yield is possible by providing excess of solvated myo-inositol, which is
      achievable at high temperatures due to its highly temperature-dependent
      solubility. However, high-temperature PI synthesis requires the thermostable PLD.
      Previous site-directed combinatorial mutagenesis at the residues of DYR having
      high B-factor yielded the most improved variant, D40H/T291Y DYR, obtained by the
      combination of two selected mutations. D40 and T291 are located within dynamic
      surface loops, D37-G45 (termed D40 loop) and G273-T313. Thus, in this work,
      thermostabilization of DYR SaPLD was attempted by rational design based on
      deletion of the D40 loop, generating two variants, Delta37-45 DYR and Delta38-46
      DYR PLD. Delta38-46 DYR showed highest thermostability as its activity half-life
      at 70 degrees C proved 11.7 and 8.0 times longer than that of the DYR and Delta37
      45 DYR, respectively. Studies on molecular dynamics predicted Delta38-46 DYR to
      have the least average RMSD change as temperature dramatically increases. At 60
      and 70 degrees C, both mutants synthesized PI in a twofold higher yield compared
      to the DYR, while at the same time produced less of the hydrolytic side-product,
      phosphatidic acid.

PMID- 24222583
TI  - Doctors should be tried by a UK criminal court, not by the GMC.

PMID- 24222584
TI  - Young peoples' stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs about anorexia nervosa and
      muscle dysmorphia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The nature and extent of stigma toward individuals with anorexia
      nervosa and muscle dysmorphia remains underexplored. This study investigated
      attitudes and beliefs likely to be conducive to stigmatization of individuals
      with these conditions. METHOD: Male and female undergraduate students (n = 361)
      read one of four vignettes describing a fictional male or female character with
      anorexia nervosa or muscle dysmorphia, after which they responded to a series of
      questions addressing potentially stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs toward each
      character. RESULTS: Characters with anorexia nervosa were more stigmatized than
      characters with muscle dysmorphia, female characters were more stigmatized than
      male characters, and male participants were more stigmatizing than female
      participants. A large effect of character diagnosis on masculinity was observed,
      such that characters with anorexia nervosa were perceived as less masculine than
      characters with muscle dysmorphia, and this effect was more pronounced among male
      participants. However, no significant corresponding effects were observed for
      femininity. DISCUSSION: Females with anorexia nervosa may be particularly
      susceptible to stigmatization, especially by males. Anorexia nervosa and muscle
      dysmorphia are perceived as "female" and "male" disorders respectively, in line
      with societal gender role expectations, and this stigmatization is tied more
      strongly to perceptions of sufferers' masculinity than femininity.

PMID- 24222586
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24222585
TI  - Motivational antecedents of incident reporting: evidence from a survey of nurses
      and physicians.
AB  - QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Underreporting is a major issue when using incident
      reporting systems to improve safety in hospitals. Based on a psychological
      framework, this study investigated the motivational antecedents of the
      willingness to report into incident reporting systems in healthcare. Individual,
      organisational and system-related influences on the willingness to report
      incidents were investigated in a survey of physicians and nurses from five Swiss
      hospitals. METHODS: The motivational antecedents were tested using structural
      equation modelling. The sample consisted of 818 respondents, 546 nurses and 230
      physicians; the response rate was 32%. The willingness to report was assessed by
      using a self-report scale, validated with the self-reported number of reported
      incidents during the previous year. RESULTS: The most important influence on the
      willingness to report was the transparency of the incident reporting system
      procedures to potential users, such as. knowing how and what kind of events to
      report. At the individual level, the perceived effectiveness of reporting was a
      relevant antecedent. At the organisational level, management support positively
      influenced the willingness to report. Different antecedents were found to be
      relevant for nurses and physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Implications are discussed that
      open up alternatives for the design and implementation of incident reporting
      systems in healthcare. For example, the results of the study point to
      opportunities for making incident reporting systems more transparent and
      participatory and to allow for experience of how they actually improve patient
      safety.

PMID- 24222587
TI  - The massachusetts institute of technology mass spectrometry school.
AB  - The events that led to the establishment of organic and biochemical mass
      spectrometry at MIT by the author in 1958, and its growth over the past three and
      one-half decades are briefly chronicled. A major emphasis is placed on the work
      with graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who were educated in the
      field and in turn further contributed to the training of others. An attempt is
      made at the construction of a genealogy encompassing - 7 to + 2 generations (the
      author representing 0). 

PMID- 24222588
TI  - Collision-induced dissociation of uracil and its derivatives.
AB  - The collision-induced dissociation of protonated uracil has been studied by
      tandem mass spectrometry using models extensively labeled with stable isotopes,
      and derivatives of the kinds found in nucleic acids. Following collisional
      activation at 30 eV translational energy, protonated uracil dissociates through
      two principal pathways which do not occur in electron ionization mass spectra:
      (1) elimination of NH3 almost entirely from N-3, followed by loss of CO from C-4,
      0(4); (2) loss of H2O, equally from 0(2) and 0(4). Elimination of HNCO, also the
      principal dissociation process from odd-electron molecular ions, proceeds
      primarily by loss of N-3, C-Z, O(2) and 10% from N-l, C-Z, 0(2). Several
      secondary dissociation products are formed with quantitative site specificity of
      skeletal atoms: C,HO+ (4-C0, C-5, C-6); H2CN+ (N-l, C-6); C2H2+ (N-l, C-5, C-6).
      First-step dissociation reactions are interpreted in terms of pyrimidine ring
      opening at likely sites of protonation after collisional activation of MH+.
      Collision-induced dissociation mass spectra of uracils with structural themes
      common to nucleic acids (methylation, replacement of 0 by S, C-5 substitution)
      follow analogous reaction paths which permit assignment of sites of substitution,
      and exhibit ion abundance changes attributed to differences in substituent
      basicity and electron density. 

PMID- 24222589
TI  - Characterization of protein iv-glycosylation by reversed-phase microbore liquid
      chromatography / electrospray mass spectrometry, complementary mobile phases, and
      sequential exoglycosidase digestion.
AB  - A strategy for the identification of the site occupancy and glycoform
      heterogeneity, including sialylation occurring at specific sites of N-linked
      giycoproteins is presented using the asparagine-linked glycosylation on bovine
      fetuin for illustration. This is achieved by microbore high-performance liquid
      chromatography/electrospray ionization mass analysis (LC/ESIMS) of the tryptic
      glycopeptide mixtures with an acetonitrile-based mobile phase followed by
      sequential steps of residue (and linkage) specific glycoform degradation and
      LC/ESIMS analysis at each stage. In addition, chromatographic separation of the
      site-specific glycoforms of tryptic glycopeptides is accomplished by the use of
      an alternative, mass spectrometrically compatible mobile phase
      water/ethanol/propanol/formic acid. By employing this nontraditional mobile phase
      for characterizing the complete tryptic digest, and using highly specific
      exoglycosidases in combination with LC/ESIMS analysis, a previously
      uncharacterized carbohydrate (a disialo biantennary complex oligosaccharide) was
      identified as a novel structure at Asn(81) of bovine fetuin. (J Am Sot Mass
      Spectrom 1994, 5, 350-358). 

PMID- 24222590
TI  - Quantitative assessment of cysteine and cystine in peptides and proteins
      following organomercurial derivatization and analysis by matrix-assisted laser
      desorption ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - Protocols for the analysis of the sulfhydryl content in peptides and proteins
      using chemical derivatization by organomercurial reagents and analysis by matrix
      assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) have been
      developed. The number of reactive cysteine residues in peptides and proteins can
      be determined by exploiting the affinity and selectivity of organomercurial
      reagents for macromolecular thiols. Mass shifts observed in MALDI mass spectra
      obtained before and after cysteine derivatization with p-hydroxy-mercuribenzoate
      (pHMB) permit the number of free sulfhydryl groups to be determined. The pHMB
      derivative of each free cysteine residue provides a mass shift of 321 u,
      overcoming limitations in the mass resolution of MALDI time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry. Reactive cysteine residues in a macromolecule can be selectively
      derivatized by using a fivefold molar excess of pHMB reagent. Total sulfhydryl
      content (i.e., cysteine and cystine) can be determined after disulfide reduction.
      However, analyses for total cysteine content are more complex, requiring protein
      denaturation, cystine reduction, and sample purification before derivatization
      and analysis by MALDI-MS. Conditions for sample denaturation, alkyl-phosphine
      reduction, pHMB derivatization, and sample purification by analyte adsorption and
      desalting on protein transfer membranes, are described for cysteine/cystine
      analysis performed on microgram (10-200 pmol) quantities of somatostatin,
      insulin, hemoglobin, and beta-lactoglobulin. 

PMID- 24222591
TI  - A comparison of the reactions of the oxide radical anion (o(-.)) with simple
      aromatic compounds at atmospheric and at reduced pressure conditions.
AB  - The reactions of oxide radical anions (O(-.)) with benzene and toluene under
      atmospheric pressure (APCI) and conventional chemical ionization (CI) conditions
      were compared. Hydrogen radical (H(-)) displacement by oxygen, yielding [M - H +
      O](-), was observed in both the APCI and the CI source. However, the product, [M 
      2H](-.), derived from dihydrogen radical ion (H2 (+.)) transfer which was
      observed in the CI spectra, was consistently absent under APCI conditions. This
      behavior is rationalized in terms of the higher pressures and chemical
      equilibrium associated with the APCI source. In addition to the formation of the
      a priori expected phenoxide isomers, the reaction of O(-.) with toluene to yield
      the [M - H + O](-) product generates a benzyloxide anion. Tandem mass
      spectrometry data from collision-induced dissociation and isotopic labeling with
      deuterium support a reaction mechanism initiated by alpha hydrogen abstraction
      for both the H(.) and the H2 (+.) transfer pathways. 

PMID- 24222592
TI  - Characterization of an opioid peptide-containing protein and of bovine alpha
      lactalbumin by electrospray ionization and liquid secondary ion mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Mass spectrometry methods have been used to characterize two proteins: an opioid
      peptide-containing protein extracted from bovine pituitary, and bovine alpha
      lactalbumin (BAL). A protein that contains beta-endorphin was found in bovine
      pituitary, and that protein was characterized with electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry (ESIMS), gel permeation chromatography, reversed-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), radioimmunoassay, trypsinolysis, and
      liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS).BAL is a protein that was used as
      a model to develop analytical methods to study opioid peptide-containing
      proteins. Commercial BAL was purified by RP-HPLC, and its molecular weight (M.W.)
      was determined by ESIMS. The shift in mass observed following dithiothreitol
      (DTT) reduction estimated the number of disulfide bonds.For all of the data
      obtained for BAL with or without RP-HPLC separation, ESIMS determined the M.W. of
      the peptides produced by trypsin treatment of BAL, and LSIMS selected a precursor
      ion, the protonated molecule ion [M + H](+), of a tryptic peptide, which was
      analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. Following DTT reduction, ESIMS and LSIMS
      detected each peptide that contained disulfide bonds in that mixture of tryptic
      peptides. 

PMID- 24222593
TI  - Nitrogen isotopic analyses by isotope-ratio-monitoring gas chromatography / mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Amino acids containing natural-abundance levels of (15)N were derivatized and
      analyzed isotopically using a technique in which individual compounds are
      separated by gas chromatography, combusted on-line, and the product stream sent
      directly to an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. For samples of N2 gas, standard
      deviations of ratio measurement were better than 0.10/00 (Units for delta are
      parts per thousand or per million (0/00).) for samples larger than 400 pmol and
      better than 0.50/00 for samples larger than 25 pmol (0.10/00 (15)N is equivalent
      to 0.00004 atom % (15)N). Results duplicated those of conventional, batchwise
      analyses to within 0.050/00. For combustion of organic compounds yielding CO2/N2
      ratios between 14 and 28, in particular for N-acetyl n-propyl derivatives of
      amino acids, delta values were within 0.250/00 of results obtained using
      conventional techniques and standard deviations were better than 0.350/00. Pooled
      data for measurements of all amino acids produced an accuracy and precision of
      0.04 and 0.230/00, respectively, when 2 mnol of each amino acid was injected on
      column and 20% of the stream of combustion products was delivered to the mass
      spectrometer. 

PMID- 24222594
TI  - A low voltage ion transport system for external ionization fourier transform mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - An efficient ion transport system that interfaces external ion sources with a
      commercial dual-cell Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) system so as to
      retain maximum experimental flexibility has been constructed. Electrostatic
      lenses were used for ion transfer with potentials less than 200 V to preclude
      discharges. Spectra were recorded by thermal ionization and by electrospray
      ionization. Other high pressure ionization methods can be easily added to the
      external ion source chamber, making this a general solution for ion transport
      into an FTMS system. The efficiency of ion transfer was measured to be
      approximately 30%. A pressure ratio of 10(5) between the external ion source
      chamber and the second cell has been demonstrated. The system incorporates a
      computer-controlled gate valve to isolate the cell regions from the external ion
      source chamber, permitting optimal conditions for ion injection and accumulation,
      and then after closing the valve, recording spectra at low pressure with high
      resolution. Spectra of Gramicidin S (resolution 90,000 at m/z 1164), aprotinin
      (resolution 410,000 at m/z 1304), and horse heart cytochrome c (resolution 50,000
      at m/z 1546) are shown. 

PMID- 24222595
TI  - Effect of tautomerization on the fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectra of azo
      dyes.
AB  - The effect of tautomerization on the collision-induced dissociation of negative
      ions produced from sulfonated azo dyes by fast-atom bombardment (FAB) was studied
      by analyzing the product ion spectra of several related compounds. The mechanisms
      by which azo dyes fragment were found to depend on the formation and stability of
      tautomers. The extent of tautomerization was affected by the number and location
      of hydroxy groups on the dye, as well as by the FAB matrix. Ions that retained a
      sodium were often inhibited from forming tautomers and gave different product
      ions. Substitution of deuterium for hydrogen on the hydroxy groups aided in the
      identification of ions having more than one possible structure and provided
      verification of proposed mechanisms. Mechanisms involving ions retaining a sodium
      were verified by substituting potassium for the sodium. 

PMID- 24222596
TI  - Analysis of long-chain fatty acyl coenzyme a thioesters by negative ion fast-atom
      bombardment mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Long-chain acyl Coenzyme A (CoA) is essentially composed of three major chemical
      groups, fatty acyl-, phosphopantetheino-, and 3', 5',-adenosine diphospho
      moieties. The negative ion fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry spectra of
      long-chain acyl CoA thioesters were characterized by the formation of abundant [M
      - H](-) and two distinct classes of fragment ions, one class which retained the
      acyl group and another class which is related to CoA that contains the
      phosphopantethene and adenine. The ions which retained the acyl group in the
      spectrum of palmitoyl CoA appeared at m/z 675, 657, 595, and 577 and were found
      to decompose by loss of alkylketene observed at m/z 357 and 339. Those ions which
      retained the adenine group were observed at m/z 426 and 408. In contrast to these
      ions observed following fast-atom bombardment ionization, tandem mass
      spectrometry of the [M - H](-), from palmitoyl CoA (m/z 1004), yielded the
      adenine-containing ions as major products and the acyl-containing ions were of
      low abundance or not detected. These results suggested that the formation of many
      characteristic ions observed in direct FAB analysis occurred during the
      desorption process. The unique relationship between ions which involved the
      transition from acyl-containing ions to only CoA-containing ions by the loss of
      alkylketene allowed the development of tandem mass spectrometry protocols for the
      analysis of acyl CoA mixtures. Precursor scans of either m/z 357 or 339 yielded
      the identification of each species in a complex mixture. Identification of
      specific species was obtained with a neutral loss scan of the mass for a specific
      alkylketene. 

PMID- 24222597
TI  - The mass spectrometry of helical unfolding in peptides.
AB  - Two model peptides, melittin and a growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) analog,
      have been studied by mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry during the
      course of their deuterium exchange. Both peptides are known from previous work to
      form alpha-helices in solution. When the peptides are exposed to deuterated
      solvents, their masses increase as deuterium atoms replace protons in the
      exchangeable sites of the peptides. The mass spectrometry results clearly
      indicate multiple populations of exchangeable protons: Some exchange very fast,
      and are presumably on the surface and not involved in hydrogen bonding; others
      exchange much more slowly, indicating that they are probably participating in
      hydrogen bonding.Tandem mass spectrometric experiments were conducted, and the
      masses of the product (fragment) ions were used to determine where in the peptide
      the deuterium atoms were incorporated. The results agree very well with NMR
      studies of the same peptides. Melittin appears as two helical segments with a
      kink around Pro-14. The GRF analog contains a single long helix, spanning almost
      the entire length of the peptide. The dynamics of the unfolding of the helices
      can also be explored by observing how the exchange progresses with time. 

PMID- 24222598
TI  - Gas phase hydrogen / deuterium exchange in electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry as a practical tool for structure elucidation.
AB  - Two methods for gas phase hydrogen/deuterium exchange have been developed for the
      analysis of small molecules. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange has been implemented by
      making simple modifications to the plumbing for the nebulizer and curtain gases
      on a nebulization-assisted electrospray ion source. The nebulizer gas exchange
      method has demonstrated deuterium exchange levels of 84-97% for a variety of
      molecules representing a wide range of structural classes containing up to 51
      potentially exchangeable hydrogens; this allowed determination of the number of
      exchangeable hydrogens for all of the molecules studied containing <= 25 labile
      hydrogens (M r <= 3000). ND3 gas consumption is minimized in the nebulizer method
      by toggling the nebulizer from air to ND3 for only a few scans of the total
      sample elution period. The curtain gas exchange method is more variable, yielding
      exchange levels of 32-98% for the same set of molecules; this was still
      sufficient to allow determination of > 70% of the molecules studied containing <=
      25 labile hydrogens. Gas consumption is minimized in the curtain method by
      replacing <= 10% of the curtain gas flow with ND3. Neither the nebulizer nor
      curtain exchange method requires the use of deuterated or aprotic solvents at
      typical 2 MUL/min flow rates. 

PMID- 24222599
TI  - Mass spectrometric characterization of a series of adenosylated peptides acting
      as bisubstrate analogs of protein kinases.
AB  - We are currently developing strategies to synthesize bisubstrate analogs as
      potential inhibitors of serine and tyrosine protein kinases; several such analogs
      have been synthesized. The initial target proteins were the cAMP dependent
      protein kinase (cAPK) and the Ca(+2)/calmodulin dependent protein kinase (CaM
      kiiase II). These bisubstrate analogs were based on either known peptide
      substrates such as kemptide, a seven amino acid peptide substrate of cAPK, or on
      inhibitory peptides such as a seventeen amino acid peptide encompassing the
      autoinhibitory domain of CaM kinase II. Peptides containing a single
      phosphoserine group were first synthesized and then adenosine 5'-monophosphate
      (AMP), adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), or adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) was
      coupled through the serine phosphate with prior activation by 1,1
      carbonyldiimidazole using either a solution or solid phase reaction scheme. In
      this current study, we report the characterization of the bisubstrate analogs by
      liquid secondary ionization mass spectrometry (LSIMS), matrix-assisted laser
      desorption mass spectrometry (MALDI), and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).In the
      positive-ion mode, the LSIMS spectra of the bisubstrate analogs yielded a series
      of molecular ions containing mono-, di-, and trivalent cation adducts. Cation
      adducts were absent in the negative-ion mode where the dominant species were
      deprotonated molecular ions, [M - H](-), making this latter technique more useful
      for confirming product identity and assessing purity. Analysis of these compounds
      by MALDI in both the positive- and negative-ion modes yielded molecular ions
      which also contained metal ion adducts, although they were limited primarily to
      Fe(+2) adducts. Unlike LSIMS, the MALDI spectra showed no evidence for the
      elimination of the phosphoadenosine or other structural moieties. When these
      compounds were subjected to high energy collision-induced dissociation (CID), the
      dominant fragmentation pathways under positive-ion MS/MS conditions resulted from
      cleavage of the phosphate linkages to the adenosine moiety with charge retention
      on the peptide, although a major peak for 5'-deoxyadenosine was also seen at m/z
      250. Charge retention in the negative-ion mode was most pronounced for ion
      fragments containing the highly acidic phosphate moieties and yielded
      phosphoadenosine related ions, for example, (AMP-H)(-), (AMP-H-H2O)(-), (ADP-H)(
      ), etc., as well as ions originating from the phosphate linker such as PO3 (-),
      H2PO4 (-), HP2O6 (-), H3P2O7 (-), and H2P3O9 (-). The largest phosphoadenosine
      ion in the negative-ion CID spectra for each bisubstrate analog, for example, m/z
      426 (ADP-H)(-), m/z 506 (ATP-H)(-), or m/z 586 (AP4-H)(-), indicated that the
      desired covalent modification had been formed between the phosphoserine and APn
      moieties. 

PMID- 24222600
TI  - Chiral recognition in the gas phase: Mass spectrometric studies of diastereomeric
      cobalt complexes.
AB  - Results of mass analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectra and kinetic energy
      release (KER) measurements of diastereomeric octahedral cobalt complexes indicate
      that these diastereomers can be distinguished in the gas phase. Four alkyl
      tartrate esters were complexed to cobalt trisacetylacetonate (Co(acac)3) in the
      presence of a chiral auxiliary, RR- and SS-threohydrobenzoin. Different KER
      values of the product ion generated from [Co(acac)2/D- or L-diisopropyl
      tartrate](+) reflect differences in the precursor ion structure. The dissociation
      pathway resulting in this product ion is believed to arise via a hydride transfer
      from the acetylacetonate ligand to the metal center with subsequent loss of
      neutral organic species. It has been established that two conditions are
      necessary for observation of chiral recognition in this system; (1) the cobalt
      complex must be octahedral and (2) a chemical kinetic resolving agent must be
      present during formation of the complex. 

PMID- 24222601
TI  - Enhancement of ion transmission at low collision energies via modifications to
      the interface region of a spectrometer.
AB  - The transmission efficiency of precursor and product ions decreases significantly
      at lower collision energies in a four-sector tandem mass spectrometer. In an
      effort to improve the overall ion transmission in this energy regime three
      modifications were made in the interface region between the two stages of mass
      analysis. An einzel lens was inserted prior to the deceleration lens of the
      collision cell block to reduce the precursor ion beam diameter. The collision
      cel1 block was reduced in thickness while maintaining the collision path length,
      thus increasing the number of ions which entered and exited the gas chamber,
      while removing any stray electrical fields. Finally, a second active focusing
      element was incorporated after the collision cell block to enhance the collection
      efficiency of the product ions. A tandem mass spectrum of angiotensin I obtained
      with this interface, at a collision cell block potential of 9200 volts, exhibited
      classical high energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) fragmentation
      patterns, a precursor ion transmission of 92% and an overall CID efficiency of
      approximately 7.5%. These improvements have resulted in a dramatically higher
      overall ion transmission at high collision cell potentials as well as sufficient
      sensitivity in acquiring good quality CID spectra in the lower collision energy
      regime (i.e., 60 eV). (460-469). 

PMID- 24222603
TI  - The 42nd ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry May 29 - June 3, 1994 Hyatt Regency
      Hotel, Chicago, Illinois Preliminary Program.

PMID- 24222604
TI  - Biosynthesis and mass spectrometric imaging of tolaasin, the virulence factor of
      brown blotch mushroom disease.

PMID- 24222605
TI  - Overweight and obesity associated with increased total serum calcium level:
      comparison of cross-sectional data in the health screening for teaching faculty.
AB  - Obesity is a risk of cardiovascular diseases. Our previous studies revealed that
      serum calcium level may have influence in the blood pressure to older male
      subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between total
      serum calcium level and overweight and obesity subjects. In our study, overweight
      and obesity status and total serum calcium level were measured among 2,503
      subjects, at age range of 22-94 years, who were recruited for the routine health
      screening in 2006. The estimated mean for age (p < 0.001), white blood cell count
      (p = 0.037), hemoglobin concentration (p < 0.001), red blood cell count (p <
      0.001), total serum calcium level (p < 0.001), total cholesterol weight (p <
      0.001), HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001), LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001), and
      triglyceride (p < 0.001) of overweight and obesity subjects were significantly
      higher than those of non-overweight subjects. The prevalence of
      overweight/obesity in subjects according to the log-transformed total serum
      calcium level quartiles was 16.3-30.5 %. The prevalence of overweight/obesity
      subjects showed trends that were significant according to the total serum calcium
      level quartiles (p < 0.001). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals
      (CIs) for overweight/obesity of the second, third, and fourth quartiles compared
      to the lowest quartile were 1.407 (1.050-1.883), 1.543 (1.136-2.095), and 1.360
      (0.995-1.859), respectively, after adjusting for sex and age (p < 0.001). These
      findings suggest that a higher prevalence of adult overweight/obesity is weakly
      associated with higher total serum calcium level in the Chinese population.

PMID- 24222606
TI  - Blood metals concentration in type 1 and type 2 diabetics.
AB  - Mechanisms for the onset of diabetes and the development of diabetic
      complications remain under extensive investigations. One of these mechanisms is
      abnormal homeostasis of metals, as either deficiency or excess of metals, can
      contribute to certain diabetic outcomes. Therefore, this paper will report the
      blood levels of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), mercury
      (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in subjects with type
      1 diabetes (n = 192, mean age 48.8 years, mean disease duration 20.6 years), type
      2 diabetes (n = 68, mean age 68.4 years, mean disease duration 10.2 years), and
      in control subjects (n = 59, mean age 57.2 years), and discuss the results
      indicating their possible role in diabetes. The metal concentrations were
      measured by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after
      microwave-induced acid digestion of blood samples. The accuracy was checked using
      a blood-based certified reference material, and recoveries of all elements were
      in the range of 92-101 % of certified values. Type 1 diabetes was found to be
      associated with Cr (p = 0.02), Mn (p < 0.001), Ni (p < 0.001), Pb (p = 0.02), and
      Zn (p < 0.001) deficiency, and type 2 diabetes with Cr (p = 0.014), Mn (p <
      0.001), and Ni (p < 0.001) deficiency. These deficiencies were appreciated also
      subdividing the understudied patients for gender and age groups. Furthermore, in
      type 1 diabetes, there was a positive correlation between Pb and age (p < 0.001,
      rho = 0.400) and Pb and BMI (p < 0.001, rho = 0.309), while a negative
      correlation between Fe and age (p = 0.002, rho = -0.218). In type 2 diabetes,
      there was a negative correlation between Fe and age (p = 0.017, rho = -0.294) and
      Fe and BMI (p = 0.026, rho = -0.301). Thus, these elements may play a role in
      both forms of diabetes and combined mineral supplementations could have
      beneficial effects.

PMID- 24222607
TI  - Expression of Aggrus/podoplanin in bladder cancer and its role in pulmonary
      metastasis.
AB  - Platelet aggregation-inducing factor Aggrus, also known as podoplanin, is
      associated with tumor malignancy by promoting hematogenous metastasis. Aggrus
      overexpression has been reported in some tumor tissues including lung, esophagus,
      head and neck and brain. We here found the frequent upregulation of aggrus mRNA
      in urinary bladder cancers using cancer tissue panels from various organs.
      Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed Aggrus protein expression in urinary
      bladder cancers and suggested a positive correlation between Aggrus expression
      and metastatic tendency in bladder cancers. Endogenous expression of Aggrus
      protein on the cell surface was found in the mouse bladder cancer MBT-2 cell line
      and human bladder cancer SCaBER cell lines. Knockdown of Aggrus expression in MBT
      2 cells decreased their ability to induce platelet aggregation and form pulmonary
      metastasis in syngeneic mouse models. Knockdown of Aggrus expression in the human
      bladder cancer SCaBER cells also attenuated their ability to induce platelet
      aggregation and form pulmonary metastasis in mice. Moreover, pulmonary metastasis
      of SCaBER cells was prevented by prior administration of our generated anti
      Aggrus neutralizing monoclonal antibodies by attenuating their retention in lung.
      These results indicate that Aggrus plays an important role in bladder cancer
      metastasis. Thus, anti-Aggrus neutralizing antibodies would be useful for the
      prevention of hematogenous metastasis of Aggrus-positive bladder cancer.

PMID- 24222608
TI  - Breakthrough bacteremia by linezolid-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis under
      linezolid treatment in a severe polytrauma patient.

PMID- 24222609
TI  - Reply to "Breakthrough bacteremia by linezolid-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis
      under linezolid treatment in a severe polytrauma patient".

PMID- 24222611
TI  - Treatment challenges associated with bone echinococcosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In this literature review, we concentrate on epidemiology and therapy
      of osseous echinococcosis, with an emphasis on the recurrence risk. METHODS:
      Literature review 1930-2012. RESULTS: We retrieved 200 publications based upon
      single case reports or case series, mostly from resource-poor settings. Among the
      721 rural patients (22% females; median age 37 years), 60% of all reported cases
      were from the Mediterranean region and almost all patients were immune competent.
      Echinococcus granulosus was identified as the most frequent species. Most
      infections involved a single bone (602/721; 83%) and often the spine (321 cases;
      45%). In eight cases (8/702; 1%), a secondary bacterial surgical site infection
      was reported. Surgical intervention was performed in 702 cases (97%), with single
      intervention in 687 episodes (95%). Complete excision of the lesion was possible
      in only 117 episodes (16%). Albendazole was by far the most frequently used agent
      in monotherapy with various dosages, while mebendazole in monotherapy was less
      frequent (32 cases). The median duration of antihelminthic therapy was 6 months
      (range 0.7-144 months). There were 124 recurrences (17%) after a median delay of
      2 years (range 0.4-17 years). In multivariate analysis, the presence of visceral
      organ involvement increased the odds of recurrence by 5.4 (95% CI 3.1-9.4),
      whereas the number of surgical interventions, the duration of antihelminthic
      therapy or the use of hypertonic saline did not influence recurrence.
      CONCLUSIONS: Bone echinococcosis is a rare parasitic disease. While treatment
      modalities vary considerably, combined surgical and medical approaches are the
      standard of care with a 17% risk of recurrence.

PMID- 24222612
TI  - A modified method for measuring antibiotic use in healthcare settings:
      implications for antibiotic stewardship and benchmarking.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether adjusting the denominator of the common hospital
      antibiotic use measurement unit (defined daily doses/100 bed-days) by including
      age-adjusted comorbidity score (100 bed-days/age-adjusted comorbidity score)
      would result in more accurate and meaningful assessment of hospital antibiotic
      use. METHODS: The association between the monthly sum of age-adjusted comorbidity
      and monthly antibiotic use was measured using time-series analysis (January 2008
      to June 2012). For the purposes of conducting internal benchmarking, two
      antibiotic usage datasets were constructed, i.e. 2004-07 (first study period) and
      2008-11 (second study period). Monthly antibiotic use was normalized per 100 bed
      days and per 100 bed-days/age-adjusted comorbidity score. RESULTS: Results showed
      that antibiotic use had significant positive relationships with the sum of age
      adjusted comorbidity score (P = 0.0004). The results also showed that there was a
      negative relationship between antibiotic use and (i) alcohol-based hand rub use
      (P = 0.0370) and (ii) clinical pharmacist activity (P = 0.0031). Normalizing
      antibiotic use per 100 bed-days contributed to a comparative usage rate of 1.31,
      i.e. the average antibiotic use during the second period was 31% higher than
      during the first period. However, normalizing antibiotic use per 100 bed-days per
      age-adjusted comorbidity score resulted in a comparative usage rate of 0.98, i.e.
      the average antibiotic use was 2% lower in the second study period. Importantly,
      the latter comparative usage rate is independent of differences in patient
      density and case mix characteristics between the two studied populations.
      CONCLUSIONS: The proposed modified antibiotic measure provides an innovative
      approach to compare variations in antibiotic prescribing while taking account of
      patient case mix effects.

PMID- 24222613
TI  - GM-CSF knockout mice for preclinical testing of agents with antimicrobial
      activity against Mycobacterium abscessus.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Of the non-tuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium abscessus is
      particularly refractory to antimicrobial therapy and new agents with activity
      against these pathogens are urgently needed. The screening of candidate
      antimicrobial agents against M. abscessus requires a relevant and reproducible
      animal model of chronic infection. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating
      factor knockout (GM-CSF KO) mice were used to develop a new animal model of
      chronic pulmonary M. abscessus infection that can be used for preclinical
      efficacy testing of antimicrobial drugs. METHODS: GM-CSF KO mice were infected
      with a clinical isolate of M. abscessus via intrapulmonary aerosol delivery using
      a microsprayer device. The clinical condition, histology and cfu of M. abscessus
      infected GM-CSF KO mice were evaluated over a period of 4 months. Mice were
      treated with azithromycin (100 mg/kg) by oral gavage and the clinical condition,
      histology and bacterial burden was determined after 2 weeks of treatment.
      RESULTS: We show that pulmonary infection of GM-CSF KO mice with M. abscessus
      results in a chronic pulmonary infection that lends itself to preclinical testing
      of new antimicrobial drugs against this bacterium. Azithromycin treatment of M.
      abscessus-infected GM-CSF KO mice resulted in a lower bacterial burden in the
      lungs and spleen, weight gain and significant improvement in lung pathology.
      CONCLUSIONS: Intrapulmonary aerosol infection of GM-CSF KO mice with M. abscessus
      is a useful animal model for studying pathogenesis as well as pre-clinical
      testing of new compounds against M. abscessus in acute or chronic phases of
      infection.

PMID- 24222614
TI  - Site-specific engineering of chemical functionalities on the surface of live
      hepatitis D virus.

PMID- 24222615
TI  - Streptococcus suis DNase SsnA contributes to degradation of neutrophil
      extracellular traps (NETs) and evasion of NET-mediated antimicrobial activity.
AB  - Streptococcus suis is an important cause of different pathologies in pigs and
      humans, most importantly fibrinosuppurative meningitis. Tissue infected with this
      pathogen is substantially infiltrated with neutrophils, but the function of
      neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) - a more recently discovered antimicrobial
      strategy of neutrophils - in host defence against Strep. suis has not been
      investigated. The objective of this work was to investigate the interaction of
      Strep. suis with NETs in vitro. Strep. suis induced NET formation in porcine
      neutrophils and was entrapped but not killed by those NETs. As the amount of NETs
      decreased over time, we hypothesized that a known extracellular DNase of Strep.
      suis degrades NETs. Though this nuclease was originally designated Strep. suis
      secreted nuclease A (SsnA), this work demonstrated surface association in
      accordance with an LPXTG cell wall anchor motif and partial release into the
      supernatant. Confirming our hypothesis, an isogenic ssnA mutant was significantly
      attenuated in NET degradation and in protection against the antimicrobial
      activity of NETs as determined in assays with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)
      stimulated human neutrophils. Though assays with PMA-stimulated porcine
      neutrophils suggested that SsnA also degrades porcine NETs, phenotypic
      differences between wt and the isogenic ssnA mutant were less distinct. As SsnA
      expression was crucial for neither growth in vitro nor for survival in porcine or
      human blood, the results indicated that SsnA is the first specific NET evasion
      factor to be identified in Strep. suis. 

PMID- 24222616
TI  - Surface proteins of group G Streptococcus in different phases of growth: patterns
      of production and implications for the host-bacteria relationship.
AB  - Group G Streptococcus (GGS) is a human bacterial pathogen expressing surface
      proteins FOG and protein G (PG) which interact with several host defence systems,
      including the complement and contact systems. Selected reaction monitoring mass
      spectrometry, electron microscopy and protein binding assays were used to track
      the amounts of FOG and PG intracellularly and on the bacterial surface during
      different phases of growth. Large and increasing amounts of PG were present on
      the surface in the stationary growth phase, and this was due to de novo
      production. In contrast, the amount of FOG did not change substantially during
      this phase. Apart from PG, a number of housekeeping proteins also increased in
      abundance in the stationary phase. These results show that GGS protein production
      is active during the stationary phase and that the bacteria actively remodel
      their surface and enter a less pro-inflammatory state in this phase. 

PMID- 24222617
TI  - Temperature-dependence of yadBC phenotypes in Yersinia pestis.
AB  - YadB and YadC are putative trimeric autotransporters present only in the plague
      bacterium Yersinia pestis and its evolutionary predecessor, Yersinia
      pseudotuberculosis. Previously, yadBC was found to promote invasion of
      epithelioid cells by Y. pestis grown at 37  degrees C. In this study, we found
      that yadBC also promotes uptake of 37  degrees C-grown Y. pestis by mouse
      monocyte/macrophage cells. We tested whether yadBC might be required for
      lethality of the systemic stage of plague in which the bacteria would be pre
      adapted to mammalian body temperature before colonizing internal organs and found
      no requirement for early colonization or growth over 3 days. We tested the
      hypothesis that YadB and YadC function on ambient temperature-grown Y. pestis in
      the flea vector or soon after infection of the dermis in bubonic plague. We found
      that yadBC did not promote uptake by monocyte/macrophage cells if the bacteria
      were grown at 28  degrees C, nor was there a role of yadBC in colonization of
      fleas by Y. pestis grown at 21  degrees C. However, the presence of yadBC did
      promote recoverability of the bacteria from infected skin for 28  degrees C-grown
      Y. pestis. Furthermore, the gene for the proinflammatory chemokine CXCL1 was
      upregulated in expression if the infecting Y. pestis lacked yadBC but not if
      yadBC was present. Also, yadBC was not required for recoverability if the
      bacteria were grown at 37  degrees C. These findings imply that thermally induced
      virulence properties dominate over effects of yadBC during plague but that yadBC
      has a unique function early after transmission of Y. pestis to skin. 

PMID- 24222618
TI  - Expression of a bacterial catalase in a strictly anaerobic methanogen
      significantly increases tolerance to hydrogen peroxide but not oxygen.
AB  - Haem-dependent catalase is an antioxidant enzyme that degrades H2O2, producing
      H2O and O2, and is common in aerobes. Catalase is present in some strictly
      anaerobic methane-producing archaea (methanogens), but the importance of catalase
      to the antioxidant system of methanogens is poorly understood. We report here
      that a survey of the sequenced genomes of methanogens revealed that the majority
      of species lack genes encoding catalase. Moreover, Methanosarcina acetivorans is
      a methanogen capable of synthesizing haem and encodes haem-dependent catalase in
      its genome; yet, Methanosarcina acetivorans cells lack detectable catalase
      activity. However, inducible expression of the haem-dependent catalase from
      Escherichia coli (EcKatG) in the chromosome of Methanosarcina acetivorans
      resulted in a 100-fold increase in the endogenous catalase activity compared with
      uninduced cells. The increased catalase activity conferred a 10-fold increase in
      the resistance of EcKatG-induced cells to H2O2 compared with uninduced cells. The
      EcKatG-induced cells were also able to grow when exposed to levels of H2O2 that
      inhibited or killed uninduced cells. However, despite the significant increase in
      catalase activity, growth studies revealed that EcKatG-induced cells did not
      exhibit increased tolerance to O2 compared with uninduced cells. These results
      support the lack of catalase in the majority of methanogens, since methanogens
      are more likely to encounter O2 rather than high concentrations of H2O2 in the
      natural environment. Catalase appears to be a minor component of the antioxidant
      system in methanogens, even those that are aerotolerant, including Methanosarcina
      acetivorans. Importantly, the experimental approach used here demonstrated the
      feasibility of engineering beneficial traits, such as H2O2 tolerance, in
      methanogens. 

PMID- 24222619
TI  - Microfluidic perfusion culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells under
      fully defined culture conditions.
AB  - Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising cell source for
      drug screening. For this application, self-renewal or differentiation of the
      cells is required, and undefined factors in the culture conditions are not
      desirable. Microfluidic perfusion culture allows the production of small volume
      cultures with precisely controlled microenvironments, and is applicable to high
      throughput cellular environment screening. Here, we developed a microfluidic
      perfusion culture system for hiPSCs that uses a microchamber array chip under
      defined extracellular matrix (ECM) and culture medium conditions. By screening
      various ECMs we determined that fibronectin and laminin are appropriate for
      microfluidic devices made out of the most popular material, polydimethylsiloxane
      (PDMS). We found that the growth rate of hiPSCs under pressure-driven perfusion
      culture conditions was higher than under static culture conditions in the
      microchamber array. We applied our new system to self-renewal and differentiation
      cultures of hiPSCs, and immunocytochemical analysis showed that the state of the
      hiPSCs was successfully controlled. The effects of three antitumor drugs on
      hiPSCs were comparable between microchamber array and 96-well plates. We believe
      that our system will be a platform technology for future large-scale screening of
      fully defined conditions for differentiation cultures on integrated microfluidic
      devices.

PMID- 24222620
TI  - Insertion reactions of metal carbonyl anions with methyl formate in the gas phase
      as revealed by (13)C- and D-labeling.
AB  - School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
      Institute of Mass Spectrometry, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht The
      gas-phase reactions of coordinatively unsaturated metal carbonyl anions (M(CO) n
      (-) , M=Cr, Mn, Fe, Co; n=0-3 and Co(CO)nNO(-), n=0-2) with unlabeled and D- and
      (13)C-labeled methyl formate have been studied with Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The reactions proceed in most instances by
      loss of one or more CO molecules from the collision complex. In the reactions of
      the dicarbonyl and tricarbonyl anions with H(13)COOCH3, part of the eliminated
      carbon monoxide molecules contain the label revealing the occurrence of initial
      insertion of the metal center into the bonds adjacent to the carbonyl function of
      the substrate with formation of five- or six-coordinate intermediates,
      respectively. In addition, the MnCCO) 3 (-) , Fe(CO) 2 (-) , and CoCCO) 2 (-)
      ions react by the loss of methanol and a [C,H2,O] neutral species. The D- and
      (13)C-labeling show that methanol is expelled in a reductive elimination from a
      five- or six-coordinate species, whereas the [C,H2,O] loss is a more complex
      process possibly involving the competing losses of formaldehyde and CO + H2. In
      the reaction of Fe(CO) 3 (-) with H 13 (13) COOCH3, a facile consecutive exchange
      of all three CO ligands of the reactant ion for (13)CO is observed. This novel
      reaction appears to involve initial insertion into the H(13)CO-OCH3-bond followed
      by facile hydrogen shifts from the formyl ligand to a CO Hgand prior to the loss
      of unlabeled methyl formate. 

PMID- 24222621
TI  - Metastable and collision-induced fragmentation studies of all C4H 12Si (+)
      isomers; a systematic study of structure-reactivity relations.
AB  - Metastable ion (MI) and collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra have
      been recorded and compared for all nine C4H12Si(+.) isomers. The (Me)4Si(+.), t
      BuSiH 3 (+.) , s-BuSiH 3 (+) , and (Me)2EtSiH(+.) isomers have unique MI and CID
      mass spectra. The MI mass spectra, including the kinetic energy release values,
      of (Me)(i-Pr)SiH 2 (+.) and (Me)(n-Pr)SiH 2 (+.) are identical, which implies
      isomerization. MI data also suggest that a fraction of the n-BuSiH 3 (+.) ions
      rearrange into branched (Me)2EtSiH(+.) ions and a fraction of the n-BuSiH 3 (+.)
      ions rearrange into branched s-BuSiH 3 (+.) ions. A comparison with the isomeric
      C5H 12 (+.) pentanes reveals a crucial difference: H2 loss occurs for n-BuSiH 3
      (+.) , i-BuSiH 3 (+.) , s-BuSiH 3 (+.) , (Me)(n-Pr)SiH 2 (+.) , (Me)(i-Pr)SiH 2
      (+.) , and Et2SiH 2 (+.) , but not for any of the C5Hi 12 (+.) isomers.
      Generation of four- or five-membered silicon containing rings is suggested for H2
      loss from the C4H12Si(+.) silanes. 

PMID- 24222622
TI  - APCI low energy collision-induced dissociation fragmentation of protonated ortho
      silicates: mclafferty or ion-neutral complex rearrangement?
AB  - The fragmentation mechanism of tetraethyl ortho silicate and tetrapropyl ortho
      silicate was studied to determine if the consecutive alkene losses observed in
      their MS/MS daughter ion spectra were produced via a McLafferty rearrangement or
      by ion-neutral rearrangement mechanisms. The experiments were carried out using
      atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and low energy collision-induced
      dissociation. Deuterium labeling of the gamma-position provided evidence mat the
      rearrangement mechanism of the successive alkene losses proceeds predominantly
      via the ion-neutral complex mechanism. Because the energies imparted to the ions
      in this experiment are of the same order of magnitude as solution phase
      reactions, this mechanism may shed light on the formation of silica gels (e.g.,
      aerogels) in that similar structures have been proposed as reaction intermediates
      in the polymerization of SiO2. 

PMID- 24222623
TI  - O(-) and OH(-) chemical ionization of some fatty acid methyl esters and
      triacylglycerols.
AB  - O(-) and OH(-) react with fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES) under chemical
      ionization conditions both as Bronsted bases to form [M - H](-) and as
      nucleophiles to form the carboxylate ion RCOO(-). O(-) shows a much greater
      tendency to react as a nucleophile than does OH(-). The [M - H](-) ions fragment
      by elimination of CH(3)OH, with unsaturation in certain positions in the fatty
      acid hydrocarbon chain promoting this elimination for unknown reasons. The
      reaction of O(-) and OH(-) with triacylglycerols leads to [M - H](-),
      characteristic of the molecular mass, and to carboxylate ions characteristic of
      the fatty acid(s) present in the lipid. The presence of the three ester functions
      in the lipids greatly enhances the formation of carboxylate ions compared to the
      FAMES. 

PMID- 24222624
TI  - High-energy collision-induced dissociation of ceramide ions from permethylated
      glycosphingolipids.
AB  - Ceramide fragments from permethylated glycosphingolipids (GSLs) were studied by
      highenergy collision-induced dissociation (CID). In comparison with ceramlde
      fragments of underivatized GSLs, many more product ions including charge-remote
      fragment ions were observed. These ions provided detailed structural information
      on the ceramides. The relative intensity and the mass interval between the L and
      M ions were used to assign the position of the double bond. The position of the
      hydroxyl group was assigned with the Ln and K ions. Because the ceramide
      fragments and not the pseudomolecular ions were selected as the precursor ions,
      the size of GSLs had little effect on the quality of the product ion spectra. The
      sensitivity of this approach was in the range of picomoles. 

PMID- 24222625
TI  - Characterization of the primary thermal degradation processes of peptides using
      the mass spectrometric technique K(+)IDS, K (+) ionization of desorbed species.
AB  - The mass spectrometric technique of K(+) ionization of desorbed species, K(+)IDS,
      is used here to characterize the primary thermal degradation chemistry of small
      peptides. In this technique, a small amount of a compound is rapidly heated in
      the condensed phase. Desorption of the intact molecule can occur. Also, thermal
      degradation products are formed which quickly desorb as well, rather than remain
      on the surface and undergo subsequent chemistry. The desorbed molecules form
      adducts with gas phase K(+) ions, and a mass spectrum is obtained. Deuterium
      labeling experiments, and the use of derivatizing reagents, allows for the
      thermal degradation chemistry of small peptides to be elucidated. Apparently,
      skeletal bond cleavages are accompanied by H-shifts, although the hydrogen atoms
      shift from "remote" sites, brought into close proximity with the fragmenting
      skeletal bond via secondary interactions. Experimental results are presented that
      allow for correlations between thermal degradation chemistry and the resulting
      K(+)IDS mass spectra to be made. 

PMID- 24222626
TI  - Calibration Point for Electron Ionization MS / MS spectra measured with
      multiquadrupole mass spectrometers.
AB  - A protocol for establishing standard instrument conditions for measurement of
      product ion MS/MS spectra from parent ions produced by electron ionization is
      presented. Within this protocol, the ion at m/z 231 (C5F9 (+)) from
      perfluorokerosene or perfluorotributylamine is selected as the parent ion and
      subjected to collision-induced dissociation. The relative intensities of product
      ions at m/z 69, 131, and 181 are monitored as a function of collision energy
      while keeping the target gas pressure constant within the range of 10(-4)-10(-6)
      torr (measured), or a beam attenuation of approximately 30-70%. The collision
      energy at which the ion intensities for product ions at m/z 69 and 181 are equal
      is defined as the calibration point at that collision gas pressure; the intensity
      of the ion at m/z 131 is very close to this value as well. Electron ionization
      MS/MS spectra taken at the calibration point using two different multiquadrupole
      instruments show good reproducibility for several test compounds. The high degree
      of similarity may aid in the establishment of a MS/MS spectral library. 

PMID- 24222627
TI  - Deflection of laser-produced ions in laser-induced thermal-desorption/fourier
      transform mass spectrometry for surface analysis.
AB  - A method for deflecting ions, such as K(+), produced outside a Fourier-transform
      mass spectrometer cell during laser-induced thermal desorption, is described.
      This technique has been shown to deflect laser-generated K and Ti ions from two
      Ti foil samples (biomedical implant model surfaces), yielding mass spectra of
      coadsorbed organic species. Further studies characterizing the laser
      desorption/deflection parameters have shown that ion deflection improves with
      higher deflection voltages and greater sample to Fourier-transform mass
      spectrometry cell separation. Higher laser power densities resulted in greater
      surface ion production; hence higher deflection voltages were necessary. A 6%
      increase in laser power necessitated a fourfold increase in deflection voltage
      for the Ti sample. 

PMID- 24222628
TI  - Spontaneous and deflected drift-trajectories in orthogonal acceleration time-of
      flight mass spectrometry.
AB  - Orthogonal acceleration is a method for gating ions from an ion beam into a time
      of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The technique involves a pulsed electric field
      to apply acceleration directed orthogonally to an ion beam. This approach is
      useful for coupling continuous ion sources to TOF mass analyzers. Most
      instruments of this type, which have been described in the literature, use
      steering electrodes after the orthogonal acceleration step. Those velocity
      components of ions originating from the ion beam velocity are minimized so that
      the deflected drift-trajectory is parallel to a transverse flight tube. In an
      alternative geometry the ion beam velocity is conserved and the drift-trajectory
      after the orthogonal acceleration step is spontaneous. The differences between
      the space-time focusing ability with spontaneous and deflected drift-trajectories
      are discussed and investigated. Trajectory calculations indicate that deflection
      fields placed after the orthogonal acceleration step distort the ion packet
      because, in this geometry, the flight-time to the detector is dependent on the
      position that the ions enter the steering optics. Increasing the duty-cycle
      efficiency by sampling longer sections of the continuous ion beam leads to a
      degradation of resolving power. Employing a spontaneous drift-trajectory after
      orthogonal acceleration provides the advantage that the arrival time spread for
      isobaric ions is, in principle, independent of the length of the ion beam
      sampled. The major implication of these findings is that simultaneously optimized
      sensitivity and resolving power may not be achievable with the deflected drift
      trajectory instruments. The calculations are in agreement with results from the
      published data of a number of groups who have built instruments based on the
      orthogonal acceleration principle. 

PMID- 24222629
TI  - Chemical ionization mass spectrometery utilizing and isotopically labeled reagent
      gas.
AB  - The use of a mixture of 5% ammonia in methane, where the ammonia is 50% (15)N
      labeled, provides a very useful reagent gas for chemical ionization mass
      spectrometry. We find that this combination gives spectra very much like pure
      ammonia reagent gas except that all of the adduct ions are clearly labeled. 

PMID- 24222630
TI  - Individual differences in negative affect and weekly variability in binge eating
      frequency.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of neuroticism and negative affect (NA)
      lability with weekly binge eating fluctuations between binge eating disorder
      (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN). METHOD: Individuals with BED (n = 30) and BN (n =
      54) from the community completed self-report measures at baseline and
      prospectively for 12 consecutive weeks. Weekly data were analyzed by using (mean)
      squared successive deviation to account for fluctuations in NA and binge eating
      from week to week. RESULTS: Generalized estimating equations revealed the
      presence of a two-way interaction between neuroticism and NA lability predicting
      binge eating fluctuations (Wald chi(2) = 8.25; df = 1; p = .004), indicating that
      higher NA lability was only related to larger fluctuations in the frequency of
      binge eating episodes when present in individuals who were also high on
      neuroticism. An interaction was also detected between eating disorder diagnosis
      and NA lability, but this was accounted for by differences in average NA between
      the diagnoses. DISCUSSION: This study highlights the relevance of two traits and
      their interaction in understanding individual differences in binge eating
      fluctuations. Additionally, findings indicate that diagnostic differences in
      average NA may impact binge eating fluctuations and NA lability.

PMID- 24222631
TI  - Risk factors and outcome of expanded-criteria donor kidney transplants in
      patients with low immunological risk.
AB  - QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors and
      outcome of expanded-criteria donor (ECD) kidney transplants in patients with low
      immunological risk. METHODS: We evaluated graft survival and graft function in
      265 recipients with low immunological risk defined as the absence of
      pretransplant donor-specific HLA antibodies. RESULTS: A total of 112 (42%)
      kidneys derived from ECD and 153 (58%) from standard-criteria donors (SCDs).
      Overall, in a multivariate Cox regression, ECD status was the only significant
      risk factor for graft failure (hazard ratio [HR] 2.31, 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 1.22-4.37; p = 0.01). In the SCD group there was an increased risk for graft
      failure with increasing recipient age (HR 1.06 per year, CI 1.01-1.10; p = 0.02)
      and in the ECD group a trend for risk reduction for recipients treated with
      tacrolimus (Tac) (HR 0.46, CI 0.20-1.06; p = 0.07). One, three and five-year
      graft survival of ECD kidneys was significantly better when recipients were
      treated with Tac (95%, 88% and 72%, respectively) than when they were treated
      without Tac (73%, 65% and 50%, respectively) (p = 0.008). At three years, ECD
      kidneys had a lower median estimated creatinine clearance (eCrCl) than SCD
      kidneys (37 vs 58 ml/min, p <0.001). Within the ECD group, recipients treated
      with Tac had a higher median eCrCl than those treated without Tac (41 ml/min vs
      33 ml/min, p = 0.004). Graft function from one to three years was preserved in
      ECD recipients treated with Tac (median change 0.0 ml/min, p = 0.4) compared with
      those treated without Tac (median change -3.2 ml/min, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Tac
      based immunosuppression seems to improve graft survival and to preserve graft
      function in ECD kidneys with low immunological risk.

PMID- 24222632
TI  - Efferent and afferent connections of the olfactory bulb and prepiriform cortex in
      the pigeon (Columba livia).
AB  - Although olfaction in birds is known to be involved in a variety of behaviors,
      there is comparatively little detailed information on the olfactory brain. In the
      pigeon brain, the olfactory bulb (OB) is known to project to the prepiriform
      cortex (CPP), piriform cortex (CPi), and dorsolateral corticoid area (CDL), which
      together are called the olfactory pallium, but centrifugal pathways to the OB
      have not been fully explored. Fiber connections of CPi and CDL have been
      reported, but those of other olfactory pallial nuclei remain unknown. The present
      study examines the fiber connections of OB and CPP in pigeons to provide a more
      detailed picture of their connections using tract-tracing methods. When
      anterograde and retrograde tracers were injected in OB, projections to a more
      extensive olfactory pallium were revealed, including the anterior olfactory
      nucleus, CPP, densocellular part of the hyperpallium, tenia tecta, hippocampal
      continuation, CPi, and CDL. OB projected commissural fibers to the contralateral
      OB but did not receive afferents from the contralateral olfactory pallium. When
      tracers were injected in CPP, reciprocal ipsilateral connections with OB and
      nuclei of the olfactory pallium were observed, and CPP projected to the
      caudolateral nidopallium and the limbic system, including the hippocampal
      formation, septum, lateral hypothalamic nucleus, and lateral mammillary nucleus.
      These results show that the connections of OB have a wider distribution
      throughout the olfactory pallium than previously thought and that CPP provides a
      centrifugal projection to the OB and acts as a relay station to the limbic
      system.

PMID- 24222633
TI  - beta-chain extension: a new mode of carbon-carbon bond formation and chain
      extension by polyketide synthases.
AB  - The PKS tree gets a new branch: Hertweck and co-workers have uncovered the
      enzymology behind the novel beta-branching strategy used during Rhizoxin
      biosynthesis in Burholderia rhizoxinica. Both the KS and B domains are required
      for a delta-lactone to form by attack on the pre-existing polyketide chain;
      further chain extension must occur on the newly added beta-branching carbonyl. 

PMID- 24222634
TI  - End of life care--the buck stops here with doctors.

PMID- 24222636
TI  - Quantitative control of intracellular signaling activity through chimeric
      receptors incorporating multiple identical tyrosine motifs.
AB  - Controlling activation levels and durations of native signaling molecules is
      important for efficiently controlling cellular fates. Previously we developed
      single-chain Fv (scFv)/cytokine receptor chimeras incorporating tyrosine motifs
      in the intracellular domain, which artificially control the activation of
      specific intracellular signaling proteins. In this study, to quantitatively
      control the activation levels of signaling molecules with an extended dynamic
      range, we constructed scFv/receptor chimeras incorporating multiple identical
      motifs at the different positions in the intracellular domain. We used retroviral
      transduction to express chimeric receptors with multiple STAT3 binding motifs
      connected with or without flexible linkers in a murine IL-3-dependent pro-B cell
      line, Ba/F3. Our results showed that the chimeric receptors can control the
      activation levels of STAT3 depending on ligand concentration and the number of
      motifs. The existence of linkers between the motifs also affected the signal
      intensity. Furthermore, the STAT3 activation levels significantly depended on the
      number of motifs rather than the distance from the JAK-binding region to the
      tyrosine motif.

PMID- 24222637
TI  - Iterative synthesis of nucleoside oligophosphates with phosphoramidites.
AB  - P-Amidites can be used in iterative couplings to selectively give mixed P(III) 
      P(V) anhydrides. These intermediates can be oxidized followed by a rapid removal
      of the two terminal fluorenylmethyl groups. An iterative synthesis (coupling,
      oxidation, deprotection) of nucleoside oligophosphates can be carried out in
      solution and on a solid support. The coupling rates and yields are high, the
      procedures convenient (non-dry reagents and solvents, ambient conditions,
      unprotected nucleotides), and the purification is very simple. The method works
      with all canonical nucleosides and holds promise for significant simplification
      of the usually cumbersome process of P-anhydride bond construction. 

PMID- 24222638
TI  - Evaluation of a novel photography-based home assessment protocol for
      identification of environmental risk factors for falls in elderly persons.
AB  - PRINCIPLES: To evaluate the validity and feasibility of a novel photography-based
      home assessment (PhoHA) protocol, as a possible substitute for on-site home
      assessment (OsHA). METHODS: A total of 20 patients aged >=65 years who were
      hospitalised in a rehabilitation centre for musculoskeletal disorders affecting
      mobility participated in this prospective validation study. For PhoHA,
      occupational therapists rated photographs and measurements of patients' homes
      provided by patients' confidants. For OsHA, occupational therapists conducted a
      conventional home visit. RESULTS: Information obtained by PhoHA was 79.1%
      complete (1,120 environmental factors identified by PhoHA vs 1416 by OsHA). Of
      the 1,120 factors, 749 had dichotomous (potential hazards) and 371 continuous
      scores (measurements with tape measure). Validity of PhoHA to potential hazards
      was good (sensitivity 78.9%, specificity 84.9%), except for two subdomains
      (pathways, slippery surfaces). Pearson's correlation coefficient for the validity
      of measurements was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI 0.80-0.92, p <0.001).
      Agreement between methods was 0.52 (95%CI 0.34-0.67, p <0.001, Cohen's kappa
      coefficient) for dichotomous and 0.86 (95%CI 0.79-0.91, p <0.001, intraclass
      correlation coefficient) for continuous scores. Costs of PhoHA were 53.0% lower
      than those of OsHA (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PhoHA has good concurrent validity
      for environmental assessment if instructions for confidants are improved. PhoHA
      is potentially a cost-effective method for environmental assessment.

PMID- 24222635
TI  - Consensus paper: management of degenerative cerebellar disorders.
AB  - Treatment of motor symptoms of degenerative cerebellar ataxia remains difficult.
      Yet there are recent developments that are likely to lead to significant
      improvements in the future. Most desirable would be a causative treatment of the
      underlying cerebellar disease. This is currently available only for a very small
      subset of cerebellar ataxias with known metabolic dysfunction. However,
      increasing knowledge of the pathophysiology of hereditary ataxia should lead to
      an increasing number of medically sensible drug trials. In this paper, data from
      recent drug trials in patients with recessive and dominant cerebellar ataxias
      will be summarized. There is consensus that up to date, no medication has been
      proven effective. Aminopyridines and acetazolamide are the only exception, which
      are beneficial in patients with episodic ataxia type 2. Aminopyridines are also
      effective in a subset of patients presenting with downbeat nystagmus. As such,
      all authors agreed that the mainstays of treatment of degenerative cerebellar
      ataxia are currently physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. For
      many years, well-controlled rehabilitation studies in patients with cerebellar
      ataxia were lacking. Data of recently published studies show that coordinative
      training improves motor function in both adult and juvenile patients with
      cerebellar degeneration. Given the well-known contribution of the cerebellum to
      motor learning, possible mechanisms underlying improvement will be outlined.
      There is consensus that evidence-based guidelines for the physiotherapy of
      degenerative cerebellar ataxia need to be developed. Future developments in
      physiotherapeutical interventions will be discussed including application of non
      invasive brain stimulation. 

PMID- 24222639
TI  - Abdominal MRI at 3.0 T: LAVA-Flex compared with conventional fat suppression T1
      weighted images.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study liver imaging with volume acceleration-flexible (LAVA-Flex) for
      abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3.0 T and compare the image quality
      of abdominal organs between LAVA-Flex and fast spoiled gradient-recalled (FSPGR)
      T1-weighted imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our Institutional Review Board
      approval was obtained in this retrospective study. Sixty-nine subjects had both
      FSPGR and LAVA-Flex sequences. Two radiologists independently scored the
      acquisitions for image quality, fat suppression quality, and artifacts and the
      values obtained were compared with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. According to
      the signal intensity (SI) measurements, the uniformity of fat suppression, the
      contrast between muscle and fat and normal liver and liver lesions were compared
      by the paired t-test. The liver and spleen SI on the fat-only phase were analyzed
      in the fatty liver patients. RESULTS: Compared with FSPGR imaging, LAVA-Flex
      images had better and more homogenous fat suppression and lower susceptibility
      artifact (qualitative scores: 4.70 vs. 4.00, 4.86% vs. 7.14%, 4.60 and 4.10,
      respectively). The contrast between muscle and fat and between the liver and
      pathologic lesions was significantly improved on the LAVA-Flex sequence. The
      contrast value of the fatty liver and spleen was higher than that of the liver
      and spleen. CONCLUSION: The LAVA-Flex sequence offers superior and more
      homogenous fat suppression of the abdomen than does the FSPGR sequence. The fat
      only phase can be a simple and effective method of assessing fatty liver.

PMID- 24222640
TI  - On the nature of interactions between ionic liquids and small amino-acid-based
      biomolecules.
AB  - During the last decade, ionic liquids (ILs) have revealed promising properties
      and applications in many research fields, including biotechnology and biological
      sciences. The focus of this contribution is to give a critical review of the
      phenomena observed and current knowledge of the interactions occurring on a
      molecular basis. As opposed to the huge advances made in understanding the
      properties of proteins in ILs, complementary investigations dealing with
      interactions between ILs and peptides or oligopeptides are underrepresented and
      are mostly only of phenomenological nature. However, the field has received more
      attention in the last few years. This Review features a meta-analysis of the
      available data and findings and should, therefore, provide a basis for a
      scientifically profound understanding of the nature and mechanisms of
      interactions between ILs and structured or nonstructured peptides. Fundamental
      aspects of the interactions between different peptides/oligopeptides and ILs are
      complemented by sections on the experimental (spectroscopy, structural biology)
      and theoretical (computational chemistry) possibilities to explain the phenomena
      reported so far in the literature. In effect, this should lead to the development
      of novel applications and support the understanding of IL-solute interactions in
      general. 

PMID- 24222641
TI  - Existence of independent C/EBPbeta 3'-UTR RNA in human tissues.

PMID- 24222642
TI  - Detection of mutations associated with resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid in
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection
      reaction.

PMID- 24222643
TI  - Plasmonic nanoprobes for real-time optical monitoring of nitric oxide inside
      living cells.
AB  - An optical sensor was developed for the quantitative determination of
      intracellular nitric oxide. The sensor consists of plasmonic nanoprobes that have
      a coating of mesoporous silica and an inner gold island film functionalized with
      a chemoreceptor for NO. 

PMID- 24222644
TI  - Authors' reply to Brunet.

PMID- 24222645
TI  - Evaluation of donor factors contributing to plateletpheresis yields among
      apheresis platelet donors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The University of California, Irvine Blood Donor Center operates a
      plateletpheresis donor program utilizing the Amicus Cell Separator.
      Plateletpheresis donors may donate one or more apheresis platelet (PLT) units per
      collection event. This study seeks to characterize UC Irvine's donor pool by
      identifying biometric and demographic attributes predictive of double product
      (DP) collections. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Biometric, demographic and procedural
      data from 1,786 apheresis donors were collected and entered into Excel
      spreadsheets. Of the 1,786 successful plateletpheresis procedures performed from
      January 2009 to April 2012, 1,442 of the donations were performed using double
      needle (DN) kits. Only data from DN-kit collections were used for statistical
      analyses. The Classification And Regression Tree (CART) algorithm was used to
      help identify variables predictive of donating multiple PLT units in a single
      collection event. RESULTS: Donors weighing 75.7 kg or greater appear to be twice
      as likely to donate DPs as those weighing less than 75.7 kg. For donors weighing
      less than 75.7 kg, females appear to be twice as likely to donate DPs as males.
      Donors exhibiting platelet counts of 216.5 K/mcL or greater appear to be twice as
      likely to donate DPs as those with platelet counts fewer than 216.5 K/mcL.
      CONCLUSION: Weight, sex, and PLT count were identified as the most predictive
      donor attributes that separate UCI donors into DP donors and non-DP donors.
      Greater weights, greater PLT counts, and female sex confer to greater PLT yields
      per given amount of time.

PMID- 24222646
TI  - Breaking and building the wall: the biology of the blood-brain barrier in health
      and disease.
AB  - The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex feature of brain endothelial cells
      that restricts the passage of blood-borne molecules into the brain parenchyma,
      while ensuring the delivery of essential nutrients and selected biomolecules.
      Brain vasculature is anatomically distinct from that of other organs and
      comprises in addition to endothelial cells, pericytes and astrocytes, which
      collectively form the neurovascular unit (NVU). This review focuses on the
      regulation of BBB properties by the NVU and the periphery. A brief overview of
      cellular components of the NVU, and BBB characteristics will be provided, with
      more emphasis placed on the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of
      brain vasculature and human genetic diseases primarily affected by dysfunction of
      components of the NVU. In addition, the regulation of brain vasculature by
      peripheral factors such as diet and systemic disease is discussed. 

PMID- 24222647
TI  - Scaling the primate lateral geniculate nucleus: niche and neurodevelopment in the
      regulation of magnocellular and parvocellular cell number and nucleus volume.
AB  - New stereological assessments of lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) neuron numbers
      and volumes in five New World primates (Cebus apella, Saguinus midas niger,
      Alouatta caraya, Aotus azarae, and Callicebus moloch) and compiled LGN volumes
      for an additional 26 mammals were analyzed for a better understanding of visual
      system evolution. Both the magnocellular (M)- and the parvocellular (P)-cell
      populations scale allometrically with brain volume in primates, P cells with a
      significantly higher slope such that, for every increase in M neuron number, P
      neuron numbers more than double (ln scale; y = 0.89x + 2.42R(2) = 0.664). In
      diurnal primates, the ratio of P to M cells was slightly but significantly higher
      than in nocturnal primates. For all mammals, including primates, LGN volume was
      unrelated to nocturnal or diurnal niche but showed marked differences in slope
      and intercept depending on taxonomic group. The allometric scaling of M and P
      cells can be related to the order of neurogenesis, with late-generated P cells
      increasing with positive allometry compared with the earlier-generated M cells.
      This developmental regularity links relative foveal representation to relative
      isocortex enlargement, which is also generated late. The small increase in the
      P/M cell ratio in diurnal primates may result from increased developmental neuron
      loss in the M-cell population as it competes for limited termination zones in
      primary visual cortex.

PMID- 24222648
TI  - Outside the lines and across the border.

PMID- 24222649
TI  - Supra-aortic arteries: three-dimensional time-resolved k-t BLAST contrast
      enhanced MRA using a nondedicated body coil at 3 tesla in acute ischemic stroke.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the image quality and diagnostic performance achieved by using
      supra-aortic 3D-TR-CE-k-t BLAST MRA and a nondedicated body coil as compared with
      conventional CE-MRA in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In this prospective study, 36 consecutive patients with a suspected
      acute ischemic stroke underwent both k-t BLAST MRA and conventional CE-MRA. Image
      quality was assessed using visual and quantitative criteria and the techniques
      were compared. Both techniques were compared for degree of visual and
      quantitative measurement of carotid stenosis. RESULTS: Delineation of vessel
      lumen and overall diagnostic confidence were significantly better with CE-MRA,
      respectively 3.4 +/- 0.5 and 3.3 +/- 0.6 (mean score +/- SD), than with k-t BLAST
      MRA, respectively 2.8 +/- 0.4 and 2.9 +/- 0.5 (P < 0.02). SNR and CNR were
      significantly higher for k-t BLAST MRA, respectively 33.5 +/- 19.3 and 27.9 +/-
      19.3, than for CE-MRA, respectively 25.7 +/- 10 and 20.4 +/- 8.4 (P < 0.03).
      Intertechnique agreement was good for carotid stenosis characterization (kappa =
      .763). For the 14 relevant stenosis, stenosis measurements were highly correlated
      between techniques (0.96; P < 0.0001). The Bland-Altman plot showed a low bias in
      assessment of the degree of stenosis (mean bias 2.1% +/- 7.7). CONCLUSION: k-t
      BLAST MRA using a nondedicated coil offering and dynamic information was a
      effective diagnostic tool for detection and characterization of carotid stenosis.

PMID- 24222650
TI  - FGF signaling emerged concomitantly with the origin of Eumetazoans.
AB  - Complex metazoan bodies require cell-to-cell communication for development, a
      process often mediated by signaling molecules binding to specific receptors.
      Relatively few signaling pathways have been recruited during evolution to build
      multicellular animals from unicellular zygotes. Of these few signaling pathways,
      one of particular importance is the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathway. In
      metazoans, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) bind to receptors in the RTK family,
      but the origin of the FGF gene family has so far remained a mystery. Here we show
      that extant bona fide FGFs most likely originated from proteins bearing an FGF
      like domain that arose in a choanoflagellate/metazoan ancestor. We found
      orthologous genes closely related to FGF in choanoflagellates as well as in many
      metazoans such as sponges, acoels, protostomes, or nonvertebrate deuterostomes.
      We also show that these genes have a common evolutionary history with Retinitis
      Pigmentosa 1 (RP1). Even if some metazoan signaling pathways emerged long before
      multicellularity, we show that FGFs, like their receptors, originated in a
      eumetazoan ancestor. 

PMID- 24222651
TI  - A redox-activated MRI contrast agent that switches between paramagnetic and
      diamagnetic states.

PMID- 24222652
TI  - Expression of somatostatin receptors, angiogenesis and proliferation markers in
      pituitary adenomas: an immunohistochemical study with diagnostic and therapeutic
      implications.
AB  - PRINCIPLES: Pituitary adenomas are common intracranial neoplasms that generate
      symptoms as a result of either mass effect or the increased production of
      pituitary hormones. Although mostly benign, these tumours can be associated with
      considerable morbidity. We investigated a panel of immunohistochemical
      preparations to identify potential therapeutic targets and surrogate markers of
      clinical outcome. METHODS: Tumour tissue from 25 patients was evaluated for
      immunohistochemical expression of somatostatin receptors 1-5, von Willebrand
      factor (vWF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2
      (VEGFR-2), kinesin spindle protein (Eg5) and MIB-1 (Ki-67), and its relationship
      with clinical features was analysed. RESULTS: The proliferation marker MIB-1 (Ki
      67) was the only marker predictive of adenoma recurrence. Of note, 67% of all
      relapses were associated with tumours showing luteinising hormone expression. All
      pituitary adenomas showed variable somatostatin receptor, IL-8, Eg5, vWF and
      VEGFR-2 expression; a relationship between these parameters and clinical outcome
      could not be demonstrated in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates MIB-1
      (Ki-67) as a reliable marker of tumour recurrence in pituitary adenomas.
      Considering the consistently increased expression of Eg5, IL-8, VEGFR-2,
      somatostatin receptors and vWF in these tumours, further investigation as
      potential therapeutic targets is warranted.

PMID- 24222653
TI  - In vivo relaxation behavior of liver compounds at 7 Tesla, measured by single
      voxel proton MR spectroscopy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the proton T1 and T2 relaxation of in vivo hepatic water,
      choline and lipid resonances with possible J-coupling behavior of lipids in
      healthy volunteers at 7 Tesla (T). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relaxation measurements
      were conducted on corn oil phantoms and on the hepatic tissue of 11 healthy
      volunteers at 7 T using a surface coil and a STEAM sequence. T1 's were
      determined by monoexponential fitting, and T2 's by both monoexponential and
      enhanced-exponential fitting (empirically designed to consider J-coupling of
      lipid resonances). RESULTS: In vivo T1 's at 7 T were estimated as follows: water
      (4.70 ppm), 1362 +/- 83 ms; methyl- (0.90 ppm), 1026 +/- 162 ms; methylene- (1.30
      ppm), 514 +/- 25 ms; alpha-olefinic- (2.02 ppm), 488 +/- 220 ms; alpha-carboxyl-
      (2.24 ppm), 476 +/- 89 ms; diacyl- (2.77 ppm), 479 +/- 260 ms group of lipid
      chains; and choline compounds (3.22 ppm), 1084 +/- 52 ms. The T2 's calculated
      with enhanced fitting were as follows: water, 15 +/- 2 ms; methyl-, 34 +/- 10 ms;
      methylene-, 41 +/- 8 ms; alpha-olefinic-, 44 +/- 19 ms; alpha-carboxyl-, 39 +/-
      15 ms; diacyl-, 44 +/- 5 ms group of lipid chains; and choline compounds, 32 +/-
      9 ms. CONCLUSION: An accurate knowledge of in vivo relaxation and J-coupling
      behavior will significantly improve the quantification of an extended number of
      resolved liver metabolites at 7 T.

PMID- 24222654
TI  - Women who have had surgery for obesity have raised risk of preterm babies.

PMID- 24222655
TI  - Proliferative changes of renal arteriolar walls induced by administration of
      angiotensin II receptor blocker are frequent in juvenile rats.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Our previous study of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
      administration in rats induced unusual proliferative changes of smooth muscle
      cells in renal arteriolar walls. The present study examined if the incidence of
      the changes depended on the rats' age, and how long it would take to find
      changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six-week-old (juvenile spontaneous hypertensive
      rats (SHRs)+ARB group, n=15) and 20-week-old (adult SHRs+ARB group, n=10) male
      SHRs were fed a standard diet (0.4% NaCl) containing valsartan (10 mg/kg/day;
      Novartis Co.). Fifteen age-matched SHRs were studied as controls. After 4, 8, and
      12 weeks, the rat kidneys were examined under light and electron microscopes and
      through immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: Extremely concentric proliferative
      changes in afferent arteriolar walls were frequently observed in the juvenile
      SHR+ARB group compared to the adult SHR+ARB group (48.7+/-6.8% vs 19.3+/-6.9%;
      p=0.0307) at the 12(th) week. Increased renin expression and arteriolar changes
      were found from the 4(th) week in the juvenile SHR+ARB group. CONCLUSION: This
      study indicates that ARB administration induces unusual proliferative changes and
      a marked renin-producing cell increase in afferent arterioles more frequently in
      juveniles than adult rats. It is suggested that the treatment of ARB in juveniles
      might have a higher risk of changes in renal afferent arterioles.

PMID- 24222656
TI  - New drug therapies interfering with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system for
      resistant hypertension.
AB  - There is a persistent need for the development of new antihypertensive drugs,
      because the control of blood pressure is still not achievable in a significant
      proportion of hypertensive patients. Since the approval in 2007 of aliskiren, no
      other new antihypertensive based on new mechanism(s) of action have been
      approved. In fact, the development of promising novel drugs has been stopped for
      safety, efficacy or marketing reasons. Despite these difficulties, the pipeline
      is not dry and different new antihypertensive strategies targeting the renin
      angiotensin-aldosterone pathway, are in clinical development stage. The dual
      angiotensin II receptor-neprilysin inhibitor LCZ696, a single molecule
      synthetized by cocrystallisation of valsartan and the neprilysin inhibitor
      prodrug AHU377 is in development for resistant hypertension and for heart
      failure. Daglutril is a dual neprylisin-endothelin converting enzyme inhibitor
      which was shown to decrease BP in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
      Aldosterone synthase inhibitors and the third and fourth generation non-steroidal
      dihydropyridine based mineralocorticoid receptors blockers are new ways to target
      the multiple noxious effects of aldosterone in the kidney, vessels and heart.
      Centrally acting aminopeptidase A inhibitors block brain angiotensin III
      formation, one of the main effector peptides of the brain renin angiotensin
      system. However, a long time will be still necessary to evaluate extensively the
      efficacy and safety of these new approaches. In the mean time, using appropriate
      and personalized daily doses of available drugs, decreasing physician inertia,
      improving treatment adherence, improving access to healthcare and reducing
      treatment costs remain major objectives to reduce the incidence of resistant
      hypertension. 

PMID- 24222657
TI  - Trial will test whether shopping vouchers encourage breast feeding.

PMID- 24222658
TI  - Timely care for frail older people referred to hospital improves efficiency and
      reduces mortality without the need for extra resources.
AB  - BACKGROUND: hospitals are under pressure to reduce waiting times and costs. One
      strategy that may be effective focuses on optimising the flow of emergency
      patients. OBJECTIVE: we undertook a patient flow analysis of older emergency
      patients to identify and address delays in ensuring timely care, without
      additional resources. DESIGN: prospective systems redesign study over 2 years.
      SETTING: the Geriatric Medicine Directorate in an acute hospital (Sheffield
      Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) with 1920 beds. SUBJECTS: older patients
      admitted as emergencies. METHODS: diagnostic patient flow analysis followed by a
      series of Plan Do Study Act cycles to test and implement changes by a
      multidisciplinary team using time series run charts. RESULTS: 60% of patients
      aged 75+ years arrived in the Emergency Department during office hours, but two
      thirds of the admissions to GM wards were outside office hours highlighting a
      major delay. Three changes were undertaken to address this, Discharge to Assess,
      Seven Day Working and the establishment of a Frailty Unit. Average bed occupancy
      fell by 20.4 beds (95% confidence interval (CI) -39.6 to -1.2, P = 0.037) for
      similar demand. The risk of hospital mortality also fell by 2.25% (before 11.4%
      (95% CI 10.4-12.4%), after 9.15% (95% CI 7.6-10.7%) which equates to a number
      needed to treat of 45 and a 19.7% reduction in relative risk of mortality. The
      risk of re-admission remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: redesigning the system of
      care for older emergency patients led to reductions in bed occupancy and
      mortality without affecting re-admission rates or requiring additional resources.

PMID- 24222659
TI  - Drug cessation in complex older adults: time for action.
AB  - BACKGROUND: general opinion is growing that drug cessation in complex older
      patients is warranted in certain situations. From a clinical viewpoint, drug
      cessation seems most warranted in four situations, i.e., falls, delirium,
      cognitive impairment and end-of-life situations. To date, little information
      about the effects of drug cessation in these four situations is available.
      OBJECTIVES: to identify the effects and effectiveness of drug cessation on falls,
      delirium and cognitive impairment. For end-of-life situations, we reviewed
      cessation of inappropriate drug use. METHODS: electronic databases were searched
      using MeSH terms and relevant keywords. Studies published in English were
      included if they evaluated the effects of drug cessation in older persons, aged
      >=65 years, with falls, delirium or cognitive impairment; or cessation of
      inappropriate drug use in end-of-life situations. RESULTS: we selected seven
      articles for falls, none for delirium, two for cognition and two for end-of-life
      situations. Withdrawal of psychotropics reduced fall rate; a prescribing
      modification programme for primary care physicians reduced fall risk. Withdrawal
      of psychotropics and a systematic reduction of polypharmacy resulted in an
      improvement of cognition. Very little rigorous research has been conducted on
      reducing inappropriate medications in patients approaching end of life.
      CONCLUSION: little research has focussed on drug cessation. Available studies
      showed a beneficial impact of cessation of psychotropic drugs on falls and
      cognitive status. More research in this field is needed. The issue of systematic
      drug withdrawal in end-of-life cases is controversial, but is increasingly
      relevant in the face of rising numbers of older people of this clinical status.

PMID- 24222660
TI  - Sonographic findings in the diagnosis of HIV-associated tuberculosis: image
      quality and inter-observer agreement in FASH vs. remote-FASH ultrasound.

PMID- 24222662
TI  - Lappaol F, a novel anticancer agent isolated from plant arctium Lappa L.
AB  - In an effort to search for new cancer-fighting therapeutics, we identified a
      novel anticancer constituent, Lappaol F, from plant Arctium Lappa L. Lappaol F
      suppressed cancer cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner in human
      cancer cell lines of various tissue types. We found that Lappaol F induced G(1)
      and G(2) cell-cycle arrest, which was associated with strong induction of p21 and
      p27 and reduction of cyclin B1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). Depletion of
      p21 via genetic knockout or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) approaches significantly
      abrogated Lappaol F-mediated G(2) arrest and CDK1 and cyclin B1 suppression.
      These results suggest that p21 seems to play a crucial role in Lappaol F-mediated
      regulation of CDK1 and cyclin B1 and G(2) arrest. Lappaol F-mediated p21
      induction was found to occur at the mRNA level and involved p21 promoter
      activation. Lappaol F was also found to induce cell death in several cancer cell
      lines and to activate caspases. In contrast with its strong growth inhibitory
      effects on tumor cells, Lappaol F had minimal cytotoxic effects on nontumorigenic
      epithelial cells tested. Importantly, our data also demonstrate that Lappaol F
      exhibited strong growth inhibition of xenograft tumors in nude mice. Lappaol F
      was well tolerated in treated animals without significant toxicity. Taken
      together, our results, for the first time, demonstrate that Lappaol F exhibits
      antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo and has strong potential to be developed
      as an anticancer therapeutic.

PMID- 24222661
TI  - Low levels of circulating estrogen sensitize PTEN-null endometrial tumors to PARP
      inhibition in vivo.
AB  - Earlier in vitro work demonstrated that PARP inhibition induces cell death in
      PTEN-null endometrial cancer cell lines, but the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of
      these agents against endometrial cancer remains unknown. Here, we test the
      efficacy of AZD2281 (olaparib), an oral PARP inhibitor, in the therapy of PTEN
      null endometrial tumors in a preclinical endometrial cancer mouse model. Primary
      endometrial tumors were generated by epithelial loss of PTEN using an in vivo
      model. This model recapitulates epithelial-specific loss of PTEN seen in human
      tumors, and histologically resembles endometrioid carcinomas, the predominant
      subtype of human endometrial cancers. Olaparib was administered orally to tumor
      bearing mice in two hormonal extremes: high or low estrogen. Olaparib treatment
      achieved a significant reduction in tumor size in a low estrogenic milieu. In
      striking contrast, no response to olaparib was seen in tumors exposed to high
      levels of estrogen. Two key observations were made when estrogen levels were
      dropped: (i) the serum concentration of olaparib was significantly increased,
      resulting in sustained PARP inhibition at the tumor bed; and (ii) the homologous
      recombination pathway was compromised, as evidenced by decreased Rad51 protein
      expression and function. These two mechanisms may account for the sensitization
      of PTEN-null tumors to olaparib with estrogen deprivation. Results of this
      preclinical trial suggest that orally administered PARP inhibitors in a low
      estrogenic hormonal milieu can effectively target PTEN-null endometrial tumors.
      Extension of this work to clinical trials could personalize the therapy of women
      afflicted with advanced endometrial cancer using well-tolerated orally
      administered therapeutic agents.

PMID- 24222663
TI  - Surface-modified nanoparticles enhance transurothelial penetration and delivery
      of survivin siRNA in treating bladder cancer.
AB  - Penetration of the bladder permeability barrier (BPB) is a major challenge when
      treating bladder diseases via intravesical delivery. To increase transurothelial
      migration and tissue and tumor cell uptake, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid; PLGA)
      nanoparticles (NP) were modified by addition of a low molecular weight (2.5 or 20
      kDa) positively charged mucoadhesive polysaccharide, chitosan, to the NP surface.
      In designing these NPs, we balanced the adhesive properties of chitosan with the
      release and bioactivity of the siRNA. Chitosan-functionalized NPs demonstrated
      increased binding to and uptake in intravesically instilled mouse bladders and
      human ureter at 10 times the level of unmodified NPs. Furthermore, we extended
      the bioactivity of survivin siRNA in vitro for up to 9 days and demonstrated a
      decrease in proliferation when using chitosan-modified NPs relative to unmodified
      NPs. In addition, treatment of xenograft tumors with chitosan-modified NPs that
      encapsulate survivin siRNA (NP-siSUR-CH2.5) resulted in a 65% reduction in tumor
      volume and a 75% decrease in survivin expression relative to tumors treated with
      blank chitosan NPs (NP-Bk-CH2.5). Our low molecular weight chitosan delivery
      system has the capacity to transport large amounts of siRNA across the urothelium
      and/or to the tumor site, thus increasing therapeutic response.

PMID- 24222665
TI  - NHS medical director proposes two tier emergency service.

PMID- 24222664
TI  - Response to MLN8237 in pancreatic cancer is not dependent on RalA
      phosphorylation.
AB  - The high prevalence of KRAS mutations and importance of the RalGEF-Ral pathway
      downstream of activated K-ras in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
      emphasize the importance of identifying novel methods by which to therapeutically
      target these pathways. It was recently demonstrated that phosphorylation of RalA
      S194 by Aurora A kinase (AAK) is critical for PDAC tumorigenesis. We sought to
      evaluate the AAK-selective inhibitor MLN8237 as a potential indirect anti-RalA
      targeted therapy for PDAC. We used a site-specific phospho-S194 RalA antibody and
      determined that RalA S194 phosphorylation levels were elevated in a subset of
      PDAC cell lines and human tumors relative to unmatched normal controls. Effects
      of MLN8237 on anchorage-independent growth in PDAC cell lines and growth of
      patient-derived xenografts (PDX) were variable, with a subset of cell lines and
      PDX showing sensitivity. Surprisingly, RalA S194 phosphorylation levels in PDAC
      cell lines or PDX tumors did not correlate with MLN8237 responsiveness. However,
      we identified Ki67 as a possible early predictive biomarker for response to
      MLN8237 in PDAC. These results indicate that MLN8237 treatment may be effective
      for a subset of patients with PDAC independent of RalA S194 phosphorylation. Ki67
      may be an effective pharmacodynamic biomarker to identify response early in the
      course of treatment.

PMID- 24222667
TI  - Response to cold pressor test predicts long-term changes in pulse wave velocity
      in men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aortic stiffness is associated with increased cardiovascular
      mortality. However, the determinants of aortic stiffness progression are not
      fully established. This study evaluated the predictive value of blood pressure
      (BP) response to cold pressor test (CPT) in the progression of carotid-femoral
      pulse wave velocity (PWV) in men and women. METHODS: A total of 408 individuals
      (165 men, 243 women) from Vitoria, Brazil, underwent BP evaluation, clinical and
      laboratorial investigations, and CPT and PWV assessment. Five years later, the
      studied individuals were re-evaluated, except for the CPT. RESULTS: In men, 5
      year PWV change correlated inversely with baseline PWV (P < 0.001) and directly
      with BP response to CPT (P < 0.05) and 5-year BP change (P < 0.05). In women, 5
      year PWV change correlated inversely with baseline PWV (P < 0.001) and directly
      with age (P < 0.01), glycemia (P < 0.05) and 5-year BP change (P < 0.05) but not
      with BP response to CPT. Further linear regression analysis showed that 5-year
      PWV change was associated with baseline PWV, systolic BP response to CPT, and 5
      year systolic BP change in men and with baseline PWV, age, glycemia, and 5-year
      systolic BP change in women. CONCLUSIONS: BP response to CPT was a predictor of
      PWV progression in men after 5 years of follow-up. These findings provide further
      insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms of arterial stiffness, suggesting
      that elevated sympathetic reactivity may be a predisposing factor for future
      increases in aortic stiffness, at least in men.

PMID- 24222666
TI  - Ankle brachial index values, leg symptoms, and functional performance among
      community-dwelling older men and women in the lifestyle interventions and
      independence for elders study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence and significance of low normal and abnormal ankle
      brachial index (ABI) values in a community-dwelling population of sedentary,
      older individuals is unknown. We describe the prevalence of categories of
      definite peripheral artery disease (PAD), borderline ABI, low normal ABI, and no
      PAD and their association with lower-extremity functional performance in the LIFE
      Study population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants age 70 to 89 in the LIFE
      Study underwent baseline measurement of the ABI, 400-m walk, and 4-m walking
      velocity. Participants were classified as follows: definite PAD (ABI <0.90),
      borderline PAD (ABI 0.90 to 0.99), low normal ABI (ABI 1.00 to 1.09), and no PAD
      (ABI 1.10 to 1.40). Of 1566 participants, 220 (14%) had definite PAD, 250 (16%)
      had borderline PAD, 509 (33%) had low normal ABI, and 587 (37%) had no PAD. Among
      those with definite PAD, 65% were asymptomatic. Adjusting for age, sex, race,
      body mass index, smoking, and comorbidities, lower ABI was associated with longer
      mean 400-m walk time: (definite PAD=533 seconds; borderline PAD=514 seconds; low
      normal ABI=503 seconds; and no PAD=498 seconds [P<0.001]). Among asymptomatic
      participants with and without PAD, lower ABI values were also associated with
      longer 400-m walk time (P<0.001) and slower walking velocity (P=0.042).
      CONCLUSION: Among older community-dwelling men and women, 14% had PAD and 49% had
      borderline or low normal ABI values. Lower ABI values were associated with
      greater functional impairment, suggesting that lower extremity atherosclerosis
      may be a common preventable cause of functional limitations in older people.
      CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ Unique identifier:
      NCT01072500.

PMID- 24222668
TI  - PAT1 (SLC36A1) shows nuclear localization and affects growth of smooth muscle
      cells from rats.
AB  - The proton-coupled amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1) is a transporter of amino
      acids in small intestinal enterocytes. PAT1 is, however, also capable of
      regulating cell growth and sensing the availability of amino acids in other cell
      types. The aim of the present study was to investigate the localization and
      function of PAT1 in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The PAT1 protein was found in
      smooth muscles from rat intestine and in the embryonic rat aorta cell line A7r5.
      Immunolocalization and cellular fractionation studies revealed that the majority
      of the PAT1 protein located within the cell nucleus of A7r5 cells. These results
      were confirmed in primary SMCs derived from rat aorta and colon. A 3'
      untranslated region of the PAT1 transcript directed the nuclear localization.
      Neither cellular starvation nor cell division altered the nuclear localization.
      In agreement, uptake studies of l-proline, a PAT1 substrate, in A7r5 cells
      suggested an alternative role for PAT1 in SMCs than in transport. To shed light
      on the function of PAT1 in A7r5 cells, experiments with downregulation of the
      PAT1 level by use of a siRNA approach were conducted. The growth rates of the
      cells were evaluated, and knockdown of PAT1 led to induced cellular growth,
      suggesting a role for PAT1 in regulating cellular proliferation of SMCs.

PMID- 24222669
TI  - G protein-coupled receptor 120 signaling regulates ghrelin secretion in vivo and
      in vitro.
AB  - Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, is
      produced predominantly in the stomach. It has been reported that endogenous
      ghrelin levels are increased by fasting and decreased immediately after feeding
      and that fasting-induced ghrelin release is controlled by the sympathetic nervous
      system. However, the mechanisms of plasma ghrelin decrement after feeding are
      poorly understood. Here, we studied the control of ghrelin secretion using
      ghrelin-producing cell lines and found that these cells express high levels of
      mRNA encoding G-protein coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). Addition of GW-9508 (a
      GPR120 chemical agonist) and alpha-linolenic acid (a natural ligand for GPR120)
      inhibited the secretion of ghrelin by ~50 and 70%, respectively. However, the
      expression levels of preproghrelin and ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) mRNAs
      were not influenced by GW-9508. In contrast, the expression levels of prohormone
      convertase 1 were decreased significantly by GW-9508 incubation. Moreover, we
      observed that the inhibitory effect of GW-9508 on ghrelin secretion was blocked
      by a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the sequence of GPR120. Furthermore,
      pretreatment with GW-9508 blocked the effect of the norepinephrine (NE)-induced
      ghrelin elevation in ghrelin cell lines. In addition, we showed that GW-9508
      inhibited ghrelin secretion via extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity in
      ghrelin cell lines. Finally, we found that GW-9508 decreased plasma ghrelin
      levels in mice. These results suggest that the decrease of ghrelin secretion
      after feeding is induced partially by long-chain fatty acids that act directly on
      gastric GPR120-expressing ghrelin cells.

PMID- 24222670
TI  - Paradoxical resistance to high-fat diet-induced obesity and altered macrophage
      polarization in mineralocorticoid receptor-overexpressing mice.
AB  - The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) exerts proadipogenic and antithermogenic
      effects in vitro, yet its in vivo metabolic impact remains elusive. Wild type
      (WT) and transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing human MR were subjected to standard
      chow (SC) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 wk. Tg mice had a lower body weight gain
      than WT animals and exhibited a relative resistance to HFD-induced obesity. This
      was associated with a decrease in fat mass, an increased population of smaller
      adipocytes, and an improved glucose tolerance compared with WT animals.
      Quantitative RT-PCR studies revealed decreased expression of PPARgamma2, a master
      adipogenic gene, and of glucocorticoid receptor and 11beta-hydroxysteroid
      dehydrogenase type 1, consistent with an impaired local glucocorticoid signaling
      in adipose tissues (AT). This paradoxical resistance to HFD-induced obesity was
      not related to an adipogenesis defect since differentiation capacity of Tg
      preadipocytes isolated from stroma-vascular fractions was unaltered, suggesting
      that other nonadipocyte factors might compromise AT development. Although AT
      macrophage infiltration was not different between genotypes, Tg mice exhibited a
      distinct macrophage polarization, as revealed by FACS analysis and CD11c/CD206
      expression studies. We further demonstrated that Tg macrophage-conditioned medium
      partially impaired preadipocyte differentiation. Therefore, we propose that
      modification of M1/M2 polarization of hMR-overexpressing macrophages could
      account in part for the metabolic phenotype of Tg mice. Collectively, our results
      provide evidence that MR exerts a pivotal immunometabolic role by controlling
      adipocyte differentiation processes directly but also indirectly through
      macrophage polarization regulation. Our findings should be taken into account for
      the pharmacological treatment of metabolic disorders.

PMID- 24222672
TI  - Breadlines, brains, and behaviour.

PMID- 24222671
TI  - ICD-10 codes used to identify adverse drug events in administrative data: a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adverse drug events, the unintended and harmful effects of
      medications, are important outcome measures in health services research. Yet no
      universally accepted set of International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
      revision 10 codes or coding algorithms exists to ensure their consistent
      identification in administrative data. Our objective was to synthesize a
      comprehensive set of ICD-10 codes used to identify adverse drug events. METHODS:
      We developed a systematic search strategy and applied it to five electronic
      reference databases. We searched relevant medical journals, conference
      proceedings, electronic grey literature and bibliographies of relevant studies,
      and contacted content experts for unpublished studies. One author reviewed the
      titles and abstracts for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two authors reviewed
      eligible full-text articles and abstracted data in duplicate. Data were
      synthesized in a qualitative manner. RESULTS: Of 4241 titles identified, 41 were
      included. We found a total of 827 ICD-10 codes that have been used in the medical
      literature to identify adverse drug events. The median number of codes used to
      search for adverse drug events was 190 (IQR 156-289) with a large degree of
      variability between studies in the numbers and types of codes used. Authors
      commonly used external injury (Y40.0-59.9) and disease manifestation codes. Only
      two papers reported on the sensitivity of their code set. CONCLUSIONS:
      Substantial variability exists in the methods used to identify adverse drug
      events in administrative data. Our work may serve as a point of reference for
      future research and consensus building in this area.

PMID- 24222673
TI  - Putting GlaxoSmithKline to the test over paroxetine.

PMID- 24222674
TI  - A shot in the arm for medical education.

PMID- 24222675
TI  - Academics who spoke out on swine flu risks were more likely to have industry
      links, study finds.

PMID- 24222676
TI  - Shortage of health workers is set to double, says WHO.

PMID- 24222677
TI  - Obamacare's rocky road.

PMID- 24222678
TI  - Brain-machine interface.

PMID- 24222680
TI  - Most doctors have negative experiences of reporting incidents.

PMID- 24222681
TI  - Influence of light conditions on the allometry and growth of the understory palm
      Geonoma undata subsp. edulis (Arecaceae) of neotropical cloud forests.
AB  - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Knowledge on the growth responses of understory palms to
      changing light conditions within neotropical cloud forests is limited. The low
      light regime of these environments, in addition to persistent cloudiness, low
      ambient temperatures, and slow nutrient cycles, imposes significant constraints
      on biomass accumulation. Here, we evaluate how changes in the understory light
      conditions influenced the allometry and growth of G. undata subsp. edulis in two
      cloud forests in Costa Rica. METHODS: We examined the structural relationships
      between stem diameter, stem height, and crown area in reproductive and
      nonreproductive individuals. We related the variation in stem growth and crown
      area with allometry, leaf production and longevity, and light conditions that we
      measured using hemispherical photographs over 1 year. KEY RESULTS: The allometric
      and growth pattern of G. undata subsp. edulis was characterized by its investment
      in crown area, which was strongly and positively related to increments in palm
      height and reproduction. Growth, measured as the increase in crown area and stem
      height, was not explained by the variation in the light regime spanning 1 year.
      However, reproductive individuals were generally taller, more slender, and had
      larger leaf areas than nonreproductive individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      demonstrated that stem growth responses were mostly controlled by initial crown
      size rather than by temporal differences in the understory light regimes of cloud
      forests. These results suggest that cloud forest understory palms have a limited
      capacity to respond to light changes and rely mostly on an opportunistic strategy
      for biomass accumulation and reproduction.

PMID- 24222682
TI  - Fire structures pine serotiny at different scales.
AB  - PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Serotiny (delayed seed release with the consequent
      accumulation of a canopy seedbank) confers fitness benefits in environments with
      crown-fire regimes. Thus, we predicted that serotiny level should be higher in
      populations recurrently subjected to crown-fires than in populations where crown
      fires are rare. In addition, under a high frequency of fires, space and resources
      are recurrently available, permitting recruitment around each mother to follow
      the seed rain shadow. Thus, we also predicted spatial aggregation of serotiny
      within populations. METHODS: We compared serotiny, considering both the
      proportion and the age of serotinous cones, in populations living in contrasting
      fire regimes for two iconic Mediterranean pine species (Pinus halepensis, P.
      pinaster). We framed our results by quantitatively comparing the strength of the
      fire-serotiny relationship with previous studies worldwide. KEY RESULTS: For the
      two species, populations living under high crown-fire recurrence regimes had a
      higher serotiny level than those populations where the recurrence of crown-fires
      was low. For P. halepensis (the species with higher serotiny), populations in
      high fire recurrence regimes had higher fine-scale spatial aggregation of
      serotiny than those inhabiting low fire recurrence systems. The strength of the
      observed fire-serotiny relationship in P. halepensis is among the highest in
      published literature. CONCLUSIONS: Fire regime shapes serotiny level among
      populations, and in populations with high serotiny, recurrent fires maintain a
      significant spatial structure for this trait. Consequently, fire has long-term
      evolutionary implications at different scales, emphasizing its prominent role in
      shaping the ecology of pines.

PMID- 24222683
TI  - Dementia statistic is misleading.

PMID- 24222685
TI  - Distinct biophysical mechanisms of focal adhesion kinase mechanoactivation by
      different extracellular matrix proteins.
AB  - Matrix mechanics controls cell fate by modulating the bonds between integrins and
      extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. However, it remains unclear how fibronectin
      (FN), type 1 collagen, and their receptor integrin subtypes distinctly control
      force transmission to regulate focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity, a crucial
      molecular signal governing cell adhesion/migration. Here we showed, using a
      genetically encoded FAK biosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy
      transfer, that FN-mediated FAK activation is dependent on the mechanical tension,
      which may expose its otherwise hidden FN synergy site to integrin alpha5. In
      sharp contrast, the ligation between the constitutively exposed binding motif of
      type 1 collagen and its receptor integrin alpha2 was surprisingly tension
      independent to induce sufficient FAK activation. Although integrin alpha subunit
      determines mechanosensitivity, the ligation between alpha subunit and the ECM
      proteins converges at the integrin beta1 activation to induce FAK activation. We
      further discovered that the interaction of the N-terminal protein
      4.1/ezrin/redixin/moesin basic patch with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate is
      crucial during cell adhesion to maintain the FAK activation from the inhibitory
      effect of nearby protein 4.1/ezrin/redixin/moesin acidic sites. Therefore,
      different ECM proteins either can transmit or can shield from mechanical forces
      to regulate cellular functions, with the accessibility of ECM binding motifs by
      their specific integrin alpha subunits determining the biophysical mechanisms of
      FAK activation during mechanotransduction. 

PMID- 24222686
TI  - BMP-9 balances endothelial cell fate.

PMID- 24222688
TI  - Transcription-factor binding and sliding on DNA studied using micro- and
      macroscopic models.
AB  - Transcription factors search for specific operator sequences by alternating
      rounds of 3D diffusion with rounds of 1D diffusion (sliding) along the DNA. The
      details of such sliding have largely been beyond direct experimental observation.
      For this purpose we devised an analytical formulation of umbrella sampling along
      a helical coordinate, and from extensive and fully atomistic simulations we
      quantified the free-energy landscapes that underlie the sliding dynamics and
      dissociation kinetics for the LacI dimer. The resulting potential of mean force
      distributions show a fine structure with an amplitude of 1 k(B)T for sliding and
      12 k(B)T for dissociation. Based on the free-energy calculations the repressor
      slides in close contact with DNA for 8 bp on average before making a microscopic
      dissociation. By combining the microscopic molecular-dynamics calculations with
      Brownian simulation including rotational diffusion from the microscopically
      dissociated state we estimate a macroscopic residence time of 48 ms at the same
      DNA segment and an in vitro sliding distance of 240 bp. The sliding distance is
      in agreement with previous in vitro sliding-length estimates. The in vitro
      prediction for the macroscopic residence time also compares favorably to what we
      measure by single-molecule imaging of nonspecifically bound fluorescently labeled
      LacI in living cells. The investigation adds to our understanding of
      transcription-factor search kinetics and connects the macro-/mesoscopic rate
      constants to the microscopic dynamics.

PMID- 24222691
TI  - Haemodialysis: hospital or home?
AB  - Healthcare costs associated with the provision of dialysis therapy are escalating
      globally as the number of patients developing end-stage renal disease increases.
      In this setting, there has been heightened interest in the application and
      potential benefit of home haemodialysis therapies compared with the conventional
      approach of thrice weekly, incentre treatments. Increasingly, national healthcare
      systems are financially incentivising the expansion of home haemodialysis
      programmes with observational studies demonstrating better patient survival,
      superior control of circulating volume and blood pressure, greater patient
      satisfaction and lower running costs compared with incentre dialysis.
      Nonetheless, increasing the prevalence of home haemodialysis is challenged by the
      technological complexity of conventional dialysis systems, the need for
      significant adaptations to the home as well as suboptimal clinician and patient
      education about the feasibility and availability of this modality. In addition,
      enthusiasm about frequent as well as nocturnal (extended-hours) haemodialysis has
      been tempered by results from the recent Frequent Haemodialysis Network
      randomised controlled trials comparing these schedules with a conventional
      incentre regime. An increasing emphasis on empowering patient choice and
      promoting self-management of chronic illness is a powerful driver for the
      expansion of home haemodialysis programmes in the UK and internationally. 

PMID- 24222690
TI  - Antibody biomarker discovery through in vitro directed evolution of consensus
      recognition epitopes.
AB  - To enable discovery of serum antibodies indicative of disease and simultaneously
      develop reagents suitable for diagnosis, in vitro directed evolution was applied
      to identify consensus peptides recognized by patients' serum antibodies.
      Bacterial cell-displayed peptide libraries were quantitatively screened for
      binders to serum antibodies from patients with celiac disease (CD), using cell
      sorting instrumentation to identify two distinct consensus epitope families
      specific to CD patients (PEQ and (E)/DxFV(Y)/FQ). Evolution of the (E)/DxFV(Y)/FQ
      consensus epitope identified a celiac-specific epitope, distinct from the two CD
      hallmark antigens tissue transglutaminase-2 and deamidated gliadin, exhibiting
      71% sensitivity and 99% specificity (n = 231). Expansion of the first-generation
      PEQ consensus epitope via in vitro evolution yielded octapeptides QPEQAFPE and
      PFPEQxFP that identified omega- and gamma-gliadins, and their deamidated forms,
      as immunodominant B-cell epitopes in wheat and related cereal proteins. The
      evolved octapeptides, but not first-generation peptides, discriminated one-way
      blinded CD and non-CD sera (n = 78) with exceptional accuracy, yielding 100%
      sensitivity and 98% specificity. Because this method, termed antibody diagnostics
      via evolution of peptides, does not require prior knowledge of pathobiology, it
      may be broadly useful for de novo discovery of antibody biomarkers and reagents
      for their detection. 

PMID- 24222692
TI  - A mystery solved.

PMID- 24222693
TI  - Moisture and mydriasis.

PMID- 24222694
TI  - PCP prophylaxis with use of corticosteroids by neurologists.
AB  - Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is increasingly reported in patients
      without HIV. Corticosteroids are a major risk factor, with up to 90% of patients
      receiving corticosteroid treatment prior to the development of PCP. In view of
      this, many specialties now prescribe PCP prophylaxis to patients receiving
      prolonged or high-dose glucocorticoid regimens. Neurologists frequently prescribe
      corticosteroids but may not be as aware of the risk for PCP. Here, we review the
      evidence for routine PCP prophylaxis among regular glucocorticoid users and ask
      what guidance there is on the subject for neurologists. 

PMID- 24222697
TI  - HIV testing in dementia: test some, perhaps more, but not all.

PMID- 24222696
TI  - Test them all; an easily diagnosed and readily treatable cause of dementia with
      life-threatening consequences if missed.

PMID- 24222701
TI  - Saddle pulmonary thromboembolism.

PMID- 24222702
TI  - Prinzmetal angina.

PMID- 24222703
TI  - Physical activity impairment in depressed COPD subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited exercise tolerance is a cardinal clinical feature in COPD.
      Depression and COPD share some clinical features, such as reduced physical
      activity and impaired nutritional status. The aim of the present study was to
      evaluate maximum and daily physical activities and the nutritional status of COPD
      patients affected or not by depression. METHODS: In 70 COPD out-patients, daily
      and maximum physical activities were assessed by multisensor accelerometer
      armband, 6-min walk test, and cardiopulmonary exercise test. Mental status,
      metabolic/muscular status, and systemic inflammation were evaluated using the
      Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and
      with regard to fibrinogen/C-reactive protein, respectively. RESULTS: Depressed
      subjects (27% of the sample) showed a similar level of respiratory functional
      impairment but a higher level of shortness of breath and a worse quality of life
      compared to non-depressed subjects (P < .05). Specifically, they displayed a
      physical activity impairment consisting of a reduced number of steps per day, a
      lower peak of oxygen consumption, an early anaerobic threshold, and a reduced
      distance in the 6-min walk test (P < .05) but the same nutritional status
      compared to non-depressed subjects. In the multivariate analysis, a reduced
      breathing reserve, obesity, and a higher level of shortness of breath, but not
      depression, were found to be independent factors associated with a reduced daily
      number of steps. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that depressed COPD patients have a
      reduced daily and maximum exercise capacity compared to non-depressed patients.
      This further suggests the potential utility of screening for depression in COPD.

PMID- 24222704
TI  - Acute effects of volume-oriented incentive spirometry on chest wall volumes in
      patients after a stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess how volume-oriented
      incentive spirometry applied to patients after a stroke modifies the total and
      compartmental chest wall volume variations, including both the right and left
      hemithoraces, compared with controls. METHODS: Twenty poststroke patients and 20
      age-matched healthy subjects were studied by optoelectronic plethysmography
      during spontaneous quiet breathing (QB), during incentive spirometry, and during
      the recovery period after incentive spirometry. RESULTS: Incentive spirometry was
      associated with an increased chest wall volume measured at the pulmonary rib
      cage, abdominal rib cage and abdominal compartment (P = .001) and under 3
      conditions (P < .001). Compared with healthy control subjects, the tidal volume
      (VT) of the subjects with stroke was 24.7, 18.0, and 14.7% lower during QB,
      incentive spirometry, and postincentive spirometry, respectively. Under all 3
      conditions, the contribution of the abdominal compartment to VT was greater in
      the stroke subjects (54.1, 43.2, and 48.9%) than in the control subjects (43.7,
      40.8, and 46.1%, P = .039). In the vast majority of subjects (13/20 and 18/20
      during QB and incentive spirometry, respectively), abdominal expansion precedes
      rib cage expansion during inspiration. Greater asymmetry between the right and
      left hemithoracic expansions occurred in stroke subjects compared with control
      subjects, but it decreased during QB (62.5%, P = .002), during incentive
      spirometry (19.7%), and postincentive spirometry (67.6%, P = .14). CONCLUSIONS:
      Incentive spirometry promotes increased expansion in all compartments of the
      chest wall and reduces asymmetric expansion between the right and left parts of
      the pulmonary rib cage; therefore, it should be considered as a tool for
      rehabilitation.

PMID- 24222705
TI  - Estimating breathing movements of the chest and abdominal wall using a simple,
      newly developed breathing movement-measuring device.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 3-dimensional (3D) distances of specific points on the chest and
      abdominal wall are useful for assessing the characteristics of breathing
      movement. This study aimed to determine whether the 3D distances on the chest and
      abdominal wall during deep breathing (DB) could be estimated using a newly
      developed breathing movement-measuring device (BMMD). METHODS: Breathing movement
      distances on the chest (bilateral third and eighth ribs) and abdomen (upper
      abdomen) of 10 healthy young males were measured using a pen-sized mechanical
      BMMD and a 3D motion analysis system during DB. DB was controlled and based on
      the distances targeted by the BMMD (ie, 1, 2, and 3 cm), which was placed on the
      observation points and fixed on a tripod. Simultaneously, the 3D distances of
      reflective markers on the observation points were measured. The obtained data
      were statistically analyzed using a paired t test, repeated measures analysis of
      variance with multiple comparisons tests, and linear regression with mixed
      effects. RESULTS: All the BMMD distances were less than the 3D distances. The
      differences between the 3D and BMMD distances on the chest and abdomen, except
      for the left lower chest (eighth rib), were significantly greater at a target
      distance of 3 cm than that of 1 cm. The coefficients of determination ranged from
      0.98 to 0.99. CONCLUSIONS: Linear regression equations provided adequate
      estimates of the 3D distances of markers on the chest and abdominal wall during
      DB. The results suggest that this BMMD is useful for quantitatively assessing DB
      movement of the chest and abdominal wall in healthy young males.

PMID- 24222706
TI  - Disease management programs for patients with COPD in Germany: a longitudinal
      evaluation of routinely collected patient records.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The primary aim of the disease management program (DMP) for
      patients with COPD is to improve health outcomes and thereby to reduce overall
      costs. Six years after its introduction in Germany, no consensus has yet been
      reached as to whether the DMP has been effective in reaching these goals. The
      objective of the study was an evaluation of the DMP for COPD in Bavaria using
      routinely collected subject medical records. METHODS: A longitudinal population
      based study, comparing the total DMP population of up to 86,560 patients with a
      stable cohort of 17,549 subjects over a period of 5 years. The effect of subject
      dropout in the cohort is further estimated by means of inverse probability
      weighting. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects in the total population who were
      prescribed and received treatment with oral corticosteroids declined at a
      constant rate of 1.0% per year (P < .001). The proportion of subjects who were
      given a prescription for theophylline decreased at a constant rate of 2.0% per
      year (P < .001). By 2012, 15.6% of the total population and 26% of the cohort had
      undergone self-management education. While the proportion of smokers in the total
      population remained constant because of the effect of newly enrolled subjects,
      the proportion of smokers decreased significantly even after dropout adjustment,
      from 29% to 21%. The occurrence of exacerbations decreased steadily at a rate of
      0.9% (total population) or 0.7% (cohort) per year. While the occurrence of
      emergency hospital admissions decreased in the total population, an increase was
      observed within the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Summarizing all results leads to the
      suggestion that the German DMP for COPD has been effective in enhancing the
      quality of care in regard to an improved adherence to guidelines,
      pharmacotherapy, exacerbations, and self-management education. However, the DMP
      was not able to prevent an increase in emergency hospital admissions for the
      stable population in the cohort.

PMID- 24222707
TI  - Ex vivo assessment and validation of water exchange performance of 23 heat and
      moisture exchangers for laryngectomized patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breathing through a tracheostoma results in insufficient warming and
      humidification of the inspired air. This loss of air conditioning, especially
      humidification, can be partially restored with the application of a heat and
      moisture exchanger (HME) over the tracheostoma. For medical professionals, it is
      not easy to judge differences in water exchange performance of various HMEs owing
      to the lack of universal outcome measures. This study has three aims: assessment
      of the water exchange performance of commercially available HMEs for
      laryngectomized patients, validation of these results with absolute humidity
      outcomes, and assessment of the role of hygroscopic salt present in some of the
      tested HMEs. METHODS: Measurements of weight and absolute humidity at end
      inspiration and end expiration at different breathing volumes of a healthy
      volunteer were performed using a microbalance and humidity sensor. Twenty-three
      HMEs from 6 different manufacturers were tested. Associations were determined
      between core weight, weight change, breathing volume, and absolute humidity,
      using both linear and nonlinear mixed effects models. RESULTS: Water exchange of
      the 23 HMEs at a breathing volume of 0.5 L varies between 0.5 and 3.6 mg. Both
      water exchange and wet core weight correlate strongly with the end-inspiratory
      absolute humidity values (r2 =0.89/0.87). Hygroscopic salt increases core weight.
      CONCLUSIONS: The 23 tested HMEs for laryngectomized patients show wide variation
      in water exchange performance. Water exchange correlates well with the end
      inspiratory absolute humidity outcome, which validates the ex vivo weight change
      method. Wet core weight is a predictor of HME performance. Hygroscopic salt
      increases the weight of the core material. The results of this study can help
      medical professionals to obtain a more founded opinion about the performance of
      available HMEs for pulmonary rehabilitation in laryngectomized patients, and
      allow them to make an informed decision about which HME type to use.

PMID- 24222708
TI  - Nonpharmacologic airway clearance techniques in hospitalized patients: a
      systematic review.
AB  - Nonpharmacologic airway clearance techniques are used to reduce the sequelae of
      obstructive secretions. We systematically reviewed comparative studies of
      nonpharmacologic interventions that health professionals can employ to achieve
      mucus clearance in hospitalized or postoperative patients without cystic
      fibrosis, over the age of 12 months. We searched MEDLINE and other databases from
      1990 to 2012 to identify relevant literature. Two reviewers independently
      assessed each study against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two
      reviewers also independently extracted data regarding subject and intervention
      characteristics and outcomes, and assigned overall quality ratings. The 32
      studies meeting the review criteria included 24 randomized controlled trials, 7
      crossover randomized controlled trials, and one prospective cohort study. Studies
      were typically small and together included a total of 2,453 subjects (mean
      76/study). Studies generally examined chest physical therapy/physiotherapy
      modalities in postoperative or critically ill subjects or those with COPD.
      Interventions, comparators, and populations varied considerably across studies,
      hampering our ability to draw firm conclusions. Interventions, including
      conventional chest physical therapy/physiotherapy, intrapulmonary percussive
      ventilation, and positive expiratory pressure, typically provided small benefits
      in pulmonary function, gas exchange, oxygenation, and need for/duration of
      ventilation, among other outcomes, but differences between groups were generally
      small and not significant. Harms of the techniques were not consistently
      reported, though airway clearance techniques were generally considered safe in
      studies that did comment on adverse effects. Further research with clearly
      characterized populations and interventions is needed to understand the potential
      benefits and harms of these techniques. 

PMID- 24222709
TI  - AARC clinical practice guideline: effectiveness of nonpharmacologic airway
      clearance therapies in hospitalized patients.
AB  - Airway clearance therapy (ACT) is used in a variety of settings for a variety of
      ailments. These guidelines were developed from a systematic review with the
      purpose of determining whether the use of nonpharmacologic ACT improves
      oxygenation, reduces length of time on the ventilator, reduces stay in the ICU,
      resolves atelectasis/consolidation, and/or improves respiratory mechanics, versus
      usual care in 3 populations. For hospitalized, adult and pediatric patients
      without cystic fibrosis, 1) chest physiotherapy (CPT) is not recommended for the
      routine treatment of uncomplicated pneumonia; 2) ACT is not recommended for
      routine use in patients with COPD; 3) ACT may be considered in patients with COPD
      with symptomatic secretion retention, guided by patient preference, toleration,
      and effectiveness of therapy; 4) ACT is not recommended if the patient is able to
      mobilize secretions with cough, but instruction in effective cough technique may
      be useful. For adult and pediatric patients with neuromuscular disease,
      respiratory muscle weakness, or impaired cough, 1) cough assist techniques should
      be used in patients with neuromuscular disease, particularly when peak cough flow
      is < 270 L/min; CPT, positive expiratory pressure, intrapulmonary percussive
      ventilation, and high-frequency chest wall compression cannot be recommended, due
      to insufficient evidence. For postoperative adult and pediatric patients, 1)
      incentive spirometry is not recommended for routine, prophylactic use in
      postoperative patients, 2) early mobility and ambulation is recommended to reduce
      postoperative complications and promote airway clearance, 3) ACT is not
      recommended for routine postoperative care. The lack of available high-level
      evidence related to ACT should prompt the design and completion of properly
      designed studies to determine the appropriate role for these therapies. 

PMID- 24222710
TI  - Secondary neutron doses in proton therapy treatments of ocular melanoma and
      craniopharyngioma.
AB  - Monte Carlo simulations were used to assess secondary neutron doses received by
      patients treated with proton therapy for ocular melanoma and craniopharyngioma.
      MCNPX calculations of out-of-field doses were done for ~20 different organs
      considering realistic treatment plans and using computational phantoms
      representative of an adult male individual. Simulations showed higher secondary
      neutron doses for intracranial treatments, ~14 mGy to the salivary glands, when
      compared with ocular treatments, ~0.6 mGy to the non-treated eye. This secondary
      dose increase is mainly due to the higher proton beam energy (178 vs. 75 MeV) as
      well as to the impact of the different beam parameters (modulation, collimation,
      field size etc.). Moreover, when compared with published data, the assessed
      secondary neutron doses showed similar trends, but sometimes with sensitive
      differences. This confirms secondary neutrons to be directly dependent on beam
      energy, modulation technique, treatment configuration and methodology. 

PMID- 24222711
TI  - An indirect in vivo dosimetry system for ocular proton therapy.
AB  - Secondary radiation, particularly neutron radiation, is a cause of concern in
      proton therapy. However, one can take advantage of its presence by using it to
      retrieve useful information on the primary proton beam. At the Centre Antoine
      Lacassagne the secondary radiation in the treatment room has been studied in
      function of the beam modulation. A strong correlation was found between the
      secondary ambient dose equivalent per proton dose H*(10)/D and proton dose rate
      D/MU. A large volume ionisation chamber fixed on the wall at 2.5 m from the
      nozzle was used with an in-house computer interface to retrieve the value of D/MU
      derived from the measurement of photon H*(10) integrated over treatment time,
      using the correlation curve. This system enables the verification of D and D/MU
      to be made independently of the monitoring of the primary beam and represents a
      first step towards an alternative in vivo dosimetry in proton therapy. 

PMID- 24222712
TI  - Existential neuroscience: self-esteem moderates neuronal responses to mortality
      related stimuli.
AB  - According to terror management theory, self-esteem serves as a buffer against
      existential anxiety. This proposition is well supported empirically, but its
      neuronal underpinnings are poorly understood. Therefore, in the present
      neuroimaging study, our aim was to test how self-esteem affects our neural
      circuitry activation when death-related material is processed. Consistent with
      previous findings, the bilateral insula responded less to death-related stimuli
      relative to similarly unpleasant, but death-unrelated sentences, an effect that
      might reflect a decrease in the sense of oneself in the face of existential
      threat. In anterior parts of the insula, this 'deactivation' effect was more
      pronounced for high self-esteem individuals, suggesting that the insula might be
      of core importance to understanding the anxiety-buffering effect of self-esteem.
      In addition, low self-esteem participants responded with enhanced activation to
      death-related over unpleasant stimuli in bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal and
      medial orbitofrontal cortex, suggesting that regulating death-related thoughts
      might be more effortful to these individuals. Together, this suggests that the
      anxiety-buffering effect of self-esteem might be implemented in the brain in the
      form of both insula-dependent awareness mechanisms and prefrontal cortex
      dependent regulation mechanisms. 

PMID- 24222713
TI  - Regulation of epithelial morphogenesis by the G protein-coupled receptor mist and
      its ligand fog.
AB  - Epithelial morphogenesis is essential for shaping organs and tissues and for
      establishment of the three embryonic germ layers during gastrulation. Studies of
      gastrulation in Drosophila have provided insight into how epithelial
      morphogenesis is governed by developmental patterning mechanisms. We developed an
      assay to recapitulate morphogenetic shape changes in individual cultured cells
      and used RNA interference-based screening to identify Mist, a Drosophila G
      protein (heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein)-coupled receptor
      (GPCR) that transduces signals from the secreted ligand Folded gastrulation (Fog)
      in cultured cells. Mist functioned in Fog-dependent embryonic morphogenesis, and
      the transcription factor Snail regulated expression of mist in zygotes. Our data
      revealed how a cell fate transcriptional program acts through a ligand-GPCR pair
      to stimulate epithelial morphogenetic shape changes. 

PMID- 24222715
TI  - Race and the Response of State Legislatures to Unauthorized Immigrants.
AB  - Increasingly, state legislatures are enacting laws to regulate immigrant
      populations. What accounts for these responses to foreign-born residents? To
      explain legislative activity at the state level, the authors examine a variety of
      factors, including the size and growth of foreign-born and Hispanic local
      populations, economic well-being, crime rates, and conservative or liberal
      political ideology in state government and among the citizenry. The authors find
      that economic indicators, crime rates, and demographic changes have little
      explanatory value for legislation aimed at restrictions on immigrant populations.
      Rather, conservative citizen ideology appears to drive immigrant-related
      restrictionist state legislation. Meanwhile, proimmigrant laws are associated
      with larger Hispanic concentrations, growing foreign-born populations, and more
      liberal citizen and governmental orientations. These findings suggest that
      ideological framing is the most consistently important factor determining
      legislative responses to newcomers. These findings are in line with the
      relatively scarce empirical literature on legislative tendencies associated with
      vulnerable populations.

PMID- 24222714
TI  - The ability of Sos1 to oligomerize the adaptor protein LAT is separable from its
      guanine nucleotide exchange activity in vivo.
AB  - The activation of the small guanosine triphosphatase Ras by the guanine
      nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Sos1 (Son of Sevenless 1) is a central feature
      of many receptor-stimulated signaling pathways. In developing T cells
      (thymocytes), Sos1-dependent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase
      (ERK) is required to stimulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. We
      showed that in addition to its GEF activity, Sos1 acted as a scaffold to nucleate
      oligomerization of the T cell adaptor protein LAT (linker for activation of T
      cells) in vivo. The scaffold function of Sos1 depended on its ability to bind to
      the adaptor protein Grb2. Furthermore, the GEF activity of Sos1 and the Sos1
      dependent oligomerization of LAT were separable functions in vivo. Whereas the
      GEF activity of Sos1 was required for optimal ERK phosphorylation in response to
      T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, the Sos1-dependent oligomerization of LAT was
      required for maximal TCR-dependent phosphorylation and activation of
      phospholipase C-gamma1 and Ca(2+) signaling. Finally, both of these Sos1
      functions were required for early thymocyte proliferation. Whereas transgenic
      restoration of either the GEF activity or the LAT oligomerization functions of
      Sos1 alone failed to rescue thymocyte development in Sos1-deficient mice,
      simultaneous reconstitution of these two signals in the same cell restored normal
      T cell development. This ability of Sos1 to act both as a RasGEF and as a
      scaffold to nucleate Grb2-dependent adaptor oligomerization may also occur in
      other Grb2-dependent pathways, such as those activated by growth factor
      receptors. 

PMID- 24222716
TI  - Development and validation of an ELISA at acidic pH for the quantitative
      determination of IL-13 in human plasma and serum.
AB  - A novel sandwich ELISA for the quantitative and sensitive determination of IL-13
      in human serum and plasma was established. The assay employs an incubation step
      at acidic pH, which was shown to decrease nonspecific binding and interference
      from IL-13 binding proteins. The assay was validated and was shown to be accurate
      and precise over the entire quantification range (0.59 to 68.4 pg/mL in human
      EDTA plasma). The validated assay was successfully applied to samples from
      healthy volunteers and patients with atopic seasonal rhinitis. The assay is
      suitable for use in clinical trials to monitor efficacy or pharmacodynamic
      effects of drug candidates.

PMID- 24222717
TI  - Activin A and follistatin as biomarkers for ectopic pregnancy and missed
      abortion.
AB  - Activin A as a predictor of pregnancy failure has been the focus of heated
      debate, but the value of a combined activin A and follistatin (FS) measurement in
      serum to predict pregnancy failure has not been reported yet. We assessed whether
      a single serum measurement of the two physiological antagonists at 6-8 weeks
      gestation could differentiate ectopic pregnancies (EP) or missed abortions (MA)
      from healthy intrauterine pregnancies (IUP). activin A concentrations were
      significantly lower in women with EP (n = 30, median value of 264 pg/mL) and
      women with MA (n = 30, median value of 350 pg/mL) compared to IUP (n = 33, median
      value of 788 pg/mL); P < 0.001. At a threshold value of 505 pg/mL, activin A had
      87.9% sensitivity and 100% specificity and negative predictive value of 0.974 for
      discriminating an ectopic pregnancy from viable pregnancies. FS was able to
      discriminate IUP from EP (ROC curve P < 0.001) as was their ratio (ROC curve P =
      0.008), but was unable to discriminate a MA from an EP. In EP, activin A did not
      correlate with beta HCG levels. The present findings support the thesis that
      activin A or FS could be considered promising biomarkers for the discrimination
      between an IUP and a failed pregnancy (MA or EP).

PMID- 24222718
TI  - When bilinguals choose a single word to speak: Electrophysiological evidence for
      inhibition of the native language.
AB  - Behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) measures are reported for a study in
      which relatively proficient Chinese-English bilinguals named identical pictures
      in each of their two languages. Production occurred only in Chinese (the first
      language, L1) or only in English (the second language, L2) in a given block with
      the order counterbalanced across participants. The repetition of pictures across
      blocks was expected to produce facilitation in the form of faster responses and
      more positive ERPs. However, we hypothesized that if both languages are activated
      when naming one language alone, there might be evidence of inhibition of the
      stronger L1 to enable naming in the weaker L2. Behavioral data revealed the
      dominance of Chinese relative to English, with overall faster and more accurate
      naming performance in L1 than L2. However, reaction times for naming in L1 after
      naming in L2 showed no repetition advantage and the ERP data showed greater
      negativity when pictures were named in L1 following L2. This greater negativity
      for repeated items suggests the presence of inhibition rather than facilitation
      alone. Critically, the asymmetric negativity associated with the L1 when it
      followed the L2 endured beyond the immediate switch of language, implying long
      lasting inhibition of the L1. In contrast, when L2 naming followed L1, both
      behavioral and ERP evidence produced a facilitatory pattern, consistent with
      repetition priming. Taken together, the results support a model of bilingual
      lexical production in which candidates in both languages compete for selection,
      with inhibition of the more dominant L1 when planning speech in the less dominant
      L2. We discuss the implications for modeling the scope and time course of
      inhibitory processes.

PMID- 24222719
TI  - Effect of therapeutic inhibition of TNF on circulating endothelial progenitor
      cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Endothelial dysfunction has been detected in RA patients and seems to be reversed
      by control of inflammation. Low circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)
      have been described in many conditions associated with increased cardiovascular
      risk, including RA. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of
      inhibition of TNF on EPCs in RA patients. Seventeen patients with moderate-severe
      RA and 12 sex and age-matched controls were evaluated. Endothelial biomarkers
      were tested at baseline and after 3 months. EPCs were identified from peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells by cytofluorimetry using anti-CD34 and anti-vascular
      endothelial growth factor-receptor 2. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) was
      tested by ELISA and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) by ultrasonography.
      Circulating EPCs were significantly lower in RA patients than in controls (P =
      0.001). After 3 months EPCs increased significantly (P = 0.0006) while ADMA
      levels significantly decreased (P = 0.001). An inverse correlation between mean
      increase in EPCs number and mean decrease of DAS28 after treatment was observed
      (r = -0.56, P = 0.04). EPCs inversely correlated with ADMA (r = -0.41, P =
      0.022). No improvement of FMD was detected. Short-term treatment with anti-TNF
      was able to increase circulating EPCs concurrently with a proportional decrease
      of disease activity suggesting that therapeutic intervention aimed at suppressing
      the inflammatory process might positively affect the endothelial function. 

PMID- 24222720
TI  - Relationship between serum transforming growth factor beta 1 concentrations and
      the duration of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum transforming
      growth factor beta 1 (TGF- beta 1) concentrations and the duration of type 1
      diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children and adolescents. One hundred and sixteen
      patients with T1DM and 19 healthy controls were examined. Serum TGF- beta 1
      concentrations were measured using the cytometric bead array (CBA). A positive
      association between the time of diabetes duration and higher serum TGF- beta 1
      concentrations was observed. Similarly, the prevalence of microvascular
      complications, such as retinopathy and nephropathy, increased with the duration
      of diabetes. Logistic regression analysis showed that serum TGF- beta 1
      concentrations and the duration of the disease are independent risk factors of
      microangiopathy development. Higher serum TGF- beta 1 concentrations were
      associated with a significant risk of microangiopathy development after 10 years
      of T1DM duration. In the successive years of the disease, the effect was even
      stronger. The results of our study indicate that serum TGF- beta 1 concentrations
      are one of the factors that may have an impact on the progression of vascular
      complications in children and adolescents with T1DM. 

PMID- 24222721
TI  - Activity Logs as a Measure of Daily Activity Among Patients with Chronic Fatigue
      Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-report data collected through interviews has been one of the
      primary ways of assessing symptoms of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
      (CFS). An alternative way to collect data involves activity logs, which involves
      patients writing down the pattern, intensity, and qualitative nature of activity
      over several days. AIMS: We examined the associations between activity,
      evaluation of activity and symptoms. METHODS: Activity log data over a two day
      period of time were used in the present study using a sample of patients with
      diagnosed CFS. RESULTS: Findings indicated that the percent of time spent feeling
      fatigued was positively associated with a higher percent of time in pain and
      doing activities that were fatiguing. However, time spent in meaningful
      activities was associated with less fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: These findings and
      others suggest that activity logs can provide investigators and clinicians with
      valuable sources of data for understanding patterns of behavior and activity
      among patients with CFS.

PMID- 24222722
TI  - Neighborhood Dynamics of Urban Violence: Understanding the Immigration
      Connection.
AB  - Social disorganization is the dominant framework linking neighborhood patterns of
      immigration to local rates of crime and violence despite inconsistent findings
      and evidence to the contrary. Using tract-level census data from 1970 to 1990 and
      Chicago homicide data from 1980 to 1995, this study explores whether and how the
      changing face of immigration is (un)related to homicide patterns within the
      contemporary urban environment. The results show that stable and consistent
      growth in foreign born is not associated with neighborhood trends in violence,
      whereas growth in recent arrivals occurs almost exclusively within the safest
      neighborhoods of the city. This research highlights the need to distinguish
      recent waves of immigrants/migrants from their historic counterparts.

PMID- 24222723
TI  - The Doryctinae (Braconidae) of Costa Rica: genera and species of the tribe
      Heterospilini.
AB  - A comprehensive taxonomic study is presented for the four genera and 286 species
      of the doryctine tribe Heterospilini occurring in Costa Rica. The tribe is
      represented almost entirely by the 280 species of the genus Heterospilus Haliday.
      Keys for identification of the genera and species are provided and the genera and
      species are described and illustrated. An interactive key to the species of
      Heterospilus also was prepared using Lucid Builder. The following new genus and
      species are described from Costa Rica: Paraheterospilus gen. n., P. ceciliaensis
      sp. n., P. eumekus sp. n., P. wilbotgardus sp. n., Heterospilus achi sp. n., H.
      achterbergi sp. n., H. aesculapius sp. n., H. agujas sp. n., H. agujasensis sp.
      n., H. alajuelus sp. n., H. albocoxalis sp. n., H. alejandroi sp. n., H. amuzgo
      sp. n., H. angelicae sp. n., H. angustus sp. n., H. aphrodite sp. n., H. apollo
      sp. n., H. arawak sp. n., H. areolatus sp. n., H. artemis sp. n., H. athena sp.
      n., H. attraholucus sp. n., H. aubreyae sp. n., H. austini sp. n., H. azofeifai
      sp. n., H. bacchus sp. n., H. barbalhoae sp. n., H. bennetti sp. n., H. bicolor
      sp. n., H. boharti sp. n., H. borucas sp. n., H. braeti sp. n., H. brethesi sp.
      n., H. breviarius sp. n., H. brevicornus sp. n., H. bribri sp. n., H. brullei sp.
      n., H. bruesi sp. n., H. cabecares sp. n., H. cacaoensis sp. n., H. cachiensis
      sp. n., H. cameroni sp. n., H. cangrejaensis sp. n., H. careonotaulus sp. n., H.
      caritus sp. n., H. carolinae sp. n., H. cartagoensis sp. n., H. catiensis sp. n.,
      H. catorce sp. n., H. cero sp. n., H. chaoi sp. n., H. chilamatensis sp. n., H.
      chocho sp. n., H. chorotegus sp. n., H. chorti sp. n., H. cinco sp. n., H. cocopa
      sp. n., H. colliletus sp. n., H. colonensis sp. n., H. complanatus sp. n., H.
      conservatus sp. n., H. cora sp. n., H. corcovado sp. n., H. corrugatus sp. n., H.
      costaricensis sp. n., H. cressoni sp. n., H. cuatro sp. n., H. curtisi sp. n., H.
      cushmani sp. n., H. dani sp. n., H. demeter sp. n., H. dianae sp. n., H.
      diecinueve sp. n., H. dieciocho sp. n., H. dieciseis sp. n., H. diecisiete sp.
      n., H. diez sp. n., H. doce sp. n., H. dos sp. n., H. dulcus sp. n., H. eberhardi
      sp. n., H. ektorincon sp. n., H. emilius sp. n., H. empalmensis sp. n., H.
      enderleini sp. n., H. escazuensis sp. n., H. fahringeri sp. n., H. fischeri sp.
      n., H. flavidus sp. n., H. flavisoma sp. n., H. flavostigmus sp. n., H. foersteri
      sp. n., H. fonsecai sp. n., H. fournieri sp. n., H. gahani sp. n., H. garifuna
      sp. n., H. gauldi sp. n., H. golfodulcensis sp. n., H. gouleti sp. n., H.
      granulatus sp. n., H. grisselli sp. n., H. guanacastensis sp. n., H. guapilensis
      sp. n., H. hachaensis sp. n., H. halidayi sp. n., H. hansoni sp. n., H.
      hansonorum sp. n., H. haplocarinus sp. n., H. hedqvisti sp. n., H. hera sp. n.,
      H. heredius sp. n., H. hespenheidei sp. n., H. holleyae sp. n., H. huddlestoni
      sp. n., H. huetares sp. n., H. hypermekus sp. n., H. itza sp. n., H. ixcatec sp.
      n., H. ixil sp. n., H. jabillosensis sp. n., H. jakaltek sp. n., H. janzeni sp.
      n., H. jennieae sp. n., H. jonmarshi sp. n., H. jupiter sp. n., H. kellieae sp.
      n., H. kiefferi sp. n., H. kikapu sp. n., H. kulai sp. n., H. kuna sp. n., H.
      lapierrei sp. n., H. lasalturus sp. n., H. laselvus sp. n., H. leenderti sp. n.,
      H. leioenopus sp. n., H. leiponotaulus sp. n., H. lenca sp. n., H. levis sp. n.,
      H. leviscutum sp. n., H. levitergum sp. n., H. limonensis sp. n., H. longinoi sp.
      n., H. longisulcus sp. n., H. longius sp. n., H. luteogaster sp. n., H.
      luteoscutum sp. n., H. luteus sp. n., H. macrocarinus sp. n., H. macrocaudatus
      sp. n., H. magnus sp. n., H. malaisei sp. n., H. mam sp. n., H. maritzaensis sp.
      n., H. mars sp. n., H. masneri sp. n., H. masoni sp. n., H. mellosus sp. n., H.
      menkei sp. n., H. mercury sp. n., H. milleri sp. n., H. miskito sp. n., H. mixtec
      sp. n., H. monteverde sp. n., H. mopanmaya sp. n., H. muertensis sp. n., H.
      muesebecki sp. n., H. nahua sp. n., H. neesi sp. n., H. nemestrinus sp. n., H.
      nephilim sp. n., H. nephus sp. n., H. nigracapitus sp. n., H. nigragonatus sp.
      n., H. nigricoxus sp. n., H. nixoni sp. n., H. noyesi sp. n., H. nueve sp. n., H.
      nunesi sp. n., H. once sp. n., H. orbitus sp. n., H. orosi sp. n., H. paloverde
      sp. n., H. pappi sp. n., H. parkeri sp. n., H. parvus sp. n., H. pech sp. n., H.
      penosa sp. n., H. petiolatus sp. n., H. petralbus sp. n., H. phaeocoxus sp. n.,
      H. phaeoskelus sp. n., H. pharkidodus sp. n., H. phytorius sp. n., H.
      pitillaensis sp. n., H. poqomchi sp. n., H. poqomom sp. n., H. puertoviejoensis
      sp. n., H. puntarensis sp. n., H. qanjobal sp. n., H. quickei sp. n., H.
      quitirrisi sp. n., H. racostica sp. n., H. rama sp. n., H. ramirezi sp. n., H.
      ratzeburgi sp. n., H. reagani sp. n., H. reinhardi sp. n., H. retheospilus sp.
      n., H. rhabdotus sp. n., H. ricacosta sp. n., H. rinconensis sp. n., H. robbieae
      sp. n., H. rohweri sp. n., H. rojasi sp. n., H. romani sp. n., H. rugosus sp. n.,
      H. sabrinae sp. n., H. saminae sp. n., H. sanjosensis sp. n., H. santarosensis
      sp. n., H. sanvitoensis sp. n., H. saturn sp. n., H. seis sp. n., H. sergeyi sp.
      n., H. sharkeyi sp. n., H. shawi sp. n., H. shenefelti sp. n., H. shonan sp. n.,
      H. siete sp. n., H. similis sp. n., H. sinuatus sp. n., H. smithi sp. n., H.
      spiloheterus sp. n., H. staryi sp. n., H. stelfoxi sp. n., H. strazanaci sp. n.,
      H. sumo sp. n., H. szepligeti sp. n., H. terrabas sp. n., H. thereospilus sp. n.,
      H. tobiasi sp. n., H. tolupan sp. n., H. townesi sp. n., H. trece sp. n., H. tres
      sp. n., H. tricolor sp. n., H. trienta sp. n., H. tuberculatus sp. n., H.
      turrialbaensis sp. n., H. tzutujil sp. n., H. ugaldei sp. n., H. uno sp. n., H.
      variabilis sp. n., H. veinte sp. n., H. veintidos sp. n., H. veintitres sp. n.,
      H. veintiuno sp. n., H. vierecki sp. n., H. villegasi sp. n., H. vittatus sp. n.,
      H. vulcanus sp. n., H. wahli sp. n., H. warreni sp. n., H. washingtoni sp. n., H.
      wesmaeli sp. n., H. whartoni sp. n., H. whitfieldi sp. n., H. wildi sp. n., H.
      wilkinsoni sp. n., H. wrightae sp. n., H. xanthus sp. n., H. xerxes sp. n., H.
      xinca sp. n., H. yaqui sp. n., H. ypsilon sp. n., H. zapotec sp. n., H. zeus sp.
      n., H. zitaniae sp. n., H. zoque sp. n., H. zunigai sp. n., H. zurquiensis sp. n.
      One new combination is proposed, Pioscelus costaricensis (Marsh) comb. n. 

PMID- 24222724
TI  - The vascularized fibular graft in the pediatric upper extremity: a durable,
      biological solution to large oncologic defects.
AB  - Skeletal reconstruction after large tumor resection is challenging. The free
      vascularized fibular graft (FVFG) offers the potential for rapid autograft
      incorporation as well as growing physeal transfer in pediatric patients. We
      retrospectively reviewed eleven pediatric patients treated with FVFG
      reconstructions of the upper extremity after tumor resection. Eight male and
      three female patients were identified, including four who underwent epiphyseal
      transfer. All eleven patients retained a functional salvaged limb. Nonunion and
      graft fracture were the most common complications relating to graft site (27%).
      Peroneal nerve palsy occurred in 4/11 patients, all of whom received epiphyseal
      transfer. Patients receiving epiphyseal transplant had a mean annual growth of
      1.7 cm/year. Mean graft hypertrophy index increased by more than 10% in all
      cases. Although a high complication rate may be anticipated, the free
      vascularized fibula may be used to reconstruct large skeletal defects in the
      pediatric upper extremity after oncologic resection. Transferring the
      vascularized physis is a viable option when longitudinal growth is desired. 

PMID- 24222725
TI  - SUFREN LOS NINOS : EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF UNAUTHORIZED IMMIGRATION STATUS ON
      CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING.
AB  - The present study examines the effect of unauthorized immigration status on child
      well-being at a time of elevated immigration rates, economic decline, and
      unprecedented local lawmaking related to immigration. Immigrant families today
      are likely to differ from those of the past in that they are more likely to be
      from Latin America or the Caribbean and include unprecedented numbers of
      unauthorized immigrants. In addition, they are settling in destinations that have
      not historically had immigrant populations. The present study draws on interviews
      with 40 families from an emerging immigrant destination in north central Indiana
      to help illuminate the ways in which unauthorized immigration status influences
      child well-being. Results illustrate that unauthorized status extends beyond the
      individual to families and that mixed-status family situations create unique
      challenges for these families. More specifically, these results show the ways in
      which unauthorized immigrant status may impact family stress and uncertainty,
      health outcomes, and educational attainment and may result in increased social
      isolation for children in immigrant families.

PMID- 24222726
TI  - A mathematical model of tumor volume changes during radiotherapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a clinically viable mathematical model that quantitatively
      predicts tumor volume change during radiotherapy in order to provide treatment
      response assessment for prognosis, treatment plan optimization, and adaptation.
      METHOD AND MATERIALS: The correction factors containing hypoxia, DNA single
      strand breaks, potentially lethal damage, and other factors were used to develop
      an improved cell survival model based on the popular linear-quadratic model of
      cell survival in radiotherapy. The four-level cell population model proposed by
      Chvetsov et al. was further simplified by removing the initial hypoxic fraction
      and reoxygenation parameter, which are hard to obtain in routine clinics, such
      that an easy-to-use model can be developed for clinical applications. The new
      model was validated with data of nine lung and cervical cancer patients. RESULTS:
      Out of the nine cases, the new model can predict tumor volume change in six cases
      with a correlation index R (2) greater than 0.9 and the rest of three with R (2)
      greater than 0.85. CONCLUSION: Based on a four-level cell population model, a
      more practical and simplified cell survival curve was proposed to model the tumor
      volume changes during radiotherapy. Validation study with patient data
      demonstrated feasibility and clinical usefulness of the new model in predicting
      tumor volume change in radiotherapy.

PMID- 24222727
TI  - Children with congenital hypothyroidism have similar neuroradiological abnormal
      findings as healthy ones.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the neuroradiological findings of children with congenital
      hypothyroidism (CHT) compared to healthy controls (HC). PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Thirty children with CHT, mean age 12.5 +/- 1.6 years, 14 (44.8%) males, were
      compared with 38 HC mean age 11.7 +/- 1.7 years, 16 (45.7%) males. Clinical data
      were collected from medical charts and questionnaires seeking information on
      family history, birth and perinatal period events, medications, and overall
      health history. Neurocognitive function was assessed for global intelligence,
      visual and verbal memory, and executive functioning using standardized tests.
      Neuroimaging was performed using 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging and assessed by
      two pediatric radiologists. RESULTS: Children with CHT had a similar proportion
      of incidental findings as did the children in the HC group, at 43.3% and 39.5%,
      respectively, P = 0.69. Abnormalities of the sellar region were reported in 13.3%
      of CHT group and 7.9% of HC group, P = 0.46. Other incidental findings included
      cerebellar ectopia, choroidal fissure and pineal cysts, and multiple increased
      signal intensity foci. Neuroradiological findings were not associated with
      clinical and neurocognitive abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Neuroimaging of children
      with CHT demonstrated a similar incidence of structural abnormalities as in the
      healthy population. There is no association between those findings and
      neurocognitive function.

PMID- 24222728
TI  - Thermal infrared anomalies of several strong earthquakes.
AB  - In the history of earthquake thermal infrared research, it is undeniable that
      before and after strong earthquakes there are significant thermal infrared
      anomalies which have been interpreted as preseismic precursor in earthquake
      prediction and forecasting. In this paper, we studied the characteristics of
      thermal radiation observed before and after the 8 great earthquakes with
      magnitude up to Ms7.0 by using the satellite infrared remote sensing information.
      We used new types of data and method to extract the useful anomaly information.
      Based on the analyses of 8 earthquakes, we got the results as follows. (1) There
      are significant thermal radiation anomalies before and after earthquakes for all
      cases. The overall performance of anomalies includes two main stages: expanding
      first and narrowing later. We easily extracted and identified such seismic
      anomalies by method of "time-frequency relative power spectrum." (2) There exist
      evident and different characteristic periods and magnitudes of thermal abnormal
      radiation for each case. (3) Thermal radiation anomalies are closely related to
      the geological structure. (4) Thermal radiation has obvious characteristics in
      abnormal duration, range, and morphology. In summary, we should be sure that
      earthquake thermal infrared anomalies as useful earthquake precursor can be used
      in earthquake prediction and forecasting. 

PMID- 24222729
TI  - Voluntary exercise prevents lead-induced elevation of oxidative stress and
      inflammation markers in male rat blood.
AB  - Regular mild exercise enhances antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems of the
      body. The present study investigates voluntary exercise effects on lead toxicity
      as a known oxidative stressor. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided
      into 2 groups. Sedentary control: the animals were housed 7 weeks in the regular
      cages. Exercise group: the animals were housed 7 weeks in the running wheel
      equipped cages, that is, the animal model of voluntary exercise. During the 7th
      week, all animals were administered lead acetate. Blood samples were collected at
      the end of the 6th week and 7th week (before and after lead administrations).
      Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),
      malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) were measured in the
      samples. Our results showed that lead administration reduced blood SOD, GPx and
      CAT and increased TNF-alpha; in the controls, but in the exercise group, changes
      were not statistically significant. MDA in both groups increased after lead
      injections but it was significantly lower in exercise group compared to the
      sedentary animals. We concluded that voluntary exercise may be considered as a
      preventive tool against lead-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. 

PMID- 24222730
TI  - Muscle sensor model using small scale optical device for pattern recognitions.
AB  - A new sensor system for measuring contraction and relaxation of muscles by using
      a PANDA ring resonator is proposed. The small scale optical device is designed
      and configured to perform the coupling effects between the changes in optical
      device phase shift and human facial muscle movement, which can be used to form
      the relationship between optical phase shift and muscle movement. By using the
      Optiwave and MATLAB programs, the results obtained have shown that the
      measurement of the contraction and relaxation of muscles can be obtained after
      the muscle movements, in which the unique pattern of individual muscle movement
      from facial expression can be established. The obtained simulation results, that
      is, interference signal patterns, can be used to form the various pattern
      recognitions, which are useful for the human machine interface and the human
      computer interface application and discussed in detail. 

PMID- 24222731
TI  - Sonication: a valuable technique for diagnosis and treatment of periprosthetic
      joint infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is the most severe complication,
      following joint arthroplasty. Identification of the causal microbial factor is of
      paramount importance for the successful treatment. PURPOSE: The aim of this study
      is to compare the sonication fluid cultures derived from joint prosthetic
      components with the respective periprosthetic tissue cultures. METHODS: Explanted
      prosthesis components for suspected infection were placed into a tank containing
      sterile Ringer's solution and sonicated for 1 minute at 40 kHz. Sonication fluid
      cultures were examined for 10 days, and the number and identity of any colony
      morphology was recorded. In addition, periprosthetic tissue specimens (>5) were
      collected and cultured according to standard practice. The duration of
      antimicrobial interruption interval before culture sampling was recorded.
      RESULTS: Thirty-four patients composed the study group. Sonication fluid cultures
      were positive in 24 patients (70.5%). Sixteen of thirty four periprosthetic
      tissue cultures (47.1%) were considered positive, all revealing the same
      microbial species with the respective sonication fluid cultures: 3 tissue samples
      showed polymicrobial infection. All tissue cultures were also found positive by
      the sonication fluid culture. CONCLUSIONS: Sonication fluid cultures represent a
      cheap, easy, accurate, and sensitive diagnostic modality demonstrating increased
      sensitivity compared to periprosthetic tissue cultures (70.5 versus 47.1%).

PMID- 24222732
TI  - Expression and significance of microRNA-183 in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In our previous study, we found that some miRNAs were deregulated in
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including miR-183. However, the expression of miR
      183 in the progression of benign liver diseases to HCC and its correlation with
      clinicopathologic factors remain undefined. METHODS: MiR-183 expression was
      measured in normal controls (NC) (n = 21), chronic viral hepatitis B or C (CH)
      tissues (n = 10), liver cirrhosis (LC) tissues (n = 18), HCC tissues (n = 92),
      and adjacent nontumor tissues (NT) (n = 92) by quantitative real-time reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: The expression levels
      of miR-183 were significantly higher in HCC than in NT, LC, CH, and NL (P =
      0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.011, P < 0.001, resp.). The upregulated miR-183 in HCC
      was correlated with TNM stage (P = 0.042) and cirrhosis (P = 0.025). The Kaplan
      Meier survival analysis showed that miR-183 expression was not associated with
      the survival of HCC patients. However, miR-183 yielded an area under the curve
      (AUC) of 0.808 with 59.8% sensitivity and 91.8% specificity in discriminating HCC
      from benign liver diseases (CH and LC) or NC. CONCLUSIONS: The upregulated miR
      183 may associate with onset and progression of HCC, but not with the patient
      survival. A further research is needed to determine the potential of miR-183 as
      biomarker for HCC.

PMID- 24222733
TI  - A CPW-fed circular wide-slot UWB antenna with wide tunable and flexible
      reconfigurable dual notch bands.
AB  - A coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed circular slot antenna with wide tunable dual band
      notched function and frequency reconfigurable characteristic is designed, and its
      performance is verified experimentally for ultra-wideband (UWB) communication
      applications. The dual band-notched function is achieved by using a T-shaped
      stepped impedance resonator (T-SIR) inserted inside the circular ring radiation
      patch and by etching a parallel stub loaded resonator (PSLR) in the CPW
      transmission line, while the wide tunable bands can be implemented by adjusting
      the dimensions of the T-SIR and the PSLR. The notch band reconfigurable
      characteristic is realized by integrating three switches into the T-SIR and the
      PSLR. The numerical and experimental results show that the proposed antenna has a
      wide bandwidth ranging from 2.7 GHz to 12 GHz with voltage standing wave ratio
      (VSWR) less than 2, except for the two notch bands operating at 3.8-5.9 GHz and
      7.7-9.2 GHz, respectively. In addition, the proposed antenna has been optimized
      to a compact size and can provide omnidirectional radiation patterns, which are
      suitable for UWB communication applications.

PMID- 24222734
TI  - Salinity tolerance turfgrass: history and prospects.
AB  - Land and water resources are becoming scarce and are insufficient to sustain the
      burgeoning population. Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses
      affecting agricultural productions across the world. Cultivation of salt-tolerant
      turfgrass species may be promising option under such conditions where poor
      quality water can also be used for these crops. Coastal lands in developing
      countries can be used to grow such crops, and seawater can be used for irrigation
      of purposes. These plants can be grown using land and water unsuitable for
      conventional crops and can provide food, fuel, fodder, fibber, resin, essential
      oils, and pharmaceutical products and can be used for landscape reintegration.
      There are a number of potential turfgrass species that may be appropriate at
      various salinity levels of seawater. The goal of this review is to create greater
      awareness of salt-tolerant turfgrasses, their current and potential uses, and
      their potential use in developing countries. The future for irrigating turf may
      rely on the use of moderate- to high-salinity water and, in order to ensure that
      the turf system is sustainable, will rely on the use of salt-tolerant grasses and
      an improved knowledge of the effects of salinity on turfgrasses. 

PMID- 24222735
TI  - Wet chemical controllable synthesis of hematite ellipsoids with structurally
      enhanced visible light property.
AB  - A facile and economic route has been presented for mass production of
      micro/nanostructured hematite microcrystals based on the wet chemical
      controllable method. The as-prepared samples were characterized using X-ray
      diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and
      UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that the product was
      mesoporous alpha -Fe2O3 and nearly elliptical in shape. Each hematite ellipsoid
      was packed by many alpha -Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The values of vapor pressure in
      reaction systems played vital roles in the formation of porous hematite
      ellipsoids. Optical tests demonstrated that the micro/nanostructured elliptical
      hematite exhibited enhanced visible light property at room temperature. The
      formation of these porous hematite ellipsoids could be attributed to the vapor
      pressure induced oriented assembling of lots of alpha -Fe2O3 nanoparticles. 

PMID- 24222736
TI  - The prevalence and awareness of cardiometabolic risk factors in Southern Chinese
      population with coronary artery disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic risk factors significantly accelerate the progression
      of coronary artery disease (CAD); however, whether CAD patients in South China
      are aware of the prevalence of these risk factors is not clear yet. METHODS: The
      study consisted of 2312 in-admission CAD patients from 2008 to 2011 in South
      China. Disease history including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes was
      relied on patients' self-reported records. Physical and clinical examinations
      were tested to assess the real prevalence of the cardiometabolic risk factors.
      RESULTS: 57.9% of CAD patients had more than 3 cardiometabolic risk factors in
      terms of the metabolic syndrome. The self-known and real prevalence of
      hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were 56.6%, 28.3%, and 25.1% and 91.3%,
      40.9%, and 92.0%, respectively. The awareness rates were 64.4%, 66.3%, and 28.5%
      for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of cardiometabolic
      risk factors was significantly different among gender and among disease status.
      CONCLUSIONS: Most CAD patients in South China had more than three cardiometabolic
      risk factors. However, the awareness rate of cardiometabolic diseases was low,
      especially for dyslipidemia. Strategies of routine physical examination programs
      are needed for the early detection and treatment of cardiometabolic risk factors
      in order to prevent CAD progression and prognosis.

PMID- 24222737
TI  - Epidemiological pattern of newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes
      mellitus, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Type-1-diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most commonly
      diagnosed type of DM in children and adolescents. We aim to identify the
      epidemiological profile, risk factors, clinical features, and factors related to
      delayed diagnosis or mismanagement in children with newly diagnosed T1DM in Taif,
      Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine newly diagnosed patients were
      included in the study along with 110 healthy controls. Patients were classified
      into 3 groups (I: >2 years, II: 2->6 years, and III: 6-12 years). Both patients
      and controls were tested for C-peptide, TSH, and autoantibodies associated with
      DM and those attacking the thyroid gland. RESULTS: Diabetic ketoacidosis was
      present in 79.8%. Delayed and missed diagnoses were recorded in 45.5%, with
      significant correlation to age and district of origin. Severity at presentation
      showed significant correlation with age and cow's milk feeding. Group I, those
      with misdiagnosis or positive DM related autoantibodies, had more severe
      presentations. The correlation of C-peptide and TSH levels in patients and
      controls was significant for C-peptide and nonsignificant for TSH. CONCLUSION:
      Misdiagnosis and mismanagement are common and account for more severe
      presentation, especially in young children >2 years. Early introduction of cow's
      milk appears to be a risk factor for the development of T1DM.

PMID- 24222738
TI  - Static testing of a bridge using an interferometric radar: the case study of
      "Ponte degli Alpini," Belluno, Italy.
AB  - Ground-based radar interferometry is an increasingly popular technique for
      monitoring civil infrastructures. In this paper, the static testing of a bridge
      is reported. It was an 8-span bridge, 297 m long, named "Ponte degli Alpini,"
      crossing the valley of the Ardo River. The radar has been used for testing a
      lateral span and a central span. The obtained results present elements of novelty
      not previously reported in the literature. In fact, some displacement
      measurements of the lateral span have been affected by a horizontal shift that
      has to be taken into account for a correct interpretation of the measured data.
      Furthermore, the measurements of the central span have been carried out with the
      radar positioned transversally with respect to the bridge deck; this unusual
      arrangement has allowed for obtaining displacement maps less geometrically
      distorted with respect to other cases reported in the literature.

PMID- 24222739
TI  - Swarm intelligence and its applications.

PMID- 24222740
TI  - Taylor's expansion for composite functions.
AB  - We build a Taylor's expansion for composite functions. Some applications are
      introduced, where the proposed technique allows the authors to obtain an
      asymptotic expansion of high order in many small parameters of solutions. 

PMID- 24222741
TI  - The efficacy of molecular markers analysis with integration of sensory methods in
      detection of aroma in rice.
AB  - Allele Specific Amplification with four primers (External Antisense Primer,
      External Sense Primer, Internal Nonfragrant Sense Primer, and Internal Fragrant
      Antisense Primer) and sensory evaluation with leaves and grains were executed to
      identify aromatic rice genotypes and their F1 individuals derived from different
      crosses of 2 Malaysian varieties with 4 popular land races and 3 advance lines.
      Homozygous aromatic (fgr/fgr) F1 individuals demonstrated better aroma scores
      compared to both heterozygous nonaromatic (FGR/fgr) and homozygous nonaromatic
      (FGR/FGR) individuals, while, some F1 individuals expressed aroma in both leaf
      and grain aromatic tests without possessing the fgr allele. Genotypic analysis of
      F1 individuals for the fgr gene represented homozygous aromatic, heterozygous
      nonaromatic and homozygous nonaromatic genotypes in the ratio 20:19:3. Genotypic
      and phenotypic analysis revealed that aroma in F1 individuals was successfully
      inherited from the parents, but either molecular analysis or sensory evaluation
      alone could not determine aromatic condition completely. The integration of
      molecular analysis with sensory methods was observed as rapid and reliable for
      the screening of aromatic genotypes because molecular analysis could distinguish
      aromatic homozygous, nonaromatic homozygous and nonaromatic heterozygous
      individuals, whilst the sensory method facilitated the evaluation of aroma
      emitted from leaf and grain during flowering to maturity stages.

PMID- 24222742
TI  - Shear bond strengths of different adhesive systems to biodentine.
AB  - The aim of this study was to measure the shear bond strength of different
      adhesive systems to Biodentine with different time intervals. Eighty specimens of
      Biodentine were prepared and divided into 8 groups. After 12 minutes, 40 samples
      were randomly selected and divided into 4 groups of 10 each: group 1: (etch-and
      rinse adhesive system) Prime & Bond NT; group 2: (2-step self-etch adhesive
      system) Clearfil SE Bond; group 3: (1-step self-etch adhesive systems) Clearfil
      S(3) Bond; group 4: control (no adhesive). After the application of adhesive
      systems, composite resin was applied over Biodentine. This procedure was repeated
      24 hours after mixing additional 40 samples, respectively. Shear bond strengths
      were measured using a universal testing machine, and the data were subjected to 1
      way analysis of variance and Scheffe post hoc test. No significant differences
      were found between all of the adhesive groups at the same time intervals (12
      minutes and 24 hours) (P > .05). Among the two time intervals, the lowest value
      was obtained for group 1 (etch-and-rinse adhesive) at a 12-minute period, and the
      highest was obtained for group 2 (two-step self-etch adhesive) at a 24-hour
      period. The placement of composite resin used with self-etch adhesive systems
      over Biodentine showed better shear bond strength. 

PMID- 24222743
TI  - Design optimization of coronary stent based on finite element models.
AB  - This paper presents an effective optimization method using the Kriging surrogate
      model combing with modified rectangular grid sampling to reduce the stent
      dogboning effect in the expansion process. An infilling sampling criterion named
      expected improvement (EI) is used to balance local and global searches in the
      optimization iteration. Four commonly used finite element models of stent
      dilation were used to investigate stent dogboning rate. Thrombosis models of
      three typical shapes are built to test the effectiveness of optimization results.
      Numerical results show that two finite element models dilated by pressure applied
      inside the balloon are available, one of which with the artery and plaque can
      give an optimal stent with better expansion behavior, while the artery and plaque
      unincluded model is more efficient and takes a smaller amount of computation. 

PMID- 24222744
TI  - Effect of emitted wavelength and light guide type on irradiance discrepancies in
      hand-held dental curing radiometers.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine any discrepancies in the outputs of
      five commercial dental radiometers and also to evaluate the accuracy of these
      devices using a laboratory-grade spectroradiometer. The power densities of 12
      different curing light sources were repeatedly measured for a total of five times
      using each radiometer in a random order. The emission spectra of all of the
      curing light sources were also measured using the spectroradiometer, and the
      integral value of each spectrum was calculated to determine the genuine power
      densities, which were then compared to the displayed power densities measured by
      the dental radiometers. The displayed values of power density were various and
      were dependent on the brand of radiometer, and this may be because each
      radiometer has a different wavelength sensitivity. These results cast doubt upon
      the accuracy of commercially available dental radiometers. 

PMID- 24222745
TI  - An efficient method for systems of variable coefficient coupled Burgers' equation
      with time-fractional derivative.
AB  - A new homotopy perturbation method (NHPM) is applied to system of variable
      coefficient coupled Burgers' equation with time-fractional derivative. The
      fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo fractional derivative sense.
      The concept of new algorithm is introduced briefly, and NHPM is examined for two
      systems of nonlinear Burgers' equation. In this approach, the solution is
      considered as a power series expansion that converges rapidly to the nonlinear
      problem. The new approximate analytical procedure depends on two iteratives. The
      modified algorithm provides approximate solutions in the form of convergent
      series with easily computable components. Results indicate that the introduced
      method is promising for solving other types of systems of nonlinear fractional
      order partial differential equations. 

PMID- 24222747
TI  - A higher order iterative method for computing the Drazin inverse.
AB  - A method with high convergence rate for finding approximate inverses of
      nonsingular matrices is suggested and established analytically. An extension of
      the introduced computational scheme to general square matrices is defined. The
      extended method could be used for finding the Drazin inverse. The application of
      the scheme on large sparse test matrices alongside the use in preconditioning of
      linear system of equations will be presented to clarify the contribution of the
      paper. 

PMID- 24222746
TI  - Cyclin D1 G870A polymorphism and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - Recently, there have been a number of studies on the association between cyclin
      D1 G870A polymorphism and nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk. However, the results of
      previous reports remain controversial and ambiguous. Thus, we performed a meta
      analysis to explore more precisely the association between cyclin D1 G870A
      polymorphism and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. No significant association
      was found between cyclin D1 G870A polymorphism and nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk
      in total population analysis. In the subgroup meta-analysis by ethnicity, a
      negative association was shown in Caucasian subgroup, and no significant
      association in any genetic models among Asians was observed. In summary, positive
      results have been shown on the search for polymorphic variants influencing the
      risk of NPC. This meta-analysis provides evidence of the association between
      CCND1 G870A polymorphism and NPC risk, supporting the hypothesis that CCND1 870A
      allele probably acts as an important NPC protective factor in Caucasians but not
      in Asians. Since the results of our meta-analysis are preliminary and may be
      biased by the relatively small number of subjects, they still need to be
      validated by well-designed studies using larger samples in the future. 

PMID- 24222748
TI  - Local gene transfer of OPG prevents joint damage and disease progression in
      collagen-induced arthritis.
AB  - This study examined the influence of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene transfer on a
      murine collagen-induced arthritis model. A single periarticular injection of AAV
      OPG or AAV-LacZ on the arthritic paw successfully incorporated the exogenous gene
      to the local tissue and resulted in marked transgene expression in the joint
      homogenate for at least three weeks. Clinical disease scores were significantly
      improved in OPG treated mice starting at 28-day post-treatment (P < 0.05).
      Histological assessment demonstrated that OPG gene transfer dramatically
      protected mice from erosive joint changes compared with LacZ controls (P < 0.05),
      although treatment appeared less effective on the local inflammatory progress.
      MicroCT data suggested significant protection against subchondral bone mineral
      density changes in OPG treated CIA mice. Interestingly, mRNA expressions of IFN-g
      and MMP3 were noticeably diminished following OPG gene transfer. Overall, gene
      transfer of OPG effectively inhibited the arthritis-associated periarticular bone
      erosion and preserved the architecture of arthritic joints, and the study
      provides evidence that the cartilage protection of the OPG gene therapy may be
      associated with the down-regulation of MMP3 expression. 

PMID- 24222749
TI  - Combined effect of buoyancy force and Navier slip on MHD flow of a nanofluid over
      a convectively heated vertical porous plate.
AB  - We examine the effect of magnetic field on boundary layer flow of an
      incompressible electrically conducting water-based nanofluids past a convectively
      heated vertical porous plate with Navier slip boundary condition. A suitable
      similarity transformation is employed to reduce the governing partial
      differential equations into nonlinear ordinary differential equations, which are
      solved numerically by employing fourth-order Runge-Kutta with a shooting
      technique. Three different water-based nanofluids containing copper (Cu),
      aluminium oxide (Al2O3), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) are taken into
      consideration. Graphical results are presented and discussed quantitatively with
      respect to the influence of pertinent parameters, such as solid volume fraction
      of nanoparticles (phi), magnetic field parameter (Ha), buoyancy effect (Gr),
      Eckert number (Ec), suction/injection parameter (f w ), Biot number (Bi), and
      slip parameter ( beta ), on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, skin
      friction coefficient, and heat transfer rate.

PMID- 24222750
TI  - Plant biotechnology.

PMID- 24222751
TI  - Rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Fusarium oxysporum by optimizing
      physicocultural conditions.
AB  - Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) by fungi is emerging as an important
      branch of nanotechnology due to its ecofriendly, safe, and cost-effective nature.
      In order to increase the yield of biosynthesized SNPs of desired shape and size,
      it is necessary to control the cultural and physical parameters during the
      synthesis. We report optimum synthesis of SNPs on malt extract glucose yeast
      extract peptone (MGYP) medium at pH 9-11, 40-60 degrees C, and 190.7 Lux and in
      sun light. The salt concentrations, volume of filtrate and biomass quantity were
      found to be directly proportional to the yield. The optimized conditions for the
      stable and rapid synthesis will help in large scale synthesis of monodispersed
      SNPs. The main aim of the present study was to optimize different media,
      temperature, pH, light intensity, salt concentration, volume of filtrate, and
      biomass quantity for the synthesis of SNPs by Fusarium oxysporum. 

PMID- 24222752
TI  - Modeling and simulation of turbulent flows through a solar air heater having
      square-sectioned transverse rib roughness on the absorber plate.
AB  - Solar air heater is a type of heat exchanger which transforms solar radiation
      into heat energy. The thermal performance of conventional solar air heater has
      been found to be poor because of the low convective heat transfer coefficient
      from the absorber plate to the air. Use of artificial roughness on a surface is
      an effective technique to enhance the rate of heat transfer. A CFD-based
      investigation of turbulent flow through a solar air heater roughened with square
      sectioned transverse rib roughness has been performed. Three different values of
      rib-pitch (P) and rib-height (e) have been taken such that the relative roughness
      pitch (P/e = 14.29) remains constant. The relative roughness height, e/D, varies
      from 0.021 to 0.06, and the Reynolds number, Re, varies from 3800 to 18,000. The
      results predicted by CFD show that the average heat transfer, average flow
      friction, and thermohydraulic performance parameter are strongly dependent on the
      relative roughness height. A maximum value of thermohydraulic performance
      parameter has been found to be 1.8 for the range of parameters investigated.
      Comparisons with previously published work have been performed and found to be in
      excellent agreement.

PMID- 24222753
TI  - Influence of root exudates on the bacterial degradation of chlorobenzoic acids.
AB  - Degradation of chlorobenzoic acids (e.g., products of microbial degradation of
      PCB) by strains of microorganisms isolated from PCB contaminated soils was
      assessed. From seven bulk-soil isolates two strains unique in ability to degrade
      a wider range of chlorobenzoic acids than others were selected, individually and
      even in a complex mixture of 11 different chlorobenzoic acids. Such a feature is
      lacking in most tested degraders. To investigate the influence of vegetation on
      chlorobenzoic acids degraders, root exudates of two plant species known for
      supporting PCB degradation in soil were tested. While with individual
      chlorobenzoic acids the presence of plant exudates leads to a decrease of
      degradation yield, in case of a mixture of chlorobenzoic acids either a change in
      bacterial degradation specificity, associated with 3- and 4-chlorobenzoic acid,
      or an extension of the spectrum of degraded chlorobenzoic acids was observed. 

PMID- 24222754
TI  - The comparison of facial estethics between orthodontically treated patients and
      their parents.
AB  - Orthodontists emphasize the importance of facial esthetics while planning a
      treatment, and orthodontist state that orthodontics have more than expected
      effects on dentofacial esthetics. The facial esthetics of treated patients and
      their parents was analyzed and compared to define facial growth and to use in
      forensic sciences. Our study was applied to 45 orthodontic patients who were
      treated in our clinic and their untreated parents. The patients were divided into
      Classes I, II, and III groups according to their malocclusions. Pre- and
      posttreatment changes, pretreatment facial esthetics of the paitents and its
      accordance with their parents, and the calculation of heritability tests were
      performed. After the statistics, for pre- and posttreatment changes, all the
      groups except Class I revealed significant changes. There were significant
      correlations of patients for the heritability values and pretreatment esthetic in
      accordance with parents, but there were more correlations of fathers when
      compared to mothers. The facial esthetics in adolescences is related with so many
      factors, not only related with one factor. The facial esthetics in fact includes
      the aim of evaluation of facial properties partly or totally. Because orthodontic
      treatments affect facial esthetics, performing similar studies for the treatment
      outcomes, capabilities, and borders is important. 

PMID- 24222755
TI  - Comparison of biofilm and attachment mechanisms of a phytopathological and
      clinical isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae Subsp. pneumoniae.
AB  - Some bacterial species can colonize humans and plants. It is almost impossible to
      prevent the contact of clinically pathogenic bacteria with food crops, and if
      they can persist there, they can reenter the human food chain and cause disease.
      On the leaf surface, microorganisms are exposed to a number of stress factors. It
      is unclear how they survive in such different environments. By increasing
      adhesion to diverse substrates, minimizing environmental differences, and
      providing protection against defence mechanisms, biofilms could provide part of
      the answer. Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae is clinically important and
      also associated with fruit diseases, such as "pineapple fruit collapse." We aimed
      to characterize biofilm formation and adhesion mechanisms of this species
      isolated from pineapple in comparison with a clinical isolate. No differences
      were found between the two isolates quantitatively or qualitatively. Both tested
      positive for capsule formation and were hydrophobic, but neither produced
      adherence fibres, which might account for their relatively weak adhesion compared
      to the positive control Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984. Both produced
      biofilms on glass and polystyrene, more consistently at 40 degrees C than 35
      degrees C, confirmed by atomic force and high-vacuum scanning electron
      microscopy. Biofilm formation was maintained in an acidic environment, which may
      be relevant phytopathologically.

PMID- 24222756
TI  - Combining ability for germination traits in Jatropha curcas L.
AB  - Six parents of Jatropha curcas were crossed in half diallel fashion, and the F 1s
      were evaluated to determine the combining ability for nine germination
      parameters. The ratio between general combining ability (GCA) and specific
      combining ability (SCA) variances indicated preponderance of additive gene action
      for all the characters except germination percentage, time of 50% germination,
      seedling length, and seedling vigor index. The parents P 1 and P 2 were the best
      general combiner for most of the characters studied. The cross P 1 * P 5 was the
      best specific combiner for speed of emergence, germination percentage,
      germination energy, germination index, and seedling vigor index, the cross P 2 *
      P 5 for mean germination time, time of 50% germination, and seedling length, and
      the cross P 4 * P 5 for number of days to first germination. The germination
      percentage varied from 58.06 to 92.76% among the parents and 53.43 to 98.96%
      among the hybrids. The highest germination (98.96%) was observed in hybrid P 2 *
      P 4, and none of the hybrids or parents showed 100% germination. The highest
      germination index (GI) and seedling vigor index (SVI) were found in hybrid P 1 *
      P 5 and P 2 * P 5, respectively. The results of this study provide clue for the
      improvement of Jatropha variety through breeding program. 

PMID- 24222757
TI  - Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous environments using micelle-clay adsorption.
AB  - Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions under different conditions was
      investigated using either clay (montmorillonite) or micelle-clay complex, the
      last obtained by adsorbing critical micelle concentration of
      octadecyltrimethylammonium ions onto montmorillonite. Batch experiments showed
      the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH on the removal efficiency
      of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Langmuir adsorption isotherm fitted the
      experimental data giving significant results. Filtration experiments using
      columns filled with micelle-clay complex mixed with sand were performed to assess
      Cr(VI) removal efficiency under continuous flow at different pH values. The
      micelle-clay complex used in this study was capable of removing Cr(VI) from
      aqueous solutions without any prior acidification of the sample. Results
      demonstrated that the removal effectiveness reached nearly 100% when using
      optimal conditions for both batch and continuous flow techniques. 

PMID- 24222758
TI  - Honey-induced protein stabilization as studied by fluorescein isothiocyanate
      fluorescence.
AB  - Protein stabilizing potential of honey was studied on a model protein, bovine
      serum albumin (BSA), using extrinsic fluorescence of fluorescein isothiocyanate
      (FITC) as the probe. BSA was labelled with FITC using chemical coupling, and urea
      and thermal denaturation studies were performed on FITC-labelled BSA (FITC-BSA)
      both in the absence and presence of 10% and 20% (w/v) honey using FITC
      fluorescence at 522 nm upon excitation at 495 nm. There was an increase in the
      FITC fluorescence intensity upon increasing urea concentration or temperature,
      suggesting protein denaturation. The results from urea and thermal denaturation
      studies showed increased stability of protein in the presence of honey as
      reflected from the shift in the transition curve along with the start point and
      the midpoint of the transition towards higher urea concentration/temperature.
      Furthermore, the increase in DeltaG D (H2O) and DeltaG D (25 degrees C) in
      presence of honey also suggested protein stabilization.

PMID- 24222759
TI  - Quantification of Load Dependent Brain Activity in Parametric N-Back Working
      Memory Tasks using Pseudo-continuous Arterial Spin Labeling (pCASL) Perfusion
      Imaging.
AB  - Brain activation and deactivation induced by N-back working memory tasks and
      their load effects have been extensively investigated using positron emission
      tomography (PET) and blood-oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (fMRI). However, the underlying mechanisms of BOLD fMRI are
      still not completely understood and PET imaging requires injection of radioactive
      tracers. In this study, a pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL)
      perfusion imaging technique was used to quantify cerebral blood flow (CBF), a
      well understood physiological index reflective of cerebral metabolism, in N-back
      working memory tasks. Using pCASL, we systematically investigated brain
      activation and deactivation induced by the N-back working memory tasks and
      further studied the load effects on brain activity based on quantitative CBF. Our
      data show increased CBF in the fronto-parietal cortices, thalamus, caudate, and
      cerebellar regions, and decreased CBF in the posterior cingulate cortex and
      medial prefrontal cortex, during the working memory tasks. Most of the
      activated/deactivated brain regions show an approximately linear relationship
      between CBF and task loads (0, 1, 2 and 3 back), although several regions show
      non-linear relationships (quadratic and cubic). The CBF-based spatial patterns of
      brain activation/deactivation and load effects from this study agree well with
      those obtained from BOLD fMRI and PET techniques. These results demonstrate the
      feasibility of ASL techniques to quantify human brain activity during high
      cognitive tasks, suggesting its potential application to assessing the mechanisms
      of cognitive deficits in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.

PMID- 24222760
TI  - Optical Coherence Tomography Noise Reduction Using Anisotropic Local Bivariate
      Gaussian Mixture Prior in 3D Complex Wavelet Domain.
AB  - In this paper, MMSE estimator is employed for noise-free 3D OCT data recovery in
      3D complex wavelet domain. Since the proposed distribution for noise-free data
      plays a key role in the performance of MMSE estimator, a priori distribution for
      the pdf of noise-free 3D complex wavelet coefficients is proposed which is able
      to model the main statistical properties of wavelets. We model the coefficients
      with a mixture of two bivariate Gaussian pdfs with local parameters which are
      able to capture the heavy-tailed property and inter- and intrascale dependencies
      of coefficients. In addition, based on the special structure of OCT images, we
      use an anisotropic windowing procedure for local parameters estimation that
      results in visual quality improvement. On this base, several OCT despeckling
      algorithms are obtained based on using Gaussian/two-sided Rayleigh noise
      distribution and homomorphic/nonhomomorphic model. In order to evaluate the
      performance of the proposed algorithm, we use 156 selected ROIs from 650 * 512 *
      128 OCT dataset in the presence of wet AMD pathology. Our simulations show that
      the best MMSE estimator using local bivariate mixture prior is for the
      nonhomomorphic model in the presence of Gaussian noise which results in an
      improvement of 7.8 +/- 1.7 in CNR. 

PMID- 24222761
TI  - Using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging data to constrain a
      positron emission tomography kinetic model: theory and simulations.
AB  - We show how dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) data
      can constrain a compartmental model for analyzing dynamic positron emission
      tomography (PET) data. We first develop the theory that enables the use of DCE
      MRI data to separate whole tissue time activity curves (TACs) available from
      dynamic PET data into individual TACs associated with the blood space, the
      extravascular-extracellular space (EES), and the extravascular-intracellular
      space (EIS). Then we simulate whole tissue TACs over a range of physiologically
      relevant kinetic parameter values and show that using appropriate DCE-MRI data
      can separate the PET TAC into the three components with accuracy that is noise
      dependent. The simulations show that accurate blood, EES, and EIS TACs can be
      obtained as evidenced by concordance correlation coefficients >0.9 between the
      true and estimated TACs. Additionally, provided that the estimated DCE-MRI
      parameters are within 10% of their true values, the errors in the PET kinetic
      parameters are within approximately 20% of their true values. The parameters
      returned by this approach may provide new information on the transport of a
      tracer in a variety of dynamic PET studies. 

PMID- 24222762
TI  - Impact of physical activity on cancer-specific and overall survival of patients
      with colorectal cancer.
AB  - Background. Physical activity (PA) reduces incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC).
      Its influence on cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) is
      controversial. Methods. We performed a literature-based meta-analysis (MA) of
      observational studies, using keywords "colorectal cancer, physical activity, and
      survival" in PubMed and EMBASE. No dedicated MA was found in the Cochrane
      Library. References were cross-checked. Pre- and postdiagnosis PA levels were
      assessed by MET. Usually, "high" PA was higher than 17 MET hour/week. Hazard
      ratios (HRs) for OS and CSS were calculated, with their 95% confidence interval.
      We used more conservative adjusted HRs, since variables of adjustment were
      similar between studies. When higher PA was associated with improved survival,
      HRs for detrimental events were set to <1. We used EasyMA software and fixed
      effect model whenever possible. Results. Seven studies (8056 participants) were
      included, representing 3762 men and 4256 women, 5210 colon and 1745 rectum
      cancers. Mean age was 67 years. HR CSS for postdiagnosis PA (higher PA versus
      lower) was 0.61 (0.44-0.86). The corresponding HR OS was 0.62 (0.54-0.71). HR CSS
      for prediagnosis PA was 0.75 (0.62-0.91). The corresponding HR OS was 0.74 (0.62
      0.89). Conclusion. Higher PA predicted a better CSS. Sustained PA should be
      advised for CRC. OS also improved (reduced cardiovascular risk). 

PMID- 24222763
TI  - Related Biological Research in the Interface between Bone Cement and Bone after
      Percutaneous Vertebroplasty.
AB  - Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is widely used in the treatment of painful
      osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with the injection of PMMA cement,
      and the controversy for PMMA damage to the osteoporotic bone tissue and to affect
      the fractures repairing never stops. 72 old female rabbits, each age 3.0~3.5 y,
      rabbits were assigned randomly to two groups of thirty-six each; PMMA cement were
      injected into vertebral body in rabbits via mimic PVP, sacrificed at 1 h, 24 h, 3
      d, 7 d, 4 w, and 12 w. The expression VEGF and collagen type I, the tissue
      response, and repair reaction in the interface between PMMA and bone tissue were
      observed dynamically with RT-PCR and western blot technique; the osteocalcin
      expression were studied by immunohistochemistry. Compared with the control group,
      the expression of collagen I increased at 1 hour and was higher from 24 h to 3 d.
      From 4 weeks to 12 weeks after injection of PMMA. The expression of VEGF
      decreased at 1 hour and 24 hours, significantly increased at 3 days, decreased
      once again at 7 days, then increased significantly at 4-12 weeks. The osteocalcin
      expression continued to increase during 4 to 12 week. PMMA would not cause local
      bone permanent necrosis, and interface injury repairing cycle could be prolonged
      in a vertebroplasty. 

PMID- 24222764
TI  - Over time, do anthropometric measures still predict diabetes incidence in chinese
      han nationality population from chengdu community?
AB  - Objective. To examine whether anthropometric measures could predict diabetes
      incidence in a Chinese population during a 15-year follow-up. Design and Methods.
      The data were collected in 1992 and then again in 2007 from the same group of 687
      individuals. Waist circumference, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, and waist
      to height ratio were collected based on a standard protocol. To assess the
      effects of baseline anthropometric measures on the new onset of diabetes, Cox's
      proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios of
      them, and the discriminatory power of anthropometric measures for diabetes was
      assessed by the area under the receiver operating curve (AROC). Results. Seventy
      four individuals were diagnosed with diabetes during a 15-year follow-up period
      (incidence: 10.8%). These anthropometric measures also predicted future diabetes
      during a long follow-up (P < 0.001). At 7-8 years, the AROC of central obesity
      measures (WC, WHpR, WHtR) were higher than that of general obesity measures (BMI)
      (P < 0.05). But, there were no significant differences among the four
      anthropometric measurements at 15 years. Conclusions. These anthropometric
      measures could still predict diabetes with a long time follow-up. However, the
      validity of anthropometric measures to predict incident diabetes may change with
      time. 

PMID- 24222765
TI  - Estrogen Induces Metastatic Potential of Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cells through
      Estrogen Receptor alpha and beta.
AB  - Estradiol (E2) promotes metastatic propensity. However, the detailed mechanism
      remains largely unknown. E-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP-9 play a dominant role in
      the metastatic process. We aimed to investigate the effects of E2 on metastatic
      potential of PTC cell line BCPAP and on E-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP-9 protein
      expression. PTC cell line BCPAP was evaluated for the presence of estrogen
      receptor (ER) by western blot analysis. The effects of E2, PPT (a potent ER alpha
      -selective agonist), and DPN (a potent ER beta -selective agonist) on modulation
      of metastatic phenotype were determined by using in vitro scratch wound assay and
      invasion assay. In addition, the effects on E-cadherin, vimentin, and matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) protein expression were evaluated by Western blot
      analysis. We found that BCPAP cells expressed ER alpha and ER beta . E2 and PPT
      enhanced, but DPN inhibited, the migration and invasion of BCPAP cells in an in
      vitro experimental model system that is modulated by E-cadherin, vimentin, and
      MMP-9. These findings indicate that E2 induces the metastatic potential of BCPAP
      cells through ER alpha and ER beta . The two ER subtypes play differential roles
      in modulation of BCPAP cell metastasis and the related molecule expressions
      including E-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP-9. 

PMID- 24222766
TI  - Temperature-responsive gelation of type I collagen solutions involving fibril
      formation and genipin crosslinking as a potential injectable hydrogel.
AB  - We investigated the temperature-responsive gelation of collagen/genipin solutions
      using pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) and acid-solubilized collagen (ASC) as
      substrates. Gelation occurred in the PSC/genipin solutions at genipin
      concentrations 0-2 mM under moderate change in temperature from 25 to 37 degrees
      C. The PSC/genipin solutions exhibited fluidity at room temperature for at least
      30 min, whereas the ASC/genipin solutions rapidly reached gel points. In specific
      cases PSC would be preferred over ASC as an injectable gel system. The
      temperature-responsive gelation of PSC/genipin solutions was due to temperature
      responses to genipin crosslinking and collagen fibril formation. The elastic
      modulus of the 0.5% PSC/genipin gel system could be adjusted in a range of 2.5 to
      50 kPa by the PSC and genipin concentrations, suggesting that a PSC/genipin
      solution is a potential injectable gel system for drug and cell carriers, with
      mechanical properties matching those of living tissues. 

PMID- 24222767
TI  - From prion diseases to prion-like propagation mechanisms of neurodegenerative
      diseases.
AB  - Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative sporadic, inherited, or acquired
      disorders. In humans, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is the most studied prion
      disease. In animals, the most frequent prion diseases are scrapie in sheep and
      goat, bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, and the emerging chronic
      wasting disease in wild and captive deer in North America. The hallmark of prion
      diseases is the deposition in the brain of PrP(Sc), an abnormal beta -sheet-rich
      form of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) (Prusiner 1982). According to the
      prion hypothesis, PrP(Sc) can trigger the autocatalytic conversion of PrP(C) into
      PrP(Sc), presumably in the presence of cofactors (lipids and small RNAs) that
      have been recently identified. In this review, we will come back to the original
      works that led to the discovery of prions and to the protein-only hypothesis
      proposed by Dr. Prusiner. We will then describe the recent reports on mammalian
      synthetic prions and recombinant prions that strongly support the protein-only
      hypothesis. The new concept of "deformed templating" regarding a new mechanism of
      PrP(Sc) formation and replication will be exposed. The review will end with a
      chapter on the prion-like propagation of other neurodegenerative disorders, such
      as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and tauopathies. 

PMID- 24222768
TI  - In Vitro Antibacterial and Antibiotic Resistance Modifying Effect of Bioactive
      Plant Extracts on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis.
AB  - The crude extracts of plants from Asteraceae and Lamiaceae family and essential
      oils from Salvia officinalis and Salvia sclarea were studied for their
      antibacterial as well as antibiotic resistance modifying activity. Using disc
      diffusion and broth microdilution assays we determined higher antibacterial
      effect of three Salvia spp. and by evaluating the leakage of 260 nm absorbing
      material we detected effect of extracts and, namely, of essential oils on the
      disruption of cytoplasmic membrane. The evaluation of in vitro interactions
      between plant extracts and oxacillin described in terms of fractional inhibitory
      concentration (FIC) indices revealed synergistic or additive effects of plant
      extracts and clearly synergistic effects of essential oil from Salvia officinalis
      with oxacillin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. 

PMID- 24222769
TI  - Design and Optimization of a Process for Sugarcane Molasses Fermentation by
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using Response Surface Methodology.
AB  - A statistical model was developed in this study to describe bioethanol production
      through a batch fermentation process of sugarcane molasses by locally isolated
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y-39. Response surface methodology RSM based on central
      composite face centered design CCFD was employed to statistically evaluate and
      optimize the conditions for maximum bioethanol production and study the
      significance and interaction of incubation period, initial pH, incubation
      temperature, and molasses concentration on bioethanol yield. With the use of the
      developed quadratic model equation, a maximum ethanol production of 255 g/L was
      obtained in a batch fermentation process at optimum operating conditions of
      approximately 71 h, pH 5.6, 38 degrees C, molasses concentration 18% wt.%, and
      100 rpm. 

PMID- 24222770
TI  - An extremely rare, remote intracerebral metastasis of oral cavity cancer: a case
      report.
AB  - Distant brain metastases from oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are extremely
      rare. Here we describe a case of a 53-year-old man with a primary OSCC who
      referred to the neurosurgical department because of epileptic seizures. MR
      imaging revealed an enhancing lesion in the right parietal lobe. A craniotomy
      with tumor removing was performed. Histopathological examination verified an
      invasive, minimally differentiated metastasis of the primary OSCC. The patient
      refused whole brain radiation therapy and died from pulmonary metastatic disease
      10 months after the neurosurgical intervention without any cerebral recurrence.
      To the authors' knowledge, only two similar cases have been previously reported. 

PMID- 24222771
TI  - Ciliated hepatic foregut cyst: two case reports in children and review of the
      literature.
AB  - Ciliated hepatic foregut cyst (CHFC) is a rare lesion which originates from
      detached hepatic diverticulum or from detachment and migration of buds from the
      esophageal and bronchial regions of the foregut which subsequently get entrapped
      by the liver during the early embryonic development of the foregut. CHFCs are
      mostly seen in adults and are rarely reported in children, with only about 10
      cases reported in this age group. Hereby, we present two cases of CHFC in two 3.5
      year-old boys; one of them had cystic lesion at medial segment of left lobe of
      liver (common site), and in the other one it was located at right lobe of liver
      (less common site). Histologically, both cysts had four layers composed of inner
      ciliated, pseudostratified, columnar epithelium; subepithelial connective tissue;
      smooth muscle layer; and an outer fibrous layer. 

PMID- 24222773
TI  - Biodistribution of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in a preclinical setting.
AB  - Due to their multi/pluripotency and immunosuppressive properties, mesenchymal
      stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are important tools for treatment of immune disorders
      and tissue repair. The increasing uses of MSCs lead to the development of
      production processes that need to be in accordance with good manufacturing
      practices (GMP). In Europe, MSCs are somatic cell-therapy products, referred to
      as advanced-therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), and in the United States MSCs
      must comply with current good tissue practice requirements. The safety and
      efficacy of MSCs must be ensured, whatever the cell source, and studies of dose
      and biodistribution are important aspects of safety testing. Preclinical data on
      biodistribution and pharmacodynamics are mandatory for approval. It is important
      to demonstrate that MSCs do not have unwanted homing that could drive to
      inappropriate differentiation in some organ or to support cancer development as
      suggested in some experiments. All these aspects should be addressed in a risk
      based approach according to recently published guidelines by EMA. In the present
      article, we summarize the main approaches for labeling and tracking of infused
      MSCs, report on current animal models, and give an overview of available results
      on biodistribution. 

PMID- 24222774
TI  - Detecting and responding to a dengue outbreak: evaluation of existing strategies
      in country outbreak response planning.
AB  - Background. Dengue outbreaks are occurring with increasing frequency and
      intensity. Evidence-based epidemic preparedness and effective response are now a
      matter of urgency. Therefore, we have analysed national and municipal dengue
      outbreak response plans. Methods. Thirteen country plans from Asia, Latin America
      and Australia, and one international plan were obtained from the World Health
      Organization. The information was transferred to a data analysis matrix where
      information was extracted according to predefined and emerging themes and
      analysed for scope, inconsistencies, omissions, and usefulness. Findings.
      Outbreak response planning currently has a considerable number of flaws. Outbreak
      governance was weak with a lack of clarity of stakeholder roles. Late timing of
      responses due to poor surveillance, a lack of combining routine data with
      additional alerts, and lack of triggers for initiating the response weakened the
      functionality of plans. Frequently an outbreak was not defined, and early
      response mechanisms based on alert signals were neglected. There was a distinct
      lack of consideration of contextual influences which can affect how an outbreak
      detection and response is managed. Conclusion. A model contingency plan for
      dengue outbreak prediction, detection, and response may help national disease
      control authorities to develop their own more detailed and functional context
      specific plans. 

PMID- 24222772
TI  - Perspectives on the use of stem cells for autism treatment.
AB  - Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex neurodevelopmental
      disorders. ASDs are clinically defined by deficits in communication, social
      skills, and repetitive and/or restrictive interests and behaviours. With the
      prevalence rates for ASDs rapidly increasing, the need for effective therapies
      for autism is a priority for biomedical research. Currently available medications
      do not target the core symptoms, can have markedly adverse side-effects, and are
      mainly palliative for negative behaviours. The development of molecular and
      regenerative interventions is progressing rapidly, and medicine holds great
      expectations for stem cell therapies. Cells could be designed to target the
      observed molecular mechanisms of ASDs, that is, abnormal neurotransmitter
      regulation, activated microglia, mitochondrial dysfunction, blood-brain barrier
      disruptions, and chronic intestinal inflammation. Presently, the paracrine,
      secretome, and immunomodulatory effects of stem cells would appear to be the
      likely mechanisms of application for ASD therapeutics. This review will focus on
      the potential use of the various types of stem cells: embryonic, induced
      pluripotential, fetal, and adult stem cells as targets for ASD therapeutics. 

PMID- 24222775
TI  - Apgar score is related to development of atopic dermatitis: cotwin control study.
AB  - Aim. To study the impact of birth characteristics on the risk of atopic
      dermatitis in a twin population. Methods. In a population-based questionnaire
      study of 10,809 twins, 3-9 years of age, from the Danish Twin Registry, we
      identified 907 twin pairs discordant for parent-reported atopic dermatitis. We
      cross-linked with data from the Danish National Birth Registry and performed
      cotwin control analysis in order to test the impact of birth characteristics on
      the risk of atopic dermatitis. Results. Apgar score, OR (per unit) = 1.23 (1.06
      1.44), P = 0.008, and female sex, OR = 1.31 (1.06-1.61), P = 0.012, were risk
      factors for atopic dermatitis in cotwin control analysis, whereas birth
      anthropometric factors were not significantly related to disease development.
      Risk estimates in monozygotic and dizygotic twins were not significantly
      different for the identified risk factors. Conclusions. In this population-based
      cotwin control study, high Apgar score was a risk factor for atopic dermatitis.
      This novel finding must be confirmed in subsequent studies. 

PMID- 24222776
TI  - Evaluating the immunogenicity of protein drugs by applying in vitro MHC binding
      data and the immune epitope database and analysis resource.
AB  - The immune system has evolved to become highly specialized in recognizing and
      responding to pathogens and foreign molecules. Specifically, the function of HLA
      class II is to ensure that a sufficient sample of peptides derived from foreign
      molecules is presented to T cells. This leads to an important concern in human
      drug development as the possible immunogenicity of biopharmaceuticals, especially
      those intended for chronic administration, can lead to reduced efficacy and an
      undesired safety profile for biological therapeutics. As part of this review, we
      will highlight the molecular basis of antigen presentation as a key step in the
      induction of T cell responses, emphasizing the events associated with peptide
      binding to polymorphic and polygenic HLA class II molecules. We will further
      review methodologies that predict HLA class II binding peptides and candidate
      epitopes. We will focus on tools provided by the Immune Epitope Database and
      Analysis Resource, discussing the basic features of different prediction methods,
      the objective evaluation of prediction quality, and general guidelines for
      practical use of these tools. Finally the use, advantages, and limitations of the
      methodology will be demonstrated in a review of two previous studies
      investigating the immunogenicity of erythropoietin and timothy grass pollen. 

PMID- 24222777
TI  - Late and chronic antibody-mediated rejection: main barrier to long term graft
      survival.
AB  - Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is an important cause of graft loss after organ
      transplantation. It is caused by anti-donor-specific antibodies especially anti
      HLA antibodies. C4d had been regarded as a diagnosis marker for AMR. Although
      most early AMR episodes can be successfully controlled or reversed, late and
      chronic AMR remains the leading cause of late graft loss. The strategies which
      work in early AMR have limited effect on late/chronic episodes. Here, we reviewed
      the lines of evidence that late/chronic AMR is the leading cause of late graft
      loss, characteristics of late AMR, and current strategies in managing
      late/chronic AMR. More effort should be put on the management of late/chronic AMR
      to make a better long term graft survival. 

PMID- 24222778
TI  - A Taiwanese Propolis Derivative Induces Apoptosis through Inducing Endoplasmic
      Reticular Stress and Activating Transcription Factor-3 in Human Hepatoma Cells.
AB  - Activating transcription factor-(ATF-) 3, a stress-inducible transcription
      factor, is rapidly upregulated under various stress conditions and plays an
      important role in inducing cancer cell apoptosis. NBM-TP-007-GS-002 (GS-002) is a
      Taiwanese propolin G (PPG) derivative. In this study, we examined the antitumor
      effects of GS-002 in human hepatoma Hep3B and HepG2 cells in vitro. First, we
      found that GS-002 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell
      apoptosis in dose-dependent manners. Several main apoptotic indicators were found
      in GS-002-treated cells, such as the cleaved forms of caspase-3, caspase-9, and
      poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). GS-002 also induced endoplasmic reticular
      (ER) stress as evidenced by increases in ER stress-responsive proteins including
      glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), growth arrest- and DNA damage-inducible
      gene 153 (GADD153), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2
      alpha ), phosphorylated protein endoplasmic-reticular-resident kinase (PERK), and
      ATF-3. The induction of ATF-3 expression was mediated by mitogen-activated
      protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in GS-002-treated cells. Furthermore, we
      found that GS-002 induced more cell apoptosis in ATF-3-overexpressing cells.
      These results suggest that the induction of apoptosis by the propolis derivative,
      GS-002, is partially mediated through ER stress and ATF-3-dependent pathways, and
      GS-002 has the potential for development as an antitumor drug. 

PMID- 24222779
TI  - Safety and effectiveness of vibration massage by deep oscillations: a prospective
      observational study.
AB  - The objective of this study is to assess the safety of treatment with vibration
      massage using a deep oscillation device and the effects on symptom severity and
      quality of life in patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Outpatients
      with FMS performed an observational prospective study with visits 2-4 weeks after
      the last treatment (control) and after further 2 months (follow-up). Patients
      were treated with 10 sessions of 45 min deep oscillation massage, 2/week. Primary
      outcome parameters were safety and tolerability (5-level Likert scale (1 = very
      good)) (after each treatment session and at control visit). Secondary outcome
      parameters were symptom severity (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), pain)
      and quality of life (SF-36). Seventy patients (97.1% females) were included. At
      control visit, 41 patients (58.6%) reported 63 mild and short-lasting adverse
      events, mainly worsening of prevalent symptoms such as pain and fatigue.
      Tolerability was rated as 1.8 (95% confidence interval: 1.53; 2.07). Symptoms and
      quality of life were significantly improved at both control and follow-up visits
      (at least P < 0.01). In conclusion, deep oscillation massage is safe and well
      tolerated in patients with FMS and might improve symptoms and quality of life
      rather sustained. 

PMID- 24222781
TI  - Kai-xin-san, a chinese herbal decoction containing ginseng radix et rhizoma,
      polygalae radix, acori tatarinowii rhizoma, and poria, stimulates the expression
      and secretion of neurotrophic factors in cultured astrocytes.
AB  - Kai-xin-san (KXS), a Chinese herbal decoction prescribed by Sun Simiao in Beiji
      Qianjin Yaofang about 1400 years ago, contains Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,
      Polygalae Radix, Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, and Poria. In China, KXS has been
      used to treat stress-related psychiatric diseases with the symptoms of depression
      and forgetfulness. Although animal study has supported the antidepression
      function of KXS, the mechanism in cellular level is still unknown. Here, a
      chemically standardized water extract of KXS was applied onto cultured astrocytes
      in exploring the action mechanisms of KXS treatment, which significantly
      stimulated the expression and secretion of neurotrophic factors, including NGF,
      BDNF, and GDNF, in a dose-dependent manner: the stimulation was both in mRNA and
      protein levels. In addition, the water extracts of four individual herbs did not
      significantly stimulate the expression of neurotrophic factors, which could
      explain the optimized effect of KXS in a herbal decoction. The KXS-induced
      expression of neurotrophic factors did not depend on signaling mediated by
      estrogen receptor or protein kinase. The results suggested that the
      antidepressant-like action of KXS might be mediated by an increase of expression
      of neurotrophic factors in astrocytes, which fully supported the clinical usage
      of this decoction. 

PMID- 24222782
TI  - Complementary and alternative medicine for diabetes.

PMID- 24222783
TI  - Membership-degree preserving discriminant analysis with applications to face
      recognition.
AB  - In pattern recognition, feature extraction techniques have been widely employed
      to reduce the dimensionality of high-dimensional data. In this paper, we propose
      a novel feature extraction algorithm called membership-degree preserving
      discriminant analysis (MPDA) based on the fisher criterion and fuzzy set theory
      for face recognition. In the proposed algorithm, the membership degree of each
      sample to particular classes is firstly calculated by the fuzzy k-nearest
      neighbor (FKNN) algorithm to characterize the similarity between each sample and
      class centers, and then the membership degree is incorporated into the definition
      of the between-class scatter and the within-class scatter. The feature extraction
      criterion via maximizing the ratio of the between-class scatter to the within
      class scatter is applied. Experimental results on the ORL, Yale, and FERET face
      databases demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. 

PMID- 24222784
TI  - Estimation of phoneme-specific HMM topologies for the automatic recognition of
      dysarthric speech.
AB  - Dysarthria is a frequently occurring motor speech disorder which can be caused by
      neurological trauma, cerebral palsy, or degenerative neurological diseases.
      Because dysarthria affects phonation, articulation, and prosody, spoken
      communication of dysarthric speakers gets seriously restricted, affecting their
      quality of life and confidence. Assistive technology has led to the development
      of speech applications to improve the spoken communication of dysarthric
      speakers. In this field, this paper presents an approach to improve the accuracy
      of HMM-based speech recognition systems. Because phonatory dysfunction is a main
      characteristic of dysarthric speech, the phonemes of a dysarthric speaker are
      affected at different levels. Thus, the approach consists in finding the most
      suitable type of HMM topology (Bakis, Ergodic) for each phoneme in the speaker's
      phonetic repertoire. The topology is further refined with a suitable number of
      states and Gaussian mixture components for acoustic modelling. This represents a
      difference when compared with studies where a single topology is assumed for all
      phonemes. Finding the suitable parameters (topology and mixtures components) is
      performed with a Genetic Algorithm (GA). Experiments with a well-known dysarthric
      speech database showed statistically significant improvements of the proposed
      approach when compared with the single topology approach, even for speakers with
      severe dysarthria. 

PMID- 24222785
TI  - Numerical stability of partitioned approach in fluid-structure interaction for a
      deformable thin-walled vessel.
AB  - Added-mass instability is known to be an important issue in the partitioned
      approach for fluid-structure interaction (FSI) solvers. Despite the
      implementation of the implicit approach, convergence of solution can be difficult
      to achieve. Relaxation may be applied to improve this implicitness of the
      partitioned algorithm, but this commonly leads to a significant increase in
      computational time. This is because the critical relaxation factor that allows
      stability of the coupling tends to be impractically small. In this study, a
      mathematical analysis for optimizing numerical performance based on different
      time integration schemes that pertain to both the fluid and solid accelerations
      is presented. The aim is to determine the most efficient configuration for the
      FSI architecture. Both theoretical and numerical results suggest that the choice
      of time integration schemes has a significant influence on the stability of FSI
      coupling. This concludes that, in addition to material and its geometric
      properties, the choice of time integration schemes is important in determining
      the stability of the numerical computation. A proper selection of the associated
      parameters can improve performance considerably by influencing the condition of
      coupling stability. 

PMID- 24222788
TI  - Author's reply: Use of discard pleural fluid in molecular research.

PMID- 24222787
TI  - The net effect: spanning diseases, crossing borders-highlights from the fourth
      triennial APCA conference and annual HPCA conference for palliative care.
AB  - The African Palliative Care Association (APCA) jointly hosted its triennial
      palliative care conference for Africa with the Hospice and Palliative Care
      Association of South Africa (HPCA) on 17-20 September 2013 in Johannesburg, South
      Africa. At the heart of the conference stood a common commitment to see patient
      care improved across the continent. The theme for the conference, 'The Net
      Effect: Spanning Diseases, Crossing Borders', reflected this joint vision and the
      drive to remember the 'net effect' of our work in palliative care-that is, the
      ultimate impact of the care that we provide for our patients and their families
      across the disease and age spectrum and across the borders of African countries.
      The conference, held in Johannesburg, brought together 471 delegates from 34
      countries. The key themes and messages from the conference are encapsulated in
      ten 'C's of commitment to political will and support at the highest levels of
      governance; engaging national, regional, and international bodies; collaboration;
      diversity; palliative care for children; planning for human resources and
      capacity building; palliative care integration at all levels; developing an
      evidence base for palliative care in Africa; using new technologies; and improved
      quality of care. Participants found the conference to be a forum that challenged
      their understanding of the topics presented, as well as enlightening in terms of
      applying best practice in their own context. Delegates found a renewed commitment
      and passion for palliative care and related health interventions for children and
      adults with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses within the region. This
      conference highlighted many of the developments in palliative care in the region
      and served as a unique opportunity to bring people together and serve as a
      lynchpin for palliative care provision and development in Africa. The delegates
      were united in the fact that together we can 'span diseases,' 'cross borders,'
      and realise the 'African Dream' for palliative care. 

PMID- 24222786
TI  - Oestrogen receptors in breast cancer: basic mechanisms and clinical implications.
AB  - Since the discovery of the connection between ovarian hormones and breast cancer,
      endocrine therapy has been an integral adjuvant treatment for patients with
      hormone-dependent breast cancers. Oestrogen receptor (ER) plays a central role in
      mediating the effects of endogenous hormones and therapeutic agents. ER serves as
      a prognostic marker for responsiveness to endocrine therapy and is targeted
      either directly by selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and pure
      antagonists or indirectly by aromatase inhibitors (AIs) that block oestrogen
      production. A significant number of ER-positive patients, however, fail to
      respond to therapy or develop resistance over time. This review focuses on the
      current understanding of ER functions and recent advances in genomic technologies
      and research that have provided a global perspective on hormone and ER activity
      and led to a number of significant discoveries, including the roles of co
      regulatory factors and non-coding RNAs. Mechanistic insights into normal ER
      functions and therapeutic actions of SERMs and AIs will enable the development of
      better predictive markers and more effective target mechanisms and ultimately
      facilitate improvements in disease outcomes and patient survival. 

PMID- 24222789
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of novel bioactive 1,2,4-oxadiazole natural
      product analogs bearing the N-phenylmaleimide and N-phenylsuccinimide moieties.
AB  - Taking into consideration the biological activity of the only natural products
      containing a 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring in their structure (quisqualic acid and
      phidianidines A and B), the natural product analogs 1-(4-(3-tert-butyl-1,2,4
      oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (4) and 1-(4-(3-tert-butyl-1,2,4
      oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (7) were synthesized starting from 4
      (3-tert-butyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)aniline (1) in two steps by isolating the
      intermediates 4-(4-(3-tert-butyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenylamino)-4-oxobutanoic
      acid (3) and (Z)-4-(4-(3-tert-butyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenylamino)-4-oxobut-2
      enoic acid (6). The two natural product analogs 4 and 7 were then tested for
      antitumor activity toward a panel of 11 cell lines in vitro by using a monolayer
      cell-survival and proliferation assay. Compound 7 was the most potent and
      exhibited a mean IC50 value of approximately 9.4 uM. Aniline 1 was synthesized by
      two routes in one-pot reactions starting from tert-butylamidoxime and 4
      aminobenzoic acid or 4-nitrobenzonitrile. The structures of compounds 1, 2, 4, 5
      and 6 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. 

PMID- 24222790
TI  - Smoking cessation in lung cancer-achievable and effective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in Germany. 90%
      of cases are due to the inhalation of tobacco smoke. About 40% of patients with
      newly diagnosed lung cancer are still smokers. A structured smoking cessation
      program is medically reasonable in this situation but is only rarely offered.
      METHODS: This review is based on a selective search in the PubMed database
      combined with a manual search for current publications. RESULTS: Many cross
      sectional and longitudinal studies have shown that patients with lung cancer
      benefit from smoking cessation. After resection with curative intent, second
      tumors are 2.3 times more common, and recurrent tumors 1.9 times more common, in
      patients who continue to smoke than in those who stop. The overall mortality in
      smokers is 2.9 times higher. Smoking cessation also lowers the rate of radiation
      pneumonitis and infection during radiotherapy and prolongs the median survival
      after chemoradiotherapy for small-cell lung cancer (18.0 vs. 13.6 months). For
      patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, smoking cessation is associated with a
      better general state of health (77.5% vs. 57.6%). For the many patients with lung
      cancer who are treated palliatively, smoking cessation offers the advantages of
      improved pulmonary function, weight gain, and better overall quality of life.
      CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation in patients with lung cancer is an important means
      of increasing the efficacy of treatment and improving their quality of life.

PMID- 24222791
TI  - Control of the spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in hospitals:
      epidemiology and clinical relevance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), particularly E.
      faecium, in hospitals leads to many cases of colonization, but only sporadic
      infections. Detailed and valid risk assessment is needed so that patients at risk
      can be protected from VRE infection. The principal aims of risk assessment must
      include not only lowering VRE-associated morbidity and mortality in patients at
      risk, but also refraining from unnecessary anti-infective measures among those
      who are not at risk. METHODS: We selectively searched the PubMed database for
      pertinent articles on the epidemiology and clinical relevance of VRE in order to
      derive a uniform and practical hygiene strategy from the available scientific
      evidence. RESULTS: Only low-level evidence is available for the interventions
      studied to date, and most of the recommendations that have been issued can be
      characterized as expert opinion. As a rule, VRE are not highly pathogenic; they
      tend to have high rates of colonization, but low rates of infection. The risk
      factors for colonization with VRE include (among others) the administration of
      antibiotics and immunosuppressants, prior hospitalization, diarrhea, intubation,
      and other invasive treatments. The areas of highest risk are hematology/oncology
      wards, liver transplantation wards, dialysis units, and neonatology wards.
      CONCLUSION: The chain of infection can be broken by improved and consistently
      applied standard hygienic measures (hand and surface disinfection). Some patients
      are nonetheless at elevated risk of VRE infection. In specific clinical
      situations, the optimal protection of these patients against VRE infection
      demands the obligatory enforcement of stricter hygienic measures (contact
      isolation).

PMID- 24222792
TI  - Taking more time.

PMID- 24222793
TI  - Neuromolecular analogies.

PMID- 24222794
TI  - Temporal limitation and irreversibility of brain development.

PMID- 24222795
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 24222796
TI  - No indication for DSA without prior ultrasound.

PMID- 24222797
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 24222798
TI  - Methodological issues of the studies cited.

PMID- 24222799
TI  - Studies are carried out in hospitals.

PMID- 24222800
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 24222801
TI  - Development of a Peptide-derived orally-active kappa-opioid receptor agonist
      targeting peripheral pain.
AB  - Kappa-opioid agonists are particularly efficacious in the treatment of peripheral
      pain but suffer from central nervous system (CNS)-mediated effects that limit
      their development. One promising kappa-agonist is the peptidic compound CR665.
      Although not orally available, CR665 given i.v. exhibits high peripheral to CNS
      selectivity and benefits patients with visceral and neuropathic pain. In this
      study we have generated a series of derivatives of CR665 and screened them for
      oral activity in the acetic acid-induced rat writhing assay for peripheral pain.
      Five compounds were further screened for specificity of activation of kappa
      receptors as well as agonism and antagonism at mu and delta receptors, which can
      lead to off-target effects. All active derivatives engaged the kappa receptor
      with EC50s in the low nM range while agonist selectivity for kappa over mu or
      delta was >11,000-200,000-fold. No antagonist activity was detected. One compound
      was chosen for further analysis (Compound 9). An oral dose response of 9 in rats
      yielded an EC50 of 4.7 mg/kg, approaching a druggable level for an oral
      analgesic. To assess the peripheral selectivity of this compound an i.v. dose
      response in rats was assessed in the writhing assay and hotplate assay (an assay
      of CNS-mediated pain). The EC50 in the writhing assay was 0.032 mg/kg while no
      activity was detectable in the hotplate assay at doses as high as 30 mg/kg,
      indicating a peripheral selectivity of >900-fold. We propose that compound 9 is a
      candidate for development as an orally-available peripherally-restricted kappa
      agonist. 

PMID- 24222802
TI  - Roles of PI3K/AKT/PTEN Pathway as a Target for Pharmaceutical Therapy.
AB  - Multiple enzymes participate in the phosphorylation of a group of
      phosphoinositide lipids. Because of their important role in signal transduction,
      the dysregulated metabolism of phosphoinositides represents a key step in many
      disease settings. Loss of their function has been demonstrated to occur as an
      early event a wide variety of carcinogenesis and has therefore been suggested as
      a biomarker for the premalignant disease. In addition, genetic alterations at
      multiple nodes in the pathway have been implicated in several other diseases.
      Accordingly, given this pervasive involvement in many diseases, the development
      of molecules that modulates this pathway has been initiated in studies. They have
      been the focus of extensive research and drug discovery activities. A better
      understanding of the molecular connections could uncover new targets for drug
      development. 

PMID- 24222803
TI  - Nonlinear and conventional biosignal analyses applied to tilt table test for
      evaluating autonomic nervous system and autoregulation.
AB  - Tilt table test (TTT) is a standard examination for patients with suspected
      autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction or uncertain causes of syncope.
      Currently, the analytical method based on blood pressure (BP) or heart rate (HR)
      changes during the TTT is linear but normal physiological modulations of BP and
      HR are thought to be predominately nonlinear. Therefore, this study consists of
      two parts: the first part is analyzing the HR during TTT which is compared to
      three methods to distinguish normal controls and subjects with ANS dysfunction.
      The first method is power spectrum density (PSD), while the second method is
      detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), and the third method is multiscale entropy
      (MSE) to calculate the complexity of system. The second part of the study is to
      analyze BP and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) changes during TTT. Two
      measures were used to compare the results, namely correlation coefficient
      analysis (nMxa) and MSE. The first part of this study has concluded that the
      ratio of the low frequency power to total power of PSD, and MSE methods are
      better than DFA to distinguish the difference between normal controls and
      patients groups. While in the second part, the nMxa of the three stages moving
      average window is better than the nMxa with all three stages together.
      Furthermore the analysis of BP data using MSE is better than CBFV data. 

PMID- 24222804
TI  - Obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome in spanish population.
AB  - Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a clinical picture characterized by repeated
      episodes of obstruction of the upper airway. OSA is associated with
      cardiovascular risk factors, some of which are components of metabolic syndrome
      (MS). OBJECTIVES: First, determine the prevalence of MS in patients with OSA
      visited in sleep clinic. Second, evaluate whether there is an independent
      association between MS components and the severity of OSA. METHODS: Patients with
      clinical suspicion of OSA were evaluated by polysomnography. Three groups were
      defined according to apnea hypoapnea index (AHI): no OSA (AHI <5), mild-moderate
      (AHI>= 5 <=30), and severe (AHI> 30). All patients were determined in fasting
      blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin. MS
      was defined according to criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program
      (NCEP). RESULTS: A total of 141 patients (mean age 54 +/- 11 years) were
      evaluated. According to AIH, 25 subjects had no OSA and 116 had OSA (41mild
      moderate and 75 severe). MS prevalence ranged from 43-81% in OSA group. Also, a
      significant increase in waist circumference, triglycerides, glucose, blood
      pressure levels, and a decrease in HDL cholesterol levels was observed in more
      severe OSA patients. All polysomnographic parameters correlated significantly
      with metabolic abnormalities. After a multiple regression analysis, abdominal
      obesity (p <0.02), glucose (p <0.01) and HDL cholesterol (p <0.001) were
      independently associated with OSA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show high prevalence
      of MS in OSA, especially in severe group. A significant association between OSA
      and some of the components of MS was found in Spanish population.

PMID- 24222805
TI  - Application of maldi-tof mass spectrometry in clinical virology: a review.
AB  - MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is a diagnostic tool of microbial identification and
      characterization based on the detection of the mass of molecules. In the majority
      of clinical laboratories, this technology is currently being used mainly for
      bacterial diagnosis, but several approaches in the field of virology have been
      investigated. The introduction of this technology in clinical virology will
      improve the diagnosis of infections produced by viruses but also the discovery of
      mutations and variants of these microorganisms as well as the detection of
      antiviral resistance. This review is focused on the main current applications of
      MALDI-TOF MS techniques in clinical virology showing the state of the art with
      respect to this exciting new technology. 

PMID- 24222806
TI  - Detection and Genotyping of Human Papillomavirus DNA in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin
      Embedded Specimens with the HPV Direct Flow CHIP System.
AB  - The novel HPV Direct Flow CHIP commercial system for Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
      genotyping is based on rapid PCR and automatic reverse dot blot hybridization to
      genotype-specific probes, allowing the detection of 36 HPV genotypes. This study
      examined the performance of HPV Direct Flow CHIP in formalin-fixed paraffin
      embedded (FFPE) samples (n= 99). Each sample was analyzed both by Direct PCR,
      using crude cell extracts without DNA purification, and by conventional PCR,
      using purified DNA. Pair-wise analysis of the results demonstrated strong
      concordance between the results obtained with the two protocols, although a
      slightly higher rate of multiple infections was detected by conventional PCR. In
      summary, HPV Direct Flow CHIP achieves effective HPV detection from FFPE samples
      with both Direct PCR and Conventional PCR protocols. 

PMID- 24222807
TI  - Fulminant Hepatitis Due to Father-to-Newborn Transmission of Herpes Simplex Virus
      type 1.
AB  - We describe a case of a severe neonatal infection by herpes simplex virus (HSV)
      type 1 acquired postnatally from his father. The delivery and the first days of
      life were normal. He developed liver failure and disseminated intravascular
      coagulation when he was 19 days old. He was treated with intravenous acyclovir
      and the outcome was favorable. This case underlines that prevention of post-natal
      transmission of HSV merits to be considered in educational pregnancy programs
      directed at mothers and fathers. 

PMID- 24222809
TI  - Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy with crosslinking for keratoconus.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyse visual, refractive and topographic outcomes of combining
      transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK) with simultaneous corneal
      crosslinking for the visual rehabilitation of contact lens intolerant keratoconus
      patients. METHODS: Patients with topographically significant keratoconus, limited
      corrected vision and intolerant of contact lenses were prospectively recruited,
      subject to ethical approval and consent. All patients underwent single step
      aspheric tPRK and sequential crosslinking. Preoperative vision, refraction,
      corneal topography and wavefront were assessed, with postoperative assessment at
      1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: 22 eyes of 14 patients were included in the
      pilot study. Mean age was 32 years (SD 6.8, range 24 to 43). Mean preoperative
      unaided vision was 1.39 LogMAR (SD 0.5) best corrected 0.31 LogMAR (SD 0.2). Mean
      preoperative spherical equivalent was -2.74 Diopters (D) (SD 4.1 range -12.25 to
      +7.75), and mean cylinder -2.9 D (SD 1.2, range 0 to -5.5). Mean central corneal
      thickness was 461um (SD 29, range 411 to 516). Vision improved postoperatively;
      unaided 0.32 LogMAR (SD 0.4), best corrected 0.11 (SD 0.13) (P=<0.005). Mean
      postoperative cylinder was -1.4D (SD1.2), significantly reduced (p<0.005).
      Maximum keratometry (Kmax) was stable throughout postoperative follow up.
      (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Non topographic transepithelial PRK with simultaneous
      crosslinking improves vision, and may offer an alternative to keratoplasty in
      contact lens intolerant keratoconus. Further comparative studies to topographic
      PRK techniques are indicated.

PMID- 24222810
TI  - The Effect of 3D Visual Simulator on Children's Visual Acuity - A Pilot Study
      Comparing Two Different Modalities.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of two non-surgical interventions of vision
      improvement in children. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, pilot study to
      compare fogging method and the use of head mounted 3D display. Subjects were
      children, between 5 to 15 years old, with normal best corrected visual acuity
      (BCVA) and up to -3D myopia. Subjects played a video game as near point work, and
      received one of the two methods of treatments. Measurements of uncorrected far
      visual acuity (UCVA), refraction with autorefractometer, and subjective
      accommodative amplitude were taken 3 times, at the baseline, after the near work,
      and after the treatment. RESULTS: Both methods applied after near work, improved
      UCVA. Head mounted 3D display group showed significant improvement in UCVA and
      resulted in better UCVA than baseline. Fogging group showed improvement in
      subjective accommodative amplitude. While 3D display group did not show change in
      the refraction, fogging group's myopic refraction showed significant increase
      indicating the eyes showed myopic change of eyes after near work and treatment.
      DISCUSSION: Despite our lack of clear knowledge in the mechanisms, both methods
      improved UCVA after the treatments. The improvement in UCVA was not correlated to
      measured refraction values. CONCLUSION: UCVA after near work can be improved by
      repeating near and distant accommodation by fogging and 3D image viewing,
      although at the different degrees. Further investigation on mechanisms of
      improvements and their clinical significance are warranted.

PMID- 24222811
TI  - Nurse managers' strategies for the integration of newly graduated nurses into
      clinical units in Japan: a qualitative exploratory study.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this study was to explore the strategies used by nurse
      managers in Japan to facilitate the integration of newly graduate nurses (NGNs)
      into their clinical units. BACKGROUND: The integration of NGNs into clinical
      units is an important issue for both NGNs and nurse managers because the first
      year of practice plays a vital role in a NGN's career. METHOD: Data were
      generated through semi-structured interviews with 9 nurse managers in 9 acute
      care hospitals. Data analysis was conducted using a qualitative content analysis
      method. RESULTS: Nurse managers used a total of 6 strategies: understanding the
      circumstances of NGNs, providing opportunities for experience and learning,
      supporting nurses who teach NGNs, facilitating self-learning, promoting awareness
      of being a nurse in the clinical unit, and strengthening the sense of comradeship
      in clinical units. Three of these strategies were particularly important for
      NGNs' integration into clinical units: facilitating self-learning, promoting
      awareness of being a nurse in the clinical unit, and strengthening the sense of
      comradeship in clinical units. These strategies were described in this study.
      CONCLUSIONS: The strategies adopted by nurse managers should be aimed at all
      nurses, not just NGNs, in order to strengthen the sense of comradeship in
      clinical units. This approach would create a supportive environment for the
      integration of NGNs into clinical units. The strategies presented in this study
      can be utilized not just by nurse managers but all senior nurses in the unit.
      NGNs can use these strategies to help them understand what they need to do to
      become a full member of their unit.

PMID- 24222808
TI  - Viral and Cellular Components of AAV2 Replication Compartments.
AB  - Adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) is a helpervirus-dependent parvovirus with a bi
      phasic life cycle comprising latency in absence and lytic replication in presence
      of a helpervirus, such as adenovirus (Ad) or herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
      Helpervirus-supported AAV2 replication takes place in replication compartments
      (RCs) in the cell nucleus where virus DNA replication and transcription occur.
      RCs consist of a defined set of helper virus-, AAV2-, and cellular proteins. Here
      we compare the profile of cellular proteins recruited into AAV2 RCs or identified
      in Rep78-associated complexes when either Ad or HSV-1 is the helpervirus, and we
      discuss the potential roles of some of these proteins in AAV2 and helpervirus
      infection. 

PMID- 24222812
TI  - An Ecological View of Internet Health Information Seeking Behavior Predictors:
      Findings from the CHAIN Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to further elucidate proximal and distal
      demographic and social predictors of Internet Health Information Seeking Behavior
      (IHISB) among a cohort of HIV+ individuals through an ecological framework.
      METHODS: The Community Health Advisory & Information Network (CHAIN) project is
      an ongoing prospective study of a representative sample of persons living with
      HIV/AIDS in New York City and the Tri-County region. The study sample was drawn
      from a two-stage randomized technique with the clients of 43 medical and social
      service organizations with 693 HIV+ participants. Bivariate correlations were
      computed between IHISB and independent demographic variables in ecological
      blocks. Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression was used to test
      association between blocks of variables and IHISB. RESULTS: Among the surveyed
      respondents (n=645) 50.3% indicated that they used the Internet. Being above the
      poverty line, having less than a high school education, and having fewer
      neighbors were statistically significant predictors of IHISB related to HIV.
      CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of accessing the Internet may influence health behavior
      and may be considered a target for interventions that aim to increase access to
      health related information online. Coupled with increased access, is the need for
      increased patient education interventions, and creative managed care approaches
      to ensure that information gleaned from online sources is interpretable and
      accurate in order to benefit the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS.

PMID- 24222813
TI  - The Higher Frequency of Blood Group B in a Brazilian Population with HIV
      Infection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of and odds for and against HIV infection
      based on ABO blood type in a large sample of blood donors. BACKGROUND:
      Coevolution between pathogens and hosts may explain the ABO system of
      polymorphisms. HIV-infected cells add ABO(H) blood group antigens to the viral
      envelope. Naturally occurring antibodies against ABO(H) antigens that are present
      in normal human sera are able to neutralize ABO-expressing HIV in vitro. Blood
      donors are ideal for studying blood groups and HIV infection in vivo because all
      donors are routinely typed and tested. METHODS: All blood donors who donated
      blood between 1994 and 2010 were tested for HIV (ELISA antibody tests and Western
      blot test or immunofluorescence testing) and were ABO typed (direct and reverse
      grouping tests). HIV infection based on the ABO blood group was analyzed using
      the chi-square test and game theory. RESULTS: The total number of examined blood
      donors during this period was 271,410, of whom 389 were infected with HIV. B
      group donors were more infected than non-B donors (p= 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: A more
      restricted antigen recognition capacity of anti-Galalpha1-3Gal in blood groups AB
      and B and a weaker antigen-binding capacity of anti-A antibodies may contribute
      to a higher frequency of HIV infection in blood group B.

PMID- 24222814
TI  - Chronic vomiting and diarrhea in a young adult female.
AB  - PATIENT: Female, 25 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Rumination syndrome Symptoms: Diarrhea *
      nausea * vomiting MEDICATION: - Clinical Procedure: - Specialty: Psychology.
      OBJECTIVE: Rare disease. BACKGROUND: Rumination syndrome is a behavioral disorder
      that consists of an effortless regurgitation of undigested food that is
      subsequently either re-swallowed or ejected within minutes of meal ingestion
      occurring with liquids and solids. It was first described in children that are
      mentally disadvantaged but has gained more attention to also occur among both
      adolescents and adults of normal mental capacity. The prevalence has never
      accurately been assessed due to its rarity and frequent misdiagnosis. CASE
      REPORT: A 25-year-old Caucasian female presented to our care with a chronic
      history of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. She has vomited during the postprandial
      period for the last four years. She also has much as ten bouts of diarrhea per
      day. There is no definitive evidence of chronic laxative use or self-induced
      vomiting. Physical examination had no significant findings except a cachectic
      female patient with a BMI of 16 and hypotension. PATIENT was eventually
      discharged home with nutrition recommendations for nocturnal psychology follow up
      for relaxation behavioral techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Due to its elusiveness
      rumination syndrome is both underdiagnosed and a misdiagnosed condition. One of
      the reasons for a delayed diagnosis in patients with rumination syndrome is that
      many physicians are unaware of it, or are even reluctant to make this diagnosis
      as it could easily be confused with an eating disorder or with other
      gastrointestinal motility disorders. Because this syndrome may be left
      undiagnosed for months to years, patients often undergo many expensive and
      invasive procedures.

PMID- 24222815
TI  - Combined obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and double outlet right
      ventricle in an infant with Down syndrome.
AB  - PATIENT: Male, 2 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
      Symptoms: Congestive heart failure Medication: - Clinical Procedure: Left
      ventricular septal myectomy * repair of congenital heart disease Specialty:
      Cardiology. OBJECTIVE: Rare disease. BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
      (HCM) is uncommon in Down syndrome (DS). When combined with congenital heart
      disease (CHD) both morbidity and mortality may be greater compared to CHD alone.
      Whether HCM in DS patients is related to having trisomy 21 versus a second site
      mutation is unknown. CASE REPORT: We report a case of severe HCM in an infant
      with DS in combination with double outlet right ventricle (DORV) who required
      surgery for relive of sub-aortic obstruction and congestive heart failure. We
      predicted that this infant would have a second site mutation involving either a
      sarcomeric protein or metabolic disorder as a cause for his HCM. Using current
      genetic and metabolic testing as well as histologic assessment of excised cardiac
      tissue we sought to further characterize the nature of the HCM. A successful
      resection of sub-aortic stenosis and DORV repair was performed. Genetic and
      metabolic testing was negative for gene defects and/or syndromes commonly
      associated with familial HCM. Excised cardiac tissue from the ventricular septum
      exhibited myocyte hypertrophy and sub-endocardial fibrosis but no sarcomeric
      disarray, myocyte fibrosis or glycogen storage. Metabolic testing for common
      forms of mitochondrial disease was negative. Post-operative echocardiograms show
      persistent, non-obstructive septal hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike prior
      reports, this child required a surgical intervention to relieve his sub-aortic
      obstruction. Thus, HCM in this population can be more serious that previously
      suspected. Although testing did not reveal the cause of his HCM, we still suggest
      screening for known causes of HSC until the etiology of the HCM in DS is well
      understood.

PMID- 24222816
TI  - Novel endoscopic management of a late complication following TVT insertion for
      stress urinary incontinence.
AB  - PATIENT: Female, 57 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Bladder erosion Symptoms: Haematuria *
      irritative bladder symptoms * recurrent UTI Medication: - Clinical Procedure:
      Endoscopic tape resection Specialty: Urology. OBJECTIVE: Unusual or unexpected
      effect of treatment. BACKGROUND: Since 1995 over 1 million tension free vaginal
      slings have been utilized to treat stress incontinence. The 10 year success rates
      range from 84-93%. Complication rates are low by comparision. Bladder perforation
      occurring during the time of surgery and is managed effectively if diagnosed and
      treated intraoperatively. However bladder erosion occuring post-operatively
      predominantly occur within the first 2 years. The risk of erosion increases with
      body mass index and previous vaginal surgery. CASE REPORT: We report the case of
      a bladder erosion occurring 5 years following the original surgery. The symptoms
      included recurrent urinary tract infections, frequency and haematuria. A novel
      technique was employed using the transurethral approach to initially disintegrate
      the calculus and then using an endoshears to excise the mesh below the level of
      the epithelium. Continence was maintained postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This
      approach provides a safe alternative to both the transvaginal and transabdominal
      approach to excising intravesical mesh.

PMID- 24222818
TI  - The predictive value of transaminases at admission in patients hospitalized for
      heart failure: findings from the RO-AHFS registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transaminases are commonly elevated in both the inpatient and
      ambulatory settings in heart failure (HF). AIMS: To determine the prevalence and
      degree of elevated transaminase levels at admission and to evaluate the
      association between transaminase levels and in-hospital morbidity and mortality.
      METHODS: Over a 12-month period, the Romanian Acute Heart Failure Syndromes (RO
      AHFS) registry enrolled consecutive patients hospitalized for HF at 13 medical
      centres. A post-hoc analysis of the 489 patients (15.2%) with alanine
      transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) (upper limits of normal 31
      IU/l and 32 IU/l, respectively) measured at baseline was performed. In-hospital
      mortality was compared across quartiles using multivariable Cox regression
      models. RESULTS: The prevalences of elevated ALT and AST were 28% and 24% and the
      medians (interquartile range) were 22 (16-47) and 23 (16-37 IU/L). Patients with
      elevated transaminases more commonly had right HF, cardiogenic shock, or an
      ejection fraction <45%. Patients with an ALT in the highest quartile were more
      likely to present with hypotension and a low pulse pressure, to have
      electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular dyssynchrony and
      echocardiographic findings including increased left ventricular dimensions,
      reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and valvular heart disease, to
      require inotropic or vasopressor support during hospitalization, and to report
      lower beta-blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor utilization. After
      adjusting for potential confounders, ALT was directly associated with BUN
      increases >=10 mg/dl, necessity for intensive care unit admission, and longer
      length of stay. Patients in the highest quartile of ALT experienced significantly
      higher rates of all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In patients hospitalized for
      HF, there is a graded relationship between admission transaminase levels and
      surrogates for in-hospital morbidity, while more pronounced elevations of ALT
      predict in-hospital mortality independent of known prognostic indicators.

PMID- 24222819
TI  - Invasive mechanical ventilation in acute coronary syndromes in the era of
      percutaneous coronary intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves prognosis in
      patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) reducing ischaemic complications and
      the development of heart failure, thus potentially changing invasive mechanical
      ventilation (IMV) requirements. Little information exists about patients with ACS
      requiring IMV in the current era. We aimed to analyze IMV requirements and
      characteristics of ACS patients treated under current recommendations (including
      a high rate of PCI). METHODS: Baseline characteristics, indications for IMV,
      management and in-hospital and mid-term clinical course were analyzed
      prospectively in a consecutive series of patients with ACS admitted to a tertiary
      care hospital. RESULTS: We included 1821 patients, of which 106 (5.8%) required
      IMV. Mean follow-up was 347 days. PCI was performed in 84% of cases. Patients
      with IMV had more comorbidities, worse left ventricular function and more
      unstable hemodynamic parameters on admission. In-hospital mortality in patients
      requiring IMV was 29%. These patients also had higher mid-term mortality (hazard
      ratio (HR) 6.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.49-9.64; p 0.001). The most
      common indication for IMV was cardiopulmonary arrest (CA) (65; 61%), followed by
      pulmonary oedema (27; 26%) and shock (14; 13.2%). Patients with CA were younger,
      with better hemodynamic parameters at admission, more favourable coronary anatomy
      and higher rates of PCI. There were no significant differences in overall
      mortality between the three groups. The main cause of death in CA patients was
      persistent vegetative state. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality in patients with ACS
      requiring IMV remained high despite a high rate of PCI. Baseline characteristics,
      management and clinical course were different according to the reason for IMV.
      The most common cause for IMV requirement was CA.

PMID- 24222821
TI  - A case presentation of a fatal dengue myocarditis showing evidence for dengue
      virus-induced lesion.
AB  - Dengue is a prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease in tropical and subtropical
      areas of the globe. Dengue clinical manifestations include asymptomatic
      infections; undifferentiated fever; dengue fever, which is characterized by
      fever, headache, retroorbital pain, myalgia, and arthralgia; and a severe form of
      the disease denominated dengue haemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome,
      characterized by haemoconcentration, thrombocytopenia, and bleeding tendency.
      However, atypical manifestations, such as liver, central nervous system, and
      cardiac involvement, have been increasingly reported. We report an atypical and
      rare presentation of dengue disease marked by a dramatic and fatal cardiogenic
      shock due to acute myocarditis. Histopathological analysis of heart tissue showed
      several multifocal areas of muscle necrosis and intense interstitial oedema
      associated with clusters of virus particles inside the cardiomyocytes and in the
      interstitial space, providing evidence of a possible direct action of dengue
      virus on myocardium.

PMID- 24222820
TI  - Venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory cardiac
      arrest: a clinical challenge.
AB  - Guidelines stated that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may improve
      outcomes after refractory cardiac arrest (CA) in cases of cardiogenic shock and
      witnessed arrest, where there is an underlying circulatory disease amenable to
      immediate corrective intervention. Due to the lack of randomized trials,
      available data are supported by small series and observational studies, being
      therefore characterized by heterogeneity and controversial results. In clinical
      practice, using ECMO involves quite a challenging medical decision in a setting
      where the patient is extremely vulnerable and completely dependent on the medical
      team's judgment. The present review focuses on examining existing evidence
      concerning inclusion and exclusion criteria, and outcomes (in-hospital and long
      term mortality rates and neurological recovery) in studies performed in patients
      with refractory CA treated with ECMO. Discrepancies can be related to
      heterogeneity in study population, to differences in local health system
      organization in respect of the management of patients with CA, as well as to the
      fact that most investigations are retrospective. In the real world, patient
      selection occurs individually within each center based on their previous
      experience and expertise with a specific patient population and disease spectrum.
      Available evidence strongly suggests that in CA patients, ECMO is a highly costly
      intervention and optimal utilization requires a dedicated local health-care
      organization and expertise in the field (both for the technical implementation of
      the device and for the intensive care management of these patients). A careful
      selection of patients guarantees optimal utilization of resources and a better
      outcome. 

PMID- 24222822
TI  - Acute right ventricular failure caused by concomitant coronary and pulmonary
      embolism: successful treatment with endovascular coronary and pulmonary
      thrombectomy.
AB  - Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present in approximately 25% of the general
      population. PFO is characterized by intermittent shunting of blood from the right
      to the left atrium, especially in the context of increased right-sided filling
      pressures, with risk of paradoxical embolism. We describe a 69-year-old woman
      presenting with acute chest pain, severe dyspnoea, and acute inferolateral ST
      segment elevation on the electrocardiogram. The patient was diagnosed with
      myocardial infarction and failure of the right cardiac ventricle, which was
      considered to be secondary to extensive pulmonary embolism leading to increased
      filling pressures and paradoxical coronary embolism. The patient underwent
      emergent percutaneous interventions with coronary thrombus extraction and
      pulmonary thrombus fragmentation and local thrombolysis. The patient was free of
      symptoms at follow up 6 months later and echocardiography showed substantially
      improved right ventricular function. We discuss issues related to the diagnosis,
      treatment, and secondary prevention for patients with concomitant pulmonary and
      coronary arterial thrombosis.

PMID- 24222823
TI  - Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Tako-Tsubo syndrome) in Austria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tako-Tsubo syndrome (TS) is a still rarely diagnosed clinical
      syndrome, which is characterized by acute onset of chest pain, transient cardiac
      dysfunction with (frequently) reversible wall motion abnormalities (WMAs), but
      with no relevant obstructive coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among
      179 consecutive patients with proven diagnosis of TS that were retrospectively
      analysed in this multicentre registry, women represented the majority of patients
      (94%) while only 11 men (6%) developed TS. Mean age was 69.1+/-11.5 years (range
      35-88 years). Cardinal symptoms of TS, which led to admission, were acute chest
      pain (82%) and dyspnoea (32%), respectively. All patients demonstrated typical
      WMAs, whereby four different types of WMAs could be defined: (1) a more common
      apical type of TS (n=89; 50%); (2) a combined apical and midventricular form of
      TS (n=23; 13%); (3) the midventricular TS (n=6; 3%); and (4) an unusual type of
      basal WMAs of the left ventricle (n=3). Only in 101 patients (57%), a clear
      causative trigger for onset of symptoms could be identified. In-hospital
      cardiovascular complications occurred in 25 patients (14%) and consisted of
      cardiac arrhythmias in 10 patients (40%), cardiogenic shock in six patients
      (24%), cardiac decompensation in eight patients (32%) and cardiovascular death in
      one patient, respectively. Echocardiographic control of left ventricular function
      after the initial measurement was available in almost 70% of the patients:
      complete recovery of WMAs was found in 73 patients (58.87%); 49 patients (39.52%)
      showed persistent WMAs. Recurrences of TS were only seen in four patients. During
      the follow-up period, 13 patients died: three of cardiovascular causes and 10 of
      non-cardiac causes. In-hospital mortality was 0.6%, 30-day mortality was 1.3% and
      2-year mortality was 6.7%. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents to date the largest
      series of patients suffering from TS in Austria and worldwide. Similar to others,
      in our series the prevalence of TS was significantly higher in women than in men,
      while in contrast to other studies, the apical type of TS was detected most
      frequently. The similar clinical presentation of TS patients to the clinical
      picture of acute myocardial infarction demonstrates the importance of immediate
      coronary angiography for adequate differential diagnosis of TS. TS is not
      necessarily a benign disease due to cardiovascular complications as well as
      persistent WMAs with delayed recovery.

PMID- 24222824
TI  - Impaired coronary microvascular reactivity in women with apical ballooning
      syndrome (Takotsubo/stress cardiomyopathy).
AB  - AIMS: The pathophysiology of apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) remains to be
      elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the coronary vascular
      reactivity of patients who were previously diagnosed with ABS. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: A total of 228 cases of ABS were prospectively identified, and of these,
      10 patients (median age 61 years (IQR 48-75); all females) who underwent coronary
      vasomotion testing were included in the study. Coronary epicardial and
      microvascular responses to intracoronary acetylcholine (ACH; % change in diameter
      and % change in blood flow at doses of 10(-6)-10(-4) mol/l), nitroglycerin (200
      300 mg), and adenosine (36-60 ug) were evaluated. The median change in diameter
      with ACH was -9.3% (IQR -36.4, 3.2) with six patients (60%) demonstrating
      epicardial coronary constriction. The median increase in peak coronary blood flow
      in response to ACH was 13.1% (IQR -18.6, 55.0). This was markedly lower than the
      blood flow response seen in a reference group of 211 women from our laboratory
      (mean age 60 years) with normal microvascular responses to ACH: 103% (IQR 75,
      149). Seven (70%) patients had <50% increase in coronary blood flow indicating
      abnormal microvascular response to ACH. 70% had either abnormal epicardial or
      microvascular response to ACH. Median coronary flow reserve was abnormal at 2.2%
      (IQR 2.0, 3.4; normal >2.5), and 90% had at least one abnormal measure of
      microvascular vasomotion. CONCLUSION: The novel observation is that coronary
      microvascular dysfunction is highly prevalent in patients with ABS. Thus,
      chronically impaired coronary vascular reactivity, especially involving the
      microcirculation, may be a central feature of the pathophysiology of ABS.

PMID- 24222825
TI  - Obstructive sleep apnoea increases the incidence of morning peak of onset in
      acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - AIMS: There exists a discrepancy regarding the relationship between obstructive
      sleep apnoea (OSA) and circadian variation during the onset of acute myocardial
      infarction (MI). We hypothesized that OSA patients show a characteristic
      circadian variation and that the severity of OSA significantly affects this
      variation. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study included 288 patients with
      first acute MI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention within 12 h of
      symptom onset. The diagnosis of OSA required an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) of
      >=5 events/h. A total of 216 patients fulfilled the OSA criteria. The incidence
      of MI onset between 06:00 and 11:59 hours was significantly higher in OSA
      patients than in control patients (38 vs. 25%, p=0.039). Circadian variation in
      the morning peak of MI onset was attenuated in mild OSA (as defined by AHI, 5.0
      14.9 events/h; 33 vs. 25%, p=0.240). Moderate-to-severe OSA (as defined by AHI
      >=15.0 events/h) clearly increased the incidence of MI onset between 06:00 and
      11:59 hours (43 vs. 25%, p=0.014). Multiple logistic regression adjusting for AHI
      (>=15.0 events/h), age, body mass index, hypertension, and current smoking showed
      that moderate-to-severe OSA significantly contributed to MI onset between 06:00
      and 11:59 hours (odds ratio 2.00, p=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: OSA showed a morning
      peak with regard to MI onset, and moderate-to-severe OSA significantly enhanced
      this circadian variation.

PMID- 24222826
TI  - Serum corin is reduced and predicts adverse outcome in non-ST-elevation acute
      coronary syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to describe the role
      of corin, an enzyme that cleaves pro-atrial natriuretic peptide and pro-brain
      natriuretic peptide into their active peptides, in patients with acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Serum corin level was studied in patients with non-ST
      elevation ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (n=152) and in
      control volunteers (n=103). RESULTS: The corin level was lower in acute coronary
      syndrome patients (798+/-288 pg/ml) than in the controls (1165+/-613 pg/ml,
      p<0.0001). Those acute coronary syndrome patients who developed major adverse
      cardiovascular events (MACE; 60.9%) within 3 years of discharge had lower corin
      levels than the patients who did not experience major adverse cardiovascular
      events (698.16+/-233.67 vs. 952.1+/-297.81 pg/ml, p<0.0001). Using a multiple
      logistic regression model, corin level was a significant predictor of post-ACS
      MACE: p=0.0004 for 50 pg/ml steps, AUC 0.791, while p<0.0001, and AUC 0.804 using
      corin and brain natriuretic peptide as predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non
      ST-elevation ACS have lower serum corin levels than controls. Corin levels are
      lower in ACS patients who later experience MACE and thus might be predictor for
      MACE. This new putative biomarker may be useful, either alone or in combination
      with other biomarkers, for cardiovascular risk stratification assessment and
      outcome prediction in ACS patients.

PMID- 24222827
TI  - Interhospital transfer due to failed prehospital diagnosis for primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention: an observational study on incidence,
      predictors, and clinical impact.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI),
      guidelines recommend prehospital triage and direct referral to a percutaneous
      coronary intervention (PCI)-capable centre in order to minimize ischemic time.
      However, few have studied failed prehospital diagnosis. We assessed the
      incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of interhospital transfer for primary
      PCI after initial referral to a non-PCI-capable centre due to a failed
      prehospital STEMI diagnosis. METHODS: We studied 846 consecutive STEMI patients
      undergoing primary PCI between January 2008 and January 2010. RESULTS: We found
      that 609 patients (72%) were directly admitted through prehospital triage and 127
      patients (15%) required interhospital transfer after failed prehospital
      diagnosis. Median first medical contact to treatment time was 88 min in the
      prehospital diagnosis group and 155 min in the interhospital transfer group
      (p<0.001). In the interhospital transfer group, the first available
      electrocardiogram was diagnostic for STEMI in 77% of cases. Predictors of
      interhospital transfer were female gender, diabetes, prior myocardial infarction,
      and greater event location to PCI-capable centre distance. Interhospital transfer
      independently accounted for a 47% increase in ischemic time (95% CI 33 to 63%;
      p<0.001). One-year mortality was higher in the interhospital transfer group (10
      vs. 5.3%; p=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Despite an often-diagnostic electrocardiogram,
      interhospital transfer after failed prehospital diagnosis occurred in 15% of
      STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Interhospital transfer was a major
      predictor of ischemic time and 1-year mortality was significantly higher.
      Continuing efforts to optimize prehospital triage are warranted, especially among
      patients at higher risk of failed prehospital diagnosis.

PMID- 24222828
TI  - Diagnosis and outcome in a prehospital cohort of patients with bundle branch
      block and suspected acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immediate revascularization is beneficial in patients with presumed
      new-onset bundle branch block myocardial infarction (BBBMI). In the prehospital
      setting, it is a challenge to diagnose new-onset BBBMI and triage accordingly.
      METHODS: ECG, final diagnosis, and mortality were assessed in a prehospital
      cohort of 4905 consecutive patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction
      (AMI). Bundle branch block (BBB) was defined as QRS duration >=120 ms caused by
      delayed intraventricular conduction. Mortality and angiography data were obtained
      from the Central Office of Civil Registration and the Western Denmark Heart
      Registry. Definite diagnosis of AMI and the onset of BBB were determined by
      expert consensus. Patients were divided into four groups: with or without AMI and
      with or without BBB. Mortality was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier plots and compared
      using log-rank statistics. RESULTS: AMI was diagnosed in 954 patients, of whom
      118 had BBB. In 3951 patients without AMI, 436 had BBB. Patients with BBBMI were
      less often revascularized than patients with AMI without BBB (24 vs. 54%,
      p<0.001). BBBMI was categorized as new onset in 43 patients of whom two were
      triaged for acute angioplasty. One-year mortality was 47.2, 17.5, 20.8, and 8.6%
      (log-rank <0.001) in patients with BBBMI, patients with AMI without BBB, patients
      with BBB without AMI, and patients without AMI or BBB, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with BBBMI have a high mortality. Less than 25% undergo
      revascularization and only very few patients with new-onset BBBMI are transferred
      for urgent revascularization. Focus on improving triage and prehospital
      identification of high-risk patients with BBB and chest pain could improve
      outcome.

PMID- 24222829
TI  - Left bundle branch block and suspected myocardial infarction: does chronicity of
      the branch block matter?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate if patients with suspected myocardial
      infarction (MI) and a new or presumed new left bundle branch block (nLBBB) were
      treated according to the ESC reperfusion guidelines and to compare them with
      patients having a previously known LBBB (oLBBB). Furthermore, we investigated the
      prevalence of ST-segment concordance in this population. METHODS: Retrospective
      data was collected from the Swedeheart registry for patients admitted to the
      cardiac care unit at Orebro University Hospital with LBBB and suspected MI during
      2009 and 2010. The patients were divided in two age groups; <80 or >=80 years and
      analysed for LBBB chronicity (nLBBB or oLBBB), MI, and reperfusion treatment. We
      also compared our data with the national Swedeheart database for 2009. RESULTS: A
      total of 99 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A diagnosis of MI was
      significantly more common in the group >=80 years compared to the group <80 years
      (53.8 vs. 25%, p=0.007). The rate of MI was similar in the groups with nLBBB and
      oLBBB (33 and 37% respectively, p=0.912). Of the 36 patients with a final
      diagnosis of MI, only eight (22%) had nLBBB. Reperfusion treatment, defined as an
      acute coronary angiography with or without intervention, was significantly more
      often performed in patients with nLBBB compared to patients with oLBBB (42 vs.
      8%, p<0.001). The rate of MI and reperfusion treatment did not differ between our
      institution and the Swedish national data. ST-concordance was present in only two
      cases, one of which did not suffer an MI. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of patients
      receiving reperfusion treatment was low, but higher in nLBBB, reflecting a
      partial adherence to the guidelines. We found no correlation between LBBB
      chronicity and MI. Furthermore, only a minority of the MIs occurred in patients
      with nLBBB. ST-concordance was found in only one of 36 MI cases, indicating lack
      of sensitivity for this test.

PMID- 24222830
TI  - Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of current and next-generation assays
      for cardiac troponin I in the BWH-TIMI ED Chest Pain Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapid diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome is a clinical and
      operational priority in busy emergency departments (ED). We examined the
      performance of an investigational troponin I (TnI) assay with 10-100-times
      greater sensitivity than current commercial assays. METHODS: Among patients with
      non-traumatic chest pain enrolled in the BWH-TIMI ED Chest Pain Study, we
      measured TnI (n=381) at baseline, 4-6 h, and 12-24 h with an investigational
      assay (S-TnI; Singulex, detection-limit 0.0002 ug/l, 99th percentile 0.009 ug/l)
      and a contemporary sensitive assay (TnI-Ultra; Siemens, detection-limit 0.006
      ug/l, 99th percentile 0.04 ug/l). Final diagnosis was adjudicated using all
      diagnostic data and local hospital-based cardiac TnI (Siemens), blinded to
      investigational cardiac Tn. RESULTS: The adjudicated diagnosis was myocardial
      infarction (MI) in 96 patients, unstable angina in 41, and acute non-coronary
      cardiovascular conditions in 50 patients. Baseline S-TnI was highly sensitive for
      MI (97%, 95% CI 91-99%) with specificity 81% (95% CI 76-86%) and positive
      predictive value 63% (95% CI 55-71%). The negative predictive value with S-TnI
      was 99% (95% CI 96-100%). S-TnI had better diagnostic accuracy than the local
      assay (area under the curve 0.976 vs. 0.916, p=0.003). Among 20 patients with
      negative baseline TnI and diagnosis of MI, 19 had elevated baseline S-TnI.
      Compared to TnI-Ultra, S-TnI trended toward higher sensitivity (97 vs. 94%, p=NS)
      but did not differ significantly in negative predictive value (99 vs. 98%) or
      area under the curve (p=0.29). CONCLUSION: Current and investigational Tn assays
      substantially increased clinical sensitivity and improved diagnostic accuracy for
      MI, despite a decline in specificity. A contemporary sensitive assay delivered
      similar overall accuracy to the investigational test, suggesting that we have
      reached a point of maximum diagnostic return with increasing analytical
      sensitivity.

PMID- 24222831
TI  - The role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) for prognostic evaluation in sensitive cardiac
      troponin I negative chest pain patients in the emergency department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnostic work-up of patients with acute chest pain in the
      emergency department (ED) is a challenging task. Serial troponin testing is
      required to rule-out acute myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the
      value of myeloperoxidase (MPO) testing in sensitive cardiac troponin I (cTnI)
      negative patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the routine
      setting of an ED. METHODS: MPO was assessed in 432 consecutive patients
      presenting to the ED with ACS. In 266 patients, serial blood samples were
      available. After 6 weeks, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were assessed. MPO
      and cTnI were measured in all available samples. For cTnI, a sensitive assay was
      used. Cut-off values were derived from an independent sample of 300 healthy
      volunteers. RESULTS: Incidence of MACE in our population was 13%. MPO levels
      revealed sensitivity (Sens) of 82.1% and specificity (Spec) of 37.2% for MACE
      compared with 60.7% Sens and 61.4% Spec for sensitive cTnI. In serial sensitive
      cTnI negative patients (n=218), MACE incidence was 6.4%. MPO continued to
      demonstrate significant discriminatory power for the prognosis of MACE.
      Multivariate analyses confirmed these findings. CONCLUSION: MPO has an
      independent prognostic value overall and most notably in patients tested negative
      with a higher sensitive cardiac troponin I assay. MPO could be a promising
      biomarker for the initial evaluation of patients in chest pain units and is worth
      further investigation.

PMID- 24222832
TI  - FGF-23 is associated with increased disease severity and early mortality in
      cardiogenic shock.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the increased use of percutaneous interventions, infarction
      related cardiogenic shock (CS) is still associated with high mortality.
      Biomarkers might be helpful to identify patients at risk, and point towards novel
      therapeutic strategies in CS. The phosphaturic hormone fibroblast growth factor
      23 (FGF-23) has recently been introduced as a predictor for mortality in patients
      with chronic systolic heart failure. However, its predictive role in CS has not
      been investigated so far. METHODS AND RESULTS: FGF-23 was measured in 51 patients
      with CS. Eighteen patients with uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
      and 940 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing elective
      coronary angiography included in a previous study served as control groups.
      Compared with patients with stable CAD, FGF-23 was profoundly elevated in
      patients with CS, but not in patients with uncomplicated AMI (CAD: 131.1 +/- 9.5;
      AMI: 175.3 +/- 57.2; CS: 1684.4 +/- 591.7 rU/ml, p<0.0001 CS vs. CAD). In
      patients with CS, FGF-23 correlated significantly with the SAPS II score
      (r=0.461, p=0.0003) and NT-pro BNP levels (r=0.489, p=0.001). Patients were
      stratified as "survivors" and "non-survivors" according to their 28-day
      mortality. The overall 28-day-mortality-rate was 37%. Non-survivors of CS showed
      significantly higher FGF-23 levels compared with survivors (3260.1 +/- 1514.7 vs.
      847.9 +/- 182.4 rU/ml, p=0.028). In the ROC curve analysis, FGF-23 levels
      predicted 28-day mortality (area under the curve (AUC) 0.686, p=0.028), and FGF
      23 level of 1180 rU/ml was identified as optimal cut-off value. In a multivariate
      Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for gender, blood pressure, ejection
      fraction and levels of creatine kinase, FGF-23 levels above 1180 rU/ml
      significantly predicted 28-day mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 2.74, 95% CI 1.01
      7.04, p=0.037). CONCLUSION: In CS, a tremendous increase in FGF-23 occurs, and
      high levels of FGF-23 are associated with poor outcome.

PMID- 24222833
TI  - Management of acute heart failure and the effect of systolic blood pressure on
      the use of intravenous therapies.
AB  - AIMS: To examine the use of the treatments for acute heart failure (AHF)
      recommended by ESC guidelines in different clinical presentations and blood
      pressure groups. METHODS: The use of intravenous diuretics, nitrates, opioids,
      inotropes, and vasopressors as well as non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was
      analysed in 620 patients hospitalized due to AHF. The relation between AHF
      therapies and clinical presentation, especially systolic blood pressure (SBP) on
      admission, was also assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 76% of patients received i.v.
      furosemide, 42% nitrates, 29% opioids, 5% inotropes and 7% vasopressors, and 24%
      of patients were treated with NIV. Furosemide was the most common treatment in
      all clinical classes and irrespective of SBP on admission. Nitrates were given
      most often in pulmonary oedema and hypertensive AHF. Overall, only SBP differed
      significantly between patients with and without the studied treatments. SBP was
      higher in patients treated with nitrates than in those who were not (156 vs. 141
      mmHg, p<0.001). Still, only one-third of patients presenting acute decompensated
      heart failure and SBP over 120 mmHg were given nitrates. Inotropes and
      vasopressors were given most frequently in cardiogenic shock and pulmonary
      oedema, and their use was inversely related to initial SBP (p<0.001). NIV was
      used only in half of the cardiogenic shock and pulmonary oedema patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: The management of AHF differs between ESC clinical classes and the
      use of i.v. vasoactive therapies is related to the initial SBP. However, there
      seems to be room for improvement in administration of vasodilators and NIV.

PMID- 24222834
TI  - The challenges in the management of right ventricular infarction.
AB  - In recent years, right ventricular (RV) infarction seems to be underdiagnosed in
      most cases of acute myocardial ischaemia despite its frequent association with
      inferior-wall and, occasionally, anterior-wall myocardial infarction (MI).
      However, its initial management is drastically different from that of left
      ventricular MI, and studies have indicated that RV infarction remains associated
      with significant morbidity and mortality, even in the mechanical reperfusion era.
      The pathophysiology of RV infarction involves the interaction between the right
      and left ventricle (LV), and the mechanism has been clarified with the advent of
      diagnostic non-invasive modalities, such as echocardiography and cardiac magnetic
      resonance. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the treatment
      of RV infarction; early revascularization remains the cornerstone of the
      management, and fluid resuscitation, with appropriate target selection, is
      necessary to maintain appropriate preload. Early recognition in intensive care
      with clear understanding of the pathophysiology is essential to improve its
      prognosis. In terms of management, the support strategy for RV dysfunction is
      different from that for LV dysfunction since the former may often be temporary.
      Along with early reperfusion, maintenance of an adequate heart rate and
      atrioventricular synchrony are essential to sustain a sufficient cardiac output
      in patients with RV infarction. In refractory cases, more intensive mechanical
      support is required, and new therapeutic options, such as Tandem-Heart or
      percutaneous cardiopulmonary support systems, are being developed. 

PMID- 24222835
TI  - Type and timing of heralding in ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation myocardial
      infarction: an analysis of prospectively collected electronic healthcare records
      linked to the national registry of acute coronary syndromes.
AB  - AIMS: It is widely thought that ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is
      more likely to occur without warning (i.e. an unanticipated event in a previously
      healthy person) than non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), but no
      large study has evaluated this using prospectively collected data. The aim of
      this study was to compare the evolution of atherosclerotic disease and
      cardiovascular risk between people going on to experience STEMI and NSTEMI.
      METHODS: We identified patients experiencing STEMI and NSTEMI in the national
      registry of myocardial infarction for England and Wales (Myocardial Ischaemia
      National Audit Project), for whom linked primary care records were available in
      the General Practice Research Database (as part of the CALIBER collaboration). We
      compared the prevalence and timing of atherosclerotic disease and major
      cardiovascular risk factors including smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and
      dyslipidaemia, between patients later experiencing STEMI to those experiencing
      NSTEMI. RESULTS: A total of 8174 myocardial infarction patients were included
      (3780 STEMI, 4394 NSTEMI). Myocardial infarction without heralding by previously
      diagnosed atherosclerotic disease occurred in 71% STEMI (95% CI 69-72%) and 50%
      NSTEMI patients (95% CI 48-51%). The proportions of myocardial infarctions with
      no prior atherosclerotic disease, major risk factors, or chest pain was 14% (95%
      CI 13-16%) in STEMI and 9% (95% CI 9-10%) in NSTEMI. The rate of heralding
      coronary diagnoses was particularly high in the 12 months before infarct; 4.1
      times higher (95% CI 3.3-5.0) in STEMI and 3.6-times higher (95% CI 3.1-4.2) in
      NSTEMI compared to the rate in earlier years. CONCLUSIONS: Acute myocardial
      infarction occurring without prior diagnosed coronary, cerebrovascular, or
      peripheral arterial disease was common, especially for STEMI. However, there was
      a high prevalence of risk factors or symptoms in patients without previously
      diagnosed disease. Better understanding of the antecedents in the year before
      myocardial infarction is required.

PMID- 24222836
TI  - Duration of eptifibatide infusion after percutaneous coronary intervention and
      outcomes among high-risk patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary
      syndrome: insights from EARLY ACS.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Eptifibatide is indicated during percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) with continuation for 18-24 hours post procedure but is
      associated with bleeding. We examined the efficacy and safety of shorter post-PCI
      eptifibatide infusions in high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary
      syndrome (NSTE ACS) patients. METHODS: EARLY ACS patients treated with PCI and
      eptifibatide were grouped by post-procedure infusion duration: <10, 10-13, 13-17,
      and 17-25 (per protocol) hours. Adjusted estimated event rates for 96-hour
      death/myocardial infarction (MI)/recurrent ischaemia requiring urgent
      revascularization (RIUR), 30-day death/MI, post-PCI packed red blood cell (PRBC)
      transfusion, and GUSTO (Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue
      Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Coronary Arteries) moderate/severe bleeding
      were obtained using inverse-propensity weighting to account for informative
      censoring of infusions. RESULTS: Among 3271 eptifibatide-treated PCI patients,
      there were 66 96-hour death/MI/RIUR events, 94 30-day death/MI events, 127 PRBC
      transfusions, and 115 GUSTO moderate/severe bleeds. Compared with per protocol,
      patients receiving post-PCI infusions <10 hours had similar adjusted estimated
      rates of 96-hour death/MI/RIUR (absolute difference 0.021 higher; 0.040 vs.
      0.019, 95% CI -0.023 to 0.064; p=0.35) and 30-day death/MI (0.020 higher; 0.046
      vs. 0.026, 95% CI -0.021 to 0.062; p=0.34). There were also no differences in
      ischaemic outcomes between infusions of 10-17 hours and per-protocol infusions.
      Adjusted estimated rates of PRBC transfusion were higher for the <10-hour
      infusion group compared with per protocol (0.048 higher; 0.079 vs. 0.031, 95% CI
      0.005 to 0.091, p=0.03) but were similar for other groups. Adjusted GUSTO
      moderate/severe bleeding rates were similar to per-protocol rates for all groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk NSTE ACS patients, post-PCI eptifibatide infusions <18
      hours were not associated with worse ischaemic outcomes. Shorter eptifibatide
      infusions in this population may be feasible.

PMID- 24222837
TI  - Safe and feasible immediate retransfer of patients to the referring hospital
      after acute coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary angioplasty for
      patients with acute coronary syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The challenge with fast track (FT) is to avoid compromising medical
      safety. We aimed to investigate whether patients with acute coronary syndrome
      could be safely retransferred to the referral hospital on the same day after
      coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI). METHODS AND
      RESULTS: A total of 399 consecutive patients were prospectively randomized: 206
      to ordinary care (OC) and 193 to the FT group. Of these, 30% of patients were
      admitted for unstable angina pectoris and 70% for non-ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction. The FT patients were evaluated for possible same-day
      return after angiography and/or PCI. Crossover, acute, and 30-day major events
      were recorded. The radial approach was used in 91 and 87% in the OC and FT group,
      respectively. Of the FT patients, 95% were returned on the same day and nine
      crossover patients (4.7%) the next day or later. Major events occurred in nine
      patients (2.2%); five in the OC and four in the FT group. There were a total of
      five events within 24 hours. No events were observed during transportation and
      there were no early retransfers. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate written reports and good
      communication with the referring hospital enabled thoroughly selected patients to
      be safely returned on the same day as angiography and/or PCI.

PMID- 24222838
TI  - Early discharge after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation
      myocardial infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess safety of early discharge following primary percutaneous
      coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of
      2448 STEMI patients treated with PPCI surviving to hospital discharge. Post
      discharge all-cause mortality was reported at 1, 7, and 30 days and long-term
      follow up. A total of 1542 patients (63.0%) were discharged within 2 days of
      admission (early discharge group) and 906 patients (37.0%) after 2 days (late
      discharge group). In both groups, no deaths were recorded 1 day post discharge.
      The early and late discharge group mortality figures for 7 days were 0 and 4
      patients (0.04%) and between 7 and 30 days were 11 (0.7%) and 11 patients (1.2%),
      respectively. During a mean follow up of 584 days, 178 patients (7.3%) died: 67
      in the early discharge group (4.3%) and 111 in the late discharge group (12.3%).
      CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory, observational study demonstrates that discharging
      low-risk STEMI patients within 2 days following PPCI is safe. For providers of
      health care, early discharge can help to allay the cost of providing a 24-hour
      PPCI service and adds to the recognized benefits arising from PPCI.

PMID- 24222839
TI  - Safety of intravenous ivabradine in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial
      infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a
      randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, pilot study.
AB  - AIMS: Rapid heart rate lowering may be attractive in acute ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI). Accordingly we studied the effect of intravenous
      ivabradine on heart rate in this setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a
      multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial: patients aged 40-80
      years were randomized after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PCI) performed within 6 h of STEMI symptom onset. Patients were in sinus rhythm
      and with heart rate >80 bpm and systolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg. They were
      randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to intravenous ivabradine (n=82) (5 mg bolus over
      30 s, followed by 5 mg infusion over 8 h) or matching placebo (n=42). The primary
      outcome measure was heart rate and blood pressure. In both groups, heart rate was
      reduced over 8 h, with a faster and more marked decrease on ivabradine than
      placebo (22.2 +/- 1.3 vs 8.9 +/- 1.8 bpm, p<0.0001). After treatment
      discontinuation, heart rate was similar in both groups. Throughout the study,
      there was no difference in blood pressure between groups. There was no difference
      in cardiac biomarkers (creatine kinase (CK-MB), troponin T and troponin I). On
      echocardiography performed at baseline and post treatment (median 1.16 days),
      final left ventricular volumes were lower in the ivabradine group both for left
      ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) (87.1 +/- 28.2 vs 117.8 +/- 21.4 ml,
      p=0.01) and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) (42.5 +/- 19.0 versus
      59.1 +/- 11.3 ml, p=0.03) without differences in volume change or left
      ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: This pilot study shows that
      intravenous ivabradine may be used safely to slow the heart rate in STEMI.
      Further studies are needed to characterize its effect on infarct size, left
      ventricular function and clinical outcomes in this population.

PMID- 24222842
TI  - Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Preservation of the DCD Kidney: Machine Effects.
AB  - Purpose. Kidneys from DCD donors represent a significant pool, but preservation
      problems exist. The study objective was to test the importance of machine type
      for hypothermic preservation of DCD kidneys. Methods. Adult Beagle dog kidneys
      underwent 45 minutes of warm in situ ischemia followed by hypothermic perfusion
      for 24 hours (Belzer-MPS Solution) on either an ORS LifePort or a Waters RM3
      using standard perfusion protocols. Kidneys were then autotransplanted, and renal
      function was assessed over 7 days following contralateral nephrectomy. Results.
      Renal vascular resistance was not different between the two pumps. After 24
      hours, the oxygen partial pressure and oxygen delivery in the LifePort perfusate
      were significantly lower than those in the RM3 but not low enough to change
      lactate production. TheLifePort ran significantly colder than RM3 (2 degrees 
      versus 5 degrees C). The arterial pressure waveform of the RM3 was qualitatively
      different from the waveform of the LifePort. Preservation injury after
      transplantation was not different between the devices. When the LifePort was
      changed to nonpulsatile flow, kidneys displayed significantly greater
      preservation injury compared to RM3. Conclusions. Both LifePort and RM3 can be
      used for hypothermic machine perfusion preservation of DCD kidneys with equal
      outcomes as long as the duty cycle remains pulsatile. 

PMID- 24222843
TI  - Cellular debris in the anterior vitreous in silent eyes of behcet patients as a
      clue of asymptomatic ocular involvement.
AB  - Purpose. To investigate if there is a prognostic implication of the presence of
      cellular debris in the anterior vitreous in patients with Behcet's disease (BD)
      without any ocular symptoms. Methods. One hundred and twenty eyes of 60 patients
      with BD were included in the study. The eyes were divided into two groups
      according to the presence of cellular debris in the anterior vitreous. The first
      group included 54 eyes which were cellular debris (+) (group A), and the second
      group included 66 eyes which were cellular debris (-) (group B). Fluorescein
      angiography (FA) was performed to all patients following routine ocular
      examination. Patients were called for the six monthly control visits to
      investigate possible new ocular involvement during followup. The Kaplan-Meier
      method was used to estimate survival curves. Results. Seven eyes (13%) in group A
      and four eyes (6.1%) in group B showed optic disc hyperfluorescence on FA (P =
      0.2). None of the eyes with disc hyperflourescence on initial examination
      developed uveitis attacks in their followup. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis
      there was a significant difference between the groups (group A 20.6% and group B
      4.2%) by means of ocular involvement during their followup (log-rank = 6.85, P =
      0.009). Conclusions. Presence of cellular debris in the anterior vitreous may
      have prognostic implications in patients with BD screened for ocular involvement.

PMID- 24222840
TI  - Management and outcomes of patients presenting with STEMI by use of chronic oral
      anticoagulation: results from the GRACE registry.
AB  - AIMS: To describe the characteristics, treatment, and mortality in patients with
      ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) by use of chronic oral anticoagulant
      (OAC) therapy. METHODS: Using data from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary
      Syndromes (GRACE), patient characteristics, treatment, and reperfusion strategies
      of STEMI patients on chronic OAC are described, and relevant variables compared
      with patients not on chronic OAC. Six-month post-discharge mortality rates were
      evaluated by Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Of 19,094 patients with
      STEMI, 574 (3.0%) were on chronic OAC at admission. Compared with OAC non-users,
      OAC users were older (mean age 73 vs. 65 years), more likely to be female (37 vs.
      29%), were more likely to have a history of atrial fibrillation, prosthetic heart
      valve, venous thromboembolism, or stroke/transient ischaemic attack, had a higher
      mean GRACE risk score (166 vs. 145), were less likely to be Killip class I (68
      vs. 82%), and were less likely to undergo catheterization/percutaneous coronary
      intervention (52 vs. 66%, respectively). Of the patients who underwent
      catheterization, fewer OAC users had the procedure done within 24 h of admission
      (56.5 vs. 64.5% of OAC non-users). In propensity-matched analyses (n=606), rates
      of in-hospital major bleeding and in-hospital and 6-month post-discharge
      mortality were similar for OAC users and OAC non-users (2.7 and 3.7%, p=0.64; 15
      and 13%, p=0.56; 15 and 12%, p=0.47, respectively), rates of in-hospital
      recurrent myocardial infarction (8.6 and 2.0%, p<0.001) and atrial fibrillation
      (32 and 22%, p=0.004) were higher in OAC patients, and rates of 6-month stroke
      were lower (0.6 and 4.3%, p=0.038). Patients in both groups who underwent
      catheterization had lower mortality than those who did not undergo
      catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study to describe the
      characteristics and treatment of STEMI patients on chronic OAC. The findings
      suggest that patients on chronic OAC are less likely to receive guideline
      indicated management, but have similar adjusted rates of in-hospital and 6-month
      mortality.

PMID- 24222844
TI  - (R)- alpha -Aminoadipic Acid: A Versatile Precursor for the Synthesis of D-Amino
      Acids.
AB  - The ready accessibility of (R)- alpha -aminoadipic acid by enzymatic cleavage of
      cephalosporin C (CephC) in the production of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA)
      on a large scale makes it a favorable chiral pool building block for the
      synthesis of unusual amino acids. A route for the synthesis of C-5-alkenyl and C
      6-alkylidene derivatives of (R)-pipecolic acid is described which utilizes (R)-
      alpha -aminoadipic acid as the enantiomerically pure starting material. Moreover,
      the synthesis of azido and triazolyl derivatives of (R)- alpha -aminoadipic acid
      is reported. 

PMID- 24222845
TI  - DNA damage in rheumatoid arthritis: an age-dependent increase in the lipid
      peroxidation-derived DNA adduct, heptanone-etheno-2'-deoxycytidine.
AB  - Objective. To evaluate what types of DNA damages are detected in rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA). Methods. The DNA adducts such as 8-oxo-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-2'
      deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG), 1,N(6)-etheno-2'-deoxyadenosine ( epsilon dA), and
      heptanone-etheno-2'-deoxycytidine (H epsilon dC) in genomic DNAs, derived from
      whole blood cells from 46 RA patients and 31 healthy controls, were analyzed by
      high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and their levels
      in RA patients and controls were compared. In addition, correlation between DNA
      adducts and clinical parameters of RA was analyzed. Results. Compared with
      controls, the levels of H epsilon dC in RA were significantly higher (P < 0.0001)
      and age dependent (r = 0.43, P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference
      in 8-oxo-dG and epsilon dA accumulation between RA patients and controls. H
      epsilon dC levels correlated well with the number of swollen joints (r = 0.57, P
      < 0.0001) and weakly with the number of tender joints (r = 0.26, P = 0.08) of RA
      patients, while they did not show a significant association with serological
      markers such as C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase 3. Conclusion.
      These findings indicate that H epsilon dC may have some influence on the
      development of RA and/or its complications. 

PMID- 24222846
TI  - Determinants of Tuberculosis Infection among Adult HIV Positives Attending
      Clinical Care in Western Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study.
AB  - There has been a drastic rise of tuberculosis (TB) infection across the world
      associated with the pandemic occurrence of HIV/AIDS. There are various
      determinants factors that increase the chance of TB infection among HIV positives
      (TB/HIV confection) that varies contextually. This study aimed to assess the
      determinants of TB/HIV coinfection among adult HIV positives attending clinical
      care at two public health facilities in Nekemte, western Ethiopia. Unmatched case
      control study was conducted from December 26, 2011, to February 29, 2012. Cases
      were 123 TB infected HIV positives, and controls were 246 non-TB infected HIV
      positives. Being divorced/widowed AOR = 3.02, 95% CI (1.70, 7.88), not attending
      formal education AOR = 4.32, 95% CI (2.20, 14.15), being underweight (BMI < 18.5
      kg/m(2)) AOR = 3.87, 95% CI (2.18, 6.87), having history of diabetic mellitus AOR
      = 3.63, 95% CI (1.33, 9.94), and being in advanced WHO HIV/AIDS clinical staging
      AOR = 2.29, 95% CI (1.32, 3.98), were determinant factors associated with TB/HIV
      co-infection. Having a separate kitchen AOR = 0.48, 95% CI (0.28, 0.81) showed
      protective role. For most of these determinants interventions can be made at
      individual and institutional levels, whereas, factors like education and
      nutrition need societal level integrations. 

PMID- 24222847
TI  - Functionally defective high-density lipoprotein and paraoxonase: a couple for
      endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis.
AB  - The endothelium is the primary target for biochemical or mechanical injuries
      caused by the putative risk factors of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction
      represents the ultimate link between atherosclerotic risk factors that promote
      atherosclerosis. HDL-C is thought to exert at least some parts of its
      antiatherogenic facilities via stimulating endothelial NO production, nearby
      inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. HDL-C is capable of opposing LDL's
      inductive effects and avoiding the ox-LDL's inhibition of eNOS. Paraoxonase 1
      (PON1) is an HDL-associated enzyme esterase which appears to contribute to the
      antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic capabilities of HDL-C. "Healthy HDL," namely
      the particle that contains the active Paraoxonase 1, has the power to suppress
      the formation of oxidized lipids. "Dysfunctional HDL," on the contrary, has
      reduced Paraoxonase 1 enzyme activity and not only fails in its mission but also
      potentially leads to greater formation of oxidized lipids/lipoproteins to cause
      endothelial dysfunction. The association of HDL-C PON1 and endothelial
      dysfunction depends largely on the molecules with exact damaging effect on NO
      synthase coupling. Loss of nitric oxide bioavailability has a pivotal role in
      endothelial dysfunction preceding the appearance of atherosclerosis. Analyses of
      HDL-C and Paraoxonase1 would be more important in the diagnosis and treatment of
      atherosclerosis in the very near future. 

PMID- 24222848
TI  - Correlates of Caregiver Burden among Family Members of Patients with
      Schizophrenia in Lagos, Nigeria.
AB  - Family members of patients with schizophrenia have enormous roles in the care of
      their patients, which could negatively impact their well being. Development of
      interventions targeted at alleviating the burden of informal care giving is
      hinged on the recognition of the factors associated with the various dimensions
      of burden. This study determined the correlates of caregiver burden among family
      members of patients with schizophrenia in Lagos, Nigeria. The study instruments
      included the Zarit burden interview (ZBI) and the positive and negative syndrome
      scale for schizophrenia (PANSS). Exploratory factor analysis of the ZBI produced
      a five-factor structure with "financial/physical strain", "time/dependence
      strain", "emotional strain", "uncertainty", and "self-criticism" domains. On
      multiple regression analyses, total PANSS scores, poor social support, and lower
      educational levels of caregivers were predictive of higher burden scores on the
      "financial/physical strain", "time/dependence", and "emotional strain" domains.
      Longer duration of illness, shorter patient-caregiver contact time, and being a
      female caregiver were predictive of higher burden scores on the "uncertainty",
      "self-criticism", and "emotional strain" domains, respectively. There is need for
      interventions to alleviate the burden on caregivers of patients with
      schizophrenia in Nigeria. These strategies must include comprehensive social
      support and improve access to services for patients and their caregivers. 

PMID- 24222849
TI  - Treatment engagement of psychotic patients with a mobile mental health unit in
      rural areas in Greece: a five-year study.
AB  - Objectives. Treatment of psychotic disorders is impended by high rates of
      disengagement from mental health services and poor adherence to antipsychotic
      medication. This study examined the engagement rates of psychotic patients with a
      community mental health service during a 5-year period. Methods. The Mobile
      Mental Health Unit of Ioannina and Thesprotia (MMHU I-T) delivers services in
      remote, rural, mountainous areas using the resources of the primary care system.
      Clinical and demographic information for patients with a diagnosis of
      schizophrenia and related psychoses was obtained from the medical records of our
      unit. Results. A total of 74 psychotic patients initially engaged in treatment
      with our unit. In half of cases treatment was home-based. With the exclusion of
      patients who died or discharged, engagement rates were 67.2%. Statistical
      analysis was performed for 64 patients, and no differences were found between
      engaged and disengaged patients regarding clinical and demographic parameters.
      All engaged patients regularly refilled their antipsychotic prescriptions.
      Conclusion. Engagement rates in our study were comparable to previous research,
      involving urban settings and shorter follow-up duration. Community mental health
      teams may ensure treatment continuation for psychotic patients in deprived,
      remote areas. This is important for low-income countries, affected by economic
      crisis, such as Greece. 

PMID- 24222850
TI  - The Human Urinary Proteome Fingerprint Database UPdb.
AB  - The use of human urine as a diagnostic tool has many advantages, such as ease of
      sample acquisition and noninvasiveness. However, the discovery of novel
      biomarkers, as well as biomarker patterns, in urine is hindered mainly by a lack
      of comparable datasets. To fill this gap, we assembled a new urinary fingerprint
      database. Here, we report the establishment of a human urinary proteomic
      fingerprint database using urine from 200 individuals analysed by SELDI-TOF
      (surface enhanced laser desorption ionisation-time of flight) mass spectrometry
      (MS) on several chip surfaces (SEND, HP50, NP20, Q10, CM10, and IMAC30). The
      database currently lists 2490 unique peaks/ion species from 1172 nonredundant
      SELDI analyses in the mass range of 1500 to 150000. All unprocessed mass
      spectrometric scans are available as ".xml" data files. Additionally, 1384 peaks
      were included from external studies using CE (capillary electrophoresis)-MS,
      MALDI (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation), and CE-MALDI hybrids. We
      propose to use this platform as a global resource to share and exchange primary
      data derived from MS analyses in urinary research. 

PMID- 24222851
TI  - Nutritional and functional assessment of hospitalized elderly: impact of
      sociodemographic variables.
AB  - Background. This work was constructed in order to assess the nutritional and
      functional status in hospitalized elderly and to study the associations between
      them and sociodemographic variables. Methods. 200 elderly patients (>65 years
      old) admitted to Internal Medicine and Neurology Departments in nonemergency
      conditions were included. Comprehensive geriatric assessments, including
      nutritional and functional assessments, were done according to nutritional
      checklist and Barthel index, respectively. Information was gathered from the
      patients, from the ward nurse responsible for the patient, and from family
      members who were reviewed. Results. According to the nutritional checklist, 56%
      of participants were at high risk, 18% were at moderate risk of malnutrition, and
      26% had good nutrition. There was a high nutritional risk in patients with low
      income and good nutrition in patients with moderate income. Also, there was a
      high nutritional risk in rural residents (61.9%) in comparison with urban
      residents (25%). Barthel index score was significantly lower in those at high
      risk of malnutrition compared to those at moderate risk and those with good
      nutrition. Conclusions. Hospitalized elderly are exposed to malnutrition, and
      malnourished hospitalized patients are candidates for functional impairment.
      Significant associations are noticed between both nutritional and functional
      status and specific sociodemographic variables. 

PMID- 24222852
TI  - The Use of Multiple Correspondence Analysis to Explore Associations between
      Categories of Qualitative Variables in Healthy Ageing.
AB  - The main focus of this study was to illustrate the applicability of multiple
      correspondence analysis (MCA) in detecting and representing underlying structures
      in large datasets used to investigate cognitive ageing. Principal component
      analysis (PCA) was used to obtain main cognitive dimensions, and MCA was used to
      detect and explore relationships between cognitive, clinical, physical, and
      lifestyle variables. Two PCA dimensions were identified (general
      cognition/executive function and memory), and two MCA dimensions were retained.
      Poorer cognitive performance was associated with older age, less school years,
      unhealthier lifestyle indicators, and presence of pathology. The first MCA
      dimension indicated the clustering of general/executive function and lifestyle
      indicators and education, while the second association was between memory and
      clinical parameters and age. The clustering analysis with object scores method
      was used to identify groups sharing similar characteristics. The weaker cognitive
      clusters in terms of memory and executive function comprised individuals with
      characteristics contributing to a higher MCA dimensional mean score (age, less
      education, and presence of indicators of unhealthier lifestyle habits and/or
      clinical pathologies). MCA provided a powerful tool to explore complex ageing
      data, covering multiple and diverse variables, showing if a relationship exists
      and how variables are related, and offering statistical results that can be seen
      both analytically and visually. 

PMID- 24222853
TI  - Epicardial coronary arteries in khat chewers presenting with myocardial
      infarction.
AB  - Background. Khat chewing is a common habit in Yemen despite increased evidence of
      its negative impact on the cardiovascular system. Aims. We aimed to study the
      epicardial coronary arteries in khat chewers presenting with myocardial
      infarction (AMI). Materials and Methods. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was
      conducted between November 2008 and May 2009 in Yemen. AMI patients who underwent
      coronary angiogram were enrolled and divided into groups (gp): gp1 (diabetic and
      khat chewers), gp2 (khat chewers and nondiabetic), and gp3 (diabetic and non-khat
      users). Results. Of 347 AMI patients 63%, 21%, and 16% were in gp 2, 3, and 1,
      respectively. Khat chewers were younger in comparison to non-khat users. Group 3
      patients were more likely to have multivessel disease, severe left anterior
      descending (LAD), right coronary artery (RCA) stenosis and total RCA, and left
      circumflex (Lcx) occlusion compared to other groups. Group 1 patients were more
      likely to have total LAD occlusion and severe Lcx lesions. In multivariate
      analysis, age, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were significant independent
      predictors for significant coronary artery lesions; however, khat chewing did not
      show such association. Conclusions. Coronary spasm is the main mechanism of AMI
      in khat chewers. The impact of our finding for risk stratification and management
      warrants further studies. 

PMID- 24222854
TI  - Nonconcordance between Clinical and Head CT Findings: The Specter of
      Overdiagnosis.
AB  - Background. It is unclear whether history and physical examination findings can
      predict abnormalities on head computed tomography (CT) believed to indicate
      increased risk of lumbar-puncture- (LP-) induced brain herniation. The objectives
      of this study were to (1) identify head CT findings felt to be associated with
      increased risk of brain herniation and (2) to assess the ability of history and
      physical examination to predict those findings. Methods. Using a modified Delphi
      survey technique, an expert panel defined CT abnormalities felt to predict
      increased risk of LP-induced brain herniation. Presence of such findings on CT
      was compared with history and physical examination (H&P) variables in 47
      patients. Results. No H&P variable predicted "high-risk" CT; combining H&P
      variables to improve sensitivity led to extremely low specificity and still
      failed to identify all patients with high-risk CT. Conclusions. "High-risk" CT is
      not uncommon in patients with clinical characteristics known to predict an
      absence of actual risk from LP, and thus it may not be clinically relevant.
      "Overdiagnosis" will be increasingly problematic as technological advances
      identify increasingly subtle deviations from "normal." 

PMID- 24222855
TI  - Interrater Reproducibility of Knee Movement Analyses during the Stance Phase: Use
      of Anatomical Landmark Calibration with a Rigid Marker Set.
AB  - Objective. Measurements of knee joint movement in gait analysis may result in
      large errors caused by misplacement of reflective markers by the testers. To
      properly understand the measurement results, it is important to guarantee the
      reliability of the measurement method used for the purpose. The aim of this study
      was to confirm the interrater reproducibility of a measurement method with a
      rigid marker set (RMS). Methods. The study subjects were four healthy adults, and
      the testers were three physical therapists. The interrater reproducibility of the
      measurements was verified by using the coefficient of multiple correlations
      (CMCs) and the standard error of measurement (SEM). Results. The average CMCs
      values of 4 subjects in knee joint movement at the stance phase were greater than
      0.8, and the average SEM values of 4 subjects in knee joint movement at the
      stance phase were also relatively good (maximum error: 2.42 degrees ).
      Conclusion. Based on these results, the measurement method with estimation of
      anatomical landmarks using the RMS can prevent misplacement during attachment of
      the reflective markers, as long as the testers have sufficient experience in
      attaching reflective markers. 

PMID- 24222856
TI  - Identification of DLEC1 D215N Somatic Mutation in Formalin Fixed Paraffin
      Embedded Melanoma and Melanocytic Nevi Specimens.
AB  - DLEC1 has been suggested as a tumor suppressor gene in several cancers. DLEC1
      D215N somatic mutation (COSM36702) was identified in a melanoma cell line through
      whole genome sequencing. However, little is known about the implication and
      prevalence of this mutation in primary melanomas or in melanocytic nevi. The aim
      of this study was to genotype DLEC1 D215N mutation in melanoma tissue and
      melanocytic nevi samples to confirm its occurrence and to estimate its
      prevalence. Primary melanomas (n = 81) paired with synchronous or asynchronous
      metastases (n = 21) from 81 melanoma patients and melanocytic nevi (n = 28) were
      screened for DLEC1 D215N mutation. We found the mutation in 3 primary melanomas
      and in 2 melanocytic nevi, corresponding to a relatively low prevalence (3.7% and
      7.1%, resp.). The pathogenic role of DLEC1 215N mutation is unclear. However,
      since the mutation has not been previously described in general population, its
      involvement in nevogenesis and melanoma progression remains a possibility to be
      clarified in future studies. 

PMID- 24222857
TI  - Simulation of Drug Release from PLGA Particles In Vivo.
AB  - Specific targeting of tissues and/or cells is essential for any type of drug
      delivery system because this determines the efficacy and side effects of the
      drug. Poly lactic-co-glycolic acids (PLGA) have long been used as biomaterials
      for drug delivery due to their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability.
      Direct visualization of PLGA particles is feasible even within tissues, and cell
      specificity of the drug delivery system is normally assessed by using labeled
      particles. However, particle labeling alone does not address factors such as the
      release and distribution of the drug. Thus, it is desirable to set up a
      simulation system of drug release and distribution in vivo. In the present study,
      we aimed to establish a method to simulate drug distribution in PLGA drug
      delivery by using Hoechst 33342 as an imitating drug. Our approach enabled us to
      identify, isolate, and characterize cells exposed to Hoechst 33342 and to deduce
      the concentration of this fluorescent dye around both targeted and nontargeted
      cells. We believe that the method described herein will provide essential
      information regarding the specificity of cell targeting in any type of PLGA drug
      delivery system. 

PMID- 24222858
TI  - Development of dorzolamide loaded 6-o-carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles for
      open angle glaucoma.
AB  - Chitosan (CS) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and mucoadhesive natural polymer
      soluble in acidic pH only and can be irritating to the eye. Objective of the
      study was to synthesize water soluble 6-O-carboxymethyl (OCM-CS) derivative of
      CS, and to develop CS and OCM-CS nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with dorzolamide
      hydrochloride (DRZ). CS was reacted with monochloroacetic acid (MCA) for OCM-CS
      synthesis and was characterized by FT-IR, DSC, and (13)C NMR. CS and OCM-CS NPs
      were prepared by ionic gelation method. Ocular irritation potential were
      evaluated and therapeutic efficacy was measured by reduction in intraocular
      pressure (IOP) in normotensive rabbits. Maximum yield was obtained when the ratio
      of water/isopropyl alcohol was 1/4 at 55 degrees C. The FT-IR, DSC and (13)C NMR
      confirmed the formation of an ether linkage between hydroxyl groups of CS and
      MCA. The particle size and zeta potential of optimised CSNPs was 250.3 +/- 2.62
      nm and +33.47 +/- 0.723 mV, whereas those for OCM-CSNPs were 187.1 +/- 2.72 nm
      and 30.87 +/- 0.86 mV. The entrapment efficiency was significantly improved for
      OCM-CSNPs, compared to CSNPs. OCM-CSNPs had tailored drug release and improved
      bioavailability with reduction in pulse entry as compared to CSNPs. Hence, it can
      be concluded that DRZ loaded OCM-CSNPs would be better alternative option to
      available eye drops for glaucoma treatment. 

PMID- 24222859
TI  - Association of RXR-Gamma Gene Variants with Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia:
      Genotype and Haplotype Analysis.
AB  - Background. Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL), the most common genetic form
      of hyperlipdemia, is characterized by a strong familial clustering and by
      premature coronary heart disease. The FCHL locus has been mapped to human
      chromosome 1q21-q23. This region includes the retinoid X receptor gamma (RXRG), a
      nuclear factor member of the RXR superfamily, which plays important roles in
      lipid homeostasis. Objective. To investigate the possible role of the RXRG gene
      in the genetic susceptibility to FCHL. Methods. Variations in RXRG gene were
      searched by direct sequencing, and the identified SNPs were genotyped by PCR-RFLP
      in 192 FCHL individuals from 74 families and in 119 controls. Results. We
      identified 5 polymorphisms in the RXRG gene (rs1128977, rs2651860, rs2134095,
      rs283696, and rs10918169). Genotyping showed that the A-allele of rs283696 SNP
      was significantly associated with FCHL (corrected P, P c < 0.01). Also the
      alleles of the rs10918169 and of the rs2651860 SNP were more frequent in FCHL
      subjects compared to those in controls, although not significantly after
      correction. When the clinical characteristics of the FCHL subjects were
      stratified by allele carrier status for each SNP, the rs2651860 SNP was
      significantly associated with increased levels of LDL-cholesterol and of Apo-B in
      T-allele carriers (P < 0.04). Finally, haplotypes analysis with all 5 SNPs
      confirmed the significant association of RXRG gene with FCHL. Specifically, the
      haplotype containing all 3 "at-risk" alleles, significantly associated with FCHL
      (A-allele of rs283696, G-allele of rs10918169, and T-allele of rs2651860), showed
      an OR (Odds Ratio) of 2.02, P c < 0.048. Conversely, the haplotype without all
      these 3 alleles was associated with a reduced risk for FCHL (OR = 0.39, P c <
      0.023). The "at-risk" haplotype CTTAG was also associated with higher LDL-C (P <
      0.015). In conclusion, variation in the RXRG gene may contribute to the genetic
      dyslipidemia in FCHL subjects. 

PMID- 24222860
TI  - Quantifying the ki-67 heterogeneity profile in prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ki-67 is a robust predictive/prognostic marker in prostate cancer;
      however, tumor heterogeneity in prostate biopsy samples is not well studied.
      METHODS: Using an MRI/US fusion device, biopsy cores were obtained systematically
      and by targeting when indicated by MRI. Prostate cores containing cancer from 77
      consecutive men were analyzed. The highest Ki-67 was used to determine
      interprostatic variation. Ki-67 range (highest minus lowest) was used to
      determine intraprostatic and intralesion variation. Apparent diffusion
      coefficient (ADC) values were evaluated in relation to Ki-67. RESULTS:
      Interprostatic Ki-67 mean +/- standard deviation (SD) values for NCCN low (L),
      intermediate (I), and high (H) risk patients were 5.1 +/- 3.8%, 7.4 +/- 6.8%, and
      12.0 +/- 12.4% (ANOVA P = 0.013). Intraprostatic mean +/- SD Ki-67 ranges in L,
      I, and H risk patients were 2.6 +/- 3.6%, 5.3 +/- 6.8%, and 10.9 +/- 12.3% (ANOVA
      P = 0.027). Intralesion mean +/- SD Ki-67 ranges in L, I, and H risk patients
      were 1.1 +/- 0.9%, 5.2 +/- 7.9%, and 8.1 +/- 10.8% (ANOVA P = 0.22). ADC values
      at Ki-67 > and <7.1% were 860 +/- 203 and 1036 +/- 217, respectively (P =
      0.0029). CONCLUSIONS: High risk patients have significantly higher inter- and
      intraprostatic Ki-67 heterogeneity. This needs to be considered when utilizing Ki
      67 clinically.

PMID- 24222862
TI  - Recent developments in liposome-based veterinary therapeutics.
AB  - Recent advances in nanomedicine have been studied in the veterinary field and
      have found a wide variety of applications. The past decade has witnessed a
      massive surge of research interest in liposomes for delivery of therapeutic
      substances in animals. Liposomes are nanosized phospholipid vesicles that can
      serve as delivery platforms for a wide range of substances. Liposomes are easily
      formulated, highly modifiable, and easily administered delivery platforms. They
      are biodegradable and nontoxic and have long in vivo circulation time. This
      review focuses on recent and ongoing research that may have relevance for
      veterinary medicine. By examining the recent developments in liposome-based
      therapeutics in animal cancers, vaccines, and analgesia, this review depicts the
      current significance and future directions of liposome-based delivery in
      veterinary medicine. 

PMID- 24222863
TI  - Calotropis procera Root Extract Has the Capability to Combat Free Radical
      Mediated Damage.
AB  - The present study reports the antioxidant and membrane protective activities of
      Calotropis procera aqueous root extract using several in vitro assays along with
      the determination of phenolic as well as flavonoid contents. Total phenol and
      flavonoid contents in extract were 15.67 +/- 1.52 mg propyl gallate equivalent/g
      and 1.62 +/- 0.05 mg quercetin equivalent/g, respectively. UV-visual
      spectroscopic scanning of the extract indicated the presence of glycoside-linked
      tannins or flavonoids. The extract exhibited appreciable reducing power
      signifying hydrogen donating potential. DPPH radical scavenging assay revealed
      substantial free radical scavenging activity (42-90%) in the extracts.
      Concentration dependent response was observed in the metal ion chelating activity
      (16-95%). Extracts also provided protection against iron induced lipid
      peroxidation in rat tissue (liver, brain, and kidney) homogenates. Comparatively
      better protective efficacy against peroxidative damage was observed in liver
      (71%) followed by kidney (65%) and brain (60%) tissues. Positive correlation (r
      (2) = 0.756) was observed between DPPH free radical scavenging activity and
      reducing power of extract. Similarly strong positive correlation (r (2) ~ 0.756)
      was observed between metal ion chelating ability and percentage lipid
      peroxidation inhibition in different tissues. The study demonstrated considerable
      protective efficacy in C. procera root aqueous extracts against free radical and
      metal ion mediated oxidative damage. 

PMID- 24222861
TI  - The modern primitives: applying new technological approaches to explore the
      biology of the earliest red blood cells.
AB  - One of the most critical stages in mammalian embryogenesis is the independent
      production of the embryo's own circulating, functional red blood cells.
      Correspondingly, erythrocytes are the first cell type to become functionally
      mature during embryogenesis. Failure to achieve this invariably leads to in utero
      lethality. The recent application of technologies such as transcriptome analysis,
      flow cytometry, mutant embryo analysis, and transgenic fluorescent gene
      expression reporter systems has shed new light on the distinct erythroid lineages
      that arise early in development. Here, I will describe the similarities and
      differences between the distinct erythroid populations that must form for the
      embryo to survive. While much of the focus of this review will be the poorly
      understood primitive erythroid lineage, a discussion of other erythroid and
      hematopoietic lineages, as well as the cell types making up the different niches
      that give rise to these lineages, is essential for presenting an appropriate
      developmental context of these cells. 

PMID- 24222864
TI  - Age-associated reduction of asymmetry in human central auditory function: a 1H
      magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of age on hemispheric
      asymmetry in the auditory cortex after pure tone stimulation. Ten young and 8
      older healthy volunteers took part in this study. Two-dimensional multivoxel 1H
      magnetic resonance spectroscopy scans were performed before and after
      stimulation. The ratios of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate/glutamine (Glx),
      and gamma -amino butyric acid (GABA) to creatine (Cr) were determined and
      compared between the two groups. The distribution of metabolites between the left
      and right auditory cortex was also determined. Before stimulation, left and right
      side NAA/Cr and right side GABA/Cr were significantly lower, whereas right side
      Glx/Cr was significantly higher in the older group compared with the young group.
      After stimulation, left and right side NAA/Cr and GABA/Cr were significantly
      lower, whereas left side Glx/Cr was significantly higher in the older group
      compared with the young group. There was obvious asymmetry in right side Glx/Cr
      and left side GABA/Cr after stimulation in young group, but not in older group.
      In summary, there is marked hemispheric asymmetry in auditory cortical
      metabolites following pure tone stimulation in young, but not older adults. This
      reduced asymmetry in older adults may at least in part underlie the speech
      perception difficulties/presbycusis experienced by aging adults. 

PMID- 24222866
TI  - Clinical management of suppurative osteomyelitis, bisphosphonate-related
      osteonecrosis, and osteoradionecrosis: report of three cases and review of the
      literature.
AB  - In the past, osteomyelitis was frequent and characterized by a prolonged course,
      treatment response uncertainty, and occasional disfigurement. Today, the disease
      is less common; it is believed that the decline in prevalence may be attributed
      to increased availability of antibiotics and improvement of overall health
      patterns. Currently, more common osteomyelitis variants are seen, namely,
      osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws
      (BRONJ). Osteomyelitis, ORN, and BRONJ can present with similar symptoms, signs,
      and radiographic findings. However, each condition is a separate entity, with
      different treatment approaches. Thus, accurate diagnosis is essential for
      adequate management and improved patient prognosis. The aim of this paper is to
      report three cases of inflammatory lesions of the jaws-osteomyelitis, ORN, and
      BRONJ-and to discuss their etiology, clinical aspects, radiographic findings,
      histopathological features, treatment options, and preventive measures. 

PMID- 24222867
TI  - Multiple dental and skeletal abnormalities in an individual with filippi
      syndrome.
AB  - Filippi syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by variable
      soft tissue syndactyly of the fingers and toes, microcephaly, pre- and postnatal
      growth retardation, mildly abnormal craniofacial appearance, and mental
      retardation. We report on a child with Filippi syndrome who shows syndactyly of
      fingers, severe postnatal growth retardation, postnatal microcephaly, and
      moderate to severe mental retardation. In addition, there is a mildly dysmorphic
      face along with ocular and a number of dental abnormalities. Radiologically,
      hands demonstrate bony syndactyly, without any hypoplasia of bones. This
      phenotype can easily be classified in the group of craniodigital syndromes, but
      it is difficult to make a more clearly defined diagnosis, based on other minor
      anomalies, because of the presence of overlapping features. On the basis of
      various pathognomic features, we conclude that our patient could be an additional
      case of Filippi syndrome. Moreover, newly recognised features in this patient may
      be due to variability in phenotypic expression. 

PMID- 24222865
TI  - Neurobiology of major depressive disorder.
AB  - We survey studies which relate abnormal neurogenesis to major depressive
      disorder. Clinically, descriptive gene and protein expression analysis and
      genetic and functional studies revised here show that individual alterations of a
      complex signaling network, which includes the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
      axis; the production of neurotrophins and growth factors; the expression of
      miRNAs; the production of proinflammatory cytokines; and, even, the abnormal
      delivery of gastrointestinal signaling peptides, are able to induce major mood
      alterations. Furthermore, all of these factors modulate neurogenesis in brain
      regions involved in MDD, and are functionally interconnected in such a fashion
      that initial alteration in one of them results in abnormalities in the others. We
      highlight data of potential diagnostic significance and the relevance of this
      information to develop new therapeutic approaches. Controversial issues, such as
      whether neurogenesis is the basis of the disease or whether it is a response
      induced by antidepressant treatments, are also discussed. 

PMID- 24222868
TI  - Microabrasion: an effective method for improvement of esthetics in dentistry.
AB  - Enamel microabrasion can eliminate enamel irregularities and discoloration
      defects, thus improving the appearance of teeth. This paper presents the latest
      treatment protocol of enamel microabrasion to remove stains on the enamel
      surface. It has been verified that teeth submitted to microabrasion acquire a
      yellowish colour because of the thinness of the remaining enamel, revealing the
      colour of dentinal tissue to a greater degree. Enamel microabrasion is a
      technique that can be used to correct discoloured enamel. Enamel microabrasion
      was developed in the mid-1980s as a method of eliminating enamel discolouration
      defects and improving the appearance of teeth. Several years after the method was
      developed, much has been learned about this technique, long-term results of
      treatment, and microscopic changes to the enamel surface that have
      distinguishable clinical implications. In addition, certain patients can benefit
      from enamel microabrasion to yield attractive cosmetic results. The aim of this
      study was to report the clinical case of a male patient of 25 years with moderate
      fluorosis, whose smile was re-established by the use of an enamel microabrasion
      technique, with 18% hydrochloric acid and pumice slurry shown to be a safe and
      efficient method for removing fluorosis stains. 

PMID- 24222869
TI  - Unusual clinical presentation of cutaneous angiosarcoma masquerading as eczema: a
      case report and review of the literature.
AB  - An unusual case of cutaneous angiosarcoma clinically mimicking eczema is
      described. A 98-year-old Caucasian male presented with a 6-month history of a
      flesh-colored, subcutaneous nodule on his left forehead with contralateral facial
      erythema and scaling that had been previously diagnosed as eczema. Despite
      treatments with topical steroids and moisturizers, the condition did not resolve.
      At our clinic, excisional biopsy of the forehead lesion and scouting biopsies
      from the contralateral cheek were performed which revealed cutaneous
      angiosarcoma. The described case illustrates that dermatitis-like features should
      be considered as a rare clinical manifestation of cutaneous angiosarcoma. It also
      demonstrates that these lesions may respond well to radiotherapy as a single
      modality. 

PMID- 24222870
TI  - Cutaneous leishmaniasis of the eyelid: a case report.
AB  - Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in certain areas of Iran, and in recent years,
      there has been an increase in the number of reports for rare and new forms of
      cutaneous leishmaniasis. We describe one unusual clinical form of cutaneous
      leishmaniasis. In a 27-year-old man, who noted a pimple on the upper eyelid 4
      months before. The lesion was nodular and measured 1 cm * 1 cm in diameter. A
      diagnosis of eyelid cutaneous leishmaniasis was made, and treatment was started
      with intramuscular meglumine antimonate. He showed a dramatic response, and the
      lesion almost completely disappeared. 

PMID- 24222871
TI  - De novo glioblastoma in the territory of a prior middle cerebral artery infarct.
AB  - We report a case of a patient who developed glioblastoma in the territory of a
      previous infarction. Two years after an ischemic stroke, the patient presented
      with a cystic, necrotic, and heterogeneously enhancing mass. Open biopsy and
      debulking of the mass with histological analysis revealed the mass to be
      glioblastoma. Though several cases of posttraumatic GBM have been reported, this
      is the first proposed case of GBM after an ischemic stroke. From this case, we
      suggest that the ischemic stroke, like other forms of cortical injury, may
      predispose to glioblastoma formation. 

PMID- 24222872
TI  - An interesting case of barbiturate automatism and review of literature.
AB  - A 48 year old man with a diagnosis of HIV infection since 1993, on highly active
      anti-retro viral therapy (HAART) with stable CD4 count and undetectable viral
      load for years and seizure disorder presented with recurrent drowsiness. His
      seizures were well controlled on phenobarbitone for years. Repeated laboratory
      evaluation demonstrated toxic levels of phenobarbitone in his blood. A thorough
      clinical, psychiatric, laboratory and imaging evaluation did not reveal any
      obvious etiology for the recurrent barbiturate intoxication in this man. Our
      findings suggest the possible diagnosis of barbiturate drug automatism in this
      patient. Though drug automatism is a controversial entity, it merits continued
      attention. There are recent reports of similar phenomenon with newer sedative
      agents such as Zolpidem. It is important to be aware of this phenomenon as a
      possible explanation for recurrent intoxication with barbiturates without a clear
      etiology for drug overdose. 

PMID- 24222873
TI  - Primary ovarian large B-cell lymphoma.
AB  - The involvement of the ovary by malignant lymphoma is a well-known late
      manifestation of disseminated nodal disease. Primary ovarian lymphoma is rare. We
      herein describe a case of primary ovarian diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving
      unilateral ovary in a 38-year-old woman which was detected incidentally.
      Preoperative ultrasonic imaging showed a 46*42 mm heterogeneous cystic mass.
      Laparotomy revealed that left adnexal mass and left salpingo-oophorectomy was
      performed. The current diagnosis was determined after immunostaining. The patient
      was treated with R-CHOP regimen after the operation. She remains cancer-free 24
      months after chemotherapy. 

PMID- 24222874
TI  - Vulvar fibroadenoma with lactational changes in ectopic breast tissue.
AB  - Ectopic breast tissue represents any type of breast tissue found outside its
      normal location in the pectoral region. The second most common location for
      ectopic breast tissue after axilla is the vulvar region. We present a case of a
      healthy 20-year-old female, G1P1, who presented to the Emergency Department with
      a sudden increase in size of a painful mass located in her vulva, which started 4
      days after a spontaneous vaginal delivery and 3 days after initiation of breast
      feeding of her newborn. She reported a stable, smaller, painless mass in the same
      location for almost 2 years prior to this episode. After surgical excision, a
      fibroadenoma with lactation changes within ectopic breast tissue was confirmed. 

PMID- 24222875
TI  - Clinical and radiologic signs of relapsed ovarian germ cell tumor: tissue is the
      issue.
AB  - Malignant ovarian germ cell tumor is a rare disease, but with current treatment
      strategies including surgery and platinum based chemotherapy survival is
      excellent. After treatment, intensive followup is indicated to encounter tumor
      relapse at an early stage. This case describes a 22-year-old female with a
      history of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) who underwent a resection of
      a large ovarian germ cell tumor followed by 4 cycles of cisplatin and etoposide
      resulting in clinical complete remission. During followup, she developed a mass
      at the umbilicus and ascites. Initially, the cytology of the ascites was
      interpreted as tumor positive, suspicious of relapse of the disease, but tumor
      markers remained negative. However, during laparoscopy it turned out to be a
      mature teratoma, which can develop after chemotherapy, the so called growing
      teratoma syndrome. In retrospect, the ascites was false positive. This case shows
      that current diagnostic tools are not sufficient to distinguish between vital
      tumor and mature teratoma and can be misleading. Tumor biopsy and/or laparoscopic
      inspection are therefore indicated. 

PMID- 24222876
TI  - Renal medullary cancer in a patient with sickle cell trait.
AB  - Renal medullary cancer is a rare malignancy almost exclusively seen in young
      patients of African ethnicity. These patients often present with the cardinal
      symptoms of hematuria, flank pain, and an abdominal mass, and this malignancy has
      been associated with patients carrying sickle cell trait. It is estimated that
      300 million people worldwide carry sickle cell trait, and the presence of
      hematuria in these patients should be treated as a harbinger of a possible
      malignancy. Notably, this tumor mostly develops on the right side of the body.
      Patients often present with it at an advanced stage and the prognosis is poor.
      Therefore, a high index of suspicion in a patient of African descent presenting
      with a right sided abdominal mass and hematuria may assist in an early diagnosis.
      Current chemotherapy options are very limited, and early detection may provide a
      chance for surgical resection. It may also provide a bigger time frame for the
      initiation of novel chemotherapy regimens in patients who fail current
      chemotherapy regimens. 

PMID- 24222877
TI  - Malignant mesothelioma after household exposure to asbestos.
AB  - Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer that has been closely linked
      to asbestos exposure. Initially recognized as an occupational cancer in male
      workers, MM was later found to occur in their family members as well. We report
      the case of an 89-year-old female who presented with abdominal distention, pain,
      and findings consistent with malignant ascites. Family history was significant
      for fatal mesothelioma in her husband of 40 years, who was a worker at a tile
      factory. The diagnosis of MM was confirmed on pathologic examination of the
      omental core biopsy. 

PMID- 24222878
TI  - Simultaneous periprosthetic acetabular fracture and contralateral B-type
      compression injury of the pelvic ring: a case report of a rare injury
      combination.
AB  - The periprosthetic fracture of the acetabulum is a rare injury, and its
      management is only sporadically reported in the literature. A few case reports
      are available which mainly focus on periprosthetic acetabular fractures in the
      elderly population. In our case, a 32-year-old patient suffered from a
      periprosthetic acetabular fracture in combination with a pelvic ring injury
      following a high velocity accident. The fracture morphology allowed a salvage of
      the prosthesis with an open reduction and internal fixation with a good
      radiographic and functional outcome one year after trauma. 

PMID- 24222879
TI  - Endoscopic drainage of an odontogenic pterygoid muscle abscess.
AB  - The infratemporal fossa (ITF) is a potential space bounded by bony structures
      that can be occupied by both benign and malignant tumors. It is also a potential
      area of abscess development, most commonly of dental origin. As with any abscess,
      the treatment of an ITF abscess is surgical drainage. We present a case of an ITF
      abscess involving the pterygoid muscles following dental extraction in a poorly
      controlled diabetic patient. The ITF was accessed with an endoscopic transseptal
      approach through the maxillary sinus to drain the abscess. This case of
      successful management supports the feasibility of the endoscopic approach in
      dealing with abscesses of the ITF. 

PMID- 24222880
TI  - Triple-divided concha bullosa: a new anatomic variation.
AB  - In recent years, with the widespread use of imaging techniques such as paranasal
      sinus computed tomography (CT), many variations of nasal turbinates have been
      described. One of these variations known as concha bullosa (CB) is pneumatization
      of nasal turbinates. CB is the most frequently encountered anatomical variations
      of the middle turbinate. The term of septated concha bullosa has been described
      recently and it is an uncommon pneumatization anomaly of the middle turbinate.
      There has not been any study that correlates the number of septations and the
      presence of sinonasal pathologies. We hereby present a case of triple septated
      concha bullosa that has not been reported so far. 

PMID- 24222881
TI  - Off-label use of liraglutide in the management of a pediatric patient with type 2
      diabetes mellitus.
AB  - Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analog indicated for the
      treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise in
      adults. Liraglutide lowers blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion
      and decreasing glucagon release in glucose-dependent manners, increases satiety,
      and delays gastric emptying. Liraglutide, unlike metformin and insulin, is not
      approved for use in the pediatric population. We report the successful off-label
      use of liraglutide in an obese, 16 year old Caucasian female with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus. 

PMID- 24222882
TI  - Mirtazapine treatment of a severe depressive episode and resolution of elevated
      inflammatory markers.
AB  - Depression has been shown to be associated with systemic inflammatory activity
      and the mode of action of several antidepressants appears to involve
      immunomodulation. Effects on immune system activity have also recently been
      observed in correlation with therapeutic response to mirtazapine in cardiac
      patients with depression, but no study has yet examined these effects in
      otherwise physically healthy depressed patients treated with mirtazapine. This
      report describes an association between a clinical antidepressant response and a
      decrease in markers of systemic inflammation observed during pharmacotherapy with
      mirtazapine in a severely depressed but physically well patient. This observation
      adds to the evidence that changes in inflammatory responses may be implicated in
      the mode of action of antidepressants. Further studies of antidepressant
      responses to mirtazapine and levels of inflammatory markers in depressed patients
      without medical comorbidity can help elucidate the role of the immune system in
      the pathophysiology of depression, and hence contribute to the development of
      novel antidepressant therapies. 

PMID- 24222883
TI  - Acute Dilatation, Ischemia, and Necrosis of Stomach without Perforation.
AB  - Acute gastric dilatation can have multiple etiologies which may lead to ischemia
      of the stomach. Without proper timely diagnosis and treatment, potentially fatal
      events such as gastric perforation, haemorrhage, and other serious complications
      can occur. Here we present a 36-year-old man who came to the casualty with pain
      abdomen and distension for 2 days. Clinically, abdomen was asymmetrically
      distended more in the left hypochondrium and epigastrium region. Straight X-ray
      abdomen showed opacified left hypochondrium with nonspecific gaseous distension
      of bowel. Exploratory laparotomy revealed dilated stomach with patchy gangrene
      over lesser curvature and fundic area. About 4 litres of brownish fluid along
      with semisolid undigested food particles was sucked out (mainly undigested pieces
      of meat). Limited resection of gangrenous areas and primary repair were done
      along with feeding jejunostomy. Necrosis of the stomach was confirmed on
      histopathology. The patient recovered well and was discharged on the tenth
      postoperative day. 

PMID- 24222884
TI  - Effect of ivabradine on endothelial function in diastolic and right heart failure
      patients.
AB  - Background. Ivabradine is an If ion current inhibitor that has proved to reduce
      mortality in patients with systolic heart failure by slowing heart rate without
      decreasing myocardial contractility. Photoplethysmography is a simple, low-cost
      optical technique that can evaluate vascular function and detect changes in blood
      flow, pulse, and swelling of tissular microvascular space. Objective. To evaluate
      the effect of ivabradine on endothelial function by photoplethysmography in
      diastolic and right heart failure patients. Methodology. 15 patients were
      included (mean age of 78.1 +/- 9.2 years) with optimally treated diastolic and
      right heart failure. They underwent photoplethysmography before and after induced
      ischemia to evaluate the wave blood flow on the finger, using the maximum
      amplitude time/total time (MAT/TT) index. Two measurements were made before and
      after oral Ivabradine (mean 12.5 mg a day during 6 months of followup). Results.
      In the study group, the MAT/TT index was 29.1 +/- 2.2 versus 24.3 +/- 3.2 (P =
      0.05) in basal recording and 30.4 +/- 2.1 versus 23.3 +/- 2.9 (P = 0.002), before
      versus after ischemia and before versus after Ivabradine intervention,
      respectively. Conclusions. Ivabradine administration improves endothelial
      function (shear stress) in diastolic and right heart failure patients. 

PMID- 24222885
TI  - Preferential selectivity of inhibitors with human tau protein kinase gsk3beta
      elucidates their potential roles for off-target Alzheimer's therapy.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the
      accumulation of amyloid beta peptides (Abeta) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs).
      The abnormal phosphorylation of tau leads to the formation of NFTs produced by
      the action of tau kinases, resulting in the loss of neurons and synapse, leading
      to dementia. Hence, tau kinases have become potential drug target candidates for
      small molecule inhibitors. With an aim to explore the identification of a common
      inhibitor, this investigation was undertaken towards analyzing all 10 tau kinases
      which are implicated in phosphorylation of AD. A set of 7 inhibitors with varied
      scaffolds were collected from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The analysis,
      involving multiple sequence alignment, 3D structural alignment, catalytic active
      site overlap, and docking studies, has enabled elucidation of the pharmacophoric
      patterns for the class of 7 inhibitors. Our results divulge that tau protein
      kinases share a specific set of conserved structural elements for the binding of
      inhibitors and ATP, respectively. The scaffold of 3-aminopyrrolidine (inhibitor
      6) exhibits high preferential affinity with GSK3beta. Surprisingly, the PDB does
      not contain the structural details of GSK3beta with this specific inhibitor.
      Thus, our investigations provide vital clues towards design of novel off-target
      drugs for Alzheimer's. 

PMID- 24222886
TI  - Undersampling taxa will underestimate molecular divergence dates: an example from
      the South american lizard clade liolaemini.
AB  - Methods for estimating divergence times from molecular data have improved
      dramatically over the past decade, yet there are few studies examining
      alternative taxon sampling effects on node age estimates. Here, I investigate the
      effect of undersampling species diversity on node ages of the South American
      lizard clade Liolaemini using several alternative subsampling strategies for both
      time calibrations and taxa numbers. Penalized likelihood (PL) and Bayesian
      molecular dating analyses were conducted on a densely sampled (202 taxa) mtDNA
      based phylogenetic hypothesis of Iguanidae, including 92 Liolaemini species.
      Using all calibrations and penalized likelihood, clades with very low taxon
      sampling had node age estimates younger than clades with more complete taxon
      sampling. The effect of Bayesian and PL methods differed when either one or two
      calibrations only were used with dense taxon sampling. Bayesian node ages were
      always older when fewer calibrations were used, whereas PL node ages were always
      younger. This work reinforces two important points: (1) whenever possible,
      authors should strongly consider adding as many taxa as possible, including
      numerous outgroups, prior to node age estimation to avoid considerable node age
      underestimation and (2) using more, critically assessed, and accurate fossil
      calibrations should yield improved divergence time estimates. 

PMID- 24222887
TI  - Circulating anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies are associated with endothelial
      dysfunction, inflammation, and high nitrite plasma levels in patients with
      intermittent claudication.
AB  - Our aim is to investigate a possible association of circulating anti-beta2
      glycoprotein I antibodies (ABGPI) with the endothelial dysfunction, nitric oxide
      bioactivity dysregulation, and the inflammatory status that surrounds peripheral
      arterial disease. We carried out an observational translational study, including
      50 male patients with intermittent claudication and a healthy control group of 10
      male subjects, age and sex matched with the cases. Flow-mediated arterial
      dilatation (FMAD) was assessed as a surrogate of endothelial dysfunction, and C
      reactive protein (hsCRP) was determined as a marker of inflammation. Nitrite
      plasma levels were measured by colorimetric analysis. Circulating ABGPI titer was
      detected with indirect immunofluorescence. Titers <1 : 10 represented the
      reference range and the lower detection limit of the test. Circulating ABGPI
      titer >=1 : 10 was detected in 21 (42%) patients and in none of the control
      subjects (P < 0.01). Patients with ABGPI titer >=1 : 10 had a lower FMAD (P =
      0.01). The CRP levels were higher in patients with ABGPI titer >=1 : 10 (P =
      0.04). The nitrite plasma levels were higher in patients with ABGPI titer >=1 :
      10 (P < 0.01). These data suggest that these circulating ABGPI may collaborate in
      the development of atherosclerosis; however, further prospective studies are
      required to establish a causal relationship. 

PMID- 24222888
TI  - Relationship between Weight, Body Mass Index, and Bone Mineral Density in Men
      Referred for Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scan in Isfahan, Iran.
AB  - Objective. Although several studies have investigated the association between
      body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density (BMD), the results are
      inconsistent. The aim of this study was to further investigate the relation
      between BMI, weight and BMD in an Iranian men population. Methods. A total of 230
      men 50-79 years old were examined. All men underwent a standard BMD scans of hip
      (total hip, femoral neck, trochanter, and femoral shaft) and lumbar vertebrae (L2
      L4) using a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan and examination of body
      size. Participants were categorised in two BMI group: normal weight <25.0 kg/m(2)
      and overweight and obese, BMI >= 25 kg/m(2). Results. Compared to men with BMI >=
      25, the age-adjusted odds ratio of osteopenia was 2.2 (95% CI 0.85, 5.93) and for
      osteoporosis was 4.4 (1.51, 12.87) for men with BMI < 25. It was noted that BMI
      and weight was associated with a high BMD, compatible with a diagnosis of
      osteoporosis. Conclusions. These data indicate that both BMI and weight are
      associated with BMD of hip and vertebrae and overweight and obesity decreased the
      risk for osteoporosis. The results of this study highlight the need for
      osteoporosis prevention strategies in elderly men as well as postmenopausal
      women. 

PMID- 24222889
TI  - Determination of morphine and codeine in human urine by gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - A sensitive and selective gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was
      developed and validated for the determination of morphine and codeine in human
      urine. The GC-MS conditions were developed. The analysis was carried out on a HP
      1MS column (30 m * 0.25 mm, 0.25  MU m) with temperature programming, and Helium
      was used as the carrier gas with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Selected ion
      monitoring (SIM) mode was used to quantify morphine and codeine. The derivation
      solvent, temperature, and time were optimized. A mixed solvent of propionic
      anhydride and pyridine (5 : 2) was finally used for the derivation at 80 degrees
      C for 3 min. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range
      of 25-2000.0 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantification of 25 ng/mL. The intra-
      and interday precision (RSD) values were below 13%, and the accuracy was in the
      range 87.2-108.5%. This developed method was successfully used for the
      determination of morphine and codeine in human urine for forensic identification
      study. 

PMID- 24222890
TI  - Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Voluntary Blood Donation among Healthcare
      Workers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
AB  - Introduction. Adequate and safe blood supply has remained a challenge in
      developing countries like ours. There is a high dependency on family replacement
      and remunerated blood donors in our environment which carries an attendant
      increased risk of transfusion transmissible infection. Objectives. The objectives
      of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of voluntary
      blood donation among healthcare workers (nonphysicians) and to identify and
      recruit potential voluntary blood donors. Methodology. This was a cross-sectional
      descriptive study carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin
      City. A total of 163 staffs were recruited. Pretest questionnaires were used to
      assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice of voluntary blood donation.
      Statistical Analysis. The responses were collated and analyzed with the
      Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16. The association between blood
      donation practice and gender of respondents, category of staff, and level of
      education was tested using Chi-square and Fisher's tests where appropriate. P <
      0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. The median age of the
      respondents was 32 years (18-56) with females accounting for 55.6% (90). A total
      of 74.8% (122) attained tertiary education, and 55.8% (91) of respondents were
      senior staffs. The majority has good knowledge and positive attitude towards
      donation; however, only 22.1% (36) have donated blood with 41.7% (15) of these
      being voluntary. Male workers were more likely to donate (P < 0.05). There is no
      significant association between blood donation and level of education.
      Conclusion. There is a strong disparity between the knowledge, attitude, and
      practice of voluntary donation amongst healthcare workers. 

PMID- 24222891
TI  - Optimization of Ex Vivo Expansion of Limbal Epithelial Progenitors by Maintaining
      Native Niche Cells on Denuded Amniotic Membrane.
AB  - PURPOSE: Transplantation of ex vivo expanded limbal epithelial progenitor cells
      (LEPCs) on epithelially denuded amniotic membrane (dAM) in supplemented hormonal
      epithelial medium (SHEM) is an alternative solution for treating corneal
      blindness due to limbal stem cell (SC) deficiency. Because the phenotype of
      limbal niche cells (NCs) is preserved better in serum-free modified embryonic
      stem cell (ESC) medium (MESCM) than SHEM, we question whether the aforementioned
      expansion protocol can be further optimized by maintaining limbal NCs using
      MESCM. METHODS: Collagenase-isolated limbal clusters were cultured on dAM in SHEM
      or MESCM for 8 to 10 days. Epithelial outgrowth sheets removed by dispase were
      subjected to real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and
      immunostaining for expression of corneal epithelial markers (p63alpha, pax6, and
      K12) and NC markers (FLK-1, CD34, CD31, PDGFR-B, and alpha-SMA). A total of 1000
      single cells were seeded on 6-well dish containing 3T3 feeder layers for 12 to 14
      days before rhodamine B staining. RESULTS: Epithelial outgrowth in SHEM showed a
      significant loss of corneal SC and ESC markers when compared with freshly
      collagenase-isolated limbal clusters. Although the epithelial outgrowth was
      slower in MESCM, epithelial cell size was consistently smaller than that found in
      SHEM. Furthermore, MESCM maintained a significantly higher percentage of PCK-/
      Vim+ cells and exhibited a significant upregulation of NC markers and corneal
      epithelial SC markers (K15, Bmi-1, and Msi-1) than SHEM. Furthermore, the number
      of purported holoclones was significantly promoted in MESCM than SHEM.
      CONCLUSION: These data collectively suggest that MESCM can be used to replace
      SHEM to further promote expansion of LEPC by maintaining limbal native NCs.
      TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Effective ex vivo expansion of limbal epithelial SC is a
      first and important step toward the success of treating corneal blindness caused
      by limbal stem cell deficiency and paves the way for future applications in
      regenerative medicine.

PMID- 24222892
TI  - Comparative inference of duplicated genes produced by polyploidization in soybean
      genome.
AB  - Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most important crop plants for providing
      protein and oil. It is important to investigate soybean genome for its economic
      and scientific value. Polyploidy is a widespread and recursive phenomenon during
      plant evolution, and it could generate massive duplicated genes which is an
      important resource for genetic innovation. Improved sequence alignment criteria
      and statistical analysis are used to identify and characterize duplicated genes
      produced by polyploidization in soybean. Based on the collinearity method,
      duplicated genes by whole genome duplication account for 70.3% in soybean. From
      the statistical analysis of the molecular distances between duplicated genes, our
      study indicates that the whole genome duplication event occurred more than once
      in the genome evolution of soybean, which is often distributed near the ends of
      chromosomes. 

PMID- 24222893
TI  - Integrated analysis of long noncoding RNA and coding RNA expression in esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Tumorigenesis is a complex dynamic biological process that includes multiple
      steps of genetic and epigenetic alterations, aberrant expression of noncoding
      RNA, and changes in the expression profiles of coding genes. We call the
      collection of those perturbations in genome space the "cancer initiatome." Long
      noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pervasively transcribed in the genome and they have
      key regulatory functions in chromatin remodeling and gene expression.
      Spatiotemporal variation in the expression of lncRNAs has been observed in
      development and disease states, including cancer. A few dysregulated lncRNAs have
      been studied in cancers, but the role of lncRNAs in the cancer initiatome remains
      largely unknown, especially in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We
      conducted a genome-wide screen of the expression of lncRNAs and coding RNAs from
      ESCC and matched adjacent nonneoplastic normal tissues. We identified
      differentially expressed lncRNAs and coding RNAs in ESCC relative to their
      matched normal tissue counterparts and validated the result using polymerase
      chain reaction analysis. Furthermore, we identified differentially expressed
      lncRNAs that are co-located and co-expressed with differentially expressed coding
      RNAs in ESCC and the results point to a potential interaction between lncRNAs and
      neighboring coding genes that affect ether lipid metabolism, and the interaction
      may contribute to the development of ESCC. These data provide compelling evidence
      for a potential novel genomic biomarker of esophageal squamous cell cancer. 

PMID- 24222894
TI  - Pharmacological evaluation and antifertility activity of Jatropha gossypifolia in
      rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Pharmacological and antifertility activity evaluation of Jatropha
      gossypifolia in rats. METHODS: The antifertility activity of the extracts of
      Jatropha gossypifolia in rats was evaluated using two experimental animal models.
      Estrogenic activity was evaluated in immature female rats using ethinyl estradiol
      as standard. Anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity was performed in
      female Wistar rats by determining the number of implantations and implantation
      resorptions. RESULTS: In estrogenic activity evaluations, the ethanolic and
      aqueous extracts offered significant estrogen-like activity at 400 mg kg-1 p.o.
      by increasing the uterine weight compared to vehicle control group. Ethanolic
      extract (400 mg kg-1, p.o.) treatment significantly decreased the number of
      implants and increased the number of resorptions compared to vehicle control
      group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study provide the evidence of the
      anti-fertility activity of Jatropha gossypifolia as claimed in the traditional
      use. The results are consistent with the literature reports related to the
      antifertility effect of flower extracts of Jatropha gossypifolia.

PMID- 24222895
TI  - Enzyme reaction annotation using cloud techniques.
AB  - An understanding of the activities of enzymes could help to elucidate the
      metabolic pathways of thousands of chemical reactions that are catalyzed by
      enzymes in living systems. Sophisticated applications such as drug design and
      metabolic reconstruction could be developed using accurate enzyme reaction
      annotation. Because accurate enzyme reaction annotation methods create potential
      for enhanced production capacity in these applications, they have received
      greater attention in the global market. We propose the enzyme reaction prediction
      (ERP) method as a novel tool to deduce enzyme reactions from domain architecture.
      We used several frequency relationships between architectures and reactions to
      enhance the annotation rates for single and multiple catalyzed reactions. The
      deluge of information which arose from high-throughput techniques in the
      postgenomic era has improved our understanding of biological data, although it
      presents obstacles in the data-processing stage. The high computational capacity
      provided by cloud computing has resulted in an exponential growth in the volume
      of incoming data. Cloud services also relieve the requirement for large-scale
      memory space required by this approach to analyze enzyme kinetic data. Our tool
      is designed as a single execution file; thus, it could be applied to any cloud
      platform in which multiple queries are supported. 

PMID- 24222896
TI  - Differences in muscle activation patterns during sit to stand task among subjects
      with and without intellectual disability.
AB  - The aim of this study is to analyse the differences in muscle activity between
      subjects who have intellectual disability and healthy subjects when they make the
      transition from sitting to standing positions. A cross-sectional study. A group
      of adults was divided into two subgroups: with and without intellectual
      disability (ID). The means of the basic features in both groups were 22.13 and
      22.83 for age, 66.38 and 67.67 for weight, and 173.38 and 174.33 for height, for
      the ID (n = 8) and without ID (n = 7) groups, respectively. Each subject
      performed three sets of five repetitions during which, starting from sitting,
      they had to get up and sit on the chair. The recording of muscle activity was
      performed using surface electromyography taking the measures of muscle activity
      of different muscles of the lower limbs. The results showed differences in the
      pattern of muscle activity between groups during sitting to standing movement. 

PMID- 24222897
TI  - Reconstruction and analysis of human kidney-specific metabolic network based on
      omics data.
AB  - With the advent of the high-throughput data production, recent studies of tissue
      specific metabolic networks have largely advanced our understanding of the
      metabolic basis of various physiological and pathological processes. However, for
      kidney, which plays an essential role in the body, the available kidney-specific
      model remains incomplete. This paper reports the reconstruction and
      characterization of the human kidney metabolic network based on transcriptome and
      proteome data. In silico simulations revealed that house-keeping genes were more
      essential than kidney-specific genes in maintaining kidney metabolism.
      Importantly, a total of 267 potential metabolic biomarkers for kidney-related
      diseases were successfully explored using this model. Furthermore, we found that
      the discrepancies in metabolic processes of different tissues are directly
      corresponding to tissue's functions. Finally, the phenotypes of the
      differentially expressed genes in diabetic kidney disease were characterized,
      suggesting that these genes may affect disease development through altering
      kidney metabolism. Thus, the human kidney-specific model constructed in this
      study may provide valuable information for the metabolism of kidney and offer
      excellent insights into complex kidney diseases. 

PMID- 24222898
TI  - Evaluation of sample stability and automated DNA extraction for fetal sex
      determination using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The detection of paternally inherited sequences in maternal plasma,
      such as the SRY gene for fetal sexing or RHD for fetal blood group genotyping, is
      becoming part of daily routine in diagnostic laboratories. Due to the low
      percentage of fetal DNA, it is crucial to ensure sample stability and the
      efficiency of DNA extraction. We evaluated blood stability at 4 degrees C for at
      least 24 hours and automated DNA extraction, for fetal sex determination in
      maternal plasma. METHODS: A total of 158 blood samples were collected, using EDTA
      K tubes, from women in their 1st trimester of pregnancy. Samples were kept at 4
      degrees C for at least 24 hours before processing. An automated DNA extraction
      was evaluated, and its efficiency was compared with a standard manual procedure.
      The SRY marker was used to quantify cfDNA by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Although
      lower cfDNA amounts were obtained by automated DNA extraction (mean 107,35 GE/mL
      versus 259,43 GE/mL), the SRY sequence was successfully detected in all 108
      samples from pregnancies with male fetuses. CONCLUSION: We successfully evaluated
      the suitability of standard blood tubes for the collection of maternal blood and
      assessed samples to be suitable for analysis at least 24 hours later. This would
      allow shipping to a central reference laboratory almost from anywhere in Europe.

PMID- 24222899
TI  - A numerical study to compare stimulations by intraoperative microelectrodes and
      chronic macroelectrodes in the DBS technique.
AB  - Deep brain stimulation is a clinical technique for the treatment of parkinson's
      disease based on the electric stimulation, through an implanted electrode, of
      specific basal ganglia in the brain. To identify the correct target of
      stimulation and to choose the optimal parameters for the stimulating signal,
      intraoperative microelectrodes are generally used. However, when they are
      replaced with the chronic macroelectrode, the effect of the stimulation is often
      very different. Here, we used numerical simulations to predict the stimulation of
      neuronal fibers induced by microelectrodes and macroelectrodes placed in
      different positions with respect to each other. Results indicate that comparable
      stimulations can be obtained if the chronic macroelectrode is correctly
      positioned with the same electric center of the intraoperative microelectrode.
      Otherwise, some groups of fibers may experience a completely different electric
      stimulation. 

PMID- 24222900
TI  - Content of trans fatty acids in human cheek epithelium: comparison with serum and
      adipose tissue.
AB  - Studies pertaining to trans fatty acids (TFA), which have been implicated in
      development of chronic diseases, are more relevant in developing countries where
      nutrition transition is changing traditional habits and practices. Measuring TFA
      is an arduous task because of the need for fat biopsies. This study identifies a
      tissue, which can be easily accessed for analytical measurement of trans fatty
      acid. In this cross-sectional study, fatty acid in adipose tissue, cheek
      epithelium, and blood samples were assessed by gas chromatography. Spearman
      correlation coefficient was computed to study the correlation of fatty acid
      distribution among the three tissues. The correlation coefficient of total trans
      fatty acid between cheek epithelium and serum was 0.30 (P < 0.02) and between
      cheek epithelium and adipose tissue was 0.33 (P < 0.019). This study is the first
      to report trans fatty acid profile in cheek epithelium giving scope for utilizing
      the cheek epithelium as a tissue for objective assessment of trans fatty acid
      intake. 

PMID- 24222901
TI  - Depigmented allergoids reveal new epitopes with capacity to induce IgG blocking
      antibodies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The synthesis of allergen-specific blocking IgGs that interact with
      IgE after allergen immunotherapy (SIT) has been related to clinical efficacy. The
      objectives were to investigate the epitope specificity of IgG-antibodies induced
      by depigmented-polymerized (Dpg-Pol) allergoids and unmodified allergen extracts,
      and examine IgE-blocking activity of induced IgG-antibodies. METHODS: Rabbits
      were immunized with native and Dpg-Pol extracts of birch pollen, and serum
      samples were obtained. Recognition of linear IgG-epitopes of Bet v 1 and Bet v 2
      and the capacity of these IgG-antibodies to block binding of human-IgE was
      determined. RESULTS: Serum from rabbits immunized with native extracts recognised
      11 linear epitopes from Bet v 1, while that from Dpg-Pol-immunized animals
      recognised 8. For Bet v 2, 8 epitopes were recognized by IgG from native
      immunized animals, and 9 from Dpg-Pol immunized one. Dpg-Pol and native immunized
      serum did not always recognise the same epitopes, but specific-IgG from both
      could block human-IgE binding sites for native extract. CONCLUSIONS: Depigmented
      polymerized birch extract stimulates the synthesis of specific IgG-antibodies
      which recognize common but also novel epitopes compared with native extracts. IgG
      antibodies induced by Dpg-Pol effectively inhibit human-IgE binding to allergens
      which may be part of the mechanism of action of SIT.

PMID- 24222902
TI  - Albumin reduces paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction and reduces death
      and renal impairment among patients with cirrhosis and infection: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that albumin has a value in cirrhotic patients
      undergoing paracentesis but its value in infection and sepsis is less clear. We
      planned to perform a meta-analysis of the risk of adverse outcomes in cirrhotic
      patients with and without albumin use. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE in
      January 2013 for randomized studies of cirrhotic patients that reported the risk
      of adverse events and mortality with albumin and no albumin exposure. We
      performed random effects meta-analysis and assessed heterogeneity using the I2
      statistic. RESULTS: Our review included 16 studies covering 1,518 patients. The
      use of albumin in paracentesis was associated with significantly reduced risk of
      paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction (OR 0.26 95%, CI 0.08-0.93) and
      there was a nonsignificant difference in death, encephalopathy, hyponatraemia,
      readmission, and renal impairment. Compared to the other volume expanders,
      albumin use showed no difference in clinical outcomes. In cirrhotic patients with
      any infection, there was a significant reduction in mortality (OR 0.46 95%, CI
      0.25-0.86) and renal impairment (OR 0.34 95%, CI 0.15-0.75) when albumin was
      used. CONCLUSION: The use of albumin in cirrhotic patients is valuable in
      patients with any infection and it reduces the risk of circulatory dysfunction
      among patients undergoing paracentesis.

PMID- 24222903
TI  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection following kidney transplantation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Post-transplant tuberculosis (TB) is a problem in
      successful long-term outcome of renal transplantation recipients. Our objective
      was to describe the pattern and risk factors of TB infection and the prognosis in
      our transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective
      review of the records of 491 renal transplant recipients in our hospital during
      the period from January 1986 to December 2009. The demographic data, transplant
      characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, treatment
      protocol, and long-term outcome of this cohort of patients were analyzed.
      RESULTS: 16 patients (3,2%) developed post-transplant TB with a mean age of 32,5
      +/- 12,7 (range: 13-60) years and a mean post-transplant period of 36,6 months
      (range: 12,3 months-15,9 years). The forms of the diseases were pulmonary in
      10/16 (62,6%), disseminated in 3/16 (18,7%), and extrapulmonary in 3/16 (18,7%).
      Graft dysfunction was observed in 7 cases (43,7%) with tissue-proof acute
      rejection in 3 cases and loss of the graft in 4 cases. Hepatotoxicity developed
      in 3 patients (18,7%) during treatment. Recurrences were observed in 4 cases
      after early stop of treatment. Two patients (12.5%) died. CONCLUSION: Extra
      pulmonary and disseminated tuberculosis were observed in third of our patients.
      More than 9 months of treatment may be necessary to prevent recurrence.

PMID- 24222904
TI  - Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements using a NT-530P noncontact
      tono/pachymeter and correlation of central corneal thickness with intraocular
      pressure.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the repeatability and reproducibility of intraocular
      pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements using a
      noncontact tono/pachymeter (NT-530P) and to assess the correlation of CCT with
      IOP. METHODS: Forty-six eyes of healthy volunteers were measured by two
      examiners. Three consecutive measurements per eye were performed. Repeatability
      was assessed using the coefficient of variation, and reproducibility was assessed
      using Bland-Altman plots. Linear correlations were used to determine agreement
      between CCT and noncorrected IOP and CCT and corrected IOP, which was calculated
      using a formula built into the NT-530P. RESULTS: The coefficient of variation for
      IOP was 6.4% and for CCT was 0.4%. The 95% limits of agreement between examiners
      were -0.17 +/- 1.42 mmHg (range: -2.95 to 2.61 mmHg) for IOP, -0.93 +/- 4.37  MU
      m (range: -9.50 to 7.64  MUm) for CCT. The corrected IOP was significantly higher
      than the noncorrected IOP (P = 0.010.3). The noncorrected IOP significantly
      correlated with CCT (r = -0.4883, P = 0.0006). The corrected IOP showed no
      significant correlation with CCT (r = -0.0285, P = 0.8509). CONCLUSIONS: NT-530P
      offered repeatability and reproducibility in both IOP and CCT measurements. The
      corrected IOP calculated using the NT-530P was independent of the CCT, suggesting
      that this IOP may be less influenced by the central corneal thickness.

PMID- 24222905
TI  - A comparison between tube surgery, ND:YAG laser and diode laser
      cyclophotocoagulation in the management of refractory glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the results of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction by 3
      treatment modalities, (a) glaucoma tube implants, (b) noncontact YAG laser
      cyclophotocoagulation (cycloYAG), and (c) contact transscleral diode laser
      cyclophotocoagulation (cyclodiode), in cases of advanced glaucoma refractory to
      alternative treatments. METHODS: A consecutive group of 45 eyes that received
      cycloYAG were matched against two control groups of patients who had received
      tube surgery or cyclodiode, each control group having been derived from a
      database of patients. RESULTS: Mean pretreatment IOP improved from 41.3, 38.6,
      and 32.0 mmHg for the tube, cycloYAG, and cyclodiode groups, respectively, to
      16.4, 22.1, and 19.3 mmHg, respectively. Treatment success was achieved in 78%,
      69%, and 71% of the tube, cycloYAG, and cyclodiode groups, respectively. Visual
      acuity deteriorated 2 or more Snellen lines in 16%, 7%, and 9% of the patients in
      the tube, cycloYAG, and cyclodiode groups, respectively. Complications included
      retinal detachment, hypotony, and phthisis. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 methods provided
      acceptable IOP lowering in the short and medium term. Control of IOP was best in
      patients receiving tube surgery. Cyclodiode and cycloYAG treatments were
      similarly effective in lowering IOP. Tube surgery was associated with a greater
      incidence of sight threatening complications.

PMID- 24222906
TI  - Fibrinogen-induced streptococcus mutans biofilm formation and adherence to
      endothelial cells.
AB  - Streptococcus mutans, the predominant bacterial species associated with dental
      caries, can enter the bloodstream and cause infective endocarditis. The aim of
      this study was to investigate S. mutans biofilm formation and adherence to
      endothelial cells induced by human fibrinogen. The putative mechanism by which
      biofilm formation is induced as well as the impact of fibrinogen on S. mutans
      resistance to penicillin was also evaluated. Bovine plasma dose dependently
      induced biofilm formation by S. mutans. Of the various plasma proteins tested,
      only fibrinogen promoted the formation of biofilm in a dose-dependent manner.
      Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed the presence of complex
      aggregates of bacterial cells firmly attached to the polystyrene support. S.
      mutans in biofilms induced by the presence of fibrinogen was markedly resistant
      to the bactericidal effect of penicillin. Fibrinogen also significantly increased
      the adherence of S. mutans to endothelial cells. Neither S. mutans cells nor
      culture supernatants converted fibrinogen into fibrin. However, fibrinogen is
      specifically bound to the cell surface of S. mutans and may act as a bridging
      molecule to mediate biofilm formation. In conclusion, our study identified a new
      mechanism promoting S. mutans biofilm formation and adherence to endothelial
      cells which may contribute to infective endocarditis. 

PMID- 24222907
TI  - Evaluation of wall correction factor of INER's air-kerma primary standard chamber
      and dose variation by source displacement for HDR 192Ir brachytherapy.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to estimate the wall effect of the self-made
      spherical graphite-walled cavity chamber with the Monte Carlo method for
      establishing the air-kerma primary standard of high-dose-rate (HDR) 192Ir
      brachytherapy sources at the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER, Taiwan).
      The Monte Carlo method established in this paper was also employed to
      respectively simulate wall correction factors of the 192Ir air-kerma standard
      chambers used at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, USA)
      and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL, UK) for comparisons and verification.
      The chamber wall correction calculation results will be incorporated into INER's
      HDR 192Ir primary standard in the future. For the brachytherapy treatment in the
      esophagus or in the bronchi, the position of the isotope may have displacement in
      the cavity. Thus the delivered dose would differ from the prescribed dose in the
      treatment plan. We also tried assessing dose distribution due to the position
      displacement of HDR 192Ir brachytherapy source in a phantom with a central cavity
      by the Monte Carlo method. The calculated results could offer a clinical
      reference for the brachytherapy within the human organs with cavity.

PMID- 24222908
TI  - Comparison of stress-hemoconcentration correction techniques for stress-induced
      coagulation.
AB  - When examining stress effects on coagulation, arithmetic correction is typically
      used to adjust for concomitant hemoconcentration but may be inappropriate for
      coagulation activity assays. We examined a new physiologically relevant method of
      correcting for stress-hemoconcentration. Blood was drawn from healthy men (N =
      40) during baseline, mental stress, and recovery, and factor VII activity
      (FVII:C), factor VIII activity (FVIII:C), activated partial thromboplastin time
      (APTT), prothrombin time (PT%), fibrinogen, D-dimer, and plasma volume were
      determined. Three hemoconcentration correction techniques were assessed:
      arithmetic correction and two reconstitution techniques using baseline plasma or
      physiological saline. Area-under-the-curve (AUC) was computed for each technique.
      For FVII:C, uncorrected AUC was significantly greater than AUC corrected
      arithmetically. For PT%, uncorrected AUC was significantly greater than AUC
      corrected with saline or arithmetically. For APTT, uncorrected AUC was
      significantly less than AUC corrected with saline and greater than AUC corrected
      arithmetically. For fibrinogen, uncorrected AUC was significantly greater than
      AUC corrected with saline or arithmetically. For D-dimer, uncorrected AUC was
      significantly greater than AUC corrected arithmetically. No differences in AUC
      were observed for FVIII:C. Saline reconstitution seems most appropriate when
      adjusting for hemoconcentration effects on clotting time and activity. Stress
      hemoconcentration accounted for the majority of coagulation changes. 

PMID- 24222909
TI  - Ovarian and breast cancer spheres are similar in transcriptomic features and
      sensitive to fenretinide.
AB  - Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are resistant to chemotherapy and are ability to
      regenerate cancer cell populations, thus attracting much attention in cancer
      research. In this report, we first demonstrated that sphere cells from ovarian
      cancer cell line A2780 shared many features of CSCs, such as resistance to
      cisplatin and able to initiate tumors in an efficient manner. Then, we conducted
      cDNA microarray analysis on spheres from ovarian A2780 cells, and from breast
      MCF7 and SUM159 cells, and found that molecular pathways underlying spheres from
      these cancer cell lines were similar to a large extent, suggesting that similar
      mechanisms are involved in the genesis of CSCs in both ovarian and breast cancer
      types. In addition, we showed that spheres from these cancer types were highly
      sensitive to fenretinide, a stimulus of oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis in
      cancer cells. Thus, our results not only provide important insights into
      mechanisms underlying CSCs in ovarian and breast cancer, but also lead to the
      development of more sophisticated protocols of cancer therapy in near future. 

PMID- 24222910
TI  - Sensitivity of rabbit ventricular action potential and Ca2+ dynamics to small
      variations in membrane currents and ion diffusion coefficients.
AB  - Little is known about how small variations in ionic currents and Ca2+ and Na+
      diffusion coefficients impact action potential and Ca2+ dynamics in rabbit
      ventricular myocytes. We applied sensitivity analysis to quantify the sensitivity
      of Shannon et al. model (Biophys. J., 2004) to 5%-10% changes in currents
      conductance, channels distribution, and ion diffusion in rabbit ventricular
      cells. We found that action potential duration and Ca2+ peaks are highly
      sensitive to 10% increase in L-type Ca2+ current; moderately influenced by 10%
      increase in Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, Na+-K+ pump, rapid delayed and slow transient
      outward K+ currents, and Cl- background current; insensitive to 10% increases in
      all other ionic currents and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ fluxes. Cell electrical
      activity is strongly affected by 5% shift of L-type Ca2+ channels and Na+-Ca2+
      exchanger in between junctional and submembrane spaces while Ca2+-activated Cl-
      channel redistribution has the modest effect. Small changes in submembrane and
      cytosolic diffusion coefficients for Ca2+, but not in Na+ transfer, may alter
      notably myocyte contraction. Our studies highlight the need for more precise
      measurements and further extending and testing of the Shannon et al. model. Our
      results demonstrate usefulness of sensitivity analysis to identify specific
      knowledge gaps and controversies related to ventricular cell electrophysiology
      and Ca2+ signaling.

PMID- 24222911
TI  - Molecular imaging in traditional Chinese medicine therapy for neurological
      diseases.
AB  - With the speeding tendency of aging society, human neurological disorders have
      posed an ever increasing threat to public health care. Human neurological
      diseases include ischemic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,
      and spinal cord injury, which are induced by impairment or specific degeneration
      of different types of neurons in central nervous system. Currently, there are no
      more effective treatments against these diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine
      (TCM) is focused on, which can provide new strategies for the therapy in
      neurological disorders. TCM, including Chinese herb medicine, acupuncture, and
      other nonmedication therapies, has its unique therapies in treating neurological
      diseases. In order to improve the treatment of these disorders by optimizing
      strategies using TCM and evaluate the therapeutic effects, we have summarized
      molecular imaging, a new promising technology, to assess noninvasively disease
      specific in cellular and molecular levels of living models in vivo, that was
      applied in TCM therapy for neurological diseases. In this review, we mainly focus
      on applying diverse molecular imaging methodologies in different TCM therapies
      and monitoring neurological disease, and unveiling the mysteries of TCM. 

PMID- 24222912
TI  - Reducing the complexity of complex gene coexpression networks by coupling
      multiweighted labeling with topological analysis.
AB  - Undirected gene coexpression networks obtained from experimental expression data
      coupled with efficient computational procedures are increasingly used to identify
      potentially relevant biological information (e.g., biomarkers) for a particular
      disease. However, coexpression networks built from experimental expression data
      are in general large highly connected networks with an elevated number of false
      positive interactions (nodes and edges). In order to infer relevant information,
      the network must be properly filtered and its complexity reduced. Given the
      complexity and the multivariate nature of the information contained in the
      network, this requires the development and application of efficient feature
      selection algorithms to be able to exploit the topological characteristics of the
      network to identify relevant nodes and edges. This paper proposes an efficient
      multivariate filtering designed to analyze the topological properties of a
      coexpression network in order to identify potential relevant genes for a given
      disease. The algorithm has been tested on three datasets for three well known and
      studied diseases: acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, and diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma. Results have been validated resorting to bibliographic data
      automatically mined using the ProteinQuest literature mining tool. 

PMID- 24222913
TI  - An update on laboratory diagnosis of liver inherited diseases.
AB  - Liver inherited diseases are a group of genetically determined clinical entities
      that appear with an early chronic liver involvement. They include Wilson's
      disease (hepatolenticular degeneration), hereditary hemochromatosis, and alpha-1
      antitrypsin deficiency. In addition, cystic fibrosis, although it is not
      specifically a liver disease, may cause a severe liver involvement in a
      significant percentage of cases. For all these pathologies, the disease gene is
      known, and molecular analysis may contribute to the unequivocal diagnosis. This
      approach could avoid the patient invasive procedures and limit complications
      associated with a delay in diagnosis. We review liver inherited diseases on the
      basis of the genetic defect, focusing on the contribution of molecular analysis
      in the multistep diagnostic workup. 

PMID- 24222914
TI  - Fullerenols as a new therapeutic approach in nanomedicine.
AB  - Recently, much attention has been paid to the bioactive properties of water
      soluble fullerene derivatives: fullerenols, with emphasis on their pro- and
      antioxidative properties. Due to their hydrophilic properties and the ability to
      scavenge free radicals, fullerenols may, in the future, provide a serious
      alternative to the currently used pharmacological methods in chemotherapy,
      treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and radiobiology. Some of the most
      widely used drugs in chemotherapy are anthracycline antibiotics. Anthracycline
      therapy, in spite of its effective antitumor activity, induces systemic oxidative
      stress, which interferes with the effectiveness of the treatment and results in
      serious side effects. Fullerenols may counteract the harmful effects of
      anthracyclines by scavenging free radicals and thereby improve the effects of
      chemotherapy. Additionally, due to the hollow spherical shape, fullerenols may be
      used as drug carriers. Moreover, because of the existence of the currently
      ineffective ways for neurodegenerative diseases treatment, alternative compounds,
      which could prevent the negative effects of oxidative stress in the brain, are
      still sought. In the search of alternative methods of treatment and diagnosis,
      today's science is increasingly reaching for tools in the field of nanomedicine,
      for example, fullerenes and their water-soluble derivatives, which is addressed
      in the present paper. 

PMID- 24222915
TI  - The incidence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in type 2 diabetic men in Polish
      population.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of hypogonadotropic
      hypogonadism (HH) in type 2 diabetic men (T2DM) in population of Polish men and
      examine the possible influence of estradiol levels and glycemic control. We
      evaluated TT, cfT, estradiol, and glycemic control (HbA1c) in 184 diabetic men
      and in 149 nondiabetic control group. The mean HbA1c was 8.6 +/- 0.2% and 6.1 +/-
      0.3% and cfT concentration was 0.315 +/- 0.08 nmol/L and 0.382 +/- 0.07 nmol/L,
      respectively. T2DM had higher E2 concentration than nonobese control men (29.4 +/
      3.7 pg/mL versus 24.5 +/- 2.9 pg/mL). Forty-six percent of T2DM were hypogonadal
      and 93% had HH. We observed inverse relationship between BMI and cfT (r = -0.341,
      P < 0.01) and positive between BMI and E2 (r = 0.329, P < 0.01). E2 concentration
      was higher in T2DM with HH versus T2DM with normal TT/cfT concentration (34.5 +/-
      5.2 versus 27.4 +/- 3.4 pg/mL). We observed negative correlation between HbA1c
      and cfT (r = -0.336, P < 0.005) but positive between HbA1c and E2 levels (r =
      0.337, P < 0.002). The prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and CVD was higher in
      men with hypogonadism. High incidence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in type 2
      diabetic men in Polish population is associated with poor glycemic control and
      can be secondary to an increase in estradiol concentrations. 

PMID- 24222916
TI  - Lymphedema and therapeutic lymphangiogenesis.
AB  - Lymphedema is a disorder of the lymphatic vascular system characterized by
      impaired lymphatic return and swelling of the extremities. Lymphedema is divided
      into primary and secondary forms based on the underlying etiology. Despite
      substantial advances in both surgical and conservative techniques, therapeutic
      options for the management of lymphedema are limited. Although rarely lethal,
      lymphedema is a disfiguring and disabling condition with an associated decrease
      in the quality of life. The recent impressive expansion of knowledge on the
      molecular mechanisms governing lymphangiogenesis provides new possibilities for
      the treatment of lymphedema. This review highlights the lymphatic biology, the
      pathophysiology of lymphedema, and the therapeutic lymphangiogenesis using
      hepatocyte growth factor. 

PMID- 24222917
TI  - Internalization of B cell receptors in human EU12 MUHC+ immature B cells
      specifically alters downstream signaling events.
AB  - It has been recognized for a long time that engagement of B cell antigen
      receptors (BCRs) on immature B cells or mature B cells leads to completely
      opposite cell fate decisions. The underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we
      show that crosslinking of BCRs on human EU12 MUHC+ immature B cells resulted in
      complete internalization of cell surface BCRs. After loss of cell surface BCRs,
      restimulation of EU12 MUHC+ cells showed impaired Ca2+ flux, delayed SYK
      phosphorylation, and decreased CD19 and FOXO1 phosphorylation, which differ from
      those in mature Daudi or Ramos B cells with partial internalization of BCRs. In
      contrast, sustained phosphorylation and reactivation of ERK upon restimulation
      were observed in the EU12 MUHC+ cells after BCR internalization. Taken together,
      these results show that complete internalization of cell surface BCRs in EU12
      MUHC+ cells specifically alters the downstream signaling events, which may favor
      receptor editing versus cell activation.

PMID- 24222918
TI  - Possible mechanisms of fullerene C60 antioxidant action.
AB  - Novel mechanism of antioxidant activity of buckminsterfullerene C60 based on
      protons absorbing and mild uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration and
      phosphorylation was postulated. In the present study we confirm this hypothesis
      using computer modeling based on Density Functional Theory. Fullerene's
      geroprotective activity is sufficiently higher than those of the most powerful
      reactive oxygen species scavengers. We propose here that C60 has an ability to
      acquire positive charge by absorbing inside several protons and this complex
      could penetrate into mitochondria. Such a process allows for mild uncoupling of
      respiration and phosphorylation. This, in turn, leads to the decrease in ROS
      production.

PMID- 24222919
TI  - The cytotoxic effect of magainin II on the MDA-MB-231 and M14K tumour cell lines.
AB  - Many studies have highlighted the tumoricidal properties of some natural peptides
      known to have antimicrobial virtues. Also, the increasingly higher resistance to
      conventional antibiotics has become a global public health issue, and the need
      for new antibiotics has stimulated interest in finding and synthesizing new
      antimicrobial peptides, which may also be used as chemotherapeutic agents.
      Relying on the literature, the purpose of our in vitro research was to assess the
      tumoricidal potential of magainin II on a series of tumour cell lines, namely,
      MDA-MB-231 (breast adenocarcinoma) and M14K (human mesothelioma). The
      experimental results of our study revealed that the cytotoxic effects of magainin
      II depend on its concentration. Its efficiency is significant at 120 MUM
      concentrations, and, although it is much lower, it persists even at 60 MUM
      concentrations. The effects were insignificant at 30 MUM concentrations. In our
      experimental research, the tumoricidal effect of magainin II was not
      significantly dependent on the type of tumour cell line used.

PMID- 24222921
TI  - The weather-beaten dorsal hand clinical rating, shadow casting optical
      profilometry, and skin capacitance mapping.
AB  - Laypeople commonly perceive some skin xerosis and withering (roughness) changes
      during winter on some parts of the body, particularly on the dorsal hands. The
      aim of the study was to assess the withered skin surface changes occurring during
      the four seasons. A total of 47 menopausal women completed the study. A group of
      31 volunteers were on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and 16 were out of HRT.
      Skin xerosis and scaliness were rated clinically. In addition, skin whitening was
      assessed by computerized shadow casting optical profilometry and by skin
      capacitance mapping. The volunteers were not using topical creams and over-the
      counter products on their hands. Marked changes, recorded over the successive
      seasons, corresponded to patchy heterogeneous stratum corneum hydration and
      heterogeneous skin surface roughness changing over seasons; they likely resulted
      from changes in the environmental temperature and atmosphere moisture. The
      severity of the changes revealed by clinical inspection was not supported by
      similar directions of fluctuations in the instrumental assessments. This
      seemingly contradiction was in fact due to different levels of scale observation.
      The clinical centimetric scale and the instrumental inframillimetric scale
      possibly provide distinct aspects of a given biological impact. 

PMID- 24222922
TI  - Biochemistry and physiological functions of ADAMTS7 metalloprotease.
AB  - Here, we provide a comprehensive review of current findings concerning the
      biochemistry and physiological functions of ADAMTS7, a metalloprotease that is
      known to interact with cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, progranulin, and
      alpha2-macroglobulin. Such broad substrate specificity and potentially diverse
      physiological functions make ADAMTS7 an interesting enzyme to study. ADAMTS7 has
      been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of arthritis and disc disorders.
      More recently, the ADAMTS7 locus is identified to have a strong association with
      coronary atherosclerotic disease. However, the role of ADAMTS7 in the development
      of atherosclerosis is yet to be determined. The development of an easy and high
      throughput assay for ADAMTS7 activity and appropriate animal models will allow us
      to uncover the novel mechanisms of coronary arterial disease.

PMID- 24222923
TI  - The Community Narration (CN) Approach: Understanding a Group's Identity and
      Cognitive Constructs through Personal and Community Narratives.
AB  - Community program evaluations, visioning and assessments must always endeavor to
      attain useful information in the most sensitive way. Most community-based
      organizations form, grow and continue on their own without the help of outside
      experts. Participatory approaches should respect the historical evolution of
      these groups and understand the positive factors that underlie their
      organizational beliefs. A group's mission, values and identity should inform any
      community program evaluation, consulting project, and the design of any research
      study. Narrative methods have been used with mutual-help groups and many other
      organizations to good effect. Such methods have great potential to avoid
      hierarchical and unidirectional forms of evaluation, encouraging the group's
      collective psychology and identity-based constructs to emerge. We developed a
      participatory, narrative technique called Community Narration (CN), which is
      described here. The technique utilizes personal stories and community narratives
      as an entry into the evaluation process or other work involved in understanding
      an organization. The community's participants were able to use the technique
      successfully, found it enriching, and the constructs obtained have led to many
      discussions and member-guided research related to the organization.

PMID- 24222920
TI  - Multimodality molecular imaging of stem cells therapy for stroke.
AB  - Stem cells have been proposed as a promising therapy for treating stroke. While
      several studies have demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of stem cells, the
      exact mechanism remains elusive. Molecular imaging provides the possibility of
      the visual representation of biological processes at the cellular and molecular
      level. In order to facilitate research efforts to understand the stem cells
      therapeutic mechanisms, we need to further develop means of monitoring these
      cells noninvasively, longitudinally and repeatedly. Because of tissue depth and
      the blood-brain barrier (BBB), in vivo imaging of stem cells therapy for stroke
      has unique challenges. In this review, we describe existing methods of tracking
      transplanted stem cells in vivo, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
      nuclear medicine imaging, and optical imaging (OI). Each of the imaging
      techniques has advantages and drawbacks. Finally, we describe multimodality
      imaging strategies as a more comprehensive and potential method to monitor
      transplanted stem cells for stroke. 

PMID- 24222924
TI  - Bergman spaces of natural G-manifolds.
AB  - Let G be a unimodular Lie group, X a compact manifold with boundary, and M the
      total space of a principal bundle [Formula: see text] so that M is also a
      strongly pseudoconvex complex manifold. In this work, we show that if there
      exists a point [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is contained in
      the complex tangent space [Formula: see text] of bM at p, then the Bergman space
      of M is large. Natural examples include the gauged G-complexifications of
      Heinzner, Huckleberry, and Kutzschebauch.

PMID- 24222925
TI  - Challenges and opportunities in synthetic biology for chemical engineers.
AB  - Synthetic biology provides numerous great opportunities for chemical engineers in
      the development of new processes for large-scale production of biofuels, value
      added chemicals, and protein therapeutics. However, challenges across all scales
      abound. In particular, the modularization and standardization of the components
      in a biological system, so-called biological parts, remain the biggest obstacle
      in synthetic biology. In this perspective, we will discuss the main challenges
      and opportunities in the rapidly growing synthetic biology field and the
      important roles that chemical engineers can play in its advancement.

PMID- 24222926
TI  - Associations Between Fear of Negative Evaluation and Eating Pathology During
      Intervention and 12-Month Follow-up.
AB  - Fear of negative evaluation, a core feature of social anxiety disorder, has been
      prospectively related to eating pathology over and above other established risk
      factors, suggesting that it may be an important cognitive risk factor for eating
      disorders. The present study examined reciprocal longitudinal relations among
      fear of negative evaluation and eating disorder risk factors using a female
      undergraduate sample (N=82) enrolled in an eating disorder prevention program.
      Cross-lagged panel analysis revealed that fear of negative evaluation was a
      determinant of subsequent body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms. Fear
      of negative evaluation also predicted subsequent thin-ideal internalization among
      participants with high BMI, but not among those with low BMI. Fear of negative
      evaluation did not predict future dietary restraint or negative affect but was
      itself predicted by prior levels of thin ideal internalization, body
      dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, and negative affect. Findings suggest that
      fear of negative evaluation may be a useful target for reducing body image
      concerns and maladaptive eating behavior.

PMID- 24222927
TI  - A Phase I Bayesian Adaptive Design to Simultaneously Optimize Dose and Schedule
      Assignments Both Between and Within Patients.
AB  - In traditional schedule or dose-schedule finding designs, patients are assumed to
      receive their assigned dose-schedule combination throughout the trial even though
      the combination may be found to have an undesirable toxicity profile, which
      contradicts actual clinical practice. Since no systematic approach exists to
      optimize intra-patient dose-schedule assignment, we propose a Phase I clinical
      trial design that extends existing approaches to optimize dose and schedule
      solely between patients by incorporating adaptive variations to dose-schedule
      assignments within patients as the study proceeds. Our design is based on a
      Bayesian non-mixture cure rate model that incorporates multiple administrations
      each patient receives with the per-administration dose included as a covariate.
      Simulations demonstrate that our design identifies safe dose and schedule
      combinations as well as the traditional method that does not allow for intra
      patient dose-schedule reassignments, but with a larger number of patients
      assigned to safe combinations. Supplementary materials for this article are
      available online.

PMID- 24222928
TI  - A Nonparametric Bayesian Model for Local Clustering with Application to
      Proteomics.
AB  - We propose a nonparametric Bayesian local clustering (NoB-LoC) approach for
      heterogeneous data. NoB-LoC implements inference for nested clusters as posterior
      inference under a Bayesian model. Using protein expression data as an example,
      the NoB-LoC model defines a protein (column) cluster as a set of proteins that
      give rise to the same partition of the samples (rows). In other words, the sample
      partitions are nested within protein clusters. The common clustering of the
      samples gives meaning to the protein clusters. Any pair of samples might belong
      to the same cluster for one protein set but to different clusters for another
      protein set. These local features are different from features obtained by global
      clustering approaches such as hierarchical clustering, which create only one
      partition of samples that applies for all the proteins in the data set. In
      addition, the NoB-LoC model is different from most other local or nested
      clustering methods, which define clusters based on common parameters in the
      sampling model. As an added and important feature, the NoB-LoC method
      probabilistically excludes sets of irrelevant proteins and samples that do not
      meaningfully co-cluster with other proteins and samples, thus improving the
      inference on the clustering of the remaining proteins and samples. Inference is
      guided by a joint probability model for all the random elements. We provide a
      simulation study and a motivating example to demonstrate the unique features of
      the NoB-LoC model.

PMID- 24222929
TI  - Paramagnetic 19F NMR and Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometric Studies of
      Substituted Pyridine Complexes of Chromium(III): Models for Potential Use of 19F
      NMR to Probe Cr(III)-Nucleotide Interaction.
AB  - The synthesis and characterization of chromium basic carboxylate complexes,
      [Cr3(O2CR)6L3]+, containing trifluoroacetate, 3-fluoropyridine, 3
      trifluoromethylpyridine, and 4-trifluoromethylpyridine are described. The
      substituted pyridine ligands are used as models of DNA bases to determine whether
      19F NMR would be a potentially useful probe of the binding of Cr3+ to DNA. The
      19F NMR resonances of the coordinated ligands, while broadened by delocalization
      of unpaired electron density from the S=3/2 chromic centers, are readily
      discernable, and the contact shifts are of sufficient magnitude that the signals
      from coordinated and free ligands can easily be differentiated. Thus, 19F NMR
      appears to be a potentially useful probe of the binding of Cr3+ to DNA containing
      F-labeled bases. Additionally, electrospray MS is shown to be a convenient method
      to establish the identity of chromium basic carboxylate assemblies.

PMID- 24222930
TI  - Structural changes in single membranes in response to an applied transmembrane
      electric potential revealed by time-resolved neutron/X-ray interferometry.
AB  - The profile structure of a hybrid lipid bilayer, tethered to the surface of an
      inorganic substrate and fully hydrated with a bulk aqueous medium in an
      electrochemical cell, was investigated as a function of the applied transbilayer
      electric potential via time-resolved neutron reflectivity, enhanced by
      interferometry. Significant, and fully reversible structural changes were
      observed in the distal half (with respect to the substrate surface) of the hybrid
      bilayer comprised of a zwitterionic phospholipid in response to a +100mV
      potential with respect to 0mV. These arise presumably due to reorientation of the
      electric dipole present in the polar headgroup of the phospholipid and its
      resulting effect on the thickness of the phospholipid's hydrocarbon chain layer
      within the hybrid bilayer's profile structure. The profile structure of the
      voltage-sensor domain from a voltage-gated ion channel protein within a
      phospholipid bilayer membrane, tethered to the surface of an inorganic substrate
      and fully hydrated with a bulk aqueous medium in an electrochemical cell, was
      also investigated as a function of the applied transmembrane electric potential
      via time-resolved X-ray reflectivity, enhanced by interferometry. Significant,
      fully-reversible, and different structural changes in the protein were detected
      in response to +/-100mV potentials with respect to 0mV. The approach employed is
      that typical of transient spectroscopy, shown here to be applicable to both
      neutron and X-ray reflectivity of thin films.

PMID- 24222931
TI  - Multisensory vocal communication in primates and the evolution of rhythmic
      speech.
AB  - The integration of the visual and auditory modalities during human speech
      perception is the default mode of speech processing. That is, visual speech
      perception is not a capacity that is "piggybacked" on to auditory-only speech
      perception. Visual information from the mouth and other parts of the face is used
      by all perceivers to enhance auditory speech. This integration is ubiquitous and
      automatic and is similar across all individuals across all cultures. The two
      modalities seem to be integrated even at the earliest stages of human cognitive
      development. If multisensory speech is the default mode of perception, then this
      should be reflected in the evolution of vocal communication. The purpose of this
      review is to describe the data that reveal that human speech is not uniquely
      multisensory. In fact, the default mode of communication is multisensory in
      nonhuman primates as well but perhaps emerging with a different developmental
      trajectory. Speech production, however, exhibits a unique bimodal rhythmic
      structure in that both the acoustic output and the movements of the mouth are
      rhythmic and tightly correlated. This structure is absent in most monkey
      vocalizations. One hypothesis is that the bimodal speech rhythm may have evolved
      through the rhythmic facial expressions of ancestral primates, as indicated by
      mounting comparative evidence focusing on the lip-smacking gesture.

PMID- 24222932
TI  - Quality assesment of mie 2009 sarajevo conference presentations.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: XXII European Congress of Medical Informatics (MIe 2009) took place
      in Sarajevo from August 30th to September 2nd 2009. Assessment of quality of
      papers presented at MIe 2009 was a process of observation, measurement,
      comparison and evaluation of the quality of orally presented papers. METHODOLOGY:
      For this study, and for the first time since EFMI founding (1976) and MIE
      congresses, the authors introduced a specially created quality assessment form
      with five relevant paper quality variables (methodological approach,
      international influence, scientific content, language quality, technical
      features) which the first author of this article used in peer-review process of
      papers submitted for publication in the journal Acta Informatica Medica (as
      Editor-in-Chief for last 18 years). The survey was conducted on the principle of
      random sampling of participants of MIE 2009 Conference in Sarajevo, where
      specially trained interviewers (final year students of medicine and engineering
      at the University of Sarajevo) interviewed 33 session's chairs and 110
      participants/listeners of MIE 2009 paper presentations in 33 sessions (of total
      40). Data was collected, entered into a specially created database, analyzed and
      presented. RESULTS: From the total of 150 oral presentations at the MIE 2009, 110
      oral presentations were graded by both chairs and participants/ listeners.
      Grading results were compared and we found that in 60% of cases (66 papers)
      session chairs gave higher ratings than other participants of the congress. The
      highest rating was 10, and the lowest 3. Only 3 of the papers received all four
      grades 10 from the session chairs. The most common grade given by chairs of the
      session was 8 (26.36%), followed by 7 (20%), 9 (19.32%), 6 (13.18%), 10 and 5
      (7.50%), 4 (5%) and 3 (1.14%). Significant differences in quality assessment of
      papers done by chairs and those done by other participants/listeners are
      observed. CONCLUSION: This work should demonstrate the importance of introducing
      universal (uniform) scale for assessment of articles at conferences that would
      provide objective and relevant assessment, which has not been the practice.
      Results obtained using a single standardized scale can be compared to each other
      and thus improve the quality of the articles and the congress. Future congresses
      can be organized in this manner and become leading events in certain fields of
      medical science.

PMID- 24222933
TI  - Telemedicine in anesthesiology and reanimatology.
AB  - SUMMARY: In recent years impressive progress is happening in information and
      telecommunication technologies. The application of computers in medicine allows
      permanent data storage, data transfer from one place to another, retrieving and
      data processing, data availability at all times, monitoring of patients over
      time, etc. This can significantly improve the medical profession. Medicine is one
      of the most intensive users of all types of information and telecommunication
      technology. Quickly and reliably store and transfer data (text, images, sounds,
      etc.) provides significant assistance and improvement in almost all medical
      procedures. In addition, data in locations far from medical centers can be of
      invaluable benefit, especially in emergency cases in which the decisive role has
      anesthesiologists.

PMID- 24222934
TI  - Distance learning perspectives.
AB  - The development of modern technology and the Internet has enabled the explosive
      growth of distance learning. distance learning is a process that is increasingly
      present in the world. This is the field of education focused on educating
      students who are not physically present in the traditional classrooms or
      student's campus. described as a process where the source of information is
      separated from the students in space and time. If there are situations that
      require the physical presence of students, such as when a student is required to
      physically attend the exam, this is called a hybrid form of distance learning.
      This technology is increasingly used worldwide. The Internet has become the main
      communication channel for the development of distance learning. 

PMID- 24222935
TI  - Statins as modulators of regulatory T-cell biology.
AB  - Statins are pharmacological inhibitors of the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl
      glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of
      cholesterol. Some recent experimental studies have shown that besides their
      effects on the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases,
      statins may also have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects through diverse
      mechanisms. On the other hand, the induction and activity of regulatory T cells
      (Treg) are key processes in the prevention of pathology during chronic
      inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Hence, strategies oriented towards the
      therapeutic expansion of Tregs are gaining special attention among biomedical
      researchers. The potential effects of statins on the biology of Treg are of
      particular importance because of their eventual application as in vivo inducers
      of Treg in the treatment of multiple conditions. In this paper we review the
      experimental evidence pointing out to a potential effect of statins on the role
      of regulatory T cells in different conditions and discuss its potential clinical
      significance. 

PMID- 24222936
TI  - Mediators of neuroinflammation.

PMID- 24222937
TI  - The role of oxidized low-density lipoproteins in atherosclerosis: the myths and
      the facts.
AB  - The oxidative modification hypothesis of atherosclerosis, which assigns to
      oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) a crucial role in atherosclerosis
      initiation and progression, is still debated. This review examines the role
      played by oxidized LDLs in atherogenesis taking into account data derived by
      studies based on molecular and clinical approaches. Experimental data carried out
      in cellular lines and animal models of atherosclerosis support the proatherogenic
      role of oxidized LDLs: (a) through chemotactic and proliferating actions on
      monocytes/macrophages, inciting their transformation into foam cells; (b) through
      stimulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) recruitment and proliferation in the
      tunica intima; (c) through eliciting endothelial cells, SMCs, and macrophages
      apoptosis with ensuing necrotic core development. Moreover, most of the
      experimental data on atherosclerosis-prone animals benefiting from antioxidant
      treatment points towards a link between oxidative stress and atherosclerosis. The
      evidence coming from cohort studies demonstrating an association between oxidized
      LDLs and cardiovascular events, notwithstanding some discrepancies, seems to
      point towards a role of oxidized LDLs in atherosclerotic plaque development and
      destabilization. Finally, the results of randomized clinical trials employing
      antioxidants completed up to date, despite demonstrating no benefits in healthy
      populations, suggest a benefit in high-risk patients. In conclusion, available
      data seem to validate the oxidative modification hypothesis of atherosclerosis,
      although additional proofs are still needed. 

PMID- 24222938
TI  - Are metabolic factors still important in the era of direct antiviral agents in
      patients with chronic hepatitis C?
AB  - The high rate of sustained viral response (SVR) to boceprevir or telaprevir-based
      triple therapy in hepatitis C (HCV)-related, non-cirrhotic naive patients or
      relapsers to previous antiviral treatment leads clinicians to believe that the
      impact of metabolic host factors on SVR is minimal when triple therapy is used,
      unlike what is observed with the peginterferon and ribavirin schedules. This
      concept is strongly expressed by some opinion leaders on the basis of the data
      derived from sub-analyses of registrative trials as well as from a post-hoc
      analysis of the phase II C208 clinical trial. The perception of unrestrainable
      therapeutic success with the use of newer, more powerful antivirals is now
      reinforced by the brilliant results obtained with sofosbuvir, an HCV NS5B
      polymerase inhibitor, as well as by the data from the phase II and III studies on
      the various combinations of second-generation NS3/4A inhibitors and NS5A and/or
      NS5B inhibitors. However, a great deal of concern has emerged from the real world
      scenario in which patients are often older and have more comorbidities than
      patients in the "world of trials". Furthermore, many of them have advanced
      fibrosis and previous failure with peginterferon and ribavirin treatment. Some
      data from the recent literature suggest that the host metabolic factors may play
      a minor but non-negligible role in these difficult-to-treat patients, an issue
      that will hopefully be investigated in further studies. This editorial aims to
      provide a detailed analysis of the role that host metabolic factors played in the
      past and what role they may play in the era of direct antiviral agents. 

PMID- 24222939
TI  - Transmission of hepatitis C virus: self-limiting hepatitis or chronic hepatitis?
AB  - It has been suggested that hepatitis C virus (HCV) is selectively transmitted to
      a new host as an infectious clone from multiple HCV variants (quasispecies) in
      the donor. Most individuals with HCV infection develop chronic hepatitis, but
      approximately 15%-40% of them clear the virus spontaneously and the hepatitis is
      resolved in a self-limiting manner in the acute phase of infection. This
      difference in the outcome of acute hepatitis C is attributable to both viral
      characteristics and genetic regulation of infection. In particular, the
      evolutionary dynamics of the infecting virus and host genetic polymorphisms
      pertaining mainly to the immune system, including polymorphisms in the region of
      the Interleukin 28B gene encoding interferon-lambda-3, are associated with
      susceptibility to HCV infection. 

PMID- 24222940
TI  - New progress in endoscopic treatment of esophageal diseases.
AB  - The technique of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which was developed for
      en bloc resection of large lesions in the stomach, has been widely accepted for
      the treatment of the entire gastrointestinal tract. Many minimally invasive
      endoscopic therapies based on ESD have been developed recently. Endoscopic
      submucosal excavation, submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection and laparoscopic
      endoscopic cooperative surgery have been used to remove submucosal tumors,
      especially tumors which originate from the muscularis propria of the digestive
      tract. Peroral endoscopic myotomy has recently been described as a scarless and
      less invasive surgical myotomy option for the treatment of achalasia. Patients
      benefit from minimally invasive endoscopic therapy. This article, in the
      highlight topic series, provides detailed information on the indications and
      treatments for esophageal diseases. 

PMID- 24222941
TI  - PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism and progressive liver disease.
AB  - The 148 Isoleucine to Methionine protein variant (I148M) of patatin-like
      phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3), a protein is expressed in the liver
      and is involved in lipid metabolism, has recently been identified as a major
      determinant of liver fat content. Several studies confirmed that the I148M
      variant predisposes towards the full spectrum of liver damage associated with
      fatty liver: from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis and progressive fibrosis.
      Furthermore, the I148M variant represents a major determinant of progression of
      alcohol related steatohepatitis to cirrhosis, and to influence fibrogenesis and
      related clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis C virus hepatitis, and possibly
      chronic hepatitis B virus hepatitis, hereditary hemochromatosis and primary
      sclerosing cholangitis. All in all, studies suggest that the I148M polymorphism
      may represent a general modifier of fibrogenesis in liver diseases. Remarkably,
      the effect of the I148M variant on fibrosis was independent of that on hepatic
      steatosis and inflammation, suggesting that it may affect both the quantity and
      quality of hepatic lipids and the biology of non-parenchymal liver cells besides
      hepatocytes, directly promoting fibrogenesis. Therefore, PNPLA3 is a key player
      in liver disease progression. Assessment of the I148M polymorphism will possibly
      inform clinical practice in the future, whereas the determination of the effect
      of the 148M variant will reveal mechanisms involved in hepatic fibrogenesis. 

PMID- 24222942
TI  - Peritoneal carcinomatosis.
AB  - Several gastrointestinal and gynecological malignancies have the potential to
      disseminate and grow in the peritoneal cavity. The occurrence of peritoneal
      carcinomatosis (PC) has been shown to significantly decrease overall survival in
      patients with liver and/or extraperitoneal metastases from gastrointestinal
      cancer. During the last three decades, the understanding of the biology and
      pathways of dissemination of tumors with intraperitoneal spread, and the
      understanding of the protective function of the peritoneal barrier against
      tumoral seeding, has prompted the concept that PC is a loco-regional disease: in
      absence of other systemic metastases, multimodal approaches combining aggressive
      cytoreductive surgery, intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy and systemic
      chemotherapy have been proposed and are actually considered promising methods to
      improve loco-regional control of the disease, and ultimately to increase
      survival. The aim of this review article is to present the evidence on treatment
      of PC in different tumors, in order to provide patients with a proper surgical
      and multidisciplinary treatment focused on optimal control of their locoregional
      disease. 

PMID- 24222944
TI  - Potential role of Helicobacter pylori infection in nonalcoholic fatty liver
      disease.
AB  - Accumulating evidence has implicated Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in
      extragastrointestinal diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus,
      cardiovascular disease, and liver disease. Recently, there has been a special
      focus on H. pylori infection as a risk factor for the development of nonalcoholic
      fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is currently considered to be the most common
      liver disorder in western countries, and is rapidly becoming a serious threat to
      public health. The mechanisms of pathogenesis underlying NAFLD remain unclear at
      present and therapeutic options are limited. The growing awareness of the role of
      H. pylori in NAFLD is thus important to aid the development of novel intervention
      and prevention strategies, because the eradication of H. pylori is easy and much
      less expensive than long-term treatment of the other risk factors. H. pylori
      infection is involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR), which is
      closely linked with NAFLD. It provides a new insight into the pathogenesis of
      NAFLD. This review probes the possible relationship between H. pylori and NAFLD,
      from the perspective of the potential mechanism of how H. pylori infection brings
      about IR and other aspects concerning this correlation. 

PMID- 24222946
TI  - Presence of phthalates in gastrointestinal medications: is there a hidden danger?
AB  - Pharmaceutical companies that produce gastrointestinal (GI) medications often
      utilize phthalates for their ability to localize medication release. Commonly
      prescribed GI medications that may utilize phthalates are 5-Aminosalicylates,
      proton pump inhibitors, and pancreatic enzymes. Our understanding of the
      cumulative health effects of phthalates from medications remains unclear, and
      there is increasing evidence that phthalates are not harmless. Experimental
      studies in animals have shown that phthalates, specifically dibutyl phthalate and
      Di-(2-ethyl-hexyl) phthalate, have the potential to alter and/or inhibit
      reproductive biology and in utero development. Despite the lack of definitive
      human data, many cohort and cross-sectional studies demonstrate concerning
      associations between phthalates and poor health status, specifically
      developmental problems. Longitudinal studies and studies with larger sample sizes
      are required to determine whether phthalates actually cause negative health
      consequences. It is also important that physicians regularly review and discuss
      with patients the medicinal ingredients in their medications and supplements,
      specifically in pregnant woman with inflammatory bowel disease. 

PMID- 24222945
TI  - Stages based molecular mechanisms for generating cholangiocytes from liver
      stem/progenitor cells.
AB  - Except for the most organized mature hepatocytes, liver stem/progenitor cells
      (LSPCs) can differentiate into many other types of cells in the liver including
      cholangiocytes. In addition, LSPCs are demonstrated to be able to give birth to
      other kinds of extra-hepatic cell types such as insulin-producing cells. Even
      more, under some bad conditions, these LSPCs could generate liver cancer stem
      like cells (LCSCs) through malignant transformation. In this review, we mainly
      concentrate on the molecular mechanisms for controlling cell fates of LSPCs,
      especially differentiation of cholangiocytes, insulin-producing cells and LCSCs.
      First of all, to certificate the cell fates of LSPCs, the following three
      features need to be taken into account to perform accurate phenotyping: (1)
      morphological properties; (2) specific markers; and (3) functional assessment
      including in vivo transplantation. Secondly, to promote LSPCs differentiation,
      systematical attention should be paid to inductive materials (such as growth
      factors and chemical stimulators), progressive materials including intracellular
      and extracellular signaling pathways, and implementary materials (such as liver
      enriched transcriptive factors). Accordingly, some recommendations were proposed
      to standardize, optimize, and enrich the effective production of cholangiocyte
      like cells out of LSPCs. At the end, the potential regulating mechanisms for
      generation of cholangiocytes by LSPCs were carefully analyzed. The
      differentiation of LSPCs is a gradually progressing process, which consists of
      three main steps: initiation, progression and accomplishment. It's the unbalanced
      distribution of affecting materials in each step decides the cell fates of LSPCs.

PMID- 24222943
TI  - Quasispecies structure, cornerstone of hepatitis B virus infection: mass
      sequencing approach.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus with complex replication, and high
      replication and mutation rates, leading to a heterogeneous viral population. The
      population is comprised of genomes that are closely related, but not identical;
      hence, HBV is considered a viral quasispecies. Quasispecies variability may be
      somewhat limited by the high degree of overlapping between the HBV coding
      regions, which is especially important in the P and S gene overlapping regions,
      but is less significant in the X and preCore/Core genes. Despite this
      restriction, several clinically and pathologically relevant variants have been
      characterized along the viral genome. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches
      enable high-throughput analysis of thousands of clonally amplified regions and
      are powerful tools for characterizing genetic diversity in viral strains. In the
      present review, we update the information regarding HBV variability and present a
      summary of the various NGS approaches available for research in this virus. In
      addition, we provide an analysis of the clinical implications of HBV variants and
      their study by NGS. 

PMID- 24222947
TI  - Neuromodulation for fecal incontinence: an effective surgical intervention.
AB  - Fecal incontinence is a disabling symptom with medical and social implications,
      including fear, embarrassment, isolation and even depression. Most patients live
      in seclusion and have to plan their life around the symptom, with secondary
      impairment of their quality of life. Conservative management and biofeedback
      therapy are reported to benefit a good percentage of those affected. However,
      surgery must be considered in the non-responder population. Recently, sacral
      nerve electrostimulation, lately named neuromodulation, has been reported to
      benefit patients with fecal incontinence in randomized controlled trials more
      than placebo stimulation and conservative management, by some unknown mechanism.
      Neuromodulation is a minimally invasive procedure with a low rate of adverse
      events and apparently favorable cost-efficacy profile. This review is intended to
      expand knowledge about this effective intervention among the non-surgically
      skilled community who deals with this disabled group of patients. 

PMID- 24222948
TI  - Interaction of IFNL3 with insulin resistance, steatosis and lipid metabolism in
      chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
AB  - Metabolic changes are inextricably linked to chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Recently
      polymorphisms in the IFNL3 (IL28B) region have been shown to be strongly
      associated with spontaneous and treatment induced recovery from hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) infection. Further, circumstantial evidence suggests a link between IFNL3
      single nucleotide polymorphisms and lipid metabolism, steatosis and insulin
      resistance in CHC. The emerging picture suggests that the responder genotypes of
      IFNL3 polymorphisms are associated with a higher serum lipid profile, and less
      frequent steatosis and insulin resistance. This review analyzes the current data
      regarding this interaction and its meaning for HCV pathogenesis and disease
      progression. 

PMID- 24222949
TI  - Gastrointestinal complications of systemic sclerosis.
AB  - Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by progressive skin
      thickening and tightness. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and kidney damage are
      the most important indicators for mortality; however, the gastrointestinal tract
      is the most commonly damaged system. Virtually all parts of the gastrointestinal
      (GI) tract can be involved, although the esophagus is the most frequently
      reported. The mechanisms that cause such extensive damage are generally unclear,
      but vascular changes, immunological abnormalities, excessive accumulation of
      collagen in the submucosa, smooth muscle atrophy and neuropathy may participate
      because these are the most common histological findings in biopsies and
      autopsies. Most patients with GI tract involvement complain about dyspepsia,
      nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating/distension, and fecal incontinence. These
      symptoms are generally mild during the early stage of the disease and are likely
      ignored by physicians. As the disease becomes more advanced, however, patient
      quality of life is markedly influenced, whereby malnutrition and shortened
      survival are the usual consequences. The diagnosis for systemic sclerosis is
      based on manometry measurements and an endoscopy examination. Supportive and
      symptomatic treatment is the main therapeutic strategy; however, an early
      diagnosis is critical for successful management. 

PMID- 24222950
TI  - Advances in the management of acute liver failure.
AB  - Acute liver failure (ALF) is an uncommon but dramatic clinical syndrome
      characterized by hepatic encephalopathy and a bleeding tendency due to abrupt
      loss of liver function caused by massive or submassive liver necrosis in a
      patient with a previously healthy liver. The causes of ALF encompass a wide
      variety of toxic, viral, metabolic, vascular and autoimmune insults to the liver,
      and identifying the correct cause can be difficult or even impossible. Many
      patients with ALF develop a cascade of serious complications involving almost
      every organ system, and death is mostly due to multi-organ failure, hemorrhage,
      infection, and intracranial hypertension. Fortunately, the outcome of ALF has
      been improved in the last 3 decades through the specific treatment for the
      disease of certain etiology, and the advanced intensive care management. For most
      severely affected patients who fail to recover after treatment, rapid evaluation
      for transfer to a transplantation center and consideration for liver
      transplantation is mandatory so that transplantation can be applied before
      contraindications develop. This review focuses on the recent advances in the
      understanding of various contributing etiologies, the administration of etiology
      specific treatment to alleviate the liver injury, and the management of
      complications (e.g., encephalopathy, coagulopathy, cardiovascular instability,
      respiratory failure, renal failure, sepsis and metabolic disturbance) in patients
      with ALF. Assessment of the need for liver transplantation is also presented. 

PMID- 24222951
TI  - Overexpression of miR-196b and HOXA10 characterize a poor-prognosis gastric
      cancer subtype.
AB  - AIM: To identify molecular biologic differences between two gastric
      adenocarcinoma subgroups presenting different prognoses through the analysis of
      microRNA and protein expression. METHODS: Array technologies were used to
      generate 1146 microRNAs and 124 proteins expression profiles of samples from 60
      patients with gastric cancer. For the integrative analysis, we used established
      mRNA expression data published in our previous study. Whole mRNA expression
      levels were acquired from microarray data for 60 identical gastric cancer
      patients. Two gastric adenocarcinoma subgroups with distinct mRNA expression
      profiles presented distinctly different prognoses. MicroRNA and protein
      expression patterns were compared between gastric cancer tissue and normal
      gastric tissue and between two different prognostic groups. Aberrantly expressed
      microRNA, associated mRNA, and protein in patients with poor-prognosis gastric
      cancer were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain
      reaction and immunochemistry in independent patients. RESULTS: We obtained the
      expression data of 1146 microRNAs and 124 cancer-related proteins. Four microRNAs
      were aberrantly expressed in the two prognostic groups and in cancer vs non
      cancer tissues (P < 0.05). In the poor-prognosis group, miR-196b, miR-135b, and
      miR-93 were up-regulated and miR-29c* was down-regulated. miR-196b expression
      positively correlated with Homeobox A10 (HOXA10) expression (r = 0.726, P <
      0.001), which was significantly increased in poor-prognosis patients (P < 0.001).
      Comparing gastric cancer with non-cancer tissues, 46/124 proteins showed
      differential expression (P < 0.05); COX2 (P < 0.001) and cyclin B1 (P = 0.017)
      were clearly over-expressed in the poor-prognosis group. CONCLUSION: Co
      activation of miR-196b and HOXA10 characterized a poor-prognosis subgroup of
      patients with gastric cancer. Elucidation of the biologic function of miR-196b
      and HOXA10 is warranted.

PMID- 24222952
TI  - Magnifying endoscopy for the diagnosis of specialized intestinal metaplasia in
      short-segment Barrett's esophagus.
AB  - AIM: To determine whether magnified observation of short-segment Barrett's
      esophagus (BE) is useful for the detection of specialized intestinal metaplasia
      (SIM). METHODS: Thirty patients with suspected short-segment BE underwent
      magnifying endoscopy up to * 80. The magnified images were analyzed with respect
      to their pit-patterns, which were simultaneously classified into five epithelial
      types [I (small round), II (straight), III (long oval), IV (tubular), V
      (villous)] by Endo's classification. Then, a 0.5% solution of methylene blue (MB)
      was sprayed over columnar mucosa. The patterns of the magnified image and MB
      staining were analyzed. Biopsies were obtained from the regions previously
      observed by magnifying endoscopy and MB chromoendoscopy. RESULTS: Three of five
      patients with a type V (villous) epithelial pattern had SIM, whereas 21 patients
      with a non-type V epithelial patterns did not have SIM. The sensitivity,
      specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value
      of pit-patterns in detecting SIM were 100%, 91.3%, 92.3%, 60% and 100%,
      respectively (P = 0.004). Three of the 12 patients with positive MB staining had
      SIM, whereas 14 patients with negative MB staining did not have SIM. The
      sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative
      predictive value of MB staining in detecting SIM were 100%, 60.9%, 65.4%, 25% and
      100%, respectively (P = 0.085). The specificity and accuracy of pit-pattern
      evaluation were significantly superior compared with MB staining for detecting
      SIM by comparison with the exact McNemar's test (P = 0.0391). CONCLUSION: The
      magnified observation of a short-segment BE according to the mucosal pattern and
      its classification can be predictive of SIM.

PMID- 24222953
TI  - C/EBP homologous protein deficiency aggravates acute pancreatitis and associated
      lung injury.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the pathophysiological role of C/EBP homologous protein
      (CHOP) in severe acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury. METHODS: A severe
      acute pancreatitis model was induced with 6 injections of cerulein (Cn, 50
      MUg/kg) at 1-h intervals, then intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS, 7.5 mg/kg) in CHOP-deficient (Chop(-/-)) mice and wild-type (WT) mice.
      Animals were sacrificed under anesthesia, 3 h or 18 h after LPS injection. Serum
      amylase, lipase, and cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor
      (TNF)-alpha], pathological changes, acute lung injury, and apoptosis in the
      pancreas were evaluated. Serum amylase and lipase activities were detected using
      a medical automatic chemical analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits
      were used to evaluate TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in mouse serum and lung tissue
      homogenates. Apoptotic cells in sections of pancreatic tissues were determined by
      terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling
      (TUNEL) analysis. The mouse carotid arteries were cannulated and arterial blood
      samples were collected for PaO2 analysis. The oxygenation index was expressed as
      PaO2/FiO2. RESULTS: Administration of Cn and LPS for 9 and 24 h induced severe
      acute pancreatitis in Chop(-/-) and WT mice. When comparing Chop(-/-) mice and WT
      mice, we observed that CHOP-deficient mice had greater increases in serum TNF
      alpha (214.40 +/- 19.52 pg/mL vs 150.40 +/- 16.70 pg/mL; P = 0.037), amylase
      (4236.40 +/- 646.32 U/L vs 2535.30 +/- 81.83 U/L; P = 0.041), lipase (1678.20 +/-
      170.57 U/L vs 1046.21 +/- 35.37 U/L; P = 0.008), and IL-6 (2054.44 +/- 293.81
      pg/mL vs 1316.10 +/- 108.74 pg/mL; P = 0.046) than WT mice. The histopathological
      changes in the pancreases and lungs, decreased PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and increased TNF
      alpha and IL-6 levels in the lungs were greater in Chop(-/-) mice than in WT mice
      (pancreas: Chop(-/-) vs WT mice, hemorrhage, P = 0.005; edema, P = 0.005;
      inflammatory cells infiltration, P = 0.005; total scores, P = 0.006; lung:
      hemorrhage, P = 0.017; edema, P = 0.017; congestion, P = 0.017; neutrophil
      infiltration, P = 0.005, total scores, P = 0.001; PaO2/FiO2 ratio: 393 +/- 17.65
      vs 453.8, P = 0.041; TNF-alpha: P = 0.043; IL-6, P = 0.040). Results from TUNEL
      analysis indicated increased acinar cell apoptosis in mice following the
      induction of acute pancreatitis. However, Chop(-/-) mice displayed significantly
      reduced pancreatic apoptosis compared with the WT mice (201.50 +/- 31.43 vs
      367.00 +/- 47.88, P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CHOP can
      exert protective effects against acute pancreatitis and limit the spread of
      inflammatory damage to the lungs.

PMID- 24222954
TI  - Photodynamic therapy vs radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's dysplasia:
      efficacy, safety and cost-comparison.
AB  - AIM: To compare effectiveness, safety, and cost of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and
      radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of Barrett's dysplasia (BD). METHODS:
      Consecutive case series of patients undergoing either PDT or RFA treatment at
      single center by a single investigator were compared. Thirty-three patients with
      high-grade dysplasia (HGD) had treatment with porfimer sodium photosensitzer and
      630 nm laser (130 J/cm), with maximum of 3 treatment sessions. Fifty-three
      patients with BD (47 with low-grade dysplasia -LGD, 6 with HGD) had step-wise
      circumferential and focal ablation using the HALO system with maximum of 4
      treatment sessions. Both groups received proton pump inhibitors twice daily.
      Endoscopic biopsies were acquired at 2 and 12 mo after enrollment, with 4
      quadrant biopsies every 1 cm of the original BE extent. A complete histological
      resolution response of BD (CR-D) was defined as all biopsies at the last
      endoscopy session negative for BD. Fisher's exact test was used to assess
      differences between the two study groups for primary outcomes. For all outcomes,
      a two-sided P value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical
      significance. RESULTS: Thirty (91%) PDT patients and 39 (74%) RFA were men (P =
      0.05). The mean age was 70.7 +/- 12.2 and 65.4 +/- 12.7 (P = 0.10) year and mean
      length of BE was 5.4 +/- 3.2 cm and 5.7 +/- 3.2 cm (P = 0.53) for PDT and RFA
      patients, respectively. The CR-D was (18/33) 54.5% with PDT vs (47/53) 88.7% with
      RFA (P = 0.001). One patient with PDT had an esophageal perforation and was
      managed with non-surgical measures and no perforation was seen with RFA. PDT was
      five times more costly than RFA at our institution. The two groups were not
      randomized and had different BD grading are the limitations of the study.
      CONCLUSION: In our experience, RFA had higher rate of CR-D without any serious
      adverse events and was less costly than PDT for endoscopic treatment of BD.

PMID- 24222955
TI  - Children with celiac disease and high tTGA are genetically and phenotypically
      different.
AB  - AIM: To investigate whether celiac disease (CD) patients with tissue
      transglutaminase antibody (tTGA) >= 100 U/mL are different from patients with
      lower tTGA levels. METHODS: Biopsy-proven (Marsh III) pediatric CD patients (n =
      116) were prospectively included between March 2009 and October 2012. The
      biopsies were evaluated by a single pathologist who was blinded to all of the
      patients' clinical data. The patients were distributed into 2 groups according to
      their tTGA level, which was measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay: tTGA >= 100
      U/mL and tTGA < 100 U/mL. The patients'characteristics, symptoms, human leukocyte
      antigen (HLA) genotype and degree of histological involvement were compared
      between the 2 groups. RESULTS: A total of 34 (29.3%) children had tTGA values <
      100 U/mL and 82 (70.7%) tTGA levels of >= 100 U/mL. Patients with high tTGA
      levels had lower average body weight-for-height standard deviation scores (SDS)
      than did patients with tTGA < 100 U/mL (-0.20 +/- 1.19 SDS vs 0.23 +/- 1.03 SDS,
      P = 0.025). In the low tTGA group, gastrointestinal symptoms were more common
      (97.1% vs 75.6%, P = 0.006). More specifically, abdominal pain (76.5% vs 51.2%; P
      = 0.012) and nausea (17.6% vs 3.7%, P = 0.018) were more frequent among patients
      with low tTGA. In contrast, patients with solely extraintestinal manifestations
      were only present in the high tTGA group (18.3%, P = 0.005). These patients more
      commonly presented with aphthous stomatitis (15.9% vs 0.0%, P = 0.010) and anemia
      (32.9% vs 11.8%, P = 0.019). In addition, when evaluating the number of CD
      associated HLA-DQ heterodimers (HLA-DQ2.5, HLA-DQ2.2 and HLA-DQ8), patients with
      low tTGA levels more commonly had only 1 disease-associated heterodimer (61.8% vs
      31.7%, P = 0.005), while patients with high tTGA more commonly had multiple
      heterodimers. Finally, patients with tTGA >= 100 U/mL more often had a Marsh IIIc
      lesion (73.2% vs 20.6%, P < 0.001) while in patients with low tTGA patchy lesions
      were more common (42.4% vs 6.8%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with tTGA >=
      100 U/mL show several signs of more advanced disease. They also carry a larger
      number of CD associated HLA-DQ heterodimers.

PMID- 24222956
TI  - Reference genes for quantitative RT-PCR data in gastric tissues and cell lines.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the suitability of reference genes in gastric tissue samples and
      cell lines. METHODS: The suitability of genes ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, RPL29, and 18S
      rRNA was assessed in 21 matched pairs of neoplastic and adjacent non-neoplastic
      gastric tissues from patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, 27 normal gastric
      tissues from patients without cancer, and 4 cell lines using reverse
      transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The
      ranking of the best single and combination of reference genes was determined by
      NormFinder, geNormTM, BestKeeper, and DataAssistTM. In addition, GenEx software
      was used to determine the optimal number of reference genes. To validate the
      results, the mRNA expression of a target gene, DNMT1, was quantified using the
      different reference gene combinations suggested by the various software packages
      for normalization. RESULTS: ACTB was the best reference gene for all gastric
      tissues, cell lines and all gastric tissues plus cell lines. GAPDH + B2M or ACTB
      + B2M was the best combination of reference genes for all the gastric tissues. On
      the other hand, ACTB + B2M was the best combination for all the cell lines tested
      and was also the best combination for analyses involving all the gastric tissues
      plus cell lines. According to the GenEx software, 2 or 3 genes were the optimal
      number of references genes for all the gastric tissues. The relative
      quantification of DNMT1 showed similar patterns when normalized by each
      combination of reference genes. The level of expression of DNMT1 in neoplastic,
      adjacent non-neoplastic and normal gastric tissues did not differ when these
      samples were normalized using GAPDH + B2M (P = 0.32), ACTB + B2M (P = 0.61), or
      GAPDH + B2M + ACTB (P = 0.44). CONCLUSION: GAPDH + B2M or ACTB + B2M is the best
      combination of reference gene for all the gastric tissues, and ACTB + B2M is the
      best combination for the cell lines tested.

PMID- 24222957
TI  - Impact of cirrhosis on surgical outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - AIM: To elucidate surgical outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients
      with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We studied retrospectively all patients who
      underwent PD in our centre between January 2002 and December 2011. Group A
      comprised patients with cirrhotic livers, and Group B comprised patients with non
      cirrhotic livers. The cirrhotic patients had Child-Pugh classes A and B
      (patient's score less than 8). Preoperative demographic data, intra-operative
      data and postoperative details were collected. The primary outcome measure was
      hospital mortality rate. Secondary outcomes analysed included duration of the
      operation, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative morbidity and survival
      rate. RESULTS: Only 67/442 patients (15.2%) had cirrhotic livers. Intraoperative
      blood loss and blood transfusion were significantly higher in group A (P =
      0.0001). The mean surgical time in group A was significantly longer than that in
      group B (P = 0.0001). Wound complications (P = 0.02), internal haemorrhage (P =
      0.05), pancreatic fistula (P = 0.02) and hospital mortality (P = 0.0001) were
      significantly higher in the cirrhotic patients. Postoperative stay was
      significantly longer in group A (P = 0.03). The median survival was 19 mo in
      group A and 24 mo in group B. Portal hypertension (PHT) was present in 16/67
      cases of cirrhosis (23.9%). The intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion
      were significantly higher in patients with PHT (P = 0.001). Postoperative
      morbidity (0.07) and hospital mortality (P = 0.007) were higher in cirrhotic
      patients with PHT. CONCLUSION: Patients with periampullary tumours and well
      compensated chronic liver disease should be routinely considered for PD at high
      volume centres with available expertise to manage liver cirrhosis. PD is
      associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity in patients with
      liver cirrhosis; therefore, it is only recommended in patients with Child A
      cirrhosis without portal hypertension.

PMID- 24222958
TI  - Complications and survival in patients undergoing colonic stenting for malignant
      obstruction.
AB  - AIM: To investigate whether predicting patients that might be at a higher risk
      for complications might serve to improve the selection of patients undergoing
      colonic stenting. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive patients who
      underwent an attempted self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion for malignant
      colonic obstruction between November 2006 and March 2013. All patients were
      either referred for preoperative colonic decompression with the intent of a
      single surgical procedure, or for palliation of the malignant colorectal
      obstruction for unresectable cancer. Fisher's test or chi(2) test was performed
      on categorical variables, and the t test for continuous variables. Univariable
      and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the association
      between independent variables and the presence of complications from SEMS
      insertion. RESULTS: SEMS insertion was attempted in 73 patients. Males comprised
      55.71% and the mean age was 67.41 +/- 12.41 years. Of these, 65.15% underwent
      subsequent surgery, while 34.85% received SEMS as palliation for advanced
      disease. Extracolonic tumors were only 4.76%. The majority of patients had stage
      IV disease (63.83%), while the remainder had stage III (36.17%). SEMS were
      successfully inserted in 93.85% (95%CI: 87.85%-99.85%). Perforations occurred in
      4.10%, SEMS migration in 8.21%, and stent re-occlusion from ingrowth occurred in
      2.74% of patients. The mean duration of follow up for the patients was 13.52 +/-
      17.48 mo (range 0-73 mo). None of the variables: age, sex, time between the onset
      of symptoms to SEMS insertion, time between SEMS insertion and surgery, length of
      the stenosis, location of the stenosis, albumin level, or receiving neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy, could predict the development of complications from either SEMS
      insertion nor prolonged survival. CONCLUSION: None of the variables could predict
      the development of complications or survival. Further studies are required to
      identify patients who would benefit the most from SEMS.

PMID- 24222959
TI  - Efficacy of a novel auto-fluorescence imaging system with computer-assisted color
      analysis for assessment of colorectal lesions.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of computer-assisted color analysis of colorectal
      lesions using a novel auto-fluorescence imaging (AFI) system to distinguish
      neoplastic lesions from non-neoplastic lesions and to predict the depth of
      invasion. METHODS: From January 2013 to April 2013, consecutive patients with
      known polyps greater than 5 mm in size who were scheduled to undergo endoscopic
      treatment at The Jikei University Hospital were prospectively recruited for this
      study. All lesions were evaluated using a novel AFI system, and color-tone
      sampling was performed in a region of interest determined from narrow band
      imaging or from chromoendoscopy findings without magnification. The green/red
      (G/R) ratio for each lesion on the AFI images was calculated automatically using
      a computer-assisted color analysis system that permits real-time color analysis
      during endoscopic procedures. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients with 163 lesions
      were enrolled in this study. There were significant differences in the G/R ratios
      of hyperplastic polyps (non-neoplastic lesions), adenoma/intramucosal
      cancer/submucosal (SM) superficial cancer, and SM deep cancer (P < 0.0001). The
      mean +/- SD G/R ratios were 0.984 +/- 0.118 in hyperplastic polyps and 0.827 +/-
      0.081 in neoplastic lesions. The G/R ratios of hyperplastic polyps were
      significantly higher than those of neoplastic lesions (P < 0.001). When a G/R
      ratio cut-off value of > 0.89 was applied to determine non-neoplastic lesions,
      the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative
      predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were 83.9%, 82.6%, 53.1%, 95.6% and 82.8%,
      respectively. For neoplastic lesions, the mean G/R ratio was 0.834 +/- 0.080 in
      adenoma/intramucosal cancer/SM superficial cancer and 0.746 +/- 0.045 in SM deep
      cancer. The G/R ratio of adenoma/intramucosal cancer/SM superficial cancer was
      significantly higher than that of SM deep cancer (P < 0.01). When a G/R ratio cut
      off value of < 0.77 was applied to distinguish SM deep cancers, the sensitivity,
      specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 80.0%, 84.4%, 29.6%, 98.1% and 84.1%,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The novel AFI system with color analysis was effective
      in distinguishing non-neoplastic lesions from neoplastic lesions and might allow
      determination of the depth of invasion.

PMID- 24222960
TI  - Characteristics and prognosis of synchronous multiple early gastric cancer.
AB  - AIM: To assess the clinicopathologic characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis
      for synchronous multiple early gastric cancer (SMGC). METHODS: A total of 146
      patients with SMGC and 1194 patients with single gastric cancer who had undergone
      gastrectomy between 1989 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed to determine
      their clinicopathologic characteristics and postoperative survival. Tumors were
      classified into groups on the basis of location and histology. Smoking habits
      were evaluated using the Brinkman index. Clinical and pathological factors were
      compared using either Fisher's exact test or Pearson's chi(2) test. Logistic
      regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors. Survival
      rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: SMGCs accounted for
      10.9% of gastric cancer cases and occurred predominantly in elderly male patients
      with a family history of gastric cancer who were both smokers and drinkers. These
      tumors were typically macroscopically elevated and histologically differentiated.
      There were no significant differences between SMGC and single gastric cancer
      patients with respect to tumor location, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, the
      number of metastatic lymph nodes, venous invasion, or tumor stage (P = 0.052, P =
      0.347, P = 0.595, P = 0.805, P = 0.559, and P = 0.408, respectively). Further,
      there was no significant difference in postoperative survival between the patient
      groups (P = 0.200). Of the 146 SMGC patients, a single patient had remnant
      cancer. CONCLUSION: A careful preoperative endoscopy is necessary for patients
      who are at high risk of SMGC, and minimally invasive treatment may be indicated
      in some cases.

PMID- 24222961
TI  - Forward-viewing endoscopic ultrasound-guided NOTES interventions: a study on
      peritoneoscopic potential.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of diagnostic and therapeutic transgastric (TG)
      peritoneoscopic interventions with a forward-viewing endoscopic ultrasound (FV
      EUS). METHODS: This prospective endoscopic experimental study used an animal
      model. Combined TG peritoneoscopic interventions and EUS examination of the intra
      abdominal organs were performed using an FV-EUS on 10 animal models (1 porcine
      and 9 canine). The procedures carried out include EUS evaluation and endoscopic
      biopsy of intraperitoneal organs, EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA),
      EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA), and argon plasma coagulation (APC)
      for hemostatic control. The animals were kept alive for 7 d, and then necropsy
      was performed to evaluate results and complications. RESULTS: In all 10 animals,
      TG peritoneoscopy, followed by endoscopic biopsy for the liver, spleen, abdominal
      wall, and omentum, was performed successfully. APC helped control minor bleeding.
      Visualization of intra-abdominal solid organs with real-time EUS was accomplished
      with ease. Intraperitoneal EUS-FNA was successfully performed on the liver,
      spleen, and kidney. Similarly, a successful outcome was achieved with EUS-RFA of
      the hepatic parenchyma. No adverse events were recorded during the study.
      CONCLUSION: Peritoneoscopic natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery
      (NOTES) interventions through FV-EUS were feasible in providing evaluation and
      performing endoscopic procedures. It promises potential as a platform for future
      EUS-based NOTES.

PMID- 24222962
TI  - Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation in patients with periampullary
      diverticula.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic papillary large
      balloon dilation (EPLBD) for bile duct stone extraction in patients with
      periampullary diverticula. METHODS: The records of 223 patients with large common
      bile duct stones (>= 10 mm) who underwent EPLBD (12-20 mm balloon diameter) with
      or without limited endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) from July 2006 to April 2011
      were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 93 (41.7%) had periampullary
      diverticula (PAD), which was categorized into three types. The clinical variables
      of EPLBD with limited ES (EPLBD + ES) and EPLBD alone were analyzed according to
      the presence of PAD. RESULTS: Patients with PAD were significantly older than
      those without (75.2 +/- 8.8 years vs 69.7 +/- 10.9 years, P = 0.000). The rates
      of overall stone removal and complete stone removal in the first session were not
      significantly different between the PAD and non-PAD groups, however, there was
      significantly less need for mechanical lithotripsy in the PAD group (3.2% vs
      11.5%, P = 0.026). Overall stone removal rates, complete stone removal rates in
      the first session and the use of mechanical lithotripsy were not significantly
      different between EPLBD + ES and EPLBD alone in patients with PAD (96.6% vs
      97.1%; 72.9% vs 88.2%; and 5.1% vs 0%, respectively). No significant differences
      with respect to the rates of pancreatitis, perforation, and bleeding were
      observed between EPLBD + ES and EPLBD alone in the PAD group (3.4% vs 14.7%, P =
      0.095; 0% vs 0%; and 3.4% vs 8.8%, P = 0.351, respectively). CONCLUSION: EPLBD
      with limited ES and EPLBD alone are safe and effective modalities for common bile
      duct stone removal in patients with PAD, regardless of PAD subtypes.

PMID- 24222963
TI  - Quantification of pancreatic exocrine function of chronic pancreatitis with
      secretin-enhanced MRCP.
AB  - AIM: To obtain reference values for pancreatic flow output rate (PFR) and peak
      time (PT) in healthy volunteers and chronic pancreatitis (CP); to correlate
      quantification of secretin enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
      (SMRCP) of pancreatic fluid output following secretin with fecal elastase-1 (FE
      1) tests. METHODS: The present study includes 53 subjects comprised of 17 healthy
      individuals and 36 patients with CP from April 2011 to January 2013. The 36
      patients with CP were divided into three groups of mild CP (n = 14), moderate CP
      (n = 19) and advanced CP (n = 3) by M-ANNHEIM classification for CP.. Fifty-three
      cases underwent FE-1 test and magnetic resonance imaging using 3.0 T-device
      (Signa EXCITE, GE Healthcare). Coronal T2-weighted single-shot turbo spin-echo,
      spiratory triggered, covering the papillae, duodenum and small bowel. MRCP was
      performed with a heavily T2-weighted fat-suppressed long TE HASTE sequence (thick
      slab 2D MRCP sequence), repeated every 2 min up to 11 min after 0.1 mL/kg
      secretin injection (Secrelux, Sanochemia((r)), Germany). FE-1 test used sandwich
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test (ScheBo. Tech((r)), Germany).
      RESULTS: A good linear correlation showed between the calculated volume and the
      actual volume by Phantom experiments. Fifty-three paired Quantification of
      secretin enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCPQ) and FE-1
      data sets were analyzed. The mean FE-1 of 53 cases was 525.41 +/- 94.44 MUg/g for
      17 healthy volunteers, 464.95 +/- 136.13 MUg/g for mild CP, 301.55 +/- 181.55
      MUg/g for moderate CP, 229.30 +/- 146.60 MUg/g for advanced CP. Also, there was
      statistically significant difference in FE-1 (P = 0.0001) between health and CP.
      The mean values of PFR and PT were 8.18 +/- 1.11 mL/min, 5.76 +/- 1.71 min for
      normal; 7.27 +/- 2.04 mL/min, 7.71 +/- 2.55 min for mild CP; 4.98 +/- 2.57
      mL/min, 9.10 +/- 3.00 min for moderate CP; 4.13 +/- 1.83 mL/min, 12.33 +/- 1.55
      min for advanced CP. Further, statistically significant difference in PFR (P =
      0.0001) and PT (P = 0.0001) was observed between health and CP. Besides, there
      was correlation (r = 0.79) and consistency (K = 0.6) between MRCPQ and ELISA
      Test. It was related between M-ANNHEIM classification and PFR (r = 0.55), FE-1 (r
      = 0.57). CONCLUSION: SMRCP can provide a safe, non-invasive and efficient method
      to evaluate the exocrine function of the pancreas.

PMID- 24222964
TI  - Clinical features and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients with different
      ethnicities in Northwest China.
AB  - AIM: To compare the clinical factors and tumor characteristics that predict
      survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with different ethnicities in Xin
      Jiang area. METHODS: A total of 1421 histopathologically confirmed sporadic CRC
      patients who were either Han/Chinese or Uyghur were identified and enrolled from
      a database of both diagnoses and operative procedures from Xin Jiang Tumor
      Hospital, which is affiliated to Xin Jiang Medical University between 2000 and
      2007. Patients with family histories of CRC, hereditary nonpolyposis CRC,
      familial adenomatous polyposis, inflammatory bowel disease, carcinoid, squamous
      carcinoma or melanoma were excluded. The two ethnic groups were compared with
      regard to clinical features, tumor characteristics, disease stage, overall
      survival rate, disease-free survival rate and cancer-specific survival rate. The
      factors predicting long-term survival were assessed via both univariate and
      multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 1421 patients with CRC enrolled in this
      study, 1210 patients were Han/Chinese (mean age, 62.3 +/- 4.5 years; range, 19-92
      years), while 211 patients were Uyghur (mean age, 52.4 +/- 15.6 years; range, 17
      87 years). There were significant differences in proportions of gender, age,
      blood type, occupation and histopathological type between the Han/Chinese and
      Uyghur patients (P < 0.05). The median overall, disease-free and cancer-specific
      survival time were 45, 62 and 65 mo for the Han/Chinese patients and 42, 49 and
      61 mo for the Uyghur patients (P = 0.000, P = 0.005, P = 0.007). The cumulative 5
      year survival of the Uyghur patients was significantly worse than that of the Han
      patients (P = 0.000). A multivariate analysis showed that age, ethnicity,
      histopathological type, differentiation, T (Infiltration depth), N (Lymph node
      metastasis), staging, postoperative metastasis and metastatic site (P < 0.05)
      were found to be the prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The Uyghur CRC patients are
      associated with significantly younger age, more aggressive histopathologic
      characteristics and have significantly worse prognosis than the Han/Chinese
      patients.

PMID- 24222965
TI  - Association between Ras association domain family 1A promoter methylation and
      hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.
AB  - AIM: To assess diagnostic accuracy of Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A)
      promoter methylation in body fluids (serum, plasma and whole blood) for
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Relative information about study
      characteristics and incidence of RASSF1A methylation was collected. Quality of
      all included studies was evaluated by Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy
      Studies-2. Sensitivity and specificity were pooled using a random-effect model,
      and a summary receiver operating characteristic curve was used to demonstrate the
      overall diagnostic performance. Positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative
      likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95%CI were also
      calculated. Meta-regression was applied to analyze observed heterogeneity, and
      Deeks' test was performed to detect publication bias. RESULTS: After a systematic
      literature review, seven studies with a total of 302 cases of HCC and 250 cases
      of chronic liver diseases were included in the analysis. The pooled sensitivity
      and specificity were 0.70 (95%CI: 0.49-0.85) and 0.72 (95%CI: 0.54-0.85),
      respectively. The PLR was 2.51 (95%CI: 1.64-3.86), NLR was 0.41 (95%CI: 0.25
      0.68), and DOR was 6.13 (95%CI: 3.17-11.84). The chi(2) values of sensitivity,
      specificity, PLR, NLR and DOR were 59.41 (P < 0.001), 50.50 (P < 0.001), 17.40 (P
      = 0.010), 31.24 (P < 0.001) and 80.51 (P < 0.001), respectively. The area under
      the curve was 0.77 (95%CI: 0.73-0.81). Three factors were analyzed by univariate
      meta-regression and none was significant to interpret the observed heterogeneity
      (P > 0.05). No significant publication bias was detected by Deeks' test (P =
      0.346). CONCLUSION: We showed the potential diagnostic value of RASSF1A
      methylation in body fluids in HCC patients and it may improve diagnostic accuracy
      combined with the alpha-fetoprotein test.

PMID- 24222967
TI  - Spontaneous intramural duodenal hematoma in type 2B von Willebrand disease.
AB  - Intramural duodenal hematoma is a rare cause of a proximal gastrointestinal tract
      obstruction. Presentation of intramural duodenal hematoma most often occurs
      following blunt abdominal trauma in children, but spontaneous non-traumatic cases
      have been linked to anticoagulant therapy, pancreatitis, malignancy, vasculitis
      and endoscopy. We report an unusual case of spontaneous intramural duodenal
      hematoma presenting as an intestinal obstruction associated with acute
      pancreatitis in a patient with established von Willebrand disease, type 2B. The
      patient presented with abrupt onset of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
      Computed tomography imaging identified an intramural duodenal mass consistent
      with blood measuring 4.7 cm * 8.7 cm in the second portion of the duodenum
      abutting on the head of the pancreas. Serum lipase was 3828 units/L. Patient was
      managed conservatively with bowel rest, continuous nasogastric decompression,
      total parenteral nutrition, recombinant factor VIII (humateP) and transfusion.
      Symptoms resolved over the course of the hospitalization. This case highlights an
      important complication of an inherited coagulopathy. 

PMID- 24222966
TI  - Magnetic endoscopic imaging vs standard colonoscopy: meta-analysis of randomized
      controlled trials.
AB  - AIM: To assess the theoretical advantages of magnetic endoscope imaging (MEI)
      over standard colonoscopies (SCs) and to compare their efficacies. METHODS:
      Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane library and the
      Science Citation Index, were searched to retrieve relevant trials. In addition,
      abstracts from papers presented at professional meetings and the reference lists
      of retrieved articles were reviewed to identify additional studies. The meta
      analyses were performed using RevMan 5.1. A random effect model with the Mantel
      Haenszel method was used for pooling dichotomous and continuous data. A
      sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding the trials with a small number of
      patients and by excluding the trials performed by inexperienced providers.
      RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including 2967 patients, were
      included in the meta-analysis to compare cecal intubation rates and times,
      sedation dose, abdominal pain scores and the use of ancillary maneuvers between
      MEI and SC. The overall OR was 1.92 (95%CI: 1.13-3.27, eight RCTs), as indicated
      by the cecal intubation rate of MEI compared with SC, but MEI did not have any
      distinct advantage over SC for cecal intubation time (MD = -0.07, 95%CI: -0.16
      0.02; three RCTs). MEI did not generally result in lower pain scores. Outcomes
      were also analyzed for the two subgroups based on the endoscopists' experience
      level to evaluate cecal intubation rates. MEI presented better outcomes for non
      experienced colonoscopists than experienced colonoscopists. CONCLUSION: The real
      time magnetic imaging system is of benefit in training and educating
      inexperienced endoscopists and improves the cecal intubation rate for experienced
      and inexperienced endoscopists.

PMID- 24222968
TI  - Endoscopic treatment of efferent loop syndrome with insertion of double pigtail
      stent.
AB  - Efferent loop syndrome is a very rare postgastrectomy syndrome that can occur
      following Billroth-II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The most common loop syndrome
      after gastric surgery is afferent loop syndrome; however, efferent loop syndrome
      has been reported in rare cases. Here, we report a case of efferent loop
      obstruction that occurred after postoperative adhesiolysis of a small-bowel
      obstruction. The patient had undergone a partial gastrectomy with Billroth II
      anastomosis and gastric ulcer perforation 30 years prior. The efferent loop
      obstruction was successfully resolved by the insertion of a double pigtail stent.
      To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature describing
      the treatment of efferent loop obstruction. 

PMID- 24222969
TI  - Fecal microbiota transplantation for severe enterocolonic fistulizing Crohn's
      disease.
AB  - The concept of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used in
      traditional Chinese medicine at least since the 4(th) century. Evidence from
      recent human studies strongly supports the link between intestinal bacteria and
      inflammatory bowel disease. We proposed that standardized FMT might be a
      promising rescue therapy for refractory inflammatory bowel disease. However,
      there were no reports of FMT used in patients with severe Crohn's disease (CD).
      Here, we report the successful treatment of standardized FMT as a rescue therapy
      for a case of refractory CD complicated with fistula, residual Barium sulfate and
      formation of intraperitoneal large inflammatory mass. As far as we know, this is
      the first case of severe CD treated using FMT through mid-gut. 

PMID- 24222970
TI  - Efficacy, effectiveness, immunogenicity--are not the same in vaccinology.
AB  - Manuscript of Carrera et al is devoted to immunization in inflammatory bowel
      disease (IBD) that is very important issue in gastroenterology. However, some
      specific definitions used in the article need clarification. Efficacy of vaccine
      is measured in a randomised, placebo-controlled studies, that are expensive and
      difficult to plan. Moreover, it is unethical to offer a placebo instead of
      vaccine. For all of these reasons, efficacy of vaccine is measured in IBD
      patients rarely. Effectiveness of vaccine is measured as an epidemiological
      affect from observational studies. These studies are also uncommon in IBD because
      it would be difficult to perform a study that assess the prevalence of one rare
      disease (vaccine-preventable) in patients with a chronic rare condition, such as
      IBD. Immunogenicity of vaccine refers to the ability of a vaccine to induce an
      immune response in a vaccinated individual that is, in fact, the matter of the
      article. 

PMID- 24222971
TI  - Adolescent Friendships, BMI, and Physical Activity: Untangling Selection and
      Influence Through Longitudinal Social Network Analysis.
AB  - Bioecological theory suggests that adolescents' health is a result of selection
      and socialization processes occurring between adolescents and their
      microsettings. This study examines the association between adolescents' friends
      and health using a social network model and data from the National Longitudinal
      Study of Adolescent Health (N = 1,896, mean age = 15.97 years). Results indicated
      evidence of friend influence on BMI and physical activity. Friendships were more
      likely among adolescents who engaged in greater physical activity and who were
      similar to one another in BMI and physical activity. These effects emerged after
      controlling for alternative friend selection factors, such as endogenous social
      network processes and propinquity through courses and activities. Some selection
      effects were moderated by gender, popularity, and reciprocity.

PMID- 24222972
TI  - Shared metered dose inhalers among multiple patients: can cross-contamination be
      avoided?
AB  - Sharing metered dose inhalers among patients can lead to cross-contamination. 

PMID- 24222973
TI  - Compounding Pharmacy Reform Moves Forward: Senate Bill's Exemption of Hospital
      Pharmacies Stirs Debate.
AB  - A Senate bill that exempts hospital compounding pharmacies from some rules is
      stirring debate. 

PMID- 24222975
TI  - Pharmaceutical approval update.
AB  - Canagliflozin (Invokana) for type-2 diabetes; denosumab (Xgeva) for giant-cell
      tumor of bone; and paroxetine mesylate (Brisdelle) for vasomotor symptoms in
      menopause. 

PMID- 24222976
TI  - Phentermine/Topiramate extended-release capsules (qsymia) for weight loss.
AB  - Phentermine/topiramate extended-release capsules (Qsymia) for weight loss. 

PMID- 24222977
TI  - Diphenhydramine and acute kidney injury.
AB  - Seldom considered to be a drug that causes renal problems, diphenhydramine can
      have adverse effects in some patients, as illustrated by a case study of a middle
      aged veteran. Extra precautions are urged before this medication is prescribed,
      especially in elderly patients. 

PMID- 24222978
TI  - Evaluating the appropriate use of piperacillin/tazobactam in a community health
      system: a retrospective chart review.
AB  - Noting inappropriate uses of piperacillin/tazobactam at their institution, the
      authors emphasize the need for antimicrobial stewardship efforts, as well as
      infection-control practices, to curtail drug resistance, reduce costs, and
      minimize adverse events. 

PMID- 24222979
TI  - Transparency in evidence evaluation and formulary decision-making: from
      conceptual development to real-world implementation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Establishing a better understanding of the relationship between
      evidence evaluation and formulary decision-making has important implications for
      patients, payers, and providers. The goal of our study was to develop and test a
      structured approach to evidence evaluation to increase clarity, consistency, and
      transparency in formulary decision-making. STUDY DESIGN: The study comprised
      three phases. First, an expert panel identified key constructs to formulary
      decision-making and created an evidence-assessment tool. Second, with the use of
      a balanced incomplete block design, the tool was validated by a large group of
      decision-makers. Third, the tool was pilot-tested in a real-world P&T committee
      environment. METHODS: An expert panel identified key factors associated with
      formulary access by rating the level of access that they would give a drug in
      various hypothetical scenarios. These findings were used to formulate an evidence
      assessment tool that was externally validated by surveying a larger sample of
      decision-makers. Last, the tool was pilot-tested in a real-world environment
      where P&T committees used it to review new drugs. RESULTS: Survey responses
      indicated that a structured approach in the formulary decision-making process
      could yield greater clarity, consistency, and transparency in decision-making;
      however, pilot-testing of the structured tool in a real-world P&T committee
      environment highlighted some of the limitations of our structured approach.
      CONCLUSION: Although a structured approach to formulary decision-making is
      beneficial for patients, health care providers, and other stakeholders, this
      benefit was not realized in a real-world environment. A method to improve
      clarity, consistency, and transparency is still needed.

PMID- 24222980
TI  - Clinical outcomes after conversion from brand-name tacrolimus (prograf) to a
      generic formulation in renal transplant recipients: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - After kidney transplant recipients who received Prograf were switched to generic
      tacrolimus, most differences in the safety and effectiveness of the medications
      were not considered clinically relevant. 

PMID- 24222981
TI  - Evaluating a Learning Collaborative to Implement Evidence-Informed Engagement
      Strategies in Community-Based Services for Young Children.

PMID- 24222982
TI  - A Review of Intervention Programs to Prevent and Treat Behavioral Problems in
      Young Children with Developmental Disabilities.
AB  - Children with developmental disabilities are at higher risk for internalizing and
      externalizing behavioral problems than children in the general population.
      Effective prevention and treatment programs are necessary to reduce the burden of
      behavioral problems in this population. The current review identified 17
      controlled trials of nine intervention programs for young children with
      developmental disabilities, with parent training the most common type of
      intervention in this population. Nearly all studies demonstrated medium to large
      intervention effects on child behavior post-intervention. Preliminary evidence
      suggests interventions developed for the general population can be effective for
      children with developmental disabilities and their families. A greater emphasis
      on the prevention of behavior problems in young children with developmental
      disabilities prior to the onset of significant symptoms or clinical disorders is
      needed. Multi-component interventions may be more efficacious for child behavior
      problems and yield greater benefits for parent and family adjustment.
      Recommendations for future research directions are provided.

PMID- 24222984
TI  - Congratulations dr walter peters, winner of the mentor prize.

PMID- 24222983
TI  - Comparison of commercial fibrin sealants in facelift surgery: a prospective
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two types of
      fibrin glue in patients undergoing facelift surgery. METHODS: A prospective,
      controlled "right-left side" study was carried out in 20 patients. The two fibrin
      sealants used were Quixil(r) and Tissucol(r). The two sealants were used at the
      same time, ie, one on one side of the face and the other on the contralateral
      side. Comparisons were made with regard to rates of hematoma and seroma, degree
      of induration, edema, ecchymosis, pain levels, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS:
      The results were almost equivalent. The only exception was a significant (40 mL)
      hematoma in a patient treated with Quixil. Bleeding was most likely due to a
      sudden rise in blood pressure during the immediate postoperative period. However,
      it must be emphasized that, while Tissucol actually seals the undermined area,
      thus virtually eliminating the dead space, Quixil acts differently, in that its
      effectiveness in preventing hematoma is linked mainly to its hemostatic effect.
      CONCLUSION: The two fibrin sealants used were nearly identical with regard to
      patient safety and quality of the result. Nevertheless, it is noted that, while
      Tissucol has both hemostatic and "gluing" effects, Quixil is mainly effective in
      securing hemostasis.

PMID- 24222985
TI  - The medical information age.

PMID- 24222986
TI  - Recognition of potential morbidity after use of the radial artery as a conduit
      for coronary artery revascularization.
AB  - The use of the radial artery as an alternative vascular conduit for coronary
      bypass surgery has become increasingly popular. The plastic surgery experience
      with radial forearm flaps has shown that sacrifice of the radial artery is not
      always a benign maneuver. The potential morbidity after using this conduit donor
      site in terms of hand dysfunction or wound healing problems can be significant,
      and frequently must ultimately be addressed as part of the role of the
      reconstructive surgeon. Case examples of skin necrosis, subsequent forearm wound
      infection and hypertrophic scarring after radial artery harvest are presented to
      introduce this as a real concern and to allow a review of the entire spectrum of
      potential problems in this regard. Any selection process where the radial artery
      may be chosen as the coronary revascularization conduit must anticipate these
      known donor site complications. 

PMID- 24222987
TI  - Sensitivity and specificity of clinical testing for carpal tunnel syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the sensitivity, specificity and
      predictive values of six clinical tests in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel
      syndrome (CTS). METHODS: There were 29 carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) subjects
      (mean age 48 years) and 30 control subjects (mean age 45 years). The six clinical
      tests included Tinel's sign, wrist flexion with fingers extended, wrist flexion
      with fingers flexed, wrist extension, combined wrist extension/median nerve
      pressure and combined wrist flexion/median nerve pressure. RESULTS: The highest
      sensitivity and highest negative predictive value was found with wrist flexion
      with pressure (96%) and wrist extension with pressure (94%) at 60 s. The highest
      specificity was found with wrist flexion with fingers flexed for 30 s (95%). The
      highest positive predictive values were found with the wrist flexion with fingers
      flexed test for 30 s (91%) and the wrist extension test for 30 s (90%).
      CONCLUSION: No one test possesses all the qualities necessary to be the ideal
      clinical test for the detection of carpal tunnel syndrome.

PMID- 24222988
TI  - Simultaneous breast augmentation and mastopexy.
AB  - The results of combining breast augmentation and mastopexy are less predictable
      than those associated with mastopexy or augmentation mammoplasty alone. A method
      of breast skin envelope reduction is presented that allows the surgeon performing
      mastopexy to preview the final breast shape before committing to skin resection.
      This method, first described in 1978, has proven to be technically versatile and
      reproducible, and applicable not only to moderate (second degree) and severe
      (third degree) ptosis but also to simultaneous breast augmentation and mastopexy.
      For the combined procedures, the practical strategy proposed is first the implant
      placement through a periareolar incision, and a vertical transglandular incision,
      usually submusculofascial; second, restoring the gland anatomy by closing the
      muscularis and the vertical transglandular incision; third, skin envelope
      adjustment using the Tailor-Tack maneuver to accurately assure the best position
      of the nipple-areolar complex on the breast mound; fourth, skin incision, de
      epithelialization and undermining; and finally, closure combining the the Purse
      String maneuver with the vertical incision. 

PMID- 24222989
TI  - Bilateral latissimus dorsi flaps for the reconstruction of extensive scalp
      defects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of large scalp defects is occasionally required.
      Several methods of scalp reconstruction have previously been described. This
      paper presents the authors' experience with two patients in whom traditional
      methods were not sufficient and in whom bilateral latissimus dorsi free flaps
      were required. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new technique in
      reconstructing extensive scalp defects. METHODS: Two case histories are
      presented. These include the rationale for the choice of reconstruction used as
      well as a discussion on the technical features of the surgery. RESULTS:
      Reconstruction was effective in both cases. However, one patient died in the
      early postoperative period from a pulmonary embolus. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral
      latissimus flaps can be safely and effectively used in closing massive scalp
      defects in selected cases.

PMID- 24222990
TI  - Thoracoepigastric flap for the closure of an elbow defect in an intravenous drug
      abuser: A case report and review of literature.
AB  - The reconstruction of large soft tissue defects of the upper extremity is a
      challenging problem. Although free tissue transfer in a single stage is
      preferred, the recipient blood vessels usually determine the outcome. Due to
      venous occlusion from repeated intravenous drug abuse, the use of a
      thoracoepigastric flap to cover a complex wound of the elbow is reported. 

PMID- 24222991
TI  - Subcutaneous basal cell carcinoma: A case report.
AB  - An unusual case of a patient who presented with a subcutaneous soft tissue lesion
      of the back is described. The patient had no preceding history of cutaneous
      malignancy or local trauma. Excision of the lesion revealed a diagnosis
      consistent with basal cell carcinoma with deep infiltration. The site was re
      excised with a generous margin to ensure complete removal. There has been no
      recurrence for 18 months. This case is presented to underscore the rarity and
      importance of its existence. 

PMID- 24222992
TI  - Nonsurgical treatment of protruding ears: A case report and review of literature.
AB  - The nonsurgical correction of congenital ear deformities has been reported in the
      world literature. To date, there has been little interest in this procedure in
      pediatric centres and no reports in the Canadian literature. Two case reports are
      presented with a review of the literature. A description of this simple, user
      friendly office procedure is presented. 

PMID- 24222993
TI  - Part IV: Reformers in medical education and practice: Effect of managed care
      organization in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Part I (Can J Plast Surg 2000;8:25-29) established that standards of
      professional practice shift constantly. When a standard falls short of
      professional expectation or when a physician becomes more concerned with
      financial gain rather than patient care, society needs the action of a reformer.
      Parts I, II (Can J Plast Surg 2001;9:59-68) and III (Can J Plast Surg 2002;10:103
      108) covered 500 BC to 1970 AD and comprised 31 physicians who introduced
      innovations in medical knowledge or medical philosophy. Part IV deals with a time
      in which new conditions have been imposed on medical practice. In the United
      States, medical education and practice felt the repercussions of financial
      institutions participating in health care management. STUDY DESIGN: The reformers
      were scientists who conformed to our definition of 'reformer': a person whose
      action restored, reshaped or advanced the structure or ideology of medical
      practice. RESULTS: This survey demonstrated that the reforms were accomplished by
      scientists possessing critical judgement and analytical qualities that enabled
      them to influence the direction of medical education and practice. In the last 20
      years, financial institutions imposed different criteria that may require future
      reformers to reestablish lost objectives. CONCLUSION: Reforms have been achieved
      through intuitive leaps, alterations of conventional practice, painstaking
      research or administrative restructuring. The present health management in the
      United States requires new solutions.

PMID- 24222994
TI  - Passing by on the other side.

PMID- 24222995
TI  - Can reduction mammoplasty patients be promised a particular size postoperatively?
AB  - This retrospective study used self-reported bra sizes, heights and weights pre-
      and postoperatively in patients who underwent reduction mammoplasty by one
      surgeon between 2001 and 2003. Preoperative data were collected on 91 patients.
      Postoperative data were collected from 69 respondents by telephone survey. Bra
      sizes were standardized according to cup size. In bra-making, the cup is the same
      size for decreasing cup letter size as the band size increases. The most common
      standardized cup size was seven, representing bra sizes 34 F, 36 E, 38 D, 40 C,
      etc. The range of preoperative cup sizes was five (34 D) to 17 (42 L). The mass
      of tissue removed from each breast was averaged for each patient and ranged from
      147 g to 2453 g (mean 522 g). The average body mass index was 29.6 kg/m(2)
      preoperatively and 29.3 kg/m(2) postoperatively, with six patients reporting
      weight gain, 13 reporting weight loss and 50 reporting no change at all.
      Postoperative standardized cup sizes ranged from five (34 D) to 14 (44 H). The
      difference between pre- and postoperative cup size ranged from zero to eight as
      follows: for no cup size change (n=17), mean tissue removed per breast was 577.1
      g; decrease by one cup size (n=23), 489.2 g; decrease by two cup sizes (n=25),
      425.8 g. These data indicate that when self-reported data from patients are used,
      a plastic surgeon may find that as many as 25% report no change in bra size after
      reduction mammoplasty, even when more than 500 g of tissue is removed from each
      breast, which may adversely affect patients' satisfaction with the surgical
      results. Future studies will determine the cause of the apparent discrepancy
      between operative and self-reported results. 

PMID- 24222996
TI  - Patterns of sensory and autonomic reinnervation of long-standing myocutaneous
      microvascular flaps and split-skin grafts applied to fascial beds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of reports in the literature examining the pattern
      of sensory and autonomic neural recovery of myocutaneous microvascular flaps and
      skin grafts to the lower limbs after a prolonged period of time. OBJECTIVES: To
      investigate the recovery of sensation and autonomic nerve activity in long
      standing split-skin grafts applied to fascial beds and in myocutaneous
      microvascular flaps. METHODS: THE PATIENTS WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS: group A
      consisted of patients with a split-skin graft applied to a fascial bed (n=11) and
      group B consisted of patients with free microvascular flaps (n=4). Patients in
      both groups underwent various clinical subjective and objective tests, including
      the measurement of electrical resistance and thermal sensory analysis. Laser
      Doppler flowmetry was used to investigate the blood flow patterns. RESULTS:
      Patients in both groups showed significantly reduced sensory modalities. However,
      the findings of both the electrical resistance and laser Doppler flowmetry were
      significantly different among the patients in group A compared with controls. In
      contrast, electrical resistance and laser Doppler flowmetry test results were
      similar in group B and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Both split-skin grafts applied to
      fascial beds and microvascular flaps on the lower limb had poor sensory recovery.
      However, after 15 years, the microvascular flaps regained the ability to sweat
      and some degree of thermoregulatory function. This may imply that the long
      standing myocutaneous free flaps regained some aspects of their autonomic
      innervation, whereas the split-skin grafts had not.

PMID- 24222997
TI  - Congenital arteriovenous malformations: A follow-up of treatment.
AB  - Due to the rarity of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), there is a paucity of
      information on the outcomes of various treatments. Presently, the mainstays of
      treatment of an AVM are embolization, surgical excision or a combination of both.
      A retrospective study of 26 patients with AVMs treated at The Hospital for Sick
      Children, Toronto, Ontario between 1985 and 1995 was performed. The treatment
      strategies and patient outcomes were compared in terms of efficacy, complications
      and the response of patients and their families to their overall treatment. The
      overall findings showed that embolization alone was effective in controlling
      symptoms, but may be associated with an increased AVM size. A partial excision of
      an AVM does not appear to exacerbate recurrence, as has been previously reported.
      In fact, even after what appears to be a complete excision of the AVM, recurrence
      may still occur. Complications from a surgical excision of the AVM are more
      frequent but less devastating than complications from embolization of the lesion.
      The overall patient or parent satisfaction with treatment was high with respect
      to improvement in outcome. It is expected that with an increasing understanding
      of vascular malformations, and the evolution of interventional radiological
      techniques, complications will decrease and results as a whole will improve. 

PMID- 24222998
TI  - Anomalous flexor digitorum superficialis muscle transposition for vascular
      coverage of the median nerve in recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome.
AB  - Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome is uncommon yet troublesome. Significant
      adhesions and scarring around the median nerve can render it relatively ischemic.
      A number of vascular flaps have been described to provide vascular coverage in
      attempts to decrease further cicatricial adhesions and to improve local blood
      supply around the median nerve. A rare case of an anomalous muscle in the distal
      forearm used as tissue to provide good vascularized coverage of the median nerve
      that was severely scarred in its bed is reported. The anomalous muscle was distal
      to the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon and inserted in the palmar fascia on
      the ulnar aspect of the hand. Referring branches from the ulnar artery provided
      vascular supply to the anomalous muscle. The muscle on these vascular pedicles
      was transposed over the median nerve, providing good, stable, unscarred coverage.
      The patient had an excellent result with resolution of the carpal tunnel
      symptoms. The redundant anomalous muscle provided a unique vascularized source
      for coverage of the median nerve in recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. 

PMID- 24222999
TI  - Selecting optimal access for facial cyst removal: A case report and literature
      review.
AB  - Benign subcutaneous facial cysts are common in children and young adults. They
      are largely of cosmetic concern. Removal of sebaceous and epidermoid cysts in
      this population can leave unsightly scars, occasionally worse in appearance than
      the original pathology. In the present case report, the technique of cyst
      excision via an intaoral route is outlined. The literature review emphasizes the
      importance of placing facial incisions in inconspicuous areas. 

PMID- 24223000
TI  - Case of hibernoma in the right supraclavicular fossa.
AB  - A patient with a supraclavicular mass originally diagnosed as a lipoma who was
      referred to a plastic surgeon for definitive treatment is presented. Gross
      intraoperative findings were inconsistent with lipoma, and subsequent
      pathological evaluation revealed the mass to be a hibernoma (a benign, brown
      adipose tumour). The incidence, etiology, presentation, pathology and imaging
      characteristics of this somewhat rare soft tissue tumour are reviewed. 

PMID- 24223001
TI  - Masquerading Mycobacterium: Plastic surgeon to the rescue.
AB  - A patient with a Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand is described. The
      present case illustrates that M marinum infection may mimic common skin
      conditions such as eczema, and fungal and parasitic infestations. Key elements in
      the diagnosis and management of this infection are a high index of suspicion, a
      detailed history of recreational or occupational exposure to exotic fish, tissue
      biopsy, wound culture and prompt empirical antibiotic therapy. Once in vitro
      organism sensitivities are obtained, antibiotic treatment may last for up to 24
      months. Surgical drainage and debridement are an important supplement to
      antimicrobial therapy when subcutaneous structures are involved, as in the
      present report. Invasive digital and hand infections can rapidly result in
      permanent residual stiffness, deformity and loss of function; therefore, it is
      important to raise awareness of the condition among those considered to be at
      risk. 

PMID- 24223002
TI  - Cutaneous ganglioneuroma within a giant congenital nevus.
AB  - Cutaneous ganglioneuroma has only occasionally been reported in the literature.
      Cutaneous ganglioneuroma is seen even more rarely in association with a giant
      congenital nevus. Differential diagnosis includes malignancies, especially
      melanoma and metastatic neuroblastoma. It is essential to rule out malignancy in
      a solid lesion within a congenital nevus. The present report is possibly the
      first relating ganglioneuroma and a congenital nevus to a cervical mass detected
      during routine prenatal ultrasound. 

PMID- 24223003
TI  - A rare case of Pacinian corpuscle neuroma.
AB  - The authors discuss an interesting case of a Pacinian corpuscle neuroma in the
      thumb of an elderly woman who presented with severe digital pain. The pain was
      initially attributed to osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb.
      The clinical signs were very subtle. The patient had complete pain relief
      following excision of the tumour. Pacinian corpuscle neuromas are rare, with only
      about 70 cases reported in the literature. The histology, presenting features and
      associated conditions are discussed in detail. In addition to a neuroma or glomus
      tumour, Pacinian corpuscle hyperplasia should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis of digital or palmar pain of unknown etiology. 

PMID- 24223004
TI  - Acute ligation of the radial and ulnar arteries: A case report and review of
      literature.
AB  - Isolated injury to the radial or ulnar artery results in no significant
      complications in patients who undergo repair or ligation of the injured artery.
      However, ligation of both infrabrachial vessels of the upper extremity is
      associated with limb loss from ischemia due to lack of collateral circulation. A
      rare case of acute ligation of both the radial and ulnar arteries in a drug
      abuser where collateral vessels preserved the circulation to the hand is
      reported. 

PMID- 24223005
TI  - Closure of a pharyngocutaneous fistula using a sternomastoid muscle flap.
AB  - Presented here is a case of a pharyngocutaneous fistula which was closed
      primarily using a sternomastoid muscle flap, without skin coverage, thus
      obviating the need for a three-layered closure. Providing an intermediate cover
      was sufficient for the closure because the mucosal lining on the inside and the
      cutaneous covering on the outside grew using the muscle for support. 

PMID- 24223006
TI  - The suction-assisted curettage procedure.
AB  - Surgical soft tissue debridement of an inflamed or necrotic wound can be a
      challenging, time-consuming exercise, often with disproportionate blood loss.
      Suction-assisted curettage is a safe, simple and effective technique for these
      common, frustrating problems. 

PMID- 24223007
TI  - A survey of volunteer reconstructive surgery performed outside of Canada by
      Canadian plastic surgeons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons have been
      offering humanitarian services to countries outside of Canada since the 1960s.
      OBJECTIVE: To document the extent of voluntary reconstructive services performed
      by members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons. METHOD: A survey was sent
      to all members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons asking them to list
      the extent of their voluntary services. RESULTS: Over 80 Canadian Society of
      Plastic Surgeons members have performed voluntary reconstructive services with
      more than 40 organizations in over 60 countries. CONCLUSION: These voluntary
      services provide a significant benefit to patients around the world and are
      rewarding for the surgeons who perform them.

PMID- 24223008
TI  - Are Canadian plastic surgeons "shooting themselves in the foot?" A point of view.

PMID- 24223009
TI  - Primary unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and nose in an older population.
AB  - A one-stage procedure to reconstruct complete and incomplete unilateral/bilateral
      cleft lip and nose deformities is presented. Emphasis was made on closure of the
      lip muscles, correction of the nostril floor, correction of the alveolar cleft as
      well as reconstruction of the nose through an intranasal approach, with a
      supported suture technique for nasal correction. No dental or orthodontic
      treatment was available or performed in this older population. Emphasis was on
      primary closure of the muscles, using the rotation advancement principle. The
      repair that was performed was near anatomical, reconstructing the labial sulcus,
      the nostril floor, the alveolar cleft and the nasal deformity all in one stage.
      There was a high level of satisfaction both from the patient's and surgeon's
      point of view. 

PMID- 24223010
TI  - Alternative techniques for pedicle transfer of an island flap and a free flap.
AB  - Alternative techniques for pedicle transfer of a reverse radial forearm flap for
      hand coverage, and a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap for pelvic wound
      coverage, are illustrated. Exteriorization of the vascular pedicle of a reverse
      radial forearm flap allows a greater arc of movement of the flap for more distal
      coverage, and avoids the potential vascular compromise of tunnelling under a
      tight skin bridge. Two-stage transfer of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free
      flap on a wrist carrier pedicle may be useful in circumstances when local
      recipient vessels are inadequate for free flap transfer. Although both of these
      vascular pedicle modifications have drawbacks, they may be of value in limited
      circumstances. Their advantages and limitations are discussed. 

PMID- 24223012
TI  - Looking back to look forward.

PMID- 24223011
TI  - Use of the Mayfield horseshoe headrest for management of burns of the neck.
AB  - Proper positioning of a patient facilitates access and decreases frustration
      during surgical debridement of circumferential burns of the neck. The Mayfield
      swivel horseshoe headrest (Integra, USA) provides cranial support in either the
      supine or prone position for excision and skin grafting of the circumferential
      burns of the neck. This headrest can also be used during reconstruction of the
      neck. 

PMID- 24223013
TI  - Patterns of reinnervation and blood flow in split-skin grafts.
AB  - One of the most important functions of skin is thermoregulation. The alterations
      in the patterns of blood flow in skin is one of the main physiological processes
      responsible for thermoregulatory control. The mechanisms governing the
      thermoregulatory control of cutaneous blood flow are mainly neural and chemical
      in nature. At present, there is a lack of studies in the literature looking at
      the relationship between reinnervation and the blood flow pattern of skin grafts.
      The present study uses Laser Doppler flowmetry and the immunohistochemical stains
      protein gene product 9.5, calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P to
      identify nerve fibres, and antibodies to CD31 and von Willebrand factor to
      identify endothelial tissues. The aim of the present study was to investigate the
      patterns of blood flow and nerve tissue regeneration in split-skin grafts up to
      15 years following the original procedure. Thirty-two split-skin grafts were
      studied and these were placed into two groups based on the nature of the bed of
      excision: group I consisted of patients who underwent tangential excision and
      split-skin grafting (n=17), and group II consisted of patients with split-skin
      grafts placed onto fascial beds (n=15). Each subpopulation of patients was
      further divided into three groups based on the length of time following grafting:
      one to three years, four to six years and seven to 15 years. These divisions were
      arbitrarily chosen and called A1, A2 and A3, respectively. In the Laser Doppler
      flowmetry arm of the study, the grafts were assessed at various stages after
      heating, cooling and further reheating. The Laser Doppler flowmetry studies
      showed that, on subjecting the skin grafts in both groups I and II to heating and
      cooling followed by reheating, the overall response of the blood flow to changes
      in the temperature was slower. The immunohistochemical analysis showed that in
      all graft types and graft ages, protein gene product 9.5, calcitonin gene-related
      peptide and substance P stains demonstrated a relative lack of the presence of
      nerve fibres in the split-skin grafts compared with the control ('normal' skin).
      However, von Willebrand factor and CD31 immunological staining demonstrated that
      vessels were present in the split-skin grafts, with no significant difference in
      size or quantity from the control samples. It was found that the blood flow in
      the split-skin graft in response to thermal challenge, although present, was
      slower than that of normal skin, a finding which was independent of the age of
      the skin graft. It is thought that this was related to a lack of regeneration of
      nerve fibres and, hence, a deficiency in the neurally mediated reflexes of the
      blood vessels within the split-skin grafts. 

PMID- 24223014
TI  - Narrowing of the wide nasal dorsum in the 'minimal-hump' nose: A simplified
      universal approach.
AB  - The operative procedure frequently used to narrow the nasal pyramid in the
      context of a regular rhinoplasty is well known to all rhinoplastic surgeons. It
      consists of hump removal, followed by lateral osteotomies and medialization of
      the nasal bones. However, narrowing of a wide nasal pyramid, in the absence of an
      appreciable dorsal hump, as in the case of an ideal dorsal height or a mild hump,
      presents a different challenge. The present article describes a simplified
      approach to the 'nasal plateau resection', a technique that allows the creation
      of an open nasal roof, without hump removal and without compromising dorsal
      projection. This permits the medialization of the lateral nasal bones and the
      subsequent narrowing of the wide pyramid, while preserving the height of the
      nasal dorsum as viewed in profile. 

PMID- 24223015
TI  - Solo hand surgery.
AB  - Unassisted hand surgery is being undertaken by necessity for both elective and
      emergency cases, due to hospital resource restrictions. The authors outline the
      principles of local anesthesia, surgeon-controlled tourniquet techniques, and a
      number of new instruments which allow a surgeon to work in comfort and safety,
      unassisted. The traditional surgical instruments designed for the days when
      trained surgical assistants were available to hold them are no longer suitable.
      We are entering a new era of surgical design with safer instruments that can
      complement our skills rather than challenge them. There are significant cost
      savings and efficiency when hand procedures are undertaken in the emergency and
      outpatient clinic settings. 

PMID- 24223016
TI  - Nasal dorsum skin expansion for reconstruction of saddle nose due to gunshot
      injury: A case report.
AB  - Saddle nose deformity due to gunshot injury is a challenging problem for the
      maxillofacial surgeon. Because of the severe damage to the soft and bony tissues,
      the reconstructive options are very limited. In the present case report, a saddle
      nose deformity sustained from gunshot injury was reconstructed with a porous
      polyethylene nasal implant after a successful expansion of the nasal dorsum skin.
      Healing was uneventful at two-year follow-up, with superior patient satisfaction.
      Nasal dorsum skin expansion should be considered as an option in the
      reconstruction of moderately sized soft tissue deficits of the nose. 

PMID- 24223017
TI  - Traumatic intratendinous flexor digitorum profundus rupture: A case report.
AB  - Intratendinous ruptures of a flexor digitorum profundus tendon are rare in
      patients who do not have rheumatoid arthritis. A case of a patient with no
      history of autoimmune disease who suffered a traumatic rupture of the flexor
      digitorum profundus tendon to the ring finger in the mid-palm is reported. 

PMID- 24223018
TI  - Groin flap for salvage of upper extremity following necrotizing fasciitis: A case
      report.
AB  - Necrotizing soft tissue infections are often associated with significant
      morbidity and mortality. Early surgical excision along with antibiotic therapy is
      the cornerstone of management. Salvage of these extremities is often difficult
      due to loss of soft tissues, tendons, nerves and blood vessels. Skin grafting of
      the granulating wound is the common method of closure in these patients. Use of
      various flaps has improved reconstructive options in these extremities. A case of
      salvage of upper extremity using a groin flap following extensive debridement is
      reported. 

PMID- 24223019
TI  - A nu-space for ICS: characterization and application to measure protein transport
      in live cells.
AB  - We introduce a new generalized theoretical framework for image correlation
      spectroscopy (ICS). Using this framework, we extend the ICS method in time
      frequency (nu, nu) space to map molecular flow of fluorescently tagged proteins
      in individual living cells. Even in the presence of a dominant immobile
      population of fluorescent molecules, nu-space ICS (nICS) provides an unbiased
      velocity measurement, as well as the diffusion coefficient of the flow, without
      requiring filtering. We also develop and characterize a tunable frequency-filter
      for STICS that allows quantification of the density, the diffusion coefficient
      and the velocity of biased diffusion. We show that the techniques are accurate
      over a wide range of parameter space in computer simulation. We then characterize
      the retrograde flow of adhesion proteins (alpha6- and alphaLbeta2-GFP integrins
      and mCherry-paxillin) in CHO.B2 cells plated on laminin and ICAM ligands
      respectively. STICS with a tunable frequency filter, in conjunction with nICS,
      measures two new transport parameters, the density and transport bias coefficient
      (a measure of the diffusive character of a flow/biased diffusion), showing that
      molecular flow in this cell system has a significant diffusive component. Our
      results suggest that the integrinligand interaction, along with the internal
      myosin-motor generated force, varies for different integrin-ligand pairs,
      consistent with previous results.

PMID- 24223020
TI  - Use of herbal supplements for overactive bladder.
AB  - Anticholinergics, specifically antimuscarinic agents, are the most common
      medications prescribed for overactive bladder (OAB). The most common side effects
      of these agents are dry mouth and constipation, although other more concerning
      effects include changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, or heart rhythm when
      treatment is initiated. Herbal treatments are an increasingly popular alternative
      for treating OAB. A 2002 survey of US adults aged >= 18 years conducted by the
      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 74.6% of those with OAB
      had used some form of complementary and alternative medicine. The World Health
      Organization estimates that 80% of the world's population presently uses herbal
      medicine for some aspect of primary health care. Women were more likely than men
      to use complementary and alternative medicine. The authors review the most
      commonly used herbal medications for OAB. 

PMID- 24223021
TI  - Prostate-specific antigen: any successor in sight?
AB  - Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the second
      leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States and other parts of the
      world. The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with PCa is approximately 16%. At
      present, the only widely accepted screening tools for PCa are prostate-specific
      antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination. PSA is known to be prostate
      specific, but not PCa specific, and hence lacks the sensitivity to detect a large
      number of tumors, especially during the early stages. The PSA level is also known
      to be affected by many factors, such as medication, inflammation (benign
      prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis), and urologic manipulation; hence, the
      controversy regarding the appropriate level of serum PSA that should trigger a
      biopsy or have clinical relevance to prostate metastases. Attempts to determine
      the level of prostate cells in peripheral blood by reverse transcriptase
      polymerase chain reaction did not significantly improve cancer diagnosis or
      predict postoperative failure. Therefore, the search continues for a novel
      biomarker or a panel of markers as well as other possible interventions to
      improve the use of PSA. This article reviews several possibilities. 

PMID- 24223022
TI  - Bladder cancer after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.
AB  - External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is frequently used in the management of
      prostate cancer (PCa) as definitive, postoperative, or salvage local treatment.
      Although EBRT plays a central role in the management of PCa, complications remain
      a troubling by-product. Several studies have demonstrated an association between
      radiotherapy and elevated risk of acute and late toxicities. A secondary
      malignancy induced by initial therapy represents one of the most serious
      complications related to definitive cancer treatment. The radiation-related
      secondary primary malignancy risk increases with increasing survival time.
      Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is the most frequent secondary primary
      malignancy occurring after radiotherapy and is described as more aggressive; it
      may be diagnosed later because some radiation oncologists believe that the
      hematuria that occurs after prostate EBRT is normal. Some patients treated for
      localized PCa will subsequently develop invasive bladder cancer requiring
      surgical intervention. Patients with PCa treated with EBRT should be monitored
      closely for the presence of bladder cancer. 

PMID- 24223023
TI  - The case for hypofractionation of localized prostate cancer.
AB  - An optimal treatment regimen for localized prostate cancer (PCa) is yet to be
      determined. Increasing evidence reveals a lower alpha/beta ratio for PCa with
      hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) regimens introduced to exploit this
      change in therapeutic ratio. HFRT also results in shortened overall treatment
      times of 4 to 5 weeks, thus reducing staffing and machine burden, and, more
      importantly, patient stress. This review evaluates pretreatment characteristics,
      outcomes, and toxicity for 15 HFRT studies on localized PCa. HFRT results in
      comparable or better biochemical relapse-free survival and toxicity and is a
      viable option for localized PCa. 

PMID- 24223024
TI  - Best of the 2013 AUA Annual Meeting Part II: More Highlights From the 2013
      American Urological Association Annual Meeting, May 4-8, 2013, San Diego, CA.

PMID- 24223025
TI  - Ureteral metastasis as the presenting manifestation of pancreatic carcinoma.
AB  - We recently cared for a patient with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas who presented
      with ureteral metastasis followed by hydroureteronephrosis long before the
      appearance of any symptoms related to the primary lesion. The entity is extremely
      rare; only seven similar cases are on record in the scientific literature. No
      recent review exists on this topic. This encouraged us to present our case along
      with the previous cases of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with ureteral
      metastasis that have been reported. 

PMID- 24223026
TI  - Obstructed bifid uretereric system causing unilateral hydronephrosis.
AB  - Bifid ureters are a common malformation of the urinary system. In clinical
      practice, hydronephrosis resulting from obstruction of such a system is rare. The
      authors present a case involving an 88-year-old man admitted to the hospital with
      symptoms of renal failure, where bifid ureters were found incidentally in a
      hydronephrotic kidney during an emergency nephrostomy. This had been missed on a
      previous CT scan, resulting in a unique therapeutic dilemma. 

PMID- 24223027
TI  - L'eggo My Ego: Reducing the Gender Gap in Math by Unlinking the Self from
      Performance.
AB  - Stereotype threat can vary in source, with targets being threatened at the
      individual and/or group level. This study examines specifically the role of self
      reputational threat in women's underperformance in mathematics. A pilot study
      shows that women report concerns about experiencing self-reputational threat that
      are distinct from group threat in the domain of mathematics. In the main study,
      we manipulated whether performance was linked to the self by asking both men and
      women to complete a math test using either their real name or a fictitious name.
      Women who used a fictitious name, and thus had their self unlinked from the math
      test, showed significantly higher math performance and reported less self-threat
      and distraction, relative to those who used their real names. Men were unaffected
      by the manipulation. These findings suggest that women's impaired math
      performance is often due to the threat of confirming a negative stereotype as
      being true of the self. The implications for understanding the different types of
      threats faced by stereotyped groups, particularly among women in math settings,
      are discussed.

PMID- 24223028
TI  - An accelerated proximal gradient algorithm for singly linearly constrained
      quadratic programs with box constraints.
AB  - Recently, the existed proximal gradient algorithms had been used to solve non
      smooth convex optimization problems. As a special nonsmooth convex problem, the
      singly linearly constrained quadratic programs with box constraints appear in a
      wide range of applications. Hence, we propose an accelerated proximal gradient
      algorithm for singly linearly constrained quadratic programs with box
      constraints. At each iteration, the subproblem whose Hessian matrix is diagonal
      and positive definite is an easy model which can be solved efficiently via
      searching a root of a piecewise linear function. It is proved that the new
      algorithm can terminate at an epsilon-optimal solution within [Formula: see text]
      iterations. Moreover, no line search is needed in this algorithm, and the global
      convergence can be proved under mild conditions. Numerical results are reported
      for solving quadratic programs arising from the training of support vector
      machines, which show that the new algorithm is efficient. 

PMID- 24223029
TI  - Epsilon-Henig saddle points and duality of set-valued optimization problems in
      real linear spaces.
AB  - We study Epsilon-Henig saddle points and duality of set-valued optimization
      problems in the setting of real linear spaces. Firstly, an equivalent
      characterization of Epsilon-Henig saddle point of the Lagrangian set-valued map
      is obtained. Secondly, under the assumption of the generalized cone
      subconvexlikeness of set-valued maps, the relationship between the Epsilon-Henig
      saddle point of the Lagrangian set-valued map and the Epsilon-Henig properly
      efficient element of the set-valued optimization problem is presented. Finally,
      some duality theorems are given.

PMID- 24223030
TI  - Microscale investigation of arsenic distribution and species in cement product
      from cement kiln coprocessing wastes.
AB  - To improve the understanding of the immobilization mechanism and the leaching
      risk of Arsenic (As) in the cement product from coprocessing wastes using cement
      kiln, distribution and species of As in cement product were determined by
      microscale investigation methods, including electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)
      and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. In this study, sodium arsenate crystals
      (Na3AsO412H2O) were mixed with cement production raw materials and calcined to
      produce cement clinker. Then, clinker was mixed water to prepare cement paste.
      EPMA results showed that As was generally distributed throughout the cement
      paste. As content in calcium silicate hydrates gel (C-S-H) was in low level, but
      higher than that in other cement mineral phases. This means that most of As is
      expected to form some compounds that disperse on the surfaces of cement mineral
      phases. Linear combination fitting (LCF) of the X-ray absorption near edge
      structure spectra revealed that As in the cement paste was predominantly As(V)
      and mainly existed as Mg3(AsO4)2, Ca3(AsO4)2, and Na2HAsO4. 

PMID- 24223031
TI  - Particle formation by supercritical fluid extraction and expansion process.
AB  - Supercritical fluid extraction and expansion (SFEE) patented technology combines
      the advantages of both supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and rapid expansion
      of supercritical solution (RESS) with on-line coupling, which makes the
      nanoparticle formation feasible directly from matrix such as Chinese herbal
      medicine. Supercritical fluid extraction is a green separation technology, which
      has been developed for decades and widely applied in traditional Chinese
      medicines or natural active components. In this paper, a SFEE patented instrument
      was firstly built up and controlled by LABVIEW work stations. Stearic acid was
      used to verify the SFEE process at optimized condition; via adjusting the
      preexpansion pressure and temperature one can get different sizes of particles.
      Furthermore, stearic acid was purified during the SFEE process with HPLC-ELSD
      detecting device; purity of stearic acid increased by 19%, and the device can
      purify stearic acid. 

PMID- 24223032
TI  - Glutathione redox system in beta -thalassemia/Hb E patients.
AB  - beta -thalassemia/Hb E is known to cause oxidative stress induced by iron
      overload. The glutathione system is the major endogenous antioxidant that
      protects animal cells from oxidative damage. This study aimed to determine the
      effect of disease state and splenectomy on redox status expressed by whole blood
      glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and also to evaluate glutathione
      related responses to oxidation in beta -thalassemia/Hb E patients. Twenty-seven
      normal subjects and 25 beta -thalassemia/Hb E patients were recruited and blood
      was collected. The GSH/GSSG ratio, activities of glutathione-related enzymes,
      hematological parameters, and serum ferritin levels were determined in
      individuals. Patients had high iron-induced oxidative stress, shown as
      significantly increased serum ferritin, a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio, and increased
      activities of glutathione-related enzymes. Splenectomy increased serum ferritin
      levels and decreased GSH levels concomitant with unchanged glutathione-related
      enzyme activities. The redox ratio had a positive correlation with hemoglobin
      levels and negative correlation with levels of serum ferritin. The glutathione
      system may be the body's first-line defense used against oxidative stress and to
      maintain redox homeostasis in thalassemic patients based on the significant
      correlations between the GSH/GSSH ratio and degree of anemia or body iron stores.

PMID- 24223033
TI  - A blind reversible robust watermarking scheme for relational databases.
AB  - Protecting the ownership and controlling the copies of digital data have become
      very important issues in Internet-based applications. Reversible watermark
      technology allows the distortion-free recovery of relational databases after the
      embedded watermark data are detected or verified. In this paper, we propose a
      new, blind, reversible, robust watermarking scheme that can be used to provide
      proof of ownership for the owner of a relational database. In the proposed
      scheme, a reversible data-embedding algorithm, which is referred to as "histogram
      shifting of adjacent pixel difference" (APD), is used to obtain reversibility.
      The proposed scheme can detect successfully 100% of the embedded watermark data,
      even if as much as 80% of the watermarked relational database is altered. Our
      extensive analysis and experimental results show that the proposed scheme is
      robust against a variety of data attacks, for example, alteration attacks,
      deletion attacks, mix-match attacks, and sorting attacks. 

PMID- 24223034
TI  - Comparison of nocturia response to desmopressin treatment between patients with
      normal and high nocturnal bladder capacity index.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy of desmopressin for treatment of nocturia between
      patients with normal and high nocturnal bladder capacity index (NBCi). METHODS:
      Retrospective analysis of adult patients treated with desmopressin for nocturia.
      Patients were analyzed according to high or normal NBCi value before treatment.
      RESULTS: 55 patients were identified, aged 49-84, 47 males, 8 females, who
      started desmopressin 0.2 mg nocte between 2009 and 2011. Two groups (N: normal
      and H: high NBCi) were similar regarding number, gender, age, 24 h urine volume,
      and nocturnal urine volume. On treatment, nocturnal volume decreased by mean of
      364 mL. Number of nightly voids decreased in N group from 3.11 to 1.50, in H from
      3.96 to 1.44. Nocturnal polyuria and nocturia indices also decreased
      significantly. NBCi remained the same in N group (0.56 on therapy) and in H group
      decreased to mean 0.63. All on-treatment values were statistically similar in N
      and H groups. Pretreatment differences were abolished with treatment. NBCi was
      significantly correlated to nocturia reduction-larger reduction was observed in
      patients with higher NBCi. In 8/55 patients, hyponatremia was detected, but
      without clinical consequences. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the
      effectiveness of desmopressin on nocturia is not dependent upon the patient's
      pretreatment NBCi.

PMID- 24223035
TI  - Postmarket surveillance of medical devices: a comparison of strategies in the US,
      EU, Japan, and China.

PMID- 24223036
TI  - Impact of Physical Health on Treatment for Co-occurring Depression and Substance
      Dependence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is a high rate of comorbidity among substance dependence,
      depression, and physical health problems. This study aimed to examine the impact
      of pre-treatment physical health stressors (acute and chronic conditions) on
      outcomes of treatment in a sample of veterans with dual disorders (depression and
      substance dependence) who were randomized to integrated cognitive behavioral
      therapy versus 12-Step interventions. METHODS: This study included 205 veterans
      (89.8% male, mean age = 49.5 years) enrolled in a clinical treatment outcomes
      trial. Chronic health problems (persistent, ongoing conditions lasting 2 weeks or
      more; e.g., arthritis, diabetes) and acute health events (occurring on a discrete
      date; e.g., injury, surgery, myocardial infarction) were coded dichotomously
      (presence versus absence) and evaluated separately. The impact of physical health
      stressors on abstinence (defined dichotomously), percentage of days abstinent,
      and depression symptoms were analyzed at the end of 12 and 24 weeks of treatment.
      Additionally, associations between intake motivation to change, health stressors,
      and substance use were examined. RESULTS: Analyses revealed that participants who
      had experienced a pretreatment acute health event had higher rates of abstinence
      at 12-weeks, higher percentage of days abstinent at 24-weeks, and higher
      depression symptoms at intake. Participants with chronic health difficulties had
      more severe depression at intake and those participants with severe chronic
      difficulties had greater depression symptoms across all time points. Chronic
      health difficulties were related to the Taking Steps factor of motivation to
      change substance use, but acute health events were not related to motivation to
      change. Motivation to change was also not related to substance outcomes in our
      sample. CONCLUSIONS: Physical health appears to have a complex relationship with
      co-occurring depression and substance dependence. Acute health problems predicted
      lower substance use, whereas chronic health problems were associated with higher
      depression levels. Explicitly addressing the connection between substance use and
      health events during treatment may improve addiction treatment outcomes. However,
      individuals with chronic health problems may benefit from extending treatment or
      adjunct strategies focused on addressing chronic health concerns. This is an
      analysis of data collected as part of a clinical trial registered at
      www.ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00108407.

PMID- 24223037
TI  - Skin Cancer Knowledge, Beliefs, Self-Efficacy, and Preventative Behaviors among
      North Mississippi Landscapers.
AB  - There are slightly over one million workers in the landscape service industry in
      the US. These workers have potential for high levels of solar ultraviolet
      radiation exposure, increasing their risk of skin cancer. A cross-sectional
      sample of 109 landscapers completed a self-administered questionnaire based on
      Health Belief Model (HBM). The participants correctly answered 67.1% of the
      knowledge questions, 69.7% believed they were more likely than the average person
      to get skin cancer, and 87.2% perceived skin cancer as a severe disease.
      Participants believed that the use of wide-brimmed hats, long sleeved shirts/long
      pants, and sunscreen was beneficial but reported low usage of these and other sun
      protective strategies. The primary barriers to using sun protection were "I
      forget to wear it" and "it is too hot to wear." Of the HBM variables, perceived
      benefits outweighing perceived barrier (r = .285, P = .003) and self-efficacy (r
      = .538, P = .001) were correlated with sun protection behaviors. The reasons for
      absence of the relationship between perceived skin cancer threat and sun
      protection behaviors could be lack of skin cancer knowledge and low rate of
      personal skin cancer history. 

PMID- 24223038
TI  - Osteoporosis.

PMID- 24223039
TI  - Antimicrobial Activities of Leaf Extracts of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) on Two
      Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria.
AB  - Aim. To determine the antimicrobial potential of guava (Psidium guajava) leaf
      extracts against two gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella
      enteritidis) and two gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus
      cereus) which are some of foodborne and spoilage bacteria. The guava leaves were
      extracted in four different solvents of increasing polarities (hexane, methanol,
      ethanol, and water). The efficacy of these extracts was tested against those
      bacteria through a well-diffusion method employing 50  MU L leaf-extract solution
      per well. According to the findings of the antibacterial assay, the methanol and
      ethanol extracts of the guava leaves showed inhibitory activity against gram
      positive bacteria, whereas the gram-negative bacteria were resistant to all the
      solvent extracts. The methanol extract had an antibacterial activity with mean
      zones of inhibition of 8.27 and 12.3 mm, and the ethanol extract had a mean zone
      of inhibition of 6.11 and 11.0 mm against B. cereus and S. aureus, respectively.
      On the basis of the present finding, guava leaf-extract might be a good candidate
      in the search for a natural antimicrobial agent. This study provides scientific
      understanding to further determine the antimicrobial values and investigate other
      pharmacological properties. 

PMID- 24223040
TI  - Long-term effect of enzyme replacement therapy with fabry disease.
AB  - Objective. To determine the effects of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) on the
      hearing acuity in patients with Fabry disease. Materials. The study sample
      comprised 34 ears of 17 affected patients who underwent pure-tone audiometry
      before and after ERT. Methods. The patients were studied in relation to factors
      such as changes in hearing, presence of accompanying symptoms, status of renal
      and cardiac function, age, and gender. Data of pure-tone audiometry obtained
      before ERT and at the final examination were compared. Results. At the end of the
      follow-up period, no significant worsening of hearing acuity was noted at the end
      of the follow-up period. SSNHL was detected in 10 ears of 6 patients. Steroid
      therapy successfully cured the disease in 9 of the 10 ears. Conclusions. No
      significant worsening of hearing acuity was noted from the beginning to the end
      of ERT. The rate of improvement in SSNHL of Fabry disease was excellent in the
      treated patients. Hearing loss is a factor that causes marked deterioration of
      the patients' quality of life, and it is desirable that the hearing acuity of
      patients be periodically evaluated and prompt treatment of SSNHL be administered,
      if available. 

PMID- 24223041
TI  - Providers' perceptions of challenges in obstetrical care for somali women.
AB  - Background. This pilot study explored health care providers' perceptions of
      barriers to providing health care services to Somali refugee women. The specific
      aim was to obtain information about providers' experiences, training, practices
      and attitudes surrounding the prenatal care, delivery, and management of women
      with Female Genital Cutting (FGC). Methods. Individual semi-structured interviews
      were conducted with 14 obstetricians/gynecologists and nurse midwives in
      Columbus, Ohio. Results. While providers did not perceive FGC as a significant
      barrier in itself, they noted considerable challenges in communicating with their
      Somali patients and the lack of formal training or protocols guiding the
      management of circumcised women. Providers expressed frustration with what they
      perceived as Somali patients' resistance to obstetrical interventions and
      disappointment with a perception of mistrust from patients and their families.
      Conclusion. Improving the clinical encounter for both patients and providers
      entails establishing effective dialogue, enhancing clinical and cultural training
      of providers, improving health literacy, and developing trust through community
      engagement. 

PMID- 24223043
TI  - Standing on the Shoulders of our Editors Emeriti.

PMID- 24223042
TI  - The estrogen receptor joins other cancer biomarkers as a predictor of outcome.
AB  - Endometrial cancer, the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States,
      is on the rise, and survival is worse today than 40 years ago. In order to
      improve the outcomes, better biomarkers that direct the choice of therapy are
      urgently needed. In this review, we explore the estrogen receptor as the most
      studied biomarker and the best predictor for response for endometrial cancer
      reported to date. 

PMID- 24223044
TI  - Choosing child and adolescent psychiatry: factors influencing medical students.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors influencing medical students to choose child
      and adolescent psychiatry as a career specialty. METHOD: Quantitative and
      qualitative methods were used. A web-based survey was distributed to child and
      adolescent psychiatrists at the University of Toronto. In-depth interviews were
      held with select child and adolescent psychiatrists as well as a focus group with
      psychiatry residents. Retrospective accounts of the factors that influenced their
      decision to choose psychiatry and/or child and adolescent psychiatry as a
      specialty were collected. RESULTS: Ninety-two percent of participants indicated
      that recruitment of child psychiatrists in Canada is a problem. The recent
      decision by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons to recognize child and
      adolescent psychiatry as a subspecialty and introduce an extra year of training
      was identified as a further challenge to recruitment efforts. Other deterrents
      included lower salary than other subspecialties, lack of exposure during
      training, stigma, and lack of interest in treating children. Recruitment into
      psychiatry was enhanced by good role modeling, early exposure in medical school,
      an interest in brain research, and career and lifestyle issues. CONCLUSIONS: A
      rebranding of the role and perception of psychiatry is needed to attract future
      psychiatrists. Early exposure to innovations in child and adolescent psychiatry
      and positive role models are critical in attracting medical students. Recruitment
      should begin in the first year of medical school and include an enriched
      paediatric curriculum.

PMID- 24223045
TI  - Integrated Knowledge Translation and Grant Development: Addressing the Research
      Practice Gap through Stakeholder-informed Research.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We describe our stakeholder engagement process for grant application
      development that occurred as part of our integrated knowledge translation plan
      and make recommendations for researchers. METHOD: In phase 1, a stakeholder
      consultation group was developed. In phase 2, surveys regarding knowledge
      gathering, research agenda, and research collaboration preferences were sent to
      333 cross-sectoral youth-serving organizations in Ontario, including family and
      consumer organizations. RESULTS: In phase 1, 28 stakeholders from six sectors
      participated in the consultation group and provided input on multiple aspects of
      the proposal. Through this process, 19 stakeholders adopted formal roles within
      the project. In phase 2, 206 surveys were received (response rate = 62%). Survey
      responses supported the grant focus (concurrent youth mental health and substance
      use problems). Respondents also prioritized project goals and provided specific
      feedback on research and knowledge translation. Finally, although some
      stakeholders chose greater involvement, most survey respondents indicated a
      preference for a moderate level of participation in research rather than full
      team membership. CONCLUSIONS: Despite short timelines and feasibility challenges,
      stakeholders can be meaningfully engaged in and contribute to the grant proposal
      development process. Consideration is needed for the practical challenges that
      stakeholder organizations face in supporting and participating in research.

PMID- 24223046
TI  - Helpseeking of immigrant and native born parents: a qualitative study from a
      montreal child day hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study of the perceptions of native-born Canadian and
      immigrant parents whose children attended a psychiatric day hospital for
      significant behavior impairment, focused on parental helpseeking pathways,
      explanatory models of mental health, and referral or access experiences. METHODS:
      A sample of ten immigrant and ten native born parents were recruited for semi
      structured interviews analyzed thematically to discern similarities and
      differences between the two groups. RESULTS: The immigrant group more frequently
      reported barriers and delays in accessing mental health services. They often
      reported lack of primary care physicians and language barriers. They were less
      likely to have a biomedical perspective or to use specialized resources for their
      children prior to admission. Both groups reported apprehension about medication
      trials, though the immigrant parents were less likely to agree to
      psychopharmacological treatment. None of the professionals treating parents for
      mental health problems initiated referral of their impaired children.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on the qualitative analysis of this sample, native born single
      parents and immigrant parents may feel especially vulnerable to lack of social
      support. Adjustments of primary care, schools and community resources, as well as
      promoting best practices of culturally competent child mental health care, may
      increase access and willingness to pursue treatment in both groups.

PMID- 24223047
TI  - Living from day to day - qualitative study on borderline personality disorder in
      adolescence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess how far identity and self
      image disturbances are features of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in
      adolescence. METHOD: Face-to-face interviews were carried out with a total of 50
      adolescents with BPD and 50 controls, with a median age of 16 (SD 1.1; range 13
      to 18) years. Data was analysed using a qualitative methodology, interpretative
      phenomenological analysis (IPA). Thematic statements representative of
      adolescents' lived experience were extracted from the interviews. RESULTS: Four
      main themes representing the day-to-day experiences of adolescents with BPD were
      identified: emotional experiences characterised by the feelings of fear, sadness
      and pessimism; interpersonal relationships characterised by the feelings of
      solitude and hostility from others; a conformist self-image characterised by a
      feeling of normality and difficulty in projecting into time; and, a structuring
      of discourse characterised by discontinuity in the perception of experiences.
      CONCLUSION: This qualitative study suggests that the day-to-day experiences of
      adolescents with borderline personality disorder is centred on the experience of
      the present. Discontinuity in self-image, alongside marked dysphoric
      manifestations, leads to distress and hinders compliance with care. These issues
      are highly relevant in psychotherapy and could lead to more effective treatment
      of the disorder in adolescents.

PMID- 24223048
TI  - Anxiety and Depression among Parents of Children with Intellectual Disability in
      Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have shown an association between parental distress and
      caretaking of children with developmental cognitive delays. There is little data
      in developing countries, such as Pakistan, concerning the impact of raising
      children with intellectual disability upon the quality of parent functioning and
      risk for psychopathology. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of psychopathology i.e.
      anxiety, depression and both anxiety and depression together among parents of
      children with intellectual disability (ID). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional
      study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. The study was approved
      by the Institutional Research Committee. Participants were 198 parents (99
      fathers/99 mothers) of 100 children with the diagnosis of ID. Informed consents
      were obtained. The parents were assessed for anxiety and depression using DSM IV
      criteria. RESULTS: Significantly high proportion of mothers (89%) had anxiety,
      depression, or both anxiety and depression together as compared to fathers (77%)
      (p-value <0.05). Among mothers, 35% met criteria for anxiety, 40% for depression
      and 13% for both anxiety and depression. Among fathers 42% had anxiety, 31%
      depression and 3% both anxiety and depression. There was a significant
      association between gender of parent and individual psychiatric diagnosis of
      anxiety, depression and anxiety and depression together (p-value <0.05). A
      significant association was also found between mother's anxiety, depression or
      both and degree of ID of their children (p-value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 1)
      Significantly high proportion of parents of children with ID has psychiatric
      diagnosis of anxiety, depression or both; 2) the psychiatric diagnosis of
      anxiety, depression and anxiety and depression together is associated with gender
      of parent; and, 3) the diagnosis of anxiety, depression or both in mothers was
      associated with severity of ID in their children.

PMID- 24223049
TI  - Program evaluation of a child and youth mental health training program for family
      physicians in british columbia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This brief report presents findings from the program evaluation of
      a portion of an educational program developed to support family physicians in
      improving their mental health care competencies in children and youth in British
      Columbia. METHOD: The Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) learning module is
      part of a broader initiative from the Practice Support Program (PSP) of the
      British Columbia Medical Association and was created specifically to assist
      family physicians in improving their competencies in the identification,
      diagnosis and delivery of best evidence-based treatments for children and youth
      exhibiting the most common mental disorders that can be effectively treated in
      most primary care practices. RESULTS: The initial results from the program
      evaluation demonstrate a substantial improvement in family physicians' knowledge
      of child and youth mental disorders and their self-rated clinical confidence in
      identifying and treating (both pharmacologically and psychotherapeutically) the
      most common child and youth mental disorders. Furthermore, because the training
      protocol involves a team-based approach which includes specialist physicians as
      well as school counsellors and human services providers, collaboration between
      primary practice and other providers is enhanced. CONCLUSION: The initial results
      encourage broader roll-out and further evaluation of this program on a wider
      scale.

PMID- 24223050
TI  - Direct and Indirect Psychosocial Outcomes for Children with Autism Spectrum
      Disorder and their Parents Following a Parent-involved Social Skills Group
      Intervention.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined the direct and indirect outcomes of a social
      skills group intervention for children with high functioning autism spectrum
      disorders and their parents. METHOD: Thirty-five children and their parents
      participated in the program evaluation. Children and parents completed measures
      of child social skills and problem behaviors. Children reported on their self
      concept, and parents reported on their psychological acceptance and empowerment.
      RESULTS: Results indicate significant increases in overall child social skills
      according to parent and child report, in child general self-worth, and in parent
      service empowerment and psychological acceptance. CONCLUSION: While past program
      evaluations of social skills groups highlight changes in social competence,
      taking a broader perspective on the types of positive outcomes suggests potential
      benefits for both child and parent.

PMID- 24223051
TI  - The canadian eating disorder program survey - exploring intensive treatment
      programs for youth with eating disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe philosophies and characteristics of intensive
      eating disorder (ED) treatment programs based in tertiary care institutions
      across Canada. METHOD: A ninety-item survey examining ED services for adolescents
      was developed, piloted, and completed by 11 programs across Canada. Information
      pertaining to program characteristics and components, governance, staffing,
      referrals, assessments, therapeutic modalities in place, nutritional practices,
      and treatment protocols were collected. RESULTS: The results highlight the
      diversity of programming available but also the lack of a unified approach to
      intensive eating disorder treatment in youth. CONCLUSIONS: This report provides
      important baseline data that offers a framework that programs can use to come
      together to establish assessment and treatment protocols as well as a process for
      outcome evaluation. Continued collaboration will be essential moving forward to
      ensure Canadian youth, regardless of geographic location, receive the necessary
      treatment required to attain and sustain recovery.

PMID- 24223052
TI  - Adherence to psychostimulant medication in children with attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder: the role of attitudes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate how attitudes towards psychostimulant medication
      influence the adherence to psychostimulant treatment in children with Attention
      Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Thirty-three children with ADHD
      were prospectively recruited to take part in this study. The children and their
      parents filled questionnaires at both baseline and at a three-month follow-up to
      assess the severity of ADHD symptoms in the child and attitudes towards
      psychostimulant medication. Adherence to medication was assessed through
      standardized interviews of parents. RESULTS: Parental perceived psychosocial
      benefits of psychostimulant medication at the three-month follow-up were found to
      be positive predictors of adherence to medication. Parental perceived
      psychosocial benefits of medication at the three-month follow-up was in turn
      predicted by parental medication acceptability at three months and child's
      perceived psychosocial benefits of medication at three-months. CONCLUSION:
      Improving parents' awareness of psychosocial benefits of psychostimulant
      medication may increase adherence to psychostimulant medication in children with
      ADHD. Age of the child and severity of symptoms did not significantly affect
      medication adherence.

PMID- 24223053
TI  - First Manic Episode in an 11 Year-old Girl.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We present the case of an 11 year-old girl admitted to the Centre
      hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke for a first manic episode. METHOD:
      Differential diagnoses of adjustment disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity
      disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder were considered but
      eliminated. RESULTS: No organic etiology was detected. Her condition rapidly
      remitted with aripiprazole 3mg. After her discharge, she suffered a relapse due
      to instability of her living conditions and was rehospitalized. CONCLUSION: Mania
      is a difficult diagnosis in youths due to its nonspecific symptoms, rare
      prepubertal occurrence, and diagnostic complexity. Despite ongoing research,
      there is little conclusive information on the impact of psychosocial stressors on
      the evolution of early-onset bipolar disorder.

PMID- 24223054
TI  - Assessing Understanding and Obtaining Consent from Adults with Intellectual
      Disabilities for a Health Promotion Study.
AB  - People with intellectual disabilities are often excluded from research, in part
      because they may be perceived as lacking capacity to provide informed consent. A
      requirement of informed decision making about research participation is ability
      to understand the study description and disclosures presented during the consent
      process. The authors' aims were to determine the extent to which study
      participants with intellectual disabilities were able to answer questions about
      key aspects of study disclosures, identify ways in which people who provided
      appropriate answers for all of the questions differed from those who had
      difficulty with one or more of the questions, and examine patterns of responses
      to see if certain issues were more difficult to understand than others. The
      authors piloted a short set of questions to assess the extent to which adults
      with intellectual disabilities were able to answer questions about key aspects of
      a health promotion study. More than half of study participants correctly answered
      all of the questions. For those not able to answer all questions, identifying
      potential risks of being in the study proved the most challenging. The findings
      indicate that many people with intellectual disabilities likely can provide their
      own consent to participate in low risk studies.

PMID- 24223055
TI  - A valid approach in refractory glossodynia: a single-institution 5-year
      experience treating with Japanese traditional herbal (kampo) medicine.
AB  - Glossodynia is often refractory to conventional medicine, and there is only
      limited evidence to guide clinicians in its management. Patients with refractory
      glossodynia are often introduced to Japanese traditional herbal (Kampo) medicine
      experts under such circumstances because Kampo medicine has become known in Japan
      to be effective in treating a wide variety of symptoms refractory to conventional
      medicine. Herein, we report our single-institution 5-year experience treating
      patients with Kampo medicine for primary glossodynia that was refractory to
      conventional medicine. We found that 69.2% of patients reported a beneficial
      effect of Kampo medicine on glossodynia, and the average onset of improvement was
      8.0 +/- 7.7 weeks after starting Kampo treatment. The top two frequently used
      Kampo medicines for glossodynia were seinetsuhokito and mibakuekkito among high
      responders who showed a decrease of severity by 50% or more. The top four most
      overlapped herbs among effective Kampo medicines for glossodynia were Glycyrrhiza
      Root, Ginseng Root, Hoelen, and Atractylodes (lancea) Rhizome, which compose an
      essential Kampo prescription called shikunshito. Although more research is
      required to further clarify the effectiveness of Kampo medicine, it has valid
      efficacy even in cases of glossodynia that remain incurable by conventional
      treatments. 

PMID- 24223056
TI  - Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Supercritical-Carbon Dioxide Fluid Extract from
      Flowers and Buds of Chrysanthemum indicum Linnen.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and investigate the
      anti-inflammatory property of the supercritical-carbon dioxide extract from
      flowers and buds of C. indicum (CISCFE). The anti-inflammatory effect was
      evaluated in four animal models including xylene-induced mouse ear edema, acetic
      acid-induced mouse vascular permeability, carrageenan-induced mouse hind paw
      edema, and cotton pellet-induced rat granuloma formation. The results indicated
      that CISCFE significantly attenuated xylene-induced ear edema, decreased acetic
      acid-induced capillary permeability, reduced carrageenan-induced paw, and
      inhibited the cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in a dose-dependent
      manner. Histopathologically, CISCFE abated inflammatory response of the edema
      paw. Preliminary mechanistic studies demonstrated that CISCFE decreased the MDA
      level via increasing the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GRd),
      attenuated the productions of NF- kappa B, TNF- alpha , IL-1 beta , IL-6, PGE2
      and NO, and suppressed the activities of iNOS and COX-2. In phytochemical study,
      35 compounds were identified by GC-MS, and 5 compounds (chlorogenic acid,
      luteolin-7-glucoside, linarin, luteolin and acacetin) were reconfirmed and
      quantitatively determined by HPLC-PAD. This paper firstly analyzed the chemical
      composition by combining GC-MS with HPLC-PAD and explored possible mechanisms for
      the anti-inflammatory effect of CISCFE. 

PMID- 24223057
TI  - Si Shen Wan Inhibits mRNA Expression of Apoptosis-Related Molecules in p38 MAPK
      Signal Pathway in Mice with Colitis.
AB  - Si Shen Wan (SSW) is used to effectively treat ulcerative colitis (UC) as a
      formula of traditional Chinese medicine. To explore the mechanism of SSW
      inhibited apoptosis of colonic epithelial cell, the study observed mRNA
      expression of apoptosis-related molecules in p38 MAPK signal pathway in colonic
      mucosa in colitis mice treated with SSW. Experimental colitis was induced by
      2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in mice; meanwhile, the mice were
      administrated daily either SSW (5 g/kg) or p38 MAPK inhibitor (2 mg/kg) or
      vehicle (physiological saline) for 10 days. While microscopical evaluation was
      observed, apoptosis rate of colonic epithelial cell and mRNA expression of
      apoptosis-related molecules were tested. Compared with colitis mice without
      treatment, SSW alleviated colonic mucosal injuries and decreased apoptosis rate
      of colonic epithelial cell, while the mRNA expressions of p38 MAPK, p53, caspase
      3, c-jun, c-fos, Bax, and TNF- alpha were decreased in the colonic mucosa in
      colitis mice treated with SSW, and Bcl-2 mRNA and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax were
      increased. The present study demonstrated that SSW inhibited mRNA expression of
      apoptosis-related molecules in p38 MAPK signal pathway to downregulate colonic
      epithelial cells apoptosis in colonic mucosa in mice with colitis. 

PMID- 24223058
TI  - Synergistic inhibition of angiogenesis by artesunate and captopril in vitro and
      in vivo.
AB  - Inhibition of angiogenesis represents one major strategy of cancer chemotherapy.
      In the present investigation, we investigated the synergism of artesunate and
      captopril to inhibit angiogenesis. Artesunate is an antimalarial derivative of
      artemisinin from the Chinese medicinal plant, Artemisia annua L., which also
      reveals profound anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Captopril is an
      angiotensin I-converting (ACE) inhibitor, which is well established in Western
      academic medicine. Both compounds inhibited migration of human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. The combination of both drugs resulted in
      synergistically inhibited migration. Whereas artesunate inhibited HUVEC growth in
      the XTT assay, captopril did not, indicating independent modes of action. We
      established a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay of quail embryos (Coturnix
      coturnix L.) and a computer-based evaluation routine for quantitative studies on
      vascularization processes in vivo. Artesunate and captopril inhibited blood
      vessel formation and growth. For the first time, we demonstrated that both drugs
      revealed synergistic effects when combined. These results may also have clinical
      impact, since cardiovascular diseases and cancer frequently occur together in
      older cancer patients. Therefore, comorbid patients may take advantage, if they
      take captopril to treat cardiovascular symptoms and artesunate to treat cancer. 

PMID- 24223059
TI  - Evaluation of aromatic plants and compounds used to fight multidrug resistant
      infections.
AB  - Traditional medicine plays a vital role for primary health care in India, where
      it is widely practiced to treat various ailments. Among those obtained from the
      healers, 78 medicinal plants were scientifically evaluated for antibacterial
      activity. Methanol extract of plants (100  MU g of residue) was tested against
      the multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Forty
      seven plants showed strong activity against Burkholderia pseudomallei (strain TES
      and KHW) and Staphylococcus aureus, of which Tragia involucrata L., Citrus acida
      Roxb. Hook.f., and Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa ex Roxb. showed powerful inhibition
      of bacteria. Eighteen plants displayed only a moderate effect, while six plants
      failed to provide any evidence of inhibition against the tested bacteria.
      Purified compounds showed higher antimicrobial activity than crude extracts. The
      compounds showed less toxic effect to the human skin fibroblasts (HEPK) cells
      than their corresponding aromatic fractions. Phytochemical screening indicates
      that the presence of various secondary metabolites may be responsible for this
      activity. Most of the plant extracts contained high levels of phenolic or
      polyphenolic compounds and exhibited activity against MDR pathogens. In
      conclusion, plants are promising agents that deserve further exploration. Lead
      molecules available from such extracts may serve as potential antimicrobial
      agents for future drug development to combat diseases caused by the MDR bacterial
      strains as reported in this study. 

PMID- 24223060
TI  - Antibacterial Activity of Rhus javanica against Methicillin-Resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - In the present study, the leaves of Rhus javanica (R. javanica) were extracted
      with ethanol, and we investigated the antimicrobial activity of the ethanol
      extract of R. javanica against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      (MRSA). Control groups were treated with media containing 0.1% DMSO. The ethanol
      extract of R. javanica inhibited the growth of MRSA at concentrations ranging
      from 0.05 to 0.2 mg/mL and inhibited acid production at concentrations higher
      than 0.1 mg/mL (P < 0.05). MRSA biofilm formation was determined by scanning
      electron microscopy and safranin staining. The ethanol extract of R. javanica
      inhibited the formation of MRSA biofilms at concentrations higher than 0.05
      mg/mL. In confocal laser scanning microscopy, high concentration (0.4-1.6 mg/mL)
      of R. javanica extract showed bactericidal effect in a dose-dependent manner. In
      real-time PCR analysis, R. javanica extract showed the inhibition of the genetic
      expression of virulence factors such as mecA, sea, agrA, and sarA in MRSA.
      Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the strong presence of phenolics.
      These results suggest that R. javanica may be a useful medicinal plant for
      inhibiting MRSA, which may be related to the presence of phenolics in the R.
      javanica extract. 

PMID- 24223061
TI  - Inhibitory Effect of Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia on the Virulence
      Properties of the Oral Pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas
      gingivalis.
AB  - Aim. This study investigated the effect of Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia
      (DVA) on the virulence properties of cariogenic Streptococcus mutans and
      Porphyromonas gingivalis implicated in periodontal diseases. Methods. S. mutans
      was cultured in tryptone broth containing a crude leaf extract of DVA for 16
      hours, and the pH was measured after 10, 12, 14, and 16 h. Biofilms of S. mutans
      were grown on glass slides for 48 hours and exposed to plant extract for 30
      minutes; the adherent cells were reincubated and the pH was measured at various
      time intervals. Minimum bactericidal concentration of the extracts against the
      four periodontal pathogens was determined. The effect of the subinhibitory
      concentration of plant extract on the production of proteinases by P. gingivalis
      was also evaluated. Results. DVA had no effect on acid production by S. mutans
      biofilms; however, it significantly inhibited acid production in planktonic
      cells. Periodontal pathogens were completely eliminated at low concentrations
      ranging from 0.09 to 0.02 mg/mL of crude plant extracts. At subinhibitory
      concentrations, DVA significantly reduced Arg-gingipain (24%) and Lys-gingipain
      (53%) production by P. gingivalis (P <= 0.01). Conclusions. These results suggest
      that DVA has the potential to be used to control oral infections including dental
      caries and periodontal diseases. 

PMID- 24223062
TI  - Opposite Effects of Single-Dose and Multidose Administration of the Ethanol
      Extract of Danshen on CYP3A in Healthy Volunteers.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single- and multidose
      administration of the ethanol extract of danshen on in vivo CYP3A activity in
      healthy volunteers. A sequential, open-label, and three-period pharmacokinetic
      interaction study design was used based on 12 healthy male individuals. The
      plasma concentrations of midazolam and its metabolite 1-hydroxymidazolam were
      measured. Treatment with single dose of the extract caused the mean C max of
      midazolam to increase by 87% compared with control. After 10 days of the danshen
      extract intake, the mean AUC0-12, C max, and t 1/2 of midazolam were decreased by
      79.9%, 66.6%, and 43.8%, respectively. The mean clearance of midazolam was
      increased by 501.6% compared with control. The in vitro study showed that
      dihydrotanshinone I in the extract could inhibit CYP3A, while tanshinone IIA and
      cryptotanshinone could induce CYP3A. In conclusion, a single-dose administration
      of the danshen extract can inhibit intestinal CYP3A, but multidose administration
      can induce intestinal and hepatic CYP3A. 

PMID- 24223063
TI  - Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of traditional chinese medicine must search
      chinese databases to reduce language bias.
AB  - Systematic reviews (SRs) that fail to search non-English databases may miss
      relevant studies and cause selection bias. The bias may be particularly severe in
      SRs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as most randomized controlled trials
      (RCT) in TCM are published and accessible only in Chinese. In this study we
      investigated how often Chinese databases were not searched in SRs of TCM, how
      many trials were missed, and whether a bias may occur if Chinese databases were
      not searched. We searched 5 databases in English and 3 in Chinese for RCTs of
      Chinese herbal medicine for coronary artery disease and found that 96.64%
      (115/119) eligible studies could be identified only from Chinese databases. In a
      random sample of 80 Cochrane reviews on TCM, we found that Chinese databases were
      only searched in 43 or 53.75%, in which almost all the included studies were
      identified from Chinese databases. We also compared SRs of the same topic and
      found that they may draw a different conclusion if Chinese databases were not
      searched. In conclusion, an overwhelmingly high percentage of eligible trials on
      TCM could only be identified in Chinese databases. Reviewers in TCM are suggested
      to search Chinese databases to reduce potential selection bias. 

PMID- 24223064
TI  - Are Nouns Learned Before Verbs? Infants Provide Insight into a Longstanding
      Debate.
AB  - For decades, a spirited debate has existed over whether infants' remarkable
      capacity to learn words is shaped primarily by universal features of human
      language or by specific featuers of the particulare native language they are
      acquiring. A strong focus for this debate has been a well-documented difference
      in early word learning: Infants' success in learning verbs lags behind their
      success in learning nouns.. In this review, we articulate both sides of the
      debate and summarize new cross-linguistic evidence from infants that underscores
      the role of universal features and begins to clarify the impact of distinctly
      different languages on early language and conceptual development.

PMID- 24223065
TI  - Bacteriophage types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a tertiary
      care hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phage typing had been utilised extensively to characterise
      methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak strains in the past.
      It is an invaluable tool even today to monitor emergence and dissemination of
      MRSA strains. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalent phage
      types of MRSA in south India and the association between phage types, antibiotic
      resistance pattern and risk factors. METHOD: A total of 48 non-duplicate MRSA
      strains recovered from various clinical samples during January to December, 2010
      were tested against a panel of anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. Phage typing was
      carried out at the National Staphylococcal Phage Typing Centre, New Delhi. Out of
      48, 32 hospitalised patients were followed up for risk factors and response to
      empirical and post sensitivity antibiotic therapy. The risk factors were compared
      with a control group of 30 patients with methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus
      aureus (MSSA) infection. RESULTS: Amongst the five prevalent phage types, 42E was
      most common (52%), followed by a non-typable variant (22.9%), 42E/47/54/75
      (16.6%), 42E/47 (6.2%) and 47 (2%). Phage type 42E was the predominant strain in
      all wards and OPDs except in the ICU where 42E/47/54/75 was most common. Although
      not statistically significant, strain 42E/47/54/75 (n=8) showed higher resistance
      to all drugs, except ciprofloxacin and amikacin, and were mostly D-test positive
      (87.5%) compared to the 42E strain (32%). Duration of hospital stay, intravenous
      catheterisation and breach in skin were the most significant risk factors for
      MRSA infection. CONCLUSION: We found MRSA strain diversity in hospital wards with
      differences in their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. The findings may impact
      infection control and antibiotic policy significantly.

PMID- 24223066
TI  - Orbital myiasis caused by green bottle fly.
AB  - An 80-year-old farmer, presented with large, maggot infested ulceration involving
      the medial part of the right upper lid. The left eye was phthisical. There was
      history of untreated traumatic laceration of the right upper lid. Mechanical
      removal of maggots was done under turpentine coverage with regular antibiotic
      dressing. Microbiological examination of maggots revealed the larvae to be of
      Lucilia sericata (green bottle fly). The ulceration completely healed in two
      weeks following manual removal of maggots and regular dressing. Orbital myiasis
      is an uncommon clinical condition, with isolated case reports in literature. 

PMID- 24223067
TI  - Tongue cleaner, an unusual foreign body in the urethra: A case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Various cases of self-inflicted foreign body insertion into the
      urethra have been reported in adult males. The most common motive for such acts
      has been postulated as autoerotic stimulation, psychiatric illness or
      intoxication. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old male presented with a partially
      inserted tongue cleaner in his urethra with one end projecting from the urethral
      meatus and with a history of bleeding and pain. After a gentle attempt of removal
      using local anaesthetic gel the patient was scheduled for its surgical removal
      under anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: Large complex foreign bodies may be not amenable
      to endoscopic removal and may warrant open surgical procedure. Urethral stricture
      should be suspected in such patients. A psychiatric visit should be recommended
      for all adult males with self-inflicted foreign body in the urethra.

PMID- 24223068
TI  - Variation in the lobar pattern of the right and left lungs: A case report.
AB  - The right lung has three lobes and two fissures while the left lung has two lobes
      and one fissure. During a routine dissection we observed a variant complete
      fissure and three incomplete fissures in the right lung while the left lung
      presented with a variant transverse fissure separating the superior lingual and
      anterior bronchopulmonary segments. In the right lung, the incomplete fissures
      lie between the apical and posterior bronchopulmonary segments; medial and
      lateral bronchopulmonary segments; apical and basal bronchopulmonary segments.
      The complete variant fissure separates the medial basal bronchopulmonary segment
      from the remaining basal segments. Such variant fissures and lobes are clinically
      important in cases of lobotomy. 

PMID- 24223069
TI  - Compressive myeloradiculopathy from bony metastasis as the initial presentation
      of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma stomach - a case report.
AB  - Carcinoma of the stomach rarely disseminates to bone. We report a case of
      compressive myeloradiculopathy from extensive metastases to the spine, which on
      evaluation originated from adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Magnetic resonance
      imaging of the spine showed osteolytic and osteosclerotic metastases.
      Gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed ulcerative growth in the stomach that on
      biopsy showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. This case is unique in that
      the initial presentation of gastric cancer itself was bony metastases without any
      gastrointestinal symptoms or liver involvement. Moreover, metastases were
      osteosclerotic as well, which is against the general belief that gastric cancer
      produces only osteolytic secondaries. 

PMID- 24223070
TI  - Vascular leiomyosarcoma of thigh - A rare tumour at an unusual site.
AB  - Leiomyosarcomas of vascular origin are rare. They originate from the smooth
      muscles of tunica media of major blood vessels. The majority of such tumours
      arising in the extremities affect the femoral vascular bundle. There is limited
      knowledge and experience of the clinical presentation, pathological reports and
      results of treatment of this type of tumour. A case of primary leiomyosarcoma of
      femoral vein is being reported from a subtropical region of India that developed
      over the right thigh of a 35-year-old male farmer and was clinically diagnosed as
      benign soft tissue tumour. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and
      immunohistochemistry. 

PMID- 24223072
TI  - Generalised staphylococcal pustulosis in a neonate: A case report.
AB  - Pustular eruptions in a neonate are mostly benign, but several are serious and
      have infectious aetiology. A detailed history, complete physical examination and
      careful assessment of the lesions are essential for diagnosis. The need to
      investigate every neonate with pustules for an infectious aetiology is
      emphasised. This case of generalised pustulosis in a neonate is reported as it is
      an uncommon presentation of Staphylococcus aureus infection, diagnostic
      difficulty caused by atypical skin lesions and similarity of clinical features
      with other causes of neonatal pustular diseases. 

PMID- 24223071
TI  - India towards diabetes control: Key issues.
AB  - The problem of mass diabetes is steadily increasing everyday. This editorial
      introduces key issues that need to be addressed to support the effective control
      of diabetes in India as well as globally. Issues like awareness generation for
      risk reduction, frequency of monitoring for selected parameters, standards for
      monitoring chronic complications in patients with diabetes, and current
      recommended targets of various parameters, amongst others, are presented along
      with extensions to the vaccinations recommended for diabetic patients. 

PMID- 24223073
TI  - An overview of Ross Prentice's contributions to statistical science.
AB  - Ross Prentice's work has had the most profound impact on the theory and practice
      of statistics. His research interests range from survival analysis, longitudinal
      data analysis, epidemiologic designs and analysis, to genomic studies. His
      contributions are so broad and so deep that it would be impossible to provide a
      comprehensive review in any limited amount of space. In this commentary, I will
      attempt to give a brief tour of some of his statistical work, focusing on ten of
      my favorite papers of his. I will describe the main ideas in those papers and
      their influence on the directions of statistical research and on the designs and
      analysis of medical studies. I will mention a few stories along the way.

PMID- 24223075
TI  - Effects of Air Pollution on Asthma Hospitalization Rates in Different Age Groups
      in Metropolitan Cities of Korea.
AB  - Many studies have shown associations between air pollution and asthma admissions
      in Korea, but have not reported whether these effects differ by age
      classification. The purpose of this study was to determine whether air pollution
      effects on asthmatic hospital admissions are different by three age groups
      (years): children (less than 15), adults (15-64; reference group), and the
      elderly (over 65). Daily time-series data from seven metropolitan cities in South
      Korea were analyzed in two stages. In the first stage, relative asthma morbidity
      rates associated with air pollution were estimated for each city and age group,
      using semi-parametric log-linear regression. In the second stage, estimates from
      all seven cities were combined by age group using Bayesian hierarchical modeling.
      The effects of exposure to particulate matter <10 micrometers in aerodynamic
      diameter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) varied
      significantly by age groups. Using adults as the referent, the relative rate (RR)
      of asthma admissions with 10MUg/m3 increase of PM10 is 1.5% (95%CI: 0.1-2.8%)
      lower for children, and 1.3% (95% CI: 0.7-1.9%) higher for the elderly; RR with
      1ppm increase of CO is 1.9% (95% CI: 0.3-3.8%) lower for children; RR with 1ppb
      increase of NO2(1ppb) is 0.5% (95% CI: 0.3-0.7%) higher for the elderly. No
      significant age group difference in relative rate was found for ozone or sulfur
      dioxide.

PMID- 24223076
TI  - The use of a written assessment checklist for the provision of emergency
      contraception via community pharmacies: a simulated patient study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia recommends use of a written
      assessment checklist prior to supply of emergency contraception by pharmacists.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of use of a
      written assessment checklist by community pharmacists and secondly, to ascertain
      the effect of the checklist on appropriate assessment and supply. METHODS: Three
      female simulated patients visited 100 randomly selected pharmacies requesting
      supply of 'the morning after pill'. Information provided when assessed by the
      pharmacist was that she had missed one inactive pill of her regular hormonal
      contraception. The amount of assessment provided and the appropriateness of
      supply were used as comparative outcome measures. RESULTS: Eighty-three
      pharmacies used a written assessment checklist. Twenty-four of the pharmacies
      visited provided the appropriate outcome of non-supply. Pharmacies that used a
      written assessment checklist provided a greater quantity and consistency of
      assessment (11.3 +/-2.5 v. 6.5 +/-3.8 questions, p<0.0001) but this did not
      result in an improved frequency of an appropriate outcome (20%, n=16 v. 23%,
      n=3). CONCLUSIONS: While a written patient assessment checklist improved the
      quantity and consistency of patient assessment, it did not improve the advice
      provided by community pharmacies when handling requests for emergency
      contraception.

PMID- 24223077
TI  - Evaluation of the supply of antifungal medication for the treatment of vaginal
      thrush in the community pharmacy setting: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia have developed "guidance" for
      the supply of several medicines available without prescription to the general
      public. Limited research has been published assessing the effect of these
      guidelines on the provision of medication within the practice of pharmacy.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess appropriate supply of non-prescription antifungal
      medications for the treatment of vaginal thrush in community pharmacies, with and
      without a guideline. A secondary aim was to describe the assessment and
      counseling provided to patients when requesting this medication. METHODS: A
      randomized controlled trial was undertaken whereby two simulated patients
      conducted visits to 100 randomly selected community pharmacies in a metropolitan
      region. A product-based request for fluconazole (an oral antifungal that has a
      guideline was compared to a product-based request for clotrimazole (a topical
      antifungal without a guideline). The same patient details were used for both
      requests. Outcome measures of the visits were the appropriateness of supply and
      referral to a medical practitioner. RESULTS: Overall 16% (n=16) of visits
      resulted in an appropriate outcome; 10% (n=5) of fluconozaole requests compared
      with 22% (n=11) of clotrimazole requests (chi-square=2.68, p=0.10). There was a
      difference in the type of assessment performed by pharmacy staff between visits
      for fluconazole and clotrimazole. A request for clotrimazole resulted in a
      significant increase in frequency in regards to assessment of the reason for the
      request (chi-square=8.57, p=0.003), symptom location (chi-square=8.27, p=0.004),
      and prior history (chi-square=5.09, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Overall practice was
      poor, with the majority of pharmacies inappropriately supplying antifungal
      medication. New strategies are required to improve current practice of community
      pharmacies for provision of non-prescription antifungals in the treatment of
      vaginal thrush.

PMID- 24223074
TI  - Biological networks in ischemic tolerance - rethinking the approach to clinical
      conditioning.
AB  - The adaptive response (conditioning) to environmental stressors evokes
      evolutionarily conserved programs in uni- and multicellular organisms that result
      in increased fitness and resistance to stressor induced injury. Although the
      concept of conditioning has been around for a while, its translation into
      clinical therapies targeting neurovascular diseases has only recently begun. The
      slow pace of clinical adoption might be partially explained by our poor
      understanding of underpinning mechanisms and of the complex responses of the
      organism to the stressor. At the 2(nd) Translational Preconditioning Meeting
      participants engaged in an intense discussion addressing whether the time has
      come to more aggressively implement clinical conditioning protocols in the
      treatment of cerebrovascular diseases or whether it would be better to wait until
      preclinical data would help to minimize clinical empiricism. This review
      addresses the complex involvement of biological networks in establishing ischemic
      tolerance at the organism level using two clinically promising conditioning
      modalities, namely remote ischemic preconditioning, and per- or post
      conditioning, as examples. 

PMID- 24223078
TI  - Analysis of written advertising material distributed through community pharmacies
      in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advertising is a crucial component of pharmaceutical industry
      promotion. Research indicates that information on advertisement materials might
      be inadequate, inaccurate, biased, and misleading. OBJECTIVE: To analyse and
      critically assess the information presented in print pharmaceutical
      advertisements in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Pharmaceutical advertisements were
      collected from 280 community pharmacies in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. The
      advertisements were evaluated using criteria derived from the Saudi Food and Drug
      Authority (SFDA) regulation, the World Health Organization (WHO) ethical
      medicinal drug promotion criteria, and other principles reported in similar
      studies. The data were extracted independently by two of the researchers using a
      standardized assessment form. RESULTS: One hundred eighty five printed
      advertisements were included in the final sample. Approximately half of the
      advertisements (n = 94, 51%) were for over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and 71
      (38%) were for prescription-only medication. Information such as the name of
      active ingredients was available in 168 (90.8%) advertisements, therapeutic uses
      were mentioned in 156 (98.7%) of analysed advertisements. Safety information
      related to side effects, precautions, and major interactions were stated in 53
      (28.5%), 58 (31%), and 33 (16.5%) advertisements, respectively. Only 119
      advertisements (64%) provided references for information presented. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our findings suggest that print advertisements do not convey all the information
      necessary for safe prescribing. These results have implications for the
      regulation of drug advertising and the continuing education of pharmacists.

PMID- 24223079
TI  - Impact of educational intervention on knowledge of dispensers working at
      community pharmacies in Pakistan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of training of dispensers on knowledge of
      dispensers working at community pharmacies in context to storage temperature,
      prescription terminologies and status of medicines in Islamabad, Pakistan.
      METHODS: A randomized, controlled, blinded intervention study was designed and
      implemented. Before the implementation of intervention, a baseline study was
      performed to assess the knowledge of dispensers working at community pharmacies.
      The study population included all community pharmacy outlets in Islamabad.
      Pharmacies of Islamabad which were visited in pre intervention phase (n=118) were
      divided into two geographical regions: A (intervention) and B (control). Thirty
      pharmacies were randomly selected from each region. Keeping in view the results
      of the baseline study an educational intervention was designed to improve the
      knowledge of dispensers working at community pharmacies in Pakistan. RESULTS: A
      significant difference in the overall knowledge of dispensers was observed
      between the pre-post intervention groups. Knowledge of dispensers regarding
      storage of drugs, prescription terminologies and status of drugs was improved
      after the training. On the other hand no significant difference was observed
      between the pre-post control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study has highlighted that
      improvements in knowledge of dispensers working at community pharmacies are
      possible through suitable interventions. But, results of interventions can only
      be sustainable through continuous monitoring and reinforcement of the training.

PMID- 24223080
TI  - Student pharmacists' career choices: a survey of three Nigerian schools of
      pharmacy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is little data on the preferences of pharmacy students as
      regards their future pharmacy job choices in Africa and this has created concerns
      amongst licensing bodies, employers and also the institutions they graduate from.
      OBJECTIVE: Career choices and factors that influence these choices of pre
      registration pharmacists were assessed. METHODS: Final and fourth year students
      from three schools of pharmacy were approached with a previously validated and
      employed questionnaire comprising questions on future job choices and reasons for
      that job choice. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential
      analysis. RESULTS: Four hundred and eighty eight students took part in the study
      (response rate 71.5%). Majority (78.8%) was younger than 26 years and had a work
      experience (68.2%). Job flexibility was significantly more important to females,
      while younger students considered salary most important (p<0.05). Hospital and
      community practice were most preferred career choices. Other demographic factors
      (especially gender, marital status, previous degree and previous work experience)
      significantly affected career choices. CONCLUSIONS: Age, gender, and previous
      work experience affect career choices of graduating pharmacy students. Patient
      oriented practices (e.g. hospital and community) remain the most preferred
      careers.

PMID- 24223081
TI  - Effect of number and type of antidiabetes medications on adherence and glycemia
      of ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients in southwestern Nigeria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of number and type of antidiabetes
      medications on adherence and glycemia of ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients in
      southwestern Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using pre-tested
      structured questionnaire among 176 consented patients recruited from the
      endocrinology clinics of two teaching hospitals between November, 2010 and
      January, 2011; and a retrospective review of case notes of the cohort for details
      of prescribed medications and blood glucose values. Descriptive statistics were
      used to summarize the data. Tests of proportions were evaluated using Chi-square
      or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. The differences in mean fasting blood
      glucose (FBG) between and among categorical variables were compared using student
      t-test and ANOVA respectively, with p<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Mean
      number of prescribed medications was 4.6 +/-1.4. Almost two thirds 103 (60.6%)
      were placed on >4 medications. Adherence was better among patients on >4
      medications compared to those on <=4 medications (p=0.05). However, patients on
      >4 medications were mostly older adults (>60 years of age), and they were in the
      majority (66.7%) who had tertiary education compared to 33.3% of those on <=4
      medications who had tertiary education (p=0.02). Adherence rates to antidiabetes
      medications were in the ranking of oral antidiabetes medications (OAM) alone
      (50.0%) > insulin plus OAM (44.0%) > insulin alone (41.7%) with no significant
      difference (p=0.77). There was a significant difference in mean FBG among
      patients on >4 medications (172.1 +/-61.1mg/dL) versus (198.8 +/-83.8mg/dL) among
      those on <=4 medications (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Prescribing more than four
      medications is linked to improved adherence and glycemic outcome. However, age
      and educational background of patients are important factors that need to be
      considered when prescribing multiple medications for type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 24223082
TI  - Challenges to publishing pharmacy resident research projects from the
      perspectives of residency program directors and residents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify barriers to completing and publishing pharmacy residency
      research projects from the perspective of program directors and former residents.
      METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of pharmacy residency program
      directors and former post-graduate year one and two residents. Directors of
      pharmacy residency programs whose residents present their projects at the Western
      States Conference (n=216) were invited to complete an online survey and asked to
      forward the survey to former residents of their program in 2009, 2010, or 2011.
      The survey focused on four broad areas: 1) demographic characteristics of the
      residency programs, directors, and residents; 2) perceived value of the research
      project; 3) perceived barriers with various stages of research; and 4) self
      identified barriers to successful research project completion and publication.
      RESULTS: A total of 32 program directors and 98 residents completed the survey.
      The minority of programs offered formal residency research training. Both groups
      reported value in the research project as part of residency training.
      Significantly more directors reported obtaining institutional review board
      approval and working through the publication process as barriers to the research
      project (46.7% vs. 22.6% and 73.3% vs. 43.0%, respectively p<0.05) while
      residents were more likely to report collecting and analyzing the data as
      barriers (34.4% vs. 13.3% and 39.8% vs. 20.0%, respectively, p<0.05). Both groups
      self-identified time constraints and limitations in study design or quality of
      the study as barriers. However, while program directors also indicated lack of
      resident motivation (65.5%), residents reported lack of mentorship or program
      structural issues (43.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, while both groups found value in
      the residency research projects, there were barriers identified by both groups.
      The results of this study may provide areas of opportunity for improving the
      quality and publication rates of resident research projects.

PMID- 24223083
TI  - Medication therapy management clinic: perception of healthcare professionals in a
      University medical center setting.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the overall perception and utilization of the pharmacist
      managed medication therapy management (MTM) clinic services, by healthcare
      professionals in a large, urban, university medical care setting. METHODS: This
      was a cross-sectional, anonymous survey sent to 195 healthcare professionals,
      including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists at The University of Illinois
      Outpatient Care Center to determine their perception and utilization of the MTM
      clinic. The survey consisted of 12 questions and was delivered through a secure
      online application. RESULTS: Sixty-two healthcare professionals (32%) completed
      the survey. 82% were familiar with the MTM clinic, and 63% had referred patients
      to the clinic. Medication adherence and disease state management was the most
      common reason for referral. Lack of knowledge on the appropriate referral
      procedure was the prominent reason for not referring patients to the MTM clinic.
      Of the providers that were aware of MTM services, 44% rated care as 'excellent',
      44% as 'good', 5% as 'fair', and 0% stated 'poor'. Strengths of MTM clinic
      identified by healthcare providers included in-depth education to patients, close
      follow-up, and detailed medication reconciliation provided by MTM clinic
      pharmacists. Of those familiar with MTM clinic, recommendations included;
      increase marketing efforts to raise awareness of the MTM clinic service, create
      collaborative practice agreements between MTM pharmacists and physicians, and
      ensure that progress notes are more concise. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, urban,
      academic institution MTM clinic is perceived as a valuable resource to optimize
      patient care by providing patients with in-depth education as it relates to their
      prescribed medications and disease states. These identified benefits of MTM
      clinic lead to frequent patient referrals specifically for aid with medication
      adherence and disease state management.

PMID- 24223084
TI  - Erratum: "Manufacturing and wetting low-cost microfluidic cell separation
      devices" [Biomicrofluidics 7, 056501 (2013)].
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 056501 in vol. 7.].

PMID- 24223099
TI  - N-butyl cyanoacrylate is very effective for massive haemorrhage during the
      perinatal period.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The liquid embolic agent n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) is a tissue
      adhesive used as an immediate and permanent embolic agent when mixed with oil
      based contrast medium. In this study, the preservation of fertility with TAE
      using NBCA for massive haemorrhage during pregnancy or the peripartum period and
      the utility of this therapy were investigated. METHODS: Cases from January 2005
      to October 2010 in which TAE was performed for massive haemorrhage in pregnant
      women, particularly during the peripartum period, were investigated. RESULTS: TAE
      was performed in 27 pregnant women. The embolic agent used was GS only in five
      cases, NBCA only in 19 cases, and additional embolization with NBCA when the
      effect with GS was insufficient in three cases, one each of abruptio placentae,
      cervical pregnancy, and uterine atony.A comparison of mean blood loss when each
      embolic agent was used for haemostasis showed a significant difference between
      cases in which GS only was used and cases in which NBCA only was used. In a
      comparison of mean transfusion volume, a significant difference was seen between
      cases in which both GS and NBCA were used and cases in which NBCA only was used.
      In a postoperative follow-up survey, menses resumed in eight patients, including
      four patients who later became pregnant and three who delivered. CONCLUSIONS: TAE
      with NBCA, which has an embolic effect unrelated to clotting dysfunction for
      massive haemorrhage during the peripartum period, is a minimally invasive and
      very effective treatment method for patients with severe DIC.

PMID- 24223098
TI  - Gene expression profiling identifies molecular pathways associated with collagen
      VI deficiency and provides novel therapeutic targets.
AB  - Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD), caused by collagen VI deficiency,
      is a common congenital muscular dystrophy. At present, the role of collagen VI in
      muscle and the mechanism of disease are not fully understood. To address this we
      have applied microarrays to analyse the transcriptome of UCMD muscle and compare
      it to healthy muscle and other muscular dystrophies. We identified 389 genes
      which are differentially regulated in UCMD relative to controls. In addition,
      there were 718 genes differentially expressed between UCMD and dystrophin
      deficient muscle. In contrast, only 29 genes were altered relative to other
      congenital muscular dystrophies. Changes in gene expression were confirmed by
      real-time PCR. The set of regulated genes was analysed by Gene Ontology, KEGG
      pathways and Ingenuity Pathway analysis to reveal the molecular functions and
      gene networks associated with collagen VI defects. The most significantly
      regulated pathways were those involved in muscle regeneration, extracellular
      matrix remodelling and inflammation. We characterised the immune response in UCMD
      biopsies as being mainly mediated via M2 macrophages and the complement pathway
      indicating that anti-inflammatory treatment may be beneficial to UCMD as for
      other dystrophies. We studied the immunolocalisation of ECM components and found
      that biglycan, a collagen VI interacting proteoglycan, was reduced in the basal
      lamina of UCMD patients. We propose that biglycan reduction is secondary to
      collagen VI loss and that it may be contributing towards UCMD pathophysiology.
      Consequently, strategies aimed at over-expressing biglycan and restore the link
      between the muscle cell surface and the extracellular matrix should be
      considered. 

PMID- 24223100
TI  - Proteomic profiling identifies distinct protein patterns in acute myelogenous
      leukemia CD34+CD38- stem-like cells.
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is believed to arise from leukemic stem-like cells
      (LSC) making understanding the biological differences between LSC and normal stem
      cells (HSC) or common myeloid progenitors (CMP) crucial to understanding AML
      biology. To determine if protein expression patterns were different in LSC
      compared to other AML and CD34+ populations, we measured the expression of 121
      proteins by Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) in 5 purified fractions from AML
      marrow and blood samples: Bulk (CD3/CD19 depleted), CD34-, CD34+(CMP), CD34+CD38+
      and CD34+CD38-(LSC). LSC protein expression differed markedly from Bulk (n =31
      cases, 93/121 proteins) and CD34+ cells (n = 30 cases, 88/121 proteins) with 54
      proteins being significantly different (31 higher, 23 lower) in LSC than in
      either Bulk or CD34+ cells. Sixty-seven proteins differed significantly between
      CD34+ and Bulk blasts (n = 69 cases). Protein expression patterns in LSC and
      CD34+ differed markedly from normal CD34+ cells. LSC were distinct from CD34+ and
      Bulk cells by principal component and by protein signaling network analysis which
      confirmed individual protein analysis. Potential targetable submodules in LSC
      included the proteins PU.1(SP1), P27, Mcl1, HIF1alpha, cMET, P53, Yap, and
      phospho-Stats 1, 5 and 6. Protein expression and activation in LSC differs
      markedly from other blast populations suggesting that studies of AML biology
      should be performed in LSC.

PMID- 24223101
TI  - New strategies to prolong the in vivo life span of iron-based contrast agents for
      MRI.
AB  - Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and ultra small superparamagnetic iron oxide
      (USPIO) nanoparticles have been developed as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      contrast agents. Iron oxide nanoparticles, that become superparamagnetic if the
      core particle diameter is ~ 30 nm or less, present R1 and R2 relaxivities which
      are much higher than those of conventional paramagnetic gadolinium chelates.
      Generally, these magnetic particles are coated with biocompatible polymers that
      prevent the agglomeration of the colloidal suspension and improve their blood
      distribution profile. In spite of their potential as MRI blood contrast agents,
      the biomedical application of iron oxide nanoparticles is still limited because
      of their intravascular half-life of only few hours; such nanoparticles are
      rapidly cleared from the bloodstream by macrophages of the reticulo-endothelial
      system (RES). To increase the life span of these MRI contrast agents in the
      bloodstream we proposed the encapsulation of SPIO nanoparticles in red blood
      cells (RBCs) through the transient opening of cell membrane pores. We have
      recently reported results obtained by applying our loading procedure to several
      SPIO nanoparticles with different chemical physical characteristics such as size
      and coating agent. In the current investigation we showed that the life span of
      iron-based contrast agents in the mice bloodstream was prolonged to 12 days after
      the intravenous injection of murine SPIO-loaded RBCs. Furthermore, we developed
      an animal model that implicates the pretreatment of animals with clodronate to
      induce a transient suppression of tissue macrophages, followed by the injection
      of human SPIO-loaded RBCs which make it possible to encapsulate nanoparticle
      concentrations (5.3-16.7 mM Fe) higher than murine SPIO-loaded RBCs (1.4-3.55 mM
      Fe). The data showed that, when human RBCs are used as more capable SPIO
      nanoparticle containers combined with a depletion of tissue macrophages, Fe
      concentration in animal blood is 2-3 times higher than iron concentration
      obtained by the use of murine SPIO-loaded RBCs.

PMID- 24223109
TI  - Quantitative analysis of PiB-PET with FreeSurfer ROIs.
AB  - In vivo quantification of beta-amyloid deposition using positron emission
      tomography is emerging as an important procedure for the early diagnosis of the
      Alzheimer's disease and is likely to play an important role in upcoming clinical
      trials of disease modifying agents. However, many groups use manually defined
      regions, which are non-standard across imaging centers. Analyses often are
      limited to a handful of regions because of the labor-intensive nature of manual
      region drawing. In this study, we developed an automatic image quantification
      protocol based on FreeSurfer, an automated whole brain segmentation tool, for
      quantitative analysis of amyloid images. Standard manual tracing and FreeSurfer
      based analyses were performed in 77 participants including 67 cognitively normal
      individuals and 10 individuals with early Alzheimer's disease. The manual and
      FreeSurfer approaches yielded nearly identical estimates of amyloid burden
      (intraclass correlation = 0.98) as assessed by the mean cortical binding
      potential. An MRI test-retest study demonstrated excellent reliability of
      FreeSurfer based regional amyloid burden measurements. The FreeSurfer-based
      analysis also revealed that the majority of cerebral cortical regions accumulate
      amyloid in parallel, with slope of accumulation being the primary difference
      between regions.

PMID- 24223110
TI  - Social judgement in borderline personality disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common and serious mental
      illness, associated with a high risk of suicide and self harm. Those with a
      diagnosis of BPD often display difficulties with social interaction and struggle
      to form and maintain interpersonal relationships. Here we investigated the
      ability of participants with BPD to make social inferences from faces. METHOD: 20
      participants with BPD and 21 healthy controls were shown a series of faces and
      asked to judge these according to one of six characteristics (age,
      distinctiveness, attractiveness, intelligence, approachability, trustworthiness).
      The number and direction of errors made (compared to population norms) were
      recorded for analysis. RESULTS: Participants with a diagnosis of BPD displayed
      significant impairments in making judgements from faces. In particular, the BPD
      Group judged faces as less approachable and less trustworthy than controls.
      Furthermore, within the BPD Group there was a correlation between scores on the
      Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and bias towards judging faces as
      unapproachable. CONCLUSION: Individuals with a diagnosis of BPD have difficulty
      making appropriate social judgements about others from their faces. Judging more
      faces as unapproachable and untrustworthy indicates that this group may have a
      heightened sensitivity to perceiving potential threat, and this should be
      considered in clinical management and treatment.

PMID- 24223111
TI  - The suppression of WRKY44 by GIGANTEA-miR172 pathway is involved in drought
      response of Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - Water availability is an important environmental factor that controls flowering
      time. Many plants accelerate flowering under drought conditions, a phenomenon
      called drought escape. Four pathways are involved in controlling flowering time,
      but which ones participate in drought escape is not yet known. In this study,
      plants with loss-of-function mutations of GIGANTEA (GI) and CONSTANS (CO)
      exhibited abnormal drought-escape phenotypes. The peak mRNA levels of GI and FKF1
      (Flavin-binding Kelch domain F box protein 1) and the mRNA levels of CO and FT
      (Flowering locus T) changed under drought stress. The microRNA factor miRNA172E
      was up-regulated by drought stress, and its up-regulation was dependent on GI,
      while other miRNA172s were not. Water-loss analyses indicated that gi mutants
      were more sensitive while miRNA172 over-expressing (miRNA172-OX) plants were less
      so to drought stress than wild-type plants. Digital gene expression and real-time
      PCR analyses showed that WRKY44 was down-regulated by GI and miRNA172. The WRKY44
      protein could interact with TOE1 (a target of miRNA172) in a yeast two-hybrid
      system. We proposed that GI-miRNA172-WRKY44 may regulate drought escape and
      drought tolerance by affecting sugar signaling in Arabidopsis. 

PMID- 24223112
TI  - Genetic relatedness among hepatitis A virus strains associated with food-borne
      outbreaks.
AB  - The genetic characterization of hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains is commonly
      accomplished by sequencing subgenomic regions, such as the VP1/P2B junction. HAV
      genome is not extensively variable, thus presenting opportunity for sharing
      sequences of subgenomic regions among genetically unrelated isolates. The degree
      of misrepresentation of phylogenetic relationships by subgenomic regions is
      especially important for tracking transmissions. Here, we analyzed whole-genome
      (WG) sequences of 101 HAV strains identified from 4 major multi-state, food-borne
      outbreaks of hepatitis A in the Unites States and from 14 non-outbreak-related
      HAV strains that shared identical VP1/P2B sequences with the outbreak strains.
      Although HAV strains with an identical VP1/P2B sequence were specific to each
      outbreak, WG were different, with genetic diversity reaching 0.31% (mean 0.09%).
      Evaluation of different subgenomic regions did not identify any other section of
      the HAV genome that could accurately represent phylogenetic relationships
      observed using WG sequences. The identification of 2-3 dominant HAV strains in 3
      out of 4 outbreaks indicates contamination of the implicated food items with a
      heterogeneous HAV population. However, analysis of intra-host HAV variants from
      eight patients involved in one outbreak showed that only a single sequence
      variant established infection in each patient. Four non-outbreak strains were
      found closely related to strains from 2 outbreaks, whereas ten were genetically
      different from the outbreak strains. Thus, accurate tracking of HAV strains can
      be accomplished using HAV WG sequences, while short subgenomic regions are useful
      for identification of transmissions only among cases with known epidemiological
      association. 

PMID- 24223113
TI  - HGF/SF increases number of skin melanocytes but does not alter quality or
      quantity of follicular melanogenesis.
AB  - Melanins are an important factor determining the vulnerability of mammalian skin
      to UV radiation and thus to UV-induced skin cancers. Transgenic mice
      overexpressing hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) have extra
      follicular dermal melanocytes, notably in the papillary upper dermis, and are
      susceptible to UV-induced melanoma. Pigmented HGF/SF neonatal mice are more
      susceptible than albino HGF/SF animals to UVA -induced melanoma, indicating an
      involvement of melanin in melanoma formation. This raises the question of the
      effect of transgenic HGF/SF on melanization. We developed a methodology to
      accurately quantitate both the production of melanin and the efficiency of
      melanogenesis in normal, and HGF/SF transgenic mice in vivo. Skin and hair shafts
      of 5 day old and adult (3 week old) C57BL/6-HGF/SF and corresponding C57BL/6 wild
      type mice were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR)
      to quantitate melanin, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the presence
      of melanosomes, and by standard histology and by Western blotting and zymography
      to determine the expression and activity of melanogenesis-related proteins.
      Eumelanin but no phaeomelanin was detected in transgenic C57BL/6-HGF and C57BL/6
      wild type mice. Transgenic HGF/SF overexpression did not change the type of
      melanin produced in the skin or hair, did not affect the terminal content of
      melanin production in standard samples of hair and did not influence hair
      cycle/morphogenesis-related changes in skin thickness. No melanocytes were found
      in the epidermis and no melanosomes were found in epidermal keratinocytes. HGF/SF
      transgenic mice thus lack the epidermal melanin UV-protection found in
      constitutively dark human skin. We conclude that melanocytes in the HGF/SF
      transgenic mouse, particularly in the papillary dermis, are vulnerable to UVA
      which interacts with eumelanin but not phaeomelanin to induce melanoma. 

PMID- 24223114
TI  - An over expression APP model for anti-Alzheimer disease drug screening created by
      zinc finger nuclease technology.
AB  - Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), famous for their ability to precisely and
      efficiently modify specific genomic loci, have been employed in numerous
      transgenic model organism and cell constructions. Here we employ the ZFNs
      technology, with homologous recombination (HR), to construct sequence-specific
      Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) knock-in cells. With the use of ZFNs, we
      established APP knock in cell lines with gene-modification efficiencies of about
      7%. We electroporated DNA fragment containing the promoter and the protein coding
      regions of the zinc finger nucleases into cells, instead of the plasmids, to
      avoid problems associated with off target homologous recombination, and adopted a
      pair of mutated FokI cleavage domains to reduce the toxic effects of the ZFNs on
      cell growth. Since over-expression of APP, or a subdomain of it, might lead to an
      immediately lethal effect, we used the Cre-LoxP System to regulate APP
      expression. Our genetically transformed cell lines, w5c1 and s12c8, showed
      detectable APP and Amyloid beta (Abeta) production. The Swedish double mutation
      in the APP coding sequence enhanced APP and Abeta abundance. What is more, the
      activity of the three key secretases in Abeta formation could be modulated,
      indicating that these transgenic cells have potential for drug screening to
      modify amyloid metabolism in cells. Our transformed cells could readily be
      propagated in culture and should provide an excellent experimental medium for
      elucidating aspects of the molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease,
      especially those concerning the amyloidogenic pathways involving mutations in the
      APP coding sequence. The cellular models may also serve as a tool for deriving
      potentially useful therapeutic agents. 

PMID- 24223115
TI  - Glycemic variability is an independent predictive factor for development of
      hepatic fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
AB  - Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic
      steatohepatitis (NASH) often have metabolic disorders including insulin
      resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We clarified the predictive
      factors in glucose metabolism for progression of hepatic fibrosis in patients
      with NAFLD by the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (75gOGTT) and a continuous
      glucose monitoring system (CGMS). One hundred sixty-nine patients (68 female and
      101 male patients) with biopsy-proven NAFLD with performance with 75gOGTT were
      enrolled and divided into four groups according to the stage of hepatic fibrosis
      (F0-3). The proportion of patients with T2DM significantly gradually increased,
      HbA1c and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were
      significantly elevated, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) was remarkably decreased
      with the progression of fibrosis. In the 75gOGTT, both plasma glucose and insulin
      secretion were remarkably increased with the progression of fibrosis. The only
      factor significantly associated with advanced fibrosis was 1,5-AG (P = 0.008) as
      determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. We next evaluated the
      changes in blood glucose during 24 hours by monitoring with the CGMS to confirm
      the relationship between glycemic variability and progression of fibrosis.
      Variability of median glucose, standard deviation of median glucose (P = 0.0022),
      maximum blood glucose (P = 0.0019), and DeltaMin-max blood glucose (P = 0.0029)
      were remarkably higher in severe fibrosis than in mild fibrosis. CONCLUSION:
      Hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia, especially glycemic variability, are
      important predictive factors in glucose impairment for the progression of hepatic
      fibrosis in NAFLD.

PMID- 24223116
TI  - Evidence that transition from health to psychotic disorder can be traced to semi
      ubiquitous environmental effects operating against background genetic risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to assess the importance of environmental and genetic risk
      on transition from health to psychotic disorder, a prospective study of
      individuals at average (n = 462) and high genetic risk (n = 810) was conducted.
      METHOD: A three-year cohort study examined the rate of transition to psychotic
      disorder. Binary measures indexing environmental exposure (combining urban birth,
      cannabis use, ethnicity and childhood trauma) and proxy genetic risk (high-risk
      sibling status) were used to model transition. RESULTS: The majority of high-risk
      siblings (68%) and healthy comparison subjects (60%) had been exposed to one or
      more environmental risks. The risk of transition in siblings (n = 9, 1.1%) was
      higher than the risk in healthy comparison subjects (n = 2, 0.4%; OR(adj) =
      2.2,95%CI:5-10.3). All transitions (100%) were associated with environmental
      exposure, compared to 65% of non-transitions (p = 0.014), with the greatest
      effects for childhood trauma (OR(adj) = 34.4,95%CI:4.4-267.4), cannabis use (OR =
      4.1,95%CI:1.1, 15.4), minority ethnic group (OR = 3.8,95%CI:1.2,12.8) and urban
      birth (OR = 3.7,95%CI:0.9,15.4). The proportion of transitions in the population
      attributable to environmental and genetic risk ranged from 28% for minority
      ethnic group, 45% for urban birth, 57% for cannabis use, 86% for childhood
      trauma, and 50% for high-risk sibling status. Nine out of 11 transitions (82%)
      were exposed to both genetic and environmental risk, compared to only 43% of non
      transitions (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Environmental risk associated with transition
      to psychotic disorder is semi-ubiquitous regardless of genetic high risk status.
      Careful prospective documentation suggests most transitions can be attributed to
      powerful environmental effects that become detectable when analysed against
      elevated background genetic risk, indicating gene-environment interaction.

PMID- 24223117
TI  - Broad-spectrum detection of H5 subtype influenza A viruses with a new fluorescent
      immunochromatography system.
AB  - Immunochromatography (IC) is an antigen-detection assay that plays an important
      role in the rapid diagnosis of influenza virus because the protocol is short time
      and easy to use. Despite the usability of IC, the sensitivity is approximately
      10(3) pfu per reaction. In addition, antigen-antibody interaction-based method
      cannot be used for the detection of influenza viruses with major antigenic
      change. In this study, we established the use of fluorescent immunochromatography
      (FLIC) to detect a broad spectrum of H5 subtype influenza A viruses. This method
      has improved sensitivity 10-100 fold higher than traditional IC because of the
      use of fluorescent conjugated beads. Our Type-E FLIC kit detected all of the H5
      subtype influenza viruses that were examined, as well as recombinant
      hemagglutinin (HA) proteins (rHAs) belonging to the Eurasian H5 subtype viruses
      and the Type-N diagnosed North American H5 subtype influenza A viruses. Thus,
      this kit has the improved potential to detect H5 subtype influenza viruses of
      different clades with both Type-E and Type-N FLIC kits. Compared with PCR-based
      diagnosis, FLIC has a strong advantage in usability, because the sample
      preparation required for FLIC is only mix-and-drop without any additional steps
      such as RNA extraction. Our results can provide new strategies against the spread
      and transmission of HPAI H5N1 viruses in birds and mammals including humans. 

PMID- 24223118
TI  - On the definition of signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio for FMRI
      data.
AB  - Signal-to-noise ratio, the ratio between signal and noise, is a quantity that has
      been well established for MRI data but is still subject of ongoing debate and
      confusion when it comes to fMRI data. fMRI data are characterised by small
      activation fluctuations in a background of noise. Depending on how the signal of
      interest and the noise are identified, signal-to-noise ratio for fMRI data is
      reported by using many different definitions. Since each definition comes with a
      different scale, interpreting and comparing signal-to-noise ratio values for fMRI
      data can be a very challenging job. In this paper, we provide an overview of
      existing definitions. Further, the relationship with activation detection power
      is investigated. Reference tables and conversion formulae are provided to
      facilitate comparability between fMRI studies. 

PMID- 24223119
TI  - Diazotrophy in alluvial meadows of subarctic river systems.
AB  - There is currently limited understanding of the contribution of biological N2
      fixation (diazotrophy) to the N budget of large river systems. This natural
      source of N in boreal river systems may partially explain the sustained
      productivity of river floodplains in Northern Europe where winter fodder was
      harvested for centuries without fertilizer amendments. In much of the world,
      anthropogenic pollution and river regulation have nearly eliminated opportunities
      to study natural processes that shaped early nutrient dynamics of large river
      systems; however, pristine conditions in northern Fennoscandia allow for the
      retrospective evaluation of key biochemical processes of historical significance.
      We investigated biological N2 fixation (diazotrophy) as a potential source of
      nitrogen fertility at 71 independent floodplain sites along 10 rivers and
      conducted seasonal and intensive analyses at a subset of these sites. Biological
      N2 fixation occurred in all floodplains, averaged 24.5 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) and was
      down regulated from over 60 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) to 0 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) by river N
      pollution. A diversity of N2-fixing cyanobacteria was found to colonize surface
      detritus in the floodplains. The data provide evidence for N2 fixation to be a
      fundamental source of new N that may have sustained fertility at alluvial sites
      along subarctic rivers. Such data may have implications for the interpretation of
      ancient agricultural development and the design of contemporary low-input
      agroecosystems. 

PMID- 24223120
TI  - Experimental modelling of the consequences of brief late gestation asphyxia on
      newborn lamb behaviour and brain structure.
AB  - Brief but severe asphyxia in late gestation or at the time of birth may lead to
      neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and is associated with long-term
      neurodevelopmental impairment. We undertook this study to examine the
      consequences of transient in utero asphyxia in late gestation fetal sheep, on the
      newborn lamb after birth. Surgery was undertaken at 125 days gestation for
      implantation of fetal catheters and placement of a silastic cuff around the
      umbilical cord. At 132 days gestation (0.89 term), the cuff was inflated to
      induce umbilical cord occlusion (UCO), or sham (control). Fetal arterial blood
      samples were collected for assessment of fetal wellbeing and the pregnancy
      continued until birth. At birth, behavioral milestones for newborn lambs were
      recorded over 24 h, after which the lambs were euthanased for brain collection
      and histopathology assessments. After birth, UCO lambs displayed significant
      latencies to (i) use all four legs, (ii) attain a standing position, (iii) find
      the udder, and (iv) successfully suckle--compared to control lambs. Brains of UCO
      lambs showed widespread pathologies including cell death, white matter
      disruption, intra-parenchymal hemorrhage and inflammation, which were not
      observed in full term control brains. UCO resulted in some preterm births, but
      comparison with age-matched preterm non-UCO control lambs showed that prematurity
      per se was not responsible for the behavioral delays and brain structural
      abnormalities resulting from the in utero asphyxia. These results demonstrate
      that a single, brief fetal asphyxic episode in late gestation results in
      significant grey and white matter disruption in the developing brain, and causes
      significant behavioral delay in newborn lambs. These data are consistent with
      clinical observations that antenatal asphyxia is causal in the development of
      neonatal encephalopathy and provide an experimental model to advance our
      understanding of neuroprotective therapies.

PMID- 24223121
TI  - Expression of estrogen-related gene markers in breast cancer tissue predicts
      aromatase inhibitor responsiveness.
AB  - Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the most effective class of drugs in the endocrine
      treatment of breast cancer, with an approximate 50% treatment response rate. Our
      objective was to determine whether intratumoral expression levels of estrogen
      related genes are predictive of AI responsiveness in postmenopausal women with
      breast cancer. Primary breast carcinomas were obtained from 112 women who
      received AI therapy after failing adjuvant tamoxifen therapy and developing
      recurrent breast cancer. Tumor ERalpha and PR protein expression were analyzed by
      immunohistochemistry (IHC). Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of 5 estrogen-related
      genes-AKR1C3, aromatase, ERalpha, and 2 estradiol/ERalpha target genes, BRCA1 and
      PR-were measured by real-time PCR. Tumor protein and mRNA levels were compared
      with breast cancer progression rates to determine predictive accuracy.
      Responsiveness to AI therapy-defined as the combined complete response, partial
      response, and stable disease rates for at least 6 months-was 51%; rates were 56%
      in ERalpha-IHC-positive and 14% in ERalpha-IHC-negative tumors. Levels of
      ERalpha, PR, or BRCA1 mRNA were independently predictive for responsiveness to
      AI. In cross-validated analyses, a combined measurement of tumor ERalpha and PR
      mRNA levels yielded a more superior specificity (36%) and identical sensitivity
      (96%) to the current clinical practice (ERalpha/PR-IHC). In patients with
      ERalpha/PR-IHC-negative tumors, analysis of mRNA expression revealed either non
      significant trends or statistically significant positive predictive values for AI
      responsiveness. In conclusion, expression levels of estrogen-related mRNAs are
      predictive for AI responsiveness in postmenopausal women with breast cancer, and
      mRNA expression analysis may improve patient selection. 

PMID- 24223122
TI  - Rifampicin mono-resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in KwaZulu-Natal, South
      Africa: a significant phenomenon in a high prevalence TB-HIV region.
AB  - SETTING: The dual epidemics of HIV-TB including MDR-TB are major contributors to
      high morbidity and mortality rates in South Africa. Rifampicin (RIF) resistance
      is regarded as a proxy for MDR-TB. Currently available molecular assays have the
      advantage of rapidly detecting resistant strains of MTB, but the GeneXpert does
      not detect isoniazid (INH) resistance and the GenoTypeMTBDRplus(LPA) assay may
      underestimate resistance to INH. Increasing proportions of rifampicin mono
      resistance resistance (RMR) have recently been reported from South Africa and
      other countries. OBJECTIVE: This laboratory based study was conducted at NHLS TB
      Laboratory, Durban, which is the reference laboratory for culture and
      susceptibility testing in KwaZulu-Natal. We retrospectively determined, for the
      period 2007 to 2009, the proportion of RMR amongst Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      (MTB) isolates, that were tested for both RIF and INH, using the gold standard of
      culture based phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST). Gender and age were
      also analysed to identify possible risk factors for RMR. DESIGN: MTB culture
      positive sputum samples from 16,748 patients were analysed for susceptibility to
      RIF and INH during the period 2007 to 2009. RMR was defined as MTB resistant to
      RIF and susceptible to INH. For the purposes of this study, only the first
      specimen from each patient was included in the analysis. RESULTS: RMR was
      observed throughout the study period. The proportion of RMR varied from a low of
      7.3% to a high of 10.0% [overall 8.8%]. Overall, males had a 42% increased odds
      of being RMR as compared to females. In comparison to the 50 plus age group, RMR
      was 37% more likely to occur in the 25-29 year age category. CONCLUSION: We
      report higher proportions of RMR ranging from 7.3% to 10% [overall 8.8%] than
      previously reported in the literature. To avoid misclassification of RMR,
      detected by the GeneXpert, as MDR-TB, culture based phenotypic DST must be
      performed on a second specimen, as recommended by the SA NDOH TB guidelines as
      well as WHO. We suggest that two sputum samples should be obtained at the first
      visit. The second sputum sample should be stored at 4 degrees C. The latter
      sample is then readily available for performing additional DST (phenotypic or
      genotypic) for 2nd lines drugs, resulting in a decreased waiting period for DST
      results to become available.

PMID- 24223123
TI  - Studies in RF power communication, SAR, and temperature elevation in wireless
      implantable neural interfaces.
AB  - Implantable neural interfaces are designed to provide a high spatial and temporal
      precision control signal implementing high degree of freedom real-time prosthetic
      systems. The development of a Radio Frequency (RF) wireless neural interface has
      the potential to expand the number of applications as well as extend the
      robustness and longevity compared to wired neural interfaces. However, it is well
      known that RF signal is absorbed by the body and can result in tissue heating. In
      this work, numerical studies with analytical validations are performed to provide
      an assessment of power, heating and specific absorption rate (SAR) associated
      with the wireless RF transmitting within the human head. The receiving antenna on
      the neural interface is designed with different geometries and modeled at a range
      of implanted depths within the brain in order to estimate the maximum receiving
      power without violating SAR and tissue temperature elevation safety regulations.
      Based on the size of the designed antenna, sets of frequencies between 1 GHz to 4
      GHz have been investigated. As expected the simulations demonstrate that longer
      receiving antennas (dipole) and lower working frequencies result in greater power
      availability prior to violating SAR regulations. For a 15 mm dipole antenna
      operating at 1.24 GHz on the surface of the brain, 730 uW of power could be
      harvested at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) SAR violation limit. At
      approximately 5 cm inside the head, this same antenna would receive 190 uW of
      power prior to violating SAR regulations. Finally, the 3-D bio-heat simulation
      results show that for all evaluated antennas and frequency combinations we reach
      FCC SAR limits well before 1  degrees C. It is clear that powering neural
      interfaces via RF is possible, but ultra-low power circuit designs combined with
      advanced simulation will be required to develop a functional antenna that meets
      all system requirements. 

PMID- 24223124
TI  - Contamination of public buses with MRSA in Lisbon, Portugal: a possible
      transmission route of major MRSA clones within the community.
AB  - In a previous study we have shown that public buses in Oporto, the second largest
      city in Portugal, were highly contaminated with MRSA. Here we describe the
      results of a similar study performed in another urban area of Portugal-Lisbon,
      the capital. Between May 2011 and May 2012, hand touched surfaces of 199 public
      buses in Lisbon were screened for MRSA contamination. Subsequently, the hands of
      575 passengers who frequently use these bus lines were also screened. All hand
      carriers of MRSA were further screened for nasal carriage. The isolates were
      characterized by PFGE, staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec typing, spa
      typing, MLST and were tested for the presence of mecA, Panton-Valentine
      leukocidin and arginine catabolic mobile element genes. MRSA contamination was
      shown in 72 buses (36.2%). The majority of the isolates belonged to three major
      clones: Clone A was identified as EMRSA-15 defined by pattern PFGE A, spa types
      t2357/t747/t025/t379/t910, ST22, and SCCmec IVh (n = 21; 29%). Clone B was the
      New York/Japan clone characterized by PFGE B-t002/t10682-ST5-II (n = 15; 21%).
      Clone C included isolates with characteristics of the international community
      acquired USA300 or related clones, PFGE C-t008-ST8-IVa/IVc/IVg/IVnt/VI (n = 19;
      26%). The first two clones are currently the two major lineages circulating in
      Portuguese hospitals. The hands of 15 individuals were contaminated with MRSA
      belonging to the nosocomial clones A or B. Eleven of these individuals were not
      nasal carriers of MRSA and all but one had travelled by public transportation,
      namely by bus, prior to sampling. In conclusion, public buses in two major cities
      in Portugal are often contaminated with MRSA representing clones dominant in
      hospitals in the particular geographic area. MRSA contamination of public
      transport and the transfer of the bacteria to the hands of passengers may
      represent a route through which hospital-acquired MRSA clones may spread to the
      community.

PMID- 24223125
TI  - Brief exposure to a self-paced computer-based reading programme and how it
      impacts reading ability and behaviour problems.
AB  - Basic literacy skills underlie much future adult functioning, and are targeted in
      children through a variety of means. Children with reading problems were exposed
      either to a self-paced computer programme that focused on improving phonetic
      ability, or underwent a classroom-based reading intervention. Exposure was
      limited to 3 40-min sessions a week, for six weeks. The children were assessed in
      terms of their reading, spelling, and mathematics abilities, as well as for their
      externalising and internalising behaviour problems, before the programme
      commenced, and immediately after the programme terminated. Relative to the
      control group, the computer-programme improved reading by about seven months in
      boys (but not in girls), but had no impact on either spelling or mathematics.
      Children on the programme also demonstrated fewer externalising and internalising
      behaviour problems than the control group. The results suggest that brief
      exposure to a self-paced phonetic computer-teaching programme had some benefits
      for the sample. 

PMID- 24223126
TI  - Optimal scaling of digital transcriptomes.
AB  - Deep sequencing of transcriptomes has become an indispensable tool for biology,
      enabling expression levels for thousands of genes to be compared across multiple
      samples. Since transcript counts scale with sequencing depth, counts from
      different samples must be normalized to a common scale prior to comparison. We
      analyzed fifteen existing and novel algorithms for normalizing transcript counts,
      and evaluated the effectiveness of the resulting normalizations. For this purpose
      we defined two novel and mutually independent metrics: (1) the number of
      "uniform" genes (genes whose normalized expression levels have a sufficiently low
      coefficient of variation), and (2) low Spearman correlation between normalized
      expression profiles of gene pairs. We also define four novel algorithms, one of
      which explicitly maximizes the number of uniform genes, and compared the
      performance of all fifteen algorithms. The two most commonly used methods
      (scaling to a fixed total value, or equalizing the expression of certain
      'housekeeping' genes) yielded particularly poor results, surpassed even by
      normalization based on randomly selected gene sets. Conversely, seven of the
      algorithms approached what appears to be optimal normalization. Three of these
      algorithms rely on the identification of "ubiquitous" genes: genes expressed in
      all the samples studied, but never at very high or very low levels. We
      demonstrate that these include a "core" of genes expressed in many tissues in a
      mutually consistent pattern, which is suitable for use as an internal
      normalization guide. The new methods yield robustly normalized expression values,
      which is a prerequisite for the identification of differentially expressed and
      tissue-specific genes as potential biomarkers. 

PMID- 24223127
TI  - In nonagenarians, acute kidney injury predicts in-hospital mortality, while heart
      failure predicts hospital length of stay.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The elderly constitute an increasing proportion of admitted
      patients worldwide. We investigate the determinants of hospital length of stay
      and outcomes in patients aged 90 years and older. METHODS: We retrospectively
      analyzed all admitted patients aged >90 years from the general medical wards in a
      tertiary referral medical center between August 31, 2009 and August 31, 2012.
      Patients' clinical characteristics, admission diagnosis, concomitant illnesses at
      admission, and discharge diagnosis were collected. Each patient was followed
      until discharge or death. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized
      to study factors associated with longer hospital length of stay (>7 days) and in
      hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 283 nonagenarian in-patients were
      recruited, with 118 (41.7%) hospitalized longer than one week. Nonagenarians
      admitted with pneumonia (p = 0.04) and those with lower Barthel Index (p = 0.012)
      were more likely to be hospitalized longer than one week. Multivariate logistic
      regression analysis revealed that patients with lower Barthel Index (odds ratio
      [OR] 0.98; p = 0.021) and those with heart failure (OR 3.05; p = 0.046) had
      hospital stays >7 days, while patients with lower Barthel Index (OR 0.93; p =
      0.005), main admission nephrologic diagnosis (OR 4.83; p = 0.016) or acute kidney
      injury (OR 30.7; p = 0.007) had higher in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: In
      nonagenarians, presence of heart failure at admission was associated with longer
      hospital length of stay, while acute kidney injury at admission predicted higher
      hospitalization mortality. Poorer functional status was associated with both
      prolonged admission and higher in-hospital mortality.

PMID- 24223128
TI  - Insulin stimulates translocation of human GLUT4 to the membrane in fat bodies of
      transgenic Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent model system for studies of
      genes controlling development and disease. However, its applicability to
      physiological systems is less clear because of metabolic differences between
      insects and mammals. Insulin signaling has been studied in mammals because of
      relevance to diabetes and other diseases but there are many parallels between
      mammalian and insect pathways. For example, deletion of Drosophila Insulin-Like
      Peptides resulted in 'diabetic' flies with elevated circulating sugar levels.
      Whether this situation reflects failure of sugar uptake into peripheral tissues
      as seen in mammals is unclear and depends upon whether flies harbor the machinery
      to mount mammalian-like insulin-dependent sugar uptake responses. Here we asked
      whether Drosophila fat cells are competent to respond to insulin with mammalian
      like regulated trafficking of sugar transporters. Transgenic Drosophila
      expressing human glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), the sugar transporter expressed
      primarily in insulin-responsive tissues, were generated. After expression in fat
      bodies, GLUT4 intracellular trafficking and localization were monitored by
      confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). We found
      that fat body cells responded to insulin with increased GLUT4 trafficking and
      translocation to the plasma membrane. While the amplitude of these responses was
      relatively weak in animals reared on a standard diet, it was greatly enhanced in
      animals reared on sugar-restricted diets, suggesting that flies fed standard
      diets are insulin resistant. Our findings demonstrate that flies are competent to
      mobilize translocation of sugar transporters to the cell surface in response to
      insulin. They suggest that Drosophila fat cells are primed for a response to
      insulin and that these pathways are down-regulated when animals are exposed to
      constant, high levels of sugar. Finally, these studies are the first to use TIRFM
      to monitor insulin-signaling pathways in Drosophila, demonstrating the utility of
      TIRFM of tagged sugar transporters to monitor signaling pathways in insects. 

PMID- 24223129
TI  - Mycoplasma hyorhinis activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and promotes migration and
      invasion of gastric cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma hyorhinis (M.hyorhinis, M.hy) is associated with
      development of gastric and prostate cancers. The NLRP3 inflammasome, a protein
      complex controlling maturation of important pro-inflammatory cytokines
      interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18, is also involved in tumorigenesis and
      metastasis of various cancers. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To clarify whether
      M.hy promoted tumor development via inflammasome activation, we analyzed
      monocytes for IL-1beta and IL-18 production upon M.hy challenge. When exposed to
      M.hy, human monocytes exhibited rapid and robust IL-1beta and IL-18 secretion. We
      further identified that lipid-associated membrane protein (LAMP) from M.hy was
      responsible for IL-1beta induction. Applying competitive inhibitors, gene
      specific shRNA and gene targeted mice, we verified that M.hy induced IL-1beta
      secretion was NLRP3-dependent in vitro and in vivo. Cathepsin B activity, K(+)
      efflux, Ca(2+) influx and ROS production were all required for the NLRP3
      inflammasome activation by M.hy. Importantly, it is IL-1beta but not IL-18
      produced from macrophages challenged with M.hy promoted gastric cancer cell
      migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that activation of the
      NLRP3 inflammasome by M.hy may be associated with its promotion of gastric cancer
      metastasis, and anti-M.hy therapy or limiting NLRP3 signaling could be effective
      approach for control of gastric cancer progress.

PMID- 24223130
TI  - The facilitating role of chemotherapy in the palliative phase of cancer:
      qualitative interviews with advanced cancer patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the extent to which patients have a directing role in
      decisions about chemotherapy in the palliative phase of cancer and (want to)
      anticipate on the last stage of life. DESIGN: Qualitative interview study.
      METHODS: In depth-interviews with 15 patients with advanced colorectal or breast
      cancer at the medical oncology department in a Dutch teaching hospital;
      interviews were analysed following the principles of thematic content-analysis.
      RESULTS: All patients reported to know that the chemotherapy they received was
      with palliative intent. Most of them did not express the wish for information
      about (other) treatment options and put great trust in their physicians'
      treatment advice. The more patients were aware of the severity of their disease,
      the more they seemed to 'live their life' in the present and enjoy things besides
      having cancer. Such living in the present seemed to be facilitated by the use of
      chemotherapy. Patients often considered the 'chemotherapy-free period' more
      stressful than periods when receiving chemotherapy despite their generally
      improved physical condition. Chemotherapy (regardless of side-effects) seemed to
      shift patients' attention away from the approaching last stage of life.
      Interestingly, although patients often discussed advance care planning, they were
      reluctant to bring on end-of-life issues that bothered them at that specific
      moment. Expressing real interest in people 'as a person' was considered an
      important element of appropriate care. CONCLUSIONS: Fearing their approaching
      death, patients deliberately focus on living in the present. Active
      (chemotherapy) treatment facilitates this focus, regardless of the perceived side
      effects. However, if anxiety for what lies ahead is the underlying reason for
      treatment, efforts should be made in assisting patients to find other ways to
      cope with this fear. Simultaneously, such an approach may reduce the use of
      burdensome and sometimes costly treatment in the last stage of life.

PMID- 24223131
TI  - Quantifying clinical HPV4 dose inefficiencies in a safety net population.
AB  - PURPOSE: HPV4 is the most expensive vaccine requiring three appropriately timed
      doses to provide maximal efficacy against two oncogenic HPV types. The primary
      purpose of this study is to quantify the use of HPV4 vaccine in a safety net
      health care system in terms of its inefficiencies. METHODS: A retrospective study
      of HPV4 dosing from 2006-2009, among females 10-26 years old who sought care in a
      safety net health care system was conducted to determine dose usage patterns
      among those at highest risk for cervical cancer. Dose descriptors abstracted from
      the electronic medical record (EMR) included timing and number in series as well
      as characteristics of the person to whom and visit at which the dose was given.
      Dose inefficiencies were separated into "less than three doses" and "mistimed
      doses" for analysis. RESULTS: The majority (66%) of HPV4 doses administered were
      insufficient to induce the maximal immune response necessary for HPV infection
      prevention. Among on-time doses, 58% were singleton or doublet doses. Mistimed
      doses accounted for 19% of all doses administered with late intervals being more
      common than early intervals among those receiving more than one dose (9% vs. 4%,
      p<0.001). Third doses were mistimed twice as often as second doses (10% vs. 5%,
      p<0.001). Black women were more likely to have a mistimed second dose and
      Hispanic women more likely to have a mistimed third dose compared to white women
      (OR = 1.70 (95% CI: 1.11, 2.61 and 2.44 (1.19, 5.00), respectively). The HPV4
      only visit type at which HPV4 was initiated was the most significant predictor of
      on-time doublet completion. CONCLUSIONS: In a safety net health care system the
      large inefficiencies associated with HPV4 vaccination must be addressed in order
      to maximize our patient's cervical cancer prevention.

PMID- 24223132
TI  - Connectivity of tiger (Panthera tigris) populations in the human-influenced
      forest mosaic of Central India.
AB  - Today, most wild tigers live in small, isolated Protected Areas within human
      dominated landscapes in the Indian subcontinent. Future survival of tigers
      depends on increasing local population size, as well as maintaining connectivity
      between populations. While significant conservation effort has been invested in
      increasing tiger population size, few initiatives have focused on landscape-level
      connectivity and on understanding the effect different landscape elements have on
      maintaining connectivity. We combined individual-based genetic and landscape
      ecology approaches to address this issue in six protected areas with varying
      tiger densities and separation in the Central Indian tiger landscape. We non
      invasively sampled 55 tigers from different protected areas within this
      landscape. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian genetic assignment tests indicate long
      range tiger dispersal (on the order of 650 km) between protected areas. Further
      geo-spatial analyses revealed that tiger connectivity was affected by landscape
      elements such as human settlements, road density and host-population tiger
      density, but not by distance between populations. Our results elucidate the
      importance of landscape and habitat viability outside and between protected areas
      and provide a quantitative approach to test functionality of tiger corridors. We
      suggest future management strategies aim to minimize urban expansion between
      protected areas to maximize tiger connectivity. Achieving this goal in the
      context of ongoing urbanization and need to sustain current economic growth
      exerts enormous pressure on the remaining tiger habitats and emerges as a big
      challenge to conserve wild tigers in the Indian subcontinent. 

PMID- 24223133
TI  - Modelling parasite transmission in a grazing system: the importance of host
      behaviour and immunity.
AB  - Parasitic helminths present one of the most pervasive challenges to grazing
      herbivores. Many macro-parasite transmission models focus on host physiological
      defence strategies, omitting more complex interactions between hosts and their
      environments. This work represents the first model that integrates both the
      behavioural and physiological elements of gastro-intestinal nematode transmission
      dynamics in a managed grazing system. A spatially explicit, individual-based,
      stochastic model is developed, that incorporates both the hosts' immunological
      responses to parasitism, and key grazing behaviours including faecal avoidance.
      The results demonstrate that grazing behaviour affects both the timing and
      intensity of parasite outbreaks, through generating spatial heterogeneity in
      parasite risk and nutritional resources, and changing the timing of exposure to
      the parasites' free-living stages. The influence of grazing behaviour varies with
      the host-parasite combination, dependent on the development times of different
      parasite species and variations in host immune response. Our outputs include the
      counterintuitive finding that under certain conditions perceived parasite
      avoidance behaviours (faecal avoidance) can increase parasite risk, for certain
      host-parasite combinations. Through incorporating the two-way interaction between
      infection dynamics and grazing behaviour, the potential benefits of parasite
      induced anorexia are also demonstrated. Hosts with phenotypic plasticity in
      grazing behaviour, that make grazing decisions dependent on current parasite
      burden, can reduce infection with minimal loss of intake over the grazing season.
      This paper explores how both host behaviours and immunity influence macro
      parasite transmission in a spatially and temporally heterogeneous environment.
      The magnitude and timing of parasite outbreaks is influenced by host immunity and
      behaviour, and the interactions between them; the incorporation of both
      regulatory processes is required to fully understand transmission dynamics.
      Understanding of both physiological and behavioural defence strategies will aid
      the development of novel approaches for control. 

PMID- 24223134
TI  - Confronting uncertainty in wildlife management: performance of grizzly bear
      management.
AB  - Scientific management of wildlife requires confronting the complexities of
      natural and social systems. Uncertainty poses a central problem. Whereas the
      importance of considering uncertainty has been widely discussed, studies of the
      effects of unaddressed uncertainty on real management systems have been rare. We
      examined the effects of outcome uncertainty and components of biological
      uncertainty on hunt management performance, illustrated with grizzly bears (Ursus
      arctos horribilis) in British Columbia, Canada. We found that both forms of
      uncertainty can have serious impacts on management performance. Outcome
      uncertainty alone--discrepancy between expected and realized mortality levels-
      led to excess mortality in 19% of cases (population-years) examined. Accounting
      for uncertainty around estimated biological parameters (i.e., biological
      uncertainty) revealed that excess mortality might have occurred in up to 70% of
      cases. We offer a general method for identifying targets for exploited species
      that incorporates uncertainty and maintains the probability of exceeding
      mortality limits below specified thresholds. Setting targets in our focal system
      using this method at thresholds of 25% and 5% probability of overmortality would
      require average target mortality reductions of 47% and 81%, respectively.
      Application of our transparent and generalizable framework to this or other
      systems could improve management performance in the presence of uncertainty.

PMID- 24223135
TI  - The NR4A2 nuclear receptor is recruited to novel nuclear foci in response to UV
      irradiation and participates in nucleotide excision repair.
AB  - Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is one of the most common mutagens encountered by
      humans and induces the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and
      pyrimidine-(6-4)-pyrimidone photoproduct (6-4PP) lesions in the genomic DNA. To
      prevent the accumulation of deleterious mutations these lesions must be
      efficiently repaired, primarily by nucleotide excision repair. We have previously
      demonstrated that the NR4A family of nuclear receptors are crucial mediators of
      the DNA repair function of the MC1R signalling pathway in melanocytes. Here we
      explore the role of the NR4A2 protein in the DNA repair process further. Using
      EYFP tagged-NR4A2 we have demonstrated a UVR induced recruitment to distinct
      nuclear foci where they co-localise with known DNA repair proteins. We reveal
      that the N-terminal domain of the receptor is required for this translocation and
      identify a role for p38 and PARP signalling in this process. Moreover disruption
      of the functional integrity of the Ligand Binding Domain of the receptor by
      deleting the terminal helix 12 effectively blocks co-localisation of the receptor
      with DNA repair factors. Restored co-localisation of the mutant receptor with DNA
      repair proteins in the presence of a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor suggests that
      impaired chromatin accessibility underpins the mis-localisation observed. Finally
      NR4A2 over-expression facilitated a more efficient clearance of UVR induced CPD
      and 6-4PP lesions. Taken together these data uncover a novel role for the NR4A
      nuclear receptors as direct facilitators of nucleotide excision repair. 

PMID- 24223136
TI  - Wolbachia infections mimic cryptic speciation in two parasitic butterfly species,
      Phengaris teleius and P. nausithous (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).
AB  - Deep mitochondrial divergence within species may result from cryptic speciation,
      from phylogeographic isolation or from endosymbiotic bacteria like Wolbachia that
      manipulate host reproduction. Phengaris butterflies are social parasites that
      spend most of their life in close relationship with ants. Previously, cryptic
      speciation has been hypothesised for two Phengaris species based on divergent
      mtDNA sequences. Since Phengaris species are highly endangered, the existence of
      cryptic species would have drastic consequences for conservation and management.
      We tested for cryptic speciation and alternative scenarios in P. teleius and P.
      nausithous based on a comprehensive sample across their Palaearctic ranges using
      COI gene sequences, nuclear microsatellites and tests for Wolbachia. In both
      species a deep mitochondrial split occurring 0.65-1.97 myrs ago was observed that
      did not correspond with microsatellite data but was concordant with Wolbachia
      infection. Haplotypes previously attributed to cryptic species were part of the
      Wolbachia-infected clades. In both species remaining phylogeographic structure
      was largely consistent between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. In P. teleius
      several mitochondrial and nuclear groups were observed in East Asia while a
      single haplogroup and nuclear cluster prevailed across continental Eurasia.
      Neutrality tests suggested rapid demographic expansion into that area. In
      contrast, P. nausithous had several mitochondrial and nuclear groups in Europe,
      suggesting a complex phylogeographic history in the western part of the species
      range. We conclude that deep intraspecific divergences found in DNA barcode
      studies do not necessarily need to represent cryptic speciation but instead can
      be due to both infection by Wolbachia and phylogeographic structure. 

PMID- 24223137
TI  - Surgical stress delays prostate involution in mice.
AB  - Androgens control growth of prostate epithelial cells and androgen deprivation
      induces apoptosis, leading to prostate involution. We investigated the effects of
      surgical stress on prostate involution induced by androgen ablation and
      determined the underlying mechanisms. Androgen ablation in mice was induced by
      surgical castration and administration of the anti-androgenic drugs bicalutamide
      and MDV3100. Surgical stress was induced by sham castration under isoflurane
      anesthesia. Surgical stress delayed apoptosis and prostate involution induced by
      anti-androgenic drugs. These effects of stress were prevented by administering
      the selective beta2-adrenoreceptor antagonist ICI118,551 and were also blocked in
      BAD(3SA/WT) mice expressing phosphorylation-deficient mutant BAD3SA. These
      results indicate that apoptosis and prostate involution in response to androgen
      ablation therapy could be delayed by surgical stress via the beta2
      adrenoreceptor/BAD signaling pathway. Thus, surgery could interfere with androgen
      ablation therapy, whereas administration of beta2-adrenoreceptor antagonists may
      enhance its efficacy. 

PMID- 24223138
TI  - Forever love: the Hitherto earliest record of copulating insects from the middle
      jurassic of China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mating behaviors have been widely studied for extant insects.
      However, cases of mating individuals are particularly rare in the fossil record
      of insects, and most of them involved preservation in amber while only in rare
      cases found in compression fossils. This considerably limits our knowledge of
      mating position and genitalia orientation during the Mesozoic, and hinders our
      understanding of the evolution of mating behaviors in this major component of
      modern ecosystems. PRINCIPAL FINDING: Here we report a pair of copulating
      froghoppers, Anthoscytina perpetua sp. nov., referable to the Procercopidae, from
      the Middle Jurassic of northeastern China. They exhibit belly-to-belly mating
      position as preserved, with male's aedeagus inserting into the female's bursa
      copulatrix. Abdominal segments 8 to 9 of male are disarticulated suggesting these
      segments were twisted and flexed during mating. Due to potential taphonomic
      effect, we cannot rule out that they might have taken side-by-side position, as
      in extant froghoppers. Genitalia of male and female, based on paratypes, show
      symmetric structures. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings, consistent with
      those of extant froghoppers, indicate froghoppers' genitalic symmetry and mating
      position have remained static for over 165 million years.

PMID- 24223139
TI  - Post-transcriptional regulator Hfq binds catalase HPII: crystal structure of the
      complex.
AB  - We report a crystal structure of Hfq and catalase HPII from Escherichia coli. The
      post-transcriptional regulator Hfq plays a key role in the survival of bacteria
      under stress. A small non-coding RNA (sRNA) DsrA is required for translation of
      the stationary phase sigma factor RpoS, which is the central regulator of the
      general stress response. Hfq facilitates efficient translation of rpoS mRNA,
      which encodes RpoS. Hfq helps in the function of other specific proteins involved
      in RNA processing, indicating its versatility in the cell. However, structural
      information regarding its interactions with partners is missing. Here we obtained
      crystals of Hfq and HPII complexes from cell lysates following attempts to
      overexpress a foreign membrane protein. HPII is one of two catalases in E. coli
      and its mRNA is transcribed by an RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing RpoS,
      which in turn is under positive control of small non-coding RNAs and of the RNA
      chaperone Hfq. This sigma factor is known to have a pronounced effect on the
      expression of HPII. The crystal structure reveals that a Hfq hexamer binds each
      subunit of a HPII tetramer. Each subunit of the Hfq hexamer exhibits a unique
      binding mode with HPII. The hexamer of Hfq interacts via its distal surface. The
      proximal and distal surfaces are known to specifically bind different sRNAs, and
      binding of HPII could affect Hfq function. Hfq-HPII complexation has no effect on
      catalase HPII activity. 

PMID- 24223140
TI  - Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation significantly inhibits atrial
      fibrillation induced by electrical stimulation of the left stellate ganglion and
      rapid atrial pacing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sympathetic activity involves the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation
      (AF). Renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) decreases sympathetic renal afferent
      nerve activity, leading to decreased central sympathetic drive. The aim of this
      study was to identify the effects of RSD on AF inducibility induced by hyper
      sympathetic activity in a canine model. METHODS: To establish a hyper-sympathetic
      tone canine model of AF, sixteen dogs were subjected to stimulation of left
      stellate ganglion (LSG) and rapid atrial pacing (RAP) for 3 hours. Then animals
      in the RSD group (n = 8) underwent radiofrequency ablation of the renal
      sympathetic nerve. The control group (n = 8) underwent the same procedure except
      for ablation. AF inducibility, effective refractory period (ERP), ERP dispersion,
      heart rate variability and plasma norepinephrine levels were measured at
      baseline, after stimulation and after ablation. RESULTS: LSG stimulation combined
      RAP significantly induced higher AF induction rate, shorter ERP, larger ERP
      dispersion at all sites examined and higher plasma norepinephrine levels (P<0.05
      in all values), compared to baseline. The increased AF induction rate, shortened
      ERP, increased ERP dispersion and elevated plasma norepinephrine levels can be
      almost reversed by RSD, compared to the control group (P<0.05). LSG stimulation
      combined RAP markedly shortened RR-interval and standard deviation of all RR
      intervals (SDNN), Low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF) and LF/HF ratio
      (P<0.05). These changes can be reversed by RSD, compared to the control group
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RSD significantly reduced AF inducibility and reversed the
      atrial electrophysiological changes induced by hyper-sympathetic activity.

PMID- 24223141
TI  - Breastmilk cell and fat contents respond similarly to removal of breastmilk by
      the infant.
AB  - Large inter- and intra-individual variations exist in breastmilk composition, yet
      factors associated with these variations in the short-term are not well
      understood. In this study, the effects of breastfeeding on breastmilk cellular
      and biochemical content were examined. Serial breastmilk samples (~5 mL) were
      collected from both breasts of breastfeeding women before and immediately after
      the first morning breastfeed, and then at 30-minute intervals for up to 3 hours
      post-feed on 2-4 mornings per participant. The infant fed from one breast only at
      each feed. Effects of pump versus hand expression for samples were evaluated. A
      consistent response pattern of breastmilk cell and fat contents to breastmilk
      removal was observed. Maximum fat and cell levels were obtained 30 minutes post
      feed (P<0.01), with up to 8-fold increase in fat and 12-fold increase in cell
      content compared to the pre-feed values, and then they gradually decreased.
      Breastmilk cell viability and protein concentration did not change with feeding
      (P>0.05), although large intra-individual variability was noted for protein.
      Expression mode for samples did not influence breastmilk composition (P>0.05). It
      is concluded that breastmilk fat content, and thus breast fullness, is closely
      associated with breastmilk cell content. This will now form the basis for
      standardization of sampling protocols in lactation studies and investigation of
      the mechanisms of milk synthesis and cell movement into breastmilk. Moreover,
      these findings generate new avenues for clinical interventions exploring growth
      and survival benefits conferred to preterm infants by providing the highest in
      fat and cells milk obtained at 30 min post-expression. 

PMID- 24223142
TI  - Regulation of Ggamma-globin gene by ATF2 and its associated proteins through the
      cAMP-response element.
AB  - The upstream Ggamma-globin cAMP-response element (G-CRE) plays an important role
      in regulating Ggamma-globin expression through binding of ATF2 and its DNA
      binding partners defined in this study. ATF2 knockdown resulted in a significant
      reduction of gamma-globin expression accompanied by decreased ATF2 binding to the
      G-CRE. By contrast, stable ATF2 expression in K562 cells increased gamma-globin
      transcription which was reduced by ATF2 knockdown. Moreover, a similar effect of
      ATF2 on gamma-globin expression was observed in primary erythroid progenitors. To
      understand the role of ATF2 in gamma-globin expression, chromatographically
      purified G-CRE/ATF2-interacting proteins were subjected to mass spectrometry
      analysis; major binding partners included CREB1, cJun, Brg1, and histone
      deacetylases among others. Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated interaction of
      these proteins with ATF2 and in vivo GCRE binding in CD34(+) cells undergoing
      erythroid differentiation which was correlated with gamma-globin expression
      during development. These results suggest synergism between developmental stage
      specific recruitments of the ATF2 protein complex and expression of gamma-globin
      during erythropoiesis. Microarray studies in K562 cells support ATF2 plays
      diverse roles in hematopoiesis and chromatin remodeling. 

PMID- 24223143
TI  - Impact of male infanticide on the social structure of mountain gorillas.
AB  - Infanticide can be a major influence upon the social structure of species in
      which females maintain long-term associations with males. Previous studies have
      suggested that female mountain gorillas benefit from residing in multimale groups
      because infanticide occurs when one-male groups disintegrate after the dominant
      male dies. Here we measure the impact of infanticide on the reproductive success
      of female mountain gorillas, and we examine whether their dispersal patterns
      reflect a strategy to avoid infanticide. Using more than 40 years of data from up
      to 70% of the entire population, we found that only 1.7% of the infants that were
      born in the study had died from infanticide during group disintegrations. The
      rarity of such infanticide mainly reflects a low mortality rate of dominant males
      in one-male groups, and it does not dispel previous observations that infanticide
      occurs during group disintegrations. After including infanticide from causes
      other than group disintegrations, infanticide victims represented up to 5.5% of
      the offspring born during the study, and they accounted for up to 21% of infant
      mortality. The overall rates of infanticide were 2-3 times higher in one-male
      groups than multimale groups, but those differences were not statistically
      significant. Infant mortality, the length of interbirth intervals, and the age of
      first reproduction were not significantly different between one-male versus
      multimale groups, so we found no significant fitness benefits for females to
      prefer multimale groups. In addition, we found limited evidence that female
      dispersal patterns reflect a preference for multimale groups. If the strength of
      selection is modest for females to avoid group disintegrations, than any
      preference for multimale groups may be slow to evolve. Alternatively, variability
      in male strength might give some one-male groups a lower infanticide risk than
      some multimale groups, which could explain why both types of groups remain
      common. 

PMID- 24223144
TI  - Diversified microbiota of meconium is affected by maternal diabetes status.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to assess the diversity of the meconium
      microbiome and determine if the bacterial community is affected by maternal
      diabetes status. METHODS: The first intestinal discharge (meconium) was collected
      from 23 newborns stratified by maternal diabetes status: 4 mothers had pre
      gestational type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) including one mother with dizygotic
      twins, 5 developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 13 had no diabetes.
      The meconium microbiome was profiled using multi-barcode 16S rRNA sequencing
      followed by taxonomic assignment and diversity analysis. RESULTS: All meconium
      samples were not sterile and contained diversified microbiota. Compared with
      adult feces, the meconium showed a lower species diversity, higher sample-to
      sample variation, and enrichment of Proteobacteria and reduction of
      Bacteroidetes. Among the meconium samples, the taxonomy analyses suggested that
      the overall bacterial content significantly differed by maternal diabetes status,
      with the microbiome of the DM group showing higher alpha-diversity than that of
      no-diabetes or GDM groups. No global difference was found between babies
      delivered vaginally versus via Cesarean-section. Regression analysis showed that
      the most robust predictor for the meconium microbiota composition was the
      maternal diabetes status that preceded pregnancy. Specifically, Bacteroidetes
      (phyla) and Parabacteriodes (genus) were enriched in the meconium in the DM group
      compared to the no-diabetes group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that
      meconium contains diversified microbiota and is not affected by the mode of
      delivery. It also suggests that the meconium microbiome of infants born to
      mothers with DM is enriched for the same bacterial taxa as those reported in the
      fecal microbiome of adult DM patients.

PMID- 24223145
TI  - Use of nonelectrolytes reveals the channel size and oligomeric constitution of
      the Borrelia burgdorferi P66 porin.
AB  - In the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, the outer membrane protein
      P66 is capable of pore formation with an atypical high single-channel conductance
      of 11 nS in 1 M KCl, which suggested that it could have a larger diameter than
      'normal' Gram-negative bacterial porins. We studied the diameter of the P66
      channel by analyzing its single-channel conductance in black lipid bilayers in
      the presence of different nonelectrolytes with known hydrodynamic radii. We
      calculated the filling of the channel with these nonelectrolytes and the results
      suggested that nonelectrolytes (NEs) with hydrodynamic radii of 0.34 nm or
      smaller pass through the pore, whereas neutral molecules with greater radii only
      partially filled the channel or were not able to enter it at all. The diameter of
      the entrance of the P66 channel was determined to be <=1.9 nm and the channel has
      a central constriction of about 0.8 nm. The size of the channel appeared to be
      symmetrical as judged from one-sidedness of addition of NEs. Furthermore, the P66
      induced membrane conductance could be blocked by 80-90% by the addition of the
      nonelectrolytes PEG 400, PEG 600 and maltohexaose to the aqueous phase in the low
      millimolar range. The analysis of the power density spectra of ion current
      through P66 after blockage with these NEs revealed no chemical reaction
      responsible for channel block. Interestingly, the blockage of the single-channel
      conductance of P66 by these NEs occurred in about eight subconductance states,
      indicating that the P66 channel could be an oligomer of about eight individual
      channels. The organization of P66 as a possible octamer was confirmed by Blue
      Native PAGE and immunoblot analysis, which both demonstrated that P66 forms a
      complex with a mass of approximately 460 kDa. Two dimension SDS PAGE revealed
      that P66 is the only polypeptide in the complex. 

PMID- 24223146
TI  - The impact of cognitive testing on the welfare of group housed primates.
AB  - Providing cognitive challenges to zoo-housed animals may provide enriching
      effects and subsequently enhance their welfare. Primates may benefit most from
      such challenges as they often face complex problems in their natural environment
      and can be observed to seek problem solving opportunities in captivity. However,
      the extent to which welfare benefits can be achieved through programmes developed
      primarily for cognitive research is unknown. We tested the impact of voluntary
      participation cognitive testing on the welfare of a socially housed group of
      crested macaques (Macaca nigra) at the Macaque Study Centre (Marwell Zoo). First,
      we compared the rate of self-directed and social behaviours on testing and non
      testing days, and between conditions within testing days. Minimal differences in
      behaviour were found when comparing testing and non-testing days, suggesting that
      there was no negative impact on welfare as a result of cognitive testing.
      Lipsmacking behaviours were found to increase and aggressive interaction was
      found to decrease in the group as a result of testing. Second, social network
      analysis was used to assess the effect of testing on associations and
      interactions between individuals. The social networks showed that testing
      subjects increased their association with others during testing days. One
      interpretation of this finding could be that providing socially housed primates
      with an opportunity for individuals to separate from the group for short periods
      could help mimic natural patterns of sub-group formation and reunion in
      captivity. The findings suggest, therefore, that the welfare of captive primates
      can be improved through the use of cognitive testing in zoo environments. 

PMID- 24223147
TI  - Aging brain from a network science perspective: something to be positive about?
AB  - To better understand age differences in brain function and behavior, the current
      study applied network science to model functional interactions between brain
      regions. We observed a shift in network topology whereby for older adults
      subcortical and cerebellar structures overlapping with the Salience network had
      more connectivity to the rest of the brain, coupled with fragmentation of large
      scale cortical networks such as the Default and Fronto-Parietal networks.
      Additionally, greater integration of the dorsal medial thalamus and red nucleus
      in the Salience network was associated with greater satisfaction with life for
      older adults, which is consistent with theoretical predictions of age-related
      increases in emotion regulation that are thought to help maintain well-being and
      life satisfaction in late adulthood. In regard to cognitive abilities, greater
      ventral medial prefrontal cortex coherence with its topological neighbors in the
      Default Network was associated with faster processing speed. Results suggest that
      large-scale organizing properties of the brain differ with normal aging, and this
      perspective may offer novel insight into understanding age-related differences in
      cognitive function and well-being. 

PMID- 24223148
TI  - Risk factors associated with default from multi- and extensively drug-resistant
      tuberculosis treatment, Uzbekistan: a retrospective cohort analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Medecins Sans Frontieres project of Uzbekistan has provided
      multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in the Karakalpakstan region since
      2003. Rates of default from treatment have been high, despite psychosocial
      support, increasing particularly since programme scale-up in 2007. We aimed to
      determine factors associated with default in multi- and extensively drug
      resistant tuberculosis patients who started treatment between 2003 and 2008 and
      thus had finished approximately 2 years of treatment by the end of 2010. METHODS:
      A retrospective cohort analysis of multi- and extensively drug-resistant
      tuberculosis patients enrolled in treatment between 2003 and 2008 compared
      baseline demographic characteristics and possible risk factors for default.
      Default was defined as missing >=60 consecutive days of treatment (all drugs).
      Data were routinely collected during treatment and entered in a database.
      Potential risk factors for default were assessed in univariate analysis using chi
      square test and in multivariate analysis with logistic regression. RESULTS: 20%
      (142/710) of patients defaulted after a median of 6 months treatment (IQR 2.6
      9.9). Factors associated with default included severity of resistance patterns
      (pre-extensively drug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis adjusted
      odds ratio 0.52, 95%CI: 0.31-0.86), previous default (2.38, 1.09-5.24) and age
      >45 years (1.77, 1.10-2.87). The default rate was 14% (42/294) for patients
      enrolled 2003-2006 and 24% (100/416) for 2007-2008 enrolments (p = 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Default from treatment was high and increased with programme scale
      up. It is essential to ensure scale-up of treatment is accompanied with scale-up
      of staff and patient support. A successful first course of tuberculosis treatment
      is important; patients who had previously defaulted were at increased risk of
      default and death. The protective effect of severe resistance profiles suggests
      that understanding disease severity or fear may motivate against default.
      Targeted health education and support for at-risk patients after 5 months of
      treatment when many begin to feel better may decrease default.

PMID- 24223150
TI  - Dietary behaviour and socioeconomic position: the role of physical activity
      patterns.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The positive association between education level and health outcomes
      can be partly explained by dietary behaviour. We investigated the associations
      between education and several indices of food intake and potential influencing
      factors, placing special emphasis on physical-activity patterns, using a
      representative sample of the German adult population. METHODS: The German
      National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98) involved 7,124
      participants aged between 18 and 79. Complete information on the exposure
      (education) and outcome (nutrition) variables was available for 6,767 persons.
      The associations between 'education' and indices of 'sugar-rich food', 'fat-rich
      food', 'fruit-and-vegetable' and 'alcohol' intake were analysed separately for
      men and women using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios (OR)
      of education level on nutrition outcomes were calculated and adjusted for age,
      region (former East/West Germany), occupation, income and other influencing
      factors such as physical activity indicators. RESULTS: Men and women with only a
      primary education had a more frequent intake of sugar-rich and fat-rich foods and
      a less frequent intake of fruit and vegetables and alcohol than people with a
      tertiary education. 'Physical work activity' partly explained the associations
      between education and sugar-rich food intake. The interference with physical work
      activity was stronger among men than women. No significant associations between
      education and energy-dense food intake were observed in the retirement-age group
      of persons aged 65+ and among persons with low energy expenditure. CONCLUSIONS:
      In Germany, adults with a low level of education report that they consume energy
      dense foods more frequently - and fruit and vegetables and alcohol less
      frequently - than adults with a high education level. High levels of physical
      work activity among adults with a low education level may partly explain why they
      consume more energy-dense foods.

PMID- 24223149
TI  - Targeted inactivation of dipeptidyl peptidase 9 enzymatic activity causes mouse
      neonate lethality.
AB  - Dipeptidyl Peptidase (DPP) 4 and related dipeptidyl peptidases are emerging as
      current and potential therapeutic targets. DPP9 is an intracellular protease that
      is regulated by redox status and by SUMO1. DPP9 can influence antigen processing,
      epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated signaling and tumor biology. We made the
      first gene knock-in (gki) mouse with a serine to alanine point mutation at the
      DPP9 active site (S729A). Weaned heterozygote DPP9 (wt/S729A) pups from 110
      intercrosses were indistinguishable from wild-type littermates. No homozygote
      DPP9 (S729A/S729A) weaned mice were detected. DPP9 (S729A/S729A) homozygote
      embryos, which were morphologically indistinguishable from their wild-type
      littermate embryos at embryonic day (ED) 12.5 to ED 17.5, were born live but
      these neonates died within 8 to 24 hours of birth. All neonates suckled and
      contained milk spots and were of similar body weight. No gender differences were
      seen. No histological or DPP9 immunostaining pattern differences were seen
      between genotypes in embryos and neonates. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs)
      from DPP9 (S729A/S729A) ED13.5 embryos and neonate DPP9 (S729A/S729A) mouse
      livers collected within 6 hours after birth had levels of DPP9 protein and DPP9
      related proteases that were similar to wild-type but had less DPP9/DPP8-derived
      activity. These data confirmed the absence of DPP9 enzymatic activity due to the
      presence of the serine to alanine mutation and no compensation from related
      proteases. These novel findings suggest that DPP9 enzymatic activity is essential
      for early neonatal survival in mice. 

PMID- 24223151
TI  - HLA typing from 1000 genomes whole genome and whole exome illumina data.
AB  - Specific HLA genotypes are known to be linked to either resistance or
      susceptibility to certain diseases or sensitivity to certain drugs. In addition,
      high accuracy HLA typing is crucial for organ and bone marrow transplantation.
      The most widespread high resolution HLA typing method used to date is Sanger
      sequencing based typing (SBT), and next generation sequencing (NGS) based HLA
      typing is just starting to be adopted as a higher throughput, lower cost
      alternative. By HLA typing the HapMap subset of the public 1000 Genomes paired
      Illumina data, we demonstrate that HLA-A, B and C typing is possible from exome
      sequencing samples with higher than 90% accuracy. The older 1000 Genomes whole
      genome sequencing read sets are less reliable and generally unsuitable for the
      purpose of HLA typing. We also propose using coverage % (the extent of exons
      covered) as a quality check (QC) measure to increase reliability. 

PMID- 24223152
TI  - Notch-1 signaling regulates microglia activation via NF-kappaB pathway after
      hypoxic exposure in vivo and in vitro.
AB  - Neuroinflammation mediated by the activated microglia is suggested to play a
      pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hypoxic brain injury; however, the underlying
      mechanism of microglia activation remains unclear. Here, we show that the
      canonical Notch signaling orchestrates microglia activation after hypoxic
      exposure which is closely associated with multiple pathological situations of the
      brain. Notch-1 and Delta-1 expression in primary microglia and BV-2 microglial
      cells was significantly elevated after hypoxia. Hypoxia-induced activation of
      Notch signaling was further confirmed by the concomitant increase in the
      expression and translocation of intracellular Notch receptor domain (NICD),
      together with RBP-Jkappa and target gene Hes-1 expression. Chemical inhibition of
      Notch signaling with N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-1-alany1- S-phenyglycine t
      butyl ester (DAPT), a gamma-secretase inhibitor, effectively reduced hypoxia
      induced upregulated expression of most inflammatory mediators. Notch inhibition
      also reduced NF-kappaB/p65 expression and translocation. Remarkably, Notch
      inhibition suppressed expression of TLR4/MyD88/TRAF6 pathways. In vivo, Notch
      signaling expression and activation in microglia were observed in the cerebrum of
      postnatal rats after hypoxic injury. Most interestingly, hypoxia-induced
      upregulation of NF-kappaB immunoexpression in microglia was prevented when the
      rats were given DAPT pretreatment underscoring the interrelationship between
      Notch signaling and NF-kappaB pathways. Taken together, we conclude that Notch
      signaling is involved in regulating microglia activation after hypoxia partly
      through the cross talk between TLR4/MyD88/TRAF6/NF-kappaB pathways. Therefore,
      Notch signaling may serve as a prospective target for inhibition of microglia
      activation known to be implicated in brain damage in the developing brain. 

PMID- 24223153
TI  - Direct association of heat shock protein 20 (HSPB6) with phosphoinositide 3
      kinase (PI3K) in human hepatocellular carcinoma: regulation of the PI3K activity.
AB  - HSP20 (HSPB6), one of small heat shock proteins (HSPs), is constitutively
      expressed in various tissues and has several functions. We previously reported
      that the expression levels of HSP20 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells
      inversely correlated with the progression of HCC, and that HSP20 suppresses the
      growth of HCC cells via the AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling
      pathways. However, the exact mechanism underlying the effect of HSP20 on the
      regulation of these signaling pathways remains to be elucidated. To clarify the
      details of this effect in HCC, we explored the direct targets of HSP20 in HCC
      using human HCC-derived HuH7 cells with HSP20 overexpression. HSP20 proteins in
      the HuH7 cells were coimmunoprecipitated with the p85 regulatory subunit and p110
      catalytic subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), an upstream kinase of AKT.
      Although HSP20 overexpression in HCC cells failed to affect the expression levels
      of PI3K, the activity of PI3K in the unstimulated cells and even in the
      transforming growth factor-alpha stimulated cells were downregulated by HSP20
      overexpression. The association of HSP20 with PI3K was also observed in human HCC
      tissues in vivo. These findings strongly suggest that HSP20 directly associates
      with PI3K and suppresses its activity in HCC, resulting in the inhibition of the
      AKT pathway, and subsequently decreasing the growth of HCC. 

PMID- 24223154
TI  - ACE inhibitor and angiotensin receptor-II antagonist prescribing and hospital
      admissions with acute kidney injury: a longitudinal ecological study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: ACE Inhibitors (ACE-I) and Angiotensin-Receptor Antagonists (ARAs)
      are commonly prescribed but can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) during
      intercurrent illness. Rates of hospitalization with AKI are increasing. We aimed
      to determine whether hospital AKI admission rates are associated with increased
      ACE-I/ARA prescribing. METHODS AND FINDINGS: English NHS prescribing data for ACE
      I/ARA prescriptions were matched at the level of the general practice to numbers
      of hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of AKI. Numbers of prescriptions
      were weighted for the demographic characteristics of general practices by
      expressing prescribing as rates where the denominator is Age, Sex, and Temporary
      Resident Originated Prescribing Units (ASTRO-PUs). We performed a mixed-effect
      Poisson regression to model the number of admissions for AKI occurring in each
      practice for each of 4 years from 1/4/2007. From 2007/8-2010/11, crude AKI
      admission rates increased from 0.38 to 0.57 per 1000 patients (51.6% increase),
      and national annual ACE-I/ARA prescribing rates increased by 0.032 from 0.202 to
      0.234 (15.8% increase). There was strong evidence (p<0.001) that increases in
      practice-level prescribing of ACE-I/ARA over the study period were associated
      with an increase in AKI admission rates. The increase in prescribing seen in a
      typical practice corresponded to an increase in admissions of approximately 5.1%
      (rate ratio = 1.051 for a 0.03 per ASTRO-PU increase in annual prescribing rate,
      95%CI 1.047-1.055). Using the regression model we predict that 1,636 (95%CI 1,540
      1,780) AKI admissions would have been avoided if prescribing rates were at the
      2007/8 level, equivalent to 14.8% of the total increase in AKI admissions.
      CONCLUSION: In this ecological analysis, up to 15% of the increase in AKI
      admissions in England over a 4-year time period is potentially attributable to
      increased prescribing of ACE-I and ARAs. However, these findings are limited by
      the lack of patient level data such as indication for prescribing and patient
      characteristics.

PMID- 24223156
TI  - The effect of perspective on presence and space perception.
AB  - In this paper we report two experiments in which the effect of perspective
      projection on presence and space perception was investigated. In Experiment 1,
      participants were asked to score a presence questionnaire when looking at a
      virtual classroom. We manipulated the vantage point, the viewing mode (binocular
      versus monocular viewing), the display device/screen size (projector versus TV)
      and the center of projection. At the end of each session of Experiment 1,
      participants were asked to set their preferred center of projection such that the
      image seemed most natural to them. In Experiment 2, participants were asked to
      draw a floor plan of the virtual classroom. The results show that field of view,
      viewing mode, the center of projection and display all significantly affect
      presence and the perceived layout of the virtual environment. We found a
      significant linear relationship between presence and perceived layout of the
      virtual classroom, and between the preferred center of projection and perceived
      layout. The results indicate that the way in which virtual worlds are presented
      is critical for the level of experienced presence. The results also suggest that
      people ignore veridicality and they experience a higher level of presence while
      viewing elongated virtual environments compared to viewing the original intended
      shape. 

PMID- 24223155
TI  - Genome wide analysis of drug-induced torsades de pointes: lack of common variants
      with large effect sizes.
AB  - Marked prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram associated with
      the polymorphic ventricular tachycardia Torsades de Pointes is a serious adverse
      event during treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs and other culprit medications,
      and is a common cause for drug relabeling and withdrawal. Although clinical risk
      factors have been identified, the syndrome remains unpredictable in an individual
      patient. Here we used genome-wide association analysis to search for common
      predisposing genetic variants. Cases of drug-induced Torsades de Pointes (diTdP),
      treatment tolerant controls, and general population controls were ascertained
      across multiple sites using common definitions, and genotyped on the Illumina
      610k or 1M-Duo BeadChips. Principal Components Analysis was used to select 216
      Northwestern European diTdP cases and 771 ancestry-matched controls, including
      treatment-tolerant and general population subjects. With these sample sizes,
      there is 80% power to detect a variant at genome-wide significance with minor
      allele frequency of 10% and conferring an odds ratio of >=2.7. Tests of
      association were carried out for each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) by
      logistic regression adjusting for gender and population structure. No SNP reached
      genome wide-significance; the variant with the lowest P value was rs2276314, a
      non-synonymous coding variant in C18orf21 (p  =  3*10(-7), odds ratio = 2, 95%
      confidence intervals: 1.5-2.6). The haplotype formed by rs2276314 and a second
      SNP, rs767531, was significantly more frequent in controls than cases (p  = 
      3*10(-9)). Expanding the number of controls and a gene-based analysis did not
      yield significant associations. This study argues that common genomic variants do
      not contribute importantly to risk for drug-induced Torsades de Pointes across
      multiple drugs. 

PMID- 24223157
TI  - Changes in large pulmonary arterial viscoelasticity in chronic pulmonary
      hypertension.
AB  - Conduit pulmonary artery (PA) stiffening is characteristic of pulmonary arterial
      hypertension (PAH) and is an excellent predictor of mortality due to right
      ventricular (RV) overload. To better understand the impact of conduit PA
      stiffening on RV afterload, it is critical to examine the arterial viscoelastic
      properties, which require measurements of elasticity (energy storage behavior)
      and viscosity (energy dissipation behavior). Here we hypothesize that PAH leads
      to frequency-dependent changes in arterial stiffness (related to elasticity) and
      damping ratio (related to viscosity) in large PAs. To test our hypothesis, PAH
      was induced by the combination of chronic hypoxia and an antiangiogenic compound
      (SU5416) treatment in mice. Static and sinusoidal pressure-inflation tests were
      performed on isolated conduit PAs at various frequencies (0.01-20 Hz) to obtain
      the mechanical properties in the absence of smooth muscle contraction. Static
      mechanical tests showed significant stiffening of large PAs with PAH, as
      expected. In dynamic mechanical tests, structural stiffness (kappa) increased and
      damping ratio (D) decreased at a physiologically relevant frequency (10 Hz) in
      hypertensive PAs. The dynamic elastic modulus (E), a material stiffness, did not
      increase significantly with PAH. All dynamic mechanical properties were strong
      functions of frequency. In particular, kappa, E and D increased with increasing
      frequency in control PAs. While this behavior remained for D in hypertensive PAs,
      it reversed for kappa and E. Since these novel dynamic mechanical property
      changes were found in the absence of changes in smooth muscle cell content or
      contraction, changes in collagen and proteoglycans and their interactions are
      likely critical to arterial viscoelasticity in a way that has not been previously
      described. The impact of these changes in PA viscoelasticity on RV afterload in
      PAH awaits further investigation. 

PMID- 24223158
TI  - Basal ganglia neuronal activity during scanning eye movements in Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - The oculomotor role of the basal ganglia has been supported by extensive
      evidence, although their role in scanning eye movements is poorly understood.
      Nineteen Parkinsons disease patients, which underwent implantation of deep brain
      stimulation electrodes, were investigated with simultaneous intraoperative
      microelectrode recordings and single channel electrooculography in a scanning eye
      movement task by viewing a series of colored pictures selected from the
      International Affective Picture System. Four patients additionally underwent a
      visually guided saccade task. Microelectrode recordings were analyzed selectively
      from the subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra pars reticulata and from the
      globus pallidus by the WaveClus program which allowed for detection and sorting
      of individual neurons. The relationship between neuronal firing rate and eye
      movements was studied by crosscorrelation analysis. Out of 183 neurons that were
      detected, 130 were found in the subthalamic nucleus, 30 in the substantia nigra
      and 23 in the globus pallidus. Twenty percent of the neurons in each of these
      structures showed eye movement-related activity. Neurons related to scanning eye
      movements were mostly unrelated to the visually guided saccades. We conclude that
      a relatively large number of basal ganglia neurons are involved in eye motion
      control. Surprisingly, neurons related to scanning eye movements differed from
      neurons activated during saccades suggesting functional specialization and
      segregation of both systems for eye movement control. 

PMID- 24223159
TI  - Rapid kill-novel endodontic sealer and Enterococcus faecalis.
AB  - With growing concern over bacterial resistance, the identification of new
      antimicrobial means is paramount. In the oral cavity microorganisms are essential
      to the development of periradicular diseases and are the major causative factors
      associated with endodontic treatment failure. As quaternary ammonium compounds
      have the ability to kill a wide array of bacteria through electrostatic
      interactions with multiple anionic targets on the bacterial surface, it is likely
      that they can overcome bacterial resistance. Melding these ideas, we investigated
      the potency of a novel endodontic sealer in limiting Enterococcus faecalis
      growth. We used a polyethyleneimine scaffold to synthesize nano-sized particles,
      optimized for incorporation into an epoxy-based endodontic sealer. The novel
      endodontic sealer was tested for its antimicrobial efficacy and evaluated for
      biocompatibility and physical eligibility. Our results show that the novel sealer
      foundation affixes the nanoparticles, achieving surface bactericidal properties,
      but at the same time impeding nanoparticle penetration into eukaryotic cells and
      thereby mitigating a possible toxic effect. Moreover, adequate physical
      properties are maintained. The nanosized quaternary amine particles interact
      within minutes with bacteria, triggering cell death across wide pH values.
      Throughout this study we demonstrate a new antibacterial perspective for
      endodontic sealers; a novel antibacterial, effective and safe antimicrobial
      means. 

PMID- 24223160
TI  - Roles of the linker region of RNA helicase A in HIV-1 RNA metabolism.
AB  - RNA helicase A (RHA) promotes multiple steps in HIV-1 production including
      transcription and translation of viral RNA, annealing of primer tRNA(Lys3) to
      viral RNA, and elevating the ratio of unspliced to spliced viral RNA. At its
      amino terminus are two double-stranded RNA binding domains (dsRBDs) that are
      essential for RHA-viral RNA interaction. Linking the dsRBDs to the core helicase
      domain is a linker region containing 6 predicted helices. Working in vitro with
      purified mutant RHAs containing deletions of individual helices reveals that this
      region may regulate the enzyme's helicase activity, since deletion of helix 2 or
      3 reduces the rate of unwinding RNA by RHA. The biological significance of this
      finding was then examined during HIV-1 production. Deletions in the linker region
      do not significantly affect either RHA-HIV-1 RNA interaction in vivo or the
      incorporation of mutant RHAs into progeny virions. While the partial reduction in
      helicase activity of mutant RHA containing a deletion of helices 2 or 3 does not
      reduce the ability of RHA to stimulate viral RNA synthesis, the promotion of
      tRNA(Lys3) annealing to viral RNA is blocked. In contrast, deletion of helices 4
      or 5 does not affect the ability of RHA to promote tRNA(Lys3) annealing, but
      reduces its ability to stimulate viral RNA synthesis. Additionally, RHA
      stimulation of viral RNA synthesis results in an increased ratio of unspliced to
      spliced viral RNA, and this increase is not inhibited by deletions in the linker
      region, nor is the pattern of splicing changed within the ~ 4.0 kb or ~ 1.8 kb
      HIV-1 RNA classes, suggesting that RHA's effect on suppressing splicing is
      confined mainly to the first 5'-splice donor site. Overall, the differential
      responses to the mutations in the linker region of RHA reveal that RHA
      participates in HIV-1 RNA metabolism by multiple distinct mechanisms. 

PMID- 24223161
TI  - Fhit delocalizes annexin a4 from plasma membrane to cytosol and sensitizes lung
      cancer cells to paclitaxel.
AB  - Fhit protein is lost or reduced in a large fraction of human tumors, and its
      restoration triggers apoptosis and suppresses tumor formation or progression in
      preclinical models. Here, we describe the identification of candidate Fhit
      interacting proteins with cytosolic and plasma membrane localization. Among
      these, Annexin 4 (ANXA4) was validated by co-immunoprecipitation and confocal
      microscopy as a partner of this novel Fhit protein complex. Here we report that
      overexpression of Fhit prevents Annexin A4 translocation from cytosol to plasma
      membrane in A549 lung cancer cells treated with paclitaxel. Moreover, paclitaxel
      administration in combination with AdFHIT acts synergistically to increase the
      apoptotic rate of tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo experiments. 

PMID- 24223162
TI  - Differential responses of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation
      in diet-induced obese rats with high-fat diet rich in lard oil or soybean oil.
AB  - SCOPES: To investigate the effects of high-fat diet enriched with lard oil or
      soybean oil on liver endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation markers
      in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats and estimate the influence of following low-fat
      diet feeding. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male SD rats were fed with standard low-fat
      diet (LF, n = 10) and two isoenergentic high-fat diets enriched with lard (HL, n
      = 45) or soybean oil (HS, n = 45) respectively for 10 weeks. Then DIO rats from
      HL and HS were fed either high-fat diet continuously (HL/HL, HS/HS) or switched
      to low-fat diet (HL/LF, HS/LF) for another 8 weeks. Rats in control group were
      maintained with low-fat diet. Body fat, serum insulin level, HOMA-IR and ectopic
      lipid deposition in liver were increased in HL/HL and HS/HS compared to control,
      but increased to a greater extent in HL/HL compared to HS/HS. Markers of ER
      stress including PERK and CHOP protein expression and phosphorylation of
      eIF2alpha were significantly elevated in HL/HL group while phosphorylation of
      IRE1alpha and GRP78 protein expression were suppressed in both HL/HL and HS/HS.
      Besides, inflammatory signals (OPN, TLR2, TLR4 and TNF-alpha) expressions
      significantly increased in HL/HL compared to others. Switching to low-fat diet
      reduced liver fat deposition, HOMA-IR, mRNA expression of TLR4, TNF-alpha, PERK
      in both HL/LF and HS/LF, but only decreased protein expression of OPN, PERK and
      CHOP in HL/LF group. In addition, HL/LF and HS/LF exhibited decreased
      phosphorylation of eIF2alpha and increased phosphorylation of IRE1alpha and GRP78
      protein expression when compared with HL/HL and HS/HS respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Lard oil was more deleterious in insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis via
      promoting ER stress and inflammation responses in DIO rats, which may be
      attributed to the enrichment of saturated fatty acid. Low-fat diet was confirmed
      to be useful in recovering from impaired insulin sensitivity and liver fat
      deposition in this study.

PMID- 24223163
TI  - PDYN rs2281285 variant association with drinking to avoid emotional or somatic
      discomfort.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: One of the proposed psychobiological pathways of craving attributes
      the desire for drinking in the context of tension, discomfort or unpleasant
      emotions, to "negative" (or "relief") craving. The aim of this study was to
      replicate a previously reported association of the PDYN rs2281285 variant with
      negative craving using a different phenotyping approach. METHODS: The TaqMan(r)
      Genotyping Assay was used to genotype the rs2281285 variant in 417 German alcohol
      dependent subjects. The presence of negative/relief craving was assessed by
      asking if participants ever ingested alcohol to avoid unwanted emotional or
      somatic discomfort. RESULTS: The minor allele of rs2281285 was associated with an
      increased risk of drinking to avoid/escape unwanted emotional or somatic events
      (OR=2.29, 95% CI=1.08-4.85, p=0.0298). DISCUSSION: Despite the use of a different
      phenotyping approach to the measurement of negative craving, our results confirm
      the association between negative craving and PDYN rs2281285. Genetic markers of
      negative craving may help to identify subgroups of alcohol-dependent individuals
      vulnerable to relapse in the context of negative emotions or somatic discomfort,
      leading to the development of specifically tailored treatment strategies.

PMID- 24223164
TI  - The FBI1/Akirin2 target gene, BCAM, acts as a suppressive oncogene.
AB  - Basal cell adhesion molecule (BCAM), known to be a splicing variant of Lutheran
      glycoprotein (LU), is an immunoglobulin superfamily membrane protein that acts as
      a laminin alpha5 receptor. The high affinity of BCAM/LU for laminin alpha5 is
      thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of sickle red blood cells and to
      various developmental processes. However, the function of BCAM in carcinogenesis
      is poorly understood. Based on microarray expression analysis, we found that BCAM
      was one of the target genes of the oncogenic 14-3-3beta-FBI1/Akirin2 complex,
      which acts as a transcriptional repressor and suppresses MAPK phosphatase-1 gene
      expression. To elucidate the detailed function of BCAM in malignant tumors, we
      established BCAM-expressing hepatoma K2 cells. These cells lost the malignant
      characteristics of parental cells, such as anchorage-independent growth,
      migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity. Moreover, luciferase reporter assays and
      chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that the 14-3-3beta-FBI1/Akirin2
      complex bound to the BCAM promoter and repressed transcription. Thus, these data
      indicate that BCAM is a suppressive oncoprotein, and that FBI1/Akirin2 is
      involved in tumorigenicity and metastasis of hepatoma through the downregulation
      of suppressive oncogenes. 

PMID- 24223165
TI  - Nest sanitation as the evolutionary background for egg ejection behaviour and the
      role of motivation for object removal.
AB  - Higher interclutch colour variation can evolve under the pressure of brood
      parasitism to increase the detection of parasitic eggs. Nest sanitation could be
      a prerequisite for the evolution of anti-parasite defence in terms of egg
      ejection. In this respect, we used nest sanitation behaviour as a tool to
      identify: i) motivation and its underlying function and, ii) which features
      provoke ejection behaviour. Therefore, we experimentally tested whether size,
      colour or shape may influence ejection behaviour using artificial flat objects.
      We found a high interclutch variation in egg colouration and egg size in our tree
      sparrow (Passer montanus) population. Using colour and size we were in fact able
      to predict clutch affiliation for each egg. Our experiments further revealed the
      existence of direct anti-parasite behaviours and birds are able to recognise
      conspecific eggs, since only experimentally-deposited eggs have been removed.
      Moreover, experiments with different objects revealed that the motivation of tree
      sparrows to remove experimental objects from their nests was highest during egg
      laying for objects of varying size, most likely because of parasitism risk at
      this breeding stage. In contrary, motivation to remove white objects and objects
      with edges was higher during incubation stage as behavioural patterns connected
      to hatching started to emerge. The fact that rejection rate of our flat objects
      was higher than real egg ejection, suggests that egg ejection in tree sparrows
      and probably more general in small passerines, to be limited by elevated costs to
      eject eggs with their beaks. The presence of anti-parasite behaviour supports our
      suggestion that brood parasitism causes variation in egg features, as we have
      found that tree sparrows can recognise and reject conspecific eggs in their
      clutch. In conclusion, in tree sparrows it seems that nest sanitation plays a key
      role in the evolution of the removal of parasitic eggs. 

PMID- 24223166
TI  - Left ventricular mechanics in repaired tetralogy of Fallot with and without
      pulmonary valve replacement: analysis by three-dimensional speckle tracking
      echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Altered septal curvature and left ventricular (LV) geometry secondary
      to right ventricular (RV) dilation render two-dimensional assessment of LV
      mechanics difficult in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients. The novel
      three-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking echocardiography enables comprehensive
      evaluation of true 3D LV mechanics. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-six patients
      aged 23.6 +/- 8.3 years, 55 with isolated repair (group I) and 21 with subsequent
      pulmonary valve replacement (group II), and 34 healthy controls were studied.
      Three-dimensional volume datasets were acquired for assessment of LV global and
      regional 3D strain, systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI), twist, twist gradient
      (twist/LV length), and ejection fraction. A global performance index was
      calculated as (global 3D strain*twist gradient)/SDI. The septal curvature and LV
      eccentricity were determined from the mid-ventricular short-axis. Compared with
      controls, group I and II patients had significantly reduced LV global 3D strain,
      LV twist, twist gradient, septal curvature, and global performance index, and
      greater LV systolic and diastolic eccentricity and SDI (all p<0.05). All but the
      four apical LV segments in patients had reduced regional 3D strain compared with
      controls (all p<0.05). Septal curvature correlated with LV global 3D strain
      (r=0.41, p<0.001), average septal strain (r=0.38, p<0.001), twist (r=0.32,
      p<0.001), twist gradient (r=0.33, p<0.001), and global performance index (r=0.43,
      p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adverse 3D LV mechanics as characterized by impaired
      global and regional 3D systolic strain, mechanical dyssynchrony, and reduced
      twist is related to reduced septal curvature in repaired TOF patients with and
      without pulmonary valve replacement.

PMID- 24223167
TI  - Depth-dependent differences in community structure of the human colonic
      microbiota in health.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to develop techniques for spatial
      microbial assessment in humans and to establish colonic luminal and mucosal
      spatial ecology, encompassing longitudinal and cross-sectional axes. DESIGN: A
      microbiological protected specimen brush was used in conjunction with a biopsy
      forceps to sample the colon in nine healthy volunteers undergoing colonoscopy.
      Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis was used to determine
      the major variables in the spatial organization of the colonic microbiota.
      RESULTS: Protected Specimen Brush sampling retrieved region-specific,
      uncontaminated samples that were enriched for bacterial DNA and depleted in human
      DNA when compared to biopsy samples. Terminal Restriction Fragment Length
      Polymorphism analysis revealed a segmentation of bacterial communities between
      the luminal brush and biopsy-associated ecological niches with little variability
      across the longitudinal axis of the colon and reduced diversity in brush samples.
      CONCLUSION: These results support the concept of a microbiota with little
      longitudinal variability but with some degree of segregation between luminal and
      mucosal communities.

PMID- 24223168
TI  - Dietary iron enhances colonic inflammation and IL-6/IL-11-Stat3 signaling
      promoting colonic tumor development in mice.
AB  - Chronic intestinal inflammation and high dietary iron are associated with
      colorectal cancer development. The role of Stat3 activation in iron-induced
      colonic inflammation and tumorigenesis was investigated in a mouse model of
      inflammation-associated colorectal cancer. Mice, fed either an iron-supplemented
      or control diet, were treated with azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS).
      Intestinal inflammation and tumor development were assessed by endoscopy and
      histology, gene expression by real-time PCR, Stat3 phosphorylation by immunoblot,
      cytokines by ELISA and apoptosis by TUNEL assay. Colonic inflammation was more
      severe in mice fed an iron-supplemented compared with a control diet one week
      post-DSS treatment, with enhanced colonic IL-6 and IL-11 release and Stat3
      phosphorylation. Both IL-6 and ferritin, the iron storage protein, co-localized
      with macrophages suggesting iron may act directly on IL-6 producing-macrophages.
      Iron increased DSS-induced colonic epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis
      consistent with enhanced mucosal damage. DSS-treated mice developed anemia that
      was not alleviated by dietary iron supplementation. Six weeks post-DSS treatment,
      iron-supplemented mice developed more and larger colonic tumors compared with
      control mice. Intratumoral IL-6 and IL-11 expression increased in DSS-treated
      mice and IL-6, and possibly IL-11, were enhanced by dietary iron. Gene expression
      of iron importers, divalent metal transporter 1 and transferrin receptor 1,
      increased and iron exporter, ferroportin, decreased in colonic tumors suggesting
      increased iron uptake. Dietary iron and colonic inflammation synergistically
      activated colonic IL-6/IL-11-Stat3 signaling promoting tumorigenesis. Oral iron
      therapy may be detrimental in inflammatory bowel disease since it may exacerbate
      colonic inflammation and increase colorectal cancer risk. 

PMID- 24223169
TI  - Campylobacter jejuni actively invades the amoeba Acanthamoeba polyphaga and
      survives within non digestive vacuoles.
AB  - The Gram-negative bacterium Campylobacter jejuni is able to enter, survive and
      multiply within the free living amoeba Acanthamoeba polyphaga, but the molecular
      mechanisms behind these events are still unclear. We have studied the uptake and
      intracellular trafficking of viable and heat killed bacterial cells of the C.
      jejuni strain 81-176 in A. polyphaga. We found that viable bacteria associated
      with a substantially higher proportion of Acanthamoeba trophozoites than heat
      killed bacteria. Furthermore, the kinetics of internalization, the total number
      of internalized bacteria as well as the intracellular localization of
      internalized C. jejuni were dramatically influenced by bacterial viability.
      Viable bacteria were internalized at a high rate already after 1 h of co
      incubation and were observed in small vacuoles tightly surrounding the bacteria.
      In contrast, internalization of heat killed C. jejuni was low at early time
      points and did not peak until 96 h. These cells were gathered in large spacious
      vacuoles that were part of the degradative pathway as determined by the uptake of
      fluorescently labeled dextran. The amount of heat killed bacteria internalized by
      A. polyphaga did never reach the maximal amount of internalized viable bacteria.
      These results suggest that the uptake and intracellular survival of C. jejuni in
      A. polyphaga is bacterially induced. 

PMID- 24223170
TI  - Exploratory hydrocarbon drilling impacts to Arctic lake ecosystems.
AB  - Recent attention regarding the impacts of oil and gas development and
      exploitation has focused on the unintentional release of hydrocarbons into the
      environment, whilst the potential negative effects of other possible avenues of
      environmental contamination are less well documented. In the hydrocarbon-rich and
      ecologically sensitive Mackenzie Delta region (NT, Canada), saline wastes
      associated with hydrocarbon exploration have typically been disposed of in
      drilling sumps (i.e., large pits excavated into the permafrost) that were
      believed to be a permanent containment solution. However, failure of permafrost
      as a waste containment medium may cause impacts to lakes in this sensitive
      environment. Here, we examine the effects of degrading drilling sumps on water
      quality by combining paleolimnological approaches with the analysis of an
      extensive present-day water chemistry dataset. This dataset includes lakes
      believed to have been impacted by saline drilling fluids leaching from drilling
      sumps, lakes with no visible disturbances, and lakes impacted by significant,
      naturally occurring permafrost thaw in the form of retrogressive thaw slumps. We
      show that lakes impacted by compromised drilling sumps have significantly
      elevated lakewater conductivity levels compared to control sites. Chloride levels
      are particularly elevated in sump-impacted lakes relative to all other lakes
      included in the survey. Paleolimnological analyses showed that invertebrate
      assemblages appear to have responded to the leaching of drilling wastes by a
      discernible increase in a taxon known to be tolerant of elevated conductivity
      coincident with the timing of sump construction. This suggests construction and
      abandonment techniques at, or soon after, sump establishment may result in
      impacts to downstream aquatic ecosystems. With hydrocarbon development in the
      north predicted to expand in the coming decades, the use of sumps must be
      examined in light of the threat of accelerated permafrost thaw, and the potential
      for these industrial wastes to impact sensitive Arctic ecosystems.

PMID- 24223171
TI  - Relative mortality among criminals in Norway and the relation to drug and alcohol
      related offenses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Registered offenders are known to have a higher mortality rate, but
      given the high proportion of offenders with drug-addiction, particularly among
      offenders with a custodial sentence, higher mortality is expected. While the
      level of overall mortality compared to the non-criminal population is of interest
      in itself, we also estimate the risk of death by criminal records related to
      substance abuse and other types of criminal acts, and separate between those who
      receive a prison sentence or not. METHODS: Age-adjusted relative risks of death
      for 2000-2008 were studied in a population based dataset. Our dataset comprise
      the total Norwegian population of 2.9 million individuals aged 15-69 years old in
      1999, of whom 10% had a criminal record in the 1992-1999 period. RESULTS:
      Individuals with a criminal record have twice the relative risk (RR) of death of
      the control group (non-offenders). Males with a record of use/possession of drugs
      and a prison record have an 11.9 RR (females, 15.6); males with a drug record but
      no prison record have a 6.9 RR (females 10.5). Males imprisoned for driving under
      the influence of substances have a 4.4 RR (females 5.6); males with a record of
      driving under the influence but no prison sentence have a 3.2 RR (females 6.5).
      Other male offenders with a prison record have a 2.8 RR (females 3.7); other male
      offenders with no prison record have a 1.7 RR (females 2.3). CONCLUSION:
      Significantly higher mortality was found for people with a criminal record, also
      for those without any record of drug use. Mortality is much higher for those
      convicted of substance-related crimes: more so for drug- than for alcohol-related
      crimes and for women.

PMID- 24223172
TI  - Organization of multisynaptic inputs to the dorsal and ventral dentate gyrus:
      retrograde trans-synaptic tracing with rabies virus vector in the rat.
AB  - Behavioral, anatomical, and gene expression studies have shown functional
      dissociations between the dorsal and ventral hippocampus with regard to their
      involvement in spatial cognition, emotion, and stress. In this study we examined
      the difference of the multisynaptic inputs to the dorsal and ventral dentate
      gyrus (DG) in the rat by using retrograde trans-synaptic tracing of recombinant
      rabies virus vectors. Three days after the vectors were injected into the dorsal
      or ventral DG, monosynaptic neuronal labeling was present in the entorhinal
      cortex, medial septum, diagonal band, and supramammillary nucleus, each of which
      is known to project to the DG directly. As in previous tracing studies,
      topographical patterns related to the dorsal and ventral DG were seen in these
      regions. Five days after infection, more of the neurons in these regions were
      labeled and labeled neurons were also seen in cortical and subcortical regions,
      including the piriform and medial prefrontal cortices, the endopiriform nucleus,
      the claustrum, the cortical amygdala, the medial raphe nucleus, the medial
      habenular nucleus, the interpeduncular nucleus, and the lateral septum. As in the
      monosynaptically labeled regions, a topographical distribution of labeled neurons
      was evident in most of these disynaptically labeled regions. These data indicate
      that the cortical and subcortical inputs to the dorsal and ventral DG are
      conveyed through parallel disynaptic pathways. This second-order input difference
      in the dorsal and ventral DG is likely to contribute to the functional
      differentiation of the hippocampus along the dorsoventral axis. 

PMID- 24223173
TI  - Identification of estrogen target genes during zebrafish embryonic development
      through transcriptomic analysis.
AB  - Estrogen signaling is important for vertebrate embryonic development. Here we
      have used zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a vertebrate model to analyze estrogen
      signaling during development. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 1 uM 17beta
      estradiol (E2) or vehicle from 3 hours to 4 days post fertilization (dpf),
      harvested at 1, 2, 3 and 4 dpf, and subjected to RNA extraction for transcriptome
      analysis using microarrays. Differentially expressed genes by E2-treatment were
      analyzed with hierarchical clustering followed by biological process and tissue
      enrichment analysis. Markedly distinct sets of genes were up and down-regulated
      by E2 at the four different time points. Among these genes, only the well-known
      estrogenic marker vtg1 was co-regulated at all time points. Despite this, the
      biological functional categories targeted by E2 were relatively similar
      throughout zebrafish development. According to knowledge-based tissue enrichment,
      estrogen responsive genes were clustered mainly in the liver, pancreas and brain.
      This was in line with the developmental dynamics of estrogen-target tissues that
      were visualized using transgenic zebrafish containing estrogen responsive
      elements driving the expression of GFP (Tg(5xERE:GFP)). Finally, the identified
      embryonic estrogen-responsive genes were compared to already published estrogen
      responsive genes identified in male adult zebrafish (Gene Expression Omnibus
      database). The expressions of a few genes were co-regulated by E2 in both
      embryonic and adult zebrafish. These could potentially be used as estrogenic
      biomarkers for exposure to estrogens or estrogenic endocrine disruptors in
      zebrafish. In conclusion, our data suggests that estrogen effects on early
      embryonic zebrafish development are stage- and tissue- specific.

PMID- 24223174
TI  - A genetic polymorphism in pre-miR-27a confers clinical outcome of non-small cell
      lung cancer in a Chinese population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) can function as
      tumor suppressors and oncogenes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at miRNA
      genes can influence the maturation of miRNAs or miRNA-mediated transcriptional
      regulation. Our objective was to investigate the association of SNPs in
      deregulated miRNAs with clinical outcome in patients with non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) in a Chinese population. METHODS: Deregulated miRNAs in NSCLC and
      their SNPs were identified through public databases. A single SNP, rs895819 in
      pre-miR-27a, was found suitable for selection. TaqMan assays were performed for
      genotyping and to assess the effect on the overall survival (OS) and chemotherapy
      response in 576 NSCLC patients. RESULTS: Log-rank test and Cox regression
      analysis indicated that the G allele of rs895819 was associated with shorter
      survival and increased risk of death in NSCLC [dominant model: 22.0 vs. 46.0
      months, P<0.001; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.71, 95% confidential interval
      (CI): 1.12-2.26]. Further stepwise regression analysis suggested that this SNP
      was an independently unfavorable factor for the prognosis of NSCLC and the effect
      remained significant in subgroup analysis stratified by clinical parameters and
      treatment status. Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that
      the subjects with AG/GG genotypes of rs895819 had significantly decreased
      response rate to platinum-based chemotherapy compared to those with the AA
      genotype. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the pre-miR-27a rs895819
      polymorphism may influence NSCLC patients' clinical outcome. Further large sample
      studies should be used to validate our findings.

PMID- 24223175
TI  - Prefrontal control of the amygdala during real-time fMRI neurofeedback training
      of emotion regulation.
AB  - We observed in a previous study (PLoS ONE 6:e24522) that the self-regulation of
      amygdala activity via real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) with positive
      emotion induction was associated, in healthy participants, with an enhancement in
      the functional connectivity between the left amygdala (LA) and six regions of the
      prefrontal cortex. These regions included the left rostral anterior cingulate
      cortex (rACC), bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), bilateral
      superior frontal gyrus (SFG), and right medial frontopolar cortex (MFPC).
      Together with the LA, these six prefrontal regions thus formed the functional
      neuroanatomical network engaged during the rtfMRI-nf procedure. Here we perform a
      structural vector autoregression (SVAR) analysis of the effective connectivity
      for this network. The SVAR analysis demonstrates that the left rACC plays an
      important role during the rtfMRI-nf training, modulating the LA and the other
      network regions. According to the analysis, the rtfMRI-nf training leads to a
      significant enhancement in the time-lagged effect of the left rACC on the LA,
      potentially consistent with the ipsilateral distribution of the monosynaptic
      projections between these regions. The training is also accompanied by
      significant increases in the instantaneous (contemporaneous) effects of the left
      rACC on four other regions - the bilateral DMPFC, the right MFPC, and the left
      SFG. The instantaneous effects of the LA on the bilateral DMPFC are also
      significantly enhanced. Our results are consistent with a broad literature
      supporting the role of the rACC in emotion processing and regulation. Our
      exploratory analysis provides, for the first time, insights into the causal
      relationships within the network of regions engaged during the rtfMRI-nf
      procedure targeting the amygdala. It suggests that the rACC may constitute a
      promising target for rtfMRI-nf training along with the amygdala in patients with
      affective disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

PMID- 24223176
TI  - Adjuvants and immunization strategies to induce influenza virus hemagglutinin
      stalk antibodies.
AB  - The global population remains vulnerable in the face of the next pandemic
      influenza virus outbreak, and reformulated vaccinations are administered annually
      to manage seasonal epidemics. Therefore, development of a new generation of
      vaccines is needed to generate broad and persistent immunity to influenza
      viruses. Here, we describe three adjuvants that enhance the induction of stalk
      directed antibodies against heterologous and heterosubtypic influenza viruses
      when administered with chimeric HA proteins. Addavax, an MF59-like nanoemulsion,
      poly(I:C), and an RNA hairpin derived from Sendai virus (SeV) Cantell were
      efficacious intramuscularly. The SeV RNA and poly(I:C) also proved to be
      effective respiratory mucosal adjuvants. Although the quantity and quality of
      antibodies induced by the adjuvants varied, immunized mice demonstrated
      comparable levels of protection against challenge with influenza A viruses on the
      basis of HA stalk reactivity. Finally, we present that intranasally, but not
      intramuscularly, administered chimeric HA proteins induce mucosal IgA antibodies
      directed at the HA stalk.

PMID- 24223177
TI  - ADAM17-mediated processing of TNF-alpha expressed by antiviral effector CD8+ T
      cells is required for severe T-cell-mediated lung injury.
AB  - Influenza infection in humans evokes a potent CD8(+) T-cell response, which is
      important for clearance of the virus but may also exacerbate pulmonary pathology.
      We have previously shown in mice that CD8(+) T-cell expression of TNF-alpha is
      required for severe and lethal lung injury following recognition of an influenza
      antigen expressed by alveolar epithelial cells. Since TNF-alpha is first
      expressed as a transmembrane protein that is then proteolytically processed to
      release a soluble form, we sought to characterize the role of TNF-alpha
      processing in CD8(+) T-cell-mediated injury. In this study we observed that
      inhibition of ADAM17-mediated processing of TNF-alpha by CD8(+) T cells
      significantly attenuated the diffuse alveolar damage that occurs after T-cell
      transfer, resulting in enhanced survival. This was due in part to diminished
      chemokine expression, as TNF-alpha processing was required for lung epithelial
      cell expression of CXCL2 and the subsequent inflammatory infiltration. We
      confirmed the importance of CXCL2 expression in acute lung injury by transferring
      influenza-specific CD8(+) T cells into transgenic mice lacking CXCR2. These mice
      exhibited reduced airway infiltration, attenuated lung injury, and enhanced
      survival. Theses studies describe a critical role for TNF-alpha processing by
      CD8(+) T cells in the initiation and severity of acute lung injury, which may
      have important implications for limiting immunopathology during influenza
      infection and other human infectious or inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 24223178
TI  - Unexpected CEP290 mRNA splicing in a humanized knock-in mouse model for Leber
      congenital amaurosis.
AB  - Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is the most severe form of retinal dystrophy
      with an onset in the first year of life. The most frequent genetic cause of LCA,
      accounting for up to 15% of all LCA cases in Europe and North-America, is a
      mutation (c.2991+1655AG) in intron 26 of CEP290. This mutation generates a
      cryptic splice donor site resulting in the insertion of an aberrant exon (exon X)
      containing a premature stop codon to CEP290 mRNA. In order to study the
      pathophysiology of the intronic CEP290 mutation, we generated two humanized knock
      in mouse models each carrying ~6.3 kb of the human CEP290 gene, either with or
      without the intronic mutation. Transcriptional characterization of these mouse
      models revealed an unexpected splice pattern of CEP290 mRNA, especially in the
      retina. In both models, a new cryptic exon (coined exon Y) was identified in ~5
      to 12% of all Cep290 transcripts. This exon Y was expressed in all murine tissues
      analyzed but not detected in human retina or fibroblasts of LCA patients. In
      addition, exon x that is characteristic of LCA in humans, was expressed at only
      very low levels in the retina of the LCA mouse model. Western blot and
      immunohistochemical analyses did not reveal any differences between the two
      transgenic models and wild-type mice. Together, our results show clear
      differences in the recognition of splice sites between mice and humans, and
      emphasize that care is warranted when generating animal models for human genetic
      diseases caused by splice mutations. 

PMID- 24223179
TI  - Tyrant dinosaur evolution tracks the rise and fall of Late Cretaceous oceans.
AB  - The Late Cretaceous (~95-66 million years ago) western North American landmass of
      Laramidia displayed heightened non-marine vertebrate diversity and
      intracontinental regionalism relative to other latest Cretaceous Laurasian
      ecosystems. Processes generating these patterns during this interval remain
      poorly understood despite their presumed role in the diversification of many
      clades. Tyrannosauridae, a clade of large-bodied theropod dinosaurs restricted to
      the Late Cretaceous of Laramidia and Asia, represents an ideal group for
      investigating Laramidian patterns of evolution. We use new tyrannosaurid
      discoveries from Utah--including a new taxon which represents the geologically
      oldest member of the clade--to investigate the evolution and biogeography of
      Tyrannosauridae. These data suggest a Laramidian origin for Tyrannosauridae, and
      implicate sea-level related controls in the isolation, diversification, and
      dispersal of this and many other Late Cretaceous vertebrate clades.

PMID- 24223180
TI  - Combining stressors that individually impede long-term memory blocks all memory
      processes.
AB  - The effects of stress on memory are typically assessed individually; however, in
      reality different stressors are often experienced simultaneously. Here we
      determined the effect that two environmentally relevant stressors, crowding and
      low calcium availability, have on memory and neural activity following operant
      conditioning of aerial respiration in the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. We
      measured aerial breathing behaviour and activity of a neuron necessary for memory
      formation, right pedal dorsal 1 (RPeD1), in the central pattern generator (CPG)
      that drives aerial respiration in untrained animals, and assessed how these
      traits changed following training. In naive animals both crowding and combined
      stressors significantly depressed burst activity in RPeD1 which correlated with a
      depression in aerial breathing behaviour, whereas low calcium availability had no
      effect on RPeD1 activity. Following training, changes in burst activity in RPeD1
      correlated with behavioural changes, decreasing relative to their naive state at
      3 h and 24 h in control conditions when both intermediate-term memory (ITM: 3 h)
      and long-term memory (LTM: 24 h) are formed, at 3 h but not 24 h when exposed to
      individual stressors when only ITM is formed, and did not change in combined
      stressors (i.e. when no memory is formed). Additionally, we also found that
      Lymnaea formed short-term memory (STM: 10 min) in the presence of individual
      stressors or under control conditions, but failed to do so in the presence of
      combined stressors. Our data demonstrate that by combining stressors that
      individually block LTM only we can block all memory processes. Therefore the
      effects of two stressors with similar individual affects on memory phenotype may
      be additive when experienced in combination. 

PMID- 24223181
TI  - A distinct boundary between the higher brain's susceptibility to ischemia and the
      lower brain's resistance.
AB  - Higher brain regions are more susceptible to global ischemia than the brainstem,
      but is there a gradual increase in vulnerability in the caudal-rostral direction
      or is there a discrete boundary? We examined the interface between 'higher'
      thalamus and the hypothalamus the using live brain slices where variation in
      blood flow is not a factor. Whole-cell current clamp recording of 18 thalamic
      neurons in response to 10 min O2/glucose deprivation (OGD) revealed a rapid
      anoxic depolarization (AD) from which thalamic neurons do not recover. Newly
      acquired neurons could not be patched following AD, confirming significant
      regional thalamic injury. Coinciding with AD, light transmittance (LT) imaging
      during whole-cell recording showed an elevated LT front that initiated in midline
      thalamus and that propagated into adjacent hypothalamus. However, hypothalamic
      neurons patched in paraventricular nucleus (PVN, n= 8 magnocellular and 12
      parvocellular neurons) and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN, n= 18) only slowly
      depolarized as AD passed through these regions. And with return to control aCSF,
      hypothalamic neurons repolarized and recovered their input resistance and action
      potential amplitude. Moreover, newly acquired hypothalamic neurons could be
      readily patched following exposure to OGD, with resting parameters similar to
      neurons not previously exposed to OGD. Thalamic susceptibility and hypothalamic
      resilience were also observed following ouabain exposure which blocks the
      Na(+)/K(+) pump, evoking depolarization similar to OGD in all neuronal types
      tested. Finally, brief exposure to elevated [K(+)]o caused spreading depression
      (SD, a milder, AD-like event) only in thalamic neurons so SD generation is
      regionally correlated with strong AD. Therefore the thalamus-hypothalamus
      interface represents a discrete boundary where neuronal vulnerability to ischemia
      is high in thalamus (like more rostral neocortex, striatum, hippocampus). In
      contrast hypothalamic neurons are comparatively resistant, generating weaker and
      recoverable anoxic depolarization similar to brainstem neurons, possibly the
      result of a Na/K pump that better functions during ischemia. 

PMID- 24223182
TI  - Upregulation of long noncoding RNA SPRY4-IT1 modulates proliferation, migration,
      apoptosis, and network formation in trophoblast cells HTR-8SV/neo.
AB  - SPRY4-IT1 has been reported to have extremely high expression in normal placenta
      tissues. It is a Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), which is associated with cell
      growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis in melanoma. A 2.8-fold increase of
      SPRY4-IT1 expression was validated by Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase
      chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in severe preeclamptic placenta as compared with that of
      the normal ones (n=25) in this study. Furthermore, the role of SPRY4-IT1 in
      proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and network formation ability of trophoblast
      cells HTR-8/SVneo was assessed. Suppression of SPRY4-IT1 using siRNA treatment
      and its overexpression using plasmid targeting SPRY4-IT1 were performed in order
      to explore the biological function of SPRY4-IT1 in the development and
      progression of trophoblast cells HTR-8/SVneo, in vitro. The results showed that
      SPRY4-IT1 knockdown enhanced the cell migration and proliferation, and reduced
      the response of cells to apoptosis. However, exogenous SPRY4-IT1 overexpression
      significantly decreased the cell migration and proliferation, while increased
      cell apoptosis. Our study showed for the first time that aberrant expression of
      lncRNA SPRY4-IT1 might contribute to the abnormal condition of trophoblast cells
      HTR-8/SVneo. Therefore, we proposed SPRY4-IT1 as a novel lncRNA molecule, which
      might be associated with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and might provide a new
      target for its early diagnosis and treatment. 

PMID- 24223183
TI  - Monitoring herbivorous fishes as indicators of coral reef resilience in American
      Samoa.
AB  - Resilience-based management aims to promote or protect processes and species that
      underpin an ecosystem's capacity to withstand and recover from disturbance. The
      management of ecological processes is a developing field that requires reliable
      indicators that can be monitored over time. Herbivory is a key ecological process
      on coral reefs, and pooling herbivorous fishes into functional groups based on
      their feeding mode is increasingly used as it may quantify herbivory in ways that
      indicate resilience. Here we evaluate whether the biomass estimates of these
      herbivore functional groups are good predictors of reef benthic assemblages,
      using data from 240 sites from five island groups in American Samoa. Using an
      information theoretic approach, we assembled a candidate set of linear and
      nonlinear models to identify the relations between benthic cover and total
      herbivore and non-herbivore biomass and the biomass of the aforementioned
      functional groups. For each benthic substrate type considered (encrusting algae,
      fleshy macroalgae, hard coral and turf algae), the biomass of herbivorous fishes
      were important explanatory variables in predicting benthic cover, whereas biomass
      of all fishes combined generally was not. Also, in all four cases, variation in
      cover was best explained by the biomass of specific functional groups rather than
      by all herbivores combined. Specifically: 1) macroalgal and turf algal cover
      decreased with increasing biomass of 'grazers/detritivores'; and 2) cover of
      encrusting algae increased with increasing biomass of 'grazers/detritivores' and
      browsers. Furthermore, hard coral cover increased with the biomass of large
      excavators/bio-eroders (made up of large-bodied parrotfishes). Collectively,
      these findings emphasize the link between herbivorous fishes and the benthic
      community and demonstrate support for the use of functional groups of herbivores
      as indicators for resilience-based monitoring. 

PMID- 24223184
TI  - Liver lobe volumes and the ratios of liver lobe volumes to spleen volume on
      magnetic resonance imaging for staging liver fibrosis in a minipig model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate liver lobe volumes and the ratios of liver lobe volumes
      to spleen volume measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for
      quantitatively monitoring and staging liver fibrosis. METHODS: Animal study was
      approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Sixteen minipigs were
      prospectively used to model liver fibrosis, and underwent abdominal gadolinium
      enhanced MRI on 0, 5(th), 9(th), 16(th) and 21(st) weekend after modeling this
      disease staged by biopsy according to METAVIR classification system. On MRI,
      volume parameters including left lateral liver lobe volume (LLV), left medial
      liver lobe volume (LMV), right liver lobe volume (RV), caudate lobe volume (CV),
      and spleen volume (SV) were measured; and LLV/SV, LMV/SV, RV/SV and CV/SV were
      calculated. Statistical analyses were performed for staging this fibrosis.
      RESULTS: LLV and CV increased with increasing stage of fibrosis (r = 0.711,
      0.526, respectively; all P < 0.05). RV and LMV increased from stage 0 to 2 and
      decreased from 2 to 4; and RV/SV decreased from 0 to 1, increased from 1 to 2,
      and decreased from 3 to 4 (all P > 0.05). LLV/SV, LMV/SV and CV/SV decreased from
      stage 0 to 4 (r = -0.566, -0.748 and -0.620, respectively; all P < 0.05). LLV,
      CV, LLV/SV, LMV/SV, RV/SV, and CV/SV could distinguish stage 0-1 from 2-4 and 0-2
      from 3-4 (all P < 0.05). Among these parameters, LLV and LMV/SV could best
      classify stage >=2 and >=3, respectively (area under receiver operating
      characteristic curve = 0.893 and 0.946, respectively). CONCLUSION: LLV and LMV/SV
      complement each other in staging liver fibrosis, and both parameters should be
      used to stage this disease.

PMID- 24223185
TI  - The effects of age and the expression of SPARC on extracellular matrix production
      by cardiac fibroblasts in 3-D cultures.
AB  - Fibrillar collagen is the primary component of the cardiac interstitial
      extracellular matrix. This extracellular matrix undergoes dramatic changes from
      birth to adulthood and then into advanced age. As evidence, fibrillar collagen
      content was compared in sections from neonates, adult, and old hearts and was
      found to increase at each respective age. Cardiac fibroblasts are the principle
      cell type that produce and control fibrillar collagen content. To determine
      whether fibroblast production, processing, and deposition of collagen differed
      with age, primary cardiac fibroblasts from neonate, adult, and old mice were
      isolated and cultured in 3-dimensional (3D) fibrin gels. Fibroblasts from each
      age aligned in fibrin gels along points of tension and deposited extracellular
      matrix. By confocal microscopy, wild-type neonate fibroblasts appeared to deposit
      less collagen into fibrillar structures than fibroblasts from adults. However, by
      immunoblot analysis, differences in procollagen production and processing of
      collagen I were not detected in neonate versus adult fibroblasts. In contrast,
      fibroblasts from old mice demonstrated increased efficiency of procollagen
      processing coupled with decreased production of total collagen. SPARC is a
      collagen-binding protein previously shown to affect cardiac collagen deposition.
      Accordingly, in the absence of SPARC, less collagen appeared to be associated
      with fibroblasts of each age grown in fibrin gels. In addition, the increased
      efficiency of procollagen alpha 1(I) processing in old wild-type fibroblasts was
      not detected in old SPARC-null fibroblasts. Increased levels of fibronectin were
      detected in wild-type neonate fibroblasts over that of adult and old fibroblasts
      but not in SPARC-null neonate fibroblasts versus older ages. Immunostaining of
      SPARC overlapped with that of collagen I but not to that of fibronectin in 3D
      cultures. Hence, whereas increases in procollagen processing, influenced by SPARC
      expression, plausibly contribute to increased collagen deposition in old hearts,
      other cellular mechanisms likely affect differential collagen deposition by
      neonate fibroblasts. 

PMID- 24223186
TI  - Estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria are separately and
      independently associated with the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in general
      population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both, proteinuria and a decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
      are associated with greater cardiovascular mortality. However, few studies have
      explored that proteinuria and lower GFR are related with prevalent atrial
      fibrillation (AF). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on annual health
      check-up program of community-based population in Gunma, Japan from April 2011 to
      March 2012. A total of 20,019 adult participants were included. AF was
      ascertained by a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. Cross-sectional association
      and correlates with prevalent AF were examined using multivariable logistic
      regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of AF was 0.6% (2.2 % in
      participants with eGFR < 60 mL?min(-1)?1.73m(-2), 0.4% and 0.2% in those with
      eGFR 60 to 89 and ?90 mL?min(-1)?1.73m(-2), p for trend <0.001). The
      multivariable odds ratio (OR) for AF was 2.86 (95 % CI 1.16 - 7.08, p<0.001) for
      eGFR< 60 mL?min(-1)?1.73m(-2) versus eGFR? 90 mL?min(-1)?1.73m(-2). This
      association remained significant with further adjustment for proteinuria. In
      addition, proteinuria was also strongly associated with increased prevalence of
      AF (OR 2.96, 95 % CI 1.55-5.68, p<0.001), an association that remained
      significant after adjustment for eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Proteinuria and lower eGFR
      are separately and significantly associated with prevalence of AF independent of
      well-established risk factors for AF in general population.

PMID- 24223187
TI  - Mifepristone promotes adiponectin production and improves insulin sensitivity in
      a mouse model of diet-induced-obesity.
AB  - The steroid receptor antagonist mifepristone is used as an anti-cancer agent,
      eliciting both cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on malignant cells. However, the
      metabolic effects of long-term treatment with mifepristone have remained unclear.
      The effects of mifepristone on insulin sensitivity and adiponectin secretion were
      evaluated both in in vivo and in vitro. First, we explored the effects of
      mifepristone, on metabolic functions in obese mice receiving a high-fat diet.
      When these mice were fed mifepristone, they exhibited a marked improvement in
      insulin sensitivity, attenuated hepatic injury, and decreased adipocyte size,
      compared with mice that received only the high-fat diet. Intriguingly,
      mifepristone-treated mice showed significantly elevated plasma adiponectin
      levels. Second, we tested the effects of mifepristone on differentiated 3T3-L1
      adipocytes in vitro. When differentiated adipocytes were treated with
      mifepristone for 48 h, adiponectin was upregulated at both mRNA and protein
      levels. Collectively, these results reveal novel actions of mifepristone on
      metabolic functions, in vivo and in vitro, in which the drug exerts antidiabetic
      effects associated with an upregulation in adiponectin-secretion. 

PMID- 24223188
TI  - Identification and diversity of killer cell Ig-like receptors in Aotus
      vociferans, a New World monkey.
AB  - Previous BAC clone analysis of the Platyrrhini owl monkey KIRs have shown an
      unusual genetic structure in some loci. Therefore, cDNAs encoding KIR molecules
      from eleven Aotus vociferans monkeys were characterized here; ten putative KIR
      loci were found, some of which encoded atypical proteins such as KIR4DL and
      transcripts predicted to encode a D0+D1 configuration (AOTVOKIR2DL1*01v1) which
      appear to be unique in the Aotus genus. Furthermore, alternative splicing was
      found as a likely mechanism for producing activator receptors in A. vociferans
      species. KIR proteins from New World monkeys may be split into three new lineages
      according to domain by domain phylogenetic analysis. Although the A. vociferans
      KIR family displayed a high divergence among paralogous genes, individual loci
      were limited in their genetic polymorphism. Selection analysis showed that both
      constrained and rapid evolution may operate within the AvKIR family. The frequent
      alternative splicing (as a likely mechanism generating activator receptors), the
      presence of KIR4DL and KIR2DL1 (D0+D1) molecules and other data reported here
      suggest that the KIR family in Aotus has had a rapid evolution, independent from
      its Catarrhini counterparts. 

PMID- 24223189
TI  - Association of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with the estimated glomerular
      filtration rate in a community-based population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reduced kidney function is independently associated with low high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in patients with end-stage renal
      disease (ESRD), those on hemodialysis, and those with stage 3-5 chronic kidney
      disease (CKD). However, epidemiological data investigating the relationship
      between HDL-C levels and kidney function in the general population with roughly
      normal kidney function are limited, and the results are also inconsistent. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HDL-C levels and the
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in a community-based population in
      China. METHODS: This was a community-based cross-sectional survey. In total, 4925
      participants (age range, 18-96 years; mean, 51.30+/-11.98 years) were recruited
      during routine health status examinations. A questionnaire was used to ascertain
      age, smoking status, and the history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus for
      each participant. We measured the body mass index, waist circumference, systolic
      and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting glucose, total cholesterol,
      triglyceride, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, uric acid, and serum
      creatinine level of each participant. eGFR was evaluated using the Chinese
      modified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. RESULTS: The HDL-C level
      was higher in the first quartile (lowest quartile) of eGFR than in the fourth
      quartile (the highest quartile). Additionally, HDL-C levels decreased as eGFR
      decreased. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that HDL-C levels were
      associated with eGFR (r=0.16). After adjustment for some confounders, HDL-C was
      independently associated with all quartiles of eGFR in the participants.
      CONCLUSIONS: HDL-C was independently associated with kidney function in a
      community-dwelling general population. The association between low HDL-C levels
      and a decreased eGFR gradually strengthened as eGFR declined.

PMID- 24223190
TI  - A 5'-regulatory region and two coding region polymorphisms modulate promoter
      activity and gene expression of the growth suppressor gene ZBED6 in cattle.
AB  - Zinc finger, BED-type containing 6 (ZBED6) is an important transcription factor
      in placental mammals, affecting development, cell proliferation and growth.
      Polymorphisms in its promoter and coding regions are likely to impact ZBED6
      transcription and growth traits. In this study, rapid amplification of 5' cDNA
      ends (5'-RACE) analysis revealed two transcription start sites (TSS) for the
      bovine ZBED6 starting within exon 1 of the ZC3H11A gene (TSS-1) and upstream of
      the translation start codon of the ZBED6 gene (TSS-2). There was one SNP in the
      promoter and two missense mutations in the coding region of the bovine ZBED6 by
      sequencing of the pooled DNA samples (Pool-Seq, n = 100). The promoter and coding
      region are the key regions for gene function; polymorphisms in these regions can
      alter gene expression. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that
      ZBED6 has a broad tissue distribution in cattle and is highly expressed in
      skeletal muscle. Eleven promoter-detection vectors were constructed, which
      enabled the cloning of putative promoter sequences and analysis of ZBED6
      transcriptional activity by luciferase reporter gene assays. The core region of
      the basal promoter of bovine ZBED6 is located within region -866 to -556. The
      activity of WT-826G-pGL3 in driving reporter gene transcription is significantly
      higher than that of the M-826A-pGL3 construct (P < 0.01). Analysis of gene
      expression patterns in homozygous full-sibling Chinese Qinchuan cattle showed
      that the mutant-type Hap-AGG exhibited a lower mRNA level than the wild-type Hap
      GCA (P < 0.05) in longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM). Moreover, ZBED6 mRNA expression
      was low in C2C12 cells overexpressing the mutant-type ZBED6 (pcDNA3.1(+)-Hap-GG)
      (P < 0.01). Our results suggest that the polymorphisms in the promoter and coding
      regions may modulate the promoter activity and gene expression of bovine ZBED6 in
      the skeletal muscles of these cattle breeds. 

PMID- 24223191
TI  - Upregulation of miR-135b is involved in the impaired osteogenic differentiation
      of mesenchymal stem cells derived from multiple myeloma patients.
AB  - Previous studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells from multiple
      myeloma (MM) patients (MM-hMSCs) display a distinctive gene expression profile,
      an enhanced production of cytokines and an impaired osteogenic differentiation
      ability compared to normal donors (ND-hMSCs). However, the underlying molecular
      mechanisms are unclear. In the present study, we observed that MM-hMSCs exhibited
      an abnormal upregulation of miR-135b, showing meanwhile an impaired osteogenic
      differentiation and a decrease of SMAD5 expression, which is the target of miR
      135b involved in osteogenesis. By gain and loss of function studies we confirmed
      that miR-135b negatively regulated hMSCs osteogenesis. We also found that MM cell
      produced factors stimulated ND-hMSCs to upregulate the expression of miR-135b.
      Importantly, treatment with a miR-135b inhibitor promoted osteogenic
      differentiation in MM-hMSCs. Finally, we observed that MM cell-derived soluble
      factors could induce an upregulation of miR-135b expression in ND-hMSCs in an
      indirect coculture system and the miR-135b expression turned to normal level
      after the removal of MM cells. Collectively, we provide evidence that miR-135b is
      involved in the impaired osteogenic differentiation of MSCs derived from MM
      patients and might therefore be a promising target for controlling bone disease. 

PMID- 24223192
TI  - Personalized risk assessment of drug-related harm is associated with health
      outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (ISCD) assigned
      quantitative scores for harm to 20 drugs. We hypothesized that a personalized,
      ISCD-based Composite Harm Score (CHS) would be associated with poor health
      outcomes in polysubstance users. METHODS: A prospective community sample (n=293)
      of adults living in marginal housing was assessed for substance use. The CHS was
      calculated based on the ISCD index, and the personal substance use
      characteristics over four weeks. Regression models estimated the association
      between CHS and physical, psychological, and social health outcomes. RESULTS:
      Polysubstance use was pervasive (95.8%), as was multimorbid illness (median 3,
      possible range 0-12). The median CHS was 2845 (interquartile range 1865-3977).
      Adjusting for age and sex, every 1000-unit CHS increase was associated with
      greater mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-2.01,
      p = 0.02), and persistent hepatitis C infection (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.02-1.67, p =
      0.04). The likelihood of substance-induced psychosis increased 1.39-fold (95% CI
      1.13-1.67, p = 0.001). The amount spent on drugs increased 1.51-fold (1.40-1.62,
      p < 0.001) and the odds of having committed a crime increased 1.74-fold (1.46
      2.10, p < 0.001). Multimorbid illness increased 1.43-fold (95% CI 1.26-1.63, p <
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Greater CHS predicts poorer physical, psychological, and
      social health, and may be a useful quantitative, personalized measure of risk for
      drug-related harm.

PMID- 24223193
TI  - Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the HIV-1 Vpu transmembrane protein to form
      stable pentamers.
AB  - The human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) Vpu protein is 81 residues long
      and has two cytoplasmic and one transmembrane (TM) helical domains. The TM domain
      oligomerizes to form a monovalent cation selective ion channel and facilitates
      viral release from host cells. Exactly how many TM domains oligomerize to form
      the pore is still not understood, with experimental studies indicating the
      existence of a variety of oligomerization states. In this study, molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to investigate the propensity of the Vpu
      TM domain to exist in tetrameric, pentameric, and hexameric forms. Starting with
      an idealized alpha-helical representation of the TM domain, a thorough search for
      the possible orientations of the monomer units within each oligomeric form was
      carried out using replica-exchange MD simulations in an implicit membrane
      environment. Extensive simulations in a fully hydrated lipid bilayer environment
      on representative structures obtained from the above approach showed the pentamer
      to be the most stable oligomeric state, with interhelical van der Waals
      interactions being critical for stability of the pentamer. Atomic details of the
      factors responsible for stable pentamer structures are presented. The structural
      features of the pentamer models are consistent with existing experimental
      information on the ion channel activity, existence of a kink around the Ile17,
      and the location of tetherin binding residues. Ser23 is proposed to play an
      important role in ion channel activity of Vpu and possibly in virus propagation. 

PMID- 24223194
TI  - Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) shows no change in
      cartilage structural composition after viscosupplementation in patients with
      early-stage knee osteoarthritis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid (HA) of osteoarthritic
      (OA) knee joints has a well-established positive effect on clinical symptoms.
      This effect, however, is only temporary and the working mechanism of HA
      injections is not clear. It was suggested that HA might have disease modifying
      properties because of its beneficial effect on cartilage sulphated
      glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content. Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage
      (dGEMRIC) is a highly reproducible, non-invasive surrogate measure for sGAG
      content and hence composition of cartilage. The aim of this study was to assess
      whether improvement in cartilage structural composition is detected using dGEMRIC
      14 weeks after 3 weekly injections with HA in patients with early-stage knee OA.
      METHODS: In 20 early-stage knee OA patients (KLG I-II), 3D dGEMRIC at 3T was
      acquired before and 14 weeks after 3 weekly injections with HA. To evaluate
      patient symptoms, the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and a
      numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain were recorded. To evaluate cartilage
      composition, six cartilage regions in the knee were analyzed on dGEMRIC. Outcomes
      of dGEMRIC, KOOS and NRS before and after HA were compared using paired t
      testing. Since we performed multiple t-tests, we applied a Bonferroni-Holm
      correction to determine statistical significance for these analyses. RESULTS: All
      KOOS subscales ('pain', 'symptoms', 'daily activities', 'sports' and 'quality of
      life') and the NRS pain improved significantly 14 weeks after
      Viscosupplementation with HA. Outcomes of dGEMRIC did not change significantly
      after HA compared to baseline in any of the cartilage regions analyzed in the
      knee. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm previous findings reported in the
      literature, showing persisting improvement in symptomatic outcome measures in
      early-stage knee OA patients 14 weeks after Viscosupplementation. Outcomes of
      dGEMRIC, however, did not change after Viscosupplementation, indicating no change
      in cartilage structural composition as an explanation for the improvement of
      clinical symptoms.

PMID- 24223195
TI  - A common copy number variation (CNV) polymorphism in the CNTNAP4 gene:
      association with aging in females.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aging is a biological process strongly determined by genetics.
      However, only a few single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to
      be consistently associated with aging. While investigating whether copy number
      variations (CNVs) could fill this gap, we focused on CNVs that have not been
      studied in previous SNP-based searches via tagging SNPs. METHODS: TaqMan qPCR
      assays were developed to quantify 20 common CNVs in 222 senior American
      Caucasians in order to reveal possible association with longevity. The
      replication study was comprised of 1283 community-dwelling senior European
      Caucasians. Replicated CNVs were further investigated for association with
      healthy aging and aging-related diseases, while association with longevity was
      additionally tested in Caenorhabditis elegans. RESULTS: In the discovery study of
      >=80 vs.<80 years old seniors, a homozygous intronic CNV deletion in the CNTNAP4
      gene was inversely associated with survival to the age of 80 (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.29
      0.87, p=0.015 before correction for multiple testing). After stratification by
      sex, association remained significant in females (OR=0.41, 95%CI 0.21-0.77,
      p=0.007), but not in males (OR=0.97, 95%CI 0.33-2.79, p=1). The finding was
      validated in a replication study (OR=0.66, 95%CI 0.48-0.90, p=0.011 for females).
      CNTNAP4 association with longevity was supported by a marked 25% lifespan change
      in C. elegans after knocking down the ortholog gene. An inverse association of
      the CNV del/del variant with female healthy aging was observed (OR=0.39, 95%CI
      0.19-0.76, p=0.006). A corresponding positive association with aging-related
      diseases was revealed for cognitive impairment (OR=2.17, 95%CI 1.11-4.22,
      p=0.024) and, in independent studies, for Alzheimer's (OR=4.07, 95%CI 1.17-14.14,
      p=0.036) and Parkinson's (OR=1.59, 95%CI 1.03-2.42, p=0.041) diseases.
      CONCLUSION: This is the first demonstration for association of the CNTNAP4 gene
      and one of its intronic CNV polymorphisms with aging. Association with particular
      aging-related diseases awaits replication and independent validation.

PMID- 24223196
TI  - Protective role of AMP-activated protein kinase-evoked autophagy on an in vitro
      model of ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal tubular cell injury.
AB  - Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common cause of injury to target organs
      such as brain, heart, and kidneys. Renal injury from I/R, which may occur in
      renal transplantation, surgery, trauma, or sepsis, is known to be an important
      cause of acute kidney injury. The detailed molecular mechanism of renal I/R
      injury is still not fully clear. Here, we investigate the role of AMP-activated
      protein kinase (AMPK)-evoked autophagy in the renal proximal tubular cell death
      in an in vitro I/R injury model. To mimic in vivo renal I/R injury, LLC-PK1
      cells, a renal tubular cell line derived from pig kidney, were treated with
      antimycin A and 2-deoxyglucose to mimic ischemia injury followed by reperfusion
      with growth medium. This I/R injury model markedly induced apoptosis and
      autophagy in LLC-PK1 cells in a time-dependent manner. Autophagy inhibitor 3
      methyladenine (3MA) significantly enhanced I/R injury-induced apoptosis. I/R
      could also up-regulate the phosphorylation of AMPK and down-regulate the
      phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Cells transfected with
      small hairpin RNA (shRNA) for AMPK significantly increased the phosphorylation of
      mTOR as well as decreased the induction of autophagy followed by enhancing cell
      apoptosis during I/R. Moreover, the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 significantly enhanced
      autophagy and attenuated cell apoptosis during I/R. Taken together, these
      findings suggest that autophagy induction protects renal tubular cell injury via
      an AMPK-regulated mTOR pathway in an in vitro I/R injury model. AMPK-evoked
      autophagy may be as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in I/R renal
      injury. 

PMID- 24223197
TI  - Addition of exogenous NAD+ prevents mefloquine-induced neuroaxonal and hair cell
      degeneration through reduction of caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in cochlear
      organotypic cultures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mefloquine is widely used for the treatment of malaria. However, this
      drug is known to induce neurological side effects including depression, anxiety,
      balance disorder, and sensorineural hearing loss. Yet, there is currently no
      treatment for these side effects. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we show that
      the coenzyme NAD(+), known to play a critical role in maintaining the appropriate
      cellular redox environment, protects cochlear axons and sensory hair cells from
      mefloquine-induced degeneration in cultured rat cochleae. Mefloquine alone
      destroyed hair cells and nerve fiber axons in rat cochlear organotypics cultures
      in a dose-dependent manner, while treatment with NAD(+) protected axons and hair
      cells from mefloquine-induced degeneration. Furthermore, cochlear organs treated
      with mefloquine showed increased oxidative stress marker levels, including
      superoxide and protein carbonyl, and increased apoptosis marker levels, including
      TUNEL-positive nuclei and caspases-3. Treatment with NAD(+) reduced the levels of
      these oxidative stress and apoptosis markers. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Taken
      together, our findings suggest that that mefloquine disrupts the cellular redox
      environment and induces oxidative stress in cochlear hair cells and nerve fibers
      leading to caspases-3-mediated apoptosis of these structures. Exogenous NAD(+)
      suppresses mefloquine-induced oxidative stress and prevents the degeneration of
      cochlear axons and sensory hair cells caused by mefloquine treatment.

PMID- 24223198
TI  - Factors associated with depressive symptoms among Filipino university students.
AB  - Depression can be prevented if its symptoms are addressed early and effectively.
      Prevention against depression among university students is rare in the
      Philippines, but is urgent because of the rising rates of suicide among the
      group. Evidence is needed to systematically identify and assist students with
      higher levels of depressive symptoms. We carried out a survey to determine the
      social and demographic factors associated with higher levels of depressive
      symptoms among 2,436 Filipino university students. The University Students
      Depression Inventory with measures on lethargy, cognition-emotion, and academic
      motivation, was used. Six of the 11 factors analyzed were found to be
      statistically significantly associated with more intense levels of depressive
      symptoms. These factors were: frequency of smoking, frequency of drinking, not
      living with biological parents, dissatisfaction with one's financial condition,
      level of closeness with parents, and level of closeness with peers. Sex, age
      category, course category, year level and religion were not significantly
      related. In identifying students with greater risk for depression,
      characteristics related to lifestyle, financial condition, parents and peers are
      crucial. There is a need to carry out more surveys to develop the pool of local
      knowledge on student depression. 

PMID- 24223199
TI  - Association of HDL-related loci with age-related macular degeneration and plasma
      lutein and zeaxanthin: the Alienor study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several genes implicated in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism
      have been reported to be associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
      Furthermore, HDL transport the two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are
      highly suspected to play a key-role in the protection against AMD. The objective
      is to confirm the associations of HDL-related loci with AMD and to assess their
      associations with plasma lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations. METHODS: Alienor
      study is a prospective population-based study on nutrition and age-related eye
      diseases performed in 963 elderly residents of Bordeaux, France. AMD was graded
      according to the international classification, from non-mydriatic colour retinal
      photographs. Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin were determined by normal-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography. The following polymorphisms were studied:
      rs493258 and rs10468017 (LIPC), rs3764261 (CETP), rs12678919 (LPL) and rs1883025
      (ABCA1). RESULTS: After multivariate adjustment, the TT genotype of the LIPC
      rs493258 variant was significantly associated with a reduced risk for early and
      late AMD (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.41-0.99; p=0.049 and OR=0.26, 95%CI: 0.08-0.85;
      p=0.03, respectively), and with higher plasma zeaxanthin concentrations (p=0.03),
      while plasma lipids were not significantly different according to this SNP.
      Besides, the LPL variant was associated with early AMD (OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.45
      1.00; p=0.05) and both with plasma lipids and plasma lutein (p=0.047).
      Associations of LIPC rs10468017, CETP and ABCA1 polymorphisms with AMD did not
      reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that LIPC and
      LPL genes could both modify the risk for AMD and the metabolism of lutein and
      zeaxanthin.

PMID- 24223200
TI  - Ran GTPase-activating protein 1 is a therapeutic target in diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma.
AB  - Lymphoma-specific biomarkers contribute to therapeutic strategies and the study
      of tumorigenesis. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type
      of malignant lymphoma. However, only 50% of patients experience long-term
      survival after current treatment; therefore, developing novel therapeutic
      strategies is warranted. Comparative proteomic analysis of two DLBCL lines with a
      B-lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) showed differential expression of Ran GTPase
      activating protein 1 (RanGAP1) between them, which was confirmed using
      immunoblotting. Immunostaining showed that the majority of DLBCLs (92%, 46/50)
      were RanGAP1(+), while reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (n = 12) was RanGAP1(+)
      predominantly in germinal centers. RanGAP1 was also highly expressed in other B
      cell lymphomas (BCL, n = 180) with brisk mitotic activity (B-lymphoblastic
      lymphoma/leukemia: 93%, and Burkitt lymphoma: 95%) or cell-cycle dysregulation
      (mantle cell lymphoma: 83%, and Hodgkin's lymphoma 91%). Interestingly, serum
      RanGAP1 level was higher in patients with high-grade BCL (1.71 +/- 2.28 ng/mL, n
      = 62) than in low-grade BCL (0.75 +/- 2.12 ng/mL, n = 52) and healthy controls
      (0.55 +/- 1.58 ng/mL, n = 75) (high-grade BCL vs. low-grade BCL, p = 0.002; high
      grade BCL vs. control, p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). In vitro, RNA
      interference of RanGAP1 showed no effect on LCL but enhanced DLBCL cell death
      (41% vs. 60%; p = 0.035) and cell-cycle arrest (G0/G1: 39% vs. 49%, G2/M: 19.0%
      vs. 7.5%; p = 0.030) along with decreased expression of TPX2 and Aurora kinases,
      the central regulators of mitotic cell division. Furthermore, ON 01910.Na
      (Estybon), a multikinase inhibitor induced cell death, mitotic cell arrest, and
      hyperphosphorylation of RanGAP1 in DLBCL cell lines but no effects in normal B
      and T cells. Therefore, RanGAP1 is a promising marker and therapeutic target for
      aggressive B-cell lymphoma, especially DLBCL. 

PMID- 24223201
TI  - A genome-wide association study points out the causal implication of SOX9 in the
      sex-reversal phenotype in XX pigs.
AB  - Among farm animals, pigs are known to show XX sex-reversal. In such cases the
      individuals are genetically female but exhibit a hermaphroditism, or a male
      phenotype. While the frequency of this congenital disease is quite low (less than
      1%), the economic losses are significant for pig breeders. These losses result
      from sterility, urogenital infections and the carcasses being downgraded because
      of the risk of boar taint. It has been clearly demonstrated that the SRY gene is
      not involved in most cases of sex-reversal in pigs, and that autosomal recessive
      mutations remain to be discovered. A whole-genome scan analysis was performed in
      the French Large-White population to identify candidate genes: 38 families
      comprising the two non-affected parents and 1 to 11 sex-reversed full-sib piglets
      were genotyped with the PorcineSNP60 BeadChip. A Transmission Disequilibrium Test
      revealed a highly significant candidate region on SSC12 (most significant p
      value<4.65.10(-10)) containing the SOX9 gene. SOX9, one of the master genes
      involved in testis differentiation, was sequenced together with one of its main
      regulatory region Tesco. However, no causal mutations could be identified in
      either of the two sequenced regions. Further haplotype analyses did not identify
      a shared homozygous segment between the affected pigs, suggesting either a lack
      of power due to the SNP properties of the chip, or a second causative locus.
      Together with information from humans and mice, this study in pigs adds to the
      field of knowledge, which will lead to characterization of novel molecular
      mechanisms regulating sexual differentiation and dysregulation in cases of sex
      reversal. 

PMID- 24223203
TI  - WHO antiretroviral therapy guidelines 2010 and impact of tenofovir on chronic
      kidney disease in Vietnamese HIV-infected patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The 2010 WHO antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines have resulted in
      increased tenofovir use. Little is known about tenofovir-induced chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) in HIV-infected Vietnamese with mean body weight of 55 kg. We
      evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of CKD in this country. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional study was performed. METHODS: Clinical data on HIV-infected Vietnamese
      cohort were collected twice a year. To evaluate the prevalence of CKD, serum
      creatinine was measured in 771 patients in October 2011 and April 2012. CKD was
      defined as creatinine clearance less than 60 ml/min at both time points.
      Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated
      with CKD. RESULTS: Tenofovir use increased in Vietnam from 11.9% in April 2011 to
      40.3% in April 2012. CKD was diagnosed in 7.3%, of which 7% was considered
      moderate and 0.3% was severe. Multivariate analysis of October-2011 data
      identified age per year-increase (OR: 1.229, 95%CI, 1.170-1.291), body weight per
      1 kg-decrement (1.286, 1.193-1.386), and tenofovir use (2.715, 1.028-7.168) as
      risk factors for CKD. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, low body weight and tenofovir use
      were independent risk factors for CKD in Vietnam. Further longitudinal study is
      required to evaluate the impact of TDF on renal function in Vietnam and other
      countries with small-body weight patients.

PMID- 24223202
TI  - Endothelium-dependent relaxation and angiotensin II sensitivity in experimental
      preeclampsia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We investigated endothelial dysfunction and the role of angiotensin
      (Ang)-II type I (AT1-R) and type II (AT2-R) receptor in the changes in the Ang-II
      sensitivity in experimental preeclampsia in the rat. METHODS: Aortic rings were
      isolated from low dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infused pregnant rats
      (experimental preeclampsia; n=9), saline-infused pregnant rats (n=8), and saline
      (n=8) and LPS (n=8) infused non-pregnant rats. Endothelium-dependent
      acetylcholine-mediated relaxation was studied in phenylephrine-preconstricted
      aortic rings in the presence of vehicle, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester
      and/or indomethacin. To evaluate the role for AT1-R and AT2-R in Ang-II
      sensitivity, full concentration response curves were obtained for Ang-II in the
      presence of losartan or PD123319. mRNA expression of the AT1-R and AT2-R, eNOS
      and iNOS, COX1 and COX2 in aorta were evaluated using real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS:
      The role of vasodilator prostaglandins in the aorta was increased and the role of
      endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor and response of the AT1-R and AT2-R to
      Ang-II was decreased in pregnant saline infused rats as compared with non
      pregnant rats. These changes were not observed during preeclampsia. CONCLUSION:
      Pregnancy induced adaptations in endothelial function, which were not observed in
      the rat model for preeclampsia. This role of lack of pregnancy induced
      endothelial adaptation in the pathophysiology of experimental preeclampsia needs
      further investigation.

PMID- 24223204
TI  - Intratibial injection of human multiple myeloma cells in NOD/SCID IL
      2Rgamma(null) mice mimics human myeloma and serves as a valuable tool for the
      development of anticancer strategies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We systematically analyzed multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and
      patient bone marrow cells for their engraftment capacity in immunodeficient mice
      and validated the response of the resulting xenografts to antimyeloma agents.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: Using flow cytometry and near infrared fluorescence in-vivo
      imaging, growth kinetics of MM cell lines L363 and RPMI8226 and patient bone
      marrow cells were investigated with use of a murine subcutaneous bone implant,
      intratibial and intravenous approach in NOD/SCID, NOD/SCID treated with CD122
      antibody and NOD/SCID IL-2Rgamma(null) mice (NSG). RESULTS: Myeloma growth was
      significantly increased in the absence of natural killer cell activity (NSG or
      alphaCD122-treated NOD/SCID). Comparison of NSG and alphaCD122-treated NOD/SCID
      revealed enhanced growth kinetics in the former, especially with respect to
      metastatic tumor sites which were exclusively observed therein. In NSG, MM cells
      were more tumorigenic when injected intratibially than intravenously. In NOD/SCID
      in contrast, the use of juvenile long bone implants was superior to intratibial
      or intravenous cancer cell injection. Using the intratibial NSG model, mice
      developed typical disease symptoms exclusively when implanted with human MM cell
      lines or patient-derived bone marrow cells, but not with healthy bone marrow
      cells nor in mock-injected animals. Bortezomib and dexamethasone delayed myeloma
      progression in L363- as well as patient-derived MM cell bearing NSG. Antitumor
      activity could be quantified via flow cytometry and in vivo imaging analyses.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the intratibial NSG MM model mimics the
      clinical situation of the disseminated disease and serves as a valuable tool in
      the development of novel anticancer strategies.

PMID- 24223205
TI  - Disconcordance in statistical models of bisphenol A and chronic disease outcomes
      in NHANES 2003-08.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA), a high production chemical commonly found in
      plastics, has drawn great attention from researchers due to the substance's
      potential toxicity. Using data from three National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles, we explored the consistency and robustness of
      BPA's reported effects on coronary heart disease and diabetes. METHODS AND
      FINDINGS: We report the use of three different statistical models in the analysis
      of BPA: (1) logistic regression, (2) log-linear regression, and (3) dose-response
      logistic regression. In each variation, confounders were added in six blocks to
      account for demographics, urinary creatinine, source of BPA exposure, healthy
      behaviours, and phthalate exposure. Results were sensitive to the variations in
      functional form of our statistical models, but no single model yielded consistent
      results across NHANES cycles. Reported ORs were also found to be sensitive to
      inclusion/exclusion criteria. Further, observed effects, which were most
      pronounced in NHANES 2003-04, could not be explained away by confounding.
      CONCLUSIONS: Limitations in the NHANES data and a poor understanding of the mode
      of action of BPA have made it difficult to develop informative statistical
      models. Given the sensitivity of effect estimates to functional form, researchers
      should report results using multiple specifications with different assumptions
      about BPA measurement, thus allowing for the identification of potential
      discrepancies in the data.

PMID- 24223206
TI  - A novel chordoma xenograft allows in vivo drug testing and reveals the importance
      of NF-kappaB signaling in chordoma biology.
AB  - Chordoma is a rare primary bone malignancy that arises in the skull base, spine
      and sacrum and originates from remnants of the notochord. These tumors are
      typically resistant to conventional chemotherapy, and to date there are no FDA
      approved agents to treat chordoma. The lack of in vivo models of chordoma has
      impeded the development of new therapies for this tumor. Primary tumor from a
      sacral chordoma was xenografted into NOD/SCID/IL-2R gamma-null mice. The
      xenograft is serially transplantable and was characterized by both gene
      expression analysis and whole genome SNP genotyping. The NIH Chemical Genomics
      Center performed high-throughput screening of 2,816 compounds using two
      established chordoma cell lines, U-CH1 and U-CH2B. The screen yielded several
      compounds that showed activity and two, sunitinib and bortezomib, were tested in
      the xenograft. Both agents slowed the growth of the xenograft tumor. Sensitivity
      to an inhibitor of IkappaB, as well as inhibition of an NF-kappaB gene expression
      signature demonstrated the importance of NF-kappaB signaling for chordoma growth.
      This serially transplantable chordoma xenograft is thus a practical model to
      study chordomas and perform in vivo preclinical drug testing. 

PMID- 24223207
TI  - Growth and airborne transmission of cell-sorted life cycle stages of Pneumocystis
      carinii.
AB  - Pneumocystis organisms are airborne opportunistic pathogens that cannot be
      continuously grown in culture. Consequently, the follow-up of Pneumocystis stage
      to-stage differentiation, the sequence of their multiplication processes as well
      as formal identification of the transmitted form have remained elusive. The
      successful high-speed cell sorting of trophic and cystic forms is paving the way
      for the elucidation of the complex Pneumocystis life cycle. The growth of each
      sorted Pneumocystis stage population was followed up independently both in nude
      rats and in vitro. In addition, by setting up a novel nude rat model, we
      attempted to delineate which cystic and/or trophic forms can be naturally
      aerially transmitted from host to host. The results showed that in axenic
      culture, cystic forms can differentiate into trophic forms, whereas trophic forms
      are unable to evolve into cystic forms. In contrast, nude rats inoculated with
      pure trophic forms are able to produce cystic forms and vice versa. Transmission
      experiments indicated that 12 h of contact between seeder and recipient nude rats
      was sufficient for cystic forms to be aerially transmitted. In conclusion,
      trophic- to cystic-form transition is a key step in the proliferation of
      Pneumocystis microfungi because the cystic forms (but not the trophic forms) can
      be transmitted by aerial route from host to host. 

PMID- 24223208
TI  - Activation of IFN-gamma/STAT/IRF-1 in hepatic responses to Klebsiella pneumoniae
      infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae-caused liver abscess (KLA) has become a health
      problem in Taiwan and is continually reported in other countries. Diabetes
      mellitus, the most common metabolic disorder, underlies half of the KLA patients
      in Taiwan. The clinical impact of KLA has been well-documented. Nevertheless, the
      molecular basis regarding how K. pneumoniae causes liver infection, particularly
      in diabetic individuals, remains unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS: Auto
      bioluminescence-expressing K. pneumoniae was inoculated into diabetic mice and
      age-match naive control. With the use of in vivo imaging system, translocation of
      the bioluminescence-expressing K. pneumoniae from intestine to extraintestinal
      organs, mainly the liver, was noted in 80% of the diabetic mice, whereas the same
      bacteria causes extraintestinal infections in only 31% of naive mice. Besides
      increased morbidity, the severity of hepatic tissue injury was also enhanced in
      the K. pneumoniae-infected diabetic mice. Upon K. pneumoniae infection, IFN-gamma
      production was significantly evoked in the liver. To mediate IFN-gamma signal,
      STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) 1 and 3 were activated
      in hepatocytes, and so was the expression of IRF (interferon regulatory factor)
      1. Moreover, accumulation of neutrophils which was triggered by prolonged
      production of IL-1beta and MIP-2, and significant increases in the level of
      active caspase 3 and phospho-eIF2alpha, were exclusively revealed in the K.
      pneumoniae-infected diabetic mice. CONCLUSION: The activation of IFN
      gamma/STAT/IRF-1 signaling demonstrated by this work emphasizes the role of IFN
      gamma for mediating the hepatic response to K. pneumoniae infection.

PMID- 24223209
TI  - Malaria infection has spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal heterogeneity in
      unstable malaria transmission areas in northwest Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria elimination requires successful nationwide control efforts.
      Detecting the spatiotemporal distribution and mapping high-risk areas are useful
      to effectively target pockets of malaria endemic regions for interventions.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify patterns of malaria distribution
      by space and time in unstable malaria transmission areas in northwest Ethiopia.
      METHODS: Data were retrieved from the monthly reports stored in the district
      malaria offices for the period between 2003 and 2012. Eighteen districts in the
      highland and fringe malaria areas were included and geo-coded for the purpose of
      this study. The spatial data were created in ArcGIS10 for each district. The
      Poisson model was used by applying Kulldorff methods using the SaTScanTM software
      to analyze the purely temporal, spatial and space-time clusters of malaria at a
      district levels. RESULTS: The study revealed that malaria case distribution has
      spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal heterogeneity in unstable transmission
      areas. Most likely spatial malaria clusters were detected at Dera, Fogera, Farta,
      Libokemkem and Misrak Este districts (LLR =197764.1, p<0.001). Significant
      spatiotemporal malaria clusters were detected at Dera, Fogera, Farta, Libokemkem
      and Misrak Este districts (LLR=197764.1, p<0.001) between 2003/1/1 and
      2012/12/31. A temporal scan statistics identified two high risk periods from
      2009/1/1 to 2010/12/31 (LLR=72490.5, p<0.001) and from 2003/1/1 to 2005/12/31
      (LLR=26988.7, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In unstable malaria transmission areas,
      detecting and considering the spatiotemporal heterogeneity would be useful to
      strengthen malaria control efforts and ultimately achieve elimination.

PMID- 24223210
TI  - Intrinsic features in microRNA transcriptomes link porcine visceral rather than
      subcutaneous adipose tissues to metabolic risk.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNA ~22 nucleotides in length that can
      regulate the expression of a wide range of coding genes at the post
      transcriptional level. Visceral adipose tissues (VATs) and subcutaneous adipose
      tissues (SATs), the two main fat compartments in mammals, are anatomically,
      physiologically, metabolically, and clinically distinct. Various studies of
      adipose tissues have focused mainly on DNA methylation, and mRNA and protein
      expression, nonetheless little research sheds directly light on the miRNA
      transcriptome differences between these two distinct adipose tissue types. Here,
      we present a comprehensive investigation of miRNA transcriptomes across six
      variant porcine adipose tissues by small RNA-sequencing. We identified 219 known
      porcine miRNAs, 97 novel miRNA*s, and 124 miRNAs that are conserved to other
      mammals. A set of universally abundant miRNAs (i.e., miR-148a-3p, miR-143-3p, miR
      27b-3p, miR-let-7a-1-5p, and miR-let-7f-5p) across the distinct adipose tissues
      was found. This set of miRNAs may play important housekeeping roles that are
      involved in adipogenesis. Clustering analysis indicated significant variations in
      miRNA expression between the VATs and SATs, and highlighted the role of the
      greater omentum in responding to potential metabolic risk because of the observed
      enrichment in this tissue of the immune- and inflammation-related miRNAs, such as
      the members of miR-17-92 cluster and miR-181 family. Differential expression of
      the miRNAs between the VATs and SATs, and miRNA target prediction analysis
      revealed that the VATs-specific enriched miRNAs were associated mainly with
      immune and inflammation responses. In summary, the differences of miRNA
      expression between the VATs and SATs revealed some of their intrinsic differences
      and indicated that the VATs might be closely associated with increased risk of
      metabolic disorders. 

PMID- 24223211
TI  - Exploring the binding nature of pyrrolidine pocket-dependent interactions in the
      polo-box domain of polo-like kinase 1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the years, a great deal of effort has been focused on the design
      and synthesis of potent, linear peptide inhibitors targeting the polo-like kinase
      1 (Plk1), which is critically involved in multiple mitotic processes and has been
      established as an adverse prognostic marker for tumor patients. Plk1 localizes to
      its intracellular anchoring sites via its polo-box domain, and inhibiting the
      Plk1 polo-box domain has been considered as an approach to circumvent the
      specificity problems associated with inhibiting the conserved adenosine
      triphosphate-binding pocket. The polo-box domain consists of two different
      binding regions, such as the unique, broader pyrrolidine-binding pocket and the
      conserved, narrow, Tyr-rich hydrophobic channel, among the three Plk polo-box
      domains (Plks 1-3), respectively. Therefore, the studies that provide insights
      into the binding nature of the unique, broader pyrrolidine-binding pocket might
      lead to the development of selective Plk1-inhibitory compounds.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In an attempt to retain the monospecificity by
      targeting the unique, broader pyrrolidine-binding pocket, here, for the first
      time, a systematic approach was undertaken to examine the structure-activity
      relationship of N-terminal-truncated PLHSpTM derivatives, to apply a site
      directed ligand approach using bulky aromatic and non-aromatic systems, and to
      characterize the binding nature of these analogues using X-ray crystallographic
      studies. We have identified a new mode of binding interactions, having improved
      binding affinity and retaining the Plk1 polo-box domain specificity, at the
      pyrrolidine-binding pocket. Furthermore, our data revealed that the pyrrolidine
      binding pocket was very specific to recognize a short and bulky hydrophobic
      ligand like adamantane, whereas the Tyr-rich hydrophobic channel was specific
      with lengthy and small hydrophobic groups. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The progress
      made using our site-directed ligands validated this approach to specifically
      direct the ligand into the unique pyrrolidine-binding region, and it extends the
      applicability of the strategy for discovering selective protein-protein
      interaction inhibitors.

PMID- 24223212
TI  - Vaginal pH and microbicidal lactic acid when lactobacilli dominate the
      microbiota.
AB  - Lactic acid at sufficiently acidic pH is a potent microbicide, and lactic acid
      produced by vaginal lactobacilli may help protect against reproductive tract
      infections. However, previous observations likely underestimated healthy vaginal
      acidity and total lactate concentration since they failed to exclude women
      without a lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota, and also did not account
      for the high carbon dioxide, low oxygen environment of the vagina. Fifty-six
      women with low (0-3) Nugent scores (indicating a lactobacillus-dominated vaginal
      microbiota) and no symptoms of reproductive tract disease or infection, provided
      a total of 64 cervicovaginal fluid samples using a collection method that avoided
      the need for sample dilution and rigorously minimized aerobic exposure. The pH of
      samples was measured by microelectrode immediately after collection and under a
      physiological vaginal concentration of CO2. Commercial enzymatic assays of total
      lactate and total acetate concentrations were validated for use in CVF, and
      compared to the more usual HPLC method. The average pH of the CVF samples was 3.5
      +/- 0.3 (mean +/- SD), range 2.8-4.2, and the average total lactate was 1.0% +/-
      0.2% w/v; this is a five-fold higher average hydrogen ion concentration (lower
      pH) and a fivefold higher total lactate concentration than in the prior
      literature. The microbicidal form of lactic acid (protonated lactic acid) was
      therefore eleven-fold more concentrated, and a markedly more potent microbicide,
      than indicated by prior research. This suggests that when lactobacilli dominate
      the vaginal microbiota, women have significantly more lactic acid-mediated
      protection against infections than currently believed. Our results invite further
      evaluations of the prophylactic and therapeutic actions of vaginal lactic acid,
      whether provided in situ by endogenous lactobacilli, by probiotic lactobacilli,
      or by products that reinforce vaginal lactic acid. 

PMID- 24223213
TI  - Inhibitory role of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan biglycan in bladder
      cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Urothelial bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer. Despite
      surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment the prognosis is still poor once bladder
      cancer progresses to a muscle-invasive state. Discovery of new diagnostic markers
      and pathophysiologic effectors might help to contribute to novel diagnostic and
      therapeutic options. The extracellular matrix microenvironment shaped by the
      extracellular matrix critically affects tumor cell and stroma cell functions.
      Therefore, aim of the present study was to assess the possible implication of the
      small leucine-rich proteoglycan biglycan in progression of human urothelial
      bladder cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: For this purpose tumor biopsies of 76
      bladder cancer patients with different tumor stages (pTa, pT1-T4) were
      investigated with respect to biglycan expression and correlated with a long-term
      (10 years) clinical follow-up. Interestingly, higher biglycan mRNA expression was
      associated with higher tumor stages and muscle invasiveness. In vitro knock-down
      of endogenous biglycan in human urothelial carcinoma cells (J82 cells) increased
      proliferation, whereas addition of recombinant biglycan and overexpression of
      biglycan inhibited tumor cell proliferation. In line with this growth-inhibitory
      effect of biglycan, transplantation of J82 cells after knock-down of biglycan
      resulted in significantly increased growth of subcutaneous xenograft tumors in
      nude mice in vivo. Furthermore, treatment with two anti-proliferative, multi
      receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors-sunitinib and sorafenib-strongly upregulated
      biglycan expression. Collectively, the experimental data suggest that high
      biglycan expression is associated with reduced tumor cell proliferation. In
      accordance, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed higher 10-year survival in patients
      with high biglycan mRNA expression in tumor biopsies. CONCLUSION: In conclusion,
      the present data suggest that biglycan is an endogenous inhibitor of bladder
      cancer cell proliferation that is upregulated in response to anti-proliferative
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In addition, high biglycan expression is associated
      with favorable prognosis.

PMID- 24223214
TI  - Bone marrow deficiency of MCPIP1 results in severe multi-organ inflammation but
      diminishes atherogenesis in hyperlipidemic mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: MCPIP1 is a newly identified protein that profoundly impacts immunity
      and inflammation. We aim to test if MCPIP1 deficiency in hematopoietic cells
      results in systemic inflammation and accelerates atherogenesis in mice. APPROACH
      AND RESULTS: After lethally irradiated, LDLR(-/-) mice were transplanted with
      bone marrow cells from either wild-type or MCPIP1(-/-) mice. These chimeric mice
      were fed a western-type diet for 7 weeks. We found that bone marrow MCPIP1(-/-)
      mice displayed a phenotype similar to that of whole body MCPIP1(-/-) mice, with
      severe systemic and multi-organ inflammation. However, MCPIP1(-/-) bone marrow
      recipients developed >10-fold less atherosclerotic lesions in the proximal aorta
      than WT bone marrow recipients, and essentially no lesions in en face aorta. The
      diminishment in atherosclerosis in bone marrow MCPIP1(-/-) mice may be partially
      attributed to the slight decrease in their plasma lipids. Flow cytometric
      analysis of splenocytes showed that bone marrow MCPIP1(-/-) mice contained
      reduced numbers of T cells and B cells, but increased numbers of regulatory T
      cells, Th17 cells, CD11b+/Gr1+ cells and CD11b+/Ly6C(low) cells. This overall
      anti-atherogenic leukocyte profile may also contribute to the reduced
      atherogenesis. We also examined the cholesterol efflux capability of MCPIP1
      deficient macrophages, and found that MCPIP1 deficiency increased cholesterol
      efflux to apoAI and HDL, due to increased protein levels of ABCA1 and ABCG1.
      CONCLUSIONS: Hematopoietic deficiency of MCPIP1 resulted in severe systemic and
      multi-organ inflammation but paradoxically diminished atherogenesis in mice. The
      reduced atheroegensis may be explained by the decreased plasma cholesterol
      levels, the anti-atherogenic leukocyte profile, as well as enhanced cholesterol
      efflux capability. This study suggests that, while atherosclerosis is a chronic
      inflammatory disease, the mechanisms underlying atherogenesis-associated
      inflammation in arterial wall versus the inflammation in solid organs may be
      substantially different.

PMID- 24223215
TI  - Ecosystem-service tradeoffs associated with switching from annual to perennial
      energy crops in riparian zones of the US Midwest.
AB  - Integration of energy crops into agricultural landscapes could promote
      sustainability if they are placed in ways that foster multiple ecosystem services
      and mitigate ecosystem disservices from existing crops. We conducted a modeling
      study to investigate how replacing annual energy crops with perennial energy
      crops along Wisconsin waterways could affect a variety of provisioning and
      regulating ecosystem services. We found that a switch from continuous corn
      production to perennial-grass production decreased annual income provisioning by
      75%, although it increased annual energy provisioning by 33%, decreased annual
      phosphorous loading to surface water by 29%, increased below-ground carbon
      sequestration by 30%, decreased annual nitrous oxide emissions by 84%, increased
      an index of pollinator abundance by an average of 11%, and increased an index of
      biocontrol potential by an average of 6%. We expressed the tradeoffs between
      income provisioning and other ecosystem services as benefit-cost ratios. Benefit
      cost ratios averaged 12.06 GJ of additional net energy, 0.84 kg of avoided
      phosphorus pollution, 18.97 Mg of sequestered carbon, and 1.99 kg of avoided
      nitrous oxide emissions for every $1,000 reduction in income. These ratios varied
      spatially, from 2- to 70-fold depending on the ecosystem service. Benefit-cost
      ratios for different ecosystem services were generally correlated within
      watersheds, suggesting the presence of hotspots--watersheds where increases in
      multiple ecosystem services would come at lower-than-average opportunity costs.
      When assessing the monetary value of ecosystem services relative to existing
      conservation programs and environmental markets, the overall value of enhanced
      services associated with adoption of perennial energy crops was far lower than
      the opportunity cost. However, when we monitized services using estimates for the
      social costs of pollution, the value of enhanced services far exceeded the
      opportunity cost. This disparity between recoverable costs and social value
      represents a fundamental challenge to expansion of perennial energy crops and
      sustainable agricultural landscapes.

PMID- 24223216
TI  - Common duckweed (Lemna minor) is a versatile high-throughput infection model for
      the Burkholderia cepacia complex and other pathogenic bacteria.
AB  - Members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) have emerged in recent decades
      as problematic pulmonary pathogens of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, with severe
      infections progressing to acute necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis. This study
      presents evidence that Lemna minor (Common duckweed) is useful as a plant model
      for the Bcc infectious process, and has potential as a model system for bacterial
      pathogenesis in general. To investigate the relationship between Bcc virulence in
      duckweed and Galleria mellonella (Greater wax moth) larvae, a previously
      established Bcc infection model, a duckweed survival assay was developed and used
      to determine LD50 values. A strong correlation (R(2) = 0.81) was found between
      the strains' virulence ranks in the two infection models, suggesting conserved
      pathways in these vastly different hosts. To broaden the application of the
      duckweed model, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and five isogenic
      mutants with previously established LD50 values in the larval model were tested
      against duckweed, and a strong correlation (R(2) = 0.93) was found between their
      raw LD50 values. Potential virulence factors in B. cenocepacia K56-2 were
      identified using a high-throughput screen against single duckweed plants. In
      addition to the previously characterized antifungal compound (AFC) cluster genes,
      several uncharacterized genes were discovered including a novel lysR regulator, a
      histidine biosynthesis gene hisG, and a gene located near the gene encoding the
      recently characterized virulence factor SuhB(Bc). Finally, to demonstrate the
      utility of this model in therapeutic applications, duckweed was rescued from Bcc
      infection by treating with bacteriophage at 6-h intervals. It was observed that
      phage application became ineffective at a timepoint that coincided with a sharp
      increase in bacterial invasion of plant tissue. These results indicate that
      common duckweed can serve as an effective infection model for the investigation
      of bacterial virulence factors and therapeutic strategies to combat them.

PMID- 24223217
TI  - Lower zinc bioavailability may be related to higher risk of subclinical
      atherosclerosis in Korean adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a proposed link between dietary zinc intake and
      atherosclerosis, but this relationship remains unclear. Phytate may contribute to
      this relationship by influencing zinc bioavailability. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this
      study is to examine the relationship between zinc bioavailability and subclinical
      atherosclerosis in healthy Korean adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present
      cross-sectional analysis used baseline data from the Korean multi-Rural
      Communities Cohort Study (MRCohort), which is a part of The Korean Genome
      Epidemiology Study (KoGES). A total of 5,532 subjects (2,116 men and 3,416 women)
      aged 40 years and older were recruited from rural communities in South Korea
      between 2005 and 2010. Phytate:zinc molar ratio, estimated from a food-based food
      frequency questionnaire (FFQ) of 106 food items, was used to determine zinc
      bioavailability, and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and pulse wave
      velocity (PWV) were measured to calculate the subclinical atherosclerotic index.
      RESULTS: We found that phytate:zinc molar ratio is positively related to cIMT in
      men. A higher phytate:zinc molar ratio was significantly related to an increased
      risk of atherosclerosis in men, defined as the 80(th) percentile value of cIMT
      (5(th) vs. 1(st) quintile, OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.42-3.15, P for trend = 0.0009),
      and especially in elderly men (5(th) vs. 1(st) quintile, OR = 2.58, 95% CI 1.52
      4.37, P for trend = 0.0021). We found a positive relationship between
      phytate:zinc molar ratio and atherosclerosis risk among women aged 65 years or
      younger. Phytate:zinc molar ratio was not found to be related to PWV.
      CONCLUSIONS: Lower zinc bioavailability may be related to higher atherosclerosis
      risk.

PMID- 24223218
TI  - Mathematically derived body volume and risk of musculoskeletal pain among
      housewives in North India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 demonstrates the impact of
      musculoskeletal diseases as the second greatest cause of disability globally in
      all regions of the world. The study was conducted to determine the role of
      mathematically derived body volume (BV), body volume index (BVI), body mass index
      (BMI), body surface area (BSA) and body fat % (BF %) on musculoskeletal pain
      (MSP) among housewives in National Capital Region (NCR). METHODS: A cross
      sectional study was undertaken among 495 housewives from Gurgaon and New Okhla
      Industrial Development Area (NOIDA) in National Capital Region (NCR), New Delhi,
      India. The study includes questionnaire survey, clinical examination and body
      composition monitoring among housewives. RESULTS: A significantly higher BMI,
      BVI, BV and BSA were observed in subjects with MSP as compared to those who had
      no MSP. This was also true for subjects with pain in knee for BMI category for
      overweight. Subjects with pain in limbs had significantly high BMI and BVI as
      compared to subjects with no MSP. A significant positive correlation of age with
      BMI, BVI, BV and BSA was observed among subjects having no MSP denoting a direct
      relationship of age and these body factors. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MSP
      among housewives is associated with increasing age, BMI and BVI. This can
      possibly be used for formulating a strategy for prevention of MSP.

PMID- 24223219
TI  - A controlled approach to the emotional dilution of the Stroop effect.
AB  - We re-examined a modified emotional Stroop task that included an additional
      colour-word alongside the emotional word, providing the response conflict of the
      traditional Stroop task. Negative emotionally salient (i.e. unpleasant') words
      are claimed to capture attention, producing a smaller Stroop effect for negative
      words compared to neutral words; this phenomenon is called the emotional dilution
      of the Stroop effect. To address previous limitations, this study compared
      negative words with lexically matched neutral words in a powered sample of 45
      participants. Results demonstrated an emotional Stroop effect (slower colour
      naming responses for negative words) and a traditional Stroop effect but not an
      emotional dilution of the Stroop effect. This finding is at odds with claims that
      other processing resources are diminished through the failure to disengage
      attention from emotional information. No matter how attention towards emotional
      information builds up over time, our findings indicate that attentional resources
      are not fully captured by negative words. 

PMID- 24223220
TI  - Thirst perception and osmoregulation of vasopressin secretion are altered during
      recovery from septic shock.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Vasopressin (AVP) secretion during an osmotic challenge is frequently
      altered in the immediate post-acute phase of septic shock. We sought to determine
      if this response is still altered in patients recovering from septic shock.
      DESIGN: Prospective interventional study. SETTING: Intensive care unit (ICU) at
      Raymond Poincare and Etampes Hospitals. PATIENTS: Normonatremic patients at least
      5 days post discontinuation of catecholamines given for a septic shock.
      INTERVENTION: Osmotic challenge involved infusing 500 mL of hypertonic saline
      solution (with cumulative amount of sodium not exceeding 24 g) over 120 minutes.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Plasma AVP levels were measured 15 minutes before
      the infusion and then every 30 minutes for two hours. Non-responders were defined
      as those with a slope of the relation between AVP and plasma sodium levels less
      than < 0.5 ng/mEq. Among the 30 included patients, 18 (60%) were non-responders.
      Blood pressure and plasma sodium and brain natriuretic peptide levels were
      similar in both responders and non-responders during the course of the test.
      Critical illness severity, hemodynamic alteration, electrolyte disturbances,
      treatment and outcome did not differ between the two groups. Responders had more
      severe gas exchange abnormality. Thirst perception was significantly diminished
      in non-responders. The osmotic challenge was repeated in 4 non-responders several
      months after discharge and the abnormal response persisted. CONCLUSION: More than
      half of patients recovering from septic shock have an alteration of
      osmoregulation characterised by a dramatic decrease in vasopressin secretion and
      thirst perception during osmotic challenge. The mechanisms of this alteration but
      also of the relationship between haematosis and normal response remain to be
      elucidated.

PMID- 24223221
TI  - Identification of genomic regions regulating Pax6 expression in embryonic
      forebrain using YAC reporter transgenic mouse lines.
AB  - The transcription factor Pax6 is a crucial regulator of eye and central nervous
      system development. Both the spatiotemporal patterns and the precise levels of
      Pax6 expression are subject to tight control, mediated by an extensive set of cis
      regulatory elements. Previous studies have shown that a YAC reporter transgene
      containing 420 Kb of genomic DNA spanning the human PAX6 locus drives expression
      of a tau-tagged GFP reporter in mice in a pattern that closely resembles that of
      endogenous Pax6. Here we have closely compared the pattern of tau-GFP reporter
      expression at the cellular level in the forebrains and eyes of transgenic mice
      carrying either complete or truncated versions of the YAC reporter transgene with
      endogenous Pax6 expression and found several areas where expression of tau-GFP
      and Pax6 diverge. Some discrepancies are due to differences between the
      intracellular localization or perdurance of tau-GFP and Pax6 proteins, while
      others are likely to be a consequence of transcriptional differences. We show
      that cis-regulatory elements that lie outside the 420 kb fragment of PAX6 are
      required for correct expression around the pallial-subpallial boundary, in the
      amygdala and the prethalamus. Further, we found that the YAC reporter transgene
      effectively labels cells that contribute to the lateral cortical stream,
      including cells that arise from the pallium and subpallium, and therefore
      represents a useful tool for studying lateral cortical stream migration.

PMID- 24223222
TI  - Identification of novel markers that demarcate the nucleolus during severe stress
      and chemotherapeutic treatment.
AB  - The nucleolus, the ribosomal factory of the cell, has emerged as a key player
      that regulates many aspects of cell biology. Several thousand proteins associate
      at least transiently with nucleoli, thereby generating a highly dynamic
      compartment with a protein profile which is sensitive to changes in cell
      physiology and pharmacological agents. Powerful tools that reliably demarcate the
      nucleoli are a prerequisite to measure their composition and activities.
      Previously, we developed quantitative methods to measure fluorescently labeled
      molecules in nucleoli. While these tools identify nucleoli under control and mild
      stress conditions, the accurate detection of nucleolar boundaries under harsh
      experimental conditions is complicated by the lack of appropriate markers for the
      nucleolar compartment. Using fluorescence microscopy we have now identified new
      marker proteins to detect nucleoli upon (a) severe stress and (b) drug treatments
      that trigger a pronounced reorganization of nucleoli. Our results demonstrate
      that nucleolin is an ideal marker to delimit nucleoli when cells are exposed to
      heat or oxidative stress. Furthermore, we show for the first time that cellular
      apoptosis susceptibility protein (CAS) and human antigen R protein (HuR) are
      excluded from nucleoli and can be employed to delimit these compartments under
      severe conditions that redistribute major nucleolar proteins. As proof-of
      principle, we used these markers to demarcate nucleoli in cells treated with
      pharmacological compounds that disrupt the nucleolar organization. Furthermore,
      to gain new insights into the biology of the nucleolus, we applied our protocols
      and quantified stress- and drug-induced changes in nucleolar organization and
      function. Finally, we show that CAS, HuR and nucleolin not only identify nucleoli
      in optical sections, but are also suitable to demarcate the nucleolar border
      following 3D reconstruction. Taken together, our studies present novel marker
      proteins that delimit nucleoli with high confidence under a variety of
      experimental settings. 

PMID- 24223223
TI  - Experimental manipulation of melanism demonstrates the plasticity of preferred
      temperature in an agricultural pest (Phaulacridium vittatum).
AB  - Phenotypic plasticity is a key trait of successful pest species, and may increase
      the ability to cope with higher, more variable temperatures under climate change.
      We investigate the plasticity of preferred temperature in a widespread
      agricultural pest, the wingless grasshopper (Phaulacridium vittatum). Preferred
      temperature is a measure of thermoregulatory behaviour through habitat selection.
      It is influenced by melanism, which affects body temperature by determining the
      amount of radiation absorbed by the body. First we demonstrate that body
      temperature and preferred temperature in P. vittatum is influenced by melanism,
      by comparing the preferred temperature of the colour morphs in laboratory thermal
      gradients and field body temperatures in natural populations. We then test
      whether preferred temperature changes in response to changes in body temperature,
      by determining preferred temperature before and after manipulation of melanism by
      painting. When melanism was manipulated experimentally in live grasshoppers,
      preferred temperature changed to reflect the thermal qualities of the new colour.
      The preferred temperature of light grasshoppers increased after they were painted
      black, and decreased after being painted white. Similarly, dark individuals that
      were painted white behaved like a light individual, maintaining a lower body
      temperature. Preferred temperature in P.vittatum is a plastic thermoregulatory
      response to ambient temperature, mediated by the influence of melanism on body
      temperature. 

PMID- 24223224
TI  - Family history as a predictor for disease risk in healthy individuals: a cross
      sectional study in Slovenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Family history can be used as a genetic risk predictor for common non
      communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of
      healthy individuals at risk of developing these diseases, based on their self
      reported family history. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This was a cross-sectional
      observational study. Data were collected in the three largest occupational
      practices in primary health care centres in Slovenia, a Central European country.
      The study population consisted of consecutive individuals who came to
      occupational practices for their regular preventive check-up from November 2010
      to June 2012. We included 1,696 individuals. Data were collected by a self
      developed questionnaire. The main outcome was the number of participants at a
      moderate or high risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,
      and cancer. The final sample consisted of 1,340 respondents. Moderate or high
      risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases was present in 280 (20.9%)
      participants, for the development of diabetes in 154 (11.5%) participants and for
      cancer in 163 (12.1%) participants. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found a
      significant proportion of healthy individuals with an increased genetic risk for
      common non-communicable diseases; consequently further genetic and clinical
      evaluation and preventive measures should be offered.

PMID- 24223225
TI  - Immunomodulatory activity of a novel, synthetic beta-glucan (beta-glu6) in murine
      macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
AB  - Natural beta-glucans extracted from plants and fungi have been used in clinical
      therapies since the late 20th century. However, the heterogeneity of natural beta
      glucans limits their clinical applicability. We have synthesized beta-glu6, which
      is an analog of the lentinan basic unit, beta-(1->6)-branched beta-(1->3)
      glucohexaose, that contains an alpha-(1->3)-linked bond. We have demonstrated the
      stimulatory effect of this molecule on the immune response, but the mechanisms by
      which beta-glu6 activates innate immunity have not been elucidated. In this
      study, murine macrophages and human PBMCs were used to evaluate the
      immunomodulatory effects of beta-glu6. We showed that beta-glu6 activated ERK and
      c-Raf phosphorylation but suppressed the AKT signaling pathway in murine
      macrophages. Additionally, beta-glu6 enhanced the secretion of large levels of
      cytokines and chemokines, including CD54, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-16, IL-17, IL
      23, IFN-gamma, CCL1, CCL3, CCL4, CCL12, CXCL10, tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and G-CSF in murine macrophages as well as IL-6,
      CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL1 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in human
      PBMCs. In summary, it demonstrates the immunomodulatory activity of beta-glu6 in
      innate immunity. 

PMID- 24223226
TI  - Branched-chain amino acids enhance premature senescence through mammalian target
      of rapamycin complex I-mediated upregulation of p21 protein.
AB  - Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have been applied as an oral supplementation
      to patients with liver cirrhosis. BCAAs not only improve nutritional status of
      patients but also decrease the incidence of liver cancer. Mammalian target of
      rapamycin (mTOR) links cellular metabolism with growth and proliferation in
      response to nutrients, energy, and growth factors. BCAAs, especially leucine,
      have been shown to regulate protein synthesis through mTOR activities. On the
      other hand, cellular senescence is suggested to function as tumor suppressor
      mechanisms, and induced by a variety of stimuli including DNA damage-inducing
      drugs. However, it is not clear how BCAA supplementation prevents the incidence
      of liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis. Here we showed that human cancer
      cells, HepG2 and U2OS, cultured in medium containing BCAAs with Fischer's ratio
      about 3, which was shown to have highest activities to synthesize and secrete of
      albumin, had higher activities to induce premature senescence and elevate mTORC1
      activities. Furthermore, BCAAs themselves enhanced the execution of premature
      senescence induced by DNA damage-inducing drugs, which was effectively prevented
      by rapamycin. These results strongly suggested the contribution of the mTORC1
      pathway to the regulation of premature senescence. Interestingly, the protein
      levels of p21, a p53 target and well-known gene essential for the execution of
      cellular senescence, were upregulated in the presence of BCAAs. These results
      suggested that BCAAs possibly contribute to tumor suppression by enhancing
      cellular senescence mediated through the mTOR signalling pathway. 

PMID- 24223227
TI  - Determining the binding affinity of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies towards
      their native unpurified antigens in human serum.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a growing segment of therapeutics, yet their in
      vitro characterization remains challenging. While it is essential that a
      therapeutic mAb recognizes the native, physiologically occurring epitope, the
      generation and selection of mAbs often rely on the use of purified recombinant
      versions of the antigen that may display non-native epitopes. Here, we present a
      method to measure both, the binding affinity of a therapeutic mAb towards its
      native unpurified antigen in human serum, and the antigen's endogenous
      concentration, by combining the kinetic exclusion assay and Biacore's calibration
      free concentration analysis. To illustrate the broad utility of our method, we
      studied a panel of mAbs raised against three disparate soluble antigens that are
      abundant in the serum of healthy donors: proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin
      type 9 (PCSK9), progranulin (PGRN), and fatty acid binding protein (FABP4). We
      also determined the affinity of each mAb towards its purified recombinant antigen
      and assessed whether the interactions were pH-dependent. Of the six mAbs studied,
      three did not appear to discriminate between the serum and recombinant forms of
      the antigen; one mAb bound serum antigen with a higher affinity than recombinant
      antigen; and two mAbs displayed a different affinity for serum antigen that could
      be explained by a pH-dependent interaction. Our results highlight the importance
      of taking pH into account when measuring the affinities of mAbs towards their
      serum antigens, since the pH of serum samples becomes increasingly alkaline upon
      aerobic handling. 

PMID- 24223228
TI  - Utility of host delivered RNAi of two FMRF amide like peptides, flp-14 and flp
      18, for the management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita.
AB  - Root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is an obligate sedentary endoparasite
      that infects a large number of crop species and causes substantial yield losses.
      Non-chemical based control strategies for these nematodes are gaining importance.
      In the present study, we have demonstrated the significance of two FMRFamide like
      peptide genes (flp-14 and flp-18) for infection and development of resistance to
      M. incognita through host-derived RNAi. The study demonstrated both in vitro and
      in planta validation of RNAi-induced silencing of the two genes cloned from J2
      stage of M. incognita. In vitro silencing of both the genes interfered with
      nematode migration towards the host roots and subsequent invasion into the roots.
      Transgenic tobacco lines were developed with RNAi constructs of flp-14 and flp-18
      and evaluated against M. incognita. The transformed plants did not show any
      visible phenotypic variations suggesting the absence of any off-target effects.
      Bioefficacy studies with deliberate challenging of M. incognita resulted in 50
      80% reduction in infection and multiplication confirming the silencing effect. We
      have provided evidence for in vitro and in planta silencing of the genes by
      expression analysis using qRT-PCR. Thus the identified genes and the strategy can
      be used as a potential tool for the control of M. incognita. This is the first
      ever report that has revealed the utility of host delivered RNAi of flps to
      control M. incognita. The strategy can also be extended to other crops and
      nematodes. 

PMID- 24223229
TI  - Does social isolation and low societal participation predict disability pension?
      A population based study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim was to examine the potential influence of social isolation and
      low societal participation on the future risk of receiving disability pension
      among individuals in Sweden. A specific aim was to describe differences depending
      on disability pension diagnoses, and how the results were modified by sex and
      age. METHOD: The study comprised representative samples of Swedish women and men,
      who had been interviewed in any of the annual Swedish Surveys of Living
      Conditions between 1990 and 2007. Information on disability pension and diagnoses
      was added from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency's database (1991-2011). The
      mean number of years of follow-up for the 53920 women and men was twelve years
      (SD 5.5), and the study base was restricted to the ages 20 to 64 years of age.
      The predictors were related to disability pension by Cox's proportional hazards
      regression. RESULTS: Social isolation and low societal participation were
      associated with future disability pension also after control for age, year of
      interview, socio demographic conditions and self reported longstanding illness.
      Lone individuals were at increased risk of disability pension, and the effect of
      living without children was modified by sex and age. An increase in risk was
      particularly noticeable among younger women who reported that they had sparse
      contacts with others, and no close friend. Both women and men who reported that
      they did not participate in political discussions and who could not appeal on a
      decision by a public authority were also at increased risk. The effects of social
      isolation were mainly attributed to disability pension with mental diagnoses, and
      to younger individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that social isolation and
      low societal participation are predictors of future disability pension. Social
      isolation and low societal participation increased particularly the risk of
      future disability pension in mental diagnoses among younger individuals.

PMID- 24223230
TI  - Seeing it from both sides: do approaches to involving patients in improving their
      safety risk damaging the trust between patients and healthcare professionals? An
      interview study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Encouraging patients to be more vigilant about their care challenges
      the traditional dynamics of patient-healthcare professional interactions. This
      study aimed to explore, from the perspectives of both patients and frontline
      healthcare staff, the potential consequences of patient-mediated intervention as
      a way of pushing safety improvement through the involvement of patients. DESIGN:
      Qualitative study, using purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with
      patients, their relatives and healthcare professionals. Emergent themes were
      identified using grounded theory, with data coded using NVIVO 8. PARTICIPANTS: 16
      patients, 4 relatives, (mean age (sd) 60 years (15); 12 female, 8 male) and 39
      healthcare professionals, (9 pharmacists, 11 doctors, 12 nurses, 7 health care
      assistants). SETTING: Participants were sampled from general medical and surgical
      wards, taking acute and elective admissions, in two hospitals in north east
      England. RESULTS: Positive consequences were identified but some actions
      encouraged by current patient-mediated approaches elicited feelings of suspicion
      and mistrust. For example, patients felt speaking up might appear rude or
      disrespectful, were concerned about upsetting staff and worried that their care
      might be compromised. Staff, whilst apparently welcoming patient questions,
      appeared uncertain about patients' motives for questioning and believed that
      patients who asked many questions and/or who wrote things down were preparing to
      complain. Behavioural implications were identified that could serve to exacerbate
      patient safety problems (e.g. staff avoiding contact with inquisitive patients or
      relatives; patients avoiding contact with unreceptive staff). CONCLUSIONS:
      Approaches that aim to push improvement in patient safety through the involvement
      of patients could engender mistrust and create negative tensions in the patient
      provider relationship. A more collaborative approach, that encourages patients
      and healthcare staff to work together, is needed. Future initiatives should aim
      to shift the current focus away from "checking up" on individual healthcare
      professionals to one that engages both parties in the common goal of enhancing
      safety.

PMID- 24223231
TI  - Predictors of diabetic foot and leg ulcers in a developing country with a rapid
      increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the socio demographic, life style and foot examination
      related predictors of diabetic foot and leg ulcers with a view to develop a
      screening tool appropriate for the use in an outpatient setting. RESEARCH DESIGN
      AND METHODS: This cross sectional study included type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)
      patients; 88 subjects with leg and foot ulcers and 80 non ulcer controls. Socio
      demographic data and life style factors were documented. Foot was examined for
      skin changes and structural abnormalities. Distal peripheral neuropathy was
      assessed by pressure sense, vibration sense and joint position sense.
      Multivariate analysis by logistic regression was used to determine the
      significant predictors in screening for foot ulcers. RESULTS: Education of grade
      6 and below (OR--1.41, 95% CI; 1.03-4.68), low income (OR--23.3, 95% CI; 1.5
      34.0), impaired vibration sense (OR--24.79, 95% CI; 9.3-66.2), abnormal
      monofilament test on first (OR--1.69, 95% CI; 1.36-16.6), third (OR--3.4, 95% CI;
      1.1-10.6) and fifth (OR--1.8, 95% CI; 1.61-12.6) toes are found to be predictors
      of increased risk whereas incidental diagnosis of DM (OR--0.03, 95% CI; 0.003
      0.28), wearing covered shoes (OR--0.003, 95% CI; 0.00-0.28), presence of normal
      skin color (OR--0.01, 95% CI; 0.001-0.14) and normal monofilament test on first
      metatarsal head (OR--0.10, 95% CI; 0.00-0.67) are protective factors for ulcers.
      CONCLUSIONS: Ten independent risk and protective factors identified in this study
      are proposed as a simple screening tool to predict the risk of developing leg and
      foot ulcers in patients with DM.

PMID- 24223232
TI  - Application of a hybrid model for predicting the incidence of tuberculosis in
      Hubei, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A prediction model for tuberculosis incidence is needed in China
      which may be used as a decision-supportive tool for planning health interventions
      and allocating health resources. METHODS: The autoregressive integrated moving
      average (ARIMA) model was first constructed with the data of tuberculosis report
      rate in Hubei Province from Jan 2004 to Dec 2011.The data from Jan 2012 to Jun
      2012 were used to validate the model. Then the generalized regression neural
      network (GRNN)-ARIMA combination model was established based on the constructed
      ARIMA model. Finally, the fitting and prediction accuracy of the two models was
      evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 465,960 cases were reported between Jan 2004 and
      Dec 2011 in Hubei Province. The report rate of tuberculosis was highest in 2005
      (119.932 per 100,000 population) and lowest in 2010 (84.724 per 100,000
      population). The time series of tuberculosis report rate show a gradual secular
      decline and a striking seasonal variation. The ARIMA (2, 1, 0) * (0, 1, 1)12
      model was selected from several plausible ARIMA models. The residual mean square
      error of the GRNN-ARIMA model and ARIMA model were 0.4467 and 0.6521 in training
      part, and 0.0958 and 0.1133 in validation part, respectively. The mean absolute
      error and mean absolute percentage error of the hybrid model were also less than
      the ARIMA model. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The gradual decline in tuberculosis
      report rate may be attributed to the effect of intensive measures on
      tuberculosis. The striking seasonal variation may have resulted from several
      factors. We suppose that a delay in the surveillance system may also have
      contributed to the variation. According to the fitting and prediction accuracy,
      the hybrid model outperforms the traditional ARIMA model, which may facilitate
      the allocation of health resources in China.

PMID- 24223233
TI  - Identifying cardiac syncope based on clinical history: a literature-based model
      tested in four independent datasets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to develop and test a literature-based model for symptoms
      that associate with cardiac causes of syncope. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seven studies
      (the derivation sample) reporting >=2 predictors of cardiac syncope were
      identified (4 Italian, 1 Swiss, 1 Canadian, and 1 from the United States). From
      these, 10 criteria were identified as diagnostic predictors. The conditional
      probability of each predictor was calculated by summation of the reported
      frequencies. A model of conditional probabilities and a priori probabilities of
      cardiac syncope was constructed. The model was tested in four datasets of
      patients with syncope (the test sample) from Calgary (n=670; 21% had cardiac
      syncope), Amsterdam (n=503; 9%), Milan (n=689; 5%) and Rochester (3877; 11%). In
      the derivation sample ten variables were significantly associated with cardiac
      syncope: age, gender, structural heart disease, low number of spells, brief or
      absent prodrome, supine syncope, effort syncope, and absence of nausea,
      diaphoresis and blurred vision. Fitting the test datasets to the full model gave
      C-statistics of 0.87 (Calgary), 0.84 (Amsterdam), 0.72 (Milan) and 0.71
      (Rochester). Model sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 68% for Calgary, 86%
      and 67% for Amsterdam, 76% and 59% for Milan, and 73% and 52% for Rochester. A
      model with 5 variables (age, gender, structural heart disease, low number of
      spells, and lack of prodromal symptoms) was as accurate as the total set.
      CONCLUSION: A simple literature-based Bayesian model of historical criteria can
      distinguish patients with cardiac syncope from other patients with syncope with
      moderate accuracy.

PMID- 24223234
TI  - Atypical presentation of an advanced obstructive biliary cancer without jaundice.
AB  - PATIENT: Female, 60 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Cholangiocarcinoma Symptoms: Abdominal pain
      * abdominal discomfort MEDICATION: - Clinical Procedure: - Specialty: Oncology.
      OBJECTIVE: Unusual natural history/clinical course. BACKGROUND:
      Cholangiocarcinoma remains to be a challenging case to diagnose and manage as it
      usually presents in advanced stage and survival rate remains dismal despite the
      medical breakthroughs. It is usually classified as intrahepatic, perihilar or
      distal tumor which can lead to bile duct obstruction causing sluggish flow of
      bile through the biliary tract and promoting increased absorption of bilirubin,
      bile acids and bile salts into systemic circulation accounting for the occurrence
      of jaundice, dark-colored urine and generalized pruritus. It usually becomes
      symptomatic when the tumor has significantly obstructed the biliary drainage
      causing painless jaundice and deranged liver function with cholestatic pattern.
      Jaundice occurs in 90% of the cases when the tumor has obstructed the biliary
      drainage system. A markedly dilated gallbladder as initial presenting feature in
      the absence of other typical obstructive clinical manifestations of an advanced
      stage of the cholangiocarcinoma is rare. CASE REPORT: This case report presents
      an atypical case of an elderly woman who presented with advanced metastatic
      ductal cholangiocarcinoma with markedly dilated gallbladder and liver mass
      without other clinical manifestations and laboratory evidence of cholestatic
      jaundice. CONCLUSIONS: The mere presence of Courvoisier's sign, even in the
      absence of other signs of biliary obstruction, could be suggestive of advanced
      neoplastic process along the biliary tract. Laboratory evidence of cholestasis
      might lag behind the clinical severity of the biliary obstruction in
      cholangiocarcinoma.

PMID- 24223235
TI  - Neuroprotective effects of a variety of pomegranate juice extracts against MPTP
      induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in human primary neurons.
AB  - 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is an environmental toxin
      which selectively induces oxidative damage and mitochondrial and proteasomal
      dysfunctions to dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra leading to
      Parkinsonian syndrome in animal models and humans. MPTP is one of the most widely
      used in vitro models to investigate the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease
      (PD) and, screen for novel therapeutic compounds that can slow down or ameliorate
      this progressive degenerative disease. We investigated the therapeutic effect of
      pomegranate juice extracts (PJE), Helow, Malasi, Qusum, and Hamadh against MPTP
      induced neurotoxicity in primary human neurons by examining extracellular LDH
      activity, intracellular NAD(+) and ATP levels, and endogenous antioxidant levels
      including lipid peroxidation products, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
      glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels.
      MPTP induced a reduction in SOD and GPx activities and intracellular NAD(+), ATP,
      and GSH levels parallel to an increase in extracellular LDH and CAT activities,
      although lipid peroxidation was not altered. We report that helow and malasi can
      ameliorate MPTP-induced neurotoxicity by attenuating the observed changes in
      redox function to a greater extent than qusum and hamedh. Selected PJE varieties
      may exhibit properties which may be of therapeutic value to slow down age-related
      degeneration and neurodegeneration in particular. 

PMID- 24223237
TI  - Potent Vinblastine C20' Ureas Displaying Additionally Improved Activity Against a
      Vinblastine-Resistant Cancer Cell Line.
AB  - A series of disubstituted C20'-urea derivatives of vinblastine were prepared from
      20'-aminovinblastine that was made accessible through a unique Fe(III)/NaBH4-
      mediated alkene functionalization reaction of anhydrovinblastine. Three analogs
      were examined across a panel of 15 human tumor cell lines, displaying remarkably
      potent cell growth inhibition activity (avg. IC50 = 200-300 pM), being 10-200
      fold more potent than vinblastine (avg. IC50 = 6.1 nM). Significantly, the
      analogs also display further improved activity against the vinblastine-resistant
      HCT116/VM46 cell line that bears the clinically relevant overexpression of Pgp,
      exhibiting IC50 values on par with that of vinblastine against the sensitive
      HCT116 cell line, 100-200-fold greater than the activity of vinblastine against
      the resistant HCT116/VM46 cell line, and display a reduced 10-20-fold activity
      differential between the matched sensitive and resistant cell lines (vs 100-fold
      for vinblastine).

PMID- 24223238
TI  - Students' perception of the learning environment at Xavier University School of
      Medicine, Aruba.
AB  - PURPOSE: The learning environment at Xavier University School of Medicine
      (XUSOM), Aruba has not been previously studied. Hence, the present study was
      carried out using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) to
      obtain student perceptions about the learning environment and compare the same
      among different subgroups of respondents. METHODS: The questionnaire was
      administered to undergraduate medical students in their first to fifth semester
      during the first two weeks of June 2013. The students' perceptions were evaluated
      by noting their degree of agreement with a set of 50 statements using a Likert
      type scale. The mean overall score and the scores of subcategory were calculated
      and compared among different respondents (P<0.05). RESULTS: Seventy-three of the
      86 students (84.9%) completed the questionnaire. The overall mean+/-SD score was
      131.79+/-22.86 (maximum score 200). The mean+/-SD score for students' perception
      of teaching/learning was 31.99+/-6.23 (maximum score, 48), while the score for
      students' perceptions of teachers was 30.05+/-5.54 (maximum score, 44). The
      mean+/-SD scores for students' academic self-perception, students' perception of
      the atmosphere, and students' social self-perception were 21.88+/-5.11 (maximum
      score, 32), 30.92+/-8.59 (maximum score, 48), and 16.96+/-4.71 (maximum score,
      28), respectively. There were no differences in scores according to the
      respondents' personal characteristics. CONCLUSION: The student responses about
      the learning environment at the institution were positive. We plan to obtain
      regular student feedback as the curriculum becomes progressively more student
      centered and integrated.

PMID- 24223236
TI  - Effects of resveratrol on vitrified porcine oocytes.
AB  - Vitrified MII porcine oocytes are characterized by reduced developmental
      competence, associated with the activation of the apoptotic pathway. Resveratrol
      (R), a polyphenolic compound present in several vegetal sources, has been
      reported to exert, among all its other biological effects, an antiapoptotic one.
      The aim of this study was to determine the effects of R (2  uM) on the apoptotic
      status of porcine oocytes vitrified by Cryotop method, evaluating
      phosphatidylserine (PS) exteriorization and caspases activation. R was added
      during IVM (A); 2 h postwarming incubation (B); vitrification/warming and 2 h
      postwarming incubation (C); all previous phases (D). Data on PS exteriorization
      showed, in each treated group, a significantly higher (P < 0.05) percentage of
      live nonapoptotic oocytes as compared with CTR; moreover, the percentage of live
      apoptotic oocytes was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in all R-treated groups
      relative to CTR. The results on caspase activation showed a tendency to an
      increase of viable oocytes with inactive caspases in B, C, and D, while a
      significant (P < 0.05) increase in A compared to CTR was recorded. These data
      demonstrate that R supplementation in various phases of IVM and
      vitrification/warming procedure can modulate the apoptotic process, improving the
      resistance of porcine oocytes to cryopreservation-induced damage.

PMID- 24223239
TI  - Ethics in Scientific Publication: Plagiarism and other Scientific Misconduct.

PMID- 24223240
TI  - Library collaboration with medical humanities in an american medical college in
      qatar.
AB  - The medical humanities, a cross-disciplinary field of practice and research that
      includes medicine, literature, art, history, philosophy, and sociology, is being
      increasingly incorporated into medical school curricula internationally. Medical
      humanities courses in Writing, Literature, Medical Ethics and History can teach
      physicians-in-training communication skills, doctor-patient relations, and
      medical ethics, as well as empathy and cross-cultural understanding. In addition
      to providing educational breadth and variety, the medical humanities can also
      play a practical role in teaching critical/analytical skills. These skills are
      utilized in differential diagnosis and problem-based learning, as well as in
      developing written and oral communications. Communication skills are a required
      medical competency for passing medical board exams in the U.S., Canada, the UK
      and elsewhere. The medical library is an integral part of medical humanities
      training efforts. This contribution provides a case study of the Distributed
      eLibrary at the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar in Doha, and its
      collaboration with the Writing Program in the Premedical Program to teach and
      develop the medical humanities. Programs and initiatives of the DeLib library
      include: developing an information literacy course, course guides for specific
      courses, the 100 Classic Books Project, collection development of 'doctors'
      stories' related to the practice of medicine (including medically-oriented movies
      and TV programs), and workshops to teach the analytical and critical thinking
      skills that form the basis of humanistic approaches to knowledge. This paper
      outlines a 'best practices' approach to developing the medical humanities in
      collaboration among the medical library, faculty and administrative stakeholders.

PMID- 24223241
TI  - Evaluating the Relationship between Body Size and Body Shape with the Risk of
      Breast Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the relationship between body size and
      body shape with the risk of breast cancer. METHODS: In this case control study,
      480 women participated (240 women with breast cancer in case group and 240
      healthy women in control group). After completing the interview form, the weight,
      height, waist circumference, hip circumference and breast size, were measured.
      The data were analyzed using statistical test by SPSS11.5. RESULTS: The present
      study showed that the mean of hip circumference were significantly different in
      both groups (p=0.036). The size of the breast was statistically significant
      between the two groups. Thyroid type, one of the body shapes, was more seen in
      the case group than control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that
      the risk of breast cancer increases with increased hip circumference. In
      addition, the results indicate that body shape may be a useful predictor in
      determining the risk of breast cancer. More studies should be designed to address
      this subject.

PMID- 24223242
TI  - Psychological Predictors of Intention to Deliver Vaginally through the Extended
      Parallel Process Model: A Mixed-Method Approach in Pregnant Iranian Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Despite the fact that cesarean delivery does not offer significant
      health benefits for either mother or newborn, there has been a noticeable upward
      trend in elective cesarean births in Iran, over the last two decades. This study
      aims to examine whether knowledge, perception of health threats, efficacy, and
      personal beliefs act as psychological predictors towards the intention of women
      to have a normal vaginal delivery. METHODS: The mixed-method approach was used as
      quantitative and qualitative design. Simultaneously, 290 pregnant women who
      visited prenatal clinics participated in the study. Quantitative and qualitative
      data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on Witte's Extended
      Parallel Process Model, and four focus groups, respectively. RESULTS: Women
      perceived lower personal risk but higher levels of efficacy. Perceived self
      efficacy, severity, and response efficacy emerged as significant predictors of
      intention to experience vaginal birth. The participants' insufficient knowledge
      and misconceptions about birth methods were prevalent. Major themes were
      identified and divided into negative and positive beliefs about vaginal birth.
      CONCLUSION: This educational model is useful for understanding women's intention
      to undergo a vaginal birth, especially when it is combined with a qualitative
      approach. Maternal care providers should acknowledge their clients' beliefs and
      intended childbirth methods prior to offering medical intervention.

PMID- 24223243
TI  - Maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio
      cultural context of iran.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of parental violence has been an area of major public
      concern. There are few available data detailing the ways parents and other
      caregivers discipline children, particularly in low and middle income countries.
      This study focuses on the prevalence of different types of maternal child abuse
      and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran.
      METHODS: Participants in this cross-sectional study consisted of 562 mothers with
      the last child aged from 1 month to 12 years old who attended the Amirkola
      Children's Referral Hospital in Mazandaran Province, Iran, seeking healthcare
      services for their children. Demographic characteristics of the mothers, their
      children and reactions to conflicts with children were evaluated by a validated
      version of Conflict Tactics Scale for Parent and Child. Also, the relationship
      between maternal anxiety and child abuse was assessed using the Spielberger State
      Trait Anxiety Inventory. The association between variables was examined by
      Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and
      multivariate regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of mother-to-child corporal
      punishment, severe physical abuse and very severe physical abuse were 436 (78%),
      260 (46%) and 180 (32%), respectively. Verbal emotional abuse was reported by 506
      (90%) participants and nonverbal emotional abuse was reported in 374 (67%) cases.
      A correlation was observed between child abuse and mothers' age (p=0.02), as well
      as with the number of children in the family (p=0.03), and the mothers' trait
      anxiety (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall, the assessment of maternal child abuse
      should be an important focus for evaluation in mothers with anxiety and vice
      versa, when child abuse is suspected, maternal psychological assessment should be
      essential.

PMID- 24223244
TI  - Evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical markers in
      the differential diagnosis of effusion cytology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Calretinin and
      Carcinoembryonic antigen as immunocytochemical markers in distinguishing
      mesothelial cells from metastatic adenocarcinoma cells in effusion cytology.
      METHODS: This study included 50 patients who presented with effusions (26 pleural
      and 24 peritoneal), at Al-Kadhimya Teaching Hospital who were selected according
      to their preliminary diagnosis from 1st December 2010 to 30th June 2011. Effusion
      fluids were aspirated and processed for both conventional cytological methods
      using Papanicolaou-stain and immunocytochemical staining with anti Calretinin and
      Carcinoembryonic antigen. RESULTS: The sensitivity of cytology for detection of
      malignant cells was 77%, with 100% specificity and 86% accuracy. Calretinin was
      observed to be a specific (100%) and sensitive (90%) marker for mesothelial cells
      (of benign etiology). Carcinoembryonic antigen exhibited 70% sensitivity and 100%
      specificity for adenocarcinoma cells. When the results of both cytology and
      immunocytochemistry were considered in conjunction, the sensitivity for the
      detection of malignancy increased to 97%, with 100% specificity and 98% accuracy.
      CONCLUSION: Calretinin and Carcinoembryonic antigen were found to be useful
      markers for differentiating reactive mesothelial cells from metastatic
      adenocarcinoma cells in smears prepared from body fluids. Also, the combination
      of both cytology and immunocytochemical studies using the two markers can greatly
      enhance the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in malignant
      effusions.

PMID- 24223245
TI  - The diagnostic efficacy of adenosine deaminase in tubercular effusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of adenosine
      deaminase in tubercular effusions. METHODS: This study was conducted at the
      Department of General Medicine and Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, SKIMS,
      for a period of two years between November 2008 and November 2010. A total of 57
      patients presenting with pleural effusions during the two-year study period, who
      presented with clinical manifestations suggestive of tuberculosis (i.e., the
      presence of productive cough, low-grade fever, night sweats, weight loss, and
      chest pain, especially if these symptoms last (3)4 weeks) were included in the
      study. If the patients presented with less than two of these symptoms, and
      especially if the clinical manifestations were of <4 weeks duration, they were
      excluded from the study. RESULTS: The mean adenosine deaminase activity level in
      all the 57 patients was 109 U/L while the mean adenosine deaminase activity
      levels in pleural TB patients was 80 U/, and 64 U/L in the controls (p=0.381).
      Considering 40 U/L as the cut off, the results were positive in 35 out of 39
      tuberculosis patients and 9 out of 18 controls. The sensitivity of adenosine
      deaminase for tubercular effusions worked out to be 90%, with only 50%
      specificity. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the estimation of adenosine
      deaminase activity in pleural fluid is a rapid diagnostic tool for
      differentiation of tubercular and non tubercular-effusions. The sensitivity and
      specificity of adenosine deaminase for tubercular effusions in this study was 90%
      and 50% respectively.

PMID- 24223246
TI  - The patterns and causes of neonatal mortality at a tertiary hospital in oman.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report the patterns and causes of neonatal death from a tertiary
      care neonatal intensive care unit over a period of four years. METHODS: This is a
      retrospective cohort study where four years data (January 2006 - December 2009)
      of all inborn neonatal admissions and deaths were collected from the neonatal
      intensive care unit at Sultan Qaboos University hospital on predesigned forms.
      All out born admissions and deaths were excluded. The causes of neonatal death
      were classified using Wigglesworth's classification. RESULTS: The number of
      inborn live births during the study period was 10064 and the total number of
      inborn neonatal admissions was 1475. The total deaths (neonatal and post
      neonatal) at the neonatal intensive care unit was 73 (63 inborn and 10 out born).
      Among the inborn, five deaths were post neonatal deaths and hence, excluded from
      analysis. Among the remaining inborn neonatal deaths (n=58), 34 (59%) were males
      and 24 (41%) were females. The number of neonatal admissions increased over the
      years during the study period from 248 to 356, while the number of deaths also
      increased from 10 deaths in 2006, to 20 deaths in 2009. The primary causes of
      neonatal deaths were prematurity and its complications 52% (n=30). Lethal
      congenital malformations lead to 17 (29%) newborn deaths, specific diagnosis in 7
      newborns (12%), and birth asphyxia in four (7%) of cases. CONCLUSION: There was
      an increasing trend of neonatal admissions and deaths among inborn babies.
      Prematurity, with sepsis as its major complication and congenital malformations
      were the leading cause of neonatal mortality.

PMID- 24223247
TI  - Diagnosis of adult chronic rhinosinusitis: can nasal endoscopy predict intrasinus
      disease?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To define the role of endoscopic evaluation of middle meatus in adult
      patients clinically diagnosed to have chronic rhino-sinusitis and its ability to
      predict intra-sinus mucosal involvement as compared to CT scan. METHODS: This
      prospective analytical study was conducted on consecutive patients with diagnosis
      of chronic rhino-sinusitis who were symptomatic and fulfilled the American
      Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Task Force criteria. The
      patients were enrolled prospectively and were subjected to rigid diagnostic nasal
      endoscopy and classified as defined by the revised Sinus Allergy Health
      Partnership Task Force criteria. The patients then underwent non contrast CT
      sinuses on the same day. Results were analyzed as a diagnostic test evaluation
      using CT as a gold standard. RESULTS: Among the 75 study patients with symptom
      based chronic rhino-sinusitis, nasal endoscopy was abnormal in 65 patients (87%).
      Of these patients, 60/65 (92%) showed positive findings on CT scan. Ten patients
      had normal endoscopy, of these 6/10 (60%) had abnormal CT scan. Sensitivity and
      specificity of diagnostic nasal endoscopy against CT scan were 91% (95% CI: 81
      97) and 44% (95% CI: 14-79), respectively. The likelihood ratio for positive
      nasal endoscopy to diagnose chronic rhino-sinusitis was 1.6 and the likelihood
      ratio to rule out chronic rhino-sinusitis when endoscopy was negative was 0.2.
      CONCLUSION: Nasal endoscopy is a valid and objective diagnostic tool in the work
      up of patients with symptomatic chronic rhino-sinusitis. When clinical suspicion
      is low (<50%) and endoscopy is negative, the probability of rhino-sinusitis is
      very low (<17%) and there is no need to perform a CT scan to reconfirm this
      finding routinely. Endoscopy alone is able to diagnose chronic rhino-sinusitis in
      >90% of patients when clinical suspicion is high (88%) as defined in this study
      by AAO-HNS Task Force criteria. Negative endoscopy, however, does not totally
      exclude the sinus disease in patients fulfilling task force criteria. CT scan may
      be needed on follow-up if there is clinical suspicion in 10% of these patients
      who are negative on endoscopy if symptoms persists. It is thus possible to reduce
      the number of CT scans if patients are carefully selected based on clinical
      criteria and endoscopy is done initially as part of their evaluation.

PMID- 24223248
TI  - Characteristics and Prognosis of Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Internal
      Tandem Duplication in the FLT3 Gene.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Constitutive activation of the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)
      receptor by internal tandem duplication (ITD) of the juxtamembrane region has
      been described in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. FLT3/ITDs are present in
      about 20-30% of all acute myeloid leukemia cases. It has been shown that the
      mutation is correlated with worse prognosis. However, none of the previous
      studies investigated which FAB subtype is associated with higher percentage of
      FLT3/ITD, thus the reason for undertaking the current study. METHODS: The
      prevalence and the potential prognostic impact of FLT3 mutations in 39 acute
      myeloid leukemia patients were analyzed by genomic polymerase chain reaction.
      Twelve samples with FLT3/ITDs and 27 acute myeloid leukemia samples without the
      mutations were compared with respect to clinical prognosis and FAB subtype.
      Results were correlated with cytogenetic data and the clinical response. RESULTS:
      FLT3/ITD mutations were found in 31% of patients. FLT3/ITD was associated with
      similar clinical characteristics and was more prevalent in patients with normal
      karyotype (83%). Interestingly, half of the FLT3/ITD aberrations were found in
      patients with FAB M1 (50%), and fewer were found in patients with FAB M2 (8%), M4
      (8%), and M5 (8%). Although less frequent in patients with cytogenetic
      aberrations, FLT3/ITDs were found in 17% of patients with t(15;17). Although the
      study was powered to 80%, patients with FLT3/ITD mutation did not show shorter
      complete remission duration or a higher relapse rate. CONCLUSION: The data
      confirm that FLT3/ITD mutations represent a common alteration in adult acute
      myeloid leukemia, mainly with normal karyotype (83%) and de novo acute myeloid
      leukemia (75%), as compared to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (25%) (p<0.001).
      It also showed that half of the M1-FAB subtype is FLT3/ITD positive. Therefore,
      FLT3/ITD is a therapeutic target, and thus inhibition of FLT3 tyrosine kinase
      activity may provide a new approach in the treatment of leukemia carrying these
      mutations.

PMID- 24223249
TI  - Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: a case report with review of the
      diagnostic dilemmas and tumor behavior.
AB  - Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is a rare tumor of the pancreas
      often detected initially on imaging. Of uncertain histogenesis, it has a low
      grade malignant potential with excellent post-surgical curative rates and rare
      metastasis. Despite advances in imaging, pseudocysts and other cystic neoplasms
      feature in the differential diagnosis. Pathological and/or cytological evaluation
      remains the gold standard in reaching a definitive diagnosis. On morphology
      alone, other primary pancreatic tumors and metastatic tumors pose a diagnostic
      challenge. Recent advances in immunohistochemical characterization have made the
      histopathologic diagnosis more specific and, in turn, shed light on the likely
      histogenesis of this rare tumor. We report a case of solid pseudopapillary
      neoplasm of the pancreas that was suspected on radiology and diagnosed
      intraoperatively on imprint cytology guiding definitive surgery. The diagnostic
      dilemmas are reviewed. 

PMID- 24223250
TI  - A case of metatropic dysplasia: operative treatment of severe kyphoscoliosis and
      limb deformities.
AB  - Metatropic dysplasia is a rare but severe spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia
      characterized by long trunk and short extremities. The exact incidence is not
      known; however, 81 cases have been reported in the literature till now. Due to
      progressive kyphoscoliosis, there is a reversal of proportions in childhood
      (shortening of trunk with relative long extremities). The diagnostic radiographic
      findings include marked platyspondyly (wafer-thin vertebral bodies), widened
      metaphyses (dumbbell-shaped tubular bones) and small epiphysis and a specific
      pelvic shape. The severe kyphoscoliosis is relentless and resistant to
      conservative treatment with bracing. Operative treatment is controversial due to
      the recurrence of deformity despite aggressive correction. We, herein report a
      case of this rare dysplasia and its follow-up after corrective surgery for spine
      and limb deformity. The excellent correction and good functional pulmonary status
      at 6-year follow-up has never been previously reported. 

PMID- 24223251
TI  - Patients with black hip and black knee due to ochronotic arthropathy: case report
      and review of literature.
AB  - Ochronotic arthropathy is a manifestation of longstanding alkaptonuria. With
      increasing age, an accumulation of pigment deposits of homogentisic acid in the
      joint cartilage results in ochronotic osteoarthritis. We present a case of a 62
      year-old female who underwent staged left uncemented total hip and right cemented
      total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis secondary to ochronosis. 

PMID- 24223252
TI  - Computer literacy improvement needs: physicians' self assessment in the makkah
      region.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A confidential inquiry by the Directorate General of health affairs,
      Makkah region, Saudi Arabia, found physicians were resistant to enter patient
      related information in the electronic medical records system at different
      hospitals. This study aims to highlight their computer literacy needs. METHODS:
      This cross-sectional survey was conducted on physicians using a structured
      questionnaire bearing nine questions/stems with dichotomous answers, (i.e.,
      yes/no) that was distributed among physicians at six different Ministry of Health
      hospitals in the Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia, between May and August 2009. The
      results for future needs in computer skills were categorized as "none" if the
      rate of answer "yes" to any stem was 0-25%, "little" if 26-50%, "some" if 51-75%
      and "substantial" if >75% rated "yes". RESULTS: The response rate of 82% of
      determined sample size (n = 451) was attained. Computer literacy improvement
      elements (CLIE), i.e., "word processing software skills (MS Word)", "presentation
      software skills (Power Point)", "internet search skills", "medical database
      search skills", "spreadsheet software skills (Excel)" and "advanced e-mail
      management skills" were in "substantial" need of improvement among the majority
      of settings and categories. All other computer literacy improvement elements were
      in "some" need of improvement. CONCLUSION: The overall outcome of this study
      indicates that physicians need further computer literacy improvements.

PMID- 24223253
TI  - Validation of the arabic version of the epworth sleepiness scale in oman.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Epworth sleepiness scale is a self-administered eight-item
      questionnaire that was developed as a tool to measure subjective sleepiness in
      adults. The validity of the Epworth sleepiness scale has been validated and
      tested in different populations and ethnic groups. However, it has yet to be
      validated or tested in an Omani or other Arabic speaking population. Thus, the
      aim of this study is to test the validity and reproducibility of the Epworth
      sleepiness scale in an Omani population. METHODS: Subjects were recruited from
      the general population and were asked to participate in the study. The study
      enrolled 97 Omani volunteers and was conducted between May and October 2008. An
      Arabic version of the original English questionnaire was used. The study was
      approved by the Research and Ethics committee of the institution. Lin's
      concordance correlation coefficient along with Bland-Altman plots were used to
      test the agreement between the Arabic and English versions of the Epworth
      sleepiness scale. RESULTS: The study included a total of 37 males (38%) and 60
      females (62%) with age ranging between 18-75 years. Concordance correlation
      results revealed a substantial concordance (RhoC) of 0.914, but one that does not
      approach 1 (95% CI: 0.881, 0.947). This results from both lack of perfect
      correlation (Pearson's r=0.914) and bias (C_b = 1.000). The Bland and Altman's
      limits-of-agreement measured at 0.000 (95% CI: -2.684, 2.684), indicating
      insignificant average departure from agreement between the two versions of the
      Epworth sleepiness scale. CONCLUSION: The results indicate agreement between the
      two versions of ESS (English and the Arabic).

PMID- 24223254
TI  - A patient with left cardiophrenic angle mass presenting with intermittent chest
      symptoms.

PMID- 24223255
TI  - RE: Celiac Disease Prevalence in Omani Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

PMID- 24223256
TI  - Distinct RNA profiles in subpopulations of extracellular vesicles: apoptotic
      bodies, microvesicles and exosomes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the
      number of studies aiming to understand the biology of exosomes, as well as other
      extracellular vesicles. However, classification of membrane vesicles and the
      appropriate protocols for their isolation are still under intense discussion and
      investigation. When isolating vesicles, it is crucial to use systems that are
      able to separate them, to avoid cross-contamination. METHOD: EVS RELEASED FROM
      THREE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CELL LINES: HMC-1, TF-1 and BV-2 were isolated using two
      centrifugation-based protocols. In protocol 1, apoptotic bodies were collected at
      2,000*g, followed by filtering the supernatant through 0.8 um pores and pelleting
      of microvesicles at 12,200*g. In protocol 2, apoptotic bodies and microvesicles
      were collected together at 16,500*g, followed by filtering of the supernatant
      through 0.2 um pores and pelleting of exosomes at 120,000*g. Extracellular
      vesicles were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry and
      the RNA profiles were investigated using a Bioanalyzer((r)). RESULTS: RNA
      profiles showed that ribosomal RNA was primary detectable in apoptotic bodies and
      smaller RNAs without prominent ribosomal RNA peaks in exosomes. In contrast,
      microvesicles contained little or no RNA except for microvesicles collected from
      TF-1 cell cultures. The different vesicle pellets showed highly different
      distribution of size, shape and electron density with typical apoptotic body,
      microvesicle and exosome characteristics when analyzed by transmission electron
      microscopy. Flow cytometry revealed the presence of CD63 and CD81 in all vesicles
      investigated, as well as CD9 except in the TF-1-derived vesicles, as these cells
      do not express CD9. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that centrifugation
      based protocols are simple and fast systems to distinguish subpopulations of
      extracellular vesicles. Different vesicles show different RNA profiles and
      morphological characteristics, but they are indistinguishable using CD63-coated
      beads for flow cytometry analysis.

PMID- 24223257
TI  - Characterisation of tissue factor-bearing extracellular vesicles with AFM:
      comparison of air-tapping-mode AFM and liquid Peak Force AFM.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are shed from cells and carry markers
      of the parent cells. Vesicles derived from cancer cells reach the bloodstream and
      locally influence important physiological processes. It has been previously shown
      that procoagulant vesicles are circulating in patients' fluids. These EVs are
      therefore considered as promising biomarkers for the thrombotic risk. Because of
      their small size, classical methods such as flow cytometry suffer from limitation
      for their characterisation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been proposed as a
      promising complementary method for the characterisation of EVs. OBJECTIVES: THE
      OBJECTIVES OF THIS STUDY ARE: (a) to develop and validate AFM with specific
      antibodies (anti-TF) and (b) to compare air and liquid modes for EVs' size and
      number determination as potential biomarkers of the prothrombotic risk. METHODS:
      AFM multimode nanoscope III was used for air tapping mode (TM). AFM catalyst was
      used for liquid Peak Force Tapping (PFT) mode. Vesicles are generated according
      to Davila et al.'s protocol. Substrates are coated with various concentrations of
      antibodies, thanks to ethanolamine and glutaraldehyde. RESULTS: Vesicles were
      immobilised on antibody-coated surfaces to select tissue factor (TF)-positive
      vesicles. The size range of vesicles observed in liquid PFT mode is 6-10 times
      higher than in air mode. This corresponds to the data found in the literature.
      CONCLUSION: We recommend liquid PFT mode to analyse vesicles on 5 ug/ml antibody
      coated substrates.

PMID- 24223258
TI  - Tumour-derived exosomes as antigen delivery carriers in dendritic cell-based
      immunotherapy for malignant mesothelioma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2001, it was postulated that tumour-derived exosomes could be a
      potent source of tumour-associated antigens (TAA). Since then, much knowledge is
      gained on their role in tumorigenesis but only very recently tumour-derived
      exosomes were used in dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy. For this, DCs were
      cultured ex-vivo and loaded with exosomes derived from immunogenic tumours such
      as melanoma or glioma and re-administrated to induce anti-tumour responses in
      primary and metastatic tumour mouse models. In contrast, malignant mesothelioma
      (MM) is a non-immunogenic tumour and because only a few mesothelioma-specific TAA
      are known to date, we investigated whether mesothelioma-derived exosomes could be
      used as antigen source in DC-based immunotherapy. METHODS: Mouse MM AB1 cells
      were used to generate tumour lysate and tumour-derived exosomes. Tumour lysate
      was generated by 5 cycles of freeze-thawing followed by sonication of AB1 cells.
      Tumour exosomes were collected from the AB1 cell culture supernatant and followed
      a stepwise ultracentrifugation. Protein quantification and electron microscopy
      were performed to determine the protein amount and to characterise their
      morphology. To test whether MM derived exosomes are immunogenic and able to
      stimulate an anti-tumoral response, BALB/c mice were injected with a lethal dose
      of AB1 tumour cells at day 0, followed by intraperitoneal injection of a single
      dose of DCs loaded with tumour exosomes, DCs loaded with tumour lysate, or
      phosphate buffered saline (PBS), at day 7. RESULTS: Mice which received tumour
      exosome-loaded DC immunotherapy had an increased median and overall survival
      compared to mice which received tumour lysate-loaded DC or PBS. CONCLUSION: In
      this study, we showed that DC immunotherapy loaded with tumour exosomes derived
      from non-immunogenic tumours improved survival of tumour bearing mice.

PMID- 24223259
TI  - Cancer becomes wasteful: emerging roles of exosomes(?) in cell-fate
      determination.
AB  - Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, have been widely recognized for
      their role in intercellular communication of the immune response system. In the
      past few years, significance has been given to exosomes in the induction and
      modulation of cell-fate-inducing signalling pathways, such as the Hedgehog (Hh),
      Wnts, Notch, transforming growth factor (TGF-beta), epidermal growth factor (EGF)
      and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathways, placing them in the wider context of
      development and also of cancer. These protein families induce signalling cascades
      responsible for tissue specification, homeostasis and maintenance. Exosomes
      contribute to cell-fate signal secretion, and vice versa exosome secretion can be
      induced by these proteins. Interestingly, exosomes can also transfer their mRNA
      to host cells or modulate the signalling pathways directly by the removal of
      downstream effector molecules from the cell. Surprisingly, much of what we know
      about the function of exosomes in cell determination is gathered from
      pathological transformed cancer cells and wound healing while data about their
      biogenesis and biology in normal developing and adult tissue lag behind. In this
      report, we will summarize some of the published literature and point to current
      advances and questions in this fast-developing topic. In a brief foray, we will
      also update and shortly discuss their potential in diagnosis and targeted cancer
      treatment. 

PMID- 24223260
TI  - Understanding the Consequences of Bilingualism for Language Processing and
      Cognition.
AB  - Contemporary research on bilingualism has been framed by two major discoveries.
      In the realm of language processing, studies of comprehension and production show
      that bilinguals activate information about both languages when using one language
      alone. Parallel activation of the two languages has been demonstrated for highly
      proficient bilinguals as well as second language learners and appears to be
      present even when distinct properties of the languages themselves might be
      sufficient to bias attention towards the language in use. In the realm of
      cognitive processing, studies of executive function have demonstrated a bilingual
      advantage, with bilinguals outperforming their monolingual counterparts on tasks
      that require ignoring irrelevant information, task switching, and resolving
      conflict. Our claim is that these outcomes are related and have the overall
      effect of changing the way that both cognitive and linguistic processing are
      carried out for bilinguals. In this article we consider each of these domains of
      bilingual performance and consider the kinds of evidence needed to support this
      view. We argue that the tendency to consider bilingualism as a unitary phenomenon
      explained in terms of simple component processes has created a set of apparent
      controversies that masks the richness of the central finding in this work: the
      adult mind and brain are open to experience in ways that create profound
      consequences for both language and cognition.

PMID- 24223261
TI  - Evolutionary history of rat-borne Bartonella: the importance of commensal rats in
      the dissemination of bacterial infections globally.
AB  - Emerging pathogens that originate from invasive species have caused numerous
      significant epidemics. Some bacteria of genus Bartonella are rodent-borne
      pathogens that can cause disease in humans and animals alike. We analyzed gltA
      sequences of 191 strains of rat-associated bartonellae from 29 rodent species
      from 17 countries to test the hypotheses that this bacterial complex evolved and
      diversified in Southeast Asia before being disseminated by commensal rats Rattus
      rattus (black rat) and Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) to other parts of the
      globe. The analysis suggests that there have been numerous dispersal events
      within Asia and introductions from Asia to other regions, with six major clades
      containing Southeast Asian isolates that appear to have been dispersed globally.
      Phylogeographic analyses support the hypotheses that these bacteria originated in
      Southeast Asia and commensal rodents (R. rattus and R. norvegicus) play key roles
      in the evolution and dissemination of this Bartonella complex throughout the
      world. 

PMID- 24223262
TI  - Distinct subspecies or phenotypic plasticity? Genetic and morphological
      differentiation of mountain honey bees in East Africa.
AB  - Identifying the forces shaping intraspecific phenotypic and genotypic divergence
      are of key importance in evolutionary biology. Phenotypic divergence may result
      from local adaptation or, especially in species with strong gene flow, from
      pronounced phenotypic plasticity. Here, we examine morphological and genetic
      divergence among populations of the western honey bee Apis mellifera in the
      topographically heterogeneous East African region. The currently accepted
      "mountain refugia hypothesis" states that populations living in disjunct montane
      forests belong to a different lineage than those in savanna habitats surrounding
      these forests. We obtained microsatellite data, mitochondrial sequences, and
      morphometric data from worker honey bees collected from feral colonies in three
      montane forests and corresponding neighboring savanna regions in Kenya. Honey bee
      colonies from montane forests showed distinct worker morphology compared with
      colonies in savanna areas. Mitochondrial sequence data did not support the
      existence of the two currently accepted subspecies. Furthermore, analyses of the
      microsatellite data with a Bayesian clustering method did not support the
      existence of two source populations as it would be expected under the mountain
      refugia scenario. Our findings suggest that phenotypic plasticity rather than
      distinct ancestry is the leading cause behind the phenotypic divergence observed
      between montane forest and savanna honey bees. Our study thus corroborates the
      idea that high gene flow may select for increased plasticity. 

PMID- 24223263
TI  - Spatial phenotypic and genetic structure of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus
      aculeatus) in a heterogeneous natural system, Lake Myvatn, Iceland.
AB  - Eco-evolutionary responses of natural populations to spatial environmental
      variation strongly depend on the relative strength of environmental
      differences/natural selection and dispersal/gene flow. In absence of geographic
      barriers, as often is the case in lake ecosystems, gene flow is expected to
      constrain adaptive divergence between environments - favoring phenotypic
      plasticity or high trait variability. However, if divergent natural selection is
      sufficiently strong, adaptive divergence can occur in face of gene flow. The
      extent of divergence is most often studied between two contrasting environments,
      whereas potential for multimodal divergence is little explored. We investigated
      phenotypic (body size, defensive structures, and feeding morphology) and genetic
      (microsatellites) structure in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
      across five habitat types and two basins (North and South) within the
      geologically young and highly heterogeneous Lake Myvatn, North East Iceland. We
      found that (1) North basin stickleback were, on average, larger and had
      relatively longer spines than South basin stickleback, whereas (2) feeding
      morphology (gill raker number and gill raker gap width) differed among three of
      five habitat types, and (3) there was only subtle genetic differentiation across
      the lake. Overall, our results indicate predator and prey mediated phenotypic
      divergence across multiple habitats in the lake, in face of gene flow. 

PMID- 24223265
TI  - Spatial and temporal changes in bird assemblages in forest fragments in an
      eastern Amazonian savannah.
AB  - We investigated the effects of forest fragmentation on bird assemblages in an
      Amazonian savannah landscape with forest fragments that have been isolated for
      more than 100 years. The study was conducted in areas surrounding the village of
      Alter do Chao (2 degrees 31'S, 55 degrees 00'W), Santarem, Brazil. Bird surveys
      and measurements of tree density were undertaken in 25 areas, with 19 plots in
      forest fragments of different sizes and six in an area of continuous forest. Data
      on forest-fragment size, perimeter, and isolation were obtained from a
      georeferenced satellite image. Variation in number of bird species recorded per
      plot was not related to vegetation structure (tree density). The number of bird
      species recorded per plot increased significantly only with fragment area, but
      was not influenced by fragment shape or degree of isolation, even when
      considering species from the savannah matrix in the analysis. Fragments had fewer
      rare species. Multivariate ordination analyses (multiple dimensional scaling,
      [MDS]) indicated that bird species composition changed along a gradient from
      small to large forest fragments and continuous-forest areas. In the Amazonian
      savannah landscapes of Alter do Chao, the organization and composition of bird
      assemblages in forest fragments are affected by local long-term forest
      fragmentation processes. Differences in the number of bird species recorded per
      plot and assemblage composition between forest fragments and continuous forest
      were not influenced by forest structure, suggesting that the observed patterns in
      species composition result from the effects of fragmentation per se rather than
      from preexisting differences in vegetation structure between sites. Nevertheless,
      despite their long history of isolation, the forest fragments still preserve a
      large proportion (on average 80%) of the avifauna found in continuous-forest
      areas. The fragments at Alter do Chao are surrounded by natural (rather than
      planted) grassland, with many trees in the savannah matrix and the landscape has
      vast areas covered by forest, which may have helped to ameliorate the influences
      of forest fragmentation. 

PMID- 24223264
TI  - Genetic structure and demographic history of the endangered tree species
      Dysoxylum malabaricum (Meliaceae) in Western Ghats, India: implications for
      conservation in a biodiversity hotspot.
AB  - The impact of fragmentation by human activities on genetic diversity of forest
      trees is an important concern in forest conservation, especially in tropical
      forests. Dysoxylum malabaricum (white cedar) is an economically important tree
      species, endemic to the Western Ghats, India, one of the world's eight most
      important biodiversity hotspots. As D. malabaricum is under pressure of
      disturbance and fragmentation together with overharvesting, conservation efforts
      are required in this species. In this study, range-wide genetic structure of
      twelve D. malabaricum populations was evaluated to assess the impact of human
      activities on genetic diversity and infer the species' evolutionary history,
      using both nuclear and chloroplast (cp) DNA simple sequence repeats (SSR). As
      genetic diversity and population structure did not differ among seedling,
      juvenile and adult age classes, reproductive success among the old-growth trees
      and long distance seed dispersal by hornbills were suggested to contribute to
      maintain genetic diversity. The fixation index (F IS) was significantly
      correlated with latitude, with a higher level of inbreeding in the northern
      populations, possibly reflecting a more severe ecosystem disturbance in those
      populations. Both nuclear and cpSSRs revealed northern and southern genetic
      groups with some discordance of their distributions; however, they did not
      correlate with any of the two geographic gaps known as genetic barriers to
      animals. Approximate Bayesian computation-based inference from nuclear SSRs
      suggested that population divergence occurred before the last glacial maximum.
      Finally we discussed the implications of these results, in particular the
      presence of a clear pattern of historical genetic subdivision, on conservation
      policies. 

PMID- 24223266
TI  - Tropical rain forest conservation and the twin challenges of diversity and
      rarity.
AB  - Data from a global network of large, permanent plots in lowland tropical forests
      demonstrate (1) that the phenomenon of tropical tree rarity is real and (2) that
      almost all the species diversity in such forests is due to rare species.
      Theoretical and empirically based reasoning suggests that many of these rare
      species are not as geographically widespread as previously thought. These
      findings suggest that successful strategies for conserving global tree diversity
      in lowland tropical forests must pay much more attention to the biogeography of
      rarity, as well as to the impact of climate change on the distribution and
      abundance of rare species. Because the biogeography of many tropical tree species
      is poorly known, a high priority should be given to documenting the distribution
      and abundance of rare tropical tree species, particularly in Amazonia, the
      largest remaining tropical forested region in the world. 

PMID- 24223267
TI  - Did southern Western Ghats of peninsular India serve as refugia for its endemic
      biota during the Cretaceous volcanism?
AB  - The Western Ghats (WG) of south India, a global biodiversity hotspot, has
      experienced complex geological history being part of Gondwana landmass and
      encountered extensive volcanic activity at the end of Cretaceous epoch. It also
      has a climatically and topographically heterogeneous landscape. Thus, the WG
      offer a unique setting to explore the influence of ecological and geological
      processes on the current diversity and distribution of its biota. To this end,
      three explicit biogeographical scenarios were hypothesized to evaluate the
      distribution and diversification of wet evergreen species of the WG - (1)
      southern WG was a refuge for the wet evergreen species during the Cretaceous
      volcanism, (2) phylogenetic breaks in the species phylogeny would correspond to
      geographic breaks (i.e., the Palghat gap) in the WG, and (3) species from each of
      the biogeographic subdivisions within the WG would form distinct clades. These
      hypotheses were tested on the centipede genus Digitipes from the WG which is
      known to be an ancient, endemic, and monophyletic group. The Digitipes molecular
      phylogeny was subjected to divergence date estimation using Bayesian approach,
      and ancestral areas were reconstructed using parsimony approach for each node in
      the phylogeny. Ancestral-area reconstruction suggested 13 independent dispersal
      events to explain the current distribution of the Digitipes species in the WG.
      Among these 13 dispersals, two dispersal events were at higher level in the
      Digitipes phylogeny and were from the southern WG to the central and northern WG
      independently in the Early Paleocene, after the Cretaceous Volcanism. The
      remaining 11 dispersal events explained the species' range expansions of which
      nine dispersals were from the southern WG to other biogeographic subdivisions in
      the Eocene-Miocene in the post-volcanic periods where species-level
      diversifications occurred. Taken together, these results suggest that southern WG
      might have served as a refuge for Digitipes species during Cretaceous volcanism. 

PMID- 24223268
TI  - Identification of molecular and physiological responses to chronic environmental
      challenge in an invasive species: the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas.
AB  - Understanding the environmental responses of an invasive species is critical in
      predicting how ecosystem composition may be transformed in the future, especially
      under climate change. In this study, Crassostrea gigas, a species well adapted to
      the highly variable intertidal environment, was exposed to the chronic
      environmental challenges of temperature (19 and 24 degrees C) and pH (ambient
      seawater and a reduction of 0.4 pH units) in an extended 3-month laboratory-based
      study. Physiological parameters were measured (condition index, shell growth,
      respiration, excretion rates, O:N ratios, and ability to repair shell damage)
      alongside molecular analyses. Temperature was by far the most important stressor,
      as demonstrated by reduced condition indexes and shell growth at 24 degrees C,
      with relatively little effect detected for pH. Transcriptional profiling using
      candidate genes and SOLiD sequencing of mantle tissue revealed that classical
      "stress" genes, previously reported to be upregulated under acute temperature
      challenges, were not significantly expressed in any of the treatments,
      emphasizing the different response between acute and longer term chronic stress.
      The transcriptional profiling also elaborated on the cellular responses
      underpinning the physiological results, including the identification of the
      PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway as a potentially novel marker for chronic environmental
      challenge. This study represents a first attempt to understand the energetic
      consequences of cumulative thermal stress on the intertidal C. gigas which could
      significantly impact on coastal ecosystem biodiversity and function in the
      future. 

PMID- 24223269
TI  - Age-specific responses to spring temperature in a migratory songbird: older
      females attempt more broods in warmer springs.
AB  - Increasing global temperature has led to an interest in plasticity in the timing
      of annual events; however, little is known about the demographic consequences of
      changing phenology. Annual reproductive success varies significantly among
      individuals within a population, and some of that variation has to do with the
      number of broods attempted by reproducing adults. In birds, female age and the
      timing of reproduction are often predictors of multiple breeding. We hypothesize
      that double brooding rates may be affected by spring temperature and that the
      response may vary with female age. We used a long-term reproductive data set for
      a migratory songbird, the prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea) to assess
      which factors influence (a) an individual female's probability of double brooding
      and (b) the annual variation in population-level double brooding rates. We found
      that older and earlier nesting birds are more likely to double brood, and that
      there is no evidence for senescence with regard to this trait such that the
      oldest females were most likely to double brood. Previous experience with double
      brooding (i.e., whether the female double brooded in the previous year)
      significantly increased the probability of doing so again. When assessing annual
      variation in the double brooding rate, we found an interaction between spring
      temperature and the proportion of older females in the population. Specifically,
      older females are more likely to double brood in years with warmer springs, but
      this relationship was not seen for younger females. Previous studies have shown
      that warmer temperatures lead to earlier and narrower peaks in resources and we
      hypothesize that these peaks are more available to older and earlier arriving
      females, enabling them to successfully raise more than one brood in a season.
      Understanding how different age classes respond to changing environmental
      conditions will be imperative to managing declining species. 

PMID- 24223270
TI  - Dramatic response to climate change in the Southwest: Robert Whittaker's 1963
      Arizona Mountain plant transect revisited.
AB  - Models analyzing how Southwestern plant communities will respond to climate
      change predict that increases in temperature will lead to upward elevational
      shifts of montane species. We tested this hypothesis by reexamining Robert
      Whittaker's 1963 plant transect in the Santa Catalina Mountains of southern
      Arizona, finding that this process is already well underway. Our survey, five
      decades after Whittaker's, reveals large changes in the elevational ranges of
      common montane plants, while mean annual rainfall has decreased over the past 20
      years, and mean annual temperatures increased 0.25 degrees C/decade from 1949 to
      2011 in the Tucson Basin. Although elevational changes in species are
      individualistic, significant overall upward movement of the lower elevation
      boundaries, and elevational range contractions, have occurred. This is the first
      documentation of significant upward shifts of lower elevation range boundaries in
      Southwestern montane plant species over decadal time, confirming that previous
      hypotheses are correct in their prediction that mountain communities in the
      Southwest will be strongly impacted by warming, and that the Southwest is already
      experiencing a rapid vegetation change. 

PMID- 24223271
TI  - Origin and demographic history of the endemic Taiwan spruce (Picea
      morrisonicola).
AB  - Taiwan spruce (Picea morrisonicola) is a vulnerable conifer species endemic to
      the island of Taiwan. A warming climate and competition from subtropical tree
      species has limited the range of Taiwan spruce to the higher altitudes of the
      island. Using seeds sampled from an area in the central mountain range of Taiwan,
      15 nuclear loci were sequenced in order to measure genetic variation and to
      assess the long-term genetic stability of the species. Genetic diversity is low
      and comparable to other spruce species with limited ranges such as Picea
      breweriana, Picea chihuahuana, and Picea schrenkiana. Importantly, analysis using
      approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) provides evidence for a drastic decline in
      the effective population size approximately 0.3-0.5 million years ago (mya). We
      used simulations to show that this is unlikely to be a false-positive result due
      to the limited sample used here. To investigate the phylogenetic origin of Taiwan
      spruce, additional sequencing was performed in the Chinese spruce Picea wilsonii
      and combined with previously published data for three other mainland China
      species, Picea purpurea, Picea likiangensis, and P. schrenkiana. Analysis of
      population structure revealed that P. morrisonicola clusters most closely with P.
      wilsonii, and coalescent analyses using the program MIMAR dated the split to 4-8
      mya, coincidental to the formation of Taiwan. Considering the population decrease
      that occurred after the split, however, led to a much more recent origin. 

PMID- 24223272
TI  - Climate change, species distribution models, and physiological performance
      metrics: predicting when biogeographic models are likely to fail.
AB  - Modeling the biogeographic consequences of climate change requires confidence in
      model predictions under novel conditions. However, models often fail when
      extended to new locales, and such instances have been used as evidence of a
      change in physiological tolerance, that is, a fundamental niche shift. We explore
      an alternative explanation and propose a method for predicting the likelihood of
      failure based on physiological performance curves and environmental variance in
      the original and new environments. We define the transient event margin (TEM) as
      the gap between energetic performance failure, defined as CTmax, and the upper
      lethal limit, defined as LTmax. If TEM is large relative to environmental
      fluctuations, models will likely fail in new locales. If TEM is small relative to
      environmental fluctuations, models are likely to be robust for new locales, even
      when mechanism is unknown. Using temperature, we predict when biogeographic
      models are likely to fail and illustrate this with a case study. We suggest that
      failure is predictable from an understanding of how climate drives nonlethal
      physiological responses, but for many species such data have not been collected.
      Successful biogeographic forecasting thus depends on understanding when the
      mechanisms limiting distribution of a species will differ among geographic
      regions, or at different times, resulting in realized niche shifts. TEM allows
      prediction of the likelihood of such model failure. 

PMID- 24223273
TI  - Sweeping beauty: is grassland arthropod community composition effectively
      estimated by sweep netting?
AB  - Arthropods are critical ecosystem components due to their high diversity and
      sensitivity to perturbation. Furthermore, due to their ease of capture they are
      often the focus of environmental health surveys. There is much debate regarding
      the best sampling method to use in these surveys. Sweep netting and pan trapping
      are two sampling methods commonly used in agricultural arthropod surveys, but
      have not been contrasted in natural grassland systems at the community level. The
      purpose of this study was to determine whether sweep netting was effective at
      estimating arthropod diversity at the community level in grasslands or if
      supplemental pan trapping was needed. Arthropods were collected from grassland
      sites in Montana, USA, in the summer of 2011. The following three standardized
      evaluation criteria (consistency, reliability, and precision) were developed to
      assess the efficacy of sweep netting and pan trapping, based on analyses of
      variations in arthropod abundances, species richness, evenness, capture
      frequency, and community composition. Neither sampling method was sufficient in
      any criteria to be used alone for community-level arthropod surveys. On a taxa
      specific basis, however, sweep netting was consistent, reliable, and precise for
      Thysanoptera, infrequently collected (i.e., rare) insects, and Arachnida, whereas
      pan trapping was consistent, reliable, and precise for Collembola and bees, which
      is especially significant given current threats to the latter's populations
      worldwide. Species-level identifications increase the detected dissimilarity
      between sweep netting and pan trapping. We recommend that community-level
      arthropod surveys use both sampling methods concurrently, at least in grasslands,
      but likely in most nonagricultural systems. Target surveys, such as monitoring
      bee communities in fragmented grassland habitat or where detailed information on
      behavior of the target arthropod groups is available can in some instances employ
      singular methods. As a general ecological principle, consistency, reliability,
      and precision are appropriate criteria to evaluate the applicability of a given
      sampling method for both community-level and taxa-specific arthropod surveys in
      any ecosystem. 

PMID- 24223274
TI  - Less can be more: loss of MHC functional diversity can reflect adaptation to
      novel conditions during fish invasions.
AB  - The ability of invasive species to adapt to novel conditions depends on
      population size and environmental mismatch, but also on genetic variation. Away
      from their native range, invasive species confronted with novel selective
      pressures may display different levels of neutral versus functional genetic
      variation. However, the majority of invasion studies have only examined genetic
      variation at neutral markers, which may reveal little about how invaders adapt to
      novel environments. Salmonids are good model systems to examine adaptation to
      novel pressures because they have been translocated all over the world and
      represent major threats to freshwater biodiversity in the Southern Hemisphere,
      where they have become invasive. We examined patterns of genetic differentiation
      at seven putatively neutral (microsatellites) loci and one immune-related major
      histocompatibility complex (MHC class II-beta) locus among introduced rainbow
      trout living in captivity (farmed) or under natural conditions (naturalized) in
      Chilean Patagonia. A significant positive association was found between
      differentiation at neutral and functional markers, highlighting the role of
      neutral evolutionary forces in shaping genetic variation at immune-related genes
      in salmonids. However, functional (MHC) genetic diversity (but not microsatellite
      diversity) decreased with time spent in the wild since introduction, suggesting
      that there was selection against alleles associated with captive rearing of donor
      populations that do not provide an advantage in the wild. Thus, although high
      genetic diversity may initially enhance fitness in translocated populations, it
      does not necessarily reflect invasion success, as adaptation to novel conditions
      may result in rapid loss of functional MHC diversity. 

PMID- 24223275
TI  - Experimental demonstration of accelerated extinction in source-sink
      metapopulations.
AB  - Population extinction is a fundamental ecological process which may be aggravated
      by the exchange of organisms between productive (source) and unproductive (sink)
      habitat patches. The extent to which such source-sink exchange affects extinction
      rates is unknown. We conducted an experiment in which metapopulation effects
      could be distinguished from source-sink effects in laboratory populations of
      Daphnia magna. Time-to-extinction in this experiment was maximized at
      intermediate levels of habitat fragmentation, which is consistent with a minority
      of theoretical models. These results provided a baseline for comparison with
      experimental treatments designed to detect effects of concentrating resources in
      source patches. These treatments showed that source-sink configurations increased
      population variability (the coefficient of variation in abundance) and extinction
      hazard compared with homogeneous environments. These results suggest that where
      environments are spatially heterogeneous, accurate assessments of extinction risk
      will require understanding the exchange of organisms among population sources and
      sinks. Such heterogeneity may be the norm rather than the exception because of
      both the intrinsic heterogeneity naturally exhibited by ecosystems and increasing
      habitat fragmentation by human activity. 

PMID- 24223276
TI  - Mixed asexual and sexual reproduction in the Indo-Pacific reef coral Pocillopora
      damicornis.
AB  - Pocillopora damicornis is one of the best studied reef-building corals, yet it's
      somewhat unique reproductive strategy remains poorly understood. Genetic studies
      indicate that P. damicornis larvae are produced almost exclusively
      parthenogenetically, and yet population genetic surveys suggest frequent sexual
      reproduction. Using microsatellite data from over 580 larvae from 13 colonies, we
      demonstrate that P. damicornis displays a mixed reproductive strategy where
      sexual and asexual larvae are produced simultaneously within the same colony. The
      majority of larvae were parthenogenetic (94%), but most colonies (10 of the 13)
      produced a subset of their larvae sexually. Logistic regression indicates that
      the proportion of sexual larvae varied significantly with colony size, cycle day,
      and calendar day. In particular, the decrease in sexual larvae with colony size
      suggests that the mixed reproductive strategy changes across the life of the
      coral. This unique shift in reproductive strategy leads to increasingly asexual
      replications of successful genotypes, which (in contrast to exclusive
      parthenogens) have already contributed to the recombinant gene pool. 

PMID- 24223277
TI  - Population genetics structure of glyphosate-resistant Johnsongrass (Sorghum
      halepense L. Pers) does not support a single origin of the resistance.
AB  - Single sequence repeats (SSR) developed for Sorghum bicolor were used to
      characterize the genetic distance of 46 different Sorghum halepense
      (Johnsongrass) accessions from Argentina some of which have evolved toward
      glyphosate resistance. Since Johnsongrass is an allotetraploid and only one
      subgenome is homologous to cultivated sorghum, some SSR loci amplified up to two
      alleles while others (presumably more conserved loci) amplified up to four
      alleles. Twelve SSR providing information of 24 loci representative of
      Johnsongrass genome were selected for genetic distance characterization. All of
      them were highly polymorphic, which was evidenced by the number of different
      alleles found in the samples studied, in some of them up to 20. UPGMA and Mantel
      analysis showed that Johnsongrass glyphosate-resistant accessions that belong to
      different geographic regions do not share similar genetic backgrounds. In
      contrast, they show closer similarity to their neighboring susceptible
      counterparts. Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components using the clusters
      identified by K-means support the lack of a clear pattern of association among
      samples and resistance status or province of origin. Consequently, these results
      do not support a single genetic origin of glyphosate resistance. Nucleotide
      sequencing of the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) encoding
      gene from glyphosate-resistant and susceptible accessions collected from
      different geographic origins showed that none presented expected mutations in
      aminoacid positions 101 and 106 which are diagnostic of target-site resistance
      mechanism. 

PMID- 24223278
TI  - Predicting rarity and decline in animals, plants, and mushrooms based on species
      attributes and indicator groups.
AB  - In decisions on nature conservation measures, we depend largely on knowledge of
      the relationship between threats and environmental factors for a very limited
      number of species groups, with relevant environmental factors often being deduced
      from the relationship between threat and species traits. But can relationships
      between traits and levels of threats be identified across species from completely
      different taxonomic groups; and how accurately do well-known taxonomic groups
      indicate levels of threat in other species groups? To answer these questions, we
      first made a list of 152 species attributes of morphological and demographic
      traits and habitat requirements. Based on these attributes we then grew random
      forests of decision trees for 1183 species in the 18 different taxonomic groups
      for which we had Red Lists available in the Netherlands, using these to classify
      animals, plants, and mushrooms according to their rarity and decline. Finally, we
      grew random forests for four species groups often used as indicator groups to
      study how well the relationship between attribute and decline within these groups
      reflected that relationship within the larger taxonomic group to which these
      groups belong. Correct classification of rarity based on all attributes was as
      high as 88% in animals, 85% in plants, and 94% in mushrooms and correct
      classification of decline was 78% in animals, 69% in plants, and 70% in
      mushrooms. Vertebrates indicated decline in all animals well, as did birds for
      all vertebrates and vascular plants for all plants. However, butterflies poorly
      indicated decline in all insects. Random forests are a useful tool to relate
      rarity and decline to species attributes thereby making it possible to generalize
      rarity and decline to a wider set of species groups. Random forests can be used
      to estimate the level of threat to complete faunas and floras of countries or
      regions. In regions like the Netherlands, conservation policy based on attributes
      known to be relevant for the decline to birds, vertebrates or plants will
      probably also impact all aboveground terrestrial and freshwater macrofauna or
      macrophytes. 

PMID- 24223279
TI  - "Forms" of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia): intraspecific variation or valid
      species?
AB  - In many groups of organisms, especially in the older literature, it has been
      common practice to recognize sympatrically occurring phenotypic variants of a
      species as "forms". However, what these forms really represent often remains
      unclear, especially in poorly studied groups. With new algorithms for DNA-based
      species delimitation, the status of forms can be explicitly tested with molecular
      data. In this study, we test a number of what is now recognized as valid species
      of water mites (Hydrachnidia), but have in the past been treated as forms
      sympatrically occurring with their nominate species. We also test a form without
      prior taxonomical status, using DNA and morphometrics. The barcoding fragment of
      COI, nuclear 28S and quantitative analyses of morphological data were used to
      test whether these taxa merit species status, as suggested by several
      taxonomists. Our results confirm valid species. Genetic distances between the
      form and nominate species (Piona dispersa and Piona variabilis, COI 11%), as well
      as likelihood ratio tests under the general mixed-Yule coalescent model,
      supported that these are separately evolving lineages as defined by the unified
      species concept. In addition, they can be diagnosed with morphological
      characters. The study also reveals that some taxa genetically represent more than
      one species. We propose that P. dispersa are recognized as valid taxa at the
      species level. Unionicola minor (which may consist of several species), Piona
      stjordalensis, P. imminuta s. lat., and P. rotundoides are confirmed as species
      using this model. The results also imply that future studies of other water mite
      species complexes are likely to reveal many more genetically and morphologically
      distinct species. 

PMID- 24223280
TI  - Phenotypic plasticity of coralline algae in a High CO2 world.
AB  - It is important to understand how marine calcifying organisms may acclimatize to
      ocean acidification to assess their survival over the coming century. We cultured
      the cold water coralline algae, Lithothamnion glaciale, under elevated pCO2 (408,
      566, 770, and 1024 MUatm) for 10 months. The results show that the cell (inter
      and intra) wall thickness is maintained, but there is a reduction in growth rate
      (linear extension) at all elevated pCO2. Furthermore a decrease in Mg content at
      the two highest CO2 treatments was observed. Comparison between our data and that
      at 3 months from the same long-term experiment shows that the acclimation differs
      over time since at 3 months, the samples cultured under high pCO2 showed a
      reduction in the cell (inter and intra) wall thickness but a maintained growth
      rate. This suggests a reallocation of the energy budget between 3 and 10 months
      and highlights the high degree plasticity that is present. This might provide a
      selective advantage in future high CO2 world. 

PMID- 24223281
TI  - Did the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) shape the evolutionary trajectory of wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.)?
AB  - Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most successful domesticated plant
      species in the world. The majority of wheat carries mutations in the Puroindoline
      genes that result in a hard kernel phenotype. An evolutionary explanation, or
      selective advantage, for the spread and persistence of these hard kernel
      mutations has yet to be established. Here, we demonstrate that the house mouse
      (Mus musculus L.) exerts a pronounced feeding preference for soft over hard
      kernels. When allele frequencies ranged from 0.5 to 0.009, mouse predation
      increased the hard allele frequency as much as 10-fold. Studies involving a
      single hard kernel mixed with ~1000 soft kernels failed to recover the mutant
      kernel. Nevertheless, the study clearly demonstrates that the house mouse could
      have played a role in the evolution of wheat, and therefore the cultural
      trajectory of humankind. 

PMID- 24223282
TI  - How many marker loci are necessary? Analysis of dominant marker data sets using
      two popular population genetic algorithms.
AB  - The number of marker loci required to answer a given research question
      satisfactorily is especially important for dominant markers since they have a
      lower information content than co-dominant marker systems. In this study, we used
      simulated dominant marker data sets to determine the number of dominant marker
      loci needed to obtain satisfactory results from two popular population genetic
      analyses: STRUCTURE and AMOVA (analysis of molecular variance). Factors such as
      migration, level of population differentiation, and unequal sampling were varied
      in the data sets to mirror a range of realistic research scenarios. AMOVA
      performed well under all scenarios with a modest quantity of markers while
      STRUCTURE required a greater number, especially when populations were closely
      related. The popular DeltaK method of determining the number of genetically
      distinct groups worked well when sampling was balanced, but underestimated the
      true number of groups with unbalanced sampling. These results provide a window
      through which to interpret previous work with dominant markers and we provide a
      protocol for determining the number of markers needed for future dominant marker
      studies. 

PMID- 24223283
TI  - Evidence for 20th century climate warming and wetland drying in the North
      American Prairie Pothole Region.
AB  - The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America is a globally important
      resource that provides abundant and valuable ecosystem goods and services in the
      form of biodiversity, groundwater recharge, water purification, flood
      attenuation, and water and forage for agriculture. Numerous studies have found
      these wetlands, which number in the millions, to be highly sensitive to climate
      variability. Here, we compare wetland conditions between two 30-year periods
      (1946-1975; 1976-2005) using a hindcast simulation approach to determine if
      recent climate warming in the region has already resulted in changes in wetland
      condition. Simulations using the WETLANDSCAPE model show that 20th century
      climate change may have been sufficient to have a significant impact on wetland
      cover cycling. Modeled wetlands in the PPR's western Canadian prairies show the
      most dramatic effects: a recent trend toward shorter hydroperiods and less
      dynamic vegetation cycles, which already may have reduced the productivity of
      hundreds of wetland-dependent species. 

PMID- 24223284
TI  - Postcopulatory selection for dissimilar gametes maintains heterozygosity in the
      endangered North Atlantic right whale.
AB  - Although small populations are expected to lose genetic diversity through genetic
      drift and inbreeding, a number of mechanisms exist that could minimize this
      genetic decline. Examples include mate choice for unrelated mates and
      fertilization patterns biased toward genetically dissimilar gametes. Both
      processes have been widely documented, but the long-term implications have
      received little attention. Here, we combined over 25 years of field data with
      high-resolution genetic data to assess the long-term impacts of biased
      fertilization patterns in the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Offspring
      have higher levels of microsatellite heterozygosity than expected from this gene
      pool (effect size = 0.326, P < 0.011). This pattern is not due to precopulatory
      mate choice for genetically dissimilar mates (P < 0.600), but instead results
      from postcopulatory selection for gametes that are genetically dissimilar (effect
      size = 0.37, P < 0.003). The long-term implication is that heterozygosity has
      slowly increased in calves born throughout the study period, as opposed to the
      slight decline that was expected. Therefore, this mechanism represents a natural
      means through which small populations can mitigate the loss of genetic diversity
      over time. 

PMID- 24223285
TI  - Dioecy, more than monoecy, affects plant spatial genetic structure: the case
      study of Ficus.
AB  - In this analysis, we attempt to understand how monoecy and dioecy drive spatial
      genetic structure (SGS) in plant populations. For this purpose, plants of the
      genus Ficus were used as a comparative model due to their particular
      characteristics, including high species diversity, variation in life histories,
      and sexual systems. One of the main issues we assessed is whether dioecious fig
      tree populations are more spatially genetically structured than monoecious
      populations. Using the Sp statistic, which allows for quantitative comparisons
      among different studies, we compared the extent of SGS between monoecious and
      dioecious Ficus species. To broaden our conclusions we used published data on an
      additional 27 monoecious and dioecious plant species. Furthermore, genetic
      diversity analyses were performed for two monoecious Ficus species using 12
      microsatellite markers in order to strengthen our conclusions about SGS. Our
      results show that dioecy, more than monoecy, significantly contributes to SGS in
      plant populations. On average, the estimate of Sp was six times higher for
      dioecious Ficus species than monoecious Ficus species and it was two times higher
      in dioecious than monoecious plant species. Considering these results, we
      emphasize that the long-distance pollen dispersal mechanism in monoecious Ficus
      species seems to be the dominant factor in determining weak spatial genetic
      structure, high levels of genetic diversity, and lack of inbreeding. Although
      Ficus constitute a model species to study SGS, a more general comparison
      encompassing a wider range of plants is required in order to better understand
      how sexual systems affect genetic structure. 

PMID- 24223286
TI  - What to eat now? Shifts in polar bear diet during the ice-free season in western
      Hudson Bay.
AB  - Under current climate trends, spring ice breakup in Hudson Bay is advancing
      rapidly, leaving polar bears (Ursus maritimus) less time to hunt seals during the
      spring when they accumulate the majority of their annual fat reserves. For this
      reason, foods that polar bears consume during the ice-free season may become
      increasingly important in alleviating nutritional stress from lost seal hunting
      opportunities. Defining how the terrestrial diet might have changed since the
      onset of rapid climate change is an important step in understanding how polar
      bears may be reacting to climate change. We characterized the current terrestrial
      diet of polar bears in western Hudson Bay by evaluating the contents of passively
      sampled scat and comparing it to a similar study conducted 40 years ago. While
      the two terrestrial diets broadly overlap, polar bears currently appear to be
      exploiting increasingly abundant resources such as caribou (Rangifer tarandus)
      and snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and newly available resources
      such as eggs. This opportunistic shift is similar to the diet mixing strategy
      common among other Arctic predators and bear species. We discuss whether the
      observed diet shift is solely a response to a nutritional stress or is an
      expression of plastic foraging behavior. 

PMID- 24223287
TI  - Effects of structural connectivity on fine scale population genetic structure of
      muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus.
AB  - In heterogeneous landscapes, physical barriers and loss of structural
      connectivity have been shown to reduce gene flow and therefore lead to population
      structuring. In this study, we assessed the influence of landscape features on
      population genetic structure and gene flow of a semiaquatic species, the muskrat.
      A total of 97 muskrats were sampled from three watersheds near Sudbury, Ontario,
      Canada. We estimated population genetic structure using 11 microsatellite loci
      and identified a single genetic cluster and no genetic differences were found
      among the watersheds as a result of high levels of gene flow. At finer scales, we
      assessed the correlation between individual pairwise genetic distances and
      Euclidean distance as well as different models of least cost path (LCP). We used
      a range of cost values for the landscape types in order to build our LCP models.
      We found a positive relationship between genetic distance and least cost distance
      when we considered roads as corridors for movements. Open landscapes and urban
      areas seemed to restrict but not prevent gene flow within the study area. Our
      study underlines the high-dispersal ability of generalist species in their use of
      landscape and highlights how landscape features often considered barriers to
      animal movements are corridors for other species. 

PMID- 24223288
TI  - Tree size and its relationship with flowering phenology and reproductive output
      in Wild Nutmeg trees.
AB  - Reproductive strategies, sexual selection, and their relationship with the
      phenotype of individuals are topics widely studied in animals, but this
      information is less abundant for plants. Variability in flowering phenology among
      individuals has direct impact on their fitness, but how reproductive phenology is
      affected by the size of the individuals needs further study. We quantified the
      flowering intensity, length, and reproductive synchronization of two sympatric
      dioecious Wild Nutmeg tree species (Virola, Myristicaceae) in the Brazilian
      Atlantic forest, and analyzed its relationships with tree size. Two distinct
      strategies in flowering timing and intensity were found between species (annual
      versus biennial flowering), and among individuals in the annual flowering species
      (extended versus peak flowering). Only for the annual flowering species the
      reproductive output is related to tree size and large trees present
      proportionally higher flower coverage, and lower synchronization than smaller
      ones. Flowering is massive and highly synchronized in the biennial species. Sex
      ratios are not different from 1:1 in the two species, and in the two segregated
      reproductive subgroups in the biennial flowering species. The biennial flowering
      at individual level is a novelty among reproductive patterns in plants,
      separating the population in two reproductive subgroups. A proportional increase
      in the reproductive output with size exists only for the annual flowering
      species. A biennial flowering can allow resource storage favouring massive
      flowering for all the individuals diluting their relationship with size. 

PMID- 24223289
TI  - Distinguishing the importance between habitat specialization and dispersal
      limitation on species turnover.
AB  - Understanding what governs community assembly and the maintenance of biodiversity
      is a central issue in ecology, but has been a continuing debate. A key question
      is the relative importance of habitat specialization (niche assembly) and
      dispersal limitation (dispersal assembly). In the middle of the Loess Plateau,
      northwestern China, we examined how species turnover in Liaodong oak (Quercus
      wutaishanica) forests differed between observed and randomized assemblies, and
      how this difference was affected by habitat specialization and dispersal
      limitation using variation partitioning. Results showed that expected species
      turnover based on individual randomization was significantly lower than the
      observed value (P < 0.01). The turnover deviation significantly depended on the
      environmental and geographical distances (P < 0.05). Environmental and spatial
      variables significantly explained approximately 40% of the species composition
      variation at all the three layers (P < 0.05). However, their contributions varied
      among forest layers; the herb and shrub layers were dominated by environmental
      factors, whereas the canopy layer was dominated by spatial factors. Our results
      underscore the importance of synthetic models that integrate effects of both
      dispersal and niche assembly for understanding the community assembly. However,
      habitat specialization (niche assembly) may not always be the dominant process in
      community assembly, even under harsh environments. Community assembly may be in a
      trait-dependent manner (e.g., forest layers in this study). Thus, taking more
      species traits into account would strengthen our confidence in the inferred
      assembly mechanisms. 

PMID- 24223290
TI  - A natural antipredation experiment: predator control and reduced sea ice
      increases colony size in a long-lived duck.
AB  - Anthropogenic impact on the environment and wildlife are multifaceted and far
      reaching. On a smaller scale, controlling for predators has been increasing the
      yield from local natural prey resources. Globally, human-induced global warming
      is expected to impose severe negative effects on ecosystems, an effect that is
      expected to be even more pronounced in the scarcely populated northern latitudes.
      The clearest indication of a changing Arctic climate is an increase in both air
      and ocean temperatures leading to reduced sea ice distribution. Population
      viability is for long-lived species dependent on adult survival and recruitment.
      Predation is the main mortality cause in many bird populations, and egg predation
      is considered the main cause of reproductive failure in many birds. To assess the
      effect of predation and climate, we compared population time series from a
      natural experiment where a trapper/down collector has been licensed to actively
      protect breeding common eiders Somateria mollissima (a large seaduck) by
      shooting/chasing egg predators, with time series from another eider colony
      located within a nature reserve with no manipulation of egg predators. We found
      that actively limiting predator activity led to an increase in the population
      growth rate and carrying capacity with a factor of 3-4 compared to that found in
      the control population. We also found that population numbers were higher in
      years with reduced concentration of spring sea ice. We conclude that there was a
      large positive impact of human limitation of egg predators, and that this lead to
      higher population growth rate and a large increase in size of the breeding
      colony. We also report a positive effect of warming climate in the high arctic as
      reduced sea-ice concentrations was associated with higher numbers of breeding
      birds. 

PMID- 24223291
TI  - Ocean acidification and responses to predators: can sensory redundancy reduce the
      apparent impacts of elevated CO2 on fish?
AB  - Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere and surface ocean are rising at an
      unprecedented rate due to sustained and accelerating anthropogenic CO2 emissions.
      Previous studies have documented that exposure to elevated CO2 causes impaired
      antipredator behavior by coral reef fish in response to chemical cues associated
      with predation. However, whether ocean acidification will impair visual
      recognition of common predators is currently unknown. This study examined whether
      sensory compensation in the presence of multiple sensory cues could reduce the
      impacts of ocean acidification on antipredator responses. When exposed to
      seawater enriched with levels of CO2 predicted for the end of this century (880
      MUatm CO2), prey fish completely lost their response to conspecific alarm cues.
      While the visual response to a predator was also affected by high CO2, it was not
      entirely lost. Fish exposed to elevated CO2, spent less time in shelter than
      current-day controls and did not exhibit antipredator signaling behavior
      (bobbing) when multiple predator cues were present. They did, however, reduce
      feeding rate and activity levels to the same level as controls. The results
      suggest that the response of fish to visual cues may partially compensate for the
      lack of response to chemical cues. Fish subjected to elevated CO2 levels, and
      exposed to chemical and visual predation cues simultaneously, responded with the
      same intensity as controls exposed to visual cues alone. However, these responses
      were still less than control fish simultaneously exposed to chemical and visual
      predation cues. Consequently, visual cues improve antipredator behavior of CO2
      exposed fish, but do not fully compensate for the loss of response to chemical
      cues. The reduced ability to correctly respond to a predator will have
      ramifications for survival in encounters with predators in the field, which could
      have repercussions for population replenishment in acidified oceans. 

PMID- 24223292
TI  - Quantitative genetic analysis of responses to larval food limitation in a
      polyphenic butterfly indicates environment- and trait-specific effects.
AB  - Different components of heritability, including genetic variance (V G), are
      influenced by environmental conditions. Here, we assessed phenotypic responses of
      life-history traits to two different developmental conditions, temperature and
      food limitation. The former represents an environment that defines seasonal
      polyphenism in our study organism, the tropical butterfly Bicyclus anynana,
      whereas the latter represents a more unpredictable environment. We quantified
      heritabilities using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedures within an
      "Information Theoretical" framework in a full-sib design. Whereas development
      time, pupal mass, and resting metabolic rate showed no genotype-by-environment
      interaction for genetic variation, for thorax ratio and fat percentage the
      heritability increased under the cool temperature, dry season environment.
      Additionally, for fat percentage heritability estimates increased under food
      limitation. Hence, the traits most intimately related to polyphenism in B.
      anynana show the most environmental-specific heritabilities as well as some
      indication of cross-environmental genetic correlations. This may reflect a
      footprint of natural selection and our future research is aimed to uncover the
      genes and processes involved in this through studying season and condition
      dependent gene expression. 

PMID- 24223293
TI  - Multivariate sexual selection on male song structure in wild populations of
      sagebrush crickets, Cyphoderris strepitans (Orthoptera: Haglidae).
AB  - While a number of studies have measured multivariate sexual selection acting on
      sexual signals in wild populations, few have confirmed these findings with
      experimental manipulation. Sagebrush crickets are ideally suited to such
      investigations because mating imposes an unambiguous phenotypic marker on males
      arising from nuptial feeding by females. We quantified sexual selection operating
      on male song by recording songs of virgin and mated males captured from three
      wild populations. To determine the extent to which selection on male song is
      influenced by female preference, we conducted a companion study in which we
      synthesized male songs and broadcast them to females in choice trials.
      Multivariate selection analysis revealed a saddle-shaped fitness surface, the
      highest peak of which corresponded to longer train and pulse durations, and
      longer intertrain intervals. Longer trains and pulses likely promote greater mate
      attraction, but selection for longer intertrain durations suggests that energetic
      constraints may necessitate "time outs". Playback trials confirmed the selection
      for longer train and pulse durations, and revealed significant stabilizing
      selection on dominant frequency, suggesting that the female auditory system is
      tightly tuned to the species-specific call frequency. Collectively, our results
      revealed a complex pattern of multivariate nonlinear selection characterized
      primarily by strong stabilizing and disruptive selection on male song traits. 

PMID- 24223294
TI  - Grazer exclusion alters plant spatial organization at multiple scales, increasing
      diversity.
AB  - Grazing is one of the most important factors influencing community structure and
      productivity in natural grasslands. Understanding why and how grazing pressure
      changes species diversity is essential for the preservation and restoration of
      biodiversity in grasslands. We use heavily grazed subalpine meadows in the
      Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to test the hypothesis that grazer exclusion alters plant
      diversity by changing inter- and intraspecific species distributions. Using
      recently developed spatial analyses combined with detailed ramet mapping of
      entire plant communities (91 species), we show striking differences between
      grazed and fenced areas that emerged at scales of just one meter. Species
      richness was similar at very small scales (0.0625 m(2)), but at larger scales
      diversity in grazed areas fell below 75% of corresponding fenced areas. These
      differences were explained by differences in spatial distributions; intra- and
      interspecific associations changed from aggregated at small scales to
      overdispersed in the fenced plots, but were consistently aggregated in the grazed
      ones. We conclude that grazing enhanced inter- and intraspecific aggregations and
      maintained high diversity at small scales, but caused decreased turnover in
      species at larger scales, resulting in lower species richness. Our study provides
      strong support to the theoretical prediction that inter- and intraspecific
      aggregation produces local spatial patterns that scale-up to affect species
      diversity in a community. It also demonstrates that the impacts of grazing can
      manifest through this mechanism, lowering diversity by reducing spatial turnover
      in species. Finally, it highlights the ecological and physiological plant
      processes that are likely responding to grazing and thereby altering aggregation
      patterns, providing new insights for monitoring, and mediating the impacts of
      grazing. 

PMID- 24223295
TI  - Interior Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) breeding distribution and ecology:
      implications for population-level studies and the evaluation of alternative
      management strategies on large, regulated rivers.
AB  - Interior Least Terns (Sternula antillarum) (ILT) are colonial, fish-eating birds
      that breed within active channels of large sand bed rivers of the Great Plains
      and in the Lower Mississippi Valley. Multipurpose dams, irrigation structures,
      and engineered navigation systems have been present on these rivers for many
      decades. Despite severe alteration of channels and flow regimes, regulation era
      floods have remained effective at maintaining bare sandbar nesting habitat on
      many river segments and ILT populations have been stable or expanding since they
      were listed as endangered in 1985. We used ILT breeding colony locations from
      2002 to 2012 and dispersal information to identify 16 populations and 48
      subpopulations. More than 90% of ILT and >83% of river km with suitable nesting
      habitat occur within the two largest populations. However, replicate populations
      remain throughout the entire historical, geophysical, and ecological range of
      ILT. Rapid colonization of anthropogenic habitats in areas that were not
      historically occupied suggests metapopulation dynamics. The highest likelihood of
      demographic connectivity among ILT populations occurs across the Southern Plains
      and the Lower Mississippi River, which may be demographically connected with
      Least Tern populations on the Gulf Coast. Paired ecological and bird population
      models are needed to test whether previously articulated threats limit ILT
      population growth and to determine if management intervention is necessary and
      where. Given current knowledge, the largest sources of model uncertainty will be:
      (1) uncertainty in relationships between high flow events and subsequent sandbar
      characteristics and (2) uncertainty regarding the frequency of dispersal among
      population subunits. We recommend research strategies to reduce these
      uncertainties. 

PMID- 24223296
TI  - The episodic evolution of fibritin: traces of ancient global environmental
      alterations may remain in the genomes of T4-like phages.
AB  - The evolutionary adaptation of bacteriophages to their environment is achieved by
      alterations of their genomes involving a combination of both point mutations and
      lateral gene transfer. A phylogenetic analysis of a large set of collar fiber
      protein (fibritin) loci from diverse T4-like phages indicates that nearly all the
      modular swapping involving the C-terminal domain of this gene occurred in the
      distant past and has since ceased. In phage T4, this fibritin domain encodes the
      sequence that mediates both the attachment of the long tail fibers to the virion
      and also controls, in an environmentally sensitive way, the phage's ability to
      infect its host bacteria. Subsequent to its distant period of modular exchange,
      the evolution of fibritin has proceeded primarily by the slow vertical divergence
      mechanism. We suggest that ancient and sudden changes in the environment forced
      the T4-like phages to alter fibritin's mode of action or function. The genome's
      response to such episodes of rapid environmental change could presumably only be
      achieved quickly enough by employing the modular evolution mechanism. A
      phylogenetic analysis of the fibritin locus reveals the possible traces of such
      events within the T4 superfamily's genomes. 

PMID- 24223299
TI  - Examining the base stacking interaction in a dinucleotide context via reversible
      cyclobutane dimer analogue formation under UV irradiation.
AB  - Substituted tolyl groups are considered as close isosteres of the thymine (T)
      residue. They can be recognized by DNA polymerases as if they were thymine.
      Although these toluene derivatives are relatively inert toward radical additions,
      our recent finding suggests that the dinucleotide analogue TpTo (To = 2'-deoxy-1
      (3-tolyl)-beta-D-ribofuranose) supports an ortho photocycloaddition reaction upon
      UV irradiation, producing two cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) analogues 2 and
      3. Our report here further shows that formation of these CPD species is
      reversible under UVC irradiation, resembling the photochemical property of the
      CPD species formed between two Ts. Analyzing the stability of these CPD analogues
      suggests that one (2) is more stable than the other (3). The TpTo conformer
      responsible for 2 formation is also more stable than that responsible for 3
      formation, as indicated by the Gibbs free energy change calculated from the
      constructed Bordwell thermodynamic cycle. These different stabilities are not due
      to the varying photochemical properties, as proved by quantum yields determined
      from the corresponding photoreactions. Instead, they are ascribed to the
      different stacking interaction between the T and the To rings both in the TpTo
      dinucleotide as well as in the formed CPD analogues. Factors contributing to the
      ring stacking interactions are also discussed. Our proof-of-concept approach
      suggests that a carefully designed Bordwell cycle coupled with reversible CPD
      formations under UV irradiation can be very useful in studying DNA base
      interactions.

PMID- 24223300
TI  - Vascular tortuosities of the upper eyelid: a new clinical finding in fabry
      patient screening.
AB  - Purpose. To report a new clinical finding related to Fabry disease. Methods.
      Fabry subjects were enrolled in the study, matched for age and sex with healthy
      individuals as a control group. This is a prospective review of all upper lid
      pictures taken for every subject at their last visit. A 4-step grading scale is
      proposed to classify this new entity. Results. Group A (Fabry) comprised 16 males
      and 22 females, aged 40 (+/-14) years on average. Group B (control) comprised 7
      males and 8 females, aged 37 (+/-12) Vessels tortuosity was identified on the
      external superior lid in 36 of the Fabry patients (94.7%), while none of the
      subjects in group B showed similar vessels tortuosity. In addition,
      microaneurysms (MAs) were found in 10/38 group A subjects while none in group B
      presented a similar finding. The differences are highly significant. Conclusion.
      This paper proposes that blood vessels tortuosity on the upper eyelid be
      recognized as a new clinical entity for inclusion among the classic ocular
      manifestations of Fabry's disease. Without evidence of any negative impact, it
      should be considered a benign sign contributing to evidence of suspected Fabry
      disease. 

PMID- 24223301
TI  - Lamellar keratoplasty: a literature review.
AB  - The concept of lamellar keratoplasty (LK) is not new. However, newer forms of
      lamellar keratoplasty techniques have emerged in the last decade or so revolving
      around the concept of targeted replacement of diseased corneal layers. These
      include anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) techniques that aim to selectively
      replace diseased corneal stroma and endothelial keratoplasty techniques aiming to
      replaced damaged endothelium in endothelial disorders. Recent improvements in
      surgical instruments and introduction of new techniques as well as inherent
      advantages such as preservation of globe integrity and decreased graft rejection
      have resulted in the reintroduction of LK as an acceptable alternative to
      conventional PK. In this review, indications, benefits, limitations, and outcomes
      of various anterior and posterior lamellar keratoplasty techniques are discussed.

PMID- 24223302
TI  - Relationship between Plasma Aldosterone Levels and Left Ventricular Mass in
      Hypertensive Africans.
AB  - Background. Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease worldwide and
      is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Studies have suggested that the
      activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system play a major role in the
      target organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy occuring in
      hypertension. We sought to determine the relationship between plasma aldosterone
      and left ventricular mass in untreated African hypertensives. Methods. We
      recruited 82 newly diagnosed and untreated hypertensives and 51 normal controls.
      Measurements obtained included echocardiographic LV mass index, plasma
      aldosterone and renin. Results. The hypertensive subjects had lower renin levels
      (21.03[6.974] versus 26.66[7.592] ng.mL(-1), P = 0.0013), higher LV mass index
      (52.56[14.483] versus 42.02[8.315] g.m(-2.7) P < 0.0001) when compared with the
      controls. There were no univariate associations between LV mass index and plasma
      aldosterone (r = 0.0179, P = 0.57) and between LV mass index and plasma renin (r
      = 0.0887, P = 0.61). In a multivariate model involving LV mass index and age,
      sex, body mass index (BMI), plasma aldosterone, plasma renin and systolic blood
      pressure (SBP), only age (P = 0.008), BMI (P = 0.046), and SBP (P = 0.001) were
      independently associated with the LV mass index. Conclusions. In this group of
      hypertensive Africans, there is no independent association of plasma aldosterone
      with LV mass. The height of the blood pressure, the body mass index and the age
      of the subjects determined the LV mass. 

PMID- 24223303
TI  - Measuring the response of extrahepatic symptoms and quality of life to antiviral
      treatment in patients with hepatitis C.
AB  - Background. HCV infection is associated with musculoskeletal manifestations such
      as chronic widespread pain, sicca syndrome, polyarthritis, and a reduced HRQOL.
      Little data is available on the effect of treatment on these manifestations. This
      study measured changes in extrahepatic symptoms and HRQOL before and after
      antiviral treatment in a large UK patient cohort. Methods. 118 patients completed
      HQLQ and rheumatological questionnaires before and after treatment with pegylated
      interferon- alpha and ribavirin, with specific regard to chronic widespread pain,
      sicca syndrome, and sustained virological response. Results. There was
      significant improvement in HQLQ domains of physical functioning, physical
      disability, social functioning, limitations and health distress due to hepatitis,
      and general health. There was significant deterioration in domains of positive
      well-being, health distress, and mental health. There was a significant decline
      prevalence of CWP (26.3% versus 15.3%, P = 0.015). Sicca syndrome prevalence fell
      insignificantly (12.7% versus 11%). SVR was associated positively with all HRQOL
      changes and significantly with CWP remission. Conclusions. HCV antivirals
      significantly improve poor HRQOL scores and CWP. Before treatment, both were
      common, coassociated, and unaccounted for through mixed cryoglobulinemia alone.
      Although a role of the hepatitis C virus in CWP cannot be deduced by these
      results, symptomatic improvement via antiviral treatment exists for this subset
      of patients. 

PMID- 24223304
TI  - Trail overexpression inversely correlates with histological differentiation in
      intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite their histological resemblance to colorectal
      adenocarcinoma, there is some information about the molecular events involved in
      the pathogenesis of intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinomas (ITACs). To
      evaluate the possible role of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) gene
      defects in ITAC, by investigating the immunohistochemical expression of TRAIL
      gene product in a group of ethmoidal ITACs associated with occupational exposure.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study on 23 patients with pathological
      diagnosis of primary ethmoidal ITAC. Representative formalin-fixed, paraffin
      embedded block from each case was selected for immunohistochemical studies using
      the antibody against TRAIL. Clinicopathological data were also correlated with
      the staining results. RESULTS: The immunohistochemical examination demonstrated
      that poorly differentiated cases showed a higher percentage of TRAIL expressing
      cells compared to well-differentiated cases. No correlation was found with other
      clinicopathological parameters, including T, stage and relapses. CONCLUSION: The
      relationship between upregulation of TRAIL and poorly differentiated ethmoidal
      adenocarcinomas suggests that the mutation of this gene, in combination with
      additional genetic events, could play a role in the pathogenesis of ITAC.

PMID- 24223305
TI  - Cardiovascular disease self-care interventions.
AB  - Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of increased morbidity
      and mortality globally. Clinical practice guidelines recommend that individuals
      with CVD are routinely instructed to engage in self-care including diet
      restrictions, medication adherence, and symptom monitoring. Objectives. To
      describe the nature of nurse-led CVD self-care interventions, identify
      limitations in current nurse-led CVD self-care interventions, and make
      recommendations for addressing them in future research. Design. Integrative
      review of nurse-led CVD self-care intervention studies from PubMed, MEDLINE, ISI
      Web of Science, and CINAHL. Primary studies (n = 34) that met the inclusion
      criteria of nurse-led RCT or quasiexperimental CVD self-care intervention studies
      (years 2000 to 2012) were retained and appraised. Quality of the review was
      assured by having at least two reviewers screen and extract all data. Results. A
      variety of self-care intervention strategies were studied among the male (57%)
      and Caucasian (67%) dominated samples. Combined interventions were common, and
      quality of life was the most frequent outcome evaluated. Effectiveness of
      interventions was inconclusive, and in general results were not sustained over
      time. Conclusions. Research is needed to develop and test tailored and inclusive
      CVD self-care interventions. Attention to rigorous study designs and methods
      including consistent outcomes and measurement is essential. 

PMID- 24223306
TI  - Optic neuritis as isolated manifestation of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis: a case
      report and systematic review of ocular manifestations of neoplastic meningitis.
AB  - Introduction. Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis occurs in about 5% of cancer
      patients. Ocular involvement is a common clinical manifestation and often the
      presenting clinical feature. Materials and Methods. We report the case of a 52
      year old lady with optic neuritis as isolated manifestation of neoplastic
      meningitis and a review of ocular involvement in neoplastic meningitis. Ocular
      symptoms were the presenting clinical feature in 34 patients (83%) out of 41
      included in our review, the unique manifestation of meningeal carcinomatosis in 3
      patients (7%). Visual loss was the presenting clinical manifestation in 17
      patients (50%) and was the most common ocular symptom (70%). Other ocular signs
      were diplopia, ptosis, papilledema, anisocoria, exophthalmos, orbital pain,
      scotomas, hemianopsia, and nystagmus. Associated clinical symptoms were headache,
      altered consciousness, meningism, limb weakness, ataxia, dizziness, seizures, and
      other cranial nerves involvement. All patients except five underwent CSF
      examination which was normal in 1 patient, pleocytosis was found in 11 patients,
      increased protein levels were observed in 16 patients, and decreased glucose
      levels were found in 8 patients. Cytology was positive in 29 patients (76%).
      Conclusion. Meningeal carcinomatosis should be considered in patients with ocular
      symptoms even in the absence of other suggestive clinical symptoms. 

PMID- 24223307
TI  - The Association between Seasonal Variation in Vitamin D, Postural Sway, and Falls
      Risk: An Observational Cohort Study.
AB  - Introduction. Low serum vitamin D levels are associated with increased postural
      sway. Vitamin D varies seasonally. This study investigates whether postural sway
      varies seasonally and is associated with serum vitamin D and falls. Methods. In a
      longitudinal observational study, eighty-eight independently mobile community
      dwelling older adults (69.7 +/- 7.6 years) were evaluated on five occasions over
      one year, measuring postural sway (force platform), vitamin D levels, fall
      incidence, and causes and adverse outcomes. Mixed-methods Poisson regression was
      used to determine associations between measures. Results. Postural sway did not
      vary over the year. Vitamin D levels varied seasonally (P < 0.001), peaking in
      summer. Incidence of falls (P = 0.01) and injurious falls (P = 0.02) were lower
      in spring, with the highest fall rate at the end of autumn. Postural sway was not
      related to vitamin D (P = 0.87) or fall rates, but it was associated with fall
      injuries (IRR 1.59 (CI 1.14 to 2.24, P = 0.007). Conclusions. Postural sway
      remained stable across the year while vitamin D varied seasonally. Participants
      with high values for postural sway demonstrated higher rates of injurious falls.
      This study provides important evidence for clinicians and researchers providing
      interventions measuring balance outcomes across seasons. 

PMID- 24223308
TI  - Effects of walking direction and cognitive challenges on gait in persons with
      multiple sclerosis.
AB  - Declines in walking performance are commonly seen when undergoing a concurrent
      cognitive task in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study
      was to determine the effect of walking direction and simultaneous cognitive task
      on the spatiotemporal gait parameters in persons with MS compared to healthy
      controls. Ten persons with MS (Median EDSS, 3.0) and ten healthy controls took
      part in this pilot study. Participants performed 4 walking trials at their self
      selected comfortable pace. These trials included forward walking, forward walking
      with a cognitive task, backward walking, and backward walking with a cognitive
      task. Walking performance was indexed with measures of velocity, cadence, and
      stride length for each testing condition. The MS group walked slower with
      significantly reduced stride length compared to the control group. The novel
      observation of this investigation was that walking differences between persons
      with MS and healthy controls were greater during backward walking, and this
      effect was further highlighted during backward walking with added cognitive test.
      This raises the possibility that backward walking tests could be an effective way
      to examine walking difficulties in individuals with MS with relatively minimal
      walking impairment. 

PMID- 24223310
TI  - A study on evaluation of apoptosis and expression of bcl-2-related marker in
      wound healing of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - Uncontrolled blood sugar is a major cause of vascular complications and delayed
      wound healing in diabetes mellitus. During wound healing process, normally,
      apoptosis is responsible for events such as removal of inflammatory cells and
      evolution of granulation tissue into scar which occur during the late phase of
      wound healing. Early apoptosis can lead to abnormal wound healing by removing
      granulation tissue including fibroblast, endothelial cell, and small vessels. To
      determine the role of apoptosis in association with hyperglycemia in diabetic
      wound healing, apoptosis-related intracellular marker such as expression of Bcl-2
      protein by immunohistochemistry and normal histology has been studied.
      Histological findings show higher level of apoptosis and diminished granulation
      tissue formation in diabetic rats wounds along with minimal expression of Bcl-2
      in diabetic rats wounds when compared with nondiabetic rats wounds. It can be
      concluded from this study that elevated blood sugar level may be associated with
      increased apoptosis and the least expression of Bcl-2 protein which might cause
      deregulation of the wound healing processes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic
      rats. 

PMID- 24223309
TI  - Pretreatment of Small-for-Size Grafts In Vivo by gamma -Aminobutyric Acid
      Receptor Regulation against Oxidative Stress-Induced Injury in Rat Split
      Orthotopic Liver Transplantation.
AB  - Background. Graft pretreatment to limit postoperative damage has the advantage of
      overcoming a current issue in liver transplantation (LT). The strategic potential
      of graft pretreatment in vivo by a specific agonist for gamma -aminobutyric acid
      receptor (GABAR) was investigated in the rat LT model with a small-for-size graft
      (SFSG). Methods. Recipient rats were divided into three groups according to donor
      treatments and recipient surgeries: (i) saline and laparotomy, (ii) saline and
      split orthotopic liver transplantation (SOLT) with 40%-SFSG, and (iii) GABAR
      agonist and SOLT with 40%-SFSG. Survival was evaluated. Blood and liver samples
      were collected 6 h after surgery. Immunohistological assessment for apoptotic
      induction and western blotting for 4-hydroxynonenal, ataxia-telangiectasia
      mutated kinase (ATM), histone H2AX, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), Akt,
      and free radical scavenging enzymes were performed. Results. Pretreatment by
      GABAR showed improvement in survival, histopathological assessment, and
      biochemical tests. Apoptotic induction and oxidative stress were observed after
      SOLT with an SFSG, and this damage was limited by GABAR regulation. GABAR
      regulation appeared to reduce DNA damage via the ATM/H2AX pathway and to promote
      cell survival via the PI3K/Akt pathway. Conclusions. Pretreatment in vivo by
      GABAR regulation improves graft damage after SOLT with an SFSG. This strategy may
      be advantageous in LT. 

PMID- 24223311
TI  - The Practice of Medical Oncology in Morocco: The National Study of the Moroccan
      Group of Trialist in Medical Oncology (EVA-Onco).
AB  - Objective. To determine the current shortfall of medical oncologists (MOs) and
      the projected supply. Background. Morocco, the medical oncology (MO) is a
      relatively new specialty. Medical oncology was recognized as a separate specialty
      in 1994 but the real taking-off was done only since the 2000s after the creation
      of the chair of medical oncology in the University of Rabat. The GRIOMM (Moroccan
      group of trialist in medical oncology) was created in 2011 and conducted its
      first study, EVA-onco, concerning the practice of medical oncology in Morocco in
      2011. Design. EVA-onco is a prospective study concerning the practice of medical
      oncology in Morocco in 2011. Results. The entire public cancer centers completed
      the survey. There were no missing data. The number of medical oncologist per
      100000/habitants in Morocco was 0.09. The average number of new patients seen per
      medical oncologist was 718 patients (ranging by state from 97 to 1875). The
      shortfall of MOs was estimated at 26 at least in 2011 according to the national
      recommendations. Conclusions. Since 2010, a national strategy to increase the
      capacity of MO workforce existed. The current shortfall of MO is expected to
      disappear in the future. 

PMID- 24223312
TI  - Antileukemic Efficacy of Monomeric Manganese-Based Metal Complex on KG-1A and
      K562 Cell Lines.
AB  - Transitional metals and metal compounds have been used in versatile platforms for
      biomedical applications and therapeutic intervention. Severe side effects of
      anticancer drugs produce an urgent urge to develop new classes of anticancer
      agents with great potency as well as selectivity. In this background, recent
      studies demonstrate that monomeric manganese (MnII) thiocyanate complex (MMTC)
      holds great promise to exert effective antileukemic effects. MMTC was developed
      by a simple chemical reaction and characterized by elemental analyses, thermal
      analyses, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Anti-leukemic
      efficacy of the developed MMTC was estimated in KG-1A (AML) and K562 (CML) cell
      lines. Cell viability study, drug uptake assay, cellular redox balance (GSH and
      GSSG level), nitric oxide (NO) release level, reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      formation, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA
      fragmentation revealed that MMTC was able to produce significant
      antiproliferative effects on both cell lines at 25  MU g mL(-1) without showing
      any toxicological impact on normal lymphocytes. These findings will enlighten the
      biomedical application of manganese-based metal complexes as anti-leukemic
      agents. 

PMID- 24223313
TI  - Influence of body position on severity of obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic
      review.
AB  - Aim. The aim of this review is to determine the relationship between sleeping
      body posture and severity of obstructive sleep apnea. This relationship has been
      investigated in the past. However, the conclusions derived from some of these
      studies are conflicting with each other. This paper intends to summarize the
      reported relationships between sleep posture and various sleep indices in
      patients diagnosed with sleep apnea. Methods and Materials. A systematic review
      of the published English literature during a 25-year period from 1983 to 2008 was
      performed. Results. Published data concerning the sleep apnea severity and
      posture in adults are limited. Supine sleep posture is consistently associated
      with more severe obstructive sleep apnea indices in adults. However, relationship
      between sleep apnea severity indices and prone posture is inconsistent. 

PMID- 24223314
TI  - A massive posterior neck mass: lipoma or something more sinister?
AB  - Lipomas are slow-growing benign soft-tissue tumors which are typically
      asymptomatic and occur in approximately 1% of the population. A lipoma is
      considered to be of excessive size when it is greater than 10 cm in length (in
      any dimension) or weighs over 1000 g (Kransdorf (1995)). We describe a case of a
      man presenting with a giant posterior neck mass which greatly reduced the
      sagittal range of cervical spine. A discussion of the pathophysiology of lipomas
      and a literature review regarding giant lipomas versus malignancy follows. 

PMID- 24223315
TI  - Acute on chronic venous thromboembolism on therapeutic anticoagulation.
AB  - A case of proximal venous thromboembolism in a patient who presented to the ED
      with lower extremity pain is presented. Making this diagnosis is very important
      as fifty percent of patients with symptomatic proximal DVTs will go on to develop
      PE without treatment. This report underscores the utility of bedside
      ultrasonography in the emergency department. 

PMID- 24223316
TI  - Candida albicans Fungaemia following Traumatic Urethral Catheterisation in a
      Paraplegic Patient with Diabetes Mellitus and Candiduria Treated by Caspofungin.
AB  - A 58-year-old paraplegic male, with long-term indwelling urethral catheter,
      developed catheter block. The catheter was changed, but blood-stained urine was
      drained intermittently. A long segment of the catheter was seen lying outside his
      penis, which indicated that the balloon of Foley catheter had been inflated in
      urethra. The misplaced catheter was removed and a new catheter was inserted
      correctly. Gentamicin 160 mg was given intravenously; meropenem 1 gram every
      eight hours was prescribed; antifungals were not given. Twenty hours later, this
      patient developed distension of abdomen, tachycardia, and hypotension; he was not
      arousable. Computed tomography of abdomen revealed inflamed uroepithelium of
      right renal pelvis and ureter, 4 mm lower ureteric calculus with gas in right
      ureter proximally, and vesical calculus containing gas in its matrix. Urine and
      blood culture yielded Candida albicans. Identical sensitivity pattern of both
      isolates suggested that the source of the bloodstream infection was most likely
      urine. Both isolates formed consistently high levels of biofilm formation in
      vitro as assessed using a biofilm biomass stain, and high levels of resistance to
      voriconazole were observed. Both amphotericin B and caspofungin showed good
      activity against the biofilms. HbA1c was 111 mmol/mol. This patient was
      prescribed human soluble insulin and caspofungin 70 mg followed by 50 mg daily
      intravenously. He recovered fully from candidemia. 

PMID- 24223317
TI  - Treatment of palatal myoclonus with botulinum toxin injection.
AB  - Palatal myoclonus is a rare cause of pulsatile tinnitus in patients presenting to
      the otolaryngology office. Rhythmic involuntary contractions of the palatal
      muscles produce the pulsatile tinnitus in these patients. Treatment of this
      benign but distressing condition with anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, and surgery
      has been largely unsuccessful. A few investigators have obtained promising
      results with botulinum toxin injection into the palatal muscles. We present a
      patient with palatal myoclonus who failed conservative treatment with
      anxiolytics. Unilateral injection of botulinum toxin into her tensor veli
      palatini muscle under electromyographic guidance resolved pulsatile tinnitus in
      her ipsilateral ear and unmasked pulsatile tinnitus in the contralateral ear. A
      novel method of following transient postinjection symptoms using a diary is
      presented in this study. Botulinum toxin dose must be titrated to achieve optimal
      results in each individual patient, analogous to titrations done for spasmodic
      dysphonia. Knowledge of the temporal onset of postinjection side effects and
      symptomatic relief may aid physicians in dose titration and surveillance. We
      present suggestions on titrating the botulinum toxin dose to optimal levels. A
      review of the literature on the use of botulinum toxin for palatal myoclonus and
      some common complications are discussed. 

PMID- 24223318
TI  - Intrauterine upper limb ischemia: an unusual presentation of fetal thrombophilia
      a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Upper limb ischemia presenting in neonatal period is extremely rare. Moreover,
      presenting newborn with evidence of intrauterine upper limb vascular occlusion is
      even rarer. It needs prompt intervention to restore perfusion and avoid
      morbidity. We present a newborn with right upper limb brachial artery thrombosis
      causing ischemia that was noted at birth and appeared later to be homozygous for
      factor V Leiden and glycoprotein IIIa with no other identifiable risk factors. In
      this report, we present the case, its successful medical management, proper
      counseling, and review of the literature. We recommend investigating the neonates
      and their parents for thrombophilia mutations when they present with unusual
      vascular occlusion site as newborns. 

PMID- 24223319
TI  - Large conization and laparoendoscopic single-port pelvic lymphadenectomy in early
      stage cervical cancer for fertility preservation.
AB  - Fertility preservation in early-stage cervical cancer is a hot topic in
      gynecologic oncology. Although radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT) is suggested
      as a fertility preserving approach, there are some serious concerns like cervical
      stenosis, second trimester loss, preterm delivery in survivors, and lack of
      residual tumor in the majority of the surgical specimens. Therefore, less radical
      surgical operations have been proposed in early-stage cervical carcinomas. On the
      other hand, single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is an evolving endoscopic
      approach for minimal access surgery. In this report, we present a case with early
      stage cervical cancer who wishes to preserve fertility. We successfully performed
      single-port pelvic lymphadenectomy and large conization to preserve fertility
      potential of the patient. We think that combination of less radical approach like
      conization and single-port pelvic lymphadenectomy might be less minimally
      invasive and is still an effective surgical approach in well-selected cases with
      cervical carcinomas. Incorporation of single-port laparoscopy into the minimally
      invasive fertility sparing management of the cervical cancer will improve
      patients outcome with less complications and better cosmesis. Further studies are
      needed to reach a clear conclusion. 

PMID- 24223320
TI  - Hepatic portal venous gas: comparison of two cases.
AB  - Context. Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare and sinister finding. Its
      mortality is associated with the underlying causative condition. When secondary
      to bowel ischaemia, mortality rates exceed 50%. Case Report. Two cases of HPVG
      are described. One case describes HPVG in association with gastric ischaemia,
      with complete resolution following conservative management. The second case
      describes HPVG in association with widespread intra-abdominal ischaemia, with
      resultant mortality. Conclusion. A "watch and wait" management of HPVG associated
      with gastric ischaemia is suggested in certain patients, with a low threshold for
      surgical intervention. HPVG associated with bowel ischaemia is an absolute
      indication for surgical intervention, where intervention may change the clinical
      course. 

PMID- 24223321
TI  - Why hospital pharmacists have failed to manage antimalarial drugs stock-outs in
      pakistan? A qualitative insight.
AB  - Purpose. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of hospital pharmacists
      towards drug management and reasons underlying stock-outs of antimalarial drugs
      in Pakistan. Methods. A qualitative study was designed to explore the perceptions
      of hospital pharmacists regarding drug management and irrational use of
      antimalarial drugs in two major cities of Pakistan, namely, Islamabad (national
      capital) and Rawalpindi (twin city). Semistructured interviews were conducted
      with 16 hospital pharmacists using indepth interview guides at a place and time
      convenient for the respondents. Interviews, which were audiotaped and transcribed
      verbatim, were evaluated by thematic content analysis and by other authors'
      analysis. Results. Most of the respondents were of the view that financial
      constraints, inappropriate drug management, and inadequate funding were the
      factors contributing toward the problem of antimalarial drug stock-outs in
      healthcare facilities of Pakistan. The pharmacists anticipated that prescribing
      by nonproprietary names, training of health professionals, accepted role of
      hospital pharmacist in drug management, implementation of essential drug list and
      standard treatment guidelines for malaria in the healthcare system can minimize
      the problem of drug stock outs in healthcare system of Pakistan. Conclusion. The
      current study showed that all the respondents in the two cities agreed that
      hospital pharmacist has failed to play an effective role in efficient management
      of anti-malarial drugs stock-outs. 

PMID- 24223322
TI  - The use of 7,7',8,8'-tetracyanoquinodimethane for the spectrophotometric
      determination of some primary amines application to real water samples.
AB  - A sensitive, simple, and accurate spectrophotometric method was developed for the
      quantitative determination of some primary aliphatic and aromatic amines, that
      is, ethylamine, 1,2-diaminopropane, aniline, p-aminophenol, and benzidine. The
      method is based on the interaction of these amines in aqueous medium with
      7,7',8,8'-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) reagent in the presence of a buffer
      solution and surfactant (in the case of aromatic amines) to form charge-transfer
      complexes measurable at maximum wavelengths ranging between 323 and 511 nm.
      Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration ranges of 0.025 and 3.0  MU g/mL and
      the molar absorptivity is ranged between 8.977 * 10(3) and 5.8034 * 10(4)  L .
      mol(-1) . cm(-1) for these amines. The method was applied for the determination
      of benzidine in the river, sea, and tap waters. The TCNQ complexes with the
      previously mentioned amines were formed in the ratio of 1 : 1 amine : TCNQ, and
      their stability constants ranged between 8.78 * 10(4) and 1.844 * 10(5) L . mol(
      1). 

PMID- 24223324
TI  - The potential role of regional anesthesia in perioperative anti-inflammatory
      treatments.

PMID- 24223323
TI  - Acute Heart Failure Treatment.
AB  - Dyspnea is the predominant symptom for patients with acute heart failure and
      initial treatment is largely directed towards the alleviation of this. Contrary
      to conventional belief, not all patients present with fluid overload and the
      approach to management is rapidly evolving from a solitary focus on diuresis to
      one that more accurately reflects the complex interplay of underlying cardiac
      dysfunction and acute precipitant. Effective treatment thus requires an
      understanding of divergent patient profiles and an appreciation of various
      therapeutic options for targeted patient stabilization. The key principle within
      this paradigm is directed management that aims to diminish the work of breathing
      through situation appropriate ventillatory support, volume reduction and
      hemodynamic improvement. With such an approach, clinicians can more efficiently
      address respiratory discomfort while reducing the likelihood of avoidable harm.

PMID- 24223325
TI  - Understanding cervicogenic headache.
AB  - The purported mechanism underlying the development and progression of
      cervicogenic headache (CEH) is the convergence of sensory inputs at the
      trigeminocervical nucleus. This mechanism explains the radiation of pain from the
      neck or the occipitonuchal area and its spread to the oculo-fronto-temporal
      region; it also explains the recurrent headaches caused by improper neck postures
      or external pressure to the structures in the neck and the occipital region.
      These neural connectivity mechanisms involving the trigeminal nucleus are also
      evident from the eyeblink reflex and findings of quantitative sensory testing
      (QST). Understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of CEH is
      important because it will not only provide a better treatment outcome but will
      also allow practitioners to appreciate the variability of symptomatic
      presentations in these patients. 

PMID- 24223326
TI  - Beyond Beauty: Onobotulinumtoxin A (BOTOX(r)) and the Management of Migraine
      Headaches.
AB  - Based on the conducted anatomic studies at our institutions as well as clinical
      experience with migraine surgery, we have refined our onobotulinumtoxin A
      (BOTOX(r)) injection techniques. Pain management physicians are in unique
      position to be able to not only treat migraine patient, but also to be able to
      collaborate with neurologists and peripheral nerve surgeons in identifying the
      migraine trigger sites prior to surgical deactivation. The constellation of
      migraine symptoms that aid in identifying the migraine trigger sites, the
      potential pathophysiology of each trigger site, the effective methods of
      botulinumtoxin and nerve block injection for diagnostic and treatment purposes,
      as well as the pitfalls and potential complications, will be addressed and
      discussed in this paper. 

PMID- 24223327
TI  - Effect of oral pregabalin premedication on post-operative pain in laparoscopic
      gastric bypass surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-operative pain and the administration of opioids to relieve it,
      is considered to be one of the important issues in surgery wards. This issue is
      even more significant in obese patients, because of the side effects of opioids.
      Pregabalin is an analog of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) which can be effective
      in dealing with post-operative pain. OBJECTIVES: This study will consider the
      effect of oral pregabalin in relieving the pain of obese patients after gastric
      bypass surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a double blind clinical trial, 60
      candidates for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery were enrolled in the study
      through convenience and non-random sequential sampling, into two groups;
      pregabalin group and control group. Inclusion criteria consisted of: morbid
      obesity with a body mass index (BMI) > 35, age 18-50, American Society of
      Anesthesiologists (ASA) status I or II, and willingness to take part in the
      study. Patients in the pregabalin group received 300 mg of oral pregabalin on the
      morning of the surgery. Post-operative pain was controlled by the patient
      controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) method, an AutoMed infusion pump
      containing 20 mg of morphine and normal saline (total volume 100 cc) was
      administered to all patients after surgery. Patients' level of pain were compared
      by considering their pain intensity on a visual analog scale (VAS), and the
      occurrence of nausea/vomiting from recovery, until 24 hours after surgery.
      RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were compared; 30 patients in each of the
      pregabalin and control groups. Both groups were similar in age and sex
      distribution. Mean pain intensity levels during the whole follow up were lower in
      the pregabalin group than in the control group, up to a maximum of 24 hours after
      the operation (P < 0.001). Incidence of nausea/vomiting was greater in the
      control group than in the pregabalin group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      of this study indicate that oral pregabalin (300 mg dose) can alleviate patients'
      pain and nausea/vomiting and notably reduce adverse effects.

PMID- 24223328
TI  - Comparison between effect of lidocaine, morphine and ketamine spray on post
      tonsillectomy pain in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An effective pain therapy to block or modify the physiological
      responses to stress has become an essential component of modern pediatric
      anesthesia and surgical practice. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to
      compare the analgesic effects of the spray forms of; lidocaine, morphine,
      ketamine, and normal saline on post-tonsillectomy pain scores in children.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 120 children, American Society of
      Anesthesiologist (ASA) class I-II, scheduled for elective tonsillectomy were
      enrolled in this double-blind, clinical trial study. They were randomly divided
      into 4 groups, each receiving one of the following drugs at the end of operation;
      lidocaine spray (2 mg/kg); morphine spray (0.05 mg/kg); ketamine spray (0.5
      mg/kg); or normal saline spray (8 puffs). For comparison of postoperative pain;
      the face, legs, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) pain scale was evaluated
      during the first one hour of recovery period at 20 minutes intervals. The data
      was transferred to SPSS-10 software and analyzed statistically with the Scheffe
      test and Dunnett's T3 test. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
      RESULTS: IN THE EARLY POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD (TIME: 0) and at 20, 40 and 60 minutes
      of recovery time, FLACC scale scores in the control group were higher than in the
      three other groups. At 20 minutes, the FLACC scale score in the lidocaine group
      was lower than in the other groups. At 40 minutes, the statistical differences
      between FLACC scales of the lidocaine, morphine and ketamine groups were not
      significant (P > 0.05). Finally, at 60 minutes, the FLACC scale scores of the
      ketamine and morphine groups were lower than in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      The results of this study showed that lidocaine spray had the best pain
      controlling effect at 20 minutes in the recovery room, but after 40 minutes,
      ketamine and morphine sprays were more effective than the lidocaine spray.

PMID- 24223329
TI  - Does analgesic effect of opium hamper the adverse effects of severe coronary
      artery disease on quality of life in addicted patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Opium is a unique substance, regarding its analgesic effects. This
      may change the deteriorating effects of coronary artery disease (CAD) on quality
      of life (QOL) in addicted patients. OBJECTIVES: We studied the QOL in opium
      addicted and non-addicted CAD patients so as to determine the relationship
      between CAD risk factors and the subscales of their QOL. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Demographic and laboratory data as well as coronary artery risk factors were
      obtained and SF-36 questionnaire was completed through interviews with 268 (38
      opium-addicted and 230 non-addicted) patients with CAD who were candidates for
      isolated coronary artery bypass at Tehran Heart Center. RESULTS: Mean Euro SCORE
      in addicted and non-addicted patients were 3.7 +/- 7.6 and 2.4 +/- 2.2
      respectively (P = 0.036). In addicted group, higher preoperative HbA1c was
      associated with low physical function score (beta = -0.395, P = 0.021). Low
      ejection fraction could negatively affect the general health (beta = 0.394, P =
      0.014) and mental health (beta = 0.292, P = 0.015) subscales in the addicted
      group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite higher rate of morbidities in opium-addicted patients
      compared to non-addicted ones, subscales of QOL were similar between the two
      groups. High preoperative HbA1c and low ejection fraction appeared to be
      determinants of poor QOL in the opium-addicted patients.

PMID- 24223330
TI  - Comparing the efficacy of intra-articular application of morphine and tramadol on
      postoperative pain after arthroscopic knee surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intra-articular analgesia is a pain reliever that is frequently
      administered following arthroscopic knee surgery. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this
      study was to compare the efficacy of intra-articular application of morphine and
      tramadol on postoperative pain after arthroscopic knee surgery. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: For this randomized double blinded clinical trial, 132 patients
      undergoing minor arthroscopic knee surgery were randomly assigned to receive
      either; 5 mg morphine or 50 mg tramadol intra-articularly. Pain was evaluated by
      means of the verbal pain rating score (VRS) preoperatively (at rest and on
      movement of the knee joint) and postoperatively at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 and 24
      hours. Meanwhile, the time of the first analgesic request and need for
      supplemental analgesic were also recorded. RESULTS: There was no statistically
      significant difference in VRS scoring between the two groups during the
      preoperative period either at rest or on knee movement. Meanwhile, VRS scores did
      not differ significantly between the morphine and tramadol treated groups
      postoperatively, except for in the one-hour post-operative scores in which the
      tramadol-treated group experienced less pain (P < 0.007). Post-operative VRS
      scores at 6, 12, and 24 hours were significantly decreased when compared with
      previous scores in both morphine and tramadol prescribed subjects (P < 0.001),
      hence, both local analgesics can significantly reduce pain after minor knee
      surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We have found a postoperative analgesic effect of intra
      articularly administered morphine and tramadol following minor arthroscopic knee
      surgeries with a maximum effect 6 hours post injection.

PMID- 24223331
TI  - Comparison of combined femoral nerve block and spinal anesthesia with lumbar
      plexus block for postoperative analgesia in intertrochanteric fracture surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hip fracture-related pain both before and after surgery is generally
      reported as severe by most patients. Various regional pain control modalities
      have been described in order to reduce pain in these patients. OBJECTIVES:
      Because of the challenges of lumbar plexus block (LPB) and the fact that the
      effect of combined femoral nerve block/spinal anesthesia in controlling pain
      after orthopedic surgeries has not been investigated, in this study, we compared
      the feasibility and efficacy of the 2 techniques in the perioperative management
      of proximal hip fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 32 patients
      with femoral intertrochanteric fracture who were randomly divided into the
      following 2 groups of 16 patients each: combined femoral nerve block/spinal
      anesthesia group (group I) and LPB group (group II). Patients in group I received
      0.17% bupivacaine with 0.7% lidocaine, 20-25 mL for femoral nerve block and
      bupivacaine 0.5% plus 0.5 mL pethidine (25 mg) for spinal block and patients in
      group II received 0.17% bupivacaine with 0.7% lidocaine, 30-35 mL. RESULTS: The
      time for performing the block (12.2 +/- 3.3 vs. 4.93 +/- 1.6 min, P = 0.001) and
      achieving the block (7.7 +/- 0.9 vs. 2.4 +/- 1.0 min, P = 0.001) were
      significantly longer in the combined femoral nerve block/spinal anesthesia group
      than in the LPB group. Duration of analgesia in the combined femoral nerve
      block/spinal anesthesia group was longer than that in the LPB group, but the
      difference was not significant (17 +/- 7.3 vs. 16.5 +/- 8.5 h, P = 0.873). There
      were no significant differences in hemodynamic parameters regarding the method of
      anesthesia in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that the combination
      of femoral nerve block with spinal anesthesia is safe and comparable with LPB and
      can provide more effective anesthesia and longer lasting analgesia for
      intertrochanteric surgery.

PMID- 24223332
TI  - Interspinous process implantation for the treatment of neurogenic intermittent
      claudication.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a disabling medical condition in
      which narrowing of the spinal canal compresses the spinal cord and nerves causing
      a condition called neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC). Decompressive
      spine surgery is the standard of care for patients who fail to improve with
      conservative management. However, oftentimes, patients who suffer from LSS are
      elderly individuals with multiple co-morbidities who cannot withstand the risks
      of decompressive surgery. X-Stop, a novel and minimally invasive FDA approved
      interspinous process implant, has come into the scene as an alternative to
      decompressive surgery, and can be inserted under local anesthetic with minimal
      blood loss. OBJECTIVES: Despite its growing support in medical literature as an
      effective and conservative treatment of NIC, X-Stop remains a fairly new form of
      treatment. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical efficacy of its use.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with at least two-year follow-up
      had a confirmed diagnosis of NIC secondary to LSS by computed tomography or
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and subsequently received an X-Stop implant.
      Subjects' ages ranged from 64 to 95 with a mean age of 79, while the gender
      distribution comprised of 23 males and 27 females. Zurich Claudication
      Questionnaire (ZCQ) was used to assess patient outcome measures in three domains:
      physical function (PF), patient satisfaction (PS), and symptom severity (SS). The
      visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess trends in pain with a scale from 0
      10, with 0 defined as "pain-free" and 10 designated as "the worst pain
      imaginable". RESULTS: Compared to pre-op scores, PF, SS, and VAS scores for back,
      buttock and leg pain had a significant mean decrease at 6, 12, 24 months post-op
      (P < 0.05). Based on the ZCQ and VAS scores, a success rate of 79% (27.34), 78%
      (30.38) and 74% (17.23) were achieved at six months, 12 months, and 24 months
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: X-Stop is a safe and effective treatment for NIC that
      provides marked relief of symptoms with sustained beneficial outcomes at up to
      two years of follow-up. In addition, X-Stop permits implantation under local
      anesthetic with minimal blood loss".

PMID- 24223333
TI  - Management of painful vertebral compression fracture with kyphoplasty in a sever
      cardio-respiratory compromised patient.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vertebral body compression fractures due to osteoporosis, often
      lead to pain and disability which can be successfully treated by injecting cement
      into the vertebral body, a procedure known as Balloon Kyphoplasty. In this
      procedure, an inflatable balloon is used to restore vertebral body height before
      injection of the cement. Vertebral compression fractures have been treated
      conservatively with the bed rest, pain medications, and back bracing to decrease
      the patient's pain, but the spine was left in its deformed state. Open surgical
      treatment can address the deformity, but it is usually reserved for patients with
      a neurological deficit. Kyphoplasty have been developed as an alternative to
      surgery for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 65 year-old female had a compression fracture and decrease height
      of L1 due to falling down. She had a local severe pain (VAS 8) and tenderness
      over L1 to L4 vertebra and in her physical examination, there were not any
      neurologic deficits or bowel and bladder dysfunction. She had a severe
      cardiovascular disease with low ejection fraction (30%) and had a pace maker,
      hypertension, diabetes, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and used
      about 15 drugs daily. The risk of anesthesia and open surgery was high, therefore
      she was nominated for the Balloon Kyphoplasty as an interventional procedure.
      CONCLUSIONS: After Kyphoplasty, her pain was immediately resolved, vertebral body
      height was restored to normal, and pain score was reduced from 8 to 1. She was
      discharged with a normal neurological examination and good general condition, and
      returned to her normal life. In this case, Balloon Kyphoplasty resulted in the
      restoration of the vertebral body height, decrease in pain, and returning to
      daily activity. Therefore, this technique can be an appropriate alternative for
      surgery in cardio-pulmonary compromised patients.

PMID- 24223334
TI  - Pain lateralization in trigeminal neuralgia.

PMID- 24223335
TI  - Commentary on: Effects of Lumbar Discectomy on Disability and Depression in
      Patients With Chronic Low-Back Pain.

PMID- 24223336
TI  - Tracheal intubation without the use of neuromuscular blocking agents.

PMID- 24223337
TI  - Gabapentinoids: gabapentin and pregabalin for postoperative pain management.

PMID- 24223338
TI  - Rethinking the psychogenic model of complex regional pain syndrome: somatoform
      disorders and complex regional pain syndrome.
AB  - ABSTRACT: Explaining the etiology of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) from
      the psychogenic model is exceedingly unsophisticated, because neurocognitive
      deficits, neuroanatomical abnormalities, and distortions in cognitive mapping are
      features of CRPS pathology. More importantly, many people who have developed CRPS
      have no history of mental illness. The psychogenic model offers comfort to
      physicians and mental health practitioners (MHPs) who have difficulty
      understanding pain maintained by newly uncovered neuro inflammatory processes.
      With increased education about CRPS through a biopsychosocial perspective, both
      physicians and MHPs can better diagnose, treat, and manage CRPS symptomatology.

PMID- 24223339
TI  - Risk factors for postoperative respiratory mortality and morbidity in patients
      undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
AB  - ABSTRACT: Nowadays, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is considered to be
      one of the most common surgical procedures. This procedure has been the main
      topic in many clinical research studies, which have assessed the effect of the
      procedure on patients' outcomes. Like other surgical procedures, this procedure
      is also accompanied by a number of unwanted complications, including those of the
      respiratory system. Since the respiratory system plays an integral role in
      defining the clinical outcome of patients, improvements in studies that can
      assess and predict clinical outcomes of the respiratory system, assume greater
      importance. There are a number of predictive models which can assess patients in
      the preoperative period and introduce a number of risk factors, which could be
      considered as prognostic factors for patients undergoing CABG. The respiratory
      system is among the clinical systems that are assessed in many prediction scoring
      systems. This review assesses the main studies which have evaluated the possible
      risk factors for postoperative respiratory mortality and morbidity, in patients
      undergoing CABG.

PMID- 24223340
TI  - A Clinical Evaluation of the GemStar(r) and the AmbIT(r) Pumps for Patient
      Controlled Epidural Analgesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient-controlled analgesia is used for both labor and postoperative
      analgesia. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess user satisfaction and
      functionality of two ambulatory, electronic patient controlled analgesia devices,
      the GemStar pump Hospira Inc., Illinois, USA) and the ambIT Ambulatory Infusion
      Therapy pump (Sorenson Medical Products, Utah, USA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was
      a randomized clinical trial of laboring women and postoperative gynecology
      patients receiving patient-controlled epidural analgesia. Patients were
      randomized to use one of the pumps and both anesthesiologists and patients
      completed questionnaires about aspects of pump function, and rated their
      satisfaction with the equipment. Midwives and high-dependency unit nurses also
      evaluated the pumps in each clinical setting. RESULTS: Forty patients, 20
      laboring women and 20 postoperative patients were randomized and completed the
      study. The pumps were compared by nine anesthesiologists. Patient and staff
      satisfaction with both devices was high. Patient satisfaction did not
      significantly differ between groups (median 10 [8, 10] for the GemStar and 10 [9,
      10] for the ambIT, P = 0.525]. The median staff satisfaction score was 8 [6, 8]
      for the GemStar and 7 [5, 8] for the ambIT (P = 0.154). Both patient cohorts
      rated each pump highly for most aspects of clinical function. Staff rated the
      ambIT pump more favourably with respect to portability and storage at the bedside
      whilst the GemStar had better assessments with respect to its consumables and
      interactions involving the electronic interface. CONCLUSIONS: Both devices were
      well-rated by patients and staff, with no significant difference between them for
      overall satisfaction, and only minor differences with respect to their respective
      strengths and weaknesses.

PMID- 24223341
TI  - Effects of single-dose pregabalin on postoperative pain in dacryocystorhinostomy
      surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCA) surgery is one of
      the serious issues to be considered. Administrating opioids to relieve
      postoperative pain and facing their increasing side effects in eye surgeries,
      make the use of non-opioid drugs inevitable. OBJECTIVES: The present study
      examined the efficacy of pregabalin in alleviating the postoperative pain of DCA
      surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study has been carried out as a double
      blind, randomized clinical trial on the patient candidates for DCR. The patients
      were randomly divided in to two groups of pregabalin and placebo. Patients in
      pregabalin group received 300 mg of pregabalin, an hour before the operation in
      the morning of the surgery. Pain intensity on visual analog scale (VAS) was
      recorded until 24 hours after the operation; also the rate of administrated
      opioids and nausea/vomiting frequency were recorded during the first 24-hour
      period after the operation and the resultsof the two groups were compared.
      RESULTS: Postoperative pain intensity in the pregabalin group at the time of
      recovery was significantly lower than that of the placebo group (P = 0.001) until
      24 hours after the surgery. In the pregabalin group 17.5% of the patients
      received opioids while in the placebo group the figure was 52.5% (P = 0.001).
      Nausea frequency was also higher in the placebo group than the pregabalin group
      (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: A single 300 mg dose of pregabalin, an hour before DCA
      can effectively reduce pain intensity and also reduce opioid dose and
      nausea/vomiting.

PMID- 24223342
TI  - Postoperative gabapentin to prevent postoperative pain: a randomized clinical
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that has postoperative analgesic
      effects but there are limited studies on its postoperative administration.
      OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the
      postoperative oral gabapentin on pain and morphine consumption. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: In a double blind, randomized study, 64 patients undergoing internal
      fixation of tibia under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive oral
      gabapentin or placebo immediately after the surgery. Pain scores were recorded at
      time points of 2, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively using visual analog scale
      (VAS). Time duration from the end of surgery until morphine administration and
      total morphine requirement in the first 24 hours were recorded. RESULTS: The
      estimated duration of surgeries was 120-150 minutes. VAS score was not
      significantly different between the two groups at 2, 12 and 24 hours after
      surgery. There was no significant morphine consumption difference between the
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed no significant analgesic efficacy of oral
      gabapentin 300 mg immediately after tibia internal fixation surgery under spinal
      anesthesia at time points of 2, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively.

PMID- 24223343
TI  - Granisetron versus dexamethasone in prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting after
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the common
      problems after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed
      to compare Dexamethasone effect with that of Granisetron in prevention of PONV.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the current study 104 patients aged 20-60 with ASA class
      I or II who were candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the
      study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of A and B. 15 minutes
      before anesthesia induction, in group a patient's 3 mg Granisetron and in group B
      patients 8 mg Dexamethasone was intravenously injected. Then both groups
      underwent general anesthesia with similar medications. After operation the
      prevalence of nausea and vomiting was assessed at three time intervals (0-6
      hours, 6-12 hours and 12-24 hours after consciousness). SPSS software version 16
      was employed to analyze data. T test, chi-square test and Fischer exact test were
      performed level of significance was P < 0.05. RESULTS: There was no significant
      difference between age, gender proportion, weight, height, and body mass index
      (BMI) of patients in the two groups. In Dexamethasone group, seven patients
      experienced nausea and three patients had vomiting, and in Granisetron group,
      five patients experienced nausea and three patients had vomiting after
      consciousness. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference between
      the two groups in this regard. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous injection of 8 mg
      Dexamethasone or 3 mg Granisetron before anesthesia induction had similar effects
      in prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PMID- 24223344
TI  - Evaluation of a low dose ketamine in post tonsillectomy pain relief: a randomized
      trial comparing intravenous and subcutaneous ketamine in pediatrics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pain control in children is still a therapeutic dilemma. Preschool
      patients are affected from undesirable effects of postoperative pain more than
      adults. Tonsillectomy is associated with a high incidence of postoperative pain,
      not only complicating the recovery, but also delaying patients discharge.
      OBJECTIVES: Despite employing different surgical and anesthetic strategies in
      post-tonsillectomy pain relief, this is still a clinical problem. The study was
      designed to evaluate the efficacy of a low dose ketamine in post tonsillectomy
      pain relief. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our prospective randomized double blinded
      study enrolled 75 pediatric patients (3-10 years old) who were scheduled for a
      tonsillectomy procedure. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups
      receiving; intravenous (IV) ketamine 0.5mg/kg, subcutaneous (SC) ketamine 0.5
      mg/kg and placebo at the end of the operation. Post-operative pain score was
      assessed using modified CHEOPS. RESULTS: In our study we did not find any
      significant difference among the three groups regarding sex, age, and weight,
      duration of operation, hemodynamic stability, and nausea and vomiting. However,
      in ketamine groups, pain score and analgesic consumption were significantly lower
      (P < 0.00). The efficacy of the both ketamine groups was similar. CONCLUSIONS:
      The study demonstrated that the both subcutaneous and intravenous injections of
      ketamine, at the end of the operation, were safe and effective for post
      tonsillectomy pain control. Ketamine reduced postoperative analgesic medications
      consumption without increasing the risk of complications.

PMID- 24223345
TI  - Comparison of remifentanil and fentanyl regarding hemodynamic changes due to
      endotracheal intubation in preeclamptic parturient candidate for cesarean
      delivery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intravenous opioids are administered to prevent and control
      hemodynamic changes due to endotracheal intubation. Except for special cases such
      as preeclampsia, these drugs are not recommended for parturants candidate for
      cesarean section because of the respiratory depression caused in the newborn.
      OBJECTIVES: According to rapid metabolism of remifentanil, the current study
      aimed to compare hemodynamic changes in preeclamptic parturants who received
      remifentanil and fentanyl for cesarean section under general anesthesia. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: This single blind randomized clinical trial was performed on
      preeclamptic pregnant women candidate for cesarean section under general
      anesthesia. They were divided into two groups. In the first group 0.05 MUg/kg/min
      remifentanil was infused for 3 minutes before induction of anesthesia and in the
      second group 1ml (50 MUg) fentanyl was injected before induction. Heart rate
      (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) before and
      after intubation and also Apgar index were measured and compared between the two
      groups. RESULTS: All hemodynamic variables increased after intubation in the
      fentanyl group (pSBP = 0.146, pDBP = 0.019, pHR < 0.001). Additionally, decrease
      in SBP (P = 0.018) and DBP (P = 0.955) and mild increase in HR (P = 0.069) after
      intubation in the remifentanil group was observed. No significant difference was
      found between Apgar indexes of the two groups (P = 0.771). CONCLUSIONS: It can be
      postulated that remifentanil can be used in partituents candidate for cesarean
      delivery under general anesthesia to prevent severe increase in blood pressure
      and heart rate during tracheal intubation without adverse effects on newborn.

PMID- 24223346
TI  - Propofol alleviates intractable migraine headache: a case report.
AB  - ABSTRACT: Several medications have been proposed as the first line drugs in the
      treatment of migraine attack. However, the low efficacy, potential complications
      of medications and the intolerance of some patients for oral route due to nausea
      and vomiting establish a difficult situation in some migraine patients. This
      report describes a dramatic pain relief with 60 mg of intravenous propofol in a
      patient with migraine attack refractory to treatment with metoclopramide,
      promethazine, dexamethasone and meperidine. Pain relief in this patient besides
      earlier case reports suggests that subanesthetic doses of propofol may be an
      alternative to other treatment modalities for acute migraine.

PMID- 24223347
TI  - Cervical decompression and unexpected soft tissue oedema: case report.
AB  - ABSTRACT: Acute upper airway obstruction (UAO) is a life threatening complication
      that is well recognized after carotid endarterectomy, thyroidectomy and
      pharyngeal area intervention. It is not widely acknowledged that airway
      obstruction can occur after cervical spinal fusion surgery which was first
      described in 1955. There are a number of common postoperative problems which may
      become apparent in the short to medium term. These include: sore throat,
      dysphagia, hoarseness, dysphonia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and soft tissue
      swelling.

PMID- 24223348
TI  - Trigeminal neuralgia-divided but not classified.

PMID- 24223349
TI  - Evolution and mode of action of pulsed radiofrequency.

PMID- 24223350
TI  - Comparison between the Effects of Rocuronium, Vecuronium, and Cisatracurium Using
      Train-of-Four and Clinical Tests in Elderly Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative residual blockade, longer duration of action for
      neuromuscular blockade, and slower recovery were relatively common in elderly
      patients. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the safety of train-of-four ratio
      and clinical tests in the assessment of patient recovery, and to determine the
      effects of the rocuronium, vecuronium, and cisatracurium on intubation,
      extubation and recovery times in elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: After obtaining institutional approval and informed
      consent, 60 patients over 60 years old and undergoing elective abdominal
      operations were included in this double-blind, randomized clinical trial.
      Following a standard anesthesia induction, 0.6mg kg-1 rocuronium, 0.1mg kg-1
      vecuronium, and 0.1mg kg-1 cisatracurium were administered to the patients in
      Group R, Group V, and Group C, respectively. Train-of-four (TOF) ratios were
      recorded at 10-minute intervals during and after the operation. Modified Aldrete
      Score (MAS) and clinical tests were recorded in the recovery room at 10-minute
      intervals. In addition, intubation and extubation times, duration of recovery
      room stay, and any complications were recorded. RESULTS: Intubation time was
      found to be shorter in Group R than that in Groups V and C (P ? 0.001). Times to
      positive visual disturbances and grip strength tests were shorter in Group C than
      that in Group V (P = 0.016 and P = 0.011, respectively). In Group R and group C,
      time to TOF >= 0.9 was significantly longer than all positive clinical test times
      except grip strength (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We hold the opinion that
      cisatracurium is safer in elderly patients compared to other drugs. We also
      concluded that the usage of TOF ratio together with clinical tests is suitable
      for assessment of neuromuscular recovery in these patients.

PMID- 24223351
TI  - The Effect of Epidural Bupivacaine on BIS Levels in the Awake Phase and on the
      Maintenance Doses of Propofol and Fentanyl During General Anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Simultaneous administration of epidural local anesthetic agents (LA)
      and general anesthetics (intravenous or inhaled) is a common procedure in
      patients undergoing major operations. The effects of epidural anesthesia during
      combined general-epidural anesthesia on the alertness level (CGEA) in the awake
      phase and the doses of anesthetics have been reported. OBJECTIVES: The present
      study was designed to determine the effects of epidural bupivacaine on the
      alertness level measured by bispectral index (BIS) in the awake phase and the
      maintenance doses of propofol and fentanyl during general anesthesia for vascular
      operation on the lower limb. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A double-blinded randomized
      clinical trial was conducted on patients awaiting vascular surgery on lower
      extremities in a teaching hospital from October 2007 to October 2008. During the
      epidural anesthesia, the control group received 0.9% NS while 0.125% bupivacaine
      was injected in the case group via the epidural route. No sedative drug was
      utilized for epidural catheter placement. The BIS measurement was performed in
      both groups during the awake phase, before performing epidural anesthesia, and 10
      minutes after epidural injection at 1-min intervals for 15 min. After induction
      of general anesthesia in both groups, anesthesia maintenance was established
      using the infusion of propofol with the aim of keeping the BIS level between 40
      and 50 throughout the anesthesia. At the end of the study period, maintenance
      dose requirements of propofol and fentanyl were measured. RESULTS: Thirty-two
      patients were enrolled in the study. There was no difference in BIS levels of the
      two groups in the awake phase. There was a significant difference between the
      propofol and fentanyl requirements of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Performing
      CGEA using bupivacaine was reported to reduce propofol and fentanyl doses
      required to maintain BIS levels between 40 and 50 considerably.

PMID- 24223352
TI  - The effect of needle type, duration of surgery and position of the patient on the
      risk of transient neurologic symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of transient neurologic symptoms (TNS) after spinal
      anesthesia with lidocaine is reported as high as 40%. OBJECTIVES: This
      prospective clinical trial was designed to determine the incidence of TNS in
      patients who underwent spinal anesthesia with two different needles, in two
      different surgical positions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present randomized
      clinical trial was conducted on 250 patients (ASA I-II), who were candidates for
      surgery in supine or lithotomy positions. According to the needle type (Sprotte
      or Quincke) and local anesthetics (lidocaine and bupivacaine) all patients were
      randomly divided into four groups. After performing spinal anesthesia in sitting
      position, the position was changed into supine or lithotomy, according to
      surgical procedure. The patients were observed for complications of spinal
      anesthesia during the first five post-operative days. The primary end-point for
      this trial was to recognize the incidence of TNS among the four groups. Our
      secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of patient's position, needle
      type, and duration of surgery on the development of TNS following spinal
      anesthesia. RESULTS: TNS was most commonly observed when lidocaine was used as
      anesthetic drug (P = 0.003). The impact of needle type, was not significant (P =
      0.7). According to multivariate analysis, the duration of surgery was
      significantly lower in cases suffering from TNS (P = 0.04). Also, the risk of TNS
      increased following surgeries performed in lithotomy position (P = 0.00).
      CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this clinical study, spinal anesthesia
      with lidocaine, and the lithotomy position in surgery increased the risk of TNS.

PMID- 24223353
TI  - Effectiveness of lumbar drain versus hyperventilation to facilitate
      transsphenoidal pituitary (suprasellar) adenoma resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Developing controlled hypercarbia is a known scheme of lowering the
      suprasellar part of the adenoma in order to assist the surgeon, which acts
      through raising the ICP and therefore the CSF pressure. OBJECTIVES: The purpose
      of this study is to compare the effect of introducing a lumbar drain with that of
      controlled hypercapnia on the quality of transsphenoidal pituitary tumor
      resection and CSF leak. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty two patients with pituitary
      adenoma who underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy by the same surgeon were
      included. They were randomly divided into two groups. A lumbar drain catheter
      introduced into the L3-L4 subarachnoid space under local anesthesia in all
      patients. The same anesthesia was performed in both groups. In the study group,
      we used a saline injection into the subarachnoid space versus hypoventilation in
      the control group in order to increase the ICP according to the surgeon's
      request. The surgeon's satisfaction during the tumor resection and the resection
      time were assessed during the surgery. The CSF catheter was closed and sent with
      the patient for CSF drainage. If there was no CSF leak, the catheter removed 24
      hours later. With evidence of a CSF leak, we used the catheter as a lumbar drain.
      The time taken for the leakage control was assessed. RESULTS: The satisfaction
      came from 21 (87.5%) and 2 (9.1%) for surgeon in the first and the second group
      respectively (P = 0.0001). CSF leakage time in the first and the second group was
      1.6 +/- 0.24 and 5 +/- 0.50 respectively. It revealed a significant difference
      between the two groups (P = 0.001). The mean resection time was 13.54 +/- 0.66
      minutes in the study group; and 30.91 +/- 0.98 minutes in the control group.
      CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the method described here for ICP manipulation is an
      effective procedure for a better visualization of the pituitary tumor during
      transphenoidal resection by surgeon and beneficial in managing the CSF leak
      following surgery.

PMID- 24223354
TI  - Evaluation of education, attitude, and practice of the Turkish anesthesiologists
      in regional block techniques.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The demand for regional blocks from both patients and surgeons has
      significantly increased in anesthesia practice during the last 30 years. Although
      the studies show that the complications are rare, regional blocks still have
      serious difficulties which can be prevented by training programs. OBJECTIVES: The
      purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting the educational
      methods, attitude and practice of the Turkish anesthesiologists in regional
      blocks during and following residency programs. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Anesthesiologists were asked to answer a questionnaire. Educational proficiency
      was determined by at least 50 spinal, 50 epidural and 50 peripheral block
      applications during residency. Specialists were asked for the numbers of spinal,
      epidural and peripheral blocks (PBs) they applied in 2009. The mean and median
      values were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-eight anesthesiologists
      (84.3 %) agreed to participate in the study. While all participants had made
      their first attempts in neuraxial blocks (NBs) when they were residents, this
      ratio was detected as 96.8% for PBs. All participants learned neuraxial and PBs
      on patients in the operating theater. Education proficiency ratios for spinal,
      epidural and PBs were 98.1 %, 92.5 % and 62.3 %, respectively. Age, perception of
      adequate training, nerve block rotation, adequate application in education,
      following innovations were the factors which significantly affected the number of
      PBs in practice according to univariate analysis. The participants who consider
      their applications on NBs were adequate (P = 0.029) and the ones working in state
      or private hospitals (P = 0.017), applied NBs significantly above the median
      number. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiologists had adequate education and practice of NB
      applications but a significant proportion of participants (51.8%) lacked both in
      PBs applications. We believe that NBs are more easily learned than PBs during
      residency training program.

PMID- 24223355
TI  - Propofol is Effective to Depress Fentanyl-Induced Cough during Induction of
      Anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Various attempts have been made to reduce the incidence of fentanyl
      induced cough during anesthesia induction. We hypothesized that an appropriate
      dose of propofol might suppress fentanyl-induced cough. OBJECTIVES: A study had
      been designed to observe the effects of propofol on a fentanyl-induced cough
      during anesthesia induction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a randomized,
      double-blind study to evaluate the effect of the pre-emptive use of minimal dose
      intravenous propofol (20 mg) on the incidence of cough caused by a larger bolus
      of intravenous fentanyl. Group 1 patients were given fentanyl at a dosage of 4
      ug/kg. Group 2 received 4ug/kg fentanyl and 20 mg propofol. The two groups were
      evaluated in 0, 5 and 10 second intervals following the injection of fentanyl.
      RESULTS: Mean age, weight, and, height was 35 +/- 10.45, 67.99 +/- 10.92, and
      165.33 +/- 31.84 respectively. The incidence of fentanyl induced cough was 29
      (74.4%) in placebo group compared with 10 (25.6%) in the propofol group. There
      was a significant difference in the incidence and severity of cough between group
      1 and 2 (P < 0.0001). This study also showed that propofol could decrease cough
      incidence in patients who smoke. CONCLUSIONS: Priming dose of propofol (20mg) one
      minute prior to fentanyl injection was effective in suppressing a fentanyl
      induced cough.

PMID- 24223356
TI  - Is presence of bacteria in preoperative microscopic urinalysis of the patients
      scheduled for cardiac surgery a reason for cancellation of elective operation?
AB  - BACKGROUND: In some hospitals, urinalysis is done routinely for all patients
      scheduled for cardiac surgery. Occasionally pyuria or bacteria is reported in the
      microscopic urinalysis of these patients that are clinically asymptomatic for
      urinary tract infections. OBJECTIVES: WE WERE SEEKING ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION: is
      the presence of a different number of bacteria in preoperative microscopic
      urinalysis of asymptomatic patients scheduled for cardiac surgery indicative of
      potential postoperative complications and as a result, a good reason to postpone
      the operation? PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional
      study based on the review of the medical records of 1165 patients who underwent
      open-heart surgery. RESULTS: One hundered and fifty one patients were eligible in
      our established criteria. There were no significant difference between their
      demographic characteristics and the same number of randomly selected patients
      with normal urinalysis who had underwent open-heart surgery. In the bacteriuria
      group, two patients, and in the control group, three patients had an infection at
      the operation sites in the post-operative period, which was not a significant
      finding between two groups (P = 0.503). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that in the
      absence of symptoms of urinary tract infection, urinalysis is not necessary and
      not cost beneficial in the preoperative evaluation of patients scheduled for open
      heart surgery.

PMID- 24223357
TI  - Does changes in the electrical resistance of an acupuncture meridian predict pain
      intensity following orthopedic surgery?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several methods for assessment of severity of pain have been proposed
      but all of them are subjective. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the association
      concerning changes in electrical resistance (ER) between two acupuncture points
      and severity of postoperative pain in order to define an objective measurement of
      pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 50 patients undergoing
      lower extremity orthopedic surgery with postoperative moderate to severe pain
      (VAS > 4,) were consecutively enrolled. In the recovery room, the patients' pain
      scores were assessed and in patients with VAS > 4, the electrical resistance
      between Li4 and Li11 acupuncture points as well as pain scores was measured prior
      and following analgesic administration. RESULTS: Following meperidine use, the
      mean VAS significantly decreased and the ER between the two acupoints was
      significantly increased. However, Pearson correlation analysis did not reveal any
      association between the trends of pain intensity and ER (P > 0.05). The ER change
      in patients operated under epidural anesthesia was significantly less than those
      who experienced general or spinal anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: There is a coincidence
      of pain relief and change in the ER of acupuncture meridians without significant
      association. The diagnostic value of ER for pain, stress response or any other
      physiologic outcome needs to be investigated in clinical trials with a well
      defined control group, with more accurate instruments and probably in different
      acupuncture meridians.

PMID- 24223358
TI  - Sudden Death in a Patient with Carney's Complex.
AB  - Carney's complex is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited multiple endocrine
      neoplasia syndrome that involves spotty skin pigmentations, recurrent cardiac
      myxomas, endocrine hyperactivity, pituitary adenomas, peripheral nerve tumors,
      testicular tumors, and ovarian lesions. We present a case of sudden cardiac death
      in a 40 year old female with a history of Carney's complex with recurrent cardiac
      myxomas presenting for exploratory laparotomy and enblock adnexal resection of a
      slowly enlarging right sided ovarian mass. This case highlights the risk for
      sudden death in these patients as well as the preoperative assessment that should
      be undertaken by the anesthesiologist as it relates to Carney's complex. 

PMID- 24223359
TI  - Introducing Plagiarism and Its Aspects to Medical Researchers is Essential.

PMID- 24223360
TI  - Pain management in intensive care unit patients: the role of ultra-short acting
      opioid: remifentanil.

PMID- 24223361
TI  - Desflurane versus opioid anesthesia for cardiac shunt procedures in infants with
      cyantoic congential heart disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Placement of a Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt is frequently performed for
      palliation of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD). OBJECTIVES: Inhalational
      anesthetics, when used in adult heart surgery, offer advantages of myocardial
      protection and decrease in use of inotropes, duration of ventilation, ICU and
      hospital length of stay (LOS).There is little literature, however, in the
      comparative use of inhalational and narcotic anesthesia in CCHD. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Following Institutional Ethical Review Board approval and parental
      consent, 35 patients presenting for BT shunt were prospectively randomized to
      receive either a desflurane anesthetic or a narcotic anesthetic. Institutional
      practice for all patients undergoing BT shunt is to undergo cardiopulmonary
      bypass (CPB) following median sternotomy. Induction was accomplished with 5-7%
      sevoflurane in 100% oxygen, 2ug/kg fentanyl, 0.05mg/kg midazolam and 0.1mg/kg
      vecuronium. After intubation, patients in the narcotic group (n=16) received an
      additional 5-10ug/kg fentanyl, 0.1mg/kg midazolam, 100% oxygen and vecuronium.
      Patients in the inhalational group (n=19) received desflurane, 0.6-1 MAC, 100%
      oxygen, 0.05mg/kg midazolam, IV paracetamol 15mg/kg and vecuronium. At the end of
      surgery, patients were transferred to the ICU and received IV paracetamol and
      midazolam. Ventilation was weaned when the patient was hemodynamically stable.
      Demographics, baseline, intra and post-op heart rates, duration of inotrope use,
      ICU and hospital LOS, pre and post-op creatinine and serious adverse events (SAE)
      were recorded. Data were analyzed using Student, paired t, Mann-Whitney U and Chi
      square/Fisher exact tests, P < 0.05 significant. RESULTS: Demographic data were
      similar, except for a modestly higher pre-op heart rate in the group receiving
      opioid anesthesia. Patients receiving desflurane had a significantly shorter
      duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU and hospital stay. Inotrope
      use was similar in both groups. The group receiving opioid anesthesia had an
      increase in creatinine post operatively which was not observed in the desflurane
      group. There was no difference in incidence of significant adverse events in
      either group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of inhalational anesthesia has increased in adult
      cardiac surgery and has proved to reduce duration of elective ventilation,
      decrease ICU and hospital LOS, and mortality. Inhalational anesthetics are less
      well-studied in CCHD. In the current study, desflurane was chosen because of its
      low solubility, decreased recovery time and lack of metabolism or organ system
      toxicities. Although it is a popular belief that desflurane is associated with
      tachycardia and airway irritation, findings of the current study are consistent
      with those of the previous works demonstrating a lack of these side effects below
      1 MAC3. No hemodynamic instability was encountered and there was no evidence that
      desflurane exerted a negative inotropic effect. Markers of cardio protection were
      not examined, although desflurane may have had a renal protective effect compared
      to narcotic technique. In the current study, a desflurane anesthetic for BT shunt
      decreased the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU and hospital LOS by
      nearly three days, with no difference in perioperative morbidity or mortality.
      Larger studies are required to determine whether these changes result in overall
      decreased complication rate and morbidity/mortality and whether desflurane has a
      cardio or renal protective effect in the patient population.

PMID- 24223362
TI  - Post tonsillectomy pain: can honey reduce the analgesic requirements?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy is one of the most common
      surgical procedures performed worldwide, especially for children. Oral honey
      administration following tonsillectomy in pediatric cases may reduce the need for
      analgesics via relieving postoperative pain. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the effects of honey on the incidence and severity of
      postoperative pain in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
      randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study was performed. One hundred and
      four patients, who were older than eight, and were scheduled for tonsillectomy,
      were divided into two equal groups, honey and placebo. Standardized general
      anesthesia, and postoperative usual analgesic, and antibiotic regimen were
      administrated for all patients. Acetaminophen plus honey for the honey group, and
      acetaminophen plus placebo for the placebo group were given daily. They began to
      receive honey or placebo when the patients established oral intake. RESULTS: The
      difference between acetaminophen and acetaminophen plus honey groups was
      statistically significant both for visual analogue scale (VAS), and number of
      painkillers taken within the first three postoperative days. The consumption of
      painkillers differed significantly in every five postoperative days. No
      significant difference was found between groups regarding the number of awaking
      at night. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative honey administration reduces postoperative
      pain and analgesic requirements in patients after tonsillectomy. As the side
      effects of honey appear to be negligible, consideration of its routine usage
      seems to be beneficial along with routine analgesics.

PMID- 24223363
TI  - The Effect of Inhalation of Aromatherapy Blend containing Lavender Essential Oil
      on Cesarean Postoperative Pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pain is a major problem in patients after cesarean and medication
      such as aromatherapy which is a complementary therapy, in which the essences of
      the plants oils are used to reduce such undesirable conditions. OBJECTIVES: In
      this study, the effect of aromatherapy using Lavender (Lavandula) essential oil
      on cesarean postoperative pain was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a triple
      blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial study, 60 pregnant women who were
      admitted to a general hospital for cesarean section, were divided randomly into
      two groups. After cesarean, the Lavender group inhaled about 3 drops of 10%
      Lavender oil essence and the placebo group inhaled 3 drops of placebo after the
      start of postoperative pain, four, eight and 12 hours later, for 5 minutes from
      the 10 cm distance. Patient's pain was measured by the VAS (Visual Analog Scale)
      score before and after each intervention, and vital sign, complications and level
      of satisfaction of every patient were recorded before and after aromatherapy.
      RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in age,
      height, weight, and time to the first analgesic requirement. Patients in the
      Lavender group had less postoperative pain in four (P = 0.008), eight (P = 0.024)
      and 12 (P = 0.011) hours after first medication than the placebo group. The
      decreased heart rate and patients' level of satisfaction with analgesia were
      significantly higher in the Lavender group (P = 0.001). In the placebo group, the
      use of diclofenac suppositories for complete analgesia was also significantly
      higher than the Lavender group (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The inhaled Lavender
      essence may be used as a part of the multidisciplinary treatment of pain after
      cesarean section, but it is not recommended as the sole pain management.

PMID- 24223364
TI  - Conscious Sedation and Analgesia in Colonoscopy: Ketamine/Propofol Combination
      has Superior Patient Satisfaction Versus Fentanyl/Propofol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is performed without preparing sedation in many
      countries. However, according to the current literature patients are more
      satisfied when appropriate sedation is prepared for them. OBJECTIVES: We
      hypothesize that propofol-ketamine may prepare more patient satisfaction compared
      to propofol-fentanyl combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty adult patients
      older than 18 with ASA physical status of I, II or III were enrolled in the
      present study after providing the informed consent. They were prospectively
      randomized into two equal groups: 1- Group PF: was scheduled to receive IV bolus
      dose of fentanyl 1ug/kg and propofol 0.5mg/kg. 2- Group PK: was scheduled to
      receive IV bolus dose of ketamine 0.5mg/kg and propofol 0.5mg/kg. As a primary
      goal, patient's satisfaction was assessed by the use a Likert five-item scoring
      system in the recovery. Comparisons of hemodynamic parameters (mean heart rate,
      mean systolic blood pressure, mean diastolic blood pressure), mean Spo2 values
      during the procedure and side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and psychological
      reactions during the recovery period were our secondary goals. Level of sedation
      during the colonoscopy was assessed with the Observer's Assessment of
      Alertness/Sedation score (OAA/S). RESULTS: Mean satisfaction scores in the group
      PK were significantly higher than the group PF (P = 0.005) while the level of
      sedation during the procedure was similar (P = 0.17). Hemodynamic parameters and
      SpO2 values were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Incidence of nausea and
      vomiting was the same in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: IV bolus injection of propofol
      ketamine can lead to more patients' satisfaction than the other protocols during
      colonoscopy.

PMID- 24223365
TI  - Intravenous paracetamol for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although opioids are the main choice for acute postoperative pain
      control, many side effects have been reported for them. NSAIDs and paracetamol
      have been used extensively as alternatives, and it seems that they are more
      effective for minor to moderate pain control postoperatively when have been used
      alone or in combination with opioids. As laparoscopic cholecystectomy poses
      moderate pain postoperatively, this study was planned to assess whether
      paracetamol is able to provide effective analgesia as a sole analgesic at least
      in the first few hours post operatively. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effect of
      intravenous Paracetamol on postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a randomized double- blind
      clinical trial study. 30 patients ASA class I, aged 18 to 50 years, candidate for
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy were recruited, and randomly divided into two equal
      groups. Group A (paracetamol group) received 1 gr paracetamol and group B
      received placebo ten minutes after the induction of anesthesia. 0.1 mg/Kg
      Morphine was administered intravenously based on patients compliant and pain
      score >3. Pain score and the opioids consumption were recorded in the first six
      hours postoperative. Patient's pain was measured by the VAS (Visual Analog
      Scale). RESULTS: The pain score was lower in group A (P= 0.01), but the morphine
      consumption showed no significant difference between the groups (P= 0.24) during
      the first 6 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Although paracetamol (1gr) has
      caused a better pain relief quality but it is not a suitable analgesic for
      moderate pain control in acute phase after surgery alone.

PMID- 24223366
TI  - Intravenous application of pulsed radiofrequency-4 case reports.
AB  - It has been suggested that PRF might possibly have an effect on the immune cells.
      We considered using the intravenous route to apply PRF in conditions that are
      caused by an unresolved immune action or connected to allostatic load,
      implicating an abnormally reacting immune system to obtain a systemic effect that
      could possibly be an additional tool in treating some of these conditions. These
      manuscript reports four cases that illustrate the wide variety of conditions
      where this new technique might be helpful. 

PMID- 24223367
TI  - Central nervous system toxicity after botulinum neurotoxin injection.
AB  - Since Its first description of botulism toxicity in 1820s, specific formulations
      of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) have been introduced with different clinical
      benefits. However, there is increasing number of adverse events reported to Food
      and Drug Administration. This report presents the case of 62-year-old woman with
      Parkinson's disease who received BoNT injections to treat painful spasticity in
      her hands. She developed severe generalized dystonia shortly after BoNT
      injections. 

PMID- 24223368
TI  - How to define an author? Awareness of authorship criteria.

PMID- 24223369
TI  - A comparison of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha agonist and
      antagonist on human umbilical vein endothelial cells angiogenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are controversial reports about the antiangiogenic effects of
      peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha). In the current
      study, we compared the effects of PPARalpha agonist and antagonist on human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) angiogenesis with matrigel assay.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: HUVECs (1 * 10(5) cells/well) treated with PPARalpha
      agonist (fenofibrate) and antagonist (GW6471) were cultured on matrigel for 24 h.
      Treated cells were stained with calcein and investigated by fluorescent
      microscopy. The obtained images were also analyzed by AngioQuant software.
      Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS 15 software, Kruskal-Wallis and one
      way ANOVA. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that fenofibrate significantly
      inhibit the tube formation (size, length, junction) (P < 0.05) but there was a
      trend to increased angiogenesis in GW6471 treated group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      These results showed that PPARalpha agonist is effective in suppression of
      angiogenesis. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in in vivo
      studies.

PMID- 24223370
TI  - Lithium carbonate inducing disorders in three parameters of rat sperm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lithium has a significant impact in reducing the symptoms of bipolar
      mania but in long periods of use with therapeutic doses can cause several
      disorders in various organs including the reproductive system. In this study, the
      effect of lithium on the sperm concentration and motility and forms of abnormal
      cells has been examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats under the 48-day
      treatment with lithium carbonate at doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg bw/day were
      kept in standard conditions. At the end of this period, sperm cells isolated from
      the cauda epididymis were counted, motility was estimated, and stained with smear
      papanicolaou stain. RESULTS: In lithium-treated groups, the rate of
      spermatogenesis and sperm quality were reduced and was seen in a dose-dependent
      manner. DISCUSSION: Lithium alters intracellular signaling pathways such as
      inositol phosphate metabolic cycle and cyclic adenosine mono phosphate (cAMP)
      system and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. It also interferes in the
      division of sex cells to produce mature sperm and showed changes in the sperm
      cell membrane, function, and structure.

PMID- 24223371
TI  - Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials in medical students: Normative data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The median nerve N20 component constitutes the initial response of
      the primary somatosensory cortex to somatosensory stimulation of the upper
      extremity. Knowledge of the underlying generators is important for basic
      understanding of the initial sequence of cortical activation. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In the present study, normative data of cortical evoked potentials in
      particular of N20 wave onset and peak latencies by median nerve stimulation in a
      group of 100 medical students aged between 18 and 30 years were documented and
      the effect of physiological variables were studied. Descriptive statistics and
      Student t-test were used to analyze the healthy subjects and to compare N20
      latencies for handedness, respectively. Regression analysis was used to show
      association between average N20 latencies and physiological variables from which
      regression formulae were calculated to predict normative values of these
      parameters. RESULTS: The results of the study indicated that N20 onset and peak
      latency values are significantly affected by limb length at 95% confidence level.
      Height is showing as a significant factor affecting N20 onset latencies but it is
      probably because of high correlation of height with limb length. Age though on
      linear regression showed some significant correlation with N20 onset and peak
      latency, multiple regressions showed that it does not affect N20 onset and peak
      latencies in the presence of other variables. Handedness did not affect both N20
      onset and peak latency values. CONCLUSION: Physiological variables do affect the
      N20 latencies and these should be standardized before usage for research in basic
      sciences at all age groups.

PMID- 24223372
TI  - Comparison of the effect of honey and miconazole against Candida albicans in
      vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the most common causes of vaginitis is candidiasis. The aim of
      this study is to compare the effect of honey and miconazole against Candida
      albicans, in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The different W/V concentrations of
      honey were prepared at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 95% and different dilutions of
      miconazole were prepared in 0.05, 5, and 50 MUg/ml. A microdilution of 100/000
      cells per ml of a two-day old culture of Candida albicans was prepared in normal
      saline, after culturing the strain of PTCC 5027 in RPMI 1640 medium. Ten
      microliters of this dilution was added to 1 ml of the RPMI 1640 medium containing
      different concentrations of honey and to 1 ml of the RPMI 1640 medium containing
      different dilutions of miconazole. The cultures were incubated at 35 degrees C
      for 12, 24, and 48 hours. RESULTS: The growth rate of Candida albicans was
      determined in the cultures. The results indicated that the honey prevented the
      growth of C. albicans greatly only at an 80% concentration, whereas, miconazole
      inhibited it completely. CONCLUSIONS: As Candida albicans is a normal vaginal
      flora, the inhibitory effect of honey without the fungicide effect is a very good
      trend in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.

PMID- 24223373
TI  - Comparison of Alopecia severity and blood level of testosterone in men suffering
      schizophrenia with control group.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Testosterone causes Alopecia that is related to functional
      testosterone and end organ sensitivity to testosterone. Studies conducted on the
      relationship of schizophrenia and testosterone have reported different findings.
      This study was designed to measure the extent of Alopecia in schizophrenic
      patients which is one of the most important signs of sensitivity to Androgens.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 98 schizophrenic patients and
      95 person of normal population encountered to study in two groups considering
      inclusion criteria and completing a consent form, in the psychiatric ward of Noor
      Hospital in Isfahan, Iran. Meanwhile, the record of necessary demographic
      information a blood sample was taken from every selected person to measure the
      blood level of testosterone. The severity of Alopecia was measured using Hamilton
      and Norwood criterion in a blindness condition. Collected data were analyzed
      using SPSS 19 software and statistical tests of chi(2) and logistic Regression.
      RESULTS: The mean blood level of testosterone in both studied and control groups
      were 458.80 +/- 103 and 476.34 +/- 108, respectively, having no significant
      difference (P > 0.05). There was no significant relationship in both groups
      between Alopecia severity and the blood level of testosterone. And in comparison
      of two groups, providing Androgenic Alopecia with a degree higher than three in
      Hamilton Scale, schizophrenia risk decreases 8.627 times. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity
      to Androgens and Alopecia probably plays a protective role against schizophrenia,
      and if Alopecia rate exceeds the rate of grade 2 Hamilton, the risk of
      schizophrenia decreases 8.62 times.

PMID- 24223374
TI  - Novel network biomarkers profile based coronary artery disease risk
      stratification in Asian Indians.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multi-marker approaches for risk prediction in coronary artery
      disease (CAD) have been inconsistent due to biased selection of specific know
      biomarkers. We have assessed the global proteome of CAD-affected and unaffected
      subjects, and developed a pathway network model for elucidating the mechanism and
      risk prediction for CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 252 samples (112 CAD
      affected without family history and 140 true controls) were analyzed by Surface
      Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (SELDI-TOF
      MS) by using CM10 cationic chips and bioinformatics tools. RESULTS: Out of 36
      significant peaks in SELDI-TOF MS, nine peaks could do better discrimination of
      CAD subjects and controls (area under the curve (AUC) of 0.963) based on the
      Support Vector Machine (SVM) feature selection method. Of the nine peaks used in
      the model for discrimination of CAD-affected and unaffected, the m/z
      corresponding to 22,859 was identified as stress-related protein HSP27 and was
      shown to be highly associated with CAD (odds ratio of 3.47). The 36 biomarker
      peaks were identified and a network profile was constructed showing the
      functional association between different pathways in CAD. CONCLUSION: Based on
      our data, proteome profiling with SELDI-TOF MS and SVM feature selection methods
      can be used for novel network biomarker discovery and risk stratification in CAD.
      The functional associations of the identified novel biomarkers suggest that they
      play an important role in the development of disease.

PMID- 24223375
TI  - A comparison of the effect of pretreatment with intravenous dexamethasone,
      intravenous ketamine, and their combination, for suppression of remifentanil
      induced cough: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The injection of remifentanil can cause cough during induction of
      anesthesia. This study was designed to examine the efficacy of ketamine,
      dexamethasone, and their combination on remifentanil-induced cough (RIC).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY PATIENTS SCHEDULED FOR ELECTIVE
      SURGERY WERE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED INTO FOUR GROUPS: Group K received 10 mg ketamine;
      Group D received 10 mg dexamethasone; Group KD received 10 mg ketamine in
      combination with dexamethasone; and Group S received saline in a similar volume,
      five minutes prior to the injection of remifentanil. The incidence and severity
      of the cough was recorded in each person. RESULTS: The incidence of RIC was
      significantly lower in Group KD compared to Group K, Group D, and Group S (3.3
      vs. 20%, 20%, and 46.7%, respectively, P < 0.05). The severity of RIC was
      significantly lower in Group KD compared to Group K, Group D, and Group S (P <
      0.05). There was no significant difference between Group K and Group D in this
      regard (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the onset time of
      coughing among the four groups (19.8 +/- 1.3, 20.8 +/- 0.9, 19.0 +/- 1.1, and
      19.9 +/- 2.2 in Group K, Group D, Group KD, and Group S, respectively, P > 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: We found that pretreatment with 10 mg ketamine in combination with 10
      mg dexamethasone five minutes prior to the injection of remifentanil could
      significantly reduce the incidence of RIC, and it was better than using each drug
      singly.

PMID- 24223376
TI  - Prevalence of isosporiasis in relation to CD4 cell counts among HIV-infected
      patients with diarrhea in Odisha, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence of Isospora belli and its correlation
      with CD4+ cell counts in HIV-positive patients with diarrhea in this region.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool samples from 250 HIV-positive patients, including
      200 with diarrhea and 50 without diarrhea included in the study were examined for
      the presence of enteric parasites under microscopy. Prevalence of the enteric
      parasites with special reference to I. belli in HIV-positive patients with and
      without diarrhea were calculated and correlated with their CD4+ cell counts.
      RESULTS: Enteric parasites were detected in 39% of the HIV patients with diarrhea
      compared to 30% without diarrhea. I. belli was detected in 22% of the patients
      with diarrhea and in 4% without diarrhea (P = 0.0019). I. belli was the most
      common parasite, followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (8%) and
      Cryptosporidium parvum (5%) in HIV-positive patients with diarrhea. In HIV
      positive patients without diarrhea, the most common parasite detected was E.
      histolytica/dispar (12%) followed by C. parvum (6%) and I. belli (4%). The mean
      CD4 cell count of HIV-positive patients with diarrhea suffering from isosporiasis
      was 138.35 +/- 70.71. In patients with CD4 cell counts <200/MUl, I. belli was
      seen in 36/123 stool samples and 2/27 stool samples which was statistically
      significant (P = 0.0157). CONCLUSION: I. belli was the predominant parasite with
      a prevalence of 22% among HIV-positive patients with diarrhea, majority having
      CD4 cell count <200/MUl. This study highlights the importance of routine
      screening for coccidian parasites in HIV-positive patients with and without
      diarrhea especially in those with low CD4 cell counts.

PMID- 24223377
TI  - Design, development and permeation studies of nebivolol hydrochloride from novel
      matrix type transdermal patches.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nebivolol hydrochloride is a third generation beta-blocker with
      highly selective beta1-receptor antagonist with antihypertensive properties
      having plasma half life of 10 h and 12% oral bioavailability. The aim of the
      present investigation was to form matrix type transdermal patches containing
      Nebivolol hydrochloride to avoid its extensive hepatic first pass metabolism,
      lesser side effect and increase bioavailability of drug. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Matrix type transdermal patches containing Nebivolol hydrochloride were prepared
      using EudragitRS100, HPMC K100M (2:8) polymers by solvent evaporation technique.
      Aluminum foil was used as a backing membrane. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 was
      used as plasticizer and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a penetration
      enhancer. Drug polymer interactions determined by FTIR and standard calibration
      curve of Nebivolol hydrochloride were determined by using UV estimation. RESULT:
      The systems were evaluated physicochemical parameters and drug present in the
      patches was determined by scanning electron microscopy. All prepared formulations
      indicated good physical stability. In vitro drug permeation studies of
      formulations were performed by using Franz diffusion cells using abdomen skin of
      Wistar albino rat. Result showed best in vitro skin permeation through rat skin
      as compared to all other formulations prepared with hydrophilic polymer
      containing permeation enhancer. CONCLUSIONS: IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE FORMULATION
      CONTAINING HPMC: EudragitRS100 (8:2) showed ideal higuchi release kinetics. On
      the basis of in vitro drug release through skin permeation performance,
      Formulation F1 was found to be better than other formulations and it was selected
      as the optimized formulation.

PMID- 24223378
TI  - Awake craniotomy for tumor resection.
AB  - Surgical treatment of brain tumors, especially those located in the eloquent
      areas such as anterior temporal, frontal lobes, language, memory areas, and near
      the motor cortex causes high risk of eloquent impairment. Awake craniotomy
      displays major rule for maximum resection of the tumor with minimum functional
      impairment of the Central Nervous System. These case reports discuss the use of
      awake craniotomy during the brain surgery in Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. A
      56-year-old woman with left-sided body hypoesthesia since last 3 months and a 25
      year-old with severe headache of 1 month duration were operated under craniotomy
      for brain tumors resection. An awake craniotomy was planned to allow maximum
      tumor intraoperative testing for resection and neurologic morbidity avoidance.
      The method of anesthesia should offer sufficient analgesia, hemodynamic
      stability, sedation, respiratory function, and also awake and cooperative patient
      for different neurological test. Airway management is the most important part of
      anesthesia during awake craniotomy. Tumor surgery with awake craniotomy is a safe
      technique that allows maximal resection of lesions in close relationship to
      eloquent cortex and has a low risk of neurological deficit. 

PMID- 24223379
TI  - ENT bleeding and leech bite.

PMID- 24223380
TI  - A review on natural background radiation.
AB  - The world is naturally radioactive and approximately 82% of human-absorbed
      radiation doses, which are out of control, arise from natural sources such as
      cosmic, terrestrial, and exposure from inhalation or intake radiation sources. In
      recent years, several international studies have been carried out, which have
      reported different values regarding the effect of background radiation on human
      health. Gamma radiation emitted from natural sources (background radiation) is
      largely due to primordial radionuclides, mainly (232)Th and (238)U series, and
      their decay products, as well as (40)K, which exist at trace levels in the
      earth's crust. Their concentrations in soil, sands, and rocks depend on the local
      geology of each region in the world. Naturally occurring radioactive materials
      generally contain terrestrial-origin radionuclides, left over since the creation
      of the earth. In addition, the existence of some springs and quarries increases
      the dose rate of background radiation in some regions that are known as high
      level background radiation regions. The type of building materials used in houses
      can also affect the dose rate of background radiations. The present review
      article was carried out to consider all of the natural radiations, including
      cosmic, terrestrial, and food radiation. 

PMID- 24223381
TI  - Effects of different doses of doxepin on passive avoidance learning in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that Doxepin has anti-inflammatory effects and
      reduces oxidative stress. Due to the fact that other tricyclic antidepressants
      have been shown to have neuroprotective effects, this study aimed to investigate
      the effects of different doses of doxepin on passive avoidance learning in rats.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Old male Wistar rats were used in this study. Doxepin was
      administered intraperitoneally (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg) for 21 days. Passive avoidance
      learning test was used for evaluation of learning and memory. Rats received foot
      electrical shock on fifteen day, and step through latencies were evaluated one
      week after the electrical shock in retention phase. RESULTS: Administration of
      Doxepin considerably increased the step through latencies in the rats that
      received the doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg (P < 0.05). However, in the dose of 10 mg/kg,
      there wasn't any significant change comparing to control group. CONCLUSION: These
      results indicate that Doxepin has desirable effects on cognitive functions in low
      doses. Therefore, Doxepin can be considered as memory enhancers that
      understanding the underling mechanisms need further investigation.

PMID- 24223382
TI  - The effect of L-arginine and L-NAME on myocardial capillary density in normal
      rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effect of L-arginine (Nitric Oxide (NO)
      precursor) and L-NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) (NO synthase inhibitor)
      on myocardial capillary density in normal rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EIGHTEEN
      MALE RATS WERE DIVIDED INTO THREE GROUPS: Group 1: Received L-NAME (10 mg/kg/day;
      ip), Group 2: Received L-arginine (50 mg/kg/day; ip), and Group 3 (control)
      received normal saline. After 3 weeks, blood samples were taken and myocardial
      capillary density was evaluated using immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: Serum
      NO concentration in control group was 6.45 +/- 0.44 MUmol/lit. Treatment of
      animals with L-arginine increased serum NO concentration (7.90 +/- 0.75 vs. 6.45
      +/- 0.44 MUmol/lit, respectively) and L-NAME decreased (4.86 +/- 0.40 vs. 6.45 +/
      0.44 MUmol/lit, respectively) compare to control group. L-arginine significantly
      increased serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration (353.01
      +/- 7.03 vs. 100.5 +/- 6.61 pg/ml; P < 0.05), however, did not change myocardial
      capillary density. CONCLUSION: Although L-arginine alters some serum angiogenic
      factors, either L-arginine or L-NAME could not improve myocardial capillary
      density in normal rats.

PMID- 24223383
TI  - Preemptive subcutaneous tramadol for post-operative pain in lower abdomen
      surgeries: A randomized double blinded placebo-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, the preemptive analgesic effects of subcutaneous
      infiltration of tramadol (T) in the site of incision have not been extensively
      studied. In this study, we investigated the effect of subcutaneous T infiltration
      before the incision of surgery on post-operative pain, in lower abdomen
      surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This double-blind study was carried out on 90
      patients (18-65 years) of American Society Anesthesiologists physical status I
      and II who were candidates for a lower abdomen surgery during 2011. They were
      randomly assigned to receive preemptive subcutaneous T or normal saline (NS). The
      visual analogue scale for pain (VAS) in rest and cough position and opium total
      dose consumption were compared between two groups in times 0, 15, 30, 60 min and
      2, 4, 6, 12, 24 h after the surgery. RESULTS: The VAS in cough and rest position
      in the first 24 h following the surgery was lower in group T (P < 0.05). Opium
      consumption was lower in group T (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous preemptive
      infiltration of T before surgical incision reduces post-operative opioid
      consumption.

PMID- 24223384
TI  - The comparison of the complications of axillobrachial and femorofemoral
      arteriovenous shunt prostheses in hemodialysis, a 3 year study in Alzahra general
      hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare the outcome and complications of
      axillobrachial and femorofemoral graft as upper and lower limb arteriovenous
      shunt prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, we
      observed and followed-up all cases with a new insertion of ePTFE between February
      2006 and February 2009. Assessment of patency and the complication rates of their
      prostheses were the essential parts of this observation. METHODS: In a
      prospective cohort study, we observed and followed-up all cases with a new
      insertion of ePTFE between February 2006 and February 2009. Assessment of patency
      and the complication rates of their prostheses were the essential parts of this
      observation. RESULTS: A total of 69 grafts were performed. Forty-nine of them
      were successfully followed-up (18 femorofemoral and 31 axillobrachial grafts).
      Immediate primary patency was 100%. For axillobrachial type, primary patency at
      1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, was 86%, 60%, and 47%. Secondary patency at 1,
      3, and 6 months was 86%, 75%, and 50%, respectively. For femorofemoral type,
      primary patency at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, was 88%, 40%, and 34%.
      Secondary patency at 1, 3, and 6 months was 94%, 47%, and 41%, respectively. (P >
      0.05) Complications included a puncture-site hematoma, thrombosis, infection,
      venous hypertension, need of an excision and pseudoaneurysm formation.
      Pseudoaneurysm rate difference between the two groups was interestingly
      significant, while others were relatively similar; however, the rates were
      different. CONCLUSION: The significant difference of aneurysm rate among our two
      groups, besides the insignificant difference of other complications and also the
      similar primary and secondary patency rates, manifest a brilliant guidance chart
      for the surgeons in order to choose the most compatible site for inserting ePTFE
      grafts (Gore-tex) as arteriovenous shunt prostheses for HD accessing.

PMID- 24223385
TI  - Cavernous lymphangiomas involving bilateral labia major after caesarian section.

PMID- 24223386
TI  - Reasons for failure of immunization: A cross-sectional study among 12-23-month
      old children of Lucknow, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Roughly 3 million children die every year of vaccine preventable
      diseases and a significant number of these children live in developing countries.
      The present study was conducted to assess the reasons for failure of immunization
      among 12-23-month-old children of Lucknow city in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Out of all villages in rural areas and mohallas in urban areas of Lucknow
      district, eight villages and eight mohallas were selected by simple random
      sampling. A community based cross-sectional study was done among 450 children
      aged 12-23 months. The immunization status of the child was assessed by
      vaccination card and by mother's recall. A pre-designed and pre-tested
      questionnaire was used to elicit information on reasons for failure of
      immunization. Data was analysed using statistical package for social services
      (SPSS) version 11.5. Chi square test was used to find out the significant
      association. RESULTS: Overall, 62.7% children were fully immunized, 24.4%
      children were partially immunized, and 12.9% children were not immunized. The
      major reasons for failure of immunization were postponing it until another time,
      child being ill and hence not brought to the centre for immunization, unaware of
      the need of immunization, place of immunization being too far, no faith in
      immunization, unaware of the need to return for 2(nd) and 3(rd) dose, mother
      being too busy, fear of side reactions, wrong ideas about immunization, and polio
      was considered only vaccine, and others. CONCLUSION: More awareness should be
      generated among the people living in rural and urban areas to immunize their
      children.

PMID- 24223387
TI  - Design, formulation and evaluation of caffeine chewing gum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Caffeine which exists in drinks such as coffee as well as in drug
      dosage forms in the global market is among the materials that increase alertness
      and decrease fatigue. Compared to other forms of caffeine, caffeine gum can
      create faster and more prominent effects. In this study, the main goal is to
      design a new formulation of caffeine gum with desirable taste and assess its
      physicochemical properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Caffeine gum was prepared by
      softening of gum bases and then mixing with other formulation ingredients. To
      decrease the bitterness of caffeine, sugar, aspartame, liquid glucose, sorbitol,
      manitol, xylitol, and various flavors were used. Caffeine release from gum base
      was investigated by mechanical chewing set. Content uniformity test was also
      performed on the gums. The gums were evaluated in terms of organoleptic
      properties by the Latin-Square design at different stages. RESULTS: After making
      22 formulations of caffeine gums, F11 from 20 mg caffeine gums and F22 from 50 mg
      caffeine gums were chosen as the best formulation in organoleptic properties.
      Both types of gum released about 90% of their own drug content after 30 min. Drug
      content of 20 and 50 mg caffeine gum was about 18.2-21.3 mg and 45.7-53.6 mg
      respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, 20 and 50 mg caffeine gums with suitable
      and desirable properties (i.e., good taste and satisfactory release) were
      formulated. The best flavor for caffeine gum was cinnamon. Both kinds of 20 and
      50 mg gums succeeded in content uniformity test.

PMID- 24223388
TI  - Study of the prevalence of azoospermia in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma prior
      to treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infertility is one of the main problems of patients with Hodgkin's
      lymphoma, as this causes specific effects in the social, family, and emotional
      life of patients. Hodgkin's lymphoma is a neoplastic disorder that comprises of
      0.6% of all cancers and often occurs in middle-aged people, with a mean age of 26
      years. It originates from neoplastic changes in the lymphoid cells, which lead to
      different complications in the body organs. One important complication of
      Hodgkin's lymphoma is humoral and cellular immune system dysfunction that can
      cause numerous and dangerous problems for patients. Another complication of
      Hodgkin's lymphoma is sterility, more specifically hypogonadism and azoospermia.
      Sterility may appear after treatment. Considering that most patients with
      Hodgkin's lymphoma have a good survival, diagnosing and treating this
      complication and preventing its incidence contributes to improving the quality of
      social life and emotional status of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In
      this study, 238 patients whose Hodgkin's lymphoma was approved by Pathology were
      included in the study, before receiving any medical intervention, and they were
      examined for sterility (sperm status). Sterility of the male patients was
      confirmed using a spermogram test. The serum levels of the luteinizing hormone
      (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T) were checked.
      RESULTS: Among the studied patients, 24 patients (10.08%) suffered from
      azoospermia, which was evident in its progressive stages. CONCLUSION: In such
      cases, treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma and improvement of the immune system could
      overcome azoospermia and sterility.

PMID- 24223389
TI  - A rare case of laryngotracheal chondrosarcoma in a patient with past history of
      radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer.
AB  - Tracheal chondrosarcoma is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor and there are less
      than 15 reports in the literature. We report a rare case of laryngotracheal
      chondrosarcoma in a 74-year-old man. He gave a history of radioiodine therapy for
      thyroid papillary carcinoma about 24 years ago. Diagnostic steps, histological
      presentation, and therapy are described in detail. 

PMID- 24223390
TI  - Evaluation on the responses of succinate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase,
      malate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase to acid shock
      generated acid tolerance in Escherichia coli.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli have an optimum pH range of 6-7 for growth and
      survival that's why, called neutrophiles. The DeltapH across the cytoplasmic
      membrane is linked to cellular bioenergetics and metabolism of the body which is
      the major supplier of the proton motive force, so homeostasis of cellular pH is
      essential. When challenged by low pH, protons enter the cytoplasm; as a result,
      mechanisms are required to alleviate the effects of lowered cytoplasmic pH.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The activities of Succinate dehydrogenase, isocitrate
      dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in acid
      shocked cells of E. coli DH5 alpha and E. coli W3110 subjected to pH 3, 4, and 5
      by two types of acidification, like external (using 0.1 N HCl), external along
      with the monensin (1 MUM) and cytoplasmic acidification using the sodium benzoate
      as an acid permeant (20 mM) which is coupled to the electron transport chain by
      the reducing power, as yet another system possessed by E. coli as an armor
      against harsh acidic environments. RESULT: Results showed that an exposure to
      acidic environment (pH 3, 4 and 5) for a short period of time increased the
      activities of these dehydrogenases in all types of acidification except
      cytoplasmic acidification, which shows that higher recycling of reducing power
      results in pumping out of protons from the cytoplasm through the electron
      transport chain complexes, thereby restoring the cytoplasmic pH of the bacteria
      in the range of 7.4-7.8. CONCLUSION: Study indicates that acid shocked E. coli
      for a period of 2 h can survive for a sustained period.

PMID- 24223391
TI  - Comparison of therapeutic effect of low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin
      (enoxaparin) vs. oral prednisone in treatment of patients with lichen planus; A
      clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic
      efficacy of subcutaneous enoxaparin versus oral prednisone (as a standard
      treatment) in patients with disseminated lichen planus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In
      this parallel randomized clinical trial study, overall 48 patients completed the
      study. 25 patients were treated with subcutaneous enoxaparin 5 mg weekly and 23
      patients with 0.5 mg/kg prednisone orally daily until complete remission or a
      maximum of 8 weeks. The results of itching severity, extent of active lesions and
      drug side effects were compared. In remission, patients were followed for 6
      months for recurrent lesions. RESULTS: In enoxaparin group, 8 patients (32%) had
      complete remission and 10 patients (40%) had partial improvement. In the oral
      prednisone group, 16 patients (69.6%) had complete remission and 6 patients
      (26.1%) had partial improvement (P = 0.005). Average size of active lesions in
      both groups decreased significantly after treatment, but analysis of covariance
      showed that the mean lesion size after treatment in the oral prednisone group was
      significantly lower than the enoxaparin group (P = 0.005). The relapse rate from
      improved patients in the enoxaparin group was 6 (33%) and in oral prednisone
      group was 9 (40.9%, P = 0.083). In the enoxaparin group no serious complications
      was seen. But 22% in the oral prednisone group show side effect, the most common
      complications were dyspepsia. CONCLUSION: Low dose enoxaparin on lichen Planus
      have therapeutic effect and is important for the least side effects but not as
      much as oral prednisone. But it could be accepted as an alternative treatment.

PMID- 24223392
TI  - Evaluation and comparison of zinc absorption level from 2-Alkyle 3-Hydroxy
      pyranon-zinc complexes and zinc sulfate in rat in vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although zinc sulfate has been used to improve disorders originated
      from zinc deficiency, its low compliance is due to gastrointestinal
      complications; therefore, other zinc compounds have been suggested as replacers
      for zinc deficient people. The objective of this study was to evaluate and
      compare the absorption of ethyl and methyl zinc-maltol with that of zinc sulfate
      to substitute zinc sulfate with those complexes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After
      five weeks of being fed by zinc deficient food, zinc deficient rats were divided
      into four groups randomly receiving medicinal solutions of zinc sulfate, zinc
      ethyl maltol and zinc methyl maltol using feeding tube method for two weeks while
      the control was received distilled water. Serum zinc concentration and ALP
      (Alkaline Phosphatase) and LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) activity of rats were
      determined before and after the study. Statistical analyses were performed using
      SPSS 11.5. The study was conducted from 2008 to 2010. RESULTS: Serum zinc
      concentration and enzyme activity in all groups receiving drug solution
      increased. The most and least increase were in zinc sulfate and zinc methyl
      maltol groups, respectively. The difference between zinc methyl maltol and zinc
      sulfate group was significant (P < 0.05); however, this difference was not
      significant in the case of zinc ethyl maltol. CONCLUSION: Zinc ethyl maltol can
      be a suitable and preferable substitute for zinc sulfate.

PMID- 24223393
TI  - Prostate International, an international academic forum on prostate diseases.

PMID- 24223394
TI  - Letter to the editor.

PMID- 24223396
TI  - Androgen receptor coactivator p120 subtype beta is highly expressed in prostate
      cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The beta form of p120 is reported to be a strong coactivator of the
      androgen receptor. We investigated the gene expression profiles of the alpha and
      beta forms of p120 in prostate cancer cell lines, benign prostatic hyperplasia
      (BPH), nontreated prostate cancer (NTPC), and prostate cancer after androgen
      deprivation therapy (PCA-ADT). METHODS: We obtained 154 prostate needle biopsy
      specimens (81 in BPH, 51 in NTPC, and 22 in PCA-ADT). Levels of p120alpha and
      beta expression were determined by multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction.
      RESULTS: Prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP, PC-3, DU-145, and LNCaP-LA, which is
      a derivative of LNCaP under androgen deprivation, expressed both p120alpha and
      p120beta. p120alpha expression levels were significantly higher than those of
      p120beta in all cell lines examined. In human prostate tissues, p120alpha
      expression was significantly higher than that of p120beta in BPH and NTPC.
      p120alpha expression in BPH was significantly higher than in other groups. In
      contrast, p120beta expression was significantly higher in NTPC and PCA-ADT than
      in BPH. Expression of the two forms of p120 was not correlated with age, prostate
      specific antigen, or Gleason score. CONCLUSIONS: The expression profiles of
      p120alpha and p120beta significantly differ in cancerous and benign prostatic
      tissues.

PMID- 24223395
TI  - MicroRNAs in prostate cancer.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are made up of -22 endogenous nucleotides and are small,
      noncoding RNAs that are important regulators of gene expression at the
      posttranscriptional level by degrading or repressing target miRNAs. miRNA
      expression profiles can be used for the detection of diagnostic and prognostic
      markers for various cancers. Also, alterations of miRNAs in cancer tissues have
      been associated with clinicopathological parameters. Along with circulating
      miRNAs, tissue miRNAs have shown promise as markers that can predict cancer
      recurrence and/or the potential for survival of cancer patients. Additionally,
      some miRNAs have therapeutic potential. In this review, we discuss and assess the
      usefulness of tissue-derived and circulating miRNAs for the diagnosis and
      prognosis of prostate cancer. 

PMID- 24223397
TI  - Outcomes and predictors of localized or locally-advanced prostate cancer treated
      by radiotherapy in Indonesia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Presently there is no published data on the outcomes of localized or
      locally-advanced prostate cancer (PCa) treated by external-beam radiotherapy (RT)
      in Indonesia. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 96 patients with
      localized or locally-advanced PCa treated by RT from year 1995 to 2009, at the
      national referral hospital and the national cancer hospital of Indonesia.
      Cumulative prostate and pelvic radiation dose/type was <70 Gy conventional RT in
      84.4% patients, and >=70 Gy Three dimensional-conformal or intensity modulated RT
      in 15.6% patients. Overall survival (OS) and biochemical progression-free
      survival (BFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier. Predictors of OS and biochemical
      recurrence were analyzed by multivariate Cox regressions. RESULTS: The median
      follow-up was 61 months (range, 24 to 169 months). There were 3.1% low-risk, 26%
      intermediate-risk, and 70.8% high-risk cases. More than half of the patients
      (52.1%) had pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >20 ng/mL. The 5-year
      survival outcome of low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk patients were: OS,
      100%, 94.7%, and 67.9% (P=0.297); and BFS, 100%, 94.1%, and 57.1% (P=0.016),
      respectively. In the high-risk group, the 5-year OS was 88.3% in patients who
      received adjuvant hormonal androgen deprivation therapy (HT), compared to 53% in
      RT only, P=0.08. Significant predictors of OS include high-risk group (hazard
      Ratio [HR], 9.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52 to 57.6; P=0.016), adjuvant
      therapy (HR, 0.175; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.58; P=0.005), detection by transurethral
      resection of the prostate (TUR-P) (HR, 6.81; 95% CI, 2.28 to 20.33; P=0.001), and
      pretreatment PSA (HR, 1.003; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.005; P=0.039). The sole predictor
      of biochemical failure was pretreatment PSA (P=0.04), with odds ratio of 4.52
      (95% CI, 1.61 to 12.65) for PSA >20 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: RT is an effective
      treatment modality for localized or locally-advanced PCa in Indonesian patients,
      with outcomes and predictors consistent to that reported elsewhere. Predictors of
      poorer outcomes include high-risk group, higher pretreatment PSA, incidental
      detection by TUR-P, and lack of adjuvant HT. Adjuvant hormonal therapy
      significantly improve the survival of high risk patients.

PMID- 24223398
TI  - Prostate-specific antigen and prostate-specific antigen density cutoff points
      among Indonesian population suspected for prostate cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Racial differences exist in the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa).
      Although many studies have looked at the performance of prostate-specific antigen
      (PSA) and PSA density (PSAD) in the detection of PCa, only a few have looked at
      it in relation to Indonesian men. The objective of this study is to find out
      better PSA and PSAD cutoff point in the detection of PCa in Indonesian men.
      METHODS: A total of 404 consecutive Indonesian men underwent prostate biopsy for
      suspicion of PCa from 2008 to 2011. The biopsy criteria include one or more of
      the following: serum PSA more than 10 ng/mL, PSAD more than 0.15 if PSA 4-10
      ng/mL, hypoechoic lesion during transrectal sonography and/or abnormal digital
      rectal examination. RESULTS: Forty five out of 404 (11.1%) had positive biopsies.
      The mean age, prostate volume, PSA and PSAD were respectively 64.06 years, 43.03
      mL, 45.59 ng/mL and 1.15. Of the 404, 131 cases (32.4%) were confirmed to be
      urinary retention. Positive urine culture found in 182 cases (45%). The cutoff
      point to detect PCa as estimated by the receiver operating characteristics was
      6.95 ng/mL for PSA (sensitivity 97.8%, specificity 19.6%) and 0.7072 for PSAD
      (sensitivity 62.2%, specificity 78.7%). Positive predictive value for this PSA
      and PSAD cutoff point were 11.6% and 27.5% respectively (P=0.004 and P=0.000).
      There was a significant correlation between hypoechoic lesion and positive biopsy
      results (P =0.000). Urinary retention elevates PSA cutoff point to 14.55
      (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 50%), while positive urine culture alters almost
      no PSA cutoff elevation. CONCLUSIONS: PSA and PSAD cutoff point for Indonesian
      men in this series is relatively different from international consensus.
      Furthermore, these data show that PSA and PSAD cutoff point must be adjusted to
      racial variation to discriminate between malignant and benign disease. Urinary
      retention is a significant factor for PSA cutoff increase.

PMID- 24223399
TI  - Robotic-assisted prostatectomy and open radical retropubic prostatectomy for
      locally-advanced prostate cancer: multi-institution comparison of oncologic
      outcomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) offers reportedly
      comparable oncologic outcomes for localized disease compared with open radical
      retropubic prostatectomy (ORRP). However, the oncologic efficacy of RALP in
      locally-advanced prostate cancer (PCa) is less clear. We report and compare our
      experience with RALP and ORRP in men with locally advanced PCa. METHODS: Patients
      with locally advanced PCa (stage T3 or greater) were identified in both robotic
      and open cohorts. Clinicopathologic features including age, clinical stage,
      prostate-specific antigen, surgical margins, and Gleason score were reviewed. We
      further examined the incidence of positive surgical margins, the effect of the
      surgical learning curve on margins, and the need for adjuvant therapy. RESULTS:
      From 1997 to 2010, 1,011 patients underwent RALP and 415 patients were identified
      who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) across four institutions.
      140 patients in the RALP group and 95 in the RRP group had locally advanced PCa
      on final pathology. The overall robotic positive margin rate 47.1% compared with
      51.4% in the RRP group. A trend towards a lower positive margin rate was seen
      after 300 cases in the RALP group, with 66.7% positive margin rate in the first
      300 cases compared with 41.8% in the latter 700 cases. In addition, a lower
      incidence of biochemical recurrence was also noted in the latter cases (30.6% vs.
      9.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Up to 2 out of 3 men undergoing RALP for locally-advanced PCa
      had positive margins during our initial experience. However, with increasing
      surgeon experience the overall positive margin rate decreased significantly and
      was comparable to the positive margin rate for patients with locally advanced
      disease undergoing ORRP over four academic institutions. We also noted a lower
      incidence of biochemical recurrence with increasing RALP experience, suggesting
      better oncologic outcomes with higher volume. Given this data, RALP has
      comparable oncologic outcomes compared to ORRP, especially with higher volume
      surgeons.

PMID- 24223400
TI  - Efficacy and safety of low-dose anticholinergics to treat men with lower urinary
      tract symptoms with overactive bladder: a retrospective study based on real life
      practice.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether combination treatment using an alpha-blocker and
      2 mg of tolterodine could improve the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)
      as much as alpha-blocker and 4 mg of tolterodine without voiding difficulties in
      real life practice. METHODS: We restrospectively recruited patients who were
      treated at four urology clinics between January 2006 and May 2008. A total of
      1,094 men with lower urinary tract symptoms/overactive bladder (LUTS/OAB) were
      assigned to one of three groups: an alpha-blocker only group (group I, n=152), an
      alpha-blocker plus tolterodine 2 mg group (group II, n=520), and an alpha-blocker
      plus tolterodine 4 mg group (group III, n=574). Eligible patients were 50 years
      or older men who had a total IPSS of 8 or higher and a IPSS storage subscore of 5
      or higher and were followed up for 12 weeks. RESULTS: The total IPSS score and
      quality of life scores were significantly improved at week 12 in groups II and
      III. The incidence of acute urinary retention was similar between both
      combination treatment groups, but the incidence of voiding difficulty was much
      lower in group II (2.1%) than group III (10.8%) tolterodine. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results suggest that treatment of LUTS/OAB patients with an alpha-blocker plus
      tolterodine 2 mg is as effective as alpha-blocker plus tolterodine 4 mg, and the
      incidence of voiding difficulty was in the low-dose anticholinergic is lower.
      These results indicate that dose strength should be decided on a case-by-case
      basis to balance the efficacy and safety.

PMID- 24223401
TI  - Early experience photoselective vaporisation of the prostate using the 180W
      lithium triborate and comparison with the 120W lithium triborate laser.
AB  - PURPOSE: There is a paucity of information on the clinical efficacy and safety of
      the photoselective vaporization (PVP) of the prostate using the 180W lithium
      triborate (LBO) laser. We report on initial outcomes of PVP with the 180W laser,
      comparing the first 50 cases with the last 50 cases performed with the 120W LBO
      laser. METHODS: All cases performed by a single surgeon (HHW) have been
      prospectively maintained. The last 50 cases treated with the 120W LBO laser
      (December 2009 to August 2010) were compared with the first 50 cases treated with
      the 180W LBO (July 2010 to June 2011). Patient variables were recorded
      preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. Perioperative data was also
      recorded. RESULTS: The 180W cases had a larger median transrectal ultrasound
      prostate volume (68 mL vs. 51 mL, P<0.05). For the 180W and 120W LBO lasers,
      total operating time was 64.2 and 72.5 minutes (not significant [NS] at P=0.22),
      lasering time 49.6 and 54.6 minutes (NS, P=0.30) and energy utilisation 477.6 kJ
      and 377.9 kJ (P<0.05) respectively. When compared per gram of prostate tissue
      lasered, the 180W is quicker at 0.67 min/g vs. 1.0 min/g for the 120W laser.
      Complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification included 5 grade 1
      complications and 3 grade 3b (bladder neck contractures) with the 180W LBO laser.
      The 120 W LBO laser had 4 grade 1 complications and 1 grade 2. CONCLUSIONS: There
      is little change in clinical outcomes with the transition from 120W to 180W LBO
      PVP with an already experienced PVP surgeon. The 180W LBO laser appears to have
      impacted upon patient selection with significantly increased prostate size and
      associated with increased energy utilisation. There appears to be a trend toward
      shorter laser times.

PMID- 24223402
TI  - Epidemiology of prostate cancer in the Asia-Pacific region.
AB  - The purpose of this paper was to examine and compare available data on incidence,
      mortality and survival for countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Incidence data
      were obtained from GLOBOCAN 2008, other online data sources and individual cancer
      registries. Country-specific mortality statistics by individual year were sourced
      from the World Health Organization Statistical Information System Mortality
      Database. All incidence and mortality rates were directly age-standardised to the
      Segi World Standard population and joinpoint models were used to assess trends.
      Data on survival were obtained from country-specific published reports where
      available. Approximately 14% (122,000) of all prostate cancers diagnosed
      worldwide in 2008 were within the Asia-Pacific region (10 per 100,000
      population), with three out of every four of these prostate cancer cases
      diagnosed in either Japan (32%), China (28%) or Australia (15%). There were also
      about 42,000 deaths due to prostate cancer in the Asia-Pacific region (3 per
      100,000). For the nine countries with incidence trend data available, eight
      showed recent significant increases in prostate cancer incidence. In contrast,
      recent decreases in prostate cancer mortality have been reported for Australia,
      Japan and New Zealand, but mortality has increased in several other countries.
      The lack of population-based data across most of the countries in this region
      limits the ability of researchers to understand and report on the patterns and
      distribution of this important cancer. Governments and health planners typically
      require quantitative evidence as a motivation for change. Unless there is a
      widespread commitment to improve the collection and reporting of data on prostate
      cancer it is likely that the burden of prostate cancer will continue to increase.
      Enhancing knowledge transfer between countries where there are differentials in
      capacity, policy and experience may provide the necessary impetus and opportunity
      to overcome at least some of the existing barriers. 

PMID- 24223403
TI  - Development of prostate cancer research database with the clinical data warehouse
      technology for direct linkage with electronic medical record system.
AB  - PURPOSE: In spite of increased prostate cancer patients, little is known about
      the impact of treatments for prostate cancer patients and outcome of different
      treatments based on nationwide data. In order to obtain more comprehensive
      information for Korean prostate cancer patients, many professionals urged to have
      national system to monitor the quality of prostate cancer care. To gain its
      objective, the prostate cancer database system was planned and cautiously
      accommodated different views from various professions. METHODS: This prostate
      cancer research database system incorporates information about a prostate cancer
      research including demographics, medical history, operation information,
      laboratory, and quality of life surveys. And, this system includes three
      different ways of clinical data collection to produce a comprehensive data base;
      direct data extraction from electronic medical record (EMR) system, manual data
      entry after linking EMR documents like magnetic resonance imaging findings and
      paper-based data collection for survey from patients. RESULTS: We implemented
      clinical data warehouse technology to test direct EMR link method with St. Mary's
      Hospital system. Using this method, total number of eligible patients were 2,300
      from 1997 until 2012. Among them, 538 patients conducted surgery and others have
      different treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Our database system could provide the
      infrastructure for collecting error free data to support various retrospective
      and prospective studies.

PMID- 24223404
TI  - Trends of clinical symptoms and prognosis of middle-aged prostate cancer patients
      after instigation of prostate specific antigen-based population screening.
AB  - PURPOSE: Due to the low rate of screening for prostate cancer in Japan, the
      incidence rates of cancer are high. We have established a prostate-specific
      antigen (PSA)-based screening system for prostate cancer in our region. We
      analyzed recent trends of clinical symptoms and prognosis of prostate cancer
      patients aged 55 to 69 years old in our institution. METHODS: Between 2000 and
      2007, 162 cases of prostate cancer in patients aged 55 to 69 years old were newly
      diagnosed. The study population was divided into 119 cases with high PSA without
      symptoms, 36 cases with urological symptoms, and 7 cases with systemic symptoms.
      We analyzed the clinical courses of the patients in each group. RESULTS: The rate
      of localized disease was significantly higher in the PSA testing group than in
      the other groups. The median serum PSA levels were 1,600 ng/mL in the systemic
      symptom group, 13.3 ng/mL in the urological symptom group, and 7.1 ng/mL in the
      PSA testing group. The probability of nonrecurrence of the patients in the PSA
      testing group was significantly higher than in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The
      rate of prostate cancer patients diagnosed by PSA testing was relatively high in
      our institution. These patients have better prognosis than those with symptoms.

PMID- 24223405
TI  - Nomogram using transrectal ultrasound-derived information predicting the
      detection of high grade prostate cancer on initial biopsy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a nomogram using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-derived
      information for predicting high grade (HG) prostate cancer (PCa) on initial
      biopsy. METHODS: Data were collected on 1,048 men with serum prostate-specific
      antigen (PSA) levels 4.0 to 9.9 ng/mL who underwent an initial prostate biopsy.
      Two logistic regression-based nomograms were constructed to predict the detection
      of PCa. Nomogram-1 incorporated age, digital rectal examination, PSA and percent
      free PSA data, whereas nomogram-2 incorporated those factors plus TRUS-derived
      information (i.e., prostate volume and the presence of hypoechoic lesions). The
      prediction of any PCa and HGPCa (Gleason score>=7) were determined. Twenty
      percent of the data were randomly reserved for study validation, and the
      predictive accuracies of the two nomograms were directly compared. RESULTS: Of
      the 1,048 men who underwent biopsy, 216 (20.6%) were found to have any PCa, and
      97 (9.3%) were found to have HGPCa. All six risk factors were found to be
      independent predictors for both any PCa and HGPCa. The area under curve (AUC) for
      nomogram-2 was 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72 to 0.81) for predicting
      any PCa, and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.88) for predicting HGPCa. These AUCs were
      greater than those for nomogram-1 (0.72 [95% CI, 0.68 to 0.76 for any PCa;
      P<0.001], 0.78 [95% CI, 0.72 to 0.83 for HGPCa; P<0.001]). Removing the TRUS
      derived information from nomogram-2 resulted in an incremental AUC decrease of
      0.052 for any PCa and 0.063 for HGPCa. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram using TRUS
      derived information had a high predictive accuracy for HGPCa on initial prostate
      biopsy.

PMID- 24223406
TI  - Simple method for preventing inguinal hernias after radical retropubic
      prostatectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Inguinal hernias often occur after radical retropubic prostatectomy
      (RRP). We present a novel and simple technique for preventing inguinal hernias
      after RRP, which any surgeon can complete within a few minutes. METHODS: A total
      of 230 Japanese prostate cancer patients underwent RRP between January 2007 and
      September 2011. From July 2009, 115 patients underwent inguinal hernia prevention
      procedures at the same time as RRP. In this procedure, we released approximately
      5 cm of the bilateral vas deferens and spermatic vessels from the peritoneum. In
      cases in which the processus vaginalis had spread into the abdomen, we ligated it
      close to the peritoneal cavity and then transected it. The remaining 115 patients
      who underwent RRP but did not undergo the hernia prevention procedure were used
      as the control group. The incidence rate of postoperative inguinal hernia was
      compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Inguinal hernias developed during the
      postoperative follow-up period in 18 of the 115 control patients (15.7%) (median
      duration, 50 months). The hernia-free survival rate of this group was 89.6% and
      84.1% at 1 and 2 postoperative years, respectively. In contrast, only 1 of the
      115 patients (0.87%) who underwent the hernia prevention procedure developed an
      inguinal hernia during the follow-up period (median duration, 27 months). The
      hernia-free survival rate of this group was 100% at both 1 and 2 postoperative
      years (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We developed a simple method for preventing post
      RRP inguinal hernias. The procedure is easy to perform and produces excellent
      outcomes.

PMID- 24223407
TI  - Evaluation of primary androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients
      using the J-CAPRA risk score.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the influence of maximal androgen blockade (MAB) and non
      MAB hormonal therapy with an luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analog
      on overall survival of prostate cancer patients in the Japan Study Group of
      Prostate Cancer (J-CaP) registry according to risk, as assessed using the novel J
      CAPRA risk instrument. To undertake a multivariate analysis combining J-CAPRA
      risk score, type of hormonal therapy and comorbidities, in order to assess their
      impact on overall survival. METHODS: The J-CaP database includes men in Japan
      diagnosed with any stage of prostate cancer between 2001 and 2003 and treated
      with primary androgen deprivation therapy (PADT), as monotherapy or in
      combination. A total of 26,272 men were enrolled and of these 19,265 were treated
      with PADT. This analysis was undertaken using the latest data set (30 April,
      2010) including a total of 15,727 patients who received PADT and had follow-up
      data for periods ranging from 0 to 9.2 years. RESULTS: MAB for prostate cancer
      patients with intermediate- or high-risk disease has a significant benefit in
      terms of overall survival compared with LHRH analog monotherapy or surgical
      castration alone. Better results may be achieved in older (>=75 years) patients.
      Patient comorbidities are an important factor in determining overall survival,
      notably in older patients, and should be considered when selecting therapy.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on large-scale registry data, this report is the first to
      analyze the outcomes of MAB therapy in patients with prostate cancer at a wide
      range of disease stages. MAB therapy may provide significant survival benefits in
      intermediate- and high-risk patients.

PMID- 24223408
TI  - Clinical courses following acute bacterial prostatitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: There are few studies about clinical courses following acute bacterial
      prostatitis (ABP). We evaluated the progression rates of chronic bacterial
      prostatitis (CBP) and inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) after ABP
      treatment. Also evaluated the characteristics of the patients who developed CBP
      and inflammatory CPPS after ABP treatment. METHODS: Total 437 patients compatible
      with a confirmed diagnosis of ABP from 5 urological centers between 2001 and 2010
      were enrolled to study. We defined chronic infection (CI) as a progression to CBP
      and inflammatory CPPS after treatment of ABP in admission periods when followed
      up at 3 months or more. Results were analyzed between two groups: recovered
      without CI (group A, n=385) and developed to CI (group B, n=52). RESULTS: Of the
      437 ABP patients, 1.3% (6/437) progressed to CBP and 10.5% (46/437) progressed to
      inflammatory CPPS. The progression rate of CI was 11.8% (52/437). The patients
      who developed to CI were higher in alcohol consumption rate, diabetes, voiding
      symptoms, prior manipulation rate, enlarged prostate volume, catheterization
      history rate and short duration of antibiotic treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      The identification and characterization of these factors may accelerate the
      development of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the
      treatment of CI from ABP.

PMID- 24223409
TI  - The role of radical prostatectomy in high-risk prostate cancer.
AB  - Because of the increase in prostate cancer patients, urologists can detect more
      clinically localized prostate cancer in patients before the disease has
      progressed to advanced stages. Nevertheless, some patients are still diagnosed
      with high-risk prostate cancer. Even though several treatment options are
      available for high-risk prostate cancer patients, including radical
      prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, used alone or in combination,
      the recurrence rate is high regardless of the type of treatment. Nevertheless, in
      the experience of many urologists, a substantial proportion of high-risk prostate
      cancer patients are cured by local definite therapy or multimodality treatment.
      Thus, several treatment combinations have been attempted as treatments in these
      patients. Among them, radical prostatectomy is regarded as the first step in high
      risk prostate cancer patients, on a selective basis. In some high-risk prostate
      cancer patients, surgery is a one-step modality in treatment and has an excellent
      oncological prognosis. However, because of the lack of evidence and well
      controlled comparative prospective studies, the best course of treatment can be
      unclear, and oncological outcomes often appear heterogeneous. We therefore review
      the current literature on clinical outcomes in high-risk prostate cancer. 

PMID- 24223410
TI  - Peripheral zone prostate-specific antigen density: an effective parameter for
      prostate cancer prediction in men receiving 5alpha-reductase inhibitors.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive performance of various parameters derived
      from volume-adjusted prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values in detecting prostate
      cancer (PCa) and high-grade (Gleason score>=7) PCa according to treatment with a
      5alpha-reductase inhibitor (5ARI). METHODS: The results of 3,520 prostate
      biopsies performed between May 2006 and January 2013 were retrospectively
      assessed. With adjustment for age, 291 patients who had received 5ARI treatment
      for more than 6 months were identified and matched 1:3 to patients naive to
      5ARIs, resulting in a total of 873 patients. Peripheral zone (PZ) and transition
      zone (TZ) volumes were determined by transrectal ultrasonography. Receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to compare predictive
      performances of PSA, PSA density (PSAD; PSA/prostate volume), PZPSAD (PSA/PZ
      volume), and TZPSAD (PSA/TZ volume) for detecting PCa and high-grade PCa for each
      group. RESULTS: The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was higher for PSAD than for
      PSA in the 5ARI group (0.751 vs. 0.677) and in the 5ARI-naive group (0.649 vs.
      0.582), respectively (P<0.001). In the 5ARI group, the AUC for PZPSAD was even
      higher than that for PSAD (0.781 vs. 0.751, P=0.038); in the 5ARI-naive group,
      however, PZPSAD failed to achieve significant superiority (0.652 vs. 0.649,
      P=0.321). All volume-adjusted PSA indexes showed higher predictive accuracies for
      detecting PCa than did PSA in both groups. For detecting high-grade cancer,
      PZPSAD also revealed the highest predictive value in the 5ARI group, whereas PSA
      revealed the highest predictive value in the 5ARI-naive group. CONCLUSIONS: The
      diagnostic performance of PSAD in the detection of PCa is superior to that of
      PSA. For patients receiving 5ARI for more than 6 months, PZPSAD confers
      additional benefits for detecting both PCa and high-grade PCa.

PMID- 24223411
TI  - Serum level of follicle-stimulating hormone is associated with extraprostatic
      extension of prostate cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) can be
      used to predict the aggressiveness of prostate cancer prior to radical
      prostatectomy. METHODS: Ninety-six patients who underwent radical prostatectomy
      for biopsy proved cT1c-T2N0M0 prostate cancer between 2003 and 2008 were
      identified for retrospective analysis. Using univariate regression analysis,
      potential variables of extraprostatic tumor extension were identified, including
      prostate-specific antigen (PSA), luteinizing hormone, FSH, testosterone, biopsy
      findings, and age. These variables of interest were analyzed by logistic and
      linear regression analysis to determine if serum FSH is predictive of
      extraprostatic extension. RESULTS: Extraprostatic extension was pathologically
      confirmed in 18 of 96 patients (18.8%). Statistical analysis confirmed that serum
      FSH was significantly associated with extraprostatic extension (P=0.04). However,
      age, PSA level, Gleason score, number of tumors, and serum testosterone level
      were not found to be independent predictors of extraprostatic extension.
      CONCLUSIONS: Selective expression of FSH receptor on the surface of blood vessels
      of prostate cancers has recently been reported. Measuring serum FSH
      preoperatively in patients with prostate cancer may provide clinically relevant
      information about extraprostatic spread of tumor.

PMID- 24223412
TI  - Chlormadinone acetate is effective for hot flush during androgen deprivation
      therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of low-dose chlormadinone acetate
      (CMA) in prostate cancer patients who suffer from hot flushes that is a major
      side effect of androgen deprivation therapy. METHODS: Our study included 32
      prostate cancer patients who had severe hot flush after undergoing hormone
      therapy for more than 3 months. The average age of the patients was 72.5 years.
      In the beginning, patients received CMA at 100 mg orally per day. We defined the
      hot flush as disappeared, improved, or not improved. In patients with disappeared
      or improved symptoms, we decreased CMA dose to 50 mg per day, and after we
      reevaluated the effect, we decreased CMA dose to 25 mg per day. When hot flush
      appeared again at 25 mg per day, we returned the dose of CMA to 50 mg per day. In
      cases with no change for more than two months, we canceled the treatment of CMA.
      RESULTS: Hot flush disappeared in 17 patients, improved in 10 patients, and did
      not improve in 5 patients (reduction in 84% of hot flush patients). The median
      time to hot flush reduction was 1.16 months. The effect of CMA was maintained at
      25 mg per day in 19 patients and at 50 mg per day in 8 patients. No patients had
      prostate-specific antigen failure in the treatment of CMA. CONCLUSIONS: When hot
      flush appears during treatment with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist
      for prostate cancer, it seems that CMA can improve it immediately in most
      patients.

PMID- 24223413
TI  - Prospective longitudinal comparative study of health-related quality of life and
      treatment satisfaction in patients treated with hormone therapy, radical
      retropubic prostatectomy, and high or low dose rate brachytherapy for prostate
      cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of four different prostate cancer treatments on
      quality of life (QoL) and patient satisfaction. METHODS: Ninety-six prostate
      cancer patients were treated with hormone therapy, radical retropubic
      prostatectomy, high dose rate brachytherapy, or low dose rate brachytherapy. We
      assessed general, cancer-specific, and prostate disease-specific QoL. More than
      one year since commencement of treatment, the patients were asked the following
      questions: 1) How do you feel about your treatment? 2) Would you undergo the same
      treatment again? RESULTS: The comparison of baseline and 12-month results showed
      that general and cancer-specific QoL had changed little in all groups. At
      baseline, the general and cancer-specific QoL tended to be lower in the hormone
      therapy patients. In the radical the retropubic prostatectomy patients, all
      scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form were worse than the
      baseline scores at three months. Scores for the International Index of Erectile
      Function-5 had also worsened, with no recovery. In the low-dose rate
      brachytherapy patients, the prostate disease-specific QoL at baseline tended to
      improve. However, the satisfaction levels for each treatment were reasonably
      good, and most patients would choose the same treatment again. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results of each of the four treatments differed in assessments of QoL. In the
      radical retropubic prostatectomy patients, the decrease in the International
      Index of Erectile Function-5 scores was especially remarkable and did not show
      recovery. In contrast, both brachy therapy groups had attained superior sexual
      function. However, regardless of the quality of life evaluations, most patients
      surveyed were satisfied with their treatments and would choose the same treatment
      again.

PMID- 24223414
TI  - Prostate-specific antigen response rate of sequential chemotherapy in castration
      resistant prostate cancer: the results of real life practice.
AB  - PURPOSE: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate (>50% PSA decline in
      pretreatment PSA following chemotherapy) carries a significant survival advantage
      in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We compared PSA response rates in
      first-, second- and third-line chemotherapy after failure of previous
      chemotherapy according to chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS: We retrospectively
      evaluated the oncological outcomes and PSA response rates of 384 patients with
      CRPC, who were treated with chemotherapy and had histologically proven
      adenocarcinoma of the prostate with failure after androgen ablation therapy
      between 1991 and 2012, at Asan Medical Center. RESULTS: In 384 eligible patients,
      the median age was 67.5 years. The median pretreatment PSA and initial Gleason
      scores at baseline were 92.4 ng/mL (range, 2.0 to 6,370 ng/mL) and 9 (range, 6 to
      10), respectively. The time from first diagnosis of prostate cancer to CRPC was
      23 months (range, 1 to 164 months). As first-line chemotherapy, 245 patients
      (63.8%) received estramustine, 91 (23.7%) received docetaxel, and 39 (10.2%)
      received mitoxantrone. The PSA response rates were 39.6%, 51.6%, and 46.2%,
      respectively. Of 169 patients with second-line chemotherapy, estramustine was 15
      (8.9%), docetaxel was 84 (49.7%), and mitoxantrone was 52 (30.8%). PSA response
      rates were 57.1%, 52%, and 28.0%, respectively. Of 81 patients with third-line
      chemotherapy, estramustine was 18 (22.2%), docetaxel was 16 (19.8%), and
      mitoxantrone was 28 (34.6%). The PSA response rates were 41.2%, 53.8%, and 11.1%,
      respectively. Declines in serum PSA levels of at least 50% occurred more
      frequently after treatment with docetaxel than with other chemo-agents regardless
      of second-and third-line chemotherapy. Even in third-line chemothrapy, docetaxel
      maintained the PSA response rate, whereas the PSA response rate of other agents,
      including mitoxantrone, decreased in patients in whom prior therapy failed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Docetacel was the most effective chemotherapeutic agent in second-
      and third-line trials of chemotherapy in Korean CRPC patients. Although docetaxel
      is not used as first-line chemotherapy, and new agents are not available for
      therapy in CRPC patients, we can consider docetaxel a second- or third-line
      chemotherapy in CRPC.

PMID- 24223415
TI  - Microbiological etiology of bacterial prostatitis in general hospital and primary
      care clinic in Korea.
AB  - PURPOSE: The National Institutes of Health classification of prostatitis reported
      the proportion of chronic bacterial prostatitis, especially category II, at 3% to
      10%. Because of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis technique, chronic
      prostatitis syndrome (CPS) with a known bacterial origin has increased recently.
      In this study, we evaluated the proportion of chronic bacterial prostatitis in a
      general hospital and a primary care clinic (PCC) in addition to the distribution
      of the microorganism in chronic bacterial prostatitis in Korea. METHODS: Two
      hundred and ninety-three patients were enrolled in this study. One hundred and
      five patients in the general hospital and 188 patients in the PCC were enrolled
      in the study. Using a questionnaire, all patients were checked for symptoms of
      urinalysis, expressed prostate secretion (EPS), EPS or V3 culture and PCR of EPS
      or VB3 for Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis,
      Mycoplasma genetalia, and Trichomatis vaginalis. RESULTS: In routine EPS or VB3
      culture, 12 of 105 patients (11.4%) in the general hospital showed positive
      culture, but 77 of 188 patients (40.9%) in the PCC showed a positive culture.
      Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis,
      Staphylococcus hemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas were isolated
      in routine culture. In the PCR diagnosis, 37 of 105 patients (35.2%) in the
      general hospital were PCR positive, and 65 of 188 patients (34.5%) in the PCC
      were PCR positive. In the general hospital, C. trachomatis was the most common
      (49%), followed by U. urealyticum (24%), M. genetalia (16%), M. hominis (10%),
      and T. vaginalis (2%). In the PCC, U. urealyticum was the most common (45%),
      followed by C. trachomatis (34%), M. hominis (13%), M. genetalia (7%) and T.
      vaginalis (1%). The proportions of chronic bacterial prostatitis were 46.6%
      (49/105) and 67.5% (127/188) in the general hospital and PCC, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: The total portion of chronic bacterial prostatitis was 59.3%
      (174/293). Culture-positive patients in the PCC were significantly higher than in
      the general hospital, but the number of PCR positive patients in the PCC was the
      same as in the general hospital.

PMID- 24223416
TI  - Influence of the resin cement thickness on bond strength and gap formation of
      fiber posts bonded to root dentin.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the resin cement thickness (RCT) on bond
      strength (BS) and gap formation (GF) of fiber posts bonded to root dentin.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The roots of 24 extracted human mandibular premolars were
      treated endodontically and the post spaces were prepared using drills with
      different diameters according to the following groups (n = 8): well adapted (WA),
      moderately well adapted (MA) and poorly adapted (PA). The fiber glass posts were
      cemented (Excite DSC and Variolink II) in accordance with the manufacturer's
      instructions. After 1 week, the roots were transversely sectioned into six 1-mm
      thick disks and photographed using an optical microscope to determine the RCT.
      After this, epoxy resin replicas of each sample were observed using SEM, and the
      mean length and width of the gaps formed in the cement/dentin/post interface were
      measured. Finally, each sample was subjected to the push-out test (0.5 mm/min),
      and the data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests at
      the 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The lowest RCT (MUm) was observed for WA
      and the highest for PA. The group MA showed an intermediate value. Significantly
      higher push-out BS values were observed for WA compared to the other groups. The
      MA and PA groups were statistically similar. The highest mean gap length (%) and
      width (MUm) were observed for PA. The groups MA and WA were statistically
      similar. CONCLUSION: Lower resin cement thickness resulted in better fiber post
      adhesion, that is, in higher bond strength and less gap formation.

PMID- 24223417
TI  - Adhesion is the key.

PMID- 24223419
TI  - Bisphenol A determination in baby bottles by chemiluminescence enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay, lateral flow immunoassay and liquid chromatography tandem
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - Two immunoassays, a Lateral Flow ImmunoAssay (LFIA) based on colloidal gold
      nanoparticle labels and an indirect competitive chemiluminescence enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (CL-ELISA), were developed and a high performance liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was optimized to assess
      the possible release of bisphenol A (BPA, 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol) from
      different plastic baby bottles treated with simulating solutions. Coating
      conjugate concentration, anti-BPA antibody dilution, incubation time of the
      primary and secondary antibodies, and tolerance to different organic solvents
      were optimized to obtain the best performance of the ELISA with chemiluminescent
      end-point detection. The influence of different buffers on LFIA performance was
      also evaluated. Both methods showed good repeatability (mean CV value around 13%)
      and sensitivity. Reproducibility tests for CL-ELISA gave a mean CV value of about
      25%. The IC50 and Limit of Detection (LOD) values of CL-ELISA were 0.2 and 0.02
      ng mL(-1), respectively. The LOD of LFIA was 0.1 MUg mL(-1). A LC-MS/MS method
      was also optimized. The separation was performed in a C18 column with a triple
      quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionisation interface. The method
      showed a good linearity in the range 2 to 500 ng mL(-1), with a regression
      coefficient of 0.998. In the simulating solutions the detection and
      quantification limits, calculated by the signal to noise level of 3 (S/N = 3),
      were 5.8 ng mL(-1) and 17.4 ng mL(-1), respectively. This limit of quantification
      was about 3 and 35 times lower than the permitted limits set by the official
      method CEN/TS 13130-13 (0.05 MUg mL(-1)) and by the Directive 2004/19/EC (0.6 MUg
      mL(-1)), respectively. The methods were applied to determine BPA release from
      baby bottles, performing repeated procedures according to EU and national
      regulations. The results demonstrated that no BPA migration from the tested
      plastic materials occurred with only one exception. The migrated amount, above
      the regulatory limits, was detected by all the mentioned assays.

PMID- 24223420
TI  - Stripping of acetone from water with microfabricated and membrane gas-liquid
      contactors.
AB  - Stripping of acetone from water utilizing nitrogen as a sweeping gas in co
      current flow was conducted in a microfabricated glass/silicon gas-liquid
      contactor. The chip consisted of a microchannel divided into a gas and a liquid
      chamber by 10 MUm diameter micropillars located next to one of the channel walls.
      The channel length was 35 mm, the channel width was 220 MUm and the microchannel
      depth 100 MUm. The micropillars were wetted by the water/acetone solution and
      formed a 15 MUm liquid film between them and the nearest channel wall, leaving a
      195 MUm gap for gas flow. In addition, acetone stripping was performed in a
      microchannel membrane contactor, utilizing a hydrophobic PTFE membrane placed
      between two microstructured acrylic plates. Microchannels for gas and liquid
      flows were machined in the plates and had a depth of 850 MUm and 200 MUm
      respectively. In both contactors the gas/liquid interface was stabilized: in the
      glass/silicon contactor by the hydrophilic micropillars, while in the
      PTFE/acrylic one by the hydrophobic membrane. For both contactors separation
      efficiency was found to increase by increasing the gas/liquid flow rate ratio,
      but was not affected when increasing the inlet acetone concentration. Separation
      was more efficient in the microfabricated contactor due to the very thin liquid
      layer employed. 

PMID- 24223421
TI  - Quantification of pharmaceuticals via transmission Raman spectroscopy: data sub
      selection.
AB  - We report the first systematic characterisation of data sub-selection with
      multivariate analysis to be applied to either TRS or the low-wavenumber Raman
      region. A model pharmaceutical formulation comprising two polymorphs mixed in the
      range of 1-99% is investigated. For data sub-selection, sparse partial least
      squares is for the first time applied to TRS data and compared with principal
      component analysis. It is found that low-wavenumber data (50-340 cm(-1)) are
      demonstrably superior for quantitative modelling than data in the more
      conventional mid-wavenumber range (340-2000 cm(-1)). Our results point the way to
      enhanced quantitative analytical capabilities for TRS, with potential application
      areas including pharmaceuticals, security and process-analytical technology, by
      combining data sub-selection with low-wavenumber-capable optics. 

PMID- 24223422
TI  - Design, synthesis and characterization of a hexapeptide bio-inspired by
      acetylcholinesterase and its interaction with pesticide dichlorvos.
AB  - This paper describes the molecular modeling design, synthesis and
      characterization of a new bio-inspired hexapeptide of acetylcholinesterase enzyme
      and its interaction with the organophosphate pesticide dichlorvos monitored by UV
      Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. This strategy can contribute to the
      development of synthetic receptors to be coupled to biosensor transducers,
      avoiding the issues associated with proteins such as low stability under
      different pH and temperature conditions and high production cost. The resulting
      data of this work indicate a strong interaction between the pesticide dichlorvos
      and the hexapeptide (NH3(+)-Glu-His-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-COO(-)) with a binding
      constant of 4.10 * 10(5) M(-1) and the formation of an adduct by covalent binding
      on the serine residue from the hexapeptide. 

PMID- 24223423
TI  - A novel 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol based chemosensor for Zn(II) ions by
      ratiometric displacement of Cd(II) ions and its application for cell imaging on
      human melanoma cancer cells.
AB  - A new chelating ligand [4-methyl-2,6-bis-(pyridin-2-yl-hydrazonomethyl)-phenol]
      (1) was prepared by the condensation of 2-hydrazinylpyridine with 2,6-diformyl-p
      cresol. Compound 1 exhibits weak fluorescence due to intramolecular photoinduced
      electron transfer (PET). The sensor (1) demonstrates Zn(2+)-specific emission
      enhancement due to the "PET off" process through a 1:1 binding mode with the
      metal ion. The fluorescence quantum yield of chemosensor 1 is only 0.020, and it
      increases more than 14-fold (0.280) in the presence of one equivalent of the zinc
      ion. Interestingly, the introduction of other metal ions causes the fluorescence
      intensity to remain either unchanged or weakened except for Cd(2+). The new
      sensor showed 'naked-eye' detection of Zn(2+) ions: a color change of the
      solution from colorless to yellow. Ratiometric displacement of Cd(2+) ions from
      the complex by Zn(2+) ions supports the formation of a more stable sensor-Zn(2+)
      complex over the sensor-Cd(2+) complex. The experimental findings have been
      correlated with theoretical results using the B3LYP functional and 6-31G (d, p),
      LANL2DZ basis set for Cd(2+) (2) and Zn(2+) (3) complexes, respectively, by the
      Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. Moreover, the ability of probe 1 to sense
      Zn(2+) within human melanoma cancer cells has been explored, and the Zn(2+)
      probing process in living cells was found to be reversible with zinc chelator
      solution of N,N,N,N-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) or EDTA.

PMID- 24223424
TI  - Solid phase metallurgy strategy to sub-5 nm Au-Pd and Ni-Pd bimetallic
      nanoparticles with controlled redox properties.
AB  - A solid phase metallurgy strategy is applied to synthesize Au-Pd and Ni-Pd
      bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) with a tight sub-5 nm particle size
      distribution. The near-surface elemental composition and redox properties of Au
      Pd BMNPs can be well tailored, which leads to an optimized catalytic performance
      in n-hexane combustion. 

PMID- 24223425
TI  - Oxygen release technique as a method for the determination of "delta-pO2-T"
      diagrams for MIEC oxides.
AB  - A new approach to the determination of oxygen nonstoichiometry (delta) of MIEC
      oxides as a continuous function of pO2 at high temperatures was developed. The
      description of the model allowing one to distinguish the contribution of oxygen
      released from the samples to the partial pressure of oxygen at the outlet of the
      continuous-flow fixed-bed reactor after the stepwise change of the oxygen partial
      pressure of inlet gas from 0.2 to 10(-5) atm and to calculate the dependence of
      delta on pO2 is presented. The criterion for assessing the achievement of quasi
      equilibrium release of oxygen from the MIEC oxides is proposed. The adequacy of
      the method was confirmed by comparing the obtained and published data for well
      studied SrCo0.8Fe0.2O3-delta and SrFeO3-delta MIEC oxides. 

PMID- 24223426
TI  - LSPR-dependent SERS performance of silver nanoplates with highly stable and broad
      tunable LSPRs prepared through an improved seed-mediated strategy.
AB  - The application of the silver plates as a proper substrate for surface enhanced
      Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was performed to give deep insight on LSPR-dependent
      SERS performance. Firstly, an improved seed-mediated method is developed to
      synthesize silver nanoplates (NP) with broad-tuning localized surface plasmon
      resonance (LSPR) and high stability. The LSPR peaks could be tuned in the range
      from 485 to ~1200 nm by controlling the experimental parameters. With the
      treatment of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), silver NPs exhibit high stability for
      SERS tests. The LSPR-dependent SERS study was performed by taking four typical
      silver NPs with LSPR peaks at 485 nm, 614 nm, 906 nm and 1130 nm as substrates.
      Also, two probe molecules, 4-amino-thiophenol (4-ATP) and rhodamine-6G (R-6G),
      were used, and both the 458 nm and 633 nm lasers were selected as excitation for
      the LSPR-dependent SERS study. Our results indicated that the SERS performance is
      largely dependent on the LSPR of the silver NP substrate at a given excitation
      wavelength. Specifically, the Raman signals were greatly enhanced when the laser
      excitation line matched (close to the LSPR band) the peak position of LSPR band.
      When at the excitation of 633 nm, two orders of magnitude stronger SERS signals
      would be observed for the Ag-614 substrate than that of the Ag-485 and Ag-1130
      substrates with their LSPR peak positions far away from 633 nm. The same result
      can also be observed when the laser excitation at 458 nm was selected for the Ag
      485 substrate. Our study gives a deep insight into LSPR-dependent SERS
      performance. It also gives a method for giving large SERS enhancement just by
      selecting a proper excitation wavelength matched to the LSPR of the substrate. 

PMID- 24223427
TI  - Saliniquinones A-F, New Members of the Highly Cytotoxic Anthraquinone-gamma
      Pyrones from the Marine Actinomycete Salinispora arenicola.
AB  - Six new anthraquinone-gamma-pyrones, saliniquinones A-F (1-6), which are related
      to metabolites of the pluramycin/altromycin class, were isolated from a
      fermentation broth of the marine actinomycete Salinispora arenicola (strain CNS
      325). Their structures were determined by analysis of one- and two-dimensional
      NMR spectroscopic and high-resolution mass spectrometric data. The relative and
      absolute configurations of compounds 1-6 were determined by analysis of NOESY NMR
      spectroscopic data and by comparison of circular dichroism and optical rotation
      data with model compounds found in the literature. Saliniquinone A (1) exhibited
      potent inhibition of the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HCT-116) with an
      IC50 of 9.9 * 10-9 M. In the context of the biosynthetic diversity of S.
      arenicola, compounds 1-6 represent secondary metabolites that appear to be strain
      specific and thus occur outside of the core group of compounds commonly observed
      from this species.

PMID- 24223428
TI  - New alpha-Tetralone Galloylglucosides from the Fresh Pericarps of Juglans
      sigillata.
AB  - Three new alpha-tetralone galloylglucosides (1-3), were isolated from the fresh
      pericarps of Juglans sigillata (Juglandaceae), together with the six known ones.
      The structures of the new compounds were determined as 4,6-dihydroxy-alpha
      tetralone-4-O-[6'-O-(3", 4",5"-trihydroxybenzoyl)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1),
      (4S)-4,5-dihydroxy-alpha-tetralone-4-O-[6'-O-(3",4",5"-trihydroxybenzoyl)]-beta-D
      glucopyranoside (2) and (4S)-4,5,6-tri-hydroxy-alpha-tetralone-4-O-[6'-O
      (3",4",5"-trihydroxybenzoyl)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), respectively, on the
      basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, and acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis.
      The antimicrobial activities of the isolated compounds (2, 4 and 7-9) were
      evaluated.

PMID- 24223429
TI  - Household Migration, Remittances, and Its Impact on Health in Indonesia.
AB  - The growing flow of migrant's remittances has generated much interest in
      understanding the socioeconomic consequences of household migration for
      individuals and families in migrant-sending areas. This paper examines the effect
      of household migration on health status, as measured by nutritional status, of
      adults who remained behind in rural Indonesia, a setting with high rate of out
      migration and poor nutritional profiles. Assuming that remittances may improve
      household economic resources and thus change dietary intake and health-related
      investment, household migration may be associated with both the risks of
      undernutrition and overnutrition. The analyses use longitudinal data from the
      Indonesian Family Life Survey and fixed-effect regressions. The results show that
      adults in emigrant household were significantly less susceptible to being
      underweight than those in non-migrant households, but they did not have increased
      risk of being overweight. The improved nutritional status was restricted to
      people in households with labor migrants, highlighting the role of remittances in
      improving nutritional intake. The health gain also was concentrated among women,
      increased with the number of out-migrants, and was revealed over time as
      remittances arrived. Overall, this study demonstrates the beneficial role of
      household migration, especially the resulting remittances, in the health status
      of household members in resource-constrained settings. Improving transfers of
      remittances would be helpful in reducing the problem of undernutrition in poor
      migrant-sending areas.

PMID- 24223430
TI  - Sustainable forest management in a time of ecosystem services frameworks: common
      ground and consequences.

PMID- 24223431
TI  - Towards a systems approach for understanding honeybee decline: a stocktaking and
      synthesis of existing models.
AB  - The health of managed and wild honeybee colonies appears to have declined
      substantially in Europe and the United States over the last decade.
      Sustainability of honeybee colonies is important not only for honey production,
      but also for pollination of crops and wild plants alongside other insect
      pollinators. A combination of causal factors, including parasites, pathogens,
      land use changes and pesticide usage, are cited as responsible for the increased
      colony mortality.However, despite detailed knowledge of the behaviour of
      honeybees and their colonies, there are no suitable tools to explore the
      resilience mechanisms of this complex system under stress. Empirically testing
      all combinations of stressors in a systematic fashion is not feasible. We
      therefore suggest a cross-level systems approach, based on mechanistic modelling,
      to investigate the impacts of (and interactions between) colony and land
      management.We review existing honeybee models that are relevant to examining the
      effects of different stressors on colony growth and survival. Most of these
      models describe honeybee colony dynamics, foraging behaviour or honeybee - varroa
      mite - virus interactions.We found that many, but not all, processes within
      honeybee colonies, epidemiology and foraging are well understood and described in
      the models, but there is no model that couples in-hive dynamics and pathology
      with foraging dynamics in realistic landscapes.Synthesis and applications. We
      describe how a new integrated model could be built to simulate multifactorial
      impacts on the honeybee colony system, using building blocks from the reviewed
      models. The development of such a tool would not only highlight empirical
      research priorities but also provide an important forecasting tool for policy
      makers and beekeepers, and we list examples of relevant applications to bee
      disease and landscape management decisions.

PMID- 24223432
TI  - Motion cues that make an impression: Predicting perceived personality by minimal
      motion information.
AB  - The current study presents a methodology to analyze first impressions on the
      basis of minimal motion information. In order to test the applicability of the
      approach brief silent video clips of 40 speakers were presented to independent
      observers (i.e., did not know speakers) who rated them on measures of the Big
      Five personality traits. The body movements of the speakers were then captured by
      placing landmarks on the speakers' forehead, one shoulder and the hands. Analysis
      revealed that observers ascribe extraversion to variations in the speakers'
      overall activity, emotional stability to the movements' relative velocity, and
      variation in motion direction to openness. Although ratings of openness and
      conscientiousness were related to biographical data of the speakers (i.e.,
      measures of career progress), measures of body motion failed to provide similar
      results. In conclusion, analysis of motion behavior might be done on the basis of
      a small set of landmarks that seem to capture important parts of relevant
      nonverbal information.

PMID- 24223433
TI  - Early Adult Obesity and U.S. Women's Lifetime Childbearing Experiences.
AB  - Literature from multiple disciplines suggests that women who are obese during
      early adulthood may accumulate social and physiological impediments to
      childbearing across their reproductive lives. This led the authors to investigate
      whether obese young women have different lifetime childbearing experiences than
      leaner peers by analyzing data from 1,658 female participants in the 1979
      National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Study sample members were nulliparous
      women ages 20 - 25 in 1982. The authors examined their childbearing experiences
      between 1982 and 2006 and found that young women who were obese at baseline had
      higher odds of remaining childless and increased odds of underachieving fertility
      intentions than young women who were normal weight at baseline. These results
      suggest that obesity has long-term ramifications for women's childbearing
      experiences, with respect to whether and how many children women have in general
      and relative to the number of children they want.

PMID- 24223435
TI  - Fully Bayesian hierarchical modelling in two stages, with application to meta
      analysis.
AB  - Meta-analysis is often undertaken in two stages, with each study analysed
      separately in stage 1 and estimates combined across studies in stage 2. The study
      specific estimates are assumed to arise from normal distributions with known
      variances equal to their corresponding estimates. In contrast, a one-stage
      analysis estimates all parameters simultaneously. A Bayesian one-stage approach
      offers additional advantages, such as the acknowledgement of uncertainty in all
      parameters and greater flexibility. However, there are situations when a two
      stage strategy is compelling, e.g. when study-specific analyses are complex
      and/or time consuming. We present a novel method for fitting the full Bayesian
      model in two stages, hence benefiting from its advantages while retaining the
      convenience and flexibility of a two-stage approach. Using Markov chain Monte
      Carlo methods, posteriors for the parameters of interest are derived separately
      for each study. These are then used as proposal distributions in a
      computationally efficient second stage. We illustrate these ideas on a small
      binomial data set; we also analyse motivating data on the growth and rupture of
      abdominal aortic aneurysms. The two-stage Bayesian approach closely reproduces a
      one-stage analysis when it can be undertaken, but can also be easily carried out
      when a one-stage approach is difficult or impossible.

PMID- 24223436
TI  - A coupled hidden Markov model for disease interactions.
AB  - To investigate interactions between parasite species in a host, a population of
      field voles was studied longitudinally, with presence or absence of six different
      parasites measured repeatedly. Although trapping sessions were regular, a
      different set of voles was caught at each session, leading to incomplete profiles
      for all subjects. We use a discrete time hidden Markov model for each disease
      with transition probabilities dependent on covariates via a set of logistic
      regressions. For each disease the hidden states for each of the other diseases at
      a given time point form part of the covariate set for the Markov transition
      probabilities from that time point. This allows us to gauge the influence of each
      parasite species on the transition probabilities for each of the other parasite
      species. Inference is performed via a Gibbs sampler, which cycles through each of
      the diseases, first using an adaptive Metropolis-Hastings step to sample from the
      conditional posterior of the covariate parameters for that particular disease
      given the hidden states for all other diseases and then sampling from the hidden
      states for that disease given the parameters. We find evidence for interactions
      between several pairs of parasites and of an acquired immune response for two of
      the parasites.

PMID- 24223437
TI  - Dreams Fulfilled and Shattered: Determinants of Segmented Assimilation in the
      Second Generation.
AB  - We summarize prior theories on the adaptation process of the contemporary
      immigrant second generation as a prelude to presenting additive and interactive
      models showing the impact of family variables, school contexts and academic
      outcomes on the process. For this purpose, we regress indicators of educational
      and occupational achievement in early adulthood on predictors measured three and
      six years earlier. The Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (CILS), used for
      the analysis, allows us to establish a clear temporal order among exogenous
      predictors and the two dependent variables. We also construct a Downward
      Assimilation Index (DAI), based on six indicators and regress it on the same set
      of predictors. Results confirm a pattern of segmented assimilation in the second
      generation, with a significant proportion of the sample experiencing downward
      assimilation. Predictors of the latter are the obverse of those of educational
      and occupational achievement. Significant interaction effects emerge between
      these predictors and early school contexts, defined by different class and racial
      compositions. Implications of these results for theory and policy are examined.

PMID- 24223434
TI  - RECENT SYNTHETIC DEVELOPMENTS AND APPLICATIONS OF THE ULLMANN REACTION. A REVIEW.

PMID- 24223438
TI  - Structuring the Future: Anticipated Life Events, Peer Networks, and Adolescent
      Sexual Behavior.
AB  - While prior research has established associations between individual expectations
      of future events and risk behavior among adolescents, the potential effects of
      peers' future perceptions on risk-taking have been overlooked. We extend prior
      research by testing whether peers' anticipation of college completion is
      associated with adolescent sexual risk-taking. We also examine whether
      adolescents' perceptions of the negative consequences of pregnancy and idealized
      romantic relationship scripts mediate the association between peers' anticipation
      of college completion and sexual risk-taking. Results from multivariate
      regression models with data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent
      Health (Add Health) indicate peers' anticipation of college completion is
      negatively associated with a composite measure of sexual risk-taking and
      positively associated with the odds of abstaining from sexual intercourse and
      only engaging in intercourse with a romantic partner (compared to having
      intercourse with a non-romantic partner). In addition, perceptions of the
      negative consequences of pregnancy and sexualized relationship scripts appear to
      mediate a large portion of the association between peers' anticipation of future
      success and sexual risk-taking and the likelihood of abstaining (but not engaging
      in romantic-only intercourse). Results from our study underscore the importance
      of peers in shaping adolescent sexual behavior.

PMID- 24223439
TI  - 'Recovery work' and 'magic' among long-term mental health service-users.
AB  - Based on an extended period of qualitative research with mental health service
      users in north-east England, this article considers the various forms of 'magical
      work' and 'recovery work' that emerge in the lives of people living with severe
      mental health problems. Given the now sizeable body of literature which seeks to
      problematize traditional conceptual boundaries of work, the article asks to what
      extent these hidden and unusual work-forms might also be considered legitimate
      members of the category. Rather than argue for the expansion of the construct to
      accommodate these activities, the paper attempts simply to problematize the
      extent to which so-called 'mad' forms of work are irresolvably different to more
      conventional forms of occupation. In challenging notions of the psychiatric
      patient as inevitably inactive, new vocabularies for service-user work are
      explored. Concluding remarks are also directed to recent policy debates
      concerning 'back-to-work' welfare reform for long-term out of work service-users.

PMID- 24223441
TI  - PLACE OF ORIGIN AND LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES AMONG MIGRANT WORKERS IN URBAN CHINA.
AB  - The localistic enclave is a special kind of enclave in urban China, which is
      characterized by high concentration of rural migrants from the same place of
      origin. Prior research has documented that rural migrants work in these
      localistic enclaves, but the significance of participation in them for labor
      market outcomes among migrant workers has yet to be determined. In this article,
      we argue that localistic economic enclaves may improve the labor force outcomes
      of rural-to-urban migrants. We report results from a study of the social
      determinants and consequences of working in localistic enclaves, based on data
      from a 2010 survey of migrant workers in the Pearl River and the Yangzi River
      Deltas. The results provide limited support for our hypothesis: Localistic
      enclaves enable migrant workers to earn higher earnings overall, but the earnings
      returns to human capital in an enclave are limited.

PMID- 24223440
TI  - Total Syntheses of Proposed (+/-)-Trichodermatides B and C.
AB  - Total syntheses of putative (+/-)-trichodermatides B and C are described. These
      efficient syntheses feature the oxa-[3 + 3] annulation strategy, leading to B and
      C along with their respective C2-epimers. However, these synthetic samples are
      spectroscopically very different from the natural products. DFT calculations of
      C13 chemical shifts are conducted and the predicted values are in good agreement
      with those of synthetic samples, thereby questioning in the accuracy of
      structural assignments of trichodermatides B and C.

PMID- 24223442
TI  - Estimating snow water equivalent from GPS vertical site-position observations in
      the western United States.
AB  - [1] Accurate estimation of the characteristics of the winter snowpack is crucial
      for prediction of available water supply, flooding, and climate feedbacks. Remote
      sensing of snow has been most successful for quantifying the spatial extent of
      the snowpack, although satellite estimation of snow water equivalent (SWE),
      fractional snow covered area, and snow depth is improving. Here we show that GPS
      observations of vertical land surface loading reveal seasonal responses of the
      land surface to the total weight of snow, providing information about the stored
      SWE. We demonstrate that the seasonal signal in Scripps Orbit and Permanent Array
      Center (SOPAC) GPS vertical land surface position time series at six locations in
      the western United States is driven by elastic loading of the crust by the
      snowpack. GPS observations of land surface deformation are then used to predict
      the water load as a function of time at each location of interest and compared
      for validation to nearby Snowpack Telemetry observations of SWE. Estimates of
      soil moisture are included in the analysis and result in considerable improvement
      in the prediction of SWE. Citation: Ouellette, K. J., C. de Linage, and J. S.
      Famiglietti (2013), Estimating snow water equivalent from GPS vertical site
      position observations in the western United States, Water Resour. Res., 49, 2508
      2518, doi:10.1002/wrcr.20173.

PMID- 24223443
TI  - Performance of complex snow cover descriptions in a distributed hydrological
      model system: A case study for the high Alpine terrain of the Berchtesgaden Alps.
AB  - [1] Runoff generation in Alpine regions is typically affected by snow processes.
      Snow accumulation, storage, redistribution, and ablation control the availability
      of water. In this study, several robust parameterizations describing snow
      processes in Alpine environments were implemented in a fully distributed,
      physically based hydrological model. Snow cover development is simulated using
      different methods from a simple temperature index approach, followed by an energy
      balance scheme, to additionally accounting for gravitational and wind-driven
      lateral snow redistribution. Test site for the study is the Berchtesgaden
      National Park (Bavarian Alps, Germany) which is characterized by extreme
      topography and climate conditions. The performance of the model system in
      reproducing snow cover dynamics and resulting discharge generation is analyzed
      and validated via measurements of snow water equivalent and snow depth, satellite
      based remote sensing data, and runoff gauge data. Model efficiency (the Nash
      Sutcliffe coefficient) for simulated runoff increases from 0.57 to 0.68 in a high
      Alpine headwater catchment and from 0.62 to 0.64 in total with increasing snow
      model complexity. In particular, the results show that the introduction of the
      energy balance scheme reproduces daily fluctuations in the snowmelt rates that
      trace down to the channel stream. These daily cycles measured in snowmelt and
      resulting runoff rates could not be reproduced by using the temperature index
      approach. In addition, accounting for lateral snow transport changes the seasonal
      distribution of modeled snowmelt amounts, which leads to a higher accuracy in
      modeling runoff characteristics.

PMID- 24223444
TI  - Insights into non-Fickian solute transport in carbonates.
AB  - [1] We study and explain the origin of early breakthrough and long tailing plume
      behavior by simulating solute transport through 3-D X-ray images of six different
      carbonate rock samples, representing geological media with a high degree of pore
      scale complexity. A Stokes solver is employed to compute the flow field, and the
      particles are then transported along streamlines to represent advection, while
      the random walk method is used to model diffusion. We compute the propagators
      (concentration versus displacement) for a range of Peclet numbers (Pe) and relate
      it to the velocity distribution obtained directly on the images. There is a very
      wide distribution of velocity that quantifies the impact of pore structure on
      transport. In samples with a relatively narrow spread of velocities, transport is
      characterized by a small immobile concentration peak, representing essentially
      stagnant portions of the pore space, and a dominant secondary peak of mobile
      solute moving at approximately the average flow speed. On the other hand, in
      carbonates with a wider velocity distribution, there is a significant immobile
      peak concentration and an elongated tail of moving fluid. An increase in Pe,
      decreasing the relative impact of diffusion, leads to the faster formation of
      secondary mobile peak(s). This behavior indicates highly anomalous transport. The
      implications for modeling field-scale transport are discussed. Citation:
      Bijeljic, B., P. Mostaghimi, and M. J. Blunt (2013), Insights into non-Fickian
      solute transport in carbonates, Water Resour. Res., 49, 2714-2728,
      doi:10.1002/wrcr.20238.

PMID- 24223445
TI  - Modified Immersed Finite Element Method For Fully-Coupled Fluid-Structure
      Interations.
AB  - In this paper, we develop a "modified" immersed finite element method (mIFEM), a
      non-boundary-fitted numerical technique, to study fluid-structure interactions.
      Using this method, we can more precisely capture the solid dynamics by solving
      the solid governing equation instead of imposing it based on the fluid velocity
      field as in the original immersed finite element (IFEM). Using the IFEM may lead
      to severe solid mesh distortion because the solid deformation is been over
      estimated, especially for high Reynolds number flows. In the mIFEM, the solid
      dynamics is solved using appropriate boundary conditions generated from the
      surrounding fluid, therefore produces more accurate and realistic coupled
      solutions. We show several 2-D and 3-D testing cases where the mIFEM has a
      noticeable advantage in handling complicated fluid-structure interactions when
      the solid behavior dominates the fluid flow.

PMID- 24223446
TI  - Psychopathic Personality and Negative Parent-to-Child Affect: A Longitudinal
      Cross-lag Twin Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Previous studies that have explored the relationship between parenting
      style and children's antisocial behavior have generally found significant
      bidirectional effects, whereby parenting behaviors influence their child's
      antisocial outcomes, but a child's behaviors also lead to changes in parenting
      style. METHODS: The present study investigated the genetic and environmental
      underpinnings of the longitudinal relationship between negative parent-to-child
      affect and psychopathic personality in a sample of 1,562 twins. Using a
      biometrical cross-lag analysis, bidirectional effects were investigated across
      two waves of assessment when the twins were ages 9-10 and 14-15, utilizing both
      caregiver and youth self-reports. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that negative
      parental affects observed at ages 9-10 influenced the child's later psychopathic
      personality at ages 14-15, based on both caregiver and youth self-reports. For
      these 'parent-driven effects', both genetic and non-shared environmental factors
      were important in the development of later psychopathic personality during
      adolescence. There were additional 'child-driven effects' such that children's
      psychopathic personality at ages 9-10 influenced negative parent-to-child affect
      at ages 14-15, but only within caregiver reports. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, children's
      genetically influenced psychopathic personality seemed to evoke parental
      negativity at ages 14-15, highlighting the importance of investigating
      bidirectional effects in parent-child relationships to understand the development
      of these traits.

PMID- 24223447
TI  - Multiple Imputation For Combined-Survey Estimation With Incomplete Regressors In
      One But Not Both Surveys.
AB  - Within-survey multiple imputation (MI) methods are adapted to pooled-survey
      regression estimation where one survey has more regressors, but typically fewer
      observations, than the other. This adaptation is achieved through: (1) larger
      numbers of imputations to compensate for the higher fraction of missing values;
      (2) model-fit statistics to check the assumption that the two surveys sample from
      a common universe; and (3) specificying the analysis model completely from
      variables present in the survey with the larger set of regressors, thereby
      excluding variables never jointly observed. In contrast to the typical within
      survey MI context, cross-survey missingness is monotonic and easily satisfies the
      Missing At Random (MAR) assumption needed for unbiased MI. Large efficiency gains
      and substantial reduction in omitted variable bias are demonstrated in an
      application to sociodemographic differences in the risk of child obesity
      estimated from two nationally-representative cohort surveys.

PMID- 24223448
TI  - Identifying Early Childhood Personality Dimensions Using the California Child Q
      Set and Prospective Associations With Behavioral and Psychosocial Development.
AB  - The present study used an empirical, "bottom-up" approach to delineate the
      structure of the California Child Q-Set (CCQ), a comprehensive set of personality
      descriptors, in a sample of 373 preschool-aged children. This approach yielded
      two broad trait dimensions, Adaptive Socialization (emotional stability,
      compliance, intelligence) and Anxious Inhibition (emotional/behavioral
      introversion). Results demonstrate the value of using empirical derivation to
      investigate the structure of personality in young children, speak to the
      importance of early-evident personality traits for adaptive development, and are
      consistent with a growing body of evidence indicating that personality structure
      in young children is similar, but not identical to, that in adults, suggesting a
      model of broad personality dimensions in childhood that evolve into narrower
      traits in adulthood.

PMID- 24223449
TI  - The ADHD debate: being mindful of complexity and wary of reductionist
      explanations and polarization: Commentary on 'A social relational critique of the
      biomedical definition and treatment of ADHD; ethical, practical and political
      implications'

PMID- 24223450
TI  - A composite likelihood approach for spatially correlated survival data.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to provide a composite likelihood approach to handle
      spatially correlated survival data using pairwise joint distributions. With e
      commerce data, a recent question of interest in marketing research has been to
      describe spatially clustered purchasing behavior and to assess whether geographic
      distance is the appropriate metric to describe purchasing dependence. We present
      a model for the dependence structure of time-to-event data subject to spatial
      dependence to characterize purchasing behavior from the motivating example from e
      commerce data. We assume the Farlie-Gumbel-Morgenstern (FGM) distribution and
      then model the dependence parameter as a function of geographic and demographic
      pairwise distances. For estimation of the dependence parameters, we present
      pairwise composite likelihood equations. We prove that the resulting estimators
      exhibit key properties of consistency and asymptotic normality under certain
      regularity conditions in the increasing-domain framework of spatial asymptotic
      theory.

PMID- 24223451
TI  - The Value of Workshops on Psychological Flexibility for Early Childhood Special
      Education Staff.
AB  - High stress and burnout are common for early childhood special educators,
      contributing to high rates of attrition, diminished educational effectiveness,
      and high turnover. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a promising
      approach for the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of problems. Using a
      randomized wait-list control design, this pilot study evaluated whether ACT
      workshops delivered to preschool teachers who serve children with developmental
      disabilities would improve stress-related problems of teachers (i.e., stress,
      depression, and burnout) and increase collegial support. At pretest, measures of
      experiential avoidance (EA) and mindful awareness (MA) showed significant
      relationships to reports of depression, stress, and burnout. The intervention
      reduced staff members' EA, increased teachers' MA and valued living (VL), and
      improved teachers' sense of efficacy. This suggests that ACT workshops can help
      influence factors affecting depression, stress, and burnout in an early childhood
      special education setting.

PMID- 24223452
TI  - New heme-dioxygen and carbon monoxide adducts using pyridyl or imidazolyl tailed
      porphyrins.
AB  - Inspired by the chemistry relevant to dioxygen storage, transport and activation
      by metalloproteins, in particular for heme/copper oxidases, and carbon monoxide
      binding to metal-containing active sites as a probe or surrogate for dioxygen
      binding, a series of heme derived dioxygen and CO complexes have been designed,
      synthesized, and characterized with respect to their physical properties and
      reactivity. The focus of this study is in the description and comparison of three
      types heme-superoxo and heme-CO adducts. The starting point is in the
      characterization of the reduced heme complexes, [(F8)FeII], [(PPy)FeII] and
      [(PIm)FeII], where F8, PPy and PIm are iron(II)-porphyrinates and where PPy and
      PIm possess a covalently tethered axial base pyridyl or imidazolyl group,
      respectively. The spin-state properties of these complexes vary with solvent. The
      low temperature reaction between O2 and these reduced porphyrin FeII complex
      yield distinctive low spin heme-superoxo adducts. The dioxygen binding properties
      for all three complexes are shown to be reversible, via alternate argon or O2
      bubbling. Carbon monoxide binds to the reduced heme-FeII precursors to form low
      spin heme-CO adducts. The implications for future investigations of these heme O2
      and CO adducts are discussed.

PMID- 24223454
TI  - Diagnostic significance of serum eotaxin-1 level in gastric cancer patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Gastric cancer is the second cause of cancer-related deaths
      worldwide. Delayed diagnosis leads to high mortality rates. Eotaxin-1 was
      originally discovered as an eosinophil-selective chemoattractant and may play a
      role in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, and other
      gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to analyse diagnostic and
      prognostic significance of serum eotaxin-1 (s-eotaxin-1) levels in gastric
      cancer. METHODS: Sixty gastric cancer patients and 69 healthy subjects were
      included into the study. S-eotaxin-1 levels were compared with
      clinicopathological features and outcomes in gastric cancer. RESULTS: Serum
      levels of eotaxin-1 in gastric cancer patients were significantly higher than
      controls (74.51 +/- 16.65 pg/mL versus 16.79 +/- 5.52 pg/mL, respectively (P <
      0.001)). The s-eotaxin-1 levels did not differ significantly with
      histopathological grade, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, tumor localization,
      lymph node metastases, positive lymph node ratio, size, perineural and
      perivascular invasion. So there is no relationship found between s-eotaxin-1
      level and prognosis. CONCLUSION: S-eotaxin-1 levels may be used as an easily
      available biomarker for gastric cancer risk and may alert physicians for early
      diagnosis. Due to the limited number of patients included in this study, larger
      cohort studies are warranted to validate the diagnostic value of s-eotaxin-1
      level in gastric cancer.

PMID- 24223453
TI  - Polymorphisms of the homologous recombination gene RAD51 in keratoconus and Fuchs
      endothelial corneal dystrophy.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the association between genotypes and haplotypes of the
      c.-61G>T (rs 1801320) and c.-98G>C (rs 1801321) polymorphisms of the RAD51 gene
      and the occurrence of keratoconus (KC) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy
      (FECD) in dependence on some environmental factors. METHODS: The polymorphisms
      were genotyped in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 100 KC and 100 FECD patients as
      well as 150 controls with PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: The G/T genotype of the c.-61G>T
      polymorphism was associated with significantly increased frequency occurrence of
      KC (crude OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.75-5.13). On the other hand, the G/G genotype of this
      polymorphism was positively correlated with a decreased occurrence of this
      disease (crude OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.88). We did not find any correlation
      between genotypes/alleles of the c.-98G>C polymorphism and the occurrence of KC.
      We also found that the G/G genotype and G allele of the c.-98G>C polymorphism had
      a protective effect against FECD (crude OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.92; crude OR 0.53,
      95% CI 0.30-0.92, resp.), while the G/C genotype and the C allele increased FECD
      occurrence (crude OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.01-3.36; crude OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.09-3.29,
      resp.). CONCLUSIONS: The c.-61T/T and c.-98G>C polymorphisms of the RAD51 gene
      may have a role in the KC and FECD pathogenesis and can be considered as markers
      in these diseases.

PMID- 24223455
TI  - Increased LEF1 expression and decreased Notch2 expression are strong predictors
      of poor outcomes in colorectal cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the expression of lymphoid enhancer
      factor 1 (LEF1) and Notch2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and their association with
      clinicopathologic variables and CRC patients' prognosis. METHODS:
      Immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR),
      and Western blot analysis were performed to assess the expression of LEF1 and
      Notch2 in 184 patients with CRC. RESULTS: We observed a strong negative
      correlation between LEF1 expression and Notch2 expression (P < 0.001). Both LEF1
      mRNA and protein expression increased while the Notch2 mRNA and protein
      expression decreased in tumor specimens compared with the matched paratumorous
      normal tissue (P < 0.001). An increase in LEF1 protein expression was
      significantly associated with lymph node metastases, distant metastasis, advanced
      TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) stage, and shorter overall survival. A decrease in
      Notch2 protein expression was associated with poorly differentiated tumors, lymph
      node metastases, distant metastasis, advanced TNM stage, and shorter overall
      survival of patients. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the LEF1
      protein expression (P < 0.001), Notch2 protein expression (P < 0.001), TNM stage
      (P < 0.001), and the combination of increased LEF1 protein coexpression and
      decreased Notch2 protein coexpression (P < 0.001) were found to be independent
      prognostic indicators in CRC. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that increased LEF1
      coexpression and decreased Notch2 coexpression represent a risk factor for poor
      overall survival of CRC patients.

PMID- 24223456
TI  - Asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine in adolescents with hyperuricemia.
AB  - The purpose of this work was to investigate if in adolescents with hyperuricemia
      serum levels of asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA, SDMA) are
      increased and if their levels correlate with serum uric acid (UA). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: The study group consisted of 58 hyperuricemic patients aged median 16.15
      Q1-Q3 (14-17). The reference group contained 27 healthy individuals with normal
      serum UA level. ADMA and SDMA were measured by immunoenzymatic ELISA commercial
      kits and expressed in MU mol/L. Serum UA was measured by the colorimetric method.
      RESULTS: In hyperuricemic patients serum ADMA values did not differ between two
      estimated groups (P > 0.05); however, SDMA was significantly higher than in
      reference group (P < 0.01). Serum ADMA and SDMA correlated positively with UA (r
      = 0.34, P < 0.01) (r = 0.31, P < 0.01) and hs-CRP (r = 0.20, P < 0.05) (r = 0.36,
      P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated increased SDMA but not ADMA
      levels in adolescents with hyperuricemia and their correlation with serum uric
      acid levels. However, at the moment it is difficult to answer the question if it
      is just coexistence of these factors or any mechanism linking uric acid and
      methylated arginines really exists.

PMID- 24223457
TI  - Early time-dependent dynamic changes of TBET and GATA3 mRNA expressions in
      patients with acute coronary syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: T-box expressed in T cells (TBET) and guanine adenine thymine adenine
      sequence-binding protein 3 (GATA3) play important roles in the differentiation of
      Th1 and Th2 subsets, which contributes to the progression of acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the temporal change of
      TBET/GATA3 mRNA ratio in ACS. METHODS: Thirty-three patients suspected of ACS
      with symptom onset within 24 hours were recruited. Blood samples were taken after
      arrival at the emergency department and at hourly intervals until the 6th hour.
      The mRNA expressions of TBET and GATA3 were quantified by a real-time RT-qPCR.
      RESULTS: The TBET/GATA3 mRNA ratio was elevated dramatically in patients with
      acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and exhibited biphasic M-shaped release
      kinetics with two distinct peaks. The ratio was elevated 2 hours after symptom
      onset, dropped to the lowest level at 10 hours, and rose to the second peak at 14
      hours. A similar biphasic M-shaped curve was observed in AMI patients with blood
      samples taken prior to any intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The TBET/GATA3 mRNA ratio
      was elevated in AMI patients throughout most of the first 20 hours after symptom
      onset. The biphasic M-shaped release kinetics was more likely to reflect
      pathophysiological changes rather than treatment effects.

PMID- 24223458
TI  - Impact of IL12B gene rs 3212227 polymorphism on fibrosis, liver inflammation, and
      response to treatment in genotype 4 Egyptian hepatitis C patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects almost 3% of the world's
      population with the highest prevalence in Egypt (15%). The standard therapy;
      pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin, is effective in only 60% of
      Egyptian patients; moreover it is costly, prolonged, and has severe side effects,
      so prediction of response is essential to reduce burden of unfavorable treatment.
      Several viral and host factors have been proved to affect response to the
      treatment PEG-IFN and ribavirin; the strongest of them is polymorphisms near
      IL28B; nonetheless, nonresponse in patients with favorable IL28B is still
      unexplained, which implies the importance of studying other immunological factors
      that may correlate with response. Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is one of the most
      important proinflammatory cytokine presented with the initiation of immune
      response, determining Th1 and Th2 differentiation. A functional single nucleotide
      polymorphism (A/C) at the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) at position 1188 (NCBI
      SNP database no 3212227) was reported to be associated with responding more
      efficiently to antiviral combination therapy in HCV genotype 1 infected patients.
      The present study aims to evaluate association between this polymorphism with
      fibrosis stages, necroinflammation activity, response to the combined therapy,
      and gender in Egyptian HCV genotype 4. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 133
      Egyptian chronic HCV (CHCV) patients were treated with IFN/RBV and were followed
      up. IL12B 1188 A/C genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction
      restriction fragment length polymorphism (PRC-RFLP) analysis. RESULTS: A
      nonsignificant trend for higher sustained virological response (SVR) was observed
      in patients homozygote for IL12B 1188 A/C SNP CC genotype (69% SVR versus 30.8%
      NR) only but not in AC and AA genotypes. No association was detected between
      IL12B 1188 A/C polymorphism and less severe fibrosis or less liver activity. By
      stratification of response according to gender genotype, a significant difference
      in response between males and females was seen among AA genotype carriers only
      due to high number of non responder females. CONCLUSION: IL12B CC genotype
      appears to have some influence on SVR achievement but not on severe fibrosis and
      severe necroinflamation activity. Females carrying A/A genotype of IL12B 1188 A/C
      SNP achieve less SVR than those carrying AC and CC genotypes.

PMID- 24223459
TI  - The MTHFR 677T allele may influence the severity and biochemical risk factors of
      Alzheimer's disease in an Egyptian population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)
      677C>T marker influences the risk and severity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and
      whether AD is associated with homocysteine, vitamin B12, and cholesterol levels
      in Egypt. METHODS: Forty-three Alzheimer's cases and 32 non-AD controls were
      genotyped for the 677C>T polymorphism. Clinical characteristics and levels of
      homocysteine, vitamin B12, and cholesterol were assessed. RESULTS: No significant
      differences in the frequencies of the MTHFR alleles or genotypes between AD cases
      and controls (P = 0.14) were identified. The 677T mutant allele was significantly
      overrepresented in AD cases compared to controls (OR = 2.22; P = 0.03). The
      677T/T frequency was three times higher in AD patients than in controls, which
      could increase plasma homocysteine levels. Severe cases of AD were the most
      frequent in patients with the T/T genotype (11.6%). The effect of the MTHFR
      polymorphism on the risk of AD may be independent of homocysteine, vitamin B12,
      or even cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: The MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism-
      especially the presence of one copy of the T allele--appears to confer a
      potential risk for the development of AD. The T/T genotype may contribute to
      hypercysteinemia as a sensitive marker.

PMID- 24223460
TI  - Role of immunomarkers in the clinicopathological analysis of unicystic
      ameloblastoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: The clinical behavior of unicystic ameloblastoma varies according to its
      subtype. The assessment of its proliferative capacity, neovascularization, and
      invasiveness using relevant immunomarkers may aid in appropriate surgical
      therapeutic protocol. METHODS: 18 cases of clinically and histologically
      confirmed unicystic ameloblastoma, categorized as luminal, intraluminal, or mural
      subtypes, were analyzed retrospectively. Immunomarkers such as Ki-67, CD34, MMP
      2, and MMP-9 were studied to evaluate their behavior. RESULTS: Labeling index of
      Ki-67 was 4.25% in the intraluminal subtype, compared with 2.14% in the luminal
      and 4.04% in the mural variant (P = 0.3). CD34 immunostaining was significantly
      higher in the mural variant (43 per high power field) than the other two subtypes
      (P = 0.04). MMP-2 and MMP-9 were strongly expressed in mural, moderately in
      intraluminal, and weakly to absent in luminal variant. CONCLUSIONS: High
      proliferative index, angiogenesis, and protease activity in the mural
      ameloblastoma, ascertained by the expression of these markers, confirm its
      aggressive phenotype. The intraluminal and luminal subtype exhibiting decreased
      expression are compatible with their indolent clinical behavior.

PMID- 24223461
TI  - Expression and clinical significance of livin protein in hepatocellular
      carcinoma.
AB  - In this study, the two-step PV method of immunohistochemistry was used to
      determine livin protein expression in HCC tissues, pericarcinoma tissues,
      hepatitis/hepatic cirrhosis tissues, and normal hepatic tissues, and livin
      protein expression was detected in the blood plasma of patients with HCC before
      and after surgery, subjects with hepatic cirrhosis and hepatitis, and healthy
      blood donors using ELISA. Livin protein expression was significantly higher in
      HCC tissues than that in normal hepatic tissues and hepatitis/hepatic cirrhosis
      tissues, with no significant difference between HCC tissues and pericarcinoma
      tissues. The HCC patients with positive livin protein expression had a
      significantly higher survival rate than those with negative livin protein
      expression. Livin protein expression was significantly higher in the blood plasma
      of patients with HCC before and after surgery and in patients with hepatic
      cirrhosis and hepatitis than that in healthy blood donors, whereas livin protein
      expression in the blood plasma of patients with HCC was not significantly
      different from that of patients with hepatic cirrhosis and hepatitis. Livin
      protein expression in HCC tissues did not correlate with that in the blood plasma
      of the same HCC patients. Livin protein expression may be a potential, effective
      indicator for assessing prognosis in patients with HCC. 

PMID- 24223462
TI  - Procalcitonin levels in patients with complete and incomplete Kawasaki disease.
AB  - Incomplete Kawasaki disease (iKD) is considered to be a less complete form of
      Kawasaki disease (cKD), and several differences in the laboratory presentations
      of iKD and cKD have been noted. We investigated serum procalcitonin levels in
      patients with iKD, cKD, and other febrile diseases (a control group). Seventy
      seven patients with cKD, 24 with iKD, and 41 controls admitted to our hospital
      from November 2009 to November 2011 were enrolled in the present study. We
      obtained four measurements of serum procalcitonin levels and those of other
      inflammatory markers from each patient. Samples were taken for analysis on the
      day of diagnosis (thus before treatment commenced; D0) and 2 (D2), 14 (D14), and
      56 days (D56) after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. We obtained control
      group data at D0. The mean D0 serum procalcitonin levels of cKD patients (0.71 +/
      1.36 ng/mL) and controls (0.67 +/- 1.06 ng/mL) were significantly higher than
      those of iKD patients (0.26 +/- 0.26 ng/mL) (P = 0.014 and P = 0.041, resp.). No
      significant difference in mean procalcitonin level was evident among groups at
      any subsequent time. In conclusion, the serum procalcitonin level of patients
      with acute-stage cKD was significantly higher than that of iKD patients.

PMID- 24223464
TI  - Hypovitaminosis D in geriatric acute care unit: a biomarker of longer length of
      stay.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypovitaminosis D is linked to unstable health in older adults. Our
      objectives were to determine (i) the difference in length of stay (LOS) in
      geriatric acute care unit between inpatients with and without hypovitaminosis D
      and (ii) whether there was a linear association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D
      (25OHD) concentration and LOS. METHODS: 253 inpatients admitted in 2008 to the
      geriatric acute care unit of Angers University Hospital, France, (mean age+/
      standard deviation, 86.2 +/- 6.0 years; 66.8% female) were included in this
      historical cohort study. LOS was calculated by subtracting day of admission from
      day of discharge. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as 25OHD<=50 nmol/L at the time
      of admission. Age, gender, place of life, functional independence, reason for
      admission, number of acute diseases and comorbidities, use of vitamin D
      supplements, and creatinine clearance were used as confounders. RESULTS:
      Participants with hypovitaminosis D had longer LOS than their counterparts (15.2
      +/- 8.2 days versus 12.1 +/- 7.0 days, P = 0.017), underlining a mean difference
      of 3 days. 25OHD concentration inversely correlated (r = -0.14, P = 0.028) and
      was inversely associated with LOS (adjusted beta = -0.07 [95%CI: -0.14; -0.02], P
      = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: We found an inverse linear association between serum 25OHD
      concentrations and LOS in a geriatric acute care unit. Participants with 25OHD>50
      nmol/L were hospitalized on average 3 days less than those with 25OHD<=50 nmol/L.

PMID- 24223463
TI  - A semiautomated framework for integrating expert knowledge into disease marker
      identification.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The availability of large complex data sets generated by high
      throughput technologies has enabled the recent proliferation of disease biomarker
      studies. However, a recurring problem in deriving biological information from
      large data sets is how to best incorporate expert knowledge into the biomarker
      selection process. OBJECTIVE: To develop a generalizable framework that can
      incorporate expert knowledge into data-driven processes in a semiautomated way
      while providing a metric for optimization in a biomarker selection scheme.
      METHODS: The framework was implemented as a pipeline consisting of five
      components for the identification of signatures from integrated clustering
      (ISIC). Expert knowledge was integrated into the biomarker identification process
      using the combination of two distinct approaches; a distance-based clustering
      approach and an expert knowledge-driven functional selection. RESULTS: The
      utility of the developed framework ISIC was demonstrated on proteomics data from
      a study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Biomarker candidates
      were identified in a mouse model using ISIC and validated in a study of a human
      cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Expert knowledge can be introduced into a biomarker
      discovery process in different ways to enhance the robustness of selected marker
      candidates. Developing strategies for extracting orthogonal and robust features
      from large data sets increases the chances of success in biomarker
      identification.

PMID- 24223465
TI  - Reconstruction of Calmodulin Single-Molecule FRET States, Dye-Interactions, and
      CaMKII Peptide Binding by MultiNest and Classic Maximum Entropy.
AB  - We analyze single molecule FRET burst measurements using Bayesian nested
      sampling. The MultiNest algorithm produces accurate FRET efficiency distributions
      from single-molecule data. FRET efficiency distributions recovered by MultiNest
      and classic maximum entropy are compared for simulated data and for calmodulin
      labeled at residues 44 and 117. MultiNest compares favorably with maximum entropy
      analysis for simulated data, judged by the Bayesian evidence. FRET efficiency
      distributions recovered for calmodulin labeled with two different FRET dye pairs
      depended on the dye pair and changed upon Ca2+ binding. We also looked at the
      FRET efficiency distributions of calmodulin bound to the calcium/calmodulin
      dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) binding domain. For both dye pairs, the FRET
      efficiency distribution collapsed to a single peak in the case of calmodulin
      bound to the CaMKII peptide. These measurements strongly suggest that
      consideration of dye-protein interactions is crucial in forming an accurate
      picture of protein conformations from FRET data.

PMID- 24223466
TI  - Mercury capture by native fly ash carbons in coal-fired power plants.
AB  - The control of mercury in the air emissions from coal-fired power plants is an on
      going challenge. The native unburned carbons in fly ash can capture varying
      amounts of Hg depending upon the temperature and composition of the flue gas at
      the air pollution control device, with Hg capture increasing with a decrease in
      temperature; the amount of carbon in the fly ash, with Hg capture increasing with
      an increase in carbon; and the form of the carbon and the consequent surface area
      of the carbon, with Hg capture increasing with an increase in surface area. The
      latter is influenced by the rank of the feed coal, with carbons derived from the
      combustion of low-rank coals having a greater surface area than carbons from
      bituminous- and anthracite-rank coals. The chemistry of the feed coal and the
      resulting composition of the flue gas enhances Hg capture by fly ash carbons.
      This is particularly evident in the correlation of feed coal Cl content to Hg
      oxidation to HgCl2, enhancing Hg capture. Acid gases, including HCl and H2SO4 and
      the combination of HCl and NO2, in the flue gas can enhance the oxidation of Hg.
      In this presentation, we discuss the transport of Hg through the boiler and
      pollution control systems, the mechanisms of Hg oxidation, and the parameters
      controlling Hg capture by coal-derived fly ash carbons.

PMID- 24223467
TI  - Health Risk Behavior and Sexual Assault Among Ethnically Diverse Women.
AB  - Sexual assault is associated with a number of health risk behaviors in women. It
      has been hypothesized that these risk behaviors, such as hazardous drinking, may
      represent women's attempts to cope with psychological distress, such as symptoms
      of depression and anxiety. However, extant research has failed to evaluate these
      relationships among ethnic minority samples or identify the mechanisms
      responsible for this association. The current study examined sexual assault
      history and two health risk behaviors (hazardous drinking and engaging in sexual
      behavior to regulate negative affect) in a diverse sample of 1,620 college women.
      Depression and anxiety were examined as mediators of the relationship between
      sexual assault and health risk behaviors. There was evidence of moderated
      mediation, such that for European American women, but not for ethnic minority
      women, both forms of psychological distress were significant mediators of the
      sexual assault/hazardous drinking relationship. In contrast, among all ethnic
      groups, the relationship between sexual assault and both forms of psychological
      distress was mediated by the use of sexual behavior as an affect regulation
      strategy. Results support a need to evaluate the assault experiences of
      ethnically diverse women, as well as the impact of the assault on their
      postassault experiences including health risk behaviors and psychological
      adjustment. Additionally, results suggest that practitioners should carefully
      assess health risk behaviors among victims of sexual assault and be aware that
      there may be differences in the risk factors and motives for these behaviors
      among women of various ethnic backgrounds.

PMID- 24223468
TI  - Mixing-Driven Equilibrium Reactions in Multidimensional Fractional Advection
      Dispersion Systems.
AB  - We study instantaneous, mixing-driven, bimolecular equilibrium reactions in a
      system where transport is governed by a multidimensional space fractional
      dispersion equation. The superdiffusive, nonlocal nature of the system causes the
      location and magnitude of reactions that take place to change significantly from
      a classical Fickian diffusion model. In particular, regions where reaction rates
      would be zero for the Fickian case become regions where the maximum reaction rate
      occurs when anomalous dispersion operates. We also study a global metric of
      mixing in the system, the scalar dissipation rate and compute its asymptotic
      scaling rates analytically. The scalar dissipation rate scales asymptotically as
      t-(d+alpha)/alpha , where d is the number of spatial dimensions and alpha is the
      fractional derivative exponent.

PMID- 24223469
TI  - CENTER CONDITIONS AND CYCLICITY FOR A FAMILY OF CUBIC SYSTEMS: COMPUTER ALGEBRA
      APPROACH.
AB  - Using methods of computational algebra we obtain an upper bound for the cyclicity
      of a family of cubic systems. We overcame the problem of nonradicality of the
      associated Bautin ideal by moving from the ring of polynomials to a coordinate
      ring. Finally, we determine the number of limit cycles bifurcating from each
      component of the center variety.

PMID- 24223470
TI  - Anxiety, Depression, and Coping Skills Among Mexican School Children: A
      Comparison of Students With and Without Learning Disabilities.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare severity and risk status for anxiety and
      depression with coping skills among 130 Mexican school children with learning
      disabilities (LD) and 130 school children without LD. This research is the first
      to explore the emotional difficulties of Mexican children with LD. Children
      completed the Spanish version of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale and
      Children's Depression Inventory, and the Cuestionario de Afrontamiento (Coping
      Skills Questionnaire). Results indicated that a higher percentage of children
      with LD were at risk for anxiety (22.3% vs. 11.5%) and depression (32% vs. 18%).
      No statistically significant differences were found for coping skills. Results
      support the idea that there is an increased awareness of comorbid depression and
      anxiety among students with LD and a need to promote early identification and
      intervention in schools. Efforts should focus on better understanding the
      relationship between social-emotional difficulties and academic achievement and
      on developing effective interventions to support children with LD.

PMID- 24223471
TI  - Two-Stage Bayesian Model Averaging in Endogenous Variable Models.
AB  - Economic modeling in the presence of endogeneity is subject to model uncertainty
      at both the instrument and covariate level. We propose a Two-Stage Bayesian Model
      Averaging (2SBMA) methodology that extends the Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS)
      estimator. By constructing a Two-Stage Unit Information Prior in the endogenous
      variable model, we are able to efficiently combine established methods for
      addressing model uncertainty in regression models with the classic technique of
      2SLS. To assess the validity of instruments in the 2SBMA context, we develop
      Bayesian tests of the identification restriction that are based on model averaged
      posterior predictive p-values. A simulation study showed that 2SBMA has the
      ability to recover structure in both the instrument and covariate set, and
      substantially improves the sharpness of resulting coefficient estimates in
      comparison to 2SLS using the full specification in an automatic fashion. Due to
      the increased parsimony of the 2SBMA estimate, the Bayesian Sargan test had a
      power of 50 percent in detecting a violation of the exogeneity assumption, while
      the method based on 2SLS using the full specification had negligible power. We
      apply our approach to the problem of development accounting, and find support not
      only for institutions, but also for geography and integration as development
      determinants, once both model uncertainty and endogeneity have been jointly
      addressed.

PMID- 24223472
TI  - Informal and Illicit Entrepreneurs: Fighting for a Place in the Neoliberal
      Economic Order.
AB  - A panel at the 2007 meetings of the American Anthropological Association examined
      the working lives of illicit and informal entrepreneurs living in "the gaps" or
      "shadows" of neoliberal globalization. Panelists challenged dichotomies such as
      informal/formal and legal/illegal by examining the everyday practices of workers
      in diverse settings. Emphasis was placed on entrepreneurs' efforts to legitimate
      their activities and identities to themselves and others.

PMID- 24223473
TI  - Income and the Development of Effortful Control as Predictors of Teacher Reports
      of Preschool Adjustment.
AB  - This study examined the relations of income and children's effortful control to
      teacher reports of preschoolers' social competence and adjustment problems. This
      study tested whether changes in effortful control accounted for the effects of
      income on children's adjustment. A community sample (N=306) of preschool-age
      children (36-40 mos.) and their mothers, representing the full range of income
      (29% at or near poverty, 28% at or below the local median income), was used. Path
      analyses were used to test the prospective effects of income on rank-order
      changes in two aspects of effortful control, executive control and delay ability,
      which in turn, predicted teacher-reported adjustment problems and social
      competence. Lower income predicted smaller rank-order change in executive
      control, but did not predict changes in delay ability. Smaller rank-order change
      in delay ability predicted greater adjustment problems above the effect of
      income. Larger rank-order change in executive control predicted greater social
      competence and fewer adjustment problems above the effect of income. These
      findings provided some support for the hypothesis that disruptions in the
      development of effortful control related to low income might account for the
      effects of low income on young children's adjustment. Effortful control is
      potentially a fruitful target for intervention, particularly among children
      living in low income and poverty.

PMID- 24223474
TI  - Model-based measurement of food portion size for image-based dietary assessment
      using 3D/2D registration.
AB  - Dietary assessment is important in health maintenance and intervention in many
      chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
      However, there is currently a lack of convenient methods for measuring the volume
      of food (portion size) in real-life settings. We present a computational method
      to estimate food volume from a single photographical image of food contained in a
      typical dining plate. First, we calculate the food location with respect to a 3D
      camera coordinate system using the plate as a scale reference. Then, the food is
      segmented automatically from the background in the image. Adaptive thresholding
      and snake modeling are implemented based on several image features, such as color
      contrast, regional color homogeneity and curve bending degree. Next, a 3D model
      representing the general shape of the food (e.g., a cylinder, a sphere, etc.) is
      selected from a pre-constructed shape model library. The position, orientation
      and scale of the selected shape model are determined by registering the projected
      3D model and the food contour in the image, where the properties of the reference
      are used as constraints. Experimental results using various realistically shaped
      foods with known volumes demonstrated satisfactory performance of our image based
      food volume measurement method even if the 3D geometric surface of the food is
      not completely represented in the input image.

PMID- 24223475
TI  - Scutellarin attenuates hypertension-induced expression of brain Toll-like
      receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B.
AB  - Hypertension is associated with low-grade inflammation, and Toll-like receptor 4
      (TLR4) has been shown to be linked to the development and maintenance of
      hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effects of scutellarin
      (administered by oral gavage daily for 2 weeks) on brain TLR4/nuclear factor
      kappa B-(NF- kappa B-) mediated inflammation and blood pressure in renovascular
      hypertensive (using the 2-kidney, 2-clip method) rats. Immunofluorescence and
      western immunoblot analyses revealed that hypertension contributed to the
      activation of TLR4 and NF- kappa B, accompanied by significantly enhanced
      expression of proinflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor- alpha
      (TNF- alpha ), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta ), and interleukin-18 (IL-18).
      Furthermore, expression of the antiapoptotic protein, myeloid cell leukemia-1
      (Mcl1), was decreased, and the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax and cleavedcaspase-3
      p17 were increased in combined cerebral cortical/striatal soluble lysates.
      Scutellarin significantly lowered blood pressure and attenuated the number of
      activated microglia and macrophages in brains of hypertensive rats. Furthermore,
      scutellarin significantly reduced the expression of TLR4, NF- kappa B p65, TNF-
      alpha , IL-1 beta , IL-18, Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 p17, and increased the
      expression of Mcl1. Overall, these results revealed that scutellarin exhibits
      anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties and decreases blood pressure in
      hypertensive rats. Therefore, scutellarin may be a potential therapeutic agent in
      hypertension-associated diseases. 

PMID- 24223477
TI  - Collectivity, Distributivity, and the Interpretation of Plural Numerical
      Expressions in Child and Adult Language.
AB  - Sentences containing plural numerical expressions (e.g., two boys) can give rise
      to two interpretations (collective and distributive), arising from the fact that
      their representation admits of a part-whole structure. We present the results of
      a series of experiments designed to explore children's understanding of this
      distinction and its implications for the acquisition of linguistic expressions
      with number words. We show that preschoolers access both interpretations,
      indicating that they have the requisite linguistic and conceptual machinery to
      generate the corresponding representations. Furthermore, they can shift their
      interpretation in response to structural and lexical manipulations. However, they
      are not fully adult-like: unlike adults, they are drawn to the distributive
      interpretation, and are not yet aware of the lexical semantics of each and
      together, which should favor one or another interpretation. This research bridges
      a gap between a well-established body of work in cognitive psychology on the
      acquisition of number words and more recent work investigating children's
      knowledge of the syntactic and semantic properties of sentences featuring
      numerical expressions.

PMID- 24223476
TI  - The role of mannose-binding lectin in severe sepsis and septic shock.
AB  - Severe sepsis and septic shock are a primary cause of death in patients in
      intensive care unit (ICU). Investigations upon genetic susceptibility profile to
      systemic complications during severe infections are a field of increasing
      scientific interest. Particularly when adaptive immune system is compromised or
      immature, innate immunity plays a key role in the immediate defense against
      invasive pathogens. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a serum protein that
      recognizes a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms and activates complement
      cascade via the antibody-independent pathway. More than 30% of humans harbor
      mutations in MBL gene (MBL2) resulting in reduced plasmatic levels and activity.
      Increased risk of infection acquisition has been largely documented in MBL
      deficient patients, but the real impact of this form of innate immunosuppression
      upon clinical outcome is not clear. In critically ill patients higher incidence
      and worse prognosis of severe sepsis/septic shock appear to be associated with
      low-producers haplotypes. However an excess of MBL activation might be also
      harmful due to the possibility of an unbalanced proinflammatory response and an
      additional host injury. Strategies of replacement therapies in critically ill
      patients with severe infections are under investigation but still far to be
      applied in clinical practice. 

PMID- 24223478
TI  - Cryogenic Etching of Silicon: An Alternative Method For Fabrication of Vertical
      Microcantilever Master Molds.
AB  - This paper examines the use of deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) of silicon with
      fluorine high-density plasmas at cryogenic temperatures to produce silicon master
      molds for vertical microcantilever arrays used for controlling substrate
      stiffness for culturing living cells. The resultant profiles achieved depend on
      the rate of deposition and etching of a SiO x F y polymer, which serves as a
      passivation layer on the sidewalls of the etched structures in relation to areas
      that have not been passivated with the polymer. We look at how optimal tuning of
      two parameters, the O2 flow rate and the capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) power,
      determine the etch profile. All other pertinent parameters are kept constant. We
      examine the etch profiles produced using e-beam resist as the main etch mask,
      with holes having diameters of 750 nm, 1 um, and 2 um.

PMID- 24223479
TI  - Differentiation of Functional Groups and Biologically Relevant Anions Using AT
      PAMAM Dendrimers.
AB  - Biological anions have often proven to be difficult analytes to differentiate in
      solution. Many of the anions bear similar structural characteristics and similar
      charge states. Using a commercially available indicator and AT-PAMAM dendrimers,
      a sensing ensemble for a number of biological anions was constructed. The system
      was able to identify each of the different analytes as well as the regioisomers
      of three different tricarboxylates. The system shows responsiveness to not only
      functional group identity but also the charge state and identity of the anionic
      species.

PMID- 24223480
TI  - Inference for Size Demography from Point Pattern Data using Integral Projection
      Models.
AB  - Population dynamics with regard to evolution of traits has typically been studied
      using matrix projection models (MPMs). Recently, to work with continuous traits,
      integral projection models (IPMs) have been proposed. Imitating the path with
      MPMs, IPMs are handled first with a fitting stage, then with a projection stage.
      Fitting these models has so far been done only with individual-level transition
      data. These data are used to estimate the demographic functions (survival,
      growth, fecundity) that comprise the kernel of the IPM specification. Then, the
      estimated kernel is iterated from an initial trait distribution to project steady
      state population behavior under this kernel. When trait distributions are
      observed over time, such an approach does not align projected distributions with
      these observed temporal benchmarks. The contribution here, focusing on size
      distributions, is to address this issue. Our concern is that the above approach
      introduces an inherent mismatch in scales. The redistribution kernel in the IPM
      proposes a mechanistic description of population level redistribution. A kernel
      of the same functional form, fitted to data at the individual level, would
      provide a mechanistic model for individual-level processes. Resulting parameter
      estimates and the associated estimated kernel are at the wrong scale and do not
      allow population-level interpretation. Our approach views the observed size
      distribution at a given time as a point pattern over a bounded interval. We build
      a three-stage hierarchical model to infer about the dynamic intensities used to
      explain the observed point patterns. This model is driven by a latent
      deterministic IPM and we introduce uncertainty by having the operating IPM vary
      around this deterministic specification. Further uncertainty arises in the
      realization of the point pattern given the operating IPM. Fitted within a
      Bayesian framework, such modeling enables full inference about all features of
      the model. Such dynamic modeling, optimized by fitting data observed over time,
      is better suited to projection. Exact Bayesian model fitting is very
      computationally challenging; we offer approximate strategies to facilitate
      computation. We illustrate with simulated data examples as well as well as a set
      of annual tree growth data from Duke Forest in North Carolina. A further example
      shows the benefit of our approach, in terms of projection, compared with the
      foregoing individual level fitting.

PMID- 24223481
TI  - Role of Photodynamic Therapy for the Upper Gut.
AB  - It may be questioned if PDT is still relevant for practicing gastroenterologists
      since other types of therapy have currently gained momentum. Important aspects of
      PDT that continue its development are it's intrinsic applicability to the luminal
      GI tract where there are often areas of mechanical narrowing, unusual topography,
      and difficult accessibility where a modality that does not require contact or
      optical visualization has advantages. Although not used as often in the upper
      gastrointestinal tract for it's original approved indications such as esophageal
      cancer or Barrett's esophagus, its value in biliary lesions appears to be well
      substantiated. In this paper, we will review its current application in the upper
      gastrointestinal tract.

PMID- 24223482
TI  - Spatial extreme value analysis to project extremes of large-scale indicators for
      severe weather.
AB  - Concurrently high values of the maximum potential wind speed of updrafts (Wmax)
      and 0-6 km wind shear (Shear) have been found to represent conducive environments
      for severe weather, which subsequently provides a way to study severe weather in
      future climates. Here, we employ a model for the product of these variables
      (WmSh) from the National Center for Atmospheric Research/United States National
      Center for Environmental Prediction reanalysis over North America conditioned on
      their having extreme energy in the spatial field in order to project the
      predominant spatial patterns of WmSh. The approach is based on the Heffernan and
      Tawn conditional extreme value model. Results suggest that this technique
      estimates the spatial behavior of WmSh well, which allows for exploring possible
      changes in the patterns over time. While the model enables a method for inferring
      the uncertainty in the patterns, such analysis is difficult with the currently
      available inference approach. A variation of the method is also explored to
      investigate how this type of model might be used to qualitatively understand how
      the spatial patterns of WmSh correspond to extreme river flow events. A case
      study for river flows from three rivers in northwestern Tennessee is studied, and
      it is found that advection of WmSh from the Gulf of Mexico prevails while
      elsewhere, WmSh is generally very low during such extreme events. (c) 2013 The
      Authors. Environmetrics published by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 24223483
TI  - Revision of the rhinoceros beetle genus Oryctophileurus Kolbe with description of
      a new species, the male of O. varicosus Prell, and notes on biogeography
      (Scarabaeoidea, Dynastinae, Phileurini).
AB  - The genus Oryctophileurus is reviewed and its validity is supported by a
      combination of the following apomorphic characters: a single cephalic horn with
      lateral carina, pronotal cavity with ocellate punctures and two teeth or
      tubercles close behind the anterior pronotal margin. The male of Oryctophileurus
      varicosus Prell, 1934, is described for the first time. A new species,
      Oryctophileurus guerrai Perger & Grossi sp. n., from subhumid Tucuman-Bolivian
      forest in the Southern Bolivian Andes is described. The new species is
      distinguished from its closest relative, O. armicollis Prell, 1911, by a narrower
      distance between the inner teeth of the dorsal pronotal protuberances and a
      reduced area of weakly developed ocellate punctures above the posterolateral
      pronotal margin. The occurrence of Oryctophileurus species in areas of endemism
      along the eastern slope of the tropical Andes suggests that these populations
      represent biogeographic "relicts", and the discovery of Oryctophileurus guerrai
      sp. n. in the southern Bolivian Andes suggests that this area is underrated with
      respect to insect diversity and endemism. 

PMID- 24223484
TI  - A new species of the genus Karnyothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) from
      China.
AB  - Karnyothrips cyathomorphus sp. n. (Phlaeothripidae: Phlaeothripinae) is described
      as a new apterous species in the genus Karnyothrips Watson 1923, and it
      represents the fourth species of the genus to be recorded from China. A key to
      the Chinese species is given. 

PMID- 24223485
TI  - A new species of Tangius from north India (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae,
      Pselaphinae).
AB  - Tangius indicus sp. n. (Batrisitae: Batrisini) is described and illustrated from
      the Indian States of Meghalaya (Khasi Hills, type locality) and West Bengal
      (Darjeeling). Specimens of the new species are similar to those of the recently
      described T. glabellus Yin & Li from Tibet, Southwest China, and can be separated
      only by minor differences of the male features. 

PMID- 24223486
TI  - GenSeq: An updated nomenclature and ranking for genetic sequences from type and
      non-type sources.
AB  - An improved and expanded nomenclature for genetic sequences is introduced that
      corresponds with a ranking of the reliability of the taxonomic identification of
      the source specimens. This nomenclature is an advancement of the "Genetypes"
      naming system, which some have been reluctant to adopt because of the use of the
      "type" suffix in the terminology. In the new nomenclature, genetic sequences are
      labeled "genseq," followed by a reliability ranking (e.g., 1 if the sequence is
      from a primary type), followed by the name of the genes from which the sequences
      were derived (e.g., genseq-1 16S, COI). The numbered suffix provides an
      indication of the likely reliability of taxonomic identification of the voucher.
      Included in this ranking system, in descending order of taxonomic reliability,
      are the following: sequences from primary types - "genseq-1," secondary types -
      "genseq-2," collection-vouchered topotypes - "genseq-3," collection-vouchered non
      types - "genseq-4," and non-types that lack specimen vouchers but have photo
      vouchers - "genseq-5." To demonstrate use of the new nomenclature, we review
      recently published new-species descriptions in the ichthyological literature that
      include DNA data and apply the GenSeq nomenclature to sequences referenced in
      those publications. We encourage authors to adopt the GenSeq nomenclature (note
      capital "G" and "S" when referring to the nomenclatural program) to provide a
      searchable tag (e.g., "genseq"; note lowercase "g" and "s" when referring to
      sequences) for genetic sequences from types and other vouchered specimens. Use of
      the new nomenclature and ranking system will improve integration of molecular
      phylogenetics and biological taxonomy and enhance the ability of researchers to
      assess the reliability of sequence data. We further encourage authors to update
      sequence information on databases such as GenBank whenever nomenclatural changes
      are made. 

PMID- 24223487
TI  - New and little known species of oribatid mites of the family Haplozetidae (Acari,
      Oribatida) from Ecuador.
AB  - We described two new species, Haplozetes paraminimicoma sp. n. and Protoribates
      ecuadoriensis sp. n. from Ecuador. Additionally, a detailed supplementary
      description of Trachyoribates (Rostrozetes) glaber (Beck, 1965) is given on the
      basis of Ecuadorian specimens, which was known previously only from Peru. An
      annotated checklist of all identified taxa of Haplozetidae from Ecuador is
      presented. 

PMID- 24223488
TI  - Molecular phylogenetic evidence supports a new family of octocorals and a new
      genus of Alcyoniidae (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea).
AB  - Molecular phylogenetic evidence indicates that the octocoral family Alcyoniidae
      is highly polyphyletic, with genera distributed across Octocorallia in more than
      10 separate clades. Most alcyoniid taxa belong to the large and poorly resolved
      Holaxonia-Alcyoniina clade of octocorals, but members of at least four genera of
      Alcyoniidae fall outside of that group. As a first step towards revision of the
      family, we describe a new genus, Parasphaerasclera gen. n., and family,
      Parasphaerascleridae fam. n., of Alcyonacea to accommodate species of
      Eleutherobia Putter, 1900 and Alcyonium Linnaeus, 1758 that have digitiform to
      digitate or lobate growth forms, completely lack sclerites in the polyps, and
      have radiates or spheroidal sclerites in the colony surface and interior.
      Parasphaerascleridae fam. n. constitutes a well-supported clade that is
      phylogenetically distinct from all other octocoral taxa. We also describe a new
      genus of Alcyoniidae, Sphaerasclera gen. n., for a species of Eleutherobia with a
      unique capitate growth form. Sphaerasclera gen. n. is a member of the Anthomastus
      Corallium clade of octocorals, but is morphologically and genetically distinct
      from Anthomastus Verrill, 1878 and Paraminabea Williams & Alderslade, 1999, two
      similar but dimorphic genera of Alcyoniidae that are its sister taxa. In
      addition, we have re-assigned two species of Eleutherobia that have clavate to
      capitate growth forms, polyp sclerites arranged to form a collaret and points,
      and spindles in the colony interior to Alcyonium, a move that is supported by
      both morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence. 

PMID- 24223489
TI  - Nomenclatural changes in the tribe Empoascini of the subfamily Typhlocybinae
      (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae).
AB  - One genus and species are synonymized in the tribe Empoascini of the subfamily
      Typhlocybinae. Bhatasca Dworakowska, 1995is a junior synonym of Alebrasca Hayashi
      & Okada, 1994, Bhatasca rectangulata Qin & Zhang, 2011is a junior synonym of
      Alebrasca actinidiae Hayashi & Okada, 1994. Furthermore, Bhatasca expansa is
      (necessarily) transferred to the genus Alebrasca. 

PMID- 24223490
TI  - Integrative taxonomy resolves the cryptic and pseudo-cryptic Radula buccinifera
      complex (Porellales, Jungermanniopsida), including two reinstated and five new
      species.
AB  - Molecular data from three chloroplast markers resolve individuals attributable to
      Radula buccinifera in six lineages belonging to two subgenera, indicating the
      species is polyphyletic as currently circumscribed. All lineages are
      morphologically diagnosable, but one pair exhibits such morphological overlap
      that they can be considered cryptic. Molecular and morphological data justify the
      re-instatement of a broadly circumscribed ecologically variable R. strangulata,
      of R. mittenii, and the description of five new species. Two species Radula
      mittenii Steph. and R. notabilis sp. nov. are endemic to the Wet Tropics
      Bioregion of north-east Queensland, suggesting high diversity and high endemism
      might characterise the bryoflora of this relatively isolated wet-tropical region.
      Radula demissa sp. nov. is endemic to southern temperate Australasia, and like R.
      strangulata occurs on both sides of the Tasman Sea. Radula imposita sp. nov. is a
      twig and leaf epiphyte found in association with waterways in New South Wales and
      Queensland. Another species, R. pugioniformis sp. nov., has been confused with
      Radula buccinifera but was not included in the molecular phylogeny. Morphological
      data suggest it may belong to subg. Odontoradula. Radula buccinifera is endemic
      to Australia including Western Australia and Tasmania, and to date is known from
      south of the Clarence River on the north coast of New South Wales. Nested within
      R. buccinifera is a morphologically distinct plant from Norfolk Island described
      as R. anisotoma sp. nov. Radula australiana is resolved as monophyletic, sister
      to a species occurring in east coast Australian rainforests, and nesting among
      the R. buccinifera lineages with strong support. The molecular phylogeny suggests
      several long-distance dispersal events may have occurred. These include two east
      west dispersal events from New Zealand to Tasmania and south-east Australia in R.
      strangulata, one east-west dispersal event from Tasmania to Western Australia in
      R. buccinifera, and at least one west-east dispersal from Australia to New
      Zealand in R. australiana. Another west-east dispersal event from Australia to
      Norfolk Island may have led to the budding speciation of R. anisotoma. In
      contrast, Radula demissa is phylogeographically subdivided into strongly
      supported clades either side of the Tasman Sea, suggesting long distance
      dispersal is infrequent in this species. 

PMID- 24223491
TI  - Solution conformation of 2-aminopurine (2-AP) dinucleotide determined by
      ultraviolet 2D fluorescence spectroscopy (UV-2D FS).
AB  - We have observed the conformation-dependent electronic coupling between the
      monomeric subunits of a dinucleotide of 2-aminopurine (2-AP), a fluorescent
      analog of the nucleic acid base adenine. This was accomplished by extending two
      dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy (2D FS) - a fluorescence-detected variation
      of 2D electronic spectroscopy - to excite molecular transitions in the
      ultraviolet (UV) regime. A collinear sequence of four ultrafast laser pulses
      centered at 323 nm was used to resonantly excite the coupled transitions of 2-AP
      dinucleotide. The phases of the optical pulses were continuously swept at
      kilohertz frequencies, and the ensuing nonlinear fluorescence was phase
      synchronously detected at 370 nm. Upon optimization of a point-dipole coupling
      model to our data, we found that in aqueous buffer the 2-AP dinucleotide adopts
      an average conformation in which the purine bases are non-helically stacked
      (center-to-center distance R12 = 3.5 A +/- 0.5 A, twist angle theta12 = 5 degrees
      +/- 5 degrees ), which differs from the conformation of such adjacent bases in
      duplex DNA. These experiments establish UV-2D FS as a method for examining the
      local conformations of an adjacent pair of fluorescent nucleotides substituted
      into specific DNA or RNA constructs, which will serve as a powerful probe to
      interpret, in structural terms, biologically significant local conformational
      changes within the nucleic acid framework of protein-nucleic acid complexes.

PMID- 24223493
TI  - Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Non-Hydrolizable 1,2,3-Triazole Linked
      Sialic Acid Derivatives as Neuraminidase Inhibitors.
AB  - alpha-Sialic acid azide 1 has been used as a substrate for the efficient
      preparation of 1,2,3-triazole derivatives of sialic acid using the copper
      catalyzed azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition ("click chemistry"). Our approach is
      to generate non-natural N-glycosides of sialic acid that are resistant to
      neuraminidase catalyzed hydrolysis as opposed to the natural O-glycosides. These
      N-glycosides would act as neuraminidase inhibitors to prevent the release of new
      virions. As a preliminary study, a small library of 1,2,3-triazole-linked sialic
      acid derivatives has been synthesized in 71-89% yield. A disaccharide mimic of
      sialic acid has also been prepared using the alpha-sialic acid azide 1 and a C-8
      propargyl sialic acid acceptor in 68% yield. A model sialic acid coated dendrimer
      was also synthesized from a per-propargylated pentaerythritol acceptor. These
      novel sialic acid derivatives were then evaluated as potential neuraminidase
      inhibitors using a 96-well plate fluorescence assay; micromolar IC50 values were
      observed, comparable to the known sialidase inhibitor Neu5Ac2en.

PMID- 24223494
TI  - Simple Synthesis of Amides and Weinreb Amides via Use of PPh3 or Polymer
      Supported PPh3 and Iodine.
AB  - The combination of PPh3/I2 has been shown to be effective for conversion of a
      range of carboxylic acids to 2 degrees , 3 degrees , and Weinreb amides.
      Simplification of the procedure was possible with the use of polymer-supported
      PPh3/I2. Weinreb amides produced via the use of polymer-supported PPh3 could be
      filtered through a short silica gel plug and used in further transformations.
      Thus, use of polymer-supported PPh3 offers potential applicability to diversity
      oriented reactions. Formal total syntheses of apocynin and pratosine, as well as
      syntheses of anhydrolychorinone and hippadine, have been achieved via the use of
      this amide-forming method. An attempt has been made to gain insight into this
      reaction.

PMID- 24223492
TI  - Improving the endosomal escape of cell-penetrating peptides and their cargos:
      strategies and challenges.
AB  - Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) can deliver cell-impermeable therapeutic cargos
      into cells. In particular, CPP-cargo conjugates tend to accumulate inside cells
      by endocytosis. However, they often remain trapped inside endocytic organelles
      and fail to reach the cytosolic space of cells efficiently. In this review, the
      evidence for CPP-mediated endosomal escape is discussed. In addition, several
      strategies that have been utilized to enhance the endosomal escape of CPP-cargos
      are described. The recent development of branched systems that display multiple
      copies of a CPP is presented. The use of viral or synthetic peptides that can
      disrupt the endosomal membrane upon activation by the low pH of endosomes is also
      discussed. Finally, we survey how CPPs labeled with chromophores can be used in
      combination with light to stimulate endosomal lysis. The mechanisms and
      challenges associated with these intracellular delivery methodologies are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24223495
TI  - Estimates of age-specific reductions in HIV prevalence in Uganda: Bayesian
      melding estimation and probabilistic population forecast with an HIV-enabled
      cohort component projection model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Much of our knowledge of the epidemiology and demography of HIV
      epidemics in Africa is derived from models fit to sparse, non-representative
      data. These often average over age and other important dimensions, rarely
      quantify uncertainty, and typically do not impose consistency on the epidemiology
      and the demography of the population. OBJECTIVE: This work conducts an empirical
      investigation of the history of the HIV epidemic in Uganda and Tanzania through
      the late 1990s, focusing on sex-age-specific incidence, uses those results to
      produce probabilistic forecasts of HIV prevalence ten years later, and compares
      those to measures of HIV prevalence at the later time to describe the sex-age
      pattern of changes in prevalence over the intervening period. METHODS: We adapt
      an epidemographic model of a population affected by HIV so that its parameters
      can be estimated using both the Bayesian melding with IMIS estimation method and
      maximum likelihood methods. Using the Bayesian version of the model we produce
      probabilistic forecasts of the population with HIV. RESULTS: We produce estimates
      of sex-age-specific HIV incidence in Uganda and Tanzania in the late 1990s,
      produce probabilistic forecasts of the HIV epidemics in Uganda and Tanzania
      during the early 2000s, describe the sex-age pattern of changes in HIV prevalence
      in Uganda during the early 2000s, and compare the performance and results of the
      Bayesian and maximum likelihood estimation procedures. CONCLUSIONS: We
      demonstrate that: (1) it is possible to model HIV epidemics in Africa taking
      account of sex and age, (2) there are important advantages to the Bayesian
      estimation method, including rigorous quantification of uncertainty and the
      ability to make probabilistic forecasts, and (3) that there were important age
      specific changes in HIV incidence in Uganda during the early 2000s.

PMID- 24223496
TI  - Care of the body: spaces of practice.

PMID- 24223497
TI  - Do Community and Caregiver Factors Influence Hospice Use at the End of Life Among
      Older Adults With Alzheimer Disease?
AB  - Hospice is an underused service among people with Alzheimer disease. This study
      used the Hospice Use Model to examine community, care recipient, and caregiver
      characteristics associated with hospice use before death among 145 community
      dwelling care recipients with Alzheimer disease and their caregivers. Secondary
      analysis using logistic regression modeling indicated that older age, male
      gender, black race, and better functional health of care recipients with
      Alzheimer disease were associated with a decreased likelihood of using hospice
      (model chi25 = 23.5, P = .0003). Moreover, care recipients recruited from an
      Alzheimer clinic were more likely to use hospice than those recruited from adult
      day-care centers. Caregiver factors were not independent predictors of hospice
      use. However, there was a significant interaction between hours of care provided
      each week and recruitment site. Among care recipients from the Alzheimer clinic,
      the probability of hospice use increased as caregiving intensity increased. This
      relationship was reversed in care recipients from day-care centers. Results
      suggest that adult day-care centers need to partner with hospice programs in the
      community. In conclusion, care recipient and community service factors influence
      hospice use in individuals with Alzheimer disease.

PMID- 24223498
TI  - A biomechanical model of the inner ear: numerical simulation of the caloric test.
AB  - Whether two vertical semicircular canals can receive thermal stimuli remains
      controversial. This study examined the caloric response in the three semicircular
      canals to the clinical hot caloric test using the finite element method. The
      results of the developed model showed the horizontal canal (HC) cupula maximally
      deflected to the utricle side by approximately 3 MUm during the hot supine test.
      The anterior canal cupula began to receive the caloric stimuli about 20 s after
      the HC cupula, and it maximally deflected to the canal side by 0.55 MUm. The
      posterior canal cupula did not receive caloric stimuli until approximately 40 s
      after the HC cupula, and it maximally deflected to the canal side by 0.34 MUm.
      Although the endolymph flow and the cupular deformation change with respect to
      the head position during the test, the supine test ensures the maximal caloric
      response in the HC, but no substantial improvement for the responses of the two
      vertical canals was observed. In conclusion, while the usual supine test is the
      optimum test for evaluating the functions of the inner ear, more irrigation time
      is needed in order to effectively clinically examine the vertical canals.

PMID- 24223499
TI  - Risk of coronary heart disease among HIV-infected patients: a multicenter study
      in Brazil.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease has emerged as a crescent problem among HIV-infected
      population. This study aimed to determine the 10-year risk of coronary heart
      disease using the Framingham risk score among HIV-infected patients from three
      regions of Brazil. This is a pooled analysis of three cohort studies, which
      enrolled 3,829 individuals, 59% were men, 66% had white skin color, and mean age
      39.0 +/- 9.9 years. Comparisons among regions showed that there were marked
      differences in demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and HIV-related
      characteristics. Prevalence of Framingham score >=10 was 4.5% in the Southern,
      4.2% in the Midwest, and 3.9% in the Northeast of Brazil. The Framingham score
      >=10 was similar between regions for males, patients aged >=60 years, with
      obesity, central obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Women were three
      times more likely to have coronary heart disease in 10 years than men.
      Hypertension and diabetes increased more than four times the risk of coronary
      heart disease, followed by central obesity, obesity, and prehypertension. The use
      of antiretroviral agents and time since HIV diagnosis were not risk factors for
      coronary artery disease in 10 years. In conclusion, hypertension and diabetes are
      the strongest independent predictors of 10-year risk of coronary heart disease
      among HIV-infected population.

PMID- 24223500
TI  - Pyrolysis of table sugar.
AB  - Table sugars were pyrolyzed at different temperatures (300, 400, and 500 degrees
      C) in a fixed-bed reactor. The effect of pyrolysis temperature on yields of
      liquid, solid, and gaseous products was investigated. As expected the yield of
      liquid products gradually increased and the yield of solid products gradually
      decreased when the pyrolysis temperature was raised. The yield of liquid products
      was greatest (52 wt%) at 500 degrees C. The composition of bio-oils extracted
      with diethyl ether was identified by means of gas chromatography mass
      spectrometry (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR), and Fourier
      transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The following compounds were observed in
      bio-oils produced from the pyrolysis of table sugar at 500 degrees C: 1,4:3,6
      dianhydro- alpha -d-glucopyranose, 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural, 5-acetoxymethyl-2
      furaldehyde, and cyclotetradecane liquid product. The relative concentration of 5
      (hydroxymethyl) furfural was the highest in bio-oils obtained from pyrolysis of
      table sugars at 500 degrees C.

PMID- 24223501
TI  - A method to dynamic stochastic multicriteria decision making with log-normally
      distributed random variables.
AB  - We investigate the dynamic stochastic multicriteria decision making (SMCDM)
      problems, in which the criterion values take the form of log-normally distributed
      random variables, and the argument information is collected from different
      periods. We propose two new geometric aggregation operators, such as the log
      normal distribution weighted geometric (LNDWG) operator and the dynamic log
      normal distribution weighted geometric (DLNDWG) operator, and develop a method
      for dynamic SMCDM with log-normally distributed random variables. This method
      uses the DLNDWG operator and the LNDWG operator to aggregate the log-normally
      distributed criterion values, utilizes the entropy model of Shannon to generate
      the time weight vector, and utilizes the expectation values and variances of log
      normal distributions to rank the alternatives and select the best one. Finally,
      an example is given to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this
      developed method. 

PMID- 24223502
TI  - Assessment of antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities of saponin and crude
      extracts of Chlorophytum borivilianum.
AB  - The present paper focused on antioxidant and cytotoxicity assessment of crude and
      total saponin fraction of Chlorophytum borivilianum as an important medicinal
      plant. In this study, three different antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1
      picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (DPPH), ferrous ion chelating (FIC), and beta 
      carotene bleaching (BCB) activity) of crude extract and total saponin fraction of
      C. borivilianum tubers were performed. Crude extract was found to possess higher
      free radical scavenging activity (ascorbic acid equivalents 2578 +/- 111 mg
      AA/100 g) and bleaching activity (IC50 = 0.7 mg mL(-1)), while total saponin
      fraction displayed higher ferrous ion chelating (EC50 = 1 mg mL(-1)).
      Cytotoxicity evaluation of crude extract and total saponin fraction against MCF
      7, PC3, and HCT-116 cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay indicated a higher
      cytotoxicity activity of the crude extract than the total saponin fraction on all
      cell lines, being most effective and selective on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell
      line.

PMID- 24223503
TI  - Parallel PWMs based fully digital transmitter with wide carrier frequency range.
AB  - The carrier-frequency (CF) and intermediate-frequency (IF) pulse-width modulators
      (PWMs) based on delay lines are proposed, where baseband signals are conveyed by
      both positions and pulse widths or densities of the carrier clock. By combining
      IF-PWM and precorrected CF-PWM, a fully digital transmitter with unit-delay
      autocalibration is implemented in 180 nm CMOS for high reconfiguration. The
      proposed architecture achieves wide CF range of 2 M-1 GHz, high power efficiency
      of 70%, and low error vector magnitude (EVM) of 3%, with spectrum purity of 20 dB
      optimized in comparison to the existing designs.

PMID- 24223504
TI  - Reliability evaluation based on different distributions of random load.
AB  - The reliability models of the components under the nonstationary random load are
      developed in this paper. Through the definition of the distribution of the random
      load, it can be seen that the conventional load-strength interference model is
      suitable for the calculation of the static reliability of the components, which
      does not reflect the dynamic change in the reliability and cannot be used to
      evaluate the dynamic reliability. Therefore, by developing an approach to
      converting the nonstationary random load into the random load whose pdf is the
      same at each moment when the random load applies, the reliability model based on
      the longitudinal distribution is derived. Moreover, through the definition of the
      transverse standard load and the transverse standard load coefficient, the
      reliability model based on the transverse distribution is derived. When the
      occurrence of the random load follows the Poisson process, the dynamic
      reliability models considering the strength degradation are derived. These models
      take the correlation between the random load and the strength into consideration.
      The result shows that the dispersion of the initial strength and that of the
      transverse standard load coefficient have great influences on the reliability and
      the hazard rate of the components. 

PMID- 24223505
TI  - Flavocytochrome b2-based enzymatic method of L-lactate assay in food products.
AB  - L-lactate, a key metabolite of the anaerobic glycolytic pathway, plays an
      important role as a biomarker in medicine, in the nutritional sector and food
      quality control. For these reasons, there is a need for very specific, sensitive,
      and simple analytical methods for the accurate L-lactate measuring. A new highly
      selective enzymatic method for L-lactate determination based on the use of
      flavocytochrome b 2 (EC 1.1.2.3; FC b 2) isolated from the recombinant strain of
      the yeast Hansenula polymorpha has been developed. A proposed enzymatic method
      exploits an enzymatic oxidation of L-lactate to pyruvate coupled with
      nitrotetrazolium blue (NTZB) reduction to a colored product, formazan. The
      maximal absorption peak of the colored product is near lambda = 525 nm and the
      linear range is observed in the interval 0.005-0.14 mM of L-lactate. The main
      advantages of the proposed method when compared to the LDH-based routine
      approaches are a higher sensitivity (2.0 MUM of L-lactate), simple procedure of
      analysis, usage of inexpensive, nontoxic reagents, and small amount of the
      enzyme. Enzymatic oxidation of L-lactate catalyzed by flavocytochrome b 2 and
      coupled with formazan production from nitrotetrazolium blue was shown to be used
      for L-lactate assay in food samples. A high correlation between results of the
      proposed method and reference ones proves the possibility to use flavocytochrome
      b 2-catalysed reaction for enzymatic measurement of L-lactate in biotechnology
      and food chemistry.

PMID- 24223506
TI  - Improved algorithm for gradient vector flow based active contour model using
      global and local information.
AB  - Active contour models are used to extract object boundary from digital image, but
      there is poor convergence for the targets with deep concavities. We proposed an
      improved approach based on existing gradient vector flow methods. Main
      contributions of this paper are a new algorithm to determine the false part of
      active contour with higher accuracy from the global force of gradient vector flow
      and a new algorithm to update the external force field together with the local
      information of magnetostatic force. Our method has a semidynamic external force
      field, which is adjusted only when the false active contour exists. Thus, active
      contours have more chances to approximate the complex boundary, while the
      computational cost is limited effectively. The new algorithm is tested on
      irregular shapes and then on real images such as MRI and ultrasound medical data.
      Experimental results illustrate the efficiency of our method, and the
      computational complexity is also analyzed. 

PMID- 24223507
TI  - Quantum control and quantum information technology.

PMID- 24223508
TI  - The serological and virological investigation of canine adenovirus infection on
      the dogs.
AB  - Two types of Canine Adenovirus (CAVs), Canine Adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), the
      virus which causes infectious canine hepatitis, and Canine Adenovirus type 2 (CAV
      2), which causes canine infectious laryngotracheitis, have been found in dogs. In
      this study, blood samples taken from 111 dogs, which were admitted to the
      Internal Medicine Clinic of Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
      with clinical symptoms. Seventy-seven dogs were sampled from Isparta and Burdur
      dog shelters by random sampling, regardless of the clinical findings. Dogs showed
      a systemic disease, characterized by fever, diarrhea, vomiting, oculonasal
      discharge, conjunctivitis, severe moist cough, signs of pulmonary disease and
      dehydration. Two dogs had corneal opacity and photophobia. In serological
      studies, 188 serum samples were investigated on the presence of CAV antibodies by
      ELISA. Total 103 (103/188-54.7%) blood samples were detected to be positive for
      CAV antibodies by ELISA. However, 85 (85/188-45.2%) blood samples were negative.
      Blood leukocyte samples from dogs were processed and inoculated onto confluent
      monolayers of MDCK cells using standard virological techniques. After third
      passage, cells were examined by direct immunoflourescence test for virus
      isolation. But positive result was not detected. In conclusion, this study
      clearly demonstrates the high prevalence of CAV infection in dogs. 

PMID- 24223509
TI  - Trichotomy for dynamical systems in Banach spaces.
AB  - We construct a framework for the study of dynamical systems that describe
      phenomena from physics and engineering in infinite dimensions and whose state
      evolution is set out by skew-evolution semiflows. Therefore, we introduce the
      concept of omega-trichotomy. Characterizations in a uniform setting are proved,
      using techniques from the domain of nonautonomous evolution equations with
      unbounded coefficients, and connections with the classic notion of trichotomy are
      given. The statements are sustained by several examples. 

PMID- 24223510
TI  - Microstructural evolution during DPRM process of semisolid ledeburitic D2 tool
      steel.
AB  - Semisolid metal processing is a relatively new technology that offers several
      advantages over liquid processing and solid processing because of the unique
      behaviour and characteristic microstructure of metals in this state. With the aim
      of finding a minimum process chain for the manufacture of high-quality production
      at minimal cost for forming, the microstructural evolution of the ledeburitic
      AISI D2 tool steel in the semisolid state was studied experimentally. The
      potential of the direct partial remelting (DPRM) process for the production of
      AISI D2 with a uniform globular microstructure was revealed. The liquid fraction
      was determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The microstructures of
      the samples were investigated using an optical microscope and a scanning electron
      microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy analyser, while X-ray
      phase analysis was performed to identify the phase evolution and the type of
      carbides. Mechanical characterisation was completed by hardness measurements. The
      typical microstructure after DPRM consists of metastable austenite which was
      located particularly in the globular grains (average grain size about 50 MU m),
      while the remaining interspaces were filled by precipitated eutectic carbides on
      the grain boundaries and lamellar network.

PMID- 24223512
TI  - In vitro effect of sodium fluoride on malondialdehyde concentration and on
      superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in human erythrocytes.
AB  - The aim of this paper was to describe the in vitro effect of sodium fluoride
      (NaF) on the specific activity of the major erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes, as
      well as on the membrane malondialdehyde concentration, as indicators of oxidative
      stress. For this purpose, human erythrocytes were incubated with NaF (0, 7, 28,
      56, and 100 MUg/mL) or NaF (100 MUg/mL) + vitamin E (1, 2.5, 5 and 10 MUg/mL).
      The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration on the surface of the erythrocytes was
      determined, as were the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),
      catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GlPx). Our results demonstrated that
      erythrocytes incubated with increasing NaF concentrations had an increased MDA
      concentration, along with decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes. The presence
      of vitamin E partially reversed the toxic effects of NaF on erythrocytes. These
      findings suggest that NaF induces oxidative stress in erythrocytes in vitro, and
      this stress is partially reversed by the presence of vitamin E.

PMID- 24223513
TI  - Integration of agronomic practices with herbicides for sustainable weed
      management in aerobic rice.
AB  - Till now, herbicide seems to be a cost effective tool from an agronomic view
      point to control weeds. But long term efficacy and sustainability issues are the
      driving forces behind the reconsideration of herbicide dependent weed management
      strategy in rice. This demands reappearance of physical and cultural management
      options combined with judicious herbicide application in a more comprehensive and
      integrated way. Keeping those in mind, some agronomic tools along with different
      manual weeding and herbicides combinations were evaluated for their weed control
      efficacy in rice under aerobic soil conditions. Combination of competitive
      variety, higher seeding rate, and seed priming resulted in more competitive
      cropping system in favor of rice, which was reflected in lower weed pressure,
      higher weed control efficiency, and better yield. Most of the herbicides
      exhibited excellent weed control efficiency. Treatments comprising only
      herbicides required less cost involvement but produced higher net benefit. On the
      contrary, treatments comprising both herbicide and manual weeding required high
      cost involvement and thus produced lower net benefit. Therefore, adoption of
      competitive rice variety, higher seed rate, and seed priming along with spraying
      different early-postemergence herbicides in rotation at 10 days after seeding
      (DAS) followed by a manual weeding at 30 DAS may be recommended from
      sustainability view point. 

PMID- 24223514
TI  - Integrating Behavioral HIV Interventions into Biomedical Prevention Trials with
      Youth: Lessons from Chicago's Project PrEPare.
AB  - On the heels of several trials demonstrating the efficacy of pre-exposure
      prophylaxis (PrEP) and the recent approval by the FDA of the supplemental
      indication for Truvada as PrEP, researchers, advocates, and community providers
      are calling for the investigation of implementation strategies that combine
      behavioral interventions with biomedical prevention. This paper describes the
      modification and integration of an evidence-based group-level intervention into a
      small PrEP pilot trial with young men who have sex with men (YMSM). The
      behavioral intervention as well as ongoing risk reduction counseling sessions
      were found to be highly acceptable among a sample of racially diverse YMSM.

PMID- 24223515
TI  - Teaming Up with Girl Scouts for Online Nutrition Information.
AB  - Three librarians at LSU Health Shreveport partnered with staff members at the
      Shreveport service center staff of the Girl Scouts of Louisiana - Pines to the
      Gulf to teach girls about nutrition. The librarians provided instruction to the
      staff on healthelinks, MedlinePlus, and the other National Library of Medicine
      databases. They worked with the staff to incorporate these online resources into
      the nutrition curriculum for the Girl Scout leaders to use with their troops.
      They also provided two laptop computers, promotional items, and teaching aids.
      The program was repeated in the summer for week-long day camps designed to
      introduce girls to Scouting. The librarians had the opportunity to work directly
      with over one hundred girls at these camps to introduce them to authoritative,
      age-appropriate web sites on nutrition.

PMID- 24223516
TI  - Reflections on the cost of "low-cost" whole genome sequencing: framing the health
      policy debate.
AB  - The cost of whole genome sequencing is dropping rapidly. There has been a great
      deal of enthusiasm about the potential for this technological advance to
      transform clinical care. Given the interest and significant investment in
      genomics, this seems an ideal time to consider what the evidence tells us about
      potential benefits and harms, particularly in the context of health care policy.
      The scale and pace of adoption of this powerful new technology should be driven
      by clinical need, clinical evidence, and a commitment to put patients at the
      centre of health care policy.

PMID- 24223517
TI  - Does the shoe fit? Real versus imagined ecological footprints.

PMID- 24223518
TI  - The shoe fits, but the footprint is larger than earth.

PMID- 24223519
TI  - The ecological footprint remains a misleading metric of global sustainability.

PMID- 24223522
TI  - Hardship strengthens mutual bonds.

PMID- 24223521
TI  - Water stress strengthens mutualism among ants, trees, and scale insects.
AB  - Abiotic environmental variables strongly affect the outcomes of species
      interactions. For example, mutualistic interactions between species are often
      stronger when resources are limited. The effect might be indirect: water stress
      on plants can lead to carbon stress, which could alter carbon-mediated plant
      mutualisms. In mutualistic ant-plant symbioses, plants host ant colonies that
      defend them against herbivores. Here we show that the partners' investments in a
      widespread ant-plant symbiosis increase with water stress across 26 sites along a
      Mesoamerican precipitation gradient. At lower precipitation levels, Cordia
      alliodora trees invest more carbon in Azteca ants via phloem-feeding scale
      insects that provide the ants with sugars, and the ants provide better defense of
      the carbon-producing leaves. Under water stress, the trees have smaller carbon
      pools. A model of the carbon trade-offs for the mutualistic partners shows that
      the observed strategies can arise from the carbon costs of rare but extreme
      events of herbivory in the rainy season. Thus, water limitation, together with
      the risk of herbivory, increases the strength of a carbon-based mutualism. 

PMID- 24223520
TI  - N-wasp is essential for the negative regulation of B cell receptor signaling.
AB  - Negative regulation of receptor signaling is essential for controlling cell
      activation and differentiation. In B-lymphocytes, the down-regulation of B-cell
      antigen receptor (BCR) signaling is critical for suppressing the activation of
      self-reactive B cells; however, the mechanism underlying the negative regulation
      of signaling remains elusive. Using genetically manipulated mouse models and
      total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate that neuronal
      Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), which is coexpressed with WASP in all
      immune cells, is a critical negative regulator of B-cell signaling. B-cell
      specific N-WASP gene deletion causes enhanced and prolonged BCR signaling and
      elevated levels of autoantibodies in the mouse serum. The increased signaling in
      N-WASP knockout B cells is concurrent with increased accumulation of F-actin at
      the B-cell surface, enhanced B-cell spreading on the antigen-presenting membrane,
      delayed B-cell contraction, inhibition in the merger of signaling active BCR
      microclusters into signaling inactive central clusters, and a blockage of BCR
      internalization. Upon BCR activation, WASP is activated first, followed by N-WASP
      in mouse and human primary B cells. The activation of N-WASP is suppressed by
      Bruton's tyrosine kinase-induced WASP activation, and is restored by the
      activation of SH2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase that inhibits WASP
      activation. Our results reveal a new mechanism for the negative regulation of BCR
      signaling and broadly suggest an actin-mediated mechanism for signaling down
      regulation. 

PMID- 24223523
TI  - Measles outbreak response immunization is context-specific: insight from the
      recent experience of Medecins Sans Frontieres.
AB  - Andrea Minetti and colleagues compare measles outbreak responses from the
      Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi and argue that outbreak response
      strategies should be tailored to local measles epidemiology. Please see later in
      the article for the Editors' Summary. 

PMID- 24223524
TI  - Antenatal syphilis screening using point-of-care testing in Sub-Saharan African
      countries: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Untreated syphilis in pregnancy is associated with adverse clinical
      outcomes for the infant. Most syphilis infections occur in sub-Saharan Africa
      (SSA), where coverage of antenatal screening for syphilis is inadequate. Recently
      introduced point-of-care syphilis tests have high accuracy and demonstrate
      potential to increase coverage of antenatal screening. However, country-specific
      cost-effectiveness data for these tests are limited. The objective of this
      analysis was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of antenatal
      syphilis screening for 43 countries in SSA and estimate the impact of universal
      screening on stillbirths, neonatal deaths, congenital syphilis, and disability
      adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The decision analytic
      model reflected the perspective of the national health care system and was based
      on the sensitivity (86%) and specificity (99%) reported for the
      immunochromatographic strip (ICS) test. Clinical outcomes of infants born to
      syphilis-infected mothers on the end points of stillbirth, neonatal death, and
      congenital syphilis were obtained from published sources. Treatment was assumed
      to consist of three injections of benzathine penicillin. Country-specific inputs
      included the antenatal prevalence of syphilis, annual number of live births,
      proportion of women with at least one antenatal care visit, per capita gross
      national income, and estimated hourly nurse wages. In all 43 sub-Saharan African
      countries analyzed, syphilis screening is highly cost-effective, with an average
      cost/DALY averted of US$11 (range: US$2-US$48). Screening remains highly cost
      effective even if the average prevalence falls from the current rate of 3.1%
      (range: 0.6%-14.0%) to 0.038% (range: 0.002%-0.113%). Universal antenatal
      screening of pregnant women in clinics may reduce the annual number of
      stillbirths by up to 64,000, neonatal deaths by up to 25,000, and annual
      incidence of congenital syphilis by up to 32,000, and avert up to 2.6 million
      DALYs at an estimated annual direct medical cost of US$20.8 million. CONCLUSIONS:
      Use of ICS tests for antenatal syphilis screening is highly cost-effective in
      SSA. Substantial reduction in DALYs can be achieved at a relatively modest budget
      impact. In SSA, antenatal programs should expand access to syphilis screening
      using the ICS test. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.

PMID- 24223525
TI  - From ideals to tools: applying human rights to maternal health.
AB  - Alicia Yamin argues that applying human rights frameworks and approaches to
      maternal health offers strategies and tools to address the root causes of
      maternal morbidity and mortality within and beyond health systems, in addition to
      addressing other violations of women's sexual and reproductive health and rights.
      Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary. 

PMID- 24223526
TI  - Burden of depressive disorders by country, sex, age, and year: findings from the
      global burden of disease study 2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depressive disorders were a leading cause of burden in the Global
      Burden of Disease (GBD) 1990 and 2000 studies. Here, we analyze the burden of
      depressive disorders in GBD 2010 and present severity proportions, burden by
      country, region, age, sex, and year, as well as burden of depressive disorders as
      a risk factor for suicide and ischemic heart disease. METHODS AND FINDINGS:
      Burden was calculated for major depressive disorder (MDD) and dysthymia. A
      systematic review of epidemiological data was conducted. The data were pooled
      using a Bayesian meta-regression. Disability weights from population survey data
      quantified the severity of health loss from depressive disorders. These weights
      were used to calculate years lived with disability (YLDs) and disability adjusted
      life years (DALYs). Separate DALYs were estimated for suicide and ischemic heart
      disease attributable to depressive disorders. Depressive disorders were the
      second leading cause of YLDs in 2010. MDD accounted for 8.2% (5.9%-10.8%) of
      global YLDs and dysthymia for 1.4% (0.9%-2.0%). Depressive disorders were a
      leading cause of DALYs even though no mortality was attributed to them as the
      underlying cause. MDD accounted for 2.5% (1.9%-3.2%) of global DALYs and
      dysthymia for 0.5% (0.3%-0.6%). There was more regional variation in burden for
      MDD than for dysthymia; with higher estimates in females, and adults of working
      age. Whilst burden increased by 37.5% between 1990 and 2010, this was due to
      population growth and ageing. MDD explained 16 million suicide DALYs and almost 4
      million ischemic heart disease DALYs. This attributable burden would increase the
      overall burden of depressive disorders from 3.0% (2.2%-3.8%) to 3.8% (3.0%-4.7%)
      of global DALYs. CONCLUSIONS: GBD 2010 identified depressive disorders as a
      leading cause of burden. MDD was also a contributor of burden allocated to
      suicide and ischemic heart disease. These findings emphasize the importance of
      including depressive disorders as a public-health priority and implementing cost
      effective interventions to reduce its burden. Please see later in the article for
      the Editors' Summary.

PMID- 24223527
TI  - Quantification of Drive-Response Relationships Between Residues During Protein
      Folding.
AB  - Mutual correlation and cooperativity are commonly used to describe residue
      residue interactions in protein folding/function. However, these metrics do not
      provide any information on the causality relationships between residues. Such
      drive-response relationships are poorly studied in protein folding/function and
      difficult to measure experimentally due to technical limitations. In this study,
      using the information theory transfer entropy (TE) that provides a direct
      measurement of causality between two times series, we have quantified the drive
      response relationships between residues in the folding/unfolding processes of
      four small proteins generated by molecular dynamics simulations. Instead of using
      a time-averaged single TE value, the time-dependent TE is measured with the Q
      scores based on residue-residue contacts and with the statistical significance
      analysis along the folding/unfolding processes. The TE analysis is able to
      identify the driving and responding residues that are different from the highly
      correlated residues revealed by the mutual information analysis. In general, the
      driving residues have more regular secondary structures, are more buried, and
      show greater effects on the protein stability as well as folding and unfolding
      rates. In addition, the dominant driving and responding residues from the TE
      analysis on the whole trajectory agree with those on a single folding event,
      demonstrating that the drive-response relationships are preserved in the non
      equilibrium process. Our study provides detailed insights into the protein
      folding process and has potential applications in protein engineering and
      interpretation of time-dependent residue-based experimental observables for
      protein function.

PMID- 24223528
TI  - AUTOMATED FORCE FIELD PARAMETERIZATION FOR NON-POLARIZABLE AND POLARIZABLE ATOMIC
      MODELS BASED ON AB INITIO TARGET DATA.
AB  - Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on atomistic models are
      increasingly used to study a wide range of biological systems. A prerequisite for
      meaningful results from such simulations is an accurate molecular mechanical
      force field. Most biomolecular simulations are currently based on the widely used
      AMBER and CHARMM force fields, which were parameterized and optimized to cover a
      small set of basic compounds corresponding to the natural amino acids and nucleic
      acid bases. Atomic models of additional compounds are commonly generated by
      analogy to the parameter set of a given force field. While this procedure yields
      models that are internally consistent, the accuracy of the resulting models can
      be limited. In this work, we propose a method, General Automated Atomic Model
      Parameterization (GAAMP), for generating automatically the parameters of atomic
      models of small molecules using the results from ab initio quantum mechanical
      (QM) calculations as target data. Force fields that were previously developed for
      a wide range of model compounds serve as initial guess, although any of the final
      parameter can be optimized. The electrostatic parameters (partial charges,
      polarizabilities and shielding) are optimized on the basis of QM electrostatic
      potential (ESP) and, if applicable, the interaction energies between the compound
      and water molecules. The soft dihedrals are automatically identified and
      parameterized by targeting QM dihedral scans as well as the energies of stable
      conformers. To validate the approach, the solvation free energy is calculated for
      more than 200 small molecules and MD simulations of 3 different proteins are
      carried out.

PMID- 24223529
TI  - Toward optimized potential functions for protein-protein interactions in aqueous
      solutions: osmotic second virial coefficient calculations using the MARTINI
      coarse-grained force field.
AB  - Coarse-grained (CG) simulation methods are now widely used to model the structure
      and dynamics of large biomolecular systems. One important issue for using such
      methods - especially with regard to using them to model, for example,
      intracellular environments - is to demonstrate that they can reproduce
      experimental data on the thermodynamics of protein-protein interactions in
      aqueous solutions. To examine this issue, we describe here simulations performed
      using the popular coarse-grained MARTINI force field, aimed at computing the
      thermodynamics of lysozyme and chymotrypsinogen self-interactions in aqueous
      solution. Using molecular dynamics simulations to compute potentials of mean
      force between a pair of protein molecules, we show that the original
      parameterization of the MARTINI force field is likely to significantly
      overestimate the strength of protein-protein interactions to the extent that the
      computed osmotic second virial coefficients are orders of magnitude more negative
      than experimental estimates. We then show that a simple down-scaling of the van
      der Waals parameters that describe the interactions between protein pseudo-atoms
      can bring the simulated thermodynamics into much closer agreement with
      experiment. Overall, the work shows that it is feasible to test explicit-solvent
      CG force fields directly against thermodynamic data for proteins in aqueous
      solutions, and highlights the potential usefulness of osmotic second virial
      coefficient measurements for fully parameterizing such force fields.

PMID- 24223530
TI  - Recent Violence Among Persons Entering Short-Term Residential Mental Health and
      Substance Abuse Treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Large-scale epidemiologic studies have consistently found that co
      occurring mental and substance use disorders are associated with increased risk
      of involvement in violence. Individuals with co-occurring mental and substance
      use disorders can present either in mental health or substance abuse treatment
      systems, and both systems must be able to respond to their needs. This study
      examined the prevalence and correlates of recent violence (both perpetration and
      victimization) among adults (N=419) entering short-term residential mental health
      and substance abuse treatment. METHODS: Approximately 41% (n=171) of participants
      reported having any involvement in violence, and for the majority of them (n=144;
      84%) that included victimization. For analytic purposes, we classified
      participants with involvement in violence as any perpetration (n=87) or only
      victimization (n=84), and conducted bivariate and multivariate logistic
      regression analyses examining potential correlates of these different types of
      violence. RESULTS: Homelessness (AOR= 1.6, 95% CI[1.0-2.4], p<.04), alcohol use
      disorder (AOR=1.8, 95% CI[1.1-2.9], p<.03), and the interaction of comorbidity
      and substance abuse treatment system (AOR=2.8, 95% CI[1.0-7.6], p<.05) were
      associated with an increased likelihood of any violence. Alcohol use disorder
      (AOR=1.8, 95% CI[1.0-3.3], p<.05) increased the likelihood of perpetration.
      Homelessness (AOR=1.9, 95% CI[1.1-3.2], p<.02) and the interaction of comorbidity
      and being recruited from substance abuse treatment (AOR=5.1, 95% CI[1.8-14.2],
      p<.003) increased the likelihood of involvement in only victimization.
      CONCLUSIONS: Victimization was far more prevalent than perpetration. Comorbidity
      was not a significant predictor of violence, but comorbid individuals recruited
      from the substance abuse treatment system were more likely to be involved in
      violence.

PMID- 24223531
TI  - The Addiction Psychiatrist as Dual Diagnosis Physician: A Profession in Great
      Need and Greatly Needed.
AB  - Addiction is the number one cause of premature illness and death in the U.S.,
      especially among people with mental illness. Yet American medicine lacks
      sufficient workforce capacity, expertise, training, infrastructure, and research
      to support treatment for people with co-occurring addictions and mental illness.
      This essay argues that the addiction psychiatrist is essential in dual diagnosis
      care.

PMID- 24223532
TI  - Comorbid Alcohol Dependence and Anxiety Disorders: A National Survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to describe onset of comorbid anxiety
      disorders and alcohol dependence based on a large national survey of the US adult
      population, and to explore and describe these patterns by gender. METHODS: Using
      Wave 1 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions
      (NESARC) data, we compared age of onset and temporal ordering of onset of
      comorbid alcohol dependence and anxiety disorders. Analyses were stratified by
      gender. Mean ages of onset were calculated, and Wald F-tests were used to assess
      differences in ages of onset, accounting for the complex survey design of the
      NESARC. Weighted estimates were used, adjusted to be representative of the US
      population on various sociodemographic variables based on the 2000 Decennial
      Census. RESULTS: Differences in temporal ordering were observed, but varied by
      disorder combination. The majority (65%) had a primary (earliest onset) anxiety
      disorder, while the remaining 35% had a primary alcohol dependence diagnosis. Age
      of onset for some individuals with an anxiety disorder comorbid with alcohol
      dependence was earlier than for those with an anxiety disorder alone. Among
      individuals with comorbid social phobia and alcohol dependence, and comorbid
      specific phobia and alcohol dependence, it was more common to experience anxiety
      disorder as the primary diagnosis. Conversely, among individuals with comorbid
      panic disorder and alcohol dependence, and generalized anxiety disorder and
      alcohol dependence, it was more common to experience alcohol dependence as the
      primary diagnosis. Women were more likely to report having multiple comorbid
      anxiety disorders. No gender differences were found in terms of age of onset or
      temporal ordering of onset of comorbid disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Subsets of
      individuals with comorbid disorders exist, some whose primary diagnosis is
      alcohol dependence, and a majority of individuals whose primary diagnosis is an
      anxiety disorder with significant variability in age and temporal ordering of
      onset and few gender differences. Improved understanding of patterns of
      comorbidity and lag time between the onsets of specific disorders may enable us
      to identify potential groups for early intervention.

PMID- 24223533
TI  - Classification of Small Lesions in Breast MRI: Evaluating The Role of Dynamically
      Extracted Texture Features Through Feature Selection.
AB  - Dynamic texture quantification, i.e., extracting texture features from the lesion
      enhancement pattern in all available post-contrast images, has not been evaluated
      in terms of its ability to classify small lesions. This study investigates the
      classification performance achieved with texture features extracted from all five
      post-contrast images of lesions (mean lesion diameter of 1.1 cm) annotated in
      dynamic breast magnetic resonance imaging exams. Sixty lesions are characterized
      dynamically using Haralick texture features. The texture features are then used
      in a classification task with support vector regression and a fuzzy k-nearest
      neighbor classifier; free parameters of these classifiers are optimized using
      random sub-sampling cross-validation. Classifier performance is determined
      through receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, specifically through
      computation of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Mutual information is used to
      evaluate the contribution of texture features extracted from different post
      contrast stages to classifier performance. Significant improvements (p < 0.05)
      are observed for six of the thirteen texture features when the lesion enhancement
      pattern is quantified using the proposed approach of dynamic texture
      quantification. The highest AUC value observed (0.82) is achieved with texture
      features responsible for capturing aspects of lesion heterogeneity. Mutual
      information analysis reveals that texture features extracted from the third and
      fourth post-contrast images contributed most to the observed improvement in
      classifier performance. These results show that the performance of automated
      character classification with small lesions can be significantly improved through
      dynamic texture quantification of the lesion enhancement pattern.

PMID- 24223534
TI  - Characterization of bladder sensory neurons in the context of myelination,
      receptors for pain modulators, and acute responses to bladder inflammation.
AB  - Bladder sensation is mediated by lumbosacral dorsal root ganglion neurons and is
      essential for normal voiding and nociception. Numerous electrophysiological,
      structural, and molecular changes occur in these neurons following inflammation.
      Defining which neurons undergo these changes is critical for understanding the
      mechanism underlying bladder pain and dysfunction. Our first aim was to define
      the chemical classes of bladder sensory neurons that express receptors for the
      endogenous modulators of nociceptor sensitivity, glial cell line-derived
      neurotrophic factor (GDNF), the related neurotrophic factor, artemin, and
      estrogens. Bladder sensory neurons of adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were
      identified with retrograde tracer. Diverse groups of neurons express these
      receptors, and some neurons express receptors for both neurotrophic factors and
      estrogens. Lumbar and sacral sensory neurons showed some distinct differences in
      their expression profile. We also distinguished the chemical profile of
      myelinated and unmyelinated bladder sensory neurons. Our second aim was to
      identify bladder sensory neurons likely to be undergoing structural remodeling
      during inflammation. Following systemic administration of cyclophosphamide (CYP),
      its renal metabolite acrolein causes transient urothelial loss, exposing local
      afferent terminals to a toxic environment. CYP induced expression of the injury
      related immediate-early gene product, activating transcription factor-3 (ATF-3),
      in a small population of sacral nitrergic bladder sensory neurons. In conclusion,
      we have defined the bladder sensory neurons that express receptors for GDNF,
      artemin and estrogens. Our study has also identified a sub-population of sacral
      sensory neurons that are likely to be undergoing structural remodeling during
      acute inflammation of the bladder. Together these results contribute to increased
      understanding of the neurons that are known to be involved in pain modulation and
      hyperreflexia during inflammation. 

PMID- 24223535
TI  - Intersection of effort and risk: ethological and neurobiological perspectives.
AB  - The physical effort required to seek out and extract a resource is an important
      consideration for a foraging animal. A second consideration is the variability or
      risk associated with resource delivery. An intriguing observation from
      ethological studies is that animals shift their preference from stable to
      variable food sources under conditions of increased physical effort or falling
      energetic reserves. Although theoretical models for this effect exist, no
      exploration into its biological basis has been pursued. Recent advances in
      understanding the neural basis of effort- and risk-guided decision making suggest
      that opportunities exist for determining how effort influences risk preference.
      In this review, we describe the intersection between the neural systems involved
      in effort- and risk-guided decision making and outline two mechanisms by which
      effort-induced changes in dopamine release may increase the preference for
      variable rewards. 

PMID- 24223537
TI  - Novel ncRNAs transcribed by Pol III and elucidation of their functional relevance
      by biophysical approaches.
AB  - In the last decade the role of non coding (nc) RNAs in neurogenesis and in the
      onset of neurological diseases has been assessed by a multitude of studies. In
      this scenario, approximately 30 small RNA polymerase (pol) III-dependent ncRNAs
      were recently identified by computational tools and proposed as regulatory
      elements. The function of several of these transcripts was elucidated in vitro
      and in vivo confirming their involvement in cancer and in metabolic and
      neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging biophysical technologies together with the
      introduction of a physical perspective have been advantageous in regulatory RNA
      investigation providing original results on: (a) the differentiation of
      neuroblastoma (NB) cells towards a neuron-like phenotype triggered by
      Neuroblastoma Differentiation Marker 29 (NDM29) ncRNA; (b) the modulation of A
      type K(+) current in neurons induced by the small ncRNA 38A and (c) the synthesis
      driven by 17A ncRNA of a GABAB2 receptor isoform unable to trigger intracellular
      signaling. Moreover, the application of Single Cell Force Spectroscopy (SCFS) to
      these studies suggests a correlation between the malignancy stage of NB and the
      micro-adhesive properties of the cells, allowing to investigate the molecular
      basis of such a correlation. 

PMID- 24223536
TI  - Wnts in action: from synapse formation to synaptic maintenance.
AB  - A proper balance between synapse assembly and disassembly is crucial for the
      formation of functional neuronal circuits and synaptic plasticity in the adult
      brain. During development, synaptogenesis generates a vast excess of synapses,
      which are subsequently eliminated. Importantly, aberrant synaptic disassembly
      during development underpins many neurological disorders. Wnt secreted proteins
      are robust synaptogenic factors that regulate synapse assembly and function in
      the developing and mature brain. Recent studies show that Wnt blockade with the
      antagonist Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) induces the rapid disassembly of synapses in mature
      neurons. Importantly, Dkk1 mediates synaptic loss induced by Amyloid-beta, a key
      pathogenic molecule in Alzheimer's disease (AD). These findings provide new
      insights into the potential contribution of dysfunctional Wnt signaling to
      synaptic loss observed in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss
      the role of Wnt signaling in vertebrate synaptic assembly, function and
      maintenance, and consider how dysfunction of Wnt signaling could contribute to
      synaptic disassembly in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. 

PMID- 24223538
TI  - Global actions of nicotine on the striatal microcircuit.
AB  - THE QUESTION TO SOLVE IN THE PRESENT WORK IS: what is the predominant action
      induced by the activation of cholinergic-nicotinic receptors (nAChrs) in the
      striatal network given that nAChrs are expressed by several elements of the
      circuit: cortical terminals, dopamine terminals, and various striatal GABAergic
      interneurons. To answer this question some type of multicellular recording has to
      be used without losing single cell resolution. Here, we used calcium imaging and
      nicotine. It is known that in the presence of low micromolar N-Methyl-D-aspartate
      (NMDA), the striatal microcircuit exhibits neuronal activity consisting in the
      spontaneous synchronization of different neuron pools that interchange their
      activity following determined sequences. The striatal circuit also exhibits
      profuse spontaneous activity in pathological states (without NMDA) such as
      dopamine depletion. However, in this case, most pathological activity is mostly
      generated by the same neuron pool. Here, we show that both types of activity are
      inhibited during the application of nicotine. Nicotine actions were blocked by
      mecamylamine, a non-specific antagonist of nAChrs. Interestingly, inhibitory
      actions of nicotine were also blocked by the GABAA-receptor antagonist
      bicuculline, in which case, the actions of nicotine on the circuit became
      excitatory and facilitated neuronal synchronization. We conclude that the
      predominant action of nicotine in the striatal microcircuit is indirect, via the
      activation of networks of inhibitory interneurons. This action inhibits striatal
      pathological activity in early Parkinsonian animals almost as potently as L-DOPA.

PMID- 24223539
TI  - Odors enhance the salience of matching images during the attentional blink.
AB  - As any food critic knows, the visual presentation of a dish can enhance its
      aroma. Is the reverse also true? Here we investigated whether odors can enhance
      the salience of familiar visual objects at the limits of perceptual
      discrimination, using rapid serial visual presentations (RSVP) to induce an
      attentional blink (AB). We had participants view RSVP streams containing
      photographs of odor-related objects (lemon, orange, rose, and mint) amongst non
      odor related distractors. In each trial, participants inhaled a single odor,
      which either matched the odor-related target within the stream (congruent
      trials), did not match the odor-related target (incongruent trials), or was
      irrelevant with respect to the target. Congruent odors significantly attenuated
      the AB for odor-related visual targets, compared with incongruent and irrelevant
      odors. The findings suggest that familiar odors can render matching visual
      objects more salient, thereby enhancing their competitive strength at the limits
      of temporal attention. 

PMID- 24223540
TI  - Neural activity tied to reading predicts individual differences in extended-text
      comprehension.
AB  - Reading comprehension depends on neural processes supporting the access,
      understanding, and storage of words over time. Examinations of the neural
      activity correlated with reading have contributed to our understanding of reading
      comprehension, especially for the comprehension of sentences and short passages.
      However, the neural activity associated with comprehending an extended text is
      not well-understood. Here we describe a current-source-density (CSD) index that
      predicts individual differences in the comprehension of an extended text. The
      index is the difference in CSD-transformed event-related potentials (ERPs) to a
      target word between two conditions: a comprehension condition with words from a
      story presented in their original order, and a scrambled condition with the same
      words presented in a randomized order. In both conditions participants responded
      to the target word, and in the comprehension condition they also tried to follow
      the story in preparation for a comprehension test. We reasoned that the
      spatiotemporal pattern of difference-CSDs would reflect comprehension-related
      processes beyond word-level processing. We used a pattern-classification method
      to identify the component of the difference-CSDs that accurately (88%)
      discriminated good from poor comprehenders. The critical CSD index was focused at
      a frontal-midline scalp site, occurred 400-500 ms after target-word onset, and
      was strongly correlated with comprehension performance. Behavioral data indicated
      that group differences in effort or motor preparation could not explain these
      results. Further, our CSD index appears to be distinct from the well-known P300
      and N400 components, and CSD transformation seems to be crucial for
      distinguishing good from poor comprehenders using our experimental paradigm. Once
      our CSD index is fully characterized, this neural signature of individual
      differences in extended-text comprehension may aid the diagnosis and remediation
      of reading comprehension deficits. 

PMID- 24223541
TI  - The eye-voice lead during oral reading in developmental dyslexia.
AB  - In reading aloud, the eye typically leads over voice position. In the present
      study, eye movements and voice utterances were simultaneously recorded and
      tracked during the reading of a meaningful text to evaluate the eye-voice lead in
      16 dyslexic and 16 same-age control readers. Dyslexic children were slower than
      control peers in reading texts. Their slowness was characterized by a great
      number of silent pauses and sounding-out behaviors and a small lengthening of
      word articulation times. Regarding eye movements, dyslexic readers made many more
      eye fixations (and generally smaller rightward saccades) than controls. Eye
      movements and voice (which were shifted in time because of the eye-voice lead)
      were synchronized in dyslexic readers as well as controls. As expected, the eye
      voice lead was significantly smaller in dyslexic than control readers, confirming
      early observations by Buswell (1921) and Fairbanks (1937). The eye-voice lead was
      significantly correlated with several eye movements and voice parameters,
      particularly number of fixations and silent pauses. The difference in performance
      between dyslexic and control readers across several eye and voice parameters was
      expressed by a ratio of about 2. We propose that referring to proportional
      differences allows for a parsimonious interpretation of the reading deficit in
      terms of a single deficit in word decoding. The possible source of this deficit
      may call for visual or phonological mechanisms, including Goswami's temporal
      sampling framework. 

PMID- 24223542
TI  - Reporting dream experience: Why (not) to be skeptical about dream reports.
AB  - Are dreams subjective experiences during sleep? Is it like something to dream, or
      is it only like something to remember dreams after awakening? Specifically, can
      dream reports be trusted to reveal what it is like to dream, and should they
      count as evidence for saying that dreams are conscious experiences at all? The
      goal of this article is to investigate the relationship between dreaming, dream
      reporting and subjective experience during sleep. I discuss different variants of
      philosophical skepticism about dream reporting and argue that they all fail.
      Consequently, skeptical doubts about the trustworthiness of dream reports are
      misguided, and for systematic reasons. I suggest an alternative, anti-skeptical
      account of the trustworthiness of dream reports. On this view, dream reports,
      when gathered under ideal reporting conditions and according to the principle of
      temporal proximity, are trustworthy (or transparent) with respect to conscious
      experience during sleep. The transparency assumption has the status of a
      methodologically necessary default assumption and is theoretically justified
      because it provides the best explanation of dream reporting. At the same time, it
      inherits important insights from the discussed variants of skepticism about dream
      reporting, suggesting that the careful consideration of these skeptical arguments
      ultimately leads to a positive account of why and under which conditions dream
      reports can and should be trusted. In this way, moderate distrust can be
      fruitfully combined with anti-skepticism about dream reporting. Several
      perspectives for future dream research and for the comparative study of dreaming
      and waking experience are suggested. 

PMID- 24223543
TI  - On the physiology of jouissance: interpreting the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward
      functions from a psychoanalytic perspective.
AB  - Jouissance is a Lacanian concept, infamous for being impervious to understanding
      and which expresses the paradoxical satisfaction that a subject may derive from
      his symptom. On the basis of Freud's "experience of satisfaction" we have
      proposed a first working definition of jouissance as the (benefit gained from)
      the motor tension underlying the action which was [once] adequate in bringing
      relief to the drive and, on the basis of their striking reciprocal resonances, we
      have proposed that central dopaminergic systems could embody the physiological
      architecture of Freud's concept of the drive. We have then distinguished two
      constitutive axes to jouissance: one concerns the subject's body and the other
      the subject's history. Four distinctive aspects of these axes are discussed both
      from a metapsychological and from a neuroscience point of view. We conclude that
      jouissance could be described as an accumulation of body tension, fuelling for
      action, but continuously balancing between reward and anxiety, and both marking
      the physiology of the body with the history of its commemoration and arising from
      this inscription as a constant push to act and to repeat. Moreover, it seems that
      the mesolimbic accumbens dopaminergic pathway is a reasonable candidate for its
      underlying physiological architecture. 

PMID- 24223544
TI  - Converging Pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Interplay between Synaptic
      Dysfunction and Immune Responses.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly heritable, yet genetically
      heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions. Recent genome-wide association and
      gene expression studies have provided evidence supporting the notion that the
      large number of genetic variants associated with ASD converge toward a core set
      of dysregulated biological processes. Here we review recent data demonstrating
      the involvement of synaptic dysfunction and abnormal immune responses in ASD, and
      discuss the functional interplay between the two phenomena. 

PMID- 24223545
TI  - The balanced mind: the variability of task-unrelated thoughts predicts error
      monitoring.
AB  - Self-generated thoughts unrelated to ongoing activities, also known as "mind
      wandering," make up a substantial portion of our daily lives. Reports of such
      task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs) predict both poor performance on demanding
      cognitive tasks and blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) activity in the default
      mode network (DMN). However, recent findings suggest that TUTs and the DMN can
      also facilitate metacognitive abilities and related behaviors. To further
      understand these relationships, we examined the influence of subjective
      intensity, ruminative quality, and variability of mind-wandering on response
      inhibition and monitoring, using the Error Awareness Task (EAT). We expected to
      replicate links between TUT and reduced inhibition, and explored whether variance
      in TUT would predict improved error monitoring, reflecting a capacity to balance
      between internal and external cognition. By analyzing BOLD responses to
      subjective probes and the EAT, we dissociated contributions of the DMN,
      executive, and salience networks to task performance. While both response
      inhibition and online TUT ratings modulated BOLD activity in the medial
      prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of the DMN, the former recruited a more dorsal area
      implying functional segregation. We further found that individual differences in
      mean TUTs strongly predicted EAT stop accuracy, while TUT variability
      specifically predicted levels of error awareness. Interestingly, we also observed
      co-activation of salience and default mode regions during error awareness,
      supporting a link between monitoring and TUTs. Altogether our results suggest
      that although TUT is detrimental to task performance, fluctuations in attention
      between self-generated and external task-related thought is a characteristic of
      individuals with greater metacognitive monitoring capacity. Achieving a balance
      between internally and externally oriented thought may thus aid individuals in
      optimizing their task performance. 

PMID- 24223547
TI  - Increased hippocampal volume and gene expression following cognitive behavioral
      therapy in PTSD.

PMID- 24223548
TI  - Perspectives for computational modeling of cell replacement for neurological
      disorders.
AB  - Mathematical modeling of anatomically-constrained neural networks has provided
      significant insights regarding the response of networks to neurological disorders
      or injury. A logical extension of these models is to incorporate treatment
      regimens to investigate network responses to intervention. The addition of
      nascent neurons from stem cell precursors into damaged or diseased tissue has
      been used as a successful therapeutic tool in recent decades. Interestingly,
      models have been developed to examine the incorporation of new neurons into
      intact adult structures, particularly the dentate granule neurons of the
      hippocampus. These studies suggest that the unique properties of maturing
      neurons, can impact circuit behavior in unanticipated ways. In this perspective,
      we review the current status of models used to examine damaged CNS structures
      with particular focus on cortical damage due to stroke. Secondly, we suggest that
      computational modeling of cell replacement therapies can be made feasible by
      implementing approaches taken by current models of adult neurogenesis. The
      development of these models is critical for generating hypotheses regarding
      transplant therapies and improving outcomes by tailoring transplants to desired
      effects. 

PMID- 24223546
TI  - Emotion regulation, attention to emotion, and the ventral attentional network.
AB  - ACCOUNTS OF THE EFFECT OF EMOTIONAL INFORMATION ON BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE AND
      CURRENT MODELS OF EMOTION REGULATION ARE BASED ON TWO OPPOSED BUT INTERACTING
      PROCESSES: automatic bottom-up processes (triggered by emotionally arousing
      stimuli) and top-down control processes (mapped to prefrontal cortical areas).
      Data on the existence of a third attentional network operating without recourse
      to limited-capacity processes but influencing response raise the issue of how it
      is integrated in emotion regulation. We summarize here data from attention to
      emotion, voluntary emotion regulation, and on the origin of biases against
      negative content suggesting that the ventral network is modulated by exposure to
      emotional stimuli when the task does not constrain the handling of emotional
      content. In the parietal lobes, preferential activation of ventral areas
      associated with "bottom-up" attention by ventral network theorists is strongest
      in studies of cognitive reappraisal. In conditions when no explicit instruction
      is given to change one's response to emotional stimuli, control of emotionally
      arousing stimuli is observed without concomitant activation of the dorsal
      attentional network, replaced by a shift of activation toward ventral areas. In
      contrast, in studies where emotional stimuli are placed in the role of
      distracter, the observed deactivation of these ventral semantic association areas
      is consistent with the existence of proactive control on the role emotional
      representations are allowed to take in generating response. It is here argued
      that attentional orienting mechanisms located in the ventral network constitute
      an intermediate kind of process, with features only partially in common with
      effortful and automatic processes, which plays an important role in handling
      emotion by conveying the influence of semantic networks, with which the ventral
      network is co-localized. Current neuroimaging work in emotion regulation has
      neglected this system by focusing on a bottom-up/top-down dichotomy of
      attentional control. 

PMID- 24223549
TI  - Temporal binding of sound emerges out of anatomical structure and synaptic
      dynamics of auditory cortex.
AB  - The ability to represent and recognize naturally occuring sounds such as speech
      depends not only on spectral analysis carried out by the subcortical auditory
      system but also on the ability of the cortex to bind spectral information over
      time. In primates, these temporal binding processes are mirrored as selective
      responsiveness of neurons to species-specific vocalizations. Here, we used
      computational modeling of auditory cortex to investigate how selectivity to
      spectrally and temporally complex stimuli is achieved. A set of 208 microcolumns
      were arranged in a serial core-belt-parabelt structure documented in both humans
      and animals. Stimulus material comprised multiple consonant-vowel (CV)
      pseudowords. Selectivity to the spectral structure of the sounds was commonly
      found in all regions of the model (N = 122 columns out of 208), and this
      selectivity was only weakly affected by manipulating the structure and dynamics
      of the model. In contrast, temporal binding was rarer (N = 39), found mostly in
      the belt and parabelt regions. Thus, the serial core-belt-parabelt structure of
      auditory cortex is necessary for temporal binding. Further, adaptation due to
      synaptic depression-rendering the cortical network malleable by stimulus history
      was crucial for the emergence of neurons sensitive to the temporal structure of
      the stimuli. Both spectral selectivity and temporal binding required that a
      sufficient proportion of the columns interacted in an inhibitory manner. The
      model and its structural modifications had a small-world structure (i.e., columns
      formed clusters and were within short node-to-node distances from each other).
      However, simulations showed that a small-world structure is not a necessary
      condition for spectral selectivity and temporal binding to emerge. In summary,
      this study suggests that temporal binding arises out of (1) the serial structure
      typical to the auditory cortex, (2) synaptic adaptation, and (3) inhibitory
      interactions between microcolumns. 

PMID- 24223550
TI  - Simultaneous stability and sensitivity in model cortical networks is achieved
      through anti-correlations between the in- and out-degree of connectivity.
AB  - Neuronal networks in rodent barrel cortex are characterized by stable low
      baseline firing rates. However, they are sensitive to the action potentials of
      single neurons as suggested by recent single-cell stimulation experiments that
      reported quantifiable behavioral responses in response to short spike trains
      elicited in single neurons. Hence, these networks are stable against internally
      generated fluctuations in firing rate but at the same time remain sensitive to
      similarly-sized externally induced perturbations. We investigated stability and
      sensitivity in a simple recurrent network of stochastic binary neurons and
      determined numerically the effects of correlation between the number of afferent
      ("in-degree") and efferent ("out-degree") connections in neurons. The key advance
      reported in this work is that anti-correlation between in-/out-degree
      distributions increased the stability of the network in comparison to networks
      with no correlation or positive correlations, while being able to achieve the
      same level of sensitivity. The experimental characterization of degree
      distributions is difficult because all pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons
      have to be identified and counted. We explored whether the statistics of network
      motifs, which requires the characterization of connections between small subsets
      of neurons, could be used to detect evidence for degree anti-correlations. We
      find that the sample frequency of the 3-neuron "ring" motif (1->2->3->1), can be
      used to detect degree anti-correlation for sub-networks of size 30 using about 50
      samples, which is of significance because the necessary measurements are
      achievable experimentally in the near future. Taken together, we hypothesize that
      barrel cortex networks exhibit degree anti-correlations and specific network
      motif statistics. 

PMID- 24223551
TI  - Northwestern University Schizophrenia Data and Software Tool (NUSDAST).
AB  - The schizophrenia research community has invested substantial resources on
      collecting, managing and sharing large neuroimaging datasets. As part of this
      effort, our group has collected high resolution magnetic resonance (MR) datasets
      from individuals with schizophrenia, their non-psychotic siblings, healthy
      controls and their siblings. This effort has resulted in a growing resource, the
      Northwestern University Schizophrenia Data and Software Tool (NUSDAST), an NIH
      funded data sharing project to stimulate new research. This resource resides on
      XNAT Central, and it contains neuroimaging (MR scans, landmarks and surface maps
      for deep subcortical structures, and FreeSurfer cortical parcellation and
      measurement data), cognitive (cognitive domain scores for crystallized
      intelligence, working memory, episodic memory, and executive function), clinical
      (demographic, sibling relationship, SAPS and SANS psychopathology), and genetic
      (20 polymorphisms) data, collected from more than 450 subjects, most with 2-year
      longitudinal follow-up. A neuroimaging mapping, analysis and visualization
      software tool, CAWorks, is also part of this resource. Moreover, in making our
      existing neuroimaging data along with the associated meta-data and computational
      tools publically accessible, we have established a web-based information
      retrieval portal that allows the user to efficiently search the collection. This
      research-ready dataset meaningfully combines neuroimaging data with other
      relevant information, and it can be used to help facilitate advancing
      neuroimaging research. It is our hope that this effort will help to overcome some
      of the commonly recognized technical barriers in advancing neuroimaging research
      such as lack of local organization and standard descriptions. 

PMID- 24223552
TI  - Robust active binocular vision through intrinsically motivated learning.
AB  - The efficient coding hypothesis posits that sensory systems of animals strive to
      encode sensory signals efficiently by taking into account the redundancies in
      them. This principle has been very successful in explaining response properties
      of visual sensory neurons as adaptations to the statistics of natural images.
      Recently, we have begun to extend the efficient coding hypothesis to active
      perception through a form of intrinsically motivated learning: a sensory model
      learns an efficient code for the sensory signals while a reinforcement learner
      generates movements of the sense organs to improve the encoding of the signals.
      To this end, it receives an intrinsically generated reinforcement signal
      indicating how well the sensory model encodes the data. This approach has been
      tested in the context of binocular vison, leading to the autonomous development
      of disparity tuning and vergence control. Here we systematically investigate the
      robustness of the new approach in the context of a binocular vision system
      implemented on a robot. Robustness is an important aspect that reflects the
      ability of the system to deal with unmodeled disturbances or events, such as
      insults to the system that displace the stereo cameras. To demonstrate the
      robustness of our method and its ability to self-calibrate, we introduce various
      perturbations and test if and how the system recovers from them. We find that (1)
      the system can fully recover from a perturbation that can be compensated through
      the system's motor degrees of freedom, (2) performance degrades gracefully if the
      system cannot use its motor degrees of freedom to compensate for the
      perturbation, and (3) recovery from a perturbation is improved if both the
      sensory encoding and the behavior policy can adapt to the perturbation. Overall,
      this work demonstrates that our intrinsically motivated learning approach for
      efficient coding in active perception gives rise to a self-calibrating perceptual
      system of high robustness. 

PMID- 24223553
TI  - Characterization of affective states by pupillary dynamics and autonomic
      correlates.
AB  - With the recent advent of new recording devices and an easier access to signal
      processing tools, researchers are increasingly exploring and studying the Pupil
      Dilation (PD) signal. Recently, numerous studies pointed out the relations
      between PD dynamics and psychophysiological states. Although it is well known
      that PD is controlled by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), and ANS responses
      are related to emotional events/stimuli, the relationship between emotional
      states and PD is still an open issue. The aim of this study is to define the
      statistical properties of the PD signal, to understand its relation with ANS
      correlates such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and respiration (RESP), and to
      explore if PD could provide information for the evaluation of the
      psychophysiological response of ANS to affective triggering events. ECG, RESP,
      and PD data from 13 normal subjects were recorded during a memory recall
      paradigm, and processed with spectral and cross-spectral analysis. Our results
      demonstrate that variability indices extracted from fast PD oscillations, not
      observable through standard cardiorespiratory identification in the frequency
      domain, would be able to discern psychophysiological responses elicited by basic
      emotional stimuli. A strong linear coupling was found between the variables, due
      to the influence of RESP on both PD and HRV within the High Frequency (HF) band,
      from 0.15 to 0.45 Hz. Most importantly, our results point at PD features as
      possible candidates for characterizing basic emotional stimuli. 

PMID- 24223554
TI  - Blood-brain transfer of Pittsburgh compound B in humans.
AB  - In the labeled form, the Pittsburgh compound B (2-(4'-{N-methyl-[(11)C]}methyl
      aminophenyl)-6-hydroxy-benzothiazole, [(11)C]PiB), is used as a biomarker for
      positron emission tomography (PET) of brain beta-amyloid deposition in
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). The permeability of [(11)C]PiB in the blood-brain
      barrier is held to be high but the permeability-surface area product and
      extraction fractions in patients or healthy volunteers are not known. We used PET
      to determine the clearance associated with the unidrectional blood-brain transfer
      of [(11)C]PiB and the corresponding cerebral blood flow rates in frontal lobe,
      whole cerebral cortex, and cerebellum of patients with Alzheimer's disease and
      healthy volunteers. Regional cerebral blood flow rates differed significantly
      between the two groups. Thus, regional and whole-brain permeability-surface area
      products were identical, in agreement with the observation that numerically, but
      insignificantly, unidirectional blood-brain clearances are lower and extraction
      fractions higher in the patients. The evidence of unchanged permeability-surface
      area products in the patients implies that blood flow changes can be deduced from
      the unidirectional blood-brain clearances of [(11)C]PiB in the patients. 

PMID- 24223555
TI  - Accumulation of MRI Markers of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease is Associated with
      Decreased Cognitive Function. A Study in First-Ever Lacunar Stroke and
      Hypertensive Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: White matter lesions (WMLs), asymptomatic lacunar infarcts, brain
      microbleeds (BMBs), and enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) have been identified
      as silent lesions due to cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). All these markers
      have been individually linked to cognitive functioning, but are also strongly
      correlated with each other. The combined effect of these markers on cognitive
      function has never been studied and would possibly provide more useful
      information on the effect on cognitive function. METHODS: Brain MRI and extensive
      neuropsychological assessment were performed in 189 patients at risk for cSVD
      (112 hypertensive patients and 77 first-ever lacunar stroke patients). We rated
      the presence of any asymptomatic lacunar infarct, extensive WMLs, any deep BMB,
      and moderate to extensive EPVS in the basal ganglia. The presence of each marker
      was summed to an ordinal score between 0 and 4. Associations with domains of
      cognitive function (memory, executive function, information processing speed, and
      overall cognition) were analyzed with correlation analyses. RESULTS: Correlation
      analyses revealed significant associations between accumulating cSVD burden and
      decreased performance on all cognitive domains (all p <= 0.001). RESULTS remained
      significant for information processing speed (r = -0.181, p = 0.013) and overall
      cognition (r = -0.178, p = 0.017), after correction for age and sex. Testing of
      trend using linear regression analyses revealed the same results. DISCUSSION: We
      tested a new approach to capture total brain damage resulting from cSVD and found
      that accumulation of MRI burden of cSVD is associated with decreased performance
      on tests of information processing speed and overall cognition, implying that
      accumulating brain damage is accompanied by worse cognitive functioning.

PMID- 24223556
TI  - Missing signposts on the roadmap to quality: a call to improve medication
      adherence indicators in data collection for population research.
AB  - PURPOSE: Poor adherence to prescribed medicines is associated with increased
      rates of poor outcomes, including hospitalization, serious adverse events, and
      death, and is also associated with increased healthcare costs. However, current
      approaches to evaluation of medication adherence using real-world electronic
      health records (EHRs) or claims data may miss critical opportunities for data
      capture and fall short in modeling and representing the full complexity of the
      healthcare environment. We sought to explore a framework for understanding and
      improving data capture for medication adherence in a population-based
      intervention in four U.S. counties. APPROACH: We posited that application of a
      data model and a process matrix when designing data collection for medication
      adherence would improve identification of variables and data accessibility, and
      could support future research on medication-taking behaviors. We then constructed
      a use case in which data related to medication adherence would be leveraged to
      support improved healthcare quality, clinical outcomes, and efficiency of
      healthcare delivery in a population-based intervention for persons with diabetes.
      Because EHRs in use at participating sites were deemed incapable of supplying the
      needed data, we applied a taxonomic approach to identify and define variables of
      interest. We then applied a process matrix methodology, in which we identified
      key research goals and chose optimal data domains and their respective data
      elements, to instantiate the resulting data model. CONCLUSIONS: Combining a
      taxonomic approach with a process matrix methodology may afford significant
      benefits when designing data collection for clinical and population-based
      research in the arena of medication adherence. Such an approach can effectively
      depict complex real-world concepts and domains by "mapping" the relationships
      between disparate contributors to medication adherence and describing their
      relative contributions to the shared goals of improved healthcare quality,
      outcomes, and cost.

PMID- 24223558
TI  - The N-terminal cytoplasmic region of NCBE displays features of an intrinsic
      disordered structure and represents a novel target for specific drug screening.
AB  - The sodium dependent bicarbonate transporter NCBE/NBCn2 is predominantly
      expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). The highest protein concentrations
      are found in the choroid plexus. The primary function of this integral plasma
      membrane transport protein is to regulate intracellular neuronal pH and also
      probably to maintain the pH homeostasis across the blood-cerebrospinal fluid
      barrier. NCBE is predicted to contain at least 10 transmembrane helices. The N-
      and C- termini are both cytoplasmic, with a large N-terminal domain (Nt-NCBE) and
      a relatively small C-terminal domain (Ct-NCBE). The Nt-NCBE is likely to be
      involved in bicarbonate recognition and transport and contains key areas of
      regulation involving pH sensing and protein-protein interactions. Intrinsic
      disordered protein regions (IDPRs) are defined as protein regions having no rigid
      three-dimensional structure under physiological conditions. They are believed to
      be involved in signaling networks in which specific, low affinity, protein
      protein interactions play an important role. We predict that NCBE and other
      SoLute Carrier 4 (SLC4) family members have a high level of intrinsic disorder in
      their cytoplasmic regions. To provide biophysical evidence for the IDPRs
      predicted in Nt-NCBE, we produced pure (>99%), recombinant Nt-NCBE using E. coli
      as the expression host. The protein was used to perform differential scanning
      fluorescence spectroscopy (DSF), in order to search for small molecules that
      would induce secondary or tertiary structure in the IDPRs. We expect this to
      assist the development of selective pharmaceutical compounds against individual
      SLC4 family members. We have also determined a low resolution (4 A) X-ray crystal
      structure of the N-terminal core domain. The N-terminal cytoplasmic domain (cdb3)
      of anion exchanger 1 (AE1) shares a similar fold with the N-terminal core domain
      of NCBE. Crystallization conditions for the full-length N-terminal domain have
      been sought, but only the core domain yields diffracting crystals. 

PMID- 24223557
TI  - Cardiovascular reactivity, stress, and physical activity.
AB  - Psychological stress has been proposed as a major contributor to the progression
      of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Acute mental stress can activate the sympathetic
      adrenal-medullary (SAM) axis, eliciting the release of catecholamines (NE and
      EPI) resulting in the elevation of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP).
      Combined stress (psychological and physical) can exacerbate these cardiovascular
      responses, which may partially contribute to the elevated risk of CVD and
      increased proportionate mortality risks experienced by some occupations (e.g.,
      firefighting and law enforcement). Studies have supported the benefits of
      physical activity on physiological and psychological health, including the
      cardiovascular response to acute stress. Aerobically trained individuals exhibit
      lower sympathetic nervous system (e.g., HR) reactivity and enhanced
      cardiovascular efficiency (e.g., lower vascular reactivity and decreased recovery
      time) in response to physical and/or psychological stress. In addition,
      resistance training has been demonstrated to attenuate cardiovascular responses
      and improve mental health. This review will examine stress-induced cardiovascular
      reactivity and plausible explanations for how exercise training and physical
      fitness (aerobic and resistance exercise) can attenuate cardiovascular responses
      to stress. This enhanced functionality may facilitate a reduction in the
      incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction. Finally, this review will also
      address the interaction of obesity and physical activity on cardiovascular
      reactivity and CVD. 

PMID- 24223560
TI  - Statistics on cannabis users skew perceptions of cannabis use.
AB  - Collecting information about the prevalence of cannabis use is necessary but not
      sufficient for understanding the size, dynamics, and outcomes associated with
      cannabis markets. This paper uses two data sets describing cannabis consumption
      in the United States and Europe to highlight (1) differences in inferences about
      sub-populations based on the measure used to quantify cannabis-related activity;
      (2) how different measures of cannabis-related activity can be used to more
      accurately describe trends in cannabis usage over time; and (3) the correlation
      between frequency of use in the past-month and average grams consumed per use
      day. KEY FINDINGS: focusing on days of use instead of prevalence shows
      substantially greater increases in U.S. cannabis use in recent years; however,
      the recent increase is mostly among adults, not youth. Relatively more rapid
      growth in use days also occurred among the college-educated and Hispanics.
      Further, data from a survey conducted in seven European countries show a strong
      positive correlation between frequency of use and quantity consumed per day of
      use, suggesting consumption is even more skewed toward the minority of heavy
      users than is suggested by days-of-use calculations.

PMID- 24223559
TI  - Adrenoreceptors and nitric oxide in the cardiovascular system.
AB  - Nitric Oxide (NO) is a small molecule that continues to attract much attention
      from the scientific community. Since its discovery, it has been evident that NO
      has a crucial role in the modulation of vascular tone. Moreover, NO is involved
      in multiple signal transduction pathways thus contributing to the regulation of
      many cellular functions. NO effects can be either dependent or independent on
      cGMP, and rely also upon several mechanisms such as the amount of NO, the
      compartmentalization of the enzymes responsible for its biosynthesis (NOS), and
      the local redox conditions. Several evidences highlighted the correlation among
      adrenoreceptors activity, vascular redox status and NO bioavailability. It was
      suggested a possible crosstalk between NO and oxidative stress hallmarks in the
      endothelium function and adaptation, and in sympathetic vasoconstriction control.
      Adrenergic vasoconstriction is a balance between a direct vasoconstrictive effect
      on smooth muscle and an indirect vasorelaxant action caused by alpha2- and beta
      adrenergic endothelial receptor-triggered NO release. An increased oxidative
      stress and a reduction of NO bioavailability shifts this equilibrium causing the
      enhanced vascular adrenergic responsiveness observed in hypertension. The
      activity of NOS contributes to manage the adrenergic pathway, thus supporting the
      idea that the endothelium might control or facilitate beta-adrenergic effects on
      the vessels and the polymorphic variants in beta2-receptors and NOS isoforms
      could influence aging, some pathological conditions and individual responses to
      drugs. This seems to be dependent, almost in part, on differences in the control
      of vascular tone exerted by NO. Given its involvement in such important
      mechanisms, the NO pathway is implicated in aging process and in both
      cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular conditions. Thus, it is essential to
      pinpoint NO involvement in the regulation of vascular tone for the effective
      clinical/therapeutic management of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). 

PMID- 24223561
TI  - Mirror-touch and ticker tape experiences in synesthesia.
AB  - A fundamental question in the field of synesthesia is whether it is associated
      with other cognitive phenomena. The current study examined synesthesia's
      connections with phenomenal traits of mirror-touch and ticker tape experiences,
      as well as the representation of the three phenomena in the population, across
      gender and domain of work/study. Mirror-touch is the automatic, involuntary
      experience of tactile sensation on one's own body when others are being touched.
      For example, seeing another person's arm being stroked can evoke physical touch
      sensation on one's own arm. Ticker tape is the automatic visualization of spoken
      words or thoughts, such as a teleprompter. For example, when spoken to, a ticker
      taper might see mentally the spoken words displayed in front of his face or as
      coming out of the speaker's mouth. To explore synesthesia's associations with
      these phenomena, a diverse group (n = 3743) was systematically recruited from
      eight universities and one public museum in France to complete an online
      screening. Of the 1017 eligible respondents, synesthetes (across all subtypes)
      reported higher rates of mirror-touch and ticker tape than non-synesthetes,
      suggesting that synesthesia is associated with these phenomenal traits. However,
      effect sizes were small and we could not rule out that response bias influenced
      these associations. Mirror-touch and ticker tape were independent. No differences
      were found across gender or domain of work and study in prevalence of
      synesthesia, mirror-touch or ticker tape. The prevalence of ticker tape, unknown
      so far, was estimated at about 7%, an intermediate rate between estimates of
      grapheme-color (2-4%) and sequence-space synesthesia (9-14%). Within synesthesia,
      grapheme-personification, also called ordinal-linguistic personification (OLP)
      was the most common subtype and was estimated around 12%. Co-occurences of the
      different types of synesthesia were higher than chance, though at the level of
      small effect sizes. 

PMID- 24223562
TI  - Expectations in culturally unfamiliar music: influences of proximal and distal
      cues and timbral characteristics.
AB  - Listeners' musical perception is influenced by cues that can be stored in short
      term memory (e.g., within the same musical piece) or long-term memory (e.g.,
      based on one's own musical culture). The present study tested how these cues
      (referred to as, respectively, proximal and distal cues) influence the perception
      of music from an unfamiliar culture. Western listeners who were naive to Gamelan
      music judged completeness and coherence for newly constructed melodies in the
      Balinese gamelan tradition. In these melodies, we manipulated the final tone with
      three possibilities: the original gong tone, an in-scale tone replacement or an
      out-of-scale tone replacement. We also manipulated the musical timbre employed in
      Gamelan pieces. We hypothesized that novice listeners are sensitive to out-of
      scale changes, but not in-scale changes, and that this might be influenced by the
      more unfamiliar timbre created by Gamelan "sister" instruments whose harmonics
      beat with the harmonics of the other instrument, creating a timbrally
      "shimmering" sound. The results showed: (1) out-of-scale endings were judged less
      complete than original gong and in-scale endings; (2) for melodies played with
      "sister" instruments, in-scale endings were judged as less complete than original
      endings. Furthermore, melodies using the original scale tones were judged more
      coherent than melodies containing few or multiple tone replacements; melodies
      played on single instruments were judged more coherent than the same melodies
      played on sister instruments. Additionally, there is some indication of within
      session statistical learning, with expectations for the initially-novel materials
      developing during the course of the experiment. The data suggest the influence of
      both distal cues (e.g., previously unfamiliar timbres) and proximal cues (within
      the same sequence and over the experimental session) on the perception of
      melodies from other cultural systems based on unfamiliar tunings and scale
      systems. 

PMID- 24223563
TI  - The acoustic and perceptual cues affecting melody segregation for listeners with
      a cochlear implant.
AB  - Our ability to listen selectively to single sound sources in complex auditory
      environments is termed "auditory stream segregation."This ability is affected by
      peripheral disorders such as hearing loss, as well as plasticity in central
      processing such as occurs with musical training. Brain plasticity induced by
      musical training can enhance the ability to segregate sound, leading to
      improvements in a variety of auditory abilities. The melody segregation ability
      of 12 cochlear-implant recipients was tested using a new method to determine the
      perceptual distance needed to segregate a simple 4-note melody from a background
      of interleaved random-pitch distractor notes. In experiment 1, participants rated
      the difficulty of segregating the melody from distracter notes. Four physical
      properties of the distracter notes were changed. In experiment 2, listeners were
      asked to rate the dissimilarity between melody patterns whose notes differed on
      the four physical properties simultaneously. Multidimensional scaling analysis
      transformed the dissimilarity ratings into perceptual distances. Regression
      between physical and perceptual cues then derived the minimal perceptual distance
      needed to segregate the melody. The most efficient streaming cue for CI users was
      loudness. For the normal hearing listeners without musical backgrounds, a greater
      difference on the perceptual dimension correlated to the temporal envelope is
      needed for stream segregation in CI users. No differences in streaming efficiency
      were found between the perceptual dimensions linked to the F0 and the spectral
      envelope. Combined with our previous results in normally-hearing musicians and
      non-musicians, the results show that differences in training as well as
      differences in peripheral auditory processing (hearing impairment and the use of
      a hearing device) influences the way that listeners use different acoustic cues
      for segregating interleaved musical streams. 

PMID- 24223565
TI  - The conceptual/procedural distinction belongs to strategies, not tasks: A comment
      on Gabriel et al. (2013).

PMID- 24223564
TI  - Aging mind and brain: is implicit learning spared in healthy aging?
AB  - It is often held that although explicit learning declines in the course of normal
      aging, implicit learning is relatively preserved. Here we summarize research from
      our group which leads us to argue that some forms of implicit learning do decline
      with adult age. In particular, we propose that there are age-related declines in
      implicit learning of probabilistic sequential relationships that occur across the
      adult lifespan, and that they reflect, at least in part, age-related striatal
      dysfunction. We first review behavioral evidence supporting this age-related
      decline and then evidence from patient groups, genetics, and neuroimaging
      supporting this striatal dysfunction hypothesis. 

PMID- 24223566
TI  - The history of reimbursements in neurology.
AB  - The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) addresses consumer
      protection, employer-provided insurance coverage, as well as the government's
      role in providing health care access to the most vulnerable populations. Within
      the practice of neurology, the PPACA has the challenging goal of reconciling the
      needs of the growing elderly population with the financial barriers to costly yet
      available health care services. To bridge that gap, all health care professionals
      working in the field of neurology must reflect on the effect previous Medicare
      reimbursement policies have had on the current practice of neurology, and utilize
      lessons learned in recent years. The test of time will tell whether the PPACA
      will achieve the goal of decreasing in health care spending while ensuring
      quality universal healthcare services. 

PMID- 24223567
TI  - Kinematic and neurophysiological consequences of an assisted-force-feedback brain
      machine interface training: a case study.
AB  - In a proof-of-principle prototypical demonstration we describe a new type of
      brain-machine interface (BMI) paradigm for upper limb motor-training. The
      proposed technique allows a fast contingent and proportionally modulated
      stimulation of afferent proprioceptive and motor output neural pathways using
      operant learning. Continuous and immediate assisted-feedback of force
      proportional to rolandic rhythm oscillations during actual movements was employed
      and illustrated with a single case experiment. One hemiplegic patient was trained
      for 2 weeks coupling somatosensory brain oscillations with force-field control
      during a robot-mediated center-out motor-task whose execution approaches
      movements of everyday life. The robot facilitated actual movements adding a
      modulated force directed to the target, thus providing a non-delayed
      proprioceptive feedback. Neuro-electric, kinematic, and motor-behavioral measures
      were recorded in pre- and post-assessments without force assistance. Patient's
      healthy arm was used as control since neither a placebo control was possible nor
      other control conditions. We observed a generalized and significant kinematic
      improvement in the affected arm and a spatial accuracy improvement in both arms,
      together with an increase and focalization of the somatosensory rhythm changes
      used to provide assisted-force-feedback. The interpretation of the
      neurophysiological and kinematic evidences reported here is strictly related to
      the repetition of the motor-task and the presence of the assisted-force-feedback.
      Results are described as systematic observations only, without firm conclusions
      about the effectiveness of the methodology. In this prototypical view, the design
      of appropriate control conditions is discussed. This study presents a novel
      operant-learning-based BMI-application for motor-training coupling brain
      oscillations and force feedback during an actual movement. 

PMID- 24223568
TI  - Quality of residual neuromuscular control and functional deficits in patients
      with spinal cord injury.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the
      relationship between motor control and clinical function outcomes after spinal
      cord injury (SCI). SETTING: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
      MATERIALS: Eleven persons with SCI and 5 non-injured subjects were included in
      this study. METHODS: The ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) was used to categorize
      injury level and severity. Multi-muscle, surface EMG (sEMG) recording, was
      carried out using a protocol of reflex and volitional motor tasks and was
      analyzed using a vector-based tool that calculates index values that relate a
      distribution of multi-muscle activation pattern of each SCI subject to the
      prototype obtained from non-injured subject group and presents overall magnitude
      as a separate value. Functional Independence Measure motor sub-scale, Spinal Cord
      Injury Independence Measure (SCIM-III), and Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury
      (WISCI) scale scores were compared to neurophysiological parameters. RESULTS: AIS
      category and injury level correlated significantly with the WISCI and SCIM
      mobility sub-scales. sEMG-derived parameters were significantly correlated with
      SCIM and WISCI scores but only for examinations carried out 48 or more days post
      injury. CONCLUSION: These results supported the hypothesis that clinically
      relevant function after SCI is related to the degree to which functional
      organization within the central nervous system is disrupted. Further, due likely
      to the constraints placed on the expression of functional ability by early post
      injury immobilization and hospitalization, neurophysiological assessment of motor
      function may provide better sensitivity and reliability than can be obtained
      using the clinical function scales examined here within the early period after
      injury.

PMID- 24223569
TI  - Identification of the Epileptogenic Zone from Stereo-EEG Signals: A Connectivity
      Graph Theory Approach.
AB  - In the context of focal drug-resistant epilepsies, the surgical resection of the
      epileptogenic zone (EZ), the cortical region responsible for the onset, early
      seizures organization, and propagation, may be the only therapeutic option for
      reducing or suppressing seizures. The rather high rate of failure in epilepsy
      surgery of extra-temporal epilepsies highlights that the precise identification
      of the EZ, mandatory objective to achieve seizure freedom, is still an unsolved
      problem that requires more sophisticated methods of investigation. Despite the
      wide range of non-invasive investigations, intracranial stereo-EEG (SEEG)
      recordings still represent, in many patients, the gold standard for the EZ
      identification. In this contest, the EZ localization is still based on visual
      analysis of SEEG, inevitably affected by the drawback of subjectivity and
      strongly time-consuming. Over the last years, considerable efforts have been made
      to develop advanced signal analysis techniques able to improve the identification
      of the EZ. Particular attention has been paid to those methods aimed at
      quantifying and characterizing the interactions and causal relationships between
      neuronal populations, since is nowadays well assumed that epileptic phenomena are
      associated with abnormal changes in brain synchronization mechanisms, and initial
      evidence has shown the suitability of this approach for the EZ localization. The
      aim of this review is to provide an overview of the different EEG signal
      processing methods applied to study connectivity between distinct brain cortical
      regions, namely in focal epilepsies. In addition, with the aim of localizing the
      EZ, the approach based on graph theory will be described, since the study of the
      topological properties of the networks has strongly improved the study of brain
      connectivity mechanisms. 

PMID- 24223570
TI  - Muscarinic modulation of high frequency oscillations in pedunculopontine neurons.
AB  - We previously reported that persistent application of the non-specific
      cholinergic agonist carbachol (CAR) increased the frequency of calcium channel
      mediated oscillatory activity in pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) neurons, which we
      identified as dependent on voltage-gated, high-threshold P/Q-type channels. Here,
      we tested the hypothesis that M2 muscarinic receptors and G-proteins associated
      with M2 receptors mediate the increase in oscillatory frequency in PPN neurons.
      We found, using depolarizing ramps, that patch clamped 9-12 day old rat PPN
      neurons (n = 189) reached their peak oscillatory activity around -20 mV membrane
      potential. Acute (short duration) application of CAR blocked the oscillatory
      activity through M2 muscarinic receptors, an effect blocked by atropine. However,
      persistent (long duration) application of CAR significantly increased the
      frequency of oscillatory activity in PPN neurons through M2 receptors [40 +/- 1
      Hz (with CAR) vs. 23 +/- 1 Hz (without CAR); p < 0.001]. We then tested the
      effects of the G-protein antagonist guanosine 5'-[beta-thio] diphosphate
      trilithium salt (GDP-beta-S), and the G-protein agonist 5'-[gamma-thio]
      triphosphate trilithium salt (GTP-gamma-S). We found, using a three-step protocol
      in voltage-clamp mode, that the increase in the frequency of oscillations induced
      by M2 cholinergic receptors was linked to a voltage-dependent G-protein
      mechanism. In summary, these results suggest that persistent cholinergic input
      creates a permissive activation state in the PPN that allows high frequency P/Q
      type calcium channel-mediated gamma oscillations to occur. 

PMID- 24223571
TI  - Resting state interhemispheric motor connectivity and white matter integrity
      correlate with motor impairment in chronic stroke.
AB  - Functional and structural reorganization in the brain occurs after stroke. The
      ability to predict motor outcomes may depend on patterns of brain functional and
      structural connectivity. We tested the hypothesis that alterations in motor
      transcallosal and corticospinal connections correlate with motor impairment in
      patients with chronic stroke. Eleven ischemic stroke patients underwent the Upper
      Extremity Fugl-Meyer (UE-FM) assessment, resting state functional magnetic
      resonance imaging, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Twelve healthy control
      subjects underwent DTI. We assessed the temporal coupling in neural activity
      between interhemispheric motor cortex, and white matter integrity by means of
      fractional anisotropy (FA), in the transcallosal motor fibers and corticospinal
      tract. Partial correlation analyses were performed to determine whether these
      connectivity measures correlate with Upper UE-FM scores. Patients compared to
      controls had reduced FA in common voxels of transcallosal motor and ipsilesional
      corticospinal fibers. Within the patient group those with higher interhemispheric
      motor cortex connectivity and higher FA in the transcallosal motor fibers were
      less impaired. The results show that markers of functional and structural motor
      cortex connectivity correlate with motor impairment in the chronic stage of
      stroke. 

PMID- 24223572
TI  - FMRI of working memory impairment after recovery from subarachnoid hemorrhage.
AB  - Recovery from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is often incomplete and
      accompanied by subtle but persistent cognitive deficits. Previous
      neuropsychological reports indicate these deficits include most prominently
      memory impairment, with working memory particularly affected. The neural basis of
      these memory deficits remains unknown and unexplored by functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (fMRI). In the present study, patients who experienced (SAH)
      underwent fMRI during the performance of a verbal working memory paradigm.
      Behavioral results indicated a subtle but statistically significant impairment
      relative to healthy subjects in working memory performance accuracy, which was
      accompanied by relatively increased blood-oxygen level dependent signal in
      widespread left and right hemisphere cortical areas during periods of encoding,
      maintenance, and retrieval. Activity increases remained after factoring out inter
      individual differences in age and task performance, and included most notably
      left hemisphere regions associated with phonological loop processing, bilateral
      sensorimotor regions, and right hemisphere dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We
      conclude that deficits in verbal working memory following recovery from (SAH) are
      accompanied by widespread differences in hemodynamic correlates of neural
      activity. These differences are discussed with respect to the immediate and
      delayed focal and global brain damage that can occur following (SAH), and the
      possibility that this damage induces subcortical disconnection and subsequent
      decreased efficiency in neural processing. 

PMID- 24223573
TI  - Do studies on cortical plasticity provide a rationale for using non-invasive
      brain stimulation as a treatment for Parkinson's disease patients?
AB  - Animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) have shown that key mechanisms of
      cortical plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression
      (LTD) can be impaired by the PD pathology. In humans protocols of non-invasive
      brain stimulation, such as paired associative stimulation (PAS) and theta-burst
      stimulation (TBS), can be used to investigate cortical plasticity of the primary
      motor cortex. Through the amplitude of the motor evoked potential these
      transcranial magnetic stimulation methods allow to measure both LTP-like and LTD
      like mechanisms of cortical plasticity. So far these protocols have reported some
      controversial findings when tested in PD patients. While various studies
      described evidence for reduced LTP- and LTD-like plasticity, others showed
      different results, demonstrating increased LTP-like and normal LTD-like
      plasticity. Recent evidence provided support to the hypothesis that these
      different patterns of cortical plasticity likely depend on the stage of the
      disease and on the concomitant administration of l-DOPA. However, it is still
      unclear how and if these altered mechanisms of cortical plasticity can be taken
      as a reliable model to build appropriate protocols aimed at treating PD symptoms
      by applying repetitive sessions of repetitive TMS (rTMS) or transcranial direct
      current stimulation (tDCS). The current article will provide an up-to-date
      overview of these issues together with some reflections on future studies in the
      field. 

PMID- 24223574
TI  - High incidence of hypoglycemia from an audit of glycemic control and management
      in patients with diabetes in a cardiac unit.

PMID- 24223575
TI  - Ammonia-oxidizer communities in an agricultural soil treated with contrasting
      nitrogen sources.
AB  - The community of ammonia-oxidizing prokaryotes was examined in an agricultural
      soil treated for six seasons with contrasting nitrogen (N) sources. Molecular
      tools based on the genes encoding ammonia monooxygenase were used to characterize
      the ammonia oxidizer (AO) communities and their abundance. Soil DNA was extracted
      from soils sampled from silage corn plots that received no additional N
      (control), dairy waste compost, liquid dairy waste (LW), and ammonium sulfate
      (AS) treatments at approximately 100 and 200 kg available N ha(-1) over 6 years.
      The N treatment affected the quantity of AO based on estimates of amoA by real
      time PCR. Ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were higher in soils from the AS200,
      AS100, and LW200 treatments (2.5 * 10(7), 2.5 * 10(7), and 2.1 * 10(7)copies g(
      1) soil, respectively) than in the control (8.1 * 10(6) copies g(-1) soil) while
      the abundance of amoA encoding archaea [ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA)] was not
      significantly affected by treatment (3.8 * 10(7) copies g(-1) soil, average). The
      ratio of AOA/AOB was higher in the control and compost treated soils, both
      treatments have the majority of their ammonium supplied through mineralization of
      organic nitrogen. Clone libraries of partial amoA sequences indicated AOB related
      to Nitrosospira multiformis and AOA related to uncultured Nitrososphaera similar
      to those described by soil fosmid 54d9 were prevalent. Profiles of the amoC-amoA
      intergenic region indicated that both Nitrosospira- and Nitrosomonas-type AOB
      were present in all soils examined. In contrast to the intergenic amoC-amoA
      profile results, Nitrosomonas-like clones were recovered only in the LW200
      treated soil-DNA. The impact of 6 years of contrasting nitrogen sources
      applications caused changes in AO abundance while the community composition
      remained relatively stable for both AOB and AOA. 

PMID- 24223576
TI  - Four Promoters of IRF5 Respond Distinctly to Stimuli and are Affected by
      Autoimmune-Risk Polymorphisms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus,
      rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis affect millions of people worldwide.
      Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) contains polymorphisms associated with
      these autoimmune diseases. Two of these functional polymorphisms are found
      upstream of the IRF5 gene. rs2004640, which is a single nucleotide polymorphism
      and the CGGGG insertion/deletion (indel) were studied. IRF5 uses four different
      promoters for its four first exons: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. Each promoter was
      analyzed, including functional differences due to the autoimmune-risk
      polymorphisms. RESULTS: IRF5 promoters were analyzed using ChIP-Seq data (ENCODE
      database) and the FactorBook database to define transcription factor binding
      sites. To verify promoter activity, the promoters were cloned into luciferase
      plasmids. Each construct exhibited luciferase activity. Exons 1A and 1D contain
      putative PU.1 and NFkB binding sites. Imiquimod, a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7)
      ligand, was used to activate these transcription factors. IRF5 levels were
      doubled after imiquimod treatment (p < 0.001), with specific increases in the 1A
      promoter (2.2-fold, p = 0.03) and 1D promoter (2.8-fold, p = 0.03). A putative
      binding site for p53, which affects apoptosis, was found in the promoter for exon
      1B. However, site-directed mutagenesis of the p53 site showed no effect in a
      reporter assay. CONCLUSION: The IRF5 exon 1B promoter has been characterized, and
      the responses of each IRF5 promoter to TLR7 stimulation have been determined.
      Changes in promoter activity and gene expression are likely due to specific and
      distinct transcription factors that bind to each promoter. Since high expression
      of IRF5 contributes to the development of autoimmune disease, understanding the
      source of increased IRF5 levels is key to understanding autoimmune etiology.

PMID- 24223578
TI  - Biofortification: how can we exploit plant science and biotechnology to reduce
      micronutrient deficiencies?

PMID- 24223577
TI  - Modulation of NK cell function by genetically coupled C-type lectin-like
      receptor/ligand pairs encoded in the human natural killer gene complex.
AB  - Functional responses of natural killer (NK) cells including eradication of
      "harmful" cells and modulation of immune responses are regulated by a broad
      variety of activating and inhibitory NK receptors. Whereas the leukocyte receptor
      complex (LRC) encodes for NK receptors of the immunoglobulin superfamily, genes
      of C-type lectin-like NK receptors are clustered in the mammalian natural killer
      gene complex (NKC). Besides the thoroughly studied C-type lectin-like receptors
      NKG2D, CD94/NKG2x, and members of the murine Ly49 subfamily, the NKC also encodes
      for NK receptors of the less characterized NKRP1 subfamily. The prototypic mouse
      NKRP1 receptor is Nkrp1c (also known as NK1.1), while human members of the NKRP1
      subfamily are NKRP1A, NKp80, and NKp65. The latter are not straight homologs of
      mouse NKRP1 receptors, but share distinct subfamily-specific traits classifying
      them as members of the NKRP1 subfamily. Ligands of the human NKPR1 receptors are
      likewise C-type lectin-like glycoproteins belonging to the CLEC2 subfamily (i.e.,
      LLT1, AICL, and KACL), and are encoded in the NKC in tight genetic linkage to
      their respective receptors. Similarly, certain members of the mouse NKRP1
      subfamily interact with genetically coupled CLEC2 glycoproteins, while the
      reasons for this intriguing tight genetic linkage remain unknown. Recent studies
      provided new and unique insights into the expression, interaction, and signaling
      of NKRP1 receptors and their ligands, thereby substantially advancing our
      understanding of their function and biology. Here, we review our current
      knowledge on NKRP1 receptors and their genetically linked CLEC2 ligands with an
      emphasis on the human receptor/ligand pairs NKRP1A-LLT1, NKp80-AICL, and NKp65
      KACL. 

PMID- 24223579
TI  - Monotonicity is a key feature of genotype-phenotype maps.
AB  - It was recently shown that monotone gene action, i.e., order-preservation between
      allele content and corresponding genotypic values in the mapping from genotypes
      to phenotypes, is a prerequisite for achieving a predictable parent-offspring
      relationship across the whole allele frequency spectrum. Here we test the
      consequential prediction that the design principles underlying gene regulatory
      networks are likely to generate highly monotone genotype-phenotype maps. To this
      end we present two measures of the monotonicity of a genotype-phenotype map, one
      based on allele substitution effects, and the other based on isotonic regression.
      We apply these measures to genotype-phenotype maps emerging from simulations of
      1881 different 3-gene regulatory networks. We confirm that in general, genotype
      phenotype maps are indeed highly monotonic across network types. However,
      regulatory motifs involving incoherent feedforward or positive feedback, as well
      as pleiotropy in the mapping between genotypes and gene regulatory parameters,
      are clearly predisposed for generating non-monotonicity. We present analytical
      results confirming these deep connections between molecular regulatory
      architecture and monotonicity properties of the genotype-phenotype map. These
      connections seem to be beyond reach by the classical distinction between additive
      and non-additive gene action. 

PMID- 24223580
TI  - Folate-related gene variants in Irish families affected by neural tube defects.
AB  - Periconceptional folic acid use can often prevent neural tube defects (NTDs).
      Variants of genes involved in folate metabolism in mothers and children have been
      associated with occurrence of NTDs. We identified Irish families with individuals
      affected by neural tube defects. In these families, we observed that neural tube
      defects and birth defects overall occurred at a higher rate in the maternal
      lineage compared with the paternal lineage. The goal of this study was to look
      for evidence for genetic effects that could explain the discrepancy in the
      occurrence of these birth defects in the maternal vs. paternal lineage. We
      genotyped blood samples from 322 individuals from NTD-affected Irish families,
      identified through their membership in spina bifida associations. We looked for
      differences in distribution in maternal vs. paternal lineages of five genetic
      polymorphisms: the DHFR 19 bp deletion, MTHFD1 1958G>A, MTHFR 1298A>C, MTHFR
      677C>T, and SLC19A1 80A>G. In addition to looking at genotypes individually, we
      determined the number of genotypes associated with decreased folate metabolism in
      each relative ("risk genotypes") and compared the distribution of these genotypes
      in maternal vs. paternal relatives. Overall, maternal relatives had a higher
      number of genotypes associated with lower folate metabolism than paternal
      relatives (p = 0.017). We expected that relatives would share the same risk
      genotype as the individuals with NTDs and/or their mothers. However, we observed
      that maternal relatives had an over-abundance of any risk genotype, rather than
      one specific genotype. The observed genetic effects suggest an epigenetic
      mechanism in which decreased folate metabolism results in epigenetic alterations
      related to the increased rate of NTDs and other birth defects seen in the
      maternal lineage. Future studies on the etiology of NTDs and other birth defects
      could benefit from including multigenerational extended families, in order to
      explore potential epigenetic mechanisms. 

PMID- 24223581
TI  - The impact of commercialization on the evaluation of DNA evidence.

PMID- 24223582
TI  - A genome-wide association study for somatic cell score using the Illumina high
      density bovine beadchip identifies several novel QTL potentially related to
      mastitis susceptibility.
AB  - Mastitis is an inflammation-driven disease of the bovine mammary gland that
      occurs in response to physical damage or infection and is one of the most costly
      production-related diseases in the dairy industry worldwide. We performed a
      genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic loci associated with
      somatic cell score (SCS), an indicator trait of mammary gland inflammation. A
      total of 702 Holstein-Friesian bulls were genotyped for 777,962 single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) and associated with SCS phenotypes. The SCS phenotypes were
      expressed as daughter yield deviations (DYD) based on a large number of progeny
      performance records. A total of 138 SNPs on 15 different chromosomes reached
      genome-wide significance (corrected p-value <= 0.05) for association with SCS
      (after correction for multiple testing). We defined 28 distinct QTL regions and a
      number of candidate genes located in these QTL regions were identified. The most
      significant association (p-value = 1.70 * 10(-7)) was observed on chromosome 6.
      This QTL had no known genes annotated within it, however, the Ensembl Genome
      Browser predicted the presence of a small non-coding RNA (a Y RNA gene) in this
      genomic region. This Y RNA gene was 99% identical to human RNY4. Y RNAs are a
      rare type of non-coding RNA that were originally discovered due to their
      association with the autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus. Examining
      small-RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data being generated by us in multiple different
      mastitis-pathogen challenged cell-types has revealed that this Y RNA is expressed
      (but not differentially expressed) in these cells. Other QTL regions identified
      in this study also encoded strong candidate genes for mastitis susceptibility. A
      QTL region on chromosome 13, for example, was found to contain a cluster of beta
      defensin genes, a gene family with known roles in innate immunity. Due to the
      increased SNP density, this study also refined the boundaries for several known
      QTL for SCS and mastitis. 

PMID- 24223583
TI  - ROS-mediated regulation of CXCR4 in cancer.
AB  - Oxidative stress and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a
      role in cancer cells developing an advanced, phenotypic signature that associates
      with metastasis and progression. Increased ROS concentrations are involved in
      promoting cancer development and metastasis by inducing expression of oncogenes,
      suppressing activity of anti-survival molecules and by activating various cell
      survival and proliferation signaling pathways. Oxidative stress is higher in the
      epithelium of cancer patients than patients without the disease, and antioxidant
      trials are currently being explored as a therapeutic option. However, studies
      have shown that ROS increases expression of CXCR4 in cancer and immune cells.
      CXCR4 expression in tumors strongly correlates to metastasis and poor prognosis.
      Herein, we discuss an emerging relationship between ROS and CXCR4 in cancer
      cells.

PMID- 24223584
TI  - Neuroprotective Properties of a Novel Non-Thiazoledinedione Partial PPAR- gamma
      Agonist against MPTP.
AB  - Activation of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR)- gamma
      is proposed as a neuroprotective strategy to treat neurodegenerative disorders.
      In this study, we examined if LSN862 (LSN), a novel non-thiazoledinedione partial
      PPAR- gamma agonist, was neuroprotective in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease
      (PD) and assessed possible mechanisms of action. LSN (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg) or
      vehicle was orally administered daily to C57BL/6 and antioxidant response element
      human placental alkaline phosphatase (ARE-hPAP) reporter mice 3 days prior to 1
      methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP; 30 mg/kg, i.p. *  5 days) or
      PBS administration. LSN elicited a dose-dependent preservation of dopaminergic
      nigrostriatal innervation that was not associated with inhibition of MPTP
      metabolism or activation of Nrf2-ARE, although changes in NQO1 and SOD2 mRNA were
      observed. A significant dose-dependent downregulation in MAC-1 and GFAP positive
      cells was observed in MPTP + LSN-treated mice as well as significant
      downregulation of mRNA expression levels of these inflammatory markers. MPTP
      induced increases in PPAR- gamma and PGC1 alpha expression were ameliorated by
      LSN dosing. Our results demonstrate that oral administration of LSN is
      neuroprotective against MPTP-induced neurodegeneration, and this effect is
      associated with downregulation of neuroinflammation, decreased oxidative stress,
      and modulation of PPAR- gamma and PGC1 alpha expression. These results suggest
      that LSN can be a candidate alternative non-thiazoledinedione partial PPAR- gamma
      agonist for neuroprotective treatment of PD. 

PMID- 24223586
TI  - Effect of capacitive radiofrequency on the fibrosis of patients with cellulite.
AB  - Background. Cellulite is a type of lipodystrophy that develops primarily from an
      alteration in blood circulation or of the lymphatic system that causes structural
      changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue, collagen, and adjacent proteoglycans. The
      radiofrequency devices used for cutaneous applications have shown different
      physiological treatment effects, but there is controversy about the suitable
      parameters for this type of treatment. Objectives. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the effects of low-temperature radiofrequency to confirm the thinning of
      the collagen tissue and interlobular septa and consequent improvement of
      cellulite. Methods. A sample of eight women was used to collect ultrasonographic
      data with a 12 MHz probe that measured collagen fiber thickness. The Vip
      Electromedicina (Argentina) device, frequency of 0.55 MHz and active electrode
      3.5 cm in diameter (area = 9.61 cm(2)), was applied to a 10 cm(2) region of the
      gluteal region for 2 minutes per area of active electrode, during 10 biweekly
      sessions. Results. The Wilcoxon matched paired test was applied using GraphPad
      InStat 3.01 for Win95-NT software. Pre- and posttreatment mean collagen fiber
      thickness showed a 24.66% reduction from 1.01 to 0.67 mm. Statistical analysis
      using the Wilcoxon matched paired test obtained a significant two-tailed P value
      of 0.0391. Conclusion. It was concluded that the use of more comfortable
      temperatures favored a reduction in fibrous septum thickness and consequent
      cellulite improvement, evidenced by the lower degree of severity and decrease in
      interlobular septal thickness. 

PMID- 24223585
TI  - Chronic urticaria: Indian context-challenges and treatment options.
AB  - Urticaria is a common condition that occurs in both children and adults. Most
      cases have no specific allergic trigger and the aetiology of urticaria remains
      idiopathic and occasionally spontaneous in nature. Inappropriate advice such as
      avoidance of foods (milk, egg, prawn, and brinjal) is common place in certain
      sections of India mostly by nonspecialists that should not be routinely
      recommended. It is important to look for physical urticarias such as pressure
      urticaria in chronic cases, which may be present either alone or in combination
      with other causes. Autoimmune causes for chronic urticaria have been found to
      play an important role in a significant proportion of patients. Long-acting
      nonsedating antihistamines at higher than the standard doses is safe and
      effective. Quality of life is affected adversely in patients with chronic
      symptomatic urticaria and some may require multidisciplinary management. 

PMID- 24223587
TI  - Comparing Imputation Procedures for Affymetrix Gene Expression Datasets Using
      MAQC Datasets.
AB  - Introduction. The microarray datasets from the MicroArray Quality Control (MAQC)
      project have enabled the assessment of the precision, comparability of
      microarrays, and other various microarray analysis methods. However, to date no
      studies that we are aware of have reported the performance of missing value
      imputation schemes on the MAQC datasets. In this study, we use the MAQC
      Affymetrix datasets to evaluate several imputation procedures in Affymetrix
      microarrays. Results. We evaluated several cutting edge imputation procedures and
      compared them using different error measures. We randomly deleted 5% and 10% of
      the data and imputed the missing values using imputation tests. We performed 1000
      simulations and averaged the results. The results for both 5% and 10% deletion
      are similar. Among the imputation methods, we observe the local least squares
      method with k = 4 is most accurate under the error measures considered. The k
      nearest neighbor method with k = 1 has the highest error rate among imputation
      methods and error measures. Conclusions. We conclude for imputing missing values
      in Affymetrix microarray datasets, using the MAS 5.0 preprocessing scheme, the
      local least squares method with k = 4 has the best overall performance and k
      nearest neighbor method with k = 1 has the worst overall performance. These
      results hold true for both 5% and 10% missing values. 

PMID- 24223588
TI  - Nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease: its mechanisms and complications.

PMID- 24223589
TI  - Patterns of Pelvic Radiotherapy in Patients with Stage II/III Rectal Cancer.
AB  - High-level evidence supports adjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer. We examined
      the influence of sociodemographic factors on patterns of adjuvant radiotherapy
      for resected Stage II/III rectal cancer. Methods. Patients undergoing surgical
      resection for stage II/III rectal cancer were identified in SEER registry.
      Results. A total of 21,683 patients were identified. Majority of patients were
      male (58.8%), white (83%), and with stage III (54.9%) and received radiotherapy
      (66%). On univariate analysis, male gender, stage III, younger age, year of
      diagnosis, and higher socioeconomic status (SES) were associated with
      radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was delivered in 84.4% of patients <50; however, only
      32.8% of those are >80 years. Logistic regression demonstrated a significant
      increase in the use of radiotherapy in younger patients who are <50 (OR, 10.3),
      with stage III (OR, 1.21), males (OR, 1.18), and with higher SES. Conclusions.
      There is a failure to conform to standard adjuvant radiotherapy in one-third of
      patients, and this is associated with older age, stage II, area-level of
      socioeconomic deprivation, and female sex. 

PMID- 24223590
TI  - Verrucous papillary lesions: dilemmas in diagnosis and terminology.
AB  - Verrucous papillary lesions (VPLs) of oral cavity are diagnostically challenging
      as they include a spectrum of benign, potentially malignant, and frankly
      malignant lesions. A majority of the benign VPLs have viral aetiology and include
      commonly occurring squamous papilloma along with verruca vulgaris, focal
      epithelial hyperplasia, and condyloma. Current understanding of potentially
      malignant VPLs is perplexing and is primarily attributed to the use of confusing
      and unsatisfactory terminology. Clinically and histologically oral verrucous
      hyperplasia, a potentially malignant disorder, resembles oral verrucous carcinoma
      and may be indistinguishable from one another. The most reliable way to separate
      these entities on routine haematoxylin-eosin stained tissue sections is to
      recognize the exophytic growth patterns of oral verrucous hyperplasia from the
      combined exophytic and endophytic growth patterns associated with verrucous
      carcinoma. A review of the literature showed that there is a lot of confusion
      regarding the current clinical and histopathological guidelines to diagnose this
      potentially malignant entity. The criteria elaborated by different authors in
      establishing the diagnosis of oral verrucous hyperplasia are discussed in detail.
      A brief overview of the treatment modalities adopted is also discussed. The need
      for establishing a clear understanding of this potentially malignant entity is
      stressed as it may have far reaching implications on its management. 

PMID- 24223591
TI  - Microbial changes in subgingival plaque and polymicrobial intracellular flora in
      buccal cells after fixed orthodontic appliance therapy: a preliminary study.
AB  - The oral ecosystem is strictly related to a balance maintained by specific niches
      recognized as sites, where oral bacteria can metabolize avoiding the immune
      system response. The oral bacteria species that colonize the ecological niches
      vary during fixed orthodontic treatment, with a prevalence of periodontal
      bacterial species. Qualitative analysis of five periodontal pathogens was used to
      investigate the microbial colonization rate in the crevice and buccal epithelial
      cells. The presence of inadequate oral hygiene was considered as a modulation
      variable for microbial colonization. Statistical analysis was performed by
      Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. A P value lower than 0.05
      was assumed as statistically significant. Tannerella forsythia was the only
      periodontal pathogen detected with a statistically admissible frequency. The
      positivity for Tannerella forsythia was correlated to sampling time and oral
      hygiene motivation. In buccal epithelial cells, both factors contributed to
      microbial decrease (P < 0.05), whereas, in crevice, oral hygiene motivation
      promoted a decrease in the microbial colonization rate (P < 0.05). According to
      microbiological findings, it is possible to identify how correct motivation for
      oral hygiene is more than enough to modulate or to avoid an upset of the oral
      ecosystem balance in early stages of orthodontic treatment. 

PMID- 24223592
TI  - Characteristics of 2 Different Commercially Available Implants with or without
      Nanotopography.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess histologically and histomorphometrically the
      early bone forming properties after 3 weeks for 2 commercially available
      implants, one supposedly possessing nanotopography and one without, in a rabbit
      femur model. Twenty-four implants divided equally into 2 groups were utilized in
      this study. The first group (P-I MICRO+NANO) was a titanium oxide (TiO2)
      microblasted and noble gas ion bombarded surface while the second group (Ospol)
      was anodic oxidized surface with calcium and phosphate incorporation. The
      implants were placed in the rabbit femur unicortically and were allowed to heal
      for 3 weeks. After euthanasia, the samples were subjected to histologic
      sectioning and bone-implant contact and bone area were evaluated
      histomorphometrically under an optical microscope. The histomorphometric
      evaluation presented that the P-I MICRO+NANO implants demonstrated significantly
      higher new bone formation as compared to the Ospol implants. Within the
      limitations of this study, the results suggested that nanostructures presented
      significantly higher bone formation after 3 weeks in vivo, and the effect of
      chemistry was limited, which is indicative that nanotopography is effective at
      early healing periods. 

PMID- 24223593
TI  - The innate immune system in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause for dementia in the world. It is
      characterized by two biochemically distinct types of protein aggregates: amyloid
      beta (A beta ) peptide in the forms of parenchymal amyloid plaques and
      congophilic amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and aggregated tau protein in the form of
      intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Several risk factors have been
      discovered that are associated with AD. The most well-known genetic risk factor
      for late-onset AD is apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) (Potter and Wisniewski (2012), and
      Verghese et al. (2011)). Recently, it has been reported by two groups
      independently that a rare functional variant (R47H) of TREM2 is associated with
      the late-onset risk of AD. TREM2 is expressed on myeloid cells including
      microglia, macrophages, and dendritic cells, as well as osteoclasts. Microglia
      are a major part of the innate immune system in the CNS and are also involved in
      stimulating adaptive immunity. Microglia express several Toll-like receptors
      (TLRs) and are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). In
      this review, we will focus on the recent advances regarding the role of TREM2, as
      well as the effects of TLRs 4 and 9 on AD. 

PMID- 24223594
TI  - Quantifying Changes in the Cellular Thiol-Disulfide Status during Differentiation
      of B Cells into Antibody-Secreting Plasma Cells.
AB  - Plasma cells produce and secrete massive amounts of disulfide-containing
      antibodies. To accommodate this load on the secretory machinery, the
      differentiation of resting B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells is
      accompanied by a preferential expansion of the secretory compartments of the
      cells and by an up-regulation of enzymes involved in redox regulation and protein
      folding. We have quantified the absolute levels of protein thiols, protein
      disulfides, and glutathionylated proteins in whole cells. The results show that
      while the global thiol-disulfide state is affected to some extent by the
      differentiation, steady-state levels of glutathionylated protein thiols are less
      than 0.3% of the total protein cysteines, even in fully differentiated cells, and
      the overall protein redox state is not affected until late in differentiation,
      when large-scale IgM production is ongoing. A general expansion of the ER does
      not affect global protein redox status until an extensive production of cargo
      proteins has started. 

PMID- 24223595
TI  - Antimicrobial and Herbal Drug Resistance in Enteric Bacteria Isolated from Faecal
      Droppings of Common House Lizard/Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus).
AB  - From 194 faecal dropping samples of common house geckos collected from offices
      (60), houses (88), integrated farm units (IFS,18) and hostels, guest houses, and
      dining rooms of different canteen/mess (HGM, 28), 326 bacterial isolates of
      enteric bacteria belonging to 17 genera and 34 species were detected. Escherichia
      coli were the most frequently (39) isolated followed by Citrobacter freundii
      (33), Klebsiella pneumonia (27), Salmonella indica (12), Enterobacter gergoviae
      (12), and Ent. agglomerans (11). Other important bacteria isolated from gecko
      droppings were Listonella damsela (2), Raoultella terrigena (3), S. salamae (2),
      S. houtenae (3), Edwardsiella tarda (4), Edwardsiella hoshinae (1), and
      Klebsiella oxytoca (2). Of the 223 isolates tested for antimicrobial drug
      sensitivity, 27 (12.1%) had multiple drug resistance (MDR). None of the
      salmonellae or edwardsiellae had MDR however, MDR strains were significantly more
      common among Escherichia spp. (P = 1.9 * 10(-5)) and isolates from IFS units (P =
      3.58 * 10(-23)). The most effective herbal drug, Ageratum conyzoides extract,
      inhibited growth of only 27.8% of strains tested followed by ethanolic extract of
      Zanthoxylum rhetsa (13.9%), eucalyptus oil (5.4%), patchouli oil (5.4%),
      lemongrass oil (3.6%), and sandalwood oil (3.1%), and Artemisia vulgaris
      essential oil (3.1%). 

PMID- 24223596
TI  - The role of Klebsiella in Crohn's disease with a potential for the use of
      antimicrobial measures.
AB  - There is a general consensus that Crohn's disease (CD) develops as the result of
      immune-mediated tissue damage triggered by infections with intestinal microbial
      agents. Based on the results of existing microbiological, molecular, and
      immunological studies, Klebsiella microbe seems to have a key role in the
      initiation and perpetuation of the pathological damage involving the gut and
      joint tissues in patients with CD. Six different gastroenterology centres in the
      UK have reported elevated levels of antibodies to Klebsiella in CD patients.
      There is a relationship between high intake of starch-containing diet, enhanced
      growth of gut microbes, and the production of pullulanases by Klebsiella. It is
      proposed that eradication of these microbes by the use of antibiotics and low
      starch diet, in addition to the currently used treatment, could help in
      alleviating or halting the disease process in CD. 

PMID- 24223597
TI  - Clinical efficacy and mechanism of probiotics in allergic diseases.
AB  - A complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors partially
      contributes to the development of allergic diseases by affecting development
      during prenatal and early life. To explain the dramatic increase in the
      prevalence of allergic diseases, the hygiene hypothesis proposed that early
      exposure to infection prevented allergic diseases. The hygiene hypothesis has
      changed to the microbial hypothesis, in which exposure to microbes is closely
      linked to the development of the early immune system and allergic diseases. The
      intestinal flora may contribute to allergic disease through its substantial
      effect on mucosal immunity. Based on findings that exposure to microbial flora
      early in life can change the Th1/Th2 balance, thus favoring a Th1 cell response,
      probiotics may be beneficial in preventing allergic diseases. However, evidence
      from clinical and basic research to prove the efficacy of probiotics in
      preventing allergy is lacking. To date, studies have yielded inconsistent
      findings on the usefulness of probiotics in allergic diseases. It is difficult to
      demonstrate an exact effect of probiotics on asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food
      allergy because of study limitations, such as different first supplementation
      period, duration, different strains, short follow-up period, and host factors.
      However, many studies have demonstrated a significant clinical improvement in
      atopic dermatitis with the use of probiotics. An accurate understanding of the
      development of human immunity, intestinal barrier function, intestinal
      microbiota, and systemic immunity is required to comprehend the effects of
      probiotics on allergic diseases. 

PMID- 24223598
TI  - Kawasaki disease in infants.
AB  - Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness that is the predominant cause
      of pediatric acquired heart disease in infants and young children. Because the
      diagnosis of KD depends on clinical manifestations, incomplete cases are
      difficult to diagnose, especially in infants younger than 1 year. Incomplete
      clinical manifestations in infants are related with the development of KD
      associated coronary artery abnormalities. Because the diagnosis of infantile KD
      is difficult and complications are numerous, early suspicion and evaluation are
      necessary. 

PMID- 24223599
TI  - Acute viral gastroenteritis in children hospitalized in Iksan, Korea during
      December 2010-June 2011.
AB  - PURPOSE: Viral etiology is common in cases of children with acute diarrhea, and
      antibiotic therapy is usually not required. Therefore, it is important to
      determine the distribution of common viruses among children hospitalized with
      acute diarrhea. METHODS: We included 186 children who suffered from acute
      diarrhea and were hospitalized at the Wonkwang University Hospital Pediatric ward
      from December 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 in this study. Stool samples were
      collected and multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
      (multiplex RT-PCR) was used to simultaneously determine the viral etiology such
      as rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, or adenovirus. RESULTS: Causative viruses
      were detected in 72 of the 186 cases (38.7%). The mean age of the virus-positive
      cases was 1 year and 9 months (range, 1 month to 11 years). Rotavirus was
      detected in 50/186 (26.9%); norovirus, in 18/186 (9.7%); and astrovirus, in 3/186
      cases (1.6%). Adenovirus was not detected in any of the cases. Proportions of
      norovirus genogroups I and II were 21.1% and 78.9%, respectively. Four of the 51
      rotavirus-positive cases (7.8%) had received rotavirus vaccination at least once.
      The mean duration of diarrhea was 2.8 days (range, 1 to 10 days) and vomiting
      occurred in 39 of the 72 cases (54.2%). CONCLUSION: Viral etiology was confirmed
      in about one-third of the children with acute diarrhea, and the most common viral
      agent was rotavirus, followed by norovirus.

PMID- 24223600
TI  - Changes of clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with Kawasaki
      disease over the past 7 years in a single center study.
AB  - PURPOSE: This single-center study was conducted to assess the changes in
      epidemiological and clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with
      Kawasaki disease (KD) over the past 7 years. METHODS: This retrospective study
      included 135 children with KD, admitted to Chungnam National University Hospital,
      Daejeon, between 2004 and 2005 (group A, n=53) and between 2011 and 2012 (group
      B, n=82). Medical records were reviewed to obtain information regarding the
      presenting signs and symptoms, demographic characteristics, and laboratory and
      echocardiographic findings associated with KD. RESULTS: The hospital admission
      date after onset was significantly earlier in group B than in group A (P=0.008).
      The proportion of patients with incomplete KD was 45.3% and 65.9% in group A and
      B, respectively (P=0.018). The number of pretreatment coronary artery lesions
      (CALs) were significantly lesser in group B than in group A. (10/53 vs. 5/82,
      P=0.021). No significant differences was observed in the incidence of CALs at
      discharge, febrile phase duration, hospital stay duration, incidence of
      retreatment, and intravenous immunoglobulin dose between 2 groups. The total
      febrile phase was shorter in patients with incomplete KD than in those with
      complete KD in both groups. CONCLUSION: The proportion of incomplete KD has
      become higher. Furthermore, early admission and management of patients with KD
      may be related to increased incomplete KD and decreased CALs. Therefore, we
      believe that a diagnostic strategy for incomplete KD should be established
      regardless of the presence of coronary lesions.

PMID- 24223601
TI  - Transcatheter closure of small ductus arteriosus with amplatzer vascular plug.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to share our experience of transcatheter
      closure of small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by using an Amplatzer vascular
      plug (AVP). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 20 patients who underwent
      transcatheter closure at Samsung Medical Center and Sejong General Hospital from
      January 2008 to August 2012. The size and shape of the PDAs were evaluated by
      performing angiograms, and the PDA size and the AVP devices size were compared.
      RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 54.9+/-45.7 months old. The PDAs were
      of type C (n=5), type D (n=12), and type E (n=3). The mean pulmonary end diameter
      of the PDA was 1.7+/-0.6 mm, and the aortic end diameter was 3.6+/-1.4 mm. The
      mean length was 7.3+/-1.8 mm. We used 3 types of AVP devices: AVP I (n=5), AVP II
      (n=7), and AVP IV (n=8). The ratio of AVP size to the pulmonary end diameter was
      3.37+/-1.64, and AVP size/aortic end ratio was 1.72+/-0.97. The aortic end
      diameter was significantly larger in those cases repaired with AVP II than in the
      others (P=0.002). The AVP size did not significantly correlate with the PDA size,
      but did correlate with smaller ratio of AVP size to aortic end diameter (1.10+/
      0.31, P=0.032). CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of small PDA with AVP devices
      yielded satisfactory outcome. AVP II was equally effective with smaller size of
      device, compared to others.

PMID- 24223602
TI  - High-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
      in the treatment of children and adolescents with Ewing sarcoma family of tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: We performed a pilot study to determine the benefit of high-dose
      chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
      (HDCT/autoPBSCT) for patients with Ewing sarcoma family of tumors. METHODS: We
      retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who received HDCT/autoPBSCT at
      Korea Cancer Center Hospital. Patients with relapsed, metastatic, or centrally
      located tumors were eligible for the study. RESULTS: A total of 9 patients (3
      male, 6 female), with a median age at HDCT/autoPBSCT of 13.4 years (range, 7.1 to
      28.2 years), were included in this study. Patients underwent conventional
      chemotherapy and local control either by surgery or radiation therapy, and had
      achieved complete response (CR, n=7), partial response (n=1), or stable disease
      (n=1) prior to HDCT/autoPBSCT. There was no transplant-related mortality.
      However, the median duration of overall survival and event-free survival after
      HDCT/autoPBSCT were 13.3 months (range, 5.3 to 44.5 months) and 6.2 months
      (range, 2.1 to 44.5 months), respectively. At present, 4 patients are alive and 5
      patients who experienced adverse events (2 metastasis, 2 local recur, and 1
      progressive disease) survived for a median time of 2.8 months (range, 0.1 to 10.7
      months). The 2-year survival after HDCT/autoPBSCT was 44.4%+/-16.6% and disease
      status at the time of HDCT/autoPBSCT tended to influence survival (57.1%+/-18.7%
      of cases with CR vs. 0% of cases with non-CR, P=0.07). CONCLUSION: Disease status
      at HDCT/autoPBSCT tended to influence survival. Further studies are necessary to
      define the role of HDCT/autoPBSCT and to identify subgroup of patients who might
      benefit from this investigational treatment.

PMID- 24223603
TI  - Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess in an immunocompetent child.
AB  - Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as a leading pathogen that causes pyogenic
      liver abscesses (PLAs) in Korea. K. pneumoniae liver abscess (KLA) is potentially
      life threatening, and the diagnosis is difficult. In developed countries, PLA is
      rarely observed in children and is frequently associated with disorders of
      granulocyte function and previous abdominal infection. We observed a case of KLA
      in a healthy 12-year-old boy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case
      of KLA in an immunocompetent child without an underlying disease in Korea. The
      patient was treated with percutaneous catheter drainage and antibiotics. The
      catheter was placed in the intrahepatic abscess for 3 weeks and parenteral
      antibiotics (ceftriaxone and amikacin) were administered for 4 weeks, followed by
      oral antibiotics (cefixime) for 2 weeks. We reported this case to raise awareness
      of KLA in immunocompetent children among physicians, and to review the diagnosis,
      risk factors, potential complications, and appropriate treatment of KLA. 

PMID- 24223604
TI  - Mycoplasma pneumoniae associated stroke in a 3-year-old girl.
AB  - Infectious diseases precede a significant proportion of acute ischemic strokes in
      children. Here, we report a case of acute ischemic stroke in a 3-year-old girl
      with a Mycoplasma pneumonia-associated respiratory tract infection. She developed
      an acquired prothrombotic state of protein S deficiency and had increased
      fibrinogen and fibrinogen degradation product levels and increased titer of
      antinuclear antibodies. However, these conditions were completely alleviated at
      the 1-month follow-up examination. Infection with M. pneumoniae may cause a
      transient prothrombotic state that can potentially cause a thrombus. 

PMID- 24223605
TI  - Research of the methylation status of miR-124a gene promoter among rheumatoid
      arthritis patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the methylation status of miR-124a loci in synovial tissues
      of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using methylation-specific polymerase chain
      reaction (MSP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA obtained from the frozen tissue of 7
      RA samples, 6 osteoarthritis (OA) samples, and 3 healthy controls were undergoing
      bisulfite conversion and then analyzed for miR-124a promoter methylation using
      MSP assay. RESULTS: miR-124-a1 and miR-124-a2 promoter methylation were both seen
      in 71.4% of RA samples compared to 16.7% of OA samples. miR-124-a3 promoter
      methylation was seen in 57.1% of RA samples and 0% of OA samples. All the three
      loci were unmethylated in 3 healthy controls. CONCLUSION: The methylation status
      of miR-124a seen in this study concurs with that reported in tumor cells,
      indicating epigenetic dysregulation constituents, a mechanism in the development
      of rheumatoid arthritis.

PMID- 24223606
TI  - T helper 17 cells in autoimmune liver diseases.
AB  - Many autoimmune diseases are driven by self-reactive T helper (Th) cells. A new
      population of effector CD4(+) T cells characterized by the secretion of
      interleukin (IL)-17, referred to as Th17 cells, has been demonstrated to be
      phenotypically, functionally, and developmentally distinct from Th1 and Th2
      cells. Because the liver is known to be an important source of transforming
      growth factor- beta and IL-6, which are cytokines that are crucial for Th17
      differentiation, it is very likely that Th17 cells contribute to liver
      inflammation and autoimmunity. In contrast, another distinct subset of T cells,
      regulatory T cells (Treg), downregulate immune responses and play an important
      role in maintaining self-tolerance. In addition, there is a reciprocal
      relationship between Th17 cells and Tregs, in development and effector functions,
      and the balance between Th17 and Treg cells can affect the outcome of immune
      responses, particularly in autoimmune diseases. In this review, we will focus on
      the latest investigative findings related to Th17 cells in autoimmune liver
      disease. 

PMID- 24223607
TI  - Microglial responses after ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage.
AB  - Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide. Ischemic stroke is caused by
      blockage of blood vessels in the brain leading to tissue death, while
      intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, exposing the
      brain to blood components. Both are associated with glial toxicity and
      neuroinflammation. Microglia, as the resident immune cells of the central nervous
      system (CNS), continually sample the environment for signs of injury and
      infection. Under homeostatic conditions, they have a ramified morphology and
      phagocytose debris. After stroke, microglia become activated, obtain an amoeboid
      morphology, and release inflammatory cytokines (the M1 phenotype). However,
      microglia can also be alternatively activated, performing crucial roles in
      limiting inflammation and phagocytosing tissue debris (the M2 phenotype). In
      rodent models, microglial activation occurs very early after stroke and ICH;
      however, their specific roles in injury and repair remain unclear. This review
      summarizes the literature on microglial responses after ischemic stroke and ICH,
      highlighting the mediators of microglial activation and potential therapeutic
      targets for each condition. 

PMID- 24223608
TI  - The -174G/C and -572G/C interleukin 6 promoter gene polymorphisms in mexican
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a case-control study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is a lack of information about the genotype frequencies of IL-6 
      174G/C and -572G/C polymorphisms in Mexicans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
      Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the IL-6 
      174G/C and -572G/C polymorphisms in Mexican mestizo with RA. METHODS: We included
      137 patients with RA and 102 healthy controls. Patients were assessed for
      clinical characteristics. IL-6 -174G/C and -572G/C polymorphisms were genotyped
      using PCR-RFLP analysis. Allele and genotype frequencies and the Hardy-Weinberg
      equilibrium were computed. Odds ratios (ORs) were computed to identify the risk
      for RA associated with the presence of GG genotype in comparison with the GC or
      CC genotypes. RESULTS: The genotype -174GG occurred at a higher frequency in
      cases and controls (77.4% versus 78.4%, P = 0.845). We found similar results for
      the genotype -572GG (54% in patients versus 60.8% in controls, P = 0.295).
      CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate the association of -174G/C and 
      572G/C polymorphisms of the IL-6 gene with RA in Mexican mestizo patients. These
      two polymorphisms were not associated with RA in the studied sample. Additional
      studies are required to evaluate if these IL-6 polymorphisms have relevance to
      the development of more severe disease.

PMID- 24223609
TI  - Modulation of Estrogen Chemical Carcinogenesis by Botanical Supplements used for
      Postmenopausal Women's Health.
AB  - Breast cancer risk has been associated with long-term estrogen exposure including
      traditional hormone therapy (HT, formally hormone replacement therapy). To avoid
      traditional HT and associated risks, women have been turning to botanical
      supplements such as black cohosh, red clover, licorice, hops, dong gui, and
      ginger to relieve menopausal symptoms despite a lack of efficacy evidence. The
      mechanisms of estrogen carcinogenesis involve both hormonal and chemical
      pathways. Botanical supplements could protect women from estrogen carcinogenesis
      by modulating key enzymatic steps [aromatase, P4501B1, P4501A1, catechol-O
      methyltransferase (COMT), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) scavenging] in estradiol metabolism leading to estrogen
      carcinogenesis as outlined in Figure 1. This review summarizes the influence of
      popular botanical supplements used for women's health on these key steps in the
      estrogen chemical carcinogenesis pathway, and suggests that botanical supplements
      may have added chemopreventive benefits by modulating estrogen metabolism.

PMID- 24223610
TI  - A Drug-Target Network-Based Approach to Evaluate the Efficacy of Medicinal Plants
      for Type II Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - The use of plants as natural medicines in the treatment of type II diabetes
      mellitus (T2DM) has long been of special interest. In this work, we developed a
      docking score-weighted prediction model based on drug-target network to evaluate
      the efficacy of medicinal plants for T2DM. High throughput virtual screening from
      chemical library of natural products was adopted to calculate the binding
      affinity between natural products contained in medicinal plants and 33 T2DM
      related proteins. The drug-target network was constructed according to the
      strength of the binding affinity if the molecular docking score satisfied the
      threshold. By linking the medicinal plant with T2DM through drug-target network,
      the model can predict the efficacy of natural products and medicinal plant for
      T2DM. Eighteen thousand nine hundred ninety-nine natural products and 1669
      medicinal plants were predicted to be potentially bioactive. 

PMID- 24223611
TI  - Zeaxanthin Induces Apoptosis in Human Uveal Melanoma Cells through Bcl-2 Family
      Proteins and Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway.
AB  - The cytotoxic effects of zeaxanthin on two human uveal melanoma cell lines (SP6.5
      and C918) and related signaling pathways were studied and compared to effects on
      normal ocular cells (uveal melanocytes, retinal pigment epithelial cells, and
      scleral fibroblasts). MTT assay revealed that zeaxanthin reduced the cell
      viability of melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner (10, 30, and 100  MU M),
      with IC50 at 40.8 and 28.7  MU M in SP6.5 and C918 cell lines, respectively.
      Zeaxanthin did not affect the viability of normal ocular cells even at the
      highest levels tested (300  MU M), suggesting that zeaxanthin has a selectively
      cytotoxic effect on melanoma cells. Zeaxanthin induced apoptosis in melanoma
      cells as indicated by annexin V and ethidium III flow cytometry. Western blot
      analysis demonstrated that zeaxanthin decreased the expression of antiapoptotic
      proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) and increased the expression of proapoptotic proteins
      (Bak and Bax) in zeaxanthin-treated melanoma cells. Zeaxanthin increased
      mitochondrial permeability as determined by JC-1 fluorescein study. Zeaxanthin
      also increased the level of cytosol cytochrome c and caspase-9 and -3 activities,
      but not caspase-8, as measured by ELISA assay or colorimetric assay. All of these
      findings indicate that the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway is involved in
      zeaxanthin-induced apoptosis in uveal melanoma cells. 

PMID- 24223612
TI  - Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia Inhibits Germ Tube and Biofilm Formation by C.
      albicans.
AB  - The virulence factors of Candida albicans are germ tube and biofilm formation,
      adherence to host tissues, and production of hydrolytic enzymes. This study
      investigated the effect of Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia extract on the germ
      tube and biofilm formation of C. albicans. Serum containing the three
      subinhibitory concentrations of leaf extract was inoculated with C. albicans,
      incubated, and viewed under a light microscope. Number of cells with germ tube
      was recorded and the results were analysed using Scheffe test for pairwise
      comparison. Biofilms were grown on coverslips in the presence of plant extracts
      and processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Planktonic cells were grown
      in the presence of plant extract for 6 h and processed for electron microscopy
      (TEM). The crude plant extract significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the germ tube
      formation of C. albicans at 3.125 (85.36%), 1.56 (61.91%), and 0.78 mg/mL
      (26.27%) showing a concentration dependent effect. SEM results showed
      concentration dependent reduction in biofilm and hyphae formation. TEM results
      showed that the plant extract caused damage to the cell wall and cell membrane.
      DVA extract has ability to reduce virulence of C. albicans by inhibiting germ
      tube and biofilm formation through damage to the cell wall. Therefore, it has
      therapeutic potential. 

PMID- 24223614
TI  - Translational research in complementary and alternative medicine.

PMID- 24223615
TI  - Zerumbone, a Natural Cyclic Sesquiterpene of Zingiber zerumbet Smith, Attenuates
      Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Hamsters Fed on High-Fat Diet.
AB  - We investigated the effects of zerumbone, a natural cyclic sesquiterpene, on
      hepatic lipid metabolism in Syrian golden hamsters fed on high-fat diet (HFD).
      After being fed HFD for 2 weeks, hamsters were dosed orally with zerumbone (75,
      150, and 300 mg kg(-1)) once daily for 8 weeks. After treatment with zerumbone,
      the plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TGs) and the
      contents of TC and TG in hepatic tissue as well as homeostasis model assessment
      of insulin resistance were lowered, especially in the zerumbone-treated group
      (300 mg kg(-1)). Moreover, the histological evaluation of liver specimens
      demonstrated that the steatosis and inflammation in liver of zerumbone-treated
      groups were improved. Zerumbone exhibited the ability to decrease hepatic mRNA
      levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c and its lipogenic target
      genes, such as fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, and stearoyl-CoA
      desaturase 1. The hepatic mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor alpha , together with its target genes including carnitine palmitoyl
      transferase-1, acyl-CoA oxidase, and acyl-CoA oxidase 1, was also upregulated by
      zerumbone. In conclusion, zerumbone improves insulin sensitivity, decreases
      lipogenesis, and increases lipid oxidation in the liver of HFD-fed hamsters,
      implying a potential application in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver
      disease. 

PMID- 24223616
TI  - Oat Protects against Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats via Attenuating Advanced
      Glycation End Products and Nuclear Factor Kappa B.
AB  - Oat, a rich source of soluble fiber, was considered to have a possible preventive
      effect on the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The present study aimed to
      assess this preventive activity in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy. Adult
      Wister rats were injected by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). Animals were fed with
      normal diet or with a diet containing 20% oat (W/W) for 21 weeks. At the end of
      21 weeks, all the kidney tissues were collected for various examinations. Our
      results suggested that oat could decrease the Scr and glucose level in blood of
      diabetic rats significantly (P < 0.05), and increase the creatinine clearance (P
      < 0.01). In histopathological examination, oat-fed rats showed a significant
      decrease in glomerulus segmented sclerosis and incidence of tubule vacuolar
      degeneration. By ELISA, we reported that oat feeding resulted in decreasing the
      levels of IL-6 and AGE in serum and kidney homogenate. In addition, the levels of
      oxidative stress markers were markedly improved as a result of oat feeding.
      Furthermore, using EMSA, we showed that oat attenuated the activation of NF
      kappaB. Using RT-PCR, we found that oat could downregulate the TGF-beta1 and RAGE
      expression at mRNA levels. This study suggests that oat can suppress diabetic
      nephropathy in rats effectively and may slow down the renal fibrosis by the
      disruption of the detrimental AGE-RAGE-NFkappaB axis. 

PMID- 24223617
TI  - Antiosteoporosis effect of radix scutellariae extract on density and
      microstructure of long bones in tail-suspended sprague-dawley rats.
AB  - Radix Scutellariae (RS), a medicinal herb, is extensively employed in traditional
      Chinese medicines and modern herbal prescriptions. Two major flavonoids in RS
      were known to induce osteoblastic differentiation and inhibit osteoclast
      differentiation, respectively. This study aimed to investigate the effect of
      Radix Scutellariae extract (RSE) against bone loss induced by mechanical
      inactivity or weightlessness. A hindlimb unloading tail-suspended rat model (TS)
      was established to determine the effect of RSE on bone mineral density and bone
      microarchitecture. Treatment of RSE at 50 mg/kg/day and alendronate (ALE) at 2
      mg/kg/day as positive control for 42 days significantly increased the bone
      mineral density and mechanical strength compared with TS group. Enhanced bone
      turnover markers by TS treatment were attenuated by RSE and ALE administration.
      Deterioration of bone trabecula induced by TS was prevented. Moreover, both
      treatments counteracted the reduction of bone volume fraction, trabecular
      thickness and number, and connectivity density. In conclusion, RSE was
      demonstrated for the first time to prevent osteoporosis induced by TS treatment,
      which suggests the potential application of RSE in the treatment of disuse
      induced osteoporosis. 

PMID- 24223618
TI  - BNC Protects H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts from H 2 O 2 -Induced Oxidative Injury through
      ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Buchang naoxintong capsule (BNC) is a traditional Chinese medicine approved for
      the treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. However, little is
      known about the specific protective function or mechanism by which BNC protects
      against myocardial injury. This research was designed to investigate the
      cardioprotective effects of BNC in vitro model of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
      induced H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts. BNC intestinal absorption liquid was used in
      this study instead of drug-containing serum or extracting solution. Our study
      revealed that BNC preconditioning enhanced antioxidant function by increasing the
      activities of total-antioxygen capacity, total-superoxide dismutase, and catalase
      and by decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde.
      BNC preconditioning also activated extracellular signal-regulated kinases
      (ERK1/2) and inhibited apoptosis-related proteins such as poly ADP-ribose
      polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3. Additionally, preincubation with BNC reduced
      intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, improved mitochondrial membrane potential,
      and decreased the apoptosis rate of H9c2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These
      data demonstrated that BNC protects H9c2 cardiomyoblasts from H2O2-induced
      oxidative injury by increasing antioxidant abilities, activating ERK1/2, and
      blocking Ca(2+)-dependent and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Based on our
      results, the potency of BNC for protecting H9c2 cells from oxidative damage is
      comparable to that of trimetazidine. 

PMID- 24223619
TI  - Ego and spiritual transcendence: relevance to psychological resilience and the
      role of age.
AB  - The paper investigates different approaches of transcendence in the sense of
      spiritual experience as predictors for general psychological resilience. This
      issue is based on the theoretical assumption that resilience does play a role for
      physical health. Furthermore, there is a lack of empirical evidence about the
      extent to which spirituality does play a role for resilience. As potential
      predictors for resilience, ego transcendence, spiritual transcendence, and
      meaning in life were measured in a sample of 265 people. The main result of a
      multiple regression analysis is that, in the subsample with people below 29
      years, only one rather secular scale that is associated with ego transcendence
      predicts resilience, whereas for the older subsample of 29 years and above,
      spiritual transcendence gains both a positive (oneness and timelessness) and a
      negative (spiritual insight) relevance to psychological resilience. On the one
      hand, these results concur with previous studies that also found age-related
      differences. On the other hand, it is surprising that the MOS spiritual insight
      predicts psychological resilience negatively, the effect is increasing with age.
      One possible explanation concerns wisdom research. Here, an adaptive way of
      dealing with the age-related loss of control is assumed to be relevant to
      successful aging. 

PMID- 24223620
TI  - Theoretical Study of a Nonpeptidic Polydisulfide alpha-Helix.
AB  - A carbon-sulfur molecule has been designed as a mimic of peptides. Density
      functional theory calculations showed that the oxidation of 10 moles of
      methanedithiol led to a polydisulfide oligomer, HS(CH2SS)9CH2SH. The
      polydisulfide can adopt an alpha-helix type of secondary structure, where the
      chain is coiled. Unlike proteins, the S-S bonds in the polydisulfide function as
      secondary rather than tertiary structural elements. The helix contains 8 non
      hydrogen atoms per turn, 2.7 A methylenes per turn, a pitch distance of 8.6 A,
      and a radius of 1.00 A. The methylene sites could carry R group residues similar
      to amino acids.

PMID- 24223621
TI  - Transient dynamics of an elastic capsule in a microfluidic constriction.
AB  - In this paper we investigate computationally the transient dynamics of an elastic
      capsule flowing in a square microchannel with a rectangular constriction, and
      compare it with that of a droplet. The confinement and expansion dynamics of the
      fluid flow results in a rich deformation behavior for the capsule, from an
      elongated shape at the constriction entrance, to a flattened parachute shape at
      its exit. Larger capsules are shown to take more time to pass the constriction
      and cause higher additional pressure difference, owing to higher flow blocking.
      Our work highlights the effects of two different mechanisms for non-tank-treading
      transient capsule dynamics. The capsule deformation results from the combined
      effects of the surrounding and inner fluids' normal stresses on the soft
      particle's interface, and thus when the capsule viscosity increases, its
      transient deformation decreases, as for droplets. However, the capsule
      deformation is not able to create a strong enough inner circulation (owing to
      restrictions imposed by the material membrane), and thus the viscosity ratio does
      not affect much the capsule velocity and the additional pressure difference. In
      addition, the weak inner circulation results in a positive additional pressure
      difference DeltaP+ even for low-viscosity capsules, in direct contrast to low
      viscosity droplets which create a negative DeltaP+. Our findings suggest that the
      high cytoplasmatic viscosity, owing to the protein hemoglobin required for oxygen
      transport, does not affect adversely the motion of non-tank-trading erythrocytes
      in vascular capillaries.

PMID- 24223622
TI  - Household dynamics and socioeconomic conditions in the context of incident
      adolescent orphaning in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
AB  - We compared demographics, socioeconomic status, and food insecurity between
      households with and without recent orphans in a region of high HIV/AIDS mortality
      in South Africa. We recruited a cohort of 197 recent orphans and 528 non-orphans
      ages 9-15 and their households using stratified cluster sampling. Households were
      classified into three groups: orphan-only (N=50); non-orphan-only (N=377); and
      mixed (N=210). Between September 2004 and May 2007, households were interviewed
      three times regarding demographics, income and assets, and food insecurity.
      Baseline bivariate associations were assessed using chi-square- and t-tests.
      Longitudinal bivariate associations and multivariate models were tested using
      generalized estimating equations. At baseline, mixed households generally
      exhibited greater characteristics of vulnerability than orphan and non-orphan
      households. They were larger, had older, less educated household heads, and
      reported a much smaller annual per capita income. Orphan households were more
      likely to report a death in the previous year, and less likely to have an adult
      employed. These differences persisted over the study. Even non-orphan households
      exhibited characteristics of vulnerability, with 14% reporting a death one year
      before baseline, 45% of whom were prime-age adults. At baseline, a much smaller
      proportion of orphan households reported receiving the child support grant than
      the other household types, but notably, there were no differences among
      households in receipt of the grant by Round 3. Household food insecurity was
      highly prevalent: more than one in five orphan-only and mixed households reported
      being food insecure in the previous month. These findings suggest that the
      effects of HIV/AIDS only exacerbate existing high levels of poverty in the
      district, as virtually all households are vulnerable regardless of orphan status.
      Community-level programs must help families address a spectrum of needs,
      including food security, caregiving, and financial support, as well as better
      target social welfare grants and make them more accessible to vulnerable
      households.

PMID- 24223623
TI  - Computational methodology of optical molecular imaging.

PMID- 24223624
TI  - Understanding Personality and Predicting Outcomes: The Utility of Cognitive
      Behavioral Probes of Approach and Avoidance Motivation.
AB  - Approach and avoidance motivation may represent important explanatory constructs
      in understanding how individuals differ. Such constructs have primarily been
      assessed in self-reported terms, but there are limitations to self-reports of
      motivation. Accordingly, the present review concentrates on the potential utility
      of implicit cognitive-behavioral probes of approach and avoidance motivation in
      modeling and understanding individual differences. The review summarizes multiple
      lines of research that have documented the utility of such probes to the
      personality-processing interface. Although multiple gaps to our knowledge exist,
      and are acknowledged, the value of such implicit cognitive-behavioral assessments
      is emphasized both in modeling multiple sub-components of approach and avoidance
      motivation and in showing that such tendencies matter in ways that transcend
      momentary experiences or manipulations.

PMID- 24223626
TI  - Characteristics of gastrointestinal symptoms and function following endoscopic
      submucosal dissection and treatment of the gastrointestinal symptoms using
      rikkunshito.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the gastrointestinal (GI)
      symptoms and gastric emptying following endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD),
      as well as to evaluate a novel treatment strategy using rikkunshito, a
      traditional Japanese herbal medicine. GI symptoms and gastric emptying were
      evaluated 6-8 days after ESD as part of the Step I study. In the Step 1 study,
      the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores of the two groups after 4
      and 8 weeks of treatment with either a proton pump inhibitor (PPI; PPI
      monotreatment group, n=5) or a PPI plus rikkunshito (PPI + rikkunshito group,
      n=8) were compared against baseline values. Abdominal pain and constipation
      occurred in the majority of patients after ESD. The mean T-max 6-8 days after
      gastric emptying was 75.4+/-13.6 min, which was significantly longer compared
      with that reported in healthy subjects (43.9+/-10.3 min). In the Step 2 study,
      the total GSRS score was significantly improved only in the PPI + rikkunshito
      group after 8 weeks of treatment. In conclusion, ESD affects gastric emptying and
      is associated with an increased incidence of upper GI symptoms such as abdominal
      pain and indigestion. Rikkunshito may be useful as a novel supporting therapeutic
      drug for the treatment of GI symptoms in patients who have undergone ESD.

PMID- 24223625
TI  - CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF DRUG INTERACTIONS IN THE SERUM PROTEOME.
AB  - The binding of drugs with serum proteins and binding agents such as human serum
      albumin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, and lipoproteins is an important process in
      determining the activity and fate of many pharmaceuticals in the body. A variety
      of techniques have been used to study drug interactions with serum proteins, but
      there is still a need for faster or better methods for such work. High
      performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one tool that has been utilized in
      many formats for these types of measurements. Advantages of using HPLC for this
      application include its speed and precision, its ability to be automated, its
      good limits of detection, and its compatibility with a wide range of assay
      formats and detectors. This review will discuss various approaches in which HPLC
      can be employed for the study of drug-protein interactions. These techniques
      include the use of soluble proteins in zonal elution and frontal analysis methods
      or vacancy techniques such as the Hummel-Dreyer method. Zonal elution and frontal
      analysis methods that make use of immobilized proteins and high-performance
      affinity chromatography will also be presented. A variety of applications will be
      examined, ranging from the determination of free drug fractions to the
      measurement of the strength or rate of a drug-protein interaction. Newer
      developments that will be discussed include recent work in the creation of novel
      mathematical approaches for HPLC studies of drug-protein binding, the use of HPLC
      methods for the high-throughput screening of drug-protein binding, and the
      creation and use of affinity monoliths or affinity microcolumns for examining
      drug-protein systems.

PMID- 24223627
TI  - Treatment outcome in patients with stage III breast cancer treated with
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
AB  - Despite the good responses of patients (pts) with stage III breast cancer to
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), most eventually relapse and have a poor
      prognosis. We investigated the prognostic indicators in pts with stage III breast
      cancer treated with NAC, using epirubicin and/or docetaxel. A total of 22 women
      with stage III breast cancer underwent NAC between January 2005 and May 2011. The
      regimens of NAC comprised ED (epirubicin 60 mg/m2 and docetaxel 60 mg/m2) in 10
      cases, FEC (fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 75-100 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide
      500 mg/m2) in 10 cases and EC (epirubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600
      mg/m2) in two cases. Following four cycles of each regimen, a further four cycles
      of D (docetaxel 70 mg/m2) were undertaken in nine cases. Subsequent to the
      completion of NAC and surgery, we assessed the clinicopathological results and
      performed prognostic analyses. Statistical analyses concerning disease-free
      survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) were conducted by a Cox proportional
      hazard model. The median survival time was 66 months and there were 12 distant
      metastases and two local recurrences. Multivariate analyses showed the number of
      metastatic axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) [hazard ratio (HR), 1.079; P=0.023] was
      correlated with DFS, while the Ki-67 labeling index (HR, 1.109; P=0.042) and the
      number of meta-static ALNs (HR, 1.087; P=0.023) were correlated with OS. In
      conclusion, even if pts with stage III breast cancer show good responses to NAC
      using epirubicin and/or docetaxel, the majority eventually relapse and have a
      poor prognosis. The Ki-67 labeling index and the number of involved ALNs are
      suggested as prognostic indicators in stage III breast cancer.

PMID- 24223628
TI  - Inhibition of fibrosis and inflammation by triple therapy with pirfenidone,
      edaravone and erythropoietin in rabbits with drug-induced lung injury: comparison
      of CT imaging and pathological findings.
AB  - In a rabbit model of bleomycin-induced lung injury, computed tomography (CT) and
      pathological studies were conducted to investigate whether the progression of
      this injury is inhibited by pirfenidone and by triple therapy with pirfenidone,
      edaravone and erythropoietin. We divided nine rabbits with bleomycin-induced lung
      injury into three equally sized groups. Group 1 served as the control, group 2
      received pirfenidone alone and group 3 was treated with pirfenidone, edaravone
      and erythropoietin. Multidetector CT (MDCT) scans were acquired immediately after
      the administration of bleomycin, and further scans were performed on days 14 and
      28. The area of abnormal opacity was calculated. The rabbit lungs were removed
      and the size of abnormal areas in macroscopic specimens was calculated and the
      degree of fibrosis and inflammation in microscopic specimens was scored. In
      order, the average size of the area of abnormal opacity on CT scans was largest
      in group 1, followed by groups 2 and 3. On day 28, the area of opacity was
      significantly smaller in group 3 than in group 1 (P=0.071). The average size of
      the area of abnormal opacity on macroscopic findings was largest in group 1,
      followed in order by groups 2 and 3; the difference between group 1 and 3 was
      significant (P<0.05). The average fibrosis score was highest in group 3 followed
      by groups 2 and 1. By contrast, the average inflammation score was highest in
      group 2 followed by groups 1 and 3. Although the administration of pirfenidone
      alone slowed the progression of bleomycin-induced lung injury, the triple-drug
      combination was more effective.

PMID- 24223629
TI  - Technique for the safe placement of a biodegradable stent into the common bile
      duct of rabbits.
AB  - Biodegradable common bile duct (CBD) stents are in high clinical demand. Animal
      experiments concerning the surgical placement of biliary stents made of new
      materials are being performed more frequently than ever before. However, these
      animal experiments only use large animals. In this study, a central venous
      catheterization set was used as a modified stent introducer system in rabbits. A
      biodegradable Mg-6Zn alloy CBD stent was passed through the duodenal papilla
      using this stent introducer system. Computed tomography (CT) scanning of the CBD
      stent in vivo and levels of serum lipase (LPS) were investigated. Twelve rabbits
      underwent CBD stent insertion and one animal died due to an anesthetic accident.
      After 3 weeks, when the remaining 11 rabbits were sacrificed, no jaundice or bile
      leakage was observed. CT scanning of the 11 rabbits suggested that the
      biodegradable Mg-6Zn stent was successfully placed into the CBD. When the
      preoperative and postoperative levels of LPS were compared, no statistically
      significant differences were observed. This new method appears to be feasible and
      safe for the placement of stents into the CBDs of small animals. This new method
      can increase the animal number of CBD stent experiment, and improve the quality
      of experiments.

PMID- 24223630
TI  - Gene transfer of human neuregulin-1 attenuates ventricular remodeling in diabetic
      cardiomyopathy rats.
AB  - Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) is a cardioactive growth factor released from endothelial
      cells. However, the effect of NRG-1 on ventricular remodeling in diabetic
      cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to
      investigate the pathophysiological role of NRG-1 in a rat model of DCM. Rat
      cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were transfected with human NRG-1
      (hNRG-1) lentivirus. The hNRG-1 medium was utilized to culture rat
      cardiomyocytes. The cardiomyocytes were counted with a hemacytometer to determine
      the proliferation index and Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining was
      employed to examine the apoptotic rate. A rat model of DCM was induced by an
      intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The hNRG-1 lentivirus was injected
      into the myocardium of the DCM model rats. Four weeks after the lentiviral
      injection, cardiac catheterization was performed to evaluate the cardiac
      function. Apoptotic cells were determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl
      transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Left ventricular
      sections were stained with Masson's trichrome to investigate the myocardial
      collagen content. The expression levels of related genes and proteins were
      analyzed. The results indicated that hNRG-1 conditioned medium stimulated the
      proliferation and counteracted the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in vitro. In the
      rats with DCM, gene transfer of hNRG-1 to the myocardium improved heart function,
      as indicated by invasive hemodynamic measurements. In addition, hNRG-1 reduced
      the number of apoptotic cells, decreased the expression of bax and increased the
      expression of bcl-2 in the myocardium of the DCM model rats. Myocardial fibrosis
      and type I and III pro-collagen mRNA levels in the myocardium were significantly
      reduced by hNRG-1. hNRG-1 also increased the expression of phospho-Akt and
      phospho-eNOS in the myocardium. In conclusion, the gene transfer of hNRG-1
      ameliorates cardiac dysfunction in diabetes. Although further studies are
      required, NRG-1 appears to protect cardiomyocytes against apoptosis and to reduce
      the extent of myocardial interstitial fibrosis.

PMID- 24223631
TI  - Clinicopathological observations of colorectal serrated lesions associated with
      invasive carcinoma and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasm.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics
      of colorectal serrated lesions associated with invasive carcinoma and high-grade
      intraepithelial neoplasm (HIN), as well as to determine the immunohistochemical
      expression of MutL homolog 1 (MLH1), MutS homolog 2 (MSH2), K-ras and O6
      methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). A total of 5,347 cases diagnosed with
      colorectal polyp or adenoma were included in this study from October 2002 to
      September 2009. A total of 16 cases of colorectal serrated lesions associated
      with invasive carcinoma/HIN were screened. These comprised seven cases of
      traditional serrated adenoma (TSA) associated with invasive carcinoma and HIN,
      six cases of sessile serrated adenoma (SSA) associated with invasive
      carcinoma/HIN and three cases of hyperplastic polyp (HP) associated with invasive
      carcinoma/HIN. TSA associated with invasive carcinoma/HIN predominantly occurred
      in the rectum with a clearly serrated structure and ectopic crypts. High-grade
      dysplasia was observed in filiform TSA, which was more prone to carcinogenesis.
      SSA associated with invasive carcinoma/HIN mainly occurred in the ileocecal
      junction, with the SSA serrated glands closely located adjacent to the muscularis
      mucosa and the basal crypt expanded with inverted T- or L-shaped branches. HPs
      were observed in three cases in the cancer-adjacent tissues with invasive
      carcinoma, while a HP-SSA/TSA-carcinoma sequence was found in two cases.
      Immunohistochemistry showed that MGMT expression was significantly different in
      the serrated lesion tissues compared with that in cancer tissues (P=0.022),
      control cancer tissues (P=0.002) and normal colorectal epithelial tissues
      (P=0.003). TSA and SSA may progress to cancer or directly develop into invasive
      adenocarcinoma. Filiform TSA easily develops into HIN, followed by infiltration.
      HP may arise from the cancer-adjacent tissues of the invasive carcinoma, which
      are closely adjacent to the cancer tissues. Further research is needed to
      investigate the potential direct involvement of HP in carcinogenesis.

PMID- 24223632
TI  - Hepatocyte growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor regulate atrial
      fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation and rheumatic heart disease via the
      mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the interrelation between basic
      fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and atrial
      fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and rheumatic heart disease
      (RHD), and to explore the possible molecular mechanisms underlying this
      interrelation. Twenty patients with RHD who were scheduled for valve replacement
      were divided into two groups, comprising 10 cases with AF and 10 cases with sinus
      rhythm (SR). Clinical data were collected and a small sample of aseptic left
      atrial appendage was collected by the surgeon. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and
      Masson's trichrome-stained sections were used to evaluate the cross-sectional
      area and level of fibrosis, respectively. The expression levels of bFGF and HGF
      were assessed using immunohistochemistry. The phosphorylation levels of mitogen
      activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), c
      Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2
      (ERK1/2) and p38 in atrial tissue were measured using western blotting. Compared
      with the SR group, myocardial cell diameter was significantly expanded and there
      was increased collagen deposition in the AF group (P<0.05). The distribution of
      bFGF in the AF group was significantly higher than that in the SR group (P<0.05);
      however, HGF levels were significantly lower in the AF group (P<0.05). The
      phosphorylation levels of MEK1/2, ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38 in the AF group were
      significantly higher than those in the SR group (P<0.05). The results indicated
      that bFGF may promote the development of atrial fibrosis, while HGF may function
      in an opposite manner in patients with AF and RHD. The mitogen-activated protein
      kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway may be the molecular basis for these roles in
      atrial fibrosis.

PMID- 24223633
TI  - Fibrohistiocytoma combined with an aneurysmal bone cyst at T7 in a 63-year-old
      woman.
AB  - We present a case of spinal tumor, with fibrohistiocytoma combined with
      aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) at the pedicle and transverse process of T7 in a 63
      year-old female. ABC is a rare skeletal tumor and spinal ABC is extremely rare.
      Fibrohistiocytoma is a type of primary benign bone tumor. ABC is also a rare bone
      tumor that most often occurs in the pelvis. The combined lesion of two primary
      bone benign tumors is relatively rare in clinic. In addition, fibrohistiocytoma
      and ABC are widely confused with other giant cell containing tumors of the bone.
      X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography
      computed tomography (PET-CT) scans were performed and assessed. Finally, the
      diagnosis was confirmed by pathological tests. The patient underwent surgery and
      had an extremely good recovery. The correct diagnosis of a spine tumor is
      important when determining the surgical procedure.

PMID- 24223634
TI  - Effects of dexamethasone on angiotensin II-induced changes of monolayer
      permeability and F-actin distribution in glomerular endothelial cells.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in monolayer permeability
      and F-actin distribution caused by angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced injury in
      glomerular endothelial cells (GENCs) and the effects of dexamethasone on these
      changes. GENCs isolated and cultured from Wistar rats were used to examine the
      changes in monolayer permeability and F-actin distribution induced by Ang II.
      GENC permeability was evaluated by measuring the diffusion of biotin-conjugated
      bovine serum albumin (biotin-BSA) across a cell monolayer. The expression levels
      and distribution of F-actin were assessed by flow cytometry. The biotin-BSA
      concentrations were measured by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ang II
      at a concentration of 10 mg/l increased the permeability of the GENC monolayer at
      6 h and 12 h (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) and caused F-actin
      depolymerisation at 6 h and 12 h (P<0.01). The two effects attributed to Ang II
      were significantly inhibited by dexamethasone treatment (P<0.01). The increased
      permeability of the GENC monolayer induced by Ang II was significantly correlated
      with the depolymerisation of F-actin. Dexamethasone abrogated the Ang II-mediated
      damage to GENCs indicating that it may play an important role in protecting GENCs
      from injury.

PMID- 24223635
TI  - Expression and significance of angiopoietin-2 and cyclin D1 in laryngeal squamous
      cell carcinoma and the correlation with prognosis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to study the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and
      the cell cycle protein D1 (cyclin D1) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC),
      and its clinicopathological meaning. The expression of Ang-2 and cyclin D1 was
      analyzed in 116 cases of laryngeal SCC, five cases of atypical hyperplasia and
      five cases of vocal polyp tissues using the immunohistochemical streptavidin
      perosidase (S-P) method. Ang-2 and cyclin D1 protein expression was not present
      in 5 cases of atypical hyperplasia or 5 cases of vocal cord polyps. However, the
      proportions of positive staining in well, moderately and poorly differentiated
      laryngeal SCC were 40, 66.7 and 100%, respectively, for Ang-2 and 50, 66.7, 100%,
      respectively, for cyclin D1, and were statistically significant (P<0.05). The
      expression of Ang-2 was positively correlated with cyclin D1 in the laryngeal SCC
      (r=0.5042; P<0.05). This showed that the tumor grading and cyclin D1 were
      independent factors affecting laryngeal SCC patient survival by the Cox
      regression model of risk factors proportion analysis. Ang-2 is synergistic with
      cyclin D1 in the development of laryngeal SCC. Ang-2 is associated with the
      metastasis of lymph nodes. Detection of both Ang-2 and cyclin D1 may possess
      clinical significance in evaluating the prognosis and guiding the clinical
      treatment of SCC.

PMID- 24223636
TI  - Human amniotic epithelial cell feeder layers maintain iPS cell pluripotency by
      inhibiting endogenous DNA methyltransferase 1.
AB  - Maintaining induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in an undifferentiated, self
      renewing state during long-term cultivation is, at present, a major challenge. We
      previously showed that human amniotic epithelial cells (HuAECs) were able to
      provide a good source of feeder cells for mouse and human embryonic or
      spermatogonial stem cells; however, the epigenetic mechanisms have not been
      elucidated. In the present study, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and HuAECs
      were compared as feeder layers for the long-term culture of human iPS cells. The
      HuAEC feeders allowed human iPS cells to maintain a high level of alkaline
      phosphatase (AP) activity and to express key stem cell markers during long-term
      subculture whereas the MEF feeders did not,. Moreover, the HuAEC feeders
      significantly affected the cell cycle regulation of the iPS cells, maintaining
      them in the resting stage and the early stage of DNA synthesis (G0/G1 stage).
      Furthermore, the CpG islands of the Nanog and Oct4 promoters were hypomethylated,
      while the Nanog- and Oct4-specific loci exhibited higher levels of histone H3
      acetylation and lower levels of H3K27 trimethylation in iPS cells cultured on
      HuAECs compared with those cultured on MEFs. The DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)
      expression in iPS cells cultured on HuAECs was shown to be lower than in those
      cultured on MEFs. In addition, DNMT1-silenced human iPS cells were able to
      maintain pluripotency over long-term culture on MEFs. In combination, these
      results suggest that endogenous DNMT1 expression in human iPS cells may be
      regulated by HuAEC feeder cells and that Nanog and Oct4 are crucial components
      required for the maintenance of iPS cells in an undifferentiated, proliferative
      state, capable of self-renewal.

PMID- 24223637
TI  - Effects of quercetin on the proliferation of breast cancer cells and expression
      of survivin in vitro.
AB  - Quercetin is a hydrophobic agent with potential anticancer activity. The aim of
      the present study was to observe the effects of quercetin on the proliferation of
      the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and the gene expression of survivin. The
      molecular mechanism underlying the antiproliferative effect of quercetin was also
      investigated. MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with various concentrations
      of quercetin. The inhibitory effect of quercetin on proliferation was detected
      using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)
      method and the inhibition rate was calculated. Cellular apoptosis was detected by
      immunocytochemistry and survivin mRNA expression levels were observed using
      reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blot analysis
      was used to analyze changes in the expression levels of survivin protein.
      Quercetin induced the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells and inhibited the proliferation of
      the MCF-7 breast cancer cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The
      mRNA and protein expression levels of survivin were reduced as the concentration
      of quercetin increased. Quercetin inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells and
      promoted apoptosis by inducing G0/ G1 phase arrest. It also regulated the
      expression of survivin mRNA in MCF-7 cells, which may be the mechanism underlying
      its antitumor effect.

PMID- 24223638
TI  - Endoscopic management of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: A case report.
AB  - Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare disorder characterized by
      multiple recurrent vascular malformations, including hemangioma, which primarily
      locate on the skin and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The present study reports a
      22-year-old female with iron-deficiency anemia and recurrent episodes of melena.
      The patient also exhibited characteristic venous malformations of the skin.
      Endoscopy revealed several hemangiomas in the GI tract. The hemangiomas were
      treated by ligation using a nylon cord, while small blue mucosal polypoid lesions
      were treated using a sclerosing agent during colonoscopy and double-balloon
      enteroscopy. The patient was reviewed regularly for three years following surgery
      and no further bleeding episodes were noted.

PMID- 24223639
TI  - Computational pharmacological comparison of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Panax
      notoginseng used in the therapy of cardiovascular diseases.
AB  - The herb pair comprising Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) and Panax notoginseng (PN) has
      been used as a classical formula for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in China and
      in western countries. However, the pharmacology of SM and PN in this herb pair
      has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to compare the
      mechanisms of SM and PN at the molecular level for the treatment of CVDs. We used
      a systems pharmacology approach, integrating ligand clustering, chemical space,
      docking simulation and network analysis, to investigate these two herbal
      medicines. The compounds in SM were attached to clusters 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9,
      while the compounds in PN were attached to clusters 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10.
      The distributions of chemical space between the compounds from SM and PN were
      discrete, with the existence of small portions of overlap, and the majority of
      the compounds did not violate 'Lipinski's rule of five'. Docking indicated that
      the average number of targets correlated with each compound in SM and PN were 5.0
      and 3.6, respectively. The minority nodes in the SM and PN drug-target networks
      possessed common values of betweenness centrality, closeness centrality,
      topological coefficients and shortest path length. Furthermore, network analyses
      revealed that SM and PN exerted different modes of action between compounds and
      targets. These results suggest that the method of computational pharmacology is
      able to intuitively trace out the similarities and differences of two herbs and
      their interaction with targets from the molecular level, and that the combination
      of two herbs may extend their activities in different potential multidrug
      combination therapies for CVDs.

PMID- 24223640
TI  - Serum proteomics analysis and comparisons using iTRAQ in the progression of
      hepatitis B.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in serum protein levels in the
      progression of hepatitis B using isobaric tags for relative and absolute
      quantitation (iTRAQ) analysis, in addition to comparing the serum protein levels
      of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), patients with hepatitis B virus
      induced acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-induced ACLF) and normal individuals.
      Protein analysis was performed on 15 serum samples using iTRAQ. The study
      population included healthy controls (n=5), patients with CHB (n=5) and patients
      with HBV-induced ACLF (n=5). Western blotting was used to verify the results in
      an additional nine serum samples from healthy controls, patients with CHB and
      patients with HBV-induced ACLF (n=3, respectively). Using iTRAQ analysis, 16
      different serum proteins with >=1.5-fold differences in expression levels were
      identified in the patients with CHB and ACLF compared with the healthy controls.
      Five of those proteins, C-reactive protein precursor, hemoglobin beta chain
      variant Hb S-Wake, apolipoprotein J precursor, platelet factor 4 precursor and
      vitronectin, which demonstrated the greatest differences in their expression
      levels and the most significant correlation with liver diseases, were
      subsequently verified using western blotting. The western blotting results were
      consistent with the results from the iTRAQ. Two of the five proteins are not
      classified by biological process, and the biological functions of all the
      proteins in HBV-induced ACLF remain unclear. This preliminary study demonstrated
      that a correlation between the expression of various serum proteins and the
      different pathogenetic conditions induced by HBV may exist. The analysis of a
      larger number of samples is required to identify potential protein biomarkers
      that may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of hepatitis B.

PMID- 24223641
TI  - Effects of propofol on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.
AB  - Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute renal failure.
      The aim of this study was to investigate whether propofol pretreatment in a rat
      model protects kidney tissue against IRI. Thirty-two Wistar rats were equally
      divided into four groups: a sham-operated group, untreated renal IRI group, and
      low-dose (5 mg/kg) and high-dose (10 mg/kg) propofol-treated groups which were
      treated with propofol prior to the induction of IRI. The rats were subjected to
      renal ischemia by bilateral clamping of the pedicles for 50 min, followed by
      reperfusion. The low-dose and high-dose propofol treatment groups were pretreated
      via femoral vein injection with a propofol suspension prior to the induction of
      ischemia/reperfusion. The untreated IRI group showed significantly higher serum
      creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared with
      the sham-operated rats. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were significantly
      reduced following IRI; however, they significantly increased following propofol
      administration. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) levels were significantly
      increased in the propofol-treated groups compared with the untreated IRI group.
      These results suggest that propofol reduces renal oxidative injury and
      facilitates repair following IRI. Propofol may play a protective role by
      regulating BMP2 expression in renal IRI.

PMID- 24223642
TI  - Changes in expression of four molecular marker proteins and one microRNA in
      mesothelial cells of the peritoneal dialysate effluent fluid of peritoneal
      dialysis patients.
AB  - The aim of this study was to detect the expression of microRNA-200c and
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the mesothelial cells of the
      peritoneal dialysate effluent fluid of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and to
      investigate the association between microRNA-200c and peritoneal mesothelial cell
      EMT. Twelve patients who had recently started continuous ambulatory peritoneal
      dialysis (PD start group) and 16 patients who had been undergoing peritoneal
      dialysis for >6 months (PD >6 months group) were randomly chosen for the
      isolation, culture and identification of effluent cells. qPCR and western blot
      analysis were used to detect the expression levels of microRNA-200c and the
      levels of four cellular marker proteins, E-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin (FN)
      and COL-1, in effluent cells. The results showed that the effluent cells in
      peritoneal dialysis were peritoneal mesothelial cells. The level of E-cadherin
      protein expression was significantly lower in the PD >6 months group than in the
      PD start group, while vimentin, FN and COL-1 protein expression levels were
      significantly increased in the PD >6 months group. microRNA-200c in the PD >6
      months group was significantly downregulated. The E-cadherin protein expression
      level was significantly decreased and vimentin, FN and COL-1 protein expression
      levels were significantly increased in the PD >6 months group. The level of
      microRNA-200c was significantly reduced in the PD > 6 months group, suggesting
      that microRNA-200c may be associated with EMT.

PMID- 24223643
TI  - Anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody reduces neuropathic pain following spinal
      cord injury in mice.
AB  - The present study reports the beneficial effects of an anti-mouse interleukin-6
      (IL-6) receptor antibody (MR16-1) on neuropathic pain in mice with spinal cord
      injury (SCI). Following laminectomy, contusion SCI models were produced using an
      Infinite Horizon (IH)-impactor. MR16-1 was continuously injected for 14 days
      using Alzet osmotic pumps. A mouse IL-6 ELISA kit was then used to analyze IL-6
      levels in the spinal cord tissue between 12 and 72 h after injury. Motor and
      sensory functions were evaluated each week using the Basso Mouse Scale (BMS),
      plantar von Frey and thermal threshold tests. Histological examinations were
      performed 42 days after SCI. Between 24 and 72 h after SCI, the expression levels
      of IL-6 were significantly decreased in the MR16-1 treated group. Six weeks after
      surgery, the BMS score of the MR16-1-treated group indicated significant recovery
      of neurological functions. MR16-1-treated mice in the SCI group exhibited lower
      paw withdrawal thresholds in the plantar von Frey and thermal tests, which were
      used to evaluate allodynia. MR16-1 treatment significantly increased the area of
      Luxol fast blue-stained tissue, representing spared myelin sheaths. These results
      indicate that the continuous inhibition of IL-6 signaling by MR16-1 between the
      early and sub-acute phases following SCI leads to neurological recovery and the
      suppression of hyperalgesia and allodynia. Overall, our data suggest that the
      inhibition of severe inflammation may be a promising neuroprotective approach to
      limit secondary injury following SCI and that an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody may
      have clinical potential for the treatment of SCI.

PMID- 24223644
TI  - Soluble toll-like receptor 4 reversed attenuating effect of Chinese herbal Xiao
      Qing-Long-Tang on allergen induced nerve growth factor and thymic stromal
      lymphopoietin.
AB  - Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang (XQLT) is known to regulate allergic immune reactions. The
      aim of this study was to investigate the effects of XQLT on allergen-induced
      cytokines and associated signaling pathways. An acute allergic mouse model was
      used to investigate the effects of XQLT on nerve growth factor (NGF) during an
      allergic reaction, while human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiCs)
      were used to investigate the effects of XQLT on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
      group 2 (Der p 2)-induced NGF, p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and thymic
      stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) expression. XQLT was demonstrated to inhibit NGF-
      and p75NTR-related allergic reactions in the mouse model. XQLT also reduced the
      expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the lungs of the model mice. XQLT
      inhibited Der p 2-induced NGF, TSLP and p75NTR expression in the HPAEpiC cell
      line. The use of recombinant soluble TLR4 (sTLR4) in a competitive assay
      partially attenuated the inhibitory effect of XQLT on NGF, TSLP and p75NTR
      expression in HPAEpiC cells. The inhibitory effect of XQLT on the Ser536
      phosphorylation of p65 (nuclear factor-kappaB; NF-kappaB), a TLR4-induced factor,
      was also attenuated by sTLR4. In conclusion, XQLT inhibited Der p allergen
      induced NGF, p75NTR and TSLP expression. This inhibition was attenuated by sTLR4.
      The mechanism of action of XQLT may be correlated with TLR4, a primary receptor
      in the innate immune system. The findings of this study may focus the search for
      pharmacological targets of XQLT onto TLR4, which is important in the allergen
      presentation pathway.

PMID- 24223645
TI  - Monitoring luciferase-labeled human prostate stem cell antigen-expressing tumor
      growth in a mouse model.
AB  - The aim of this study was to establish a tumor model in mice with the expression
      of luciferase (Luc) and human prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), in order to
      evaluate the activities of anticancer drugs or vaccines for prostate cancer. RM-1
      cells were stably transfected with pcDNA-Luc and pcDNA-PSCA plasmids. The Luc
      expressing cells were examined using a luminometer and the PSCA-expressing cells
      were examined using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
      and flow cytometric analysis. Male C57BL/6 mice were inoculated subcutaneously
      with the RM-PSCA/Luc cells, prior to the tumor growth and survival time of the
      mice being measured, respectively. In vivo bioluminescence imaging was used to
      detect Luc expression and immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect PSCA
      expression. Inoculation of the tumor cells into the C57BL/6 mice closely mimicked
      the tumor growth of prostate cancer. All of the inoculated mice exhibited a
      detectable tumor within two weeks. Tumor progression was able to be
      quantitatively monitored following the inoculation of 1*106 RM-PSCA/Luc cells.
      There was an excellent correlation (R2=0.9849) between the photon counts and
      tumor volume. The expression of PSCA in tumor tissues was confirmed using
      immunohistochemical analysis. The Luc and PSCA co-expression tumor model was
      successfully established in mice, which is likely to accelerate the understanding
      of the pathogenesis of prostate cancer and facilitate the development of novel
      antitumor drugs or vaccines for the disease.

PMID- 24223646
TI  - Assessment of left ventricular dyssynchrony and cardiac function in patients with
      different pacing modes using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography:
      Comparison with tissue Doppler imaging.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the left ventricular mechanical
      dyssynchrony (LVMD) and left ventricular dysfunction of patients in AAI, DDD and
      VVI pacing modes using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and
      tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The results from the RT3DE and TDI were
      subsequently compared. Twenty patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) who had
      undergone the implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker were enrolled in this
      study and the pacemakers were programmed to AAI, DDD and VVI modes, sequentially.
      The RT3DE and TDI parameters were obtained following pacing for 24 h in each
      mode. With RT3DE, we measured the systolic dyssynchrony indices, including Tmsv16
      SD%, Tmsv12-SD%, Tmsv6-SD%, Tmsv16-Dif%, Tmsv12-Dif% and Tmsv6-Dif%, left
      ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume
      (LVESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), respectively. With TDI, we
      measured the standard deviation and the maximal difference in time from the QRS
      onset to the peak systolic velocity for 12 left ventricular myocardial segments,
      i.e. Ts-SD and Ts-Dif, respectively. The results showed that the Tmsv16-SD% and
      Ts-SD in the AAI mode were significantly lower than those in the DDD and VVI
      modes (P<0.05); however, there were no significant differences between the DDD
      and VVI modes (P>0.05). The LVEF in the AAI, DDD and VVI modes was 63.1+/-8.9,
      58.6+/-11.2 and 57.9+/-7.6%, respectively (P>0.05). There were negative
      correlations between the LVEF and Tmsv16-SD% (r, -0.651; P<0.001) and Ts-SD (r, 
      0.649; P<0.0001). A moderate correlation (r, 0.698; P<0.0001) was observed
      between Tmsv16-SD% and Ts-SD. The concordance rate between Tmsv16-SD% and Ts-SD
      for detecting LVMD was 76%. This study showed that DDD and VVI pacing modes
      induced significant LVMD and a reduction in LVEF, unlike the AAI pacing mode.
      RT3DE and TDI were capable of objectively evaluating LVMD; however, each method
      had certain faults. At present, there is a lack of a uniform standard for
      assessing LVMD; therefore, the use of a variety of techniques and indices is
      necessary in order to comprehensively evaluate LVMD in patients with different
      cardiac pacing modes.

PMID- 24223647
TI  - Change in the perioperative blood glucose and blood lactate levels of non
      diabetic patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery.
AB  - In the present study, a retrospective analysis of the trends and factors
      affecting blood glucose and blood lactate levels was carried out for non-diabetic
      adult patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
      Between October 2009 and October 2011, 200 non-diabetic adult patients undergoing
      CABG surgery were examined. Glucose and lactic acid levels were observed
      successively during surgery [following the induction of anesthesia, cardio
      pulmonary bypass (CPB), aortic cross-clamping and aortic stop flow infusion], at
      the end of surgery and after surgery [1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after admission to
      the intensive care unit (ICU)]. The results of blood gas analyses and other
      related indicators for trend analysis were investigated. The peak blood glucose
      and blood lactate levels during CPB, as well as other CPB factors, were also
      analyzed. Following aortic cross-clamping, intraoperative blood glucose and blood
      lactate levels increased gradually with increasing operative time.
      Postoperatively, blood glucose and blood lactate levels continued to rise. Blood
      glucose and blood lactic acid levels during CPB were positively correlated. The
      blood glucose and blood lactate levels of non-diabetic adult patients undergoing
      CABG increased gradually with operative time following aortic cross-clamping.
      Moreover, blood glucose and blood lactate levels were positively correlated with
      the duration of CPB and duration of aortic cross-clamping.

PMID- 24223648
TI  - Effects of iodine-125 seeds on the methylation of SFRP2 and P16 in colorectal
      cancer.
AB  - The current study investigated the effects of iodine-125 seeds on the gene
      methylation of SFRP2 and P16 in colorectal cancer. Mouse models of human
      colorectal cancer were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=25) and a
      control group (n=25). The control group was implanted with blank seeds (0 MBq)
      and the experimental group with iodine-125 seeds (14.8 MBq). At 20 days after
      implantation, the animals were sacrificed. The methylation levels of SFRP2 and
      P16 were detected using methylation-specific polymerase chain reactions (MSPs).
      Following iodine-125 seed irradiation, the level of SFRP2 methylation decreased.
      The methylation index of the experimental group (0.67+/-0.05) was significantly
      lower than that of the control group (0.84+/-0.07; P<0.05). In the experimental
      group, 10 samples (40%) displayed methylation in the P16 promoter region compared
      with 14 (56%) in the control group, which was a significant difference (P<0.05).
      Iodine-125 seeds induce the downregulation of methylated tumor suppressor gene
      promoters, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and growth of tumor cells.

PMID- 24223649
TI  - Staining with methylthioninium chloride for the diagnosis of fungal keratitis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the potential efficacy of staining with
      methylthioninium chloride (MC) for the diagnosis of fungal keratitis. A total of
      70 cases of fungal keratitis were included in the study from January 2009 to
      December 2010. The corneal scraping specimens of the patients were collected and
      stained with MC or a 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH)-based smear prior to
      microscopic examination. The staining results were confirmed with fungal culture
      and strain identification, which are recognized as 'gold standards' for the
      diagnosis of fungal keratitis. Among the 70 cases of fungal keratitis, 58 cases
      were positive and the positive rate was 82.86%. MC staining showed a positive
      rate of 62.86%, with higher levels of sensitivity (70.69%) and specificity
      (34.61%) compared with staining with the 10% KOH-based smear. The KOH-based smear
      showed a positive rate of 44.29% (P<0.05), a level of sensitivity of 44.83%
      (P<0.05) and a specificity of 17.95% (P<0.05). In addition, the MC staining
      showed false positive and negative rates of 25.00 and 29.31%, respectively, an
      accuracy index of 5.30% and positive and negative predictive values of 93.18 and
      34.61%, respectively. The results indicate that MC staining is a fast and
      effective method for the early diagnosis of fungal keratitis.

PMID- 24223650
TI  - Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A: A case report.
AB  - The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical and genetic features of a
      4-year-old female with merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A
      (MDC1A). MDC1A is the most common form of congenital muscular dystrophy. MDC1A is
      caused by mutation of the laminin alpha-2 gene (LAMA2), localized to chromosome
      6q22-23. Clinical presentation, as well as the results of neuro-imaging,
      electrophysiology and molecular genetic tests were used to evaluate a patient
      with MDC1A. The patient exhibited severe hypotonia and marked proximal weakness
      at 6 months of age, as well as delayed developmental milestones. The serum
      creatine kinase levels of the patient were elevated at 1,556 IU/l. Magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the white matter in the frontal, parietal,
      temporal and occipital lobes was abnormal with low signal intensities on T1
      weighted images and high signal intensities on T2-weighted images; however, the
      cortex was normal. Sequencing of the 65 exons of the LAMA2 revealed a homozygous
      nonsense mutation in exon 50: a C>T exchange in nucleotide 7147 that resulted in
      a stop codon (Arg2383X stop). Molecular genetic testing is a reliable method for
      confirming a diagnosis of MDC1A. When a patient presents with severe congenital
      hypotonia, muscle weakness, high serum creatine kinase (CK) levels and white
      matter abnormalities, the evaluation may directly proceed to molecular genetic
      testing of the LAMA2 gene without performing a muscle biopsy.

PMID- 24223651
TI  - Correlation between serum cathepsin S and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Cathepsin S (CatS), a proteolytic enzyme, which belongs to the cysteine
      proteinase family, is associated with atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease,
      cancer and other diseases. The present study aimed to explore the correlation
      between serum CatS and insulin resistance (IR) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
      A total of 51 patients with type 2 diabetes (Group DM) were recruited for this
      study and 49 healthy individuals were selected as normal controls (Group NC).
      Blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were recorded, and serum creatinine,
      CatS, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid and insulin levels, and fasting
      plasma glucose (FPG) levels were measured in all the participants. The
      homeostatic model assessment index of IR (HOMA-IR) was calculated according to
      FPG and serum insulin levels. Serum CatS, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and
      triglyceride (TG) levels in Group DM were significantly higher compared with
      those in Group NC (P=0.000, 0.014 and 0.020, respectively). Significantly
      positive correlations were identified between CatS levels and VLDL and TG levels,
      respectively (P<0.05 for both); however, no significant correlations were
      determined between CatS levels and age, course of disease, blood pressure,
      cholesterol, BMI, FPG, HbAc1 and HOMA-IR (P>0.05). Further stratification
      analysis showed that CatS had no association with IR at different HOMA-IR and
      HbA1c levels. The present study demonstrated that serum CatS, which was
      significantly increased in patients with type 2 diabetes, had no correlation with
      IR. This indicates that CatS and IR are independent of each other; however, the
      precise mechanisms require further investigation.

PMID- 24223652
TI  - Clinical and pathological analysis of the kidney in patients with hypertensive
      nephropathy.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to identify the association between pathological
      types of kidney and clinical manifestations in patients with hypertensive
      nephropathy. The blood pressure, fundus, urinalysis test results and renal
      function changes were analysed in patients who were treated for hypertensive
      nephropathy. Downward kidney puncture biopsy was performed using a 16G ejection
      needle with the aid of B ultrasound in 47 cases. The specimens were observed
      using light microscopy and immunofluorescence. The pathological changes observed
      in the patients exhibiting symptoms of hypertensive nephropathy varied. The
      majority of clinical manifestations were benign arteriolar nephrosclerosis,
      hyaline degeneration of the renal artery and the appearance of a thickened wall
      of a thickened renal artery wall. Severe cases showed malignant arteriolar
      nephrosclerosis characterised by fibrinoid necrosis of renal arterioles and
      intimal hyperplasia. In addition, in the severe cases, fibrinoid necrosis of the
      afferent arteriole and arcuate artery wall was observed, with severe interlobular
      artery and arcuate artery myointimal thickening. Renal biopsy in patients with
      hypertensive nephropathy is safe and feasible. The prognosis and treatment of
      pathological and clinical disease related to renal pathology is necessary.

PMID- 24223653
TI  - The effects of Euphorbia hirta on the ultrastructure of the murine liver, kidney
      and aorta.
AB  - Euphorbia hirta is widely used in traditional remedies and has been used cross
      culturally for generations against maladies such as asthma, skin ailments and
      hypertension. Previous studies have demonstrated that Euphorbia hirta has
      antibacterial activity, and have also indicated certain antimolluscidal,
      antimalarial and anti-inflammatory properties, the latter of which have been
      suggested to be more pronounced than those of the rheumatological drug,
      etanercept. To date, no studies have identified the anatomical effects of this
      herb on the organs of test animals. This study aimed to identify the effects of
      Euphorbia hirta on the ultrastructure of the murine liver, kidney and aorta. A
      total of 32 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups; three
      groups were fed with aqueous extracts of Euphorbia hirta at doses of 1, 10 and 50
      mg/kg, respectively, every alternate day for 50 days, while one group served as a
      control. The animals were later sacrificed and the liver, kidney and aorta
      harvested for examination by electron microscopy. The aorta showed no
      ultrastructural changes across the groups. Renal and hepatic tissue from the
      treated groups demonstrated dose-dependent injuries, which showed architectural
      damage beginning in the nuclei and spreading outwards. Taking into consideration
      the properties of Euphorbia hirta that have been described in previous studies,
      in addition to the results from the present study, it appears that the herb may
      exhibit similar effects to those of the quinolone group of antibiotics. Further
      in-depth investigations are required into the potential effects of Euphorbia
      hirta, deleterious and otherwise.

PMID- 24223654
TI  - Nerve growth factor exacerbates allergic lung inflammation and airway remodeling
      in a rat model of chronic asthma.
AB  - Nerve growth factor (NGF) is critical in the pathogenesis of allergic airway
      inflammation in vivo and induces proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells and
      matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in vitro. However, the effects of
      NGF on chronic pulmonary diseases of allergic origin remain unknown. To
      investigate the effects of NGF on lung inflammation and airway remodeling, 32
      Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, NGF, ovalbumin (OVA)
      and anti-rat-beta-NGF antibody (anti-NGF). Aerosolized OVA was administered to
      the rats in the NGF, OVA and anti-NGF groups to generate the asthmatic rat model,
      and NGF or anti-NGF was administered 3 h prior to OVA inhalation every two days.
      On day 70, bronchial responsiveness tests, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and cell
      counting were conducted. The levels of serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE)
      and of T-helper cell type-2 (Th2) cytokines [interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13] in the
      BAL fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression
      levels of NGF protein and MMP-9 mRNA, and the activity of MMP-9 in the lungs were
      detected by western blot analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and
      gelatin zymography analysis, respectively. Our results showed that NGF
      significantly increased eosinophilic airway inflammation, persistent airway
      hyperresponsiveness (AHR), the serum levels of OVA-specific IgE and the levels of
      Th2 cytokines in the BAL fluid, and also increased the expression levels and
      activity of MMP-9. However, anti-NGF treatment significantly inhibited
      eosinophilic airway inflammation, persistent AHR and airway remodeling. The
      results showed that NGF may have exacerbated the development of airway
      inflammation, AHR and airway remodeling through a Th2 pathway and by increasing
      the level of MMP-9 expression. Therefore, anti-NGF is potentially beneficial for
      preventing and treating patients with asthma.

PMID- 24223655
TI  - Sulfated modification and anti-tumor activity of laminarin.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the sulfated modification of laminarin
      and the changes in structure and antitumor activity. The chlorosulfonic acid
      pyridine method was applied for sulfated modification. The molecular weights of
      laminarin and laminarin sulfate (LAMS) were measured by high-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC), and IR and NMR spectra were also recorded. The surface
      conformations of laminarin and LAMS were observed with a scanning electron
      microscope. The antitumor activities of the two polysaccharides were also
      evaluated using an MTT assay. LAMS with a sulfate content of 45.92% and a
      molecular weight of 16,000 was synthesized. The IR spectra of laminarin and LAMS
      showed the characteristic absorption peaks of a polysaccharide, and LAMS also had
      the characteristic absorption peaks of sulfate moieties. The NMR spectra showed
      that laminarin and LAMS had beta-(1->3) glycosidic bonds forming the main chain,
      and sulfate substitution was at the hydroxyl groups of C2 and C6. Under the
      scanning electron microscope, there were clear differences in surface
      conformation between laminarin and LAMS; laminarin was cloud-like and spongy,
      while LAMS was block-like and flaky. The MTT results showed that laminarin and
      LAMS had inhibitory effects on LoVo cell growth, and the antitumor activity of
      LAMS was higher than that of laminarin at the same concentration. This suggests
      that sulfated modification was able to change the laminarin structure and
      markedly enhance the antitumor activity.

PMID- 24223656
TI  - miR-31 promotes oncogenesis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells via the
      direct suppression of RASA1.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic
      cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). However, the role of microRNA-31 (miR-31) in ICC has
      yet to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of miR
      31 was significantly upregulated in ICC tissues and the human ICC cell line HCCC
      9810, when compared with that in normal adjacent tissues. Bioinformatic analysis
      and a dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed RAS p21 GTPase activating protein 1
      (RASA1) to be a direct target of miR-31 in HCCC-9810 cells. Further investigation
      showed that the protein expression level of RASA1 was significantly decreased in
      ICC tissues, suggesting an inverse correlation between miR-31 and RASA1
      expression during the tumorigenesis of ICC. Moreover, the forced downregulation
      of miR-31 by its inhibitor in HCCC-9810 cells significantly inhibited cell
      proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. However, when the cells were
      cotransfected with miR-31 inhibitor and RASA1-specific small interfering RNA
      (siRNA), these changes were attenuated. Further analysis of the molecular
      mechanism showed that the activity of the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase
      (MAPK) signaling pathway was significantly decreased in miR-31-downregulated HCCC
      8910 cells, while cotransfection with miR-31 inhibitor and RASA1-specific siRNA
      attenuated this effect. These results indicate that the downregulation of RASA1
      by miR-31 promoted cellular proliferation and inhibited cellular apoptosis,
      partially by upregulating the activity of the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway in ICC.
      In conclusion, the present study revealed important regulatory functions of miR
      31 and RASA1 in ICC, indicating that miR-31 and RASA1 may become promising
      diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets for ICC.

PMID- 24223657
TI  - Differential diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
      with complements C3 and C4 and C-reactive protein.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in complements C3 and C4 and C
      reactive protein (CRP) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to evaluate the role of these indices in the
      differential diagnosis of SLE and RA. The first 347 patients with SLE, 382
      patients with RA and 66 patients with erythema nodosum were selected for the
      measurement of complement and CRP levels in the serum, the erythema nodosum
      patients were the control group. The roles of the complements and CRP in the
      differential diagnosis and disease activity evaluation of SLE and RA were
      analyzed with SPSS 13.0. Complement C3 and C4 levels were significantly reduced
      in patients with SLE compared with those in the control group. However, in RA
      patients, the CRP level was increased. In addition, the levels of complements C3
      and C4 in patients with SLE were much lower than those in patients with RA and
      the level of CRP in RA patients was much higher than that in patients with SLE.
      The reduction of complement C3 levels in SLE patients, and increase of CRP and
      complement C4 in patients with RA were associated with a higher risk of joint
      pain, butterfly rash and oral ulcer. These results show that the disease activity
      of SLE was negatively correlated with complement C3 and C4, and the disease
      activity of RA was positively correlated with CRP. With the increase in disease
      activity, the levels of complements C3 and C4 in patients with SLE were gradually
      reduced and the level of CRP in patients with RA was increased. There were
      distinctive differences in the levels of complements C3 and C4 and CRP between
      SLE and RA patients. The differences are useful in disease activity evaluation
      and the differential diagnosis of the two diseases that have similar symptoms.

PMID- 24223658
TI  - Effect of TRPV2 cation channels on the proliferation, migration and invasion of
      5637 bladder cancer cells.
AB  - Transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2), a nonselective cation channel,
      has become an attractive target gene for tumor studies due to its wide range of
      physiological and pathological functions. However, its specific role in bladder
      cancer development and progression remains unclear. The aim of the present study
      was to investigate the effects of TRPV2 on the proliferation, migration and
      invasion of 5637 bladder cancer cells in vitro. Rat TRPV2 cDNA was transfected
      into 5637 bladder cancer cells and changes in the behavior of the cells were
      detected. It was observed that TRPV2 enhanced bladder cancer cell migration and
      invasion; however, it did not affect cell proliferation in vitro. TRPV2 activity,
      which may be mediated by direct matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) regulation, is
      important in bladder tumor development and progression. The results of this study
      suggest that TRPV2 channels are a potential therapeutic target for bladder
      carcinoma.

PMID- 24223659
TI  - Pharmacokinetic comparison of the vasorelaxant compound ferulic acid following
      the administration of Guanxin II to healthy volunteers and patients with angina
      pectoris.
AB  - Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The
      Chinese medicinal formula Guanxin II has been shown to have a favorable effect in
      the attenuation of angina. The aim of this study was to compare the
      pharmacokinetics of ferulic acid (FA), which is a vasorelaxant compound present
      in Guanxin II, in healthy volunteers and patients with angina pectoris following
      the administration of Guanxin II. Ex vivo experiments were performed in order to
      investigate the vasorelaxant effect of FA on the human internal mammary artery
      (IMA) to provide evidence that it is a bioactive component of Guanxin II.
      Following the oral administration of Guanxin II, the FA levels in the serum were
      quantified by a simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
      method. Treatment with FA (10-8-10-3 M) caused a concentration-dependent
      relaxation of endothelial IMA rings following precontraction with KCl.
      Statistically significant differences were identified between the pharmaco
      kinetic parameters Cmax, t1/2alpha, t1/2beta and t1/2Ka of the healthy volunteers
      and the patients with angina pectoris following the oral administration of
      Guanxin II. FA is a bioactive compound absorbed from Guanxin II that attenuates
      angina pectoris, a condition that may modify the pharmacokinetics of FA. Not only
      do the pharmacokinetic parameters direct the clinical use of Guanxin II, but they
      may also be useful for exploring the pathology of angina pectoris.

PMID- 24223660
TI  - Analysis of promoters and CREB/AP-1 binding sites of the human TMEM174 gene.
AB  - Transmembrane protein 174 (TMEM174) is a type III transmembrane protein with no
      clear signal peptide. The N and C terminals are located inside the cell. Our
      previous study demonstrated high expression of TMEM174 in the kidney and its
      potential involvement in renal cancer based on its capacity to stimulate cell
      proliferation. However, the mechanism by which TMEM174 promotes proliferation at
      the transcriptional level remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the
      TMEM174 promoter region was amplified from whole blood DNA. Six different regions
      of the regulatory sequences of the TMEM174 promoter region including ~2.5 kb of
      the upstream region were cloned into the dual luciferase expression vector pGL3
      basic. Comparison of the activity of these fragments in dual luciferase reporter
      assays revealed higher levels of activity for the fragments spanning -186 to
      +674, -700 to +674, -1,000 to +674 and -2,500 to +1 bp. Lower levels of activity
      were detected for the fragments spanning -466 to +674 and -890 to +674 bp. The
      highest activity was detected for the fragment spanning -186 to +674 bp.
      Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed to determine effective
      transcription factor binding sites. Specific binding of the cyclic-AMP response
      element binding (CREB) within the TMEM174 gene promoter region was demonstrated,
      although binding of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) was also detected in this
      region. In conclusion, these results suggest that the core promoter region of the
      human TMEM174 gene is located within the region spanning -186 to +674 bp and that
      the transcription factors CREB and AP-1 are involved in the transcriptional
      regulation of this gene.

PMID- 24223661
TI  - 'Expansion in-situ' concept as a new technique for expanding skin and soft
      tissue.
AB  - Techniques for expanding skin and soft tissue are widely used to repair damaged
      areas since they facilitate the provision of new, additional skin tissue with
      similar quality, texture and color to that surrounding the defective area.
      Conventional expansion techniques involve placing expanders under the normal skin
      adjacent to a lesion. However, these techniques may involve additional incisions,
      complications with blood supply and 'dog-ear' deformities and may result in a low
      utilization rate of the expanded tissue. When reconstructing small defects that
      may not be sutured directly, these shortcomings, particularly the requirement to
      make additional incisions, limit the application of conventional techniques. The
      current study presents a novel approach to expansion called the 'expansion in
      situ' technique. In this technique, the lesion is used as the center for
      expansion and expanders of optimal size are implanted under the lesion and
      surrounding normal soft tissue. Following expansion, the damaged area is excised
      directly. In order to avoid poor healing of the incision made during expander
      implantation, the overlapping suturing of both cut sides is conducted. This
      enlarges the contact area of both sides of the incision, thereby avoiding
      incision dehiscence and increasing wound healing during the expansion process.
      Between August 2006 and July 2011, the expansion in-situ technique was applied in
      10 cases involving either nevus excision or scar removal. All 10 cases were
      treated successfully. Five of the cases were followed up over 1-3 years. The
      'expansion in-situ' technique is likely to be useful for avoiding additional
      incisions and improving the utilization rate of expanded skin flaps.

PMID- 24223662
TI  - Insulinization: A promising strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to assess the efficiency of the long-term use of
      continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), a novel regimen known as
      insulinization, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 150
      subjects who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes were included
      in the study. The patients were divided into eight groups according to the
      treatment regimens they received and were monitored for 3 months. Insulin doses
      were adjusted to optimize glycemic control with the simplest possible insulin
      regimen. The outcomes studied included the time required for glycemic control and
      insulin dose reduction, the total daily insulin dose, the ratio of patients not
      requiring the administration of oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), the rate of
      hypoglycemia, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma insulin (FinS)
      levels. Patients receiving insulinization required less time to achieve optimal
      glycemic control and insulin decrement compared with patients receiving other
      treatments. The total daily insulin dose for patients receiving insulinization
      therapy was 0.23+/-0.07 U/kg/day, which was lower than that in any other group.
      In patients receiving insulinization, the ratio of patients that did not require
      OADs (43.3%) and the concentration of FinS A were higher than those in the other
      groups. Furthermore, insulinization resulted in a greater reduction in HbA1c
      levels, as well as a reduced incidence of severe hypoglycemia. Insulinization may
      mimic physiological insulin secretion more effectively than other therapies. This
      regimen is more efficient and reduces the incidence of hypoglycemia in patients
      with type 2 diabetes, indicating that it is likely to be a promising treatment
      strategy for the disease.

PMID- 24223663
TI  - Precision of coaxial needle placement in computed tomography-guided transthoracic
      needle biopsy.
AB  - In the present study, a set of self-designed measurement protocols for the
      precision of coaxial needle placement (PCNP) was proposed and applied in a
      computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) audit of an
      interventional radiologist to determine if the PCNP was commensurate with the
      experience of the operator. A total of 102 patients (98 with lung lesions and
      four with mediastinum lesions) consented to be subjected to CT-guided TNB
      performed by staff interventional radiologists. The patients were divided into
      two groups based on appointment date. Group A consisted of the first 51 patients
      and group B comprised of the latter 51 patients. A set of self-designed
      measurement protocols for PCNP was proposed, and the PCNP was classified into
      four grades, from grade 1 (most accurate) to grade 4 (least accurate). PCNPs were
      independently measured by three staff radiologists who were blind to the
      grouping. The anatomical features of the lesions were also analyzed between the
      two groups. A significant difference in the PCNP gained after the first needle
      placement was identified between the two groups (P=0.003, two-tailed). The number
      of patients in group B with grade I PCNP (51.0%) was significantly higher than
      that in group A (21.6%) (P<0.05). The number of patients in group B with grade
      III PCNP (11.8%) was significantly lower than that in group A (29.4%, P<0.05).
      The PCNP was observed to be commensurate with the experience of the operator and
      should be considered as a routine audit index in CT-guided TNB.

PMID- 24223664
TI  - Inhibitory effects of resistant starch (RS3) as a carrier for stachyose on
      dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in C57BL/6 mice.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the effects of resistant starch 3 (RS3) as
      a carrier for stachyose on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in
      C57BL/6 mice. RS3 microspheres carrying stachyose (RS3 + stachyose) were produced
      and evaluated as a potentially improved colitis therapy for this study. The body
      weights of the mice treated with RS3 + stachyose were higher compared with those
      of DSS-treated control mice. RS3 + stachyose reduced the levels of the serum pro
      inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha to a greater extent compared with the
      same concentration of stachyose combined with ordinary starch (stachyose +
      starch). Histopathological examination of sections of colon tissues showed that
      the RS3 + stachyose group recovered well from colitis; however, the tissue
      sections of the stachyose + starch group presented necrosis to a more serious
      degree. These results suggest that stachyose with an RS3 carrier has better
      preventative effects on colitis than stachyose alone in mice.

PMID- 24223665
TI  - Curcumin enhances the effectiveness of cisplatin by suppressing CD133+ cancer
      stem cells in laryngeal carcinoma treatment.
AB  - Chemoresistance is one of the major barriers to chemotherapeutic treatment and it
      has been established that CD133+ cancer stem cells are responsible for drug
      resistance in laryngeal carcinoma. In the present study, curcumin and cisplatin
      were used as a combined treatment to induce the sensitivity of CD133+ cancer stem
      cells to chemotherapeutic agents and to enhance therapeutic effectiveness. The
      results revealed that in untreated and cisplatin-treated HEp-2 cell groups, the
      percentage of CD133+ cells was 4.50 and 6.89%, respectively. However, in the
      combined treatment group, the percentage of CD133+ cells was markedly reduced to
      1.49%, indicating that curcumin may increase the sensitivity of CD133+ cells to
      cisplatin, leading to the suppression of chemoresistance in HEp-2 cells.
      Furthermore, the expression of ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2
      (ABCG2), which is an important gene for chemoresistance, was demonstrated to be
      reduced in CD133+ cancer stem cells following combined treatment. These results
      suggest that the combined application of curcumin with chemotherapeutic drugs may
      be a reliable and effective approach for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma.

PMID- 24223666
TI  - Breviscapine reduces acute lung injury induced by left heart ischemic reperfusion
      in rats by inhibiting the expression of ICAM-1 and IL-18.
AB  - It has been demonstrated that breviscapine is able to treat coronary disease and
      reduce the inflammatory response; however, there are no relevant reports
      concerning its effects on the expression of inflammatory factors in acute lung
      injury induced by left heart ischemic reperfusion and the underlying mechanisms.
      In this study, we created a left heart ischemia-reperfusion model in rats to
      investigate the effects of breviscapine on the expression of interleukin 18 (IL
      18) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), as well as to determine the
      possible mechanisms involved in the protective effects of breviscapine on
      respiratory function. The left heart ischemia-reperfusion model was created by
      ligating the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery for 30 mins
      followed by reperfusion. Rats in the treatment group (TG) were treated with
      breviscapine (10 mg/kg) and the rats in the control group (CG) received normal
      saline. Ten rats in the two groups were sacrificed at three points: 30 min after
      ligating (T1), 30 min after reperfusion (T2) and 60 min after reperfusion (T3). A
      respiration curve was produced and the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)
      was measured for all rats. Additionally, the expression levels of IL-18 and ICAM
      1 were determined and the correlation between IL-18 and ICAM-1 expression in lung
      tissue was analyzed. The level of IL-18 in peripheral blood and bronchialalveolar
      lavage fluid (BALF) was also measured. The respiration amplitude was lower and
      the duration time was shorter in the TG rats than in the CG rats at T1, T2 and
      T3. The expression levels of IL-18 and ICAM-1 in the TG group were clearly
      reduced. The level of IL-18 in the peripheral blood and BALF was downregulated
      following the administration of breviscapine. These results demonstrate that
      breviscapine inhibits the expression of IL-18 and ICAM-1, thereby protecting the
      lungs from inflammatory cascade responses.

PMID- 24223667
TI  - Serum erythropoietin level predicts the prognosis of chronic heart failure with
      or without anemia.
AB  - The aim of this study was to explore the correlation of erythropoietin (EPO) with
      N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high sensitivity C
      reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) or CHF
      complicated with anemia, in addition to its correlation with the prognosis of the
      patient. A total of 217 CHF patients were enrolled in this study. The patients
      were graded according to the cardiac function criteria of the New York Heart
      Association (NYHA). The serum EPO, NT-proBNP and hs-CRP levels of the patients
      were determined. The patients were followed up for >=24 months. The EPO
      expression level in patients with NYHA II-IV CHF was significantly higher
      compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). EPO expression increased with
      the aggravation of CHF, exhibiting significant differences amongst the various
      NYHA graded groups (P<0.05). The EPO expression level increased significantly
      with an increase in NHA grade in addition to the severity of the anemia in the
      patients with CHF complicated by anemia (P<0.05). In the patients who succumbed
      (mortality group), the expression level of EPO was significantly higher and the
      hemoglobin level was significantly lower compared with those of the survival
      group (P<0.05). The EPO expression levels were elevated in CHF patients and
      patients with CHF and anemia. The level of expression correlated positively with
      the severity of CHF as well as that of anemia. Serum EPO measurements were
      successful in predicting the mortality and re-hospitalization rates of CHF
      patients at the end point, within two years of follow-up.

PMID- 24223668
TI  - Evaluation of the detection of 14 high-risk human papillomaviruses with HPV 16
      and HPV 18 genotyping for cervical cancer screening.
AB  - The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) suggests that
      women >=30 years old, with a negative cytopathological test but a positive high
      risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) test should undergo HPV 16 and HPV 18
      genotyping. If this test is positive, immediate cervical pathology is required.
      Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and clinical
      value of testing for 14 HR HPVs with HPV 16 and HPV 18 genotyping for cervical
      cancer (CC) screening. A total of 424 females from the China-Japan Friendship
      Hospital were selected and randomly divided into two groups (A and B). All
      participants underwent two different testing methods: the liquid-based cytology
      test (LCT) and a HPV DNA test. For the HPV DNA test, participants in group A
      underwent the hybrid capture II (HC-II) testing method while participants in
      group B were tested using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR; HBRT
      H14) method. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative
      predictive value for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)
      grade II or greater using HBRT-H14 were 96.30, 78.17, 23.21 and 99.68%,
      respectively. In Group B, compared with other HR HPV types, HPV 16 and HPV 18
      infection led to the increased possibility of cervical lesions graded CIN II or
      higher (8.11 and 51.28%, respectively). A significant difference in the rates of
      CC and CIN II or higher was observed among women who were i) infected with HPV 16
      and/or HPV 18, ii) infected with other HR HPV types and iii) diagnosed as
      negative for HR HPV infection (chi2=93.976, P=0.0001). In conclusion, HBRT-H14 is
      applicable for CC screening with the advantage of genotyping for HPV 16 and HPV
      18, which may help to improve triage management for women with negative cytology.

PMID- 24223669
TI  - Damaging alcohol consumption: evidence based prevention on the WHO model can
      help.

PMID- 24223670
TI  - The diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The estimated prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is 8 for
      every 1000 live births. FAS has serious, lifelong consequences for the affected
      children and their families. A variety of professionals deal with persons who
      have FAS, including pediatricians, general practitioners, neurologists,
      gynecologists, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists. Early diagnosis is important
      so that the affected children can receive the support they need in a protective
      environment. METHODS: A multidisciplinary guideline group has issued
      recommendations for the diagnosis of FAS after assessment of the available
      scientific evidence. This information was derived from pertinent literature (2001
      2011) retrieved by a systematic search in PubMed and the Cochrane Library, along
      with the US-American and Canadian guidelines and additional literature retrieved
      by a manual search. RESULTS: Of the 1383 publications retrieved by the searches,
      178 were analyzed for the evidence they contained. It was concluded that the
      fully-developed clinical syndrome of FAS should be diagnosed on the basis of the
      following criteria: Patients must have at least one growth abnormality, e.g.,
      short stature, as well as all three characteristic facial abnormalities-short
      palpebral fissure length, a thin upper lip, and a smooth philtrum. They must also
      have at least one diagnosed structural or functional abnormality of the central
      nervous system, e.g., microcephaly or impaired executive function. Confirmation
      of intrauterine exposure to alcohol is not obligatory for the diagnosis.
      CONCLUSION: Practical, evidence-based criteria have now been established for the
      diagnosis of the fully-developed FAS syndrome. More research is needed in order
      to enable uniform, evidence-based diagnostic assessment of all fetal alcohol
      spectrum disorders and optimize supportive measures for the children affected by
      them.

PMID- 24223672
TI  - Which side is affected?

PMID- 24223671
TI  - Alcohol-related aggression-social and neurobiological factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol-related aggression and violence are a widespread cause of
      personal suffering with high socioeconomic costs. In 2011, nearly one in three
      violent acts in Germany was committed under the influence of alcohol (31.8%). The
      link between alcohol consumption and aggression is promoted by various
      interacting factors. METHODS: In this review, based on a selective search for
      pertinent literature in PubMed, we analyze and summarize information from
      original articles, reviews, and book chapters about alcohol and aggression and
      discuss the neurobiological basis of aggressive behavior. RESULTS: Aggression is
      promoted both by the cognitive deficits arising in connection with acute or
      chronic alcohol use and by prior experience of violence in particular situations
      where alcohol was drunk. Only a minority of persons who drink alcohol become
      aggressive. On the other hand, alcohol abuse and dependence together constitute
      the second most commonly diagnosed cause of suicide (15-43%). Current research
      indicates that the individual tendency toward alcohol-induced aggression depends
      not just on neurobiological factors, but also on personal expectations of the
      effects of alcohol, on prior experience of violent conflicts, and on the
      environmental conditions of early childhood, especially social exclusion and
      discrimination. Gene-environment interactions affecting the serotonergic and
      other neurotransmitter systems play an important role. Potential (but not yet
      adequately validated) therapeutic approaches involve reinforcing cognitive
      processes or pharmacologically modulating serotonergic neurotransmission (and
      other target processes). CONCLUSION: Alcohol-related aggression has manifold
      social and neurobiological causes. Specific treatments must be tested in
      controlled trials.

PMID- 24223673
TI  - Cochrane analysis on betahistine omitted.

PMID- 24223674
TI  - Postural vertigo in older persons.

PMID- 24223675
TI  - Multiple psychovegetative symptoms.

PMID- 24223676
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 24223677
TI  - Patterns and Predictors of Mental Healthcare Utilization in Schools and other
      Service Sectors among Adolescents at Risk for Depression.
AB  - This study examined racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences in service
      utilization across sectors (specialty mental health, school, primary care) for
      youth at risk of depression. Our sample included 362 adolescents who were
      enrolled in a larger project examining the effects of an indicated school-based
      depression prevention program. Service use across sectors mirrored national
      trends and previous research findings in which the education sector was most
      frequently utilized for mental health services. Race/ethnicity was significantly
      associated with parent-reported specialty mental health service utilization, even
      when controlling for other predictors of use. The study also suggests that racial
      disparities in service access generally appear to be reduced through the
      availability of education sector mental health services. Socioeconomic status was
      not associated with service use in any sector when controlling for other
      predictors. Parent-child agreement was moderate for report of specialty mental
      health service use and low for report of use of services within the education and
      primary care sectors.

PMID- 24223678
TI  - Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations of Hemodynamics in Plaque Erosion.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated whether local hemodynamics were associated with sites of
      plaque erosion and hypothesized that patients with plaque erosion have locally
      elevated WSS magnitude in regions where erosion has occurred. METHODS: We
      generated 3D, patient-specific models of coronary arteries from biplane
      angiographic images in 3 human patients with plaque erosion diagnosed by optical
      coherence tomography (OCT). Using computational fluid dynamics, we simulated
      pulsatile blood flow and calculated both wall shear stress (WSS) and oscillatory
      shear index (OSI). We also investigated anatomic features of plaque erosion sites
      by examining branching and local curvature in x-ray angiograms of barium-perfused
      autopsy hearts. RESULTS: Neither high nor low magnitudes of mean WSS were
      associated with sites of plaque erosion. OSI and local curvature were also not
      associated with erosion. Anatomically, 8 of 13 hearts had a nearby bifurcation
      upstream of the site of plaque erosion. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides
      preliminary evidence that neither hemodynamics nor anatomy are predictors of
      plaque erosion, based upon a very unique dataset. Our sample sizes are small, but
      this dataset suggests that high magnitudes of wall shear stress, one potential
      mechanism for inducing plaque erosion, are not necessary for erosion to occur.

PMID- 24223679
TI  - Two new species of Undifilum, fungal endophytes of Astragalus (locoweeds) in the
      United States.
AB  - New species of Undifilum, from locoweeds Astragalus lentiginosus Vitman and
      Astragalus mollissimus Torr., are described using morphological characteristics
      and molecular phylogenetic analyses as Undifilum fulvum Baucom & Creamer sp. nov.
      and Undifilum cinereum Baucom & Creamer sp. nov. Fungi were isolated from dried
      plants of A. lentiginosus var. araneosus, diphysus, lentiginosus, and
      wahweapensis collected from Arizona, Oregon, and Utah, USA, and A. mollissimus
      var. biglovii, earleii, and mollissimus collected from New Mexico, Oklahoma, and
      Texas, USA. Endophytic fungi from Astragalus locoweeds were compared to Undifilum
      oxytropis isolates obtained from dried plant material of Oxytropis lamberteii
      from New Mexico and Oxytropis sericea from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah,
      and Wyoming. Extremely slow growth in vitro was observed for all, and conidia, if
      present, were ellipsoid with transverse septa. However, in vitro color, growth on
      four different media, and conidium size differed between fungi from Astragalus
      spp. and U. oxytropis. Neighbor-joining analyses of internal transcribed spacer
      (ITS) region and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) gene sequences
      revealed that U. fulvum and U. cinereum formed a clade distinct from U.
      oxytropis. This was supported by neighbor-joining analyses of results generated
      from random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragments using two different
      primers.

PMID- 24223692
TI  - Reversal learning and associative memory impairments in a BACHD rat model for
      Huntington disease.
AB  - Chorea and psychiatric symptoms are hallmarks of Huntington disease (HD), a
      neurodegenerative disorder, genetically characterized by the presence of expanded
      CAG repeats (>35) in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. HD patients present psychiatric
      symptoms prior to the onset of motor symptoms and we recently found a similar
      emergence of non motor and motor deficits in BACHD rats carrying the human full
      length mutated HTT (97 CAG-CAA repeats). We evaluated cognitive performance in
      reversal learning and associative memory tests in different age cohorts of BACHD
      rats. Male wild type (WT) and transgenic (TG) rats between 2 and 12 months of age
      were tested. Learning and strategy shifting were assessed in a cross-maze test.
      Associative memory was evaluated in different fear conditioning paradigms
      (context, delay and trace). The possible confound of a fear conditioning
      phenotype by altered sensitivity to a 'painful' stimulus was assessed in a flinch
      jump test. In the cross maze, 6 months old TG rats showed a mild impairment in
      reversal learning. In the fear conditioning tasks, 4, 6 and 12 months old TG rats
      showed a marked reduction in contextual fear conditioning. In addition, TG rats
      showed impaired delay conditioning (9 months) and trace fear conditioning (3
      months). This phenotype was unlikely to be affected by a change in 'pain'
      sensitivity as WT and TG rats showed no difference in their threshold response in
      the flinch-jump test. Our results suggest that BACHD rats have a profound
      associative memory deficit and, possibly, a deficit in reversal learning as
      assessed in a cross maze task. The time course for the emergence of these
      symptoms (i.e., before the occurrence of motor symptoms) in this rat model for HD
      appears similar to the time course in patients. These data suggest that BACHD
      rats may be a useful model for preclinical drug discovery.

PMID- 24223693
TI  - Evaluating the pharmacological mechanism of Chinese medicine Si-Wu-Tang through
      multi-level data integration.
AB  - Si-Wu-Tang (SWT) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula widely used for
      the treatments of gynecological diseases. To explore the pharmacological
      mechanism of SWT, we incorporated microarray data of SWT with our herbal target
      database TCMID to analyze the potential activity mechanism of SWT's herbal
      ingredients and targets. We detected 2,405 differentially expressed genes in the
      microarray data, 20 of 102 proteins targeted by SWT were encoded by these DEGs
      and can be targeted by 2 FDA-approved drugs and 39 experimental drugs. The
      results of pathway enrichment analysis of the 20 predicted targets were
      consistent with that of 2,405 differentially expressed genes, elaborating the
      potential pharmacological mechanisms of SWT. Further study from a perspective of
      protein-protein interaction (PPI) network showed that the predicted targets of
      SWT function cooperatively to perform their multi-target effects. We also
      constructed a network to combine herbs, ingredients, targets and drugs together
      which bridges the gap between SWT and conventional medicine, and used it to infer
      the potential mechanisms of herbal ingredients. Moreover, based on the hypothesis
      that the same or similar effects between different TCM formulae may result from
      targeting the same proteins, we analyzed 27 other TCM formulae which can also
      treat the gynecological diseases, the subsequent result provides additional
      insight to understand the potential mechanisms of SWT in treating amenorrhea. Our
      bioinformatics approach to detect the pharmacology of SWT may shed light on drug
      discovery for gynecological diseases and could be utilized to investigate other
      TCM formulae as well. 

PMID- 24223694
TI  - Urinary exosomal microRNAs in incipient diabetic nephropathy.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-protein-encoding RNAs, regulate gene
      expression via suppression of target mRNAs. MiRNAs are present in body fluids in
      a remarkable stable form as packaged in microvesicles of endocytic origin, named
      exosomes. In the present study, we have assessed miRNA expression in urinary
      exosomes from type 1 diabetic patients with and without incipient diabetic
      nephropathy. Results showed that miR-130a and miR-145 were enriched, while miR
      155 and miR-424 reduced in urinary exosomes from patients with microalbuminuria.
      Similarly, in an animal model of early experimental diabetic nephropathy, urinary
      exosomal miR-145 levels were increased and this was paralleled by miR-145
      overexpression within the glomeruli. Exposure of cultured mesangial cells to high
      glucose increased miR-145 content in both mesangial cells and mesangial cells
      derived exosomes, providing a potential mechanism for diabetes-induced miR-145
      overexpression. In conclusion, urinary exosomal miRNA content is altered in type
      1 diabetic patients with incipient diabetic nephropathy and miR-145 may represent
      a novel candidate biomarker/player in the complication. 

PMID- 24223695
TI  - Vitamin A transport and the transmembrane pore in the cell-surface receptor for
      plasma retinol binding protein.
AB  - Vitamin A and its derivatives (retinoids) play diverse and crucial functions from
      embryogenesis to adulthood and are used as therapeutic agents in human medicine
      for eye and skin diseases, infections and cancer. Plasma retinol binding protein
      (RBP) is the principal and specific vitamin A carrier in the blood and binds
      vitamin A at 1:1 ratio. STRA6 is the high-affinity membrane receptor for RBP and
      mediates cellular vitamin A uptake. STRA6 null mice have severely depleted
      vitamin A reserves for vision and consequently have vision loss, even under
      vitamin A sufficient conditions. STRA6 null humans have a wide range of severe
      pathological phenotypes in many organs including the eye, brain, heart and lung.
      Known membrane transport mechanisms involve transmembrane pores that regulate the
      transport of the substrate (e.g., the gating of ion channels). STRA6 represents a
      new type of membrane receptor. How this receptor interacts with its transport
      substrate vitamin A and the functions of its nine transmembrane domains are still
      completely unknown. These questions are critical to understanding the molecular
      basis of STRA6's activities and its regulation. We employ acute chemical
      modification to introduce chemical side chains to STRA6 in a site-specific
      manner. We found that modifications with specific chemicals at specific positions
      in or near the transmembrane domains of this receptor can almost completely
      suppress its vitamin A transport activity. These experiments provide the first
      evidence for the existence of a transmembrane pore, analogous to the pore of ion
      channels, for this new type of cell-surface receptor.

PMID- 24223696
TI  - Five-year prognosis after mild to moderate ischemic stroke by stroke subtype: a
      multi-clinic registry study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mild to moderate ischemic stroke is a common presentation
      in the outpatient setting. Among the various subtypes of stroke, lacunar
      infarction (LI) is generally very common. Currently, little is known about the
      long-term prognosis and factors associated with the prognosis between LI and non
      LI. This study aims to compare the risk of death and acute cardiovascular events
      between patients with LI and non-LI, and identify potential risk factors
      associated with these outcomes. METHODS: A total of 710 first-ever ischemic
      stroke patients (LI: 474, non-LI: 263) from 18 clinics were recruited
      consecutively from 2003 to 2004. They were prospectively followed-up until the
      end of 2008. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using
      multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: After a 5-year follow
      up, 54 deaths and 96 acute cardiovascular events occurred. Recurrent stroke was
      the most common cause of death (19 cases, 35.18%) and new acute cardiovascular
      events (75 cases, 78.13%). There were no significant differences between patients
      with LI and non-LI in their risks of death, new cardiovascular events, and
      recurrent stroke after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, cardiac
      diseases, body mass index, dyslipidemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, ADL
      dependence, and depressive symptoms. Among the modifiable risk factors, diabetes,
      hypertension, ADL dependency, and symptoms of depression were independent
      predictors of poor outcomes in patients with LI. In non-LI patients, however, no
      modifiable risk factors were detected for poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: Long-term
      outcomes did not differ significantly between LI and non-LI patients. Detecting
      and managing vascular risk factors and depression as well as functional
      rehabilitation may improve the prognoses of LI patients.

PMID- 24223697
TI  - Semantic annotation of mutable data.
AB  - Electronic annotation of scientific data is very similar to annotation of
      documents. Both types of annotation amplify the original object, add related
      knowledge to it, and dispute or support assertions in it. In each case,
      annotation is a framework for discourse about the original object, and, in each
      case, an annotation needs to clearly identify its scope and its own terminology.
      However, electronic annotation of data differs from annotation of documents: the
      content of the annotations, including expectations and supporting evidence, is
      more often shared among members of networks. Any consequent actions taken by the
      holders of the annotated data could be shared as well. But even those current
      annotation systems that admit data as their subject often make it difficult or
      impossible to annotate at fine-enough granularity to use the results in this way
      for data quality control. We address these kinds of issues by offering simple
      extensions to an existing annotation ontology and describe how the results
      support an interest-based distribution of annotations. We are using the result to
      design and deploy a platform that supports annotation services overlaid on
      networks of distributed data, with particular application to data quality
      control. Our initial instance supports a set of natural science collection
      metadata services. An important application is the support for data quality
      control and provision of missing data. A previous proof of concept demonstrated
      such use based on data annotations modeled with XML-Schema. 

PMID- 24223698
TI  - Computer-aided diagnosis of skin lesions using conventional digital photography:
      a reliability and feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) software that provides a second
      opinion has been widely used to assist physicians with various tasks. In
      dermatology, however, CADx has been mostly limited to melanoma or melanocytic
      skin cancer diagnosis. The frequency of non-melanocytic skin cancers and the
      accessibility of regular digital macrographs have raised interest in developing
      CADx for broader applications. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of
      using CADx to diagnose both melanocytic and non-melanocytic skin lesions based on
      conventional digital photographic images. METHODS: This study was approved by an
      institutional review board, and the requirement to obtain informed consent was
      waived. In total, 769 conventional photographs of melanocytic and non-melanocytic
      skin lesions were retrospectively reviewed and used to develop a CADx system.
      Conventional and new color-related image features were developed to classify the
      lesions as benign or malignant using support vector machines (SVMs). The
      performance of CADx was compared with that of dermatologists. RESULTS: The
      clinicians' overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 83.33%, 85.88%,
      and 85.31%, respectively. New color correlation and principal component analysis
      (PCA) features improved the classification ability of the baseline CADx (p =
      0.001). The estimated area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
      curve (Az) of the proposed CADx system was 0.949, with a sensitivity and
      specificity of 85.63% and 87.65%, respectively, and a maximum accuracy of 90.64%.
      CONCLUSIONS: We have developed an effective CADx system to classify both
      melanocytic and non-melanocytic skin lesions using conventional digital
      macrographs. The system's performance was similar to that of dermatologists at
      our institute. Through improved feature extraction and SVM analysis, we found
      that conventional digital macrographs were feasible for providing useful
      information for CADx applications. The new color-related features significantly
      improved CADx applications for skin cancer.

PMID- 24223699
TI  - A computational model associating learning process, word attributes, and age of
      acquisition.
AB  - We propose a new model-based approach linking word learning to the age of
      acquisition (AoA) of words; a new computational tool for understanding the
      relationships among word learning processes, psychological attributes, and word
      AoAs as measures of vocabulary growth. The computational model developed
      describes the distinct statistical relationships between three theoretical
      factors underpinning word learning and AoA distributions. Simply put, this model
      formulates how different learning processes, characterized by change in learning
      rate over time and/or by the number of exposures required to acquire a word,
      likely result in different AoA distributions depending on word type. We tested
      the model in three respects. The first analysis showed that the proposed model
      accounts for empirical AoA distributions better than a standard alternative. The
      second analysis demonstrated that the estimated learning parameters well
      predicted the psychological attributes, such as frequency and imageability, of
      words. The third analysis illustrated that the developmental trend predicted by
      our estimated learning parameters was consistent with relevant findings in the
      developmental literature on word learning in children. We further discuss the
      theoretical implications of our model-based approach. 

PMID- 24223700
TI  - Irreversible electroporation ablation (IRE) of unresectable soft tissue tumors:
      learning curve evaluation in the first 150 patients treated.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel technology that uses
      peri-target discrete probes to deliver high-voltage localized electric current to
      induce cell death without thermal-induced coagulative necrosis. "Learnability"
      and consistently effective results by novice practitioners is essential for
      determining acceptance of novel techniques. This multi-center prospectively
      collected database study evaluates the learning curve of IRE. METHODS: Analysis
      of 150 consecutive patients over 7 institutions from 9/2010-7/2012 was performed
      with patients treated divided into 3 groups A (1(st) 50 patients treated), B
      (2(nd) 50) and C (3(rd) 50 patients treated) chronologically and analyzed for
      outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 167 IRE procedures were performed, with a majority
      being liver(39.5%) and pancreatic(35.5%) lesions. The three groups were similar
      with respect to co-morbidities and demographics. Group C had larger lesions (3.9
      vs 3 cm,p=0.001), more numerous lesions (3.2 vs 2.2,p=0.07), more vascular
      invasion(p=0.001), underwent more associated procedures(p=0.001) and had longer
      operative times(p<0.001). Despite this, they had similar complication and high
      grade complication rates(p=0.24). Attributable morbidity rate was 13.3%(total
      29.3%) and high-grade complications were seen in 4.19%(total 12.6%). Pancreatic
      lesions(p=0.001) and laparotomy(p=0.001) were associated with complications.
      CONCLUSION: The review represents that single largest review of IRE soft tissue
      ablation demonstrating initial patient selection and safety. Over time, complex
      treatments of larger lesions and lesions with greater vascular involvement were
      performed without a significant increase in adverse effects or impact on local
      relapse free survival. This evolution demonstrates the safety profile of IRE and
      speed of graduation to more complex lesions, which was greater than 5 cases by
      institution. IRE is a safe and effective alternative to conventional ablation
      with a demonstrable learning curve of at least 5 cases to become proficient.

PMID- 24223701
TI  - Massive transcriptional perturbation in subgroups of diffuse large B-cell
      lymphomas.
AB  - Based on the assumption that molecular mechanisms involved in cancerogenesis are
      characterized by groups of coordinately expressed genes, we developed and
      validated a novel method for analyzing transcriptional data called Correlated
      Gene Set Analysis (CGSA). Using 50 extracted gene sets we identified three
      different profiles of tumors in a cohort of 364 Diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) and
      related mature aggressive B-cell lymphomas other than Burkitt lymphoma. The first
      profile had high level of expression of genes related to proliferation whereas
      the second profile exhibited a stromal and immune response phenotype. These two
      profiles were characterized by a large scale gene activation affecting genes
      which were recently shown to be epigenetically regulated, and which were enriched
      in oxidative phosphorylation, energy metabolism and nucleoside biosynthesis. The
      third and novel profile showed only low global gene activation similar to that
      found in normal B cells but not cell lines. Our study indicates novel levels of
      complexity of DLBCL with low or high large scale gene activation related to
      metabolism and biosynthesis and, within the group of highly activated DLBCLs,
      differential behavior leading to either a proliferative or a stromal and immune
      response phenotype. 

PMID- 24223702
TI  - Standardization of size, shape and internal structure of spinal cord images:
      comparison of three transformation methods.
AB  - Functional fluorescence imaging has been widely applied to analyze spatio
      temporal patterns of cellular dynamics in the brain and spinal cord. However, it
      is difficult to integrate spatial information obtained from imaging data in
      specific regions of interest across multiple samples, due to large variability in
      the size, shape and internal structure of samples. To solve this problem, we
      attempted to standardize transversely sectioned spinal cord images focusing on
      the laminar structure in the gray matter. We employed three standardization
      methods, the affine transformation (AT), the angle-dependent transformation (ADT)
      and the combination of these two methods (AT+ADT). The ADT is a novel non-linear
      transformation method developed in this study to adjust an individual image onto
      the template image in the polar coordinate system. We next compared the accuracy
      of these three standardization methods. We evaluated two indices, i.e., the
      spatial distribution of pixels that are not categorized to any layer and the
      error ratio by the leave-one-out cross validation method. In this study, we used
      neuron-specific marker (NeuN)-stained histological images of transversely
      sectioned cervical spinal cord slices (21 images obtained from 4 rats) to create
      the standard atlas and also to serve for benchmark tests. We found that the
      AT+ADT outperformed other two methods, though the accuracy of each method varied
      depending on the layer. This novel image standardization technique would be
      applicable to optical recording such as voltage-sensitive dye imaging, and will
      enable statistical evaluations of neural activation across multiple samples. 

PMID- 24223703
TI  - Prevalence of neurobehavioral, social, and emotional dysfunction in patients
      treated for childhood craniopharyngioma: a systematic literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Craniopharyngiomas (CP) are locally invasive and frequently recurring
      neoplasms often resulting in neurological and endocrinological dysfunction in
      children. In addition, social-behavioral impairment is commonly reported
      following treatment for childhood CP, yet remains to be fully understood. The
      authors aimed to further characterize the prevalence of neurobehavioral, social,
      and emotional dysfunction in survivors of childhood craniopharyngiomas. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed to identify
      studies formally assessing neurobehavioral, social, and emotional outcomes in
      patients treated for CP prior to 18 years of age. Studies published between the
      years 1990-2012 that reported the primary outcome (prevalence of neurobehavioral,
      social, emotional/affective dysfunction, and/or impaired quality of life (QoL))
      in >= 10 patients were included. RESULTS: Of the 471 studies screened, 11 met
      inclusion criteria. Overall neurobehavioral dysfunction was reported in 51 of 90
      patients (57%) with available data. Social impairment (i.e. withdrawal,
      internalizing behavior) was reported in 91 of 222 cases (41%). School dysfunction
      was reported in 48 of 136 patients (35%). Emotional/affective dysfunction was
      reported in 58 of 146 patients (40%), primarily consisting of depressive
      symptoms. Health related quality of life was affected in 49 of 95 patients (52%).
      Common descriptors of behavior in affected children included irritability,
      impulsivity, aggressiveness, and emotional outbursts. CONCLUSIONS:
      Neurobehavioral, social, and emotional impairment is highly prevalent in
      survivors of childhood craniopharyngioma, and often affects quality of life.
      Thorough neurobehavioral/emotional screening and appropriate counseling is
      recommended in this population. Additional research is warranted to identify risk
      factors and treatment strategies for these disorders.

PMID- 24223704
TI  - Semantics, syntax or neither? A case for resolution in the interpretation of N500
      and P600 responses to harmonic incongruities.
AB  - The processing of notes and chords which are harmonically incongruous with their
      context has been shown to elicit two distinct late ERP effects. These effects
      strongly resemble two effects associated with the processing of linguistic
      incongruities: a P600, resembling a typical response to syntactic incongruities
      in language, and an N500, evocative of the N400, which is typically elicited in
      response to semantic incongruities in language. Despite the robustness of these
      two patterns in the musical incongruity literature, no consensus has yet been
      reached as to the reasons for the existence of two distinct responses to harmonic
      incongruities. This study was the first to use behavioural and ERP data to test
      two possible explanations for the existence of these two patterns: the
      musicianship of listeners, and the resolved or unresolved nature of the harmonic
      incongruities. Results showed that harmonically incongruous notes and chords
      elicited a late positivity similar to the P600 when they were embedded within
      sequences which started and ended in the same key (harmonically resolved). The
      notes and chords which indicated that there would be no return to the original
      key (leaving the piece harmonically unresolved) were associated with a further
      P600 in musicians, but with a negativity resembling the N500 in non-musicians. We
      suggest that the late positivity reflects the conscious perception of a specific
      element as being incongruous with its context and the efforts of musicians to
      integrate the harmonic incongruity into its local context as a result of their
      analytic listening style, while the late negativity reflects the detection of the
      absence of resolution in non-musicians as a result of their holistic listening
      style. 

PMID- 24223705
TI  - Regulation of autophagy via PERK-eIF2alpha effectively relieve the radiation
      myelitis induced by iodine-125.
AB  - Radiation myelitis is the most serious complication in clinical radiotherapy for
      spinal metastases. We previously showed that (125)I brachytherapy induced
      apoptosis of spinal cord neurons accompanied by autophagy. In this study, we
      further investigated the mechanism by which (125)I radiation triggered autophagy
      in neural cells. We found that autophagy induced by (125)I radiation was involved
      in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mainly dependent on PERK-eIF2alpha
      pathway. The expressions of LC3II, ATG12 and PI3K were significantly suppressed
      in PERK knockout neural cells. Meanwhile, the expressions of phosphorylated-Akt
      s473 and caspase3/8 all significantly increased in neural cells transfected with
      a PERK siRNA and which enhanced apoptosis of neurons after (125)I radiation. The
      results were consistent with that by MTT and Annexin-FITC/PT staining. In animal
      model of banna pigs with radiation myelitis caused by (125)I brachytherapy, we
      have successfully decreased PERK expression by intrathecal administration of the
      lentivirus vector. The apoptosis rate was significantly higher than that in
      control group and which deteriorated radiation myelitis of banna pigs. Thus,
      autophagy caused by (125)I radiation was mainly as an attempt of cell survival at
      an early stage, but it would be a self-destructive process and promoted the
      process of apoptosis and necrosis radiated by (125)I for more than 72 hours. The
      study would be useful and helpful to maximize efficiency of radiation therapy in
      clinical therapy.

PMID- 24223706
TI  - Dihydromyricetin reduced Bcl-2 expression via p53 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.
AB  - Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a major active ingredient of flavonoids compounds. It
      exhibited anticancer activity and induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular
      carcinoma HepG2 cells according to our previous data. In this study, we
      investigated whether p53 is involved in DHM-triggered viability inhibition and
      apoptosis induction in cancer cells. MTT [3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay was employed to evaluate the viability of
      HepG2 cells after DHM treatment. Meanwhile, p53 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was
      adopted to silence p53 expression. Protein level of p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 were
      evaluated by western blot analysis. Cell counting assay showed that DHM inhibited
      HepG2 cell growth effectively in a time- and dose-dependent manner. P53
      expression was significantly increased after DHM treatment, whereas Bcl-2 was
      reduced potently. Furthermore, after co-treatment with Pifithrin-alpha (PFT
      alpha, p53 inhibitor), Bcl-2 expression was reversed. The expression of Bax was
      no significant change, which was also observed after p53 silence. These findings
      defined and supported a novel function that DHM could induce human hepatocellular
      carcinoma HepG2 cells apoptosis by up-regulating Bax/Bcl-2 expression via p53
      signal pathway. 

PMID- 24223707
TI  - Energy expenditure compared to physical activity measured by accelerometry and
      self-report in adolescents: a validation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is responsible for 5.3 million deaths annually
      worldwide. To measure physical activity energy expenditure, the doubly labeled
      water (DLW) method is the gold standard. However, questionnaires and
      accelerometry are more widely used. We compared physical activity measured by
      accelerometer and questionnaire against total (TEE) and physical activity energy
      expenditure (PAEE) estimated by DLW. METHODS: TEE, PAEE (TEE minus resting energy
      expenditure) and body composition were measured using the DLW technique in 25
      adolescents (16 girls) aged 13 years living in Pelotas, Brazil. Physical activity
      was assessed using the Actigraph accelerometer and by self-report. Physical
      activity data from accelerometry and self-report were tested against energy
      expenditure data derived from the DLW method. Further, tests were done to assess
      the ability of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) to predict
      variability in TEE and to what extent adjustment for fat and fat-free mass
      predicted the variability in TEE. RESULTS: TEE varied from 1,265 to 4,143
      kcal/day. It was positively correlated with physical activity (counts) estimated
      by accelerometry (rho = 0.57; p = 0.003) and with minutes per week of physical
      activity by questionnaire (rho = 0.41; p = 0.04). An increase of 10 minutes per
      day in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) relates to an
      increase in TEE of 141 kcal/day. PAEE was positively correlated with
      accelerometry (rho = 0.64; p = 0.007), but not with minutes per week of physical
      activity estimated by questionnaire (rho = 0.30; p = 0.15). Physical activity by
      accelerometry explained 31% of the vssariability in TEE. By incorporating fat and
      fat-free mass in the model, we were able to explain 58% of the variability in
      TEE. CONCLUSION: Objectively measured physical activity significantly contributes
      to the explained variance in both TEE and PAEE in Brazilian youth. Independently,
      body composition also explains variance in TEE, and should ideally be taken into
      account when using accelerometry to predict energy expenditure values.

PMID- 24223708
TI  - The involvement of PI3K-mediated and L-VGCC-gated transient Ca2+ influx in 17beta
      estradiol-mediated protection of retinal cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis with
      Ca2+ overload.
AB  - Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) plays an important role in
      regulating most cellular processes, including apoptosis and survival, but its
      alterations are different and complicated under diverse conditions. In this
      study, we focused on the [Ca(2+)]i and its control mechanisms in process of
      hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis of primary cultured Sprague-Dawley
      (SD) rat retinal cells and 17beta-estradiol (betaE2) anti-apoptosis. Fluo-3AM was
      used as a Ca(2+) indicator to detect [Ca(2+)]i through fluorescence-activated
      cell sorting (FACS), cell viability was assayed using MTT assay, and apoptosis
      was marked by Hoechst 33342 and annexin V/Propidium Iodide staining. Besides,
      PI3K activity was detected by Western blotting. Results showed: a) 100 MUM H2O2
      induced retinal cell apoptosis occurred at 4 h after H2O2 stress and increased in
      a time-dependent manner, but [Ca(2+)]i increased earlier at 2 h, sustained to 12
      h, and then recovered at 24 h after H2O2 stress; b) 10 MUM betaE2 treatment for
      0.5-24 hrs increased cell viability by transiently increasing [Ca(2+)]i, which
      appeared only at 0.5 h after betaE2 application; c) increased [Ca(2+)]i under 100
      uM H2O2 treatment for 2 hrs or 10 uM betaE2 treatment for 0.5 hrs was, at least
      partly, due to extracellular Ca(2+) stores; d) importantly, the transiently
      increased [Ca(2+)]i induced by 10 uM betaE2 treatment for 0.5 hrs was mediated by
      the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and gated by the L-type voltage-gated
      Ca(2+) channels (L-VGCC), but the increased [Ca(2+)]i induced by 100 uM H2O2
      treatment for 2 hrs was not affected; and e) pretreatment with 10 uM betaE2 for
      0.5 hrs effectively protected retinal cells from apoptosis induced by 100 uM
      H2O2, which was also associated with its transient [Ca(2+)]i increase through L
      VGCC and PI3K pathway. These findings will lead to better understanding of the
      mechanisms of betaE2-mediated retinal protection and to exploration of the novel
      therapeutic strategies for retina degeneration. 

PMID- 24223709
TI  - A novel piggyBac transposon inducible expression system identifies a role for AKT
      signalling in primordial germ cell migration.
AB  - In this work, we describe a single piggyBac transposon system containing both a
      tet-activator and a doxycycline-inducible expression cassette. We demonstrate
      that a gene product can be conditionally expressed from the integrated transposon
      and a second gene can be simultaneously targeted by a short hairpin RNA contained
      within the transposon, both in vivo and in mammalian and avian cell lines. We
      applied this system to stably modify chicken primordial germ cell (PGC) lines in
      vitro and induce a reporter gene at specific developmental stages after injection
      of the transposon-modified germ cells into chicken embryos. We used this vector
      to express a constitutively-active AKT molecule during PGC migration to the
      forming gonad. We found that PGC migration was retarded and cells could not
      colonise the forming gonad. Correct levels of AKT activation are thus essential
      for germ cell migration during early embryonic development. 

PMID- 24223710
TI  - Is the United States still dominant in the global pharmaceutical innovation
      network?
AB  - The dramatic growth of research and development activities in the pharmaceutical
      sector in emerging economies raises the question of whether the United States
      still keeps its dominant role in the global pharmaceutical innovation landscape.
      This paper focuses on investigating the role of the United States in global
      pharmaceutical innovation, and differs from previous studies by shifting
      attention to a network analytic perspective to track the global distribution of
      pharmaceutical inventions. Our sample is composed of key patents covering all new
      drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration between 1996 and 2010. The
      results show that the United States still dominates in the global pharmaceutical
      innovation network, especially when it comes to essential core inventions.
      However, the United States shows a slightly decreasing prominence in the networks
      of either total new drugs or New Molecular Entity (NME) drugs in the time period
      2006-2010 as compared to previous time periods, revealed by subtle traces of
      network centralities. 

PMID- 24223711
TI  - Elevation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 level in cerebrospinal fluid of tick
      borne encephalitis patients is associated with IgG extravassation and disease
      severity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), caused by tick-borne encephalitis
      virus (TBEV), is an infectious disease involving the central nervous system
      (CNS). The pathogenesis of CNS injury has not been clearly demonstrated. Matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and some cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), may
      play important roles in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the
      pathogenesis of TBE. METHODS: 72 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected
      from TBE patients in north eastern China. IgG levels in CSF and serum were
      compared and MMP-9 and IL-6 levels were evaluated by ELISA. The correlation
      between the elevated MMP-9 levels and IgG extravasation, disease severity, and
      neuroinflammation was analyzed. RESULTS: Increased concentration of MMP-9 was
      detected in some of the CSF samples, and the elevation was found to be closely
      related to CSF TBEV IgG extravasation and enhancement of IL-6 expression.
      Moreover, elevated levels of MMP-9 were found to be correlated with IL-6
      enhancement. Four of the 72 patients, the ones who died, presented with high CSF
      MMP-9 levels. CONCLUSIONS: In TBE patients, elevated CSF MMP-9 levels were
      associated with brain inflammatory reaction, disruption of the blood-brain
      barrier, and disease severity.

PMID- 24223712
TI  - Comparative metagenomics of anode-associated microbiomes developed in rice paddy
      field microbial fuel cells.
AB  - In sediment-type microbial fuel cells (sMFCs) operating in rice paddy fields,
      rice-root exudates are converted to electricity by anode-associated rhizosphere
      microbes. Previous studies have shown that members of the family Geobacteraceae
      are enriched on the anodes of rhizosphere sMFCs. To deepen our understanding of
      rhizosphere microbes involved in electricity generation in sMFCs, here, we
      conducted comparative analyses of anode-associated microbiomes in three MFC
      systems: a rice paddy-field sMFC, and acetate- and glucose-fed MFCs in which
      pieces of graphite felt that had functioned as anodes in rice paddy-field sMFC
      were used as rhizosphere microbe-bearing anodes. After electric outputs became
      stable, microbiomes associated with the anodes of these MFC systems were analyzed
      by pyrotag sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and Illumina shotgun
      metagenomics. Pyrotag sequencing showed that Geobacteraceae bacteria were
      associated with the anodes of all three systems, but the dominant Geobacter
      species in each MFC were different. Specifically, species closely related to G.
      metallireducens comprised 90% of the anode Geobacteraceae in the acetate-fed MFC,
      but were only relatively minor components of the rhizosphere sMFC and glucose-fed
      MFC, whereas species closely related to G. psychrophilus were abundantly
      detected. This trend was confirmed by the phylogenetic assignments of predicted
      genes in shotgun metagenome sequences of the anode microbiomes. Our findings
      suggest that G. psychrophilus and its related species preferentially grow on the
      anodes of rhizosphere sMFCs and generate electricity through syntrophic
      interactions with organisms that excrete electron donors. 

PMID- 24223713
TI  - Disentangling woodland caribou movements in response to clearcuts and roads
      across temporal scales.
AB  - Although prey species typically respond to the most limiting factors at coarse
      spatiotemporal scales while addressing biological requirements at finer scales,
      such behaviour may become challenging for species inhabiting human altered
      landscapes. We investigated how woodland caribou, a threatened species inhabiting
      North-American boreal forests, modified their fine-scale movements when
      confronted with forest management features (i.e. clearcuts and roads). We used
      GPS telemetry data collected between 2004 and 2010 on 49 female caribou in a
      managed area in Quebec, Canada. Movements were studied using a use--availability
      design contrasting observed steps (i.e. line connecting two consecutive
      locations) with random steps (i.e. proxy of immediate habitat availability).
      Although caribou mostly avoided disturbances, individuals nonetheless modulated
      their fine-scale response to disturbances on a daily and annual basis,
      potentially compromising between risk avoidance in periods of higher
      vulnerability (i.e. calving, early and late winter) during the day and foraging
      activities in periods of higher energy requirements (i.e. spring, summer and rut)
      during dusk/dawn and at night. The local context in which females moved was shown
      to influence their decision to cross clearcut edges and roads. Indeed, although
      females typically avoided crossing clearcut edges and roads at low densities,
      crossing rates were found to rapidly increase in greater disturbance densities.
      In some instance, however, females were less likely to cross edges and roads as
      densities increased. Females may then be trapped and forced to use disturbed
      habitats, known to be associated with higher predation risk. We believe that
      further increases in anthropogenic disturbances could exacerbate such behavioural
      responses and ultimately lead to population level consequences.

PMID- 24223714
TI  - Incorporation of phosphatase inhibitor in culture prompts growth initiation of
      isolated non-growing oocytes.
AB  - In vitro folliculogenesis of primordial and early preantral follicles is
      necessary for increment of reproductive efficiency in domestic animals, humans
      and endangered species. Recent study in phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) 
      knockout mice has revealed that this phosphatase acts as an inhibitory factor in
      follicle activation of primordial pool with the resultant inhibition of oocyte
      growth. To test in vitro effect of a phosphatase inhibitor on growth initiation
      of isolated non-growing oocytes in neonatal ovaries, we applied a specific
      inhibitor (bpV (HOpic)) for PTEN in culturing system. Non-growing oocytes
      isolated from the ovaries of newborn BDF1 (C57BL/6 * DBA/2) pups were divided to
      four culture groups. Five days after culture, the oocytes in 14 MUmol/l bpV only,
      14 MUmol/l bpV plus 100 ng/ml Kit Ligand (KL), and 100 ng/ml KL groups showed
      significantly (P<0.05) growth (19.3 +/- 0.55, 25.8 +/- 0.53 and 21.6 +/- 0.29
      MUm, respectively) compared with that of the control (no additive) (16.9 +/- 0.53
      MUm). In addition, western blotting in those groups showed enhanced expression of
      phosphorylated Akt. In conclusion, we clearly demonstrate that isolated non
      growing oocytes develop in phosphatase inhibitor, especially to PTEN,
      incorporated culturing system, and show first as we know that oocytes with zona
      Pellucidae can be obtained in vitro from isolated non-growing oocytes.

PMID- 24223715
TI  - Infection related never events in pediatric patients undergoing spinal fusion
      procedures in United States: prevalence and predictors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and predictors of infection related never
      events (NE) associated with spinal fusion procedures (SFP) in children (age < =
      18 years) in the United States. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of
      the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 2004 to 2008. All pediatric
      hospitalizations that underwent SFP were selected for analysis. The main outcomes
      measures include occurrence of certain NE's. The association between the
      occurrence of a NE and factors (patient & hospital related) were examined using
      multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 56,465 hospitalizations,
      61.7% occurred among females. The average age was 13.7 y and two-thirds were
      whites. The major insurance payer was private insurance (67.4%). About 82% of all
      hospitalizations occurred on an elective basis. Teaching hospitals accounted for
      a majority of hospitalizations (87.9%). Two-thirds were posterior fusion
      techniques, 52.3% had underlying musculoskeletal deformities, and the most
      frequently present co-morbid conditions (CMC) included paralysis (10.9%), chronic
      pulmonary disease (9.7%), and fluid/electrolyte disorders (7.6%). Overall rate of
      occurrence of a NE was 4.8%. Post-operative pneumonia was the most frequently
      occurring NE (2.9%). Female gender (OR = 0.78) and elective admissions (OR =
      0.66) were associated with lower risk of NE occurrence. Medicaid coverage (OR =
      1.46), primary diagnosis of other acquired deformities (OR = 1.82), spinal cord
      injury (OR = 6.94), other nervous system disorders (OR = 2.84) were associated
      with higher risk of NE occurrence. Among CMC, those with chronic blood loss
      anemia (OR = 2.57), coagulopathy (OR = 1.97), depression (OR = 2), drug abuse (OR
      = 3.71), fluid/electrolyte disorders (OR = 2.62), neurological disorders (OR =
      1.72), paralysis (OR = 1.75), renal failure (OR = 5.45), and weight loss (OR =
      4.61) were risk factors for higher odds of a NE occurrence. Hospital teaching
      status, region, hospital size, and patient race did not influence the occurrence
      of NE. CONCLUSION: The never events examined in the current study occurred in
      4.8% of children hospitalized with SFP. Certain predictors of NE are identified
      in this study.

PMID- 24223716
TI  - Distribution and ecophysiology of calanoid copepods in relation to the oxygen
      minimum zone in the eastern tropical atlantic.
AB  - Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) affect distribution patterns, community structure and
      metabolic processes of marine organisms. Due to the prominent role of
      zooplankton, especially copepods, in the marine carbon cycle and the predicted
      intensification and expansion of OMZs, it is essential to understand the effects
      of hypoxia on zooplankton distribution and ecophysiology. For this study,
      calanoid copepods were sampled from different depths (0-1800 m) at eight stations
      in the eastern tropical Atlantic (3  degrees 47'N to 18  degrees S) during three
      expeditions in 2010 and 2011. Their horizontal and vertical distribution was
      determined and related to the extent and intensity of the OMZ, which increased
      from north to south with minimum O2 concentrations (12.7 umol kg(-1)) in the
      southern Angola Gyre. Calanoid copepod abundance was highest in the northeastern
      Angola Basin and decreased towards equatorial regions as well as with increasing
      depth. Maximum copepod biodiversity was observed in the deep waters of the
      central Angola Basin. Respiration rates and enzyme activities were measured to
      reveal species-specific physiological adaptations. Enzyme activities of the
      electron transport system (ETS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) served as proxies
      for aerobic and anaerobic metabolic activity, respectively. Mass-specific
      respiration rates and ETS activities decreased with depth of occurrence,
      consistent with vertical changes in copepod body mass and ambient temperature.
      Copepods of the families Eucalanidae and Metridinidae dominated within the OMZ.
      Several of these species showed adaptive characteristics such as lower metabolic
      rates, additional anaerobic activity and diel vertical migration that enable them
      to successfully inhabit hypoxic zones.

PMID- 24223717
TI  - Assessing the status of wild felids in a highly-disturbed commercial forest
      reserve in Borneo and the implications for camera trap survey design.
AB  - The proliferation of camera-trapping studies has led to a spate of extensions in
      the known distributions of many wild cat species, not least in Borneo. However,
      we still do not have a clear picture of the spatial patterns of felid abundance
      in Southeast Asia, particularly with respect to the large areas of highly
      disturbed habitat. An important obstacle to increasing the usefulness of camera
      trap data is the widespread practice of setting cameras at non-random locations.
      Non-random deployment interacts with non-random space-use by animals, causing
      biases in our inferences about relative abundance from detection frequencies
      alone. This may be a particular problem if surveys do not adequately sample the
      full range of habitat features present in a study region. Using camera-trapping
      records and incidental sightings from the Kalabakan Forest Reserve, Sabah,
      Malaysian Borneo, we aimed to assess the relative abundance of felid species in
      highly-disturbed forest, as well as investigate felid space-use and the potential
      for biases resulting from non-random sampling. Although the area has been
      intensively logged over three decades, it was found to still retain the full
      complement of Bornean felids, including the bay cat Pardofelis badia, a poorly
      known Bornean endemic. Camera-trapping using strictly random locations detected
      four of the five Bornean felid species and revealed inter- and intra-specific
      differences in space-use. We compare our results with an extensive dataset of
      >1,200 felid records from previous camera-trapping studies and show that the
      relative abundance of the bay cat, in particular, may have previously been
      underestimated due to the use of non-random survey locations. Further surveys for
      this species using random locations will be crucial in determining its
      conservation status. We advocate the more wide-spread use of random survey
      locations in future camera-trapping surveys in order to increase the robustness
      and generality of inferences that can be made. 

PMID- 24223718
TI  - Estimating leaf area index in Southeast Alaska: a comparison of two techniques.
AB  - The relationship between canopy structure and light transmission to the forest
      floor is of particular interest for studying the effects of succession, timber
      harvest, and silviculture prescriptions on understory plants and trees. Indirect
      measurements of leaf area index (LAI) estimated using gap fraction analysis with
      linear and hemispheric sensors have been commonly used to assess radiation
      interception by the canopy, although the two methods often yield inconsistent
      results. We compared simultaneously obtained measurements of LAI from a linear
      ceptometer and digital hemispheric photography in 21 forest stands on Prince of
      Wales Island, Alaska. We assessed the relationship between these estimates and
      allometric LAI based on tree diameter at breast height (LAIDBH). LAI values
      measured at 79 stations in thinned, un-thinned controls, old-growth and clearcut
      stands were highly correlated between the linear sensor (AccuPAR) and hemispheric
      photography, but the latter was more negatively biased compared to LAIDBH. In
      contrast, AccuPAR values were more similar to LAIDBH in all stands with basal
      area less than 30 m(2)ha(-1). Values produced by integrating hemispheric
      photographs over the zenith angles 0-75 degrees  (Ring 5) were highly correlated
      with those integrated over the zenith angles 0-60 degrees  (Ring 4), although the
      discrepancies between the two measures were significant. On average, the AccuPAR
      estimates were 53% higher than those derived from Ring 5, with most of the
      differences in closed canopy stands (unthinned controls and old-growth) and less
      so in clearcuts. Following typical patterns of canopy closure, AccuPAR LAI values
      were higher in dense control stands than in old-growth, whereas the opposite was
      derived from Ring 5 analyses. Based on our results we advocate the preferential
      use of linear sensors where canopy openness is low, canopies are tall, and leaf
      distributions are clumped and angles are variable, as is common in the conifer
      forests of coastal Alaska. 

PMID- 24223719
TI  - Trabecular evidence for a human-like gait in Australopithecus africanus.
AB  - Although the earliest known hominins were apparently upright bipeds, there has
      been mixed evidence whether particular species of hominins including those in the
      genus Australopithecus walked with relatively extended hips, knees and ankles
      like modern humans, or with more flexed lower limb joints like apes when bipedal.
      Here we demonstrate in chimpanzees and humans a highly predictable and sensitive
      relationship between the orientation of the ankle joint during loading and the
      principal orientation of trabecular bone struts in the distal tibia that function
      to withstand compressive forces within the joint. Analyses of the orientation of
      these struts using microCT scans in a sample of fossil tibiae from the site of
      Sterkfontein, of which two are assigned to Australopithecus africanus, indicate
      that these hominins primarily loaded their ankles in a relatively extended
      posture like modern humans and unlike chimpanzees. In other respects, however,
      trabecular properties in Au africanus are distinctive, with values that mostly
      fall between those of chimpanzees and humans. These results indicate that Au.
      africanus, like Homo, walked with an efficient, extended lower limb. 

PMID- 24223720
TI  - The oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) in relation to state levels of loneliness in
      adolescence: evidence for micro-level gene-environment interactions.
AB  - Previous research has shown that the rs53576 variant of the oxytocin receptor
      gene (OXTR) is associated with trait levels of loneliness, but results are
      inconsistent. The aim of the present study is to examine micro-level effects of
      the OXTR rs53576 variant on state levels of loneliness in early adolescents. In
      addition, gene-environment interactions are examined between this OXTR variant
      and positive and negative perceptions of company. Data were collected in 278
      adolescents (58% girls), by means of the Experience Sampling Method (ESM).
      Sampling periods consisted of six days with nine assessments per day. A relation
      was found between the OXTR rs53576 variant and state loneliness, in girls only.
      Girls carrying an A allele had higher levels of state loneliness than girls
      carrying the GG genotype. In addition, adolescents with an A allele were more
      affected by negative perceptions of company than GG carriers, on weekend days
      only. No significant gene-environment interactions were found with positive
      company. Adolescents carrying an A allele were more susceptible to negative
      environments during weekend days than GG carriers. Our findings emphasize the
      importance of operationalizing the phenotype and the environment accurately. 

PMID- 24223721
TI  - Crystal structure of a four-layer aggregate of engineered TMV CP implies the
      importance of terminal residues for oligomer assembly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Crystal structures of the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) coat protein
      (CP) in its helical and disk conformations have previously been determined at the
      atomic level. For the helical structure, interactions of proteins and nucleic
      acids in the main chains were clearly observed; however, the conformation of
      residues at the C-terminus was flexible and disordered. For the four-layer
      aggregate disk structure, interactions of the main chain residues could only be
      observed through water-mediated hydrogen bonding with protein residues. In this
      study, the effects of the C-terminal peptides on the interactions of TMV CP were
      investigated by crystal structure determination. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
      The crystal structure of a genetically engineered TMV CP was resolved at 3.06 A.
      For the genetically engineered TMV CP, a six-histidine (His) tag was introduced
      at the N-terminus, and the C-terminal residues 155 to 158 were truncated (N-His
      TMV CP(19)). Overall, N-His-TMV CP(19) protein self-assembled into the four-layer
      aggregate form. The conformations of residues Gln36, Thr59, Asp115 and Arg134
      were carefully analyzed in the high radius and low radius regions of N-His-TMV
      CP(19), which were found to be significantly different from those observed
      previously for the helical and four-layer aggregate forms. In addition, the
      aggregation of the N-His-TMV CP(19) layers was found to primarily be mediated
      through direct hydrogen-bonding. Notably, this engineered protein also can
      package RNA effectively and assemble into an infectious virus particle.
      CONCLUSION: The terminal sequence of amino acids influences the conformation and
      interactions of the four-layer aggregate. Direct protein-protein interactions are
      observed in the major overlap region when residues Gly155 to Thr158 at the C
      terminus are truncated. This engineered TMV CP is reassembled by direct protein
      protein interaction and maintains the normal function of the four-layer aggregate
      of TMV CP in the presence of RNA.

PMID- 24223722
TI  - Initiation of psychotropic medication after partner bereavement: a matched cohort
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent changes to diagnostic criteria for depression in DSM-5 remove
      the bereavement exclusion, allowing earlier diagnosis following bereavement.
      Evaluation of the potential effect of this change requires an understanding of
      existing psychotropic medication prescribing by non-specialists after
      bereavement. AIMS: To describe initiation of psychotropic medication in the first
      year after partner bereavement. METHODS: In a UK primary care database, we
      identified 21,122 individuals aged 60 and over with partner bereavement and no
      psychotropic drug use in the previous year. Prescribing (anxiolytic/hypnotic,
      antidepressant, antipsychotic) after bereavement was compared to age, sex and
      practice matched controls. RESULTS: The risks of receiving a new psychotropic
      prescription within two and twelve months of bereavement were 9.5% (95% CI 9.1 to
      9.9%) and 17.9% (17.3 to 18.4%) respectively; an excess risk of initiation in the
      first year of 12.4% compared to non-bereaved controls. Anxiolytic/hypnotic and
      antidepressant initiation rates were highest in the first two months. In this
      period, the hazard ratio for initiation of anxiolytics/hypnotics was 16.7 (95% CI
      14.7 to 18.9) and for antidepressants was 5.6 (4.7 to 6.7) compared to non
      bereaved controls. 13.3% of those started on anxiolytics/hypnotics within two
      months continued to receive this drug class at one year. The marked variation in
      background family practice prescribing of anxiolytics/hypnotics was the strongest
      determinant of their initiation in the first two months after bereavement.
      CONCLUSION: Almost one in five older people received a new psychotropic drug
      prescription in the year after bereavement. The early increase and trend in
      antidepressant use after bereavement suggests some clinicians did not adhere to
      the bereavement exclusion, with implications for its recent removal in DSM-5.
      Family practice variation in use of anxiolytics/hypnotics suggests uncertainty
      over their role in bereavement with the potential for inappropriate long term
      use.

PMID- 24223724
TI  - Late diagnosis and entry to care after diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus
      infection: a country comparison.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Testing for HIV infection and entry to care are the first steps in
      the continuum of care that benefit individual health and may reduce onward
      transmission of HIV. We determined the percentage of people with HIV who were
      diagnosed late and the percentage linked into care overall and by demographic and
      risk characteristics by country. METHODS: Data were analyzed from national HIV
      surveillance systems. Six countries, where available, provided data on two late
      diagnosis indicators (AIDS diagnosis within 3 months of HIV diagnosis, and AIDS
      diagnosis within 12 months before HIV diagnosis) and linkage to care (>= 1 CD4 or
      viral load test result within 3 months of HIV diagnosis) for people diagnosed
      with HIV in 2009 or 2010 (most recent year data were available). PRINCIPAL
      FINDINGS: The percentage of people presenting with late stage disease at HIV
      diagnosis varied by country, overall with a range from 28.7% (United States) to
      8.8% (Canada), and by transmission categories. The percentage of people diagnosed
      with AIDS who had their initial HIV diagnosis within 12 months before AIDS
      diagnosis varied little among countries, except the percentages were somewhat
      lower in Spain and the United States. Overall, the majority of people diagnosed
      with HIV were linked to HIV care within 3 months of diagnosis (more than 70%),
      but varied by age and transmission category. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in patterns
      of late presentation at HIV diagnosis among countries may reflect differences in
      screening practices by providers, public health agencies, and people with HIV.
      The percentage of people who received assessments of immune status and viral load
      within 3 months of diagnosis was generally high.

PMID- 24223723
TI  - The HIV-1 Tat protein induces the activation of CD8+ T cells and affects in vivo
      the magnitude and kinetics of antiviral responses.
AB  - T cells are functionally compromised during HIV infection despite their increased
      activation and proliferation. Although T cell hyperactivation is one of the best
      predictive markers for disease progression, its causes are poorly understood.
      Anti-tat natural immunity as well as anti-tat antibodies induced by Tat
      immunization protect from progression to AIDS and reverse signs of immune
      activation in HIV-infected patients suggesting a role of Tat in T cell
      dysfunctionality. The Tat protein of HIV-1 is known to induce, in vitro, the
      activation of CD4(+) T lymphocytes, but its role on CD8(+) T cells and how these
      effects modulate, in vivo, the immune response to pathogens are not known. To
      characterize the role of Tat in T cell hyperactivation and dysfunction, we
      examined the effect of Tat on CD8(+) T cell responses and antiviral immunity in
      different ex vivo and in vivo models of antigenic stimulation, including HSV
      infection. We demonstrate for the first time that the presence of Tat during
      priming of CD8(+) T cells favors the activation of antigen-specific CTLs.
      Effector CD8(+) T cells generated in the presence of Tat undergo an enhanced and
      prolonged expansion that turns to a partial dysfunctionality at the peak of the
      response, and worsens HSV acute infection. Moreover, Tat favors the development
      of effector memory CD8(+) T cells and a transient loss of B cells, two hallmarks
      of the chronic immune activation observed in HIV-infected patients. Our data
      provide evidence that Tat affects CD8(+) T cell responses to co-pathogens and
      suggest that Tat may contribute to the CD8(+) T cell hyperactivation observed in
      HIV-infected individuals. 

PMID- 24223725
TI  - Intestinal DMBT1 expression is modulated by Crohn's disease-associated IL23R
      variants and by a DMBT1 variant which influences binding of the transcription
      factors CREB1 and ATF-2.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: DMBT is an antibacterial pattern recognition and scavenger receptor.
      In this study, we analyzed the role of DMBT1 single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) regarding inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) susceptibility and examined
      their functional impact on transcription factor binding and downstream gene
      expression. METHODS: Seven SNPs in the DMBT1 gene region were analyzed in 2073
      individuals including 818 Crohn's disease (CD) patients and 972 healthy controls
      in two independent case-control panels. Comprehensive epistasis analyses for the
      known CD susceptibility genes NOD2, IL23R and IL27 were performed. The influence
      of IL23R variants on DMBT1 expression was analyzed. Functional analysis included
      siRNA transfection, quantitative PCR, western blot, electrophoretic mobility
      shift and luciferase assays. RESULTS: IL-22 induces DMBT1 protein expression in
      intestinal epithelial cells dependent on STAT3, ATF-2 and CREB1. IL-22 expression
      modulating, CD risk-associated IL23R variants influence DMBT1 expression in CD
      patients and DMBT1 levels are increased in the inflamed intestinal mucosa of CD
      patients. Several DMBT1 SNPs were associated with CD susceptibility. SNP
      rs2981804 was most strongly associated with CD in the combined panel (p = 3.0 *
      10(-7), OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.24-1.63). All haplotype groups tested showed highly
      significant associations with CD (including omnibus P-values as low as 6.1 * 10(
      18)). The most strongly CD risk-associated, non-coding DMBT1 SNP rs2981804
      modifies the DNA binding sites for the transcription factors CREB1 and ATF-2 and
      the respective genomic region comprising rs2981804 is able to act as a
      transcriptional regulator in vitro. Intestinal DMBT1 expression is decreased in
      CD patients carrying the rs2981804 CD risk allele. CONCLUSION: We identified
      novel associations of DMBT1 variants with CD susceptibility and discovered a
      novel functional role of rs2981804 in regulating DMBT1 expression. Our data
      suggest an important role of DMBT1 in CD pathogenesis.

PMID- 24223726
TI  - Disentangling detoxification: gene expression analysis of feeding mountain pine
      beetle illuminates molecular-level host chemical defense detoxification
      mechanisms.
AB  - The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae, is a native species of bark
      beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) that caused unprecedented damage to the pine
      forests of British Columbia and other parts of western North America and is
      currently expanding its range into the boreal forests of central and eastern
      Canada and the USA. We conducted a large-scale gene expression analysis (RNA-seq)
      of mountain pine beetle male and female adults either starved or fed in male
      female pairs for 24 hours on lodgepole pine host tree tissues. Our aim was to
      uncover transcripts involved in coniferophagous mountain pine beetle
      detoxification systems during early host colonization. Transcripts of members
      from several gene families significantly increased in insects fed on host tissue
      including: cytochromes P450, glucosyl transferases and glutathione S
      transferases, esterases, and one ABC transporter. Other significantly increasing
      transcripts with potential roles in detoxification of host defenses included
      alcohol dehydrogenases and a group of unexpected transcripts whose products may
      play an, as yet, undiscovered role in host colonization by mountain pine beetle. 

PMID- 24223727
TI  - Serotonin control of thermotaxis memory behavior in nematode Caenorhabditis
      elegans.
AB  - Caenorhabditis elegans is as an ideal model system for the study of mechanisms
      underlying learning and memory. In the present study, we employed C. elegans
      assay system of thermotaxis memory to investigate the possible role of serotonin
      neurotransmitter in memory control. Our data showed that both mutations of tph-1,
      bas-1, and cat-4 genes, required for serotonin synthesis, and mutations of mod-5
      gene, encoding a serotonin reuptake transporter, resulted in deficits in
      thermotaxis memory behavior. Exogenous treatment with serotonin effectively
      recovered the deficits in thermotaxis memory of tph-1 and bas-1 mutants to the
      level of wild-type N2. Neuron-specific activity assay of TPH-1 suggests that
      serotonin might regulate the thermotaxis memory behavior by release from the ADF
      sensory neurons. Ablation of ADF sensory neurons by expressing a cell-death
      activator gene egl-1 decreased the thermotaxis memory, whereas activation of ADF
      neurons by expression of a constitutively active protein kinase C homologue (pkc
      1(gf)) increased the thermotaxis memory and rescued the deficits in thermotaxis
      memory in tph-1 mutants. Moreover, serotonin released from the ADF sensory
      neurons might act through the G-protein-coupled serotonin receptors of SER-4 and
      SER-7 to regulate the thermotaxis memory behavior. Genetic analysis implies that
      serotonin might further target the insulin signaling pathway to regulate the
      thermotaxis memory behavior. Thus, our results suggest the possible crucial role
      of serotonin and ADF sensory neurons in thermotaxis memory control in C. elegans.

PMID- 24223728
TI  - Importance of hydrophobic cavities in allosteric regulation of formylglycinamide
      synthetase: insight from xenon trapping and statistical coupling analysis.
AB  - Formylglycinamide ribonucleotide amidotransferase (FGAR-AT) is a 140 kDa bi
      functional enzyme involved in a coupled reaction, where the glutaminase active
      site produces ammonia that is subsequently utilized to convert FGAR to its
      corresponding amidine in an ATP assisted fashion. The structure of FGAR-AT has
      been previously determined in an inactive state and the mechanism of activation
      remains largely unknown. In the current study, hydrophobic cavities were used as
      markers to identify regions involved in domain movements that facilitate
      catalytic coupling and subsequent activation of the enzyme. Three internal
      hydrophobic cavities were located by xenon trapping experiments on FGAR-AT
      crystals and further, these cavities were perturbed via site-directed
      mutagenesis. Biophysical characterization of the mutants demonstrated that two of
      these three voids are crucial for stability and function of the protein, although
      being ~20 A from the active centers. Interestingly, correlation analysis
      corroborated the experimental findings, and revealed that amino acids lining the
      functionally important cavities form correlated sets (co-evolving residues) that
      connect these regions to the amidotransferase active center. It was further
      proposed that the first cavity is transient and allows for breathing motion to
      occur and thereby serves as an allosteric hotspot. In contrast, the third cavity
      which lacks correlated residues was found to be highly plastic and accommodated
      steric congestion by local adjustment of the structure without affecting either
      stability or activity. 

PMID- 24223729
TI  - NF-kappaB repressing factor inhibits chemokine synthesis by peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells and alveolar macrophages in active pulmonary tuberculosis.
AB  - NF-kappaB repressing factor (NRF) is a transcriptional silencer implicated in the
      basal silencing of specific NF-kappaB targeting genes, including iNOS, IFN-beta
      and IL-8/CXCL8. IP-10/CXCL10 and IL-8/CXCL8 are involved in neutrophil and
      lymphocyte recruitment against M. tuberculosis (MTb) and disease progression of
      pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Alveolar macrophages (AM) and peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMC) were used to study the regulatory role of NRF in
      pulmonary TB. AM and PBMC were purified from 19 TB patients and 15 normal
      subjects. To study the underlying mechanism, PBMC were exposed to heated TB
      bacilli. The regulation role of NRF in IP-10/CXCL10 and IL-8/CXCL8 was determined
      by NRF knock-down or over-expression. NRF binding capabilities in promoter sites
      were measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. The levels of IP
      10/CXCL10, IL-8/CXCL8 and NRF were significantly higher in AM and PBMC in
      patients with active TB. NRF played an inhibitory role in IP-10/CXCL10 and IL
      8/CXCL8 inductions. We delineate the role of NRF in pulmonary TB, which inhibits
      the expressions of IP-10/CXCL10 and IL-8/CXCL8 in AM and PBMC of patients with
      high bacterial load. NRF may serve as an endogenous repressor to prevent robust
      increase in IP-10/CXCL10 and IL-8/CXCL8 when TB bacterial load is high. 

PMID- 24223730
TI  - Mitochondrial and nuclear genes-based phylogeography of Arvicanthis niloticus
      (Murinae) and sub-Saharan open habitats pleistocene history.
AB  - A phylogeographic study was conducted on the Nile grass rat, Arvicanthis
      niloticus, a rodent species that is tightly associated with open grasslands from
      the Sudano-Sahelian regions. Using one mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and one
      nuclear (intron 7 of Beta Fibrinogen) gene, robust patterns were retrieved that
      clearly show that (i) the species originated in East Africa concomitantly with
      expanding grasslands some 2 Ma, and (ii) four parapatric and genetically well
      defined lineages differentiated essentially from East to West following
      Pleistocene bioclimatic cycles. This strongly points towards allopatric genetic
      divergence within savannah refuges during humid episodes, then dispersal during
      arid ones; secondary contact zones would have then stabilized around geographic
      barriers, namely, Niger River and Lake Chad basins. Our results pertinently add
      to those obtained for several other African rodent as well as non-rodent species
      that inhabit forests, humid zones, savannahs and deserts, all studies that now
      allow one to depict a more comprehensive picture of the Pleistocene history of
      the continent south of the Sahara. In particular, although their precise location
      remains to be determined, at least three Pleistocene refuges are identified
      within the West and Central African savannah biome. 

PMID- 24223731
TI  - Two new species of the enigmatic Leptokoenenia (Eukoeneniidae: Palpigradi) from
      Brazil: first record of the genus outside intertidal environments.
AB  - Two new species of Leptokoenenia Conde 1965 (Eukoeneniidae: Palpigradi),
      Leptokoenenia pelada sp. nov. and Leptokoenenia thalassophobica sp. nov., are
      described based on both male and female specimens collected in iron ore caves
      from the Brazilian Amazon. This is the first record of the genus for the
      Americas. Furthermore, a new combination is stated for Eukoenenia gallii based on
      its morphology. 

PMID- 24223732
TI  - Fatty acid synthase as a factor required for exercise-induced cognitive
      enhancement and dentate gyrus cellular proliferation.
AB  - Voluntary running is a robust inducer of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Given
      that fatty acid synthase (FASN), the key enzyme for de novo fatty acid
      biosynthesis, is critically involved in proliferation of embryonic and adult
      neural stem cells, we hypothesized that FASN could mediate both exercise-induced
      cell proliferation in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG) and
      enhancement of spatial learning and memory. In 20 week-old male mice, voluntary
      running-induced hippocampal-specific upregulation of FASN was accompanied also by
      hippocampal-specific accumulation of palmitate and stearate saturated fatty
      acids. In experiments addressing the functional role of FASN in our experimental
      model, chronic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) microinfusions of C75, an
      irreversible FASN inhibitor, and significantly impaired exercise-mediated
      improvements in spatial learning and memory in the Barnes maze. Unlike the
      vehicle-injected mice, the C75 group adopted a non-spatial serial escape strategy
      and displayed delayed escape latencies during acquisition and memory tests.
      Furthermore, pharmacologic blockade of FASN function with C75 resulted in a
      significant reduction, compared to vehicle treated controls, of the number of
      proliferative cells in the DG of running mice as measured by immunoreactive to Ki
      67 in the SGZ. Taken together, our data suggest that FASN plays an important role
      in exercise-mediated cognitive enhancement, which might be associated to its role
      in modulating exercise-induced stimulation of neurogenesis. 

PMID- 24223733
TI  - Expression of innate immunity genes and damage of primary human pancreatic islets
      by epidemic strains of Echovirus: implication for post-virus islet autoimmunity.
AB  - Three large-scale Echovirus (E) epidemics (E4,E16,E30), each differently
      associated to the acute development of diabetes related autoantibodies, have been
      documented in Cuba. The prevalence of islet cell autoantibodies was moderate
      during the E4 epidemic but high in the E16 and E30 epidemic. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the effect of epidemic strains of echovirus on beta-cell
      lysis, beta-cell function and innate immunity gene expression in primary human
      pancreatic islets. Human islets from non-diabetic donors (n = 7) were infected
      with the virus strains E4, E16 and E30, all isolated from patients with aseptic
      meningitis who seroconverted to islet cell antibody positivity. Viral
      replication, degree of cytolysis, insulin release in response to high glucose as
      well as mRNA expression of innate immunity genes (IFN-b, RANTES, RIG-I, MDA5,
      TLR3 and OAS) were measured. The strains of E16 and E30 did replicate well in all
      islets examined, resulting in marked cytotoxic effects. E4 did not cause any
      effects on cell lysis, however it was able to replicate in 2 out of 7 islet
      donors. Beta-cell function was hampered in all infected islets (P<0.05); however
      the effect of E16 and E30 on insulin secretion appeared to be higher than the
      strain of E4. TLR3 and IFN-beta mRNA expression increased significantly following
      infection with E16 and E30 (P<0.033 and P<0.039 respectively). In contrast, the
      expression of none of the innate immunity genes studied was altered in E4
      infected islets. These findings suggest that the extent of the epidemic
      associated islet autoimmunity may depend on the ability of the viral strains to
      damage islet cells and induce pro-inflammatory innate immune responses within the
      infected islets.

PMID- 24223734
TI  - Plasma miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most (70%) epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are diagnosed late. Non
      invasive biomarkers that facilitate disease detection and predict outcome are
      needed. The microRNAs (miRNAs) represent a new class of biomarkers. This study
      was to identify and validate plasma miRNAs as biomarkers in EOC.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We evaluated plasma samples of 360 EOC patients
      and 200 healthy controls from two institutions. All samples were grouped into
      screening, training and validation sets. We scanned the circulating plasma miRNAs
      by TaqMan low-density array in the screening set and identified/validated miRNA
      markers by real-time polymerase chain reaction assay in the training set.
      Receiver operating characteristic and logistic regression analyses established
      the diagnostic miRNA panel, which were confirmed in the validation sets. We found
      higher plasma miR-205 and lower let-7f expression in cases than in controls. MiR
      205 and let-7f together provided high diagnostic accuracy for EOC, especially in
      patients with stage I disease. The combination of these two miRNAs and
      carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) further improved the accuracy of detection. MiR
      483-5p expression was elevated in stages III and IV compared with in stages I and
      II, which was consistent with its expression pattern in tumor tissues.
      Furthermore, lower levels of let-7f were predictive of poor prognosis in EOC
      patients. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings indicate that plasma miR-205 and
      let-7f are biomarkers for ovarian cancer detection that complement CA-125; let-7f
      may be predictive of ovarian cancer prognosis.

PMID- 24223735
TI  - N-MYC down-regulated-like proteins regulate meristem initiation by modulating
      auxin transport and MAX2 expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: N-MYC down-regulated-like (NDL) proteins interact with the Gbeta
      subunit (AGB1) of the heterotrimeric G protein complex and play an important role
      in AGB1-dependent regulation of lateral root formation by affecting root auxin
      transport, auxin gradients and the steady-state levels of mRNA encoding the PIN
      FORMED 2 and AUXIN 1 auxin transport facilitators. Auxin transport in aerial
      tissue follows different paths and utilizes different transporters than in roots;
      therefore, in the present study, we analyzed whether NDL proteins play an
      important role in AGB1-dependent, auxin-mediated meristem development.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Expression levels of NDL gene family members need
      to be tightly regulated, and altered expression (both over-expression and down
      regulation) confers ectopic growth. Over-expression of NDL1 disrupts vegetative
      and reproductive organ development. Reduced expression of the NDL gene family
      members results in asymmetric leaf emergence, twinning of rosette leaves, defects
      in leaf formation, and abnormal silique distribution. Reduced expression of the
      NDL genes in the agb1-2 (null allele) mutant rescues some of the abnormal
      phenotypes, such as silique morphology, silique distribution, and peduncle angle,
      suggesting that proper levels of NDL proteins are maintained by AGB1. We found
      that all of these abnormal aerial phenotypes due to altered NDL expression were
      associated with increases in basipetal auxin transport, altered auxin maxima and
      altered MAX2 expression within the inflorescence stem. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE:
      NDL proteins, together with AGB1, act as positive regulators of meristem
      initiation and branching. AGB1 and NDL1 positively regulate basipetal
      inflorescence auxin transport and modulate MAX2 expression in shoots, which in
      turn regulates organ and lateral meristem formation by the establishment and
      maintenance of auxin gradients.

PMID- 24223736
TI  - Effect of hydrophobic acrylic versus hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens on
      posterior capsule opacification: meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the differences in performance of
      posterior capsular opacification (PCO) between hydrophobic acrylic intraocular
      lens (IOLs) and hydrophilic acrylic IOLs. SETTING: Tianjin Medical University,
      Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science,
      Tianjin, China. DESIGN: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
      or meta-analysis. METHODS: An electronic literature search was performed using
      the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library database before May in 2013 to identify
      prospective RCTs comparing hydrophobic acrylic IOLs and hydrophilic acrylic IOLs
      in patients after phacoemulsification with IOL implantation with a follow-up time
      of at least 1 year. Pertinent studies were selected by meeting predefined
      criteria and reviewed systematically by meta-analysis. The PCO scores and YAG
      capsulotomy rate, as indicator of PCO, were measured and discussed in a meta
      analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMD), relative risk ratio (RR), and the
      pooled estimates were computed according to a random effect model or fixed effect
      model. RESULTS: Nine prospective RCTs involving 861 eyes were included in the
      current meta-analysis. The hydrophobic acrylic IOLs were favored and the pooled
      SMD of PCO severity was 1.72 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.20 to 1.23, P =
      0.0002) and 1.79 (95% CI, 0.95 to 2.64, P<0.0001) with 1-year follow-up and 2
      year follow-up respectively. The pooled RR of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy rates at
      postoperative 2-year follow-up was 6.96 (95% CI, 3.69 to 13.11, P<0.00001)
      comparing hydrophilic acrylic IOLs with hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. CONCLUSIONS:
      Compared with hydrophilic acrylic IOLs, the hydrophobic acrylic IOLs showed
      superior reduction in rates of PCO and laser capsulotomy in 2-year follow-up.
      More RCTs with standard methods for longer follow-up are needed to validate the
      association.

PMID- 24223737
TI  - Helicobacter pylori protein JHP0290 binds to multiple cell types and induces
      macrophage apoptosis via tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-dependent and independent
      pathways.
AB  - Activated macrophages at the sub-mucosal space play a major role in generating
      innate immune responses during H. pylori infection. Final disease outcome largely
      depends on how H. pylori and bacterium-derived products modulate macrophage
      responses. Here, we report that JHP0290, a functionally unknown protein from H.
      pylori, regulates macrophage functions. Recombinant purified JHP0290 (rJHP0290)
      had the ability to bind to several cell types including macrophages, human
      gastric epithelial cell lines, human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC) and
      human neutrophils. Exposure to rJHP0290 induced apoptosis in macrophages
      concurrent with release of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
      A mutant strain of H. pylori disrupted in the jhp0290 gene was significantly
      impaired in its ability to induce apoptosis and TNF in macrophages confirming the
      role of endogenous protein in regulating macrophage responses. Intracellular
      signaling involving Src family of tyrosine kinases (SFKs) and ERK MAPK were
      required for rJHP0290-induced TNF release and apoptosis in macrophages.
      Furthermore, rJHP0290-induced TNF release was partly dependent on activation of
      nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Neutralizing antibodies against
      TNF partially blocked rJHP0290-induced macrophage apoptosis indicating TNF
      independent pathways were also involved. These results provide mechanistic
      insight into the potential role of the protein JHP0290 during H. pylori
      associated disease development. By virtue of its ability to induce TNF, an acid
      suppressive proinflammatory cytokine and induction of macrophage apoptosis,
      JHP0290 possibly helps in persistent survival of the bacterium inside the
      stomach. 

PMID- 24223738
TI  - Plesiomonas shigelloides infection in Southeast China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plesiomonas shigelloides can cause gastroenteritis and extra
      intestinal diseases in humans. However, the prevalence of P. shigelloides
      infections has not been investigated in China. METHODS: Consecutive fecal
      specimens from outpatients with acute diarrhea and non-diarrheal patients at nine
      sentinel hospitals in southeast China were collected from March 2010 to May 2012.
      Bacterial pathogens were detected by culture, and P. shigelloides isolates were
      subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We also retrospectively
      reviewed the hospital microbiology laboratory and infection-control databases for
      all P. shigelloides isolates identified from 2001-2012 at our institution in
      addition to data on the patients' clinical and demographic characteristics.
      RESULTS: A total of 3,536 outpatients with acute diarrhea were enrolled in the
      study. P. shigelloides was isolated from 104 (2.9%) patients and accounted for
      7.3% of bacterial isolates. Single-pathogen infections with P. shigelloides were
      present in 76 (73.1%) patients. No strain of P. shigelloides was isolated from
      the 478 non-diarrheal patients. Based on 444,684 nonfecal specimens, eight
      patients developed P. shigelloides-related extra-intestinal infections over the
      12-year period. All eight patients had underlying diseases, including four with
      biliary tract diseases and three with liver diseases. Six cases were classified
      as nosocomial, and five cases were polymicrobial. P. shigelloides was sensitive
      to most antimicrobial drugs, except ampicillin. CONCLUSIONS: In southeast China,
      P. shigelloides has significant clinical relevance, although the isolation rate
      is low.

PMID- 24223739
TI  - Adaptive dynamics of extortion and compliance.
AB  - Direct reciprocity is a mechanism for the evolution of cooperation. For the
      iterated prisoner's dilemma, a new class of strategies has recently been
      described, the so-called zero-determinant strategies. Using such a strategy, a
      player can unilaterally enforce a linear relationship between his own payoff and
      the co-player's payoff. In particular the player may act in such a way that it
      becomes optimal for the co-player to cooperate unconditionally. In this way, a
      player can manipulate and extort his co-player, thereby ensuring that the own
      payoff never falls below the co-player's payoff. However, using a compliant
      strategy instead, a player can also ensure that his own payoff never exceeds the
      co-player's payoff. Here, we use adaptive dynamics to study when evolution leads
      to extortion and when it leads to compliance. We find a remarkable cyclic
      dynamics: in sufficiently large populations, extortioners play a transient role,
      helping the population to move from selfish strategies to compliance. Compliant
      strategies, however, can be subverted by altruists, which in turn give rise to
      selfish strategies. Whether cooperative strategies are favored in the long run
      critically depends on the size of the population; we show that cooperation is
      most abundant in large populations, in which case average payoffs approach the
      social optimum. Our results are not restricted to the case of the prisoners
      dilemma, but can be extended to other social dilemmas, such as the snowdrift
      game. Iterated social dilemmas in large populations do not lead to the evolution
      of strategies that aim to dominate their co-player. Instead, generosity succeeds.

PMID- 24223740
TI  - Comparison of oral paracetamol versus ibuprofen in premature infants with patent
      ductus arteriosus: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - TRIAL DESIGN: Oral ibuprofen has demonstrated good effects on symptomatic patent
      ductus arteriosus (PDA) but with many contraindications and potential side
      effects. In the past two years, oral paracetamol administration to several
      preterm infants with PDA has been reported. Here, a randomized, non-blinded,
      parallel-controlled and non-inferiority trial was designed to evaluate the
      efficacy and safety profiles of oral paracetamol to those of standard ibuprofen
      for PDA closure in premature infants. METHODS: One hundred and sixty infants
      (gestational age <= 34 weeks) with echocardiographically confirmed PDA were
      randomly assigned to receive either oral paracetamol (n = 80) or ibuprofen (n =
      80). After the initial treatment course in both groups, the need for a second
      course was determined by echocardiographic evaluation. The main outcome was rate
      of ductal closure, and secondary outcomes were adverse effects and complications.
      RESULT: The ductus was closed in 65 (81.2%) infants of the paracetamol group
      compared with 63 (78.8%) of the ibuprofen group. The 95% confidence interval of
      the difference between these groups was [-0.080,0.128], demonstrating that the
      effectiveness of paracetamol treatment was not inferior to that of ibuprofen. In
      fact, the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia or gastrointestinal bleeding in the
      paracetamol group was significantly lower than that of the ibuprofen group. No
      significant differences in other clinical side effects or complications were
      noted. CONCLUSION: This comparison of drug efficacy and safety profiles in
      premature infants with PDA revealed that oral paracetamol was comparable to
      ibuprofen in terms of the rate of ductal closure and even showed a decreased risk
      of hyperbilirubinemia or gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, paracetamol may be
      accepted as a first-line drug treatment for PDA in preterm infants. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ChiCTR.org ChiCTR-TRC-12002177.

PMID- 24223741
TI  - Branched-chain amino acids ameliorate fibrosis and suppress tumor growth in a rat
      model of hepatocellular carcinoma with liver cirrhosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent studies have revealed that branched-chain amino acids (BCAA)
      reduce the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with obesity
      and hepatitis C virus infection by improving insulin resistance (IR). The aim of
      this study was to examine the anti-cancer and anti-fibrotic effects of BCAA on
      the development of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC and liver cirrhosis in a
      rat model. METHODS: Male SD rats received weekly intraperitoneal injections of
      DEN (50 mg/kg of body weight) for 16 weeks to induce HCC. They were fed a diet
      containing 3% casein, 3% or 6% BCAA for 13 weeks beginning 6 weeks after DEN
      administration. DEN was used to induce HCC through stepwise development from
      cirrhosis to HCC. The effect of BCAA was evaluated in tumor tissues by
      histopathologic analyses, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and
      Western blotting. RESULTS: The mean area and number of dysplastic nodules (DNs)
      and tumors in the casein group tended to be larger than those in the BCAA group
      16 weeks after DEN administration. The mean fibrotic area in the BCAA group was
      smaller than that in the casein group. The BCAA group showed decreased mRNA
      levels for markers of fibrosis, angiogenesis, and apoptosis inhibition. Compared
      with the casein group, the BCAA group had lower levels of alpha-smooth muscle
      actin, vascular endothelial growth factor, p-beta-catenin, p-p38 mitogen
      activated protein kinase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and caspase-3
      protein expression, as well as a higher level of cleaved caspase-3 protein
      expression. CONCLUSIONS: BCAA supplementation of the diet ameliorated liver
      fibrosis and HCC development in a DEN-induced rat model of HCC with liver
      cirrhosis, but not in the IR model. These results provide a rationale for anti
      fibrosis and chemoprevention using BCAA treatment for HCC with liver cirrhosis,
      as well as decreasing the ammonia level.

PMID- 24223742
TI  - Serum copeptin and cortisol do not accurately predict sickle cell anaemia vaso
      occlusive crisis as C-reactive protein.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the diagnostic performance and prognostic
      properties of C-reactive protein (CRP), copeptin and cortisol in individuals with
      sickle cell anaemia (SCA). DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. METHODS: Sixty
      consecutive SCA subjects (18-40 years) comprising 30 subjects in the steady state
      and 30 subjects in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) were recruited into this study.
      Thirty (30) apparently healthy individuals with HbAA genotype served as controls.
      ELISA was used for the determination of serum levels of copeptin, CRP and
      cortisol. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Student's t-test
      and Mann Whitney U as appropriate and P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS:
      SCA subjects in VOC had significantly lower copeptin level and significantly
      higher CRP level compared with controls. However, serum levels of copeptin,
      cortisol and CRP were significantly higher in SCA subjects in VOC compared with
      SCA subjects in steady state. Furthermore, CRP had the widest Area under the ROC
      curve (AUROC) than copeptin and cortisol. No significant difference was observed
      in the levels of copeptin, CRP and cortisol when SCA subjects in VOC who were
      hospitalized for less <= 5 days were compared with subjects who had longer stays.
      CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that C-reactive protein has a superior
      diagnostic performance for vaso-occlusive crisis in individuals with sickle cell
      anaemia and that C-reactive protein, cortisol and copeptin are not good
      prognostic markers in SCA subjects in vaso-occlusive crisis.

PMID- 24223743
TI  - Physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption in association with incidence
      of type 2 diabetes among middle-aged and elderly Chinese men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent chronic disease
      worldwide. The prevalence of T2DM is increasing rapidly in China. Understanding
      the contribution of modifiable lifestyle factors on T2DM risk is imperative to
      prevent the development of T2DM in China. METHODS: We examined associations
      between lifestyle factors including physical activity, smoking and alcohol
      consumption with incidence of T2DM among middle-aged and elderly men in urban
      Shanghai. Information on socio-demographics, lifestyle habits, dietary habits,
      and disease history was collected via in-person interviews. Anthropometric
      measurements were taken. A total of 51 464 Chinese men aged 40-74 years free of
      T2DM, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke at baseline were included in the
      current study. Incident T2DM was identified through follow-up surveys conducted
      every 2-3 years. Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted to evaluate
      associations between lifestyle risk factors and incidence of T2DM. RESULTS: We
      documented 1304 new cases of T2DM during 276 929 person-years of follow-up
      (average: 5.4 years). Physical activity was inversely associated with T2DM risk.
      Daily living, commuting, and total physical activity METs had inverse negative
      dose-response relationships with T2DM (P-trend = 0.0033, 0.0022, and <0.0001,
      respectively). Regular participation in exercise or sports reduced T2DM risk (HR
      = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.76-0.98). Moderate alcohol intake (1-3 drinks/day) was inversely
      related to T2DM risk (HR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.67-0.94). Cigarette smoking, on the
      other hand, was associated with increased T2DM risk; HRs were 1.25 (95%CI: 1.00
      1.56) for smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day and 1.28 (95%CI: 1.04-1.57) for
      smoking more than 40 pack-years. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity and moderate
      alcohol intake are inversely associated with T2DM risk, whereas smoking was
      positively associated with T2DM risk among middle-age and elderly Chinese men.
      Preventive measures should be developed to focus on these modifiable lifestyle
      habits to reduce the upward trend of T2DM.

PMID- 24223744
TI  - A transcription factor code defines nine sensory interneuron subtypes in the
      mechanosensory area of the spinal cord.
AB  - Interneurons in the dorsal spinal cord process and relay innocuous and
      nociceptive somatosensory information from cutaneous receptors that sense touch,
      temperature and pain. These neurons display a well-defined organization with
      respect to their afferent innervation. Nociceptive afferents innervate lamina I
      and II, while cutaneous mechanosensory afferents primarily innervate sensory
      interneurons that are located in lamina III-IV. In this study, we outline a
      combinatorial transcription factor code that defines nine different inhibitory
      and excitatory interneuron populations in laminae III-IV of the postnatal cord.
      This transcription factor code reveals a high degree of molecular diversity in
      the neurons that make up laminae III-IV, and it lays the foundation for
      systematically analyzing and manipulating these different neuronal populations to
      assess their function. In addition, we find that many of the transcription
      factors that are expressed in the dorsal spinal cord at early postnatal times
      continue to be expressed in the adult, raising questions about their function in
      mature neurons and opening the door to their genetic manipulation in adult
      animals. 

PMID- 24223745
TI  - Folate deficiency triggers an oxidative-nitrosative stress-mediated apoptotic
      cell death and impedes insulin biosynthesis in RINm5F pancreatic islet beta
      cells: relevant to the pathogenesis of diabetes.
AB  - It has been postulated that folic acid (folate) deficiency (FD) may be a risk
      factor for the pathogenesis of a variety of oxidative stress-triggered chronic
      degenerative diseases including diabetes, however, the direct evidence to lend
      support to this hypothesis is scanty. For this reason, we set out to study if FD
      can trigger the apoptotic events in an insulin-producing pancreatic RINm5F islet
      beta cells. When these cells were cultivated under FD condition, a time-dependent
      growth impediment was observed and the demise of these cells was demonstrated to
      be apoptotic in nature proceeding through a mitochondria-dependent pathway. In
      addition to evoke oxidative stress, FD condition could also trigger nitrosative
      stress through a NF-kappaB-dependent iNOS-mediated overproduction of nitric oxide
      (NO). The latter compound could then trigger depletion of endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) calcium (Ca(2+)) store leading to cytosolic Ca(2+) overload and caused ER
      stress as evidence by the activation of CHOP expression. Furthermore, FD-induced
      apoptosis of RINm5F cells was found to be correlated with a time-dependent
      depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and a severe down-regulation of Bcl
      2 expression. Along the same vein, we also demonstrated that FD could severely
      impede RINm5F cells to synthesize insulin and their abilities to secret insulin
      in response to glucose stimulation were appreciably hampered. Even more
      importantly, we found that folate replenishment could not restore the ability of
      RINm5F cells to resynthesize insulin. Taken together, our data provide strong
      evidence to support the hypothesis that FD is a legitimate risk factor for the
      pathogenesis of diabetes.

PMID- 24223746
TI  - Overweight associated with increased risk of erosive esophagitis in a non-obese
      Taiwanese population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between overweight and erosive
      esophagitis (EE) in a non-obese Taiwanese population. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total
      of 7,352 subjects (non-obese, 5,826; obese, 1,526) from a health examination
      center at National Cheng Kung University Hospital were enrolled. Central obesity
      was defined by a waist circumference (WC) >= 90 cm in male and 80 cm in female.
      Overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) of 24-26.9 kg/m(2), and general
      obesity as BMI >= 27 kg/m(2). The Los Angeles classification was adopted to
      determine the presence of EE. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the
      prevalence of central obesity and different BMI status between subjects with and
      without EE in total and non-obese population. In total population, multivariate
      analyses revealed central obesity (OR, 1.17, 95% CI, 1.02-1.34, p = 0.021) and
      being obese (OR, 1.28, 95% CI, 1.07-1.52, p = 0.007)/overweight (OR, 1.25, 95%
      CI, 1.08-1.45, p = 0.003) had positive associations with EE in different model,
      respectively. When considering the joint effect of central obesity and BMI
      status, overweight (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.04-1.44; p = 0.016) remained as an
      independent associated factor of EE but central obesity (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.89
      1.26; p = 0.549)/being obese (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.98-1.53; p = 0.082) did not. As
      for non-obese group, separate model showed central obesity (OR, 1.19, 95% CI,
      1.00-1.40, p = 0.046) and overweight (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.07-1.44, p = 0.005) was
      positively associated with EE, respectively. However, being overweight (OR, 1.20;
      95% CI, 1.02-1.42, p = 0.030) but not central obesity (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.90
      1.31; p = 0.398) was positively related to EE with considering the effect of
      overweight and central obesity simultaneously. CONCLUSION: Overweight effect on
      EE was more detrimental than central obesity in non-obese subjects. In addition,
      male gender, hiatus hernia and alcohol use were also associated with increased
      risk of EE.

PMID- 24223747
TI  - Modeling the dynamics of bivalent histone modifications.
AB  - Epigenetic modifications to histones may promote either activation or repression
      of the transcription of nearby genes. Recent experimental studies show that the
      promoters of many lineage-control genes in stem cells have "bivalent domains" in
      which the nucleosomes contain both active (H3K4me3) and repressive (H3K27me3)
      marks. It is generally agreed that bivalent domains play an important role in
      stem cell differentiation, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we
      formulate a mathematical model to investigate the dynamic properties of histone
      modification patterns. We then illustrate that our modeling framework can be used
      to capture key features of experimentally observed combinatorial chromatin
      states. 

PMID- 24223748
TI  - Identification and characterization of the transcriptional regulator ChrB in the
      chromate resistance determinant of Ochrobactrum tritici 5bvl1.
AB  - Ochrobactrum tritici 5bvl1 is able to resist to high concentrations of chromate
      through the expression of an inducible chromate-resistant determinant, found in a
      mobile element (TnOtChr), which carries the genes, chrB, chrA, chrC and chrF. The
      regulation of chr operon present in TnOtChr, which is controlled by a
      transcriptional regulator, ChrB, was characterized in the current work. Fusions
      of chr promoter, or chr promoter and chrB gene, upstream of a gfp reporter gene,
      identified the most probable promoter sequence within the tnpR-chrB intergenic
      region. This region contains an AT-rich imperfect inverted repeat sequence, which
      overlaps a part of the -10 sequence. The results of the in vitro DNA-binding
      assays with purified ChrB (His- or no-tagged) showed that the protein binds
      directly to the chr promoter region. In order to identify the ChrB functional
      domain for sensing chromate stress and for DNA-binding, site-directed mutagenesis
      of ChrB was performed. Among several single amino acid mutants, three mutants
      (R180; R187 and H229) prevented chromate induction without any modification to
      the protein's stability. Interestingly, two ChrB mutants (R18 and R23) were
      constitutively active, regardless of chromate stress conditions, indicating that
      the residues most probably belong to the protein-DNA binding site. As such, the
      ChrB was classified as a transcriptional regulator that recognizes a specific DNA
      sequence, regulating the expression of a chromate resistance determinant. 

PMID- 24223749
TI  - Structural and enzymatic characterization of the phosphotriesterase OPHC2 from
      Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Organophosphates (OPs) are neurotoxic compounds for which current
      methods of elimination are unsatisfactory; thus bio-remediation is considered as
      a promising alternative. Here we provide the structural and enzymatic
      characterization of the recently identified enzyme isolated from Pseudomonas
      pseudoalcaligenes dubbed OPHC2. OPHC2 belongs to the metallo-beta-lactamase
      superfamily and exhibits an unusual thermal resistance and some OP degrading
      abilities. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The X-ray structure of OPHC2 has been solved at
      2.1 A resolution. The enzyme is roughly globular exhibiting a alphabeta/betaalpha
      topology typical of the metallo-beta-lactamase superfamily. Several structural
      determinants, such as an extended dimerization surface and an intramolecular
      disulfide bridge, common features in thermostable enzymes, are consistent with
      its high Tm (97.8 degrees C). Additionally, we provide the enzymatic
      characterization of OPHC2 against a wide range of OPs, esters and lactones.
      SIGNIFICANCE: OPHC2 possesses a broad substrate activity spectrum, since it
      hydrolyzes various phosphotriesters, esters, and a lactone. Because of its
      organophosphorus hydrolase activity, and given its intrinsic thermostability,
      OPHC2 is an interesting candidate for the development of an OPs bio
      decontaminant. Its X-ray structure shed light on its active site, and provides
      key information for the understanding of the substrate binding mode and
      catalysis.

PMID- 24223750
TI  - Modeling the structure of RNA molecules with small-angle X-ray scattering data.
AB  - We propose a novel fragment assembly method for low-resolution modeling of RNA
      and show how it may be used along with small-angle X-ray solution scattering
      (SAXS) data to model low-resolution structures of particles having as many as 12
      independent secondary structure elements. We assessed this model-building
      procedure by using both artificial data on a previously proposed benchmark and
      publicly available data. With the artificial data, SAXS-guided models show better
      similarity to native structures than ROSETTA decoys. The publicly available data
      showed that SAXS-guided models can be used to reinterpret RNA structures
      previously deposited in the Protein Data Bank. Our approach allows for fast and
      efficient building of de novo models of RNA using approximate secondary
      structures that can be readily obtained from existing bioinformatic approaches.
      We also offer a rigorous assessment of the resolving power of SAXS in the case of
      small RNA structures, along with a small multimetric benchmark of the proposed
      method. 

PMID- 24223751
TI  - Frequency response and gap tuning for nonlinear electrical oscillator networks.
AB  - We study nonlinear electrical oscillator networks, the smallest example of which
      consists of a voltage-dependent capacitor, an inductor, and a resistor driven by
      a pure tone source. By allowing the network topology to be that of any connected
      graph, such circuits generalize spatially discrete nonlinear transmission
      lines/lattices that have proven useful in high-frequency analog devices. For such
      networks, we develop two algorithms to compute the steady-state response when a
      subset of nodes are driven at the same fixed frequency. The algorithms we devise
      are orders of magnitude more accurate and efficient than stepping towards the
      steady-state using a standard numerical integrator. We seek to enhance a given
      network's nonlinear behavior by altering the eigenvalues of the graph Laplacian,
      i.e., the resonances of the linearized system. We develop a Newton-type method
      that solves for the network inductances such that the graph Laplacian achieves a
      desired set of eigenvalues; this method enables one to move the eigenvalues while
      keeping the network topology fixed. Running numerical experiments using three
      different random graph models, we show that shrinking the gap between the graph
      Laplacian's first two eigenvalues dramatically improves a network's ability to
      (i) transfer energy to higher harmonics, and (ii) generate large-amplitude
      signals. Our results shed light on the relationship between a network's
      structure, encoded by the graph Laplacian, and its function, defined in this case
      by the presence of strongly nonlinear effects in the frequency response. 

PMID- 24223752
TI  - Risk of breast cancer by type of menopausal hormone therapy: a case-control study
      among post-menopausal women in France.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is extensive epidemiological evidence that menopausal hormone
      therapy (MHT) increases breast cancer risk, particularly combinations of estrogen
      and progestagen (EP). We investigated the effects of the specific formulations
      and types of therapies used by French women. Progestagen constituents, regimen
      (continuous or sequential treatment by the progestagen), and time interval
      between onset of menopause and start of MHT were examined. METHODS: We conducted
      a population-based case-control study in France in 1555 menopausal women (739
      cases and 816 controls). Detailed information on MHT use was obtained during in
      person interviews. Odds ratios and 95% confidence interval adjusted for breast
      cancer risk factors were calculated. RESULTS: We found that breast cancer risk
      differed by type of progestagen among current users of EP therapies. No increased
      risk was apparent among EP therapy users treated with natural micronized
      progesterone. Among users of EP therapy containing a synthetic progestin, the
      odds ratio was 1.57 (0.99-2.49) for progesterone-derived and 3.35 (1.07-10.4) for
      testosterone-derived progestagen. Women with continuous regimen were at greater
      risk than women treated sequentially, but regimen and type of progestagen could
      not be investigated independently, as almost all EP combinations containing a
      testosterone-derivative were administered continuously and vice-versa. Tibolone
      was also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Early users of MHT
      after onset of menopause were at greater risk than users who delayed treatment.
      CONCLUSION: This study confirms differential effects on breast cancer risk of
      progestagens and regimens specifically used in France. Formulation of EP
      therapies containing natural progesterone, frequently prescribed in France, was
      not associated with increased risk of breast cancer but may poorly protect
      against endometrial cancer.

PMID- 24223753
TI  - MicroRNA-4723 inhibits prostate cancer growth through inactivation of the Abelson
      family of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases.
AB  - The Abelson (c-Abl) proto-oncogene encodes a highly conserved nonreceptor protein
      tyrosine kinase that plays a role in cell proliferation, differentiation,
      apoptosis and cell adhesion. c-Abl represents a specific anti-cancer target in
      prostate cancer as aberrant activity of this kinase has been implicated in the
      stimulation of prostate cancer growth and progression. However, the mechanism of
      regulation of c-Abl is not known. Here we report that Abl kinases are regulated
      by a novel microRNA, miR-4723, in prostate cancer. Expression profiling of miR
      4723 expression in a cohort of prostate cancer clinical specimens showed that miR
      4723 expression is widely attenuated in prostate cancer. Low miR-4723 expression
      was significantly correlated with poor survival outcome and our analyses suggest
      that miR-4723 has significant potential as a disease biomarker for diagnosis and
      prognosis in prostate cancer. To evaluate the functional significance of
      decreased miR-4723 expression in prostate cancer, miR-4723 was overexpressed in
      prostate cancer cell lines followed by functional assays. miR-4723 overexpression
      led to significant decreases in cell growth, clonability, invasion and migration.
      Importantly, miR-4723 expression led to dramatic induction of apoptosis in
      prostate cancer cell lines suggesting that miR-4723 is a pro-apoptotic miRNA
      regulating prostate carcinogenesis. Analysis of putative miR-4723 targets showed
      that miR-4723 targets integrin alpha 3 and Methyl CpG binding protein in addition
      to Abl1 and Abl2 kinases. Further, we found that the expression of Abl kinase is
      inversely correlated with miR-4723 expression in prostate cancer clinical
      specimens. Also, Abl1 knockdown partially phenocopies miR-4723 reexpression in
      prostate cancer cells suggesting that Abl is a functionally relevant target of
      miR-4723 in prostate cancer. In conclusion, we have identified a novel microRNA
      that mediates regulation of Abl kinases in prostate cancer. This study suggests
      that miR-4723 may be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in
      prostate cancer. 

PMID- 24223754
TI  - Repression of tropolone production and induction of a Burkholderia plantarii
      pseudo-biofilm by carot-4-en-9,10-diol, a cell-to-cell signaling disrupter
      produced by Trichoderma virens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The tropolone-tolerant Trichoderma virens PS1-7 is a biocontrol agent
      against Burkholderia plantarii, causative of rice seedling blight. When exposed
      to catechol, this fungus dose-dependently produced carot-4-en-9,10-diol, a
      sesquiterpene-type autoregulatory signal molecule that promotes self-conidiation
      of T. virens PS1-7 mycelia. It was, however, uncertain why T. virens PS1-7
      attenuates the symptom development of the rice seedlings infested with B.
      plantarii. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To reveal the antagonism by T. virens
      PS1-7 against B. plantarii leading to repression of tropolone production in a
      coculture system, bioassay-guided screening for active compounds from a 3-d
      culture of T. virens PS1-7 was conducted. As a result, carot-4-en-9,10-diol was
      identified and found to repress tropolone production of B. plantarii from 10 to
      200 uM in a dose-dependent manner as well as attenuate virulence of B. plantarii
      on rice seedlings. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that transcriptional
      suppression of N-acyl-L-homoserine lactone synthase plaI in B. plantarii was the
      main mode of action by which carot-4-en-9,10-diol mediated the quorum quenching
      responsible for repression of tropolone production. In addition, the unique
      response of B. plantarii to carot-4-en-9,10-diol in the biofilm formed in the
      static culture system was also found. Although the initial stage of B. plantarii
      biofilm formation was induced by both tropolone and carot-4-en-9,10-diol, it was
      induced in different states. Moreover, the B. plantarii biofilm that was induced
      by carot-4-en-9,10-diol at the late stage showed defects not only in matrix
      structure but also cell viability. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings
      demonstrate that carot-4-en-9,10-diol released by T. virens PS1-7 acts as an
      interkingdom cell-to-cell signaling molecule against B. plantarii to repress
      tropolone production and induces pseudo-biofilm to the cells. This observation
      also led to another discovery that tropolone is an autoregulatory cell-to-cell
      signaling molecule of B. plantarii that induces a functional biofilm other than a
      simple B. plantarii virulence factor.

PMID- 24223755
TI  - Comprehensive analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in human microRNAs.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that repress their
      targets at post transcriptional level. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in
      miRNAs can lead to severe defects to the functions of miRNAs and might result in
      diseases. Although several studies have tried to identify the SNPs in human miRNA
      genes or only in the mature miRNAs, there are only limited endeavors to explain
      the distribution of SNPs in these important genes. After a genome-wide scan for
      SNPs in human miRNAs, we totally identified 1899 SNPs in 961 out of the 1527
      reported miRNA precursors of human, which is the most complete list of SNPs in
      human miRNAs to date. More importantly, to explain the distributions of SNPs
      existed in human miRNAs, we comprehensively and systematically analyzed the
      identified SNPs in miRNAs from several aspects. Our results suggest that
      conservation, genomic context, secondary structure, and functional importance of
      human miRNAs affect the accumulations of SNPs in these genes. Our results also
      show that the number of SNPs with significantly different frequencies among
      various populations in the HapMap and 1000 Genome Project data are consistent
      with the geographical distributions of these populations. These analyses provide
      a better insight of SNPs in human miRNAs and the spreading of the SNPs in miRNAs
      in different populations. 

PMID- 24223756
TI  - Causes, coping, and culture: a comparative survey study on representation of back
      pain in three Swiss language regions.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study intends to contribute to a research tradition that asks
      how causal attributions of illnesses affect coping behavior. Causal attributions
      are understood as the most important element of illness representations and
      coping as a means to preserve quality of life. The issue is applied to a
      condition so far often neglected in research on illness representations-back pain
      and a third concept is added to the picture: culture. AIM: The aim of this study
      is (a) to explore the causal factors to which persons with back pain attribute
      the further course of their illness, (b) to find out whether the attributed
      causes are predictors of coping maxims, and (c) to find out whether cultural
      factors affect attributions and coping and moderate the relationship between the
      two. METHODS: A total of 1259 gainfully employed or self-employed persons with
      recent episodes of back pain were recruited in the three language regions of
      Switzerland. They were asked to complete a structured online interview, measuring
      among many other variables attributed causes, coping maxims, and affiliation to
      one of the Swiss micro-cultures (German-, French- or Italian-speaking). RESULTS:
      Attributed causes of the illness that can be influenced by a patient go along
      with more active coping styles. Cultural affiliation impacts on coping maxims
      independently, but culture moderates the relationship of attributed causes and
      coping maxims only in two of twenty possible cases. IMPLICATIONS: The results
      show that cultural differences can be analytically incorporated in the models of
      illness representations. Results may help to improve healthcare providers'
      communication with patients and plan public health campaigns. The approach to
      micro-cultural differences and the substantive relationships between alterability
      of causes and activity in coping may help the further development of models of
      illness representations.

PMID- 24223757
TI  - FLZ alleviates the memory deficits in transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's
      disease via decreasing beta-amyloid production and tau hyperphosphorylation.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide and
      mainly characterized by the aggregated beta-amyloid (Abeta) and
      hyperphosphorylated tau. FLZ is a novel synthetic derivative of natural
      squamosamide and has been proved to improve memory deficits in dementia animal
      models. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms of FLZ's
      neuroprotective effect in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice and SH-SY5Y (APPwt/swe)
      cells. The results showed that treatment with FLZ significantly improved the
      memory deficits of APP/PS1 transgenic mice and decreased apoptosis of SH-SY5Y
      (APPwt/swe) cells. FLZ markedly attenuated Abeta accumulation and tau
      phosphorylation both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistic study showed that FLZ
      interfered APP processing, i.e., FLZ decreased beta-amyloid precursor protein
      (APP) phosphorylation, APP-carboxy-terminal fragment (APP-CTF) production and
      beta-amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expression. These
      results indicated that FLZ reduced Abeta production through inhibiting
      amyloidogenic pathway. The mechanistic study about FLZ's inhibitory effect on tau
      phosphorylation revealed t the involvement of Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3beta
      (GSK3beta) pathway. FLZ treatment increased Akt activity and inhibited GSK3beta
      activity both in vivo and in vitro. The inhibitory effect of FLZ on GSK3beta
      activity and tau phosphorylation was suppressed by inhibiting Akt activity,
      indicating that Akt/GSK3beta pathway might be the possible mechanism involved in
      the inhibitory effect of FLZ on tau hyperphosphorylation. These results suggested
      FLZ might be a potential anti-AD drug as it not only reduced Abeta production via
      inhibition amyloidogenic APP processing pathway, but also attenuated tau
      hyperphosphoylation mediated by Akt/GSK3beta. 

PMID- 24223758
TI  - Genome-wide association mapping of root traits in a japonica rice panel.
AB  - Rice is a crop prone to drought stress in upland and rainfed lowland ecosystems.
      A deep root system is recognized as the best drought avoidance mechanism. Genome
      wide association mapping offers higher resolution for locating quantitative trait
      loci (QTLs) than QTL mapping in biparental populations. We performed an
      association mapping study for root traits using a panel of 167 japonica
      accessions, mostly of tropical origin. The panel was genotyped at an average
      density of one marker per 22.5 kb using genotyping by sequencing technology. The
      linkage disequilibrium in the panel was high (r(2)>0.6, on average, for 20 kb
      mean distances between markers). The plants were grown in transparent 50 cm * 20
      cm * 2 cm Plexiglas nailboard sandwiches filled with 1.5 mm glass beads through
      which a nutrient solution was circulated. Root system architecture and biomass
      traits were measured in 30-day-old plants. The panel showed a moderate to high
      diversity in the various traits, particularly for deep (below 30 cm depth) root
      mass and the number of deep roots. Association analyses were conducted using a
      mixed model involving both population structure and kinship to control for false
      positives. Nineteen associations were significant at P<1e-05, and 78 were
      significant at P<1e-04. The greatest numbers of significant associations were
      detected for deep root mass and the number of deep roots, whereas no significant
      associations were found for total root biomass or deep root proportion. Because
      several QTLs for different traits were co-localized, 51 unique loci were
      detected; several co-localized with meta-QTLs for root traits, but none co
      localized with rice genes known to be involved in root growth. Several likely
      candidate genes were found in close proximity to these loci. Additional work is
      necessary to assess whether these markers are relevant in other backgrounds and
      whether the genes identified are robust candidates. 

PMID- 24223759
TI  - Reduction of the CD16(-)CD56bright NK cell subset precedes NK cell dysfunction in
      prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Natural cytotoxicity, mediated by natural killer (NK) cells plays an
      important role in the inhibition and elimination of malignant tumor cells. To
      investigate the immunoregulatory role of NK cells and their potential as
      diagnostic markers, NK cell activity (NKA) was analyzed in prostate cancer (PCa)
      patients with particular focus on NK cell subset distribution. METHODS:
      Prospective data of NKA and NK cell subset distribution patterns were measured
      from 51 patients initially diagnosed with PCa and 54 healthy controls. NKA was
      represented by IFN-gamma levels after stimulation of the peripheral blood with
      Promoca(r). To determine the distribution of NK cell subsets, PBMCs were stained
      with fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies. Then, CD16(+)CD56(dim) and
      CD16(-)CD56(bright) cells gated on CD56(+)CD3(-) cells were analyzed using a flow
      cytometer. RESULTS: NKA and the proportion of CD56(bright) cells were
      significantly lower in PCa patients compared to controls (430.9 pg/ml vs. 975.2
      pg/ml and 2.3% vs. 3.8%, respectively; p<0.001). Both tended to gradually
      decrease according to cancer stage progression (p for trend = 0.001). A
      significantly higher CD56(dim)-to-CD56(bright) cell ratio was observed in PCa
      patients (41.8 vs. 30.3; p<0.001) along with a gradual increase according to
      cancer stage progression (p for trend = 0.001), implying a significant reduction
      of CD56(bright) cells in relation to the alteration of CD56(dim) cells. The
      sensitivity and the specificity of NKA regarding PCa detection were 72% and 74%,
      respectively (best cut-off value at 530.9 pg/ml, AUC = 0.786). CONCLUSIONS:
      Reduction of CD56(bright) cells may precede NK cell dysfunction, leading to
      impaired cytotoxicity against PCa cells. These observations may explain one of
      the mechanisms behind NK cell dysfunction observed in PCa microenvironment and
      lend support to the development of future cancer immunotherapeutic strategies.

PMID- 24223760
TI  - Bidirectional lipid droplet velocities are controlled by differential binding
      strengths of HCV core DII protein.
AB  - Host cell lipid droplets (LD) are essential in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life
      cycle and are targeted by the viral capsid core protein. Core-coated LDs
      accumulate in the perinuclear region and facilitate viral particle assembly, but
      it is unclear how mobility of these LDs is directed by core. Herein we used two
      photon fluorescence, differential interference contrast imaging, and coherent
      anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopies, to reveal novel core-mediated changes
      to LD dynamics. Expression of core protein's lipid binding domain II (DII-core)
      induced slower LD speeds, but did not affect directionality of movement on
      microtubules. Modulating the LD binding strength of DII-core further impacted LD
      mobility, revealing the temporal effects of LD-bound DII-core. These results for
      DII-core coated LDs support a model for core-mediated LD localization that
      involves core slowing down the rate of movement of LDs until localization at the
      perinuclear region is accomplished where LD movement ceases. The guided
      localization of LDs by HCV core protein not only is essential to the viral life
      cycle but also poses an interesting target for the development of antiviral
      strategies against HCV. 

PMID- 24223761
TI  - Prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in non-small-cell lung cancer
      patients: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs)
      detected in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still
      inconsistent. We aimed to assess the prognostic relevance of CTCs using a meta
      analysis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE for relevant
      studies that assessed the prognostic relevance of CTCs in NSCLC. Statistical
      analyses were conducted to calculate the summary incidence, odds ratio, relative
      risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using fixed or random-effects
      models according to the heterogeneity of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 20
      studies, comprising 1576 patients, met the inclusion criteria. In identified
      studies, CTCs were not correlated with histology (adenocarcinoma vs squamous cell
      carcinoma) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-1.33; Z = 
      0.61; P = 0.545). However, pooled analyses showed that CTCs were associated with
      lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.18-3.62; Z = 2.20; P = 0.027) and
      tumor stage (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.08-3.54; Z = 2.53; P = 0.011). Moreover, CTCs
      were significantly associated with shorter overall survival (relative risk [RR] =
      2.19; 95% CI: 1.53-3.12; Z = 4.32; P<0.0001) and progression-free/disease-free
      survival (RR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.36-3.38; Z = 3.28; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The
      presence of CTCs indicates a poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC. Further well
      designed prospective studies are required to explore the clinical applications of
      CTCs in lung cancer.

PMID- 24223762
TI  - Making research data repositories visible: the re3data.org Registry.
AB  - Researchers require infrastructures that ensure a maximum of accessibility,
      stability and reliability to facilitate working with and sharing of research
      data. Such infrastructures are being increasingly summarized under the term
      Research Data Repositories (RDR). The project re3data.org-Registry of Research
      Data Repositories-has begun to index research data repositories in 2012 and
      offers researchers, funding organizations, libraries and publishers an overview
      of the heterogeneous research data repository landscape. In July 2013 re3data.org
      lists 400 research data repositories and counting. 288 of these are described in
      detail using the re3data.org vocabulary. Information icons help researchers to
      easily identify an adequate repository for the storage and reuse of their data.
      This article describes the heterogeneous RDR landscape and presents a typology of
      institutional, disciplinary, multidisciplinary and project-specific RDR. Further
      the article outlines the features of re3data.org, and shows how this registry
      helps to identify appropriate repositories for storage and search of research
      data. 

PMID- 24223763
TI  - Expression of NgBR is highly associated with estrogen receptor alpha and survivin
      in breast cancer.
AB  - NgBR is a type I receptor with a single transmembrane domain and was identified
      as a specific receptor for Nogo-B. Our recent findings demonstrated that NgBR
      binds farnesylated Ras and recruits Ras to the plasma membrane, which is a
      critical step required for the activation of Ras signaling in human breast cancer
      cells and tumorigenesis. Here, we first use immunohistochemistry and real-time
      PCR approaches to examine the expression patterns of Nogo-B and NgBR in both
      normal and breast tumor tissues. Then, we examine the relationship between NgBR
      expression and molecular subtypes of breast cancer, and the roles of NgBR in
      estrogen-dependent survivin signaling pathway. Results showed that NgBR and Nogo
      B protein were detected in both normal and breast tumor tissues. However, the
      expression of Nogo-B and NgBR in breast tumor tissue was much stronger than in
      normal breast tissue. The statistical analysis demonstrated that NgBR is highly
      associated with ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. We also found that the
      expression of NgBR has a strong correlation with the expression of survivin,
      which is a well-known apoptosis inhibitor. The correlation between NgBR and
      survivin gene expression was further confirmed by real-time PCR. In vitro results
      also demonstrated that estradiol induces the expression of survivin in ER
      positive T47D breast tumor cells but not in ER-negative MDA-MB-468 breast tumor
      cells. NgBR knockdown with siRNA abolishes estradiol-induced survivin expression
      in ER-positive T47D cells but not in ER-negative MDA-MB-468 cells. In addition,
      estradiol increases the expression of survivin and cell growth in ER-positive MCF
      7 and T47D cells whereas knockdown of NgBR with siRNA reduces estradiol-induced
      survivin expression and cell growth. In summary, these results indicate that NgBR
      is a new molecular marker for breast cancer. The data suggest that the expression
      of NgBR may be essential in promoting ER-positive tumor cell proliferation via
      survivin induction in breast cancer. 

PMID- 24223764
TI  - Th17/IL-17A might play a protective role in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
      immunity.
AB  - Th17 cells, a recently discovered subset of T helper cells that secrete IL-17A,
      can affect the inflammation process autoimmune and cancer diseases development.
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of Th17 cells and IL17A in
      biology of CLL. The study group included 294 untreated CLL patients in different
      clinical stages. Here, we show that higher Th17 and IL-17A values were associated
      with less advanced clinical stage of CLL. Th17 cells' percentages in PB were
      lower in patients who died due to CLL during follow-up due to CLL (as compared to
      surviving patients) and in patients responding to first-line therapy with
      fludarabine-based regimens (as compared to non-responders). IL-17A inversely
      correlated with the time from CLL diagnosis to the start of therapy and was lower
      in patients who required treatment during follow-up. Th-17 and IL-17A values were
      lower in patients with adverse prognostic factors (17p and 11q deletion, CD38 and
      ZAP-70 expression). CLL patients with detectable IL-17A mRNA in T cells were in
      Rai Stage 0 and negative for both ZAP-70 and CD38 expression. Th17 percentages
      positively correlated with iNKT and adversely with Treg cells. The results of
      this study suggest that Th17 may play a beneficial role in CLL immunity. 

PMID- 24223765
TI  - Functional characterization of a wheat NHX antiporter gene TaNHX2 that encodes a
      K(+)/H(+) exchanger.
AB  - The subcellular localization of a wheat NHX antiporter, TaNHX2, was studied in
      Arabidopsis protoplasts, and its function was evaluated using Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae as a heterologous expression system. Fluorescence patterns of TaNHX2
      GFP fusion protein in Arabidopsis cells indicated that TaNHX2 localized at
      endomembranes. TaNHX2 has significant sequence homology to NHX sodium exchangers
      from Arabidopsis, is abundant in roots and leaves and is induced by salt or
      dehydration treatments. Western blot analysis showed that TaNHX2 could be
      expressed in transgenic yeast cells. Expressed TaNHX2 protein suppressed the salt
      sensitivity of a yeast mutant strain by increasing its K(+) content when exposed
      to salt stress. TaNHX2 also increased the tolerance of the strain to potassium
      stress. However, the expression of TaNHX2 did not affect the sodium concentration
      in transgenic cells. Western blot analysis for tonoplast proteins indicated that
      the TaNHX2 protein localized at the tonoplast of transgenic yeast cells. The
      tonoplast vesicles from transgenic yeast cells displayed enhanced K(+)/H(+)
      exchange activity but very little Na(+/)H(+) exchange compared with controls
      transformed with the empty vector; Na(+)/H(+) exchange was not detected with
      concentrations of less than 37.5 mM Na(+) in the reaction medium. Our data
      suggest that TaNHX2 is a endomembrane-bound protein and may primarily function as
      a K(+)/H(+) antiporter, which is involved in cellular pH regulation and potassium
      nutrition under normal conditions. Under saline conditions, the protein mediates
      resistance to salt stress through the intracellular compartmentalization of
      potassium to regulate cellular pH and K(+) homeostasis. 

PMID- 24223766
TI  - Mapping the shapes of phylogenetic trees from human and zoonotic RNA viruses.
AB  - A phylogeny is a tree-based model of common ancestry that is an indispensable
      tool for studying biological variation. Phylogenies play a special role in the
      study of rapidly evolving populations such as viruses, where the proliferation of
      lineages is constantly being shaped by the mode of virus transmission, by
      adaptation to immune systems, and by patterns of human migration and contact.
      These processes may leave an imprint on the shapes of virus phylogenies that can
      be extracted for comparative study; however, tree shapes are intrinsically
      difficult to quantify. Here we present a comprehensive study of phylogenies
      reconstructed from 38 different RNA viruses from 12 taxonomic families that are
      associated with human pathologies. To accomplish this, we have developed a new
      procedure for studying phylogenetic tree shapes based on the 'kernel trick', a
      technique that maps complex objects into a statistically convenient space. We
      show that our kernel method outperforms nine different tree balance statistics at
      correctly classifying phylogenies that were simulated under different
      evolutionary scenarios. Using the kernel method, we observe patterns in the
      distribution of RNA virus phylogenies in this space that reflect modes of
      transmission and pathogenesis. For example, viruses that can establish persistent
      chronic infections (such as HIV and hepatitis C virus) form a distinct cluster.
      Although the visibly 'star-like' shape characteristic of trees from these viruses
      has been well-documented, we show that established methods for quantifying tree
      shape fail to distinguish these trees from those of other viruses. The kernel
      approach presented here potentially represents an important new tool for
      characterizing the evolution and epidemiology of RNA viruses. 

PMID- 24223767
TI  - Zn subcellular distribution in liver of goldfish (carassius auratus) with
      exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles and mechanism of hepatic detoxification.
AB  - Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have attracted increasing concerns because of
      their widespread use and toxic potential. In this study, Zn accumulations in
      different tissues (gills, liver, muscle, and gut) of goldfish (Carassius auratus)
      after exposure to ZnO NPs were studied in comparison with bulk ZnO and Zn(2+).
      And the technique of subcellular partitioning was firstly used on the liver of
      goldfish to study the hepatic accumulation of ZnO NPs. The results showed that at
      sublethal Zn concentration (2 mg/L), bioaccumulation in goldfish was tissue
      specific and dependent on the exposure materials. Compared with Zn(2+), the
      particles of bulk ZnO and the ZnO NPs appeared to aggregate in the
      environmentally contacted tissues (gills and gut), rather than transport to the
      internal tissues (liver and muscle). The subcellular distributions of liver
      differed for the three exposure treatments. After ZnO NPs exposure, Zn percentage
      in metal-rich granule (MRG) increased significantly, and after Zn(2+) exposure,
      it increased significantly in the organelles. Metallothionein-like proteins
      (MTLP) were the main target for Zn(2+), while MRG played dominant role for ZnO
      NPs. The different results of subcellular distributions revealed that metal
      detoxification mechanisms of liver for ZnO NPs, bulk ZnO, and Zn(2+) were
      different. Overall, subcellular partitioning provided an interesting start to
      better understanding of the toxicity of nano- and conventional materials. 

PMID- 24223768
TI  - Preferential activation of the hedgehog pathway by epigenetic modulations in HPV
      negative HNSCC identified with meta-pathway analysis.
AB  - Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is largely divided into two groups
      based on their etiology, human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and -negative.
      Global DNA methylation changes are known to drive oncogene and tumor suppressor
      expression in primary HNSCC of both types. However, significant heterogeneity in
      DNA methylation within the groups results in different transcriptional profiles
      and clinical outcomes. We applied a meta-pathway analysis to link gene expression
      changes to DNA methylation in distinguishing HNSCC subtypes. This approach
      isolated specific epigenetic changes controlling expression in HPV- HNSCC that
      distinguish it from HPV+ HNSCC. Analysis of genes identified Hedgehog pathway
      activation specific to HPV- HNSCC. We confirmed that GLI1, the primary Hedgehog
      target, showed higher expression in tumors compared to normal samples with HPV-
      tumors having the highest GLI1 expression, suggesting that increased expression
      of GLI1 is a potential driver in HPV- HNSCC. Our algorithm for integration of DNA
      methylation and gene expression can infer biologically significant molecular
      pathways that may be exploited as therapeutics targets. Our results suggest that
      therapeutics targeting the Hedgehog pathway may be of benefit in HPV- HNSCC.
      Similar integrative analysis of high-throughput coupled DNA methylation and
      expression datasets may yield novel insights into deregulated pathways in other
      cancers. 

PMID- 24223769
TI  - Non-invasive prenatal testing of trisomy 18 by an epigenetic marker in first
      trimester maternal plasma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quantification of cell-free fetal DNA by methylation-based DNA
      discrimination has been used in non-invasive prenatal testing of fetal
      chromosomal aneuploidy. The maspin (Serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade B
      (ovalbumin), member 5; SERPINB5) gene, located on chromosome 18q21.33, is
      hypomethylated in the placenta and completely methylated in maternal blood cells.
      The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of non-invasive
      detection of fetal trisomy 18 using the unmethylated-maspin (U-maspin) gene as a
      cell-free fetal DNA marker and the methylated-maspin (M-maspin) gene as a cell
      free total DNA marker in the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL
      FINDINGS: A nested case-control study was conducted using maternal plasma
      collected from 66 pregnant women, 11 carrying fetuses with trisomy 18 and 55
      carrying normal fetuses. Median U-maspin concentrations were significantly
      elevated in women with trisomy 18 fetuses compared with controls (27.2 vs. 6.7
      copies/mL; P<0.001). Median M-maspin concentrations were also significantly
      higher in women with trisomy 18 fetuses than in controls (96.9 vs. 19.5
      copies/mL, P<0.001). The specificities of U-maspin and M-maspin concentrations
      for non-invasive fetal trisomy 18 detection were 96.4% and 74.5%, respectively,
      with a sensitivity of 90.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that U-maspin and M
      maspin concentrations may be useful as potential biomarkers for non-invasive
      detection of fetal trisomy 18 in the first trimester of pregnancy, irrespective
      of the sex and genetic variations of the fetus.

PMID- 24223770
TI  - UNC79 and UNC80, putative auxiliary subunits of the NARROW ABDOMEN ion channel,
      are indispensable for robust circadian locomotor rhythms in Drosophila.
AB  - In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a network of circadian pacemaker
      neurons drives daily rhythms in rest and activity. The ion channel NARROW ABDOMEN
      (NA), orthologous to the mammalian sodium leak channel NALCN, functions
      downstream of the molecular circadian clock in pacemaker neurons to promote
      behavioral rhythmicity. To better understand the function and regulation of the
      NA channel, we have characterized two putative auxiliary channel subunits in
      Drosophila, unc79 (aka dunc79) and unc80 (aka CG18437). We have generated novel
      unc79 and unc80 mutations that represent strong or complete loss-of-function
      alleles. These mutants display severe defects in circadian locomotor rhythmicity
      that are indistinguishable from na mutant phenotypes. Tissue-specific RNA
      interference and rescue analyses indicate that UNC79 and UNC80 likely function
      within pacemaker neurons, with similar anatomical requirements to NA. We observe
      an interdependent, post-transcriptional regulatory relationship among the three
      gene products, as loss of na, unc79, or unc80 gene function leads to decreased
      expression of all three proteins, with minimal effect on transcript levels. Yet
      despite this relationship, we find that the requirement for unc79 and unc80 in
      circadian rhythmicity cannot be bypassed by increasing NA protein expression, nor
      can these putative auxiliary subunits substitute for each other. These data
      indicate functional requirements for UNC79 and UNC80 beyond promoting channel
      subunit expression. Immunoprecipitation experiments also confirm that UNC79 and
      UNC80 form a complex with NA in the Drosophila brain. Taken together, these data
      suggest that Drosophila NA, UNC79, and UNC80 function together in circadian clock
      neurons to promote rhythmic behavior. 

PMID- 24223771
TI  - New insights into the RNA-based mechanism of action of the anticancer drug 5'
      fluorouracil in eukaryotic cells.
AB  - 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) is a chemotherapeutic drug widely used in treating a range
      of advanced, solid tumours and, in particular, colorectal cancer. Here, we used
      high-density tiling DNA microarray technology to obtain the specific
      transcriptome-wide response induced by 5FU in the eukaryotic model
      Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This approach combined with real-time quantitative PCR
      analysis allowed us to detect splicing defects of a significant number of intron
      containing mRNA, in addition to identify some rRNA and tRNA processing defects
      after 5FU treatment. Interestingly, our studies also revealed that 5FU
      specifically induced the expression of certain genes implicated in the processing
      of mRNA, tRNA and rRNA precursors, and in the post-transcriptional modification
      of uracil residues in RNA. The transcription of several tRNA genes was also
      significantly induced after drug exposure. These transcriptional changes might
      represent a cellular response mechanism to counteract 5FU damage since deletion
      strains for some of these up-regulated genes were hypersensitive to 5FU.
      Moreover, most of these RNA processing genes have human orthologs that
      participate in conserved pathways, suggesting that they could be novel targets to
      improve the efficacy of 5FU-based treatments. 

PMID- 24223772
TI  - Vascular endothelial growth factor +936C/T, -634G/C, -2578C/A, and -1154G/A
      polymorphisms with risk of preeclampsia: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence showed that VEGF gene polymorphisms are involved in
      the regulation of VEGF protein expression, thus increasing an individual's
      susceptibility to preeclampsia (PE); but individually published results are
      inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the associations
      between VEGF gene polymorphisms and PE risk. METHODS: A systematic literature
      search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge
      Infrastructure) databases was conducted. Statistical analyses were performed
      using STATA 12.0 software and Review manager 5.1. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations.
      RESULTS: According to the inclusion criteria, 11 case-control studies were
      finally included in this meta-analysis. A total of 1,069 PE cases and 1,315
      controls were included in this study. Our meta-analysis indicated that VEGF
      +936C/T (T vs. C, OR = 1.52, 95%CI = 1.08-2.12) or -634G/C polymorphism (C vs. G,
      OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.03-1.50) was associated with the risk of PE, whereas there
      was no association between -2578C/A (A vs. C, OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.82-1.16) or 
      1154G/A (A vs. G, OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 0.94-1.78) polymorphism and PE risk in our
      study. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis suggested that VEGF -2578C/A or -1154G/A
      polymorphism had no association with PE risk in all examined patients, whereas
      there was an association between VEGF +936C/T or -634G/C polymorphism and risk of
      PE.

PMID- 24223773
TI  - High-resolution structural and functional assessments of cerebral
      microvasculature using 3D Gas DeltaR2*-mMRA.
AB  - The ability to evaluate the cerebral microvascular structure and function is
      crucial for investigating pathological processes in brain disorders. Previous
      angiographic methods based on blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) contrast offer
      appropriate visualization of the cerebral vasculature, but these methods remain
      to be optimized in order to extract more comprehensive information. This study
      aimed to integrate the advantages of BOLD MRI in both structural and functional
      vascular assessments. The BOLD contrast was manipulated by a carbogen challenge,
      and signal changes in gradient-echo images were computed to generate DeltaR2*
      maps. Simultaneously, a functional index representing the regional cerebral blood
      volume was derived by normalizing the DeltaR2* values of a given region to those
      of vein-filled voxels of the sinus. This method is named 3D gas DeltaR2*-mMRA
      (microscopic MRA). The advantages of using 3D gas DeltaR2*-mMRA to observe the
      microvasculature include the ability to distinguish air-tissue interfaces, a high
      vessel-to-tissue contrast, and not being affected by damage to the blood-brain
      barrier. A stroke model was used to demonstrate the ability of 3D gas DeltaR2*
      mMRA to provide information about poststroke revascularization at 3 days after
      reperfusion. However, this technique has some limitations that cannot be overcome
      and hence should be considered when it is applied, such as magnifying vessel
      sizes and predominantly revealing venous vessels. 

PMID- 24223774
TI  - GPS2 is required for the association of NS5A with VAP-A and hepatitis C virus
      replication.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) is a component of the
      replication complex associated with various cellular proteins. It has been
      reported that G protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) is a potential NS5A-binding
      factor, as identified in a yeast two-hybrid screens of human cDNA library using
      viral proteins as baits [1]. In this study, we demonstrated the interaction
      between GPS2 and NS5A in mammalian cells by coimmunoprecipitation analysis and
      found that both exogenously and endogenously expressed GPS2 interacted with NS5A
      of genotype 1b and 2a. Mutagenesis study demonstrated that Domain I of NS5A and
      coiled-coil domain of GPS2 are responsible for the interaction. Knockdown of GPS2
      in hepatoma cell lines suppressed the replication of HCV RNA, which can be
      rescued by the expression of an RNAi-resistant GPS2. Furthermore, overexpression
      of GPS2 enhanced the association of NS5A with a proviral cellular factor, human
      vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein A (VAP-A), while knockdown
      of GPS2 disrupted interaction between VAP-A and NS5A. Taken together, our results
      suggest that GPS2 acts as a bridge between NS5A and VAP-A and is required for
      efficient HCV replication. 

PMID- 24223775
TI  - Cross-sectional study on attitudes among general practitioners towards
      pneumococcal vaccination for middle-aged and elderly population in Hong Kong.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the attitudes among general practitioners towards
      pneumococcal vaccination for middle-aged (50-64) and elderly population (over 65)
      in Hong Kong and the factors affecting their decision to advise pneumococcal
      vaccination for those age groups. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of general
      practitioners in private practice in Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS: Members of Hong
      Kong Medical Association delivering general practice services in private sector.
      MEASURING TOOL: Self-administered questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intention
      to recommend pneumococcal vaccination, barriers against pneumococcal vaccination.
      RESULTS: 53.4% of the respondents would actively recommend pneumococcal
      vaccination to elderly patients but only 18.8% would recommend for middle-aged
      patients. Consultation not related to pneumococcal vaccine was the main reason
      for not recommending pneumococcal vaccine (43.6%). Rarity of pneumonia in their
      daily practice was another reason with 68.4% of respondents attending five or
      less patients with pneumonia each year. In multivariate analysis, factors such as
      respondents would get vaccination when reaching age 50 (ORm 10.1), and attending
      6 pneumonia cases or more per year (ORm 2.28) were found to be associated with
      increasing likelihood for recommending vaccination to the middle-aged. While
      concerns of marketing a product (ORm 0.41), consultation not related to
      vaccination (ORm 0.45) and limited time (ORm 0.38) were factors that reduced the
      likelihood. CONCLUSION: Public policy is needed to increase the awareness of
      impact of pneumococcal pneumonia and the availability of preventive measures.

PMID- 24223776
TI  - External validation of the derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic
      marker on a large cohort of pancreatic cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With growing evidence on the role of inflammation in cancer biology,
      the presence of a systemic inflammatory response has been postulated as having
      prognostic significance in a wide range of cancer types. The derived neutrophil
      to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), which represents an easily determinable potential
      prognostic marker in daily practise and clinical trials, has never been
      externally validated in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients. METHODS: Data from 474
      consecutive PC patients, treated between 2004 and 2012 at a single centre, were
      evaluated retrospectively. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was assessed using the
      Kaplan-Meier method. To evaluate the prognostic relevance of dNLR, univariate and
      multivariate Cox regression models were applied. RESULTS: We calculated by ROC
      analysis a cut-off value of 2.3 for the dNLR to be ideal to discriminate between
      patients' survival in the whole cohort. Kaplan-Meier curve reveals a dNLR>=2.3 as
      a factor for decreased CSS in PC patients (p<0.001, log-rank test). An
      independent significant association between high dNLR>=2.3 and poor clinical
      outcome in multivariate analysis (HR = 1.24, CI95% = 1.01-1.51, p = 0.041) was
      identified. CONCLUSION: In the present study we confirmed elevated pre-treatment
      dNLR as an independent prognostic factor for clinical outcome in PC patients. Our
      data encourage independent replication in other series and settings of this
      easily available parameter as well as stratified analysis according to tumor
      resectability.

PMID- 24223777
TI  - Anaerobic co-culture of mesenchymal stem cells and anaerobic pathogens - a new in
      vitro model system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are multipotent by nature and
      are originally isolated from bone marrow. In light of a future application of
      hMSCs in the oral cavity, a body compartment with varying oxygen partial
      pressures and an omnipresence of different bacterial species i.e. periodontitis
      pathogens, we performed this study to gain information about the behavior of hMSC
      in an anaerobic system and the response in interaction with oral bacterial
      pathogens. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We established a model system with
      oral pathogenic bacterial species and eukaryotic cells cultured in anaerobic
      conditions. The facultative anaerobe bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum,
      Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were studied.
      Their effects on hMSCs and primary as well as permanent gingival epithelial cells
      (Ca9-22, HGPEC) were comparatively analyzed. We show that hMSCs cope with anoxic
      conditions, since 40% vital cells remain after 72 h of anaerobic culture. The Ca9
      22 and HGPEC cells are significantly more sensitive to lack of oxygen. All
      bacterial species reveal a comparatively low adherence to and internalization
      into hMSCs (0.2% and 0.01% of the initial inoculum, respectively). In comparison,
      the Ca9-22 and HGPEC cells present better targets for bacterial adherence and
      internalization. The production of the pro-inflammatory chemokine IL-8 is higher
      in both gingival epithelial cell lines compared to hMSCs and Fusobacterium
      nucleatum induce a time-dependent cytokine secretion in both cell lines.
      Porphyromonas gingivalis is less effective in stimulating secretion of IL-8 in
      the co-cultivation experiments. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: HMSCs are suitable for
      use in anoxic regions of the oral cavity. The interaction with local pathogenic
      bacteria does not result in massive pro-inflammatory cytokine responses. The test
      system established in this study allowed further investigation of parameters
      prior to set up of oral hMSC in vivo studies.

PMID- 24223778
TI  - Infusion of Trx-1-overexpressing hucMSC prolongs the survival of acutely
      irradiated NOD/SCID mice by decreasing excessive inflammatory injury.
AB  - A protective reagent for ARI should have the ability to repair injured tissue
      caused by radiation and prevent continuous damage from secondary risk factors.
      Trx-1 was explored as a candidate therapy for ARI, as it scavenges reactive
      oxygen species, regulates cell growth and differentiation, participates in immune
      reactions, and inhibits apoptosis by acting inside and/or outside cells. Trx-1
      can also decrease excessive inflammation in ARI by regulating the creation of
      inflamed media, by inhibiting the activation of complement, and by reducing the
      chemotaxis, adhesion, and migration of inflammatory cells. As effectively and
      stably expressing exogenous genes in the long term and regulating immune
      inflammation and tissue repair, MSC are a good choice for Trx-1 gene therapy. In
      this study, Trx-1-overexpressing hucMSC-Trx-1 were obtained by adenoviral vector
      mediated infection. We first measured the redox capacity of hucMSC-Trx-1 with an
      antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) assay, a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content
      determination assay in vivo, a H2O2-induced oxidation hemolysis assay, and a
      lipid peroxidation assay in vitro. Then, we measured survival time, the
      protection of the hematopoietic system, and the regulation of inflammation in
      important organs in three treatment groups of NOD/SCID mice (treated with hucMSC
      Trx-1, with hucMSC, and with saline) that were exposed to 4.5 Gy (60)Co-gamma-ray
      radiation. The hucMSC-Trx-1 group achieved superior antioxidation results,
      protecting bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (Lin(-)CD117(+): hucMSC-Trx-1 vs.
      hucMSC, P<0.05; hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. NS, P<0.01), promoting the formation of red
      blood cells and hemoglobin (hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. hucMSC or NS, P<0.05), reducing
      inflammation and damage in important organs (Bone marrow and lung: hucMSC-Trx-1
      vs. NS, P<0.01; hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. hucMSC, P<0.05. Liver and intestine: hucMSC-Trx
      1 vs. NS, P<0.05; hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. hucMSC, P<0.05), and prolonging survival
      (hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. hucMSC or NS, P<0.01). Therefore, hucMSC-Trx-1 combines the
      merits of gene and cell therapy as a multifunctional radioprotector for ARI. 

PMID- 24223780
TI  - Three-dimensional flow of an oldroyd-B fluid with variable thermal conductivity
      and heat generation/absorption.
AB  - This paper looks at the series solutions of three dimensional boundary layer
      flow. An Oldroyd-B fluid with variable thermal conductivity is considered. The
      flow is induced due to stretching of a surface. Analysis has been carried out in
      the presence of heat generation/absorption. Homotopy analysis is implemented in
      developing the series solutions to the governing flow and energy equations.
      Graphs are presented and discussed for various parameters of interest. Comparison
      of present study with the existing limiting solution is shown and examined. 

PMID- 24223779
TI  - Protein N-myristoylation plays a critical role in the endoplasmic reticulum
      morphological change induced by overexpression of protein Lunapark, an integral
      membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum.
AB  - N-myristoylation of eukaryotic cellular proteins has been recognized as a
      modification that occurs mainly on cytoplasmic proteins. In this study, we
      examined the membrane localization, membrane integration, and intracellular
      localization of four recently identified human N-myristoylated proteins with
      predicted transmembrane domains. As a result, it was found that protein Lunapark,
      the human ortholog of yeast protein Lnp1p that has recently been found to be
      involved in network formation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is an N
      myristoylated polytopic integral membrane protein. Analysis of tumor necrosis
      factor-fusion proteins with each of the two putative transmembrane domains and
      their flanking regions of protein Lunapark revealed that transmembrane domain 1
      and 2 functioned as type II signal anchor sequence and stop transfer sequence,
      respectively, and together generated a double-spanning integral membrane protein
      with an N-/C-terminal cytoplasmic orientation. Immunofluorescence staining of
      HEK293T cells transfected with a cDNA encoding protein Lunapark tagged with FLAG
      tag at its C-terminus revealed that overexpressed protein Lunapark localized
      mainly to the peripheral ER and induced the formation of large polygonal tubular
      structures. Morphological changes in the ER induced by overexpressed protein
      Lunapark were significantly inhibited by the inhibition of protein N
      myristoylation by means of replacing Gly2 with Ala. These results indicated that
      protein N-myristoylation plays a critical role in the ER morphological change
      induced by overexpression of protein Lunapark. 

PMID- 24223782
TI  - A mechanistic individual-based model of the feeding processes for Oikopleura
      dioica.
AB  - A mechanistic physiological model of the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica has
      been built to represent its three feeding processes (filtration, ingestion and
      assimilation). The mathematical formulation of these processes is based on
      laboratory observations from the literature, and tests different hypotheses. This
      model accounts for house formation dynamics, the food storage capacity of the
      house and the gut throughput dynamics. The half-saturation coefficient for
      ingestion resulting from model simulations is approximately 28 [Formula: see
      text] and is independent of the weight of the organism. The maximum food intake
      for ingestion is also a property of the model and depends on the weight of the
      organism. Both are in accordance with data from the literature. The model also
      provides a realistic representation of carbon accumulation within the house. The
      modelled half-saturation coefficient for assimilation is approximately 15
      [Formula: see text] and is also independent of the weight of the organism.
      Modelled gut throughput dynamics are based on faecal pellet formation by gut
      compaction. Model outputs showed that below a food concentration of 30 [Formula:
      see text], the faecal pellet weight should represent a lower proportion of the
      body weight of the organism, meaning that the faecal pellet formation is not
      driven by gut filling. Simulations using fluctuating environmental food
      availability show that food depletion is not immediately experienced by the
      organism but that it occurs after a lag time because of house and gut buffering
      abilities. This lag time duration lasts at least 30 minutes and can reach more
      than 2 hours, depending on when the food depletion occurs during the house
      lifespan. 

PMID- 24223781
TI  - RTK/ERK pathway under natural selection associated with prostate cancer.
AB  - Prostate cancer (PCa) is a global disease causing large numbers of deaths every
      year. Recent studies have indicated the RTK/ERK pathway might be a key pathway in
      the development of PCa. However, the exact association and evolution-based
      mechanism remain unclear. This study was conducted by combining genotypic and
      phenotypic data from the Chinese Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics
      (ChinaPCa) with related databases such as the HapMap Project and Genevar. In this
      analysis, expression of quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) analysis, natural
      selection and gene-based pathway analysis were involved. The pathway analysis
      confirmed the positive relationship between PCa risk and several key genes. In
      addition, combined with the natural selection, it seems that 4 genes (EGFR,
      ERBB2, PTK2, and RAF1) with five SNPs (rs11238349, rs17172438, rs984654,
      rs11773818, and rs17172432) especially rs17172432, might be pivotal factors in
      the development of PCa. The results indicate that the RTK/ERK pathway under
      natural selection is a key link in PCa risk. The joint effect of the genes and
      loci with positive selection might be one reason for the development of PCa.
      Dealing with all the factors simultaneously might give insight into prevention
      and aid in predicting the success of potential therapies for PCa. 

PMID- 24223783
TI  - Initial d2 dopamine receptor sensitivity predicts cocaine sensitivity and reward
      in rats.
AB  - The activation of dopamine receptors within the mesolimbic dopamine system is
      known to be involved in the initiation and maintenance of cocaine use. Expression
      of the D2 dopamine receptor subtype has been implicated as both a predisposing
      factor and consequence of chronic cocaine use. It is unclear whether there is a
      predictive relationship between D2 dopamine receptor function and cocaine
      sensitivity that would enable cocaine abuse. Therefore, we exploited individual
      differences in behavioral responses to D2 dopamine receptor stimulation to test
      its relationship with cocaine-mediated behaviors. Outbred, male Sprague-Dawley
      rats were initially characterized by their locomotor responsiveness to the D2
      dopamine receptor agonist, quinpirole, in a within-session ascending dose
      response regimen (0, 0.1, 0.3 & 1.0 mg/kg, sc). Rats were classified as high or
      low quinpirole responders (HD2 and LD2, respectively) by a median split of their
      quinpirole-induced locomotor activity. Rats were subsequently tested for
      differences in the psychostimulant effects of cocaine by measuring changes in
      cocaine-induced locomotor activity (5 and 15 mg/kg, ip). Rats were also tested
      for differences in the development of conditioned place preference to a low dose
      of cocaine (7.5 mg/kg, ip) that does not reliably produce a cocaine conditioned
      place preference. Finally, rats were tested for acquisition of cocaine self
      administration and maintenance responding on fixed ratio 1 and 5 schedules of
      reinforcement, respectively. Results demonstrate that HD2 rats have enhanced
      sensitivity to the locomotor stimulating properties of cocaine, display greater
      cocaine conditioned place preference, and self-administer more cocaine compared
      to LD2 animals. These findings suggest that individual differences in D2 dopamine
      receptor sensitivity may be predictive of cocaine sensitivity and reward. 

PMID- 24223784
TI  - Develop to term rat oocytes injected with heat-dried sperm heads.
AB  - This study investigated the development of rat oocytes in vitro and in vivo
      following intracytoplasmic injection of heads from spermatozoa heat-dried at 50
      degrees C for 8 h and stored at 4 degrees C in different gas phases. Sperm
      membrane and chromosome are damaged by the process of heat-drying. Oocyte
      activation and cleavage of oocytes were worse in oocytes injected with
      spermatozoa heat-dried and stored for 1 week than unheated, fresh spermatozoa,
      but in heat-dried spermatozoa, there were no differences in these abilities of
      oocytes between the samples stored in nitrogen gas and in air. The oocytes
      injected with heat-dried spermatozoa stored for 1 week could develop to the
      morula and blastocyst stages without difference between the samples stored in
      nitrogen gas and in air after artificial stimulation. Cleavage of oocytes and
      development of cleaved embryos were higher when heat-dried spermatozoa were
      stored for 3 and 6 months in nitrogen gas than in air. However, the ability of
      injected oocytes to develop to the morula and blastocyst stages was not inhibited
      even when heat-dried spermatozoa stored in both atmosphere conditions for as long
      as 6 months were used. When 2-cell embryos derived from oocytes injected with
      heads from spermatozoa heat-dried and stored for 1 week and 1 month were
      transferred, each 1 of 4 recipients was conceived, and the conceived recipients
      delivered 1 live young each. These results demonstrate that rat oocytes can be
      fertilized with heat-dried spermatozoa and that the fertilized oocytes can
      develop to term. 

PMID- 24223785
TI  - Complex processing patterns of mRNAs of the large ATP synthase operon in
      Arabidopsis chloroplasts.
AB  - Chloroplasts are photosynthetic cell organelles which have evolved from
      endosymbiosis of the cyanobacterial ancestor. In chloroplasts, genes are still
      organized into transcriptional units as in bacteria but the corresponding poly
      cistronic mRNAs undergo complex processing events, including inter-genic cleavage
      and 5' and 3' end-definition. The current model for processing proposes that the
      3' end of the upstream cistron transcripts and the 5' end of the downstream
      cistron transcripts are defined by the same RNA-binding protein and overlap at
      the level of the protein-binding site. We have investigated the processing
      mechanisms that operate within the large ATP synthase (atp) operon, in
      Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts. This operon is transcribed by the plastid
      encoded RNA polymerase starting from two promoters, which are upstream and within
      the operon, respectively, and harbors four potential sites for RNA-binding
      proteins. In order to study the functional significance of the promoters and the
      protein-binding sites for the maturation processes, we have performed a detailed
      mapping of the atp transcript ends. Our data indicate that in contrast to maize,
      atpI and atpH transcripts with overlapping ends are very rare in Arabidopsis. In
      addition, atpA mRNAs, which overlap with atpF mRNAs, are even truncated at the 3'
      end, thus representing degradation products. We observe, instead, that the 5'
      ends of nascent poly-cistronic atp transcripts are defined at the first protein
      binding site which follows either one of the two transcription initiation sites,
      while the 3' ends are defined at the subsequent protein-binding sites or at
      hairpin structures that are encountered by the progressing RNA polymerase. We
      conclude that the overlapping mechanisms of mRNA protection have only a limited
      role in obtaining stable processed atp mRNAs in Arabidopsis. Our findings suggest
      that during evolution of different plant species as maize and Arabidopsis,
      chloroplasts have evolved multiple strategies to produce mature transcripts
      suitable for translation. 

PMID- 24223786
TI  - Increase in cellulose accumulation and improvement of saccharification by
      overexpression of arabinofuranosidase in rice.
AB  - Cellulosic biomass is available for the production of biofuel, with
      saccharification of the cell wall being a key process. We investigated whether
      alteration of arabinoxylan, a major hemicellulose in monocots, causes an increase
      in saccharification efficiency. Arabinoxylans have beta-1,4-D-xylopyranosyl
      backbones and 1,3- or 1,4-alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl residues linked to O-2 and/or
      O-3 of xylopyranosyl residues as side chains. Arabinose side chains interrupt the
      hydrogen bond between arabinoxylan and cellulose and carry an ester-linked
      feruloyl substituent. Arabinose side chains are the base point for diferuloyl
      cross-links and lignification. We analyzed rice plants overexpressing
      arabinofuranosidase (ARAF) to study the role of arabinose residues in the cell
      wall and their effects on saccharification. Arabinose content in the cell wall of
      transgenic rice plants overexpressing individual ARAF full-length cDNA (OsARAF1
      FOX and OsARAF3-FOX) decreased 25% and 20% compared to the control and the amount
      of glucose increased by 28.2% and 34.2%, respectively. We studied modifications
      of cell wall polysaccharides at the cellular level by comparing histochemical
      cellulose staining patterns and immunolocalization patterns using antibodies
      raised against alpha-(1,5)-linked l-Ara (LM6) and beta-(1,4)-linked d-Xyl (LM10
      and LM11) residues. However, they showed no visible phenotype. Our results
      suggest that the balance between arabinoxylan and cellulose might maintain the
      cell wall network. Moreover, ARAF overexpression in rice effectively leads to an
      increase in cellulose accumulation and saccharification efficiency, which can be
      used to produce bioethanol. 

PMID- 24223787
TI  - Hepatitis C transmission and treatment in contact networks of people who inject
      drugs.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infects over 180 million people worldwide,
      with over 350,000 estimated deaths attributed yearly to HCV-related liver
      diseases. It disproportionally affects people who inject drugs (PWID). Currently
      there is no preventative vaccine and interventions feature long treatment
      durations with severe side-effects. Upcoming treatments will improve this
      situation, making possible large-scale treatment interventions. How these
      strategies should target HCV-infected PWID remains an important unanswered
      question. Previous models of HCV have lacked empirically grounded contact models
      of PWID. Here we report results on HCV transmission and treatment using simulated
      contact networks generated from an empirically grounded network model using
      recently developed statistical approaches in social network analysis. Our HCV
      transmission model is a detailed, stochastic, individual-based model including
      spontaneously clearing nodes. On transmission we investigate the role of number
      of contacts and injecting frequency on time to primary infection and the role of
      spontaneously clearing nodes on incidence rates. On treatment we investigate the
      effect of nine network-based treatment strategies on chronic prevalence and
      incidence rates of primary infection and re-infection. Both numbers of contacts
      and injecting frequency play key roles in reducing time to primary infection. The
      change from "less-" to "more-frequent" injector is roughly similar to having one
      additional network contact. Nodes that spontaneously clear their HCV infection
      have a local effect on infection risk and the total number of such nodes (but not
      their locations) has a network wide effect on the incidence of both primary and
      re-infection with HCV. Re-infection plays a large role in the effectiveness of
      treatment interventions. Strategies that choose PWID and treat all their contacts
      (analogous to ring vaccination) are most effective in reducing the incidence
      rates of re-infection and combined infection. A strategy targeting infected PWID
      with the most contacts (analogous to targeted vaccination) is the least
      effective. 

PMID- 24223788
TI  - Prolonged bioluminescence monitoring in mouse ex vivo bone culture revealed
      persistent circadian rhythms in articular cartilages and growth plates.
AB  - The bone is a metabolically active organ which undergoes repeated remodeling
      cycles of bone resorption and formation. In this study, we revealed a robust and
      extremely long-lasting circadian rhythm in ex vivo culture maintained for over
      six months from the femoral bone of a PERIOD2(Luciferase) mouse. Furthermore, we
      also identified robust circadian clocks in flat bones. High- or low-magnification
      real-time bioluminescence microscopic imaging revealed that the robust circadian
      rhythms emanated from the articular cartilage and the epiphyseal cartilage within
      the growth plate of juvenile animals. Stimulation by forskolin or dexamethasone
      treatment caused type 0 phase resetting, indicating canonical entraining
      properties of the bone clock. Together, our findings from long-term ex vivo
      culture revealed that "tissue-autonomous" circadian rhythm in the articular
      cartilage and the growth plate of femoral bone functions for several months even
      in an organ culture condition, and provided a useful in vitro assay system
      investigating the role of the biological clock in bone formation or development. 

PMID- 24223789
TI  - Precise-spike-driven synaptic plasticity: learning hetero-association of
      spatiotemporal spike patterns.
AB  - A new learning rule (Precise-Spike-Driven (PSD) Synaptic Plasticity) is proposed
      for processing and memorizing spatiotemporal patterns. PSD is a supervised
      learning rule that is analytically derived from the traditional Widrow-Hoff rule
      and can be used to train neurons to associate an input spatiotemporal spike
      pattern with a desired spike train. Synaptic adaptation is driven by the error
      between the desired and the actual output spikes, with positive errors causing
      long-term potentiation and negative errors causing long-term depression. The
      amount of modification is proportional to an eligibility trace that is triggered
      by afferent spikes. The PSD rule is both computationally efficient and
      biologically plausible. The properties of this learning rule are investigated
      extensively through experimental simulations, including its learning performance,
      its generality to different neuron models, its robustness against noisy
      conditions, its memory capacity, and the effects of its learning parameters.
      Experimental results show that the PSD rule is capable of spatiotemporal pattern
      classification, and can even outperform a well studied benchmark algorithm with
      the proposed relative confidence criterion. The PSD rule is further validated on
      a practical example of an optical character recognition problem. The results
      again show that it can achieve a good recognition performance with a proper
      encoding. Finally, a detailed discussion is provided about the PSD rule and
      several related algorithms including tempotron, SPAN, Chronotron and ReSuMe. 

PMID- 24223791
TI  - Non-uniform dispersion of the source-sink relationship alters wavefront
      curvature.
AB  - The distribution of cellular source-sink relationships plays an important role in
      cardiac propagation. It can lead to conduction slowing and block as well as wave
      fractionation. It is of great interest to unravel the mechanisms underlying
      evolution in wavefront geometry. Our goal is to investigate the role of the
      source-sink relationship on wavefront geometry using computer simulations. We
      analyzed the role of variability in the microscopic source-sink relationship in
      driving changes in wavefront geometry. The electrophysiological activity of a
      homogeneous isotropic tissue was simulated using the ten Tusscher and Panfilov
      2006 action potential model and the source-sink relationship was characterized
      using an improved version of the Romero et al. safety factor formulation (SFm2).
      Our simulations reveal that non-uniform dispersion of the cellular source-sink
      relationship (dispersion along the wavefront) leads to alterations in curvature.
      To better understand the role of the source-sink relationship in the process of
      wave formation, the electrophysiological activity at the initiation of excitation
      waves in a 1D strand was examined and the source-sink relationship was
      characterized using the two recently updated safety factor formulations: the SFm2
      and the Boyle-Vigmond (SFVB) definitions. The electrophysiological activity at
      the initiation of excitation waves was intimately related to the SFm2 profiles,
      while the SFVB led to several counterintuitive observations. Importantly, with
      the SFm2 characterization, a critical source-sink relationship for initiation of
      excitation waves was identified, which was independent of the size of the
      electrode of excitation, membrane excitability, or tissue conductivity. In
      conclusion, our work suggests that non-uniform dispersion of the source-sink
      relationship alters wavefront curvature and a critical source-sink relationship
      profile separates wave expansion from collapse. Our study reinforces the idea
      that the safety factor represents a powerful tool to study the mechanisms of
      cardiac propagation in silico, providing a better understanding of cardiac
      arrhythmias and their therapy. 

PMID- 24223790
TI  - Culture of airway epithelial cells from neonates sampled within 48-hours of
      birth.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Little is known about how neonatal airway epithelial cell phenotype
      impacts on respiratory disease in later life. This study aimed to establish a
      methodology to culture and characterise neonatal nasal epithelial cells sampled
      from healthy, non-sedated infants within 48 hours of delivery. METHODS: Nasal
      epithelial cells were sampled by brushing both nostrils with an interdental
      brush, grown to confluence and sub-cultured. Cultured cells were characterised
      morphologically by light and electron microscopy and by immunocytochemistry. As
      an exemplar pro-inflammatory chemokine, IL-8 concentrations were measured in
      supernatants from unstimulated monolayers and after exposure to IL-1beta/TNF
      alpha or house dust mite extract. RESULTS: Primary cultures were successfully
      established in 135 (91%) of 149 neonatal samples seeded, with 79% (n  =  117)
      successfully cultured to passage 3. The epithelial lineage of the cells was
      confirmed by morphological analysis and immunostaining. Constitutive IL-8
      secretion was observed and was upregulated by IL-1beta/TNF-alpha or house dust
      mite extract in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION: We describe a safe,
      minimally invasive method of culturing nasal epithelial cells from neonates
      suitable for functional cell analysis offering an opportunity to study "naive"
      cells that may prove useful in elucidating the role of the epithelium in the
      early origins of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis.

PMID- 24223792
TI  - Prognostic value and targeted inhibition of survivin expression in esophageal
      adenocarcinoma and cancer-adjacent squamous epithelium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis and its over expression is
      associated with poor prognosis in several malignancies. While several studies
      have analyzed survivin expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, few have
      focused on esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and/or cancer-adjacent squamous
      epithelium (CASE). The purpose of this study was 1) to determine the degree of
      survivin up regulation in samples of EAC and CASE, 2) to evaluate if survivin
      expression in EAC and CASE correlates with recurrence and/or death, and 3) to
      examine the effect of survivin inhibition on apoptosis in EAC cells. METHODS:
      Fresh frozen samples of EAC and CASE from the same patient were used for qRT-PCR
      and Western blot analysis, and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue was used
      for immunohistochemistry. EAC cell lines, OE19 and OE33, were transfected with
      small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to knockdown survivin expression. This was
      confirmed by qRT-PCR for survivin expression and Western blot analysis of cleaved
      PARP, cleaved caspase 3 and survivin. Survivin expression data was correlated
      with clinical outcome. RESULTS: Survivin expression was significantly higher in
      EAC tumor samples compared to the CASE from the same patient. Patients with high
      expression of survivin in EAC tumor had an increased risk of death. Survivin
      expression was also noted in CASE and correlated with increased risk of distant
      recurrence. Cell line evaluation demonstrated that inhibition of survivin
      resulted in an increase in apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Higher expression of survivin
      in tumor tissue was associated with increased risk of death; while survivin
      expression in CASE was a superior predictor of recurrence. Inhibition of survivin
      in EAC cell lines further showed increased apoptosis, supporting the potential
      benefits of therapeutic strategies targeted to this marker.

PMID- 24223793
TI  - Induction of p53-dependent p21 limits proliferative activity of rat hepatocytes
      in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a potent mitogen for hepatocytes,
      enhances hepatocyte function without stimulating proliferation, depending on the
      physiological conditions. p53, a transcription factor, suppresses the cell
      proliferation by expressing p21(WAF1/CIP1) in various tissues. AIM: To
      investigate the mechanism through which the hepatocytes maintain mitotically
      quiescent even in the presence of HGF. METHODS: We studied the relationship
      between p53 and p21 expression and the effect of p53-p21 axis on hepatocyte
      proliferation in primary cultured rat hepatocytes stimulated by HGF. Hepatic p21
      levels are determined serially after partial hepatectomy or sham operation in
      rats. RESULTS: DNA synthesis was markedly increased by HGF addition in rat
      hepatocytes cultured at low density but not at high density. Cellular p53 levels
      increased in the hepatocytes cultured at both the densities. p21 levels were
      increased and correlated with cellular p53 levels in hepatocytes cultured at high
      density but not at low density. When the activity of p53 was suppressed by a
      chemical inhibitor for p53, cellular p21 levels were reduced, and DNA synthesis
      was increased. Similarly, p21 antisense oligonucleotide increased the DNA
      synthesis. In rats after partial hepatectomy, transient elevation of hepatic p21
      levels was observed. In contrast, in sham-operated rats, hepatic p21 levels were
      increased on sustained time scales. CONCLUSION: p53-related induction of p21 may
      suppress hepatocyte proliferation in the presence of HGF in the setting that
      mitogenic activity of HGF is not elicitable.

PMID- 24223794
TI  - Proteomic and immunochemical characterization of glutathione transferase as a new
      allergen of the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides.
AB  - Helminth infections and allergy have evolutionary and clinical links. Infection
      with the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides induces IgE against several molecules
      including invertebrate pan-allergens. These antibodies influence the pathogenesis
      and diagnosis of allergy; therefore, studying parasitic and non-parasitic
      allergens is essential to understand both helminth immunity and allergy.
      Glutathione transferases (GSTs) from cockroach and house dust mites are
      clinically relevant allergens and comparative studies between them and the GST
      from A. lumbricoides (GSTA) are necessary to evaluate their allergenicity. We
      sought to analyze the allergenic potential of GSTA in connection with the IgE
      response to non-parasitic GSTs. IgE to purified GSTs from Ascaris (nGSTA and
      rGSTA), house dust mites (rDer p 8, nBlo t 8 and rBlo t 8), and cockroach (rBla g
      5) was measured by ELISA in subjects from Cartagena, Colombia. Also,
      multidimensional proteomic approaches were used to study the extract of A.
      lumbricoides and investigate the existence of GST isoforms. We found that among
      asthmatics, the strength of IgE levels to GSTA was significantly higher than to
      mite and cockroach GSTs, and there was a strong positive correlation between IgE
      levels to these molecules. Specific IgE to GSTA was found in 13.2% of controls
      and 19.5% of asthmatics. In addition nGSTA induced wheal and flare in skin of
      sensitized asthmatics indicating that it might be of clinical relevance for some
      patients. Frequency and IgE levels to GSTA were higher in childhood and declined
      with age. At least six GST isoforms in A. lumbricoides bind human IgE. Four
      isoforms were the most abundant and several amino acid substitutions were found,
      mainly on the N-terminal domain. In conclusion, a new allergenic component of
      Ascaris has been discovered; it could have clinical impact in allergic patients
      and influence the diagnosis of mite and cockroach allergy in tropical
      environments. 

PMID- 24223795
TI  - Epidemiology and risk factors of cervical spine injury during heating season in
      the patients with cervical trauma: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of cervical
      spine injury in the patients with cervical trauma and analyze its associated risk
      factors during the special heating season in North China. METHODS: This cross
      sectional study investigated predictors for cervical spine injury in cervical
      trauma patients using retrospectively collected data of Hebei Provincial
      Orthopaedic Hospital from 11/2011 to 02/2012, and 11/2012 to 02/2013. Binary
      logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for cervical
      fractures/dislocations or cord injury. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients were
      admitted into this study. Of all, 34 patients (32.1%) were treated from 11/2011
      to 02/2012 and 72 patients (67.9%) from 11/2012 to 02/2013. The mean age was
      41.9+/-13.3 years old; 85 patients (80.2%) were male and 82 (77.4%) from rural
      areas. Eighty patients (75.5%) were caused by fall including 45 (42.5%) by severe
      fall (>2 m). Sixty-five patients (61.3%) of all suffered injuries to other body
      regions and 32 (30.2%) got head injury. Thirty-one patients (29.2%) sustained
      cervical cord injury with cervical fractures/dislocations. Twenty-six (83.9%) of
      cervical cord injury patients were from rural areas and 24 (77.4%) of those
      resulted from fall including 15 (48.4%) from severe fall (>2 m). Logistic
      regression displayed that age (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.05-2.07), head injury (OR,
      5.63; 95% CI, 2.23-14.26), were risk factors for cervical cord injury and snowing
      (OR, 8.25; 95% CI, 2.26-30.15) was a risk factor for cervical spine injury due to
      severe fall (>2 m). CONCLUSIONS: The elder male patients and patients with head
      trauma are high-risk population for cervical cord injury. As a seasonal factor,
      snowing during heating season is of note a risk factor for cervical spine injury
      resulting from severe fall (>2 m) in the patients with cervical trauma in North
      China.

PMID- 24223796
TI  - The economic burden of malaria on households and the health system in Enugu State
      southeast Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria is the number one public health problem in Nigeria,
      responsible for about 30% of deaths in under-fives and 25% of deaths in infants
      and 11% maternal mortality. This study estimated the economic burden of malaria
      in Nigeria using the cost of illness approach. METHODS: A cross-sectional study
      was undertaken in two malaria holo-endemic communities in Nigeria, involving both
      community and hospital based surveys. A random sample of 500 households was
      interviewed using interviewer administered questionnaire. In addition, 125 exit
      interviews for inpatient department stays (IPD) and outpatient department visits
      (OPD) were conducted and these were complemented with data abstraction from 125
      patient records. RESULTS: From the household survey, over half of the households
      (57.6%) had an episode of malaria within one month to the date of the interview.
      The average household expenditure per case was 12.57US$ and 23.20US$ for OPD and
      IPD respectively. Indirect consumer costs of treatment were higher than direct
      consumer medical costs. From a health system perspective, the recurrent provider
      costs per case was 30.42 US$ and 48.02 US$ for OPD and IPD while non recurrent
      provider costs were 133.07US$ and 1857.15US$ for OPD and IPD. The mode of payment
      was mainly through out-of-pocket spending (OOPS). CONCLUSION: Private expenditure
      on treatment of malaria constitutes a high economic burden to households and to
      the health system. Removal of user fees and interventions that will decrease the
      use of OOPS for treatment of malaria will significantly decrease the economic
      burden of malaria to both households and the health system.

PMID- 24223798
TI  - EGFR T790M mutation as a possible target for immunotherapy; identification of HLA
      A*0201-restricted T cell epitopes derived from the EGFR T790M mutation.
AB  - Treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR
      TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib, has achieved high clinical response rates
      in patients with non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). However, over time, most
      tumors develop acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs, which is associated with the
      secondary EGFR T790M resistance mutation in about half the cases. Currently there
      are no effective treatment options for patients with this resistance mutation.
      Here we identified two novel HLA-A*0201 (A2)-restricted T cell epitopes
      containing the mutated methionine residue of the EGFR T790M mutation, T790M-5
      (MQLMPFGCLL) and T790M-7 (LIMQLMPFGCL), as potential targets for EGFR-TKI
      resistant patients. When peripheral blood cells were repeatedly stimulated in
      vitro with these two peptides and assessed by antigen-specific IFN-gamma
      secretion, T cell lines responsive to T790M-5 and T790M-7 were established in 5
      of 6 (83%) and 3 of 6 (50%) healthy donors, respectively. Additionally, the T790M
      5- and T790M-7-specific T cell lines displayed an MHC class I-restricted
      reactivity against NSCLC cell lines expressing both HLA-A2 and the T790M
      mutation. Interestingly, the NSCLC patients with antigen-specific T cell
      responses to these epitopes showed a significantly less frequency of EGFR-T790M
      mutation than those without them [1 of 7 (14%) vs 9 of 15 (60%); chi-squared
      test, p  =  0.0449], indicating the negative correlation between the immune
      responses to the EGFR-T790M-derived epitopes and the presence of EGFR-T790M
      mutation in NSCLC patients. This finding could possibly be explained by the
      hypothesis that immune responses to the mutated neo-antigens derived from T790M
      might prevent the emergence of tumor cell variants with the T790M resistance
      mutation in NSCLC patients during EGFR-TKI treatment. Together, our results
      suggest that the identified T cell epitopes might provide a novel
      immunotherapeutic approach for prevention and/or treatment of EGFR-TKI resistance
      with the secondary EGFR T790M resistance mutation in NSCLC patients. 

PMID- 24223797
TI  - Sex-dependent psychoneuroendocrine effects of THC and MDMA in an animal model of
      adolescent drug consumption.
AB  - Ecstasy is a drug that is usually consumed by young people at the weekends and
      frequently, in combination with cannabis. In the present study we have
      investigated the long-term effects of administering increasing doses of delta-9
      tetrahydrocannabinol [THC; 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg; i.p.] from postnatal day (pnd) 28 to
      45, alone and/or in conjunction with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA; two
      daily doses of 10 mg/kg every 5 days; s.c.] from pnd 30 to 45, in both male and
      female Wistar rats. When tested one day after the end of the pharmacological
      treatment (pnd 46), MDMA administration induced a reduction in directed
      exploration in the holeboard test and an increase in open-arm exploration in an
      elevated plus maze. In the long-term, cognitive functions in the novel object
      test were seen to be disrupted by THC administration to female but not male rats.
      In the prepulse inhibition test, MDMA-treated animals showed a decrease in
      prepulse inhibition at the most intense prepulse studied (80 dB), whereas in
      combination with THC it induced a similar decrease at 75 dB. THC decreased
      hippocampal Arc expression in both sexes, while in the frontal cortex this
      reduction was only evident in females. MDMA induced a reduction in ERK1/2
      immunoreactivity in the frontal cortex of male but not female animals, and THC
      decreased prepro-orexin mRNA levels in the hypothalamus of males, although this
      effect was prevented when the animals also received MDMA. The results presented
      indicate that adolescent exposure to THC and/or MDMA induces long-term, sex
      dependent psychophysiological alterations and they reveal functional interactions
      between the two drugs. 

PMID- 24223800
TI  - A solution to the challenge of optimization on ''golf-course''-like fitness
      landscapes.
AB  - Genetic algorithms (GAs) have been used to find efficient solutions to numerous
      fundamental and applied problems. While GAs are a robust and flexible approach to
      solve complex problems, there are some situations under which they perform
      poorly. Here, we introduce a genetic algorithm approach that is able to solve
      complex tasks plagued by so-called ''golf-course''-like fitness landscapes. Our
      approach, which we denote variable environment genetic algorithms (VEGAs), is
      able to find highly efficient solutions by inducing environmental changes that
      require more complex solutions and thus creating an evolutionary drive. Using the
      density classification task, a paradigmatic computer science problem, as a case
      study, we show that more complex rules that preserve information about the
      solution to simpler tasks can adapt to more challenging environments.
      Interestingly, we find that conservative strategies, which have a bias toward the
      current state, evolve naturally as a highly efficient solution to the density
      classification task under noisy conditions. 

PMID- 24223799
TI  - Alternative signaling pathways as potential therapeutic targets for overcoming
      EGFR and c-Met inhibitor resistance in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) against EGFR/c-Met in non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC) has been shown to be effective in increasing patient
      progression free survival (PFS), but their efficacy is limited due to the
      development of resistance and tumor recurrence. Therefore, understanding the
      molecular mechanisms underlying development of drug resistance in NSCLC is
      necessary for developing novel and effective therapeutic approaches to improve
      patient outcome. This study aims to understand the mechanism of EGFR/c-Met
      tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in NSCLC. H2170 and H358 cell lines
      were made resistant to SU11274, a c-Met inhibitor, and erlotinib, an EGFR
      inhibitor, through step-wise increases in TKI exposure. The IC50 concentrations
      of resistant lines exhibited a 4-5 and 11-22-fold increase for SU11274 and
      erlotinib, respectively, when compared to parental lines. Furthermore, mTOR and
      Wnt signaling was studied in both cell lines to determine their roles in
      mediating TKI resistance. We observed a 2-4-fold upregulation of mTOR signaling
      proteins and a 2- to 8-fold upregulation of Wnt signaling proteins in H2170
      erlotinib and SU11274 resistant cells. H2170 and H358 cells were further treated
      with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus and the Wnt inhibitor XAV939. H358 resistant
      cells were inhibited by 95% by a triple combination of everolimus, erlotinib and
      SU11274 in comparison to 34% by a double combination of these drugs. Parental
      H2170 cells displayed no sensitivity to XAV939, while resistant cells were
      significantly inhibited (39%) by XAV939 as a single agent, as well as in
      combination with SU11274 and erlotinib. Similar results were obtained with H358
      resistant cells. This study suggests a novel molecular mechanism of drug
      resistance in lung cancer. 

PMID- 24223801
TI  - Expression loss and revivification of RhoB gene in ovary carcinoma carcinogenesis
      and development.
AB  - RhoB, a member of small GTPases belonging to the Ras protein superfamily, might
      have a suppressive activity in cancer progression. Here, expression of RhoB gene
      was evaluated in human benign, borderline and malignant ovary tumors by
      immunostaining, with normal ovary tissue as control. Malignant tumors were
      assessed according to Federation Internationale de Gynecologie Obstetrique (FIGO)
      guidelines and classified in stage I-IV. Revivification of RhoB gene was
      investigated by analyzing the effect of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor
      trichostatin (TSA) and methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-Aza) on
      ovarian cancer cells via RT-PCR and western blot. Apoptosis of ovary cancer cells
      was detected using flowcytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Subsequently, RhoB
      expression is detected in normal ovary epithelium, borderline tumors, and
      decreases significantly or lost in the majority of ovarian cancer specimen
      (P<0.05). RhoB expression decreases significantly from stage II (71.4%) to stage
      III (43.5%) to stage IV (18.2%, P<0.05). TSA can both significantly revive the
      RhoB gene and mediate apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells, but 5-Aza couldn't.
      Interference into Revivification of RhoB gene results in reduction of ovary
      carcinoma cell apoptosis. It is proposed that loss of RhoB expression occurs
      frequently in ovary carcinogenesis and progression and its expression could be
      regulated by histone deacetylation but not by promoter hypermethylation, which
      may serve as a prospective gene treatment target for the patients with ovarian
      malignancy not responding to standard therapies. 

PMID- 24223802
TI  - Tissue-specific and cation/anion-specific DNA methylation variations occurred in
      C. virgata in response to salinity stress.
AB  - Salinity is a widespread environmental problem limiting productivity and growth
      of plants. Halophytes which can adapt and resist certain salt stress have various
      mechanisms to defend the higher salinity and alkalinity, and epigenetic
      mechanisms especially DNA methylation may play important roles in plant
      adaptability and plasticity. In this study, we aimed to investigate the different
      influences of various single salts (NaCl, Na2SO4, NaHCO3, Na2CO3) and their mixed
      salts on halophyte Chloris. virgata from the DNA methylation prospective, and
      discover the underlying relationships between specific DNA methylation variations
      and specific cations/anions through the methylation-sensitive amplification
      polymorphism analysis. The results showed that the effects on DNA methylation
      variations of single salts were ranked as follows: Na2CO3> NaHCO3> Na2SO4> NaCl,
      and their mixed salts exerted tissue-specific effects on C. virgata seedlings.
      Eight types of DNA methylation variations were detected and defined in C. virgata
      according to the specific cations/anions existed in stressful solutions; in
      addition, mix-specific and higher pH-specific bands were the main type in leaves
      and roots independently. These findings suggested that mixed salts were not the
      simple combination of single salts. Furthermore, not only single salts but also
      mixed salts showed tissue-specific and cations/anions-specific DNA methylation
      variations. 

PMID- 24223803
TI  - Metastasis suppressor microRNA-335 targets the formin family of actin nucleators.
AB  - MiRNAs can have pleiotropic effects by targeting multiple genes belonging to
      diverse signalling networks. Alternatively, miRNAs can enhance the potency of
      their cellular effects by targeting multiple genes within the same genetic
      pathway. Previously, we and others have demonstrated that miR-335 is a potent
      suppressor of tumour cell migration, invasion and metastasis, in part by
      targeting several genes involved in these cellular processes, including ROCK1,
      MAPK1, LRG1, SP1 and SOX4. Here, we demonstrate that direct targeting of multiple
      members of the formin family of actin nucleators contributes to the inhibitory
      effects of miR-335 in neuroblastoma cells. We demonstrate that miR-335 regulates
      the expression of at least five formin family members and validate three family
      members, FMNL3, FMN2 and DAAM2, as direct targets of miR-335. The contribution of
      the formin family genes to cancer progression and metastasis has recently begun
      to emerge and here we demonstrate for the first time the ability of FMN2 and
      DAAM2 to regulate tumour cell migration and invasion, using siRNA-mediated
      inhibition of each of these formin genes. Finally, we demonstrate that the formin
      genes, in particular FMNL3, are responsible for the protrusion of actin-rich
      filopodia structures that contribute to the enhanced migratory and invasive
      potential associated with reduced expression of miR-335. Thus, direct targeting
      of the formin family contributes to the metastasis suppressing abilities of miR
      335 by providing a direct regulatory link to the actin assembly machinery of the
      cell. We conclude that miR-335 is a master regulator of tumour cell migration and
      invasion by directly targeting a plethora of genes that effectively control cell
      migratory processes. 

PMID- 24223804
TI  - Hyperthermia in human ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke: similar outcome, different
      mechanisms.
AB  - Hyperthermia is a predictor of poor outcome in ischemic (IS) and intracerebral
      hemorrhagic (ICH) stroke. Our aim was to study the plausible mechanisms involved
      in the poor outcome associated to hyperthermia in stroke. We conducted a case
      control study including patients with IS (n = 100) and ICH (n = 100) within the
      first 12 hours from symptom onset. Specifically, IS and ICH patients were
      consecutively included into 2 subgroups, according to the highest body
      temperature within the first 24 hours: Tmax <37.5 degrees C and Tmax >=37.5
      degrees C, up to reach 50 patients per subgroup of temperature for both IS and
      ICH patients. Body temperature was determined at admission and every 4 hours
      during the first 48 hours. Main outcome variable was poor functional outcome
      (modified Rankin scale score >2) at 3 months. Serum levels of glutamate and
      active MMP-9 were measured at admission. Our results showed that Tmax >=37.5
      degrees C within the first 24 hours was independently associated with poor
      outcome in both IS (OR, 12.43; 95% CI, 3.73-41.48; p<0.0001) and ICH (OR, 4.29;
      95% CI, 1.32-13.91; p = 0.015) after adjusting for variables with a proven
      biological relevance for outcome. However, when molecular markers levels were
      included in the logistic regression model, we observed that glutamate (OR, 1.01;
      95% CI, 1.00-1.02; p = 0.001) and infarct volume (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10; p
      = 0.015) were the only variables independently associated to poor outcome in IS,
      and active MMP-9 (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00-1.08; p = 0.002) and National Institute
      of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.13-1.49;
      p<0.0001) in ICH. In conclusion, these results suggest that although the outcome
      associated to hyperthermia is similar in human IS and ICH, the underlying
      mechanisms may be different. 

PMID- 24223805
TI  - Social influence and the collective dynamics of opinion formation.
AB  - Social influence is the process by which individuals adapt their opinion, revise
      their beliefs, or change their behavior as a result of social interactions with
      other people. In our strongly interconnected society, social influence plays a
      prominent role in many self-organized phenomena such as herding in cultural
      markets, the spread of ideas and innovations, and the amplification of fears
      during epidemics. Yet, the mechanisms of opinion formation remain poorly
      understood, and existing physics-based models lack systematic empirical
      validation. Here, we report two controlled experiments showing how participants
      answering factual questions revise their initial judgments after being exposed to
      the opinion and confidence level of others. Based on the observation of 59
      experimental subjects exposed to peer-opinion for 15 different items, we draw an
      influence map that describes the strength of peer influence during interactions.
      A simple process model derived from our observations demonstrates how opinions in
      a group of interacting people can converge or split over repeated interactions.
      In particular, we identify two major attractors of opinion: (i) the expert
      effect, induced by the presence of a highly confident individual in the group,
      and (ii) the majority effect, caused by the presence of a critical mass of
      laypeople sharing similar opinions. Additional simulations reveal the existence
      of a tipping point at which one attractor will dominate over the other, driving
      collective opinion in a given direction. These findings have implications for
      understanding the mechanisms of public opinion formation and managing conflicting
      situations in which self-confident and better informed minorities challenge the
      views of a large uninformed majority. 

PMID- 24223806
TI  - Using ecological momentary assessment in testing the effectiveness of an alcohol
      intervention: a two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption of college students has a fluctuating nature,
      which might impact the measurement of intervention effects. By using 25 follow-up
      time-points, this study tested whether intervention effects are robust or might
      vary over time. METHODS: Data were used from a two-arm parallel group randomized
      controlled trial applying ecological momentary assessment (EMA) with 30 data time
      points in total. Students between 18 and 24 years old who reported heavy drinking
      in the past six months and who were ready to change their alcohol consumption
      were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 456: web-based brief alcohol
      intervention) and control condition (n = 451: no intervention). Outcome measures
      were weekly alcohol consumption, frequency of binge drinking, and heavy drinking
      status. RESULTS: According to the intention-to-treat principle, regression
      analyses revealed that intervention effects on alcohol consumption varied when
      exploring multiple follow-up time-points. Intervention effects were found for a)
      weekly alcohol consumption at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 weeks follow-up, b) frequency of
      binge drinking at 1, 2, 7, and 12 weeks follow-up, and c) heavy drinking status
      at 1, 2, 7, and 16 weeks follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This research showed that the
      commonly used one and six month follow-up time-points are relatively arbitrary
      and not using EMA might bring forth erroneous conclusions on the effectiveness of
      interventions. Therefore, future trials in alcohol prevention research and beyond
      are encouraged to apply EMA when assessing outcome measures and intervention
      effectiveness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register NTR2665.

PMID- 24223807
TI  - Correlated biogeographic variation of magnesium across trophic levels in a
      terrestrial food chain.
AB  - Using samples from eastern China (c. 25 - 41 degrees  N and 99 - 123 degrees  E)
      and from a common garden experiment, we investigate how Mg concentration varies
      with climate across multiple trophic levels. In soils, plant tissue (Oriental oak
      leaves and acorns), and a specialist acorn predator (the weevil Curculio davidi),
      Mg concentration increased significantly with different slopes from south to
      north, and generally decreased with both mean annual temperature (MAT) and
      precipitation (MAP). In addition, soil, leaf, acorn and weevil Mg showed
      different strengths of association and sensitivity with climatic factors,
      suggesting that distinct mechanisms may drive patterns of Mg variation at
      different trophic levels. Our findings provide a first step toward determining
      whether anticipated changes in temperature and precipitation due to climate
      change will have important consequences for the bioavailability and distribution
      of Mg in food chain. 

PMID- 24223808
TI  - Autologous antibody capture to enrich immunogenic viruses for viral discovery.
AB  - Discovery of new viruses has been boosted by novel deep sequencing technologies.
      Currently, many viruses can be identified by sequencing without knowledge of the
      pathogenicity of the virus. However, attributing the presence of a virus in
      patient material to a disease in the patient can be a challenge. One approach to
      meet this challenge is identification of viral sequences based on enrichment by
      autologous patient antibody capture. This method facilitates identification of
      viruses that have provoked an immune response within the patient and may increase
      the sensitivity of the current virus discovery techniques. To demonstrate the
      utility of this method, virus discovery deep sequencing (VIDISCA-454) was
      performed on clinical samples from 19 patients: 13 with a known respiratory viral
      infection and 6 with a known gastrointestinal viral infection. Patient sera was
      collected from one to several months after the acute infection phase. Input and
      antibody capture material was sequenced and enrichment was assessed. In 18 of the
      19 patients, viral reads from immunogenic viruses were enriched by antibody
      capture (ranging between 1.5x to 343x in respiratory material, and 1.4x to 53x in
      stool). Enriched reads were also determined in an identity independent manner by
      using a novel algorithm Xcompare. In 16 of the 19 patients, 21% to 100% of the
      enriched reads were derived from infecting viruses. In conclusion, the technique
      provides a novel approach to specifically identify immunogenic viral sequences
      among the bulk of sequences which are usually encountered during virus discovery
      metagenomics. 

PMID- 24223809
TI  - RNA-Seq analysis reveals candidate genes for ontogenic resistance in Malus
      Venturia pathosystem.
AB  - Ontogenic scab resistance in apple leaves and fruits is a horizontal resistance
      against the plant pathogen Venturia inaequalis and is expressed as a decrease in
      disease symptoms and incidence with the ageing of the leaves. Several studies at
      the biochemical level tried to unveil the nature of this resistance; however, no
      conclusive results were reported. We decided therefore to investigate the genetic
      origin of this phenomenon by performing a full quantitative transcriptome
      sequencing and comparison of young (susceptible) and old (ontogenic resistant)
      leaves, infected or not with the pathogen. Two time points at 72 and 96 hours
      post-inoculation were chosen for RNA sampling and sequencing. Comparison between
      the different conditions (young and old leaves, inoculated or not) should allow
      the identification of differentially expressed genes which may represent
      different induced plant defence reactions leading to ontogenic resistance or may
      be the cause of a constitutive (uninoculated with the pathogen) shift toward
      resistance in old leaves. Differentially expressed genes were then characterised
      for their function by homology to A. thaliana and other plant genes, particularly
      looking for genes involved in pathways already suspected of appertaining to
      ontogenic resistance in apple or other hosts, or to plant defence mechanisms in
      general. IN THIS WORK, FIVE CANDIDATE GENES PUTATIVELY INVOLVED IN THE ONTOGENIC
      RESISTANCE OF APPLE WERE IDENTIFIED: a gene encoding an "enhanced disease
      susceptibility 1 protein" was found to be down-regulated in both uninoculated and
      inoculated old leaves at 96 hpi, while the other four genes encoding proteins
      (metallothionein3-like protein, lipoxygenase, lipid transfer protein, and a
      peroxidase 3) were found to be constitutively up-regulated in inoculated and
      uninoculated old leaves. The modulation of the five candidate genes has been
      validated using the real-time quantitative PCR. Thus, ontogenic resistance may be
      the result of the corresponding up- and down-regulation of these genes. 

PMID- 24223810
TI  - Epigenetic profiles in children with a neural tube defect; a case-control study
      in two populations.
AB  - Folate deficiency is implicated in the causation of neural tube defects (NTDs).
      The preventive effect of periconceptional folic acid supplement use is partially
      explained by the treatment of a deranged folate-dependent one carbon metabolism,
      which provides methyl groups for DNA-methylation as an epigenetic mechanism.
      Here, we hypothesize that variations in DNA-methylation of genes implicated in
      the development of NTDs and embryonic growth are part of the underlying
      mechanism. In 48 children with a neural tube defect and 62 controls from a Dutch
      case-control study and 34 children with a neural tube defect and 78 controls from
      a Texan case-control study, we measured the DNA-methylation levels of imprinted
      candidate genes (IGF2-DMR, H19, KCNQ1OT1) and non-imprinted genes (the LEKR/CCNL
      gene region associated with birth weight, and MTHFR and VANGL1 associated with
      NTD). We used the MassARRAY EpiTYPER assay from Sequenom for the assessment of
      DNA-methylation. Linear mixed model analysis was used to estimate associations
      between DNA-methylation levels of the genes and a neural tube defect. In the
      Dutch study group, but not in the Texan study group we found a significant
      association between the risk of having an NTD and DNA methylation levels of MTHFR
      (absolute decrease in methylation of -0.33% in cases, P-value = 0.001), and
      LEKR/CCNL (absolute increase in methylation: 1.36% in cases, P-value = 0.048),
      and a borderline significant association for VANGL (absolute increase in
      methylation: 0.17% in cases, P-value = 0.063). Only the association between MTHFR
      and NTD-risk remained significant after multiple testing correction. The
      associations in the Dutch study were not replicated in the Texan study. We
      conclude that the associations between NTDs and the methylation of the MTHFR
      gene, and maybe VANGL and LEKKR/CNNL, are in line with previous studies showing
      polymorphisms in the same genes in association with NTDs and embryonic
      development, respectively. 

PMID- 24223811
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) prevented the progression of renovascular
      hypertension, improved renal function and architecture.
AB  - Renovascular hypertension induced by 2 Kidney-1 Clip (2K-1C) is a renin
      angiotensin-system (RAS)-dependent model, leading to renal vascular rarefaction
      and renal failure. RAS inhibitors are not able to reduce arterial pressure (AP)
      and/or preserve the renal function, and thus, alternative therapies are needed.
      Three weeks after left renal artery occlusion, fluorescently tagged mesenchymal
      stem cells (MSC) (2*10(5) cells/animal) were injected weekly into the tail vein
      in 2K-1C hypertensive rats. Flow cytometry showed labeled MSC in the cortex and
      medulla of the clipped kidney. MSC prevented a further increase in the AP,
      significantly reduced proteinuria and decreased sympathetic hyperactivity in 2K
      1C rats. Renal function parameters were unchanged, except for an increase in
      urinary volume observed in 2K-1C rats, which was not corrected by MSC. The
      treatment improved the morphology and decreased the fibrotic areas in the clipped
      kidney and also significantly reduced renal vascular rarefaction typical of 2K-1C
      model. Expression levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha angiotensinogen, ACE, and Ang II
      receptor AT1 were elevated, whereas AT2 levels were decreased in the medulla of
      the clipped kidney. MSC normalized these expression levels. In conclusion, MSC
      therapy in the 2K-1C model (i) prevented the progressive increase of AP, (ii)
      improved renal morphology and microvascular rarefaction, (iii) reduced fibrosis,
      proteinuria and inflammatory cytokines, (iv) suppressed the intrarenal RAS, iv)
      decreased sympathetic hyperactivity in anesthetized animals and v) MSC were
      detected at the CNS suggesting that the cells crossed the blood-brain barrier.
      This therapy may be a promising strategy to treat renovascular hypertension and
      its renal consequences in the near future. 

PMID- 24223812
TI  - The epidemiology and geographic distribution of relapsing fever borreliosis in
      West and North Africa, with a review of the Ornithodoros erraticus complex
      (Acari: Ixodida).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Relapsing fever is the most frequent bacterial disease in Africa.
      Four main vector / pathogen complexes are classically recognized, with the louse
      Pediculus humanus acting as vector for B. recurrentis and the soft ticks
      Ornithodoros sonrai, O. erraticus and O. moubata acting as vectors for Borrelia
      crocidurae, B. hispanica and B. duttonii, respectively. Our aim was to
      investigate the epidemiology of the disease in West, North and Central Africa.
      METHODS AND FINDINGS: From 2002 to 2012, we conducted field surveys in 17 African
      countries and in Spain. We investigated the occurrence of Ornithodoros ticks in
      rodent burrows in 282 study sites. We collected 1,629 small mammals that may act
      as reservoir for Borrelia infections. Using molecular methods we studied genetic
      diversity among Ornithodoros ticks and Borrelia infections in ticks and small
      mammals. Of 9,870 burrows investigated, 1,196 (12.1%) were inhabited by
      Ornithodoros ticks. In West Africa, the southern and eastern limits of the
      vectors and Borrelia infections in ticks and small mammals were 13 degrees N and
      01 degrees E, respectively. Molecular studies revealed the occurrence of nine
      different Ornithodoros species, including five species new for science, with six
      of them harboring Borrelia infections. Only B. crocidurae was found in West
      Africa and three Borrelia species were identified in North Africa: B. crocidurae,
      B. hispanica, and B. merionesi. CONCLUSIONS: Borrelia Spirochetes responsible for
      relapsing fever in humans are highly prevalent both in Ornithodoros ticks and
      small mammals in North and West Africa but Ornithodoros ticks seem absent south
      of 13 degrees N and small mammals are not infected in these regions. The number
      of Ornithodoros species acting as vector of relapsing fever is much higher than
      previously known.

PMID- 24223813
TI  - Functional characterization of Dihydroflavonol-4-reductase in anthocyanin
      biosynthesis of purple sweet potato underlies the direct evidence of anthocyanins
      function against abiotic stresses.
AB  - Dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (DFR) is a key enzyme in the catalysis of the
      stereospecific reduction of dihydroflavonols to leucoanthocyanidins in
      anthocyanin biosynthesis. In the purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) cv.
      Ayamurasaki, expression of the IbDFR gene was strongly associated with
      anthocyanin accumulation in leaves, stems and roots. Overexpression of the IbDFR
      in Arabidopsis tt3 mutants fully complemented the pigmentation phenotype of the
      seed coat, cotyledon and hypocotyl. Downregulation of IbDFR expression in
      transgenic sweet potato (DFRi) using an RNAi approach dramatically reduced
      anthocyanin accumulation in young leaves, stems and storage roots. In contrast,
      the increase of flavonols quercetin-3-O-hexose-hexoside and quercetin-3-O
      glucoside in the leaves and roots of DFRi plants is significant. Therefore, the
      metabolic pathway channeled greater flavonol influx in the DFRi plants when their
      anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin accumulation were decreased. These plants also
      displayed reduced antioxidant capacity compared to the wild type. After 24 h of
      cold treatment and 2 h recovery, the wild-type plants were almost fully restored
      to the initial phenotype compared to the slower recovery of DFRi plants, in which
      the levels of electrolyte leakage and hydrogen peroxide accumulation were
      dramatically increased. These results provide direct evidence of anthocyanins
      function in the protection against oxidative stress in the sweet potato. The
      molecular characterization of the IbDFR gene in the sweet potato not only
      confirms its important roles in flavonoid metabolism but also supports the
      protective function of anthocyanins of enhanced scavenging of reactive oxygen
      radicals in plants under stressful conditions. 

PMID- 24223814
TI  - Association between adiponectin concentrations and cardiovascular disease in
      diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies
      evaluates the association between adiponectin concentrations and risk of
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS:
      PubMed and Embase were searched for prospective studies on the association of
      adiponectin concentrations and risk of CVD up to June 2013. Random-effect model
      was selected to pool the relative risk (RR) and 95% CI. RESULTS: Five prospective
      cohort studies and one nested case-control studies met the included criterion.
      The estimated summary RR and 95% CI of five prospective cohort studies for type 2
      diabetes comparing top vs low tertile of adiponectin concentrations was 0.99 (95%
      CI: 0.67-1.45), with significant heterogeneity between studies (p = 0.037, I (2)
      = 60.9%). This heterogeneity was explained by one study conducted in Korean.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first meta-analysis between adiponectin
      levels and CVD in diabetic patients and indicated no association was found. This
      result should be verified further by large sample size, long duration of follow
      up, and well-designed prospective clinical trials.

PMID- 24223815
TI  - Left radial access is preferable to right radial access for the diagnostic or
      interventional coronary procedures: a meta-analysis involving 22 randomized
      clinical trials and 10287 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The transradial approach has been used extensively for both diagnostic
      and interventional coronary procedures; however, there is no universal consensus
      hitherto on the optimal choice of radial access from either the left or the right
      artery. We therefore sought to meta-analyze available randomized clinical trials
      to compare the left with the right radial access for the diagnostic or
      interventional coronary procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four electronic
      databases including the PubMed, EMBASE, Wanfang, and CNKI were searched up to
      April 2013. In total, there were 22 qualified randomized trials involving 5317
      and 4970 patients assigned to the left and the right radial accesses,
      respectively. Data were extracted independently by two investigators. Analyses of
      the full data set indicated significant reductions in fluoroscopy time (seconds)
      (weighted mean difference; 95% confidence interval; P: -36.18; -53.28 to -18.53;
      <0.0005) and contrast use (mL) (-2.88; -5.41 to -0.34; 0.026) in patients with
      the left radial access compared to those with the right radial access, and there
      was strong evidence of heterogeneity but low probability of publication bias. The
      failure rate of radial access from the left was relatively lower than that from
      the right (odds ratio: 0.83; 95% confidence interval: 0.68-1.01; P = 0.064).
      Further in meta-regression analyses, body mass index was found to be a potential
      source of heterogeneity for both fluoroscopy time (regression coefficient: 35.85;
      P = 0.025) and catheter number (regression coefficient: 0.35; P = 0.018).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that left radial access is preferable to
      right radial access in terms of fluoroscopy time and contrast use for the
      diagnostic or interventional coronary procedures. The import of this study lies
      in its great shock to the concept of convenient radial access from the right
      artery.

PMID- 24223816
TI  - Exosomal and Non-Exosomal Transport of Extra-Cellular microRNAs in Follicular
      Fluid: Implications for Bovine Oocyte Developmental Competence.
AB  - Cell-cell communication within the follicle involves many signaling molecules,
      and this process may be mediated by secretion and uptake of exosomes that contain
      several bioactive molecules including extra-cellular miRNAs. Follicular fluid and
      cells from individual follicles of cattle were grouped based on Brilliant Cresyl
      Blue (BCB) staining of the corresponding oocytes. Both Exoquick precipitation and
      differential ultracentrifugation were used to separate the exosome and non
      exosomal fraction of follicular fluid. Following miRNA isolation from both
      fractions, the human miRCURY LNATM Universal RT miRNA PCR array system was used
      to profile miRNA expression. This analysis found that miRNAs were present in both
      exosomal and non-exosomal fraction of bovine follicular fluid. We found 25 miRNAs
      differentially expressed (16 up and 9 down) in exosomes and 30 miRNAs
      differentially expressed (21 up and 9 down) in non-exosomal fraction of
      follicular fluid in comparison of BCB- versus BCB+ oocyte groups. Expression of
      selected miRNAs was detected in theca, granulosa and cumulus oocyte complex. To
      further explore the potential roles of these follicular fluid derived extra
      cellular miRNAs, the potential target genes were predicted, and functional
      annotation and pathway analysis revealed most of these pathways are known
      regulators of follicular development and oocyte growth. In order to validate
      exosome mediated cell-cell communication within follicular microenvironment, we
      demonstrated uptake of exosomes and resulting increase of endogenous miRNA level
      and subsequent alteration of mRNA levels in follicular cells in vitro. This study
      demonstrates for the first time, the presence of exosome or non-exosome mediated
      transfer of miRNA in the bovine follicular fluid, and oocyte growth dependent
      variation in extra-cellular miRNA signatures in the follicular environment. 

PMID- 24223817
TI  - Metagenomic insights into the carbohydrate-active enzymes carried by the
      microorganisms adhering to solid digesta in the rumen of cows.
AB  - The ruminal microbial community is a unique source of enzymes that underpin the
      conversion of cellulosic biomass. In this study, the microbial consortia adherent
      on solid digesta in the rumen of Jersey cattle were subjected to an activity
      based metagenomic study to explore the genetic diversity of carbohydrolytic
      enzymes in Jersey cows, with a particular focus on cellulases and xylanases.
      Pyrosequencing and bioinformatic analyses of 120 carbohydrate-active fosmids
      identified genes encoding 575 putative Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes (CAZymes) and
      proteins putatively related to transcriptional regulation, transporters, and
      signal transduction coupled with polysaccharide degradation and metabolism. Most
      of these genes shared little similarity to sequences archived in databases. Genes
      that were predicted to encode glycoside hydrolases (GH) involved in xylan and
      cellulose hydrolysis (e.g., GH3, 5, 9, 10, 39 and 43) were well represented. A
      new subfamily (S-8) of GH5 was identified from contigs assigned to Firmicutes.
      These subfamilies of GH5 proteins also showed significant phylum-dependent
      distribution. A number of polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) were found, and
      two of them contained genes encoding Sus-like proteins and cellulases that have
      not been reported in previous metagenomic studies of samples from the rumens of
      cows or other herbivores. Comparison with the large metagenomic datasets
      previously reported of other ruminant species (or cattle breeds) and wallabies
      showed that the rumen microbiome of Jersey cows might contain differing CAZymes.
      Future studies are needed to further explore how host genetics and diets affect
      the diversity and distribution of CAZymes and utilization of plant cell wall
      materials. 

PMID- 24223818
TI  - Chemokine receptors CCR6 and CXCR3 are necessary for CD4(+) T cell mediated
      ocular surface disease in experimental dry eye disease.
AB  - CD4(+) T cells are essential to pathogenesis of ocular surface disease in dry
      eye. Two subtypes of CD4(+) T cells, Th1 and Th17 cells, function concurrently in
      dry eye to mediate disease. This occurs in spite of the cross-regulation of IFN
      gamma and IL-17A, the prototypical cytokines Th1 and Th17 cells, respectively.
      Essential to an effective immune response are chemokines that direct and summon
      lymphocytes to specific tissues. T cell trafficking has been extensively studied
      in other models, but this is the first study to examine the role of chemokine
      receptors in ocular immune responses. Here, we demonstrate that the chemokine
      receptors, CCR6 and CXCR3, which are expressed on Th17 and Th1 cells,
      respectively, are required for the pathogenesis of dry eye disease, as CCR6KO and
      CXCR3KO mice do not develop disease under desiccating stress. CD4(+) T cells from
      CCR6KO and CXCR3KO mice exposed to desiccating stress (DS) do not migrate to the
      ocular surface, but remain in the superficial cervical lymph nodes. In agreement
      with this, CD4(+) T cells from CCR6 and CXCR3 deficient donors exposed to DS,
      when adoptively transferred to T cell deficient recipients manifest minimal signs
      of dry eye disease, including significantly less T cell infiltration, goblet cell
      loss, and expression of inflammatory cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase
      expression compared to wild-type donors. These findings highlight the important
      interaction of chemokine receptors on T cells and chemokine ligand expression on
      epithelial cells of the cornea and conjunctiva in dry eye pathogenesis and reveal
      potential new therapeutic targets for dry eye disease. 

PMID- 24223819
TI  - Control efficacy of annual community-wide treatment against Schistosoma japonicum
      in China: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: Human schistosomiasis is caused by schistosome, with annual loss of
      over 70 million disability adjusted life years in the world. China is endemic
      with Schistosoma japonicum and large-scale chemotherapy with praziquantel has
      become the mainstay of control in China since 1990s. However, the control effects
      of mass treatment in the field have been uneven. Moreover, mass treatment has
      come into a wide use in other countries with limited health resources. Therefore,
      a better understanding of the control effect of mass treatment is in an urgent
      need. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of the literature to investigate
      the control efficiency of annual community-wide treatment (ACWT, treatment to an
      entire community without any preliminary screening) with a single dose of PZQ (40
      mg kg(-1) bodyweight) against schistosome in humans in China. Three Chinese
      literature databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang
      and Chinese Scientific Journal Databases, and the PubMed were searched. Pooled
      prevalence ratios (prevalence after to before treatment) were used to assess
      effect. Our protocol is available on PROSPERO (No. CRD42013003628). RESULTS: 22
      articles were included. Meta-analyses on data from 18 studies on one round of
      ACWT, 17 studies on two consecutive rounds and 6 studies on three consecutive
      rounds were performed. The results showed control effects of ACWT plus other
      measures were statistically significant, with prevalence ratios being 0.38 (0.31,
      0.46) for one round, 0.28 (0.22, 0.35) for two rounds and 0.22 (0.10, 0.46) for
      three rounds. When ACWT was performed alone or with health education only, the
      values for one and two rounds were 0.389 (0.307, 0.492) and 0.348 (0.300, 0.403),
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The control effect of ACWT alone or with other
      measures is significant and increases with the number of rounds. Such program is
      recommended in high endemic areas and the criteria yet merit further assessment.

PMID- 24223820
TI  - Preserved antigen-specific immune response in patients with multiple sclerosis
      responding to IFNbeta-therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interferon-beta (IFNbeta) regulates the expression of a complex set
      of pro- as well as anti-inflammatory genes. In cohorts of MS patients
      unstratified for therapeutic response to IFNbeta, normal vaccine-specific immune
      responses have been observed. Data capturing antigen-specific immune responses in
      cohorts of subjects defined by response to IFNbeta-therapy are not available.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess antigen-specific immune responses in a cohort of MS patients
      responding clinically and radiologically to IFNbeta. METHODS: In 26 MS patients,
      clinical and MRI disease activity were assessed before and under treatment with
      IFNbeta. Humoral and cellular immune response to influenza vaccine was
      prospectively characterized in these individuals, and 33 healthy controls by
      influenza-specific Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Enzyme Linked
      Immuno Spot Technique (ELISPOT). RESULTS: Related to pre-treatment disease
      activity, IFNbeta reduced clinical and radiological MS disease-activity.
      Following influenza vaccination, frequencies of influenza-specific T cells and
      concentrations of anti-influenza A and B IgM and IgG increased comparably in MS
      patients and in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: By showing in a cohort of MS
      patients responding to IFNbeta vaccine-specific immune responses comparable to
      controls, this study indicates that antigen-specific immune responses can be
      preserved under successful IFNbeta-therapy.

PMID- 24223821
TI  - Directional locomotion of C. elegans in the absence of external stimuli.
AB  - Many organisms respond to food deprivation by altering their pattern of movement,
      often in ways that appear to facilitate dispersal. While the behavior of the
      nematode C. elegans in the presence of attractants has been characterized, long
      range movement in the absence of external stimuli has not been examined in this
      animal. Here we investigate the movement pattern of individual C. elegans over
      times of ~1 hour after removal from food, using two custom imaging set-ups that
      allow us to track animals on large agar surfaces of 22 cm*22 cm. We find that a
      sizeable fraction of the observed trajectories display directed motion over tens
      of minutes. Remarkably, this directional persistence is achieved despite a local
      orientation memory that decays on the scale of about one minute. Furthermore, we
      find that such trajectories cannot be accounted for by simple random, isotropic
      models of animal locomotion. This directional behavior requires sensory neurons,
      but appears to be independent of known sensory signal-transduction pathways. Our
      results suggest that long-range directional behavior of C. elegans may not be
      driven by sensory cues. 

PMID- 24223822
TI  - Mice with chimeric livers are an improved model for human lipoprotein metabolism.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Rodents are poor model for human hyperlipidemias because total
      cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels are very low on a normal diet.
      Lipoprotein metabolism is primarily regulated by hepatocytes and we therefore
      assessed whether chimeric mice extensively repopulated with human cells can model
      human lipid and bile acid metabolism. DESIGN: FRG [ F ah(-/-) R ag2(-/-)Il2r g (
      /-)]) mice were repopulated with primary human hepatocytes. Serum lipoprotein
      lipid composition and distribution (VLDL, LDL, and HDL) was analyzed by size
      exclusion chromatography. Bile was analyzed by LC-MS or by GC-MS. RNA expression
      levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Chimeric mice displayed
      increased LDL and VLDL fractions and a lower HDL fraction compared to wild type,
      thus significantly shifting the ratio of LDL/HDL towards a human profile. Bile
      acid analysis revealed a human-like pattern with high amounts of cholic acid and
      deoxycholic acid (DCA). Control mice had only taurine-conjugated bile acids as
      expcted, but highly repopulated mice had glycine-conjugated cholic acid as found
      in human bile. RNA levels of human genes involved in bile acid synthesis
      including CYP7A1, and CYP27A1 were significantly upregulated as compared to human
      control liver. However, administration of recombinant hFGF19 restored human
      CYP7A1 levels to normal. CONCLUSION: Humanized-liver mice showed a typical human
      lipoprotein profile with LDL as the predominant lipoprotein fraction even on a
      normal diet. The bile acid profile confirmed presence of an intact enterohepatic
      circulation. Although bile acid synthesis was deregulated in this model, this
      could be fully normalized by FGF19 administration. Taken together these data
      indicate that chimeric FRG-mice are a useful new model for human lipoprotein and
      bile-acid metabolism.

PMID- 24223823
TI  - Proteasomal degradation of Mcl-1 by maritoclax induces apoptosis and enhances the
      efficacy of ABT-737 in melanoma cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Metastatic melanoma remains one of the most invasive and
      highly drug resistant cancers. The over expression of anti-apoptotic protein Mcl
      1 has been associated with inferior survival, poor prognosis and chemoresistance
      of malignant melanoma. A BH3 mimetic, ABT-737, has demonstrated efficacy in
      several forms of cancers. However, the efficacy of ABT-737 depends on Mcl-1.
      Because the over expression of Mcl-1 is frequently observed in melanoma,
      specifically targeting of Mcl-1 may overcome the resistance of ABT-737. In this
      study, we investigated the effects of Maritoclax, a novel Mcl-1-selective
      inhibitor, alone and in combination with ABT-737, on the survival of human
      melanoma cells. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: For cell viability assessment we performed
      MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined using western blot and flow cytometric
      analysis. KEY RESULTS: The treatment of Maritoclax reduced the cell viability of
      melanoma cells with an IC50 of between 2.2-5.0 uM. Further, treatment of melanoma
      cells with Maritoclax showed significant decrease in Mcl-1 expression. We found
      that Maritoclax was able to induce apoptosis in melanoma cells in a caspase
      dependent manner. Moreover, Maritoclax induced Mcl-1 degradation via the
      proteasome system, which was associated with its pro-apoptotic activity. We also
      found that Maritoclax treatment increased mitochondrial translocation of Bim and
      Bmf. Importantly, Maritoclax markedly enhanced the efficacy of ABT-737 against
      melanoma cells in both two- and three-dimensional spheroids. CONCLUSIONS AND
      IMPLICATIONS: Taken together, these results suggest that targeting of Mcl-1 by
      Maritoclax may represent a new therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment that
      warrants further investigation as a single therapy or in combination with other
      agents such as Bcl-2 inhibitors.

PMID- 24223824
TI  - A single nucleotide polymorphism in cBIM is associated with a slower achievement
      of major molecular response in chronic myeloid leukaemia treated with imatinib.
AB  - PURPOSE: BIM is essential for the response to tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) in
      chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients. Recently, a deletion polymorphism in
      intron 2 of the BIM gene was demonstrated to confer an intrinsic TKI resistance
      in Asian patients. The present study aimed at identifying mutations in the BIM
      sequence that could lead to imatinib resistance independently of BCR-ABL
      mutations. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: BIM coding sequence analysis was performed in 72
      imatinib-treated CML patients from a French population of our centre and in 29
      healthy controls (reference population) as a case-control study. Real-time
      quantitative PCR (RT qPCR) was performed to assess Bim expression in our
      reference population. RESULTS: No mutation with amino-acid change was found in
      the BIM coding sequence. However, we observed a silent single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) c465C>T (rs724710). A strong statistical link was found
      between the presence of the T allele and the high Sokal risk group (p = 0.0065).
      T allele frequency was higher in non responsive patients than in the reference
      population (p = 0.0049). Similarly, this T allele was associated with the
      mutation frequency on the tyrosine kinase domain of BCR-ABL (p<0.001) and the
      presence of the T allele significantly lengthened the time to achieve a major
      molecular response (MMR). Finally, the presence of the T allele was related to a
      decreased basal expression of the Bim mRNA in the circulating mononuclear cells
      of healthy controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the analysis of the
      c465C>T SNP of BIM could be useful for predicting the outcome of imatinib-treated
      CML patients.

PMID- 24223825
TI  - Impairment of pneumococcal antigen specific isotype-switched Igg memory B-cell
      immunity in HIV infected Malawian adults.
AB  - Pneumococcal disease is associated with a particularly high morbidity and
      mortality amongst adults in HIV endemic countries. Our previous findings
      implicating a B-cell defect in HIV-infected children from the same population led
      us to comprehensively characterize B-cell subsets in minimally symptomatic HIV
      infected Malawian adults and investigate the isotype-switched IgG memory B-cell
      immune response to the pneumococcus. We show that similar to vertically acquired
      HIV-infected Malawian children, horizontally acquired HIV infection in these
      adults is associated with IgM memory B-cell (CD19(+) CD27(+) IgM(+) IgD(+))
      depletion, B-cell activation and impairment of specific IgG B-cell memory to a
      range of pneumococcal proteins. Our data suggest that HIV infection affects both
      T-cell independent and T-cell dependent B-cell maturation, potentially leading to
      impairment of humoral responses to extracellular pathogens such as the
      pneumococcus, and thus leaving this population susceptible to invasive disease. 

PMID- 24223827
TI  - Development of a serial order in speech constrained by articulatory coordination.
AB  - Universal linguistic constraints seem to govern the organization of sound
      sequences in words. However, our understanding of the origin and development of
      these constraints is incomplete. One possibility is that the development of
      neuromuscular control of articulators acts as a constraint for the emergence of
      sequences in words. Repetitions of the same consonant observed in early infancy
      and an increase in variation of consonantal sequences over months of age have
      been interpreted as a consequence of the development of neuromuscular control.
      Yet, it is not clear how sequential coordination of articulators such as lips,
      tongue apex and tongue dorsum constrains sequences of labial, coronal and dorsal
      consonants in words over the course of development. We examined longitudinal
      development of consonant-vowel-consonant(-vowel) sequences produced by Japanese
      children between 7 and 60 months of age. The sequences were classified according
      to places of articulation for corresponding consonants. The analyses of
      individual and group data show that infants prefer repetitive and fronting
      articulations, as shown in previous studies. Furthermore, we reveal that serial
      order of different places of articulations within the same organ appears earlier
      and then gradually develops, whereas serial order of different articulatory
      organs appears later and then rapidly develops. In the same way, we also analyzed
      the sequences produced by English children and obtained similar developmental
      trends. These results suggest that the development of intra- and inter
      articulator coordination constrains the acquisition of serial orders in speech
      with the complexity that characterizes adult language. 

PMID- 24223826
TI  - Non-genomic estrogen regulation of ion transport and airway surface liquid
      dynamics in cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelium.
AB  - Male cystic fibrosis (CF) patients survive longer than females and lung
      exacerbations in CF females vary during the estrous cycle. Estrogen has been
      reported to reduce the height of the airway surface liquid (ASL) in female CF
      bronchial epithelium. Here we investigated the effect of 17beta-estradiol on the
      airway surface liquid height and ion transport in normal (NuLi-1) and CF (CuFi-1)
      bronchial epithelial monolayers. Live cell imaging using confocal microscopy
      revealed that airway surface liquid height was significantly higher in the non-CF
      cells compared to the CF cells. 17beta-estradiol (0.1-10 nM) reduced the airway
      surface liquid height in non-CF and CF cells after 30 min treatment. Treatment
      with the nuclear-impeded Estrogen Dendrimer Conjugate mimicked the effect of free
      estrogen by reducing significantly the airway surface liquid height in CF and non
      CF cells. Inhibition of chloride transport or basolateral potassium recycling
      decreased the airway surface liquid height and 17beta-estradiol had no additive
      effect in the presence of these ion transporter inhibitors. 17beta-estradiol
      decreased bumetanide-sensitive transepithelial short-circuit current in non-CF
      cells and prevented the forskolin-induced increase in ASL height. 17beta
      estradiol stimulated an amiloride-sensitive transepithelial current and increased
      ouabain-sensitive basolateral short-circuit current in CF cells. 17beta-estradiol
      increased PKCdelta activity in CF and non-CF cells. These results demonstrate
      that estrogen dehydrates CF and non-CF ASL, and these responses to 17beta
      estradiol are non-genomic rather than involving the classical nuclear estrogen
      receptor pathway. 17beta-estradiol acts on the airway surface liquid by
      inhibiting cAMP-mediated chloride secretion in non-CF cells and increasing sodium
      absorption via the stimulation of PKCdelta, ENaC and the Na(+)/K(+)ATPase in CF
      cells. 

PMID- 24223828
TI  - Khat chewing and restrictive dietary behaviors are associated with anemia among
      pregnant women in high prevalence rural communities in eastern Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anemia affects a high proportion of pregnant women in the developing
      countries. Factors associated with it vary in context. This study aimed to
      determine the prevalence and predictors of anemia among pregnant women in the
      rural eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was done
      on 1678 pregnant women who were selected by a cluster random sampling technique.
      A pregnant woman was identified as anemic if her hemoglobin concentration was <11
      g/dl. Data were collected in a community-based setting. Multilevel mixed effect
      logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95%
      confidence intervals (CI) for the predictors of anemia. RESULTS: Anemia was
      observed among 737(43.9%) of the 1678 pregnant women studied (95% CI 41.5%
      46.3%). After controlling for the confounders, the risk of anemia was 29% higher
      in the women who chewed khat daily than those who sometimes or never did so (AOR,
      1.29; 95% CI, 1.02-1.62). The study subjects with restrictive dietary behavior
      (reduced either meal size or frequency) had a 39% higher risk of anemia compared
      to those without restrictive dietary behavior (AOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.02-1.88). The
      risk of anemia was increased by 68% (AOR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.15-2.47), and 60% (AOR,
      1.60; 95% CI, 1.08-2.37) in parity levels of 2 births and 3 births, respectively.
      Compared to the first trimester, the risk of anemia was higher by two-fold (AOR,
      2.09; 95% CI, 1.46-3.00) in the second trimester and by four-fold (AOR, 4.23; 95%
      CI, 2.97-6.02) in the third trimester. CONCLUSION: In this study, two out of five
      women were anemic. Chewing khat and restrictive dietary habits that are
      associated with anemia in the setting should be addressed through public
      education programs. Interventions should also focus on the women at higher parity
      levels and those who are in advanced stages of pregnancy.

PMID- 24223829
TI  - The role of individual domains and the significance of shedding of
      ATP6AP2/(pro)renin receptor in vacuolar H(+)-ATPase biogenesis.
AB  - The ATPase 6 accessory protein 2 (ATP6AP2)/(pro)renin receptor (PRR) is essential
      for the biogenesis of active vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase). Genetic deletion of
      ATP6AP2/PRR causes V-ATPase dysfunction and compromises vesicular acidification.
      Here, we characterized the domains of ATP6AP2/PRR involved in active V-ATPase
      biogenesis. Three forms of ATP6AP2/PRR were found intracellularly: full-length
      protein and the N- and C-terminal fragments of furin cleavage products, with the
      N-terminal fragment secreted extracellularly. Genetic deletion of ATP6AP2/PRR did
      not affect the protein stability of V-ATPase subunits. The extracellular domain
      (ECD) and transmembrane domain (TM) of ATP6AP2/PRR were indispensable for the
      biogenesis of active V-ATPase. A deletion mutant of ATP6AP2/PRR, which lacks exon
      4-encoded amino acids inside the ECD (Delta4M) and causes X-linked mental
      retardation Hedera type (MRXSH) and X-linked parkinsonism with spasticity (XPDS)
      in humans, was defective as a V-ATPase-associated protein. Prorenin had no effect
      on the biogenesis of active V-ATPase. The cleavage of ATP6AP2/PRR by furin seemed
      also dispensable for the biogenesis of active V-ATPase. We conclude that the N
      terminal ECD of ATP6AP2/PRR, which is also involved in binding to prorenin or
      renin, is required for the biogenesis of active V-ATPase. The V-ATPase assembly
      occurs prior to its delivery to the trans-Golgi network and hence shedding of
      ATP6AP2/PRR would not affect the biogenesis of active V-ATPase. 

PMID- 24223830
TI  - Polyphosphate-mediated inhibition of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and
      suppression of bone resorption of osteoclasts.
AB  - Inorganic polyphosphate (poly(P)) has recently been found to play an important
      role in bone formation. In this study, we found that tartrate-resistant acid
      phosphatase (TRAP), which is abundantly expressed in osteoclasts, has
      polyphosphatase activity that degrades poly(P) and yields Pi as well as shorter
      poly(P) chains. Since the TRAP protein that coprecipitated with anti-TRAP
      monoclonal antibodies exhibited both polyphosphatase and the original phosphatase
      activity, poly(P) degradation activity is dependent on TRAP and not on other
      contaminating enzymes. The ferrous chelator alpha, alpha'-bipyridyl, which
      inhibits the TRAP-mediated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), had no
      effect on such poly(P) degradation, suggesting that the degradation is not
      dependent on ROS. In addition, shorter chain length poly(P) molecules were better
      substrates than longer chains for TRAP, and poly(P) inhibited the phosphatase
      activity of TRAP depending on its chain length. The IC50 of poly(P) against the
      original phosphatase activity of TRAP was 9.8 uM with an average chain length
      more than 300 phosphate residues, whereas the IC50 of poly(P) with a shorter
      average chain length of 15 phosphate residues was 8.3 mM. Finally, the pit
      formation activity of cultured rat osteoclasts differentiated by RANKL and M-CSF
      were markedly inhibited by poly(P), while no obvious decrease in cell number or
      differentiation efficiency was observed for poly(P). In particular, the
      inhibition of pit formation by long chain poly(P) with 300 phosphate residues was
      stronger than that of shorter chain poly(P). Thus, poly(P) may play an important
      regulatory role in osteoclastic bone resorption by inhibiting TRAP activity,
      which is dependent on its chain length. 

PMID- 24223831
TI  - Distinct phyllosphere bacterial communities on Arabidopsis wax mutant leaves.
AB  - The phyllosphere of plants is inhabited by diverse microorganisms, however, the
      factors shaping their community composition are not fully elucidated. The plant
      cuticle represents the initial contact surface between microorganisms and the
      plant. We thus aimed to investigate whether mutations in the cuticular wax
      biosynthesis would affect the diversity of the phyllosphere microbiota. A set of
      four Arabidopsis thaliana eceriferum mutants (cer1, cer6, cer9, cer16) and their
      respective wild type (Landsberg erecta) were subjected to an outdoor growth
      period and analysed towards this purpose. The chemical distinctness of the mutant
      wax phenotypes was confirmed by gas chromatographic measurements. Next generation
      amplicon pyrosequencing of the bacterial communities showed distinct community
      patterns. This observation was supported by denaturing gradient gel
      electrophoresis experiments. Microbial community analyses revealed bacterial
      phylotypes that were ubiquitously present on all plant lines (termed "core"
      community) while others were positively or negatively affected by the wax mutant
      phenotype (termed "plant line-specific" community). We conclude from this study
      that plant cuticular wax composition can affect the community composition of
      phyllosphere bacteria. 

PMID- 24223832
TI  - Systemic delivery of small interfering RNA targeting the interleukin-2/15
      receptor beta chain prevents disease progression in experimental arthritis.
AB  - The role of interleukin (IL)-15 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
      is well established; however, systemic knockdown of IL-15 receptor (IL-15R) for
      reduction in inflammation at local sites has not been demonstrated. In this
      study, the therapeutic effect of intravenously administered siRNA targeting the
      beta chain of IL-15R which is shared by the receptor for IL-2 was examined in
      rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). Polyethylenimine (PEI)-complexed siRNA
      nanoparticles could easily accumulate in arthritic paws of AA rats. In the paws,
      the nanoparticles were avidly taken up by macrophages and to a lesser extent by T
      cells. Weekly administered IL-2/15Rbeta siRNA polyplexes were capable of
      decreasing disease progression in AA rats, with striking inhibition of clinical,
      radiologic, and histologic features of RA. The observed therapeutic effect was
      associated with reduced expression of proinflammatory mediators in the inflamed
      joints. Thus, this study provides evidence that IL-2/15Rbeta could be targeted
      for the treatment of RA. 

PMID- 24223833
TI  - Maternal Western-style high fat diet induces sex-specific physiological and
      molecular changes in two-week-old mouse offspring.
AB  - Maternal diet is associated with the development of metabolism-related and other
      non-communicable diseases in offspring. Underlying mechanisms, functional
      profiles, and molecular markers are only starting to be revealed. Here, we
      explored the physiological and molecular impact of maternal Western-style diet on
      the liver of male and female offspring. C57BL/6 dams were exposed to either a low
      fat/low cholesterol diet (LFD) or a Western-style high fat/high cholesterol diet
      (WSD) for six weeks before mating, as well as during gestation and lactation.
      Dams and offspring were sacrificed at postnatal day 14, and body, liver, and
      blood parameters were assessed. The impact of maternal WSD on the pups' liver
      gene expression was characterised by whole-transcriptome microarray analysis.
      Exclusively male offspring had significantly higher body weight upon maternal
      WSD. In offspring of both sexes of WSD dams, liver and blood parameters, as well
      as hepatic gene expression profiles were changed. In total, 686 and 604 genes
      were differentially expressed in liver (p<=0.01) of males and females,
      respectively. Only 10% of these significantly changed genes overlapped in both
      sexes. In males, in particular alterations of gene expression with respect to
      developmental functions and processes were observed, such as Wnt/beta-catenin
      signalling. In females, mainly genes important for lipid metabolism, including
      cholesterol synthesis, were changed. We conclude that maternal WSD affects
      physiological parameters and induces substantial changes in the molecular profile
      of the liver in two-week-old pups. Remarkably, the observed biological responses
      of the offspring reveal pronounced sex-specificity. 

PMID- 24223834
TI  - iSubgraph: integrative genomics for subgroup discovery in hepatocellular
      carcinoma using graph mining and mixture models.
AB  - The high tumor heterogeneity makes it very challenging to identify key
      tumorigenic pathways as therapeutic targets. The integration of multiple omics
      data is a promising approach to identify driving regulatory networks in patient
      subgroups. Here, we propose a novel conceptual framework to discover patterns of
      miRNA-gene networks, observed frequently up- or down-regulated in a group of
      patients and to use such networks for patient stratification in hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). We developed an integrative subgraph mining approach, called
      iSubgraph, and identified altered regulatory networks frequently observed in HCC
      patients. The miRNA and gene expression profiles were jointly analyzed in a graph
      structure. We defined a method to transform microarray data into graph
      representation that encodes miRNA and gene expression levels and the interactions
      between them as well. The iSubgraph algorithm was capable to detect cooperative
      regulation of miRNAs and genes even if it occurred only in some patients. Next,
      the miRNA-mRNA modules were used in an unsupervised class prediction model to
      discover HCC subgroups via patient clustering by mixture models. The robustness
      analysis of the mixture model showed that the class predictions are highly
      stable. Moreover, the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the HCC
      subgroups identified by the algorithm have different survival characteristics.
      The pathway analyses of the miRNA-mRNA co-modules identified by the algorithm
      demonstrate key roles of Myc, E2F1, let-7, TGFB1, TNF and EGFR in HCC subgroups.
      Thus, our method can integrate various omics data derived from different
      platforms and with different dynamic scales to better define molecular tumor
      subtypes. iSubgraph is available as MATLAB code at
      http://www.cs.umd.edu/~ozdemir/isubgraph/. 

PMID- 24223835
TI  - Cytochrome C is tyrosine 97 phosphorylated by neuroprotective insulin treatment.
AB  - Recent advancements in isolation techniques for cytochrome c (Cytc) have allowed
      us to discover post-translational modifications of this protein. We previously
      identified two distinct tyrosine phosphorylated residues on Cytc in mammalian
      liver and heart that alter its electron transfer kinetics and the ability to
      induce apoptosis. Here we investigated the phosphorylation status of Cytc in
      ischemic brain and sought to determine if insulin-induced neuroprotection and
      inhibition of Cytc release was associated with phosphorylation of Cytc. Using an
      animal model of global brain ischemia, we found a ~50% decrease in neuronal death
      in the CA1 hippocampal region with post-ischemic insulin administration. This
      insulin-mediated increase in neuronal survival was associated with inhibition of
      Cytc release at 24 hours of reperfusion. To investigate possible changes in the
      phosphorylation state of Cytc we first isolated the protein from ischemic pig
      brain and brain that was treated with insulin. Ischemic brains demonstrated no
      detectable tyrosine phosphorylation. In contrast Cytc isolated from brains
      treated with insulin showed robust phosphorylation of Cytc, and the
      phosphorylation site was unambiguously identified as Tyr97 by immobilized metal
      affinity chromatography/nano-liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry. We next confirmed these results in rats by in vivo application of
      insulin in the absence or presence of global brain ischemia and determined that
      Cytc Tyr97-phosphorylation is strongly induced under both conditions but cannot
      be detected in untreated controls. These data suggest a mechanism whereby Cytc is
      targeted for phosphorylation by insulin signaling, which may prevent its release
      from the mitochondria and the induction of apoptosis. 

PMID- 24223836
TI  - Sex differences in how social networks and relationship quality influence
      experimental pain sensitivity.
AB  - This is the first study to examine how both structural and functional components
      of individuals' social networks may moderate the association between biological
      sex and experimental pain sensitivity. One hundred and fifty-two healthy adults
      (mean age = 22yrs., 53% males) were measured for cold pressor task (CPT) pain
      sensitivity (i.e., intensity ratings) and core aspects of social networks (e.g.,
      proportion of friends vs. family, affection, affirmation, and aid). Results
      showed consistent sex differences in how social network structures and intimate
      relationship functioning modulated pain sensitivity. Females showed higher pain
      sensitivity when their social networks consisted of a higher proportion of
      intimate types of relationship partners (e.g., kin vs. non kin), when they had
      known their network partners for a longer period of time, and when they reported
      higher levels of logistical support from their significant other (e.g., romantic
      partner). Conversely, males showed distinct patterns in the opposite direction,
      including an association between higher levels of logistical support from one's
      significant other and lower CPT pain intensity. These findings show for the first
      time that the direction of sex differences in exogenous pain sensitivity is
      likely dependent on fundamental components of the individual's social
      environment. The utility of a social-signaling perspective of pain behaviors for
      examining, comparing, and interpreting individual and group differences in
      experimental and clinical pain reports is discussed. 

PMID- 24223837
TI  - Association of serum retinol binding protein 4 with atherogenic dyslipidemia in
      morbid obese patients.
AB  - Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an adipokine that may contribute to the
      development of insulin resistance. However, how this adipokine is affected and
      its possible involvement in lipid metabolism in obese patients with varying
      degrees of insulin resistance is yet to be determined. A total of 299 middle-aged
      morbid obese patients (BMI>40 kg/m(2)) were divided in euglycemic, metabolic
      syndrome or type 2 diabetic. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical variables
      and systemic RBP4 levels were determined. RBP4 levels were significantly higher
      in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes than in euglycemic
      subjects (42.9+/-14.6; 42.3+/-17.0 and 37.4+/-11.7 ug/ml, respectively) and
      correlated with triglycerides but not with those of HOMA-IR in the whole
      population. The multivariate regression model revealed that triglycerides were
      the strongest predictor of systemic RBP4 levels. Analysis of lipoprotein
      subfractions in a subpopulation of 80 subjects showed an altered profile of
      insulin resistant states characterized by higher VLDL, sdLDL and small HDL
      percentages and lower large HDL percentage. Although RBP4 levels correlated
      significantly with LDL particle size and small HDL percentage, the latter
      parameter was independently associated only with RBP4. Our study reveals that
      systemic RBP4 levels could play an important role in lipid metabolism in morbid
      obesity, increasing triglyceride levels and contributing to the formation of
      small HDL. 

PMID- 24223838
TI  - In search of epigenetic marks in testes and sperm cells of differentially fed
      boars.
AB  - In search of transmittable epigenetic marks we investigated gene expression in
      testes and sperm cells of differentially fed F0 boars from a three generation pig
      feeding experiment that showed phenotypic differences in the F2 generation. RNA
      samples from 8 testes of boars that received either a diet enriched in
      methylating micronutrients or a control diet were analyzed by microarray
      analysis. We found moderate differential expression between testes of
      differentially fed boars with a high FDR of 0.82 indicating that most of the
      differentially expressed genes were false positives. Nevertheless, we performed a
      pathway analysis and found disparate pathway maps of development_A2B receptor:
      action via G-protein alpha s, cell adhesion_Tight junctions and cell
      adhesion_Endothelial cell contacts by junctional mechanisms which show
      inconclusive relation to epigenetic inheritance. Four RNA samples from sperm
      cells of these differentially fed boars were analyzed by RNA-Seq methodology. We
      found no differential gene expression in sperm cells of the two groups (adjusted
      P-value>0.05). Nevertheless, we also explored gene expression in sperm by a
      pathway analysis showing that genes were enriched for the pathway maps of
      bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways, glycolysis and
      gluconeogenesis p.3 and cell cycle_Initiation of mitosis. Again, these pathway
      maps are miscellaneous without an obvious relationship to epigenetic inheritance.
      It is concluded that the methylating micronutrients moderately if at all affects
      RNA expression in testes of differentially fed boars. Furthermore, gene
      expression in sperm cells is not significantly affected by extensive
      supplementation of methylating micronutrients and thus RNA molecules could not be
      established as the epigenetic mark in this feeding experiment.

PMID- 24223839
TI  - Understanding child stunting in India: a comprehensive analysis of socio
      economic, nutritional and environmental determinants using additive quantile
      regression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most attempts to address undernutrition, responsible for one third of
      global child deaths, have fallen behind expectations. This suggests that the
      assumptions underlying current modelling and intervention practices should be
      revisited. OBJECTIVE: We undertook a comprehensive analysis of the determinants
      of child stunting in India, and explored whether the established focus on linear
      effects of single risks is appropriate. DESIGN: Using cross-sectional data for
      children aged 0-24 months from the Indian National Family Health Survey for
      2005/2006, we populated an evidence-based diagram of immediate, intermediate and
      underlying determinants of stunting. We modelled linear, non-linear, spatial and
      age-varying effects of these determinants using additive quantile regression for
      four quantiles of the Z-score of standardized height-for-age and logistic
      regression for stunting and severe stunting. RESULTS: At least one variable
      within each of eleven groups of determinants was significantly associated with
      height-for-age in the 35% Z-score quantile regression. The non-modifiable risk
      factors child age and sex, and the protective factors household wealth, maternal
      education and BMI showed the largest effects. Being a twin or multiple birth was
      associated with dramatically decreased height-for-age. Maternal age, maternal
      BMI, birth order and number of antenatal visits influenced child stunting in non
      linear ways. Findings across the four quantile and two logistic regression models
      were largely comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis confirms the multifactorial
      nature of child stunting. It emphasizes the need to pursue a systems-based
      approach and to consider non-linear effects, and suggests that differential
      effects across the height-for-age distribution do not play a major role.

PMID- 24223840
TI  - Are reports of psychological stress higher in occupational studies? A systematic
      review across occupational and population based studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The general health questionnaire (GHQ) is commonly used to assess
      symptoms of common mental disorder (CMD). Prevalence estimates for CMD caseness
      from UK population studies are thought to be in the range of 14-17%, and the UK
      occupational studies of which we are aware indicate a higher prevalence. This
      review will synthesise the existing research using the GHQ from both population
      and occupational studies and will compare the weighted prevalence estimates
      between them. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to
      examine the prevalence of CMD, as assessed by the GHQ, in all UK occupational and
      population studies conducted from 1990 onwards. RESULTS: The search revealed 65
      occupational papers which met the search criteria and 15 relevant papers for UK
      population studies. The weighted prevalence estimate for CMD across all
      occupational studies which used the same version and cut-off for the GHQ was
      29.6% (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 27.3-31.9%) and for comparable population
      studies was significantly lower at 19.1% (95% CIs 17.3-20.8%). This difference
      was reduced after restricting the studies by response rate and sampling method
      (23.9% (95% CIs 20.5%-27.4%) vs. 19.2% (95 CIs 17.1%-21.3%)). CONCLUSIONS:
      Counter intuitively, the prevalence of CMD is higher in occupational studies,
      compared to population studies (which include individuals not in employment),
      although this difference narrowed after accounting for measures of study quality,
      including response rate and sampling method. This finding is inconsistent with
      the healthy worker effect, which would presume lower levels of psychological
      symptoms in individuals in employment. One explanation is that the GHQ is
      sensitive to contextual factors, and it seems possible that symptoms of CMD are
      over reported when participants know that they have been recruited to a study on
      the basis that they belong to a specific occupational group, as in nearly all
      "stress" surveys.

PMID- 24223841
TI  - A murine model of variant late infantile ceroid lipofuscinosis recapitulates
      behavioral and pathological phenotypes of human disease.
AB  - Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs; also known collectively as Batten Disease)
      are a family of autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders. Mutations in as
      many as 13 genes give rise to ~10 variants of NCL, all with overlapping clinical
      symptomatology including visual impairment, motor and cognitive dysfunction,
      seizures, and premature death. Mutations in CLN6 result in both a variant late
      infantile onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (vLINCL) as well as an adult-onset
      form of the disease called Type A Kufs. CLN6 is a non-glycosylated membrane
      protein of unknown function localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In this
      study, we perform a detailed characterization of a naturally occurring Cln6
      mutant (Cln6(nclf)) mouse line to validate its utility for translational
      research. We demonstrate that this Cln6(nclf) mutation leads to deficits in motor
      coordination, vision, memory, and learning. Pathologically, we demonstrate loss
      of neurons within specific subregions and lamina of the cortex that correlate to
      behavioral phenotypes. As in other NCL models, this model displays selective loss
      of GABAergic interneuron sub-populations in the cortex and the hippocampus with
      profound, early-onset glial activation. Finally, we demonstrate a novel deficit
      in memory and learning, including a dramatic reduction in dendritic spine density
      in the cerebral cortex, which suggests a reduction in synaptic strength following
      disruption in CLN6. Together, these findings highlight the behavioral and
      pathological similarities between the Cln6(nclf) mouse model and human NCL
      patients, validating this model as a reliable format for screening potential
      therapeutics. 

PMID- 24223842
TI  - Mouse pancreas tissue slice culture facilitates long-term studies of exocrine and
      endocrine cell physiology in situ.
AB  - Studies on pancreatic cell physiology rely on the investigation of exocrine and
      endocrine cells in vitro. Particularly, in the case of the exocrine tissue these
      studies have suffered from a reduced functional viability of acinar cells in
      culture. As a result not only investigations on dispersed acinar cells and
      isolated acini were limited in their potential, but also prolonged studies on
      pancreatic exocrine and endocrine cells in an intact pancreatic tissue
      environment were unfeasible. To overcome these limitations, we aimed to establish
      a pancreas tissue slice culture platform to allow long-term studies on exocrine
      and endocrine cells in the intact pancreatic environment. Mouse pancreas tissue
      slice morphology was assessed to determine optimal long-term culture settings for
      intact pancreatic tissue. Utilizing optimized culture conditions, cell
      specificity and function of exocrine acinar cells and endocrine beta cells were
      characterized over a culture period of 7 days. We found pancreas tissue slices
      cultured under optimized conditions to have intact tissue specific morphology for
      the entire culture period. Amylase positive intact acini were present at all time
      points of culture and acinar cells displayed a typical strong cell polarity.
      Amylase release from pancreas tissue slices decreased during culture, but
      maintained the characteristic bell-shaped dose-response curve to increasing
      caerulein concentrations and a ca. 4-fold maximal over basal release.
      Additionally, endocrine beta cell viability and function was well preserved until
      the end of the observation period. Our results show that the tissue slice culture
      platform provides unprecedented maintenance of pancreatic tissue specific
      morphology and function over a culture period for at least 4 days and in part
      even up to 1 week. This analytical advancement now allows mid -to long-term
      studies on the cell biology of pancreatic disorder pathogenesis and therapy in an
      intact surrounding in situ. 

PMID- 24223843
TI  - Amplitude of low frequency fluctuation abnormalities in adolescents with online
      gaming addiction.
AB  - The majority of previous neuroimaging studies have demonstrated both structural
      and task-related functional abnormalities in adolescents with online gaming
      addiction (OGA). However, few functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
      studies focused on the regional intensity of spontaneous fluctuations in blood
      oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) during the resting state and fewer studies
      investigated the relationship between the abnormal resting-state properties and
      the impaired cognitive control ability. In the present study, we employed the
      amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) method to explore the local
      features of spontaneous brain activity in adolescents with OGA and healthy
      controls during resting-state. Eighteen adolescents with OGA and 18 age-,
      education- and gender-matched healthy volunteers participated in this study.
      Compared with healthy controls, adolescents with OGA showed a significant
      increase in ALFF values in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the left
      precuneus, the left supplementary motor area (SMA), the right parahippocampal
      gyrus (PHG) and the bilateral middle cingulate cortex (MCC). The abnormalities of
      these regions were also detected in previous addiction studies. More importantly,
      we found that ALFF values of the left medial OFC and left precuneus were
      positively correlated with the duration of OGA in adolescents with OGA. The ALFF
      values of the left medial OFC were also correlated with the color-word Stroop
      test performance. Our results suggested that the abnormal spontaneous neuronal
      activity of these regions may be implicated in the underlying pathophysiology of
      OGA. 

PMID- 24223844
TI  - MiR-192 directly binds and regulates Dicer1 expression in neuroblastoma.
AB  - Neuroblastoma (NB) arises from the embryonic neural crest and is the most common
      extracranial solid tumor in children under 5 years of age. Reduced expression of
      Dicer1 has recently been shown to be in correlation with poor prognosis in NB
      patients. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms that could lead to the
      down-regulation of Dicer1 in neuroblastoma. We used computational prediction to
      identify potential miRs down-regulating Dicer1 in neuroblastoma. One of the miRs
      that were predicted to target Dicer1 was miR-192. We measured the levels of miR
      192 in 43 primary tumors using real time PCR. Following the silencing of miR-192,
      the levels of dicer1 cell viability, cell proliferation and migration capability
      were analyzed. Multivariate analysis identified miR-192 as an independent
      prognostic marker for relapse in neuroblastoma patients (p=0.04). We were able to
      show through a dual luciferase assay and side-directed mutational analysis that
      miR-192 directly binds the 3' UTR of Dicer1 on positions 1232-1238 and 2282-2288.
      An increase in cell viability, proliferation and migration rates were evident in
      NB cells transfected with miR-192-mimic. Yet, there was a significant decrease in
      proliferation when NB cells were transfected with an miR-192-inhibitor We suggest
      that miR-192 might be a key player in NB by regulating Dicer1 expression. 

PMID- 24223845
TI  - Metabonomics study of the therapeutic mechanism of Gynostemma pentaphyllum and
      atorvastatin for hyperlipidemia in rats.
AB  - Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) is widely used for the treatment of diseases such as
      hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and obesity in China, and atorvastatin is broadly
      used as an anti-hyperlipidemia drug. This research focuses on the plasma and
      liver metabolites in the following four groups of rats: control, a hyperlipidemia
      model, a hyperlipidemia model treated with GP and a hyperlipidemia model treated
      with atorvastatin. Using (1)H-NMR-based metabonomics, we elucidated the
      therapeutic mechanisms of GP and atorvastatin. Orthogonal Partial Least Squares
      Discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) plotting of the metabolic state and analysis of
      potential biomarkers in the plasma and liver correlated well with the results of
      biochemical assays. GP can effectively affect lipid metabolism, and it exerts its
      anti-hyperlipidemia effect by elevating the level of phosphatidylcholine and
      decreasing the level of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). In contrast, atorvastatin
      affects hyperlipidemia mainly during lipid metabolism and protein metabolism in
      vivo. 

PMID- 24223846
TI  - Disruption of Smad4 expression in T cells leads to IgA nephropathy-like
      manifestations.
AB  - The link between glomerular IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and T helper 2 (Th2) response
      has been implicated, however, the mechanisms are poorly defined because of the
      lack of an appropriate model. Here we report a novel murine model characterized
      by lineage-restricted deletion of the gene encoding MAD homologue 4 (Smad4) in T
      cells (Smad4(co/co;Lck-cre) ). Loss of Smad4 expression in T cells results in
      overproduction of Th2 cytokines and high serum IgA levels. We found that
      Smad4(co/co;Lck-cre) mice exhibited massive glomerular IgA deposition, increased
      albumin creatinine ratio, aberrant glycosylated IgA, IgA complexed with IgG1 and
      IgG2a, and polymeric IgA, all known features of IgAN in humans. Furthermore, we
      examined the beta1, 4-galactosyltransferases (beta4GalT) enzyme which is involved
      in the synthesis of glycosylated murine IgA, and we found reduced beta4GalT2 and
      beta4GalT4 mRNA levels in B cells. These findings indicate that Smad4(co/co;Lck
      cre) mice could be a useful model for studying the mechanisms between IgAN and
      Th2 response, and further, disruption of Smad4-dependent signaling in T cells may
      play an important role in the pathogenesis of human IgAN and contributing to a
      Th2 T cell phenotype.

PMID- 24223847
TI  - Reduced regional homogeneity in bilateral frontostriatal system relates to higher
      impulsivity behavior in codeine-containing cough syrups dependent individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the past twenty years, codeine-containing cough syrups (CCS) was
      recognized as a new type of addictive drugs. However, the exact neurobiologic
      mechanisms underlying CCS-dependence are still ill-defined. The aims of this
      study are to identify CCS-related modulations of neural activity during the
      resting-state in CCS-dependent individuals and to investigate whether these
      changes of neural activity can be related to duration of CCS use, the first age
      of CCS use and impulse control deficits in CCS-dependent individuals. We also
      want to observe the impact of gray matter deficits on these functional results.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Thirty CCS-dependent individuals and 30 control
      subjects participated. Resting-state functional MRI was performed by using
      gradient-echo echo-planar imaging sequence. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) was
      calculated by using REST software. Voxel-based analysis of the ReHo maps between
      controls and CCS-dependent groups was performed using two-sample t tests (p<0.05,
      corrected for multiple comparisons). The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 (BIS.11)
      was surveyed to assess participants' impulsivity trait soon after MR examination.
      Abnormal clusters revealed by group comparison were extracted and correlated with
      impulsivity, duration of CCS use, and age of first CCS use. ReHo was diminished
      in the bilateral medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) and left dorsal striatum in
      CCS-dependent individuals. There were negative correlations between mean ReHo in
      the bilateral medial OFC, left dorsal striatum and duration of CCS use, BIS.11
      total scores, and the subscale of attentional impulsivity in CCS-dependent
      individuals. There was a significantly positive correlation between mean ReHo in
      the left dorsal striatum and age of first CCS use in CCS-dependent individuals.
      Importantly, these results still remain significant after statistically
      controlling for the regional gray matter deficits. CONCLUSION: Resting-state
      abnormalities in CCS-dependent individuals revealed in the present study may
      further improve our understanding about the neural substrates of impulse control
      dysfunction in CCS-dependent individuals.

PMID- 24223848
TI  - A new fungal endophyte, Scolecobasidium humicola, promotes tomato growth under
      organic nitrogen conditions.
AB  - A new fungal endophyte, Scolecobasidium humicola, was identified as a common dark
      septate endophytic fungal (DSE) species under both natural and agricultural
      conditions. This fungus was found to grow endophylically in the roots of tomato
      seedlings. Light microscopy of cross-sections of colonized tomato roots showed
      that the intercellular, pigmented hyphae of the fungus were mostly limited to the
      epidermal layer and formed outer mantle-like structures. Two isolates of S.
      humicola, H2-2 and F1-3, have shown the ability to increase plant biomass with an
      organic nitrogen source. This finding is the first report of S. humicola as an
      endophyte and could help to improve plant growth with organic nitrogen sources.

PMID- 24223850
TI  - Examination of cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis using functional magnetic
      resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging.
AB  - The present study investigated the neural correlates of cognitive fatigue in
      Multiple Sclerosis (MS), looking specifically at the relationship between self
      reported fatigue and objective measures of cognitive fatigue. In Experiment 1,
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine where in the
      brain BOLD activity covaried with "state" fatigue, assessed during performance of
      a task designed to induce cognitive fatigue while in the scanner. In Experiment
      2, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to examine where in the brain white
      matter damage correlated with increased "trait" fatigue in individuals with MS,
      assessed by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) completed outside the scanning
      session. During the cognitively fatiguing task, the MS group had increased brain
      activity associated with fatigue in the caudate as compared with HCs. DTI
      findings revealed that reduced fractional anisotropy in the anterior internal
      capsule was associated with increased self-reported fatigue on the FSS. Results
      are discussed in terms of identifying a "fatigue-network" in MS. 

PMID- 24223849
TI  - Ketogenic diet improves forelimb motor function after spinal cord injury in
      rodents.
AB  - High fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diets (KD) are validated non-pharmacological
      treatments for some forms of drug-resistant epilepsy. Ketones reduce neuronal
      excitation and promote neuroprotection. Here, we investigated the efficacy of KD
      as a treatment for acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Starting 4
      hours following C5 hemi-contusion injury animals were fed either a standard
      carbohydrate based diet or a KD formulation with lipid to carbohydrate plus
      protein ratio of 3:1. The forelimb functional recovery was evaluated for 14
      weeks, followed by quantitative histopathology. Post-injury 3:1 KD treatment
      resulted in increased usage and range of motion of the affected forepaw.
      Furthermore, KD improved pellet retrieval with recovery of wrist and digit
      movements. Importantly, after returning to a standard diet after 12 weeks of KD
      treatment, the improved forelimb function remained stable. Histologically, the
      spinal cords of KD treated animals displayed smaller lesion areas and more grey
      matter sparing. In addition, KD treatment increased the number of glucose
      transporter-1 positive blood vessels in the lesion penumbra and monocarboxylate
      transporter-1 (MCT1) expression. Pharmacological inhibition of MCTs with 4-CIN
      (alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate) prevented the KD-induced neuroprotection after
      SCI, In conclusion, post-injury KD effectively promotes functional recovery and
      is neuroprotective after cervical SCI. These beneficial effects require the
      function of monocarboxylate transporters responsible for ketone uptake and link
      the observed neuroprotection directly to the function of ketones, which are known
      to exert neuroprotection by multiple mechanisms. Our data suggest that current
      clinical nutritional guidelines, which include relatively high carbohydrate
      contents, should be revisited. 

PMID- 24223851
TI  - Sunny holidays before and after melanoma diagnosis are respectively associated
      with lower Breslow thickness and lower relapse rates in Italy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported an association between sun exposure
      and improved cutaneous melanoma (CM) survival. We analysed the association of UV
      exposure with prognostic factors and outcome in a large melanoma cohort. METHODS:
      A questionnaire was given to 289 (42%) CM patients at diagnosis (Group 1) and to
      402 CM patients (58%) during follow-up (Group 2). Analyses were carried out to
      investigate the associations between sun exposure and melanoma prognostic factors
      and survival. RESULTS: Holidays in the sun two years before CM diagnosis were
      significantly associated with lower Breslow thickness (p=0.003), after multiple
      adjustment. Number of weeks of sunny holidays was also significantly and
      inversely associated with thickness in a dose-dependent manner (p=0.007). However
      when stratifying by gender this association was found only among women (p=0.0004)
      the risk of CM recurrence in both sexes was significantly lower in patients
      (n=271) who had holidays in the sun after diagnosis, after multiple adjustment
      including education: HR=0.30 (95%CI:0.10-0.87; p=0.03) conclusions: Holidays in
      the sun were associated with thinner melanomas in women and reduced rates of
      relapse in both sexes. However, these results do not prove a direct causal effect
      of sun exposure on survival since other confounding factors, such as vitamin D
      serum levels and socio-economic status, may play a role. Other factors in sun
      seeking individuals may also possibly affect these results.

PMID- 24223852
TI  - Fiber pathways of attention subnetworks revealed with tract-based spatial
      statistics (TBSS) and probabilistic tractography.
AB  - It has been widely accepted that attention can be divided into three subnetworks 
      alerting, orienting and executive control (EC), and the subnetworks of attention
      are linked to distinct brain regions. However, the association between specific
      white matter fibers and the subnetworks of attention is not clear enough. Using
      diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the white matter connectivity related to the
      performance of attention was assessed by attention network test (ANT) in 85
      healthy adolescents. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and probabilistic
      diffusion tractography analysis demonstrated that cerebellothalamic tract was
      involved in alerting, while orienting depended upon the superior longitudinal
      fasciculus (SLF). In addition, EC was under the control of anterior corona
      radiata (ACR). Our findings suggest that different fiber pathways are involved in
      the three distinct subnetworks of attention. The current study will yield more
      precise information about the structural substrates of attention function and may
      aid the efforts to understand the neurophysiology of several attention disorders.

PMID- 24223853
TI  - Expression of a peroral infection factor determines pathogenicity and population
      structure in an insect virus.
AB  - A Nicaraguan isolate of Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus is
      being studied as a possible biological insecticide. This virus exists as a
      mixture of complete and deletion genotypes; the latter depend on the former for
      the production of an essential per os transmission factor (pif1) in coinfected
      cells. We hypothesized that the virus population was structured to account for
      the prevalence of pif1 defector genotypes, so that increasing the abundance of
      pif1 produced by a cooperator genotype in infected cells would favor an increased
      prevalence of the defector genotype. We tested this hypothesis using recombinant
      viruses with pif1 expression reprogrammed at its native locus using two exogenous
      promoters (egt, p10) in the pif2/pif1 intergenic region. Reprogrammed viruses
      killed their hosts markedly faster than the wild-type and rescue viruses,
      possibly due to an earlier onset of systemic infection. Group success
      (transmission) depended on expression of pif1, but overexpression was prejudicial
      to group-specific transmissibility, both in terms of reduced pathogenicity and
      reduced production of virus progeny from each infected insect. The presence of
      pif1-overproducing genotypes in the population was predicted to favor a shift in
      the prevalence of defector genotypes lacking pif1-expressing capabilities, to
      compensate for the modification in pif1 availability at the population level. As
      a result, defectors increased the overall pathogenicity of the virus population
      by diluting pif1 produced by overexpressing genotypes. These results offer a new
      and unexpected perspective on cooperative behavior between viral genomes in
      response to the abundance of an essential public good that is detrimental in
      excess. 

PMID- 24223854
TI  - Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract-mediated regulation of STAT3 proteins
      contributes to Treg differentiation and attenuates inflammation in a murine model
      of obesity-associated arthritis.
AB  - Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is a natural flavonoid that exerts
      anti-inflammatory properties. Obesity is an inflammatory condition and
      inflammatory cells and their secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules contribute
      to the pathogenesis of obesity. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune
      disease that is characterized by inflammation of joints lined by synovium.
      Previously, we demonstrated that obesity augmented arthritis severity in collagen
      induced arthritis (CIA), a murine model of human RA. Here, we investigated
      whether oral administration of GSPE showed antiobesity and anti-arthritic effects
      in high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and in obese CIA mice, respectively.
      The pathophysiologic mechanisms by which GSPE attenuates weight gain and
      arthritis severity in vivo were also investigated. In DIO mice, GSPE
      administration significantly inhibited weight gain, reduced fat infiltration in
      liver and improved serum lipid profiles. The antiobesity effect of GSPE was
      associated with increased populations of regulatory T (Treg) cells and those of
      decreased Th17 cells. Decrease of Th17 cells was associated with significant
      inhibition of their key transcriptional factors, pSTAT3(Tyr705) and
      pSTAT3(Ser727). On the contrary, GSPE-induced Treg induction was associated with
      enhanced pSTAT5 expression. To identify the anti-arthritis effects of GSPE, GSPE
      was given orally for 7 weeks after type II collagen immunization. GSPE treatment
      significantly attenuated the development of autoimmune arthritis in obese CIA
      model. In line with DIO mice, GSPE administration decreased Th17 cells and
      reciprocally increased Treg cells by regulating STAT proteins in autoimmune
      arthritis model. The expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitrotyrosine
      in synovium were significantly inhibited by GSPE treatment. Taken together, GSPE
      functions as a reciprocal regulator of T cell differentiation - suppression of
      Th17 cells and induction of Tregs in both DIO and obese CIA mice. GSPE may act as
      a therapeutic agent to treat immunologic diseases related with enhanced STAT3
      activity such as metabolic disorders and autoimmune diseases.

PMID- 24223855
TI  - Comparison of endoscopic ultrasonography and multislice spiral computed
      tomography for the preoperative staging of gastric cancer - results of a single
      institution study of 610 Chinese patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study compared the performance of endoscopic ultrasonography
      (EUS) and multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in the preoperative
      staging of gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A total of 610
      patients participated in this study, all of whom had undergone surgical
      resection, had confirmed gastric cancer and were evaluated with EUS and MSCT.
      Tumor staging was evaluated using the Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging and
      Japanese classification. The results from the imaging modalities were compared
      with the postoperative histopathological outcomes. The overall accuracies of EUS
      and MSCT for the T staging category were 76.7% and 78.2% (P=0.537), respectively.
      Stratified analysis revealed that the accuracy of EUS for T1 and T2 staging was
      significantly higher than that of MSCT (P<0.001 for both) and that the accuracy
      of MSCT in T3 and T4 staging was significantly higher than that of EUS (P<0.001
      and 0.037, respectively). The overall accuracy of MSCT was 67.2% when using the
      13th edition Japanese classification, and this percentage was significantly
      higher than the accuracy of EUS (49.3%) and MSCT (44.6%) when using the 6th
      edition UICC classification (P<0.001 for both values). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:
      Our results demonstrated that the overall accuracies of EUS and MSCT for
      preoperative staging were not significantly different. We suggest that a
      combination of EUS and MSCT is required for preoperative evaluation of TNM
      staging.

PMID- 24223856
TI  - Traumatic brain injury precipitates cognitive impairment and extracellular Abeta
      aggregation in Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become a signature wound of the wars in Iraq and
      Afghanistan. Many American soldiers, even those undiagnosed but likely suffering
      from mild TBI, display Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like cognitive impairments,
      suggesting a pathological overlap between TBI and AD. This study examined the
      cognitive and neurohistological effects of TBI in presymptomatic APP/PS1 AD
      transgenic mice. AD mice and non-transgenic (NT) mice received an experimental
      TBI on the right parietal cortex using the controlled cortical impact model.
      Animals were trained in a water maze task for spatial memory before TBI, and then
      reevaluated in the same task at two and six weeks post-TBI. The results showed
      that AD mice with TBI made significantly more errors in the task than AD mice
      without TBI and NT mice regardless of TBI. A separate group of AD mice and NT
      mice were evaluated neurohistologically at six weeks after TBI. The number of
      extracellular beta-amyloid (Abeta)-deposits significantly increased by at least
      one fold in the cortex of AD mice that received TBI compared to the NT mice that
      received TBI or the AD and NT mice that underwent sham surgery. A significant
      decrease in MAP2 positive cells, indicating neuronal loss, was observed in the
      cortex of both the AD and NT mice that received TBI compared to the AD and NT
      mice subjected to sham surgery. Similar changes in extracellular Abeta deposits
      and MAP2 positive cells were also seen in the hippocampus. These results
      demonstrate for the first time that TBI precipitates cognitive impairment in
      presymptomatic AD mice, while also confirming extracellular Abeta deposits
      following TBI. The recognition of this pathological link between TBI and AD
      should aid in developing novel treatments directed at abrogating cellular injury
      and extracellular Abeta deposition in the brain. 

PMID- 24223857
TI  - Comparative and phylogenomic evidence that the alphaproteobacterium HIMB59 is not
      a member of the oceanic SAR11 clade.
AB  - SAR11 is a globally abundant group of Alphaproteobacteria in the oceans that is
      taxonomically not well defined. It has been suggested SAR11 should be classified
      into the novel order Pelagibacterales. Features such as conservation of gene
      content and synteny have been taken as evidence that also the divergent member
      HIMB59 should be included in the order. However, this proposition is
      controversial since phylogenetic analyses have questioned the monophyly of this
      grouping. Here, we performed phylogenetic analyses and reinvestigated the genomic
      similarity of SAR11 and HIMB59. Our phylogenetic analysis confirmed that HIMB59
      is not a sister group to the other SAR11 strains. By placing the comparison in
      the context of the evolution of the Alphaproteobacteria, we found that none of
      the measures of genomic similarity supports a clustering of HIMB59 and SAR11 to
      the exclusion of other Alphaproteobacteria. First, pairwise sequence similarity
      measures for the SAR11 and HIMB59 genomes were within the range observed for
      unrelated pairs of Alphaproteobacteria. Second, pairwise comparisons of gene
      contents revealed a higher similarity of SAR11 to several other
      alphaproteobacterial genomes than to HIMB59. Third, the SAR11 genomes are not
      more similar in gene order to the HIMB59 genome than what they are to several
      other alphaproteobacterial genomes. Finally, in contrast to earlier reports, we
      observed no sequence similarity between the hypervariable region HVR2 in the
      SAR11 genomes and the region located at the corresponding position in the HIMB59
      genome. Based on these observations, we conclude that the alphaproteobacterium
      HIMB59 is not monophyletic with the SAR11 strains and that genome streamlining
      has evolved multiple times independently in Alphaproteobacteria adapted to the
      upper surface waters of the oceans.

PMID- 24223858
TI  - The maize (Zea mays L.) AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID gene family: phylogeny,
      synteny, and unique root-type and tissue-specific expression patterns during
      development.
AB  - The plant hormone auxin plays a key role in the coordination of many aspects of
      growth and development. AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID (Aux/IAA) genes encode
      instable primary auxin responsive regulators of plant development that display a
      protein structure with four characteristic domains. In the present study, a
      comprehensive analysis of the 34 members of the maize Aux/IAA gene family was
      performed. Phylogenetic reconstructions revealed two classes of Aux/IAA proteins
      that can be distinguished by alterations in their domain III. Seven pairs of
      paralogous maize Aux/IAA proteins were discovered. Comprehensive root-type and
      tissue-specific expression profiling revealed unique expression patterns of the
      diverse members of the gene family. Remarkably, five of seven pairs of paralogous
      genes displayed highly correlated expression patterns in roots. All but one
      (ZmIAA23) tested maize Aux/IAA genes were auxin inducible, displaying two types
      of auxin induction within three hours of treatment. Moreover, 51 of 55 (93%)
      differential Aux/IAA expression patterns between different root-types followed
      the expression tendency: crown roots > seminal roots > primary roots > lateral
      roots. This pattern might imply root-type-specific regulation of Aux/IAA
      transcript abundance. In summary, the detailed analysis of the maize Aux/IAA gene
      family provides novel insights in the evolution and developmental regulation and
      thus the function of these genes in different root-types and tissues. 

PMID- 24223859
TI  - Sequences of two related multiple antibiotic resistance virulence plasmids
      sharing a unique IS26-related molecular signature isolated from different
      Escherichia coli pathotypes from different hosts.
AB  - Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and atypical enteropathogenic E. coli
      (aEPEC) are important zoonotic pathogens that increasingly are becoming resistant
      to multiple antibiotics. Here we describe two plasmids, pO26-CRL125 (125 kb) from
      a human O26:H- EHEC, and pO111-CRL115 (115kb) from a bovine O111 aEPEC, that
      impart resistance to ampicillin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin,
      sulfathiazole, trimethoprim and tetracycline and both contain atypical class 1
      integrons with an identical IS26-mediated deletion in their 3'-conserved segment.
      Complete sequence analysis showed that pO26-CRL125 and pO111-CRL115 are
      essentially identical except for a 9.7 kb fragment, present in the backbone of
      pO26-CRL125 but absent in pO111-CRL115, and several indels. The 9.7 kb fragment
      encodes IncI-associated genes involved in plasmid stability during conjugation, a
      putative transposase gene and three imperfect repeats. Contiguous sequence
      identical to regions within these pO26-CRL125 imperfect repeats was identified in
      pO111-CRL115 precisely where the 9.7 kb fragment is missing, suggesting it may be
      mobile. Sequences shared between the plasmids include a complete IncZ replicon, a
      unique toxin/antitoxin system, IncI stability and maintenance genes, a novel
      putative serine protease autotransporter, and an IncI1 transfer system including
      a unique shufflon. Both plasmids carry a derivate Tn21 transposon with an
      atypical class 1 integron comprising a dfrA5 gene cassette encoding resistance to
      trimethoprim, and 24 bp of the 3'-conserved segment followed by Tn6026, which
      encodes resistance to ampicillin, kanymycin, neomycin, streptomycin and
      sulfathiazole. The Tn21-derivative transposon is linked to a truncated Tn1721,
      encoding resistance to tetracycline, via a region containing the IncP-1alpha
      oriV. Absence of the 5 bp direct repeats flanking Tn3-family transposons,
      indicates that homologous recombination events played a key role in the formation
      of this complex antibiotic resistance gene locus. Comparative sequence analysis
      of these closely related plasmids reveals aspects of plasmid evolution in
      pathogenic E. coli from different hosts.

PMID- 24223860
TI  - The longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and initiation of
      insulin therapy in people with type 2 diabetes in primary care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine whether depressive symptoms are associated with time to
      insulin initiation in insulin-naive people with type 2 diabetes in primary care.
      METHODS: 1,389 participants completed the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) in
      2005 and were followed until: 1) insulin therapy was started, 2) death, 3) an
      oral antihyperglycemic drug (OAD) prescription gap >1 year, 4) last OAD
      prescription in 2010 or 5) the end of the study (December 31, 2010). Cox
      regression analyses were used to determine whether there was a difference in time
      to insulin initiation between people with a low versus a high depression score at
      baseline, adjusting for potential demographic and clinical confounders, including
      HbA1c levels. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression (EDS >= 12) was 12% (n=168).
      After a mean follow-up of 1,597 +/- 537 days, 253 (18%) participants had started
      insulin therapy. The rate of insulin initiation did not differ between depressed
      and non-depressed participants. People with depression were not more likely to
      start insulin therapy earlier or later than their non-depressed counterparts
      (HR=0.98, 95% CI 0.66-1.45), also after adjustment for sex and age (HR=0.95, 0.64
      1.42). The association remained non-significant when individual candidate
      confounders were added to the age- and sex-adjusted base model. CONCLUSIONS: In
      the present study, depression was not associated with time to insulin initiation.
      The hypothesis that depression is associated with delayed initiation of insulin
      therapy merits more thorough testing, preferably in studies where more
      information is available about patient-, provider- and health care system factors
      that may influence the decision to initiate insulin.

PMID- 24223862
TI  - Peripapillary arterial circle of Zinn-Haller: location and spatial relationships
      with myopia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To measure histomorphometrically the location of the peripapillary
      arterial circle of Zinn-Haller (ZHAC) and assess its associations with axial
      length. METHODS: Using a light microscope, we measured the distance from the ZHAC
      to the peripapillary ring (optic disc border), the merging point of the dura
      mater with the posterior sclera ("dura-sclera point"), and the inner scleral
      surface. In the parapapillary region, we differentiated between beta zone
      (presence of Bruch's membrane, absence of retinal pigment epithelium) and gamma
      zone (absence of Bruch's membrane). The peripapillary scleral flange as roof of
      the orbital cerebrospinal fluid space was the connection between the end of the
      lamina cribrosa and the posterior full-thickness sclera starting at the dura
      sclera point. RESULTS: The study included 101 human globes (101 patients) with a
      mean axial length of 26.7 +/- 3.7 mm (range: 20.0-39.0 mm). The distance between
      the ZHAC and the peripapillary ring increased significantly with longer axial
      length (P<0.001; correlation coefficient r=0.49), longer parapapillary gamma zone
      (P<0.001;r=0.85), longer (P<0.001;r=0.73) and thinner (P<0.001;r=-0.45)
      peripapillary scleral flange, and thinner sclera posterior to the equator
      (P<0.001). ZHAC distance to the peripapillary ring was not significantly
      associated with length of parapapillary beta zone (P=0.33). Including only non
      highly myopic eyes (axial length <26.5 mm), the ZHAC distance to the disc border
      was not related with axial length (P=0.84). In non-highly myopic eyes, the ZHAC
      was located close to the dura-sclera point. With increasing axial length and
      decreasing thickness of the peripapillary scleral flange, the ZHAC was located
      closer to the inner scleral surface. CONCLUSIONS: The distance between the ZHAC
      and the optic disc border is markedly enlarged in highly myopic eyes. Since the
      ZHAC is the main arterial source for the lamina cribrosa blood supply, the
      finding may be of interest for the pathogenesis of the increased glaucoma
      susceptibility in highly myopic eyes.

PMID- 24223863
TI  - Maternal obesity caused by overnutrition exposure leads to reversal learning
      deficits and striatal disturbance in rats.
AB  - Maternal obesity caused by overnutrition during pregnancy increases
      susceptibility to metabolic risks in adulthood, such as obesity, insulin
      resistance, and type 2 diabetes; however, whether and how it affects the
      cognitive system associated with the brain remains elusive. Here, we report that
      pregnant obesity induced by exposure to excessive high fatty or highly palatable
      food specifically impaired reversal learning, a kind of adaptive behavior, while
      leaving serum metabolic metrics intact in the offspring of rats, suggesting a
      much earlier functional and structural defects possibly occurred in the central
      nervous system than in the metabolic system in the offspring born in unfavorable
      intrauterine nutritional environment. Mechanically, we found that above mentioned
      cognitive inflexibility might be associated with significant striatal disturbance
      including impaired dopamine homeostasis and disrupted leptin signaling in the
      adult offspring. These collective data add a novel perspective of understanding
      the adverse postnatal sequelae in central nervous system induced by developmental
      programming and the related molecular mechanism through which priming of risk for
      developmental disorders may occur during early life. 

PMID- 24223864
TI  - Somatic versus dendritic resonance: differential filtering of inputs through non
      uniform distributions of active conductances.
AB  - Synaptic inputs to neurons are processed in a frequency-dependent manner, with
      either low-pass or resonant response characteristics. These types of filtering
      play a key role in the frequency-specific information flow in neuronal networks.
      While the generation of resonance by specific ionic conductances is well
      investigated, less attention has been paid to the spatial distribution of the
      resonance-generating conductances across a neuron. In pyramidal neurons - one of
      the major excitatory cell-types in the mammalian brain - a steep gradient of
      resonance-generating h-conductances with a 60-fold increase towards distal
      dendrites has been demonstrated experimentally. Because the dendritic trees of
      these cells are large, spatial compartmentalization of resonant properties can be
      expected. Here, we use mathematical descriptions of spatially extended neurons to
      investigate the consequences of such a distal, dendritic localization of h
      conductances for signal processing. While neurons with short dendrites do not
      exhibit a pronounced compartmentalization of resonance, i.e. the filter
      properties of dendrites and soma are similar, we find that neurons with longer
      dendrites ([Formula: see text] space constant) can show distinct filtering of
      dendritic and somatic inputs due to electrotonic segregation. Moreover, we show
      that for such neurons, experimental classification as resonant versus nonresonant
      can be misleading when based on somatic recordings, because for these
      morphologies a dendritic resonance could easily be undetectable when using
      somatic input. Nevertheless, noise-driven membrane-potential oscillations caused
      by dendritic resonance can propagate to the soma where they can be recorded,
      hence contrasting with the low-pass filtering at the soma. We conclude that non
      uniform distributions of active conductances can underlie differential filtering
      of synaptic input in neurons with spatially extended dendrites, like pyramidal
      neurons, bearing relevance for the localization-dependent targeting of synaptic
      input pathways to these cells. 

PMID- 24223865
TI  - A novel scoring system to measure radiographic abnormalities and related
      spirometric values in cured pulmonary tuberculosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite chemotherapy, patients with cured pulmonary tuberculosis may
      result in lung functional impairment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel scoring
      system based on the degree of radiographic abnormalities and related spirometric
      values in patients with cured pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: One hundred and
      twenty seven patients with cured pulmonary tuberculosis were prospectively
      enrolled in a referral hospital specializing in respiratory diseases. Spirometry
      was performed and the extent of radiographic abnormalities was evaluated twice by
      each of two readers to generate a novel quantitative score. Scoring
      reproducibility was analyzed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and
      the Bland-Altman method. Multiple linear regression models were performed to
      assess the association of the extent of radiographic abnormalities with
      spirometric values. RESULTS: The intra-observer agreement for scoring of
      radiographic abnormalities (SRA) showed an ICC of 0.81 (CI:95%, 0.67-0.95) and
      0.78 (CI:95%, 0.65-0.92), for reader 1 and 2, respectively. Inter-observer
      reproducibility for the first measurement was 0.83 (CI:95%, 0.71-0.95), and for
      the second measurement was 0.74 (CI:95%, 0.58-0.90). The Bland-Altman analysis of
      the intra-observer agreement showed a mean bias of 0.87% and -0.55% and an inter
      observer agreement of -0.35% and -1.78%, indicating a minor average systematic
      variability. After adjustment for age, gender, height, smoking status, pack-years
      of smoking, and degree of dyspnea, the scoring degree of radiographic
      abnormalities was significantly and negatively associated with absolute and
      percent predicted values of FVC: -0.07 (CI:95%, -0.01 to -0.04); -2.48 (CI:95%, 
      3.45 to -1.50); and FEV1 -0.07 (CI:95%, -0.10 to -0.05); -2.92 (CI:95%, -3.87 to 
      1.97) respectively, in the patients studied. CONCLUSION: The extent of
      radiographic abnormalities, as evaluated through our novel scoring system, was
      inversely associated with spirometric values, and exhibited good reliability and
      reproducibility. As intra-observer and inter-observer agreement of the SRA varied
      from good to excellent, the use of SRA in this setting appears acceptable.

PMID- 24223861
TI  - The diversity and distribution of fungi on residential surfaces.
AB  - The predominant hypothesis regarding the composition of microbial assemblages in
      indoor environments is that fungal assemblages are structured by outdoor air with
      a moderate contribution by surface growth, whereas indoor bacterial assemblages
      represent a mixture of bacteria entered from outdoor air, shed by building
      inhabitants, and grown on surfaces. To test the fungal aspect of this hypothesis,
      we sampled fungi from three surface types likely to support growth and therefore
      possible contributors of fungi to indoor air: drains in kitchens and bathrooms,
      sills beneath condensation-prone windows, and skin of human inhabitants. Sampling
      was done in replicated units of a university-housing complex without reported
      mold problems, and sequences were analyzed using both QIIME and the new UPARSE
      approach to OTU-binning, to the same result. Surfaces demonstrated a mycological
      profile similar to that of outdoor air from the same locality, and assemblages
      clustered by surface type. "Weedy" genera typical of indoor air, such as
      Cladosporium and Cryptococcus, were abundant on sills, as were a diverse set of
      fungi of likely outdoor origin. Drains supported more depauperate assemblages
      than the other surfaces and contained thermotolerant genera such as Exophiala,
      Candida, and Fusarium. Most surprising was the composition detected on residents'
      foreheads. In addition to harboring Malassezia, a known human commensal, skin
      also possessed a surprising richness of non-resident fungi, including plant
      pathogens such as ergot (Claviceps purperea). Overall, fungal richness across
      indoor surfaces was high, but based on known autecologies, most of these fungi
      were unlikely to be growing on surfaces. We conclude that while some endogenous
      fungal growth on typical household surfaces does occur, particularly on drains
      and skin, all residential surfaces appear - to varying degrees - to be passive
      collectors of airborne fungi of putative outdoor origin, a view of the origins of
      the indoor microbiome quite different from bacteria. 

PMID- 24223866
TI  - Intravenous iron supplementation practices and short-term risk of cardiovascular
      events in hemodialysis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Intravenous iron supplementation is widespread in the
      hemodialysis population, but there is uncertainty about the safest dosing
      strategy. We compared the safety of different intravenous iron dosing practices
      on the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in a large population of
      hemodialysis patients. DESIGN SETTINGS PARTICIPANTS & MEASUREMENTS: A
      retrospective cohort was created from the clinical database of a large dialysis
      provider (years 2004-2008) merged with administrative data from the United States
      Renal Data System. Dosing comparisons were (1) bolus (consecutive doses >= 100 mg
      exceeding 600 mg during one month) versus maintenance (all other iron doses
      during the month); and (2) high (> 200 mg over 1 month) versus low dose (<= 200
      mg over 1 month). We established a 6-month baseline period (to identify potential
      confounders and effect modifiers), a one-month iron exposure period, and a three
      month follow-up period. Outcomes were myocardial infarction, stroke, and death
      from cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: 117,050 patients contributed 776,203 unique
      iron exposure/follow-up periods. After adjustment, we found no significant
      associations of bolus dose versus maintenance, hazards ratio for composite
      outcome, 1.03 (95% C.I. 0.99, 1.07), or high dose versus low dose intravenous
      iron, hazards ratio for composite outcome, 0.99 (95% C.I. 0.96, 1.03). There were
      no consistent associations of either high or bolus dose versus low or maintenance
      respectively among pre-specified subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies favoring
      large doses of intravenous iron were not associated with increased short-term
      cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Investigation of the long-term safety of
      the various intravenous iron supplementation strategies may still be warranted.

PMID- 24223867
TI  - Lactate-modulated induction of THBS-1 activates transforming growth factor (TGF)
      beta2 and migration of glioma cells in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An important phenomenon observed in glioma metabolism is increased
      aerobic glycolysis in tumor cells, which is generally referred to as the Warburg
      effect. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2, which we previously showed to be
      induced by lactic acid, is a key pathophysiological factor in glioblastoma,
      leading to increased invasion and severe local immunosuppression after
      proteolytic cleavage from its latency associated peptide. In this study we tested
      the hypothesis, that lactate regulates TGF-beta2 expression and glioma cell
      migration via induction of Thrombospondin-1 (THBS-1), a TGF-beta activating
      protein. METHODS: Lactate levels were reduced by knockdown of LDH-A using
      specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and competitive inhibition of LDH-A by
      sodium oxamate. Knockdown of THBS-1 was performed using specific siRNA. Western
      Blot, qRT-PCR, and ELISA were used to investigate expression levels of LDH-A, LDH
      B, TGF-beta2 and THBS-1. Migration of cells was examined by Spheroid, Scratch and
      Boyden Chamber assays. RESULTS: Knockdown of LDH-A with subsequent decrease of
      lactate concentration leads to reduced levels of THBS-1 and TGF-beta2 in glioma
      cells. Lactate addition increases THBS-1 protein, leading to increased activation
      of TGF-beta2. Inhibition of THBS-1 reduces TGF-beta2 protein and migration of
      glioma cells. Addition of synthetic THBS-1 can rescue reduced TGF-beta2 protein
      levels and glioma cell migration in siLDH-A treated cells. CONCLUSION: We define
      a regulatory cascade between lactate, THBS-1 and TGF-beta2, leading to enhanced
      migration of glioma cells. Our results demonstrate a specific interaction between
      tumor metabolism and migration and provide a better understanding of the
      mechanisms underlying glioma cell invasion.

PMID- 24223868
TI  - A comparative study between use of arthroscopic lavage and arthrocentesis of
      temporomandibular joint based on computational fluid dynamics analysis.
AB  - Arthroscopic lavage and arthrocentesis, performed with different inner-diameter
      lavage needles, are the current minimally invasive techniques used in
      temporomandibular joint disc displacement (TMJ-DD) for pain reduction and
      functional improvement. In the current study, we aimed to explore the
      biomechanical influence and explain the diverse clinical outcomes of these two
      approaches with computational fluid dynamics. Data was retrospectively analyzed
      from 78 cases that had undergone arthroscopic lavage or arthrocentesis for TMJ-DD
      from 2002 to 2010. Four types of finite volume models, featuring irrigation
      needles of different diameters, were constructed based on computed tomography
      images. We investigated the flow pattern and pressure distribution of lavage
      fluid secondary to caliber-varying needles. Our results demonstrated that the
      size of outflow portal was the critical factor in determining irrigated flow
      rate, with a larger inflow portal and a smaller outflow portal leading to higher
      intra-articular pressure. This was consistent with clinical data suggesting that
      increasing the mouth opening and maximal contra-lateral movement led to better
      outcomes following arthroscopic lavage. The findings of this study could be
      useful for choosing the lavage apparatus according to the main complaint of pain,
      or limited mouth opening, and examination of joint movements. 

PMID- 24223869
TI  - Reorienting in virtual 3D environments: do adult humans use principal axes,
      medial axes or local geometry?
AB  - Studies have shown that animals, including humans, use the geometric properties
      of environments to orient. It has been proposed that orientation is accomplished
      primarily by encoding the principal axes (i.e., global geometry) of an
      environment. However, recent research has shown that animals use local
      information such as wall length and corner angles as well as local shape
      parameters (i.e., medial axes) to orient. The goal of the current study was to
      determine whether adult humans reorient according to global geometry based on
      principal axes or whether reliance is on local geometry such as wall length and
      sense information or medial axes. Using a virtual environment task, participants
      were trained to select a response box located at one of two geometrically
      identical corners within a featureless rectangular-shaped environment.
      Participants were subsequently tested in a transformed L-shaped environment that
      allowed for a dissociation of strategies based on principal axes, medial axes and
      local geometry. Results showed that participants relied primarily on a medial
      axes strategy to reorient in the L-shaped test environment. Importantly, the
      search behaviour of participants could not be explained by a principal axes-based
      strategy. 

PMID- 24223870
TI  - Incorporating conservation zone effectiveness for protecting biodiversity in
      marine planning.
AB  - Establishing different types of conservation zones is becoming commonplace.
      However, spatial prioritization methods that can accommodate multiple zones are
      poorly understood in theory and application. It is typically assumed that
      management regulations across zones have differential levels of effectiveness
      ("zone effectiveness") for biodiversity protection, but the influence of zone
      effectiveness on achieving conservation targets has not yet been explored. Here,
      we consider the zone effectiveness of three zones: permanent closure, partial
      protection, and open, for planning for the protection of five different marine
      habitats in the Vatu-i-Ra Seascape, Fiji. We explore the impact of differential
      zone effectiveness on the location and costs of conservation priorities. We
      assume that permanent closure zones are fully effective at protecting all
      habitats, open zones do not contribute towards the conservation targets and
      partial protection zones lie between these two extremes. We use four different
      estimates for zone effectiveness and three different estimates for zone cost of
      the partial protection zone. To enhance the practical utility of the approach, we
      also explore how much of each traditional fishing ground can remain open for
      fishing while still achieving conservation targets. Our results show that all of
      the high priority areas for permanent closure zones would not be a high priority
      when the zone effectiveness of the partial protection zone is equal to that of
      permanent closure zones. When differential zone effectiveness and costs are
      considered, the resulting marine protected area network consequently increases in
      size, with more area allocated to permanent closure zones to meet conservation
      targets. By distributing the loss of fishing opportunity equitably among local
      communities, we find that 84-88% of each traditional fishing ground can be left
      open while still meeting conservation targets. Finally, we summarize the steps
      for developing marine zoning that accounts for zone effectiveness.

PMID- 24223871
TI  - Dietary adequacy of vitamin D and calcium among Inuit and Inuvialuit women of
      child-bearing age in Arctic Canada: a growing concern.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arctic populations are at an increased risk of vitamin D inadequacy
      due to geographic latitude and a nutrition transition. This study aimed to assess
      the adequacy of dietary vitamin D and calcium among women of child-bearing age in
      Arctic Canada. METHODS: This study collected data from 203 randomly selected
      women of child-bearing age (19-44 years) in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories
      of Arctic Canada. Cross-sectional surveys using a validated quantitative food
      frequency questionnaire were analysed to determine the dietary adequacy of
      vitamin D and calcium and summarize the top foods contributing to vitamin D and
      calcium intake among traditional food eaters (TFE) and non-traditional food
      eaters (NTFE). RESULTS: The response rate was between 69-93% depending on the
      community sampled. Mean BMIs for both TFE and NTFE were above the normal range.
      Traditional food eaters had a significantly higher median vitamin D intake
      compared with non-traditional eaters (TFE=5.13 +/- 5.34 ug/day; NTFE=3.5 +/- 3.22
      ug/day, p=0.004). The majority of women (87%) were below the Estimated Average
      Requirements (EAR) for vitamin D. Despite adequate median daily calcium intake in
      both TFE (1,299 +/- 798 mg/day) and NTFE (992 +/- 704 mg/day; p=0.0005), 27% of
      the study population fell below the EAR for calcium. Dairy products contributed
      the most to intake of vitamin D (TFE=30.7%; NTFE=39.1%) and calcium (TFE=25.5%;
      NTFE=34.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate dietary vitamin D intake is evident among
      Inuit and Inuvialuit women of child-bearing age in Arctic Canada. Promotion of
      nutrient-rich sources of traditional foods, supplementation protocols and/or
      expanded food fortification should be considered to address this nutrition
      concern.

PMID- 24223872
TI  - Detection of salt marsh vegetation stress and recovery after the Deepwater
      Horizon Oil Spill in Barataria Bay, Gulf of Mexico using AVIRIS data.
AB  - The British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico was the
      biggest oil spill in US history. To assess the impact of the oil spill on the
      saltmarsh plant community, we examined Advanced Visible Infrared Imaging
      Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data flown over Barataria Bay, Louisiana in September 2010
      and August 2011. Oil contamination was mapped using oil absorption features in
      pixel spectra and used to examine impact of oil along the oiled shorelines.
      Results showed that vegetation stress was restricted to the tidal zone extending
      14 m inland from the shoreline in September 2010. Four indexes of plant stress
      and three indexes of canopy water content all consistently showed that stress was
      highest in pixels next to the shoreline and decreased with increasing distance
      from the shoreline. Index values along the oiled shoreline were significantly
      lower than those along the oil-free shoreline. Regression of index values with
      respect to distance from oil showed that in 2011, index values were no longer
      correlated with proximity to oil suggesting that the marsh was on its way to
      recovery. Change detection between the two dates showed that areas denuded of
      vegetation after the oil impact experienced varying degrees of re-vegetation in
      the following year. This recovery was poorest in the first three pixels adjacent
      to the shoreline. This study illustrates the usefulness of high spatial
      resolution airborne imaging spectroscopy to map actual locations where oil from
      the spill reached the shore and then to assess its impacts on the plant
      community. We demonstrate that post-oiling trends in terms of plant health and
      mortality could be detected and monitored, including recovery of these saltmarsh
      meadows one year after the oil spill. 

PMID- 24223873
TI  - Validation of 'variable number of tandem repeat'-based approach for examination
      of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' diversity and its applications for the
      analysis of the pathogen populations in the areas of recent introduction.
AB  - Citrus greening (Huanglongbing, HLB) is one of the most destructive diseases of
      citrus worldwide. In South Asia HLB has been known for more than a century, while
      in Americas the disease was found relatively recently. HLB is associated with
      three species of 'Candidatus Liberibacter' among which 'Ca. Liberibacter
      asiaticus' (CLas) has most wide distribution. Recently, a number of studies
      identified different regions in the CLas genome with variable number of tandem
      repeats (VNTRs) that could be used for examination of CLas diversity. One of the
      objectives of the work presented here was to further validate the VNTR analysis
      based approach by assessing the stability of these repeats upon multiplication of
      the pathogen in a host over an extended period of time and upon its passaging
      from a host to a host using CLas populations from Florida. Our results showed
      that the numbers of tandem repeats in the four loci tested display very
      distinguishable "signature profiles" for the two Florida-type CLas haplotype
      groups. Remarkably, the profiles do not change upon passage of the pathogen in
      citrus and psyllid hosts as well as after its presence within a host over a
      period of five years, suggesting that VNTR analysis-based approach represents a
      valid methodology for examination of the pathogen populations in various
      geographical regions. Interestingly, an extended analysis of CLas populations in
      different locations throughout Florida and in several countries in the Caribbean
      and Central America regions and in Mexico where the pathogen has been introduced
      recently demonstrated the dispersion of the same haplotypes of CLas. On the other
      hand, these CLas populations appeared to differ significantly from those obtained
      from locations where the disease has been present for a much longer time. 

PMID- 24223874
TI  - CDK-dependent nuclear localization of B-cyclin Clb1 promotes FEAR activation
      during meiosis I in budding yeast.
AB  - Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) are master regulators of the cell cycle in
      eukaryotes. CDK activity is regulated by the presence, post-translational
      modification and spatial localization of its regulatory subunit cyclin. In
      budding yeast, the B-cyclin Clb1 is phosphorylated and localizes to the nucleus
      during meiosis I. However the functional significance of Clb1's phosphorylation
      and nuclear localization and their mutual dependency is unknown. In this paper,
      we demonstrate that meiosis-specific phosphorylation of Clb1 requires its import
      to the nucleus but not vice versa. While Clb1 phosphorylation is dependent on
      activity of both CDK and polo-like kinase Cdc5, its nuclear localization requires
      CDK but not Cdc5 activity. Furthermore we show that increased nuclear
      localization of Clb1 during meiosis enhances activation of FEAR (Cdc Fourteen
      Early Anaphase Release) pathway. We discuss the significance of our results in
      relation to regulation of exit from meiosis I. 

PMID- 24223875
TI  - A set of engineered Escherichia coli expression strains for selective isotope and
      reactivity labeling of amino acid side chains and flavin cofactors.
AB  - Biological reactions are facilitated by delicate molecular interactions between
      proteins, cofactors and substrates. To study and understand their dynamic
      interactions researchers have to take great care not to influence or distort the
      object of study. As a non-invasive alternative to a site-directed mutagenesis
      approach, selective isotope labeling in combination with vibrational spectroscopy
      may be employed to directly identify structural transitions in wild type
      proteins. Here we present a set of customized Escherichia coli expression
      strains, suitable for replacing both the flavin cofactor and/or selective amino
      acids with isotope enriched or chemically modified substrates. For flavin
      labeling we report optimized auxotrophic strains with significantly enhanced
      flavin uptake properties. Labeled protein biosynthesis using these strains was
      achieved in optimized cultivation procedures using high cell density
      fermentation. Finally, we demonstrate how this approach is used for a clear
      assignment of vibrational spectroscopic difference signals of apoprotein and
      cofactor of a flavin containing photoreceptor of the BLUF (Blue Light receptors
      Using FAD) family. 

PMID- 24223876
TI  - Task-related changes in functional properties of the human brain network
      underlying attentional control.
AB  - Previous studies have demonstrated task-related changes in brain activation and
      inter-regional connectivity but the temporal dynamics of functional properties of
      the brain during task execution is still unclear. In the present study, we
      investigated task-related changes in functional properties of the human brain
      network by applying graph-theoretical analysis to magnetoencephalography (MEG).
      Subjects performed a cue-target attention task in which a visual cue informed
      them of the direction of focus for incoming auditory or tactile target stimuli,
      but not the sensory modality. We analyzed the MEG signal in the cue-target
      interval to examine network properties during attentional control. Cluster-based
      non-parametric permutation tests with the Monte-Carlo method showed that in the
      cue-target interval, beta activity was desynchronized in the sensori-motor region
      including premotor and posterior parietal regions in the hemisphere contralateral
      to the attended side. Graph-theoretical analysis revealed that, in beta
      frequency, global hubs were found around the sensori-motor and prefrontal
      regions, and functional segregation over the entire network was decreased during
      attentional control compared to the baseline. Thus, network measures revealed
      task-related temporal changes in functional properties of the human brain
      network, leading to the understanding of how the brain dynamically responds to
      task execution as a network. 

PMID- 24223877
TI  - The risk of schizophrenia and child psychiatric disorders in offspring of mothers
      with lung cancer and other types of cancer: a Danish nationwide register study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal immune responses and brain-reactive antibodies have been
      proposed as possible causal mechanisms for schizophrenia and some child
      psychiatric disorders. According to this hypothesis maternal antibodies may cross
      the placenta and interact with the developing CNS of the fetus causing future
      neurodevelopmental disorders. Therefore, we investigated if children of mothers
      with cancer might be at higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders, with
      particular focus on small-cell lung cancer, which is known to induce production
      of antibodies binding to CNS elements. METHODS: Nationwide population-based
      registers were linked, including the Danish Psychiatric Central Register and The
      Danish Cancer Registry. Data were analyzed as a cohort study using survival
      analysis techniques. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and accompanying 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) were used as measures of relative risk. RESULTS: In general,
      parental cancer was not associated with schizophrenia in the offspring (IRR,
      0.98; 95% CI, 0.95-1.01). Furthermore, we found no temporal associations with
      maternal cancer in general; neither around the pregnancy period. However,
      maternal small-cell lung cancer increased the risk of early-onset schizophrenia
      and maternal small-cell lung cancer diagnosed within 20 years after childbirth
      increased the risk of schizophrenia. Parental cancer was not associated with
      child psychiatric disorders (IRR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.98-1.05) except for the smoking
      related cancers. There was a significantly increased risk of child psychiatric
      disorders in offspring of both mothers (IRR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.16-1.58) and fathers
      (IRR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.30-1.66) with lung cancer of all types. CONCLUSIONS: In
      general, parental cancer did not increase the risk of schizophrenia nor of child
      psychiatric disorders. However, maternal small-cell lung cancer increased the
      risk of schizophrenia in subgroups; and lung cancer in general increased the risk
      of child psychiatric disorders, which could be due to risk factors associated
      with parental smoking.

PMID- 24223878
TI  - Development of a brief instrument for assessing healthcare employee satisfaction
      in a low-income setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ethiopia is one of 57 countries identified by the World Health Report
      2006 as having a severely limited number of health care professionals. In
      recognition of this shortage, the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, through
      the Ethiopian Hospital Management Initiative, prioritized the need to improve
      retention of health care workers. Accordingly, we sought to develop the
      Satisfaction of Employees in Health Care (SEHC) survey for use in hospitals and
      health centers throughout Ethiopia. METHODS: Literature reviews and cognitive
      interviews were used to generate a staff satisfaction survey for use in the
      Ethiopian healthcare setting. We pretested the survey in each of the six
      hospitals and four health centers across Ethiopia (98% response rate). We
      assessed content validity and convergent validity using factor analysis and
      examined reliability using the Cronbach alpha coefficients to assess internal
      consistency. The final survey was comprised of 18 questions about specific
      aspects of an individual's work and two overall staff satisfaction questions.
      RESULTS: We found support for content validity, as data from the 18 responses
      factored into three factors, which we characterized as 1) relationship with
      management and supervisors, 2) job content, and 3) relationships with coworkers.
      Summary scores for two factors (relationship with management and supervisors and
      job content) were significantly associated (P-value, <0.001) with the two overall
      satisfaction items. Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed good to excellent
      internal consistency (Cronbach alpha coefficients >0.70) for the items in the
      three summary scores. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of consistent and reliable
      measures of staff satisfaction is crucial to understand and improve employee
      retention rates, which threaten the successful achievement of the Millennium
      Development Goals in low-income countries. The use of the SEHC survey in
      Ethiopian healthcare facilities has ample leadership support, which is essential
      for addressing problems that reduce staff satisfaction and exacerbate excessive
      workforce shortages.

PMID- 24223879
TI  - A functional variant rs1820453 in YAP1 and breast cancer risk in Chinese
      population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between rs1820453 which located in the
      promoter region of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) gene and breast cancer (BC)
      risk. METHOD AND FINDINGS: We conducted a hospital-based case-control study
      including a total of 480 BC cases and 545 cancer-free controls in Chinese
      population. Then the expression quantitative trait locus (e-QTL) analysis was
      performed to explore the possible function of rs1820453 to the YAP1 gene
      expression. The association between rs1820453 and BC risk was significantly
      identified with the odds ratio (OR) was 1.27 (95 % confidence interval (CI) =1.03
      1.57) under allelic model when adjusted by age and menopausal status. In
      addition, the correlation analysis of rs1820453 and YAP1 expression level found
      that this variant was significantly associated with the gene expression in
      Chinese population. When compared with level of mRNA expression of the AA
      genotype (6.011 +/- 0.046), the mRNA expression level in CC genotype (5.903 +/-
      0.026) was statistically lower (P=0.024). CONCLUSION: The results from this study
      suggested that rs1820453 A>C change may affect the gene expression and contribute
      to the risk of developing BC in Chinese population though larger sample-size
      studies along with functional experiments were anticipated to warrant the
      results.

PMID- 24223881
TI  - Enhancing the function of CD34(+) cells by targeting plasminogen activator
      inhibitor-1.
AB  - Previously, we showed that transient inhibition of TGF- beta1 resulted in
      correction of key aspects of diabetes-induced CD34(+) cell dysfunction. In this
      report, we examine the effect of transient inhibition of plasminogen activator
      inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a major gene target of TGF-beta1 activation. Using gene
      array studies, we examined CD34(+) cells isolated from a cohort of longstanding
      diabetic individuals, free of microvascular complications despite suboptimal
      glycemic control, and found that the cells exhibited reduced transcripts of both
      TGF-beta1 and PAI-1 compared to age, sex, and degree of glycemic control-matched
      diabetic individuals with microvascular complications. CD34(+) cells from
      diabetic subjects with microvascular complications consistently exhibited higher
      PAI-1 mRNA than age-matched non-diabetic controls. TGF- beta1 phosphorodiamidate
      morpholino oligo (PMO) reduced PAI-1 mRNA in diabetic (p<0.01) and non-diabetic
      (p=0.05) CD34(+) cells. To reduce PAI-1 in human CD34(+) cells, we utilized PAI-1
      siRNA, lentivirus expressing PAI-1 shRNA or PAI-1 PMO. We found that inhibition
      of PAI-1 promoted CD34(+) cell proliferation and migration in vitro, likely
      through increased PI3(K) activity and increased cGMP production. Using a retinal
      ischemia reperfusion injury model in mice, we observed that recruitment of
      diabetic CD34(+) cells to injured acellular retinal capillaries was greater after
      PAI-1-PMO treatment compared with control PMO-treated cells. Targeting PAI-1
      offers a promising therapeutic strategy for restoring vascular reparative
      function in defective diabetic progenitors.

PMID- 24223882
TI  - Congenital cerebral palsy, child sex and parent cardiovascular risk.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Genes associated with cardiovascular disease may also be risk factors
      for congenital cerebral palsy (CP) and these associations may be modified by sex,
      since there is an increased risk of CP in male children. We investigated the
      association between CP of the child with cardiovascular disease in parents,
      taking sex of the child into consideration. METHODS: All parents of non-adopted
      singletons born in Denmark between 1973 and 2003 were included. Parents of a
      child with CP, confirmed by the Danish National CP registry, were considered
      exposed. Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to model risk of
      cardiovascular outcomes for exposed parents compared to all other parents
      beginning at the child's 10(th) birthday. RESULTS: We identified 733,730 mothers
      and 666,652 fathers among whom 1,592 and 1,484, respectively, had a child with
      CP. The mean age for mothers at end of follow up was 50 +/- 8 years. After
      adjustment for maternal age, parental education, child's sex, child's residence,
      child being small for gestational age and maternal hypertensive disorder during
      pregnancy, mothers of CP male children had an excess risk of cardiovascular
      disease (HR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.16-2.00), attributable mostly to an increased
      incidence of hypertension and cerebrovascular disease. After additional
      adjustment for preterm birth, the association was markedly attenuated for
      cardiovascular disease (1.34, 95%CI: 1.02 - 1.76), became nonsignificant for
      hypertension, but remained significant for cerebrovascular disease (HR: 2.73, 95%
      CI: 1.45- 5.12). There was no increased risk of cardiovascular events in mothers
      of female CP children, or fathers of CP children of any sex. CONCLUSIONS: Women
      that have a male child with CP are at increased risk for premature cardiovascular
      disease. Part of this association may be related to risk factors for preterm
      births.

PMID- 24223880
TI  - Brood ball-mediated transmission of microbiome members in the dung beetle,
      Onthophagus taurus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).
AB  - Insects feeding on plant sap, blood, and other nutritionally incomplete diets are
      typically associated with mutualistic bacteria that supplement missing nutrients.
      Herbivorous mammal dung contains more than 86% cellulose and lacks amino acids
      essential for insect development and reproduction. Yet one of the most
      ecologically necessary and evolutionarily successful groups of beetles, the dung
      beetles (Scarabaeinae) feeds primarily, or exclusively, on dung. These
      associations suggest that dung beetles may benefit from mutualistic bacteria that
      provide nutrients missing from dung. The nesting behaviors of the female parent
      and the feeding behaviors of the larvae suggest that a microbiome could be
      vertically transmitted from the parental female to her offspring through the
      brood ball. Using sterile rearing and a combination of molecular and culture
      based techniques, we examine transmission of the microbiome in the bull-headed
      dung beetle, Onthophagus taurus. Beetles were reared on autoclaved dung and the
      microbiome was characterized across development. A ~1425 bp region of the 16S
      rRNA identified Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Comamonadaceae as the
      most common bacterial families across all life stages and populations, including
      cultured isolates from the 3(rd) instar digestive system. Finer level phylotyping
      analyses based on lepA and gyrB amplicons of cultured isolates placed the
      isolates closest to Enterobacter cloacae, Providencia stuartii, Pusillimonas sp.,
      Pedobacter heparinus, and Lysinibacillus sphaericus. Scanning electron
      micrographs of brood balls constructed from sterile dung reveals secretions and
      microbes only in the chamber the female prepares for the egg. The use of
      autoclaved dung for rearing, the presence of microbes in the brood ball and
      offspring, and identical 16S rRNA sequences in both parent and offspring suggests
      that the O. taurus female parent transmits specific microbiome members to her
      offspring through the brood chamber. The transmission of the dung beetle
      microbiome highlights the maintenance and likely importance of this newly
      characterized bacterial community. 

PMID- 24223883
TI  - Alterations in the cell cycle in the cerebellum of hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rat: a
      possible link with apoptosis?
AB  - Severe hyperbilirubinemia causes neurological damage both in humans and rodents.
      The hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rat shows a marked cerebellar hypoplasia. More
      recently bilirubin ability to arrest the cell cycle progression in vascular
      smooth muscle, tumour cells, and, more importantly, cultured neurons has been
      demonstrated. However, the involvement of cell cycle perturbation in the
      development of cerebellar hypoplasia was never investigated before. We explored
      the effect of sustained spontaneous hyperbilirubinemia on cell cycle progression
      and apoptosis in whole cerebella dissected from 9 day old Gunn rat by Real Time
      PCR, Western blot and FACS analysis. The cerebellum of the hyperbilirubinemic
      Gunn rats exhibits an increased cell cycle arrest in the late G0/G1 phase (p <
      0.001), characterized by a decrease in the protein expression of cyclin D1 (15%,
      p < 0.05), cyclin A/A1 (20 and 30%, p < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively) and cyclin
      dependent kinases2 (25%, p < 0.001). This was associated with a marked increase
      in the 18 kDa fragment of cyclin E (67%, p < 0.001) which amplifies the apoptotic
      pathway. In line with this was the increase of the cleaved form of Poly (ADP
      ribose) polymerase (54%, p < 0.01) and active Caspase3 (two fold, p < 0.01).
      These data indicate that the characteristic cerebellar alteration in this
      developing brain structure of the hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rat may be partly due
      to cell cycle perturbation and apoptosis related to the high bilirubin
      concentration in cerebellar tissue mainly affecting granular cells. These two
      phenomena might be intimately connected. 

PMID- 24223884
TI  - An optimized immunohistochemistry technique improves NMO-IgG detection: study
      comparison with cell-based assays.
AB  - Cell-based assays (CBA) have increased the sensitivity of the neuromyelitis
      optica (NMO)-IgG/aquaporin-4-antibody detection compared to classical tissue
      based indirect assays. We describe the sensitivity of an optimized
      immunohistochemistry (IHC-o) to detect NMO-IgG/aquaporin-4-antibody in comparison
      with that of two CBA: an in-house (CBA-ih) and a commercial (CBA-c) assay
      (Euroimmun, Germany). Coded serum from 103 patients with definite NMO and 122
      inflammatory controls were studied by IHC-o, CBA-ih, and CBA-c. IHC-o used the
      same protocol described to detect antibodies against cell surface antigens. CBA
      ih used live cells transfected with the aquaporin-4-M23-isoform. The sensitivity
      of the IHC-o was 74.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 65-83) and was similar to
      that of the CBA-ih 75.7% (95% CI 66-84) and the CBA-c 73.8% (95% CI 64-82). The
      specificity of the three assays was 100% (95% CI 97-100). Interassay concordance
      was high, 100 of 103 samples were coincident in all techniques. The optimized
      immunohistochemistry proves to be as sensitive and specific as the cell-based
      assays. This assay extends the available tools for NMO-IgG/aquaporin-4-antibody
      detection. 

PMID- 24223885
TI  - Genetic variation of drought tolerance in Pinus pinaster at three hierarchical
      levels: a comparison of induced osmotic stress and field testing.
AB  - Understanding the survival capacity of forest trees to periods of severe water
      stress could improve knowledge of the adaptive potential of different species
      under future climatic scenarios. In long lived organisms, like forest trees, the
      combination of induced osmotic stress treatments and field testing can elucidate
      the role of drought tolerance during the early stages of establishment, the most
      critical in the life of the species. We performed a Polyethylene glycol-osmotic
      induced stress experiment and evaluated two common garden experiments (xeric and
      mesic sites) to test for survival and growth of a wide range clonal collection of
      Maritime pine. This study demonstrates the importance of additive vs non additive
      effects for drought tolerance traits in Pinus pinaster, and shows differences in
      parameters determining the adaptive trajectories of populations and family and
      clones within populations. The results show that osmotic adjustment plays an
      important role in population variation, while biomass allocation and hydric
      content greatly influence survival at population level. Survival in the induced
      osmotic stress experiment presented significant correlations with survival in the
      xeric site, and height growth at the mesic site, at population level, indicating
      constraints of adaptation for those traits, while at the within population level
      no significant correlation existed. These results demonstrate that population
      differentiation and within population genetic variation for drought tolerance
      follow different patterns. 

PMID- 24223887
TI  - Multiple chronic health conditions and their link with labour force participation
      and economic status.
AB  - AIMS: To assess the labour force participation and quantify the economic status
      of older Australian workers with multiple health conditions. BACKGROUND: Many
      older people suffer from multiple health conditions. While multiple morbidities
      have been highlighted as an important research topic, there has been limited
      research in this area to date, particularly on the economic status of those with
      multiple morbidities. METHODS: Cross sectional analysis of Health&WealthMOD, a
      microsimulation model of Australians aged 45 to 64 years. RESULTS: People with
      one chronic health condition had 0.59 times the odds of being employed compared
      to those with no condition (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.71), and those with four or
      more conditions had 0.14 times the odds of being employed compared to those with
      no condition (OR 0.14, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.18). People with one condition received a
      weekly income 32% lower than those with no health condition, paid 49 % less tax,
      and received 37% more in government transfer payments; those with four or more
      conditions received a weekly income 94% lower, paid 97% less in tax and received
      over 2,000% more in government transfer payments per week than those with no
      condition. CONCLUSION: While having a chronic health condition is associated with
      lower labour force participation and poorer economic status, having multiple
      conditions compounds the affect - with these people being far less likely to be
      employed and having drastically lower incomes.

PMID- 24223886
TI  - Recycling of the high valence States of heme proteins by cysteine residues of
      THIMET-oligopeptidase.
AB  - The peptidolytic enzyme THIMET-oligopeptidase (TOP) is able to act as a reducing
      agent in the peroxidase cycle of myoglobin (Mb) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP).
      The TOP-promoted recycling of the high valence states of the peroxidases to the
      respective resting form was accompanied by a significant decrease in the thiol
      content of the peptidolytic enzyme. EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance)
      analysis using DBNBS spin trapping revealed that TOP also prevented the formation
      of tryptophanyl radical in Mb challenged by H2O2. The oxidation of TOP thiol
      groups by peroxidases did not promote the inactivating oligomerization observed
      in the oxidation promoted by the enzyme aging. These findings are discussed
      towards a possible occurrence of these reactions in cells. 

PMID- 24223888
TI  - Long-term phenological shifts in raptor migration and climate.
AB  - Climate change is having a discernible effect on many biological and ecological
      processes. Among observed changes, modifications in bird phenology have been
      widely documented. However, most studies have interpreted phenological shifts as
      gradual biological adjustments in response to the alteration of the thermal
      regime. Here we analysed a long-term dataset (1980-2010) of short-distance
      migratory raptors in five European regions. We revealed that the responses of
      these birds to climate-induced changes in autumn temperatures are abrupt and
      synchronous at a continental scale. We found that when the temperatures
      increased, birds delayed their mean passage date of autumn migration. Such delay,
      in addition to an earlier spring migration, suggests that a significant warming
      may induce an extension of the breeding-area residence time of migratory raptors,
      which may eventually lead to residency. 

PMID- 24223889
TI  - Recurrence of preeclampsia in northern Tanzania: a registry-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia occurs in about 4 per cent of pregnancies worldwide, and
      may have particularly serious consequences for women in Africa. Studies in
      western countries have shown that women with preeclampsia in one pregnancy have a
      substantially increased risk of preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies. We
      estimate the recurrence risks of preeclampsia in data from Northern Tanzania.
      METHODS: A prospective cohort study was designed using 19,811 women who delivered
      singleton infants at a hospital in Northern Tanzania between 2000 and 2008. A
      total of 3,909 women were recorded with subsequent deliveries in the hospital
      with follow up through 2010. Adjusted recurrence risks of preeclampsia were
      computed using regression models. RESULTS: The absolute recurrence risk of
      preeclampsia was 25%, which was 9.2-fold (95% CI: 6.4 - 13.2) compared with the
      risk for women without prior preeclampsia. When there were signs that the
      preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy had been serious either because the baby was
      delivered preterm or had died in the perinatal period, the recurrence risk of
      preeclampsia was even higher. Women who had preeclampsia had increased risk of a
      series of adverse pregnancy outcomes in future pregnancies. These include
      perinatal death (RR= 4.3), a baby with low birth weight (RR= 3.5), or a preterm
      birth (RR= 2.5). These risks were only partly explained by recurrence of
      preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Preeclampsia in one pregnancy is a strong predictor
      for preeclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes in subsequent pregnancies
      in Tanzania. Women with previous preeclampsia may benefit from close follow-up
      during their pregnancies.

PMID- 24223890
TI  - Bacterial viability and physical properties of antibacterially modified
      experimental dental resin composites.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the antibacterial effect and the effect on the material
      properties of a novel delivery system with Irgasan as active agent and
      methacrylated polymerizable Irgasan when added to experimental dental resin
      composites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A delivery system based on novel polymeric
      hollow beads, loaded with Irgasan and methacrylated polymerizable Irgasan as
      active agents were used to manufacture three commonly formulated experimental
      resin composites. The non-modified resin was used as standard (ST). Material A
      contained the delivery system providing 4 % (m/m) Irgasan, material B contained 4
      % (m/m) methacrylated Irgasan and material C 8 % (m/m) methacrylated Irgasan.
      Flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), water sorption (WS), solubility
      (SL), surface roughness Ra, polymerization shrinkage, contact angle Theta, total
      surface free energy gammaS and its apolar gammaS (LW), polar gammaS (AB), Lewis
      acid gammaS (+)and base gammaS (-) term as well as bacterial viability were
      determined. Significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: The materials A to C were not
      unacceptably influenced by the modifications and achieved the minimum values for
      FS, WS and SL as requested by EN ISO 4049 and did not differ from ST what was
      also found for Ra. Only A had lower FM than ST. Theta of A and C was higher and
      gammaS (AB) of A and B was lower than of ST. Materials A to C had higher gammaS
      (+) than ST. The antibacterial effect of materials A to C was significantly
      increased when compared with ST meaning that significantly less vital cells were
      found. CONCLUSION: Dental resin composites with small quantities of a novel
      antibacterially doped delivery system or with an antibacterial monomer provided
      acceptable physical properties and good antibacterial effectiveness. The sorption
      material being part of the delivery system can be used as a vehicle for any other
      active agent.

PMID- 24223891
TI  - Successional distance between the source and recipient influence seed germination
      and seedling survival during surface soil replacement in SW China.
AB  - Adding propagules (source) to a degraded site (recipient) is a common way of
      manipulating secondary succession to restore diversity and services formerly
      provided by forests. However, heretofore no study has considered the effect of
      "successional distance" between source and recipient site. Four sites in the
      Shilin karst area of SW China were treated as different states along a secondary
      successional sere: grass, shrub, young secondary forest, and primary forest. Ten
      1 m *1m soil quadrats in the grass, shrub and young forest sites were replaced
      with 10 cm deep soil sources from corresponding later successional stage(s) in
      January 2009. Woody plant seed germination was monitored in the first year and
      seedling survival was monitored until the end of the second year. At the end of
      2010, 2097 seeds of woody plants belonging to 45 taxa had germinated, and 3.9% of
      the seedlings and 7.8% of the species survived. Germination of most species was
      sensitive to ambient light (red, far-red, R:FR ratios, photosynthetically active
      radiation). Soil source and recipient site had a significant effect on the total
      number of seeds and number of species that germinated, and on the percentage of
      seedlings that survived through the end of the second year. Closer successional
      stages between recipient site and soil source had higher seed germination and
      seedling-survival percentages. However, a transition threshold exists in the
      young forest state, where seeds can germinate but not survive the second year.
      Our results, although based on an unreplicated chronosequence, suggest that
      successional distance between soil sources and recipient sites affect forest
      recruitment and restoration in degraded karst of SW China.

PMID- 24223892
TI  - Study of the HIV-2 Env cytoplasmic tail variability and its impact on Tat, Rev
      and Nef.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The HIV-2 env's 3' end encodes the cytoplasmic tail (CT) of the Env
      protein. This genomic region also encodes the rev, Tat and Nef protein in
      overlapping reading frames. We studied the variability in the CT coding region in
      46 clinical specimens and in 2 reference strains by sequencing and by culturing.
      The aims were to analyse the variability of Env CT and the evolution of proteins
      expressed from overlapping coding sequences. RESULTS: A 70% reduction of the
      length of the CT region affected the HIV-2 ROD and EHO strains in vitro due to a
      premature stop codon in the env gene. In clinical samples this wasn't observed,
      but the CT length varied due to insertions and deletions. We noted 3 conserved
      and 3 variable regions in the CT. The conserved regions were those containing
      residues involved in Env endocytosis, the potential HIV-2 CT region implicated in
      the NF-kB activation and the potential end of the lentiviral lytic peptide one.
      The variable regions were the potential HIV-2 Kennedy region, the potential
      lentiviral lytic peptide two and the beginning of the potential lentiviral lytic
      peptide one. A very hydrophobic region was coded downstream of the premature stop
      codon observed in vitro, suggesting a membrane spanning region. Interestingly,
      the nucleotides that are responsible for the variability of the CT don't impact
      rev and Nef. However, in the Kennedy-like coding region variability resulted only
      from nucleotide changes that impacted Env and Tat together. CONCLUSION: The HIV-2
      Env, Tat and Rev C-terminal part are subject to major length variations in both
      clinical samples and cultured strains. The HIV-2 Env CT contains variable and
      conserved regions. These regions don't affect the rev and Nef amino acids
      composition which evolves independently. In contrast, Tat co-evolves with the Env
      CT.

PMID- 24223893
TI  - Change of antibiotic susceptibility testing guidelines from CLSI to EUCAST:
      influence on cumulative hospital antibiograms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We studied whether the change in antibiotic susceptibility testing
      (AST) guidelines from CLSI to EUCAST influenced cumulative antibiograms in a
      tertiary care hospital in Switzerland. METHODS: Antibiotic susceptibilities of
      non-duplicate isolates collected within a one-year period before (period A) and
      after (period B) changing AST interpretation from CLSI 2009 to EUCAST 1.3 (2011)
      guidelines were analysed. In addition, period B isolates were reinterpreted
      according to the CLSI 2009, CLSI 2013 and EUCAST 3.1 (2013) guidelines. RESULTS:
      The majority of species/drug combinations showed no differences in susceptibility
      rates comparing periods A and B. However, in some gram-negative bacilli,
      decreased susceptibility rates were observed when comparing CLSI 2009 with EUCAST
      1.3 within period B: Escherichia coli / cefepime, 95.8% (CLSI 2009) vs. 93.1%
      (EUCAST 1.3), P=0.005; Enterobacter cloacae / cefepime, 97.0 (CLSI 2009) vs.
      90.5% (EUCAST 1.3), P=0.012; Pseudomonas aeruginosa / meropenem, 88.1% (CLSI
      2009) vs. 78.3% (EUCAST 1.3), P=0.002. These differences were still evident when
      comparing susceptibility rates according to the CLSI 2013 guideline with EUCAST
      3.1 guideline. For P. aeruginosa and imipenem, a trend towards a lower antibiotic
      susceptibility rate in ICUs compared to general wards turned into a significant
      difference after the change to EUCAST: 87.9% vs. 79.8%, P=0.08 (CLSI 2009) and
      86.3% vs. 76.8%, P=0.048 (EUCAST 1.3). CONCLUSIONS: The change of AST guidelines
      from CLSI to EUCAST led to a clinically relevant decrease of susceptibility rates
      in cumulative antibiograms for defined species/drug combinations, particularly in
      those with considerable differences in clinical susceptibility breakpoints
      between the two guidelines.

PMID- 24223894
TI  - C-Met as a prognostic marker in gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: c-Met has been recognized as an important therapeutic target in
      gastric cancer, but the prognostic property of the c-Met status is still unclear.
      We aimed to characterize the prognostic effect of c-Met by systematic review and
      meta-analysis. METHODS: We identified 15 studies assessing survival in gastric
      cancer by c-Met status. Effect measure of interest was hazard ratio (HR) for
      survival. Meta-regression was performed to estimate the relationship between HR
      and disease stage. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to account for
      heterogeneity. RESULTS: 15 eligible studies provided outcome data stratified by c
      Met status in 2210 patients. Meta-analysis of the HRs indicated a significantly
      poorer Os in patients with high c-Met expression (average HR=2.112, 95%CI: 1.622
      2.748). Subgroup analysis showed the prognostic effect of c-Met was identical in
      protein-level and gene-level based methodology. The same effect was also seen in
      Asian and Western ethnicity subgroup analysis. Meta-regression showed HR was not
      associated with disease stage. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with tumors that harbor high
      c-Met expression are more likely to have a worse Os, with this prognostic effect
      independent of disease stage. c-Met status should be evaluated in clinical
      prognosis.

PMID- 24223895
TI  - Zygotic Porcn paternal allele deletion in mice to model human focal dermal
      hypoplasia.
AB  - In mouse and humans, the X-chromosomal Porcupine homolog (Porcn) gene is required
      for the acylation and secretion of all 19 Wnt ligands, thus representing a
      bottleneck in the secretion of Wnt ligands. In humans, mutations in PORCN cause
      the X-linked dominant syndrome Focal Dermal Hypoplasia (FDH, OMIM#305600). This
      disorder is characterized by ecto-mesodermal dysplasias and shows a highly
      variable phenotype, potentially due to individual X chromosome inactivation
      patterns. To improve the understanding of human FDH, we have established a mouse
      model by generation of Porcn heterozygous animals carrying a zygotic deletion of
      the paternal allele. We show that heterozygous female fetuses display variable
      defects that do not significantly affect survival in the uterus, but lead to
      perinatal lethality in more than 95% of females. Rare survivors develop to
      adulthood and display variable skeletal and skin defects, representing an adult
      zygotic mouse model for human FDH. Although not frequently reported in humans, we
      also observed bronchopneumonia, rhinitis, and otitis media in these animals,
      suggesting a potential link between Porcn function and the normal development of
      ciliated cells in these tissues. 

PMID- 24223896
TI  - DNA barcode identification of freshwater snails in the family Bithyniidae from
      Thailand.
AB  - Freshwater snails in the family Bithyniidae are the first intermediate host for
      Southeast Asian liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini), the causative agent of
      opisthorchiasis. Unfortunately, the subtle morphological characters that
      differentiate species in this group are not easily discerned by non-specialists.
      This is a serious matter because the identification of bithyniid species is a
      fundamental prerequisite for better understanding of the epidemiology of this
      disease. Because DNA barcoding, the analysis of sequence diversity in the 5'
      region of the mitochondrial COI gene, has shown strong performance in other
      taxonomic groups, we decided to test its capacity to resolve 10 species/
      subspecies of bithyniids from Thailand. Our analysis of 217 specimens indicated
      that COI sequences delivered species-level identification for 9 of 10 currently
      recognized species. The mean intraspecific divergence of COI was 2.3% (range 0
      9.2 %), whereas sequence divergences between congeneric species averaged 8.7%
      (range 0-22.2 %). Although our results indicate that DNA barcoding can
      differentiate species of these medically-important snails, we also detected
      evidence for the presence of one overlooked species and one possible case of
      synonymy. 

PMID- 24223897
TI  - PAI-1 -675 4G/5G polymorphism in association with diabetes and diabetic
      complications susceptibility: a meta-analysis study.
AB  - A meta-analysis was performed to assess the association between the PAI-1 -675
      4G/5G polymorphism and susceptibility to diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic
      nephropathy (DN), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic coronary artery disease
      (CAD). A literature-based search was conducted to identify all relevant studies.
      The fixed or random effect pooled measure was calculated mainly at the allele
      level to determine heterogeneity bias among studies. Further stratified analyses
      and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Publication bias was examined by
      the modified Begg's and Egger's test. Twenty published articles with twenty-seven
      outcomes were included in the meta-analysis: 6 studies with a total of 1,333
      cases and 3,011 controls were analyzed for the PAI-1 -675 4G/5G polymorphism with
      diabetes risk, 7 studies with 1,060 cases and 1,139 controls for DN risk, 10
      studies with 1,327 cases and 1,557 controls for DR and 4 studies with 610 cases
      and 1,042 controls for diabetic CAD risk respectively. Using allelic comparison
      (4G vs. 5G), the PAI-1 -675 4G/5G polymorphism was observed to have no
      significant association with diabetes (REM OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.96, 1.20), DN (REM
      OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.98, 1.25), DR (REM OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.97, 1.22) or diabetic CAD
      risk (REM OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.81, 1.42), and similar results were obtained in the
      dominant, recessive and co-dominant models. Our meta-analyses suggest that the
      PAI-1 -675 4G/5G polymorphism might not be a risk factor for DM, DN, DR or
      diabetic CAD risk in the populations investigated. This conclusion warrants
      confirmation by further studies. 

PMID- 24223898
TI  - A novel electrocardiographic index for the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the assessment of diastolic dysfunction (DD) is an integral
      part of routine cardiologic examinations, little is known about associated
      electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. Our aim was to investigate a potential role
      of ECG indices for the recognition of patients with DD. METHODS AND RESULTS: ECG
      parameters correlating with echocardiographic findings of DD were retrospectively
      assessed in a derivation group of 172 individuals (83 controls with normal
      diastolic function, 89 patients with DD) and their diagnostic performance was
      tested in a validation group of 50 controls and 50 patients. The patient group
      with a DD Grade 1 and 2 showed longer QTc (422 +/- 24 ms and 434 +/- 32 ms vs.
      409 +/- 25ms, p<0.0005) and shorter Tend-P and Tend-Q intervals, reflecting the
      electrical and mechanical diastole (240 +/- 78 ms and 276 +/- 108 ms vs. 373 +/-
      110 ms, p<0.0001; 409 +/- 85 ms and 447 +/- 115 ms vs. 526 +/- 119 ms, p<0.0001).
      The PQ-interval was significantly longer in the patient group (169 +/- 28ms and
      171 +/- 38ms vs. 153 +/- 22ms, p<0.005). After adjusting for possible
      confounders, a novel index (Tend-P/[PQxAge]) showed a high performance for the
      recognition of DD, stayed robust in the validation group (sensitivity 82%,
      specificity 93%, positive predictive value 93%, negative predictive value 82%,
      accuracy 88%) and proved a substantial added value when combined with the indexed
      left atrial volume (LAESVI, sensitivity 90%, specificity 92%, positive predictive
      value 95%, negative predictive value 86%, accuracy 91%). CONCLUSIONS: A novel
      electrocardiographic index Tend-P/(PQxAge) demonstrates a high diagnostic
      accuracy for the diagnosis of DD and yields a substantial added value when
      combined with the LAESVI.

PMID- 24223899
TI  - Chlorine dioxide is a size-selective antimicrobial agent.
AB  - BACKGROUND / AIMS: ClO2, the so-called "ideal biocide", could also be applied as
      an antiseptic if it was understood why the solution killing microbes rapidly does
      not cause any harm to humans or to animals. Our aim was to find the source of
      that selectivity by studying its reaction-diffusion mechanism both theoretically
      and experimentally. METHODS: ClO2 permeation measurements through protein
      membranes were performed and the time delay of ClO2 transport due to reaction and
      diffusion was determined. To calculate ClO2 penetration depths and estimate
      bacterial killing times, approximate solutions of the reaction-diffusion equation
      were derived. In these calculations evaporation rates of ClO2 were also measured
      and taken into account. RESULTS: The rate law of the reaction-diffusion model
      predicts that the killing time is proportional to the square of the
      characteristic size (e.g. diameter) of a body, thus, small ones will be killed
      extremely fast. For example, the killing time for a bacterium is on the order of
      milliseconds in a 300 ppm ClO2 solution. Thus, a few minutes of contact time
      (limited by the volatility of ClO2) is quite enough to kill all bacteria, but
      short enough to keep ClO2 penetration into the living tissues of a greater
      organism safely below 0.1 mm, minimizing cytotoxic effects when applying it as an
      antiseptic. Additional properties of ClO2, advantageous for an antiseptic, are
      also discussed. Most importantly, that bacteria are not able to develop
      resistance against ClO2 as it reacts with biological thiols which play a vital
      role in all living organisms. CONCLUSION: Selectivity of ClO2 between humans and
      bacteria is based not on their different biochemistry, but on their different
      size. We hope initiating clinical applications of this promising local
      antiseptic.

PMID- 24223900
TI  - SIRT1 expression is associated with the chemotherapy response and prognosis of
      patients with advanced NSCLC.
AB  - AIM: The role of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT 1) in carcinogenesis is controversial. This
      study was to explore the association between the SIRT1 expression and the
      clinical characteristics, the responsiveness to chemotherapy and prognosis in Non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We enrolled 295 patients with inoperable
      advanced stage of NSCLC, namely, stage III (A+B) and IV NSCLC. All patients had
      received platinum-based chemotherapy after diagnosis and the chemotherapy
      response were evaluated. All patients were followed up for overall survival (OS)
      and progression free survival (PFS). In vitro, H292 cells were tranfected with
      SIRT1 small interfering RNA (siRNA). The cell biological behaviors and
      chemosensitivity to cisplatin treatment were studied. The in vivo tumorgenesis
      and metastasis assays were performed in nude mice. RESULTS: We found that the
      SIRT1 expressions were significantly associated with the tumor stage, tumor size
      and differentiation status. Patients with high SIRT 1 expressions had a
      significantly higher chance to be resistant to chemotherapy than those with low
      SIRT 1 expression. Patients with high expression of SIRT1 had significantly
      shorter OS and DFS than those with low expression. Cox analyses confirmed that
      the SIRT 1 expression was a strong predictor for a poor OS and PFS in NSCLC
      patients underwent Platinum-based chemotherapy. In vitro studies revealed that
      the reduced expression SIRT 1 by siRNA technique significantly inhibited cell
      proliferation, migration and invasion. More importantly, SIRT1 si-RNA
      significantly enhanced the chemosensitivity of H292 cells to cisplatin treatment.
      The in vivo tumorgenesis and metastasis assays showed that SIRT1 knockdown
      dramatically reduced the tumor volume and the metastatic ability in nude mice.
      CONCLUSION: Collectively, our data suggest that the SIRT1 expression may be a
      molecular marker associated with the NSLCLC clinical features, treatment
      responsiveness and prognosis of advanced NSCLC.

PMID- 24223901
TI  - Improving glyphosate oxidation activity of glycine oxidase from Bacillus cereus
      by directed evolution.
AB  - Glyphosate, a broad spectrum herbicide widely used in agriculture all over the
      world, inhibits 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase in the shikimate
      pathway, and glycine oxidase (GO) has been reported to be able to catalyze the
      oxidative deamination of various amines and cleave the C-N bond in glyphosate.
      Here, in an effort to improve the catalytic activity of the glycine oxidase that
      was cloned from a glyphosate-degrading marine strain of Bacillus cereus (BceGO),
      we used a bacteriophage T7 lysis-based method for high-throughput screening of
      oxidase activity and engineered the gene encoding BceGO by directed evolution.
      Six mutants exhibiting enhanced activity toward glyphosate were screened from two
      rounds of error-prone PCR combined with site directed mutagenesis, and the
      beneficial mutations of the six evolved variants were recombined by DNA
      shuffling. Four recombinants were generated and, when compared with the wild-type
      BceGO, the most active mutant B3S1 showed the highest activity, exhibiting a 160
      fold increase in substrate affinity, a 326-fold enhancement in catalytic
      efficiency against glyphosate, with little difference between their pH and
      temperature stabilities. The role of these mutations was explored through
      structure modeling and molecular docking, revealing that the Arg(51) mutation is
      near the active site and could be an important residue contributing to the
      stabilization of glyphosate binding, while the role of the remaining mutations is
      unclear. These results provide insight into the application of directed evolution
      in optimizing glycine oxidase function and have laid a foundation for the
      development of glyphosate-tolerant crops. 

PMID- 24223902
TI  - Predictors of response rates to a long term follow-up mail out survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Very little is known about predictors of response rates to long-term
      follow-up mail-out surveys, including whether the timing of an incentive affects
      response rates. We aimed to determine whether the timing of the incentive affects
      response rates and what baseline demographic and psychological factors predict
      response rates to a 12 year follow-up survey. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:
      Participants were 450 randomly selected people from the Penrith population,
      Australia who had previously participated in a mail-out survey 12 years earlier.
      By random allocation, 150 people received no incentive, 150 received a lottery
      ticket inducement with the follow-up survey and 150 received a lottery ticket
      inducement on the return of a completed survey. RESULTS: The overall response
      rate for the study was 63%. There were no significant differences in terms of
      response rates between the no incentive (58.8%;95%CI 49.8%,67.3%), incentive with
      survey (65.1%;95%CI 56.2%,73.3%) and promised incentive (65.3%;95%CI 56.1%,73.7%)
      groups. Independent predictors of responding to the 12 year survey were being
      older (OR=1.02, 95%CI 1.01,1.05,P=0.001) and being less neurotic as reported on
      the first survey 12 years earlier (OR=0.92, 95%CI 0.86,0.98, P=0.010).
      CONCLUSIONS: Psychological factors may play a role in determining who responds to
      long-term follow-up surveys although timing of incentives does not.

PMID- 24223903
TI  - Neuroprotection in a novel mouse model of multiple sclerosis.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated, demyelinating and neurodegenerative
      disease that currently lacks any neuroprotective treatments. Innovative
      neuroprotective trial designs are required to hasten the translational process of
      drug development. An ideal target to monitor the efficacy of strategies aimed at
      treating multiple sclerosis is the visual system, which is the most accessible
      part of the human central nervous system. A novel C57BL/6 mouse line was
      generated that expressed transgenes for a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein
      specific T cell receptor and a retinal ganglion cell restricted-Thy1 promoter
      controlled cyan fluorescent protein. This model develops spontaneous or induced
      optic neuritis, in the absence of paralytic disease normally associated with most
      rodent autoimmune models of multiple sclerosis. Demyelination and
      neurodegeneration could be monitored longitudinally in the living animal using
      electrophysiology, visual sensitivity, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and
      optical coherence tomography all of which are relevant to human trials. This
      model offers many advantages, from a 3Rs, economic and scientific perspective,
      over classical experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis models that are
      associated with substantial suffering of animals. Optic neuritis in this model
      led to inflammatory damage of axons in the optic nerve and subsequent loss of
      retinal ganglion cells in the retina. This was inhibited by the systemic
      administration of a sodium channel blocker (oxcarbazepine) or intraocular
      treatment with siRNA targeting caspase-2. These novel approaches have relevance
      to the future treatment of neurodegeneration of MS, which has so far evaded
      treatment. 

PMID- 24223904
TI  - Estimated incidence and genotypes of HIV-1 among pregnant women in central
      Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of HIV-1 infection among pregnant women from
      central-western Brazil. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: A
      total of 54,139 pregnant women received antenatal HIV screening from a network of
      public healthcare centers in 2011. The incidence of confirmed HIV-1 infection was
      estimated using the Serological Testing Algorithms for Recent HIV Seroconversion
      (STARHS) methodology and BED-capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA). The yearly
      incidence was calculated, and adjusted incidence rates were estimated. For a
      subgroup of patients, protease and partial reverse transcriptase regions were
      retrotranscribed from plasma HIV-1 RNA and sequenced after performing a nested
      polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of the participants, 20% had a pregnancy
      before the age of 18 and approximately 40% were experiencing their first
      pregnancy. Of the 54,139 pregnant women screened, 86 had a confirmed HIV-1
      diagnosis, yielding an overall prevalence of 1.59 cases per 1000 women (95% CI
      1.27-1.96). A higher prevalence was detected in the older age groups, reflecting
      cumulative exposure to the virus over time. Among the infected pregnant women,
      20% were considered recently infected according to the BED-CEIA. The estimated
      incidence of HIV infection was 0.61 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 0.33-0.89); the
      corrected incidence was 0.47 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 0.26-0.68). In a
      subgroup of patients, HIV-1 subtype C (16.7%) was the second most prevalent form
      after subtype B (66.7%); BF1 recombinants (11.1%) and one case of subtype F1
      (5.5%) were also detected. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the potential for
      deriving incidence estimates from a large antenatal screening program for HIV.
      The rate of recent HIV-1 infection among women in their early reproductive years
      is a public health warning to implement preventive measures.

PMID- 24223905
TI  - Molecular dating of HIV-1 subtype C from Bangladesh.
AB  - Bangladesh has an overall low HIV prevalence of <0.1% in the general population
      and <1% among key affected populations, but it is one of few Asian countries that
      has yet to reverse the epidemic. In order to do this, it is important to
      understand the transmission dynamics in this country. The aim of this study was
      to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of HIV-1 subtype C strains from
      Bangladesh and related strains from other countries, and thereby clarify when and
      from where subtype C was introduced in the country and how it subsequently spread
      within Bangladesh. The phylogenetic analysis included 118 Bangladeshi gag
      sequences and 128 sequences from other countries and was performed using the
      BEAST package. Our analysis revealed that the vast majority of Bangladeshi
      sequences (97/118, 82%) fall into a large regional cluster of samples from
      Bangladesh, India, China and Myanmar, which dates back to the early 1960's.
      Following its establishment in the region, this strain has entered Bangladesh
      multiple times from around 1975 and onwards, but extensive in-country
      transmission could only be detected among drug users and not through sexual
      transmission. In addition, there have been multiple (at least ten) introductions
      of subtype C to Bangladesh from outside this region, but no extensive spread
      could be detected for any of these. Since many HIV-infections remain undetected
      while asymptomatic, the true extent of the transmission of each strain remains
      unknown, especially among hard to reach groups such as clients of sex workers and
      returning migrants with families. 

PMID- 24223906
TI  - Long-range dispersal and high-latitude environments influence the population
      structure of a "stress-tolerant" dinoflagellate endosymbiont.
AB  - The migration and dispersal of stress-tolerant symbiotic dinoflagellates (genus
      Symbiodinium) may influence the response of symbiotic reef-building corals to a
      warming climate. We analyzed the genetic structure of the stress-tolerant
      endosymbiont, Symbiodinium glynni nomen nudum (ITS2 - D1), obtained from
      Pocillopora colonies that dominate eastern Pacific coral communities. Eleven
      microsatellite loci identified genotypically diverse populations with minimal
      genetic subdivision throughout the Eastern Tropical Pacific, encompassing 1000's
      of square kilometers from mainland Mexico to the Galapagos Islands. The lack of
      population differentiation over these distances corresponds with extensive
      regional host connectivity and indicates that Pocillopora larvae, which
      maternally inherit their symbionts, aid in the dispersal of this symbiont. In
      contrast to its host, however, subtropical populations of S. glynni in the Gulf
      of California (Sea of Cortez) were strongly differentiated from populations in
      tropical eastern Pacific. Selection pressures related to large seasonal
      fluctuations in temperature and irradiance likely explain this abrupt genetic
      discontinuity. We infer that S. glynni genotypes harbored by host larvae arriving
      from more southern locations are rapidly replaced by genotypes adapted to more
      temperate environments. The strong population structure of S. glynni corresponds
      with fluctuating environmental conditions and suggests that these genetically
      diverse populations have the potential to evolve rapidly to changing environments
      and reveals the importance of environmental extremes in driving microbial
      eukaryote (e.g., plankton) speciation in marine ecosystems. 

PMID- 24223907
TI  - Agonist antagonist interactions at the rapidly desensitizing P2X3 receptor.
AB  - P2X3 receptors (P2XRs), as members of the purine receptor family, are deeply
      involved in chronic pain sensation and therefore, specific, competitive
      antagonists are of great interest for perspective pain management. Heretofore,
      Schild plot analysis has been commonly used for studying the interaction of
      competitive antagonists and the corresponding receptor. Unfortunately, the steady
      state between antagonist and agonist, as a precondition for this kind of
      analysis, cannot be reached at fast desensitizing receptors like P2X3R making
      Schild plot analysis inappropriate. The aim of this study was to establish a new
      method to analyze the interaction of antagonists with their binding sites at the
      rapidly desensitizing human P2X3R. The patch-clamp technique was used to
      investigate the structurally divergent, preferential antagonists A317491, TNP-ATP
      and PPADS. The P2X1,3-selective alpha,beta-methylene ATP (alpha,beta-meATP) was
      used as an agonist to induce current responses at the wild-type (wt) P2X3R and
      several agonist binding site mutants. Afterwards a Markov model combining
      sequential transitions of the receptor from the closed to the open and
      desensitized mode in the presence or absence of associated antagonist molecules
      was developed according to the measured data. The P2X3R-induced currents could be
      fitted correctly with the help of this Markov model allowing identification of
      amino acids within the binding site which are important for antagonist binding.
      In conclusion, Markov models are suitable to simulate agonist antagonist
      interactions at fast desensitizing receptors such as the P2X3R. Among the
      antagonists investigated, TNP-ATP and A317491 acted in a competitive manner,
      while PPADS was identified as a (pseudo)irreversible blocker. 

PMID- 24223908
TI  - Kinetics of MDR transport in tumor-initiating cells.
AB  - Multidrug resistance (MDR) driven by ABC (ATP binding cassette) membrane
      transporters is one of the major causes of treatment failure in human malignancy.
      MDR capacity is thought to be unevenly distributed among tumor cells, with higher
      capacity residing in tumor-initiating cells (TIC) (though opposite finding are
      occasionally reported). Functional evidence for enhanced MDR of TICs was
      previously provided using a "side population" assay. This assay estimates MDR
      capacity by a single parameter - cell's ability to retain fluorescent MDR
      substrate, so that cells with high MDR capacity ("side population") demonstrate
      low substrate retention. In the present work MDR in TICs was investigated in
      greater detail using a kinetic approach, which monitors MDR efflux from single
      cells. Analysis of kinetic traces obtained allowed for the estimation of both the
      velocity (V max) and affinity (K M) of MDR transport in single cells. In this way
      it was shown that activation of MDR in TICs occurs in two ways: through the
      increase of V max in one fraction of cells, and through decrease of K M in
      another fraction. In addition, kinetic data showed that heterogeneity of MDR
      parameters in TICs significantly exceeds that of bulk cells. Potential
      consequences of these findings for chemotherapy are discussed. 

PMID- 24223910
TI  - Topological progression in proliferating epithelia is driven by a unique
      variation in polygon distribution.
AB  - Morphogenesis is consequence of lots of small coordinated variations that occur
      during development. In proliferating stages, tissue growth is coupled to changes
      in shape and organization. A number of studies have analyzed the topological
      properties of proliferating epithelia using the Drosophila wing disc as a model.
      These works are based in the existence of a fixed distribution of these
      epithelial cells according to their number of sides. Cell division, cell
      rearrangements or a combination of both mechanisms have been proposed to be
      responsible for this polygonal assembling. Here, we have used different system
      biology methods to compare images from two close proliferative stages that
      present high morphological similarity. This approach enables us to search for
      traces of epithelial organization. First, we show that geometrical and network
      characteristics of individual cells are mainly dependent on their number of
      sides. Second, we find a significant divergence between the distribution of
      polygons in epithelia from mid-third instar larva versus early prepupa. We show
      that this alteration propagates into changes in epithelial organization.
      Remarkably, only the variation in polygon distribution driven by morphogenesis
      leads to progression in epithelial organization. In addition, we identify the
      relevant features that characterize these rearrangements. Our results reveal
      signs of epithelial homogenization during the growing phase, before the planar
      cell polarity pathway leads to the hexagonal packing of the epithelium during
      pupal stages. 

PMID- 24223909
TI  - Cyclopia extracts act as ERalpha antagonists and ERbeta agonists, in vitro and in
      vivo.
AB  - Hormone replacement therapy associated risks, and the concomitant reluctance of
      usage, has instigated the search for new generations of estrogen analogues that
      would maintain estrogen benefits without associated risks. Furthermore, if these
      analogues display chemo-preventative properties in breast and endometrial tissues
      it would be of great value. Both the selective estrogen receptor modulators as
      well as the selective estrogen receptor subtype modulators have been proposed as
      estrogen analogues with improved risk profiles. Phytoestrogen containing extracts
      of Cyclopia, an indigenous South African fynbos plant used to prepare Honeybush
      tea may serve as a source of new estrogen analogues. In this study three
      extracts, P104, SM6Met, and cup-of-tea, from two species of Cyclopia, C.
      genistoides and C. subternata, were evaluated for ER subtype specific agonism and
      antagonism both in transactivation and transrepression. For transactivation, the
      Cyclopia extracts displayed ERalpha antagonism and ERbeta agonism when ER
      subtypes were expressed separately, however, when co-expressed only agonism was
      uniformly observed. In contrast, for transrepression, this uniform behavior was
      lost, with some extracts (P104) displaying uniform agonism, while others (SM6Met)
      displayed antagonism when subtypes were expressed separately and agonism when co
      expressed. In addition, breast cancer cell proliferation assays indicate that
      extracts antagonize cell proliferation in the presence of estrogen at lower
      concentrations than that required for proliferation. Furthermore, lack of uterine
      growth and delayed vaginal opening in an immature rat uterotrophic model
      validates the ERalpha antagonism of extracts observed in vitro and supports the
      potential of the Cyclopia extracts as a source of estrogen analogues with a
      reduced risk profile. 

PMID- 24223911
TI  - N-alkylated aminoacyl sulfamoyladenosines as potential inhibitors of
      aminoacylation reactions and microcin C analogues containing D-amino acids.
AB  - Microcin C analogues were recently envisaged as important compounds for the
      development of novel antibiotics. Two issues that may pose problems to these
      potential antibiotics are possible acquisition of resistance through acetylation
      and in vivo instability of the peptide chain. N-methylated aminoacyl
      sulfamoyladenosines were synthesized to investigate their potential as aminoacyl
      tRNA synthetase inhibitors and to establish whether these N-alkylated analogues
      would escape the natural inactivation mechanism via acetylation of the alpha
      amine. It was shown however, that these compounds are not able to effectively
      inhibit their respective aminoacyl tRNA synthetase. In addition, we showed that
      (D)-aspartyl-sulfamoyladenosine (i.e. with a (D)-configuration for the aspartyl
      moiety), is a potent inhibitor of aspartyl tRNA synthetase. However, we also
      showed that the inhibitory effect of (D)- aspartyl-sulfamoyladenosine is
      relatively short-lasting. Microcin C analogues with (D)-amino acids throughout
      from positions two to six proved inactive. They were shown to be resistant
      against metabolism by the different peptidases and therefore not able to release
      the active moiety. This observation could not be reversed by incorporation of (L)
      amino acids at position six, showing that none of the available peptidases
      exhibit endopeptidase activity. 

PMID- 24223912
TI  - Identification of new sphingomyelinases D in pathogenic fungi and other
      pathogenic organisms.
AB  - Sphingomyelinases D (SMases D) or dermonecrotic toxins are well characterized in
      Loxosceles spider venoms and have been described in some strains of pathogenic
      microorganisms, such as Corynebacterium sp. After spider bites, the SMase D
      molecules cause skin necrosis and occasional severe systemic manifestations, such
      as acute renal failure. In this paper, we identified new SMase D amino acid
      sequences from various organisms belonging to 24 distinct genera, of which, 19
      are new. These SMases D share a conserved active site and a C-terminal motif. We
      suggest that the C-terminal tail is responsible for stabilizing the entire
      internal structure of the SMase D Tim barrel and that it can be considered an
      SMase D hallmark in combination with the amino acid residues from the active
      site. Most of these enzyme sequences were discovered from fungi and the SMase D
      activity was experimentally confirmed in the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Because
      most of these novel SMases D are from organisms that are endowed with pathogenic
      properties similar to those evoked by these enzymes alone, they might be
      associated with their pathogenic mechanisms. 

PMID- 24223913
TI  - Short and long term outcome of bilateral pallidal stimulation in chorea
      acanthocytosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) is a neuroacanthocytosis syndrome
      presenting with severe movement disorders poorly responsive to drug therapy. Case
      reports suggest that bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventro-postero
      lateral internal globus pallidus (GPi) may benefit these patients. To explore
      this issue, the present multicentre (n=12) retrospective study collected the
      short and long term outcome of 15 patients who underwent DBS. METHODS: Data were
      collected in a standardized way 2-6 months preoperatively, 1-5 months (early) and
      6 months or more (late) after surgery at the last follow-up visit (mean follow
      up: 29.5 months). RESULTS: Motor severity, assessed by the Unified Huntington's
      Disease Rating Scale-Motor Score, UHDRS-MS), was significantly reduced at both
      early and late post-surgery time points (mean improvement 54.3% and 44.1%,
      respectively). Functional capacity (UHDRS-Functional Capacity Score) was also
      significantly improved at both post-surgery time points (mean 75.5% and 73.3%,
      respectively), whereas incapacity (UHDRS-Independence Score) improvement reached
      significance at early post-surgery only (mean 37.3%). Long term significant
      improvement of motor symptom severity (>= 20 % from baseline) was observed in
      61.5 % of the patients. Chorea and dystonia improved, whereas effects on
      dysarthria and swallowing were variable. Parkinsonism did not improve. Linear
      regression analysis showed that preoperative motor severity predicted motor
      improvement at both post-surgery time points. The most serious adverse event was
      device infection and cerebral abscess, and one patient died suddenly of unclear
      cause, 4 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: This study shows that bilateral DBS of
      the GPi effectively reduces the severity of drug-resistant hyperkinetic movement
      disorders such as present in ChAc.

PMID- 24223914
TI  - Proteomic identification of mitochondrial targets of arginase in human breast
      cancer.
AB  - We have previously reported arginase expression in human breast cancer cells and
      demonstrated that the inhibition of arginase by N(omega) hydroxy L-arginine
      (NOHA) in MDA-MB-468 cells induces apoptosis. However, arginase expression and
      its possible molecular targets in human breast tumor samples and potential
      clinical implications have not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrate
      arginase expression in human breast tumor samples, and several established breast
      cancer cell lines, in which NOHA treatment selectively inhibits cell
      proliferation. The over-expression of Bcl2 in MDA-MB-468 cells abolished NOHA
      induced apoptosis, suggesting that the mitochondria may be the main site of
      NOHA's action. We, therefore, undertook a proteomics approach to identify key
      mitochondrial targets of arginase in MDA-MB-468 cells. We identified 54 non
      mitochondrial and 13 mitochondrial proteins that were differentially expressed in
      control and NOHA treated groups. Mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyltransferase
      (mSHMT) was identified as one of the most promising targets of arginase. Both
      arginase II (Arg II) and mSHMT expressions were higher in human breast tumor
      tissues compared to the matched normal and there was a strong correlation between
      Arg II and mSHMT protein expression. MDA-MB-468 xenografts had significant
      upregulation of Arg II expression that preceded the induction of mSHMT
      expression. Small inhibitory RNA (siRNA)-mediated inhibition of Arg II in MDA-MB
      468 and HCC-1806 cells led to significant inhibition of both the mSHMT gene and
      protein expression. As mSHMT is a key player in folate metabolism, our data
      provides a novel link between arginine and folate metabolism in human breast
      cancer, both of which are critical for tumor cell proliferation. 

PMID- 24223915
TI  - Gamma-secretase components as predictors of breast cancer outcome.
AB  - gamma-secretase is a large ubiquitously expressed protease complex composed of
      four core subunits: presenilin, Aph1, PEN-2, and nicastrin. The function of gamma
      secretase in the cells is to proteolytically cleave various proteins within their
      transmembrane domains. Presenilin and Aph1 occur as alternative variants
      belonging to mutually exclusive gamma-secretase complexes and providing the
      complexes with heterogeneous biochemical and physiological properties. gamma
      secretase is proposed to have a role in the development and progression of cancer
      and gamma-secretase inhibitors are intensively studied for their probable anti
      tumor effects in various types of cancer models. Here, we for the first time
      determined mRNA expression levels of presenilin-1, presenilin-2, Aph1a, Aph1b,
      PEN-2, and nicastrin in a set of breast cancer tissue samples (N = 55) by
      quantitative real-time PCR in order to clarify the clinical significance of the
      expression of different gamma-secretase complex components in breast cancer. We
      found a high positive correlation between the subunit expression levels implying
      a common regulation of transcription. Our univariate Kaplan-Meier survival
      analyses established low expression level of gamma-secretase complex as a risk
      factor for breast cancer specific mortality. The tumors expressing low levels of
      gamma-secretase complex were characterized by high histopathological tumor grade,
      low or no expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and consequently high
      probability to fall into the class of triple negative breast cancer tumors. These
      results may provide novel tools to further categorize breast cancer tumors,
      especially the highly aggressive and poorly treatable breast cancer type of
      triple negative cases, and suggest a significant role for gamma-secretase in
      breast cancer. 

PMID- 24223917
TI  - Microbial environment affects innate immunity in two closely related earthworm
      species Eisenia andrei and Eisenia fetida.
AB  - Survival of earthworms in the environment depends on their ability to recognize
      and eliminate potential pathogens. This work is aimed to compare the innate
      defense mechanisms of two closely related earthworm species, Eisenia andrei and
      Eisenia fetida, that inhabit substantially different ecological niches. While E.
      andrei lives in a compost and manure, E. fetida can be found in the litter layer
      in forests. Therefore, the influence of environment-specific microbiota on the
      immune response of both species was followed. Firstly, a reliable method to
      discern between E. andrei and E. fetida based on species-specific primers for
      cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and stringent PCR conditions was developed.
      Secondly, to analyze the immunological profile in both earthworm species, the
      activity and expression of lysozyme, pattern recognition protein CCF, and
      antimicrobial proteins with hemolytic function, fetidin and lysenins, have been
      assessed. Whereas, CCF and lysozyme showed only slight differences in the
      expression and activity, fetidin/lysenins expression as well as the hemolytic
      activity was considerably higher in E. andrei as compared to E. fetida. The
      expression of fetidin/lysenins in E. fetida was not affected upon the challenge
      with compost microbiota, suggesting more substantial changes in the regulation of
      the gene expression. Genomic DNA analyses revealed significantly higher level of
      fetidin/lysenins (determined using universal primer pairs) in E. andrei compared
      to E. fetida. It can be hypothesized that E. andrei colonizing compost as a new
      habitat acquired an evolutionary selection advantage resulting in a higher
      expression of antimicrobial proteins. 

PMID- 24223918
TI  - Novel B19-like parvovirus in the brain of a harbor seal.
AB  - Using random PCR in combination with next-generation sequencing, a novel
      parvovirus was detected in the brain of a young harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) with
      chronic non-suppurative meningo-encephalitis that was rehabilitated at the Seal
      Rehabilitation and Research Centre (SRRC) in the Netherlands. In addition, two
      novel viruses belonging to the family Anelloviridae were detected in the lungs of
      this animal. Phylogenetic analysis of the coding sequence of the novel
      parvovirus, tentatively called Seal parvovirus, indicated that this virus
      belonged to the genus Erythrovirus, to which human parvovirus B19 also belongs.
      Although no other seals with similar signs were rehabilitated in SRRC in recent
      years, a prevalence study of tissues of seals from the same area collected in the
      period 2008-2012 indicated that the Seal parvovirus has circulated in the harbor
      seal population at least since 2008. The presence of the Seal parvovirus in the
      brain was confirmed by real-time PCR and in vitro replication. Using in situ
      hybridization, we showed for the first time that a parvovirus of the genus
      Erythrovirus was present in the Virchow-Robin space and in cerebral parenchyma
      adjacent to the meninges. These findings showed that a parvovirus of the genus
      Erythrovirus can be involved in central nervous system infection and
      inflammation, as has also been suspected but not proven for human parvovirus B19
      infection. 

PMID- 24223919
TI  - Determining the effects of cattle grazing treatments on Yosemite toads (Anaxyrus
      [=Bufo] canorus) in montane meadows.
AB  - Amphibians are experiencing a precipitous global decline, and population
      stability on public lands with multiple uses is a key concern for managers. In
      the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA), managers have specifically
      identified livestock grazing as an activity that may negatively affect Yosemite
      toads due to the potential overlap of grazing with toad habitat. Grazing
      exclusion from Yosemite toad breeding and rearing areas and/or entire meadows
      have been proposed as possible management actions to alleviate the possible
      impact of cattle on this species. The primary objective of this study was to
      determine if different fencing treatments affect Yosemite toad populations. We
      specifically examined the effect of three fencing treatments on Yosemite toad
      breeding pool occupancy, tadpoles, and young of the year (YOY). Our hypothesis
      was that over the course of treatment implementation (2006 through 2010),
      Yosemite toad breeding pool occupancy and early life stage densities would
      increase within two fencing treatments relative to actively grazed meadows due to
      beneficial changes to habitat quality in the absence of grazing. Our results did
      not support our hypothesis, and showed no benefit to Yosemite toad presence or
      early life stages in fenced or partially fenced meadows compared to standard USDA
      Forest Service grazing levels. We found substantial Yosemite toad variation by
      both meadow and year. This variation was influenced by meadow wetness, with water
      table depth significant in both the tadpole and YOY models. 

PMID- 24223920
TI  - Nicotine attenuates activation of tissue resident macrophages in the mouse
      stomach through the beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is an endogenous mechanism
      by which the autonomic nervous system attenuates macrophage activation via
      nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). This concept has however not been
      demonstrated at a cellular level in intact tissue. To this end, we have studied
      the effect of nicotine on the activation of resident macrophages in a mouse
      stomach preparation by means of calcium imaging. METHODS: Calcium transients
      ([Ca(2+)]i) in resident macrophages were recorded in a mouse stomach preparation
      containing myenteric plexus and muscle layers by Fluo-4. Activation of
      macrophages was achieved by focal puff administration of ATP. The effects of
      nicotine on activation of macrophages were evaluated and the nAChR involved was
      pharmacologically characterized. The proximity of cholinergic nerves to
      macrophages was quantified by confocal microscopy. Expression of beta2 and alpha7
      nAChR was evaluated by beta2 immunohistochemistry and fluorophore-tagged alpha
      bungarotoxin. RESULTS: In 83% of macrophages cholinergic varicose nerve fibers
      were detected at distances <900 nm. The ATP induced [Ca(2+)]i increase was
      significantly inhibited in 65% or 55% of macrophages by 100 uM or 10 uM nicotine,
      respectively. This inhibitory effect was reversed by the beta2 nAChR preferring
      antagonist dihydro-beta-eryhtroidine but not by hexamethonium (non-selective
      nAChR-antagonist), mecamylamine (alpha3beta4 nAChR-preferring antagonist), alpha
      bungarotoxin or methyllycaconitine (both alpha7 nAChR-preferring antagonist).
      Macrophages in the stomach express beta2 but not alpha7 nAChR at protein level,
      while those in the intestine express both receptor subunits. CONCLUSION: This
      study is the first in situ demonstration of an inhibition of macrophage
      activation by nicotine suggesting functional signaling between cholinergic
      neurons and macrophages in the stomach. The data suggest that the beta2 subunit
      of the nAChR is critically involved in the nicotine-induced inhibition of these
      resident macrophages.

PMID- 24223922
TI  - Practical role of mutation analysis for imatinib treatment in patients with
      advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Imatinib has become the standard first line treatment of
      gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in the advanced phase and adjuvant
      setting. We carried out an up-to-date meta-analysis to determine the practical
      role of mutation analysis for imatinib treatment in patients with advanced GIST.
      METHODS: Eligible studies were limited to imatinib treatment for patients with
      advanced GIST and reported on mutation analysis. Statistical analyses were
      conducted to calculate the odds ratio (OR), hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence
      interval (CI) using fixed-effects and random-effects models. RESULTS: A total of
      2834 patients from 3 randomized controlled trials and 12 cohort studies were
      included. The ORs of response rates in KIT exon 11-mutant GISTs were 3.504 (95%
      CI 2.549-4.816, p<0.001) and 3.521 (95% CI 1.731-7.165, p=0.001) compared with
      KIT exon 9-mutant and wild type GISTs, respectively. The HRs of progression-free
      survival in KIT exon 11-mutant GISTs were 0.365 (95% CI 0.301-0.444, p<0.001) and
      0.375 (95% CI 0.270-0.519, p<0.001) compared with KIT exon 9-mutant and wild type
      GISTs. The HRs of overall survival in KIT exon 11-mutant GISTs were 0.388 (95% CI
      0.293-0.515, p<0.001) and 0.400 (95% CI 0.297-0.538, p<0.001) compared with KIT
      exon 9-mutant and wild type GISTs. No statistical significant differences were
      found between KIT exon 9-mutant and wild type. The overall response rate in KIT
      exon 11-mutant GISTs were 70.5% (65%-75.9%) compared with 57.1% (51%-63.2%) in
      KIT-positive GISTs. No evidence of publication bias was observed. CONCLUSION:
      Patients with advanced GIST harboring a KIT exon 11 mutation have the best
      response rate and long-term survival with imatinib treatment. Mutation analysis
      would be more helpful than KIT expression analysis to decide appropriate therapy
      for a specific patient.

PMID- 24223921
TI  - Relating inter-individual differences in verbal creative thinking to cerebral
      structures: an optimal voxel-based morphometry study.
AB  - Creativity can be defined the capacity of an individual to produce something
      original and useful. An important measurable component of creativity is divergent
      thinking. Despite existing studies on creativity-related cerebral structural
      basis, no study has used a large sample to investigate the relationship between
      individual verbal creativity and regional gray matter volumes (GMVs) and white
      matter volumes (WMVs). In the present work, optimal voxel-based morphometry (VBM)
      was employed to identify the structure that correlates verbal creativity
      (measured by the verbal form of Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking) across the
      brain in young healthy subjects. Verbal creativity was found to be significantly
      positively correlated with regional GMV in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG),
      which is believed to be responsible for language production and comprehension,
      new semantic representation, and memory retrieval, and in the right IFG, which
      may involve inhibitory control and attention switching. A relationship between
      verbal creativity and regional WMV in the left and right IFG was also observed.
      Overall, a highly verbal creative individual with superior verbal skills may
      demonstrate a greater computational efficiency in the brain areas involved in
      high-level cognitive processes including language production, semantic
      representation and cognitive control. 

PMID- 24223916
TI  - Comparison of mutation patterns in full-genome A/H3N2 influenza sequences
      obtained directly from clinical samples and the same samples after a single MDCK
      passage.
AB  - Human influenza viruses can be isolated efficiently from clinical samples using
      Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. However, this process is known to induce
      mutations in the virus as it adapts to this non-human cell-line. We performed a
      systematic study to record the pattern of MDCK-induced mutations observed across
      the whole influenza A/H3N2 genome. Seventy-seven clinical samples collected from
      2009-2011 were included in the study. Two full influenza genomes were obtained
      for each sample: one from virus obtained directly from the clinical sample and
      one from the matching isolate cultured in MDCK cells. Comparison of the full
      genome sequences obtained from each of these sources showed that 42% of the 77
      isolates had acquired at least one MDCK-induced mutation. The presence or absence
      of these mutations was independent of viral load or sample origin (in-patients
      versus out-patients). Notably, all the five hemagglutinin missense mutations were
      observed at the hemaggutinin 1 domain only, particularly within or proximal to
      the receptor binding sites and antigenic site of the virus. Furthermore, 23% of
      the 77 isolates had undergone a MDCK-induced missense mutation, D151G/N, in the
      neuraminidase segment. This mutation has been found to be associated with reduced
      drug sensitivity towards the neuraminidase inhibitors and increased viral
      receptor binding efficiency to host cells. In contrast, none of the neuraminidase
      sequences obtained directly from the clinical samples contained the D151G/N
      mutation, suggesting that this mutation may be an indicator of MDCK culture
      induced changes. These D151 mutations can confound the interpretation of the
      hemagglutination inhibition assay and neuraminidase inhibitor resistance results
      when these are based on MDCK isolates. Such isolates are currently in routine use
      in the WHO influenza vaccine and drug-resistance surveillance programs. Potential
      data interpretation miscalls can therefore be avoided by careful exclusion of
      such D151 mutants after further sequence analysis. 

PMID- 24223923
TI  - Viral IRES prediction system - a web server for prediction of the IRES secondary
      structure in silico.
AB  - The internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) functions as cap-independent translation
      initiation sites in eukaryotic cells. IRES elements have been applied as useful
      tools for bi-cistronic expression vectors. Current RNA structure prediction
      programs are unable to predict precisely the potential IRES element. We have
      designed a viral IRES prediction system (VIPS) to perform the IRES secondary
      structure prediction. In order to obtain better results for the IRES prediction,
      the VIPS can evaluate and predict for all four different groups of IRESs with a
      higher accuracy. RNA secondary structure prediction, comparison, and pseudoknot
      prediction programs were implemented to form the three-stage procedure for the
      VIPS. The backbone of VIPS includes: the RNAL fold program, aimed to predict
      local RNA secondary structures by minimum free energy method; the RNA Align
      program, intended to compare predicted structures; and pknotsRG program, used to
      calculate the pseudoknot structure. VIPS was evaluated by using UTR database,
      IRES database and Virus database, and the accuracy rate of VIPS was assessed as
      98.53%, 90.80%, 82.36% and 80.41% for IRES groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
      This advance useful search approach for IRES structures will facilitate IRES
      related studies. The VIPS on-line website service is available at
      http://140.135.61.250/vips/. 

PMID- 24223924
TI  - Bonobos protect and console friends and kin.
AB  - Post-conflict third-party affiliation has been reported to have different
      functional meanings, one of them being consolation. Here, we tested the main
      hypotheses that have been put forth to explain the presence of this phenomenon at
      a functional level in the bonobo: Self-Protection Hypothesis, Victim-Protection
      Hypothesis, Relationship-Repair or Substitute for Reconciliation Hypothesis, and
      Consolation Hypothesis. By analyzing the data collected over 10 years, we
      investigated what factors affected the distribution of both spontaneous third
      party affiliation (initiated by the bystander) and solicited third party
      affiliation (initiated by the victim). We considered factors related to the
      individual features (sex, rank, age) of victim and bystander, their relationship
      quality (kinship, affiliation), and the effect that third party affiliation had
      on the victim (such as protection against further attacks and anxiety reduction).
      Both spontaneous and solicited third party affiliation reduced the probability of
      further aggression by group members on the victim (Victim-Protection Hypothesis
      supported). Yet, only spontaneous affiliation reduced victim anxiety (measured
      via self-scratching), thus suggesting that the spontaneous gesture--more than the
      protection itself--works in calming the distressed subject. The victim may
      perceive the motivational autonomy of the bystander, who does not require an
      invitation to provide post-conflict affiliative contact. Moreover, spontaneous-
      but not solicited--third party affiliation was affected by the bond between
      consoler and victim, being the relationship between consoler and aggressor
      irrelevant to the phenomenon distribution (Consolation Hypothesis supported).
      Spontaneous affiliation followed the empathic gradient described for humans,
      being mostly offered to kin, then friends, then acquaintances. Overall, our
      findings do not only indicate the consolatory function of spontaneous third-party
      affiliation but they also suggest that consolation in the bonobo may be an
      empathy-based phenomenon.

PMID- 24223925
TI  - A multilocus phylogeny of the world Sycoecinae fig wasps (Chalcidoidea:
      Pteromalidae).
AB  - The Sycoecinae is one of five chalcid subfamilies of fig wasps that are mostly
      dependent on Ficus inflorescences for reproduction. Here, we analysed two
      mitochondrial (COI, Cytb) and four nuclear genes (ITS2, EF-1alpha, RpL27a, mago
      nashi) from a worldwide sample of 56 sycoecine species. Various alignment and
      partitioning strategies were used to test the stability of major clades. All
      topologies estimated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods were similar
      and well resolved but did not support the existing classification. A high degree
      of morphological convergence was highlighted and several species appeared best
      described as species complexes. We therefore proposed a new classification for
      the subfamily. Our analyses revealed several cases of probable speciation on the
      same host trees (up to 8 closely related species on one single tree of F.
      sumatrana), which raises the question of how resource partitioning occurs to
      avoid competitive exclusion. Comparisons of our results with fig phylogenies
      showed that, despite sycoecines being internally ovipositing wasps host-switches
      are common incidents in their evolutionary history. Finally, by studying the
      evolutionary properties of the markers we used and profiling their phylogenetic
      informativeness, we predicted their utility for resolving phylogenetic
      relationships of Chalcidoidea at various taxonomic levels. 

PMID- 24223926
TI  - An integrated model of the transcriptome of HER2-positive breast cancer.
AB  - Our goal in these analyses was to use genomic features from a test set of primary
      breast tumors to build an integrated transcriptome landscape model that makes
      relevant hypothetical predictions about the biological and/or clinical behavior
      of HER2-positive breast cancer. We interrogated RNA-Seq data from benign breast
      lesions, ER+, triple negative, and HER2-positive tumors to identify 685
      differentially expressed genes, 102 alternatively spliced genes, and 303 genes
      that expressed single nucleotide sequence variants (eSNVs) that were associated
      with the HER2-positive tumors in our survey panel. These features were integrated
      into a transcriptome landscape model that identified 12 highly interconnected
      genomic modules, each of which represents a cellular processes pathway that
      appears to define the genomic architecture of the HER2-positive tumors in our
      test set. The generality of the model was confirmed by the observation that
      several key pathways were enriched in HER2-positive TCGA breast tumors. The
      ability of this model to make relevant predictions about the biology of breast
      cancer cells was established by the observation that integrin signaling was
      linked to lapatinib sensitivity in vitro and strongly associated with risk of
      relapse in the NCCTG N9831 adjuvant trastuzumab clinical trial dataset.
      Additional modules from the HER2 transcriptome model, including ubiquitin
      mediated proteolysis, TGF-beta signaling, RHO-family GTPase signaling, and M
      phase progression, were linked to response to lapatinib and paclitaxel in vitro
      and/or risk of relapse in the N9831 dataset. These data indicate that an
      integrated transcriptome landscape model derived from a test set of HER2-positive
      breast tumors has potential for predicting outcome and for identifying novel
      potential therapeutic strategies for this breast cancer subtype. 

PMID- 24223927
TI  - NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine impairs feature integration in visual
      perception.
AB  - Recurrent interactions between neurons in the visual cortex are crucial for the
      integration of image elements into coherent objects, such as in figure-ground
      segregation of textured images. Blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in
      monkeys can abolish neural signals related to figure-ground segregation and
      feature integration. However, it is unknown whether this also affects perceptual
      integration itself. Therefore, we tested whether ketamine, a non-competitive NMDA
      receptor antagonist, reduces feature integration in humans. We administered a
      subanesthetic dose of ketamine to healthy subjects who performed a texture
      discrimination task in a placebo-controlled double blind within-subject design.
      We found that ketamine significantly impaired performance on the texture
      discrimination task compared to the placebo condition, while performance on a
      control fixation task was much less impaired. This effect is not merely due to
      task difficulty or a difference in sedation levels. We are the first to show a
      behavioral effect on feature integration by manipulating the NMDA receptor in
      humans. 

PMID- 24223928
TI  - Synergistic interactions between cytokines and AVP at the blood-CSF barrier
      result in increased chemokine production and augmented influx of leukocytes after
      brain injury.
AB  - Several lines of evidence indicate that the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier
      (BCSFB), which primarily resides in the choroid plexus (CP), plays a significant
      pathophysiological role not only in neuroinflammatory diseases, such as multiple
      sclerosis, but also in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Here we investigated how
      arginine vasopressin (AVP) regulates function of the BCSFB in the context of post
      traumatic neuroinflammation. It has previously been shown that AVP exacerbates
      various forms of brain injury, but the mechanisms underlying this AVP action are
      poorly understood. Type 1A AVP receptor is highly expressed on the CP epithelium
      and the CP synthesizes AVP. Using the controlled cortical impact model of TBI, we
      demonstrated decreased post-traumatic production of proinflammatory mediators by
      the CP and reduced influx of inflammatory cells across the BCSFB in AVP-deficient
      Brattleboro rats when compared with Long-Evans rats, a parental strain for
      Brattleboro rats. Arginine vasopressin was also found to play an important role
      in post-traumatic activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the CP. In the
      CP epithelial cell cultures, AVP augmented the tumor necrosis factor-alpha- and
      interleukin-1beta-dependent increase in synthesis of proinflammatory mediators,
      including neutrophil chemoattractants, an action largely dependent on the JNK
      signaling pathway. Under in vivo conditions, a selective JNK inhibitor decreased
      the post-traumatic production of neutrophil chemoattractants by the CP and
      reduced the influx of neutrophils across the BCSFB. These results provide
      evidence for the synergistic interactions between proinflammatory cytokines and
      AVP, a ligand for G protein-coupled receptors, and support a pathophysiological
      role of AVP in post-traumatic neuroinflammation. 

PMID- 24223929
TI  - Roscovitine-induced apoptosis in neutrophils and neutrophil progenitors is
      regulated by the Bcl-2-family members Bim, Puma, Noxa and Mcl-1.
AB  - Neutrophil granulocyte (neutrophil) apoptosis plays a key role in determining
      inflammation in infectious and non-infectious settings. Recent work has shown
      that inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk) such as roscovitine can
      potently induce neutrophil apoptosis and reduce inflammation. Using a conditional
      Hoxb8-expression system we tested the participation of Bcl-2-family proteins to
      roscovitine-induced apoptosis in mouse neutrophils and in neutrophil progenitor
      cells. Bcl-2 strongly protected against roscovitine-induced apoptosis in
      neutrophils. The isolated loss of either Bim or noxa provided significant,
      partial protection while protection through combined loss of Bim and noxa or Bim
      and Puma was only slightly greater than this individual loss. The only
      substantial change in protein levels observed was the loss of Mcl-1, which was
      not transcriptional and was inhibited by proteasome blockade. In progenitor cells
      there was no protection by the loss of Bim alone but substantial protection by
      the loss of both Bim and Puma; surprisingly, strongest protection was seen by the
      isolated loss of noxa. The pattern of protein expression and Mcl-1-regulation in
      progenitor cells was very similar to the one observed in differentiated
      neutrophils. In addition, roscovitine strongly inhibited proliferation in
      progenitor cells, associated with an accumulation of cells in G2/M-phase. 

PMID- 24223930
TI  - Role of FAAH-like anandamide transporter in anandamide inactivation.
AB  - The endocannabinoid system modulates numerous physiological processes including
      nociception and reproduction. Anandamide (AEA) is an endocannabinoid that is
      inactivated by cellular uptake followed by intracellular hydrolysis by fatty acid
      amide hydrolase (FAAH). Recently, FAAH-like anandamide transporter (FLAT), a
      truncated and catalytically-inactive variant of FAAH, was proposed to function as
      an intracellular AEA carrier and mediate its delivery to FAAH for hydrolysis.
      Pharmacological inhibition of FLAT potentiated AEA signaling and produced
      antinociceptive effects. Given that endocannabinoids produce analgesia through
      central and peripheral mechanisms, the goal of the current work was to examine
      the expression of FLAT in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In contrast
      to the original report characterizing FLAT, expression of FLAT was not observed
      in any of the tissues examined. To investigate the role of FLAT as a putative AEA
      binding protein, FLAT was generated from FAAH using polymerase chain reaction and
      further analyzed. Despite its low cellular expression, FLAT displayed residual
      catalytic activity that was sensitive to FAAH inhibitors and abolished following
      mutation of its catalytic serine. Overexpression of FLAT potentiated AEA cellular
      uptake and this appeared to be dependent upon its catalytic activity.
      Immunofluorescence revealed that FLAT localizes primarily to intracellular
      membranes and does not contact the plasma membrane, suggesting that its
      capability to potentiate AEA uptake may stem from its enzymatic rather than
      transport activity. Collectively, our data demonstrate that FLAT does not serve
      as a global intracellular AEA carrier, although a role in mediating localized AEA
      inactivation in mammalian tissues cannot be ruled out. 

PMID- 24223931
TI  - Identification of a Wee1-like kinase gene essential for procyclic Trypanosoma
      brucei survival.
AB  - Regulation of eukaryotic cell cycle progression requires sequential activation
      and inactivation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Activation of the cyclin B
      cdc2 kinase complex is a pivotal step in mitotic initiation and the tyrosine
      kinase Wee1 is a key regulator of cell cycle sequence during G2/M transition and
      inhibits mitotic entry by phosphorylating the inhibitory tyrosine 15 on the cdc2
      M-phase-inducing kinase. Wee1 degradation is essential for the exit from the G2
      phase. In trypanosomatids, little is known about the genes that regulate cyclin B
      cdc2 complexes at the G2/M transition of their cell cycle. Although canonical
      tyrosine kinases are absent in the genome of trypanosomatids, phosphorylation on
      protein tyrosine residues has been reported in Trypanosoma brucei. Here, we
      characterized a Wee1-like protein kinase gene from T. brucei. Expression of
      TbWee1 in a Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain null for Wee1 inhibited cell
      division and caused cell elongation. This demonstrates the lengthening of G2,
      which provided cells with extra time to grow before dividing. The Wee1-like
      protein kinase was expressed in the procyclic and bloodstream proliferative
      slender forms of T. brucei and the role of Wee1 in cell cycle progression was
      analyzed by generating RNA interference cell lines. In the procyclic form of T.
      brucei, the knock-down of TbWee1 expression by RNAi led to inhibition of parasite
      growth. Abnormal phenotypes showing an increase in the percentage of cells with
      1N0K, 0N1K and 2N1K were observed in these RNAi cell lines. Using parasites with
      a synchronized cell cycle, we demonstrated that TbWee1 is linked to the G2/M
      phase. We also showed that TbWee1 is an essential gene necessary for proper cell
      cycle progression and parasite growth in T. brucei. Our results provide evidence
      for the existence of a functional Wee1 in T. brucei with a potential role in cell
      division at G2/M. 

PMID- 24223932
TI  - Conformational analysis of isolated domains of Helicobacter pylori CagA.
AB  - The CagA protein of Helicobacter pylori is associated with increased virulence
      and gastric cancer risk. CagA is translocated into the host cell by a H. pylori
      type IV secretion system via mechanisms that are poorly understood. Translocated
      CagA interacts with numerous host factors, altering a variety of host signalling
      pathways. The recently determined crystal structure of C-terminally-truncated
      CagA indicated the presence of two domains: the smaller, flexible N-terminal
      domain and the larger, middle domain. In this study, we have investigated the
      conformation, oligomeric state and stability of the N-terminal, middle and
      glutamate-proline-isoleucine-tyrosine-alanine (EPIYA)-repeats domains. All three
      domains are monomeric, suggesting that the multimerisation of CagA observed in
      infected cells is likely to be mediated not by CagA itself but by its interacting
      partners. The middle and the C-terminal domains, but not the N-terminal domain,
      are capable of refolding spontaneously upon heat denaturation, lending support to
      the hypothesis that unfolded CagA is threaded C-terminus first through the type
      IV secretion channel with its N-terminal domain, which likely requires
      interactions with other domains to refold, being threaded last. Our findings also
      revealed that the C-terminal EPIYA-repeats domain of CagA exists in an
      intrinsically disordered premolten globule state with regions in PPII
      conformation--a feature that is shared by many scaffold proteins that bind
      multiple protein components of signalling pathways. Taken together, these results
      provide a deeper understanding of the physicochemical properties of CagA that
      underpin its complex cellular and oncogenic functions.

PMID- 24223933
TI  - Circulating CD4+CD161+ T lymphocytes are increased in seropositive arthralgia
      patients but decreased in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Improved understanding of the immune events discriminating between seropositive
      arthralgia and clinical synovitis is of key importance in rheumatology research.
      Ample evidence suggests a role for Th17 cells in rheumatoid arthritis. We
      hypothesized that CD4+CD161+ cells representing Th17 lineage cells may be
      modulated prior to or after development of clinical synovitis. Therefore, in a
      cross-sectional study, we investigated the occurrence of CD4+CD161+ T-cells in
      seropositive arthralgia patients who are at risk for developing rheumatoid
      arthritis and in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients. In a prospective
      study, we evaluated the effect of methotrexate treatment on circulating
      CD4+CD161+ T-cells. Next, we assessed if these cells can be detected at the level
      of the RA joints. Precursor Th17 lineage cells bearing CD161 were found to be
      increased in seropositive arthralgia patients. In contrast, circulating
      CD4+CD161+T-cells were decreased in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis
      patients. The decrease in CD4+CD161+ T-cells correlated inversely with C-reactive
      protein and with the 66 swollen joint count. Methotrexate treatment led to
      normalization of CD4+CD161+ T-cells and reduced disease activity. CD4+CD161+ T
      cells were readily detected in synovial tissues from both early and late-stage
      rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, synovial fluid from late-stage disease was
      found to be enriched for CD4+CD161+ T-cells. Notably, synovial fluid accumulated
      CD4+CD161+T-cells showed skewing towards the Th1 phenotype as evidenced by
      increased interferon-gamma expression. The changes in peripheral numbers of
      CD4+CD161+ T-cells in seropositive arthralgia and early rheumatoid arthritis and
      the enrichment of these cells at the level of the joint predict a role for
      CD4+CD161+ T-cells in the early immune events leading to clinical synovitis. Our
      findings may add to the development of RA prediction models and provide
      opportunities for early intervention. 

PMID- 24223934
TI  - An anthelmintic drug, pyrvinium pamoate, thwarts fibrosis and ameliorates
      myocardial contractile dysfunction in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.
AB  - Metabolic adaptation to limited supplies of oxygen and nutrients plays a pivotal
      role in health and disease. Heart attack results from insufficient delivery of
      oxygen and nutrients to the heart, where cardiomyocytes die and cardiac
      fibroblasts proliferate--the latter causing scar formation, which impedes
      regeneration and impairs contractility of the heart. We postulated that cardiac
      fibroblasts survive metabolic stress by adapting their intracellular metabolism
      to low oxygen and nutrients, and impeding this metabolic adaptation would thwart
      their survival and facilitate the repair of scarred heart. Herein, we show that
      an anthelmintic drug, Pyrvinium pamoate, which has been previously shown to
      compromise cancer cell survival under glucose starvation condition, also disables
      cardiac fibroblast survival specifically under glucose deficient condition.
      Furthermore, Pyrvinium pamoate reduces scar formation and improves cardiac
      contractility in a mouse model of myocardial infarction. As Pyrvinium pamoate is
      an FDA-approved drug, our results suggest a therapeutic use of this or other
      related drugs to repair scarred heart and possibly other organs.

PMID- 24223935
TI  - Risk factors and indices of osteomyelitis of the jaw in osteoporosis patients:
      results from a hospital-based cohort study in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported osteomyelitis of the jaw (OMJ) as a
      side effect of bisphosphonates (BPs), and the risk of oral BPs has been recently
      clarified. However, other systemic risk factors of OMJ remain unclear.
      Importantly, the possibility of risk classification based on the clinical
      characteristics of patients has not been explored. Here, we clarified risk
      factors of OMJ and evaluate the predictive accuracy of risk indices in
      osteoporosis patients. METHODS: We performed sub-analysis using a database
      developed for a retrospective cohort study in patients taking medications for
      osteoporosis at Kyoto University Hospital. Risk indices for OMJ were constructed
      using logistic regression analysis, and odds ratios (OR) for OMJ cases and 95%
      confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Potential risk factors included in the
      statistical analysis were age; sex; diabetes; use of oral BPs, corticosteroids,
      cancer chemotherapy, antirheumatic drugs, and biologic agents; and their
      interactions. Risk indices were calculated by the sum of potential risk factors
      of an individual patient multiplied by the regression coefficients. The
      discriminatory power of the risk indices was assessed by receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: In analysis of all patients, oral BPs
      (OR: 4.98, 95% CIs: 1.94-12.75), age (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06-1.60) and sex
      chemotherapy interaction (OR: 11.70, 95% CI: 1.46-93.64) were significant risk
      factors of OMJ. Areas under the ROC curves of these risk indices provided
      moderate sensitivity or specificity regardless of group (0.683 to 0.718).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that oral BP use, age, and sex-chemotherapy are
      predictors of OMJ in osteoporosis patients. The risk indices are moderately high,
      and allow the prediction of OMJ incidence.

PMID- 24223936
TI  - Visual exploratory search of relationship graphs on smartphones.
AB  - This paper presents a novel framework for Visual Exploratory Search of
      Relationship Graphs on Smartphones (VESRGS) that is composed of three major
      components: inference and representation of semantic relationship graphs on the
      Web via meta-search, visual exploratory search of relationship graphs through
      both querying and browsing strategies, and human-computer interactions via the
      multi-touch interface and mobile Internet on smartphones. In comparison with
      traditional lookup search methodologies, the proposed VESRGS system is
      characterized with the following perceived advantages. 1) It infers rich semantic
      relationships between the querying keywords and other related concepts from large
      scale meta-search results from Google, Yahoo! and Bing search engines, and
      represents semantic relationships via graphs; 2) the exploratory search approach
      empowers users to naturally and effectively explore, adventure and discover
      knowledge in a rich information world of interlinked relationship graphs in a
      personalized fashion; 3) it effectively takes the advantages of smartphones' user
      friendly interfaces and ubiquitous Internet connection and portability. Our
      extensive experimental results have demonstrated that the VESRGS framework can
      significantly improve the users' capability of seeking the most relevant
      relationship information to their own specific needs. We envision that the VESRGS
      framework can be a starting point for future exploration of novel, effective
      search strategies in the mobile Internet era.

PMID- 24223937
TI  - Serotonin receptor B may lock the gate of PTTH release/synthesis in the Chinese
      silk moth, Antheraea pernyi; a diapause initiation/maintenance mechanism?
AB  - The release of prothoracicotropic hormone, PTTH, or its blockade is the major
      endocrine switch regulating the developmental channel either to metamorphosis or
      to pupal diapause in the Chinese silk moth, Antheraea pernyi. We have cloned
      cDNAs encoding two types of serotonin receptors (5HTRA and B). 5HTRA-, and 5HTRB
      like immunohistochemical reactivities (-ir) were colocalized with PTTH-ir in two
      pairs of neurosecretory cells at the dorsolateral region of the protocerebrum
      (DL). Therefore, the causal involvement of these receptors was suspected in PTTH
      release/synthesis. The level of mRNA(5HTRB) responded to 10 cycles of long-day
      activation, falling to 40% of the original level before activation, while that of
      5HTRA was not affected by long-day activation. Under LD 16:8 and 12:12, the
      injection of dsRNA(5HTRB) resulted in early diapause termination, whereas that of
      dsRNA(5HTRA) did not affect the rate of diapause termination. The injection of
      dsRNA(5HTRB) induced PTTH accumulation, indicating that 5HTRB binding suppresses
      PTTH synthesis also. This conclusion was supported pharmacologically; the
      injection of luzindole, a melatonin receptor antagonist, plus 5th inhibited
      photoperiodic activation under LD 16:8, while that of 5,7-DHT, induced emergence
      in a dose dependent fashion under LD 12:12. The results suggest that 5HTRB may
      lock the PTTH release/synthesis, maintaining diapause. This could also work as
      diapause induction mechanism. 

PMID- 24223938
TI  - Temporal intra-individual variation of immunological biomarkers in type 1
      diabetes patients: implications for future use in cross-sectional assessment.
AB  - Multiple immune parameters such as frequencies of autoreactive CD4(+), CD8(+) T
      cells and CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T-cells have been explored as biomarkers in human
      T1D. However, intra-individual temporal variation of these parameters has not
      been assessed systematically over time. We determined the variation in each of
      these parameters in a cohort of T1D and healthy donors (HDs), at monthly
      intervals for one year. Despite low intra- and inter-assay co-efficient of
      variation (CV), mean CVs for each of the immune parameters were 119.1% for CD4(+)
      T-cell-derived IFN-gamma, 50.44% for autoreactive CD8(+) T-cells, and 31.24% for
      CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T-cells. Further, both HDs and T1D donors had similar CVs.
      The variation neither correlated with BMI, age, disease duration or insulin
      usage, nor were there detectable cyclical patterns of variation. However,
      averaging results from multiple visits for an individual provided a better
      estimate of the CV between visits. Based on our data we predict that by averaging
      values from three visits a treatment effect on these parameters with a 50% effect
      size could be detected with the same power using 1.8-4-fold fewer patients within
      a trial compared to using values from a single visit. Thus, our present data
      contribute to a more robust, accurate endpoint design for future clinical trials
      in T1D and aid in the identification of truly efficacious therapies. 

PMID- 24223939
TI  - The novel fusion proteins, GnRH-p53 and GnRHIII-p53, expression and their anti
      tumor effect.
AB  - p53, one of the most well studied tumor suppressor factor, is responsible to a
      variety of damage owing to the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in
      the tumor cells. More than 50% of human tumors contain mutation or deletion of
      p53. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), as the ligand of Gonadotrophin
      releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R), was used to deliver p53 into tumor cells.
      The p53 fusion proteins GnRH-p53 and GnRH iii-p53 were expressed and their
      targeted anti-tumor effects were determined. GnRH mediates its fusion proteins
      transformation into cancer cells. The intracellular delivery of p53 fusion
      proteins exerted the inhibition of the growth of H1299 cells in vitro and the
      reduction of tumor volume in vivo. Their anti-tumor effect was functioned by the
      apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by p53. Hence, the fusion protein could
      be a novel protein drug for anti-tumor therapy. 

PMID- 24223940
TI  - Axonal regeneration after sciatic nerve lesion is delayed but complete in GFAP-
      and vimentin-deficient mice.
AB  - Peripheral axotomy of motoneurons triggers Wallerian degeneration of injured
      axons distal to the lesion, followed by axon regeneration. Centrally, axotomy
      induces loss of synapses (synaptic stripping) from the surface of lesioned
      motoneurons in the spinal cord. At the lesion site, reactive Schwann cells
      provide trophic support and guidance for outgrowing axons. The mechanisms of
      synaptic stripping remain elusive, but reactive astrocytes and microglia appear
      to be important in this process. We studied axonal regeneration and synaptic
      stripping of motoneurons after a sciatic nerve lesion in mice lacking the
      intermediate filament (nanofilament) proteins glial fibrillary acidic protein
      (GFAP) and vimentin, which are upregulated in reactive astrocytes and Schwann
      cells. Seven days after sciatic nerve transection, ultrastructural analysis of
      synaptic density on the somata of injured motoneurons revealed more remaining
      boutons covering injured somata in GFAP(-/-)Vim(-/-) mice. After sciatic nerve
      crush in GFAP(-/-)Vim(-/-) mice, the fraction of reinnervated motor endplates on
      muscle fibers of the gastrocnemius muscle was reduced 13 days after the injury,
      and axonal regeneration and functional recovery were delayed but complete. Thus,
      the absence of GFAP and vimentin in glial cells does not seem to affect the
      outcome after peripheral motoneuron injury but may have an important effect on
      the response dynamics. 

PMID- 24223941
TI  - Neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on high glucose-induced neurotoxicity
      in primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons.
AB  - Ginsenoside Rb1 is one of the main active principles in traditional herb ginseng
      and has been reported to have a wide variety of neuroprotective effects.
      Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in neurodegenerative
      diseases, so the present study aimed to observe the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on
      ER stress signaling pathways in high glucose-treated hippocampal neurons. The
      results from MTT, TUNEL labeling and Annexin V-FITC/PI/Hoechst assays showed that
      incubating neurons with 50 mM high glucose for 72 h decreased cell viability and
      increased the number of apoptotic cells whereas treating neurons with 1 MUM Rb1
      for 72 h protected the neurons against high glucose-induced cell damage. Further
      molecular mechanism study demonstrated that Rb1 suppressed the activation of ER
      stress-associated proteins including protein kinase RNA (PKR)-like ER kinase
      (PERK) and C/EBP homology protein (CHOP) and downregulation of Bcl-2 induced by
      high glucose. Moreover, Rb1 inhibited both the elevation of intracellular
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the disruption of mitochondrial membrane
      potential induced by high glucose. In addition, the high glucose-induced cell
      apoptosis, activation of ER stress, ROS accumulation and mitochondrial
      dysfunction can also be attenuated by the inhibitor of ER stress 4-phenylbutyric
      acid (4-PBA) and anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine(NAC). In conclusion, these results
      suggest that Rb1 may protect neurons against high glucose-induced cell injury
      through inhibiting CHOP signaling pathway as well as oxidative stress and
      mitochondrial dysfunction.

PMID- 24223942
TI  - Do aging and dual-tasking impair the capacity to store and retrieve visuospatial
      information needed to guide perturbation-evoked reach-to-grasp reactions?
AB  - A recent study involving young adults showed that rapid perturbation-evoked reach
      to-grasp balance-recovery reactions can be guided successfully with visuospatial
      information (VSI) retained in memory despite: 1) a reduction in endpoint accuracy
      due to recall-delay (time between visual occlusion and perturbation-onset, PO)
      and 2) slowing of the reaction when performing a concurrent cognitive task during
      the recall-delay interval. The present study aimed to determine whether this
      capacity is compromised by effects of aging. Ten healthy older adults were tested
      with the previous protocol and compared with the previously-tested young adults.
      Reactions to recover balance by grasping a small handhold were evoked by
      unpredictable antero-posterior platform-translation (barriers deterred stepping
      reactions), while using liquid-crystal goggles to occlude vision post-PO and for
      varying recall-delay times (0-10 s) prior to PO (the handhold was moved
      unpredictably to one of four locations 2 s prior to vision-occlusion). Subjects
      also performed a spatial- or non-spatial-memory cognitive task during the delay
      time in a subset of trials. Results showed that older adults had slower reactions
      than the young across all experimental conditions. Both age groups showed similar
      reduction in medio-lateral end-point accuracy when recall-delay was longest (10
      s), but differed in the effect of recall delay on vertical hand elevation. For
      both age groups, engaging in either the non-spatial or spatial-memory task had
      similar (slowing) effects on the arm reactions; however, the older adults also
      showed a dual-task interference effect (poorer cognitive-task performance) that
      was specific to the spatial-memory task. This provides new evidence that spatial
      working memory plays a role in the control of perturbation-evoked balance
      recovery reactions. The delays in completing the reaction that occurred when
      performing either cognitive task suggest that such dual-task situations in daily
      life could increase risk of falling in seniors, particularly when combined with
      the general age-related slowing that was observed across all experimental
      conditions.

PMID- 24223943
TI  - An optimized whole-body cortisol quantification method for assessing stress
      levels in larval zebrafish.
AB  - Glucocorticoids serve important regulatory functions for many physiological
      processes and are critical mediators of the stress response. The stress response
      is a set of bodily processes aimed at counteracting a state of threatened
      homeostasis. Proper stress response is critical for the survival of an animal,
      however prolonged or abnormal stress response can be detrimental and is
      implicated in a number of human diseases such as depression and metabolic
      diseases. To dissect the underlying mechanism of this complex and important
      response, the zebrafish, Danio rerio offer important advantages such as ease of
      genetic manipulations and high-throughput behavioral analyses. However, there is
      a paucity of suitable methods to measure stress level in larval zebrafish.
      Therefore, an efficient low-cost method to monitor stress hormone levels will
      greatly facilitate stress research in zebrafish larvae. In this study, we
      optimized sample collection as well as cortisol extraction methods and developed
      a home-made ELISA protocol for measuring whole-body cortisol level in zebrafish
      larvae. Further, using our customized protocols, we characterized the response of
      larval zebrafish to a variety of stressors. This assay, developed for efficient
      cortisol quantification, will be useful for systematic and large-scale stress
      analyses in larval zebrafish. 

PMID- 24223944
TI  - Leaves of the Arabidopsis maltose exporter1 mutant exhibit a metabolic profile
      with features of cold acclimation in the warm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arabidopsis plants accumulate maltose from starch breakdown during
      cold acclimation. The Arabidopsis mutant, maltose excess1-1, accumulates large
      amounts of maltose in the plastid even in the warm, due to a deficient plastid
      envelope maltose transporter. We therefore investigated whether the elevated
      maltose level in mex1-1 in the warm could result in changes in metabolism and
      physiology typical of WT plants grown in the cold. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Grown at
      21  degrees C, mex1-1 plants were much smaller, with fewer leaves, and elevated
      carbohydrates and amino acids compared to WT. However, after transfer to 4 
      degrees C the total soluble sugar pool and amino acid concentration was in equal
      abundance in both genotypes, although the most abundant sugar in mex1-1 was still
      maltose whereas sucrose was in greatest abundance in WT. The chlorophyll a/b
      ratio in WT was much lower in the cold than in the warm, but in mex1-1 it was low
      in both warm and cold. After prolonged growth at 4  degrees C, the shoot biomass,
      rosette diameter and number of leaves at bolting were similar in mex1-1 and WT.
      CONCLUSIONS: The mex1-1 mutation in warm-grown plants confers aspects of cold
      acclimation, including elevated levels of sugars and amino acids and low
      chlorophyll a/b ratio. This may in turn compromise growth of mex1-1 in the warm
      relative to WT. We suggest that elevated maltose in the plastid could be
      responsible for key aspects of cold acclimation.

PMID- 24223945
TI  - Serum and lymphocytic neurotrophins profiles in systemic lupus erythematosus: a
      case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurotrophins play a central role in the development and maintenance
      of the nervous system. However, neurotrophins can also modulate B and T cell
      proliferation and activation, especially via autocrine loops. We hypothesized
      that both serum and lymphocytic neurotrophin levels may be deregulated in
      systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may reflect clinical symptoms of the
      disease. METHODS: Neurotrophins in the serum (ELISA tests) and lymphocytes (flow
      cytometry) were measured in 26 SLE patients and 26 control subjects. Th1
      (interferon-gamma) and Th2 (IL-10) profiles and serum concentration of BAFF were
      assessed by ELISA in the SLE and control subjects. FINDINGS: We have demonstrated
      that both NGF and BDNF serum levels are higher in SLE patients than healthy
      controls (p=0.003 and p<0.001), independently of Th1 or Th2 profiles. Enhanced
      serum NT-3 levels (p=0.003) were only found in severe lupus flares (i.e. SLEDAI
      >= 10) and significantly correlated with complement activation (decreased CH 50,
      Gamma=-0.28, p=0.03). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between serum
      NGF levels and the number of circulating T regulatory cells (Gamma=0.48, p=0.01).
      In circulating B cells, production of both NGF and BDNF was greater in SLE
      patients than in healthy controls. In particular, the number of NGF-secreting B
      cells correlated with decreased complement levels (p=0.05). One month after SLE
      flare treatment, BDNF levels decreased; in contrast, NGF and NT-3 levels remained
      unchanged. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that serum and B cell levels of
      both NGF and BDNF are increased in SLE, suggesting that the neurotrophin
      production pathway is deregulated in this disease. These results must be
      confirmed in a larger study with naive SLE patients, in order to avoid the
      potential confounding influence of prior immune-modulating treatments on
      neurotrophin levels.

PMID- 24223947
TI  - Cognitive performance of Gottingen minipigs is affected by diet in a spatial hole
      board discrimination test.
AB  - Consumption of a high energy diet, containing high amounts of saturated fat and
      refined sugar has been associated with impairment of cognitive function in
      rodents and humans. We sought to contrast the effect of a high fat/cholesterol,
      low carbohydrate diet and a low fat, high carbohydrate/sucrose diet, relative to
      a standard low fat, high carbohydrate minipig diet on spatial cognition with
      regards to working memory and reference memory in 24 male Gottingen minipigs
      performing in a spatial hole-board discrimination test. We found that both
      working memory and reference memory were impaired by both diets relative to a
      standard minipig diet high in carbohydrate, low in fat and sugar. The different
      diets did not impact levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in brain tissue
      and neither did they affect circulatory inflammation measured by concentrations
      of C-reactive protein and haptoglobin in serum. However, higher levels of
      triglycerides were observed for minipigs fed the diets with high fat/cholesterol,
      low carbohydrate and low fat, high carbohydrate/sucrose compared to minipigs fed
      a standard minipig diet. This might explain the observed impairments in spatial
      cognition. These findings suggest that high dietary intake of both fat and sugar
      may impair spatial cognition which could be relevant for mental functioning in
      humans. 

PMID- 24223946
TI  - Clinical significance of ischemia-modified albumin in the diagnosis of
      doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury in breast cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ischemia-modified albumin is an altered serum albumin that forms
      under conditions of oxidative stress, a state also associated with doxorubicin
      induced myocardial injury. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to better assess
      diagnostic and prognostic significance of ischemia-modified albumin in patients
      with breast cancer undergoing doxorubicin chemotherapy. METHODS: Blood samples
      were collected from 152 breast cancer patients before and after each cycle of
      doxorubicin chemotherapy to measure the serum levels of ischemia-modified
      albumin, cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase-MB. We also monitored cardiac
      function during a 12 month follow-up. RESULTS: There was a significant difference
      in ischemia-modified albumin levels before and after each cycle of chemotherapy
      and the ischemia-modified albumin concentration positively correlated with the
      cumulative dose of doxorubicin (r = 0.212, P < 0.05). The combination of ischemia
      modified albumin with cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase-MB increased the
      sensitivity to 0.920 and the specificity to 0.830 in the diagnosis of doxorubicin
      induced myocardial injury. The optimal cutoff for ischemia-modified albumin
      concentration was 112.09 U/ml. The rate of change for ischemia-modified albumin
      levels correlated negatively with the rate of change for left ventricular
      ejection fraction at one year (r = -0.221, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ischemia
      modified albumin may be a clinically potential new marker for diagnosing
      doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury, and is helpful to predict long-term
      impairment of cardiac function.

PMID- 24223948
TI  - Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein is an important mediator of alcohol-induced
      brain inflammation.
AB  - Binge drinking has been associated with cerebral dysfunction. Ethanol induced
      microglial activation initiates an inflammatory process that causes upregulation
      of proinflammatory cytokines which in turn creates neuronal inflammation and
      damage. However, the molecular mechanism is not fully understood. We postulate
      that cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP), a novel proinflammatory molecule,
      can contribute to alcohol-induced neuroinflammation. To test this theory male
      wild-type (WT) mice were exposed to alcohol at concentrations consistent to binge
      drinking and blood and brain tissues were collected. At 5 h after alcohol, a
      significant increase of 53% in the brain of CIRP mRNA was observed and its
      expression remained elevated at 10 h and 15 h. Brain CIRP protein levels were
      increased by 184% at 10 h and remained high at 15 h. We then exposed male WT and
      CIRP knockout (CIRP(-/-)) mice to alcohol, and blood and brain tissues were
      collected at 15 h post-alcohol infusion. Serum levels of tissue injury markers
      (AST, ALT and LDH) were significantly elevated in alcohol-exposed WT mice while
      they were less increased in the CIRP(-/-) mice. Brain TNF-alpha mRNA and protein
      expressions along with IL-1beta protein levels were significantly increased in WT
      mice, which was not seen in the CIRP(-/-) mice. In cultured BV2 cells (mouse
      microglia), ethanol at 100 mM showed an increase of CIRP mRNA by 274% and 408% at
      24 h and 48 h respectively. Corresponding increases in TNF-alpha and IL-1beta
      were also observed. CIRP protein levels were markedly increased in the medium,
      suggesting that CIRP was secreted by the BV2 cells. From this we conclude that
      alcohol exposure activates microglia to produce and secrete CIRP and possibly
      induce pro-inflammatory response and thereby causing neuroinflammation. CIRP
      could be a novel mediator of alcohol-induced brain inflammation. 

PMID- 24223949
TI  - Microarray analysis of perinatal-estrogen-induced changes in gene expression
      related to brain sexual differentiation in mice.
AB  - Sexual dimorphism of the behaviors or physiological functions in mammals is
      mainly due to the sex difference of the brain. A number of studies have suggested
      that the brain is masculinized or defeminized by estradiol converted from
      testicular androgens in perinatal period in rodents. However, the mechanisms of
      estrogen action resulting in masculinization/defeminization of the brain have not
      been clarified yet. The large-scale analysis with microarray in the present study
      is an attempt to obtain the candidate gene(s) mediating the perinatal estrogen
      effect causing the brain sexual differentiation. Female mice were injected with
      estradiol benzoate (EB) or vehicle on the day of birth, and the hypothalamus was
      collected at either 1, 3, 6, 12, or 24 h after the EB injection. More than one
      hundred genes down-regulated by the EB treatment in a biphasic manner peaked at 3
      h and 12-24 h after the EB treatment, while forty to seventy genes were
      constantly up-regulated after it. Twelve genes, including Ptgds, Hcrt, Tmed2,
      Klc1, and Nedd4, whose mRNA expressions were down-regulated by the neonatal EB
      treatment, were chosen for further examination by semiquantitative RT-PCR in the
      hypothalamus of perinatal intact male and female mice. We selected the genes
      based on the known profiles of their potential roles in brain development. mRNA
      expression levels of Ptgds, Hcrt, Tmed2, and Nedd4 were significantly lower in
      male mice than females at the day of birth, suggesting that the genes are down
      regulated by estrogen converted from testicular androgen in perinatal male mice.
      Some genes, such as Ptgds encoding prostaglandin D2 production enzyme and Hcrt
      encording orexin, have been reported to have a role in neuroprotection. Thus,
      Ptgds and Hcrt could be possible candidate genes, which may mediate the effect of
      perinatal estrogen responsible for brain sexual differentiation. 

PMID- 24223950
TI  - Identification of a predicted trimeric autotransporter adhesin required for
      biofilm formation of Burkholderia pseudomallei.
AB  - The autotransporters are a large and diverse family of bacterial secreted and
      outer membrane proteins, which are present in many Gram-negative bacterial
      pathogens and play a role in numerous environmental and virulence-associated
      interactions. As part of a larger systematic study on the autotransporters of
      Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of the severe tropical disease
      melioidosis, we have constructed an insertion mutant in the bpss1439 gene
      encoding an unstudied predicted trimeric autotransporter adhesin. The bpss1439
      mutant demonstrated a significant reduction in biofilm formation at 48 hours in
      comparison to its parent 10276 wild-type strain. This phenotype was complemented
      to wild-type levels by the introduction of a full-length copy of the bpss1439
      gene in trans. Examination of the wild-type and bpss1439 mutant strains under
      biofilm-inducing conditions by microscopy after 48 hours confirmed that the
      bpss1439 mutant produced less biofilm compared to wild-type. Additionally, it was
      observed that this phenotype was due to low levels of bacterial adhesion to the
      abiotic surface as well as reduced microcolony formation. In a murine melioidosis
      model, the bpss1439 mutant strain demonstrated a moderate attenuation for
      virulence compared to the wild-type strain. This attenuation was abrogated by in
      trans complementation, suggesting that bpss1439 plays a subtle role in the
      pathogenesis of B. pseudomallei. Taken together, these studies indicate that
      BPSS1439 is a novel predicted autotransporter involved in biofilm formation of B.
      pseudomallei; hence, this factor was named BbfA, Burkholderia biofilm factor A. 

PMID- 24223951
TI  - Fern spore longevity in saline water: can sea bottom sediments maintain a viable
      spore bank?
AB  - Freshwater and marine sediments often harbor reservoirs of plant diaspores, from
      which germination and establishment may occur whenever the sediment falls dry.
      Therewith, they form valuable records of historical inter- and intraspecific
      diversity, and are increasingly exploited to facilitate diversity establishment
      in new or restored nature areas. Yet, while ferns may constitute a considerable
      part of a vegetation's diversity and sediments are known to contain fern spores,
      little is known about their longevity, which may suffer from inundation and--in
      sea bottoms--salt stress. We tested the potential of ferns to establish from a
      sea or lake bottom, using experimental studies on spore survival and gametophyte
      formation, as well as a spore bank analysis on sediments from a former Dutch
      inland sea. Our experimental results revealed clear differences among species.
      For Asplenium scolopendrium and Gymnocarpium dryopteris, spore germination was
      not affected by inundated storage alone, but decreased with rising salt
      concentrations. In contrast, for Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens
      germination decreased following inundation, but not in response to salt.
      Germination rates decreased with time of storage in saline water. Smaller and
      less viable gametophytes were produced when saline storage lasted for a year.
      Effects on germination and gametophyte development clearly differed among
      genotypes of A. scolopendrium. Spore bank analyses detected no viable spores in
      marine sediment layers. Only two very small gametophytes (identified as
      Thelypteris palustris via DNA barcoding) emerged from freshwater sediments. Both
      died before maturation. We conclude that marine, and likely even freshwater
      sediments, will generally be of little value for long-term storage of fern
      diversity. The development of any fern vegetation on a former sea floor will
      depend heavily on the deposition of spores onto the drained land by natural or
      artificial means of dispersal.

PMID- 24223952
TI  - The transcriptional landscape of Campylobacter jejuni under iron replete and iron
      limited growth conditions.
AB  - The genome-wide Campylobacter jejuni transcriptional response under iron replete
      and iron limited conditions was characterized using RNA-seq. We have identified
      111 novel C. jejuni 5'UTRs and mapped 377 co-transcribed genes into 230
      transcriptional operons. In contrast to previous microarray results, the C.
      jejuni iron stimulon is less extensive than previously believed and consists of
      77 iron activated genes and 50 iron repressed genes. As anticipated, the iron
      repressed genes are primarily those involved in iron acquisition or oxidative
      stress defense. Interestingly, these experiments have revealed that iron is an
      important modulator of flagellar biogenesis with almost all the components of the
      flagella found to be iron activated. Given that motility is a well-known C.
      jejuni colonization factor, this suggests that there is an important regulatory
      coupling of flagellar biogenesis and iron level in C. jejuni. In addition we have
      identified several consensus mutations in the C. jejuni NCTC11168 strain that are
      widespread in the Campylobacter research community and which may explain
      conflicting phenotypic reports for this strain. Comparative analysis of iron
      responsive genes with the known Fur regulon indicates that many iron responsive
      genes are not Fur responsive; suggesting that additional iron regulatory factors
      remain to be characterized in C. jejuni. Further analysis of the RNA-seq data
      identified multiple novel transcripts including 19 potential ncRNAs. The
      expression of selected ncRNAs was confirmed and quantified with qRT-PCR. The qRT
      PCR results indicate that several of these novel transcripts are either Fur
      and/or iron responsive. The fact that several of these ncRNAs are iron responsive
      or Fur regulated suggests that they may perform regulatory roles in iron
      homeostasis. 

PMID- 24223953
TI  - A Brain Motor Control Assessment (BMCA) protocol for upper limb function.
AB  - The Brain Motor Control Assessment (BMCA) protocol is a surface electromyography
      (sEMG)-based measure of motor output from central nervous system during a variety
      of reflex and voluntary motor tasks performed under strictly controlled
      conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the BMCA protocol for upper
      limb with the addition of shoulder voluntary tasks. The voluntary response index
      (VRI) was calculated from quantitative analysis of sEMG data during defined
      voluntary movement in neurologically intact people for comparison with that of
      patients after neurological injuries. The BMCA protocol included one bilateral
      and 4 unilateral voluntary tasks at different joints of both arms. The VRI,
      measured from 19 neurologically intact participants, comprises the total muscle
      activity recorded for the voluntary motor task (magnitude). The calculated
      similarity index (SI) for each phase of each task show the similarity of "the
      distribution of activity across the recorded muscles" for that task in this group
      off participants. RESULTS: The VRI magnitude values from right and left sides for
      different tasks showed no significant difference (ANOVA: FSide: 0.09, P = 0.77).
      Therefore these values were pooled before calculating SI. SI values were higher
      for tasks against gravity: elbow flexion (0.99+/-0.03), wrist flexion with palm
      up (0.98+/-0.03) and wrist extension with palm down (0.97+/-0.07). On the other
      hand, the SI values were the lowest for bilateral shoulder abduction (0.84+/
      0.08) and shoulder adduction (0.84+/-0.08). CONCLUSION: To validate this index
      for clinical use, serial studies on patients with neurological impairments should
      be performed. Tasks involving movement against gravity may be more suitable in
      future BMCAs.

PMID- 24223954
TI  - An HPLC-MS characterization of the changes in sweet orange leaf metabolite
      profile following infection by the bacterial pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter
      asiaticus.
AB  - Huanglongbing (HLB) presumably caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas)
      threatens the commercial U.S. citrus crop of an annual value of $3 billion. The
      earliest shift in metabolite profiles of leaves from greenhouse-grown sweet
      orange trees infected with Clas, and of healthy leaves, was characterized by HPLC
      MS concurrently with PCR testing for the presence of Clas bacteria and
      observation of disease symptoms. Twenty, 8-month-old 'Valencia' and 'Hamlin'
      trees were grafted with budwood from PCR-positive HLB source trees. Five graft
      inoculated trees of each variety and three control trees were sampled biweekly
      and analyzed by HPLC-MS and PCR. Thirteen weeks after inoculation, Clas was
      detected in newly growing flushes in 33% and 55% of the inoculated 'Hamlin' and
      'Valencia' trees, respectively. Inoculated trees remained asymptomatic in the
      first 20 weeks, but developed symptoms 30 weeks after grafting. No significant
      differences in the leaf metabolite profiles were detected in Clas-infected trees
      23 weeks after inoculation. However, 27 weeks after inoculation, differences in
      metabolite profiles between control leaves and those of Clas-infected trees were
      evident. Affected compounds were identified with authentic standards or
      structurally classified by their UV and mass spectra. Included among these
      compounds are flavonoid glycosides, polymethoxylated flavones, and
      hydroxycinnamates. Four structurally related hydroxycinnamate compounds increased
      more than 10-fold in leaves from 'Hamlin' and 'Valencia' sweet orange trees in
      response to Clas infection. Possible roles of these hydroxycinnamates as plant
      defense compounds against the Clas infection are discussed. 

PMID- 24223955
TI  - Menaquinone and iron are essential for complex colony development in Bacillus
      subtilis.
AB  - Cells of undomesticated species of Bacillus subtilis frequently form complex
      colonies during spreading on agar surfaces. Given that menaquinone is involved in
      another form of coordinated behavior, namely, sporulation, we looked for a
      possible role for menaquinone in complex colony development (CCD) in the B.
      subtilis strain NCIB 3610. Here we show that inhibition of menaquinone
      biosynthesis in B. subtilis indeed abolished its ability to develop complex
      colonies. Additionally some mutations of B. subtilis which confer defective CCD
      could be suppressed by menaquinone derivatives. Several such mutants mapped to
      the dhb operon encoding the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of the iron
      siderophore, bacillibactin. Our results demonstrate that both menaquinone and
      iron are essential for CCD in B. subtilis. 

PMID- 24223956
TI  - Cryptic genetic diversity is paramount in small-bodied amphibians of the genus
      Euparkerella (Anura: Craugastoridae) endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic forest.
AB  - Morphological similarity associated to restricted distributions and low dispersal
      abilities make the direct developing "Terrarana" frogs of the genus Euparkerella
      a good model for examining diversification processes. We here infer phylogenetic
      relationships within the genus Euparkerella, using DNA sequence data from one
      mitochondrial and four nuclear genes coupled with traditional Bayesian
      phylogenetic reconstruction approaches and more recent coalescent methods of
      species tree inference. We also used Bayesian clustering analysis and a recent
      Bayesian coalescent-based approach specifically to infer species delimitation.
      The analysis of 39 individuals from the four known Euparkerella species uncovered
      high levels of genetic diversity, especially within the two previously
      morphologically-defined E. cochranae and E. brasiliensis. Within these species,
      the gene trees at five independent loci and trees from combined data
      (concatenated dataset and the species tree) uncovered six deeply diverged and
      geographically coherent evolutionary units, which may have diverged between the
      Miocene and the Pleistocene. These six units were also uncovered in the Bayesian
      clustering analysis, and supported by the Bayesian coalescent-based species
      delimitation (BPP), and Genealogical Sorting Index (GSI), providing thus strong
      evidence for underestimation of the current levels of diversity within
      Euparkerella. The cryptic diversity now uncovered opens new opportunities to
      examine the origins and maintenance of microendemism in the context of spatial
      heterogeneity and/or human induced fragmentation of the highly threatened
      Brazilian Atlantic forest hotspot. 

PMID- 24223957
TI  - Variance heterogeneity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression data: trans
      regulation and epistasis.
AB  - Here, we describe the results from the first variance heterogeneity Genome Wide
      Association Study (VGWAS) on yeast expression data. Using this forward genetics
      approach, we show that the genetic regulation of gene-expression in the budding
      yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, includes mechanisms that can lead to variance
      heterogeneity in the expression between genotypes. Additionally, we performed a
      mean effect association study (GWAS). Comparing the mean and variance
      heterogeneity analyses, we find that the mean expression level is under genetic
      regulation from a larger absolute number of loci but that a higher proportion of
      the variance controlling loci were trans-regulated. Both mean and variance
      regulating loci cluster in regulatory hotspots that affect a large number of
      phenotypes; a single variance-controlling locus, mapping close to DIA2, was found
      to be involved in more than 10% of the significant associations. It has been
      suggested in the literature that variance-heterogeneity between the genotypes
      might be due to genetic interactions. We therefore screened the multi-locus
      genotype-phenotype maps for several traits where multiple associations were
      found, for indications of epistasis. Several examples of two and three locus
      genetic interactions were found to involve variance-controlling loci, with
      reports from the literature corroborating the functional connections between the
      loci. By using a new analytical approach to re-analyze a powerful existing
      dataset, we are thus able to both provide novel insights to the genetic
      mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene-expression in budding yeast and
      experimentally validate epistasis as an important mechanism underlying genetic
      variance-heterogeneity between genotypes. 

PMID- 24223958
TI  - Fungal garden making inside bamboos by a non-social fungus-growing beetle.
AB  - In fungus-growing mutualism, it is indispensable for host animals to establish
      gardens of the symbiotic fungus as rapidly as possible. How to establish fungal
      gardens has been well-documented in social fungus-farming insects, whereas poorly
      documented in non-social fungus-farming insects. Here we report that the non
      social, fungus-growing lizard beetle Doubledaya bucculenta (Coleoptera:
      Erotylidae: Languriinae) transmits the symbiotic yeast Wickerhamomyces anomalus
      from the ovipositor-associated mycangium into bamboo internode cavities and
      disperses the yeast in the cavities to make gardens. Microbial isolation and cryo
      scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that W. anomalus was constantly
      located on the posterior ends of eggs, where larvae came out, and on the inner
      openings of oviposition holes. Direct observation of oviposition behavior inside
      internodes revealed that the distal parts of ovipositors showed a peristaltic
      movement when they were in contact with the posterior ends of eggs. Rearing
      experiments showed that W. anomalus was spread much more rapidly and widely on
      culture media and internodes in the presence of the larvae than in the absence.
      These results suggest that the ovipositors play a critical role in vertical
      transmission of W. anomalus and that the larvae contribute actively to the garden
      establishment, providing a novel case of fungal garden founding in non-social
      insect-fungus mutualism. 

PMID- 24223960
TI  - Left atrial appendage volume increased in more than half of patients with
      cryptogenic stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ischemic strokes without a well-defined etiology are labeled as
      cryptogenic, and account for 30-40% of strokes in stroke registries. The left
      atrial appendage (LAA) is the most typical origin for intracardiac thrombus
      formation when associated with atrial fibrillation. Here, we examined whether
      increased LAA volume detected with cardiac computed tomography (cCT) constitutes
      a risk factor in cryptogenic stroke patients. METHODS: This study included 82
      stroke/TIA patients (57 males; mean age, 58 years) with a diagnosis of
      cryptogenic stroke after extensive radiological and cardiological investigations.
      Cases were classified using the TOAST criteria modified by European Association
      of Echocardiography recommendations for defining cardiac sources of embolism.
      Forty age- and gender-matched control subjects without cardiovascular diseases
      were selected for pair-wise comparisons (21 males; mean age, 54 years). LAA
      volume adjusted for body surface area was measured three dimensionally by tracing
      the LAA borders on electrocardiogram-gated CT slices. RESULTS: In control
      subjects, mean LAA volume was 3.4+/-1.1 mL/m(2). Mean+2SD, which was considered
      the upper limit for normal LAA volume was 5.6 mL/m(2). In paired Student t-test
      between the patient group and matched controls, LAA volume was 67% larger in
      cryptogenic stroke/TIA patients (5.7+/-2.0 mL/m(2) vs. 3.4+/-1.1 mL/m(2);
      P<0.001). Forty-five (55%) patients with cryptogenic stroke/TIA had enlarged LAA.
      CONCLUSION: LAA is significantly enlarged in more than half of patients with
      cryptogenic stroke/TIA. LAA thrombosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of
      stroke in patients considered to have cryptogenic stroke after conventional
      evaluation.

PMID- 24223959
TI  - Protective roles of interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3
      (IFIT3) in dengue virus infection of human lung epithelial cells.
AB  - Interferons (IFNs) are critical cytokines that regulate immune response against
      virus infections. Dengue virus (DV) infections are a major public health concern
      worldwide, and especially in Asia. In the present study, we investigated the
      effects and mechanisms of action of IFN-induced protein with tetratricopeptide
      repeats 3 (IFIT3) in human lung epithelial cells. The results demonstrated that
      DV infection induced expression of several IFITs, including IFIT1, IFIT2, IFIT3,
      and IFIT5 in A549 cells. Induction of IFIT3 by DV infection was also observed in
      human dendritic cells. In a knockdown study, we showed that a signal transducer
      and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2), but not STAT1 or STAT3, regulated DV
      induced IFIT3 production. By using several different methods to evaluate cell
      death, we demonstrated that knockdown of IFIT3 led to cellular apoptosis.
      Furthermore, knockdown of IFIT3 induced the expression of several apoptotic
      regulators such as caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9, and Bcl-2-associated X
      protein (BAX). Such apoptotic effects and mechanisms were synergistically
      enhanced after DV infection. Moreover, under conditions of IFIT3 deficiency,
      viral production increased, suggesting an anti-viral effect of IFIT3.
      Interestingly, DV could suppress IFN-alpha-induced but not IFN-gamma-induced
      IFIT3 expression, a phenomenon similar to the regulation of STATs by DV. In
      conclusion, this study revealed some mechanisms of IFIT3 induction, and also
      demonstrated the protective roles of IFIT3 following IFN-alpha production in DV
      infection of human lung epithelial cells. 

PMID- 24223961
TI  - DegS and RseP homologous proteases are involved in singlet oxygen dependent
      activation of RpoE in Rhodobacter sphaeroides.
AB  - Singlet oxygen ((1)O2) is the main agent of photooxidative stress and is
      generated by photosensitizers as (bacterio)chlorophylls. It leads to the damage
      of cellular macromolecules and therefore photosynthetic organisms have to mount
      an adaptive response to (1)O2 formation. A major player of the photooxidative
      stress response in Rhodobacter sphaeroides is the alternative sigma factor RpoE,
      which is inactivated under non-stress conditions by its cognate anti-sigma factor
      ChrR. By using random mutagenesis we identified RSP_1090 to be required for full
      activation of the RpoE response under (1)O2 stress, but not under organic
      peroxide stress. In this study we show that both RSP_1090 and RSP_1091 are
      required for full resistance towards (1)O2. Moreover, we revealed that the DegS
      and RseP homologs RSP_3242 and RSP_2710 contribute to (1)O2 resistance and
      promote ChrR proteolysis. The RpoE signaling pathway in R. sphaeroides is
      therefore highly similar to that of Escherichia coli, although very different
      anti-sigma factors control RpoE activity. Based on the acquired results, the
      current model for RpoE activation in response to (1)O2 exposure in R. sphaeroides
      was extended. 

PMID- 24223962
TI  - Insight into the peopling of Mainland Southeast Asia from Thai population genetic
      structure.
AB  - There is considerable ethno-linguistic and genetic variation among human
      populations in Asia, although tracing the origins of this diversity is
      complicated by migration events. Thailand is at the center of Mainland Southeast
      Asia (MSEA), a region within Asia that has not been extensively studied. Genetic
      substructure may exist in the Thai population, since waves of migration from
      southern China throughout its recent history may have contributed to substantial
      gene flow. Autosomal SNP data were collated for 438,503 markers from 992 Thai
      individuals. Using the available self-reported regional origin, four Thai
      subpopulations genetically distinct from each other and from other Asian
      populations were resolved by Neighbor-Joining analysis using a 41,569 marker
      subset. Using an independent Principal Components-based unsupervised clustering
      approach, four major MSEA subpopulations were resolved in which regional bias was
      apparent. A major ancestry component was common to these MSEA subpopulations and
      distinguishes them from other Asian subpopulations. On the other hand, these MSEA
      subpopulations were admixed with other ancestries, in particular one shared with
      Chinese. Subpopulation clustering using only Thai individuals and the complete
      marker set resolved four subpopulations, which are distributed differently across
      Thailand. A Sino-Thai subpopulation was concentrated in the Central region of
      Thailand, although this constituted a minority in an otherwise diverse region.
      Among the most highly differentiated markers which distinguish the Thai
      subpopulations, several map to regions known to affect phenotypic traits such as
      skin pigmentation and susceptibility to common diseases. The subpopulation
      patterns elucidated have important implications for evolutionary and medical
      genetics. The subpopulation structure within Thailand may reflect the
      contributions of different migrants throughout the history of MSEA. The
      information will also be important for genetic association studies to account for
      population-structure confounding effects. 

PMID- 24223963
TI  - Content-specificity in verbal recall: a randomized controlled study.
AB  - In this controlled experiment we examined whether there are content effects in
      verbal short-term memory and working memory for verbal stimuli. Thirty-seven
      participants completed forward and backward digit and letter recall tasks, which
      were constructed to control for distance effects between stimuli. A maximum
      likelihood mixed-effects logistic regression revealed main effects of direction
      of recall (forward vs backward) and content (digits vs letters). There was an
      interaction between type of recall and content, in which the recall of digits was
      superior to the recall of letters in verbal short-term memory but not in verbal
      working memory. These results demonstrate that the recall of information from
      verbal short-term memory is content-specific, whilst the recall of information
      from verbal working memory is content-general. 

PMID- 24223964
TI  - Plasticity of migrating CD1b+ and CD1b- lymph dendritic cells in the promotion of
      Th1, Th2 and Th17 in response to Salmonella and helminth secretions.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal in the development of specific T-cell responses
      to control pathogens, as they govern both the initiation and the polarization of
      adaptive immunity. To investigate the capacities of migrating DCs to respond to
      pathogens, we used physiologically generated lymph DCs (L-DCs). The flexible
      polarization of L-DCs was analysed in response to Salmonella or helminth
      secretions known to induce different T cell responses. Mature conventional
      CD1b(+) L-DCs showed a predisposition to promote pro-inflammatory (IL-6), pro-Th1
      (IL-12p40) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) responses which were amplified by
      Salmonella, and limited to only IL-6 induction by helminth secretions. The other
      major population of L-DCs did not express the CD1b molecule and displayed
      phenotypic features of immaturity compared to CD1b(+) L-DCs. Salmonella infection
      reduced the constitutive expression of TNF-alpha and IL-4 mRNA in CD1b(-) L-DCs,
      whereas this expression was not affected by helminth secretions. The cytokine
      response of T cells promoted by L-DCs was analysed in T cell subsets after co
      culture with Salmonella or helminth secretion-driven CD1b(+) or CD1b(-) L-DCs. T
      cells preferentially expressed the IL-17 gene, and to a lesser extent the IFN
      gamma and IL-10 genes, in response to Salmonella-driven CD1b(+) L-DCs, whereas a
      preferential IL-10, IFN-gamma and IL-17 gene expression was observed in response
      to Salmonella-driven CD1b(-) L-DCs. In contrast, a predominant IL-4 and IL-13
      gene expression by CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells was observed after stimulation of
      CD1b(+) and CD1b(-) L-DCs with helminth secretions. These results show that
      mature conventional CD1b(+) L-DCs maintain a flexible capacity to respond
      differently to pathogens, that the predisposition of CD1b(-) L-DCs to promote a
      Th2 response can be oriented towards other Th responses, and finally that the
      modulation of migrating L-DCs responses is controlled more by the pathogen
      encountered than the L-DC subsets. 

PMID- 24223966
TI  - Assessing the necessity of the standardized infection ratio for reporting central
      line-associated bloodstream infections.
AB  - This brief article presents results that support the contention that risk
      adjustment via the standardized infection ratio (SIR) for the reporting of
      central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) may be no more
      predictive than standard rate adjustments utilizing CLABSIs per central line days
      (i.e., CLABSI rates). Recent data posted on the U.S. Department of Health and
      Human Services' Hospital Compare website showed that nearly 70% of 1721 reporting
      hospitals with at least 1000 central line days had five or fewer infections
      during 2011. These hospitals had 39.3% of the total central line days and a
      significantly lower SIR than poorer performing hospitals with six or more CLABSIs
      (p<0.0001). In addition, 19 hospitals are presented which had central line days
      between 9000 to over 22,000 that also had zero to three CLABSIs. Some of these
      hospitals were university referral centers and inner city facilities. There was
      great variation of CLABSI cases among US hospitals. Evidence is mounting that all
      hospitals should be able to achieve a near zero incidence of CLABSIs and that
      these infections may in fact be near 'never events', which begs whether risk
      adjustment with the SIR is needed and whether it adds more information than does
      rate adjustment using CLABSI rates. 

PMID- 24223965
TI  - Role of TRPM7 channels in hyperglycemia-mediated injury of vascular endothelial
      cells.
AB  - This study investigated the change of transient receptor potential melastatin 7
      (TRPM7) expression by high glucose and its role in hyperglycemia induced injury
      of vascular endothelial cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)
      were incubated in the presence or absence of high concentrations of D-glucose
      (HG) for 72 h. RT-PCR, Real-time PCR, Western blotting, Immunofluorescence
      staining and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that TRPM7 mRNA, TRPM7
      protein expression and TRPM7-like currents were increased in HUVECs following
      exposure to HG. In contrast to D-glucose, exposure of HUVECs to high
      concentrations of L-glucose had no effect. HG increased reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) generation, cytotoxicity and decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase
      protein expression, which could be attenuated by knockdown of TRPM7 with TRPM7
      siRNA. The protective effect of silencing TRPM7 against HG induced endothelial
      injury was abolished by U0126, an inhibitor of the extracellular signal-regulated
      kinase signaling pathway. These observations suggest that TRPM7 channels play an
      important role in hyperglycemia-induced injury of vascular endothelial cells.

PMID- 24223967
TI  - Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveying marine fauna: a dugong case study.
AB  - Aerial surveys of marine mammals are routinely conducted to assess and monitor
      species' habitat use and population status. In Australia, dugongs (Dugong dugon)
      are regularly surveyed and long-term datasets have formed the basis for defining
      habitat of high conservation value and risk assessments of human impacts.
      Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may facilitate more accurate, human-risk free,
      and cheaper aerial surveys. We undertook the first Australian UAV survey trial in
      Shark Bay, western Australia. We conducted seven flights of the ScanEagle UAV,
      mounted with a digital SLR camera payload. During each flight, ten transects
      covering a 1.3 km(2) area frequently used by dugongs, were flown at 500, 750 and
      1000 ft. Image (photograph) capture was controlled via the Ground Control Station
      and the capture rate was scheduled to achieve a prescribed 10% overlap between
      images along transect lines. Images were manually reviewed post hoc for animals
      and scored according to sun glitter, Beaufort Sea state and turbidity. We
      captured 6243 images, 627 containing dugongs. We also identified whales,
      dolphins, turtles and a range of other fauna. Of all possible dugong sightings,
      95% (CI = 90%, 98%) were subjectively classed as 'certain' (unmistakably
      dugongs). Neither our dugong sighting rate, nor our ability to identify dugongs
      with certainty, were affected by UAV altitude. Turbidity was the only
      environmental variable significantly affecting the dugong sighting rate. Our
      results suggest that UAV systems may not be limited by sea state conditions in
      the same manner as sightings from manned surveys. The overlap between images
      proved valuable for detecting animals that were masked by sun glitter in the
      corners of images, and identifying animals initially captured at awkward body
      angles. This initial trial of a basic camera system has successfully demonstrated
      that the ScanEagle UAV has great potential as a tool for marine mammal aerial
      surveys. 

PMID- 24223968
TI  - Combinatorial engineering of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate pathway using cross
      lapping in vitro assembly (CLIVA) method.
AB  - The ability to assemble multiple fragments of DNA into a plasmid in a single step
      is invaluable to studies in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Using
      phosphorothioate chemistry for high efficiency and site specific cleavage of
      sequences, a novel ligase independent cloning method (cross-lapping in vitro
      assembly, CLIVA) was systematically and rationally optimized in E. coli. A series
      of 16 constructs combinatorially expressing genes encoding enzymes in the 1-deoxy
      D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) pathway were assembled using multiple DNA modules. A
      plasmid (21.6 kb) containing 16 pathway genes, was successfully assembled from 7
      modules with high efficiency (2.0 x 10(3) cfu/ ug input DNA) within 2 days.
      Overexpressions of these constructs revealed the unanticipated inhibitory effects
      of certain combinations of genes on the production of amorphadiene.
      Interestingly, the inhibitory effects were correlated to the increase in the
      accumulation of intracellular methylerythritol cyclodiphosphate (MEC), an
      intermediate metabolite in the DXP pathway. The overexpression of the iron sulfur
      cluster operon was found to modestly increase the production of amorphadiene.
      This study demonstrated the utility of CLIVA in the assembly of multiple
      fragments of DNA into a plasmid which enabled the rapid exploration of biological
      pathways. 

PMID- 24223969
TI  - Dynamic interplay between the periplasmic and transmembrane domains of GspL and
      GspM in the type II secretion system.
AB  - The type II secretion system (T2SS) is a multiprotein nanomachine that transports
      folded proteins across the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. The
      molecular mechanisms that govern the secretion process remain poorly understood.
      The inner membrane components GspC, GspL and GspM possess a single transmembrane
      segment (TMS) and a large periplasmic region and they are thought to form a
      platform of unknown function. Here, using two-hybrid and pull-down assays we
      performed a systematic mapping of the GspC/GspL/GspM interaction regions in the
      plant pathogen Dickeya dadantii. We found that the TMS of these components
      interact with each other, implying a complex interaction network within the inner
      membrane. We also showed that the periplasmic, ferredoxin-like, domains of GspL
      and GspM drive homo- and heterodimerizations of these proteins. Disulfide bonding
      analyses revealed that the respective domain interfaces include the equivalent
      secondary-structure elements, suggesting alternating interactions of the
      periplasmic domains, L/L and M/M versus L/M. Finally, we found that displacements
      of the periplasmic GspM domain mediate coordinated shifts or rotations of the
      cognate TMS. These data suggest a plausible mechanism for signal transmission
      between the periplasmic and the cytoplasmic portions of the T2SS machine. 

PMID- 24223970
TI  - Inhibiting AKT phosphorylation employing non-cytotoxic anthraquinones ameliorates
      TH2 mediated allergic airways disease and rhinovirus exacerbation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe asthma is associated with T helper (TH) 2 and 17 cell
      activation, airway neutrophilia and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) activation.
      Asthma exacerbations are commonly caused by rhinovirus (RV) and also associated
      with PI3K-driven inflammation. Anthraquinone derivatives have been shown to
      reduce PI3K-mediated AKT phosphorylation in-vitro. OBJECTIVE: To determine the
      anti-inflammatory potential of anthraquinones in-vivo. METHODS: BALB/c mice were
      sensitized and challenged with crude house dust mite extract to induce allergic
      airways disease and treated with mitoxantrone and a novel non-cytotoxic
      anthraquinone derivative. Allergic mice were also infected with RV1B to induce an
      exacerbation. RESULTS: Anthraquinone treatment reduced AKT phosphorylation,
      hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor
      expression, and ameliorated allergen- and RV-induced airways hyprereactivity,
      neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation, cytokine/chemokine expression, mucus
      hypersecretion, and expression of TH2 proteins in the airways. Anthraquinones
      also boosted type 1 interferon responses and limited RV replication in the lung.
      CONCLUSION: Non-cytotoxic anthraquinone derivatives may be of therapeutic benefit
      for the treatment of severe and RV-induced asthma by blocking pro-inflammatory
      pathways regulated by PI3K/AKT.

PMID- 24223971
TI  - Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient epithelial cells are less
      tolerant to infection by Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a key enzyme in the pentose phosphate
      pathway and provides reducing energy to all cells by maintaining redox balance.
      The most common clinical manifestations in patients with G6PD deficiency are
      neonatal jaundice and acute hemolytic anemia. The effects of microbial infection
      in patients with G6PD deficiency primarily relate to the hemolytic anemia caused
      by Plasmodium or viral infections and the subsequent medication that is required.
      We are interested in studying the impact of bacterial infection in G6PD-deficient
      cells. G6PD knock down A549 lung carcinoma cells, together with the common
      pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, were employed in our cell infection model. Here,
      we demonstrate that a lower cell viability was observed among G6PD-deficient
      cells when compared to scramble controls upon bacterial infection using the MTT
      assay. A significant increase in the intracellular ROS was detected among S.
      aureus-infected G6PD-deficient cells by observing dichlorofluorescein (DCF)
      intensity within cells under a fluorescence microscope and quantifying this
      signal using flow cytometry. The impairment of ROS removal is predicted to
      enhance apoptotic activity in G6PD-deficient cells, and this enhanced apoptosis
      was observed by annexin V/PI staining under a confocal fluorescence microscope
      and quantified by flow cytometry. A higher expression level of the intrinsic
      apoptotic initiator caspase-9, as well as the downstream effector caspase-3, was
      detected by Western blotting analysis of G6PD-deficient cells following bacterial
      infection. In conclusion, we propose that bacterial infection, perhaps the
      secreted S. aureus alpha-hemolysin in this case, promotes the accumulation of
      intracellular ROS in G6PD-deficient cells. This would trigger a stronger
      apoptotic activity through the intrinsic pathway thereby reducing cell viability
      when compared to wild type cells. 

PMID- 24223972
TI  - Influence of clonidine and ketamine on m-RNA expression in a model of opioid
      induced hyperalgesia in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the influence of morphine and ketamine or clonidine
      in mice on the expression of genes that may mediate pronociceptive opioid
      effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: C57BL/6 mice received morphine injections thrice
      daily using increasing doses (5-20 mg?kg(-1)) for 3 days (sub-acute, n=6) or 14
      days (chronic, n=6) and additionally either s-ketamine (5 mg?kg(-1), n=6) or
      clonidine (0.1 mg?kg(-1), n=6). Tail flick test and the assessment of the
      mechanical withdrawal threshold of the hindpaw was performed during and 4 days
      after cessation of opioid treatment. Upon completion of the behavioural testing
      the mRNA-concentration of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR1) and beta-arrestin 2 (Arrb2)
      were measured by PCR. RESULTS: Chronic opioid treatment resulted in a delay of
      the tail flick latency with a rapid on- and offset. Simultaneously the mice
      developed a static mechanical hyperalgesia with a delayed onset that that
      outlasted the morphine treatment. Sub-acute morphine administration resulted in a
      decrease of NMDAR1 and Arrb2 whereas during longer opioid treatment the
      expression NMDAR1 and Arrb2 mRNA increased again to baseline values.
      Coadministration of s-ketamine or clonidine resulted in a reversal of the
      mechanical hyperalgesia and inhibited the normalization of NMDAR1 mRNA expression
      but had no effect on the expression of Arrb2 mRNA. CONCLUSION: In the model of
      chronic morphine therapy the antinociceptive effects of morphine are represented
      by the thermal analgesia while the proniceptive effects are represented by the
      mechanical hyperalgesia. The results indicate that the regulation of the
      expression of NMDAR1 and Arrb2 may be associated to the development of OIH in
      mice. PERSPECTIVE: The results indicate that co-administration of clonidine or
      ketamine may influence the underlying mechanisms of OIH.

PMID- 24223973
TI  - SWEETLEAD: an in silico database of approved drugs, regulated chemicals, and
      herbal isolates for computer-aided drug discovery.
AB  - In the face of drastically rising drug discovery costs, strategies promising to
      reduce development timelines and expenditures are being pursued. Computer-aided
      virtual screening and repurposing approved drugs are two such strategies that
      have shown recent success. Herein, we report the creation of a highly-curated in
      silico database of chemical structures representing approved drugs, chemical
      isolates from traditional medicinal herbs, and regulated chemicals, termed the
      SWEETLEAD database. The motivation for SWEETLEAD stems from the observance of
      conflicting information in publicly available chemical databases and the lack of
      a highly curated database of chemical structures for the globally approved drugs.
      A consensus building scheme surveying information from several publicly
      accessible databases was employed to identify the correct structure for each
      chemical. Resulting structures are filtered for the active pharmaceutical
      ingredient, standardized, and differing formulations of the same drug were
      combined in the final database. The publically available release of SWEETLEAD
      (https://simtk.org/home/sweetlead) provides an important tool to enable the
      successful completion of computer-aided repurposing and drug discovery campaigns.

PMID- 24223974
TI  - Donkey orchid symptomless virus: a viral 'platypus' from Australian terrestrial
      orchids.
AB  - Complete and partial genome sequences of two isolates of an unusual new plant
      virus, designated Donkey orchid symptomless virus (DOSV) were identified using a
      high-throughput sequencing approach. The virus was identified from asymptomatic
      plants of Australian terrestrial orchid Diuris longifolia (Common donkey orchid)
      growing in a remnant forest patch near Perth, western Australia. DOSV was
      identified from two D. longifolia plants of 264 tested, and from at least one
      plant of 129 Caladenia latifolia (pink fairy orchid) plants tested. Phylogenetic
      analysis of the genome revealed open reading frames (ORF) encoding seven putative
      proteins of apparently disparate origins. A 69-kDa protein (ORF1) that overlapped
      the replicase shared low identity with MPs of plant tymoviruses (Tymoviridae). A
      157-kDa replicase (ORF2) and 22-kDa coat protein (ORF4) shared 32% and 40% amino
      acid identity, respectively, with homologous proteins encoded by members of the
      plant virus family Alphaflexiviridae. A 44-kDa protein (ORF3) shared low identity
      with myosin and an autophagy protein from Squirrelpox virus. A 27-kDa protein
      (ORF5) shared no identity with described proteins. A 14-kDa protein (ORF6) shared
      limited sequence identity (26%) over a limited region of the envelope
      glycoprotein precursor of mammal-infecting Crimea-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus
      (Bunyaviridae). The putative 25-kDa movement protein (MP) (ORF7) shared limited
      (27%) identity with 3A-like MPs of members of the plant-infecting Tombusviridae
      and Virgaviridae. Transmissibility was shown when DOSV systemically infected
      Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Structure and organization of the domains within
      the putative replicase of DOSV suggests a common evolutionary origin with
      'potexvirus-like' replicases of viruses within the Alphaflexiviridae and
      Tymoviridae, and the CP appears to be ancestral to CPs of allexiviruses
      (Alphaflexiviridae). The MP shares an evolutionary history with MPs of
      dianthoviruses, but the other putative proteins are distant from plant viruses.
      DOSV is not readily classified in current lower order virus taxa. 

PMID- 24223975
TI  - Concerted in vitro trimming of viral HLA-B27-restricted ligands by human ERAP1
      and ERAP2 aminopeptidases.
AB  - In the classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen processing and
      presentation pathway, the antigenic peptides are generated from viral proteins by
      multiple proteolytic cleavages of the proteasome (and in some cases other
      cytosolic proteases) and transported to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen
      where they are exposed to aminopeptidase activity. In human cells, two different
      ER-resident enzymes, ERAP1 and ERAP2, can trim the N-terminally extended residues
      of peptide precursors. In this study, the possible cooperative effect of
      generating five naturally processed HLA-B27 ligands by both proteases was
      analyzed. We identified differences in the products obtained with increased
      detection of natural HLA-B27 ligands by comparing double versus single enzyme
      digestions by mass spectrometry analysis. These in vitro data suggest that each
      enzyme can use the degradation products of the other as a substrate for new N
      terminal trimming, indicating concerted aminoproteolytic activity of ERAP 1 and
      ERAP2. 

PMID- 24223976
TI  - Prominent heart organ-level performance deficits in a genetic model of targeted
      severe and progressive SERCA2 deficiency.
AB  - The cardiac SERCA2 Ca(2+) pump is critical for maintaining normal Ca(2+) handling
      in the heart. Reduced SERCA2a content and blunted Ca(2+) reuptake are frequently
      observed in failing hearts and evidence implicates poor cardiac Ca(2+) handling
      in the progression of heart failure. To gain insight into mechanism we
      investigated a novel genetic mouse model of inducible severe and progressive
      SERCA2 deficiency (inducible Serca2 knockout, SERCA2 KO). These mice eventually
      die from overt heart failure 7-10 weeks after knockout but as yet there have been
      no reports on intrinsic mechanical performance at the isolated whole heart organ
      level. Thus we studied whole-organ ex vivo function of hearts isolated from
      SERCA2 KO mice at one and four weeks post-knockout in adult animals. We found
      that isolated KO heart function was only modestly impaired one week post
      knockout, when SERCA2a protein was 32% of normal. At four weeks post-knockout,
      function was severely impaired with near non-detectable levels of SERCA2. During
      perfusion with 10 mM caffeine, LV developed pressures were similar between 4-week
      KO and control hearts, and end-diastolic pressures were lower in KO. When hearts
      were subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury, recovery was not different between
      control and KO hearts at either one or four weeks post-knockout. Our findings
      indicate that ex vivo function of isolated SERCA2 KO hearts is severely impaired
      long before symptoms appear in vivo, suggesting that physiologically relevant
      heart function in vivo can be sustained for weeks in the absence of robust SR
      Ca(2+) flux. 

PMID- 24223977
TI  - Early detection of poor adherers to statins: applying individualized surveillance
      to pay for performance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication nonadherence costs $300 billion annually in the US.
      Medicare Advantage plans have a financial incentive to increase medication
      adherence among members because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
      (CMS) now awards substantive bonus payments to such plans, based in part on
      population adherence to chronic medications. We sought to build an individualized
      surveillance model that detects early which beneficiaries will fall below the CMS
      adherence threshold. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of over 210,000
      beneficiaries initiating statins, in a database of private insurance claims, from
      2008-2011. A logistic regression model was constructed to use statin adherence
      from initiation to day 90 to predict beneficiaries who would not meet the CMS
      measure of proportion of days covered 0.8 or above, from day 91 to 365. The model
      controlled for 15 additional characteristics. In a sensitivity analysis, we
      varied the number of days of adherence data used for prediction. RESULTS: Lower
      adherence in the first 90 days was the strongest predictor of one-year
      nonadherence, with an odds ratio of 25.0 (95% confidence interval 23.7-26.5) for
      poor adherence at one year. The model had an area under the receiver operating
      characteristic curve of 0.80. Sensitivity analysis revealed that predictions of
      comparable accuracy could be made only 40 days after statin initiation. When
      members with 30-day supplies for their first statin fill had predictions made at
      40 days, and members with 90-day supplies for their first fill had predictions
      made at 100 days, poor adherence could be predicted with 86% positive predictive
      value. CONCLUSIONS: To preserve their Medicare Star ratings, plan managers should
      identify or develop effective programs to improve adherence. An individualized
      surveillance approach can be used to target members who would most benefit,
      recognizing the tradeoff between improved model performance over time and the
      advantage of earlier detection.

PMID- 24223978
TI  - Adherens junction distribution mechanisms during cell-cell contact elongation in
      Drosophila.
AB  - During Drosophila gastrulation, amnioserosa (AS) cells flatten and spread as an
      epithelial sheet. We used AS morphogenesis as a model to investigate how adherens
      junctions (AJs) distribute along elongating cell-cell contacts in vivo. As the
      contacts elongated, total AJ protein levels increased along their length.
      However, genetically blocking this AJ addition indicated that it was not
      essential for maintaining AJ continuity. Implicating other remodeling mechanisms,
      AJ photobleaching revealed non-directional lateral mobility of AJs along the
      elongating contacts, as well as local AJ removal from the membranes. Actin
      stabilization with jasplakinolide reduced AJ redistribution, and live imaging of
      myosin II along elongating contacts revealed fragmented, expanding and
      contracting actomyosin networks, suggesting a mechanism for lateral AJ mobility.
      Actin stabilization also increased total AJ levels, suggesting an inhibition of
      AJ removal. Implicating AJ removal by endocytosis, clathrin endocytic machinery
      accumulated at AJs. However, dynamin disruption had no apparent effect on AJs,
      suggesting the involvement of redundant or dynamin-independent mechanisms.
      Overall, we propose that new synthesis, lateral diffusion, and endocytosis play
      overlapping roles to populate elongating cell-cell contacts with evenly
      distributed AJs in this in vivo system. 

PMID- 24223979
TI  - Water-limiting conditions alter the structure and biofilm-forming ability of
      bacterial multispecies communities in the alfalfa rhizosphere.
AB  - Biofilms are microbial communities that adhere to biotic or abiotic surfaces and
      are enclosed in a protective matrix of extracellular compounds. An important
      advantage of the biofilm lifestyle for soil bacteria (rhizobacteria) is
      protection against water deprivation (desiccation or osmotic effect). The
      rhizosphere is a crucial microhabitat for ecological, interactive, and
      agricultural production processes. The composition and functions of bacterial
      biofilms in soil microniches are poorly understood. We studied multibacterial
      communities established as biofilm-like structures in the rhizosphere of Medicago
      sativa (alfalfa) exposed to 3 experimental conditions of water limitation. The
      whole biofilm-forming ability (WBFA) for rhizospheric communities exposed to
      desiccation was higher than that of communities exposed to saline or nonstressful
      conditions. A culture-dependent ribotyping analysis indicated that communities
      exposed to desiccation or saline conditions were more diverse than those under
      the nonstressful condition. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of selected strains showed
      that the rhizospheric communities consisted primarily of members of the
      Actinobacteria and alpha- and gamma-Proteobacteria, regardless of the water
      limiting condition. Our findings contribute to improved understanding of the
      effects of environmental stress factors on plant-bacteria interaction processes
      and have potential application to agricultural management practices. 

PMID- 24223980
TI  - Optimization of a pain model: effects of body temperature and anesthesia on
      bladder nociception in mice.
AB  - Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating urological
      condition that is resistant to treatment and poorly understood. To determine
      novel molecular treatment targets and to elucidate the contribution of the
      nervous system to IC/BPS, many rodent bladder pain models have been developed. In
      this study we evaluated the effects of anesthesia induction and temperature
      variation in a mouse model of bladder pain known as urinary bladder distension
      (UBD). In this model compressed air is used to distend the bladder to distinct
      pressures while electrodes record the reflexive visceromotor response (VMR) from
      the overlying abdominal muscle. Two isoflurane induction models are commonly used
      before UBD: a short method lasting approximately 30 minutes and a long method
      lasting approximately 90 minutes. Animals were anesthetized with one of the
      methods then put through three sets of graded bladder distensions. Distensions
      performed following the short anesthesia protocol were significantly different
      from one another despite identical testing parameters; this same effect was not
      observed when the long anesthesia protocol was used. In order to determine the
      effect of temperature on VMRs, animals were put through three graded distension
      sets at 37.5 (normal mouse body temperature), 35.5, and 33.5 degrees C.
      Distensions performed at 33.5 and 35.5 degrees C were significantly lower than
      those performed at 37.5 degrees C. Additionally, Western blot analysis revealed
      significantly smaller increases in spinal levels of phosphorylated extracellular
      signal regulated kinase 2 (pERK2) following bladder distension in animals whose
      body temperature was maintained at 33.5 degrees C as opposed to 37.5 degrees C.
      These results highlight the significance of the dynamic effects of anesthesia on
      pain-like changes and the importance of close monitoring of temperature while
      performing UBD. For successful interpretation of VMRs and translation to human
      disease, body temperature should be maintained at 37.5 degrees C and isoflurane
      induction should gradually decrease over the course of 90 minutes. 

PMID- 24223981
TI  - Heterologous expression of the wheat aquaporin gene TaTIP2;2 compromises the
      abiotic stress tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - Aquaporins are channel proteins which transport water across cell membranes. We
      show that the bread wheat aquaporin gene TaTIP2;2 maps to the long arm of
      chromosome 7b and that its product localizes to the endomembrane system. The gene
      is expressed constitutively in both the root and the leaf, and is down-regulated
      by salinity and drought stress. Salinity stress induced an increased level of C
      methylation within the CNG trinucleotides in the TaTIP2;2 promoter region. The
      heterologous expression of TaTIP2;2 in Arabidopsis thaliana compromised its
      drought and salinity tolerance, suggesting that TaTIP2;2 may be a negative
      regulator of abiotic stress. The proline content of transgenic A. thaliana plants
      fell, consistent with the down-regulation of P5CS1, while the expression of SOS1,
      SOS2, SOS3, CBF3 and DREB2A, which are all stress tolerance-related genes acting
      in an ABA-independent fashion, was also down-regulated. The supply of exogenous
      ABA had little effect either on TaTIP2;2 expression in wheat or on the phenotype
      of transgenic A. thaliana. The expression level of the ABA signalling genes ABI1,
      ABI2 and ABF3 remained unaltered in the transgenic A. thaliana plants. Thus
      TaTIP2;2 probably regulates the response to stress via an ABA-independent
      pathway(s). 

PMID- 24223982
TI  - Molecular markers reveal limited population genetic structure in a North American
      corvid, Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana).
AB  - The genetic impact of barriers and Pleistocene glaciations on high latitude
      resident species has not been widely investigated. The Clark's nutcracker is an
      endemic North American corvid closely associated with Pinus-dominated forests.
      The nutcracker's encompasses known barriers to dispersal for other species, and
      glaciated and unglaciated areas. Clark's nutcrackers also irruptively disperse
      long distances in search of pine seed crops, creating the potential for gene flow
      among populations. Using the highly variable mitochondrial DNA control region,
      seven microsatellite loci, and species distribution modeling, we examined the
      effects of glaciations and dispersal barriers on population genetic patterns and
      population structure of nutcrackers. We sequenced 900 bp of mitochondrial control
      region for 169 individuals from 15 populations and analysed seven polymorphic
      microsatellite loci for 13 populations across the Clark's nutcracker range. We
      used species distribution modeling and a range of phylogeographic analyses to
      examine evolutionary history. Clark's nutcracker populations are not highly
      differentiated throughout their range, suggesting high levels of gene flow among
      populations, though we did find some evidence of isolation by distance and
      peripheral isolation. Our analyses suggested expansion from a single refugium
      after the last glacial maximum, but patterns of genetic diversity and
      paleodistribution modeling of suitable habitat were inconclusive as to the
      location of this refugium. Potential barriers to dispersal (e.g. mountain ranges)
      do not appear to restrict gene flow in Clark's nutcracker, and postglacial
      expansion likely occurred quickly from a single refugium located south of the ice
      sheets. 

PMID- 24223983
TI  - Productive infection of human skeletal muscle cells by pandemic and seasonal
      influenza A(H1N1) viruses.
AB  - Besides the classical respiratory and systemic symptoms, unusual complications of
      influenza A infection in humans involve the skeletal muscles. Numerous cases of
      acute myopathy and/or rhabdomyolysis have been reported, particularly following
      the outbreak of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) in 2009. The pathogenesis of these
      influenza-associated myopathies (IAM) remains unkown, although the direct
      infection of muscle cells is suspected. Here, we studied the susceptibility of
      cultured human primary muscle cells to a 2009 pandemic and a 2008 seasonal
      influenza A(H1N1) isolate. Using cells from different donors, we found that
      differentiated muscle cells (i. e. myotubes) were highly susceptible to infection
      by both influenza A(H1N1) isolates, whereas undifferentiated cells (i. e.
      myoblasts) were partially resistant. The receptors for influenza viruses, alpha2
      6 and alpha2-3 linked sialic acids, were detected on the surface of myotubes and
      myoblasts. Time line of viral nucleoprotein (NP) expression and nuclear export
      showed that the first steps of the viral replication cycle could take place in
      muscle cells. Infected myotubes and myoblasts exhibited budding virions and
      nuclear inclusions as observed by transmission electron microscopy and
      correlative light and electron microscopy. Myotubes, but not myoblasts, yielded
      infectious virus progeny that could further infect naive muscle cells after
      proteolytic treatment. Infection led to a cytopathic effect with the lysis of
      muscle cells, as characterized by the release of lactate dehydrogenase. The
      secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by muscle cells was not affected following
      infection. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis of a direct muscle
      infection causing rhabdomyolysis in IAM patients. 

PMID- 24223984
TI  - Development and validation of a clinical and computerised decision support system
      for management of hypertension (DSS-HTN) at a primary health care (PHC) setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertension remains the top global cause of disease burden. Decision
      support systems (DSS) could provide an adequate and cost-effective means to
      improve the management of hypertension at a primary health care (PHC) level in a
      developing country, nevertheless evidence on this regard is rather limited.
      METHODS: Development of DSS software was based on an algorithmic approach for (a)
      evaluation of a hypertensive patient, (b) risk stratification (c) drug management
      and (d) lifestyle interventions, based on Indian guidelines for hypertension II
      (2007). The beta testing of DSS software involved a feedback from the end users
      of the system on the contents of the user interface. Software validation and
      piloting was done in field, wherein the virtual recommendations and advice given
      by the DSS were compared with two independent experts (government doctors from
      the non-participating PHC centers). RESULTS: The overall percent agreement
      between the DSS and independent experts among 60 hypertensives on drug management
      was 85% (95% CI: 83.61-85.25). The kappa statistic for overall agreement for drug
      management was 0.659 (95% CI: 0.457-0.862) indicating a substantial degree of
      agreement beyond chance at an alpha fixed at 0.05 with 80% power. Receiver
      operator curve (ROC) showed a good accuracy for the DSS, wherein, the area under
      curve (AUC) was 0.848 (95% CI: 0.741-0.948). Sensitivity and specificity of the
      DSS were 83.33 and 85.71% respectively when compared with independent experts.
      CONCLUSION: A point of care, pilot tested and validated DSS for management of
      hypertension has been developed in a resource constrained low and middle income
      setting and could contribute to improved management of hypertension at a primary
      health care level.

PMID- 24223985
TI  - Neuromyelitis optica in Austria in 2011: to bridge the gap between
      neuroepidemiological research and practice in a study population of 8.4 million
      people.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2008 the Austrian Task Force for Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)
      started a nation-wide network for information exchange and multi-centre
      collaboration. Their aim was to detect all patients with NMO or NMO spectrum
      disorders (NMO-SD) in Austria and to analyse their disease courses and response
      to treatment. METHODS: (1) As of March 2008, 1957 serum samples (of 1557
      patients) have been tested with an established cell based immunofluorescence
      aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab) assay with a high sensitivity and specificity
      (both >95%). All tests were performed in a single reference laboratory (Clinical
      Dept. of Neurology of the Innsbruck Medical University). (2) A nation-wide survey
      with several calls for participation (via email newsletters, articles in the
      official journal of the Austrian Society of Neurology, and workshops) was
      initiated in 2008. All collected data will be presented in a way that allows that
      every individual patient can be traced back in order to ensure transparency and
      to avoid any data distortion in future meta-analyses. The careful and detailed
      presentation allows the visualization and comparison of the different disease
      courses in real time span. Failure and response to treatment are made visible at
      one glance. Database closure was 31 December 2011. All co-operators were offered
      co-authorship. RESULTS: All 71 NMO- or NMO-SD patients with AQP4-ab positivity
      (age range 12.3 to 79.6 years) were analysed in detail. Sex ratio (m:f = 1:7) and
      the proportion of patients without oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid
      (86.6%) were in line with previously published results. All identified patients
      were Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS: A nationwide collaboration amongst Austrian
      neurologists with good network communications made it possible to establish a
      database of 71 AQP4-ab positive patients with NMO/NMO-SD. This database is
      presented in detail and provides the basis for further studies and international
      cooperation in order to investigate this rare disease.

PMID- 24223986
TI  - A combination of Let-7d, Let-7g and Let-7i serves as a stable reference for
      normalization of serum microRNAs.
AB  - Recent studies have indicated that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in serum and
      plasma are stable and can serve as biomarkers of many human diseases. Measurement
      of circulating miRNAs with sufficient sensitivity and precision, however, faces
      some special challenges, among which proper normalization is the most critical
      but often an underappreciated issue. The primary aim of this study was to
      identify endogenous reference genes that maintain consistent levels under various
      conditions to serve as an internal control for quantification of serum miRNAs. We
      developed a strategy combining Illumina's sequencing by synthesis (SBS)
      technology, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT
      qPCR) assay, literature screening and statistical analysis to screen and validate
      the most suitable reference genes. A combination of let-7d, let-7g and let-7i is
      selected as a reference for the normalization of serum miRNAs and it is
      statistically superior to the commonly used reference genes U6, RNU44, RNU48 and
      miR-16. This has important implications for proper experimental design and
      accurate data interpretation. 

PMID- 24223987
TI  - Matrix metalloproteases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in medial
      plica and pannus-like tissue contribute to knee osteoarthritis progression.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degradation of the cartilage matrix,
      leading to pathologic changes in the joints. However, the pathogenic effects of
      synovial tissue inflammation on OA knees are not clear. To investigate whether
      the inflammation caused by the medial plica is involved in the pathogenesis of
      osteoarthritis, we examined the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs),
      tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), interleukin (IL)-1beta, and
      tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the medial plica and pannus-like tissue in
      the knees of patients with medial compartment OA who underwent either
      arthroscopic medial release (stage II; 15 knee joints from 15 patients) or total
      knee replacement (stage IV; 18 knee joints from 18 patients). MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP
      9, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha mRNA and protein levels measured, respectively, by
      quantitative real-time PCR and Quantibody human MMP arrays, were highly expressed
      in extracts of medial plica and pannus-like tissue from stage IV knee joints.
      Immunohistochemical staining also demonstrated high expression of MMP-2, MMP-3,
      and MMP-9 in plica and pannus-like tissue of stage IV OA knees and not in normal
      cartilage. Some TIMP/MMP ratios decreased significantly in both medial plica and
      pannus-like tissue as disease progressed from stage II to stage IV. Furthermore,
      the migration of cells from the pannus-like tissue was enhanced by IL-1beta,
      while plica cell migration was enhanced by TNF-alpha. The results suggest that
      medial plica and pannus-like tissue may be involved in the process of cartilage
      degradation in medial compartment OA of the knee. 

PMID- 24223988
TI  - Bayesian phylogeography of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in Europe.
AB  - Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonosis mainly transmitted by ticks
      that causes severe hemorrhagic fever and has a mortality rate of 5-60%. The first
      outbreak of CCHF occurred in the Crimean peninsula in 1944-45 and it has recently
      emerged in the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean. In order to reconstruct the
      origin and pathway of the worldwide dispersion of the virus at global and
      regional (eastern European) level, we investigated the phylogeography of the
      infection by analysing 121 publicly available CCHFV S gene sequences including
      two recently characterised Albanian isolates. The spatial and temporal phylogeny
      was reconstructed using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo approach, which
      estimated a mean evolutionary rate of 2.96 x 10(-4) (95%HPD=1.6 and 4.7 x 10(-4))
      substitutions/site/year for the analysed fragment. All of the isolates segregated
      into seven highly significant clades that correspond to the known geographical
      clades: in particular the two new isolates from northern Albania clustered
      significantly within the Europe 1 clade. Our phylogeographical reconstruction
      suggests that the global CCHFV clades originated about one thousand years ago
      from a common ancestor probably located in Africa. The virus then spread to Asia
      in the XV century and entered Europe on at least two occasions: the first in the
      early 1800s, when a still circulating but less or non-pathogenic virus emerged in
      Greece and Turkey, and the second in the early 1900s, when a pathogenic CCHFV
      strain began to spread in eastern Europe. The most probable location for the
      origin of this European clade 1 was Russia, but Turkey played a central role in
      spreading the virus throughout Europe. Given the close proximity of the infected
      areas, our data suggest that the movement of wild and domestic ungulates from
      endemic areas was probably the main cause of the dissemination of the virus in
      eastern Europe. 

PMID- 24223989
TI  - Enhanced methanol production in plants provides broad spectrum insect resistance.
AB  - Plants naturally emit methanol as volatile organic compound. Methanol is toxic to
      insect pests; but the quantity produced by most of the plants is not enough to
      protect them against invading insect pests. In the present study, we demonstrated
      that the over-expression of pectin methylesterase, derived from Arabidopsis
      thaliana and Aspergillus niger, in transgenic tobacco plants enhances methanol
      production and resistance to polyphagous insect pests. Methanol content in the
      leaves of transgenic plants was measured using proton nuclear spectroscopy (1H
      NMR) and spectra showed up to 16 fold higher methanol as compared to control wild
      type (WT) plants. A maximum of 100 and 85% mortality in chewing insects
      Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura larvae was observed, respectively when
      fed on transgenic plants leaves. The surviving larvae showed less feeding, severe
      growth retardation and could not develop into pupae. In-planta bioassay on
      transgenic lines showed up to 99 and 75% reduction in the population
      multiplication of plant sap sucking pests Myzus persicae (aphid) and Bemisia
      tabaci (whitefly), respectively. Most of the phenotypic characters of transgenic
      plants were similar to WT plants. Confocal microscopy showed no deformities in
      cellular integrity, structure and density of stomata and trichomes of transgenic
      plants compared to WT. Pollen germination and tube formation was also not
      affected in transgenic plants. Cell wall enzyme transcript levels were comparable
      with WT. This study demonstrated for the first time that methanol emission can be
      utilized for imparting broad range insect resistance in plants. 

PMID- 24223990
TI  - Diversity of both the cultivable protease-producing bacteria and bacterial
      extracellular proteases in the coastal sediments of King George Island,
      Antarctica.
AB  - Protease-producing bacteria play a vital role in degrading sedimentary organic
      nitrogen. However, the diversity of these bacteria and their extracellular
      proteases in most regions remain unknown. In this paper, the diversity of the
      cultivable protease-producing bacteria and of bacterial extracellular proteases
      in the sediments of Maxwell Bay, King George Island, Antarctica was investigated.
      The cultivable protease-producing bacteria reached 10(5) cells/g in all 8
      sediment samples. The cultivated protease-producing bacteria were mainly
      affiliated with the phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and
      Proteobacteria, and the predominant genera were Bacillus (22.9%), Flavobacterium
      (21.0%) and Lacinutrix (16.2%). Among these strains, Pseudoalteromonas and
      Flavobacteria showed relatively high protease production. Inhibitor analysis
      showed that nearly all the extracellular proteases from the bacteria were serine
      proteases or metalloproteases. These results begin to address the diversity of
      protease-producing bacteria and bacterial extracellular proteases in the
      sediments of the Antarctic Sea. 

PMID- 24223991
TI  - The scavenger protein apoptosis inhibitor of macrophages (AIM) potentiates the
      antimicrobial response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by enhancing autophagy.
AB  - Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophages (AIM), a scavenger protein secreted by tissue
      macrophages, is transcriptionally regulated by the nuclear receptor Liver X
      Receptor (LXR) and Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) heterodimer. Given that LXR exerts a
      protective immune response against M. tuberculosis, here we analyzed whether AIM
      is involved in this response. In an experimental murine model of tuberculosis,
      AIM serum levels peaked dramatically early after infection with M. tuberculosis,
      providing an in vivo biological link to the disease. We therefore studied the
      participation of AIM in macrophage response to M. tuberculosis in vitro. For this
      purpose, we used the H37Rv strain to infect THP-1 macrophages transfected to
      stably express AIM, thereby increasing infected macrophage survival. Furthermore,
      the expression of this protein enlarged foam cell formation by enhancing
      intracellular lipid content. Phagocytosis assays with FITC-labeled M.
      tuberculosis bacilli indicated that this protein was not involved in bacterial
      uptake; however, AIM expression decreased the number of intracellular cfus by up
      to 70% in bacterial killing assays, suggesting that AIM enhances macrophage
      mycobactericidal activity. Accordingly, M. tuberculosis-infected AIM-expressing
      cells upregulated the production of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, real-time
      PCR analysis showed increased mRNA levels of the antimicrobial peptides
      cathelicidin and defensin 4B. These increases were concomitant with greater
      cellular concentrations of the autophagy-related molecules Beclin 1 and LC3II, as
      well as enhanced acidification of mycobacterial phagosomes and LC3 co
      localization. In summary, our data support the notion that AIM contributes to key
      macrophage responses to M. tuberculosis. 

PMID- 24223993
TI  - N-cadherin relocalizes from the periphery to the center of the synapse after
      transient synaptic stimulation in hippocampal neurons.
AB  - N-cadherin is a cell adhesion molecule which is enriched at synapses. Binding of
      N-cadherin molecules to each other across the synaptic cleft has been postulated
      to stabilize adhesion between the presynaptic bouton and the postsynaptic
      terminal. N-cadherin is also required for activity-induced changes at synapses,
      including hippocampal long term potentiation and activity-induced spine expansion
      and stabilization. We hypothesized that these activity-dependent changes might
      involve changes in N-cadherin localization within synapses. To determine whether
      synaptic activity changes the localization of N-cadherin, we used structured
      illumination microscopy, a super-resolution approach which overcomes the
      conventional resolution limits of light microscopy, to visualize the localization
      of N-cadherin within synapses of hippocampal neurons. We found that synaptic N
      cadherin exhibits a spectrum of localization patterns, ranging from puncta at the
      periphery of the synapse adjacent to the active zone to an even distribution
      along the synaptic cleft. Furthermore, the N-cadherin localization pattern within
      synapses changes during KCl depolarization and after transient synaptic
      stimulation. During KCl depolarization, N-cadherin relocalizes away from the
      central region of the synaptic cleft to the periphery of the synapse. In
      contrast, after transient synaptic stimulation with KCl followed by a period of
      rest in normal media, fewer synapses have N-cadherin present as puncta at the
      periphery and more synapses have N-cadherin present more centrally and uniformly
      along the synapse compared to unstimulated cells. This indicates that transient
      synaptic stimulation modulates N-cadherin localization within the synapse. These
      results bring new information to the structural organization and activity-induced
      changes occurring at synapses, and suggest that N-cadherin relocalization may
      contribute to activity dependent changes at synapses. 

PMID- 24223992
TI  - Retinoic acid improves morphology of cultured peritoneal mesothelial cells from
      patients undergoing dialysis.
AB  - Patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis are classified
      according to their peritoneal permeability as low transporter (low solute
      permeability) or High transporter (high solute permeability). Factors that
      determine the differences in permeability between them have not been fully
      disclosed. We investigated morphological features of cultured human peritoneal
      mesothelial cells from low or high transporter patients and its response to All
      trans retinoic Acid (ATRA, vitamin A active metabolite), as compared to non
      uremic human peritoneal mesothelial cells. Control cells were isolated from human
      omentum. High or low transporter cells were obtained from dialysis effluents.
      Cells were cultured in media containing ATRA (0, 50, 100 or 200 nM). We studied
      length and distribution of microvilli and cilia (scanning electron microscopy),
      epithelial (cytokeratin, claudin-1, ZO-1 and occludin) and mesenchymal (vimentin
      and alpha-smooth muscle actin) transition markers by immunofluorescence and
      Western blot, and transforming growth factor beta1 expression by Western blot.
      Low and high transporter exhibited hypertrophic cells, reduction in claudin-1,
      occludin and ZO-1 expression, cytokeratin and vimentin disorganization and
      positive alpha-smooth muscle actin label. Vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin and
      transforming growth factor-beta1 were overexpressed in low transporter. Ciliated
      cells were diminished in low and high transporters. Microvilli number and length
      were severely reduced in high transporter. ATRA reduced hypertrophic cells number
      in low transporter. It also improved cytokeratin and vimentin organization,
      decreased vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression, and increased
      claudin 1, occludin and ZO-1 expression, in low and high transporter. In low
      transporter, ATRA reduced transforming growth factor-beta1 expression. ATRA
      augmented percentage of ciliated cells in low and high transporter. It also
      augmented cilia length in high transporter. Alterations in structure, epithelial
      mesenchymal markers and transforming growth factor-beta1 expression were
      differential between low and high transporter. Beneficial effects of ATRA were
      improved human peritoneal mesothelial cells morphology tending to normalize
      structures.

PMID- 24223994
TI  - Decreased hematocrit-to-viscosity ratio and increased lactate dehydrogenase level
      in patients with sickle cell anemia and recurrent leg ulcers.
AB  - Leg ulcer is a disabling complication in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA)
      but the exact pathophysiological mechanisms are unknown. The aim of this study
      was to identify the hematological and hemorheological alterations associated with
      recurrent leg ulcers. Sixty-two SCA patients who never experienced leg ulcers
      (ULC-) and 13 SCA patients with a positive history of recurrent leg ulcers (ULC+)
      -with no leg ulcers at the time of the study--were recruited. All patients were
      in steady state condition. Blood was sampled to perform hematological,
      biochemical (hemolytic markers) and hemorheological analyses (blood viscosity,
      red blood cell deformability and aggregation properties). The hematocrit-to
      viscosity ratio (HVR), which reflects the red blood cell oxygen transport
      efficiency, was calculated for each subject. Patients from the ULC+ group were
      older than patients from the ULC- group. Anemia (red blood cell count, hematocrit
      and hemoglobin levels) was more pronounced in the ULC+ group. Lactate
      dehydrogenase level was higher in the ULC+ group than in the ULC- group. Neither
      blood viscosity, nor RBC aggregation properties differed between the two groups.
      HVR was lower and RBC deformability tended to be reduced in the ULC+ group. Our
      study confirmed increased hemolytic rate and anemia in SCA patients with leg
      ulcers recurrence. Furthermore, our data suggest that although systemic blood
      viscosity is not a major factor involved in the pathophysiology of this
      complication, decreased red blood cell oxygen transport efficiency (i.e., low
      hematocrit/viscosity ratio) may play a role.

PMID- 24223995
TI  - Endurance exercise and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation up-regulate
      CYP17A1 and stimulate testosterone biosynthesis.
AB  - A new role for fat supplements, in particular conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), has
      been delineated in steroidogenesis, although the underlying molecular mechanisms
      have not yet been elucidated. The aims of the present study were to identify the
      pathway stimulated by CLA supplementation using a cell culture model and to
      determine whether this same pathway is also stimulated in vivo by CLA
      supplementation associated with exercise. In vitro, Leydig tumour rat cells (R2C)
      supplemented with different concentrations of CLA exhibited increasing
      testosterone biosynthesis accompanied by increasing levels of CYP17A1 mRNA and
      protein. In vivo, trained mice showed an increase in free plasma testosterone and
      an up-regulation of CYP17A1 mRNA and protein. The effect of training on CYP17A1
      expression and testosterone biosynthesis was significantly higher in the trained
      mice supplemented with CLA compared to the placebo. The results of the present
      study demonstrated that CLA stimulates testosterone biosynthesis via CYP17A1, and
      endurance training led to the synthesis of testosterone in vivo by inducing the
      overexpression of CYP17A1 mRNA and protein in the Leydig cells of the testis.
      This effect was enhanced by CLA supplementation. Therefore, CLA-associated
      physical activity may be used for its steroidogenic property in different fields,
      such as alimentary industry, human reproductive medicine, sport science, and anti
      muscle wasting. 

PMID- 24223996
TI  - GTP hydrolysis of TC10 promotes neurite outgrowth through exocytic fusion of
      Rab11- and L1-containing vesicles by releasing exocyst component Exo70.
AB  - The use of exocytosis for membrane expansion at nerve growth cones is critical
      for neurite outgrowth. TC10 is a Rho family GTPase that is essential for specific
      types of vesicular trafficking to the plasma membrane. Recent studies have shown
      that TC10 and its effector Exo70, a component of the exocyst tethering complex,
      contribute to neurite outgrowth. However, the molecular mechanisms of the
      neuritogenesis-promoting functions of TC10 remain to be established. Here, we
      propose that GTP hydrolysis of vesicular TC10 near the plasma membrane promotes
      neurite outgrowth by accelerating vesicle fusion by releasing Exo70. Using
      Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors, we show that TC10
      activity at the plasma membrane decreased at extending growth cones in
      hippocampal neurons and nerve growth factor (NGF)-treated PC12 cells. In neuronal
      cells, TC10 activity at vesicles was higher than its activity at the plasma
      membrane, and TC10-positive vesicles were found to fuse to the plasma membrane in
      NGF-treated PC12 cells. Therefore, activity of TC10 at vesicles is presumed to be
      inactivated near the plasma membrane during neuronal exocytosis. Our model is
      supported by functional evidence that constitutively active TC10 could not rescue
      decrease in NGF-induced neurite outgrowth induced by TC10 depletion. Furthermore,
      TC10 knockdown experiments and colocalization analyses confirmed the involvement
      of Exo70 in TC10-mediated trafficking in neuronal cells. TC10 frequently resided
      on vesicles containing Rab11, which is a key regulator of recycling pathways and
      implicated in neurite outgrowth. In growth cones, most of the vesicles containing
      the cell adhesion molecule L1 had TC10. Exocytosis of Rab11- and L1-positive
      vesicles may play a central role in TC10-mediated neurite outgrowth. The
      combination of this study and our previous work on the role of TC10 in EGF
      induced exocytosis in HeLa cells suggests that the signaling machinery containing
      TC10 proposed here may be broadly used for exocytosis. 

PMID- 24223997
TI  - Global transcriptome analysis of Lactococcus garvieae strains in response to
      temperature.
AB  - Lactococcus garvieae is an important fish and an opportunistic human pathogen.
      The genomic sequences of several L. garvieae strains have been recently
      published, opening the possibility of global studies on the biology of this
      pathogen. In this study, a whole genome DNA microarray of two strains of L.
      garvieae was designed and validated. This DNA microarray was used to investigate
      the effects of growth temperature (18 degrees C and 37 degrees C) on the
      transcriptome of two clinical strains of L. garvieae that were isolated from fish
      (Lg8831) and from a human case of septicemia (Lg21881). The transcriptome
      profiles evidenced a strain-specific response to temperature, which was more
      evident at 18 degrees C. Among the most significant findings, Lg8831 was found to
      up-regulate at 18 degrees C several genes encoding different cold-shock and cold
      induced proteins involved in an efficient adaptive response of this strain to low
      temperature conditions. Another relevant result was the description, for the
      first time, of respiratory metabolism in L. garvieae, whose gene expression
      regulation was temperature-dependent in Lg21881. This study provides new insights
      about how environmental factors such as temperature can affect L. garvieae gene
      expression. These data could improve our understanding of the regulatory networks
      and adaptive biology of this important pathogen. 

PMID- 24223998
TI  - Lineage-specific expression of bestrophin-2 and bestrophin-4 in human intestinal
      epithelial cells.
AB  - Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) regulate the absorption and secretion of
      anions, such as HCO3(-) or Cl(-). Bestrophin genes represent a newly identified
      group of calcium-activated Cl(-) channels (CaCCs). Studies have suggested that,
      among the four human bestrophin-family genes, bestrophin-2 (BEST2) and bestrophin
      4 (BEST4) might be expressed within the intestinal tissue. Consistently, a study
      showed that BEST2 is expressed by human colonic goblet cells. However, their
      precise expression pattern along the gastrointestinal tract, or the lineage
      specificity of the cells expressing these genes, remains largely unknown. Here,
      we show that BEST2 and BEST4 are expressed in vivo, each in a distinct, lineage
      specific manner, in human IECs. While BEST2 was expressed exclusively in colonic
      goblet cells, BEST4 was expressed in the absorptive cells of both the small
      intestine and the colon. In addition, we found that BEST2 expression is
      significantly down-regulated in the active lesions of ulcerative colitis, where
      goblet cells were depleted, suggesting that BEST2 expression is restricted to
      goblet cells under both normal and pathologic conditions. Consistently, the
      induction of goblet cell differentiation by a Notch inhibitor, LY411575,
      significantly up-regulated the expression of not BEST4 but BEST2 in MUC2-positive
      HT-29 cells. Conversely, the induction of absorptive cell differentiation up
      regulated the expression of BEST4 in villin-positive Caco-2 cells. In addition,
      we found that the up- or down-regulation of Notch activity leads to the
      preferential expression of either BEST4 or BEST2, respectively, in LS174T cells.
      These results collectively confirmed that BEST2 and BEST4 could be added to the
      lineage-specific genes of humans IECs due to their abilities to clearly identify
      goblet cells of colonic origin and a distinct subset of absorptive cells,
      respectively. 

PMID- 24223999
TI  - Effects of news frames on perceived risk, emotions, and learning.
AB  - The media play a key role in forming opinions by influencing people's
      understanding and perception of a topic. People gather information about topics
      of interest from the internet and print media, which employ various news frames
      to attract attention. One example of a common news frame is the human-interest
      frame, which emotionalizes and dramatizes information and often accentuates
      individual affectedness. Our study investigated effects of human-interest frames
      compared to a neutral-text condition with respect to perceived risk, emotions,
      and knowledge acquisition, and tested whether these effects can be "generalized"
      to common variants of the human-interest frame. Ninety-one participants read
      either one variant of the human-interest frame or a neutrally formulated version
      of a newspaper article describing the effects of invasive species in general and
      the Asian ladybug (an invasive species) in particular. The framing was achieved
      by varying the opening and concluding paragraphs (about invasive species), as
      well as the headline. The core text (about the Asian ladybug) was the same across
      all conditions. All outcome variables on framing effects referred to this common
      core text. We found that all versions of the human-interest frame increased
      perceived risk and the strength of negative emotions compared to the neutral
      text. Furthermore, participants in the human-interest frame condition displayed
      better (quantitative) learning outcomes but also biased knowledge, highlighting a
      potential dilemma: Human-interest frames may increase learning, but they also
      lead to a rather unbalanced view of the given topic on a "deeper level". 

PMID- 24224000
TI  - Plasma peptide biomarker discovery for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by MALDI-TOF
      mass spectrometry profiling.
AB  - The diagnostic of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains based on clinical
      and neurophysiological observations. The actual delay between the onset of the
      symptoms and diagnosis is about 1 year, preventing early inclusion of patients
      into clinical trials and early care of the disease. Therefore, finding biomarkers
      with high sensitivity and specificity remains urgent. In our study, we looked for
      peptide biomarkers in plasma samples using reverse phase magnetic beads (C18 and
      C8) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis. From a set of ALS patients (n=30)
      and healthy age-matched controls (n=30), C18- or C8-SVM-based models for ALS
      diagnostic were constructed on the base of the minimum of the most discriminant
      peaks. These two SVM-based models end up in excellent separations between the 2
      groups of patients (recognition capability overall classes > 97%) and classify
      blinded samples (10 ALS and 10 healthy age-matched controls) with very high
      sensitivities and specificities (>90%). Some of these discriminant peaks have
      been identified by Mass Spectrometry (MS) analyses and correspond to (or are
      fragments of) major plasma proteins, partly linked to the blood coagulation. 

PMID- 24224001
TI  - Relationship between the COMT-Val158Met and BDNF-Val66Met polymorphisms,
      childhood trauma and psychotic experiences in an adolescent general population
      sample.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Psychotic experiences occur at a much greater prevalence in the
      population than psychotic disorders. There has been little research to date,
      however, on genetic risk for this extended psychosis phenotype. We examined
      whether COMT or BDNF genotypes were associated with psychotic experiences or
      interacted with childhood trauma in predicting psychotic experiences. METHOD:
      Psychiatric interviews and genotyping for COMT-Val158Met and BDNF-Val66Met were
      carried out on two population-based samples of 237 individuals aged 11-15 years.
      Logistic regression was used to examine for main effects by genotype and
      childhood trauma, controlling for important covariates. This was then compared to
      a model with a term for interaction between genotype and childhood trauma. Where
      a possible interaction was detected, this was further explored in stratified
      analyses. RESULTS: While childhood trauma showed a borderline association with
      psychotic experiences, COMT-Val158Met and BDNF-Val66Met genotypes were not
      directly associated with psychotic experiences in the population. Testing for
      gene x environment interaction was borderline significant in the case of COMT
      Val158Met with individuals with the COMT-Val158Met Val-Val genotype, who had been
      exposed to childhood trauma borderline significantly more likely to report
      psychotic experiences than those with Val-Met or Met-Met genotypes. There was no
      similar interaction by BDNF-Val66Met genotype. CONCLUSION: The COMT-Val158Met Val
      Val genotype may be a genetic moderator of risk for psychotic experiences in
      individuals exposed to childhood traumatic experiences.

PMID- 24224002
TI  - Activity of Bdellovibrio hit locus proteins, Bd0108 and Bd0109, links Type IVa
      pilus extrusion/retraction status to prey-independent growth signalling.
AB  - Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus are facultatively predatory bacteria that grow within
      gram-negative prey, using pili to invade their periplasmic niche. They also grow
      prey-independently on organic nutrients after undergoing a reversible switch. The
      nature of the growth switching mechanism has been elusive, but several
      independent reports suggested mutations in the hit (host-interaction) locus on
      the Bdellovibrio genome were associated with the transition to prey-independent
      growth. Pili are essential for prey entry by Bdellovibrio and sequence analysis
      of the hit locus predicted that it was part of a cluster of Type IVb pilus
      associated genes, containing bd0108 and bd0109. In this study we have deleted the
      whole bd0108 gene, which is unique to Bdellovibrio, and compared its phenotype to
      strains containing spontaneous mutations in bd0108 and the common natural 42 bp
      deletion variant of bd0108. We find that deletion of the whole bd0108 gene
      greatly reduced the extrusion of pili, whereas the 42 bp deletion caused greater
      pilus extrusion than wild-type. The pili isolated from these strains were
      comprised of the Type IVa pilin protein; PilA. Attempts to similarly delete gene
      bd0109, which like bd0108 encodes a periplasmic/secreted protein, were not
      successful, suggesting that it is likely to be essential for Bdellovibrio
      viability in any growth mode. Bd0109 has a sugar binding YD- repeat motif and an
      N-terminus with a putative pilin-like fold and was found to interact directly
      with Bd0108. These results lead us to propose that the Bd0109/Bd0108 interaction
      regulates pilus production in Bdellovibrio (possibly by interaction with the
      pilus fibre at the cell wall), and that the presence (and possibly retraction
      state) of the pilus feeds back to alter the growth state of the Bdellovibrio
      cell. We further identify a novel small RNA encoded by the hit locus, the
      transcription of which is altered in different bd0108 mutation backgrounds. 

PMID- 24224003
TI  - Radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy: treatment recommendations differ
      between urologists and radiation oncologists.
AB  - PURPOSE: There is no consensus on optimal use of radiotherapy following radical
      prostatectomy. The purpose of this study was to describe opinions of urologists
      and radiation oncologists regarding adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy following
      radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Urologists and genitourinary radiation
      oncologists were solicited to participate in an online survey. Respondent
      characteristics included demographics, training, practice setting, patient
      volume/experience, and access to radiotherapy. Participant practice patterns and
      attitudes towards use of adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy in standardized
      clinical scenarios were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-six staff
      physicians participated in the survey (104 urologists and 42 genitourinary
      radiation oncologists). Overall, high Gleason score (Gleason 7 vs. 6, RR 1.37 95%
      CI 1.19-1.56, p<0.0001 and Gleason 8-10 vs. 6, RR 1.56 95% CI 1.37-1.78,
      p<0.0001), positive surgical margin (RR 1.43 95% CI 1.26-1.62, p<0.0001), and
      extraprostatic tumour extension (RR 1.16 95% CI 1.05-1.28, p<0.002) conferred an
      increased probability of recommending adjuvant radiotherapy. Radiation
      oncologists were more likely to recommend adjuvant radiotherapy across all
      clinical scenarios (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.39, 1.60, p <0.001). Major differences were
      found for patients with Gleason 6 and isolated positive surgical margin
      (radiotherapy selected by 21% of urologists vs. 70% of radiation oncologists),
      and patients with extraprostatic extension and negative surgical margins
      (radiotherapy selected by 18% of urologist vs. 57% of radiation oncologists).
      CONCLUSIONS: Urologists and radiation oncologists frequently disagree about
      recommendation for post-prostatectomy adjuvant radiotherapy. Since clinical
      equipoise exists between adjuvant versus early salvage post-operative
      radiotherapy, support of clinical trials comparing these approaches is strongly
      encouraged.

PMID- 24224004
TI  - Tumor stiffness is unrelated to myosin light chain phosphorylation in cancer
      cells.
AB  - Many tumors are stiffer than their surrounding tissue. This increase in stiffness
      has been attributed, in part, to a Rho-dependent elevation of myosin II light
      chain phosphorylation. To characterize this mechanism further, we studied myosin
      light chain kinase (MLCK), the main enzyme that phosphorylates myosin II light
      chains. We anticipated that increases in MLCK expression and activity would
      contribute to the increased stiffness of cancer cells. However, we find that MLCK
      mRNA and protein levels are substantially less in cancer cells and tissues than
      in normal cells. Consistent with this observation, cancer cells contract 3D
      collagen matrices much more slowly than normal cells. Interestingly, inhibiting
      MLCK or Rho kinase did not affect the 3D gel contractions while blebbistatin
      partially and cytochalasin D maximally inhibited contractions. Live cell imaging
      of cells in collagen gels showed that cytochalasin D inhibited filopodia-like
      projections that formed between cells while a MLCK inhibitor had no effect on
      these projections. These data suggest that myosin II phosphorylation is
      dispensable in regulating the mechanical properties of tumors. 

PMID- 24224005
TI  - Novel disulfide bond-mediated dimerization of the CARD domain was revealed by the
      crystal structure of CARMA1 CARD.
AB  - CARMA1, BCL10 and MALT1 form a large molecular complex known as the CARMA1
      signalosome during lymphocyte activation. Lymphocyte activation via the CARMA1
      signalosome is critical to immune response and linked to many immune diseases.
      Despite the important role of the CARMA1 signalosome during lymphocyte activation
      and proliferation, limited structural information is available. Here, we report
      the dimeric structure of CARMA1 CARD at a resolution of 3.2 A. Interestingly,
      although CARMA1 CARD has a canonical six helical-bundles structural fold similar
      to other CARDs, CARMA1 CARD shows the first homo-dimeric structure of CARD formed
      by a disulfide bond and reveals a possible biologically important homo
      dimerization mechanism. 

PMID- 24224007
TI  - What time periods of the day are concerning for parents of children with
      attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The questionnaire-children with difficulties (QCD) is a parent
      assessed questionnaire designed to evaluate a child's difficulties in functioning
      during specific time periods of the day. In this study, the QCD was applied to
      determine the time periods of the day that are concerning for the parents of
      children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The results were
      compared with those for a community sample. METHODS: Elementary and junior high
      school students with ADHD (243 boys, 55 girls) and a community sample of children
      (518 boys, 618 girls) were enrolled in this study. Their behaviors were assessed
      by the QCD, the ADHD-rating scale (ADHD-RS), and the Oppositional Defiant
      Behavior Inventory (ODBI). The effects of gender (boy/girl) and diagnosis
      (ADHD/community sample) on the total QCD score were analyzed across each school
      grade (elementary/junior high school). Correlation coefficients between QCD and
      ADHD-RS/ODBI scores were analyzed. RESULTS: The QCD score for the ADHD group was
      significantly lower than that for the community sample (P < 0.001). There were
      significantly strong correlations between "evening" and ADHD-RS and ODBI scores
      for all children with ADHD (r > 0.41, P < 0.001) and between "night" and
      inattention and oppositional symptoms for the girls with ADHD (r > 0.40, P <
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Parents reported that children with ADHD faced greater
      difficulties in completing basic daily activities compared with the community
      controls, particularly in the evening. Furthermore, these difficulties were
      related to the severity of ADHD symptoms. The parents' perceptions depended on
      the gender, ADHD and oppositional symptoms, and the time period of the day. This
      study determined that children with ADHD face greater difficulties in daily
      functioning compared with community sample children, that these difficulties are
      time-dependent, and that these difficulties were particularly experienced in the
      evening.

PMID- 24224006
TI  - Expressed sequence tags for bovine muscle satellite cells, myotube formed-cells
      and adipocyte-like cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Muscle satellite cells (MSCs) represent a devoted stem cell
      population that is responsible for postnatal muscle growth and skeletal muscle
      regeneration. An important characteristic of MSCs is that they encompass multi
      potential mesenchymal stem cell activity and are able to differentiate into
      myocytes and adipocytes. To achieve a global view of the genes differentially
      expressed in MSCs, myotube formed-cells (MFCs) and adipocyte-like cells (ALCs),
      we performed large-scale EST sequencing of normalized cDNA libraries developed
      from bovine MSCs. RESULTS: A total of 24,192 clones were assembled into 3,333
      clusters, 5,517 singletons and 3,842contigs. Functional annotation of these
      unigenes revealed that a large portion of the differentially expressed genes are
      involved in cellular and signaling processes. Database for Annotation,
      Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) functional analysis of three
      subsets of highly expressed gene lists (MSC233, MFC258, and ALC248) highlighted
      some common and unique biological processes among MSC, MFC and ALC. Additionally,
      genes that may be specific to MSC, MFC and ALC are reported here, and the role of
      dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase2 (DDAH2) during myogenesis and hemoglobin
      subunit alpha2 (HBA2) during transdifferentiation in C2C12 were assayed as a case
      study. DDAH2 was up-regulated during myognesis and knockdown of DDAH2 by siRNA
      significantly decreased myogenin (MYOG) expression corresponding with the slight
      change in cell morphology. In contrast, HBA2 was up-regulated during ALC
      formation and resulted in decreased intracellular lipid accumulation and CD36
      mRNA expression upon knockdown assay. CONCLUSION: In this study, a large number
      of EST sequences were generated from the MSC, MFC and ALC. Overall, the
      collection of ESTs generated in this study provides a starting point for the
      identification of novel genes involved in MFC and ALC formation, which in turn
      offers a fundamental resource to enable better understanding of the mechanism of
      muscle differentiation and transdifferentiation.

PMID- 24224008
TI  - Population structure and genetic diversity of native and invasive populations of
      Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae).
AB  - AIMS: We investigate native and introduced populations of Solanum rostratum, an
      annual, self-compatible plant that has been introduced around the globe. This
      study is the first to compare the genetic diversity of Solanum rostratum between
      native and introduced populations. We aim to (1) determine the level of genetic
      diversity across the studied regions; (2) explore the likely origins of invasive
      populations in China; and (3) investigate whether there is the evidence of
      multiple introductions into China. METHODS: We genotyped 329 individuals at 10
      microsatellite loci to determine the levels of genetic diversity and to
      investigate population structure of native and introduced populations of S.
      rostratum. We studied five populations in each of three regions across two
      continents: Mexico, the U.S.A. and China. IMPORTANT FINDINGS: We found the
      highest genetic diversity among Mexican populations of S. rostratum. Genetic
      diversity was significantly lower in Chinese and U.S.A. populations, but we found
      no regional difference in inbreeding coefficients (F IS) or population
      differentiation (F ST). Population structure analyses indicate that Chinese and
      U.S.A. populations are more closely related to each other than to sampled Mexican
      populations, revealing that introduced populations in China share an origin with
      the sampled U.S.A. populations. The distinctiveness between some introduced
      populations indicates multiple introductions of S. rostratum into China.

PMID- 24224009
TI  - Novel mutations of ABCB6 associated with autosomal dominant dyschromatosis
      universalis hereditaria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria (DUH) is a rare heterogeneous
      pigmentary genodermatosis, which was first described in 1933. The genetic cause
      has recently been discovered by the discovery of mutations in ABCB6. Here we
      investigated a Chinese family with typical features of autosomal dominant DUH and
      3 unrelated patients with sporadic DUH. METHODS: Skin tissues were obtained from
      the proband, of this family and the 3 sporadic patients. Histopathological
      examination and immunohistochemical analysis of ABCB6 were performed. Peripheral
      blood DNA samples were obtained from 21 affected, 14 unaffected, 11 spouses in
      the family and the 3 sporadic patients. A genome-wide linkage scan for the family
      was carried out to localize the causative gene. Exome sequencing was performed
      from 3 affected and 1 unaffected in the family. Sanger sequencing of ABCB6 was
      further used to identify the causative gene for all samples obtained from
      available family members, the 3 sporadic patients and a panel of 455 ethnically
      matched normal Chinese individuals. RESULTS: Histopathological analysis showed
      melanocytes in normal control's skin tissue and the hyperpigmented area contained
      more melanized, mature melanosomes than those within the hypopigmented areas.
      Empty immature melanosomes were found in the hypopigmented melanocytes.
      Parametric multipoint linkage analysis produced a HLOD score of 4.68, with
      markers on chromosome 2q35-q37.2. A missense mutation (c.1663 C>A, p.Gln555Lys)
      in ABCB6 was identified in this family by exome and Sanger sequencing. The
      mutation perfectly cosegregated with the skin phenotype. An additional mutation
      (g.776 delC, c.459 delC) in ABCB6 was found in an unrelated sporadic patient. No
      mutation in ABCB6 was discovered in the other two sporadic patients. Neither of
      the two mutations was present in the 455 controls. Melanocytes showed positive
      immunoreactivity to ABCB6. CONCLUSION: Our data add new variants to the
      repertoire of ABCB6 mutations with DUH.

PMID- 24224010
TI  - Time trends and inequalities of under-five mortality in Nepal: a secondary data
      analysis of four demographic and health surveys between 1996 and 2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inequalities in progress towards achievement of Millennium
      Development Goal four (MDG-4) reflect unequal access to child health services.
      OBJECTIVE: To examine the time trends, socio-economic and regional inequalities
      of under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in Nepal. METHODS: We analyzed the data from
      complete birth histories of four Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) done
      in the years 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011. For each livebirth, we computed survival
      period from birth until either fifth birthday or the survey date. Using direct
      methods i.e. by constructing life tables, we calculated yearly U5MRs from 1991 to
      2010. Projections were made for the years 2011 to 2015. For each NDHS, U5MRs were
      calculated according to child's sex, mother's education, household wealth index,
      rural/urban residence, development regions and ecological zones. Inequalities
      were calculated as rate difference, rate ratio, population attributable risk and
      hazard ratio. RESULTS: Yearly U5MR (per 1000 live births) had decreased from
      157.3 (95% CIs 178.0-138.9) in 1991 to 43.2 (95% CIs 59.1-31.5) in 2010 i.e.
      114.1 reduction in absolute risk. Projected U5MR for the year 2015 was 54.33.
      U5MRs had decreased in absolute terms in all sub groups but relative inequalities
      had reduced for gender and rural/urban residence only. Wide inequalities existed
      by wealth and education and increased between 1996 and 2011. For lowest wealth
      quintile (as compared to highest quintile) hazard ratio (HR) increased from 1.37
      (95% CIs 1.27, 1.49) to 2.54 ( 95% CIs 2.25, 2.86) and for mothers having no
      education (as compared to higher education) HR increased from 2.55 (95% CIs 1.95,
      3.33) to 3.75 (95% CIs 3.17, 4.44). Changes in regional inequities were marginal
      and irregular. CONCLUSIONS: Nepal is most likely to achieve MDG-4 but eductional
      and wealth inequalities may widen further. National health policies should
      address to reduce inequalities in U5MR through 'inclusive policies'.

PMID- 24224011
TI  - Keap1-knockdown decreases fasting-induced fatty liver via altered lipid
      metabolism and decreased fatty acid mobilization from adipose tissue.
AB  - AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether Nrf2 activation, via
      Keap1-knockdown (Keap1-KD), regulates lipid metabolism and mobilization induced
      by food deprivation (e.g. fasting). METHODS AND RESULTS: Male C57BL/6 (WT) and
      Keap1-KD mice were either fed ad libitum or food deprived for 24 hours. After
      fasting, WT mice exhibited a marked increase in hepatic lipid accumulation, but
      Keap1-KD mice had an attenuated increase of lipid accumulation, along with
      reduced expression of lipogenic genes (acetyl-coA carboxylase, stearoyl-CoA
      desaturase-1, and fatty acid synthase) and reduced expression of genes related to
      fatty acid transport, such as fatty acid translocase/CD36 (CD36) and Fatty acid
      transport protein (FATP) 2, which may attribute to the reduced induction of
      Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (Ppar) alpha signaling in the liver.
      Additionally, enhanced Nrf2 activity by Keap1-KD increased AMP-activated protein
      kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in liver. In white adipose tissue, enhanced Nrf2
      activity did not change the lipolysis rate by fasting, but reduced expression of
      fatty acid transporters--CD36 and FATP1, via a PPARalpha-dependent mechanism,
      which impaired fatty acid transport from white adipose tissue to periphery
      circulation system, and resulted in increased white adipose tissue fatty acid
      content. Moreover, enhanced Nrf2 activity increased glucose tolerance and Akt
      phosphorylation levels upon insulin administration, suggesting Nrf2 signaling
      pathway plays a key role in regulating insulin signaling and enhanced insulin
      sensitivity in skeletal muscle. CONCLUSION: Enhanced Nrf2 activity via Keap1-KD
      decreased fasting-induced steatosis, pointing to an important function of Nrf2 on
      lipid metabolism under the condition of nutrient deprivation.

PMID- 24224012
TI  - Elevated Klotho promoter methylation is associated with severity of chronic
      kidney disease.
AB  - Klotho (KL) expression is down-regulated in the renal tissues of chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) animal models and patients with end-stage renal disease. The
      putative role of KL promoter hypermethylation in the progression of CKD remains
      unclear. The present study aimed to determine renal and peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMC) levels of KL promoter methylation and analyze their
      relationship with clinical and histological severity in patients with CKD. Using
      bisulfite pyrosequencing, renal and PBMC levels of KL promoter methylation were
      quantified in 47 patients with CKD. 47 nephrectomy specimens of patients with
      renal cell carcinoma and 48 PBMC specimens of healthy volunteers were used as
      renal tissue and PBMC controls, respectively. Renal expression of KL protein was
      assayed by immunohistochemistry staining. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
      curve was used to identify the optimal cut-off value of PBMC KL promoter
      methylation level for renal KL promoter hypermethylation. Higher levels of KL
      promoter methylation were observed in renal tissue and PBMC in patients with CKD
      compared with controls (8.79+/-3.24 vs. 5.17+/-1.11%, P<0.001; 7.20+/-2.79 vs.
      3.27+/-0.79%, P<0.001). In these patients, renal KL methylation level correlated
      inversely with renal KL immunostaining intensity (rho=-0.794, P<0.001). Estimated
      glomerular filtration rate correlated inversely with renal and PBMC levels of KL
      promoter methylation (r=-0.829, P<0.001; r=-0.645, P<0.001), while
      tubulointerstistial fibrosis score correlated positively (rho=0.826, P<0.001;
      rho=0.755, P<0.001). PBMC KL promoter methylation level correlated positively
      with renal KL promoter methylation level in patients with CKD (r=0.787, P<0.001).
      In ROC curve, the area under curve was 0.964 (P<0.001) and the optimal cut-off
      value was 5.83% with a sensitivity of 93.8% and specificity of 86.7% to predict
      renal KL promoter hypermethylation. The degree of KL promoter methylation is
      associated with clinical and histological severity of CKD. PBMC KL promoter
      methylation level may act as a potential biomarker of renal KL promoter
      hypermethylation. 

PMID- 24224013
TI  - Functional role of Mst1/Mst2 in embryonic stem cell differentiation.
AB  - The Hippo pathway is an evolutionary conserved pathway that involves cell
      proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and organ size regulation. Mst1 and
      Mst2 are central components of this pathway that are essential for embryonic
      development, though their role in controlling embryonic stem cells (ES cells) has
      yet to be exploited. To further understand the Mst1/Mst2 function in ES cell
      pluripotency and differentiation, we derived Mst1/Mst2 double knockout (Mst-/-)
      ES cells to completely perturb Hippo signaling. We found that Mst-/- ES cells
      express higher level of Nanog than wild type ES cells and show differentiation
      resistance after LIF withdrawal. They also proliferate faster than wild type ES
      cells. Although Mst-/- ES cells can form embryoid bodies (EBs), their
      differentiation into tissues of three germ layers is distorted. Intriguingly, Mst
      /- ES cells are unable to form teratoma. Mst-/- ES cells can differentiate into
      mesoderm lineage, but further differentiation to cardiac lineage cells is
      significantly affected. Microarray analysis revealed that ligands of non
      canonical Wnt signaling, which is critical for cardiac progenitor specification,
      are significantly repressed in Mst-/- EBs. Taken together our results showed that
      Mst1/Mst2 are required for proper cardiac lineage cell development and teratoma
      formation. 

PMID- 24224014
TI  - In vitro and in vivo characterization of ultraviolet light C-irradiated human
      platelets in a 2 event mouse model of transfusion.
AB  - UV-based pathogen reduction technologies have been developed in recent years to
      inactivate pathogens and contaminating leukocytes in platelet transfusion
      products in order to prevent transfusion-transmitted infections and
      alloimmunization. UVC-based technology differs from UVA or UVB-based technologies
      in that it uses a specific wavelength at 254 nm without the addition of any
      photosensitizers. Previously, it was reported that UVC irradiation induces
      platelet aggregation and activation. To understand if UVC-induced changes of
      platelet quality correlate with potential adverse events when these platelets are
      transfused into animals, we used a 2-event SCID mouse model in which the
      predisposing event was LPS treatment and the second event was infusion of UVC
      irradiated platelets. We analyzed lung platelet accumulation, protein content in
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as an indication of lung injury, and macrophage
      inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) release in mice received UVC-irradiated or
      untreated control platelets. Our results showed UVC-irradiated platelets
      accumulated in lungs of the mice in a dose-dependent manner. High-doses of UVC
      irradiated platelets were sequestered in the lungs to a similar level as we
      previously reported for UVB-irradiated platelets. Unlike UVB-platelets, UVC
      platelets did not lead to lung injury or induce MIP-2 release. This could
      potentially be explained by our observation that although UVC treatment activated
      platelet surface alphaIIbbeta3, it failed to activate platelet cells. It also
      suggests lung platelet accumulation and subsequent lung damage are due to
      different and separate mechanisms which require further investigation. 

PMID- 24224015
TI  - Repression and recuperation of brood production in Bombus terrestris bumble bees
      exposed to a pulse of the neonicotinoid pesticide imidacloprid.
AB  - Currently, there is concern about declining bee populations and some blame the
      residues of neonicotinoid pesticides in the nectar and pollen of treated crops.
      Bumble bees are important wild pollinators that are widely exposed to dietary
      neonicotinoids by foraging in agricultural environments. In the laboratory, we
      tested the effect of a pulsed exposure (14 days 'on dose' followed by 14 days
      'off dose') to a common neonicotinoid, imidacloprid, on the amount of brood
      (number of eggs and larvae) produced by Bombus terrestris L. bumble bees in
      small, standardised experimental colonies (a queen and four adult workers).
      During the initial 'on dose' period we observed a dose-dependent repression of
      brood production in colonies, with productivity decreasing as dosage increased up
      to 98 ug kg(-1) dietary imidacloprid. During the following 'off dose' period,
      colonies showed a dose-dependent recuperation such that total brood production
      during the 28-day pulsed exposure was not correlated with imidacloprid up to 98
      ug kg(-1). Our findings raise further concern about the threat to wild bumble
      bees from neonicotinoids, but they also indicate some resilience to a pulsed
      exposure, such as that arising from the transient bloom of a treated mass
      flowering crop. 

PMID- 24224016
TI  - A RhoC biosensor reveals differences in the activation kinetics of RhoA and RhoC
      in migrating cells.
AB  - RhoA and RhoC GTPases share 92% amino acid sequence identity, yet play different
      roles in regulating cell motility and morphology. To understand these
      differences, we developed and validated a biosensor of RhoC activation (RhoC
      FLARE). This was used together with a RhoA biosensor to compare the spatio
      temporal dynamics of RhoA and RhoC activity during cell protrusion/retraction and
      macropinocytosis. Both GTPases were activated similarly at the cell edge, but in
      regions more distal from the edge RhoC showed higher activation during
      protrusion. The two isoforms differed markedly in the kinetics of activation.
      RhoC was activated concomitantly with RhoA at the cell edge, but distally, RhoC
      activation preceded RhoA activation, occurring before edge protrusion. During
      macropinocytosis, differences were observed during vesicle closure and in the
      area surrounding vesicle formation. 

PMID- 24224017
TI  - ConfocalCheck--a software tool for the automated monitoring of confocal
      microscope performance.
AB  - Laser scanning confocal microscopy has become an invaluable tool in biomedical
      research but regular quality testing is vital to maintain the system's
      performance for diagnostic and research purposes. Although many methods have been
      devised over the years to characterise specific aspects of a confocal microscope
      like measuring the optical point spread function or the field illumination, only
      very few analysis tools are available. Our aim was to develop a comprehensive
      quality assurance framework ranging from image acquisition to automated analysis
      and documentation. We created standardised test data to assess the performance of
      the lasers, the objective lenses and other key components required for optimum
      confocal operation. The ConfocalCheck software presented here analyses the data
      fully automatically. It creates numerous visual outputs indicating potential
      issues requiring further investigation. By storing results in a web browser
      compatible file format the software greatly simplifies record keeping allowing
      the operator to quickly compare old and new data and to spot developing trends.
      We demonstrate that the systematic monitoring of confocal performance is
      essential in a core facility environment and how the quantitative measurements
      obtained can be used for the detailed characterisation of system components as
      well as for comparisons across multiple instruments. 

PMID- 24224018
TI  - Introducing the event related fixed interval area (ERFIA) multilevel technique: a
      method to analyze the complete epoch of event-related potentials at single trial
      level.
AB  - In analyzing time-locked event-related potentials (ERPs), many studies have
      focused on specific peaks and their differences between experimental conditions.
      In theory, each latency point after a stimulus contains potentially meaningful
      information, regardless of whether it is peak-related. Based on this assumption,
      we introduce a new concept which allows for flexible investigation of the whole
      epoch and does not primarily focus on peaks and their corresponding latencies.
      For each trial, the entire epoch is partitioned into event-related fixed-interval
      areas under the curve (ERFIAs). These ERFIAs, obtained at single trial level, act
      as dependent variables in a multilevel random regression analysis. The ERFIA
      multilevel method was tested in an existing ERP dataset of 85 healthy subjects,
      who underwent a rating paradigm of 150 painful and non-painful somatosensory
      electrical stimuli. We modeled the variability of each consecutive ERFIA with a
      set of predictor variables among which were stimulus intensity and stimulus
      number. Furthermore, we corrected for latency variations of the P2 (260 ms). With
      respect to known relationships between stimulus intensity, habituation, and pain
      related somatosensory ERP, the ERFIA method generated highly comparable results
      to those of commonly used methods. Notably, effects on stimulus intensity and
      habituation were also observed in non-peak-related latency ranges. Further,
      cortical processing of actual stimulus intensity depended on the intensity of the
      previous stimulus, which may reflect pain-memory processing. In conclusion, the
      ERFIA multilevel method is a promising tool that can be used to study event
      related cortical processing. 

PMID- 24224019
TI  - Genome-wide identification of regulatory elements and reconstruction of gene
      regulatory networks of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under carbon
      deprivation.
AB  - The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a long-established model
      organism for studies on photosynthesis and carbon metabolism-related physiology.
      Under conditions of air-level carbon dioxide concentration [CO2], a carbon
      concentrating mechanism (CCM) is induced to facilitate cellular carbon uptake.
      CCM increases the availability of carbon dioxide at the site of cellular carbon
      fixation. To improve our understanding of the transcriptional control of the CCM,
      we employed FAIRE-seq (formaldehyde-assisted Isolation of Regulatory Elements,
      followed by deep sequencing) to determine nucleosome-depleted chromatin regions
      of algal cells subjected to carbon deprivation. Our FAIRE data recapitulated the
      positions of known regulatory elements in the promoter of the periplasmic
      carbonic anhydrase (Cah1) gene, which is upregulated during CCM induction, and
      revealed new candidate regulatory elements at a genome-wide scale. In addition,
      time series expression patterns of 130 transcription factor (TF) and
      transcription regulator (TR) genes were obtained for cells cultured under
      photoautotrophic condition and subjected to a shift from high to low [CO2].
      Groups of co-expressed genes were identified and a putative directed gene
      regulatory network underlying the CCM was reconstructed from the gene expression
      data using the recently developed IOTA (inner composition alignment) method.
      Among the candidate regulatory genes, two members of the MYB-related TF family,
      Lcr1 (Low-CO 2 response regulator 1) and Lcr2 (Low-CO2 response regulator 2), may
      play an important role in down-regulating the expression of a particular set of
      TF and TR genes in response to low [CO2]. The results obtained provide new
      insights into the transcriptional control of the CCM and revealed more than 60
      new candidate regulatory genes. Deep sequencing of nucleosome-depleted genomic
      regions indicated the presence of new, previously unknown regulatory elements in
      the C. reinhardtii genome. Our work can serve as a basis for future functional
      studies of transcriptional regulator genes and genomic regulatory elements in
      Chlamydomonas.

PMID- 24224020
TI  - Identification of a functional nuclear localization signal mediating nuclear
      import of the zinc finger transcription factor ZNF24.
AB  - ZNF24 is a member of the SCAN domain family of Kruppel-like zinc finger (ZF)
      transcription factors, which plays a critical role in cell proliferation and
      differentiation. However, how ZNF24 enters the nucleus in order to exert its
      function remains unclear since its nuclear localization signal(s) (NLS) has not
      been identified. Here, we generated a series of GFP-tagged deletion and point
      mutants and assessed their subcellular localization. Our results delimit the NLS
      to ZF1-2. Deletion of ZF1-2 caused cytoplasmic accumulation of ZNF24. Fusion of
      the ZF1-2 to green fluorescent protein (GFP) targeted GFP to the nucleus,
      demonstrating that the ZF1-2 is both necessary and sufficient for nuclear
      localization. ZNF24 containing histidine to leucine mutations that disrupt the
      structure of ZF1 or/and ZF2 retains appropriate nuclear localization, indicating
      that neither the tertiary structure of the zinc fingers nor specific DNA binding
      are necessary for nuclear localization. K286A and R290A mutation led to partial
      cytoplasmic accumulation. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that ZNF24
      interacted with importin-beta and this interaction required the ZF motifs. The
      beta-Catenin (CTNNB1) luciferase assays showed that the ZNF24 mutants defective
      in nuclear localization could not promote CTNNB1 promoter activation as the wild
      type ZNF24 did. Taken together, these results suggest that consecutive ZF1-2 is
      critical for the regulation of ZNF24 nuclear localization and its transactivation
      function.

PMID- 24224021
TI  - Severe painful vaso-occlusive crises and mortality in a contemporary adult sickle
      cell anemia cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frequent painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) were associated with
      mortality in the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD) over twenty
      years ago. Modern therapies for sickle cell anemia (SCA) like hydroxyurea are
      believed to have improved overall patient survival. The current study sought to
      determine the relevance of the association between more frequent VOCs and death
      and its relative impact upon overall mortality compared to other known risk
      factors in a contemporary adult SCA cohort. METHODS: Two hundred sixty four SCA
      adults were assigned into two groups based on patient reported outcomes for
      emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalizations for painful VOC treatment
      during the 12 months prior to evaluation. RESULTS: Higher baseline hematocrit (p
      = 0.0008), ferritin (p = 0.005), and HDL cholesterol (p = 0.01) were
      independently associated with 1 or more painful VOCs requiring an ED visit or
      hospitalization for acute pain. During a median follow-up of 5 years, mortality
      was higher in the ED visit/hospitalization group (relative risk [RR] 2.68, 95% CI
      1.1-6.5, p = 0.03). Higher tricuspid regurgitatant jet velocity (TRV) (RR 2.41,
      95% CI 1.5-3.9, p < 0.0001), elevated ferritin (RR 4.00, 95% CI 1.8-9.0, p =
      0.001) and lower glomerular filtration rate (RR=2.73, 95% CI 1.6-4.6, p < 0.0001)
      were also independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Severe painful
      VOCs remain a marker for SCA disease severity and premature mortality in a modern
      cohort along with other known risk factors for death including high TRV, high
      ferritin and lower renal function. The number of patient reported pain crises
      requiring healthcare utilization is an easily obtained outcome that could help to
      identify high risk patients for disease modifying therapies. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00011648 http://clinicaltrials.gov/

PMID- 24224022
TI  - Mechanical-stretch of C2C12 myoblasts inhibits expression of Toll-like receptor 3
      (TLR3) and of autoantigens associated with inflammatory myopathies.
AB  - Recent studies in patients suffering from inflammatory autoimmune myopathies
      suggested that moderate exercise training improves or at least stabilizes muscle
      strength and function without inducing disease flares. However, the precise
      mechanisms involved in this beneficial effect have not been extensively studied.
      Here we used a model of in vitro stretched C2C12 myoblasts to investigate whether
      mechanical stretch could influence myoblast proliferation or the expression of
      proinflammatory genes. Our results demonstrated that cyclic mechanical stretch
      stimulated C2C12 cell cycling and early up-regulation of the molecules related to
      mechanical-stretch pathway in muscle (calmodulin, nNOS, MMP-2, HGF and c-Met).
      Unexpectedly, mechanical stretch also reduced the expression of TLR3 and of
      proteins known to represent autoantigens in inflammatory autoimmune myopathies
      (Mi-2, HRS, DNA-PKcs, U1-70). Interestingly, stimulation or inhibition of
      calmodulin, NOS, HGF or c-Met molecules in vitro affected the expression of
      autoantigens and TLR3 proteins confirming their role in the inhibition of
      autoantigens and TLR3 during mechanical stretch. Overall, this study demonstrates
      for the first time that mechanical stretch could be beneficial by reducing
      expression of muscle autoantigens and of pro-inflammatory TLR3 and may provide
      new insight to understand how resistance training can reduce the symptoms
      associated with myositis. 

PMID- 24224023
TI  - Gene flow between sympatric life history forms of Oncorhynchus mykiss located
      above and below migratory barriers.
AB  - Oncorhynchus mykiss have a diverse array of life history types, and understanding
      the relationship among types is important for management of the species. Patterns
      of gene flow between sympatric freshwater resident O. mykiss, commonly known as
      rainbow trout, and anadromous O. mykiss, commonly known as steelhead, populations
      are complex and poorly understood. In this study, we attempt to determine the
      occurrence and pathways of gene flow and the degree of genetic similarity between
      sympatric resident and anadromous O. mykiss in three river systems, and
      investigate whether resident O. mykiss are producing anadromous offspring in
      these rivers, two of which have complete barriers to upstream migration. We found
      that the population structure of the O. mykiss in these rivers appears to be
      influenced more by the presence of a barrier to upstream migration than by life
      history type. The sex ratio of resident O. mykiss located above a barrier, and
      smolts captured in screw traps was significantly skewed in favor of females,
      whereas the reverse was true below the barriers, suggesting that male resident O.
      mykiss readily migrate downstream over the barrier, and that precocious male
      maturation may be occurring in the anadromous populations. Through paternity
      analyses, we also provide direct confirmation that resident O. mykiss can produce
      offspring that become anadromous. Most (89%) of the resident O. mykiss that
      produced anadromous offspring were males. Our results add to the growing body of
      evidence that shows that gene flow does readily occur between sympatric resident
      and anadromous O. mykiss life history types, and indicates that resident O.
      mykiss populations may be a potential repository of genes for the anadromous life
      history type. 

PMID- 24224024
TI  - Prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associations with socioeconomic
      status in a rural Han Chinese adult population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence of
      overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity and examine their associations
      with socioeconomic status in a rural Chinese adult population. METHODS: This
      cross-sectional study was performed on 15,236 participants >= 35 years of age
      (6,313 men [41.4%] and 8,923 women [58.6%]). Each participant's weight, height,
      waist circumference (WC), and hipline circumference (HC) were measured, and
      demographic and socioeconomic data were collected using questionnaires. RESULTS:
      The mean body mass index (BMI) values were 23.31 +/- 2.96 and 23.89 +/- 3.23 kg
      m(-2) and the mean WC values were 79.13 +/- 8.43 and 79.54 +/- 8.27 cm for men
      and women, respectively. The age-standardized prevalence rates of overweight (BMI
      >= 24.0 kg m(-2)), general obesity (BMI >= 28.0 kg m(-2)), and abdominal obesity
      (WC >= 85 cm for men and >= 80 cm for women) were 32.0%, 6.7%, and 27.0% for men
      and 35.1%, 9.7%, and 48.3% for women, respectively. All gender differences were
      statistically significant (p < 0.001). In addition, the age-specific prevalence
      rates of general and abdominal obesity slowly decreased among men but sharply
      increased among women as age increased (p < 0.001). In subsequent logistic
      regression analysis, educational level was negatively associated with both
      general obesity and abdominal obesity among women but positively associated with
      abdominal obesity among men. No significant correlation was found between obesity
      and income. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a high prevalence of obesity which
      might differ by gender and age, and an inverse association among women and a
      mixed association among men noted between education and obesity in our locality.
      Preventive and therapeutic programs are warranted to control this serious public
      health problem. The gender-specific characteristics of populations at high-risk
      of developing obesity should be taken into consideration when designing
      interventional programs.

PMID- 24224025
TI  - Rural-urban differences in the long-term care of the disabled elderly in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In China, the rapid rate of population aging and changes in the
      prevalence of disability among elderly people could have significant effects on
      the demand for long-term care. This study aims to describe the urban-rural
      differences in use and cost of long-term care of the disabled elderly and to
      explore potential influencing factors. METHODS: This study uses data from a cross
      sectional survey and a qualitative investigation conducted in Zhejiang province
      in 2012. The participants were 826 individuals over 60 years of age, who had been
      bedridden or suffered from dementia for more than 6 months. A generalized linear
      model and two-part regression model were applied to estimate costs, with
      adjustment of covariates. RESULTS: Pensions provide the main source of income for
      urban elderly, while the principal income source for rural elderly is their
      family. Urban residents spend more on all services than do rural residents. Those
      who are married spend less on daily supplies and formal care than the unmarried
      do. Age, incapacitation time, comorbidity number, level of income, and bedridden
      status influence spending on medical care (beta=-0.0316, -0.0206, 0.1882, 0.3444,
      and -0.4281, respectively), but the cost does not increase as the elderly grow
      older. Urban residents, the married, and those with a higher income level tend to
      spend more on medical equipment. Urban residence and living status are the two
      significant factors that affect spending on personal hygiene products.
      CONCLUSIONS: The use of long-term care services varies by living area. Long-term
      care of the disabled elderly imposes a substantial burden on families. Our study
      revealed that informal care involves huge opportunity costs to the caregivers.
      Chinese policy makers need to promote community care and long-term care insurance
      to relieve the burden of families of disabled elderly, and particular attention
      should be given to the rural elderly.

PMID- 24224026
TI  - Persistence of coastal vegetation in supratidal zones of northern China.
AB  - Coastal vegetation comprises a number of coastal specialists and terrestrial
      generalists. It remains unclear how they persist on disturbed and undisturbed
      coastal conditions. We tested the hypothesis that coastal specialists may be
      superior to terrestrial generalists on supratidal zones of coasts, but their
      superiority can be influenced by human disturbances. Eight separate sandy coasts
      of the Shandong Peninsula were sampled, representing for disturbed and
      undisturbed sandy coasts. Plants growing on their supratidal zones were surveyed.
      On this basis, we compared the relative dominances, niche widths, and commonness
      of all species, and also analyzed species diversities of the coasts. Coastal
      specialists were found to be more common and widespread on supratidal zones of
      the sandy coasts than terrestrial generalists haphazardly invading from
      hinterlands. Coastal specialists exhibited lower Sorensen dissimilarities than
      terrestrial generalists among the coasts. Tourist trampling seemed more
      detrimental than pond fishery to coastal vegetation. Relative to terrestrial
      generalists, coastal specialists responded to human disturbances more
      deterministically, with steady decreases in species diversities. These evidences
      verify that coastal specialists are intrinsically superior to terrestrial
      generalists on supratidal zones of coasts, especially of undisturbed coasts,
      because their dispersal among coasts adapts well to local storm surge regime.
      They also validate that human disturbances can depress the superiority of coastal
      specialists, partly by inducing invasion of terrestrial generalists. 

PMID- 24224028
TI  - The long term economic impact of severe obstetric complications for women and
      their children in Burkina Faso.
AB  - This study investigates the long term economic impact of severe obstetric
      complications for women and their children in Burkina Faso, focusing on measures
      of food security, expenditures and related quality of life measures. It uses a
      hospital based cohort, first visited in 2004/2005 and followed up four years
      later. This cohort of 1014 women consisted of two main groups of comparison: 677
      women who had an uncomplicated delivery and 337 women who experienced a severe
      obstetric complication which would have almost certainly caused death had they
      not received hospital care (labelled a "near miss" event). To analyze the impact
      of such near miss events as well as the possible interaction with the pregnancy
      outcome, we compared household and individual level indicators between women
      without a near miss event and women with a near miss event who either had a live
      birth, a perinatal death or an early pregnancy loss. We used propensity score
      matching to remove initial selection bias. Although we found limited effects for
      the whole group of near miss women, the results indicated negative impacts: a)
      for near miss women with a live birth, on child development and education, on
      relatively expensive food consumption and on women's quality of life; b) for near
      miss women with perinatal death, on relatively expensive foods consumption and
      children's education and c) for near miss women who had an early pregnancy loss,
      on overall food security. Our results showed that severe obstetric complications
      have long lasting consequences for different groups of women and their children
      and highlighted the need for carefully targeted interventions. 

PMID- 24224027
TI  - Inducible arginase 1 deficiency in mice leads to hyperargininemia and altered
      amino acid metabolism.
AB  - Arginase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder resulting from a loss
      of the liver arginase isoform, arginase 1 (ARG1), which is the final step in the
      urea cycle for detoxifying ammonia. ARG1 deficiency leads to hyperargininemia,
      characterized by progressive neurological impairment, persistent growth
      retardation and infrequent episodes of hyperammonemia. Using the Cre/loxP
      directed conditional gene knockout system, we generated an inducible Arg1
      deficient mouse model by crossing "floxed" Arg1 mice with CreER(T2) mice. The
      resulting mice (Arg-Cre) die about two weeks after tamoxifen administration
      regardless of the starting age of inducing the knockout. These treated mice were
      nearly devoid of Arg1 mRNA, protein and liver arginase activity, and exhibited
      symptoms of hyperammonemia. Plasma amino acid analysis revealed pronounced
      hyperargininemia and significant alterations in amino acid and guanidino compound
      metabolism, including increased citrulline and guanidinoacetic acid. Despite no
      alteration in ornithine levels, concentrations of other amino acids such as
      proline and the branched-chain amino acids were reduced. In summary, we have
      generated and characterized an inducible Arg1-deficient mouse model exhibiting
      several pathologic manifestations of hyperargininemia. This model should prove
      useful for exploring potential treatment options of ARG1 deficiency. 

PMID- 24224029
TI  - Treatment and prognosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: experience from a single
      institution in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), a highly aggressive malignancy,
      has a poor prognosis, and the consensus on the most effective treatment is
      needed. METHODS: Clinical data from all ATC patients treated in our institution
      over a 30-year period (between May 1980 and May 2010) were analyzed
      retrospectively with regard to mortality and survival rates (Kaplan-Meier).
      Multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model.
      RESULTS: Sixty cases were analyzed. The overall 1- and 3-year survival rates were
      35.0% and 22.9%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the best prognosis
      was seen in patients younger than 55 years, those without distant metastases,
      those with white blood cell (WBC) counts < 10.0 * 10(9)/L or blood platelet (PLT)
      counts < 300.0 * 10(9)/L at presentation, those who did not receive chemotherapy,
      and those who received radiotherapy doses >= 40 Gy or underwent surgery plus
      postoperative radiotherapy. According to multivariate analysis, the WBC count at
      first presentation and the type of therapeutic regimen independently influenced
      survival. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the elevated peripheral PLT count may be an
      adverse prognostic factor of ATC patients. The prognosis for ATC is especially
      poor for patients with distant metastasis, a WBC count >= 10.0*10(9)/L, a PLT
      count >= 300.0 * 10(9)/L, or age >= 55 years. WBC count at presentation and
      surgery with or without postoperative radiotherapy independently influenced the
      prognosis. Intensive treatment combining surgery with postoperative radiotherapy
      is recommended for ATC patients with stage IVA/B disease.

PMID- 24224030
TI  - Prenatal exposure to fenugreek impairs sensorimotor development and the operation
      of spinal cord networks in mice.
AB  - Fenugreek is a medicinal plant whose seeds are widely used in traditional
      medicine, mainly for its laxative, galactagogue and antidiabetic effects.
      However, consumption of fenugreek seeds during pregnancy has been associated with
      a range of congenital malformations, including hydrocephalus, anencephaly and
      spina bifida in humans. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects
      of prenatal treatment of fenugreek seeds on the development of sensorimotor
      functions from birth to young adults. Pregnant mice were treated by gavage with 1
      g/kg/day of lyophilized fenugreek seeds aqueous extract (FSAE) or distilled water
      during the gestational period. Behavioral tests revealed in prenatally treated
      mice a significant delay in righting, cliff avoidance, negative geotaxis
      responses and the swimming development. In addition, extracellular recording of
      motor output in spinal cord isolated from neonatal mice showed that the frequency
      of spontaneous activity and fictive locomotion was reduced in FSAE-exposed mice.
      On the other hand, the cross-correlation coefficient in control mice was
      significantly more negative than in treated animals indicating that alternating
      patterns are deteriorated in FSAE-treated animals. At advanced age, prenatally
      treated mice displayed altered locomotor coordination in the rotarod test and
      also changes in static and dynamic parameters assessed by the CatWalk automated
      gait analysis system. We conclude that FSAE impairs sensorimotor and coordination
      functions not only in neonates but also in adult mice. Moreover, spinal neuronal
      networks are less excitable in prenatally FSAE-exposed mice suggesting that
      modifications within the central nervous system are responsible, at least in
      part, for the motor impairments.

PMID- 24224031
TI  - Bias in diet determination: incorporating traditional methods in Bayesian mixing
      models.
AB  - There are not "universal methods" to determine diet composition of predators.
      Most traditional methods are biased because of their reliance on differential
      digestibility and the recovery of hard items. By relying on assimilated food,
      stable isotope and Bayesian mixing models (SIMMs) resolve many biases of
      traditional methods. SIMMs can incorporate prior information (i.e. proportional
      diet composition) that may improve the precision in the estimated dietary
      composition. However few studies have assessed the performance of traditional
      methods and SIMMs with and without informative priors to study the predators'
      diets. Here we compare the diet compositions of the South American fur seal and
      sea lions obtained by scats analysis and by SIMMs-UP (uninformative priors) and
      assess whether informative priors (SIMMs-IP) from the scat analysis improved the
      estimated diet composition compared to SIMMs-UP. According to the SIMM-UP, while
      pelagic species dominated the fur seal's diet the sea lion's did not have a clear
      dominance of any prey. In contrast, SIMM-IP's diets compositions were dominated
      by the same preys as in scat analyses. When prior information influenced SIMMs'
      estimates, incorporating informative priors improved the precision in the
      estimated diet composition at the risk of inducing biases in the estimates. If
      preys isotopic data allow discriminating preys' contributions to diets,
      informative priors should lead to more precise but unbiased estimated diet
      composition. Just as estimates of diet composition obtained from traditional
      methods are critically interpreted because of their biases, care must be
      exercised when interpreting diet composition obtained by SIMMs-IP. The best
      approach to obtain a near-complete view of predators' diet composition should
      involve the simultaneous consideration of different sources of partial evidence
      (traditional methods, SIMM-UP and SIMM-IP) in the light of natural history of the
      predator species so as to reliably ascertain and weight the information yielded
      by each method. 

PMID- 24224032
TI  - A new synthetic FGF receptor antagonist inhibits arteriosclerosis in a mouse vein
      graft model and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in the development of
      vascular diseases remains incompletely understood. The objective of this study
      was to examine the effects of a new small-molecule multi-FGF receptor blocker
      with allosteric properties, SSR128129E, on neointimal proliferation after a vein
      graft procedure in mice and on the development of atherosclerosis in
      atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Vein grafts were performed in 3 month-old male C57BL6 mice. Segments of
      the vena cava were interposed at the level of the carotid artery. In SSR128129E
      (50 mg/kg/d)-treated animals, a dramatic decrease in neointimal proliferation was
      observed 2 and 8 weeks after the graft (72.5%, p<0.01, and 47.8%, p<0.05,
      respectively). Four-week old male apoE-deficient mice were treated with
      SSR128129E (50 mg/kg/d) for 3 and 5 months in comparison with a control group.
      SSR128129E treatment resulted in a reduction of lesion size in the aortic sinus
      (16.4% (ns) at 3 months and 42.9% (p<0.01) at 5 months, without any change in
      serum lipids. SSR128129 significantly reduced FGFR2 mRNA levels in the aortic
      sinus (p<0.05, n=5-6), but did not affect the mRNA expression levels of other FGF
      receptors or ligands. CONCLUSION: These studies indicate that FGFs have an
      important role in the development of vascular diseases like atherosclerosis and
      graft arteriosclerosis. These data suggest that inhibition of FGF receptors by
      compounds like SSR128129E might be useful as a new therapeutic approach for these
      vascular pathologies.

PMID- 24224033
TI  - Effects of extreme weather on reproductive success in a temperate-breeding
      songbird.
AB  - The frequency of extreme meteorological events such as heat waves and rainstorms
      is predicted to increase with climate change. However, there is still little
      information about how extreme weather influences reproduction in animals. It may
      not only affect breeding success but might also alter offspring sex ratio if
      males and females are differentially sensitive to meteorological conditions
      during development. We investigated the relationship between meteorological
      conditions and reproductive success over 6 years in a house sparrow population in
      central Europe. We found that hatching success increased with the number of
      extremely hot days (daily maximum >31 degrees C) and decreased with the number of
      extremely cold days (<16 degrees C) during incubation, although the latter effect
      held only for clutches with relatively short incubation periods. Fledging success
      was unrelated to weather variables. However, the frequency of extremely hot days
      had a negative effect on fledglings' body mass and tarsus length, although both
      of these traits were positively related to average temperature. Additionally,
      fledglings' body mass increased with the length of period without rainfall before
      fledging. Male to female ratio among fledglings did not differ from 1:1 and did
      not vary with weather variables. The magnitude of the effects of extreme
      meteorological events was usually small, although in some cases comparable to
      those of ecologically relevant predictors of reproductive success. Our results
      indicate that meteorological conditions have complex effects on breeding success,
      as the effects of extreme weather can differ between different aspects of
      reproduction and also from the effects of overall meteorological conditions. 

PMID- 24224034
TI  - Increased biomass, seed yield and stress tolerance is conferred in Arabidopsis by
      a novel enzyme from the resurrection grass Sporobolus stapfianus that
      glycosylates the strigolactone analogue GR24.
AB  - Isolation of gene transcripts from desiccated leaf tissues of the resurrection
      grass, Sporobolus stapfianus, resulted in the identification of a gene, SDG8i,
      encoding a Group 1 glycosyltransferase (UGT). Here, we examine the effects of
      introducing this gene, under control of the CaMV35S promoter, into the model
      plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Results show that Arabidopsis plants constitutively
      over-expressing SDG8i exhibit enhanced growth, reduced senescence, cold tolerance
      and a substantial improvement in protoplasmic drought tolerance. We hypothesise
      that expression of SDG8i in Arabidopsis negatively affects the bioactivity of
      metabolite/s that mediate/s environmentally-induced repression of cell division
      and expansion, both during normal development and in response to stress. The
      phenotype of transgenic plants over-expressing SDG8i suggests modulation in
      activities of both growth- and stress-related hormones. Plants overexpressing the
      UGT show evidence of elevated auxin levels, with the enzyme acting downstream of
      ABA to reduce drought-induced senescence. Analysis of the in vitro activity of
      the UGT recombinant protein product demonstrates that SDG8i can glycosylate the
      synthetic strigolactone analogue GR24, evoking a link with strigolactone-related
      processes in vivo. The large improvements observed in survival of transgenic
      Arabidopsis plants under cold-, salt- and drought-stress, as well as the
      substantial increases in growth rate and seed yield under non-stress conditions,
      indicates that overexpression of SDG8i in crop plants may provide a novel means
      of increasing plant productivity. 

PMID- 24224035
TI  - Effect of GA3 treatment on seed development and seed-related gene expression in
      grape.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The phytohormone gibberellic acid (GA3) is widely used in the table
      grape industry to induce seedlessness in seeded varieties. However, there is a
      paucity of information concerning the mechanisms by which GAs induce seedlessness
      in grapes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In an effort to systematically analyze
      the cause of this GA3-induced seed abortion, we conducted an in depth
      characterization of two seeded grape cultivars ('Kyoho' and 'Red Globe'), along
      with a seedless cultivar ('Thompson Seedless'), following treatment with GA3. In
      a similar fashion to the seedless control, which exhibited GA3-induced abortion
      of the seeds 9 days after full bloom (DAF), both 'Kyoho' and 'Red Globe' seeded
      varieties exhibited complete abortion of the seeds 15 DAF when treated with GA3.
      Morphological analyses indicated that while fertilization appeared to occur
      normally following GA3 treatment, as well as in the untreated seedless control
      cultivar, seed growth eventually ceased. In addition, we found that GA3
      application had an effect on redox homeostasis, which could potentially cause
      cell damage and subsequent seed abortion. Furthermore, we carried out an analysis
      of antioxidant enzyme activities, as well as transcript levels from various genes
      believed to be involved in seed development, and found several differences
      between GA3-treated and untreated controls. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it seems that
      the mechanisms driving GA3-induced seedlessness are similar in both seeded and
      seedless cultivars, and that the observed abortion of seeds may result at least
      in part from a GA3-induced increase in cell damage caused by reactive oxygen
      species, a decrease in antioxidant enzymatic activities, and an alteration of the
      expression of genes related to seed development.

PMID- 24224036
TI  - Can winter-active bumblebees survive the cold? Assessing the cold tolerance of
      Bombus terrestris audax and the effects of pollen feeding.
AB  - There is now considerable evidence that climate change is disrupting the
      phenology of key pollinator species. The recently reported UK winter activity of
      the bumblebee Bombus terrestris brings a novel set of thermal challenges to
      bumblebee workers that would typically only be exposed to summer conditions. Here
      we assess the ability of workers to survive acute and chronic cold stress (via
      lower lethal temperatures and lower lethal times at 0 degrees C), the capacity
      for rapid cold hardening (RCH) and the influence of diet (pollen versus nectar
      consumption) on supercooling points (SCP). Comparisons are made with chronic cold
      stress indices and SCPs in queen bumblebees. Results showed worker bees were able
      to survive acute temperatures likely to be experienced in a mild winter, with
      queens significantly more tolerant to chronic cold temperature stress. The first
      evidence of RCH in any Hymenoptera is shown. In addition, dietary manipulation
      indicated the consumption of pollen significantly increased SCP temperature.
      These results are discussed in the light of winter active bumblebees and climate
      change. 

PMID- 24224038
TI  - Direct RNA-based detection and differentiation of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum
      beta-lactamases (ESBL).
AB  - The current global spread of multi-resistant Gram-negatives, particularly
      extended spectrum beta-lactamases expressing bacteria, increases the likelihood
      of inappropriate empiric treatment of critically ill patients with subsequently
      increased mortality. From a clinical perspective, fast detection of resistant
      pathogens would allow a pre-emptive correction of an initially inappropriate
      treatment. Here we present diagnostic amplification-sequencing approach as proof
      of principal based on the fast molecular detection and correct discrimination of
      CTX-M-beta-lactamases, the most frequent ESBL family. The workflow consists of
      the isolation of total mRNA and CTX-M-specific reverse transcription (RT),
      amplification and pyrosequencing. Due to the high variability of the CTX-M-beta
      lactamase-genes, degenerated primers for RT, qRT as well as for pyrosequencing,
      were used and the suitability and discriminatory performance of two conserved
      positions within the CTX-M genes were analyzed, using one protocol for all
      isolates and positions, respectively. Using this approach, no information
      regarding the expected CTX-M variant is needed since all sequences are covered by
      these degenerated primers. The presented workflow can be conducted within eight
      hours and has the potential to be expanded to other beta-lactamase families. 

PMID- 24224037
TI  - Metabolic changes in the visual cortex of binocular blindness macaque monkeys: a
      proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) in a study
      of cross-modal plasticity in the visual cortex of binocular blindness macaque
      monkeys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four healthy neonatal macaque monkeys were
      randomly divided into 2 groups, with 2 in each group. Optic nerve transection was
      performed in both monkeys in the experimental group (group B) to obtain binocular
      blindness. Two healthy macaque monkeys served as a control group (group A). After
      sixteen months post-procedure, (1)H-MRS was performed in the visual cortex of all
      monkeys. We compared the peak areas of NAA, Cr, Cho, Glx and Ins and the ratios
      of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, Glx/Cr and Ins/Cr of each monkey in group B with group A.
      RESULTS: The peak area of NAA and the NAA/Cr ratio in the visual cortex of monkey
      4 in group B were found to be dramatically decreased, the peak area of NAA
      slightly decreased and the NAA/Cr ratio clearly decreased in visual cortex of
      monkey 3 in group B than those in group A. The peak area of Ins and the Ins/Cr
      ratio in the visual cortex of monkey 4 in group B slightly increased. The peak
      area of Cho and the Cho/Cr ratio in the visual cortex of all monkeys in group B
      dramatically increased compared with group A. The peak area of Glx in the visual
      cortex of all monkeys in group B slightly increased compared with group A.
      CONCLUSIONS: (1)H-MRS could detect biochemical and metabolic changes in the
      visual cortex and therefore this technique can be used to provide valuable
      information for investigating the mechanisms of cross-modal plasticity of
      binocular blindness in a macaque monkey model.

PMID- 24224039
TI  - Changes in brain tissue and behavior patterns induced by single short-term
      fasting in mice.
AB  - In humans, emaciation from long-term dietary deficiencies, such as anorexia,
      reportedly increases physical activity and brain atrophy. However, the effects of
      single short-term fasting on brain tissue or behavioral activity patterns remain
      unclear. To clarify the impact of malnutrition on brain function, we conducted a
      single short-term fasting study as an anorexia model using male adult mice and
      determined if changes occurred in migratory behavior as an expression of brain
      function and in brain tissue structure. Sixteen-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were
      divided into either the fasted group or the control group. Experiments were
      conducted in a fixed indoor environment. We examined the effects of fasting on
      the number of nerve cells, structural changes in the myelin and axon density, and
      brain atrophy. For behavior observation, the amount of food and water consumed,
      ingestion time, and the pattern of movement were measured using a time-recording
      system. The fasted mice showed a significant increase in physical activity and
      their rhythm of movement was disturbed. Since the brain was in an abnormal state
      after fasting, mice that were normally active during the night became active
      regardless of day or night and performed strenuous exercise at a high frequency.
      The brain weight did not change by a fast, and brain atrophy was not observed.
      Although no textural change was apparent by fasting, the neuronal neogenesis in
      the subventricular zone and hippocampus was inhibited, causing disorder of the
      brain function. A clear association between the suppression of encephalic
      neuropoiesis and overactivity was not established. However, it is interesting
      that the results of this study suggest that single short-term fasting has an
      effect on encephalic neuropoiesis. 

PMID- 24224040
TI  - L265P mutation of the MYD88 gene is frequent in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia
      and its absence in myeloma.
AB  - L265P mutation in the MYD88 gene has recently been reported in Waldenstrom's
      macroglobulinemia; however the incidence has been different according to the
      methods used. To determine the relevance and compare the incidence by different
      methods, we analyzed the L265P mutation in bone marrow mononuclear cells from
      lymphoid neoplasms. We first performed cloning and sequencing in 10 patients: 8
      Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia; 1 non-IgM-secreting lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma;
      and 1 low grade B-cell lymphoma with monoclonal IgG protein. The L265P mutation
      was detected in only 1/8 Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia patients (2 of 9
      clones). To confirm these results, direct sequencing was performed in the 10
      patients and an additional 17 Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia patients and 1
      lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma patient. Nine of 28 patients (7/25 Waldenstrom's
      macroglobulinemia, 1/2 lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, and B-cell lymphoma) harbored
      the mutation. We next tested for the mutation with BSiE1 digestion and allele
      specific polymerase chain reaction in the 28 patients and 38 patients with
      myeloma. Aberrant bands corresponding to the mutation were detected by BSiE1
      digestion in 19/25 patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (76%), 1/2
      lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and B-cell lymphoma, but not in the 38 myeloma
      patients. The L265P mutation was more frequent in patients with Waldenstrom's
      macroglobulinemia than in those with myeloma (p=1.3x10(-10)). The mutation was
      detected by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction in 18/25 Waldenstrom's
      macroglobulinemia patients (72%). In the 25 Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia
      patients, the L265P was more frequently detected by BSiE1 digestion than by
      direct sequencing (p=5.3x10(-4)), and in males (15/16, 94%) than in females (4/9,
      44%) (p=1.2x10(-2)). No siginificant difference was observed in the incidence of
      the L265P mutation between BSiE1 digestion and allele-specific polymerase chain
      reaction (p=0.32). These results suggest that the L265P mutation is involved in
      the majority of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. BSiE1 digestion and allele
      specific polymerase chain reaction may detect a small fraction of mutated cells
      in some cases. 

PMID- 24224041
TI  - Simplified large-scale refolding, purification, and characterization of
      recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in Escherichia coli.
AB  - Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that
      stimulates the development of committed hematopoietic progenitor cells and
      enhances the functional activity of mature cells. Here, we report a simplified
      method for fed-batch culture as well as the purification of recombinant human
      (rh) G-CSF. The new system for rhG-CSF purification was performed using not only
      temperature shift strategy without isopropyl-l-thio-beta-d-galactoside (IPTG)
      induction but also the purification method by a single step of prep-HPLC after
      the pH precipitation of the refolded samples. Through these processes, the final
      cell density and overall yield of homogenous rhG-CSF were obtained 42.8 g as dry
      cell weights, 1.75 g as purified active proteins, from 1 L culture broth,
      respectively. The purity of rhG-CSF was finally 99% since the isoforms of rhG-CSF
      could be separated through the prep-HPLC step. The result of biological activity
      indicated that purified rhG-CSF has a similar profile to the World Health
      Organization (WHO) 2(nd) International Standard for G-CSF. Taken together, our
      results demonstrate that the simple purification through a single step of prep
      HPLC may be valuable for the industrial-scale production of biologically active
      proteins. 

PMID- 24224042
TI  - Effects of antioxidant treatment on blast-induced brain injury.
AB  - Blast-induced traumatic brain injury has dramatically increased in combat troops
      in today's military operations. We previously reported that antioxidant treatment
      can provide protection to the peripheral auditory end organ, the cochlea. In the
      present study, we examined biomarker expression in the brains of rats at
      different time points (3 hours to 21 days) after three successive 14 psi blast
      overpressure exposures to evaluate antioxidant treatment effects on blast-induced
      brain injury. Rats in the treatment groups received a combination of antioxidants
      (2,4-disulfonyl alpha-phenyl tertiary butyl nitrone and N-acetylcysteine) one
      hour after blast exposure and then twice a day for the following two days. The
      biomarkers examined included an oxidative stress marker (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, 4
      HNE), an immediate early gene (c-fos), a neural injury marker (glial fibrillary
      acidic protein, GFAP) and two axonal injury markers [amyloid beta (A4) precursor
      protein, APP, and 68 kDa neurofilament, NF-68]. The results demonstrate that
      blast exposure induced or up-regulated the following: 4-HNE production in the
      dorsal hippocampus commissure and the forceps major corpus callosum near the
      lateral ventricle; c-fos and GFAP expression in most regions of the brain,
      including the retrosplenial cortex, the hippocampus, the cochlear nucleus, and
      the inferior colliculus; and NF-68 and APP expression in the hippocampus, the
      auditory cortex, and the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN). Antioxidant treatment
      reduced the following: 4-HNE in the hippocampus and the forceps major corpus
      callosum, c-fos expression in the retrosplenial cortex, GFAP expression in the
      dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN), and APP and NF-68 expression in the hippocampus,
      auditory cortex, and MGN. This preliminary study indicates that antioxidant
      treatment may provide therapeutic protection to the central auditory pathway (the
      DCN and MGN) and the non-auditory central nervous system (hippocampus and
      retrosplenial cortex), suggesting that these compounds have the potential to
      simultaneously treat blast-induced injuries in the brain and auditory system. 

PMID- 24224043
TI  - In vitro detection of prionemia in TSE-infected cervids and hamsters.
AB  - Blood-borne transmission of infectious prions during the symptomatic and
      asymptomatic stages of disease occurs for both human and animal transmissible
      spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). The geographical distribution of the cervid
      TSE, chronic wasting disease (CWD), continues to spread across North America and
      the prospective number of individuals harboring an asymptomatic infection of
      human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) in the United Kingdom has been
      projected to be ~1 in 3000 residents. Thus, it is important to monitor cervid and
      human blood products to ensure herd health and human safety. Current methods for
      detecting blood-associated prions rely primarily upon bioassay in laboratory
      animals. While bioassay provides high sensitivity and specificity, it requires
      many months, animals, and it is costly. Here we report modification of the real
      time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay to detect blood-borne prions in
      whole blood from prion-infected preclinical white-tailed deer, muntjac deer, and
      Syrian hamsters, attaining sensitivity of >90% while maintaining 100%
      specificity. Our results indicate that RT-QuIC methodology as modified can
      provide consistent and reliable detection of blood-borne prions in preclinical
      and symptomatic stages of two animal TSEs, offering promise for prionemia
      detection in other species, including humans. 

PMID- 24224044
TI  - Grey matter correlates of three language tests in non-demented older adults.
AB  - Language has been extensively investigated by functional neuroimaging studies.
      However, only a limited number of structural neuroimaging studies have examined
      the relationship between language performance and brain structure in healthy
      adults, and the number is even less in older adults. The present study sought to
      investigate correlations between grey matter volumes and three standardized
      language tests in late life. The participants were 344 non-demented, community
      dwelling adults aged 70-90 years, who were drawn from the population-based Sydney
      Memory and Ageing Study. The three language tests included the Controlled Oral
      Word Association Task (COWAT), Category Fluency (CF), and Boston Naming Test
      (BNT). Correlation analyses between voxel-wise GM volumes and language tests
      showed distinctive GM correlation patterns for each language test. The GM
      correlates were located in the right frontal and left temporal lobes for COWAT,
      in the left frontal and temporal lobes for CF, and in bilateral temporal lobes
      for BNT. Our findings largely corresponded to the neural substrates of language
      tasks revealed in fMRI studies, and we also observed a less hemispheric asymmetry
      in the GM correlates of the language tests. Furthermore, we divided the
      participants into two age groups (70-79 and 80-90 years old), and then examined
      the correlations between structural laterality indices and language performance
      for each group. A trend toward significant difference in the correlations was
      found between the two age groups, with stronger correlations in the group of 70
      79 years old than those in the group of 80-90 years old. This difference might
      suggest a further decline of language lateralization in different stages of late
      life. 

PMID- 24224045
TI  - Transcriptome analysis reveals crosstalk of responsive genes to multiple abiotic
      stresses in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).
AB  - Abiotic stress is a major environmental factor that limits cotton growth and
      yield, moreover, this problem has become more and more serious recently, as
      multiple stresses often occur simultaneously due to the global climate change and
      environmental pollution. In this study, we sought to identify genes involved in
      diverse stresses including abscisic acid (ABA), cold, drought, salinity and
      alkalinity by comparative microarray analysis. Our result showed that 5790, 3067,
      5608, 778 and 6148 transcripts, were differentially expressed in cotton seedlings
      under treatment of ABA (1 MUM ABA), cold (4 degrees C), drought (200 mM
      mannitol), salinity (200 mM NaCl) and alkalinity (pH=11) respectively. Among the
      induced or suppressed genes, 126 transcripts were shared by all of the five kinds
      of abiotic stresses, with 64 up-regulated and 62 down-regulated. These common
      members are grouped as stress signal transduction, transcription factors (TFs),
      stress response/defense proteins, metabolism, transport facilitation, as well as
      cell wall/structure, according to the function annotation. We also noticed that
      large proportion of significant differentially expressed genes specifically
      regulated in response to different stress. Nine of the common transcripts of
      multiple stresses were selected for further validation with quantitative real
      time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, several well characterized TF families, for
      example, WRKY, MYB, NAC, AP2/ERF and zinc finger were shown to be involved in
      different stresses. As an original report using comparative microarray to analyze
      transcriptome of cotton under five abiotic stresses, valuable information about
      functional genes and related pathways of anti-stress, and/or stress tolerance in
      cotton seedlings was unveiled in our result. Besides this, some important common
      factors were focused for detailed identification and characterization. According
      to our analysis, it suggested that there was crosstalk of responsive genes or
      pathways to multiple abiotic or even biotic stresses, in cotton. These candidate
      genes will be worthy of functional study under diverse stresses.

PMID- 24224046
TI  - Common oncogenic mutations are infrequent in oral squamous cell carcinoma of
      Asian origin.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The frequency of common oncogenic mutations and TP53 was determined
      in Asian oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      OncoCarta(TM) panel v1.0 assay was used to characterize oncogenic mutations. In
      addition, exons 4-11 of the TP53 gene were sequenced. Statistical analyses were
      conducted to identify associations between mutations and selected clinico
      pathological characteristics and risk habits. RESULTS: Oncogenic mutations were
      detected in PIK3CA (5.7%) and HRAS (2.4%). Mutations in TP53 were observed in
      27.7% (31/112) of the OSCC specimens. Oncogenic mutations were found more
      frequently in non-smokers (p = 0.049) and TP53 truncating mutations were more
      common in patients with no risk habits (p = 0.019). Patients with mutations had
      worse overall survival compared to those with absence of mutations; and patients
      who harbored DNA binding domain (DBD) and L2/L3/LSH mutations showed a worse
      survival probability compared to those patients with wild type TP53. The majority
      of the oncogenic and TP53 mutations were G:C > A:T and A:T > G:C base
      transitions, regardless of the different risk habits. CONCLUSION: Hotspot
      oncogenic mutations which are frequently present in common solid tumors are
      exceedingly rare in OSCC. Despite differences in risk habit exposure, the
      mutation frequency of PIK3CA and HRAS in Asian OSCC were similar to that reported
      in OSCC among Caucasians, whereas TP53 mutations rates were significantly lower.
      The lack of actionable hotspot mutations argue strongly for the need to
      comprehensively characterize gene mutations associated with OSCC for the
      development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

PMID- 24224047
TI  - Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in prostate cancer cells modulates the
      oxidative response in bone cells.
AB  - Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of death among males. It is currently
      estimated that inflammatory responses are linked to 15-20% of all deaths from
      cancer worldwide. PCa is dominated by complications arising from metastasis to
      the bone where the tumor cells interact with the bone microenvironment impairing
      the balance between bone formation and degradation. However, the molecular nature
      of this interaction is not completely understood. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)
      counteracts oxidative damage and inflammation. Previous studies from our
      laboratory showed that HO-1 is implicated in PCa, demonstrating that endogenous
      HO-1 inhibits bone derived-prostate cancer cells proliferation, invasion and
      migration and decreases tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo. The aim of this
      work was to analyze the impact of HO-1 modulated PCa cells on osteoblasts
      proliferation in vitro and on bone remodeling in vivo. Using a co-culture system
      of PC3 cells with primary mice osteoblasts (PMOs), we demonstrated that HO-1
      pharmacological induction (hemin treatment) abrogated the diminution of PMOs
      proliferation induced by PCa cells and decreased the expression of osteoclast
      modulating factors in osteoblasts. No changes were detected in the expression of
      genes involved in osteoblasts differentiation. However, co-culture of hemin pre
      treated PC3 cells (PC3 Hem) with PMOs provoked an oxidative status and activated
      FoxO signaling in osteoblasts. The percentage of active osteoblasts positive for
      HO-1 increased in calvarias explants co-cultured with PC3 Hem cells. Nuclear HO-1
      expression was detected in tumors generated by in vivo bone injection of HO-1
      stable transfected PC3 (PC3HO-1) cells in the femur of SCID mice. These results
      suggest that HO-1 has the potential to modify the bone microenvironment impacting
      on PCa bone metastasis. 

PMID- 24224048
TI  - Abnormal trafficking of endogenously expressed BMPR2 mutant allelic products in
      patients with heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension.
AB  - More than 200 heterozygous mutations in the type 2 BMP receptor gene, BMPR2, have
      been identified in patients with Heritable Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
      (HPAH). More severe clinical outcomes occur in patients with BMPR2 mutations by
      passing nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD negative mutations). These comprise 40%
      of HPAH mutations and are predicted to express BMPR2 mutant products. However
      expression of endogenous NMD negative BMPR2 mutant products and their effect on
      protein trafficking and signaling function have never been described. Here, we
      characterize the expression and trafficking of an HPAH-associated NMD negative
      BMPR2 mutation that results in an in-frame deletion of BMPR2 EXON2
      (BMPR2DeltaEx2) in HPAH patient-derived lymphocytes and in pulmonary endothelial
      cells (PECs) from mice carrying the same in-frame deletion of Exon 2 (Bmpr2
      (DeltaEx2/+) mice). The endogenous BMPR2DeltaEx2 mutant product does not reach
      the cell surface and is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, chemical
      chaperones 4-PBA and TUDCA partially restore cell surface expression of
      Bmpr2DeltaEx2 in PECs, suggesting that the mutant product is mis-folded. We also
      show that PECs from Bmpr2 (DeltaEx2/+) mice have defects in the BMP-induced
      Smad1/5/8 and Id1 signaling axis, and that addition of chemical chaperones
      restores expression of the Smad1/5/8 target Id1. These data indicate that the
      endogenous NMD negative BMPRDeltaEx2 mutant product is expressed but has a
      folding defect resulting in ER retention. Partial correction of this folding
      defect and restoration of defective BMP signaling using chemical chaperones
      suggests that protein-folding agents could be used therapeutically in patients
      with these NMD negative BMPR2 mutations. 

PMID- 24224049
TI  - Prevalence and risk factors for refractive errors: Korean National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2011.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence and risk factors of refractive errors in a
      representative Korean population aged 20 years old or older. METHODS: A total of
      23,392 people aged 20+ years were selected for the Korean National Health and
      Nutrition Survey 2008-2011, using stratified, multistage, clustered sampling.
      Refractive error was measured by autorefraction without cycloplegia, and
      interviews were performed regarding associated risk factors including gender,
      age, height, education level, parent's education level, economic status, light
      exposure time, and current smoking history. RESULTS: Of 23,392 participants,
      refractive errors were examined in 22,562 persons, including 21,356 subjects with
      phakic eyes. The overall prevalences of myopia (< -0.5 D), high myopia (< -6.0
      D), and hyperopia (> 0.5 D) were 48.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47.4-48.8),
      4.0% (CI, 3.7-4.3), and 24.2% (CI, 23.6-24.8), respectively. The prevalence of
      myopia sharply decreased from 78.9% (CI, 77.4-80.4) in 20-29 year olds to 16.1%
      (CI, 14.9-17.3) in 60-69 year olds. In multivariable logistic regression analyses
      restricted to subjects aged 40+ years, myopia was associated with younger age
      (odds ratio [OR], 0.94; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.93-0.94, p < 0.001),
      education level of university or higher (OR, 2.31; CI, 1.97-2.71, p < 0.001), and
      shorter sunlight exposure time (OR, 0.84; CI, 0.76-0.93, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS:
      This study provides the first representative population-based data on refractive
      error for Korean adults. The prevalence of myopia in Korean adults in 40+ years
      (34.7%) was comparable to that in other Asian countries. These results show that
      the younger generations in Korea are much more myopic than previous generations,
      and that important factors associated with this increase are increased education
      levels and reduced sunlight exposures.

PMID- 24224050
TI  - Activity patterns of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) revealed by
      accelerometry.
AB  - An understanding of koala activity patterns is important for measuring the
      behavioral response of this species to environmental change, but to date has been
      limited by the logistical challenges of traditional field methodologies. We
      addressed this knowledge gap by using tri-axial accelerometer data loggers
      attached to VHF radio collars to examine activity patterns of adult male and
      female koalas in a high-density population at Cape Otway, Victoria, Australia.
      Data were obtained from 27 adult koalas over two 7-d periods during the breeding
      season: 12 in the early-breeding season in November 2010, and 15 in the late
      breeding season in January 2011. Multiple 15 minute observation blocks on each
      animal were used for validation of activity patterns determined from the
      accelerometer data loggers. Accelerometry was effective in distinguishing between
      inactive (sleeping, resting) and active (grooming, feeding and moving) behaviors.
      Koalas were more active during the early-breeding season with a higher index of
      movement (overall dynamic body acceleration [ODBA]) for both males and females.
      Koalas showed a distinct temporal pattern of behavior, with most activity
      occurring from mid-afternoon to early morning. Accelerometry has potential for
      examining fine-scale behavior of a wide range of arboreal and terrestrial
      species. 

PMID- 24224051
TI  - Solution and crystallographic structures of the central region of the
      phosphoprotein from human metapneumovirus.
AB  - Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) of the family Paramyxoviridae is a major cause of
      respiratory illness worldwide. Phosphoproteins (P) from Paramyxoviridae are
      essential co-factors of the viral RNA polymerase that form tetramers and possess
      long intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). We located the central region of
      HMPV P (P(ced)) which is involved in tetramerization using disorder analysis and
      modeled its 3D structure ab initio using Rosetta fold-and-dock. We characterized
      the solution-structure of P(ced) using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and
      carried out direct fitting to the scattering data to filter out incorrect models.
      Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) and ensemble optimization were employed to
      select correct models and capture the dynamic character of P(ced). Our analysis
      revealed that oligomerization involves a compact central core located between
      residues 169-194 (P(core)), that is surrounded by flexible regions with alpha
      helical propensity. We crystallized this fragment and solved its structure at 3.1
      A resolution by molecular replacement, using the folded core from our SAXS
      validated ab initio model. The RMSD between modeled and experimental tetramers is
      as low as 0.9 A, demonstrating the accuracy of the approach. A comparison of the
      structure of HMPV P to existing mononegavirales P(ced) structures suggests that
      P(ced) evolved under weak selective pressure. Finally, we discuss the advantages
      of using SAXS in combination with ab initio modeling and MDS to solve the
      structure of small, homo-oligomeric protein complexes.

PMID- 24224052
TI  - Foot drop caused by lumbar degenerative disease: clinical features, prognostic
      factors of surgical outcome and clinical stage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical features and
      prognostic factors of surgical outcome of foot drop caused by lumbar degenerative
      disease and put forward the clinical stage. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
      135 patients with foot drop due to lumbar degenerative disease. The clinical
      features and mechanism were analyzed. Age, sex, duration of palsy, preoperative
      muscle strength of tibialis anterior (TA), sensation defect of affected lower
      limb, affected foot, diagnosis and compressed nerve roots were recorded and
      compared with surgical outcome. RESULTS: Foot drop was observed in 8.1% of all
      inpatients of lumbar degenerative disease. L5 nerve root compression was observed
      in 126 of all 135 patients (93.3%). Single, double and triple roots compression
      was observed respectively in 43, 83, and 9 patients (31.9%, 61.5%, and 6.6%). But
      there was no significant relationship between preoperative muscle strength of TA
      and the number of compressed roots. The muscle strength of TA was improved in 113
      (83.7%) patients after surgery, but it reached to >=4 in only 21 (15.6%)
      patients. Improvement of the muscle strength of TA was almost stable at the 6
      month follow-up. At the last follow-up, the muscle strength of TA was 1, 2, 3, 4,
      5 respectively in 28, 24, 62, 13, 8 patients. Multivariate logistic regression
      showed duration of palsy (p=0.0360, OR=2.543), preoperative muscle strength of TA
      (p=0.0064, OR=5.528) and age (p=0.0309, OR=3.208) were factors that influenced
      recovery following an operation. CONCLUSIONS: L5 nerve root was most frequently
      affected. The muscle strength of TA improved in most patients after surgery, but
      few patients can get a good recovery from foot drop. Patients of shorter duration
      of palsy, better preoperative muscle strength of TA and younger age showed a
      better surgical outcome.

PMID- 24224053
TI  - The neural basis of responsibility attribution in decision-making.
AB  - Social responsibility links personal behavior with societal expectations and
      plays a key role in affecting an agent's emotional state following a decision.
      However, the neural basis of responsibility attribution remains unclear. In two
      previous event-related brain potential (ERP) studies we found that personal
      responsibility modulated outcome evaluation in gambling tasks. Here we conducted
      a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study to identify particular brain
      regions that mediate responsibility attribution. In a context involving team
      cooperation, participants completed a task with their teammates and on each trial
      received feedback about team success and individual success sequentially. We
      found that brain activity differed between conditions involving team success vs.
      team failure. Further, different brain regions were associated with reinforcement
      of behavior by social praise vs. monetary reward. Specifically, right
      temporoparietal junction (RTPJ) was associated with social pride whereas dorsal
      striatum and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were related to reinforcement
      of behaviors leading to personal gain. The present study provides evidence that
      the RTPJ is an important region for determining whether self-generated behaviors
      are deserving of praise in a social context. 

PMID- 24224054
TI  - Multisensory control of multimodal behavior: do the legs know what the tongue is
      doing?
AB  - Understanding of adaptive behavior requires the precisely controlled presentation
      of multisensory stimuli combined with simultaneous measurement of multiple
      behavioral modalities. Hence, we developed a virtual reality apparatus that
      allows for simultaneous measurement of reward checking, a commonly used measure
      in associative learning paradigms, and navigational behavior, along with
      precisely controlled presentation of visual, auditory and reward stimuli. Rats
      performed a virtual spatial navigation task analogous to the Morris maze where
      only distal visual or auditory cues provided spatial information. Spatial
      navigation and reward checking maps showed experience-dependent learning and were
      in register for distal visual cues. However, they showed a dissociation, whereby
      distal auditory cues failed to support spatial navigation but did support
      spatially localized reward checking. These findings indicate that rats can
      navigate in virtual space with only distal visual cues, without significant
      vestibular or other sensory inputs. Furthermore, they reveal the simultaneous
      dissociation between two reward-driven behaviors. 

PMID- 24224055
TI  - APP regulates NGF receptor trafficking and NGF-mediated neuronal differentiation
      and survival.
AB  - beta-Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a key factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      but its physiological function is largely undetermined. APP has been found to
      regulate retrograde transport of nerve growth factor (NGF), which plays a crucial
      role in mediating neuronal survival and differentiation. Herein, we reveal the
      mechanism underlying APP-mediated NGF trafficking, by demonstrating a direct
      interaction between APP and the two NGF receptors, TrkA and p75NTR.
      Downregulation of APP leads to reduced cell surface levels of TrkA/p75NTR and
      increased endocytosis of TrkA/p75NTR and NGF. In addition, APP-deficient cells
      manifest defects in neurite outgrowth and are more susceptible to Abeta-induced
      neuronal death at physiological levels of NGF. However, APP-deficient cells show
      better responses to NGF-stimulated differentiation and survival than control
      cells. This may be attributed to increased receptor endocytosis and enhanced
      activation of Akt and MAPK upon NGF stimulation in APP-deficient cells. Together,
      our results suggest that APP mediates endocytosis of NGF receptors through direct
      interaction, thereby regulating endocytosis of NGF and NGF-induced downstream
      signaling pathways for neuronal survival and differentiation.

PMID- 24224056
TI  - The transcription factors Atf1 and Pcr1 are essential for transcriptional
      induction of the extracellular maltase Agl1 in fission yeast.
AB  - The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe secretes the extracellular maltase
      Agl1, which hydrolyzes maltose into glucose, thereby utilizing maltose as a
      carbon source. Whether other maltases contribute to efficient utilization of
      maltose and how Agl1 expression is regulated in response to switching of carbon
      sources are unknown. In this study, we show that three other possible maltases
      and the maltose transporter Sut1 are not required for efficient utilization of
      maltose. Transcription of agl1 was induced when the carbon source was changed
      from glucose to maltose. This was dependent on Atf1 and Pcr1, which are highly
      conserved transcription factors that regulate stress-responsive genes in various
      stress conditions. Atf1 and Pcr1 generally bind the TGACGT motif as a
      heterodimer. The agl1 gene lacks the exact motif, but has many degenerate TGACGT
      motifs in its promoter and coding region. When the carbon source was switched
      from glucose to maltose, Atf1 and Pcr1 associated with the promoters and coding
      regions of agl1, fbp1, and gpx1, indicating that the Atf1-Pcr1 heteromer binds a
      variety of regions in its target genes to induce their transcription. In
      addition, the association of Mediator with these genes was dependent on Atf1 and
      Pcr1. These data indicate that Atf1 and Pcr1 induce the transcription of agl1,
      which allows efficient utilization of extracellular maltose. 

PMID- 24224057
TI  - Outcomes of extensive hybridization and introgression in Epidendrum
      (Orchidaceae): can we rely on species boundaries?
AB  - Hybridization has the potential to contribute to phenotypic and genetic variation
      and can be a major evolutionary mechanism. However, when hybridization is
      extensive it can also lead to the blurring of species boundaries and the
      emergence of cryptic species (i.e., two or more species not distinguishable
      morphologically). In this study, we address this hypothesis in Epidendrum, the
      largest Neotropical genus of orchids where hybridization is apparently so common
      that it may explain the high levels of morphological diversity found.
      Nonetheless, this hypothesis is mostly based on the intermediacy of morphological
      characters and intermediacy by itself is not a proof of hybridization. Therefore,
      in this study, we first assessed the existence of hybrids using cpDNA and AFLP
      data gathered from a large-scale sampling comprising 1038 plants of three species
      of Epidendrum (E. calanthum, E. cochlidium and E. schistochilum). Subsequently, a
      Bayesian assignment of individuals into different genetic classes (pure species,
      F1, F2 or backcross generations) revealed that hybrid genotypes were prevalent in
      all sympatric populations. In most cases, parental species were not assigned as
      pure individuals, rather consisting in backcrossed genotypes or F1 hybrids. We
      also found that reproductive barriers are apparently very weak in Epidendrum
      because the three species largely overlapped in their flowering periods and
      interspecific crosses always produced viable seeds. Further, hybridization
      contributed to enhance floral variability, genome size and reproductive success
      since we found that these traits were always higher in hybrid classes (F1, F2 and
      backcrosses) than in pure parental species, and offer an explanation for the
      blurring of species boundaries in this genus of orchids. We hypothesize that
      these natural hybrids possess an evolutionary advantage, which may explain the
      high rates of cryptic species observed in this genus. 

PMID- 24224058
TI  - Gr1(int)CD11b+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is one of the world's leading killers, stealing 1.4
      million lives and causing 8.7 million new and relapsed infections in 2011. The
      only vaccine against tuberculosis is BCG which demonstrates variable efficacy in
      adults worldwide. Human infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis results in the
      influx of inflammatory cells to the lung in an attempt to wall off bacilli by
      forming a granuloma. Gr1(int)CD11b(+) cells are called myeloid-derived suppressor
      cells (MDSC) and play a major role in regulation of inflammation in many
      pathological conditions. Although MDSC have been described primarily in cancer
      their function in tuberculosis remains unknown. During M. tuberculosis infection
      it is crucial to understand the function of cells involved in the regulation of
      inflammation during granuloma formation. Understanding their relative impact on
      the bacilli and other cellular phenotypes is necessary for future vaccine and
      drug design. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We compared the bacterial burden,
      lung pathology and Gr1(int)CD11b(+) myeloid-derived suppressor cell immune
      responses in M. tuberculosis infected NOS2-/-, RAG-/-, C3HeB/FeJ and C57/BL6
      mice. Gr-1(+) cells could be found on the edges of necrotic lung lesions in NOS2
      /-, RAG-/-, and C3HeB/FeJ, but were absent in wild-type mice. Both populations of
      Gr1(+)CD11b(+) cells expressed high levels of arginase-1, and IL-17, additional
      markers of myeloid derived suppressor cells. We then sorted the Gr1(hi) and
      Gr1(int) populations from M. tuberculosis infected NOS-/- mice and placed the
      sorted both Gr1(int) populations at different ratios with naive or M.
      tuberculosis infected splenocytes and evaluated their ability to induce
      activation and proliferation of CD4+T cells. Our results showed that both Gr1(hi)
      and Gr1(int) cells were able to induce activation and proliferation of CD4+ T
      cells. However this response was reduced as the ratio of CD4(+) T to Gr1(+) cells
      increased. Our results illustrate a yet unrecognized interplay between Gr1(+)
      cells and CD4(+) T cells in tuberculosis.

PMID- 24224059
TI  - Developmental switch in neurovascular coupling in the immature rodent barrel
      cortex.
AB  - Neurovascular coupling (NVC) in the adult central nervous system (CNS) is a
      mechanism that provides regions of the brain with more oxygen and glucose upon
      increased levels of neural activation. Hemodynamic changes that go along with
      neural activation evoke a blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal in
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that can be used to study brain
      activity non-invasively. A correct correlation of the BOLD signal to neural
      activity is pivotal to understand this signal in neuronal development, health and
      disease. However, the function of NVC during development is largely unknown. The
      rodent whisker-to-barrel cortex is an experimentally well established model to
      study neurovascular interdependences. Using extracellular multi-electrode
      recordings and laser-Doppler-flowmetry (LDF) we show in the murine barrel cortex
      of postnatal day 7 (P7) and P30 mice in vivo that NVC undergoes a physiological
      shift during the first month of life. In the mature CNS it is well accepted that
      cortical sensory processing results in a rise in regional cerebral blood flow
      (rCBF). We show in P7 animals that rCBF decreases during prolonged multi-whisker
      stimulation and goes along with multi unit activity (MUA) fatigue. In contrast at
      P30, MUA remains stable during repetitive stimulation and is associated with an
      increase in rCBF. Further we characterize in both age groups the responses in NVC
      to single sensory stimuli. We suggest that the observed shift in NVC is an
      important process in cortical development that may be of high relevance for the
      correct interpretation of brain activity e.g. in fMRI studies of the immature
      central nervous system (CNS). 

PMID- 24224061
TI  - Isoaspartate accumulation in mouse brain is associated with altered patterns of
      protein phosphorylation and acetylation, some of which are highly sex-dependent.
AB  - Isoaspartate (isoAsp) formation is a major source of protein damage that is kept
      in check by the repair function of protein L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase
      (PIMT). Mice deficient in PIMT accumulate isoAsp-containing proteins, resulting
      in cognitive deficits, abnormal neuronal physiology and cytoarchitecture, and
      fatal epileptic seizures 30-60 days after birth. Synapsins I and II, dynamin-1,
      collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), and alpha/beta-tubulin are major
      targets of PIMT in brain. To investigate links between isoAsp accumulation and
      the neurological phenotype of the KO mice, we used Western blotting to compare
      patterns of in vivo phosphorylation or acetylation of the major PIMT targets
      listed above. Phosphorylations of synapsins I and II at Ser-9 were increased in
      female KO vs. WT mice, and acetylation of tubulin at Lys-40 was decreased in male
      KO vs. WT mice. Average levels of dynamin-1 phosphorylation at Ser-778 and Ser
      795 were higher in male KO vs. WT mice, but the statistical significance (P>0.1)
      was low. No changes in phosphorylation were found in synapsins I and II at Ser
      603, in CRMP2 at Ser-522 or Thr-514, in DARPP-32 at Thr-34, or in PDK1 at Ser
      241. General levels of phosphorylation assessed with Pro-Q Diamond stain, or an
      anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, appeared similar in the WT and KO mice. We
      conclude that isoAsp accumulation is associated with altered functional status of
      several neuronal proteins that are highly susceptible to this type of damage. We
      also uncovered unexpected differences in how male and female mice respond to
      isoAsp accumulation in the brain. 

PMID- 24224060
TI  - The exosome cofactor Rrp47 is critical for the stability and normal expression of
      its associated exoribonuclease Rrp6 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - Rrp6 is a conserved catalytic subunit of the eukaryotic nuclear exosome
      ribonuclease complex that functions in the productive 3' end maturation of stable
      RNAs, the degradation of transiently expressed noncoding transcripts and in
      discard pathways that eradicate the cell of incorrectly processed or assembled
      RNAs. The function of Rrp6 in these pathways is at least partially dependent upon
      its interaction with a small nuclear protein called Rrp47/Lrp1, but the
      underlying mechanism(s) by which Rrp47 functions in concert with Rrp6 are not
      established. Previous work on yeast grown in rich medium has suggested that Rrp6
      expression is not markedly reduced in strains lacking Rrp47. Here we show that
      Rrp6 expression in rrp47? mutants is substantially reduced during growth in
      minimal medium through effects on both transcript levels and protein stability.
      Exogenous expression of Rrp6 enables normal levels to be attained in rrp47?
      mutants. Strikingly, exogenous expression of Rrp6 suppresses many, but not all,
      of the RNA processing and maturation defects observed in an rrp47? mutant and
      complements the synthetic lethality of rrp47? mpp6? and rrp47? rex1? double
      mutants. Increased Rrp6 expression in the resultant rrp47? rex1? double mutant
      suppresses the defect in the 3' maturation of box C/D snoRNAs. In contrast,
      increased Rrp6 expression in the rrp47? mpp6? double mutant diminishes the block
      in the turnover of CUTs and in the degradation of the substrates of RNA discard
      pathways. These results demonstrate that a principal function of Rrp47 is to
      facilitate appropriate expression levels of Rrp6 and support the conclusion that
      the Rrp6/Rrp47 complex and Rex1 provide redundant exonuclease activities for the
      3' end maturation of box C/D snoRNAs. 

PMID- 24224062
TI  - A prospective cohort study examining the associations of dietary calcium intake
      with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in older Chinese community-dwelling
      people.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most epidemiological studies of calcium intake and mortality risk
      have been conducted in populations with moderate to high calcium intake, and
      limited studies have focused on populations with low habitual calcium intake
      (i.e., mean dietary calcium intake <700 mg/d). OBJECTIVE: This study investigated
      the association between dietary calcium intake and death from all causes and
      cardiovascular disease in Chinese population with low habitual calcium intake.
      DESIGN: Data from 3,139 Chinese men and women in a population-based prospective
      cohort study, aged >=65 years and free of heart diseases or stroke at baseline,
      were analyzed. Primary outcome measures, identified from the death registry, were
      death from all causes and cardiovascular disease. Dietary calcium intake assessed
      using a validated food frequency questionnaire was categorized into sex-specific
      quartiles. Data on use of supplemental calcium (yes or no) including individual
      calcium supplements and other calcium containing supplement were collected. Cox
      regression models adjusted for demographic and lifestyle variables were used to
      estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: During a
      median of 9.1 years of follow-up, 529 all-cause deaths (344 men, 185 women) and
      114 (74 men, 40 women) deaths from cardiovascular disease were identified. An
      inverse trend between dietary calcium intake and mortality was observed. Compared
      with the lowest quartile (<458 mg/d for men, <417 mg/d for women), the highest
      quartile of dietary calcium intake (>762 mg/d for men, >688 mg/d for women) had a
      significantly reduced risk of all-cause mortality (multivariate HR=0.63, 95%
      CI=0.49-0.81, P(trend)<0.001) but an insignificant decreased risk of
      cardiovascular mortality (multivariate HR=0.70, 95% CI=0.41-1.21,
      P(trend)=0.228). Similar inverse association was observed when the analyses were
      stratified on calcium supplemental use. CONCLUSIONS: Higher intake of dietary
      calcium was associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality and possibly
      cardiovascular mortality in Chinese older people with low habitual calcium
      intake.

PMID- 24224063
TI  - The role of the methyltransferase domain of bifunctional restriction enzyme
      RM.BpuSI in cleavage activity.
AB  - Restriction enzyme (REase) RM.BpuSI can be described as a Type IIS/C/G REase for
      its cleavage site outside of the recognition sequence (Type IIS), bifunctional
      polypeptide possessing both methyltransferase (MTase) and endonuclease activities
      (Type IIC) and endonuclease activity stimulated by S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)
      (Type IIG). The stimulatory effect of SAM on cleavage activity presents a major
      paradox: a co-factor of the MTase activity that renders the substrate
      unsusceptible to cleavage enhances the cleavage activity. Here we show that the
      RM.BpuSI MTase activity modifies both cleavage substrate and product only when
      they are unmethylated. The MTase activity is, however, much lower than that of
      M1.BpuSI and is thought not to be the major MTase for host DNA protection. SAM
      and sinefungin (SIN) increase the Vmax of the RM.BpuSI cleavage activity with a
      proportional change in Km, suggesting the presence of an energetically more
      favorable pathway is taken. We further showed that RM.BpuSI undergoes substantial
      conformational changes in the presence of Ca(2+), SIN, cleavage substrate and/or
      product. Distinct conformers are inferred as the pre-cleavage/cleavage state (in
      the presence of Ca(2+), substrate or both) and MTase state (in the presence of
      SIN and substrate, SIN and product or product alone). Interestingly, RM.BpuSI
      adopts a unique conformation when only SIN is present. This SIN-bound state is
      inferred as a branch point for cleavage and MTase activity and an intermediate to
      an energetically favorable pathway for cleavage, probably through increasing the
      binding affinity of the substrate to the enzyme under cleavage conditions.
      Mutation of a SAM-binding residue resulted in altered conformational changes in
      the presence of substrate or Ca(2+) and eliminated cleavage activity. The present
      study underscores the role of the MTase domain as facilitator of efficient
      cleavage activity for RM.BpuSI. 

PMID- 24224064
TI  - Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Polyelectrolyte-Wrapped Gold Nanoparticles
      in Colloidal Suspension.
AB  - The rapidly expanding field of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has
      helped fuel an intense interest in noble metal nanoparticle synthesis. An in
      suspension approach for quantifying SERS enhancement and relating that
      enhancement to a spontaneous Raman equivalent signal is described. Gold
      nanoparticles of various shapes were wrapped with polyelectrolyte multilayers
      that trapped Raman reporter molecules at defined distances from the metal core.
      Electrospray ionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS) on
      digested samples was employed to measure the average number of bound Raman
      reporter molecules per gold nanoparticle, and inductively coupled plasma mass
      spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the average number of gold atoms per
      nanoparticle. Using these data, SERS signal intensity was compared to a
      spontaneous Raman calibration curve to compute a spontaneous Raman equivalent
      factor. Three different geometries of gold nanoparticles (cubes, spheres, and
      trisoctahedra) were synthesized to investigate edge and corner effects using
      these quantitative techniques. Finite element method (FEM) electromagnetic
      simulations examined the relationship between the different geometries and the
      observed SERS signal intensities. The experimental observations and theoretical
      results indicate that cubic gold nanoparticles have the highest effective signal.

PMID- 24224065
TI  - U.S. Cigarette Demand: 1944-2004.

PMID- 24224066
TI  - Sociodemographic Factors Contribute to Mental Health Disparities and Access to
      Services Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City.
AB  - Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) may be at increased risk for mental health
      problems including depression, post-traumatic stress (PTSD), and suicidality. The
      overriding goal of the current investigation was to examine mental health and
      mental health services in a diverse sample of YMSM. We analyzed cross-sectional
      data from a cohort study of 598 YMSM, including sociodemographics, mental health,
      and mental health care. We then tested for bivariate associations, and used
      multivariable modeling to predict depression, PTSD, suicidality and mental health
      care utilization. Lower socioeconomic status, unstable housing, and school non
      enrollment predicted depression and PTSD scores, while unstable housing and
      school non-enrollment predicted recent suicide attempt(s). These recent suicide
      attempt(s) also predicted current utilization of counseling or treatment, any
      history of psychiatric hospitalization, and any history of psychiatric diagnosis.
      Black and API men were less likely to have ever accessed mental health counseling
      or treatment. There were significant class-based differences with regard to
      mental health outcomes, but not mental health services. Further, recent crises
      (i.e., suicide attempt, hospitalization) were strong predictors of accessing
      mental health services. Improving the mental health of YMSM requires addressing
      the underlying structural factors that influence mental health outcomes and
      service access.

PMID- 24224067
TI  - The Gorbachev Anti-Alcohol Campaign and Russia's Mortality Crisis.
AB  - Political and economic transition is often blamed for Russia's 40% surge in
      deaths between 1990 and 1994. Highlighting that increases in mortality occurred
      primarily among alcohol-related causes and among working-age men (the heaviest
      drinkers), this paper investigates an alternative explanation: the demise of the
      1985-1988 Gorbachev Anti-Alcohol Campaign. Using archival sources to build a new
      oblast-year data set spanning 1978-2000, we find a variety of evidence suggesting
      that the campaign's end explains a large share of the mortality crisis - implying
      that Russia's transition to capitalism and democracy was not as lethal as
      commonly suggested.

PMID- 24224068
TI  - A public-private partnership develops and externally validates a 30-day hospital
      readmission risk prediction model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Preventing the occurrence of hospital readmissions is needed to
      improve quality of care and foster population health across the care continuum.
      Hospitals are being held accountable for improving transitions of care to avert
      unnecessary readmissions. Advocate Health Care in Chicago and Cerner (ACC)
      collaborated to develop all-cause, 30-day hospital readmission risk prediction
      models to identify patients that need interventional resources. Ideally,
      prediction models should encompass several qualities: they should have high
      predictive ability; use reliable and clinically relevant data; use vigorous
      performance metrics to assess the models; be validated in populations where they
      are applied; and be scalable in heterogeneous populations. However, a systematic
      review of prediction models for hospital readmission risk determined that most
      performed poorly (average C-statistic of 0.66) and efforts to improve their
      performance are needed for widespread usage. METHODS: The ACC team incorporated
      electronic health record data, utilized a mixed-method approach to evaluate risk
      factors, and externally validated their prediction models for generalizability.
      Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied on the patient cohort and then
      split for derivation and internal validation. Stepwise logistic regression was
      performed to develop two predictive models: one for admission and one for
      discharge. The prediction models were assessed for discrimination ability,
      calibration, overall performance, and then externally validated. RESULTS: The ACC
      Admission and Discharge Models demonstrated modest discrimination ability during
      derivation, internal and external validation post-recalibration (C-statistic of
      0.76 and 0.78, respectively), and reasonable model fit during external validation
      for utility in heterogeneous populations. CONCLUSIONS: The ACC Admission and
      Discharge Models embody the design qualities of ideal prediction models. The ACC
      plans to continue its partnership to further improve and develop valuable
      clinical models.

PMID- 24224069
TI  - Association of 3-Dimensional Cartilage and Bone Structure with Articular
      Cartilage Properties in and Adjacent to Autologous Osteochondral Grafts after 6
      and 12 months in a Goat Model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The articular cartilage of autologous osteochondral grafts is
      typically different in structure and function from local host cartilage and
      thereby presents a remodeling challenge. The hypothesis of this study was that
      properties of the articular cartilage of trochlear autografts and adjacent
      femoral condyle are associated with the 3-D geometrical match between grafted and
      contralateral joints at 6 and 12 months after surgery. DESIGN: Autografts were
      transferred unilaterally from the lateral trochlea (LT) to the medial femoral
      condyle (MFC) in adult Spanish goats. Operated and contralateral Non-Operated
      joints were harvested at 6 and 12 months, and analyzed by indentation testing,
      micro-computed tomography, and histology to compare (1) histological indices of
      repair, (2) 3-D structure (articular surface deviation, bone-cartilage interface
      deviation, cartilage thickness), (3) indentation stiffness, and (4) correlations
      between stiffness and 3-D structure. RESULTS: Cartilage deterioration was present
      in grafts at 6 months and more severe at 12 months. Cartilage thickness and
      normalized stiffness of Operated MFC were lower than Non-Operated MFC within the
      graft and proximal adjacent host regions. Operated MFC articular surfaces were
      recessed relative to Non-Operated MFC and exhibited lower cartilage stiffness
      with increasing recession. Sites with large bone-cartilage interface deviations,
      both proud and recessed, were associated with recessed articular surfaces and low
      cartilage stiffness. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of cartilage repair by
      osteochondral grafting is associated with the match of 3-D cartilage and bone
      geometry to the native osteochondral structure.

PMID- 24224071
TI  - Vibrational Photoacoustic Tomography: Chemical Imaging beyond the Ballistic
      Regime.
AB  - Proof-of-concept of vibrational photoacoustic tomography is demonstrated with a
      homebuilt Raman laser generating greater than 100 mJ of energy per pulse at 1197
      nm wavelength. We employed this system for excitation of second overtone
      transition of C-H bonds. Vibrational photoacoustic signal from C-H rich
      polyethylene tube phantom placed under 3 cm thick chicken breast tissue was
      obtained with a signal to noise ratio of 2.5. Further, we recorded photoacoustic
      image of a polyethylene ring placed under 5 mm chicken tissue with excellent
      contrast. This development opens new opportunities of performing label free
      vibrational imaging in the deep tissue regime.

PMID- 24224070
TI  - Does Posting Facebook Status Updates Increase or Decrease Loneliness? An Online
      Social Networking Experiment.
AB  - Online social networking is a pervasive but empirically understudied phenomenon.
      Strong public opinions on its consequences exist but are backed up by little
      empirical evidence and almost no causally-conclusive, experimental research. The
      current study tested the psychological effects of posting status updates on
      Facebook using an experimental design. For one week, participants in the
      experimental condition were asked to post more than they usually do, whereas
      participants in the control condition received no instructions. Participants
      added a lab "Research Profile" as a Facebook friend allowing for the objective
      documentation of protocol compliance, participants' status updates, and friends'
      responses. Results revealed (1) that the experimentally-induced increase in
      status updating activity reduced loneliness, (2) that the decrease in loneliness
      was due to participants feeling more connected to their friends on a daily basis
      and (3) that the effect of posting on loneliness was independent of direct social
      feedback (i.e. responses) by friends.

PMID- 24224073
TI  - Size reduction and radiation pattern shaping of multi-fed DCC slot antennas used
      in conformal microwave array hyperthermia applicators.
AB  - The use of conformal antenna array in the treatment of superficial diseases can
      significantly increase patient comfort while enhancing the local control of large
      treatment area with irregular shapes. Originally a regular square multi-fed slot
      antenna (Dual Concentric Conductor - DCC) was proposed as basic unit cell of the
      array. The square DCC works well when the outline of the treatment area is
      rectangular such as in the main chest or back area but is not suitable to outline
      diseases spreading along the armpit and neck area. In addition as the area of the
      patch increases, the overall power density decreases affecting the efficiency and
      thus the ability to deliver the necessary thermal dose with medium power
      amplifier (<50W). A large number of small efficient antennas is preferable as the
      disease is more accurately contoured and the lower power requirement for the
      amplifiers correlates with system reliability, durability, linearity and overall
      reduced cost. For such reason we developed a set of design rules for multi-fed
      slot antennas with irregular contours and we implemented a design that reduce the
      area while increasing the perimeter of the slot, thus increasing the antenna
      efficiency and the power density. The simulation performed with several
      commercial packages (Ansoft HFSS, Imst Empire, SemcadX and CST Microwave Studio)
      show that the size reducing method can be applied to several shapes and for
      different frequencies. The SAR measurements of several DCCs are performed using
      an in-house high resolution scanning system with tumor equivalent liquid phantom
      both at 915 MHz for superficial hyperthermia systems in US) and 433 MHz (Europe).
      The experimental results are compared with the expected theoretical predictions
      and both simulated and measured patterns of single antennas of various size and
      shapes are then summed in various combinations using Matlab to show possible
      treatment irregular contours of complex diseases. The local control is expected
      to significantly improve while maintaining the patient comfort.

PMID- 24224072
TI  - ATP Binding Cassette C1 (ABCC1/MRP1)-mediated drug efflux contributes to disease
      progression in T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - PURPOSE: In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), multidrug resistance is often
      mediated by ATPase Binding Cassette (ABC) proteins, which principally involve
      ABCB1 (multidrug resistance 1, MDR1) and ABCC1 (multidrug resistance protein 1,
      MRP1). However, direct comparisons between the differential effects of ABCB1 and
      ABCC1 have been difficult, since identical cell lines with differential
      expression of these transporters have not been developed. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In
      this study, we developed and compared the biological profiles of Jurkat cell
      lines that selectively over-expressed ABCB1 and ABCC1. Vincristine (VCR) plays an
      important role in the treatment of T-lineage ALL (T-ALL), and is often the first
      drug given to newly-diagnosed patients. Because of its importance in treatment,
      we provided escalating, sub-lethal doses of VCR to Jurkat cells, and extended our
      observations to expression profiling of newly diagnosed patients with T-ALL.
      RESULTS: We found that VCR-resistant cells over-expressed ABCC1 nearly 30-fold.
      The calcein AM assay confirmed that VCR-resistant cells actively extruded VCR,
      and that ABCC1-mediated drug resistance conferred a different spectrum of
      multidrug resistance than other T-ALL induction agents. siRNA experiments that
      blocked ABCC1 export confirmed that VCR resistance could be reversed in vitro.
      Analyses of T-lymphoblasts obtained from 92 newly diagnosed T-ALL patients
      treated on Children's Oncology Group Phase III studies 8704/9404 showed that
      induction failure could be explained in all but one case by the over-expression
      of ABCB1 or ABCC1. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results suggest that over
      expression of ABC transporters plays a contributing role in mediating treatment
      failure in T-ALL, and underscore the need to employ alternate treatment
      approaches in patients for whom induction failed or for those with relapsed
      disease.

PMID- 24224074
TI  - Clinical Utility of Magnetic Resonance Thermal Imaging (MRTI) For Realtime
      Guidance of Deep Hyperthermia.
AB  - A critical need has emerged for volumetric thermometry to visualize 3D
      temperature distributions in real time during deep hyperthermia treatments used
      as an adjuvant to radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. For the current effort,
      magnetic resonance thermal imaging (MRTI) is used to measure 2D temperature rise
      distributions in four cross sections of large extremity soft tissue sarcomas
      during hyperthermia treatments. Novel hardware and software techniques are
      described which improve the signal to noise ratio of MR images, minimize motion
      artifact from circulating coupling fluids, and provide accurate high resolution
      volumetric thermal dosimetry. For the first 10 extremity sarcoma patients, the
      mean difference between MRTI region of interest and adjacent interstitial point
      measurements during the period of steady state temperature was 0.85 degrees C.
      With 1min temporal resolution of measurements in four image planes, this non
      invasive MRTI approach has demonstrated its utility for accurate monitoring and
      realtime steering of heat into tumors at depth in the body.

PMID- 24224075
TI  - Super-resolution method for arbitrary retrospective sampling in fluorescence
      tomography with raster scanning photodetectors.
AB  - Dense spatial sampling is required in high-resolution optical imaging and many
      other biomedical optical imaging methods, such as diffuse optical imaging.
      Arrayed photodetectors, in particular charge coupled device cameras are commonly
      used mainly because of their high pixel count. Nonetheless, discrete-element
      photodetectors, such as photomultiplier tubes, are often desirable in many
      performance-demanding imaging applications. However, utilization of the discrete
      element photodetectors typically requires raster scan to achieve arbitrary
      retrospective sampling with high density. Care must be taken in using the
      relatively large sensitive areas of discrete-element photodetectors to densely
      sample the image plane. In addition, off-line data analysis and image
      reconstruction often require full-field sampling. Pixel-by-pixel scanning is not
      only slow but also unnecessary in diffusion-limited imaging. We propose a super
      resolution method that can recover the finer features of an image sampled with a
      coarse-scale sensor. This generalpurpose method was established on the spatial
      transfer function of the photodetector-lens system, and achieved super-resolution
      by inversion of this linear transfer function. Regularized optimization
      algorithms were used to achieve optimized deconvolution. Compared to the
      uncorrected blurred image, the proposed super-resolution method significantly
      improved image quality in terms of resolution and quantitation. Using this
      reconstruction method, the acquisition speed with a scanning photodetector can be
      dramatically improved without significantly sacrificing sampling density or
      flexibility.

PMID- 24224076
TI  - Ball Lens Fiber Optic Sensor based Smart Handheld Microsurgical Instrument.
AB  - During freehand performance of vitreoretinal microsurgery the surgeon must
      perform precise and stable maneuvers that achieve surgical objectives and avoid
      surgical risk. Here, we present an improved smart handheld microsurgical tool
      which is based on a ball lens fiber optic sensor that utilizes common path swept
      source optical coherence tomography. Improvements include incorporation of a ball
      lens single mode fiber optic probe that increases the working angle of the tool
      to greater than 45 degrees; and increases the magnitude of the distance sensing
      signal through water. Also presented is a cutting function with an improved
      ergonomic design.

PMID- 24224077
TI  - Treatment compliance and effectiveness in complex PTSD patients with co-morbid
      personality disorder undergoing stabilizing cognitive behavioral group treatment:
      a preliminary study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the empirical and clinical literature, complex posttraumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD) and personality disorders (PDs) are suggested to be
      predictive of drop-out or reduced treatment effectiveness in trauma-focused PTSD
      treatment. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate if personality
      characteristics would predict treatment compliance and effectiveness in
      stabilizing complex PTSD treatment. METHOD: In a randomized controlled trial on a
      20-week stabilizing group cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for child-abuse
      related complex PTSD, we included 71 patients of whom 38 were randomized to a
      psycho-educational and cognitive behavioral stabilizing group treatment. We
      compared the patients with few PD symptoms (adaptive) (N=14) with the non
      adaptive patients (N=24) as revealed by a cluster analysis. RESULTS: We found
      that non-adaptive patients compared to the adaptive patients showed very low drop
      out rates. Both non-adaptive patients, classified with highly different
      personality profiles "withdrawn" and "aggressive," were equally compliant. With
      regard to symptom reduction, we found no significant differences between
      subtypes. Post-hoc, patients with a PD showed lower drop-out rates and higher
      effect sizes in terms of complex PTSD severity, especially on domains that affect
      regulation and interpersonal problems. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our expectations,
      these preliminary findings indicate that this treatment is well tolerated by
      patients with a variety of personality pathology. Larger sample sizes are needed
      to study effectiveness for subgroups of complex PTSD patients.

PMID- 24224078
TI  - Growing up in armed groups: trauma and aggression among child soldiers in DR
      Congo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Child soldiers are often both victims and perpetrators of horrendous
      acts of violence. Research with former child soldiers has consistently shown that
      exposure to violence is linked to trauma-related disorders and that living in a
      violent environment is correlated with enhanced levels of aggression. OBJECTIVE:
      To gain more insight into the experiences and the mental health status of former
      child soldiers, we conducted a survey with N=200 former child soldiers and adult
      combatants in the DR Congo. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews
      concerning military experiences, experienced and perpetrated violence, and mental
      health. RESULTS: Former child soldiers reported more experienced and perpetrated
      violence, a greater severity of trauma-related suffering, as well as higher
      appetitive aggression than adult ex-combatants. Appetitive aggression was related
      to more perpetrated violence, higher military ranks, voluntary recruitment and
      higher rates of reenlistments in former child soldiers. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      indicate that growing up in an armed group is related to higher levels of trauma
      related disorders and aggressive behavior. This may explain the challenge of
      reintegrating former child soldiers. It is thus important to consider mental
      health problems, particularly trauma-related disorders and aggressive behavior,
      of former child soldiers for designing adequate reintegration programs.

PMID- 24224079
TI  - A Hierarchical Distance Sampling Approach to Estimating Mortality Rates from
      Opportunistic Carcass Surveillance Data.
AB  - Distance sampling is widely used to estimate the abundance or density of wildlife
      populations. Methods to estimate wildlife mortality rates have developed largely
      independently from distance sampling, despite the conceptual similarities between
      estimation of cumulative mortality and the population density of living animals.
      Conventional distance sampling analyses rely on the assumption that animals are
      distributed uniformly with respect to transects and thus require randomized
      placement of transects during survey design. Because mortality events are rare,
      however, it is often not possible to obtain precise estimates in this way without
      infeasible levels of effort. A great deal of wildlife data, including mortality
      data, is available via road-based surveys. Interpreting these data in a distance
      sampling framework requires accounting for the non-uniformity sampling.
      Additionally, analyses of opportunistic mortality data must account for the
      decline in carcass detectability through time. We develop several extensions to
      distance sampling theory to address these problems.We build mortality estimators
      in a hierarchical framework that integrates animal movement data, surveillance
      effort data, and motion-sensor camera trap data, respectively, to relax the
      uniformity assumption, account for spatiotemporal variation in surveillance
      effort, and explicitly model carcass detection and disappearance as competing
      ongoing processes.Analysis of simulated data showed that our estimators were
      unbiased and that their confidence intervals had good coverage.We also illustrate
      our approach on opportunistic carcass surveillance data acquired in 2010 during
      an anthrax outbreak in the plains zebra of Etosha National Park, Namibia.The
      methods developed here will allow researchers and managers to infer mortality
      rates from opportunistic surveillance data.

PMID- 24224080
TI  - A photoisomerization-coupled asymmetric Stetter reaction: application to the
      total synthesis of three diastereomers of (-)-cephalimysin A.
AB  - The total synthesis of 8-epi, 8,9-epi, and 9-epi-(-)-cephalimysin A is described.
      Our catalytic enantioselective synthesis takes advantage of a novel tandem
      photoisomerization/Stetter reaction. The approach provides rapid access to the
      desired spirofuranone lactam core in good yield and excellent enantioselectivity.
      A late stage oxidation strategy allows for flexible access to three of the four
      diastereomers of cephalimysin A. Access to the epimers provides further support
      for the correction of the initially proposed relative stereochemistry of
      cephalimysin A.

PMID- 24224081
TI  - Halogen Photoelimination from Dirhodium Phosphazane Complexes via Chloride
      Bridged Intermediates.
AB  - Halogen photoelimination is a critical step in HX-splitting photocatalysis.
      Herein, we report the photoreduction of a pair of valence-isomeric dirhodium
      phosphazane complexes, and suggest that a common intermediate is accessed in the
      photochemistry of both mixed-valent and valence-symmetric complexes. The results
      of these investigations suggest that halogen photoelimination proceeds by two
      sequential photochemical reactions: ligand dissociation followed by subsequent
      halogen elimination.

PMID- 24224082
TI  - Controllably degradable beta-sheet nanofibers and gels from self-assembling
      depsipeptides.
AB  - Self-assembled peptide materials have received considerable interest for a range
      of applications, including 3D cell culture, tissue engineering, and the delivery
      of cells and drugs. One challenge in applying such materials within these areas
      has been the extreme stability of beta-sheet fibrillized peptides, which are
      resistant to proteolysis, degradation, and turnover in biological environments.
      In this study, we designed self-assembling depsipeptides containing ester bonds
      within the peptide backbone. Beta-sheet fibrillized nanofibers were formed in
      physiologic conditions, and two of these nanofiber-forming depsipeptides produced
      hydrogels that degraded controllably over the course of days-to-weeks via ester
      hydrolysis. With HPLC, TEM, and oscillating rheometry, we show that the rate of
      hydrolysis can be controlled in a straightforward manner by specifying the amino
      acid residues surrounding the ester bond. In 3D cell cultures, depsipeptide gels
      softened over the course of several days and permitted considerably more
      proliferation and spreading of C3H10T1/2 pluripotent stem cells than non
      degradable analogs. This approach now provides a reliable and reproducible means
      to soften or clear beta-sheet fibrillized peptide materials from biological
      environments.

PMID- 24224083
TI  - Polymer-Protein Hydrogel Nanomatrix for Stabilization of Indocyanine Green
      towards Targeted Fluorescence and Photoacoustic Bio-imaging.
AB  - Indocyanine green (ICG) is an optical contrast agent commonly used for a variety
      of imaging applications. However, certain limitations of the free dye molecule,
      concerning its low stability, uncontrolled aggregation and lack of targeting
      ability, have limited its use. Presented here is a method of embedding ICG in a
      novel polymer/protein hybrid nanocarrier so as to overcome the above inherent
      drawbacks of the free molecule. The hybrid nanocarrier consists of a non-toxic
      and biocompatible polyacrylamide nanoparticle (PAA NP) matrix that incorporates
      human serum albumin (HSA). This nanocarrier was synthesized through pre
      conjugation with HSA and amine functionalized monomer, followed by polymerization
      using biodegradable cross-linkers, in a water-in-oil emulsion. The ICG dye is
      loaded into the HSA conjugated PAA nanoparticles (HSA-PAA NPs) through post
      loading. Compared to the PAA polymer matrix, the presence of hydrophobic pockets
      in the HSA-PAA NPs further increases the chemical and physical stability of ICG.
      This is manifested by lowering the chemical degradation rates under physiological
      conditions, as well as by improving the thermal- and photo-stability of the dye.
      A targeting moiety, F3-Cys peptide, was attached to the surface of the NPs, for
      selective delivery to specific cancer cell lines. The suitability of these NPs
      for optical imaging applications was demonstrated by performing fluorescence
      imaging on a rat gliosarcoma cell line (9L). We also present the photoacoustic
      response of the HSA-PAA NPs, used as imaging contrast agents, in the spectral
      window of 700 nm to 800 nm.

PMID- 24224084
TI  - Angiotensin II Stimulates Sympathetic Neurotransmission to Adipose Tissue.
AB  - Angiotensin II (AngII) facilitates sympathetic neurotransmission by regulating
      norepinephrine (NE) synthesis, release and uptake. These effects of AngII
      contribute to cardiovascular control. Previous studies in our laboratory
      demonstrated that chronic AngII infusion decreased body weight of rats. We
      hypothesized that AngII facilitates sympathetic neurotransmission to adipose
      tissue and may thereby decrease body weight. The effect of chronic AngII infusion
      on the NE uptake transporter and NE turnover was examined in metabolic
      (interscapular brown adipose tissue, ISBAT; epididymal fat, EF) and
      cardiovascular tissues (left ventricle, LV; kidney) of rats. To examine the
      uptake transporter saturation isotherms were performed using [3H]nisoxetine
      (NIS). At doses that lowered body weight, AngII significantly increased ISBAT
      [3H]NIS binding density. To quantify NE turnover, alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine
      (AMPT) was injected in saline-infused, AngII-infused, or saline-infused rats that
      were pair-fed to food intake of AngII-infused rats. AngII significantly increased
      the rate of NE decline in all tissues compared to saline. The rate of NE decline
      in EF was increased to a similar extent by AngII and by pair-feeding. In rats
      administered AngII and propranolol, reductions in food and water intake and body
      weight were eliminated. These data support the hypothesis that AngII facilitates
      sympathetic neurotransmission to adipose tissue. Increased sympathetic
      neurotransmission to adipose tissue following AngII exposure is suggested to
      contribute to reductions in body weight.

PMID- 24224085
TI  - Podocalyxin regulates pronephric glomerular development in zebrafish.
AB  - Vertebrate glomerular podocytes possess a highly sialylated transmembrane
      glycoprotein, Podocalyxin. In mammals, the sialic acid of Podocalyxin plays a
      crucial role in the formation of the characteristic podocyte architecture
      required for glomerular filtration. We examined the function of Podocalyxin in
      the developing zebrafish pronephros by disrupting the expression of podocalyxin
      through the use of morpholino antisense oligonucleotides. Podocalyxin was
      localized at the apical membrane of podocytes throughout pronephric glomerular
      development in zebrafish. Translational blocking of podocalyxin expression
      resulted in pericardial edema and a hypoplastic glomerulus. Whereas regular foot
      processes with a slit diaphragm covered 66.7 +/- 7.8% of the urinary surface of
      glomerular basement membrane in control fish, only 14.4 +/- 7.5% of this area was
      covered with regular foot processes in the translationally-blocked morphants.
      Splice blocking of podocalyxin exon 2, which partially encodes the bulky mucin
      domain with extensive sialic acid-containing sugar chains, resulted in the
      deletion of 53% of mucin domain-coding sequence from podocalyxin mRNA.
      Approximately 40% of these splice-blocked morphants had mild pericardial edema.
      Although the pronephric glomerulus in the splice-blocked morphants exhibited
      almost normal appearance with developed glomerular capillaries and mesangium,
      they had only 36.3 +/- 6.9% of the area covered with regular foot processes. In
      conclusion, Podocalyxin is predominantly expressed in the podocytes and plays a
      distinct role in the formation of the podocyte foot processes with a slit
      diaphragm during zebrafish pronephric development.

PMID- 24224086
TI  - Migraine and Despair: Factors Associated with Depression and Suicidal Ideation
      among Canadian Migraineurs in a Population-Based Study.
AB  - This study sought to (1) investigate the association between migraine and both
      depression and suicidal ideation and (2) to identify the factors independently
      associated with each of these mental health problems among Canadian men and women
      with migraine. Data were analyzed from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey
      (CCHS). Presence of migraine was assessed by self-report of a health professional
      diagnosis. Current depression was measured using the CIDI-SF, and suicidal
      ideation was based on a question about serious consideration of suicide at any
      point during the respondent's lifetime. Migraineurs were found to have elevated
      odds of depression (men: OR = 2.02; 95% CI = 1.70, 2.41; women: OR = 1.89; 95% CI
      = 1.71, 2.10) and suicidal ideation (men: OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.55, 1.96; women:
      OR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.59, 1.86) even when adjusting for sociodemographic
      variables and disability status. The odds of depression and suicidal ideation
      were higher among both genders of migraineurs who were younger, unmarried and had
      more activity limitations; associations with poverty and race depended on gender
      and whether the focus was on depression or suicidal ideation. While screening for
      depression is already recommended for those with migraine, this research helps
      identify which migraineurs may require more immediate attention, including those
      who are younger, unmarried, and experiencing limitations in their activities. 

PMID- 24224087
TI  - Detection and Isolation of Airborne Influenza A H3N2 Virus Using a Sioutas
      Personal Cascade Impactor Sampler.
AB  - The air we breathe contains microorganisms that can cause infectious respiratory
      diseases. After two occupants of an apartment were diagnosed with influenza in
      February of 2013, efforts were made to detect and isolate airborne influenza
      virus using two different types of active air samplers: a Sioutas Personal
      Cascade Impactor Sampler (PCIS) and an SKC BioSampler. The PCIS collects size
      fractionated particles by impaction on polytetrafluoroethylene filters, whereas
      the SKC BioSampler collects airborne particles in liquid media. Influenza H3N2
      virus was collected by both types of air samplers. The PCIS collected a range of
      particle sizes containing influenza virus near one of the sick individuals but
      only ultrafine particles when the samplers were positioned farther away. Viable
      virus was present in the liquid collection media of the SKC BioSampler and some
      PCIS filters. These findings suggest that influenza patients produce ultrafine
      aerosol particles that contain viable virus. 

PMID- 24224088
TI  - Effects of mild and severe knee joint pain on various activities of daily living
      in the female elderly.
AB  - This study aimed to examine the differences in the ability to perform various
      activities of daily living (ADLs) among groups with various knee problems. The
      participants consisted of 328 elderly females (age 60-94; mean age 76.1 years;
      standard deviation 6.2). The subjects were classified into three groups: those
      without knee pain, those with mild knee pain, and those with severe knee pain.
      ADLs with markedly higher (>97%) and lower (<38%) achievement rates in the group
      without knee pain were not significantly different among the three groups.
      Achievement rates of 40%-97% for ADLs were significantly lower in the group with
      severe knee pain than in the group without knee pain. In addition, the groups
      with mild and severe knee pain demonstrated significantly lower achievement rates
      of ascending and descending stairs and sitting up than the group without knee
      pain. In conclusion, regardless of the presence of absence of mild or severe knee
      pain, some ADLs are difficult to achieve, while others are easy. The elderly with
      severe knee pain find it difficult to achieve many ADLs. In addition, it is
      difficult for the elderly with mild and severe knee pain to ascend and descend
      stairs and to sit up. 

PMID- 24224089
TI  - Effectiveness of methylcobalamin and folinic Acid treatment on adaptive behavior
      in children with autistic disorder is related to glutathione redox status.
AB  - Treatments targeting metabolic abnormalities in children with autism are limited.
      Previously we reported that a nutritional treatment significantly improved
      glutathione metabolism in children with autistic disorder. In this study we
      evaluated changes in adaptive behaviors in this cohort and determined whether
      such changes are related to changes in glutathione metabolism. Thirty-seven
      children diagnosed with autistic disorder and abnormal glutathione and
      methylation metabolism were treated with twice weekly 75 ug/Kg methylcobalamin
      and twice daily 400 ug folinic acid for 3 months in an open-label fashion. The
      Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) and glutathione redox metabolites were
      measured at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. Over the treatment
      period, all VABS subscales significantly improved with an average effect size of
      0.59, and an average improvement in skills of 7.7 months. A greater improvement
      in glutathione redox status was associated with a greater improvement in
      expressive communication, personal and domestic daily living skills, and
      interpersonal, play-leisure, and coping social skills. Age, gender, and history
      of regression did not influence treatment response. The significant behavioral
      improvements observed and the relationship between these improvements to
      glutathione redox status suggest that nutritional interventions targeting redox
      metabolism may benefit some children with autism. 

PMID- 24224090
TI  - Factors Associated with Women's Chronic Disease Management: Associations of
      Healthcare Frustrations, Physician Support, and Self-Care Needs.
AB  - Previous research emphasizes the importance of reducing healthcare frustrations
      and enhancing physician supports to help patients engage in recommended
      healthcare regimens. However, less is known about how these factors are
      associated with aging women's knowledge about self-care behavior. This study
      examined the sociodemographics, health indicators, healthcare-related
      frustrations, and perceptions of physician support associated with middle-aged
      and older adult females' self-reported need for help to learn how to take better
      care of their health. Data were analyzed from 287 females with one or more
      chronic conditions who completed The National Council on Aging (NCOA) Chronic
      Care Survey. A logistic regression model was developed. Women who were non-White
      (OR = 2.26, P = 0.049) were more likely to need help learning how to better
      manage their health. Those who had some college education or more (OR = 0.55, P =
      0.044) and lower healthcare-related frustrations (OR = 0.44, P = 0.017) and
      perceived to have more physician support (OR = 0.49, P = 0.033) were less likely
      to need help learning how to better manage their health. Findings can inform the
      planning, implementation, assessment, and dissemination of evidence-based self
      management programs for middle-aged and older women within and outside of
      clinical settings. 

PMID- 24224091
TI  - Evaluation of Mallotus oppositifolius Methanol Leaf Extract on the Glycaemia and
      Lipid Peroxidation in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats: A Preliminary Study.
AB  - Objective. Mallotus oppositifolius (Geiseler) Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is
      folklorically used to "treat" diabetic conditions in some parts of Nigeria
      therefore the study, to investigate the extract of the leaves for activities on
      hyperglycaemia, lipid peroxidation, and increased cholesterol levels in vivo in
      alloxan diabetic rats as well as its potential antioxidant activity in vitro.
      Methods. Albino rats (240-280 g) were given an injection of 120 mg/kg body
      weight, i.p. of alloxan monohydrate. After 8 days, diabetic animals with elevated
      fasting blood glucose levels (>9 mmol/L) were considered and selected for the
      study. Results. Oral treatment with the extract administered every 12 h by gavage
      at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract to the test rats, for 14 days,
      resulted in a significant dose-dependent decrease in blood glucose levels from
      12.82 +/- 1.02 mmol/dL to 4.92 +/- 2.01 mmol/dL at the highest dose of 400 mg/kg
      compared to the control drug and glibenclamide as well as attendant significant
      decline in diabetic rats employed in the study. Conclusion. The extract also
      showed in vitro concentration-dependent antioxidant activity following the 1,1
      diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing assays. Findings further
      suggest the presence of active antidiabetic and antioxidant principles in M.
      oppositifolius leaves. 

PMID- 24224092
TI  - Relationship of sternal foramina to vital structures of the chest: a computed
      tomographic study.
AB  - Sternal foramina are a well-known variant anatomy of the sternum and carry the
      risk of life-threatening complications like pneumothorax or even
      pericardial/cardial punction during sternal biopsy or acupuncture. There have
      been numerous studies numerous studies examinimg prevalence of sternal foramina,
      but the study of the exact anatomical relationship to intrathoracic structures
      has received little attention. In a retrospective study of 15 patients with
      sternal foramina, the topographical anatomy in respect to vital chest organs was
      examined. In most patients, the directly adjacent structure was the lung (53.3%)
      or mediastinal fat (33.3%). Only in three patients, the heart was located
      directly adjacent to a sternal foramen (20%). Theoretically, if the needle is
      inserted deep enough it will at some point perforate the pericardium in all
      examined patients. There was no correlation between the patient habitus (i.e.,
      thickness of the subcutaneous fat) and the distance to a vital organ. In this
      sample, pericardial punction would have not occured if the needle is not inserted
      deeper than 2.5 cm. Given the preliminary nature of the data, general conclusions
      of a safe threshold for needle depth should be made with caution. To minimize the
      risk of hazardous complications, especially with sternal biopsy, preprocedural
      screening or image guidance is advocated. 

PMID- 24224093
TI  - Interaction of Normal and Sickle Hemoglobins for Sodium Dodecylsulphate and
      Hydrogen Peroxide at pH 5.0 and 7.2.
AB  - Clinical manifestations of malaria primarily result from proliferation of the
      parasite within the hosts' erythrocytes. The malaria parasite digests hemoglobin
      within its digestive vacuole through a sequential metabolic process involving
      multiple proteases. The activities of these proteases could lead to the
      production of ROS which could lead to the death of the parasites due to the
      destruction of their membrane. The action of SDS on hemoglobins can be likened to
      the way malarial proteases destabilizes host hemoglobin. Hence, the study was
      designed to determine the binding parameters of SDS and H2O2 for normal, sickle
      trait carrier and sickle hemoglobins at pH 5.0 and 7.2 using UV-VIS Titration
      Spectrophotometry. Hb-SDS interactions were significantly different at pH 5.0 but
      were not at pH 7.2. Also, Hb-H2O2 interactions were statistically different at pH
      5.0 and 7.2. The interactions suggest that HbA and HbS are easily destabilized
      than HbAS and that HbAS has more affinity for H2O2. These suggest a production of
      more ferryl intermediates or hydroxyl radicals. All these interactions may hinder
      the development of the malaria parasite at the intraerythrocytic stage and could
      likely account for a significant proportion of the mechanism that favours the
      resistance to malaria by individuals with HbAS. 

PMID- 24224095
TI  - Improving compliance with screening of diabetic patients for microalbuminuria in
      primary care practice.
AB  - Studies showed suboptimal compliance rate of primary care physicians with
      microalbuminuria screening. This study evaluated impact of electronic medical
      records (EMR) and computerized physicians reminders on compliance rate and showed
      small to modest improvement. Combining EMR with quality control monitoring has
      significantly improved compliance [OR 1.556, 95% CI 1.251-1.935, P = 0.006]. 

PMID- 24224094
TI  - Risk of cancer in diabetes: the effect of metformin.
AB  - Cancer is the second cause of death. Association of diabetes as a growing and
      costly disease with cancer is a major health concern. Meanwhile, preexisting
      diabetes is associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cancer-specific
      mortalities. Presence of diabetes related comorbidities, poorer response to
      cancer treatment, and excess mortality related to diabetes are among the most
      important explanations. Although diabetes appear to be a risk factor for cancer
      and is associated with the mortality risk in cancer patients, several factors
      such as diabetes duration, multiple drug therapy, and the presence of diabetes
      comorbidities make the assessment of the effect of diabetes treatment on cancer
      risk and mortality difficult. Metformin is the drug of choice for the treatment
      of type 2 diabetes. The available evidence from basic science, clinical, and
      population-based research supports the anticancer effect of metformin. However,
      randomized controlled clinical trials do not provide enough evidence for a strong
      protective effect of metformin on cancer incidence or mortality. One of the most
      important limitations of these trials is the short duration of the followup.
      Further long-term randomized controlled clinical trials specifically designed to
      determine metformin effect on cancer risk are needed to provide the best answer
      to this challenge. 

PMID- 24224096
TI  - Ethnic Background and Overweight among 5-Year-Old Children: The "Be Active, Eat
      Right" Study.
AB  - Introduction. This study investigates the association between ethnic background
      and overweight (obesity included) among 5 year olds. Methods. We used baseline
      data from 5 year olds (n = 7801) and their parents collected for the "Be active,
      eat right" study. A child was considered to be of non-Dutch ethnic background
      when at least one of the parents was born abroad. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted
      for sociodemographic characteristics. Results. Compared to children of Dutch
      ethnic background, for children with a Moroccan ethnic background the OR for
      being overweight (obesity included) was 2.27 (95% CI 1.48-3.47), for Turkish
      children the OR was 3.63 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.46-5.35), for Antillean
      children the OR was 1.97 (95% CI 1.01-3.86), and for Surinamese children the OR
      was 0.47 (95% CI 0.20-1.06). Addition of parental overweight decreased the ORs
      for Moroccan and Turkish children by 10.2% and 12.5%, and addition of watching TV
      and having breakfast by the child decreased the ORs by 7.9% and 12.2%.
      Conclusion. Already at a young age, children of Moroccan and Turkish ethnic
      background are at increased risk for being overweight compared to Dutch children.
      Parental overweight, watching TV, and not having breakfast by the child are
      contributing factors in this association. 

PMID- 24224097
TI  - Cognitive Dysfunction and Dementia in Primary Sjogren's Syndrome.
AB  - Background. Primary Sjogren's syndrome (PSS) is a frequent systemic autoimmune
      disease. In this study, we aimed to explore the cognitive impairment and the
      correlations with brain MRI. Methods. Twenty-five patients (mean age 55 +/- 11.8
      years, 21 females) with PSS were prospectively selected and tested with a French
      translation of the Brief Repeatable Battery for Neuropsychological Examination.
      The results were compared with the scores for 25 matched patients with multiple
      sclerosis (MS) and 25 controls. Brain lesions were assessed by brain MRI using
      the Wahlund classification. Results. Fifteen of the 25 PSS patients (60%)
      presented with cognitive disorders versus 19/25 MS patients (76%). Five patients
      had dementia in the PSS group. Speed of information processing, attention,
      immediate and long-term memory, and executive functions were frequently impaired.
      The mean duration of cognitive complaints was 5.6 +/- 6.1 years, and the mean
      duration of PSS was 15.8 +/- 14.0 years. A trend towards a correlation was found
      between the severity of cognitive impairment and the degree of white matter
      lesions (WML) (P = 0.03, rho = 0.43). Conclusion. Cognitive impairment-mild or
      dementia-exists in patients with PSS. Further MRI studies are needed to better
      understand the precise neural basis of cognitive impairment in PSS patients. 

PMID- 24224098
TI  - Soy Saponins Meditate the Progression of Colon Cancer in Rats by Inhibiting the
      Activity of beta -Glucuronidase and the Number of Aberrant Crypt Foci but Not
      Cyclooxygenase-2 Activity.
AB  - Objective. The effect of extracted crude soybean saponins on preneoplastic
      lesions, aberrant crypt foci (ACF), and the related mechanism were investigated.
      Research Methods and Procedures. Rats were assigned into five groups according to
      different doses of extracted crude soybean saponins and received 1,2
      dimethylhydrazine (DMH) injection in week 5. In week 15, all rats were
      sacrificed. The number of ACFs, the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression,
      the level of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2), and the activity of beta -glucuronidase
      were examined. Results. Results revealed that the consumption of extracted crude
      soybean saponins decreased the number of ACFs and the activity of beta 
      glucuronidase in rats, while the expression of COX-2 protein and PGE2 level were
      not affected. Conclusions. Soybean saponins were effective in inhibiting colon
      cancer by downregulating the activity of beta -glucuronidase in colonic mucosa
      but not the COX-2 protein expression and PGE2 level. 

PMID- 24224099
TI  - Better survival with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy than with
      conventional radiotherapy for cervical cancer: a population-based study.
AB  - Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) has emerged as a preferred
      treatment for gynecologic malignancies. Yet its superiority to conventional
      radiotherapy (2-dimensional radiotherapy (2DRT)) for gynecologic malignancies has
      not been well established. Data from the 2005 to 2010 National Health Insurance
      Research Database (NHIRD) provided by the National Research Institutes in Taiwan
      were analyzed to address this issue. Patients were initially diagnosed as having
      cervical cancer according to the International Classification of Disease, Ninth
      Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 180, and this clinical diagnosis
      was confirmed histopathologically or cytologically. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox
      proportional hazards regression were used to analyze the reported data. Between
      January 2005 and December 2010, there were 776 patients with newly diagnosed
      cervical cancer without metastasis, local recurrence, or surgical treatment
      before RT and 132 and 644 patients, respectively, who received 2DRT and 3DCRT.
      After adjustment for age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart
      disease, hyperlipidemia, side effects, urbanization level, geographic region, and
      enrollee category in the 5-year follow-up period, the HR was 1.82 (95% CI, 1.16
      2.85, P = 0.009). The 5-year survival rate in the 2DRT and 3DCRT groups was 73.0%
      and 82.3%, P = 0.007, respectively. Cervical cancer patients treated with 3DCRT
      had better overall survival. 

PMID- 24224101
TI  - Postthyroidectomy throat pain and swallowing: do proton pump inhibitors make a
      difference?
AB  - Objectives. Following thyroid surgery patients complain from swallowing
      disability and throat pain resembling symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).
      The purpose of this study is to assess whether proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
      given to patients in the first postoperative week relieve the swallowing
      disability and throat pain complaints. Materials and Methods. A questionnaire was
      given to 523 patients who had thyroid surgery between October 2010 and August
      2011. In the first postoperative clinic visit each patient was approached to fill
      out a questionnaire. 208 patients met criteria, 100 of which were on PPIs (study
      group) and 108 were not on PPIs (control group). Results. When comparing the
      study group to the control group, the average pain level was 2.57 compared to 3.9
      during the first postoperative week, and 1.27 compared to 2.41 at day 7 (P value
      = 0.001). Swallowing disability was also lower in the study group when compared
      to the control group, 1.87 and 3.12, respectively, during the first postoperative
      week and 0.87 and 1.76, respectively, at day 7 (P value = 0.007). Conclusion.
      Patients treated with PPIs had less pain and swallowing disability in the first
      week following thyroid surgery, when compared to patients not treated with PPIs. 

PMID- 24224100
TI  - The Chemokine CXCL8 in Carcinogenesis and Drug Response.
AB  - Although the functions of chemokines in the regulation of immune processes have
      been studied in some detail, the role of these biomolecules in cancer is not
      fully understood. Chemokines mediate migration of immune cells and other
      functions related to immunity. They are also involved in oncogenesis and in tumor
      progression, invasion, and metastasis through mechanisms similar to their roles
      in immune functions. Various chemokines also promote cell proliferation and
      resistance to apoptosis of stressed cells. Consequently, chemokines and their
      receptors present potential therapeutic targets for anticancer drugs. The
      chemokine CXCL8, also known as interleukin-8 (IL8), is a proinflammatory molecule
      that has functions within the tumor microenvironment. Due to its potent
      angiogenic effects and the activity of the chemokine and its receptors in the
      promotion of invasion and metastasis, CXCL8 and its receptors are now considered
      as attractive targets for cancer therapy. This review relates the current
      understanding of the regulation, signaling, and functions of CXCL8 that
      contribute to tumor growth and metastasis, and of its role in drug response. 

PMID- 24224103
TI  - Validation of simultaneous volumetric and HPLC methods for the determination of
      pridinol mesylate in raw material.
AB  - Simple, sensitive, and economical simultaneous volumetric and HPLC methods for
      the determination of pridinol mesylate in raw material have been developed. The
      volumetric method is based on the reaction of pridinol with sodium lauryl
      sulphate in diluted sulphuric acid. Dimethyl yellow was used as indicator to
      detect the end point of the titration in aqueous/organic layer. The HPLC method
      for the determination of pridinol mesylate employs a reverse phase C18 column at
      ambient temperature with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile: 0.05 M
      potassium dihydrogen phosphate, pH adjusted to 5.0 (1 : 2, v/v). The flow rate
      was 0.8 mL/min. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 258 nm based on
      peak area. Both methods were found to be suitable for the quality control of
      pridinol mesylate in raw material. 

PMID- 24224104
TI  - Ameloblastomatous CCOT: A Case Report of a Rare Variant of CCOT with a Review of
      the Literature on Its Diverse Histopathologic Presentation.
AB  - Calcifying odontogenic cyst is considered as a rare lesion and accounts for 1% of
      jaw cysts. It represents a heterogeneous group of lesions which exhibit a variety
      of clinicopathologic and behavioral features. It has been categorized as cyst and
      neoplasm. Even after several classification and subclassification, COC remains an
      enigma. WHO classification 2005 has reclassified the lesion as calcifying cystic
      odontogenic tumor (CCOT). Ameloblastomatous COC is a rare variant which is not
      much described in the literature. This report describes one such case which was
      large multicystic, involved the coronoid and condylar process of the mandible,
      and treated by subhemimandibulectomy. The case was recurrence free even after 1
      year of followup. 

PMID- 24224105
TI  - Transient hiccups associated with oral dexamethasone.
AB  - Hiccups, or singulata (hiccup is singultus), are commonly experienced by most
      people at one time or another and are usually brief and self-limiting. Although
      pharmacotherapeutic agents are not generally considered causal in the etiology of
      hiccups, many clinicians empirically associate episodic hiccups in their patients
      as being drug induced. The two classes of drugs most often cited as causing
      hiccups are corticosteroids and benzodiazepines. This report involved a patient
      who was given preoperative dexamethasone and developed hiccups before anesthesia
      and surgery commenced. He at no time was in distress, and the surgical procedure
      was completed without complication. By the second postsurgical day his hiccups
      were resolved completely. Although the association may be anecdotal, many
      clinicians consider hiccups a potential side effect of steroid therapy,
      especially high doses of steroids. Of interest in this case is the relatively low
      dose of corticosteroid used, albeit apparently linked to his hiccups.
      Practitioners should be aware of this potential condition. 

PMID- 24224106
TI  - Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia-Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) in the Background of
      a Large Cell Lymphoma.
AB  - Clonal eosinophilic disorders are rare among hematological malignancies. Most
      eosinophilia tends to be due to secondary causes such as infections,
      hypersensitivity conditions, drug reactions, and connective tissue disorders. The
      presence of a primary clonal eosinophilic disorder such as chronic eosinophilic
      leukemia-not otherwise specified (NOS) in the presence of a synchronous large
      cell lymphoma-is rare making the diagnosis challenging. We present a case of a 51
      year-old female with the aforementioned presentation and demonstrate the
      extensive workup performed to identify the diagnosis. 

PMID- 24224107
TI  - Pitfalls in the diagnosis of anaplastic large cell lymphoma with a small cell
      pattern.
AB  - Anaplastic large cell lymphoma with a small cell pattern is a rare T-cell
      lymphoma. This condition is more frequently seen in younger patients and should
      be considered when patients present with leucocytosis and constitutional
      symptoms. In this report, we describe our diagnostic work-up for one such case
      using blood, lymph node, and bone marrow aspirate samples, highlighting the
      variability of antigen expression seen in different sample types and
      methodologies. This case shows the importance of having a high index of suspicion
      and assessing CD30 and anaplastic lymphoma kinase expression in all suspected T
      cell neoplasms even though this rare condition is not necessarily expected. 

PMID- 24224102
TI  - Ionotropic glutamate receptors and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in long-term
      potentiation of spinal dorsal horn synapses and pain hypersensitivity.
AB  - Over the last twenty years of research on cellular mechanisms of pain
      hypersensitivity, long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission in the
      spinal cord dorsal horn (DH) has emerged as an important contributor to pain
      pathology. Mechanisms that underlie LTP of spinal DH neurons include changes in
      the numbers, activity, and properties of ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPA and
      NMDA receptors) and of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Here, we review the roles and
      mechanisms of these channels in the induction and expression of spinal DH LTP,
      and we present this within the framework of the anatomical organization and
      synaptic circuitry of the spinal DH. Moreover, we compare synaptic plasticity in
      the spinal DH with classical LTP described for hippocampal synapses.

PMID- 24224108
TI  - Anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk in a mildly
      symptomatic adult female.
AB  - Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk, also known
      as Garland-Bland-White syndrome, is an extremely rare but potentially fatal
      congenital cardiovascular anomaly, and it often exists as an isolated condition.
      We hereby report an adult female who was admitted for mild chest discomfort and
      was accidentally diagnosed to have anomalous origin of the left coronary artery
      from the pulmonary trunk. This anomaly was simply repaired by using a bovine
      pericardial patch to obliterate the anomalous opening in the pulmonary trunk and
      a single coronary artery bypass graft. This report highlights the characteristic
      events of the anomaly in an adult with only mild symptoms. 

PMID- 24224109
TI  - Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder mimicking interstitial cystitis and
      voiding dysfunction.
AB  - Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder is a relatively uncommon cause of
      bladder cancer accounting for <5% of bladder tumors in the western countries. SCC
      has a slight male predominance and tends to occur in the seventh decade of life.
      The main presenting symptom of SCC is hematuria, and development of this tumor in
      the western world is associated most closely with chronic indwelling catheters
      and spinal cord injuries. A 39-year-old Caucasian female presented with bladder
      and lower abdominal pain, urinary frequency, and nocturia which was originally
      believed to be interstitial cystitis (IC) but was later diagnosed as SCC of the
      bladder. Presentation of SCC without hematuria is an uncommon presentation, but
      the absence of this symptom should not lead a practitioner to exclude the
      diagnosis of SCC. This case is being reported in an attempt to explain the delay
      and difficulty of diagnosis. Background on the risk factors for SCC of the
      bladder and the typical presenting symptoms of bladder SCC and IC are also
      reviewed. 

PMID- 24224110
TI  - Onyx Embolization of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysm Associated with Behcet's
      Disease.
AB  - Introduction. Intracranial aneurysms associated with Behcet's disease (BD) are a
      rare occurrence. They are fragile, thin-walled pseudoaneurysms, which have high
      tendency to rupture and present a therapeutic challenge. Case Presentation. We
      report a 26-year-old male with BD presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to
      ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm. Additionally, two unruptured aneurysms
      were identified. He underwent endovascular embolization using Onyx with
      successful obliteration of the ruptured aneurysm. Medical therapy resulted in
      regression of one and resolution of the other aneurysms. Conclusion. We describe
      the first report of the application of Onyx for obliteration of ruptured cerebral
      aneurysm in BD as a feasible and safe therapeutic option for patients who are not
      candidates for other techniques. 

PMID- 24224111
TI  - Zinc deficiency and zinc therapy efficacy with reduction of serum free copper in
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - We are in the midst of an epidemic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in developed
      countries. We have postulated that ingestion of inorganic copper from drinking
      water and taking supplement pills and a high fat diet are major causative
      factors. Ingestion of inorganic copper can directly raise the blood free copper
      level. Blood free copper has been shown by the Squitti group to be elevated in
      AD, to correlate with cognition, and to predict cognition loss. Secondly, we have
      shown that AD patients are zinc deficient compared to age matched controls. Zinc
      is important in neuronal protection. We carried out a 6-month small double blind
      trial of a new zinc formulation on AD patients. We found that in patients 70
      years and older, zinc therapy protected against cognition decline compared to
      placebo controls. We also found that zinc therapy significantly lowered blood
      free copper levels. So zinc efficacy could be due to restoring neuronal zinc
      levels, to lowering blood free copper levels, or to both. 

PMID- 24224112
TI  - Combined treatment with Myo-inositol and selenium ensures euthyroidism in
      subclinical hypothyroidism patients with autoimmune thyroiditis.
AB  - Background. Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), also known as chronic lymphocytic
      thyroiditis or chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, is the most common form of
      thyroiditis affecting more than 10% of females and 2% of males. The present study
      aims to evaluate the beneficial effect of a combined treatment, Myo-Inositol plus
      selenomethionine, on subclinical hypothyroidism. Methods. The study was designed
      as a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients were women
      diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism having Tg antibodies (TgAb) titer
      higher than 350 IU/mL. Outcome measures were Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
      levels, thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and TgAb titer, selenium, and Myo
      Inositol plasma concentration. Results. In the present paper, we demonstrated
      that the beneficial effects obtained by selenomethionine treatment on patients
      affected by subclinical hypothyroidism, likely due to the presence of
      autoantibody (TPOAb and TgAb), are further improved by cotreatment with Myo
      Inositol. Conclusions. Indeed, due to its action as TSH second messenger, Myo
      Inositol treatment reduces TSH levels closer to physiological concentrations. 

PMID- 24224113
TI  - Clinicopathological study of 25 cases of diverticular disease of the appendix:
      experience from farwaniya hospital.
AB  - Background. Diverticular disease of the appendix (DDA) is a rare disease and it
      has been shown to be associated with locoregional neoplasms. This study was
      conducted to characterize clinicopathological features and to investigate its
      association with appendiceal neoplasms. Methods. We searched the records of the
      Department of Pathology at Farwaniya Hospital for cases of diverticular disease
      of the appendix between 2003 and 2011. Histological slides and patient charts
      were reviewed for relevant information. Consecutive cases of acute appendicitis
      were selected as a control group. Results. We identified 25 cases of DDA, 24 of
      which occurred in men. Mean age of DDA patients was 35 +/- 10.1 years and was
      significantly greater than that of appendicitis patients (P = 0.027). The mean
      temperature of cases (37.9 degrees ) was significantly higher (P = 0.012) than
      that of the controls (37.3 degrees ). The cases had lower white blood cell (WBC)
      counts compared to controls (13.6 versus 16.7, P = 0.04). Pathological diagnosis
      identified 4 cases of diverticulosis, 5 cases of diverticulitis, 6 cases of
      diverticulosis with acute appendicitis, and 10 cases of diverticulitis and
      appendicitis. None of the cases was associated with any type of neoplasm.
      Conclusions. DDA is a rare disease, and clinicians and radiologists should be
      aware of it. Male sex and adult age seem to be risk factors associated with DDA.
      The disease may not have any direct association with any neoplasm. 

PMID- 24224114
TI  - Evaluation of Artemisia amygdalina D. for Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory
      Potential.
AB  - Artemisia amygdalina D. is a critically endangered endemic medicinal plant of
      Kashmir Himalayas. In the current study anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory
      activity of the plant was carried out. Carrageenan paw edema model was used to
      study the potential of the drug in inflammation in Wistar rats. SRBC-specific
      haemagglutination titre and DTH assays were carried out in Balb/C mice for
      observing the effect of test drugs on immune system. The plant extracts used as
      test drugs showed to have anti-inflammatory potential. The methanolic fraction
      was observed to have the maximum effect on the inhibition of paw edema formation
      with the inhibitory potential of 42.26%, while in the immunomodulation studies
      the test drugs were found to have the immunosuppressant activity with methanolic
      fraction again showing the maximum potential for the suppression of both humoral
      (55.89% and 47.91%) and cell-mediated immunity (62.27% and 57.21%). The plant in
      total seems to have the anti-inflammatory potential. The suppression of immune
      system suggests some mechanistic way by which the inhibition of inflammation
      takes place. Since, in chronic inflammation like arthritis, there is the
      involvement of immune system, the plant in that way may serve as an alternative
      for the treatment of such autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 24224115
TI  - Antioxidant Activity and Volatile and Phenolic Profiles of Essential Oil and
      Different Extracts of Wild Mint (Mentha longifolia) from the Pakistani Flora.
AB  - The antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging capacity of the essential
      oil and three different extracts of wildly grown Mentha longifolia (M.
      longifolia) were studied. The essential oil from M. longifolia aerial parts was
      isolated by hydrodistillation technique using Clevenger-type apparatus. The
      extracts were prepared with three solvents of different polarity (n-hexane,
      dichloromethane, and methanol) using Soxhlet extractor. Maximum extract yield was
      obtained with methanol (12.6 g/100 g) while the minimum with dichloromethane
      (3.50 g/100 g). The essential oil content was found to be 1.07 g/100 g. A total
      of 19 constituents were identified in the M. longifolia oil using GC/MS. The main
      components detected were piperitenone oxide, piperitenone, germacrene D, borneol,
      and beta -caryophyllene. The total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF)
      contents of the methanol extract of M. longifolia were found to be significantly
      higher than dichloromethane and hexane extracts. The dichloromethane and methanol
      extracts exhibited excellent antioxidant activity as assessed by 2,2'-diphenyl-1
      picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging ability, bleaching beta -carotene,
      and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation assays. The essential oil and hexane
      extract showed comparatively weaker antioxidant and free radical scavenging
      activities. The results of the study have validated the medicinal and antioxidant
      potential of M. longifolia essential oil and extracts. 

PMID- 24224116
TI  - Utilization of Modern Contraceptives among HIV Positive Reproductive Age Women in
      Tigray, Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study.
AB  - Background. HIV infected women in sub-Saharan Africa are at substantial risk of
      unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. In developing countries
      including Ethiopia counseling and provision of modern contraceptives of choice to
      HIV infected women including those on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an
      important strategy to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted
      infections. Little is known about the existing practices and utilization of
      modern contraceptives among HIV positive reproductive age women attending ART
      units. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess utilization of modern
      contraceptives and associated factors among HIV positive reproductive age women
      attending ART units in zonal hospitals of Tigray region, North Ethiopia. Method.
      Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 364 HIV
      positive reproductive age women in all zonal hospitals of Tigray region using
      systematic sampling technique. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used to
      obtain information from the respondents. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate
      methods were used to analyze utilization of modern contraceptives and the factors
      associated with it. Result. Three hundred sixty-four subjects participated with a
      response rate of 99.2%. The mean age of the respondents was 31.9 +/- 6.5 (SD)
      years. About 46% of participants utilized modern contraceptives, 59.9% out of
      them used dual method. However, a significant proportion of the respondents (46%)
      reported that they wished to have a desire for children. Being secondary
      education and higher (AOR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.17-6.95) and currently on HAART (AOR:
      3.23; 95% CI: 1.49-7.01) they were more likely to utilize modern contraceptive.
      But those women who were >=25 years old, house wives, single, divorced, or
      widowed were less likely to utilize modern contraceptive. Conclusion. Results of
      this study revealed that the number of respondents who were ever heard of modern
      contraceptives was high. However, modern contraceptive utilization was still low.
      Additional efforts are needed to promote modern contraceptive utilization in
      general and dual method use in particular among HIV positive reproductive age
      women. 

PMID- 24224117
TI  - Apparent Motives for Aggression in the Social Context of the Bar.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little systematic research has focused on motivations for aggression
      and most of the existing research is qualitative and atheoretical. This study
      increases existing knowledge by using the theory of coercive actions to quantify
      the apparent motives of individuals involved in barroom aggression. Objectives
      were to examine: gender differences in the use of compliance, grievance, social
      identity, and excitement motives; how motives change during an aggressive
      encounter; and the relationship of motives to aggression severity. METHOD: We
      analyzed 844 narrative descriptions of aggressive incidents observed in large
      late-night drinking venues as part of the Safer Bars evaluation. Trained coders
      rated each type of motive for the 1,507 bar patrons who engaged in aggressive
      acts. RESULTS: Women were more likely to be motivated by compliance and
      grievance, many in relation to unwanted sexual overtures from men; whereas men
      were more likely to be motivated by social identity concerns and excitement.
      Aggressive acts that escalated tended to be motivated by identity or grievance,
      with identity motivation especially associated with more severe aggression.
      CONCLUSIONS: A key factor in preventing serious aggression is to develop
      approaches that focus on addressing identity concerns in the escalation of
      aggression and defusing incidents involving grievance and identity motives before
      they escalate. In bars, this might include training staff to recognize and defuse
      identity motives and eliminating grievance-provoking situations such as crowd
      bottlenecks and poorly managed queues. Preventive interventions generally need to
      more directly address the role of identity motives, especially among men.

PMID- 24224118
TI  - Meta-Analysis of Interventions for Reducing Number of Sexual Partners and Drug
      and Alcohol Abuse among People Living with HIV/AIDS.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of
      risk reduction interventions on HIV-related risk behaviors among people living
      with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). METHODS: Studies included in the meta-analysis were
      randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of risk reduction interventions, which targeted
      PLWHA aged 18 year or older and assessed the changes of number of sexual
      partners, drug use, needle sharing, and/or alcohol abuse between pre- and post
      intervention. The standardized mean differences (SMD) between study arms as well
      as between baseline and post-intervention, defined as the effect sizes (ES), were
      calculated in random effects models. Heterogeneity of studies was estimated by
      the I2 statistic. RESULTS: Twelve RCTs involving 3993 PLWHA were included in our
      analysis: seven reported impacts on the number of sexual partners, and three
      reported impacts on drug use, needle sharing, and alcohol abuse, respectively.
      There were no statistically significant impacts of risk reduction interventions
      on the number of total sexual partners (mean ES, -0.10; 95% confidence interval
      [CI], -0.26, 0.06; P=0.22) or on the subset of HIV-negative or unknown-status
      sexual partners (mean ES, 0.003; 95% CI, -0.54, 0.54; P=0.99). Overall, risk
      reduction intervention studies documented a reduction of drug abuse (mean ES: 
      0.26; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.01; P=0.04) among HIV-infected drug users, but this
      impact was mainly attributable to one study. Risk reduction interventions did not
      show a reduction of needle sharing (mean ES, -0.15; 95% CI, -0.43, 0.13; P=0.29)
      or of alcohol abuse (mean ES, -0.10; 95% CI, -0.36, 0.17; P=0.47). No
      heterogeneity or publication bias was found across individual studies.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis did not find a positive impacts of risk reduction
      interventions on number of sexual partners, drug use, needle sharing, or alcohol
      abuse among PLWHA, but the small number of studies meeting our review criteria
      limits these findings.

PMID- 24224119
TI  - Thrombospondin-1 Deficiency Exacerbates the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy.
AB  - Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Access
      to new animal models that exhibit retinal vasculopathies with short duration of
      diabetes, are vital for understanding the underlying mechanisms and examining the
      efficacy of new treatment modalities. Our previous studies demonstrated decreased
      expression of Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis,
      in eyes from both patients and rodents with diabetes. Here we examined whether
      TSP1 deficiency could exacerbate diabetic retinal vasculopathies. Akita/+ male
      mice reproducibly develop diabetes by 4 weeks of age. These mice demonstrated the
      early non-proliferative stages of diabetic retinopathy, including decreased
      numbers of pericytes and increased glial cell activation. However, Akita/+ male
      mice deficient in TSP1 (Akita/+; TSP1-/-) demonstrated more advanced stages of
      diabetic retinopathy with a 4-fold increase in acellular capillaries and
      increased fibronectin and GFAP expression. These vascular changes were not
      attributable to aberrant retinal vascular development in the absence of TSP1,
      since down-regulation of TSP1 postnatally in the endothelium also resulted in
      more severe retinopathy. In addition, lack of another endogenous inhibitor of
      angiogenesis, pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF), also enhanced diabetic
      retinopathy in Akita/+ mice. Akita/+; PEDF-/- male mice demonstrated increased
      numbers of acellular capillaries compared to controls but at a level lower than
      that observed in Akita/+; TSP1-/- mice. Thus, the exacerbation of diabetic
      retinopathy in Akita/+; TSP1-/- mice will allow the study of retinal
      vasculopathies with a shorter duration of diabetes and facilitate future testing
      of treatment modalities that protect the retinal vasculature and preserve sight.

PMID- 24224120
TI  - Are Markov and semi-Markov models flexible enough for cognitive panel data?
AB  - Markov chains and semi-Markov models are standard tools used to describe the flow
      of subjects from health into various stages of a disease. Applications of these
      techniques face challenges when modeling the flow of elderly subjects through
      cognitive states into dementia due to the interval censoring of the entry into
      cognitive states, the transient nature of pre-dementia cognitive states, time
      dependent risk factors, missing data, selection bias, and clinical diagnoses that
      may not agree with the gold standard diagnoses obtained at autopsy. There is a
      need to make these tools more flexible if they are to be used effectively when
      analyzing cognitive panel data.

PMID- 24224121
TI  - Synergistic Effect of AJW200, a von Willebrand Factor Neutralizing Antibody with
      Low Dose (0.9 mg/mg) Thrombolytic Therapy Following Embolic Stroke in Rabbits.
AB  - The von Willebrand factor (vWF) is an acute stroke response protein involved in
      platelet aggregation, adhesion, inflammation, and thrombus formation, responses
      that occur following an ischemic stroke. We hypothesize that administration of an
      anti-vWF antibody (anti-vWF-Ab) may be used as adjunctive therapy with tissue
      plasminogen activator (tPA) to promote behavioral improvement following an
      embolic stroke. In this proof-of-concept study, which used a blinded and
      randomized design, we studied delayed treatment with the anti-vWF-Ab, AJW200
      (0.30 mg/kg), alone or in combination with a rabbit low-dose of tPA (0.9 mg/kg)
      using the rabbit small clot embolic stroke model (RSCEM) with behavioral function
      as the primary clinically relevant endpoint. To evaluate the quantitative
      relationship between clot burden in brain and clinical scores, so that an
      effective stroke dose (P50) could be calculated, logistic sigmoidal quantal
      analysis curves were constructed. A beneficial treatment significantly increases
      P50 compared to control. The effect of antibody administration, either alone or
      with low dose tPA was compared to a "positive control", a standard rabbit
      optimized dose of tPA (3.3 mg/kg), as a measure of the maximum improvement
      potential in the RSCEM. The anti-vWF-Ab, AJW200, or control IgG were administered
      IV 1 hour following embolization, and behavior was measured 48 hours later.
      AJW200 plus low-dose tPA significantly increased the P50 value by 74% (p<0.05,
      t=2.612) and 81% (p<0.05, t=2.519) compared to low dose tPA or IgG, respectively,
      but not the AJW200 group (p>0.05). AJW200 increased the P50 value by 28%,
      (p>0.05) compared to the control IgG-treated group. Standard dose tPA increased
      the P50 value by 154% (p<0.05). Statistically, the combination response for
      AJW200 plus low-dose tPA was not significantly different from standard dose tPA
      (p=0.26). This study shows that the concomitant administration of the anti-vWF-Ab
      AJW200 with low dose tPA is synergistic and results in significantly improved
      behavioral function following embolic stroke. We postulate that neutralization of
      vWF may suppress or attenuate one or more aspects of the acute phase stroke
      cascade response including suppression of inflammatory response and reduced
      leukocyte adhesion.

PMID- 24224122
TI  - NFkappaB function and regulation in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
AB  - The nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity of NFkappaB are
      constitutively increased in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) cells, and are
      responsible for their increased survival and proliferation. However, in addition
      to the anti-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory genes, NFkappaB induces expression of
      immunosuppressive genes, such as IL-10 and TGFbeta, which inhibit the immune
      responses and are characteristic for the advanced stages of CTCL. While the
      mechanisms regulating NFkappaB-dependent transcription of anti-apoptotic and pro
      inflammatory genes have been studied extensively, very little is known about the
      NFkappaB regulation of immunosuppressive genes. The specificity of NFkappaB
      regulated responses is determined by the subunit composition of NFkappaB
      complexes recruited to the individual promoters, post-translational modifications
      of NFkappaB proteins, as well as by their interactions with other transcriptional
      factors and regulators. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms regulating the
      transcription of NFkappaB-dependent anti-apoptotic, pro-inflammatory and
      immunosuppressive genes in CTCL cells, as potential targets for CTCL therapies. 

PMID- 24224123
TI  - Clinical implications for loss or diminution of expression of Raf-1 kinase
      inhibitory protein and its phosphorylated form in ductal breast cancer.
AB  - Raf Kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) is a well-established metastasis suppressor
      that is frequently downregulated in aggressive cancers. The impact of RKIP and
      its phosphorylated form on disease-free survival (DFS) and other
      clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer is yet to be discovered. To this
      end, we examined RKIP expression in 3 independent breast cancer cohorts. At the
      Protein level, loss or reduced total RKIP expression was associated with large
      sized tumors characterized by high proliferative index, high-grade and diminished
      estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor expression. Loss or diminution of RKIP
      expression was significantly associated with shorter DFS in all cohorts.
      Moreover, the complete loss of p-RKIP was an independent prognostic factor using
      multivariate analysis in operable invasive ductal breast cancer. We show for the
      first time that ER, partly, drives RKIP expression through MTA3-Snail axis.
      Consistent with this finding, we found that, at the mRNA level, RKIP expression
      varied significantly across the different molecular subtypes of breast cancer
      with the Luminal (ER+) subtype expressing high levels of RKIP and the more
      aggressive Claudin-low (ER-) subtype, which depicted the highest epithelial to
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) registered the lowest RKIP expression levels. In
      conclusion, loss of expression/diminution of RKIP or its phosphorylated form is
      associated with poor diseases-free survival in breast cancer. Determining the
      expression of RKIP and p-RKIP adds significant prognostic value to the management
      and subtyping of this disease. 

PMID- 24224124
TI  - Down-regulation of miR-221 inhibits proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells
      through up-regulation of PTEN, p27(kip1), p57(kip2), and PUMA.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related death in the US
      and exhibits aggressive features with short survival rate and high mortality.
      Therefore, it is important to understand the molecular mechanism(s) involved in
      the aggressive growth of pancreatic cancers, and further design novel targeted
      therapies for its treatment with better treatment outcome. In the present study,
      we found that the expression of miR-221 was significantly up-regulated in
      pancreatic cancer cell lines and tumor tissues compared to normal pancreatic duct
      epithelial cells and normal pancreas tissues. Moreover, we found that the
      pancreatic cancer patients with high miR-221 expression had a relatively shorter
      survival compared to those with lower expression, suggesting that miR-221 could
      be an oncogenic miRNA and a prognostic factor for poor survival of patients.
      Interestingly, transfection of miR-221 inhibitor suppressed the proliferative
      capacity of pancreatic cancer cells with concomitant up-regulation of PTEN,
      p27(kip1), p57(kip2), and PUMA, which are the tumor suppressors and the predicted
      targets of miR-221. Most importantly, we found that the treatment of pancreatic
      cancer cells with isoflavone mixture (G2535), formulated 3,3'-diindolylmethane
      (BR-DIM), or synthetic curcumin analogue (CDF) could down-regulate the expression
      of miR-221 and consequently up-regulate the expression of PTEN, p27(kip1),
      p57(kip2), and PUMA, leading to the inhibition of cell proliferation and
      migration of MiaPaCa-2 and Panc-1 cells. These results provide experimental
      evidence in support of the oncogenic role of miR-221 and also demonstrate the
      role of isoflavone, BR-DIM, and CDF as potential non-toxic agents that are
      capable of down-regulation of miR-221. Therefore, these agents combined with
      conventional chemotherapeutics could be useful in designing novel targeted
      therapeutic strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer for which there is no
      curative therapy. 

PMID- 24224125
TI  - Functional analysis of Drosophila DNA polymerase epsilon p58 subunit.
AB  - DNA polymerase epsilon (polepsilon) plays a central role in DNA replication in
      eukaryotic cells, and has been suggested to the main synthetic polymerase on the
      leading strand. It is a hetero-tetrameric enzyme, comprising a large catalytic
      subunit (the A subunit ~250 kDa), a B subunit of ~60 kDa in most species (~80 kDa
      in budding yeast) and two smaller subunits (each ~20 kDa). In Drosophila, two
      subunits of polepsilon (dpolepsilon) have been identified. One is the 255 kDa
      catalytic subunit (dpolepsilonp255), and the other is the 58 kDa subunit
      (dpolepsilonp58). The functions of the B subunit have been mainly studied in
      budding yeast and mammalian cell culture, few studies have been performed in the
      context of an intact multicellular organism and therefore its functions in this
      context remain poorly understood. To address this we examined the in vivo role of
      dpolepsilonp58 in Drosophila. A homozygous dpolepsilonp58 mutant is pupal lethal,
      and the imaginal discs are less developed in the third instar larvae. In the eye
      discs of this mutant S phases, as measured by BrdU incorporation assays, were
      significantly reduced. In addition staining with an anti-phospho histone H3 (PH3)
      antibody, (a marker of M phase), was increased in the posterior region of eye
      discs, where usually cells stop replicating and start differentiation. These
      results indicate that dpolepsilonp58 is essential for Drosophila development and
      plays an important role in progression of S phase in mitotic cell cycles. We also
      observed that the size of nuclei in salivary gland cells were decreased in
      dpolepsilonp58 mutant, indicating that dpolepsilonp58 also plays a role in
      endoreplication. Furthermore we detect a putative functional interaction between
      dpolepsilon and ORC2 in discs suggesting that polepsilon plays a role in the
      initiation of DNA replication in Drosophila. 

PMID- 24224126
TI  - Manic fringe inhibits tumor growth by suppressing Notch3 degradation in lung
      cancer.
AB  - Notch signaling plays an essential role in development as well as cancer. We have
      previously shown that Notch3 is important for lung cancer growth and survival.
      Notch receptors are activated through the interaction with their ligands,
      resulting in proteolytic cleavage of the receptors. This interaction is modulated
      by Fringe, a family of fucose-specific beta1,3 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases
      that modify the extracellular subunit of Notch receptors. Studies in
      developmental models showed that Fringe enhances Notch's response to Delta
      ligands at the expense of Jagged ligands. We observed that Manic Fringe
      expression is down-regulated in lung cancer. Since Jagged1, a known ligand for
      Notch3, is often over-expressed in lung cancer, we hypothesized that Fringe
      negatively regulates Notch3 activation. In this study, we show that re-expression
      of Manic Fringe down-regulates Notch3 target genes HES1 and HeyL and reduces
      tumor phenotype in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism for this phenomenon appears
      to be related to modulation of Notch3 protein stability. Proteasome inhibition
      reverses Manic Fringe-induced protein turnover. Taken together, our data provide
      the first evidence that Manic Fringe functions as a tumor suppressor in the lung
      and that the mechanism of its anti-tumor activity is mediated by inhibition of
      Notch3 activation. 

PMID- 24224127
TI  - Enhancement of taxol, doxorubicin and zoledronate anti-proliferation action on
      triple-negative breast cancer cells by a PTHrP blocking monoclonal antibody.
AB  - Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are heterogeneous cancers that present
      tumors without the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human
      epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Because of the absence of these
      receptors, there are currently no known specific molecular targets for treatment,
      and although TNBC tumors are chemosensitive, prognosis is poor because this type
      of cancer relapses more frequently and more aggressively than hormone receptor
      positive cancers. The mechanisms by which TNBCs escape control by chemotherapy
      are not clear, and it is crucial to identify novel molecular drivers that can be
      targeted in order to develop more efficient therapeutic approaches. We recently
      highlighted a pleiotropic role for parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in
      all stages of breast cancer, and used our neutralizing anti-PTHrP monoclonal
      antibody (mAb M158) to efficiently inhibit progression and metastasis of human
      breast cancer xenografts in athymic mice. In the present study, we present
      evidence for a strong in vitro anti-proliferative effect of our blocking anti
      PTHrP mAb M158 as a single agent on TNBC lines of various subtypes that are known
      to express PTHrP (MDA-MB-231, BT-549, MDA-MB-435). The same mAb is inactive in a
      TNBC line without detectable PTHrP expression (MDA-MB-468). In in vitro
      combination studies, the mAb enhances the effect of the chemotherapeutic drugs
      taxol and doxorubicin in PTHrP-positive TNBC cells in an additive manner. When
      combined with the bisphosphonate zoledronate, M158 can act in additive or
      antagonistic fashion in vitro depending on the cell line. Our observations
      identify PTHrP as a novel target against TNBC cell proliferation, and suggest
      that combination therapies that include an anti-PTHrP approach might increase
      treatment efficacy in patients with PTHrP-positive TNBC. 

PMID- 24224128
TI  - Histone demethylase GASC1, a potential prognostic and predictive marker in
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Gene amplified in squamous cell carcinoma 1 (GASC1) is a member of Jumonji C
      domain containing histone demethylases that play an essential role in affecting
      chromatin architecture and gene expression. The purpose of this study was to
      determine the expression features and the clinical significance of GASC1 in
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). GASC1 expression was detected on
      tissue microarrays of ESCC samples in 185 cases using immunohistochemical
      staining. Strong nuclear staining for GASC1 was observed in a subset of ESCC
      samples. The nuclear expression of GASC1 was significantly associated with lymph
      node metastasis (P=0.030) and tumor-node metastasis stages (P=0.013). Kaplan
      Meier survival analysis showed a tendency that high expression of GASC1 in the
      nucleus was associated with poor survival of ESCC patients, with a 5-year
      survival rate of 26.5%, as compared to 43.7% for patients with GASC1-negative/low
      expression. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that high expression of
      GASC1 likely acts as a predictive factor for overall survival of ESCC patients,
      despite the P-value failing to reach significance (P=0.059). The findings
      indicate that histone demethylase GASC1 may play an important role in promoting
      cancer metastasis, and shed new light on the importance of targeting GASC1 to
      suppress metastatic disease in various tumor types, including ESCC. 

PMID- 24224129
TI  - The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) most accurately reflects true survival for
      older oncology patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The ability to ascertain survival information is important for
      retrospective and prospective studies. Two databases that can be used are the
      Social Security Death Index (SSDI) and the National Death Index (NDI). Although
      the NDI is more complete, there are advantages to the SSDI such as ease of use
      and cost. The intent of this study was to determine accuracy of the SSDI.
      METHODS: Publically available data on all known deceased individuals in the state
      of Ohio in 2003 were obtained from the State of Ohio Department of Health. A
      random sample of 63,557 of these were compared to the SSDI to identify risk
      factor for inclusion/exclusion. RESULTS: Overall, 94.7% of all death records were
      confirmed by the SSDI. Age at death, gender, race, ethnicity, and cause of death
      were all found to significantly affect the likelihood of inclusion. Specifically,
      people aged 18-24 were included only 79.8% of the time compared to 96.2% for
      those over the age of 65. Also, malignancy as cause of death resulted in a 95.3%
      inclusion while trauma as a cause of death led to 86.5% inclusion. While
      Caucasians had an inclusion of 95.6%, African Americans were included only 87.8%
      of the time. Hispanics and women also had lower inclusion rates. DISCUSSION: The
      SSDI is a strong tool for following up on participants lost to follow up in
      certain populations but is weaker in others. The SSDI would be particularly
      useful in a population that is largely older, Caucasian, or has malignant
      disease.

PMID- 24224130
TI  - Association between tumor-associated macrophage infiltration, high grade prostate
      cancer, and biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a key component of the
      inflammatory microenvironment. Their role in prostate cancer development and
      progression remains unclear. We examined whether the amount of TAMs in prostate
      cancer is: 1) higher than prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and benign
      tissue 2) associated with poorly differentiated disease, and 3) predictive of
      biochemical recurrence among surgically treated men. METHODS: A tissue microarray
      (TMA) of prostatectomy specimens from 332 patients was stained for CD68, a TAM
      marker. A separate TMA was used for validation. Associations between mean TAMs in
      cancer cores and PSA recurrence were determined by Cox proportional hazards
      models after adjusting for age, preoperative PSA, race, body mass index,
      pathologic Gleason sum, seminal vesicle invasion, extracapsular extension, and
      margin status. RESULTS: Mean TAM number was higher in cancer versus PIN and
      benign tissue (p<0.0001). Mean TAM number was higher in Gleason grade 4 cores vs.
      Gleason grade 3 cores (p=0.003). On multivariable analysis, no association was
      observed between mean TAM number per cancer core and biochemical recurrence in
      either cohort. CONCLUSION: Mean TAM number was higher in cancer cores vs. PIN and
      benign tissue, and higher in high grade prostate cancer supporting the potential
      role of TAMs in prostate cancer development. However, TAMs were not associated
      with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy suggesting TAM counts do
      not provide independent prognostic value among surgically treated men. Further
      studies are required to elucidate the functional significance of TAMs in the
      prostate cancer microenvironment.

PMID- 24224131
TI  - "White Box" Epidemiology and the Social Neuroscience of Health Behaviors: The
      Environmental Affordances Model.
AB  - Crucial advances have been made in our knowledge of the social determinants of
      health and health behaviors. Existing research on health disparities, however,
      generally fails to address a known paradox in the literature: While blacks have
      higher risk of medical morbidity relative to non-Hispanic whites, blacks have
      lower rates of common stress-related forms of psychopathology such as major
      depression and anxiety disorders. In this article we propose a new theoretical
      approach, the Environmental Affordances Model, as an integrative framework for
      the origins of both physical and mental health disparities. We highlight early
      empirical support and a growing body of experimental animal and human research on
      self-regulatory health behaviors and stress coping that is consistent with the
      proposed framework. We conclude that transdisciplinary approaches, such as the
      Environmental Affordances Model, are needed to understand the origins of group
      based disparities to implement effective solutions to racial and ethnic group
      inequalities in physical and mental health.

PMID- 24224132
TI  - Mechanisms of load dependency of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.
AB  - Coronary artery disease and associated ischemic heart disease are prevalent
      disorders worldwide. Further, systemic hypertension is common and markedly
      increases the risk for heart disease. A common denominator of systemic
      hypertension of various etiologies is increased myocardial load/mechanical
      stress. Thus, it is likely that high pressure/mechanical stress attenuates the
      contribution of cardioprotective but accentuates the contribution of cardiotoxic
      pathways thereby exacerbating the outcome of an ischemia reperfusion insult to
      the heart. Critical events which contribute to cardiomyocyte injury in the
      ischemic-reperfused heart include cellular calcium overload and generation of
      reactive oxygen/nitrogen species which, in turn, promote the opening of the
      mitochondrial permeability transition pore, an important event in cell death.
      Increasing evidence also indicates that the myocardium is capable of mounting a
      robust inflammatory response which contributes importantly to tissue injury. On
      the other hand, cardioprotective maneuvers of ischemic preconditioning and
      postconditioning have led to identification of complex web of signaling pathways
      (e.g., reperfusion injury salvage kinase) which ultimately converge on the
      mitochondria to exert cytoprotection. The present review is intended to briefly
      describe mechanisms of cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury followed by a
      discussion of our work focused on how pressure/mechanical stress modulates
      endogenous cardiotoxic and cardioprotective mechanisms to ultimately exacerbate
      ischemia reperfusion injury. 

PMID- 24224134
TI  - Gambogic acid suppresses pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy in rats.
AB  - Cardiac hypertrophy is a common response of the heart to a variety of
      cardiovascular stimuli. Pathological cardiac hypertrophy eventually leads to
      heart failure. Gambogic acid (GA) is a main active ingredient isolated from the
      gamboge resin of Garcinia hanburyi trees and has potent anti-tumor and anti
      inflammatory effects that are associated with inhibition of the NF-kappaB
      pathway. We and others recently reported that GA can significantly inhibit the
      function of the proteasome with much less toxicity than conventional proteasome
      inhibitors. The increasing lines of evidence indicate that the inhibition of the
      proteasome can promote the regression of cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure
      overload through the blockade of the NF-kappaB pathway. In the present study, we
      examined the effect of GA on pressure overload or isoproterenol infusion induced
      cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, and changes in myocardial NF-kappaB signaling.
      We observed that the heart weight/body weight ratio, the size of cardiomyocytes,
      interstitial fibrosis, and the reactivation of fetal genes (alpha-SK-actin and
      BNP mRNA) were markedly increased by abdominal aorta constriction (AAC) or
      isoproterenol infusion (ISO), all of which were effectively inhibited by GA
      treatment. Furthermore, GA treatment abolished proteasome chymotrypsin-like
      activity increases induced by AAC or ISO, led to increased myocardial IkappaB
      protein, decreased NF-kappaB p65 subunit levels in the nuclear fraction,
      decreased NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity, and reduced IL2 levels in the
      myocardium of rats subject to AAC or ISO. In conclusion, GA treatment can
      suppress cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis induced by pressure overload or
      isoproterenol possibly through the inhibition of the proteasome and the NF-kappaB
      pathway, suggesting that GA treatment may provide a new strategy to treat cardiac
      hypertrophy. 

PMID- 24224135
TI  - Heart rate variability and metabolic rate in healthy young adults with low birth
      weight.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with obesity and a higher
      cardiovascular risk in adult life. Since autonomic dysfunction could be a
      pathophysiological factor for this association, we assessed the impact of LBW on
      cardiac autonomic activity and metabolic rate in young adulthood. We hypothesized
      that the autonomic tone could be coupled with the metabolic rate in subjects with
      LBW. METHODS: Heart rate variability (HRV) from 24-hour Holter-electrocardiograms
      was measured in 15 healthy adults aged 20 to 30 years with LBW (<2500g at term)
      and 15 paired subjects with normal birth weight (NBW). The pairs were closely
      matched by gender, age, and body mass index. Resting energy expenditure was
      measured by indirect calorimetry and body composition by bioimpedance. RESULTS:
      Global HRV parameters were significantly higher in the LBW group and a marked
      difference was observed in the long wave fluctuations of the frequency domain
      (very low frequency). These fluctuations were positively correlated with the
      resting energy expenditure per body weight in the LBW and negatively in the NBW
      group. Only in the LBW group HRV was closely related to body fat. INTERPRETATION:
      This case-control study indicates that autonomous nervous function is not
      generally deteriorated in young adults with LBW and has a significant association
      with metabolic rate. Thus, it may be a determinant of the body weight regulation
      in this group. The higher cardiovascular risk in ageing individuals with LBW
      would therefore rather be a consequence of weight gain than of a primary
      autonomous nervous dysfunction.

PMID- 24224136
TI  - Publication trends in noninvasive cardiovascular imaging: 1991-2011: a
      retrospective observational study.
AB  - The last twenty years have seen an explosive growth in cardiovascular disease
      research. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the characteristics of
      published research in the field of non-invasive cardiovascular imaging research
      from 1991-2011. Our aims were to determine: (1) the origin of the studies
      (international or from the U.S.) (2) differences in funding sources for U.S.
      publications and (3) if there has been an evolving trend pertaining to the mode
      of imaging. We evaluated characteristics of original research articles from
      Circulation, Circulation cardiovascular imaging, Journal of the American College
      of Cardiology (JACC), Journal of the American College of Cardiology
      cardiovascular imaging, Journal of the American Medical Association and the New
      England Journal of Medicine for the years 1991-91, 2001-02 and 2010-11. To
      establish trends for contributions for U.S. based studies and proportions of U.S.
      based studies receiving NIH funding in the study period, data was compared using
      a chi-square test. A two sided p value of less than or equal to 0.05 was used as
      the threshold for significance. Differences in modes of imaging under study were
      made by comparing average number of publications between the data sets in the
      study period using a t-test analysis. A total of 5431 studies were reviewed; 594
      studies were selected as per the standardized abstraction criteria. U.S. based
      publications outnumbered international publications; its' share declined from 77%
      in 1991-92 to 57% in 2010-2011 (p<0.0001). Funding for U.S. publications by the
      National Institutes of Health (NIH) remained static (1991-92: 40%; 2001-02: 49%;
      2010-11: 42%). A decline was seen in the investigation of echocardiography (47%,
      p=0.44); cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
      studies grew 6.5 times (p=0.002) and 7-fold (p=0.01) respectively. Nuclear
      cardiology imaging fell by more than 50% (p=0.02). The last twenty years have
      seen a globalization of research in non-invasive cardiovascular imaging with a
      shift in focus towards investigation of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The
      decline in U.S. based publications coupled with a stasis in NIH funding may call
      for increased federal support for non-invasive imaging research. 

PMID- 24224137
TI  - A predictor of atheroma progression in patients achieving very low levels of low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol.
AB  - An aggressive reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with
      statins produces regression or stabilization of coronary artery plaques. However,
      after achieving very low levels of LDL-C, atheroma regression is not observed in
      all patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the determinants
      of atheroma progression despite achieving very low levels of LDL-C. The effects
      of 8-month statin therapy on coronary atherosclerosis were evaluated using
      virtual histology intravascular ultrasound in the TRUTH study. Of these, 33
      patients who achieved an on-treatment LDL-C level of <70 mg/dl were divided into
      2 groups according to increase in plaque volume (progressors, n= 16) or decrease
      in plaque volume (regressors, n= 17) during an 8-month follow-up period. At the 8
      month follow-up, serum LDL-C and apolipoprotein B levels were significantly lower
      in progressors than in regressors; however, significant increases in high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI and decreases in high-sensitivity C
      reactive protein and oxidized LDL were observed only in regressors. The changes
      in the n-3 to n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios significantly differed
      between the 2 groups. Multivariate regression analysis showed that a decrease in
      the eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio was a
      significant predictor associated with atheroma progression (beta= -0.512, p=
      0.004). In conclusions, n-3 to n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios affected
      coronary artery plaque progression and regression in patients who achieved very
      low levels of LDL-C during statin therapy. 

PMID- 24224133
TI  - Evidence of endothelial dysfunction in the development of Alzheimer's disease: Is
      Alzheimer's a vascular disorder?
AB  - The etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear. The emerging view is
      that cerebrovascular dysfunction is a feature not only of cerebrovascular
      diseases, such as stroke, but also of neurodegenerative conditions, such as AD.
      In AD, there is impaired structure and function of cerebral blood vessels and
      cells in the neurovascular unit. These effects are mediated by vascular oxidative
      stress. Injury to the neurovascular unit alters cerebral blood flow regulation,
      depletes vascular reserves, disrupts the blood-brain barrier and reduces the
      brain's repair capacity. Such injury can exacerbate the cognitive dysfunction
      exerted by incident ischemia and coexisting neurodegeneration. This article
      summarises data regarding cardiovascular risk factors, vascular abnormalities and
      brain endothelial damage in AD. In view of accumulating evidence of vascular
      pathology in AD, we also review the literature (MEDLINE, EMBASE) for clinical
      evidence of impaired endothelial function in AD. A total of 15 articles
      investigating endothelial dysfunction in AD were identified. 10 of these articles
      showed impaired endothelial function in AD patients. The current literature
      suggests endothelial dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. This
      aspect of AD pathology is particularly interesting in view of its potential for
      therapeutic intervention. Future research on endothelial function in AD should
      concentrate on population-based analysis and combine multiple methods to evaluate
      endothelial function. 

PMID- 24224138
TI  - How can we identify the optimal pacing site in the right ventricular septum? A
      simplified method applicable during the standard implanting procedure.
AB  - AIMS: A short paced (p) QRS duration (d) can be a marker for selecting the most
      appropriate RV pacing site. Although this could be achieved by continual 12-Lead
      ECG monitoring, such a technique is not applicable during pacemaker (PM)
      implantation. The purpose of this study was to validate a method for identifying
      the optimal site for RV septum pacing using simple markers derived from few real
      time ECG leads and fluoroscopy (F). METHODS AND RESULTS: An overall of 304
      measurements of pQRSd in different RV sites was performed in 102 patients
      undergoing PM implant. In accordance with F position the lead placement was
      classified high, medium, and low septum. Paced electrocardiographic/fluoroscopic
      parameters (q-wave/negative QRS in lead I, notching in limb leads, R/S wave in
      lead II, QRS precordial leads transition, and F septal segments pacing site) were
      analyzed to predict short pQRSd (<= 160 ms). Logistic regression analysis showed
      that pQRSd > 160 ms was predicted by presence of pQRS notching in limb leads (OR
      = 3.24, p < 0.001), and with negative amplitude of QRS in lead II (OR = 2.53, p =
      0.03). Short pQRSd (<= 160 ms) was observed with mid F position (OR = 0.31, p <
      0.001) and with the presence of a q-wave/negative QRS in lead I. CONCLUSION: In
      RV septum pacing, simple QRS markers of few limb leads (lead I/II) added to F
      position are usefull to identifying the optimal site to place the RV lead.

PMID- 24224139
TI  - A comparison of vascular inflammation in psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and
      healthy subjects by FDG-PET/CT: a pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis (PSO) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increase cardiovascular
      diseases (CVD) beyond traditional risk factors. Vascular inflammation has
      previously been demonstrated to be present in PSO and RA using [18F]
      fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT)
      imaging. However, vascular inflammation has not been compared in these two
      disorders relative to a healthy reference population. Thus, vascular inflammation
      was quantitatively assessed in patients with PSO (n=10), RA (n=5), and healthy
      subjects (n=10) using FDG-PET/CT. METHODS: FDG-PET/CT mean standardized uptake
      value (SUVmean) was determined slice by slice within the ascending, aortic arch,
      descending thoracic, suprarenal abdominal, and infrarenal abdominal aorta, and
      the mean metabolic volumetric product (MVPmean) was then calculated for each
      aortic subsegment. Plasma lipids and metabolic and inflammatory markers were also
      assessed. RESULTS: CVD risk profiles were largely similar across groups. After
      adjustment for CV risk factors, regional aortic vascular inflammation based on
      MVPmean was elevated for both PSO (beta coefficients 0.31-1.47, p<0.001) and RA
      (beta coefficients 0.15-0.69, p<0.05) compared to healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS:
      These observations using FDG-PET/CT to estimate vascular inflammation support
      epidemiological findings of premature atherosclerosis in PSO and RA. The use of
      FDG-PET/CT to investigate vascular inflammation across systemic inflammatory
      diseases warrants further examination in larger study populations.

PMID- 24224140
TI  - Combinations of acute coronary syndromes and Takotsubo syndrome.

PMID- 24224141
TI  - Thrombus aspiration might reduce the need for concomitant stenting in young
      patients with STEMI.

PMID- 24224142
TI  - Toward plasmonics-enabled spatiotemporal activity patterns in three-dimensional
      culture models.
AB  - Spatiotemporal activity patterns of proteases such as matrix metalloproteinases
      and cysteine proteases in organs have the potential to provide insight into how
      organized structural patterns arise during tissue morphogenesis and may suggest
      therapeutic strategies to repair diseased tissues. Toward imaging spatiotemporal
      activity patterns, recently increased emphasis has been placed on imaging
      activity patterns in three-dimensional culture models that resemble tissues in
      vivo. Here, we briefly review key methods, based on fluorogenic modifications
      either to the extracellular matrix or to the protease-of-interest, that have
      allowed for qualitative imaging of activity patterns in three-dimensional culture
      models. We highlight emerging plasmonic methods that address significant
      improvements in spatial and temporal resolution and have the potential to enable
      quantitative measurement of spatiotemporal activity patterns with single-molecule
      sensitivity.

PMID- 24224144
TI  - 27-day cycles in human mortality: Traute and Bernhard Dull.
AB  - This tribute to her parents by one co-author (NDP) is the fruit of a more than a
      decade-long search by the senior author (FH) for the details of the lives of
      Bernhard and Gertraud ("Traute") Dull. These pioneers studied how
      space/terrestrial weather may differentially influence human mortality from
      various causes, the 27-day mortality pattern being different whether death was
      from cardiac or respiratory disease, or from suicide. FH is the translator of
      personal information about her parents provided by NDP in German. Figuratively,
      he also attempts to "translate" the Dulls' contribution in the context of the
      literature that had appeared before their work and after their deaths. Although
      the Dulls published in a then leading journal, among others (and FH had re
      analyzed some of their work in a medical journal), they were unknown to academies
      or libraries (where FH had inquired about them). The Dulls thoroughly assembled
      death certificates to offer the most powerful evidence for an effect of solar
      activity reflected in human mortality, as did others before them. They went
      several steps further than their predecessors, however. They were the first to
      show possibly differential effects of space and/or Earth weather with respect to
      suicide and other deaths associated with the nervous and sensory systems vs.
      death from cardiac or respiratory disease as well as overall death by differences
      in the phase of a common 27-day cycle characterizing these mortality patterns.
      Furthermore, Bernhard Dull developed tests of human visual and auditory reaction
      time to study effects of weather and solar activity, publishing a book (his
      professorial dissertation) on the topic. His unpublished finding of an increased
      incidence of airplane crashes in association with higher solar activity was
      validated after his death, among others, by Tatiana Zenchenko and A. M. Merzlyi.

PMID- 24224143
TI  - Intravitreal Corticosteroids in the Management of Diabetic Macular Edema.
AB  - Diabetic macular edema (DME) remains an important worldwide cause of visual loss.
      Corticosteroids have a role in the treatment of some patients with advanced or
      recurrent DME. The best studied steroids for this indication are triamcinolone
      acetonide, dexamethasone, and fluocinolone acetonide. All steroids are associated
      with risks of cataract and intraocular pressure elevation. In addition,
      intravitreal injection of any medication is associated with risks of infectious
      endophthalmitis, which has led to the investigation of various extended-release
      steroid implants. At this time, no steroid is approved by the United States Food
      and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of DME.

PMID- 24224145
TI  - DNA ligases as therapeutic targets.
AB  - During DNA replication, DNA joining events link Okazaki fragments on the lagging
      strand. In addition, they are required to repair DNA single- and double-strand
      breaks and to complete repair events initiated by the excision of mismatched and
      damaged bases. In human cells, there are three genes encoding DNA ligases. These
      enzymes are ATP-dependent and contain a conserved catalytic region. Biophysical
      studies have shown that the catalytic region contains three domains that, in the
      absence of DNA, are in an extended conformation. When the catalytic region
      engages a DNA nick, it adopts a compact, ring structure around the DNA nick with
      each of the three domains contacting the DNA. Protein-protein interactions
      involving the regions flanking the conserved catalytic regions of human DNA
      ligases play a major role in directing these enzymes to participate in specific
      DNA transactions. Among the human LIG genes, the LIG3 gene is unique in that it
      encodes multiple DNA ligase polypeptides with different N- and C-termini. One of
      these polypeptides is targeted to mitochondria where it plays an essential role
      in the maintenance of the mitochondrial genome. In the nucleus, DNA ligases I,
      III and IV have distinct but overlapping functions in DNA replication and repair.
      Small molecule inhibitors of human DNA ligases have been identified using
      structure-based approaches. As expected, these inhibitors are cytotoxic and also
      potentiate the cytotoxicity of DNA damaging agents. The results of preclinical
      studies with human cancer cell lines and mouse models of human cancer suggest
      that DNA ligase inhibitors may have utility as anti-cancer agents.

PMID- 24224146
TI  - Reappraisal of Regional Growth Charts in the Era of WHO Growth Standards.
AB  - After the WHO Growth Standards (WHOGS) was published in 2006, many countries in
      the world endorsed and adopted the new growth references as a standard measure
      for the growth of infants and young children. Certainly, the WHOGS has an impact
      on the global policy about obesity and underweight in children. Such WHOGS
      innovation has influenced many regional health authorities and academies, which
      have managed their own growth charts for a long time, in changing their
      strategies to develop and use regional growth charts. In Korea, along with the
      tradition to create a national growth chart every decade, we now face a new era
      of advancing with the WHOGS. 

PMID- 24224147
TI  - Obesity, inflammation and diet.
AB  - Obesity is a state in which there is an over-accumulation of subcutaneous and/or
      abdominal adipose tissue. This adipose tissue is no longer considered inert and
      mainly devoted to storing energy; it is emerging as an active tissue in the
      regulation of physiological and pathological processes, including immunity and
      inflammation. Adipose tissue produces and releases a variety of adipokines
      (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin), as well as pro- and anti
      inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin [IL]-4, IL-6,
      and others). Adipose tissue is also implicated in the development of chronic
      metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease.
      Obesity is thus an underlying condition for inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
      Diet or dietary patterns play critical roles in obesity and other
      pathophysiological conditions. A healthy diet and some nutrients are generally
      considered beneficial; however, some dietary nutrients are still considered
      controversial. In this article, dietary factors that influence inflammation
      associated with obesity are discussed. 

PMID- 24224148
TI  - Polyunsaturated Fatty acids in children.
AB  - Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are the major components of brain and retina,
      and are the essential fatty acids with important physiologically active
      functions. Thus, PUFAs should be provided to children, and are very important in
      the brain growth and development for fetuses, newborn infants, and children.
      Omega-3 fatty acids decrease coronary artery disease and improve blood flow.
      PUFAs have been known to have anti-inflammatory action and improved the chronic
      inflammation such as auto-immune diseases or degenerative neurologic diseases.
      PUFAs are used for metabolic syndrome related with obesity or diabetes. However,
      there are several considerations related with intake of PUFAs. Obsession with the
      intake of unsaturated fatty acids could bring about the shortage of essential
      fatty acids that are crucial for our body, weaken the immune system, and increase
      the risk of heart disease, arrhythmia, and stroke. In this review, we discuss
      types, physiologic mechanism of action of PUFAs, intake of PUFAs for children,
      recommended intake of PUFAs, and considerations for the intake of PUFAs. 

PMID- 24224149
TI  - Clinical features and role of viral isolates from stool samples of intussuception
      in children.
AB  - PURPOSE: To detect major acute gastroenteritis virus (rotavirus, norovirus,
      astrovirus, and enteric adenovirus) and non-enteric type of adenovirus (AdV) in
      the stools of intussusception patients and to investigate the clinical role of
      detected viruses. METHODS: From March 2012 to February 2013, major acute
      gastroenteritis virus and non-enteric type of AdV were isolated from stool
      samples that collected from 44 patients treated for intussusception in Chungnam
      National University Hospital. Patients were divided according to age and isolated
      virus. RESULTS: Virus was detected in 28 (63%) stool specimens. The virus
      detection rate was significantly lower in patients aged under 12 months (p =
      0.04). Twenty-two patients (78.6%) had non-enteric adenovirus, 4 (14.3%) had
      norovirus, 1 (3.6%) had sapovirus, and 1 (3.6%) had astrovirus. AdV subgroup C
      (AdV 1, 2, 5, and 6) comprised the majority with 20 cases (90.9%). A monthly
      increment-and-decrement pattern of intussusception was similar to that of viral
      detection in the stool samples. Enema reductions were successful in 39 patients
      and surgical manual reductions were performed in 5 patients. Virus was detected
      in 24 patients (61.5%) of enema reduction group and 4 patients (80.0%) of
      surgical manual reduction group. All of the detected viruses were non-enteric
      adenovirus subgroup C (AdV 1, 5, and 6) in surgical reduction patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: The virus detection rate was high in the stools of intussusception
      patients. The pattern of seasonal intussusception occurrence rate was parallel
      with seasonal these viral detection rate in the stool samples. These findings
      suggest that viral infection plays an important role in the development of
      intussusception and further research is warranted.

PMID- 24224150
TI  - Adverse events associated with azathioprine treatment in korean pediatric
      inflammatory bowel disease patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was aimed to evaluate the frequency and course of adverse
      events associated with azathioprine treatment in Korean pediatric patients with
      inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Total of 174 pediatric patients (age range,
      1 to 19 years) with inflammatory bowel disease who received azathioprine in order
      to maintain remission at Samsung Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) from January 2002
      through December 2012 were included in this study. Medical records of these
      subjects were retrospectively reviewed regarding the development of adverse
      events associated with azathioprine treatment. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients
      (56.3%) of 174 patients experienced 136 episodes of adverse events, requiring
      dose reduction in 31 patients (17.8%), and discontinuation in 18 patients
      (10.3%). The mean dose of azathioprine that had been initially administered was
      1.32+/-0.42 mg/kg/day. Among the adverse reactions, bone marrow suppression
      developed in 47 patients (27.0%), requiring dose reduction in 22 patients (12.6%)
      and discontinuation in 8 patients (4.6%). Other adverse events that occurred were
      gastrointestinal disturbance (15.5%), hair loss (12.1%), pancreatitis (7.5%),
      arthralgia (6.9%), hepatotoxicity (2.9%), skin rash/allergic reactions (2.9%),
      headache/dizziness (2.3%), sepsis (0.6%), and oral mucositis (0.6%). CONCLUSION:
      Bone marrow suppression, especially leukopenia was most commonly associated with
      azathioprine treatment in Korean pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients.
      Close observation for possible adverse events is required in this population with
      inflammatory bowel diseases who are under treatment with azathioprine.

PMID- 24224151
TI  - Pre-diagnostic Clinical Presentations and Medical History Prior to the Diagnosis
      of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children.
AB  - PURPOSE: The clinical presentations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prior to
      diagnosis are so diverse or vague that many of them waste time before final
      diagnosis. This study was undertaken to know the medical history of the pediatric
      patients until the final diagnosis could be reached. METHODS: The medical records
      of all pediatric patients who were diagnosed with IBD (Crohn's disease [CD] in 14
      children, ulcerative colitis [UC] in 17) during the last 13 years were reviewed.
      We investigated the length of the diagnostic time lag, chief clinical
      presentation, and any useful laboratory predictor among the routinely performed
      examinations. Indeterminate colitis was not included. RESULTS: The mean ages of
      children at the final diagnosis was similar in both diseases. As for the pre
      clinical past history of bowel symptoms in CD patients, 5 were previously
      healthy, 9 had had 1-3 gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, weight loss, bloody stool,
      anemia and rectal prolapse. With UC, 9 were previously healthy, 8 had had 1-3 GI
      symptoms, bloody stool, anorexia. The average diagnostic time lag with CD was
      3.36 months, and with UC 2.2 months. Body mass index (BMI) and the initial basic
      laboratory data (white blood cell, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, serum
      albumin, and serum total protein) were lower in CD, statistically significant
      only in BMI. CONCLUSION: IBD shows diverse clinical symptoms before its classical
      features, making the patients waste time until diagnosis. It is important to
      concern possibility of IBD even in the mildly sick children who do not show the
      characteristic symptoms of IBD.

PMID- 24224152
TI  - A case of esophageal candidiasis in an adolescent who had frequently received
      budesonide nebulizing therapy.
AB  - Corticosteroid (budesonide) nebulizer therapy is commonly performed. Its side
      effects have been considered as being safe or ignorable. The authors present a
      case of esophageal candidiasis in a healthy female adolescent who was treated
      with budesonide nebulizer therapy a few times for a cough during the previous
      winter season. This child presented with dysphagia and epigastric pain for 1
      month. Esophageal endoscopy showed a whitish creamy pseudomembrane and erosions
      on the esophageal mucosa. Pathologic findings showed numerous candidal hyphae.
      She did not show any evidence of immunodeficiency, clinically and historically.
      The esophageal lesion did not resolve naturally. The esophageal lesion completely
      improved with the antifungal therapy for 2 weeks; the symptoms disappeared, and
      the patient returned to normal health. It is important that frequent esophageal
      exposure to topical corticosteroids application can cause unexpected side
      effects. 

PMID- 24224153
TI  - Congenital internal hernia presented with life threatening extensive small bowel
      strangulation.
AB  - Internal hernia (IH) is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction occurs when there
      is protrusion of an internal organ into a retroperitoneal fossa or a foramen in
      the abdominal cavity. IH can be presented with acute or chronic abdominal symptom
      and discovered by accident in operation field. However, various kinds of imaging
      modalities often do not provide the assistance to diagnose IH preoperatively, but
      computed tomography (CT) scan has a high diagnostic accuracy. We report a case of
      congenital IH in a 6-year-old boy who experienced life threatening shock. CT scan
      showed large amount of ascites, bowel wall thickening with poor or absent
      enhancement of the strangulated bowel segment. Surgical exploration was performed
      immediately and had to undergo over two meters excision of strangulated small
      bowel. To prevent the delay in the diagnosis of IH, we should early use of the CT
      scan and take urgent operation. 

PMID- 24224154
TI  - Congenital chloride diarrhea in dizygotic twins.
AB  - Congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD) is a rare inherited autosomal recessive
      disorder. Mutations of the solute carrier family 26 member 3 gene cause profuse,
      chloride ion rich diarrhea, which results in hypochloremia, hyponatremia and
      metabolic alkalosis with dehydration. If a fetal ultrasound shows bowel
      dilatation suggestive of bowel obstruction, or if a neonate shows persistent
      diarrhea and metabolic alkalosis, CLD should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis. The severity of CLD varies, but early detection and early therapy can
      prevent complications including growth failure. We report a case of dizygotic
      twins affected by CLD who had been born to non-consanguineous parents. Both of
      them showed growth failure, but one of the twins experienced worse clinical
      course. He showed developmental delay, along with dehydration and severe
      electrolyte imbalance. He was diagnosed with CLD first at 6-month age, and then
      the other one was also diagnosed with CLD. 

PMID- 24224155
TI  - Acute Urinary Retention in a 47-month-old Girl Caused by the Giant Fecaloma.
AB  - We present a case of a 47-month-old female suffering from acute urinary bladder
      neck obstruction and bilateral hydronephrosis secondary to a fecaloma. Fecaloma
      is defined as an accumulation of inspissated feces in the colon or rectum giving
      the appearance of an abdominal mass. A fecaloma can be developed by diverse
      causes and the causes of the fecaloma in this case were septum reformation after
      the Duhamel procedure and long-term constipation. Chronic constipation is very
      common at outpatient clinic. However, acute urinary retention and voiding
      difficulty caused by fecaloma in the giant Duhamel pouch has never been reported
      in Korea. We would like to present our case with acute urinary retention due to a
      fecaloma and suggest that fecaloma might be considered as one of the causes for
      acute urinary retention, especially in cases with previous Duhamel operation for
      repair of Hischsprung disease. 

PMID- 24224157
TI  - Direct cell lysis for single-cell gene expression profiling.
AB  - The interest to analyze single and few cell samples is rapidly increasing.
      Numerous extraction protocols to purify nucleic acids are available, but most of
      them compromise severely on yield to remove contaminants and are therefore not
      suitable for the analysis of samples containing small numbers of transcripts
      only. Here, we evaluate 17 direct cell lysis protocols for transcript yield and
      compatibility with downstream reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR.
      Four endogenously expressed genes are assayed together with RNA and DNA spikes in
      the samples. We found bovine serum albumin (BSA) to be the best lysis agent,
      resulting in efficient cell lysis, high RNA stability, and enhanced reverse
      transcription efficiency. Furthermore, we found direct cell lysis with BSA
      superior to standard column based extraction methods, when analyzing from 1 up to
      512 mammalian cells. In conclusion, direct cell lysis protocols based on BSA can
      be applied with most cell collection methods and are compatible with most
      analytical workflows to analyze single-cells as well as samples composed of small
      numbers of cells. 

PMID- 24224156
TI  - An APC:WNT Counter-Current-Like Mechanism Regulates Cell Division Along the Human
      Colonic Crypt Axis: A Mechanism That Explains How APC Mutations Induce
      Proliferative Abnormalities That Drive Colon Cancer Development.
AB  - APC normally down-regulates WNT signaling in human colon, and APC mutations cause
      proliferative abnormalities in premalignant crypts leading to colon cancer, but
      the mechanisms are unclear at the level of spatial and functional organization of
      the crypt. Accordingly, we postulated a counter-current-like mechanism based on
      gradients of factors (APC;WNT) that regulate colonocyte proliferation along the
      crypt axis. During crypt renewal, stem cells (SCs) at the crypt bottom generate
      non-SC daughter cells that proliferate and differentiate while migrating upwards.
      The APC concentration is low at the crypt bottom and high at the top (where
      differentiated cells reside). WNT signaling, in contrast, is high at the bottom
      (where SCs reside) and low at the top. Given that WNT and APC gradients are
      counter to one another, we hypothesized that a counter-current-like mechanism
      exists. Since both APC and WNT signaling components (e.g., survivin) are required
      for mitosis, this mechanism establishes a zone in the lower crypt where
      conditions are optimal for maximal cell division and mitosis orientation
      (symmetric versus asymmetric). APC haploinsufficiency diminishes the APC
      gradient, shifts the proliferative zone upwards, and increases symmetric
      division, which causes SC overpopulation. In homozygote mutant crypts, these
      changes are exacerbated. Thus, APC-mutation-induced changes in the counter
      current-like mechanism cause expansion of proliferative populations (SCs, rapidly
      proliferating cells) during tumorigenesis. We propose this mechanism also drives
      crypt fission, functions in the crypt cycle, and underlies adenoma development.
      Novel chemoprevention approaches designed to normalize the two gradients and
      readjust the proliferative zone downwards, might thwart progression of these
      premalignant changes. 

PMID- 24224158
TI  - Engineering production of functional scFv antibody in E. coli by co-expressing
      the molecule chaperone Skp.
AB  - Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is a class of engineered antibodies
      generated by the fusion of the heavy (VH) and light chains (VL) of
      immunoglobulins through a short polypeptide linker. ScFv play a critical role in
      therapy and diagnosis of human diseases, and may in fact also be developed into a
      potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent. However, the fact that current
      scFv antibodies have poor stability, low solubility, and affinity, seriously
      limits their diagnostic and clinical implication. Here we have developed four
      different expression vectors, and evaluated their abilities to express a soluble
      scFv protein. The solubility and binding activity of the purified proteins were
      determined using both SDS-PAGE and ELISA. Amongst the four purified proteins, the
      Skp co-expressed scFv showed the highest solubility, and the binding activity to
      antigen TLH was 3-4 fold higher than the other three purified scFv. In fact, this
      scFv is specific for TLH and does not cross-react with other TLH-associated
      proteins and could be used to detect TLH directly in real samples. These results
      suggest that the pACYC-Duet-skp co-expression vector might be a useful tool for
      the production of soluble and functional scFv antibody. 

PMID- 24224159
TI  - Human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer in Greenland in 1994-2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is associated with the
      sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), smoking and alcohol. In
      Greenland, a high rate of HPV-induced cervical cancer and venereal diseases are
      found, which exposes the population for high risk of HPV infection. In Greenland,
      only girls are included in the mandatory HPV vaccination program. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate the annual incidence of OPSCC and the proportion of HPV-associated
      OPSCC (HPV+ OPSCC) in Greenland in 1994-2010. DESIGN: At Rigshospitalet,
      University of Copenhagen, we identified all Greenlandic patients diagnosed and
      treated for OPSCC from 1994 to 2010. Sections were cut from the patient's
      paraffin-embedded tissue blocks and investigated for p16 expression by
      immunohistochemistry. HPV analyses were performed with 2 sets of general HPV
      primers and 1 set of HPV16-specific primer. HPV+ OPSCC was defined as both >75%
      p16+ cells and PCR positive for HPV. RESULTS: Of 26 Greenlandic patients
      diagnosed with OPSCC, 17 were males and 9 were females. The proportion of HPV+
      OPSCC in the total study period was 22%, without significant changes in the
      population in Greenland. We found an increase in the proportion of HPV+ OPSCC
      from 14% in 1994-2001 to 25% in 2002-2010 (p=0.51). Among males from 20 to 27%
      (p=0.63) and in females from 0 to 20% (p=0.71). The annual OPSCC incidence
      increased from 2.3/100,000 (CI=1.2-4.2) in 1994-2001 to 3.8/100,000 (CI=2.4-6.2)
      in 2002-2010: among males from 2.4/100,000 (CI=1.0-5.7) to 5.0/100,000 (CI=2.9
      8.9). CONCLUSION: Even though the population is at high risk of HPV infection,
      the proportion of 22% HPV+ OPSCC in the total study period is low compared to
      Europe and the United States. This might be explained by our small study size
      and/or by ethnic, geographical, sexual and cultural differences. Continuing
      observations of the OPSCC incidence and the proportion of HPV+ OPSCC in Greenland
      are needed.

PMID- 24224160
TI  - Prognostic value of combined aquaporin 3 and aquaporin 5 overexpression in
      hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aquaporin (AQP) 3 and AQP 5 are involved in tumorigenesis and tumor
      progression of several tumor types. AIM: To investigate expression patterns and
      clinical significance of AQP3 and AQP5 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
      METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of AQP3 and
      AQP5 in HCC tissues. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry analysis showed the increased
      expression of AQP3 and AQP5 protein levels in HCC tissues compared with their
      adjacent nonneoplastic tissues (both P < 0.001). In addition, combined AQP3 and
      AQP5 protein expression was significantly associated with serum AFP (P = 0.008),
      tumor stage (P = 0.006), and tumor grade (P = 0.006). Moreover, HCC patients
      highly expressing both AQP3 and AQP5 proteins had worse 5-year disease-free
      survival and 5-year overall survival (P = 0.002 and 0.005, resp.). Furthermore,
      the Cox proportional hazards model showed that combined AQP3 and AQP5 protein
      expression was an independent poor prognostic factor for both 5-year disease-free
      survival (P = 0.009) and 5-year overall survival (P = 0.01) in HCC. CONCLUSION:
      Our data suggest for the first time that the aberrant expression of AQP3 and AQP5
      proteins may be strongly related to tumor progression and prognosis in patients
      with HCC. The overexpression of AQP3 in combination with upregulation of AQP5 may
      be an unfavorable prognostic factor for HCC.

PMID- 24224161
TI  - Release of a wound-healing agent from PLGA microspheres in a thermosensitive gel.
AB  - The purpose of this research was to develop a topical microsphere delivery system
      in a thermosensitive 20% poloxamer 407 gel (Pluronic F127) to control release of
      KSL-W, a cationic antimicrobial decapeptide, for a period of 4-7 days for
      potential application in combat related injuries. KSL-W loaded microsphere
      formulations were prepared by a solvent extraction-evaporation method (water-oil
      water), with poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (50 : 50, low-weight, and
      hydrophilic end) as the polymeric system. After optimization of the process,
      three formulations (A, B, and C) were prepared with different organic to water
      ratio of the primary emulsion while maintaining other components and
      manufacturing parameters constant. Formulations were characterized for surface
      morphology, porous nature, drug loading, in vitro drug release, and antimicrobial
      activity. Microspheres containing 20% peptide with porous surfaces and internal
      structure were prepared in satisfactory yields and in sizes varying from 25 to 50
      MUm. Gels of 20% Pluronic F127, which were liquid at or below 24.6 degrees C and
      formed transparent films at body temperature, were used as carriers for the
      microspheres. Rheological studies showed a gelation temperature of 24.6 degrees C
      for the 20% Pluronic F127 gel alone. Gelation temperature and viscosity of
      formulations A, B, and C as a function of temperature were very close to those of
      the carrier. A Franz diffusion cell system was used to study the release of
      peptide from the microspheres suspended in both, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)
      and a 20% Pluronic F127 gel. In vitro release of greater than 50% peptide was
      found in all formulations in both PBS and the gel, and in one formulation there
      was a release of 75% in both PBS and the gel. Fractions collected from the
      release process were also tested for bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus
      epidermidis using the broth microdilution method and found to provide effective
      antimicrobial activity to warrant consideration and testing in animal wound
      models for treating combat-related injuries.

PMID- 24224162
TI  - Postoperative adiponectin levels in pediatric patients undergoing open heart
      surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue is an important endocrine organ that secretes
      cytokines, including adiponectin, levels of which are negatively correlated with
      the severity of the inflammatory process. Aim. To assess the time course of
      adiponectin levels following open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and
      its correlation with early postoperative outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood
      samples were obtained from 24 children undergoing cardiac surgery and analyzed
      for adiponectin, C-reactive protein, and other inflammatory markers. RESULTS:
      Baseline adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with patients'
      preoperative weight and age. Postoperative adiponectin levels decreased compared
      to baseline (P = 0.01) and correlated negatively with duration of cardiopulmonary
      bypass (r = -0.438, P = 0.037), length of stay in the pediatric intensive care
      unit (r = -0.457, P = 0.025), and the inotropic score (r = -0.471, P = 0.02).
      Adiponectin levels were positively correlated with sVCAM 1 levels; however, there
      was no correlation between adiponectin levels and sP selectin, tPA, MCP1, and
      sCD40. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory response after open heart surgery with
      cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with a reduction in adiponectin levels.
      Prolonged or more complicated surgery induced a more substantial inflammatory
      process characterized by a significant reduction in adiponectin levels over time
      and a delayed return to baseline levels.

PMID- 24224163
TI  - Body posture asymmetry differences between children with mild scoliosis and
      children with unilateral cerebral palsy.
AB  - Patients with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) often have impaired movement
      coordination, reduced between-limb synchronization, and less weight bearing on
      the affected side, which can affect the maintenance of an upright weight-bearing
      position and gait. This study evaluated whether the different postural patterns
      of children with unilateral CP could be statistically recognized using cluster
      analysis. Forty-five outpatients with unilateral CP (mean age, 9 years and 5
      months) and 51 able-bodied children with mild scoliosis (mean age, 9 years and 2
      months) were included. One observer performed moire topography (MT) examinations
      using a CQ Electronic System (Poland) device. A weight distribution analysis on
      the base of support (BOS) between the body sides was performed simultaneously. A
      force plate dynamographic platform (PDM), ZEBRIS (Germany), with FootPrint
      software was used for these measurements. Cluster analysis revealed three groups:
      Cluster 1 (n = 71, 73.96%), Cluster 2 (n = 8, 8.33%), and Cluster 3 (n = 17,
      17.71%). Based on the MT parameters (extracted using a data reduction technique),
      three typical asymmetrical postural patterns were described: (1) the postural
      pattern of children with mild scoliosis (SCOL), (2) the progravitational postural
      pattern (PGPP), and (3) the antigravitational pattern. Patterns two and three
      were identified in children with unilateral CP. 

PMID- 24224165
TI  - Cardiometabolic diseases and related complications: current status and future
      perspective.

PMID- 24224164
TI  - Suppressions of serotonin-induced increased vascular permeability and leukocyte
      infiltration by Bixa orellana leaf extract.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of
      aqueous extract of Bixa orellana (AEBO) leaves and its possible mechanisms in
      animal models. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was evaluated using
      serotonin-induced rat paw edema, increased peritoneal vascular permeability, and
      leukocyte infiltrations in an air-pouch model. Nitric oxide (NO), indicated by
      the sum of nitrites and nitrates, and vascular growth endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) were measured in paw tissues of rats to determine their involvement in the
      regulation of increased permeability. Pretreatments with AEBO (50 and 150 mg kg
      1) prior to serotonin inductions resulted in maximum inhibitions of 56.2% of paw
      volume, 45.7% of Evans blue dye leakage in the peritoneal vascular permeability
      model, and 83.9% of leukocyte infiltration in the air-pouch model. 57.2% maximum
      inhibition of NO and 27% of VEGF formations in rats' paws were observed with AEBO
      at the dose of 150 mg kg-1. Pharmacological screening of the extract showed
      significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity, indicated by the suppressions
      of increased vascular permeability and leukocyte infiltration. The inhibitions of
      these inflammatory events are probably mediated via inhibition of NO and VEGF
      formation and release.

PMID- 24224166
TI  - Rare variants in the TREX1 gene and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
AB  - TREX1 (DNase III) is an exonuclease involved in response to oxidative stress and
      apoptosis. Heterozygous mutations in TREX1 were previously observed in patients
      with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjogren's syndrome (SS). We performed
      a mutational analysis of the TREX1 gene on three autoimmune diseases: SLE (210
      patients) and SS (58 patients), to confirm a TREX1 involvement in the Italian
      population, and systemic sclerosis (SSc, 150 patients) because it shares
      similarities with SLE (presence of antinuclear antibodies and connective tissue
      damage). We observed 7 variations; two of these are novel nonsynonymous variants
      (p.Glu198Lys and p.Met232Val). They were detected in one SS and in one SSc
      patient, respectively, and in none of the 200 healthy controls typed in this
      study and of the 1712 published controls. In silico analysis predicts a possibly
      damaging role on protein function for both variants. The other 5 variations are
      synonymous and only one of them is novel (p.Pro48Pro). This study contributes to
      the demonstration that TREX1 is involved in autoimmune diseases and proposes that
      the spectrum of involved autoimmune diseases can be broader and includes SSc. We
      do not confirm a role of TREX1 variants in SLE. 

PMID- 24224167
TI  - Systems approaches evaluating the perturbation of xenobiotic metabolism in
      response to cigarette smoke exposure in nasal and bronchial tissues.
AB  - Capturing the effects of exposure in a specific target organ is a major challenge
      in risk assessment. Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) implicates the field of
      tissue injury in the lung as well as nasal and airway epithelia. Xenobiotic
      metabolism in particular becomes an attractive tool for chemical risk assessment
      because of its responsiveness against toxic compounds, including those present in
      CS. This study describes an efficient integration from transcriptomic data to
      quantitative measures, which reflect the responses against xenobiotics that are
      captured in a biological network model. We show here that our novel systems
      approach can quantify the perturbation in the network model of xenobiotic
      metabolism. We further show that this approach efficiently compares the
      perturbation upon CS exposure in bronchial and nasal epithelial cells in vivo
      samples obtained from smokers. Our observation suggests the xenobiotic responses
      in the bronchial and nasal epithelial cells of smokers were similar to those
      observed in their respective organotypic models exposed to CS. Furthermore, the
      results suggest that nasal tissue is a reliable surrogate to measure xenobiotic
      responses in bronchial tissue. 

PMID- 24224168
TI  - Essential oil of common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) from Jordan: assessment of
      safety in mammalian cells and its antifungal and anti-inflammatory potential.
AB  - Salvia officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) is a Mediterranean species, naturalized in many
      countries. In Jordan, it is used in traditional medicine as antiseptic,
      antiscabies, antisyphilitic, and anti-inflammatory, being frequently used against
      skin diseases. This study aimed the assessment of the antifungal and anti
      inflammatory potential of its essential oils, and their cytotoxicity on
      macrophages and keratinocytes. The oils were investigated by gas chromatography
      and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the antifungal activity was
      evaluated against yeasts, dermatophyte and Aspergillus strains. Assessment of
      cell viability was made by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and the in vitro anti-inflammatory potential
      was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide production using lipopolysaccharide
      stimulated mouse macrophages. The main compounds of S. officinalis oils were 1,8
      cineole (39.5-50.3%) and camphor (8.8-25.0%). The oils revealed antifungal
      activity against dermatophyte strains and significantly inhibited NO production
      stimulated by LPS in macrophages, without affecting cell viability, in
      concentrations up to 0.64 MUL/mL. This is the first report addressing the in
      vitro anti-inflammatory potential of S. officinalis oil. These findings
      demonstrated that bioactive concentrations of S. officinalis oils do not affect
      mammalian macrophages and keratinocytes viability making them suitable to be
      incorporated in skin care formulations for cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes.

PMID- 24224169
TI  - Effect of Jatropha curcas peptide fractions on the angiotensin I-converting
      enzyme inhibitory activity.
AB  - Hypertension is one of the most common worldwide diseases in humans. Angiotensin
      I-converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in regulating blood pressure
      and hypertension. An evaluation was done on the effect of Alcalase hydrolysis of
      defatted Jatropha curcas kernel meal on ACE inhibitory activity in the resulting
      hydrolysate and its purified fractions. Alcalase exhibited broad specificity and
      produced a protein hydrolysate with a 21.35% degree of hydrolysis and 34.87% ACE
      inhibition. Ultrafiltration of the hydrolysate produced peptide fractions with
      increased biological activity (24.46-61.41%). Hydrophobic residues contributed
      substantially to the peptides' inhibitory potency. The 5-10 and <1 kDa fractions
      were selected for further fractionation by gel filtration chromatography. ACE
      inhibitory activity (%) ranged from 22.66 to 45.96% with the 5-10 kDa
      ultrafiltered fraction and from 36.91 to 55.83% with the <1 kDa ultrafiltered
      fraction. The highest ACE inhibitory activity was observed in F2 (IC50 = 6.7
      MUg/mL) from the 5-10 kDa fraction and F1 (IC50 = 4.78 MUg/mL) from the <1 kDa
      fraction. ACE inhibitory fractions from Jatropha kernel have potential
      applications in alternative hypertension therapies, adding a new application for
      the Jatropha plant protein fraction and improving the financial viability and
      sustainability of a Jatropha-based biodiesel industry.

PMID- 24224170
TI  - Oligomannose-coated liposome as a novel adjuvant for the induction of cellular
      immune responses to control disease status.
AB  - Professional phagocytic cells, such as dendritic cells, are mainly responsible
      for phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and cytokine secretion, which induce
      subsequent activation of T cell-mediated immunity. Thus, strategies that deliver
      antigens and stimulatory signals to the cells have significant implications for
      vaccine design. In this paper, we summarize the potential for liposomes coated
      with the neoglycolipids containing oligomannose residues (OMLs) as a novel
      adjuvant for induction of Th1 immune responses and CTLs specific for the encased
      antigen. OMLs preferentially take up peripheral phagocytic cells. In response to
      OML uptake, the cells secrete IL-12 selectively, enhance the expression of
      costimulatory molecules, and migrate into lymphoid tissues from peripheral
      tissues. OMLs also have the ability to deliver encapsulated protein antigens to
      the MHC class I and class II pathways to generate antigen-specific CTLs and Th1
      cells, respectively, and lipid antigen to CD1d to activate NKT cells. Since
      administration of OML-based vaccines can eliminate an established tumor, inhibit
      elevation of the serum IgE level, and prevent progression of protozoan infections
      in several murine, human, and bovine models, OML-based vaccines have revealed
      their potential for clinical use in vaccination for a variety of diseases in
      which CTLs and/or Th1 cells act as effector cells. 

PMID- 24224171
TI  - Development of a modelling to correlate site and diameter of brain metastases
      with hippocampal sparing using volumetric modulated Arc therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To correlate site and diameter of brain metastases with hippocampal
      sparing in patients treated by RapidArc (RA) technique on whole brain with
      simultaneously integrated boost (SIB). METHODS AND MATERIALS: An RA plan was
      calculated for brain metastases of 1-2-3 cm of diameter. The whole brain dose was
      32.25 Gy (15 fractions), and SIB doses to brain metastases were 63 Gy (2 and 3
      cm) or 70.8 Gy (1 cm). Plans were optimized and evaluated for conformity, target
      coverage, prescription isodose to target volume, homogeneity index, and
      hippocampal sparing. RESULTS: Fifteen brain lesions and RA plan were generated.
      Hippocampal volume was 4.09 cm3, and hippocampal avoidance volume was 17.50 cm3.
      Related to site of metastases, the mean hippocampal dose was 9.68 Gy2 for
      occipital lobe, 10.56 Gy2 for frontal lobe, 10.56 Gy2 for parietal lobe, 10.94
      Gy2 for deep brain structures, and 40.44 Gy2 for temporal lobe. The mean
      hippocampal dose was 9.45 Gy2, 10.15 Gy2, and 11.70 Gy2 for diameter's metastases
      of 1.2 and 3 cm, respectively, excluding results relative to temporal brain
      lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Location more than size of metastases can adversely
      influence the hippocampus sparing. Further investigation is necessary to meet
      definitive considerations.

PMID- 24224173
TI  - An isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon
      autograft.
AB  - The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of the medial patellofemoral
      ligament reconstruction with a medial strip of patellar tendon autograft after a
      minimum 2-year followup. Ten patients (10 knees) were operated on by one surgeon,
      according to the modified technique, described by Camanho, without any bone plug
      at free graft end. The mean age of the patients was 27.2 years (ranging from 18
      to 42 years). The mean follow-up period was 3 years and 7 months. All patients
      were reviewed prospectively. At the last follow-up visit, all the patients
      demonstrated a significant improvement in terms of patellofemoral joint
      stability, all aspects of the KOOS questionnaire, and Kujala et al.'s score (59.7
      points preoperatively and 84.4 points at the last followup). No patient revealed
      recurrent dislocation. The SF-36 score revealed a significant improvement in
      bodily pain, general health, physical role functioning, social role functioning,
      and physical functioning domains. The described MPFL reconstruction with the use
      of the medial 1/3rd of patella tendon is an effective procedure that gives
      satisfactorily patellofemoral joint functions, improves the quality of life, and
      provides much pain relief. It is relatively simple, surgically not extensive, and
      economically cost-effective procedure. 

PMID- 24224174
TI  - Statistical fractal models based on GND-PCA and its application on classification
      of liver diseases.
AB  - A new method is proposed to establish the statistical fractal model for liver
      diseases classification. Firstly, the fractal theory is used to construct the
      high-order tensor, and then Generalized N-dimensional Principal Component
      Analysis (GND-PCA) is used to establish the statistical fractal model and select
      the feature from the region of liver; at the same time different features have
      different weights, and finally, Support Vector Machine Optimized Ant Colony (ACO
      SVM) algorithm is used to establish the classifier for the recognition of liver
      disease. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, PCA
      eigenface method and normal SVM method are chosen as the contrast methods. The
      experimental results show that the proposed method can reconstruct liver volume
      better and improve the classification accuracy of liver diseases. 

PMID- 24224172
TI  - Potential effects of medicinal plants and secondary metabolites on acute lung
      injury.
AB  - Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening syndrome that causes high morbidity
      and mortality worldwide. ALI is characterized by increased permeability of the
      alveolar-capillary membrane, edema, uncontrolled neutrophils migration to the
      lung, and diffuse alveolar damage, leading to acute hypoxemic respiratory
      failure. Although corticosteroids remain the mainstay of ALI treatment, they
      cause significant side effects. Agents of natural origin, such as medicinal
      plants and their secondary metabolites, mainly those with very few side effects,
      could be excellent alternatives for ALI treatment. Several studies, including our
      own, have demonstrated that plant extracts and/or secondary metabolites isolated
      from them reduce most ALI phenotypes in experimental animal models, including
      neutrophil recruitment to the lung, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines
      and chemokines, edema, and vascular permeability. In this review, we summarized
      these studies and described the anti-inflammatory activity of various plant
      extracts, such as Ginkgo biloba and Punica granatum, and such secondary
      metabolites as epigallocatechin-3-gallate and ellagic acid. In addition, we
      highlight the medical potential of these extracts and plant-derived compounds for
      treating of ALI. 

PMID- 24224175
TI  - Effect of adjuvant magnetic fields in radiotherapy on non-small-cell lung cancer
      cells in vitro.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore sensitization and possible mechanisms of adjuvant magnetic
      fields (MFs) in radiotherapy (RT) of non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS: Human
      A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells were treated with MF, RT, and combined MF-RT.
      Colony-forming efficiency was calculated, cell cycle and apoptosis were measured,
      and changes in cell cycle- and apoptosis-related gene expression were measured by
      microarray. RESULTS: A 0.5 T, 8 Hz stationary MF showed a duration-dependent
      inhibitory effect lasting for 1-4 hours. The MF-treated groups had significantly
      greater cell inhibition than did controls (P < 0.05). Surviving fractions and
      growth curves derived from colony-forming assay showed that the MF-only, RT-only,
      and MF-RT groups had inhibited cell growth; the MF-RT group showed a synergetic
      effect. Microarray of A549 cells exposed for 1 hour to MF showed that 19 cell
      cycle- and apoptosis-related genes had 2-fold upregulation and 40 genes had 2
      fold downregulation. MF significantly arrested cells in G2 and M phases,
      apparently sensitizing the cells to RT. CONCLUSIONS: MF may inhibit A549 cells
      and can increase their sensitivity to RT, possibly by affecting cell cycle- and
      apoptosis-related signaling pathways.

PMID- 24224176
TI  - How ocular surface disease impacts the glaucoma treatment outcome.
AB  - The treatment goals for glaucoma are lowering the intraocular pressure and
      preservation of vision. Topical hypotensive drops are the standard form of
      therapy which is often associated with some symptoms of toxicity, ocular
      inflammation, allergy, or ocular surface disease (OSD). OSD is a common
      comorbidity in glaucoma patients, and its prevalence with glaucoma increases with
      age. Use of topical treatment could additionally increase symptoms of OSD mostly
      due to preservatives added to multidose medication bottles used to reduce the
      risk of microbial contamination. This toxicity has been particularly associated
      with BAK, the most commonly used preservative which damages conjunctival and
      corneal epithelial cells and significantly aggravates OSD symptoms. OSD adversely
      affects patients' quality of life causing discomfort and problems with vision
      which in turn may result in noncompliance, lack of adherence, and eventually
      visual impairment. In the management of glaucoma patients OSD symptoms should not
      be overlooked. If they are present, topical glaucoma treatment should be adapted
      by decreasing the amount of drops instilled daily, using BAK-free or preservative
      free medication and lubricants if necessary. Awareness of the presence and
      importance of OSD will in turn improve patients' adherence and compliance and
      thus ultimately the preservation of long-term vision. 

PMID- 24224177
TI  - Myricitrin inhibits acrylamide-mediated cytotoxicity in human Caco-2 cells by
      preventing oxidative stress.
AB  - Oxidative stress was thought to be associated with acrylamide cytotoxicity, but
      the link between oxidative stress and acrylamide cytotoxicity in the
      gastrointestinal tract, the primary organ in contact with dietary acrylamide, is
      still unclear. This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant activity of
      natural dietary compound myricitrin and its protective role against acrylamide
      cytotoxicity. We found that myricitrin can effectively scavenge multiple free
      radicals (including DPPH free radical, hydroxyl radical, and ABTS free radical)
      in a concentration-dependent manner. Our results further indicated that the
      presence of myricitrin (2.5-10 MUg/mL) was found to significantly inhibit
      acrylamide-induced cytotoxicity in human gastrointestinal Caco-2 cells. Moreover,
      acrylamide-induced cytotoxicity is closely related to oxidative stress in Caco-2
      cells. Interestingly, myricitrin was able to suppress acrylamide toxicity by
      inhibiting ROS generation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that
      myricitrin had a profound antioxidant effect and can protect against acrylamide
      mediated cytotoxicity.

PMID- 24224178
TI  - The role of red blood cells in enhancing or preventing HIV infection and other
      diseases.
AB  - AIM: To highlight the apparently neglected role of erythrocyte antigens in the
      epidemiology of infectious diseases, especially HIV, with the prime objective of
      stimulating research in this area. METHOD: A literature search was performed on
      the PubMed for relevant papers from 1984 to 2013, the era covering active HIV
      research. This was achieved by using the phrases "erythrocyte blood groups HIV"
      (81 papers) or "red cell antigen, blood groups, and HIV" (60 papers). A manual
      Google Scholar search was done and supplemented by original papers referenced by
      various authors. However, the review was limited by the relative scarcity of
      papers on the subject, and only papers written in English were reviewed during
      the period October 2012 to September 2013. RESULTS: Many communicable and
      noncommunicable diseases are associated with specific blood groups. Examples of
      these diseases are discussed in detail. HIV has been shown to bind to
      erythrocytes, and candidate erythrocyte-binding molecules and mechanisms are also
      discussed. Moreover, erythrocyte-HIV binding is associated with increased viral
      infectivity, thus, underscoring the need to study this phenomenon and its
      implications for HIV epidemiology. CONCLUSION: Erythrocyte antigens may be
      important in the pathogenesis and epidemiology of many diseases, including HIV.

PMID- 24224179
TI  - Hybrid total knee arthroplasty revisited: midterm followup of hybrid versus
      cemented fixation in total knee arthroplasty.
AB  - The optimal method of fixation in total knee arthroplasty is still debated.
      Hybrid total knee arthroplasty (TKA), with cemented tibial and cementless femoral
      components, is a proposed method of fixation to improve outcomes. Although
      several studies have shown favorable outcomes, there is still lack of consensus
      in the literature. We hypothesized that hybrid TKA yields similar clinical,
      radiographic, and survivorship results compared to fully cemented TKA. The
      clinical and radiographic outcomes of 304 cruciate retaining TKAs with minimum
      two-year followup, including 193 hybrid (mean followup of 4.1 years) and fully
      cemented TKAs (mean followup of 3.2 years) were evaluated. Knee society scores
      were similar between the two groups. The total number of femoral radiolucencies
      was also similar between the two groups, while a greater number of femoral Zone 4
      radiolucencies were seen in the cemented group (9% versus 1.6%, P = 0.005). The
      hybrid group demonstrated a 99.2% survival rate of the femoral component out to
      seven years for aseptic loosening. No significant difference in survivorship was
      seen between the groups for all cause or aseptic failure at seven years. We
      conclude that hybrid fixation leads to similar intermediate-term outcomes as
      fully cemented components and remains a viable option in total knee arthroplasty.

PMID- 24224180
TI  - Mixing energy models in genetic algorithms for on-lattice protein structure
      prediction.
AB  - Protein structure prediction (PSP) is computationally a very challenging problem.
      The challenge largely comes from the fact that the energy function that needs to
      be minimised in order to obtain the native structure of a given protein is not
      clearly known. A high resolution 20 * 20 energy model could better capture the
      behaviour of the actual energy function than a low resolution energy model such
      as hydrophobic polar. However, the fine grained details of the high resolution
      interaction energy matrix are often not very informative for guiding the search.
      In contrast, a low resolution energy model could effectively bias the search
      towards certain promising directions. In this paper, we develop a genetic
      algorithm that mainly uses a high resolution energy model for protein structure
      evaluation but uses a low resolution HP energy model in focussing the search
      towards exploring structures that have hydrophobic cores. We experimentally show
      that this mixing of energy models leads to significant lower energy structures
      compared to the state-of-the-art results. 

PMID- 24224181
TI  - Household survey of pesticide practice, deliberate self-harm, and suicide in the
      Sundarban region of West Bengal, India.
AB  - The toxicological impact and intentional ingestion of pesticides are major public
      health concerns globally. This study aimed to estimate the extent of deliberate
      self-harm (DSH) and suicides (suicidal behaviour) and document pesticide
      practices in Namkhana block of the Sundarban region, India. A cross-sectional
      study was conducted in 1680 households (21 villages) following a mixed random and
      cluster design sampling. The survey questionnaire (Household Information on
      Pesticide Use and DSH) was developed by the research team to elicit qualitative
      and quantitative information. The Kappa statistic and McNemar's test were used to
      assess the level of agreement and association between respondents' and
      investigators' opinions about safe storage of pesticides. Over five years, 1680
      households reported 181 incidents of suicidal behaviour. Conflict with family
      members was the most frequently reported reason for suicidal behaviour (53.6%).
      The Kappa statistic indicated poor agreement between respondents and
      investigators about safe storage of pesticides. The pesticide-related annual DSH
      rate was 158.1 (95% CI 126.2-195.5), and for suicide it was 73.4 (95% CI 52.2
      100.3) per 100,000. Unsafe pesticide practice and psychosocial stressors are
      related to the high rates of suicidal behaviour. An intersectoral approach
      involving the local governments, agricultural department and the health sector
      would help to reduce the magnitude of this public health problem. 

PMID- 24224182
TI  - Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metabolism: Imaging by Hyperpolarized 13C Magnetic
      Resonance Spectroscopy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Most cancers exhibit high levels of aerobic glycolytic metabolism with
      diminished levels of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation even in the presence
      of normal or near-normal levels of oxygen ("Warburg effect"). However, technical
      challenges have limited the development of non-invasive in vivo imaging
      techniques for monitoring glycolytic metabolism of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      and quantitatively evaluating the impact of this effect on the growth and therapy
      of this disease. Thus, there is a critical need to develop non-invasive
      techniques for longitudinal assessment of the metabolism and treatment response
      of patients with unresectable HCCs. PROCEDURES: This article discusses a novel
      method, "Hyperpolarized 13C MRS imaging", for achieving this objective and thus
      improving the prognosis of HCC patients. The primary objective has been to
      characterize in vivo metabolic biomarkers as determinants of HCC metabolism and
      treatment response of unresectable HCC tumors or viable HCC cells. RESULTS: This
      innovative technique capitalizes on a new technology that increases the
      sensitivity of MRS detection of crucial metabolites in cancer cells. CONCLUSION:
      It is anticipated that this innovative approach will lead to improved methods,
      both for the diagnosis and staging of HCCs and for the facilitation of the
      development of enzyme targeted therapies and other therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 24224183
TI  - Author response.

PMID- 24224184
TI  - Reply to Smith and Shortle: Lacking evidence of hydraulic efficiency changes.

PMID- 24224185
TI  - Reply to Rattenborg and Martinez-Gonzalez: Fundamental and divergent aspects of
      the neurobiology of episodic memory.

PMID- 24224186
TI  - Coronary artery bypass grafting: the past, present, and the future.

PMID- 24224187
TI  - The Aswan Heart Centre project.

PMID- 24224188
TI  - Polio eradication: where are we now?

PMID- 24224189
TI  - Authors' reply.

PMID- 24224190
TI  - Concerns raised over the UK's first private medical school.

PMID- 24224191
TI  - India Alliance promotes clinical and public health research.

PMID- 24224192
TI  - Googling a patient.

PMID- 24224193
TI  - Case study. Googling a patient. Commentary.

PMID- 24224194
TI  - Trauma safety-net hospitals will survive under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

PMID- 24224195
TI  - Microglia actions in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - The identification of microglia-associated, neurological disease-causing
      mutations in patients, combined with studies in mouse models has highlighted
      microglia, the brain's intrinsic myeloid cells, as key modulators of pathogenesis
      and disease progression in neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer's disease
      (AD) in particular, the activation and accumulation of microglial cells around b
      Amyloid (Ab) plaques has long been described and is believed to result in chronic
      neuroinflammation-a term that, despite being commonly used, lacks a precise
      definition. This seemingly directed response of microglia to amyloid deposits
      conflicts with the fact that the increasing buildup of Ab plaques is not
      inhibited by these cells during disease progression. While recent evidence
      suggests that microglia lose their intrinsic beneficial function during the
      course of AD and may even acquire a ''toxic'' phenotype over time, Ab may also
      simply not be an appropriate trigger to induce phagocytosis and degradation by
      microglia in vivo. As recent experimental evidence has indicated the importance
      of the microglia in AD pathogenesis, future efforts aimed at tackling this
      disease via utilization or modulation of microglia or factors therefrom appear to
      be an exciting and challenging research front.

PMID- 24224196
TI  - 2014 Acta Biomaterialia Gold Medal Award.

PMID- 24224197
TI  - Image of the month: superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

PMID- 24224198
TI  - [Epidemiology of a cohort of 450 urolithiasis at the Yalgado Ouedraogo university
      hospital of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report the epidemiological and diagnosis characteristics of
      urolithiasis in the city of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      performed a retrospective and descriptive study of a cohort of urolithiasis
      patients from January 2009 to December 2011 at the department of urology of the
      Yalgado Ouedraogo University hospital of Ouagadougou. The minimum required data
      were: age, gender, occupation, residence, complete medical observation and
      medical imaging results. RESULTS: Four hundred and fifty patients with a median
      age of 35 years were included in this study. Urinary stones prevalence was 12.5%.
      There was a male predominance with a sex ratio of 1.91. Renal colic found in 32%
      of patients was the main pattern of consultation. Urinary schistosomiasis was the
      main etiological factor correlated with the occurrence of urolithiasis (P <
      0.05). The majority of urinary stones in this study were located in the upper
      urinary tract (86.5%). Complications were dominated by urinary tract infections
      (45.2%) and obstructive renal failure (8.9%). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of
      urolithiasis in our center were similar to those reported in the developing world
      but seem to evolve toward those of industrialized countries.

PMID- 24224199
TI  - Author response.

PMID- 24224200
TI  - Alexander Monro, tertius (1773-1859).

PMID- 24224201
TI  - Author's reply: To PMID 23516702.

PMID- 24224202
TI  - Rounded atelectasis mimicking lung cancer.

PMID- 24224203
TI  - Sir Harry C Sinderson Pasha: additional comments.

PMID- 24224204
TI  - Scurvy and Scott's return from the South Pole.

PMID- 24224205
TI  - Author's reply: To PMID 23734365.

PMID- 24224210
TI  - Drug-induced methaemoglobinaemia.

PMID- 24224209
TI  - The difference between surgeons and physicians.

PMID- 24224212
TI  - Averting risk through effective population management.

PMID- 24224211
TI  - Managing the data explosion.

PMID- 24224213
TI  - Using EHRs appropriately: a team-based approach to clinical care.

PMID- 24224214
TI  - The state of HIE: one health system CIO's view. Interview by Mark Hagland.

PMID- 24224215
TI  - Virtual coaching: one health plan's clever weight loss program.

PMID- 24224216
TI  - Insights on preparing for impending deadline. Interview by Rajiv Leventhal.

PMID- 24224217
TI  - Many hospitals still lag in CPOE implementation.

PMID- 24224218
TI  - Optimizing EHR implementation through 'pre-load services'. Interview by Mark
      Hagland.

PMID- 24224219
TI  - Tackling ED violence with RTLS at Beaumont Health System.

PMID- 24224221
TI  - What's next?

PMID- 24224220
TI  - Does health IT have a staffing crisis?

PMID- 24224222
TI  - New season, new goals, and a new member challenge.

PMID- 24224223
TI  - National journal publishes TNA health care model.

PMID- 24224224
TI  - TNA examines mission, vision, and values.

PMID- 24224225
TI  - On the edge of the possible.

PMID- 24224226
TI  - Executive functioning: a scoping review of the occupational therapy literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasingly recognized as an important factor in the performance of
      complex, goal-directed tasks, executive functioning is understood in different
      ways across disciplines. PURPOSE: The aim was to explore the ways in which
      executive functioning is conceptualized, discussed, described, and implied in the
      occupational therapy literature. METHOD: A scoping review of the occupational
      therapy literature was conducted following Levac, Colquhoun, and O'Brien's (2010)
      recommended methodology. RESULTS: Executive functioning is described both as a
      set of performance component skills or processes and as the executive
      occupational performance inherent in complex occupations. Executive functioning
      is implicit in occupational performance and engagement, and some health
      conditions seem to be commonly associated with impaired executive functioning.
      Assessing executive functioning requires dynamic occupation- and performance
      based assessment. Interventions targeting executive functioning are grounded in
      metacognitive approaches. CONCLUSION: Executive functioning is a complex
      construct that is conceptualized with considerable variance within the
      occupational therapy literature, creating barriers to effective service delivery.

PMID- 24224227
TI  - Client-centred occupational therapy in Canada: refocusing on core values.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Canadian occupational therapy profession has proclaimed its
      allegiance to client-centred practice for three decades. However, official
      definitions of client-centred practice have been inconsistent, and its defining
      features, underlying assumptions, and power relations have been subjected to
      little critical reflection. PURPOSE: The aim was to reflect critically on
      Canadian conceptions of client-centred practice and its core values. KEY ISSUES:
      Definitions of client-centred practice have evolved and changed, suggesting that
      the occupational therapy profession in Canada may have abandoned those values
      that originally underpinned its vision of client-centred practice by electing to
      focus on the enabling skills of therapists. However, evidence suggests that
      clients value those qualities of client-centred practice that underpinned the
      profession's original vision. IMPLICATIONS: This paper proposes a renewed focus
      on respect-respect for clients; respect for clients' strengths, experience, and
      knowledge; respect for clients' moral right to make choices concerning their
      lives-and on fostering respectful, supportive relationships with clients.

PMID- 24224228
TI  - A systematic review of yoga for state anxiety: considerations for occupational
      therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: State anxiety can result from a variety of life situations. This type
      of anxiety can disrupt occupational engagement and performance, thereby affecting
      rehabilitation and recovery. Occupational therapists need to address the
      connection between mind-body-spirit and its relationship to performance and
      engagement in meaningful occupations. Yoga, when used as an adjunct to therapy,
      has the potential to address state anxiety. PURPOSE: The aim was to
      systematically review the evidence concerning the effectiveness of yoga as a
      treatment approach for state anxiety. METHODS: Six electronic databases, the
      authors' own files, and the references of included studies from 1990 to July 2011
      were searched. FINDINGS: A total of 25 unique studies represented by 26
      publications made up the sample: two systematic reviews; 16 randomized controlled
      trials, and seven prospective, controlled, non-randomized studies. Evidence
      suggests yoga can be a viable therapeutic option for reducing state anxiety in
      certain situations. IMPLICATIONS: In making the determination to recommend yoga
      as an intervention, occupational therapists should consider the client's
      circumstances and values as well as the type and intensity of the yoga program.

PMID- 24224229
TI  - Examining the construct validity of the Cognitive Competency Test for
      occupational therapy practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Enhancing occupational therapy practice requires critical examination
      of assessment tools and the conclusions being drawn from their use. When working
      with cognitively impaired older individuals, judgments about occupational
      competence are often informed by an assessment of cognitive competence. PURPOSE:
      The Cognitive Competency Test (CCT) is a frequently used measure in Canada to
      inform predictions of occupational competence. However, there is an absence of
      published evidence that addresses its validity. METHODS: To appraise validity of
      the CCT, a retrospective chart review (n = 107) of CCT reports for inpatient and
      outpatient clients with cognitive impairment was conducted. Data were subjected
      to exploratory factor analyses to examine the factor structure, and the measure
      was compared with commonly used clinical variables reflecting cognitive and
      occupational competence. FINDINGS: Results suggest that the CCT measures a
      unitary construct and provide some support for its predictive capacity.
      IMPLICATIONS: CCT scores can add incremental validity to cognitive screens, such
      as the Mini Mental State Exam, when evaluating occupational competence.

PMID- 24224230
TI  - Advancing the use of theory in occupational therapy: a collaborative process.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Theory is important to the growth and evolution of occupational
      therapy. However, use of theory remains challenging for many therapists. PURPOSE:
      The aim was to develop a process that occupational therapists could apply to
      advance theory in practice. METHOD: Based on a review of the literature and using
      a qualitative instrumental case study design, 18 student occupational therapists
      and eight fieldwork educators completed online modules on the theory advancement
      concepts generated from the literature, wrote journals, and/or participated in
      online discussions during fieldwork. Following fieldwork, educators were
      interviewed and students participated in focus groups exploring their
      experiences. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the data. FINDINGS:
      Based on the data collected, we developed the Theory Advancement Process (TAP).
      The TAP is composed of four primary contexts, a climate of collaborative
      relationships with four key elements, and four essential processes. IMPLICATIONS:
      The TAP presents a collaborative process for students, faculty, and therapists to
      work together to advance the use of theory in practice.

PMID- 24224231
TI  - Which kinds of models are useful and which are not.

PMID- 24224232
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23156140.

PMID- 24224233
TI  - Effect of Bt maize and soil insecticides on yield, injury, and rootworm survival:
      implications for resistance management.
AB  - A 2-yr field experiment was conducted to determine the effects on Diabrotica spp.
      (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of an insecticidal seed treatment (Poncho 1250,
      (AI)/clothianidin) and a granular insecticide (Aztec 2.1G, (AI)/tebupirimphos and
      cyfluthrin) alone and in combination with maize producing the insectidical toxin
      Cry3Bb1 derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Yields for Bt
      maize plots were significantly greater than for non-Bt maize; however,
      insecticides did not significantly affect yield. Insecticides significantly
      decreased root injury in non-Bt maize plots, but there were no significant
      differences in root injury between Bt maize with or without either insecticide.
      Maize producing the Bt toxin Cry3Bb1 and the soil-applied insecticide Aztec
      significantly decreased survival of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera
      virgifera LeConte), while only Bt maize significantly decreased survival of the
      northern corn rootworm (Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence). For both species,
      Bt maize and each of the insecticides delayed emergence. In the absence of
      density-dependent mortality, Bt maize imposed 71 and 80% reduction in survival on
      the western corn rootworm and the northern corn rootworm, respectively. The data
      from this study do not support combining insecticide with Bt maize because the
      addition of insecticide did not increase yield or reduce root injury for Bt
      maize, and the level of rootworm mortality achieved with conventional insecticide
      was likely too low to delay the evolution of Bt resistance. In addition, delays
      in emergence from Bt maize combined with insecticides could promote assortative
      mating among Bt-selected individuals, which may hasten resistance evolution.

PMID- 24224234
TI  - Effect of a fungicide and spray adjuvant on queen-rearing success in honey bees
      (Hymenoptera: Apidae).
AB  - Commercial producers of honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.) have reported
      unexplained loss of immature queens during the larval or pupal stage. Many
      affected queen-rearing operations are situated among the almond orchards of
      California and report these losses in weeks after almond trees bloom. Almond
      flowers are a rich foraging resource for bees, but are often treated with
      fungicides, insecticides, and spray adjuvants during bloom. Anecdotal reports by
      queen producers associate problems in queen development with application of the
      fungicide Pristine (boscalid and pyraclostrobin) and spray adjuvants that are
      tank-mixed with it. To test the effect of these compounds on queen development, a
      new bioassay was developed in which queens are reared in closed swarm boxes for 4
      d, until capping, with nurse bees fed exclusively on artificially contaminated
      pollen. Pollen was treated with four concentrations of formulated Pristine (0.4,
      4, 40, and 400 ppm), a spray adjuvant (Break-Thru, 200 ppm), the combination of
      Pristine and spray adjuvant (400:200 ppm), the insect growth regulator
      insecticide diflubenzuron (100 ppm) as a positive control, or water as negative
      control. Chemical analysis revealed that low concentrations of pyraclostrobin (50
      ppb), but no boscalid, were detectable in royal jelly secreted by nurse bees
      feeding on treated pollen. No significant difference in queen development or
      survival was observed between any of the experimental treatments and the negative
      control. Only diflubenzuron, the positive control, caused a substantial reduction
      in survival of immature queens.

PMID- 24224235
TI  - Geographical influences on content of 10-hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid in royal
      jelly in China.
AB  - The content of 10-hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), a marker compound in
      royal jelly (RJ), is the most important criterion in grading RJ for commercial
      trade and varies with its origin. To identify the effect of geographical origin
      on 10-HDA content in RJ, 138 samples were collected from 19 provinces of China
      (divided into three groups) produced by either Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola,
      1806 or a hybrid of A. m. ligustica and Apis mellifera carnica Pollman, 1879 and
      analyzed for moisture, sugar, crude protein, ash, acid, and 10-HDA concentration.
      The results show that RJ from western China has a significantly higher 10-HDA
      level (2.01 +/- 0.05%) than those from northeastern (1.87 +/- 0.05%) and eastern
      (1.75 +/- 0.03%) China. RJ secreted by hybrid bees contained more 10-HDA (1.89 +/
      0.03%) than that secreted by A. m. ligustica (1.78 +/- 0.03%). The 10-HDA
      content of RJ produced during flowering of rape (Brassica campestris L.), lime
      (Tilia amurensis Ruprecht), and vitex (Vitex negundo L. variety heterophylla
      (Franch.) Rehder) was 1.92, 1.80, and 1.68%, respectively. The results would be
      helpful during the process of price determination of RJ by providing some basis
      of geographical, bee strain, and botanical information for commercial trade.

PMID- 24224236
TI  - "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" titer over time in Bactericera cockerelli
      (Hemiptera: Triozidae) after acquisition from infected potato and tomato plants.
AB  - The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a
      serious pest of potato and other solanaceous crops. B. cockerelli has been
      associated with the bacterium "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" (Lso), the
      causal agent of zebra chip, a new and economically important disease of potato in
      the United States, Mexico, Central America, and New Zealand. The biology of
      liberibacter transmission to potato and other host plants by the potato psyllid
      is largely unknown. The current study determined Lso acquisition by adult
      psyllids following different acquisition access periods (AAP) on potato and
      tomato, quantified Lso titer over time in postacquisition psyllids, determined
      Lso-acquisition rate in psyllids at each AAP on each source of inoculum, and
      determined influence of host plant Lso titer on Lso acquisition rates and
      postacquisition titer in psyllids over time. Results showed that Lso detection
      rates and titer increased over time in psyllids following AAPs of 8, 24, and 72 h
      on tomato and potato and Lso titer was highest when psyllids acquired Lso from
      tomato versus potato. Lso titer ranged from 200- to 400-fold higher in tomato
      leaves, petioles, and stems than those of potato. The increase of Lso titer in
      the insects reached a plateau after an average of 15 d following 24 and 72 h AAP
      on potato or tomato. At this 15-d plateau, Lso titer in postacquisition psyllids
      was comparable with that of infective psyllids from the Lso-infected laboratory
      colony. Lso-acquisition rate in psyllids fed on potato and tomato increased up to
      5 and 20, 15 and 35, 35 and 75, and 80 and 100%, respectively, when the insects
      were allowed access to plants for 4, 8, 24, and 72 h, respectively.

PMID- 24224237
TI  - Effect of aggregation pheromone trap of Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae)
      on the distribution and composition of its egg parasitoids.
AB  - The aggregation pheromone of Riptortus pedestris (F.) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) is
      known to attract its egg parasitoids Ooencyrtus nezarae Ishii (Hymenoptera:
      Encyrtidae) and Gryon japonicum (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae).
      Distribution and composition of these egg parasitoids were compared in a soybean
      field in the presence and absence of aggregation pheromone-baited traps for two
      consecutive years. Three traps were installed on the edge of a soybean field,
      first without and then with aggregation pheromone in a before-after design, and
      changes in parasitism were assessed on nonviable host eggs released at distances
      of 9, 18, 27, and 36 m from the trap. A significant interactive effect of
      pheromone installation and distance was found in egg parasitism by both
      parasitoids. Parasitism on eggs recovered from 9 m away was up to 2.2 and 3.2
      times higher in presence of pheromone than without pheromone for O. nezarae and
      G. japonicum, respectively. Parasitism by O. nezarae was always higher than that
      by G. japonicum, but their relative abundance, clutch size, and sex ratio were
      not affected by pheromone installation, irrespective of distance from the trap.
      In conclusion, aggregation pheromone increases abundance of parasitoids up to 18
      m from trap installation points and does not affect the relative abundance of
      parasitoid species.

PMID- 24224238
TI  - Biology and rearing of Cleruchoides noackae (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), an egg
      parasitoid for the biological control of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera:
      Thaumastocoridae).
AB  - Cleruchoides noackae Lin and Huber (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) is a solitary egg
      parasitoid of Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellape (Hemiptera:
      Thaumastocoridae). The parasitoid was first described in 2009 and its biology and
      rearing are poorly understood. A key obstacle to the use of C. noackae as a
      biological control agent has been the ability to consistently rear it under
      quarantine conditions. This study reports on a series of experiments conducted in
      quarantine to rear C. noackae and to examine the effects of diet on longevity,
      per capita reproduction, and progeny sex ratio, as well as to determine
      development time, and preference and suitability of host eggs of different ages.
      When supplemented with honey solution, the longevity of C. noackae females
      increased significantly by 2.4 d and that of males by 1.7 d, relative to the
      unfed adults. Mean per capita reproduction for the honey-fed wasps was 7.7
      offspring per female, with progeny sex ratio slightly skewed toward males. Mean
      percentage parasitism was 32.2%. C. noackae was capable of parasitizing and
      completing development from oviposition to adult eclosion within 15.7 d in host
      eggs between 0 and 5 d old. The ability of C. noackae to parasitize a wide range
      of host egg ages increases the period of vulnerability of T. peregrinus to
      attack, increasing its potential efficacy as a biological control agent. The
      methods and results reported here represent a crucial step in the ongoing efforts
      to develop this potential biological control system.

PMID- 24224239
TI  - Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana for management of citrus thrips (Thysanoptera:
      Thripidae) in California blueberries.
AB  - Citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton), is a plant-feeding pest most widely
      recognized for causing damage to citrus and mango fruits. This insect has
      broadened its host range to become a significant pest of commercial blueberries
      grown in the San Joaquin Valley of California. We evaluated Beauveria bassiana
      (Balsamo) for control of citrus thrips in blueberries grown under two watering
      regimes (drip irrigation with and without overhead sprinklers) and using two
      fungal formulations (commercially available spores in suspension vs. colonized
      seed) over two sampling periods, that is, for two 3-d periods after treatment. We
      found significant differences in thrips densities as a function of water regime
      treatment and fungal formulation. Thrips levels were reduced significantly with
      both fungal treatments at 3 d after treatment, but at 6 d, only results with
      colonized seed differed from the control treatment. These data suggest
      entomopathogenic fungi might be useful for control of citrus thrips on
      blueberries in particular situations (in organic production or as a resistance
      management tool) but that traditional pesticides will likely remain the preferred
      management option.

PMID- 24224240
TI  - Releases of insectary-reared Galendromus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in
      commercial apple orchards.
AB  - Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) is one of several phytoseiid species that are
      available for purchase to supplement endemic predator populations that are not
      providing sufficient control of spider mites. We performed a series of releases
      of commercially reared G. occidentalis in commercial apple (Malus domestica
      Borkhausen) orchards in Washington from 2010 to 2012. Releases of up to 50,000
      mites per acre did not lead to an increase in populations of predatory mites or
      to a decrease in populations of pest mites. Assessments of mite numbers in
      shipments and quality (survival and fecundity) of those mites indicated that the
      commercial insectary was correctly estimating the number of predatory mites in
      their shipments, and that predator quality was not different than a laboratory
      colony. Finally, a predator-prey model that used the intrinsic rates of increase
      of tetranychid prey and the prey consumption rate of the predator indicated that
      the density of G. occidentalis required to control the prey at the action
      threshold was not economically feasible. We conclude that G. occidentalis cannot
      be used to bring about short-term control via inundative releases in crops such
      as apple with large canopy volumes.

PMID- 24224241
TI  - Development and validation of a quick easily used biochemical assay for
      evaluating the viability of small immobile arthropods.
AB  - Quickly, accurately, and easily assessing the efficacy of treatments to control
      sessile arthropods (e.g., scale insects) and stationary immature life stages
      (e.g., eggs and pupae) is problematic because it is difficult to tell whether
      treated organisms are alive or dead. Current approaches usually involve either
      maintaining organisms in the laboratory to observe them for development, gauging
      their response to physical stimulation, or assessing morphological characters
      such as turgidity and color. These can be slow, technically difficult, or
      subjective, and the validity of methods other than laboratory rearing has seldom
      been tested. Here, we describe development and validation of a quick easily used
      biochemical colorimetric assay for measuring the viability of arthropods that is
      sufficiently sensitive to test even very small organisms such as white fly eggs.
      The assay was adapted from a technique for staining the enzyme hexokinase to
      signal the presence of adenosine triphosphate in viable specimens by reducing a
      tetrazolium salt to formazan. Basic laboratory facilities and skills are required
      for production of the stain, but no specialist equipment, expertise, or
      facilities are needed for its use.

PMID- 24224242
TI  - Influence of modified atmosphere packaging on radiation tolerance in the
      phytosanitary pest melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae).
AB  - Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) produces a low-oxygen (O2) environment that
      can increase produce shelf life by decreasing product respiration and growth of
      pathogens. However, low O2 is known to increase insect tolerance to irradiation,
      and the use of MAP with products treated by irradiation before export to control
      quarantine pests may inadvertently compromise treatment efficacy. Melon fly,
      Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillet (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an important economic
      and quarantine pest of tropical fruits and vegetables, and one of the most
      radiation-tolerant tephritid fruit flies known. The effect of low O2 generated by
      MAP on the radiation tolerance of B. cucurbitae was examined. Third-instar larval
      B. cucurbitae were inoculated into ripe papayas and treated by 1) MAP +
      irradiation, 2) irradiation alone, 3) MAP alone, or (4) no MAP and no
      irradiation, and held for adult emergence. Three types of commercially available
      MAP products were tested that produced O2 concentrations between 1 and 15%, and a
      sublethal radiation dose (50 Gy) was used to allow comparisons between
      treatments. Ziploc storage bags (1-4% O2) increased survivorship to adult from 14
      to 25%, whereas Xtend PP61 bags (3-8% O2) and Xtend PP53 bags (11-15% O2) did not
      enhance survivorship to the adult stage in B. cucurbitae irradiated at 50 Gy.
      Radiation doses approved by the United States Department of Agriculture and the
      International Plant Protection Commission for B. cucurbitae and Ceratitis
      capitata (Wiedemann) (Mediterranean fruit fly) are 150 and 100 Gy, respectively.
      In large-scale tests, 9,000 B. cucurbitae and 3,800 C. capitata larvae infesting
      papayas in Ziploc bags were irradiated at 150 and 100 Gy, respectively, with no
      survivors to the adult stage. MAP can increase insect survivorship during
      irradiation treatment at certain doses and O2 concentrations, but should not
      compromise the efficacy of the 150-Gy generic radiation treatment for tephritid
      fruit flies or the 100-Gy radiation treatment for C. capitata.

PMID- 24224243
TI  - Factors influencing the abundance of pests in production fields and rates of
      interception of Dracaena marginata imported from Costa Rica.
AB  - Importation of live nursery plants, like Dracaena marginata Lamoureux
      (Ruscaceae), can provide a significant pathway for the entry of foliar pests from
      overseas into the United States. We studied the abundance of foliar pests of
      quarantine importance found on Costa Rican-grown D. marginata. These include five
      genera of leafhoppers (Heteroptera: Cicadellidae, Oncometopia, Caldweliola,
      Diestostema, Cypona, and Empoasca), Florida red scale (Heteroptera: Disapididae,
      Chrysomphalus aoinidum (L.)), katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), and a snail
      (Succinea costarricana von Martens (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Succineidae)).
      In our first study, we examined the rationale behind size restrictions on
      Dracaena cuttings imported into the United States from Costa Rica. When comparing
      plant size, no differences were found in the abundance of quarantined pests on
      small (15-46 cm), medium (46-81 cm), and large (81-152 cm) propagules. In a
      second study, we estimated monthly abundances of pests in production plots for 1
      yr to determine their relationship to rates of interception at U.S. ports. In any
      given month, < 6% of the marketable shoots standing in the field were infested
      with at least one quarantine pest. There was no relationship between the average
      monthly frequencies of pest detection in the field and in U.S. inspection ports.
      Pest detections increased during the 1 mo when average monthly shipments were
      abnormally high. Our data suggest that off-shore postprocessing efforts to remove
      pest-infested material from the market stream need to be adjusted to accommodate
      sharp increases in the volume of shipped plants.

PMID- 24224244
TI  - Cold storage enhances the efficacy and margin of security in postharvest
      irradiation treatments against fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae).
AB  - Cold storage is used to preserve fruit quality after harvest during
      transportation in marketing channels. Low temperature can be a stressor for
      insects that reduces survivorship, and cold storage may contribute to the
      efficacy of postharvest quarantine treatments such as irradiation against
      quarantine insect pests. The combined effect of irradiation and cold storage was
      examined in a radiation-tolerant fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillet
      (melon fly), and a radiation-intolerant fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)
      (Mediterranean fruit fly) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Third instars on diet or in
      papaya were treated with a sublethal radiation dose of 30 Gy and stored at 4 or
      11 degrees C for 3-13 d and held for adult emergence. For both fruit fly species,
      survival of third instars to the adult stage generally decreased with increasing
      cold storage duration at 4 or 11 degrees C in diet or papaya. Survivorship
      differences were highly significant for the effects of substrate (diet > papaya),
      temperature (11 > 4 degrees C),and irradiation (0 > 30 Gy). Few Mediterranean
      fruit flies survived in any cold storage treatment after receiving a radiation
      dose of 30 Gy. No melon fly larvae survived to the adult stage after irradiation
      and 11 d cold storage at 4 or 11 degrees C in papayas. Cold storage enhances the
      efficacy and widens the margin of security in postharvest irradiation treatments.
      Potentially irradiation and cold storage can be used in combination to reduce the
      irradiation exposure requirements of quarantine treatments.

PMID- 24224245
TI  - Flight performance of the orange wheat blossom midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae).
AB  - The orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Gehin) (Diptera:
      Cecidomyiidae), is a chronic wheat pest worldwide. Adult S. mosellana engage in
      short-distance flight, but also exploit weather patterns for long-distance
      dispersal. However, little is known about the flight performance of S. mosellana,
      and the effects of the biotic and abiotic factors that influence its flight
      activity. In this study, we explored the active flight potential of S. mosellana
      under various environmental factors using a 26-channel computer-monitored flight
      mill system. The most suitable temperature for flight and flight distance was 16
      24 degrees C; flight duration peaked at 16 degrees C while speed peaked at 28
      degrees C. Flight performance gradually declined between 10 and 400 lux light
      intensity. More than 50% individuals of 1-d-old females flew > 500 m, while only
      24% of males flew > 500 m. One-day-old S. mosellana had stronger flight ability
      than that of 2-d-old individuals. This research showed that S. mosellana
      possessed strong enough flight ability that they can fly to a high altitude and
      then disperse via moving air currents. These results can aid in forecasting S.
      mosellana outbreak.

PMID- 24224246
TI  - Effects of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and silk clipping in field
      corn.
AB  - Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman) is an emerging silk-feeding insect
      found in fields in the lower Corn Belt and Midsouthern United States. Studies
      were conducted in 2010 and 2011 to evaluate how silk clipping in corn affects
      pollination and yield parameters. Manually clipping silks once daily had modest
      effects on yield parameters. Sustained clipping by either manually clipping silks
      three times per day or by caging Japanese beetles onto ears affected total kernel
      weight if it occurred during early silking (R1 growth stage). Manually clipping
      silks three times per day for the first 5 d of silking affected the number of
      kernels per ear, total kernel weight, and the weight of individual kernels. Caged
      beetles fed on silks and, depending on the number of beetles caged per ear,
      reduced the number of kernels per ear. Caging eight beetles per ear significantly
      reduced total kernel weight compared with noninfested ears. Drought stress before
      anthesis appeared to magnify the impact of silk clipping by Japanese beetles.
      There was evidence of some compensation for reduced pollination by increasing the
      size of pollinated kernels within the ear. Our results showed that it requires
      sustained silk clipping during the first week of silking to have substantial
      impacts on pollination and yield parameters, at least under good growing
      conditions. Some states recommend treating for Japanese beetle when three
      Japanese beetles per ear are found, silks are clipped to < 13 mm, and pollination
      is < 50% complete, and that recommendation appears to be adequate.

PMID- 24224247
TI  - Evaluation of inflorescence visitors as pollinators of Echinacea angustifolia
      (Asteraceae): comparison of techniques.
AB  - Inflorescences (heads or capitula) of the putative self-incompatible species,
      purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia (DC) Cronq. (Asteraceae)), were visited
      by insects representing the Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera, in
      accordance with a generalist pollination syndrome. Measurement of the
      effectiveness of insect species as pollinators was accomplished by permitting
      solitary visits to receptive, central disc florets of virgin (previously bagged)
      heads. Four parameters were quantified: total stigmatic pollen load and
      proportion of pollen grains germinated, numbers of pollen tubes at style bases,
      and percentages of total receptive florets that had retracted (shrivelled)
      styles. Quantifying total and germinated pollen grains proved ineffective, partly
      owing to the tendency of self-pollen to initiate pollen tubes. The most effective
      pollinators were Apidae, especially bumble bees (Bombus spp.) and the European
      honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) (mean: 39 - 61% of styles retracted). Other
      noteworthy pollinators were cloudless sulfur butterflies (Phoebis sennae L.-
      Pieridae; mean 47% of style bases with pollen tubes), golden blister beetles
      (Epicauta ferruginea Say--Meloidae; 44%), and grasshopper bee flies (Systoechus
      vulgaris Loew--Bombyliidae; 22%). Sunflower leafcutter bees (Megachile pugnata
      Say) were less effective (4% of styles retracted). Promisingly, analysis of the
      proportion of retracted styles provided similar results to the established
      technique of pollen-tube quantification, but had the significant advantages of
      being completed more rapidly, without a microscope, and in the field. The
      quantitative technique of retracted-style analysis appears well suited for prompt
      measurement of inflorescence-visiting insects as pollinators of many asteraceans.

PMID- 24224248
TI  - The potential for controlling Pangaeus bilineatus (Heteroptera: Cydnidae) using a
      combination of entomopathogens and an insecticide.
AB  - The peanut burrower bug, Pangaeus bilineatus (Say), is an important pest of
      peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the southern United States. Current control
      methods for this pest, which are based on the use of chemical insecticides, have
      not been successful. Our objective was to determine if entomopathogens applied
      alone or in combination with a standard chemical insecticide would provide
      superior levels of P. bilineatus mortality compared with the standard chemical
      applied alone. Specifically, we investigated the efficacy of an entomopathogenic
      nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Oswego strain), and a fungus,
      Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (GHA strain), applied alone or in
      combination with chlorpyrifos. When applied as single treatments, the two
      entomopathogens were not pathogenic, that is, they did not cause mortality in P.
      bilineatus adults that was different from the nontreated control. However, 3 and
      7 d posttreatment, the combination of the H. bacteriophora and chlorpyrifos
      caused higher mortality than the nematode, fungus, or insecticide alone, or the
      combination of chlorpyrifos and B. bassiana. The nature of the interaction
      between H. bacteriophora and chlorpyrifos was synergistic, which is of particular
      interest, given that this is the first time a synergy is being reported between a
      nematode that was not pathogenic when applied alone and a chemical insecticide.
      B. bassiana and its combination with the chlorpyrifos did not significantly
      increase insect mortality compared with chlorpyrifos alone or the control. Based
      on the observation of synergy, the combination of H. bacteriophora and
      chlorpyrifos should be investigated further for potential adoption in the
      management of P. bilineatus.

PMID- 24224249
TI  - Plant growth stage-specific injury and economic injury level for verde plant bug,
      Creontiades signatus (Hemiptera: Miridae), on cotton: effect of bloom period of
      infestation.
AB  - Verde plant bugs, Creontiades signatus Distant (Hemiptera: Miridae), were
      released onto caged cotton, Cossypium hirsutum L., for a 1-wk period to
      characterize the effects of insect density and bloom period of infestation on
      cotton injury and yield in 2011 and 2012, Corpus Christi, TX. When plants were
      infested during early bloom (10-11 nodes above first white flower), a linear
      decline in fruit retention and boll load and a linear increase in boll injury
      were detected as verde plant bug infestation levels increased from an average of
      0.5 to 4 bugs per plant. Lint and seed yield per plant showed a corresponding
      decline. Fruit retention, boll load, and yield were not affected on plants
      infested 1 wk later at peak bloom (8-9 nodes above first white flower), even
      though boll injury increased as infestation levels increased. Second-year testing
      verified boll injury but not yield loss, when infestations occurred at peak
      bloom. Incidence of cotton boll rot, known to be associated with verde plant bug
      feeding, was low to modest (< 1% [2012] to 12% [2011] of bolls with disease
      symptoms), and drought stress persisted throughout the study. Caging effect was
      minimal: a 10% fruit retention decline was associated with caging, and the effect
      was not detectable in the other measurements. Overall, reduced fruit retention
      and boll load caused by verde plant bug were important contributors to yield
      decline, damage potential was greatest during the early bloom period of
      infestation, and a simple linear response best described the yield response
      insect density relationship at early bloom. Confirmation that cotton after peak
      bloom was less prone to verde plant bug injury and an early bloom-specific
      economic injury level were key findings that can improve integrated pest
      management decision-making for dryland cotton, at least under low-rainfall
      growing conditions.

PMID- 24224250
TI  - The distribution of European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) moths in pivot
      irrigated corn.
AB  - The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), is a damaging pest of
      numerous crops including corn, potato, and cotton. An understanding of the
      interaction between O. nubilalis and its spatial environment may aid in
      developing pest management strategy. Over a 2-yr period, approximately 8,000
      pheromone trap catches of O. nubilalis were recorded on pivot-irrigated corn in
      northeastern Colorado. The highest weekly moth capture per pivot-irrigated field
      occurred on the week of 15 July 1997 at 1,803 moths captured. The lowest peak
      moth capture per pivot-irrigated field was recorded on the week of 4 June 1998 at
      220 moths captured. Average trap catch per field ranged from approximately 1.6
      moths captured per trap per week in 1997 to approximately 0.3 moths captured per
      trap per week in 1998. Using pheromone trap moth capture data, we developed a
      quantified understanding of the spatial distribution of adult male moths. Our
      findings suggest strong correlations between moth density and adjacent corn
      crops, prevailing wind direction, and an edge effect. In addition, directional
      component effects suggest that more moths were attracted to the southwestern
      portion of the crop, which has the greatest insolation potential. In addition to
      the tested predictor variables, we found a strong spatial autocorrelation signal
      indicating positive aggregations of these moths and that males from both inside
      and outside of the field are being attracted to within-field pheromone traps,
      which has implications for refuge strategy management.

PMID- 24224251
TI  - Effect of chipping on emergence of the redbay ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera:
      Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and recovery of the laurel wilt pathogen from infested
      wood chips.
AB  - Significant mortality ofredbay trees (Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng.) in the
      southeastern United States has been caused by Raffaelea lauricola, T.C. Harr.,
      Fraedrich, & Aghayeva (Harrington et al. 2008), a fungal symbiont of the exotic
      redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, Eichhoff (Fraedrich et al. 2008).
      This pathogen causes laurel wilt, which is an irreversible disease that can kill
      mature trees within a few weeks in summer. R. lauricola has been shown to be
      lethal to most native species of Lauraceae and cultivated avocado (Persea
      americana Mill.) in the southeastern United States. In this study, we examined
      the survival of X. glabratus and R. lauricola in wood chips made from infested
      trees by using a standard tree chipper over a 10-wk period. After 2 wk, 14 X.
      glabratus were recovered from wood chips, whereas 339 X. glabratus emerged from
      nonchipped bolts. R. lauricola was not found 2 d postchipping from wood chips,
      indicating that the pathogen is not likely to survive for long inside wood chips.
      In contrast, R. lauricola persisted in dead, standing redbay trees for 14 mo.
      With large volumes of wood, the potential for infested logs to be moved between
      states or across U.S. borders is significant. Results demonstrated that chipping
      wood from laurel wilt-killed trees can significantly reduce the number of X.
      glabratus and limit the persistence of R. lauricola, which is important for
      sanitation strategies aimed at limiting the spread of this disease.

PMID- 24224252
TI  - Effects of ambient temperature on egg and larval development of the invasive
      emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): implications for laboratory rearing.
AB  - The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, an invasive beetle from
      Asia causing large scale ash (Fraxinus) mortality in North America, has been
      extremely difficult to rear in the laboratory because of its long life cycle and
      cryptic nature of immature stages. This lack of effective laboratory-rearing
      methods has not only hindered research into its biology and ecology, but also
      mass production of natural enemies for biological control of this invasive pest.
      Using sticks from the alternate host plant, Fraxinus uhdei (Wenzig) Lingelsh, we
      characterized the stage-specific development time and growth rate of both emerald
      ash borer eggs and larvae at different constant temperatures (12-35 degrees C)
      for the purpose of developing effective laboratory-rearing methods. Results from
      our study showed that the median time for egg hatching decreased from 20 d at 20
      degrees C to 7 d at 35 degrees C, while no emerald ash borer eggs hatched at 12
      degrees C. The developmental time for 50% of emerald ash borer larvae advancing
      to third, fourth, and J-larval stages at 20 degrees C were 8.3, 9.1, and 12.3 wk,
      respectively, approximately two times longer than at 30 degrees C for the
      corresponding instars or stages. In contrast to 30 degrees C, however, the
      development times of emerald ash borer larvae advancing to later instars (from
      oviposition) were significantly increased at 35 degrees C, indicating adverse
      effects of this high temperature. The optimal range of ambient temperature to
      rear emerald ash borer larvae should be between 25-30 degrees C; however, faster
      rate of egg and larval development should be expected as temperature increases
      within this range.

PMID- 24224253
TI  - Captures of Rhagoletis indifferens (Diptera: Tephritidae) and nontarget insects
      on red spheres versus yellow spheres and panels.
AB  - Sticky red spheres can be used to capture western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis
      indifferens Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), but red spheres have not been
      definitively shown to be more attractive than yellow traps. The objective of this
      study was to compare fly captures on ammonia-baited red spheres and yellow
      spheres and panels so that sensitive detection traps for fly management can be
      identified. Nontarget insects could interfere with fly captures, so weights of
      nontarget insects on traps were also determined. Yellow spheres and panels
      generally caught more flies than red spheres. More males than females were caught
      on nearly all red and yellow traps. Saffron Thread, Marigold, Sunny Summer, and
      Yam Yellow spheres and panels were bright yellow and generally caught more flies,
      especially females, than Cherry Cobbler Red or Tartar Red spheres. Twenty Carat
      Yellow and Glorious Gold spheres and panels were less bright and caught fewer
      flies than bright yellow traps and similar numbers of flies as Tartar Red
      spheres, respectively. Dry weights of nontarget insects on at least one yellow
      trap type were greater than on red spheres in only 4 of 10 tests. Results show
      that bright yellow spheres and panels capture more R. indifferens than red
      spheres and do not consistently capture greater amounts of nontarget insects than
      red spheres, suggesting that they should be used instead of red spheres for
      detecting this fly.

PMID- 24224254
TI  - Age-stage two-sex life tables of Panonychus ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae), on
      different apple varieties.
AB  - To understand the influence of different apple varieties on the development and
      reproduction of the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acari:
      Tetranychidae), age-stage two-sex life tables of P. ulmi on 'Fuji,' 'Starkrimson
      Delicious,' 'Golden Delicious,' and 'Granny Smith' varieties were constructed
      under laboratory conditions at 23 +/- 1 degrees C, 75 +/- 5% relative humidity,
      and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. Results showed that total development time of
      immature females was shorter on Fuji than on the other varieties, and this was
      because of its shorter egg duration. Immature survival of P. ulmi was 74.51
      78.00% among four apple varieties, and no significant differences were found. The
      total fecundity per female was significantly higher on Golden Delicious (34.12
      eggs per female) than that on Fuji (27.15 eggs per female), Starkrimson Delicious
      (25.15 eggs per female), and Granny Smith (20.62 eggs per female). Based on the
      intrinsic rate of population increase, Fuji and Golden Delicious were more
      suitable than Starkrimson Delicious and Granny Smith.

PMID- 24224255
TI  - Effects of spirotetramat on Aonidiella aurantii (Homoptera: Diaspididae) and its
      parasitoid, Aphytis melinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae).
AB  - Laboratory and field studies were conducted to measure the effects of
      spirotetramat on life stages of California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii
      (Maskell), and a primary parasitoid, Aphytis melinus DeBach. Organophosphate
      resistant and -susceptible populations responded similarly to spirotetramat,
      suggesting there is no cross-resistance between these insecticide classes. First
      and second instar male and female A. aurantii were 10- and 32-fold more
      susceptible to spirotetramat (LC50 = 0.1-0.2 ppm) compared with early third (LC50
      = 1.5 ppm) and late third instar females (LC50 = 5.3 ppm). The LC99 value
      indicated that late stage third instar females would not be fully controlled by a
      field rate of spirotetramat; however, spirotetramat would reduce their fecundity
      by 89%. Field applications of spirotetramat in two water volumes and using two
      adjuvants (oil and a nonionic spray adjuvant) showed similar reduction in A.
      aurantii numbers, even though the higher water volume demonstrated more complete
      coverage. These data suggest that this foliarly applied systemic insecticide can
      be applied in as little as 2,340 liters/ha of water volume, minimizing
      application costs, and that the two adjuvants acted similarly. The
      endoparasitoid, A. melinus, was unaffected by the field rate of spirotetramat
      when it was applied to the host when the parasitoid was in the egg or larval
      stage. Adult A. melinus showed 2 wk of moderate reductions in survival when
      exposed to leaves with field-weathered residues. Spirotetramat is an integrated
      pest management compatible insecticide, effective in reducing A. aurantii stages
      and allowing survival of its primary parasitoid A. melinus.

PMID- 24224257
TI  - Effect of climate change on annual fluctuations in the population density of the
      brown marmorated stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in northern Japan.
AB  - The relationship between the population density of overwintering adults of the
      brown marmorated stink bug and the temperatures of each month during the
      preceding November to April was investigated in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan,
      from 1999 to 2012. The number of adults entering traps for overwintering at the
      monitored hibernation site differed considerably among years. There was a
      significant negative correlation between the increase ratio (the ratio of the
      number collected in the current year to the number collected in the previous
      year) and the mean daily maximum temperature of the preceding March and April.
      These results suggest that the proportion of surviving adult brown marmorated
      stink bug may be higher when temperatures in early spring (March and April) are
      lower, as the postoverwintering adults may need to survive without food for a
      shorter period of time.

PMID- 24224256
TI  - Insecticide susceptibility of three species of cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
      pests of grapes.
AB  - Climbing cutworms in the genus Abagrotis are economically important pests of
      grapes in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia (BC). Grapes are recently
      introduced into many areas of the region, and the association between crop and
      pest is new and still evolving. This has led to limited information being
      available on pest management strategies, including the evaluation of chemical
      controls compatible with local production practices. Few insecticides are
      currently registered in Canada for cutworm control on grapes, and our study was
      initiated to provide information on the efficacy of potential control materials.
      We were also interested in the relative susceptibilities of the three most common
      cutworm species attacking grape buds in BC--Abagrotis orbis (Grote), Abagrotis
      reedi Buckett, and Abagrotis nefascia (Smith). Dose-response bioassays with nine
      insecticides were conducted on neonate larvae using Bok Choy leaf disks, and on
      fourth-instar larvae using diet incorporation. There were considerable
      differences in the toxicity of insecticides within species for neonates and
      fourth instars. For some materials, the relative toxicity to neonates and fourth
      instars were not correlated. Response to insecticides among the three species
      showed variation as well, and correct identification of the species complex
      present in individual locations is important in choosing the best available
      control material.

PMID- 24224258
TI  - Separating the attractant from the toxicant improves attract-and-kill of codling
      moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).
AB  - The behavior of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), responding to three attract
      and-kill devices was compared in flight tunnel experiments measuring attraction
      and duration of target contact. Placing a 7.6 by 12.6 cm card immediately upwind
      of a rubber septum releasing pheromone, dramatically increased the duration on
      the target to > 60 s. In this setting, nearly all the males flew upwind, landed
      on the card first, and spent the majority of time searching the card. In
      contrast, male codling moths spent < 15 s at the source if given the lure only.
      In a forced contact bioassay, knockdown rate or mortality of male codling moths
      increased in direct proportion to duration of contact on a lambda-cyhalothrin
      loaded filter paper. When this insecticide-treated paper was placed immediately
      upwind of the lure in the flight tunnel, > 90% of males contacting the paper were
      knocked down 2 h after voluntary exposure. These findings suggest that past
      attempts to combine insecticide directly with sex pheromones into a small paste,
      gel, or other forms of dollops are ill-advised because moths are likely over
      exposed to pheromone and vacate the target before obtaining a lethal dose of
      insecticide. It is better to minimize direct contact with the concentrated
      pheromone while enticing males to extensively search insecticide-treated surface
      nearby the lure.

PMID- 24224259
TI  - Multi-state trials of Bt sweet corn varieties for control of the corn earworm
      (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - Field tests in 2010-2011 were performed in New York, Minnesota, Maryland, Ohio,
      and Georgia to compare Bt sweet corn lines expressing Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 and
      Cry1Ab with their non-Bt isolines, with and without the use of foliar
      insecticides. The primary insect pest in all locations during the trial years was
      Heliocoverpa zea (Boddie), which is becoming the most serious insect pest of
      sweet corn in the United States. At harvest, the ears were measured for
      marketability according to fresh market and processing standards. For fresh
      market and processing, least squares regression showed significant effects of
      protein expression, state, and insecticide frequency. There was a significant
      effect of year for fresh market but not for processing. The model also showed
      significant effects of H. zea per ear by protein expression. Sweet corn
      containing two genes (Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2) and a single gene (Cry1Ab) provided
      high marketability, and both Bt varieties significantly outperformed the
      traditional non-Bt isolines in nearly all cases regardless of insecticide
      application frequency. For pest suppression of H. zea, plants expressing Bt
      proteins consistently performed better than non-Bt isoline plants, even those
      sprayed at conventional insecticide frequencies. Where comparisons in the same
      state were made between Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 and Cry1Ab plants for fresh market,
      the product expressing Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 provided better protection and
      resulted in less variability in control. Overall, these results indicate
      Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 and Cry1Ab plants are suitable for fresh market and
      processing corn production across a diversity of growing regions and years. Our
      results demonstrate that Bt sweet corn has the potential to significantly reduce
      the use of conventional insecticides against lepidopteran pests and, in turn,
      reduce occupational and environmental risks that arise from intensive insecticide
      use.

PMID- 24224260
TI  - The influence of fipronil on Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
      feeding beyond treated plots.
AB  - A small-plot field trial was conducted to examine the area of influence of
      fipronil at incremental distances away from treated plots on the Harrison
      Experimental Forest near Saucier, MS. Small treated (water and fipronil) plots
      were surrounded by untreated wooden boards in an eight-point radial pattern, and
      examined for evidence of termite feeding every 60 d for 1 yr after treatment.
      Circular areas of 0, 0.28, 1.13, 2.55, 4.52, 7.07, and 10.18 m2 around the
      treated plots were installed to evaluate feeding damage by termites on the
      boards. The relationship between feeding damage to boards and area for each time
      interval was examined by using an exponential increase model. For both treatments
      and controls in nearly all periods examined, feeding was suppressed in the boards
      nearest to the treated plots, but increased exponentially as the area increased.
      Beginning 4 mo after treatment, treatment plots had lower proportions of boards
      with termite feeding evidence than control plots. Reduction in feeding was the
      only influence of fipronil observed beyond the treated plots.

PMID- 24224261
TI  - Detection of the A302S Rdl mutation in fipronil bait-selected strains of the
      German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).
AB  - Extensive usage and heavy reliance on insecticides have led to the development of
      insecticide resistance in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). Six
      field-collected strains of B. germanica from Singapore were used to investigate
      resistance to fipronil and dieldrin. The three strains (Boat Quay, Cavenagh Road,
      and Ghimmoh Road) with greatest resistance to fipronil were subjected to
      selection with fipronil bait up to the F5 generation. Synergism assay and
      molecular detection of a target site mutation were used to elucidate the
      mechanism of fipronil resistance in these strains. With the exception of the
      Cavenagh Road strain, all parental strains were susceptible to dieldrin. This
      strain exhibited resistance to dieldrin and fipronil with resistance ratios of
      4.1 and 3.0, respectively. Piperonyl butoxide and S,S,S
      tributylphosphorotrithioate were antagonistic toward fipronil toxicity in all
      strains. Bait selection significantly increased fipronil and dieldrin resistance
      in the three chosen strains, either in topical bioassay or bait evaluations.
      There was a significant positive relationship [y = (6,852.69 +/- 1,988.37) x -
      (708.93 +/- 1,226.28), where x = fipronil toxicity and y = dieldrin toxicity]
      between dieldrin and fipronil resistance levels, indicating significant cross
      resistance between the insecticides. High frequencies of individuals possessing
      the Rdl gene mutation were found in the F5 generation of the three strains
      selected with fipronil bait. The synergism assays indicated that monooxygenase
      and esterase were not involved in fipronil resistance in the strains studied
      herein. The A302S Rdl mutation was the major mechanism contributing to fipronil
      and dieldrin resistance in these strains.

PMID- 24224262
TI  - Physiological and population responses of armyworm Mythimna separata
      (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to a sublethal dose of cantharidin-AC.
AB  - The oriental armyworm Mythimna separata Walker is a serious threat to the
      production of cereals. Its control has largely relied on synthetic insecticides,
      which led to the decrease in their effectiveness. In China, cantharidin, a
      natural compound of insect origin with a mode of action different from a
      conventional insecticide, is being developed as a bio-insecticide for the control
      of lepidopteran pests. Its toxicological effects have already been studied in M.
      separata. However, its sublethal effects on physiological and population
      parameters have not yet been studied. The leaf dip bioassay results showed that
      cantharidin-AC (cantharidin acetone solution) had a high level of toxicity
      against M. separata and the 96 h LC50 value was 223 microg/ml. The sublethal
      effects of cantharidin exposure for 72 h at LC10 (77 microg/ml) on physiological
      and population parameters of M. sepatata were also investigated, and data were
      subjected to an age-stage two-sex life-table. The sublethal effects of
      cantharidin indicated reduction in survival rates of larval, pupal, and adult
      stages. In addition, both male and female moths were observed with crippled wings
      in the cantharidin-treated cohort. The mean values of the finite rate of increase
      (lambda), the intrinsic rate of increase (gamma), and the net reproductive rate
      (R(o)) were significantly lower in the treatment than in the control. The
      fecundity was also strongly affected by a sublethal cantharidin concentration. A
      sublethal concentration of cantharidin may reduce the population growth of M.
      separata by decreasing its survival and reproduction and by increasing its
      generation time.

PMID- 24224263
TI  - Development of a methodology and evaluation of pesticides against Aceria litchii
      and its predator Phytoseius intermedius (Acari: Eriophyidae, Phytoseiidae).
AB  - The litchi erineum mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer), is the major pest of litchi,
      Litchi chinensis Sonnerat (Sapindaceae). This study evaluated the effect of 11
      pesticides on the survival of A. litchii as well as on the survival and
      reproduction of Phytoseius intermedius Evans & McFarlane, the predator most found
      in association with it in Brazil. The containment of A. litchii in small petri
      dishes whose bottoms were covered with a solidified paste made of a mixture of
      gypsum and activated charcoal (9:1 in volume), kept humid, was shown to be
      adequate for this type of study. For the evaluation of the effect of pesticides
      on A. litchii, mites leaving the erinia from the pieces of litchi leaves (removed
      from the plants approximately 24 h earlier) were sprayed under a Potter tower and
      immediately transferred to the 2.5-cm-diameter petri dishes. After 2, 12, 24, and
      48 h of the application, the dishes were examined to evaluate the mite survival.
      The four pesticides causing the highest levels A. litchii mortality, as well as
      azadirachtin, were tested for the effect on P. intermedius. For this test,
      experimental units consisted of discs of uninfested litchi leaves also sprayed
      under a Potter tower before introducing the predators. Survival and oviposition
      of the predator were evaluated every 24 h for 5 consecutive days; viability of
      the eggs laid was also evaluated. Highest mortality of A. litchii occurred with
      the application of fenpyroximate, sulfur, abamectin, and hexythiazox.
      Azadirachtin was considered moderately harmful to the predator P. intermedius,
      whereas other pesticides were classified as harmful. Despite the low efficiency
      of azadirachtin in the control of the pest, its relative selectivity to P.
      intermedius would encourage the evaluation on field condition, especially for use
      in organic production systems.

PMID- 24224264
TI  - Susceptibility baseline and chlorantraniliprole resistance monitoring in Chilo
      suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
AB  - Chlorantraniliprole, a new anthranilic diamide insecticide, has been
      commercialized in China since 2008 for controlling of several lepidopterans,
      including rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis Walker. Chemical control of this
      pest has become difficult because of its resistance development to many
      conventional insecticides. To facilitate chlorantraniliprole-resistance
      monitoring, seedling dip bioassays were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to assess the
      susceptibility of 30 populations of C. suppressalis from seven provinces in
      China. The assays established a larval susceptibility baseline with LC50 at 1.393
      mg a.i/liter. The toxicity (LC50) of chlorantraniliprole against second-instar
      larvae of field populations ranged from 0.568 (SL12) to 13.547 (RA12) mg
      a.i/liter. Substantial variations of the susceptibility to chlorantraniliprole
      were detected among different geographic populations, but no significant
      difference was observed between years for most populations except for populations
      from Dong'an, Cangnan, and Lujiang. Resistance ratios to the chemical ranged from
      1.0 to 9.7, indicating that most colonies remained susceptible or showed certain
      decrease in susceptibility. Approximately, 13.3% of the populations exhibited low
      levels of resistance to chlorantraniliprole. These data are useful in future
      monitoring program for detecting any changes in susceptibility as a result of use
      of the insecticide.

PMID- 24224265
TI  - Applying an integrated refuge to manage western corn rootworm (Coleoptera:
      Chrysomelidae): effects on survival, fitness, and selection pressure.
AB  - The refuge strategy can delay resistance of insect pests to transgenic maize
      producing toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This is important for the
      western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera:
      Chrysomelidae), because of its history of adaptation to several management
      practices. A 2-yr study across four locations was conducted to measure the
      effects of integrated refuge (i.e., blended refuge) on western corn rootworm
      survival to adulthood, fitness characteristics, and susceptibility to Bt maize in
      the subsequent generation. The treatments tested in this study were as follows: a
      pure stand of Bt maize (event DAS-59122-7, which produces Bt toxins
      Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1), a pure stand of refuge (non-Bt maize), and two variations on
      an integrated refuge consisting of 94.4% Bt maize and 5.6% non-Bt maize. Within
      the two integrated refuge treatments, refuge seeds received a neonicotinoid
      insecticidal seed treatment of either 1.25 mg clothianidin per kernel or 0.25 mg
      thiamethoxam per kernel. Insects in the pure stand refuge treatment had greater
      survival to adulthood and earlier emergence than in all other treatments.
      Although fecundity, longevity, and head capsule width were reduced in treatments
      containing Bt maize for some site by year combinations, Bt maize did not have a
      significant effect on these factors when testing data across all sites and years.
      We found no differences in susceptibility of larval progeny to Bt maize in
      bioassays using progeny of adults collected from the four treatments.

PMID- 24224266
TI  - Efficacies of spinosad and a combination of chlorpyrifos-methyl and deltamethrin
      against phosphine-resistant Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and
      Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on wheat.
AB  - Highly phosphine-resistant populations of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera:
      Bostrichidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) have
      recently been found in Oklahoma grain storage facilities. These findings
      necessitate development of a phosphine resistance management strategy to ensure
      continued effective use of phosphine. Therefore, we investigated the efficacies
      of two grain insecticides, namely, spinosad applied at label rate of 1 ppm and a
      mixture of chlorpyrifos-methyl and deltamethrin applied at label rates of 3 and
      0.5 ppm, respectively, against highly phosphine-resistant R. dominica and T.
      castaneum. Adult mortality and progeny production suppression of spinosad- or
      chlorpyrifos-methyl + deltamethrin mixture-treated wheat that had been stored for
      2, 84, 168, 252, and 336 d posttreatment were assessed. We found that both
      spinosad and chlorpyrifos-methyl + deltamethrin were effective against phosphine
      resistant R. dominica and caused 83-100% mortality and also caused total progeny
      production suppression for all storage periods. Spinosad was not effective
      against phosphine-resistant T. castaneum; the highest mortality observed was only
      3% for all the storage periods. Chlorpyrifos-methyl + deltamethrin was effective
      against phosphine-resistant T. castaneum only in treated wheat stored for 2 and
      84 d, where it caused 93-99% mortality. However, chlorpyrifos-methyl +
      deltamethrin was effective and achieved total suppression of progeny production
      in T. castaneum for all the storage periods. Spinosad was not as effective as
      chlorpyrifos-methyl + deltamethrin mixture at suppressing progeny production of
      phosphine-resistant T. castaneum. These two insecticides can be used in a
      phosphine resistance management strategy for R. dominica and T. castaneum in the
      United States.

PMID- 24224268
TI  - Population genetic structure of Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Hemiptera: Miridae) in
      the cotton-growing regions of the United States.
AB  - The cotton fleahopper, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is
      an economically important insect pest of cotton in the United States. However,
      reports of cotton fleahopper infestation and its management in cotton fields are
      restricted primarily to Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The objective of this
      study was to understand the genetic diversity of cotton fleahopper populations
      infesting cotton in the cotton-growing areas of the United States. Amplified
      fragment length polymorphism markers were used to detect genetic diversity and to
      characterize geographic genotypes across the distribution of the cotton
      fleahopper in the United States. We used 172 individuals and 559 amplified
      fragment length polymorphism loci in this study and found significant, but low,
      level of genetic differentiation among geographic populations (F(ST) = 0.02; P <
      0.0001). Molecular fingerprints of cotton fleahopper populations were partitioned
      into three broad regional genetic populations with a western, central, and
      eastern distribution. The western (Arizona) and eastern (Florida, Georgia, South
      Carolina, and North Carolina) populations are genetically distinct, whereas the
      central (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama)
      population represents an admixed population, which include both western and
      eastern populations. These results suggest considerable gene flow among the
      populations within regions but restricted gene flow among populations from
      eastern and western region.

PMID- 24224267
TI  - Colony breeding structure of the invasive termite Reticulitermes urbis (Isoptera:
      Rhinotermitidae).
AB  - Invasive species cause severe environmental and economic problems. The invasive
      success of social insects often appears to be related to their ability to adjust
      their social organization to new environments. To gain a better understanding of
      the biology of invasive termites, this study investigated the social organization
      of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes urbis, analyzing the breeding
      structure and the number of reproductives within colonies from three introduced
      populations. By using eight microsatellite loci to determine the genetic
      structure, it was found that all the colonies from the three populations were
      headed by both primary reproductives (kings and queens) and secondary
      reproductives (neotenics) to form extended-family colonies. R. urbis appears to
      be the only Reticulitermes species with a social organization based solely on
      extended-families in both native and introduced populations, suggesting that
      there is no change in their social organization on introduction. F-statistics
      indicated that there were few neotenics within the colonies from urban areas,
      which did not agree with results from previous studies and field observations.
      This suggests that although several neotenics may be produced, only few become
      active reproductives. The results also imply that the invasive success of R.
      urbis may be based on different reproductive strategies in urban and
      semiurbanized areas. The factors influencing an individual to differentiate into
      a neotenic in Reticulitermes species are discussed.

PMID- 24224269
TI  - Feeding behavior comparison of soybean aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) biotypes on
      different soybean genotypes.
AB  - Soybean aphids have become a serious pest of soybean, Glycine max L. (Merrill),
      since they were first detected in North America in 2000. Three soybean aphid
      biotypes have been documented in the United States in the last 10 yr, but few
      studies have been done on their feeding behavior in the United States The
      Electrical Penetration Graph is a convenient and successful tool to study the
      feeding behavior of piercing and sucking insects. This is the first attempt to
      study the feeding behavior differences between biotype 1 and biotype 2 on soybean
      genotypes using the Electrical Penetration Graph technique, and includes both
      resistant and susceptible soybean genotypes from Kansas and Michigan. The
      experiments were run for 9 h each for each genotype with a total of eight
      channels at a time. Results indicated that aphids feeding on susceptible
      genotypes had a significantly greater duration of sieve element phase than when
      feeding on resistant genotypes. Furthermore, the time taken to reach the first
      sieve element phase in resistant genotypes was significantly greater than in
      susceptible genotypes. Most of the aphids reached sieve element phase (> 90%) in
      susceptible genotypes, but only a few (< 30%) reached sieve element phase in
      resistant genotypes during the 9-h recording period; however, we found no
      differences in any other probing phases between resistant and susceptible
      genotypes except the number of potential drops in biotype 2. Thus, the resistance
      was largely associated with phloem tissues. Therefore, some biochemical,
      physical, or morphological factors could affect stylet penetration of aphids.

PMID- 24224270
TI  - Is it possible to control fumonisin contamination in maize kernels by using
      genotypes resistant to the Mediterranean corn borer?
AB  - Insect activity has long been associated with Fusarium infection. The objectives
      of the current study were 1) to estimate the impact of Mediterranean corn borer,
      Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre, damage on fumonisin contamination in the maize
      kernel by comparing fumonisin contamination under infestation and protected
      conditions, and 2) to measure the potential use of genotypes resistant to this
      borer as controlling factors of fumonisin contamination. Genotypes with increased
      kernel damage by borers tended to increase fumonisin accumulation under
      infestation conditions. In particular environments, other factors influenced
      fumonisin contamination more than damage by borers. When ear damage by borers is
      significant, maize resistance to ear damage could contribute to the reduction of
      fumonisin contamination in the kernels. Genotype such as EP42 x EP77 that
      combines low ear damage by borers and low fumonisin level across environments is
      a good choice to control fumonisin contamination. The use of an applicable
      methodology to identify Mediterranean corn borer-resistant genotypes to ear
      attack under artificial infestations might be a promising approach.

PMID- 24224271
TI  - Models to predict mortality of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
      exposed to elevated temperatures during structural heat treatments.
AB  - Novel thermal death models were developed with certain assumptions, and these
      models were validated by using actual heat treatment data collected under
      laboratory conditions at constant temperatures over time and in commercial food
      processing facilities where temperatures were dynamically changing over time. The
      predicted mortalities of both young larvae and adults of the red flour beetle,
      Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), were within 92-99% of actual measured insect
      mortalities. There was good concordance between predicted and observed
      mortalities of young larvae and adults of T. castaneum exposed to constant
      temperatures in laboratory growth chambers and at variable temperatures during
      structural heat treatments of commercial food-processing facilities. The models
      developed in this study can be used to determine effectiveness of structural heat
      treatments in killing young larvae and adults of T. castaneum and for
      characterizing insect thermotolerance.

PMID- 24224272
TI  - Do phosphine resistance genes influence movement and dispersal under starvation?
AB  - Phosphine resistance alleles might be expected to negatively affect energy
      demanding activities such as walking and flying, because of the inverse
      relationship between phosphine resistance and respiration. We used an activity
      monitoring system to quantify walking of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and a flight
      chamber to estimate their propensity for flight initiation. No significant
      difference in the duration of walking was observed between the strongly
      resistant, weakly resistant, and susceptible strains of R. dominica we tested,
      and females walked significantly more than males regardless of genotype. The
      walking activity monitor revealed no pattern of movement across the day and no
      particular time of peak activity despite reports of peak activity of R. dominica
      and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) under field conditions during dawn and dusk.
      Flight initiation was significantly higher for all strains at 28 degrees C and
      55% relative humidity than at 25, 30, 32, and 35 degrees C in the first 24 h of
      placing beetles in the flight chamber. Food deprivation and genotype had no
      significant effect on flight initiation. Our results suggest that known
      resistance alleles in R. dominica do not affect insect mobility and should
      therefore not inhibit the dispersal of resistant insects in the field.

PMID- 24224273
TI  - Health information management: what a ride it has been.

PMID- 24224274
TI  - Ticking time clock--or bomb?

PMID- 24224275
TI  - Analytics assemble.

PMID- 24224276
TI  - The weight of the I.T. evidence.

PMID- 24224277
TI  - Building Leaders. Interview by Elizabeth Gardner.

PMID- 24224278
TI  - Known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns: the science and the passion of
      HBO2 therapy and traumatic brain injury: an editorial perspective.

PMID- 24224279
TI  - Publication rates for Annual Scientific Meeting abstracts: a cause for concern?
      An editorial perspective.

PMID- 24224280
TI  - Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on the growth and development of medicinal maggots.
AB  - Some wound care therapists use both maggot debridement therapy (MDT) and
      hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy to treat non-healing wounds. Some practitioners
      have reported success using both MDT and HBO2 therapy concurrently; others have
      not. To begin evaluating the utility of using MDT and HBO2 therapy concurrently,
      we assessed the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) on maggot growth and
      development, as a surrogate for debridement capacity. Replicate sets of medical
      grade blowfly larvae were placed on liver-agar wound models and exposed to HBO2
      at 2.0 atmospheres absolute (atm abs) for 90 minutes on 0 (control), 1, 2 or 3
      sequential days. The effects of HBO2 exposure were quantified by measuring the
      maggots' subsequent growth and development. Exposure to HBO2 was most lethal to
      young larvae (second instars), but not to older larvae (third instars). There was
      no dose-relationship between the number of HBO2 treatments and rate of larval
      survival. Our findings suggest that maggot therapy and HBO2 therapy may be
      administered concurrently, as long as the larvae are not too immature (that is,
      as long as they are beyond the second instar) by the time they take their first
      dive. A clinical trial evaluating the clinical benefits of concurrent HBO2
      therapy and MDT is warranted.

PMID- 24224281
TI  - The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on treatment of wound complications after
      oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal salvage surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Radiation therapy alone, or combined with chemotherapy, are both
      used for cancer in the head and neck. This can lead to damage of tissue cells and
      vasculature. Surgery in such compromised tissues has increased complication
      rates, because wound healing with angiogenesis and fibroplasias requires normal
      cell growth conditions. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy raises oxygen levels in hypoxic
      tissue, stimulates angiogenesis and fibroplasia. In this report, we review the
      clinical value of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for major wounds that had shown no
      signs of healing as well as fistulas after salvage surgery in patients treated
      with (chemo)radiation of the head and neck regions. METHODS: In this
      retrospective study, 16 patients with soft-tissue wounds without signs of healing
      after salvage surgery, after radiation, and most after chemotherapy were treated
      in the head and neck regions with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The patients were
      treated by HBO2, 2.5 bars 90 minutes daily, usually 20 treatments. RESULTS: The
      healing processes seemed to be initiated and accelerated by HBO2. Fourteen of the
      16 patients healed completely. There were no life-threatening complications.
      CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy and combined chemoradiation therapy leads to damage of
      tissue cells and vasculature. Salvage surgery in such tissues has an increased
      complications rate, because wound healing requires angiogenesis and fibroplasias,
      all of which are jeopardized. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy raises oxygen levels in
      hypoxic tissue, stimulates angiogenesis and fibroplasias and is an effective and
      powerful treatment for postoperative wounds in oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal
      carcinomas surgery.

PMID- 24224282
TI  - Fate of abstracts presented at the annual scientific meeting of the Undersea and
      Hyperbaric Medical Society.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The full-text publication of abstracts presented at any given
      scientific meeting in peer-reviewed journals is accepted as a measure of
      scientific quality of that particular meeting. The aim of this study is to
      determine the full-text publication rate of abstracts presented at the 2005
      Scientific Meeting of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS).
      METHODS: We identified the scientific abstracts presented at the 2005 UHMS
      meeting and searched the PubMed database (June 2005 to July 2010) for their
      corresponding full-text publication. We recorded the following parameters for
      each of the abstracts: number of authors, number of centers involved in the
      study, statistical methods used, country of origin of the study, study type, and
      subject of the abstract. We recorded the time to publication and the title of the
      journal if the abstract had been published in a peer-reviewed journal. RESULTS:
      Overall, we identified 187 abstracts presented at the 2005 UHMS meeting. Two of
      the abstracts were excluded from the study because they had been retracted from
      the meeting and six more because they had been already published as full-text
      articles at the time the meeting was held. Of the 179 abstracts, 62 (34.6%) were
      published as full-text articles within the succeeding five years. The mean (+/-
      SD) time to publication was 18.5 (+/- 13.6) months. Multivariate analysis with
      logistic regression identified "country of origin" and "the subject of the
      abstract" as independent predictors of full-text publication. CONCLUSION: We
      found that only one-third of the abstracts presented at the 2005 UHMS meeting
      were published as full-text articles within the succeeding five years. Although
      this rate is consistent with similar studies from various disciplines, further
      research is needed to identify the specific barriers to full-text publication of
      abstracts in the field of underwater and hyperbaric medicine.

PMID- 24224283
TI  - Chamber personnel's use of Nitrox 50 during hyperbaric oxygen treatment: a
      quality study--research report.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of using Nitrox 50 as
      breathing gas during attendance in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber. METHODS:
      Paper logs between Jan.-Dec. 2011 were reviewed to analyze nitrogen gas-loading,
      actual bottom time, total bottom time and surface interval time. With the use of
      the Norwegian Diving Tables nitrogen gas-loading was converted to Repetitive
      Group Letters. Symptoms of decompression sickness and health problems related to
      hyperbaric exposures were registered at weekly staff meetings. The chamber
      personnel breathed chamber air or Nitrox 50. RESULTS: 1,207 hyperbaric exposures
      were distributed to five chamber attendants and technicians, 14 doctors, and six
      nurses. Nitrox 50 was inhaled on 978 occasions (81.0%). Median nitrogen gas
      loading after first pressurization complied with Repetitive Group Letter A (range
      A-E), second to C (range A-F), third to D (range A-F), fourth to E (range C-H),
      fifth to F (range C-H), and sixth to E (range B-G). No symptoms of decompression
      sickness were reported (95% CI 0.00-0.33%). CONCLUSION: Breathing Nitrox 50
      during repetitive hyperbaric sessions seems to be feasible and safe while meeting
      high demands in number of treatment sessions and patient flow and with fewer
      people employed in the hyperbaric unit.

PMID- 24224284
TI  - Negative pressure breathing increases cardiac output and nitrogen elimination in
      seated subjects.
AB  - During denitrogenation for rescue, crew members of an internally pressurized
      disabled submarine (DISSUB) must sit upright, which may hamper venous return,
      cardiac output and peripheral circulation. Since negative pressure breathing
      (NPB) might counteract this problem, denitrogenation was measured in sitting
      subjects performing NPB. Seven male subjects completed 125-minute nitrogen (N2)
      washouts breathing either 100% oxygen (O2) or a normoxic gas (21% O2 in argon) in
      control conditions and intermittent (I: inspirations only) or continuous (C) NPB
      at -10 or -15 cmH2O. N2 elimination was measured using a closed rebreathing
      system. INPB (intermittent) (-15cmH2O) and CNPB (continous breathing) (-10 and 
      15cmH2O) increased cardiac output (CO) 9% during both O2 and normoxic breathing.
      Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were unaffected by the CO increase,
      suggesting a peripheral vasodilatation and enhanced tissue perfusion leading to
      increased N2 elimination. With the CO boost, N2 washout increased 6% breathing O2
      at -15 cmH2O CNPB and INPB, while during normoxic breathing there were 6% and 12%
      increases due to CNBP, -10 and -15 respectively and 6% with -15cmH2O INPB;
      breathing 100% O2 yielding 5% to 15% less N2 washout than normoxic breathing.
      Negative pressure breathing during denitrogenation may facilitate decompression
      in divers and in crew members being rescued from a DISSUB.

PMID- 24224285
TI  - Swimming-induced immersion pulmonary edema while snorkeling can be rapidly life
      threatening: case reports.
AB  - It is well known that immersion pulmonary edema can be life-threatening for
      divers using a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba). Swimming
      induced pulmonary edema in otherwise healthy individuals is not an object of
      dispute but its real severity is not well known and is probably underestimated.
      We report two cases of life-threatening acute respiratory distress while swimming
      and snorkeling, one of which is well documented for swimming-induced pulmonary
      edema. The interest of these case reports lies in the suddenness of these life
      threatening events. Such accidents can mimic a loss of consciousness due to
      cardiac dysrhythmia and lead to drowning. In the case of swimming-induced
      pulmonary edema, the prognosis is far better than for a cardiac disorder, but it
      is also dependent on the efficiency of the supervision. Swimmers, divers, race
      organizers and supervising physicians should be given knowledge of this pathology
      and its potentially acute occurrence. Adequate organizational dispositions are
      mandatory to prevent swimming-induced pulmonary edema-related deaths.

PMID- 24224286
TI  - Randomized controlled trials in diving and hyperbaric medicine.
AB  - Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are widely accepted as the most appropriate
      methodology available for the investigation of health interventions. This is
      because of the low potential for systematic bias and the ability to assume
      causality. Well-designed RCTs, often modified by the addition of blinding
      participants to the treatment allocated, greatly assist physicians and funding
      agencies in deciding on the most effective and cost-efficient methods available
      to prevent and treat ill health. One of the problems for hyperbaric physicians is
      the widely scattered nature of the evidence, making retrieval and appraisal
      problematic. This review assembles the randomized evidence in order to assist
      practitioners, discusses the nature of randomized trials and explores approaches
      to designing and performing powerful and convincing trials in this area. It is
      extracted from the UHMS Report Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Indications.

PMID- 24224287
TI  - Regulatory considerations for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) indication for
      hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2).

PMID- 24224288
TI  - Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) for post-concussive syndrome/chronic TBI--product
      summary.

PMID- 24224289
TI  - Department of Defense trials for hyperbaric oxygen and TBI: issues of study
      design and questionable conclusions.

PMID- 24224290
TI  - Reply: Department of Defense trials for hyperbaric oxygen and TBI: issues of
      study design and questionable conclusions.

PMID- 24224291
TI  - Prolongation of latency is not enough in prevention of central nervous system
      oxygen toxicity.

PMID- 24224292
TI  - Diagnosis and treatment of endoleaks after endovascular repair of thoracic and
      abdominal aortic aneurysms.
AB  - A common complication of endovascular repair of a thoracic or abdominal aortic
      aneurysm (TEVAR - EVAR) is an endoleak occurring in up to 30% of cases. Endoleak
      is defined as the persistence of blood flow outside the lumen of the
      endoprosthesis, but within the aneurysm sac and can be classified into 5
      categories, depending on the blood flow into the aneurysm sac. Typical features
      of the different types of endoleaks are discussed as well as the imaging
      modalities to detect and classify an endoleak and the diverse (endovascular)
      treatment options.

PMID- 24224293
TI  - Feasibility of an optimized MR enterography protocol in the evaluation of
      pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - Cross-sectional imaging forms an important alternative and complimentary tool to
      endoscopy in aiding the clinician with diagnosis and management of pediatric
      inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the
      feasibility of an optimized Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE) protocol in the
      evaluation of patients with suspected IBD. 31 children (18 boys and 13 girls)
      were evaluated by a pediatric gastroenterologist prior to MRE and given a grading
      for clinical severity of disease. Imaging was then performed with oral contrast
      and a tailored protocol using fast T1/T2 weighted pulse sequences. Additionally,
      contrast and glucagon were administered intravenously. Imaging findings were then
      correlated with the clinical data. Excellent distension was achieved in the small
      bowel. The majority of the studies were of diagnostic quality with no motion
      artifacts. Imaging findings showed statistically significant correlation with
      disease activity. An optimized pediatric MRE protocol is feasible and correlates
      well with clinical disease activity. This in turn aids the clinician in the
      management of children with this chronic debilitating disease.

PMID- 24224294
TI  - Demographic changes in brain CT and MR imaging between 1990 and 2010.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: During the last decades, computed tomography and magnetic
      resonance imaging have revolutionized neuro-imaging. Nowadays these techniques
      are routinely used, but the extent and variation of use has been investigated
      poorly. Our purposes were to retrospectively determine the evolution in
      demographic variables and indications of cranial CT and MRI scanning in 1993,
      2000 and 2009, at our hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively studied medical and
      neurologic in- and outpatients, who underwent CT- or MR imaging of the head for
      several demographic and patient characteristics. RESULTS: We observed a modest
      increase in mean age and a marked increase in total number of cranial CT
      examinations, MR confirmation studies and repeat examinations. Metastatic
      disease, head injury and headache were indications associated with more rapid
      growth in CT use than were others. CONCLUSION: Among the 5 patient and hospital
      factors considered (total number of examinations, age, indication, MR
      confirmation study and repeat examinations), all had a significant variation
      during the past 16 years. Strict regulations with compelling guidelines for the
      rational use of brain CT and MRI are inevitable in order to control expenditure
      and radiation exposure.

PMID- 24224295
TI  - Intralobular pulmonary sequestration.

PMID- 24224296
TI  - Perforation of the urinary bladder wall by Foley catheter.

PMID- 24224297
TI  - Benign lipoma of the inferior vena cava.

PMID- 24224298
TI  - Congenital hemangioma of the skull.

PMID- 24224299
TI  - Goblet cell carcinoid tumor of the appendix.

PMID- 24224300
TI  - Bilateral branchial cleft fistula.

PMID- 24224301
TI  - Hepar lobatum carcinomatosum.

PMID- 24224302
TI  - Subacute intramural hematoma of the aorta.

PMID- 24224303
TI  - Parathyroid carcinoma.

PMID- 24224304
TI  - Lyme neuroborreliosis.

PMID- 24224305
TI  - Multifocal nodular steatosis.

PMID- 24224306
TI  - Osteoid osteoma.

PMID- 24224307
TI  - Superior vena cava syndrome caused by Behcet's disease.

PMID- 24224308
TI  - Spontaneous splenic rupture in infectious mononucleosis.

PMID- 24224309
TI  - Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferations of the fingers.

PMID- 24224310
TI  - Chondroblastoma of calcaneus.

PMID- 24224311
TI  - Avulsion fracture of the anterior inferior iliac spine.

PMID- 24224312
TI  - Aortic coarctation.

PMID- 24224313
TI  - Gallstone ileus with a biliodigestive fistula.

PMID- 24224314
TI  - Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia.

PMID- 24224315
TI  - Small bowel diverticulosis.

PMID- 24224316
TI  - Rotator interval lesion.

PMID- 24224317
TI  - Intraosseous dissecting ganglion of the knee.

PMID- 24224318
TI  - Lipoma arborescens.

PMID- 24224319
TI  - Yolk sac tumor of the ovary.

PMID- 24224320
TI  - Neonatal cephalohematoma.

PMID- 24224321
TI  - Orbital dermoid.

PMID- 24224322
TI  - Large occipital nerve (Arnold's nerve) schwannoma.

PMID- 24224323
TI  - Sprengel's shoulder.

PMID- 24224324
TI  - Giant hydronephrosis in a 42-year-old man revealed by low back pain.

PMID- 24224325
TI  - Unusual cause of pelvis pain and polyuria in an adolescent: idiopathic
      megarectum.

PMID- 24224326
TI  - Paradoxical reaction in non HIV-tuberculosis, a rare case with pancreatic
      involvement.

PMID- 24224327
TI  - Atypical obstructive submandibular sialoadenitis.

PMID- 24224328
TI  - Bilateral selective amygdala calcifications: lipoid proteinosis.

PMID- 24224329
TI  - Shopping for whole grains: an aisle-by-aisle guide.

PMID- 24224330
TI  - Cooking 101: Low-fat cooking.

PMID- 24224331
TI  - Kidney disease: dietary restrictions for prevention and treatment.

PMID- 24224332
TI  - Diabetes quiz. How much do you know about the HbA1c test?

PMID- 24224333
TI  - Everything you ever wanted to know about injecting insulin...but didn't know to
      ask.

PMID- 24224334
TI  - Recipe makeovers. Banana nut bread.

PMID- 24224335
TI  - Supermarket smarts. meat substitutes.

PMID- 24224336
TI  - Crowded plates: for CIOs, policy mandates are piling up. Just how many policy
      issues are healthcare IT leaders facing?

PMID- 24224337
TI  - Life after the Beacon. San Diego Beacon transitions into a regional HIE
      organization.

PMID- 24224338
TI  - A framework to aid VNA implementation. VNAs are an effective way to address the
      clinical content that is growing in importance as EMRs evolve as part of
      meaningful use.

PMID- 24224339
TI  - Shining a light on patient engagement. How one hospital places the tools for
      engagement in the hands of the patients.

PMID- 24224340
TI  - Why the idea of a patient portal sells itself. A patient portal that meets
      patients' expectations of convenience, accuracy, and communication for their
      healthcare. Interview by Gabriel Perna.

PMID- 24224341
TI  - A physician-first approach to clinical documentation improvement. A regional
      health system's CDI initiative enlists physicians while meeting institutional and
      cultural needs.

PMID- 24224342
TI  - Helping consumers navigate claims data. An initiative aims for transparency in
      healthcare costs.

PMID- 24224343
TI  - Digital health center at UCSF clears the path for innovation. The new initiative
      aims to drive precision medicine forward. Interview by Rajiv Leventhal.

PMID- 24224344
TI  - The value of back-channel references. How to use 'back channel' contacts to shed
      light on job candidates.

PMID- 24224345
TI  - Set up to succeed.
AB  - You've found the new CEO; onboarding will help you keep her.

PMID- 24224346
TI  - In a value-based world physician alignment is the path to success.
AB  - Building closer, more supportive relationships with physicians is the only way to
      thrive in a value-based world.

PMID- 24224347
TI  - Competitors as collaborators.
AB  - Driven by a shared mission, former rivals are forming unlikely partnerships to
      meet community needs.

PMID- 24224348
TI  - 2014 Environmental Scan.

PMID- 24224349
TI  - Fresh insights at the table.
AB  - Younger trustees can bring valuable new perspectives to boards. To recruit them,
      start streamlining meetings.

PMID- 24224350
TI  - Value moves to the forefront.
AB  - Accountable care is changing how boards protect their hospitals' continued
      viability.

PMID- 24224351
TI  - A call to eliminate disparities.
AB  - A national partnership pushes equity and diversity.

PMID- 24224352
TI  - No longer the sole provider.
AB  - A Texas system connects with local partners to expand services.

PMID- 24224353
TI  - Preying on the pancreas? Scientists debate whether newer diabetes medications do
      harm.

PMID- 24224354
TI  - Sick-day rules: What to do when you are feeling under the weather.

PMID- 24224355
TI  - Doing right in Durham: Medical professionals and residents saw needs in their
      North Carolina community--and they're taking steps to fill them.

PMID- 24224356
TI  - Shopping for insurance: Marketplaces are a new way to find health care coverage.

PMID- 24224357
TI  - Lil Jon's big effort: Why the rap superstar raised $160,000 for the American
      Diabetes Association.

PMID- 24224358
TI  - 'We make the difference': Geisinger Medical Center's ES team lives its motto.

PMID- 24224359
TI  - 'Extraordinary people. Exceptional care': Blanchard Valley Hospital ES team goes
      the extra mile.

PMID- 24224360
TI  - Cost-effective design: Saving money by selecting the right finishes.

PMID- 24224361
TI  - Calming influence: Redesigning hospital spaces for palliative care.

PMID- 24224362
TI  - Game-changing opportunities in waste recycling.

PMID- 24224363
TI  - Going for the green: Tools to help hospitals on the road to sustainability.

PMID- 24224364
TI  - Favorable response: Nurse call systems evolve to boost patient satisfaction.

PMID- 24224365
TI  - [What is your diagnosis? Deglutition disorder, spots on hands and gums].

PMID- 24224366
TI  - [These accounting items are new].

PMID- 24224367
TI  - [New guidelines for chronic constipation: relief is urgently sought].

PMID- 24224368
TI  - [Physical protection: stockings as standard in thrombosis prevention].

PMID- 24224369
TI  - [Secondary prevention: is arteriosclerosis already an illness?].

PMID- 24224370
TI  - [Risk for every tenth survivor: after cancer is before cancer].

PMID- 24224371
TI  - [Growth sector psychiatry].

PMID- 24224372
TI  - [Factitious disorders: doctors be aware].

PMID- 24224373
TI  - [To identify and treat obsessive-compulsive disorders: an overview].

PMID- 24224374
TI  - [Smoking cessation].

PMID- 24224375
TI  - [Radiating pain: disc herniation is a rare cause only].

PMID- 24224376
TI  - [Diabetes and skin].

PMID- 24224377
TI  - [Prevention and therapy of thromboembolism: rivaroxaban - better outcome - risk
      profile as standard therapy].

PMID- 24224378
TI  - [Phytotherapy instead of multiple medications: multimodal effect against cough
      and bronchitis].

PMID- 24224379
TI  - Editorial policy of the Japanese Journal of Toxicology (Semiofficial journal of
      the Japanese Association of Clinical Toxicology).

PMID- 24224380
TI  - [Diagnosis and treatment of snakebite by Mamushi and Yamakagashi].

PMID- 24224381
TI  - [Basics of mushroom poisoning: statistics and identification mushroom poisoning
      in Japan].

PMID- 24224382
TI  - [Species identification of mushrooms using molecular data].

PMID- 24224383
TI  - [Clinical toxicology of mushroom poisoning. Amanita virosa].

PMID- 24224384
TI  - [Clinical toxicology of mushroom poisoning. Omphalotus guepiniformis].

PMID- 24224385
TI  - [Clinical toxicology of mushroom poisoning. Amanita pantherina, Amanita
      ibotengutake].

PMID- 24224386
TI  - [Clinical toxicology of mushroom poisoning. Clitocybe clavipes, Coprinopsis
      atramentarius].

PMID- 24224387
TI  - [Survey of analytical works for drugs at emergency and critical care centers with
      high-performance instruments provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (at
      present: Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare) in fiscal 1998--continuation of
      survey with 2008 survey results as point of reference].
AB  - In a 2008 survey of the 73 emergency and critical care centers around the nation
      that were equipped with the drug and chemical analytical instrument provided by
      the Ministry of Welfare (currently the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare)
      in 1998, 36 of those facilities were using the analytical instruments. Of these
      36 facilities, a follow-up survey of the 17 facilities that recorded 50 or
      analyses per year. Responses were gained from 16 of the facilities and we learned
      that of those, 14 facilities (87.5%) were conducting analyses using the
      instrument. There was a positive mutual correlation between the annual number of
      cases of the 14 facilities conducting analyses with the instrument and the number
      of work hours. Depending on the instrument in use, average analytical instrument
      parts and maintenance expenses were roughly three million yen and consumables
      required a maximum three million yen for analysis of 51-200 cases per year. From
      this, we calculate that such expenses can be covered under the allowed budget for
      advanced emergency and critical care centers of 5,000 NHI points (1 point = 10
      yen). We found there were few facilities using the instrument for all 15 of the
      toxic substances recommended for testing by the Japanese Society for Clinical
      Toxicology. There tended to be no use of the analytical instrument for compounds
      with no toxicology cases. However, flexible responses were noted at each facility
      in relation to frequently analyzed compounds. It is thought that a reevaluation
      of compounds subject to analysis is required.

PMID- 24224388
TI  - Case of multiple organ failure due to benzine ingestion.
AB  - A 42-year-old woman was admitted to our ICU for acute respiratory failure due to
      benzine ingestion. On arrival at the hospital, the patient's consciousness level
      was GCS 3 and her SpO2 was 89% when receiving oxygen at 10 L/min. She was
      immediately intubated and placed on a ventilator. Chest X-ray and CT scanning
      showed a wide infiltrative pulmonary shadow bilaterally, and a diagnosis of acute
      respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was made. Subsequently, she became anuric
      and required haemodiafiltration on the 2nd day. Complications such as prolonged
      circulatory failure, liver dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation
      (DIC) were then observed, and plasma exchange therapy was initiated. The
      patient's condition improved and a complete recovery ensued. The patient remained
      suicidal and was moved to the psychiatric ward for psychiatric support. Benzine
      is purified oil containing aliphatic hydrocarbons and is liquid at room
      temperature. In this case, the patient had already ARDS that required immediate
      intubation on arrival at the hospital. On this basis, aspiration of benzine into
      the lungs was considered to have occurred concomitantly with its ingestion, which
      therefore led to the complication of chemical pneumonitis in addition to that of
      circulatory shock, acute kidney injury, liver dysfunction and DIC.

PMID- 24224389
TI  - [Case of dyspnea due to toilet cleaner containing nitric acid for household use].
AB  - A 40-year-old male tried to clean a urinal at his home storing 900 mL of a toilet
      cleaner containing 9.8% nitric acid to remove calcium deposit, and clean the
      toilet floor for twenty minutes. Immediately after using the cleaner, he
      experienced eye irritation. He washed out the toilet cleaner. However, he
      thereafter experienced dyspnea, a compressive sensation in his chest, and chest
      and back pain about 40 minutes after the cleaning the toilet. He monitored his
      symptoms overnight and found them to gradually improve. However, the symptoms
      still remained the next morning and therefore he came to our department on foot.
      He had no particular past or family history. On arrival, his physiological
      findings and chest computed tomography scan were negative for any abnormalities.
      His arterial blood gas analysis revealed a mild abnormality of oxygenation.
      Observation without any drugs revealed that a complete remission of his symptoms
      occurred after approximately 4 weeks. Based on the results of the experiments,
      contact with the mucosal membrane and nitric acid gas produced by any
      accidentally coexisting metals or contact with moisture, including nitric acid
      produced by a reaction between CaCO3 and cleaner, may have been the mechanism of
      occurrence for the symptoms observed in this case. This is the first reported
      case of nitric acid poisoning due to the use of a toilet cleanser intended for
      household use.

PMID- 24224390
TI  - [Acute poisoning of droxidopa: report of a case].

PMID- 24224391
TI  - [Practical analysis of toxic substances useful for clinical toxicology. (3)
      Detection methods of cathinone compounds].

PMID- 24224392
TI  - [Multicenter retrospective survey on a suicide trend using hydrogen sulfide].

PMID- 24224393
TI  - [Iron (III) hexacyanoferrate (II) hydrate Prussian blue insoluble)].

PMID- 24224394
TI  - [Investigation of acute aconite poisoning received in Japan Poison Information
      Center].

PMID- 24224395
TI  - Prospective evaluation of office-based injection laryngoplasty with hyaluronic
      acid gel.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The role of Juvederm Ultra Plus hyaluronic acid gel for use in
      injection laryngoplasty has not been well examined. The aim of this study was to
      prospectively assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of office-based
      injection laryngoplasty of Juvederm Ultra Plus gel in patients with glottic
      insufficiency. METHODS: Thirty patients met the criteria for study inclusion and
      were treated with unsedated office-based injection laryngoplasty of Juvederm
      Ultra Plus gel over a 20-month period. The preinjection acoustic and aerodynamic
      measures, Voice Handicap Index, Glottal Function Index, and Dysphonia Severity
      Index were compared with values recorded at 1 and 4 months after injection.
      RESULTS: Data for 27 patients were available for follow-up analysis at 1 month,
      and 12 patients' data were available at 4 months. Significant improvements,
      compared to preinjection levels (p < 0.02), were shown in all outcome measures at
      1 and 4 months. One patient required intravenous steroid therapy for delayed
      glottic inflammation that resolved without permanent sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: The
      injection of Juvederm Ultra Plus gel is a relatively safe procedure that allows
      for short-term improvements in objective and subjective outcome measures of vocal
      function in patients with glottic insufficiency, provided the surgeon remains
      alert to the possibility of postprocedural injection site inflammation.

PMID- 24224396
TI  - Carbon dioxide laser fiber for the excision of oral leukoplakia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We compared the efficacies of cold knife excision and carbon dioxide
      (CO2) laser fiber excision of oral cavity leukoplakia. METHODS: Between August
      2009 and June 2011,45 patients who underwent excision of oral cavity leukoplakia
      were assessed for operative time, use of bipolar cautery, blood loss, and number
      of intraoperative margins needed. Patients were assigned randomly to either a
      cold knife group (23 procedures) or a CO2 laser fiber group (24 procedures) at
      the time of the procedure. RESULTS: The times of excision were similar in the CO2
      laser fiber group (1.64 min/cm2) and the cold knife group (1.70 min/cm2). There
      were large differences between the CO2 laser fiber group and the cold knife group
      in the categories of bipolar cautery uses per square centimeter (0.34 uses versus
      3.32 uses) and blood loss (0.19 g/cm2 versus 2.55 g/cm2). The average number of
      margins needed to clear a specimen by frozen section was 1.21 for the CO2 laser
      fiber group and 1.83 for the cold knife group. CONCLUSIONS: The CO2 laser fiber
      did not show an advantage in operative time. The CO2 laser fiber did show better
      outcomes in the areas of blood loss, bipolar cautery use, and intraoperative
      margins needed.

PMID- 24224397
TI  - Cardiovascular and blood glucose parameters in infants during propranolol
      initiation for treatment of symptomatic infantile hemangiomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the effect of propranolol on cardiovascular
      and blood glucose parameters in infants with symptomatic infantile hemangiomas
      who were hospitalized for initiation of treatment, and to analyze adverse effects
      of propranolol throughout the course of inpatient and outpatient treatment.
      METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 50 infants (age less
      than 12 months) with symptomatic infantile hemangiomas who were hospitalized for
      propranolol initiation between 2008 and 2012. Demographic data and disease
      characteristics were recorded. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart
      rate, blood glucose values, and adverse events recorded during hospitalization
      were analyzed. An additional cohort of 200 consecutively treated children was
      also assessed for adverse events associated with outpatient propranolol use.
      RESULTS: The median age among the inpatient cohort was 3.4 months (range, 0.8 to
      12.0 months). Infants older than 6 months were more likely to exhibit bradycardia
      than were younger infants (p < 0.001). Hypotensive and/or bradycardic periods
      were infrequent and were not associated with observable clinical symptoms. The
      mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures and the mean heart rate decreased
      significantly from day 1 of hospitalization to day 2 (p = 0.004; p = 0.008; p <
      0.001), but not from day 2 to day 3, when the propranolol dose was increased to
      target. Hypoglycemia was rare (0.3% incidence.) Among the 250 outpatients, 2
      infants developed lethargy and hypoglycemia during a viral illness and recovered
      without sequelae. One infant experienced recurrent bronchospasm with viral
      illnesses and required concomitant bronchodilator therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent
      deviations from normal ranges of blood pressure and heart rate occur upon
      initiation of propranolol, but are clinically asymptomatic. These findings
      support that outpatient initiation of propranolol in healthy, normotensive
      infants appears to be a relatively safe alternative to inpatient initiation.
      Hypoglycemia is rare, but can occur throughout the treatment period; parent
      counseling is of paramount importance.

PMID- 24224398
TI  - Measurement of phonation threshold power in normal and disordered voice
      production.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and phonation threshold flow (PTF)
      are useful aerodynamic parameters, but each is sensitive to different disorders.
      A single comprehensive aerodynamic parameter sensitive to a variety of disorders
      might be beneficial in quantitative voice assessment. We performed the first
      study of phonation threshold power (PTW) in human subjects. METHODS: PTP and PTF
      were measured in 100 normal subjects, 19 subjects with vocal fold immobility, and
      94 subjects with a benign mass lesion. PTW was calculated from these two
      parameters. In 41 subjects with a polyp, measurements were obtained before and
      after excision. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to
      determine the ability of the three parameters to distinguish between controls and
      disordered groups. RESULTS: The PTW (p < 0.001), PTP (p < 0.001), and PTF (p <
      0.001) were different among the three groups. All parameters decreased after
      polyp excision. PTW had the highest area under the ROC curve for all analyses.
      CONCLUSIONS: PTW is sensitive to the presence of mass lesions and vocal fold
      mobility disorders. Additionally, changes in PTW can be observed after excision
      of mass lesions. PTW could be a useful parameter to describe the aerodynamic
      inputs to voice production.

PMID- 24224399
TI  - Muscular anatomy of the human ventricular folds.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Our purpose in this study was to better understand the muscular
      anatomy of the ventricular folds in order to help improve biomechanical modeling
      of phonation and to better understand the role of these muscles during phonatory
      and nonphonatory tasks. METHODS: Four human larynges were decalcified, sectioned
      coronally from posterior to anterior by a CryoJane tape transfer system, and
      stained with Masson's trichrome. The total and relative areas of muscles observed
      in each section were calculated and used for characterizing the muscle
      distribution within the ventricular folds. RESULTS: The ventricular folds
      contained anteriorly coursing thyroarytenoid and ventricularis muscle fibers that
      were in the lower half of the ventricular fold posteriorly, and some
      ventricularis muscle was evident in the upper and lateral portions of the fold
      more anteriorly. Very little muscle tissue was observed in the medial half of the
      fold, and the anterior half of the ventricular fold was largely devoid of any
      muscle tissue. All 4 larynges contained muscle bundles that coursed superiorly
      and medially through the upper half of the fold, toward the lateral margin of the
      epiglottis. CONCLUSIONS: Although variability of expression was evident, a well
      defined thyroarytenoid muscle was readily apparent lateral to the arytenoid
      cartilage in all specimens.

PMID- 24224400
TI  - Comparison of carbon dioxide laser-assisted versus stapler-assisted endoscopic
      cricopharyngeal myotomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We directly compared endoscopic carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and
      stapler treatment methods for both cricopharyngeal hypertrophy (CPH) and Zenker's
      diverticulum (ZD). METHODS: We performed a single-institution retrospective chart
      review of 153 patients who underwent either CO2 laser-assisted or stapler
      assisted endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy (CPM). RESULTS: Isolated CPH was more
      likely to be treated with the CO2 laser than by stapler techniques. The ZD pouch
      size decreased significantly after surgery in both laser (p = 0.04) and stapler
      (p = 0.008) groups. The average duration of the procedure for CPM was longer for
      the laser than for the stapler (p = 0.01). Both techniques were successful when
      used in revision procedures. The overall complication rates were not
      statistically significantly different. Laser surgery trended toward a higher rate
      of major complications (2.4% versus 0%). Symptomatic recurrence was more likely
      after stapler surgery (p = 0.002). The rates of revision surgery were similar in
      the two groups (3.3% for laser and 4.3% for stapler). CONCLUSIONS: In the
      treatment of isolated CPH or ZD, stapler-assisted endoscopic surgery results in a
      shorter operative time, whereas laser-assisted CPM results in a decreased
      incidence of symptomatic recurrence.

PMID- 24224401
TI  - Laryngeal obstruction by cervical and endolaryngeal lymphatic malformations in
      children: proposed staging system and review of treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We review and stage a series of congenital lymphatic malformations
      (LMs) that caused laryngeal obstruction according to a proposed staging system,
      review the treatment modalities utilized, and correlate the stage of disease with
      clinical outcomes and tracheotomy statuses. METHODS: We present a detailed
      description of the clinical presentation, management approach, and clinical
      outcome and tracheotomy status of a series of patients with laryngeal obstruction
      by LMs. A 4-part staging system (stages I to IV) for congenital LMs obstructing
      the larynx, based upon our clinical experience, is proposed. The patients were
      retrospectively reviewed and staged according to the proposed system, and
      clinical management and outcomes were correlated with the stage of disease.
      RESULTS: We identified 16 patients with laryngeal obstruction by LMs. Eighty-one
      percent (13 of 16) received sclerotherapy, and 50% (8 of 16) underwent operative
      excision or debridement. Forty percent (2 of 5) of stage I lesions, 75% (3 of 4)
      of stage II lesions, 100% (4 of 4) of stage III lesions, and 100% (3 of 3) of
      stage IV lesions were in patients who required tracheotomy. All patients who had
      stage I and II lesions and required tracheotomy have been decannulated, whereas
      only 2 of the 4 patients with stage III lesions and no patients with stage IV
      lesions have been successfully decannulated. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic malformations
      obstructing the larynx require a careful and often staged management approach. A
      proposed staging system helps to predict the need for tracheotomy and the
      likelihood of long-term tracheotomy dependence.

PMID- 24224402
TI  - Bone-anchored hearing devices in children with unilateral conductive hearing
      loss: a patient-carer perspective.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the outcome of implantation of a bone-anchored
      hearing device in children with unilateral conductive hearing loss. METHODS: A
      retrospective case note analysis was used in a tertiary referral pediatric
      hospital to study 17 consecutive cases of pediatric patients with unilateral
      conductive hearing loss who were fitted with a bone-anchored hearing device
      between 2005 and 2010. RESULTS: The average age of the patients at the time of
      bone-anchored hearing device fitting was 10 years 6 months (range, 6 years 3
      months to 16 years). Qualitative subjective outcome measures demonstrated
      benefit. The vast majority of patients reported improved social and physical
      functioning and improved quality of life. All 17 patients are currently using
      their bone-anchored hearing device on a daily basis after a follow-up of 6
      months. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown improved quality of life in children
      with unilateral hearing loss after implantation of their bone-anchored hearing
      device. There was a high degree of patient satisfaction and improvement in health
      status reported by children and/or carers. Bone-anchored hearing devices have an
      important role in the management of children with symptomatic unilateral hearing
      loss. Perhaps earlier consideration of a bone-anchored hearing device would be
      appropriate in selected cases.

PMID- 24224403
TI  - Subacute rhinitis in infants: gastroesophageal reflux must be considered.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study sought to evaluate the influence of gastroesophageal reflux
      disease (GERD) and allergy on subacute rhinitis in infants. METHODS: Mothers of
      74 infants with subacute rhinitis completed the Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux
      Questionnaire Revised. Participants with GERD were randomized to undergo one of
      the following regimens for 10 days: use of fluorometholone nasal drops with
      positional and feeding changes; positional and feeding changes; or a placebo.
      RESULTS: The daily amount of nasal secretion decreased by 75.9% (p < 0.001), the
      intensity of swallowing difficulty by 79.2% (p < 0.001), and the incidence of
      uneasiness by 92.0% (p < 0.001) in infants treated with nasal glucocorticoid and
      positional and feeding changes; and the percentage differences in the amount of
      nasal secretion (p < 0.001), feeding difficulty (p < 0.001), and uneasiness (p <
      0.001) were greater than those in the group treated with positional and feeding
      changes. The infants treated with placebo did not improve. The influence of nasal
      allergy was nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease might
      contribute to aggravation of subacute rhinitis in infants.

PMID- 24224404
TI  - Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits diesel exhaust particle-induced
      inflammation of human middle ear epithelial cells via NOX4 inhibition.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Otitis media is one of the most common diseases in pediatric
      populations. Recent research on its pathogenesis has focused on air pollution.
      Chronic exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with the impairment
      of middle ear function. However, the mechanisms and the underlying inhibitory
      pathways, especially in the human middle ear, remain unknown. Caffeic acid
      phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a biologically active ingredient of propolis, a product
      of honeybee hives, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of CAPE on diesel exhaust
      particle (DEP)-induced inflammation of human middle ear epithelial cells and to
      determine the underlying pathway of the action of CAPE. METHODS: The inflammatory
      damage caused by DEPs and the anti-inflammatory effects of CAPE were determined
      by measuring the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nicotinamide adenine
      dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) 4 with real-time reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The oxidative stress induced
      by DEPs and the anti-oxidative effects of CAPE were directly evaluated by
      measuring reactive oxygen species production by use of flow cytometric analysis
      of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. The effects of CAPE were compared with
      those of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory
      effects. RESULTS: Use of CAPE significantly inhibited DEP-induced up-regulation
      of tumor necrosis factor alpha and NOX4 expression in a dose- and time-dependent
      manner. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species induced by DEPs was decreased
      by pretreatment with CAPE. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of
      CAPE were similar to those of N-acetyl-L-cysteine. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammation
      induced by DEP is reduced by CAPE via the inhibition of NOX4 expression. These
      findings suggest that CAPE might be used as a therapeutic agent against DEP
      induced inflammation of human middle ear epithelial cells.

PMID- 24224405
TI  - Comparison between transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement: a single
      center experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: A comparison was made of the outcomes after
      transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve
      replacement (AVR) in high-risk patients. METHODS: All patients aged > 75 years
      that underwent a procedure for severe aortic stenosis with or without coronary
      revascularization at the authors' institution were included in the study; thus,
      64 patients underwent TAVI and 188 underwent AVR. Patients in the TAVI group were
      older (mean age 84 +/- 5 versus 80 +/- 4 years; p < 0.0001) and had a higher
      logistic EuroSCORE (p = 0.004). RESULTS: Six patients (9%) died during the
      procedure in the TAVI group, and 23 (12%) died in the AVR group (p = 0.5).
      Predictors for mortality were: age (p < 0.0001), female gender (p = 0.02), and
      surgical valve replacement (p = 0.01). Gradients across the implanted valves at
      one to three months postoperatively were lower in the TAVI group (p < 0.0001).
      Actuarial survival at one, two and three years was 78%, 64% and 64%,
      respectively, for TAVI, and 83%, 78% and 75%, respectively, for AVR (p = 0.4).
      Age was the only predictor for late mortality (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: TAVI
      patients were older and posed a higher predicted surgical risk. Procedural
      mortality was lower in the TAVI group, but mid-term survival was similar to that
      in patients undergoing surgical AVR. Age was the only predictor for late
      survival. These data support the referral of high-risk patients for TAVI.

PMID- 24224406
TI  - Advanced age per se should not be an exclusion criterion for minimally invasive
      aortic valve replacement.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve
      implantation (TAVI), coupled with the increasing number of elderly patients
      requiring cardiac surgery, has given rise to an intense debate on the most
      appropriate treatment strategy for this high-risk population. The study aim was
      to compare clinical outcomes in older versus younger patients undergoing
      minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: Between March 2010
      and July 2012, 66 patients undergoing minimally invasive isolated AVR with the
      sutureless Perceval S bioprosthesis (Sorin Group, Saluggia, Italy) were allocated
      to two groups according to age > or = 80 years (group A, n = 25) or < 80 years
      (group B, n = 41). In-hospital and follow up data were collected for all
      patients, including an evaluation of the patients' quality of life, using the SF
      36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age and logistic EuroSCORE were statistically
      different between groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). The length of
      intensive care unit stay was similar in groups A and B (1.9 +/- 0.8 and 2.5 +/-
      1.4 days, respectively; p = 0.061). In-hospital mortality occurred in only one
      patient of group A (1.5%). Postoperative transient cerebral ischemic events
      occurred with similar frequency in both groups (two in group A and four in group
      B; p = 0.59). One patient in group A and two patients in group B required
      pacemaker implantation (1.5 versus 3%; p = 0.68). The mean follow up was 13.9 +/-
      7.4 months, during which time three patients died (two in group A, one in group
      B). All enrolled patients answered the SF-36 questionnaire, and there were no
      significant differences between groups in all eight domains of the test.
      CONCLUSION: Within the setting of minimally invasive isolated AVR, the study
      results showed that the clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients aged >
      or = 80 years were comparable to those of younger patients. Therefore, advanced
      age per se does not preclude successful AVR through a minimally invasive
      approach.

PMID- 24224407
TI  - Percutaneous temporary aortic valve: a proof-of-concept animal model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: An early prototype of a temporary aortic valve
      (TAV) catheter system was evaluated for its potential to serve as an integrated
      device for aortic valve intervention and replacement. The prototype consisted of
      two essential components: a central catheter for the delivery of aortic valve
      interventional tools (valve debulking, resection, replacement); and a balloon
      inflatable temporary valve for hemodynamic support when the native aortic valve
      is removed. After valve replacement, the TAV catheter system is designed to be
      readily withdrawn from the subject. METHODS: Individual aspects of both
      components of the prototype were examined in experiments with four pigs. The
      central catheter was used to deliver a self-expanding stent for native aortic
      valve ablation to create acute severe aortic insufficiency (AI). The balloon-TAV
      was deployed in the proximal aorta to control the induced AI.
      Electrocardiographic (ECG), cardiac output (CO), pulmonary wedge pressure (PWP),
      left ventricular (LV) pressure, and aortic pressure proximal and distal from the
      TAV were recorded. RESULTS: The central catheter was successful in delivering and
      deploying the valve ablation stent at the annulus to create massive AI; the LV
      diastolic pressure was increased from 12.6 +/- 1.1 to 32.4 +/- 2.0 mmHg (p <
      0.001) with valve ablation. The deployed TAV in the proximal aorta led to a re
      narrowing of the distal pulse pressure with a drop in the LV diastolic pressure
      to 21.5 +/- 1.5 mmHg (p < 0.001). During TAV support, some PWP lowering and a CO
      rise occurred, but these did not achieve statistical significance; no significant
      acute ECG changes were noted. CONCLUSION: In this early prototype, the TAV
      catheter system demonstrated the potential to serve as an integrated device for
      both aortic valve modification and replacement.

PMID- 24224408
TI  - Optimal results of aortic valve replacement with small mechanical valves (< 19
      mm).
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Controversy exists regarding the optimal
      operative method or type of prosthesis for patients with a small aortic root. The
      aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the early and mid-term
      outcomes of standard aortic valve replacement (AVR) using 16 mm or 18 mm ATS
      Advanced Performance (AP) or 17 mm St. Jude Medical (SJM) Regent valves for a
      small aortic root. METHODS: Between April 2003 and August 2009, 78 patients (age
      range: 50-86 years; 86% aged > or = 65 years) underwent AVR with 16 mm or 18 mm
      ATS AP valves (16AP group: n = 21, 18AP group: n = 32), or a 17 mm SJM Regent
      valve (17Regent group: n = 25). Fifty-six patients (72%) had a body surface area
      (BSA) of < 1.5 m2; the BSA in the 16AP group was significantly smaller than in
      the other two groups. The early and mid-term outcomes, and the hemodynamic
      performance of the prostheses, were evaluated and compared among the groups.
      RESULTS: No operative deaths were observed in the 16AP and 17Regent groups, but
      one hospital death occurred in the 18AP group. During follow up, there were four
      cardiac-related deaths (two patients each in the 16AP and 18AP groups). Although
      the postoperative pressure gradient of the 16AP group was significantly higher
      than that of the 18AP group, the left ventricular mass in all groups was
      decreased significantly during follow up, but the extent of left ventricular mass
      regression was similar among the groups (-30%, -25% and -28% in the 16AP,
      17Regent and 18AP groups, respectively; p = 0.844). CONCLUSION: The early and mid
      term results of AVR with 16 mm or 18 mm ATS AP valves, or with a 17 mm SJM Regent
      valve, were satisfactory. Therefore, standard AVR using these small mechanical
      prostheses, which avoids the need to enlarge the annulus or to conduct stentless
      bioprosthesis implantation, might represent an acceptable method, especially in
      elderly patients with a small aortic root.

PMID- 24224409
TI  - Relationship between morphologic features of myocardial tissue and left
      ventricular function in patients with aortic valve disease and left ventricular
      hypertrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to investigate the correlation
      of myocardial fibrosis with myocardial remodeling and clinical outcome of aortic
      valve replacement (AVR) in patients with aortic stenosis and left ventricular
      (LV) hypertrophy. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2010, a total of 43 patients (23
      males, 20 females; mean age 65.5 +/- 10.6 years; range: 33-84 years) underwent
      AVR at the authors' institution. During surgery, specimens (10 mm3) were obtained
      from the LV outflow tract and stained with Masson's trichrome. The fibrosis
      fraction (FF) was quantified. The mean follow up duration was 18.8 +/- 12.2
      months (range: 0-46 months). Patients were allocated to either of two groups: the
      lower fibrosis (LF) group (n = 24) with FF < 5%, and the higher fibrosis (HF)
      group (n = 19) with FF > or = 5%. RESULTS: There were no significant differences
      between the two groups in terms of preoperative NYHA functional class and
      complications. In total, 33 patients (19 LF and 14 HF) were followed up for at
      least six months. The preoperative LV mass index (LVMI) and LV ejection fraction
      (LVEF) were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.805 and p =
      0.377, respectively). At the last follow up examination the LVMI showed a
      significant inter-group difference (LF group 111.4 +/- 23.2 g/m2; HF group 91.9
      +/- 21.5 g/m2; p = 0.005), but the LVEF did not differ significantly between
      groups (p = 0.457). There was one early (non-cardiac) death in the LF group, and
      one early death and one late death (both cardiac-related) in the HF group.
      CONCLUSION: In patients with aortic stenosis, a higher LVMI was not related to
      more severe myocardial fibrosis, and LV mass regression after AVR was not
      influenced by the severity of the myocardial fibrosis. Rather, cardiac-related
      death might be related to a highly fibrotic heart.

PMID- 24224410
TI  - Aortic valve leaflet glycosaminoglycans composition and modification in severe
      chronic valve regurgitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The surgical segments of aortic valve leaflets
      from patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation were analyzed (by
      percentage and structure) for their content of complex polysaccharides and
      glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and compared with control segments. METHODS: The GAG,
      hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) and
      disaccharide contents were determined in segments (leaflet, root attachment
      region and belly) of aortic valve leaflets (non-coronary, left coronary and right
      coronary) using a multi-analytical approach. RESULTS: The aortic valve leaflets
      showed the presence of HA and CS/DS, with an overall charge density of -0.51
      0.55. The CS/DS polymers showed a 4-sulfated/6-sulfated ratio of -0.70-0.77 in
      the belly, and -1.60-1.72 in commissure parts (-/+124%). The total amount of GAGs
      was -1.60-2.40 microg/mg of tissue. A significant increase in sulfated GAGs was
      observed in all valve parts in patients suffering from severe aortic
      insufficiency, as well as an increase in the 4-sulfated/6-sulfated ratio in the
      leaflet belly (-/+102%). CONCLUSION: It is speculated that differences in 4
      sulfated/6-sulfated ratio determined in the belly and leaflet attachment region
      commissure parts of the leaflets may correlate with the tensile or compressive
      loading of normal aortic valve regions. At the same time, it may be assumed that
      the increase in sulfated GAGs and 4-sulfated/6-sulfated ratio in the leaflet
      belly of valves taken from patients suffering severe aortic insufficiency was
      consistent with an altered matrix microstructure capable of influencing the
      hydration of these pathological tissues, and of conditioning their mechanical
      weakness.

PMID- 24224411
TI  - Evaluation of cardiac valvular regurgitant lesions by cardiac MRI sequences:
      comparison of a four-valve semi-quantitative versus quantitative approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging
      generally allows a more accurate and valid quantification of cardiac function,
      mass and regurgitant volumes than echocardiography. Although recent technological
      advancements in CMR have made the evaluation of cardiac valves more reliable, no
      studies have yet been conducted to compare semi-quantitative grading (SQG) using
      CMR steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences with quantitative grading (QG)
      based on stroke volumes and phase-velocity mapping (PVM). It is proposed that the
      SQG of cardiac valvular regurgitations based on CMR SSFP sequences is feasible,
      and highly correlative with standard CMR QG methods. METHODS: CMR data obtained
      between January 2007 and December 2011 was evaluated prospectively for valvular
      regurgitant lesions. Patients were included if they had right and left
      ventricular volumetrics based on CMR SSFP sequences and PVM across the aortic and
      pulmonic valves with reported regurgitant volumes and fractions. Patients were
      excluded if they had prosthetic valves, cardiac arrhythmias and intra-cardiac
      shunts. Regurgitant lesions were semi-quantitatively (visually) graded on a
      standard scale of 0 to 4 (trace, mild, moderate, moderate to severe, and severe)
      and compared with quantitative regurgitant fractions. Correlations were evaluated
      by Spearman's rho formula, and kappa for intra- and inter-observer variabilities
      were obtained on 30% of the study sample. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients (58
      males, 39 females; average age 55 +/- 18 years) representing 134 valvular
      regurgitations [mitral (MR), aortic (AR), tricuspid (TR), and pulmonary (PR)]
      were analyzed by semiquantitative and quantitative methods. The regurgitant
      lesions included 44 mitral, 50 aortic, 29 tricuspid, and 11 pulmonary. The
      correlation between SQR versus QG yielded the following results: 0.67, p < 0.001
      (MR, r = 0.66, p < 0.001; AR, r = 0.68, p < 0.002; TR, r = 0.68, p = 0.001; PR, r
      = 0.70, p = 0.017). The results for QG versus SQG accounting for clinically
      significant differences of +/- 1 grade for the group were as follows: 0.95, p <
      0.001 (MR, r = 0.91, p < 0.001; AR, r = 0.96, p < 0.001; TR, r = 0.99, p < 0.001;
      PR, r = 0.93, p < 0.001). No discrepancy between surgical regurgitation was
      present (3+ versus 4+). Weighted kappa results were 0.67 and 0.61 for intra- and
      inter-observer variabilities. CONCLUSION: The visual assessment of cardiac
      regurgitant lesions is reliable, accurate and reproducible when compared to
      formal quantitative analysis via CMR. This confirms a robust role for CMR in
      assessing regurgitant lesions, particularly for surgical decision-making. These
      results were applicable to patients in sinus rhythm at the time of scanning.

PMID- 24224413
TI  - Impact of postoperative cusp configuration on midterm durability after aortic
      root reimplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to examine the
      echocardiographic features associated with recurrent aortic regurgitation (AR)
      after valve-preserving aortic root reconstruction surgery. METHODS:
      Echocardiographic data from 86 patients who underwent aortic root replacement
      with or without cusp repair were retrospectively reviewed. An analysis was
      conducted of the height difference between the level of the ventriculoaortic
      junction (VAJ) and the central free margin of the cusp, defined as the effective
      height (EH), and the length from the aortic annulus to the edge of the body of
      Arantius, defined as the geometric height (GH), in addition to root dimensions
      (diameter of VAJ, sinus of Valsalva, and sinotubular junction). RESULTS: All
      patients presented with < or = mild AR at discharge. After a median follow up
      duration of 46.4 months, the development of moderate AR or greater was observed
      in 14 patients. The overall actuarial freedom from moderate AR or greater, and
      freedom from reoperation at three and five years were 86.2 +/- 4.4% and 81.8 +/-
      5.2%, and 94.0 +/- 3.0% and 91.8 +/- 3.6%, respectively. The postoperative EH
      (7.47 +/- 3.3 mm in > mild AR group, versus 8.81 +/- 2.1 mm in < or = mild AR
      group, p = 0.049), the incidence of postoperative eccentric jet (57.1% in > mild
      AR group versus 12.5% in < or = mild AR group, p = 0.0005) and cusp billowing
      (78.6% in > mild AR group versus 20.8% in < or = mild AR group, p < 0.0001) were
      significantly correlated with > mild AR in the follow up. There was also
      correlation between postoperative EH and the severity of recurrent AR at follow
      up (p = -0.33, p = 0.0019). CONCLUSION: Objective information on cusp
      configuration, such as EH, should play an important role in stabilizing the
      outcome of valve-sparing surgery.

PMID- 24224412
TI  - Aortic root replacement with a stented bioprosthetic valved conduit: mid-term
      results.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: For patients who require aortic root replacement
      but are unwilling or unable to receive anticoagulants, a composite conduit was
      assembled intraoperatively that contained a stented biological valve sutured
      inside a vascular tube graft, rather than at its extremity. This simple
      modification of the Bentall concept may provide several advantages. The results
      obtained with this conduit over an 11-year period were analyzed. METHODS: Between
      May 2001 and April 2012, 101 consecutive patients (mean age 68.3 +/- 9.2 years)
      underwent aortic root replacement with the bioprosthetic valved conduit. Aortic
      pathologies included degenerative disease in 61 patients (60.4%), atherosclerosis
      in 20 (19.8%), annuloaortic ectasia in 12 (11.9%), porcelain aorta in four
      (4.0%), and acute dissection in four (4.0%). The whole ascending aorta was
      replaced in 79 patients (78.2%); a hemiarch reconstruction and a total arch
      replacement were added in 18 (17.8%) and four (4.0%) patients, respectively.
      Hypothermic circulatory arrest was performed in 60 cases (59.4%). Forty patients
      (39.6%) underwent additional cardiac procedures. All perioperative data were
      collected prospectively. RESULTS: There were five (5.0%) hospital deaths. During
      a mean follow up of 3.8 +/- 2.4 years there were two non-valve-related cardiac
      deaths and five noncardiac deaths. The seven-year actuarial survival was 79.2%
      (95% CI 67.0-91.4%). Bioprosthetic structural dysfunction occurred in only one
      patient; reoperation was easily performed by replacing the valve within the
      vascular graft. In the remaining 88 patients (87.1%), echocardiographic
      assessment showed a low transaortic mean pressure gradient (7.2 +/- 4.7 mmHg) and
      left ventricular wall mass reduction (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: This valved
      conduit is a safe and durable option for replacing the aortic root, thus
      facilitating the technique of implantation and simplifying reoperation in the
      case of valve failure.

PMID- 24224414
TI  - Predictive value of five risk scores to predict outcomes after aortic valve
      replacement in octogenarians.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Operative risk is assessed preoperatively
      through the use of predictive scores. The study aim was to evaluate the validity
      of five different scoring systems, including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons
      (STS) score, additive and logistic European systems (EuroSCORE 1) for cardiac
      operative risk evaluation, EuroSCORE 2, and the Ambler score in octogenarian
      patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: A total of 225
      patients aged > or = 80 years with aortic stenosis underwent isolated AVR between
      January 1996 and September 2010. All five scores were evaluated with regards to
      their accuracy in predicting operative mortality, mortality at one year, and the
      capacity to identify those patients most likely to die during long-term follow
      up. RESULTS: The observed operative mortality rate was 7.6%. The
      observed/expected ratios calculated for perioperative mortality were 0.42, 0.87,
      1.16 and 1.16 for the logistic EuroSCORE, Ambler score, STS score and EuroSCORE 2
      cohorts, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow statistical test showed that all five
      scores were well calibrated. The STS score was a good test for predicting
      operative mortality (AUC 0.81) and the EuroSCORE 2 was fair (AUC 0.72). In terms
      of predicting the one-year mortality rate, the STS score was ranked as fair (AUC
      > 0.7). It was noted that patients with a STS score > or = 75th percentile were
      more likely to die during the follow up period. CONCLUSION: The STS score
      appeared to be more adequate for predicting operative mortality among patients
      aged > or = 80 years. STS scores were predictive of both one-year and long-term
      survival rates. These results indicated that the STS score could be used to guide
      clinical decision-making for performing AVR in elderly patients.

PMID- 24224415
TI  - Surgical relocation of the papillary muscles in functional ischemic mitral
      regurgitation: what are the forces of the relocation stitches acting on the
      myocardium?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: In patients with chronic functional ischemic
      mitral regurgitation (FIMR), papillary muscle relocation has the potential to
      induce reverse left ventricular remodeling. However, in order to optimize
      function and durability, the forces imposed on the left ventricular myocardium by
      papillary muscle relocation should be assessed. METHODS: Eight pigs with FIMR
      were subjected to down-sized ring annuloplasty in combination with relocation of
      the anterior (5 mm) and posterior (15 mm) papillary muscles towards the
      respective trigone. Papillary muscle relocation was obtained by a 2-0 expanded
      polytetrafluoroethylene stitch fixed to the trigone, exteriorized through the
      myocardium overlying the papillary muscle, and fixed to an epicardial disc.
      Tension in these stitches was measured at a systolic blood pressure > 80 mmHg
      using a custom-made sliding caliper with a strain gauge mounted in line. This
      allowed assessment of the cyclic change from minimal diastolic to maximum
      systolic papillary muscle relocation stitch tension. RESULTS: Maximum cyclic
      change in the posterior papillary muscle (PPM) stitch tension was 1.1 N at 15 mm
      relocation. In comparison, the anterior papillary muscle (APM) tension was
      increased to a maximum of 1.4 N with only 5 mm relocation. Surprisingly, during
      each step of isolated PPM relocation, the APM stitch tension increased
      concomitantly, but in contrast APM relocation did not influence the magnitude of
      PPM stitch tension. There was no statistically significant difference between
      cyclic changes in APM and PPM stitch tension at any step of relocation.
      CONCLUSION: Papillary muscle relocation using stitches attached between
      epicardial discs and respective trigones induced a cyclic change in papillary
      muscle relocation stitch tension of 1.1-1.4 N. These values were in the range of
      normal tension in the mitral valve apparatus, and equivalent to only 19-24% of
      the total papillary muscle forces. Therefore, this technique does not appear to
      induce a non-physiologically high cyclic load on the mitral valve complex.

PMID- 24224416
TI  - Mitral valve resistance correlates more closely with left atrial deformation than
      with conventional indices of rheumatic mitral stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The relationship between mitral valve (MV)
      resistance and left atrial (LA) mechanical function is unknown. Hence, the study
      aim was to investigate the relationship between LA mechanics and MV resistance,
      compared to conventional indices such as mitral valve area (MVA) and transmitral
      gradient, in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS). METHODS: The study
      population consisted of 73 patients with MS and 30 age- and gender-matched
      controls. MV resistance was calculated and LA strain parameters were assessed
      from the apical four-chamber view by speckle tracking echocardiography (LA
      reservoir strain, LA pump strain, LA strain rate (SR)) in all subjects. RESULTS:
      The MS group has a markedly higher MV resistance (94 +/- 46 versus 67 +/- 22
      dynes x s x cm(-5), p = 0.003) and lower LA reservoir strain (24.5 +/- 7.4%
      versus 36.6 +/- 3.8%, p < 0.001), LA pump strain (12.0 +/- 5.0% versus 17.1 +/-
      3.4%, p < 0.001) and SR (1.23 +/- 0.33 versus 1.4 +/- 0.29, p = 0.017) values
      compared to controls. Moreover, both LA reservoir strain and LA pump strain
      correlated with MV resistance more closely than did MVA and transmitral
      gradients. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed only MV resistance to be
      an independent predictor of LA reservoir strain, while MV resistance, indexed
      left atrial volume and mean gradient were independent predictors of LA pump
      strain. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that, in patients with MS, mitral valve
      resistance was more closely related to LA mechanics measurements than were
      conventional indices of MS.

PMID- 24224417
TI  - Mitral subvalvular plasty for chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation: a
      preliminary experimental model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Restrictive annuloplasty remains the most
      widespread technique for the correction of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation
      (IMR). However, this technique only partially corrects the underlying
      pathophysiology and does not address the restricted leaflet motions during
      systole that result from progressive left ventricular (LV) remodeling. METHODS: A
      novel experimental model of IMR was developed using an isolated pig heart placed
      on a hydrodynamic test-stand. A T-shaped LV patch was sutured onto the posterior
      wall of the left ventricle to simulate LV dilatation secondary to post-MI
      remodeling. RESULTS: Using this model, a novel technique of subvalvular mitral
      valvuloplasty was described that reduces the distance between the posterior
      mitral annulus and the papillary muscle base and appears to be effective in
      eliminating IMR. Pledgetted 2-0 non-absorbable sutures were placed at the base of
      one papillary muscle, then through the other papillary muscle and then brought to
      the posterior mitral annulus. The same sequence was repeated in the other
      direction. A specific formula was then used to calculate the length of the
      subvalvular support prior to suture tying. CONCLUSION: Subvalvular support of the
      mitral apparatus in chronic IMR can be achieved using this simple method, which
      appears to be effective in eliminating IMR. Further data relating to the use of
      this technique in the clinical setting as an adjunct to mitral annuloplasty are
      forthcoming.

PMID- 24224418
TI  - Three-dimensional echocardiographic assessment before and after percutaneous
      transvenous mitral commissurotomy in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Real-time three-dimensional transthoracic
      echocardiography (RT3DE) is a relatively recent imaging technique that provides
      excellent image quality of the mitral valve. It has been suggested that this new
      echocardiographic modality, which allows a precise cross-section of the mitral
      orifice at the tips of the leaflets with correct plane orientation, may provide a
      more accurate assessment of rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) than two-dimensional
      echocardiography (2DE), before and after percutaneous transvenous mitral
      commissurotomy (PTMC). METHODS: A total of 50 patients with symptomatic mitral
      stenosis who underwent PTMC was evaluated prospectively. Patients in all age
      groups, with evidence of severe MS admitted to the authors' institution, in whom
      PTMC was feasible were included. RESULTS: A good valve opening was observed in 45
      patients (90%). The mitral valve area (MVA) assessed before PTMC with 3DE (3D
      MVA) correlated well with that assessed with 2DE (2D-MVA) (0.85 +/- 0.12 cm2
      versus 0.86 +/- 0.13 cm2, p < 0.001); the mean difference between methods was
      small (0.01 +/- 0.11 cm2) and correlation excellent (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). After
      PTMC, values of 3D-MVA did not differ from, and correlated well with, values of
      2D-MVA (1.79 +/- 0.20 cm2 versus 1.74 +/- 0.18 cm2, p = 0.006); the mean
      difference between methods was small (0.05 +/- 0.02 cm2) and correlation
      excellent (r = 0.76, p = 0.0001). Before PTMC, Bland-Altman analysis showed a
      good agreement between methods (mean difference -0.01 +/- 0.11 cm2, lower limit 
      0.24, upper limit 0.22). After PTMC, Bland-Altman analysis showed a good
      agreement between methods (mean difference -0.05 +/- 0.13 cm2, lower limit -0.3,
      upper limit 0.2). Evaluation of the commissural opening after PTMC, using RT3DE,
      showed that excellent commissural evaluation was possible in all patients.
      Compared with RT3DE, an underestimation of the degree of commissural fusion using
      2DE was observed in 32%, with a weak agreement between methods. CONCLUSION: RT3DE
      provided accurate measurements of MVA, similar to 2D planimetry. RT3DE also
      improved the description of valvular anatomy and provided a unique assessment of
      the extent of commissural splitting.

PMID- 24224419
TI  - Impact of rheumatic mitral stenosis on aortic elastic properties.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Although mitral stenosis has profound effects on
      the circulation and hemodynamics, few data exist regarding its impact on aortic
      elastic properties. The study aim was to determine the association between mitral
      stenosis and aortic elastic properties by using strain and distensibility as a
      surrogate. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with echocardiographic documentation of
      rheumatic mitral stenosis, and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy control
      subjects were enrolled in the study. Aortic elasticity parameters including
      strain and distensibility were measured by means of echocardiography. RESULTS:
      The mean age of the patient and control groups were 41.8 +/- 12.0 and 38.9 +/-
      5.0 years, respectively (p = 0.12). There was a significant impairment in
      distensibility and strain in the patient group compared to controls (0.276 +/-
      0.167 versus 0.491 +/- 0.260 cm2 x dyn(-1), p = 0.001; 6.54 +/- 3.18% versus 9.19
      +/- 4.78%, p = 0.015). There was a strong correlation between distensibility and
      left atrial diameter (p < 0.001; r = -0.39), left atrial volume index (p < 0.001;
      r = -0.56), mitral valve area (p < 0.001; r = 0.40), and mean transmitral
      gradient (p = 0.022; r = -0.18). Strain was also associated with left atrial
      diameter (p = 0.002; r = -0.32), left atrial volume index (p < 0.001; r = -0.41),
      mitral valve area (p = 0.002; r = 0.31), and mean transmitral gradient (p =
      0.035; r = -0.18). CONCLUSION: Mitral stenosis was shown to be associated with
      impaired aortic elasticity, but further studies are required to clarify the
      clinical significance of this finding.

PMID- 24224420
TI  - Symmetrical papillary muscle approximation for functional mitral regurgitation
      with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
AB  - The cases are reported of mitral valve repair with symmetrical papillary muscle
      approximation from heads to bases close to cardiac apex for functional mitral
      regurgitation (FMR). The two papillary heads attaching the chordae to both
      leaflets from the posteromedial papillary muscle were approximated parallel to
      the solitary head of the anterolateral papillary muscle. This procedure permits
      an even reduction of lateral shift of the papillary muscle, resulting in an
      elimination of mitral tethering, and provides a satisfactory and durable mitral
      valve repair with good outcomes in patients with idiopathic dilated
      cardiomyopathy and FMR.

PMID- 24224421
TI  - Fresh autologous pericardium for leaflet perforation repair in mitral valve
      infective endocarditis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: There is clear evidence that mitral valve (MV)
      repair is superior to replacement for MV infective endocarditis (IE). Leaflet
      perforation is a common pathologic finding in MV IE, and leaflet patch repair
      with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous or bovine pericardium is the currently
      accepted method of MV repair. In the present study, fresh autologous pericardium
      (FAP) was used universally to treat leaflet perforation in MV IE, and the mid
      term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were determined. METHODS: Between
      2002 and 2009, a total of 20 patients with leaflet perforations from MV IE
      underwent patch repair with FAP. Follow up echocardiography was performed in a
      core laboratory. RESULTS: There was one operative death (5%) secondary to sepsis,
      and three late deaths (15%). Late echocardiograms were available for review from
      16 of the 19 patients (84%) who survived surgery. The mean time to follow up
      echocardiography was 793 +/- 663 days. The mitral regurgitation (MR) grade was
      mild or less in 14/16 patients (88%), moderate in one patient (6%), and severe in
      one patient (6%). The mean gradient was 4.8 +/- 2.7 mmHg, and the ejection
      fraction was preserved in all patients (63 +/- 4%). No expansion, retraction or
      calcification of the patches was observed. Freedom from reoperation, reinfection
      and thromboembolism was 100%. CONCLUSION: Fresh autologous pericardium for MV
      leaflet patch repair in IE is associated with good mid-term valve function. Given
      the association between late calcification and the glutaraldehyde treatment of
      bioprosthetic valves and this favorable experience, it is believed that FAP is an
      acceptable alternative for leaflet repair in MV IE.

PMID- 24224422
TI  - Comparison between early and late prosthetic valve endocarditis: clinical
      characteristics and outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is
      considered a time-related event. The study aim was to compare the clinical
      characteristics and outcomes of early- and late-onset PVE, and to investigate
      potential preventive measures for each condition. METHODS: A total of 47
      consecutive patients undergoing surgery for PVE between January 1986 and December
      2011 were analyzed retrospectively, and classified as an early-onset group (n =
      26; PVE occurring within 12 months after previous surgery) and late-onset group
      (n = 21; PVE occurring after 12 months). RESULTS: The prosthetic valve position
      significantly affected the incidence of endocarditis: 21 cases (80.7%) in the
      early-onset group had infected aortic prostheses, while 18 (85.7%) in the late
      onset group had infected mitral prostheses (p = 0.028). PVE significantly
      affected bioprosthetic valves in the early-onset group (18 cases, 69.2%) and
      mechanical valves in the late-onset group (17 cases, 80.9%) (p < 0.01).
      Staphylococcus spp. infections were predominant in the early-onset group (21
      cases, 80.7%), and Streptococcus spp. in the late-onset group (five cases, 23.8%)
      (p = 0.03). Operative deaths occurred in both the early-onset (n = 6; 23.0%) and
      late-onset (n = 2; 9.5%) groups (p = 0.11). The long-term mortality in the early
      onset and late-onset groups, respectively, was 40.3 +/- 17.7% and 85.1 +/- 7.9%
      at 10 years, and 40.3 +/- 17.7% and 72.9 +/- 13.1% at 15 years (p 0.047). Freedom
      from recurrent endocarditis after two years in the early- and late-onset groups,
      respectively, was 67.8 +/- 10.1% and 88.8 +/- 7.4% (p = 0.048). CONCLUSION:
      Clinical characteristics and outcomes differed significantly between early- and
      late-onset PVE. The clinical outcomes of patients with early PVE tend to be
      serious, and therefore stringent care should be taken to avoid contamination
      during the initial surgery and hence to reduce the incidence of the condition.

PMID- 24224423
TI  - Technique to treat extensive abscesses in double valve replacement for prosthetic
      valve endocarditis.
AB  - A 52-year-old man, who underwent double valve replacement for native valve
      infectious endocarditis, developed prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) at nine
      months after the initial operation. Operative findings revealed a wide aortic
      annular abscess, which extended through the intervalvular fibrous body to the
      mitral annulus. The infected mitral valve was excised through the atrial septum.
      After complete debridement of the abscess, a xenopericardial patch was sutured on
      to the abscessed area in the partially destroyed intervalvular fibrous body.
      Using this procedure, the affected annuli were reinforced and the abscessed area
      was isolated from the blood flow, reducing the probability of recurrent
      endocarditis. For valve implantation, 'anchoring' sutures were threaded
      externally through the aortic root, taking into consideration the fragility of
      the reconstructed annulus. The patient recovered with intensive administration of
      antibiotics and showed no sign of recurrent infection. The reinforcement of the
      intervalvular fibrous body and the use of 'anchoring' sutures may represent good
      alternatives for the surgical treatment of PVE.

PMID- 24224424
TI  - Surgical management of tricuspid valve endocarditis in systemically infected
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Isolated bacterial tricuspid valve (TV)
      endocarditis is usually managed medically. Whilst the indications and optimal
      timing for surgical treatment of the condition have not been clearly defined, it
      is hypothesized that early surgery in patients who are bacteremic and/or have
      evidence of systemic seeding is superior to medical treatment. METHODS: All cases
      of isolated TV endocarditis reported between 2006 and 2011 at the authors'
      institution were reviewed. Patients with bacteremia and/or systemic seeding who
      were treated surgically after short-term medical therapy were compared to an
      equivalent group of patients who remained under long-term medical treatment only.
      RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with isolated TV endocarditis showed evidence of
      bacteremia and/or systemic seeding. Of these patients, 10 (22.2%) were treated
      surgically with valve repair or replacement, and 35 (77.8%) received long-term
      medical therapy only. The 30-day and one-year survival rates in both groups were
      comparable (100% versus 88.6%, p = 0.27). Patients treated surgically had clear
      blood cultures sooner (2.0 versus 6.7 days, p = 0.04), defervesced earlier (0
      versus 9.0 days, p = 0.02), and demonstrated a complete resolution of TV
      vegetations (100% versus 30.0%, p = 0.003). Change in creatinine clearance (+22.1
      versus +11.6 ml/min, p = 0.40) and durations of vasopressor support (6.8 versus
      8.9 h, p = 0.86), mechanical ventilation (8.5 versus 32.2 h, p = 0.44), ICU stay
      (148.1 versus 53.8 h, p = 0.14) and total hospital stay (32.1 versus 24.6 days, p
      = 0.22) were not different between groups. Long-term echocardiogram surveillance
      demonstrated a higher prevalence of moderate-severe tricuspid regurgitation in
      the medically treated patients (75.0 versus 0.0%, p < 0.001). None of the
      patients treated surgically was readmitted with prosthetic valve endocarditis.
      CONCLUSION: Early surgery is warranted in patients with isolated TV endocarditis
      who are bacteremic and/or systemically infected despite optimal medical therapy.

PMID- 24224425
TI  - Valvular calcification, inflammation, and mortality in dialysis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to determine the correlates of
      valvular calcification (VC), including clinical and physiologic parameters, in
      individuals new to dialysis. In addition, the association of VC with coronary
      artery calcification (CAC) progression and mortality was investigated. METHODS: A
      total of 101 incident dialysis individuals underwent electrocardiogram-triggered
      multislice computed tomography (CT) to monitor the presence and quantification of
      calcification. The average follow up was 2.85 +/- 0.72 years. RESULTS: Twenty-six
      (25.7%) patients had only one valve calcified, while 10 (9.9%) had calcifications
      in both valves. Patients with VC were older, more likely to have a history of
      diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD), more likely to have CAC, and to be
      Caucasian; fibrinogen and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were also higher in these
      patients. Multivariable Poisson regression analysis revealed older age, history
      of CVD, increasing fibrinogen, and presence of CAC were independently associated
      with the presence of VC. Patients with VC also had a higher median annualized CAC
      progression compared to those without VC (2.90 versus 105.2, p = 0.004). The
      mortality rate per 100 years was 2.57 in patients without VC, compared to 4.20
      and 13.76, respectively, for those with one or two calcified valves. An
      increasing number of calcified valves was associated with a higher mortality
      after adjustment for gender and race [HR 2.2 (1.03-4.69), p = 0.04], but was not
      statistically significant after adjustment for inflammatory markers such as IL-6
      or fibrinogen. CONCLUSION: Traditional and novel risk factors are associated with
      the presence of VC, which is a risk marker for CAC progression and mortality in
      incident dialysis patients.

PMID- 24224426
TI  - Reoperation for non-structural valvular dysfunction caused by pannus ingrowth in
      aortic valve prosthesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The authors' clinical experience is presented of
      non-structural valvular dysfunction of the prosthetic aortic valve caused by
      pannus ingrowth during the late postoperative period after previous heart valve
      surgery. METHODS: Between January 1999 and April 2012, at the authors'
      institution, a total of 33 patients underwent reoperation for increased mean
      pressure gradient of the prosthetic aortic valve. All patients were shown to have
      pannus ingrowth. The mean interval from the previous operation was 16.7 +/- 4.3
      years, and the most common etiology for the previous aortic valve replacement
      (AVR) was rheumatic valve disease. The mean effective orifice area index (EOAI)
      of the previous prosthetic valve was 0.97 +/- 0.11 cm2/m2, and the mean pressure
      gradient on the aortic prosthesis before reoperation was 39.1 +/- 10.7 mmHg.
      RESULTS: Two patients (6.1%) died in-hospital, and late death occurred in six
      patients (18.2%). At the first operation, 30 patients underwent mitral or
      tricuspid valve surgery as a concomitant procedure. Among these operations,
      mitral valve replacement (MVR) was combined in 24 of all 26 patients with
      rheumatic valve disease. Four patients underwent pannus removal only while the
      prosthetic aortic valve was left in place. The mean EOAI after reoperation was
      significantly increased to 1.16 +/- 0.16 cm2/m2 (p < 0.001), and the mean
      pressure gradient was decreased to 11.9 +/- 1.9 mmHg (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Non
      structural valvular dysfunction caused by pannus ingrowth was shown in patients
      with a small EOAI of the prosthetic aortic valve and combined MVR for rheumatic
      disease. As reoperation for pannus overgrowth showed good clinical outcomes, an
      aggressive resection of pannus and repeated AVR should be considered in
      symptomatic patients to avoid the complications of other cardiac diseases.

PMID- 24224427
TI  - Diagnosis and surgical management of subaortic stenosis and mitral valve systolic
      anterior motion.
AB  - The case is reported of a patient with a previously undiagnosed cause of severe
      congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by the presence of a discrete subaortic
      stenosis (SAS) from a subvalvular membrane (SVM). The clinical decision making
      was complicated by the concurrent presence of systolic anterior motion (SAM) of
      the mitral valve leaflet. Due to the limitations and eventual failure of
      physiologically opposing medical management strategies, the patient eventually
      required an open-heart surgical approach and underwent intraoperative SVM
      resection. A persistent intraoperative left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT)
      gradient of 50 mmHg due to SAM prompted mitral valve replacement, which resulted
      in a complete resolution of the LVOT gradient and symptoms. In this extremely
      rare scenario of SAS and SAM, when SVM resection is thought to be inadequate to
      relieve LVOT obstruction due to the concurrent presence of SAM, mitral valve
      replacement represents a reasonable therapeutic approach.

PMID- 24224428
TI  - Mechanical heart valve thrombosis in pregnancy.
AB  - Effective anticoagulation is critical in patients with mechanical prosthetic
      heart valve (MPHV), but remains challenging in pregnancy because both oral
      anticoagulation and heparins are associated with important fetal and maternal
      risks. A 33-year-old high-risk pregnant woman presented with MPHV thrombosis
      during early pregnancy. Resolution of the thrombus and eventual resumption of
      normal prosthetic mitral valve function was obtained through treatment with low
      molecular weight heparin (LMWH). This case of early pregnancy MPHV thrombosis
      emphasized the importance of adequate initial coagulation prior to pregnancy and
      the potential need to extend measurements to both peak and trough levels to
      assure an adequate level of anticoagulation in women with MPHV treated with LMWH
      during pregnancy.

PMID- 24224429
TI  - Renal cell carcinoma with extensive cavoatrial involvement.

PMID- 24224430
TI  - The principles of abdominal wound closure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia (IH) is a common complication of abdominal surgery.
      Its incidence has been reported as high as 39.9%. Many factors influence IH
      rates. Of these, surgical technique is the only factor directly controlled by the
      surgeon. There is much evidence in the literature on the optimal midline
      laparotomy closure technique. Despite the high level of evidence, this optimal
      closure technique has not met wide acceptance in the surgical community. In
      preparation of a clinical trial, the PRINCIPLES trial, a literature review was
      conducted to find the best evidence based technique for abdominal wall closure
      after midline laparotomy. METHODS: An Embase search was performed. Articles
      describing closure of the fascia after midline laparotomy by different suture
      techniques and/or suture materials were selected. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were
      identified, including five meta-analyses. Analysis of the literature showed
      significant lower IH rates with single layer closure, using a continuous
      technique with slowly absorbable suture material. No significant difference in IH
      incidence was found comparing slowly absorbable and non absorbable sutures.
      Furthermore, a suture length to wound length ratio of four or more and short
      stitch length significantly decreased IH rates. CONCLUSIONS: Careful analysis of
      the literature indicates that an evidenced based optimal midline laparotomy
      closure technique can be identified. This technique involves single layer closure
      with a running suture, using a slowly absorbable suture with a suture length to
      wound length ratio of four or more and a short stitch length. We adopt this
      technique as the PRINCIPLES technique.

PMID- 24224431
TI  - Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal tumours using a Single Incision
      Laparoscopic Port.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), first described by Buess
      enables a less aggressive approach of benign rectal lesions, or even early rectal
      cancer in a curative intent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SILS Port, initially
      designed for laparoscopic surgery, was successfully used for 20 TEM procedures in
      16 patients. Local resection was sufficient in 15 procedures (benign tumours or
      pT1) out of 20, whereas 5 TEM operations required additional surgery: 3 rectal
      resections (pT1Nx, pT1sm3Nx and pT2N1) and 1 TEM revision (1 patient refused the
      rectal resection (pT1Nx). Postoperative complications following Dindo-Clavien
      were: grade II in 4 patients (pain: 2; fever: 1; bleeding: 1) and grade IIIb in 2
      patients (bleeding). No long-term faecal incontinence was noted. CONCLUSION: TEM
      using the SILS Port is a safe and effective procedure for local resection of
      benign and certain malignant tumours. Using such a cheaper device, TEM procedure
      could be available in any operating theatre.

PMID- 24224432
TI  - Value of preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy in morbidly obese patients
      undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass hinders post-operative endoscopic evaluation
      of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of
      preoperative endoscopic findings in morbidly obese patients undergoing
      laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and to determine the proportion of
      patients in which these findings changed surgical management. METHODS: We
      retrospectively evaluated electronic medical records of patients undergoing
      esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with routine antral biopsy for Helicobacter
      pylori (HP) detection, prior to LRYGB between January 2003 and January 2010 at
      our institution. The prevalence of all endoscopic findings was determined.
      RESULTS: 652 underwent preoperative endoscopy prior to LRYGB. The mean age was
      39.5 +/- 11.3 years and mean body mass index was 42.8 +/- 5.0 kg/m2.
      Abnormalities were found in 444 patients (68.1%). Findings at EGD were hiatal
      hernia 24.3% (n = 159), esophagitis 30.8% (n = 201), Barrett's esophagus 0.8% (n
      = 5), gastritis 36.2% (n = 236), gastric or duodenal ulcers 7.5% (n = 69) and 2
      cases of gastric cancer. The prevalence of HP infection was 17.6% (n = 115). In
      51 patients (7.8%), endoscopic findings led to postponement of surgery: in 49
      patients, gastric or duodenal ulcer had to be treated prior to surgery, in 2
      patients, gastric cancer led to changement in surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS:
      Routine preoperative EGD detects different abnormalities which need a specific
      approach prior to bariatric surgery. EGD with routine biopsies for HP detection
      should be included in the preoperative workup prior to LRYGB. Positive EGD
      findings led to a change in medical treatment in a quarter (24.3%) of patients.
      Postponement of surgery due to the EGD findings was less frequent (7.8%).

PMID- 24224433
TI  - Previous bariatric surgery increases postoperative morbidity after sleeve
      gastrectomy for morbid obesity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been used as the first step of a staged
      malabsorptive procedure for high-risk patients. More recently SG was proposed as
      an stand alone procedure in the treatment of morbidly obese patients. The aim of
      this study is to analyze perioperative outcome of morbid obese patients after SG.
      METHODS: 301 patients, 201 women and 100 men, undergoing SG were retrospectively
      analyzed. SG was performed by 17 surgeons all member of the Club Coelio. The mean
      BMI was 44.7kg/m2 (27.4-70.3 kg/m2). 34 patients (11.3%) of our series had SG as
      revisional surgery. These revisional procedures consisted of 32 conversions from
      gastric banding, 1 conversion from vertical gastroplasty (VBG) and 1 from
      transoral endoscopic gastroplasty. Among the 32 patients that had revisional SG
      after a gastric banding, 13 bands were removed at least 3 months before the
      revisional SG and 19 bands were removed during the SG procedure. Endpoints were
      perioperative morbidity and mortality and potential risk factors for
      complications, mainly per or postoperative bleeding or leakage. RESULTS: Overall
      mortality was 0% and morbidity was 10.3%. Perioperative bleeding occurred in 10
      patients (3.3%), leakage in 12 patients (4%) patients and stenosis in 3 patients
      (1%). The risk of leakage was significantly higher after revisional bariatric
      surgery and in case of gastric perforation during surgery (p = 0.0001). Previous
      gastric banding is also associated with a higher risk of postoperative bleeding
      (p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: SG can be safely performed but patients and surgeons
      must be aware of a higher risk of postoperative complications when SG is proposed
      as a revisional surgery.

PMID- 24224434
TI  - Carinal sleeve pneumonectomy for lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Here, we present our experience of 12 lung cancer cases operated with
      carinal sleeve pneumonectomy (CSP) from 2001 to 2011. METHODS: 12 cases who had
      undergone CSP in our department from 2001 to 2011 were retrospectively evaluated
      and presented by taking into account their demographical and clinical features,
      the surgical technique that was used, the complications that developed and the
      latest conditions of these patients. RESULTS: Of the 12 cases, 11 were male and 1
      was female with a mean age of 58.6 years (40-71 years). 11 cases had right and 1
      had left CSP. The ethiology for resection was lung cancer in all cases. 10 cases
      had carinal invasion of the lung cancer, 1 had bronchopleural fistula developing
      after right pneumonectomy, 1 had distal tracheal rupture due to intubation tube
      placed during pneumonectomy; these all resulted in performing CSP. Five patients
      developed complications during the postoperative period. Three cases developed
      recurrences/metastases during the follow-up. Nine patients died, 3 patients were
      alive and were followed-up by our department. For all the cases, the median
      survival was 9 months, the estimated survival rate of 2-years was 33%, and 5-year
      survival rate was 22%. Survival for 2-4 years was 71%. CONCLUSIONS: We think that
      with increasing surgical experience better results are obtained in these
      technically demanding procedures.

PMID- 24224435
TI  - Clinical significance of the expression of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase in
      squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) in pathogenesis and
      diagnosis of different types of cancer has been investigated during last decade.
      This study is conducted to investigate AMACR expression in adenocarcinoma and
      squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of lung and its correlation with clinical
      characteristics and survival. METHODS: The clinicopathologic characteristics of
      146 patients who underwent a potentially curative surgical resection between June
      2000-2009 in our clinic were reviewed retrospectively. The patients who were
      given adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, with an evidence of residual
      tumor at resection margin and who died due to postoperative mortality and due to
      reasons not related to lung cancer were excluded. Data from remaining 67 patients
      were analyzed for survival. For the correlation between progression and AMACR
      immunoreactivity, data from 62 patients who had postoperative follow up in our
      center were analyzed. RESULTS: AMACR immunoreactivity was observed more
      frequently in adenocarcinoma group than SCC group (p = 0,046). The samples with
      invasive adenocarcinoma--lepidic predominant pattern also showed high rates of
      positive staining (73%). We could not show a statistically significant
      correlation between AMACR immunostaining and degree of differentiation, age,
      gender, pathologic T status, N status, or stage. We failed to show a
      statistically meaningful effect of AMACR on overall and progression-free
      survival. CONCLUSION: Adenocarcinoma had higher rates of positive immunostaining
      for AMACR than SCC (p = 0,046). But the presence of AMACR expression did not have
      a statistically meaningful effect on overall and progression-free survival in
      adenocarcinoma and SCC of lung.

PMID- 24224436
TI  - The use of single incision thoracoscopic pleurectomy in the management of
      malignant pleural effusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of procedures have been used in the management of malignant
      pleural effusion including repeated thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy, drainage
      with catheter, chemical pleurodesis, pleurectomy and pleuro-peritoneal shunt.
      However, the optimal method of management remains unclear. On the other hand,
      single incision thoracoscopic surgery has been defined as a less invasive method
      than the standard threeportal videothoracoscopy. We herein present our series of
      patients who underwent single incision thoracoscopic pleurectomy for malignant
      pleural effusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a single incision
      thoracoscopic pleurectomy in a total of 19 consecutive patients, 11 (57.8%) male
      and 8 (42.2%) female with a mean age of 56.3 +/- 16.9 years who had malignant
      pleural effusions. We made a single 2-2.5 cm incision at the seventh or eighth
      intercostal spaces on the midaxillary line for the procedure. RESULTS: We
      performed a total of 23 single incision thoracoscopic total pleurectomies
      consisting of 11 (57.8%) right-sided, 4 (21.1%) left-sided and 4 (21.1%)
      bilateral procedures. The mean total postoperative drainage was 553 +/- 266 cc
      (Median; 470 cc), and the mean chest tube removal time was 2.3 +/- 0.4 days
      (Median; 2 days). We observed neither morbidity nor mortality. No patient
      required an additional port or a conversion to thoracotomy. Median follow-up was
      83 days (range, 30 to 359 days). Pleural effusion recurred in two (8.6%) out of
      23 procedures which resulted in a success rate as 91.4% for the procedure.
      CONCLUSION: Single incision thoracoscopic pleurectomy is a safe, less invasive
      and an effective method of pleurodesis with a low recurrence rate in patients
      with malignant pleural effusion.

PMID- 24224437
TI  - Penetrating cardiac injuries in Belgium: 20 years of experience in university
      hospitals in Brussels.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac wounds remain as highly lethal lesions in which their
      prognosis depends on the emergency management. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study
      is to analyse experiences of cardiac surgeons in different hospitals in Brussels
      and compare it with the findings in the literature. METHODS: From 1st January
      1990 till 1st December 2010, all penetrating cardiac wounds in three Brussels
      hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Data recorded included clinical
      parameters, surgical constatation and outcome. RESULTS: A total of fourteen (12
      male/2 female) patients sustained penetrating cardiac injuries. There were
      thirteen patients (93%) with stabs wounds and, one patient (7%) with gunshot
      wound. Wound locations are as follows: ten patients (71%) right ventricle, three
      patients (22%) the pericardium, and one patient (7%) the left ventricle. The
      hemodynamic status was unstable in nine patients (64%), in-extremis in two
      patients (14%) and stable in three patients (22%). The mean Abbreviate Injury
      Score was 4.6 and the mean New Injury Severity Score was 31. Thirteen patients
      (93%) had operations (11 sternotomie, 2 thoracotomies). Two patients required
      cardiopulmonary bypass. Three patients (22%) died. CONCLUSION: Penetrating
      cardiac wounds are relatively rare in Belgium, which is mainly due to stabs and
      with consequent mortality. The implementation of clear guidelines is necessary to
      improve survival.

PMID- 24224438
TI  - Sliding hernias in female children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Articles published in the English language report that 15-20% of
      the inguinal hernias in female children are sliding hernias. These studies do not
      specify the age at moment of surgery, neither the age distribution of sliding
      hernia. We retrospectively evaluated inguinal canal pathologies to answer these
      questions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated the records of the
      patients operated on at the Pediatric Surgery Clinics of the Ordu, Usak and
      Denizli State Hospitals and the Afyon Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital.
      RESULTS: A total of 3105 cases had been operated on for an inguinal hernia
      between January 2008 and December 2010 and 673 (21.6%) were female. The most
      common age at surgery was between 0 and 1 years (26.5%). A sliding hernia was
      found in 22.4% (n = 151) of all cases. The sliding hernia rate was 45.8 (n = 82)
      and 14.9% (n = 69) in children younger and older than 1 year of age respectively
      (p < 0.05). The most frequently sliding organ in both groups was the ovary,
      followed by the fallopian tubes. CONCLUSION: A sliding hernia is more common in
      female children under the age of 1 year and surgical treatment should be planned
      within a short period once the diagnosis is made. In addition, this recent
      statistical value for subjects aged 0 to 1 year and over 1 year can be used in
      new clinical studies.

PMID- 24224439
TI  - The protective effect of ellagic acid on lung damage caused by experimental
      obstructive jaundice model.
AB  - AIM: This study aimed to investigate protective effects of ellagic acid on lungs
      in an experimental obstructive jaundice model. METHODS: Four groups were
      established, each consisting of ten randomly selected rats: Group 1: sham, Group
      2: ellagic acid, Group 3: obstructive jaundice, and Group 4: obstructive jaundice
      + ellagic acid. Ellagic acid was administered orally at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day to
      group 2 and 4. The animals were sacrificed eight days later. The total oxidative
      status and the total antioxidant capacity in their lung tissue were determined,
      and malondialdehyde levels in their blood were measured. Histopathological
      changes in the lungs were examined. RESULTS: In the obstructive jaundice group
      treated with ellagic acid, there was a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and a
      reduction in the total oxidative status and the oxidative stress index, whereas
      the total antioxidant capacity increased (p < 0.001). The histopathological
      examination showed that neutrophil leukocyte infiltration and edema formation
      decreased and destruction of lung parenchyma disappeared following the treatment
      with the ellagic acid (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that ellagic acid
      has a protective effect against oxidative damage in lung tissue in obstructive
      jaundice.

PMID- 24224440
TI  - Acute chest pain while exercising: a case report of Bochdalek hernia in an
      adolescent.
AB  - We present the case of a 17-year old male patient with a symptomatic congenital
      posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia with acute onset of symptoms. He was admitted
      to our emergency department a few days after the onset of symptoms. A large
      thoracic herniation on the left side was seen on chest X-ray. Further
      investigation by computed tomography showed the presence of stomach, spleen and
      colon in the herniation. Semi-urgent surgery was performed by a laparoscopic
      approach. The diaphragmatic defect was closed with interrupted sutures. The
      operation and postoperative recovery were uneventful.

PMID- 24224441
TI  - Handlebar hernia: an uncommon cause of intra-abdominal lesions.
AB  - A traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is an uncommon complication of abdominal
      trauma. Handlebar hernia is an even rarer type of traumatic abdominal wall
      hernia, with only 33 previously reported cases in literature. It is caused by a
      local trauma with a handlebar-like object which is not sharp enough to penetrate
      the elastic skin, but has sufficient focused force to breach the muscle and
      fascia of the abdominal wall. A high index of clinical suspicion for associated
      intra-abdominal lesions in patients with traumatic abdominal wall hernia is
      warranted. This may not only influence the immediate treatment of the abdominal
      hernia but also the type and timing of mesh repair to be performed. Early repair
      is mandatory to avoid complications. The choice for primary repair versus mesh
      repair will be discussed according to the size of the hernia and the amount of
      tissue destruction by the trauma. The type of mesh used for the repair will be
      determined by presence or absence of contamination in the abdomen.

PMID- 24224442
TI  - Presacral ganglioneuroma with abnormal FDG uptake: a case report.
AB  - Ganglioneuromas are rare, benign, well-differentiated, slowgrowing tumors of the
      sympathetic nervous system, composed of large, mature neurons in a stroma
      composed of Schwann cells. Ganglioneuromas are derived from the neural crest
      cells and can arise anywhere from the base of the skull to the pelvis. The pre
      sacral area is a very rare location for ganglioneuromas to develop. We describe
      the case of a 31 year old woman, who was incidentally found to have an abnormal
      pre-sacral mass. The following work-up, revealed the mass to be growing on
      imagery (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imagery) and fluorine-18
      fluorodeoxiglucose avid. The mass was removed by assisted laparoscopy and was
      found to be a benign ganglioneuroma. This is the first described case of fluorine
      18 fluorodeoxiglucose avid, pre-sacral, benign ganglioneuroma.

PMID- 24224443
TI  - Rectal duplication: a case report.
AB  - Gastrointestinal tract duplications are uncommon congenital abnormalities, that
      may occur anywhere along the alimentary tract. Most frequently they occur at the
      level of the small bowel tract and are symptomatic before the age of two. In our
      case we report the history of a 68-years old women with a colon duplication,
      especially a rectal duplication. This is very exceptional.

PMID- 24224444
TI  - Desmoid tumour of the breast: case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Fibromatosis or desmoid tumour of the breast is an extremely rare, locally
      aggressive tumour with a tendency to relapse. Nevertheless these tumours do not
      have metastatic potential. Early recognition and wide local excision of the
      tumour is the treatment of choice. We present a case of a desmoid tumour of the
      breast in a 67-year-old woman and provide a review of the literature.

PMID- 24224445
TI  - Reconstruction of a common bile duct injury by venous bypass.
AB  - Hepaticojejunostomy is the standard technique for the reconstruction of severe
      iatrogenic lesions of the common bile duct (CBD), although the technique itself
      is major surgery with a complication rate up to 30%. We report a case of a male
      patient with a iatrogenic complete transsection of the CBD. Due to multiple
      previous operations and the present inflammation a standard reconstruction
      technique was not possible to perform. A neo-bile duct was created using a
      segment of the Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) synchronously with an external biliary
      drainage by PTCA and biliary stenting (after 4 weeks). The stent was removed 8
      months later. Cholangiography showed normal bile flow without occlusion. Blood
      tests normalised. We believe that using an autologous vein graft in combination
      with a removable or biodegradable stent is the right track for the reconstruction
      of the CBD in the future.

PMID- 24224446
TI  - Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a new retraction technique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparo-endoscopic single site cholecystectomy receives great interest
      from the surgical community. It has potential for reducing postoperative pain,
      length of hospital stay and improving cosmesis. Minimally invasive surgeons have
      been forced to develop techniques for providing adequate retraction of the
      gallbladder. Herein, we describe a new retraction technique to improve the
      dissection of Calot's triangle. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Twelve patients underwent
      laparo-endoscopic single site laparoscopic cholecystectomy using this retraction
      technique. An intra-umbilical skin incision was made by pulling out the
      umbilicus. A SILS port was placed through an open approach. We inserted a 10-mm
      30 degrees camera through the SILS port without using any trocar. One suture was
      knotted in the middle of the gallbladder. Gallbladder retraction was achieved by
      the use of an EndoClose needle that was inserted into abdominal cavity at the
      subcostal border. The floppy knot was held by the notched end of the EndoClose
      needle. This device provided retraction of the gallbladder in every direction.
      CONCLUSIONS: Adequate retraction greatly simplifies laparo-endoscopic single site
      cholecystectomy. New retraction techniques will enable wider use of this novel
      minimally invasive approach. Further work is needed to investigate the advantages
      of this new technique.

PMID- 24224447
TI  - [Islet transplantation as a treatment for complications of type I diabetes].
AB  - Reduced physical activity and high calories up-take along with carbohydrates
      based diet are considered to be a leading cause of diabetes mellitus rise in
      western countries. Together with rise in DM morbidity, increase of complicated
      diabetes is also observed. Pancreas transplantation occurred to be a milestone in
      diabetic patient management. Guine pig pancreatic islets isolation performed for
      the first time by Moskalewski in 1965 and updates of his method have given an
      opportunity to introduce allogenic isolated islets transplantation to clinical
      usage. For the first time in Poland clinical allotransplantation of isolated
      pancreatic islets took place in Department of General Surgery and Transplantology
      of Medical University of Warsaw in 12's June 2008. Unfortunately, unsatisfying
      results of islet transplantation, specially short period of insulin independence
      after successful transplantation related with multifactor islet function lost,
      reduce clinical indications. In this publication we have analyzed known and
      potential factors of islet lost and we have tried to find way to prevent them,
      with a long period insulin-independence after transplantation as a main goal.

PMID- 24224448
TI  - [The effect of coffee on blood pressure at healthy subjects].
AB  - Coffee is one of the most popular beverages. Its stimulatory effects comes from
      the natural alkaloid- caffeine. Caffeine is the antagonist of the adenosine
      receptors A1 and A2. Caffeine acts chronotropic positive and increases heart
      action; inotropic positive and increases cardiac contraction; tronotropic
      positive and increases hearts muscular ton, brain's vascular stenosis,
      vasodilatation of coronal vessels, renal vessels, muscular vessels and skin
      vessels. The aim of the study was determination of coffee effect on blood
      pressure in healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 17 healthy subjects (age 22
      44 years; median 22 years) was included. There were two experiments. Experiment
      1: examined persons drank instant coffee with or without caffeine. Experiment 2:
      examined persons drank natural coffee with or without caffeine. The blood
      pressure and pulse were examined before coffee drinking and 15 and 30 minutes
      after (in experiment 1) and only 30 minutes after (in experiment 2). RESULTS: The
      blood pressure was increased on 10 mmHg or more in 9-40% of examined subjects in
      all groups, but there were no significant difference between groups. The pulse
      increased (10 or more per minute) was observed only in one person and decrease
      was observed in three who drank natural coffee with caffeine. CONCLUSIONS: In
      healthy subjects the blood pressure does not increased significantly after
      caffeine consumption. The consumption of caffeine in large doses may be harmful
      to some hypertensive or hypertension-prone subjects.

PMID- 24224449
TI  - [The impact of ascorbic acid on the concentrations of antioxidative vitamins in
      the plasma of patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing first-line
      chemotherapy].
AB  - One of the main after-effects of chemotherapy used in cancer treatment is an
      augmented production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In turn ROS become a
      source of unwanted side effects of chemotherapy, often forcing the
      discontinuation of the therapy. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), being an antioxidant,
      can strengthen the antioxidative barrier of an organism. The aim of the study was
      an assessment of the concentrations of A, C and E vitamins in the plasma of NSCLC
      patients undergoing chemotherapy supplemented with vitamin C. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: 25 first-line chemotherapy patients with inoperable NSCLC, including 19
      men and 6 women aged between 37-73 years (average age 60.1 +/- 8.8 years) have
      undergone the examination. Their chemotherapy has been supplemented with ascorbic
      acid (vitamin C dose of 600 mg per 24 hours). Control group consisted of 24
      healthy individuals, including 18 men and 6 women aged between 49-71 years
      (average age 59.5 +/- 6.6 years). In cancer patients the concentration of A, C
      and E vitamins was assessed by spectrophotometry using T60V spectrophotometer (PG
      Instruments) before and after first-line chemotherapy which was supplemented with
      vitamin C. In control group the concentrations of antioxidative vitamins was
      assessed only once. RESULTS: In comparison to the control group the
      concentrations of the A, C and E vitamins in the plasma of NSCLC patients was
      significantly lower (p < 0.05). After 6 weeks of chemotherapy supplemented with
      vitamin C a significant rise of concentrations (p < 0.05) of all the vitamins
      tested for was observed. The biggest rise was noted for vitamin C (99.8%).
      CONCLUSIONS: The supplementation of the chemotherapy of NSCLC patients with C
      vitamin leads to rise of the low concentrations of A, C and E vitamins in the
      plasma. This suggests strengthening of the antioxidative barrier in patients.

PMID- 24224450
TI  - [The clinical significance of GastroPanel in diagnostics of Helicobacter pylori
      eradication efficiency in patients with dyspepsia with correlation of family
      history of gastric cancer].
AB  - Gastric cancer remains a significant medical and social problem. Familial,
      hereditary, social, and demographic factors increase the susceptibility of
      subjects to cancer development, especially those infected with Helicobacter
      pylori (H. pylori). Apart from genetic studies, there are ongoing biochemical
      studies of possible practical value in assessment of the risk of gastric cancer
      development. The GastroPanelBiohit test, that include determination of the levels
      of gastrin (G-17), pepsinogen I (PGI), pepsinogen II (PGII) and antibodies
      IgG/IgA against H. pylori in serum, allowed us to determine whether there are any
      abnormal changes in the gastric mucosa. The aim of the study was to determine
      whether GastroPanel parameters, identified in patients with dyspeptic symptoms
      (with or without history of gastric cancer in first degree relatives) before and
      after successful eradication of H. pylori, have any clinical value, especially in
      gastric cancer development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 61 patients
      aged 18-56 years with symptoms of dyspepsia. In all patients, the preliminary
      urea breath test (UBT) for the presence of H. pylori was performed and the
      positive result qualified for further study. For final analysis, 42 patients were
      approved, who were divided into two groups: group I (a control group) - 22
      patients with negative family history of gastric cancer among the relatives of
      first degree, group II - 20 patients with positive history of gastric cancer
      among the relatives of first degree. All the patients had the gastroscopy with
      the biopsy of gastric mucosa for the histopathological evaluation. Additionally,
      the GastroPanel test was performed. RESULTS: In the blood serum of the patients
      with H. pylori infection, the concentrations of gastrin (G-17), pepsinogen I
      (PGI) and pepsinogen II (PGII) did not depend on family history of gastric cancer
      (p > 0.05). Successful eradication of H. pylori decreases the levels of G-17, PGI
      and PGII (statistical significance p < 0.05), and this correlates with the
      histopathological changes of gastric mucosa. The patients with positive family
      history of gastric cancer had more intense H. pylori colonization of gastric
      mucosa (IV degree of insensitivity of infection in UBT; group I - 22% vs group II
      - 69%) as compared to the control group. After effective eradication of H.
      pylori, statistically significant decreases of IgG H. pylori antibodies and of
      the level of gastrin (p < 0.05) in blood serum were seen (in a 3 months follow
      up) only in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Independently of the history of
      familial gastric cancer, the GastroPanelBiohit test provides important clinical
      data useful for diagnosis, for assessment of effectiveness of H. pylori
      eradication therapy and in evaluation of the degree of the inflammatory changes
      in gastric mucosa.

PMID- 24224451
TI  - [The diagnostic value of non-invasive biochemical biomarkers in alcohol abuse].
AB  - The diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease, steatosis, fibrosis and alcoholic
      steatohepatitis, can be evaluated by means of non-invasive biochemical
      biomarkers: SteatoTest, FibroTest and AshTest. The aim of the study was to
      evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of these tests for the detection of steatosis,
      fibrosis and alcoholic steatohepatitis in alcohol abusing patients. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: The experimental group comprised 137 alcohol-dependent subjects. The
      control group was consisted of 50 healthy social drinkers. Ten biochemical assays
      were determined according to methods recommended by the provider of the tests -
      BioPredictive company. The scores were computed by the company according to the
      bilateral agreement. RESULTS: The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were as
      follows: 61.9% and 93.9% for SteatoTest, 61.3% and 93.9% for FibroTest and 9.6%
      and 93.9% forAsh Test. The diagnostic power of Steato Test (A UC = 0.806) and
      FibroTest (AUC = 0.795) were significantly higher than the diagnostic power of
      AshTest (AUC = 0.626) but did not differ from each other. The probability of a
      positive test results of Steato Test and FibroTest is 10-times more likely in
      alcoholics than in healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: SteatoTest and FibroTest can
      be useful diagnostic tool for the detection of liver steatosis and fibrosis in
      alcohol-dependent patients but cannot differentiate of these clinical conditions.

PMID- 24224452
TI  - [Influence of naloxone on uterine contractions in patients with primary
      dysmenorrhea].
AB  - Dysmenorrhea is a common condition among women in childbearing age. An increased
      uterine contractions, resulting among others from increased vasopressin and
      oxitocin secretion, is considered as a main cause of the primary dysmenorrhea.
      The endogenous opioids play the important role in the control of oxytocin and
      vasopressin release from the pituitary gland. Naloxone is a selective opioid
      receptor antagonis. So far, there is not much data on naloxone effect on uterine
      contractions. The aim of study was to determine the influence of naloxone on
      uterine contractions in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      There were 10 female patients with primary dysmenorrhea included into the study.
      The uterine contractions had been recorded for 30 minutes before and 2 hours
      after injection of naloxone at the first day of menstruation. RESULTS: The
      intrauterine pressure recordings revealed a severe spontaneous uterine
      contractions, with high frequency and amplitude, at the time of dysmenorrhea. An
      intravenous administration of naloxone decreased uterine contractile activity and
      pain intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Naloxone acting on central nervous system decreases
      the uterus contractions in the patients suffering from dysmenorrhea. Unexplained
      mechanisms and multiple factors involved in the pathogenesis of primary
      dysmenorrhea indicates a need for the further studies on this subject.

PMID- 24224453
TI  - [Surgical problems of homeless people].
AB  - Estimated quantity of homeless people in Poland is about 30.000. Health
      conditions of homeless depends on poor living conditions, alcohol abuse and lack
      of medical care. The aim of the study was to present surgical problems of
      homeless people at St. Brother Albert's Aid Society Shelter in Szczodre. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: In years 2009-2011 in St. Brother Albert's Aid Society Shelter in
      Szczodre 1053 homeless were provided outpatient surgical care. The frequency of
      occurrence of diseases rated on the basis of the medical examination, medical
      history and medical records. RESULTS: The patients were aged 20-82 years (median:
      46 years). The most common surgical problem of homeless people was skin
      infectious such as scabies, lice, tinea and lower limb ulceration due to
      underlying chronic vanous insufficiency or due to sustained injury. Other
      problems requiering surgical care were: frostbite, abscesses, phlegmon, unhealed
      wounds, back pain and pain due to sustained injuries. Most frequent causes of
      homelessness were family problems, alcohol abuse, conflict with the law, loss of
      ocupation or loss of home. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical diseases of homeless people have
      multifactorial etiology. The most frequent diseases in our patients were skin
      infectious and lower limb ulcerations. Medical care oriented on specific needs of
      homeless people is particulary important because poor health condition is not
      only consequence but could also be the cause of homelessness.

PMID- 24224454
TI  - [Validation of the Polish version of The Authentic Leadership Questionnaire for
      the of evaluation purpose of nursing management staff in national hospital
      wards].
AB  - The Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) is a standardized research
      instrument for the evaluation of individual elements of leader's conduct which
      contribute to the authentic leadership. The application of this questionnaire in
      Polish conditions required to carry out the validation process. The aim of the
      study was to evaluate of validity and reliability of the Polish version of the
      American research instrument for the needs of evaluation of authenticity of
      leadership of the nursing management in Polish hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      The study covered 286 nurses (143 head nurses and 143 of their subordinates)
      employed in 45 hospitals in Poland. Theoretical validity of the instrument was
      evaluated using Fisher's transformation (r-Person correlation coefficient), while
      the criterion validity of the ALQ was evaluated using rho-Spearman correlation
      coefficient and the BOHIPSZO questionnaire. The reliability of the ALQ was
      assessed by means of the Cronbach-alpha coefficient. RESULTS: The ALQ
      questionnaire applied for the evaluation of authenticity of leadership of the
      nursing management in Polish hospital wards shows an acceptable theoretical and
      criterion validity and reliability (Cronbach-alpha coefficient 0.80).
      CONCLUSIONS: The Polish version of the ALQ is valid and reliable, and may be
      applied in studies concerning the evaluation of authenticity of leadership of the
      nursing management in Polish hospital wards.

PMID- 24224455
TI  - [Elafin and its influence on the patomechanism of preterm labor].
AB  - The prevention of infection in pregnancy is critical to provide an appropriate
      fetal development and term delivery. Natural antimicrobials are the mediators of
      innate immune system with antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.
      It has been found that these antimicrobials play the great role in a homeostasis
      of bronchial and intestine epithelium, endometrium and epidermis. The activity of
      elafin--neutrophil elastase inhibitor--has been found in female reproductive
      system microenvironment (cervix, endometrium and fallopian tube) with the highest
      expression in the endometrium of non-pregnant women during ovulation and
      menstruation. The influence of elafin has been established on the maintenance of
      early pregnancy and the patomechanism of preterm labor and other pathology of
      pregnancy. Elafin level in amniotic fluid has been confirmed to be decreased in
      cases of preterm rupture of membranes (PROM). The protein may be a good marker of
      preterm labor and use in its diagnostics and treatment.

PMID- 24224456
TI  - [Mesothelin in ovarian cancer].
AB  - Ovarian cancer is a neoplasm with high mortality rate. Its progression is mostly
      asymptomatic, which results in its first diagnosis in a late stage of the
      disease. Currently there are no reliable diagnostic methods for early detection
      of ovarian cancer. Molecular mechanisms leading to its development are not yet
      fully discovered. Recent studies show that mesothelin gene is up-regulated in
      patients with serous ovarian cancer. Mesothelin is a glycoprotein found in cell
      membranes of mesothelial cells lining the peritoneum, pericardium and pleura.
      Association of mesothelin in the development of ascites, intraperitoneal spread
      of the neoplasm, and its capability to modulate immune response have been show.
      It has been found that patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer have elevated serum
      mesothelin specific IgG levels. Mesothelin is also able to induce a cellular
      immune response, which is used in researches of ovarian cancer vaccines. High
      mesothelin expression in cancer tissues and its regular low expression in
      physiologic ones makes the glycoprotein a worthy candidate for the purpose of
      ovarian cancer treatment. Current studies assess the use of mesothelin as a
      target antigen as well as its immunogenicity. The methods of treatment include
      the use of recombined immunotoxin synthesized from the Pseudomonas exotoxin A
      (SSIP), MORAb-009 - chimeric monoclonal antibody, immunoconjugates (antibody -
      drug conjugates), cancer vaccines and gene therapy. The results of these studies
      are promising but further trials in larger population are required to confirm
      this.

PMID- 24224457
TI  - [The psychological and social support in patients with psoriasis].
AB  - The meaning of non medical forms of support in the treatment of psoriasis is
      discussed in the paper. Related with psoriasis negative self image and feeling of
      stigmatization cause various mental disorders. Stress, depression, mental
      condition affect the appearance of psoriasis. Because of numerous studies and
      identify the factors and relationships important for psoriasis, patients can take
      the appropriate psychological and social support. Relaxation techniques,
      cognitive-behavioral therapy and support groups have a positive effect on the
      treatment of psoriasis. They reduce the level of stress in the patient, learn
      emotional control, adequate self-esteem, which leads to the acceptance of the
      disease and improve the quality of life of the patient.

PMID- 24224458
TI  - [The use of transdermal therapeutic systems in physical therapy].
AB  - Methods of the transdermal administration of drugs have long been sought in the
      medical field in order to ensure the noninvasive and painless transmission of the
      medicine. Such methods include the TTS (transdermal therapeutic system). It is a
      method, or rather a set of methods that allows the introduction of the drug to
      the sites of pathologically changed areas without the pharmacological burdening
      of the whole body. An important aspect of this treatment is that the substance
      can be introduced passively (even to unconscious or sanity-limited patients) or
      actively, i.e. exactly at the point of the pathological changes, thus avoiding
      contraindications for applications in the general purpose and discomfort of the
      patient. The transdermal therapeutic system can be found in various areas of
      medicine. It is also increasingly beginning to act as an alternative to a number
      of other areas such as pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, and cosmetology; as a
      precognitive application, hormonal substitution, nutritious, analgesic, anti
      inflammatory, or anti-swelling application; an application for the treatment of
      scars, delayed fracture healing, the neuromuscular stimulation, trophy of
      tissues; or a bacteriostatic application. Further research in this area seems to
      have a great practical significance.

PMID- 24224459
TI  - [Old age--neither sour nor bitter].
AB  - The development of medicine involves prolongation of human life. In many cases,
      however, chronic diseases, quite common in the elderly, make the quality of life
      very poor. We put the question: why we--the doctors--are not able to cope with
      the problem and whether the pharmacological treatment actually helps? A common
      medical practice is the use of proton pump inhibitors for various, often
      nonspecific disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Statistics point to the
      overuse of the drugs from this group, also in the elderly. Despite the belief in
      the safety of such proceedings, proton pump inhibitors may pose a significant
      threat to older patients contributing to the symptoms worsening, and
      significantly affecting the mechanisms of acid-base balance. Inhibition of
      gastric acid secretion in the stomach is not a golden receipt in the case of
      dyspeptic symptoms, especially in people with the elderly. In many of them
      achlorhydria or hipochlorhydria is diagnosed. In others, such treatment, may not
      bring an expected relief in symptoms, while contributing to disturbances of acid
      base balance, and--indirectly--have an adverse effect on renal function. We
      suggest moderation in the use of proton pump inhibitors to bring patients to a
      real, and not quasi wellness.

PMID- 24224460
TI  - In situ electrode calibration strategy for voltammetric measurements in vivo.
AB  - Technological advances have allowed background-subtracted fast-scan cyclic
      voltammetry to emerge as a powerful tool for monitoring molecular fluctuations in
      living brain tissue; however, there has been little progress to date in advancing
      electrode calibration procedures. Variability in the performance of these
      handmade electrodes renders calibration necessary for accurate quantification;
      however, experimental protocol makes standard postcalibration difficult or in
      some cases impossible. We have developed a model that utilizes information
      contained in the background charging current to predict electrode sensitivity to
      dopamine, ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and pH shifts at any point in an
      electrochemical experiment. Analysis determined a high correlation between
      predicted sensitivity and values obtained using the traditional postcalibration
      method, across all analytes. To validate this approach in vivo, calibration
      factors obtained with this model at electrodes in brain tissue were compared to
      values obtained at these electrodes using a traditional ex vivo calibration. Both
      demonstrated equal power of predictability for dopamine concentrations. This
      advance enables in situ electrode calibration, allowing researchers to track
      changes in electrode sensitivity over time and eliminating the need to generalize
      calibration factors between electrodes or across multiple days in an experiment. 

PMID- 24224461
TI  - Silk fibroin-based complex particles with bioactive encrustation for bone
      morphogenetic protein 2 delivery.
AB  - Application of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) currently faces its
      challenges, and its efficacy of delivery has to be improved. The proper dosage of
      the powerful bioactive molecule is still under discussion and needs to be
      investigated further. In this work, pure silk fibroin particles and particles
      with calcium carbonate encrustation (complex particles) are designed, developed,
      and functionalized by BMP-2. These are used to deliver the bioactive molecule to
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to induce osteogenic differentiation. Results are
      compared with those of control groups of BMP-2 carriers under the same condition.
      Silk fibroin-based particles with size and component variations are prepared by
      self-assembly, desolvation, and soft template formation to improve BMP-2 loading
      efficiency. Results show that the particles significantly enhance osteogenic
      differentiation of MSCs, which is evident in the high ALP enzyme activity as well
      as the increased level of expression of osteogenic genes. Specifically, the
      combination of calcium compound and BMP-2 in the silk fibroin-calcium carbonate
      complex particles synergistically enhances osteogenesis. Release tests and
      mathematical modeling are applied to describe BMP-2 dissolution profiles, and the
      release mechanism is based on diffusion and polymer chain relaxation. In summary,
      the particles show high efficacies of BMP-2 delivery, and introduction of the
      complex particle can progressively enhance osteogenesis. 

PMID- 24224462
TI  - New oral anticoagulants: an emergency department overview.
AB  - As of September 2013, three new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are now available for
      clinical use on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia. All three are
      for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, and one will also be available for
      the treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. All have been
      evaluated in large, multicentre randomised clinical trials. These drugs show at
      least equivalent efficacy to the current standard of care, the vitamin K
      antagonist warfarin. Major bleeding rates are overall comparable with warfarin,
      but there is an important reduction in intracranial bleeding of approximately 50%
      with all NOAC agents. The NOACs are administered in a simple, fixed dose regimen.
      There are a few clinically important interactions with other medications or diet.
      Concerns exist about the potential for irreversible bleeding in the small number
      of patients in which that occurs. This short report will discuss the pharmacology
      of these agents, the indications for use, aspects of laboratory monitoring and
      the management of bleeding with these agents. 

PMID- 24224463
TI  - Switchable magnetism: neutron diffraction studies of the desolvated coordination
      polymer Co3(OH)2(C4O4)2.
AB  - We report the magnetic structure of the two magnetically ordered phases of
      Co3(OH)2(C4O4)2, a coordination polymer that consists of a triangular framework
      decorated with anisotropic Co(II) ions. Neutron diffraction experiments allow us
      to confirm that the magnetic behavior changes upon dehydration and reveal the
      complex phase behavior of this system, relative to the hydrated compound
      Co3(OH)2(C4O4)2.3H2O. One phase is shown to display spin idle behavior, where
      only a fraction of the moments order at intermediate temperatures, while at the
      lowest temperatures the system orders fully, in this case with a net magnetic
      moment. This novel magnetic behavior is discussed within the framework of a
      simple Hamiltonian and representational analysis and rationalizes this multiphase
      behavior by considering the combination of frustration and anisotropy. The change
      in behavior on dehydration is also rationalized with respect to the changes in
      the single-ion anisotropy of the cobalt. 

PMID- 24224464
TI  - The chemistry of aromatic osmacycles.
AB  - Aromatic compounds, such as benzene and its derivatives, porphyrins, fullerenes,
      carbon nanotubes, and graphene, have numerous applications in biomedicine,
      materials science, energy science, and environmental science. Metalla-aromatics
      are analogues of conventional organic aromatic molecules in which one of the
      (hydro)carbon segments is formally replaced by an isolobal transition-metal
      fragment. Researchers have studied these transition-metal-containing aromatic
      molecules for the past three decades, particularly the synthesis and reactivity
      of metallabenzenes. Another focus has been the preparation and characterization
      of other metalla-aromatics such as metallafurans, metallapyridines,
      metallabenzynes, and more. Despite significant advances, remaining challenges in
      this field include the limited number of convenient and versatile synthetic
      methods to construct stable and fully characterized metalla-aromatics, and the
      relative shortage of new topologies. To address these challenges, we have
      developed new methods for preparing metalla-aromatics, especially those
      possessing new topologies. Our synthetic efforts have led to a large family of
      closely related metalla-aromatics known as aromatic osmacycles. This Account
      summarizes the synthesis and reactivity of these compounds, with a focus on
      features that are different from those of compounds developed by other groups.
      These osmacycles can be synthesized from simple precursors under mild conditions.
      Using these efficient methods, we have synthesized aromatic osmacycles such as
      osmabenzene, osmabenzyne, isoosmabenzene, osmafuran, and osmanaphthalene.
      Furthermore, these methods have also created a series of new topologies, such as
      osmabenzothiazole and osmapyridyne. Our studies of the reactivity of these osma
      aromatics revealed unprecedented reaction patterns, and we demonstrated the
      interconversion of several osmacycles. Like other metalla-aromatics, osma
      aromatics have spectroscopic features of aromaticity, such as ring planarity and
      the characteristic bond lengths between a single and double bond, but the osma
      aromatics we have prepared also exhibit good stability towards air, water, and
      heat. Indeed, some seemingly unstable species proved stable, and their stability
      made it possible to study their optical, electrochemical, and magnetic
      properties. The stability of these compouds results from their aromaticity and
      the phosphonium substituents on the aromatic plane: most of our osma-aromatics
      carry at least one phosphonium group. The phosphonium group offers stability via
      both electronic and steric mechanisms. The phosphonium acts as an electron
      reservoir, allowing the circulation of electron pairs along metallacycles and
      lowering the electron density of the aromatic rings. Meanwhile, the bulky
      phosphonium groups surrounding the aromatic metallacycle prevent most reactions
      that could decompose the skeleton. 

PMID- 24224466
TI  - On the nature of interactions of radicals with polar molecules.
AB  - Solvated radicals play an important role in many areas of chemistry, but to date,
      the nature of their interactions with polar solvent molecules lacks chemical
      interpretation. We present a computational quantum chemical analysis of the
      binding motives of binary complexes involving electron-poor and electron-rich
      radicals bound to water and hydrogen fluoride, considered here as model polar
      solvent molecules. By comparing the binding strengths of several open-shell and
      closed-shell complexes, in combination with natural localized molecular orbital
      analysis, we show that open-shell complexes can exhibit additional donor-acceptor
      interactions relative to analogous closed-shell systems. This may explain the
      unexpectedly large binding energies observed in some open-shell complexes. These
      exploratory results show that specific interactions in open-shell systems deserve
      more attention, and they imply that the quantum mechanical description of
      explicit solvent molecules needs to be considered carefully when designing
      simulation protocols for solvated radicals. 

PMID- 24224465
TI  - Proteasomal interaction as a critical activity modulator of the human
      constitutive androstane receptor.
AB  - The CAR (constitutive androstane receptor; NR1I3) is a critical xenobiotic sensor
      that regulates xenobiotic metabolism, drug clearance, energy and lipid
      homoeostasis, cell proliferation and development. Although constitutively active,
      in hepatocytes CAR is normally held quiescent through a tethering mechanism in
      the cytosol, anchored to a protein complex that includes several components,
      including heat-shock protein 90. Release and subsequent nuclear translocation of
      CAR is triggered through either direct binding to ligand activators such as CITCO
      {6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole-5-carbaldehyde O-(3,4
      dichlorobenzyl)oxime} or through indirect chemical activation, such as with PB
      (phenobarbital). In the present study, we demonstrate that proteasomal inhibition
      markedly disrupts CAR function, repressing CAR nuclear trafficking, disrupting
      CAR's interaction with nuclear co-activators and inhibiting induction of CAR
      target gene responses in human primary hepatocytes following treatment with
      either PB or CITCO. Paradoxically, these effects occur following accumulation of
      ubiquitinated hCAR (human CAR). Furthermore, a non-proteolytic function was
      indicated by its interaction with a SUG1 (suppressor for Gal1), a subunit of the
      26S proteasome. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the proteasome
      complex functions at multiple levels to regulate the functional biology of hCAR
      activity. 

PMID- 24224467
TI  - Reexpansion pulmonary edema: review of pediatric cases.
AB  - Reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is an increased permeability pulmonary edema
      that usually occurs in the reexpanded lung after several days of lung collapse.
      This condition is recognized to occur more frequently in patients under the age
      of 40 years, but there has been no detailed analysis of reported pediatric cases
      of RPE to date. For this review, PubMed literature searches were performed using
      the following terms: 're(-)expansion pulmonary (o)edema' AND ('child' OR
      'children' OR 'infant' OR 'boy' OR 'girl' OR 'adolescent'). The 22 pediatric
      cases of RPE identified were included in this review. RPE was reported in almost
      the entire pediatric age range, and as in adult cases, the severity ranged from
      subclinical to lethal. No specific treatment for RPE was identified, and
      treatment was administered according to the clinical features of each patient. Of
      the 22 reported cases, 10 occurred during the perioperative period, but were not
      related to any specific surgical procedures or anesthetic techniques, or to the
      duration of lung collapse. Pediatric anesthesiologists should be aware that
      pediatric RPE can occur after reexpansion of any collapsed lung and that some
      invasive therapies can be useful in severe cases. 

PMID- 24224469
TI  - Relationships between sperm length and speed differ among three internally and
      three externally fertilizing species.
AB  - It is often assumed that longer sperm, by virtue of their increased swimming
      speed, have a fertilization advantage over shorter sperm when in competition to
      fertilize eggs. However, there is surprisingly little evidence for a positive
      correlation between sperm length and speed. Here we use an approach that accounts
      for within-male variation in sperm traits to examine the relationships between
      sperm length and sperm speed across a broad range of species, including three
      internally fertilizing species and three externally fertilizing species. Our
      results reveal that correlations between sperm size and speed are indeed present
      and possibly more common than currently thought. However, the direction of the
      correlations between sperm length and speed, which are more prevalent within a
      male's ejaculate than among males, were influenced by fertilization mode in
      contrasting and unexpected ways. Broadly, the patterns revealed that in
      externally fertilizing species sperm with longer flagellum and shorter heads
      relative to their flagellum swam faster, whereas in internally fertilizing
      species sperm with shorter flagellum and longer heads relative to their flagellum
      swam faster. We discuss these results in light of sperm competition theory and
      contrast the intraspecific patterns observed in this study with macroevolutionary
      patterns of sperm evolution reported elsewhere. 

PMID- 24224468
TI  - Oral delivery of double-stranded RNA in larvae of the yellow fever mosquito,
      Aedes aegypti: implications for pest mosquito control.
AB  - RNA interference has already proven itself to be a highly versatile molecular
      biology tool for understanding gene function in a limited number of insect
      species, but its widespread use in other species will be dependent on the
      development of easier methods of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery. This study
      demonstrates that RNA interference can be induced in the mosquito Aedes aegypti
      L. (Diptera: Culicidae) simply by soaking larvae in a solution of dsRNA for two
      hours. The mRNA transcripts for beta-tubulin, chitin synthase-1 and -2, and heat
      shock protein 83 were reduced between 30 and 50% three days post-dsRNA treatment.
      The dsRNA was mixed with a visible dye to identify those individuals that fed on
      the dsRNA, and based on an absence of RNA interference in those individuals that
      contained no dye within their guts, the primary route of entry of dsRNA is likely
      through the gut epithelium. RNA interference was systemic in the insects,
      inducing measurable knock down of gene expression in tissues beyond the gut.
      Silencing of the beta-tubulin and chitin synthase-1 genes resulted in reduced
      growth and/or mortality of the larvae, demonstrating the utility of dsRNA as a
      potential mosquito larvicide. Silencing of chitin synthase-2 did not induce
      mortality in the larvae, and silencing of heat shock protein 83 only induced
      mortality in the insects if they were subsequently subjected to a heat stress.
      Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) larvae were also soaked
      in dsRNA designed to specifically target either their own beta-tubulin gene, or
      that of A. aegypti, and significant mortality was only seen in larvae treated
      with dsRNA targeting their own gene, which suggests that dsRNA pesticides could
      be designed to be species-limited.

PMID- 24224470
TI  - Ag2S quantum dots conjugated chitosan nanospheres toward light-triggered nitric
      oxide release and near-infrared fluorescence imaging.
AB  - Nanoscaled light-triggered nitric oxide (NO) delivery vehicles with the ability
      of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging was presented, which consisted of
      chitosan (CS)-based S-nitrosothiols (SNO) and encapsulated silver sulfide quantum
      dots (Ag2S QDs). CS-SNO compounds that bore NO-storing functional groups were
      prepared via amino modification of chitosan. Water-soluble Ag2S QDs were
      synthesized and conjugated with the CS-SNO compounds with the aid of
      ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The biocompatible Ag2S-CS-SNO
      nanospheres, with dimension of ~117 nm, exhibited bright NIR fluorescence and
      satisfactory photostability under NIR irradiation. The Ag2S-CS-SNO nanospheres
      could release NO under irradiation of UV or visible light at physiological pH and
      temperature yet would hardly release NO if NIR irradiation was applied. Cell
      imaging was successfully performed, demonstrating that the Ag2S-CS-SNO
      nanospheres could emit readily observable NIR fluorescence and release NO in
      living cells. The NIR fluorescence imaging of the Ag2S-CS-SNO nanospheres did not
      interfere with the light-triggered NO release from them, which would provide new
      perspectives for the application of multifunctional nanostructured materials in
      diagnostics and imaging. 

PMID- 24224472
TI  - Neuroprotective and symptomatic effects of targeting group III mGlu receptors in
      neurodegenerative disease.
AB  - Neurodegenerative disorders possess common pathological mechanisms, such as
      protein aggregation, inflammation, oxidative stress (OS) and excitotoxicity,
      raising the possibility of shared therapeutic targets. As a result of the
      selective cellular and regional expression of group III metabotropic glutamate
      (mGlu) receptors, drugs targeting such receptors have demonstrated both
      neuroprotective properties and symptomatic improvements in several models of
      neurodegeneration. In recent years, the discovery and development of subtype
      selective ligands for the group III mGlu receptors has gained pace, allowing
      further research into the functions of these receptors and revealing their roles
      in health and disease. Activation of this class of receptors results in
      neuroprotection, with a variety of underlying mechanisms implicated. Group III
      mGlu receptor stimulation prevents excitotoxicity by inhibiting glutamate release
      from neurons and microglia and increasing glutamate uptake by astrocytes. It also
      attenuates the neuroinflammatory response by reducing glial reactivity and
      encourages neurotrophic phenotypes. This article will review the current
      literature with regard to the neuroprotective and symptomatic effects of group
      III mGlu receptor activation and discuss their promise as therapeutic targets in
      neurodegenerative disease. We review the neuroprotective and symptomatic effects
      of targeting group III mGlu receptors in neurodegenerative disease: Excess
      extracellular glutamate causes overactivation of NMDA receptors resulting in
      excitotoxicity. Externalization of phosphatidylserine stimulates phagocytosis of
      neurons by activated microglia, which contribute to damage through glutamate and
      pro-inflammatory factor release. Reactive astrocytes produce cytotoxic factors
      enhancing neuronal cell death. Activation of group III mGlu receptors by
      glutamate and/or mGlu receptor ligands results in inhibition of glutamate release
      from presynaptic terminals and microglia, reducing excitotoxicity. Astrocytic
      glutamate uptake is increased and microglia produce neurotrophic factors. 

PMID- 24224471
TI  - OX40L blockade and allergen-induced airway responses in subjects with mild
      asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The OX40/OX40L interaction contributes to an optimal T cell response
      following allergic stimuli and plays an important role in the maintenance and
      reactivation of memory T effector cells. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether treatment
      with an anti-OX40L monoclonal antibody (MAb) would inhibit allergen-induced
      responses in subjects with asthma. METHODS: Twenty-eight mild, atopic asthmatic
      subjects were recruited for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled,
      parallel-group trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00983658) to compare
      blockade of OX40L using a humanized anti-OX40L MAb to placebo-administered
      intravenously in 4 doses over 3 months. Allergen inhalation challenges were
      carried out 56 and 113 days after the first dose of study drug. The primary
      outcome variable was the late-phase asthmatic response. Other outcomes included
      the early-phase asthmatic response, airway hyperresponsiveness, serum IgE levels,
      blood and sputum eosinophils, safety and tolerability. RESULTS: Treatment with
      anti-OX40L MAb did not attenuate the early- or late-phase asthmatic responses at
      days 56 or 113 compared with placebo. In the anti-OX40L MAb treatment group,
      total IgE was reduced 17% from pre-dosing levels, and sputum eosinophils
      decreased 75% by day 113 (both P = 0.04). There was no effect of anti-OX40L MAb
      on airway hyperresponsiveness or blood eosinophils. The frequency of AEs was
      similar in both groups. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pharmacological
      activity of anti-OX40L MAb was observed by decreases in serum total IgE and
      airway eosinophils at 16 weeks post-dosing, but there was no effect on allergen
      induced airway responses. It is possible that the treatment duration or dose of
      antibody was insufficient to impact the airway responses.

PMID- 24224473
TI  - Determination of extremely high pressure tolerance of brine shrimp larvae by
      using a new pressure chamber system.
AB  - Hydrostatic pressure is the only one of a range of environmental parameters
      (water temperature, salinity, light availability, and so on) that increases in
      proportion with depth. Pressure tolerance is therefore essential to understand
      the foundation of populations and current diversity of faunal compositions at
      various depths. In the present study, we used a newly developed pressure chamber
      system to examine changes in larval activity of the salt-lake crustacean, Artemia
      franciscana, in response to a range of hydrostatic pressures. We showed that A.
      franciscana larvae were able to survive for a short period at pressures of <= 60
      MPa (approximately equal to the pressure of 6000 m deep). At a pressure of > 20
      MPa, larval motor ability was suppressed, but not lost. Meanwhile, at a pressure
      of > 40 MPa, some of the larval motor ability was lost without recovery after
      decompression. For all experiments, discordance of movement and timing between
      right and left appendages, was observed at pressures of > 20 MPa. Our results
      indicate that the limit of pressure for sustaining active behavior of A.
      franciscana larvae is ~20 MPa, whereas the limit of pressure for survival is
      within the range 30-60 MPa. Thus, members of the genus Artemia possess the
      ability to resist a higher range of pressures than their natural habitat depth.
      Our findings demonstrated an example of an organism capable of invading deeper
      environment in terms of physical pressure tolerance, and indicate the need and
      importance of pressure study as an experimental method. 

PMID- 24224474
TI  - Carbon nanotube scaffolds instruct human dendritic cells: modulating immune
      responses by contacts at the nanoscale.
AB  - Nanomaterials interact with cells and modify their function and biology.
      Manufacturing this ability can provide tissue-engineering scaffolds with
      nanostructures able to influence tissue growth and performance. Carbon nanotube
      compatibility with biomolecules motivated ongoing interest in the development of
      biosensors and devices including such materials. More recently, carbon nanotubes
      have been applied in several areas of nerve tissue engineering to study cell
      behavior or to instruct the growth and organization of neural networks. To gather
      further knowledge on the true potential of future constructs, in particular to
      assess their immune-modulatory action, we evaluate carbon nanotubes interactions
      with human dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are professional antigen-presenting cells
      and their behavior can predict immune responses triggered by adhesion-dependent
      signaling. Here, we incorporate DC cultures to carbon nanotubes and we show by
      phenotype, microscopy, and transcriptional analysis that in vitro differentiated
      and activated DCs show when interfaced to carbon nanotubes a lower immunogenic
      profile. 

PMID- 24224475
TI  - Phantom limb pain: a systematic neuroanatomical-based review of pharmacologic
      treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Review the current evidence-based pharmacotherapy for phantom limb
      pain (PLP) in the context of the current understanding of the pathophysiology of
      this condition. DESIGN: We conducted a systematic review of original research
      papers specifically investigating the pharmacologic treatment of PLP. Literature
      was sourced from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Studies with animals, "neuropathic" but not "phantom
      limb" pain, or without pain scores and/or functional measures as primary outcomes
      were excluded. A level of evidence 1-4 was ascribed to individual treatments.
      These levels included meta-analysis or systematic reviews (level 1), one or more
      well-powered randomized, controlled trials (level 2), retrospective studies, open
      label trials, pilot studies (level 3), and anecdotes, case reports, or clinical
      experience (level 4). RESULTS: We found level 2 evidence for gabapentin, both
      oral (PO) and intravenous (IV) morphine, tramadol, intramuscular (IM) botulinum
      toxin, IV and epidural Ketamine, level 3 evidence for amitriptyline,
      dextromethorphan, topiramate, IV calcitonin, PO memantine, continuous perineural
      catheter analgesia with ropivacaine, and level 4 evidence for methadone,
      intrathecal (IT) buprenorphine, IT and epidural fentanyl, duloxetine, fluoxetine,
      mirtazapine, clonazepam, milnacipran, capsaicin, and pregabalin. CONCLUSIONS:
      Currently, the best evidence (level 2) exists for the use of IV ketamine and IV
      morphine for the short-term perioperative treatment of PLP and PO morphine for an
      intermediate to long-term treatment effect (8 weeks to 1 year). Level 2 evidence
      is mixed for the efficacy of perioperative epidural anesthesia with morphine and
      bupivacaine for short to long-term pain relief (perioperatively up to 1 year) as
      well as for the use of gabapentin for pain relief of intermediate duration (6
      weeks).

PMID- 24224476
TI  - Risk factors associated with self-reported symptoms of digital ischemia in elite
      male volleyball players in the Netherlands.
AB  - One in every four elite male volleyball players in the Netherlands reported blue
      or pale digits in the dominant hand. Little is known about risk factors. To
      assess whether personal-, sports-, and work-related risk factors are associated
      with these symptoms in these volleyball players, a survey was performed among
      elite male volleyball players in the Dutch national top league and in the Dutch
      beach volleyball team. The questionnaire assessed the presence of symptoms and
      risk factors. Binary logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios
      (ORs). A total of 99 of the 107 athletes participated - a response rate of 93%.
      Two sports-related risk factors were associated with symptoms of blue or pale
      digits: 18-30 years playing volleyball [OR = 6.70; 95% confidence interval (CI)
      1.12-29.54] and often/always performing weight training to increase dominant limb
      strength (OR = 2.70; 95% CI 1.05-6.92). No significant other sports-, personal-,
      or work-related risk factors were found. Playing volleyball for more than 17
      years and often/always performing weight training to increase dominant limb
      strength were independently associated with an increased risk on ischemia-related
      complaints of the dominant hand in elite male volleyball players.

PMID- 24224477
TI  - Effect of the infectious dose and the presence of hepatitis C virus core gene on
      mouse intrahepatic CD8 T cells.
AB  - AIM: Chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infections often result in ineffective CD8 T
      cell responses due to functional exhaustion of HCV-specific T cells. However, how
      persisting HCV impacts CD8 T-cell effector functions remains largely unknown. The
      aim of this study is to examine the effect of the infectious dose and the
      presence of HCV core gene. METHODS: We compared responses of intrahepatic CD8 T
      cells during infection of wild-type or HCV core transgenic (Tg) mice with various
      infectious doses of HCV-NS3-expressing recombinant adenovirus (Ad-HCV-NS3).
      RESULTS: Using major histocompatibility complex class I tetramer and
      intracellular interferon (IFN)-gamma staining method to track HCV-NS3-specific
      CD8 T cells, we found that a significant expansion of HCV-NS3-specific CD8 T
      cells was restricted to a very narrow dosage range. IFN-gamma production by
      intrahepatic CD8 T cells in HCV core Tg mice was suppressed as compared with wild
      type mice. Higher levels of expression of regulatory molecules, Tim-3 and PD-1,
      by intrahepatic CD8 T cells and PD-L1 by intrahepatic antigen-presenting cells
      were observed in HCV core Tg mice following Ad-HCV-NS3 infection, and the
      expression increased dependent on infectious dose. Furthermore, we found a
      significant inverse correlation between the percentages of IFN-gamma-producing
      cells and expression of regulatory molecules in antigen-specific intrahepatic CD8
      T cells. CONCLUSION: High infectious dose and the presence of HCV core gene were
      strongly involved in ineffective CD8 T-cell responses. We consider that HCV core
      Tg mouse infected with high infectious dose of Ad-HCV-NS3 is useful as a chronic
      infection model in the development of immunotherapy for chronic hepatitis C.

PMID- 24224478
TI  - Study of stem cell marker nestin and its correlation with vascular endothelial
      growth factor and microvascular density in ependymomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ependymomas are relatively rare glial tumours, whose pathogenesis is
      not well elucidated. They are enigmatic tumours that show site-specific
      differences in their biological behaviour. Recent studies have hypothesized that
      ependymoma cancer stem cells (CSCs) are derived from radial glia and express stem
      cell markers such as nestin, which is associated with a poor prognosis. CSCs
      reside in 'vascular niches', where endothelial cells and molecular signals like
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play an important role in their
      survival. Studies analysing VEGF expression in ependymomas showed that ependymal
      vascular proliferation is less sensitive to induction by VEGF, questioning the
      possible beneficial effect of anti-VEGF therapy in ependymomas. We aimed to study
      nestin and VEGF immunoexpression in ependymomas, correlate them with
      clinicopathological parameters and reveal a role for VEGF in ependymomas that
      extends beyond the context of tumour angiogenesis. METHODS: We analysed 126 cases
      of ependymomas of different grades and locations for nestin and VEGF
      immunoexpression. Endothelial cells were labelled with CD34. Vascular patterns
      and microvascular density was determined. RESULTS: Nestin and VEGF expression in
      tumour cells were more frequent in supratentorial tumours [89% (33/37) and 65%
      (24/37) respectively], and were associated with a significantly poor progression
      free survival (PFS). VEGF expression did not reveal any correlation with necrosis
      or bizarre vascular patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Supratentorial location is an
      independent predictor of a poor PFS. Significant coexpression of nestin and VEGF
      suggests that latter possibly augments stem cell survival. Thus, anti-VEGF
      therapy may be a good option in future for nestin immunopositive ependymomas.

PMID- 24224479
TI  - Analysis of the thyroid phenotype in 42 patients with Pendred syndrome and
      nonsyndromic enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pendred syndrome (PS), a recessive disorder caused by mutations in
      the SLC26A4 (PDS) gene, is associated with deafness and goiter. SLC26A4 mutations
      have also been identified in patients exhibiting isolated sensorineural hearing
      loss without apparent thyroid abnormality (nonsyndromic enlargement of the
      vestibular aqueduct; nonsyndromic EVA). Our aim was to describe systematically
      the thyroidal phenotypes and the SLC26A4 genotypes of patients presenting with PS
      or nonsyndromic EVA. METHODS: Nineteen patients with PS and 23 patients with
      nonsyndromic EVA, aged 5-53 years, were included. They underwent thyroid
      evaluation (physical examination, biological thyroid function tests, measurement
      of thyroglobulin level, thyroid ultrasonography, and thyroid (123)I scintigraphy
      with perchlorate discharge test), otological evaluation, and SLC26A4 mutation
      screening. RESULTS: In 19 patients with PS, goiter was identified in 15 (79%) and
      hypothyroidism in 15 (79%); hypothyroidism was subclinical in four patients and
      congenital in six patients. The perchlorate discharge test (PDT) was positive in
      10/16 (63%). Morphological evaluation of the inner ear using MRI and/or CT showed
      bilateral EVA in 15/15 PS patients. Mutation screening revealed two SLC26A4
      mutant alleles in all 19 PS patients that were homozygous in two families and
      compound heterozygous in 12 families. In the 23 patients with nonsyndromic EVA,
      systematic thyroid evaluation found no abnormalities except for slightly
      increased thyroglobulin levels in two patients. SLC26A4 mutations were identified
      in 9/23 (39%). Mutations were biallelic in two (compound heterozygous) and
      monoallelic in seven patients. CONCLUSION: The thyroid phenotype is widely
      variable in PS. SLC26A4 mutation screening is needed in patients exhibiting PS or
      nonsyndromic EVA. PS is associated with biallelic SLC26A4 mutations and
      nonsyndromic EVA with no, monoallelic, or biallelic SLC26A4 mutations. Systematic
      thyroid evaluation is recommended in patients with nonsyndromic EVA associated
      with one or two SLC26A4 mutations. We propose using a combination of three
      parameters to define and diagnose PS: (i) sensorineural deafness with bilateral
      EVA; (ii) thyroid abnormality comprising goiter and/or hypothyroidism and/or a
      positive PDT; (iii) biallelic SLC26A4 mutations.

PMID- 24224480
TI  - Totally intracorporeal robot-assisted radical cystectomy: optimizing total
      outcomes.
AB  - We performed a systematic literature review to assess the current status of a
      totally intracorporeal robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) approach. The
      current 'gold standard' for radical cystectomy remains open radical cystectomy.
      RARC has lagged behind robot-assisted prostatectomy in terms of adoption and
      perceived patient benefit, but there are indications that this is now changing.
      There have been several recently published large series of RARC, both with
      extracorporeal and with intracorporeal urinary diversions. The present review
      focuses on the totally intracorporeal approach. Radical cystectomy is complex
      surgery with several important outcome measures, including oncological and
      functional outcomes, complication rates, patient recovery and cost implications.
      We aim to answer the question of whether there are advantages to a totally
      intracorporeal robotic approach or whether we are simply making an already
      complex procedure more challenging with an associated increase in complication
      rates. We review the current status of both oncological and functional outcomes
      of totally intracorporeal RARC compared with standard RARC with extraperitoneal
      urinary diversion and with open radical cystectomy, and assess the associated
      short- and long-term complication rates. We also review aspects in training and
      research that have affected the uptake of RARC. Additionally we evaluate how
      current technology is contributing to the future development of this surgical
      technique. 

PMID- 24224481
TI  - Learning to spell from reading: general knowledge about spelling patterns
      influences memory for specific words.
AB  - Adults often learn to spell words during the course of reading for meaning,
      without intending to do so. We used an incidental learning task in order to study
      this process. Spellings that contained double n, r and t which are common
      doublets in French, were learned more readily by French university students than
      spellings that contained less common but still legal doublets. When recalling or
      recognizing the latter, the students sometimes made transposition errors,
      doubling a consonant that often doubles in French rather than the consonant that
      was originally doubled (e.g., tiddunar recalled as tidunnar). The results, found
      in three experiments using different nonwords and different types of
      instructions, show that people use general knowledge about the graphotactic
      patterns of their writing system together with word-specific knowledge to
      reconstruct spellings that they learn from reading. These processes contribute to
      failures and successes in memory for spellings, as in other domains. 

PMID- 24224482
TI  - Diaper dermatitis: etiology, manifestations, prevention, and management.
AB  - Pediatricians and parents report diaper dermatitis (DD) to be one of the most
      common skin diseases that affects almost every child at some point during the
      early months and years of life. Diapered skin is exposed to friction and
      excessive hydration, has a higher pH than nondiapered skin, and is repeatedly
      soiled with feces that contains enzymes with high irritation potential for the
      skin. The combination of these factors frequently results in skin damage, leading
      to visible erythematous lesions that can be irritating and painful to the child.
      Behavioral changes such as increased crying and agitation and changes in eating
      and sleeping patterns indicate emotional distress. Appropriate skin care can help
      to prevent the occurrence of DD and to speed up the healing of affected skin.
      This includes frequent diaper changes and aeration, gentle cleansing, and the use
      of a barrier cream. Mild to moderate cases usually resolve after a few days of
      following this routine, but the use of harsh cleaning products can exacerbate DD.

PMID- 24224483
TI  - Advanced kidney cancer: treating the elderly.
AB  - Advancing age represents the primary risk factor for renal tumors. Despite
      findings on the inhibition of angiogenesis that have led to six new drugs to
      treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma, elderly patients have not been fully
      represented in clinical trials. In addition, current opinions regarding
      nephrectomy in elderly patients are conflicting. Available data refer to the
      efficacy and safety of sorafenib, sunitinib, everolimus, bevacizumab and
      temsirolimus in patients aged 65 years and older; safety and efficacy data are
      available only for sunitinib, sorafenib,and everolimus in patients aged 70 years
      and older and only sorafenib has safety data for patients aged 75 years and
      older. A different approach based on evaluating comorbidities at baseline, risk
      of drug interactions and the impact of antitumor treatment in patients with
      polytherapy regimen is discussed. A decision-making algorithm is proposed to
      facilitate the selection of the best therapy for kidney tumors for a specific
      elderly patient profile. 

PMID- 24224484
TI  - Natural history of postvascular-phase iso-enhanced lesions on the sonogram in
      chronic liver diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study examined the natural history of postvascular-phase
      iso-enhanced lesions (PIELs) on contrast-enhanced sonograms to determine the
      potential risk and predictive factors for developing hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC) in chronic liver diseases. METHODS: This prospective study included 87
      PIELs on contrast-enhanced sonograms (postvascular-phase: 10 min post-injection
      of perflubutane microbubbles) in 72 patients with chronic liver diseases (45
      males and 27 females; age 65.0 +/- 10.8y; PIEL diameter 12.5 +/- 4.2 mm). The
      PIELs were followed up by ultrasound/contrast-enhanced ultrasound, computed
      tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging at 3 to 6 months intervals. RESULTS:
      Twenty patients developed HCCs during the study period (median, 22.0 months). The
      cumulative risk of HCC occurrence was 7.9% at 1 year and 36.0% at 3 years. The
      presence of coexistent HCC (hazard ratio [HR], 4.975; 95% confidence interval
      [CI], 1.729-14.316; P = 0.003) and alpha-fetoprotein > 20 ng/mL (HR, 4.104; 95%
      CI, 1.621-10.392; P = 0.003) were significant factors for the risk of HCC
      occurrence. Fourteen of these lesions were diagnosed as HCCs that developed from
      iso-enhanced lesions. Cumulative HCC occurrence rates from PIEL > 14 mm was 23.5%
      at 1 year and 46.3% at 3 years. Cox regression analysis showed that PIEL > 14 mm
      (HR, 6.780; 95% CI, 2.060-22.32; P = 0.002) and alpha-fetoprotein > 20 ng/mL (HR,
      4.892; 95% CI, 1.559-15.350; P = 0.007) were statistically significant factors
      for HCC occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with coexistent HCC, alpha-fetoprotein
      > 20 ng/mL, or PIEL > 14 mm should be carefully monitored because of the high
      potential for HCC occurrence.

PMID- 24224485
TI  - SIM-dependent enhancement of substrate-specific SUMOylation by a ubiquitin ligase
      in vitro.
AB  - SIMs (SUMO-interaction motifs), which mediate the non-covalent binding of SUMO
      (small ubiquitin-related modifier) to other proteins, are usually involved in the
      recognition of SUMOylated substrates by downstream effectors that transmit the
      biological signal of the modification. In ubiquitin ligase Rad18 (radiation
      sensitive 18) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a SIM, contributes to the
      recognition of SUMOylated PCNA (proliferating-cell nuclear antigen) as its
      physiological ubiquitylation target. In the present study we show that Rad18 is
      also capable of enhancing PCNA SUMOylation in a SIM-dependent manner in vitro,
      most probably by means of directing SUMO-loaded Ubc9 (ubiquitin-conjugating
      enzyme 9) towards the substrate. The process shares important features with Rad18
      dependent ubiquitylation, such as an exquisite specificity for the modification
      site on PCNA and the requirement of DNA, and the reaction proceeds under
      conditions that are widely used in other in vitro assays for SUMO ligase
      activity. However, there is no evidence that Rad18 contributes to PCNA
      SUMOylation in vivo. The findings of the present study therefore illustrate the
      problematic nature of in vitro SUMOylation assays and highlight the danger of
      extrapolating from this type of experiment to the biological function of a SUMO
      interacting protein.

PMID- 24224487
TI  - High-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structures, and
      spectroscopic studies of a uranium(IV) phosphate (Na10U2P6O24) and the isotypic
      cerium(IV) phosphate (Na10Ce2P6O24).
AB  - A uranium(IV) phosphate, Na10U2P6O24, was synthesized under hydrothermal
      conditions at 570  degrees C and 160 MPa and structurally characterized by single
      crystal X-ray diffraction. The valence state of uranium was established by UV-vis
      and U 4f X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The powder sample has a second
      harmonic-generation signal, confirming the absence of a center of symmetry in the
      structure. The structure contains UO8 snub-disphenoidal polyhedra that are linked
      to monophosphate tetrahedra by vertex and edge sharing such that a three
      dimensional framework with intersecting 12-sided circular and rectangular
      channels is formed. All 10 sodium sites are situated inside the channels and are
      fully occupied. This is the first uranium(IV) phosphate synthesized under high
      temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal conditions. The isotypic cerium(IV)
      phosphate, Na10Ce2P6O24, was also synthesized under the same hydrothermal
      conditions. It is the first structurally characterized Ce(IV) phosphate with a
      P/Ce ratio of 3. Crystal data of Na10U2P6O24: orthorhombic, P212121 (No. 19), a =
      6.9289(3) A, b = 16.1850(7) A, c = 18.7285(7) A, V = 2100.3(2) A(3), Z = 4, R1 =
      0.0304, and wR2 = 0.0522. Crystal data of Na10Ce2P6O24: orthorhombic,
      P2(1)2(1)2(1) (No. 19), a = 6.9375(14) A, b = 16.215(3) A, c = 18.765(4) A, V =
      2111.0(7) A(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.0202, and wR2 = 0.0529.

PMID- 24224486
TI  - Purinergic stimulation of K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+ exchanger isoform 4 requires dual
      activation by PKC and CaMKII.
AB  - K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+-exchanger isoform 4 (NCXK4) is one of the most broadly
      expressed members of the NCKX (K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+-exchanger) family. Recent
      data indicate that NCKX4 plays a critical role in controlling normal Ca2+ signal
      dynamics in olfactory and other neurons. Synaptic Ca2+ dynamics are modulated by
      purinergic regulation, mediated by ATP released from synaptic vesicles or from
      neighbouring glial cells. Previous studies have focused on modulation of Ca2+
      entry pathways that initiate signalling. Here we have investigated purinergic
      regulation of NCKX4, a powerful extrusion pathway that assists in terminating
      Ca2+ signals. NCKX4 activity was stimulated by ATP through activation of the P2Y
      receptor signalling pathway. Stimulation required dual activation of PKC (protein
      kinase C) and CaMKII (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II). Mutating
      T312, a putative PKC phosphorylation site on NCKX4, partially prevented
      purinergic stimulation. These data illustrate how purinergic regulation can shape
      the dynamics of Ca2+ signalling by activating a signal damping and termination
      pathway. 

PMID- 24224488
TI  - Methemoglobin generation by 8-aminoquinolines: effect of substitution at 5
      position of primaquine.
AB  - Currently, the only clinically approved antimalarial drug to treat relapsing
      malaria is primaquine (PQ), yet PQ administration can cause life-threatening
      hemolytic anemia in some patients. In our efforts to understand the connection
      between PQ and methemoglobin formation, the effect of 5-substituted primaquine
      derivatives on the basicity of hemoglobin-bound O2 was investigated using various
      computational methods, including quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM)
      calculations, molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory
      calculations, to determine the geometries, relative energies, spin densities,
      proton affinities and ionization potentials of various PQ derivatives and
      PQ...hemoglobin complexes. We found that the protein environment and solvent do
      not change our previously proposed methemoglobin formation mechanism that 5
      hydroxyprimaquine donates an electron to O2, facilitating its conversion to H2O2
      and generating methemoglobin. Because of 5-hydroxyprimaquine's ability to lose an
      electron by this mechanism, we then used different substituents at primaquine's 5
      position and found that an electron-withdrawing group (EWG) increases the
      ionization potential of the corresponding derivative. As a result, the EWG
      substituted derivatives make the hemoglobin-bound O2 less basic, because of their
      weaker electron-donating ability. These derivatives hence are predicted to have a
      lower propensity to generate methemoglobin, which can inform future design of
      less hemotoxic antimalarial drugs. We also carried out experimental measurement
      of methemoglobin formation for some of the 5-substituted derivatives. 

PMID- 24224490
TI  - Pigmented chin papillomas in red (Cervus elaphus)  x wapiti (Cervus canadensis)
      stags associated with a novel papillomavirus.
AB  - CASE HISTORY: Lesions were observed on the chins of two 2- to 3-year-old red
      (Cervus elaphus)  x wapiti (Cervus canadensis) stags from the lower North Island
      of New Zealand during velvet removal. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Both stags had numerous,
      coalescing, darkly pigmented plaques and nodules on the skin of the chin and
      lower lips that were 3-10 mm in diameter. Re-examination after 12 months of
      initial detection revealed no appreciable change in the lesions. A biopsy sample
      from one lesion was submitted for histopathological examination. HISTOPATHOLOGY:
      Sections revealed lesions consistent with pigmented viral papillomas,
      characterised by marked epidermal hyperplasia forming papillary fronds, prominent
      clumping of keratohyalin granules, keratinocytes with dilated grey-blue
      cytoplasm, shrunken nuclei surrounded by a clear halo (koilocytes), and
      presumptive viral intranuclear inclusions. Papillomavirus DNA was amplified by
      PCR from a fresh tissue sample from the same papilloma. Comparison of the partial
      nucleotide sequence amplified to previously reported papillomaviruses suggested
      the presence of a novel papillomavirus type. DIAGNOSIS: A presumptive diagnosis
      of pigmented viral papilloma was made. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: While the papillomas
      described in these two cases do not appear to cause major clinical disease, they
      are visually unappealing and have the potential to spread to other valuable deer.

PMID- 24224491
TI  - Renewal of the air-water interface as a critical system parameter of protein
      stability: aggregation of the human growth hormone and its prevention by surface
      active compounds.
AB  - Soluble proteins are often highly unstable under mixing conditions that involve
      dynamic contacting between the main liquid phase and a gas phase. The recombinant
      human growth hormone (rhGH) was recently shown to undergo aggregation into
      micrometer-sized solid particles composed of non-native (mis- or unfolded)
      protein, once its solutions were stirred or shaken to generate a continuously
      renewed air-water interface. To gain deepened understanding and improved
      quantification of the air-water interface effect on rhGH stability, we analyzed
      the protein's aggregation rate (r(agg)) at controlled specific air-water surface
      areas (a(G/L)) established by stirring or bubble aeration. We show that in spite
      of comparable time-averaged values for a(G/L) (~ 100 m(2)/m(3)), aeration gave a
      40-fold higher r(agg) than stirring. The enhanced r(agg) under aeration was
      ascribed to faster macroscopic regeneration of free a(G/L) during aeration as
      compared to stirring. We also show that r(agg) was independent of the rhGH
      concentration in the range 0.67 - 6.7 mg/mL, and that it increased linearly
      dependent on the available a(G/L). The nonionic surfactant Pluronic F-68, added
      in 1.6-fold molar excess over rhGH present, resulted in complete suppression of
      r(agg). Foam formation was not a factor influencing r(agg). Using analysis by
      circular dichroism spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering, we show that in
      the presence of Pluronic F-68 under both stirring and aeration, the soluble
      protein retained its original fold, featuring native-like relative composition of
      secondary structural elements. We further provide evidence that the efficacy of
      Pluronic F-68 resulted from direct, probably hydrophobic protein-surfactant
      interactions that prevented rhGH from becoming attached to the air-water
      interface. Surface-induced aggregation of rhGH is suggested to involve desorption
      of non-native protein from the air-water interface as the key limiting step.
      Proteins or protein aggregates released back into the bulk liquid appear to be
      essentially insoluble.

PMID- 24224492
TI  - Glycosaminoglycans, hyperglycemia, and disease.
AB  - SIGNIFICANCE: Diabetes is a widespread disease with many clinical pathologies.
      Despite numerous pharmaceutical strategies for treatment, the incidence of
      diabetes continues to increase. Hyperglycemia, observed in diabetes, causes
      endothelial injury resulting in microvascular and macrovascular complications
      such as nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and increased atherosclerosis.
      RECENT ADVANCES: Proteoglycans are chemically diverse macromolecules consisting
      of a protein core with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) attached. Heparan sulfate
      proteoglycans are important compounds found on the endothelial cell membrane and
      in the extracellular matrix, which play an important role in growth regulation
      and serve as a reservoir for cytokines and other bioactive molecules. Endothelial
      cells are altered in hyperglycemia by a reduction in heparan sulfate and
      upregulation and secretion of heparanase, an enzyme that degrades heparan sulfate
      GAGs on proteoglycans. Reactive oxygen species, increased in diabetes, also
      destroy GAGs. CRITICAL ISSUES: Preservation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans on
      endothelial cells may be a strategy to prevent angiopathy associated with
      diabetes. The use of GAGs and GAG-like compounds may increase endothelial heparan
      sulfate and prevent an increase in the heparanase enzyme. FUTURE DIRECTIONS:
      Elucidating the mechanisms of GAG depletion and its significance in endothelial
      health may help to further understand, prevent, and treat cardiovascular
      complications associated with diabetes. Further studies examining the role of
      GAGs and GAG-like compounds in maintaining endothelial health, including their
      effect on heparanase, will determine the feasibility of these compounds in
      diabetes treatment. Preservation of heparan sulfate by decreasing heparanase may
      have important implications not only in diabetes, but also in cardiovascular
      disease and tumor biology.

PMID- 24224493
TI  - Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-allenoates by intermolecular
      addition of nitroalkanes to activated enynes.
AB  - The first efficient intermolecular addition of nitroalkanes to activated enynes
      for asymmetric synthesis of 2,3-allenoates is described. It is a new addition to
      the limited available strategies for catalytic asymmetric synthesis of
      allenoates. Enabled by a new bifunctional catalyst, a range of trisubstituted
      allenoates can be obtained in excellent chemical and optical purity. These
      allenoate products with a pendant 2-nitroethyl alpha-substituent are useful
      chiral building blocks. 

PMID- 24224494
TI  - Cell culturability of Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 depends on soil pH.
AB  - Pseudomonas inoculants may lose colony-forming ability in soil, but soil
      properties involved are poorly documented. Here, we tested the hypothesis that
      soil acidity could reduce persistence and cell culturability of Pseudomonas
      protegens CHA0. At 1 week in vitro, strain CHA0 was found as culturable cells at
      pH 7, whereas most cells at pH 4 and all cells at pH 3 were noncultured. In 21
      natural soils of contrasted pH, cell culturability loss of P. protegens CHA0 took
      place in all six very acidic soils (pH < 5.0) and in three of five acidic soils
      (5.0 < pH < 6.5), whereas it was negligible in the neutral and alkaline soils at
      2 weeks and 2 months. No correlation was found between total cell counts of P.
      protegens CHA0 and soil composition data, whereas colony counts of the strain
      correlated with soil pH. Maintenance of cell culturability in soils coincided
      with a reduction in inoculant cell size. Some of the noncultured CHA0 cells were
      nutrient responsive in Kogure's viability test, both in vitro and in soil. Thus,
      this shows for the first time that the sole intrinsic soil composition factor
      triggering cell culturability loss in P. protegens CHA0 is soil acidity. 

PMID- 24224495
TI  - Demonstration of an electrochemical liquid cell for operando transmission
      electron microscopy observation of the lithiation/delithiation behavior of Si
      nanowire battery anodes.
AB  - Over the past few years, in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies
      of lithium ion batteries using an open-cell configuration have helped us to gain
      fundamental insights into the structural and chemical evolution of the electrode
      materials in real time. In the standard open-cell configuration, the electrolyte
      is either solid lithium oxide or an ionic liquid, which is point-contacted with
      the electrode. This cell design is inherently different from a real battery,
      where liquid electrolyte forms conformal contact with electrode materials. The
      knowledge learnt from open cells can deviate significantly from the real battery,
      calling for operando TEM technique with conformal liquid electrolyte contact. In
      this paper, we developed an operando TEM electrochemical liquid cell to meet this
      need, providing the configuration of a real battery and in a relevant liquid
      electrolyte. To demonstrate this novel technique, we studied the
      lithiation/delithiation behavior of single Si nanowires. Some of
      lithiation/delithation behaviors of Si obtained using the liquid cell are
      consistent with the results from the open-cell studies. However, we also
      discovered new insights different from the open cell configuration-the dynamics
      of the electrolyte and, potentially, a future quantitative characterization of
      the solid electrolyte interphase layer formation and structural and chemical
      evolution. 

PMID- 24224496
TI  - Prevalence and molecular characterization of AmpC-producing clinical isolates of
      Escherichia coli from southeastern Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: AmpC in Escherichia coli is noninducible but is
      regulated by promoter and attenuator mechanisms and can be expressed at high
      levels as a result of a mutation. This study was undertaken to characterize the
      AmpC hyperproducing clinical isolates of E. coli. METHODS: E. coli isolates
      recovered from three major hospitals in Zahedan, South Eastern Iran, were
      selected on the basis of resistance phenotype to the third-generation
      cephalosporins and cefoxitin. Phenyl boronic acid as an inhibitor and cefoxitin
      were used to confirm the overexpression of AmpC. The presence of genes encoding
      ACC, FOX, MOX, DHA, CIT, and EBC was detected using multiplex PCR. The existence
      of mutations in the regulatory region of the chromosomal ampC gene was assessed
      using PCR and sequencing. RESULTS: Thirteen of 392 E. coli isolates were selected
      as high-level AmpC producers. Eleven of the 13 isolates contained the blaCMY-2
      gene; 12 of the 13 AmpC hyperproducing strains harbored changes in the
      promoter/attenuator region, which could explain the increased expression of the
      chromosome-encoded AmpC enzyme. In 10 of the 13 strains, we found both
      chromosomal- and plasmid-mediated mechanisms responsible for AmpC production.
      INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: AmpC hyperproducing E. coli isolates exhibit
      significant resistance to cephalosporins. This work showed that strains
      hyperproducing chromosomal AmpC could be as frequent as strains with plasmid
      mediated AmpC hyperproduction.

PMID- 24224497
TI  - Prevalence and molecular characterization of fluoroquinolone resistance in
      Escherichia coli isolates from dairy cattle with endometritis in China.
AB  - Fluoroquinolones are frequently used to treat infectious disease that is caused
      by Escherichia coli in dairy cattle. However, fluoroquinolone resistance occurs
      and is due either to chromosomal mutations in the bacterial topoisomerase genes
      and/or to plasmid-mediated resistance genes. The purpose of this study was to
      determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of fluoroquinolone
      resistance determinants in E. coli strains (n=148) isolated from dairy cattle
      with bovine endometritis in Inner Mongolia (China). Analysis of the mutations in
      the quinolone resistance-determining regions of resistant E. coli isolates
      confirmed previously reported substitutions in the GyrA and ParE. However, we
      identified additional substitutions in the ParC and GyrB that have not been
      reported earlier. No plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in any of the
      isolates were found. The number of point mutations found per isolate correlated
      with an increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin.
      Overall, 45.5% of the isolates were positive for the class I integrase gene along
      with four gene cassettes that were responsible for resistance to trimethoprim
      (dfr1 and dfrA17) and aminoglycosides (aadA1 and aadA5), respectively. The
      prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) was 100%, and the blaTEM
      gene was predominant in all of the isolates. In conclusion, our results identify
      the mechanism of quinolone resistance for the first time and reveal the
      prevalence of integron and ESBLs in E. coli isolates from dairy cattle with
      bovine endometritis in China after 20 years of quinolone usage in cattle. 

PMID- 24224498
TI  - Positive HBV-NAT in a blood donor 11 years after HBV vaccination.

PMID- 24224499
TI  - Basic processes in reading aloud and colour naming: towards a better
      understanding of the role of spatial attention.
AB  - Whether or not lexical access from print requires spatial attention has been
      debated intensively for the last 30 years. Studies involving colour naming
      generally find evidence that "unattended" words are processed. In contrast,
      reading-based experiments do not find evidence of distractor processing. One
      theory ascribes the discrepancy to weaker attentional demands for colour
      identification. If colour naming does not capture all of a subject's attention,
      the remaining attentional resources can be deployed to process the distractor
      word. The present study combined exogenous spatial cueing with colour naming and
      reading aloud separately and found that colour naming is less sensitive to the
      validity of a spatial cue than is reading words aloud. Based on these results, we
      argue that colour naming studies do not effectively control attention so that no
      conclusions about unattended distractor processing can be drawn from them. Thus
      we reiterate the consistent conclusion drawn from reading aloud and lexical
      decision studies: There is no word identification without (spatial) attention. 

PMID- 24224500
TI  - Face, content, construct and concurrent validity of dry laboratory exercises for
      robotic training using a global assessment tool.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate robotic dry laboratory (dry lab) exercises in terms of
      their face, content, construct and concurrent validities. To evaluate the
      applicability of the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) tool
      to assess dry lab performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were
      prospectively categorized into two groups: robotic novice (no cases as primary
      surgeon) and robotic expert (>=30 cases). Participants completed three virtual
      reality (VR) exercises using the da Vinci Skills Simulator (Intuitive Surgical,
      Sunnyvale, CA, USA), as well as corresponding dry lab versions of each exercise
      (Mimic Technologies, Seattle, WA, USA) on the da Vinci Surgical System. Simulator
      performance was assessed by metrics measured on the simulator. Dry lab
      performance was blindly video-evaluated by expert review using the six-metric
      GEARS tool. Participants completed a post-study questionnaire (to evaluate face
      and content validity). A Wilcoxon non-parametric test was used to compare
      performance between groups (construct validity) and Spearman's correlation
      coefficient was used to assess simulation to dry lab performance (concurrent
      validity). RESULTS: The mean number of robotic cases experienced for novices was
      0 and for experts the mean (range) was 200 (30-2000) cases. Expert surgeons found
      the dry lab exercises both 'realistic' (median [range] score 8 [4-10] out of 10)
      and 'very useful' for training of residents (median [range] score 9 [5-10] out of
      10). Overall, expert surgeons completed all dry lab tasks more efficiently (P <
      0.001) and effectively (GEARS total score P < 0.001) than novices. In addition,
      experts outperformed novices in each individual GEARS metric (P < 0.001).
      Finally, in comparing dry lab with simulator performance, there was a moderate
      correlation overall (r = 0.54, P < 0.001). Most simulator metrics correlated
      moderately to strongly with corresponding GEARS metrics (r = 0.54, P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: The robotic dry lab exercises in the present study have face,
      content, construct and concurrent validity with the corresponding VR tasks. Until
      now, the assessment of dry lab exercises has been limited to basic metrics (i.e.
      time to completion and error avoidance). For the first time, we have shown it is
      feasibile to apply a global assessment tool (GEARS) to dry lab training.

PMID- 24224501
TI  - Langerhans cell disease of the eyelids masquerading as blepharochalasis.
AB  - Langerhans cell disease (LCD) occurring as an isolated tumor of the eyelids has
      been described infrequently. Moreover, none of the reported cases had associated
      systemic involvement. We present an unusual case of LCD of the eyelids
      masquerading as blepharochalasis with central diabetes insipidus (CDI).

PMID- 24224502
TI  - Breast care in the transgender individual.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Transgender individuals undergo hormone therapy and/or alter their
      breasts or genitals to facilitate a transition from male to female or female to
      male. Changes in the breast tissue from hormone therapy, breast binding,
      mastectomy, or breast augmentation are of specific interest to women's health
      care providers. To provide competent care, providers must be knowledgeable about
      unique aspects of breast health in this vulnerable population, including
      screening guidelines and client education. The purpose of this integrative
      literature review is to compile the current research on breast health for
      transgender individuals and to serve as a resource for providers. METHODS: A
      search of the literature was performed using CINAHL, Ovid, and PubMed. Results
      were reviewed for relevant articles, and the reference lists of these were
      reviewed for additional resources. When available, studies specific to the
      transgender population are presented; studies of other populations are also
      included when relevant. Theories of human endocrinology, physiology, and anatomy
      will provide the foundation for the review and discussion. RESULTS: Research into
      breast care for transgender individuals is limited. Often, practitioners must
      draw conclusions for practice from scattered case studies or research with
      nontransgender populations. Many of the procedures and practices transgender
      individuals choose to undergo, such as implantation, injection, binding, and
      mastectomy, carry serious risks. DISCUSSION: Transgender individuals should be
      counseled on all the possible outcomes of their decisions, so they are capable of
      making informed choices. They must also be followed with careful consideration of
      these choices. More research in many areas of transgender breast care is
      necessary.

PMID- 24224503
TI  - Omega-3 fatty acids: a potential future treatment for asthma?

PMID- 24224505
TI  - Respiratory failure due to blastomycosis infection in a patient with
      hypertension, cirrhosis and chronic pancreatitis.
AB  - Blastomycosis is an endemic fungal infection in North America. It usually causes
      acute and occasionally chronic pneumonias with disseminated infection,
      particularly skin lesion, as an extrapulmonary manifestation. Many cases are
      asymptomatic; however, a few patients progress to develop severe pulmonary
      infection leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome, which carries a high
      mortality rate. Disseminated blastomycosis involving the heart is exceptionally
      rare and can be potentially life threatening. To our knowledge, there are only
      four reported cases of cardiac blastomycosis in the literature. Here, we report a
      case of cardiac blastomycosis who initially presented with respiratory failure.
      In our patient, it was practically impossible to establish a diagnosis of cardiac
      blastomycosis antemortem because of his previous cardiac history related to
      alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which confounded the cardiac findings. This case raises
      an important issue of clinically considering involvement of the heart in cases of
      disseminated blastomycosis. Perhaps if the patient did not have a prior cardiac
      history, a new onset heart failure may have suggested cardiac involvement. 

PMID- 24224506
TI  - Tai Chi as a form of exercise training in people with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease.
AB  - Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art which incorporates elements of
      strengthening, balance, postural alignment and concentration. The benefits of Tai
      Chi in the healthy population have been widely examined. In comparison, only
      three studies have evaluated the effects of Tai Chi in people with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Existing evidence suggests that the
      exercise intensity of Tai Chi reaches a moderate level in people with COPD.
      Furthermore, a short-term program of Tai Chi improves exercise capacity, health
      related quality of life, balance and quadriceps strength in people with mild to
      moderate COPD. More studies are warranted to examine the effects of different
      styles of Tai Chi and the long-term benefits of Tai Chi as an exercise regimen
      for people with COPD. 

PMID- 24224507
TI  - Measurement of physical activity in patients with cystic fibrosis: a systematic
      review.
AB  - Physical activity (PA) improves exercise capacity, slower decline in lung
      function and improve quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).
      Despite the importance of PA, it is important to assess the amount of PA. The
      objective of this literature review was to evaluate the validity and usability of
      instruments that are used to measure PA in patients with CF. GoogleScholar,
      ScienceDirect, The Cochrane Library and PUBMED database were searched. All
      studies that included instruments to measure PA of patients with CF, published
      from 2000 till June 2012 were reviewed. Eight studies were included in this
      systematic review. At this moment, there is not sufficient evidence to support
      incorporation of specific tools to facilitate the PA assessment into clinical
      practice. Pedometers may offer an inexpensive method of obtaining a measurement
      of PA, and there is some evidence for supporting its use in CF. 

PMID- 24224508
TI  - The usefulness of the mannitol challenge test for asthma.
AB  - The mannitol test was developed as an easy-to-use, safe, standardized bronchial
      challenge test for diagnosing asthma in a wide range of clinical settings. The
      mannitol test has a moderate sensitivity and will only detect approximately 60%
      of asthma cases. Hence, a negative mannitol test cannot be used to rule out
      asthma. The advantage of the mannitol test is a high specificity. In an
      individual with symptoms suggestive of asthma, a positive test indicates a high
      likelihood of asthma with ongoing airway inflammation and seems useful for
      detecting asthma requiring regular anti-inflammatory therapy. In this review, the
      current knowledge on the usefulness of the mannitol in a clinical setting as well
      as in clinical trials is presented and outstanding questions on the usefulness of
      the test are discussed. 

PMID- 24224509
TI  - Aerosol therapy in children: challenges and solutions.
AB  - Using aerosolized medications for the treatment of children has gained importance
      over the years. However, aerosol drug delivery to infants and pediatrics is not
      an easy task as it has been influenced by many challenges. Most aerosol devices
      have been designed for use in adults not for children. Therefore, they require
      some critical assessment in device selection and often a level of adaptation for
      use with smaller children. It is well documented that each aerosol device and
      interface that have been used for the treatment of children has its own
      advantages and challenges in drug delivery. This paper provides a comprehensive
      review of dosing, drug-device combination, aerosol devices and interfaces used
      for drug delivery to children with pulmonary diseases. Solutions to the
      challenges with the aim of optimizing aerosol therapy in this patient population
      are also discussed. 

PMID- 24224510
TI  - Advances in airway clearance technologies for chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease.
AB  - Techniques to promote clearance of sputum from the airways (airway clearance
      techniques; ACTs) have existed in clinical practice for more than a century. This
      review examines current evidence and clinical recommendations regarding ACTs for
      individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Comparisons between this
      literature and reports of current practice suggest that discrepancies may exist
      in relation to the clinical management of sputum in individuals with COPD. The
      novel application of newer technologies has enhanced our ability to assess the
      complex physiological processes underpinning airway clearance therapy. The
      potential for physiologically tailored ACT prescription may, however, depend on
      the capacity for translation of such technology from the research setting into
      the clinical environment. Future directions regarding this common form of therapy
      will be discussed, including identification of the key research priorities to
      optimize evidence-based practice in this area. 

PMID- 24224512
TI  - Female receptivity and secondary traumatization in the family.
AB  - This paper addresses the question of gendered receptivity to Secondary Traumatic
      Syndrome (STS) in the family. Unlike other manifestations of distress in the
      family, where gender comparisons are a matter of course, very few such
      comparisons are made in studies of STS. Review of the findings of 12 studies, the
      only studies, to date, that provide data enabling the comparison of STS in males
      and females, shows that females in the family, whether daughters, wives, or
      mothers, are consistently more likely than the males, whether sons, husbands, or
      fathers, to experience the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms of a
      traumatized family member without having experienced the traumatic event itself.
      This pattern pertains to whether the event that precipitated the primary trauma
      was a collective or individual trauma and whether the STS sufferer was a child or
      adult or living or not living with the PTSD casualty. The Discussion points out
      that gender is an important factor in the development of STS, whether in
      interaction with role, beyond role, or both. 

PMID- 24224513
TI  - Loss of endoplasmic reticulum calcium pump expression in choroid plexus tumours.
AB  - AIMS: Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase-type calcium pumps (SERCA
      enzymes) control cell activation by sequestering calcium ions from the cytosol
      into the endoplasmic reticulum. Although endoplasmic reticulum calcium signalling
      plays an important role in the regulation of choroid plexus epithelial function,
      SERCA expression in the choroid plexus has not been investigated so far. METHODS:
      In this work we investigated the expression of the SERCA3-type calcium pump in
      choroid plexus epithelial cells grown in vitro, and in normal and hyperplastic
      choroid plexus tissue, in choroid plexus papillomas displaying various degrees of
      atypia, and in choroid plexus carcinoma by immunohistochemistry in situ. RESULTS:
      Whereas normal choroid plexus epithelial cells express SERCA3 abundantly, SERCA3
      expression is strongly decreased in papillomas, and is absent in choroid plexus
      carcinoma, while expression in hyperplastic epithelium is high, similarly to
      normal epithelium. SERCA3 expression was detected also in normal primary choroid
      plexus epithelial cells grown in vitro, and expression was markedly enhanced by
      short-chain fatty acid-type cell differentiation inducing agents, including
      valproate. CONCLUSION: These observations show that SERCA3 is a new phenotypic
      marker of normal choroid plexus epithelial differentiation, and that SERCA3
      constitutes an early tumour marker 'by loss of expression' in the choroid plexus
      that may be useful to distinguish hyperplastic processes from papillomas.
      Endoplasmic reticulum calcium homeostasis becomes anomalous, due to loss of
      SERCA3 expression, already in benign neoplastic lesions of the choroid plexus
      epithelium.

PMID- 24224514
TI  - Immunohistochemical localization of connective tissue growth factor, transforming
      growth factor-beta1 and phosphorylated-smad2/3 in the developing periodontium of
      rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a downstream
      mediator of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and TGF-beta1-induced
      CTGF expression is regulated through the SMAD pathway. CTGF is implicated in the
      development of cartilage, bone and tooth. However, its expression in the
      developing periodontium is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the
      immunolocalization of CTGF, TGF-beta1 and phosphorylated SMAD2/3 (pSMAD2/3) in
      the developing periodontium of rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The maxillaries of
      Wistar rats, 2, 3, 7 and 12 wk of age, were used and the localization of CTGF,
      TGF-beta1 and pSMAD2/3 was detected using immunoperoxidase techniques. RESULTS:
      Hertwig' s epithelial root sheath (HERS) cells were strongly positive for CTGF
      and TGF-beta1, but not for pSMAD2/3. Positive staining for CTGF, TGF-beta1 and
      pSMAD2/3 was found in bone and periodontal ligament. In cementum, most
      cementoblasts associated with cellular cementum and some cementocytes stained
      strongly for CTGF, whereas cementoblasts associated with acellular cementum did
      not express CTGF. No signal for TGF-beta1 was observed in cellular and acellular
      cementum. In addition, most cementocytes were strongly positive for pSMAD2/3.
      CONCLUSION: CTGF, TGF-beta1 and pSMAD2/3 are localized in bone and periodontal
      ligament, but are differentially expressed in HERS and cementum. The results of
      our study indicate that the regulation of CTGF expression by TGF-beta1 might be
      cell-type specific in periodontium.

PMID- 24224515
TI  - The sedative effects and the attenuation of cardiovascular and arousal responses
      during anesthesia induction and intubation in pediatric patients: a randomized
      comparison between two different doses of preoperative intranasal
      dexmedetomidine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Premedication with intranasal dexmedetomidine (DEX) has shown to be an
      effective sedative in pediatric patients. This prospective, randomized, and
      controlled investigation was designed to evaluate whether the difference in
      intranasal DEX dosing would produce different beneficial effects on the
      attenuation of cardiovascular and arousal responses during anesthesia induction
      and intubation. METHODS: Forty children, aged from 3 to 6 years, of American
      Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II and scheduled for elective
      adenotonsillectomy randomly received intranasal DEX 1 MUg.kg(-1) (group D1) or 2
      MUg.kg(-1) (group D2) 30 min before anesthesia induction. Anesthesia was induced
      with sevoflurane in oxygen flow. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR)
      as measurements of cardiovascular response and bispectral index (BIS) as an index
      of arousal response were recorded every 5 min after intranasal DEX administration
      and measured every 1 min for 5 min after intubation. Sedation status, behavior
      scores, and mask induction scores were also assessed. RESULTS: Mean arterial
      pressure did not show statistical differences during the anesthesia induction,
      but did demonstrate significantly milder responses to laryngoscopy and intubation
      in group D2 compared with group D1. Change in HR was consistent with MAP during
      laryngoscopy and intubation. Patients who received 2 MUg.kg(-1) DEX presented
      with deeper sedation and less anxiety by the assessments of the alertness scale,
      behavior score, and BIS scores. Group D2 dosing achieved more favorable scores in
      children undergoing mask induction. CONCLUSION: Intranasal DEX 2 MUg.kg(-1)
      administered 30 min before anesthesia induction provides considerable effect to
      attenuate the increase in MAP caused by intubation response. Changes in HR and
      BIS also demonstrate that this kind of premedication provides effective
      attenuation of intubation response. And preoperative intranasal DEX 2 MUg.kg(-1)
      produces optimal-sedation, more favorable anesthesia induction course in
      pediatric patients. Premedication of intranasal DEX is a considerable way to
      blunt cardiovascular and arousal responses to endotracheal intubation.

PMID- 24224516
TI  - Selective expansion of donor-derived regulatory T cells after allogeneic bone
      marrow transplantation in a patient with IPEX syndrome.
AB  - IPEX syndrome is a rare and fatal disorder caused by absence of regulatory T
      cells (Tregs) due to congenital mutations in the Forkhead box protein 3 gene.
      Here, we report a patient with IPEX syndrome treated with RIC followed by
      allogeneic BMT from an HLA-matched sibling donor. We could achieve engraftment
      and regimen-related toxicity was well tolerated. Although the patient was in
      mixed chimera and the ratio of donor cells in whole peripheral blood remained
      relatively low, selective and sustained expansion of Tregs determined as
      CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells was observed. Improvement in clinical symptoms was
      correlated with expansion of donor-derived Tregs and disappearance of anti-villin
      autoantibody, which was involved in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal symptoms
      in IPEX syndrome. This clinical observation suggests that donor-derived Tregs
      have selective growth advantage in patients with IPEX syndrome even in mixed
      chimera after allogeneic BMT and contribute to the control of clinical symptoms
      caused by the defect of Tregs. 

PMID- 24224517
TI  - In vivo evidence of an age-related increase in ATP cost of contraction in the
      plantar flexor muscles.
AB  - Impaired skeletal muscle efficiency potentially contributes to the age-related
      decline in exercise capacity and may explain the altered haemodynamic response to
      exercise in the elderly. Thus we examined whether (i) the ATP cost of contraction
      increases with age, and (ii) this results in altered convective O(2) delivery to
      maintain microvascular oxygenation in the calf muscle. To this aim, we used an
      integrative experimental approach combining (31)P-MRS (magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy), Doppler ultrasound imaging and NIRS (near-IR spectroscopy) during
      dynamic plantar flexion exercise at 40% of WR(max) (maximal power output) in 20
      healthy young and 20 older subjects matched for physical activity. The ATP cost
      of contraction was significantly higher in the old (7.2+/-4.1 mM/min per W)
      compared with the young (2.4+/-1.9 mM/min per W; P<0.05) and this was only
      significantly correlated with the plantar flexion WR(max) value in the old
      subjects (r=-0.52; P<0.05). Even when differences in power output were taken into
      account, end-exercise blood flow (old, 259+/-168 ml/min per W and young, 134+/-40
      ml/min per W; P<0.05) and convective O(2) delivery (old, 0.048+/-0.031 l/min per
      W and young, 0.026+/-0.008 l/min per W; P<0.05) were greater in the old in
      comparison with the young subjects. In contrast, the NIRS oxyhaemoglobin,
      deoxyhaemoglobin and microvascular oxygenation indices were not significantly
      different between the groups (P>0.05). Therefore the present study reveals that,
      although the peripheral haemodynamic responses to plantar flexion exercise appear
      to be appropriate, the elevated energy cost of contraction and associated
      reduction in the WR(max) value in this muscle group may play a role in limiting
      exercise capacity with age.

PMID- 24224518
TI  - Extrahepatic stem cells mobilized from the bone marrow by the supplementation of
      branched-chain amino acids ameliorate liver regeneration in an animal model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In recent years, bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cell
      repopulation of injured organs has been increasingly observed; however, the
      extent to which it occurs and its clinical relevance remain unclear. Here, we
      investigated on the potential of extrahepatic stem cells to become hepatocytes
      using the treatment of the oral supplementation of branched-chain amino acids
      (BCAA). METHODS: In the first, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administered BCAA to
      promote liver regeneration; in the second, syngenic liver transplantations using
      wild-type SD rats that do not express green fluorescent protein (GFP) as syngenic
      donors and GFP-transgenic SD rats as recipients to confirm that an extrahepatic
      source of cells (GFP(+)) could repopulate the transplanted (GFP(-)) liver were
      performed. RESULTS: Treatment of the oral supplementation of BCAA for 2-3 weeks
      before transplantation to promote liver regeneration resulted in greater than 7
      days graft volume, with extensive spotty conversion of a small wild-type graft to
      the recipient GFP(+) genotype. The treatment by oral supplementation of BCAA
      resulted in higher levels of CD34+SDF+c-kit+ stem cells in the blood and liver
      after liver transplantation. Liver repopulation could be achieved with
      hepatocytes that bone marrow-derived from stem cells proliferated. CONCLUSIONS:
      We have identified extrahepatic stem cell migration from the BM to the injured
      liver as a mechanism underlying liver regeneration that supports hepatocyte
      proliferation in diseased liver. Our results suggested that BCAA is able to
      mobilize a population of BM-derived cells that contribute to hepatic
      regeneration.

PMID- 24224519
TI  - Topical cholesterol treatment ameliorates hapten-evoked cutaneous
      hypersensitivity by sustaining expression of 11beta-HSD1 in epidermis.
AB  - Changes in the stratum corneum extracellular matrix impair epidermal barrier
      function and may cause dermatoses. The aim of this study was to examine the
      effect of exogenous cholesterol application on skin barrier function and
      cutaneous inflammation. Skin barrier-disrupted or hapten-stimulated mice were
      treated with topical cholesterol. The effect of topical cholesterol application
      on an oxazolone (OXA)-induced hypersensitivity reaction was evaluated. Topical
      application of cholesterol efficiently decreased transepidermal water loss in
      areas of barrier-disrupted skin and ameliorated OXA-induced cutaneous
      hypersensitivity. These favourable effects may have resulted from sustained
      expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) in the
      cholesterol-treated skin. As 11beta-HSD1 is known to produce active cortisol,
      topical cholesterol may attenuate contact hypersensitivity by normalizing
      secretion of hormonally active cortisol from the skin. 

PMID- 24224520
TI  - On the morphology of the digestive system of two Monomorium ant species.
AB  - The digestive system of adults and mature larvae of two ant species of Monomorium
      Mayr (Hymoneptera: Formicidae) were described with the aid of light and scanning
      electron microscopy, as there is a lack of studies in this area. These two ant
      species are recurrently found in urban habitats and are known as 'tramp species,'
      as they cause problems in households, businesses, and hospitals. The most
      interesting finds of the present study include the existence of spinules in the
      crop of adults, and the number of Malpighian tubules and rectal pads was constant
      among different castes, ages, and species.

PMID- 24224521
TI  - Rationale and methodology for a multicentre randomised trial of fibrinolysis for
      pulmonary embolism that includes quality of life outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) has a low mortality rate but can
      degrade functional capacity. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to provide
      rationale, methodology, and initial findings of a multicentre, randomised trial
      of fibrinolysis for PE that used a composite end-point, including quality of life
      measures. METHODS: This investigator-initiated study was funded by a contract
      between a corporate partner and the investigator's hospital (the prime site). The
      investigator was the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sponsor. The prime site
      subcontracted, indemnified, and trained consortia members. Consenting,
      normotensive patients with PE and right ventricular strain (by echocardiography
      or biomarkers) received low-molecular-weight heparin and random assignment to a
      single bolus of tenecteplase or placebo in double-blinded fashion. The outcomes
      were: (i) in-hospital rate of intubation, vasopressor support, and major
      haemorrhage, or (ii) at 90 days, death, recurrent PE, or composite that defined
      poor quality of life (echocardiography, 6 min walk test and surveys). The planned
      sample size was n = 200. RESULTS: Eight sites enrolled 87 patients over 5 years.
      The ratio of patients screened for each enrolled was 7.4 to 1, equating to 11 h
      screening time per patient enrolled. Primary barrier to enrolment was the cost of
      screening. Two patients died (2.5%, 95%CI [0-8%]), one developed shock, but 18
      (22%, 95%CI: [13-30%]) had a poor quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: An investigator
      initiated, FDA-regulated, multicentre trial of fibrinolysis for submassive PE was
      conducted, but was limited by screening costs and a low mortality rate. Quality
      of life measurements might represent a more important patient-centred end-point.

PMID- 24224522
TI  - Controlling the dipole-dipole interactions between terbium(III) phthalocyaninato
      triple-decker moieties through spatial control using a fused phthalocyaninato
      ligand.
AB  - Using a fused phthalocyaninato ligand to control the spatial arrangement of
      Tb(III) moieties in Tb(III) single-molecule magnets (SMMs), we could control the
      dipole-dipole interactions in the molecules and prepared the first tetranuclear
      Tb(III) SMM complex. [Tb(obPc)2]Tb(Fused-Pc)Tb[Tb(obPc)2] (abbreviated as [Tb4];
      obPc = 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octabutoxyphthalocyaninato, Fused-Pc =
      bis{7(2),8(2),12(2),13(2),17(2),18(2)-hexabutoxytribenzo[g,l,q]-5,10,15,20
      tetraazaporphirino}[b,e]benzenato). In direct-current magnetic susceptibility
      measurements, ferromagnetic interactions among the four Tb(3+) ions were
      observed. In [Tb4], there are two kinds of magnetic dipole-dipole interactions.
      One is strong interactions in the triple-decker moieties, which dominate the
      magnetic relaxations, and the other is the weak one through the fused
      phthalocyaninato (Pc) ligand linking the two triple-decker complexes. In other
      words, [Tb4] can be described as a weakly ferromagnetically coupled dimer of
      triple-decker Tb2(obPc)3 complexes with strong dipole-dipole interactions in the
      triple-decker moieties and weak ones through the fused phthalocyaninato ligand
      linking the two triple-decker complexes. For [Tb4], dual magnetic relaxation
      processes were observed similar to other dinuclear Tb(III)Pc complexes. The
      relaxation processes are due to the anisotropic centers. This is clear evidence
      that the magnetic relaxation mechanism depends heavily on the dipole-dipole (f-f)
      interactions between the Tb(3+) ions in the systems. Through a better
      understanding of the magnetic dipole-dipole interactions obtained in these
      studies, we have developed a new strategy for preparing Tb(III) SMMs. Our work
      shows that the SMM properties can be fine-tuned by introducing weak
      intermolecular magnetic interactions in a controlled SMM spatial arrangement. 

PMID- 24224523
TI  - Pharmacokinetics in foremilk and antimicrobial activity of cephapirin following
      intramammary administration in healthy and Staphylococcus aureus-infected cows.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the kinetic profile of cephapirin and detect differences in its
      milk disposition following intramammary administration in healthy, and
      subclinically Staphylococcus aureus infected, quarters of lactating cows, to
      assess the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cephapirin for Staph. aureus
      field isolates, and to calculate the time during which drug concentrations were
      above the MIC (T>MIC). METHODS: Five healthy and five Staph. aureus-infected
      lactating cows received cephapirin at 275 mg/quarter, twice at 12-hour intervals.
      Foremilk samples were manually collected from individual quarters before
      treatments and 2, 8, 12 hours after the last drug administration, and then every
      12 hours until the tenth milking. Concentrations of cephapirin and desacetyl
      cephapirin were measured in milk samples after solid phase extraction and high
      performance liquid chromatography analysis. A non-compartmental model was applied
      to data to obtain pharmacokinetic results. Eleven Staph. aureus isolates from the
      study-infected quarters and 30 additional isolates from cows in another two farms
      in the same area were used to determine MIC for cephapirin using the
      microdilution broth method. RESULTS: Mean maximum drug concentrations were higher
      in milk from healthy quarters (1334.8 (SD 1322.7) ug/mL) than in the infected
      ones (234.7 (SD 141.4) ug/mL), but the elimination half-life was longer in the
      infected (4.8 (SD 1.9) hours) than uninfected (3.3 (SD 0.33) hours) quarters
      (p<0.05). Mean residence time was comparable in healthy and infected quarters
      (approximately 8 hours). The amounts of desacetyl-cephapirin recovered in the
      samples were very low (below 2%). The MIC90 for all field strains of Staph.
      aureus (n=41) was 0.25 MUg/mL. The calculated T>MIC90 was 38 (SD 13), 27 (SD 11)
      and 35 (SD 8) hours after last treatment in healthy, suspected and infected
      quarters, respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The intramammary
      administration of sodium cephapirin at 275 mg/quarter, twice every 12 hours in
      lactating cows resulted in higher drug concentrations in milk of quarters with no
      infection than in the subclinically infected ones. These concentrations were
      above the MIC90 for 35 hours in infected cows. According to these results
      intramammary administration of cephapirin at 12-hour intervals during lactation
      should be potentially effective against Staph. aureus infection, but studies of
      clinical efficacy are necessary for confirmation.

PMID- 24224524
TI  - Transparent superhydrophobic/translucent superamphiphobic coatings based on
      silica-fluoropolymer hybrid nanoparticles.
AB  - This paper describes a simple approach to prepare a transparent superhydrophobic
      coating and a translucent superamphiphobic coating via spraying silica
      fluoropolymer hybrid nanoparticles (SFNs) without any pre- or post-treatment of
      substrates; these nanoparticles create both microscale and nanoscale roughness,
      and fluoropolymer acts as a low surface energy binder. We also demonstrate the
      effects of varying the concentration of the SFN sol on the water and hexadecane
      repellency and on the transparency of the coated glass substrates. An increase in
      the concentration of the sol facilitates the transition between the
      superhydrophobic/transparent and superamphiphobic/translucent states. This
      transition results from an increase in the discontinuities in the three-phase
      (solid-liquid-gas) contact line and in the light scattering properties due to
      micropapillae tuned by varying the concentration of the sol. This versatile and
      controllable approach can be applied to a variety of substrates over large areas
      and may provide a wide range of applications for self-cleaning coatings of
      optoelectronics, liquid-repellent coatings, and microfluidic systems. 

PMID- 24224525
TI  - Cross-talk Between Nitrate-Nitrite-NO and NO Synthase Pathways in Control of
      Vascular NO Homeostasis.
AB  - AIMS: Inorganic nitrate and nitrite from endogenous and dietary sources have
      emerged as alternative substrates for nitric oxide (NO) formation in addition to
      the classic L-arginine NO synthase (NOS)-dependent pathway. Here, we investigated
      a potential cross-talk between these two pathways in the regulation of vascular
      function. RESULTS: Long-term dietary supplementation with sodium nitrate (0.1 and
      1 mmol kg(-1) day(-1)) in rats caused a reversible dose-dependent reduction in
      phosphorylated endothelial NOS (eNOS) (Ser1177) in aorta and a concomitant
      increase in phosphorylation at Thr495. Moreover, eNOS-dependent vascular
      responses were attenuated in vessels harvested from nitrate-treated mice or when
      nitrite was acutely added to control vessels. The citrulline-to-arginine ratio in
      plasma, as a measure of eNOS activity, was reduced in nitrate-treated rodents.
      Telemetry measurements revealed that a low dietary nitrate dose reduced blood
      pressure, whereas a higher dose was associated with a paradoxical elevation.
      Finally, plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate increased in mice that were
      treated with a low dietary nitrate dose and decreased with a higher dose.
      INNOVATION AND CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the existence of a cross
      talk between the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway and the NOS-dependent pathway in
      control of vascular NO homeostasis.

PMID- 24224527
TI  - Bio-inspired polydopamine: a versatile and powerful platform for covalent
      synthesis of molecular sieve membranes.
AB  - Inspired by the bioadhesive ability of the marine mussel, a simple, versatile,
      and powerful synthesis strategy was developed to prepare highly reproducible and
      permselective molecular sieve membranes by using polydopamine as a novel covalent
      linker. Attributing to the formation of strong covalent and noncovalent bonds,
      ZIF-8 nutrients are attracted and bound to the support surface, thus promoting
      the ZIF-8 nucleation and the growth of uniform, well intergrown, and phase-pure
      ZIF-8 molecular sieve membranes. The developed ZIF-8 membranes show high hydrogen
      selectivity and thermal stability. At 150  degrees C and 1 bar, the mixture
      separation factors of H2/CO2, H2/N2, H2/CH4, and H2/C3H8 are 8.9, 16.2, 31.5 and
      712.6, with H2 permeances higher than 1.8 * 10(-7) mol.m(-2).s(-1).Pa(-1), which
      is promising for hydrogen separation and purification. 

PMID- 24224526
TI  - Model combustion-generated particulate matter containing persistent free radicals
      redox cycle to produce reactive oxygen species.
AB  - Particulate matter (PM) is emitted during thermal decomposition of waste. During
      this process, aromatic compounds chemisorb to the surface of metal-oxide
      containing PM, forming a surface-stabilized environmentally persistent free
      radical (EPFR). We hypothesized that EPFR-containing PM redox cycle to produce
      ROS and that this redox cycle is maintained in biological environments. To test
      our hypothesis, we incubated model EPFRs with the fluorescent probe
      dihydrorhodamine (DHR). Marked increases in DHR fluorescence were observed. Using
      a more specific assay, hydroxyl radicals ((*)OH) were also detected, and their
      level was further increased by cotreatment with thiols or ascorbic acid (AA),
      known components of epithelial lining fluid. Next, we incubated our model EPFR in
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or serum. Detection of EPFRs and (*)OH
      verified that PM generate ROS in biological fluids. Moreover, incubation of
      pulmonary epithelial cells with EPFR-containing PM increased (*)OH levels
      compared to those in PM lacking EPFRs. Finally, measurements of oxidant injury in
      neonatal rats exposed to EPFRs by inhalation suggested that EPFRs induce an
      oxidant injury within the lung lining fluid and that the lung responds by
      increasing antioxidant levels. In summary, our EPFR-containing PM redox cycle to
      produce ROS, and these ROS are maintained in biological fluids and environments.
      Moreover, these ROS may modulate toxic responses of PM in biological tissues such
      as the lung. 

PMID- 24224528
TI  - SEM-EDX analysis of brushing abrasion of chitosan and propolis based toothpastes
      on sound and artificial carious primary enamel surfaces.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the brushing abrasion effects
      of toothpastes containing chitosan and propolis on sound and demineralized
      primary tooth enamel. METHODS: Pairs of enamel specimens were prepared from human
      extracted primary teeth, embedded in epoxy resin and polished. An artificial
      subsurface lesion was created in one specimen from each pair. All samples were
      divided into four groups (Chitodent, Aagaard propolis, Elmex, and Control) and
      brushed with slurry of toothpastes and artificial saliva in a brushing machine.
      The brushing abrasion depths were evaluated using computer-guided optical
      profilometry. RESULTS: No significant differences existed in terms of brushing
      depths between artificial carious enamel and brushed sound enamel specimens
      (P>0.05). The abrasion values of the sound enamel samples brushed with Aagaard
      propolis and control samples were significantly lower than the Elmex group
      (P<0.05). The lowest brushing abrasion values of demineralized enamel specimens
      were observed in the Chitodent group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The tested
      toothpastes exhibited similar effects in terms of brushing abrasion on both sound
      and artificially demineralized enamel. Based on mean values without statistical
      significance, the lowest brushing abrasion values in the demineralized brushed
      enamel samples were detected in the Chitodent group.

PMID- 24224529
TI  - Quantitative proteomics reveals significant changes in cell shape and an energy
      shift after IPTG induction via an optimized SILAC approach for Escherichia coli.
AB  - Stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) has been widely
      used in yeast, mammalian cells, and even some multicellular organisms. However,
      the lack of optimized SILAC media limits its application in Escherichia coli, the
      most commonly used model organism. We optimized SILACE medium (SILAC medium
      created in this study for E. coli) for nonauxotrophic E. coli with high growth
      speed and complete labeling efficiency of the whole proteome in 12 generations.
      We applied a swapped SILAC workflow and pure null experiment with the SILACE
      medium using E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells hosting a recombinant plasmid coding for
      glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and ubiquitin binding domain before and after
      isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG) induction. Finally, we identified 1251 proteins
      with a significant change in abundance. Pathway analysis suggested that cell
      growth and fissiparism were inhibited accompanied by the down-regulation of
      proteins related to energy and metabolism, cell division, and the cell cycle,
      resulting in the size and shape change of the induced cells. Taken together, the
      results confirm the development of SILACE medium suitable for efficient and
      complete labeling of E. coli cells and a data filtering strategy for SILAC-based
      quantitative proteomics studies of E. coli. 

PMID- 24224530
TI  - Storage time affects umbilical cord blood viability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cryopreserved umbilical cord blood (CB) is increasingly used as a
      cell source to reconstitute marrow in hematopoietic stem cell transplant
      patients. Delays in cryopreservation may adversely affect cell viability, thereby
      reducing their potential for engraftment after transplantation. STUDY DESIGN AND
      METHODS: The impact of delayed cryopreservation for up to 3 days on the viability
      of both CD45+ and CD34+ cell populations in 28 CB donations with volumes of 58.40
      +/- 15.4 mL (range, 39.4-107.4 mL) was investigated to establish whether
      precryopreservation storage time could be extended from our current time of 24 to
      48 hours in line with other CB banks. Viability was assessed on 3 consecutive
      days, both before and after cryopreservation, by flow cytometry using 7
      aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) and annexin V methods. RESULTS: The results using 7
      AAD and annexin V indicated the viability of CD34+ cells before cryopreservation
      remained high (>92.33 +/- 4.11%) over 3 days, whereas the viability of CD45+
      cells decreased from 86.36 +/- 4.97% to 66.24 +/- 7.78% (p < 0.0001) by Day 3.
      Storage time significantly affected the viability of CD34+ cells after
      cryopreservation. Using 7-AAD, the mean CD34+ cell viability decreased by
      approximately 5% per extra day in storage from 84.30 +/- 6.27% on Day 1 to 79.01
      +/- 7.44% (p < 0.0057) on Day 2 and to 73.95 +/- 7.54% (p < 0.0001) on Day 3.
      With annexin V staining CD34+ cell viability fell by approximately 7% per extra
      day in storage from 77.17 +/- 8.47% on Day 1 to 69.56 +/- 13.30% (p < 0.0194) on
      Day 2 and to 62.89 +/- 15.22% (p < 0.0002) on Day 3. CONCLUSION: This study
      demonstrates that extended precryopreservation storage adversely affects
      viability and should be avoided.

PMID- 24224531
TI  - The mismatch between postpartum services and women's needs: Supermom versus lying
      in.

PMID- 24224532
TI  - Pyocyanin, a virulence factor produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, alters root
      development through reactive oxygen species and ethylene signaling in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - Pyocyanin acts as a virulence factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a plant and
      animal pathogen. In this study, we evaluated the effect of pyocyanin on growth
      and development of Arabidopsis seedlings. Root inoculation with P. aeruginosa
      PAO1 strain inhibited primary root growth in wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis
      seedlings. In contrast, single lasI- and double rhlI-/lasI- mutants of P.
      aeruginosa defective in pyocyanin production showed decreased root growth
      inhibition concomitant with an increased phytostimulation. Treatment with
      pyocyanin modulates root system architecture, inhibiting primary root growth and
      promoting lateral root and root hair formation without affecting meristem
      viability or causing cell death. These effects correlated with altered
      proportions of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide in root tips and with an
      inhibition of cell division and elongation. Mutant analyses showed that pyocyanin
      modulation of root growth was likely independent of auxin, cytokinin, and
      abscisic acid but required ethylene signaling because the Arabidopsis etr1-1,
      ein2-1, and ein3-1 ethylene-related mutants were less sensitive to pyocyanin
      induced root stoppage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) distribution. Our
      findings suggest that pyocyanin is an important factor modulating the interplay
      between ROS production and root system architecture by an ethylene-dependent
      signaling. 

PMID- 24224533
TI  - The abscisic acid pathway has multifaceted effects on the accumulation of Bamboo
      mosaic virus.
AB  - Accepted 29 October 2013. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a key role in modulating
      plant responses to different biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the effect of
      ABA on virus infection is not fully understood. Here, we describe the effects of
      the ABA pathway on the accumulation of Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) and Cucumber
      mosaic virus (CMV) in two different hosts: Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana
      benthamiana. We report that ABA2 plays a critical role in the accumulation of
      BaMV and CMV. Mutants downstream of ABA2 (aao3, abi1-1, abi3-1, and abi4-1) were
      susceptible to BaMV, indicating that the ABA pathway downstream of ABA2 is
      essential for BaMV resistance. The aba2-1 mutant decreased the accumulation of
      BaMV (+)RNA, (-)RNA, and coat protein, with the most dramatic effect being
      observed for (-)RNA. These findings were further validated by the use of virus
      induced gene silencing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in N. benthamiana.
      In addition, infecting N. benthamiana with BaMV or CMV increased ABA contents and
      activated the SA and ABA pathways, thereby disrupting the antagonism between
      these two cascades. Our findings uncover a novel role for ABA2 in supporting BaMV
      and CMV accumulation, distinct from the opposing role of its downstream genes. 

PMID- 24224534
TI  - The Sinorhizobium meliloti EmrAB efflux system is regulated by flavonoids through
      a TetR-like regulator (EmrR).
AB  - The divergently oriented Sinorhizobium meliloti emrAB (SMc03168 and SMc03167) and
      emrR (SMc03169) genes are predicted to encode an efflux system of the major
      facilitator superfamily and a TetR-like transcriptional regulator, respectively.
      The transcription of the emrA gene was found to be inducible by flavonoids,
      including luteolin and apigenin, which are known inducers of the nodulation genes
      in S. meliloti. Interestingly, quercetin, which does not induce nodulation genes,
      was also a potent inducer of emrA, indicating that NodD is not directly involved
      in regulation of emrA. The likely regulator of emrAB is EmrR, which binds to
      palindrome-like sequences in the intergenic region. Several modifications of the
      palindromes, including an increase of the spacing between the two half sites,
      prevented binding of EmrR. Binding was also impaired by the presence of luteolin.
      Mutations in emrA had no obvious effect on symbiosis. This was in contrast to the
      emrR mutant, which exhibited a symbiotic deficiency with Medicago sativa.
      Conserved binding sites for TetR-like regulators within the intergenic regions
      between the emrAB and emrR genes were identified in many symbiotic and pathogenic
      members of the order Rhizobiales. 

PMID- 24224535
TI  - Single crystalline InGaAs nanopillar grown on polysilicon with dimensions beyond
      the substrate grain size limit.
AB  - Monolithic integration of III-V optoelectronic devices with materials for various
      functionalities inexpensively is always desirable. Polysilicon (poly-Si) is an
      ideal platform because it is dopable and semiconducting, and can be deposited and
      patterned easily on a wide range of low cost substrates. However, the lack of
      crystalline coherency in poly-Si poses an immense challenge for high-quality
      epitaxial growth. In this work, we demonstrate, for the first time, direct growth
      of micrometer-sized InGaAs/GaAs nanopillars on polysilicon. Transmission electron
      microscopy shows that the micrometer-sized pillars are single-crystalline with
      pure wurzite-phase, far exceeding the substrate crystal grain size ~100 nm. The
      high quality growth is enabled by the unique tapering geometry at the base of the
      nanostructure, which reduces the effective InGaAs/Si contact area to <40 nm in
      diameter. The small footprint not only reduces stress due to lattice mismatch but
      also prevents the nanopillar from nucleating on multiple Si crystal grains. This
      relaxes the grain size requirement for poly-Si, potentially reducing the cost for
      poly-Si deposition. Lasing is achieved in the as-grown pillars under optical
      pumping, attesting their excellent crystalline and optical quality. These
      promising results open up a pathway for low-cost synergy of optoelectronics with
      other technologies such as CMOS integrated circuits, sensing, nanofluidics, thin
      film transistor display, photovoltaics, and so forth.

PMID- 24224536
TI  - The new potential for understanding groundwater contaminant transport.
AB  - The groundwater remediation field has been changing constantly since it first
      emerged in the 1970s. The remediation field has evolved from a dissolved-phase
      centric conceptual model to a DNAPL-dominated one, which is now being questioned
      due to a renewed appreciation of matrix diffusion effects on remediation.
      Detailed observations about contaminant transport have emerged from the
      remediation field, and challenge the validity of one of the mainstays of the
      groundwater solute transport modeling world: the concept of mechanical dispersion
      (Payne et al. 2008). We review and discuss how a new conceptual model of
      contaminant transport based on diffusion (the usurper) may topple the well
      established position of mechanical dispersion (the status quo) that is commonly
      used in almost every groundwater contaminant transport model, and evaluate the
      status of existing models and modeling studies that were conducted using
      advection-dispersion models. 

PMID- 24224537
TI  - Value learning modulates goal-directed actions.
AB  - With experience, particular objects can predict good or bad outcomes. This alters
      our perceptual response to them: Reliable predictors of salient outcomes are
      recognized faster and better than unreliable predictors, regardless of the value
      (gain, loss) of the outcome they predict. When attentional resources are
      constrained, learned value associations matter, causing recognition of gain
      associated objects to be spared. Here, we ask how learned predictiveness and
      value change the way we interact with potentially rewarding objects. After
      associating virtual objects (drinking flutes) with monetary gains or losses,
      reaching for and grasping corresponding real objects depended on the object's
      learned value. Action was faster when directed at objects that previously
      predicted outcomes more rather than less consistently, regardless of value.
      Conversely, reaches were more direct for gain- than for loss-associated objects,
      regardless of their predictiveness. Action monitoring thus reveals how value
      learning components become accessible during action. 

PMID- 24224538
TI  - Quantification of hepatic steatosis: a comparison of the accuracy among multiple
      magnetic resonance techniques.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy (MRS) are important diagnostic tools for the non-invasive assessment
      of hepatic steatosis (HS). This study was conducted to compare different magnetic
      resonance (MR) techniques and correlate the MR findings with histological and
      intracellular lipid density findings. METHODS: In this institutional review board
      approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant
      prospective study, 60 patients scheduled for liver resection were included in
      this study. Fat fraction in the non-tumorous liver parenchyma was estimated using
      double-echo MRI, triple-echo MRI (TE-MRI), and MRS. HS was defined by the
      histologic steatosis percentage (HSP), and intrahepatocellular triglyceride
      density (IHTGD) of the surgical specimen used as the reference standard. Imaging
      quantification results were evaluated using Pearson's correlation. Lin's
      concordance coefficient and Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement were used to
      evaluate the concordance of IHTGDs estimated by the three MR techniques. The
      diagnostic performance was compared using receiver operating characteristic curve
      analysis. RESULTS: HS assessed by TE-MRI and MRS had a stronger relationship with
      HS assessed by HSP and IHTGD. The TE-MRI method had the highest concordance
      correlation coefficients (rho = 0.881) and percentage (95%, 57/60) within the
      Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement. Receiver operating characteristic curve
      analysis for diagnosing > 5% HSP showed significantly larger area under the curve
      (0.9783) for TE-MRI than for double-echo MRI (0.8773, P = 0.0121). CONCLUSIONS:
      Among the three MR techniques, TE-MRI and MRS may be the preferred techniques for
      non-invasive assessment of HS.

PMID- 24224539
TI  - Therapeutic cancer vaccines: a long and winding road to success.
AB  - Harnessing the immune system to achieve therapeutic efficacy in cancer has been a
      milestone in immuno-oncology. Tumor-induced suppression works as an obstacle for
      the effectiveness of immunotherapies. Advances in our understanding of the
      interrelationship between cancer immunoediting and immunotherapy led to
      successful manipulation of anticancer immunity; this provided the platform for
      combining cancer vaccines with chemotherapies counteracting, to some extent,
      tumor-induced suppressive entities and demonstrating clinical efficacy. Targeting
      co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory receptors with immunostimulatory antibodies has
      also shown clinical promise and its combined use with vaccines is a promising new
      approach of immunotherapy for cancer. Recent evidence supporting vaccine
      administration in patients with early and less aggressive disease should be
      additionally placed to select the appropriate patient population and to identify
      earlier markers of clinical benefit and immunological parameters that correlate
      with survival. This review focuses on promising vaccination platforms and
      essential perspectives in the treatment of cancer. 

PMID- 24224540
TI  - Expression of sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase isoforms in
      masticatory muscles.
AB  - The aim of this study was to characterize the sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum
      Ca-ATPase (SERCA) isoforms in rabbit masticatory muscles compared with those in
      fast-twitch muscle. It was hypothesized that combined expression of the SERCA
      isoforms in fast- and slow-twitch muscles accounts for lower Ca-ATPase activity.
      SERCA was isolated by differential centrifugation, the isoforms were determined
      by ELISA, and the activity of each isoform was measured using a colorimetric
      method. Activity was tested for significance by anova, and the distribution of
      isoforms was assessed using the chi-square test (P < 0.05) and correlated to
      SERCA activity using Spearman's rank correlation. SERCA1 was predominant (90.5%)
      in fast-twitch muscle, whereas a mixture of SERCA isoforms was found in
      masticatory muscles: 62-78% was SERCA2, 20-37% was SERCA1, and the SERCA3 content
      was negligible. Depressor muscles showed a significantly higher content (77.8%)
      of SERCA2, and elevator muscles showed a higher content (35.4%) of SERCA1.
      Elevator muscles showed higher expression of SERCA2a (58%), and depressor muscles
      showed higher expression of SERCA2b (20%). The SERCA1 content was mainly SERCA1a
      and significantly higher for elevator muscles (33%), whereas depressor muscles
      showed a higher content of SERCA1b (4%). The SERCA1 content of fast-twitch muscle
      was mainly SERCA1a (88.5%). It is concluded that the mixture of different SERCA
      isoforms, along with a substantial content of SERCA2b, in masticatory muscles
      would support lower Ca-ATPase activity and calcium transport. 

PMID- 24224541
TI  - The history of nurse imagery and the implications for recruitment: a discussion
      paper.
AB  - AIM: This paper presents a discussion of the history of nurse imagery in the
      context of recent career choice research and the need for contemporary images for
      nursing recruitment. BACKGROUND: The critical and growing shortage of nurses is a
      global concern. Understanding how individuals come to know nursing as a career
      choice is of critical importance. Stereotypical imaging and messaging of the
      nursing profession have been shown to shape nurses' expectations and perceptions
      of nursing as a career, which has implications for both recruitment and
      retention. DATA SOURCES: Relevant research and literature on nurse imagery in
      relation to career choice and recruitment were identified through a search of the
      CINAHL, PsychINFO, Sociological Abstracts, PubMed; Medline and Embase databases
      from 1970-2012. DISCUSSION: Historical images of nurses and nursing remain
      prevalent in society today and continue to influence the choice of nursing as a
      career among the upcoming generation of nurses. Students interested in nursing
      may be dissuaded from choosing it as a career based on negative, stereotypical
      images, especially those that position the profession as inferior to medicine.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Understanding the evolution and perpetuation of popular
      images and messages in relation to the profession has implications for not only
      how we recruit and retain future generations of professional nurses but also
      holds implications for interprofessional collaboration between nursing and other
      health disciplines. CONCLUSION: Strategies for future recruitment and
      socialization within the nursing and the health professions need to include
      contemporary and realistic imaging of both health professional roles and practice
      settings.

PMID- 24224542
TI  - Neonatal hyperpigmentation: diagnosis of familial glucocorticoid deficiency with
      a novel mutation in the melanocortin-2 receptor gene.
AB  - Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD), a rare autosomal recessive disorder of
      insensitivity to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), is characterized by isolated
      glucocorticoid deficiency and preserved mineralocorticoid production. The
      clinical features include generalized hyperpigmentation, hypoglycemia, failure to
      thrive, and recurrent infections. Here we describe the case of an infant who
      exhibited generalized hyperpigmentation and hypoglycemia. A high morning blood
      ACTH level and low blood cortisol level confirmed the diagnosis of FGD. The
      patient was found to be homozygous for a novel mutation in the melanocortin-2
      receptor gene (635insC, I154H). Early initiation of corticosteroid treatment led
      to normalization of morning blood ACTH levels and the patient thrived, with
      subsequent fading of the hyperpigmentation. 

PMID- 24224543
TI  - Detection and correction of assembly errors of rice Nipponbare reference
      sequence.
AB  - A complete and high-quality genome reference sequence of an organism provides a
      solid foundation for a wide research community and determines the outcomes of
      relevant genomic, genetic, molecular and evolutionary research. Rice is an
      important food crop and a model plant for grasses, and therefore was the first
      chosen crop plant for whole genome sequencing. The genome of the japonica
      representative rice variety, Nipponbare, was sequenced using a gold standard, map
      based clone-by-clone strategy. However, although the Nipponbare reference
      sequence (RefSeq) has the best quality for existing crop genome sequences, it
      still contains many assembly errors and gaps. To improve the Nipponbare RefSeq,
      first a robust method is required to detect the hidden assembly errors. Through
      alignments between BAC-end sequences (BESs) embedded in the Nipponbare bacterial
      artificial chromosome (BAC) physical map and the Nipponbare RefSeq, we detected
      locations on the Nipponbare RefSeq that were inversely matched with BESs and
      could therefore be candidates for spurious inversions of assembly. We performed
      further analysis of five potential locations and confirmed assembly errors at
      those locations; four of them, two on chr4 and two on chr11 of the Nipponbare
      RefSeq (IRGSP build 5), were found to be caused by reverse repetitive sequences
      flanking the locations. Our approach is effective in detecting spurious
      inversions in the Nipponbare RefSeq and can be applied for improving the sequence
      qualities of other genomes as well.

PMID- 24224544
TI  - Inorganic nanoparticle-based drug codelivery nanosystems to overcome the
      multidrug resistance of cancer cells.
AB  - Biocompatible inorganic material-based nanosystems provide a novel choice to
      effectively circumvent the intrinsic drawbacks of traditional organic materials
      in biomedical applications, especially in overcoming the multidrug resistance
      (MDR) of cancer cells due to their unique structural and compositional
      characteristics, for example, high stability, large surface area, tunable
      compositions, abundant physicochemical multifunctionalities, and specific
      biological behaviors. In this review, we focus on the recent developments in the
      construction of inorganic nanoparticles-based drug codelivery nanosystems
      (mesoporous SiO2, Fe3O4, Au, Ag, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide,
      LDH, etc.) to efficiently circumvent the MDR of cancer cells, including the well
      known codelivery of small molecular anticancer drug/macromolecular therapeutic
      gene and codelivery of small molecular chemosensitizer/anticancer drug, and very
      recently explored codelivery of targeting ligands/anticancer drug, codelivery of
      energy/anticancer drug, and codelivery of contrast agent for diagnostic imaging
      and anticancer drug. The unsolved issues, future developments, and potential
      clinical translations of these codelivery nanosystems are also discussed. These
      elaborately designed biocompatible inorganic materials-based nanosystems offer an
      unprecedented opportunity and show the encouraging bright future for overcoming
      the MDR of tumors in clinic personalized medicine and the pharmaceutical
      industry. 

PMID- 24224546
TI  - Efficacy and complications of intravesical BCG in immunocompromised patients.

PMID- 24224545
TI  - Knowing prior methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection or
      colonization status increases the empirical use of glycopeptides in MRSA
      bacteraemia and may decrease mortality.
AB  - To compare the management and outcome of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia in patients known to be MRSA-colonized/infected (C
      patients) with the management and outcome in those not known to be
      colonized/infected (NC-patients), we conducted a 10-year retrospective review of
      MRSA bacteraemia in an adult tertiary hospital. Clinical data were obtained by
      chart review, and mortality data from linked databases. Prior MRSA
      colonization/infection status was available to treating clinicians at the time of
      the bacteraemia as a 'Micro-Alert' tag on the patient's labels, in medical
      charts, and in electronic information systems. C-patients accounted for 35.4% of
      all MRSA bacteraemia episodes. C-patients were more likely to be indigenous, to
      be diabetic, or to have a history of previous S. aureus infection. Markers of
      illness severity (Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS)-II, need for admission
      to the intensive-care unit, length of stay, and metastatic seeding) were similar
      in both groups. Empirical therapy included a glycopeptide in 49.3% of C-patients
      vs. 18.9% of NC-patients (p <0.01), and contained an antibiotic to which the MRSA
      isolate tested susceptible in vitro in 56.7% of C-patients vs. 45.1% of NC
      patients (p 0.13). All-cause 7-day and 30-day mortality were 7.5% vs. 18.9% (p
      0.04), and 22.4% vs. 31.1% (p 0.20), in the C-patient and NC-patient groups,
      respectively. Knowing MRSA colonization status was significantly associated with
      lower 30-day mortality in Cox regression analysis (p <0.01). These data suggest
      that mortality from MRSA bacteraemia is lower in C-patients, which may reflect
      the earlier use of glycopeptides. The low use of empirical glycopeptides in
      septic patients known to be previously MRSA-colonized/infected may represent a
      missed opportunity for infection control to positively impact on clinical
      management.

PMID- 24224547
TI  - Modeling the magnetic properties and Mossbauer spectra of multifunctional
      magnetic materials obtained by insertion of a spin-crossover Fe(III) complex into
      bimetallic oxalate-based ferromagnets.
AB  - In this article, we present a theoretical microscopic approach to describe the
      magnetic and spectroscopic behavior of multifunctional hybrid materials which
      demonstrate spin crossover and ferromagnetic ordering. The low-spin to high-spin
      transition is considered as a cooperative phenomenon that is driven by the
      interaction of the electronic shells of the Fe ions with the full symmetric
      deformation of the local surrounding that is extended over the crystal lattice
      via the acoustic phonon field. The proposed model is applied to the analysis of
      the series [Fe(III)(sal2-trien)] [Mn(II)Cr(III)(ox)3].solv, in short 1.solv,
      where solv = CH2Cl2, CH2Br2, and CHBr3. 

PMID- 24224548
TI  - Accidental spinal potassium chloride injection successfully treated with spinal
      lavage.
AB  - We describe the management of a 62-year-old man who developed severe pain,
      cramps, paraplegia and pulmonary oedema after the accidental administration of
      potassium chloride into the subarachnoid space. In addition to supportive
      treatment, we performed cerebrospinal fluid lavage with saline 0.9%. The patient
      recovered well without any permanent injury. 

PMID- 24224549
TI  - Treatment of atoxoplasmosis in the Blue-crowned Laughing Thrush (Dryonastes
      courtoisi).
AB  - Passerines are frequently parasitized by coccidia, especially species of the
      genus Isospora, with extra-intestinal stages that can be highly pathogenic
      causing serious clinical damage in young birds. Whilst there is still no
      effective treatment to completely clear isosporoid coccidia with extra-intestinal
      stages from a host species, our results showed that prolonged treatment with
      toltrazuril (BAYER AG, Leverkusen, Germany) can decrease the oocysts in faeces
      and thus reduce the extra-intestinal phase of the infection. The toltrazuril
      treatment is therefore probably indirectly effective against the systemic form of
      atoxoplasmosis. 

PMID- 24224550
TI  - Genotyping and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from
      diseased turkeys.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is a highly versatile pathogen in a large number of
      domestic animals, including avian species. To gain deeper insight into the
      epidemiology and diversity of S. aureus associated with articular disease in
      domestic turkeys, isolates were collected from infected foot joints of turkeys in
      Brittany (France). A total of 34 isolates were recovered and characterized by
      means of antimicrobial resistance, staphylococcal protein A typing,
      macrorestriction pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and micro-array analysis.
      Thirty isolates were identified as clonal complex (CC) 398 and methicillin
      susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), one was identified as a methicillin-resistant S.
      aureus (MRSA) CC398 isolate, and the remaining were also MSSA and belonged to
      CC5, CC101, and CC121. Eleven different antimicrobial resistance patterns were
      detected, with most isolates resistant to penicillin and tetracycline. Based on
      all typing methods used, the 34 isolates could be divided into 22 different
      strains. Results on selected isolates, genotyped using microarrays, indicated a
      high homogeneity among pathogenic MSSA isolates from turkeys. Moreover, all
      isolates, except the unique MRSA isolate, carried specific phiAvbeta prophage
      avian-niche-specific genes, demonstrating the versatility of S. aureus to adapt
      to the specific ecological poultry niche. 

PMID- 24224551
TI  - Studies on the presence and persistence of Pasteurella multocida serovars and
      genotypes in fowl cholera outbreaks.
AB  - Pasteurella multocida was isolated from poultry on six farms (one free-range duck
      farm, one free-range turkey farm, one conventional enclosed turkey farm, and
      three free-range layer farms) suffering fowl cholera outbreaks. In addition,
      historical isolates from previous outbreaks were available for the conventional
      turkey farm and the three free-range layer farms. The isolates were serotyped
      using the Heddleston scheme and genotyped using multi-locus sequencing typing. In
      the current outbreaks, two of the farms had two different sequence types (STs) of
      P. multocida in the investigated outbreak (the free-range turkey farm and one of
      the free-range layer farms). The remaining four farms had one ST within the
      investigated outbreak. In looking at the historical isolates, two of the four
      farms had multiple genotypes involved. On the four farms with historical isolates
      from previous outbreaks, at least one new genotype was present in the
      investigated outbreak as compared with the historical isolates. On one layer
      farm, one genotype persisted over a 10-year period. Serotyping revealed the
      presence of multiple serovars in the current and historical outbreaks, with
      serovars sometimes changing over time. This study has shown that several STs of
      P. multocida can be present during some outbreaks of fowl cholera, although other
      outbreaks involve a single ST. Also, the STs present on a property suffering
      repeated fowl cholera can both persist and change over time. 

PMID- 24224552
TI  - Carbohydrate diet and reproductive performance of a fruit fly parasitoid,
      Diachasmimorpha tryoni.
AB  - Augmentative releases of parasitoid wasps are often used successfully for
      biological control of fruit flies in programs worldwide. The development of
      cheaper and more effective augmentative releases of the parasitoid wasp
      Diachasmimorpha tryoni (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) may allow its use to
      be expanded to cover Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera:
      Tephritidae), a serious pest of many vegetables and most fruit production in
      Australia. This demands a fuller understanding of the parasitoid's reproductive
      biology. In this study, mating status, fecundity, and size of female D. tryoni
      were determined under laboratory conditions. A range of pre-release diets, 10%
      concentrations of honey, white sugar, and golden syrup, were also assessed in the
      laboratory. Mature egg loads and progeny yields of mated and unmated parasitoid
      females were statistically similar, demonstrating that mating status was not a
      determinant of parasitoid performance. Female lifespan was not negatively
      impacted by the act of oviposition, though larger females carried more eggs than
      smaller individuals, indicating a need to produce large females in mass-rearing
      facilities to maintain this trait. White sugar gave the highest adult female
      lifespan, while honey and golden syrup shared similar survivorship curves, all
      significantly greater compared with water control females. Pre-release feeding of
      D. tryoni, particularly with white sugar, may enhance the impact of released
      parasitoids on B. tryoni. These findings are important because honey is currently
      the standard diet for mass-reared braconids, but white sugar is less than one
      third the cost of other foods; however further work is required to assess
      postrelease performance of the parasitoid.

PMID- 24224553
TI  - Review article: evacuating hospitals in Australia: what lessons can we learn from
      the world literature?
AB  - The creation of hospitals safe from disaster is an area of increasing public
      policy. The vulnerability of hospitals to damage and destruction during an event
      has profound implications for the health of a community. Although hospital
      evacuations do occur in Australia, their prevalence is unknown and what leads to
      a successful evacuation is poorly understood. This article reviewed the worldwide
      hospital evacuation literature to determine the prevalence of hospital
      evacuations and common precipitants for evacuation. Factors leading to safe
      evacuation and areas of ongoing challenge were identified. The findings highlight
      the need for more structured and detailed reporting of hospital responses to
      disaster. A number of lessons can be learned from hospitals that have experienced
      evacuation. Most critically, all hospitals must have a practised, detailed
      hospital evacuation plan existing before an impending threat. There are also
      areas for improvement in the areas of assessing the risk to the facility,
      communications, leadership, logistics, staffing and planning. These lessons
      should be included into comprehensive, detailed evacuation plans for all
      Australian hospitals, supported by a national framework that standardises
      planning and response. 

PMID- 24224555
TI  - Toxicity of polyamines and their metabolic products.
AB  - Polyamines are ubiquitous and essential components of mammalian cells. They have
      multiple functions including critical roles in nucleic acid and protein
      synthesis, gene expression, protein function, protection from oxidative damage,
      the regulation of ion channels, and maintenance of the structure of cellular
      macromolecules. It is essential to maintain a correct level of polyamines, and
      this amount is tightly regulated at the levels of transport, synthesis, and
      degradation. Catabolic pathways generate reactive aldehydes including acrolein
      and hydrogen peroxide via a number of oxidases. These metabolites, particularly
      those from spermine, can cause significant toxicity with damage to proteins, DNA,
      and other cellular components. Their production can be increased as a result of
      infection or cell damage that releases free polyamines and activates the
      oxidative catabolic pathways. Since polyamines also have an important
      physiological role in protection from oxidative damage, the reduction in
      polyamine content may exacerbate the toxic potential of these agents. Increases
      in polyamine catabolism have been implicated in the development of diseases
      including stroke, other neurological diseases, renal failure, liver disease, and
      cancer. These results provide new opportunities for the early diagnosis,
      prevention, and treatment of disease. 

PMID- 24224554
TI  - Therapists and researchers: advancing collaboration.
AB  - Collaborative partnerships between community-based clinicians and academic
      researchers have the potential to improve the relevance, utility, and feasibility
      of research, as well as the effectiveness of practice. Collaborative partnership
      research from a variety of fields can inform the development and maintenance of
      effective partnerships. In this paper we present a conceptual model of research
      community practice partnership derived from literature across disciplines and
      then illustrate application of this model to one case example. The case example
      is a multi-year partnership between an interdisciplinary group of community-based
      psychotherapists and a team of mental health researchers. This partnership was
      initiated to support federally funded research on community-based outpatient
      mental health care for children with disruptive behavior problems, but it has
      evolved to drive and support new intervention studies with different clinical
      foci. Lessons learned from this partnership process will be shared and
      interpreted in the context of the presented research-practice partnership model.

PMID- 24224556
TI  - Probing adsorption interactions in metal-organic frameworks using X-ray
      spectroscopy.
AB  - We explore the local electronic signatures of molecular adsorption at
      coordinatively unsaturated binding sites in the metal-organic framework Mg-MOF-74
      using X-ray spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. In situ measurements
      at the Mg K-edge reveal distinct pre-edge absorption features associated with the
      unique, open coordination of the Mg sites which are suppressed upon adsorption of
      CO2 and N,N'-dimethylformamide. Density functional theory shows that these
      spectral changes arise from modifications of local symmetry around the Mg sites
      upon gas uptake and are strongly dependent on the metal-adsorbate binding
      strength. The expanded MOF Mg2(dobpdc) displays the same behavior upon adsorption
      of CO2 and N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine. Similar sensitivity to local symmetry is
      expected for any open metal site, making X-ray spectroscopy an ideal tool for
      examining adsorption in such MOFs. Qualitative agreement between ambient
      temperature experimental and 0 K theoretical spectra is good, with minor
      discrepancies thought to result from framework vibrational motion. 

PMID- 24224557
TI  - In vitro properties of platelets stored in a small container for pediatric
      transfusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quality of a platelet (PLT) concentrate (PC) is affected by the
      number of PLTs in relation to the size and gas permeability of the container.
      This study evaluates the in vitro function, including hemostatic properties (clot
      formation and elasticity), of PLTs stored in a container of standard or small
      size. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: PCs with 30% plasma and 70% PLT additive solution
      were prepared from buffy coats. Two PCs were pooled and divided into the
      following containers: 1 unit and 1/2 a unit into a 1.8-L container (reference
      container) and 1/2 a unit into a 0.45-L container (test container). In a second
      set of experiments 1/4 of a unit was stored in the reference and test containers.
      Swirling, PLT count, blood gases, metabolic variables, PLT activation markers,
      hypotonic shock response (HSR), and coagulation by free oscillation rheometry
      were analyzed during 7 days of storage. RESULTS: Swirling was well preserved and
      pH was acceptable (6.4-7.4) during storage of PLTs in both containers. Glycolysis
      and PLT activation were higher when storing 1/2 and 1/4 of a unit in the
      reference container and storage of 1/4 of a unit in the reference container
      resulted in the largest decrease in HSR. The clotting time was similar whereas
      the clot elasticity was slightly lower for PLTs when stored as 1/2 and 1/4 of a
      unit in the reference container. CONCLUSION: Storage of a low number of PLTs
      benefits by storage in a small container in terms of better maintained in vitro
      properties.

PMID- 24224558
TI  - Israeli emergency department nurses' attitudes to an extension of their role and
      powers.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the opinions of Israeli ED nurses as to (1)
      an expansion of their powers and autonomy in treating commonly presenting ED
      conditions, (2) whether nurses or physicians should be responsible for giving ED
      patients necessary information and (3) whether ED nurses should perform triage.
      BACKGROUND: The development of the new emergency nurse practitioner role has
      relieved the pressure on emergency departments, reduced patient waiting times and
      raised patient satisfaction. Israel has yet to introduce either this role or the
      triage approach into its emergency departments. DESIGN: This investigation was
      designed as a cross-sectional study by self-administered questionnaire. METHODS:
      The researchers distributed a questionnaire they had developed and validated to
      270 registered nurses working in 18 general hospital emergency departments. The
      responses were analysed by chi-square and t-tests and anova. RESULTS: Of
      respondents 60-90% agreed that they should be granted 10 out of a list of 12 new
      powers, and a large majority thought nurses should be responsible for performing
      triage. They wanted to increase the information they gave to patients, both on
      general ED functioning and on specific medically related matters. CONCLUSIONS:
      The contribution of this study is the positive response of a large representative
      sample of ED nurses to extending their powers. It will be necessary to establish
      postregistration training courses and draw up new regulations reshaping the
      delivery of emergency medicine. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The study
      demonstrates that ED nurses are convinced that they need the authority to
      diagnose and treat commonly presenting ED conditions and perform triage and
      discharge in order for their department to optimally exploit the resources
      available to it. The study should promote the development of the emergency nurse
      practitioner role in Israel and so reduce patient waiting times.

PMID- 24224559
TI  - How early should obesity prevention start?

PMID- 24224560
TI  - A recombinant viruslike particle influenza A (H7N9) vaccine.

PMID- 24224562
TI  - Stereoselective synthesis of P-modified alpha-glycosyl phosphates by the
      oxazaphospholidine approach.
AB  - alpha-Glycosyl phosphate derivatives are widely known as constituents of
      biomolecules. To date, several types of non-natural alpha-glycosyl phosphates
      including "P-modified analogs" have been synthesized to investigate their
      characteristics. Herein a new approach to the stereoselective modification of the
      intersugar phosphorus atom in alpha-glycosyl phosphates by use of the
      oxazaphospholidine method is presented. Via this approach, the dimers of alpha
      glycosyl phosphorothioates and alpha-glycosyl boranophosphates were obtained
      efficiently and stereoselectively. 

PMID- 24224561
TI  - Mercury alters B-cell protein phosphorylation profiles.
AB  - Environmental exposure to mercury is suggested to contribute to human immune
      dysfunction. To shed light on the mechanism, we identified changes in the
      phosphoproteomic profile of the WEHI-231 B cell line after intoxication with
      Hg(2+). These changes were compared to changes in the phosphoproteome that were
      induced by pervanadate or okadaic acid exposure. Both 250 MUM HgCl2 and
      pervanadate, a known phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, caused an increase in
      the number of proteins identified after TiO2 affinity selection and LC-MS/MS
      analysis. Pervanadate treatment had a larger effect than Hg(2+) on the number of
      Scansite motifs that were tyrosine-phosphorylated, 17, and Ingenuity canonical
      signaling pathways activated, 4, with score >5.0. However, Hg(2+) had a more
      focused effect, primarily causing tyrosine-phosphorylation in src homology 2
      domains in proteins that are in the B cell receptor signaling pathway. The
      finding that many of the changes induced by Hg(2+) overlap with those of
      pervanadate, indicates that at high concentrations Hg(2+) inhibits protein
      tyrosine phosphatases. 

PMID- 24224563
TI  - Progress in remediation of groundwater at petroleum sites in California.
AB  - Quantifying the overall progress in remediation of contaminated groundwater has
      been a significant challenge. We utilized the GeoTracker database to evaluate the
      progress in groundwater remediation from 2001 to 2011 at over 12,000 sites in
      California with contaminated groundwater. This paper presents an analysis of
      analytical results from over 2.1 million groundwater samples representing at
      least $100 million in laboratory analytical costs. Overall, the evaluation of
      monitoring data shows a large decrease in groundwater concentrations of gasoline
      constituents. For benzene, half of the sites showed a decrease in concentration
      of 85% or more. For methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), this decrease was 96% and for
      TBE, 87%. At remediation sites in California, the median source attenuation rate
      was 0.18/year for benzene and 0.36/year for MTBE, corresponding to half-lives of
      3.9 and 1.9 years, respectively. Attenuation rates were positive (i.e.,
      decreasing concentration) for benzene at 76% of sites and for MTBE at 85% of
      sites. An evaluation of sites with active remediation technologies suggests
      differences in technology effectiveness. The median attenuation rates for benzene
      and MTBE are higher at sites with soil vapor extraction or air sparging compared
      with sites without these technologies. In contrast, there was little difference
      in attenuation rates at sites with or without soil excavation, dual phase
      extraction, or in situ enhanced biodegradation. The evaluation of remediation
      technologies, however, did not evaluate whether specific systems were well
      designed or implemented and did not control for potential differences in other
      site factors, such as soil type. 

PMID- 24224564
TI  - Comment on "prebiotic chemistry within a simple impacting icy mixture".

PMID- 24224565
TI  - To pass or not to pass: more a question of body orientation than visual cues.
AB  - This study investigated the influence of pitch body tilt on judging the
      possibility of passing under high obstacles in the presence of an illusory
      horizontal self-motion. Seated subjects tilted at various body orientations were
      asked to estimate the possibility of passing under a projected bar (i.e., a
      parking barrier), while imagining a forward whole-body displacement normal to
      gravity. This task was performed under two visual conditions, providing either no
      visual surroundings or a translational horizontal optic flow that stopped just
      before the barrier appeared. The results showed a main overestimation of the
      possibility of passing under the bar in both cases and most importantly revealed
      a strong influence of body orientation despite the visual specification of
      horizontal self-motion by optic flow (i.e., both visual conditions yielded a
      comparable body tilt effect). Specifically, the subjective passability was
      proportionally deviated towards the body tilt by 46% of its magnitude when facing
      a horizontal optic flow and 43% without visual surroundings. This suggests that
      the egocentric attraction exerted by body tilt when referring the subjective
      passability to horizontal self-motion still persists even when anchoring
      horizontally related visual cues are displayed. These findings are discussed in
      terms of interaction between spatial references. The link between the reliability
      of available sensory inputs and the weight attributed to each reference is also
      addressed. 

PMID- 24224566
TI  - Forecasting impact injuries of unrestrained occupants in railway vehicle
      passenger compartments.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In order to predict the injury parameters of the occupants
      corresponding to different experimental parameters and to determine impact injury
      indices conveniently and efficiently, a model forecasting occupant impact injury
      was established in this work. METHODS: The work was based on finite experimental
      observation values obtained by numerical simulation. First, the various factors
      influencing the impact injuries caused by the interaction between unrestrained
      occupants and the compartment's internal structures were collated and the most
      vulnerable regions of the occupant's body were analyzed. Then, the forecast model
      was set up based on a genetic algorithm-back propagation (GA-BP) hybrid
      algorithm, which unified the individual characteristics of the back propagation
      artificial neural network (BP-ANN) model and the genetic algorithm (GA). The
      model was well suited to studies of occupant impact injuries and allowed multiple
      parameter forecasts of the occupant impact injuries to be realized assuming
      values for various influencing factors. Finally, the forecast results for three
      types of secondary collision were analyzed using forecasting accuracy evaluation
      methods. RESULTS: All of the results showed the ideal accuracy of the forecast
      model. When an occupant faced a table, the relative errors between the predicted
      and experimental values of the respective injury parameters were kept within +/-
      6.0 percent and the average relative error (ARE) values did not exceed 3.0
      percent. When an occupant faced a seat, the relative errors between the predicted
      and experimental values of the respective injury parameters were kept within +/-
      5.2 percent and the ARE values did not exceed 3.1 percent. When the occupant
      faced another occupant, the relative errors between the predicted and
      experimental values of the respective injury parameters were kept within +/- 6.3
      percent and the ARE values did not exceed 3.8 percent. CONCLUSIONS: The injury
      forecast model established in this article reduced repeat experiment times and
      improved the design efficiency of the internal compartment's structure
      parameters, and it provided a new way for assessing the safety performance of the
      interior structural parameters in existing, and newly designed, railway vehicle
      compartments.

PMID- 24224567
TI  - Clinical appraisal of the recently proposed Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B
      subclassification by survival analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer B
      subclassification (B1-B4) proposed by Bolondi et al. in subjects with
      hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization according
      to the current Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer policy. METHODS: A total of 466
      Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer B patients initially treated with transarterial
      chemoembolization were included. The subclassification system was tested and
      modified on the basis of correlation with survival outcomes, which were examined
      by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. RESULTS: There were 101 (21.7%), 232
      (49.8%), 35 (7.5%), and 98 (21.0%) patients in B1, B2, B3, and B4, respectively.
      There was a significant difference in median survival time between B1 and B2
      (41.0 vs 22.1 months, P <= 0.001), and B2 and B3 (22.1 vs 14.1 months, P =
      0.004), but not between B3 and B4 (14.1 vs 17.2 months, P = 0.48). We, therefore,
      developed a modified subclassification, in which B3 subclass was merged with B4
      as BIII, and BI and BII corresponded to B1 and B2. The median survival times
      differed between all three modified subclasses (41.0 vs 22.1 vs 16.6 months, P <=
      0.001), and multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the modified Barcelona Clinic
      Liver Cancer B subclasses independently predicted overall survival (hazard
      ratios, 1.92 and 2.78 for BII and BIII vs BI; P < 0.001 for each). CONCLUSIONS:
      The modified subclassification, which divides the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer B
      stage into three substages, would be an effective tool for stratifying this
      heterogeneous population and facilitating per-subclass-based treatment options.

PMID- 24224568
TI  - Localized non-conventional renal cell carcinoma: prediction of clinical outcome
      according to histology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A wide variety of parameters have been investigated in the prognostic
      significance of non-conventional clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Aim of the
      present study was to compare its clinical outcome and to determine the
      independent prognostic factors according to the histology. METHODS: This
      retrospective study enrolled localized non-conventional clear cell renal cell
      carcinomas (T1a-T4N0M0), including Xp11.2 translocation (Xp11.2t), all surgically
      treated in a single institution between 1988 and 2011. The study statistically
      analyzed the clinicopathological parameters to compare the prognostic outcomes
      among the different histological subtypes of non-conventional clear cell renal
      cell carcinoma and to define any independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total
      of 374 cases were examined, including 126 papillary (33.7%), 164 chromophobe
      (43.9%), eight collecting duct (2.1%), 40 unclassified (10.7%), 16 Xp11.2t
      (4.3%), seven mucinous tubular and spindle cell (1.8%) renal cell carcinomas and
      13 oncocytomas (3.5%). The mean follow up was 56.4 months, with s mean tumor size
      of 4.9 +/- 3.4 cm. The 4-year recurrence-free survival, overall survival and
      cancer-specific survival were inversely related to the increase of pathological T
      stages (P < 0.001). For histological type other than 13 oncocytomas and seven
      mucinous tubular and spindle cell renal cell carcinomas, the chromophobe showed
      the best prognosis of survival, followed by papillary, Xp11.2t, unclassified and
      collecting duct renal cell carcinomas, in this order. All survival rates were
      significantly different, as according to the histology (P = 0.009). The
      significant prognostic factors were preoperative body mass index (hazard ratio
      0.76), serum albumin (hazard ratio 0.64), T stage (hazard ratio 2.28), the
      sarcomatoid differentiation (hazard ratio 33.45) and lymphovascular invasion
      (hazard ratio 12.40) in pathology (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Different non
      conventional clear cell renal cell carcinoma subtypes have significantly
      different clinical characteristics of prognosis with many suggestive predictive
      factors of survival.

PMID- 24224569
TI  - Pediatric cutaneous lupus erythematosus treated with pulsed dye laser.
AB  - Pulsed dye laser (PDL) has been used in adults to treat refractory cutaneous
      lupus erythematosus (CLE). We report the first case of CLE in a child
      successfully treated with PDL. 

PMID- 24224570
TI  - Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole on nursing and health care.
AB  - AIMS: The purpose of this article is to correct inaccurate information about both
      Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale, material that promotes Seacole as a
      pioneer nurse and heroine, while either ignoring Nightingale or trivializing her
      contribution. BACKGROUND: Nursing journals have been prominent in promoting
      inaccurate accounts of the contribution of Seacole to nursing. Some have
      intermittently published positive material about Nightingale, but none has
      published redress. DESIGN: Discussion paper. DATA: Primary sources from 1855-2012
      were found, which contradict some key claims made about Seacole. Further sources 
      not included here - are identified, with a website reference. IMPLICATIONS FOR
      NURSING: It is argued that Nightingale remains relevant as a model for nurses,
      with the many crises in patient care and continuing challenges of hospital
      safety. CONCLUSION: Greater accuracy and honesty are required in reporting about
      nursing heroes. Without these, great ideas and examples can be lost to nursing
      and health care.

PMID- 24224571
TI  - Interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma modulate Fas-mediated apoptosis in
      mitomycin-C-resistant human Tenon's fibroblasts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate, using a native mitomycin-C
      resistant human Tenon's fibroblast cell line, the possibility that interferon
      alpha and gamma could be used with Fas agonists as an alternative anti-fibrotic
      strategy to mitomycin-C in trabeculectomy. METHODS: A clinically resistant and in
      vitro verified mitomycin-C-resistant human Tenon's fibroblast cell line was
      pretreated with interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma for 48 h before stimulation
      with an agonistic Fas antibody (CH11) for 2 days to induce cell death. Cell death
      assays were undertaken. Changes in apoptosis-related proteins were determined by
      flow cytometry and Western blot. RESULTS: Pretreatment with interferon-alpha or
      interferon-gamma for 48 h increased Fas, Fas-associated protein with death domain
      and caspase-8 expression. Protein expression was further increased by combined
      exposure to interferon-alpha and gamma. Pretreatment with cytokines had no effect
      on Fas-L and Bcl-2. Interferon-alpha alone did not change the rate of induced
      cell death. A combination of interferon-alpha and gamma synergistically increased
      the sensitivity of mitomycin-C-resistant human Tenon's fibroblast cell line to
      induced cell death. An antagonistic anti-Fas antibody (ZB4) completely blocked
      induced cell death. Broad caspase inhibitors specific for caspases-8 and -3
      reduced induced deaths in interferon pretreated mitomycin-C-resistant human
      Tenon's fibroblast cell line in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon
      alpha and interferon-gamma render mitomycin-C-resistant human Tenon's fibroblast
      cell line sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis. The mechanism involves increased
      death-inducing signalling complex formation by upregulation of Fas, Fas
      associated protein with death domain and caspase-8 expression.

PMID- 24224572
TI  - Unravelling the relationship between degree of disorder and the dissolution
      behavior of milled glibenclamide.
AB  - Milling is an attractive method to prepare amorphous formulations as it does not
      require the use of solvents and is suitable for thermolabile drugs. One of the
      key critical quality attributes of milled amorphous formulations is their
      dissolution behavior. However, there are limited studies that have investigated
      the relationship between degree of disorder induced by milling and dissolution
      behavior. The main aim of this study was to identify the analytical technique
      used to characterize degree of disorder that correlates best with the
      recrystallization behavior during dissolution of milled glibenclamide samples.
      Solid state and surface changes during dissolution of milled glibenclamide
      samples were monitored in order to elucidate the processes that influence the
      dissolution behavior of milled glibenclamide samples. Glibenclamide was ball
      milled for different durations and analyzed using X-ray powder diffractometry
      (XRPD), Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
      Recrystallization during dissolution of the milled amorphous materials was
      investigated using an in situ Raman setup. SEM was used to monitor the surfaces
      of the compacts during dissolution. XRPD, Raman spectroscopy and DSC indicated
      that glibenclamide was fully amorphous after milling for 30, 60, and 120 min,
      respectively. 'DSC amorphous' (i.e. fully amorphous according to the onset of
      crystallization obtained from DSC) glibenclamide samples experienced negligible
      recrystallization which had no effect on the dissolution profiles. Samples that
      were not 'DSC amorphous' experienced recrystallization which resulted in a
      decrease in dissolution rate. Unexpected elevated dissolution rate was observed
      initially during dissolution for samples milled for 15 to 45 min, and this was
      related to particle loss from surfaces of the disks during dissolution. In
      conclusion, the onset of crystallization obtained from DSC best predicts the
      recrystallization of glibenclamide during dissolution. Recrystallization and
      particle loss from the surface of the dissolution should be considered when
      interpreting the dissolution data of milled glibenclamide samples. 

PMID- 24224573
TI  - Optimization of O3-acyl kojic acid derivatives as potent and selective human
      neutrophil elastase inhibitors.
AB  - Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is an attractive target for treating chronic and
      acute inflammatory lung diseases. An optimization campaign of the kojic acid
      scaffold to develop new potent HNE inhibitors is reported. O3-Pivaloyl
      derivatives were shown to be the most potent inhibitors with IC5o values down to
      80 nM. These compounds presented excellent selectivity and cytotoxicity profiles
      with suitable ligand efficiency. 

PMID- 24224574
TI  - Bias and sensitivity analysis when estimating treatment effects from the cox
      model with omitted covariates.
AB  - Omission of relevant covariates can lead to bias when estimating treatment or
      exposure effects from survival data in both randomized controlled trials and
      observational studies. This paper presents a general approach to assessing bias
      when covariates are omitted from the Cox model. The proposed method is applicable
      to both randomized and non-randomized studies. We distinguish between the effects
      of three possible sources of bias: omission of a balanced covariate, data
      censoring and unmeasured confounding. Asymptotic formulae for determining the
      bias are derived from the large sample properties of the maximum likelihood
      estimator. A simulation study is used to demonstrate the validity of the bias
      formulae and to characterize the influence of the different sources of bias. It
      is shown that the bias converges to fixed limits as the effect of the omitted
      covariate increases, irrespective of the degree of confounding. The bias formulae
      are used as the basis for developing a new method of sensitivity analysis to
      assess the impact of omitted covariates on estimates of treatment or exposure
      effects. In simulation studies, the proposed method gave unbiased treatment
      estimates and confidence intervals with good coverage when the true sensitivity
      parameters were known. We describe application of the method to a randomized
      controlled trial and a non-randomized study.

PMID- 24224575
TI  - Clinical trial strategy for penis cancer.

PMID- 24224576
TI  - Systematic study of the luminescent europium-based nonanuclear clusters with
      modified 2-hydroxybenzophenone ligands.
AB  - The reaction of 2-hydroxybenzophenone derivatives with europium ions has afforded
      a new family of luminescent nonanuclear Eu(III) clusters. Crystal structure
      analysis of the clusters reveals that the metal core comprises two vertex-sharing
      square pyramidal units. Most of these complexes show emissions typical of Eu(3+)
      ion under visible light excitation (400-420 nm) at room temperature.
      Photophysical characterization and DFT study reveal a correlation between
      luminescent efficiencies of Eu(III) complexes and the electronic features of the
      ligands, which can be tuned by the nature of substituents in the 4-position of
      the ligands. The ligands with a fluorine substituent possess more suitable
      triplet energy levels, resulting in more intensive luminescence. 

PMID- 24224577
TI  - Extraocular light via the ear canal does not acutely affect human circadian
      physiology, alertness and psychomotor vigilance performance.
AB  - We aimed at testing potential effects of extraocular bright light via the ear
      canals on human evening melatonin levels, sleepiness and psychomotor vigilance
      performance. Twenty healthy young men and women (10/10) kept a regular sleep-wake
      cycle during the 2-week study. The volunteers reported to the laboratory on three
      evenings, 2 h 15 min before usual bedtime, on average at 21:45 h. They were
      exposed to three different light conditions, each lasting for 12 min: extraocular
      bright light via the ear canal, ocular bright light as an active control
      condition and a control condition (extraocular light therapy device with
      completely blacked out LEDs). The timing of exposure was on average from 22:48 to
      23:00 h. During the 2-h protocol, saliva samples were collected in 15-min
      intervals for melatonin assays along with subjective sleepiness ratings, and the
      volunteers performed a 10-min visual psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) prior to
      and after each light condition. The evening melatonin rise was significantly
      attenuated after the 12-min ocular bright light exposure while no significant
      changes were observed after the extraocular bright light and sham light
      condition. Subjective sleepiness decreased immediately over a short period only
      after ocular light exposure. No significant differences were observed for mean
      reaction times and the number of lapses for the PVT between the three light
      conditions. We conclude that extraocular transcranial light exposure in the late
      evening does not suppress melatonin, reduce subjective sleepiness or improve
      performance, and therefore, does not acutely influence the human circadian timing
      system.

PMID- 24224578
TI  - The hockey-stick method to estimate evening dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) in
      humans.
AB  - The onset of melatonin secretion in the evening is the most reliable and most
      widely used index of circadian timing in humans. Saliva (or plasma) is usually
      sampled every 0.5-1 hours under dim-light conditions in the evening 5-6 hours
      before usual bedtime to assess the dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO). For many
      years, attempts have been made to find a reliable objective determination of
      melatonin onset time either by fixed or dynamic threshold approaches. The here
      developed hockey-stick algorithm, used as an interactive computer-based approach,
      fits the evening melatonin profile by a piecewise linear-parabolic function
      represented as a straight line switching to the branch of a parabola. The switch
      point is considered to reliably estimate melatonin rise time. We applied the
      hockey-stick method to 109 half-hourly melatonin profiles to assess the DLMOs and
      compared these estimates to visual ratings from three experts in the field. The
      DLMOs of 103 profiles were considered to be clearly quantifiable. The hockey
      stick DLMO estimates were on average 4 minutes earlier than the experts'
      estimates, with a range of -27 to +13 minutes; in 47% of the cases the difference
      fell within +/-5 minutes, in 98% within -20 to +13 minutes. The raters' and
      hockey-stick estimates showed poor accordance with DLMOs defined by threshold
      methods. Thus, the hockey-stick algorithm is a reliable objective method to
      estimate melatonin rise time, which does not depend on a threshold value and is
      free from errors arising from differences in subjective circadian phase
      estimates. The method is available as a computerized program that can be easily
      used in research settings and clinical practice either for salivary or plasma
      melatonin values. 

PMID- 24224579
TI  - A new algorithm for weekly phenprocoumon dose variation in a southern Brazilian
      population: role for CYP2C9, CYP3A4/5 and VKORC1 genes polymorphisms.
AB  - Phenprocoumon is widely used in prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic
      disorders. However, its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics vary according to
      several genetic and non-genetic factors. Phenprocoumon metabolism is mediated by
      CYP2C9 and CYP3A enzymes. Moreover, VKORC1 is phenprocoumon target of action.
      Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in VKORC1, CYP2C9, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genes with
      the variance of weekly phenprocoumon dose as well as to develop an algorithm for
      dose prediction based on genetic and environmental factors. A total of 198
      patients with stable phenprocoumon dose, 81% of European ancestry, were
      investigated. Genotypes were determined by allelic discrimination with TaqMan
      assays. Polymorphisms -1639G>A and 1173C>T in VKORC1 and the presence of CYP2C9*2
      and/or CYP2C9*3 are associated with lower doses. On the other hand, 3730G>A in
      VKORC1 gene is associated with higher doses. No association was found between
      CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3 and CYP3A5*6 polymorphisms. Among non-genetic factors,
      gender, height, age and use of captopril, omeprazole, simvastatin and beta
      blockers are associated with dose. Two algorithms were derived: one for the whole
      sample explained 42% of dose variation and one for patients of European ancestry
      only which explained 46% of phenprocoumon dose. The mean absolute difference
      between observed and predicted dose was low in both models (3.92 mg/week and 3.54
      mg/week, for models 1 and 2, respectively). However, more studies with other
      genes and environmental factors are needed to test and to improve the algorithm. 

PMID- 24224580
TI  - Success in making Zn+ from atomic Zn(0) encapsulated in an MFI-type zeolite with
      UV light irradiation.
AB  - For the first time, the paramagnetic Zn(+) species was prepared successfully by
      the excitation with ultraviolet light in the region ascribed to the absorption
      band resulting from the 4s-4p transition of an atomic Zn(0) species encapsulated
      in an MFI-type zeolite. The formed species gives a specific electron spin
      resonance band at g = 1.998 and also peculiar absorption bands around 38,000 and
      32,500 cm(-1) which originate from 4s-4p transitions due to the Zn(+) species
      with paramagnetic nature that is formed in MFI. The transformation process (Zn(0)
      -> Zn(+)) was explained by considering the mechanism via the excited triplet
      state ((3)P) caused by the intersystem crossing from the excited singlet state
      ((1)P) produced through the excitation of the 4s-4p transition of an atomic Zn(0)
      species grafted in MFI by UV light. The transformation process was well
      reproduced with the aid of a density functional theory calculation. The thus
      formed Zn(+) species which has the doublet spin state exhibits characteristic
      reaction nature at room temperature for an O2 molecule having a triplet spin
      state in the ground state, forming an eta(1) type of Zn(2+)-O2(-) species. These
      features clearly indicate the peculiar reactivity of Zn(+) in MFI, whereas Zn(0)
      (H(+))2MFI hardly reacts with O2 at room temperature. The bonding nature of
      [Zn(2+)-O2(-)] species was also evidenced by ESR measurements and was also
      discussed on the basis of the results obtained through DFT calculations. 

PMID- 24224581
TI  - CT and MR enterography in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel
      disease.
AB  - The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is used to describe multiple idiopathic
      disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. As many as one-quarter of patients with
      IBD initially present in childhood or adolescence. Multiple methods can be used
      to diagnose IBD in this age group, including computed tomographic (CT)
      enterography, magnetic resonance (MR) enterography, small bowel follow-through
      examination, ileocolonoscopy, and capsule endoscopy. However, CT enterography and
      MR enterography have become the imaging modalities of choice due to their
      exquisite image quality, rapid acquisition time, lack of need for bowel
      preparation, and ability to help diagnose the extraintestinal complications of
      IBD. In addition to being radiation free, MR enterography can help evaluate
      peristalsis, has high contrast resolution, and allows the use of diffusion
      weighted imaging. The authors discuss the use of CT enterography and MR
      enterography in the context of pediatric IBD in terms of advantages and
      disadvantages, protocol, and imaging findings. 

PMID- 24224582
TI  - Invited commentary.

PMID- 24224583
TI  - Writing good multiple-choice questions: a brief guide for radiologists.

PMID- 24224584
TI  - Multidetector CT of emergent biliary pathologic conditions.
AB  - Various biliary pathologic conditions can lead to acute abdominal pain. Specific
      diagnosis is not always possible clinically because many biliary diseases have
      overlapping signs and symptoms. Imaging can help narrow the differential
      diagnosis and lead to a specific diagnosis. Although ultrasonography (US) is the
      most useful imaging modality for initial evaluation of the biliary system,
      multidetector computed tomography (CT) is helpful when US findings are equivocal
      or when biliary disease is suspected. Diagnostic accuracy can be increased by
      optimizing the CT protocol and using multiplanar reformations to localize biliary
      obstruction. CT can be used to diagnose and stage acute cholecystitis, including
      complications such as emphysematous, gangrenous, and hemorrhagic cholecystitis;
      gallbladder perforation; gallstone pancreatitis; gallstone ileus; and Mirizzi
      syndrome. CT also can be used to evaluate acute biliary diseases such as biliary
      stone disease, benign and malignant biliary obstruction, acute cholangitis,
      pyogenic hepatic abscess, hemobilia, and biliary necrosis and iatrogenic
      complications such as biliary leaks and malfunctioning biliary drains and stents.
      Treatment includes radiologic, endoscopic, or surgical intervention. Familiarity
      with CT imaging appearances of emergent biliary pathologic conditions is
      important for prompt diagnosis and appropriate clinical referral and treatment.

PMID- 24224585
TI  - Secretin-enhanced MR cholangiopancreatography: spectrum of findings.
AB  - Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is the most effective, safe,
      noninvasive magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique for the evaluation of the
      pancreaticobiliary ductal system. The MRCP imaging technique has substantially
      improved during the past 2 decades and is based mainly on the acquisition of
      heavily T2-weighted MR images, with variants of fast spin-echo sequences. MRCP
      can also be performed by utilizing the hormone secretin, which stimulates a
      normal pancreas to secrete a significant amount of fluid while transiently
      increasing the tone of the sphincter of Oddi. The transient increase in the
      diameter of the pancreatic duct improves the depiction of the ductal anatomy,
      which can be useful in patients in whom detailed evaluation of the pancreatic
      duct is most desired because of a suspicion of pancreatic disease. Improved
      depiction of the ductal anatomy can be important in (a) the differentiation of
      side-branch intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms from other cystic neoplasms
      and (b) the diagnosis and classification of chronic pancreatitis, the
      disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome, and ductal anomalies such as anomalous
      pancreaticobiliary junction and pancreas divisum. In patients examined after
      pancreatectomy, stimulation with secretin can give information about the patency
      of the pancreaticoenteric anastomosis. Duodenal filling during the secretin
      enhanced phase of the MRCP examination can be used to estimate the excretory
      reserve of the pancreas. Secretin is well tolerated, and complications are rarely
      seen. Secretin-enhanced MRCP is most useful in (a) the evaluation of acute and
      chronic pancreatitis, congenital variants of the pancreaticoduodenal junction,
      and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and (b) follow-up of patients after
      pancreatectomy. 

PMID- 24224586
TI  - Functional imaging for radiation treatment planning, response assessment, and
      adaptive therapy in head and neck cancer.
AB  - Patients with squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the head and neck are
      increasingly treated nonsurgically. Imaging plays a critical role in helping
      define the targets for radiation therapy, especially intensity-modulated
      radiation therapy, in which the dose gradients are steep. Anatomic imaging with
      conventional modalities, particularly computed tomography (CT), has been used in
      patients with head and neck SCCs, but this approach has limitations. Functional
      imaging techniques, including positron emission tomography (PET) combined with CT
      or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, offer complementary information and can be
      used noninvasively to assess a range of biomarkers in patients with head and neck
      SCCs, including hypoxia, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and epidermal growth
      factor receptor status. These biologic markers can be monitored before, during,
      and after treatment to improve patient selection for specific therapeutic
      strategies, guide adaptation of therapy, and potentially facilitate more accurate
      assessment of disease response. This article discusses the practical aspects of
      integrating functional imaging into head-and-neck radiation therapy planning and
      reviews the potential of molecular imaging biomarkers for response assessment and
      therapy adaptation. The uses of PET tracers for imaging cellular processes such
      as metabolism, proliferation, hypoxia, and cell membrane synthesis are explored,
      and applications for MR techniques such as dynamic contrast material-enhanced
      imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, blood oxygenation level-dependent imaging,
      and MR spectroscopy are reviewed. The potential of integrated PET/CT perfusion
      imaging and hybrid PET/MR imaging also is highlighted. These developments may
      allow more individualized treatment planning in patients with head and neck SCCs
      in the emerging era of personalized medicine.

PMID- 24224587
TI  - Weightless.

PMID- 24224588
TI  - CT findings of thoracic manifestations of primary Sjogren syndrome: radiologic
      pathologic correlation.
AB  - Primary Sjogren syndrome is an immune-mediated exocrinopathy characterized by
      lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the salivary and lacrimal glands. Various
      systemic extraglandular disorders are associated with primary Sjogren syndrome,
      and the thorax is commonly affected. The pulmonary manifestations of primary
      Sjogren syndrome may be categorized as airway abnormalities, interstitial
      pneumonias, and lymphoproliferative disorders; in each category, bronchiectasis
      or centrilobular nodules, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, and lymphoid
      interstitial pneumonia are common. These manifestations do not usually occur in
      isolation; they are concomitantly seen with other types of lesions. Mucosa
      associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and amyloidosis are key components of
      lymphoproliferative disorders, and MALT lymphoma should always be considered
      because its morphologic characteristics are similar to those of benign
      lymphoproliferative disorders. Amyloidosis is rare but important because it
      carries a risk for underlying MALT lymphoma or plasmacytoma, and it may lead to
      hemoptysis during biopsy. In addition, thin-walled air cysts are characteristic
      of primary Sjogren syndrome, irrespective of the main pulmonary manifestations.
      Lymphadenopathy and multilocular thymic cysts may be seen in the mediastinum.
      During the follow-up period, there is a risk for acute exacerbation of
      interstitial pneumonia and development of malignant lymphoma. Often, primary
      Sjogren syndrome is subclinical, but there are various underlying risks. Thus,
      imaging findings are important. In addition to the various types of interstitial
      pneumonia and airway abnormalities, air cysts and mediastinal manifestations may
      help diagnose primary Sjogren syndrome.

PMID- 24224589
TI  - The many faces of injury with organization in the lung.

PMID- 24224590
TI  - From the radiologic pathology archives: organization and fibrosis as a response
      to lung injury in diffuse alveolar damage, organizing pneumonia, and acute
      fibrinous and organizing pneumonia.
AB  - Organization, characterized by fibroblast proliferation, is a common and nearly
      universal response to lung injury whether it is focal or diffuse. Despite the
      vast range of injurious agents, the lung's response to injury is quite limited,
      with a similar pattern of reaction seen radiologically and histologically
      regardless of the underlying cause. Although there is a tendency to divide
      organization into distinct entities, the underlying injury to the alveolar
      epithelial basement membrane is a uniting factor in these processes. This pattern
      of lung injury is seen in the organizing phase of diffuse alveolar damage,
      organizing pneumonia (OP), acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia, and certain
      types of fibrotic lung disease. In addition, although organization can heal
      without significant injury, in some instances it progresses to fibrosis, which
      can be severe. When fibrosis due to organization is present, other histologic and
      imaging patterns, such as those seen in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, can
      develop, reflecting that fibrosis can be a sequela of organization. This article
      reviews the histologic and radiologic findings of organization in lung injury due
      to diffuse alveolar damage, OP, and acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia and
      helps radiologists understand that the histologic and radiologic findings depend
      on the degree of injury and the subsequent healing response.

PMID- 24224591
TI  - Congenital and hereditary causes of sudden cardiac death in young adults:
      diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and risk stratification.
AB  - Sudden cardiac death is defined as death from unexpected circulatory arrest
      usually a result of cardiac arrhythmia-that occurs within 1 hour of the onset of
      symptoms. Proper and timely identification of individuals at risk for sudden
      cardiac death and the diagnosis of its predisposing conditions are vital. A
      careful history and physical examination, in addition to electrocardiography and
      cardiac imaging, are essential to identify conditions associated with sudden
      cardiac death. Among young adults (18-35 years), sudden cardiac death most
      commonly results from a previously undiagnosed congenital or hereditary
      condition, such as coronary artery anomalies and inherited cardiomyopathies (eg,
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
      [ARVC], dilated cardiomyopathy, and noncompaction cardiomyopathy). Overall, the
      most common causes of sudden cardiac death in young adults are, in descending
      order of frequency, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies with
      an interarterial or intramural course, and ARVC. Often, sudden cardiac death is
      precipitated by ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation and may be prevented with
      an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Risk stratification to determine
      the need for an ICD is challenging and involves imaging, particularly
      echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Coronary artery
      anomalies, a diverse group of congenital disorders with a variable manifestation,
      may be depicted at coronary computed tomographic angiography or MR angiography. A
      thorough understanding of clinical risk stratification, imaging features, and
      complementary diagnostic tools for the evaluation of cardiac disorders that may
      lead to sudden cardiac death is essential to effectively use imaging to guide
      diagnosis and therapy. 

PMID- 24224592
TI  - Invited commentary.

PMID- 24224593
TI  - What radiologists need to know about diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory
      breast cancer: a multidisciplinary approach.
AB  - Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare breast cancer with a highly virulent
      course and low 5-year survival rate. Trimodality treatment that includes
      preoperative chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiation therapy is the therapeutic
      mainstay and has been shown to improve prognosis. Proper diagnosis and staging of
      IBC is critical to treatment planning and requires a multidisciplinary approach
      that includes imaging. Patients with IBC typically present with rapid onset of
      breast erythema, edema, and peau d'orange. Both tissue diagnosis of malignancy
      and clinical findings of inflammatory disease are required to confirm diagnosis
      of IBC. Imaging is used to identify a biopsy target; direct biopsy; stage IBC;
      differentiate curable from incurable (stage IV) disease; and help plan
      chemotherapy, surgical management, and radiation therapy. Comparison of baseline
      and posttreatment images helps confirm and quantitate disease response. When
      imaging is used early in the course of therapy to noninvasively predict treatment
      response, optimal tailored strategies for management of IBC can be implemented.
      Imaging is vital to diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with IBC, and
      radiologists are an integral part of the multidisciplinary patient care team. 

PMID- 24224594
TI  - AIRP best cases in radiologic-pathologic correlation: metaplastic squamous cell
      carcinoma of the breast.

PMID- 24224597
TI  - Traumatic thoracolumbar spine injuries: what the spine surgeon wants to know.
AB  - The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS) is a scoring
      and classification system developed by the Spine Trauma Study Group in response
      to the recognition that previous classification systems have limited prognostic
      value and generally do not suggest treatment pathways. The TLICS provides a spine
      injury severity score based on three components: injury morphology, integrity of
      the posterior ligamentous complex (PLC), and neurologic status of the patient. A
      numerical score is calculated for each category, with a lower point value
      assigned to a less severe or less urgent injury and a higher point value assigned
      to a more severe injury requiring urgent management. The total score helps guide
      decision making about surgical versus nonsurgical management. The TLICS also
      emphasizes the importance of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating PLC injury
      and acknowledges that the primary driver of surgical intervention is the
      patient's neurologic status. Knowledge of PLC anatomy and its significance is
      essential in recognizing unstable injuries. Signs of PLC injury at computed
      tomography include interspinous distance widening, facet joint widening, spinous
      process fracture, and vertebral subluxation or dislocation. Familiarity with the
      TLICS will help radiologists who interpret spine trauma imaging studies to
      effectively communicate findings to spine trauma surgeons. The complete article
      is available online .

PMID- 24224598
TI  - US and MR imaging of the extensor compartment of the ankle.
AB  - Injuries to the extensor compartment of the ankle are uncommon and often are
      overlooked or misinterpreted at clinical presentation. Ultrasonography (US) and
      magnetic resonance (MR) imaging play a critical role in the diagnosis and
      evaluation of these injuries. US is a dynamic, quick, cost-effective imaging
      method for assessing ankle extensor compartment injuries as an alternative or
      adjunct to MR imaging. MR imaging provides multiplanar cross-sectional
      delineation of regional anatomic structures and also can be used to assess the
      predisposing cause, estimate the extent of injury, and aid in preoperative
      planning for requisite surgical repair. The spectrum of pathologic conditions
      affecting the ankle extensor compartment ranges from tendinosis secondary to
      degenerative, inflammatory, or depositional disease to traumatic tendon or
      retinacular rupture and entrapment neuropathy. Major components of the ankle
      extensor compartment at risk for injury include the anterior tibial, extensor
      hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus tendons; the extensor retinacular
      mechanism; and the anterior tarsal tunnel. Familiarity with the normal anatomic
      appearance and pathologic features of the ankle extensor compartment at US and MR
      imaging as well as potential imaging pitfalls is critical for accurate injury
      evaluation. 

PMID- 24224599
TI  - Plantar tendons of the foot: MR imaging and US.
AB  - Tendon disorders along the plantar aspect of the foot may lead to significant
      symptoms but are often clinically misdiagnosed. Familiarity with the normal
      anatomy of the plantar tendons and its appearance at magnetic resonance (MR)
      imaging and ultrasonography (US) is essential for recognizing plantar tendon
      disorders. At MR imaging, the course of the plantar tendons is optimally
      visualized with dedicated imaging of the midfoot and forefoot. This imaging
      should include short-axis images obtained perpendicular to the long axis of the
      metatarsal shafts, which allows true cross-sectional evaluation of the plantar
      tendons. Normal plantar tendons appear as low-signal-intensity structures with
      all MR sequences. At US, accurate evaluation of the tendons requires that the
      ultrasound beam be perpendicular to the tendon. The normal tendon appears as a
      compact linear band of echogenic tissue that contains a fine, mixed hypoechoic
      and hyperechoic internal fibrillar pattern. Tendon injuries can be grouped into
      six major categories: tendinosis, peritendinosis, tenosynovitis, entrapment,
      rupture, and instability (subluxation or dislocation) and can be well assessed
      with both MR imaging and US. The radiologist plays an important role in the
      diagnosis of plantar tendon disorders, and recognizing their imaging appearances
      at MR imaging and US is essential. 

PMID- 24224600
TI  - Now you see it, now you don't: visual illusions in radiology.
AB  - Visual illusions are distortions, alterations, or alternatives in the appearance
      of reality that result primarily from the sensory and perceptual processing
      mechanisms of the human visual system. These illusions are common phenomena in
      radiology, and it is important to understand them because they can create the
      illusion of disease, leading to incorrect image interpretation. Visual illusions
      in radiology can be organized according to the point in the visual system at
      which they emerge. Illusions of sensation, including Mach bands and background
      effect, are "lower-order" visual phenomena that occur as the eye and brain
      translate light into neural activity. Illusions of perception, such as ambiguous
      figures and distortion, occur in "higher-order" brain structures that are
      responsible for coalescing sensory input into a mental image interpreted by the
      mind. Illusions of image formation (eg, parallax), as the name implies, result
      from the way images are generated. Some visual illusions occur with all
      modalities, whereas others tend to be modality specific. The authors discuss a
      variety of visual illusions, describing their underlying psychologic and
      neuroscientific basis and demonstrating their relevance to radiology. A thorough
      understanding of visual illusions in radiology enhances diagnostic accuracy by
      minimizing the risk of mistaking illusions for disease. 

PMID- 24224601
TI  - Practice corner: the smart CT suite.

PMID- 24224602
TI  - Proximal and distal terminology revisited.

PMID- 24224603
TI  - Easier to swallow: pictorial review of structural findings of the pharynx at
      barium pharyngography.
AB  - Barium pharyngography remains an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of
      patients with dysphagia. Pharyngography can not only help detect functional
      abnormalities but also help identify a wide spectrum of structural abnormalities
      in children and adults. These structural abnormalities may reflect malignant or
      nonmalignant oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, or laryngeal processes that deform or
      alter normal coated mucosal surfaces. Therefore, an understanding of the normal
      appearance of the pharynx at contrast material-enhanced imaging is necessary for
      accurate detection and interpretation of abnormal findings. Congenital
      malformations are more typically identified in the younger population;
      inflammatory and infiltrative diseases, trauma, foreign bodies, and laryngeal
      cysts can be seen in all age groups; and Zenker and Killian-Jamieson diverticula
      tend to occur in the older population. Squamous cell carcinoma is by far the most
      common malignant process, with contrast-enhanced imaging findings that depend on
      tumor location and morphology. Treatments of head and neck cancers include total
      laryngectomy and radiation therapy, both of which alter normal anatomy. Patients
      are usually evaluated immediately after laryngectomy to detect complications such
      as fistulas; later, pharyngography is useful for identifying and characterizing
      strictures. Deviation from the expected posttreatment appearance, such as
      irregular narrowing or mucosal nodularity, should prompt direct visualization to
      evaluate for recurrence. Contrast-enhanced imaging of the pharynx is commonly
      used in patients who present with dysphagia, and radiologists should be familiar
      with the barium pharyngographic appearance of the normal pharyngeal anatomy and
      of some of the processes that alter normal anatomy.

PMID- 24224604
TI  - Maxillary artery: functional and imaging anatomy for safe and effective
      transcatheter treatment.
AB  - The maxillary artery is a terminal branch of the external carotid artery.
      Although the main maxillary artery trunk and most of its branches course within
      the extracranial space and supply the organs and muscles of the head and neck,
      other surrounding soft tissues, and the oral and rhinosinusal cavities, other
      branches supply the dura mater and cranial nerve and can anastomose to the
      internal carotid artery (ICA). Various pathologic conditions of the intracranial,
      head, and neck regions can involve the branches of the maxillary artery. Many of
      these diseases can be treated with endovascular approaches; however, there is a
      potential risk of complications in the brain parenchyma and cranial nerves
      related to the meningoneuronal arterial supply and anastomoses to the ICA.
      Therefore, familiarity with the functional and imaging anatomy of the maxillary
      artery is essential. In the past, conventional angiography has been the standard
      imaging technique for depicting the maxillary artery anatomy and related
      pathologic findings. However, recent advances in computed tomographic, magnetic
      resonance, and rotational angiography have further elucidated the maxillary
      artery anatomy by means of three-dimensional representations. Understanding the
      functional and imaging anatomy of the maxillary artery allows safe and successful
      transcatheter treatment of pathologic conditions in the maxillary artery
      territories. 

PMID- 24224605
TI  - Pierre Perrault, the hydrologic cycle and the scientific revolution.

PMID- 24224606
TI  - Cloning and expression profiling of odorant-binding proteins in the tarnished
      plant bug, Lygus lineolaris.
AB  - In insects, the perception and discrimination of odorants requires the
      involvement of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs). To gain a better molecular
      understanding of olfaction in the agronomic pest Lygus lineolaris (the tarnished
      plant bug), we used a transcriptomics-based approach to identify potential OBPs.
      In total, 33 putative OBP transcripts, including the previously reported Lygus
      antennal protein (LAP), were identified based on the characteristic OBP Cys
      signature and/or sequence similarity with annotated orthologous sequences. The L.
      lineolaris OBP (LylinOBP) repertoire consists of 20 'classic' OBPs, defined by
      the spacing of six conserved Cys residues, and 12 'Plus-C' OBPs, defined by the
      spacing of eight conserved Cys and one conserved Pro residue. Alternative
      splicing of OBP genes appears to contribute significantly to the multiplicity of
      LylinOBP sequences. Microarray-based analysis of chemosensory tissues (antennae,
      legs and proboscis) revealed enrichment of 21 LylinOBP transcripts in antennae,
      12 in legs, and 15 in proboscis, suggesting potential roles in olfaction and
      gustation respectively. PCR-based determination of transcript abundance for a
      subset of the LylinOBP genes across multiple adult tissues yielded results
      consistent with the hybridization data. 

PMID- 24224607
TI  - Feasibility evaluation of a stepped procedure to identify community-dwelling
      frail older people in general practice. A mixed methods study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Implementation of frailty identification methods in general practice
      has hardly been established. To achieve successful implementation, general
      practitioners (GPs) should be provided with an identification method that suits
      their needs. EASYcare-TOS is a new frailty identification method that uses a
      stepped approach and is specifically developed for use in general practice. The
      first step consists of the GP's frailty judgment based on his prior information
      on the patient. If the judgment is 'uncertain' or 'frail,' additional data are
      collected by a primary care nurse (PCN). The frailty decision is based on
      clinical reasoning by the GP, without applying predefined cut-offs in a numerical
      score. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acceptability of EASYcare-TOS in daily general
      practice. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted. Questionnaires were sent
      to all professionals (n = 25) who participated in the EASYcare-TOS validation
      study. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews with primary care professionals
      (n = 12) and patients (n = 9) were conducted. RESULTS: Time investment was
      generally perceived as acceptable. Twenty-two professionals (88%) found a two
      step model (very) useful in the identification instrument. Seventeen
      professionals (68%) valued making the final frailty decision by their own
      clinical reasoning. Patients appreciated the broad assessment and the advice
      given based on the assessment. According to 24 (96%) professionals, EASYcare-TOS
      improved the quality of patient care. GPs stated that implementation will ask for
      reconsidering allocation of tasks in general practices and adequate
      reimbursement. CONCLUSION: EASYcare-TOS is a new identification method that fits
      the needs of primary care professionals to a large extent and is acceptable in
      daily practice.

PMID- 24224608
TI  - Quality of red blood cells washed using an automated cell processor with and
      without irradiation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sterile washing of red blood cells (RBCs) and use of an additive
      solution permits longer postwash storage. The effect of irradiation during this
      extended storage time is unclear. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBCs were washed 14
      days after collection using an automated cell processor and stored in saline
      adenine-glucose-mannitol. To determine how long washed and irradiated RBCs could
      be stored, units were irradiated 1, 4, 5, and 7 days after washing and in vitro
      quality was assessed. Determined limits of postwash storage time for washed and
      washed and irradiated RBCs were validated. Quality assessment included percent
      recovery, hemoglobin (Hb), hemolysis, extracellular K(+) , and adenosine
      triphosphate. Immunoglobulin (Ig)A levels were measured in the nonirradiated arm.
      RESULTS: RBCs irradiated 1 and 4 days after washing had unacceptably high
      hemolysis by Day 7 postwash, not meeting the acceptance criterion (<0.8%
      hemolysis in 98% of units with 95% confidence). Therefore, a 48-hour maximum
      storage time after irradiation was chosen. Storage limits tested in the
      validation phase were as follows: washing on Day 14 and subsequent storage for 7
      days (washed RBCs) and washing on Day 14, irradiation on Day 19, and subsequent
      storage for 48 hours (washed and irradiated RBCs). All units met criteria for Hb,
      hematocrit, hemolysis, and sterility for washed RBCs. However, RBCs were washed
      with less than 2 L of saline, and IgA levels in 27 of 40 units were too high to
      be suitable for transfusion to IgA-deficient recipients. CONCLUSION: The extended
      expiry for washed and washed and irradiated RBCs met requirements for all
      indications except transfusion to IgA-deficient recipients.

PMID- 24224609
TI  - A kinetic isotope effect and isotope exchange study of the nonenzymatic and the
      equine serum butyrylcholinesterase-catalyzed thioester hydrolysis.
AB  - Formylthiocholine (FTC) was synthesized and found to be a substrate for
      nonenzymatic and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)-catalyzed hydrolysis. Solvent (D2O)
      and secondary formyl-H kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) were measured by an NMR
      spectroscopic method. The solvent (D2O) KIEs are (D2O)k = 0.20 in 200 mM HCl,
      (D2O)k = 0.81 in 50 mM HCl, and (D2O)k = 4.2 in pure water. The formyl-H KIEs are
      (D)k = 0.80 in 200 mM HCl, (D)k = 0.77 in 50 mM HCl, (D)k = 0.75 in pure water,
      (D)k = 0.88 in 50 mM NaOH, and (D)(V/K) = 0.89 in the BChE-catalyzed hydrolysis
      in MES buffer at pH 6.8. Positional isotope exchange experiments showed no
      detectable exchange of (18)O into the carbonyl oxygen of FTC or the product,
      formate, under any of the above conditions. Solvent nucleophile-O KIEs were
      determined to be (18)k = 0.9917 under neutral conditions, (18)k = 1.0290 (water
      nucleophile) or (18)k = 0.989 (hydroxide nucleophile) under alkaline conditions,
      and (18)(V/K) = 0.9925 for BChE catalysis. The acidic, neutral, and BChE
      catalyzed reactions are explained in terms of a stepwise mechanism with
      tetrahedral intermediates. Evidence for a change to a direct displacement
      mechanism under alkaline conditions is presented. 

PMID- 24224611
TI  - 2-Pyridonate titanium complexes for chemoselectivity. Accessing intramolecular
      hydroaminoalkylation over hydroamination.
AB  - Chemoselectivity of intramolecular hydroaminoalkylation over hydroamination has
      been achieved with a bis(3-phenyl-2-pyridonate) titanium complex. Primary
      aminoalkenes are selectively alpha-alkylated by C-H functionalization adjacent to
      nitrogen to access five- and six-membered cycloalkylamines with a good substrate
      dependent diastereoselectivity of up to 19:1. 

PMID- 24224610
TI  - Comparison of protein immunoprecipitation-multiple reaction monitoring with ELISA
      for assay of biomarker candidates in plasma.
AB  - Quantitative analysis of protein biomarkers in plasma is typically done by ELISA,
      but this method is limited by the availability of high-quality antibodies. An
      alternative approach is protein immunoprecipitation combined with multiple
      reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (IP-MRM). We compared IP-MRM to ELISA for
      the analysis of six colon cancer biomarker candidates (metalloproteinase
      inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), thrombospondin-2
      (THBS2), endoglin (ENG), mesothelin (MSLN) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9))
      in plasma from colon cancer patients and noncancer controls. Proteins were
      analyzed by multiplex immunoprecipitation from plasma with the ELISA capture
      antibodies, further purified by SDS-PAGE, digested and analyzed by stable isotope
      dilution MRM. IP-MRM provided linear responses (r = 0.978-0.995) between 10 and
      640 ng/mL for the target proteins spiked into a "mock plasma" matrix consisting
      of 60 mg/mL bovine serum albumin. Measurement variation (coefficient of variation
      at the limit of detection) for IP-MRM assays ranged from 2.3 to 19%, which was
      similar to variation for ELISAs of the same samples. IP-MRM and ELISA
      measurements for all target proteins except ENG were highly correlated (r = 0.67
      0.97). IP-MRM with high-quality capture antibodies thus provides an effective
      alternative method to ELISA for protein quantitation in biological fluids. 

PMID- 24224612
TI  - Association of RNASEL and 8q24 variants with the presence and aggressiveness of
      hereditary and sporadic prostate cancer in a Hispanic population.
AB  - To study the association between the polymorphisms Arg462Gln and Asp541Glu from
      the RNASEL gene (1q25), and the polymorphisms rs620861, rs1447295, rs6983267,
      rs7837328 from the chromosome 8q24 with the risk of presenting prostate cancer
      (PCa) and its clinical characteristics in a Hispanic (Chilean) population. The
      study was performed on 21 control patients and 83 patients diagnosed with PCa.
      Polymorphisms were analysed from blood samples through real-time PCR by using
      TaqMan probes, and the genetic analysis was performed with the SNPStats program.
      Also, a comparison was performed between clinical characteristics of PCa and the
      presence of the different polymorphism genotypes by using the Minitab software.
      There was a significant association between the genotype G/G from the
      polymorphism rs6983267 with an overall increased risk of PCa, in patients both
      with or without family history of PCa (OR = 4.47, 95% CI = 1.05-18.94, P = 0.034
      and OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 0.96-13.35, P = 0.037, respectively). Regarding clinical
      parameters, patients carrying the genotype C/C from the polymorphism Asp541Glu
      had significantly higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels than patients
      carrying the other genotypes (P = 0.034). Moreover, patients with the genotype
      G/G of rs6983267 had higher PSA levels (P = 0.024). The polymorphism rs6983267
      from region 3 of the chromosome 8q24 appears to be a prominent risk factor for
      PCa and a biomarker for cancer aggressiveness in the group of patients who
      presented higher levels of PSA at the time of diagnosis.

PMID- 24224613
TI  - Retrospective assessment of exposure to chemicals for a microelectronics and
      business machine manufacturing facility.
AB  - A retrospective exposure assessment was performed for use in a health outcomes
      study of a facility manufacturing circuit boards, business machines, and other
      equipment during the years 1969-2002. A matrix was developed identifying chemical
      use by department-year based on company-provided information. Use of six chemical
      agents (fiberglass, lead, methylene chloride, methyl chloroform,
      perchloroethylene, and trichloroethylene) and six chemical classes (acid-base,
      aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, other hydrocarbons,
      chlorofluorocarbons, and metals), and general (including unspecified) chemicals
      was identified. The matrix also contained an assignment for each department-year
      categorizing the potential for use of chemicals as negligible,
      intermittent/incidental, or routine. These department-based exposure matrix data
      were combined with work history data to provide duration of potential chemical
      use for workers. Negligible, intermittent/incidental or routine extent-of
      chemical-use categories comprised 42.6%, 39.4%, and 17.9%, respectively, of total
      person-years of employment. Cumulative exposure scores were also developed,
      representing a relative measure of the cumulative extent of potential exposure to
      the six chemical agents, six chemical classes, and general (including
      unspecified) chemicals. Additionally, the study period was divided into
      manufacturing eras showing trends in chemical use, and showing that process use
      of trichloroethylene and methylene chloride ended in the mid-1980s and the mid
      1990s, respectively. This approach may be useful in other assessments addressing
      a variety of chemicals, and with data constraints common to retrospective
      chemical exposure studies. 

PMID- 24224614
TI  - Myocardial perfusion defects in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and
      myocardial injury has yet to be elucidated. We sought to investigate myocardial
      conditions in patients with chronic HBV infection. METHODS: In 47 consecutive
      patients with chronic hepatitis B who had no overt heart disease, we performed
      electrocardiography, echocardiography, serum tests for myocardial injury, and
      thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. Myocardial perfusion defects were confirmed
      by the severity score (SS), which was calculated as the sum of thallium-201
      perfusion defect scores. The SS was followed before and after interferon (IFN)
      therapy in 10 patients. RESULTS: Abnormal ECGs were found in 9% of patients with
      chronic hepatitis B. SS values in the hepatitis group were significantly higher
      than in the control group (P < 0.0001). Abnormal SS values were found in 47% of
      the chronic hepatitis B patients. Independent factors related to higher
      pretreatment SS were serum HBV DNA titer and IgG level. After interferon (IFN)
      therapy, the SS values of responders were significantly reduced (P <= 0.02); SS
      values of nonresponders were not significantly different before and after IFN
      therapy. SS values altered following IFN therapy, along with serum IgG
      concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial perfusion defects were found in 47% of
      the patients with chronic hepatitis B and improved along with HBV reduction with
      IFN administration. SS improvement was closely correlated with decreases in serum
      IgG levels.

PMID- 24224616
TI  - Study of the structural and the spectral characteristics of [C3N3(NH2)3]n (n = 1
      4) clusters.
AB  - Previous research has shown that interactions between melamine molecules within a
      cluster can give rise to the molecular self-assembly and that the spectral
      characteristic of melamine can be used to inspect melamine in a carrier. Although
      the structural and spectral characteristics of an isolated single melamine
      molecule and the molecular arrays on metal or semiconductor surfaces have been
      studied extensively, little is known about that of isolated multimolecular
      melamine clusters. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations at
      the omega-B97XD/6-311++G(d,p) level were performed to study the structural and
      spectral characteristics of isolated melamine clusters [C3N3(NH2)3]n (n = 1-4) in
      the ground state. The calculation shows that a ground-state single melamine
      molecule takes a quasi-planar structure. The C and N atoms of the molecule are in
      one plane, which we call the molecular plane, while the H atoms deviate slightly
      from the molecular plane. When melamine molecules gather to form a cluster, the
      intermolecular hydrogen bonds (IHBs) N-H...N will arise, with the lengths of
      H...N in the range from 1.960 to 1.970 A; the length of N-H will be elongated to
      1.022 A from its original of 1.004 A, the N-H...N bond angles will be about 176
      degrees , and the average single-bond binding energy will be approximately -0.285
      eV. In a multimolecular cluster, each melamine molecule still takes the quasi
      planar structure. Each molecular plane in the cluster retains a planar structure,
      and some H atoms diverge more from their molecular planes. The molecular planes
      in a cluster are not coplanar, and the dihedral angle between the molecular
      planes of two neighboring melamine molecules ranges from 38 to 40 degrees . In
      addition, the theoretical study of the infrared (IR) spectrum and nuclear
      magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of [C3N3(NH2)3]n (n = 1-4) was conducted. The
      results confirm the existence of IHBs in a multimolecular melamine cluster and
      reveal the symmetry of the electron cloud distribution in the melamine clusters.
      Experimental study of the IR for solid-state melamine and (13)C NMR spectra for
      both solid- and liquid-state melamine samples were also carried out, in which the
      corresponding spectral characteristics of [C3N3(NH2)3]n (n = 2-4) clusters
      deduced from theoretical study were observed. Findings of this study may serve as
      theoretical references for future identification and utilization of melamine
      clusters. 

PMID- 24224615
TI  - Identification of blood meal sources in Aedes vexans and Culex quinquefasciatus
      in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
AB  - Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes vexans Meigen are two
      of the most abundant mosquitoes in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA. In this
      study, a polymerase chain reaction based methodology was used to identify the
      sources of blood meals taken by these two species. Ae. vexans was found to take a
      large proportion of its meals from mammals. Although less specific in terms of
      its blood meal preferences, Cx. quinquefasciatus was found to feed more commonly
      on birds. The results for Ae. vexans are similar to those reported for this
      species in other parts of their geographic range. Cx. quinquefasciatus appears to
      be more variable in terms of its host feeding under different environmental or
      seasonal circumstances. The implications of these results for arbovirus
      transmission are discussed.

PMID- 24224617
TI  - Urine alkalization improves the problems of pain and sleep in hypersensitive
      bladder syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of urine alkalization therapy using
      citrates in patients with hypersensitive bladder syndrome. METHODS: A total of 76
      patients with urinary frequency were assessed for their symptoms using a 2-day
      voiding diary as well as the urine pH at each voiding during the screening
      period. Their symptoms were also assessed by pain score, King's health
      questionnaire, and O'Leary-Sant symptom and problem index scores. Finally, 50
      patients were evaluated for changes in symptoms after oral treatment with
      citrates for 2-4 weeks after the screening period. RESULTS: After the treatment,
      significant increases in the urine pH (from 5.8 +/- 0.4 to 6.3 +/- 0.4; increment
      of 0.5 +/- 0.4; P < 0.01), and significant decreases in the number of
      micturitions per day (from 14.5 +/- 6.5 to 13.5 +/- 5.9; P = 0.02) and the number
      of episodes of pain/discomfort per day (from 7.8 +/- 6.8 to 6.1 +/- 7.1; P =
      0.02) were observed. In the King's health questionnaire, the sleep/energy domain
      score was significantly improved (from 60.0 +/- 25.0 to 50.3 +/- 29.6; P < 0.01).
      In a subgroup analysis based on urine pH (urine pH <6.2 and >=6.2), significant
      improvements in the voiding symptoms, the sleep/energy domain score and the
      O'Leary-Sant problem index were observed in the group with urine pH of >=6.2.
      There were statistically significant differences between the subgroups in the
      volume per voiding, maximum volume per voiding and the problem index. In
      addition, the subgroup, in which patients had pain in the screening period,
      showed statistically significant improvements in the number of micturitions per
      day, episodes of pain/discomfort per day, the sleep/energy domain score and the
      problem index. CONCLUSIONS: Urine alkalization therapy is likely to be effective
      in the treatment for hypersensitive bladder syndrome.

PMID- 24224618
TI  - Structure and function correlation in a patient with dengue-associated
      maculopathy.

PMID- 24224619
TI  - Acapsular clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates lack agr function.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen causing community- and hospital
      acquired infections. Capsule production of S. aureus confers protection against
      host defence. There is a lack of information concerning the association of
      capsular polysaccharide (CP) expression and activity of the accessory gene
      regulator (agr) in clinical S. aureus isolates. Production of CP and agr
      expression were assessed in 195 S. aureus isolates from infected patients at a
      German University Hospital. Northern blot analysis revealed that S. aureus
      strains with a non-functional agr locus were more likely to be CP-negative than
      strains with a functional agr locus.

PMID- 24224620
TI  - The National Children's Study--a proposed plan.
AB  - With its coordinated longitudinal biologic, environmental-exposure, and
      phenotypic data and samples, the National Children's Study is aiming to provide
      an important resource for understanding children's growth, development, and
      health. 

PMID- 24224621
TI  - Expediting drug development--the FDA's new "breakthrough therapy" designation.
AB  - The FDA's new "breakthrough therapy" designation for investigational drugs adds
      to the agency's portfolio of expedited programs for serious conditions. The
      designation requires preliminary clinical evidence demonstrating substantial
      improvement over existing therapies. 

PMID- 24224622
TI  - Voided midstream urine culture and acute cystitis in premenopausal women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cause of acute uncomplicated cystitis is determined on the basis
      of cultures of voided midstream urine, but few data guide the interpretation of
      such results, especially when gram-positive bacteria grow. METHODS: Women from 18
      to 49 years of age with symptoms of cystitis provided specimens of midstream
      urine, after which we collected urine by means of a urethral catheter for culture
      (catheter urine). We compared microbial species and colony counts in the paired
      specimens. The primary outcome was a comparison of positive predictive values and
      negative predictive values of organisms grown in midstream urine, with the
      presence or absence of the organism in catheter urine used as the reference.
      RESULTS: The analysis of 236 episodes of cystitis in 226 women yielded 202 paired
      specimens of midstream urine and catheter urine that could be evaluated. Cultures
      were positive for uropathogens in 142 catheter specimens (70%), 4 of which had
      more than one uropathogen, and in 157 midstream specimens (78%). The presence of
      Escherichia coli in midstream urine was highly predictive of bladder bacteriuria
      even at very low counts, with a positive predictive value of 10(2) colony-forming
      units (CFU) per milliliter of 93% (Spearman's r=0.944). In contrast, in midstream
      urine, enterococci (in 10% of cultures) and group B streptococci (in 12% of
      cultures) were not predictive of bladder bacteriuria at any colony count
      (Spearman's r=0.322 for enterococci and 0.272 for group B streptococci). Among 41
      episodes in which enterococcus, group B streptococci, or both were found in
      midstream urine, E. coli grew from catheter urine cultures in 61%. CONCLUSIONS:
      Cultures of voided midstream urine in healthy premenopausal women with acute
      uncomplicated cystitis accurately showed evidence of bladder E. coli but not of
      enterococci or group B streptococci, which are often isolated with E. coli but
      appear to rarely cause cystitis by themselves. (Funded by the National Institute
      of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.).

PMID- 24224623
TI  - A novel prion disease associated with diarrhea and autonomic neuropathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human prion diseases, although variable in clinicopathological
      phenotype, generally present as neurologic or neuropsychiatric conditions
      associated with rapid multifocal central nervous system degeneration that is
      usually dominated by dementia and cerebellar ataxia. Approximately 15% of cases
      of recognized prion disease are inherited and associated with coding mutations in
      the gene encoding prion protein (PRNP). The availability of genetic diagnosis has
      led to a progressive broadening of the recognized spectrum of disease. METHODS:
      We used longitudinal clinical assessments over a period of 20 years at one
      hospital combined with genealogical, neuropsychological, neurophysiological,
      neuroimaging, pathological, molecular genetic, and biochemical studies, as well
      as studies of animal transmission, to characterize a novel prion disease in a
      large British kindred. We studied 6 of 11 affected family members in detail,
      along with autopsy or biopsy samples obtained from 5 family members. RESULTS: We
      identified a PRNP Y163X truncation mutation and describe a distinct and
      consistent phenotype of chronic diarrhea with autonomic failure and a length
      dependent axonal, predominantly sensory, peripheral polyneuropathy with an onset
      in early adulthood. Cognitive decline and seizures occurred when the patients
      were in their 40s or 50s. The deposition of prion protein amyloid was seen
      throughout peripheral organs, including the bowel and peripheral nerves.
      Neuropathological examination during end-stage disease showed the deposition of
      prion protein in the form of frequent cortical amyloid plaques, cerebral amyloid
      angiopathy, and tauopathy. A unique pattern of abnormal prion protein fragments
      was seen in brain tissue. Transmission studies in laboratory mice were negative.
      CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal forms of prion protein that were found in multiple
      peripheral tissues were associated with diarrhea, autonomic failure, and
      neuropathy. (Funded by the U.K. Medical Research Council and others.).

PMID- 24224625
TI  - Publication of trials funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapid publication of clinical trials is essential in order for the
      findings to yield maximal benefits for public health and scientific progress.
      Factors affecting the speed of publication of the main results of government
      funded trials have not been well characterized. METHODS: We analyzed 244
      extramural randomized clinical trials of cardiovascular interventions that were
      supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). We selected
      trials for which data collection had been completed between January 1, 2000, and
      December 31, 2011. Our primary outcome measure was the time between completion of
      the trial and publication of the main results in a peer-reviewed journal.
      RESULTS: As of March 31, 2012, the main results of 156 trials (64%) had been
      published (Kaplan-Meier median time to publication, 25 months, with 57% published
      within 30 months). Trials that focused on clinical events were published more
      rapidly than those that focused on surrogate measures (median, 9 months vs. 31
      months; P<0.001). The only independent predictors of more rapid publication were
      a focus on clinical events rather than surrogate end points (adjusted publication
      rate ratio, 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.26 to 3.53; P=0.004) and higher
      costs of conducting the trial, up to a threshold of approximately $5 million
      (P<0.001). The 37 trials that focused on clinical events and cost at least $5
      million accounted for 67% of the funds spent on clinical trials but received 82%
      of the citations. After adjustment of the analysis for a focus on clinical events
      and for cost, trial results that were classified as positive were published more
      quickly than those classified as negative. CONCLUSIONS: Results of less than two
      thirds of NHLBI-funded randomized clinical trials of cardiovascular interventions
      were published within 30 months after completion of the trial. Trials that
      focused on clinical events were published more quickly than those that focused on
      surrogate end points. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.).

PMID- 24224624
TI  - Low-intensity therapy in adults with Burkitt's lymphoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Burkitt's lymphoma is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma that occurs in
      children and adults and is largely curable with the use of intensive and toxic
      chemotherapy. Current treatments are less effective and have more severe side
      effects in adults and patients with immunodeficiency than in children. METHODS:
      We studied low-intensity treatment consisting of infused etoposide, doxorubicin,
      and cyclophosphamide with vincristine, prednisone, and rituximab (EPOCH-R) in
      patients with untreated Burkitt's lymphoma. Two EPOCH-R regimens were tested: a
      standard dose-adjusted combination in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative
      patients (DA-EPOCH-R group) and a lower-dose short-course combination with a
      double dose of rituximab in HIV-positive patients (SC-EPOCH-RR group). RESULTS: A
      total of 30 consecutive patients were treated; 19 patients were in the DA-EPOCH-R
      group, and 11 in the SC-EPOCH-RR group. The overall median age of the patients
      was 33 years, and 40% were 40 years of age or older; 73% of the patients had
      intermediate-risk disease, and 10% had high-risk disease. The principal toxic
      events, fever and neutropenia, were observed during 22% of the DA-EPOCH-R
      treatment cycles and 10% of the SC-EPOCH-RR treatment cycles. The tumor lysis
      syndrome developed in 1 patient; no treatment-related deaths occurred. The median
      cumulative doses of doxorubicin-etoposide and cyclophosphamide administered in
      the SC-EPOCH-RR group were 47% and 57% lower, respectively, than those
      administered in the DA-EPOCH-R group. With median follow-up times of 86 months in
      the DA-EPOCH-R group and 73 months in the SC-EPOCH-RR group, the rates of freedom
      from progression of disease and overall survival were, respectively, 95% and 100%
      with DA-EPOCH-R and 100% and 90% with SC-EPOCH-RR. None of the patients died from
      Burkitt's lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: In this uncontrolled prospective study, low
      intensity EPOCH-R-based treatment was highly effective in adults with sporadic or
      immunodeficiency-associated Burkitt's lymphoma. (Funded by the National Cancer
      Institute; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00001337 and NCT00006436.).

PMID- 24224626
TI  - Clinical practice: Adult attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.
AB  - Short-term trials involving adults with ADHD have shown significant improvements
      in symptoms with stimulants and atomoxetine; however, data on long-term benefits
      and risks of these medications, particularly among older persons, have been
      insufficient. 

PMID- 24224627
TI  - Images in clinical medicine: Unusual bursal fluid.
AB  - A 73-year-old man with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and extraarticular
      involvement (rheumatoid nodules on the right elbow) presented with persistent,
      painless swelling of the left elbow. His medical history was unremarkable except
      for hypertension. 

PMID- 24224628
TI  - Case of the Massachusetts General Hospital: Case 35-2013: a 77-year-old man with
      confusion and malaise.
AB  - A 77-year-old man was admitted to this hospital because of confusion and malaise
      after resection of a papillary urothelial cancer. He reported abdominal pain,
      facial and jaw pain, anorexia, lethargy, weakness, and night sweats; imaging
      revealed generalized lymphadenopathy. 

PMID- 24224629
TI  - Uncomplicated cystitis--not so simple.

PMID- 24224630
TI  - When it comes to trials, do we get what we pay for?

PMID- 24224631
TI  - Asthma and coagulation.

PMID- 24224632
TI  - Survival in the prostate cancer prevention trial.

PMID- 24224633
TI  - Survival in the prostate cancer prevention trial.

PMID- 24224634
TI  - Survival in the prostate cancer prevention trial.

PMID- 24224635
TI  - Pazopanib versus sunitinib in renal cancer.

PMID- 24224636
TI  - Pazopanib versus sunitinib in renal cancer.

PMID- 24224637
TI  - Pazopanib versus sunitinib in renal cancer.

PMID- 24224638
TI  - Pazopanib versus sunitinib in renal cancer.

PMID- 24224639
TI  - Videos in clinical medicine: Laryngeal mask airway in medical emergencies.
AB  - This video demonstrates the placement of a laryngeal mask airway, an alternative
      airway device that is both efficacious and easy to place. The laryngeal mask
      airway is routinely used for patients receiving general anesthesia and,
      increasingly, in patient resuscitation. 

PMID- 24224640
TI  - Images in clinical medicine: Giant C-v waves of tricuspid regurgitation.
AB  - A 33-year-old woman who had received a diagnosis of tricuspid valve endocarditis
      caused by MRSA was evaluated for replacement of the tricuspid valve. Videos show
      giant systolic pulsations during jugular venous examination and severe tricuspid
      regurgitation during transthoracic ECG. 

PMID- 24224641
TI  - Human papilloma virus is not prevalent in nevus sebaceus.
AB  - Nevus sebaceus (NS) is a common congenital cutaneous hamartoma that typically
      presents on the scalp and face at birth or in early childhood. Occasionally NS
      can be associated with the Schimmelpenning-Feuerstein-Mims syndrome, which
      presents with concomitant severe neurologic, skeletal, cardiovascular,
      ophthalmic, and genitourologic disorders. In a previous study, maternal
      transmission of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and infection of ectodermal stem
      cells by HPV was postulated to result in the development of NS. In this study we
      aimed to determine the incidence of HPV infection in pediatric NS samples to
      further clarify the potential link between HPV and the pathogenesis of NS. NS
      tissue samples (N = 16) were analyzed for HPV DNA using type-specific, real-time
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 and conventional
      PCR with modified general primers designed for broad-range HPV detection. The
      tissues were also histologically evaluated for evidence of HPV infection. HPV DNA
      was not detected in any of the NS tissue samples using PCR and HPV-associated
      histopathologic changes were absent in all 16 NS tissues. HPV infection is an
      unlikely etiologic cause of NS.

PMID- 24224642
TI  - The gendered impact of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a qualitative study of patients'
      experiences.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to explore the impact of irritable bowel syndrome
      on daily life from a gender perspective. BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome is
      a common functional disorder, characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhoea and/or
      constipation. Sufferers experience negative emotions due to unpredictable
      symptoms and sometimes feel trivialized by healthcare professionals. The
      sufferers' experience of living with this disorder has never been explored from a
      gender perspective. DESIGN: A qualitative, interpretative method was used.
      METHODS: A qualitative, hermeneutic method was applied. Interviews were conducted
      with 19 patients in 2011 and analysed in a constructionist gender framework.
      Constructionist gender theory views gender and identity as cultural constructs
      that develop through interplay between the individual and his/her social context
      and cultural norms. FINDINGS: The main theme to emerge from the interviews was as
      follows: 'A normative framework of femaleness and maleness leads to suffering for
      persons with irritable bowel syndrome'. This consists of three interwoven themes:
      'Being forced to abandon gender illusions'; 'Being forced to transcend taboos'
      and 'Reinforced suffering in healthcare encounters'. Men demonstrated masculinity
      by stressing the importance of being solid family providers while women spoke of
      nurturing and relational responsibilities in line with traditional notions of
      femininity. CONCLUSION: The experience of living with irritable bowel syndrome
      differs between men and women due to differing societal expectations, life
      situation and the everyday construction of gender identities. Gender stereotyping
      by healthcare professionals perpetuates rather than alleviates the suffering
      experienced by men and women with irritable bowel syndrome. In healthcare
      encounters, women risk being trivialized and men risk being overlooked due to the
      'female health concern' label attached to irritable bowel syndrome.

PMID- 24224643
TI  - Intracellular delivery of universal proteins using a lysine headgroup containing
      cationic liposomes: deciphering the uptake mechanism.
AB  - An amino acid-based cationic lipid having a TFA counterion (trifluoroacetic acid
      counterion) in the lysine headgroup was used to deliver functional proteins into
      human cervical cancer cells, HeLa, in the presence of serum. Proteins used in the
      study were fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled bovine serum albumin, mouse
      anti-F actin antibody [NH3], and goat anti mouse IgG conjugated with FITC. The
      formation of liposome/protein complexes was confirmed using native polyacrylamide
      gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, the complexes were characterized in terms of
      their size and zeta potential at different pH values and found to be responsive
      to changes in pH. The highest delivery efficiency of the liposome/albumin
      complexes was 99% at 37  degrees C. The liposomes effectively delivered albumin
      and antibodies as confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).
      Inhibition studies showed that the cellular uptake mechanism of the complexes was
      via caveolae-mediated endocytosis, and the proteins were subsequently released
      from either the early endosomes or the caveosomes as suggested by CLSM. Thus,
      lysine-based cationic liposomes can be a useful tool for intracellular protein
      delivery. 

PMID- 24224644
TI  - Ontogeny of CYP3A and P-glycoprotein in the liver and the small intestine of the
      Gottingen minipig: an immunohistochemical evaluation.
AB  - Despite the increasing use of the minipig as a non-rodent species in general and
      juvenile toxicity studies, knowledge on their biotransformation processes and
      their ontogeny is scarce. Such data are prerequisite for the correct
      interpretation of non-clinical studies in this species. Therefore, the aim of our
      investigation was to immunohistochemically document the presence of the drug
      transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and the metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A
      subfamily in the livers (n = 115) and the small intestines (n = 74) of foetal,
      neonatal, juvenile and adult Gottingen minipigs. Pgp was expressed in the liver
      in all age groups, whereas its presence in the jejunum was detected from 86 days
      of gestation onwards. Low expression of CYP3A was detected in the jejunums and
      livers from foetal and neonatal piglets. During postnatal development, the
      immunoreactivity for CYP3A increased in both organs. A centrilobular pattern,
      with a more intense staining for CYP3A of the hepatocytes surrounding the central
      vein, was noticed in the postnatal livers. In conclusion, the presented data
      suggest that the intestinal and hepatic ontogeny of P-glycoprotein and CYP3A in
      minipigs corresponds to that in man, in which a similar spatio-temporal
      expression has been reported. 

PMID- 24224645
TI  - Expression of insulin/insulin-like signalling and TOR pathway genes in honey bee
      caste determination.
AB  - The development of queen and worker castes in honey bees is induced by
      differential nutrition, with future queens and workers receiving diets that are
      qualitatively and quantitatively different. We monitored the gene expression of
      14 genes for components of the insulin/insulin-like signalling and TOR pathways
      in honey bee larvae from 40-88 h after hatching. We compared normally fed queen
      and normally fed worker larvae and found that three genes showed expression
      differences in 40-h-old larvae. Genes that show such early differences in
      expression may be part of the mechanism that transduces nutrition level into a
      hormone signal. We then compared changes in expression after shifts in diet with
      those in normally developing queens and workers. Following a shift to the worker
      diet, the expression of 9/14 genes was upregulated in comparison with queens.
      Following a shift to the queen diet, expression of only one gene changed. The
      honey bee responses may function together as a homeostatic mechanism buffering
      larvae from caste-disrupting variation in nutrition. The different responses
      would be part of the canalization of both the queen and worker developmental
      pathways, and as such, a signature of advanced sociality.

PMID- 24224646
TI  - Fast hydrazone reactants: electronic and acid/base effects strongly influence
      rate at biological pH.
AB  - Kinetics studies with structurally varied aldehydes and ketones in aqueous buffer
      at pH 7.4 reveal that carbonyl compounds with neighboring acid/base groups form
      hydrazones at accelerated rates. Similarly, tests of a hydrazine with a
      neighboring carboxylic acid group show that it also reacts at an accelerated
      rate. Rate constants for the fastest carbonyl/hydrazine combinations are 2-20 M(
      1) s(-1), which is faster than recent strain-promoted cycloaddition reactions. 

PMID- 24224647
TI  - The effects of rejuvenation during hypothermic storage on red blood cell membrane
      remodeling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our previous studies showed that hypothermic storage (HS) induces red
      blood cell (RBC) microparticle (RMP) generation and changes in phosphatidylserine
      (PS) and CD47 expression on RBCs and RMPs. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the effect of cold rejuvenation treatment at multiple time points during storage
      on these prehemolytic indicators of RBC membrane storage lesion. STUDY DESIGN AND
      METHODS: Leukoreduced RBC units in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol were used to
      generate three groups: untreated controls, sham-treated units, and units treated
      with a cold (1-6 degrees C) rejuvenation solution on Day 28, 35, or 42 of HS.
      Units were assessed for hemolysis, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration,
      lipid composition, and RMP generation, as well as PS and CD47 expression
      throughout 49 days of HS. RESULTS: Rejuvenation treatment led to a significant
      increase in ATP concentration in all units, irrespective of treatment day. There
      were no significant differences between sham- and rejuvenation-treated RBC
      samples in the levels of PS externalization, CD47 expression, or the rate of RMP
      formation. RBCs rejuvenated on Day 28 were enriched in glycerophosphocholine
      (+23.5%), depleted in sphingomyelin (-14%), and slightly depleted in cholesterol
      (-3.5%). CONCLUSION: Cold rejuvenation in hypothermically stored RBCs affects the
      lipid composition of RBCs and respective RMPs in a time-dependent fashion.

PMID- 24224648
TI  - Does prostate HistoScanningTM play a role in detecting prostate cancer in routine
      clinical practice? Results from three independent studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ability of prostate HistoScanningTM (PHS; Advanced
      Medical Diagnostics, Waterloo, Belgium) to detect, characterize and locally stage
      prostate cancer, by comparing it with transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided
      prostate biopsies, transperineal template prostate biopsies (TTBs) and whole
      mount radical prostatectomy specimens. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Study 1. We
      recruited 24 patients awaiting standard 12-core TRUS-guided biopsies of the
      prostate to undergo PHS immediately beforehand. We compared PHS with the TRUS
      guided biopsy results in terms of their ability to detect cancer within the whole
      prostate and to localize it to the correct side and to the correct region of the
      prostate. Lesions that were suspicious on PHS were biopsied separately. Study 2.
      We recruited 57 patients awaiting TTB to have PHS beforehand. We compared PHS
      with the TTB pathology results in terms of their ability to detect prostate
      cancer within the whole gland and to localize it to the correct side and to the
      correct sextant of the prostate. Study 3. We recruited 24 patients awaiting
      radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer to undergo preoperative PHS.
      We compared PHS with standardized pathological analysis of the whole-mount
      prostatectomy specimens in terms of their measurement of total tumour volume
      within the prostate, tumour volume within prostate sextants and volume of index
      lesions identified by PHS. RESULTS: The PHS-targeted biopsies had an overall
      cancer detection rate of 38.1%, compared with 62.5% with standard TRUS-guided
      biopsies. The sensitivity and specificity of PHS for localizing tumour to the
      correct prostate sextant, compared with standard TRUS-guided biopsies, were 100
      and 5.9%, respectively. The PHS-targeted biopsies had an overall cancer detection
      rate of 13.4% compared with 54.4% for standard TTB. PHS had a sensitivity and
      specificity for cancer detection in the posterior gland of 100 and 13%,
      respectively, and for the anterior gland, 6 and 82%, respectively. We found no
      correlation between total tumour volume estimates from PHS and radical
      prostatectomy pathology (Pearson correlation coefficient -0.096). Sensitivity and
      specificity of PHS for detecting tumour foci >=0.2 mL in volume were 63 and 53%.
      CONCLUSIONS: These three independent studies in 105 patients suggest that PHS
      does not reliably identify and characterize prostate cancer in the routine
      clinical setting.

PMID- 24224649
TI  - A phase 2 study of HQK-1001, an oral fetal haemoglobin inducer, in beta
      thalassaemia intermedia.

PMID- 24224651
TI  - Multiple illness perceptions in older adults: effects on physical functioning and
      medication adherence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous research on illness perceptions has focused on single
      illnesses, but most adults over 65 suffer from multiple illnesses
      (multimorbidity). This study tests three competing operationalisations of
      multiple illness perceptions in predicting physical functioning and adherence:
      (1) main effects and interactions model; (2) peak model with effects of the most
      prominent illness perception; and (3) combined model with averaged illness
      perceptions over multiple illnesses. DESIGN: Longitudinal study in N = 215
      individuals (65-86 years) with multimorbidity at two measurement points over six
      months. Participants filled in two Brief Illness Perception Questionnaires (B
      IPQ) on their two most severe illnesses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical
      functioning, medication adherence. RESULTS: Factor analyses suggest that the B
      IPQ contains three dimensions; consequences, control and timeline. Multiple
      regression models fit the data best for (1) and (3). Timeline (beta = -.18) and
      control (beta = .21) predict adherence in (1); consequences (beta = .16) and
      control (beta = .20) in (3). Physical functioning was significantly predicted by
      interacting control beliefs in (1; beta = .13), by peak consequences in (2; beta
      = -.14) and by consequences (beta = -.15) in (3). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with
      multimorbidity hold both distinct and combined perceptions about their illnesses.
      To understand individual responses to multimorbidity, perceptions about all
      illnesses and multimorbidity as entity should be examined.

PMID- 24224650
TI  - HIV-1 nucleocapsid proteins as molecular chaperones for tetramolecular
      antiparallel G-quadruplex formation.
AB  - HIV-1 nucleocapsid proteins (NCps) facilitate remodeling of nucleic acids to fold
      thermodynamically stable conformations, and thus called nucleic acid chaperones.
      To date only little is known on the stoichiometry, NCp-NCp interactions,
      chaperone activity on G-quadruplex formation, and so on. We report here the
      direct and real-time analysis on such properties of proteolytic intermediate
      NCp15 and mature NCp7 using DNA origami. The protein particles were found to
      predominantly exist in monomeric form, while dimeric and multimeric forms were
      also observed both in free solution and bound to the quadruplex structure. The
      formation and the dissociation events of the G-quadruplexes were well documented
      in real-time and the intermediate-like states were also visualized. We anticipate
      that this pioneering study will strengthen our understanding on the chaperone
      activity of HIV-1 proteins which in turn will be helpful for the drug design
      based on G-quadruplex and also for the development of drugs against AIDS. 

PMID- 24224653
TI  - Selling anti-aging research: the perils of mixed messages.

PMID- 24224652
TI  - Interleukin-12 (IL-12), but not IL-23, induces the expression of IL-7 in
      microglia and macrophages: implications for multiple sclerosis.
AB  - Interleukin-12 (IL-12) p70 and IL-23 are bioactive cytokines and their biological
      functions are becoming clear. Increased expression of IL-7 in the central nervous
      system as well as in peripheral immune cells is associated with multiple
      sclerosis and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Here, we describe the
      induction of IL-7 in primary mouse and human microglia, BV-2 microglial cells,
      mouse peritoneal macrophages and astrocytes by IL-12p70. Interestingly, IL-12
      strongly induced the expression of IL-7 whereas IL-23 and other p40 family
      members remained weak inducers of IL-7 in these cell types. Consistently, IL-12,
      but not IL-23 and other p40 family members, induced IL-7 promoter-driven
      luciferase activity in microglial cells. Among various stimuli tested, IL-12
      emerged as the most potent stimulus followed by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and
      HIV-1 gp120 in inducing the activation of IL-7 promoter in microglial cells.
      Furthermore, increase in IL-7 mRNA expression by over-expression of IL-12p35
      subunit, but not p40 and IL-23 p19 subunit, confirm that p35, but not p40 and
      p19, is responsible for the induction of IL-7. Finally, by using primary
      microglia from IL-12 receptor beta1-deficient (IL-12Rbeta1(-/-)) and IL-12Rbeta2(
      /-) mice, we demonstrate that IL-12 induces the expression of IL-7 in microglia
      and macrophages via both IL-12Rbeta2 and IL-12Rbeta1. These studies delineate a
      novel biological function of IL-12 that is absent in IL-23 and other p40 family
      members.

PMID- 24224654
TI  - Identification of potent and selective cathepsin S inhibitors containing
      different central cyclic scaffolds.
AB  - Starting from the weakly active dual CatS/K inhibitor 5, structure-based design
      supported by X-ray analysis led to the discovery of the potent and selective
      (>50,000-fold vs CatK) cyclopentane derivative 22 by exploiting specific ligand
      receptor interactions in the S2 pocket of CatS. Changing the central cyclopentane
      scaffold to the analogous pyrrolidine derivative 57 decreased the enzyme as well
      as the cell-based activity significantly by 24- and 69-fold, respectively. The
      most promising scaffold identified was the readily accessible proline derivative
      (e.g., 79). This compound, with an appealing ligand efficiency (LE) of 0.47,
      included additional structural modifications binding in the S1 and S3 pockets of
      CatS, leading to favorable in vitro and in vivo properties. Compound 79 reduced
      IL-2 production in a transgenic DO10.11 mouse model of antigen presentation in a
      dose-dependent manner with an ED50 of 5 mg/kg.

PMID- 24224655
TI  - A novel urinary metabolite signature for diagnosing major depressive disorder.
AB  - Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental disorder.
      Yet, there are no objective biomarkers available to support diagnostic laboratory
      testing for this disease. Here, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was applied
      to urine metabolic profiling of 126 MDD and 134 control subjects. Orthogonal
      partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to identify the
      differential metabolites in MDD subjects relative to healthy controls. The OPLS
      DA analysis of data from training samples (82 first-episode, drug-naive MDD
      subjects and 82 well-matched healthy controls) showed that the depressed group
      was significantly distinguishable from the control group. Totally, 23
      differential urinary metabolites responsible for the discrimination between the
      two groups were identified. Postanalysis, 6 of the 23 metabolites (sorbitol, uric
      acid, azelaic acid, quinolinic acid, hippuric acid, and tyrosine) were defined as
      candidate diagnostic biomarkers for MDD. Receiver operating characteristic
      analysis of combined levels of these six biomarkers yielded an area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.905 in distinguishing training
      samples; this simplified metabolite signature classified blinded test samples (44
      MDD subjects and 52 healthy controls) with an AUC of 0.837. Furthermore, a
      composite panel by the addition of previously identified urine biomarker (N
      methylnicotinamide) to this biomarker panel achieved a more satisfactory
      accuracy, yielding an AUC of 0.909 in the training samples and 0.917 in the test
      samples. Taken together, these results suggest this composite urinary metabolite
      signature should facilitate development of a urine-based diagnostic test for MDD.

PMID- 24224656
TI  - Dexamethasone in outcome of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on
      chronic liver failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) caused by hepatitis B
      virus (HBV) is a severe disease with high mortality. Immune injury plays an
      important role during the early stage of the disease. Our research aimed to
      investigate the safety and efficacy of dexamethasone therapy for patients with
      HBV-related ACLF. METHODS: A total of 134 inpatients with HBV-induced ACLF were
      enrolled from January 2009 to December 2012. All the patients received the
      standard medicine treatment (SMT), among whom 31 cases underwent additional
      dexamethasone injection for three times (dexamethasone treatment [DMT] Group). A
      total of 35 patients (SMT Group) matched for baseline characters served as
      controls. Both the groups were followed up for 12 weeks. The survival rates,
      liver functions, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The 12-week cumulative
      survival rates were 45.7% (16/35)and 48.4% (15/31) for SMT Group and DMT Group,
      respectively, and no significant differences were found (P = 0.959). There were
      no dramatic differences in liver function and model for end-stage liver disease
      (MELD) score at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks between two groups. There were no
      significant differences in the incidence of complications (i.e. infection,
      gastrointestinal bleeding, encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, and ascites)
      from 1 to 12 weeks between Group SMT and Group DMT. More than 40 ages, MELD score
      more than 28 and encephalopathy were independent risk factors for the mortality
      of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone cannot improve liver functions and 12
      week survival rates of patients with HBV-related ACLF. Age, MELD score, and
      encephalopathy are independent risk factors.

PMID- 24224657
TI  - Site-selective displacement of tobramycin hydroxyls for preparation of
      antimicrobial cationic amphiphiles.
AB  - A short site-selective strategy for the activation and derivatization of alcohols
      of the clinically important aminoglycoside tobramycin is reported. The choice of
      amine protecting group affected the site-selective conversion of secondary
      alcohols of tobramycin into leaving groups. Temperature-dependent, chemoselective
      sequential nucleophilic displacements resulted in hetero- and homodithioether
      tobramycin-based cationic amphiphiles that demonstrated marked antimicrobial
      activity and impressive membrane selectivity. 

PMID- 24224658
TI  - The scholarship of intellectual generosity.

PMID- 24224659
TI  - In situ real time infrared spectroscopy of sorption of (poly)molybdate ions into
      layered double hydroxides.
AB  - The sorption of (poly)molybdate ions into layered double hydroxides (LDHs), with
      Zn(2+) and Al(3+) cations, has been followed by in situ infrared spectroscopy
      using the attenuated total reflection technique. The exchange between solution
      molybdate species and interlayer anions has been followed in real time,
      illustrating the different behavior of molybdate ions and polymolybdate species.
      In a first part, the Mo(VI) speciation in solution was performed by comparison of
      thermodynamical calculations and infrared spectroscopy of solutions with
      different pH. Decomposition of bands between 800 to 1000 cm(-1), corresponding to
      the (Mo-O) stretching vibration, has permitted to identify major (poly)molybdate
      species. In the presence of LDH, the measurements have shown a high affinity for
      heptamolybdate (Mo7O24(6-)) species, and its preferential sorption in comparison
      with molybdate ions or other protonated polymolybdate species even if it
      represents very small fractions. From these measurements, the affinity series
      Mo7O24(6-) > CO3(2-) > MoO4(2-) > SO4(2-) have been directly obtained. 

PMID- 24224660
TI  - Editorial Comment to Localized non-conventional renal cell carcinoma: prediction
      of clinical outcome according to histology.

PMID- 24224661
TI  - Recombinant receptor-binding domain of diphtheria toxin increases the potency of
      curcumin by enhancing cellular uptake.
AB  - Diphtheria toxin (DT) binds to a specific cell surface receptor, gets
      internalized, and causes cytotoxicity through its catalytic domain. The toxicity
      of DT is used in several therapeutic molecules. Here, we have exploited the
      receptor-binding ability of DT to increase cellular uptake of curcumin, a
      hydrophobic molecule with low bioavailability and cellular uptake. We have
      expressed only the receptor-binding domain of DT (RDT) in Escherichia coli.
      Purified RDT binds to the receptor with an affinity equivalent to that of full
      length DT. It also binds to curcumin forming a curcumin-RDT complex, and this
      increases the fluorescence intensity and fluorescence lifetime of curcumin. The
      curcumin-RDT complex binds to the receptor and associates with human glioblastoma
      cells (U-87 MG) expressing the receptor. The cellular uptake of curcumin is
      higher for the curcumin-RDT complex than curcumin alone. This increase in uptake
      enhances the antiproliferative effect of curcumin and induces apoptosis of these
      cells even at a lower dose. 

PMID- 24224662
TI  - Guidelines for the collaborative care of glaucoma patients and suspects by
      ophthalmologists and optometrists in Australia.

PMID- 24224663
TI  - What counts as effective communication in nursing? Evidence from nurse educators'
      and clinicians' feedback on nurse interactions with simulated patients.
AB  - AIM: To examine the feedback given by nurse educators and clinicians on the
      quality of communication skills of nurses in interactions with simulated
      patients. BACKGROUND: The quality of communication in interactions between nurses
      and patients has a major influence on patient outcomes. To support the
      development of effective nursing communication in clinical practice, a good
      understanding of what constitutes effective communication is helpful. DESIGN: An
      exploratory design was used involving individual interviews, focus groups and
      written notes from participants and field notes from researchers to investigate
      perspectives on nurse-patient communication. METHODS: Focus groups and individual
      interviews were held between August 2010-September 2011 with a purposive sample
      of 15 nurse educators and clinicians who observed videos of interactions between
      nurses and simulated patients. These participants were asked to give oral
      feedback on the quality and content of these interactions. Verbatim
      transcriptions were undertaken of all data collected. All written notes and field
      notes were also transcribed. Thematic analysis of the data was undertaken.
      FINDINGS: Four major themes related to nurse-patient communication were derived
      from the educators' and clinicians' feedback: approach to patients and patient
      care, manner towards patients, techniques used for interacting with patients and
      generic aspects of communication. CONCLUSION: This study has added to previous
      research by contributing grounded evidence from a group of nurse educators and
      clinicians on the aspects of communication that are relevant for effective nurse
      patient interactions in clinical practice.

PMID- 24224664
TI  - Incongruence between multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) and whole-genome-based
      phylogenies: Pseudomonas syringae pathovar pisi as a cautionary tale.
AB  - Previous phylogenies, built using a subset of genomic loci, split Pseudomonas
      syringae pv. pisi into two well-supported clades and implied convergence in host
      range for these lineages. The analysis of phenotypic and genotypic data within
      the context of this phylogenetic relationship implied further convergence at the
      level of virulence gene loss and acquisition. We generate draft genome assemblies
      for two additional P. syringae strains, isolated from diseased pea plants, and
      demonstrate incongruence between phylogenies created from a subset of the data
      compared with the whole genomes. Our whole-genome analysis demonstrates that
      strains classified as pv. pisi actually form a coherent monophyletic clade, so
      that apparent convergence is actually the product of shared ancestry. We use this
      example to urge caution when making evolutionary inferences across closely
      related strains of P. syringae. 

PMID- 24224665
TI  - Molecular identification and expressive characterization of an olfactory co
      receptor gene in the Asian honeybee, Apis cerana cerana.
AB  - Olfaction recognition process is extraordinarily complex in insects, and the
      olfactory receptors play an important function in the process. In this paper, a
      highly conserved olfactory co-receptor gene, AcerOr2 (ortholog to the Drosophila
      melanogaster Or83b), cloned from the antennae of the Asian honeybee, Apis cerana
      cerana Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae), using reverse transcriptase PCR and rapid
      amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length sequence of the gene was 1763 bp
      long, and the cDNA open reading frame encoded 478 amino acid residues, including
      7 putative transmembrane domains. Alignment analysis revealed that AcerOr2 shares
      high homology (> 74%) with similar olfactory receptors found in other Hymenoptera
      species. The amino acid identity with the closely related species Apis mellifera
      reached 99.8%. The developmental expression analysis using quantitative real-time
      reverse transcriptase PCR suggested that the AcerOr2 transcript was expressed at
      a relatively low level in the larval stage, whereas it was expressed broadly in
      the pupal and adult stages, with a significantly high level on the days just
      before and after eclosion. In situ hybridization showed that AcerOr2 mRNA was
      expressed in sensilla placodea and on the basal region of the worker antennal
      cuticle, in accordance with the previous conclusions that the conserved genes are
      expressed in most olfactory receptor neurons.

PMID- 24224666
TI  - Tennessee health plan tobacco cessation coverage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the smoking cessation coverage available from public and
      private Tennessee health plans. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Cross-sectional study. The
      sampling frame for private plans was a register of licensed plans obtained from
      the Tennessee Commerce Department. Government websites and reports provided
      TennCare data. MEASURES: Data were abstracted from plan manuals and formularies
      for benefit year 2012. Classification of coverage included comprehensive-all
      seven recommended medications plus individual and group counseling; moderate-at
      least two forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) plus bupropion and
      varenicline and one form of counseling; inadequate-at least one treatment, or
      none-no medications or counseling, or coverage only for pregnant women. RESULTS:
      Of nine private plans, one provided comprehensive coverage; two, moderate
      coverage; four, inadequate coverage, as did TennCare; and two plans provided no
      coverage. Over 362,800 smokers had inadequate access to cessation treatments
      under TennCare, while 119,094 smokers had inadequate or no cessation coverage
      under private plans. CONCLUSION: In 2012, Tennessee fell short of Healthy People
      goals for total managed care and comprehensive TennCare coverage of smoking
      cessation. If Tennessee mandates that all health plans provide full coverage,
      481,900 smokers may immediately be in a better position to quit.

PMID- 24224667
TI  - Mental health follow-up among adolescents with suicidal behaviors after emergency
      department discharge.
AB  - The objective of this study was to examine mental health follow-up patterns and
      need for additional urgent ED evaluation in adolescents discharged home from a
      pediatric ED after an evaluation for suicidal ideation or attempt. In the study,
      the parent or guardian of suicidal youth ages 11 to 18 years who were discharged
      from the pediatric ED were interviewed by telephone between 1 and 2 months
      following the initial visit and asked about their child's suicide risk, mental
      health follow-up, return ED visits, and previous mental health experiences. ED
      records were also examined for return visits. A parent or guardian of 100
      suicidal adolescents was interviewed by telephone. Most (66%) successfully
      followed up with a mental health provider. Mental health follow-up was more
      likely in those with an existing psychiatric diagnosis (OR: 3.03 [95% CI: 1.02
      9.05]). The majority of those that returned to the ED within 2 months of their
      initial evaluation for mental health reasons were admitted [92% (19/21)]. The
      odds of an ED return visit were increased by a prior inpatient psychiatric
      admission (OR: 5.23 [95% CI: 1.80-15.16]), and a suicide attempt immediately
      prior to the initial ED visit (OR: 4.87 [95% CI: 1.04-22.69]). Many suicidal
      youth who are discharged from the ED successfully follow up with an outpatient
      mental health provider. However, a significant number do return to the ED within
      2 months and require inpatient psychiatric admission. Future ED based
      interventions should focus on adolescents who attempt suicide and those with a
      history of prior inpatient admission. 

PMID- 24224668
TI  - Most common methods of suicide in Eastern Mediterranean Region of WHO: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of various methods of suicide
      in Eastern Mediterranean Region by a systematic review and meta-analysis. All
      published articles in international database were systematically searched before
      September 2011. In order to analyze the data we used STATA, ver.10 software. We
      reported proportions with standard errors (SE) for single studies and pooled
      estimates for proportions of different suicidal methods based on random model
      meta-analysis. We included 19 articles in the final analysis. The pooled
      proportion of hanging, self-immolation, and poisoning were 39.7% (95% CI: 26.8%
      52.7%), 17.4% (95% CI: 10%-24.8%), and 20.3% (95% CI: 14%-26.5%) respectively.
      Self-immolation and poisoning were gender dependent and hanging was country
      dependent in the meta-regression method. We found out that the 3 most common
      methods of suicide in EMR are hanging, poisoning, and self-immolation. These
      methods are estimated to account for 77.4% of all methods of suicide in EMR. 

PMID- 24224669
TI  - Retrospective identification of episodes of deliberate self-harm from emergency
      room registers in general hospitals: an example from Shanghai.
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using currently
      available emergency department (ED) records to retrospectively ascertain the
      prevalence and characteristics of episodes of medically treated deliberate self
      harm (DSH). Discussions with ED staff identified 10 ED diagnoses in persons 12
      years of age or older that were commonly used for episodes of DSH and another 7
      injury-related diagnoses that could, under specific conditions, be acts of DSH. A
      retrospective analysis of the ED registry of one large general hospital in
      Shanghai for 2007 to 2010 identified all cases with one of these diagnoses.
      Diagnosis-specific algorithms based on the characteristics of each case were
      applied to classify cases as "probable DSH," "possible DSH" or "probably not
      DSH." The 1,495 cases of DSH identified accounted for 0.2% of all ED admissions
      over the 4 years; only 6 of them (0.4%) had an ED diagnosis of "suicide attempt."
      Three ED diagnoses-overdose of medication, fall from height, and pesticide
      ingestion-accounted for 1,275 (85.3%) of the DSH cases. There were substantial
      differences in the characteristics of male and female cases of DSH and a 43% drop
      in the proportion of ED admissions for DSH over the 4 years. In locations where
      it is not feasible to develop prospective registries of suicide attempts treated
      in EDs, retrospective analysis of ED records that use algorithms to classify the
      intentionality of injuries can provide estimates of the prevalence and
      characteristics of medically treated episodes of DSH. 

PMID- 24224670
TI  - Antidepressant use and method of suicide in the United States: variation by age
      and sex, 1998-2007.
AB  - This study examines the association between antidepressant use and suicide rates,
      by sex, age, and method of suicide, between 1998 and 2007 in the United States.
      Overall suicide rates for the young and elderly declined but rates for the middle
      aged increased. All age groups experienced increases in antidepressant use. The
      elderly exhibited the largest increase in antidepressant usage and biggest
      declines in suicide rates. Firearm suicides for men and women declined but
      suicide by drug poisoning rose, particularly for women. For young males and
      elderly males and females, better treatment of severe depression may have
      contributed to declining suicide rates. However, rising rates of prescription
      drug use are associated with higher levels of suicide by drug poisoning. 

PMID- 24224671
TI  - The cessation of deliberate self-harm in a university sample: the reasons,
      barriers, and strategies involved.
AB  - Information on how individuals cease deliberate self-harm behaviors, and what
      they experience as helpful and hindering to this process, was sought in order to
      optimize and inform treatment. University students (N = 54) with a past history
      of self-harm were queried about their experience with DSH cessation. Qualitative
      analysis revealed 6 themes of reasons for DSH cessation, 5 themes of strategies
      used to cease DSH behaviors, and 4 themes of barriers to cessation. Treatment can
      be informed by the motivations, strategies, and barriers that individuals
      experience during the cessation process. The positive strategies that individuals
      naturally use to cease DSH should be capitalized on in treatment, and the
      negative strategies should be minimized.

PMID- 24224672
TI  - Suicide kills more than 10,000 people every year in Bangladesh.
AB  - This study set out to explore the epidemiology of suicide in Bangladesh. A cross
      sectional study was carried out during 2003 (January to December). This
      encompassed a population of 819,429 of all age-groups and sexes. Data was
      collected by face-to-face interviews at a household level. Suicide was found to
      be the leading cause of death by injury in the age group of 10-19 years.
      Adolescent females (10-19 year age group) were found to be the most vulnerable.
      Overall, the suicide rate was 7.3 (95% CI 5.6-9.5) per 100,000 per year and the
      highest rate was found in the age group of 60+ years. The rate of suicide was
      found to be 17-fold higher (95% CI 5.36-54.64) in the rural population, compared
      to urban rates. Adolescent suicide rate in rural areas was 20.1 (95% CI 12.6
      31.7) per 100,000. The rate was 17.7 (95% CI 8.6-34.9) and 22.7(95% CI 12-42)
      among males and females respectively. Poisoning was found as the most frequent
      method of suicide. The majority of the suicide victims were found to be very poor
      and illiterate. Suicide is a major public health problem in Bangladesh. Age,
      place of residence, economic status and literacy were the major associating
      factors related to suicide. Adolescents, elderly and those residing in rural
      regions were the most vulnerable groups. 

PMID- 24224673
TI  - How often, or how many ways: clarifying the relationship between non-suicidal
      self-injury and suicidality.
AB  - This study clarified the association of maladaptive, potentially self-damaging
      behaviors with suicidality. Specifically, we examined whether greater frequency
      (i.e., how often) or greater versatility (i.e., how many ways) of several self
      damaging behaviors, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), substance use, and
      disordered eating, increased risk for suicide. Participants who engaged in NSSI
      (N = 142) completed questionnaires assessing suicidal and self-damaging behavior
      at baseline and engagement in suicidal behaviors (e.g., ideation, attempts,
      talking about suicide) 3 months later. Results suggest that the versatility
      rather than frequency of self-damaging behaviors is most robustly associated with
      suicide risk. Engaging in multiple methods of NSSI and using a greater number of
      illicit substances were positively associated with suicide risk. Further,
      versatility of NSSI interacted with depression to predict suicide risk at 3-month
      follow-up such that highly depressed participants who engaged in more methods of
      NSSI exhibited highest risk, whereas those who engaged in more methods with low
      depression exhibited the lowest risk.

PMID- 24224674
TI  - National registration system of suicide behaviors in Iran: barriers and
      challenges.
AB  - The present article describes the process of developing a national suicide
      registry in Iran and evaluates the obstacles in this respect. We established a
      systematic and uniform portal data collection system in the country and evaluated
      it from March 2009 for a year. The quality of database and data registration
      challenges were assessed from different aspects. A total number of 41,109 suicide
      attempts and 1,338 completed suicides were reported from an area that covered
      83.6% of Iran's population in 2009. The rate of suicide attempt was 65.8 per
      100,000 people. This study revealed some of the obstacles and challenges of
      implementing a national registration system. Nationwide suicide registry can
      serve as a solid foundation for conceptual work, data collection, and preventive
      interventions. A concerted effort between various organizations is required to
      efficiently collect data on suicide behaviors. 

PMID- 24224675
TI  - Last suicide attempt before completed suicide in severe depression: an extended
      suicidal process may be found in men rather than women.
AB  - The objective of this study was to compare the time from last suicide attempt to
      suicide in men and women with major depressive disorder with melancholic and/or
      psychotic features. The case records of 100 suicide victims with severe
      depression were evaluated. All suicide attempts during the course of depression
      were noted. The time from last suicide attempt to suicide was compared as well as
      the occurrence of suicide attempt during the last depressive episode, by gender.
      Male suicide attempters made fewer suicide attempts than women during their last
      depressive episode before suicide (8% versus 37%). Men appeared to have a more
      extended suicidal process from suicide attempt to completed suicide, which ought
      to be considered in the after-care. 

PMID- 24224676
TI  - Regional brain glucose uptake distinguishes suicide attempters from non
      attempters in major depression.
AB  - This study compared regional cerebral metabolic rates of glucose (rCMRglu)
      determined by [(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG
      PET) in suicide attempters and non-attempters. Medication-free patients with
      major depression (n = 29) had FDG-PET after single-blind administration of
      placebo (day 1) and fenfluramine (day 2). Suicide attempt history was obtained
      before scanning and at assessments over 2 subsequent years. Statistical
      parametric mapping evaluated associations between attempt status and rCMRglu,
      controlling for age. The study included 13 patients with and 16 without a history
      of suicide attempt within 2 years before or after scanning. After placebo,
      rCMRglu in attempters was lower in right dorsolateral prefrontal regions and
      higher in ventromedial regions than in non-attempters. After fenfluramine,
      relatively hypometabolic areas enlarged, and no hypermetabolic areas were
      detected. Distinct rCMRglu patterns may be serotonin-sensitive biomarkers of
      suicide risk.

PMID- 24224677
TI  - Suicide by cop: clinical risks and subtypes.
AB  - This study examines whether clinical classification schemes from general suicide
      research are applicable for cases of suicide by cop (SbC) and whether there are
      indicators as to why the police might be engaged in the suicide. Using archival
      law enforcement data, 13 clinical risks were examined among 68 cases of SbC using
      exploratory factor analysis and k-means cluster analysis. Three subtypes of SbC
      cases emerged: Mental Illness, Criminality, and Not Otherwise Specified. The
      subtypes varied significantly on their levels of mental illness, substance use,
      and criminal activity. Findings suggest that reducing fragmentation between law
      enforcement and mental health service providers might be a crucial goal for
      suicide intervention and prevention, at least among cases of SbC. 

PMID- 24224678
TI  - Association of training on attitudes towards self-injuring clients across health
      professionals.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between self-injury
      training and attitudes across different health care professions. In the study,
      342 psychologists, social workers, psychiatric, and medical nurses were recruited
      from 12 hospitals in Belgium. Participants completed a confidential questionnaire
      assessing attitudes, perceived knowledge/competence in self-injury, and prior
      self-injury training. Professionals with training reported more positive empathy,
      less negative attitudes, and greater perceived knowledge/competence, which was
      related to positive attitudes. Mental health providers had more positive
      attitudes than medical professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Attitudes towards self
      injuring patients are multifaceted and vary across health professions. Training
      on self-injury should be incorporated into the educational curriculum of all
      health care professions.

PMID- 24224681
TI  - The current status of bridging anticoagulation.
AB  - For patients prescribed chronic vitamin K antagonist therapy requiring a surgical
      or invasive procedure, the question of whether or not to bridge and how to bridge
      is commonly encountered in clinical practice. Bridging anticoagulation has
      evolved over the years and the evidence base for current practice is deficient in
      many areas. Clinical trials currently being completed with conventional
      anticoagulants should help strengthen the evidence base for future practice. The
      availability of novel oral anticoagulants is a welcome addition, though their
      optimal management peri-procedure is yet to be determined. Prospective multi
      centre controlled studies that can provide the evidence base for novel oral
      anticoagulant peri-procedural management are required. 

PMID- 24224682
TI  - Topological effects and binding modes operating with multivalent iminosugar-based
      glycoclusters and mannosidases.
AB  - Multivalent iminosugars have been recently explored for glycosidase inhibition.
      Affinity enhancements due to multivalency have been reported for specific
      targets, which are particularly appealing when a gain in enzyme selectivity is
      achieved but raise the question of the binding mode operating with this new class
      of inhibitors. Here we describe the development of a set of tetra- and octavalent
      iminosugar probes with specific topologies and an assessment of their binding
      affinities toward a panel of glycosidases including the Jack Bean alpha
      mannosidase (JBalphaMan) and the biologically relevant class II alpha
      mannosidases from Drosophila melanogaster belonging to glycohydrolase family 38,
      namely Golgi alpha-mannosidase ManIIb (GM) and lysosomal alpha-mannosidase LManII
      (LM). Very different inhibitory profiles were observed for compounds with
      identical valencies, indicating that the spatial distribution of the iminosugars
      is critical to fine-tune the enzymatic inhibitory activity. Compared to the
      monovalent reference, the best multivalent compound showed a dramatic 800-fold
      improvement in the inhibitory potency for JBalphaMan, which is outstanding for
      just a tetravalent ligand. The compound was also shown to increase both the
      inhibitory activity and the selectivity for GM over LM. This suggests that
      multivalency could be an alternative strategy in developing therapeutic GM
      inhibitors not affecting the lysosomal mannosidases. Dynamic light scattering
      experiments and atomic force microscopy performed with coincubated solutions of
      the compounds with JBalphaMan shed light on the multivalent binding mode. The
      multivalent compounds were shown to promote the formation of JBalphaMan
      aggregates with different sizes and shapes. The dimeric nature of the JBalphaMan
      allows such intermolecular cross-linking mechanisms to occur. 

PMID- 24224683
TI  - Nanostar and nanonetwork crystals fabricated by in situ nanoparticlization of
      fully conjugated polythiophene diblock copolymers.
AB  - Nanostar and nanonetwork crystals were prepared from fully conjugated poly(3-(2
      ethylhexyl)thiophene)-block-polythiophene (P3EHT-b-PT) via a simple INCP process.
      The structural conformation of the nanocrystals was investigated in detail,
      revealing that with an increase in the block length of PT, the morphology of the
      nanocrystals changed from nanospheres to nanorods, nanostars, and to
      nanonetworks. 

PMID- 24224684
TI  - Serial atlas-based diffusion tensor imaging study of uncomplicated mild traumatic
      brain injury in adults.
AB  - Abstract In this report, we applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) methods in 36
      patients with uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and a comparison
      group of 37 participants with orthopedic injury. Our aim was to characterize
      regional and global macro- and microstructural attributes of white matter (WM),
      gray matter (GM), in addition to volume and diffusivity of cerebrospinal fluid
      (CSF) to identify and differentiate patterns of acute and short-term recovery.
      Given that previous DTI reports on mTBI in adults using a region-of-interest
      approach implicated the corona radiata (CR), corpus callosum, and hippocampus, we
      analyzed and quantified DTI metrics of these regions using atlas-based methods.
      The normalized volume percentages of global CSF, GM, and WM were not different
      between the mTBI and orthopedic comparison (OC) groups at either the baseline or
      follow-up time points or between the baseline and follow-up time points within
      the OC group (p>0.17; uncorrected for multiple comparisons). The DTI metrics did
      not differ between groups at either occasion. However, an increase was noted on
      follow-up in the OC group in the global mean diffusivity of GM (uncorrected
      p=0.003) and WM (uncorrected p=0.02), indicating a decrease in diffusivity at the
      3-month postinjury, as compared to the baseline scan. An analysis of the DTI data
      collected longitudinally in the CR show insignificant changes in the OC group
      (p>0.08; N=37). CR radial diffusivity was found to be elevated in the between
      group comparison at baseline (mTBI1 vs. OC1), but did not differ in the within
      group comparison (mTBI1 vs. mTBI2; N=19), suggesting the possible resolution of
      edema. Our analysis of the cross-sectional and follow-up data, which is
      uncorrected for multiple comparisons, demonstrates dissociation between
      volumetric (macrostructural) and tissue integrity (microstructural) attributes
      and shows the potential utility of DTI to capture transient edema in the CR. 

PMID- 24224685
TI  - Effects of polarity on the structures and charge states of native-like proteins
      and protein complexes in the gas phase.
AB  - Native mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry were used to investigate
      the gas-phase structures of selected cations and anions of proteins and protein
      complexes with masses ranging from 6 to 468 kDa. Under the same solution
      conditions, the average charge states observed for all native-like anions were
      less than those for the corresponding cations. Using an rf-confining drift cell,
      similar collision cross sections were measured in positive and negative ion mode
      suggesting that anions and cations have very similar structures. This result
      suggests that for protein and protein complex ions within this mass range, there
      is no inherent benefit to selecting a specific polarity for capturing a more
      native-like structure. For peptides and low-mass proteins, polarity and charge
      state dependent structural changes may be more significant. The charged-residue
      model is most often used to explain the ionization of large macromolecules based
      on the Rayleigh limit, which defines the upper limit of charge that a droplet can
      hold. Because ions of both polarities have similar structures and the Rayleigh
      limit does not depend on polarity, these results cannot be explained by the
      charged-residue model alone. Rather, the observed charge-state distributions are
      most consistent with charge-carrier emissions during the final stages of analyte
      desolvation, with lower charge-carrier emission energies for anions than the
      corresponding cations. These results suggest that the observed charge-state
      distributions in most native mass spectrometry experiments are determined by
      charge-carrier emission processes; although the Rayleigh limit may determine the
      gas-phase charge states of larger species, e.g., virus capsids. 

PMID- 24224686
TI  - Response to: 'On the use of Glasgow Coma Scale as a predictor of intensive care
      unit admission in deliberate drug poisoning'.

PMID- 24224687
TI  - Patients' and physicians' perspectives on opioid therapy for chronic cancer and
      musculoskeletal pain in Germany, Italy, and Turkey: PAin RESearch (PARES) survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Under-treatment or lack of appropriate treatment for chronic pain
      remains an ongoing major healthcare problem. Opioids are being increasingly
      recognized as an effective option for chronic pain management. The objective of
      this survey was to understand the perspective of patients treated with opioids on
      quality of treatment, preferences, and possibilities to improve treatment and
      communication between patients and physicians. RESEARCH DESIGN: A large-scale
      PAin RESearch (PARES) survey of 2860 patients (Germany, Italy, and Turkey) with
      chronic cancer or musculoskeletal pain prescribed opioid therapy was conducted to
      assess various factors such as ease of use and compliance, sleep, quality-of
      life, and polymedication. A physician component was also included. Relationships
      between variables and differences between groups were tested using Spearman and
      Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, respectively. RESULTS: Of the patients surveyed, 61%
      received strong opioids (WHO III) and 39% weak opioids (WHO II). Nearly 65% of
      the patients were currently on a twice daily or more dosing schedule; however,
      61.5% of the patients responded that they considered once-daily dosing to be the
      most convenient schedule. Patients' responses indicated that different dosing
      schedules significantly influenced the occurrence of end-of-dose pain, feeling
      limited by the remaining level of pain, problems in falling asleep, and episodes
      of waking up at night or early in the morning. Physicians' responses showed that
      they were not surprised by 68.5% of patient responses; they also felt the need to
      change some aspect of pain treatment for a third of the patients, the commonest
      being pain medication (52.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the survey suggest
      that patients prefer a convenient dosing scheme, which may have a positive impact
      on compliance. Physicians may have to communicate more closely with patients
      about their needs.

PMID- 24224689
TI  - Recurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease correlated with a short dinner-to
      bedtime interval.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be classified into
      erosive reflux disease (ERD) and nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease
      (NERD). We aimed to compare the recurrence rates of ERD and NERD and determine
      the risk factors related to the recurrence. METHODS: This prospective study
      comprised 337 consecutive adults who completed questionnaires on their GERD
      symptoms, height, weight, sleeping position, dinner time, and bedtime. During
      upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the presence of a hiatal hernia and mucosal
      breaks in the low esophagus, esophageal length (the distance between the Z-line
      and the incisors), and the esophageal length-to-height ratio were recorded.
      Recurrence was diagnosed when the patient required additional proton pump
      inhibitor medication after initial recovery with 4-8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS:
      Recurrence was experienced by 47 (26.0%) of 181 GERD patients. The recurrence
      rate did not differ between the 48 ERD (27.1%) and 133 NERD (25.6%) patients (P =
      0.849). Of the various factors studied, recurrence was found to be correlated
      with a dinner-to-bedtime interval of less than 3 h (P = 0.002), globus sensation
      (P = 0.031), and old age (P = 0.047). Logistic regression analysis revealed that
      a short interval between dinner and bedtime was the only factor significantly
      related to the recurrence (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Both ERD and NERD patients who
      sleep within 3 h after eating have a higher risk of GERD recurrence. Our findings
      highlight the impact of a short dinner-to-bedtime interval on the recurrence of
      GERD (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: KCT0000134).

PMID- 24224690
TI  - Differences in the intrinsic immunogenicity and allergenicity of Bet v 1 and
      related food allergens revealed by site-directed mutagenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Birch pollen allergies are frequently associated with adverse
      reactions to various fruits, nuts, or vegetables, described as pollen-food
      syndrome (PFS) and caused by cross-reactive IgE antibodies primarily directed
      against Bet v 1. Specific immunotherapy (SIT) represents an effective treatment
      for inhalant allergies; however, successful birch pollen SIT does not correlate
      well with the amelioration of concomitant food allergies. METHODS: As vaccine
      candidates, apple Mal d 1 as well as hazelnut Cor a 1 derivatives were designed
      by in silico backbone analyses of the respective allergens. The proteins were
      produced by site-directed mutagenesis as fold variants of their parental
      allergens. Because Mal d 1 and Cor a 1 form cysteine-mediated aggregates,
      nonaggregative cysteine to serine mutants were also generated. The proteins were
      characterized physicochemically, immunologically, and in in vivo models with or
      without adjuvant. RESULTS: The structurally modified proteins showed
      significantly decreased IgE binding capacity. Notably, both in vivo models
      revealed reduced immunogenicity of the hypoallergenic fold variants. When
      formulated with alum, the monomeric cysteine mutants induced a similar immune
      response as the aggregated parental allergens, which is in contrast with data
      published on Bet v 1. CONCLUSION: These findings lead to the suggestion that the
      Bet v 1 structure has unique intrinsic properties, which could account for its
      high allergenicity. Obviously, these characteristics are not entirely shared with
      its food homologues from apple and hazelnut. Thus, it is important to tackle
      pollen-related food allergies from different angles for the generation of
      effective vaccine candidates to treat birch PFS.

PMID- 24224691
TI  - Quality indicators for initial licensure and discipline in nursing laws in South
      Korea and North Carolina.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Korean regulatory framework of nursing licensure reflects that of
      the USA, but its content differs in some of the powers related to quality
      assurance. AIM: This article compares regulatory quality indicators and describes
      core standards in nursing regulations that are related to both initial licensure
      and discipline for three groups: the National Council of State Boards of Nursing,
      the North Carolina and the South of Korea. METHODS: A descriptive, comparative
      law design is used to examine the differences and similarities in the quality
      indicators and core standards found in three documents: the National Council of
      State Boards of Nursing Model Act, the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act and
      the Korean Medical Service Act for registered nurses. RESULTS: The findings
      indicate that ten quality indicators and two standards appear in study objects.
      Although most of the quality indicators are common to all documents, some
      differences are found in terms of the scope of criminal background checks and the
      range of grounds for disciplinary action. LIMITATIONS: These findings cannot be
      generalized in the USA because although the North Carolina nursing act was
      selected as an example of US nursing laws, nursing laws differ somewhat across
      states. CONCLUSIONS: This comparative study shows a clear opportunity to develop
      indicators that acknowledge the important areas of competence and good moral
      character and how they can improve patient safety in Korea. IMPLICATIONS FOR
      NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: This study provides recommendations for Korean nursing
      legislative redesign and pointers for other jurisdictions to consider.

PMID- 24224692
TI  - Where there is smoke there is fire: the Iranian system of paid donation.

PMID- 24224693
TI  - Discovery of 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-(piperidin-1-yl)-4-((pyrrolidine-1
      sulfonamido)methyl)-5-(5-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethynyl)thiophene-2-yl)-1H
      pyrazole-3-carboxamide as a novel peripherally restricted cannabinoid-1 receptor
      antagonist with significant weight-loss efficacy in diet-induced obese mice.
AB  - After extensive synthetic efforts, we found that many structurally diverse
      bioisosteres could be generated via derivatizing the C-4 alkyl chain on the
      pyrazole ring of compound 3 (B/P = 1/33) with different electronegative groups.
      Especially when a sulfonamide or sulfamide moiety was added, resulting compounds
      exhibited not only potent CB1R activity but also a desired tPSA value over 90
      A(2), a threshold considered to possess a low probability to cross BBB, leading
      to the identification of compound 4 (B/P = 1/64) as a peripherally restricted
      CB1R antagonist. Apart from its significant weight-loss efficacy in DIO mice,
      compound 4 also displays 163 clean off-target profiles and is currently under
      development for treating obesity and the related metabolic syndrome. 

PMID- 24224695
TI  - Nickel-catalyzed aromatic C-H alkylation with secondary or tertiary alkyl-bromine
      bonds for the construction of indolones.
AB  - A nickel-catalyzed aromatic C-H alkylation with tertiary or secondary alkyl-Br
      bonds for the construction of indolones was demonstrated. Various functional
      groups were well tolerated. Moreover, the challenging secondary alkyl bromides
      were well introduced in this transformation. Radical trapping and photocatalysis
      conditions exhibited that it is most likely to be a radical process for this
      aromatic C-H alkylation. 

PMID- 24224694
TI  - Very low carbohydrate diet significantly alters the serum metabolic profiles in
      obese subjects.
AB  - Emerging evidence has consistently shown that a very low carbohydrate diet (VLCD)
      can protect against the development of obesity, but the underlying mechanisms are
      not fully understood. Here we applied a comprehensive metabonomics approach using
      ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry and gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry to study the
      effects of an 8-week dietary intervention with VLCD on serum metabolic profiles
      in obese subjects. The VLCD intervention resulted in a weight loss and
      significantly decreased homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance. The
      metabonomics analysis identified a number of differential serum metabolites (p <
      0.05) primarily attributable to fatty acids, amino acids including branched chain
      amino acids, amines, lipids, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrates in obese
      subjects compared to healthy controls. The correlation analysis among time, VLCD
      intervention, and clinical parameters revealed that the changes of metabolites
      correlated with the changes of clinical parameters and showed differences in
      males and females. Fatty acids, amino acids, and carboxylic acids were increased
      in obese subjects compared with their normal healthy counterparts. Such increased
      levels of serum metabolites were attenuated after VLCD intake, suggesting that
      the health beneficial effects of VLCD are associated with attenuation of impaired
      fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. It also appears that VLCD induced
      significant metabolic alterations independent of the obesity-related metabolic
      changes. The altered metabolites in obese subjects post-VLCD intervention include
      arachidonate, cis-11,14-eicosadienoate, cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoate, 2
      aminobutyrate, acetyl-carnitine, and threonate, all of which are involved in
      inflammation and oxidation processes. The results revealed favorable shifts in
      fatty acids and amino acids after VLCD intake in obese subjects, which should be
      considered biomarkers for evaluating health beneficial effects of VLCD and
      similar dietary interventions. 

PMID- 24224696
TI  - Maternal territoriality achieved through shaking and lunging: an investigation of
      patterns in associated behaviors and substrate vibrations in a colonial
      embiopteran, Antipaluria urichi.
AB  - Substrate vibration communication is displayed by a variety of insects that rely
      on silk for shelter. Such signaling is often associated with territoriality and
      social interactions. The goal in this study was to explore the use of substrate
      vibration by subsocial insects of the little-studied order Embioptera (also known
      as Embiidina). Antipaluria urichi (Saussure) (Embioptera: Clothodidae) from
      Trinidad and Tobago, a large embiopteran, exhibits maternal care and
      facultatively colonial behavior. Previous observations suggested that they were
      aggressive while guarding eggs but gregarious when not. Egg-guarders in
      particular have been observed shaking and lunging their bodies, but to date these
      putative signals have not been recorded nor were their contexts known. Staged
      interactions were conducted in the laboratory using residents that had
      established silk domiciles enveloping piezo-electric film used to detect
      vibrations. Predictions from two competing hypotheses, the maternal
      territoriality hypothesis and the group cohesion hypothesis, were erected to
      explain the occurrence of signaling. Experiments pitted pre-reproductive and egg
      guarding residents against female and male intruders, representing social
      partners that ranged from potentially threatening to innocuous or even helpful.
      Behavioral acts were identified and scored along with associated substrate
      vibrations, which were measured for associated body movements, duration, and
      frequency spectra. Signals, sorted by the distinct actions used to generate them,
      were lunge, shake, push up, and snapback. Egg-guarding females produced most
      signals in response to female intruders, a result that supported the maternal
      territoriality hypothesis. Female intruders generally responded to such signaling
      by moving away from egg-guarding residents. In contrast, pre-reproductive
      residents did not signal much, and intruders settled beside them. Theme software
      was used to analyze the behavioral event recordings to seek patterns over time
      and their association with signals. Long patterns of behavioral acts were
      associated with shakes, lunges, and push-ups, indicating that interactions were
      occurring between the residents and intruders as would be expected when
      communication occurs. The value of Theme software, as well as the relationship
      between signaling by A. urichi and the risks and benefits of coloniality, are
      discussed.

PMID- 24224697
TI  - Thin lenticule Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty: single,
      slow pass technique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcomes of single pass thin lenticule sutureless
      Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty with donor lenticules
      prepared using a 400 MUm microkeratome head. DESIGN: Interventional case series.
      PARTICIPANTS: Cases with corneal endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Fifteen cases
      with corneal endothelial dysfunction (eight pseudophakic bullous keratopathy,
      three Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, three congenital hereditary endothelial
      dystrophy and one failed graft) underwent thin lenticule Descemet's stripping
      automated endothelial keratoplasty at a tertiary care hospital. Donor lenticule
      was prepared with a single pass 400 MUm Carriazo Barraquer microkeratome (Moria,
      Antony, France) head. Sutureless Descemet's stripping automated endothelial
      keratoplasty was performed in all the cases through a 3.5 mm corneoscleral tunnel
      using a Busin glide for graft insertion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main parameters
      evaluated were postoperative donor lenticule thickness and best-corrected visual
      acuity. RESULTS: Donor lenticules were harvested successfully for all 15 cases
      without any complications. At 6-months follow up, the mean logMAR best-corrected
      visual acuity improved from 1.87 +/- 0.52 to 0.109 +/- 0.11 (P = < 0.0001). The
      mean donor lenticule thickness was 111 +/- 17.62 MUm (range 70-134 MUm) at the
      last follow up. The mean endothelial cell loss was 26.33 +/- 1.34%. CONCLUSIONS
      AND RELEVANCE: Thin donor lenticules for Descemet's stripping automated
      endothelial keratoplasty can be safely harvested using a single pass technique
      with 400 MUm microkeratome head and can be used for a successful Descemet's
      stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty surgery.

PMID- 24224698
TI  - Intra-operative hyperthermia in a cat with a fatal outcome.
AB  - HISTORY: A four year old male neutered Domestic Short Hair cat presented for
      general anaesthesia for hind limb orthopaedic surgery. The cat had been
      anaesthetized four days previously with propofol and isoflurane and made an
      uneventful recovery. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND MANAGEMENT: On pre-anaesthetic
      examination the cat had a temperature of 38.9  degrees C and was otherwise
      healthy. After a premedication of acepromazine and pethidine, anaesthesia was
      induced with thiopental and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen 50% and nitrous
      oxide 50%. Increases in heart rate, respiratory rate, end tidal carbon dioxide
      tension and temperature were observed, occurring sequentially, from 110 to 175
      minutes after anaesthetic induction. Despite ceasing all warming measures and
      attempting to cool the patient, body temperature continued to rapidly rise,
      reaching 42.5  degrees C and limb rigidity was observed. Isoflurane
      administration was stopped and esmolol was administered. Cardiac arrest occurred.
      Cardio-pulmonary cerebral resuscitation was commenced and a lateral thoracotomy
      was performed to allow cardiac compressions and internal defibrillation.
      Atropine, adrenaline, glucose and dopamine were administered and cold saline was
      instilled into the thoracic cavity. FOLLOW-UP: Resuscitation was unsuccessful and
      the cat died. CONCLUSIONS: A presumptive diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia was
      made. Malignant hyperthermia should be considered, even if prior exposure to
      volatile inhalational anaesthesia was uneventful, and prompt and aggressive
      therapy instituted.

PMID- 24224699
TI  - De novo sequencing of heparan sulfate oligosaccharides by electron-activated
      dissociation.
AB  - Structural characterization of highly sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) by
      collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) is challenging because of the
      extensive sulfate losses mediated by free protons. While removal of the free
      protons may be achieved through the use of derivatization, metal cation adducts,
      and/or electrospray supercharging reagents, these steps add complexity to the
      experimental workflow. It is therefore desirable to develop an analytical
      approach for GAG sequencing that does not require derivatization or addition of
      reagents to the electrospray solution. Electron detachment dissociation (EDD) can
      produce extensive and informative fragmentation for GAGs without the need to
      remove free protons from the precursor ions. However, EDD is an inefficient
      process, often requiring consumption of large sample quantities (typically
      several micrograms), particularly for highly sulfated GAG ions. Here, we report
      that with improved instrumentation, optimization of the ionization and ion
      transfer parameters, and enhanced EDD efficiency, it is possible to generate
      highly informative EDD spectra of highly sulfated GAGs on the liquid
      chromatography (LC) timescale, with consumption of only a few nanograms of
      sample. We further show that negative electron transfer dissociation (NETD) is an
      even more effective fragmentation technique for GAG sequencing, producing fewer
      sulfate losses while consuming smaller amount of samples. Finally, a simple
      algorithm was developed for de novo HS sequencing based on their high-resolution
      tandem mass spectra. These results demonstrate the potential of EDD and NETD as
      sensitive analytical tools for detailed, high-throughput, de novo structural
      analyses of highly sulfated GAGs. 

PMID- 24224700
TI  - Sickle cell disease in Saudi Arabia: the phenotype in adults with the Arab-Indian
      haplotype is not benign.
AB  - Sickle cell disease (SCD) in Saudi patients from the Eastern Province is
      associated with the Arab-Indian (AI) HBB (beta-globin gene) haplotype. The
      phenotype of AI SCD in children was described as benign and was attributed to
      their high fetal haemoglobin (HbF). We conducted a hospital-based study to assess
      the pattern of SCD complications in adults. A total of 104 patients with average
      age of 27 years were enrolled. Ninety-six per cent of these patients reported
      history of painful crisis; 47% had at least one episode of acute chest syndrome,
      however, only 15% had two or more episodes; symptomatic osteonecrosis was
      reported in 18%; priapism in 17%; overt stroke in 6%; none had leg ulcers. The
      majority of patients had persistent splenomegaly and 66% had gallstones. Half of
      the patients co-inherited alpha-thalassaemia and about one-third had glucose-6
      phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Higher HbF correlated with higher rate of
      splenic sequestration but not with other phenotypes. The phenotype of adult
      patients with AI SCD is not benign despite their relatively high HbF level. This
      is probably due to the continued decline in HbF level in adults and the
      heterocellular and variable distribution of HbF amongst F-cells.

PMID- 24224702
TI  - Dinitrogen release from arylpentazole: a picosecond time-resolved infrared,
      spectroelectrochemical, and DFT computational study.
AB  - p-(Dimethylamino)phenyl pentazole, DMAP-N5 (DMAP = Me2N-C6H4), was characterized
      by picosecond transient infrared spectroscopy and infrared
      spectroelectrochemistry. Femtosecond laser excitation at 310 or 330 nm produces
      the DMAP-N5 (S1) excited state, part of which returns to the ground state (tau =
      82 +/- 4 ps), while DMAP-N and DMAP-N3 (S0) are generated as double and single N2
      loss photoproducts with eta ~ 0.14. The lifetime of DMAP-N5 (S1) is temperature
      and solvent dependent. [DMAP-N3](+) is produced from DMAP-N5 in a
      quasireversible, one-electron oxidation process (E1/2 = +0.67 V). Control
      experiments with DMAP-N3 support the findings. DFT B3LYP/6-311G** calculations
      were used to identify DMAP-N5 (S1), DMAP-N3(+), and DMAP-N in the infrared
      spectra. Both DMAP-N5 (S1) and [DMAP-N5](+) have a weakened N5 ring structure. 

PMID- 24224703
TI  - Pain: a quality of care issue during patients' admission to hospital.
AB  - AIM: To determine the extent of clinically significant pain suffered by
      hospitalized patients during their stay and at discharge. BACKGROUND: The
      management of pain in hospitals continues to be problematic, despite long
      standing awareness of the problem and improvements, e.g. acute pain teams and
      patient-controlled analgesia, epidural analgesia. Poorly managed pain, especially
      acute pain, often leads to adverse physical and psychological outcomes including
      persistent pain and disability. A systems approach may improve the management of
      pain in hospitals. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional exploratory design.
      METHOD: A large electronic pain score database of vital signs and pain scores was
      interrogated between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2010 to establish the
      proportion of hospital inpatient stays with clinically significant pain during
      the hospital stay and at discharge. FINDINGS: A total of 810,774 pain scores were
      analysed, representing 38,451 patient stays. Clinically significant pain was
      present in 38.4% of patient stays. Across surgical categories, 54.0% of emergency
      admissions experienced clinically significant pain, compared with 48.0% of
      elective admissions. Medical areas had a summary figure of 26.5%. For 30%
      patients, clinically significant pain was followed by a consecutive clinically
      significant pain score. Only 0.2% of pain assessments were made independently of
      vital signs. CONCLUSION: Reducing the risk of long-term persistent pain should be
      seen as integral to improving patient safety and can be achieved by harnessing
      organizational pain management processes with quality improvement initiatives.
      The assessment of pain alongside vital signs should be reviewed. Setting quality
      targets for pain are essential for improving the patient's experience.

PMID- 24224701
TI  - Hepatocyte growth factor in dampening liver immune-mediated pathology in acute
      viral hepatitis without compromising antiviral activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine
      related with cell proliferation and survival; however, its role in viral
      hepatitis is not elucidated. In this study, we studied HGF immune role in viral
      hepatitis. METHODS: Mice received hydrodynamically delivered HGF plasmid or
      control plasmid and then infected with adenovirus, and parameters of immune
      mediated liver damage were evaluated. We studied dendritic cell (DC) activation
      in the presence of HGF. T cells collected from infected mice were restimulated
      with virally infected DC to measure cytokine production in vitro. RESULTS: HGF
      ameliorated the liver inflammation during viral hepatitis as alanine transferase,
      intrahepatic lymphocytes, and splenocyte counts were diminished by HGF. Lower
      histological scores of liver pathology were observed in the HGF group. DC from
      the HGF group expressed reduced CD40. The hepatic expression and serum
      concentration of IL-12p40 were diminished in HGF-transfected mice. In vitro
      experiments with DC confirmed that HGF diminished CD40 expression and IL-12p40
      production. The expression and serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-6 and CXCL9 were
      significantly decreased in the HGF group. HGF overexpression diminished the
      expression and concentration of IL-10 and TGF-beta. The frequency of PD-1(+) Tim
      3(+) in CD8 T cells was decreased by HGF overexpression. Moreover, T cells in the
      HGF group at day 14 secreted more IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha than those in the
      control group when restimulated with virally infected DC. CONCLUSION: HGF
      modulated DC activation and T cell priming, thereby limiting the immune-mediated
      damage in the liver. However, viral clearance was not compromised by HGF.

PMID- 24224704
TI  - The genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of Salvia fruticosa leaf extract in human
      blood lymphocytes.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects
      of Salvia fruticosa (Sf) leaf extract with the absence and presence of S9 mix
      using sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosome aberration (CA) and
      micronucleus (MN) formation test systems in human peripheral blood lymphocytes
      (HPBLs) that were treated with 1.5-, 3.0- and 6.0-uL/mL concentrations for 24-
      and 48-hour treatment periods. The cytotoxicity of Sf leaf extract was also
      investigated by calculating the mitotic index (MI), proliferation index (PI) and
      nuclear division index (NDI). In the absence of S9 mix, Sf leaf extract alone
      increased SCE frequency at the 48-hour treatment period; however, it induced the
      CA and MN at all concentrations and at all treatment periods. Sf plus MMC
      (mitomycin C) synergically induced SCE and CA, except the highest concentration
      of Sf leaf extract and MMC on induction of SCE. In addition, Sf leaf extract
      induced the effect of MMC on MN frequency for 24 hours, but it significantly
      decreased the effect of MMC on MN frequency for the 48-hour treatment period. Sf
      leaf extract showed a cytotoxic effect by decreasing the MI; however, it did not
      decrease the PI and NDI. In the presence of S9 mix, Sf leaf extract did not
      increase the SCE, when compared to solvent control, whereas it reduced the effect
      of cyclophosphamide (Cyp). Sf leaf extract induced the CA and MN, but could not
      increase the effect of Cyp on CA and MN formation. Sf leaf extract had no
      cytotoxic effect; however, it induced the cytotoxicity of Cyp.

PMID- 24224705
TI  - Devising a competency-based continuing professional development programme to meet
      the needs of on-call consultant paediatricians.
AB  - AIM: To define the clinical competencies currently required by on-call consultant
      paediatricians in Sweden and to describe how these competencies can be acquired
      by using an outcome-based continuing professional development (CPD) programme.
      METHODS: The overall aims and objectives of the programme were formulated to meet
      the current responsibilities of an on-call consultant. It was delineated during a
      precourse needs assessment of 26 consultants, before being implemented with 16
      participants, using a variety of learning, assessment and evaluation methods.
      RESULTS: The precourse needs assessment identified 217 clinical situations and 17
      themes, and 139 subthemes were developed. During the programme evaluation,
      carried out using a reflective questionnaire, participants stated that they had
      improved their understanding of the role of, and demands on, the on-call
      consultant. They had also felt more confident on-call, had built a network of
      colleagues and updated their knowledge in relevant fields. CONCLUSION: We defined
      and implemented a competency-based CPD programme to meet the changing demands
      faced by on-call consultant paediatricians. The aims and objectives of the
      programme were formulated according to a needs assessment among consultant
      paediatricians active in on-call services. Evaluation of the programme indicates
      that participants moved in the direction of the overall objectives.

PMID- 24224706
TI  - Comprehensive assessment of isolated traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.
AB  - Recent studies have shown that isolated traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH)
      in the setting of a high Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (13-15) is a relatively
      less severe finding not likely to require operative neurosurgical intervention.
      This study sought to provide a more comprehensive assessment of isolated tSAH
      among patients with any GCS score, and to expand the analysis to examine the
      potential need for aggressive medical, endovascular, or open surgical
      interventions in these patients. By undertaking a retrospective review of all
      patients admitted to our trauma center from 2003-2012, we identified 661 patients
      with isolated tSAH. Only four patients (0.61%) underwent any sort of aggressive
      neurosurgical, medical, or endovascular intervention, regardless of GCS score.
      Most tSAH patients without additional systemic injury were discharged home (68%),
      including 53% of patients with a GCS score of 3-8. However, older patients were
      more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility (p<0.01). There were
      six (1.7%) in-hospital deaths, and five patients of these patients were older
      than 80 years old. We conclude that isolated tSAH, regardless of admission GCS
      score, is a less severe intracranial injury that is highly unlikely to require
      aggressive operative, medical, or endovascular intervention, and is unlikely to
      be associated with major neurologic morbidity or mortality, except perhaps in
      elderly patients. Based upon our findings, we argue that impaired consciousness
      in the setting of isolated tSAH should strongly compel a consideration of non
      traumatic factors in the etiology of the altered neurological status.

PMID- 24224707
TI  - Secreted Wnt antagonists during eradication of cytomegalovirus infection in solid
      organ transplant recipients.
AB  - We evaluated secreted wingless (Wnt) modulators during cytomegalovirus (CMV)
      infection in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTr). The major findings were:
      (i) Plasma levels of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) were significantly lower in patients with
      CMV DNAemia above lower level of quantification at baseline. (ii) Receiver
      operating characteristic analysis indicated that low DKK-1 and increased secreted
      frizzled related protein-3 levels were predictors of poor virological outcomes
      during follow-up. Our findings demonstrate an imbalanced pattern of circulating
      secreted Wnt modulators in SOTr with poor virological outcomes following
      treatment for CMV disease, and may suggest a role for dysregulated Wnt signaling
      on viral pathogenesis during CMV infection. 

PMID- 24224708
TI  - Why do we sleep so late?

PMID- 24224712
TI  - Shallot aphids, Myzus ascalonicus, in strawberry: biocontrol potential of three
      predators and three parasitoids.
AB  - The parasitization capacity of 3 parasitoids and the predation capacity of 3
      predators towards the shallot aphid, Myzus ascalonicus Doncaster (Homoptera:
      Aphididae), on strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne (Rosales: Rosaceae) cv.
      Honeoye, were examined in laboratory experiments. In Petri dish assays, both
      Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) and A. ervi Haliday readily
      stung shallot aphids, with no significant difference in stinging frequency
      between the two species. A. ervi induced a significantly higher mortality (79.0
      +/- 7.2%) in terms of stung aphids compared with A. colemani (55.3 +/- 4.1%);
      however, only a minor fraction (2.7 +/- 1.8% and 7.1 +/- 3.1%, respectively) of
      the killed aphids resulted in formation of mummies, presumably due to a
      physiological response to parasitism. The low percentage of mummification
      precludes the use of either Aphidius species in anything but inundative
      biocontrol. In similar set-ups, Aphelinus abdominalis (Dalman) (Hymenoptera:
      Aphelinidae) killed almost half (49.6 +/- 5.3%) of the exposed aphids through
      host feeding. In addition, 23.2 +/- 7.3% of non-host-fed aphids developed into
      mummified aphids, and 38.1 +/- 13.2% of non-host-fed aphids died from other
      parasitoid-induced causes. However, the host feeding rate was reduced to only 1.2
      +/- 0.8%, and no significant parasitization mortality was observed on strawberry
      plants, suggesting that host plants interfered with A. abdominalis activity. This
      parasitoid does not, therefore, seem to be suited to either inoculative or
      inundative biocontrol of shallot aphids in strawberry. The three predators
      studied were the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Steph. (Neuroptera:
      Chrysopidae), the two-spotted lady beetle, Adalia bipunctata L. (Coleoptera:
      Coccinellidae), and the gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera:
      Cecidomyiidae). Third instars of all 3 predators readily preyed upon the shallot
      aphid in Petri dish set-ups with significant differences in daily predation
      (34.62 +/- 3.45, 25.25 +/- 3.18, and 13.34 +/- 1.45, respectively). Further
      studies on A. bipunctata revealed that the larvae maintained their daily
      predation capacity (32.0 +/- 6.3) on strawberry plants. About 60% of already
      ovipositing A. bipunctata refrained from laying any eggs on the first day after
      transfer to set-ups with combinations of shallot or peach-potato aphids, Myzus
      persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae), and strawberry or sweet pepper leaves.
      The aphid species and the plant species did not, however, have a significant
      influence on the number of females laying eggs, the average number of eggs laid
      during the first day being 6.37+/-1.28 per female. Adult lady beetles had a
      significant preference for odor from controls without plants over odors from
      uninfested strawberry or pepper plants, but they showed no preference for either
      of the plant species, whether infested with aphids or not. The predation capacity
      of A. bipunctata on shallot aphids holds promise for its use in inundative
      biocontrol, and the results on egg laying cues suggests that inoculative
      biocontrol may be possible, although further studies will be needed for a
      complete evaluation.

PMID- 24224715
TI  - Tetraalkylammonium-templated stereoselective Norrish-Yang cyclization.
AB  - Tetrabutylammonium salts serve as templates for the Norrish-Yang cyclization of 2
      benzyloxy-acylbenzenes to give trans-dihydrobenzofuranols in high
      stereoselectivities. The dual cation-pi interactions between an ammonium with a
      benzene ring and a carbonyl group play a key role in changing the conformation of
      the substrate, which was supported by ab initio calculations. 

PMID- 24224716
TI  - Editorial Comment to Health-related quality of life after carbon-ion radiotherapy
      for prostate cancer: a 3-year prospective study.

PMID- 24224717
TI  - Genetic variation in toll-like receptors and retinoic acid-inducible gene I and
      outcome of hepatitis C virus infection: a candidate gene association study.
AB  - We evaluated the effects of genetic variation in toll-like receptors (TLR),
      retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and their signalling pathways on
      spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) resolution. We screened 95 single-nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) in 22 genes. SNPs significantly associated with resolution
      in the discovery cohort were genotyped in a validation cohort. Multivariate
      logistic regression adjusted for sex, hepatitis B surface antigen, HIV infection
      and the interleukin-28B rs12979860 SNP was performed in the combined cohort.
      Haplotype reconstruction and linkage disequilibrium analysis were performed.
      srs2233437, rs730775 and rs28362857 in Inhibitor of NF-kB epsilon (IkBepsilon)
      and rs352140 in TLR9 were associated with spontaneous HCV resolution (P <= 0.05)
      in the discovery cohort (n = 308). In the validation cohort (n = 216), we
      replicated a significant association with HCV resolution for two SNPs in the
      IkBepsilon, rs2233437 and rs730775. Presence of one or two of the variant allele
      in rs2233437 had more than twofold higher odds of resolution in adjusted logistic
      regression (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.6; (95% CI, 1.4, 4.8) P = 0.002). We
      identified polymorphisms in the IkBepsilon gene associated with spontaneous HCV
      resolution in two independent cohorts.

PMID- 24224718
TI  - Minimal RED cell pairs markedly improve electrode kinetics and power production
      in microbial reverse electrodialysis cells.
AB  - Power production from microbial reverse electrodialysis cell (MRC) electrodes is
      substantially improved compared to microbial fuel cells (MFCs) by using ammonium
      bicarbonate (AmB) solutions in multiple RED cell pair stacks and the cathode
      chamber. Reducing the number of RED membranes pairs while maintaining enhanced
      electrode performance could help to reduce capital costs. We show here that using
      only a single RED cell pair (CP), created by operating the cathode in
      concentrated AmB, dramatically increased power production normalized to cathode
      area from both acetate (Acetate: from 0.9 to 3.1 W/m(2)-cat) and wastewater (WW:
      0.3 to 1.7 W/m(2)), by reducing solution and charge transfer resistances at the
      cathode. A second RED cell pair increased RED stack potential and reduced anode
      charge transfer resistance, further increasing power production (Acetate: 4.2
      W/m(2); WW: 1.9 W/m(2)). By maintaining near optimal electrode power production
      with fewer membranes, power densities normalized to total membrane area for the 1
      CP (Acetate: 3.1 W/m(2)-mem; WW: 1.7 W/m(2)) and 2-CP (Acetate: 1.3 W/m(2)-mem;
      WW: 0.6 W/m(2)) reactors were much higher than previous MRCs (0.3-0.5 W/m(2)-mem
      with acetate). While operating at peak power, the rate of wastewater COD removal,
      normalized to reactor volume, was 30-50 times higher in 1-CP and 2-CP MRCs than
      that in a single chamber MFC. These findings show that even a single cell pair
      AmB RED stack can significantly enhance electrical power production and
      wastewater treatment. 

PMID- 24224719
TI  - Building an integrated research/policy planning age-friendly agenda.
AB  - This article describes an innovative model for integrating research into a policy
      and planning agenda aimed to help neighborhoods become more supportive of older
      adults. Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) established Age-Friendly
      Philadelphia (AFP) to catalyze efforts to improve the physical and social
      environments for seniors. The Research Program at PCA became an important part of
      this effort by providing multiple types of supports to PCA staff and other
      stakeholders. Most notably, the research program worked with planners to adopt
      the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Aging Initiative model for
      Philadelphia. That model focuses on (1) staying active, connected, and engaged;
      (2) development and housing; (3) transportation and mobility; and (4) staying
      healthy. Examples of practice efforts actualized using this research are also
      presented. By developing a new approach to the way research can support practice
      initiatives, AFP has been able to increase its effectiveness, and researchers
      have found better ways to work collaboratively with professionals in policy,
      planning, and practice. The PCA model should be considered as a framework for
      similar efforts aimed at creating age-friendly communities. 

PMID- 24224720
TI  - Primary mesh repair of Amyand's hernia.

PMID- 24224721
TI  - Professor John Scott, folate and neural tube defects.
AB  - John Scott (1940-2013) was born in Dublin where he was to spend the rest of his
      career, both as an undergraduate and subsequently Professor of Biochemistry and
      Nutrition at Trinity College. His research with the talented group of scientists
      and clinicians that he led has had a substantial impact on our understanding of
      folate metabolism, mechanisms of its catabolism and deficiency. His research
      established the leading theory of folate involvement with vitamin B12 in the
      pathogenesis of vitamin B12 neuropathy. He helped to establish the normal daily
      intake of folate and the increased requirements needed either in food or as a
      supplement before and during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. He also
      suggested a dietary supplement of vitamin B12 before and during pregnancy to
      reduce the risk of neural tube defects. It would be an appropriate epitaph if
      fortification of food with folic acid became mandatory in the UK and Ireland, as
      it is in over 70 other countries. 

PMID- 24224722
TI  - Doxorubicin-eluting beads versus conventional transarterial chemoembolization for
      the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Doxorubicin-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB
      TACE) is a novel locoregional treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC). However, to date, the benefits of DEB-TACE versus conventional
      transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) remain unclear. This meta-analysis was
      conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two treatments for patients
      with unresectable HCC. METHODS: We searched for relevant articles by means of
      computerized bibliographic search and complementary manual search. Objective
      tumor response, overall survival, and adverse events were then calculated and
      analyzed. RESULTS: A total of seven clinical studies with 700 participants were
      included in the current meta-analysis. Significantly better objective tumor
      response was found for DEB-TACE than for conventional TACE (OR = 1.92, 95% CI
      [1.34, 2.77]; P = 0.0004), with relative risk difference of 0.15 [0.07, 0.24] (P
      = 0.0003). One-year and 2-year survival rates were statistically significantly
      higher for DEB-TACE compared with conventional TACE (Peto OR, 95% CI: 0.64 [0.46,
      0.89], P = 0.007; 0.61 [0.47, 0.80], P = 0.0003, respectively). Peto ORs of 6
      month and 3-year survival were 0.72 [0.46, 1.14] (P = 0.16) and 0.77 [0.55, 1.06]
      (P = 0.11), respectively, showing no difference statistically. However, we could
      still find a tendency favoring DEB-TACE. Adverse side effects were similar in
      both groups, with postembolization syndrome occurring most commonly. CONCLUSIONS:
      This meta-analysis shows that DEB-TACE provides significantly better tumor
      response compared with conventional TACE. One-year and 2-year survival are better
      with DEB-TACE. In addition, DEB-TACE is as safe as conventional TACE. Therefore,
      DEB-TACE is a better choice for HCC patients for whom curative treatments like
      liver transplantation and liver resection are not suitable.

PMID- 24224723
TI  - A novel flow partition device for spirometry during large animal anaesthesia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We describe and test a novel device for large animal anaesthesia
      monitoring that uses standard human medicine spirometry sensors. STUDY DESIGN: In
      vitro study. METHODS: The device consists of two adapters that enable the flow to
      be split evenly into four tubes in parallel, each tube containing a D-lite
      sensor. The performance of this flow partitioning device (FPD) over a range of
      flows from 100 to 700 L minute-1 was determined and the pressure versus flow
      relation, resistance and dead space was compared with a Horse-lite (Moens 2010).
      RESULTS: Equipped with four D-lite sensors, and a flow of 700 L minute-1 the
      pressure drop of the FPD was 13.5 cm H2O, resistance 1.17 cm H2O second L-1 and
      volume (potential dead space) 182 mL, compared to 2.8 cm H2O, 0.24 cm H2O second
      L-1 and 54 mL respectively for the Horse-lite. The predicted value of the flow
      partition of 1/4 could be confirmed. Limits of agreement were found to be 4.2% in
      inspiratory direction and 7.1% in expiratory direction. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: The FPD is an affordable device that extends the specification of any
      commercially available human spirometry sensors to large animal applications.
      However, an increase in total resistance and dead space has to be taken into
      account. Therefore, the new device could be useful during equine anaesthesia.

PMID- 24224724
TI  - Study of the distribution of active caspase-3-positive cells in turbot,
      Scophthalmus maximus (L.), enteromyxosis.
AB  - Enteromyxosis caused by Enteromyxum scophthalmi is one of the parasitizations
      with a higher economic impact on turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), aquaculture.
      This myxosporean produces severe catarrhal enteritis with abundant inflammatory
      infiltrates in the lamina propria-submucosa (LP), epithelial detachment and
      leucocyte depletion of the lymphohaematopoietic organs. Some advances made on the
      pathogenesis pointed to a role of apoptosis in the enteromyxosis. Therefore, the
      main aim of this work was to employ the TUNEL assay and the anti-(active caspase
      3) immunohistochemical assay to detect apoptotic cells in both healthy and E.
      scophthalmi-infected turbot in order to establish the presence and distribution
      of apoptotic cells during development of the disease. More apoptotic cells
      located within the gastrointestinal epithelium were observed in the initial
      stages of the infection in E. scophthalmi-infected turbot compared with non
      infected turbot. As the infection progressed, a higher degree of apoptosis
      occurred in the epithelium of folds heavily parasitized. In the severely infected
      turbot, apoptosis was also found among the leucocytes of the intestinal
      inflammatory infiltrates. Moreover, the number of active caspase-3-positive cells
      in the lymphohaematopoietic organs tended to increase with disease severity. In
      view of the results, increased apoptosis in the epithelium may favour the scaling
      that occurs during enteromyxosis and cell death of leucocytes in the intestinal
      LP, contributing to leucocyte depletion in severe cases. 

PMID- 24224725
TI  - In silico and in vitro genotoxicity evaluation of descarboxyl levofloxacin, an
      impurity in levofloxacin.
AB  - It is important to establish the safety of impurities in drug substances or drug
      products. The assessment of genotoxicity of impurities and the determination of
      acceptable limits for genotoxic impurities was addressed in some recent guidances
      as a difficult issue. Descarboxyl levofloxacin is an impurity isolated from
      levofloxacin, which may impose a risk without associated benefit. However, there
      is insufficient toxic information about descarboxyl levofloxacin. This study
      investigated the genotoxicity of this impurity by in silico and in vitro methods.
      We used Derek, a commercial structure-activity relationship software package, as
      an in silico tool. The results showed that there was a structural alert
      (quinoline) in this impurity. Then, the in vitro genotoxicity of descarboxyl
      levofloxacin was investigated by a modified Ames test and by a chromosomal
      aberration test, using Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells. Both assays were
      conducted in the presence or absence of S-9 mix. The results showed that the test
      impurity was not mutagenic in the Ames test (31.25-500 MUg/plate). Whereas there
      was a statistically significant increase in the number of metaphase CHL cells
      with structural aberrations at the concentration of 1 mg/mL with S-9 mix, the
      aberrations rate was 7.5%. It did not significantly increase the number of
      structural aberration in CHL cells in the presence (at 250 and 500 MUg/mL) or
      absence of S-9 mix. Based on these assays, descarboxyl levofloxacin could be
      controlled as a nongenotoxic impurity.

PMID- 24224726
TI  - Evolution of influenza neuraminidase and the detection of antiviral resistant
      strains using mass trees.
AB  - A new approach employing mass trees is described and implemented which enables
      the evolution of influenza neuraminidase across all subtypes (N1-N9) in human and
      animal hosts to be monitored and charted without gene or protein sequencing.
      These mass trees are shown to be congruent with sequence based trees. Such trees
      can be built solely from the masses of the proteolytic peptide ions of viral
      proteins recorded by a mass spectrometer. They are shown to be able to correctly
      chart the evolutionary history of human pandemic influenza viruses, which
      originated in animal hosts, and can also resolve antiviral resistant from
      sensitive strains. Furthermore, experimental mass map data recorded for a
      circulating strain is correctly positioned onto a mass tree so as to quickly
      establish its evolutionary history and identify whether it is resistant or
      sensitive to the antiviral inhibitor oseltamivir. This new computational approach
      is expected to find wider application for evolutionary studies of organisms more
      generally. 

PMID- 24224727
TI  - Magnetic superatoms in VLi(n) (n = 1-13) clusters: a first-principles prediction.
AB  - We demonstrated a first-principles investigation to search for magnetic
      superatoms in the vanadium-doped lithium clusters VLi(n) (n = 1-13). The
      stabilities of VLi(n) clusters were determined through geometrical and electronic
      optimizations. It is found that the growth pattern of VLi(n) in 3-space follows
      adding a Li atom capped on VLi(n-1) clusters. All doped clusters show larger
      relative binding energies compared with pure Li(n+1) partners and display tunable
      magnetic properties. When n = 8-13, the VLi(n) clusters adopt a cage-like
      structure with an endohedral V atom and are identified as superatoms with their
      magnetic moments successively decreasing from 5 to 0 MUB. The isolated VLi8
      superatom is emphasized due to its robust magnetic moment as well as high
      structural and chemical stability analogue of a single Mn(2+) ion. Molecular
      orbitals analysis shows that VLi8 has an electronic configuration of
      1S(2)1P(6)1D(5), exhibiting Hund's filling rule of maximizing the spin-like
      atoms. Electronic shell structures of 1S(2) and 1P(6) are virtually unchanged in
      Li9 cluster as the V atom substitutes for the embedded Li atom, indicating that
      the electron-shell-closing model is valid for explaining its structures and
      stabilities. The results show that the tailored magnetic building blocks for
      nanomaterials can be formed by seeding magnetic dopants into alkali metal cluster
      cages.

PMID- 24224728
TI  - Effectiveness of tadalafil 5 mg once daily in the treatment of men with lower
      urinary tract symptoms suggestive to benign prostatic hyperplasia with or without
      erectile dysfunction: results from naturalistic observational TadaLutsEd study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Naturalistic clinical trials provide data on the effectiveness of
      drugs in nonexperimental and everyday situations and are extremely helpful for
      decision-making purposes and for confirming experimental findings in clinical
      trials. No data have been published from naturalistic studies performed in
      patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic
      hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) with or without erectile dysfunction (ED) and treated with
      phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. AIM: The aim of this study (TadaLutsEd
      Study) was to assess, in the context of medical practice, the effectiveness of
      tadalafil 5 mg once daily in patients with LUTS/BPH with or without erectile
      dysfunction. METHODS: The study was a 6-week uncontrolled, prospective, open
      label, multicentric, observational study. The patient population involved
      sexually active males aged >= 50 years, diagnosed with LUTS/BPH with or without
      concomitant ED, and treated with tadalafil 5 mg daily in accordance with standard
      urological practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effectiveness was assessed through
      the self-administered International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire;
      quality of life was evaluated through the IPSS quality of life section (IPSS
      QoL). The patients were also evaluated with the International Index of Erectile
      Function (IIEF-5). Adverse events were recorded. Statistical analyses using
      paired data samples was applied (Wilcoxon signed-ranks test). RESULTS: Sixty-two
      patients (mean age 62.2 years) completed the treatment, of whom 85.5% showed
      improvement in their urinary symptoms. Pre- and post-treatment differences in the
      IPSS, IPSS-QoL, and IIEF-5 scores were statistically significant at 4.4, 1, and
      5.4 points, respectively (P < 0.0001). Tadalafil was well tolerated, and adverse
      events were mild, with a discontinuation rate of 1.6%. CONCLUSION: According to
      study results, the use of tadalafil 5 mg once daily in a nonselected patient
      population with LUTS/BPH with or without ED led to improvements in terms of
      symptoms and quality of life and exhibited a safety profile similar to that
      obtained in controlled tadalafil clinical trials.

PMID- 24224729
TI  - Imidazopyridazine hepatitis C virus polymerase inhibitors. Structure-activity
      relationship studies and the discovery of a novel, traceless prodrug mechanism.
AB  - By reducing the basicity of the core heterocycle in a series of HCV NS5B
      inhibitors, the hERG liability was reduced. The SAR was then systematically
      explored in order to increase solubility and enable dose escalation while
      retaining potency. During this exploration, a facile decarboxylation was noted
      and was exploited as a novel prodrug mechanism. The synthesis and
      characterization of these prodrugs and their utilization in chronic toxicity
      studies are presented. 

PMID- 24224730
TI  - Carbon nanotube core graphitic shell hybrid fibers.
AB  - A carbon nanotube yarn core graphitic shell hybrid fiber was fabricated via
      facile heat treatment of epoxy-based negative photoresist (SU-8) on carbon
      nanotube yarn. The effective encapsulation of carbon nanotube yarn in carbon
      fiber and a glassy carbon outer shell determines their physical properties. The
      higher electrical conductivity (than carbon fiber) of the carbon nanotube yarn
      overcomes the drawbacks of carbon fiber/glassy carbon, and the better properties
      (than carbon nanotubes) of the carbon fiber/glassy carbon make up for the lower
      thermal and mechanical properties of the carbon nanotube yarn via synergistic
      hybridization without any chemical doping and additional processes. 

PMID- 24224731
TI  - Paediatric nurses' adherence to the double-checking process during medication
      administration in a children's hospital: an observational study.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate how closely double-checking policies are followed by nurses in
      paediatric areas and also to identify the types, frequency and rates of
      medication administration errors that occur despite the double-checking process.
      BACKGROUND: Double-checking by two nurses is an intervention used in many UK
      hospitals to prevent or reduce medication administration errors. There is,
      however, insufficient evidence to either support or refute the practice of double
      checking in terms of medication error risk reduction. DESIGN: Prospective
      observational study. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of
      paediatric nurses' adherence to the double-checking process for medication
      administration from April-July 2012. RESULTS: Drug dose administration events (n
      = 2000) were observed. Independent drug dose calculation, rate of administering
      intravenous bolus drugs and labelling of flush syringes were the steps with
      lowest adherence rates. Drug dose calculation was only double-checked
      independently in 591 (30%) drug administrations. There was a statistically
      significant difference in nurses' adherence rate to the double-checking steps
      between weekdays and weekends in nine of the 15 evaluated steps. Medication
      administration errors (n = 191) or deviations from policy were observed, at a
      rate of 9.6% of drug administrations. These included 64 drug doses, which were
      left for parents to administer without nurse observation. CONCLUSION: There was
      variation between paediatric nurses' adherence to double-checking steps during
      medication administration. The most frequent type of administration errors or
      deviation from policy involved the medicine being given to the parents to
      administer to the child when the nurse was not present.

PMID- 24224735
TI  - Letter to the editor.

PMID- 24224736
TI  - Palmoplantar peeling secondary to sirolimus therapy.
AB  - Sirolimus (rapamycin) is an immunosuppressive agent commonly used in transplant
      recipients. Although sirolimus has less renal toxicity than calcineurin
      inhibitors, its use has been limited by its side effects. The most common
      cutaneous pathologies associated with sirolimus are inflammatory acneiform
      eruptions, lymphedema and aphthous ulcers. We present a novel cutaneous
      manifestation of sirolimus therapy that limited its use in at least one
      transplant recipient. Upon commencing sirolimus therapy, four solid organ
      transplant recipients developed tender, nonpruritic palmoplantar peeling within
      the first month of therapy. The peeling clinically resembled a mild form of hand
      foot syndrome, yet none of the patients had been treated with chemotherapeutics.
      Desquamation presented on the palms and soles with dry vesicles and minor peeling
      extending to the dorsal aspects of the hands and feet. Histologically, the
      lesions were noninflammatory; the epidermis showed subtle separation between
      keratinocytes, suggesting either spongiosis or a defect in intercellular
      adhesion. One patient opted to discontinue treatment because of the tenderness
      associated with the palmoplantar peeling, which resulted in complete resolution
      within 2 weeks. 

PMID- 24224737
TI  - Suitability of a novel diet for a parasitic wasp, Cotesia plutellae.
AB  - The braconid Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a major
      solitary, larval endoparasitoid of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)
      (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). The impact of dietary protein was investigated in the
      laboratory by comparing performance of C. plutellae on honey, which is commonly
      used to rear the parasitoid, to that on a novel diet made of honey and protein
      rich beebread. Cotesia plutellae was highly stimulated by honey and honey
      beebread, with a feeding response exceeding 95%, a level that is comparable with
      its responses to fructose, glucose, and sucrose. The ability of honey-beebread to
      support host-parasitoid colonies was also comparable with that of honey. However,
      parasitoids raised on honey-beebread suppressed diamondback moths in rearing
      cages 3 weeks before the honey-fed wasps. The development time of C. plutellae
      reared on honey with or without beebread showed no significant difference, but
      adult wasps lived longer on honey-beebread. Mean developmental periods from
      oviposition to pupation and from pupation to adult emergence were 8 and 6 days,
      respectively. Adult wasps raised on honey-beebread outlived their conspecifics
      that were raised on honey by at least 4 days. Honey-beebread showed potential as
      a good food for rearing C. plutellae in the laboratory, and its benefit in
      parasitoid production is discussed.

PMID- 24224738
TI  - Exercise reduced inflammation: but for how long after training?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that obese people with trisomy 21
      suffer from low-grade systemic inflammation. A recent study has found that
      aerobic training reduced inflammation in obese women with Down syndrome. To the
      best of our knowledge, the study reported in this paper is the first to determine
      for how long these effects were maintained after completion of the programme.
      METHODS: Twenty premenopausal obese women (18-30 years old) with Down syndrome
      volunteered for this study. Eleven were randomly assigned to the intervention
      group and performed a 10-week aerobic training programme, 3 sessions per week,
      consisting of warming-up followed by treadmill exercise (30-40 min) at a work
      intensity of 55-65% of peak heart rate and a cooling-down period. The control
      group included 9, age, sex and BMI matched women with Down syndrome that did not
      perform any training programme. Fat mass percentage and distribution were
      measured. Plasma level of IL-6 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
      were monitored. Time-course changes for these outcomes were assessed at pre- and
      post-intervention. Further, they were re-evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months after
      completion of the programme. RESULTS: Three months after completion of the
      programme, plasma levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP were significantly increased. Up to 6
      months later, both fat mass percentage and waist circumference (WC) were
      significantly increased. Furthermore, physical fitness was also impaired in the
      intervention group. No changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: A
      3-month detraining period significantly impaired chronic inflammation in obese
      women with DS.

PMID- 24224739
TI  - Nonvolatile organic thin film transistor memory devices based on hybrid
      nanocomposites of semiconducting polymers: gold nanoparticles.
AB  - We report the facile fabrication and characteristics of organic thin film
      transistor (OTFT)-based nonvolatile memory devices using the hybrid
      nanocomposites of semiconducting poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-bithiophene) (F8T2)
      and ligand-capped Au nanoparticles (NPs), thereby serving as a charge storage
      medium. Electrical bias sweep/excitation effectively modulates the current
      response of hybrid memory devices through the charge transfer between F8T2
      channel and functionalized Au NPs trapping sites. The electrical performance of
      the hybrid memory devices can be effectively controlled though the loading
      concentrations (0-9 %) of Au NPs and organic thiolate ligands on Au NP surfaces
      with different carbon chain lengths (Au-L6, Au-L10, and Au-L18). The memory
      window induced by voltage sweep is considerably increased by the high content of
      Au NPs or short carbon chain on the ligand. The hybrid nanocomposite of F8T2:9%
      Au-L6 provides the OTFT memories with a memory window of ~41 V operated at +/- 30
      V and memory ratio of ~1 * 10(3) maintained for 1 * 10(4) s. The experimental
      results suggest that the hybrid materials of the functionalized Au NPs in F8T2
      matrix have the potential applications for low voltage-driven high performance
      nonvolatile memory devices.

PMID- 24224740
TI  - Assessing DSM-5 level of personality functioning from videotaped clinical
      interviews: a pilot study with untrained and clinically inexperienced students.
AB  - Several authors have raised the concern that the DSM-5 Level of Personality
      Functioning Scale (LPFS) is relatively complex and theory laden, and thus might
      put high requirements on raters. We addressed this concern by having 22 untrained
      and clinically inexperienced students assess the personality functioning of 10
      female psychotherapy inpatients from videotaped clinical interviews, using a
      multi-item version of the LPFS. Individual raters' LPFS total scores showed
      acceptable interrater reliability, and were significantly associated with 2
      distinct expert-rated measures of the severity of personality pathology. These
      findings suggest that, contrary to the previously mentioned concerns,
      successfully applying the LPFS to clinical cases might require neither extensive
      clinical experience nor training. 

PMID- 24224741
TI  - Transport zonation limits coupled nitrification-denitrification in permeable
      sediments.
AB  - Measurement of biogeochemical processes in permeable sediments (including the
      hyporheic zone) is difficult because of complex multidimensional advective
      transport. This is especially the case for nitrogen cycling, which involves
      several coupled redox-sensitive reactions. To provide detailed insight into the
      coupling between ammonification, nitrification and denitrification in stationary
      sand ripples, we combined the diffusion equilibrium thin layer (DET) gel
      technique with a computational reactive transport biogeochemical model. The
      former approach provided high-resolution two-dimensional distributions of NO3(-)
      and (15)N-N2 gas. The measured two-dimensional profiles correlate with
      computational model simulations, showing a deep pool of N2 gas forming, and being
      advected to the surface below ripple peaks. Further isotope pairing calculations
      on these data indicate that coupled nitrification-denitrification is severely
      limited in permeable sediments because the flow and transport field limits
      interaction between oxic and anoxic pore water. The approach allowed for new
      detailed insight into subsurface denitrification zones in complex permeable
      sediments. 

PMID- 24224742
TI  - Effects of ambroxol on Candida albicans growth and biofilm formation.
AB  - Typically, the onset of candidiasis is characterised by the appearance of a
      biofilm of Candida albicans, which is associated with several diseases including
      oral candidiasis in young and elderly people. The objective of this work was to
      investigate the in vitro fungicidal activity as well as the antibiofilm activity
      of ambroxol (AMB) against C. albicans growth. In the present investigation, the
      fungicidal activity of AMB was established using the cell viability 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Also the
      minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AMB required to inhibit the fungal
      growth was determined. Simultaneously, the antibiofilm activity of AMB was
      evaluated using fluorescence microscopy. The study revealed that 2 mg ml(-1) of
      AMB exhibited higher fungicidal activity than 3.3 mg ml(-1) of terbinafine, one
      of most common commercial antifungals. A MIC of 1 mg ml(-1) was determined for
      AMB to interfere with C. albicans growth. Furthermore, AMB was found to be
      effective in inhibiting the biofilm formation of C. albicans and exerted its
      fungicidal activity against the fungal cells interspersed in the preformed
      biofilm. The study suggests a potential role of the mucolytic agent, AMB, as an
      interesting therapeutic alternative in the treatment of oral candidiasis. 

PMID- 24224743
TI  - Occlusion of the left coronary ostium by an infective endocarditis vegetation.

PMID- 24224744
TI  - Ascending aortic injuries following blunt trauma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and the management of traumatic thoracic aortic
      injuries have undergone significant changes due to new technology and improved
      prehospital care. Most of the discussions have focused on descending aortic
      injuries. In this review, we discuss the recent management of ascending aortic
      injuries. METHODS: We found 5 cohort studies on traumatic aortic injuries and 11
      case reports describing ascending aortic injuries between 1998 to the present
      through Medline research. RESULTS: Among case reports, 78.9% of cases were caused
      by motor vehicle accidents (MVA). 42.1% of patients underwent emergent open
      repair and the operative mortality was 12.5%. 36.8% underwent delayed repair.
      Associated injuries occurred in 84.2% of patients. Aortic valve injury was
      concurrent in 26.3% of patients. The incidence of ascending aortic injury ranged
      1.9-20% in cohort studies. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic injuries to the ascending aorta
      are relatively uncommon among survivors following blunt trauma. Aortography has
      been replaced by computed tomography and echocardiography as a diagnostic tool.
      Open repair, either emergent or delayed, remains the treatment of choice.

PMID- 24224745
TI  - Surgical outcome of reoperation due to left atrioventricular valve regurgitation
      after previous correction of complete atrioventricular septal defect.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the early and late outcomes
      in patients undergoing reoperation due to left atrioventricular valve
      regurgitation (LAVVR) after initial complete repair (ICR) of complete
      atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Between January
      1990 and April 2013, 45 consecutive patients underwent reoperation due to severe
      LAVVR. The mean age was 7.5 +/- 6.2 years. Associated LAVV malformations were
      found in 22 (49%) patients and associated cardiac malformations in 18 (40%). The
      mean follow-up was 6.8 +/- 2.6 years. RESULTS: LAVV repair was possible in all
      patients. There were two hospital deaths (4.5%). Ten patients (22%) required a
      second reoperation due to severe LAVVR at mean 7.5 +/- 8.4 months after the first
      reoperation. The actuarial overall survival and free-reoperation survival rates
      at one, three, and five years were 95.4%, 92.8%, and 92.8% and 89%, 80.5%, and
      72%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the associated cardiac
      malformations, LAVV leaflet prolapse or detachment from the septal patch,
      associated LAVV malformations, and post-first correction LAVVR grade >= 2 were
      strong predictors for poor overall free-reoperation survival in patients
      undergoing reoperation due to LAVVR after ICR of various forms of ACVSD.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe LAVVR post-ICR of CAVSD may undergo reoperation
      with acceptable postoperative mortality and morbidity; however, they are at an
      increased risk for developing postoperative LAVVR and subsequent reoperation.

PMID- 24224746
TI  - Titanium dioxide nanoparticles relieve silk gland damage and increase cocooning
      of Bombyx mori under phoxim-induced toxicity.
AB  - Organophosphate pesticides are applied widely in the world for agricultural
      purposes, and their exposures often resulted in non-cocooning of Bombyx mori in
      China. TiO2 nanoparticles have been demonstrated to increase pesticide resistance
      of Bombyx mori. While the toxicity of phoxim is well-documented, very limited
      information exists on the mechanisms of TiO2 nanoparticles improving the
      cocooning function of Bombyx mori following exposure to phoxim. The present study
      was, therefore, undertaken to determine whether TiO2 nanoparticles attenuate silk
      gland injury and elevate cocooning of B. mori following exposure to phoxim. The
      findings suggested that phoxim exposure resulted in severe damages of the silk
      gland structure and significantly decreased the cocooning in the silk gland of
      Bombyx mori. Furthermore, phoxim exposure significantly resulted in reductions of
      total protein concentrations and suppressed expressions of silk protein synthesis
      related genes, including Fib-L, Fib-H, P25, Ser-2, and Ser-3, in the silk gland.
      TiO2 nanoparticle pretreatment, however, could significantly relieve silk gland
      injury of Bombyx mori. Importantly, TiO2 nanoparticles could remarkably elevate
      cocooning and total protein contents and promote expressions of Fib-L, Fib-H,
      P25, Ser-2, and Ser-3 in the silk gland following exposure to phoxim. 

PMID- 24224747
TI  - Cirrhosis but not neutropenia is associated with the development of infection in
      patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing treatment with pegylated interferon
      alpha and ribavirin.
AB  - Peginterferon-alpha (PegIFNa) frequently causes neutropenia, mainly due to bone
      marrow suppression. The aim of this study was to explore factors that are
      associated with infections during antiviral treatment. We analysed data from 275
      chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with compensated liver disease who underwent
      318 courses of PegIFNa and ribavirin. Neutropenia was defined as neutrophils
      <1000 cells/MUL. Mean leucocytes count significantly decreased from baseline to
      treatment nadir (7081 +/- 2182 vs 3293 +/- 1331 cells/MUL, P < 0.001), while
      neutropenia was observed in 32% during treatment. Thirty-one infections were
      observed. The incidence rate for infection was assessed at 1.46 infections per
      100 person-months of therapy. The hazard rate for infection did not correlate
      with the neutrophils' nadir or the decrease in white blood cells. In multivariate
      Cox's regression analysis, cirrhosis was the only factor that was significantly
      associated with the occurrence of infection. Our data show that the development
      of bacterial infections during treatment with PegIFNa and ribavirin in patients
      with compensated CHC is not associated with reduction or the nadir of white cells
      or neutrophil counts. Baseline cirrhosis is the only factor related with
      infection during treatment. The common practice of dose adjustment or
      discontinuation of interferon should be revised; careful assessment of liver
      damage before therapy and close monitoring during therapy are essential in all
      patients receiving interferon-based regimes, to minimize the detrimental
      consequences of infections.

PMID- 24224748
TI  - Collaborative partnership in age-friendly cities: two case studies from Quebec,
      Canada.
AB  - This article aims to explain the collaborative partnership conditions and factors
      that foster implementation effectiveness within the age-friendly cities (AFC) in
      Quebec (AFC-QC), Canada. Based on a community-building approach that emphasizes
      collaborative partnership, the AFC-QC implementation process is divided into
      three steps: (1) social diagnostic of older adults' needs; (2) an action plan
      based on a logic model; and (3) implementation through collaborations. AFC-QC
      promotes direct involvement of older adults and seniors' associations at each of
      the three steps of the implementation process, as well as other stakeholders in
      the community. Based on two contrasting case studies, this article illustrates
      the importance of collaborative partnership for the success of AFC
      implementation. Results show that stakeholders, agencies, and organizations are
      exposed to a new form of governance where coordination and collaborative
      partnership among members of the steering committee are essential. Furthermore,
      despite the importance of the senior associations' participation in the process,
      they encountered significant limits in the capacity of implementing age-friendly
      environments solely by themselves. In conclusion, we identify the main
      collaborative partnership conditions and factors in AFC-QC. 

PMID- 24224749
TI  - Denver screening protocol for blunt cerebrovascular injury reduces the use of
      multi-detector computed tomography angiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) occurs in 0.2-2.7% of blunt
      trauma patients and has up to 30% mortality. Conventional screening does not
      recognize up to 20% of BCVI patients. To improve diagnosis of BCVI, both an
      expanded battery of screening criteria and a multi-detector computed tomography
      angiography (CTA) have been suggested. The aim of this study is to investigate
      whether the use of CTA restricted to the Denver protocol screen-positive patients
      would reduce the unnecessary use of CTA as a pre-emptive screening tool. METHODS:
      This is a registry-based study of blunt trauma patients admitted to Auckland City
      Hospital from 1998 to 2012. The diagnosis of BCVI was confirmed or excluded with
      CTA, magnetic resonance angiography and, if these imaging were non-conclusive,
      four-vessel digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: Thirty (61%) BCVI and 19
      (39%) non-BCVI patients met eligibility criteria. The Denver protocol applied to
      our cohort of patients had a sensitivity of 97% (95% confidence interval (CI): 83
      100%) and a specificity of 42% (95% CI: 20-67%). With a prevalence of BCVI in
      blunt trauma patients of 0.2% and 2.7%, post-test odds of a screen-positive test
      were 0.03 (95% CI: 0.002-0.005) and 0.046 (95% CI: 0.314-0.068), respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Application of the CTA to the Denver protocol screen-positive trauma
      patients can decrease the use of CTA as a pre-emptive screening tool by 95-97%
      and reduces its hazards.

PMID- 24224750
TI  - Feasibility of a portable bihormonal closed-loop system to control glucose
      excursions at home under free-living conditions for 48 hours.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study assessed the feasibility of a portable bihormonal closed
      loop system at home. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixteen pump-treated patients with
      type 1 diabetes received 48 h of closed-loop therapy with a telemonitored insulin
      and glucagon-delivering closed-loop system and 48 h of patient-managed open-loop
      therapy. RESULTS: Owing to technical problems in five cases, only 11 patients
      could be analyzed. Whereas median (interquartile range) glucose levels were not
      significantly different during Day 1 of open-loop control (OL1) from closed-loop
      control (CL1) (8.27 [0.83] mmol/L vs. 8.84 [1.47] mmol/L; P=0.206), they were
      significantly lower during Day 2 of closed-loop control (CL2) versus open-loop
      control (OL2) (7.70 [2.29] mmol/L vs. 8.84 [0.87] mmol/L; P=0.027). Time spent in
      euglycemia (3.9-10 mmol/L) was comparable with 67.2% (38.5%) in OL1 versus 79.2%
      (16.9%) in CL1 (P=0.189) and 66.0% (29.8%) in OL2 versus 76.5% (23.9%) in CL2
      (P=0.162). Time spent in hypoglycemia (<3.9 mmol/L) was comparable on Day 1 of
      control (OL1, 0.68% [8.68%]; CL1, 2.08% [7.61%]; P=0.593) but significantly
      higher during Day 2 of control (OL2, 0.00% [11.07%]; CL2, 2.8% [9.8%]; P=0.0172)
      (P=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Bihormonal closed-loop control is feasible at home, with
      comparable time in euglycemia to open-loop control and significantly lower median
      glucose levels on Day 2 of control at the expense of more time in hypoglycemia,
      albeit still at a very low percentage of time.

PMID- 24224751
TI  - Improved diabetes screening using an extended predictive feature search.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Screening entire populations for diabetes is not cost-effective.
      Hence, an efficient screening process must select those people who are at high
      risk for diabetes. In this study, we investigated whether screening procedures
      could be improved using an extended predictive feature search. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In order to develop our model and identify persons with diabetes
      (prevalence) we used data from years of the National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey (2005-2010), which has not been explored for this purpose
      before. We calculated all combinations of predictors in order to identify the
      optimal subset, and we used a linear logistic classification model to predict
      diabetes. V-fold cross-validation was used for the process of including variables
      and for validating the final models. This new model was compared with two
      established models. RESULTS: In total, 5,398 participants were included in this
      study. Among these, 478 participants had unidentified diabetes. The established
      models had a receiver operating characteristics curve for the area under the
      curve (AUC) of 0.74 and 0.71 compared with an AUC of 0.78 for the new model,
      showing a significant difference (P<0.05). A proposed cutoff point for the
      established models yielded respective sensitivities/specificities of 63%/72% and
      40%/72% compared with the new model, which had a sensitivity/specificity of
      70%/72%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that simple healthcare and economic
      information such as ratio of family income to poverty can add value in deciding
      who is at risk of unknown diabetes by using extended investigations of predictor
      combinations.

PMID- 24224752
TI  - Hospital readmission and emergency department use based on prescribing patterns
      in patients with severely uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to be readmitted
      to the hospital. The study objective was to determine the risk of hospital
      admission or emergency department (ED) use in patients with severely uncontrolled
      type 2 diabetes mellitus based on whether their diabetes medication regimen was
      intensified at discharge. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of
      patients admitted to the medicine services at an academic medical center was
      conducted during a 9-month period. Medical records were reviewed to identify
      patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hemoglobin A1c >10% who were admitted
      for more than 24 h. Primary exclusion criteria included pregnancy, age >65 or <18
      years, life expectancy of <12 months, hypoglycemia at admission, and new
      diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Admission medication lists for patients were
      compared with discharge medications to determine whether the diabetes regimen was
      intensified. Patients whose regimen was intensified were then compared with
      patients whose regimen was not intensified for admissions and ED visits within 3
      months after discharge. The primary end point was 90-day all-cause hospital and
      ED visits. RESULTS: Patients who had their regimens intensified had significantly
      fewer average all-cause hospital and ED visits at 90 days (0.41 vs. 0.85;
      P=0.044). Statistical differences were also found in 30-day all-cause visits,
      readmissions within 90 days, and hospital-free time. CONCLUSIONS: Patients whose
      home diabetes regimen was intensified at discharge were less likely to return to
      the hospital within 90 days compared with patients whose regimen was not
      intensified.

PMID- 24224753
TI  - Construction of spiro-fused 2-oxindole/alpha-methylene- gamma-butyrolactone
      systems with extremely high enantioselectivity via indium-catalyzed amide
      allylation of N-methyl isatin.
AB  - A remarkably effective method allowing an extremely high enantioselective
      synthesis of the spiro-fused 2-oxindole/alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones is
      described. The key strategy lies in the use of indium-catalyzed asymmetric amide
      allylation of N-methyl isatin with functionalized allylstannanes, which can lead
      to the antineoplastic spirocyclic lactones in almost enantiopure forms. 

PMID- 24224755
TI  - Efficacy of continuous plasma diafiltration therapy in critical patients with
      acute liver failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a critical illness with high
      mortality. Plasma diafiltration (PDF) is a blood purification therapy that is
      useful for ALF patients, but it is difficult to use when those patients have
      multiple organ failure or unstable hemodynamics. In these patients, symptoms are
      also likely to exacerbate immediately after PDF therapy. We developed continuous
      PDF (CPDF) as a new concept in PDF therapy, and assessed its efficacy and safety
      in ALF patients. METHODS: Ten ALF patients (gender: M/F 6/4, Age: 47 +/- 14) were
      employed CPDF therapy. The primary outcomes were altered liver function, measured
      by the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and total bilirubin and
      prothrombin time international normalized ratios (PT-INR), 5 days after CPDF
      therapy. Secondary outcomes included sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA)
      scores, 5 days after CPDF therapy, and the survival rate 14 days after this
      therapy. RESULTS: The MELD score (34.5-28.0; P = 0.005), total bilirubin (10.9
      7.25 mg/dL; P = 0.048), PT-INR (1.89-1.31; P = 0.084), and SOFA score (10.0-7.5;
      P < 0.039) were improved 5 days after CPDF therapy. Nine patients were alive, and
      one patient died because of acute pancreatitis, complicated by ALF. There were no
      major adverse events related to this therapy under hemodynamic stability.
      CONCLUSION: In the present study, CPDF therapy safely supported liver function
      and generally improved the condition of critically ill patients with ALF.

PMID- 24224756
TI  - Comparison of invasive and oscillometric blood pressure measurement techniques in
      anesthetized sheep, goats, and cattle.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of agreement between an oscillometric (O-NIBP)
      and an invasive method (IBP) of monitoring arterial blood pressure (ABP) in
      anesthetized sheep, goats, and cattle. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study.
      ANIMALS: Twenty sheep and goats, 20 cattle weighing < 150 kg body weight, and 20
      cattle weighing 150 kg body weight. METHODS: Animals were anesthetized and
      systolic ABP (SABP), mean ABP (MABP), and diastolic ABP (DABP) were measured
      using IBP and O-NIBP. Differences between IBP and O-NIBP, and 95% limits of
      agreement (LOA) between SABP, MABP, and DABP values were assessed by the Bland
      Altman method. RESULTS: Mean difference +/- standard deviation (range) between
      SABP, DABP, and MABP measurements in sheep and goats was 0 +/- 16 (-57 to 38)
      mmHg, 13 +/- 16 (-37 to 70) mmHg, and 8 +/- 13 (-34 to 54) mmHg, respectively.
      Mean difference between SABP, DABP, and MABP measurements in small cattle was 0
      +/- 19 (-37 to 37) mmHg, 6 +/- 18 (-77 to 48) mmHg, and 4 +/- 16 (-73 to 48)
      mmHg, respectively. Mean difference between SABP, DABP, and MABP measurements in
      large cattle was -18 +/- 32 (-107 to 71) mmHg, 7 +/- 29 (-112 to 63) mmHg, and -5
      +/- 28 (-110 to 60) mmHg, respectively. The 95% LOAs for SABP, DABP, and MABP
      were -31 to +31, -19 to +44, and -19 to +34 mmHg, respectively in sheep and
      goats; were -37 to +37, -19 to +44, and -19 to +34 mmHg, respectively in small
      cattle; and were -81 to +45, -50 to +63, and -59 to +50 mmHg, respectively in
      large cattle. CONCLUSIONS: Agreement was poor between O-NIBP and IBP monitoring
      techniques. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Arterial BP should be monitored in anesthetized
      sheep, goats, and cattle using IBP.

PMID- 24224758
TI  - Improved multidimensional semiclassical tunneling theory.
AB  - We show that the analytic multidimensional semiclassical tunneling formula of
      Miller et al. [Miller, W. H.; Hernandez, R.; Handy, N. C.; Jayatilaka, D.;
      Willets, A. Chem. Phys. Lett. 1990, 172, 62] is qualitatively incorrect for deep
      tunneling at energies well below the top of the barrier. The origin of this
      deficiency is that the formula uses an effective barrier weakly related to the
      true energetics but correctly adjusted to reproduce the harmonic description and
      anharmonic corrections of the reaction path at the saddle point as determined by
      second order vibrational perturbation theory. We present an analytic improved
      semiclassical formula that correctly includes energetic information and allows a
      qualitatively correct representation of deep tunneling. This is done by
      constructing a three segment composite Eckart potential that is continuous
      everywhere in both value and derivative. This composite potential has an analytic
      barrier penetration integral from which the semiclassical action can be derived
      and then used to define the semiclassical tunneling probability. The middle
      segment of the composite potential by itself is superior to the original formula
      of Miller et al. because it incorporates the asymmetry of the reaction barrier
      produced by the known reaction exoergicity. Comparison of the semiclassical and
      exact quantum tunneling probability for the pure Eckart potential suggests a
      simple threshold multiplicative factor to the improved formula to account for
      quantum effects very near threshold not represented by semiclassical theory. The
      deep tunneling limitations of the original formula are echoed in semiclassical
      high-energy descriptions of bound vibrational states perpendicular to the
      reaction path at the saddle point. However, typically ab initio energetic
      information is not available to correct it. The Supporting Information contains a
      Fortran code, test input, and test output that implements the improved
      semiclassical tunneling formula. 

PMID- 24224757
TI  - Molecular mechanisms of inhibition of influenza by surfactant protein D revealed
      by large-scale molecular dynamics simulation.
AB  - Surfactant protein D (SP-D), a mammalian C-type lectin, is the primary innate
      inhibitor of influenza A virus (IAV) in the lung. Interactions of SP-D with
      highly branched viral N-linked glycans on hemagglutinin (HA), an abundant IAV
      envelope protein and critical virulence factor, promote viral aggregation and
      neutralization through as yet unknown molecular mechanisms. Two truncated human
      SP-D forms, wild-type (WT) and double mutant D325A+R343V, representing neck and
      carbohydrate recognition domains are compared in this study. Whereas both WT and
      D325A+R343V bind to isolated glycosylated HA, WT does not inhibit IAV in
      neutralization assays; in contrast, D325A+R343V neutralization compares well with
      that of full-length native SP-D. To elucidate the mechanism for these biochemical
      observations, we have determined crystal structures of D325A+R343V in the
      presence and absence of a viral nonamannoside (Man9). On the basis of the
      D325A+R343V-Man9 structure and other crystallographic data, models of complexes
      between HA and WT or D325A+R343V were produced and subjected to molecular
      dynamics. Simulations reveal that whereas WT and D325A+R343V both block the
      sialic acid receptor site of HA, the D325A+R343V complex is more stable, with
      stronger binding caused by additional hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions
      with HA residues. Furthermore, the blocking mechanism of HA differs for WT and
      D325A+R343V because of alternate glycan binding modes. The combined results
      suggest a mechanism through which the mode of SP-D-HA interaction could
      significantly influence viral aggregation and neutralization. These studies
      provide the first atomic-level molecular view of an innate host defense lectin
      inhibiting its viral glycoprotein target. 

PMID- 24224759
TI  - Outcome of kidney transplantations performed with preformed donor-specific
      antibodies of unknown etiology.
AB  - The detection of preformed donor-specific alloantibodies (DSA) with multiplex
      bead arrays has led to the common observation that individuals without a history
      of pregnancy, transfusion or transplantation can have circulating anti-HLA
      antibodies of unknown etiology. We retrospectively analyzed the risk of antibody
      mediated rejection (AMR) and graft outcome in 41 kidney transplant recipients
      with DSA of unknown etiology (DSA cause-unk) at the time of transplantation.
      Twenty-one patients received a posttransplantation desensitization protocol, and
      20 received standard immunosuppressive therapy. The mean number of DSA was 1.4 +/
      0.8, ranging from 1 to 5. Complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatches were
      negative for all the patients. Flow cytometry crossmatches were positive in 47.6%
      of cases. The incidence of acute AMR was 14.6% at 1 year, regardless of the
      immunosuppressive regimen. No patients experienced graft loss following AMR. At
      month 12, across the entire population of patients with DSA cause-unk, the
      outcomes were favorable: the measured glomerular filtration rate was 63.8 +/-
      16.4 mL/min/1.73 m(2), the screening biopsies showed low frequencies of
      microvascular inflammation and no transplant glomerulopathy, and graft and
      patient survival were 100%. In conclusion, patients with DSA cause-unk are able
      to mount AMR but have favorable 1-year outcomes.

PMID- 24224760
TI  - Constructing identities in the media: newspaper coverage analysis of a major UK
      Clostridium difficile outbreak.
AB  - AIM: To examine how a major Clostridium difficile outbreak in the UK was
      represented in the media. BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile is a serious health
      care-associated infection with significant global prevalence. As major outbreaks
      have continued to occur worldwide over the last few decades, it has also resulted
      in increasing media coverage. Newspaper journalists are, however, frequently
      criticized for sensationalized and inaccurate reporting and alarming the public.
      Despite such criticisms, nothing is known about how the media frame Clostridium
      difficile related coverage. DESIGN: Qualitative interpretive descriptive study.
      METHOD: An interpretive analysis of newspaper articles from the national press
      that reported about the outbreak from the first day of coverage over 3 weeks (12
      June-3 July 2008). FINDINGS: Twenty-eight newspaper articles were included in the
      study from tabloids, broadsheets, a regional and a Sunday newspaper. Monster and
      war metaphors were frequently adopted to portray the severity of Clostridium
      difficile and the impact it can have on patient safety. In addition, the
      positioning of the affected patients, their families, healthcare professionals
      and the Government produced representations of victims, villains and heroes. This
      subsequently evoked notions of vulnerability, blame and conflict. CONCLUSION: The
      media are and will remain critical convectors of public information and, as such,
      are hugely influential in risk perceptions and responses. Rather than simply
      dismissing media coverage, further understanding around how such stories in
      specific contexts are constructed and represented is needed so that it can help
      inform future communication and management strategies.

PMID- 24224761
TI  - The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): linguistic validation of the Italian
      version.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although several new measurements for female sexual dysfunction
      (FSD) have recently been developed, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)
      remains the gold standard for screening and one of the most widely used
      questionnaires. The Italian translation of the FSFI has been used in several
      studies conducted in Italy, but a linguistic validation of the Italian version
      does not exist. AIM: The aim of this study was to perform a linguistic validation
      of the Italian version of the FSFI. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study
      conducted in 14 urological and gynecological clinics, uniformly distributed over
      Italian territory. We performed all steps necessary to determine the reliability
      and the test-retest reliability of the Italian version of the FSFI. The study
      population was a convenience sample of 409 Italian women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated using Cronbach's alpha, which
      was considered weak, moderate, or high if its value was found less than 0.6,
      between 0.6 and 0.8, or equal to or greater than 0.8, respectively. The test
      retest reliability was assessed for all women in the sample by calculating
      Pearson's concordance correlation coefficient for each domain and for the total
      score, both at baseline and after 15 days (r range between -1.00 to +1.00, where
      +1.00 indicates the strongest positive association). RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha
      coefficients for total and domain score were sufficiently high, ranging from 0.92
      to 0.97 for the total sample. The test-retest procedure revealed that the
      concordance correlation coefficient was very high both for FSFI-I total score
      (Pearson's P = 0.93) and for each domain (Pearson's P always >0.92). CONCLUSION:
      For the first time in the literature, our study has produced a validated and
      reliable Italian version of the FSFI questionnaire. Consequently, the Italian
      FSFI can be used as a reliable tool for preliminary screening for female sexual
      dysfunction for Italian women.

PMID- 24224762
TI  - Spikar speaks to spines and nuclei.

PMID- 24224763
TI  - Removal of human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) K+ channel affinity through
      rigidity: a case of clofilium analogues.
AB  - Cardiotoxicity is a side effect that plagues modern drug design and is very often
      due to the off-target blockade of the human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG)
      potassium channel. To better understand the structural determinants of this
      blockade, we designed and synthesized a series of 40 derivatives of clofilium, a
      class III antiarrhythmic agent. These were evaluated in radioligand binding and
      patch-clamp assays to establish structure-affinity relationships (SAR) for this
      potassium channel. Efforts were especially focused on studying the influence of
      the structural rigidity and the nature of the linkers composing the clofilium
      scaffold. It was shown that introducing triple bonds and oxygen atoms in the n
      butyl linker of the molecule greatly reduced affinity without significantly
      modifying the pKa of the essential basic nitrogen. These findings could prove
      useful in the first stages of drug discovery as a systematic way of reducing the
      risk of hERG K(+) channel blockade-induced cardiotoxicity. 

PMID- 24224765
TI  - Phosphorus molecules on Ge(001): a playground for controlled n-doping of
      germanium at high densities.
AB  - The achievement of controlled high n-type doping in Ge will enable the
      fabrication of a number of innovative nanoelectronic and photonic devices. In
      this work, we present a combined scanning tunneling microscopy, secondary ions
      mass spectrometry, and magnetotransport study to understand the atomistic doping
      process of Ge by P2 molecules. Harnessing the one-dimer footprint of P2 molecules
      on the Ge(001) surface, we achieved the incorporation of a full P monolayer in Ge
      using a relatively low process temperature. The consequent formation of P-P
      dimers, however, limits electrical activation above a critical donor density
      corresponding to P-P spacing of less than a single dimer row. With this insight,
      tuning of doping parameters allows us to repeatedly stack such 2D P layers to
      achieve 3D electron densities up to ~2 * 10(20) cm(-3). 

PMID- 24224764
TI  - Genetic and morphological approaches distinguish the three sibling species of the
      Anisakis simplex species complex, with a species designation as Anisakis berlandi
      n. sp. for A. simplex sp. C (Nematoda: Anisakidae).
AB  - Numerous specimens of the 3 sibling species of the Anisakis simplex species
      complex (A. pegreffii, A. simplex (senso stricto)), and A. simplex sp. C)
      recovered from cetacean species stranded within the known geographical ranges of
      these nematodes were studied morphologically and genetically. The genetic
      characterization was performed on diagnostic allozymes and sequences analysis of
      nuclear (internal transcribed spacer [ITS] of ribosomal [r]DNA) and mitochondrial
      (mitochondrial [mt]DNA cox2 and rrnS) genes. These markers showed (1) the
      occurrence of sympatry of the 2 sibling species A. pegreffii and A. simplex sp. C
      in the same individual host, the pilot whale, Globicephala melas Traill, from New
      Zealand waters; (2) the identification of specimens of A. pegreffii in the
      striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen), from the Mediterranean Sea; and
      (3) the presence of A. simplex (s.s.) in the pilot whale and the minke whale,
      Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacepede, from the northeastern Atlantic waters. No F1
      hybrids were detected among the 3 species using the nuclear markers. The
      phylogenetic inference, obtained by maximum parsimony (MP) analysis of separate
      nuclear (ITS rDNA region), combined mitochondrial (mtDNA cox2 and rrnS) sequences
      datasets, and by concatenated analysis obtained at both MP and Bayesian inference
      (BI) of the sequences datasets at the 3 studied genes, resulted in a similar
      topology. They were congruent in depicting the existence of the 3 species as
      distinct phylogenetic lineages, and the tree topologies support the finding that
      A. simplex (s.s.), A. pegreffii, and A. berlandi n. sp. (= A. simplex sp. C)
      represent a monophyletic group. The morphological and morphometric analyses
      revealed the presence of morphological features that differed among the 3
      biological species. Morphological analysis using principal component analysis,
      and Procrustes analysis, combining morphological and genetic datasets, showed the
      specimens clustering into 3 well-defined groups. Nomenclatural designation and
      formal description are given for A. simplex species C: the name Anisakis berlandi
      n. sp. is proposed. Key morphological diagnostic traits are as follows between A.
      berlandi n. sp. and A. simplex (s.s.): ventriculus length, tail shape, tail
      length/total body length ratio, and left spicule length/total body length ratio;
      between A. berlandi n. sp. and A. pegreffii: ventriculus length and plectane 1
      width/plectane 3 width ratio; and between A. simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii:
      ventriculus length, left and right spicule length/total body length ratios, and
      tail length/total body length ratio. Ecological data pertaining to the
      geographical ranges and host distribution of the 3 species are updated.

PMID- 24224766
TI  - An enzymatic chemical amplifier based on mechanized nanoparticles.
AB  - A chemical amplifier was constructed based on enzyme-encapsulated mesoporous
      silica nanoparticles. By employing a supramolecular nanogate assembly that is
      capable of controlling the access to the encapsulated enzyme, selectivity toward
      substrate sizes is enabled. When an analyte molecule actuates the mechanical
      nanogate and exposes the enzymes, a catalytic production of fluorescent molecules
      is initiated. This study demonstrates a new concept of self-amplification of a
      chemical sensing process and can potentially increase the detection sensitivity. 

PMID- 24224767
TI  - Concentrations, fluxes, and residence time of PBDEs across the tropical Atlantic
      Ocean.
AB  - Little is known about the fate of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) across
      the Oceans. Air and water were sampled using both active and passive polyethylene
      samplers on an east-west transect across the tropical Atlantic Ocean in 2009 and
      analyzed for PBDEs. Typical particle-bound concentrations of PBDEs in the surface
      water were low, at <1 pg L(-1). Truly dissolved concentrations from passive
      samplers were ~0.5 pg L(-1) for BDE 47 and around 0.1 pg L(-1) for BDEs 28, 99,
      and 100 (results from active samples were compromised). In the atmosphere,
      particle-bound BDE 209 dominated overall concentrations (median 1.2 pg m(-3)),
      followed by BDE 99 (0.13 pg m(-3)). Gas-phase concentrations based on passive
      samplers were 1-8 pg m(-3) for BDE 47 and <= 4 pg m(-3) for BDE 99. Net air-water
      exchange gradients strongly favored gas-phase deposition of PBDEs into the water.
      Net gas-phase deposition fluxes ranged from tens of pg m(-2) day(-1) for BDEs 28
      and 85 to around 1 ng m(-2) day(-1) for BDE 47, 99, and 209. Settling fluxes of
      particle-bound PBDEs in the atmosphere and surface water were around 50 pg m(-2)
      day(-1) for BDE 47 and <10 pg m(-2) day(-1) for the other congeners. 

PMID- 24224768
TI  - Practice leadership and active support in residential services for people with
      intellectual disabilities: an exploratory study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We hypothesised that a key factor determining the quality of active
      support was 'practice leadership' - provided by the first-line manager to focus
      staff attention and develop staff skills in providing direct support to enable
      people with intellectual disabilities to have a good quality of life. This
      exploratory study focused on what levels of practice leadership were found and
      its role in explaining variation in active support. METHOD: Relevant aspects of
      management, including practice leadership, were assessed by questionnaires
      administered to staff in residential settings alongside observational measures of
      active support and resident engagement in meaningful activity. Relationships
      between these variables were explored using regression and post hoc group
      comparisons. RESULTS: There was wide variation, with average levels of practice
      leadership being low, though improving over the period studied. Practice
      leadership had a significant impact on active support, but was fully mediated by
      the effect of quality of management. When the quality of management was higher
      better practice leadership did produce a significant difference in active
      support. However, higher quality of management on its own did not produce better
      active support. CONCLUSIONS: A number of limitations are acknowledged and further
      research is required. Practice leadership appears to be an important factor in
      enabling staff to provide active support but as part of generally good
      management. Given the rather low levels found, attention needs to be given to the
      training, career development and support of practice leaders and also to how to
      protect their time from their many other responsibilities.

PMID- 24224769
TI  - An essential esterase (BroH) for the mineralization of bromoxynil octanoate by a
      natural consortium of Sphingopyxis sp. strain OB-3 and Comamonas sp. strain 7D-2.
AB  - A natural consortium of two bacterial strains ( Sphingopyxis sp. OB-3 and
      Comamonas sp. 7D-2) was capable of utilizing bromoxynil octanoate as the sole
      source of carbon for its growth. Strain OB-3 was able to convert bromoxynil
      octanoate to bromoxynil but could not use the eight-carbon side chain as its sole
      carbon source. Strain 7D-2 could not degrade bromoxynil octanoate, although it
      was able to mineralize bromoxynil. An esterase (BroH) that is involved in the
      conversion of bromoxynil octanoate into bromoxynil and is essential for the
      mineralization of bromoxynil octanoate by the consortium was isolated from strain
      OB-3 and molecularly characterized. BroH encodes 304 amino acids and resembles
      alpha/beta-hydrolase fold proteins. Recombinant BroH was overexpressed in
      Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. BroH
      was able to transform p-nitrophenyl esters (C2-C14) and showed the highest
      activity toward p-nitrophenyl caproate (C6) on the basis of the catalytic
      efficiency value (Vmax/Km). Additionally, BroH activity decreased when the
      aliphatic chain length increased. The optimal temperature and pH for BroH
      activity was found to be 35  degrees C and 7.5, respectively. On the basis of a
      phylogenetic analysis, BroH belongs to subfamily V of bacterial lipolytic
      enzymes. 

PMID- 24224770
TI  - To spare or not to spare...? The aortic valve in scleroderma and aortic root
      aneurysm.
AB  - Acute valve-sparing procedures are effective in the treatment of aortic root
      dilation when there is no valve pathology. In this review, we discuss the role of
      aortic valve-sparing procedures in the presence of connective tissue disorders
      such as scleroderma.

PMID- 24224771
TI  - DNA methylation score is predictive of myeloma cell sensitivity to 5-azacitidine.

PMID- 24224772
TI  - Safety and efficacy of probiotics in Candida colonisation and infection: where do
      they stand.

PMID- 24224773
TI  - Electrolyte-gated, high mobility inorganic oxide transistors from printed metal
      halides.
AB  - Inkjet printed and low voltage (<=1 V) driven field-effect transistors (FETs) are
      prepared from precursor-made In2O3 as the transistor channel and a composite
      solid polymer electrolyte (CSPE) as the gate dielectric. Printed halide
      precursors are annealed at different temperatures (300-500  degrees C); however,
      the devices that are heated to 400  degrees C demonstrate the best electrical
      performance including field-effect mobility as high as 126 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and
      subthreshold slope (68 mV/dec) close to the theoretical limit. These outstanding
      device characteristics in combination with ease of fabrication, moderate
      annealing temperatures and low voltage operation comprise an attractive set of
      parameters for battery compatible and portable electronics. 

PMID- 24224774
TI  - Desired social distance from people who have hepatitis C virus: an exploration
      among staff in health care, dentistry, drug treatment, and tattoo/body piercing.
AB  - Staff who work in facilities such as health care, dentistry, drug treatment, and
      tattoo/body piercing are likely to encounter persons with hepatitis C virus (HCV)
      and be privy to their HCV status. The purpose of this paper is to assess staff
      comfort with varying levels of intimacy (i.e., social distance) with people who
      have HCV. We examine how previous contact with persons with HCV and knowledge of
      HCV including HCV specific training affect desire for social distance. Data are
      from a 2007 sample of 82 individuals working in health care, dentistry, drug
      treatment, or tattoo/body-piercing studios located in the Pacific Northwest
      region of the United States. Multivariate analyses indicate that staff desire
      social distance from persons with HCV, but contact of certain types reduce desire
      for social distance. We discuss how the findings have implications for people
      employed in these fields, as they point to the need to dispel myths and reduce
      fear among staff working in facilities that may serve persons with HCV. 

PMID- 24224775
TI  - The aquatic communities inhabiting internodes of two sympatric bamboos in
      Argentinean subtropical forest.
AB  - In order to determine if phytotelmata in sympatric bamboos of the genus Guadua
      might be colonized by different types of arthropods and contain communities of
      different complexities, the following objectives were formulated: (1) to analyze
      the structure and species richness of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities,
      (2) to comparatively analyze co-occurrences; and (3) to identify the main
      predators. Field studies were conducted in a subtropical forest in Argentina,
      where 80 water-filled bamboo internodes of Guadua chacoensis (Rojas Acosta)
      Londono and Peterson (Poales: Poaceae) and G. trinii (Nees) Nees and Rupr. were
      sampled. Morphological measurements indicated that G. chacoensis held more fluid
      than G. trinii. The communities differed between Guadua species, but many
      macroinvertebrate species used both bamboo species. The phytotelmata were mainly
      colonized by Diptera of the families Culicidae and Ceratopogonidae.

PMID- 24224776
TI  - Does the Village model help to foster age-friendly communities?
AB  - This article explores the potential role of the Village model, a social
      initiative that emphasizes member involvement and service access, in helping
      communities to become more age-friendly. A survey of 86.3% of operational
      Villages examined activities designed to help members access a variety of
      supports and services consistent with the World Health Organization's (WHO)
      Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities program model, as well as
      other potential contributions to community age friendliness. Analysis revealed
      that 85.5% of Villages provided assistance with at least six of the eight WHO
      domains, but only 10.1% implemented features of all eight; more than one-third
      were engaged in direct or indirect efforts to improve community physical or
      social infrastructures or improve community attitudes toward older persons. These
      findings suggest that Villages and other social organizations may have untapped
      potential for enhancing their members' ability to age in place consistent with
      the goals of age-friendly initiatives while also promoting constructive changes
      in the overall community. 

PMID- 24224777
TI  - Switching from branded to generic inhaled medications: potential impact on asthma
      and COPD.
AB  - Pressure on healthcare budgets is increasing, while at the same time patent
      protection for many branded inhaled medications has expired, leading to the
      development and growing availability of generic inhaled medicines. Generic
      inhaled drugs are therapeutically equivalent to original branded options but may
      differ in their formulation and inhalation device. This new situation raises
      questions about the potential impact of switching from branded to generic
      drug/inhaler combination products in patients with asthma or COPD, with or
      without their consent, in countries where this is permitted. Inhalation devices,
      particularly dry powder inhalers, vary markedly in their design, method of
      operation and drug delivery to the lungs. Current guidelines stress the
      importance of training patients how to use their inhalers but offer little or no
      guidance on how this should be achieved. Non-adherence to therapy and incorrect
      inhaler usage are recognised as major factors in poorly or uncontrolled asthma
      and COPD and switching patients to a different inhaler device may exacerbate
      these problems, particularly in patients who disagree to switch. Where switching
      is permitted or mandatory, adequate patient instruction and follow-up monitoring
      should be provided routinely. 

PMID- 24224778
TI  - Cystogram use and outcomes in colorectal surgery involving bladder repair: a
      clinical audit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of routine cystograms after bladder repair during colorectal
      surgery is unclear so we aimed to evaluate this in our department. METHODS: We
      conducted a retrospective audit of colorectal surgical patients who had an
      operation and subsequent cystogram between 2006 and 2011 at the Norfolk and
      Norwich University Hospital. Data on patient characteristics, operative
      procedures and findings, and cystogram results were collected from electronic
      discharge summaries, operative notes and radiological records. RESULTS: A total
      of 59 operations were included and 92% had documented bladder involvement. The
      most common indications for surgery were diverticular disease (49%) and
      neoplastic disease (39%). Operations evaluated included high anterior resection,
      anterior resection, Hartmann's procedures and sigmoid colectomy. Although all
      patients had at least one post-operative cystogram, only 46% of cases had
      instructions documented in the operative note for a cystogram to be arranged. Out
      of the 59 operations, 4 (7%) had cystograms that showed a leak. Repeat
      cystography in these cases showed no leak or smaller leak and no additional
      procedures were required. Two of the leaks occurred in cases that had extensive
      bladder involvement or bladder wall sepsis, and two occurred in cases where the
      operative findings revealed less major bladder pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results suggest that majority of cystograms are negative. More studies are needed
      to evaluate if selective use of cystogram should be performed to reduce
      unnecessary the risks associated with radiation exposure and contrast exposure.

PMID- 24224779
TI  - Comparison of long-term effectiveness and complications of radiofrequency
      ablation with hepatectomy for small hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: To determine and compare the adverse events and long-term
      effectiveness for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (<= 3 cm)
      treated by percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or hepatectomy. METHODS:
      Small HCC from 120 patients were randomized into either percutaneous RFA therapy
      or hepatectomy group, and the effectiveness and complications of two treatment
      modalities were analyzed. The complications of post-RFA or hepatectomy, the
      complete treatment rate, treatment-related mortality, and disease-free and
      overall survival rate were followed up and conducted. RESULTS: In patients with
      small HCC, complete remission rates were achieved in 95% and 96.7% in the
      percutaneus RFA and hepatectomy groups, respectively (P > 0.05). Hepatic function
      at day-7 status post-treatment, including albumin and bilirubin levels, were
      significantly worse in the hepatectomy group (P < 0.01). Compared with the RFA
      group, the incidence of postoperative complications (27.5% vs 5.0%) and hospital
      stay (11.8 +/- 3.1 vs 4.3 +/- 1.5) were significantly higher in the hepatectomy
      group (P < 0.01). After a mean follow-up of 40 months, 22 patients (36.6%) in the
      RFA group and 21 patients (35.0%) in the hepatectomy group developed a recurrence
      (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference of the disease-free and overall
      survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years between the RFA group and the surgical
      hepatectomy group (P = 0.443 and P = 0.207, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In
      patients with small HCC, percutaneous RFA showed similar local control and long
      term survival compared with hepatectomy. Importantly, percutaneous RFA are
      accompanied with a lower complication rate and shorter hospital stay day.

PMID- 24224781
TI  - Predictors of early treatment discontinuation in a cohort of patients treated
      with boceprevir-based therapy for hepatitis C infection.
AB  - In this real-world cohort, 49% of patients stopped boceprevir-based hepatitis C
      therapy early, with only 20% stopping due to treatment futility. Having more
      comorbidities was significantly associated with early discontinuation.
      Tolerability of boceprevir-based regimens may be substantially worse than
      reported in clinical trials, particularly for patients with comorbidities. 

PMID- 24224782
TI  - The role of IL-6 on apical periodontitis: a systematic review.
AB  - The aim of this review was to examine current knowledge of the role of
      interleukin-6 (IL-6) in apical periodontitis (AP) pathogenesis as an inflammatory
      or pro-inflammatory cytokine. It also looked at whether IL-6 could serve as a
      measure for differential diagnosis or as a biomarker that can further predict the
      progression of bone resorption. A systematic review relating to AP and IL-6 was
      made via PubMed, BIOSIS, Cochrane, EMBASE and Web of Science databases using
      keywords and controlled vocabulary. Two independent reviewers first screened
      titles and abstracts and then the full texts. The reference lists of the
      identified publications were examined for additional titles. Eighteen papers were
      studied in total. In vitro studies (n = 6) revealed that IL-6 is present in AP,
      and its levels are proportional to the size of the periapical lesions.
      Neutrophils and macrophages resident in these lesions can produce IL-6 in vitro
      after a bacterial stimulus. Animal studies (n = 5) showed that IL-6 is present in
      AP and that osteoblasts can produce IL-6 in vivo. On the other hand, two studies
      using IL-6 knockout mice revealed larger periapical lesions when compared with
      control groups, demonstrating IL-6's role as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. In
      human studies (n = 7), IL-6 was identified in AP, and its levels were higher in
      symptomatic, epithelialized and large lesions than in asymptomatic and small
      lesions. These data lead to the conclusion that IL-6 may play a pro-inflammatory
      role, increasing its levels and reabsorbing bone in the presence of infections.
      When IL-6 is not present, other cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF-alpha induce bone
      resorption. Further studies about the relationship between AP development and the
      cytokine network must be performed to establish the exact role of each cytokine
      in the inflammatory process.

PMID- 24224785
TI  - On the ethics of using non-certified health 'remedies' in resource poor contexts.

PMID- 24224786
TI  - Hemoglobin Bohr effects: atomic origin of the histidine residue contributions.
AB  - The Bohr effect in hemoglobin, which refers to the dependence of the oxygen
      affinity on the pH, plays an important role in its cooperativity and
      physiological function. The dominant contribution to the Bohr effect arises from
      the difference in the pKa values of His residues of the unliganded (deoxy) and
      liganded (carbonmonoxy) structures. Using recent high resolution structures, the
      residue pKa values corresponding to the two structures are calculated. The method
      is based on determining the electrostatic interactions between residues in the
      protein, relative to those of the residue in solution, by use of the linearized
      finite difference Poisson-Boltzmann equation and Monte Carlo sampling of
      protonation states. Given that good agreement is obtained with the available
      experimental values for the contribution of His residues in HbA to the Bohr
      effect, the calculated results are used to determine the atomic origin of the pKa
      shift between deoxy and carbonmonoxy HbA. The contributions to the pKa shift
      calculated by means of the linear response approximation show that the salt
      bridge involving His146 plays an important role in the alkaline Bohr effect, as
      suggested by Perutz but that other interactions are significant as well. A
      corresponding analysis is made for the contribution of His143 to the acid Bohr
      effect for which there is no proposed explanation. The method used is summarized
      and the program by which it is implemented is described in the Appendix . 

PMID- 24224787
TI  - Effectiveness of a peer-led self-management programme for people with
      schizophrenia: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - AIM: To determine the effectiveness of a peer-led self-management programme for
      people with schizophrenia in reducing psychotic symptom severity, hospital
      readmission and psychiatric consultation and in enhancing cognition, empowerment,
      functioning level, medication adherence, perceived recovery, quality of life and
      social support. BACKGROUND: Several self-management programmes have been
      developed to empower patients with severe mental illness in achieving recovery.
      Research suggests that peer-led self-management programmes have positive effects
      on patient recovery. However, the existing evidence is inconclusive, due to a
      lack of credible evidence and long-term follow-up evaluations. DESIGN: A
      stratified randomized controlled trial will be conducted at six community mental
      health rehabilitation centres METHODS: A sample of 242 adults with schizophrenia
      will be recruited. A peer-led self-management programme, comprising six 2-hour
      sessions, will be implemented in the intervention group and a standard
      rehabilitation programme in the control group. Outcomes will be measured at
      baseline, postintervention and at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups. The measures
      will include cognition, empowerment, functioning level, medication adherence,
      perceived recovery, quality of life, social support, symptom severity, hospital
      readmission and psychiatric consultation. A mixed effects model will be used to
      analyse the results. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to explore the
      peer-trainers' and participants' perspectives on the programme. Research Ethics
      Committee approval was obtained in December 2011 and funding was obtained in
      January 2012. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness
      of a peer-led self-management programme for patient recovery. It will identify a
      clinically useful and potentially effective intervention that incorporates
      empowerment concept.

PMID- 24224788
TI  - Population genetic structure of the acanthocephalan Acanthosentis cheni in
      anadromous, freshwater, and landlocked stocks of its fish host, Coilia nasus.
AB  - The acanthocephalan Acanthosentis cheni was found in anadromous, freshwater, and
      landlocked stocks of its fish host, Coilia nasus. To examine the genetic
      variations of the acanthocephalan among the 3 populations with the adaptation of
      the host to the freshwater, the genetic structure of the helminth was
      investigated in anadromous (Zhoushan and Chongming islands, and Anqing),
      freshwater (Anqing, Ezhou, and Poyang Lake), and landlocked (Tian'ezhou Reserve)
      populations by sequencing intergenic transcribed spacers (ITS) of the ribosomal
      RNA coding genes. Low Fst values and high gene flow were found among the 7
      populations (Fst = 0.0135, P = 0.2723; Nm = 36.48) and the 3 ecotypes of
      Acanthosentis cheni (Fst = 0.0178, P = 0.1044; Nm = 27.67). On the other hand,
      significant genetic differentiation of the C. nasus host populations was detected
      between the upstream and downstream areas of Xiaogu Mountain (Fst = 0.1961, P =
      0.0030; Nm = 2.05), which is the farthest location of spawning migration for C.
      nasus . However, the migration break of the fish host appeared not to cause
      significant genetic differentiation of A. cheni populations between the upper and
      lower reaches of Xiaogu Mountain. Other factors might promote genetic exchange of
      A. cheni populations such as dispersal of the intermediate host by flooding or
      other fish species serving as the definitive or paratenic hosts. In Anqing,
      nucleotide diversity of the acanthocephalan was highest in the freshwater
      population (0.0038) and lower in the anadromous population (0.0026). This
      suggested that new mutations may have occurred in the freshwater A. cheni
      population in Anqing when adapting to a freshwater environment.

PMID- 24224789
TI  - Maternal western diet primes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adult mouse
      offspring.
AB  - AIM: Metabolic programming via components of the maternal diet during gestation
      may play a role in the development of different aspects of the metabolic
      syndrome. Using a mouse model, we aimed to characterize the role of maternal
      western-type diet in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
      in the offspring. METHODS: Female mice were fed either a western (W) or low-fat
      control (L) semisynthetic diet before and during gestation and lactation. At
      weaning, male offspring were assigned either the W or the L diet, generating four
      experimental groups: WW, WL, LW and LL offspring. Biochemical, histological and
      epigenetic indicators were investigated at 29 weeks of age. RESULTS: Male
      offspring exposed to prenatal and post-weaning western-style diet (WW) showed
      hepatomegaly combined with accumulation of hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides.
      This accumulation was associated with up-regulation of de novo lipid synthesis,
      inflammation and dysregulation of lipid storage. Elevated hepatic transaminases
      and increased expression of Tnfa, Cd11, Mcp1 and Tgfb underpin the severity of
      liver injury. Histopathological analysis revealed the presence of advanced
      steatohepatitis in WW offspring. In addition, alterations in DNA methylation in
      key metabolic genes (Ppara, Insig, and Fasn) were detected. CONCLUSION: Maternal
      dietary fat intake during early development programmes susceptibility to liver
      disease in male offspring, mediated by disturbances in lipid metabolism and
      inflammatory response. Long-lasting epigenetic changes may underlie this
      dysregulation.

PMID- 24224791
TI  - Vanadium thiolate complexes for efficient and selective sulfoxidation catalysis:
      a mechanistic investigation.
AB  - The structural and electronic properties as well as the catalytic activity toward
      sulfoxidation of two new vanadium complexes have been investigated. They both
      possess in their coordination sphere two alkyl thiolate ligands: a dioxido V(V)
      complex [VO2L(NS2)](HNEt3) (1) (L(NS2) = 2,2'-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(1,1'
      diphenylethanethiol)) and an oxido V(IV) complex [VOL(N2S2)] (2) (L(N2S2) = 2,2'
      (2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-diyl)bis(1,1'-diphenylethanethiol)). The X-ray structure of
      1 has revealed that the V(V) metal ion is at the center of a distorted trigonal
      bipyramid. The optimized structure of 2 obtained by DFT calculations displays a
      square-pyramidal geometry, consistent with its EPR spectrum characterized by an
      axial S = 1/2 signal (g? = 1.988, g? = 1.966, Ax(V) = 45 * 10(-4) cm(-1), Ay(V) =
      42 * 10(-4) cm(-1), Az(V) = 135 * 10(-4) cm(-1)). DFT calculations have shown
      that the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) of 1 is notably localized on
      the two thiolate sulfur atoms (56% and 22%, respectively), consistent with the
      expected covalent character of the V(V)-S bond. On the other hand, the SOMO
      (singly occupied molecular orbital) of 2 is exclusively localized at the V(IV)
      ion (92%). Complexes 1 and 2 have shown an ability to catalytically oxidize
      sulfide into sulfoxide. The oxidation reactions have been carried out with
      thioanisole as substrate and hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Yields of 80% and 75%
      have been obtained in 10 and 15 min for 1 and 2, respectively. However, in terms
      of conversion, 1 is more efficient than 2 (81% and 44%, respectively). More
      importantly, the reaction is completely selective with no trace of sulfone
      produced. While 1 displays a poor stability, catalyst 2 shows the same efficiency
      after five successive additions of oxidant and substrate. The difference in
      reactivity and stability between both complexes has been rationalized through a
      mechanism study performed by means of experimental data ((51)V NMR and EPR
      spectroscopy) combined with theoretical calculations. It has been shown that the
      structure of the cis-oxo peroxo V(V) intermediate species, which is related to
      its stability, can partly explain these discrepancies. 

PMID- 24224790
TI  - Reporting the presence of three different diseases causing GJB2 mutations in a
      consanguineous deaf family.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper reports a consanguineous deaf family with three different
      mutations in the GJB2 gene. DESIGN: Four members of an Iranian deaf family were
      recruited in this study. The GJB2 coding region and exon-intron boundaries were
      investigated using direct sequencing. STUDY SAMPLE: The proposita was a 12-year
      old girl with congenital non-syndromic hearing loss. She was born to
      consanguineous parents. The proposita, her parents and deaf maternal uncle were
      screened for GJB2 mutations. RESULTS: Sequencing demonstrated the presence of the
      c.176_191del and c.327_328delGGinsA mutations in the proposita, the c.176_191del
      mutation in her father, and the c.35delG and c.327_328delGGinsA mutations in
      trans in her apparently unaffected mother as well as in her congenitally deaf
      uncle. Follow-up pure-tone audiometry revealed moderate to severe mid- and high
      frequency hearing loss in the mother. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the
      complexity of genetic testing and counseling for hearing loss.

PMID- 24224792
TI  - 'My special time': Australian women's experiences of accessing a specialist
      perinatal and infant mental health service.
AB  - Women who have few social supports, poor health and a history of stressful life
      events are at risk of poor mental health during the perinatal period. Infants of
      parents whose parenting capacity is compromised are also at risk of adverse
      outcomes. Specifically, poor perinatal mental health can impact maternal-infant
      attachment. To identify women at risk of poor perinatal mental health,
      psychosocial assessment and depression screening in the antenatal and early
      postnatal periods are recommended. This qualitative study is part of a larger
      mixed methods study, which explored two specialist perinatal and infant mental
      health (PIMH) services in New South Wales (Australia). Eleven women who had
      accessed and been discharged from a PIMH service participated in either face-to
      face or telephone interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed
      thematically. One overarching theme, 'my special time' and three sub-themes,
      'there is someone out there for me', 'it wasn't just a job' and 'swimming or
      stranded: feelings about leaving the service', were identified. The themes
      describe the women's experiences of being a client of a PIMH service. Overall,
      women reported a positive experience of the service, their relationship with the
      clinician being a key component. Findings from this study highlight the
      importance of the relational aspect of care and support; however, women need self
      determination in all therapeutic processes, including discharge, if recovery and
      self-efficacy as a mother are to be gained. Importantly, further research is
      needed about how clinicians model a secure base and how mothers emulate this for
      their infants. 

PMID- 24224793
TI  - Graphene blisters with switchable shapes controlled by pressure and adhesion.
AB  - We created graphene blisters that cover and seal an annular cylinder-shaped
      microcavity in a SiO2 substrate filled with a gas. By controlling the pressure
      difference between the gas inside and outside of the microcavity, we switch the
      graphene membrane between multiple stable equilibrium configurations. We carried
      out experiments starting from the situation where the pressure of the gas inside
      and outside of the microcavity is set equal to a prescribed charging pressure, p0
      and the graphene membrane covers the cavity like an annular drum, adhered to the
      central post and the surrounding substrate due to van der Waals forces. We
      decrease the outside pressure to a value, pe which causes it to bulge into an
      annular blister. We systematically increase the charging pressure by repeating
      this procedure causing the annular blister to continue to bulge until a critical
      charging pressure pc(i) is reached. At this point the graphene membrane
      delaminates from the post in an unstable manner, resulting in a switch of
      graphene membrane shape from an annular to a spherical blister. Continued
      increase of the charging pressure results in the spherical blister growing with
      its height increasing, but maintaining a constant radius until a second critical
      charging pressure pc(o) is reached at which point the blister begins to
      delaminate from the periphery of the cavity in a stable manner. Here, we report a
      series of experiments as well as a mechanics and thermodynamic model that
      demonstrate how the interplay among system parameters (geometry, graphene
      stiffness (number of layers), pressure, and adhesion energy) results in the
      ability to controllably switch graphene blisters among different shapes. Arrays
      of these blisters can be envisioned to create pressure-switchable surface
      properties where the difference between patterns of annular versus spherical
      blisters will impact functionalities such as wettability, friction, adhesion, and
      surface wave characteristics.

PMID- 24224794
TI  - Hytramycins V and I, anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis hexapeptides from a
      Streptomyces hygroscopicus strain.
AB  - Thirty-five thousand actinomycete extracts were screened for anti-Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis (M. tb) activity, followed by C18 cartridge fractionation of 37
      prioritized extracts. Based on MICs against replicating and nonreplicating M. tb,
      and IC50 values against Vero cells to generate selectivity indices, seven
      fractions from seven different strains were selected for further examination.
      When cultured in G.S.S. media and extracted with ethyl acetate, the Streptomyces
      hygroscopicus strain ECUM 14046 yielded an extract with promising anti-M. tb
      activity and a well-defined chromatographic profile. Fractionation by preparative
      HPLC and subsequent structure elucidation of two active fractions using 1D- and
      2D-NMR and MS methods revealed the presence of two cyclohexapeptides, hytramycins
      V and I, each containing three unusual piperazic acid moieties. The use of (1)H
      iterative full spin analysis (HiFSA) on both hytramycins confirmed that quantum
      mechanics-simulated spectra match the experimental data, and all J(H,H) and
      deltaH values are consistent with the proposed structures. The absolute
      configuration of each amino acid moiety was determined by Marfey's method. The
      MICs against replicating and, more importantly, nonreplicating M. tb fall into
      the range of some existing second-line anti-TB drugs, such as streptomycin and
      capreomycin, respectively. The activities were maintained against M. tb strains
      that represent the major global clades, as well as H37Rv-isogenic strains that
      are resistant to individual clinical anti-TB drugs.

PMID- 24224795
TI  - Characterization of Fe-leonardite complexes as novel natural iron fertilizers.
AB  - Water-soluble humic substances (denoted by LN) extracted at alkaline pH from
      leonardite are proposed to be used as complexing agents to overcome micronutrient
      deficiencies in plants such as iron chlorosis. LN presents oxidized functional
      groups that can bind Fe(2+) and Fe(3+). The knowledge of the environment of Fe in
      the Fe-LN complexes is a key point in the studies on their efficacy as Fe
      fertilizers. The aim of this work was to study the Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) species formed
      in Fe-LN complexes with (57)Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy under different
      experimental conditions in relation to the Fe-complexing capacities, chemical
      characteristics, and efficiency to provide iron in hydroponics. A high oxidation
      rate of Fe(2+) to Fe(3+) was found when samples were prepared with Fe(2+),
      although no well-crystalline magnetically ordered ferric oxide formation could be
      observed in slightly acidic or neutral media. It seems to be the case that the
      formation of Fe(3+)-LN compounds is favored over Fe(2+)-LN compounds, although at
      acidic pH no complex formation between Fe(3+) and LN occurred. The Fe(2+)/Fe(3+)
      speciation provided by the Mossbauer data showed that Fe(2+)-LN could be
      efficient in hydroponics while Fe(3+)-LN is suggested to be used more effectively
      under calcareous soil conditions. However, according to the biological assay,
      Fe(3+)-LN proved to be effective as a chlorosis corrector applied to iron
      deficient cucumber in nutrient solution. 

PMID- 24224796
TI  - Monitoring persistent platelet reactivity in patients with unprotected left main
      stenting.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the rate and potential clinical impact
      of persistent platelet reactivity (PPR) in unprotected left main (ULMD) stenting.
      BACKGROUND: PPR under aspirin or thienopyridines is associated with acute events
      after angioplasty. METHODS: We prospectively included 125 patients referred for
      ULMD stenting. For the first 64 patients (ALMA-1), angioplasty was performed
      under aspirin and clopidogrel without platelet reactivity assessment. For the
      last 61 patients (ALMA-2), platelet reactivity was assessed before angioplasty:
      in patients with aspirin-related PPR, aspirin twice daily was given and in those
      with clopidogrel-related PPR, clopidogrel double dose or prasugrel was used.
      RESULTS: Overall, patients' mean age was 69 +/- 13 years, 37% were diabetic, and
      37% had non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Patients'
      characteristics were similar in both studies with isolated left main in 14% and
      associated with 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel disease in 23%, 36%, and 27%, respectively.
      Mean SYNTAX score was 23 +/- 9. Procedural characteristics were similar using
      provisional T stenting in 69%, T stenting in 27%, and other techniques in 4%. In
      ALMA-2, 28% patients had PPR for aspirin, 29% for clopidogrel, and 8% for both.
      Aspirin twice daily was given in 28% of patients, clopidogrel double dose in 26%,
      and prasugrel in 31%. The rate of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular and
      cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was lower in ALMA-2 versus ALMA-1 (8.2% vs. 20.8%;
      P = 0.04) as a composite end-point of cardiovascular death or stent thrombosis
      (0.0% vs. 8.3%; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: PPR under aspirin and thienopyridines is
      frequent in ULMD stenting and could be related to subsequent major events.

PMID- 24224797
TI  - Efficient heat dissipation of photonic crystal microcavity by monolayer graphene.
AB  - Graphene, which exhibits excellent thermal conductivity, is a potential heat
      dissipation medium for compact optoelectronic devices. Photonic devices normally
      produce large- quantity of unwanted heat, and thus, a heat dissipation strategy
      is urgently needed. In this study, single-layer graphene (SLG) grown by chemical
      vapor deposition (CVD) is used to cover the surface of a photonic crystal (PhC)
      cavity, where the heat flux produced by the PhC cavity can be efficiently
      dissipated along the in-plane direction of the SLG. The thermal properties of the
      graphene-capped PhC cavity were characterized by experiments and theoretical
      calculations. The thermal resistance of the SLG-capped PhC cavity obtained from
      experiments is lower than half of that of a bare PhC cavity. The temperature of a
      SLG-capped PhC cavity is 45 K lower than that without SLG capping under an
      optical power of 100 MUW. Our simulation results indicate that SLG receives the
      majority of the heat fluxes from the device, leading to the efficient heat
      dissipation. Both the experimental and simulation results suggest that the SLG is
      a promising material to enhance the heat dissipation efficiency for
      optoelectronic applications. 

PMID- 24224798
TI  - Parathyroid lipoadenoma.

PMID- 24224800
TI  - Making the right moves: promoting smart growth and active aging in communities.
AB  - This article describes an award program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental
      Protection Agency for excellence in smart growth and active aging. Having
      examined qualitative and quantitative data, we suggest that any community can
      foster changes to improve the health and well-being of its aging population.
      Diverse winners took unique paths to change their built environments and
      encourage physical activity. The policy changes undertaken by the award winners
      have both short- and long-term benefits that are important for persons of all
      ages, but especially for an aging society. 

PMID- 24224799
TI  - ADX71441, a novel, potent and selective positive allosteric modulator of the
      GABA(B) receptor, shows efficacy in rodent models of overactive bladder.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The GABAB receptor agonist baclofen reduces urethral
      resistance and detrusor overactivity in patients with spasticity. However,
      baclofen's side effects limit its use for the treatment of overactive bladder
      (OAB). Here, we tested a novel GABAB positive allosteric modulator (PAM) ADX71441
      in models of OAB in mice and guinea pigs. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Mice were left
      untreated or given (p.o.) vehicle (1% CMC), ADX71441 (1, 3, 10 mg kg(-1) ) or
      oxybutynin (100 mg kg(-1) ; Experiment 1) or vehicle (1% CMC), baclofen (1, 3, 6
      mg kg(-1) ) or oxybutynin (Experiment 2). Treated mice were then overhydrated
      with water, challenged with furosemide, before being placed into micturition
      chambers and monitored for urinary parameters. In anaesthetized guinea pigs,
      intravesical infusion of acetic acid was used to induce OAB and the effects of
      ADX71441 (1, 3 mg kg(-1) ) or baclofen (1 mg kg(-1) ), administered i.v., on
      cystometric parameters were monitored. KEY RESULTS: In mice, 10 mg kg(-1)
      ADX71441 increased urinary latencies, reduced the number of urinary events and
      the total and average urinary volumes. In guinea pigs, ADX71441 (1 and 3 mg kg(
      1) ) increased the intercontraction interval (ICI) and bladder capacity (BC), and
      reduced micturition frequency (MF) compared to vehicle. At 3 mg kg(-1) ADX71441
      completely inhibited the micturition reflex and induced overflow incontinence in
      five out of 10 animals. Baclofen slightly increased ICI and BC and reduced MF.
      CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that a
      GABAB PAM has potential as a novel approach for the treatment of OAB.

PMID- 24224801
TI  - Transforming Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings of MIDA boronates into a green
      technology: no organic solvents.
AB  - New technology has been developed that enables Suzuki-Miyaura couplings involving
      widely utilized MIDA boronates to be run in water as the only medium, mainly at
      room temperature. The protocol is such that no organic solvent is involved at any
      stage; from the reaction through to product isolation. Hence, using the E factor
      scale as a measure of greenness, the values for these cross-couplings approach
      zero. 

PMID- 24224802
TI  - Psychological distress in mothers of children admitted to a nutritional
      rehabilitation unit in Malawi - a comparison with other paediatric wards.
AB  - In a previous study we found a very high prevalence of psychological distress in
      mothers of children admitted to a nutritional rehabilitation unit (NRU) in
      Malawi, Africa. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence and
      severity of maternal distress within the NRU with that in other paediatric wards.
      Given the known association between poor maternal psychological well-being and
      child undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries, we hypothesised that
      distress would be higher among NRU mothers. Mothers of consecutive paediatric
      inpatients in a NRU, a high-dependency (and research) unit and an oncology ward
      were assessed for psychological distress using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire
      (SRQ). Two hundred sixty-eight mothers were interviewed (90.3% of eligible). The
      prevalence of SRQ score >=8 was 35/150 {23.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.8-
      30.9%]} on the NRU, 13/84 [15.5% (95% CI 8.5-25.0%)] on the high-dependency unit
      and 7/34 [20.6% (95% CI 8.7-37.9%)] on the oncology ward (chi(2)  = 2.04, P =
      0.36). In linear regression analysis, the correlates of higher SRQ score were
      child diarrhoea on admission, child diagnosed with tuberculosis, and maternal
      experience of abuse by partner; child height-for-age z-score fell only just
      outside significance (P = 0.05). In summary, we found no evidence of greater
      maternal distress among the mothers of severely malnourished children within the
      NRU compared with mothers of paediatric inpatients with other severe illnesses.
      However, in support of previous research findings, we found some evidence that
      poor maternal psychological well-being is associated with child stunting and
      diarrhoea. 

PMID- 24224803
TI  - Synthesis of porous hierarchical MgO and its superb adsorption properties.
AB  - The porous hierarchical MgO with superb adsorption properties has been
      synthesized by a facile and scaled-up method. The X-ray powder diffraction,
      electron microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared, and N2 adsorption-desorption
      were carried out to study the microstructure of the as-synthesized precursor and
      product. It has been demonstrated that the as-prepared MgO has a porous
      hierarchical structure and a high specific surface area (148 m(2) g(-1)). And the
      MgO sample exhibited super adsorption properties, with maximum adsorption
      capacity of 2409 mg g(-1) for Congo red, which is the highest reported value.
      Moreover, the adsorption process of Congo red on porous hierarchical MgO was
      systematically investigated, which was found to obey the pseudo-second-order rate
      equation and Langmuir adsorption model. 

PMID- 24224804
TI  - Allogeneic transplantation in multiple myeloma.
AB  - Allogeneic transplantation has the potential to cure subgroups of patients with
      multiple myeloma, but its role is controversial due to high transplant-related
      mortality. Therefore, myeloablative allogeneic transplantation has fallen out of
      favor. Allogeneic transplantation using reduced-intensity conditioning (RICallo)
      has lower transplant-related mortality and may be an option for subgroups of
      patients. Upfront tandem autologous/RICallo (auto/RICallo) was shown to be
      superior to single auto or tandem auto/auto in both progression-free and overall
      survival in two studies with long-term follow-up, while four similarly designed
      studies with shorter follow-up did not show a significant advantage. All studies
      included patients less than 70 years of age. No study has shown that the
      auto/RICallo approach is inferior to auto or auto/auto. There have been
      indications that poor-risk cytogenetics may be overcome by the auto/RICallo
      approach. Encouraging results have also been seen in treatment of relapsed
      patients. Small studies indicate that combining allogeneic transplant with new
      proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs may further improve results.
      Prospective studies including these drugs for induction, conditioning and post
      allogeneic transplant maintenance are warranted and planned. New cell therapies,
      such as with natural killer cells have shown encouraging results in experimental
      animals and should be tried in combination with allotransplantation. 

PMID- 24224805
TI  - Morphological and color differences between island and mainland populations in
      the Mexican red rump tarantula, Brachypelma vagans.
AB  - The introduction of species into new ecosystems, especially in small and isolated
      regions such as islands, offers an excellent opportunity to answer questions of
      the evolutionary processes occurring in natural conditions on a scale that could
      never be achieved in laboratory conditions. In this study, we examined the
      Mexican red rump tarantula Brachypelma vagans Ausserer (Mygalomorphae:
      Theraphosidae), a species that was introduced to Cozumel Island, Mexico, 40 years
      ago. This introduction provides an exceptional model to study effects such as
      morphological variation between island populations and those on the mainland in
      open habitats facing the island. Intraspecific variation related to the color
      polymorphism was compared. The aim of this study was to determine the phenotypic
      differences between continental populations of B. vagans and the introduced
      population on Cozumel Island. Phenotypic difference was evaluated using two
      approaches: 1) comparison of the morphometric measurements of adult and juvenile
      individuals at the local scale and between continental and island populations,
      and 2) comparison of individual color polymorphism between mainland and island
      populations. Two locations were sampled within the continental part of the
      Yucatan peninsula and two on the island of Cozumel. The number of samples
      analyzed at each site was 30 individuals. The morphometric results showed
      significant differences between continental and island populations, with bigger
      individuals on the island. In addition, three new variations of the typical color
      pattern of B. vagans recorded so far were observed. This study opens the door to
      further investigations to elucidate the origin of the phenotypic variation of the
      isolated individuals on Cozumel Island. Also, the widest range of color morphs
      found for a tarantula species is reported.

PMID- 24224807
TI  - New donor-pi-acceptor type triazatruxene derivatives for highly efficient dye
      sensitized solar cells.
AB  - A new class of organic dyes based on triazatruxene have been designed and
      synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells. The photoelectronic properties of
      these donor-pi-acceptor dyes can be tuned by changing pi-conjugated linkers. The
      best performance was found for triazatruxene dye TD1, wherein, with thiophene as
      the conjugated linker and cyanoacrylic acid as the acceptor, a power conversion
      efficiency up to 6.10% was achieved. 

PMID- 24224806
TI  - Microbially enhanced dissolution of HgS in an acid mine drainage system in the
      California Coast Range.
AB  - Mercury sulfides (cinnabar and metacinnabar) are the main ores of Hg and are
      relatively stable under oxic conditions (Ksp = 10-54 and 10-52 , respectively).
      However, until now their stability in the presence of micro-organisms inhabiting
      acid mine drainage (AMD) systems was unknown. We tested the effects of the AMD
      microbial community from the inoperative Hg mine at New Idria, CA, present in
      sediments of an AMD settling pond adjacent to the main waste pile and in a
      microbial biofilm on the surface of this pond, on the solubility of crystalline
      HgS. A 16S rRNA gene clone library revealed that the AMD microbial community was
      dominated by Fe-oxidizing (orders Ferritrophicales and Gallionellas) and S
      oxidizing bacteria (Thiomonas sp.), with smaller amounts (<= 6%) being comprised
      of the orders Xanthomondales and Rhodospirillales. Though the order
      Ferritrophicales dominate the 16S rRNA clones (>60%), qPCR results of the
      microbial community indicate that the Thiomonas sp. represents ~55% of the total
      micro-organisms in the top 1 cm of the AMD microbial community. Although
      supersaturated with respect to cinnabar and metacinnabar, microcosms inoculated
      with the AMD microbial community were capable of releasing significantly more Hg
      into solution compared to inactivated or abiotic controls. Four different Hg
      containing materials were tested for bacterially enhanced HgS dissolution: pure
      cinnabar, pure metacinnabar, mine tailings, and calcine material (processed ore).
      In the microcosm with metacinnabar, the presence of the AMD microbial community
      resulted in an increase of dissolved Hg concentrations up to 500 MUg L -1during
      the first 30 days of incubation. In abiotic control microcosms, dissolved Hg
      concentrations did not increase above 100 ng L-1 . When Hg concentrations were
      below 50 MUg L-1 , the Fe-oxidizing bacteria in the AMD microbial community were
      still capable of oxidizing Fe(II) to Fe(III) in the AMD solution, whereas
      concentrations above 50 MUg L-1 resulted in inhibition of microbial iron
      oxidation. Our experiments show that the AMD microbial community contributes to
      the dissolution of mercury sulfide minerals. These findings have major
      implications for risk assessment and future management of inoperative Hg mines
      worldwide.

PMID- 24224808
TI  - Sitafloxacin-based third-line rescue regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection
      in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: Quinolone-based regimens have been used as the rescue for
      eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Sitafloxacin is known to have low minimum
      inhibitory concentration for H. pylori. Here, we compared two sitafloxacin-based
      eradication regimens as rescue for the eradication of H. pylori. METHODS: We
      attempted to eradicate H. pylori in 180 Japanese patients who had never failed in
      eradication of H. pylori with the triple proton pump
      inhibitor/amoxicillin/clarithromycin therapy (1st line) and the triple proton
      pump inhibitor/amoxicillin/metronidazole therapy (2nd line). They were assigned
      to either the triple therapy with rabeprazole 10 mg b.i.d./q.i.d., amoxicillin
      500 mg q.i.d, and sitafloxacin 100 mg b.i.d. (RAS) for 1 or 2 weeks or the triple
      therapy with rabeprazole 10 mg b.i.d./q.i.d., metronidazole 250 mg b.i.d., and
      sitafloxacin 100 mg b.i.d. (RMS) for 1 or 2 weeks. Eradication was assessed via
      the (13) C-urea breath test and rapid urease test. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat
      and per-protocol analyses of eradication rates were 84.1% (37/44) and 86.4%
      (37/43) with RAS for 1 week, 88.9% (40/45) and 90.9% (40/44) for RAS for 2 weeks,
      90.9% (40/44) and 90.9% (40/44) for 1 week-RMS and 87.2% (41/47) and 91.1%
      (41/45) with RMS for 2 weeks. We noted no statistical significant differences in
      eradication rates among four regimens. CONCLUSION: All of the above-described
      rescue regimens proved relatively equally useful in the eradication of H. pylori.
      Of them, RAS for 2 weeks and RMS for 1 or 2 weeks could attain the rescue
      eradication rates higher than 90% by per-protocol analysis.

PMID- 24224809
TI  - Differentiation between Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli using heat
      shock protein 70 polymorphisms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Differential diagnosis of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi or T.
      rangeli is relevant for epidemiological studies and clinical practice as both
      species infect humans, but only T. cruzi causes Chagas' disease. Their common
      antigen determinants complicate the distinction between both species, while
      current PCR assays used for differentiation show some drawbacks. We developed and
      validated a generic PCR discriminating the species by restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and a duplex PCR specifically amplifying a
      differently sized fragment of both species. METHODS: The assays are based upon a
      partial region of the heat-shock protein 70 gene (hsp70). The analytical
      sensitivity and specificity were determined for both PCRs. The assays were
      analytically evaluated on a panel of six T. cruzi, one T. cruzi marinkellei and
      four T. rangeli strains, various other infectious pathogens, a panel of spiked
      samples of T. cruzi, and artificially mixed infections of T. cruzi and T.
      rangeli. Finally, the tools were applied on 36 additional isolates of Trypanosoma
      species. RESULTS: The detection limit of the PCRs was between 0.05 and 0.5
      parasite genomes, and 1-10 parasites spiked in 200 MUl blood. In artificial
      mixtures, PCR-RFLP picked up both species in ratios up to 10(2) and duplex PCR up
      to 10(4) . In the 36 isolates tested, both single and mixed infections were
      identified. All assays were shown to be specific. CONCLUSION: Our PCRs show high
      potential for the differential diagnosis of T. cruzi and T. rangeli, which in
      view of their sensitivity can aid in the confirmation of infection with these
      parasites in vectors, reservoirs and clinical samples.

PMID- 24224810
TI  - Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) tornquisti n. sp. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) from
      corocoro grunt, Orthopristis ruber (Cuvier, 1830) (Perciformes: Haemulidae) from
      Southeastern Brazil.
AB  - Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) tornquisti n. sp. is described from the intestine of
      the marine fish Orthopristis ruber (Haemulidae) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The
      new species differs from the congeners by the location of the deirids (same
      level) and the excretory pore (posterior) in relation to esophagus-intestinal
      junction and by papillae 5 to 9 not forming a subventral line. It is the first
      Dichelyne species described from fish family Haemulidae in the Brazilian coastal
      zone.

PMID- 24224812
TI  - Second ISIRV International Symposium on Neglected Influenza Viruses special
      issue.

PMID- 24224811
TI  - Kinetic mechanisms of mutation-dependent Harvey Ras activation and their
      relevance for the development of Costello syndrome.
AB  - Costello syndrome is linked to activating mutations of a residue in the p-loop or
      the NKCD/SAK motifs of Harvey Ras (HRas). More than 10 HRas mutants that induce
      Costello syndrome have been identified; G12S HRas is the most prevalent of these.
      However, certain HRas p-loop mutations also are linked to cancer formation that
      are exemplified with G12V HRas. Despite these relations, specific links between
      types of HRas mutations and diseases evade definition because some Costello
      syndrome HRas p-loop mutations, such as G12S HRas, also often cause cancer. This
      study established novel kinetic parameter-based equations that estimate the value
      of the cellular fractions of the GTP-bound active form of HRas mutant proteins.
      Such calculations differentiate between two basic kinetic mechanisms that
      populate the GTP-bound form of Ras in cells. (i) The increase in the level of GTP
      bound Ras is caused by the HRas mutation-mediated perturbation of the intrinsic
      kinetic characteristics of Ras. This generates a broad spectrum of the population
      of the GTP-bound form of HRas that typically causes Costello syndrome. The upper
      end of this spectrum of HRas mutants, as exemplified by G12S HRas, can also cause
      cancer. (ii) The increase in the level of GTP-bound Ras occurs because the HRas
      mutations perturb the action of p120GAP on Ras. This causes production of a
      significantly high population of the only GTP-bound form of HRas linked merely to
      cancer formation. HRas mutant G12V belongs to this category. 

PMID- 24224813
TI  - Comparison of influenza A virus infection in high- and low-birth-weight pigs
      using morphometric analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epigenetic studies have shown that low-birth-weight (LBW) and growth
      restriction has been associated with reduced immune function in humans and
      reduced passive immunity in pigs. To examine the immune responses of high-birth
      weight (HBW) and LBW groups of pigs, influenza A virus infection was used as an
      exemplifier of neonatal respiratory disease. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this
      study were (i) to compare clinical, immunological, and pathological outcome of
      influenza infection in HBW to LBW pigs and (ii) to establish standardized
      sampling sites, score each site independently with set criteria, and compare
      scores between sites. METHODS: Sixty-eight 4-week-old pigs originating from
      either HBW or LBW litters were intratracheally inoculated with 10(6.3) TCID50 /ml
      of A/swine/Texas/4199-2/1998 H3N2 and euthanized 48 hours later. Samples were
      collected 2.5 cm from the tip of both cranial and middle lung lobes. The formalin
      fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections were scored in a blinded manner by a
      single pathologist using established scoring criteria for routine and
      immunohistochemical stains. Clinical parameters, lung and nasal swab virus
      titers, and cytokine levels for interferon-alpha and interleukin-1-beta, IL-6,
      and IL-8 were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Lung lesion severity and
      influenza staining intensity were significantly lower in LBW compared with HBW
      pigs (P < 0.05). Additionally, examining just the LBW group, the significant
      difference between lobes (P = 0.009) showed that the mean score for the right
      cranial lung lobe was higher compared with the other three lobes.

PMID- 24224814
TI  - Swine influenza: clinical, serological, pathological, and virological cross
      sectional studies in nine farms in Argentina.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Influenza A viruses (IAV) are important pathogens responsible for
      economic losses in the swine industry and represent a threat to public health. In
      Argentina, clinical, pathological, and virological findings suggest that IAV
      infection is widespread among pig farms. In addition, several subtypes of IAV,
      such as pH1N1, H3N2, delta1H1N1, and delta2H1N2, have been reported. OBJECTIVES:
      To evaluate the infection patterns of influenza virus in nine pig farms in
      Argentina. METHODS: Clinical, serological, pathological, and virological cross
      sectional studies were conducted. RESULTS: Clinical and pathological results were
      characteristic of endemic influenza infection in eight of the nine farms studied.
      By rRT-PCR, six of the nine farms were positive to influenza. Five IAV were
      obtained. Genome analysis determined that four of the isolations were pH1N1 and
      that the remaining one was a reassortant human origin H3N2 virus containing
      pandemic internal genes. Serological results showed that all farms were positive
      to influenza A antibodies. Moreover, the hemagglutination inhibition test showed
      that infection with viruses containing HA's from different subtypes (pH1,
      delta1H1, delta2H1, and H3) is present among the farms studied and that
      coinfections with two or more subtypes were present in 80.5% of positive pigs.
      CONCLUSIONS: Because vaccines against IAV are not licensed in Argentina, these
      results reflect the situation of IAV infection in non-vaccinated herds. This
      study provides more information about the circulation and characteristics of IAV
      in a poorly surveyed region. This study provides more data that will be used to
      evaluate the tools necessary to control this disease.

PMID- 24224815
TI  - Epidemiological survey of swine influenza A virus in the wild boar population of
      two Italian provinces.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: An epidemiological survey was carried out in order to obtain a better
      understanding of the role of wild boars in the epidemiology of the influenza
      virus. DESIGN: The samples were submitted to Real-Time PCR testing for gene M of
      the swine influenza virus (SIV), and virus isolation was performed from the
      positive PCR samples. Genome sequence analysis was performed on the isolates.
      Additionally, 1,977 boar sera samples were analyzed using ELISA and
      hemoagglutination inhibition. SETTING: Over recent years, the wild boar
      population has greatly increased in Italy, including in areas of high-density
      industrial pig farming, where the influenza virus is widespread. From July to
      December 2012, wild boar lung samples were collected in the Parma and Piacenza
      area, in the Emilia Romagna region. SAMPLE: 354 wild boar lung samples were
      collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Wild-boar influenza A virus infection should be
      studied more broadly in order to obtain a better understanding of the
      epidemiological role played by this species. RESULTS: Three SIV strains were
      isolated out of 12 samples that resulted positive using PCR analysis and they
      were identified as avian-like SIV subtype H1N1. Phylogenetic analysis of the
      sequences obtained from isolate A/wild boar/291320/2012 showed that it clustered
      with recent Italian avian-like H1N1 SIVs isolated from domestic pigs. Sixty-eight
      sera samples showed a positive titer to the isolate A/wild boar/291320/2012.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that SIV actively circulates in the wild boar
      population in the investigated. area.

PMID- 24224816
TI  - Swine influenza in Norway: a distinct lineage of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was first introduced to the
      Norwegian pig population in September 2009, it has repeatedly been detected in
      pigs in Norway. No other subtypes of influenza virus are circulating in Norwegian
      pigs. OBJECTIVE: To follow the diversity of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses circulating in
      pigs in Norway and to investigate the relationship between viruses circulating in
      Norwegian pigs and in humans. METHODS: Between January 2011 and January 2013,
      nasal swabs from 507 pigs were tested for A(H1N1)pdm09 virus by real-time RT-PCR.
      The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of virus-positive samples was sequenced and compared
      with publically available sequences from viruses circulating in humans at the
      time. RESULTS: Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene showed that
      the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus circulating in Norwegian pigs early in 2011 resembled the
      A(H1N1)pdm09 virus circulating in humans during this time. Viruses detected in
      pigs by the end of 2011 had acquired four characteristic amino acid substitutions
      (N31D, S84I S164F, and N473D) and formed a distinct phylogenetic group.
      CONCLUSIONS: A(H1N1)pdm09 virus detected in Norwegian pigs by the end of 2011
      formed a distinct genetic lineage. Also, our findings indicate that reverse
      zoonotic transmission from humans to pigs of the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus is still
      important.

PMID- 24224817
TI  - Awareness and practices regarding zoonotic influenza prevention in Romanian swine
      workers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Swine workers may play a key role in transmission of zoonotic
      influenza viruses. At the same time, little is known about the extent and
      effectiveness of influenza prevention programs for these at-risk workers.
      OBJECTIVES: To characterize practices and attitudes regarding zoonotic influenza
      transmission among swine workers in Romania. METHODS: We conducted a convenience
      survey of swine workers in Romania. The confidential survey included questions
      about awareness of zoonotic influenza risk, work tasks performed, flu vaccination
      status, and reported influenza-like illness. RESULTS: A total of 103 workers at
      seven farms completed the survey. The percentage of workers reporting concern
      about either contracting influenza from pigs or giving influenza to pigs was 78%
      and 70%, respectively. Although 60% of workers reported having a sick-leave
      policy at work, only 7% of workers reported receiving seasonal influenza
      vaccination during the past flu season. Only 5% of the workers reported flu-like
      illness during the past year while 3% of workers reported that pigs appeared sick
      with influenza over the same time period. The majority of workers reported using
      protective overalls and rubber boots during swine work, with lower rates of use
      of gloves. Reported use of respiratory protection was rare, and use of any
      personal protective equipment did not differ when pigs appeared ill. CONCLUSIONS:
      Despite awareness and concern regarding zoonotic influenza, Romanian swine
      workers report low rates of influenza vaccine or respiratory protection. As part
      of global pandemic influenza preparedness, enhanced prevention programs for swine
      workers should address such gaps.

PMID- 24224818
TI  - Swine influenza virus vaccine serologic cross-reactivity to contemporary US swine
      H3N2 and efficacy in pigs infected with an H3N2 similar to 2011-2012 H3N2v.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Swine influenza A virus (IAV) reassortment with 2009 H1N1 pandemic
      (H1N1pdm09) virus has been documented, and new genotypes and subclusters of H3N2
      have since expanded in the US swine population. An H3N2 variant (H3N2v) virus
      with the H1N1pdm09 matrix gene and the remaining genes of swine triple
      reassortant H3N2 caused outbreaks at agricultural fairs in 2011-2012. METHODS: To
      assess commercial swine IAV vaccines' efficacy against H3N2 viruses, including
      those similar to H3N2v, antisera to three vaccines were tested by hemagglutinin
      inhibition (HI) assay against contemporary H3N2. Vaccine 1, with high HI cross
      reactivity, was further investigated for efficacy against H3N2 virus infection in
      pigs with or without maternally derived antibodies (MDA). In addition, efficacy
      of a vaccine derived from whole inactivated virus (WIV) was compared with live
      attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) against H3N2. RESULTS: Hemagglutinin inhibition
      cross-reactivity demonstrated that contemporary swine H3N2 viruses have drifted
      from viruses in current swine IAV vaccines. The vaccine with the highest level of
      HI cross-reactivity significantly protected pigs without MDA. However, the
      presence of MDA at vaccination blocked vaccine efficacy. The performance of WIV
      and LAIV was comparable in the absence of MDA. CONCLUSIONS: Swine IAV in the
      United States is complex and dynamic. Vaccination to minimize virus shedding can
      help limit transmission of virus among pigs and people. However, vaccines must be
      updated. A critical review of the use of WIV in sows is required in the context
      of the current IAV ecology and vaccine application in pigs with MDA.

PMID- 24224819
TI  - Population dynamics of cocirculating swine influenza A viruses in the United
      States from 2009 to 2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding the ecology and evolution of influenza A viruses (IAV)
      in mammalian hosts is critical to reduce disease burden in production animals and
      lower zoonotic infection risk in humans. Recent advances in influenza
      surveillance in US swine populations allow for timely epidemiological,
      phylogenetic, and virological analyses that monitor emergence of novel viruses
      and assess changes in viral population dynamics. METHODS: To better understand
      IAV in the North American swine population, we undertook a phylogenetic analysis
      of 1075 HA, 1049 NA, and 1040 M sequences of IAV isolated from US swine during
      2009-2012 through voluntary and anonymous submissions to the US Department of
      Agriculture IAV swine surveillance system. RESULTS: Analyses revealed changes in
      population dynamics among multiple clades of A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and A/H1N2
      cocirculating in US swine populations during 2009-2012. Viral isolates were
      categorized into one of seven genetically and antigenically distinct
      hemagglutinin lineages: H1alpha, H1beta, H1gamma, H1delta1, H1delta2, H1pdm09,
      and H3 cluster IV. There was an increase in occurrence of H1delta1 in samples
      submitted, with a concurrent decrease in H1pdm09. H3 cluster IV exhibited
      increasing diversification, warranting a re-evaluation of phylogenetic
      nomenclature criteria. Although H3N2 represented 25% of identified viruses, this
      subtype was reported in increasing proportion of sequenced isolates since late
      2011. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance and reporting of IAV in US swine have increased
      since 2009, and we demonstrate a period of expanded viral diversity. These data
      may be used to inform intervention strategies of vaccine and diagnostic updates
      and changes in swine health management.

PMID- 24224820
TI  - Antigenic drift of H1N1 influenza A virus in pigs with and without passive
      immunity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The genetic and antigenic characteristics of influenza A viruses
      (IAV) within and between species change over time due to antigenic shift and
      drift. Although pigs are known to play a key role in the epidemiology of IAV
      between species, little is known about the molecular evolution of IAV
      hemagglutinin (HA) in pigs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the
      HA drift of an H1N1 IAV after infecting weaned pigs with or without maternally
      derived passive immunity. METHODS: Three- to four-week-old piglets born either to
      vaccinated or unvaccinated sows were contact-infected upon exposure with an IAV
      infected pig. Nasal swabs were collected daily from each pig and tested for IAV
      by RRT-PCR. Full-length HA sequences were obtained directly from positive nasal
      swabs and compared between groups. RESULTS: Synonymous and non-synonymous
      mutations were detected in pigs with and without passive immunity. Most of the
      non-synonymous mutations occurred within the HA1 region of the HA. Changes within
      HA1 region were only identified in antigenic site B in pigs without passive
      immunity and in antigenic sites A, B, and D in pigs with passive immunity.
      However, there was no association between the immune status of the pig and the
      amino acid substitutions observed. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we demonstrated that
      amino acid substitutions within antigenic sites can happen in weaned pigs with or
      without passive immunity shortly after infection.

PMID- 24224821
TI  - Epidemiological and virological investigations of equine influenza outbreaks in
      Ireland (2010-2012).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of equine influenza (EI) in endemic populations cause
      disruption and economic loss. OBJECTIVES: To identify (i) factors involved in the
      spread of EI (ii) virus strains responsible for outbreaks (iii) single radial
      haemolysis (SRH) antibody levels correlating with protection against current
      virus strains (iv) evidence of vaccination breakdown. METHODS: RT-PCR, virus
      isolation and SRH were carried out on nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples
      collected from horses, ponies and donkeys on affected premises. Data relating to
      629 samples from 135 equidae were analysed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Outbreaks
      were sporadic, self limiting and associated with the movement of horses.
      Vaccination status and age influenced clinical signs of disease while housing and
      fomites contributed to virus spread. Subclinical infection as defined as a horse
      which tested positive by one or more of the following; RT-PCR, virus isolation
      and seroconversion in the absence of clinical signs, was identified in 9% of
      animals. Of the horses with up to date vaccination records 32% developed clinical
      signs. Vaccine breakdown occurred among horses vaccinated with all four
      commercially available vaccines. Analysis of HA1 sequence data generated for 26
      viruses indicated that they all belonged to clade 2 of the Florida sublineage.
      Higher SRH antibody levels were required for both clinical and virological
      protection than reported in studies where vaccine strains were antigenically and
      genetically similar to those circulating in the field. The results of this study
      therefore support the OIE recommendations that vaccines be updated to include
      representatives of both clades of the Florida sublineage.

PMID- 24224822
TI  - The evaluation of a nucleoprotein ELISA for the detection of equine influenza
      antibodies and the differentiation of infected from vaccinated horses (DIVA).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antibodies against equine influenza virus (EIV) are traditionally
      quantified by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) or single radial haemolysis
      (SRH). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an ELISA for the detection of antibodies against
      influenza nucleoprotein in the diagnosis and surveillance of equine influenza
      (EI). METHODS: The ELISA was compared with the SRH and HI tests. Serial serum
      samples from 203 naturally and 14 experimentally infected horses, from 60
      weanlings following primary vaccination with five different vaccines (two whole
      inactivated vaccines, two ISCOM-based subunit vaccines and a recombinant
      canarypox virus vaccine) and from 44 adult horses following annual booster
      vaccination with six different vaccines were analysed. RESULTS: Fewer
      seroconversions were detected in clinical samples by ELISA than by SRH or HI but
      ELISA was more sensitive than SRH in naive foals post-experimental infection. The
      ELISA did not detect the antibody response to vaccination with the recombinant
      canarypox virus vaccine confirming the usefulness of the combination of this kit
      and vaccine to differentiate between naturally infected and vaccinated horses,
      that is, DIVA. No DIVA capacity was evident with the other vaccines. CONCLUSION:
      The results suggest that this ELISA is a useful supplementary test for the
      diagnosis of EI although less sensitive than HI or SRH. It is an appropriate test
      for EI surveillance in a naive population and may be combined with the
      recombinant canarypox virus vaccine but not with other commercially available
      subunit vaccines, in a DIVA strategy.

PMID- 24224823
TI  - The genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many human strains of influenza A virus produce highly pleomorphic
      virus particles that at the extremes can be approximated as either spheres of
      around 100 nm diameter or filaments of similar cross-section but elongated to
      lengths of many microns. The role filamentous virions play in the virus life
      cycle remains enigmatic. OBJECTIVES/METHODS: Here, we set out to define the
      morphology and genetics of virus particle shape in equine influenza A virus,
      using reverse genetics and microscopy of infected cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:
      The majority of H3N8 strains tested were found to produce filamentous virions, as
      did the prototype H7N7 A/eq/Prague/56 strain. The exception was the prototype
      H3N8 isolate, A/eq/Miami/63. Reassortment of equine influenza virus M genes from
      filamentous and non-filamentous strains into the non-filamentous human virus
      A/PR/8/34 confirmed that segment 7 is a major determinant of particle shape.
      Sequence analysis identified three M1 amino acid polymorphisms plausibly
      associated with determining virion morphology, and the introduction of these
      changes into viruses confirmed the importance of two: S85N and N231D. However,
      while either change alone affected filament production, the greatest effect was
      seen when the polymorphisms were introduced in conjunction. Thus, influenza A
      viruses from equine hosts also produce filamentous virions, and the major genetic
      determinants are set by the M1 protein. However, the precise sequence
      determinants are different to those previously identified in human or porcine
      viruses.

PMID- 24224824
TI  - Replication of avian influenza viruses in equine tracheal epithelium but not in
      horses.
AB  - We evaluated a hypothesis that horses are susceptible to avian influenza viruses
      by in vitro testing, using explanted equine tracheal epithelial cultures, and in
      vivo testing by aerosol inoculation of ponies. Results showed that several
      subtypes of avian influenza viruses detectably replicated in vitro. Three viruses
      with high in vitro replication competence were administered to ponies. None of
      the three demonstrably replicated or caused disease signs in ponies. While these
      results do not exhaustively test our hypothesis, they do highlight that the
      tracheal explant culture system is a poor predictor of in vivo infectivity. 

PMID- 24224825
TI  - Biofilm mediates Enterococcus faecalis adhesion, invasion and survival into
      bovine mammary epithelial cells.
AB  - We proposed in this study that during intramammary infection, biofilm formation
      may facilitate adherence and colonization of Enterococcus faecalis to mammary
      gland epithelium. This was established by comparing six different Ent. faecalis
      isolates with different biofilm-forming profiles for their adhesive, invasive and
      survival capabilities to bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T). Our results
      showed increased ability of the biofilm-producer Ent. faecalis strains to adhere,
      invade and survive inside MAC-T cells rather than nonbiofilm-producer strains. We
      showed that growth of bacteria in bovine milk significantly augmented the
      adherence and invasion of all tested strains, and this feature was abolished
      again when strains were subcultured in brain heart infusion broth. Moreover,
      growth in bovine milk significantly increased biofilm formation by all tested
      strains. These results indicated that biofilm formation by Ent. faecalis,
      especially after expressing milk-dependent induction, may have special relevance
      in the pathogenesis of Ent. faecalis mastitis during intramammary infection by
      enhancing bovine mammary epithelial adhesion and colonization. SIGNIFICANCE AND
      IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Results obtained from current work highlighted the role of
      biofilm in the pathogenesis of Enterococcus faecalis mastitis. Those biofilm
      forming strains might be substantial as useful antigens in diagnostic assays and
      as future vaccine candidates to control Ent. faecalis mastitis.

PMID- 24224826
TI  - Reduction mechanisms of ethylene carbonate on si anodes of lithium-ion batteries:
      effects of degree of lithiation and nature of exposed surface.
AB  - Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are used to identify mechanisms of
      reduction of ethylene carbonate on Si surfaces at various degrees of lithiation,
      where the low-coordinated surface Si atoms are saturated with O, OH, or H
      functional groups. The lowest Si content surfaces are represented by quasi
      amorphous LiSi4 and LiSi2; intermediate lithiation is given by LiSi crystalline
      facets, and the highest Li content is studied through Li13Si4 surfaces. It is
      found that ethylene carbonate (EC) reduction mechanisms depend significantly on
      the degree of lithiation of the surface. On LiSi surfaces EC is reduced according
      to two different two-electron mechanisms (one simultaneous and one sequential),
      which are independent of specific surface functionalization or nature of exposed
      facets. On the less lithiated surfaces, the simultaneous two-electron reduction
      is found more frequently. In that mechanism, the EC reduction is initiated by the
      formation of a C-Si bond that allows adsorption of the intact molecule to the
      surface and is followed by electron transfer and ring-opening. Strongly lithiated
      Li13Si4 surfaces are found to be highly reactive. Reduction of adsorbed EC
      molecules occurs via a four-electron mechanism yielding as reduction products
      CO(2-) and O(C2H4)O(2-). Direct transfer of two electrons to EC molecules in
      liquid phase is also possible, resulting in the presence of O(C2H4)OCO(2-) anions
      in the liquid phase. 

PMID- 24224830
TI  - Cutting down: insights from qualitative studies of smoking in pregnancy.
AB  - The adverse effects of smoking in pregnancy are minimised if the mother quits
      completely in early pregnancy. Smokers are therefore advised to quit abruptly;
      cutting down is not recommended either as a method of, or alternative to,
      quitting. However, most pregnant smokers do not quit and cutting down is widely
      reported. Evidence comes primarily from quantitative studies; qualitative
      research has contributed little to understandings of cigarette consumption in
      pregnancy. In consequence, little is known about the place and meaning of cutting
      down for pregnant smokers. The paper investigates this important dimension of
      maternal smoking. It explores perceptions and experiences of cutting down among
      pregnant smokers by examining data from a systematic review of qualitative
      studies of smoking in pregnancy. The studies were located in high-income
      countries and published between 1970 and 2012. Twenty-six studies, reported in 29
      papers, were included, representing over 640 women. Meta-ethnography guided the
      analysis and synthesis. Data (participants' accounts and authors'
      interpretations) were extracted and coded; codes were progressively combined to
      identify overarching themes ('lines of argument'). Running through the lines of
      argument was evidence on cutting down; the paper presents and analyses this
      evidence. The analysis indicates that cutting down figured centrally as both a
      method of quitting and, for persistent smokers, a method of harm reduction. While
      pregnant women were aware that official advice was to quit abruptly, cutting down
      was seen as a positive behaviour change in often-difficult domestic
      circumstances, and one that health professionals condoned. Our findings suggest
      that cutting down in pregnancy, as an aid and an alternative to quitting,
      requires greater recognition if healthcare and tobacco control policies are to be
      sensitive to the perspectives and circumstances of pregnant smokers. 

PMID- 24224831
TI  - Thermostable recombinant beta-(1->4)-mannanase from C. thermocellum: biochemical
      characterization and manno-oligosaccharides production.
AB  - Functional attributes of a thermostable beta-(1->4)-mannanase were investigated
      from Clostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405. Its sequence comparison the exhibited
      highest similarity with Man26B of C. thermocellum F1. The full length CtManf and
      truncated CtManT were cloned in the pET28a(+) vector and expressed in E. coli
      BL21(DE3) cells, exhibiting 53 kDa and 38 kDa proteins, respectively. On the
      basis of the substrate specificity and hydrolyzed product profile, CtManf and
      CtManT were classified as beta-(1->4)-mannanase. A 1.5 fold higher activity of
      both enzymes was observed by Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) salts. Plausible mannanase
      activity of CtManf was revealed by the classical hydrolysis pattern of carob
      galactomannan and the release of manno-oligosaccharides. Notably highest protein
      concentrations of CtManf and CtManT were achieved in tryptone yeast extract (TY)
      medium, as compared with other defined media. Both CtManf and CtManT displayed
      stability at 60 and 50  degrees C, respectively, and Ca(2+) ions imparted higher
      thermostability, resisting their melting up to 100  degrees C. 

PMID- 24224832
TI  - Suppression of SOS repair in E. coli: possible mechanism of antimutagenicity and
      protective effects of common vegetables.
AB  - This study aims to understand variations in antimutagenic potential of
      vegetables, as observed in reduction of UV-induced mutation (Rif(S)->Rif(R)) in
      Escherichia coli cells. On further investigation, the juice of vegetables
      [eggplant (small-violet), pepper (hot Arbol), bean (French), and tomato] was
      found to suppress mutagenic SOS response as measured by cell filamentation, LexA
      degradation, and induction of defective prophage as per their antimutagenic
      potential. Cell filamentation which was observed in 25 and 60% of the UV- and
      gamma-induced cells, reduced to 2-8%, and 3-16%, respectively in the presence of
      the vegetable juice; moreover, LexA was also not significantly affected. Phage
      induction frequency reduced upto 76% compared to control UV-exposed cells. The
      antimutagenic effect was found to be partially dependent on recB, ruvB gene
      functions, and was independent of uvrA function. Phenolic compounds were found to
      be the major contributors to the observed antimutagenicity.

PMID- 24224833
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium enhances osteogenic and chondrogenic
      differentiation of human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem
      cells by mesodermal lineage induction.
AB  - Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have the ability to differentiate into
      mesenchymal lineages. In this study, we hypothesized that treatment of embryoid
      bodies (EBs) composed of either human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human
      induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with a hMSC-conditioned medium (CM) can
      stimulate the induction of the mesodermal lineage and subsequent differentiation
      toward the osteogenic and chondrogenic lineage. Quantitative real-time reverse
      transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that the
      hMSC-CM treatment increased gene expression related to the mesodermal lineage and
      decreased gene expression related to the endodermal and ectodermal lineage in
      EBs. Fourteen days after culturing the mesodermal lineage-induced EBs in the
      osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation medium, we observed enhanced
      osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation compared with untreated EBs, as
      evaluated using qRT-PCR, cytochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry.
      This method may be useful for enhancing the osteogenic or chondrogenic
      differentiation of hESCs or hiPSCs. 

PMID- 24224834
TI  - Barrier height measurement of metal contacts to Si nanowires using internal
      photoemission of hot carriers.
AB  - Barrier heights between metal contacts and silicon nanowires were measured using
      spectrally resolved scanning photocurrent microscopy (SPCM). Illumination of the
      metal-semiconductor junction with sub-bandgap photons generates a photocurrent
      dominated by internal photoemission of hot electrons. Analysis of the dependence
      of photocurrent yield on photon energy enables quantitative extraction of the
      barrier height. Enhanced doping near the nanowire surface, mapped quantitatively
      with atom probe tomography, results in a lowering of the effective barrier
      height. Occupied interface states produce an additional lowering that depends
      strongly on diameter. The doping and diameter dependencies are explained
      quantitatively with finite element modeling. The combined tomography, electrical
      characterization, and numerical modeling approach represents a significant
      advance in the quantitative analysis of transport mechanisms at nanoscale
      interfaces that can be extended to other nanoscale devices and heterostructures. 

PMID- 24224835
TI  - Conventional adverse features do not predict response to adjuvant chemotherapy in
      stage II colon cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II colon
      cancer is unclear. Current guidelines recommend adjuvant chemotherapy for high
      risk patients, although the benefit demonstrated to date is small. Our study
      examined if adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved cancer-specific
      survival in high-risk patients with stage II colon cancer. METHODS: A
      retrospective review was performed on patients with stage II (T3-4N0M0) colon
      cancer in a multi-institutional database from 1999 to 2007. Additionally,
      histology slides were reviewed and cancer-specific survival data were obtained
      from the state cancer registry. Adverse features examined were perforation,
      obstruction, T4 disease, poor differentiation, nodal yield less than 12,
      lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion. Survival analysis was performed
      using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. RESULTS: There were 458
      patients in the study, with a median follow-up of 5.2 years. Four patients (0.8%)
      were lost to follow-up. There were 290 (63%) high-risk patients, defined as
      having at least one adverse feature. Patients who had adjuvant chemotherapy were
      significantly younger (median 61 years versus 72 years, P < 0.001) but had
      comparable ASA score (median 2 versus 2, P = 0.3). There was no significant
      survival benefit observed associated with any one factor or when grouped. In high
      risk patients the 5-year cancer specific survival with adjuvant chemotherapy was
      84.8% (95% CI 78.7-91.9) compared to surgery alone 92.7% (95% CI 88.5-96.1), P =
      0.85). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy did not significantly improve cancer
      specific survival in patients with stage II colon cancer with adverse features.
      Other markers for selecting appropriate patients for adjuvant treatment are
      required.

PMID- 24224836
TI  - Long-term results after carotid stent implantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Though carotid artery stenting (CS) has gained popularity as an
      alternative to carotid endarterectomy, studies examining long-term results are
      limited. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent unilateral CS between
      7/1993 and 8/2005 with no or non-significant contralateral stenosis were
      included. Follow-up with duplex sonography and/or angiography and neurological
      assessment was performed at 6 and/or 12 months. Thereafter, annually, a
      questionnaire was sent to the patients and their referring physicians. RESULTS:
      Two-hundred and seventy-nine patients underwent CS. In 99% of procedures stent
      delivery was successful. The periprocedural major and minor stroke rates were
      2.2%, respectively. The periprocedural major stroke or death rate was 2.9%.
      Median clinical follow-up was 49 +/- 32 months (range: 30 days-12.1 years).
      Excluding perioperative (<30 days) events, the annual major and minor stroke rate
      was 1.3% and the annual ipsilateral major and minor stroke rate was 0.6%. In
      symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, the annual major and minor stroke rates
      were 2.2% and 0.8%, respectively, and the ipsilateral major and minor stroke
      rates were 1.1% and 0.3%, respectively. There was no significant difference
      between ipsilateral and contralateral major or minor strokes at long-term follow
      up. At last sonographic follow-up (median 36 +/- 32 months), restenosis rates for
      symptomatic and asymptomatic stenoses were 5% and 3%, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      The results of our study demonstrate very low long-term cerebral event rates
      after CS supporting the long-term safety of CS. Importantly, there was no
      significant difference in long-term ipsilateral versus contralateral cerebral
      events lending support to the hypothesis of plaque stabilization.

PMID- 24224837
TI  - Whole-blood global DNA methylation is increased in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
      independently of age of onset.
AB  - ALS is a heterogeneous disease that is not well understood. Epigenetic
      rearrangements are important in complex disorders including motor neuron
      diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether whole-blood DNA
      methylation (DNA MET %) is a potential modifier of age at onset in ALS. DNA MET %
      was measured as incorporation of [(3)H]dCTP following HpaII cut in 96 ALS
      patients and 87 controls, comprising: early-onset (< 55 years of age) and late
      onset (> 74 years of age). Methionine (Met) and homocysteine (Hcy) plasma levels
      were assessed by liquid chromatography selected reaction monitoring coupled with
      isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. Results showed that DNA MET % was increased
      in ALS patients independently of age of onset. Compared to the other three
      groups, Hcy plasma levels were reduced in early-onset ALS patients but Met levels
      were similar. ROC analysis reported Met levels and DNA MET %, respectively, with
      a slight and moderate discriminative power. In conclusion, increased DNA MET % is
      a possible marker of epigenetic dysfunction in ALS independently of age of onset.
      Further studies dissecting biological determinants of phenotypic complexity in
      ALS may help in developing successful therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 24224838
TI  - Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene and risk of primary biliary
      cirrhosis: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic and progressive
      cholestatic autoimmune liver disease. Although many studies have evaluated the
      association between many functional polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR)
      gene and PBC risk, debates still exist. Our aim is to evaluate the association
      between VDR gene polymorphisms, including TaqI (rs731236), BsmI (rs1544410), and
      ApaI (rs7975232), and the risk of PBC by a systematic review. METHODS: We
      searched literatures in PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE until July 2013. We calculated
      pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a fixed effects
      model or a random effects model for the risk to PBC associated with different VDR
      gene polymorphisms. And the heterogeneity assumption decided the effect model.
      RESULTS: A total of six relevant studies, with 1322 PBC cases and 2264 controls,
      were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that TaqI (rs731236)
      polymorphism was significantly associated with PBC risk (for T vs t OR = 0.75,
      95% CI 0.63, 0.89, Pz = 0.001; TT + Tt vs tt OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.44, 0.86, Pz =
      0.005; OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.58, 0.94, Pz = 0.016 for recessive model), while ApaI
      (rs7975232) or BsmI (rs1544410) polymorphism did not. CONCLUSION: Based on
      current evidences from published studies, the cumulative effect of TaqI
      polymorphism in VDR was significantly associated with PBC. Larger studies with
      mixed ethnicity subjects and stratified by clinical and sub clinical
      characteristics are needed to validate our findings.

PMID- 24224839
TI  - The safety of combined sedation with propofol plus fentanyl for endoscopy
      screening and endoscopic variceal ligation in cirrhotic patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the safety of combined sedation with propofol
      plus fentanyl in patients with liver cirrhosis during screening
      esophagogastroduodenoscopy (SEGD) and a secondary prophylaxis for esophageal
      varices, endoscopic gastrointestinal ligation (EVL). METHODS: A total of 309
      patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled and divided into the sedated SEGD
      group (n = 83), the sedated EVL group (n = 137) and the conscious EVL group (n =
      89), respectively, and 100 participants with no liver diseases who underwent
      endoscopy for gastritis were regarded as the sedated control group. Patients in
      the sedated groups were administrated with propofol plus fentanyl during the
      endoscopic procedures and their minimal hepatic encephalopathy and sedation
      related complications, including aspiration, hypoxia, hypotension and
      bradycardia, were evaluated and compared. The assessments of patient satisfaction
      and patient cooperation in the sedated and the conscious EVL groups were
      conducted. RESULTS: The incidences of complications during the endoscopic
      procedures were not significantly different among the sedated groups (20.5% in
      the sedated SEGD group, 22.6% in the sedated EVL group and 19.0% in the sedated
      control group). No minimal hepatic encephalopathy was induced in the sedated
      groups. More patients in the sedated EVL group were satisfactory with the
      procedure compared with the conscious EVL group, as evaluated by both
      endoscopists and the cirrhotic patients. CONCLUSIONS: A combined sedation with
      propofol plus fentanyl is safe for EVL as well as for SEGD in cirrhotic patients.
      Sedation might make it easier for endoscopists to perform procedures and might be
      more acceptable for cirrhotic patients.

PMID- 24224840
TI  - Effect of acclimation medium on cell viability, membrane integrity and ability to
      consume malic acid in synthetic wine by oenological Lactobacillus plantarum
      strains.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of acclimation on the
      viability, membrane integrity and the ability to consume malic acid of three
      oenological strains of Lactobacillus plantarum. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cultures in
      the stationary phase were inoculated in an acclimation medium (Accl.) containing
      0, 6 or 10% v/v ethanol and incubated 48 h at 28 degrees C. After incubation,
      cells were harvested by centrifugation and inoculated in a synthetic wine,
      containing 14% v/v ethanol and pH 3.5 at 28 degrees C. Viability and membrane
      integrity were determined by flow cytometry (FC) using carboxyfluorescein
      diacetate (cFDA) and propidium iodide. Bacterial growth and malic acid
      consumption were monitored in a synthetic wine during 15 days. In nonacclimated
      strains, the damage of bacterial membranes produced a dramatic decrease in
      microbial viability in synthetic wine. In contrast, survival of strains
      previously acclimated in Accl. with 6 and 10% v/v ethanol was noticeable higher.
      Therefore, acclimation with ethanol increased the cultivability in synthetic wine
      and consequently, the consumption of l-malic acid after 15 days of growth.
      CONCLUSION: Acclimation of oenological strains in media containing ethanol prior
      to wine inoculation significantly decreases the membrane damage and improves
      viability in the harsh wine conditions. The role of membrane integrity is crucial
      to warrant the degradation of l-malic acid. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:
      The efficiency of multiparametric FC in monitoring viability and membrane damage
      along with the malic acid consumption has a strong impact on winemaking because
      it represents a useful tool for a quick and highly reliable evaluation of
      oenological parameters.

PMID- 24224841
TI  - Additional data on the synlophe of Stilestrongylus aculeata (Travassos, 1918) and
      Stilestrongylus eta (Travassos, 1937) (Heligmonellidae) parasitic in Akodon
      montensis (Sigmodontinae) from the Atlantic Forest.
AB  - Additional data on the synlophe and morphological measurements are provided for
      the heligmonellids Stilestrongylus aculeata (Travassos, 1918) and Stilestrongylus
      eta (Travassos, 1937), collected from Akodon montensis Thomas, 1913, of the
      Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The synlophe of S. aculeata is
      characterized by 19 cuticular middle body ridges in males and 24 cuticular middle
      body ridges in females, whereas S. eta presents 17 middle body ridges in males
      and 20 middle body ridges in females.

PMID- 24224842
TI  - Design of one-dimensional coordination networks from a macrocyclic {3d-4f} single
      molecule magnet precursor linked by [W(CN)8]3- anions.
AB  - The outcome of 1:1 reactions of the tetranuclear 3d-4f Single Molecule Magnet
      (SMM) [Cu3Tb(L(Pr))(NO3)2(H2O)]NO3 (1) with (TBA)3[W(CN)8] (TBA = tri-n-butyl
      ammonium cation, [(n-Bu)3N-H](+)) in dimethylformamide (DMF) is dependent on the
      crystallization method employed: liquid-liquid diffusion of the reagents together
      gives {[Cu3Tb(L(Pr))W(CN)8(DMF)4].(DMF)}n (2) whereas diethyl ether vapor
      diffusion into the reaction solution gives
      {[Cu3Tb(L(Pr))W(CN)8(DMF)3(H2O)3].(DMF)1.5.(H2O)0.5}n (3). Both compounds are
      obtained as black single crystals and feature one-dimensional (1D) coordination
      networks (chains) of [1](3+) macrocycles linked by [W(CN)8](3-) anions. The two
      assemblies differ from a structural point of view. Complex 2 has a stepped
      arrangement with the linkers bound to the opposite faces of the macrocycle,
      whereas 3 has a square-wave arrangement due to the linkers binding to the same
      face of the macrocycle. Both compounds display an antiferromagnetic ground state
      below 3.5 and 2.4 K with a metamagnetic and antiferromagnetic (T, H) phase
      diagram for 2 and 3, respectively. Remarkably the slow dynamics of the
      magnetization of the [1](3+) macrocycle units is preserved in 3 while this
      property is quenched in 2 because of stronger intra- and interchain magnetic
      interactions inducing a higher critical temperature. 

PMID- 24224843
TI  - Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors from Morinda citrifolia (Noni)
      and their insulin mimetic activity.
AB  - As part of our ongoing search for new antidiabetic agents from medicinal plants,
      we found that a methanol extract of Morinda citrifolia showed potential
      stimulatory effects on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. Bioassay-guided
      fractionation of this active extract yielded two new lignans (1 and 2) and three
      new neolignans (9, 10, and 14), as well as 10 known compounds (3-8, 11-13, and
      15). The absolute configurations of compounds 9, 10, and 14 were determined by
      ECD spectra analysis. Compounds 3, 6, 7, and 15 showed inhibitory effects on
      PTP1B enzyme with IC50 values of 21.86 +/- 0.48, 15.01 +/- 0.20, 16.82 +/- 0.42,
      and 4.12 +/- 0.09 MUM, respectively. Furthermore, compounds 3, 6, 7, and 15
      showed strong stimulatory effects on 2-NBDG uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells.
      This study indicated the potential of compounds 3, 6, 7, and 15 as lead molecules
      for antidiabetic agents. 

PMID- 24224845
TI  - Field emission from hybrid diamond-like carbon and carbon nanotube composite
      structures.
AB  - A thin diamond-like carbon (DLC) film was deposited onto a densely packed
      "forest" of vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (VACNT). DLC
      deposition caused the tips of the CNTs to clump together to form a
      microstructured surface. Field-emission tests of this new composite material show
      the typical low threshold voltages for carbon nanotube structures (2 V MUm(-1))
      but with greatly increased emission current, better stability, and longer
      lifetime. 

PMID- 24224844
TI  - Ethanol untangles the amygdala-anxiety circuit through tonic GABA inhibition.
AB  - The central amygdala (CeA) has a unique role in integrating stress and the
      rewarding effects of ethanol (EtOH) and plays a major role in the development of
      EtOH dependence via signaling of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). A recent
      report by Herman and colleagues (2013) entitled "Novel Subunit-Specific Tonic
      GABA Currents and Differential Effects of Ethanol in the Central Amygdala of CRF
      Receptor-1 Reporter Mice" is the first study to investigate inhibitory tonic
      currents in relation to CRF signaling in the CeA. The findings of that study
      significantly enhance our understanding of inhibitory tonic currents in the CeA
      and give insight into how EtOH may differentially affect CRF signaling within the
      CeA, leading to the development of EtOH dependence. This commentary will focus on
      the recent findings of Herman and colleagues and will discuss the effects of EtOH
      on the entire anxiety/emotion circuitry. 

PMID- 24224846
TI  - Effect of syringe and aggregate filter administration on survival of transfused
      autologous fresh feline red blood cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of transfusion using a syringe and microaggregate
      filter on short-term survival and circulating half-life of autologous feline
      RBCs. DESIGN: Prospective, internally controlled, observational study. SETTING: A
      University Teaching Hospital ANIMALS: Six apparently healthy, owned cats.
      INTERVENTIONS: Blood collection by jugular venipuncture. Transfusion with
      labeled, autologous, fresh RBCs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Anticoagulated
      whole blood (35 mL/cat) was collected in 2 equal aliquots. RBCs were washed and
      labeled at 2 different biotin densities, before suspension in autologous plasma.
      Labeled RBCs were then transfused using 2 methods, gravity flow and pump delivery
      using a 20 mL syringe and 18 MUm microaggregate filter. Whole blood samples were
      collected from each cat at 2-hour intervals for 12 hours following completion of
      the transfusions. Additional samples were collected at weekly intervals up to 6
      weeks to assess circulating half-life of the transfused cells. Cell survival was
      assessed via flow cytometry. The proportion of transfused cells remaining in each
      of the 2 populations was measured. Biotinylated RBCs were readily detected in all
      cats over the 6-week sampling period. There was a significant decrease in both
      populations of labeled cells over the 6-week period (P < 0.01), as expected.
      There was no difference in probability that the RBCs would survive up to 12 hours
      immediately following transfusion, and no significant difference in survival
      between the 2 groups over 6 weeks. The average half-life of all labeled cells was
      approximately 23 days. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, in contrast to findings
      from dogs, transfusion of autologous feline RBCs using a syringe + aggregate
      filter method does not significantly impact short- or long-term survival of the
      transfused cells.

PMID- 24224847
TI  - Organ allocation in pediatric renal transplants: is there an optimal donor?
AB  - The 2005 revised allocation scheme for pediatric renal transplantation made the
      decision of whether to transplant an available living-donor (LD) kidney or use a
      deceased-donor (DD) kidney controversial. The aim of this study was to examine
      kidney allograft utilization, sensitization, and outcomes of pediatric transplant
      recipients. Between January 2000 and December 2009, 91 consecutive pediatric
      kidney recipients (<20 yr) were transplanted. The LD (n = 38) and DD (n = 53)
      groups were similar in age, gender, dialysis status at transplant, warm ischemia
      time, and overall patient survival. LD recipients were more likely to be
      Caucasian (92 vs. 69%), receive older allografts (39 +/- 10 vs. 23 +/- 9 yr), and
      have fewer human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches (3.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 4.4 +/- 1.5,
      p < 0.01 for all). Graft survival at one, three, and five yr post-transplant was
      longer for LD recipients (97%, 91%, 87% vs. DD 89%, 79%, 58%, respectively, p <
      0.05). At the time of transplant, 17 (33%) DD recipients had an available LD
      (mean age 40 yr). A greater proportion of all patients were moderately (PRA 21
      79%) sensitized post-transplant (p < 0.05). A multivariable analysis of graft
      survival indicated that the advantage in LD organs was likely due to fewer HLA
      mismatched in this group. Nonetheless, LD organs appear to provide optimal
      outcomes in pediatric renal transplants when considering the risk of becoming
      sensitized post-transplant complicating later use of the LD kidney.

PMID- 24224848
TI  - An overview of age-friendly cities and communities around the world.

PMID- 24224850
TI  - All-atom molecular dynamics simulations of actin-myosin interactions: a
      comparative study of cardiac alpha myosin, beta myosin, and fast skeletal muscle
      myosin.
AB  - Myosins are a superfamily of actin-binding motor proteins with significant
      variations in kinetic properties (such as actin binding affinity) between
      different isoforms. It remains unknown how such kinetic variations arise from the
      structural and dynamic tuning of the actin-myosin interface at the amino acid
      residue level. To address this key issue, we have employed molecular modeling and
      simulations to investigate, with atomistic details, the isoform dependence of
      actin-myosin interactions in the rigor state. By combining electron microscopy
      based docking with homology modeling, we have constructed three all-atom models
      for human cardiac alpha and beta and rabbit fast skeletal muscle myosin in
      complex with three actin subunits in the rigor state. Starting from these models,
      we have performed extensive all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (total
      of 100 ns per system) and then used the MD trajectories to calculate actin-myosin
      binding free energies with contributions from both electrostatic and nonpolar
      forces. Our binding calculations are in good agreement with the experimental
      finding of isoform-dependent differences in actin binding affinity between these
      myosin isoforms. Such differences are traced to changes in actin-myosin
      electrostatic interactions (i.e., hydrogen bonds and salt bridges) that are
      highly dynamic and involve several flexible actin-binding loops. By partitioning
      the actin-myosin binding free energy to individual myosin residues, we have also
      identified key myosin residues involved in the actin-myosin interactions, some of
      which were previously validated experimentally or implicated in cardiomyopathy
      mutations, and the rest make promising targets for future mutational experiments.

PMID- 24224849
TI  - Substance use in clinical high risk for psychosis: a review of the literature.
AB  - AIM: In the literature, there is evidence suggesting an association between
      substance use and psychosis. However, little is known about substance use in
      those who may be in the pre-psychotic phase, that is, those who are putatively
      prodromal are considered to be at clinical high risk (CHR) of developing
      psychosis. METHODS: We conducted a review of publications measuring patterns and
      rates of substance use in CHR for psychosis individuals and the effects on the
      transition to psychosis. RESULTS: Of 5527 potentially relevant research papers,
      10 met inclusion criteria of CHR subjects and specifically mentioned substance
      use in the sample. The results of these studies varied. Cannabis, alcohol and
      tobacco/nicotine were reported as the most commonly used substances. There was
      limited information on the changes in patterns of use over time. Two out of the
      ten studies found a significant association between the use of substances and
      subsequent transition to psychosis. In one of these studies, substance abuse was
      a predictor of psychosis when included as a variable in a prediction algorithm.
      In the other study, the abuse of cannabis and nicotine was associated with
      transition to psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: We found limited evidence to suggest that
      increased rates of substance use may be associated with transition to psychosis.
      However, further prospective research examining the association between substance
      use and transition to psychosis is required before any firm conclusions can be
      made.

PMID- 24224851
TI  - X-ray repair cross-complementing 1 polymorphism and prognosis of platinum-based
      chemotherapy in gastric and colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The relationships between the X-ray repair cross
      complementing 1 (XRCC1) Arg399Gln polymorphism (rs25487, G > A) and responses to
      platinum-based chemotherapy of gastric and colorectal cancer patients are
      controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the
      relationships. METHODS: We retrieved the relevant articles from MEDLINE and
      EMBASE databases. Fourteen studies with 1618 gastric and colorectal cancer
      patients were included. Primary outcomes included response rate (RR), progression
      free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio
      with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. All analyses were performed
      using the Stata software version 11.0 and Review Manager (v5.0). RESULTS: In the
      dominant model, the A allele of XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism was associated with
      reduced RR to platinum-based chemotherapy in all gastric and colorectal cancer
      patients (A/G + A/A vs G/G OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.55-0.96) and in Asians (OR, 0.62;
      95% CI, 0.44-0.89) but not in Caucasians (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.60-1.42). In
      addition, stratified analysis for different types of cancers indicated a
      marginally significant decrease of RR in colorectal cancer patients (OR, 0.68;
      95% CI, 0.46-1.00) but not in gastric cancer patients (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.53
      1.15). However, we did not observe a significant association between XRCC1
      Arg399Gln polymorphism and hazard for PFS and OS for gastric and colorectal
      cancer patients in all tested models. CONCLUSIONS: XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism
      may be a valuable genetic marker for platinum-based chemotherapy of gastric and
      colorectal cancer patients, and more well-designed studies with large samples are
      needed to confirm our findings.

PMID- 24224852
TI  - Economic evaluation of sipuleucel-T immunotherapy in castration-resistant
      prostate cancer.
AB  - The objective is to examine the cost-utility of sipuleucel-T immunotherapy in
      asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
      patients. The addition of sipuleucel-T immunotherapy to standard treatment led to
      a gain of 0.37 quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) at an additional cost of
      US$104,536. The incremental cost-utility ratio was US$283,000 per QALY saved.
      Threshold sensitivity analyses indicated that a price reduction of at least 53%,
      or application in a group of patients resulting in the relative reduction in the
      mortality rate of at least 39%, ought to augment the economic value of this
      regimen. Sipuleucel-T immunotherapy treatment at the current price with 96.5%
      certainty is not cost-effective. The specific group of patients who will benefit
      more from the treatment should be revealed and treated, or the cost of the
      vaccine should be lowered significantly to increase its economic value.
      Accounting for crossover treatment in control patients improves sipuleucel-T's
      value (US$132,000 per QALY saved) although further investigation is necessary. 

PMID- 24224853
TI  - Personal care workers in Australian aged care: retention and turnover intentions.
AB  - AIM: This study examined factors influencing personal care workers' intentions to
      stay or leave Australian aged care employment - especially for older workers.
      BACKGROUND: Retention of personal care workers is particularly important in aged
      care as they provide the majority of the direct care via community aged care or
      long-term aged care environments. However, there is limited research on what
      drives their turnover and retention. METHOD: A survey was conducted during 2012
      collecting 206 responses from workers within community and long-term aged care in
      four organisations in Australia. RESULT: Perceived supervisor support, on-the-job
      embeddedness and area of employment were identified as predictors of both
      intention to stay and to leave, although the relationship strength differed.
      Community care workers were more likely to stay and reported more supervisor
      support than long-term care workers. Unexpectedly, age and health status were not
      predictors of staying or leaving. CONCLUSION: While there are similarities
      between retention and turnover motivators, there are also differences. Within a
      global context of health worker shortages, such new knowledge is keenly sought to
      enhance organisational effectiveness and sustain the provision of quality aged
      care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Retention strategies for older workers
      should involve increasing supervisor support, and seeking to embed workers more
      fully within their organisation.

PMID- 24224854
TI  - Evaluating food front-of-pack labelling: a pan-European survey on consumers'
      attitudes toward food labelling.
AB  - Nutrition labels on pre-packaged foods have been widely used as a medium to
      foster healthier eating habits in the general population, to contribute to a
      reduction in the incidence and prevalence of diet-related conditions. Yet, there
      is no convincing evidence that food labels are an effective means to achieve the
      desired effect at population level. Several factors have been suggested to
      account for this decoupling of efficacy, e.g. difficulties in understanding the
      information on food-labels. The present article presents the results of a survey
      on Europeans' understanding of nutritional labels and evaluation on the
      communication tools for their diffusion. A total of 7550 phone interviews were
      conducted in 16 European Countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,
      Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovenia,
      Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and Hungary. Consumers were asked about their
      opinion on nutritional information provided at different levels and their
      commitment to healthy behaviour.

PMID- 24224855
TI  - Modest long-term ethanol consumption affects expression of neurotransmitter
      receptor genes in the rat nucleus accumbens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over 100 million people worldwide are affected by alcohol use
      disorders. These conditions usually take years to develop where an initial,
      voluntary consumption is gradually replaced by a compulsive intake of alcohol.
      The exact mechanisms behind this transition remain unknown. However, ethanol
      (EtOH) is known to interact with several neurotransmitters and receptors in the
      central nervous system, and chronic EtOH consumption causes alterations in these
      neurotransmitter systems, proposed to contribute to the development of
      dependence. This study aimed to repeat previous findings that animals after long
      term voluntary EtOH consumption spontaneously increase their intake. That the
      initial encounter with EtOH causes an elevation of dopamine in the nucleus
      accumbens (nAc), inducing feelings of well-being and creating an incentive to
      continue the behavior, has been repeatedly reported in both animals and humans.
      The effects of chronic EtOH consumption on this region are not as well
      investigated. METHODS: We examined both long-term EtOH consumption behavior and
      its consequences on expression of neurotransmitter-related genes in the nAc of
      the Wistar rat using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: In general,
      the EtOH consumption of the animals in this study was modest with an average
      intake of 0.9 g/kg/d, and only 1 of the 24 rats consuming EtOH for 10 months
      drastically increased its intake in line with the results of Wolffgramm and Heyne
      (1995). Expression of the genes for dopamine receptor 2, MU-opioid receptor, and
      somatostatin receptor 4 were down-regulated in animals after 2 and/or 4, but not
      10, months of EtOH consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic consumption even of modest
      amounts of alcohol seems to affect regulation of expression of these genes,
      possibly leading to changes in neurotransmitter signaling. Studies are ongoing to
      investigate whether these alterations are specific for the nAc.

PMID- 24224856
TI  - Comparison of different sets of instruments for laparoendoscopic single-site
      surgery in a surgical simulator with novices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the parallel entry of working instruments through a single
      incision in laparoendoscopic single-site surgery, loss of triangulation in the
      abdominal cavity and counteracting movements of the instruments are inevitable
      obstacles. Some specially designed devices have emerged to ameliorate these
      challenges. METHODS: Twenty-four novice participants were randomized into four
      groups using assigned instruments, conventional straight instruments, single
      curved instruments, double-curved instruments and articulating instruments,
      respectively, to perform two basic tasks (peg transferring and pattern cutting)
      14 times in a modified simulator. A test of the tasks and a resection of the
      intestine segment of a rat were performed. The task scores and evaluation of
      intraoperative skills during the resection of the intestine segment were
      recorded. The instrument of modified National Aeronautics and Space
      Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) was completed. RESULTS: The task scores
      of the groups using single-curved instruments and articulating instruments were
      better than the other two groups on the simulator tasks, consistent with the
      evaluation of intraoperative skills during the resection of intestine segment. As
      the proficiency with the instruments increased, the task scores improved, as
      demonstrated by the learning curve. The workload measured by the modified NASA
      TLX tool demonstrated that the groups using articulating instruments and double
      curved instruments had a heavier workload in most of the categories compared with
      the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Single-curved and articulating instruments are
      more effective than conventional straight and double-curved devices, and are
      favourable in laparoendoscopic single-site surgery for novice learners.

PMID- 24224857
TI  - NdNiMg5, a new magnesium-rich phase with an unusual structural type.
AB  - The new intermetallic NdNiMg5 was discovered during the study of the Mg-rich part
      of the Mg-Nd-Ni system. It was synthetized by melting of the constituent elements
      in a sealed tantalum tube with subsequent annealing. Its structure was determined
      by X-ray diffraction on a single crystal. Crystal data: orthorhombic system,
      Cmcm, Z = 4, a = 4.4799(2) A, b = 9.9827(3) A, c = 13.7854(10) A, d(calc) = 3.49
      g.cm(-3). Its structure is made of infinite layers of Mg atoms that form blocks
      stacked along the c axis. These blocks, with a close-packed array of Mg atoms,
      are separated by infinite NiNd layers and connected through short Mg-Mg bonds. In
      the NiNd layer, the Ni and Nd atoms form an ordered graphite-type network.
      Antiferromagnetic ordering is observed with T(N) = 12 K, and the effective
      magnetic moment MUeff is equal to 3.89(1) MUB.

PMID- 24224858
TI  - Examination of factors for use as potential predictors of human enteric pathogen
      survival in soil.
AB  - AIMS: Three soils that varied in their physicochemical characteristics and
      microbial diversity were inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella
      to determine the relative impact of abiotic and biotic factors on the pathogens'
      survival when the soil was held at 25 degrees C. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three soils
      that were classified as having low, medium and high microbial diversity were
      divided into two batches for adjustment to 20% of water-holding capacity and to
      40% of water-holding capacity. Soils were inoculated with both green fluorescent
      labelled E. coli O157:H7 and red fluorescent-labelled Salmonella (5 log CFU g(-1)
      dry weight) and held at 25 degrees C. Pathogens inoculated into an acidic soil
      died off within 9 weeks, whereas they were still detected in the other two soils
      by enrichment culture after 18 weeks. Moisture did not affect inactivation of E.
      coli O157:H7, but did affect Salmonella inactivation in soil having the greatest
      organic load and microbial diversity. Using multiple linear regression analysis,
      98.7% of the variability in the inactivation rate for E. coli O157:H7 was
      explained by a model that included the variables of initial pH and electrical
      conductivity. Salmonella's inactivation rate was predicted by a model that
      included pH and initial cell numbers of copiotrophic and oligotrophic bacteria.
      CONCLUSION: This study provided evidence of specific properties that impact
      inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in soils at 25 degrees C.
      SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Identification of factors influential in
      the die-off of enteric pathogens will assist in developing guidelines for safe
      intervals between field contamination events and planting or harvesting of fresh
      cut produce crops.

PMID- 24224859
TI  - A review of mortality from parasitic and vector-borne diseases in the U.S. Air
      Force from 1970 to 2012.
AB  - We review a unique set of documents, death certificates, cataloged in the U.S.
      Air Force Mortality Registry database, which tracks deaths for all current and
      retired service members. We screened the records for all deaths caused by
      parasitic, vector-borne, or zoonotic diseases between 1970 and 2013. There were
      78 deaths caused by a variety of diseases such as amebiasis, malaria,
      strongyloidiasis, schistosomiasis, and pneumocystosis. We compare these deaths to
      U.S. national deaths. U.S. Air Force service members are more likely to die from
      malaria, strongyloidiasis, and Q fever than the average American but are less
      likely to die from pneumocystosis.

PMID- 24224860
TI  - Prescription of antidepressants is increased in Danish patients with polycystic
      ovary syndrome and is associated with hyperandrogenism. A population-based cohort
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Quality of life is impaired in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In
      this study, we compared the time to first prescription of antidepressants (ADM)
      in PCOS vs two control groups. DESIGN: Register-based cohort study. PATIENTS: One
      thousand and one hundred and twenty-four premenopausal women with hirsutism
      and/or PCOS, premenopausal women with hypertension (HT, n = 301), and age- and
      sex-matched population controls (controls, n = 4110). MEASUREMENTS: Prescriptions
      for ADM on secondary care contacts from regional registers. RESULTS: The median
      age at cohort entry in PCOS, HT and controls was 29, 34 and 29 years,
      respectively. Among PCOS, HT and controls, 227 (20%), 74 (25%) and 633 (15%),
      respectively, had prescriptions of ADM. The median time to first prescription of
      ADM in the PCOS, HT and control cohorts was 6.8, 6.6 and 7.2 years, respectively.
      The adjusted hazard ratio for time to prescription of ADM for HT vs PCOS was 1.36
      [95% CI (1.02-1.82)], P = 0.039, and for controls vs PCOS, it was 0.75 [95% CI
      (0.64-0.88)], P < 0.001. Within patients with PCOS, hyperandrogenism contributed
      significantly to the model, likelihood ratio test P = 0.009. The adjusted hazard
      ratio for hyperandrogenism vs no hyperandrogenism was 1.97 (1.12-3.45), P =
      0.018. CONCLUSION: Patients with PCOS had moderately but significantly decreased
      time to first prescription of ADM compared with age-matched healthy women,
      whereas patients with HT had the shortest time to prescription. In PCOS,
      prescription of ADM was associated with the presence of hyperandrogenism.

PMID- 24224861
TI  - Optical diode action from axially asymmetric nonlinearity in an all-carbon solid
      state device.
AB  - Nanostructured carbons are posited to offer an alternative to silicon and lead to
      further miniaturization of photonic and electronic devices. Here, we report the
      experimental realization of the first all-carbon solid-state optical diode that
      is based on axially asymmetric nonlinear absorption in a thin saturable absorber
      (graphene) and a thin reverse saturable absorber (C60) arranged in tandem. This
      all-optical diode action is polarization independent and has no phase-matching
      constraints. The nonreciprocity factor of the device can be tuned by varying the
      number of graphene layers and the concentration or thickness of the C60 coating.
      This ultracompact graphene/C60 based optical diode is versatile with an
      inherently large bandwidth, chemical and thermal stability, and is poised for
      cost-effective large-scale integration with existing fabrication technologies. 

PMID- 24224862
TI  - Bioactive lignans from the trunk of Abies holophylla.
AB  - Six new lignans (1-6) were isolated from the trunk of Abies holophylla MAXIM,
      together with 11 known lignans (7-17). The structures of 1-7 were elucidated by
      spectroscopic methods, acid hydrolysis, and use of the modified Mosher's method.
      The effects of the isolates on nerve growth factor induction in a C6 rat glioma
      cell line were evaluated. Compounds 6, 7, and 13 showed significant induction of
      nerve growth factor secretion at concentrations of 10 MUM. Compounds 1, 5, 6, and
      16 showed moderate inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in
      lipopolysaccharide-activated BV-2 cells (IC50 28.5-36.4 MUM). 

PMID- 24224863
TI  - Rolling silver nanowire electrodes: simultaneously addressing adhesion,
      roughness, and conductivity.
AB  - Silver nanowire mesh electrodes represent a possible mass-manufacturable route
      toward transparent and flexible electrodes for plastic-based electronics such as
      organic photovoltaics (OPVs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), and others.
      Here we describe a route that is based upon spray-coated silver nanowire meshes
      on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheets that are treated with a
      straightforward combination of heat and pressure to generate electrodes that have
      low sheet resistance, good optical transmission, that are topologically flat, and
      adhere well to the PET substrate. The silver nanowire meshes were prepared by
      spray-coating a solution of silver nanowires onto PET, in air at slightly
      elevated temperatures. The as-prepared silver nanowire electrodes are highly
      resistive due to the poor contact between the individual silver nanowires. Light
      pressure applied with a stainless steel rod, rolled over the as-sprayed silver
      nanowire meshes on PET with a speed of 10 cm s(-1) and a pressure of 50 psi,
      results in silver nanowire mesh arrays with sheet resistances of less than 20
      Omega/?. Bending of these rolled nanowire meshes on PET with different radii of
      curvature, from 50 to 0.625 mm, showed no degradation of the conductivity of the
      electrodes, as shown by the constant sheet resistance before and after bending.
      Repeated bending (100 times) around a rod with a radius of curvature of 1 mm also
      showed no increase in the sheet resistance, demonstrating good adherence and no
      signs of delamination of the nanowire mesh array. The diffuse and direct
      transmittance of the silver nanowires (both rolled and as-sprayed) was measured
      for wavelengths from 350 to 1200 nm, and the diffuse transmission was similar to
      that of the PET substrate; the direct transmission decreases by about 7-8%. The
      silver nanowires were then incorporated into OPV devices with the following
      architecture: transparent electrode/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PC61BM/LiF/Al. While slightly
      lower in efficiency than the standard indium tin oxide substrate (ITO), the
      rolled silver nanowire electrodes had a very good device yield, showing that
      short circuits resulting from the silver nanowire electrodes can be successfully
      avoided by this rolling approach. 

PMID- 24224864
TI  - Lessons learned from a Canadian province-wide age-friendly initiative: the Age
      Friendly Manitoba Initiative.
AB  - The Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative was launched in 2008. A formative evaluation
      we conducted in 2011 with 44 participating rural and urban communities
      demonstrates considerable progress, with virtually all communities having formed
      an Age-Friendly Committee and conducting a community assessment to identify
      priorities for action. The majority of communities implemented one or more age
      friendly projects. Major barriers to becoming age-friendly identified by
      participants included lack of funding; lack of capacity, particularly in small
      communities; and lack of leadership or direction. The study highlights the
      importance of strong leadership at all levels of government (municipal,
      provincial, federal); the need to support communities, particularly rural ones,
      as they try to become more age-friendly; and the importance of ongoing promotion
      of age-friendliness locally and more broadly (e.g., provincially). 

PMID- 24224865
TI  - Narrative in interprofessional education and practice: implications for
      professional identity, provider-patient communication and teamwork.
AB  - Health and social care professionals increasingly use narrative approaches to
      focus on the patient and to communicate with each other. Both effective
      interprofessional education (IPE) and practice (IPP) require recognizing the
      various values and voices of different professions, how they relate to the
      patient's life story, and how they interact with each other at the level of the
      healthcare team. This article analyzes and integrates the literature on narrative
      to explore: self-narrative as an expression of one's professional identity; the
      co-creation of the patient's narrative by the professional and the patient; and
      the interprofessional multi-vocal narrative discourse as co-constructed by
      members of the healthcare team. Using a narrative approach to thinking about
      professional identity, provider-patient communication, and interprofessional
      teamwork expands our thinking about both IPE and IPP by providing new insights
      into the nature of professional practice based on relationships to oneself, the
      patient, and others on the team. How professionals define themselves, gather and
      present information from the patient, and communicate as members of a clinical
      team all have important dimensions that can be revealed by a narrative approach.
      Implications and conclusions for the further development of the narrative
      approach in IPE and IPP are offered.

PMID- 24224866
TI  - Update on the US National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education.

PMID- 24224868
TI  - Determinants of hemodialysis-induced segmental wall motion abnormalities.
AB  - Patients who demonstrate worsening of cardiac wall motion (WM) during
      hemodialysis have higher 1-year mortality. We sought to identify risk factors for
      dialysis-induced WM abnormalities. Additionally, we examined the effects of
      hemodialysis on other parameters of cardiac function. Forty patients underwent
      echocardiography directly before dialysis and during the last hour of dialysis
      (79 dialysis sessions). Candidate predictors for intradialytic worsening of WM
      included age, a history of heart failure (HF) or coronary artery disease, changes
      in blood pressure or heart rate, high sensitivity cardiac troponin T and N
      terminal brain natriuretic peptide. Among 40 patients, WM worsened segmentally in
      eight patients (20%), worsened globally in one patient (3%), and improved
      segmentally in four patients (10%). Diastolic function worsened in 44% of
      patients, and left ventricular ejection fraction was largely unchanged during
      dialysis. The case of globally worsened WM occurred in the setting of
      intradialytic hypertension in a patient without HF. Surprisingly, history of
      coronary artery disease, hemodynamics, and serologic factors were not associated
      with worsened segmental WM during dialysis. After adjustment for history of
      coronary artery disease and other cardiac risk factors, patients with a history
      of HF had a threefold higher risk of worsening segmental WM during dialysis (RR
      3.1, 95% CI [1.1, 9], p = 0.04). In conclusion, patients with a history of
      clinical HF were at higher risk of intradialytic worsening of segmental WM.
      Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism of this association and
      whether cardioprotective medications could ameliorate this adverse cardiac effect
      of hemodialysis.

PMID- 24224869
TI  - Tendon structural adaptations to load exercise are inhibited by anabolic
      androgenic steroids.
AB  - The present study investigated the structural changes in the rat calcaneal tendon
      (CT), superficial flexor tendon (SFT), and deep flexor tendon (DFT) in response
      to jump exercises and anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). Animals were divided
      into four groups: sedentary, trained, AAS-treated sedentary rats, and AAS-treated
      trained animals. Training increased the volume density (Vv%) of blood vessels in
      all regions of the CT and DFT, cell Vv% in the peritendinous sheath of the
      proximal and distal regions of the SFT and proximal region of DFT, and cell Vv%
      in the tendon proper of the proximal and distal regions of the SFT and DFT. The
      combination of AAS and load exercises showed little increased blood vessel Vv% at
      the proximal region of the CT, intermediate region of the SFT, and all regions of
      the DFT as opposed to an increase in adipose cell Vv% in the CT proximal region.
      The AAS reduced the levels of hydroxyproline in the proximal region of the DFT
      and in the distal region of the STF. In conclusion, exercise promoted benefits to
      the adaptation of the tendons to overload. These effects were absent when load
      exercise was combined with AAS. The abusive consumption of AAS contributes to
      tendon inertness and rigidity, and increases the potential risk of injury. 

PMID- 24224870
TI  - Current concepts and future strategies in the management of intracranial
      germinoma.
AB  - Radiation therapy is the backbone in the management of intracranial germinoma. In
      localized disease chemotherapy followed by whole brain irradiation is the present
      standard providing cure rates in excess of 90%. Craniospinal irradiation alone in
      metastatic disease provides equally excellent outcome. Chemotherapy is able to
      convert macroscopic to microscopic disease permitting a dose reduction to the
      tumor site and possibly the ventricular system and is investigated in prospective
      trials. Chemotherapy alone cannot replace radiotherapy as sole treatment. Whole
      ventricular radiotherapy followed by a boost to tumor site without chemotherapy
      might be feasible. New treatment technologies such as intensity-modulated
      radiotherapy or proton therapy permit a dose reduction to non-target brain. Data
      on functional outcome are conflicting and based on small heterogeneous series
      only mandating prospective investigations. 

PMID- 24224871
TI  - Molecular detection of Peronospora variabilis in quinoa seed and phylogeny of the
      quinoa downy mildew pathogen in South America and the United States.
AB  - Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is an important export of the Andean region, and its
      key disease is quinoa downy mildew, caused by Peronospora variabilis. P.
      variabilis oospores can be seedborne and rapid methods to detect seedborne P.
      variabilis have not been developed. In this research, a polymerase chain reaction
      (PCR)-based detection method was developed to detect seedborne P. variabilis and
      a sequencing-based method was used to validate the PCR-based method. P.
      variabilis was detected in 31 of 33 quinoa seed lots using the PCR-based method
      and in 32 of 33 quinoa seed lots using the sequencing-based method. Thirty-one of
      the quinoa seed lots tested in this study were sold for human consumption, with
      seed originating from six different countries. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS)
      and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (COX2) phylogenies were examined to determine
      whether geographical differences occurred in P. variabilis populations
      originating from Ecuador, Bolivia, and the United States. No geographical
      differences were observed in the ITS-derived phylogeny but the COX2 phylogeny
      indicated that geographical differences existed between U.S. and South American
      samples. Both ITS and COX2 phylogenies supported the existence of a Peronospora
      sp., distinct from P. variabilis, that causes systemic-like downy mildew symptoms
      on quinoa in Ecuador. The results of these studies allow for a better
      understanding of P. variabilis populations in South America and identified a new
      causal agent for quinoa downy mildew. The PCR-based seed detection method allows
      for the development of P. variabilis-free quinoa seed, which may prove important
      for management of quinoa downy mildew.

PMID- 24224872
TI  - Aspergillus parasiticus communities associated with sugarcane in the Rio Grande
      Valley of Texas: implications of global transport and host association within
      Aspergillus section Flavi.
AB  - In the Rio Grande Valley of Texas (RGV), values of maize and cottonseed crops are
      significantly reduced by aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin contamination of
      susceptible crops is the product of communities of aflatoxin producers and the
      average aflatoxin-producing potentials of these communities influence aflatoxin
      contamination risk. Cropping pattern influences community composition and,
      thereby, the epidemiology of aflatoxin contamination. In 2004, Aspergillus
      parasiticus was isolated from two fields previously cropped to sugarcane but not
      from 23 fields without recent history of sugarcane cultivation. In 2004 and 2005,
      A. parasiticus composed 18 to 36% of Aspergillus section Flavi resident in
      agricultural soils within sugarcane-producing counties. A. parasiticus was not
      detected in counties that do not produce sugarcane. Aspergillus section Flavi
      soil communities within sugarcane-producing counties differed significantly
      dependent on sugarcane cropping history. Fields cropped to sugarcane within the
      previous 5 years had greater quantities of A. parasiticus (mean = 16 CFU/g) than
      fields not cropped to sugarcane (mean = 0.1 CFU/g). The percentage of Aspergillus
      section Flavi composed of A. parasiticus increased to 65% under continuous
      sugarcane cultivation and remained high the first season of rotation out of
      sugarcane. Section Flavi communities in fields rotated to non-sugarcane crops for
      3 to 5 years were composed of <5% A. parasiticus, and fields with no sugarcane
      history averaged only 0.2% A. parasiticus. The section Flavi community infecting
      RGV sugarcane stems ranged from 95% A. parasiticus in billets prepared for
      commercial planting to 52% A. parasiticus in hand-collected sugarcane stems.
      Vegetative compatibility assays and multilocus phylogenies verified that
      aflatoxin contamination of raw sugar was previously attributed to similar A.
      parasiticus in Japan. Association of closely related A. parasiticus genotypes
      with sugarcane produced in Japan and RGV, frequent infection of billets by these
      genotypes, and the ephemeral nature of A. parasiticus in RGV soils suggests
      global transport with sugarcane planting material.

PMID- 24224873
TI  - Homotropic cooperativity from the activation pathway of the allosteric ligand
      responsive regulatory trp RNA-binding attenuation protein.
AB  - The trp RNA-binding attenuation protein (TRAP) assembles into an 11-fold
      symmetric ring that regulates transcription and translation of trp-mRNA in
      bacilli via heterotropic allosteric activation by the amino acid tryptophan
      (Trp). Whereas nuclear magnetic resonance studies have revealed that Trp-induced
      activation coincides with both microsecond to millisecond rigidification and
      local structural changes in TRAP, the pathway of binding of the 11 Trp ligands to
      the TRAP ring remains unclear. Moreover, because each of 11 bound Trp molecules
      is completely surrounded by protein, its release requires flexibility of Trp
      bound (holo) TRAP. Here, we used stopped-flow fluorescence to study the kinetics
      of Trp binding by Bacillus stearothermophilus TRAP over a range of temperatures
      and observed well-separated kinetic steps. These data were analyzed using
      nonlinear least-squares fitting of several two- and three-step models. We found
      that a model with two binding steps best describes the data, although the
      structural equivalence of the binding sites in TRAP implies a fundamental change
      in the time-dependent structure of the TRAP rings upon Trp binding. Application
      of the two-binding step model reveals that Trp binding is much slower than the
      diffusion limit, suggesting a gating mechanism that depends on the dynamics of
      apo TRAP. These data also reveal that dissociation of Trp from the second binding
      mode is much slower than after the first Trp binding mode, revealing insight into
      the mechanism for positive homotropic allostery, or cooperativity. Temperature
      dependent analyses reveal that both binding modes imbue increases in bondedness
      and order toward a more compressed active state. These results provide insight
      into mechanisms of cooperative TRAP activation and underscore the importance of
      protein dynamics for ligand binding, ligand release, protein activation, and
      allostery. 

PMID- 24224874
TI  - Hydrogen sensing under ambient conditions using SnO2 nanowires: synergetic effect
      of Pd/Sn codeposition.
AB  - Semiconducting SnO2 nanowires deposited with Pd and Sn nanoparticles on their
      surface are shown to be a highly sensitive hydrogen sensor with fast response
      time at room temperature. Compared with the SnO2 nanowire deposited with Pd or Sn
      nanoparticles alone, the Pd/Sn-deposited SnO2 nanowire exhibits a significant
      improvement in the sensitivity and reversibility of sensing hydrogen gas in the
      air at room temperature. Our investigation indicates that two factors are
      responsible for the synergistic effect of Pd/Sn codeposition on SnO2 nanowires.
      One is that in the presence of Pd the oxidation of Sn nanoparticles on the
      surface of the SnO2 nanowire is incomplete leading only to suboxides SnOx (1 <= x
      < 2), and the other is that the surface of the Pd/Sn-deposited SnO2 nanowire is
      almost perfectly hydrophobic. 

PMID- 24224875
TI  - Functional insight from the tetratricopeptide repeat-like motifs of the type III
      secretion chaperone SicA in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.
AB  - SicA functions both as a class II chaperone for SipB and SipC of the type III
      secretion system (T3SS)-1 and as a transcriptional cofactor for the AraC-type
      transcription factor InvF in Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar
      Typhimurium. Bioinformatic analysis has predicted that SicA possesses three
      tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-like motifs, which are important for protein
      protein interactions and serve as multiprotein complex mediators. To investigate
      whether the TPR-like motifs in SicA are critical for its transcriptional cofactor
      function, the canonical residues in these motifs were mutated to glutamate
      (SicAA44E , SicAA78E , and SicAG112E ). None of these mutants except SicAA44E
      were able to activate the expression of the sipB and sigD genes. SicAA44E still
      has a capacity to interact with InvF in vitro, and despite its instability in
      cell, it could activate the sigDE operon. This suggests that TPR motifs are
      important for the transcriptional cofactor function of the SicA chaperone.

PMID- 24224877
TI  - Perdeuterated 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylate: an extremely efficient
      sensitizer for thulium luminescence in solution.
AB  - Lanthanoid luminescence has become an important pillar for many modern photonics
      applications such as bioanalytical research or functional material science. So
      far, however, thulium despite having one of the most interesting photophysics
      among the lanthanoids has suffered from extremely low luminescence efficiencies
      in molecular complexes with organic sensitizer ligands. This has greatly hampered
      the investigation and application of thulium emission in solution. Here, the
      discovery of a powerful sensitizer for thulium photoluminescence is reported. The
      corresponding thulium complex exhibits emission efficiencies (quantum yield Phi >
      0.12%; lifetime tauobs = 4.6 MUs; brightness epsilonPhi > 30 M(-1) cm(-1)) and
      can even be detected at low micromolar concentrations in high-phonon solvents
      like water without the need for laser excitation. 

PMID- 24224876
TI  - Quantitative, label-free characterization of stem cell differentiation at the
      single-cell level by broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy.
AB  - We use broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (BCARS) microscopy to
      characterize lineage commitment of individual human mesenchymal stem cells
      cultured in adipogenic, osteogenic, and basal culture media. We treat
      hyperspectral images obtained by BCARS in two independent ways, obtaining robust
      metrics for differentiation. In one approach, pixel counts corresponding to
      functional markers, lipids, and minerals, are used to classify individual cells
      as belonging to one of the three lineage groups: adipocytes, osteoblasts, and
      undifferentiated stem cells. In the second approach, we use multivariate analysis
      of Raman spectra averaged exclusively over cytosol regions of individual cells to
      classify the cells into the same three groups, with consistent results. The
      exceptionally high speed of spectral imaging with BCARS allows us to chemically
      map a large number of cells with high spatial resolution, revealing not only the
      phenotype of individual cells, but also population heterogeneity in the degree of
      phenotype commitment. 

PMID- 24224878
TI  - Expression level of sonic hedgehog correlated with the speed of gastric mucosa
      regeneration in artificial gastric ulcers.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastric ulcer healing is a complex process involving cell
      proliferation and tissue remodeling. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) activates the Shh
      signaling pathway, which plays a key role in processes such as tissue repair. Shh
      and interleukin 1beta (IL1beta) have been reported to influence the proliferation
      of gastric mucosa. We evaluated the relationships between the speed of gastric
      ulcer healing and the levels of expression of Shh and IL1beta. METHODS: The study
      included 45 patients (mean age 71.9 +/- 9.0 years; M/F, 30/15) who underwent
      endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric cancer, followed by standard
      dose of oral proton-pump inhibitor for 4 weeks. Subsequently, the size of ESD
      induced artificial ulcers were measured to determine the speed of gastric ulcer
      healing, and regenerating mucosa around the ulcers and appropriately matched
      controls were collected from patients by endoscopic biopsy. Polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) array analysis of genes in the Shh signaling pathway was
      performed, and quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was used to measure
      IL1beta mRNA. RESULTS: The levels of Shh and IL1beta mRNA were 3.0 +/- 2.7-fold
      and 2.5 +/- 2.5-fold higher, respectively, in regenerating mucosa of artificial
      ulcers than in appropriately matched controls, with the two being positively
      correlated (r = 0.9, P < 0.001). Shh (r = 0.8, P < 0.001) and IL1beta (r = 0.7, P
      < 0.005) expression was each positively correlated with the speed of gastric
      ulcer healing, but multivariate analysis showed that Shh expression was the only
      significant parameter (P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Expression of Shh was correlated
      with the speed of gastric ulcer healing, promoting the regeneration of gastric
      mucosa.

PMID- 24224879
TI  - Triorchidism: two case reports.
AB  - In this study, two cases of triorchidism are reported. The first case (29 years)
      had two right discrete ovoid nontender, firm, mobile lumps with testicular
      sensation. The second case (32 years) had two left discrete ovoid nontender,
      firm, mobile lumps with normal testicular sensation. They were subjected to the
      estimation of serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, free and
      total testosterone, alpha-fetoprotein, prostate-specific antigen, karyotyping and
      semen analysis. Imaging included ultrasonography, transrectal ultrasound,
      magnetic resonance imaging and intravenous pyelography. The first case had two
      testes in the right side. Each one had an epididymis where one vas deferens was
      palpated. The second case had two left testes with normal testicular sensation.
      The lower left lump represented normal-sized testis attached to its epididymis
      and a single palpated vas deferens. Diagnosis of the first case was triorchidism
      associated with left varicocele (grade I) with oligoasthenoteratozoospermic semen
      profile. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was carried out resulting in a twin.
      Diagnosis of the second case was triorchidism with accessory testis on the left
      side associated with left varicocele (grade I) and asthenozoospermic semen
      profile that was submitted to medical treatment. It is concluded that
      triorchidism is an uncommon congenital anomaly that should be not overlooked in
      diagnosing scrotal masses. 

PMID- 24224880
TI  - The influence of physical activity during youth on structural and functional
      properties of the Achilles tendon.
AB  - Achilles tendinopathy is a highly prevalent sports injury. Animal studies show a
      growth response in tendons in response to loading in the immature phase but not
      after puberty maturation. The aim of this investigation was to examine the
      structural and material properties in long distance runners who were either
      physically active (HAY) or inactive (LAY) in young age. Twelve men in HAY group
      and eight men in LAY group participated. Structural, functional, and biochemical
      properties of Achilles tendon were estimated from magnetic resonance imaging,
      ultrasound video recordings, mechanical tests, and tendon biopsies, respectively.
      There was no difference between the groups with respect to tendon cross-sectional
      area or tendon free length. There was no difference between the groups with
      respect to maximal force or mechanical properties. The collagen content,
      enzymatic and nonenzymatic cross-link density did not differ between the groups,
      nor did collagen fibril density, diameter, and area. There was a correlation
      between age and pentosidine/collagen within the groups [(HAY: P < 0.05 and r(2) =
      0.47) and (LAY: P < 0.05 and r(2) = 0.52)]. The data suggest that high or low
      activity during youth did not appreciably influence the mechanical, structural,
      or biochemical properties of the Achilles tendon in adult long distance runners.

PMID- 24224881
TI  - Competing frameworks in planning for the aged in the growth corridors of
      Melbourne.
AB  - The Ageing in the Growth Corridors Project was initiated as a partnership between
      the University of Melbourne and the Department of Health in the Northwest
      Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, Australia. It involved a research team working
      with six project officers appointed to stimulate development in relation to an
      aging population in the sprawling outer metropolitan growth corridors. This
      article identifies the key lessons learned in terms of project implementation
      relating to attitudinal and structural barriers to the development of an age
      friendly environment in areas of rapid urban growth. The findings illustrate some
      of the dilemmas raised by competing program conceptions, a dynamic and changing
      federal/state policy context, and local resource and strategic management
      constraints. The partnership with the university, nevertheless, provided a point
      of stability and continuity for the project officers in implementing their
      mandate. 

PMID- 24224882
TI  - Maternal dietary counseling during pregnancy and infant fatty acid profiles.
AB  - We aimed to explore whether maternal dietary counseling to increase the intake of
      unsaturated fatty acids (FA) is reflected in infant FA status. Serum cholesteryl
      ester (CE) and triacylglycerol (TAG) FA were analyzed from infants of 45 women
      randomized to receive dietary counseling from the first trimester of pregnancy
      and 45 control women. Counseling resulted in a higher intake of polyunsaturated
      FA and a lower intake of saturated FA. The dietary intake was reflected in cord
      blood TAGs: the n-6 to n-3 FA ratio was lower [mean difference -0.50 (95%CI -0.95
      to -0.06)] and the sum of n-3 FA was higher in the intervention than in the
      control group [1.46 (0.44 to 2.48)% of total FA]. Reasons for the lack of changes
      in the cord blood CE fraction and FA fractions at 1-month remain unclear, but may
      indicate that the changes achieved in the maternal diet through counseling were
      too modest.

PMID- 24224883
TI  - Insulin therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes during pregnancy.
AB  - Pregnancies affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D) carry a major risk for poor fetal,
      neonatal and maternal outcomes. Achieving normoglycemia while minimizing the risk
      of hypoglycemia is a major goal in the management of T1D as this can greatly
      reduce the risk of complications. However, maintaining optimal glucose levels is
      challenging because insulin requirements are not uniform throughout the course of
      the pregnancy. Over the past decade, there has been significant improvement in
      the methods for glucose monitoring and insulin administration, accompanied by an
      increase in the number of treatment options available to pregnant patients with
      T1D. Through study of the scientific literature and accumulated evidence, we
      review advances in the management of T1D in pregnancy and offer advice on how to
      achieve optimal care for the patient.

PMID- 24224884
TI  - Exploring functional concerns in help-seeking youth: a qualitative study.
AB  - AIM: This study aimed to explore the functional concerns of help-seeking young
      people 12-25 years of age. METHOD: Semistructured interviews with n = 10 young
      people seeking help from a youth mental health clinic were conducted. Data were
      transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results were verified
      by member checking. RESULTS: Participants identified reasons for seeking help,
      with the main themes being relationships, emotional management, risk-taking
      behaviour and difficulties with employment. There appeared to be a difference
      between the concerns of the older, post-school-age group and the younger
      participants. CONCLUSION: Young people are able to identify their functional
      concerns and reasons for seeking help from mental health services. Understanding
      the concerns of these young people provides weight to the model of youth-specific
      mental health services. Future work examining concerns of 12-25 year olds should
      ensure adequate representation of the older group as their needs and concerns
      seem to differ from those of younger participants in this study. Post-school-age
      youth seem to be under-represented in existing literature in this field. However,
      a limitation with this study is the small sample sizes once the cohort is divided
      by age. Future studies with a larger, more detailed examination of the needs and
      concerns of this population are warranted to inform service delivery advancements
      and clarify the difference in needs between the post-school and current school
      attendee groups.

PMID- 24224885
TI  - Factors associated with the development of chronic pain after surgery for breast
      cancer: a prospective cohort from a tertiary center in the United States.
AB  - Chronic pain has been shown to affect up to 60% of patients undergoing surgery
      for breast cancer. Besides younger age, other risk factors for the development of
      chronic pain have not been consistent in previous studies. The objective of the
      current investigation was to detect the prevalence and risk factors for the
      development of chronic pain after breast cancer surgery by examining a patient
      population from a tertiary cancer center in the United States. The study was a
      prospective observational cohort study. Subjects were evaluated at least 6 months
      after the surgical procedure. Subjects responded to the modified short form Brief
      pain inventory and the short form McGill pain questionnaire to identify and
      characterize pain. Demographic, surgery, cancer treatment, and perioperative
      characteristics were recorded. Propensity matching regression analysis were used
      to examine risk factors associated with the development of chronic pain. 300
      patients were included in the study. 110 reported the presence of chronic pain.
      Subjects with chronic pain reported median (interquartile range [IQR]) rating of
      worst pain in the last 24 hours of 4 (2-5) and a median (IQR) rating on average
      pain in the last 24 hours of 3 (1-4) on a 0-10 numeric rating scale. Independent
      risk factors associated with the development of chronic pain were age, OR (95%
      CI) of 0.95 (0.93-0.98) and axillary lymph node dissection, 7.7 (4.3-13.9) but
      not radiation therapy, 1.05(0.56-1.95). After propensity matching for confounding
      covariates, radiation was still not associated with the development of chronic
      pain. Chronic pain after mastectomy continues to have a high prevalence in breast
      cancer patients. Younger age and axillary lymph node dissection but not radiation
      therapy are risk factors for the development of chronic pain. Preventive
      strategies to minimize the development of chronic pain are highly desirable.

PMID- 24224887
TI  - Understanding the microscopic origin of gold nanoparticle anisotropic growth from
      molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - We use molecular dynamics simulations in order to understand the microscopic
      origin of the asymmetric growth mechanism in gold nanorods. We provide the first
      atomistic model of different surfaces on gold nanoparticles in a growing
      electrolyte solution, and we describe the interaction of the metal with the
      surfactants, namely, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and the ions. An
      innovative aspect is the inclusion of the role of the surfactants, which are
      explicitly modeled. We find that on all the investigated surfaces, namely, (111),
      (110), and (100), CTAB forms a layer of distorted cylindrical micelles where
      channels among micelles provide direct ion access to the surface. In particular,
      we show how AuCl2(-) ions, which are found in the growth solution, can freely
      diffuse from the bulk solution to the gold surface. We also find that the (111)
      surface exhibits a higher CTAB packing density and a higher electrostatic
      potential. Both elements would favor the growth of gold nanoparticles along the
      (111) direction. These findings are in agreement with the growth mechanisms
      proposed by the experimental groups of Murphy and Mulvaney. 

PMID- 24224886
TI  - Viral tropism and antiretroviral drug resistance in HIV-1 subtype C-infected
      patients failing highly active antiretroviral therapy in Johannesburg, South
      Africa.
AB  - Reports show that up to 30% of antiretroviral drug-naive patients in Johannesburg
      have CXCR4-utilizing HIV-1 subtype C. We assessed whether HIV-1 subtype C
      infected individuals failing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have a
      higher proportion of CXCR4-utilizing viruses compared to antiretroviral drug
      naive patients. The V3 loop was sequenced from plasma from 100 randomly selected
      HAART-failing patients, and tropism was established using predictive algorithms.
      All patients harbored HIV-1 subtype C with at least one antiretroviral drug
      resistance mutation. Viral tropism prediction in individuals failing HAART
      revealed similar proportions (29%) of X4-utilizing viruses compared to
      antiretroviral drug-naive patients (30%). Findings are in contrast to reports
      from Durban in which 60% of HAART-failing subjects harbored X4/dual/mixed-tropic
      viruses. Despite differences in proportions of X4-tropism within South Africa,
      the high proportion of thymidine analogue mutations (TAMs) and CXCR4-utilizing
      HIV-1 highlights the need for intensified monitoring of HAART patients and the
      predicament of diminishing drug options, including CCR5 antagonists, for patients
      failing therapy.

PMID- 24224888
TI  - Toward sensitive graphene nanoribbon-nanopore devices by preventing electron beam
      induced damage.
AB  - Graphene-based nanopore devices are promising candidates for next-generation DNA
      sequencing. Here we fabricated graphene nanoribbon-nanopore (GNR-NP) sensors for
      DNA detection. Nanopores with diameters in the range 2-10 nm were formed at the
      edge or in the center of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), with widths between 20 and
      250 nm and lengths of 600 nm, on 40 nm thick silicon nitride (SiN(x)) membranes.
      GNR conductance was monitored in situ during electron irradiation-induced
      nanopore formation inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM) operating at
      200 kV. We show that GNR resistance increases linearly with electron dose and
      that GNR conductance and mobility decrease by a factor of 10 or more when GNRs
      are imaged at relatively high magnification with a broad beam prior to making a
      nanopore. By operating the TEM in scanning TEM (STEM) mode, in which the position
      of the converged electron beam can be controlled with high spatial precision via
      automated feedback, we were able to prevent electron beam-induced damage and make
      nanopores in highly conducting GNR sensors. This method minimizes the exposure of
      the GNRs to the beam before and during nanopore formation. The resulting GNRs
      with unchanged resistances after nanopore formation can sustain microampere
      currents at low voltages (~50 mV) in buffered electrolyte solution and exhibit
      high sensitivity, with a large relative change of resistance upon changes of gate
      voltage, similar to pristine GNRs without nanopores.

PMID- 24224889
TI  - Anticoagulant surface coating using composite polysaccharides with embedded
      heparin-releasing mesoporous silica.
AB  - Release of heparin from the surface of biomaterials is a feasible and efficient
      manner for preventing blood coagulation because of the high bioactivity of free
      heparin and a low application dosage compared to intravenous injection of
      heparin. Here we report a novel method featuring a blend of heparin-loaded SBA
      15, catechol-modified chitosan (CCS), and heparin as a heparin-releasing film.
      The release of heparin was based on its leakage from heparin-loaded amino
      functionalized mesoporous silica SBA-15 (SBA-15-NH2), which was controlled by the
      amino density of the SBA-15-NH2. Heparin-loaded SBA-15-NH2, CCS, and heparin were
      mixed together, and the mixture was cast onto the surface of a polydopamine
      modified substrate, forming a heparin-releasing film on the surface of the
      substrate. The polydopamine acted as an adhesive interlayer that stabilized the
      film coated on the substrate. The sustained release rates of heparin from the
      film ranged from 15.8 to 2.1 MUg/cm(2)/h within 8 h. The heparin-releasing film
      showed low fibrinogen adsorption, platelet adhesion, and hemolysis rate,
      indicating that it has good blood compatibility. This new approach would be very
      useful for modifying the surface of versatile blood-contacting biomaterials and
      ultimately improve their anticoagulation performance. 

PMID- 24224890
TI  - Ethanol plus the Jo2 Fas agonistic antibody-induced liver injury is attenuated in
      mice with partial ablation of argininosuccinate synthase.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Argininosuccinate synthase (ASS) is an enzyme shared by the urea
      cycle and the l-citrulline/nitric oxide (NO.) cycle. ASS is the rate-limiting
      enzyme in the urea cycle and along with nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2), it endows
      cells with the l-citrulline/NO. salvage pathway to continuously supply l-arginine
      from l-citrulline for sustained NO. generation. Thus, ASS conditions NO.
      synthesis by NOS2. Because of the relevance of NOS2 activation for liver injury,
      we examined the contribution of ASS to NO. generation and how it impacts liver
      injury. METHODS: Wild-type (WT) mice and Ass(+/-) mice (Ass(-/-) mice are lethal)
      were intraperitoneally injected with ethanol (EtOH) at a dose of 2.5 g/kg of body
      weight twice a day for 3 days. Two hours after the last dose of EtOH, mice were
      administered the agonistic Jo2 anti-mouse Fas monoclonal antibody (Ab) at a dose
      of 0.2 MUg/g of body weight. Mice were sacrificed 8 hours after the Jo2 Ab
      injection. Markers of nitrosative and oxidative stress as well as liver damage
      were analyzed. RESULTS: EtOH plus Jo2 injection induced liver injury as shown by
      serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity, liver
      pathology, TUNEL, and cleaved caspase-3 were lower in Ass(+/-) mice compared with
      WT mice, suggesting that ASS contributes to EtOH plus Jo2-mediated liver injury.
      CYP2E1 induction, glutathione depletion, and elevated thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances were comparable in both groups of mice, suggesting that
      CYP2E1-mediated oxidative stress is not linked to ASS-induced liver injury. In
      contrast, NOS2 induction, 3-nitrotyrosine adducts formation and elevated
      nitrites, nitrates, and S-nitrosothiols were higher in livers from WT mice than
      from Ass(+/-) mice. CONCLUSION: Decreased nitrosative stress causes lower EtOH
      plus Jo2-induced liver injury in Ass(+/-) mice.

PMID- 24224891
TI  - Does the reconstitution of RC-LH1 complexes from Rhodopseudomonas acidophila
      strain 10050 into a phospholipid bilayer yield the optimum environment for
      optical spectroscopy?
AB  - We have investigated reaction-center light-harvesting 1 (RC-LH1) complexes from
      Rhodopseudomonas (Rps.) acidophila in detergent buffer solution and reconstituted
      into a phospholipid bilayer and compared the results with the outcome of an
      earlier study conducted on RC-LH1 immobilized in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The aim
      of this study was to test whether the immobilization of the complexes in a PVA
      matrix might lead to a deterioration of the proteins and thereby limit the
      accessible information that can be obtained from optical spectroscopy. It has
      been found that the complexes dissolved in a detergent buffer solution are
      subject to fast spectral dynamics preventing any meaningful application of single
      molecule spectroscopy. In contrast, for the bilayer samples it is revealed that
      the reconstitution process results in a significantly larger fraction of broken
      complexes with respect to the preparation of the complexes in a PVA film.
      Moreover, we find that for the intact complexes the statistics of the key
      spectral features, such as the spectral separations of the bands and the mutual
      orientation of their transition-dipole moments, show no variation dependent on
      using either a bilayer or PVA as a matrix. Given the additional effort involved
      in the reconstitution process, the lower amount of intact RC-LH1 complexes and,
      concerning the decisive spectral details, the identical results with respect to
      embedding the complexes in a PVA matrix, we come to the conclusion that the
      immobilization of these proteins in a PVA matrix is a good choice for conducting
      low-temperature experiments on individual light-harvesting complexes. 

PMID- 24224892
TI  - Intrinsic optical activity and conformational flexibility: the role of size
      dependent ring morphology in model cycloketones.
AB  - The optical rotatory dispersion of two monocyclic ketones, (R)-3
      methylcyclopentanone [R-3MCP] and (R)-3-methylcyclohexanone [R-3MCH], has been
      investigated under isolated and solvated conditions to explore the role of ring
      size/morphology and to elucidate the impact of environmental perturbations. Vapor
      phase measurements of specific rotation, [alpha]lambdaT, were performed at
      355/633 nm by means of cavity ring-down polarimetry while complementary solution
      phase work employed a canonical discrete-wavelength polarimeter to probe five
      distinct solvents. The magnitude of [alpha]lambdaT was found to increase upon
      solvation, albeit to different extents for the two species of interest, with the
      attendant sign switching between the solution and vapor phases for lambda >=
      510.7 nm in the case of R-3MCH. Quantum-chemical analyses suggest two low-lying
      conformers to exist for each ketone, distinguished by an equatorial or axial
      arrangement of the methyl substituent. Linear-response calculations built upon
      density-functional [DFT(B3LYP)/aug-cc-pVTZ] and coupled-cluster [CCSD/aug-cc
      pVDZ] frameworks gave antagonistic chiroptical parameters for these isomers,
      which were combined with various energy metrics in a conformer-averaging ansatz
      to simulate the response for a thermally equilibrated ensemble. The intrinsic
      behavior of R-3MCP was reproduced best by averaging DFT optical-activity
      predictions according to relative populations deduced from free-energy
      differences; however, less satisfactory agreement was realized for isolated R
      3MCH molecules. The sizable circular birefringence of R-3MCP can be attributed to
      inherent chirality of its twisted carbon ring whereas the more modest response of
      R-3MCH stems mainly from the lone stereogenic center. The implicit polarizable
      continuum model treated solvation effects in R-3MCP with moderate success, but
      failed to replicate solvent-dependent trends in R-3MCH. The relationship of
      dispersive optical activity to bulk characteristics of the surrounding medium,
      including dielectric constant, refractive index, and polarizability, is discussed
      with the goal of bridging the gap between isolated and solvated chiroptical
      properties.

PMID- 24224893
TI  - Maternal input to children with specific language impairment during shared book
      reading: is mothers' language in tune with their children's production?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The literature on input addressed to children with specific language
      impairment (SLI) has shown contrasting results on the role that parents assume
      during conversational interactions. Some studies have shown that parents
      compensate for the child's linguistic limitations. In contrast, other studies
      have indicated that mothers are able to adjust their communication in response to
      their children's language characteristics. AIMS: To assess the 'closeness of fit'
      between maternal input and child language profiles in children with SLI during
      shared book reading. To achieve this aim, the individual linguistic features of a
      group of children with SLI and their mothers were compared with those of two
      typically developing (TD) groups and the 'distances' (i.e., the differences
      between the mother's and her child's linguistic indices) within each dyad were
      compared. METHOD & PROCEDURES: Three groups of children with their mothers
      participated in the study: 14 children with expressive SLI, 14 language age
      matched TD children (LA-matched group), and 14 chronological age-matched TD
      children (CA-matched group). Each mother-child dyad was videotaped during two
      weekly sessions of shared book reading, at home. All sessions were entirely
      transcribed. For each session, the following indices were then considered: whole
      word phonological indices, grammatical categories and lexical indices for types
      and tokens, and the distance between the mother's and the child's linguistic
      indices within individual dyads. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Analysis of the differences
      between phonological, lexical and morphosyntactic characteristics of the mothers'
      and children's language indicated that both children with SLI and their mothers
      produced adjectives and adverbs with lower phonological complexity and with
      higher frequency of use compared with the CA-matched group, and nouns with lower
      frequency of use and higher age of acquisition compared with the LA-matched
      group. In addition, individual dyads within the SLI group displayed reduced
      distances between linguistic indices produced by the mother and child compared
      with dyads within the CA-matched group. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: On the whole
      these findings suggest that mothers of children with SLI are able to tune their
      language to their children's linguistic limitations. These findings may
      contribute to improving early intervention programmes with children with SLI by
      focusing on the mother-child interaction during shared book reading.

PMID- 24224894
TI  - Fractal and Euclidean descriptors of platelet shape.
AB  - Platelet shape change is a dynamic membrane surface process that exhibits
      remarkable morphological heterogeneity. Once the outline of an irregular shape is
      identified and segmented from a digital image, several mathematical descriptors
      can be applied to numerical characterize the irregularity of the shapes surface.
      13072 platelet outlines (PLO) were segmented automatically from 1928 microscopic
      images using a newly developed algorithm for the software product Matlab R2012b.
      The fractal dimension (FD), circularity, eccentricity, area and perimeter of each
      PLO were determined. 972 PLO were randomly assigned for computer-assisted manual
      measurement of platelet diameter as well as number, width and length of filopodia
      per platelet. FD can be used as a surrogate parameter for determining the
      roughness of the PLO and circularity can be used as a surrogate to estimate the
      number and length of filopodia. The relationship between FD and perimeter of the
      PLO reveals the existence of distinct groups of platelets with significant
      structural differences which may be caused by platelet activation. This new
      method allows for the standardized continuous numerical classification of
      platelet shape and its dynamic change, which is useful for the analysis of
      altered platelet activity (e.g. inflammatory diseases, contact activation, drug
      testing).

PMID- 24224895
TI  - Clinical Factors Influencing Removal of the Cement Excess in Implant-Supported
      Restorations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The depth of the cementation margin has an influence on the amount of
      cement remnants around implants. However, the role of other clinical factors is
      still not clarified. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the
      correlation between undetected cement and (i) location of the implant, (ii)
      implant diameter, and (iii) undercut. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients
      were treated with single metal-ceramic restorations on implants. The undercut
      between the restoration and the tissue was measured. After cementation, the
      restoration-abutment unit was unscrewed. All quadrants of the specimens were
      photographed and analyzed. The ratio between total restoration area/peri-implant
      tissue area and area of cement remnants was calculated in pixels. Significance
      was set to 0.05. RESULTS: Sixty-five metal-ceramic restorations were placed on 65
      implants (39 molars, 22 premolars, 4 anteriors; 21 implants had a diameter of 3.5
      mm, 34 of 4.0 mm, 10 of 5.0 mm). An undercut of 1 mm was found in 118 sites, 2 mm
      in 96 sites, and 3 mm in 46. The percentages of soft tissue and restoration,
      respectively, covered by cement were as follows: molars 4% and 7%; premolars 3.8%
      and 7.3%; anteriors 3% and 3.4%; 3.5 mm diameter 3.3% and 7.4%; 4.0 mm 7.7% and
      7.7%; 5.0 mm 3.9% and 2.1%; 1-mm undercut 3.5% and 5.4%; 2-mm 4% and 8.1%; 3-mm
      4.8% and 8.4%. The relationship between amount of cement remnants and implant
      location was insignificant (p > 0.05) for both soft tissue and the specimen, but
      significant relationships with amount of cement remnants were found for diameter
      (p = 0.026 for soft tissue, p = 0.600 for specimen) and undercut (p = 0.004 for
      soft tissue, p = 0.046 for specimen). CONCLUSION: If cemented crown restoration
      is desired, undercuts should be reduced to a minimum for better removal of cement
      excess, irrespective of the diameter and location of the implants in the mouth.

PMID- 24224896
TI  - The highs and lows of caregiving for chronically ill lesbian, gay, and bisexual
      elders.
AB  - This study examines informal caregivers' and LGB care recipients' best and worst
      experiences of care within their relationship. Communal relationship theory
      guides the research. The work uses qualitative interview data from a sample of 36
      care pairs (N = 72), divided between committed partners and friends, to
      understand the similarities and differences in the care norms employed in varied
      relationship contexts. Findings from the study show that relationship context
      influences the experiences that caregivers and care recipients identify as best
      and worst, but often focus on the relationship and needs met at bests, and
      conflict and fear of worsening health as worsts. 

PMID- 24224897
TI  - Eosinophil-rich granulomatous panniculitis caused by exenatide injection.

PMID- 24224898
TI  - Plasmonic nature of the terahertz conductivity peak in single-wall carbon
      nanotubes.
AB  - Plasmon resonance is expected to occur in metallic and doped semiconducting
      carbon nanotubes in the terahertz frequency range, but its convincing
      identification has so far been elusive. The origin of the terahertz conductivity
      peak commonly observed for carbon nanotube ensembles remains controversial. Here
      we present results of optical, terahertz, and direct current (DC) transport
      measurements on highly enriched metallic and semiconducting nanotube films. A
      broad and strong terahertz conductivity peak appears in both types of films,
      whose behaviors are consistent with the plasmon resonance explanation, firmly
      ruling out other alternative explanations such as absorption due to curvature
      induced gaps. 

PMID- 24224899
TI  - Analysis of pesticide residues in strawberries and soils by GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS
      and two-dimensional GC-time-of-flight MS comparing organic and integrated pest
      management farming.
AB  - This study analysed 22 strawberry and soil samples after their collection over
      the course of 2 years to compare the residue profiles from organic farming with
      integrated pest management practices in Portugal. For sample preparation, we used
      the citrate-buffered version of the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and
      safe (QuEChERS) method. We applied three different methods for analysis: (1) 27
      pesticides were targeted using LC-MS/MS; (2) 143 were targeted using low pressure
      GC-tandem mass spectrometry (LP-GC-MS/MS); and (3) more than 600 pesticides were
      screened in a targeted and untargeted approach using comprehensive, two
      dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC * GC-TOF-MS).
      Comparison was made of the analyses using the different methods for the shared
      samples. The results were similar, thereby providing satisfactory confirmation of
      both similarly positive and negative findings. No pesticides were found in the
      organic-farmed samples. In samples from integrated pest management practices,
      nine pesticides were determined and confirmed to be present, ranging from 2 ug
      kg(-1) for fluazifop-p-butyl to 50 ug kg(-1) for fenpropathrin. Concentrations of
      residues in strawberries were less than European maximum residue limits.

PMID- 24224900
TI  - Sequencing therapy in advanced prostate cancer: focus on sipuleucel-T.
AB  - Immunotherapies such as sipuleucel-T present new and unique challenges for the
      optimal timing and sequencing of therapies for metastatic castration-resistant
      prostate cancer (mCRPC). Key considerations for the sequencing of sipuleucel-T
      are its unique proposed mechanism of action, the time required to generate a
      clinically relevant immune response, and the observed efficacy in Phase III
      trials in 'early' or asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic mCRPC. There are three
      broad timing and sequencing options for sipuleucel-T in patients with rising
      prostate-specific antigen and radiologic evidence of disease: immediately after
      androgen-deprivation therapy failure, after failure of secondary hormonal
      maneuvers, or after chemotherapy. There are several other agents in Phase III
      development in mCRPC and any future approvals will impact on the current
      treatment algorithm, and raise further questions regarding how to optimize
      sequencing and timing of therapies for better clinical outcomes. 

PMID- 24224901
TI  - Protective and reparative effects of peptides from soybean beta-conglycinin on
      mice intestinal mucosa injury.
AB  - Peptides derived from alcalase digestion of soybean beta-conglycinin, containing
      8.52% carbohydrate, exhibits an inhibition effect on pathogen adhesion or
      translocation to intestinal cells in vitro. In this study, the protective and
      reparative effects of beta-conglycinin peptides on intestinal mucosa injury in
      vivo were studied using mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced intestinal
      mucosa injury. The results showed that beta-conglycinin peptides contained
      approximately 21.77% glutamic acid (Glu), and significantly reduced the
      histological injury in mice both in the protective and reparative experiments.
      The myeloperoxidase activity of mice treated with beta-conglycinin peptides
      decreased compared with those treated DSS in the positive control group.
      Immunohistochemical analysis also showed that beta-conglycinin peptides inhibited
      the expression of inflammatory factor NF-kappaB/p65. These results suggested that
      peptides derived from soybean beta-conglycinin exhibited protective and
      reparative effects on mice intestinal mucosa injury.

PMID- 24224902
TI  - Predictors of nipple ischemia after nipple sparing mastectomy.
AB  - Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) has become an accepted approach in selected cases
      of breast cancer and prophylactic mastectomy. Various surgical techniques have
      been described and nipple ischemia has been a common complication. Potential risk
      factors for nipple ischemia after NSM are examined. To examine predisposing
      factors for nipple ischemia after NSM. Prospective evaluation of 71 consecutive
      NSM in 45 patients from 2009 to 2011 was performed. There were 40 mastectomies
      for cancer (56.3%), and 31 (43.7%) prophylactic mastectomies. In cases of cancer,
      the ducts were excised from the undersurface of the nipple. Reconstructive
      methods included: expander 58, latissimus flap/expander 2, implant 10, and free
      TRAM flap 1. Various patient and technical factors were examined for impact on
      nipple ischemia. Partial nipple necrosis occurred in 20 cases (28.2%). Nineteen
      cases healed uneventfully and one required secondary nipple reconstruction.
      Operations for cancer (OR 10.54, CI 1.88-59.04, p = 0.007) and periareolar
      incisions (OR 9.69, CI 1.57-59.77, p = 0.014) predisposed to nipple ischemia.
      Periareolar incisions and dissection of the nipple ducts for cancer have a higher
      risk of nipple necrosis after NSM.

PMID- 24224904
TI  - Self-reported symptoms and health service use in adolescence in persons who later
      develop psychotic disorders: a prospective case-control study.
AB  - AIM: To investigate self-reported psychiatric and somatic symptoms and health
      service use at age 16 in persons who later developed a psychotic disorder
      compared with a control group from the same geographical areas. METHOD: Responses
      concerning psychiatric or somatic health and health service use from Norwegian
      youth studies in a cohort of 15- and 16-year-olds in three Norwegian counties (N
      = 11 101, 90% response rate) were gathered. The questionnaire responses from
      persons later identified with a lifetime diagnosis of DSM-IV (Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) psychotic disorders (n =
      30) (confirmed psychosis, CP) were compared with responses from the rest of the
      group (population control, PC) (n = 11 067). Follow-up analyses were made for
      cases with a confirmed onset of a psychotic disorder after the time of the survey
      (n = 21). RESULTS: The main significant differences between the CP and PC groups
      were more self-reported anxiety, depression and 'feeling in need of treatment for
      eating disorders' at age 16 in the CP group. The rate of self-reported eating
      disorder symptoms alone reached the level of statistical significance in the
      follow-up analyses. The CP group did not use available health services to a
      markedly greater extent than the control group. CONCLUSION: We found that, in
      comparison with others, youths who were later identified with a psychotic
      disorder reported more symptoms at age 16.

PMID- 24224903
TI  - Long-term facilitation of ventilation in humans with chronic spinal cord injury.
AB  - RATIONALE: Intermittent stimulation of the respiratory system with hypoxia causes
      persistent increases in respiratory motor output (i.e., long-term facilitation)
      in animals with spinal cord injury. This paradigm, therefore, has been touted as
      a potential respiratory rehabilitation strategy. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether
      acute (daily) exposure to intermittent hypoxia can also evoke long-term
      facilitation of ventilation after chronic spinal cord injury in humans, and
      whether repeated daily exposure to intermittent hypoxia enhances the magnitude of
      this response. METHODS: Eight individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (>1
      yr; cervical [n = 6], thoracic [n = 2]) were exposed to intermittent hypoxia
      (eight 2-min intervals of 8% oxygen) for 10 days. During all exposures, end-tidal
      carbon dioxide levels were maintained, on average, 2 mm Hg above resting values.
      Minute ventilation, tidal volume, and breathing frequency were measured before
      (baseline), during, and 30 minutes after intermittent hypoxia. Sham protocols
      consisted of exposure to room air and were administered to a subset of the
      participants (n = 4). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Minute ventilation increased
      significantly for 30 minutes after acute exposure to intermittent hypoxia (P <
      0.001), but not after sham exposure. However, the magnitude of ventilatory long
      term facilitation was not enhanced over 10 days of intermittent hypoxia
      exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Ventilatory long-term facilitation can be evoked by brief
      periods of hypoxia in humans with chronic spinal cord injury. Thus, intermittent
      hypoxia may represent a strategy for inducing respiratory neuroplasticity after
      declines in respiratory function that are related to neurological impairment.
      Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01272011).

PMID- 24224905
TI  - Use of intravenous propofol in the treatment of migraine headache.

PMID- 24224906
TI  - Yb5Ga2Sb6: a mixed valent and narrow-band gap material in the RE5M2X6 family.
AB  - A new compound Yb5Ga2Sb6 was synthesized by the metal flux technique as well as
      high frequency induction heating. Yb5Ga2Sb6 crystallizes in the orthorhombic
      space group Pbam (no. 55), in the Ba5Al2Bi6 structure type, with a unit cell of a
      = 7.2769(2) A, b = 22.9102(5) A, c = 4.3984(14) A, and Z = 2. Yb5Ga2Sb6 has an
      anisotropic structure with infinite anionic double chains (Ga2Sb6)(10-) cross
      linked by Yb(2+) and Yb(3+) ions. Each single chain is made of corner-sharing
      GaSb4 tetrahedra. Two such chains are bridged by Sb2 groups to form double chains
      of 1/infinity [Ga2Sb6(10-)]. The compound satisfies the classical Zintl-Klemm
      concept and is a narrow band gap semiconductor with an energy gap of around 0.36
      eV calculated from the electrical resistivity data corroborating with the
      experimental absorption studies in the IR region (0.3 eV). Magnetic measurements
      suggest Yb atoms in Yb5Ga2Sb6 exist in the mixed valent state. Temperature
      dependent magnetic susceptibility data follows the Curie-Weiss behavior above 100
      K and no magnetic ordering was observed down to 2 K. Experiments are accompanied
      by all electron full-potential linear augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) calculations
      based on density functional theory to calculate the electronic structure and
      density of states. The calculated band structure shows a weak overlap of valence
      band and conduction band resulting in a pseudo gap in the density of states
      revealing semimetallic character. 

PMID- 24224907
TI  - An essential enzyme for phospholipid synthesis associates with the Bacillus
      subtilis divisome.
AB  - The mechanism by which the membrane synthetic machinery might be co-organized
      with the cell-division architecture during the bacterial cell cycle remains to be
      investigated. We characterized a key enzyme of phospholipid and fatty acid
      synthesis in Bacillus subtilis, the acyl-acyl carrier protein phosphate
      acyltransferase (PlsX), and identified it as a component of the cell-division
      machinery. Comprehensive interaction analysis revealed that PlsX interacts with
      FtsA, the FtsZ-anchoring protein. PlsX mainly localized at the potential division
      site independent of FtsA and FtsZ and then colocalized with FtsA. By
      multidirectional approaches, we revealed that the Z-ring stabilizes the
      association of PlsX at the septum and pole. The localization of PlsX is also
      affected by the progression of DNA replication. PlsX is needed for cell division
      and its inactivation leads to aberrant Z-ring formation. We propose that PlsX
      localization is prior to Z-ring formation in the hierarchy of septum formation
      events and that PlsX is important for co-ordinating membrane synthesis with cell
      division in order to properly complete septum formation. 

PMID- 24224908
TI  - FTIR characterization of water-polymer interactions in superacid polymers.
AB  - The OD stretch of dilute HOD in H2O absorbed in a series of sulfonated
      syndiotactic poly(styrene) and sulfonated poly(sulfone) membranes was studied
      using FTIR spectroscopy to measure how the character of the sulfonate head group
      and the backbone polarity influenced the water-membrane interactions. Using a
      three-state model, the OD stretch yielded information about the populations of
      absorbed water participating in hydrogen bonds with polymer-tethered sulfonate
      groups, water in an intermediate state, or water hydrogen bonding with other
      water molecules. The perfluoroalkyl sulfonate moiety, which behaves as a
      superacid, consistently displayed the largest fraction of head-group-associated
      water due to its strong acidic character. Measurements of the OD stretch gave
      insight into the strength of the hydrogen bonds formed between water and the
      sulfonate groups. Water associated with the superacid displayed an OD stretch
      peak position that was blueshifted by 39 cm(-1) compared to the aryl-sulfonate
      associated water with an OD stretching frequency that was centered at 2547 cm(
      1). The polarity of the polymer backbone also affected the OD stretch peak
      position. As hydration increased, the OD peak stretching frequency in
      poly(styrene)-based membranes displayed a red shift from 2566 to 2553 cm(-1),
      whereas there was no OD peak maxima shift in poly(sulfone)-based membranes due to
      the greater amount of intermediate water in the more polar poly(sulfone) backbone
      system. 

PMID- 24224909
TI  - The resveratrol attenuates ethanol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis via inhibiting ER
      related caspase-12 activation and PDE activity in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a key role in cell apoptosis
      pathways. Caspase-12, a proapoptotic gene induced by ER stress, is also the key
      molecule in ER-related apoptosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the
      protective activity and possible mechanism of resveratrol (ResV) against ethanol
      (EtOH)-induced apoptosis in human hepatocyte Chang cell line. METHODS: The human
      hepatocyte Chang cell line was used to test the hypothesis that ResV may
      alleviate the liver cell apoptosis induced by EtOH. ER stress-inducible proteins
      and silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) were assayed by
      Western blot. Cell viability was studied by MTT assay and apoptosis was measured
      by Annexin-V and propidium iodide assay. Caspase-12 activation was examined by
      immunofluorescence staining. Alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (ADH-2) and aldehyde
      dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH-2) were measured by polymerase chain reaction amplified
      product length polymorphism. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity was assayed in cell
      lysates using a cyclic nucleotide PDE assay. RESULTS: EtOH exposure significantly
      increased the expression of ER stress markers and activated signaling pathways
      associated with ER stress. These include GRP78, p-IRE1alpha, p-eIF2alpha, p-PERK,
      ATF4 as well as cleaved caspase-3/12, CHOP/GADD153, and Bax in human hepatocyte
      Chang cell line. The expression of these proteins were significantly down
      regulated by ResV (10 MUM) in a SIRT1-dependent manner. ResV can inhibit EtOH-,
      tunicamycin-, thapsigargin-induced caspase-12 activation. ADH-2 and ALDH-2
      activities are lower in this cell line. PDE activity increased by EtOH was
      inhibited by ResV (10 MUM). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that (i) EtOH
      induced activation of caspase-12 could be one of the underlying mechanisms of
      hepatocyte apoptosis; (ii) EtOH-induced cell apoptosis was alleviated via ResV
      (10 MUM) by inhibiting ER stress and caspase-12 activation in a SIRT1-dependent
      manner; and (iii) SIRT1 activated indirectly by ResV (10 MUM) attenuates EtOH
      induced hepatocyte apoptosis partly through inhibiting PDE activity.

PMID- 24224910
TI  - Polydopamine as an efficient and robust platform to functionalize carbon fiber
      for high-performance polymer composites.
AB  - Carbon fibers (CFs), which exhibit excellent physical performances and low
      density, suffer from their low surface activity in some application. Herein,
      based on dopamine chemistry, we proposed an efficient method to functionalize
      them: through a simple dip-coating procedure, the CFs were inverted from
      amphiphobic to hydrophilic with deposition of polydopamine film. Furthermore,
      using polydopamine as a bridge, the hydrophilic functionalized CFs were
      transformed to be oleophilic after following octadecylamine grafting. To
      illustrate applications of this functionalization strategy, we added 15 wt %
      functionalized CFs into polar epoxy and nonpolar poly(ethylene-co-octene), and as
      a consequence, their tensile strength respectively increase by 70 and 60%, which
      show greater reinforcing effect than the unmodified ones (35 and 35%). The
      results of dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscope
      observations indicate that this polydopamine-based functionalization route
      brought about satisfactory improvements in interfacial adhesion between fillers
      and matrix. Considering that this simple approach is facile and robust enough to
      allow further specific functionalization to adjust surface properties, these
      findings may lead to the development of new efficient strategies for surface
      functionalization of CFs that are of great interest to the industrial field. 

PMID- 24224911
TI  - Folate intake and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers: a systematic review
      and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is conflicting evidence on the association between
      folate intake and the risk of upper gastrointestinal tract cancers. In order to
      further elucidate this relationship, we performed a systematic review and
      quantitative meta-analysis of folate intake and the risk of esophageal, gastric,
      and pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Four electronic databases (Medline, PubMed,
      Embase, and Current Contents Connect) were searched to July 26, 2013, with no
      language restrictions for observational studies that measured folate intake and
      the risk of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, or pancreatic cancer. Pooled odds
      ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random effects model.
      RESULTS: The meta-analysis of dietary folate and esophageal cancer risk
      comprising of nine retrospective studies showed a decreased risk of esophageal
      cancer (odds ratio [OR] 0.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.51-0.69). The
      meta-analysis of dietary folate and gastric cancer risk comprising of 16 studies
      showed no association (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.78-1.14). The meta-analysis of dietary
      folate and pancreatic cancer risk comprising of eight studies showed a decreased
      risk of pancreatic cancer (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.49-0.89). CONCLUSION: Dietary folate
      intake is associated with a decreased risk of esophageal and pancreatic cancer,
      but not gastric cancer. Interpretation of these relationships is complicated by
      significant heterogeneity between studies when pooled, and by small numbers of
      studies available to analyze when stratification is performed to reduce
      heterogeneity.

PMID- 24224912
TI  - Acute pain evaluation with Algoplus scale in Cambodian patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of acute pain in patients with language barriers is often
      difficult during humanitarian missions. Algoplus, a behavioral scale validated
      for acute pain evaluation in Caucasians with verbal communication difficulties,
      was tested during a clinical mission in Cambodia in patients admitted to hospital
      for acute pain. METHODS: Patients (N = 33, 19 men and 14 women [38 +/- 3 years
      old]) suffering from acute pain were admitted to Calmette Hospital, Phnom Penh,
      Cambodia during June 2010. Patients spoke Khmer only; a medical trainee who did
      no speak Khmer performed the Algoplus scale, and a bilingual Khmer pain
      specialist doctor asked the patient to score pain intensity on a numerical scale
      (0-10). The relevance of the scale and of each item (facial expression,
      complaints, look, body position, and atypical behavior yes/no) was studied.
      Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach alpha analysis and convergent
      validity by correlation coefficient. The relationship between Algoplus items and
      pain intensity was analysed. RESULTS: Pain intensity (6.3 +/- 2.2) and Algoplus
      scores (2.1 +/- 1.2) are correlated (r = 0.61, P < 0.001): increases in Algoplus
      are correlated to increases in pain intensity. Internal consistency is 0.51, and
      scales comparison per item is significant for facial expression (P = 0.028) and
      complaints (P = 0.005), but not for the other items. CONCLUSION: This feasibility
      study shows that despite a correlation with pain intensity, Algoplus may
      underestimate acute pain in this population. It is, however, an interesting tool
      for future studies to explore facial expression and complaints as proxies of pain
      in non-communicative patients.

PMID- 24224913
TI  - Prediction of correlates of daily physical activity in Spanish children aged 8-9
      years.
AB  - The aims of the study were (a) to examine the associations between the daily
      physical activity (PA) of 8- to 9-year-old children and their parents, and (b) to
      examine what effect the child's daily PA has on its cardiorespiratory fitness
      (CRF), body mass index (BMI), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The
      sample consisted of 1021 persons [351 children (8.73 +/- 0.69 years in age) and
      670 parents]. Pedometers were used to evaluate PA in parents and their children
      over the course of 4 days (Thursday-Sunday), with the instructions on how to wear
      the pedometers for 24 h a day. Also evaluated were height, weight, BMI, CRF (via
      the maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test), and HRQoL (via the EQ-5D-Y
      questionnaire). Associations between these variables were studied using path
      model techniques. The father's PA predicts his child's daily PA. This in turn
      predicts the child's lower BMI, CRF, and perceived quality of life. The findings
      suggest that the role model of a physically active father positively influences
      the child's PA habits, and hence that the family environment can have an
      important part to play in promoting health.

PMID- 24224915
TI  - Water-in-water emulsions based on incompatible polymers and stabilized by
      triblock copolymers-templated polymersomes.
AB  - Aqueous solutions containing a mixture of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran
      homopolymers form an aqueous two-phase system which can be emulsified to give a
      water-in-water emulsion. We show how these emulsions can be stabilized using
      triblock polymers containing poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether
      methacrylate] (PEGMA), poly (n-butyl methacrylate) (BuMA), and poly[2
      (dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (DMAEMA) blocks of general structure Pp-Bb
      Dd, in which the middle BuMA block is hydrophobic. Low-energy input stirring of
      mixtures containing equal volumes of PEG- and dex-rich aqueous phases plus 1 wt %
      of Pp-Bb-Dd stabilizer all form dex-in-PEG emulsions (for the range of Pp-Bb-Dd
      triblock polymers used here) which have a polymersome-like structure. In
      favorable cases, the emulsion drop (or templated polymersome) sizes are a few
      micrometers and are stable for periods in excess of 6 months. The emulsions can
      be inverted from dex-in-PEG to PEG-in-dex by increasing the volume fraction of
      dex-rich aqueous phase. We demonstrate that both high and low molecular weight
      fluorescent solutes "self-load" into either the dex- or PEG-rich regions and that
      solute mass transfer across the water-water interface occurs on a timescale of
      less than 1 min. 

PMID- 24224916
TI  - Clinicians' practice environment is associated with a higher likelihood of
      recommending cesarean deliveries.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little data exist regarding clinicians' role in the rising annual
      incidence rate of cesarean delivery in the US. We aimed to examine if clinicians'
      practice environment is associated with recommending cesarean deliveries. STUDY
      DESIGN: This is a survey study of clinicians who practice obstetrics in the US.
      This survey included eight clinical vignettes and 27 questions regarding
      clinicians' practice environment. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic
      regression were used for statistical comparison. RESULTS: Of 27 675 survey links
      sent, 3646 clinicians received and opened the survey electronically, and 1555
      (43%) participated and 1486 (94%) completed the survey. Clinicians were
      categorized into three groups based on eight common obstetric vignettes as: more
      likely (n = 215), average likelihood (n = 1099), and less likely (n = 168) to
      recommend cesarean. Clinician environment factors associated with a higher
      likelihood of recommending cesarean included Laborists/Hospitalists practice
      model (p < 0.001), as-needed anesthesia support (p = 0.003), and rural/suburban
      practice setting (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We identified factors in clinicians'
      environment associated with their likelihood of recommending cesarean delivery.
      The decision to recommend cesarean delivery is a complicated one and is likely
      not solely based on patient factors.

PMID- 24224917
TI  - 13% efficiency hybrid organic/silicon-nanowire heterojunction solar cell via
      interface engineering.
AB  - Interface carrier recombination currently hinders the performance of hybrid
      organic-silicon heterojunction solar cells for high-efficiency low-cost
      photovoltaics. Here, we introduce an intermediate 1,1-bis[(di-4
      tolylamino)phenyl]cyclohexane (TAPC) layer into hybrid heterojunction solar cells
      based on silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and conjugate polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy
      thiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). The highest power conversion
      efficiency reaches a record 13.01%, which is largely ascribed to the modified
      organic surface morphology and suppressed saturation current that boost the open
      circuit voltage and fill factor. We show that the insertion of TAPC increases the
      minority carrier lifetime because of an energy offset at the heterojunction
      interface. Furthermore, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy reveals that TAPC can
      effectively block the strong oxidation reaction occurring between PEDOT:PSS and
      silicon, which improves the device characteristics and assurances for
      reliability. These learnings point toward future directions for versatile
      interface engineering techniques for the attainment of highly efficient hybrid
      photovoltaics. 

PMID- 24224918
TI  - Preparing the way for doping wurtzite silicon nanowires while retaining the
      phase.
AB  - It is demonstrated that boron-doped nanowires have predominantly long-term stable
      wurtzite phase while the majority of phosphorus-doped ones present diamond phase.
      A simplified model based on the different solubility of boron and phosphorus in
      gold is proposed to explain their diverse effectiveness in retaining the wurtzite
      phase. The wurtzite nanowires present a direct transition at the Gamma point at
      approximately 1.5 eV while the diamond ones have a predominant emission around
      1.1 eV. The aforementioned results are intriguing for innovative solar cell
      devices. 

PMID- 24224919
TI  - 'I am not a tragedy. I am full of hope': communication impairment narratives in
      newspapers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Individual attitudes and more general attitudes in society can
      negatively influence the functioning of people with communication disorders
      according to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) International Classification
      of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) (2002). Personal narratives have
      been recommended as the best means to convey and understand a person's life
      experience and have been investigated extensively. Investigations of personal
      narratives of communication impairment in mass media continue to be relatively
      rare in the literature. Published narratives can enrich understandings of
      clients' experiences by elucidating available representations of lived
      experiences of communication impairment. AIMS: To answer the following research
      questions: What types of personal narratives of communication impairments are
      currently being disseminated in Irish newspapers? How are experiences of
      communication impairments represented in these narratives? METHODS & PROCEDURES:
      The study was qualitative, deploying inductive analysis and drawing on Frank's
      (1995) typology of illness narratives to analyse narratives that were published
      in two Irish national newspapers over a 12-month period. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: The
      results illustrate the under-representation of communication impairments in Irish
      newspapers as ten out of 51 narratives in the corpus pertained to conditions that
      may have associated communication impairments. None of the narratives related the
      lived experience of a person with communication impairment in depth. A
      combination of quest and chaos narrative types was identified in six out of the
      ten narratives. Three out of the ten narratives featured a combination of chaos
      and restitution narrative types. One narrative was identified as being entirely a
      quest narrative. Three narratives contained elements of restitution. Inductive
      analysis revealed six main themes in the data (two for each narrative type) with
      one sub-theme identified for each main theme. The six main themes are: positive
      stances, re-evaluation of life, despair, fear, hope and support of others.
      CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The under-representation of the lived experience of
      people with communication impairments in Irish national newspapers may be seen as
      contributing to a general lack of understanding and awareness of communication
      impairments. This under-representation, coupled with a lack of awareness, may
      potentially affect the ability of people with communication impairments to re
      engage with and reintegrate into their communities.

PMID- 24224920
TI  - Transfusing neonates based on platelet count vs. platelet mass: a randomized
      feasibility-pilot study.
AB  - The objective of this study was to obtain pilot data on which to judge the
      feasibility and sample size needed for a future comparative-effectiveness trial
      of platelet transfusions in the NICU. We conducted a limited-scope pilot trial in
      which neonates were randomized to receive platelet transfusions based on platelet
      mass vs. platelet count, using preset "transfusion-trigger" values. Analysis
      included parental consent rate, number of platelet transfusions given, bleeding
      episodes recorded, and mortality rate. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and
      Chi-square. A convenience sample of 30 were randomized; 15 per group. No
      differences were found between groups in gestational age, birth weight, race,
      gender or clinical diagnoses. The study consent rate was 52% (30/58). No
      differences were found in number of platelet transfusions received, bleeding
      episodes, or mortality. Lack of a trend in transfusion-reduction resulted in
      inability to estimate the number needed in a future comparative-effectiveness
      trial. Using platelet mass, rather than platelet count, for a NICU platelet
      transfusion trigger is feasible. However, any future comparative-effectiveness
      trial, testing the hypothesis that a platelet mass-based trigger reduces the
      transfusion rate will likely require a very large sample size.

PMID- 24224921
TI  - Graphene as dispersive solidphase extraction materials for pesticides LC-MS/MS
      multi-residue analysis in leek, onion and garlic.
AB  - A multi-residue analytical method was validated for 24 representative pesticides
      residues in onion, garlic and leek. The method is based on modified QuEChERS
      sample preparation with a mixture of graphene, primary secondary amine (PSA), and
      graphitised carbon black (GCB) as reversed-dispersive solid-phase extraction (r
      DSPE) material and LC-MS/MS. Graphene was first used as an r-DSPE clean-up
      sorbent in onion, garlic and leek. The results first show that the mixed sorbent
      of graphene, PSA and GCB has a remarkable ability to clean-up interfering
      substances in the r-DSPE procedure when compared with the mixture of PSA and GCB.
      Use of matrix-matched standards provided acceptable results for tested pesticides
      with overall average recoveries between 70.1% and 109.7% and consistent RSDs
      <15.6%. In any case, this method still meets the 1-10 MUg kg(-1) detection limit
      needed for pesticide testing and may be used for qualitative screening
      applications in which any identified pesticides can be quantified and confirmed
      by a more intensive method that achieves >70% recovery.

PMID- 24224922
TI  - Inhibitory effects of sweet cherry anthocyanins on the obesity development in
      C57BL/6 mice.
AB  - In the present study, purified sweet cherry anthocyanins (CACN) were evaluated to
      determine their inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells
      and their anti-obesity properties in male C57BL/6 mice fed with high-fat diet
      (HFD). CACN prevented HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice. In vivo experiment
      revealed that 40 and 200 mg/kg of CACN in food reduced the body weight by 5.2%
      and 11.2%, respectively. CACN supplementation could also reduce the size of
      adipocytes, leptin secretion, serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL
      cholesterol and liver triglycerides. Furthermore, CACN could effectively reduce
      the expression levels of IL-6 and TNFalpha genes, markedly increase the SOD and
      GPx activity. Our results indicated that CACN slowed down the development of HFD
      induced obesity in male C57BL/6 mice.

PMID- 24224923
TI  - Columnar metaplasia in the esophageal remnant after esophagectomy: a systematic
      review.
AB  - Barrett's metaplasia is a well-recognized risk factor for esophageal
      adenocarcinoma. It is believed to develop in response to the injurious effects of
      gastroesophageal reflux. Following subtotal esophagectomy and reconstruction with
      a gastric conduit, many patients experience profound reflux into the remnant
      esophagus. Barrett's-like epithelium has been described in these patients, and
      they have been identified as a potential human model in which to study the early
      events in the development of metaplasia. This phenomenon also raises clinical
      concerns about the long-term fate of the esophageal remnant following surgery and
      the potential for further malignant change. This systematic review summarizes the
      literature on the prevalence and timing of Barrett's metaplasia occurring after
      esophagectomy, reviews the evidence regarding risk factors and malignant
      progression in such patients, and considers the implications for clinical
      practice. 

PMID- 24224924
TI  - Retrospective analysis of the relationship between infantile seborrheic
      dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.
AB  - A growing number of dermatologists dispute the existence of infantile seborrheic
      dermatitis (ISD) as an independent clinical entity. Therefore the aim of the
      present study was to estimate the epidemiologic features of ISD in a defined
      population of Greek children, assess its course, and identify associations, if
      any, with other common dermatoses of childhood. Children from the region of
      Athens who were examined and diagnosed with typical clinical features of ISD
      between 1997 and 2011 were included in the study. The relevant data were
      collected retrospectively from their medical records using a standardized form.
      Eighty-seven children were enrolled (50 boys, 37 girls; mean age 3.1 mos at the
      time of ISD diagnosis). The main body areas affected were the scalp and face for
      the majority of the children (78/87), whereas the trunk and limbs were less
      frequently involved (9/87). In all cases, erythema and scaling of affected
      patients were mild to moderate. Forty-nine of the 87 children were followed up
      over a period of 5 years. Thirty children in this group developed features of
      atopic dermatitis (AD) at a later stage, according to the UK diagnostic criteria
      of AD, and 23 of these children were diagnosed with AD, at an average time
      interval of 6.4 months from ISD onset, and seven presented with clinical features
      of AD at the time of ISD diagnosis. The remaining 19 children in the follow-up
      group progressed without developing any other chronic skin disease, and all
      recovered within 6 months of its onset. Thirty-eight had no further follow-up
      after their initial ISD diagnosis. In spite of the lack of information on the
      disease course for the last group, assuming they all recovered, the prevalence of
      AD (34.4%) in our ISD sample was significantly higher than the prevalence of AD
      (10.7%) in the general population for the same age group, as shown in a previous
      study performed in the municipality of Athens (p < 0.001). A significant number
      of children were found to develop AD shortly after their ISD diagnosis. This
      finding demonstrates a strong association in the clinical course between the two
      diseases or indicates that the two diseases may be in the same clinical spectrum.
      Further epidemiologic studies must be conducted to assess the significance of
      this finding.

PMID- 24224925
TI  - The GLT-1 (EAAT2; slc1a2) glutamate transporter is essential for glutamate
      homeostasis in the neocortex of the mouse.
AB  - Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter, and is inactivated by
      cellular uptake catalyzed mostly by the glutamate transporter subtypes GLT-1
      (EAAT2) and GLAST (EAAT1). Astrocytes express both GLT-1 and GLAST, while axon
      terminals in the neocortex only express GLT-1. To evaluate the role of GLT-1 in
      glutamate homeostasis, we injected GLT-1 knockout (KO) mice and wild-type
      littermates with [1-(13)C]glucose and [1,2-(13)C]acetate 15 min before
      euthanization. Metabolite levels were analyzed in extracts from neocortex and
      cerebellum and (13)C labeling in neocortex. Whereas the cerebellum in GLT-1
      deficient mice had normal levels of glutamate, glutamine, and (13)C labeling of
      metabolites, glutamate level was decreased but labeling from [1-(13)C] glucose
      was unchanged in the neocortex. The contribution from pyruvate carboxylation
      toward labeling of these metabolites was unchanged. Labeling from [1,2-(13)C]
      acetate, originating in astrocytes, was decreased in glutamate and glutamine in
      the neocortex indicating reduced mitochondrial metabolism in astrocytes. The
      decreased amount of glutamate in the cortex indicates that glutamine transport
      into neurons is not sufficient to replenish glutamate lost because of
      neurotransmission and that GLT-1 plays a role in glutamate homeostasis in the
      cortex. Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter, and is inactivated by
      uptake via GLT-1 (EAAT2) and GLAST (EAAT1) transporters, while axon terminals in
      the neocortex only express GLT-1. To evaluate the role of GLT-1 in glutamate
      homeostasis, we used [1-(13)C]glucose and [1,2-(13)C]acetate injection and NMR
      spectroscopy. The results indicate that glutamine transport into neurons is not
      sufficient to replenish glutamate lost because of neurotransmission and that GLT
      1 plays a role in glutamate homeostasis in the neocortex.

PMID- 24224927
TI  - From 3-fold completive self-sorting of a nine-component library to a seven
      component scalene quadrilateral.
AB  - Three-fold completive self-sorting of a nine-component library with >=126
      possible combinations led to the clean formation of only three heteroleptic metal
      ligand complexes. Due to the orthogonality of the latter, they were used as
      corner stones in an integrative self-sorting approach toward a seven-component
      scalene quadrilateral. 

PMID- 24224926
TI  - Is the efficacy of sorafenib treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
      affected by age?
AB  - Cancer is a prevalent disease in the elderly population and hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem among all tumors. Curative treatments
      for early-stage include liver transplantation, resection and percutaneous
      ablation. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sorafenib, classified as non
      curative treatments, can improve survival for patients with intermediate and
      advanced tumors, respectively. Even if the incidence of HCC progressively
      increases with advanced age in all populations, reaching a peak at 70 years, few
      reports concerning correct management of HCC in elderly patients exist. Moreover,
      data from large randomized controlled trials (RCT) poorly reflect the elderly
      population that is often quantitatively and qualitatively underrepresented, as a
      result of the presence of tight enrolment criteria. The aim of this brief review
      is to highlight the main concerns, pitfalls and warnings regarding the management
      of HCC in elderly patients, with particular focus on systemic therapy with
      sorafenib. 

PMID- 24224928
TI  - Control of bond-strain-induced electronic phase transitions in iron perovskites.
AB  - Unusual electronic phase transitions in the A-site ordered perovskites
      LnCu3Fe4O12 (Ln: trivalent lanthanide ion) are investigated. All LnCu3Fe4O12
      compounds are in identical valence states of Ln(3+)Cu(2+)3Fe(3.75+)4O12 at high
      temperature. LnCu3Fe4O12 with larger Ln ions (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb)
      show an intersite charge transfer transition (3Cu(2+) + 4Fe(3.75+) -> 3Cu(3+) +
      4Fe(3+)) in which the transition temperature decreases from 360 to 240 K with
      decreasing Ln ion size. In contrast, LnCu3Fe4O12 with smaller Ln ions (Ln = Dy,
      Ho, Er, Tm Yb, Lu) transform into a charge-disproportionated (8Fe(3.75+) ->
      5Fe(3+) + 3Fe(5+)) and charge-ordered phase below ~250-260 K. The former series
      exhibits metal-to-insulator, antiferromagnetic, and isostructural volume
      expansion transitions simultaneously with intersite charge transfer. The latter
      shows metal-to-semiconductor, ferrimagnetic, and structural phase transitions
      simultaneously with charge disproportionation. Bond valence calculation reveals
      that the metal-oxygen bond strains in these compounds are classified into two
      types: overbonding or compression stress (underbonding or tensile stress) in the
      Ln-O (Fe-O) bond is dominant in the former series, while the opposite stresses or
      bond strains are found in the latter. Intersite charge transfer transition
      temperatures are strongly dependent upon the global instability indices that
      represent the structural instability calculated from the bond valence sum,
      whereas the charge disproportionation occurs at almost identical temperatures,
      regardless of the magnitude of structural instability. These findings provide a
      new aspect of the structure-property relationship in transition metal oxides and
      enable precise control of electronic states by bond strains. 

PMID- 24224929
TI  - Amitriptyline versus tizanidine in the management of tension-type headache in
      Nepal.

PMID- 24224930
TI  - Development of a satisfaction scale for young people attending youth mental
      health services.
AB  - AIMS: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive measurement tool for assessing
      client satisfaction at a youth mental health service. METHODS: We developed a
      scale based on existing scale items and by generating new items, before
      undertaking revisions and item reduction in consultation with an expert panel
      composed of researchers, clinicians and consumer representatives. This draft
      scale was then pilot tested in seven enhanced primary care youth mental health
      services across Australia. RESULTS: A total of 215 respondents completed the
      scale. Cronbach's alpha (alpha = 0.953) demonstrated excellent internal
      consistency, and exploratory factor analysis suggested that the scale measures a
      global construct of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Through a rigorous and
      participatory process involving key experts, service providers and service users,
      this study has resulted in the development of a scale that can appropriately
      measure the level of user satisfaction with youth-friendly early intervention
      services.

PMID- 24224931
TI  - The influence of status on group drinking by young adults: a survey of natural
      drinking groups on their way to and from bars.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Young people's social standing among friends and peers has been
      linked to general levels of drinking and has been shown to influence others'
      drinking. We extend previous research by examining young adults' status within
      their natural-occurring drinking groups as a predictor of their subsequent
      alcohol consumption and encouragement of group members' alcohol consumption
      during a night out at licensed drinking establishments, a salient context for
      heavy drinking and alcohol-related risk among young adults. METHODS: We recruited
      same-sex young adult drinking groups (n = 104 groups; 63 all-male; average group
      size = 3.4 members; Mage = 21.86) on their way to drinking establishments to
      complete a survey-containing measures of member-nominated within-group status,
      likeability, and self-reported alcohol consumption-and a breathalyzer test. At
      the end of the evening, participants completed the same alcohol consumption
      measures and were asked to nominate group members who encouraged other members to
      drink that night. RESULTS: Multilevel analysis revealed that higher-status
      members engaged in the most alcohol consumption (via both self-report and
      breathalyzer) but in heavier drinking groups only. Higher-status members also
      encouraged the most alcohol consumed by others, regardless of levels of group
      drinking. Further, even though being liked by one's peers was positively related
      to intoxication that night, it did not account for the significant relationship
      between within-group status and drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that peer
      related prevention programs for young adults' problem drinking may benefit from
      focusing on the structure and dynamic of young people's drinking groups. Also,
      programs targeting peer norms may be more successful if they incorporate status
      related issues.

PMID- 24224932
TI  - Competitive crystallization of a propylene/ethylene random copolymer filled with
      a beta-nucleating agent and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Conventional and
      ultrafast DSC study.
AB  - A propylene/ethylene polymeric matrix was reinforced by the simultaneous addition
      of a beta-nucleating agent (calcium pimelate) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes
      (MWCNTs) in various concentrations. The present manuscript explores the
      competitive crystallization tendency that is caused by the presence of the two
      fillers. On the one hand, calcium pimelate forces the material to crystallize
      predominantly in the beta-crystalline form, while, on the other, the strong alpha
      nucleating ability of MWCNTs compels the material to develop higher alpha
      crystalline content. An in-depth study has been performed on the nanocomposite
      samples by means of conventional, temperature-modulated, and differential fast
      scanning calorimetry (DFSC) under various dynamic and isothermal conditions. The
      results showed that beta-crystals are predominant at low MWCNT content (<2.5 wt
      %), while, at high MWCNT content, the material crystallizes mainly in the alpha
      form. The recrystallization phenomenon during melting was confirmed with step
      scan DSC, and the use of very high cooling rates by UFDSC made it possible to
      achieve and study the nucleation of the samples. The presence of MWCNTs enabled
      the nanocomposites to crystallize faster under both isothermal and dynamic
      conditions. The activation energy of the samples was also calculated according to
      Friedman's theory. 

PMID- 24224933
TI  - XenoSite: accurately predicting CYP-mediated sites of metabolism with neural
      networks.
AB  - Understanding how xenobiotic molecules are metabolized is important because it
      influences the safety, efficacy, and dose of medicines and how they can be
      modified to improve these properties. The cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are proteins
      responsible for metabolizing 90% of drugs on the market, and many computational
      methods can predict which atomic sites of a molecule--sites of metabolism (SOMs)-
      are modified during CYP-mediated metabolism. This study improves on prior methods
      of predicting CYP-mediated SOMs by using new descriptors and machine learning
      based on neural networks. The new method, XenoSite, is faster to train and more
      accurate by as much as 4% or 5% for some isozymes. Furthermore, some "incorrect"
      predictions made by XenoSite were subsequently validated as correct predictions
      by revaluation of the source literature. Moreover, XenoSite output is
      interpretable as a probability, which reflects both the confidence of the model
      that a particular atom is metabolized and the statistical likelihood that its
      prediction for that atom is correct.

PMID- 24224934
TI  - Isomers and electronic states of Ni2O2H2 and evaluation of the effect of charge
      on the electronic properties and reactivity of Ni2O2.
AB  - Different isomers of Ni2O2H2 are investigated by multireference configuration
      interaction (MRCI) calculations, based on complete active space self-consistent
      field (CASSCF) calculations. The lowest-lying Ni2(OH)2 isomer has a rhombic shape
      with two OH(-) groups bridging two Ni(I) ions. Its ground term is a (1)Ag term.
      At a relative energy of 1.06 eV, there is a chain-like NiONi(OH2) isomer. A
      rhombic (NiH)2O2 isomer with Ni-H bonds has a considerably higher energy of 2.93
      eV. Both Ni2(OH)2 and NiONi(OH2) feature a large number of low-lying electronic
      terms that in the case of Ni2(OH)2 form Heisenberg spin ladders due to the
      coupling of the electrons of two Ni(I) ions (3d(8)4s(1)) with S = 3/2. For the
      reaction Ni2O2 + H2 -> Ni2(OH)2, the reaction energy is estimated to -2 eV.
      Finally, neutral and charged Ni2O2 and their hydrogenation products
      (Ni2O2H2(0/+)) are compared. 

PMID- 24224935
TI  - Native small airways secrete bicarbonate.
AB  - Since the discovery of Cl(-) impermeability in cystic fibrosis (CF) and the
      cloning of the responsible channel, CF pathology has been widely attributed to a
      defect in epithelial Cl(-) transport. However, loss of bicarbonate (HCO3(-))
      transport also plays a major, possibly more critical role in CF pathogenesis.
      Even though HCO3(-) transport is severely affected in the native pancreas, liver,
      and intestines in CF, we know very little about HCO3(-) secretion in small
      airways, the principle site of morbidity in CF. We used a novel, mini-Ussing
      chamber system to investigate the properties of HCO3(-) transport in native
      porcine small airways (~ 1 mm phi). We assayed HCO3(-) transport across small
      airway epithelia as reflected by the transepithelial voltage, conductance, and
      equivalent short-circuit current with bilateral 25-mM HCO3(-) plus 125-mM NaGlu
      Ringer's solution in the presence of luminal amiloride (10 MUM). Under these
      conditions, because no major transportable anions other than HCO3(-) were
      present, we took the equivalent short-circuit current to be a direct measure of
      active HCO3(-) secretion. Applying selective agonists and inhibitors, we show
      constitutive HCO3(-) secretion in small airways, which can be stimulated
      significantly by beta-adrenergic- (cAMP) and purinergic (Ca(2+)) -mediated
      agonists, independently. These results indicate that two separate components for
      HCO3(-) secretion, likely via CFTR- and calcium-activated chloride channel
      dependent processes, are physiologically regulated for likely roles in mucus
      clearance and antimicrobial innate defenses of small airways. 

PMID- 24224937
TI  - Obesity-related inflammation: implications for older adults.
AB  - The combination of age-related increases in obesity and inflammation can lead to
      chronic disease, decreased strength, and physical disability. Lifestyle
      interventions that include moderate caloric restriction along with aerobic and
      resistance exercise have shown improvements in metabolic outcomes, strength, and
      physical function in obese older adults. Although few weight loss studies have
      addressed diet quality, evidence summarized in this review suggests that
      encouraging intake of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, high-quality
      protein, low-glycemic index carbohydrates, and omega-3 fatty acids may further
      ameliorate obesity-related inflammation. Future controlled trials are indicated
      to examine the effects of incorporating these foods into multimodal weight loss
      interventions. 

PMID- 24224936
TI  - The Aurora B kinase in Trypanosoma brucei undergoes post-translational
      modifications and is targeted to various subcellular locations through binding to
      TbCPC1.
AB  - The chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) in animals, consisting of Aurora B kinase
      and three evolutionarily conserved proteins, plays crucial roles in mitosis and
      cytokinesis. However, Trypanosoma brucei expresses an unusual CPC consisting of
      an Aurora-like kinase, TbAUK1, and two kinetoplastid-specific proteins, TbCPC1
      and TbCPC2. Despite their essential functions, little is known about the
      regulation of TbAUK1 and the roles of TbCPC1 and TbCPC2. Here, we investigate the
      effect of post-translational modification on the activity and spatiotemporal
      control of TbAUK1, and demonstrate that phosphorylation of two conserved
      threonine residues in the activation loop of the kinase domain contributes to
      TbAUK1 activation and function. TbAUK1 is SUMOylated in vivo, and mutation of the
      SUMO-conjugation site compromises TbAUK1 function. Degradation of TbAUK1 requires
      two destruction boxes and is mediated by the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome
      (APC/C), whereas degradation of TbCPC1 and TbCPC2 is not dependent on the
      predicted destruction boxes and is APC/C-independent. Moreover, we determine the
      domains in CPC subunits that mediate the pairwise interactions, and show that
      disruption of the interaction impairs the localization of TbAUK1 and TbCPC2 but
      not TbCPC1. Our results demonstrate the requirement of post-translational
      modifications for TbAUK1 function and a crucial role of TbCPC1 in mediating
      TbAUK1 localization. 

PMID- 24224938
TI  - Dietary patterns and sarcopenia in an urban African American and White population
      in the United States.
AB  - The primary objective of this cross-sectional study was to characterize dietary
      patterns of African Americans and Whites, 30 to 64 years, examined in the Healthy
      Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study. Other objectives
      of the study were to evaluate micronutrient adequacy of each pattern and to
      determine the association of diet with sarcopenia. Cluster analysis was used to
      determine patterns and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) to determine adequacy of 15
      micronutrients. Ten clusters were identified: sandwich, sweet drink, pizza,
      poultry, frozen meal, dessert, alcoholic drink, bread, starchy vegetables, and
      pasta/rice dish. MAR ranged from 69 for the sweet drink cluster to 82 for the
      pasta/rice dish cluster. Sarcopenia was present in 6.4% of the sample, ranging
      from 1.5% in the poultry cluster to 14.1% in the alcoholic drink cluster. This
      study is the first to report an association between diet and sarcopenia in people
      younger than 65 years. The identification of presarcopenia has important
      implications for dietary interventions that might delay age-associated loss of
      lean mass. 

PMID- 24224939
TI  - Nutritional risk and 5-year mortality of older community-dwelling Canadian men:
      the Manitoba Follow-Up Study.
AB  - This study examines nutritional risk and 5-year mortality rates of community
      dwelling older Canadian men participating in the Manitoba Follow-Up Study. The
      surviving cohort (n = 690; mean age = 86.8 years) was mailed a self-administered
      Nutrition Survey consisting of SCREEN II, a validated nutrition risk screening
      tool and health-related questions. Five hundred fifty-three completed surveys
      (80% completion rate) were returned, with 522 (94%) containing complete responses
      necessary to score nutritional risk, comprising the participants for this
      analysis. Forty-four percent of the 522 respondents were scored as high risk, 24%
      at moderate risk, and 32% at low risk. Over five years from 2007 to 2012, 212
      (41%) of the men died, with 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year survival rates of
      92%, 86%, 77%, and 66%, respectively. Men in the lowest 40th percentile of the
      nutritional risk distribution accounted for half of all deaths. Adjusted for
      other characteristics, Cox proportional hazard models demonstrated that with each
      unit decline on the nutritional risk scale there was a 4% greater risk of
      mortality (hazard ratio = 0.96 [95% CI 0.94,0.98]). Early identification of older
      men at nutritional risk and timely nutrition interventions are essential in
      delaying the progression of morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 24224940
TI  - Nutritional status and related factors in elderly nursing home residents:
      comparative cross-sectional study in migrants and native Germans.
AB  - Former guest workers in Germany who stayed on after retirement are now older than
      70 years. Nursing homes (NH) are broadening their offer to meet specific
      requirements of this population. The nutritional status and related problems of
      the older ethnic minority group living in German NH has so far not been
      investigated. The aim of this study was, thus, to compare the nutritional
      situation of older migrants to that of native residents in two "multicultural" NH
      (cross-sectional study). All residents 65 years and older with a migration
      background were enrolled and compared to nonmigrants using frequency matching for
      age and gender. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI; cut
      off for undernourishment: BMI < 22 kg/m(2)) and calf circumference (CC; CC < 31
      cm). Care staff completed a questionnaire on residents' health. Consecutive 3-day
      food records were evaluated to analyze the intake of energy, macro-, and
      micronutrients. Participants were n = 23 migrants (76 +/- 6 years, 52% female)
      and n = 37 nonmigrants (78 +/- 7 years, 59% female). Undernourishment was more
      prevalent in migrants according to BMI (39 vs. 11%; P < 0.05) and CC (57 vs. 22%;
      P < 0.05). Main nutritional problems in both groups were "loss of appetite" (56
      vs. 19%; P < 0.05) and "refusal to eat" (56 vs. 25%; P < 0.05). Energy intake was
      low (6.4 +/- 1.4, 6.8 +/- 1.6 MJ/d). More than 50% of participants fell below
      recommended values for vitamin C, B1, B6, D, folate, calcium, and iron; 61% of
      the migrants had a low vitamin B12 intake. Migrant NH residents were more often
      undernourished than German NH residents.

PMID- 24224941
TI  - Construct validation and test-retest reliability of a mealtime satisfaction
      questionnaire for retirement home residents.
AB  - Mealtime satisfaction is an important component of quality of life (QOL) in
      residential care, yet there currently is no self-administered tool described in
      the literature. The purpose of this study is to investigate internal and test
      retest reliability, and construct validity of a mealtime satisfaction
      questionnaire (MSQ) designed for residential care, more specifically retirement
      homes. A 15-item MSQ was developed and eligible participants from four retirement
      homes (n = 749) were invited to participate. The participation rate was 24% and
      the median age was 88 years for respondents. The internal consistency of the MSQ
      was high (Cronbach Alpha = 0.83) and the test-retest reliability was also high
      (Intraclass coefficient = 0.91, P < 0.01). The MSQ was associated with a valid
      and reliable QOL instrument for older adults (Mann Whitney Test = 1595.5, P <
      0.01). The MSQ is reliable and is content and construct valid. QOL can be
      enriched by improving mealtime satisfaction in retirement homes.

PMID- 24224943
TI  - Coupling physical exercise with dietary glucose supplement for treating cognitive
      impairment in schizophrenia: a theoretical model and future directions.
AB  - AIMS: Metabolic dysregulation may disrupt the complex neuroprotective mechanisms
      essential for brain health. Recent studies have pointed out the possible
      aetiological role of metabolic dysregulation in the onset of schizophrenia and
      the associated cognitive impairment. In this paper, we aimed to generate a
      theoretical model of how a combination of physical exercise and dietary glucose
      supplement may help to alleviate cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. METHODS:
      Literature on metabolic dysregulation, especially insulin resistance, in relation
      to the onset of schizophrenia and the associated cognitive impairment is
      reviewed. The cognitive enhancement effects of physical exercise and dietary
      glucose supplement are then summarised. Finally, we propose a theoretical model
      based on the concerted effects of physical exercise and glucose supplement.
      RESULTS: In general, the joint action of physical exercise and dietary glucose
      supplement could up-regulate glucose and insulin transport into the brain, as
      well as augmenting the release of insulin growth factor-1 and brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor. Physical exercise and glucose supplement could enhance
      energy supply and neuroplasticity in brain, subsequently leading to potential
      cognitive enhancement in schizophrenia. However, glucose supplement is not
      suitable for patients with abnormal metabolic profile. CONCLUSIONS: The
      combination of physical exercise and glucose supplement has potential therapeutic
      values in treating cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Further research is
      necessary to investigate the optimal patterns of exercise and doses of glucose
      for treating cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.

PMID- 24224944
TI  - Adsorption isotherms and structure of cationic surfactants adsorbed on mineral
      oxide surfaces prepared by atomic layer deposition.
AB  - The adsorption isotherms and aggregate structures of adsorbed surfactants on
      smooth thin-film surfaces of mineral oxides have been studied by optical
      reflectometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Films of the mineral oxides of
      titania, alumina, hafnia, and zirconia were produced by atomic layer deposition
      (ALD) with low roughness. We find that the surface strongly influences the
      admicelle organization on the surface. At high concentrations (2 * cmc) of
      cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), the surfactant aggregates on a titania
      surface exhibit a flattened admicelle structure with an average repeat distance
      of 8.0 +/- 1.0 nm whereas aggregates on alumina substrates exhibit a larger
      admicelle with an average separation distance of 10.5 +/- 1.0 nm. A wormlike
      admicelle structure with an average separation distance of 7.0 +/- 1.0 nm can be
      observed on zirconia substrates whereas a bilayered aggregate structure on hafnia
      substrates was observed. The change in the surface aggregate structure can be
      related to an increase in the critical packing parameter through a reduction in
      the effective headgroup area of the surfactant. The templating strength of the
      surfaces are found to be hafnia > alumina > zirconia > titania. Weakly templating
      surfaces are expected to have superior biocompatibility. 

PMID- 24224945
TI  - Narrowband ultraviolet B light in Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a case report.
AB  - Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) (previously called eosinophilic granuloma,
      Hand-Schuller-Christian syndrome, Letterer-Siwe disease, and Hashimoto-Pritzker
      disease) is a rare, heterogeneous disorder with highly variable presentation. LCH
      commonly affects the skin, as well as internal organs. Because the skin lesions
      appear benign, and LCH is unfamiliar to most physicians, diagnosis is often
      delayed. Treatment is controversial, with further clinical study needed. For
      persons with extensive, skin-limited disease, the existing topical therapies are
      impractical. We present a child with cutaneous LCH lesions that responded to
      ultraviolet light phototherapy with minimal adverse effects or patient
      discomfort. 

PMID- 24224946
TI  - Dermatofibroma-associated dystrophic calcification.

PMID- 24224947
TI  - Pretransplant risk stratification for early survival of renal allograft
      recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Baseline comorbidities influence patient outcomes in renal
      transplantation. Identification of high-risk recipients for patient death and
      early allograft loss might lead to superior stratification. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      In this retrospective study, risk stratification models were developed in a
      cohort of 392 kidney transplant recipients and validated in an independent cohort
      to predict short-term (2 year) outcomes. RESULTS: Peripheral arterial disease [OR
      7.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.45-24.60); P < 0.001], use of oral
      anticoagulation [OR 18.68 (95% CI: 3.77-92.46); P < 0.0001], smoking [OR 5.15
      (95% CI: 1.67-15.84); P = 0.004], recipient age > 60 years [OR 7.28 (95% CI: 2.33
      22.69; P = 0.001)], serum albumin < 40 g/L [OR 5.08 (95% CI: 1.82-14.19); P =
      0.002], serum calcium >= 2.42 mM [OR 6.47 (95% CI: 1.37-30.58); P = 0.02] living
      donation [OR 2.95, (95% CI: 0.31-28.29); P = 0.34)] and previous haemodialysis
      [OR 3.33, (95% CI: 0.39-28.11); P = 0.27)] were included in the model. The
      validated model discriminated between low- (< 3 points) and high-risk recipients
      (> 8.5 points) with mortality rates of 0% vs. 54%. The comparison of the model
      with the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) yielded significantly better receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) areas (Novel Score ROC: 0.87 vs. CCI: 0.72, P =
      0.0012). Early allograft loss was associated with presensitization [OR 3.02 (95%
      CI: 1.29-7.09); P = 0.011] and presence of hepatitis C antibodies [OR 2.42 (95%
      CI: 1.09-5.34); P = 0.029]. A risk model (ROC: 0.62) for allograft loss could not
      be developed. CONCLUSION: Risk stratification based on the novel score might
      identify high-risk recipients with disproportional risk of early patient death
      and lead to optimized strategies.

PMID- 24224948
TI  - Ganglion impar phenol injection in a pediatric patient with refractory cancer
      pain.

PMID- 24224949
TI  - The interplay of bottom-up and top-down mechanisms in visual guidance during
      object naming.
AB  - An ongoing issue in visual cognition concerns the roles played by low- and high
      level information in guiding visual attention, with current research remaining
      inconclusive about the interaction between the two. In this study, we bring fresh
      evidence into this long-standing debate by investigating visual saliency and
      contextual congruency during object naming (Experiment 1), a task in which visual
      processing interacts with language processing. We then compare the results of
      this experiment to data of a memorization task using the same stimuli (Experiment
      2). In Experiment 1, we find that both saliency and congruency influence visual
      and naming responses and interact with linguistic factors. In particular,
      incongruent objects are fixated later and less often than congruent ones.
      However, saliency is a significant predictor of object naming, with salient
      objects being named earlier in a trial. Furthermore, the saliency and congruency
      of a named object interact with the lexical frequency of the associated word and
      mediate the time-course of fixations at naming. In Experiment 2, we find a
      similar overall pattern in the eye-movement responses, but only the congruency of
      the target is a significant predictor, with incongruent targets fixated less
      often than congruent targets. Crucially, this finding contrasts with claims in
      the literature that incongruent objects are more informative than congruent
      objects by deviating from scene context and hence need a longer processing.
      Overall, this study suggests that different sources of information are
      interactively used to guide visual attention on the targets to be named and
      raises new questions for existing theories of visual attention. 

PMID- 24224950
TI  - Role of enhanced multi-detector-row computed tomography before urgent endoscopy
      in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has been
      reported to be a potentially useful modality for detection of the bleeding origin
      in patients with acute upper massive gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The purpose
      of this study is to investigate the efficacy of MDCT as a routine method for
      detecting the origin of acute upper GI bleeding prior to urgent endoscopy.
      METHODS: Five hundred seventy-seven patients with acute upper GI bleeding (514
      nonvariceal patients, 63 variceal patients) who underwent urgent upper GI
      endoscopy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups:
      enhanced MDCT, unenhanced MDCT, and no MDCT before endoscopy. The diagnostic
      accuracy of MDCT for detection of the bleeding origin was evaluated, and the
      average procedure times needed to endoscopically identify the bleeding origin
      were compared between groups. RESULTS: Diagnostic accuracy among endoscopists was
      55.3% and 14.7% for the enhanced MDCT and unenhanced MDCT groups, respectively.
      Among nonvariceal patients, accuracy was 50.2% in the enhanced MDCT group, which
      was significantly better than that in the unenhanced MDCT group (16.5%). In
      variceal patients, accuracy was significantly better in the enhanced MDCT group
      (96.4%) than in the unenhanced MDCT group (0.0%). These accuracies were similar
      to those achieved by expert radiologists. The average procedure time to
      endoscopic detection of the bleeding origin in the enhanced MDCT group was
      significantly faster than that in the unenhanced MDCT and no-MDCT groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced MDCT preceding urgent endoscopy may be an effective
      modality for the detection of bleeding origin in patients with acute upper GI
      bleeding.

PMID- 24224951
TI  - Valley carrier dynamics in monolayer molybdenum disulfide from helicity-resolved
      ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy.
AB  - We investigate the valley-related carrier dynamics in monolayer molybdenum
      disulfide using helicity-resolved nondegenerate ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy
      at the vicinity of the high-symmetry K point under the temperature down to 78 K.
      Monolayer molybdenum disulfide shows remarkable transient reflection signals, in
      stark contrast to bilayer and bulk molybdenum disulfide due to the enhancement of
      many-body effect at reduced dimensionality. The helicity-resolved ultrafast time
      resolved result shows that the valley polarization is preserved for only several
      picoseconds before the scattering process makes it undistinguishable. We suggest
      that the dynamical degradation of valley polarization is attributable primarily
      to the exciton trapping by defect states in the exfoliated molybdenum disulfide
      samples. Our experiment and a tight-binding model analysis also show that the
      perfect valley circular dichroism selectivity is fairly robust against disorder
      at the K point but quickly decays from the high-symmetry point in the momentum
      space in the presence of disorder. 

PMID- 24224952
TI  - Exposure to an atomic bomb explosion is a risk factor for in-hospital death after
      esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer.
AB  - Esophagectomy, one of the most invasive of all gastrointestinal operations, is
      associated with a high frequency of postoperative complications and in-hospital
      mortality. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether exposure to
      the atomic bomb explosion at Hiroshima in 1945 might be a preoperative risk
      factor for in-hospital mortality after esophagectomy in esophageal cancer
      patients. We thus reviewed the outcomes of esophagectomy in 31 atomic bomb
      survivors with esophageal cancer and 96 controls (also with cancer but without
      atomic bomb exposure). We compared the incidences of postoperative complications
      and in-hospital mortality. Of the clinicopathological features studied, mean
      patient age was significantly higher in atomic bomb survivors than in controls.
      Of the postoperative complications noted, atomic bomb survivors experienced a
      longer mean period of endotracheal intubation and higher incidences of severe
      pulmonary complications, severe anastomotic leakage, and surgical site infection.
      The factors associated with in-hospital mortality were exposure to the atomic
      bomb explosion, pulmonary comorbidities, and electrocardiographic abnormalities.
      Multivariate analysis revealed that exposure to the atomic bomb explosion was an
      independent significant preoperative risk factor for in-hospital mortality.
      Exposure to the atomic bomb explosion is thus a preoperative risk factor for in
      hospital death after esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer. 

PMID- 24224953
TI  - Acceptance of disability and its predictors among stroke patients in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modern medicine has increased the survival rate for stroke patients;
      however, the patient's psychosocial adaptation after stroke onset may be related
      to the clinical outcomes. This study aimed to investigate patients' acceptance of
      disability (AOD) and its predictors in stroke patients. METHODS: This cross
      sectional study used a purposive sampling method to recruit 175 stroke patients
      from a hospital in southern Taiwan. A structured questionnaire gathered data on
      respondent demographics and disease characteristics, and included the Chinese
      version of the AOD Scale-Revised. Factors associated with AOD were examined by a
      multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean AOD score was 71.72, which
      indicated a lower level of disease acceptance (range, 32-128). Our findings
      showed that patients who reported no religious beliefs, shorter disease duration,
      recurrent stroke episodes, and poorer physical functioning also reported lower
      levels of disability acceptance. These factors accounted for 38.2% of the
      variance in AOD among participants. CONCLUSIONS: The findings are beneficial to
      healthcare providers by identifying those stroke patients with predisposition of
      having lower disability acceptance, which could then facilitate the provision of
      appropriate rehabilitation interventions within six months after the diagnosis of
      stroke to support their adaptation process.

PMID- 24224954
TI  - S-adenosylhomocysteine inhibits NF-kappaB-mediated gene expression in hepatocytes
      and confers sensitivity to TNF cytotoxicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic alcohol exposure results in liver injury that is driven in
      part by inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF).
      Hepatocytes are normally resistant to the cytotoxic effects of TNF, but they
      become sensitized to TNF by chronic alcohol exposure. Recently, we reported that
      the decrease in the ratio of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to S-adenosylhomocysteine
      (SAH) that occurs with alcoholic liver injury renders hepatocytes sensitive to
      TNF cytotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether inhibition
      of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) contributed to TNF
      induced cell death in hepatocytes with high levels of SAH. METHODS: Primary human
      hepatocytes or HepG2 cells were pre-incubated with a combination of adenosine
      plus homocysteine to increase SAH levels. Following exposure to TNF, viability
      was determined by the MTT assay, and activation of the NF-kappaB pathway was
      assessed by measuring degradation of cytosolic IkappaB-alpha, phosphorylation and
      translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus, and expression of NF-kappaB-dependent
      genes. TNF-induced apoptotic signaling pathways were assessed by monitoring
      levels of the anti-apoptotic protein, A20, and cleavage products of the caspase-8
      substrate, RIP1. RESULTS: NF-kappaB-mediated gene expression was inhibited in
      cells with high SAH, despite the fact that TNF-induced degradation of the
      cytoplasmic inhibitor IkappaB-alpha and accumulation of NF-kappaB in the nucleus
      persisted for much longer. In contrast to control cells, the NF-kappaB that
      accumulated in the nucleus of cells with high SAH levels was not phosphorylated
      at serine 536, a modification associated with activation of the transactivation
      potential of this transcription factor. The inhibition of transactivation by NF
      kappaB resulted in lower mRNA and protein levels of the anti-apoptotic protein
      A20 and increased cleavage of RIP1. CONCLUSIONS: High SAH levels inhibited NF
      kappaB-mediated gene expression and sensitized primary hepatocytes and HepG2
      cells to the cytotoxic effects of TNF. It is likely that crosstalk with other
      transcription factors is perturbed under these conditions, resulting in still
      other changes in gene expression.

PMID- 24224956
TI  - Combining axial and radial nanowire heterostructures: radial Esaki diodes and
      tunnel field-effect transistors.
AB  - The ever-growing demand on high-performance electronics has generated transistors
      with very impressive figures of merit (Radosavljevic et al., IEEE Int. Devices
      Meeting 2009, 1-4 and Cho et al., IEEE Int. Devices Meeting 2011, 15.1.1-15.1.4).
      The continued scaling of the supply voltage of field-effect transistors, such as
      tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs), requires the implementation of advanced
      transistor architectures including FinFETs and nanowire devices. Moreover,
      integration of novel materials with high electron mobilities, such as III-V
      semiconductors and graphene, are also being considered to further enhance the
      device properties (del Alamo, Nature 2011, 479, 317-323, and Liao et al., Nature
      2010, 467, 305-308). In nanowire devices, boosting the drive current at a fixed
      supply voltage or maintaining a constant drive current at a reduced supply
      voltage may be achieved by increasing the cross-sectional area of a device,
      however at the cost of deteriorated electrostatics. A gate-all-around nanowire
      device architecture is the most favorable electrostatic configuration to suppress
      short channel effects; however, the arrangement of arrays of parallel vertical
      nanowires to address the drive current predicament will require additional chip
      area. The use of a core-shell nanowire with a radial heterojunction in a
      transistor architecture provides an attractive means to address the drive current
      issue without compromising neither chip area nor device electrostatics. In
      addition to design advantages of a radial transistor architecture, we in this
      work illustrate the benefit in terms of drive current per unit chip area and
      compare the experimental data for axial GaSb/InAs Esaki diodes and TFETs to their
      radial counterparts and normalize the electrical data to the largest cross
      sectional area of the nanowire, i.e. the occupied chip area, assuming a vertical
      device geometry. Our data on lateral devices show that radial Esaki diodes
      deliver almost 7 times higher peak current, Jpeak = 2310 kA/cm(2), than the
      maximum peak current of axial GaSb/InAs(Sb) Esaki diodes per unit chip area. The
      radial TFETs also deliver high peak current densities Jpeak = 1210 kA/cm(2),
      while their axial counterparts at most carry Jpeak = 77 kA/cm(2), normalized to
      the largest cross-sectional area of the nanowire.

PMID- 24224955
TI  - Quantitative high-throughput profiling of snake venom gland transcriptomes and
      proteomes (Ovophis okinavensis and Protobothrops flavoviridis).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advances in DNA sequencing and proteomics have facilitated
      quantitative comparisons of snake venom composition. Most studies have employed
      one approach or the other. Here, both Illumina cDNA sequencing and LC/MS were
      used to compare the transcriptomes and proteomes of two pit vipers, Protobothrops
      flavoviridis and Ovophis okinavensis, which differ greatly in their biology.
      RESULTS: Sequencing of venom gland cDNA produced 104,830 transcripts. The
      Protobothrops transcriptome contained transcripts for 103 venom-related proteins,
      while the Ovophis transcriptome contained 95. In both, transcript abundances
      spanned six orders of magnitude. Mass spectrometry identified peptides from 100%
      of transcripts that occurred at higher than contaminant (e.g. human keratin)
      levels, including a number of proteins never before sequenced from snakes. These
      transcriptomes reveal fundamentally different envenomation strategies. Adult
      Protobothrops venom promotes hemorrhage, hypotension, incoagulable blood, and
      prey digestion, consistent with mammalian predation. Ovophis venom composition is
      less readily interpreted, owing to insufficient pharmacological data for venom
      serine and metalloproteases, which comprise more than 97.3% of Ovophis
      transcripts, but only 38.0% of Protobothrops transcripts. Ovophis venom
      apparently represents a hybrid strategy optimized for frogs and small mammals.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates the power of cDNA sequencing combined with MS
      profiling. The former quantifies transcript composition, allowing detection of
      novel proteins, but cannot indicate which proteins are actually secreted, as does
      MS. We show, for the first time, that transcript and peptide abundances are
      correlated. This means that MS can be used for quantitative, non-invasive venom
      profiling, which will be beneficial for studies of endangered species.

PMID- 24224957
TI  - Sybil--efficient constraint-based modelling in R.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Constraint-based analyses of metabolic networks are widely used to
      simulate the properties of genome-scale metabolic networks. Publicly available
      implementations tend to be slow, impeding large scale analyses such as the genome
      wide computation of pairwise gene knock-outs, or the automated search for model
      improvements. Furthermore, available implementations cannot easily be extended or
      adapted by users. RESULTS: Here, we present sybil, an open source software
      library for constraint-based analyses in R; R is a free, platform-independent
      environment for statistical computing and graphics that is widely used in
      bioinformatics. Among other functions, sybil currently provides efficient methods
      for flux-balance analysis (FBA), MOMA, and ROOM that are about ten times faster
      than previous implementations when calculating the effect of whole-genome single
      gene deletions in silico on a complete E. coli metabolic model. CONCLUSIONS: Due
      to the object-oriented architecture of sybil, users can easily build analysis
      pipelines in R or even implement their own constraint-based algorithms. Based on
      its highly efficient communication with different mathematical optimisation
      programs, sybil facilitates the exploration of high-dimensional optimisation
      problems on small time scales. Sybil and all its dependencies are open source.
      Sybil and its documentation are available for download from the comprehensive R
      archive network (CRAN).

PMID- 24224959
TI  - Association among oral health parameters, periodontitis, and its treatment and
      mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a continuous, reversible source of
      inflammation with a potential impact on mortality in patients undergoing
      hemodialysis (HD). This study investigates the impact of oral health indicators,
      CP, and its treatment on survival rates in a group of patients undergoing HD.
      METHODS: Clinically stable patients undergoing HD were referred for a dental
      examination. All patients were prospectively followed in the dialysis clinic, and
      all-cause mortality was recorded. Three groups of patients were analyzed: those
      who received CP treatment, those who did not, and patients without CP as a
      control group. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients (79 males and 43 females, aged 23
      to 77 years; mean age: 50 years; range: 23 to 77 years) were enrolled. Forty
      percent reported having rarely been evaluated by a dentist, and 59% had CP. There
      were 34 fatal events during a mean follow-up time of 64.1 +/- 11.2 months. Oral
      factors associated with death in the univariate analysis were decreased frequency
      of dental visits; non-use of dental floss; increased decayed, missing, and filled
      teeth index; presence of CP; and absence of CP treatment. Patients with CP had a
      higher risk of death from all causes compared with patients without CP in the
      univariate analysis for untreated patients (hazard ratio 2.65 [95% confidence
      interval 1.06 to 6.59]; P = 0.036) and to a lesser extent for treated patients
      (2.36 [1.01 to 5.59]; P = 0.047). These significant differences were not
      maintained after adjustments for confounders in the multivariate model.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that poor oral health, including CP, is a
      common finding in patients undergoing HD. The results of this study call for
      intervention trials to test the hypothesis that treatment of CP improves survival
      in maintenance of patients undergoing HD.

PMID- 24224958
TI  - Involvement of NT3 and P75(NTR) in photoreceptor degeneration following selective
      Muller cell ablation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurotrophins can regulate opposing functions that result in cell
      survival or apoptosis, depending on which form of the protein is secreted and
      which receptor and signaling pathway is activated. We have recently developed a
      transgenic model in which inducible and patchy Muller cell ablation leads to
      photoreceptor degeneration. This study aimed to examine the roles of mature
      neurotrophin-3 (NT3), pro-NT3 and p75 neurotrophin receptor (P75(NTR)) in
      photoreceptor degeneration in this model. METHODS: Transgenic mice received
      tamoxifen to induce Muller cell ablation. Changes in the status of Muller and
      microglia cells as well as expression of mature NT3, pro-NT3 and P75(NTR) were
      examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Recombinant mature
      NT3 and an antibody neutralizing 75(NTR) were injected intravitreally 3 and 6
      days after Muller cell ablation to examine their effects on photoreceptor
      degeneration and microglial activation. RESULTS: We found that patchy loss of
      Muller cells was associated with activation of surviving Muller cells and
      microglial cells, concurrently with reduced expression of mature NT3 and
      upregulation of pro-NT3 and P75(NTR). Intravitreal injection of mature NT3 and a
      neutralizing antibody to P75NTR, either alone or in combination, attenuated
      photoreceptor degeneration and the beneficial effect was associated with
      inhibition of microglial activation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that Muller
      cell ablation alters the balance between the protective and deleterious effects
      of mature NT3 and pro-NT3. Modulation of the neuroprotective action of mature NT3
      and pro-apoptotic pro-NT3/P75(NTR) signaling may represent a novel
      pharmacological strategy for photoreceptor protection in retinal disease.

PMID- 24224960
TI  - Reliability of partial-mouth recording systems to determine periodontal status: a
      pilot study in an adult Portuguese population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The efficacy of various partial-mouth recording (PMR) systems is
      analyzed in the evaluation of periodontal status, using index teeth and different
      combinations of quadrants. METHODS: The study group was formed of 108 adults aged
      25 to 65 years old. A full-mouth examination (FME) was performed in all
      participants to determine the periodontal probing depth (PD) and clinical
      attachment level (CAL) at six sites per tooth. The results of PMR using the
      Ramfjord teeth, the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs teeth, and the
      four quadrants individually and combined in pairs were compared to the results
      obtained with FME. RESULTS: Concordance with FME in terms of the prevalence of
      patients with PD >=4 mm, CAL >=2 mm, and CAL >=4 mm was lowest with examination
      of single quadrants and highest with combinations that included one superior and
      one inferior quadrant. CONCLUSIONS: PMR systems, particularly with combinations
      of a superior plus an inferior quadrant, could be useful to evaluate periodontal
      status based on PD and CAL. This tool could be useful for epidemiologic surveys
      on periodontal status.

PMID- 24224961
TI  - Does periodontal infection have an effect on severe asthma in adults?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effect of periodontal infection on systemic diseases and
      conditions has been the subject of numerous studies worldwide. It is considered
      that periodontitis may influence the hyperinflammatory response in patients with
      severe asthma as a result of immuno-inflammatory changes. This study aims to
      evaluate the influence of periodontitis on severe asthma in adults. METHODS: A
      case-control study was carried out, comprising 220 adult individuals: 113
      diagnosed with asthma (case group) and 107 without asthma diagnosis (control
      group). The diagnosis of periodontitis was established after a full clinical
      examination using probing depth, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on
      probing. The diagnosis of severe asthma was based on the criteria recommended by
      the Global Initiative of Asthma (2012). Descriptive analyses of the variables
      were performed, followed by bivariate analyses, using the chi(2) test.
      Association measurements (odds ratio [OR]), with and without adjustment for
      potential confounders, were obtained. A significance level of 5% was used.
      RESULTS: The ORunadjusted for the main association was 4.38 (95% confidence
      interval [CI] = 2.47 to 7.75). In the logistic regression model, after adjusting
      for age, education level, osteoporosis, smoking habit, and body mass index, the
      ORadjusted was 4.82 (95% CI = 2.66 to 8.76), which was statistically significant.
      Individuals with periodontal infection showed, approximately, five times more
      likelihood to have bronchial inflammation than those without such periodontal
      tissue infection. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate the influence of
      periodontitis on severe asthma, given that the frequency of periodontitis is
      higher in individuals with severe asthma than in those without a diagnosis of
      bronchial inflammation.

PMID- 24224962
TI  - Evaluation of systemic levels of neutrophilic enzymes in patients with
      hypertension and chronic periodontitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammation stimulates neutrophils to release their enzymes into the
      extracellular matrix. The aim of the present study is to investigate the serum
      levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)
      1, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and neutrophil elastase (NE) in patients with
      hypertension and chronic periodontitis (CP). METHODS: A total of 95 patients were
      included in the study. Patients were categorized into three groups: healthy
      control (n = 29), hypertensive control (n = 32), and hypertensive CP (n = 34).
      Periodontal parameters were recorded, and serum samples were collected from each
      participant. Serum MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1, MPO, and NE levels in circulation were
      assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The hypertensive CP group
      had significantly higher serum MMP-8, MMP-9, and NE levels than the healthy
      control group (P <0.05). All study groups had similar serum TIMP-1 levels (P
      >0.05). Significantly higher serum MPO levels were detected in patients with
      hypertension and CP than healthy controls and hypertensive controls (P <0.05);
      however, the difference in serum MPO levels was not significant between the
      healthy controls and hypertensive controls (P >0.05). There was no significant
      difference in MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio among the study groups (P >0.05). MMP-9/TIMP-1
      ratio was significantly higher in patients with hypertension and CP than healthy
      controls (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of hypertension along with CP has a
      considerable effect on serum neutrophilic enzyme levels, except TIMP-1. However,
      the levels of these enzymes do not seem to be affected by the presence of
      hypertension only. Further studies including patients who have only CP might help
      illuminate the effect of CP on these enzymes in patients with hypertension.

PMID- 24224963
TI  - Declining transition rates to psychosis: the contribution of potential changes in
      referral pathways to an ultra-high-risk service.
AB  - AIM: On the basis of applying 'ultra-high-risk' (UHR) criteria, initially high
      rates of transition to psychosis were reported. However, a decline in transition
      to psychosis has been observed in recent years. The current descriptive paper
      aims to investigate if this drop in transition rate may be due to potential
      changes in patterns of referral to a large UHR clinic. METHODS: One hundred fifty
      young people who were referred to the Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation
      (PACE) Clinic in Melbourne, Australia, between August 2000 and July 2004 were
      included. Their referral pathways were assessed using a semistructured interview.
      Results were compared with a similar study of a cohort referred to the same
      clinic between 1995 and 1996. RESULTS: The mean number of contacts prior to
      referral to the PACE Clinic was 1.93 (standard deviation (SD) = 1.15), and the
      average time between symptom onset and referral to PACE was 46.5 weeks (SD =
      57.4). In comparison with the earlier cohort (mean = 2.36; SD = 1.32), our
      results indicate a lower number of contacts (Cohen's d = 0.35, r = 0.17).
      Furthermore, participants in the current study were referred twice as fast to the
      PACE Clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing awareness of UHR symptoms among
      professionals and in the general population seems to have resulted in faster
      referral of young people to specialized mental health services. The global drop
      in transition rate might be due to a change in referral pathways to UHR services.

PMID- 24224964
TI  - Automatic analysis of selected choroidal diseases in OCT images of the eye
      fundus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This paper describes a method for automatic analysis of the choroid
      in OCT images of the eye fundus in ophthalmology. The problem of vascular lesions
      occurs e.g. in a large population of patients having diabetes or macular
      degeneration. Their correct diagnosis and quantitative assessment of the
      treatment progress are a critical part of the eye fundus diagnosis. MATERIAL AND
      METHOD: The study analysed about 1'000 OCT images acquired using SOCT Copernicus
      (Optopol Tech. SA, Zawiercie, Poland). The proposed algorithm for image analysis
      enabled to analyse the texture of the choroid portion located beneath the RPE
      (Retinal Pigment Epithelium) layer. The analysis was performed using the profiled
      algorithm based on morphological analysis and texture analysis and a classifier
      in the form of decision trees. RESULTS: The location of the centres of gravity of
      individual objects present in the image beneath the RPE layer proved to be
      important in the evaluation of different types of images. In addition, the value
      of the standard deviation and the number of objects in a scene were equally
      important. These features enabled classification of three different forms of the
      choroid that were related to retinal pathology: diabetic edema (the
      classification gave accuracy ACC1 = 0.73), ischemia of the inner retinal layers
      (ACC2 = 0.83) and scarring fibro vascular tissue (ACC3 = 0.69). For the cut
      decision tree the results were as follows: ACC1 = 0.76, ACC2 = 0.81, ACC3 = 0.68.
      CONCLUSIONS: The created decision tree enabled to obtain satisfactory results of
      the classification of three types of choroidal imaging. In addition, it was shown
      that for the assumed characteristics and the developed classifier, the location
      of B-scan does not significantly affect the results. The image analysis method
      for texture analysis presented in the paper confirmed its usefulness in choroid
      imaging. Currently the application is further studied in the Clinical Department
      of Ophthalmology in the District Railway Hospital in Katowice, Medical University
      of Silesia, Poland.

PMID- 24224965
TI  - Role of glucagon in treating diabetes: evidence and concepts.

PMID- 24224967
TI  - Six keys for making orthodontics a sustainable dental specialty.

PMID- 24224966
TI  - A comparative systems analysis of polysaccharide-elicited responses in Neurospora
      crassa reveals carbon source-specific cellular adaptations.
AB  - Filamentous fungi are powerful producers of hydrolytic enzymes for the
      deconstruction of plant cell wall polysaccharides. However, the central question
      of how these sugars are perceived in the context of the complex cell wall matrix
      remains largely elusive. To address this question in a systematic fashion we
      performed an extensive comparative systems analysis of how the model filamentous
      fungus Neurospora crassa responds to the three main cell wall polysaccharides:
      pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose. We found the pectic response to be largely
      independent of the cellulolytic one with some overlap to hemicellulose, and in
      its extent surprisingly high, suggesting advantages for the fungus beyond being a
      mere carbon source. Our approach furthermore allowed us to identify carbon source
      specific adaptations, such as the induction of the unfolded protein response on
      cellulose, and a commonly induced set of 29 genes likely involved in carbon
      scouting. Moreover, by hierarchical clustering we generated a coexpression matrix
      useful for the discovery of new components involved in polysaccharide
      utilization. This is exemplified by the identification of lat-1, which we
      demonstrate to encode for the physiologically relevant arabinose transporter in
      Neurospora. The analyses presented here are an important step towards
      understanding fungal degradation processes of complex biomass. 

PMID- 24224968
TI  - Re: Labio-lingual root control of lower anterior teeth and canines obtained by
      active and passive self-ligating brackets. Paolo M. Cattaneo; Raaid A. Salih;
      Birte Melsen; The Angle Orthodontist, 2013;83(4)691-697.

PMID- 24224969
TI  - Re: Response to: Labio-lingual root control of lower anterior teeth and canines
      obtained by active and passive self-ligating brackets. Paolo M. Cattaneo; Raaid
      A. Salih; Birte Melsen; The Angle Orthodontist, 2013;83(4)691-697.

PMID- 24224971
TI  - Assessments of nursing home guidelines for quality of care provided to residents
      with multiple sclerosis.
AB  - This study assessed the opinions of nursing directors about quality guidelines
      developed by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) to assist with the
      care of nursing home residents with multiple sclerosis (MS). Data were collected
      in a survey of nursing directors at 800 nursing facilities, with 64 nursing
      directors participating (8.2% response rate). Participating nursing facilities
      are similar to other nursing homes for facility characteristics and the number of
      MS residents receiving care. Large majorities of participants thought these NMSS
      guidelines were important to the development of care plans and staff training.
      However, most nursing directors were unaware of these guidelines. 

PMID- 24224972
TI  - Experiences of participation in a Swedish society among adults with cerebral
      palsy or spina bifida: involvement and challenges.
AB  - Participation in society is vital to mental health and is beneficial to
      individuals and society. The goal of this study was to provide insight into how
      people with cerebral palsy and spina bifida view their experiences of
      participation and to examine factors that might influence this issue. The results
      show that participants emphasized the importance of being accepted and treated
      equally. Living independently and being able to play an active and leading role
      in their lives was also essential. Participation was described as a process of
      interaction between a person and society, with mutual responsibility in respect
      to integration. 

PMID- 24224973
TI  - A holistic view in psychiatric rehabilitation: the effects of structure in
      psychiatric institutions.
AB  - Achieving independence in society following hospitalization is difficult for
      people with mental illness. Using quantitative and qualitative research methods,
      this study examines rehabilitation procedures and identifies possible
      deficiencies. Patients (n = 150) and employees (n = 50) were invited to
      participate. The results show little coordination among professionals, patients,
      and programs. Employees generally believe rehabilitation is more beneficial than
      do users. Better results could possibly be achieved if the interactional model
      was used along with the medical model. The findings emphasize the validity of
      giving patients voices that can lead to better rehabilitation and quality of
      life. 

PMID- 24224974
TI  - Comparing travel training innovations in Hong Kong and the United States.
AB  - Transportation services involving travel training provide 1 means of improving
      the community inclusion of persons with disabilities. Looking at 2 distinct
      situations, Hong Kong and the United States, this study made inquiries about the
      properties of the differing systems in place to improve this inclusiveness.
      Patterns can be identified concerning their approaches for increasing the use of
      fixed route transportation systems, but each had differences concerning enabling
      legislation, scope, and funding mechanisms. We provide generalizable suggestions
      for increasing the use of fixed route transportation. 

PMID- 24224976
TI  - A case of meningitis due to varicella zoster virus reactivation in an
      immunocompetent child.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of neurological complications due to varicella zoster
      virus (VZV) reactivation is relatively uncommon, particularly in the case of
      immunocompetent patients. Only a few cases have been described in the literature,
      most of which involved adult or elderly patients. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Two days
      after his pediatrician had diagnosed herpes zoster and prescribed oral acyclovir
      400 mg three times a day, a 14-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital because
      of mild fever, severe headache, slowness, drowsiness and vomiting. A
      cerebrospinal fluid examination was performed and showed an increased protein
      concentration (95 mg/dL), normal glucose level (48 mg/dL; blood glucose level, 76
      mg/dL) and lymphocytic pleocytosis (1,400 lymphocytes/MUL), and VZV DNA was
      detected by means of polymerase chain reaction (1,250 copies/mL). The results of
      immunological screening for HIV, lymphocyte subpopulation counts, serum
      immunoglobulin and complement (C3 and C4) levels, vaccine responsiveness and
      lymphocytes stimulation tests were unremarkable. Acyclovir was administered
      intravenously at a dose of 10 mg/kg three times a day and continued for 10 days.
      The therapy was highly effective and the patient's clinical condition rapidly
      improved: fever disappeared after two days, and all of the signs and symptoms of
      neurological involvement after four days. The skin lesions resolved in about one
      week, and no pain or dysesthesia was ever reported. Given the favourable
      evolution of the illness, the child was discharged without further therapy after
      the 10-day treatment. The findings of a magnetic resonance examination
      immediately after the discontinuation of the antiviral therapy were normal, and a
      control examination carried out about four weeks later did not find any sign or
      symptom of disease. CONCLUSION: VZV reactivation can also lead to various
      neurological complications in immunocompetent children. Prompt therapy with
      acyclovir and the integrity of the immune system are important in conditioning
      outcome, but other currently unknown factors probably also play a role.

PMID- 24224977
TI  - Evaluation of wound care options in patients with recessive dystrophic
      epidermolysis bullosa: a costly necessity.
AB  - Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a genetic disorder in which
      mutations in collagen VII, the main component of the anchoring fibril, lead to
      skin fragility and to the development of acute and chronic wounds. Wound care and
      dressing changes are an important part of the daily lives of individuals with
      RDEB. Ideal wound care should improve wound healing, minimize pain, and improve
      quality of life. The objective of the current study was to review wound care
      options that might be used in a patient with RDEB and calculate the cost of these
      various options based on publicly available pricing of wound care products. There
      is a wide range of costs for wound care options in patients with RDEB. For
      example, a 1-day supply of dressing for a neonate boy with RDEB ranges from
      $10.64 for the least expensive option to $127.54 for the most expensive option.
      Wound care in patients with severe, generalized RDEB has not only a significant
      economic effect, but also directly affects quality of life in this patient
      population. Although randomized controlled trials evaluating different wound care
      products in patients with RDEB are lacking, small studies and expert opinion
      support the use of specialized nonadherent dressings that minimize skin trauma
      and promote wound healing. Until there is a cure, prospective studies are needed
      to assess pain, quality of life, and wound healing associated with the use of
      specialized wound care products for this life-altering condition.

PMID- 24224978
TI  - Acute compartment syndrome: clinical course and laboratory findings in pregnant
      patients with McArdle's disease.

PMID- 24224979
TI  - Dual-barrel conductance micropipet as a new approach to the study of ionic
      crystal dissolution kinetics.
AB  - A new approach to the study of ionic crystal dissolution kinetics is described,
      based on the use of a dual-barrel theta conductance micropipet. The solution in
      the pipet is undersaturated with respect to the crystal of interest, and when the
      meniscus at the end of the micropipet makes contact with a selected region of the
      crystal surface, dissolution occurs causing the solution composition to change.
      This is observed, with better than 1 ms time resolution, as a change in the ion
      conductance current, measured across a potential bias between an electrode in
      each barrel of the pipet. Key attributes of this new technique are: (i)
      dissolution can be targeted at a single crystal surface; (ii) multiple
      measurements can be made quickly and easily by moving the pipet to a new location
      on the surface; (iii) materials with a wide range of kinetics and solubilities
      are open to study because the duration of dissolution is controlled by the
      meniscus contact time; (iv) fast kinetics are readily amenable to study because
      of the intrinsically high mass transport rates within tapered micropipets; (v)
      the experimental geometry is well-defined, permitting finite element method
      modeling to allow quantitative analysis of experimental data. Herein, we study
      the dissolution of NaCl as an example system, with dissolution induced for just a
      few milliseconds, and estimate a first-order heterogeneous rate constant of 7.5
      (+/-2.5) * 10(-5) cm s(-1) (equivalent surface dissolution flux ca. 0.5 MUmol cm(
      2) s(-1) into a completely undersaturated solution). Ionic crystals form a huge
      class of materials whose dissolution properties are of considerable interest, and
      we thus anticipate that this new localized microscale surface approach will have
      considerable applicability in the future. 

PMID- 24224980
TI  - Hypothermia induced by adenosine 5'-monophosphate attenuates injury in an L
      arginine-induced acute pancreatitis rat model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study sought to investigate the effects of hypothermia
      induced by adenosine 5'-monophosphate (5'-AMP) on L-arginine (L-Arg)-induced
      acute pancreatitis in rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups: the
      control group, the acute pancreatitis group, the 5'-AMP pretreatment group, and
      the 5'-AMP posttreatment group. Rats in all groups, except for the control group,
      received two injections of 2.5 g/kg body weight (intraperitoneally) L-Arg, with
      an interval of 1 h between the injections. Subsequently, the rats were observed
      to assess whether hypothermia induced by 5'-AMP could effectively inhibit
      inflammation associated with L-Arg-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. RESULTS:
      Hypothermia induced by 5'-AMP produced protective effects in our acute
      pancreatitis model. These effects exhibited the following manifestations: (i) a
      significant reduction in rat mortality rates; (ii) a significant decrease in the
      occurrence of pancreatic edema; (iii) significant reductions in serum amylase (P
      < 0.001), interleukin-6 (P < 0.001), interleukin-1beta (P < 0.001) and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (P < 0.001); (iv) the significant inhibition of nuclear
      factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in rats that were pre- and posttreated with
      5'-AMP compared with rats that were only injected with L-Arg; and (v) significant
      decreases in the occurrence of pancreatic interstitial edema, inflammatory cell
      infiltration, hemorrhage, and acinar cell necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothermia
      induced by 5'-AMP could inhibit the acute inflammatory reaction and NF-kappaB
      activation associated with acute pancreatitis.

PMID- 24224981
TI  - Successful treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic hepatitis C using
      combined peginterferon-alpha-2b and ribavirin therapy.
AB  - We report a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) infection who was successfully treated with a combination of peginterferon
      and ribavirin therapy. A 65-year-old man was referred to our hospital for
      treatment of chronic hepatitis C and close examination of pancytopenia. MDS of
      "refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia" was diagnosed on the basis of
      bone marrow findings. Although the patient was not a good candidate for
      interferon (IFN) therapy because of his pancytopenia, we decided to proceed with
      IFN therapy for the following reasons: his elevated transaminases could not be
      controlled; he had a high possibility of recovery from chronic hepatitis C in
      consideration of his HCV genotype 2a and relatively low RNA titer; and his
      pancytopenia was expected to worsen in the future. After combination
      peginterferon/ribavirin therapy, the patient achieved sustained viral response,
      and the bone marrow findings showed neutrophils with normal granulation and
      megakaryocytes with normal morphological features. Additionally, the normal 46,
      XY karyotype converted from 45, X0 which was found before IFN therapy. This
      suggested that the patient's MDS was completely resolved. 

PMID- 24224982
TI  - Active lifestyles related to excellent self-rated health and quality of life:
      cross sectional findings from 194,545 participants in The 45 and Up Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical activity and sitting time independently contribute to
      chronic disease risk, though little work has focused on aspirational health
      outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between physical
      activity, sitting time, and excellent overall health (ExH) and quality of life
      (ExQoL) in Australian adults. METHODS: The 45 and Up Study is a large Australian
      prospective cohort study (n = 267,153). Present analyses are from 194,545
      participants (48% male; mean age = 61.6 +/- 10.7 yrs) with complete baseline
      questionnaire data on exposures, outcomes, and potential confounders (age,
      income, education, smoking, marital status, weight status, sex, residential
      remoteness and economic advantage, functional limitation and chronic disease).
      The Active Australia survey was used to assess walking, moderate, and vigorous
      physical activity. Sitting time was determined by asking participants to indicate
      number of hours per day usually spent sitting. Participants reported overall
      health and quality of life, using a five-point scale (excellent-poor). Binary
      logistic regression models were used to analyze associations, controlling for
      potential confounders. RESULTS: Approximately 16.5% of participants reported ExH,
      and 25.7% reported ExQoL. In fully adjusted models, physical activity was
      positively associated with ExH (AOR = adjusted odds ratio for most versus least
      active = 2.22, 95% CI = 2.20, 2.47; P(trend) < 0.001) and ExQoL (AOR for most
      versus least active = 2.30, 95% CI = 2.12, 2.49; P(trend) < 0.001). In fully
      adjusted models, sitting time was inversely associated with ExH (AOR for least
      versus most sitting group = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.18; P(trend) < 0.001) and
      ExQoL (AOR for least versus most sitting group = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.17;
      P(trend) < 0.001). In fully adjusted models, interactions between physical
      activity and sitting time were not significant for ExH (P = 0.118) or ExQoL (P =
      0.296). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity and sitting time are independently
      associated with excellent health and quality of life in this large diverse sample
      of Australian middle-aged and older adults. These findings bolster evidence
      informing health promotion efforts to increase PA and decrease sitting time
      toward the achievement of better population health and the pursuit of successful
      aging.

PMID- 24224984
TI  - The development of methods to semiobjectively estimate auditory sensitivity for
      ototoxicity monitoring.

PMID- 24224983
TI  - Towards an HIV cure: science and debate from the International AIDS Society 2013
      symposium.
AB  - The International AIDS Society convened the multi-stakeholder "Towards an HIV
      Cure" symposium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2013 to address the significant
      research challenges posed by the search for a cure for HIV infection. Current
      antiretroviral regimens select for a small reservoir of cells that harbour latent
      HIV provirus, produce few or no HIV virions, and resist detection or clearance by
      host immunity. The symposium examined basic molecular science and animal model
      data, and emerging and ongoing clinical trial results to prioritise strategies
      and determine the viral and immune responses that could lead to HIV remission
      without ART. Here we review the presentations that scrutinized the molecular
      mechanisms controlling virus expression from proviral DNA, and the intrinsic
      cellular restriction and immune mechanisms preventing viral production. Insights
      from the basic science have translated into new therapeutic strategies seeking
      HIV remission without ongoing therapy, and much interest was focused on these
      ongoing trials. We also summarise the emerging ethical issues and patient
      expectations as concepts move into the clinic. 

PMID- 24224986
TI  - Relationship between postural stability and spatial hearing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maintaining balance is known to be a multisensory process that uses
      information from different sensory organs. Although it has been known for a long
      time that spatial hearing cues provide humans with moderately accurate abilities
      to localize sound sources, how the auditory system interacts with balance
      mediated by the vestibular system remains largely a mystery. PURPOSE: The primary
      goal of the current study was to determine whether auditory spatial cues obtained
      from a fixed sound source can help human participants balance themselves as
      compared to conditions in which participants use vision. RESEARCH DESIGN: The
      experiment uses modified versions of conventional clinical tests: the Tandem
      Romberg test and the Fukuda Stepping test. In the Tandem Romberg test,
      participants stand with their feet in a heel-to-toe position, and try to maintain
      balance for 40 sec. In the Fukuda Stepping test, a participant is asked to close
      his or her eyes and to march in place for 100 steps. The sway and angular
      deviation of each participant was measured with and without vision and spatial
      auditory cues. An auditory spatial reference was provided by presenting a
      broadband noise source from a loudspeaker directly in front of the participant
      located 1-2 m away. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 19 participants (11 women and 8 men;
      mean age = 27 yr; age range = 18~52 yr), voluntarily participated in the
      experiment. All participants had normal vision, hearing, and vestibular function.
      INTERVENTION: The primary intervention was the use of a broadband noise source to
      provide an auditory spatial referent for balance measurements in the Tandem
      Romberg test and Fukuda Stepping test. Conditions were also tested in which the
      participants had their eyes opened or closed. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: A
      head tracker recorded the position of the participant's head for the Tandem
      Romberg test. The angular deviation of the feet after 100 steps was measured in
      the Fukuda Stepping test. An average distance or angle moved by the head or feet
      was calculated relative to the head or feet resting position for each test. The
      average head sway or angular deviation was measured in an eyes-open condition (no
      sound), eyes-closed condition (no sound), and an eyes-closed condition with
      sound. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for both tests. RESULTS:
      The results showed a significant benefit in postural stability in both
      experiments when spatial auditory cues were present (p < .01). For the Tandem
      Romberg test, the benefit from spatial auditory cues alone is a 9% reduction in
      mean sway, as compared to 44% from visual cues alone. For the Fukuda Stepping
      test, the benefit from spatial auditory cues alone is a 76% reduction in mean
      body sway, as compared to 98% from visual cues alone. CONCLUSIONS: The current
      study demonstrated a connection between spatial hearing and balance. The
      experiments showed that a single fixed sound source can provide sufficient
      spatial cues for the central nervous system to better control postural stability.
      The compensation effect that the vestibular system receives from the auditory
      cues, however, is weaker than that received from visual cues.

PMID- 24224985
TI  - ABR obtained from time-efficient train stimuli for cisplatin ototoxicity
      monitoring.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonbehavioral methods for identifying cisplatin ototoxicity are
      important for testing patients with cancer who become too tired or sick to
      provide a reliable response. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a
      nonbehavioral test that is sensitive to ototoxicity but can be time consuming to
      implement over a range of frequencies and/or levels. To address this issue,
      trains of stimuli were developed that offer reliable ABR testing over a range of
      tone-burst frequencies and levels at a time savings of 77% relative to tone-burst
      stimuli presented individually. The clinical accuracy of this new method has yet
      to be determined on a clinical population. PURPOSE: This project was designed to
      determine the test performance of a time-effective ABR methodology aimed at
      identifying hearing shifts from cisplatin among veterans. A secondary goal was to
      determine whether improved test performance could be achieved by including our
      previously developed ototoxicity risk assessment model in the ABR prediction
      algorithm. RESEARCH DESIGN: A set of discriminant functions were derived using
      logistic regression to model the risk for cisplatin-induced hearing change.
      Independent variables were one of several ABR metrics alone and combined with an
      ototoxicity risk assessment model that includes pre-exposure hearing and
      cisplatin dose. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to
      evaluate the test performance of these discriminant functions. STUDY SAMPLE:
      Twenty-two male veterans treated with cisplatin for various cancers provided data
      from a total of 71 monitoring appointments. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data
      were collected prospectively from one ear of each participant as designated
      below. Hearing shift was determined for frequencies within an octave of each
      patient's high-frequency hearing limit, tested in 1/6th-octave steps. ABRs were
      monitored using a set of two intensity trains from the highest two multiple
      frequency tone-burst center frequencies (up to 11.3 kHz) that yielded a robust
      response at baseline. Each intensity train was presented at 65-105 dB peSPL in 10
      dB steps. Scorable ABRs were generally limited to the highest two intensities;
      therefore, analyses concern those levels. RESULTS: The ABR measurement failure
      was high, up to 52% for some frequencies and levels. Furthermore, the ABR was not
      frequently obtained at levels below 85 dB peSPL, consistent with previous studies
      that suggest a stimulus level of greater than 80 dB peSPL is required to obtain a
      reliable response to trained stimuli. Using multivariate metrics that included
      the dose-ototoxicity model, the most accurate scoring function was change in
      amplitude at lowest half-octave frequency obtained at 105 dB (change in wave V
      amplitude at frequency 2/105). However, absence of wave V at a monitor patient
      visit of the ABR response at levels 105 or 95 dB peSPL was deemed the preferred
      scoring function, because it had lower measurement failure and was within one
      standard error of the most accurate function. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the large
      number of responses that could not be measured at baseline, this technique as
      implemented holds limited value as an ototoxicity-monitoring method.

PMID- 24224987
TI  - Tone, rhythm, and timbre perception in school-age children using cochlear
      implants and hearing aids.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children with hearing impairments, especially those using hearing
      devices such as the cochlear implant (CI) or hearing aid (HA), are sometimes not
      encouraged to attend music classes, as they or their parents and teachers may be
      unsure whether the child can perform basic musical tasks. PURPOSE: The objective
      of the current study was to provide a baseline for the performance of children
      using CIs and HAs on standardized tests of rhythm and pitch perception as well as
      an instrument timbre identification task. An additional aim was to determine the
      effect of structured music training on these measures during the course of a
      school year. RESEARCH DESIGN: The Intermediate Measures of Music Audiation (IMMA)
      Tonal and Rhythmic subtests were administered four times, with 6 wk between
      tests. All children in the study were also enrolled in "Music Club" teaching
      sessions. Measures were compared between groups and across the four testing
      sessions. STUDY SAMPLE: Twenty children from a single school in Melbourne,
      Australia, were recruited. Eleven (four girls) had impaired hearing, including
      six with a unilateral CI or CI and HA together (two girls) and five with
      bilateral HAs (two girls). Nine were normally hearing, selected to match the age
      and gender of the hearing-impaired children. Ages ranged from 9-13 yr.
      INTERVENTION: All children participated in a weekly Music Club--a 45 min session
      of musical activities based around vocal play and the integration of aural,
      visual, and kinesthetic modes of learning. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
      Audiological data were collected from clinical files. IMMA scores were converted
      to percentile ranks using published norms. Between-group differences were tested
      using repeated-measures analysis of variance, and between-session differences
      were tested using a linear mixed model. Linear regression was used to model the
      effect of hearing loss on the test scores. RESULTS: In the first session,
      normally hearing children had a mean percentile rank of ~50 in both the Tonal and
      Rhythmic subtests of the IMMA. Children using CIs showed trends toward lower
      scores in the Tonal, but not the Rhythmic, subtests. No significant improvements
      were found between sessions. In the timbre test, children generally made fewer
      errors within the set of percussive compared to nonpercussive instruments. The
      hearing loss level partially predicted performance in the Tonal, but not the
      Rhythmic, task, and predictions were more significant for nonpercussive compared
      to percussive instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the importance of
      temporal cues in the perception of music, and indicate that temporal cues may be
      used by children with CIs and HAs in the perception of not only rhythm, but also
      of some aspects of timbre. We were not able to link participation in the Music
      Club with increased scores on the Tonal, Rhythmic, and Timbre tests. However,
      anecdotal evidence from the children and their teachers suggested a wide range of
      benefits from participation in the Music Club that extended from increased
      engagement and interest in music classes into the children's social situations.

PMID- 24224988
TI  - Cortical auditory-evoked potentials (CAEPs) in adults in response to filtered
      speech stimuli.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that cortical auditory-evoked
      potentials (CAEPs) can be reliably elicited in response to speech stimuli in
      listeners wearing hearing aids. It is unclear, however, how close to the aided
      behavioral threshold (i.e., at what behavioral sensation level) a sound must be
      before a cortical response can reliably be detected. PURPOSE: The purpose of this
      study was to systematically examine the relationship between CAEP detection and
      the audibility of speech sounds (as measured behaviorally), when the listener is
      wearing a hearing aid fitted to prescriptive targets. A secondary aim was to
      investigate whether CAEP detection is affected by varying the frequency emphasis
      of stimuli, so as to simulate variations to the prescribed gain-frequency
      response of a hearing aid. The results have direct implications for the
      evaluation of hearing aid fittings in nonresponsive adult clients, and indirect
      implications for the evaluation of hearing aid fittings in infants. RESEARCH
      DESIGN: Participants wore hearing aids while listening to speech sounds presented
      in a sound field. Aided thresholds were measured, and cortical responses evoked,
      under a range of stimulus conditions. The presence or absence of CAEPs was
      determined by an automated statistic. STUDY SAMPLE: Participants were adults (6
      females and 4 males). Participants had sensorineural hearing loss ranging from
      mild to severe-profound in degree. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Participants'
      own hearing aids were replaced with a test hearing aid, with linear processing,
      during assessments. Pure-tone thresholds and hearing aid gain measurements were
      obtained, and a theoretical prediction of speech stimulus audibility for each
      participant (similar to those used for audibility predictions in infant hearing
      aid fittings) was calculated. Three speech stimuli, (/m/, /t/, and /g/) were
      presented aided (monaurally, nontest ear occluded), free field, under three
      conditions (+4 dB/octave, -4 dB/octave, and without filtering), at levels of 40,
      50, and 60 dB SPL (measured for the unfiltered condition). Behavioral thresholds
      were obtained, and CAEP recordings were made using these stimuli. The interaction
      of hearing loss, presentation levels, and filtering conditions resulted in a
      range of CAEP test behavioral sensation levels (SLs), from -25 to +40 dB.
      RESULTS: Statistically significant CAEPs (p < .05) were obtained for virtually
      every presentation where the behavioral sensation level was >10 dB, and for only
      5% of occasions when the sensation level was negative. In these ("false
      positive") cases, the greatest (negative) sensation level at which a CAEP was
      judged to be present was -6 dB SL. CONCLUSIONS: CAEPs are a sensitive tool for
      directly evaluating the audibility of speech sounds, at least for adult
      listeners. CAEP evaluation was found to be more accurate than audibility
      predictions, based on threshold and hearing aid response measures.

PMID- 24224989
TI  - Acceptable noise levels in preschool children with normal hearing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The acceptable noise level (ANL) measure is an indicator of hearing
      aid use. The majority of research in this area has focused primarily on adults.
      Research using school-aged listeners, specifically 8 and 12 yr old children,
      demonstrated that the average ANL values, standard deviations (SDs), and
      distribution of ANL values for these children were similar to those of adult
      listeners. Additionally, the ANL measure is reliable over time, even in school
      aged listeners. Although ANL values from adult and school-aged listeners have
      been investigated, no research to date has been conducted using preschool
      children. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to determine if ANLs
      could be obtained in preschool children, aged 4 and 5 yr, with normal hearing.
      This study also aimed to investigate the reliability and distribution of ANL
      measurements from preschool children, as well as any effect that background noise
      might present in the listening environment. RESEARCH DESIGN: Seated in a sound
      treated test suite, listeners were tasked with adjusting speech stimuli to their
      most comfortable listening level; then, with speech present, listeners were
      tasked with adjusting the background noise to their most acceptable background
      noise level. Three trials of each measure were averaged and were used to
      calculate each listener's ANL. STUDY SAMPLE: ANLs were attempted on 23 children,
      ages 4 yr (N = 14) to 5 yr (N = 9), with normal hearing. RESULTS: Less than half
      of the 4 yr old listeners performed the ANL task, whereas all of the 5 yr old
      listeners completed the task successfully. Good test-retest reliability was found
      for those preschool children who were able to complete the task. Mean ANLs, SDs,
      ranges, and distributions demonstrated that these values agree with ANL data
      collected from older school-aged listeners. CONCLUSIONS: Although ANL values were
      reliably measured in all of the 5 yr old listeners, this was not the case for 4
      yr old listeners. ANL values were not reliably obtained from 4 yr old listeners;
      however, the ANL procedure is appropriate for use for 5 yr old listeners.
      Furthermore, ANL means, SDs, ranges, and distributions were in agreement with
      those from older school-aged children and adults, and ANLs in preschool listeners
      were unaffected by the type of background noise stimuli.

PMID- 24224990
TI  - Hearing impaired children's preference for, and performance with, four
      combinations of directional microphone and digital noise reduction technology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Before advanced noise-management features can be recommended for use
      in children with hearing loss, evidence regarding their ability to use these
      features to optimize speech perception is necessary. PURPOSE: The purpose of this
      study was to examine the relation between children's preference for, and
      performance with, four combinations of noise-management features in noisy
      listening environments. RESEARCH DESIGN: Children with hearing loss were asked to
      repeat short sentences presented in steady-state noise or in multitalker babble
      while wearing ear-level hearing aids. The aids were programmed with four memories
      having an orthogonal arrangement of two noise-management features. The children
      were also asked to indicate the hearing aid memory that they preferred in each of
      the listening conditions both initially and after a short period of use. STUDY
      SAMPLE: Fifteen children between the ages of 8 and 12 yr with moderate hearing
      losses, bilaterally. RESULTS: The children's preference for noise management
      aligned well with their performance for at least three of the four listening
      conditions. The configuration of noise-management features had little effect on
      speech perception with the exception of reduced performance for speech
      originating from behind the child while in a directional hearing aid setting.
      Additionally, the children's preference appeared to be governed by listening
      comfort, even under conditions for which a benefit was not expected such as the
      use of digital noise reduction in the multitalker babble conditions. CONCLUSIONS:
      The results serve as evidence in support of the use of noise-management features
      in grade-school children as young as 8 yr of age.

PMID- 24224991
TI  - Effects of a transient noise reduction algorithm on speech understanding,
      subjective preference, and preferred gain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Today's compression hearing aids with noise reduction systems may not
      manage transient noises effectively because of the short duration of these sounds
      compared to the onset times of the compressors and/or noise reduction algorithms.
      PURPOSE: The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of a transient
      noise reduction (TNR) algorithm on listening comfort, speech intelligibility in
      quiet, and preferred wearer gain in the presence of transients. RESEARCH DESIGN:
      A single-blinded, repeated-measures design was used. STUDY SAMPLE: Thirteen
      experienced hearing aid users with bilaterally symmetrical (<=7.5 dB)
      sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. RESULTS: Speech
      identification in quiet (no transient noise) was identical between the TNR On and
      the TNR Off conditions. The participants showed subjective preference for the TNR
      algorithm when "comfortable listening" was used as the criterion. Participants
      preferred less gain than the default prescription in the presence of transient
      noise sounds. However, the preferred gain was 2.9 dB higher when the TNR was
      activated than when it was deactivated. This translated to 12.1% improvement in
      phoneme identification over the TNR Off condition for soft speech. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study demonstrated that the use of the TNR algorithm would not negatively
      affect speech identification. The results also suggested that this algorithm may
      improve listening comfort in the presence of transient noise sounds and ensure
      consistent use of prescribed gain. Such an algorithm may ensure more consistent
      audibility across listening environments.

PMID- 24224992
TI  - Optimizing otoscopy competency in audiology students through supplementary
      otoscopy training.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scope of practice in audiology encompasses proficiency in visual
      inspection of ear canal and tympanic membrane (TM) as well as otoscopy
      interpretation skills to determine normal versus abnormal conditions of outer and
      middle ear. Audiology students can develop skills in otoscopy through education
      and supervised training. Studies have shown that additional otoscopy training
      increased skills in medical students and general practitioners. However,
      educational and supervised practices targeting otoscopy competency during
      audiology graduate coursework are lacking. Also, no studies have attempted to
      determine otoscopy skills among audiology students. PURPOSE: To determine the
      effectiveness of the otoscopy training model on clinical competency and
      confidence level of audiology students in performing and interpreting otoscopy.
      RESEARCH DESIGN: A combination of experimental treatment design with random
      assignment of treatment and control groups and delayed treatment for control
      group. STUDY SAMPLE: Thirty-two first- and second-year audiology graduate
      students who were enrolled in a pediatric audiology class participated in this
      study. Students were randomly assigned to the control (n = 16, 14 females) or
      experimental (n = 16, 14 females) group. INTERVENTION: Participants in the
      experimental group received supplementary otoscopy training including didactic
      otoscopy lectures as well as clinical training using manikin ears. The control
      group received the same pretest and posttest and then completed a third
      assessment (posttest 2) after receiving the same training. DATA COLLECTION AND
      ANALYSIS: An evaluation of knowledge and skills regarding otoscopy between groups
      and time was conducted at three times: (a) pretraining, (b) upon completion of
      training for the experimental group, (c) upon completion of training by the
      control group. The evaluation consisted of a written exam, a clinical exam, and a
      self-perception rating of confidence. Both written exam scores and clinical exam
      scores (otoscopy manikin) were analyzed via two-way analyses of variance
      (ANOVAs), whereas chi-square (chi2) statistic was conducted to evaluate the
      effects of training on the confidence level of students of both groups. RESULTS:
      Experimental and control groups demonstrated significant increased overall
      competency in otoscopy following the otoscopy training model with didactic and
      laboratory components. Posttest confidence ratings showed increases in all
      groups, and there were no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      The need for supplementary otoscopy training was warranted by low knowledge and
      clinical competency in otoscopy skills of audiology students as measured by
      pretest mean scores. After completing the training, both experimental and control
      groups showed significant improvement in knowledge and competency. Results also
      suggest that perceived confidence ratings may be misleading in determining
      students' clinical otoscopy skills.

PMID- 24224993
TI  - Screening Test for Auditory Processing (STAP): a preliminary report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The presence of auditory processing disorder in school-age children
      has been documented (Katz and Wilde, 1985; Chermak and Musiek, 1997; Jerger and
      Musiek, 2000; Muthuselvi and Yathiraj, 2009). In order to identify these children
      early, there is a need for a screening test that is not very time-consuming.
      PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the independence of four subsections
      of the Screening Test for Auditory Processing (STAP) developed by Yathiraj and
      Maggu (2012). The test was designed to address auditory separation/closure,
      binaural integration, temporal resolution, and auditory memory in school-age
      children. The study also aimed to examine the number of children who are at risk
      for different auditory processes. RESEARCH DESIGN: Factor analysis research
      design was used in the current study. STUDY SAMPLE: Four hundred school-age
      children consisting of 218 males and 182 females were randomly selected from 2400
      children attending three schools. The children, aged 8 to 13 yr, were in grade
      three to eight class placements. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSES: The children were
      evaluated on the four subsections of the STAP (speech perception in noise,
      dichotic consonant-vowel [CV], gap detection, and auditory memory) in a quiet
      room within their school. The responses were analyzed using principal component
      analysis (PCA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In addition, the data were
      also analyzed to determine the number of children who were at risk for an
      auditory processing disorder (APD). RESULTS: Based on the PCA, three components
      with Eigen values greater than 1 were extracted. The orthogonal rotation of the
      variables using the Varimax technique revealed that component 1 consisted of
      binaural integration, component 2 consisted of temporal resolution, and component
      3 was shared by auditory separation/closure and auditory memory. These findings
      were confirmed using CFA, where the predicted model displayed a good fit with or
      without the inclusion of the auditory memory subsection. It was determined that
      16% of the children were at risk for APD on one or more of the subsections of
      STAP. Among these 16%, the auditory memory subsection was the most affected
      (73.4%), followed by binaural integration (65.6%), auditory separation/closure
      (59.4%), and temporal resolution (53.1%). CONCLUSION: The current study revealed
      that the four subsections of STAP merged to form three distinct components.
      Dichotic CV and gap detection formed two independent components while speech
      perception in noise and auditory memory merged to form a single component. This
      indicates a possible relationship between auditory memory and speech perception
      in noise as suggested by Katz (1992). Thus, STAP is able to detect three
      different components related to auditory processing. The study also indicates
      that the number of children at risk for each of the different auditory processes
      vary. Ongoing evaluation will shed light on the usefulness of the subsections of
      STAP in identifying auditory processing problems. In addition to conducting the
      APD screening test, it is also recommended that a hearing screening be done to
      rule out peripheral hearing problems when hearing screening programs are not
      conducted in schools.

PMID- 24224994
TI  - Identification of vowel length, word stress, and compound words and phrases by
      postlingually deafened cochlear implant listeners.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accurate perception of prosody assists a listener in deriving
      meaning from natural speech. Few studies have addressed the ability of cochlear
      implant (CI) listeners to perceive the brief duration prosodic cues involved in
      contrastive vowel length, word stress, and compound word and phrase
      identification. PURPOSE: To compare performance in the perception of brief
      duration prosodic contrasts by CI participants and a control group of normal
      hearing participants. This study investigated the ability to perceive these cues
      in quiet and noise conditions, and to identify auditory perceptual factors that
      might predict prosodic perception in the CI group. Prosodic perception was
      studied both in noise and quiet because noise is a pervasive feature of everyday
      environments. RESEARCH DESIGN: A quasi-experimental correlation design was
      employed. STUDY SAMPLE: Twenty-one CI recipients participated along with a
      control group of 10 normal hearing participants. All CI participants were
      unilaterally implanted adults who had considerable experience with oral language
      prior to implantation. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Speech identification
      testing measured the participants' ability to identify word stress, vowel length,
      and compound words or phrases all of which were presented with minimal-pair
      response choices. Tests were performed in quiet and in speech-spectrum shaped
      noise at a 10 dB signal-to-noise ratio. Also, discrimination thresholds for four
      acoustic properties of a synthetic vowel were measured as possible predictors of
      prosodic perception. Testing was carried out during one session, and participants
      used their clinically assigned speech processors. RESULTS: The CI group could not
      identify brief prosodic cues as well as the control group, and their performance
      decreased significantly in the noise condition. Regression analysis showed that
      the discrimination of intensity predicted performance on the prosodic tasks. The
      performance decline measured with the older participants meant that age also
      emerged as a predictor. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a portrayal of CI
      recipients' ability to perceive brief prosodic cues. This is of interest in the
      preparation of rehabilitation materials used in training and in developing
      realistic expectations for potential CI candidates.

PMID- 24224996
TI  - Cortical contusion injury disrupts olfactory bulb neurogenesis in adult mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Experimental brain trauma activates quiescent neural stem cells
      (NSCs) to increase neuronal progenitor cell proliferation in the adult rodent
      brain. Previous studies have shown focal brain contusion in the form of a
      unilateral controlled cortical impact (CCI) stimulates NSCs to bilaterally
      increase neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus. RESULTS: In this study we
      clarified the bi-lateral effects of a unilateral CCI on proliferation in the
      subventricular zone (SVZ) NSC niche and on neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb of
      adult mice. By varying the depth of impact from 1 mm to 2 mm depth, we show CCI
      to the left somatosensory cortex resulted in graded changes in mouse behavior and
      cellular pathology in the forebrain. As expected, contusion to the sensorimotor
      cortex resulted in motor coordination deficits in adult mice. During the first 3
      days after injury, CCI increased proliferation in the impacted cortex, deeper
      striatum and SVZ of the forebrain ipsilateral to the CCI. In each of these
      regions proliferation was increased with increasing injury severity. At 30 days
      post-procedure, CCI resulted in a significant reduction in neurogenesis in the
      olfactory bulb ipsilateral to the CCI. Olfactory avoidance testing indicated
      disruptions in olfactory bulb neurogenesis were associated with impaired
      olfactory discrimination in mice post-injury. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrate a
      focal cortical contusion injury to the left somatosensory cortex disrupts SVZ
      olfactory bulb neurogenesis and impairs olfactory discrimination and motor
      coordination in adult mice.

PMID- 24224997
TI  - Risk-adapted targeted intraoperative radiotherapy versus whole-breast
      radiotherapy for breast cancer: 5-year results for local control and overall
      survival from the TARGIT-A randomised trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The TARGIT-A trial compared risk-adapted radiotherapy using single
      dose targeted intraoperative radiotherapy (TARGIT) versus fractionated external
      beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for breast cancer. We report 5-year results for local
      recurrence and the first analysis of overall survival. METHODS: TARGIT-A was a
      randomised, non-inferiority trial. Women aged 45 years and older with invasive
      ductal carcinoma were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive
      TARGIT or whole-breast EBRT, with blocks stratified by centre and by timing of
      delivery of targeted intraoperative radiotherapy: randomisation occurred either
      before lumpectomy (prepathology stratum, TARGIT concurrent with lumpectomy) or
      after lumpectomy (postpathology stratum, TARGIT given subsequently by reopening
      the wound). Patients in the TARGIT group received supplemental EBRT (excluding a
      boost) if unforeseen adverse features were detected on final pathology, thus
      radiotherapy was risk-adapted. The primary outcome was absolute difference in
      local recurrence in the conserved breast, with a prespecified non-inferiority
      margin of 2.5% at 5 years; prespecified analyses included outcomes as per timing
      of randomisation in relation to lumpectomy. Secondary outcomes included
      complications and mortality. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov,
      number NCT00983684. FINDINGS: Patients were enrolled at 33 centres in 11
      countries, between March 24, 2000, and June 25, 2012. 1721 patients were
      randomised to TARGIT and 1730 to EBRT. Supplemental EBRT after TARGIT was
      necessary in 15.2% [239 of 1571] of patients who received TARGIT (21.6%
      prepathology, 3.6% postpathology). 3451 patients had a median follow-up of 2
      years and 5 months (IQR 12-52 months), 2020 of 4 years, and 1222 of 5 years. The
      5-year risk for local recurrence in the conserved breast was 3.3% (95% CI 2.1
      5.1) for TARGIT versus 1.3% (0.7-2.5) for EBRT (p=0.042). TARGIT concurrently
      with lumpectomy (prepathology, n=2298) had much the same results as EBRT: 2.1%
      (1.1-4.2) versus 1.1% (0.5-2.5; p=0.31). With delayed TARGIT (postpathology,
      n=1153) the between-group difference was larger than 2.5% (TARGIT 5.4% [3.0-9.7]
      vs EBRT 1.7% [0.6-4.9]; p=0.069). Overall, breast cancer mortality was much the
      same between groups (2.6% [1.5-4.3] for TARGIT vs 1.9% [1.1-3.2] for EBRT;
      p=0.56) but there were significantly fewer non-breast-cancer deaths with TARGIT
      (1.4% [0.8-2.5] vs 3.5% [2.3-5.2]; p=0.0086), attributable to fewer deaths from
      cardiovascular causes and other cancers. Overall mortality was 3.9% (2.7-5.8) for
      TARGIT versus 5.3% (3.9-7.3) for EBRT (p=0.099). Wound-related complications were
      much the same between groups but grade 3 or 4 skin complications were
      significantly reduced with TARGIT (four of 1720 vs 13 of 1731, p=0.029).
      INTERPRETATION: TARGIT concurrent with lumpectomy within a risk-adapted approach
      should be considered as an option for eligible patients with breast cancer
      carefully selected as per the TARGIT-A trial protocol, as an alternative to
      postoperative EBRT. FUNDING: University College London Hospitals (UCLH)/UCL
      Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, UCLH Charities, National Institute for
      Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme, Ninewells Cancer
      Campaign, National Health and Medical Research Council, and German Federal
      Ministry of Education and Research.

PMID- 24224998
TI  - Intraoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer.

PMID- 24224999
TI  - 18F-fluoride positron emission tomography for identification of ruptured and high
      risk coronary atherosclerotic plaques: a prospective clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of non-invasive imaging to identify ruptured or high-risk
      coronary atherosclerotic plaques would represent a major clinical advance for
      prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease. We used combined PET and CT
      to identify ruptured and high-risk atherosclerotic plaques using the radioactive
      tracers (18)F-sodium fluoride ((18)F-NaF) and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F
      FDG). METHODS: In this prospective clinical trial, patients with myocardial
      infarction (n=40) and stable angina (n=40) underwent (18)F-NaF and (18)F-FDG PET
      CT, and invasive coronary angiography. (18)F-NaF uptake was compared with
      histology in carotid endarterectomy specimens from patients with symptomatic
      carotid disease, and with intravascular ultrasound in patients with stable
      angina. The primary endpoint was the comparison of (18)F-fluoride tissue-to
      background ratios of culprit and non-culprit coronary plaques of patients with
      acute myocardial infarction. FINDINGS: In 37 (93%) patients with myocardial
      infarction, the highest coronary (18)F-NaF uptake was seen in the culprit plaque
      (median maximum tissue-to-background ratio: culprit 1.66 [IQR 1.40-2.25] vs
      highest non-culprit 1.24 [1.06-1.38], p<0.0001). By contrast, coronary (18)F-FDG
      uptake was commonly obscured by myocardial uptake and where discernible, there
      were no differences between culprit and non-culprit plaques (1.71 [1.40-2.13] vs
      1.58 [1.28-2.01], p=0.34). Marked (18)F-NaF uptake occurred at the site of all
      carotid plaque ruptures and was associated with histological evidence of active
      calcification, macrophage infiltration, apoptosis, and necrosis. 18 (45%)
      patients with stable angina had plaques with focal (18)F-NaF uptake (maximum
      tissue-to-background ratio 1.90 [IQR 1.61-2.17]) that were associated with more
      high-risk features on intravascular ultrasound than those without uptake:
      positive remodelling (remodelling index 1.12 [1.09-1.19] vs 1.01 [0.94-1.06];
      p=0.0004), microcalcification (73% vs 21%, p=0.002), and necrotic core (25% [21
      29] vs 18% [14-22], p=0.001). INTERPRETATION: (18)F-NaF PET-CT is the first non
      invasive imaging method to identify and localise ruptured and high-risk coronary
      plaque. Future studies are needed to establish whether this method can improve
      the management and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. FUNDING:
      Chief Scientist Office Scotland and British Heart Foundation.

PMID- 24225000
TI  - A new frontier in atherosclerotic coronary imaging.

PMID- 24225001
TI  - Colorectal cancer.
AB  - More than 1.2 million patients are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year,
      and more than 600,000 die from the disease. Incidence strongly varies globally
      and is closely linked to elements of a so-called western lifestyle. Incidence is
      higher in men than women and strongly increases with age; median age at diagnosis
      is about 70 years in developed countries. Despite strong hereditary components,
      most cases of colorectal cancer are sporadic and develop slowly over several
      years through the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. The cornerstones of therapy are
      surgery, neoadjuvant radiotherapy (for patients with rectal cancer), and adjuvant
      chemotherapy (for patients with stage III/IV and high-risk stage II colon
      cancer). 5-year relative survival ranges from greater than 90% in patients with
      stage I disease to slightly greater than 10% in patients with stage IV disease.
      Screening has been shown to reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, but
      organised screening programmes are still to be implemented in most countries.

PMID- 24225002
TI  - Migrant background and ethnic minority status as predictors for duration of
      untreated psychosis.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to explore if patients with migration and/or ethnic
      minority background have longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) than
      patients from the reference population, and in case to what extent this was best
      explained by ethnic minority status or migration background, including age at
      migration. METHODS: Four hundred sixty-two first-episode patients were included.
      The Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
      Disorders, Fourth Edition Axis I Disorders was used for diagnostic purposes.
      Patients were interviewed about migration history and ethnicity using structured
      questionnaires. RESULTS: Being part of an ethnic minority group had a trend-level
      significance, and migration after the age of 6 had a statistically significant
      association with prolonged DUP. CONCLUSIONS: Age at migration has a moderate, but
      statistically significant effect on DUP. The findings indicate migrating after
      school start is associated with a longer DUP in immigrant populations.

PMID- 24225003
TI  - Sympathetic ophthalmia with sensorineural deafness - report of a case.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to report a case of sympathetic ophthalmia
      with sensorineural hearing loss following penetrating trauma. This is an
      interventional case report. A 23-year-old male presented with bilateral, sudden,
      profound visual and hearing loss, disorientation, and dizziness. He had a past
      history of penetrating trauma with an iron rod in the right eye for which he
      underwent scleral tear repair, vitreo-retinal surgery with intraocular foreign
      body removal and silicon oil injection. His best corrected visual acuity in the
      right eye was counting fingers close to the face and was perception of light in
      the left eye. Clinical evaluation with slit biomicroscopy, indirect
      ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography, and pure tone audiometry was suggestive of
      sympathetic ophthalmia with sensorineural hearing loss. Treatment was started
      with intravenous methyl prednisolone, oral corticosteroids, and
      immunosuppressants. FINDINGS: Following treatment, signs of panuveitis showed
      resolution and improvement in visual, hearing, and neurological symptoms.
      CONCLUSIONS: Sympathetic ophthalmia associated with sensorineural deafness and
      neurological symptoms is a rare clinical syndrome. Prompt diagnosis and treatment
      with systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressant medication may result in
      clinical improvement.

PMID- 24225004
TI  - Evaluation of ELISA coupled with Western blot as a surveillance tool for
      Trichinella infection in wild boar (Sus scrofa).
AB  - Trichinella surveillance in wildlife relies on muscle digestion of large samples
      which are logistically difficult to store and transport in remote and tropical
      regions as well as labour-intensive to process. Serological methods such as
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) offer rapid, cost-effective
      alternatives for surveillance but should be paired with additional tests because
      of the high false-positive rates encountered in wildlife. We investigated the
      utility of ELISAs coupled with Western blot (WB) in providing evidence of
      Trichinella exposure or infection in wild boar. Serum samples were collected from
      673 wild boar from a high- and low-risk region for Trichinella introduction
      within mainland Australia, which is considered Trichinella-free. Sera were
      examined using both an 'in-house' and a commercially available indirect-ELISA
      that used excretory-secretory (E/S) antigens. Cut-off values for positive results
      were determined using sera from the low-risk population. All wild boar from the
      high-risk region (352) and 139/321 (43.3%) of the wild boar from the low-risk
      region were tested by artificial digestion. Testing by Western blot using E/S
      antigens, and a Trichinella-specific real-time PCR was also carried out on all
      ELISA-positive samples. The two ELISAs correctly classified all positive controls
      as well as one naturally infected wild boar from Gabba Island in the Torres
      Strait. In both the high- and low-risk populations, the ELISA results showed
      substantial agreement (k-value=0.66) that increased to very good (k-value=0.82)
      when WB-positive only samples were compared. The results of testing sera
      collected from the Australian mainland showed the Trichinella seroprevalence was
      3.5% (95% C.I. 0.0-8.0) and 2.3% (95% C.I. 0.0-5.6) using the in-house and
      commercial ELISA coupled with WB respectively. These estimates were significantly
      higher (P<0.05) than the artificial digestion estimate of 0.0% (95% C.I. 0.0
      1.1). Real-time PCR testing of muscle from seropositive animals did not detect
      Trichinella DNA in any mainland animals, but did reveal the presence of a second
      larvae-positive wild boar on Gabba Island, supporting its utility as an
      alternative, highly sensitive method in muscle examination. The serology results
      suggest Australian wildlife may have been exposed to Trichinella parasites.
      However, because of the possibility of non-specific reactions with other
      parasitic infections, more work using well-defined cohorts of positive and
      negative samples is required. Even if the specificity of the ELISAs is proven to
      be low, their ability to correctly classify the small number of true positive
      sera in this study indicates utility in screening wild boar populations for
      reactive sera which can be followed up with additional testing.

PMID- 24225005
TI  - Neighborhood differences in social capital in Ghent (Belgium): a multilevel
      approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little research has focused on the spatial distribution of social
      capital, despite social capital's rising popularity in health research and
      policy. This study examines the neighborhood differences in social capital and
      the determinants that explain these differences. METHODS: Five components of
      neighborhood social capital are identified by means of factor and reliability
      analyses using data collected in the cross-sectional SWING study from 762
      inhabitants in 42 neighbourhoods in the city of Ghent (Belgium). Neighborhood
      differences in social capital are explored using hierarchical linear models with
      cross-level interactions. RESULTS: Significant neighborhood differences are found
      for social cohesion, informal social control and social support, but not for
      social leverage and generalized trust. Our findings suggest that neighborhood
      social capital depends on both characteristics of individuals living in the
      neighborhood (attachment to neighborhood) and characteristics of the neighborhood
      itself (deprivation and residential turnover). Our analysis further shows that
      neighborhood deprivation reinforces the negative effect of declining neighborhood
      attachment on social cohesion and informal social control. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study foregrounds the importance of contextual effects in encouraging
      neighborhood social capital. Given the importance of neighborhood-level
      characteristics, it can be anticipated social capital promoting initiatives are
      likely to be more effective when tailored to specific areas. Second, our analyses
      show that not all forms of social capital are influenced by contextual factors to
      the same extent, implying that changes in neighborhood characteristics are
      conducive to, say, trust while leaving social support unaffected. Finally, our
      analysis has demonstrated that complex interrelationships between individual- and
      neighborhood-level variables exist, which are often overlooked in current work.

PMID- 24225006
TI  - Neurovascular protection by post-ischemic intravenous injections of the lipoxin
      A4 receptor agonist, BML-111, in a rat model of ischemic stroke.
AB  - Resolution of inflammation is an emerging new strategy to reduce damage following
      ischemic stroke. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4 ) is an anti-inflammatory, pro-resolution lipid
      mediator with high affinity binding to ALX, the lipoxin A4 receptor. Since LXA4
      is rapidly inactivated, potent analogs have been created, including the ALX
      agonist BML-111. We hypothesized that post-ischemic intravenous administration of
      BML-111 would provide protection to the neurovascular unit and reduce
      neuroinflammation in a rat stroke model. Animals were subjected to 90 min of
      middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and BML-111 was injected 100 min and 24 h
      after stroke onset and animals euthanized at 48 h. Post-ischemic treatment with
      BML-111 significantly reduced infarct size, decreased vasogenic edema, protected
      against blood-brain barrier disruption, and reduced hemorrhagic transformation.
      Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and matrix metalloproteinase-3 were significantly
      reduced following BML-111 treatment. Administration of BML-111 dramatically
      decreased microglial activation, as seen with CD68, and neutrophil infiltration
      and recruitment, as assessed by levels of myeloperoxidase and intracellular
      adhesion molecule-1. The tight junction protein zona occludens-1 was protected
      from degradation following treatment with BML-111. These results indicate that
      post-ischemic activation of ALX has pro-resolution effects that limit the
      inflammatory damage in the cerebral cortex and helps maintain blood-brain barrier
      integrity after ischemic stroke.

PMID- 24225007
TI  - [Malignant pleural mesothelioma: 2013 state of the art].
AB  - Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a bad-prognosis cancer raising difficult
      issues according to diagnosis. Reliable histological diagnosis indeed requires
      large-sized pathological samples obtained by thoracoscopy, and need diagnosis
      certification by the MESOPATH national expert pathological committee. MPM
      epidemiology shows a rising incidence among females, whereas an incidence plateau
      has been reached for males in France. The incidence peak is still predicted for
      2030 decade in UK, Australia and North America, because of the asbestosis massive
      use in their industry until the end of 1980 decade. Pleural carcinogenesis is
      better understood with the recent discovery of BAP1 susceptibility gene although
      no oncogenic driver has been ever uncovered for targeted therapies, although
      several more or less targeted biological therapies are currently tested in early
      phase or more advanced-phase trials. Surgery is more and more questioned, since
      radical surgery is currently abandoned, whereas debulking or cyto-reduction
      surgery has been proposed within a multimodality approach also including adjuvant
      chemotherapy and radiotherapy but still need prospective trials. Pemetrexed and
      cisplatin-based chemotherapy remains the reference treatment, which has proved in
      mesothelioma some efficacy on overall survival in randomized trials, with a 13-15
      months median-overall survival. Final results of the large phase 3 clinical trial
      "MAPS" sponsored by French collaborative Intergroup (IFCT) evaluating the effect
      of bevacizumab addition to pemetrexed-cisplatin doublet will be released in early
      2015, since 445 patients have been included by November 2013. 

PMID- 24225008
TI  - What is the best screening test for depression in chronic spinal pain patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: High prevalence rates of depression have been found in
      patients with chronic spinal disorder (CSD). The biopsychosocial model has become
      widely adopted and, with it, the role of psychopathology in the development
      and/or exacerbation of CSD has become increasingly recognized. Standardized
      diagnostic criteria, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
      Disorders (DSM), have been used to diagnose major depressive disorder (MDD). Many
      measures of MDD (and depressive symptom inventories) have been developed during
      the past 50 years, but their comparative utility in CSD populations is still
      unclear. PURPOSE: To systemically compare the performance of depression screening
      questionnaires in detecting MDD among a large sample of patients with CSD. STUDY
      DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective cohort study comparing the screening ability of four
      popular depression measures for diagnosing MDD against the "gold standard"
      Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), using a
      receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in a CSD population. PATIENT
      SAMPLE: A consecutive cohort of 546 patients with CSD admitted to an
      interdisciplinary functional restoration program. OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity,
      specificity, ROC curves, area under the curve (AUC), and optimal cutoff points
      that are most closely related to the prevalence rates of MDD, with balanced
      sensitivity and specificity analysis. METHODS: Using the SCID-I diagnosis as a
      "gold standard," the ability of four screening measures in detecting MDD were
      compared. These included: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); Hamilton Rating
      Scale for Depression (HRSD); 9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire Depression
      Module (PHQ-9); and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: Of 542 CSD patients, 331
      (61.1%) were diagnosed with MDD by the SCID-I. Results of the ROC analysis
      revealed that the BDI (AUC 0.768), HRSD (AUC 0.796), and PHQ-9 (AUC 0.768) have
      similar abilities to discriminate between depressed and nondepressed patients in
      this population. These depression measures outperformed the two mental health
      scales derived from the SF-36 (Mental Component Summary score/5-Item Mental
      Health Index; AUC 0.679-0.715). The optimal cut-off scores of 15 (for the BDI),
      17 (for the HRSD), and 10 (for the PHQ-9) were also determined. Although the
      greatest overall accuracy (sensitivity of 81.3% and specificity of 65.4%) was
      obtained with the HRSD, it is the only clinician-administered instrument. Self
      report measures of depression (the BDI and PHQ-9) showed comparable abilities to
      detect depression, only slightly less than the HRSD. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the
      HRSD, both BDI and PHQ-9 are relatively short and easy to self-administer. The
      cut-off scores established in this study may be used to reliably determine
      whether a person should be evaluated more thoroughly for an MDD diagnosis. Using
      an acknowledged "gold standard," the HRSD, BDI and PHQ-9 showed similar validity
      to recommend their use for future clinical and research purposes. The SF-36 is
      less appropriate for diagnosing MDD.

PMID- 24225009
TI  - Predicting C5 palsy via the use of preoperative anatomic measurements.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: C5 nerve root palsy (C5P) is a relatively rare complication
      after anterior and posterior cervical decompression surgery that leads to a
      variety of debilitating symptoms. The precise etiology remains obscure, and a
      clear understanding of preoperative risk factors for C5P development does not
      exist. PURPOSE: To determine whether postoperative C5P can be predicted from
      preoperative anteroposterior diameter (APD), foraminal diameter (FD), and/or cord
      lamina angle (CLA). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLE:
      Consecutive patients who underwent either anterior or posterior decompression
      surgery at C4-C5 for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Development of C5P. METHODS: Blinded reviewers retrospectively assessed magnetic
      resonance images for each included patient's C4-C5 interspace, including the
      midline APD, the left and right FDs, and the left and right CLA. Multivariable
      logistic regression was used to model the probability of palsy on the basis of
      one or more predictors. A jackknife validation was performed to internally
      validate the model and assess its generalizability. RESULTS: A total of 98
      patients fit the inclusion criteria; 12% had developed symptoms of C5 palsy
      postoperatively. Using the three variables in a predictor-model, we found that
      the odds ratio of having palsy for APD, FD, and CLA was 0.3, 0.02, and 1.4,
      respectively. For every 1-mm increase in APD and FD, the odds of developing palsy
      decrease 69% (p<.0001) and decrease 98% (p<.0003), respectively. In contrast, for
      every 1-degree increase in CLA, the odds of developing palsy increase by 43%
      (p<.0001). The receiver-operating characteristic curve for this three-variable
      model predicting development of palsy has an area under the curve (concordance
      index) of 0.97. After implementing a jackknife validation, the area under the
      curve was 95%. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to use the combination of
      APD, FD, and CLA to predict development of postoperative C5 palsy after
      decompression surgery for patients with spondylotic myelopathy. This prediction
      formula may allow for better patient selection and to prepare patients that have
      an increased probability of developing this complication.

PMID- 24225010
TI  - Spinal manipulative therapy and exercise for seniors with chronic neck pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Neck pain, common among the elderly population, has
      considerable implications on health and quality of life. Evidence supports the
      use of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and exercise to treat neck pain;
      however, no studies to date have evaluated the effectiveness of these therapies
      specifically in seniors. PURPOSE: To assess the relative effectiveness of SMT and
      supervised rehabilitative exercise, both in combination with and compared to home
      exercise (HE) alone for neck pain in individuals ages 65 years or older. STUDY
      DESIGN/SETTING: Randomized clinical trial. PATIENT SAMPLE: Individuals 65 years
      of age or older with a primary complaint of mechanical neck pain, rated >=3 (0
      10) for 12 weeks or longer in duration. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient self-report
      outcomes were collected at baseline and 4, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after
      randomization. The primary outcome was pain, measured by an 11-box numerical
      rating scale. Secondary outcomes included disability (Neck Disability Index),
      general health status (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36), satisfaction (7
      point scale), improvement (9-point scale), and medication use (days per week).
      METHODS: This study was funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services,
      Health Resources and Services Administration. Linear mixed model analyses were
      used for comparisons at individual time points and for short- and long-term
      analyses. Blinded evaluations of objective outcomes were performed at baseline
      and 12 weeks. Adverse event data were collected at each treatment visit. RESULTS:
      A total of 241 participants were randomized, with 95% reporting primary outcome
      data at all time points. After 12 weeks of treatment, the SMT with home exercise
      group demonstrated a 10% greater decrease in pain compared with the HE-alone
      group, and 5% change over supervised plus home exercise. A decrease in pain
      favoring supervised plus HE over HE alone did not reach statistical significance.
      Compared with the HE group, both combination groups reported greater improvement
      at week 12 and more satisfaction at all time points. Multivariate longitudinal
      analysis incorporating primary and secondary patient-rated outcomes showed that
      the SMT with HE group was superior to the HE-alone group in both the short- and
      long-term. No serious adverse events were observed as a result of the study
      treatments. CONCLUSIONS: SMT with HE resulted in greater pain reduction after 12
      weeks of treatment compared with both supervised plus HE and HE alone. Supervised
      exercise sessions added little benefit to the HE-alone program.

PMID- 24225011
TI  - Automatic exposure control at single- and dual-heartbeat CTCA on a 320-MDCT
      volume scanner: effect of heart rate, exposure phase window setting, and
      reconstruction algorithm.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated single- and dual
      heartbeat computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) with automatic exposure
      control (AEC) yields images with uniform image noise at reduced radiation doses.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using an anthropomorphic chest CT phantom we performed
      prospectively ECG-gated single- and dual-heartbeat CTCA on a second-generation
      320-multidetector CT volume scanner. The exposure phase window was set at 75%, 70
      80%, 40-80%, and 0-100% and the heart rate at 60 or 80 or corr80 bpm; images were
      reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) or iterative reconstruction
      (IR, adaptive iterative dose reduction 3D). We applied AEC and set the image
      noise level to 20 or 25 HU. For each technique we determined the image noise and
      the radiation dose to the phantom center. RESULTS: With half-scan reconstruction
      at 60 bpm, a 70-80% phase window- and a 20-HU standard deviation (SD) setting,
      the imagenoise level and -variation along the z axis manifested similar curves
      with FBP and IR. With half-scan reconstruction, the radiation dose to the phantom
      center with 70-80% phase window was 18.89 and 12.34 mGy for FBP and 4.61 and 3.10
      mGy for IR at an SD setting SD of 20 and 25 HU, respectively. At 80 bpm with two
      segment reconstruction the dose was approximately twice that of 60 bpm at both SD
      settings. However, increasing radiation dose at corr80 bpm was suppressed to 1.39
      times compared to 60 bpm. CONCLUSION: AEC at ECG-gated single- and dual-heartbeat
      CTCA controls the image noise at different radiation dose.

PMID- 24225012
TI  - Characterisation of a high resolution small field of view portable gamma camera.
AB  - A handheld, high-resolution small field of view (SFOV) pinhole gamma camera has
      been characterised using a new set of protocols adapted from standards previously
      developed for large field of view (LFOV) systems. Parameters investigated include
      intrinsic and extrinsic spatial resolution, spatial linearity, uniformity,
      sensitivity, count rate capability and energy resolution. Camera characteristics
      are compared to some clinical LFOV gamma cameras and also to other SFOV cameras
      in development. 

PMID- 24225013
TI  - Moving upstream: a review of the evidence of the impact of outpatient palliative
      care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is good evidence for the efficacy of inpatient palliative care
      in improving clinical care, patient and provider satisfaction, quality of life,
      and health care utilization. However, the evidence for the efficacy of nonhospice
      outpatient palliative care is less well known and has not been comprehensively
      reviewed. OBJECTIVE: To review and assess the evidence of the impact of
      outpatient palliative care. METHODS: Our study was a review of published, peer
      reviewed outcomes research, including both observational studies and controlled
      trials of nonhospice outpatient palliative care services. We assessed patient,
      family caregiver, and clinician satisfaction; clinical outcomes including symptom
      management, quality of life, and mortality; and heath care utilization outcomes
      including readmission rates, hospice use, and cost. RESULTS: Four well-designed
      randomized interventions as well as a growing body of nonrandomized studies
      indicate that outpatient palliative care services can: 1) improve patient
      satisfaction, 2) improve symptom control and quality of life, 3) reduce health
      care utilization, and 4) lengthen survival in a population of lung cancer
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence supports the ongoing expansion of
      innovative outpatient palliative care service models throughout the care
      continuum to all patients with serious illness.

PMID- 24225015
TI  - Accessible online neuroplasticity-targeted training for children with ADHD.
AB  - Childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a growing mental
      health concern worldwide. Effective, accessible and low-cost therapeutics for the
      disorder are urgently needed. Here we introduce a novel internet-based cognitive
      training intervention: Online Neuroplasticity-based Training for the Remediation
      of ADHD in Children (ONTRAC). The intervention is deployed in the home setting;
      it is customized to the cognitive capacities of each child and progressively
      improves performance in the specific neuro-cognitive domains deficient in ADHD. A
      feasibility trial of ONTRAC is being conducted in a resource limited clinical
      setting in New Delhi, India and is an exemplar of hi-tech global psychiatry. 

PMID- 24225016
TI  - Evidence that a tax on sugar sweetened beverages reduces the obesity rate: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Excess intake of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been shown to
      result in weight gain. To address the growing epidemic of obesity, one option is
      to combine programmes that target individual behaviour change with a fiscal
      policy such as excise tax on SSBs. This study evaluates the literature on SSB
      taxes or price increases, and their potential impact on consumption levels,
      obesity, overweight and body mass index (BMI). The possibility of switching to
      alternative drinks is also considered. METHODS: The following databases were
      used: Pubmed/Medline, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Google
      Scholar, Econlit, National Bureau of Economics Research (NBER), Research Papers
      in Economics (RePEc). Articles published between January 2000 and January 2013,
      which reported changes in diet or BMI, overweight and/or obesity due to a tax on,
      or price change of, SSBs were included. RESULTS: Nine articles met the criteria
      for the meta-analysis. Six were from the USA and one each from Mexico, Brazil and
      France. All showed negative own-price elasticity, which means that higher prices
      are associated with a lower demand for SSBs. Pooled own price-elasticity was 
      1.299 (95% CI: -1.089 - -1.509). Four articles reported cross-price elasticities,
      three from the USA and one from Mexico; higher prices for SSBs were associated
      with an increased demand for alternative beverages such as fruit juice (0.388,
      95% CI: 0.009 - 0.767) and milk (0.129, 95% CI: -0.085 - 0.342), and a reduced
      demand for diet drinks (-0.423, 95% CI: -0.628 - -1.219). Six articles from the
      USA showed that a higher price could also lead to a decrease in BMI, and decrease
      the prevalence of overweight and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Taxing SSBs may reduce
      obesity. Future research should estimate price elasticities in low- and middle
      income countries and identify potential health gains and the wider impact on
      jobs, monetary savings to the health sector, implementation costs and government
      revenue. Context-specific cost-effectiveness studies would allow policy makers to
      weigh these factors.

PMID- 24225017
TI  - Mature cytotoxic CD56(bright)/CD16(+) natural killer cells can infiltrate lymph
      nodes adjacent to metastatic melanoma.
AB  - Melanomas are characterized by high metastatic potential, with regional lymph
      node representing the most frequent site of early dissemination in this disease.
      These regional lymph nodes also represent the primary site for differentiation of
      natural killer (NK) cells. Although blood-derived NK cells can efficiently lyse
      melanoma cells isolated from metastatic lymph node (M-LN), there has been no
      study of the properties of the most disease-relevant NK cells isolated from M-LN
      in patients with melanoma. Here, we report that M-LN contains 0.5% to 11% of
      CD56(bright) NK cells among CD45(+) hematopoietic cells present and that this
      cell population surrounds tumor cell clusters in M-LN. This NK cell population
      was characterized by expression of CD62L, chemokine receptors, and high levels of
      natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR), NK group 2 D (NKG2D), and DNAX accessory
      molecule 1 (DNAM-1). Expression of NCR-NKp30 and NKG2D correlated negatively with
      percentages of tumor cells in M-LN. Interestingly, M-LN contained a unique subset
      of mature CD56(bright)CD16(+) NK cells displaying coregulated expression of NCR
      and NKG2D activating receptors. Ex vivo analyses suggested that M-LN-derived NK
      cells were inactive but could be activated by appropriate cytokine signals
      [interleukin (IL)-2 or IL-15], and could lyse metastatic melanoma cells in a
      highly efficient manner compared with blood-derived NK cells. Taken together, the
      results offer evidence that adjuvant immunotherapy that targets NK cells in M-LN
      for activation may improve treatment of patients with sentinel lymph node
      positive melanoma.

PMID- 24225018
TI  - Spectrum of RB1 mutations identified in 403 retinoblastoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma (RB) is a malignant, childhood tumour of the
      developing retina that occurs with an estimated frequency of 1 in 20 000.
      Identification of oncogenic mutations in the RB1 gene aids in the clinical
      management of families with a heritable predisposition to RB. Here we present the
      spectrum of genetic and epigenetic changes identified in 194 tumours and 209
      blood samples, from 403 unrelated RB patients. METHODS: Mutation screening was
      carried out across all 27 RB1 exons and their associated splice sites. Small
      coding sequence changes were detected using fluorescent conformation analysis
      followed by sequencing. Large exonic deletions were detected by quantitative
      fluorescent PCR. Methylation specific PCR of the RB1 promoter was performed to
      detect epigenetic alterations. Polymorphism analysis was used to determine loss
      of heterozygosity in tumour samples. RESULTS: 95% of the expected mutations were
      identified in the tumour samples, with 16 samples exhibiting only one mutation,
      while two samples had no detectable RB1 mutation. 96% of bilateral/familial RB
      blood samples and 9.5% of unilateral sporadic blood samples, yielded mutations.
      111 were novel mutations. CONCLUSIONS: The full range of screening techniques is
      required to achieve a high screening sensitivity in RB patients.

PMID- 24225019
TI  - PARP Inhibitors for BRCA1/2 mutation-associated and BRCA-like malignancies.
AB  - Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) have shown promising activity in
      patients with BRCA1/2 mutation-associated (BRCA1/2(MUT+)) ovarian and breast
      cancers. Accumulating evidence suggests that PARPi may have a wider application
      in the treatment of sporadic high-grade serous ovarian cancer, and cancers
      defective in DNA repair pathways, such as prostate, endometrial, and pancreatic
      cancers. Several PARPis are currently in phase 1/2 clinical investigation, with
      registration trials now being designed. Olaparib, one of the most studied PARPis,
      has demonstrated activity in BRCA1/2(MUT+) and BRCA-like sporadic ovarian and
      breast cancers, and looks promising in prostate and pancreatic cancers.
      Understanding more about the molecular abnormalities involved in BRCA-like
      tumors, exploring novel therapeutic trial strategies and drug combinations, and
      defining potential predictive biomarkers, is critical to rapidly advancing the
      field of PARPi therapy and improve clinical outcomes. 

PMID- 24225020
TI  - In vitro inhibition of mumps virus by retinoids.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mumps virus (MuV) is a highly infectious paramyxovirus closely
      related to measles virus (MeV). Despite the availability of a mumps vaccine,
      outbreaks continue to occur and no treatment options are available. Vitamin A and
      other naturally occurring retinoids inhibit the replication of MeV in vitro.
      METHODS: Anti-viral effects of retinoids were observed in cell culture using the
      myelomonocytic U937, NB4/R4, and Huh7/7.5 cells. Observations of anti-viral
      effect were quantified using TCID50 analysis. Molecular properties of the
      antiviral effect were analysed using quantitative RT-PCR and western blot.
      RESULTS: The current work demonstrates that retinoids inhibit MuV in vitro due to
      up-regulation of type I interferon (IFN) and IFN stimulated genes. This effect is
      mediated by nuclear retinoid receptor signalling and RIG-I is required. The
      antiviral retinoid-induced state makes cells less permissive to viral replication
      from subsequent challenge with either MuV or MeV for less than 12 hours.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that retinoids inhibit MuV replication in
      uninfected bystander cells through a retinoid inducible gene I (RIG-I), retinoic
      acid receptor (RAR) and IFN dependent manner making them refractory to subsequent
      rounds of viral replication. These observations raise the possibility that
      pharmacological doses of retinoids might have clinical benefit in MuV infection.

PMID- 24225021
TI  - Dopaminergic tone regulates transient potassium current maximal conductance
      through a translational mechanism requiring D1Rs, cAMP/PKA, Erk and mTOR.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dopamine (DA) can produce divergent effects at different time scales.
      DA has opposing immediate and long-term effects on the transient potassium
      current (IA) within neurons of the pyloric network, in the Panulirus interruptus
      stomatogastric ganglion. The lateral pyloric neuron (LP) expresses type 1 DA
      receptors (D1Rs). A 10 min application of 5-100 MUM DA decreases LP IA by
      producing a decrease in IA maximal conductance (Gmax) and a depolarizing shift in
      IA voltage dependence through a cAMP-Protein kinase A (PKA) dependent mechanism.
      Alternatively, a 1 hr application of DA (>=5 nM) generates a persistent (measured
      4 hr after DA washout) increase in IA Gmax in the same neuron, through a
      mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) dependent translational mechanism. We
      examined the dose, time and protein dependencies of the persistent DA effect.
      RESULTS: We found that disrupting normal modulatory tone decreased LP IA.
      Addition of 500 pM-5 nM DA to the saline for 1 hr prevented this decrease, and in
      the case of a 5 nM DA application, the effect was sustained for >4 hrs after DA
      removal. To determine if increased cAMP mediated the persistent effect of 5nM DA,
      we applied the cAMP analog, 8-bromo-cAMP alone or with rapamycin for 1 hr,
      followed by wash and TEVC. 8-bromo-cAMP induced an increase in IA Gmax, which was
      blocked by rapamycin. Next we tested the roles of PKA and guanine exchange factor
      protein activated by cAMP (ePACs) in the DA-induced persistent change in IA using
      the PKA specific antagonist Rp-cAMP and the ePAC specific agonist 8-pCPT-2'-O-Me
      cAMP. The PKA antagonist blocked the DA induced increases in LP IA Gmax, whereas
      the ePAC agonist did not induce an increase in LP IA Gmax. Finally we tested
      whether extracellular signal regulated kinase (Erk) activity was necessary for
      the persistent effect by co-application of Erk antagonists PD98059 or U0126 with
      DA. Erk antagonism blocked the DA induced persistent increase in LP IA.
      CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that dopaminergic tone regulates ion channel
      density in a concentration and time dependent manner. The D1R- PKA axis, along
      with Erk and mTOR are necessary for the persistent increase in LP IA induced by
      high affinity D1Rs.

PMID- 24225022
TI  - A structural explanation of the effects of dissociated glucocorticoids on
      glucocorticoid receptor transactivation.
AB  - There is a therapeutic need for glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligands that
      distinguish between the transrepression and transactivation activity of the GR,
      the later thought to be responsible for side effects. These ligands are known as
      "dissociated glucocorticoids" (dGCs). The first published dGCs, RU24782 (9alpha
      fluoro-11beta-hydroxy-16alpha-methylpregna-21-thiomethyl-1,4-diene-3,20-dione)
      and RU24858 (9alpha-fluoro-11beta-hydroxy-16alpha-methylpregna-21-cyanide-1,4
      diene-3,20-dione), do not have the 17alpha-hydroxyl group that characterizes
      dexamethasone (Dex; 9alpha-fluoro-11beta,17alpha,21-trihydroxy-16alpha
      methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione), and they differ from one another by having
      C21-thiomethyl and C21-cyanide moieties, respectively. Our aim was therefore to
      establish the structural basis of their activity. Both RU24782 and RU24858
      induced a transactivation activity highly dependent on the GR expression level
      but always lower than dexamethasone. They also display less ability than
      dexamethasone to trigger steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1) recruitment and
      histone H3 acetylation. Docking studies, validated by mutagenesis experiments,
      revealed that dGCs are not anchored by Gln642, in contrast to Dex, which is
      hydrogen bonded to this residue via its 17alpha-hydroxyl group. This contact is
      essential for SRC-1 recruitment and subsequent dexamethasone-induced GR
      transactivation, but not transrepression. The ability of dGCs to make contacts
      with Ile747, for both RU24858 and RU24782 and with Asn564 for RU24858 are not
      strong enough to maintain GR in a conformation able to efficiently recruit SRC-1,
      unless SRC-1 is overexpressed. Overall, our findings provide some structural
      guidelines for the synthesis of potential new dissociated glucocorticoids with a
      better therapeutic ratio. 

PMID- 24225023
TI  - Is reactivation of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis associated to increased annual
      rainfall?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reactivation of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is the most frequent
      form of uveitis in Misiones, Argentina. Fluctuations in the number of patients
      consulting with this type of uveitis were detected during the last decade. Since
      the province was consecutively exposed to rainy and dry periods over the last
      years, we decided to explore whether a relationship between reactivation of
      toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis and rain might be established according to the data
      registered during the 2004-2010 period. RESULTS: The frequency of toxoplasmic
      reactivation episodes increases when precipitation increases (mostly in second
      and fourth trimesters of each year). Analysis of the independent variables
      demonstrates that precipitation is a significant predictor of the frequency of
      reactivation episodes. Although registered toxoplasmic reactivations were more
      frequent during the third trimester of the year, the association between the
      third trimester and the reactivation episodes did not reach statistical
      significance. CONCLUSION: Prolonged and intense rainfall periods were
      significantly associated with the reactivation of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.
      Changes promoted by this climatic condition on both the parasite survival in the
      soil as well as a putative effect on the host immune response due to other
      comorbidities are discussed.

PMID- 24225024
TI  - Insight into the HIV-1 Vif SOCS-box-ElonginBC interaction.
AB  - The HIV-1 viral infectivity factor (Vif) neutralizes cell-encoded antiviral
      APOBEC3 proteins by recruiting a cellular ElonginB (EloB)/ElonginC (EloC)/Cullin5
      containing ubiquitin ligase complex, resulting in APOBEC3 ubiquitination and
      proteolysis. The suppressors-of-cytokine-signalling-like domain (SOCS-box) of HIV
      1 Vif is essential for E3 ligase engagement, and contains a BC box as well as an
      unusual proline-rich motif. Here, we report the NMR solution structure of the Vif
      SOCS-ElonginBC (EloBC) complex. In contrast to SOCS-boxes described in other
      proteins, the HIV-1 Vif SOCS-box contains only one alpha-helical domain followed
      by a beta-sheet fold. The SOCS-box of Vif binds primarily to EloC by hydrophobic
      interactions. The functionally essential proline-rich motif mediates a direct but
      weak interaction with residues 101-104 of EloB, inducing a conformational change
      from an unstructured state to a structured state. The structure of the complex
      and biophysical studies provide detailed insight into the function of Vif's
      proline-rich motif and reveal novel dynamic information on the Vif-EloBC
      interaction. 

PMID- 24225026
TI  - Pseudomonas kunmingensis sp. nov., an exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium
      isolated from a phosphate mine.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, exopolysaccharide-producing, strictly aerobic
      bacterium with a single polar flagellum, designated strain HL22-2(T), was
      isolated from a phosphate mine situated in a suburb of Kunmming in Yunnan
      province in south-western China. The taxonomic status of this strain was
      evaluated by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA
      gene sequences indicated that strain HL22-2(T) was related to members of the
      genus Pseudomonas. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain HL22-2(T)
      and Pseudomonas xanthomarina KMM 1447(T), Pseudomonas alcaliphila AL15-21(T) and
      Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 17588(T) were 98.9, 98.10% and 98.06%, respectively.
      The major cellular fatty acids were C(18 : 1)omega7c, C(16 : 0) and summed
      feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or C(16 : 1)omega6c). The DNA G+C content was
      60.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and
      DNA-DNA relatedness values, strain HL22-2(T) represents a novel species of the
      genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas kunmingensis sp. nov. is
      proposed. The type strain is HL22-2(T) ( = CGMCC 1.12273(T) = DSM 25974(T)).

PMID- 24225025
TI  - Omega 3 fatty acids chemosensitize multidrug resistant colon cancer cells by down
      regulating cholesterol synthesis and altering detergent resistant membranes
      composition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The activity of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance related
      protein 1 (MRP1), two membrane transporters involved in multidrug resistance of
      colon cancer, is increased by high amounts of cholesterol in plasma membrane and
      detergent resistant membranes (DRMs). It has never been investigated whether
      omega 3 polyunsatured fatty acids (PUFAs), which modulate cholesterol homeostasis
      in dyslipidemic syndromes and have chemopreventive effects in colon cancer, may
      affect the response to chemotherapy in multidrug resistant (MDR) tumors. METHODS:
      We studied the effect of omega 3 PUFAs docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
      eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in human chemosensitive colon cancer HT29 cells and
      in their MDR counterpart, HT29-dx cells. RESULTS: MDR cells, which overexpressed
      Pgp and MRP1, had a dysregulated cholesterol metabolism, due to the lower
      expression of ubiquitin E3 ligase Trc8: this produced lower ubiquitination rate
      of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCoAR), higher cholesterol
      synthesis, higher cholesterol content in MDR cells. We found that DHA and EPA re
      activated Trc8 E3 ligase in MDR cells, restored the ubiquitination rate of
      HMGCoAR to levels comparable with chemosensitive cells, reduced the cholesterol
      synthesis and incorporation in DRMs. Omega 3 PUFAs were incorporated in whole
      lipids as well as in DRMs of MDR cells, and altered the lipid composition of
      these compartments. They reduced the amount of Pgp and MRP1 contained in DRMs,
      decreased the transporters activity, restored the antitumor effects of different
      chemotherapeutic drugs, restored a proper tumor-immune system recognition in
      response to chemotherapy in MDR cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our work describes a new
      biochemical effect of omega 3 PUFAs, which can be useful to overcome
      chemoresistance in MDR colon cancer cells.

PMID- 24225027
TI  - Dickeya solani sp. nov., a pectinolytic plant-pathogenic bacterium isolated from
      potato (Solanum tuberosum).
AB  - Pectinolytic bacteria have been recently isolated from diseased potato plants
      exhibiting blackleg and slow wilt symptoms found in a number of European
      countries and Israel. These Gram-reaction-negative, motile, rods were identified
      as belonging to the genus Dickeya, previously the Pectobacterium chrysanthemi
      complex (Erwinia chrysanthemi), on the basis of production of a PCR product with
      the pelADE primers, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, fatty acid methyl esterase
      analysis, the production of phosphatases and the ability to produce indole and
      acids from alpha-methylglucoside. Differential physiological assays used
      previously to differentiate between strains of E. chrysanthemi, showed that these
      isolates belonged to biovar 3. Eight of the isolates, seven from potato and one
      from hyacinth, were analysed together with 21 reference strains representing all
      currently recognized taxa within the genus Dickeya. The novel isolates formed a
      distinct genetic clade in multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using concatenated
      sequences of the intergenic spacer (IGS), as well as dnaX, recA, dnaN, fusA,
      gapA, purA, rplB, rpoS and gyrA. Characterization by whole-cell MALDI-TOF mass
      spectrometry, pulsed field gel electrophoresis after digestion of whole-genome
      DNA with rare-cutting restriction enzymes, average nucleotide identity analysis
      and DNA-DNA hybridization studies, showed that although related to Dickeya
      dadantii, these isolates represent a novel species within the genus Dickeya, for
      which the name Dickeya solani sp. nov. (type strain IPO 2222(T) = LMG25993(T) =
      NCPPB4479(T)) is proposed. 

PMID- 24225028
TI  - Transitions in endocrinology: treatment of Turner's syndrome during transition.
AB  - Transition in health care for young patients with Turner's syndrome (TS) should
      be perceived as a staged but uninterrupted process starting in adolescence and
      moving into adulthood. As a condition associated with high risk of short stature,
      cardiovascular diseases, ovarian failure, hearing loss and hypothyroidism, TS
      requires the attention of a multidisciplinary team. In this review paper, we
      systematically searched the relevant literature from the last decade to discuss
      the array of problems faced by TS patients and to outline their optimal
      management during the time of transfer to adult service. The literature search
      identified 233 potentially relevant articles of which 114 were analysed. The
      analysis confirmed that all medical problems present during childhood should also
      be followed in adult life. Additionally, screening for hypertension, diabetes
      mellitus, dyslipidaemia, and osteoporosis is needed. After discharge from the
      paediatric clinic, there is still a long way to go. 

PMID- 24225029
TI  - Decreased prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and stabilisation of obesity trends
      in 5-year-old children: possible effects of changed public health policies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Overweight/obesity in children is a worldwide public health problem.
      Together with hypercholesterolaemia they are associated with early
      atherosclerotic complications. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate
      the anthropometric characteristics and total cholesterol (TC) levels in a
      population of 5-year-old children, to determine trends in the prevalence of
      overweight/obesity and hypercholesterolaemia in 5-year-old children over a period
      of 8 years (2001-2009) and to assess the impact of modified national nutritional
      guidelines for kindergartens implemented in 2005. DESIGN: Cross-sectional studies
      of overweight/obesity prevalence in the years 2001, 2003-2005 and 2009, and
      hypercholesterolaemia in years 2001 and 2009, in 5-year-old children. SUBJECTS:
      Altogether, 12 832 (6308 girls/6524 boys) children were included. METHODS:
      Overweight/obesity was defined by IOTF criteria. Hypercholesterolaemia was
      defined by TC level >5 mmol/l. Multivariable logistic regression models were
      used. RESULTS: NO CORRELATION BETWEEN BMI VALUES AND TC LEVELS WAS FOUND.
      OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY PREVALENCE WERE STABILISED FROM 2001 TO 2009 (ODDS RATIO
      (OR) (95% CI): 1.13 (0.99-1.3) and 1.13 (0.89-1.42) respectively). Girls were
      more frequently overweight/obese than boys (OR (95% CI): 0.71 (0.65-0.79) and
      0.75 (0.64-0.89) respectively). Prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia significantly
      decreased from 2001 to 2009 (OR (95% CI): 0.47 (0.41-0.55)). It was less frequent
      in boys than in girls (OR (95% CI): O.7 (0.61-0.8)). CONCLUSIONS: This is the
      first study to describe a negative trend in the prevalence of
      hypercholesterolaemia in pre-pubertal children. In addition, the prevalence of
      overweight/obesity in these children has been stabilised. Nationwide changes in
      public health policies could have influenced these observations.

PMID- 24225031
TI  - How Patient Interactions With a Computer-Based Video Intervention Affect
      Decisions to Test for HIV.
AB  - The current study examines predictors of HIV test acceptance among emergency
      department patients who received an educational video intervention designed to
      increase HIV testing. A total of 202 patients in the main treatment areas of a
      high-volume, urban hospital emergency department used inexpensive netbook
      computers to watch brief educational videos about HIV testing and respond to pre
      postintervention data collection instruments. After the intervention, computers
      asked participants if they would like an HIV test: Approximately 43% (n = 86)
      accepted. Participants who accepted HIV tests at the end of the intervention took
      longer to respond to postintervention questions, which included the offer of an
      HIV test, F(1, 195) = 37.72, p < .001, compared with participants who did not
      accept testing. Participants who incorrectly answered pretest questions about HIV
      symptoms were more likely to accept testing F(14, 201) = 4.48, p < .001. White
      participants were less likely to accept tests than Black, Latino, or "Other"
      patients, chi(2)(3, N = 202) = 10.39, p < .05. Time spent responding to
      postintervention questions emerged as the strongest predictor of HIV testing,
      suggesting that patients who agreed to test spent more time thinking about their
      response to the offer of an HIV test. Examining intervention usage data, pretest
      knowledge deficits, and patient demographics can potentially inform more
      effective behavioral health interventions for underserved populations in clinical
      settings. 

PMID- 24225030
TI  - Replication characteristics of swine influenza viruses in precision-cut lung
      slices reflect the virulence properties of the viruses.
AB  - Precision-cut lung slices of pigs were infected with five swine influenza A
      viruses of different subtypes (A/sw/Potsdam/15/1981 H1N1, A/sw/Bad
      Griesbach/IDT5604/2006 H1N1, A/sw/Bakum/1832/2000 H1N2, A/sw/Damme/IDT5673/2006
      H3N2, A/sw/Herford/IDT5932/2007 H3N2). The viruses were able to infect ciliated
      and mucus-producing cells. The infection of well-differentiated respiratory
      epithelial cells by swine influenza A viruses was analyzed with respect to the
      kinetics of virus release into the supernatant. The highest titres were
      determined for H3N2/2006 and H3N2/2007 viruses. H1N1/1981 and H1N2/2000 viruses
      replicated somewhat slower than the H3N2 viruses whereas a H1N1 strain from 2006
      multiplied at significantly lower titres than the other strains. Regarding their
      ability to induce a ciliostatic effect, the two H3N2 strains were found to be
      most virulent. H1N1/1981 and H1N2/2000 were somewhat less virulent with respect
      to their effect on ciliary activity. The lowest ciliostatic effect was observed
      with H1N1/2006. In order to investigate whether this finding is associated with a
      corresponding virulence in the host, pigs were infected experimentally with
      H3N2/2006, H1N2/2000, H1N1/1981 and H1N1/2006 viruses. The H1N1/2006 virus was
      significantly less virulent than the other viruses in pigs which was in agreement
      with the results obtained by the in vitro-studies. These findings offer the
      possibility to develop an ex vivo-system that is able to assess virulence of
      swine influenza A viruses.

PMID- 24225032
TI  - Prediction of injury by limited and asymmetrical fundamental movement patterns in
      american football players.
AB  - CONTEXT: Previous injury is the strongest risk factor for future injury in
      sports. It has been proposed that motor-control changes such as movement
      limitation and asymmetry associated with injury and pain may be perpetuated as
      part of an individual's movement strategy. Motor control of fundamental 1-*-body
      weight tasks can reliably and efficiently be measured in the field. OBJECTIVE: To
      determine whether the motor control of fundamental movement patterns and pattern
      asymmetry have a relationship with time-loss injury over the course of the
      preseason in professional football. DESIGN: Injury-risk study. SETTING: American
      professional football facilities. PARTICIPANTS: 238 American professional
      football players. INTERVENTION: To measure the motor control of 1-*-body-weight
      fundamental movement patterns, Functional Movement Screen scores were obtained
      before the start of training camp. The previously established cutoff score of
      <=14 and the presence of any asymmetries on the FMS were examined using relative
      risk to determine if a relationship exists with time-loss injury. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE: Time-loss musculoskeletal injury defined as any time loss from practice
      or competition due to musculoskeletal injury. RESULTS: Players who scored <=14
      exhibited a relative risk of 1.87 (CI95 1.202.96). Similarly, players with at
      least 1 asymmetry displayed a relative risk of 1.80 (CI95 1.112.74). The
      combination of scoring below the threshold and exhibiting a movement asymmetry
      was highly specific for injury, with a specificity of .87 (CI95 .84.90).
      CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that fundamental movement patterns
      and pattern asymmetry are identifiable risk factors for time-loss injury during
      the preseason in professional football players.

PMID- 24225033
TI  - Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of silymarin on
      hepatic dysfunction induced by sodium nitrite.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sodium nitrite, a food additive that is used as a color fixative and
      preservative for meats and fish, has been reported to have adverse health effects
      due to increased oxidative stress that could be harmful to different organs
      including the liver. Meanwhile, silymarin protects against hepatotoxicity caused
      by a variety of agents, on account of its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory
      effects. We therefore examined the impact of dietary silymarin on sodium nitrite
      induced liver damage in rats. METHODS: Fifty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats
      received 80 mg/kg sodium nitrite in the presence or absence of silymarin (10 and
      25 mg/kg). Hepatic proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta), hepatic
      fibrosis marker (MCP-1 and TGF-beta1), mitochondrial activity marker (cytochrome
      C oxidase) and c-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. Hepatic apoptosis
      was assessed through determination of caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation.
      RESULTS: We found that oral sodium nitrite enhanced oxidative stress with
      subsequent increases in TNF-alpha (2-fold), IL-1beta (4-fold), MCP-1 (4-fold),
      TGF-beta1 (3-fold) and CRP (4-fold). In addition, sodium nitrite brings about
      reduced cytochrome C oxidase and enhanced caspase-3 activity and DNA
      fragmentation. Daily treatment with silymarin markedly ameliorated all these
      effects. CONCLUSIONS: Silymarin ameliorated the impairment of hepatic function in
      rats that had ingested sodium nitrite. Silymarn possesses antioxidant, anti
      inflammatory, antifibrotic and anti-apoptotic effects.

PMID- 24225034
TI  - Understanding consumer acceptance of intervention strategies for healthy food
      choices: a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity poses a major
      threat to public health. Intervention strategies for healthy food choices
      potentially reduce obesity rates. Reviews of the effectiveness of interventions,
      however, show mixed results. To maximise effectiveness, interventions need to be
      accepted by consumers. The aim of the present study is to explore consumer
      acceptance of intervention strategies for low-calorie food choices. Beliefs that
      are associated with consumer acceptance are identified. METHODS: Data was
      collected in the Netherlands in 8 semi-structured interviews and 4 focus group
      discussions (N = 39). Nine archetypical strategies representing educational,
      marketing and legal interventions served as reference points. Verbatim
      transcriptions were coded both inductively and deductively with the framework
      approach. RESULTS: We found that three beliefs are related to consumer
      acceptance: 1) general beliefs regarding obesity, such as who is responsible for
      food choice; 2) the perceived effectiveness of interventions; and 3) the
      perceived fairness of interventions. Furthermore, the different aspects
      underlying these general and intervention-specific beliefs were identified.
      CONCLUSIONS: General and intervention-specific beliefs are associated with
      consumer acceptance of interventions for low-calorie food choices. Policymakers
      in the food domain can use the findings to negotiate the development of
      interventions and to assess the feasibility of interventions. With respect to
      future research, we recommend that segments of consumers based on perceptions of
      intervention strategies are identified.

PMID- 24225035
TI  - Effects of tea saponin on glucan conversion and bonding behaviour of cellulolytic
      enzymes during enzymatic hydrolysis of corncob residue with high lignin content.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, interest in the utilization of corncob residue (CCR, with
      high lignin of 45.1%) as a feedstock for bioethanol has been growing. Surfactants
      have been one of the most popular additives intended to prevent the inhibitory
      effect of lignin on cellulolytic enzymes, thereby improving hydrolysis. In this
      study, the effects of biosurfactant tea saponin (TS) on the enzymatic hydrolysis
      of CCR and the bonding behavior of cellulolytic enzymes to the substrate were
      investigated. The surface tension in the supernatant was also detected to obtain
      information about the characteristics and stability of TS. RESULTS: The glucose
      concentration was 17.15 mg/mL at 120 hours of hydrolysis with the low loading of
      cellulolytic enzymes (7.0 FPU/g cellulose and 10.5 BGU/g cellulose) and 5% CCR.
      The optimal dosage of TS was its critical micelle concentration (cmc, 1.80
      mg/mL). The glucose yield was enhanced from 34.29 to 46.28 g/100 g dry matter by
      TS. The results indicate that TS can promote the adsorption of cellulolytic
      enzymes on the substrate and mediate the release of adsorbed enzymes. Meanwhile,
      TS improves the recovery of the cellulolytic enzymes after a hydrolysis cycle and
      prevents deactivation of the enzymes during the intense shaking process. The
      surface tension in supernatants of digested CCR with TS remained at 50.00 mN/m
      during the course of hydrolysis. It is interesting to note that biosurfactant TS
      can maintain the surface tension in supernatants, despite its digestibility by
      cellulolytic enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: Serving as an accelerant of lignocellulose
      hydrolysis, TS can also be degraded by the cellulolytic enzymes and release
      glucose while retaining stability, which reduces the cost of both the
      cellulolytic enzymes and the additive. As the glucose from the TS could be
      utilized by yeast, further efforts will investigate the mechanism of function and
      the application of TS in the production of ethanol by simultaneous
      saccharification and fermentation (SSF).

PMID- 24225036
TI  - Metabolic effects of milk protein intake strongly depend on pre-existing
      metabolic and exercise status.
AB  - Milk protein intake has recently been suggested to improve metabolic health. This
      Perspective provides evidence that metabolic effects of milk protein intake have
      to be regarded in the context of the individual's pre-existing metabolic and
      exercise status. Milk proteins provide abundant branched-chain amino acids
      (BCAAs) and glutamine. Plasma BCAAs and glutamine are increased in obesity and
      insulin resistance, but decrease after gastric bypass surgery resulting in weight
      loss and improved insulin sensitivity. Milk protein consumption results in
      postprandial hyperinsulinemia in obese subjects, increases body weight of
      overweight adolescents and may thus deteriorate pre-existing metabolic
      disturbances of obese, insulin resistant individuals. 

PMID- 24225038
TI  - Bartholin's gland hyperplasia. Case report and a review of literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumors arising from glands of the female ano-genital area, such as
      minor and major vestibular glands, are very rare. Lesions affecting Bartholin's
      gland can be divided into two groups: benign and malignant lesions. In the first
      group we can include nodular hyperplasia, adenoma, adenomioma which can sometimes
      cause Bartholin's gland enlargement and difficult differential diagnosis. Surgery
      is considered the treatment of choice, frequently represented by marsupialization
      with rates of local recurrence. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of a 50-year-old
      woman with a several-years history of recurrent episodes of Bartholinitis,
      previously treated with marsupialization. Patient underwent complete excision of
      the left Bartholin's gland without operative complications. Pathological findings
      showed a Bartholin's gland hyperplasia. Post-operative course was regular, free
      from surgical complications. After one year, the patient is free from any local
      disease. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In women in postmenopausal age, in those cases
      in which marsupialization doesn't lead to an improvement in symptomatology and in
      those cases in which, at physical examination, Bartholin's gland enlargement
      appeared to be firm and irregular, because of the higher incidence of malignancy
      in these situations, total excision of the gland is recommended. Total excision
      of the Bartholin's Gland is a safe technique, given the low incidence of
      procedure- related morbilities. We do not consider biopsy of the gland a proper
      strategy for the high percentage of false negative results.

PMID- 24225037
TI  - Stress susceptibility-specific phenotype associated with different hippocampal
      transcriptomic responses to chronic tricyclic antidepressant treatment in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effects of chronic treatment with tricyclic antidepressant
      (desipramine, DMI) on the hippocampal transcriptome in mice displaying high and
      low swim stress-induced analgesia (HA and LA lines) were studied. These mice
      displayed different depression-like behavioral responses to DMI: stress-sensitive
      HA animals responded to DMI, while LA animals did not. RESULTS: To investigate
      the effects of DMI treatment on gene expression profiling, whole-genome Illumina
      Expression BeadChip arrays and qPCR were used. Total RNA isolated from hippocampi
      was used. Expression profiling was then performed and data were analyzed
      bioinformatically to assess the influence of stress susceptibility-specific
      phenotypes on hippocampal transcriptomic responses to chronic DMI. DMI treatment
      affected the expression of 71 genes in HA mice and 41 genes in LA mice. We
      observed the upregulation of Igf2 and the genes involved in neurogenesis (HA:
      Sema3f, Ntng1, Gbx2, Efna5, and Rora; LA: Otx2, Rarb, and Drd1a) in both mouse
      lines. In HA mice, we observed the upregulation of genes involved in
      neurotransmitter transport, the termination of GABA and glycine activity
      (Slc6a11, Slc6a9), glutamate uptake (Slc17a6), and the downregulation of
      neuropeptide Y (Npy) and corticotropin releasing hormone-binding protein (Crhbp).
      In LA mice, we also observed the upregulation of other genes involved in
      neuroprotection (Ttr, Igfbp2, Prlr) and the downregulation of genes involved in
      calcium signaling and ion binding (Adcy1, Cckbr, Myl4, Slu7, Scrp1, Zfp330).
      CONCLUSIONS: Several antidepressant treatment responses are similar in
      individuals with different sensitivities to stress, including the upregulation of
      Igf2 and the genes involved in neurogenesis. However, the findings also reveal
      that many responses to antidepressant treatments, involving the action of
      individual genes engaged in neurogenesis, neurotransmitter transport and
      neuroprotection, depend on constitutive hippocampal transcriptomic profiles and
      might be genotype dependent. The results suggest that, when and if this becomes
      feasible, antidepressant treatment should take into consideration individual
      sensitivity to stress.

PMID- 24225039
TI  - Role of non-invasive assessment in prediction of preclinical cardiac affection in
      multi-transfused thalassaemia major patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The principal cause of mortality and morbidity in beta-thalassemia
      major (beta-TM) is the iron overload as these patients receive about 20 times the
      normal intake of iron, which leads to iron accumulation and damage in the liver,
      heart, and endocrine organs. Chronically transfused patients used to die from
      cardiac iron overload in their teens and twenties. Monitoring of iron status
      through cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) has replaced the conventional
      methods of assessment, yet this modality is not readily available in centers
      where the disease distribution is maximal. Objectives The aim of this work is to
      study some simple non-invasive tools and their abilities to predict preclinical
      cardiac affection reflecting cardiac iron deposition (CID) in multi-transfused
      beta-TM patients taking the T2* CMRI as a gold standard reference test. METHODS:
      One hundred consecutive multi-transfused, clinically stable beta-TM patients with
      age ranging from 16 to 30 years (mean +/- SD, 21.1 +/- 3.9) were included in this
      study. Assessment of serum ferritin, serum hepcidin, and high-sensitivity C
      reactive protein as well as cardiac assessment by echo-doppler and 24-hour Holter
      were used to predict CID, and consequently predict preclinical cardiac affection,
      in reference to CMRI results as the standard method of cardiac iron assessment.
      RESULTS: According to CMRI results, patients were subdivided into a group of 42
      patients with detectable myocardial iron (T*<= 20 ms) and a group of 58 patients
      with no detectable myocardial iron (T* > 20 ms). No differences in age, gender,
      or distribution of splenectomized patients were observed between both groups.
      Patients with detectable myocardial iron received significantly higher number of
      transfusions per year than those with no detectable myocardial iron (mean +/- SD,
      14.6 +/- 1.7 vs. 12.5 +/- 1.7; P < 0.001) yet comparable levels of serum
      ferritin, serum hepcidin, and hepcidin/ferritin ratio (P > 0.05) were noted.
      Cardiac iron detection was associated with significantly lower heart rate (mean
      +/- SD, 75 +/- 6.1 vs. 80 +/- 6.9; P < 0.001), lower left ventricular ejection
      fraction (LVEF) (mean +/- SD 60.1 +/- 3.2 vs. 70.1 +/- 2.8; P < 0.001), and
      higher total number of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) (median 78 vs.
      14; P < 0.001). The group with CID comprised significantly more patients with
      left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (15/42, 35.7% vs. 3/58, 5.2%; P < 0.001);
      PVCs >=10/hour (13/42, 31% vs. 2/58, 3.4%; P < 0.001); episodes of sinus pauses
      (6/42, 14.3% vs. 1/58, 1.7%; P < 0.05); episodes of high-grade atrio-ventricular
      block (5/42, 11.9% vs. 1/58, 1.7%; P < 0.05) compared to the group with no (CID).
      In presence of normal LVEF, detection of 10 or more PVCs per hour was the most
      predictive of cardiac iron loading with a positive predictive value of 86.7% and
      specificity of 96.6%, and the highest likelihood ratio (9.09). Detection of more
      than 22 PVCs/24 hours had the best sensitivity (81%) and the best negative
      predictive value (84%). The positive likelihood ratio of the studied parameters
      was highest in case of presence of PVCs >=10/hour and lowest in case of average
      heart rate with a cut-off level of <=77.5 bpm (9.09 and 1.46, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: Our results support our hypothesis that monitoring beta-TM patients
      with echo and Holter electrocardiogram can help in the detection of preclinical
      cardiac affection in centers lacking cardiac MRI; however, due to relatively low
      sensitivity they can not fully replace CMRI. Further work is needed to identify
      additional simple parameters that can form a diagnostic model with adequate
      sensitivity.

PMID- 24225040
TI  - [Adherence to medication and epilepsy: a current issue].
AB  - As in other chronic diseases, adherence to medication in epilepsy is critical for
      seizure control. Its assessment remains challenging in research as in clinical
      practice. Recent evidences showed another face of nonadherence: the
      overconsumption of antiepileptic drugs. Some educational interventions with easy
      implementation were found to be effective in improving adherence and should be
      therefore more used in everyday practice. 

PMID- 24225041
TI  - [Generic drugs and the consumption trends of antihypertensives in Morocco].
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the evolution of consumption of antihypertensive drugs
      generic among 1991-2010, to assess the impacts after the institution of Mandatory
      Health Insurance and the marketing of generic drugs. METHODS: We used sales data
      from the Moroccan subsidiary of IMS Health Intercontinental Marketing Service.
      RESULTS: Consumption of generic antihypertensive drugs increased from 0.08 to
      10.65 DDD/1 000 inhabitants/day between 1991 and 2010. In 2010, generic of the
      calcium channel blockers (CCBs) represented 4.08 DDD/1 000 inhabitants/day
      (82.09%), followed by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) by 2.40
      DDD/1 000 inhabitants/day (48.29%). The generics market of CCBs is the most
      dominant and represented in 2010, 79.21% in volume and 62.58% in value.
      CONCLUSION: In developing countries like Morocco, the generic drug is a key
      element for access to treatment especially for the poor population.

PMID- 24225042
TI  - [Is there any interest to dose the azathioprine's metabolites during inflammatory
      bowel diseases?].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of our work is to search if there is a relation between
      azathioprine's metabolites (6-thioguanines nucleotides and 6-methyl
      mercaptopurines) and clinical efficacy and adverse effects of azathioprine in
      inflammatory bowel disease population. METHOD: We included patients with Crohn's
      disease or ulcerative colitis (UC) treated by azathioprine for a duration more
      than 1 year. Each patient had a dosage of azathioprine metabolites. RESULTS: We
      included 43 Crohn's disease patients and 7 UC. Azathioprine was indicated for
      steroid dependancy in 23 cases, to prevent post-operative recurrence in 10 cases,
      to maintain clinical remission obtained by medical treatment in 17 patients. A
      clinical response to azathioprine (obtention of remission, absence of recurrence
      during the follow up) was observed in 34 patients. CONCLUSION: Our work confirms
      the relation between the doses of azathioprine metabolites and the myelotoxicity
      due to this molecule.

PMID- 24225043
TI  - [Sulfasalazine-induced DRESS syndrome associated with Epstein Barr virus
      reactivation].

PMID- 24225044
TI  - [Tachycardia and precordial pain with agomelatine: a case report].

PMID- 24225045
TI  - [Pityriasis rosea-like adverse reaction induced by pristinamycine].

PMID- 24225046
TI  - [Microscopic colitis in a patient treated with duloxetine].

PMID- 24225047
TI  - [Cytolysis in an elderly patient treated with dabigatran etexilate].

PMID- 24225048
TI  - The post-activation potentiation effect on squat jump performance: age and sex
      effect.
AB  - This study examined the post-activation potentiation (PAP) effects on squat jump
      (SJ) performance and on peak rate of force development (RFDpeak) in preadolescent
      (10-12 y), adolescents (14-15 y) and adults (20-25 y) males and females. All
      participants performed a SJ with and without prior conditioning stimulus (PAP and
      control protocol, respectively), consisting of 3 * 3-second maximal isometric
      squats. Jump height and RFDpeak of the vertical ground reaction force during SJ
      were assessed before, and at 20 seconds and at 4 minutes following the
      conditioning stimulus. The results revealed a different pattern of age-effect on
      SJ performance within males and females. The RFDpeak significantly increased as a
      factor of age in both males and females (P < .05). Increase in SJ performance
      after conditioning stimulus occurred only in men (P < .05), with no effects in
      teen-males, boys, and female groups. There was a significant PAP effect on
      RFDpeak in both adult groups (P < .05) and teen-males, with no effects in
      children. In conclusion, the PAP effects on SJ performance and RFDpeak are age-
      and sex-dependent; that is PAP appears as a viable method for acutely enhancing
      SJ performance in men but not in pediatric population. 

PMID- 24225049
TI  - Inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation by phospholipid-conjugates of a TLR7
      ligand in a Myc-induced hyperplastic actinic keratosis model in the absence of
      systemic side effects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) activator imiquimod (IMQ) is safe and
      effective in treating actinic keratosis; however, an intermittent treatment
      regimen is necessary because of excessive local reactions. OBJECTIVES: To
      evaluate in vitro potency, pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics, toxicity and
      efficacy in vivo of the newly developed TLR7 ligand-phospholipid conjugate, TMX
      202, in a gel formulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effects of TMX-202 were
      assessed both in vitro on a murine macrophage cell line and in primary bone
      marrow-derived dendritic cells and in vivo on mice (C57BL/6-wild type, Myd88(-/-)
      and Tlr7(-/-)). RESULTS: TMX-202 was more potent than IMQ in vitro using murine
      and human cells. In contrast, in vivo it showed less systemic pro-inflammatory
      activity and better safety than IMQ. Moreover, the TMX-202 gel formulation
      exhibited at least comparable efficacy to Aldara in a mouse model for skin
      proliferative diseases. CONCLUSION: TMX-202 is safe and efficacious without
      causing excessive adverse effects, suggesting that it may be an alternative to
      Aldara for the treatment of proliferative skin conditions.

PMID- 24225050
TI  - 3DScapeCS: application of three dimensional, parallel, dynamic network
      visualization in Cytoscape.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The exponential growth of gigantic biological data from various
      sources, such as protein-protein interaction (PPI), genome sequences scaffolding,
      Mass spectrometry (MS) molecular networking and metabolic flux, demands an
      efficient way for better visualization and interpretation beyond the
      conventional, two-dimensional visualization tools. RESULTS: We developed a 3D
      Cytoscape Client/Server (3DScapeCS) plugin, which adopted Cytoscape in
      interpreting different types of data, and UbiGraph for three-dimensional
      visualization. The extra dimension is useful in accommodating, visualizing, and
      distinguishing large-scale networks with multiple crossed connections in five
      case studies. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation on several experimental data using
      3DScapeCS and its special features, including multilevel graph layout, time
      course data animation, and parallel visualization has proven its usefulness in
      visualizing complex data and help to make insightful conclusions.

PMID- 24225051
TI  - Evaluation of health related quality of life in children with immune
      thrombocytopenia with the PedsQLTM 4.0 Generic Core Scales: a study on behalf of
      the pays de Loire pediatric hematology network.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a childhood disorder that is often
      life-altering for children and their parents. Health related quality of life
      (HRQL) has never been chronologically monitored in children with ITP. We
      initiated a prospective study to assess HRQL from diagnosis to six months and
      define factors that influence this outcome in children with ITP. METHODS: 73
      children with acute ITP aged from 2 to 18 years were prospectively enrolled in
      the study. According to the presence of bleeding, they were or were not given a 4
      day course of corticosteroid treatment. The PedsQLTM 4.0 Generic Core Scale was
      completed by children and parents upon their inclusion in the study and 6 months
      after diagnosis. RESULTS: Over the six month period, quality of life improved in
      terms of their global, physical and psychosocial well-being for 54.5%, 35.6% and
      36.2% of patients respectively. This improvement is clinically relevant compared
      to scores at diagnosis, corresponding at least to a minimal clinically important
      difference (MCID). Factors such as sex, age, platelet count, bleeding scores,
      bone marrow aspiration and persistence of ITP at 6 months were not significantly
      associated with HRQL scores. However, preceding viral infection was identified to
      have an impact on HRQL. CONCLUSIONS: This first longitudinal study assessing HRQL
      in children with ITP reveals a global improvement in PedSQLTM 4.0. However, these
      results should be considered with caution since our data also confirm that self
      report HRQL scores are not influenced by any analyzed biologic or clinical
      parameters. Others tools, such as Kids' ITP Tools, would probably be required to
      assess the HRQL of this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration
      clinical trials.gov Identifier: NCT00331357.

PMID- 24225052
TI  - Phenotypic expression of the p.Leu1077Pro CFTR mutation in Sicilian cystic
      fibrosis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The p.Leu1077Pro CFTR mutation was firstly described in 1992 as a
      mild allele that confers a pancreatic sufficiency phenotype but the information
      collected in database CFTR2 lead to consider p.Leu1077Pro as a severe CF
      mutation. Although it is typical of Southern Italy, p.Leu1077Pro is not included
      in the mutation panel firstly tested in individuals originated from this area.
      The aim of our study was to describe prevalence and clinical features in patients
      bearing this mutation followed in our Cystic Fibrosis Centre to demonstrate that
      this mutation should be included in the mutation panel firstly tested in patients
      originated from Southern Italy. FINDINGS: We reviewed data from a cohort of 111
      cystic fibrosis patients. 4 patients who were heterozygous for the p.Leu1077Pro
      mutation were included in the study.In our Cystic Fibrosis Centre, the prevalence
      of p.Leu1077Pro is 3.6% among all mutations. All patients had positive sweat test
      values, pancreatic insufficiency and pulmonary exacerbations. One out of four
      patients even showed both FEV1 and FVC values significantly below the normal
      range, the presence of bronchiectasis and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      colonization. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the p.Leu1077Pro CFTR mutation is
      associated with a classic CF phenotype confirming what is reported in CFTR2
      database. The relatively high prevalence of p.Leu1077Pro associated with the
      severe clinical course of the disease in patients bearing this mutation is of
      interest for genetic counselling purposes, as it should be part of mutation panel
      to be tested in individuals originated from Southern Italy.

PMID- 24225053
TI  - Effect of MWCNT size, carboxylation, and purification on in vitro and in vivo
      toxicity, inflammation and lung pathology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have the
      potential to affect their bioactivity. This study examined the in vitro and in
      vivo outcomes of the influence of diameter, length, purification and
      carboxylation (in vitro testing only) of MWCNT. METHODS: Three original 'as
      received' MWCNT that varied in size (diameter and length) were purified and
      functionalized by carboxylation. The resulting MWCNT were characterized and
      examined for cytotoxicity and inflammasome activation in vitro using THP-1 cells
      and primary alveolar macrophages from C57BL/6 mice. Oropharyngeal aspiration
      administration was used to deliver original MWCNT and in vivo bioactivity and
      lung retention was examined at 1 and 7 days. RESULTS: Studies with THP-1
      macrophages demonstrated that increased length or diameter corresponded with
      increased bioactivity as measured by inflammasome activation. Purification had
      little effect on the original MWCNT, and functionalization completely eliminated
      bioactivity. Similar results were obtained using alveolar macrophages isolated
      from C57BL/6 mice. The in vivo studies demonstrated that all three original MWCNT
      caused similar neutrophil influx at one day, but increasing length or diameter
      resulted in the lavaged cells to release more inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF
      alpha, and IL-1beta) ex vivo. Seven-day histology revealed that, consistent with
      the in vitro results, increasing width or length of MWCNT caused more severe
      pathology with the longest MWCNT causing the most severe inflammation. In
      addition, the same two larger MWCNT were retained more in the lung at 7 days.
      CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results indicated that in vitro and in vivo
      bioactivity of MWCNT increased with diameter and length. Purification had no
      significant modifying effect from the original MWCNT. Functionalization by
      carboxylation completely eliminated the bioactive potential of the MWCNT
      regardless of size in in vitro testing.

PMID- 24225054
TI  - The efficacy of dapagliflozin combined with hypoglycemic drugs in treating type 2
      diabetes: protocol for meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dapagliflozin is a first-in-class oral sodium glucose co-transporter
      2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It is often used in combination with conventional anti
      diabetic drugs such as metformin, glimepiride, and insulin in treating type 2
      diabetes (T2D). It not only reduces glucose reabsorption in the kidney but also
      increases renal glucose excretion. Some studies found the actions of
      dapagliflozin independent of insulin and free from risk of weight gain. This meta
      analysis aims to evaluate whether dapagliflozin is synergistic with other anti
      diabetic drugs without risk of weight gain. METHODS/DESIGN: This meta-analysis
      will include the randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of
      dapagliflozin as an add-on drug in treating T2D for >8 weeks with the outcome
      measures glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and body
      weight. Information of relevant RCTs will be retrieved from major databases
      including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google
      Scholar according to a pre-specified search strategy. Google and manual search
      will find other unpublished reports and supplementary data. Eligible RCTs will be
      selected according to pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data will
      be extracted and input into a pre-formatted spreadsheet. The Cochrane risk of
      bias tool will be used to assess the quality of the eligible RCTs. Meta-analysis
      based on the random-effects model will be conducted to compare the changes of
      HbA1c (%), FPG (mmol/L), and body weight (kg) between dapagliflozin arm and
      placebo arm. Publication bias will be evaluated with a funnel plot and the
      Egger's test. Heterogeneity will be assessed with the I2 statistics. Sensitivity
      analysis will be conducted on follow-up periods. The evidential quality of the
      findings will be assessed with the GRADE profiler. DISCUSSION: The findings of
      this meta-analysis will be important to clinicians, patients, and health policy
      makers regarding the use of dapagliflozin in T2D treatment. STUDY REGISTRATION:
      PROSPERO registration number: CRD42013005034.

PMID- 24225055
TI  - Twentieth anniversary of the European Union health mandate: taking stock of
      perceived achievements, failures and missed opportunities - a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The European Union (EU) health mandate was initially defined in the
      Maastricht Treaty in 1992. The twentieth anniversary of the Treaty offers a
      unique opportunity to take stock of EU health actions by giving an overview of
      influential public health related EU-level policy outputs and a summary of policy
      outputs or actions perceived as an achievement, a failure or a missed
      opportunity. METHODS: Semi-structured expert interviews (N = 20) were conducted
      focusing on EU-level actions that were relevant for health. Respondents were
      asked to name EU policies or actions that they perceived as an achievement, a
      failure or a missed opportunity. A directed content analysis approach was used to
      identify expert perceptions on achievements, failures and missed opportunities in
      the interviews. Additionally, a nominal group technique was applied to identify
      influential and public health relevant EU-level policy outputs. RESULTS: The
      ranking of influential policy outputs resulted in top positions of adjudications
      and legislations, agencies, European Commission (EC) programmes and strategies,
      official networks, cooperative structures and exchange efforts, the work on
      health determinants and uptake of scientific knowledge. The assessment of EU
      health policies as being an achievement, a failure or a missed opportunity was
      often characterized by diverging respondent views. Recurring topics that emerged
      were the Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO), EU agencies,
      life style factors, internal market provisions as well as the EU Directive on
      patients' rights in cross-border healthcare. Among these recurring topics, expert
      perceptions on the establishment of DG SANCO, EU public health agencies, and
      successes in tobacco control were dominated by aspects of achievements. The
      implementation status of the Health in All Policy approach was perceived as a
      missed opportunity. CONCLUSIONS: When comparing the emerging themes from the
      interviews conducted with the responsibilities defined in the EU health mandate,
      one can identify that these responsibilities were only partly fulfilled or
      acknowledged by the respondents. In general, the EU is a recognized public health
      player in Europe which over the past two decades, has begun to develop
      competencies in supporting, coordinating and supplementing member state health
      actions. However, the assurance of health protection in other European policies
      seems to require further development.

PMID- 24225057
TI  - An evaluation of nurses' professional autonomy in Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of a profession's autonomy closely relates to that
      profession's level of autonomy in performing its specific role. For the nursing
      profession, this key role is nursing care. OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken
      to evaluate the professional autonomy of nurses in care provision, from an
      ethical perspective. RESEARCH DESIGN: A mixed methods approach is employed in
      this research, which makes use of both quantitative and qualitative methods. The
      quantitative dimension of this research covers sociodemographic aspects and makes
      use of the Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale. The qualitative dimension of the research
      relates to the factors that affect professional autonomy in nursing care.
      PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: The sample consisted of 30 nurses working in
      the orthopedics, neurology, or intensive care units of three hospitals. ETHICAL
      CONSIDERATIONS: Before conducting this research, we received permission from the
      ethical committee, as well as written permits from all the institutions in which
      the research was carried out. Informed consent was obtained from all
      participants. FINDINGS: According to the findings of this study, only 6.7% of the
      nurses surveyed stated that nurses had professional autonomy; they also stated
      that professional autonomy in nursing was mostly restricted by the need to be
      "dependent upon the physician in nursing implementations" and that autonomy in
      nursing care was mostly limited by a "high number of patients per nurse."
      DISCUSSION: This study determined that delays in resolving problems with regard
      to professional autonomy in nursing care in Turkey could be creating many of the
      professional and ethical problems that nurses face there. CONCLUSION: It is
      recommended that: individuals choose the nursing profession conscientiously;
      nurses need to be given professional awareness; their professional organizations
      need to be strengthened; and plans need to be made to increase research and to
      accumulate both knowledge and expertise.

PMID- 24225056
TI  - Effects of carvedilol treatment on cardiac cAMP response element binding protein
      expression and phosphorylation in acute coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of beta-adrenergic stimulation on viral myocarditis has been
      investigated in animal models of viral myocarditis. Excess stimulation of beta
      adrenergic receptors by catecholamines causes phosphorylation/activation of cAMP
      response element binding protein (CREB) by the cAMP signaling pathway. CREB as an
      important regulator of gene expression mediates the cardiovascular remodeling
      process and promotes anti-inflammatory immune responses. However, the CREB
      expression and phosphorylation have not been studied, and the effects of
      carvedilol (a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist) on the CREB has not been
      investigated in the setting of acute viral myocarditis. METHODS: This study was
      therefore designed to examine the effects of carvedilol on the transcriptional
      factor CREB in a murine model of acute viral myocarditis. In a coxsackievirus B3
      murine myocarditis model (Balb/c), effects of carvedilol on plasma noradrenaline,
      heart rate and blood pressure, myocardial histopathological changes and fibrosis,
      cardiomyocyte apoptosis, cardiac CREB and phosphorylated CREB, cytokine levels,
      and viral RNA were studied. RESULTS: The expression and phosphorylation of CREB
      were decreased with concomitant increase of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in murine
      coxsackievirus-induced acute viral myocarditis. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha
      were correlated with the expression of CREB or phosphorylated CREB. Carvedilol
      increased the cardiac CREB expression and phosphorylation and decreased the
      plasma catecholamine levels and the production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha with
      amelioration of acute viral myocarditis. CONCLUSION: These results show that CREB
      may be involved in the pathophysiology of viral myocarditis and carvedilol exerts
      some of its beneficial effects by increasing the CREB expression and
      phosphorylation.

PMID- 24225058
TI  - Evaluating moral reasoning in nursing education.
AB  - Evidence-based practice suggests the best approach to improving professionalism
      in practice is ethics curricula. However, recent research has demonstrated that
      millennium graduates do not advocate for patients or assert themselves during
      moral conflicts. The aim of this article is the exploration of evaluation
      techniques to evaluate one measurable outcome of ethics curricula: moral
      reasoning. A review of literature, published between 1995 and 2013, demonstrated
      that the moral orientations of care and justice as conceptualized by Gilligan and
      Kohlberg are utilized by nursing students to solve ethical dilemmas. Data
      obtained by means of reflective journaling, Ethics of Care Interview (ECI) and
      Defining Issues Test (DIT), would objectively measure the interrelated pathways
      of care-based and justice-based moral reasoning. In conclusion, educators have an
      ethical responsibility to foster students' ability to exercise sound clinical
      judgment, and support their professional development. It is recommended that
      educators design authentic assessments to demonstrate student's improvement of
      moral reasoning.

PMID- 24225059
TI  - Articular chondrocyte network mediated by gap junctions: role in metabolic
      cartilage homeostasis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether chondrocytes within the cartilage
      matrix have the capacity to communicate through intercellular connections
      mediated by voltage-gated gap junction (GJ) channels. METHODS: Frozen cartilage
      samples were used for immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays. Samples
      were embedded in cacodylate buffer before dehydration for scanning electron
      microscopy. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments and mass spectrometry (MS) were
      performed to identify proteins that interact with the C-terminal end of Cx43. GJ
      communication was studied through in situ electroporation, electrophysiology and
      dye injection experiments. A transwell layered culture system and MS were used to
      identify and quantify transferred amino acids. RESULTS: Microscopic images
      revealed the presence of multiple cellular projections connecting chondrocytes
      within the matrix. These projections were between 5 and 150 um in length. MS data
      analysis indicated that the C-terminus of Cx43 interacts with several
      cytoskeletal proteins implicated in Cx trafficking and GJ assembly, including
      alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin, actin, and vinculin. Electrophysiology
      experiments demonstrated that 12-mer oligonucleotides could be transferred
      between chondrocytes within 12 min after injection. Glucose was homogeneously
      distributed within 22 and 35 min. No transfer was detected when glucose was
      electroporated into A549 cells, which have no GJs. Transwell layered culture
      systems coupled with MS analysis revealed connexins can mediate the transfer of L
      lysine and L-arginine between chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that
      intercellular connections between chondrocytes contain GJs that play a key role
      in cell-cell communication and a metabolic function by exchange of nutrients
      including glucose and essential amino acids. A three-dimensional cellular network
      mediated through GJs might mediate metabolic and physiological homeostasis to
      maintain cartilage tissue.

PMID- 24225060
TI  - Incarcerated hernia in a trocar site following laparoscopic gastric bypass.
AB  - This paper reports a case of small bowel occlusion due to the herniation of an
      ileal ansa at the site of the insertion of a 12-mm trocar. A 28-year-old obese
      female patient underwent laparoscopic surgery for gastric bypass, the skin
      incisions of the trocar insertion sites were closed with absorbable sutures.
      Small bowel occlusion occurred on post-operative day 6 and the patient again
      underwent laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic exploration confirmed the suspected
      presence of the incarcerated hernia of an ileal ansa at the site of the trocar
      insertion which was freed without any need for bowel resection. The fascial
      defect was successfully closed under direct vision with the use of a special
      system of fascial sutures.

PMID- 24225061
TI  - Socioeconomic and disability consequences of injuries in the Sudan: a community
      based survey in Khartoum State.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fatal and non-fatal injuries are of increasing public health concern
      globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Injuries sustained by
      individuals also impact society, creating a loss of productivity with serious
      economic consequences. In Sudan, there is no documentation of the burden of
      injuries on individuals and society. METHODS: A community-based survey was
      performed in Khartoum State, using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling
      technique. Households were selected in each cluster by systematic random
      sampling. Face-to-face interviews during October and November 2010 were
      conducted. Fatal injuries occurring during 5 years preceding the survey and non
      fatal injuries occurring during 12 months preceding interviews were included.
      RESULTS: The total number of individuals included was 5661, residing in 973
      households. There were 28 deaths due to injuries out of a total of 129 reported
      deaths over 5 years. A total of 441 cases of non-fatal injuries occurred during
      the 12 months preceding the survey. The number of disability days differed
      significantly between mechanisms of injury. Road traffic crashes and falls caused
      the longest duration of disability. Men had a higher probability than women of
      losing a job due to an injury. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the
      importance of prioritising prevention of road traffic crashes and falls. The loss
      of productivity in lower socioeconomic strata highlights the need for social
      security policies. Further research is needed for estimating the economic cost of
      injuries in Sudan.

PMID- 24225063
TI  - Acute exercise and postprandial lipemia in young people.
AB  - Exaggerated postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations (TAG) independently
      predict future cardiovascular events. Acute exercise and diet interventions
      attenuate postprandial TAG in adults. This paper aims to examine the exercise
      postprandial lipemia studies published to date in young people. Nine studies
      satisfied the inclusion criteria adopted for this summary. The majority of
      studies are in boys (22% girls) and have shown a single ~60-min session of
      moderate-intensity exercise, performed 12-18 hours before a standardized meal,
      reduces postprandial TAG. Manipulations of exercise duration and intensity
      suggest an exercise energy expenditure dose-dependent response is not supported
      directly in healthy young people. Studies investigating alternative exercise
      bouts have reported lower postprandial TAG after simulated intermittent games
      activity, high-intensity interval running and cumulative 10-min blocks over
      several hours, which may appeal to the spontaneous physical activity habits of
      young people. Although extension of these initial findings is warranted, exercise
      may be an effective strategy to promote regular benefits in TAG metabolism in
      children and adolescents; this may contribute to an improved cardiovascular
      disease risk profile early in life. 

PMID- 24225062
TI  - CoMAGC: a corpus with multi-faceted annotations of gene-cancer relations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to access the large amount of information in biomedical
      literature about genes implicated in various cancers both efficiently and
      accurately, the aid of text mining (TM) systems is invaluable. Current TM systems
      do target either gene-cancer relations or biological processes involving genes
      and cancers, but the former type produces information not comprehensive enough to
      explain how a gene affects a cancer, and the latter does not provide a concise
      summary of gene-cancer relations. RESULTS: In this paper, we present a corpus for
      the development of TM systems that are specifically targeting gene-cancer
      relations but are still able to capture complex information in biomedical
      sentences. We describe CoMAGC, a corpus with multi-faceted annotations of gene
      cancer relations. In CoMAGC, a piece of annotation is composed of four
      semantically orthogonal concepts that together express 1) how a gene changes, 2)
      how a cancer changes and 3) the causality between the gene and the cancer. The
      multi-faceted annotations are shown to have high inter-annotator agreement. In
      addition, we show that the annotations in CoMAGC allow us to infer the
      prospective roles of genes in cancers and to classify the genes into three
      classes according to the inferred roles. We encode the mapping between multi
      faceted annotations and gene classes into 10 inference rules. The inference rules
      produce results with high accuracy as measured against human annotations. CoMAGC
      consists of 821 sentences on prostate, breast and ovarian cancers. Currently, we
      deal with changes in gene expression levels among other types of gene changes.
      The corpus is available at http://biopathway.org/CoMAGCunder the terms of the
      Creative Commons Attribution License (
      http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0). CONCLUSIONS: The corpus will be an
      important resource for the development of advanced TM systems on gene-cancer
      relations.

PMID- 24225064
TI  - The impact of resilience on psychological outcomes in women after preeclampsia:
      an observational cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a frequent obstetric complication which affects the
      mother's and the fetus's health and can be life threatening. It also has an
      impact on psychological outcomes. There may be protective variables such as
      resilience shielding against psychosocial distress in women experiencing these
      pregnancy complications. The aim of this study was to examine differences in
      resilience in terms of quality of life, depression and post-traumatic stress
      symptoms in women after preeclampsia. METHODS: Four international validated
      questionnaires were used to measure the psychological outcomes (Medical Outcome
      Study Short-Form SF12, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale EPDS, Resilience
      Scale RS13, Impact of Event Scale IES-R). Statistical analyses were performed
      using independent-samples t-test and chi-square test. RESULTS: 67 women with
      previous preeclampsia returned the questionnaires. Women with high resilience
      showed significantly less depression (p = 0.001) and better mental quality of
      life (p = 0.002) compared to women with low resilience. No group differences were
      found on the medical and socio-demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS:
      Resilience has an important impact on the psychological outcomes in women after
      preeclampsia. A screening for resilience, depression and quality of life may be
      appropriate to identify these women.

PMID- 24225065
TI  - A surveillance system to assess the need for updating systematic reviews.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews (SRs) can become outdated as new evidence emerges
      over time. Organizations that produce SRs need a surveillance method to determine
      when reviews are likely to require updating. This report describes the
      development and initial results of a surveillance system to assess SRs produced
      by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Evidence-based Practice
      Center (EPC) Program. METHODS: Twenty-four SRs were assessed using existing
      methods that incorporate limited literature searches, expert opinion, and
      quantitative methods for the presence of signals triggering the need for
      updating. The system was designed to begin surveillance six months after the
      release of the original review, and then ceforth every six months for any review
      not classified as being a high priority for updating. The outcome of each round
      of surveillance was a classification of the SR as being low, medium or high
      priority for updating. RESULTS: Twenty-four SRs underwent surveillance at least
      once, and ten underwent surveillance a second time during the 18 months of the
      program. Two SRs were classified as high, five as medium, and 17 as low priority
      for updating. The time lapse between the searches conducted for the original
      reports and the updated searches (search time lapse - STL) ranged from 11 months
      to 62 months: The STL for the high priority reports were 29 months and 54 months;
      those for medium priority reports ranged from 19 to 62 months; and those for low
      priority reports ranged from 11 to 33 months. Neither the STL nor the number of
      new relevant articles was perfectly associated with a signal for updating.
      Challenges of implementing the surveillance system included determining what
      constituted the actual conclusions of an SR that required assessing; and
      sometimes poor response rates of experts. CONCLUSION: In this system of regular
      surveillance of 24 systematic reviews on a variety of clinical interventions
      produced by a leading organization, about 70% of reviews were determined to have
      a low priority for updating. Evidence suggests that the time period for
      surveillance is yearly rather than the six months used in this project.

PMID- 24225066
TI  - Assessing the 'system' in safe systems-based road designs: using cognitive work
      analysis to evaluate intersection designs.
AB  - While a safe systems approach has long been acknowledged as the underlying
      philosophy of contemporary road safety strategies, systemic applications are
      sparse. This article argues that systems-based methods from the discipline of
      Ergonomics have a key role to play in road transport design and evaluation. To
      demonstrate, the Cognitive Work Analysis framework was used to evaluate two road
      designs - a traditional Melbourne intersection and a cut-through design for
      future intersections based on road safety safe systems principles. The results
      demonstrate that, although the cut-through intersection appears different in
      layout from the traditional intersection, system constraints are not markedly
      different. Furthermore, the analyses demonstrated that redistribution of
      constraints in the cut-through intersection resulted in emergent behaviour, which
      was not anticipated and could prove problematic. Further, based on the lack of
      understanding of emergent behaviour, similar design induced problems are apparent
      across both intersections. Specifically, incompatibilities between
      infrastructure, vehicles and different road users were not dealt with by the
      proposed design changes. The importance of applying systems methods in the design
      and evaluation of road transport systems is discussed. 

PMID- 24225067
TI  - Prevalence and treatment gap in childhood epilepsy in a north Indian city: a
      community-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders prevalent
      in childhood period. There is scarcity of epidemiological data, required to plan
      services in resource constrained developing nations. OBJECTIVE: To study the
      prevalence and treatment gap in childhood epilepsy in north Indian city, in the
      age group of 1-18 years. METHODS: A two stage stratified cluster sampling;
      probability proportionate to size (PPS) was employed. A ten question screening
      questionnaire was employed to identify the presence of epilepsy. Definitions
      provided by International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) were used to classify
      screen positive subjects as epilepsy and to calculate the treatment gap. RESULTS:
      The prevalence rate for epilepsy was 6.24/1000 population. Febrile seizures and
      neurocysticercosis were most common causes of symptomatic seizures in childhood.
      CONCLUSION: This study of epidemiology of epilepsy provides valuable aid in
      optimizing effective community approach, thereby improving outcomes of childhood
      epilepsy.

PMID- 24225068
TI  - Characterization of the impact of catheter-tissue contact force in lesion
      formation during cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation in an experimental swine model.
AB  - AIMS: Catheter-tissue contact is critical for effective lesion creation. The
      objective of this study was to determine in an experimental swine model the
      pathological effects of cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation using two systems that
      provide reliable measures of the pressure at the catheter tip during
      radiofrequency ablation procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed the
      procedure in eight pigs in our experimental electrophysiology laboratory after
      right femoral vein dissection and insertion of a 12 Fr. introducer during general
      anaesthesia and endotracheal intubation. The target contact force during the
      applications was <10 grs. (axial or lateral), 10-20, 20-30, and >30 grs. in two
      pigs each. The power was set at 40 W and maximum target temperature at 45 degrees
      C. We performed a radiofrequency line dragging from the tricuspid valve to the
      inferior vena cava in the eight pigs. Euthanasia of the animals was carried out a
      week after the procedure and a pathological examination of the lesions was
      performed. In the endocardial macroscopic analysis the extent of lesions,
      presence of thrombus, transmurality, and endothelial rupture was assessed.
      External surface was examined searching for transmural lesions. The mean contact
      force applied was 18.7 +/- 8.4 grs. and the mean depth of the lesions was 3.6 +/-
      2 mm. Lesions were never transmural with average forces <10 grs., and the mean
      depth was very low (0.75 mm). To achieve transmural lesions contact forces of at
      least 20 grs. were required. We found a positive correlation (r = 0.85, P < 0.05)
      between the average force during the applications and depth of the lesions.
      CONCLUSION: When ablating the cavo-tricuspid isthmus in a swine model, contact
      forces of at least 20 grs. are required to achieve transmural lesions. Catheter
      tissue contact is critical for effective lesion creation. This information is
      important for improving ablation efficacy.

PMID- 24225069
TI  - A randomised trial of adaptive pacing therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy,
      graded exercise, and specialist medical care for chronic fatigue syndrome (PACE):
      statistical analysis plan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The publication of protocols by medical journals is increasingly
      becoming an accepted means for promoting good quality research and maximising
      transparency. Recently, Finfer and Bellomo have suggested the publication of
      statistical analysis plans (SAPs).The aim of this paper is to make public and to
      report in detail the planned analyses that were approved by the Trial Steering
      Committee in May 2010 for the principal papers of the PACE (Pacing, graded
      Activity, and Cognitive behaviour therapy: a randomised Evaluation) trial, a
      treatment trial for chronic fatigue syndrome. It illustrates planned analyses of
      a complex intervention trial that allows for the impact of clustering by care
      providers, where multiple care-providers are present for each patient in some but
      not all arms of the trial. RESULTS: The trial design, objectives and data
      collection are reported. Considerations relating to blinding, samples, adherence
      to the protocol, stratification, centre and other clustering effects, missing
      data, multiplicity and compliance are described. Descriptive, interim and final
      analyses of the primary and secondary outcomes are then outlined. CONCLUSIONS:
      This SAP maximises transparency, providing a record of all planned analyses, and
      it may be a resource for those who are developing SAPs, acting as an illustrative
      example for teaching and methodological research. It is not the sum of the
      statistical analysis sections of the principal papers, being completed well
      before individual papers were drafted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN54285094
      assigned 22 May 2003; First participant was randomised on 18 March 2005.

PMID- 24225070
TI  - Identification of the gene for beta-fructofuranosidase from Ceratocystis
      moniliformis CMW 10134 and characterization of the enzyme expressed in
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - BACKGROUND: beta-Fructofuranosidases (or invertases) catalyse the commercially
      important biotransformation of sucrose into short-chain fructooligosaccharides
      with wide-scale application as a prebiotic in the functional foods and
      pharmaceutical industries. RESULTS: We identified a beta-fructofuranosidase gene
      (CmINV) from a Ceratocystis moniliformis genome sequence using protein homology
      and phylogenetic analysis. The predicted 615 amino acid protein, CmINV, grouped
      with an existing clade within the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 32 and showed
      typical conserved motifs of this enzyme family. Heterologous expression of the
      CmINV gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4742?suc2 provided further evidence that
      CmINV indeed functions as a beta-fructofuranosidase. Firstly, expression of the
      CmINV gene complemented the inability of the ?suc2 deletion mutant strain of S.
      cerevisiae to grow on sucrose as sole carbohydrate source. Secondly, the
      recombinant protein was capable of producing short-chain fructooligosaccharides
      (scFOS) when incubated in the presence of 10% sucrose. Purified deglycosylated
      CmINV protein showed a molecular weight of ca. 66 kDa and a Km and Vmax on
      sucrose of 7.50 mM and 986 MUmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Its optimal pH and
      temperature conditions were determined to be 6.0 and 62.5 degrees C,
      respectively. The addition of 50 mM LiCl led to a 186% increase in CmINV
      activity. Another striking feature was the relatively high volumetric production
      of this protein in S. cerevisiae as one mL of supernatant was calculated to
      contain 197 +/- 6 International Units of enzyme. CONCLUSION: The properties of
      the CmINV enzyme make it an attractive alternative to other invertases being used
      in industry.

PMID- 24225071
TI  - Visceral leishmaniasis with cutaneous dissemination in a renal transplant
      recipient.

PMID- 24225072
TI  - The red cell distribution width (RDW): value and role in preterm, IUGR
      (intrauterine growth restricted), full-term infants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To measure the red cell distribution width (RDW) ranges at birth and
      to evaluate potential association with typical neonatal diseases: patent of the
      ductus arteriousus (PDA), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and late-onset sepsis
      (LOS) mortality. METHODS: Forty-six full-term, 41 preterm, and 35 intrauterine
      growth restricted (IUGR) infants participated in this retrospective,
      observational study. RDW was measured before 3 days of life (T0) in all infants,
      and at first month of life (T1) in preterm/IURG patients. RESULTS: RDW% mean
      (standard deviation) at T0 was: 15.65 (1.18) in full-term newborns; 17.7 (2.06)
      in preterm; 17.45 (1.81) in IUGR. A negative correlation (r = -0.51; P < 0.001)
      between RDW and gestational age was found. RDW at T1 was: 17.25 (2.19) in the
      preterm group; 17.37 (2.56) in IUGR group. Fourteen preterm infants reported: 12
      PDA, 5 LOS, 4 BPD, and 3 died; 10 IUGR infants had: 4 PDA, 6 LOS, 3 BPD, and 1
      died. RDW of IUGR infants suffering from those pathologies was not statistically
      different compared with unaffected infants, while preterm newborns with
      pathologies reported higher RDW: PDA vs. PDA absent: P = 0.008 at T0; P < 0.002
      at T1. BPD vs. BPD absent: P < 0.005 at T1. LOS vs. LOS absent: P < 0.005 at T0.
      RDW in preterm/IUGR population was associated with early mortality, T0: dead 21.2
      (2.7) vs. alive 16.7 (1.7), P < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: RDW and gestational age at
      birth were negatively correlated. High RDW resulted to be an indication of risk
      for critical newborns. This parameter can be inexpensively and routinely verified
      and further studies are required to confirm its prognostic role in neonatal
      pathologies.

PMID- 24225073
TI  - Post-stress left ventricular ejection fraction drop in patients with diabetes: a
      gated myocardial perfusion imaging study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the relevance of stress-induced decrease in left
      ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with type-2 diabetes. METHODS: A
      total of 684 diabetic patients with available rest and post-stress gated
      myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (MPS) data were
      enrolled. An automated algorithm was used to determine the perfusion scores using
      a 17-segment model. LVEF drop was considered significant if the post-stress LVEF
      was >=5% below the rest value. Follow-up data were available in 587 patients that
      were followed for the occurrence of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial
      infarction, or unstable angina requiring revascularization. RESULTS: A post
      stress LVEF drop >=5% was observed in 167 (24%) patients. Patients with LVEF drop
      had higher summed stress score (p < 0.05), summed difference score (p < 0.001),
      and rest LVEF (p < 0.001) compared to patients without. Conversely, summed rest
      score, a measure of infarct size, was comparable between the two groups. At
      multivariable analysis, summed difference score and rest LVEF were independent
      predictors (both p < 0.001) of post-stress LVEF drop. Myocardial perfusion was
      abnormal in 106 (63%) patients with post-stress LVEF drop and in 296 (57%) of
      those without (p = 0.16). The overall event-free survival was lower in patients
      with post-stress LVEF drop than in those without (log rank chi2 7.7, p < 0.005).
      After adjusting for clinical data and MPS variables, the hazard ratio for cardiac
      events for post-stress LVEF drop was 1.52 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic
      patients stress-induced ischemia is an independent predictor of post-stress LVEF
      drop; however, a reduction in LVEF is detectable also in patients with normal
      perfusion. Finally, post-stress LVEF drop increases the risk of subsequent
      cardiac events in diabetic patients.

PMID- 24225074
TI  - Creating a gold medal Olympic and Paralympics health care team: a satisfaction
      survey of the mobile medical unit/polyclinic team training for the Vancouver 2010
      winter games.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mobile medical unit/polyclinic (MMU/PC) was an essential part of
      the medical services to support ill or injured Olympic or Paralympics family
      during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics winter games. The objective of this study
      was to survey the satisfaction of the clinical staff that completed the training
      programs prior to deployment to the MMU. METHODS: Medical personnel who
      participated in at least one of the four training programs, including (1) week
      end sessions; (2) web-based modules; (3) just-in-time training; and (4) daily
      simulation exercises were invited to participate in a web-based survey and
      comment on their level of satisfaction with training program. RESULTS: A total of
      64 (out of 94 who were invited) physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists
      completed the survey. All participants reported favorably that the MMU/PC
      training positively impacted their knowledge, skills and team functions while
      deployed at the MMU/PC during the 2010 Olympic Games. However, components of the
      training program were valued differently depending on clinical job title, years
      of experience, and prior experience in large scale events. Respondents with
      little or no experience working in large scale events (45%) rated daily
      simulations as the most valuable component of the training program for
      strengthening competencies and knowledge in clinical skills for working in large
      scale events. CONCLUSION: The multi-phase MMU/PC training was found to be
      beneficial for preparing the medical team for the 2010 Winter Games. In
      particular this survey demonstrates the effectiveness of simulation training
      programs on teamwork competencies in ad hoc groups.

PMID- 24225075
TI  - Are anti-proteinase-3 ANCA a useful marker of granulomatosis with polyangiitis
      (Wegener's) relapses? Results of a retrospective study on 126 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Predicting granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA)
      relapses based on ANCA titers remains a source of debate. Our objective was to
      evaluate the relevance of monitoring PR3-ANCA titers for GPA management. METHODS:
      This retrospective study included 126 patients fulfilling the 1990 ACR criteria
      for GPA and PR3-ANCA-positive at the time of diagnosis. Disease activity was
      assessed with BVAS/WG and Disease Extent Index. For each patient, a median of 12
      serum samples was analyzed, i.e., one every 5.5months. RESULTS: Induction therapy
      obtained remission in 88% of the patients. ANCA became negative by IF for 70/115
      (60.9%) patients and by ELISA for 90/115 (78.3%). After median follow-up of
      70months, 85/126 (67.5%) patients had 154 clinical relapses associated with cANCA
      and PR3-ANCA-positivity for 122 (79.2%) and 102 (66.2%) of them, respectively.
      Relapse-free survival was significantly longer for patients who remained PR3-ANCA
      negative (HR 0.60 [95% CI 0.39-0.92], P=0.02). Individual ANCA-profile analysis
      revealed that, for 60% of GPA patients, clinical outcomes and ANCA-titer changes
      were closely associated, i.e., ANCA were always positive during relapses and
      negative during remission. The 35 patients with fluctuating ANCA-positivity
      during remission were in partial remission or had developed grumbling GPA.
      CONCLUSION: Although ANCA were positive during most systemic relapses or residual
      disease, no strict clinical-immunological correspondence was observed for 25% of
      the patients. Thus, GPA management cannot be based on ANCA levels alone.

PMID- 24225076
TI  - Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying anti-neuronal antibody mediated
      disorders of the central nervous system.
AB  - Over the last decade multiple autoantigens located on the plasma membrane of
      neurons have been identified. Neuronal surface antigens include molecules
      directly involved in neurotransmission and excitability. Binding of the antibody
      to the antigen may directly alter the target protein's function, resulting in
      neurological disorders. The often striking reversibility of symptoms following
      early aggressive immunotherapy supports a pathogenic role for autoantibodies to
      neuronal surface antigens. In order to better understand and treat these
      neurologic disorders it is important to gain insight in the underlying mechanisms
      of antibody pathogenicity. In this review we discuss the clinical,
      circumstantial, in vitro and in vivo evidence for neuronal surface antibody
      pathogenicity and the possible underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. This
      review shows that antibodies to neuronal surface antigens are often directed at
      conformational epitopes located in the extracellular domain of the antigen. The
      conformation of the epitope can be affected by specific posttranslational
      modifications. This may explain the distinct clinical phenotypes that are seen in
      patients with antibodies to antigens that are expressed throughout the brain.
      Furthermore, it is likely that there is a heterogeneous antibody population,
      consisting of different IgG subtypes and directed at multiple epitopes located in
      an immunogenic region. Binding of these antibodies may result in different
      pathophysiological mechanisms occurring in the same patient, together
      contributing to the clinical syndrome. Unraveling the predominant mechanism in
      each distinct antigen could provide clues for therapeutic interventions. 

PMID- 24225077
TI  - Psychometric properties of a short version of the HIV stigma scale, adapted for
      children with HIV infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV is a stigmatizing medical condition. The concept of HIV stigma is
      multifaceted, with personalized stigma (perceived stigmatizing consequences of
      others knowing of their HIV status), disclosure concerns, negative self-image,
      and concerns with public attitudes described as core aspects of stigma for
      individuals with HIV infection. There is limited research on HIV stigma in
      children. The aim of this study was to test a short version of the 40-item HIV
      Stigma Scale (HSS-40), adapted for 8-18 years old children with HIV infection
      living in Sweden. METHODS: A Swedish version of the HSS-40 was adapted for
      children by an expert panel and evaluated by think aloud interviews. A
      preliminary short version with twelve items covering the four dimensions of
      stigma in the HSS-40 was tested. The psychometric evaluation included inspection
      of missing values, principal component analysis (PCA), internal consistency, and
      correlations with measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS:
      Fifty-eight children, representing 71% of all children with HIV infection in
      Sweden meeting the inclusion criteria, completed the 12-item questionnaire. Four
      items concerning participants' experiences of others' reactions to their HIV had
      unacceptable rates of missing values and were therefore excluded. The remaining
      items constituted an 8-item scale, the HIV Stigma Scale for Children (HSSC-8),
      measuring HIV-related disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and concerns with
      public attitudes. Evidence for internal validity was supported by a PCA,
      suggesting a three factor solution with all items loading on the same subscales
      as in the original HSS-40. The scale demonstrated acceptable internal
      consistency, with exception for the disclosure concerns subscale. Evidence for
      external validity was supported in correlational analyses with measures of HRQoL,
      where higher levels of stigma correlated with poorer HRQoL. CONCLUSION: The
      results suggest feasibility, reliability, as well as internal and external
      validity of the HSSC-8, an HIV stigma scale for children with HIV infection,
      measuring disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and concerns with public
      attitudes. The present study shows that different aspects of HIV stigma can be
      assessed among children with HIV in the age group 8-18.

PMID- 24225078
TI  - Immune activation, HIV persistence, and the cure.
AB  - HIV infection is characterized by persistent immune activation, even in the
      context of suppressive antiretroviral therapy. This persistent activation, which
      appears to be fueled by microbial translocation from the gut resulting from HIV
      related damage, is associated with deficits in immune function that in turn
      contribute to persistent activation. The presence of latent HIV reservoirs in
      lymphoid tissues also provokes immune activation in the context of immune
      suppression, resulting in expansion of the viral reservoir and potential viral
      replication, even with suppressive antiretroviral therapy. Therapeutic strategies
      are being devised to reduce persistent immune activation and limit the size of
      the HIV reservoir. This article summarizes a presentation by Daniel C. Douek, MD,
      PhD, at the IAS-USA continuing education program held in San Francisco,
      California, in March 2013. 

PMID- 24225079
TI  - Linkage, engagement, and retention in HIV care among vulnerable populations: "I"m
      sick and tired of being sick and tired".
AB  - There are disparities in engagement and retention in HIV care and outcomes of
      care across segments of society. For example, HIV mortality rates remain markedly
      elevated among black women and men compared with their white counterparts. These
      differences reflect broader disparities across social, economic, and cultural
      lines. Improvement in engagement and retention in HIV care requires interventions
      that account for forces present in the socioecologic framework of health
      behaviors. Improvement in linkage to care at HIV testing is crucial to overall
      engagement and retention in care. Strategies for linkage to care at testing can
      help overcome many of the forces that result in failure to engage and remain in
      care by starting the patient on a solid path to clinical care. This article
      summarizes a presentation by Victoria A. Cargill, MD, MSCE, at the IAS-USA
      continuing education program held in New York, New York, in May 2013. 

PMID- 24225080
TI  - Implications of the Affordable Care Act for people with HIV infection and the
      Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: what does the future hold?
AB  - There are numerous aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that
      will be important for people in the United States with HIV infection, including
      consumer protections and private insurance reforms, establishment of health care
      marketplaces in every state, new benefit standards, Medicare fixes, prevention
      enhancements, expansion of Medicaid, and health system improvements. However, it
      is unlikely that these changes will address all the needs of people with HIV
      infection in the United States. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program will thus remain
      crucial for the provision of adequate health care to HIV-infected individuals,
      but it will need to change. Changes in the role of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS
      Program will depend largely on state decisions on Medicaid expansion and health
      care marketplaces. This article summarizes a presentation by Jennifer Kates, PhD,
      at the IAS-USA continuing education program held in New York, New York, in April
      2013. 

PMID- 24225081
TI  - Porvoo sarcopenia and nutrition trial: effects of protein supplementation on
      functional performance in home-dwelling sarcopenic older people - study protocol
      for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Age-related muscle loss (that is, sarcopenia) is a common health
      problem among older people. Physical exercise and dietary protein have been
      emphasized in prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Rigorous trials
      investigating the effects of protein supplementation on physical performance in
      sarcopenic populations are still scarce. The aim of this study is to investigate
      the effects of protein supplementation along with simple home-based exercises on
      physical performance among home-dwelling sarcopenic older people. METHODS/DESIGN:
      During 2012 the entire 75 and older population (N = 3,275) living in Porvoo,
      Finland was contacted via a postal questionnaire. Persons at risk of sarcopenia
      are screened with hand grip strength and gait speed. Poorly performing persons
      are further examined by segmental bioimpendance spectroscopy to determine their
      skeletal muscle index. Sarcopenic patients (target N = 250) will be enrolled in a
      12-month randomized controlled trial with three arms: 1) no supplementation, 2)
      protein supplementation (20 grams twice a day), and 3) isocaloric placebo. All
      the participants will receive instructions on simple home-based exercises,
      dietary protein, and vitamin D supplementation (20 MUg/d). The recruitment of
      patients will be completed during 2013. The primary endpoint of the trial is the
      change in short physical performance battery score and percentage of patients
      maintaining or improving their physical performance. Secondary endpoints will be,
      among other things, changes in muscle functions, nutritional status, body
      composition, cognition, quality of life, use of health care services, falls, and
      mortality. The assessment times will be 0, 6, 12 and 24 months. DISCUSSION: To
      our knowledge, this is the first large scale randomized controlled trial among
      community dwelling older people with sarcopenia that focuses on the effects of
      protein supplementation on physical performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ACTRN12612001253897, date of registration 28 October 2012, first patient was
      randomized 11 April 2012.

PMID- 24225083
TI  - Ten recommendations for creating usable bioinformatics command line software.
AB  - Bioinformatics software varies greatly in quality. In terms of usability, the
      command line interface is the first experience a user will have of a tool.
      Unfortunately, this is often also the last time a tool will be used. Here I
      present ten recommendations for command line software author's tools to follow,
      which I believe would greatly improve the uptake and usability of their products,
      waste less user's time, and improve the quality of scientific analyses. 

PMID- 24225082
TI  - ANRIL/CDKN2B-AS shows two-stage clade-specific evolution and becomes conserved
      after transposon insertions in simians.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes identified in mammals have
      multiple exons and functional domains, allowing them to bind to polycomb
      proteins, DNA methyltransferases, and specific DNA sequences to regulate genome
      methylation. Little is known about the origin and evolution of lncRNAs.
      ANRIL/CDKN2B-AS consists of 19 exons on human chromosome 9p21 and regulates the
      expression of three cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKN2A/ARF/CDKN2B).
      RESULTS: ANRIL/CDKN2B-AS originated in placental mammals, obtained additional
      exons during mammalian evolution but gradually lost them during rodent evolution,
      and reached 19 exons only in simians. ANRIL lacks splicing signals in mammals. In
      simians, multiple transposons were inserted and transformed into exons of the
      ANRIL gene, after which ANRIL became highly conserved. A further survey reveals
      that multiple transposons exist in many lncRNAs. CONCLUSIONS: ANRIL shows a two
      stage, clade-specific evolutionary process and is fully developed only in
      simians. The domestication of multiple transposons indicates an impressive
      pattern of "evolutionary tinkering" and is likely to be important for ANRIL's
      structure and function. The evolution of lncRNAs and that of transposons may be
      highly co-opted in primates. Many lncRNAs may be functional only in simians.

PMID- 24225084
TI  - The degradation of chondrogenic pellets using cocultures of synovial fibroblasts
      and U937 cells.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is often characterized by joint space narrowing
      on X-ray, knee pain, and a loss of joint function through progressive cartilage
      degradation and intermittent synovial inflammation. The objective of this work
      was to develop an in vitro model in a clinically relevant system. Normal human
      synovial fibroblasts were cultured with U937 cells for 3 days then combined with
      a chondrogenic stem cell pellet for another 4 days. This culture system mimicked
      many of the aspects of early stage OA including production of cytokines and
      degradative enzymes, MMP-1 and MMP-3, resulting in a conditioned medium profile
      similar to OA synovial fluid. This catabolic environment resulted in the release
      of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) from the pellet. In a similar manner to early stage
      OA, the pellet had increased aggrecan and collagen II expression. All of these
      effects are hallmarks of early stage OA. This relatively simple tissue model
      containing a 3D cartilage component interacting with synoviocytes and macrophages
      could be useful to understand early causes and progression of OA. It can be
      scaled easily thus useful for high throughput screening of disease modifying
      drugs in a clinically relevant system. 

PMID- 24225085
TI  - A neural stem/precursor cell monolayer for neural tissue engineering.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to prepare a monolayer of neural stem/precursor
      cells (NSPCs) for neural tissue engineering applications. Two components present
      in serum, fibronectin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were added into DMEM/F12
      medium (termed medium B) to examine the effect of the migration-, proliferation-
      and differentiation-promoting potential on the cultured NSPCs, isolated from
      embryonic rat cerebral cortex. Compared with the serum effect, medium B also
      permitted neurosphere attachment onto the substrate surface and cell migration
      out of neurospheres extensively, but enhanced more extensive cell division and
      slowed down NSPC differentiation to generate a confluent NSPC monolayer. It was
      found the medium B-treated NSPCs possessed the capability to form typical
      neurospheres or to undergo differentiation into neuron-related cell types on
      various biomaterial surfaces. Therefore, we proposed a two-stage process for
      wound healing or nerve conduit preparation. Extensive NSPC division and MAP2
      positive neuron differentiation were manipulated in NSPCs cultured in the medium
      B followed by the neuronal differentiation-favorable medium. These results should
      be useful for controlling the proliferation and differentiation of NSPCs on
      various biomaterials and conduits in neuroscience research. 

PMID- 24225086
TI  - Xin is a marker of skeletal muscle damage severity in myopathies.
AB  - Xin is a striated muscle-specific protein that is localized to the myotendinous
      junction in skeletal muscle. However, in injured mouse muscle, Xin expression is
      up-regulated and observed throughout skeletal muscle fibers and within satellite
      cells. In this study, Xin was analyzed by immunofluorescent staining in skeletal
      muscle samples from 47 subjects with various forms of myopathy, including
      muscular dystrophies, inflammatory myopathies, mitochondrial/metabolic myopathy,
      and endocrine myopathy. Results indicate that Xin immunoreactivity is positively
      and significantly correlated (rs = 0.6175, P = <0.0001) with the severity of
      muscle damage, regardless of myopathy type. Other muscle damage measures also
      showed a correlation with severity [Xin actin-binding repeat-containing 2 (rs = 
      0.7108, P = 0.0006) and collagen (rs = 0.4683, P = 0.0783)]. However, because
      only Xin lacked immunoreactivity within the healthy muscle belly, any detectable
      immunoreactivity for Xin was indicative of muscle damage. We also investigated
      the expression of Xin within the skeletal muscle of healthy individuals subjected
      to damaging eccentric exercise. Consistent with our previously mentioned results,
      Xin immunoreactivity was increased 24 hours after exercise in damaged muscle
      fibers and within the activated muscle satellite cells. Taken together, these
      data demonstrate Xin as a useful biomarker of muscle damage in healthy
      individuals and in patients with myopathy. The strong correlation between the
      degree of muscle damage and Xin immunoreactivity suggests that Xin may be a
      suitable outcome measure to evaluate disease progression and treatment effects in
      clinical trials.

PMID- 24225088
TI  - Implementation of CFD modeling in the performance assessment and optimization of
      secondary clarifiers: the PVSC case study.
AB  - The water industry and especially the wastewater treatment sector has come under
      steadily increasing pressure to optimize their existing and new facilities to
      meet their discharge limits and reduce overall cost. Gravity separation of
      solids, producing clarified overflow and thickened solids underflow has long been
      one of the principal separation processes used in treating secondary effluent.
      Final settling tanks (FSTs) are a central link in the treatment process and often
      times act as the limiting step to the maximum solids handling capacity when high
      throughput requirements need to be met. The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission
      (PVSC) is interested in using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling
      approach to explore any further FST retrofit alternatives to sustain
      significantly higher plant influent flows, especially under wet weather
      conditions. In detail there is an interest in modifying and/or
      upgrading/optimizing the existing FSTs to handle flows in the range of 280-720
      million gallons per day (MGD) (12.25-31.55 m(3)/s) in compliance with the plant's
      effluent discharge limits for total suspended solids (TSS). The CFD model
      development for this specific plant will be discussed, 2D and 3D simulation
      results will be presented and initial results of a sensitivity study between two
      FST effluent weir structure designs will be reviewed at a flow of 550 MGD (~24
      m(3)/s) and 1,800 mg/L MLSS (mixed liquor suspended solids). The latter will
      provide useful information in determining whether the existing retrofit of one of
      the FSTs would enable compliance under wet weather conditions and warrants
      further consideration for implementing it in the remaining FSTs. 

PMID- 24225087
TI  - Hepatitis C and alcohol exacerbate liver injury by suppression of FOXO3.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection exacerbates alcoholic liver injury by
      mechanisms that include enhanced oxidative stress. The forkhead box transcription
      factor FOXO3 is an important component of the antioxidant stress response that
      can be altered by HCV. To test whether FOXO3 is protective for alcoholic liver
      injury, we fed alcohol to FOXO3(-/-) mice. After 3 weeks, one third of these mice
      developed severe hepatic steatosis, neutrophilic infiltration, and >10-fold
      alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations. In cell culture, either alcohol or HCV
      infection alone increased FOXO3 transcriptional activity and expression of target
      genes, but the combination of HCV and alcohol together caused loss of nuclear
      FOXO3 and decreased its transcriptional activity. This was accompanied by
      increased phosphorylation of FOXO3. Mice expressing HCV structural proteins on a
      background of reduced expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2; Sod2(+/-)) also
      had increased liver sensitivity to alcohol, with elevated ALT, steatosis, and
      lobular inflammation. Elevated ALT was associated with an alcohol-induced
      decrease in SOD2 and redistribution of FOXO3 to the cytosol. These results
      demonstrate that FOXO3 functions as a protective factor preventing alcoholic
      liver injury. The combination of HCV and alcohol, but not either condition alone,
      inactivates FOXO3, causing a decrease in expression of its target genes and an
      increase in liver injury. Modulation of the FOXO3 pathway is a potential
      therapeutic approach for HCV-alcohol-induced liver injury.

PMID- 24225089
TI  - Factors affecting the performance of a single-chamber microbial fuel cell-type
      biological oxygen demand sensor.
AB  - Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices that exploit microorganisms as
      biocatalysts to degrade organic matter or sludge present in wastewater (WW), and
      thereby generate electricity. We developed a simple, low-cost single-chamber
      microbial fuel cell (SCMFC)-type biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) sensor using
      carbon felt (anode) and activated sludge, and demonstrated its feasibility in the
      construction of a real-time BOD measurement system. Further, the effects of
      anodic pH and organic concentration on SCMFC performance were examined, and the
      correlation between BOD concentration and its response time was analyzed. Our
      results demonstrated that the SCMFC exhibited a stable voltage after 132 min
      following the addition of synthetic WW (BOD concentration: 200 mg/L). Notably,
      the response signal increased with an increase in BOD concentration (range: 5-200
      mg/L) and was found to be directly proportional to the substrate concentration.
      However, at higher BOD concentrations (>120 mg/L) the response signal remained
      unaltered. Furthermore, we optimized the SCMFC using synthetic WW, and tested it
      with real WW. Upon feeding real WW, the BOD values exhibited a standard deviation
      from 2.08 to 8.3% when compared to the standard BOD5 method, thus demonstrating
      the practical applicability of the developed system to real treatment effluents. 

PMID- 24225090
TI  - Design, construction and performance of a horizontal subsurface flow wetland
      system in Australia.
AB  - Malabugilmah is a remote Aboriginal community located in Clarence Valley,
      Northern NSW, Australia. In 2006, seven horizontal subsurface flow wetland
      clusters consisting of 3 m * 2 m wetland cells in series were designed and
      constructed to treat septic tank effluent to a secondary level (Total Suspended
      Solids (TSS) < 30 mg/L and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) <20 mg/L) and achieve
      >50% Total Nitrogen (TN) reduction, no net Total Phosphorus (TP) export and
      >=99.9% Faecal Coliform (FC) reduction. The wetland cell configuration allowed
      the wetlands to be located on steeper terrain, enabling effluent to be treated to
      a secondary level without the use of pumps. In addition to the water quality
      targets, the wetlands were designed and constructed to satisfy environmental,
      economic and social needs of the community. The wetland systems were planted with
      a local Australian wetland tree species which has become well established. Two
      wetland clusters have been monitored over the last 4 years. The wetlands have
      demonstrated to be robust over time, providing a high level of secondary
      treatment over an extended period. 

PMID- 24225091
TI  - Biodegradation of Bisphenol-A in aerobic membrane bioreactor sludge.
AB  - Bisphenol-A (BPA) biodegradation was studied in a membrane bioreactor under
      aerobic conditions. The effects of the initial BPA concentration and initial
      chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration on BPA biodegradation were
      investigated. The degradation process followed a first-order kinetic (more than
      98% of BPA was removed) with a kinetic rate constant of 1.134 h(-1) using an
      initial BPA concentration of 1.0 mg L(-1). The kinetic rate constant decreased to
      0.611 h(-1) when the initial BPA concentration increased to 5.0 mg L(-1). The
      initial COD concentration (400 and 2,000 mg L(-1)) did not affect the
      biodegradation kinetic of BPA. 

PMID- 24225092
TI  - Performance of activated sludge diffusion for biological treatment of hydrogen
      sulphide gas emissions.
AB  - Odours from wastewater treatment plants are comprised of a mixture of various
      gases with hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) often being the dominant constituent.
      Activated sludge diffusion (ASD) as a biotreatment system for odour abatement has
      been conducted for over 30 years but has limited broad application due to
      disagreement in the literature regarding the effect that ASD may have on
      wastewater treatment performance. The effects of continuous H(2)S diffusion at 25
      ppmv, with weekly peaks of approximately 100 ppmv, on H(2)S removal efficiency
      and wastewater treatment performance was evaluated over a 2-month period using an
      activated sludge pilot plant. H(2)S removal averaged 100% during diffusion at 25
      ppmv, and 98.9% during the 100 ppmv peak periods. A significant increase in mixed
      liquor volatile suspended solids concentration (P < 0.01) was observed during
      H(2)S diffusion, which may be due to an increase in H(2)S-degrading
      microorganisms. There was no adverse effect of H(2)S on nitrification throughout
      the ASD trials. Ammonia (NH(3)) removal was slightly better in the test receiving
      H(2)S diffusion (87.6%) than in the control (85.4%). H(2)S diffusion appeared to
      improve robustness of the AS biomass to operational upsets.

PMID- 24225093
TI  - Electrocoagulation for the removal of phenol and aldehyde contaminants from resin
      effluent.
AB  - This paper is a report on a study which aimed to investigate the effect of
      different current density, pH, temperature, and cathode-anode combination on the
      removal of phenol and aldehyde in two samples of actual resin effluent through
      the process of electrocoagulation using solar energy. Current density 60 A/m(2)
      and pH 6 proved to be the best levels for both contaminants. As for the effect of
      temperature, although the highest degree of phenol and aldehyde removal was
      achieved at 15  degrees C, 25  degrees C was taken to be the optimum temperature
      for economic reasons. The Fe-Fe combination of electrodes was found to be the
      best as it led to nearly 93% of phenol removal and approximately 95% of aldehyde
      removal. Also, the effect of electrode combination on energy consumption was
      studied. It was observed that the Fe-Fe combination consumed the least amount of
      energy (0.7-4.3 kWh/m(3) of wastewater in the case of phenol and 0.8-4 kWh/m(3)
      of wastewater in the case aldehyde). Moreover, the Fe-Fe combination brought
      about the best results in terms of chemical oxygen demand removal: 93% in both
      cases. Finally, an economic analysis was performed for the electrocoagulation
      process. 

PMID- 24225094
TI  - Assessing the potential for restoration of surface permeability for permeable
      pavements through maintenance.
AB  - Permeable pavements (PPs) have been in use as stormwater management systems in
      Canada and the United States for over 20 years. After years of exposure to
      sediment and debris build-up, surface clogging reduces the infiltration of
      stormwater and inhibits the hydraulic and environmental functions of the
      pavement. Removal of surface material has been shown to restore infiltration but
      the majority of studies have been limited to small-scale testing. This paper
      presents the results of small- and full-sized equipment testing aimed at
      restoring surface permeability, including the first testing of regenerative-air
      and vacuum-sweeping streetsweepers in Ontario. Maintenance achieved partial
      restoration of PP surface permeability. Post-treatment surface infiltration rates
      displayed large spatial variability, highlighting that localized conditions
      throughout the pavement have a confounding influence on the overall effectiveness
      of maintenance. The impact of maintenance may be improved by establishing regular
      cleaning intervals and developing instructional guidelines for pavement owners
      and equipment operators. 

PMID- 24225095
TI  - Metagenomes obtained by 'deep sequencing' - what do they tell about the enhanced
      biological phosphorus removal communities?
AB  - Metagenomics enables studies of the genomic potential of complex microbial
      communities by sequencing bulk genomic DNA directly from the environment.
      Knowledge of the genetic potential of a community can be used to formulate and
      test ecological hypotheses about stability and performance. In this study deep
      metagenomics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to study a
      full-scale wastewater treatment plant with enhanced biological phosphorus removal
      (EBPR), and the results were compared to an existing EBPR metagenome. EBPR is a
      widely used process that relies on a complex community of microorganisms to
      function properly. Insight into community and species level stability and
      dynamics is valuable for knowledge-driven optimization of the EBPR process. The
      metagenomes of the EBPR communities were distinct compared to metagenomes of
      communities from a wide range of other environments, which could be attributed to
      selection pressures of the EBPR process. The metabolic potential of one of the
      key microorganisms in the EPBR process, Accumulibacter, was investigated in more
      detail in the two plants, revealing a potential importance of phage predation on
      the dynamics of Accumulibacter populations. The results demonstrate that
      metagenomics can be used as a powerful tool for system wide characterization of
      the EBPR community as well as for a deeper understanding of the function of
      specific community members. Furthermore, we discuss and illustrate some of the
      general pitfalls in metagenomics and stress the need of additional DNA extraction
      independent information in metagenome studies. 

PMID- 24225096
TI  - Occurrence of earthy and musty odor compounds (geosmin, 2-methylisoborneol and
      2,4,6-trichloroanisole) in biologically treated wastewater.
AB  - The concentrations of earthy and musty odor compounds (2-methylisoborneol (2
      MIB), geosmin and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA)) in treated wastewater were
      measured. Concentrations of 2,4,6-TCA (4.3-37.7 ng/L) and geosmin (3.7-42.2 ng/L)
      higher than their odor thresholds were detected for effluents from large-scale
      treatment plants. The effluent from a small-scale wastewater plant treating
      toilet and kitchen wastewater contained the target earthy and musty odor
      compounds below the odor thresholds. The ozonation applied as an advanced
      wastewater treatment process was considerably more effective for the removal of
      2,4,6-TCA than for the removal of 2-MIB and geosmin. The measured concentrations
      of 2,4,6-TCA in river environments without the influence of large-scale
      wastewater effluents were less than the odor threshold. 

PMID- 24225097
TI  - Chemical and toxicological evaluation of transformation products during advanced
      oxidation processes.
AB  - The entry of pharmaceuticals into the water cycle from sewage treatment plants is
      of growing concern because environmental effects are evident at trace levels.
      Ozonation, UV- and UV/H(2)O(2)-treatment were tested as an additional step in
      waste water treatment because they have been proven to be effective in
      eliminating aqueous organic contaminants. The pharmaceuticals carbamazepine,
      ciprofloxacin, diclofenac, metoprolol and sulfamethoxazole as well as the
      personal care products galaxolide and tonalide were investigated in terms of
      degradation efficiency and by-product formation in consideration of toxic
      effects. The substances were largely removed from treatment plant effluent by
      ozonation, UV- and UV/H(2)O(2)-treatment. Transformation products were detected
      in all tested treatment processes. Accompanying analysis showed no genotoxic,
      cytotoxic or estrogenic potential for the investigated compounds after oxidative
      treatment of real waste waters. The results indicate that by-product formation
      from ozonation and advanced oxidation processes does not have any negative
      environmental impact.

PMID- 24225098
TI  - Impact of rainfall data resolution in time and space on the urban flooding
      evaluation.
AB  - Climate change and modification of the urban environment increase the frequency
      and the negative effects of flooding, increasing the interest of researchers and
      practitioners in this topic. Usually, flood frequency analysis in urban areas is
      indirectly carried out by adopting advanced hydraulic models to simulate long
      historical rainfall series or design storms. However, their results are affected
      by a level of uncertainty which has been extensively investigated in recent
      years. A major source of uncertainty inherent to hydraulic model results is
      linked to the imperfect knowledge of the rainfall input data both in time and
      space. Several studies show that hydrological modelling in urban areas requires
      rainfall data with fine resolution in time and space. The present paper analyses
      the effect of rainfall knowledge on urban flood modelling results. A mathematical
      model of urban flooding propagation was applied to a real case study and the
      maximum efficiency conditions for the model and the uncertainty affecting the
      results were evaluated by means of generalised likelihood uncertainty estimation
      (GLUE) analysis. The added value provided by the adoption of finer temporal and
      spatial resolution of the rainfall was assessed. 

PMID- 24225099
TI  - Assessing the potential of a UV-based AOP for treating high-salinity municipal
      wastewater reverse osmosis concentrate.
AB  - The UVC/H(2)O(2) process was studied at laboratory scale for the treatment of one
      moderate (conductivity ~8 mS/cm) and two high salinity (~23 mS/cm) municipal
      wastewater reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) samples with varying organic and
      inorganic characteristics. The process efficiency was characterized in terms of
      reduction of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), colour
      and absorbance at 254 nm (A(254)), and the improvement of biodegradability. The
      reduction of colour and A(254) was significantly greater than for DOC and COD for
      all samples due to the greater breakdown of humic compounds, as confirmed by
      fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectra. Fairly small differences in the
      reduction of DOC (26-38%) and COD (25-37%) were observed for all samples,
      suggesting that the salinity of the ROC did not have a significant impact on the
      UVC/H(2)O(2) treatment under the test conditions. The biodegradability of the
      treated ROC samples improved markedly (approximately 2-fold) after 60 min
      UVC/H(2)O(2) treatment. This study indicates the potential of UVC/H(2)O(2)
      treatment followed by biological processes for treating high-salinity
      concentrate, and the robustness of the process where the characteristics of the
      secondary effluent (influent to RO) and thus resultant ROC vary significantly.

PMID- 24225100
TI  - Influence of air flow rate and backwashing on the hydraulic behaviour of a
      submerged filter.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate backwashing effects on the apparent
      porosity of the filter media and on the hydraulic behaviour of a pilot scale
      submerged filter, prior to biofilm colonization, under different hydraulic
      retention times, and different air flow rates. Tracer curves were analysed with
      two mathematical models for ideal and non-ideal flow (axial dispersion and Wolf
      and Resnick models). The filter media was lava stones sieved to 4.5 mm.
      Backwashing causes attrition of media particles, decreasing the void volume of
      the filter media and, consequently, the tracer flow is more uniform. The eroded
      media presented lower dead volumes (79% for the filter with aeration and 8% for
      the filter without aeration) compared with the new media (83% for the filter with
      aeration and 22% for the filter without aeration). The flow patterns of eroded
      and new media were different because the more regular shape of the particles
      decreases the void volume of the filter media. The dead volume is attributed, in
      the case of the filter with aeration, to the turbulence caused by the air bubbles
      that generate preferential channelling of the bulk liquid along the filter media,
      creating large zones of stagnant liquid and, for the filter without aeration, to
      the channels formed due to the irregular shaped media. 

PMID- 24225101
TI  - Tracking of arsenics during the thermal stabilization of an AsH3 scrubber sludge.
AB  - Toxic arsenics in an AsH(3) scrubber sludge were thermally stabilized in the
      temperature range of 973-1,373 K. To better understand how the high-temperature
      treatments can stabilize arsenics in the sludge, their synchrotron X-ray
      absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine
      structure (EXAFS) spectra of arsenics were determined. It is found that the
      reduced arsenic leachability may be associated with the formation of As(2)O(5)
      (51-59%) and embedded As(V) within the Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) matrix (41-49%) in the
      stabilized sludge. In addition, the As-O bond distances in the stabilized
      As(2)O(5) are much less than that of normal As(2)O(5) by 0.05-0.07 A. The shorter
      As-O bond distances accompanied with the higher bonding energy also have a
      contribution to the thermal stabilization of arsenics.

PMID- 24225102
TI  - Effect of the rotifer Lecane inermis, a potential sludge bulking control agent,
      on process parameters in a laboratory-scale SBR system.
AB  - The influence of a high density of rotifers, which is known to be able to control
      filamentous bacteria, on the parameters of an activated sludge process was
      examined in four professional laboratory batch reactors. These reactors allow the
      imitation of the work of a wastewater treatment plant with enhanced nutrient
      removal. The parameters, including oxygen concentration, pH and temperature, were
      constantly controlled. The experiment showed that Lecane rotifers are able to
      proliferate in cyclically anaerobic/anoxic and aerobic conditions and at
      dissolved oxygen concentrations as low as 1 mg/L. In 1 week, rotifer density
      increased fivefold, exceeding the value of 2,200 ind./mL. The grazing activity
      led to an improvement in settling properties. Extremely high numbers of rotifers
      did not affect the main parameters, chemical oxygen demand (COD), N-NH(4), N
      NO(3), P-PO(4) and pH, during sewage treatment. Therefore, the use of rotifers as
      a tool to limit the growth of filamentous bacteria appears to be safe for the
      entire wastewater treatment process.

PMID- 24225103
TI  - Removal of phosphorus from wastewaters by biomass ashes.
AB  - Removal batch assays of phosphates from a synthetic wastewater (SWW) and a pulp
      and paper mill wastewater (PPWW) with two forestry biomass ashes were performed.
      The supernatants were not only chemically characterized but also the ecotoxicity
      was determined using two organisms: Vibrio fischeri and Artemia franciscana. The
      addition of fly ash and bottom ash to the SWW in solid/liquid (S/L) ratios of
      3.35 and 9.05 g L(-1), respectively, achieved removal percentages of phosphates
      >97% for both ashes. The addition of fly ash and bottom ash to the PPWW in S/L
      ratios of 34.45 and 46.59 g L(-1), respectively, yield removal percentages of
      phosphates >90% for both ashes. According to the results of the Langmuir and
      Freundlich isotherms, the removal of phosphates from the SWW was mainly explained
      by surface removal mechanisms, while the removal from the PPWW was partially
      explained by multi-layer mechanisms. The supernatants resulting from the
      treatment of SWW and PPWW with both biomass ashes did not present acute
      ecotoxicity. 

PMID- 24225104
TI  - The effects of electrode spacing on the performance of microbial fuel cells under
      different substrate concentrations.
AB  - In this study, the electricity generation and organic removal in microbial fuel
      cells (MFCs) were examined for electrode spacing (ES) covering 5.8, 10.2, 15.1,
      and 19.5 cm, and for each ES the MFCs were discharged with a series of influent
      substrates (COD(in)). Results indicate that organic removal was related to
      COD(in) but not to ES. Best chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals of 64-71% could
      be achieved at COD(in) around 100 mg COD/L (0.11-0.14 kg COD/m(3)-day). Best
      power output 3.32 mW/m(2) occurred at ES 5.8 cm and nominal COD(in) 300 mg COD/L.
      For every ES, the relationship of electricity generation to local substrate near
      anode (COD(ad)) could be adequately modeled by Monod-type kinetics. The estimated
      kinetic constants involve maximum current production, I(max), 15.3-19.6 mA/m(2);
      maximum attainable power output, P(p,max), 4.0-2.5 mW/m(2); half-saturation
      constant of current, K(si), 22-30 mg COD/L; and half-saturation constant of
      power, K(sp), 24-90 mg COD/L. This study reveals that the control over ES for
      improving electricity generation is dependent on the level of COD(ad), which
      profoundly affects the optimal design of electrode placement.

PMID- 24225105
TI  - Achieving nitrogen removal via nitrite pathway from urban landfill leachate using
      the synergetic inhibition of free ammonia and free nitrous acid on nitrifying
      bacteria activity.
AB  - In this study, a biological system consisting of an up-flow anaerobic sludge
      blanket (UASB) and anoxic-oxic (A/O) reactor was established for the advanced
      treatment of high ammonium urban landfill leachate. The inhibitory effect of free
      ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA) on the nitrifying bacterial activity was
      used to achieve stable nitritation in the A/O reactor. The results demonstrated
      that the biological system achieved chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen
      (TN) and NH(4)(+)-N removal efficiencies of 95.3, 84.6 and 99.2%, respectively at
      a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 3:1. Simultaneous denitritation and
      methanogenesis in the UASB could improve the removal of COD and TN. Nitritation
      with above 90% nitrite accumulation was successfully achieved in the A/O reactor
      by synergetic inhibition of FA and FNA on the activity of nitrite oxidizing
      bacteria (NOB). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that
      ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) was dominant and was considered to be
      responsible for the satisfactory nitritation performance.

PMID- 24225106
TI  - Purification of inkjet ink from water using liquid phase, electric discharge
      polymerization and cellulosic membrane filtration.
AB  - A method to separate inkjet ink from water was developed using a liquid phase,
      electric discharge process. The liquid phase, electric discharge process with
      filtration or sedimentation was shown to remove 97% of inkjet ink from solutions
      containing between 0.1-0.8 g/L and was consistent over a range of treatment
      conditions. Additionally, particle size analysis of treated allyl alcohol and
      treated propanol confirmed the electric discharge treatment has a polymerization
      mechanism, and small molecule analysis of treated methanol using gas
      chromatography and mass spectroscopy confirmed the mechanism was free radical
      initiated polymerization. 

PMID- 24225107
TI  - AOX removal from industrial wastewaters using advanced oxidation processes:
      assessment of a combined chemical-biological oxidation.
AB  - In this paper, the abatement of adsorbable halogenated organic compounds (AOX)
      from an industrial wastewater containing relatively high chloride concentrations
      by a combined chemical and biological oxidation is assessed. For chemical
      oxidation, the O(3)/UV, H(2)O(2)/UV and photo-Fenton processes are evaluated on
      pilot scale. Biological oxidation is simulated in a 4 h respirometry experiment
      with periodic aeration. The results show that a selective degradation of AOX with
      respect to the matrix compounds (expressed as chemical oxygen demand) could be
      achieved. For O(3)/UV, lowering the ratio of O(3) dosage to UV intensity leads to
      a better selectivity for AOX. During O(3)-based experiments, the AOX removal is
      generally less than during the H(2)O(2)-based experiments. However, after
      biological oxidation, the AOX levels are comparable. For H(2)O(2)/UV, optimal
      operating parameters for UV and H(2)O(2) dosage are next determined in a second
      run with another wastewater sample.

PMID- 24225108
TI  - Removal of As from groundwater by in situ bioprecipitation and zero-valent iron.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the in situ bioprecipitation (ISBP) and
      zero-valent iron (ZVI) for removal of arsenic from groundwater. Batch experiments
      were set up to test the metal/oxyanion removal efficiency using the processes
      induced by ZVI, by ISBP and by combining both technologies. For the construction
      of microcosms in anaerobic condition, aquifer material was mixed with synthetic
      groundwater in serum bottles. Solutions that contained commercial iron (powder,
      filings), iron from foundry (chips) and lactate with the carbon concentration of
      0.02% (w/v) were amended. After 57 days the pH increased to 7.9 in the microcosm
      with lactate + iron chips. In the microcosms amended with lactate + commercial
      iron (powder and filings), pH was between 6.9 and 7.5 The highest decrease in
      sulfate concentrations was observed in the microcosm supplied with lactate (from
      1,976 to 630 mg/L), and with lactate + iron filings (from 1,985 to 1,280 mg/L).
      The results showed that ISBP and ZVI can be efficient in the removal of As from
      groundwater; however, it strongly depends on the type and particle size of ZVI.
      The most effective was commercial ZVI. The highest decrease in As concentration
      was observed in the microcosm supplied with ethanol and iron powder (from 4,832
      to 131 MUg/L). 

PMID- 24225109
TI  - Production of propionic acid-enriched volatile fatty acids from co-fermentation
      liquid of sewage sludge and food waste using Propionibacterium acidipropionici.
AB  - Volatile fatty acids (VFA), derived from sludge fermentation, have been used as
      one effective carbon source for biological nutrient removal, especially favorable
      with VFA containing with high levels of propionic acid. In this paper, a new
      fermentation method was employed to significantly produce the propionic acid
      enriched VFA from the co-fermentation liquid of sewage sludge and food waste:
      including (1) mixing food waste with sludge in the anaerobic digester (the first
      stage) and (2) separating the mixture, sterilizing the first stage liquid and
      fermenting it after inoculation with Propionibacterium acidipropionici (the
      second stage). The effect of the key parameters including pH, the mixing ratio of
      the food waste and sludge, fermentation time and temperature of the first stage
      on the propionic acid-enriched VFA production (the second stage) was individually
      discussed. By the molecular weight distribution analysis, the comparison of the
      solubilisation and hydrolysis process in difference parameters was fully
      elaborated. The optimal combination of the parameters was then obtained. Finally,
      the propionic acid-enriched VFA fermentation was successfully conducted in a semi
      continuous reactor using the first stage liquid from the optimal condition. 

PMID- 24225110
TI  - Paraben resistance in bacteria from sewage treatment plant effluents in India.
AB  - Parabens, the antimicrobial preservatives used in cosmetics, food and
      pharmaceuticals, are often detected in the aquatic environment. Generally, sewage
      treatment plants (STPs) receive community sewage containing parabens, which are
      ultimately released into streams/rivers. In this study, bacteria in STP effluents
      were evaluated for their resistance to parabens. The susceptibility was in the
      order of Staphylococcus aureus > Bacillus sp. >Escherichia coli > Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa. Gram-negative bacteria showed less susceptibility than their control
      and Gram-positive bacteria. Further, the bacteria were more sensitive towards
      butyl and ethyl parabens. Interestingly, the strains showed resistance to >=5 mg
      of parabens, which is equivalent to or higher than reported environmental
      concentrations. The increase in paraben chain length did not enhance the
      susceptibility in all cases and it was understood that the activity may differ
      for each bacterium in the environment. This is the first profile on paraben
      resistance in common pathogens of Indian STPs. Paraben resistance may be
      developed due to continuous exposure even at sub-inhibitory and/or chronic levels
      in the environment and this resistance may be transferred to other pathogenic
      bacteria in receiving waters. Thus the study demonstrates the effectiveness of
      the disc diffusion method in environmental bacterial resistance assessment and
      addresses the risk involved in the use of parabens. 

PMID- 24225111
TI  - Adsorption of fluoride from aqueous solution by enhanced chitosan/bentonite
      composite.
AB  - In this work, enhanced chitosan/bentonite composite was prepared by treating
      chitosan/bentonite composite with concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl). The
      adsorption of fluoride ions from aqueous solution onto the enhanced
      chitosan/bentonite composite was investigated. Adsorption studies were performed
      in a batch system, and the effects of various parameters, such as the pH value of
      the solution, adsorbent dosage and initial fluoride concentration, were
      evaluated. The optimum operating conditions for fluoride removal by the enhanced
      chitosan/bentonite composite were pH = 7 or so, and adsorbent dosage =1.2 g.
      Increasing initial fluoride concentration reduced the adsorption of fluoride onto
      the enhanced chitosan/bentonite composite. Furthermore, the presence of other co
      anions weakened the adsorption of fluoride onto this adsorbent. The equilibrium
      adsorption isotherms were well described by both the Freundlich and Langmuir
      models. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was 2.95 mg/g at 293 K. 

PMID- 24225112
TI  - Simulating future trends in urban stormwater quality for changing climate, urban
      land use and environmental controls.
AB  - The effects of climatic changes, progressing urbanization and improved
      environmental controls on the simulated urban stormwater quality in a northern
      Sweden community were studied. Future scenarios accounting for those changes were
      developed and their effects simulated with the Storm Water Management Model
      (SWMM). It was observed that the simulated stormwater quality was highly
      sensitive to the scenarios, mimicking progressing urbanization with varying
      catchment imperviousness and area. Thus, land use change was identified as one of
      the most influential factors and in some scenarios, urban growth caused changes
      in runoff quantity and quality exceeding those caused by a changing climate.
      Adaptation measures, including the reduction of directly connected impervious
      surfaces (DCIS) through the integration of more green spaces into the urban
      landscape, or disconnection of DCIS were effective in reducing runoff volume and
      pollutant loads. Furthermore, pollutant source control measures, including
      material substitution, were effective in reducing pollutant loads and
      significantly improving stormwater quality. 

PMID- 24225113
TI  - Performic acid for advanced wastewater disinfection.
AB  - The disinfection efficiency of performic acid (PFA) against various microbial
      contaminants has been studied in municipal secondary effluent. The study
      demonstrated that PFA provides rapid, efficient and safe disinfection, degrading
      both bacteria and viruses even at low doses. The resistance order starting from
      the most resistant microorganism is as follows: MS2-coliphages > DNA-coliphages >
      enterococci and Escherichia coli. PFA is also efficient in the elimination of
      Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens spores and Giardia cysts. The results
      showed that a PFA dose as low as 0.5-1 mg L(-1) with contact time of 10 min was
      efficient in achieving and maintaining for 72 h the disinfection level required
      for unrestricted agricultural water reuse (<=3 log units for faecal coliforms).
      However, the optimal dose will depend on the quality of wastewater. Regarding the
      formation of by-products during disinfection with PFA, very low amounts of
      hydrogen peroxide and organic per-acids were observed; active oxygen was not
      detected. The amounts of adsorbable organically bound halogens (AOX) compounds
      formed were significantly lower compared to the amounts generated during chlorine
      disinfection. This chlorine-free solution enables compliance with microbiological
      criteria for various water reuse applications and is already on the market for
      advanced disinfection. 

PMID- 24225114
TI  - Improving the reliability of closed chamber methodologies for methane emissions
      measurement in treatment wetlands.
AB  - Non-homogeneous mixing of methane (NHM) within closed chambers was studied under
      laboratory conditions. The experimental set-up consisted of a PVC vented chamber
      of 5.3 litres of effective volume fitted with a power-adjustable 12 V fan. NHM
      within the chamber was studied according to fan position (top vs lateral), fan
      airflow strength (23 vs 80 cubic feet per minute) and the mixing time before
      sample withdrawal (5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes). The potential bias of methane flux
      densities caused by NHM was addressed by monitoring the difference between
      linearly expected and estimated flux densities of ca. 400, ca. 800 and ca. 1,600
      mg CH(4).m(-2) d(-1). Methane within the chamber was under non-homogeneous
      conditions. Accordingly, methane concentrations at the bottom of the chamber were
      between 20 to 70% higher than those recorded at the middle or top sections of the
      chamber, regardless of fan position, fan air-flow strength or time before sample
      withdrawal. NHM led to notable biases on flux density estimation. Accordingly,
      flux density estimated from top and middle sampling sections were systematically
      lower (ca. 50%) than those expected. Flux densities estimated from bottom samples
      were between 10% higher and 25% lower than expected, regardless of the flux
      density considered.

PMID- 24225115
TI  - Experimental evaluation of the nitrite sensitivity coefficient in granular
      anammox biomass.
AB  - Nitrite is widely reported to inhibit anammox activity and growth. One modeling
      approach for nitrite impairment of anammox growth is the use of a nitrite
      sensitivity coefficient which increases the endogenous decay coefficient of
      anammox bacteria proportionally to nitrite concentration. The objective of this
      study was to measure nitrite concentration profiles within active anammox
      granules incubated at fixed bulk nitrite concentrations and to compare these with
      nitrite concentration profiles predicted by a biofilm model that incorporates the
      nitrite sensitivity coefficient. We developed an apparatus for the repeated
      measurement of nitrite concentration profiles along the radius of granular
      anammox biomass over a period of 6 days at fixed bulk nitrite concentrations.
      Granular anammox biomass was obtained from a two-stage bench-scale partial
      nitritation/anammox reactor system. There was no apparent effect of nitrite
      concentration on nitrite utilization kinetics after 6 days at exposures up to 90
      mg NO(2)(-)-N/L. These findings suggest that anammox bacteria tolerate extended
      exposures to elevated nitrite concentrations, and in its present form, the
      nitrite sensitivity coefficient is not applicable for anammox growth modeling.

PMID- 24225116
TI  - Efficient cellular fractionation improves RNA sequencing analysis of mature and
      nascent transcripts from human tissues.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The starting material for RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) studies is usually
      total RNA or polyA+ RNA. Both forms of RNA represent heterogeneous pools of RNA
      molecules at different levels of maturation and processing. Such heterogeneity,
      in addition to the biases associated with polyA+ purification steps, may
      influence the analysis, sensitivity and the interpretation of RNA-seq data. We
      hypothesize that subcellular fractions of RNA may provide a more accurate picture
      of gene expression. RESULTS: We present results for sequencing of cytoplasmic and
      nuclear RNA after cellular fractionation of tissue samples. In comparison with
      conventional polyA+ RNA, the cytoplasmic RNA contains a significantly higher
      fraction of exonic sequence, providing increased sensitivity in expression
      analysis and splice junction detection, and in improved de novo assembly of RNA
      seq data. Conversely, the nuclear fraction shows an enrichment of unprocessed RNA
      compared with total RNA-seq, making it suitable for analysis of nascent
      transcripts and RNA processing dynamics. CONCLUSION: Our results show that
      cellular fractionation is a more rapid and cost effective approach than
      conventional polyA+ enrichment when studying mature RNAs. Thus, RNA-seq of
      separated cytosolic and nuclear RNA can significantly improve the analysis of
      complex transcriptomes from mammalian tissues.

PMID- 24225117
TI  - Gender difference in relationship between body mass index and development of
      chronic kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An epidemiological approach to preventing the development or
      progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is necessary, while few effective
      preventive measures are currently available. We conducted a community-based,
      cohort study to identify the factors associated with the development of CKD in
      the general population. METHODS: We examined 1876 local residents of a Japanese
      community who had an annual health check-up and, of those, 1506 residents judged
      not to have CKD (473 men and 1033 women) were followed for the development of CKD
      over 10 years. RESULTS: The numbers of male and female residents who developed
      CKD during the follow-up period were 167 (35.3%) and 299 (28.9%), respectively.
      As compared to those without CKD development, the residents who developed CKD
      were older, and had a higher body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, and
      creatinine in both genders. The rate of CKD development in obese female residents
      was higher than in non-obese women, but such a difference was not noted in male
      residents. In addition to age and serum creatinine, we identified BMI as an
      independently significant factor for the development of CKD in women, but not in
      men. CONCLUSIONS: Increased BMI is a significant risk factor for the development
      of CKD in women, and there seems to be a gender difference in the association
      between increased BMI and the development of CKD in the general population.

PMID- 24225118
TI  - [Alternative medicine, beliefs, and management of people with HIV in Gabon].
AB  - BACKGROUND: According to WHO, 80% of the population in Africa has used
      alternative medicine for primary health care at least once. Gabon continues to
      have a high prevalence of HIV, estimated in 2011 at 5.2%. Overall, 22 253 PLWHA
      (people living with HIV/AIDS) - adults and children - are being treated,
      including 9976 on ARVs (antiretroviral drugs). The procedures for ARV initiation
      are very long, ARVs are frequently out of stock, and treatment in care centers
      for PLWHA is stigmatized: all these factors favor the development of alternative
      medicine for HIV care in Gabon. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of alternative
      medicine in the treatment of PLWHA in Gabon. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional
      survey was conducted during a total of four months between May 2009 and September
      2010 among PLWHA older than 18 years who had been receiving ARVs for at least 6
      months and consented to participate (7 centers) and among physicians and other
      caregivers of these centers (8 centers). We used a simple random sample method.
      Epidata software was used for data collection, and the analyses were performed
      with SASTM software. RESULTS: Of the 5752 patients on ARVs followed at the 7
      study sites, 422 PLWHA were interviewed (58.3% of them women): 284 (67.29%) in
      Libreville and 138 (38.7) in the provinces. Christians accounted for 90.5%
      (including 21.5% from Protestant evangelical churches), and Muslins for 5.68%,
      while 4% stated that they had no religion. 12.5% of doctors referred their
      patients to religious or spiritual groups. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that half
      of PLWHA did not know the procedures for access to ARV treatment and that beliefs
      about HIV/AIDS differed strongly according to place of residence. Finally, the
      cultural context related to alternative medicine is very present in the PLWHA
      treatment settings in Gabon. Although PLWHAs have easy access to ARVs, their
      association with organized and controlled alternative medicine can be beneficial.

PMID- 24225119
TI  - Restoration of horizontal stability in complete acromioclavicular joint
      separations: surgical technique and preliminary results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to investigate the clinical efficacy of arthroscope
      assisted acromioclavicular ligament reconstruction in combination with double
      endobutton coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction for the treatment of complete
      acromioclavicular joint dislocation. METHODS: During the period from February
      2010 to October 2012, ten patients with Rockwood types IV and V acromioclavicular
      joint dislocation were hospitalized and nine were treated with acromioclavicular
      ligament reconstruction combined with double endobutton of coracoclavicular
      ligament reconstruction. The improvement in shoulder functions was assessed using
      a Constant score and visual analog scale (VAS) system. RESULTS: The mean follow
      up period was 33.6 +/- 5.4 months. The mean Constant scores improved from 25.2 +/
      6.6 preoperatively to 92.4 +/- 6.5 postoperatively, while the mean VAS score
      decreased from 5.9 +/- 1.4 to 1.2 +/- 0.9; significant differences were observed.
      The final follow-up revealed that excellent outcomes were achieved in eight
      patients and good outcome in two patients. CONCLUSION: Arthroscope-assisted
      acromioclavicular ligament reconstruction in combination with double endobutton
      of coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction is an effective approach for
      treatment of acute complete acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

PMID- 24225120
TI  - Regulation of ROS in transmissible gastroenteritis virus-activated apoptotic
      signaling.
AB  - Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), an enteropathogenic coronavirus,
      causes severe lethal watery diarrhea and dehydration in piglets. Previous studies
      indicate that TGEV infection induces cell apoptosis in host cells. In this study,
      we investigated the roles and regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in TGEV
      activated apoptotic signaling. The results showed that TGEV infection induced ROS
      accumulation, whereas UV-irradiated TGEV did not promote ROS accumulation. In
      addition, TGEV infection lowered mitochondrial transmembrane potential in PK-15
      cell line, which could be inhibited by ROS scavengers, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic
      (PDTC) and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). Furthermore, the two scavengers
      significantly inhibited the activation of p38 MAPK and p53 and further blocked
      apoptosis occurrence through suppressing the TGEV-induced Bcl-2 reduction, Bax
      redistribution, cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation. These results
      suggest that oxidative stress pathway might be a key element in TGEV-induced
      apoptosis and TGEV pathogenesis. 

PMID- 24225121
TI  - Effect of salinity on N2O production during shortcut biological nitrogen removal
      from landfill leachate.
AB  - Three identical SBR adapted to different salinity were applied to investigate the
      characteristics of the treatment performance and N2O production [Formula: see
      text] during shortcut biological nitrogen removal from landfill leachate under
      various operating parameters. Increase of salinity might deteriorate the activity
      of the microorganisms leading to the increase of [Formula: see text] , however,
      the system could be gradually adapted to the inhibition and alleviate the
      detrimental effect to some extent. The system acclimated to high salinity
      provided better performance under high salinity shock and a lower possibility of
      [Formula: see text] , while a sudden decrease in salinity can cause a temporary
      increase in [Formula: see text] . High salinity strengthened the influence of
      high ammonia nitrogen concentration and low DO concentration on [Formula: see
      text] while the strengthening effect was unconspicuous at high DO concentration.
      The anoxic phase did not produce a significant amount of N2O even at the lowest
      C/N ratio of 0.5 and was less susceptible to salinity. Characterization of the
      biomass composition using fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis confirmed
      that the relative proportion of Nitrosomonas europaea was increased with the
      increase of the salinity, which may be an important factor for the strengthening
      effect of salinity on [Formula: see text] . 

PMID- 24225122
TI  - Renal sympathetic denervation for resistant hypertension--an alternate view.
AB  - Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) is an effective treatment for resistant
      hypertension. But negative results with this procedure are also not uncommon. It
      is believed that the effectiveness of RDN is due to decreased sympathetic
      activity. It is suggested that the beneficial action of RDN could also at least,
      in part, due to restoration of balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic
      nervous systems. Thus, occasional negative results seen with RDN to decrease
      blood pressure may be attributed to failure of restoration of this balance to
      near normal or normal. This hypothesis explains the involvement of free radicals,
      immune system and nitric oxide pathways in the pathogenesis of essential
      hypertension since both sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of autonomic
      nervous system have modulatory influence on these systems. Hence, it is suggested
      that efforts made to augment parasympathetic tone in addition to RDN may form a
      more effective strategy to reduce blood pressure in resistant hypertension than
      RDN alone. 

PMID- 24225123
TI  - Development of a prediction model on the acceptance of electronic laboratory
      notebooks in academic environments.
AB  - Documentation of research data plays a key role in the biomedical engineering
      innovation processes. It makes an important contribution to the protection of
      intellectual property, the traceability of results and fulfilling the regulatory
      requirement. Because of the increasing digitalization in laboratories, an
      electronic alternative to the commonly-used paper-bound notebooks could
      contribute to the production of sophisticated documentation. However, compared to
      in an industrial environment, the use of electronic laboratory notebooks is not
      widespread in academic laboratories. Little is known about the acceptance of an
      electronic documentation system and the underlying reasons for this. Thus, this
      paper aims to establish a prediction model on the potential preference and
      acceptance of scientists either for paper-based or electronic documentation. The
      underlying data for the analysis originate from an online survey of 101
      scientists in industrial, academic and clinical environments. Various parameters
      were analyzed to identify crucial factors for the system preference using binary
      logistic regression. The analysis showed significant dependency between the
      documentation system preference and the supposed workload associated with the
      documentation system (p<0.006; odds ratio=58.543) and an additional personal
      component. Because of the dependency of system choice on specific parameters it
      is possible to predict the acceptance of an electronic laboratory notebook before
      implementation.

PMID- 24225124
TI  - Fetal behavioral states are stable over daytime - evidence by longitudinal and
      cross-sectional fetal biomagnetic recordings.
AB  - AIMS: Fetal behavioral states can be distinguished by biomagnetic recordings. We
      performed a longitudinal and a cross-sectional study to address the question
      whether the distribution of fetal behavioral states changes during the daytime.
      METHODS: For the longitudinal study, 32 magnetocardiographic recordings were
      performed on a singleton pregnancy on a weekly basis. On each examination day,
      two recordings were performed at different times between 25 and 40 weeks of
      gestation. For the cross-sectional study, fetal magnetocardiograms (fMCG) were
      recorded in a group of 32 singleton pregnancies matched for gestational age and
      daytime to the longitudinal study. The recordings were separated into two
      gestational age groups (less and more than 32 weeks). Fetal behavioral states
      were extracted from actocardiograms generated from MCG. RESULTS: No significant
      differences in fetal behavioral state distribution were found between morning and
      afternoon recordings in either the longitudinal or the cross-sectional study.
      CONCLUSION: This is the first magnetographic approach to show that daytime does
      not influence the distribution of fetal behavioral states in standardized
      recordings of 30 min length. This result implies that fetal magnetography
      recordings at normal daytimes can be combined without a bias and future
      recordings can be conducted independently of daytime as long as the varying
      behavioral states are generally taken into account during analysis.

PMID- 24225125
TI  - Austrian Newborn Screening Program: a perspective of five decades.
AB  - In 1966, the National Austrian Newborn Screening Program for inherited metabolic
      and endocrine disorders was initiated. In the last five decades, around four
      million babies were screened and in more than 2600 babies, various inborn errors
      of metabolism and endocrine disorders were detected. This health-preventive
      program was continuously expanded from phenylketonuria and galactosemia to
      congenital hypothyroidism, biotinidase deficiency, cystic fibrosis, and
      congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In 2002, the introduction of tandem mass
      spectrometry substantially increased the number of detectable rare diseases, and
      now includes disorders of fatty acid oxidation, organic acidurias, and various
      disorders of amino acid metabolism. In this review, we highlight the development
      of the Austrian screening program, and pinpoint future disorders and challenges.

PMID- 24225126
TI  - Etomidate with or without flumazenil anesthesia for stem cell transplantation in
      autistic children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate etomidate administration
      with or without flumazenil in autistic children who underwent intrathecal
      transplantation of stem cells by lumbar puncture. METHODS: Forty autistic
      children aged 2-12, who were scheduled for stem cell transplantation via lumbar
      puncture under anesthesia, were randomized for a double-blind study. The children
      were randomly assigned to two groups: the flumazenil group (group F, n=20) and
      the etomidate group (group E, n=20). All children received 0.2 mg/kg of
      etomidate. In the case of inadequate anesthesia, patients received repeated doses
      of 0.1 mg/kg of etomidate until reaching deep sedation. After operation, children
      in group F were given flumazenil (0.01 mg/kg) and children in group E received
      placebo. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory
      rate, the Ramsay sedation score (RSS), and recovery time of all children were
      continuously monitored and recorded during the entire procedure. RESULTS: After
      anesthesia, blood pressure and HR measurements were not significantly changed in
      both groups compared with the baseline. There were no respiratory depression,
      bradycardia, hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. Five patients complained of pain
      on the site of injection. Myoclonus occurred in seven patients. Recovery time in
      group F was significantly shorter than in group E (p<0.001), and after the
      injection of flumazenil, RSS in group F significantly decreased than in group E.
      There were no significant differences in operation time. Physician satisfaction
      in both groups was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Etomidate resulted in stable hemodynamic
      responses and relatively less adverse effects, and flumazenil antagonized the
      anesthetic effect of etomidate; thus, etomidate with flumazenil is suitable for
      performing stem cell transplantation in autistic children.

PMID- 24225127
TI  - Integration of stress signals by homeodomain interacting protein kinases.
AB  - The family of homeodomain interacting protein kinases (HIPKs) consists of four
      related kinases, HIPK1 to HIPK4. These serine/threonine kinases are evolutionary
      conserved and derive from the yeast kinase Yak1. The largest group of HIPK
      phosphorylation substrates is represented by transcription factors and chromatin
      associated regulators of gene expression, thus transferring HIPK-derived signals
      into changes of gene expression programs. The HIPKs mainly function as regulators
      of developmental processes and as integrators of a wide variety of stress
      signals. A number of conditions representing precarious situations, such as DNA
      damage, hypoxia, reactive oxygen intermediates and metabolic stress affect the
      function of HIPKs. The kinases function as integrators for these stress signals
      and feed them into many different downstream effector pathways that serve to cope
      with these precarious situations. HIPKs do not function as essential core
      components in the different stress signaling pathways, but rather serve as
      modulators of signal output and as connectors of different stress signaling
      pathways. Their central role as signaling hubs with the ability to shape many
      downstream effector pathways frequently implies them in proliferative diseases
      such as cancer or fibrosis.

PMID- 24225128
TI  - A potent soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, t-AUCB, modulates cholesterol
      balance and oxidized low density lipoprotein metabolism in adipocytes in vitro.
AB  - The cholesterol metabolism in adipose tissue is dependent on the balance between
      cholesterol uptake and efflux. Adipocytes dysfunction and its cholesterol
      imbalance are associated with obesity. Adipocytes are the site for clearance of
      oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in blood. Soluble epoxide hydrolase
      (sEH) is highly expressed in adipocytes. sEH converts epoxyeicosatrienoic acids
      (EETs) into less bioactive dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids, which regulate
      cholesterol metabolism in adipocytes and block the development of
      atherosclerosis. In vitro, 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes were incubated with
      the sEH inhibitor t-AUCB (0, 1, 10, 50 or 100 MUmol/l) for 24 h with or without
      the PPARgamma inhibitor GW9662. To determine the effect of t-AUCB on oxLDL
      endocytosis, degradation and cholesterol efflux from adipocytes, we demonstrated
      that t-AUCB enhances the CD36-mediated recognition and degradation of oxLDL and
      improves cholesterol efflux via the upregulation of ABCA1 expression.
      Furthermore, t-AUCB blocked TNF-alpha secretion and increased adiponectin levels
      found in adipocytes culture medium. We provide evidence that these effects are
      PPARgamma-dependent. These results suggest that an increase in EETs because of
      sEH inhibition could maintain cellular cholesterol homeostasis by the regulation
      of oxLDL clearance and cholesterol efflux via the EETs-PPARgamma pathway.

PMID- 24225129
TI  - Prism effect of specimen receiving - generation of fundamentals for the smooth
      progress of analytical processing.

PMID- 24225130
TI  - Value-added reporting of antinuclear antibody testing by automated indirect
      immunofluorescence analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Automated systems for antinuclear antibody analysis are being
      introduced. The aim was to evaluate whether automated quantitative reading of
      fluorescence intensity is clinically relevant and allows for value-added
      reporting of test results. METHODS: Consecutive samples (n=260) were used to
      correlate fluorescence intensity with end-point titer. Moreover, 434 samples from
      controls (150 healthy blood donors, 150 chronic fatigue syndrome, and 134
      diseased controls) and 252 samples (obtained at diagnosis) from patients with
      systemic rheumatic diseases were screened for antinuclear antibodies (1:80) on
      HEp-2 cells using NOVA View, and likelihood ratios were calculated for
      fluorescence intensity result intervals. RESULTS: There was a significant
      correlation between end-point titer and fluorescence intensity. Likelihood ratios
      for a systemic rheumatic disease increased with increasing fluorescence
      intensity. The likelihood ratio for a systemic rheumatic disease was 0.06, 0.18,
      0.51, 5.3, and 37.5 for a fluorescence intensity of <=66, 67-150, 151-300, 301
      1000, >1000, respectively. A range of 31%-37% of the patients with Sjogren's
      syndrome, systemic sclerosis or systemic lupus erythematosus had fluorescence
      intensities >1000. CONCLUSIONS: Estimation of fluorescence intensity by automated
      antinuclear antibody analysis offers clinically useful information. Likelihood
      ratios based on fluorescence intensity test result intervals aid with the
      interpretation of automated antinuclear antibody analysis and allow value-added
      reporting.

PMID- 24225131
TI  - S100B blood level measurement to exclude cerebral lesions after minor head
      injury: the multicenter STIC-S100 French study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: S100B protein measurement in blood is proposed to exclude the
      presence of computed tomography (CT) lesions after minor head injury (MHI). We
      aimed to validate S100B as an accurate and valuable screening tool for MHI
      diagnosis in a large multicenter study, as well as: 1) to evaluate whether a
      second S100B blood level determination 3 h after the first one would be
      informative; 2) to compare the bioclinical performances of the two commercially
      available automated methods of measurement of S100B for the screening of
      patients. METHODS: Four thousand and thirty MHI subjects were enrolled in a
      prospective observational multicenter study; results for serum S100B measurement
      determined within 3 h after the clinical event (H0) then at H3 were compared to
      that of cranial CT scans performed with 6 h following the presentation to
      emergency department. Both the Diasorin and the Roche Diagnostics assays were
      systematically performed. RESULTS: Cerebral lesions on CT scan were identified
      with sensitivity and negative-predictive value (NPV) of 96.3% and 99.4%
      (Diasorin, 1 dissonant case), and of 100% and 100% (Roche Diagnostics, no
      dissonant case). Sensitivity and NPV at H3 appeared lower than those at H0, due
      to the rapid decrease in S100B levels. CONCLUSIONS: Serum S100B level on
      admission of patients with MHI is an accurate and useful screening tool to
      exclude intracranial lesions. Performing a second late S100B level determination
      is not informative. The two automated immunoassays appear usable in a similar
      manner, although the two methods are not interchangeable.

PMID- 24225132
TI  - HMMpTM: improving transmembrane protein topology prediction using phosphorylation
      and glycosylation site prediction.
AB  - During the last two decades a large number of computational methods have been
      developed for predicting transmembrane protein topology. Current predictors rely
      on topogenic signals in the protein sequence, such as the distribution of
      positively charged residues in extra-membrane loops and the existence of N
      terminal signals. However, phosphorylation and glycosylation are post
      translational modifications (PTMs) that occur in a compartment-specific manner
      and therefore the presence of a phosphorylation or glycosylation site in a
      transmembrane protein provides topological information. We examine the
      combination of phosphorylation and glycosylation site prediction with
      transmembrane protein topology prediction. We report the development of a Hidden
      Markov Model based method, capable of predicting the topology of transmembrane
      proteins and the existence of kinase specific phosphorylation and N/O-linked
      glycosylation sites along the protein sequence. Our method integrates a novel
      feature in transmembrane protein topology prediction, which results in improved
      performance for topology prediction and reliable prediction of phosphorylation
      and glycosylation sites. The method is freely available at
      http://bioinformatics.biol.uoa.gr/HMMpTM. 

PMID- 24225133
TI  - A molecular phylogeny of Alpine subterranean Trechini (Coleoptera: Carabidae).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Alpine region harbours one of the most diverse subterranean
      faunas in the world, with many species showing extreme morphological
      modifications. The ground beetles of tribe Trechini (Coleoptera, Carabidae) are
      among the best studied and widespread groups with abundance of troglobionts, but
      their origin and evolution is largely unknown. RESULTS: We sequenced 3.4 Kb of
      mitochondrial (cox1, rrnL, trnL, nad1) and nuclear (SSU, LSU) genes of 207
      specimens of 173 mostly Alpine species, including examples of all subterranean
      genera but two plus a representation of epigean taxa. We applied Bayesian methods
      and maximum likelihood to reconstruct the topology and to estimate divergence
      times using a priori rates obtained for a related ground beetle genus. We found
      three main clades of late Eocene-early Oligocene origin: (1) the genus
      Doderotrechus and relatives; (2) the genus Trechus sensu lato, with most
      anisotopic subterranean genera, including the Pyrenean lineage and taxa from the
      Dinaric Alps; and (3) the genus Duvalius sensu lato, diversifying during the late
      Miocene and including all subterranean isotopic taxa. Most of the subterranean
      genera had an independent origin and were related to epigean taxa of the same
      geographical area, but there were three large monophyletic clades of exclusively
      subterranean species: the Pyrenean lineage, a lineage including subterranean taxa
      from the eastern Alps and the Dinarides, and the genus Anophthalmus from the
      northeastern Alps. Many lineages have developed similar phenotypes independently,
      showing extensive morphological convergence or parallelism. CONCLUSIONS: The
      Alpine Trechini do not form a homogeneous fauna, in contrast with the Pyrenees,
      and show a complex scenario of multiple colonisations of the subterranean
      environment at different geological periods and through different processes.
      Examples go from populations of an epigean widespread species going underground
      with little morphological modifications to ancient, geographically widespread
      lineages of exclusively subterranean species likely to have diversified once
      fully adapted to the subterranean environment.

PMID- 24225134
TI  - Copper induces--and copper chelation by tetrathiomolybdate inhibits--endothelial
      activation in vitro.
AB  - Endothelial activation with increased expression of cellular adhesion molecules
      and chemokines critically contributes to vascular inflammation and atherogenesis.
      Redox-active transition metal ions play an important role in vascular oxidative
      stress and inflammation. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to
      investigate the role of copper in endothelial activation and the potential anti
      inflammatory effects of copper chelation by tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) in human
      aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Incubating HAECs with cupric sulfate dose- and
      time-dependently increased mRNA and protein expression of vascular cell adhesion
      molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and monocyte
      chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Copper also activated the redox-sensitive
      transcription factors, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1
      (AP-1), which was inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with TTM. Furthermore,
      TTM dose-dependently inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-induced
      activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1, as well as mRNA and protein expression of VCAM
      1, ICAM-1, and MCP-1, which was abolished by preincubating the cells with 5 uM
      TTM and 15 uM cupric sulfate. The inhibitory effect of TTM on TNFalpha-induced NF
      kappaB activation was associated with decreased phosphorylation and degradation
      of IkappaBalpha. These data suggest that intracellular copper causes activation
      of redox-sensitive transcription factors and upregulation of inflammatory
      mediators in endothelial cells. Copper chelation by TTM may attenuate TNFalpha
      induced endothelial activation and, hence, inhibit vascular inflammation and
      atherosclerosis. 

PMID- 24225135
TI  - Following the money: copy-paste of lifestyle counseling documentation and
      provider billing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that copy-pasted components of electronic notes may
      not reliably reflect the care delivered. Federal agencies have raised concerns
      that such components may be used to justify inappropriately inflated claims for
      reimbursement. It is not known whether copied information is used to justify
      higher evaluation and management (E&M) charges. METHODS: This retrospective
      cohort study aimed to assess the relationship between the level of evaluation and
      management (E&M) charges and the method of documentation (none, distinct or
      copied) of lifestyle counseling (diet, exercise and weight loss) for patients
      with diabetes mellitus. To determine the association, an ordered multinomial
      logistic regression model that corrected for clustering within individual
      providers and patients and adjusted for patient and encounter characteristics was
      utilized. E&M charge level served as the primary outcome variable. Patients were
      included if they were followed by primary care physicians affiliated with two
      academic hospitals for a minimum of two years between 01/01/2000 and 12/13/2009.
      RESULTS: Lifestyle counseling was documented in 65.4% of 155,168 primary care
      encounters of 16,164 patients. Copied counseling was identified in 12,527
      encounters. In multivariable analysis higher E&M charges were associated with
      older patient age, longer notes, treatment with insulin, medication changes and
      acute complaints. However, copied lifestyle counseling was associated with a
      decrease of 70.5% in the odds of higher E&M charge levels when time spent on
      counseling (required to justify higher charges based on counseling) was recorded
      (p<0.0001). This finding is opposite to what would have been expected if the
      impetus for copied documentation of lifestyle counseling was an increase in
      submitted E&M charges. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence that copied documentation
      of lifestyle counseling is used to justify higher evaluation and management
      charges. Higher charges were generally associated with indicators of complexity
      of care.

PMID- 24225136
TI  - Alkylphosphocholines and curcumin induce programmed cell death in cutaneous T
      cell lymphoma cell lines.
AB  - While most patients with early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) have a
      very good prognosis, the survival of patients with extensive tumour stage and
      visceral involvement remains extremely poor and necessitates the development of
      more effective treatment modalities. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro
      effects of two alkylphosphocholines (APCs, miltefosine and erufosine) and the
      polyphenolic compound curcumin on 5 human CTCL cell lines (Hut-78, HH, MJ, My-La
      CD4+ and My-La CD8+). All tested drugs showed considerable cytotoxic activity, as
      determined by the MTT dye reduction assay. The IC50 values of both APCs ranged
      from the low micromolar level (Hut-78 cells) to 60-80MUM (HH cells). The IC50
      values of curcumin ranged from 12 to 24MUM. All tested drugs induced apoptosis,
      as ascertained by morphological changes, DNA fragmentation and activation of
      caspase cascades. Miltefosine and erufosine induced dephosphorylation of Akt in
      My-La CD8+ cells and phosphorylation of JNK in Hut-78 and My-La CD8+ cells. APCs
      increased the level of the autophagic marker LC3B in Hut-78 and MJ cells. Results
      from co-treatment with autophagy modulators suggested that the cytotoxicity of
      APCs in CTCL cells is mediated, at least in part, by induction of autophagy. 

PMID- 24225137
TI  - Overexpression of regenerating gene Ialpha appears to reflect aberration of crypt
      cell compartmentalization in sessile serrated adenoma/polyps of the colon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colorectal sessile serrated adenoma/polyps (SSA/Ps) are characterized
      by asymmetrical distribution of Ki67-positive cells, which varies among crypts
      and involves the crypt length to a variable extent; the pattern has been
      designated as aberration of crypt cell compartmentalization. The regenerating
      gene (REG) Ialpha is a cell growth and/or anti-apoptotic factor and its
      overexpression might be associated with aberration of crypt cell
      compartmentalization in SSA/Ps. We investigated REG Ialpha expression in SSA/Ps
      in comparison to hyperplastic polyps (HPs). METHODS: A total of 64 cases of
      serrated polyps (>= 10 mm in size), including 53 SSA/Ps and 11 HPs, were included
      in the present study. Immunostaining was performed using a labeled streptavidin
      biotin method. REG Ialpha expression was classified as follows: (i) expression of
      endocrine cells: grade 0 (a few positive cells) to 3 (marked increase in positive
      cells); (ii) expression of goblet cells: grade 0 (negative) to 2 (positive for
      crypts and surface epithelial cells); (iii) staining intensity of goblet cells:
      grade 0 (negative) to 2 (strong); (iv) staining intensity of crypt (absorptive)
      cell membranes: grade 0 (negative) to 2 (strong). The presence of aberration of
      crypt cell compartmentalization was assessed using Ki67 immunostaining. RESULTS:
      With regard to the REG Ialpha expression of endocrine cells, 8 out of 11 HPs
      (73%) were grade 0, whereas 51 of 53 SSA/Ps (96%) were grade 1 or higher (p <
      0.001). With regard to the distribution of REG Ialpha-immunoreactive goblet
      cells, 10 of 11 HPs (91%) were grade 1, whereas 50 of 53 SSA/Ps (94%) were grade
      2 (p < 0.001). A similar trend was found in the staining intensity of goblet
      cells or crypt cell membranes (p = 0.011). Aberration of crypt cell
      compartmentalization was more frequently identified in SSA/Ps (72%) than in HPs
      (18%; p = 0.002). A significant association was observed between REG Ialpha
      overexpression and the aberration of crypt cell compartmentalization in serrated
      polyps (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: REG Ialpha overexpression is a characteristic of
      SSA/Ps, which appears to reflect aberration of crypt cell compartmentalization.
      VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:
      http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/7240956081100040.

PMID- 24225139
TI  - The art of interdisciplinary teamwork.

PMID- 24225140
TI  - Management of pathological tooth migration in patients with advanced periodontal
      disease.

PMID- 24225138
TI  - Is a randomised controlled trial of a maternity care intervention for pregnant
      adolescents possible? An Australian feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The way in which maternity care is provided affects perinatal
      outcomes for pregnant adolescents; including the likelihood of preterm birth. The
      study purpose was to assess the feasibility of recruiting pregnant adolescents
      into a randomised controlled trial, in order to inform the design of an
      adequately powered trial which could test the effect of caseload midwifery on
      preterm birth for pregnant adolescents. METHODS: We recruited pregnant
      adolescents into a feasibility study of a prospective, un-blinded, two-arm,
      randomised controlled trial of caseload midwifery compared to standard care. We
      recorded and analysed recruitment data in order to provide estimates to be used
      in the design of a larger study. RESULTS: The proportion of women aged 15-17
      years who were eligible for the study was 34% (n=10), however the proportion who
      agreed to be randomised was only 11% (n = 1). Barriers to recruitment were
      restrictive eligibility criteria, unwillingness of hospital staff to assist with
      recruitment, and unwillingness of pregnant adolescents to have their choice of
      maternity carer removed through randomisation. CONCLUSIONS: A randomised
      controlled trial of caseload midwifery care for pregnant adolescents would not be
      feasible in this setting without modifications to the research protocol. The
      recruitment plan should maximise opportunities for participation by increasing
      the upper age limit and enabling women to be recruited at a later gestation.
      Strategies to engage the support of hospital-employed staff are essential and
      would require substantial, and ongoing, work. A Zelen method of post
      randomisation consent, monetary incentives and 'peer recruiters' could also be
      considered.

PMID- 24225141
TI  - Presurgical preparation for mandibular advancement with retromolar skeletal
      anchorage.

PMID- 24225142
TI  - A multidisciplinary approach to the management of long-face syndrome and
      bilateral microtia.

PMID- 24225143
TI  - Retreatment of an adult skeletal Class II patient.

PMID- 24225144
TI  - The Neoslider appliance for uprighting mesially impacted mandibular second
      molars.

PMID- 24225145
TI  - Chairside fabrication of a multipurpose power arm.

PMID- 24225146
TI  - Knowledge translation in Iranian universities: need for serious interventions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the status of knowledge
      translation (KT) in Iranian medical science universities in order to assess the
      strengths and weaknesses of the most important organizations responsible for
      producing knowledge in the country. METHODS: The KT activities were assessed
      qualitatively and quantitatively in nine universities using the Self-Assessment
      Tool for Research Institutes. RESULTS: The strengths and weaknesses of
      universities were determined using seven main themes: priority setting; research
      quality and timeliness; researchers' KT capacities; interaction with research
      users; the facilities and prerequisites of KT; the processes and regulations
      supporting KT; and promoting and evaluating the use of evidence.The quantitative
      and qualitative results showed that the Iranian universities did not have an
      appropriate context for KT. There were significant shortcomings in supportive
      regulations, facilities for KT activities, and the level of interaction between
      the researchers and research users. CONCLUSIONS: The shortcomings in KT were
      mostly in the area of stewardship and policymaking (macro level), followed by
      planning and implementation at the universities. In order to strengthen KT in
      Iran, it should occupy a prominent and focused role in the strategies of the
      country's health research system.

PMID- 24225147
TI  - Kcne3 deletion initiates extracardiac arrhythmogenesis in mice.
AB  - Mutations in the human KCNE3 potassium channel ancillary subunit gene are
      associated with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Most genes underlying
      inherited cardiac arrhythmias, including KCNE3, are not exclusively expressed in
      the heart, suggesting potentially complex disease etiologies. Here we
      investigated mechanisms of KCNE3-linked arrhythmogenesis in Kcne3(-/-) mice using
      real-time qPCR, echo- and electrocardiography, ventricular myocyte patch-clamp,
      coronary artery ligation/reperfusion, blood analysis, cardiac synaptosome
      exocytosis, microarray and pathway analysis, and multitissue histology. Kcne3
      transcript was undetectable in adult mouse atria, ventricles, and adrenal glands,
      but Kcne3(-/-) mice exhibited 2.3-fold elevated serum aldosterone (P=0.003) and
      differentially expressed gene networks consistent with an adrenal-targeted
      autoimmune response. Furthermore, 8/8 Kcne3(-/-) mice vs. 0/8 Kcne3(+/+) mice
      exhibited an activated-lymphocyte adrenal infiltration (P=0.0002). Kcne3 deletion
      also caused aldosterone-dependent ventricular repolarization delay (19.6% mean
      QTc prolongation in females; P<0.05) and aldosterone-dependent predisposition to
      postischemia arrhythmogenesis. Thus, 5/11 Kcne3(-/-) mice vs. 0/10 Kcne3(+/+)
      mice exhibited sustained ventricular tachycardia during reperfusion (P<0.05).
      Kcne3 deletion is therefore arrhythmogenic by a novel mechanism in which
      secondary hyperaldosteronism, associated with an adrenal-specific lymphocyte
      infiltration, impairs ventricular repolarization. The findings highlight the
      importance of considering extracardiac pathogenesis when investigating
      arrhythmogenic mechanisms, even in inherited, monogenic channelopathies.

PMID- 24225148
TI  - Angiogenesis stimulated by human kallikrein-related peptidase 12 acting via a
      platelet-derived growth factor B-dependent paracrine pathway.
AB  - KLK12, a kallikrein peptidase, is thought to take part in the control of
      angiogenesis. Our analysis of the secretome of endothelial cells (ECs) that had
      been treated with KLK12 showed that KLK12 converts the extracellular matrix- or
      membrane-bound precursor of platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) into a
      soluble form. Both PDGF-B and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) take
      part in the induction of angiogenesis by KLK12 in a coculture model of
      angiogenesis that mimics endothelial tubule formation. We used a cellular
      approach to analyze the interplay between KLK12, PDGF-B, and VEGF-A and showed
      that release of PDGF-B by KLK12 leads to the fibroblast-mediated secretion of
      VEGF-A. This then stimulates EC differentiation and the formation of capillary
      tube-like structures. Thus, KLK12 favors the interaction of ECs and stromal
      cells. The released PDGF-B acts as a paracrine factor that modulates VEGF-A
      secretion by stromal cells, which ultimately leads to angiogenesis. Moreover, the
      genes encoding KLK12 and PDGFB are both expressed in ECs and up-regulated in
      tumor cells kept under hypoxic conditions, which is consistent with the
      physiological involvement of KLK12 in PDGF-B maturation.

PMID- 24225149
TI  - Diabetes self-management smartphone application for adults with type 1 diabetes:
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persistently poor glycemic control in adult type 1 diabetes patients
      is a common, complex, and serious problem initiating significant damage to the
      cardiovascular, renal, neural, and visual systems. Currently, there is a plethora
      of low-cost and free diabetes self-management smartphone applications available
      in online stores. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the
      effectiveness of a freely available smartphone application combined with text
      message feedback from a certified diabetes educator to improve glycemic control
      and other diabetes-related outcomes in adult patients with type 1 diabetes in a
      two-group randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Patients were recruited through
      an online type 1 diabetes support group and letters mailed to adults with type 1
      diabetes throughout Australia. In a 6-month intervention, followed by a three
      month follow-up, patients (n=72) were randomized to usual care (control group) or
      usual care and the use of a smartphone application (Glucose Buddy) with weekly
      text-message feedback from a Certified Diabetes Educator (intervention group).
      All outcome measures were collected at baseline and every three months over the
      study period. Patients' glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) were measured with
      a blood test and diabetes-related self-efficacy, self-care activities, and
      quality of life were measured with online questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean age
      of patients was 35.20 years (SD 10.43) (28 male, 44 female), 39% (28/72) were
      male, and patients had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for a mean of 18.94
      years (SD 9.66). Of the initial 72 patients, 53 completed the study (25
      intervention, 28 control group). The intervention group significantly improved
      glycemic control (HbA1c) from baseline (mean 9.08%, SD 1.18) to 9-month follow-up
      (mean 7.80%, SD 0.75), compared to the control group (baseline: mean 8.47%, SD
      0.86, follow-up: mean 8.58%, SD 1.16). No significant change over time was found
      in either group in relation to self-efficacy, self-care activities, and quality
      of life. CONCLUSIONS: In adjunct to usual care, the use of a diabetes-related
      smartphone application combined with weekly text-message support from a health
      care professional can significantly improve glycemic control in adults with type
      1 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry:
      ACTRN12612000132842;
      https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=1261200013284
      (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6Kl4jqn5u).

PMID- 24225150
TI  - Expression of kisspeptin/GPR54 and PIBF/PR in the first trimester trophoblast and
      decidua of women with recurrent spontaneous abortion.
AB  - Kisspeptin and its receptor GPR54 play a major role in trophoblast invasion, and
      progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) is needed for maintaining pregnancy.
      The expression of kisspeptin/GPR54 and PIBF/progesterone receptor (PR) in
      trophoblasts and deciduas and the relationship between kisspeptin and PIBF were
      investigated in the same women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).
      Trophoblastic and decidual tissues were collected from 32 RSA women who
      miscarried a genetically normal fetus, and 35 women who had voluntary abortion.
      Kisspeptin, GPR54, PIBF and PR were investigated using immunohistochemistry.
      Kisspeptin, GPR54 and PIBF expressions in syncytiotrophoblasts and
      cytotrophoblasts were decreased in RSA women as compared to controls (P<0.05).
      Kisspeptin, PIBF and PR expressions in deciduas were significantly decreased in
      RSA women as compared to controls (P<0.01). GPR54 expression in deciduas nearly
      showed no difference between the RSA group and the control group (P=0.958).
      Kisspeptin and PIBF expressions in syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts and
      deciduas were correlated with each other in the RSA group (Kappa=0.602, P=0.001;
      Kappa=0.590, P=0.001; Kappa=0.392, P=0.011). These data support the hypothesis
      that decreased kisspeptin and PIBF expressions in trophoblasts and deciduas are
      associated with RSA. 

PMID- 24225151
TI  - Increased container-breeding mosquito risk owing to drought-induced changes in
      water harvesting and storage in Brisbane, Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extended drought conditions in south-east Queensland during the early
      2000s have resulted in a culture of water harvesting and legislated water
      restrictions. Aedes notoscriptus is a container-breeding mosquito vector of Ross
      River and Barmah Forest viruses. METHODS: From 2008-2009, the larval habitats and
      seasonal abundance of domestic container-breeding mosquitoes were recorded from
      three suburbs of Brisbane. A knowledge, attitudes and practice questionnaire was
      administered to householders. A low-cost, desktop methodology was used to predict
      the proportion of shaded premises compared with front-of-property estimates.
      RESULTS: We highlight changes in the frequency of container categories for A.
      notoscriptus as a response to human behavioural changes to drought. Garden
      accoutrements, discarded household items and water storage containers accounted
      for 66.2% (525/793) of positive containers and 77.5% (73 441/94 731) of all
      immature mosquitoes. Of all household premises surveyed, 52.6% (550/1046)
      contained rainwater tanks and 29.4% (308/1046) harvested water in other
      containers, contrasting with a previous 1995 survey where neither category was
      observed. Both Premise Condition Index and shade directly correlated with
      positive premises. CONCLUSIONS: Human response to drought has resulted in new
      habitats for domestic container-breeding mosquitoes. This recent trend of
      prolific water storage is similar to earlier years (1904-1943) in Brisbane when
      Aedes aegypti was present and dengue epidemics occurred.

PMID- 24225152
TI  - Personal experiences and attitudes towards intimate partner violence in
      healthcare providers in Guyana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent throughout the world and
      is a devastating public health problem. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are tasked with
      treating victims of IPV but may be victims themselves. Guyana is a lower-middle
      income country in South America. This study sought to determine the knowledge and
      attitudes of Guyanese HCWs and their perceived barriers to providing care in
      addition to determining the prevalence of IPV victimization and perpetration
      among HCWs. METHODS: HCWs at the only tertiary care hospital in the Guyana
      completed an anonymous survey that comprised 30 questions relating to IPV.
      RESULTS: The survey was completed by 87.5% of eligible HCWs. Of the respondents,
      81.8% were female, 49.9% had ever experienced abuse and 21% admitted to
      perpetrating violence. Multivariate analysis found that the age groups 31-40
      years (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.6) and 41-50 years (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.7) had
      higher odds of accepting justification for physical violence, and so did nursing
      staff (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.4-13.1). Overall, 29.9% of HCWs accepted justification
      for physical violence in at least one of the named scenarios. CONCLUSION: This
      study demonstrates a high prevalence of IPV among HCWs and identifies prevailing
      attitudes regarding IPV. This knowledge is essential in developing effective,
      appropriate training programs and identifies a need to address IPV among the
      healthcare workforce.

PMID- 24225153
TI  - Stimulation of glucose uptake by theasinensins through the AMP-activated protein
      kinase pathway in rat skeletal muscle cells.
AB  - Theasinensins, dimeric catechins, have been reported to possess anti
      hyperglycemic activity, but the underlying mechanism for this activity remains
      unknown. In this study, the effect of theasinensins A and B on glucose uptake
      into rat skeletal muscle cells (L6 myotubes) was investigated. A glucose uptake
      study using 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose (2
      NBDG) indicated that both theasinensins A and B stimulated glucose uptake in a
      concentration-dependent manner and translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4)
      to the plasma membrane. In addition, inhibition studies measuring 2-NBDG uptake
      in L6 cells revealed that compound C (AMP-activated protein kinase inhibitor)
      suppressed theasinensin-stimulated glucose uptake, whereas genistein (insulin
      receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and wortmannin (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
      inhibitor) were inactive. Subsequent experiments on GLUT4-related signaling
      pathways in L6 cells demonstrated that theasinensins promoted the phosphorylation
      of AMPK, but not that of Akt, and that the theasinensin-promoted glucose uptake
      was blocked in the presence of a CaMKK inhibitor. The promotion of AMPK
      phosphorylation by theasinensins was not blocked in LKB1-knockdown cells.
      Consequently, it was concluded that theasinensins A and B did in fact promote
      GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane in L6 myotubes through the CaMKK/AMPK
      signaling pathway, but not through the PI3K/Akt pathway. 

PMID- 24225154
TI  - Bradykinin promotes vascular endothelial growth factor expression and increases
      angiogenesis in human prostate cancer cells.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and shows a
      tendency for metastasis to distant organs. Angiogenesis is required for
      metastasis. Bradykinin (BK) is an inflammatory mediator involved in tumor growth
      and metastasis, but its role in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
      expression and angiogenesis in human prostate cancer remains unknown. The aim of
      this study was to examine whether BK promotes prostate cancer angiogenesis via
      VEGF expression. We found that exogenous BK increased VEGF expression in prostate
      cancer cells and further promoted tube formation in endothelial progenitor cells
      and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Pretreatment of prostate cancer with
      B2 receptor antagonist or small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced BK-mediated VEGF
      production. The Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways were
      activated after BK treatment, and BK-induced VEGF expression was abolished by the
      specific inhibitor and siRNA of the Akt and mTOR cascades. BK also promoted
      nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) activity.
      Importantly, BK knockdown reduced VEGF expression and abolished prostate cancer
      cell conditional medium-mediated angiogenesis. Taken together, these results
      indicate that BK operates through the B2 receptor, Akt, and mTOR, which in turn
      activate NF-kappaB and AP-1, activating VEGF expression and contributing to
      angiogenesis in human prostate cancer cells. 

PMID- 24225155
TI  - Intraoperative radiotherapy versus external radiotherapy for early breast cancer
      (ELIOT): a randomised controlled equivalence trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intraoperative radiotherapy with electrons allows the substitution of
      conventional postoperative whole breast irradiation with one session of
      radiotherapy with the same equivalent dose during surgery. However, its ability
      to control for recurrence of local disease required confirmation in a randomised
      controlled trial. METHODS: This study was done at the European Institute of
      Oncology (Milan, Italy). Women aged 48-75 years with early breast cancer, a
      maximum tumour diameter of up to 2.5 cm, and suitable for breast-conserving
      surgery were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio (using a random permuted block
      design, stratified for clinical tumour size [<1.0 cm vs 1.0-1.4 cm vs >=1.5 cm])
      to receive either whole-breast external radiotherapy or intraoperative
      radiotherapy with electrons. Study coordinators, clinicians, and patients were
      aware of the assignment. Patients in the intraoperative radiotherapy group
      received one dose of 21 Gy to the tumour bed during surgery. Those in the
      external radiotherapy group received 50 Gy in 25 fractions of 2 Gy, followed by a
      boost of 10 Gy in five fractions. This was an equivalence trial; the prespecified
      equivalence margin was local recurrence of 7.5% in the intraoperative
      radiotherapy group. The primary endpoint was occurrence of ipsilateral breast
      tumour recurrences (IBTR); overall survival was a secondary outcome. The main
      analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with
      ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01849133. FINDINGS: 1305 patients were randomised
      (654 to external radiotherapy and 651 to intraoperative radiotherapy) between Nov
      20, 2000, and Dec 27, 2007. After a medium follow-up of 5.8 years (IQR 4.1-7.7),
      35 patients in the intraoperative radiotherapy group and four patients in the
      external radiotherapy group had had an IBTR (p<0.0001). The 5-year event rate for
      IBRT was 4.4% (95% CI 2.7-6.1) in the intraoperative radiotherapy group and 0.4%
      (0.0-1.0) in the external radiotherapy group (hazard ratio 9.3 [95% CI 3.3
      26.3]). During the same period, 34 women allocated to intraoperative radiotherapy
      and 31 to external radiotherapy died (p=0.59). 5-year overall survival was 96.8%
      (95% CI 95.3-98.3) in the intraoperative radiotherapy group and 96.9% (95.5-98.3)
      in the external radiotherapy group. In patients with data available (n=464 for
      intraoperative radiotherapy; n=412 for external radiotherapy) we noted
      significantly fewer skin side-effects in women in the intraoperative radiotherapy
      group than in those in the external radiotherapy group (p=0.0002).
      INTERPRETATION: Although the rate of IBTR in the intraoperative radiotherapy
      group was within the prespecified equivalence margin, the rate was significantly
      greater than with external radiotherapy, and overall survival did not differ
      between groups. Improved selection of patients could reduce the rate of IBTR with
      intraoperative radiotherapy with electrons. FUNDING: Italian Association for
      Cancer Research, Jacqueline Seroussi Memorial Foundation for Cancer Research, and
      Umberto Veronesi Foundation.

PMID- 24225156
TI  - S-1: another oral agent for patients with colorectal cancer.

PMID- 24225158
TI  - Intra-specific variability and biological relevance of P3N-PIPO protein length in
      potyviruses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pipo was recently described as a new ORF encoded within the genome of
      the Potyviridae family members (PNAS 105:5897-5902, 2008). It is embedded within
      the P3 cistron and is translated in the +2 reading frame relative to the
      potyviral long ORF as the P3N-PIPO fusion protein. In this work, we first
      collected pipo nucleotide sequences available for different isolates of 48
      Potyvirus species. Second, to determine the biological implications of variation
      in pipo length, we measured infectivity, viral accumulation, cell-to-cell and
      systemic movements for two Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) variants with pipo alleles
      of different length in three different susceptible host species, and tested for
      differences between the two variants. RESULTS: In addition to inter-specific
      variation, there was high variation in the length of the PIPO protein among
      isolates within species (ranging from 1 to 89 amino acids). Furthermore,
      selection analyses on the P3 cistron did not account for the existence of stop
      codons in the pipo ORF, but showed that positive selection was significant in the
      overlapping region for Potato virus Y (PVY) and TuMV. In some cases, variability
      in length was associated with host species, geographic provenance and/or other
      strain features. We found significant empirical differences among the phenotypes
      associated with TuMV pipo alleles, though the magnitude and sign of the effects
      were host-dependent. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of computational molecular
      evolution analyses and experiments stemming from these analyses provide clues
      about the selective pressures acting upon the different-length pipo alleles and
      show that variation in length may be maintained by host-driven selection.

PMID- 24225157
TI  - Leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab versus S-1 and
      oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
      (SOFT): an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised phase 3 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies done in Asia have shown that a regimen of S-1 plus
      oxaliplatin (SOX) has promising efficacy and safety in patients with metastatic
      colorectal cancer. We aimed to establish whether SOX plus bevacizumab is non
      inferior to mFOLFOX6 (modified regimen of leucovorin, fluorouracil, and
      oxaliplatin) plus bevacizumab as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic
      colorectal cancer. METHODS: We undertook an open-label, non-inferiority,
      randomised phase 3 trial in 82 sites in Japan. We enrolled individuals aged 20-80
      years who had metastatic colorectal cancer, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology
      Group performance status of 0 or 1, had assessable lesions, had received no
      previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy, could take drugs orally, and had adequate
      organ function. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either
      mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab (on day 1 of each 2-week cycle, 5 mg/kg intravenous
      infusion of bevacizumab and a simultaneous intravenous infusion of 85 mg/m(2)
      oxaliplatin, 200 mg/m(2)l-leucovorin, 400 mg/m(2) bolus fluorouracil, and 2400
      mg/m(2) infusional fluorouracil) or SOX plus bevacizumab (on day 1 of each 3-week
      cycle, 7.5 mg/kg intravenous infusion of bevacizumab and 130 mg/m(2) intravenous
      infusion of oxaliplatin; assigned dose of S-1 twice a day from after dinner on
      day 1 to after breakfast on day 15, followed by 7-day break). Randomisation was
      done centrally with the minimisation method, with stratification by institution
      and whether postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy had been given. Participants,
      investigators, and data analysts were not masked to treatment assignment. The
      primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), which was defined as the
      interval between enrolment and progressive disease (>=20% increase in sum of
      longest dimensions of target lesions from baseline, or appearance of new lesions)
      or death, whichever came first. The primary analysis was done by modified
      intention to treat. This trial is registered with the Japan Pharmaceutical
      Information Center, number JapicCTI-090699. FINDINGS: Between Feb 1, 2009, and
      March 31, 2011, 512 patients underwent randomisation. 256 patients assigned to
      receive SOX plus bevacizumab and 255 assigned to receive mFOLFOX6 plus
      bevacizumab were included in the primary analysis. Median PFS was 11.5 months
      (95% CI 10.7-13.2) in the group assigned to mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab and 11.7
      months (10.7-12.9) in the group assigned to SOX plus bevacizumab (HR 1.04, 95% CI
      0.86-1.27; less than non-inferiority margin of 1.33, pnon-inferiority=0.014). The
      most common haematological adverse events of grade 3 or higher were leucopenia
      (21 [8%] of 249 patients given mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab included in safety
      analysis vs six [2%] of 250 given SOX plus bevacizumab; p=0.0029) and neutropenia
      (84 [34%] vs 22 [9%]; p<0.0001). Grade 3 or higher anorexia (13 [5%] vs three
      [1%]; p=0.019) and diarrhoea (23 [9%] vs seven [3%]; p=0.0040) were significantly
      more common in patients given SOX plus bevacizumab than in those given mFOLFOX6
      plus bevacizumab. We recorded seven treatment-related deaths (three in the group
      given mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab; four in that given SOX plus bevacizumab).
      INTERPRETATION: SOX plus bevacizumab is non-inferior to mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab
      with respect to PFS as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer, and
      could become standard treatment in Asian populations. FUNDING: Taiho.

PMID- 24225159
TI  - Alteration in lymphocyte responses, cytokine and chemokine profiles in chickens
      infected with genotype VII and VIII velogenic Newcastle disease virus.
AB  - Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious avian disease and one of the major
      causes of economic losses in the poultry industry. The emergence of virulent NDV
      genotypes and repeated outbreaks of NDV in vaccinated chickens have raised the
      need for fundamental studies on the virus-host interactions. In this study, the
      profiles of B and T lymphocytes and macrophages and differential expression of 26
      immune-related genes in the spleen of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens,
      infected with either the velogenic genotype VII NDV strain IBS002 or the genotype
      VIII NDV strain AF2240, were evaluated. A significant reduction in T lymphocyte
      population and an increase in the infiltration of IgM+ B cells and KUL01+
      macrophages were detected in the infected spleens at 1, 3 and 4 days post
      infection (dpi) (P<0.05). The gene expression profiles showed an up-regulation of
      CCLi3, CXCLi1, CXCLi2 (IL-8), IFN-gamma, IL-12alpha, IL-18, IL-1beta, IL-6, iNOS,
      TLR7, MHCI, IL-17F and TNFSF13B (P<0.05). However, these two genotypes showed
      different cytokine expression patterns and viral load. IBS002 showed higher viral
      load than AF2240 in spleen at 3 and 4dpi and caused a more rapid up-regulation of
      CXCLi2, IFN-gamma, IL-12alpha, IL-18, IL-1beta, iNOS and IL-10 at 3dpi.
      Meanwhile, the expression levels of CCLI3, CXCLi1, IFN-gamma, IL-12alpha, IL
      1beta and iNOS genes were significantly higher in AF2240 at 4dpi. In addition,
      the expression levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the IBS002-infected
      chickens at 3 and 4dpi. Hence, infection with velogenic genotype VII and VIII NDV
      induced different viral load and production of cytokines and chemokines
      associated with inflammatory reactions.

PMID- 24225160
TI  - Treatment of melasma in Caucasian patients using a novel 694-nm Q-switched ruby
      fractional laser.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common hypermelanosis of the face. The use of a
      classical Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) to treat melasma is discussed
      controversially and is associated with frequent adverse effects, such as hyper-
      or hypopigmentation. Recently a fractional-mode (FRx) QSRL was developed to
      minimize the adverse effects of classical QSRL. The objective of this research
      was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel FRx-QSRL in the treatment of
      melasma in Caucasian patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 25
      Caucasian melasma patients (Fitzpatrick skin types I to III). Patients received
      one to three FRx-QSRL treatments (Tattoostar FRx, Asclepion Laser Technologies,
      Jena, Germany) at pulse energies of 4 to 8 J/cm2. Three blinded investigators
      independently evaluated the melasma area and severity index (MASI) score before
      treatment and at the four- to six-week follow-ups. At additional three-month
      follow-ups, patients evaluated subjective improvement, pain and over-all
      satisfaction with the treatment according to a numeric analogue score (NAS). Side
      effects were documented. RESULTS: At four to six weeks post laser treatment for a
      mean of 1.4 sessions, we observed a significant (P=0.0001) reduction of the MASI
      score from 6.54 to 1.98 (72.3%). Patients rated the pain of the intervention at a
      mean 2.46 points (0=no pain; 10=maximum pain), the improvement at a mean 5.55
      points (0=no improvement; 10=maximum improvement) and the overall satisfaction at
      a mean 4.66 points (0=not satisfied; 10=maximum satisfaction). After three
      months, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and/or recurring melasma were
      observed in 7 (28%) and 11 (44%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 694-nm
      FRx-QSRL is a safe and effective option for treating melasma in Caucasian
      patients. Over periods of >3 months, PIH and/or recurring melasma may develop at
      significant rates and may reduce patient satisfaction. Multiple treatment
      sessions with lower pulse energies and/or a post-interventional therapy with
      hypopigmenting ointments and UV protection may help to minimize these
      complications.

PMID- 24225161
TI  - Total and high molecular weight adiponectin and ethnic-specific differences in
      adiposity and insulin resistance: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ethnic-specific differences in insulin resistance (IR) are well
      described but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Adiponectin is an insulin
      sensitizing adipocytokine that circulates as multiple isoforms, with high
      molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin associated with greatest insulin sensitivity.
      The objective of this study is to determine if plasma total and HMW adiponectin
      concentrations underlie ethnic-specific differences in IR. METHODS: Healthy
      Canadian Aboriginal, Chinese, European, and South Asian adults (N = 634) were
      assessed for sociodemographics; lifestyle; fasting plasma insulin, glucose, and
      total and HMW adiponectin; and adiposity measures [BMI, waist circumference,
      waist-to-hip ratio, percent body fat, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose
      tissue (quantified by computed tomography)]. The homeostasis model assessment
      insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) assessed IR. RESULTS: South Asians had the greatest
      HOMA-IR, followed by Aboriginals, Chinese, and Europeans (P < 0.001). Plasma
      total and HMW adiponectin concentrations were lower in Chinese and South Asians
      than Aboriginal and Europeans (P < 0.05). Total and HMW adiponectin were
      inversely associated with HOMA-IR (P < 0.001). Ethnicity modified the
      relationship between HMW adiponectin and HOMA-IR with stronger effects observed
      in Aboriginals (P = 0.001), Chinese (P = 0.002), and South Asians (P = 0.040)
      compared to Europeans. This was not observed for total adiponectin (P = 0.431).
      At mean total adiponectin concentrations South Asians had higher HOMA-IR than
      Europeans (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For each given decrease in HMW adiponectin
      concentrations a greater increase in HOMA-IR is observed in Aboriginals, Chinese,
      and South Asians than Europeans. Ethnic-specific differences in HMW adiponectin
      may account for differences in IR.

PMID- 24225162
TI  - 3D scaffold of PLLA/pearl and PLLA/nacre powder for bone regeneration.
AB  - Naturally occurring pearl and its derivatives have recently gained interest in
      bone regeneration due to their bioactive characteristics and good mechanical
      properties. In this study, three-dimensional scaffolds composed of poly-l-lactide
      (PLLA)/aragonite pearl powder, PLLA/vaterite pearl powder and PLLA/nacre powder
      were fabricated by freeze-drying. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images
      indicated that the addition of powder made no visible difference to the
      morphology of the composite scaffolds. These composite scaffolds were found to
      have nearly twice the compressive strength and compressive modulus of the pure
      PLLA scaffold. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that both PLLA/aragonite and
      PLLA/nacre composite scaffolds have pure aragonite crystals as their inorganic
      component, while PLLA/vaterite has pure vaterite crystals. The attachment and
      morphology of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) on
      scaffolds was observed by the SEM. The proliferation and osteogenic
      differentiation of rBMSCs on composite scaffolds was also investigated. The
      results indicate that PLLA/aragonite and PLLA/nacre scaffolds better stimulate
      cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity than the PLLA scaffold.
      However, the PLLA/vaterite scaffold appears to decrease rBMSCs proliferation as
      well as the osteogenic differentiation, possibly due to the high pH of the
      solution containing PLLA/vaterite. 

PMID- 24225163
TI  - Managing the vertical dimension.

PMID- 24225164
TI  - Master Clinician. Birte Melsen, DDS, DO. Interview by Peter M. Sinclair.

PMID- 24225165
TI  - Surgical-orthodontic correction of a skeletal Class III malocclusion with severe
      maxillary constriction.

PMID- 24225166
TI  - A fixed extrusion appliance for fractured anterior teeth.

PMID- 24225167
TI  - Repairing fractured tie wings of ceramic brackets.

PMID- 24225168
TI  - A biomechanical approach to second-molar intrusion.

PMID- 24225169
TI  - Correction of lip protrusion with lingual brackets and palatal anchorage.

PMID- 24225170
TI  - Improvement in the management of gout is vital and overdue: an audit from a UK
      primary care medical practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gout is estimated to affect 1.4% of adults in the UK. Appropriate and
      timely management is essential to reduce the risk of further flares,
      complications, and to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The British Society for
      Rheumatology and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (BSR/BHPR) and the
      European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) have published guidance regarding the
      management of gout, thereby providing standards against which performance can be
      measured. This audit was designed to assess the extent to which patients
      diagnosed with gout in one primary care medical practice in North Staffordshire,
      UK, are managed in accordance with current best practice guidelines, and to
      identify strategies for improvement where appropriate. METHODS: Audit criteria
      were derived from the EULAR and BSR/BHPR guidelines; standards were set
      arbitrarily, but with consideration of patient comorbidity and other factors
      which may influence concordance. An electronic search of the practice records was
      performed to identify adults with a diagnosis of gout. Medical record review with
      a descriptive analysis was undertaken to assess the extent to which medical
      management adhered to the predefined standards. RESULTS: Of the total >=18 year
      old practice population (n = 8686), 305 (3%) patient records included a diagnosis
      of gout. Of these, 74% (n = 226) had an electronic record of serum uric acid
      (SUA), and 11% (n = 34) and 53% (n = 162) a measure of estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (eGFR) ever and serum glucose since diagnosis respectively. 34%
      (n = 105) of patients had ever taken urate-lowering therapy with 25% (n = 77)
      currently prescribed this at the time of data extraction. Dose adjustment and
      monitoring of treatment according to SUA was found to be inadequate. Provision of
      lifestyle advice and consideration of comorbidities was also lacking.
      CONCLUSIONS: The primary care management of gout in this practice was not
      concordant with national and international guidance, a finding consistent with
      previous studies. This demonstrates that the provision of guidelines alone is not
      sufficient to improve the quality of gout management and we identify possible
      strategies to increase guideline adherence.

PMID- 24225171
TI  - Evaluation of the educational value of YouTube videos about physical examination
      of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of studies have evaluated the educational contents of videos
      on YouTube. However, little analysis has been done on videos about physical
      examination. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze YouTube videos about physical
      examination of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It was hypothesized
      that the educational standards of videos on YouTube would vary significantly.
      METHODS: During the period from November 2, 2011 to December 2, 2011, YouTube was
      searched by three assessors for videos covering the clinical examination of the
      cardiovascular and respiratory systems. For each video, the following information
      was collected: title, authors, duration, number of viewers, and total number of
      days on YouTube. Using criteria comprising content, technical authority, and
      pedagogy parameters, videos were rated independently by three assessors and
      grouped into educationally useful and non-useful videos. RESULTS: A total of 1920
      videos were screened. Only relevant videos covering the examination of adults in
      the English language were identified (n=56). Of these, 20 were found to be
      relevant to cardiovascular examinations and 36 to respiratory examinations.
      Further analysis revealed that 9 provided useful information on cardiovascular
      examinations and 7 on respiratory examinations: scoring mean 14.9 (SD 0.33) and
      mean 15.0 (SD 0.00), respectively. The other videos, 11 covering cardiovascular
      and 29 on respiratory examinations, were not useful educationally, scoring mean
      11.1 (SD 1.08) and mean 11.2 (SD 1.29), respectively. The differences between
      these two categories were significant (P<.001 for both body systems). The
      concordance between the assessors on applying the criteria was 0.89, with a kappa
      score >.86. CONCLUSIONS: A small number of videos about physical examination of
      the cardiovascular and respiratory systems were identified as educationally
      useful; these videos can be used by medical students for independent learning and
      by clinical teachers as learning resources. The scoring system utilized by this
      study is simple, easy to apply, and could be used by other researchers on similar
      topics.

PMID- 24225172
TI  - Melkerrson-Rosenthal Syndrome, a rare case report of chronic eyelid swelling.
AB  - Melkerrson-Rosenthal syndrome is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. The
      classical triad of recurrent facial paralysis, swelling of the face, lips and
      deep furrowed tongue (Lingua Plicata) is seen in very few cases, majority of the
      patients often present with one or two symptoms only, which often leads to
      misdiagnosis and mismanagement. Clinically these symptoms vary from days to
      years, which further delay the definitive diagnosis and symptoms may eventually
      become permanent. The cause of this entity is not very well understood, but
      thought to be attributable to multiple entities including genetic and Infectious.
      As this entity has been associated with numerous other clinical entities,
      diagnosis often remains an exclusion process. METHODS: A middle age male with a
      chronic history of heavy eyelids with skin indurations predominately around left
      eye was presented to ophthalmology clinic. Physical examination revealed a deep
      furrowed tongue. The skin biopsy from left eyelid revealed a non-specific
      granulomatous lesion. The clinical correlation of facial swelling and deep
      plicated tongue prompted the differential of MRS Results: Histologically a non
      specific granulomatous lesion was seen in dermis. As a rule, other causes of
      granulomatous diseases were ruled out especially Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis.
      Polarization failed to reveal any foreign body. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of
      granulomatous lesion and clinical picture led to the definite diagnosis of
      Melkerrson-Rosenthal syndrome. Association with rosacea was other findings.
      Clinically his sign and symptoms are under control and no occurrence of symptoms
      has been noted so far. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can
      be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1647494495993706.

PMID- 24225173
TI  - Researching male circumcision for HIV prevention in Papua New Guinea: a process
      that incorporates science, faith and culture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Undertaking HIV research in the culturally diverse Pacific nation of
      Papua New Guinea (PNG) requires careful consideration of social, cultural and
      religious beliefs and practices. Here, we share a detailed description of
      culturally informed research processes and lessons learned from the first ever
      study undertaken on male circumcision for HIV prevention at a faith-based
      university in PNG. METHODS: Male and female staff and students at Pacific
      Adventist University were invited to complete an anonymous self-administered
      questionnaire, and/or participate in a semi-structured interview or focus group
      discussion. Male participants were invited for clinical examination. Results were
      collated and disseminated to the university community in gender segregated
      sessions. The study deliberately partnered with student leaders and centralised
      social, cultural, and religious paradigms. Student leaders were interviewed about
      their experience of partnering in sensitive health research. RESULTS: The student
      leaders reported that pre-existing relationships, cultural ties, gendered
      sensitivity and regular communication reinforced trust between researchers,
      student leaders and participants, and helped the success of the study. The amount
      of time, complex logistics and social and cultural relationships between single
      and married staff and students were highlighted as challenges. CONCLUSIONS:
      Partnering with regional student leaders to plan and implement the study gave a
      legitimate and immediate mechanism for involving PNG staff and students in this
      sensitive health research. Gendered research processes utilised established
      social and cultural structures and ensured the safety of participants; all of
      these factors contributed to the acceptability of the study. Capacity was
      strengthened in PNG and Australian researchers to undertake sensitive HIV
      research in PNG. The study demonstrated that it is possible to conduct sensitive
      sexual health research at a faith-based university in PNG.

PMID- 24225174
TI  - Reappraisal and mindfulness: a comparison of subjective effects and cognitive
      costs.
AB  - The present study investigated the relative effects of mindfulness and
      reappraisal in reducing sad mood and whether trait mindfulness and habitual
      reappraisal moderated the effects. The study also compared the extent to which
      implementation of these strategies incurred cognitive resources. A total of 129
      participants were randomly assigned to receiving training in mindfulness,
      reappraisal, or no training prior to undergoing an autobiographical sad mood
      induction. Results showed that mindfulness and reappraisal were superior to no
      training, and equivalent in their effects in lowering sad mood. Compared to
      mindfulness, reappraisal resulted in significantly higher interference scores on
      a subsequent Stroop test, reflecting greater depletion of cognitive resources.
      Higher trait mindfulness, but not habitual reappraisal, predicted greater
      reductions in sadness across conditions. The study suggests that although
      mindfulness and reappraisal are equally effective in down-regulating sad mood,
      they incur different levels of cognitive costs. 

PMID- 24225175
TI  - Children with limited oral opening can be safely managed without a tracheostomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe airway management of children with limited oral opening
      that does not allow for routine orotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy. To
      analyze the incidence and outcome of airway compromise or loss in patients
      without a tracheostomy in place. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review.
      SETTING: Tertiary children's hospital. SUBJECTS: Children with limited oral
      opening that does not allow for routine orotracheal intubation. METHODS: Children
      treated at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota from 1997 to 2012 with
      severe trismus were identified and included in the study. Hospital and clinic
      records were reviewed. RESULTS: Ten children (mean age, 13 years; range, 7-17
      years) were identified for inclusion into the study. A total of 109 operations
      requiring general anesthesia (average of 10.9 per patient; range, 0-23) were
      performed on patients without a tracheostomy in place. Flexible fiber-optic
      nasotracheal intubation was performed in 58 cases. The remainder of airway
      control was by mask ventilation (33 cases), various methods of orotracheal
      intubation (10 cases), unknown (6 cases), and laryngeal mask airway (2 cases).
      There was a total of 118 patient-years of follow-up without a tracheostomy tube
      in place (average of 11.8 years per patient). During this period, there were no
      episodes of acute airway compromise that resulted in neurologic deficits.
      CONCLUSION: Children with limited oral opening that does not allow for routine
      orotracheal intubation with direct laryngoscopy may be safely managed without a
      tracheostomy, even when the child requires frequent procedures under general
      anesthesia.

PMID- 24225176
TI  - The astroglial reaction along the mouse cochlear nerve following inner ear
      damage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Determine how the astroglial cells of the peripheral and central
      nervous system transitional zone (PCTZ) react to sensorineural hearing loss using
      a mouse cochlear nerve model. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, basic science. SETTING:
      Research laboratory. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Neomycin was injected into the mouse
      inner ear to cause chemically induced hearing loss. Auditory brainstem responses
      (ABRs) were used to determine hearing threshold shifts after neomycin treatment.
      Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of proteins specific for
      hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons, astrocytes, and the myelin components of
      both oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. RESULTS: ABR threshold shifts and
      immunofluorescence results supported that hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons
      were damaged in neomycin-treated mice. Immunofluorescence showed the peripheral
      and central nervous system (PNS and CNS) transitional zone of the cochlear nerve
      at the interface of the myelin components of the PNS and CNS. In the control
      mice, the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was observed
      proximally to the PCTZ closer to the CNS, which is their normal location.
      However, in neomycin-treated animals the expression of GFAP was detected distally
      to the PCTZ and was found close to the spiral lamina level in the basal cochlear
      turn, suggesting that GFAP-expressing astrocytes migrated across the PCTZ and
      reached the PNS. CONCLUSION: The GFAP positive astrocyte processes extended
      across the PCTZ along the mouse cochlear nerve following chemically induced
      sensorineural hearing loss.

PMID- 24225177
TI  - Maxillary swing: the paramedian palatal incision.

PMID- 24225178
TI  - Genome-wide analysis and evolutionary study of sucrose non-fermenting 1-related
      protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) gene family members in Arabidopsis and Oryza.
AB  - The over-expression of plant specific SnRK2 gene family members by hyperosmotic
      stress and some by abscisic acid is well established. In this report, we have
      analyzed the evolution of SnRK2 gene family in different plant lineages including
      green algae, moss, lycophyte, dicot and monocot. Our results provide some
      evidences to indicate that the natural selection pressure had considerable
      influence on cis-regulatory promoter region and coding region of SnRK2 members in
      Arabidopsis and Oryza independently through time. Observed degree of
      sequence/motif conservation amongst SnRK2 homolog in all the analyzed plant
      lineages strongly supported their inclusion as members of this family. The
      chromosomal distributions of duplicated SnRK2 members have also been analyzed in
      Arabidopsis and Oryza. Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing (MPSS) database
      derived expression data and the presence of abiotic stress related promoter
      elements within the 1 kb upstream promoter region of these SnRK2 family members
      further strengthen the observations of previous workers. Additionally, the
      phylogenetic relationships of SnRK2 have been studied in all plant lineages along
      with their respective exon-intron structural patterns. Our results indicate that
      the ancestral SnRK2 gene of land plants gradually evolved by duplication and
      diversification and modified itself through exon-intron loss events to survive
      under environmental stress conditions.

PMID- 24225180
TI  - SELDI-TOF analysis of glioblastoma cyst fluid is an approach for assessing
      cellular protein expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In about 10% of glioblastoma patients, preoperative MRI discloses the
      presence of tumor cysts. Whereas the impact of cystic appearance on prognosis has
      been discussed extensively, only little is known about the tumor cyst fluid. In
      this study, we tested the feasibility of the surface enhanced laser desorption
      ionization time of flight (SELDI-TOF) technique to detect cyst fluid proteins.
      METHODS: Cyst fluid was collected from 21 glioblastoma patients for SELDI-TOF
      analysis and compared to control cerebrospinal fluids from 15 patients with
      spinal stenosis. Resulting protein peaks with significant differences between
      groups were further described, using the molecular weight in an internet search
      of protein databases and publications. Two potential cyst fluid proteins, basigin
      and ferritin light chain, were selected for immunohistological detection in the
      histologic slides of the patients, metallothionein (MT) served as negative
      control. RESULTS: As supposed from the results of the SELDI-TOF analysis, basigin
      and ferritin were detected immunohistochemically in the cyst wall, whereas MT was
      more equally distributed between the cyst wall and the surrounding tumor tissue.
      Median survival time of the patients was 20 months (range 2 to 102 months) and
      correlated with age, but not with expression of the three proteins. DISCUSSION:
      The SELDI-TOF approach reveals a number of proteins, potentially present in
      glioblastoma cyst fluid. Identification of these proteins in tumor cells may help
      understand the pathogenetic pathways and the prognostic value of cystic changes.

PMID- 24225179
TI  - PKA catalytic subunit compartmentation regulates contractile and hypertrophic
      responses to beta-adrenergic signaling.
AB  - beta-Adrenergic signaling is spatiotemporally heterogeneous in the cardiac
      myocyte, conferring exquisite control to sympathetic stimulation. Such
      heterogeneity drives the formation of protein kinase A (PKA) signaling
      microdomains, which regulate Ca(2+) handling and contractility. Here, we test the
      hypothesis that the nucleus independently comprises a PKA signaling microdomain
      regulating myocyte hypertrophy. Spatially-targeted FRET reporters for PKA
      activity identified slower PKA activation and lower isoproterenol sensitivity in
      the nucleus (t50=10.6+/-0.7 min; EC50=89.0 nmol/L) than in the cytosol
      (t50=3.71+/-0.25 min; EC50=1.22 nmol/L). These differences were not explained by
      cAMP or AKAP-based compartmentation. A computational model of cytosolic and
      nuclear PKA activity was developed and predicted that differences in nuclear PKA
      dynamics and magnitude are regulated by slow PKA catalytic subunit diffusion,
      while differences in isoproterenol sensitivity are regulated by nuclear
      expression of protein kinase inhibitor (PKI). These were validated by FRET and
      immunofluorescence. The model also predicted differential phosphorylation of PKA
      substrates regulating cell contractility and hypertrophy. Ca(2+) and cell
      hypertrophy measurements validated these predictions and identified higher
      isoproterenol sensitivity for contractile enhancements (EC50=1.84 nmol/L) over
      cell hypertrophy (EC50=85.9 nmol/L). Over-expression of spatially targeted PKA
      catalytic subunit to the cytosol or nucleus enhanced contractile and hypertrophic
      responses, respectively. We conclude that restricted PKA catalytic subunit
      diffusion is an important PKA compartmentation mechanism and the nucleus
      comprises a novel PKA signaling microdomain, insulating hypertrophic from
      contractile beta-adrenergic signaling responses.

PMID- 24225181
TI  - Zinc oxide nanoparticles provide an adjuvant effect to ovalbumin via a Th2
      response in Balb/c mice.
AB  - Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs) have been used in dietary supplements and may
      cause an immunomodulatory effect. The present study investigated the effect of
      ZNPs on antigen-specific immune responses in mice sensitized with the T-cell
      dependent antigen ovalbumin (OVA). BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally
      administered ZNPs (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 3mg) once, in combination with OVA, and the
      serum antibodies, splenocyte reactivity and activation of antigen-presenting
      cells were examined. The serum levels of OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE were found
      significantly enhanced by treatment with ZNPs over control. An increased level of
      IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17 and decreased level of IL-10 and TNF-alpha in splenocytes
      administered with ZNPs were observed in comparison with control. The ZNPs and OVA
      stimulated T lymphocytes showed enhanced proliferation compared with control.
      Macrophages and B cells showed high expression of MHC class II, whereas higher
      expression of CD11b in macrophages of the ZNPs and ZNPs/OVA treated groups was
      observed. The lungs and spleen had increased eosinophils and mast cell numbers.
      Also, myeloperoxidase activity in lungs was found to be increased by 2.5-fold in
      the case of ZNPs and 3.75-fold increase in ZNPs/OVA, whereas in intestine, there
      was significant increase in both the groups. Increased expression of the genes
      for GATA-3, SOCS-3, TLR-4, IL-13 and IL-5 in the intestine was observed.
      Collectively, these data indicate that systemic exposure to a single
      administration of ZNPs could enhance subsequent antigen-specific immune
      reactions, including the serum production of antigen-specific antibodies, and the
      functionality of T cells. 

PMID- 24225182
TI  - Tubular scaffolds of gelatin and poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-block-poly(gamma
      glutamic acid) blending hydrogel for the proliferation of the primary intestinal
      smooth muscle cells of rats.
AB  - The proper regeneration of intestinal muscle for functional peristalsis is the
      most challenging aspect of current small intestine tissue engineering. This study
      aimed to fabricate a hydrogel scaffold for the proliferation of intestinal smooth
      muscle cells (ISMCs). Tubular porous scaffolds of 10-20 wt% gelatin and 0.05-0.1
      wt% poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-block-poly(gamma-glutamic acid) blending hydrogel
      were cross-linked by carbodiimide and succinimide in an annular space of a glass
      mold. The scaffolds with higher gelatin contents degraded slower in the phosphate
      buffer solution. In rheological measurements, the hydrated scaffolds were elastic
      (all tangent delta <0.45); they responded differentially to frequency, indicating
      a complete viscoelastic property that is beneficial for soft tissue regeneration.
      Isolated rat ISMCs, with the characteristic biomarkers alpha-SMA, calponin and
      myh11, were loaded into the scaffolds by using either static or centrifugal
      methods. The average cell density inside the scaffolds increased in a time
      dependent manner in most scaffolds of both seeding groups, although at early time
      points (seven days) the centrifugal seeding method trapped cells more efficiently
      and yielded a higher cell density than the static seeding method. The static
      seeding method increased the cell density from 7.5-fold to 16.3-fold after 28
      days, whereas the centrifugal procedure produced a maximum increase of only 2.4
      fold in the same period. In vitro degradation data showed that 50-80% of the
      scaffold was degraded by the 14th day. However, the self-secreted extracellular
      matrix maintained the integrity of the scaffolds for cell proliferation and
      spreading for up to 28 days. Confocal microscopic images revealed cell-cell
      contacts with the formation of a 3D network, demonstrating that the fabricated
      scaffolds were highly biocompatible. Therefore, these polymeric biomaterials hold
      great promise for in vivo applications of intestinal tissue engineering. 

PMID- 24225183
TI  - Could the patient have been seen by a nurse; a questionnaire based survey of GP
      and patient views in Danish general practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nurses in Denmark have been increasingly involved in general practice
      care, which may have implications for the role of the general practitioner (GP)
      and patients' experience of primary care. The aim of this study was to explore
      possibilities of doctor-nurse substitution seen from GP and patient perspectives
      and patient preferences in regard to consultations with a personal GP. METHODS:
      The study was based on data from a Danish survey on disease patterns in general
      practice (KOS 2008). Background information on patients and GPs was linked with
      their responses to whether a nurse could have substituted the GP in consultations
      and patient-assessed importance of seeing a personal GP. Associations were
      measured with prevalence rate ratio (PR). RESULTS: Doctor-nurse substitution was
      a possibility in 14.8% of consultations according to GPs and in 11.7% according
      to patients. GP and patient agreed on substitution in 3.5% of consultations
      (Kappa = 0.164). Follow-up consultations were more often feasible for
      substitution than new episode according to GPs (adj. PR = 2.06 (1.62-2.62)), but
      not according to patients (adj. PR = 1.02 (0.64-1.33)). Follow-up consultations
      were related to high importance of seeing the personal GP (adj. PR = 1.18 (1.05
      1.33). For both patients and GPs, consultations with patients with chronic
      conditions were not significantly associated with nurse substitution. Male and
      younger patients did more often suggest substitution than women and older
      patients. For GPs, increasing patient age was associated with relevance of
      substitution. Patients who found it 'very important' to see their personal GP
      were less likely to consider nurse substitution a possibility (adj. PR = 0.57
      (0.45-0.71). CONCLUSIONS: GPs and patients found nurse substitution relevant in
      more than one in ten consultations, although they rarely agreed on which
      consultations. Follow-up consultations and consultations with older patients were
      associated with GPs considering nurse substitution appropriate more often. For
      patients, male and younger patients most often found substitution relevant. High
      importance of seeing the personal GP may contribute to patient reluctance to
      nurse substitution, especially for follow-up consultations. The results indicate
      a need for involving patients' perspective when altering the future roles of
      primary health care professionals.

PMID- 24225184
TI  - Equivalence of Gyn GEC-ESTRO guidelines for image guided cervical brachytherapy
      with EUD-based dose prescription.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To establish a generalized equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) -based
      prescription method for Image Guided Brachytherapy (IGBT) that reproduces the Gyn
      GEC-ESTRO WG (GGE) prescription for cervix carcinoma patients on CT images with
      limited soft tissue resolution. METHODS: The equivalence of two IGBT planning
      approaches was investigated in 20 patients who received external beam
      radiotherapy (EBT) and 5 concomitant high dose rate IGBT treatments. The GGE
      planning strategy based on dose to the most exposed 2 cm3 (D2cc) was used to
      derive criteria for the gEUD-based planning of the bladder and rectum. The safety
      of gEUD constraints in terms of GGE criteria was tested by maximizing dose to the
      gEUD constraints for individual fractions. RESULTS: The gEUD constraints of 3.55
      Gy for the rectum and 5.19 Gy for the bladder were derived. Rectum and bladder
      gEUD-maximized plans resulted in D2cc averages very similar to the initial GGE
      criteria. Average D2ccs and EUDs from the full treatment course were comparable
      for the two techniques within both sets of normal tissue constraints. The same
      was found for the tumor doses. CONCLUSIONS: The derived gEUD criteria for normal
      organs result in GGE-equivalent IGBT treatment plans. The gEUD-based planning
      considers the entire dose distribution of organs in contrast to a single dose
      volume-histogram point.

PMID- 24225186
TI  - Potential: the valuation of imagined future achievement.
AB  - The concept of potential is central to a number of decisions, ranging from
      organizational hiring, to athletic recruiting, to the evaluation of artistic
      performances. While potential may often be valued for its future payoffs, the
      present studies investigate whether people value potential even when making
      decisions about goods and experiences that can only be consumed in the present.
      Experiment 1 demonstrates that potential makes people more likely to consume
      inferior performances in the present. Experiment 2 manipulated temporal focus and
      demonstrates that focusing on the present (vs. the future) attenuates the effect
      of potential on enjoyment. Experiment 3 demonstrates that merely moving the
      performance into the past negates the effect of potential. And, Experiment 4
      demonstrates that potential increases valuation only when value is tied to
      abstract, hedonic dimensions, but not when it is tied to concrete, utilitarian
      dimensions. 

PMID- 24225185
TI  - Expression changes of ribosomal proteins in phosphate- and iron-deficient
      Arabidopsis roots predict stress-specific alterations in ribosome composition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ribosomes are essential ribonucleoprotein complexes that are engaged
      in translation and thus indispensable for growth. Arabidopsis thaliana ribosomes
      are composed of 80 distinct ribosomal proteins (RPs), each of which is encoded by
      two to seven highly similar paralogous genes. Little information is available on
      how RP genes respond to a shortage of essential mineral nutrients such as
      phosphate (Pi) or iron (Fe). In the present study, the expression of RP genes and
      the differential accumulation of RPs upon Pi or Fe deficiency in Arabidopsis
      roots were comprehensively analyzed. RESULTS: Comparison of 3,106 Pi-responsive
      genes with 3,296 Fe-responsive genes revealed an overlap of 579 genes that were
      differentially expressed under both conditions in Arabidopsis roots. Gene
      ontology (GO) analysis revealed that these 579 genes were mainly associated with
      abiotic stress responses. Among the 247 RP genes retrieved from the TAIR10
      release of the Arabidopsis genome (98 small subunit RP genes, 143 large subunit
      RP genes and six ribosome-related genes), seven RP genes were not detected in
      Arabidopsis roots by RNA sequencing under control conditions. Transcripts from 20
      and 100 RP genes showed low and medium abundance, respectively; 120 RP genes were
      highly expressed in Arabidopsis roots. As anticipated, gene ontology (GO)
      analysis indicated that most RP genes were related to translation and ribosome
      assembly, but some of the highly expressed RP genes were also involved in the
      responses to cold, UV-B, and salt stress. Only three RP genes derived from three
      'sets' of paralogous genes were differentially expressed between Pi-sufficient
      and Pi-deficient roots, all of which were induced by Pi starvation. In Fe
      deficient plants, 81 RP genes from 51 'sets' of paralagous RP genes were
      significantly down-regulated in response to Fe deficiency. The biological
      processes 'translation' (GO: 0006412), 'ribosome biogenesis (GO: 0042254), and
      'response to salt (GO: 0009651), cold (GO: 0009409), and UV-B stresses (GO:
      0071493)' were enriched in this subset of RP genes. At the protein level, 21 and
      two RPs accumulated differentially under Pi- and Fe-deficient conditions,
      respectively. Neither the differentially expressed RP genes nor the
      differentially expressed RPs showed any overlap between the two growth types.
      CONCLUSIONS: In the present study three and 81 differentially expressed RP genes
      were identified under Pi and Fe deficiency, respectively. At protein level, 21
      and two RP proteins were differentially accumulated under Pi- and Fe-deficient
      conditions. Our study shows that the expression of paralogous genes encoding RPs
      was regulated in a stress-specific manner in Arabidopsis roots, presumably
      resulting in an altered composition of ribosomes and biased translation. These
      findings may aid in uncovering an unexplored mechanism by which plants adapt to
      changing environmental conditions.

PMID- 24225187
TI  - MicroRNA-gene signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths and
      is characterized by early metastasis and pronounced resistance to chemotherapy
      and radiation therapy. Despite extensive esearch efforts, there is not any
      substantial progress regarding the identification of novel drugs against
      pancreatic cancer. Although the introduction of the chemotherapeutic agent
      gemcitabine improved clinical response, the prognosis of these patients remained
      extremely poor with a 5-year survival rate of 3-5%. Thus, the identification of
      the novel molecular pathways involved in pancreatic oncogenesis and the
      development of new and potent therapeutic options are highly desirable. Here, we
      describe how microRNAs control signaling pathways that are frequently deregulated
      during pancreatic oncogenesis. In addition, we provide evidence that microRNAs
      could be potentially used as novel pancreatic cancer therapeutics through
      reversal of chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance or regulation of essential
      molecular pathways. Further studies should integrate the deregulated genes and
      microRNAs into molecular networks in order to identify the central regulators of
      pancreatic oncogenesis. Targeting these central regulators could lead to the
      development of novel targeted therapeutic approaches for pancreatic cancer
      patients. 

PMID- 24225188
TI  - Chronic allograft dysfunction: a model disorder of innate immunity.
AB  - The innate immune system is a highly sensitive organ of perception sensing any
      cell stress and tissue injury. Its major type of response to all potential
      inciting and dangerous challenges is inflammation and tissue repair and, if
      needed, induction of a supportive adaptive immune response, the aim always being
      to maintain homeostasis. However, although initially beneficial, innate immunity
      mediated, protection-intended repair processes become pathogenic when they are
      exaggerated and uncontrolled, resulting in permanent fibrosis which replaces
      atrophic or dying tissue and may lead to organ dysfunction or even failure. In
      this sense, atherosclerosis and organ fibrosis reflect classical disorders caused
      by an overreacting innate immune system. Strikingly, these two pathologies
      dominate the development of chronic allograft dysfunction as the main clinical
      problem still left in transplantation medicine. Growing evidence suggests that
      acute and chronic allograft injuries, including alloimmune-, isoimmune-,
      nonimmune-, and infection-mediated insults, not only lead to cell death
      associated graft atrophy but also activate the innate immune system which, over
      time, leads to uncontrolled intragraft fibrogenesis, thereby compromising
      allograft function. Acute and chronic allograft injuries lead to induction of
      damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) which, after recognition by pattern
      recognition receptors, activate cells of the innate immune system such as donor
      derived intragraft fibroblasts and vascular cells as well as recipient-derived
      graft-invading macrophages and leukocytes. It is mainly the orchestrated action
      and function of these cells that slowly but steadily metamorphose the originally
      life-saving allograft into a poorly functioning organ of marginal viability. 

PMID- 24225189
TI  - Cisplatin, tegafur-uracil and leucovorin plus mitomycin C: an acceptably
      effective and toxic regimen for patients with recurrent or metastatic
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This prospective phase II clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and
      toxicity of cisplatin, oral tegafur-uracil, leucovorin, and mitomycin C in
      patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Patients
      with histologically proven non-keratinizing or undifferentiated nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma were prospectively enrolled from April 2002 to June 2005. Cisplatin 50
      mg/m(2) on day 1, 22 and mitomycin C 6 mg/m(2) on day 1 were administered. Oral
      tegafur-uracil 300 mg/m(2)/day and oral leucovorin 60 mg/day were given on day 1
      14 and day 22-35, respectively. Each cycle was repeated every 6 weeks. Primary
      and secondary endpoints are response rate and toxic profiles with survivals,
      respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with the median age of 47 (35-69)
      years were enrolled in the study. Sixteen (72.7%) patients had undifferentiated
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The regimen was well-tolerated by all patients with the
      exception of one patient (4.6%) who experienced grade IV anorexia, and two
      patients (9.1%) who had grade IV vomiting. There was no treatment-related death.
      The overall response rate was 59.1%, including 3 (13.6%) complete remissions. The
      median duration of response was 15.9 months, the median time to tumor progression
      was 10.0 months, and the median overall survival was 16.0 months. CONCLUSION:
      This outpatient chemotherapy regimen is acceptably effective and toxic among
      patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PMID- 24225190
TI  - Ultrasound localization of the femoral vein facilitates successful cannulation
      for hemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Real-time ultrasound-guided techniques allow for improved cannulation
      of the internal jugular vein and femoral vein for hemodialysis; however, these
      techniques require extra sterilization procedures, specialized probes, or needle
      guides. A simpler ultrasound vessel localization method was performed to
      investigate whether this alternative approach would aid in the cannulation of the
      femoral vein for patients in whom temporary angioaccess was required for
      hemodialysis. METHODS: Patients requiring temporary femoral vein catheters for
      hemodialysis were divided into 2 groups on alternating days of the week during a
      6-month period. One group underwent ultrasound localization of the femoral vein
      before cannulation and the second group received conventional landmark
      localization. Data regarding the strength of the femoral arterial pulse, number
      of attempts, failures, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Ultrasound
      localization resulted in significantly improved first-attempt success rates,
      reduced attempts, and reduced failure and complication rates overall (p < 0.001,
      p < 0.001, p = 0.002 and p = 0.004 respectively) as well as in the group of
      patients with a clearly discernible arterial pulse (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p =
      0.004 and p = 0.011 respectively). The same trend was observed among patients
      with faintly palpable or non-palpable femoral arterial pulses, although the
      differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Cannulation of the
      femoral vein for hemodialysis should be performed with the aid of ultrasound. If
      real-time ultrasound-guided cannulation is not available, the vessel localization
      method is a good alternative, given its known limitations and the fact that it is
      simpler. It remains to be determined whether 1 - dimensional localization or
      localization including vessel depth information can improve outcomes in patients
      with faintly palpable or non-palpable femoral arterial pulses.

PMID- 24225191
TI  - Health related quality of life of long-term kidney transplantation recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important issue for long
      term kidney transplantation (KT) patients. Nevertheless, few studies have focused
      on long-term HRQOL in KT recipients with a functional graft. Thus, the aim of
      this study is to describe the long-term (10-year) HRQOL of KT recipients.
      METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and correlational design. The Medical Outcome
      Survey (MOS SF-36) questionnaire was used to collect data on HRQOL. The data were
      collected from November 2009 to September 2010 at a medical center in Northern
      Taiwan. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients were interviewed. The mean years after
      transplantation was 14.48 (SD = 3.9). The mean score of each of the HRQOL
      subscales ranged from 59.4 to 82.5. The mean scores on the bodily pain (BP)
      subscale were the highest and, on the general health (GH) subscale, the lowest.
      Compared to the general population, with the exception of the BP subscale, long
      term KT patients had a lower mean score (poorer HRQOL) on all subscales. Age,
      gender, serum creatinine level, and employment status were significantly related
      to HRQOL. CONCLUSION: HRQOL of long-term KT patients was, overall, poorer than
      that of the general population. When comparing the HRQOL of KT patients with that
      of the general population, one should take into account age and gender. Finally,
      the physical, psychological, and social adjustment domains of HRQOL of KT
      patients warrant further attention.

PMID- 24225192
TI  - Assessment of videoendoscopy-assisted abdominoplasty for diastasis recti
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this retrospective analysis was to assess the
      treatment of endoscope abdominoplasty for diastasis recti deformity patients.
      METHODS: From January 1999 to January 2011, 88 patients ranging from 35 to 46
      years in age were treated with videoendoscopy-assisted minimally invasive
      surgery. All patients were Asian. Early (< 3 months) and late (> 6 months)
      complications were assessed throughout a follow-up period of up to 66 months.
      RESULTS: Observations were conducted at the end of three weeks, six months, and
      66 months. Early on, all patients experienced numbness with local paresthesia
      (100%) closely after treatment, and reported the feelings to subside by six
      months post-treatment. Four patients (4.5%) experienced ecchymosis, and three
      patients (3.4%) were affected by seroma. One patient (1.1%) had dyspnea
      immediately after surgery, which recovered after oxygen (O2) administration. Only
      one patient (1.1%) experienced minimal skin loss, which recovered after 3 months
      of surgery, and there were no further complications. Hypertrophic scars were
      apparent in three patients (3.4%) who showed no unwanted signs or further
      complications after post-operative scar care. No hematoma had been reported. All
      complications subsided (> 6 months) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Videoendoscopy
      assisted abdominoplasty can be used for diastasis recti deformity with minimal
      excess skin. Our study demonstrated effects against the formation of seroma and
      other complications.

PMID- 24225193
TI  - From polychemotherapy regimens to molecular targeting strategies.

PMID- 24225194
TI  - Renoprotective capacities of non-erythropoietic EPO derivative, ARA290, following
      renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: ARA290 is a non-erythropoietic EPO derivative which only binds to the
      cytoprotective receptor complex (EPOR2-betacR2) consisting of two EPO-receptors
      (EPOR) and two beta common receptors (betacR). ARA290 is renoprotective in renal
      ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). In a renal I/R model we focussed on timing of post
      reperfusional administration of ARA290. Furthermore, we investigated the anti
      inflammatory properties of ARA290. METHODS: Twenty-six male Lewis/HanHsd rats
      were exposed to unilateral ischemia for 30 minutes, with subsequent removal of
      the contralateral kidney. Post-reperfusion, ARA290 was administered early (one
      hour), late (four hours) or repetitive (one and four hours). Saline was used as
      vehicle treatment. Rats were sacrificed after three days. RESULTS: Early ARA290
      treatment improved renal function. Late- or repetitive treatment tended to
      improve clinical markers. Furthermore, early ARA290 treatment reduced renal
      inflammation and acute kidney injury at three days post-reperfusion. Late- or
      repetitive treatment did not affect inflammation or acute kidney injury.
      CONCLUSIONS: ARA290 attenuated renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study
      showed the anti-inflammatory effect of ARA290 and suggests early administration
      in the post-reperfusional phase is most effective. ARA290 is a candidate drug for
      protection against ischemic injury following renal transplantation.

PMID- 24225195
TI  - Assessing radiotracer kinetics in the Langendorff perfused heart.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Langendorff perfused heart is a physiologically relevant and
      controllable model with potential for assessing the pharmacokinetics of new
      radiotracers under a range of pathophysiological conditions.. We assess the
      feasibility of extending the methods validated for in vivo PET data analysis to
      the characterisation of PET tracer kinetics applied to Langendorff perfused
      hearts. METHODS: Monte Carlo simulations were used to study the accuracy and
      reproducibility of linear and non-linear spectral analysis (SA/NLSA), the Patlak
      graphical method and normalised tissue activity (NA). The methods were used to
      analyse time-activity curves of two widely used PET tracers, [18 F]-FDG and [18
      F]-FMISO, acquired ex vivo from Langendorff perfused rat hearts under normoxic
      and hypoxic conditions. RESULTS: Monte Carlo simulations showed NLSA to be
      superior to SA in identifying and quantifying the presence of irreversible
      trapping component (alphao), for low values of alphao. The performance of NLSA
      and SA for high values of trapping was comparable. NLSA was also more precise
      than SA in determining the absence of trapping over the range of simulated
      kinetics and SNR. Simulations also suggest that the semi-quantitative method NA
      is adequate for the evaluation of trapping, and it was found to be more accurate
      than Patlak. The values of alpha0 estimated with NLSA from the time series of
      both [18 F]-FDG and [18 F]-FMISO increased significantly from normoxia to hypoxia
      in agreement with previous studies. The values of trapping derived using SA
      increased but not significantly, reflecting the larger error associate with this
      method. Patlak estimated from the experimental datasets increased from normoxia
      to hypoxia but was not significant. NA estimated from the [18 F]-FDG data
      increased from normoxia to hypoxia, but was not significant, whilst NA calculated
      for [18 F]-FMISO time-activity curves increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Monte
      Carlo simulations suggested that spectral-based quantitative analysis methods are
      adequate for the kinetic characterisation of time-activity curves acquired ex
      vivo from perfused hearts. The uptake rate Patlak and the index NA also represent
      a good alternative to the SA and NLSA algorithms when the aim of the kinetic
      analysis is to measure changes in the amount of tracer trapped in the
      irreversible compartment in response to external stimuli. For low levels of
      trapping, NLSA and NA were subject to lower errors than SA and Patlak,
      respectively.

PMID- 24225196
TI  - Novel biologically-inspired rosette nanotube PLLA scaffolds for improving human
      mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenic differentiation.
AB  - Cartilage defects are a persistent issue in orthopedic tissue engineering where
      acute and chronic tissue damage stemming from osteoarthritis, trauma, and sport
      injuries, present a common and serious clinical problem. Unlike bone, cartilage
      repair continues to be largely intractable due to the tissue's inherently poor
      regenerative capacity. Thus, the objective of this study is to design a novel
      tissue engineered nanostructured cartilage scaffold via biologically-inspired
      self-assembling rosette nanotubes (RNTs) and biocompatible non-woven poly (l
      lactic acid) (PLLA) for enhanced human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC)
      chondrogenic differentiation. Specifically, RNTs are a new class of biomimetic
      supramolecular nanomaterial obtained through the self-assembly of low-molecular
      weight modified guanine/cytosine DNA base hybrids (the G?C motif) in an aqueous
      environment. In this study, we synthesized a novel twin G?C-based RNT (TB-RGDSK)
      functionalized with cell-favorable arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-serine-lysine
      (RGDSK) integrin binding peptide and a twin G?C based RNT with an aminobutane
      linker molecule (TBL). hMSC adhesion, proliferation and chondrogenic
      differentiation were evaluated in vitro in scaffold groups consisting of
      biocompatible PLLA with TBL, 1:9 TB-RGDSK:TBL, and TB-RGDSK, respectively. Our
      results show that RNTs can remarkably increase total glycosaminoglycan, collagen,
      and protein production when compared to PLLA controls without nanotubes.
      Furthermore, the TB-RGDSK with 100% well-organized RGDSK peptides achieved the
      highest chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs. The current in vitro study
      illustrated that RNT nanotopography and surface chemistry played an important
      role in enhancing hMSC chondrogenic differentiation thus making them promising
      for cartilage regeneration. 

PMID- 24225197
TI  - Involvement of alpha7 nAChR subtype in rat oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy:
      effects of selective activation.
AB  - Oxaliplatin, unlike other platinum anticancer agents, has only mild toxic effects
      on the hematopoietic, urinary and gastrointestinal systems. Its dose-limiting
      side effect is neurotoxicity that may evolve to a neuropathic syndrome which is
      difficult to treat. In this study we treated rats with oxaliplatin (2.4 mg/kg/day
      intraperitoneally, for 3 weeks), and observed that expression levels of the
      alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit were dramatically
      decreased both in the peripheral and central nervous system. The repeated
      administration (30 mg/kg/day per os, for 3 weeks) of (R)-ICH3, the most active
      enantiomer of a novel alpha7 nAChR agonist, and of PNU-282987 prevented the
      receptor down-regulation. On the other hand, both agonists per se up-regulated
      the alpha7 nAChR subunit compared to control. (R)-ICH3 and PNU-282987
      significantly reduced oxaliplatin-dependent alterations of the pain threshold
      when noxious or non-noxious stimuli were used. Further ex vivo analysis
      highlighted their neuroprotective effects in dorsal root ganglia and peripheral
      nerves. The two agonists did not prevent the increase in microglia cell number
      induced by oxaliplatin in the central nervous system. Astrocyte density was
      enhanced by the agonist treatment in the spinal cord, thalamus and somatosensory
      area 1 as opposed to the effects of oxaliplatin treatment. (R)-ICH3 and PNU
      282987 per se increased glial cell number in a region-specific manner. In
      summary, alpha7 nAChR is involved in oxaliplatin-dependent neuropathology and the
      agonists (R)-ICH3 and PNU-282987 reduce pain and protect nervous tissue with
      concomitant glial activation. Since glial cells play a role both in pain and in
      neuroprotection, an alpha7 AChR-dependent modulation of glial functions is
      suggested to distinguish rescue signals from the pathological pain-mediating
      pathway. 

PMID- 24225198
TI  - Cooperation of taurine uptake and dopamine D1 receptor activation facilitates the
      induction of protein synthesis-dependent late LTP.
AB  - Co-activation of NMDA and dopamine receptors is required for the induction of the
      late phase of LTP (L-LTP) that is dependent on new protein synthesis. Other
      neuromodulatory substances may also contribute to this process. Here, we examined
      whether taurine is one of the neuromodulators contributing to L-LTP induction,
      since it is known that taurine uptake induces a long-lasting synaptic
      potentiation dependent on protein synthesis, and taurine uptake inhibition blocks
      L-LTP induced by tetanization. Experiments were conducted using rat hippocampal
      slices where field synaptic potentials were evoked and recorded in CA3-CA1
      synapses. Taurine (1 mM) applied 10 min before a high frequency stimulation (HFS)
      train converted a transitory early-LTP (E-LTP) into an L-LTP dependent on protein
      synthesis. This taurine effect was blocked by a taurine uptake inhibitor. A
      facilitation of L-LTP induction was also obtained by pre-application of SKF38393,
      a D1/D5 dopamine receptor (D1R) agonist. In this case, LTP facilitation was not
      affected by the taurine uptake inhibitor. Nevertheless, when taurine and SKF38393
      were simultaneously pre-applied at a concentration that individually did not
      modify E-LTP, they produced a synergistic mechanism that facilitated the
      induction of L-LTP with a sole HFS train. This facilitation of L-LTP was blocked
      by inhibiting either taurine uptake or D1R activation. Taurine and SKF38393
      activated different signaling pathways to transform E-LTP into L-LTP. Taurine
      induced L-LTP facilitation required MAPK activation, while D1R-agonist-induced
      facilitation depended mainly on PKA activation and partially on MAPK activation.
      On the other hand, the synergistic mechanisms induced by the cooperative action
      of taurine and SKF38393 were impaired by inhibitors against MAPK, PKA and PI3-K.
      This pharmacological profile resembles that displayed by L-LTP induced by three
      HFS trains at 10-min intervals. These results indicate that taurine uptake is
      necessary and cooperates with other neurotransmitter systems in the induction of
      L-LTP. 

PMID- 24225199
TI  - Predictors, cost, and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome who
      receive optimal secondary prevention therapy: results from the antiplatelet
      treatment observational registries (APTOR).
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate outcomes, costs of care, quality of life and
      predictors at 12 months in patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who
      underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and evaluated use of optimal
      secondary prevention therapy, defined as use of aspirin and clopidogrel along
      with >= 3 of the following 4 therapies at both hospital discharge and at one-year
      post-PCI: statins, beta-blockers, ARB/ACE-inhibitors, and exercise or diet.
      METHODS: Data were from the prospective, observational APTOR study of 14 European
      countries from 2007 to 2009 (n=4184 patients). RESULTS: Optimal therapy was
      received in 43% of patients. Use of optimal therapy varied significantly by
      country. Diet or exercise at 1 year was more likely prescribed to the optimal
      cohort (34% vs 16%) as was dual antiplatelet therapy (99% vs 49%). Rates of CV
      event (3.1% vs 3.5%), bleeding (2.9% vs 2.8%) and mortality (0.9% vs 1.3%) at 1
      year were similar between the optimal and non-optimal cohorts, respectively.
      Total costs were similar for both cohorts, but differences in post-discharge
      costs were observed (optimal: L1760 [L1682-L1844]; non-optimal: L1492 [L1434
      L1554]), primarily due to post-discharge medication and resource use.
      CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, in this contemporary, European ACS-PCI registry,
      optimal therapy was low (<50%) overall, particularly for diet or exercise and
      dual antiplatelet therapy, highlighting a considerable gap between evidence-based
      guidelines and implementation of such treatments. Whether this gap reflects a
      missed opportunity to improve patient outcomes or whether it reflects appropriate
      deviation from guidelines by front-line clinicians requires further
      investigation.

PMID- 24225200
TI  - Using a large cuff reduces the difference between peripheral and central blood
      pressure readings. The BP-CUFF study.

PMID- 24225201
TI  - Clinical profiles and outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure and chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease: an efficacy and safety analysis of SHIFT study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      frequently coexist, with undefined prognostic and therapeutic implications. We
      investigated clinical profile and outcomes of patients with chronic HF and COPD,
      notably the efficacy and safety of ivabradine, a heart rate-reducing agent.
      METHODS: 6505 ambulatory patients, in sinus rhythm, heart rate >= 70 bpm and
      stable systolic HF were randomised to placebo or ivabradine (2.5 to 7.5mg bid).
      Multivariate Cox model analyses were performed to compare the COPD (n=730) and
      non-COPD subgroups, and the ivabradine and placebo treatment effects. RESULTS:
      COPD patients were older and had a poorer risk profile. Beta-blockers were
      prescribed to 69% of COPD patients and 92% of non-COPD patients. The primary
      endpoint (PEP) and its component, hospitalisation for worsening HF, were more
      frequent in COPD patients (HRs f, 1.22 [p=0.006]; and 1.34 [p<0.001])
      respectively, but relative risk was reduced similarly by ivabradine in both COPD
      (14%, and 17%) and non-COPD (18% and 27%) patients (p interaction=0.82, and 0.53,
      respectively). Similar effect was noted also for cardiovascular death. Adverse
      events were more common in COPD patients, but similar in treatment subgroups.
      Bradycardia occurred more frequently in ivabradine subgroups, with similar
      incidence in patients with or without COPD. CONCLUSIONS: The association of COPD
      and HF results in a worse prognosis, and COPD represents a barrier to
      optimisation of beta-blocker therapy. Ivabradine is similarly effective and safe
      in chronic HF patients with or without COPD, and can be safely combined with beta
      blockers in COPD.

PMID- 24225202
TI  - Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli to optimize melanin synthesis from
      glucose.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Natural aromatic polymers, mainly melanins, have potential and
      current applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The
      biotechnological production of this class of compounds is based on tyrosinase
      dependent conversion of L-tyrosine and other aromatic substrates into melanins.
      The purpose of this work was to apply metabolic engineering for generating
      Escherichia coli strains with the capacity to synthesize an aromatic polymer from
      a simple carbon source. RESULTS: The strategy was based on the expression in E.
      coli of the MutmelA gene from Rhizobium etli, encoding an improved mutant
      tyrosinase. To direct the carbon flow from central metabolism into the common
      aromatic and the L-tyrosine biosynthetic pathways, feedback inhibition resistant
      versions of key enzymes were expressed in strains lacking the sugar
      phosphotransferase system and TyrR repressor. The expressed tyrosinase consumed
      intracellular L-tyrosine, thus causing growth impairment in the engineered
      strains. To avoid this issue, a two phase production process was devised, where
      tyrosinase activity was controlled by the delayed addition of the cofactor Cu.
      Following this procedure, 3.22 g/L of melanin were produced in 120 h with glucose
      as carbon source. Analysis of produced melanin by Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy revealed similar characteristics to a pure eumelanin standard.
      CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a process for producing melanin from a
      simple carbon source at grams level, having the potential for reducing production
      cost when compared to technologies employing L-tyrosine as raw material.

PMID- 24225203
TI  - Mitochondrial targeting of alpha-tocopheryl succinate enhances its anti
      mesothelioma efficacy.
AB  - Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a fatal neoplastic disease with no therapeutic
      option. Therefore, the search for novel therapies is of paramount importance.
      METHODS: Since mitochondrial targeting of alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS)
      by its tagging with triphenylphosphonium enhances its cytotoxic effects to cancer
      cells, we tested its effect on MM cells and experimental mesotheliomas. RESULTS:
      Mitochondrially targeted vitamin E succinate (MitoVES) was more efficient in
      killing MM cells than alpha-TOS with IC50 lower by up to two orders of magnitude.
      Mitochondrial association of MitoVES in MM cells was documented using its
      fluorescently tagged analogue. MitoVES caused apoptosis in MM cells by
      mitochondrial destabilization, resulting in the loss of mitochondrial membrane
      potential, generation of reactive oxygen species, and destabilization of
      respiratory supercomplexes. The role of the mitochondrial complex II in the
      activity of MitoVES was confirmed by the finding that MM cells with suppressed
      succinate quinone reductase were resistant to MitoVES. MitoVES suppressed
      mesothelioma growth in nude mice with high efficacy. DISCUSSION: MitoVES is more
      efficient in killing MM cells and suppressing experimental mesotheliomas compared
      with the non-targeted alpha-TOS, giving it a potential clinical benefit.

PMID- 24225204
TI  - Italian registry of cardiac magnetic resonance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Forty sites were involved in this multicenter and multivendor
      registry, which sought to evaluate indications, spectrum of protocols, impact on
      clinical decision making and safety profile of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on a 6-month period and
      included 3376 patients (47.2 +/- 19 years; range 1-92 years). Recruited centers
      were asked to complete a preliminary general report followed by a single
      form/patient. Referral physicians were not required to exhibit any specific
      certificate of competency in CMR imaging. RESULTS: Exams were performed with 1.5T
      scanners in 96% of cases followed by 3T (3%) and 1T (1%) magnets and contrast was
      administered in 84% of cases. The majority of cases were performed for the workup
      of inflammatory heart disease/cardiomyopathies representing overall 55.7% of
      exams followed by the assessment of myocardial viability and acute infarction
      (respectively 6.9% and 5.9% of patients). In 49% of cases the final diagnosis
      provided was considered relevant and with impact on patient's
      clinical/therapeutic management. Safety evaluation revealed 30 (0.88%) clinical
      events, most of which due to patient's preexisting conditions. Radiological
      reporting was recorded in 73% of exams. CONCLUSIONS: CMR is performed in a large
      number of centers in Italy with relevant impact on clinical decision making and
      high safety profile.

PMID- 24225205
TI  - Medication management for people with dementia in primary care: description of
      implementation in the DelpHi study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As the population ages, the relative and absolute number of age
      associated diseases such as dementia will increase. Evaluation of the suitability
      and intake of medication and pharmacological treatment is an important aspect of
      care for people with dementia, especially if they live at home. Regular
      medication reviews and systematic cooperation between physicians and pharmacists
      are not common in routine care. Medication management (MM), based on such a
      comprehensive home medication review could help to reduce drug-related problems
      and costs. The present article presents a medication management specifically for
      the application in the ambulatory setting and describes its implementation as
      part of a larger trial. METHODS/DESIGN: A home medication review (HMR) and MM is
      implemented as part of the DelpHi study, a population based prospective, cluster
      randomized controlled intervention study to test the efficacy and efficiency of
      the implementation of a collaborative care model in primary care. PARTICIPANTS:
      people with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers are recruited by the patient's
      general practitioner. Inclusion criteria are a positive screening result for
      dementia, living at home and regular intake of drugs. PWD are asked to specify
      their regular pharmacy which is asked to participate in the study, too.
      INTERVENTION: a comprehensive HMR is conducted as computer-assisted personal
      interview by specifically qualified Dementia Care Manager (DCM) at the people's
      home. It includes detailed information about drugs taken, their storage,
      administration, adherence and adverse events. The MM is conducted in cooperation
      between DCM, pharmacist and general practitioner and consists of a pharmaceutical
      evaluation, pharmaceutical recommendations and their application. Pharmacists are
      trained and provided with regularly updated information. The MM is designed to
      give information and recommendations concerning antidementia drugs, occurrence of
      drug related problems, intake of anticholinergic drugs, potentially clinically
      relevant drug-drug-interactions, adverse drug events and medication adherence.
      DISCUSSION: The DelpHi-approach for medication management employs comprehensive
      instruments and procedures in the primary care setting under routine care
      conditions, and this approach should be useful in improving pharmacotherapy as
      part of the comprehensive treatment and care for people with dementia. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01401582.

PMID- 24225207
TI  - [High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation: exploration and challenges].

PMID- 24225206
TI  - Adjuvant radiotherapy of regional lymph nodes in breast cancer - a meta-analysis
      of randomized trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy (RT) improves overall survival (OS) of breast cancer
      patients after breast conserving surgery and after mastectomy in patients with
      involved lymph nodes (LN). The contribution of RT to the regional LN to this
      survival benefit was poorly understood. Recently, the results of three large
      randomized trials addressing this question have become available. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: The published abstracts (full publication pending) of the MA.20 (n=1832)
      and the EORTC 22922-10925 (EORTC) (n=4004) trial and the full publication of the
      French trial (n=1334) were basis of the meta-analysis. Main eligibility criteria
      were positive axillary LN (all trials), LN negative disease with high risk for
      recurrence (MA.20), and medial/central tumor location (French, EORTC). The MA.20
      and the EORTC trial tested the effect of additional regional RT to the internal
      mammary (IM) LN and medial supraclavicular (MS) LN, whereas in the French trial
      all patients received RT to the MS-LN and solely RT to the IM-LN was randomized.
      Primary endpoint was OS. Secondary endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS) and
      distant metastasis free survival (DMFS). RESULTS: Regional RT of the MS-LN and
      the IM-LN (MA.20 and EORTC) resulted in a significant improvement of OS (Hazard
      Ratio (HR) 0.85 (95% CL 0.75 - 0.96)). Adding the results of the French trial and
      using the random effects model to respect the different design of the French
      trial, the effect on OS of regional radiotherapy was still significant (HR 0.88
      (95% CL 0.80 - 0.97)). The absolute benefits in OS were 1.6% in the MA.20 trial
      at 5 years, 1.6% in the EORTC trial at 10 years, and 3.3% in the French trial at
      10 years (not significant in single trials). Regional radiotherapy of the MS-LN
      and the IM-LN (MA.20 and EORTC) was associated with a significant improvement of
      DFS (HR 0.85 (95% CL 0.77 - 0.94)) and DMFS (HR 0.82 (95% CL 0.73 - 0.92)). The
      effect sizes were not significantly different between trials for any end point.
      CONCLUSION: Additional regional radiotherapy to the internal mammary and medial
      supraclavicular lymph nodes statistically significantly improves DFS, DMFS, and
      overall survival in stage I-III breast cancer.

PMID- 24225208
TI  - [Effects of tramadol hydrochloride preconditioning on the activation of nuclear
      factor-KappaB induced by norepinephrine in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of tramadol hydrochloride preconditioning
      on activation of nuclear factor-KappaB (NF-KappaB) induced by norepinephrine (NE)
      in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. METHODS: 1 to 3-day old Sprague-Dawley
      (SD) rats were raised, and their cardiomyocytes were cultured for 4 to 5 days.
      Sixteen wells of cultured cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into four groups
      (n=4): blank control group, NE1 group in which the cells were incubated with
      1*10(-6) mmol/L of NE, NE2 group in which cells were incubated with 1*10(-7)
      mmol/L of NE, and NE3 group in which cells were incubated with 1*10(-8) mmol/L of
      NE. Another 12 wells of cultured cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into three
      groups (n=4): blank control group, NE3 group in which cells were incubated with
      1*10(-8) mmol/L of NE, tramadol plus NE group (T + NE group) in which cells were
      incubated with 1*10(-5) mmol/L of tramadol hydrochloride plus 1*10(-8) mmol/L of
      NE. Tramadol hydrochloride was added 30 minutes before the use of NE in T + NE
      group. After exposure to NE for 24 hours, the expression and activation of NF
      KappaB in the cultured cardiomyocytes were determined by immunocytochemistry and
      flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: The results of immunocytochemistry showed that the
      expression of NF-KappaB (including average optical density and positive units) in
      NE3 group was significantly increased as compared with that in the blank control
      group (A average optical density: 0.30+/-0.03 vs. 0.12+/-0.04, t=7.200, P=0.008;
      positive units: 39+/-14 vs. 22+/-6, t=4.610, P=0.020). The results of FCM showed
      that the levels of cytoplasm NF-KappaB in cultured cardiomyocytes were decreased
      significantly in NE1 group, NE2 group and NE3 group compared with blank control
      group [(45.8+/-1.9)%, (38.3+/-1.8)%, (20.9+/-1.6)% vs. (54.6+/-0.6)%, all
      P<0.05], and the level in NE3 group was significantly lower than that in NE1 and
      NE2 groups (both P<0.05). The level of the cardiomyocytes cytoplasm NF-KappaB in
      T + NE group was higher than that in NE3 group [(57.8+/-0.4)% vs. (20.9+/-1.6)%,
      t=57.524, P=0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Tramadol hydrochloride preconditioning can
      inhibit the activation of NF-KappaB induced by NE in cultured rat cardiomyocytes.
      It plays a protective role in ischemia myocardium at cell level.

PMID- 24225209
TI  - [The value of D-dimer for etiological diagnosis of mortal chest pain: an analysis
      of 438 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of plasma D-dimer in differentiating fatal
      chest pain due either to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute pulmonary
      embolism (APE) or acute aortic dissection (AAD) in emergency department. METHODS:
      The data of a total of 445 consecutive patients complaining chest (back) pain
      and/or dyspnea who visited emergency department of Peking University Third
      Hospital from January 2011 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All
      cases were either diagnosed as AMI, APE or AAD finally. D-dimer concentrations
      were assessed and compared among different groups. The receiver operating
      characteristic curve (ROC curve) was established. The potency of D-dimer in
      distinguishing AMI, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) by
      difference in values was assessed. RESULTS: Finally, 438 cases were enrolled,
      including 327 AMI [253 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 74
      NSTEMI], 76 APE and 35 AAD cases. The D-dimer concentrations in AMI group
      [0.21(0.15, 0.33) mg/L] were significantly lower than those in APE group [1.06
      (0.86, 3.01) mg/L, Z=-11.416, P<0.001], AAD group [1.79 (0.83, 3.37) mg/L, Z=
      8.715, P<0.001], APE/AAD group [1.15 (0.85, 3.13) mg/L, Z=-13.509, P<0.001]. The
      D-dimer concentrations in STEMI group were significantly lower than those in
      NSTEMI group [mg/L: 0.20 (0.15, 0.30) vs. 0.24 (0.17, 0.54), Z=-3.248, P=0.001].
      The area under ROC curve (AUC) to discriminate AMI from APE/AAD was 0.929+/
      0.015, and optimal value was 0.535 mg/L. Sensitivity, specificity, positive
      predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood
      ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR) with cut-off value of 0.535 mg/L
      were 86.2%, 93.7%, 97.6%, 69.8%,13.68, 0.15, while sensitivity, specificity, PPV,
      NPV, PLR, NLR with cut-off value of 0.5 mg/L were 84.4%, 93.7%, 97.5%, 67.1%,
      13.40, 0.17. The AUC to discriminate NSTEMI from APE/AAD was 0.881+/-0.028.
      Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV with cut-off value of 0.535 mg/L were 75.7%,
      93.7%, 88.9%, 85.2%, while sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV with cut-off value
      of 0.5 mg/L were 70.3%, 93.7%, 88.1%, 82.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: D-dimer
      is a better index in differentiating AMI from APE/AAD in emergency setting,
      guiding further examination and therapy, and increasing diagnosis efficiency.

PMID- 24225210
TI  - [Comparison of value of GRACE, APACHEII and REMS for early prognosis of death in
      patients with acute myocardial infarction].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the predictive value of short-term risk of
      death of global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) risk scores, acute
      physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) scores and rapid emergency
      medicine score (REMS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
      METHODS: A retrospective review of clinical data of 390 patients with AMI
      admitted from October 2012 to March 2013 in emergency department and cardiology
      care unit (CCU) in Guizhou People's Hospital were performed. The lowest scores
      within 24 hours of GRACE risk score, APACHEII risk score, and REMS risk score,
      respectively, for each patient were recorded. Mortality rate within 30 days after
      onset was calculated. Prediction of the mortality rate of AMI within 30 days as
      made in three scoring systems was compared. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients died
      from cardiovascular disease within 30 days. GRACE risk scores, APACHEII scores,
      and REMS risk scores were higher in non-survivors as compared with that of
      survivors (GRACE: 206.09+/-24.67 vs. 150.17+/-25.72, t=-4.349, P=0.000; APACHEII:
      15.81+/-7.60 vs. 7.50+/-2.83, t=-4.182, P=0.000; REMS: 7.11+/-2.70 vs. 5.38+/
      2.59, t=-2.345, P=0.020). Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve
      (ROC curve) for GRACE risk scores, APACHEII risk scores and REMS in patients with
      AMI died from cardiac vascular disease in 30 days were 0.862 [95% confidence
      interval (95%CI) 0.76-0.95, P=0.000], 0.825 (95%CI 0.71-0.93, P=0.002) and 0.615
      (95%CI 0.46-0.77, P=0.192), sensitivity of three kinds of scoring system was
      92.32%, 76.91%, 69.26%, respectively, with specificity of 66.23%, 77.84%, 54.02%
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GRACE and APACHEII scores for patients with AMI risk
      of short-term death showed more accurate in predicting early than GRACE scores,
      and REMS for AMI risk of short-term death did not have predictive value.

PMID- 24225211
TI  - [Experimental study of the effect of Shenmai injection on post-cardiac arrest
      syndrome in rabbit].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Shenmai injection on post-cardiac arrest
      syndrome (PCAS) in rabbit and to discuss the underlying mechanism. METHODS:
      Seventy-three rabbits were divided into sham operation group (n=10), model group
      (n=21), high and low dosage Shenmai group (each n=21) by random number table
      method. The animal model of cardiac arrest was reproduced by clamping the
      endotracheal tube. The rabbits in sham operation group were only given anesthesia
      and tracheostomy without producing asphyxia by clamping the trachea to produce
      asphyxia. Serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), alanine aminotransferase
      (ALT), creatinine (Cr), troponin I (cTnI), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF
      alpha), interleukin (IL-1beta, IL-6) and nuclear transcription factors-KappaB (NF
      KappaB) levels were determined before asphyxia and 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours after
      restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and dynamic changes in various
      parameters were determined in each group. RESULTS: All the indexes in model group
      and Shenmai groups were gradually increased after ROSC. IL-6 peaked at 6 hours,
      IL-1beta peaked at 12 hours, CK-MB, cTnI, TNF-alpha and NF-KappaB peaked at 24
      hours, ALT and Cr peaked at 48 hours. CK-MB, ALT, cTnI levels in high dosage
      Shenmai group were significantly lower than those in the model group 6 hours
      after ROSC [CK-MB (U/L): 571.69+/-24.39 vs. 587.98+/-22.38, ALT (U/L): 74.88+/
      8.71 vs. 81.49+/-5.79, cTnI (MUg/L): 7.82+/-1.52 vs. 8.97+/-1.87], serum levels
      of TNF-alpha and NF-KappaB 12 hours after ROSC [TNF-alpha(ng/L): 120.36+/-12.38
      vs. 135.23+/-20.13, NF-KappaB (ng/L): 2.18+/-0.17 vs. 2.29+/-0.15], and the serum
      levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 24 hours after ROSC in high dose Shenmai group were
      significantly lower than those in the model group [IL-1beta (ng/L): 1.49+/-0.13
      vs. 1.62+/-0.17, IL-6 (ng/L): 72.01+/-5.02 vs. 79.35+/-11.28], however, serum Cr
      in high dosage Shenmai group was significantly lower than in the model group at
      24 hours after ROSC (MUmol/L: 158.73+/-4.40 vs. 162.97+/-5.02, P<0.05 or P<0.01).
      In low dosage Shenmai group, the serum level of CK-MB, Cr, cTnI were
      significantly lower than those in the model group 24 hours after ROSC [CK-MB
      (U/L): 1 769.00+/-19.73 vs. 2 120.96+/-24.15, Cr (MUmol/L): 159.32+/-3.02 vs.
      162.97+/-5.02, cTnI (MUg/L): 12.17+/-3.04 vs. 14.89+/-3.09,P<0.05 or P<0.01). But
      after ROSC, ALT, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and NF-KappaB showed no significant
      change as compared with model group. In high dosage Shenmai group, serum levels
      of CK-MB and cTnI at 6, 12 hours and TNF-alpha and IL-6 at 24 hours after ROSC
      were significantly lower than those in the low dosage Shenmai group(all P<0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Severity of injury of different organs in rabbit cardiac arrest
      model showed positive correlation with the alterations in serum TNF-alpha, IL
      1beta, IL-6, NF-KappaB after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Early use of Shenmai
      injection after cardiopulmonary resuscitation can retard the development of PCAS,
      especially in the protection of ischemia and hypoxia of myocardium after
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

PMID- 24225212
TI  - [The clinical value of atrial natriuretic peptide in early diagnosis of sepsis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value and specificity of atrial natriuretic
      peptide (ANP) in early diagnosis of sepsis. METHODS: A prospective study was
      performed. Data of patients with sepsis were consecutively collected from
      September 2007 to December 2012 according to the international criteria for the
      diagnosis of sepsis, and that of 114 patients admitted to intensive care unit
      (ICU) and the cadre health care ward were divided into three groups: systemic
      inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) group (n=37), sepsis group (n=41) and
      severe sepsis group (including severe sepsis and septic shock, n=36). Venous
      blood of each patient was drawn instantly when admitted to ICU. The concentration
      of plasma ANP in each group was determined on the 1st day using a new type of
      sandwich immunofluorescence assay, and other biomarkers, such as procalcitonin
      (PCT, detected with double antibody immunochemi luminometry), blood lactic acid
      (detected with electrode meter), and C-reactive protein (CRP, detected with
      immunonephelometric analysis), and the acute physiology and chronic health
      evaluation II (APACHEII) score was recorded. APACHEII score and biomarkers were
      compared among three groups. The risk factor for severity was confirmed with
      stepwise regression, and the value of each index in early diagnosis of sepsis was
      analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The plasma
      concentration of ANP exhibited a gradual increase with the aggravation of the
      disease, and the median ANP value was found to be highest in the severe sepsis
      group compared with SIRS group and sepsis group [MUg/L: 0.26 (0.22) vs. 0.19
      (0.05), 0.21 (0.08), P<0.01 and P<0.05]. The regression equation was established
      at y=0.69 + 0.66APACHEIIscore + 1.285 ANP value, with group as independent
      variable, and APACHEII score, ANP, PCT, CRP and blood lactic acid value as
      dependent variables. It could be concluded that APACHEII score and ANP value were
      correlated with severity of sepsis, and accordingly they were regarded as the
      independent predictors of severity of sepsis. It was found through the ROC curve
      analysis of ANP in the sepsis patients, that the area under the ROC curve for ANP
      [0.805, P=0.000, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.726-0.883, sensitivity 75.8%,
      specificity 78.4%] was similar with the area under the APACHEII score (0.820,
      P=0.000, 95%CI 0.742-0.897, sensitivity 68.4%, specificity 78.4%), and it was
      apparently higher than AUCs of PCT (0.716, P=0.000, 95%CI 0.622-0.810,
      sensitivity 67.1%, specificity 62.2%), CRP (0.569, P=0.236, 95%CI 0.463-0.675,
      sensitivity 76.3%, specificity 41.5%), or blood lactic acid (0.566, P=0.254,
      95%CI 0.453-0.679, sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 48.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma ANP
      concentration is clinically valuable in early diagnosis and severity assessment
      of sepsis, and it is more specific and sensitive than biomarkers PCT and CRP.

PMID- 24225213
TI  - [A study of relationship between dialectical classification according to
      traditional Chinese medicine of acute coronary syndrome with serum
      osteoprotegerin and its ligand].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between osteoprotegerin (OPG) system
      and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and its classification according to traditional
      Chinese medicine (TCM). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. The patients
      with ACS (n=210) and the patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP, n=200) were
      enrolled. The serum OPG and its ligand (sRANKL) were determined by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the OPG/sRANKL ratio was calculated, and the number
      of coronary vessels was involved, finally their relationship with the typing
      according to TCM was evaluated. One hundred and fifty non-coronary heart disease
      patients were enrolled as control. RESULTS: The serum OPG, OPG/sRANKL in ACS and
      SAP groups were significantly higher than those in control group, and the sRANKL
      was significantly lower than that in control group (all P<0.01). The OPG,
      OPG/sRANKL in ACS groups were significantly higher than those in SAP group (both
      P<0.01). Serum OPG, OPG/sRANKL in ACS patients with different number of coronary
      vessel disease were significantly higher than those in control group, and the
      sRANKL was significantly lower than that in control group (all P<0.01). OPG and
      OPG/sRANKL were gradually increased with increase in number of diseased coronary
      vessels, but the sRANKL descended (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Serum OPG and OPG/sRANKL
      were descended according to dialectical classification of TCM: Yang Qi weakening
      syndrome>Qi and blood stagnation syndrome>Qi deficiency with blood stasis
      syndrome>stagnation of phlegm blocks the heart-vessels syndrome>Yin deficiencies
      of the heart and the kidney syndrome>deficiency of both Qi and Yin syndrome,
      among them they were significantly higher in Yang Qi failure syndrome and Qi and
      blood stagnation syndromes than those of both Qi and Yin syndrome [OPG(ng/L):
      621.38+/-32.86, 617.63+/-39.60 vs. 593.86+/-36.19, OPG/sRANKL(g/mol): 1 018.98+/
      106.03, 1 011.27+/-121.61 vs. 942.16+/-115.82, P<0.05 or P<0.01]. Among different
      types of TCM in ACS group the serum sRANKL was significantly lower than that in
      control group (all P<0.01), but the difference among different types was not
      significant. CONCLUSIONS: Serum OPG, sRANKL, OPG/sRANK levels were related with
      incidence and severity of coronary lesions in ACS patients. Serum OPG and
      OPG/sRANKL ratio may have correlation with Yang Qi weakening syndrome and Qi
      deficiency with blood stasis syndrome.

PMID- 24225215
TI  - [Analysis of drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii and its related factors
      in ICU].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii and its
      related factors in intensive care unit (ICU), and to provide clinical basis for
      prevention and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted.
      Clinical data was collected from 1 050 patients in ICU of Foshan Hospital of
      Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2011 to June 2013. The risk factors of
      nosocomial infection were analyzed with univariate analysis. The independent risk
      factor was sieved from the risk factors with P<0.05 with unconditional logistic
      regression analysis to analyze the related factors and drug resistance of
      Acinetobacter baumannii in ICU. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen patients
      suffering from nosocomial infection of Acinetobacter baumannii were found, and
      its incidence rate was 10.76%. There were 96 cases of infection of multi-drug
      resistant, extensive-drug resistant and pan-drug resistant Acinetobacter
      baumannii, accounting for 84.96%. Acinetobacter baumannii detection rate was
      79.65% in sputum, 10.62% in urine, 4.42% in wound secretion, 3.54% in blood, and
      1.77% in other drainage discharges, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that
      mechanical ventilation, ICU stay time>=7 days, coma [Glasgow coma score (GCS)<8],
      usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics were risk factors of nosocomial infection of
      Acinetobacter baumannii. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the
      independent risk factors of nosocomial infection caused by Acinetobacter
      baumannii in ICU were mechanical ventilation [odds ratio (OR)= 2.957,
      95%confidence interval (95%CI) 1.106-6.253, P=0.023], ICU stay time>=7 days
      (OR=2.991, 95%CI 1.135-6.544, P=0.022), coma (GCS<8,OR=2.894, 95%CI 1.803-7.462,
      P=0.010), and usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics (OR=3.054, 95%CI 1.009-6.550,
      P=0.004). Rate of resistance to polymyxin B was the lowest (6.19%), and it was
      followed by tobramycin and tigecycline, 11.50% and 28.32%, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Acinetobacter baumannii in ICU was conditional pathogenic bacteria
      with high infection rate, and the lower respiratory tract was the main site of
      infestation. The related factors include mechanical ventilation, ICU stay time,
      coma, usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Its antimicrobial resistance rate was
      high. Comprehensive measures, including environmental isolation, strict bed unit
      disinfection, enforcement of hand disinfection, strengthening the effort to
      shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation, reduction of ICU length of stay,
      enhancement of drainage of mucus, excretions, and other body fluids, and rational
      use of antibiotics should be encouraged in order to reduce Acinetobacter
      baumannii in ICU.

PMID- 24225214
TI  - [An investigation on correlation of severity of brain injury with the expression
      of activin A and C-reactive protein].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the dynamic change in serum levels of activin A (ACTA)
      and C-reaction protein (CRP) in patients with brain injury, and to investigate
      its significance. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. A total of 57 adult
      patients with brain injury occurring within 24 hours admitted to intensive care
      unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August
      2012 to June 2013 were enrolled. The patients were allocated into three groups
      according to their Glasgow coma scale (GCS) as follows: minor brain injury (GCS
      13-15, n=17), moderate brain injury (GCS 9-12, n=18), heavy brain injury (GCS 3
      8, n=22). The clinical and related laboratory data (reflecting the function of
      liver, kidney, lung, blood coagulability etc.) were recorded after ICU admission.
      At the same time, venous samples were collected on the day 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 after
      ICU admission for determination of ACTA with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
      (ELISA) and CRP with fluorescence immunoassay technology. The correlation between
      ACTA and CRP was analyzed by linear correlation. The receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the accuracy of ACTA and CRP as
      a prognostic indicator in brain injury. Fifteen healthy persons were enrolled as
      the control group. RESULTS: The serum levels of ACTA and CRP in patients with
      minor, moderate and heavy brain injury were significantly higher than those in
      healthy control group [ACTA (MUg/L): 23.96+/-3.55, 42.06+/-5.67, 52.32+/-4.46 vs.
      13.66+/-2.45, all P<0.01; CRP (mg/L): 14.12+/-2.45, 23.05+/-2.85, 30.93+/-2.35
      vs. 3.42+/-2.25, all P<0.01]. As the patients' condition worsening, levels of
      ACTA and CRP tended to elevate (all P<0.01). Levels of ACTA and CRP in minor,
      moderate and heavy brain injury groups were increased after ICU admission. On day
      3, levels of serum ACTA and CRP reached the peak values [ACTA (MUg/L):30.62+/
      2.54, 51.35+/-2.55, 60.52+/-2.55; CRP (mg/L): 18.62+/-2.64, 30.35+/-2.25, 37.52+/
      2.55], and then they lowered gradually. In minor and moderate brain injury
      groups, the levels of ACTA and CRP were slowly descending, and on day 7, they
      maintained at a lower level [ACTA (MUg/L): 13.68+/-2.54, 37.74+/-2.55; CRP
      (mg/L): 6.68+/-2.44, 19.74+/-2.55]. On the contrary, the levels of ACTA and CRP
      in heavy brain injury group persistently maintained at a high level on day 7
      [ACTA: (42.32+/-2.54) MUg/L, CRP: (33.32+/-2.56) mg/L]. There were significant
      differences in ACTA and CRP among different degrees of brain injury groups (all
      P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between ACTA and CRP (r=0.958,
      P=0.007). ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity for brain injury
      prediction was 93.3% for ACTA with specificity 95.0%, area under ROC curve(AUC)
      0.843, and the sensitivity for CRP was 89.1% with specificity 68.2%, AUC 0.723.
      CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of ACTA and CRP in patients with brain injury are
      strongly correlated with the severity of the injury. Furthermore, ACTA is more
      sensitive than CRP in detecting early brain injury. Therefore, ACTA is a specific
      factor for detecting brain injury.

PMID- 24225216
TI  - [Clinical significance of dynamic monitoring of procalcitonin in guiding the use
      of antibiotics in patients with sepsis in ICU].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of dynamic monitoring of procalcitonin
      (PCT) in guiding the use of antibiotics for treating patients with sepsis in
      intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Eighty-two patients with sepsis from January
      2012 to June 2013 hospitalized in ICU of First Hospital of Jilin University were
      enrolled, and they were randomly divided into regular antibiotic therapy group
      (RAT group, n=40) and PCT monitoring in guiding the use of antibiotics group (PCT
      group, n=42). Patients in RAT group were treated according to principle of
      antibiotics usage, while in PCT group patients' PCT value was observed everyday.
      When no active symptoms of infection were shown, and acute physiology and chronic
      health evaluation II (APACHEII) scores declined, PCT value decreased over 90% or
      PCT value lower than 0.25 MUg/L time point were selected as drug withdrawal
      indication. The general status of the patient, antimicrobial drug use time, and
      prognosis were compared between the two groups, and Kaplan-Meier method was used
      for survival curve analysis. Variance analysis was used for repeating measurement
      to observe dynamic serum PCT level of the two groups of patients for survival and
      death during 7 days. RESULTS: Mann-Whitney U test or chi(2) test showed that
      there were no statistical significance in age, gender, APACHEII score, blood
      culture positive rate, sputum culture positive rate, cardiac insufficiency, renal
      failure, respiratory failure, and ventilator and hemofiltration usage (all
      P>0.05). Log Rank test results showed that the time of antimicrobial drug usage
      was significantly reduced in PCT group than that in RAT group [days: 8.1+/-0.3,
      95% confidence interval (95%CI 8.3-9.7) vs. 9.3+/-0.3 (95%CI 8.7-10.1), P=0.013].
      Kaplan-Meier univariate survival curves showed that the speed of curve
      declination in PCT group was faster significantly than that in RAT group,
      suggesting that the time of using antimicrobial drug was shortened. There was no
      significant difference in length of hospital stay, ICU stay time, number of death
      in 28 days, number of cases of recurrence in 28 days and clinical cure rate
      between two groups (all P>0.05). PCT level in non-survivors in both groups was
      significantly higher than that in the survivors, exceeding more than 10 MUg/L in
      the early and late stages of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic monitoring of PCT
      can effectively reduce antimicrobial drug use in ICU patients with sepsis, but
      there is no significant difference in patients' prognosis.

PMID- 24225217
TI  - [An analysis of relationship between the severity of coronary artery lesion and
      risk factors of cardiovascular events in Tianjin].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the correlation between the severity of coronary artery
      lesion and multiple risk factors of events of coronary heart disease (CHD) in
      patients with coronary arteriography (CAG) in Tianjin. METHODS: A retrospective
      study was conducted. One thousand six hundred and twenty-nine patients with CHD
      as diagnosed with CAG in Tianjin Chest Hospital were enrolled in the study. Using
      the SYNTAX score to evaluate the outcomes of CAG, The patients wer divided into
      three groups, i.e. low (0-22, n=962), medium (23-32, n=446) and high (>= 33,
      n=221) score groups. The relationship between the severity of CHD patients
      analysis. RESULTS: The single factor analysis results showed that the severer the
      coronary artery lesion, the higher the SYNTAX score, the higher the proportion of
      patients having one of single risk factors (old, male, smoking, hypertension,
      type 2 diabetes mellitus, blood lipid abnormality), the lower the high density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the higher the low density lipoprotein
      cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) level, fibrinogen (FIB) content, and
      body mass index (BMI, all P<0.01). The logistic regression analysis showed that
      male, old age, hypertension, typed 2 diabetes mellitus, TC were the independent
      risk factors in aggravating the severity of CHD. Hypertension [ odds ration
      (OR)=3.947, 95% confidence interval (95% CL) 1.45-10.704, P<0.001] and type 2
      diabetes mellitus (OR=5.760, 95% CI 2.549-13.018, P<0.001) were the two most
      prominent predictors for CHD, while HDL-C was the protective factor for CHD
      (OR=0.541, 95% CI 0.295-0.992, P=0.992, P=0.004). CONCLUSION. The severity of CHD
      was closely related to CHD was closely related to various risk factors, among
      them hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus were the most predominant risk
      factors of CHD. Therefore it should be emphasized that clinicians should control
      blood pressure, blood glucose, and also blood lipid level in CHD patients to
      prevent cardiac event.

PMID- 24225218
TI  - Cordycepin-mediated transcriptional regulation of human GD3 synthase (hST8Sia I)
      in human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)-C cells.
AB  - In the present study, we firstly found that cordycepin elevated the gene
      expression of the human GD3 synthase (hST8Sia I) in human neuroblastoma SK-N
      BE(2)-C cells. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the upregulation of hST8Sia
      I gene expression in cordycepin-treated SK-N-BE(2)-C cells, functional
      characterization of the promoter region of the hST8Sia I gene was performed.
      Analysis of promoter activity using varying lengths of 5'-flanking region showed
      a dramatic increase by cordycepin in the -1146 to -646 region, which contains
      putative binding sites for transcription factors c-Ets-1, CREB, AP-1, and NF
      kappaB. Site-directed mutagenesis for these binding sites and chromatin
      immunoprecipitation assay revealed that the NF-kappaB binding site at -731 to 
      722 is essential for the cordycepin-induced expression of the hST8Sia I in SK-N
      BE(2)-C cells. Moreover, the hST8Sia I expression induced by cordycepin was
      significantly repressed by pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of NF-kappaB.
      These results suggested that cordycepin induces upregulation of hST8Sia I gene
      expression through NF-kappaB activation in SK-N-BE(2)-C cells. 

PMID- 24225219
TI  - The fate of the embedded virgin sand flea Tunga penetrans: hypothesis, self
      experimentation and photographic sequence.
AB  - We describe the morphological development of a single penetrated female sand flea
      (Tunga penetrans) in a medical expatriate working in Madagascar. The embedded
      parasite developed abnormally in two aspects. First, it lived twice as long as
      usually. Second, it did not expel a single egg during a period of two months. We
      explain these abnormalities by the fact that the female sand flea remained virgin
      after the penetration into the skin and, therefore, mature eggs did not develop.
      Our observations are seminal findings in a long dispute between entomologists and
      suggest that normally the fertilization of a female sand flea takes place on-host
      when it is already embedded in the epidermis. We conclude that a single sand flea
      lesion in a traveller may develop in a different way as compared to parasites
      penetrating into the skin of inhabitants living in endemic areas. 

PMID- 24225220
TI  - Patient comfort during treatment with heated humidified high flow nasal cannulae
      versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure: a randomised cross-over trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare patient comfort in preterm infants treated with heated
      humidified high flow nasal cannulae (HHHFNC) versus nasal continuous positive
      airway pressure (NCPAP). DESIGN: Randomised cross-over trial (2*24 h). SETTING:
      Single tertiary neonatal unit. PATIENTS: 20 infants less than 34 weeks
      postmenstrual age treated with NCPAP due to mild respiratory illness.
      INTERVENTIONS: After parental consent, infants were randomised to 24 h of
      treatment with NCPAP or HHHFNC followed by 24 h of the alternate therapy. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was patient comfort assessed by the EDIN
      (neonatal pain and discomfort) scale. Secondary outcomes were respiratory
      parameters (respiratory rate, FiO2, SpO2, TcPCO2), ambient noise, salivary
      cortisol and parental assessments of their child. RESULTS: We found no
      differences between HHHFNC and NCPAP in mean cumulative EDIN score (10.7 vs 11.1,
      p=0.25) or ambient noise (70 vs 74 dBa, p=0.18). Parents assessed HHHFNC
      treatment as significantly better in the three domains, 1) child satisfied, 2)
      parental contact and interaction and 3) possibility to take part in care. Mean
      respiratory rate over 24 h was lower during HHHFNC than CPAP (41 vs 46, p=0.001).
      Other respiratory parameters were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Using EDIN scale, we
      found no difference in patient comfort with HHHFNC versus NCPAP. However, parents
      preferred HHHFNC, and during HHHFNC respiratory rate was lower than during NCPAP.
      CLINICALTRIALSGOV, NUMBER: NCT01526226.

PMID- 24225221
TI  - Rapidly involuting congenital haemangioma.

PMID- 24225222
TI  - Genome wide analysis reveals single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with
      fatness and putative novel copy number variants in three pig breeds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity, excess fat tissue in the body, can underlie a variety of
      medical complaints including heart disease, stroke and cancer. The pig is an
      excellent model organism for the study of various human disorders, including
      obesity, as well as being the foremost agricultural species. In order to identify
      genetic variants associated with fatness, we used a selective genomic approach
      sampling DNA from animals at the extreme ends of the fat and lean spectrum using
      estimated breeding values derived from a total population size of over 70,000
      animals. DNA from 3 breeds (Sire Line Large White, Duroc and a white Pietrain
      composite line (Titan)) was used to interrogate the Illumina Porcine SNP60
      Genotyping Beadchip in order to identify significant associations in terms of
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs). RESULTS:
      By sampling animals at each end of the fat/lean EBV (estimate breeding value)
      spectrum the whole population could be assessed using less than 300 animals,
      without losing statistical power. Indeed, several significant SNPs (at the 5%
      genome wide significance level) were discovered, 4 of these linked to genes with
      ontologies that had previously been correlated with fatness (NTS, FABP6, SST and
      NR3C2). Quantitative analysis of the data identified putative CNV regions
      containing genes whose ontology suggested fatness related functions (MCHR1,
      PPARalpha, SLC5A1 and SLC5A4). CONCLUSIONS: Selective genotyping of EBVs at
      either end of the phenotypic spectrum proved to be a cost effective means of
      identifying SNPs and CNVs associated with fatness and with estimated major
      effects in a large population of animals.

PMID- 24225223
TI  - Effects of selenoprotein S on oxidative injury in human endothelial cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selenoprotein S (SelS) is an important endoplasmic reticulum and
      plasma membrane-located selenoprotein implicated in inflammatory responses and
      insulin resistance. However, the effects of SelS on endothelial cells (ECs) have
      not been reported. In the present study, the role of SelS in oxidative stress and
      the underlying mechanism were investigated in human ECs. METHODS: A SelS over
      expression plasmid (pc-SelS) and a SelS-siRNA plasmid were transfected into human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (American Type Culture Collection, USA). The
      cells were divided into four groups: control, SelS over-expression (transfected
      with pc-SelS), vector control, and SelS knockdown (transfected with siRNA-SelS).
      After treating the cells with H2O2, the effects of oxidative stress and the
      expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) were
      investigated. RESULTS: Following treatment with H2O2, over-expression of SelS
      significantly increased cell viability and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,
      and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) production and Cav-1 gene and protein
      expression. However, no effects on PKCalpha were observed. In contrast, knockdown
      of SelS significantly decreased cell viability, SOD activity, and PKCalpha gene
      and protein expression, and increased MDA production and Cav-1 gene and protein
      expression. CONCLUSIONS: SelS protects ECs from oxidative stress by inhibiting
      the expression of Cav-1 and PKCalpha.

PMID- 24225224
TI  - Involvement of a novel genistein-inducible multidrug efflux pump of
      Bradyrhizobium japonicum early in the interaction with Glycine max (L.) Merr.
AB  - The early molecular dialogue between soybean and the bacterium Bradyrhizobium
      japonicum is crucial for triggering their symbiotic interaction. Here we found a
      single large genomic locus that is widely separated from the symbiosis island and
      was conspicuously induced within minutes after the addition of genistein. This
      locus (named BjG30) contains genes for the multidrug efflux pump, TetR family
      transcriptional regulator, and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) metabolism. The
      induction of BjG30 by genistein was competitively inhibited by daidzein, although
      both genistein and daidzein are soybean-derived inducers of nodulation (nod)
      genes. Such a differential expression pattern is also observed in some legume
      derived flavonoids, which structurally differ in the hydroxy/deoxy group at the 5
      position. In addition, not only did the induction start far in advance of nodW
      and nodD1 after the addition of genistein, but the levels showed distinct
      concentration dependence, indicating that the induction pattern of BjG30 is
      completely different from that of nod genes. The deletion of genes encoding
      either the multidrug efflux pump or PHB metabolism, especially the former,
      resulted in defective nodulation performance and nitrogen-fixing capability.
      Taken together, these results indicate that BjG30, and especially its multidrug
      efflux pump, may play a key role in the early stage of symbiosis by balancing the
      dual functions of genistein as both a nod gene inducer and toxicant. 

PMID- 24225227
TI  - A facile approach for dual-responsive prodrug nanogels based on dendritic
      polyglycerols with minimal leaching.
AB  - A novel pH and redox dual-responsive prodrug nanogel was prepared by an inverse
      nanoprecipitation method, which is mild and surfactant free, and based on a thiol
      disulfide exchange reaction and thiol-Michael addition reaction. Highly
      biocompatible hyperbranched polyglycerol (hPG) was cross-linked with disulfide
      bonds, to obtain biodegradable nanogels, which could be degraded under
      intracellular reductive conditions. Doxorubicin (DOX) was conjugated to the
      biodegradable nanogel matrix via an acid-labile hydrazone linker. This is the
      first dual-responsive prodrug nanogel system that shows very low unspecific drug
      leaching, but efficient intracellular release of the payload triggered by the
      intracellular conditions. Two different prodrug nanogels were prepared with a
      size of approximately 150nm, which is big enough to take the advantage of the
      enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect in tumor tissue. Cell culture
      analysis by microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that the prodrug nanogels were
      efficiently internalized by tumor cells. Distinct release profiles of DOX were
      achieved by adjusting the nanogel architecture, and online detection of
      cytotoxicity showed that, unlike free DOX, the dual-responsive prodrug nanogels
      exhibited a delay in the onset of toxicity, indicating the different uptake
      mechanism and the need for prodrug activation to induce cell death. 

PMID- 24225225
TI  - The neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor knockdown modulates activator protein 1-involved
      feeding behavior in amphetamine-treated rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and two immediate early genes, c
      fos and c-jun, have been found to be involved in regulating the appetite
      suppressing effect of amphetamine (AMPH). The present study investigated whether
      cerebral catecholamine (CA) might regulate NPY and POMC expression and whether
      NPY Y1 receptor (Y1R) participated in activator protein-1 (AP-1)-mediated
      feeding. METHODS: Rats were given AMPH daily for 4 days. Changes in the
      expression of NPY, Y1R, c-Fos, c-Jun, and AP-1 were assessed and compared.
      RESULTS: Decreased CA could modulate NPY and melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R)
      expressions. NPY and food intake decreased the most on Day 2, but Y1R, c-Fos, and
      c-Jun increased by approximately 350%, 280%, and 300%, respectively, on Day 2.
      Similarly, AP-1/DNA binding activity was increased by about 180% on Day 2. The
      expression patterns in Y1R, c-Fos, c-Jun, and AP-1/DNA binding were opposite to
      those in NPY during AMPH treatment. Y1R knockdown was found to modulate the
      opposite regulation between NPY and AP-1, revealing an involvement of Y1R in
      regulating NPY/AP-1-mediated feeding. CONCLUSIONS: These results point to a
      molecular mechanism of CA/NPY/Y1R/AP-1 signaling in the control of AMPH-mediated
      anorexia and may advance the medical research of anorectic and anti-obesity
      drugs.

PMID- 24225228
TI  - The Retrograde Tibial Nail: presentation and biomechanical evaluation of a new
      concept in the treatment of distal tibia fractures.
AB  - Displaced distal tibia fractures require stable fixation while minimizing
      secondary damage to the soft tissues by the surgical approach and implants.
      Antegrade intramedullary nailing has become an alternative to plate
      osteosynthesis for the treatment of distal metaphyseal fractures over the past
      two decades. While retrograde intramedullary nailing is a standard procedure in
      other long bone fractures, only few attempts have been made on retrograde nailing
      of tibial fractures. The main reasons are difficulties of finding an ideal entry
      portal and the lack of an ideal implant for retrograde insertion. The Retrograde
      Tibial Nail (RTN) is a prototype intramedullary implant developed by our group.
      The implant offers double proximal and triple distal interlocking with an end cap
      leading to an angle-stable screw-nail construct of the most distal interlocking
      screw. Its design meets the requirements of a minimally invasive surgical
      approach, with a stable fracture fixation by multiple locking options. The 8mm
      diameter curved nail, with a length of 120 mm, is introduced through an entry
      portal at the medial malleolus. We see possible indications for the RTN in far
      distal tibial shaft fractures, distal extraarticular metaphyseal tibial fractures
      and in distal tibia fractures with simple extension into the ankle joint when the
      nail is combined lag screw fixation. A biomechanical comparison of the current
      RTN prototype against antegrade nailing (Expert Tibial Nail, Synthes((r)), ETN)
      was performed. Both implants were fixed with double proximal and triple distal
      interlocking. Seven biomechanical composite tibiae were treated with either
      osteosynthesis techniques. A 10mm defect osteotomy 40 mm proximal to the joint
      line served as an AO 43-A3 type distal tibial fracture model. The stiffness of
      the implant-bone constructs was measured under low and high extra-axial
      compression (350 and 600 N) and under torsional load (8 Nm). Results show a
      comparable stability during axial loading for the two implant types with slightly
      higher stability in the RTN group. Rotational stability was superior for the RTN.
      Statistical analysis proved a significant difference (p<0.05) between the ETN and
      RTN for rotational stability. This study suggests that retrograde tibia nailing
      with the RTN is a promising new concept for the treatment of distal tibia
      fractures.

PMID- 24225229
TI  - The expression and clinical significance of HERC4 in breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggest that ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)
      plays a key role in tumorigenesis. HERC4 is a recently identified ubiqutin
      ligase. However, the expression status and biological functions of HERC4 in
      cancers are not clearly. METHODS: We evaluated the HERC4 expression in breast
      cancer cell lines and breast tumor tissues by quantitative real-time PCR and
      western blot analysis. To investigate the clinicopathological significance of
      HERC4, immunohistochemistry analysis for HERC4 was performed on a tissue
      microarray including 13 benign fibroadenoma, 15 intraductal carcinoma, 120
      histologically confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma. Receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) analysis was applied to determine the optimal cut-off score
      for positive expression of HERC4, when HERC4 positive expression percentage was
      above 60%, tumor was defined as "positive". RESULTS: HERC4 was up-regulated in
      breast cancer cell lines and breast tumor tissues compared to non-tumorigenic
      cell line and adjacent normal breast tissues. According to ROC analysis, HERC4
      positive expression was detected in 1/16 (6.3%) of normal breast tissue, in 3/13
      (23.1%) of fibroadenoma, in 6/15 (40%) of intraductal carcinoma and 66/120 (55%)
      of invasive ductal carcinoma. Positive expression of HERC4 was positively
      correlated with pT status, pN status, clinical stage and histological grade of
      patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      suggest that HERC4 was a significant diagnostic marker for invasive ductal
      carcinoma of the breast.

PMID- 24225226
TI  - Polymeric nanoparticle system to target activated microglia/macrophages in spinal
      cord injury.
AB  - The possibility to control the fate of the cells responsible for secondary
      mechanisms following spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most relevant
      challenges to reduce the post traumatic degeneration of the spinal cord. In
      particular, microglia/macrophages associated inflammation appears to be a self
      propelling mechanism which leads to progressive neurodegeneration and development
      of persisting pain state. In this study we analyzed the interactions between
      poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles (PMMA-NPs) and microglia/macrophages in
      vitro and in vivo, characterizing the features that influence their
      internalization and ability to deliver drugs. The uptake mechanisms of PMMA-NPs
      were in-depth investigated, together with their possible toxic effects on
      microglia/macrophages. In addition, the possibility to deliver a mimetic drug
      within microglia/macrophages was characterized in vitro and in vivo. Drug-loaded
      polymeric NPs resulted to be a promising tool for the selective administration of
      pharmacological compounds in activated microglia/macrophages and thus potentially
      able to counteract relevant secondary inflammatory events in SCI. 

PMID- 24225230
TI  - 3D Reconstruction of virtual colon structures from colonoscopy images.
AB  - This paper presents the first fully automated reconstruction technique of 3D
      virtual colon segments from individual colonoscopy images. It is the basis of new
      software applications that may offer great benefits for improving quality of care
      for colonoscopy patients. For example, a 3D map of the areas inspected and
      uninspected during colonoscopy can be shown on request of the endoscopist during
      the procedure. The endoscopist may revisit the suggested uninspected areas to
      reduce the chance of missing polyps that reside in these areas. The percentage of
      the colon surface seen by the endoscopist can be used as a coarse objective
      indicator of the quality of the procedure. The derived virtual colon models can
      be stored for post-procedure training of new endoscopists to teach navigation
      techniques that result in a higher level of procedure quality. Our technique does
      not require a prior CT scan of the colon or any global positioning device. Our
      experiments on endoscopy images of an Olympus synthetic colon model reveal
      encouraging results with small average reconstruction errors (4.1 mm for the fold
      depths and 12.1 mm for the fold circumferences).

PMID- 24225231
TI  - Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of hand foot, and mouth disease in a
      Shenzhen sentinel hospital from 2009 to 2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the epidemiological and clinical data of all hand,
      foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in a sentinel hospital of Shenzhen, China
      from 2009 to 2011. METHODS: HFMD cases diagnosed in our institution were assessed
      from 2009 to 2011. Both epidemiological and clinical features were analyzed
      retrospectively. All the fatal cases were reported. RESULTS: A total of 12132
      patients were diagnosed with HFMD, of which 2944 (24.3%) were hospitalized. Of
      the 2944 hospitalized patients, the highest proportion of diagnosed cases were
      admitted in May and July (989/2944, 33.6%). In 2009 all severe HFMD cases were
      diagnosed with enterovirus 71 (EV71). In 2010 and 2011, some of the severe HFMD
      were diagnosed with Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16). Incidence was highest in 0-4-year
      old children, with males being predominant. There were sporadic cases with HFMD
      the whole year except in February. All cases were cured in 2009. Six deaths were
      reported during 2010 and 2011. CONCLUSIONS: EV71 can cause severe complications
      and deaths in our region. HFMD is an important public health problem in Shenzhen
      in spite of stringent measures taken in preschool centers. A high degree of
      vigilance should be maintained over the disease situation.

PMID- 24225232
TI  - Control of actin-based motility through localized actin binding.
AB  - A wide variety of cell biological and biomimetic systems use actin polymerization
      to drive motility. It has been suggested that an object such as a bacterium can
      propel itself by self-assembling a high concentration of actin behind it, if it
      is repelled by actin. However, it is also known that it is essential for the
      moving object to bind actin. Therefore, a key question is how the actin tail can
      propel an object when it both binds and repels the object. We present a
      physically consistent Brownian dynamics model for actin-based motility that
      includes the minimal components of the dendritic nucleation model and allows for
      both attractive and repulsive interactions between actin and a moveable disc. We
      find that the concentration gradient of filamentous actin generated by
      polymerization is sufficient to propel the object, even with moderately strong
      binding interactions. Additionally, actin binding can act as a biophysical cap,
      and may directly control motility through modulation of network growth. Overall,
      this mechanism is robust in that it can drive motility against a load up to a
      stall pressure that depends on the Young's modulus of the actin network and can
      explain several aspects of actin-based motility. 

PMID- 24225234
TI  - [Farnesoid-X-receptor blockade reduces myocardial reperfusion injury in
      cholesterol-fed apolipoprotein E knockout mice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) antagonist Z
      guggulsterone in an in vivo high-fat fed apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-))
      mice model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). METHODS: Male ApoE(-/-) mice
      were randomly divided into three groups: standard ApoE(-/-) group (fed with
      standard mouse diet for 12 weeks before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 18), high
      fat ApoE(-/-) group (fed with high-fat mouse diet for 12 weeks before myocardial
      I/R procedure, n = 22), and high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group(fed with
      high-fat mouse diet for 12 weeks and received FXR antagonist Z-Guggulsterone 30
      minutes before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 17). The expression of FXR was
      detected by real-time quantitative-PCR. Myocardial infarct size was determined by
      Evans blue/TTC double staining methods. Myocardial apoptosis was determined by in
      situ TUNEL technique. Markers of the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway
      (cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activity, and BAX and BCL-2 levels), endoplasmic
      reticulum stress apoptotic pathway (caspase-12 activity and CHOP level), and
      death receptor apoptotic pathway (caspase-8 activity, and Fas and FasL levels)
      were also measured. RESULT: FXR expression (3.7-fold higher, P < 0.01),
      myocardial infarct size [(62.1 +/- 7.0)% vs. (33.8 +/- 5.8)%, P < 0.01] and
      myocardial apoptosis index[ (36.8 +/- 5.7)% vs. (17.2 +/- 3.8)%, P < 0.01]were
      all significantly higher in high-fat ApoE(-/-) group than those in standard ApoE(
      /-) group. Compared with high-fat ApoE(-/-) group, myocardial infarct size [(24.4
      +/- 4.7)% vs. (62.1 +/- 7.0)%, P < 0.01] and myocardial apoptosis index [(13.8 +/
      2.7)% vs. (36.8 +/- 5.7)%, P < 0.01] were significantly reduced in high-fat
      ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group. Moreover, levels of mitochondrial-mediated
      apoptotic pathway markers (cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activity, and BAX/BCL
      2 levels) and endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptotic pathway markers (caspase-12
      activity and CHOP level) were significantly lower in high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR
      antagonist group than those in high-fat ApoE(-/-) group (all P < 0.01). Levels of
      death receptor apoptotic pathway markers (caspase-8 activity, and Fas and FasL
      levels) were similar between high-fat ApoE(-/-) group and high-fat ApoE(-/-) +
      FXR antagonist group. CONCLUSION: FXR antagonist alleviates myocardial
      reperfusion injury in cholesterol-fed ApoE(-/-) mice via inhibition of the
      mitochondrial-mediated and endoplasmic-reticulum stress pathway.

PMID- 24225233
TI  - Additional weekly Cetuximab to concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced
      non-small cell lung carcinoma: efficacy and safety outcomes of a randomized,
      multi-center phase II study investigating.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modest benefits from concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with
      locally advanced NSCLC warrant further clinical investigations to identify more
      effective treatment regimens. Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against the
      epidermal growth factor receptor has shown activity in NSCLC. We report on the
      safety and efficacy of the combination of daily dose Cisplatin and concurrent
      radiotherapy with or without weekly Cetuximab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients
      received high dose accelerated radiotherapy (66 Gy in 24 fractions) and
      concurrent daily Cisplatin (6 mg/m(2)) without (Arm A) or with (Arm B) weekly
      Cetuximab (400 mg/m(2) loading dose one week prior to radiotherapy followed by
      weekly 250 mg/m(2)). The primary endpoint of the trial was objective local
      control rate (OLCR) determined at 6-8 weeks after treatment. Toxicity was
      reported as well. RESULTS: Between February 2009 and May 2011, 102 patients were
      randomized. Median follow up was 29 months. The OLCR was 84% in Arm A and 92% in
      Arm B (p=0.36). The one-year local progression free interval (LPFI) and overall
      survival (OS) were 69% and 82% for Arm A and 73% and 71% for Arm B, respectively
      (LPFI p=0.39; OS p=0.99). Toxicity compared equally between both groups.
      CONCLUSION: The addition of Cetuximab to radiotherapy and concurrent Cisplatin
      did not improve disease control in patients with locally advanced NSCLC but
      increased treatment related toxicity.

PMID- 24225235
TI  - [Pharmacological postconditioning with lactic acid and low dose edaravone could
      attenuate myocardial reperfusion injury through mitochondrial pathway].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that pharmacological postconditioning with
      lactic acid and low dose edaravone could mimic the upper trigger of mechanical
      postconditioning and relieve reperfusion injury through mitochondrial pathway.
      METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 18 each): sham,
      reperfusion/injury(I/R), postconditioning (IP), lactic acid (Lac, 60 ul), low
      dose edaravone (Eda, 3 ug/kg), and Lac+Eda. After 45 min myocardial ischemia,
      different drugs or saline were administrated around the infarct border according
      to different groups using micro syringe at the time of reperfusion. After 10 min
      reperfusion, right atrial plasma pH value was determined in all rats. Then the
      rats were sacrificed at 1, 6 and 24 h (n = 6 each), apoptotic index was measured
      by TUNEL, infarct area and ischemic area were measured through Evans blue-TTC
      double staining, mitochondrial absorbance, the contents of MDA and SOD in
      ischemic myocardium were detected by spectrophotometry, and the expression of
      apoptotic pathway molecules, such as Bcl-2, Bax and Cytochrome c (Cyt-c) , were
      detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Right atrial plasma pH value was significantly
      lower, the content of MDA was significantly lower, and the content of SOD was
      significantly higher in IP and Lac+Eda groups than in I/R group (all P < 0.05).
      The mitochondrial absorbance in Lac+Eda group at all time points were all
      significantly higher than those in I/R group (all P < 0.05). The level of Bcl-2
      in ischemic myocardium in Lac+Eda group was significantly higher than in I/R
      group (1.02 +/- 0.19 vs.0.02 +/- 0.01, P < 0.05), the level of Bax (0.38 +/- 0.07
      vs.2.40 +/- 0.45, P < 0.05) and Cyt-c(0.78 +/- 0.05 vs.6.54 +/- 1.86, P < 0.05)
      were all lower than those in I/R group. The content of CK[(849 +/- 228) vs.(1249
      +/- 211) U/L, P < 0.05] and CK-MB[(470 +/- 266) vs. (966 +/- 263) U/L, P < 0.05]
      in Lac+Eda group were all significantly lower than in I/R group, apoptotic index
      [(10.51 +/- 1.52)% vs. (15.00 +/- 1.90) %, P < 0.05] and infarct area [(27.12 +/-
      5.55)% vs. (45.66 +/- 10.81)%, P < 0.05] in Lac+Eda group were all significantly
      lower than those in I/R group. CONCLUSION: Pharmacological postconditioning with
      lactic acid and low dose edaravone could mimic the upper triggers of mechanical
      postconditioning and attenuate myocardial reperfusion injury through
      mitochondrial pathway.

PMID- 24225236
TI  - [Lycopene protects against hypoxia/reoxygenation-injury by preventing calpain
      activation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible mechanism of lycopene on protecting
      against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-injury. METHODS: Primary cultured
      cardiomyocytes, isolated from neonatal mouse, were divided into three groups
      randomly: control group (C) ; H/R group(4 h H followed by 8 h R); lycopene+H/R
      group(L+H/R), in which the cardiomyocytes were pretreated with lycopene for 4 h
      before H/R. The survival of cardiomyocytes was counted. Apoptotic cells were
      detected by TUNEL assays. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondrial matrix
      into the cytosol, the activity of caspase-3, intracellular ROS levels and the
      activity of calpain were also determined in these groups respectively at the same
      time. RESULTS: The pretreatment of cardiomyocytes with lycopene significantly
      improved the survival of cardiomyocytes [C: (89.84 +/- 5.15)%, H/R: (63.59 +/-
      5.11)%, L+H/R: (79.25 +/- 1.48)%, P < 0.05] and reduced the extent of apoptosis
      [C: ( 10.37 +/- 1.25)%, H/R: (32.03 +/- 4.79)%, L+H/R: (22.57 +/- 3.22)%, P <
      0.05], significantly reduced caspase-3 activation [C: (2.61 +/- 0.19), H/R: (5.82
      +/- 0.92), L+H/R: (3.74 +/- 0.64) pNA pmol/ug protein, P < 0.05]. To further
      study the mechanism underlying the benefits of lycopene, interactions between
      lycopene and calpain activation were examined. Lycopene pretreatment of
      cardiomyocytes suppressed the activation of calpain(C:272.33 +/- 300.46, H/R:
      1156.00 +/- 212.02, L+H/R: 607.33 +/- 166.23, P < 0.05) by reducing the H/R
      induced increased intracellular ROS levels [C: 100%, H/R: (239.79 +/- 27.27)%,
      L+H/R: (188.19 +/- 17.63)%, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: Lycopene may protect against
      hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury by preventing calpain activation.

PMID- 24225237
TI  - [Analyses of super-response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with
      congestive heart failure: a multiple center trial].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of super-response and the potential
      predictors related to super-response after cardiac resynchronization therapy
      (CRT) in patients with congestive heart failure. METHODS: 190 patients [145 men
      and 45 women;age: (60.48 +/- 11.91) years] underwent CRT between March 2001 and
      March 2012 were enrolled in this multi-center trial, of which, 54 patients with
      ischemic cardiomyopathy and 136 patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. These
      patients were followed up from 6 months to 11 years (mean 58 months) post CRT.
      RESULTS: Ten patients died within 6 months post CRT, the others were followed up
      for more than 6 months. At 6-month follow-up, 51 patients were identified as CRT
      super-responders (28.33%), 75 patients were CRT responders (41.67%) and 29
      patients were CRT non-responders (16.11%), and 25 patients were CRT negative
      responders (13.89%). Super-response occurred more frequently in non-ischemic
      cardiomyopathy patients, while non-response most commonly occurred in ischemic
      cardiomyopathy patients (P < 0.05); patients in the negative response group had
      higher serum creatinine level than other groups (P < 0.05) , and patients in the
      non-response group and negative response group had higher pulmonary artery
      pressure than patients in the super-response group (P < 0.05); the average QRS
      duration was >= 160 ms before CRT, and the mean decrease was around 30 ms after
      CRT in the super-response group while the average QRS duration was 139 ms before
      CRT, and the mean reduction was around 8 ms after CRT in the negative response
      group (P < 0.05). LV lead position in the super-response group was usually in the
      middle and base of the heart, while in the negative response group it was more
      commonly located in the apex of the heart (P < 0.01) . CONCLUSIONS: LV lead
      located at the middle and pre-CRT ORS duration >= 160 ms are associated with
      super-response post CRT procedure in this patient cohort.

PMID- 24225238
TI  - [Effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with advanced
      congestive heart failure evaluated by real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively assess the effects of cardiac resynchronization
      therapy (CRT) in patients with advanced congestive heart failure by real-time 3
      dimensional(3D) echocardiography (RT-3DE). METHODS: Eighteen patients with
      advanced congestive heart failure underwent CRT with New York Heart
      association(NYHA) class III and IV and wide QRS complex (>120 ms) were included
      (17 dilated cardiomyopathy and 1 ischemic cardiomyopathy). Before CRT and 8
      months after CRT, the clinical and RT-3DE parameters and outcome were analyzed.
      RESULTS: The biventricular pacemaker was successfully implanted in 17 patients
      (94.4%). Compared with before CRT, NYHA class of patients decreased by 1.5 class
      (P < 0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction increased by 25% (P < 0.01), left
      ventricular end systolic volume decreased by 38% (P < 0.01), left ventricular
      systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) improved significantly (14.2% before CRT vs.
      9.8% after CRT, P < 0.01 ) post CRT. Change in SDI and change in LVEF was
      positively correlated (r = 0.62, P < 0.01) . The procedure complications and
      outcome during and after CRT included coronary sinus dissection (n = 1), left
      ventricular lead dislodgement (n = 1), phrenic nerve stimulation (n = 1), sudden
      cardiac death (n = 1). Three non-response patients were complicated with atrial
      fibrillation, nonspecific intraventricular block and dilated cardiomyopathy with
      postero-lateral scar tissue. CONCLUSIONS: CRT could improve the cardiac function,
      correct the mechanical desynchronization and reverse left ventricular remodeling
      in patients with congestive heart failure, and SDI quantification by RT-3DE could
      predict increase of LVEF after CRT, however, there were complications related to
      the implantation procedure and possibilities of non-response.

PMID- 24225239
TI  - [Primary experience of treating 23 lone atrial fibrillation patients with a
      completely thoracoscopic modified Maze procedure].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of a completely thoracoscopic
      modified Maze procedure for treatment of patients with lone atrial
      fibrillation(AF). METHODS: From September 2010 to October 2011, completely
      thoracoscopic modified Maze procedure was performed in 23 patients with lone
      atrial fibrillation (14 paroxysmal AF and 9 persistent AF). All patients were
      either refractory or intolerant to antiarrhythmic drug therapy or already
      experienced unsuccessful catheter-based ablation. This procedure includes three 1
      cm ports for thoracoscopic camera and ablation device on each side of chest wall.
      Bilaterally pulmonary vine isolation was made by an Atricure TM bipolar
      radiofrequency device. Two epicardial ablation lines were created on LAPW to
      connect bilaterally pulmonary vine ablation lesion using Coolrail linear pen. LAA
      was removed by a Johnson and Johnson EZ45G stapler. RESULTS: The procedures were
      successful in all the patients, 20 patients were in sinus rhythm immediately
      after surgery, 2 patients were still in AF rhythm and 1 patient in pacing rhythm
      post surgery. Three-month follow up were finished in 23 patients and there was 1
      patient in AF rhythm, 95.7% patients were free of AF; 6-month follow up were
      finished in 22 patients, 3 patients were in AF rhythm and 2 patients in AFL
      rhythm, 77.3% patients were free of AF. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that
      the completely thoracoscopic modified Maze procedure is a safe, feasible and
      effective technique for treating patients with atrial fibrillation.

PMID- 24225240
TI  - [Value of identifying the slow conduction zone of idiopathic left ventricular
      tachycardia by electroanatomic mapping].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of identifying slow conduction zone(SCZ) of
      idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia(ILVT) by electroanatomic mapping.
      METHODS: Twelve patients with ILVT were mapped by a 3-dimensional electroanatomic
      (EA) mapping system. Left posterior fascicular potential (PP) and the SCZ with
      diastolic potential (DP) in LV during sinus rhythm (SR) and ventricular
      tachycardia (VT) were mapped after a three-dimensional endocardial geometry of
      the left ventricular was established. Then we investigated the
      electrophysiological and anatomic characteristics of SCZ. RESULTS: EA mapping was
      successfully performed in 9 patients during SR and VT, and in 3 patients during
      VT. The SCZ with DP was located at the inferoposterior septum, and the length of
      the SCZ was (25.1 +/- 2.2) mm with a conduction velocity of (0.08 +/- 0.01) m/s.
      There was no difference in these parameters between patients during SR and VT (P
      > 0.05). There was one area with PP located at the posterior septum. The areas
      with both DP and PP were found in 9 patients during SR and VT. In addition, this
      area was coincided with such area during VT during SR and radiofrequency ablation
      targeting the site within the area abolished VT in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The
      ILVT substrate within the junction area of the SCZ and the posterior fascicular
      can be identified by EA mapping and used to guide the ablation of ILVT.

PMID- 24225241
TI  - [Association between left ventricular diastolic function and blood pressure
      variability in essential hypertensive patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability
      (BPV) and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with essential
      hypertension. METHODS: Left ventricular diastolic function of 252 hypertensive
      patients were assessed by early (E) diastolic transmitral flows to early
      diastolic mitral annular velocity (Ea) (E/Ea) ratio derived from Doppler
      echocardiography. Patients were divided into two groups according to normal left
      ventricular diastolic function group (E/Ea<15, n = 168) and left ventricular
      diastolic dysfunction group (E/Ea >= 15, n = 84). All patients were monitored by
      ambulatory blood pressure. Standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation
      (CV) of blood pressure were calculated as the BPV. Relationship between BPV and
      left ventricular diastolic function were analyzed by multivariate logistic
      regression analysis. RESULTS: All-day average diastolic blood pressure(DBP), the
      day systolic blood pressure (SBP), night SBP, night DBP, SBPSD, DBPSD and DBPCV
      in the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction group were significantly higher
      than in the normal diastolic function group (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic
      regression analysis showed that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was
      associated with SBPSD (OR:1.126, 95%CI:1.054-1.203, P < 0.01), SBPCV (OR:1.127,
      95%CI:1.036-1.225, P < 0.01) in this patient cohort. CONCLUSION: High variability
      of SBP is correlated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive
      patients.

PMID- 24225242
TI  - [Clinical value of multi-detector computed tomography source image on detecting
      extracoronary abnormalities].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical value of multi-detector computed tomography
      (MDCT) source image on detecting extracoronary abnormalities in a large cohort of
      patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHOD: MDCT source images
      from 3240 consecutive patients (mean 64.5 years) with suspected CAD were reviewed
      retrospectively by 2 readers.Extra-coronary findings were classified according to
      involved organ and level of clinical significance.Following organs were
      examined:lungs, upper abdomen, spine, chest wall, mediastinum and vascularatures.
      Clinical relevance of extracoronary findings was considered as either
      "significant" or "non-significant"."Significant" findings were subclassified as
      score 1:findings necessitating immediate therapeutic actions, or score 2:findings
      with uncertain clinical or prognostic relevance, requiring clinical awareness,
      follow-up or further investigations (non-urgent)."Non-significant" findings were
      assigned to score 3:findings without clinical implication. The irrelevant
      incidental findings (e.g. spinal degenerative changes, aortic calcification) were
      not analyzed. RESULTS: Extracoronary findings was evidenced in 330 patients with
      424 abnormalities, 20.3% (67/330) patients had multiple lesions, 16.5% lesions
      were located in the lungs, 13.2% lesions found in the upper abdomen, 56.8%
      (241/424) lesions evidenced in the mediastinum,0.9% (4/424) lesions seen in the
      spine and chest wall, 13.9% (53/424) lesions were related to other vascular
      disease. Pleural effusion accounts for 5.5% of the mediastinum lesions.Incidence
      of heart cavity enlargement, heart valve disease, pericardial
      effusion/calcification, atrial/ventricular perfusion defects, myocardial disease,
      congenital heart disease, ventricular aneurysm was 14.7% (56/380), 15.5%
      (59/380), 10.8% (41/380), 3.9% (15/380), 0.8% (3/380), 1.6% (6/380), and 1.8%
      (7/380) respectively. The clinical significance score 1-3 was 8.5% (36/424) ,
      81.1% (344/424) , and 10.4% (44/424) respectively.Incidence of detected
      extracoronary findings was the highest by bone window and the lowest by lung
      window.Incidence of extracoronary findings was not related to CAD (chi2 = 81.76,
      C = 0.155, P > 0.05).Inter-reader agreement on extracoronary findings was
      excellent (Kappa = 0.934, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data show that it is of
      clinical value to observe and report extracoronary findings with source image of
      cardiac MDCT.

PMID- 24225243
TI  - [Effects of pretreatment with metoprolol on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and caspase-8
      activation after coronary microembolization in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of metoprolol on cardiomyocyte apoptosis
      and caspase-8 activation after coronary microembolization(CME) in rats. METHODS:
      Adult rats were randomly assigned into CME group (intraventricular injection of
      3000 microspheres with 42 um in diameter), sham-operated group (0.1 ml saline)
      and CME plus metoprolol group (pretreatment with 3 bolus metoprolol 2.5 mg/kg
      intravenous injection at 10 minutes interval at 30 minutes before microspheres
      injection, n = 15, each group). Cardiac function was evaluated by
      echocardiography at 6 hours post various treatments. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was
      detected with TUNEL staining and the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8 was
      detected with Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Compared with sham-operated group,
      LVEF (72.68% +/- 3.26% vs. 82.64% +/- 3.43%, P < 0.05), fractional shortening
      (FS) (37.46% +/- 2.38% vs. 42.85% +/- 3.25%) and cardiac output (CO) [(0.101 +/-
      0.006) L/min vs. (0.162 +/- 0.008) L/min] were significantly reduced while left
      ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) [(6.22 +/- 0.17) mm vs. (5.18 +/-
      0.43) mm] was significantly increased in CME group (all P < 0.05). Cardiac
      function [LVEF:73.94% +/- 4.22%, FS:38.53% +/- 2.03%, CO:(0.120 +/- 0.012) L/min,
      LVEDd:(6.18 +/- 0.27) mm] was similar in CME plus metoprolol group compared to
      CME group (all P > 0.05). The cardiomyocytes apoptosis rates (3.19% +/- 1.23% vs.
      0.18% +/- 0.10%) and the levels of activated caspase-3 and caspase-8 proteins
      were significantly increased in CME group than in sham-operated group (all P <
      0.05). The cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate (1.32% +/- 0.28%) and the levels of
      activated caspase-3 and caspase-8 proteins were significantly lower in CME plus
      metoprolol group than in CME group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Metoprolol
      pretreatment reduced post-CME myocardial apoptosis possibly through
      downregulating death receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway.

PMID- 24225244
TI  - [Stimulation of adenosine A1 receptor attenuates angiotensin II induced
      myocardial hypertrophy in neonatal rats via the extracellular signal-regulated
      kinase signal pathways].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the impact of adenosine A1 receptor stimulation on
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signal pathways on angiotensin
      II (AngII) stimulated cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats in vitro. METHODS:
      Cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were cultured in vitro. Cardiomyocytes
      hypertrophy was induced by AngII (0.1 umol/L). The antihypertrophic effect of
      adenosine A1 receptor stimulation via adenosine A1 receptor agonist R-PIA (1
      umol/L) was observed in the presence or absence of ERK1/2 inhibitor 1, 4-Diamino
      2, 3-dicyano-1, 4-bis(o-aminophenylmercapto) butadiene (U0126) 1 umol/L, PKC
      inhibitor Ro-31-8220 (50 nmol/L), and pertussis toxin (PTX, 5 mg/L). The total
      protein content was assayed by the method of Lowry. The expression of mRNA of
      atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was determined by RT-PCR. [Ca(2+)]i was measured
      by confocal microscope using Fluo-3/AM as fluorescent indicator. The relative
      expression of ERK1/2 was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with
      normal control group, AngII induced significant cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.
      Compared with AngII group, R-PIA significantly inhibited AngII-induced increase
      of the protein content, cardiomyocytes volume and expression of ERK1/2, calcium
      ion fluorescence intensity, similar as U0126 and Ro-31-8220. The inhibitory
      effects on AngII induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy of R-PIA were lost when
      preincubated with PTX. CONCLUSION: Adenosine A1 receptor can inhibit AngII
      induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through downregulating ERK signal pathways and
      reducing intracellular Ca(2+).

PMID- 24225245
TI  - [Risk factors of congenital heart defects in fetal and infants born from 2004 to
      2011 in Guangdong].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors of congenital heart defects (CHD) in fetal
      and infants born from 2004 to 2011 in Guangdong province. METHODS: Babies with
      CHD aged from 28th week of gestation to 1 year old postnatal from July 1 2004 to
      December 31 2011 were registered in Guangdong CHD monitoring network with 34
      participating units. Totally 2568 CHD cases were included, and 1: 1 matched with
      a normal control cohort by gender, living district and birth date (time span
      within 3 months).Exposed information of mother and father at pre-pregnancy and
      early pregnancy was collected. Post collinearity diagnostics analysis, univariate
      analysis results were included in a multivariate analysis model with forward
      stepwise conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Multivariate conditional
      logistic regression analysis showed that high risk factors for CHD included low
      birth weight infant (OR = 5.34, P < 0.01), macrosomia (OR = 1.67, P < 0.05), low
      per capita income (0-1200 yuan, OR = 1.68, P < 0.01), exposure to chemical agent
      at early pregnancy (OR = 19.72, P < 0.01), floating population (OR = 2.13, P <
      0.01), abnormal reproductive history (OR = 3.18, P < 0.01), exposure to passive
      smoking (OR = 2.59, P < 0.01), suffering from fever (OR = 3.74, P < 0.01), equal
      to or more than twice parity (OR = 1.45, P < 0.01), living in a newly (within six
      months)-decorated-apartment (OR = 2.74, P < 0.01), suffering from virus infection
      (OR = 2.08, P < 0.01), rural residence (OR = 1.33, P < 0.01), living in an
      apartment within 50 meters of major traffic road (OR = 1.52, P < 0.01), syphilis
      infection at early pregnancy (OR = 13.06, P < 0.05) and father's drinking habit
      at pre-pregnancy (OR = 1.57, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Numerous risk factors for CHD
      in fetal and infants of Guangdong province are indicated by our results,
      comprehensive intervention should be considered in pre-pregnancy and early
      pregnancy to reduce the risk of CHD.

PMID- 24225246
TI  - [Associations between G1165C and A145G polymorphism of beta1-adrenoceptor and
      resting heart rate in the Northern Han Chinese].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically investigate the possible associations between G1165C
      and A145G polymorphism of beta1-adrenoceptor (ADRB1) and resting heart rate
      (HRrest) in Northern Han Chinese. METHODS: HRrest of 700 healthy Northern Han
      Chinese were measured in the sitting position.SNPs were genotyped by the TaqMan
      assay.Genotypes were differentiated by analyzing the fluorescence levels of PCR
      products using an ABI Prism 7900HT Sequence Detector. RESULTS: HRrest was
      significantly lower in A145G AA carriers than in AG and GG carriers (all P <
      0.01) . Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, smoking habits,
      systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, serum creatinine and A145G polymorphism
      were associated with HRrest (P < 0.01) . A145G was significantly related with
      HRrest independent of other possible confounding variables, and the partial
      regression coefficient was 2.148 (P < 0.05) . After adjusting for other
      confounding factors, significant association between A145G and HRrest was only
      found in male subjects (P < 0.05) but not in female subjects (P > 0.05) .
      CONCLUSION: The A145G polymorphism of ADRB1 gene is associated with HRrest in
      Northern male Han Chinese.

PMID- 24225247
TI  - [Transcatheter closure of residual fistula after second surgery repair of
      ventricular].

PMID- 24225248
TI  - [The clinical and social implications of mutation detection in patients with
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

PMID- 24225249
TI  - [Advance of modern acoustic cardiography in the diagnosis and treatment of heart
      failure].

PMID- 24225250
TI  - Genome-wide survey and expression profiles of the AP2/ERF family in castor bean
      (Ricinus communis L.).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The AP2/ERF transcription factor, one of the largest gene families in
      plants, plays a crucial role in the regulation of growth and development,
      metabolism, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Castor bean (Ricinus
      communis L., Euphobiaceae) is one of most important non-edible oilseed crops and
      its seed oil is broadly used for industrial applications. The available genome
      provides a great chance to identify and characterize the global information on
      AP2/ERF transcription factors in castor bean, which might provide insights in
      understanding the molecular basis of the AP2/ERF family in castor bean. RESULTS:
      A total of 114 AP2/ERF transcription factors were identified based on the genome
      in castor bean. According to the number of the AP2/ERF domain, the conserved
      amino acid residues within AP2/ERF domain, the conserved motifs and gene
      organization in structure, and phylogenetical analysis, the identified 114
      AP2/ERF transcription factors were characterized. Global expression profiles
      among different tissues using high-throughput sequencing of digital gene
      expression profiles (DGEs) displayed diverse expression patterns that may provide
      basic information in understanding the function of the AP2/ERF gene family in
      castor bean. CONCLUSIONS: The current study is the first report on identification
      and characterization of the AP2/ERF transcription factors based on the genome of
      castor bean in the family Euphobiaceae. Results obtained from this study provide
      valuable information in understanding the molecular basis of the AP2/ERF family
      in castor bean.

PMID- 24225251
TI  - The effect of targeted therapy on overall survival in advanced renal cancer: a
      study of the national surveillance epidemiology and end results registry
      database.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: With the advent and availability of targeted therapy, the treatment
      of advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) underwent a drastic change in
      2005. The effect of this change on clinical outcome within the population has not
      been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall survival (OS),
      before, and after availability of targeted therapy, for advanced RCC cases in the
      population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer
      registry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All advanced (regional and distant stage) RCC
      cases diagnosed within the 2000 to 2008 time periods were included. Because SEER
      does not report the exact therapy, and because targeted therapy was initially
      approved in 2005, we evaluated and compared the OS outcomes of advanced RCC cases
      diagnosed between the years 2000 and 2003 (before targeted therapy era) with that
      of those diagnosed between 2005 and 2008 (targeted therapy era). RESULTS: There
      was a significant improvement in OS for advanced RCC patients treated in the
      targeted therapy era (n = 12,330) compared with those treated in the era before
      targeted therapy (n =11,565) (median OS 20 months vs. 15 months, P = .0006).
      Multivariate analysis revealed that in the time period before targeted therapy,
      age older than 65 years, black race, and lack of nephrectomy were predictors of a
      shorter OS. CONCLUSION: In univariate and multivariate analysis, targeted therapy
      demonstrated improvement in OS. Increasing access to targeted therapies is likely
      to improve outcomes in advanced RCC.

PMID- 24225252
TI  - Association between haptoglobin, hemopexin and mortality in adults with sepsis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Plasma levels of cell-free hemoglobin are associated with mortality
      in patients with sepsis; however descriptions of independent associations with
      free hemoglobin and free heme scavengers, haptoglobin and hemopexin, are lacking
      beyond their description as acute phase reactants. We sought to determine the
      association of plasma levels of endogenous free hemoglobin and haptoglobin and
      hemopexin with in-hospital mortality in adults with sepsis. METHODS: We conducted
      a retrospective observational study of a total of 387 critically ill patients
      with sepsis in multiple intensive care units in an academic tertiary care
      hospital. Measurements of plasma haptoglobin and hemopexin were made on blood
      drawn within 24 hours of intensive care unit admission. The primary outcome was
      the association between plasma haptoglobin and hemopexin with in-hospital
      mortality. RESULTS: Survivors had significantly higher plasma haptoglobin
      concentrations (median 1234 MUg/ml, interquartile range (IQR) 569 to 3037) and
      hemopexin concentrations (616 MUg/ml, IQR 397 to 934) measured on enrollment
      compared to non-survivors (haptoglobin 750 MUg/ml, IQR 404 to 2421, P = 0.008;
      hemopexin 470 MUg/ml, IQR 303 to 891, P = 0.012). After controlling for potential
      confounders including cell-free hemoglobin concentration, patients with higher
      haptoglobin concentrations were significantly less likely to die in the hospital
      (odds ratio (OR) 0.653, 95% CI 0.433 to 0.984, P = 0.042), while the same
      association was not seen with hemopexin (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.199 to 1.416, P =
      0.206). In a subgroup analysis, the association between increased haptoglobin and
      hemopexin and decreased risk of mortality was no longer significant when
      analyzing patients with no detectable cell-free hemoglobin (P = 0.737 and P =
      0.584, respectively). CONCLUSION: In critically ill patients with sepsis,
      elevated plasma levels of haptoglobin were associated with a decreased risk of in
      hospital mortality and this association was independent of confounders. Increased
      haptoglobin may play a protective role in sepsis patients who have elevated
      levels of circulating cell-free hemoglobin beyond its previous description as an
      acute phase reactant.

PMID- 24225255
TI  - A preference test for sweet taste that uses edible strips.
AB  - A novel delivery method is described for the rapid determination of taste
      preferences for sweet taste in humans. This forced-choice paired comparison
      approach incorporates the non-caloric sweetener sucralose into a set of one-inch
      square edible strips for the rapid determination of sweet taste preferences. When
      compared to aqueous sucrose solutions, significantly lower amounts of sucralose
      were required to identify the preference for sweet taste. The validity of this
      approach was determined by comparing sweet taste preferences obtained with five
      different sucralose-containing edible strips to a set of five intensity-matched
      sucrose solutions. When compared to the solution test, edible strips required
      approximately the same number of steps to identify the preferred amount of sweet
      taste stimulus. Both approaches yielded similar distribution patterns for the
      preferred amount of sweet taste stimulus. In addition, taste intensity values for
      the preferred amount of sucralose in strips were similar to that of sucrose in
      solution. The hedonic values for the preferred amount of sucralose were lower
      than for sucrose, but the taste quality of the preferred sucralose strip was
      described as sweet. When taste intensity values between sucralose strips and
      sucralose solutions containing identical amounts of taste stimulus were compared,
      sucralose strips produced a greater taste intensity and more positive hedonic
      response. A preference test that uses edible strips for stimulus delivery should
      be useful for identifying preferences for sweet taste in young children, and in
      clinical populations. This test should also be useful for identifying sweet taste
      preferences outside of the lab or clinic. Finally, edible strips should be useful
      for developing preference tests for other primary taste stimuli and for taste
      mixtures. 

PMID- 24225256
TI  - A robust design for identification of the Parasite Clearance Estimator.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-malarial efficacy needs to be monitored continually to ensure
      optimal dosing in the face of emerging anti-malarial drug resistance. The
      efficacy of artemisinin based combination therapies (ACT) is assessed by repeated
      measurements of parasite density in the blood of patients following treatment.
      Parasite density is measured from a capillary or venous blood sample, but this
      can be logistically and ethically challenging if multiple samples are required
      within a short time period. The aim of this work was to apply optimal design
      theory to derive clinically feasible blood sampling schedules from which parasite
      clearance could be defined using the Parasite Clearance Estimator (PCE), a
      recently developed tool to identify and quantify artemisinin resistance. METHODS:
      Robust T-optimal design methodology was applied to offer a sampling schedule that
      allows for discrimination across models that best describe an individual
      patient's parasite-time profile. The design was based on typical parasite-time
      profiles derived from the literature combined with key sampling constraints of no
      more than six samples per patient within 48 hours of initial treatment. The
      design was evaluated with a simulation-estimation procedure that implemented the
      PCE. RESULTS: The optimal sampling times (sampling windows) were: 0 (0 to 1.1),
      5.8 (4.0 to 6.0), 9.9 (8.4 to 11.5), 24.8 (24.0 to 24.9), 36.3 (34.8 to 37.2) and
      48 (47.3, 48.0) hours post initial treatment. The simulation-estimation procedure
      showed that the design supported identification of the appropriate method by the
      PCE to determine an individual's parasite clearance rate constant (the main
      output calculation from the PCE). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed sampling design
      requires six samples per patient within the first 48 hours. The derived design
      requires validation in a real world setting, but should be considered for future
      studies that intend to employ the PCE.

PMID- 24225254
TI  - Determination and comparison of the smallest detectable change (SDC) and the
      minimal important change (MIC) of four-shoulder patient-reported outcome measures
      (PROMs).
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a need for better interpretation of orthopedic treatment
      effects. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are already commonly used for
      patient evaluation. PROMs can be used to determine treatment effects in research
      as well as in clinical settings by calculating change scores, with pre- and post
      treatment evaluation. The smallest detectable change (SDC) and minimal important
      change (MIC) are two important benchmarks for interpreting these change scores.
      The purpose was to determine the SDC and the MIC for four commonly used shoulder
      related PROMs: Simple Shoulder Test (SST), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and
      Hand (DASH and QuickDASH), and the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS). METHODS: A cohort
      of 164 consecutive patients with shoulder problems visiting an orthopedic
      outpatient clinic completed the SST, DASH, and the OSS at their first visit and 6
      months after operative or non-operative treatment. The SDC was calculated with a
      test re-test protocol (0-2 weeks). For the MIC, change scores (0-6 months of
      evaluation) were calculated in seven subgroups of patients, according to an
      additional self-administered ranking of change over time (anchor-based mean
      change technique). The MIC is defined as the average score of the 'slightly
      improved' group according to the anchor. The QuickDASH was computed from the
      DASH. RESULTS: The SDC of the SST was 2.8, DASH 16.3, QuickDASH 17.1, and OSS
      6.0. The MIC change score for the SST was 2.2, DASH 12.4, QuickDASH 13.4, and OSS
      6.0. CONCLUSION: This study shows that on an individual patient-based level, when
      taking into account SDC and MIC, the change score should exceed 2.8 points for
      the SST, 16.3 points for the DASH, 17.1 points for the QuickDASH, and 6.0 points
      for the OSS to have a clinically relevant change on a PROM, which is not due to
      measurement error.

PMID- 24225257
TI  - Malignancies in children and young adults on etanercept: summary of cases from
      clinical trials and post marketing reports.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malignancy risk may be increased in chronic inflammatory conditions
      that are mediated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF), such as juvenile idiopathic
      arthritis (JIA), but the role of TNF in human cancer biology is unclear. In
      response to a 2011 United States Food & Drug Administration requirement of TNF
      blocker manufacturers, we evaluated reporting rates of all malignancies in
      patients =30 years old who received the TNF blocker etanercept. METHODS: All
      malignancies in etanercept-exposed patients aged =30 years from the Amgen
      clinical trial database (CTD) and postmarketing global safety database (PMD) were
      reviewed. PMD reporting rates were generated using exposure information based on
      commercial sources. Age-specific incidence rates of malignancy for the general US
      population were generated from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results
      (SEER) database v7.0.9. RESULTS: There were 2 malignancies in the CTD: 1 each in
      etanercept and placebo/comparator arms (both in patients 18-30 years old).
      Postmarketing etanercept exposure was 231,404 patient-years (62,379 patient-years
      in patients 0-17 years; 168,485 patient-years in patients 18-30 years). Reporting
      rates of malignancy per 100,000 patient-years in the PMD and incidence rates in
      SEER were 32.0 and 15.9, respectively, for patients 0-17 years and 46.9 and 42.1
      for patients 18-30 years old. Reporting rates were higher than SEER incidence
      rates for Hodgkin lymphoma in the 0-17 years age group. PMD reporting rates per
      100,000 patient-years and SEER incidence rates per 100,000 person-years for
      Hodgkin lymphoma were 9.54 and 0.9, respectively, for patients 0-17 years and 1.8
      and 4.2 for patients 18-30 years old. There were =5 cases of leukemia, lymphoma,
      melanoma, thyroid, and cervical cancers. Leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma,
      melanoma, thyroid cancer, and cervical cancer rates were similar in the PMD and
      SEER. CONCLUSIONS: Overall PMD malignancy reporting rates in etanercept-treated
      patients 0-17 years appeared higher than incidence rates in SEER, attributable to
      rates of Hodgkin lymphoma. Comparison to patients with similar burden of disease
      cannot be made; JIA, particularly very active disease, may be a risk factor for
      lymphoma. No increased malignancy reporting rate in the PMD relative to SEER was
      observed in the young-adult age group.

PMID- 24225258
TI  - Neuroprotective effect of Ginkgolide K against H2O2-induced PC12 cell
      cytotoxicity by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.
AB  - Mitochondria and oxidative stress play important roles in neuronal cell death
      associated with cerebral ischemia. Elevated level of reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction are thought to be responsible for cerebral
      ischemia injury along with neural cells death through several apoptotic
      mechanisms. In this study, exposure of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells to
      hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at the concentration of 0.3 mM for 24 h caused
      significant loss of cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from
      cells, ascent of ROS level and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) decrease.
      Moreover, the activities of caspase-9, caspase-8 and caspase-3 all were increased
      in H2O2-induced PC12 cells. However, pretreatment with ginkgolide K (GK)
      solutions of different concentrations (10, 50, 100 uM) for 24 h prior to
      exposuring to H2O2 significantly increased cells viability, suppressed LDH
      release, attenuated ROS level, prevented cytochrome c release from mitochondria
      and boosted MMP expression. In addition, ginkgolide K notably inhibited the
      caspase-3 and caspase-9 but not caspase-8 activities in exogenous H2O2-treated
      PC12 cells. These results demonstrated that ginkgolide K protected PC12 cells
      from H2O2-induced apoptosis by restoring MMP expression, ameliorating oxidative
      stress and subsequently leading to inhibit the activity of caspase-3 protein.
      Therefore, the present study supported that ginkgolide K may be a promising
      neuroprotective compound for cerebral ischemia treatment. 

PMID- 24225259
TI  - Comparative study of novel ultradeformable liposomes: menthosomes, transfersomes
      and liposomes for enhancing skin permeation of meloxicam.
AB  - In the present study, novel ultradeformable liposomes (menthosomes; MTS),
      deformable liposomes (transfersomes; TFS) and conventional liposomes (CLP) were
      compared in their potential for transdermal delivery of meloxicam (MX). MTS, TFS
      and CLP were investigated for size, size distribution, zeta potential,
      elasticity, entrapment efficiency and stability. In vitro skin permeation using
      hairless mice skin was evaluated. Vesicular morphology was observed under freeze
      fractured transmission electron microscopy (FF-TEM). Intrinsic thermal properties
      were performed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray
      diffraction. The skin permeation mechanism was characterized using confocal laser
      scanning microscopy (CLSM). The results indicated that the difference in
      physicochemical characteristics of MTS, TFS and CLP affected the skin
      permeability. MTS and TFS showed higher flux of MX than CLP. CLSM image showed
      deformable vesicles mechanism for delivery of MX across the hairless mice skin.
      Our study suggested that ultradeformable and deformable liposomes (MTS and TFS)
      had a potential to use as transdermal drug delivery carriers for MX. 

PMID- 24225260
TI  - Serum prolidase enzyme activity and oxidative status in patients with Behcet's
      disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess serum prolidase enzyme activity and oxidative stress in
      patients with Behcet's disease (BD). METHODS: The study population consisted of
      BD patients (n = 42) and healthy participants (n = 29). BD patients were
      classified as active (n = 18) or inactive (n = 24) according to disease activity.
      Serum prolidase enzyme activity, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative
      status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were
      measured. RESULTS: In BD patients with active disease, serum prolidase activity
      was significantly higher compared with the inactive and control participants.
      Serum prolidase activity was also significantly higher in all BD patients in
      comparison with controls. Serum prolidase activity was also positively correlated
      with OSI, C-reactive protein, and active BD. MDA, TOS, and OSI levels were all
      significantly higher in the BD group when compared with the healthy control
      participants. Serum TAS levels were significantly lower in BD patients in
      comparison with healthy controls. CONCLUSION: High prolidase activity may
      indicate critical biological activities relevant to pathological events in BD,
      and this activity may be a biological indicator of disease. Further studies are
      needed to verify these findings.

PMID- 24225261
TI  - High prevalence of hepatitis B virus dual infection with genotypes A and G in HIV
      1 infected men in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, during 2000-2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is divided into 8 definite (A-H) and 2
      putative (I, J) genotypes that show a geographical distribution. HBV genotype G,
      however, is an aberrant genotype of unknown origin that demonstrates severe
      replication deficiencies and very little genetic variation. It is often found in
      co-infections with another HBV genotype and infection has been associated with
      certain risk groups such as intravenous drug users and men having sex with men
      (MSM). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of HBV-G in the Netherlands by
      analysing samples from HBV-positive patients visiting the Academic Medical Center
      in Amsterdam. METHODS: Ninety-six HBV-infected patients, genotyped as HBV-A or
      HBV-G infected, were retrieved from the clinical database. Blood plasma samples
      were analysed with a newly-developed real-time PCR assay that detects HBV-A and
      HBV-G. For three patients, the HBV plasma viral load (pVL) of both genotypes was
      followed longitudinally. In addition, three complete genomes of HBV-G were
      sequenced to determine their relationship to global HBV-G strains. RESULTS: Ten
      HBV-G infections were found in the selected Dutch patients. All concerned HIV-1
      infected males with HBV-A co-infection. Dutch HBV-G strains were phylogenetically
      closely related to reference HBV-G strains. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, HBV-G
      infection in the Netherlands is found exclusively in HIV-1 infected men as co
      infection with HBV-A. A considerable percentage (37%) of men infected with HBV
      and HIV-1 are actually co- infected with two HBV genotypes.

PMID- 24225262
TI  - The effects of mode of delivery and time since birth on chronic pelvic pain and
      health-related quality of life.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of mode of delivery and time since birth on
      chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among
      primiparous Chinese women. METHODS: Primiparous women of childbearing age who had
      given birth at least 6months previously were invited to participate in the
      present cross-sectional study, which was conducted from October 2011 to April
      2012 in the Chaoyang District of Beijing. Time since birth was divided into the
      following 4 periods: less than 1year, 1-5years, 6-10years, and more than 10years.
      The factors associated with CPP status were analyzed using logistic regression.
      RESULTS: Among the 1456 participants, CPP was more common following cesarean
      delivery (11.2% versus 6.9% among women with a vaginal delivery; P=0.007), and
      the rate of CPP increased with time since birth (2.3%, 9.3%, 10.7%, and 13.1% for
      the 4 specified time periods, respectively (P<0.001). Cesarean delivery, longer
      time since birth, and CPP were all associated with a lower HRQoL utility score.
      CONCLUSION: Although the absolute risks were small, cesarean delivery and time
      since birth were significant risk factors for CPP, which had a negative impact on
      the participants' HRQoL.

PMID- 24225263
TI  - Parenteral nutrition utilization: response to drug shortages.

PMID- 24225264
TI  - Peripherally inserted central catheter for use in home parenteral nutrition: a 4
      year follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are a relatively new
      device for home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Usually, tunneled central catheters
      such as the Hickman catheter are used for this purpose. However, severe
      complications (eg, pneumothorax) have been reported in association with the
      insertion of the central catheter. In contrast, PICCs may offer some advantages
      due to the peripheral insertion. There are only few studies on the use of PICCs
      for HPN. METHOD: A retrospective study (2008-2012) was performed in our Center
      for Nutrition and Bowel Disease. Patients receiving parenteral nutrition through
      PICCs were identified, their files examined, and indication, dwell time, cause of
      removal, and complications recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (aged 28-81
      years) had a total of 94 lines. Total catheter days were 9859. Mean catheter days
      per patient were 179.1, and mean dwell time of each line was 104.9 days (longest,
      572 days). There were no major complications in relation to the insertion of the
      catheters. The catheters were removed due to catheter-related sepsis, mechanical
      reasons, and thrombotic complications in 1.7, 2.1, and 0.2 per 1000 catheter
      days, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that PICCs are
      appropriate for use in HPN for at least 3-4 months (a period that sometimes
      unexpectedly becomes long term). The complications equal those reported for
      tunneled central catheters. We conclude that PICCs are a relevant alternative to
      patients receiving HPN, especially if they cannot handle a central line. At
      present, the choice of catheter must be determined on an individual basis.

PMID- 24225265
TI  - Comparison of the accuracy of digital stereophotogrammetry and projection moire
      profilometry for three-dimensional imaging of the face.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the three-dimensional (3D) imaging accuracy
      between a digital stereophotogrammetry device and a projection moire profilometry
      setup using anatomical models in conjunction with surface matching software.
      Twenty-two 3D surface models of the middle third of the face derived from
      computed tomography (CT) scans were used to fabricate photopolymer models by
      rapid prototyping. These were digitized using digital stereophotogrammetry and
      projection moire profilometry. The 3D surface models acquired were compared for
      shape differences with the original CT models using surface matching software.
      Global registration between each pair of corresponding models was carried out
      using an iterative closest point algorithm. The mean surface deviations following
      registration were used to calculate Bland-Altman limits of agreement between the
      two methods. The distributions of measured surface differences were used to
      calculate L-moments. Paired t-tests were carried out for hypothesis testing.
      Correlation between difference and mean was -0.3, and 95% limits of agreement
      were -0.084mm and 0.064mm. No statistically significant differences in mean
      measurement error (L1 moments) were observed (P=0.1882). The experimental moire
      profilometry setup employed produced 3D models of facial anatomy of comparable
      accuracy to a widely used commercialized digital stereophotogrammetry device.

PMID- 24225266
TI  - Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: a rare entity with a variable presentation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, chronic benign
      breast disease which may mimic a breast abscess or malignancy. It is a diagnosis
      of exclusion, and requires a high index of suspicion. Most patients present in
      the third or fourth decade of life. CASE SERIES: We present a case series of IGM
      with varied presentation, as a non-resolving abscess and as a lump, clinically
      appearing to be malignant. Patients required repeated drainage and/or lumpectomy.
      CONCLUSION: Although IGM is considered to be autoimmune in aetiology, however
      other infectious aetiologies causing granulomatous mastitis and malignancy have
      to be ruled out by histopathology. In the event of relapse immunosuppression may
      be required.

PMID- 24225268
TI  - Collaboration, capacity building and co-creation as a new mantra in global
      health.

PMID- 24225267
TI  - Opportunities for molecular epidemiological research on ductal carcinoma in-situ
      and breast carcinogenesis: interdisciplinary approaches.
AB  - Most invasive breast cancers arise from ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS), a non
      obligate precursor of invasive breast cancer. Given that the natural history of
      individual DCIS lesions is unpredictable, many women with DCIS receive extensive
      treatments, which may include surgery, radiation and endocrine therapy, even
      though many of these lesions may have limited potential to progress to invasion
      and metastasize. In contrast to valid concerns about overtreatment, the fact that
      invasive breast cancers outnumber DCIS lesions by more than three-to-one,
      suggests that many cancer precursors (particularly DCIS, but LCIS also) progress
      to invasion prior to detection. Thus, DCIS poses a dual problem of overdiagnosis
      among some women and failure of early detection among others. These concerns are
      heightened by the multifold increase in rates of DCIS in conjunction with
      widespread use of mammographic screening and access to outpatient radiologically
      guided biopsies. Accordingly, methods are needed to both specifically detect and
      identify DCIS lesions with potential to progress to invasive cancer and to
      discover techniques to triage and conservatively manage indolent cases of DCIS. 

PMID- 24225269
TI  - Association of healthcare expenditures with aggressive versus palliative care for
      cancer patients at the end of life: a cross-sectional study using claims data in
      Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: End-of-life (EOL) care imposes heavy economic burdens on patients and
      health insurers. Little is known about the association between the types of EOL
      care and healthcare costs for cancer patients across various providers.
      OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of healthcare expenditures with
      benchmarking indicators of aggressive versus palliative care among terminally ill
      cancer patients, from the perspective of health insurers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional
      retrospective study using health insurance claims data. SETTING: participants
      Cancer patients who had died in Kyoto prefecture, Japan, between April 2009 and
      May 2010. Main outcome measure Claims data were analyzed using multilevel
      generalized linear models to examine whether aggressive care and palliative care
      were associated with expenditures during the last 3 months of life, after
      adjusting for patient characteristics, hospital characteristics and other non
      indicator procedures. RESULTS: We analyzed 3143 decedents from 54 hospitals.
      Median expenditure per patient during the last 3 months was US$13 030. Higher
      expenditures were associated with the aggressive care indicators of higher
      mortality at acute-care hospitals and use of chemotherapy in the last month of
      life, as well as with the palliative care indicators of increased hospice care
      and opioid use in the last 3 months of life. However, increased physician home
      care in the last 3 months was associated with lower expenditure. CONCLUSIONS:
      Indicators of both aggressive and palliative EOL care were associated with higher
      healthcare expenditures. These results may support the coherent development of
      measures to optimize aggressive care and reduce the financial burdens of terminal
      cancer care.

PMID- 24225270
TI  - Associations between rates of unassisted inpatient falls and levels of registered
      and non-registered nurse staffing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To enhance understanding of how nurse staffing relates to unassisted
      falls by exploring non-linear associations between unassisted fall rates and
      levels of registered nurse (RN) and non-RN staffing on 5 nursing unit types,
      thereby enabling managers to improve patient safety by making better-informed
      decisions about staffing. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of routinely collected
      data using hierarchical negative binomial regression. SETTING: 8069 nursing units
      in 1361 U.S. hospitals participating in the National Database of Nursing Quality
      Indicators((r)). Main outcome measure Rate of unassisted falls per inpatient day.
      RESULTS: Associations between unassisted fall rates and nurse staffing varied by
      unit type. For medical-surgical units, higher RN staffing was weakly associated
      with lower fall rates. On step-down and medical units, the association between RN
      staffing and fall rates depended on the level of staffing: At lower staffing
      levels, the fall rate increased as staffing increased, but at moderate and high
      staffing levels, the fall rate decreased as staffing increased. Higher levels of
      non-RN staffing were generally associated with higher fall rates.. CONCLUSIONS:
      Increasing non-RN staffing seems ineffective at preventing unassisted falls.
      Increasing RN staffing may be effective, depending on the unit type and the
      current level of staffing.

PMID- 24225271
TI  - Trends in resting pulse rates in 9-11-year-old children in the UK 1980-2008.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little is known about whether levels of physical fitness, which is
      related to adiposity and physical activity (PA), have changed in children,
      particularly the progressive increase in childhood obesity levels. We aimed to
      examine the time trends in resting pulse rate (a marker of physical fitness)
      among UK children, in order to better understand the trends in levels of physical
      fitness in recent decades. DESIGN AND SETTING: We used a cross-sectional study
      design and included data on over 22 000 children aged 9-11 years (mean 10.3
      years) from five population-based studies conducted in the UK between 1980 and
      2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resting pulse rate (bpm). RESULTS: Observed mean
      resting pulse rate was higher for girls than boys (82.2 bpm vs 78.7 bpm). During
      the study period mean pulse rate increased by 0.07 bpm/year (95% CI 0.04 to 0.09)
      among boys and to a lesser extent among girls, by 0.04 bpm/year (0.01 to 0.06)
      (p<0.05 for gender interaction). For boys, there was an indication that the trend
      was steeper after the mid-1990 s, compared to that prior to 1994 (annual increase
      0.14 vs 0.04 bpm). The trends for Body Mass Index (BMI) accounted for only 13.8%
      (11.3% to 16.3%) of increase in pulse rate for boys and 17.2% (9.4% to 24.9%) for
      girls. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in mean resting pulse rate have occurred during the
      period 1980-2008 in girls and especially in boys. The increase was not explained
      by increased BMI. The observed trends in children, though modest, could have
      important public health implications for future cardiovascular risk.

PMID- 24225272
TI  - No evidence of an increase in early infant mortality from congenital adrenal
      hyperplasia in the absence of screening.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is not currently included in the
      UK newborn screening programme. We investigated the hypothesis that, owing to non
      specificity of symptoms, a proportion of males affected by salt-wasting (SW) CAH
      have died in infancy without being diagnosed. DESIGN: Stored newborn screening
      blood spot samples were analysed for 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in the
      following groups: Infants born in the North West of England, 1994 to 2006, who
      had died by 6 months age; (n=1198), a neonatal reference group (full-term n=100;
      preterm n=100) and a CAH positive control group. A newborn blood spot sample
      collected before diagnosis was available in 29/61 CAH patients recruited. SW CAH
      was present in 18/29 patients (16 males and 2 females). Samples from the deceased
      group with elevated 17-OHP were analysed for 8 common mutations in the 21
      hydroxylase gene (CYP21A2). SETTING: North West of England. RESULTS: Grouped by
      gestational age, mean (maximum) blood spot 17-OHP in nmol/L was as follows.
      Deceased full-term n=279, 6 (107); deceased premature n=365, 28 (251); deceased
      unknown gestational age n=553, 13 (>394). In the SW positive control group, the
      lowest level of 17-OHP was 179 nmol/L and 14 had levels greater than the highest
      standard (>268 to >420 nmol/L). All samples from the deceased group with 17-OHP
      results >179 nmol/L (n=6) and a further 13 samples underwent mutation analysis.
      No mutations were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the
      hypothesis that, in our unscreened population, males affected by SW CAH are dying
      prior to diagnosis.

PMID- 24225273
TI  - Self-harm: are we doing enough?

PMID- 24225274
TI  - Undescended testis: 513 patients' characteristics, age at orchidopexy and
      patterns of referral.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Undescended testis (UDT) affects 1-6% of males. Current
      recommendations are to correct maldescent by 1 year of age. We identify the
      population characteristics of children referred and managed for UDT, age at
      referral and orchidopexy, and patterns of referral. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS:
      Retrospective 5-year review of all patients operated for UDT from 2007 to 2011 in
      our institution. Patient demographics, neonatal diagnosis of UDT, age at
      referral, referral source and age at first orchidopexy were recorded. Data are
      reported as median (range). RESULTS: There were 513 boys with 576 undescended
      gonads; 450 (88%) had unilateral UDT. Congenital (present at birth) UDT was
      diagnosed in 287 (56%) children. Seventy-nine (15%) were premature births, 41
      (8%) had associated major genitourinary abnormalities. Median age at referral was
      1.1 (0-16.2) years; median age at first orchidopexy was 1.6 (0-17.2) years. When
      corrected for age, those with a history of prematurity and associated major
      genitourinary malformations were referred and operated on earlier. There was no
      difference in age at referral and orchidopexy when comparing unilateral versus
      bilateral maldescent, and palpability of UDT. Of those with congenital UDT, 70%
      were operated at beyond 1 year of age. Those referred from public tertiary
      hospitals were younger than those referred from community clinics (p<0.0001) and
      private healthcare institutions (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Despite early diagnosis
      in many patients with UDT, most are referred and operated after 1 year of age,
      even in congenital UDT. Premature babies, those with major genitourinary
      anomalies, and those seen in public tertiary hospitals are referred earlier.
      Community health initiatives must emphasise prompt referral to allay the impact
      of delayed surgery.

PMID- 24225275
TI  - Can foster care ever be justified for weight management?
AB  - Article nine of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child states that
      'Children must not be separated from their parents unless it is in the best
      interests of the child.' We describe the impact that placing a child into care
      can have on long-standing and intractable obesity when this is a component of a
      child safeguarding strategy. Significant weight loss was documented in a male
      adolescent following his placement into foster care due to emotional harm and
      neglect within his birth family. The child's body mass index (BMI) dropped from a
      peak of 45.6 to 35 over 18 months. We provide brief details of two further
      similar cases and outcomes. Childhood obesity is often not the sole concern
      during safeguarding proceedings. Removal from an 'obesogenic' home environment
      should be considered if failure by the parents/carers to address the obesity is a
      major cause for concern. It is essential that all other avenues have been
      explored before removing a child from his birth family. However, in certain
      circumstances we feel it may be justified. 

PMID- 24225276
TI  - Association of carbamazepine-induced severe cutaneous drug reactions and HLA
      B*1502 allele status, and dose and treatment duration in paediatric neurology
      patients in Singapore.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between severe cutaneous drug reactions
      (SCDR), HLA-B*1502 allelism, carbamazepine dose and treatment duration in a
      Singapore paediatric population. METHOD: Case-control study of SCDR with
      carbamazepine and HLA-B*1502. We recruited 32 cases, 5 with Steven Johnson
      Syndrome/Toxic Epidermolytic Necrolysis (SJS/TEN) (2 Chinese, 3 Malay), 6 with
      hypersensitivity syndrome (HSS) (5 Chinese, 1 Indian), 11 with minor drug
      reactions (9 Chinese, 2 Malay) and 10 controls (7 Chinese, 2 Malay, 1 Indian).
      HLA-B*1502 allelism was assayed. HLA-B*1502 status and the type of drug reaction
      were compared using univariate analysis. The time-span from treatment onset to
      reaction and the dose-time to reaction association in the 3 groups were analysed.
      RESULTS: HLA-B*1502 was positive in: 5/5 (SJS/TEN), 0/6 (HSS), 1/11 (minor drug
      reactions) and 1/10 controls. OR for SJS/TEN in HLA-B*1502-positive patients
      relative to that in HLA-B*1502-negative patients was estimated by exact logistic
      regression to be 27.20 (95% CI 2.67 to infinity). Median treatment duration
      (days) until allergic reactions was 12 (range 11-13), 16 (range 10-37) and 11
      (range 0-63) for SJS/TEN, HSS and minor drug reactions, respectively. Median dose
      at onset of reactions was 6.2 mg/kg/day (range 4.6-7.4), 9.8 mg/kg/day (range 7.7
      12.2) and 6.7 mg/kg/day (range 3.6-20.0) for the 3 groups, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: HLA-B*1502 positivity increases the odds of carbamazepine-induced
      SCDR in Singapore children of Chinese and Malay ethnicity. Adverse drug reactions
      to carbamazepine occurred within 2 weeks and at low doses.

PMID- 24225277
TI  - Simplifying and refining the assessment of early puberty.

PMID- 24225279
TI  - Trocar site hernia after laparoscopy, including robotic-assisted laparoscopy.

PMID- 24225278
TI  - How is epigenetic information maintained through DNA replication?
AB  - DNA replication is a highly conserved process that accurately copies the genetic
      information from one generation to the next. The processes of chromatin
      disassembly and reassembly during DNA replication also have to be precisely
      regulated to ensure that the genetic material is compactly packaged to fit into
      the nucleus while also maintaining the epigenetic information that is carried by
      the histone proteins bound to the DNA, through cell divisions. Half of the
      histones that are deposited during replication are from the parental chromatin
      and carry the parental epigenetic information, while the other half of the
      histones are newly-synthesized. It has been of growing interest to understand how
      the parental pattern of epigenetic marks is re-established on the newly
      synthesized histones, in a DNA sequence-specific manner, in order to maintain the
      epigenetic information through cell divisions. In this review we will discuss how
      histone chaperone proteins precisely coordinate the chromatin assembly process
      during DNA replication. We also discuss the recent evidence that histone
      modifying enzymes, rather than the parental histones, are themselves epigenetic
      factors that remain associated with the DNA through replication to re-establish
      the epigenetic information on the newly-assembled chromatin. 

PMID- 24225280
TI  - Trocar site hernia on an 8-mm port following robotic-assisted hysterectomy.
AB  - The increasing use of laparoscopy has resulted in added complications specific to
      the laparoscopic approach, such as trocar site hernia (TSH), which is an uncommon
      but well-recognized problem for both regular laparoscopic and robotic-assisted
      laparoscopic procedures. We describe an extremely rare case of TSH at an 8-mm
      port site occurring a relatively short time after surgery in a 53-year-old
      patient undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign reasons.
      Additionally, this report attempts to explain the possible etiological factors
      relating to TSH following robotic-assisted surgery. According to our case report,
      a defect in the 8-mm port that may lead to hernia is one possible explanation,
      and closure of the 8-mm trocar sites' fascia may be a safer approach during
      robotic-assisted surgery. Additional reports are needed to accurately determine
      the frequency of occurrence and importance of this complication. 

PMID- 24225281
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide binding protein in cirrhotic patients with severe sepsis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) is an acute-phase protein
      produced by the liver. It has been shown that LBP plays an important role in the
      inflammatory response to sepsis. LBP has also been shown to protect animals from
      endotoxin challenge by facilitating the removal of endotoxin from the blood
      circulation. Cirrhotic patients are susceptible to bacterial infection. It is
      unknown whether pre-existing liver dysfunction impacts the LBP levels and thus
      the prognosis in severe sepsis. METHODS: We evaluated the serum LBP, inflammatory
      cytokines, and the relationship between LBP concentrations, functional liver
      reserve and outcomes in 58 critically ill cirrhotic patients with severe sepsis.
      RESULTS: The serum LBP levels were significantly higher in 28-day survivors,
      while the interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels
      were significantly higher in non-survivors. We analyzed the receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve to determine the cut-off point for LBP to predict 28
      day mortality. The cumulative rates at 28 days were 58.3% versus 16.7% for the
      high LBP group (>46 ng/mL) and low LBP group (<46 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). The high
      LBP group had significantly lower INR, Child-Pugh, Model for End-stage Liver
      Disease (MELD) scores and TNF-alpha level. Meanwhile, the LBP levels were
      inversely correlated with INR, and Child-Pugh, MELD and sequential organ failure
      assessment (SOFA) scores. CONCLUSION: The concentration of LBP is associated
      inversely with disease severity scores and outcomes in critically ill cirrhotic
      patients with severe sepsis.

PMID- 24225282
TI  - Occurrence of atrioventricular block during supraventricular tachycardia: What is
      its possible mechanism?
AB  - A female patient was admitted to our hospital for catheter ablation arising from
      paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). In the laboratory, PSVT (the
      earliest retrograde atrial activation at the coronary sinus ostium) with
      intermittent atrioventricular (AV) block could be induced repeatedly. The
      tachycardia could be terminated during ventricular pacing without retrograde
      conduction to the atria. Therefore, orthodromic AV reciprocating tachycardia
      (AVRT) and atrial tachycardia (AT) could be ruled out and AV nodal re-entrant
      tachycardia (AVNRT) was subsequently considered. Initial attempts using slow or
      intermediate AV nodal ablation failed to cure the tachycardia. We considered the
      possibility of orthodromic AV reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) with AV block
      occurring during the tachycardia. The tachycardia was successfully terminated
      during the ablation of the right posteroseptal pathway at the coronary sinus
      ostium. We hypothesized about the possible explanation that might help to clarify
      the phenomenon of AV block during SVT in order to provide some guidance to other
      clinicians confronted with similar patient challenges in the future.

PMID- 24225283
TI  - [Further improve the level of the etiological diagnosis of pediatric
      cardiomyopathy].

PMID- 24225284
TI  - [Promote multidisciplinary study on anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in
      children].

PMID- 24225285
TI  - [To attach great importance to clinical management of Kawasaki disease with
      coronary arterial lesions].

PMID- 24225286
TI  - [Meta-analyses of the associations of genome-wide association study- linked gene
      loci with Kawasaki disease].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a common autoimmune vasculitis. It has been
      regarded as the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. This study
      aimed to assess the relationship between genome-wide association study (GWAS)
      linked gene loci and KD. METHOD: By March of 2013, the published GWAS literatures
      of KD were retrieved from the databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of
      Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang, and the gene loci associated
      with KD at genome-wide significance of P < 5.0*10(-8) were determined. For each
      of the gene loci, one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with strong
      association with KD was chosen for meta-analysis. Then the published case-control
      studies reporting the associations of the SNPs with KD were collected from
      English and Chinese databases with the same criteria. The Meta-analyses were
      conducted with RevMan 5.1 software after screening and evaluation. RESULT: A
      total of 4 gene loci including FCGR2A, BLK, CD40 and HLA were observed having
      association with KD at genome-wide significance of P < 5.0*10(-8) in at least one
      GWAS. The risk alleles of the SNPs in the gene loci were all more common in
      patients with KD relative to controls in the systematic reviews with 8, 4, 6 and
      4 extracted case-control studies, respectively[ FCGR2A rs1801274: P < 0.001, OR =
      1.40, 95% CI (1.30, 1.51); BLK rs2254546: P < 0.001, OR = 1.69, 95% CI (1.52,
      1.88); CD40 rs4813003: P < 0.001, OR = 1.31, 95% CI (1.22, 1.41); HLA rs2857151:
      P < 0.001, OR = 1.41, 95% CI (1.27, 1.57)]. The significant publication bias was
      not observed in the meta-analyses. CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed the overall
      association of the 4 gene loci with KD in observed populations, together with the
      consistent presence of the relationship between BLK or HLA and KD in the
      populations, suggesting that it is hopeful to find the genetic marker combination
      predicting the risk of KD, the formation of secondary coronary artery lesions and
      the resistance of intravenous immunoglobulin, by further seeking the function
      SNPs of the gene loci and investigating the effect on the important clinical
      phenotypes of KD.

PMID- 24225287
TI  - [Left atrial and ventricular epicardial dual chamber pacing through a left
      lateral thoracotomy to treat pediatric complete atrioventricular block].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility, advantages and efficacy of
      implantation of left atrial and ventricular epicardial dual chamber pacemaker to
      treat pediatric complete atrioventricular block. METHOD: Eleven children with
      median age 4.0 years (0.5-7.6 years) diagnosed as complete atrioventricular block
      resisting to drug therapy received implantations of left atrial and ventricular
      epicardial dual chamber pacemakers. Six were male and five female. Temporal or
      permanent right ventricular pacing was used for all of them before implantation
      of left atrial and ventricular epicardial dual chamber pacemakers. Three cases
      showed cardiac dysfunction. Left lateral thoracotomy was performed at 4th
      intercoastal space along anterior axillary line under general anesthesia, the
      pericardium was incised vertically anterior to the phrenic nerve, two pacing
      leads were individually located at left atrial appendage and left ventricular
      lateral wall. After all the parameters were detected to be satisfactory, a pouch
      was made at left abdomen under coastal margin. Dual chamber pacemaker was
      connected with pacing leads through subcutaneous tunnels. The sizes of heart
      chambers, cardiac functions, parameters of pacemaker, sensitivity, pacing status,
      PR interval and QRS interval were closely followed up post-operatively. RESULT:
      Implantations of pacemakers were successful for all of the patients with no
      complications associated with operations. Preoperative electrocardiograms showed
      QRS interval (180 +/- 33)ms under right ventricular pacing, it decreased to (140
      +/- 24)ms after implantation of left atrial and ventricular epicardial dual
      chamber pacemaker, significantly lower than right ventricular pacing (t = 8.8, P
      < 0.05) . Atrioventricular (AV) interval was set at 90 ms, PR interval (124 +/-
      4)ms. Echocardiograms performed within 2-3 days after implantation of left atrial
      and ventricular epicardial dual chamber pacemakers showed that for the 3 cases
      who were previously under right atrial and right ventricular dual chamber pacing
      presenting cardiac dysfunction, their left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDd)
      decreased from (46.3 +/- 12.5) (32.0-55.0) ms to (44.7 +/- 12.0) (31.0-53.0) mm
      and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased from 30% +/- 15% (18%
      47%) to 44% +/- 18% (33%-65%). During 2-14 months' follow up, LVEF increased
      progressively which became significantly higher than before (65% +/- 8% vs. 30%
      +/- 15%, t = 5.6, P < 0.05) . Cardiac chamber sizes and left ventricular systolic
      function for the other 8 patients maintain normal during follow up. Pacing status
      and sensitivity were satisfactory for all these patients during follow up.
      CONCLUSION: Implantation of left atrial and ventricular epicardial pacemaker
      might be considered for children diagnosed as complete atrioventricular block for
      whom endocardial pacemaker could not be implanted, due to its utmost protection
      for cardiac function with minimal injury and its ability to prevent or reverse
      pacemaker syndrome. Left atrial and left ventricular epicardium should be
      regarded as the first-choice and routine locations for epicardial pacing.

PMID- 24225288
TI  - [Perinatal integrative intervention for critical pulmonary artery valve
      stenosis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different operation time to percutaneous
      balloon pulmonic valvuloplasty (PBPV) to critical pulmonary valve stenosis (CPS).
      METHOD: Twenty-one infants (age <= 60 days at operating day) suffered from CPS,
      diagnosed by fetal echocardiogram and confirmed by echocardiography after birth,
      were enrolled in this case-control-study with written informed consent during
      April 2007 to December 2011. Of the 21 cases, 7 had prenatal diagnosis in our
      prenatal diagnosis center (prenatal group, Pre) and 14 were referred from other
      hospitals, who were divided into postpartum group A (Post A, referred within 28
      days after birth) and postpartum group B (Post B, referred 29 to 60 days after
      birth). To Pre-group, the integrative interventional protocol was cautiously made
      by the consultative specialists, including intrauterine diagnosis, perinatal care
      and urgent PBPV soon after birth. To Post-group, emergency PBPV was preformed
      after the referral. Tei index of right ventricular and pressure-gradient (PG)
      between right ventricular and pulmonary artery were measured before and at
      different time points one year after PBPV. RESULT: The values of SpO2 in Pre
      group ranged from 82%-92% (86.57% +/- 5.34%) under the state of continuous
      intravenous infusion of alprostadil. PBPV was successfully preformed within 3-6
      days after birth. The values of SpO2 increased to 97.33% +/- 1.15% post
      procedure. The values of PG pre- and post- procedure were (86.34 +/- 11.77) mm Hg
      and (31.43 +/- 8.46) mm Hg respectively. Preoperative RV Tei-index was 0.68 +/-
      0.05, it decreased rapidly after procedure, and recovered to normal one month
      after procedure. Only one case showed restenosis seven months after procedure and
      repeated PBPV. Fourteen referral cases (6 cases in Post A group and 8 cases in
      Post B group, accompanied in 1 and 3 cases with heart failure), the values of
      SpO2 ranged from 83%-91% under state of continuous intravenous infusion of
      alprostadil. And the operating time was 10-57 days after birth. The values of
      SpO2 recovered to normal post procedure, and heart failure alleviated. Increased
      preoperative RV pressure obviously decreased significantly post-procedure. And
      increased Tei-index declined gradually, at one-year follow-up, the value of Tei
      index in Post A group recovered to normal, whereas that of Post B was (0.51 +/-
      0.06), compared to Pre and Post A groups, the difference was significant (P <
      0.05) . One case showed restenosis nine months after procedure and repeated PBPV
      was performed. The hypoxic exposure durations were (4.43 +/- 0.68) , (16.33 +/-
      4.46) , (41.25 +/- 9.19) , respectively, and the difference among the three
      groups was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: To the fetuses with definite
      prenatal diagnosis of critical pulmonary valve stenosis, preoperative general
      condition can be adjusted to more suitable for emergency operation. Early PBPV
      can achieve shorter hypoxic exposure and better recovery of right ventricular
      function post procedure. Perinatal integrated intervention for CPS can
      significantly improve the prognosis and quality of life in this patient
      population.

PMID- 24225290
TI  - [Recommendations for gene assays for cardiomyopathy in children].

PMID- 24225289
TI  - [Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents: therapeutic radiological
      intervention].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Due to its minimal-invasive approach, endovascular procedure had
      replaced surgery in treating Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). The interventional
      therapy was a safe and effective treatment in adults with BCS and the cure rate
      was high. However Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents is rare.
      Published literature on interventional procedure for Budd-Chiari syndrome in
      children and adolescents is scarce. The aim of the study was to present results
      of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stents placement in children
      and adolescents with BCS and to evaluate the efficacy and safety in these
      patients of this approach. METHOD: Twenty-five patients [16 boys and 9 girls;
      average age of (14.5 +/- 3.4) years old; age ranged from 5 to 17 years] with Budd
      Chiari syndrome who were hospitalized from December 1990 to August 2012 were
      presented. All of them were diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound scan while 12
      of them had magnetic resonance venography (MRV) scan. All of the patients had
      undergone angiographic examination. Four cases with membranous obstruction of the
      inferior vena cava (IVC) were treated with PTA. One case with segmental block of
      IVC was treated with PTA and stent placement. Five cases with membranous
      obstruction of IVC and hepatic vein (/and accessory hepatic vein) were treated
      with PTA. Among 8 cases with membranous obstruction of hepatic veins, 6 cases
      were treated with PTA and the others with PTA and stent placement. Among 4 cases
      with blocks of 3 hepatic veins (HVs), one was treated with PTA, one with PTA plus
      catheter thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement and the other
      one was unsuccessful. Three cases with obstruction of HV and accessory HV (AHV)
      were treated with PTA. Totally, 24 patients were treated with interventional
      approach and followed up. RESULT: The procedure was successful in 24 patients.
      The involved veins (hepatic veins or IVC) were patented after interventional
      procedure. The pressure of hepatic vein was (42.1 +/- 4.2) cm H2O (37-50 cm H2O)
      (1 cm H2O = 0.098 kPa) before the interventional therapy, while it was (17.3 +/-
      3.3) cm H2O (14-26 cm H2O) after it. The pressure of IVC was (30.6 +/- 2.9) cm
      H2O (26-36 cm H2O) before the interventional therapy, while it was (18.8 +/- 4.2)
      cm H2O (15-26 cm H2O) after it. The symptoms and signs vanished instantly after
      interventional procedure. There were no procedure-related complications. The rate
      of overall initial cure was 96%. The patients were followed up for a mean of 25.8
      months (range 6 months to 8 years). Seven cases developed restenosis after first
      procedure. Five of them were treated with PTA, one with PTA plus catheter
      thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement. All of the involved
      veins were patented again. Clinical symptoms were relieved. There were no
      procedure-related complications as well. CONCLUSION: The interventional procedure
      in children and adolescents with BCS is the same as in adults. Radiological
      therapeutic intervention is efficacious and safe in children and adolescents with
      BCS.

PMID- 24225291
TI  - [Risk factors of invasive fungal infections in patients admitted to non-
      hematological oncology department and pediatric intensive care unit].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors of invasive fungal infections (IFI) in
      patients admitted to non-hematological oncology department and pediatric
      intensive care unit (PICU), in order to improve diagnostic level of invasive
      fungal infections. METHOD: We retrospectively assessed 85 hospitalized pediatric
      patients with invasive fungal infections in Beijing Children's Hospital
      Affiliated to Capital Medical University from Jan.2007 to Nov.2012. All the cases
      were either from non-hematological oncology department or the PICU.We reviewed
      risk factors of invasive fungal infections. RESULT: Among 85 patients, 42 had
      invasive candida infection, 20 invasive aspergillus infection, 21 cryptococcus
      infection, 1 Histoplasma capsulatum infection and 1 Mucor mucedo infection.In the
      42 patients with invasive candida infection, 5 were young infants, 3 had combined
      immunodeficiency, 1 cellular immunodeficiency, 25 secondary infection due to long
      term use of corticosteroids and/or combined use of more than 2 kinds of
      antibiotics with primary disease, 5 prior intestinal tract surgery or chronic
      diarrheal disease, 1 reflux gastritis.In the 20 patients with invasive
      aspergillosis infection, 10 patients had chronic granulomatous disease, 5 long
      term use of corticosteroids >= 1 month, 3 long term use of corticosteroids and
      combined use of more than 2 kinds of antibiotics, 2 had no apparent host
      factors.In the 21 patients with cryptococcus infection, 2 patients had used
      corticosteroids >= 1 month, 2 had immunodeficiency mainly for lack of antibodies,
      while others had no apparent host factors. The child with Mucor mucedo infection
      had diabetes mellitus. And the one with Histoplasma capsulatum infection had
      immunodeficiency. CONCLUSION: High risk factors for IFI in patients admitted to
      non-hematological oncology department and PICU are primary immunodeficiency
      disease and long term use of corticosteroids and/or long term combined use of
      more than 2 kinds of antibiotics. Besides, young infant is also a high risk
      factor for invasive candida infection. Most of the cryptococcus infections and
      certain aspergillosis had no obvious host factors.

PMID- 24225292
TI  - [Diversity analysis of biofilm bacteria on tracheal tubes removed from intubated
      neonates].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The catheter-related infections caused by mechanical ventilation have
      become a intractable clinical problem, and it is related to the formation of
      bacterial biofilm (BF) on the surface of the implanted material. The majority of
      natural biofilms are formed by multiple bacterial species. However, there always
      only one or limited species were detected on tracheal tubes removed from
      intubated neonates by using traditional methods including bacterium culture and
      antigen detection. The aims of this study were to observe the bacterial
      communities diversity of BF on endotracheal tube (ETT), and discuss the
      difference between traditional bacterium culture methods and the use of molecular
      biology techniques on the basis of denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE),
      to provide new ideas for clinical prevention, diagnosis and treatment of
      bacterial infections. METHOD: Thirty-five ETTs were obtained from 26 neonates on
      mechanical ventilator (from October 2012 to March 2013) in Department of
      Neonatology of Children's Hospital. Among the patients, 18 were boys and 8 girls,
      and 19 patients were < 37 weeks gestational age and 7 patients >= 37 weeks. DGGE
      profiling of 16S rDNA gene amplicons was used to assess the diversity of the
      bacterial population by using the software of quantity one. TA Cloning Kit and
      sequencing were used to investigate the distribution of bacteria and common
      dominant bacteria in ETT-BF. RESULT: The mean bands of 35 ETTs cases were 13.8 +/
      5.4 from 16S rDNA PCR-DGGE, and the mean Shanon-Wiener indexes was 2.42 +/-
      0.38. The 16 ETTs were collected in different stages of diseases from the 7
      patients. The indwelling days of 6/7 patients' ETTs increased, the Shanon-siener
      indexes were decreased. Among the 6 cases from different basic illnesses, and
      there were different Shanon-siener indexes. The result of molecular cloning and
      sequencing for 24 dominant bands showed that 35 cases (100%) contained Klebsiella
      SP., 28 cases (80%) had Pseudomonas SP., 27 cases (77%) had Streptococcus SP.,
      and 32 cases (91%) had Uncultured bacterium, while more than 2 bacterial species
      were found in 34 cases (97%). 28/35 (80%) Klebsiella SP. and 22/27(82%)
      Streptococcus SP. were accompanied by Pseudomonas SP.. There were 22 positive
      results of sputum culture from 26 newborns, including 10 strains (45%) of
      Klebsiella pneumoniae, 2 strains (9%) of Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter
      cloacae and non-cultured bacterium in each patient (5%), but only one bacterium
      isolated from every sputum. Eight sputum samples had normal flora only,
      corresponding to the ETTs on which Klebsiella and other bacterial genuses were
      found. CONCLUSION: The diversity of microbiota in BF on ETT was confirmed. 16S
      rDNA PCR-DGGE could produce a more complete picture of bacterial community than
      traditional bacterium culture method. Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus
      were common dominant bacteria in ETT-BF, and there might be interactions among
      them in the formation of BF.

PMID- 24225293
TI  - [Analysis of influencing factors of transient hypothyroxinemia and low T3
      syndrome in premature infants].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influencing factors of transient hypothyroxinemia
      (THT) and low T3 syndrome (LT3S) in premature infants. METHOD: We have studied
      418 premature infants whose gestational age was between 26 and 36 weeks.Serum
      thyronine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyrotropin (TSH) of them were detected
      on the fourteenth day approximately after birth. The patients were divided
      according to their serum T4, T3 and TSH into 3 groups (transient
      hypothyroxinemia, low T3 syndrome and normal). Then 20 Perinatal factors which
      may be associated with THT and LT3S were collected. The factors were analyzed by
      using Chi-square test and Logistic regression. RESULT: Forty-nine infants were
      found suffering from THT, 35 infants suffering from LT3S, and 334 infants in
      normal group. The prevalence rate of THT was 11.7%, and the prevalence rate of
      LT3S was 8.4%. Among the 20 factors, the factors related to the incidence of THT
      were male gender (OR = 1.863, 95%CI 0.966-3.594), albumin (OR = 2.401, 95%CI
      1.294-4.455), dopamine (OR = 3.295, 95%CI 1.110-9.783) and those related to the
      incidence of LT3S were male gender (OR = 2.592, 95%CI 1.171-5.736), gestational
      age <= 28 wk (OR = 3.503, 95%CI 1.275-9.627). CONCLUSION: Male gender, albumin
      and dopamine are perinatal risk factors of THT, meanwhile, male gender and
      gestational age <= 28 wk are perinatal risk factors of LT3S.With the use of risk
      factors identified in our study, it may be possible to separate infants having
      the highest risk of THT and LT3S, so as to form optimizing treatment strategies.

PMID- 24225294
TI  - [Expert's comment].

PMID- 24225295
TI  - [Diagnostic value of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in predicting
      outcome of newborn patients in neonatal intensive care unit].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of amplitude-integrated
      electroencephalography (aEEG) in predicting outcome of newborns who were at high
      risk for central nervous system without severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
      METHODS: Forty-two consecutive patients at risks for neurological disorders
      referred to our level-III NICU were prospectively enrolled in the study over a
      period of 3 years. They were classified on the basis of their primary diagnoses
      including hypoglycemic brain damage, meningoencephalitis, bilirubin
      encephalopathy, and metabolic disease. Clinical data were collected. Amplitude
      integrated and raw EEG tracings were assessed for background pattern, sleep-wake
      cycling, and epileptiform activity. The neuromotor development of survivors was
      assessed by using the Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB).
      RESULT: The characteristic of aEEG tracings in 42 infants showed continuous
      normal voltage (CNV)(n = 15), discontinuous voltage (DC)(n = 9), burst
      suppression (BS) BS(+) (n = 6), BS(-)(n = 7), flat (FT, n = 5); mature sleep-wake
      cycling (SWC, n = 4), immature SWC (n = 14), no SWC (n = 24); 30 infants (71.4%)
      had electrical seizures: single seizure (n = 6); repetitive seizures (n = 7), and
      status epilepticus (SE) (n = 17).aEEG of 20 infants who had poor outcome showed
      FT (n = 5), BS(-)/SE (n = 6), BS(-)/ repetitive seizures (n = 1) , BS(+)/SE (n =
      1), BS(+)/repetitive seizures (n = 1), DC/SE(n = 6). Chi-square analysis and
      Spearman rank correlation analysis showed the classification of aEEG background
      pattern, SWC and comprehensive score (score system was developed by evaluation of
      the above 3 variables) were correlated with the outcome of these infants at high
      neurological risks. CONCLUSION: Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography can
      provide important information of the status of cerebral function in neonates at
      high neurological risk and help to predict their outcome.

PMID- 24225296
TI  - [Clinical characteristics and imaging evaluation in children with renovascular
      hypertension].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical and angiographic features in children
      with renovascular hypertension. METHOD: Clinical data of 14 children (7 male, 7
      female; age 0.8-14 years, mean 8.7 years), who were diagnosed with renovascular
      hypertension by renal angiography in our institute from January 2005 to December
      2012 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. RESULT: The mean blood pressure
      at the diagnosis was 187/127 mm Hg. Chief complaints of symptomatic patients were
      headache (29%, 4/14), hypertensive encephalopathy (36%, 5/14), signs of
      congestive heart failure (14%, 2/14) and hematemesis (7%, 1/14). Renovascular
      hypertension was found incidentally in 14% (2/14) of patients who were
      asymptomatic. Conventional renal angiography elucidated the anatomical
      distribution of lesions in the renal arterial system. It was found that 14%
      (2/14) of patients had bilateral disease, 50% (7/14) had single stenosis at main
      or accessory renal artery, while multiple stenoses was seen in 43% (6/14) of
      children, with involvement of segmental renal artery and small interlobar or
      arcuate vessels. Compared with catheter angiography, 50% (7/14) of patients with
      renovascular hypertension, especially intrarenal arterial disease, were missed on
      computed tomography angiography or magnetic resonance angiography. CONCLUSION: It
      is mandatory to emphasize blood pressure measurement in pediatric clinical
      practice for early recognition of renovascular hypertension. As children with
      renovascular hypertension display involvement of multiple arteries, including in
      smaller intrarenal arteries, digital subtraction angiography is the only method
      that can reliably diagnose pediatric renovascular hypertension.

PMID- 24225297
TI  - [Clinical features of a Chinese infant with inborn error of bile acid metabolism
      3beta-hydroxy-Delta(5)-C27-steroid dehydrogenase deficiency and review of the
      literature].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features of children with 3beta-hydroxy-Delta(5)
      C27-steroid dehydrogenase deficiency and review the literature. METHOD: Clinical
      features and treatment of one Chinese infant with 3beta-hydroxy-Delta(5)-C27
      steroid dehydrogenase deficiency confirmed by HSD3B7 gene mutation analysis were
      retrospectively reviewed, and 51 cases of 3beta-hydroxy-Delta(5)-C27-steroid
      dehydrogenase deficiency who were internationally reported since 2000 were also
      reviewed in this paper. RESULT: (1) A 3-month-old infant with neonatal
      cholestasis was admitted to our hospital because of hyperbilirubinemia and
      abnormal liver dysfunction (total bilirubin 110.7 umol/L, direct bilirubin 74.5
      umol/L, gamma-glutamyltransferase 24.4 IU/L, total bile acid 0.1 umol/L).His
      jaundice disappeared within a few weeks, serum liver biochemistries improved and
      his growth in weight and height was excellent after oral cholic acid
      therapy.HSD3B7 gene analysis using peripheral lymphocyte genomic DNA from the
      patient identified compound heterozygous mutations. This child was confirmed as
      the most common inborn error of bile acid metabolism-3beta-hydroxy-Delta(5)-C27
      steroid dehydrogenase deficiency by molecular analysis.(2) Retrospective review
      of the literature showed that the clinical features of 3beta-hydroxy-Delta(5)-C27
      steroid dehydrogenase deficiency included neonatal cholestasis, some patients
      progressed to severe liver disease and needed liver transplantation without
      effective therapy; however, serum biochemical characteristics of normal gamma
      glutamyltransferase activity, normal or low total bile acid concentrations were
      not consistent with cholestasis, the replacement treatment with cholic acid
      produced a dramatic improvements in symptoms, biochemical markers of liver
      injury; 31 cases were diagnosed by HSD3B7 gene mutation analysis. CONCLUSION: The
      clinical characteristics of 3beta-hydroxy-Delta(5)-C27-steroid dehydrogenase
      deficiency include neonatal cholestasis, normal serum gamma-glutamyltransferase
      activity, and normal or low serum total bile acid concentration.Oral cholic acid
      replacement is an effective therapy; definitive diagnosis of 3beta-hydroxy
      Delta(5)-C27-steroid dehydrogenase deficiency can be identified by molecular
      genetic testing technology.

PMID- 24225298
TI  - [Klinefelter syndrome complicated by mediastinal teratomas and precocious
      puberty: a case report].

PMID- 24225300
TI  - [Spasmus nutans].

PMID- 24225299
TI  - [Development of inhibitor against hemophilia and prevention and management
      strategies forpatients with hemophilia].

PMID- 24225301
TI  - [Summary of the 12th national conference on pediatric endocrine, genetic and
      metabolic diseases].

PMID- 24225302
TI  - A review on radiation-induced nucleation and growth of colloidal metallic
      nanoparticles.
AB  - This review presents an introduction to the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles
      by radiation-induced method, especially gamma irradiation. This method offers
      some benefits over the conventional methods because it provides fully reduced and
      highly pure nanoparticles free from by-products or chemical reducing agents, and
      is capable of controlling the particle size and structure. The nucleation and
      growth mechanism of metallic nanoparticles are also discussed. The competition
      between nucleation and growth process in the formation of nanoparticles can
      determine the size of nanoparticles which is influenced by certain parameters
      such as the choice of solvents and stabilizer, the precursor to stabilizer ratio,
      pH during synthesis, and absorbed dose. 

PMID- 24225303
TI  - Optimal sampling designs for estimation of Plasmodium falciparum clearance rates
      in patients treated with artemisinin derivatives.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The emergence of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinins in
      Southeast Asia threatens the control of malaria worldwide. The pharmacodynamic
      hallmark of artemisinin derivatives is rapid parasite clearance (a short parasite
      half-life), therefore, the in vivo phenotype of slow clearance defines the
      reduced susceptibility to the drug. Measurement of parasite counts every six
      hours during the first three days after treatment have been recommended to
      measure the parasite clearance half-life, but it remains unclear whether simpler
      sampling intervals and frequencies might also be sufficient to reliably estimate
      this parameter. METHODS: A total of 2,746 parasite density-time profiles were
      selected from 13 clinical trials in Thailand, Cambodia, Mali, Vietnam, and Kenya.
      In these studies, parasite densities were measured every six hours until negative
      after treatment with an artemisinin derivative (alone or in combination with a
      partner drug). The WWARN Parasite Clearance Estimator (PCE) tool was used to
      estimate "reference" half-lives from these six-hourly measurements. The effect of
      four alternative sampling schedules on half-life estimation was investigated, and
      compared to the reference half-life (time zero, 6, 12, 24 (A1); zero, 6, 18, 24
      (A2); zero, 12, 18, 24 (A3) or zero, 12, 24 (A4) hours and then every 12 hours).
      Statistical bootstrap methods were used to estimate the sampling distribution of
      half-lives for parasite populations with different geometric mean half-lives. A
      simulation study was performed to investigate a suite of 16 potential alternative
      schedules and half-life estimates generated by each of the schedules were
      compared to the "true" half-life. The candidate schedules in the simulation study
      included (among others) six-hourly sampling, schedule A1, schedule A4, and a
      convenience sampling schedule at six, seven, 24, 25, 48 and 49 hours. RESULTS:
      The median (range) parasite half-life for all clinical studies combined was 3.1
      (0.7-12.9) hours. Schedule A1 consistently performed the best, and schedule A4
      the worst, both for the individual patient estimates and for the populations
      generated with the bootstrapping algorithm. In both cases, the differences
      between the reference and alternative schedules decreased as half-life increased.
      In the simulation study, 24-hourly sampling performed the worst, and six-hourly
      sampling the best. The simulation study confirmed that more dense parasite
      sampling schedules are required to accurately estimate half-life for profiles
      with short half-life (<= three hours) and/or low initial parasite density (<=
      10,000 per MUL). Among schedules in the simulation study with six or fewer
      measurements in the first 48 hours, a schedule with measurements at times (time
      windows) of 0 (0-2), 6 (4-8), 12 (10-14), 24 (22-26), 36 (34-36) and 48 (46-50)
      hours, or at times 6, 7 (two samples in time window 5-8), 24, 25 (two samples
      during time 23-26), and 48, 49 (two samples during time 47-50) hours, until
      negative most accurately estimated the "true" half-life. For a given schedule,
      continuing sampling after two days had little effect on the estimation of half
      life, provided that adequate sampling was performed in the first two days and the
      half-life was less than three hours. If the measured parasitaemia at two days
      exceeded 1,000 per MUL, continued sampling for at least once a day was needed for
      accurate half-life estimates. CONCLUSIONS: This study has revealed important
      insights on sampling schedules for accurate and reliable estimation of Plasmodium
      falciparum half-life following treatment with an artemisinin derivative (alone or
      in combination with a partner drug). Accurate measurement of short half-lives
      (rapid clearance) requires more dense sampling schedules (with more than twice
      daily sampling). A more intensive sampling schedule is, therefore, recommended in
      locations where P. falciparum susceptibility to artemisinins is not known and the
      necessary resources are available. Counting parasite density at six hours is
      important, and less frequent sampling is satisfactory for estimating long
      parasite half-lives in areas where artemisinin resistance is present.

PMID- 24225304
TI  - Report of a pertussis outbreak in a low coverage booster vaccination group of
      otherwise healthy children in Italy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The introduction of universal pertussis immunization and the high
      coverage achieved in most developed countries have largely changed the
      epidemiology of the disease. Although vaccination rates are high in the first
      year of life, the rates of booster doses are unsatisfactory and lead to the onset
      of outbreaks. This report describes an outbreak of pertussis affecting school
      students already immunized in a town of Puglia (Italy), detected at the end of
      April 2009. METHODS: Vaccine effectiveness is measured by calculating the
      incidence rates (attack rates- AR) of disease among vaccinated (ARV) and
      unvaccinated (ARU) people and determining the percentage reduction in the
      incidence rate of disease among vaccinated people compared to unvaccinated
      people. RESULTS: The index case was a healthy child, female, 9-years-old who
      attended a local elementary school and developed pertussis on 27 April 2009. The
      secondary cases were the aunt and the cousin of the index case who developed a
      cough on 10 May 2009. In the elementary class of the index case, a cluster
      occurred. The overall AR was 15.8%, in particular 20% in children who did not
      receive the booster doses at 5-6 years old (ARU) and 14.3% in children receiving
      the booster (ARV). The VE of booster dose in this setting was 28.5%. Moreover,
      only the index case developed a persistent cough; the VE against moderate to
      severe pertussis was 100%. A cluster was detected in the middle school class that
      the cousin of the index case attended; AR was 44.4% (12/27); ARU was 50% (10/20)
      and ARV 28.6% (2/7). VE in this setting was 42.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      confirm the need to administer booster doses; failure the booster is the
      principal determinant for the outbreak onset.

PMID- 24225305
TI  - Impact of cardiac rehabilitation on renal function in patients with and without
      chronic kidney disease after acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although there is a general fear that exercise training might
      deteriorate renal function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, the effect
      of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on renal function in acute myocardial infarction
      (AMI) patients with CKD remains unknown. We sought to determine whether CR is
      associated with amelioration or deterioration of renal function in such patients.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 528 AMI patients who participated in a 3-month
      CR program. Clinical data before and after CR were compared according to
      participation in CR and comorbidities. In patients without CKD (estimated
      glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] >=60ml.min(-1).1.73m(-2), n=348), peak oxygen
      uptake (VO2) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) improved without a change in
      eGFR. In contrast, in patients with CKD (eGFR <60ml.min(-1).1.73m(-2), n=180),
      eGFR improved (48+/-12 to 53+/-15ml.min(-1).1.73m(-2), P<0.001), together with
      improvements in peak VO2 and BNP. When patients with CKD were divided into non
      active (<=1time/week, n=70) and active participants (>=1.1time/week, n=110)
      according to attendance in CR, active participants showed an improvement in eGFR
      (50+/-10 to 53+/-13ml.min(-1).1.73m(-2), P<0.001), whereas eGFR did not change in
      non-active participants. Similar results were obtained in each subgroup of
      patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS:  In
      AMI patients with CKD, active participation in CR was associated with improved
      peak VO2, BNP, and eGFR. 

PMID- 24225306
TI  - Echolucency of carotid plaque is useful for assessment of residual cardiovascular
      risk in patients with chronic coronary artery disease who achieve LDL-C goals on
      statin therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultrasound assessment of either intima-media thickness (IMT) or
      plaque echolucency of the carotid artery provides prognostic information on
      coronary events. This study examined the hypothesis that IMT and plaque
      echolucency of the carotid artery may remain useful for prediction of coronary
      events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after achievement of LDL-C
      goals on statin therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ultrasound assessment of carotid
      maximum IMT (maxIMT) and plaque echolucency with integrated backscatter (IBS)
      analysis was performed in 357 chronic CAD patients with LDL-C <100mg/dl on statin
      therapy. All patients were prospectively followed up until the occurrence of one
      of the following coronary events: cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction,
      or unstable angina pectoris requiring unplanned revascularization. During a mean
      follow-up of 32+/-18 months, 33 coronary events occurred. On multivariate Cox
      proportional hazards analysis, plaque echolucency (lower IBS value) was a
      significant predictor of coronary events (HR, 0.44; 95% CI: 0.29-0.73; P=0.009),
      whereas maxIMT was not. The addition of plaque echolucency to traditional risk
      factors improved net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated
      discrimination improvement (IDI; NRI, 0.59; P=0.0013; and IDI, 0.075; P=0.0009).
      CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of echolucency of the carotid artery was useful for
      assessment of residual coronary risk in CAD patients after LDL-C goal attainment
      on statin treatment.

PMID- 24225307
TI  - Incremental shuttle walk test as a valuable assessment of exercise performance in
      patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nearly all clinical trials investigating patients with pulmonary
      arterial hypertension (PAH) have used the 6-min walk test (6MWT) to evaluate
      exercise tolerance. The incremental shuttle walk test (SWT), however, has been
      proposed as a more valid and reproducible alternative to the 6MWT in the
      evaluation of exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease. The efficacy of SWT in clinical practice to evaluate the exercise
      capacity of patients with PAH was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The peak
      oxygen consumption (pVO2) and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold (VO2 at
      AT), the gold standard for measurement of exercise tolerance, 6MWT and SWT were
      measured in 19 clinically stable PAH patients (WHO functional class II-III) and
      the data compared. There was a higher correlation between SWT walk distance and
      pVO2 than between 6MWT walk distance and pVO2 (r=0.866 and 0.765, respectively;
      P<0.05), and a higher correlation between SWT walk distance and VO2 at AT than
      between 6MWT walk distance and VO2 at AT (r=0.775 and 0.587, respectively;
      P<0.05). No adverse events occurred during the exercise tests. CONCLUSIONS: SWT
      is a better reflection than 6MWT of exercise tolerance in PAH patients, and thus
      is a preferable alternative for assessment of exercise tolerance in PAH patients.

PMID- 24225308
TI  - Acute inactivation of the serine-threonine kinase Stk25 disrupts neuronal
      migration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuronal migration involves the directional migration of immature
      neurons. During much of the migration period these neurons are polarized with
      defined leading and trailing processes. Stk25 has been shown to bind to the LKB1
      activator STRAD and regulate neuronal polarization and dendritogenesis in an
      opposing manner to Reelin-Dab1 signaling. It is not known, however, whether Stk25
      controls neuronal migration, a key developmental process regulated by Reelin-Dab1
      signal transduction. FINDINGS: Here we find that while constitutive Stk25
      deficiency does not lead to neuronal phenotypes, acute reduction by either Cre
      mediated gene inactivation or by knockdown causes a developmental neuronal
      migration error. Furthermore, we find that knockdown of LKB1, STRAD and GM130,
      molecules that have previously been implicated with Stk25, causes similar
      aberrations in neuronal migration. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of Stk25 function early in
      development likely leads to functional compensation for its roles in neuronal
      development. Stk25 regulates neuronal positioning, possibly as part of the LKB1
      STRAD-Stk25-GM130 pathway that was previously shown to be important for neuronal
      polarization.

PMID- 24225309
TI  - New approach for fish breeding by chemical mutagenesis: establishment of TILLING
      method in fugu (Takifugu rubripes) with ENU mutagenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In fish breeding, it is essential to discover and generate fish
      exhibiting an effective phenotype for the aquaculture industry, but screening for
      natural mutants by only depending on natural spontaneous mutations is limited.
      Presently, reverse genetics has become an important tool to generate mutants,
      which exhibit the phenotype caused by inactivation of a gene. TILLING (Targeting
      Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) is a reverse genetics strategy that combines
      random chemical mutagenesis with high-throughput discovery technologies for
      screening the induced mutations in target genes. Although the chemical
      mutagenesis has been used widely in a variety of model species and also genetic
      breeding of microorganisms and crops, the application of the mutagenesis in fish
      breeding has been only rarely reported. RESULTS: In this study, we developed the
      TILLING method in fugu with ENU mutagenesis and high-resolution melting (HRM)
      analysis to detect base pair changes in target sequences. Fugu males were treated
      3 times at weekly intervals with various ENU concentrations, and then the
      collected sperm after the treatment was used to fertilize normal female for
      generating the mutagenized population (F1). The fertilization and the hatching
      ratios were similar to those of the control and did not reveal a dose dependency
      of ENU. Genomic DNA from the harvested F1 offspring was used for the HRM
      analysis. To obtain a fish exhibiting a useful phenotype (e.g. high meat
      production and rapid growth), fugu myostatin (Mstn) gene was examined as a target
      gene, because it has been clarified that the mstn deficient medaka exhibited
      double-muscle phenotype in common with MSTN knockout mice and bovine MSTN mutant.
      As a result, ten types of ENU-induced mutations were identified including a
      nonsense mutation in the investigated region with HRM analysis. In addition, the
      average mutation frequency in fugu Mstn gene was 1 mutant per 297 kb, which is
      similar to values calculated for zebrafish and medaka TILLING libraries.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the TILLING method in fugu was
      established. We anticipate that this TILLING approach can be used to generate a
      wide range of mutant alleles, and be applicable to many farmed fish that can be
      chemically mutagenized.

PMID- 24225311
TI  - The prevalence of fibromyalgia among patients with cervical radiculopathy due to
      cervical disc herniation: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervical disc herniation (CDH) is the most common cause of cervical
      radiculopathy and could overlap with fibromyalgia (FM). OBJECTIVE: The primary
      aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalences of FM and widespread
      pain in patients with cervical radiculopathy diagnosed as CDH in a cross
      sectional study. The secondary aim was to analyze the localization of tender
      points (TPs) and associated symptoms in these patients comparing patients with
      FM. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with cervical radiculopathy who carried the
      diagnosis of CDH and 51 patients with FM included to the study. The patients were
      questioned for the distribution and the duration of pain and for a group of
      symptoms related to FM such as headache, fatigue with a two-point scale (0 "no",
      1 "yes"). The diagnosis of CDH was made with patients' clinical evaluation and
      radiological findings with Magnetic Resonans Imaging Study. FM was diagnosed
      using the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Widespread pain was defined
      as all of the following parameters were present: pain in the left side of the
      body; pain in the right side of the body; pain above the waist; pain below the
      waist; axial skeletal pain; and duration of pain for more than 3 months. The
      number of TPs were counted by digital palpation. RESULTS: Six female patients
      (11.5%) with CDH fulfilled the ACR 1990 criteria for FM. Of the patients with CDH
      71.8% of TPs were located around the neck and shoulder regions, while 58.7% of
      TPs of the patients with FM were located around these regions. There were
      statistically significant differences between the patients with CDH and the
      patients with FM in terms of the duration of widespread pain, the number of TPs
      and the localization of TPs (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalences of FM and
      widespread pain in patients with CDH were found as 11.5% and 78.8% respectively.

PMID- 24225312
TI  - Effects of thermal agents on electrical sensory threshold and current tolerance
      when applied prior to neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of thermal
      agents on electrical sensory threshold and current tolerance when applied prior
      to neuromuscular electrical stimulation. METHODS: In this single-blind and cross
      over trial, electrical sensory threshold and current tolerance of 24 healthy
      volunteers were evaluated by using biphasic symmetrical pulses (240 MUsec, 50
      pps), before and after thermal agent (cold pack, hot pack and ultrasound)
      applications. RESULTS: Electrical sensory threshold increased after cold-pack,
      and current tolerance reduced after hot-pack applications (p< 0.05). Inter-agent
      comparisons of pre and post-application differences of the investigated
      parameters revealed that the most obvious effects were caused by application of
      hot pack. CONCLUSIONS: Hot pack application prior to neuromuscular electrical
      stimulation (NMES) may reduce current tolerance and limit to reach the desired
      current intensity for strengthening the electrically induced contractions.
      Results are considered to be valuable for physiotherapists, who apply thermal
      agents and NMES consecutively, in their treatment programs.

PMID- 24225313
TI  - Paraoxonase 1 in neurological disorders.
AB  - Paroxonase 1 displays multiple physiological activities that position it as a
      putative player in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Here we reviewed
      the literature focusing on the role of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) as a factor in the
      risk of stroke and the major neurodegenerative diseases. PON1 activity is reduced
      in stroke patients, which significantly correlates inversely with carotid and
      cerebral atherosclerosis. The presence of the R allele of the Q192R PON1
      polymorphism seems to potentiate this risk for stroke. PON1 exerts peroxidase
      activities that may be important in neurodegenerative disorders associated with
      oxidative stress. PON1 is also a key detoxifier of organophosphates and
      organophosphate exposure has been linked to the development of neurological
      disorders in which acetylcholine plays a significant role. In Parkinson's disease
      most of the studies suggest no participation of either L55M or the Q192R
      polymorphisms in its pathogenesis. However, many studies suggest that the MM55
      PON1 genotype is associated with a higher risk for Parkinson's disease in
      individuals exposed to organophosphates. In Alzheimer's disease most studies have
      failed to find any association between PON1 polymorphisms and the development of
      the disease. Some studies show that PON1 activity is decreased in patients with
      Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, suggesting a possible protective role of
      PON1. No links between PON1 polymorphisms or activity have been found in other
      neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis. PON1 is a potential player in the pathogenesis of several neurological
      disorders. More research is warranted to ascertain the precise pathogenic links
      and the prognostic value of its measurement in neurological patients. 

PMID- 24225314
TI  - Elastic properties and secondary structure formation of single-stranded DNA at
      monovalent and divalent salt conditions.
AB  - Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) plays a major role in several biological processes.
      It is therefore of fundamental interest to understand how the elastic response
      and the formation of secondary structures are modulated by the interplay between
      base pairing and electrostatic interactions. Here we measure force-extension
      curves (FECs) of ssDNA molecules in optical tweezers set up over two orders of
      magnitude of monovalent and divalent salt conditions, and obtain its elastic
      parameters by fitting the FECs to semiflexible models of polymers. For both
      monovalent and divalent salts, we find that the electrostatic contribution to the
      persistence length is proportional to the Debye screening length, varying as the
      inverse of the square root of cation concentration. The intrinsic persistence
      length is equal to 0.7 nm for both types of salts, and the effectivity of
      divalent cations in screening electrostatic interactions appears to be 100-fold
      as compared with monovalent salt, in line with what has been recently reported
      for single-stranded RNA. Finally, we propose an analysis of the FECs using a
      model that accounts for the effective thickness of the filament at low salt
      condition and a simple phenomenological description that quantifies the formation
      of non-specific secondary structure at low forces. 

PMID- 24225315
TI  - The MetaCyc database of metabolic pathways and enzymes and the BioCyc collection
      of Pathway/Genome Databases.
AB  - The MetaCyc database (MetaCyc.org) is a comprehensive and freely accessible
      database describing metabolic pathways and enzymes from all domains of life.
      MetaCyc pathways are experimentally determined, mostly small-molecule metabolic
      pathways and are curated from the primary scientific literature. MetaCyc contains
      >2100 pathways derived from >37,000 publications, and is the largest curated
      collection of metabolic pathways currently available. BioCyc (BioCyc.org) is a
      collection of >3000 organism-specific Pathway/Genome Databases (PGDBs), each
      containing the full genome and predicted metabolic network of one organism,
      including metabolites, enzymes, reactions, metabolic pathways, predicted operons,
      transport systems and pathway-hole fillers. Additions to BioCyc over the past 2
      years include YeastCyc, a PGDB for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and 891 new genomes
      from the Human Microbiome Project. The BioCyc Web site offers a variety of tools
      for querying and analysis of PGDBs, including Omics Viewers and tools for
      comparative analysis. New developments include atom mappings in reactions, a new
      representation of glycan degradation pathways, improved compound structure
      display, better coverage of enzyme kinetic data, enhancements of the Web Groups
      functionality, improvements to the Omics viewers, a new representation of the
      Enzyme Commission system and, for the desktop version of the software, the
      ability to save display states.

PMID- 24225316
TI  - Rapid metabolic pathway assembly and modification using serine integrase site
      specific recombination.
AB  - Synthetic biology requires effective methods to assemble DNA parts into devices
      and to modify these devices once made. Here we demonstrate a convenient rapid
      procedure for DNA fragment assembly using site-specific recombination by C31
      integrase. Using six orthogonal attP/attB recombination site pairs with different
      overlap sequences, we can assemble up to five DNA fragments in a defined order
      and insert them into a plasmid vector in a single recombination reaction. C31
      integrase-mediated assembly is highly efficient, allowing production of large
      libraries suitable for combinatorial gene assembly strategies. The resultant
      assemblies contain arrays of DNA cassettes separated by recombination sites,
      which can be used to manipulate the assembly by further recombination. We
      illustrate the utility of these procedures to (i) assemble functional metabolic
      pathways containing three, four or five genes; (ii) optimize productivity of two
      model metabolic pathways by combinatorial assembly with randomization of gene
      order or ribosome binding site strength; and (iii) modify an assembled metabolic
      pathway by gene replacement or addition. 

PMID- 24225317
TI  - The transporter classification database.
AB  - The Transporter Classification Database (TCDB; http://www.tcdb.org) serves as a
      common reference point for transport protein research. The database contains more
      than 10,000 non-redundant proteins that represent all currently recognized
      families of transmembrane molecular transport systems. Proteins in TCDB are
      organized in a five level hierarchical system, where the first two levels are the
      class and subclass, the second two are the family and subfamily, and the last one
      is the transport system. Superfamilies that contain multiple families are
      included as hyperlinks to the five tier TC hierarchy. TCDB includes proteins from
      all types of living organisms and is the only transporter classification system
      that is both universal and recognized by the International Union of Biochemistry
      and Molecular Biology. It has been expanded by manual curation, contains
      extensive text descriptions providing structural, functional, mechanistic and
      evolutionary information, is supported by unique software and is interconnected
      to many other relevant databases. TCDB is of increasing usefulness to the
      international scientific community and can serve as a model for the expansion of
      database technologies. This manuscript describes an update of the database
      descriptions previously featured in NAR database issues.

PMID- 24225318
TI  - Selectome update: quality control and computational improvements to a database of
      positive selection.
AB  - Selectome (http://selectome.unil.ch/) is a database of positive selection, based
      on a branch-site likelihood test. This model estimates the number of
      nonsynonymous substitutions (dN) and synonymous substitutions (dS) to evaluate
      the variation in selective pressure (dN/dS ratio) over branches and over sites.
      Since the original release of Selectome, we have benchmarked and implemented a
      thorough quality control procedure on multiple sequence alignments, aiming to
      provide minimum false-positive results. We have also improved the computational
      efficiency of the branch-site test implementation, allowing larger data sets and
      more frequent updates. Release 6 of Selectome includes all gene trees from
      Ensembl for Primates and Glires, as well as a large set of vertebrate gene trees.
      A total of 6810 gene trees have some evidence of positive selection. Finally, the
      web interface has been improved to be more responsive and to facilitate searches
      and browsing. 

PMID- 24225319
TI  - DNASU plasmid and PSI:Biology-Materials repositories: resources to accelerate
      biological research.
AB  - The mission of the DNASU Plasmid Repository is to accelerate research by
      providing high-quality, annotated plasmid samples and online plasmid resources to
      the research community through the curated DNASU database, website and repository
      (http://dnasu.asu.edu or http://dnasu.org). The collection includes plasmids from
      grant-funded, high-throughput cloning projects performed in our laboratory,
      plasmids from external researchers, and large collections from consortia such as
      the ORFeome Collaboration and the NIGMS-funded Protein Structure Initiative:
      Biology (PSI:Biology). Through DNASU, researchers can search for and access
      detailed information about each plasmid such as the full length gene insert
      sequence, vector information, associated publications, and links to external
      resources that provide additional protein annotations and experimental protocols.
      Plasmids can be requested directly through the DNASU website. DNASU and the
      PSI:Biology-Materials Repositories were previously described in the 2010 NAR
      Database Issue (Cormier, C.Y., Mohr, S.E., Zuo, D., Hu, Y., Rolfs, A., Kramer,
      J., Taycher, E., Kelley, F., Fiacco, M., Turnbull, G. et al. (2010) Protein
      Structure Initiative Material Repository: an open shared public resource of
      structural genomics plasmids for the biological community. Nucleic Acids Res.,
      38, D743-D749.). In this update we will describe the plasmid collection and
      highlight the new features in the website redesign, including new browse/search
      options, plasmid annotations and a dynamic vector mapping feature that was
      developed in collaboration with LabGenius. Overall, these plasmid resources
      continue to enable research with the goal of elucidating the role of proteins in
      both normal biological processes and disease. 

PMID- 24225320
TI  - The Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR): year 10 update.
AB  - The Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR, http:/www.rosaceae.org), the long-standing
      central repository and data mining resource for Rosaceae research, has been
      enhanced with new genomic, genetic and breeding data, and improved functionality.
      Whole genome sequences of apple, peach and strawberry are available to browse or
      download with a range of annotations, including gene model predictions, aligned
      transcripts, repetitive elements, polymorphisms, mapped genetic markers, mapped
      NCBI Rosaceae genes, gene homologs and association of InterPro protein domains,
      GO terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway terms. Annotated
      sequences can be queried using search interfaces and visualized using GBrowse.
      New expressed sequence tag unigene sets are available for major genera, and
      Pathway data are available through FragariaCyc, AppleCyc and PeachCyc databases.
      Synteny among the three sequenced genomes can be viewed using GBrowse_Syn. New
      markers, genetic maps and extensively curated qualitative/Mendelian and
      quantitative trait loci are available. Phenotype and genotype data from breeding
      projects and genetic diversity projects are also included. Improved search pages
      are available for marker, trait locus, genetic diversity and publication data.
      New search tools for breeders enable selection comparison and assistance with
      breeding decision making. 

PMID- 24225321
TI  - The genome portal of the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute: 2014
      updates.
AB  - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI), a national user
      facility, serves the diverse scientific community by providing integrated high
      throughput sequencing and computational analysis to enable system-based
      scientific approaches in support of DOE missions related to clean energy
      generation and environmental characterization. The JGI Genome Portal
      (http://genome.jgi.doe.gov) provides unified access to all JGI genomic databases
      and analytical tools. The JGI maintains extensive data management systems and
      specialized analytical capabilities to manage and interpret complex genomic data.
      A user can search, download and explore multiple data sets available for all DOE
      JGI sequencing projects including their status, assemblies and annotations of
      sequenced genomes. Here we describe major updates of the Genome Portal in the
      past 2 years with a specific emphasis on efficient handling of the rapidly
      growing amount of diverse genomic data accumulated in JGI. 

PMID- 24225322
TI  - Progenetix: 12 years of oncogenomic data curation.
AB  - DNA copy number aberrations (CNAs) can be found in the majority of cancer genomes
      and are crucial for understanding the potential mechanisms underlying tumor
      initiation and progression. Since the first release in 2001, the Progenetix
      project (http://www.progenetix.org) has provided a reference resource dedicated
      to provide the most comprehensive collection of genome-wide CNA profiles.
      Reflecting the application of comparative genomic hybridization techniques to
      tens of thousands of cancer genomes, over the past 12 years our data curation
      efforts have resulted in a more than 60-fold increase in the number of cancer
      samples presented through Progenetix. In addition, new data exploration tools and
      visualization options have been added. In particular, the gene-specific CNA
      frequency analysis should facilitate the assignment of cancer genes to related
      cancer types. In addition, the new user file processing interface allows users to
      take advantage of the online tools, including various data representation options
      for proprietary data pre-publication. In this update article, we report recent
      improvements of the database in terms of content, user interface and online
      tools. 

PMID- 24225323
TI  - PATRIC, the bacterial bioinformatics database and analysis resource.
AB  - The Pathosystems Resource Integration Center (PATRIC) is the all-bacterial
      Bioinformatics Resource Center (BRC) (http://www.patricbrc.org). A joint effort
      by two of the original National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
      funded BRCs, PATRIC provides researchers with an online resource that stores and
      integrates a variety of data types [e.g. genomics, transcriptomics, protein
      protein interactions (PPIs), three-dimensional protein structures and sequence
      typing data] and associated metadata. Datatypes are summarized for individual
      genomes and across taxonomic levels. All genomes in PATRIC, currently more than
      10,000, are consistently annotated using RAST, the Rapid Annotations using
      Subsystems Technology. Summaries of different data types are also provided for
      individual genes, where comparisons of different annotations are available, and
      also include available transcriptomic data. PATRIC provides a variety of ways for
      researchers to find data of interest and a private workspace where they can store
      both genomic and gene associations, and their own private data. Both private and
      public data can be analyzed together using a suite of tools to perform
      comparative genomic or transcriptomic analysis. PATRIC also includes integrated
      information related to disease and PPIs. All the data and integrated analysis and
      visualization tools are freely available. This manuscript describes updates to
      the PATRIC since its initial report in the 2007 NAR Database Issue.

PMID- 24225324
TI  - Telomere extension by telomerase and ALT generates variant repeats by
      mechanistically distinct processes.
AB  - Telomeres are terminal repetitive DNA sequences on chromosomes, and are
      considered to comprise almost exclusively hexameric TTAGGG repeats. We have
      evaluated telomere sequence content in human cells using whole-genome sequencing
      followed by telomere read extraction in a panel of mortal cell strains and
      immortal cell lines. We identified a wide range of telomere variant repeats in
      human cells, and found evidence that variant repeats are generated by
      mechanistically distinct processes during telomerase- and ALT-mediated telomere
      lengthening. Telomerase-mediated telomere extension resulted in biased repeat
      synthesis of variant repeats that differed from the canonical sequence at
      positions 1 and 3, but not at positions 2, 4, 5 or 6. This indicates that
      telomerase is most likely an error-prone reverse transcriptase that
      misincorporates nucleotides at specific positions on the telomerase RNA template.
      In contrast, cell lines that use the ALT pathway contained a large range of
      variant repeats that varied greatly between lines. This is consistent with
      variant repeats spreading from proximal telomeric regions throughout telomeres in
      a stochastic manner by recombination-mediated templating of DNA synthesis. The
      presence of unexpectedly large numbers of variant repeats in cells utilizing
      either telomere maintenance mechanism suggests a conserved role for variant
      sequences at human telomeres. 

PMID- 24225325
TI  - Efficacy of a nurse-led email reminder program for cardiovascular prevention risk
      reduction in hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many strategies have been evaluated to improve the prevention and
      control of cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors. Nursing telephonic and tele
      counseling individualized lifestyle educational programs have been found to
      improve blood pressure control and adherence to lifestyle recommendation. This
      study tested the efficacy of a nurse-led reminder program through email (NRP-e)
      to improve CVD risk factors among hypertensive adults. METHODS: All participants
      received usual CVD prevention and a guideline-based educational program. Subjects
      in the NRP-e group also received weekly email alerts and phone calls from a nurse
      care manager for 6 months. Emails contained a reminder program on the need for
      adherence with a healthy lifestyle based upon current guidelines. Follow-up
      visits were scheduled at 1, 3 and 6 months after enrollment; randomization was
      made centrally and blood samples were evaluated into a single laboratory.
      RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 98 (control) and 100 (NRP-e) subjects
      (mean age 59.0 +/- 14.5 years; 51.0% males). After 6 months, the following CVD
      risk factors significantly improved in both groups: body mass index, alcohol and
      fruit consumption, cigarette smoking, adherence to therapy hours, systolic and
      diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
      and total cholesterol, triglycerides, and physical activity. In the NRP-e group,
      however, the prevalence of several behaviors or conditions at risk decreased
      significantly more than in the control group: obesity (-16%), low fruit
      consumption (-24%), uncontrolled hypertension (-61%), LDL (-56%), and total
      cholesterol (-40%). CONCLUSIONS: The NRP-e improved a range of CVD risk factors.
      The program had low costs, required only an average of <20 min per day in
      addition to normal practice, and may deserve further evaluation for the inclusion
      among existing care management approaches.

PMID- 24225326
TI  - Asteropsins B-D, sponge-derived knottins with potential utility as a novel
      scaffold for oral peptide drugs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Known linear knottins are unsuitable as scaffolds for oral peptide
      drug due to their gastrointestinal instability. Herein, a new subclass of knottin
      peptides from Porifera is structurally described and characterized regarding
      their potential for oral peptide drug development. METHODS: Asteropsins B-D
      (ASPB, ASPC, and ASPD) were isolated from the marine sponge Asteropus sp. The
      tertiary structures of ASPB and ASPC were determined by solution NMR spectroscopy
      and that of ASPD by homology modeling. RESULTS: The isolated asteropsins B-D,
      together with the previously reported asteropsin A (ASPA), compose a new subclass
      of knottins that share a highly conserved structural framework and remarkable
      stability against the enzymes in gastrointestinal tract (chymotrypsin, elastase,
      pepsin, and trypsin) and human plasma. CONCLUSION: Asteropsins can be considered
      as promising peptide scaffolds for oral bioavailability. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE:
      The structural details of asteropsins provide essential information for the
      engineering of orally bioavailable peptides.

PMID- 24225327
TI  - Eslicarbazepine acetate: an update on efficacy and safety in epilepsy.
AB  - Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. Despite a broad range of commonly
      used antiepileptic drugs, approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy have drug
      resistance or encounter significant adverse effects. Eslicarbazepine acetate is a
      new central nervous system-active compound with anticonvulsant activity whose
      mechanism of action is by blocking the voltage-gated sodium channel.
      Eslicarbazepine acetate was approved by the European Medicines Agency and
      launched onto the European market in 2009 for adjunctive treatment in adult
      subjects of partial-onset seizures, with or without secondary generalization.
      This article provides an overview on the recent studies on eslicarbazepine
      acetate in the treatment of drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Efficacy and safety
      of this drug for partial-onset seizures were assessed in four randomized clinical
      trials with responder rates ranged between 17% and 43%. Adverse events were
      usually mild to moderate in intensity and the most common were dizziness,
      somnolence, nausea, diplopia, headache, vomiting, abnormal coordination, blurred
      vision, vertigo and fatigue. Eslicarbazepine acetate is not recommended below 18
      years, but a published phase II trial had the main goal to evaluate the
      pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of this drug in pediatric population.
      Eslicarbazepine acetate appears to be a safe and effective drug with a linear
      pharmacokinetics, very low potential for drug-drug interactions and therefore it
      can offer a valid alternative to current antiepileptic drugs. Additionally, it is
      undergoing investigation for monotherapy in subjects with partial epilepsy, and
      other neurological and psychiatric disorders. 

PMID- 24225329
TI  - Physical independence and mortality at the extreme limit of life span:
      supercentenarians study in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prevention of disability is a major challenge in aging populations;
      however, the extent to which physical independence can be maintained toward the
      limit of human life span remains to be determined. METHODS: We examined the
      health and functional status of 642 centenarians: 207 younger centenarians (age:
      100-104 years), 351 semi-supercentenarians (age: 105-109 years), and 84
      supercentenarians (age: >110 years). All-cause mortality was followed by means of
      an annual telephone or mailed survey. RESULTS: Age-specific disability patterns
      revealed that the older the age group, the higher the proportion of those
      manifesting independence in activities of daily living at any given age of entry.
      Multiple logistic regression analysis identified male gender and better cognitive
      function as consistent determinants of physical independence across all age
      categories. In a longitudinal analysis, better physical function was
      significantly associated with survival advantage until the age of 110. However,
      mortality beyond that age was predicted neither by functional status nor
      biomedical measurements, indicating alternative trajectories of mortality at the
      highest ages. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that maintaining physical
      independence is a key feature of survival into extreme old age. Future studies
      illuminating genetic and environmental underpinnings of supercentenarians'
      phenotypes will provide invaluable opportunities not only to improve preventive
      strategies but also to test the central hypotheses of human aging.

PMID- 24225328
TI  - Seizure-induced disinhibition of the HPA axis increases seizure susceptibility.
AB  - Stress is the most commonly reported precipitating factor for seizures. The
      proconvulsant actions of stress hormones are thought to mediate the effects of
      stress on seizure susceptibility. Interestingly, epileptic patients have
      increased basal levels of stress hormones, including corticotropin-releasing
      hormone (CRH) and corticosterone, which are further increased following seizures.
      Given the proconvulsant actions of stress hormones, we proposed that seizure
      induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may
      contribute to future seizure susceptibility. Consistent with this hypothesis, our
      data demonstrate that pharmacological induction of seizures in mice with kainic
      acid or pilocarpine increases circulating levels of the stress hormone,
      corticosterone, and exogenous corticosterone administration is sufficient to
      increase seizure susceptibility. However, the mechanism(s) whereby seizures
      activate the HPA axis remain unknown. Here we demonstrate that seizure-induced
      activation of the HPA axis involves compromised GABAergic control of CRH neurons,
      which govern HPA axis function. Following seizure activity, there is a collapse
      of the chloride gradient due to changes in NKCC1 and KCC2 expression, resulting
      in reduced amplitude of sIPSPs and even depolarizing effects of GABA on CRH
      neurons. Seizure-induced activation of the HPA axis results in future seizure
      susceptibility which can be blocked by treatment with an NKCC1 inhibitor,
      bumetanide, or blocking the CRH signaling with Antalarmin. These data suggest
      that compromised GABAergic control of CRH neurons following an initial seizure
      event may cause hyperexcitability of the HPA axis and increase future seizure
      susceptibility. 

PMID- 24225330
TI  - Assessment of a nanocrystal 3-D morphology by the analysis of single HAADF-HRSTEM
      images.
AB  - This work presents the morphological characterization of CeO2 nanocrystals by the
      analysis of single unfiltered high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF)-high
      resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM) images. The
      thickness of each individual atomic column is estimated by the classification of
      its HAADF integrated intensity using a Gaussian mixture model. The resulting
      thickness maps obtained from two example nanocrystals with distinct morphology
      were analyzed with aid of the symmetry from the CeO2 crystallographic structure,
      providing an approximation for their 3-D morphology with high spatial resolution.
      A confidence level of +/-1 atom per atomic column along the viewing direction on
      the thickness estimation is indicated by the use of multislice image simulation.
      The described characterization procedure stands out as a simple approach for
      retrieving morphological parameters of individual nanocrystals, such as volume
      and specific surface areas for different crystalline planes. The procedure is an
      alternative to the tilt-series tomography technique for a number of
      nanocrystalline systems, since its application does not require the acquisition
      of multiple images from the same nanocrystal along different zone axes. 

PMID- 24225331
TI  - High-risk multiple myeloma: different definitions, different outcomes?
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell malignancy. Although MM is still
      not completely curable, it can be maintained at the level of a long-term chronic
      condition. Irrespective of the treatment strategy, relapse is still a major
      problem for most patients. Approximately 10% to 15% of all MM patients relapse
      early and have poor prognosis and outcome. Currently, there are many ways of
      identifying these high-risk patients using cytogenetics or molecular biology.
      Despite these various approaches to definition of high risk patients, a clear
      definition of high-risk MM has not been widely accepted. In this review, we
      discuss and compare various approaches, and their strengths and weaknesses in
      early identification of high-risk MM patients. 

PMID- 24225332
TI  - Trial to examine text message-based mHealth in emergency department patients with
      diabetes (TExT-MED): a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Increasingly, low-income inner-city patients with diabetes
      utilize emergency departments (EDs) for acute and chronic care. We seek to
      determine whether a scalable, low-cost, unidirectional, text message-based mobile
      health intervention (TExT-MED) improves clinical outcomes, increases healthy
      behaviors, and decreases ED utilization in a safety net population. METHODS: We
      conducted an randomized controlled trial of 128 adult patients with poorly
      controlled diabetes (glycosylated hemoglobin [Hb A1C] level >=8%) in an urban,
      public ED. The TExT-MED group received 2 daily text messages for 6 months in
      English or Spanish. The primary outcome was change in Hb A1C level. Secondary
      outcomes included changes in medication adherence, self-efficacy, performance of
      self-care tasks, quality of life, diabetes-specific knowledge, ED utilization,
      and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Hb A1C level decreased by 1.05% in the TExT
      MED group compared with 0.60% in the controls (Delta0.45; 95% confidence interval
      [CI] -0.27 to 1.17) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes favored the TExT-MED group,
      with the most sizable change observed in self-reported medication adherence (as
      measured by the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, an 8-point validated scale
      with higher scores representing better adherence), which improved from 4.5 to 5.4
      in the TExT-MED group compared with a net decrease of -0.1 in the controls
      (Delta1.1 [95% CI 0.1 to 2.1]). Effects were larger among Spanish speakers for
      both medication adherence (1.1 versus -0.3; Delta1.4; 95% CI 0.2 to 2.7) and Hb
      A1C (-1.2% versus -0.4%) in the TExT-MED group. The proportion of patients who
      used emergency services trended lower in the TExT-MED group (35.9% versus 51.6%;
      Delta15.7%; 95% CI 9.4% to 22%). Overall, 93.6% of respondents enjoyed TExT-MED
      and 100% would recommend it to family/friends. CONCLUSION: The TExT-MED program
      did not result in a statistically significant improvement in Hb A1C. However,
      trends toward improvement in the primary outcome of Hb A1C and other secondary
      outcomes, including quality of life, were observed, the most pronounced being
      improved medication adherence. TExT-MED also decreased ED utilization. These
      findings were magnified in the Spanish-speaking subgroup. Technologies such as
      TExT-MED represent highly scalable, low-cost, and widely accessible solutions for
      safety-net ED populations.

PMID- 24225333
TI  - A case of skeletal tuberculosis and psoas abscess: disease activity evaluated
      using (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psoas abscess complicating tuberculous spondylitis is a rare
      morbidity in extrapulmonary tuberculosis. There are no established guidelines for
      evaluating the clinical response of psoas abscess. Although several studies have
      shown that positron emission tomography-computed tomography with 18 F
      fluorodeoxyglucose can play a potential role in diagnosing multifocal
      tuberculosis and monitoring the clinical response of pulmonary tuberculosis, to
      our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that positron emission
      tomography-computed tomography is useful for evaluating local inflammation and
      disease activity of a tuberculous psoas abscess. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a
      case of multifocal bone and lymph node tuberculosis with concomitant lumbar psoas
      abscess in a 77-year-old man, along with a literature review. An initial positron
      emission tomography-computed tomography scan showed intense 18 F
      fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation in the sternum, ribs, vertebrae, and lymph nodes.
      The patient was successfully treated with antitubercular agents and computed
      tomography-guided drainage therapy. A follow-up positron emission tomography
      computed tomography after abscess drainage and 9 months of antitubercular drug
      treatment revealed that the majority of lesions improved; however, protracted
      inflammation surrounding the psoas abscess was still observed. These results
      indicate that disease activity of psoas abscess can remain, even after successful
      drainage and antitubercular medication regime of appropriate duration.
      CONCLUSION: We have successfully followed up the extent of skeletal tuberculosis
      complicated with psoas abscess by positron emission tomography-computed
      tomography. In this patient, positron emission tomography-computed tomography is
      useful for evaluating the disease activity of tuberculous psoas abscess and for
      assessing the appropriate duration of antitubercular drug therapy in psoas
      abscess.

PMID- 24225334
TI  - Improving the economic value of photographic screening for optical coherence
      tomography-detectable macular oedema: a prospective, multicentre, UK study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the best photographic surrogate markers for detecting
      sight-threatening macular oedema (MO) in people with diabetes attending UK
      national screening programmes. DESIGN: A multicentre, prospective, observational
      cohort study of 3170 patients with photographic signs of diabetic retinopathy
      visible within the macular region [exudates within two disc diameters,
      microaneurysms/dot haemorrhages (M/DHs) and blot haemorrhages (BHs)] who were
      recruited from seven study centres. SETTING: All patients were recruited and
      imaged at one of seven study centres in Aberdeen, Birmingham, Dundee,
      Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Oxford. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects with
      features of diabetic retinopathy visible within the macular region attending one
      of seven diabetic retinal screening programmes. INTERVENTIONS: Alternative
      referral criteria for suspected MO based on photographic surrogate markers; an
      optical coherence tomographic examination in addition to the standard digital
      retinal photograph. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) To determine the best method to
      detect sight-threatening MO in people with diabetes using photographic surrogate
      markers. (2) Sensitivity and specificity estimates to assess the costs and
      consequences of using alternative strategies. (3) Modelled long-term costs and
      quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). RESULTS: Prevalence of MO was strongly
      related to the presence of lesions and was roughly five times higher in subjects
      with exudates or BHs or more than two M/DHs within one disc diameter. Having
      worse visual acuity was associated with about a fivefold higher prevalence of MO.
      Current manual screening grading schemes that ignore visual acuity or the
      presence of M/DHs could be improved by taking these into account. Health service
      costs increase substantially with more sensitive/less specific strategies. A
      fully automated strategy, using the automated detection of patterns of
      photographic surrogate markers, is superior to all current manual grading schemes
      for detecting MO in people with diabetes. The addition of optical coherence
      tomography (OCT) to each strategy, prior to referral, results in a reduction in
      costs to the health service with no decrement in the number of MO cases detected.
      CONCLUSIONS: Compared with all current manual grading schemes, for the same
      sensitivity, a fully automated strategy, using the automated detection of
      patterns of photographic surrogate markers, achieves a higher specificity for
      detecting MO in people with diabetes, especially if visual acuity is included in
      the automated strategy. Overall, costs to the health service are likely to
      increase if more sensitive referral strategies are adopted over more specific
      screening strategies for MO, for only very small gains in QALYs. The addition of
      OCT to each screening strategy, prior to referral, results in a reduction in
      costs to the health service with no decrement in the number of MO cases detected.
      STUDY REGISTRATION: This study has been registered as REC/IRAS 07/S0801/107,
      UKCRN ID 9063 and NIHR HTA 06/402/49. SOURCE OF FUNDING: This project was funded
      by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full
      in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 17, No. 51. See the HTA programme website
      for further project information.

PMID- 24225335
TI  - Malaria in pregnancy in rural Gabon: a cross-sectional survey on the impact of
      seasonality in high-risk groups.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria remains one of the most important infectious diseases in
      pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas seasonal malaria chemoprevention is
      advocated as public health intervention for children in certain areas of highly
      seasonal malaria transmission, the impact of seasonality on malaria in pregnancy
      has not yet been investigated for stable, hyper-endemic transmission settings of
      Equatorial Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of
      seasonality on the prevalence of malaria in pregnancy in Gabon. METHODS: The
      study was conducted at a rural district hospital in Gabon between January 2008
      and December 2011. At first antenatal care visits demographic data, parity, age,
      and gestational age of pregnant women were documented and thick blood smears were
      performed for the diagnosis of malaria. Seasonality and established risk factors
      were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analysis for their association with
      Plasmodium falciparum infection. RESULTS: 1,661 pregnant women were enrolled in
      this study. Participants presenting during high transmission seasons were at
      significantly higher risk for P. falciparum infection compared to low
      transmission seasons (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 1.39-2.63, p < 0.001). Established risk factors including parity (AOR 0.45,
      CI 0.30-0.69, p < 0.001 for multipara versus paucipara) and age (AOR, CI and p
      value for women aged 13-17, 18-22, 23-27 and >= 28 years, respectively: AOR 0.59,
      CI 0.40-0.88; AOR 0.57, CI 0.34-0.97; AOR 0.51, CI 0.29-0.91) were significant
      risk factors for P. falciparum infection. High-risk groups including nulli- and
      primipara and younger women aged 13-17 years showed a disproportionately
      increased risk for malaria in high transmission seasons from 17% to 64%
      prevalence in low and high transmission periods, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Seasonal variations lead to important differences in the risk for P. falciparum
      infection in pregnancy in the setting of central African regions with stable and
      hyper-endemic malaria transmission. The seasonal increase in malaria in pregnancy
      is most pronounced in high-risk groups constituted by young and pauciparous
      women. The evaluation of tailored seasonal prevention strategies for these high
      risk populations may, therefore, be warranted.

PMID- 24225337
TI  - Right ventricular reverse remodeling, but not subjective clinical amelioration,
      predicts long-term outcome after surgery for isolated severe tricuspid
      regurgitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Subjective clinical improvement does not always go hand-in-hand with
      right ventricular (RV) reverse remodeling after surgery for isolated severe
      tricuspid regurgitation (TR). This study aimed to evaluate the level of agreement
      between clinical improvement and echocardiographic RV reverse remodeling, and
      determine the relative prognostic powers of these 2 factors in terms of long-term
      prognosis for patients with isolated TR surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-one
      consecutive patients (58+/-8 years) were included. During a median follow up of
      55 months (IQR, 36.5~71.5 months), a composite endpoint including death and
      admission for right heart failure was investigated. Extents of reductions in RV
      end-systolic area (RV-ESA) and subjective clinical improvement at 6 months were
      examined. There were 6 deaths and 5 admissions for right heart failure. A
      reduction in RV-ESA of >20% effectively predicted event-free survival, with a
      sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 72.0% (AUC 0.81, P=0.001). With this
      cut-off, the agreement between a clinical and echocardiographic response was only
      57.4% (35 patients). On Cox regression analysis, RV-ESA change emerged as the
      only independent predictor of event-free survival, whereas subjective clinical
      improvement did not. CONCLUSIONS: A discrepancy between subjective and
      echocardiographic improvement at 6 months after isolated TR surgery was observed
      in 42.6% of the patients. Echocardiographic RV reverse remodeling, but not
      subjective clinical amelioration, was a strong prognosticator after surgery. 

PMID- 24225338
TI  - Comparison of effects of alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors and glinide drugs on
      endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that repeated post-prandial hyperglycemia may play
      an important role in the development of atherosclerosis by suppressing
      endothelial function. alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors (alpha-GIs), which reduce post
      prandial hyperglycemia without stimulating insulin secretion, significantly
      reduce the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), whereas glinides, which improve
      post-prandial hyperglycemia through post-prandial insulin secretion, do not
      appear to affect CAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 104 diabetic patients with
      CAD were randomly divided into 2 groups: those treated with miglitol (M-group;
      n=52) and those treated with nateglinide (N-group; n=52). After 4 months'
      treatment, although hemoglobin A1c and 1,5-anhydroglucitol were significantly
      improved in both groups, only the M-group had significant reductions in insulin
      resistance index and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C;
      a beneficial index for assessing the presence of small dense low-density
      lipoprotein, and a marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia). Furthermore, only the M
      group had improvement in percentage flow-mediated dilatation (%FMD) and reactive
      oxygen metabolites. In the M-group, multiple regression analysis showed that
      improvement in TG/HDL-C, in addition to 1,5-anhydroglucitol, was an independent
      predictor of improvement in %FMD. CONCLUSIONS: The ameliorating effect of alpha
      GI on post-prandial hyperglycemia without stimulating insulin secretion may
      improve atherogenic dyslipidemia by reducing insulin resistance. These effects
      are associated with its beneficial impact on oxidative stress, consequently
      leading to an improvement in endothelial dysfunction.

PMID- 24225339
TI  - Assessment of operability of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension
      associated with congenital heart disease.
AB  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a common complication of congenital
      heart disease, and is now predominantly among patients with uncorrected left-to
      right shunts. A growing population is characterized by persistent or recurrent
      PAH after surgical or interventional correction of left-to-right shunts; the
      latter having a worse prognosis than other forms of PAH associated with
      congenital heart disease. New treatments for PAH have been shown to be effective
      in improving PAH exercise capacity and hemodynamics, raising the hope for making
      previously inoperable congenital heart defects operable and shifting the
      framework for the assessment of operability. This review focuses on current
      methods for assessing operability in PAH associated with congenital heart
      disease, and the possibility of "treat-and-repair" vs. "repair-and-treat"
      strategies for patients with inoperable or borderline PAH.

PMID- 24225340
TI  - Encephalopathy in children with Dravet syndrome is not a pure consequence of
      epilepsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dravet syndrome (DS) is currently considered as an epileptic
      encephalopathy, a condition in which epilepsy causes deterioration or
      developmental delay but preliminary data suggested that cognitive course may
      worsen independently from epilepsy. Our objective was to prospectively analyze
      the neuropsychological features in a large cohort of DS patients and its
      relationships with epilepsy and SCN1A mutation. METHODS: 81 examinations were
      performed in 67 patients with typical DS (9m-24y, 15 longitudinally studied)
      using Brunet-Lezine (developmental/intelligence quotient [DQ/IQ] and DQ sub
      scores), Achenbach, Conners, and a semi-quantitative psychomotor score (SQPS). We
      studied the correlation between DQ/IQ/SQPS and age, epilepsy characteristics, and
      whether patients presented SCN1A mutation. RESULTS: DQ/IQ significantly decreased
      with age (r = -.53, p < .001), from normal before 2y (mean 80, range 64-105) to
      low after 3y (mean 48, range 30-69), with hyperactivity and attention disorders
      hampering learning abilities especially up to 6y. However, raw (not age-adjusted)
      DQ sub-scores increased with age during the first decade, showing that there is
      no regression. We did not find any significant correlation between DQ/IQ at last
      evaluation and epilepsy data, i.e. first seizure (age, type, duration, fever),
      seizures during the course (type, fever sensitivity), status epilepticus (age of
      onset, number, fever), photosensitivity, and treatment, except for myoclonus and
      focal seizures which were associated with a lower QD/IQ after 3y. SCN1A mutated
      patients (n = 58) seemed to exhibit worse psychomotor course than non-mutated
      ones (n = 9) (severe SQPS in 26% vs 0%), although their epilepsy tended to be
      less severe (tonic seizures in 12% vs 44% [p = 0.04], first status epilepticus
      before 6 m in 26% vs 67% [p = .02], mean number of SE 2.5 vs 4.5 [p = .09]). DQ
      sub-scores were dissociated throughout the whole course: from onset hand-eye
      coordination was significantly lower than language, posture and sociability (p <
      .01). Dissociation seemed to be more frequent in mutated than in non-mutated
      patients (motor SQPS was normal for in 77% vs 44% [p = 0.017] whereas language
      SQPS was normal for 47% vs 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Although psychomotor/cognitive
      delay declines with age, there is no regression. In addition, encephalopathy is
      not a pure consequence of epilepsy but SCN1A mutation seems to play an
      additional, direct role.

PMID- 24225341
TI  - Genomes of "Spiribacter", a streamlined, successful halophilic bacterium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thalassosaline waters produced by the concentration of seawater are
      widespread and common extreme aquatic habitats. Their salinity varies from that
      of sea water (ca. 3.5%) to saturation for NaCl (ca. 37%). Obviously the
      microbiota varies dramatically throughout this range. Recent metagenomic analysis
      of intermediate salinity waters (19%) indicated the presence of an abundant and
      yet undescribed gamma-proteobacterium. Two strains belonging to this group have
      been isolated from saltern ponds of intermediate salinity in two Spanish salterns
      and were named "Spiribacter". RESULTS: The genomes of two isolates of
      "Spiribacter" have been fully sequenced and assembled. The analysis of
      metagenomic datasets indicates that microbes of this genus are widespread
      worldwide in medium salinity habitats representing the first ecologically defined
      moderate halophile. The genomes indicate that the two isolates belong to
      different species within the same genus. Both genomes are streamlined with high
      coding densities, have few regulatory mechanisms and no motility or chemotactic
      behavior. Metabolically they are heterotrophs with a subgroup II xanthorhodopsin
      as an additional energy source when light is available. CONCLUSIONS: This is the
      first bacterium that has been proven by culture independent approaches to be
      prevalent in hypersaline habitats of intermediate salinity (half a way between
      the sea and NaCl saturation). Predictions from the proteome and analysis of
      transporter genes, together with a complete ectoine biosynthesis gene cluster are
      consistent with these microbes having the salt-out-organic-compatible solutes
      type of osmoregulation. All these features are also consistent with a well
      adapted fully planktonic microbe while other halophiles with more complex genomes
      such as Salinibacter ruber might have particle associated microniches.

PMID- 24225342
TI  - Lymphangiogenesis in canine mammary tumours: a morphometric and prognostic study.
AB  - Canine mammary tumours (CMTs) are the most common tumours of entire female dogs
      and represent a promising model for human breast cancer. Little is known about
      the presence and prognostic value of lymphangiogenesis in CMTs. The aims of the
      present study were to analyze selected characteristics of lymphatic vessels in
      CMTs, to evaluate their prognostic significance and to compare these results with
      studies of human breast cancer. Fifty-six benign CMTs, 55 malignant CMTs and 13
      control samples of normal canine mammary gland tissue were studied. Serial
      immunohistochemical labelling with the lymphatic marker prox-1 and the
      proliferation marker Ki67 was performed. In intratumoural (IT) and peritumoural
      (PT) regions, the lymphatic vessel density (LVD), mean lymphatic vessel perimeter
      (LVP) and relative area occupied by lymphatic vessels (LVA) were analyzed.
      Lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation (LECP) and tumour cell proliferation
      (TCP) were also measured. Lymphatic vessels were identified in IT and PT regions
      and lymphangiogenesis was present in both regions. The IT lymphatic vessels were
      smaller, less numerous and occupied a smaller relative area compared with those
      of the PT region. Although no differences in lymphatic vessel parameters were
      observed between benign and malignant tumours, control tissue differed
      significantly from neoplastic tissue. None of the lymphatic vessel parameters
      showed a prognostic value, except for LECP in PT regions of benign tumours. The
      findings were in accordance with results of investigations into human breast
      cancer, which supports the use of dogs with spontaneously occurring CMTs as an
      animal model in comparative oncology trials. 

PMID- 24225343
TI  - Are lopinavir and efavirenz serum concentrations in HIV-infected children in the
      therapeutic range in clinical practice?
AB  - BACKGROUND: In antiretroviral treatment the role of therapeutic drug monitoring
      via measurement of serum levels remains unclear, especially in children. AIM: To
      quantify exposure to LPV and EFV in children receiving therapy in a routine
      clinical setting in order to identify risk factors associated with inadequate
      drug exposure. METHOD: A prospective study was conducted in a routine clinical
      setting in Tygerberg Children's Hospital, South Africa. A total of 53 random
      serum levels were analyzed. Serum concentrations were determined by an
      established high-performance liquid chromatography method. RESULTS: Of 53 HIV
      infected children treated with lopinavir (n = 29, median age 1.83 y) or efavirenz
      (n = 24, median age 9.3 years), 12 showed serum levels outside the therapeutic
      range (efavirenz) or below Cmin (lopinavir). Low bodyweight, rifampicin co
      treatment, and significant comorbidity were potential risk factors for inadequate
      drug exposure. CONCLUSION: These findings, together with previous studies,
      indicate that therapeutic drug monitoring can improve the management of
      antiretroviral therapy in children at risk.

PMID- 24225344
TI  - Adsorption of Trametes versicolor laccase to soil iron and aluminum minerals:
      enzyme activity, kinetics and stability studies.
AB  - Laccases play an important role in the degradation of soil phenol or phenol-like
      substance and can be potentially used in soil remediation through immobilization.
      Iron and aluminum minerals can adsorb extracellular enzymes in soil environment.
      In the present study, we investigated the adsorptive interaction of laccase, from
      the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor, with soil iron and aluminum minerals
      and characterized the properties of the enzyme after adsorption to minerals.
      Results showed that both soil iron and aluminum minerals adsorbed great amount of
      laccase, independent of the mineral specific surface areas. Adsorbed laccases
      retained 26-64% of the activity of the free enzyme. Compared to the free laccase,
      all adsorbed laccases showed higher Km values and lower Vmax values, indicating a
      reduced enzyme-substrate affinity and a lower rate of substrate conversion in
      reactions catalyzed by the adsorbed laccase. Adsorbed laccases exhibited
      increased catalytic activities compared to the free laccase at low pH, implying
      the suitable application of iron and aluminum mineral-adsorbed T. versicolor
      laccase in soil bioremediation, especially in acid soils. In terms of the thermal
      profiles, adsorbed laccases showed decreased thermal stability and higher
      temperature sensitivity relative to the free laccase. Moreover, adsorption
      improved the resistance of laccase to proteolysis and extended the lifespan of
      laccase. Our results implied that adsorbed T. versicolor laccase on soil iron and
      aluminum minerals had promising potential in soil remediation. 

PMID- 24225345
TI  - Molecular memory with atomically smooth graphene contacts.
AB  - We report the use of bilayer graphene as an atomically smooth contact for
      nanoscale devices. A two-terminal bucky-ball (C60) based molecular memory is
      fabricated with bilayer graphene as a contact on the polycrystalline nickel
      electrode. Graphene provides an atomically smooth covering over an otherwise
      rough metal surface. The use of graphene additionally prohibits the
      electromigration of nickel into the C60 layer. The devices exhibit a low
      resistance state in the first sweep cycle and irreversibly switch to a high
      resistance state at 0.8 to 1.2 V bias. In the subsequent cycles, the devices
      retain the high-resistance state, thus making it write-once read-many memory. 

PMID- 24225346
TI  - Conflict management styles, emotional intelligence and implicit theories of
      personality of nursing students: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conflict management is an essential skill that nursing students need
      to master as conflict is unavoidable in clinical settings. Examining nursing
      students' conflict management styles and the associating factors can inform nurse
      educators on how to equip nursing students for effective conflict management.
      OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at examining undergraduate nursing students conflict
      management styles in managing conflict with their supervisors in clinical
      placement. The associations of emotional intelligence and implicit theories of
      personality with conflict management styles were also investigated. DESIGN: This
      is a cross-sectional quantitative survey. SETTING: This study took place at a
      nursing school at a university in Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS: 568 undergraduate
      nursing students participated in the study. METHODS: Students completed a
      questionnaire which consisted of demographics, Measure of Implicit Theories of
      Personality, The Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (SEIS) and The Rahim
      Organizational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II) and received a HKD 20 book coupon
      as compensation. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, reliability
      analyses, t-tests, correlational and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: For
      managing conflict with clinical supervisors, students used obliging and
      integrating most frequently whereas used dominating least. Emotional intelligence
      was a significant predictor of all five conflict management styles. The higher
      the emotional intelligence, the more students used integrating, obliging,
      compromising and dominating. The lower the emotional intelligence, the more
      students used avoiding. There was a significant association between implicit
      theories of personality and compromising. The less malleable students perceived
      personality to be, the more they used compromising. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional
      intelligence was significantly associated with all five conflict management
      styles while implicit theories of personality were significantly associated with
      compromising style only. Efforts of nurse educators to enhance students' conflict
      management skills and emotional intelligence to face conflicts in clinical
      settings are discussed.

PMID- 24225347
TI  - Lipopolyplexes comprising imidazole/imidazolium lipophosphoramidate,
      histidinylated polyethyleneimine and siRNA as efficient formulation for siRNA
      transfection.
AB  - Lipopolyplexes formulations resulting from association of nucleic acid, cationic
      liposomes and a cationic polymer are attracting formulations for siRNA delivery.
      Herein, imidazole- and imidazolium-based liposomes in association with
      histidinylated polymers are studied to produce siRNA lipopoplyplexes (LPRi)
      subsequently used for gene silencing. Several kinds of imidazole/histidine
      liposomes and cationic polymers are tested. The gene silencing effect is
      evaluated with synthetic siRNA directed against EGFP or luciferase mRNA, in HeLa
      cells stably expressing EGFP or B16F10 melanoma cells stably expressing
      luciferase, respectively. SiRNA formulations are compared with those prepared
      using some commercial transfection reagents. One formulation called His-lPEI
      LPRi100 comprising siRNA, histidinylated lPEI (His-lPEI) and liposomes 100 made
      with O,O-dioleyl-N-[3N-(N-methylimidazolium iodide)propylene] phosphoramidate and
      O,O-dioleyl-N-histamine phosphoramidate appears to give the best specific
      inhibition of gene expression at 10nM siRNA in a dose-dependent manner with low
      cytotoxicity. This formulation exhibits a size and a zeta potential of 60 nm and
      +84 mV, respectively. According to our previous works, histidinylated
      lipopolyplexes appears as a versatile formulation for DNA, mRNA and siRNA
      transfection.

PMID- 24225348
TI  - Interventions for increasing ankle joint dorsiflexion: a systematic review and
      meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ankle joint equinus, or restricted dorsiflexion range of motion
      (ROM), has been linked to a range of pathologies of relevance to clinical
      practitioners. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects
      of conservative interventions on ankle joint ROM in healthy individuals and
      athletic populations. METHODS: Keyword searches of Embase, Medline, Cochrane and
      CINAHL databases were performed with the final search being run in August 2013.
      Studies were eligible for inclusion if they assessed the effect of a non-surgical
      intervention on ankle joint dorsiflexion in healthy populations. Studies were
      quality rated using a standard quality assessment scale. Standardised mean
      differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and results
      were pooled where study methods were homogenous. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies
      met eligibility criteria, with a total of 734 study participants. Results suggest
      that there is some evidence to support the efficacy of static stretching alone
      (SMDs: range 0.70 to 1.69) and static stretching in combination with ultrasound
      (SMDs: range 0.91 to 0.95), diathermy (SMD 1.12), diathermy and ice (SMD 1.16),
      heel raise exercises (SMDs: range 0.70 to 0.77), superficial moist heat (SMDs:
      range 0.65 to 0.84) and warm up (SMD 0.87) in improving ankle joint dorsiflexion
      ROM. CONCLUSIONS: Some evidence exists to support the efficacy of stretching
      alone and stretching in combination with other therapies in increasing ankle
      joint ROM in healthy individuals. There is a paucity of quality evidence to
      support the efficacy of other non-surgical interventions, thus further research
      in this area is warranted.

PMID- 24225349
TI  - A comparison of CKD-EPI estimated glomerular filtration rate and measured
      creatinine clearance in recently admitted critically ill patients with normal
      plasma creatinine concentrations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI)
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has been widely integrated into
      clinical practice. Although useful in screening for CKD, its' application in
      critically ill patients with normal plasma creatinine concentrations remains
      uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of CKD-EPI eGFR in
      comparison to creatinine clearance (CLCR) in this setting. METHODS: This
      prospective observational study was performed in a tertiary level, university
      affiliated intensive care unit (ICU). Study participants had to have an expected
      ICU length of stay > 24 hours, a plasma creatinine concentration < 121 MUmol/L,
      and no history of prior renal replacement therapy or CKD. CKD-EPI eGFR was
      compared against 8-hour measured urinary CLCR. Data capture occurred within 48
      hours of admission. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients (n = 110) were enrolled
      in the study. 63.6% were male, the mean age was 50.9 (16.9) years, 57.3% received
      invasive mechanical ventilation, and 30% required vasopressor support. The mean
      CLCR was 125 (45.1) ml/min/1.73 m(2), compared to a CKD-EPI eGFR of 101 (23.7)
      ml/min/1.73 m(2) (P < 0.001). Moderate correlation was evident (r = 0.72),
      although there was significant bias and imprecision (24.4 +/- 32.5 ml/min/1.73
      m(2)). In those patients with a CKD-EPI eGFR between 60-119 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (n =
      77), 41.6% displayed augmented renal clearance (CLCR >= 130 ml/min/1.73 m(2)),
      while 7.8% had a CLCR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest CKD
      EPI eGFR and measured CLCR produce significantly disparate results when
      estimating renal function in this population. Clinicians should consider
      carefully which value they employ in clinical practice, particularly drug dose
      modification.

PMID- 24225350
TI  - The HIV epidemic and human rights violations in Brazil.

PMID- 24225351
TI  - Low prevalence of the molecular markers of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to
      chloroquine and sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine in asymptomatic children in Northern
      Benin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Benin, very few studies have been done on the genetics of
      Plasmodium falciparum and the resistance markers of anti-malarial drugs, while
      malaria treatment policy changed in 2004. Chloroquine (CQ) and sulphadoxine
      pyrimethamine (SP) have been removed and replaced by artemisinin-combination
      therapy (ACT). The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity
      of P. falciparum and the prevalence of P. falciparum molecular markers that are
      associated with resistance to CQ and SP in northern Benin seven years after the
      new policy was instituted. METHODS: The study was conducted in northern Benin, a
      region characterized by a seasonal malaria transmission. Blood samples were
      collected in 2012 from children presenting with asymptomatic P. falciparum
      infections. Samples collected in filter paper were genotyped by primary and
      nested PCR in block 2 of msp-1 and block 3 of msp-2 to analyse the diversity of
      P. falciparum. The prevalence of critical point mutations in the genes of Pfcrt
      (codon 76), Pfmdr1 (codon 86), Pfdhfr (codons, 51, 59 and 108) and Pfdhps (codons
      437, 540) was examined in parasite isolates by mutation-specific restriction
      enzyme digestion. RESULTS: Genotyping of 195 isolates from asymptomatic children
      showed 34 msp-1 and 38 msp-2 genotypes. The multiplicity of infection was 4.51 +/
      0.35 for msp-1 and 4.84 +/- 0.30 for msp-2. Only the codon 51 of Pfdhfr and
      codon 437 of Pfdhps showed a high mutation rate: I51: 64.4% (57.3; 71.2); G437:
      47.4% (40.2; 54.7), respectively. The prevalence of Pfdhfr triple mutant IRN
      (I51, R59 and N108) was 1.5% (0.3; 3.9), and Pfdhfr/Pfdhps quadruple mutant IRNG
      (PfdhfrI51, R59, N108, and PfdhpsG437): 0. 5% (0; 2.5). No mutation was found
      with codon 540 of Pfdhps. Analysis of mutation according to age (younger or older
      than ten years) showed similar frequencies in each category without significant
      difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high
      diversity of P. falciparum in northern Benin with a very low prevalence of
      resistance markers to CQ and SP that dramatically contrasted with the pattern
      observed in southern Benin. No influence of age on genetic diversity of P.
      falciparum and on distribution of the mutations was observed.

PMID- 24225352
TI  - Pulse pressure is associated with Alzheimer biomarkers in cognitively normal
      older adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the association between pulse pressure (PP)
      and CSF-based biomarkers for Alzheimer disease, including beta-amyloid 1-42
      (Abeta1-42) and phosphorylated tau (P-tau) protein, in cognitively normal older
      adults. METHODS: One hundred seventy-seven cognitively normal, stroke-free older
      adult participants (aged 55-100 years) underwent blood pressure assessment for
      determination of PP (systolic - diastolic blood pressure) and lumbar puncture for
      measurement of CSF Abeta1-42 and P-tau. Pearson correlations and multiple linear
      regression, controlling for age, sex, APOE genotype, and body mass index,
      evaluated the relationship between PP and Alzheimer disease biomarkers. RESULTS:
      PP elevation was associated with increased P-tau (r = 0.23, p = 0.002), reduced
      Abeta1-42 (r = -0.19, p = 0.01), and increased P-tau to Abeta1-42 ratio (r =
      0.27, p < 0.001). After controlling for covariates, PP remained associated with P
      tau (beta = 0.18, p = 0.0196) and P-tau to Abeta1-42 ratio (beta = 0.0016, p <
      0.001) but was no longer associated with Abeta1-42 (beta = -0.1, p = 0.35). Post
      hoc multivariate analyses indicated that increased PP was associated with all
      biomarkers in younger participants (aged 55-70 years) (Abeta1-42: p = 0.050; P
      tau: p = 0.003; P-tau to Abeta ratio: p = 0.0007) but not older participants
      (aged 70-100 years). CONCLUSIONS: PP elevation is associated with increased CSF P
      tau and decreased Abeta1-42 in cognitively normal older adults, suggesting that
      pulsatile hemodynamics may be related to amyloidosis and tau-related
      neurodegeneration. The relationship between PP and CSF biomarkers is age
      dependent and observed only in participants in the fifth and sixth decades of
      life.

PMID- 24225354
TI  - A longitudinal study of weight gain in pregnancy in Malawi: unconditional and
      conditional standards.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To monitor weight gain during pregnancy and assess its relation with
      perinatal health outcomes, both unconditional (cross-sectional) and conditional
      (longitudinal) standards of maternal weight are needed. OBJECTIVE: This study
      aimed to develop and validate unconditional and conditional maternal weight
      standards for use in Malawi, Africa. DESIGN: Longitudinal data were drawn from an
      antenatal care intervention study conducted in Malawi. Participants were selected
      for this analysis if they had a healthy profile defined by body mass index and
      infectious disease measures and delivered healthy singletons defined by birth
      weight, gestational age, and neonatal survival status. A total of 1733
      measurements from 358 women were randomly split to form development and
      validation samples. RESULTS: Unconditional and conditional standards were
      developed and validated. An electronic spreadsheet implements the calculations.
      Weight gain during pregnancy was substantially slower in this cohort than the US
      Institute of Medicine recommendation. The percentiles increased linearly;
      therefore, the use of the conditional standards is robust to inaccuracy in
      gestational age estimates. CONCLUSION: The standards can facilitate researchers
      and clinicians to examine maternal weight and weight gain and estimate their
      associations with pregnancy outcomes in Malawi. This trial was registered at
      www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00131235.

PMID- 24225355
TI  - Weight change later in life and colon and rectal cancer risk in participants in
      the EPIC-PANACEA study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A moderate association exists between body mass index (BMI) and
      colorectal cancer. Less is known about the effect of weight change. OBJECTIVE: We
      investigated the relation between BMI and weight change and subsequent colon and
      rectal cancer risk. DESIGN: This was studied among 328,781 participants in the
      prospective European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Physical Activity,
      Nutrition, Alcohol, Cessation of Smoking, Eating study (mean age: 50 y). Body
      weight was assessed at recruitment and on average 5 y later. Self-reported weight
      change (kg/y) was categorized in sex-specific quintiles, with quintiles 2 and 3
      combined as the reference category (men: -0.6 to 0.3 kg/y; women: -0.4 to 0.4
      kg/y). In the subsequent years, participants were followed for the occurrence of
      colon and rectal cancer (median period: 6.8 y). Multivariable Cox proportional
      hazards regression analyses were used to study the association. RESULTS: A total
      of 1261 incident colon cancer and 747 rectal cancer cases were identified. BMI at
      recruitment was statistically significantly associated with colon cancer risk in
      men (HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.07). Moderate weight gain (quintile 4) in men
      increased risk further (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.68), but this relation did not
      show a clear trend. In women, BMI or weight gain was not related to subsequent
      risk of colon cancer. No statistically significant associations for weight loss
      and colon cancer or for BMI and weight changes and rectal cancer were found.
      CONCLUSIONS: BMI attained at adulthood was associated with colon cancer risk.
      Subsequent weight gain or loss was not related to colon or rectal cancer risk in
      men or women.

PMID- 24225356
TI  - Linear growth increased in young children in an urban slum of Haiti: a randomized
      controlled trial of a lipid-based nutrient supplement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Haiti has experienced rapid urbanization that has exacerbated poverty
      and undernutrition in large slum areas. Stunting affects 1 in 5 young children.
      OBJECTIVE: We aimed to test the efficacy of a daily lipid-based nutrient
      supplement (LNS) for increased linear growth in young children. DESIGN: Healthy,
      singleton infants aged 6-11 mo (n = 589) were recruited from an urban slum of Cap
      Haitien and randomly assigned to receive: 1) a control; 2) a 3-mo LNS; or 3) a 6
      mo LNS. The LNS provided 108 kcal and other nutrients including vitamin A,
      vitamin B-12, iron, and zinc at >=80% of the recommended amounts. Infants were
      followed monthly on growth, morbidity, and developmental outcomes over a 6-mo
      intervention period and at one additional time point 6 mo postintervention to
      assess sustained effects. The Bonferroni multiple comparisons test was applied,
      and generalized least-squares (GLS) regressions with mixed effects was used to
      examine impacts longitudinally. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics did not differ
      by trial arm except for a higher mean age in the 6-mo LNS group. GLS modeling
      showed LNS supplementation for 6 mo significantly increased the length-for-age z
      score (+/-SE) by 0.13 +/- 0.05 and the weight-for-age z score by 0.12 +/- 0.02
      compared with in the control group after adjustment for child age (P < 0.001).
      The effects were sustained 6 mo postintervention. Morbidity and developmental
      outcomes did not differ by trial arm. CONCLUSION: A low-energy, fortified product
      improved the linear growth of young children in this urban setting. The trial was
      registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01552512.

PMID- 24225357
TI  - Biomarker responses to folic acid intervention in healthy adults: a meta-analysis
      of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The task of revising dietary folate recommendations for optimal
      health is complicated by a lack of data quantifying the biomarker response that
      reliably reflects a given folate intake. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a dose-response
      meta-analysis in healthy adults to quantify the typical response of recognized
      folate biomarkers to a change in folic acid intake. DESIGN: Electronic and
      bibliographic searches identified 19 randomized controlled trials that
      supplemented with folic acid and measured folate biomarkers before and after the
      intervention in apparently healthy adults aged >=18 y. For each biomarker
      response, the regression coefficient (beta) for individual studies and the
      overall pooled beta were calculated by using random-effects meta-analysis.
      RESULTS: Folate biomarkers (serum/plasma and red blood cell folate) increased in
      response to folic acid in a dose-response manner only up to an intake of 400
      MUg/d. Calculation of the overall pooled beta for studies in the range of 50 to
      400 MUg/d indicated that a doubling of folic acid intake resulted in an increase
      in serum/plasma folate by 63% (71% for microbiological assay; 61% for
      nonmicrobiological assay) and red blood cell folate by 31% (irrespective of
      whether microbiological or other assay was used). Studies that used the
      microbiological assay indicated lower heterogeneity compared with studies using
      nonmicrobiological assays for determining serum/plasma (I(2) = 13.5% compared
      with I(2) = 77.2%) and red blood cell (I(2) = 45.9% compared with I(2) = 70.2%)
      folate. CONCLUSIONS: Studies administering >400 MUg folic acid/d show no dose
      response relation and thus will not yield meaningful results for consideration
      when generating dietary folate recommendations. The calculated folate biomarker
      response to a given folic acid intake may be more robust with the use of a
      microbiological assay rather than alternative methods for blood folate
      measurement.

PMID- 24225358
TI  - High dietary phosphorus intake is associated with all-cause mortality: results
      from NHANES III.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated serum phosphorus is associated with all-cause mortality, but
      little is known about risk associated with dietary phosphorus intake. OBJECTIVE:
      We investigated the association between phosphorus intake and mortality in a
      prospective cohort of healthy US adults (NHANES III; 1998-1994). DESIGN: Study
      participants were 9686 nonpregnant adults aged 20-80 y without diabetes, cancer,
      or kidney or cardiovascular disease. Exposure to dietary phosphorus, which was
      assessed by using a 24-h dietary recall, was expressed as the absolute intake and
      phosphorus density (phosphorus intake divided by energy intake). All-cause and
      cardiovascular mortality was assessed through 31 December 2006. RESULTS: Median
      phosphorus intake was 1166 mg/d (IQR: 823-1610 mg/d); median phosphorus density
      was 0.58 mg/kcal (0.48-0.70 mg/kcal). Individuals who consumed more phosphorus
      dense diets were older, were less often African American, and led healthier
      lifestyles (smoking, physical activity, and Healthy Eating Index). In analyses
      adjusted for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, kidney function, and
      energy intake, higher phosphorus intake was associated with higher all-cause
      mortality in individuals who consumed >1400 mg/d [adjusted HR (95% CI): 2.23
      (1.09, 4.5) per 1-unit increase in ln(phosphorus intake); P = 0.03]. At <1400
      mg/d, there was no association. A similar association was seen between higher
      phosphorus density and all-cause mortality at a phosphorus density amount >0.35
      mg/kcal [adjusted HR (95% CI): 2.27 (1.19, 4.33) per 0.1-mg/kcal increase in
      phosphorus density; P = 0.01]. At <0.35 mg/kcal (approximately the fifth
      percentile), lower phosphorus density was associated with increased mortality
      risk. Phosphorus density was associated with cardiovascular mortality [adjusted
      HR (95% CI): 3.39 (1.43, 8.02) per 0.1 mg/kcal at >0.35 mg/kcal; P = 0.01],
      whereas no association was shown in analyses with phosphorus intake. Results were
      similar by subgroups of diet quality and in analyses adjusted for sodium and
      saturated fat intakes. CONCLUSIONS: High phosphorus intake is associated with
      increased mortality in a healthy US population. Because of current patterns in
      phosphorus consumption in US adults, these findings may have important public
      health implications.

PMID- 24225359
TI  - Intake and serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in relation to fractures in
      elderly women and men: 2 cohort studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A reduction in the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress
      might reduce the rate of bone loss and muscle wasting. OBJECTIVE: The objective
      was to determine whether alpha-tocopherol intake or serum concentrations are
      associated with fracture risk in older women and men. DESIGN: Two cohort studies,
      the Swedish Mammography Cohort (SMC; n = 61,433 women) and the Uppsala
      Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM; n = 1138 men), were used. RESULTS: During
      19 y of follow-up, 14,738 women in the SMC experienced a first fracture at any
      site (3871 hip fractures). A higher hip fracture rate was observed with lower
      intakes of alpha-tocopherol. Compared with the highest quintile of intake, the
      lowest quintile had a multivariable-adjusted HR of 1.86 (95% CI: 1.67, 2.06). The
      HR of any fracture was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.28). alpha-Tocopherol-containing
      supplement use was associated with a reduced rate of hip fracture (HR: 0.78; 95%
      CI: 0.65, 0.93) and any fracture (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.94). Compared with
      the highest quintile of alpha-tocopherol intake in ULSAM (follow-up: 12 y), lower
      intakes (quintiles 1-4) were associated with a higher rate of hip fracture (HR:
      3.33; 95% CI: 1.43, 7.76) and any fracture (HR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.88). The HR
      for hip fracture in men for each 1-SD decrease in serum alpha-tocopherol was 1.58
      (95% CI: 1.13, 2.22) and for any fracture was 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.48).
      CONCLUSION: Low intakes and low serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol are
      associated with an increased rate of fracture in elderly women and men.

PMID- 24225360
TI  - Brain volumetric correlates of memory in early Parkinson's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Free recall memory deficits are common in Parkinson's disease (PD),
      even at early stages before mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Their
      association with brain structural changes has not been established. OBJECTIVE: We
      studied local gray matter volumes in relation to different memory tasks in early
      stage PD. METHODS: Magnetic resonance images (MRI) and neuropsychological data
      were obtained from 28 non-demented, medicated PD patients, and 28 healthy
      controls. The gray matter segments of T1-weighted MRI images were analyzed using
      voxel-based morphometry in relation to visual and verbal memory tasks. Measures
      of immediate free recall, verbal learning, delayed recall and memory
      consolidation were obtained. A novel measure of incidental memory was included.
      RESULTS: Patients and controls showed no significant group differences in local
      gray matter volumes. Voxel-based morphometry analyses revealed that worse
      performance on an incidental visual memory task was associated with smaller right
      parietal gray matter volume (Family-wise error corrected P = 0.002). This
      association was present in the PD group (corrected P = 0.005), but not in
      controls (corrected P > 0.99). No associations between gray matter volumes and
      the other memory tasks were found in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      suggest that right parietal cortical gray matter volume is related to free recall
      memory deficits in early stage PD in conditions not involving an intention to
      memorize visual items. This preliminary finding needs to be established in
      further studies utilizing incidental memory tasks in PD.

PMID- 24225361
TI  - The Gut Microbiotassay: a high-throughput qPCR approach combinable with next
      generation sequencing to study gut microbial diversity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The intestinal microbiota is a complex and diverse ecosystem that
      plays a significant role in maintaining the health and well-being of the
      mammalian host. During the last decade focus has increased on the importance of
      intestinal bacteria. Several molecular methods can be applied to describe the
      composition of the microbiota. This study used a new approach, the Gut
      Microbiotassay: an assembly of 24 primer sets targeting the main phyla and
      taxonomically related subgroups of the intestinal microbiota, to be used with the
      high-throughput qPCR chip 'Access Array 48.48', AA48.48, (Fluidigm(r)) followed
      by next generation sequencing. Primers were designed if necessary and all primer
      sets were screened against DNA extracted from pure cultures of 15 representative
      bacterial species. Subsequently the setup was tested on DNA extracted from small
      and large intestinal content from piglets with and without diarrhoea. The PCR
      amplicons from the 2304 reaction chambers were harvested from the AA48.48,
      purified, and sequenced using 454-technology. RESULTS: The Gut Microbiotassay was
      able to detect significant differences in the quantity and composition of the
      microbiota according to gut sections and diarrhoeic status. 454-sequencing
      confirmed the specificity of the primer sets. Diarrhoea was associated with a
      reduced number of members from the genus Streptococcus, and in particular S.
      alactolyticus. CONCLUSION: The Gut Microbiotassay provides fast and affordable
      high-throughput quantification of the bacterial composition in many samples and
      enables further descriptive taxonomic information if combined with 454
      sequencing.

PMID- 24225363
TI  - Screening for intestinal microflora influencing superoxide dismutase activity in
      mouse cecal mucosa.
AB  - We have suggested that intestinal microflora reduces the activity of the
      antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the mouse cecal mucosa. In this
      study, gnotobiotic mice were used to examine the species of intestinal microflora
      influencing SOD activity in the cecal mucosa. The total SOD activity in the cecal
      mucosa of each germ-free (GF), gnotobiotic mouse with Escherichia coli,
      Lactobacillus and Bacteroides was significantly higher than that in the cecal
      mucosa of gnotobiotic mice with chloroform-treated feces (CHF), conventionalized
      (CVz) mice and conventional (CV) mice (P<0.05). In addition, CuZnSOD mRNA
      expression showed similar tendencies. Our results suggest that the antioxidant
      defense status in the cecal mucosa is influenced by CHF inoculation.

PMID- 24225362
TI  - Clinical characteristics of patients with spinocerebellar ataxias 1, 2, 3 and 6
      in the US; a prospective observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: All spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are rare diseases. SCA1, 2, 3 and
      6 are the four most common SCAs, all caused by expanded polyglutamine-coding CAG
      repeats. Their pathomechanisms are becoming increasingly clear and well-designed
      clinical trials will be needed. METHODS: To characterize the clinical
      manifestations of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) 1, 2, 3 and 6 and their natural
      histories in the United States (US), we conducted a prospective multicenter study
      utilized a protocol identical to the European consortium study, using the Scale
      for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) score as the primary outcome, with
      follow-ups every 6 months up to 2 years. RESULTS: We enrolled 345 patients (60
      SCA1, 75 SCA2, 138 SCA3 and 72 SCA6) at 12 US centers. SCA6 patients had a
      significantly later onset, and SCA2 patients showed greater upper-body ataxia
      than patients with the remaining SCAs. The annual increase of SARA score was
      greater in SCA1 patients (mean +/- SE: 1.61 +/- 0.41) than in SCA2 (0.71 +/-
      0.31), SCA3 (0.65 +/- 0.24) and SCA6 (0.87 +/- 0.28) patients (p = 0.049). The
      functional stage also worsened faster in SCA1 than in SCA2, 3 and 6 (p = 0.002).
      CONCLUSIONS: The proportions of different SCA patients in US differ from those in
      the European consortium study, but as in the European patients, SCA1 progress
      faster than those with SCA2, 3 and 6. Later onset in SCA6 and greater upper body
      ataxia in SCA2 were noted. We conclude that progression rates of these SCAs were
      comparable between US and Europe cohorts, suggesting the feasibility of
      international collaborative clinical studies.

PMID- 24225364
TI  - 3-D aluminum nanostructure with microhole array synthesized by femtosecond laser
      radiation for enhanced light extinction.
AB  - This article presents 3-D aluminum micro-nanostructures for enhanced light
      absorption. Periodic microhole arrays were created by firing a train of
      femtosecond laser pulses at megahertz pulse frequency onto the surface of an
      aluminum target at ambient conditions. The laser trains ablated the target
      surface and created microholes leading to the generation of deposited
      nanostructures inside and around the microholes. These micro-nanostructures
      showed enhanced light absorption, which is attributed to surface plasmonics
      induced by the generation of both nano- and microstructures. These micro
      nanostructures may be promising for solar cell applications. 

PMID- 24225365
TI  - Disc herniation in the thoracolumbar junction treated by minimally invasive
      transforaminal interbody fusion surgery.
AB  - Minimally invasive surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) has
      demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. Use of
      this procedure for thoracolumbar junction disc herniation remains challenging.
      Reports concerning MIS-TLIF at the thoracolumbar junction are rare. Thus, we
      performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical outcomes of 10 patients with
      thoracolumbar junction disc herniation treated by MIS-TLIF between December 2007
      and October 2010. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and
      safety of MIS-TLIF for disc herniation in the thoracolumbar junction. Clinical
      and radiological data were collected and analyzed. Fusion levels included T12-L1
      (two patients), L1-L2 (four patients) and L2-L3 (four patients). Clinical outcome
      was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index
      (ODI). The average follow-up period was 39.2 months, with a minimum of 24 months.
      The mean +/- standard error of the mean of the operative time, intraoperative
      blood loss, and x-ray exposure were 128 +/- 36 minutes, 204 +/- 35 mL, and 43 +/-
      12 seconds, respectively. The VAS for back and leg pain decreased significantly
      postoperatively from 6.4 +/- 2.7 to 1.5 +/- 0.6 (p<0.01), and from 7.1 +/- 2.4 to
      1.3 +/- 0.4 (p<0.01) respectively, as did the ODI from 39.3 +/- 11.2 to 16.5 +/-
      4.7 (p<0.01). Bone fusion was observed in eight patients. There were no other
      major complications at last follow-up. MIS-TIF is a safe and effective procedure
      for disc herniation in the thoracolumbar junction. Occurrence of non-union is
      relatively high compared to previous findings.

PMID- 24225366
TI  - Intact cell/intact spore mass spectrometry (IC/ISMS) on polymer-based, nano
      coated disposable targets.
AB  - Identification and differentiation of microorganisms has and still is a long
      arduous task, involving culturing of the organism in question on different growth
      media. This procedure, which is still commonly applied, is an established method,
      but takes a lot of time, up to several days or even longer. It has thus been a
      great achievement when other analytical tools like matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry were introduced for faster
      analysis based on the surface protein pattern. Differentiation and identification
      of human pathogens as well as plant/animal pathogens is of increasing importance
      in medical care (e.g. infection, sepsis, and antibiotics resistance),
      biotechnology, food sciences and detection of biological warfare agents. A
      distinction between microorganisms on the species and strain level was made by
      comparing peptide/protein profiles to patterns already stored in databases. These
      profiles and patterns were obtained from the surface of vegetative forms of
      microorganisms or even their spores by MALDI MS. Thus, an unknown sample can be
      compared against a database of known pathogens or microorganisms of interest. To
      benefit from newly available, metal-based disposable microscope-slide format
      MALDI targets that promise a clean and even surface at a fraction of the cost
      from full metal targets or MTP (microtiter plate) format targets, IC/ISMS
      analysis was performed on these and the data evaluated. Various types of bacteria
      as well as fungal spores were identified unambiguously on this disposable new
      type of metal nano-coated targets. The method even allowed differentiation
      between strains of the same species. The results were compared with those gained
      from using full metal standard targets and found to be equal or even better in
      several aspects, making the use of disposable MALDI targets a viable option for
      use in IC/ISMS, especially e.g. for large sample throughput and highly pathogenic
      species. 

PMID- 24225367
TI  - High creatine kinase levels and white matter changes: clinical and genetic
      spectrum of congenital muscular dystrophies with laminin alpha-2 deficiency.
AB  - Primary deficiency of laminin alpha-2 due to mutations in the LAMA2 gene accounts
      for 30% of all patients with congenital muscular dystrophy. Here, we present
      seven patients with partial or total laminin alpha-2 deficiency (MDC1A) with a
      wide clinical spectrum, ranging from ambulant patients to patients who were never
      able to stand or sit. We identified two pathogenic mutations in the LAMA2 gene in
      all patients except for one patient in whom only one mutation was found. Six of
      the mutations were previously undescribed. In some of the milder cases, laminin
      alpha-2 expression in the muscle biopsy was only slightly reduced. These findings
      emphasize that analysis of the LAMA2 gene might be necessary in patients with
      muscle weakness, cerebral white matter changes and high creatine kinase levels,
      even in the presence of laminin alpha-2 in the muscle biopsy.

PMID- 24225368
TI  - Proteolytic activity of Escherichia coli oligopeptidase B against proline-rich
      antimicrobial peptides.
AB  - Oligopeptidase B (OpdB) is a serine peptidase widespread among bacteria and
      protozoa that has emerged as a virulence factor despite its function has not yet
      been precisely established. By using an OpdB-overexpressing Escherichia coli
      strain, we found that the overexpressed peptidase makes the bacterial cells
      specifically less susceptible to several proline-rich antimicrobial peptides
      known to penetrate into the bacterial cytosol, and that its level of activity
      directly correlates with the degree of resistance. We established that E. coli
      OpdB can efficiently hydrolyze in vitro cationic antimicrobial peptides up to 30
      residues in length, even though they contained several prolines, shortening them
      to inactive fragments. Two consecutive basic residues are a preferred cleavage
      site for the peptidase. In the case of a single basic residue, there is no
      cleavage if proline residues are present in the P1 and P2 positions. These
      results also indicate that cytosolic peptidases may cause resistance to
      antimicrobial peptides that have an intracellular mechanism of action, such as
      the proline-rich peptides, and may contribute to define the substrate specificity
      of the E. coli OpdB.

PMID- 24225369
TI  - Electricity generation by microbial fuel cell using microorganisms as catalyst in
      cathode.
AB  - The cathode reaction is one of the most seriously limiting factors in a microbial
      fuel cell (MFC). The critical dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of a platinum
      loaded graphite electrode was reported as 2.2 mg/l, about 10-fold higher than an
      aerobic bacterium. A series of MFCs were run with the cathode compartment
      inoculated with activated sludge (biotic) or not (abiotic) on platinum-loaded or
      bare graphite electrodes. At the beginning of the operation, the current values
      from MFCs with a biocathode and abiotic cathode were 2.3 +/- 0.1 and 2.6 +/- 0.2
      mA, respectively, at the air-saturated water supply in the cathode. The current
      from MFCs with an abiotic cathode did not change, but that of MFCs with a biotic
      cathode increased to 3.0 mA after 8 weeks. The coulomb efficiency was 59.6% in
      the MFCs with a biotic cathode, much higher than the value of 15.6% of the
      abiotic cathode. When the DO supply was reduced, the current from MFCs with an
      abiotic cathode decreased more sharply than in those with a biotic cathode. When
      the respiratory inhibitor azide was added to the catholyte, the current decreased
      in MFCs with a biotic cathode but did not change in MFCs with an abiotic cathode.
      The power density was higher in MFCs with a biotic cathode (430 W/m(3) cathode
      compartment) than the abiotic cathode MFC (257 W/m(3) cathode compartment).
      Electron microscopic observation revealed nanowire structures in biofilms that
      developed on both the anode and on the biocathode. These results show that an
      electron consuming bacterial consortium can be used as a cathode catalyst to
      improve the cathode reaction. 

PMID- 24225370
TI  - Potential probiotic characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated
      from Inner Mongolia "Hurood" cheese.
AB  - Total 121 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from homemade Inner Mongolia extra
      hard Hurood cheese. Seven of these strains, identified as Lactobacillus
      plantarum, were studied for probiotic characteristics. All seven strains survived
      at pH 3.0 for 3 h, or in the presence of oxgall at 0.3% or 0.6% for 4 h, but
      their viabilities were affected to different extents at pH 2.0 for 3 h. Strains
      C37 and C51 showed better adherence to Caco-2 cells, and higher hydrophobicity.
      The seven L. plantarum strains were different in in vitro free radical scavenging
      activities and cholesterolreducing ability. In vivo evaluation of the influence
      of L. plantarum C37 on the intestinal flora in a mouse model showed strain C37
      could increase the viable counts of lactobacilli in feces of mice and decrease
      the viable counts of enterococci. When L. plantarum C37 was used to prepare
      probiotic Hurood cheese, it was able to maintain high viable counts (>7.8 log
      CFU/g) during the whole storage period, but the composition of the cheese was not
      changed. These results indicate that L. plantarum C37 could be considered as a
      promising probiotic strain.

PMID- 24225371
TI  - Design of quorum quenching microbial vessel to enhance cell viability for
      biofouling control in membrane bioreactor.
AB  - Quorum quenching (QQ) with a microbial vessel has recently been reported as an
      economically feasible biofouling control platform in a membrane bioreactor (MBR)
      for wastewater treatment. In this study, a quorum quenching MBR with a ceramic
      microbial vessel (CMV) was designed to overcome the extremely low F/M ratio
      inside a microbial vessel. The CMV was prepared with a monolithic ceramic
      microporous membrane and AHLdegrading QQ bacteria, Pseudomonas sp. 1A1. The
      "inner flow feeding mode" was introduced, under which fresh feed was supplied to
      the MBR only through the center lumen in the CMV. The inner flow feeding mode
      facilitated nutrient transport to QQ bacteria in the CMV and thus enabled
      relatively long-term maintenance of cell viability. The quorum quenching effect
      of the CMV on controlling membrane biofouling in the MBR was more pronounced with
      the inner flow feeding mode, which was identified by the slower increase in the
      transmembrane pressure as well as by the visual observation of a biocake that
      formed on the used membrane surface. In the QQ MBR with the CMV, the
      concentrations of extracellular polymeric substances were substantially decreased
      in the biocake on the membrane surface compared with those in the conventional
      MBR. The CMV also showed its potential with effective biofouling control over
      long-term operation of the QQ MBR.

PMID- 24225372
TI  - Optimization of extracellular production of recombinant human bone morphogenetic
      protein-7 (rhBMP-7) with Bacillus subtilis.
AB  - Extracellular production of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (rhBMP
      7) was carried out through the fermentation of Bacillus subtilis. Three
      significant fermentation conditions and medium components were selected and
      optimized to enhance the rhBMP-7 production by using the response surface
      methodology (RSM). The optimum values of the three variables for the maximum
      extracellular production of rhBMP-7 were found to be 2.93 g/l starch, 5.18 g/l
      lactose, and a fermentation time of 34.57 h. The statistical optimization model
      was validated with a few fermentations of B. subtilis in shake flasks under
      optimized and unoptimized conditions. A 3-L jar fermenter using the shake-flask
      optimized conditions resulted in a higher production (413 pg/ml of culture
      medium) of rhBMP-7 than in a shake flask (289.1 pg/ml), which could be attributed
      to the pH being controlled at 6.0 and constant agitation of 400 rpm with aeration
      of 1 vvm.

PMID- 24225373
TI  - Direct evaluation of the effect of gene dosage on secretion of protein from yeast
      Pichia pastoris by expressing EGFP.
AB  - Increasing the gene copy number has been commonly used to enhance the protein
      expression level in the yeast Pichia pastoris. However, this method has been
      shown to be effective up to a certain gene copy number, and a further increase of
      gene dosage can result in a decrease of expression level. Evidences indicate the
      gene dosage effect is product-dependent, which needs to be determined when
      expressing a new protein. Here, we describe a direct detection of the gene dosage
      effect on protein secretion through expressing the enhanced green fluorescent
      protein (EGFP) gene under the direction of the alpha-factor preprosequence in a
      panel of yeast clones carrying increasing copies of the EGFP gene (from one to
      six copies). Directly examined under fluorescence microscopy, we found relatively
      lower levels of EGFP were secreted into the culture medium at one copy and two
      copies, substantial improvement of secretion appeared at three copies, plateau
      happened at four and five copies, and an apparent decrease of secretion happened
      at six copies. The secretion of EGFP being limiting at four and five copies was
      due to abundant intracellular accumulation of proteins, observed from the
      fluorescence image of yeast and confirmed by western blotting, which
      significantly activated the unfolded protein response indicated by the up
      regulation of the BiP (the KAR2 gene product) and the protein disulfide
      isomerase. This study implies that tagging a reporter like GFP to a specific
      protein would facilitate a direct and rapid determination of the optimal gene
      copy number for high-yield expression.

PMID- 24225374
TI  - Screening of genes expressed in vivo during interaction between chicken and
      Campylobacter jejuni.
AB  - Chicken are considered as the most important source of human infection by
      Campylobacter jejuni, which primarily arises from contaminated poultry meats.
      However, the genes expressed in vivo of the interaction between chicken and C.
      jejuni have not been screened. In this regard, in vivo-induced antigen technology
      (IVIAT) was applied to identify expressed genes in vivo during interaction
      between chicken and C. jejuni, a prevalent foodborne pathogen worldwide. Chicken
      sera were obtained by inoculating C. jejuni NCTC 11168 into Leghorn chickens
      through oral and intramuscular administration. Pooled chicken sera, adsorbed
      against in vitrogrown cultures of C. jejuni, were used to screen the inducible
      expression library of genomic proteins from sequenced C. jejuni NCTC 11168.
      Finally, 28 unique genes expressed in vivo were successfully identified after
      secondary and tertiary screenings with IVIAT. The genes were implicated in
      metabolism, molecular biosynthesis, genetic information processing, transport,
      regulation and other processes, in addition to Cj0092, with unknown function.
      Several potential virulence-associated genes were found to be expressed in vivo,
      including chuA, flgS, cheA, rplA, and Cj0190c. We selected four genes with
      different functions to compare their expression levels in vivo and in vitro using
      real-time RT-PCR. The results indicated that these selected genes were
      significantly upregulated in vivo but not in vitro. In short, the expressed genes
      in vivo may act as potential virulence-associated genes, the protein encoded by
      which may be meaningful vaccine candidate antigens for campylobacteriosis. IVIAT
      provides an important and efficient strategy for understanding the interaction
      mechanisms between Campylobacter and hosts.

PMID- 24225375
TI  - Effects of iron-reducing bacteria on carbon steel corrosion induced by
      thermophilic sulfate-reducing consortia.
AB  - Four thermophilic bacterial species, including the iron-reducing bacterium
      Geobacillus sp. G2 and the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfotomaculum sp. SRB-M,
      were employed to integrate a bacterial consortium. A second consortium was
      integrated with the same bacteria, except for Geobacillus sp. G2. Carbon steel
      coupons were subjected to batch cultures of both consortia. The corrosion induced
      by the complete consortium was 10 times higher than that induced by the second
      consortium, and the ferrous ion concentration was consistently higher in iron
      reducing consortia. Scanning electronic microscopy analysis of the carbon steel
      surface showed mineral films colonized by bacteria. The complete consortium
      caused profuse fracturing of the mineral film, whereas the non-iron-reducing
      consortium did not generate fractures. These data show that the iron-reducing
      activity of Geobacillus sp. G2 promotes fracturing of mineral films, thereby
      increasing steel corrosion.

PMID- 24225376
TI  - Mini Nutritional Assessment and short-form Mini Nutritional Assessment can
      predict the future risk of falling in older adults - results of a national cohort
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Falling is a major issue in geriatric health. Tools that
      identify individuals at risk of falling can help reduce the risk of falling. The
      study aimed to determine whether the full and short-form Mini Nutritional
      Assessment (MNAs) have the ability to predict the risk of falling in older
      adults. METHODS: Subjects were 3118 >= 53-year old Taiwanese who completed both
      the 1999 and 2003 "Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging" surveys. We rated these
      subjects with normalized versions of the MNA and applied the standard cut-offs to
      define under-nutrition (<=23.5 and <=11 points, respectively). We used
      multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics
      to evaluate the ability of these tools in predicting the risk of falling three
      years later. RESULTS: Older adults rated as at risk of malnutrition with the full
      MNA (OR = 1.87, 95% confidence interval = 1.33-2.63, p < 0.001) or the short-form
      (1.39, 1.07-1.80, p = 0.014) were associated with increased risk of falling three
      years later. Both versions significantly predicted the risk of falling and
      performed slightly better in >=65-year old persons than in younger (53-64-year
      old) persons. The short-form performed relatively well compared to the full
      scale. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the full and short-form MNAs, in
      addition to rating the risk of malnutrition, also predict the risk of falling in
      older adults. Although the short-form is slightly less effective than the full
      scale in predicting the future risk of falling, its simplicity, effectiveness and
      efficiency make it ideal as a multipurpose screening tool in clinical settings.

PMID- 24225377
TI  - PftetQ and pfmdt copy numbers as predictive molecular markers of decreased ex
      vivo doxycycline susceptibility in imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of a
      series of independent doxycycline inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) values to
      validate the trimodal distribution previously described and to validate the use
      of the pftetQ and pfmdt genes as molecular markers of decreased in vitro
      doxycycline susceptibility in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. METHODS: Doxycycline
      IC50 values, from 484 isolates obtained at the French National Reference Centre
      for Imported Malaria (Paris) between January 2006 and December 2010, were
      analysed for the first time by a Bayesian mixture modelling approach to
      distinguish the different in vitro phenotypic groups by their IC50 values.
      Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the pftetQ
      and pfmdt copy numbers of 89 African P. falciparum isolates that were randomly
      chosen from the phenotypic groups. RESULTS: The existence of at least three
      doxycycline phenotypes was demonstrated. The mean doxycycline IC50 was
      significantly higher in the group with a pftetQ copy number >1 compared to the
      group with a pftetQ copy number = 1 (33.17 MUM versus 17.23 MUM) and the group
      with a pfmdt copy number >1 (28.28 MUM versus 16.11 MUM). There was a significant
      difference between the combined low and medium doxycycline IC50 group and the
      high IC50 group in terms of the per cent of isolates with one or more copy
      numbers of the pftetQ gene (0% versus 20.69%) or pfmdt gene (8.33% versus
      37.93%). In the logistic regression model, the pfmdt and pftetQ copy numbers >1
      (odds ratio = 4.65 and 11.47) were independently associated with the high IC50
      group. CONCLUSIONS: Copy numbers of pftetQ and pfmdt are potential predictive
      molecular markers of decreased susceptibility to doxycycline.

PMID- 24225378
TI  - Quantitative MRI analysis in children with multiple sclerosis: a multicenter
      feasibility pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare disorder with significant
      consequences. Quantitative MRI measurements may provide significant insights,
      however multicenter collaborative studies are needed given the small numbers of
      subjects. The goal of this study is to demonstrate feasibility and evaluate
      lesion volume (LV) characteristics in a multicenter cohort of children with MS.
      METHODS: A common MRI-scanning guideline was implemented at six member sites of
      the U.S. Network of Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence. We included in this study
      the first ten scans performed at each site on patients meeting the following
      inclusion criteria: pediatric RRMS within 3 years of disease onset, examination
      within 1 month of MRI and no steroids 1 month prior to MRI. We quantified T2
      number, T2-LV and individual lesion size in a total of 53 MRIs passing quality
      control procedures and assessed gadolinium-enhancing lesion number and LV in 55
      scans. We studied MRI measures according to demographic features including age,
      race, ethnicity and disability scores, controlling for disease duration and
      treatment duration using negative binomial regression and linear regression.
      RESULTS: The mean number of T2 lesions was 24.30 +/- 19.68 (range:1-113) and mean
      gadolinium-enhancing lesion count was 1.85 +/- 5.84, (range:0-32). Individual
      lesion size ranged from 14.31 to 55750.60 mm3. Non-white subjects had higher T2
      LV (unadjusted pT2-LV = 0.028; adjusted pT2-LV = 0.044), and maximal individual
      T2-LV (unadjusted pMax = 0.007; adjusted pMax = 0.011) than white patients. We
      also found a trend toward larger mean lesion size in males than females (p =
      0.07). CONCLUSION: Assessment of MRI lesion LV characteristics is feasible in a
      multicenter cohort of children with MS.

PMID- 24225379
TI  - Visual outcome of patients following NAION after treatment with adjunctive
      fluocortolone.
AB  - PURPOSE: Nonarteriitic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a leading
      cause of sudden loss of vision, which particularly affects individuals older than
      50 years. Up to now there is no treatment that is effective at reversing or
      limiting the course of this disease. To study the short- and long-term effects of
      fluocortolone (FC) on the visual outcome of patients with acute NAION compared to
      standard treatment with pentoxifylline (PFX). METHODS: A prospective,
      quasirandomized intervention trial was conducted involving 60 patients with acute
      onset NAION. Patients in the comparison (PFX) group (n = 30) received PFX
      intravenously and per os for 7 days and then per os for a further 6 months, which
      is a standard treatment. Patients in the intervention (PFX + FC) group (n = 30)
      received the standard treatment plus 1 mg/kg FC for 5 days, with a subsequent
      stepwise dose reduction over time. As a primary outcome measure, the best
      corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was determined at the initial baseline
      consultation (i.e., before treatment), and at 3 days and 6 months after therapy
      onset. Visual field (VF) was analyzed using standard automated perimetry at the
      initial baseline examination and at 6 month after therapy onset. Changes in BCVA
      and visual field in the PFX and PFX + FC groups were compared and analyzed
      statistically. RESULTS: Treatment with FC resulted in a significant improvement
      in BCVA. Patients receiving FC in acute NAION were more likely to experience
      improvement and less likely to have worsened visual acuity (mean BCVA scores: at
      baseline, 0.22; after 3 days and 6 months of treatment, 0.33 and 0.43,
      respectively) than PFX patients (mean BCVA scores: at baseline, 0.33; after 3
      days and 6 months of treatment, 0.33 and 0.28, respectively; p < 0.002 and
      0.001). The beneficial effect was even more marked 6 months after therapy onset.
      Remarkably, patients with a baseline BCVA score of >=0.05 profited significantly
      by FC treatment (p < 0.006 and 0.001), whereas those with a baseline BCVA score
      of <0.05 did not (p < 0.4). PFX did not improve BCVA. However, VF did not show
      any significant improvement due to FC therapy. CONCLUSION: This is the first
      prospective randomized intervention trial that demonstrates the distinctive
      beneficial effects of FC in terms of the visual outcome of patients with NAION
      compared to standard treatment with only PFX. FC significantly improves both
      short- and long-term visual acuity in patients with moderate BCVA impairment due
      to recent onset of NAION, while VF did not show any significant improvement;
      however, PFX did neither enhance BCVA nor VF. Administration of FC should be
      seriously considered for the treatment of NAION whenever there are no
      contraindications.

PMID- 24225381
TI  - Antiretroviral therapy, immune suppression and renal impairment in HIV-positive
      persons.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to review recent literature on
      antiretroviral treatment (ART) and immune suppression as risk factors for renal
      impairment in HIV-positive persons, and to discuss pending research questions
      within this field. RECENT FINDINGS: Several individual antiretroviral agents
      (ARVs) including tenofovir and several protease inhibitors have, in diverse study
      settings, been associated with renal impairment. Traditional renal risk factors
      are common among those experiencing adverse renal impairment to ARVs, but do not
      fully explain why only some develop these effects. Discontinuation of nephrotoxic
      ARVs is common with declining renal function, but has unknown long-term
      consequences. Immune suppression is a strong independent risk factor for renal
      impairment, and ongoing investigations will clarify whether initiating ARVs with
      nephrotoxic properties at higher CD4 cell counts will have net beneficial effects
      on renal function. SUMMARY: With improvements in survival, multiple risk factors
      have emerged for renal impairment in HIV-positive persons. Although certain ARVs
      may cause moderate renal impairment, effects on more severe renal impairment
      remain unresolved. Regular renal function monitoring allow for switching away
      from nephrotoxic ARVs in case of decreasing function. If such actions prove
      beneficial higher prevalence of ARV-associated severe renal impairment may emerge
      in populations without access to regular monitoring.

PMID- 24225380
TI  - Particle size and pathogenicity in the respiratory tract.
AB  - Particle size dictates where aerosolized pathogens deposit in the respiratory
      tract, thereafter the pathogens potential to cause disease is influenced by
      tissue tropism, clearance kinetics and the host immunological response. This
      interplay brings pathogens into contact with a range of tissues spanning the
      respiratory tract and associated anatomical structures. In animal models,
      differential deposition within the respiratory tract influences infection
      kinetics for numerous select agents. Greater numbers of pathogens are required to
      infect the upper (URT) compared with the lower respiratory tract (LRT), and in
      comparison the URT infections are protracted with reduced mortality. Pathogenesis
      in the URT is characterized by infection of the URT lymphoid tissues, cervical
      lymphadenopathy and septicemia, closely resembling reported human infections of
      the URT. The olfactory, gastrointestinal, and ophthalmic systems are also
      infected in a pathogen-dependent manner. The relevant literature is reviewed with
      respect to particle size and infection of the URT in animal models and humans. 

PMID- 24225383
TI  - Does antiretroviral therapy started at high CD4 cell counts reduce an individual
      HIV-positive patient's disease risk?

PMID- 24225382
TI  - Factors contributing to risk for cancer among HIV-infected individuals, and
      evidence that earlier combination antiretroviral therapy will alter this risk.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To critically appraise recent published literature about
      factors associated with cancer risk likely to be influenced by combination
      antiretroviral therapy (cART) in HIV-infected individuals, and the potential of
      earlier cART initiation to reduce this risk. RECENT FINDINGS: Factors leading to
      increased risk of non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADMs) in particular remain
      poorly understood. Immunodeficiency appears to be key, whereas evidence is
      emerging that a direct pro-oncogenic effect of HIV, activated inflammatory and
      coagulation pathways, and cART toxicity may also contribute. By reducing HIV
      replication, improving immune function, and limiting chronic inflammation, cART
      initiation at higher CD4 cell counts may, therefore, reduce NADM risk. However,
      cART only partly normalizes enhanced inflammation and coagulation seen during HIV
      infection and conflicting laboratory and epidemiological data have been reported
      as to whether (and how) cART affects NADM risk. Furthermore, secondary analyses
      of randomized controlled trials comparing early versus delayed cART initiation
      were inconclusive. SUMMARY: Continuous epidemiological surveillance is warranted
      to monitor trends in cancer incidence among HIV-infected individuals and to
      better understand the impact of earlier cART on NADM risk. The role of adjuvant
      anti-inflammatory or antithrombotic therapies to reduce cancer risk deserves
      further investigation.

PMID- 24225384
TI  - Identification of novel transcripts and noncoding RNAs in bovine skin by deep
      next generation sequencing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deep RNA sequencing (RNAseq) has opened a new horizon for
      understanding global gene expression. The functional annotation of non-model
      mammalian genomes including bovines is still poor compared to that of human and
      mouse. This particularly applies to tissues without direct significance for milk
      and meat production, like skin, in spite of its multifunctional relevance for the
      individual. Thus, applying an RNAseq approach, we performed a whole transcriptome
      analysis of pigmented and nonpigmented bovine skin to describe the comprehensive
      transcript catalogue of this tissue. RESULTS: A total of 39,577 unique primary
      skin transcripts were mapped to the bovine reference genome assembly. The
      majority of the transcripts were mapped to known transcriptional units (65%). In
      addition to the reannotation of known genes, a substantial number (10,884) of
      unknown transcripts (UTs) were discovered, which had not previously been
      annotated. The classification of UTs was based on the prediction of their coding
      potential and comparative sequence analysis, subsequently followed by meticulous
      manual curation. The classification analysis and experimental validation of
      selected UTs confirmed that RNAseq data can be used to amend the annotation of
      known genes by providing evidence for additional exons, untranslated regions or
      splice variants, by approving genes predicted in silico and by identifying novel
      bovine loci. A large group of UTs (4,848) was predicted to potentially represent
      long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). Predominantly, potential lncRNAs mapped in
      intergenic chromosome regions (4,365) and therefore, were classified as potential
      intergenic lncRNA. Our analysis revealed that only about 6% of all UTs displayed
      interspecies conservation and discovered a variety of unknown transcripts without
      interspecies homology but specific expression in bovine skin. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results of our study demonstrate a complex transcript pattern for bovine skin and
      suggest a possible functional relevance of novel transcripts, including lncRNA,
      in the modulation of pigmentation processes. The results also indicate that the
      comprehensive identification and annotation of unknown transcripts from whole
      transcriptome analysis using RNAseq data remains a tremendous future challenge.

PMID- 24225385
TI  - Strain dependent neurochemical changes induced by embryonic alcohol exposure in
      zebrafish.
AB  - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a preventable disease of the child
      resulting from alcohol (ethanol) consumption by pregnant women. Despite being
      preventable, FASD represents a prevalent problem throughout the world. Embryonic
      alcohol induced abnormalities in behavioral responses to social stimuli have been
      shown in humans and zebrafish. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the
      abnormalities remain obscured. Here we start a mechanistic analysis by
      investigating the effect of embryonic alcohol exposure on the neurochemistry of
      zebrafish. The differing severity of symptoms seen in FASD may be partially due
      to genetic factors. To explore such genetic effects, here we analyzed two
      distinct zebrafish strains: AB and TU. Zebrafish were exposed to one of the
      following concentrations of alcohol, 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, or 1.00%
      (vol/vol %) at 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf) for 2h. From whole brain
      extracts we analyzed the amount of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin and
      their metabolites across 4 different developmental time points: 15, 40, 70 and
      102 days post-fertilization (dpf) using high performance liquid chromatography
      (HPLC). AB zebrafish exhibited a significant dose dependent embryonic alcohol
      exposure effect which increased in robustness with age. However, TU showed no
      such concentration effect: the levels of neurochemicals remained mainly unaltered
      by embryonic alcohol exposure in all age groups. We also analyzed the amount of
      alcohol reaching the embryo in the two strains and ruled out the possibility that
      TU has a more protective chorion. We conclude that the uncovered strain
      differences are due to genetic differences that protect TU from the deleterious
      effects of embryonic alcohol exposure.

PMID- 24225386
TI  - [COMMODE] a large-scale database of molecular descriptors using compounds from
      PubChem.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Molecular descriptors have been extensively used in the field of
      structure-oriented drug design and structural chemistry. They have been applied
      in QSPR and QSAR models to predict ADME-Tox properties, which specify essential
      features for drugs. Molecular descriptors capture chemical and structural
      information, but investigating their interpretation and meaning remains very
      challenging. RESULTS: This paper introduces a large-scale database of molecular
      descriptors called COMMODE containing more than 25 million compounds originated
      from PubChem. About 2500 DRAGON-descriptors have been calculated for all
      compounds and integrated into this database, which is accessible through a web
      interface at http://commode.i-med.ac.at.

PMID- 24225387
TI  - Moisture absorption early postmortem predicts ultimate drip loss in fresh pork.
AB  - Water-holding capacity is the ability of meat to hold moisture and is subject to
      postmortem metabolism. The objective of this study was to characterize the loss
      of moisture from muscle postmortem and investigate whether these losses are
      useful in predicting the ultimate drip loss of fresh pork. Cotton-rayon
      absorptive-based devices were inserted in the longissimus dorsi muscles of pork
      carcasses (n = 51) postmortem and removed at various intervals for 24h. Greatest
      moisture absorption was observed at 105 min post exsanguination. Drip loss varied
      (0.6-15.3%) across carcasses. Individual absorption at 75 min correlated (r =
      0.33) with final drip loss. Correlations improved using individual absorption
      values at 90 min (r = 0.48) and accumulated absorption values at 150 min (r =
      0.41). Results show that significant moisture is lost from muscle tissue early
      postmortem and suggest that capture of this moisture may be useful in predicting
      final drip loss of fresh meat.

PMID- 24225388
TI  - What are our moral duties? Critical reflections on clinical equipoise and
      publication ethics, clinical choices, and moral theory.

PMID- 24225389
TI  - The ethics of limiting informed debate: censorship of select medical publications
      in the interest of organ transplantation.
AB  - Recently, several articles in the scholarly literature on medical ethics proclaim
      the need for "responsible scholarship" in the debate over the proper criteria for
      death, in which "responsible scholarship" is defined in terms of support for
      current neurological criteria for death. In a recent article, James M. DuBois is
      concerned that academic critiques of current death criteria create unnecessary
      doubt about the moral acceptability of organ donation, which may affect the
      public's willingness to donate. Thus he calls for a closing of the debate on
      current death criteria and for journal editors to publish only critiques that
      "substantially engage and advance the debate." We argue that such positions as
      DuBois' are a threat to responsible scholarship in medical ethics, especially
      scholarship that opposes popular stances, because it erodes academic freedom and
      the necessity of debate on an issue that is literally a matter of life and death,
      no matter what side a person defends. 

PMID- 24225390
TI  - Reproductive autonomy as self-making: procreative liberty and the practice of
      ethical subjectivity.
AB  - In this article, I consider recent debates on the notion of procreative liberty,
      to argue that reproductive freedom can be understood as a form of positive
      freedom-that is, the freedom to make oneself according to various ethical and
      aesthetic principles or values. To make this argument, I draw on Michel
      Foucault's later work on ethics. Both adopting and adapting Foucault's notion of
      ethics as a practice of the self and of liberty, I argue that reproductive
      autonomy requires enactment to gain meaning within the life contexts of
      prospective parents. Thus, I propose a shift away from the standard negative
      model of freedom that sees it solely as a matter of noninterference or
      nonimpedance, a view advocated by major commentators such as John Harris and John
      Robertson. Instead, reproduction should be understood as a deeply personal
      project of self-making that integrates both negative and positive freedom. 

PMID- 24225391
TI  - "Comparable placebo treatment" and the ethics of deception.
AB  - Recent research, especially with functional brain imaging, demonstrated cases
      where the administration of a placebo produces objective effects in tissues that
      are indistinguishable from those of the real therapeutic agents. This phenomenon
      has been shown in treatments of pain, depression, Parkinsonism, and more. The
      main ethical complaint against placebo treatment is that it is a kind of
      deception, where supposedly we substitute what works just psychologically for a
      real drug that actually works on the tissue level. We claim that the scientific
      findings bring to a new level the seeming deconstruction of the distinction
      between "placebo" and "real" drugs, and that instances of placebo treatment which
      fulfill this criterion should be recognized as a unique category-we call it
      "comparable placebo treatment" (CPT). The paper uses an analysis of the notion of
      deception to argue that CPT does not amount to deception; that it can preserve
      patient autonomy; and that it is therefore morally legitimate. 

PMID- 24225396
TI  - Blood-brain barrier impairment in MPS III patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) is an autosomal recessive
      disorder caused by deficiency of a specific enzyme leading to heparan sulfate
      (HS) accumulation within cells and to eventual progressive cerebral and systemic
      organ abnormalities. Different enzyme deficiencies comprise the MPS III
      subcategories (A, B, C, D). Since neuropathological manifestations are common to
      all MPS III types, determining blood-brain barrier (BBB) condition may be
      critical to understand potential additional disease mechanisms. METHODS: We
      investigated BBB integrity in various brain structures of post-mortem tissues
      from an eleven year old Caucasian female with MPS III A and from a twenty four
      year old Caucasian female with MPS III D. Control tissues were obtained post
      mortem from three Caucasians without neurological deficits: a twelve year old
      male, a twenty four year old female, and a twenty seven year old female. BBB
      capillary ultrastructure (electron microscopy) and capillary functional integrity
      (IgG leakage, tight junction proteins, and lysosomal accumulation within
      endothelium) were examined. RESULTS: Compromised BBB integrity was found in both
      MPS III cases. Major study findings were: (1) capillary endothelial and pericyte
      cell damage; (2) mucopolysaccharide bodies in a majority of endothelial cells and
      pericytes rupturing cell membranes; (3) severe extracellular edema; (4) IgG
      microvascular leakage and reductions of occludin and claudin-5 with variations
      between MPS III types; (5) extensive lysosomal accumulation in capillary
      endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: These new findings of BBB structural and functional
      impairment, although from only two cases, MPS III A and III D, may have
      implications for disease pathogenesis and should be considered in treatment
      development for MPS III.

PMID- 24225399
TI  - Genetic factors associated with gemcitabine pharmacokinetics, disposition, and
      toxicity.
AB  - AIM: The goal of this work was to investigate the associations of genetic and
      environmental factors with gemcitabine disposition and toxicity from genomewide
      data using a novel information theoretic approach. METHODS: We utilized the
      information theoretic K-way interaction information (KWII) metric to detect gene
      gene and gene-environment interactions associated with gemcitabine disposition
      and gemcitabine-induced neutropenia in genomic and clinical data from Japanese
      cancer patients. RESULTS: The information theoretic KWII analyses identified age
      and four genes - DMD, HEXDC, CNTN4, and ALOX5AP - to be associated with
      gemcitabine pharmacokinetics (PK). The rs4769060 single-nucleotide polymorphism
      in the ALOX5AP gene was associated with all PK parameters studied. For
      gemcitabine-induced neutropenia, multiple associations with long intergenic
      noncoding RNA regions were detected. Pathway analysis identified leukotriene and
      eoxin synthesis, platelet homeostasis, and L1CAM interactions as potential
      pathways associated with gemcitabine disposition. CONCLUSION: The KWII analyses
      detected novel associations with gemcitabine PK and toxicity. These results could
      be used to inform future investigations involving gemcitabine efficacy in
      clinical settings.

PMID- 24225400
TI  - Spatial-temporal targeting of lung-specific mesenchyme by a Tbx4 enhancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reciprocal interactions between lung mesenchymal and epithelial cells
      play essential roles in lung organogenesis and homeostasis. Although the
      molecular markers and related animal models that target lung epithelial cells are
      relatively well studied, molecular markers of lung mesenchymal cells and the
      genetic tools to target and/or manipulate gene expression in a lung mesenchyme
      specific manner are not available, which becomes a critical barrier to the study
      of lung mesenchymal biology and the related pulmonary diseases. RESULTS: We have
      identified a mouse Tbx4 gene enhancer that contains conserved DNA sequences
      across many vertebrate species with lung or lung-like gas exchange organ. We then
      generate a mouse line to express rtTA/LacZ under the control of the Tbx4 lung
      enhancer, and therefore a Tet-On inducible transgenic system to target lung
      mesenchymal cells at different developmental stages. By combining a Tbx4-rtTA
      driven Tet-On inducible Cre expression mouse line with a Cre reporter mouse line,
      the spatial-temporal patterns of Tbx4 lung enhancer targeted lung mesenchymal
      cells were defined. Pulmonary endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells
      were targeted by the Tbx4-rtTA driver line prior to E11.5 and E15.5,
      respectively, while other subtypes of lung mesenchymal cells including airway
      smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, pericytes could be targeted during the entire
      developmental stage. CONCLUSIONS: Developmental lung mesenchymal cells can be
      specifically marked by Tbx4 lung enhancer activity. With our newly created Tbx4
      lung enhancer-driven Tet-On inducible system, lung mesenchymal cells can be
      specifically and differentially targeted in vivo for the first time by
      controlling the doxycycline induction time window. This novel system provides a
      unique tool to study lung mesenchymal cell lineages and gene functions in lung
      mesenchymal development, injury repair, and regeneration in mice.

PMID- 24225401
TI  - How do employment types and job stressors relate to occupational injury? A cross
      sectional investigation of employees in Japan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether 1) the risk of occupational injury
      differs among permanent employees and specific types of temporary workers, 2) the
      risk of occupational injury differs across different employment types depending
      on the degree of job stressors. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design
      based on self-report survey data. METHODS: A total of 36,688 full-time workers
      (28,868 men and 7820 women; average age = 35.4) were surveyed by means of a self
      administered questionnaire. Employment types consisted of permanent employment
      and two forms of temporary employment: direct-hire and temporary work agent
      (TWA). Job characteristics including job demands, job control, and social support
      at work were measured. Occupational injury was measured by asking whether the
      participant had an injury on the job in the past 12 months that required a
      medical treatment. To investigate the relationships between employment types, job
      stressors, and occupational injury, hierarchical moderated logistic regression
      tests were conducted. RESULTS: High job demands (OR = 1.44) and low job control
      (OR = 1.21) were significantly associated with an increased risk of occupational
      injury, while controlling for demographic, life style, health, and occupational
      factors. In addition, direct-hires (OR = 1.85) and temporary agent workers (OR =
      3.26) had a higher risk of occupational injury compared with permanent employees.
      However, the relationship between employment types and the risk of occupational
      injury depended on the levels of job demands and job control. Specifically, the
      magnitude of the relationship between job demands and the risk of occupational
      injury was substantially greater for temporary work agents than for permanent
      employees when they reported low levels of job control. Such an interaction
      effect between job demands and job control on the risk of occupational injury was
      not observed between permanent employees and direct-hire temporary workers.
      CONCLUSION: The current study indicated that temporary workers might be more
      vulnerable to occupational injury than permanent employees. High levels of job
      demands and low levels of job control might also add to temporary workers' risk
      of occupational injury, particularly for TWAs.

PMID- 24225402
TI  - Ginkgo biloba extract and ginkgolide antiarrhythmic potential by targeting hERG
      and ICa-L channel.
AB  - We investigated the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) and ginkgolide (GLD)
      on human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG)-encoded K(+) channels and its
      underlying mechanisms in the hERG-HEK293 cell line by determining GBE- and GLD
      induced changes in action potential duration (APD), L-type calcium currents (ICa
      L), and the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in guinea-pig
      ventricular myocytes. hERG currents, APD and ICa-L were recorded using the whole
      cell patch clamp technique, the [Ca(2+)]i was examined by an immunofluorescence
      experiment. In the present study, we found that a low concentration of GBE (0.005
      mg/ml) increased hERG currents, but the high concentration of GBE (from 0.05 to
      0.25 mg/ml) reduced hERG currents. GLD reduced hERG currents in a concentration
      dependent manner (from 0.005 to 0.25 mg/ml). Both GBE and GLD altered kinetics of
      the hERG channel. GBE accelerated the activation of hERG channels without
      changing the inactivation curve, but reduced the time constant of inactivation;
      GLD did not shift the activation or the inactivation curve, but only reduced the
      time constant of inactivation. Both GBE and GLD shortened the APD, inhibited the
      ICa-L currents, and decreased the [Ca(2+)]i in isolated guinea-pig ventricular
      myocytes. The results indicate that GBE and GLD can prevent ischemic arrhythmias
      and have an antiarrhythmic effect potential via inhibition of IKr and ICa-L
      currents. 

PMID- 24225403
TI  - Pharmacological evidence that dopamine inhibits the cardioaccelerator sympathetic
      outflow via D2-like receptors in pithed rats.
AB  - It has been suggested that N,N-di-n-propyl-dopamine (dopamine analogue) decreased
      heart rate in rats through stimulation of dopamine receptors. Nevertheless, the
      role of prejunctional dopamine D1/2-like receptors or even alpha2-adrenoceptors
      to mediate cardiac sympatho-inhibition induced by dopamine remains unclear.
      Hence, this study identified the pharmacological profile of the cardiac sympatho
      inhibition to dopamine in pithed rats. Male Wistar rats were pithed and prepared
      to stimulate the cardiac sympathetic outflow or to receive i.v. bolus of
      exogenous noradrenaline. I.v. continuous infusions of dopamine (endogenous
      ligand) or quinpirole (D2-like agonist) dose-dependently inhibited the
      tachycardic responses to sympathetic stimulation, but not those to exogenous
      noradrenaline. In contrast, SKF-38393 (100 MUg/kg?min, D1-like agonist) failed to
      modify both of these responses. The sympatho-inhibition to dopamine (1.8
      MUg/kg?min) or quinpirole (100 MUg/kg?min): i) remained unaltered after saline or
      the antagonists SCH-23390 (D1-like, 300 MUg/kg) and rauwolscine (alpha2
      adrenoceptors, 300 MUg/kg); and ii) was significantly antagonized by raclopride
      (D2-like, 300 MUg/kg). These antagonists, at the above doses, failed to modify
      the sympathetically-induced tachycardic responses. The above results suggest that
      the inhibition of the cardiac sympathetic outflow to dopamine and quinpirole is
      primarily mediated by prejunctional D2-like receptors but not D1-like receptors
      or alpha2-adrenoceptors. 

PMID- 24225405
TI  - Endogenous gas formation of carbon dioxide used for wound flooding--an
      experimental study with implications regarding gas microembolism during
      cardiopulmonary bypass.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gas microembolisation is an identified risk in cardiac surgery.
      Flooding the wound with carbon dioxide is a method proposed to reduce this
      problem. The high solubility of carbon dioxide is beneficial, but may also cause
      problems. The gas solubility diminishes at warming and endogenous bubbles are
      formed when cold blood saturated with carbon dioxide is returned by cardiotomy
      suction. METHODS: The release of endogenous gas was measured at high resolution
      in an experimental digital model. A medium (water or blood) was incubated and
      equilibrated with gas (100% carbon dioxide or air) at a low temperature (10 
      degrees C or 23  degrees C). The temperature was increased to 37  degrees C and
      the gas release was measured, at rest and at fluid motion. RESULTS: The amount of
      carbon dioxide released at warming was substantial for both water and blood (both
      p=0.005). The effect was more pronounced when the temperature differential
      increased (p=0.005). However, blood and water differed in these terms: with
      water, the release of carbon-dioxide started instantly at warming; with blood,
      carbon dioxide remained dissolved and was released at fluid motion. When blood
      was warmed from 10  degrees C to 37  degrees C, the gas release corresponded to
      44.4% (40.6/46.5) of the medium volume (median with quartile range). CONCLUSION:
      Gas dissolved in a medium becomes released at warming, as confirmed here. Blood
      exposed to carbon dioxide became heavily oversaturated at warming, with the gas
      instantly released at fluid motion. The amount of contained gas increased with a
      higher temperature differential. Our study has relevance to wound flushing, using
      carbon dioxide, in cardiac surgery. The clinical consequences of these findings
      remain to be answered.

PMID- 24225404
TI  - Pediatric sepsis: important considerations for diagnosing and managing severe
      infections in infants, children, and adolescents.
AB  - Sepsis is the leading cause of death in children worldwide. Although the
      diagnosis and management of sepsis in infants and children is largely influenced
      by studies done in adults, there are important considerations relevant for
      pediatrics. This article highlights pediatric-specific issues related to the
      definition of sepsis and its epidemiology and management. We review how the
      capacity of the immune system to respond to infection develops over early life.
      We also bring attention to primary immune deficiencies that should be considered
      in children recurrently infected with specific types of organisms. The management
      of pediatric sepsis must be tailored to the child's age and immune capacity, and
      to the site, severity, and source of the infection. It is important for
      clinicians to be aware of infection-related syndromes that primarily affect
      children. Although children in developed countries are more likely to survive
      severe infections than adults, many survivors have chronic health impairments. 

PMID- 24225407
TI  - Ergonomic laparoscopic spreader for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP) for Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric
      Stenosis (IHPS) is associated with an increased risk of mucosal tears or
      incomplete myotomy when compared with open myotomy. Keeping these risks in mind,
      a new ergonomically designed spreader for LP was developed and investigated in
      IHPS. METHODS: The new Pyloric Spreader was designed as a 3.5 mm instrument
      specifically for minimal access application taking into consideration the
      specific needs of LP. RESULTS: LP was performed using this spreader in 25 infants
      with IHPS during a 5-year period from 2006-2012. After incising the pylorus using
      an arthrotomy knife blade, the spreader could be inserted with ease in the
      pyloric muscle slit and permitted spreading of the pyloric muscle without any
      circular tears. The axial handle attached to the spreader enable a wide and
      controlled muscular spreading without mucosal injuries or incomplete spreads. Two
      infants underwent surgical revision due to recurrent vomiting; however no signs
      of incomplete myotomy were evident and the vomiting which subsequently subsided
      was attributed to the preoperative administration of Rotavirus vaccines in these
      infants. CONCLUSION: The newly designed Pyloric Spreader offers a new
      ergonomically designed instrument with a flat tip for easy placement in the
      pyloric muscle slit, broad instrument surface to avoid circular muscle tears,
      rounded tip edges to prevent mucosal injuries, wide spreading capability for
      optimal muscle spread and an axial handle for better hand ergonomic for LP in
      IHPS.

PMID- 24225408
TI  - Efficacy of kinesiology taping for recovery of dominant upper back pain in female
      sedentary worker having a rounded shoulder posture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sedentary workers are most prone to work-related musculoskeletal
      disorders. OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a female sedentary worker with
      rounded shoulder posture (RSP) whose dominant upper back pain decreased after
      correction of her RSP with kinesiology taping. METHODS: We applied kinesiology
      taping around the patient's upper back and shoulder for 1 month (six times per
      week, each session lasting approximately 16 h) without any other interventions.
      RESULTS: After kinesiology taping, the RSP decreased progressively and the
      dominant upper back pain gradually disappeared. The patient no longer complained
      of dominant upper back pain during desk work. CONCLUSION: We believe that
      kinesiology taping may be used to enable recovery from dominant upper back pain
      in female sedentary workers with RSP.

PMID- 24225406
TI  - Trends in chloroquine resistance marker, Pfcrt-K76T mutation ten years after
      chloroquine withdrawal in Tanzania.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum resistance to anti-malarial drugs remains a
      major obstacle to the control of malaria. In 2001 Tanzania replaced chloroquine
      (CQ) with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) as first-line drug, which in turn was
      replaced by artemisinin combination therapy in 2006. SP has however, continued to
      be used in intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp)
      despite reports of high levels of resistance to SP due to the lack of
      alternatives to SP for IPTp. Recent reports have indicated recovery of CQ
      susceptibility in Malawi, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania based on the prevalence
      of wild types at codon 76 of the Pfcrt gene in indigenous P. falciparum
      populations. The current prevalence of this Pfcrt-76 CQ resistance marker from
      six regions of Tanzania mainland is hereby reported. METHODS: DNA extracted from
      filter-paper dried blood spots and rapid diagnostics kit strips collected from
      finger-prick blood were used to genotype the Pfcrt-76 resistance marker using PCR
      RFLP. Data from previously published studies were used to generate CQ
      susceptibility recovery trends using logistic regression model. RESULTS: Seven
      hundred and forty one (741) samples were genotyped. The current frequency of the
      CQ-susceptible Pfcrt-K76 was above 92% and did not differ between regions in
      Tanzania (chi(2) = 2.37; p = 0.795). The K76 allelic prevalence was between 85.7
      and 93% in regions (chi(2) = 7.88, p = 0.163). The CQ resistance recovery trends
      showed regional variability that may be caused by differences in malaria
      transmission intensity, but overall the trends converge as the susceptibility
      levels in all regions approach >90%. CONCLUSIONS: CQ withdrawal in Tanzania has
      resulted into >90% recovery of susceptibility in ten years of withdrawal. These
      findings are in support of the search for CQ-based combination drugs as a
      possible future alternative to SP for IPTp in places where full recovery of CQ
      susceptibility will be evident.

PMID- 24225409
TI  - Amount of accidental flush by syringe pump due to inappropriate release of
      occluded intravenous line.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An unintended bolus is delivered by the syringe pump if intravenous
      line occlusion is released in an inappropriate manner. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this
      study was to measure the amount of flushed fluid when an occlusion is
      inappropriately released and to assess the effect of different syringe pump
      settings (flow rate, alarm setting, size of syringe and syringe pump model) on
      the flushed amount. METHODS: After the stopcock was closed, infusions were
      started with different model syringe pumps (Terufusion(r) TE312 and TE332S),
      different syringe sizes or at different alarm settings. After the occlusion alarm
      sounded, the occlusion was released and the amount of fluid emerging from the
      stopcock was measured. RESULTS: The bolus was significantly lower when the alarm
      was set at a low-pressure setting. The bolus was significantly lower with a 10-ml
      than a 50-ml syringe. A significant difference was seen only when a 50-ml syringe
      was used (TE312: 1.99 +/- 0.16 ml vs. TE332S: 0.674 +/- 0.116 ml, alarm High, p <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: To minimize the amount of accidentally injected medication, a
      smaller syringe size and a low alarm setting are important. Using a syringe pump
      capable of reducing the inadvertently administered bolus may be helpful.

PMID- 24225410
TI  - Detection of Pantoea agglomerans in hip prosthetic infection by sonication of the
      removed prosthesis: the first reported case.
AB  - Pantoea agglomerans is a rare isolate in orthopaedic patients. We describe the
      first case of an acute hip prosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by Pantoea
      agglomerans. The microorganism was detected after sonication of the removed hip
      endoprosthesis. 

PMID- 24225411
TI  - Disease surveillance among newly arriving refugees and immigrants--Electronic
      Disease Notification System, United States, 2009.
AB  - PROBLEM/CONDITION: Approximately 450,000 legal permanent immigrants and 75,000
      refugees enter the United States annually after receiving required medical
      examinations by overseas panel physicians (physicians who follow the CDC medical
      screening guidelines provided to the U.S. Department of State). CDC has the
      regulatory responsibility for preventing the introduction, transmission, and
      spread of communicable diseases into the United States as well as for developing
      the guidelines, known as technical instructions, for the overseas medical
      examinations. Other conditions that are not infectious might preclude an
      immigrant or refugee from entering the United States and also are reported as
      part of the medical examination. After arrival in the United States, all refugees
      are recommended to obtain a medical assessment by a health-care provider or a
      health department within 30 days. In addition, immigrants with certain medical
      conditions such as noninfectious tuberculosis at the time of the original medical
      examination are recommended to be evaluated after arrival to ensure that
      appropriate prevention or treatment measures are instituted. Health departments
      need timely and accurate notifications of newly arriving immigrants, refugees,
      and persons with other visa types to facilitate these evaluations. Notifications
      for all newly arriving refugees (with or without medical conditions) and
      immigrants with medical conditions are provided by CDC's Electronic Disease
      Notification (EDN) system. This is the first report describing EDN. REPORTING
      PERIOD: This report summarizes notifications by the EDN system during January
      December 2009. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The EDN system is a centralized electronic
      reporting system that collects health information on newly arriving refugees and
      immigrants with Class A and Class B medical conditions. Class A conditions render
      applicants inadmissible and require a waiver for entry; Class B conditions are
      admissible but might require treatment or follow-up. Information in the EDN
      system is used to notify state health departments in all 50 states and the
      District of Columbia about the arrival of these persons in the United States.
      RESULTS: In 2009, the EDN system notified U.S. state and local health departments
      of 104,954 newly arriving refugees and immigrants, of whom 78,899 (75.2%) were
      refugees (with or without medical conditions), 19,358 (18.4%) were immigrants
      with medical conditions, and 6,697 (6.4%) were persons with other visa types. Of
      the 78,899 refugees, 21,319 (27%) had a medical condition. The majority (93.4%)
      of immigrants with medical conditions had tuberculosis classifications (i.e.,
      either had evidence of latent tuberculosis infection or chest radiograph findings
      interpreted by the overseas panel physician as consistent with tuberculosis). Of
      the 41,415 refugees and immigrants with Class A or Class B medical conditions,
      405 (1%) had Class A conditions, and 40,994 (99%) had Class B conditions. The
      majority of refugees and immigrants with suspected Class B tuberculosis were born
      in the Philippines (41.3%), Mexico (12.1%), Burma (8.7%), Vietnam (7.8%), and the
      Dominican Republic (5.8%). The majority of refugee notifications were for persons
      born in Iraq (23.9%), Burma (18.9%), and Bhutan (15.1%). Approximately one third
      of the tuberculosis notifications were sent to health departments in California
      (20.5%), Texas (9.8%), and New York (6.3%), and the national reporting rate for
      tuberculosis follow-up was 75.4% within 30 days of arrival. INTERPRETATION: The
      findings in this report suggest that 1) overseas medical screening results in a
      low frequency (0.4%) of inadmissible medical conditions in the United States, 2)
      the EDN system provides more direct notifications to health departments than the
      previous paper-based system about newly arriving immigrants and refugees who need
      medical follow-up, and 3) approximately 75% of follow-up occurs among persons
      with suspected tuberculosis who are reported to EDN by states receiving newly
      arriving refugees and immigrants. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS: The data in this report
      can be used to help state and local health departments provide prompt and
      effective follow-up, evaluation, and treatment to newly arriving immigrants and
      refugees. Timely follow-up might prevent additional spread of tuberculosis or
      other communicable diseases of public health significance into their communities.
      In addition, information from the EDN system allows health departments to use
      their resources as effectively as possible by providing clinical information that
      identifies the refugees and immigrants who should be prioritized for evaluation
      and treatment.

PMID- 24225412
TI  - Ballistic-like supercurrent in suspended graphene Josephson weak links.
AB  - The interplay of the massless Dirac fermions in graphene and the Cooper pair
      states in a superconductor has the potential to give rise to exotic physical
      phenomena and useful device applications. But to date, the junctions formed
      between graphene and superconductors on conventional substrates have been highly
      disordered. Charge scattering and potential fluctuations caused by such disorder
      are believed to have prevented the emergence or observation of new physics. Here
      we propose to address this problem by forming suspended graphene-superconductor
      junctions. We demonstrate the fabrication of high-quality suspended monolayer
      graphene-NbN Josephson junctions with device mobility in excess of 150,000 cm(2)
      per Vs, minimum carrier density below 10(10) cm(-2), and the flow of a
      supercurrent at critical temperatures greater than 2 K. The characteristics of
      our Josephson junctions are consistent with ballistic transport, with a linear
      dependence on the Fermi energy that reflects of linear dispersion of massless
      Dirac fermions.

PMID- 24225413
TI  - Targeting the heat shock protein 90: a rational way to inhibit macrophage
      migration inhibitory factor function in cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), originally
      identified as a proinflammatory cytokine, is highly elevated in many human cancer
      types, independent of their histological origin. MIF's tumour promoting
      activities correlate with tumour aggressiveness and poor clinical prognosis.
      Genetic depletion of MIF in mouse cancer models results in significant inhibition
      of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis, making it an attractive target
      for anticancer therapies. Here, we summarize the current possibilities to inhibit
      MIF function in cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: All known small molecule MIF inhibitors
      antagonize MIF's enzymatic function. However, a recent knockin mouse model
      suggested that protein interactions play a bigger biological role in tumour cell
      growth regulation than MIF's enzymatic activity. Thus, alternative strategies are
      important for targeting MIF. Recently, we identified that MIF in cancer cells is
      highly stabilized through the heat shock protein 90 machinery (HSP90). Thus, MIF
      is an HSP90 client. Pharmacological inhibition of the Hsp90 ATPase activity
      results in MIF degradation in several types of cancer cells. This provides a new
      way to inhibit MIF function independent of its enzymatic activity. SUMMARY:
      Targeting the HSP90 machinery is a promising way to inhibit MIF function in
      cancer. Along with MIF and dependent on the molecular make-up of the tumour, a
      large number of other critical tumourigenic proteins are also destabilized by
      HSP90 inhibition, overall resulting in a profound block of tumour growth.

PMID- 24225414
TI  - Appropriate dosing of adjuvant radioactive iodine for differentiated thyroid
      cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The incidence of well differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) is
      increasing in the US population and is now a major public health concern.
      Although surgery is the mainstay of treatment, radioactive iodine (RAI) is
      routinely used for adjuvant therapy, remnant ablation, and for the treatment of
      metastatic disease. Despite excellent prognosis and stable mortality rates, the
      use of RAI is increasing in many low and intermediate risk WDTC patients without
      clear indication that it changes the outcome. As a result, the current treatment
      paradigm has shifted towards a risk-stratified approach. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Although there is widespread acceptance that RAI improves overall and recurrence
      free survival in patients with metastatic disease, controversy remains regarding
      radioactive remnant ablation use in low and intermediate risk patients.
      Additional studies have shown that reduced doses of RAI can provide similar rates
      of remnant ablation and adjuvant therapy in low and intermediate risk patients
      without adversely affecting the recurrence rates and mortality. SUMMARY: Recent
      studies suggest potential new paradigms in radioactive remnant ablation dosing
      and indications for use. Risk stratification is important in determining the
      proper use and dosing of RAI.

PMID- 24225415
TI  - Indications for the use of external beam radiation in thyroid cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The role of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in the
      management of thyroid cancer is not clearly defined. In the absence of randomized
      studies, the review aims to identify any recent literature that helps define the
      role. RECENT FINDINGS: In differentiated thyroid cancer, single institutional
      studies report durable locoregional disease control in patients considered to be
      at high risk of local relapse after EBRT and recent guidelines are consistent in
      their recommendations. In medullary thyroid cancer, the evidence is more limited
      but again there is benefit in selected cases. In anaplastic thyroid cancer,
      multimodality therapy is superior to surgery alone in achieving local control and
      possibly survival but the benefit must be weighed against the toxicity. Newer
      radiation techniques may help reduce toxicity. SUMMARY: Although surgery is the
      main treatment for thyroid carcinoma, EBRT has a role in the adjuvant setting
      following surgery in high-risk patients and in unresectable cancer. Advances in
      the delivery of external beam radiotherapy, including intensity-modulated
      radiotherapy reduces toxicity.

PMID- 24225416
TI  - Molecular diagnostic testing and the indeterminate thyroid nodule.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize the latest developments in the use of molecular
      diagnostic testing in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. RECENT
      FINDINGS: The majority of nodules with fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)
      results that are classified as indeterminate (i.e., atypia of undetermined
      significance/lesion of undetermined significance, follicular neoplasm, and
      suspicious for malignancy) are histologically benign. Improvements in diagnostic
      discrimination can potentially be achieved with immunocytochemical analysis for
      candidate protein markers such as galectin-3, or analysis of differential
      microRNA expression patterns although larger prospective validation studies are
      still needed. After large-scale gene expression analysis, a marker panel was
      selected with the goal of optimizing the negative predictive value, and in
      indeterminate nodules, the panel may be helpful in lowering but not eliminating
      the risk of cancer. Another panel composed of gene mutations and rearrangements
      associated with thyroid cancer can improve the specificity and positive
      predictive value of preoperative FNAB, and better identify cytologically
      indeterminate nodules with a high risk of cancer. SUMMARY: Molecular diagnostic
      testing improves preoperative risk stratification for nodules that have
      indeterminate FNAB results. Although currently available tests do not yet have
      the sensitivity to reliably exclude malignancy altogether, improvements in
      specificity can be used to guide the extent of initial surgery and clinical
      management.

PMID- 24225417
TI  - The genetic-metabolic duality of cancer.

PMID- 24225418
TI  - Mission of randomness.

PMID- 24225419
TI  - Modulation in the expression of SHP-1, SHP-2 and PTP1B due to the inhibition of
      MAPKs, cAMP and neutrophils early on in the development of cerulein-induced acute
      pancreatitis in rats.
AB  - The protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) SHP-1, SHP-2 and PTP1B are overexpressed
      early on during the development of cerulein -induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in
      rats, and their levels can be modulated by some species of mitogen-activated
      protein kinases (MAPKs), the intracellular levels of cAMP and by general
      leukocyte infiltration, the latter at least for SHP-2 and PTP1B. In this study we
      show that cerulein treatment activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase
      (ERK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) but not p38 MAPK during the early phase
      of cerulein-induced AP (2h after the first injection of cerulein). Therefore, by
      using the MAPK inhibitors SP600125 (a specific JNK inhibitor) and PD98059 (a
      specific ERK inhibitor), we have unmasked the particular MAPK that underlies the
      modulation of the expression levels of these PTPs. JNK would act by preventing
      SHP-1 protein expression from increasing beyond a certain level. ERK 1/2 was the
      main MAPK involved in the increase in SHP-2 protein expression due to cerulein.
      JNK negatively modulated the SH2-domain containing PTPs. Both MAPKs played a role
      in the increase in PTP1B protein expression due to cerulein. Finally, by using
      the white blood cell inhibitors vinblastine sulfate, gadolinium chloride and
      FK506 (tacrolimus), we show that the macrophage activity or T-lymphocytes does
      not modulate the expression of any of the PTPs, although neutrophil infiltration
      was found to be a regulator of SHP-2 and PTP1B protein expression due to
      cerulein. 

PMID- 24225420
TI  - ERKed by LRRK2: a cell biological perspective on hereditary and sporadic
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - The leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2/dardarin) is implicated in autosomal
      dominant familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD); mutations in LRRK2
      account for up to 40% of PD cases in some populations. LRRK2 is a large protein
      with a kinase domain, a GTPase domain, and multiple potential protein interaction
      domains. As such, delineating the functional pathways for LRRK2 and mechanisms by
      which PD-linked variants contribute to age-related neurodegeneration could result
      in pharmaceutically tractable therapies. A growing number of recent studies
      implicate dysregulation of mitogen activated protein kinases 3 and 1 (also known
      as ERK1/2) as possible downstream mediators of mutant LRRK2 effects. As these
      master regulators of growth, differentiation, neuronal plasticity and cell
      survival have also been implicated in other PD models, a set of common cell
      biological pathways may contribute to neuronal susceptibility in PD. Here, we
      review the literature on several major cellular pathways impacted by LRRK2
      mutations--autophagy, microtubule/cytoskeletal dynamics, and protein synthesis-
      in context of potential signaling crosstalk involving the ERK1/2 and Wnt
      signaling pathways. Emerging implications for calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial
      biology and synaptic dysregulation are discussed in relation to LRRK2
      interactions with other PD gene products. It has been shown that substantia nigra
      neurons in human PD and Lewy body dementia patients exhibit cytoplasmic
      accumulations of ERK1/2 in mitochondria, autophagosomes and bundles of
      intracellular fibrils. Both experimental and human tissue data implicate
      pathogenic changes in ERK1/2 signaling in sporadic, toxin-based and mutant LRRK2
      settings, suggesting engagement of common cell biological pathways by divergent
      PD etiologies.

PMID- 24225422
TI  - Urban PM source apportionment mapping using microscopic chemical imaging.
AB  - To evaluate the health impacts of particulate matter and develop effective
      pollutant abatement strategies, one needs to know the source contributions to the
      observed concentrations. The most common approach involves the collection of
      ambient air samples on filters, laboratory analyses to quantify the chemical
      composition, and application of receptor modeling methods. This approach is
      expensive and time consuming and limits the ability to monitor the temporal and
      spatial impacts from different pollutant sources. An alternative method for
      apportioning the sources of ambient PM is the application of microscopic chemical
      imaging (MCI). The MCI method involves measuring individual particle's
      fluorescence and source attribution is based on the individual particle analysis
      coupled with identification from a source library. Using this approach, the
      apportionment of ambient PM can be performed in near real time, which allows for
      the generation of temporal and spatial maps of pollutant source impacts in an
      urban area. 

PMID- 24225423
TI  - Vertebral compression exacerbates osteoporotic pain in an ovariectomy-induced
      osteoporosis rat model.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Basic pain study using osteoporotic rodent models. OBJECTIVE: To
      examine alterations in distribution of pain-related neuropeptides after
      compressive force on osteoporotic vertebrae and their chronic pain-related
      properties. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: We previously reported significantly
      increased production of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a marker of
      inflammatory pain, in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of vertebrae in osteoporosis
      model ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Here, we hypothesized that longitudinal
      compressive force on vertebrae can affect osteoporotic pain properties, which has
      not been examined yet. METHODS: OVX rats were used as the osteoporosis model.
      Female Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared and Fluoro-Gold (FG) neurotracer was
      applied to the periosteal surface of the Co5 vertebra. After FG labeling, the
      animals were divided into 4 groups: Control, Control + compression, OVX, and OVX
      + compression. The Control groups were not ovariectomized. In the compression
      groups, K-wires were stabbed transversely through Co4 and Co6 with Co5 compressed
      longitudinally by rubber bands bridged between the 2. One, 2, 4, and 8 weeks
      after surgery, bilateral S1 to S3 DRGs were excised for immunofluorescence
      assays. Expression of CGRP and activating transcription factor 3, a marker of
      neuronal injury, were compared among the 4 groups. RESULTS: Sustained
      upregulation of CGRP in DRG neurons was observed after compression of the Co5
      vertebra, and Co5 compression caused significant increase in CGRP production in
      DRG neurons, whereas a greater level of activating transcription factor 3
      upregulation was observed in DRGs in OVX rats after dynamic vertebral compression
      8 weeks after surgery, implying potential neuropathic pain. CONCLUSION: There was
      sustained upregulation of CGRP and activating transcription factor 3 in DRGs in
      osteoporotic model rats compared with controls, and levels were further enhanced
      by dynamic vertebral compression. These findings imply that dynamic compression
      stress on vertebrae can exacerbate osteoporotic pain by inducing both
      inflammatory and neuropathic pain mediators. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

PMID- 24225421
TI  - Biofilms: an advancement in our understanding of Francisella species.
AB  - Our understanding of the virulence and pathogenesis of Francisella spp. has
      significantly advanced in recent years, including a new understanding that this
      organism can form biofilms. What is known so far about Francisella spp. biofilms
      is summarized here and future research questions are suggested. The molecular
      basis of biofilm production has begun to be studied, especially the role of
      extracellular carbohydrates and capsule, quorum sensing and two-component
      signaling systems. Further work has explored the contribution of amoebae, pili,
      outer-membrane vesicles, chitinases, and small molecules such as c-di-GMP to
      Francisella spp. biofilm formation. A role for Francisella spp. biofilm in
      feeding mosquito larvae has been suggested. As no strong role in virulence has
      been found yet, Francisella spp. biofilm formation is most likely a key mechanism
      for environmental survival and persistence. The significance and importance of
      Francisella spp.'s biofilm phenotype as a critical aspect of its microbial
      physiology is being developed. Areas for further studies include the potential
      role of Francisella spp. biofilms in the infection of mammalian hosts and
      virulence regulation. 

PMID- 24225424
TI  - Preferential scattering by interfacial charged defects for enhanced
      thermoelectric performance in few-layered n-type Bi2Te3.
AB  - Over the past two decades several nano-structuring methods have helped improve
      the figure of merit (ZT) in the state-of-the art bulk thermoelectric materials.
      While these methods could enhance the thermoelectric performance of p-type
      Bi2Te3, it was frustrating to researchers that they proved ineffective for n-type
      Bi2Te3 due to the inevitable deterioration of its thermoelectric properties in
      the basal plane. Here, we describe a novel chemical-exfoliation spark-plasma
      sintering (CE-SPS) nano-structuring process, which transforms the microstructure
      of n-type Bi2Te3 in an extraordinary manner without compromising its basal plane
      properties. The CE-SPS processing leads to preferential scattering of electrons
      at charged grain boundaries, and thereby increases the electrical conductivity
      despite the presence of numerous grain boundaries, and mitigates the bipolar
      effect via band occupancy optimization leading to an upshift (by ~ 100 K) and
      stabilization of the ZT peak over a broad temperature range of ~ 150 K.

PMID- 24225429
TI  - DPP-4 inhibition with alogliptin on top of angiotensin II type 1 receptor
      blockade ameliorates albuminuria via up-regulation of SDF-1alpha in type 2
      diabetic patients with incipient nephropathy.
AB  - Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor is a new class of anti-diabetic drug
      which exerts its glucose-lowering action by suppressing the degradation of a gut
      incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). To elucidate whether treatment
      with stronger DPP-4 inhibitor on top of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker
      (ARB) provides greater renal protective effects, we performed a crossover study
      with two DPP-4 inhibitors, sitagliptin and alogliptin, in twelve type 2 diabetic
      patients with incipient nephropathy taking ARBs. This study consisted of three
      treatment periods: sitagliptin 50 mg/day for 4 weeks (first period), alogliptin
      25 mg/day for 4 weeks (second period), and sitagliptin 50 mg/day for 4 weeks
      (third period). Significant changes in body mass index, blood pressure, serum
      lipids, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and HbA1c were
      not observed among the three treatment periods. Reduced urinary levels of albumin
      and an oxidative stress marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), increased
      urinary cAMP levels, and elevated plasma levels of stromal cell-derived factor
      1alpha (SDF-1alpha) which is a physiological substrate of DPP-4 were observed
      after the switch from sitagliptin to a stronger DPP-4 inhibitor alogliptin. Given
      a large body of evidence indicating anti-oxidative action of cAMP and up
      regulation of cellular cAMP production by SDF-1alpha, the present results suggest
      that more powerful DPP-4 inhibition on top of angiotensin II type 1 receptor
      blockade would offer additional protection against early-stage diabetic
      nephropathy beyond that attributed to glycemic control, via reduction of renal
      oxidative stress by SDF-1alpha-cAMP pathway activation. 

PMID- 24225430
TI  - Synthesis and photophysics of reverse saturable absorbing heteroleptic
      iridium(III) complexes bearing 2-(7-R-fluoren-2'-yl)pyridine ligands.
AB  - Three new heteroleptic cationic iridium(III) complexes (1-3) bearing 5,5'-bis(7
      benzothiazolylfluoren-2'-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine (N^N) and 2-(7-R-fluoren-2'
      yl)pyridine (R = H, naphthalimide, NPh2) (C^N) ligands were synthesized and
      characterized. Their photophysical properties were investigated systematically by
      UV-vis absorption, emission, and transient absorption spectroscopy, and the UV
      vis absorption spectra were simulated by time-dependent density functional theory
      (TDDFT). All complexes exhibit ligand-centered (1)pi,pi* transitions with minor
      contributions from (1)ILCT (intraligand charge transfer,
      pi(benzothiazolylfluorene) -> pi* (bpy)) and (1)MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge
      transfer, dpi(Ir) -> pi* (bpy)) transitions below 475 nm, and very weak (1,3)MLCT
      and (1,3)LLCT (ligand-to-ligand charge transfer, pi(C^N) -> pi* (bpy))
      transitions above 475 nm. Complexes 1-3 are weakly emissive in fluid solution at
      room temperature and in glassy matrix at 77 K. The emission of 2 in toluene
      solution is possibly dominated by the substituted bipyridine ligand-localized
      (3)pi,pi* emission, while 1 and 3 likely exhibit (3)MLCT/(3)LLCT dominated
      emission in toluene solution. All complexes possess relatively strong triplet
      transient absorption (TA) from visible to NIR region, where reverse saturable
      absorption (RSA) could occur. Nonlinear transmission experiments at 532 nm using
      ns laser pulses demonstrate that all three complexes exhibit strong RSA, with the
      RSA strength following this trend: 1 >3 > 2. The different substituents on the
      fluorenyl groups of the C^N ligands alter the energy and lifetime of the lowest
      singlet and triplet excited states. They also affect the ground-state and excited
      state absorption characteristics. The differences in the ratio of the excited
      state absorption to that of the ground state and the triplet excited-state
      quantum yield result in the different degrees of RSA. Complexes 1-3 are strong
      reverse saturable absorbers at 532 nm and could potentially be used as broadband
      nonlinear absorbing materials.

PMID- 24225431
TI  - Activity-based diubiquitin probes for elucidating the linkage specificity of
      deubiquitinating enzymes.
AB  - We report a new class of deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) probes that resemble the
      native diubiquitin with a same linkage size and contain a Michael addition
      acceptor for trapping the DUB active-site cysteine. Both K63- and K48-linked
      diubiquitin probes were generated using a facile chemical ligation method. The
      diUb probes were demonstrated to label DUBs from different families and revealed
      intrinsic linkage specificities of DUBs. 

PMID- 24225432
TI  - Water VBAC: exploring a new frontier for women's autonomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: although Vaginal Birth After Caesarean section (VBAC) has been
      promoted successfully as one means of reducing the caesarean section rate, the
      practice of VBAC using water immersion (Water VBAC) is restricted. Very little
      valid, reliable research evidence is available on this birth method, although
      initial small-scale audits indicate that Water VBAC has no adverse effect on
      maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHOD: in-depth semi-structured interviews were
      carried out with a purposive sample of eight women who had undergone Water VBAC
      in one midwife-led unit. The interviews aimed to explore their reasons for
      requesting this birthing method, and their experience of the process. An
      interpretative phenomenological analytical approach was adopted. FINDINGS: the
      women pursued Water VBAC for two main reasons: in order to prevent a repeat of
      the obstetric events that previously led to a caesarean section, and to
      counteract their previous negative birth experiences. The women reported improved
      physical and psychological outcomes from their Water VBAC experience when
      compared with their previous experience of caesarean section. Three main themes
      emerged: 'minimising', 'maximising' and 'managing'. Water VBAC entailed an
      attempt to minimise the medicalisation of the women's childbirth experience. This
      was achieved by limiting medical staff input in favour of midwife-led care, which
      was believed to minimise negative physical and psychological experiences.
      Correspondingly, Water VBAC was perceived as maximising physical and
      psychological benefits, and as a means of allowing women to obtain choice and
      assert control over their labour and birth. The women planning a Water VBAC
      believed they had to manage the potential risks associated with Water VBAC, as
      well as manage the expectations and behaviour of friends, family and the health
      care professionals involved in their care. CONCLUSIONS: for the women
      participating in this research, actively pursuing Water VBAC constituted a means
      of asserting their autonomy over the childbirth process. The value accorded to
      being able to exercise choice and control over their childbearing experience was
      high. These women's accounts indicated that information-giving and shared
      decision-making require improvement, and that inconsistencies in the attitudes of
      health care professionals need to be addressed.

PMID- 24225434
TI  - The utility of Criterion A under chronic national terror.
AB  - According to DSM-IV-TR, both an objective and a subjective exposure component (A1
      and A2 criteria, respectively) are required in order to qualify for a
      Posttraumatic stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. one proposed DSM-5 change is that
      Criterion A be more explicitly defined and made purely objective. the DSM and the
      ICD appear to be largely products of the north american and european societies
      and, therefore, may be culturally-biased. Compared with other societies, the
      latter are not exposed to chronic national traumatic stress. therefore, the
      current structure of Criterion A may be especially relevant to single traumatic
      incidents, rather than to chronic national scale. the current review raises the
      question of whether the proposed DSM-5 changes to Criterion A are congruent with
      the reality of nations where exposure to terror is persistent, constant and of
      national proportions.

PMID- 24225433
TI  - Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral protein R (Vpr) induces CCL5 expression
      in astrocytes via PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurocognitive impairments remain prevalent in HIV-1 infected
      individuals despite current antiretroviral therapies. It is increasingly becoming
      evident that astrocytes play a critical role in HIV-1 neuropathogenesis through
      the production of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. HIV-1 viral protein R
      (Vpr) plays an important role in neuronal dysfunction; however, its role in
      neuroinflammation is not well characterized. The major objective of this study
      was to determine the effect of Vpr in induction of proinflammatory chemokine CCL5
      in astrocytes and to define the underlying mechanism(s). METHODS: SVGA astrocytes
      were either mock transfected or were transfected with a plasmid encoding HIV-1
      Vpr, and the cells were harvested at different time intervals. The mRNA level of
      CCL5 expression was quantified using real-time RT-PCR, and cell culture
      supernatants were assayed for CCL5 protein concentration. Immunocytochemistry was
      performed on HIV-1 Vpr transfected astrocytes to check CCL5 expression. Various
      signaling mechanisms such as p38 MAPK, PI3K/Akt, NF-kappaB and AP-1 were explored
      using specific chemical inhibitors and siRNAs. RESULTS: HIV-1 Vpr transfected
      astrocytes exhibited time-dependent induction of CCL5 as compared to mock
      transfected astrocytes at both the mRNA and protein level. Immunostained images
      of astrocytes transfected with HIV-1 Vpr also showed much higher accumulation of
      CCL5 in comparison to untransfected and mock-transfected astrocytes. Pre
      treatment with NF-kappaB (SC514) and PI3K/Akt (LY294002) inhibitor partially
      abrogated CCL5 mRNA and protein expression levels as opposed to untreated
      controls after HIV-1 Vpr transfection. Specific siRNAs against p50 and p65
      subunits of NF-kappaB, p38delta MAPK, Akt-2 and Akt-3, and AP-1 transcription
      factor substantially inhibited the production of CCL5 in HIV-1 Vpr transfected
      astrocytes. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the ability of HIV-1 Vpr to
      induce CCL5 in astrocytes in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, this effect
      was observed to be mediated by transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 and
      involved the p38-MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathway.

PMID- 24225435
TI  - Elaboration on posttraumatic stress disorder diagnostic criteria: a factor
      analytic study of PTSD exposure to war or terror.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In societies facing prolonged exposure to war and terror, empirical
      research provides mixed support for the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
      symptom clusters groupings identified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
      (DSM-IV-TR) as re-experiencing the event, avoidance and emotional numbing, and
      hyperarousal. METHOD: This study examines the validity of the PTSD symptom
      clusters in elements of Israeli society exposed to man-made trauma. Survivors
      (N=2,198) of seven different war and terror-related traumas were assessed using a
      DSM-IV-TR based PTSD inventory. Four confirmatory factor analytic models were
      compared. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The most acceptable model was a correlated model
      consisting of four factors of re-experiencing, avoidance, emotional numbing, and
      hyperarousal. DSM-IV-TR avoidance empirically split into active avoidance and
      emotional numbing. These results corroborate knowledge and suggest that in
      Israel, where stressors are ongoing, the PTSD symptom clusters may be
      reformulated in DSM-5 to consist of re-experiencing, active avoidance, emotional
      numbing and hyperarousal.

PMID- 24225436
TI  - PTSD, resilience and posttraumatic growth among ex-prisoners of war and combat
      veterans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Past studies have shown that adversity may yield various salutogenic
      outcomes. two constructs that have been at the center of this scientific
      investigation are resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG). the present study
      aims to clarify the relations between posttraumatic stress symptoms, resilience
      and PTG among israeli war veterans. METHOD: the sample includes former prisoners
      of war (ex-POWs) (n=103) and comparable veterans (n=106) of the 1973 Yom Kippur
      War. the veterans were assessed twice: 18 and 30 years after the war with self
      report questionnaires. RESULTS: resilience, defined as the absence of
      posttraumatic symptoms, and PTG are negatively correlated. resilient ex- POWs and
      veterans reported the lowest levels of PTG when compared to participants
      diagnosed with clinical and sub-clinical posttraumatic stress disorder (PtSd).
      Furthermore, PTG dimensions were found to be the most differentiating factor
      between study groups, followed by war exposure measures and clinical reports of
      depression and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: this study strengthens the
      understanding that combatants who report high-level PtSd symptoms also report
      higher levels of positive psychological changes in the face of severe adversity.

PMID- 24225437
TI  - A longitudinal study of changes in psychological responses to continuous
      terrorism.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The impact of ongoing terror over time has received little attention.
      This study assesses longitudinally prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic
      stress symptoms' trajectories, namely resistance, resilience, late-onset and
      chronicity in the course of intensive and ongoing terror. METHOD: Two surveys
      were performed at a two-year interval among 153 Jewish Israeli adults. RESULTS:
      Results show probable PTSD prevalence, number of traumatic stress related
      symptoms (TSRS), and rate of severe posttraumatic symptomatology (PTSS) to
      increase over time (from 18.2% to 31.2%). With this, many (66.7% of those with
      PTSD and 39.3% of those with PTSS at wave 1) recovered. Late-onset of severe PTSS
      (19.6% of the sample) was predicted by income reduction, a major lifetime
      traumatic event, sense of threat, dissociation, coping via disengagement and low
      mood. Chronicity was predicted by sense of threat, pessimism, dissociation and
      disengagement. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous exposure to terror has a strong negative
      impact on mental health. Secondly, even within a chronic situation of terror, a
      large proportion of individuals with elevated levels of posttraumatic
      symptomatology recover over time; third, prolonged exposure to terror may also
      exacerbate symptomatology, but not per-se trigger new PTSD cases.

PMID- 24225438
TI  - Sense of coherence and sense of community as coping resources of religious
      adolescents before and after the disengagement from the Gaza Strip.
AB  - In August 2005, all of the Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip were permanently
      evacuated, implementing a political decision of the Israeli government. Employing
      the salutogenic approach, this study explores individual and community coping
      resources - sense of coherence and sense of community - among adolescents who
      were displaced from their homes. We examined the way these coping resources
      operated in three stages: before the disengagement from Gaza, a few months after
      the event, and five years after the disengagement. Data were gathered among
      religious adolescents who had grown up in small Jewish communities in the Gaza
      Strip. Adolescents aged 12-18 filled out self-reported questionnaires, evaluating
      state anxiety and state anger as stress reactions, and sense of coherence and
      sense of community as coping resources. Results suggest that both sense of
      coherence and sense of community were weakened immediately after the
      disengagement. However, sense of coherence has recovered five years after the
      event. Furthermore, during the two stages after the disengagement, sense of
      coherence and sense of community had more explanatory power of stress reactions
      than during the acute state. Results are discussed against the backdrop of the
      salutogenic model, including practical implications for different interventions
      which should be applied in various states of stress. 

PMID- 24225439
TI  - Trauma and psychological distress observed in journalists: a comparison of
      Israeli journalists and their Western counterparts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence on how reporting war influences
      journalists' psychological wellbeing. A significant minority of journalists may
      develop symptoms of emotional distress; however it is unclear whether the type
      and amount of distress differs between those journalists who report from
      potentially dangerous areas within their own country compared to those who do so
      from war zones in other countries. METHOD: We compared indices of psychological
      health in 38 Israeli journalists with 38 Western journalists whose careers have
      been defined by work in war zones. RESULTS: While both groups reported high
      levels of exposure to traumatic events, there were no significant differences in
      frequency or type of exposure between the groups. Western journalists reported
      more frequent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intrusion-type symptoms and
      drank more alcohol while Israeli journalists reported higher levels of
      depression, anxiety and somatic distress. CONCLUSION: This pattern of results
      suggests that social circumstances and environmental factors may influence how
      different groups of individuals respond to traumatic events.

PMID- 24225440
TI  - Ethical considerations during times of conflict: challenges and pitfalls for the
      psychiatrist.
AB  - Despite the advances of civilization, conflict remains in many areas around the
      world. Often psychiatry finds itself playing an essential role in dealing with
      the consequences of conflict or influencing the process. Along with this
      involvement comes great responsibility as well as many associated ethical
      dilemmas. Although bound by professional medical oaths, many physicians disregard
      fundamental medical ethical principles during times of conflict and situations of
      "dual loyalty." The phenomenon should be addressed so that ethical awareness and
      sensitivity to these issues are nurtured. Important factors for psychiatrists
      during times of conflict to consider include their "social contract" with the
      community, dangers of boundary violations, the ethics of media contact,
      involvement in governmental and political activities and confidentiality. In
      addition, their role in conflict resolution and unique ethical considerations in
      the military should be considered. While as regular citizens, psychiatrists in
      their individual capacity may involve themselves in political activism, at an
      organizational level it should be discouraged. A physician's skills should only
      be exploited to save lives and provide comfort as entrusted by society, and any
      other pursuit, even in the name of the state, should be proscribed. Rather than
      engage in political activism, psychiatrists can promote the rights of patients,
      especially if these rights are limited during conflict. Responsibility and
      ethically-driven commitment needs to be primary for the psychiatrist who involves
      himself either directly or indirectly with patients during times of conflict.
      Trauma and its effects during conflict should be addressed without any unbalanced
      attention to pathological responses. 

PMID- 24225441
TI  - On the links between religion, mental health and inter-religious conflict: a
      brief summary of empirical research.
AB  - Recently, the field of psychology has begun to display a growing interest in the
      influence of religion on people's psychological well-being. By and large, the
      empirical findings of this body of inquiry have revealed positive associations
      between religious beliefs and practices and different indices of health and well
      being and demonstrated that religion serves as a valuable tool for individuals
      dealing with life stressors. Yet, there is ample data to suggest that religion
      can also have a negative influence on the psychological well-being of the
      individual. This duality of religion is the focus of this summary paper which
      consists of two main sections. The first considers the potential constructive and
      destructive sides of religion with regard to general health and well- being. The
      second section refers to religious variables that promote or mitigate prejudice
      and perceived conflict with others.

PMID- 24225443
TI  - Ultrasound-guided atlanto-occipital puncture for cerebrospinal fluid analysis on
      the standing horse.
AB  - The atlanto-occipital site (AO) is convenient for retrieving an adequate volume
      and quality of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the diagnosis of neurological disease
      in horses. However, general anaesthesia is not always possible for horses
      displaying severe neurological signs, or for economical reasons. The objectives
      of the present work were to determine the feasibility and safety of ultrasound
      guided CSF puncture at the AO site on the standing horse. Seven horses (six
      healthy and one mildly ataxic) were sedated with acepromazine (0.02 mg/kg
      bodyweight intravenously or 0.04 mg/kg bodyweight intramuscularly) and detomidine
      (0.01 mg/kg bodyweight intravenously), and placed in stocks or in a recovery
      stall with the head kept on a headstand. Puncture was performed by
      ultrasonographic guidance with a parasagittal technique, as previously described,
      using a 20 g, 3.5 inch spinal needle. In all horses, no adverse reaction was
      observed when crossing the dura mater and 20 ml of CSF was rapidly retrieved
      without any blood contamination. Ultrasound-guided CSF puncture can be performed
      easily at the AO site on a healthy standing horse. Regarding the potential risk
      of this procedure, safety measures and close observation are essential. Further
      studies on a larger amount of ataxic horses are also required before considering
      this technique as an alternative option for CSF puncture. 

PMID- 24225444
TI  - Measuring the quality of vision after cataract surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to report some of the latest
      advances in visual acuity measurements and to review key articles on quality of
      visual after cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Different quality of life instruments were used in the most recent
      studies and showed improvements in subjective quality of vision after cataract
      surgery with or without ocular comorbidities and independent of the type of IOL
      implanted. The use of multifocal IOLs improved near vision without any adverse
      effect on distance acuity. Contrast sensitivity was lower in patients with
      multifocal IOLs. Femtosecond laser cataract surgery increased predictability of
      the steps involved in cataract surgery but has a definite learning curve
      associated with an initial high rate of complications. Toric IOLs showed
      significant improvement in uncorrected distant visual acuity with low amount of
      decentration and wavefront error. Incorporating the testing of visual acuity in
      real-life scenarios that patients encounter routinely using automated instruments
      promises to transform visual assessment in a rapid manner that can be integrated
      into clinical practice. SUMMARY: Visual outcomes of cataract surgery with IOL
      implantation generally yield highly satisfactory results. Newer cataract surgery
      technology has emerged in an era wherein patients are demanding excellent visual
      results. Changes in the way we normally assess routine visual acuities should be
      implemented. We have introduced testing of visual acuity in timed, real-life
      scenarios that patients encounter daily, in an automated instrument, which may
      help us better document patient's complaints and surgical outcomes.

PMID- 24225442
TI  - Caspase-mediated activation of Caenorhabditis elegans CED-8 promotes apoptosis
      and phosphatidylserine externalization.
AB  - During apoptosis, phosphatidylserine (PS), normally restricted to the inner
      leaflet of the plasma membrane, is exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells and
      serves as an 'eat-me' signal to trigger phagocytosis. It is poorly understood how
      PS exposure is activated in apoptotic cells. Here we report that CED-8, a
      Caenorhabditis elegans protein implicated in controlling the kinetics of
      apoptosis and a homologue of the XK family proteins, is a substrate of the CED-3
      caspase. Cleavage of CED-8 by CED-3 activates its proapoptotic function and
      generates a carboxyl-terminal cleavage product, acCED-8, that promotes PS
      externalization in apoptotic cells and can induce ectopic PS exposure in living
      cells. Consistent with its role in promoting PS externalization in apoptotic
      cells, ced-8 is important for cell corpse engulfment in C. elegans. Our finding
      identifies a crucial link between caspase activation and PS externalization,
      which triggers phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. 

PMID- 24225445
TI  - Cadherin AdCad1 in Alphitobius diaperinus larvae is a receptor of Cry3Bb toxin
      from Bacillus thuringiensis.
AB  - Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry proteins are used as components of biopesticides
      or expressed in transgenic crops to control diverse insect pests worldwide. These
      Cry toxins bind to receptors on the midgut brush border membrane and kill
      enterocytes culminating in larval mortality. Cadherin proteins have been
      identified as Cry toxin receptors in diverse lepidopteran, coleopteran, and
      dipteran species. In the present work we report a 185 kDa cadherin (AdCad1) from
      larvae of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) larvae as the first
      identified receptor for Cry3Bb toxin. The AdCad1 protein contains typical
      structural components for Cry toxin receptor cadherins, including nine cadherin
      repeats (CR9), a membrane-proximal extracellular domain (MPED) and a cytosolic
      region. Peptides corresponding to the CR9 and MPED regions bound Cry3Bb toxin
      with high affinities (23 nM and 40 nM) and significantly synergized Cry3Bb
      toxicity against A. diperinus larvae. Silencing of AdCad1 expression through RNA
      interference resulted in highly reduced susceptibility to Cry3Bb in A. diperinus
      larvae. The CR9 peptide fed with toxin to RNAi-treated larvae restored Cry3Bb
      toxicity. These results are evidences that AdCad1 is a functional receptor of
      Cry3Bb toxin and that exogenously fed CR9 peptide can overcome the effect of
      reduced AdCad1expression on Cry3Bb toxicity to larvae.

PMID- 24225446
TI  - Painfully obvious: a longitudinal examination of medical use and misuse of opioid
      medication among adolescent sports participants.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this longitudinal study was to assess the prevalence of
      medical use, medical misuse, and non-medical use of opioid medication among
      adolescents who participate in organized sports. METHODS: Data for this study
      were taken from the Secondary Student Life Survey. A total of 1,540 adolescents
      participated in three waves of data collection occurring between the 2009-2010
      and 2011-2012 school years, with 82% of the baseline sample completing all three
      waves. RESULTS: Using generalized estimating equation models to analyze the
      longitudinal data, it was found that male adolescents who participated in
      organized sports during each wave of the Secondary Student Life Survey had higher
      odds of being prescribed an opioid medication (i.e., medical use) during the past
      year (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-2.82),
      higher odds of past-year medical misuse of opioid medication as a result of
      taking too much (AOR, 10.5; 95% CI, 2.42-45.5), and higher odds of past-year
      medical misuse of opioid medication to get high (AOR, 4.01; 95% CI, 1.13-14.2)
      compared with males who did not participate in organized sports during the study
      period. Among females, no association was found between participation in
      organized sports and medical use, medical misuse, and non-medical use of opioid
      medication. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that adolescent males
      who participate in sports may have greater access to opioid medication, which
      puts them at greater risk to misuse these controlled substances.

PMID- 24225448
TI  - Oxytocin decreases accuracy in the perception of social deception.

PMID- 24225447
TI  - The effects of bedtime and sleep duration on academic and emotional outcomes in a
      nationally representative sample of adolescents.
AB  - PURPOSE: The overall aim of this study was to clarify and better characterize the
      sleep/circadian patterns of adolescents in a nationally representative sample.
      METHODS: We used three waves of data from the National Longitudinal Study of
      Adolescent Health to assess sleep/circadian patterns of 2,700 adolescents in
      grades seven through 12. RESULTS: Late school year bedtime was associated with
      shorter total sleep time cross-sectionally, whereas late summertime bedtime was
      not. Moreover, late school year bedtime was not associated with late summertime
      bedtime cross-sectionally. Late school year bedtime in Wave I (1994-1995) was
      associated with worse educational outcomes and emotional distress 6-8 years
      later. In addition, late summertime bedtime in Wave II (1996) was associated with
      more emotional distress at Wave III (2001-2002). Short total sleep time was not
      associated longitudinally with changes in emotional and academic functioning.
      Across Waves I and II, more than three quarters of adolescents who went to sleep
      at 11:15 a.m. or later during the school year or 1:30 a.m. or later during the
      summer reported sleeping fewer than the recommended 9 hours. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings underscore the significance of evaluating and monitoring bedtime in
      adolescents and the importance of intervention strategies that target bedtimes in
      an effort to reduce associated functional impairments, and improve academic and
      emotional outcomes.

PMID- 24225449
TI  - Plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids reflect intakes of saturated and n-6 PUFA
      within a similar time frame.
AB  - Erythrocytes, compared with plasma, are considered more robust markers of n-3
      (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake, because dietary-induced
      change in fatty acid (FA) composition takes longer to complete. The extent to
      which this applies to intakes of saturated fatty acid (SFA) or n-6 PUFA is
      unclear. We compared the pattern of change over time in the fatty acid
      composition of plasma, erythrocyte, buccal cell, and adipose tissue lipids when
      changing between diets high in SFA or n-6 PUFA. Twenty-four (n = 7 male) healthy
      participants were instructed to consume either an SFA-rich (18% energy) or n-6
      PUFA-rich (10% energy) diet for 8 wk before crossing over, without washout, to
      the alternate diet. The FA composition of plasma triacylglycerol (TG),
      nonesterified FAs, cholesterol ester, total phospholipids, erythrocyte total
      phospholipids, erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine, and buccal cell total
      phospholipids was measured every 2 wk and adipose tissue TG every 4 wk during the
      16-wk intervention. Linoleic acid composition of plasma, erythrocyte, and buccal
      cell lipids increased (P < 0.01) during the first 2 wk of the n-6 PUFA diet and
      remained unchanged during the remaining 6 wk. During the 8-wk SFA diet, the same
      pattern of change over time occurred for the pentadecanoic acid composition of
      plasma and erythrocyte lipids; however, the pentadecanoic acid composition of
      buccal cell lipids did not differ between the diet periods. There were no
      differences in linoleic or pentadecanoic acid composition of adipose tissue TG.
      These results suggest plasma and erythrocyte FAs reflect intakes of SFA and n-6
      PUFA over a similar period of time.

PMID- 24225450
TI  - Daidzein supplementation decreases serum triglyceride and uric acid
      concentrations in hypercholesterolemic adults with the effect on triglycerides
      being greater in those with the GA compared with the GG genotype of ESR-beta
      RsaI.
AB  - Daidzein (one of the major isoflavones) can be metabolized to equol in certain
      individuals. The effects of isoflavones alone and equol status on lipid profiles
      are still controversial. To evaluate the 6-mo effects of daidzein on
      cardiovascular risk factors in hypercholesterolemic individuals and the
      interactions of these effects with equol status and estrogen receptor (ESR)
      genotypes, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
      consisting of 210 hypercholesterolemic adults (40-65 y old). The participants
      were randomly assigned (177 completed) to consume placebo, 40 mg daidzein
      (DAI40), or 80 mg daidzein (DAI80) daily for 6 mo. Daidzein decreased serum
      triglycerides (TGs) by 0.15 +/- 0.62 mmol/L (mean +/- SD) and 0.24 +/- 0.61
      mmol/L and decreased serum uric acid by 23 +/- 47 MUmol/L and 29 +/- 44 MUmol/L
      in the DAI40 and DAI80 groups, respectively. These reductions in the DAI40 and
      DAI80 groups were greater than those in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Other blood
      lipids, glucose, insulin, or glycated hemoglobin did not significantly change
      after daidzein treatment. No dose-dependent effects of daidzein were found. The
      reduction of TGs was influenced by the ESR genotype, with a greater effect
      observed in participants with the GA genotype compared with those with the GG
      genotype of ESR-beta RsaI. These effects were not influenced by equol status. Six
      month supplementation of daidzein significantly decreased TGs and uric acid. ESR
      beta RsaI genotype, not equol status, influenced daidzein's effects on TGs.
      Daidzein consumption may be effective to improve cardiovascular risk factors,
      especially in adults with the GA genotype of ESR-beta RsaI. This trial was
      registered at the Chinese clinical trial registry as ChiCTR-TRC-10001048.

PMID- 24225451
TI  - Absorbed zinc and exchangeable zinc pool size are greater in Pakistani infants
      receiving traditional complementary foods with zinc-fortified micronutrient
      powder.
AB  - Adequacy of zinc intake from breast milk alone becomes marginal in relation to
      infant requirements by around 6 mo of age. Simple and cost-effective strategies
      are needed at the population level to ensure adequate intakes of zinc in infants
      and toddlers in populations at risk of zinc deficiency. We determined the amount
      of absorbed zinc (AZ) from a micronutrient powder (MNP) without and with 10 mg of
      zinc (MNP+Zn) added to local complementary foods used in Pakistan and the impact
      on the exchangeable zinc pool (EZP) size. As a nested study within a large,
      prospective, cluster randomized trial, 6-mo-old infants were randomly assigned to
      receive MNP or MNP+Zn. Stable isotope methodology was applied after ~3 and 9 mo
      of use to measure AZ from MNP-fortified test meals of rice-lentils (khitchri) and
      EZP. Nineteen infants per group completed the first metabolic studies and 14 and
      17 infants in the MNP and MNP+Zn groups, respectively, completed the follow-up
      studies. AZs were (mean +/- SD) 0.1 +/- 0.1 and 1.2 +/- 0.5 mg at the first point
      for the MNP and MNP+Zn groups, respectively (P < 0.001); results were nearly
      identical at the follow-up measurement. EZP did not differ between groups at the
      first measurement but was less in the MNP group (3.7 +/- 0.6 mg/kg) than in the
      MNP+Zn group (4.5 +/- 1.0 mg/kg) at the second measurement (P = 0.01). These data
      confirm that the MNP+Zn in khitchri were well absorbed and after 1 y of home
      fortification, zinc status assessed by EZP was significantly better for the
      MNP+Zn group. Additional field studies may be necessary to ascertain the adequacy
      of this dose for infants at high risk of deficiency. This trial was registered at
      ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00705445.

PMID- 24225452
TI  - Female rhesus macaques discriminate unfamiliar paternal sisters in playback
      experiments: support for acoustic phenotype matching.
AB  - Widespread evidence exists that when relatives live together, kinship plays a
      central role in shaping the evolution of social behaviour. Previous studies
      showed that female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) recognize familiar maternal
      kin using vocal cues. Recognizing paternal kin might, however, be more difficult
      as rhesus females mate promiscuously during the possible conception period, most
      probably concealing paternity. Behavioural observations indicate that semi free
      ranging female rhesus macaques prefer to associate with their paternal half
      sisters in comparison to unrelated females within the same group, particularly
      when born within the same age cohort. However, the cues and mechanism/s used in
      paternal kin discrimination remain under debate. Here, we investigated whether
      female rhesus macaques use the acoustic modality to discriminate between paternal
      half-sisters and non-kin, and tested familiarity and phenotype matching as the
      underlying mechanisms. We found that test females responded more often to calls
      of paternal half-sisters compared with calls of unrelated females, and that this
      discrimination ability was independent of the level of familiarity between
      callers and test females, which provides, to our knowledge, the first evidence
      for acoustic phenotype matching. Our study strengthens the evidence that female
      rhesus macaques can recognize their paternal kin, and that vocalizations are used
      as a cue. 

PMID- 24225454
TI  - Why is timing of bird migration advancing when individuals are not?
AB  - Recent advances in spring arrival dates have been reported in many migratory
      species but the mechanism driving these advances is unknown. As population
      declines are most widely reported in species that are not advancing migration,
      there is an urgent need to identify the mechanisms facilitating and constraining
      these advances. Individual plasticity in timing of migration in response to
      changing climatic conditions is commonly proposed to drive these advances but
      plasticity in individual migratory timings is rarely observed. For a shorebird
      population that has significantly advanced migration in recent decades, we show
      that individual arrival dates are highly consistent between years, but that the
      arrival dates of new recruits to the population are significantly earlier now
      than in previous years. Several mechanisms could drive advances in recruit
      arrival, none of which require individual plasticity or rapid evolution of
      migration timings. In particular, advances in nest-laying dates could result in
      advanced recruit arrival, if benefits of early hatching facilitate early
      subsequent spring migration. This mechanism could also explain why arrival dates
      of short-distance migrants, which generally return to breeding sites earlier and
      have greater scope for advance laying, are advancing more rapidly than long
      distance migrants. 

PMID- 24225455
TI  - Alternative mating tactics in the yellow dung fly: resolving mechanisms of small
      male advantage off pasture.
AB  - Recent work suggests that the yellow dung fly mating system may include
      alternative patroller-competitor mating tactics in which large males compete for
      gravid females on dung, whereas small, non-competitive males search for females
      at foraging sites. Small males obtain most matings off pasture, yet the
      behavioural mechanism(s) giving rise to this pattern are unknown. We investigated
      the male and female behaviours that determine mating success in this environment
      by conducting field mating experiments and found small males to benefit from
      several attributes specific to the off-pasture mating environment. First, small
      males from foraging sites exhibited higher mating propensity, indicating that
      large males away from dung may be depleted of energy and/or sperm. Second, small
      males were more discriminating, being significantly less likely to attempt with
      non-gravid females, which are absent on dung but common off pasture. Third, non
      gravid females were generally more likely to actively struggle and reject mating
      attempts; however, such behaviours occurred disproportionately more often with
      large males. Female Scathophaga stercoraria thus appear to preferentially mate
      with small males when off pasture. These findings challenge assumptions about
      male-female interactions in systems with alternative mating tactics and reveal
      hidden processes that may influence selection patterns in the field. 

PMID- 24225453
TI  - Correlations in the population structure of music, genes and language.
AB  - We present, to our knowledge, the first quantitative evidence that music and
      genes may have coevolved by demonstrating significant correlations between
      traditional group-level folk songs and mitochondrial DNA variation among nine
      indigenous populations of Taiwan. These correlations were of comparable magnitude
      to those between language and genes for the same populations, although music and
      language were not significantly correlated with one another. An examination of
      population structure for genetics showed stronger parallels to music than to
      language. Overall, the results suggest that music might have a sufficient time
      depth to retrace ancient population movements and, additionally, that it might be
      capturing different aspects of population history than language. Music may
      therefore have the potential to serve as a novel marker of human migrations to
      complement genes, language and other markers. 

PMID- 24225456
TI  - Marine mollusc predator-escape behaviour altered by near-future carbon dioxide
      levels.
AB  - Ocean acidification poses a range of threats to marine invertebrates; however,
      the potential effects of rising carbon dioxide (CO2) on marine invertebrate
      behaviour are largely unknown. Marine gastropod conch snails have a modified foot
      and operculum allowing them to leap backwards rapidly when faced with a predator,
      such as a venomous cone shell. Here, we show that projected near-future seawater
      CO2 levels (961 uatm) impair this escape behaviour during a predator-prey
      interaction. Elevated-CO2 halved the number of snails that jumped from the
      predator, increased their latency to jump and altered their escape trajectory.
      Physical ability to jump was not affected by elevated-CO2 indicating instead that
      decision-making was impaired. Antipredator behaviour was fully restored by
      treatment with gabazine, a GABA antagonist of some invertebrate nervous systems,
      indicating potential interference of neurotransmitter receptor function by
      elevated-CO2, as previously observed in marine fishes. Altered behaviour of
      marine invertebrates at projected future CO2 levels could have potentially far
      reaching implications for marine ecosystems. 

PMID- 24225457
TI  - Differential allocation in a lekking bird: females lay larger eggs and are more
      likely to have male chicks when they mate with less related males.
AB  - The differential allocation hypothesis predicts increased investment in offspring
      when females mate with high-quality males. Few studies have tested whether
      investment varies with mate relatedness, despite evidence that non-additive gene
      action influences mate and offspring genetic quality. We tested whether female
      lekking lance-tailed manakins (Chiroxiphia lanceolata) adjust offspring sex and
      egg volume in response to mate attractiveness (annual reproductive success, ARS),
      heterozygosity and relatedness. Across 968 offspring, the probability of being
      male decreased with increasing parental relatedness but not father ARS or
      heterozygosity. This correlation tended to diminish with increasing lay-date.
      Across 162 offspring, egg volume correlated negatively with parental relatedness
      and varied with lay-date, but was unrelated to father ARS or heterozygosity.
      Offspring sex and egg size were unrelated to maternal age. Comparisons of
      maternal half-siblings in broods with no mortality produced similar results,
      indicating differential allocation rather than covariation between female quality
      and relatedness or sex-specific inbreeding depression in survival. As males
      suffer greater inbreeding depression, overproducing females after mating with
      related males may reduce fitness costs of inbreeding in a system with no
      inbreeding avoidance, while biasing the sex of outbred offspring towards males
      may maximize fitness via increased mating success of outbred sons. 

PMID- 24225458
TI  - Large-scale distribution of hybridogenetic lineages in a Spanish desert ant.
AB  - Recently, a unique case of hybridogenesis at a social level was reported in local
      populations of the desert ants Cataglyphis. Queens mate with males originating
      from a different genetic lineage than their own to produce hybrid workers, but
      they use parthenogenesis for the production of reproductive offspring (males and
      females). As a result, non-reproductive workers are all inter-lineage hybrids,
      whereas the sexual line is purely maternal. Here, we show that this unorthodox
      reproductive system occurs in all populations of the ant Cataglyphis hispanica.
      Remarkably, workers are hybrids of the same two genetic lineages along a 400 km
      transect crossing the whole distribution range of the species. These results
      indicate that social hybridogenesis in C. hispanica allows their maintenance over
      time and across a large geographical scale of two highly divergent genetic
      lineages, despite their constant hybridization. The widespread distribution of
      social hybridogenesis in C. hispanica supports that this reproductive strategy
      has been evolutionarily conserved over a long period. 

PMID- 24225459
TI  - Cephalo-traumatic secretion transfer in a hermaphrodite sea slug.
AB  - Mating rituals in the animal kingdom are often quite extraordinary, in particular
      when mating is traumatic. We here describe the exceptional traumatic mating
      behaviour of the currently undescribed sea slug, Siphopteron sp. 1. Similar to
      four congeners, Siphopteron sp. 1 routinely exhibits traumatic secretion transfer
      through a stylet-like penis appendage. Contrary to previous descriptions,
      however, prostate secretions are injected centrally into the partner's forehead,
      representing, to our knowledge, the first-known instance of 'cephalo-traumatic
      secretion transfer'. We further provide a comparative quantification of within-
      and between-species variation in injection sites and derive a potential
      neurophysiological function of prostate secretions that are injected close to, or
      into, the central nervous system. 

PMID- 24225460
TI  - Why not lie? Costs enforce honesty in an experimental signalling game.
AB  - Communication depends on reliability. Yet, the existence of stable honest
      signalling presents an evolutionary puzzle. Why should animals signal honestly in
      the face of a conflict of interest? While students of animal signalling have
      offered several theoretical answers to this puzzle, the most widely studied
      model, commonly called the 'handicap principle', postulates that the costs of
      signals stabilize honesty. This model is the motivating force behind an enormous
      research enterprise that explores signal costs--whether they are physiological,
      immunological, neural, developmental or caloric. While there can be no question
      that many signals are costly, we lack definitive experimental evidence
      demonstrating that costs stabilize honesty. This study presents a laboratory
      signalling game using blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) that provides, to our
      knowledge, the first experimental evidence showing honesty persists when costs
      are high and disappears when costs are low.

PMID- 24225461
TI  - Sociality influences cultural complexity.
AB  - Archaeological and ethnohistorical evidence suggests a link between a
      population's size and structure, and the diversity or sophistication of its
      toolkits or technologies. Addressing these patterns, several evolutionary models
      predict that both the size and social interconnectedness of populations can
      contribute to the complexity of its cultural repertoire. Some models also predict
      that a sudden loss of sociality or of population will result in subsequent losses
      of useful skills/technologies. Here, we test these predictions with two
      experiments that permit learners to access either one or five models (teachers).
      Experiment 1 demonstrates that naive participants who could observe five models,
      integrate this information and generate increasingly effective skills (using an
      image editing tool) over 10 laboratory generations, whereas those with access to
      only one model show no improvement. Experiment 2, which began with a generation
      of trained experts, shows how learners with access to only one model lose skills
      (in knot-tying) more rapidly than those with access to five models. In the final
      generation of both experiments, all participants with access to five models
      demonstrate superior skills to those with access to only one model. These results
      support theoretical predictions linking sociality to cumulative cultural
      evolution. 

PMID- 24225462
TI  - Social status and personality: stability in social state can promote consistency
      of behavioural responses.
AB  - Stability of 'state' has been suggested as an underlying factor explaining
      behavioural stability and animal personality (i.e. variation among, and
      consistency within individuals in behavioural responses), but the possibility
      that stable social relationships represent such states remains unexplored. Here,
      we investigated the influence of social status on the expression and consistency
      of behaviours by experimentally changing social status between repeated
      personality assays. We used male domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus), a
      social species that forms relatively stable dominance hierarchies, and showed
      that behavioural responses were strongly affected by social status, but also by
      individual characteristics. The level of vigilance, activity and exploration
      changed with social status, whereas boldness appeared as a stable individual
      property, independent of status. Furthermore, variation in vocalization predicted
      future social status, indicating that individual behaviours can both be a
      predictor and a consequence of social status, depending on the aspect in focus.
      Our results illustrate that social states contribute to both variation and
      stability in behavioural responses, and should therefore be taken into account
      when investigating and interpreting variation in personality. 

PMID- 24225463
TI  - Fitness benefits of low infectivity in a spatially structured population of
      bacteriophages.
AB  - For a parasite evolving in a spatially structured environment, an evolutionarily
      advantageous strategy may be to reduce its transmission rate or infectivity. We
      demonstrate this empirically using bacteriophage (phage) from an evolution
      experiment where spatial structure was maintained over 550 phage generations on
      agar plates. We found that a single substitution in the major capsid protein led
      to slower adsorption of phage to host cells with no change in lysis time or burst
      size. Plaques formed by phage isolates containing this mutation were not only
      larger but also contained more phage per unit area. Using a spatially explicit,
      individual-based model, we showed that when there is a trade-off between
      adsorption and diffusion (i.e. less 'sticky' phage diffuse further), slow
      adsorption can maximize plaque size, plaque density and overall productivity.
      These findings suggest that less infective pathogens may have an advantage in
      spatially structured populations, even when well-mixed models predict that they
      will not. 

PMID- 24225464
TI  - How superdiffusion gets arrested: ecological encounters explain shift from Levy
      to Brownian movement.
AB  - Ecological theory uses Brownian motion as a default template for describing
      ecological movement, despite limited mechanistic underpinning. The generality of
      Brownian motion has recently been challenged by empirical studies that highlight
      alternative movement patterns of animals, especially when foraging in resource
      poor environments. Yet, empirical studies reveal animals moving in a Brownian
      fashion when resources are abundant. We demonstrate that Einstein's original
      theory of collision-induced Brownian motion in physics provides a parsimonious,
      mechanistic explanation for these observations. Here, Brownian motion results
      from frequent encounters between organisms in dense environments. In density
      controlled experiments, movement patterns of mussels shifted from Levy towards
      Brownian motion with increasing density. When the analysis was restricted to
      moves not truncated by encounters, this shift did not occur. Using a theoretical
      argument, we explain that any movement pattern approximates Brownian motion at
      high-resource densities, provided that movement is interrupted upon encounters.
      Hence, the observed shift to Brownian motion does not indicate a density
      dependent change in movement strategy but rather results from frequent
      collisions. Our results emphasize the need for a more mechanistic use of Brownian
      motion in ecology, highlighting that especially in rich environments, Brownian
      motion emerges from ecological interactions, rather than being a default movement
      pattern. 

PMID- 24225465
TI  - Disentangling multiple drivers of pollination in a landscape-scale experiment.
AB  - Animal pollination is essential for the reproductive success of many wild and
      crop plants. Loss and isolation of (semi-)natural habitats in agricultural
      landscapes can cause declines of plants and pollinators and endanger pollination
      services. We investigated the independent effects of these drivers on pollination
      of young cherry trees in a landscape-scale experiment. We included (i) isolation
      of study trees from other cherry trees (up to 350 m), (ii) the amount of cherry
      trees in the landscape, (iii) the isolation from other woody habitats (up to 200
      m) and (iv) the amount of woody habitats providing nesting and floral resources
      for pollinators. At the local scale, we considered effects of (v) cherry flower
      density and (vi) heterospecific flower density. Pollinators visited flowers more
      often in landscapes with high amount of woody habitat and at sites with lower
      isolation from the next cherry tree. Fruit set was reduced by isolation from the
      next cherry tree and by a high local density of heterospecific flowers but did
      not directly depend on pollinator visitation. These results reveal the importance
      of considering the plant's need for conspecific pollen and its pollen competition
      with co-flowering species rather than focusing only on pollinators' habitat
      requirements and flower visitation. It proved to be important to disentangle
      habitat isolation from habitat loss, local from landscape-scale effects, and
      direct effects of pollen availability on fruit set from indirect effects via
      pollinator visitation to understand the delivery of an agriculturally important
      ecosystem service. 

PMID- 24225466
TI  - Himalayan fossils of the oldest known pantherine establish ancient origin of big
      cats.
AB  - Pantherine felids ('big cats') include the largest living cats, apex predators in
      their respective ecosystems. They are also the earliest diverging living cat
      lineage, and thus are important for understanding the evolution of all subsequent
      felid groups. Although the oldest pantherine fossils occur in Africa, molecular
      phylogenies point to Asia as their region of origin. This paradox cannot be
      reconciled using current knowledge, mainly because early big cat fossils are
      exceedingly rare and fragmentary. Here, we report the discovery of a fossil
      pantherine from the Tibetan Himalaya, with an age of Late Miocene-Early Pliocene,
      replacing African records as the oldest pantherine. A 'total evidence'
      phylogenetic analysis of pantherines indicates that the new cat is closely
      related to the snow leopard and exhibits intermediate characteristics on the
      evolutionary line to the largest cats. Historical biogeographic models provide
      robust support for the Asian origin of pantherines. The combined analyses
      indicate that 75% of the divergence events in the pantherine lineage extended
      back to the Miocene, up to 7 Myr earlier than previously estimated. The deeper
      evolutionary origin of big cats revealed by the new fossils and analyses indicate
      a close association between Tibetan Plateau uplift and diversification of the
      earliest living cats. 

PMID- 24225469
TI  - Documenting reality.

PMID- 24225467
TI  - Sexual conflict over mating in red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) as
      indicated by experimental manipulation of genitalia.
AB  - Sexual conflict over mating can result in sex-specific morphologies and
      behaviours that allow each sex to exert control over the outcome of reproduction.
      Genital traits, in particular, are often directly involved in conflict
      interactions. Via genital manipulation, we experimentally investigated whether
      genital traits in red-sided garter snakes influence copulation duration and
      formation of a copulatory plug. The hemipenes of male red-sided garter snakes
      have a large basal spine that inserts into the female cloaca during mating. We
      ablated the spine and found that males were still capable of copulation but
      copulation duration was much shorter and copulatory plugs were smaller than those
      produced by intact males. We also anaesthetized the female cloacal region and
      found that anaesthetized females copulated longer than control females,
      suggesting that female cloacal and vaginal contractions play a role in
      controlling copulation duration. Both results, combined with known aspects of the
      breeding biology of red-sided garter snakes, strongly support the idea that
      sexual conflict is involved in mating interactions in this species. Our results
      demonstrate the complex interactions among male and female traits generated by
      coevolutionary processes in a wild population. Such complexity highlights the
      importance of simultaneous examination of male and female traits. 

PMID- 24225470
TI  - Caring for older lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
AB  - Ageing brings about a number of challenges for heterosexual, lesbian, gay and
      bisexual people. It can be a time of anxiety and concern. The expectations that
      many lesbian, gay and bisexual people have of how they would like to be cared for
      if they were to enter sheltered housing or other forms of residential care can be
      very different from the expectations of heterosexual people. This article
      considers issues that older lesbian, gay and bisexual people may encounter with
      regard to their health-care needs. 

PMID- 24225471
TI  - Stoma complications: an overview.

PMID- 24225472
TI  - Unlicensed medicines: the right to prescribe 'specials' and the problem of
      overcharging.
AB  - The Government has announced an inquiry into alleged overcharging by wholesalers
      and pharmacists for the supply of unlicensed medicines known as 'specials'. This
      article explores what specials are, a district nurse's right to prescribe
      specials and why they are susceptible to gross overcharging in the NHS.

PMID- 24225473
TI  - Medication non-compliance in older patients: a multifactorial problem.

PMID- 24225474
TI  - The missing link: district nurses as social connection for older people with type
      2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - The relationship between social connection and health is widely recognised.
      However, there is a paucity of literature regarding the impact of district
      nursing care on social connection for people with a chronic illness such as type
      2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Using a mixed-method approach, an exploration of the
      perceptions of older people living in the community with T2DM regarding their
      health and social connections was carried out. Findings revealed a strong
      relationship between the clients and the district nurse. The district nurse is an
      important aspect of clients' social connection. For some clients where their
      social connection is limited, the district nurse is a central element. When the
      district nurse is the major social connection, problems can arise for the client,
      especially when they are being discharged or changes are made to their care. 

PMID- 24225475
TI  - Effect of home-based nursing pulmonary rehabilitation on patients with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised clinical trial.
AB  - Fatigue is a common symptom of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD), and results in a reduction of daily activity and quality of life
      in patients with the disease. The authors aimed to identify the effect of home
      based nursing pulmonary rehabilitation on fatigue, activities of daily living
      (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with COPD. A block randomisation
      method was used to randomise participants into case and control groups. Fatigue,
      ADL and QOL were assessed before and after the intervention in both groups.
      Independent and paired t-tests, chi-squared tests and covariance analysis were
      used to analysing data. Findings showed the significant decrease in the mean
      scores of fatigue (p<0.001) and significant improvement in mean scores of ADL
      (p<0.001) and QOL (p<0.001) after home-based nursing pulmonary rehabilitation in
      the case group. Home-based nursing pulmonary rehabilitation can be an effective,
      inexpensive and accessible programme for decreasing fatigue and improving ADL and
      QOL for patients with COPD. 

PMID- 24225476
TI  - District nursing: the hidden giant of the NHS?
AB  - The recent 65th birthday of the NHS is a reminder of the purpose of the NHS: to
      provide a service that puts people that need it at the heart of care. However,
      recent negative reports have questioned nurses' ability to provide this care,
      which led to the development of the 6Cs. This article examines each of these
      values from the viewpoint of the district nursing service, in particular from a
      district nurse's perspective, as well as providing a critical commentary
      regarding the future of the service. 

PMID- 24225477
TI  - Recurrent urinary tract infection in older women: an evidence-based approach.
AB  - Ageing increases the risk of a woman developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).
      It also increases the risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate antibiotic therapy
      being prescribed. Antibiotic therapy has costs as well as benefits and can lead
      to changes in gut and vaginal flora that further predispose older women to UTI.
      Antibiotic resistance is growing and those who do have a UTI may experience
      treatment failure because of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Accurate
      diagnosis and effective evidence-based treatment becomes even more crucial in the
      face of an ageing population and increasing antimicrobial resistance.
      Furthermore, the need for specific evidence-based guidelines for UTI in older
      people is increasing. 

PMID- 24225478
TI  - Managing competing philosophies with palliative care.

PMID- 24225479
TI  - Optimising resources and medication management.

PMID- 24225480
TI  - k Opioids inhibit tumor angiogenesis by suppressing VEGF signaling.
AB  - Opioids are effective analgesics for the management of moderate to severe cancer
      pain. Here we show that kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists act as anti
      angiogenic factors in tumors. Treatment with KOR agonists, U50,488H and TRK820,
      significantly inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration
      and tube formation by suppressing VEGFR2 expression. In contrast, treatment with
      a MU opioid receptor agonist, DAMGO, or a delta opioid receptor agonist, SNC80,
      did not prevent angiogenesis in HUVECs. Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) or B16
      melanoma grafted in KOR knockout mice showed increased proliferation and
      remarkably enhanced tumor angiogenesis compared with those in wild type mice. On
      the other hand, repeated intraperitoneal injection of TRK820 (0.1-10 MUg/kg,
      b.i.d.) significantly inhibited tumor growth by suppressing tumor angiogenesis.
      These findings indicate that KOR agonists play an important role in tumor
      angiogenesis and this knowledge could lead to a novel strategy for cancer
      therapy.

PMID- 24225481
TI  - Oxidized high-density lipoprotein induces the proliferation and migration of
      vascular smooth muscle cells by promoting the production of ROS.
AB  - AIM: As the major atheroprotective particle in plasma, high-density
      lipoprotein(HDL) is oxidized during atherosclerotic processes. Oxidized HDL(ox
      HDL) may lose its cardioprotective properties and develop a proinflammatory and
      proatherogenic phenotype. The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth
      muscle cells(VSMCs) play a crucial role in atherogenesis. However, the influence
      of ox-HDL on VSMC proliferation and migration remains poorly understood. METHODS:
      VSMCs were treated with native HDL(N-HDL) or ox-HDL at varying concentrations for
      different time intervals and used in several analyses. The degree of cell
      proliferation was assayed using CCK-8 kits. The level of cell migration was
      determined using a Transwell chamber and scratch-wound assay. The presence of
      intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) was detected based on ROS-mediated
      2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. The activation of NADPH oxidase was
      measured in terms of the Rac1 activity and NADP(+)/NADPH ratio. RESULTS: Compared
      to N-HDL, ox-HDL significantly promoted VSMC proliferation and migration in a
      dose-dependent manner. In addition, ox-HDL remarkably activated NADPH oxidase and
      enhanced ROS generation in the VSMCs. Diphenyleneiodonium chloride, an inhibitor
      of NADPH oxidase, and N-acetylcysteine, a ROS scavenger, efficiently inhibited
      the ROS production triggered by ox-HDL and subsequently blocked the proliferating
      and migrating effects of ox-HDL in the VSMCs. CONCLUSIONS: Ox-HDL significantly
      induces VSMC proliferation and migration by promoting NADPH oxidase activation
      and ROS production. Furthermore, the inhibition of NADPH oxidase and ROS
      generation blocks the proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by ox-HDL.
      These proliferating and migrating effects of ox-HDL are closely related to its
      proinflammatory and proatherogenic roles.

PMID- 24225483
TI  - Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI): more complex when it meets
      the clot.

PMID- 24225482
TI  - Spike timing-dependent selective strengthening of single climbing fibre inputs to
      Purkinje cells during cerebellar development.
AB  - Shaping functional neural circuits in developing brain involves activity
      dependent refinement of early-formed redundant synapses. In the developing
      cerebellum, a one-to-one connection between a climbing fibre (CF) and a Purkinje
      cell (PC) is established by selective strengthening of a single CF followed by
      elimination of surplus CFs. Here we investigate developmental changes in CF
      mediated responses in PCs by using in vivo whole-cell recordings and two-photon
      Ca(2+) imaging. We show that each neonatal PC receives temporally clustered
      inputs from multiple CFs and temporal integration of these inputs is required to
      induce burst spiking and Ca(2+) rise in PCs. Importantly, a single CF input
      closest to PC's spike output is selectively strengthened during postnatal
      development. This spike timing-dependent selective strengthening is much less
      prominent in PC-selective P/Q-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel knockout
      mice. Thus, spike timing- and Ca(2+)-dependent plasticity appears to underlie the
      selection of a single 'winner' CF and the establishment of mature CF-PC
      connections. 

PMID- 24225484
TI  - Clinical outcome of surgically treated low-grade gliomas: a retrospective
      analysis of a single institute.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Low grade gliomas (LGGs) are slow-growing primary brain tumors with
      heterogeneous clinical behaviors. The aim of our study is to review the treatment
      outcome of 63 patients with LGGs focusing on surgical outcome and the current
      therapeutic strategy. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 63 patients surgically
      treated for LGGs. The gross total resection (GTR) was performed in 35 patients
      (60.3%), subtotal resection (STR) was performed in 19 patients (31.7%) and
      partial resection (PR) or biopsy was performed in 9 patients (14.3%). We analyzed
      their progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and malignant
      transformation with regard to age, gender, Karnofsky performance score (KPS),
      clinical presentation, tumor location, radiologic pattern, contrast enhancement,
      extent of removal, pathologic subtype, chemotherapy (CT) and radiotherapy (RT)
      treatment. RESULTS: Among all LGGs, the 3-year OS rate was 80% and the 5-year OS
      was 76%. The 3-year PFS rate was 83.6% and the 5-year PFS was 25%. The non
      eloquent area location showed a longer PFS than the eloquent area location
      (p=0.05). Oligodendroglial pathology showed a longer PFS compared to
      oligoastrocytomas and astrocytomas (p=0.02). Patients older than 60 years had
      poorer OS than younger patients (p<0.05). Female gender had a shorter OS than
      male gender (p<0.05), and a KPS of 90 or 100 had a longer OS than a KPS of 80
      (p<0.05). Oligodendroglial pathology statistically correlated with a longer OS
      (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings from our study, which were confirmed by uni-
      and multivariate analyses, demonstrated that radical tumor resection was
      associated with better long-term outcomes and tumor progression for patients with
      LGG.

PMID- 24225485
TI  - High-density array analysis of DNA methylation in Tamoxifen-resistant breast
      cancer cell lines.
AB  - Roughly two-thirds of all breast cancers are ERalpha-positive and can be treated
      with the antiestrogen, Tamoxifen, however resistance occurs in 33% of women who
      take the drug for more than 5 y. Aberrant DNA methylation, an epigenetic
      mechanism that alters gene expression in cancer, is thought to play a role in
      this resistance. To develop an understanding of Tamoxifen-resistance and identify
      novel pathways and targets of aberrant methylation, DNA from MCF-7 breast cancer
      cells and Tamoxifen-resistant derivatives, TMX2-11 and TMX2-28, were analyzed
      using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Normalizing against MCF-7
      values, ERalpha-positive TMX2-11 had 4000 hypermethylated sites and ERalpha
      negative TMX2-28 had over 33 000. Analysis of CpG sites altered in both TMX2-11
      and TMX2-28 revealed that the Tamoxifen-resistant cell lines share 3000
      hypermethylated and 200 hypomethylated CpGs. ZNF350 and MAGED1, two genes
      hypermethylated in both cell lines, were examined in greater detail. Treatment
      with 5-aza-2?deoxycitidine caused a significant reduction in promoter methylation
      of both ZNF350 and MAGED1 and a corresponding increase in expression in TMX2-28.
      A similar relationship between methylation and expression was not detected in
      TMX2-11. Our findings are indicative of the variable responses to methylation
      targeted breast cancer therapy and highlight the need for biomarkers that
      accurately predict treatment outcome. 

PMID- 24225487
TI  - Recent advances in the medical management of Takayasu arteritis: an update on use
      of biologic therapies.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To critically review recent advances in medical management of
      Takayasu arteritis, with a special focus on the rationale and evidence to support
      the use of biologic agents in this disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple case series
      and observational studies support the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
      medications, in particular infliximab, in patients who relapse upon tapering
      steroids and/or adding nonbiologic immunosuppressive agents. However, these
      medications must be continued to maintain effect, and often patients require
      increased doses over time. Tocilizumab and rituximab have been shown to lead to
      improved disease activity in small numbers of Takayasu's patients, including
      those refractory to anti-TNF treatment. SUMMARY: Anti-TNF agents are recommended
      for the treatment of Takayasu's patients who are unable to taper prednisone
      despite treatment with a nonbiologic immunosuppressive medication. Whether these
      biologic agents should be considered earlier in the treatment algorithm of these
      complicated patients remains an area of interest. Tocilizumab and rituximab may
      also be of benefit in refractory patients. Prospective randomized controlled
      trials are needed to confirm these findings.

PMID- 24225488
TI  - Retest imaging of [11C]NOP-1A binding to nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP)
      receptors in the brain of healthy humans.
AB  - [(11)C]NOP-1A is a novel high-affinity PET ligand for imaging nociceptin/orphanin
      FQ peptide (NOP) receptors. Here, we report reproducibility and reliability
      measures of binding parameter estimates for [(11)C]NOP-1A binding in the brain of
      healthy humans. After intravenous injection of [(11)C]NOP-1A, PET scans were
      conducted twice on eleven healthy volunteers on the same (10/11 subjects) or
      different (1/11 subjects) days. Subjects underwent serial sampling of radial
      arterial blood to measure parent radioligand concentrations. Distribution volume
      (VT; a measure of receptor density) was determined by compartmental (one- and two
      tissue) modeling in large regions and by simpler regression methods (graphical
      Logan and bilinear MA1) in both large regions and voxel data. Retest variability
      and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of VT were determined as measures of
      reproducibility and reliability respectively. Regional [(11)C]NOP-1A uptake in
      the brain was high, with a peak radioactivity concentration of 4-7 SUV
      (standardized uptake value) and a rank order of putamen>cingulate
      cortex>cerebellum. Brain time-activity curves fitted well in 10 of 11 subjects by
      unconstrained two-tissue compartmental model. The retest variability of VT was
      moderately good across brain regions except cerebellum, and was similar across
      different modeling methods, averaging 12% for large regions and 14% for voxel
      based methods. The retest reliability of VT was also moderately good in most
      brain regions, except thalamus and cerebellum, and was similar across different
      modeling methods averaging 0.46 for large regions and 0.48 for voxels having gray
      matter probability >20%. The lowest retest variability and highest retest
      reliability of VT were achieved by compartmental modeling for large regions, and
      by the parametric Logan method for voxel-based methods. Moderately good
      reproducibility and reliability measures of VT for [(11)C]NOP-1A make it a useful
      PET ligand for comparing NOP receptor binding between different subject groups or
      under different conditions in the same subject. 

PMID- 24225489
TI  - A multiple kernel learning approach to perform classification of groups from
      complex-valued fMRI data analysis: application to schizophrenia.
AB  - FMRI data are acquired as complex-valued spatiotemporal images. Despite the fact
      that several studies have identified the presence of novel information in the
      phase images, they are usually discarded due to their noisy nature. Several
      approaches have been devised to incorporate magnitude and phase data, but none of
      them has performed between-group inference or classification. Multiple kernel
      learning (MKL) is a powerful field of machine learning that finds an automatic
      combination of kernel functions that can be applied to multiple data sources. By
      analyzing this combination of kernels, the most informative data sources can be
      found, hence providing a better understanding of the analyzed learning task. This
      paper presents a methodology based on a new MKL algorithm (nu-MKL) capable of
      achieving a tunable sparse selection of features' sets (brain regions' patterns)
      that improves the classification accuracy rate of healthy controls and
      schizophrenia patients by 5% when phase data is included. In addition, the
      proposed method achieves accuracy rates that are equivalent to those obtained by
      the state of the art lp-norm MKL algorithm on the schizophrenia dataset and we
      argue that it better identifies the brain regions that show discriminative
      activation between groups. This claim is supported by the more accurate detection
      achieved by nu-MKL of the degree of information present on regions of spatial
      maps extracted from a simulated fMRI dataset. In summary, we present an MKL-based
      methodology that improves schizophrenia characterization by using both magnitude
      and phase fMRI data and is also capable of detecting the brain regions that
      convey most of the discriminative information between patients and controls. 

PMID- 24225486
TI  - Current issues in medically assisted reproduction and genetics in Europe:
      research, clinical practice, ethics, legal issues and policy. European Society of
      Human Genetics and European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
AB  - In March 2005, a group of experts from the European Society of Human Genetics and
      European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology met to discuss the
      interface between genetics and assisted reproductive technology (ART), and
      published an extended background paper, recommendations and two Editorials. Seven
      years later, in March 2012, a follow-up interdisciplinary workshop was held,
      involving representatives of both professional societies, including experts from
      the European Union Eurogentest2 Coordination Action Project. The main goal of
      this meeting was to discuss developments at the interface between clinical
      genetics and ARTs. As more genetic causes of reproductive failure are now
      recognised and an increasing number of patients undergo testing of their genome
      before conception, either in regular health care or in the context of direct-to
      consumer testing, the need for genetic counselling and preimplantation genetic
      diagnosis (PGD) may increase. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) thus far
      does not have evidence from randomised clinical trials to substantiate that the
      technique is both effective and efficient. Whole-genome sequencing may create
      greater challenges both in the technological and interpretational domains, and
      requires further reflection about the ethics of genetic testing in ART and
      PGD/PGS. Diagnostic laboratories should be reporting their results according to
      internationally accepted accreditation standards (International Standards
      Organisation - ISO 15189). Further studies are needed in order to address issues
      related to the impact of ART on epigenetic reprogramming of the early embryo. The
      legal landscape regarding assisted reproduction is evolving but still remains
      very heterogeneous and often contradictory. The lack of legal harmonisation and
      uneven access to infertility treatment and PGD/PGS fosters considerable cross
      border reproductive care in Europe and beyond. The aim of this paper is to
      complement previous publications and provide an update of selected topics that
      have evolved since 2005. 

PMID- 24225490
TI  - The diagnosis and molecular analysis of a novel 21.9kb deletion (Qinzhou type
      deletion) causing alpha+ thalassemia.
AB  - alpha-Thalassemia is a common single-gene genetic disease that can cause Hb
      Bart's hydrops fetalis and Hb H disease in tropical and subtropical regions. When
      examining conventional thalassemia genes, an only detected --(SEA) genotype
      sample needs further analysis. In doing so, we found a novel 21.9kb deletion
      (Qinzhou type deletion). The deletion position of the novel 21.9kb deletion is
      from 14373bp to 36299bp of the alpha-globin gene cluster (NG_000006.1); thus,
      there exists a 21927bp sequence deletion, into which a 29bp sequence is added.
      After sequence analysis, a group of Gap-PCR primers were synthesized to diagnose
      this novel thalassemia genotype. Through pedigree analysis, we deduced that the
      propositus obtained the novel alleles from her mother. The genotype of this
      propositus is --(SEA)/-alpha(21.9) and its phenotype conforms to the
      characteristics of Hb H disease, establishing that the combination between 
      alpha(21.9) genotype and alpha(0) genotype can lead to Hb H disease. By molecular
      analysis, we established that this case fits the characteristic of an alpha(+)
      thalassemia genotype. 

PMID- 24225491
TI  - Synchronous occurrence of colon adenocarcinoma and gastric schwannoma: case
      report and review of the literature.
AB  - MATERIAL OF STUDY: We report a case of a 66-year-old man with a gastric
      schwannoma incidentally discovered during the treatment of a colon cancer. At the
      pre-operative computed tomography performed for the stadiation of the colonic
      tumor was incidentally noted the presence of a nodular tumor between the liver
      and the gastric wall. RESULT: A wedge resection of this gastic tumor and the
      surgical resection of the left colon were performed all at once. The pathological
      examination of the gastric neoplasia revealed a picture consistent with gastric
      schwannoma. DISCUSSION: Gastrointestinal schwannomas are difficult but not
      impossible to diagnose preoperatively although they are often asymptomatic and
      radiologic findings are often nonspecific. Radiological features of
      Gastrointestinal schwannomas described in literature are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS:
      The treatment of choice is complete surgical excision with free margins because
      of diagnostic uncertainty, and the long-term outcome is excellent as these
      lesions are uniformly benign.

PMID- 24225492
TI  - Thiocholine mediated stabilization of in situ produced CdS quantum dots:
      application for the detection of acetylcholinesterase activity and inhibitors.
AB  - The use of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors as chemical warfare agents or
      pesticides represents a strong hazard against human health. The high toxicity of
      these compounds arises from their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase from
      degrading acetylcholine (ACh), which could affect the physiology of the nervous
      system with serious or fatal consequences. Here we report a simple and
      fluorimetric system for a highly sensitive detection of AChE activity and
      inhibitors. The principle of this approach is based on the hydrolysis of
      acetylthiocholine (ATCh) by AChE, which yields the thiol-bearing compound
      thiocholine (TCh) that at trace concentrations stabilized the in situ generated
      CdS quantum dots (QDs). The system shows a linear relationship between the
      fluorescence intensity and AChE activity from 1 to 10 mU mL(-1) in buffer
      solution. The accuracy of the proposed system was further demonstrated through
      the determination of AChE activity in human serum (HS) by the standard addition
      method. Furthermore, this novel and highly sensitive sensing system allows the
      detection of 80 pM of the AChE inhibitor paraoxon and 100 nM of galanthamine. The
      reported methodology shows potential applications for the development of a simple
      and inexpensive assay for the routine quantification of AChE activity and
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 24225493
TI  - Work, work-life conflict and health in an industrial work environment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Work-life conflict has been poorly studied as a cause of ill-health
      in occupational medicine. AIMS: To study associations between physical and
      psychosocial working conditions, including work-life conflict on the one hand and
      general, physical and mental health outcomes on the other. METHODS: Cross
      sectional data were used from an employee survey among the workforces of four
      medium-sized and large companies in Switzerland. Physical work factors included
      five demands and exposures such as heavy loads, repetitive work and poor posture.
      Psychosocial factors included 14 demands and limited resources such as time
      pressure, overtime, monotonous work, job insecurity, low job autonomy, low social
      support and work-life conflict. Health outcomes studied were self-rated health,
      sickness absence, musculoskeletal disorders, sleep disorders, stress and burnout.
      RESULTS: There was a response rate of 49%; 2014 employees participated. All
      adverse working conditions were positively associated with several poor health
      outcomes in both men and women. After mutual adjustment for all work factors and
      additional covariates, only a few, mainly psychosocial work factors remained
      significant as risk factors for health. Work-life conflict, a largely neglected
      work-related psychosocial factor in occupational medicine, turned out to be the
      only factor that was significantly and strongly associated with all studied
      health outcomes and was consistently found to be the strongest or second
      strongest of all the studied risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Even in an industrial
      work environment, psychosocial work factors, and particularly work-life conflict,
      play a key role and need to be taken into consideration in research and workplace
      health promotion.

PMID- 24225494
TI  - Zoledronate attenuates angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm through
      inactivation of Rho/ROCK-dependent JNK and NF-kappaB pathway.
AB  - AIMS: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening disease affecting
      almost 10% of the population over the age of 65. Nitrogen-containing
      bisphosphonates (N-BPs) have been shown to exert anti-atherogenic and anti
      angiogenic effects, but the potential effects of N-BPs on AAA remain unclear.
      Here, we tested whether a potent N-BP, zoledronate, can attenuate the formation
      of Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced AAA in hyperlipidaemic mice. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Low-density lipoprotein receptor(-/-) (LDLR(-/-)) mice infused for 28
      days with Ang II were treated with placebo and 100 MUg/kg/day zoledronate.
      Continuous Ang II infusion in LDLR(-/-) mice exhibited a 59% incidence of AAA
      formation, and treatment with zoledronate decreased AAA formation (21%). Compared
      with the saline group, administration of zoledronate in Ang II-infused LDLR(-/-)
      mice attenuated the expansion of the suprarenal aorta (maximal aortic diameter),
      reduced elastin degradation in the media layer of the aorta, and significantly
      diminished vascular inflammation by reduction in vascular cell adhesion molecule
      expression and macrophage accumulation. Treatment with zoledronate decreased
      matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in aortic tissues. Zoledronate-treated mice
      had significant down-regulation of JNK, NF-kappaB, and reduced Ang II-induced
      Rho/ROCK activation. Zoledronate reduced monocytes adherence to human aortic
      endothelial cells in vitro. CONCLUSION: Zoledronate-attenuated Ang II induced AAA
      formation by suppression of MMP-2 activity and suppressed vascular inflammation
      and Ang II-induced Rho/ROCK activities.

PMID- 24225495
TI  - Au25 clusters as electron-transfer catalysts induced the intramolecular cascade
      reaction of 2-nitrobenzonitrile.
AB  - Design of atomically precise metal nanocluster catalysts is of great importance
      in understanding the essence of the catalytic reactions at the atomic level.
      Here, for the first time, Au25(z) nanoslusters were employed as electron transfer
      catalysts to induce an intramolecular cascade reaction at ambient conditions and
      gave rise to high conversion (87%) and selectivity (96%). Electron spin-resonance
      spectra indeed confirmed the consecutive electron transfer process and the
      formation of N radical. UV-vis absorption spectra also verified Au25(z) was
      intact after the catalytic circle. Our research may open up wide opportunities
      for extensive organic reactions catalyzed by Au25(z). 

PMID- 24225496
TI  - Biological dose assessment after low-dose overexposures in nuclear medicine.
AB  - This paper focuses on the application of dicentric chromosome assay biodosimetry
      in cases of low-dose overexposures to professionals working in nuclear medicine
      and discusses how to present the results and associated uncertainties, to make
      possible a better understanding of biodosimetric reports. Five examples are
      presented of low or possibly zero exposure dose that are illustrative of typical
      problems that arise in occupational settings, in this instance in nuclear
      medicine departments. This is a scenario of minor concern in terms of health
      consequences but it is relevant in legal terms. They pose dilemmas for
      investigators but biological dosimetry can make a valuable contribution to
      resolving the cases. 

PMID- 24225497
TI  - Pathology caused by persistent murine norovirus infection.
AB  - Subclinical infection of murine norovirus (MNV) was detected in a mixed breeding
      group of WT and Stat1(-/-) mice with no outward evidence of morbidity or
      mortality. Investigations revealed the presence of an attenuated MNV variant that
      did not cause cytopathic effects in RAW264.7 cells or death in Stat1(-/-) mice.
      Histopathological analysis of tissues from WT, heterozygous and Stat1(-/-) mice
      revealed a surprising spectrum of lesions. An infectious molecular clone was
      derived directly from faeces (MNV-O7) and the sequence analysis confirmed it was
      a member of norovirus genogroup V. Experimental infection with MNV-O7 induced a
      subclinical infection with no weight loss in Stat1(-/-) or WT mice, and
      recapitulated the clinical and pathological picture of the naturally infected
      colony. Unexpectedly, by day 54 post-infection, 50 % of Stat1(-/-) mice had
      cleared MNV-O7. In contrast, all WT mice remained infected persistently. Most
      significantly, this was associated with liver lesions in all the subclinically
      infected WT mice. These data confirmed that long-term persistence in WT mice is
      established with specific variants of MNV and that despite a subclinical
      presentation, active foci of acute inflammation persist within the liver. The
      data also showed that STAT1-dependent responses are not required to protect mice
      from lethal infection with all strains of MNV.

PMID- 24225498
TI  - IL-10 encoded by viruses: a remarkable example of independent acquisition of a
      cellular gene by viruses and its subsequent evolution in the viral genome.
AB  - Many viruses have evolved strategies to deregulate the host immune system. These
      strategies include mechanisms to subvert or recruit the host cytokine network. IL
      10 is a pleiotropic cytokine that has both immunostimulatory and
      immunosuppressive properties. However, its key features relate mainly to its
      capacity to exert potent immunosuppressive effects. Several viruses have been
      shown to upregulate the expression of cellular IL-10 (cIL-10) with, in some
      cases, enhancement of infection by suppression of immune functions. Other viruses
      encode functional orthologues of cIL-10, called viral IL-10s (vIL-10s). The
      present review is devoted to these virokines. To date, vIL-10 orthologues have
      been reported for 12 members of the family Herpesviridae, two members of the
      family Alloherpesviridae and seven members of the family Poxviridae. Study of vIL
      10s demonstrated several interesting aspects on the origin and the evolution of
      these viral genes, e.g. the existence of multiple (potentially up to nine)
      independent gene acquisition events at different times during evolution, viral
      gene acquisition resulting from recombination with cellular genomic DNA or cDNA
      derived from cellular mRNA and the evolution of cellular sequence in the viral
      genome to restrict the biological activities of the viral orthologues to those
      beneficial for the virus life cycle. Here, various aspects of the vIL-10s
      described to date are reviewed, including their genetic organization, protein
      structure, origin, evolution, biological properties and potential in applied
      research. 

PMID- 24225499
TI  - Entry of influenza A virus: host factors and antiviral targets.
AB  - Influenza virus is a major human pathogen that causes annual epidemics and
      occasional pandemics. Moreover, the virus causes outbreaks in poultry and other
      animals, such as pigs, requiring costly and laborious countermeasures. Therefore,
      influenza virus has a substantial impact on health and the global economy. Here,
      we review entry of this important pathogen into target cells, an essential
      process by which viral genomes are delivered from extracellular virions to sites
      of transcription/replication in the cell nucleus. We summarize current knowledge
      on the interaction of influenza viruses with their receptor, sialic acid, and
      highlight the ongoing search for additional receptors. We describe receptor
      mediated endocytosis and the recently discovered macropinocytosis as alternative
      virus uptake pathways, and illustrate the subsequent endosomal trafficking of the
      virus with advanced live microscopy techniques. Release of virus from the
      endosome and import of the viral ribonucleoproteins into the host cell nucleus
      are also outlined. Although a focus has been on viral protein function during
      entry, recent studies have revealed exciting information on cellular factors
      required for influenza virus entry. We highlight these, and discuss established
      entry inhibitors targeting viral and host factors, as well as the latest
      prospects for designing novel 'anti-entry' compounds. New entry inhibitors are of
      particular importance for current efforts to develop the next generation of anti
      influenza drugs - entry is the first essential step of virus replication and is
      an ideal target to block infection efficiently. 

PMID- 24225500
TI  - High pressure synthesis, structure, and multiferroic properties of two perovskite
      compounds Y2FeMnO6 and Y2CrMnO6.
AB  - High purity crystals of Y2FeMnO6 (YFMO) and Y2CrMnO6 (YCMO) have been synthesized
      for the first time using a flux method under a high temperature of 1573 K and
      high pressure of 6 GPa. Both YFMO and YCMO have orthorhombic structures in space
      group Pnma. The temperature-dependent magnetization and the nonlinear M-H
      hysteresis loops of both materials indicate that an antiferromagnetic transition
      occurs at the Neel temperature of 328 K for YFMO, and a ferrimagnetic transition
      occurs at 74 K for YCMO. YFMO is a relaxor ferroelectric in which three
      dielectric relaxations were observed at 245, 328 and 358 K, respectively. The
      first relaxation process is due to Maxwell-Wagner polarization at the grain
      boundary whereas the second and the third relaxation behaviours arise from the
      beginning and the ending of antiferromagnetic ordering, respectively. The
      presence of the dielectric anomaly near TN indicates the magnetoelectric effect.
      Ferroelectric hysteresis loops and PUND (positive-up & negative-down) pulse data
      reveal weak ferroelectric behavior of YFMO at 77 K. Otherwise one dielectric
      constant anomaly has been found for YCMO at about 390 K. But no ferroelectric
      polarization was observed in YCMO. 

PMID- 24225501
TI  - Reduced expression of prostacyclin synthase and nitric oxide synthase in
      subcutaneous arteries of type 2 diabetic patients.
AB  - Diabetic endothelial dysfunction is characterized by impaired endothelium
      dependent relaxation. In this study, we measured the expression of endothelial
      nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),
      prostacyclin synthase (PGIS), and prostacyclin receptor (IP) in subcutaneous
      arteries of type-2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Subcutaneous arteries were
      dissected from tissues from seven diabetics (4 males and 3 females) and seven non
      diabetics (5 males and 2 females) aged between 18 to 65 years, who underwent
      lower limb surgical procedures. Diabetics had higher fasting blood glucose
      compared to non-diabetics, but there were no differences in blood pressure, body
      mass index and age. Patients were excluded if they had uncontrolled hypertension,
      previous myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, renal or hepatic failure
      and tumor. The relative expression levels of eNOS, COX-1, COX-2, PGIS and IP
      receptor were determined by Western blotting analysis, normalized with the beta
      actin level. Increased expression of COX-2 was observed in subcutaneous arteries
      of diabetics compared to non-diabetics, whereas the expression levels of eNOS and
      PGIS were significantly lower in diabetics. There were no significant differences
      in expression levels of COX-1 and IP receptor between the two groups.
      Immunohistochemical study of subcutaneous arteries showed that the intensities of
      eNOS and PGIS staining were lower in diabetics, with higher COX-2 staining. In
      conclusion, type-2 diabetes is associated with higher COX-2 expression, but lower
      eNOS and PGIS expression in subcutaneous arteries. These alterations may lead to
      impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, and thus these proteins may be
      potential targets for protection against the microvascular complications of
      diabetes. 

PMID- 24225502
TI  - Evolution in management and outcome after repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in
      the pre- and post-EVAR era.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs before and
      after the endovascular era. METHODS: Group A (1997-1998) included 331 patients,
      321 (97%) with open repair (OR) and 10 (3%) with endovascular aneurysm repair
      (EVAR). Group B (2007-2008) included 330 patients, 136 (41%) with OR and 194
      (59%) with EVAR. RESULTS: Patients in Group B were older (74 +/- 8.5 vs 73 +/-
      7.0 years, P = .02), had higher comorbidity scores (8.3 +/- 4.8 vs 7.5 +/- 4.6, P
      = .04), shorter hospitalization (5.1 +/- 6.4 vs 9.8 +/- 6.3, P < .001), less
      intensive care unit days than in Group B (0.9 +/- 2.1 vs 2.2 +/- 2.7, P < .001).
      Early mortality was 0.6% in both groups. Two-year survival was similar (88% vs
      89%), with less reinterventions in Group A (4% vs 17%, P = .004). OR patients had
      similar 30-day mortalities (0.9% vs 0.7%, P = .89). CONCLUSION: EVAR and OR have
      low mortalities. However, in the post-EVAR era we treat older patients with more
      comorbidities, hospitalization is shorter, and intensive care unit days are less;
      interventions in EVAR are, however, high.

PMID- 24225503
TI  - Variability in the management of superficial venous thrombophlebitis among
      phlebologists and vascular surgeons.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare management patterns of patients with
      superficial venous thrombophlebitis (SVT) among phlebologists and vascular
      surgeons. METHODS: A survey was provided to practitioners who attended the
      American Venous Forum meeting in 2011. Statistical analysis included descriptive
      statistics, unpaired t tests, and Friedman's test for correlation. RESULTS: There
      were 354 US or Canadian health care providers of whom 169 were phlebologists and
      185 were vascular surgeons. There was a significant different in anticoagulation
      administration and duration (P = .034, P = .032, respectively). Friedman's test
      for correlation between multiple surgical treatments showed no correlation
      between surgical treatments tested with all treatments having an equal
      distribution in our data. Follow-up differed between groups with vascular
      surgeons following up with imaging more than phlebologists (P = .03). CONCLUSION:
      Our data indicate that there is no consensus between or among phlebologists or
      vascular surgeons as to the surgical management of superficial venous
      thrombophlebitis, duration of follow-up, and anticoagulation parameters.

PMID- 24225504
TI  - Stent fracture in the superficial femoral and proximal popliteal arteries:
      literature summary and economic impacts.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To summarize available evidence regarding stent fracture in the
      femoropopliteal region. METHODS: We searched PubMed, 2000-2011, using MeSH search
      terms "stents," "popliteal artery," and "femoral artery." RESULTS: We identified
      29 original studies reporting 0% to 65% incidence of stent fracture. Fracture
      related repeat revascularization could be avoided in the absence of device
      failure. Recently published data suggest that even a 5% rate of fracture-related
      reintervention would generate $118.4 million in health care cost in the United
      States. These excess procedures would also result in major complications and
      deaths that might have been avoided in the absence of stent fracture.
      CONCLUSIONS: Reported incidence and clinical relevance of femoropopliteal stent
      fractures vary across studies. Stent fracture may lead to repeat
      revascularization. These reinterventions create considerable--and potentially
      avoidable--economic burden for patients and payers. Further, these costs are
      effectively invisible wherever stent fractures are not systematically documented
      as the reason for reintervention.

PMID- 24225505
TI  - Pressure ulcers in Jordan: a snapshot survey of a tertiary public hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients are at risk of developing pressure ulcers while they are
      hospitalised. These risks need to be managed effectively to avoid harm and to
      minimise costs. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and
      incidence of pressure ulcers at selected acute clinical settings in central
      Jordan. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design. METHOD: An inpatient snapshot
      survey was conducted over 4 weeks in the two medical wards in a tertiary public
      hospital. RESULTS: 190 participants were surveyed, 30 cases were identified, 53%
      were male, and 75% were aged 60 years or older. Prevalence was 24%, approximately
      half of the cases were grade 2 and 23% were grade 3 and 4. Pressure ulcers were
      mainly found on the sacrum (43%), followed by the heel (24%). Over 4 weeks, 29
      new pressure ulcer cases were identified; 55% were male, and 90% were aged 60
      years or older. Pressure ulcers were mainly-in 38% of cases-identified with
      cerebral vascular accident patients. CONCLUSION: The results of the snapshot
      survey confirmed that there is a problem with maintaining patients' safety in
      terms of patients acquiring pressure ulcers in hospital. The number of pressure
      ulcers indicate less-than-optimal management of patient safety, which requires a
      more detailed investigation.

PMID- 24225506
TI  - Preregistration nurses' views on the delivery of tissue viability.
AB  - This article outlines an evaluation of preregistration nursing students' views on
      the delivery of tissue viability during their preregistration education in
      preparation for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2010).
      Data were collected from two cohorts of preregistration (n=170) over a 2-year
      period by means of interactive voting keypads. The author concludes that
      preregistration preparation within the university was inadequate for both the
      prevention and provision of tissue viability care in clinical practice. 

PMID- 24225508
TI  - Wound infection conundrum.

PMID- 24225507
TI  - Reducing hospital-acquired pressure damage: an NHS acute trust initiative.
AB  - During 2009, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust reviewed its pressure ulcer
      prevention strategy; this included patient interventions and equipment provision.
      Standard hospital mattresses were requiring replacement and dynamics were used
      frequently, while the overall prevalence of pressure damage remained high.
      Replacing the standard foam mattress with a non-powered pressure-redistributing
      system (AtmosAir) was proposed. The rationale for this was that by renewing all
      standard foam mattresses with the AtmosAir 4000, all patients would have
      immediate access to a pressure redistributing mattress. Training and education of
      staff was increased and the Trust redesigned documentation. The outcome of this
      approach was a significant reduction in hospital-acquired pressure damage. 

PMID- 24225509
TI  - Patient care and management: reduced skin integrity of the foot.
AB  - The development and deterioration of pressure ulcers are a frequent occurrence
      across all healthcare settings and specialties, posing daily challenges to the
      healthcare worker and unnecessary suffering to the patient. Reduced skin
      integrity occurs within those patients deemed high risk, particularly to the
      vulnerable areas such as the heel and ankle (American Physical Therapy
      Association (APTA), 1996). The incidence of pressure ulcers, alongside diabetes,
      vascular insufficiency and obesity, is on the increase, posing additional demands
      on current clinical resources; specialist clinics, debridement therapies and
      appropriate dressing management regimes. This article will focus on the heel and
      ankle in regards to reduced skin integrity and the positive introduction of an
      innovative dressing product as an adjunct to the overall care and management of
      this patient group. 

PMID- 24225510
TI  - Removing all barriers: a 10-patient evaluation in the acute care setting.
AB  - Wound bed preparation is an essential component of care in the management of
      wounds where healing is delayed. The removal of devitalised tissue quickly and
      safely may present as a challenge to clinicians. Drawtex Hydroconductive Dressing
      with LevaFiber Technology was evaluated within an acute hospital on a range of
      wounds and was shown to effectively prepare the wound bed. The speed and cost of
      debridement observed in this small group of patients was remarkable and suggests
      that this dressing can play an essential part in the wound healing process.

PMID- 24225511
TI  - Interrater reliability of the Glamorgan scale: overt and covert data.
AB  - The Glamorgan Paediatric Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Scale (Glamorgan scale)
      had been developed using statistical analysis of patient data. The aim of this
      study was to assess the reliability of the Glamorgan scale using overt and covert
      methods. METHOD: For the overt data collection, randomly selected trained nursing
      staff were invited to participate. Twenty-seven trained nursing staff assessed 27
      children and young people within 10 minutes of an assessment by the researcher.
      For the covert part of the data collection the researcher and the paediatric
      tissue viability (TV) link nurse risk assessed inpatients on wards and units
      where the overt data collection had taken place, their findings were compared
      with the last recorded assessment by the clinical nurses. RESULTS: In the overt
      data collection 24 out of 27 nurses agreed with the researcher (88.9% agreement,
      kappa 0.867). In the covert data collection, 41 out of 55 risk assessments had
      been completed. Of the 41 completed assessments 34 agreed with the researcher and
      tissue viability link nurse (82.9% agreement, kappa 0.763). CONCLUSION: The level
      of agreement was good for overt and covert interrater reliability data.

PMID- 24225512
TI  - Hand burn management: minimising pain and trauma at dressing change.
AB  - The aim of wound management in hand burn injuries is to restore function and
      prevent problem scars, so a key consideration in wound healing is the removal of
      dressings without causing pain and further trauma as well as preserving function.
      Conventionally, wound dressings such as paraffin gauze were used for burn
      injuries, but this led to pain and trauma on removal, as well as drying out. This
      study looks at the use of Mepitel(r) One on hand burns; this dressing
      incorporates all the benefits of Mepitel, however, it only has Safetac technology
      on the wound contact side, allowing easy handling and application. 

PMID- 24225513
TI  - The role of barrier protection ain pressure ulcer prevention.
AB  - This article considers the anatomy and physiology of the skin, the natural
      protection the skin provides in relation to barrier protection and the importance
      of barrier protection in pressure ulcer prevention. The current national pressure
      ulcer agenda including high impact actions and the SSKIN care bundle, along with
      their implementation within one NHS Health Care Trust are discussed. 

PMID- 24225514
TI  - Martyn Butcher.

PMID- 24225515
TI  - ACSM clinician profile.

PMID- 24225516
TI  - Preventing exertional sickling deaths: the right way, the wrong way, and the Army
      way.

PMID- 24225518
TI  - Behavioral modification to reduce concussion in collision sports: ice hockey.

PMID- 24225519
TI  - Exaggerated pain after injury in the athlete: complex regional pain
      considerations.

PMID- 24225520
TI  - Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis: coincidence, syndrome, or acquired myopathy?
AB  - The purposes of this report are to review and discuss the issue of recurrent
      exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER), the return to physical activity after ER, and the
      possible causes of recurrence, with special consideration to metabolic myopathies
      and the possibility of an acquired post-ER myopathy. We discuss the medical
      investigation required prior to return to physical activity after an episode of
      ER and suggest two possible mechanisms for recurrence of ER in the absence of a
      known cause: premature return to activity and an acquired post-ER muscular
      disorder. We also emphasize the need to create proper guidelines for return to
      physical activity after ER and, for further investigation, the possible
      mechanisms of ER recurrence in patients without a known metabolic myopathy. 

PMID- 24225521
TI  - Use of graded exercise testing in concussion and return-to-activity management.
AB  - Concussion is a physiologic brain injury that produces systemic and cognitive
      symptoms. The metabolic and physiologic changes of concussion result in altered
      autonomic function and control of cerebral blood flow. Evaluation and treatment
      approaches based upon the physiology of concussion may therefore add a new
      dimension to concussion care. In this article, we discuss the use of a standard
      treadmill test, the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT), in acute concussion
      and in postconcussion syndrome (PCS). The BCTT has been shown to diagnose
      physiologic dysfunction in concussion safely and reliably, differentiate it from
      other diagnoses (e.g., cervical injury), and quantify the clinical severity and
      exercise capacity of concussed patients. It is used in PCS to establish a safe
      aerobic exercise treatment program to help speed recovery and return to activity.
      The use of a provocative exercise test is consistent with world expert consensus
      opinion on establishing physiologic recovery from concussion. 

PMID- 24225522
TI  - Helmets in sport: fact and fallacy.
AB  - Head injuries and the prevention of both the short-term and long-term
      consequences have received heightened awareness in recent years. Education and
      legislative efforts have promoted both appropriate treatment of concussion and
      pushed the use of helmets for protection from head injuries. Current scientific
      data would suggest that helmets are effective at decreasing the risk of serious
      head injuries. However there is no evidence to suggest that helmets are
      protective against concussive injuries or the long-term impact of repetitive head
      trauma. 

PMID- 24225523
TI  - Injuries in professional football: current concepts.
AB  - Professional football is one of the most popular sports in the United States.
      There is a common constellation of injuries that are seen frequently. Much
      attention has been focused on concussions and their long-term outcomes in this
      population. Other common causes of morbidity include cervical spine injuries,
      knee injuries including anterior cruciate ligament and other ligamentous
      injuries, ankle sprains, and medical issues including cardiac and sickle trait.
      Several recent studies have focused on hip impingement and hamstring injuries,
      among others, as sources of missed playing time as well. This review describes
      some of the frequently seen injuries and medical issues in professional football
      players. Proper management of both medical disease and on-field injuries can
      reduce morbidity and may lead to faster return to play and reduced risk of future
      injury. 

PMID- 24225524
TI  - Medical issues in synchronized skating.
AB  - Synchronized skating is a unique sport of team skating and currently represents
      the largest competitive discipline in U.S. Figure Skating. Synchronized skating
      allows skaters to compete as part of a team with opportunities to represent their
      country in international competitions. As the popularity of the sport continues
      to grow, more of these athletes will present to sports medicine clinics with
      injuries and illnesses related to participation in synchronized skating. The
      purpose of this article is to review the common injuries and medical conditions
      affecting synchronized skaters. 

PMID- 24225525
TI  - Athletes and the arts--the role of sports medicine in the performing arts.
AB  - Performing artists are athletes. Like athletes, performing artists practice
      and/or perform most days with little off season, play through pain, "compete" in
      challenging environments, and risk career-threatening injury. Athletes and the
      Arts is a multiorganizational initiative linking the sport athlete and
      musician/performing artist communities. Performing artists of all ages and genre
      are an underserved population related to medical coverage, care, injury
      prevention, performance enhancement, and wellness. Sports medicine professionals
      are a valuable resource for filling this gap by applying existing knowledge of
      treating sport athletes (nutrition, injury prevention) while gaining a better
      understanding of performers' unique needs (hearing loss, focal dystonia) and
      environment. These applications can occur in the clinical setting and through
      developing organizational policies. By better understanding the needs of the
      performing arts population and applying existing concepts and knowledge, sports
      medicine professionals can expand their impact to a new patient base that
      desperately needs support. 

PMID- 24225526
TI  - Anterior knee pain in the active and athletic adolescent.
AB  - Anterior knee pain (or patellofemoral pain) continues to be a source of
      frustration and confusion among clinicians. There is wide variation in symptom
      history, physical exam findings, imaging, and treatment that often confounds the
      use of any straightforward algorithm or decision tree. This review aims to
      provide an approach that partners the adolescent athlete with clinician and an
      experienced physiotherapist. This team approach uses available evidence to
      develop a treatment program that is specific to the adolescent's symptoms, body
      movement patterns, and activity demands. 

PMID- 24225527
TI  - Prolonged perioperative surgical prophylaxis within European hospitals: an
      exercise in uncertainty avoidance?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Socio-cultural factors have been hypothesized to be important drivers
      for inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in ambulatory care. This study sought to
      assess any potential role in perioperative surgical prophylaxis (PAP)
      administered for >24 h (PAP > 24). Within hospitals, PAP continues to be
      administered for longer than 24 h, despite unequivocal evidence of
      ineffectiveness beyond this period. A recently published European Centre for
      Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) point prevalence survey (PPS) has reported
      that in 70% of participating countries, PAP > 24 was administered in more than
      half of the surgical operations surveyed. METHODS: Correlation and simple linear
      regression modelling was performed using the PAP > 24 proportions for the
      countries in the ECDC PPS report and the respective scores for the cultural
      construct of uncertainty avoidance (UA), as detailed by Hofstede. RESULTS:
      Pearson correlation analysis produced a moderately strong coefficient (r) of 0.50
      (95% CI 0.16-0.74; P = 0.007). Simple regression yielded a model of PAP > 24 =
      29.87 + 0.40UA (R(2) = 0.25; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Cultural factors, namely
      UA, appear to be an important driver for PAP > 24. Any strategy aimed at
      improving prolonged PAP should be informed by clear knowledge of local socio
      cultural barriers, so as to achieve the most successful intervention possible.

PMID- 24225528
TI  - Ultralow field NMR spectrometer with an atomic magnetometer near room
      temperature.
AB  - We present a Cs atomic magnetometer with a sensitivity of 150fT/Hz(1/2) operating
      near room temperature. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal of 125MUL tap
      water was detected at an ultralow magnetic field down to 47nT, with the signal-to
      noise ratio (SNR) of the NMR signal approaching 50 after eight averages.
      Relaxivity experiments with a Gd(DTPA) contrast agent in zero field were
      performed, in order to show the magnetometer's ability to measure spin-lattice
      relaxation time with high accuracy. This demonstrates the feasibility of an
      ultralow field NMR spectrometer based on a Cs atomic magnetometer, which has a
      low working temperature, short data acquisition time and high sensitivity. This
      kind of NMR spectrometer has great potential in applications such as chemical
      analysis and magnetic relaxometry detection in ultralow or zero fields. 

PMID- 24225530
TI  - Job strain and hypertension.

PMID- 24225529
TI  - Resolution and measurement of heteronuclear dipolar couplings of a noncrystalline
      protein immobilized in a biological supramolecular assembly by proton-detected
      MAS solid-state NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - Two-dimensional (15)N chemical shift/(1)H chemical shift and three-dimensional
      (1)H-(15)N dipolar coupling/(15)N chemical shift/(1)H chemical shift MAS solid
      state NMR correlation spectra of the filamentous bacteriophage Pf1 major coat
      protein show single-site resolution in noncrystalline, intact-phage preparations.
      The high sensitivity and resolution result from (1)H detection at 600MHz under
      50kHz magic angle spinning using ~0.5mg of perdeuterated and uniformly (15)N
      labeled protein in which the exchangeable amide sites are partially or completely
      back-exchanged (reprotonated). Notably, the heteronuclear (1)H-(15)N dipolar
      coupling frequency dimension is shown to select among (15)N resonances, which
      will be useful in structural studies of larger proteins where the resonances
      exhibit a high degree of overlap in multidimensional chemical shift correlation
      spectra. 

PMID- 24225531
TI  - Eremophila glabra reduces methane production and methanogen populations when
      fermented in a Rusitec.
AB  - Eremophila glabra Juss. (Scrophulariaceae), a native Australian shrub, has been
      demonstrated to have low methanogenic potential in a batch in vitro fermentation
      system. The present study aimed to test longer-term effects of E. glabra on rumen
      fermentation characteristics, particularly methane production and the methanogen
      population, when included as a component of a fermentation substrate in an in
      vitro continuous culture system (Rusitec). E. glabra was included at 150, 250,
      400 g/kg DM (EG15, EG25, and EG40) with an oaten chaff and lupin-based substrate
      (control). Overall, the experiment lasted 33 days, with 12 days of
      acclimatization, followed by two periods during which fermentation
      characteristics (total gas, methane and VFA productions, dry matter
      disappearance, pH) were measured. The number of copies of genes specifically
      associated with total bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria (16S rRNA gene) and
      total ruminal methanogenic archaeal organisms (the methyl coenzyme M reductase A
      gene (mcrA)) was also measured during this time using quantitative real-time PCR.
      Total gas production, methane and volatile fatty acid concentrations were
      significantly reduced with addition of E. glabra. At the end of the experiment,
      the overall methane reduction was 32% and 45% for EG15 and EG25 respectively,
      compared to the control, and the reduction was in a dose-dependent manner. Total
      bacterial numbers did not change, but the total methanogen population decreased
      by up to 42.1% (EG40) when compared to the control substrate. The Fibrobacter
      succinogenes population was reduced at all levels of E. glabra, while
      Ruminococcus albus was reduced only by EG40. Our results indicate that replacing
      a portion of a fibrous substrate with E. glabra maintained a significant
      reduction in methane production and methanogen populations over three weeks in
      vitro, with some minor inhibition on overall fermentation at the lower inclusion
      levels. 

PMID- 24225532
TI  - Hierarchically macro-mesoporous Pt/gamma-Al2O3 composite microspheres for
      efficient formaldehyde oxidation at room temperature.
AB  - Room temperature catalytic oxidation by noble metals is considered to be the most
      promising strategy for the removal of HCHO, which is one of the major indoor air
      pollutants. Hierarchically macro-mesoporous structured Pt/gamma-Al2O3 hollow
      spheres with open and accessible pores were synthesized and used for catalytic
      oxidative decomposition of HCHO at room temperature. The prepared composite
      hollow spheres showed higher catalytic activity than the conventional
      nanoparticle supports, which is mainly due to their hierarchical macro-mesoporous
      structure facilitating diffusion of reactants and products, and the high
      dispersion of accessible catalytic Pt nanoparticles. This work may contribute to
      the development of hierarchically structured materials and high-performance
      catalysts for indoor air purification and related catalytic processes. 

PMID- 24225534
TI  - Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in Standardbred racehorses: influence of
      unilateral/bilateral profiles and cut-off values on lower airway disease
      diagnosis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine whether the lung side being sampled would
      significantly influence bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytological profiles and
      subsequent diagnosis in Standardbred racehorses. One hundred and thirty-eight
      French Trotters in active training and racing were included in a prospective
      observational study. BAL was performed using videoendoscopy in both right and
      left lungs during summer meetings in 2011 (64 horses) and 2012 (74 horses).
      Cytological data performed 24h later from right and left lungs were compared and
      specifically used to classify horses as affected with exercise-induced pulmonary
      haemorrhage (EIPH), inflammatory airway disease (IAD), or were 'controls'. For
      IAD, cytological definition was based on two different cut off values. Neutrophil
      percentages, haemosiderophage percentages and the haemosiderophage/macrophage
      (H/M) ratios were significantly higher in the right compared to the left lung.
      Measures of intra-class correlation coefficients revealed a fair agreement
      between left and right lungs for percentages of mast cells, eosinophils, and for
      the H/M ratio, and a moderate agreement for neutrophil percentages. Fair to
      moderate agreements were observed between left and right lungs for the diagnosis
      of IAD and/or EIPH based on kappa coefficients. When sampling one lung only, the
      risk of incorrectly classifying a horse as a 'control' increased with the use of
      the restraint cut-off values for IAD. As BAL from one lung is not representative
      of the other lung in the same horse, both lungs should be sampled for a better
      assessment of lung cellularity and for a precise diagnosis of lower airway
      diseases. 

PMID- 24225533
TI  - Lysosomal NEU1 deficiency affects amyloid precursor protein levels and amyloid
      beta secretion via deregulated lysosomal exocytosis.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) belongs to a category of adult neurodegenerative
      conditions, which are associated with intracellular and extracellular
      accumulation of neurotoxic protein aggregates. Understanding how these aggregates
      are formed, secreted and propagated by neurons has been the subject of intensive
      research, but so far no preventive or curative therapy for AD is available, and
      clinical trials have been largely unsuccessful. Here we show that deficiency of
      the lysosomal sialidase NEU1 leads to the spontaneous occurrence of an AD-like
      amyloidogenic process in mice. This involves two consecutive events linked to
      NEU1 loss-of-function--accumulation and amyloidogenic processing of an
      oversialylated amyloid precursor protein in lysosomes, and extracellular release
      of Abeta peptides by excessive lysosomal exocytosis. Furthermore, cerebral
      injection of NEU1 in an established AD mouse model substantially reduces beta
      amyloid plaques. Our findings identify an additional pathway for the secretion of
      Abeta and define NEU1 as a potential therapeutic molecule for AD.

PMID- 24225536
TI  - Aberrant synchrony in the somatosensory cortices predicts motor performance
      errors in children with cerebral palsy.
AB  - Cerebral palsy (CP) results from a perinatal brain injury that often results in
      sensory impairments and greater errors in motor performance. Although these
      impairments have been well catalogued, the relationship between sensory
      processing networks and errors in motor performance has not been well explored.
      Children with CP and typically developing age-matched controls participated in
      this investigation. We used high-density magnetoencephalography to measure event
      related oscillatory changes in the somatosensory cortices following tactile
      stimulation to the bottom of the foot. In addition, we quantified the amount of
      variability or errors in the isometric ankle joint torques as these children
      attempted to match a target. Our results showed that neural populations in the
      somatosensory cortices of children with CP were desynchronized by the tactile
      stimulus, whereas those of typically developing children were clearly
      synchronized. Such desynchronization suggests that children with CP were unable
      to fully integrate the external stimulus into ongoing sensorimotor computations.
      Our results also indicated that children with CP had a greater amount of errors
      in their motor output when they attempted to match the target force, and this
      amount of error was negatively correlated with the degree of synchronization
      present in the somatosensory cortices. These results are the first to show that
      the motor performance errors of children with CP are linked with neural
      synchronization within the somatosensory cortices. 

PMID- 24225537
TI  - Human stretch reflex pathways reexamined.
AB  - Reflex responses of tibialis anterior motor units to stretch stimuli were
      investigated in human subjects. Three types of stretch stimuli were applied (tap
      like, ramp-and-hold, and half-sine stretch). Stimulus-induced responses in single
      motor units were analyzed using the classical technique, which involved building
      average surface electromyogram (SEMG) and peristimulus time histograms (PSTH)
      from the discharge times of motor units and peristimulus frequencygrams (PSF)
      from the instantaneous discharge rates of single motor units. With the use of
      SEMG and PSTH, the tap-like stretch stimulus induced five separate reflex
      responses, on average. With the same single motor unit data, the PSF technique
      indicated that the tap stimulus induced only three reflex responses. Similar to
      the finding using the tap-like stretch stimuli, ramp-and-hold stimuli induced
      several peaks and troughs in the SEMG and PSTH. The PSF analyses displayed
      genuine increases in discharge rates underlying the peaks but not underlying the
      troughs. Half-sine stretch stimuli induced a long-lasting excitation followed by
      a long-lasting silent period in SEMG and PSTH. The increase in the discharge
      rate, however, lasted for the entire duration of the stimulus and continued
      during the silent period. The results are discussed in the light of the fact that
      the discharge rate of a motoneuron has a strong positive linear association with
      the effective synaptic current it receives and hence represents changes in the
      membrane potential more directly and accurately than the other indirect measures.
      This study suggests that the neuronal pathway of the human stretch reflex does
      not include inhibitory pathways. 

PMID- 24225538
TI  - Shape selectivity and remapping in dorsal stream visual area LIP.
AB  - We explore the visual world by making rapid eye movements (saccades) to focus on
      objects and locations of interest. Despite abrupt retinal image shifts, we see
      the world as stable. Remapping contributes to visual stability by updating the
      internal image with every saccade. Neurons in macaque lateral intraparietal
      cortex (LIP) and other brain areas update information about salient locations
      around the time of a saccade. The depth of information transfer remains to be
      thoroughly investigated. Area LIP, as part of the dorsal visual stream, is
      regarded as a spatially selective area, yet there is evidence that LIP neurons
      also encode object features. We sought to determine whether LIP remaps shape
      information. This knowledge is important for understanding what information is
      retained from each glance. We identified 82 remapping neurons. First, we
      presented shapes within the receptive field and tested for shape selectivity in a
      fixation task. Among the remapping neurons, 28 neurons (34%) were selective for
      shape. Second, we presented the same shapes in the future location of the
      receptive field around the time of the saccade and tested for shape selectivity
      during remapping. Thirty-one (38%) neurons were selective for shape. Of 11
      neurons that were shape selective in both tasks, 5 showed significant correlation
      between shape selectivity in the two tasks. Across the population, there was a
      weak but significant correlation between responses to shape in the two tasks. Our
      results provide neurophysiological evidence that remapped responses in area LIP
      can encode shape information as well as spatial information. 

PMID- 24225539
TI  - Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors enhances persistent sodium
      current and rhythmic bursting in main olfactory bulb external tufted cells.
AB  - Rhythmically bursting olfactory bulb external tufted (ET) cells are thought to
      play a key role in synchronizing glomerular network activity to respiratory
      driven sensory input. Whereas spontaneous bursting in these cells is
      intrinsically generated by interplay of several voltage-dependent currents,
      bursting strength and frequency can be modified by local intrinsic and
      centrifugal synaptic input. Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors
      (mGluRs) engages a calcium-dependent cation current (I(CAN)) that increases
      rhythmic bursting, but mGluRs may also modulate intrinsic mechanisms involved in
      bursting. Here, we used patch-clamp electrophysiology in rat olfactory bulb
      slices to investigate whether mGluRs modulate two key intrinsic currents involved
      in ET cell burst initiation: persistent sodium (I(NaP)) and hyperpolarization
      activated cation (Ih) currents. Using a BAPTA-based internal solution to block
      I(CAN), we found that the mGluR1/5 agonist DHPG enhanced I(NaP) but did not alter
      Ih. I(NaP) enhancement consisted of increased current at membrane potentials
      between -60 and -50 mV and a hyperpolarizing shift in activation threshold. Both
      effects would be predicted to shorten the interburst interval. In agreement, DHPG
      modestly depolarized (~3.5 mV) ET cells and increased burst frequency without
      effect on other major burst parameters. This increase was inversely proportional
      to the basal burst rate such that slower ET cells exhibited the largest
      increases. This may enable ET cells with slow intrinsic burst rates to pace with
      faster sniff rates. Taken with other findings, these results indicate that
      multiple neurotransmitter mechanisms are engaged to fine-tune rhythmic ET cell
      bursting to context- and state-dependent changes in sniffing frequency.

PMID- 24225540
TI  - Differential requirement for NMDAR activity in SAP97beta-mediated regulation of
      the number and strength of glutamatergic AMPAR-containing synapses.
AB  - PSD-95-like, disc-large (DLG) family membrane-associated guanylate kinase
      proteins (PSD/DLG-MAGUKs) are essential for regulating synaptic AMPA receptor
      (AMPAR) function and activity-dependent trafficking of AMPARs. Using a molecular
      replacement strategy to replace endogenous PSD-95 with SAP97beta, we show that
      the prototypic beta-isoform of the PSD-MAGUKs, SAP97beta, has distinct NMDA
      receptor (NMDAR)-dependent roles in regulating basic properties of AMPAR
      containing synapses. SAP97beta enhances the number of AMPAR-containing synapses
      in an NMDAR-dependent manner, whereas its effect on the size of unitary synaptic
      response is not fully dependent on NMDAR activity. These effects contrast with
      those of PSD-95alpha, which increases both the number of AMPAR-containing
      synapses and the size of unitary synaptic responses, with or without NMDAR
      activity. Our results suggest that SAP97beta regulates synaptic AMPAR content by
      increasing surface expression of GluA1-containing AMPARs, whereas PSD-95alpha
      enhances synaptic AMPAR content presumably by increasing the synaptic scaffold
      capacity for synaptic AMPARs. Our approach delineates discrete effects of
      different PSD-MAGUKs on principal properties of glutamatergic synaptic
      transmission. Our results suggest that the molecular diversity of PSD-MAGUKs can
      provide rich molecular substrates for differential regulation of glutamatergic
      synapses in the brain. 

PMID- 24225541
TI  - Cortical regulation of dopaminergic neurons: role of the midbrain superior
      colliculus.
AB  - Dopaminergic (DA) neurons respond to stimuli in a wide range of modalities,
      although the origin of the afferent sensory signals has only recently begun to
      emerge. In the case of vision, an important source of short-latency sensory
      information seems to be the midbrain superior colliculus (SC). However, longer
      latency responses have been identified that are less compatible with the
      primitive perceptual capacities of the colliculus. Rather, they seem more in
      keeping with the processing capabilities of the cortex. Given that there are
      robust projections from the cortex to the SC, we examined whether cortical
      information could reach DA neurons via a relay in the colliculus. The
      somatosensory barrel cortex was stimulated electrically in the anesthetized rat
      with either single pulses or pulse trains. Although single pulses produced small
      phasic activations in the colliculus, they did not elicit responses in the
      majority of DA neurons. However, after disinhibitory intracollicular injections
      of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline, collicular responses were substantially
      enhanced and previously unresponsive DA neurons now exhibited phasic excitations
      or inhibitions. Pulse trains applied to the cortex led to phasic changes
      (excitations to inhibitions) in the activity of DA neurons at baseline. These
      were blocked or attenuated by intracollicular administration of the GABAA agonist
      muscimol. Taken together, the results indicate that the cortex can communicate
      with DA neurons via a relay in the SC. As a consequence, DA neuronal activity
      reflecting the unexpected occurrence of salient events and that signaling more
      complex stimulus properties may have a common origin. 

PMID- 24225543
TI  - Normalization of input patterns in an associative network.
AB  - Numerous brain structures have a cerebellum-like architecture in which inputs
      diverge onto a large number of granule cells that converge onto principal cells.
      Plasticity at granule cell-to-principal cell synapses is thought to allow these
      structures to associate spatially distributed patterns of granule cell activity
      with appropriate principal cell responses. Storing large sets of associations
      requires the patterns involved to be normalized, i.e., to have similar total
      amounts of granule cell activity. Using a general model of associative learning,
      we describe two ways in which granule cells can be configured to promote
      normalization. First, we show how heterogeneity in firing thresholds across
      granule cells can restrict pattern-to-pattern variation in total activity while
      also limiting spatial overlap between patterns. These effects combine to allow
      fast and flexible learning. Second, we show that the perceptron learning rule
      selectively silences those synapses that contribute most to pattern-to-pattern
      variation in the total input to a principal cell. This provides a simple
      functional interpretation for the experimental observation that many granule cell
      to-Purkinje cell synapses in the cerebellum are silent. Since our model is quite
      general, these principles may apply to a wide range of associative circuits. 

PMID- 24225544
TI  - Predictive control of ankle stiffness at heel contact is a key element of
      locomotor adaptation during split-belt treadmill walking in humans.
AB  - Split-belt treadmill walking has been extensively utilized as a useful model to
      reveal the adaptability of human bipedal locomotion. While previous studies have
      clearly identified different types of locomotor adaptation, such as reactive and
      predictive adjustments, details of how the gait pattern would be adjusted are not
      fully understood. To gain further knowledge of the strategies underlying split
      belt treadmill adaptation, we examined the three-dimensional ground reaction
      forces (GRF) and lower limb muscle activities during and after split-belt
      treadmill walking in 22 healthy subjects. The results demonstrated that the
      anterior component of the GRF (braking force) showed a clear pattern of
      adaptation and subsequent aftereffects. The muscle activity in the tibialis
      anterior muscle during the early stance phase was associated with the change of
      braking force. In contrast, the posterior component of GRF (propulsive force)
      showed a consistent increase/decrease in the fast/slow leg during the adaptation
      period and was not followed by subsequent aftereffects. The muscle activity in
      the gastrocnemius muscle during the stance phase gradually decreased during the
      adaptation phase and then showed a compensatory reaction during the washout
      phase. The results indicate that predictive feedforward control is required to
      set the optimal ankle stiffness in preparation for the impact at the heel contact
      and passive feedback control is used for the production of reflexively induced
      propulsive force at the end of the stance phase during split-belt treadmill
      adaptation. The present study provides information about the detailed mechanisms
      underlying split-belt adaptation and should be useful for the construction of
      specific rehabilitation protocols. 

PMID- 24225542
TI  - Association of COMT val158met and DRD2 G>T genetic polymorphisms with individual
      differences in motor learning and performance in female young adults.
AB  - Individuals learn new skills at different rates. Given the involvement of
      corticostriatal pathways in some types of learning, variations in dopaminergic
      transmission may contribute to these individual differences. Genetic
      polymorphisms of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme and dopamine
      receptor D2 (DRD2) genes partially determine cortical and striatal dopamine
      availability, respectively. Individuals who are homozygous for the COMT
      methionine (met) allele show reduced cortical COMT enzymatic activity, resulting
      in increased dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex as opposed to individuals
      who are carriers of the valine (val) allele. DRD2 G-allele homozygotes benefit
      from a higher striatal dopamine level compared with T-allele carriers. We
      hypothesized that individuals who are homozygous for COMT met and DRD2 G alleles
      would show higher rates of motor learning. Seventy-two young healthy females (20
      +/- 1.9 yr) performed a sensorimotor adaptation task and a motor sequence
      learning task. A nonparametric mixed model ANOVA revealed that the COMT val-val
      group demonstrated poorer performance in the sequence learning task compared with
      the met-met group and showed a learning deficit in the visuomotor adaptation task
      compared with both met-met and val-met groups. The DRD2 TT group showed poorer
      performance in the sequence learning task compared with the GT group, but there
      was no difference between DRD2 genotype groups in adaptation rate. Although these
      results did not entirely come out as one might predict based on the known
      contribution of corticostriatal pathways to motor sequence learning, they support
      the role of genetic polymorphisms of COMT val158met (rs4680) and DRD2 G>T (rs
      1076560) in explaining individual differences in motor performance and motor
      learning, dependent on task type. 

PMID- 24225545
TI  - Sensory feedback to ankle plantar flexors is not exaggerated during gait in
      spastic hemiplegic children with cerebral palsy.
AB  - It is still widely believed that exaggerated stretch reflexes and increased
      muscle tone in ankle plantar flexors contribute to reduced ankle joint movement
      during gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, no study has directly
      measured stretch reflex activity during gait in these children. We investigated
      sensory feedback mechanisms during walking in 20 CP children and 41 control
      children. Stretch responses in plantar flexor muscles evoked in stance showed an
      age-related decline in control but not CP children. In swing the responses were
      abolished in control children, but significant responses were observed in 14 CP
      children. This was related to reduced activation of dorsiflexors in swing.
      Removal of sensory feedback in stance produced a drop in soleus activity of a
      similar size in control and CP children. Soleus activity was observed in swing to
      the same extent in control and CP children. Removal of sensory feedback in swing
      caused a larger drop in soleus activity in control children than in CP children.
      The lack of age-related decline in stretch reflexes and the inability to suppress
      reflexes in swing is likely related to lack of maturation of corticospinal
      control in CP children. Since soleus activity was not seen more frequently than
      in control children in swing and since sensory feedback did not contribute more
      to their soleus activity, spasticity is unlikely to contribute to foot drop and
      toe walking. We propose that altered central drive to the ankle muscles and
      increased passive muscle stiffness are the main causes of foot drop and toe
      walking. 

PMID- 24225546
TI  - Amplified plasmonic detection of DNA hybridization using doxorubicin-capped gold
      particles.
AB  - We show in this article that doxorubicin-modified gold nanoparticles (Au NP-DOX)
      can be used for the post-amplification of the wavelength shift of localized
      surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) signals after DNA hybridization events. We take
      advantage of the intercalation properties of DOX with guanine-rich
      oligonucleotides and the plasmon coupling between surface-linked gold
      nanostructures and Au NP-DOX in solution to detect in a sensitive manner DNA
      hybridisation events. Post-treatment of double-stranded DNA with Au NP-DOX
      resulted in a detection limit of ~600 pM, several times lower than that without
      post-incubation (LOD ~ 40 nM). 

PMID- 24225547
TI  - Redressing the public image of general practice.

PMID- 24225548
TI  - The rise of health coaching.

PMID- 24225549
TI  - Holding children and young people: defining skills for good practice.
AB  - Physical holds are used to help children and young people receive clinical care
      in situations where their behaviour may limit the ability of nurses and allied
      professionals to deliver treatment effectively. This article provides an overview
      of a qualitative study of 11 nurses and allied professionals who were interviewed
      with semi-structured questions. The major findings suggest there is a lack of
      clear and agreed terminology and nurses and allied professionals are guessing at
      how to describe the practice. As a result, there was no discussion or
      documentation of the practices of holding (whether successful or unsuccessful)
      within the clinical area. For the last decade, professional opinion was that this
      is an 'uncontested practice'. It can therefore be questioned whether this
      practice has moved from being 'uncontested' to 'indifferent'. Nurses and allied
      professionals need to revive a common definition of 'good' around the actions of
      holding, which can hopefully lead to holding skills being more clearly defined
      and evidence-based.

PMID- 24225550
TI  - Integrative health care: implications for nursing practice and education.
AB  - The significance of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to contemporary
      health care is reflected in the relatively recent integrative health care (IHC)
      movement. Having emerged in response to the public's sustained use of CAM, IHC
      reflects the evolving needs and expectations of modern-day service users, making
      it consistent with today's culture of patient-responsive health care. IHC
      therefore carries important implications for nursing practice but, to fulfil
      their responsibilities with regard to these implications, nurses need a
      fundamental knowledge of CAM concepts as well as an understanding of the ways in
      which CAM and conventional health care might affect one another. An educational
      strategy that embeds IHC and makes explicit its relation to nursing practice is
      desirable if nurses are to engage with patients who use CAM. Evidence suggests,
      however, that neither CAM nor IHC are adequately represented in nursing
      curricula. This paper considers ways in which IHC could be incorporated into
      nursing curricula as a means to prepare nurses for this important challenge. 

PMID- 24225551
TI  - Perioperative simulation learning and post-registration development.
AB  - Competence to practise in the perioperative environment requires specialist
      knowledge (Gillespie and Hamlin, 2009). Newly qualified staff in this environment
      can experience difficulty in making the transition into practice (Stratton, 2011)
      and often feel overwhelmed by the skills required (Callaghan, 2010). Simulation
      based learning techniques are increasingly used by practice educators
      specifically within these environments (Cato and Murray, 2010) to aid with
      acquisition of skills, emergency care delivery, general post-registration
      development and also as a standardised indicator of 'competence' (Bullock et al,
      2008; Cato and Murray, 2010). This article will consider the impact of this
      educational strategy on the learner's lifelong development following
      registration, and its position in relation to the widely accepted learning
      paradigms of Benner's 'Novice to Expert' and Maslow's 'Hierarchy of Needs'.
      Through discussion of the nature of education in the practice setting, the reader
      will be prompted to reconsider the actual value of simulation-based learning in
      the post-registration arena and how this may be used to redefine simulation in
      the clinical setting. 

PMID- 24225552
TI  - Knowing Generation Y: a new generation of nurses in practice.
AB  - Generation Y is commonly defined as those people born between 1980 and 2000, now
      aged in their 20s and 30s. Their grandparents experienced post-World War II
      reconstruction, their parents the economic boom of the 1980s. There are currently
      81 million individuals in the Generation Y cohort in the USA, making it the
      second-largest, and possibly most influential, cohort since World War II (Manion,
      2009). Members of Generation Y are diverse, technologically advanced and vocal
      about their opinions. They tend to resist traditional hierarchy, want
      recognition/reward for achievements and distrust institutions. Knowing these
      characteristics is useful for nurse managers, preceptors and team members working
      with members of Generation Y. Studies have proven that Generation Y is
      challenging the nursing workforce through rapid turnover (Cogin, 2012). This
      article explores a theoretical model that predicts retention and/or turnover of
      nurses in light of Generation Y behaviours and motivators-for example, moving
      from agency to agency rather than devoting many years to a single practice.
      Further research is needed to find out whether these behaviours and motivators
      are unique to Generation Y alone. 

PMID- 24225553
TI  - Integrated health care for patients with motor neurone disease.
AB  - This article presents the findings from a study trip to Kaiser Permanente (KP), a
      private healthcare provider in the USA. The aim of the trip was to understand how
      healthcare integration is managed in KP and how this might help patients in the
      UK with motor neurone disease (MND). This article makes reference to the American
      and British healthcare systems, identifying the simple differences between health
      economies, and their impact on health care, with specific reference to MND. The
      trip was undertaken as part of the author's ongoing work on how patients with MND
      rate services delivered by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the UK. The
      author's community matron role involves caring for patients with long-term
      conditions (LTCs) including long-term neurological conditions (LTNCs). In
      executing this role and in service delivery to patients with LTNCs, specifically
      MND, the author noticed a lack of robust integration, highlighting the need to
      consider and address the various contributory factors. This article presents a
      literature review and analyses the role of the MDT including specialist
      neurological professionals in executing duties and in delivering healthcare
      services to patients diagnosed with MND. The implications for practice are also
      presented along with areas for practice development. 

PMID- 24225554
TI  - Extending the scope of wilful neglect will result in paternalistic nursing care.
AB  - The recommendation that the criminal offence of wilful neglect be extended to
      protect all patient groups may seem a proactive way for the Government to begin
      to restore public confidence in nursing following the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust
      Inquiry. However, the experience of the courts hearing cases of wilful neglect in
      relation to adults who lack capacity show that they are complex trials and,
      despite several appeals, still lack clear guidance that nurses can apply in
      practice to avoid prosecution while still promoting the autonomy of patients. In
      this article the author reviews recent cases of wilful neglect to come before the
      Court of Appeal and argues that rather than offering protection to patients,
      criminalising a failure to act is more likely to result in paternalistic
      interventions, with nurses insisting on providing care because they fear
      prosecution if they fail to do so.

PMID- 24225555
TI  - A simple guide to the Research Excellence Framework.

PMID- 24225557
TI  - Clinical supervision: from staff nurse to nurse consultant. Part 8:
      confidentiality and records.

PMID- 24225556
TI  - The House of Commons Health Committee reports on Francis.

PMID- 24225558
TI  - Engaging with NMC revalidation.

PMID- 24225559
TI  - BiOI/TiO2 nanotube arrays, a unique flake-tube structured p-n junction with
      remarkable visible-light photoelectrocatalytic performance and stability.
AB  - A series of unique flake-tube structured p-n heterojunctions of BiOI/TiO2
      nanotube arrays (TNTAs) were successfully prepared by loading large amounts of
      BiOI nanoflakes onto both the outer and inner walls of well-separated TiO2
      nanotubes using anodization followed by the sequential chemical bath deposition
      (S-CBD) method. The as-prepared BiOI/TNTAs samples were characterized by X-ray
      diffraction, electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis
      diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and nitrogen sorption. The photoelectrocatalytic
      (PEC) activity and stability of the BiOI/TNTAs samples toward degradation of
      methyl orange (MO) solutions under visible-light irradiation (lambda > 420 nm)
      were evaluated. The visible-light PEC performance of BiOI/TNTAs samples was
      further confirmed by the transient photocurrent response test. The results from
      the current study revealed that the 5-BiOI/TNTAs sample exhibited the best PEC
      activity, favourable stability, and the highest photocurrent density among all
      the BiOI/TNTAs heterostructured samples. The combined effects of several factors
      may contribute to the remarkable visible-light PEC performance for the 5
      BiOI/TNTAs sample including a 3D connected intertube spacing system and an open
      tube-mouth structure, strong visible-light absorption by BiOI, the formation of a
      p-n junction, larger specific surface area, and the impact of the applied
      external electrostatic field. 

PMID- 24225561
TI  - Probing kojic acid binding to tyrosinase enzyme: insights from a model complex
      and QM/MM calculations.
AB  - An unambiguous picture of the interaction between the inhibitor kojic acid and a
      model of the dicopper active site of tyrosinase is reported. The observed binding
      mode probed on bacterial enzyme is confirmed and further refined by QM/MM
      calculations. 

PMID- 24225560
TI  - Oral L-arginine before resistance exercise blunts growth hormone in strength
      trained males.
AB  - Acute resistance exercise and L-arginine have both been shown to independently
      elevate plasma growth hormone (GH) concentrations; however, their combined effect
      is controversial. The purpose was to investigate the combined effects of
      resistance exercise and L-arginine supplementation on plasma L-arginine, GH, GH
      secretagogues, and IGF-1 in strength trained participants. Fourteen strength
      trained males (age: 25 +/- 4 y; body mass: 81.4 +/- 9.0 kg; height: 179.4 +/- 6.9
      cm; and training experience: 6.3 +/- 3.4 y) participated in a randomized double
      blind crossover design (separated by ~7 days). Subjects reported to the
      laboratory at 08:00 in a fasted state, consumed L-arginine (ARG; 0.075 g.kg-1
      body mass) or a placebo (PLA) before performing an acute bout of resistance
      exercise (3 sets of 8 exercises, 10 repetitions at ~75% 1RM). Blood samples were
      collected at rest, before exercise, and at 0, 15, 30, and 60 min of rest
      recovery. The ARG condition significantly increased plasma L-arginine
      concentrations (~120%) while no change was detected in the PLA condition. There
      were no differences between conditions for GH, GH-releasing hormone, ghrelin, or
      IGF-1 at any time point. GH-inhibiting hormone was significantly lower in the ARG
      condition. However, integrated area under the curve for GH was blunted in the ARG
      condition (L-arginine = 288.4 +/- 368.7 vs. placebo = 487.9+/- 482.0 min.ng.mL1,
      p < .05). L-arginine ingested before resistance exercise significantly elevated
      plasma L-arginine concentration but attenuated plasma GH in strength trained
      individuals despite a lower GHIH. Furthermore our data shows that the GH
      suppression was not due to a GH or IGF-1 induced autonegative feedback loop. 

PMID- 24225562
TI  - [A case of IgM paraproteinemic neuropathy associated with anti-sulfated
      glucuronic paragloboside (SGPG) IgG antibody without anti-myelin-associated
      glycoprotein (MAG) activity].
AB  - We report a case of IgM paraproteinemic neuropathy associated with anti-sulfated
      glucuronic paragloboside (SGPG) IgG antibody. An 84-year old man complained of
      numbness on the left side of the face and in the distal portions of the limbs.
      Neurological examination showed mild sensory ataxia. The laboratory tests
      revealed the presence of IgM lambda paraproteinemia and anti-SGPG IgG antibody
      without anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) activity and anti-MAG/SGPG IgM
      antibody. Results of nerve conduction study showed decreased sensory nerve action
      potential (SNAP) amplitude, indicating the presence of sensory-dominant axonal
      polyneuropathy, and the prolongation of distal latency was not observed.
      Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in a rapid improvement in neurological
      abnormalities. In IgM paraproteinemic neuropathy associated with anti-MAG/SGPG
      antibody, distal acquired demyelinating sensory neuropathy and resistance to
      immunological treatments are the characteristic pathologic and clinical features,
      respectively. On the other hand our rare case of IgM paraproteinemic neuropathy
      positive for anti-SGPG IgG antibody presented with axonal sensory polyneuropathy
      and a good responsiveness to corticosteroids. 

PMID- 24225563
TI  - [Leptomeningeal infiltlation of primary CNS B-cell lymphoma diagnosed by the
      biopsy of cauda equina: a case report].
AB  - A 49-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with progressive gait disturbance.
      Our examination revealed a low grade fever, weight loss derived muscle weakness,
      sensory disturbance and loss of deep tendon reflex of the lower extremities.
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected an abnormal intensity and gadolinium
      enhancement in the cauda equina. Two weeks after admission, disturbance of
      consciousness and bladder appeared. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed
      pleocytosis, elevated protein and soluble IL-2R, but cytological examination was
      class II negative. We performed a cauda equina biopsy urgently and diagnosed
      malignant lymphoma, of a diffuse large B-cell type. We selected combined MTX
      based chemoradiotherapy and his symptoms significantly improved after a month. He
      achieved complete remission and remains recurrence-free after 10 months post
      treatment although he remains with light paraparesis and sensory disturbance of
      the lower extremities. He has already gone back to a normal life. An examination
      of cauda equina biopsy led to quick diagnosis and treatment. 

PMID- 24225564
TI  - [A case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like
      episodes (MELAS) with treatment-resistant status epilepticus that was effectively
      treated with lamotrigine].
AB  - A 16-year-old woman with MELAS developed fever and myoclonic epilepsy which
      improved with conventional anti-epileptic drugs. Since seizures recurred one
      month after successful treatment, the doses of phenobarbital, clonazepan, and
      valproate were increased. However, there was no improvement and status
      epilepticus continued. The addition of lamotrigine resulted in a decreased
      frequency and good control of seizures. This case is important, showing
      satisfactory results from the addition of lamotrigine for treatment-resistant
      status epilepticus. 

PMID- 24225565
TI  - [An autopsy case of Alzheimer's disease presenting with corticobasal syndrome].
AB  - A right-handed Japanese man developed memory loss at 51 years of age. The right
      side clumsiness developed from 52 years of age and then progressively worsened.
      Temporal/parietal lobe atrophy was observed predominantly on the left side upon
      MR imaging. Subsequently, limb-kinetic apraxia and parkinsonism became apparent
      predominantly on the right side. These symptoms became aggravated along with
      dementia, ultimately leading to an apallic state. The patient eventually died at
      the age of 59 due to aspiration pneumonia. An autopsy was carried out and
      cerebral atrophy was observed predominantly on the left side. Senile plaques were
      observed on the entire cerebral cortex at a high frequency, along with many
      cotton wool plaques. Anti-phosphorylated tau-positive neurofibrillary tangles and
      several neuropil threads were observed upon immunostaining. The tau-positive
      structures were also positive for both RD3 and RD4 antibodies. The findings of
      tauopathy of the glia were poor, and the tau lesion of the brainstem was milder
      than that of the cerebral cortex. These results suggest the possibility that the
      corticobasal syndrome clinically developed in some type of Alzheimer's disease
      and a definite diagnosis was made only by pathological examination. 

PMID- 24225566
TI  - [Neurosarcoidosis presenting with severe hyposmia and polyradiculopathy].
AB  - A 50-year-old woman presented with constriction sensation in the lower part of
      the chest, paresthesia in the right forearm and hypesthesia in the right thigh.
      One month later, she noticed a loss of sense of smell. The normal findings of the
      nasal mucosa and the impaired results of standard olfactory acuity test (T&T
      olfactometry) and intravenous olfactory test (Alinamin test) suggested a lesion
      proximal to the nasal mucosa. Sensory disturbances in the segmental areas of
      cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions were clinically and electrophysiologically
      attributed to polyradiculopathy. MRI of the brain and whole spine revealed no
      abnormalities. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed lymphocytic pleocytosis.
      Sarcoidosis was diagnosed based on the findings including an elevated serum
      angiotensin-converting enzyme level, bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy on the chest
      CT and histological evidence of noncaseating granulomas. Methylprednisolone pulse
      therapy improved the olfactory and sensory disturbances. Neurosarcoidosis should
      be considered in the differential diagnosis of olfactory impairment. 

PMID- 24225567
TI  - [Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis treated successfully with polymyxin B
      immobilized fiber therapy: a case report].
AB  - A-61-year old man was admitted to our hospital with fever and severe disturbance
      of consciousness. He was diagnosed with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis on
      the basis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and urinary antigen detection by
      immunochromatography. Although he was treated with dexamethasone and antibiotics,
      his general status worsened as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS),
      disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and status epileptics developed.
      Following treatment with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber therapy (PMX), which can
      also absorb bacteria-derived toxic substances, he recovered from DIC and SIRS,
      and disturbance of consciousness improved immediately. In addition, the
      concentration of several CSF cytokines--IL-1, IL-2, and TNF-alpha--was decreased.
      The present case suggests that PMX is a good option for severe bacterial
      meningitis.

PMID- 24225568
TI  - [Primary central nervous system lymphoma mimicking ventriculitis].
AB  - A 66-year-old man presented with deteriorated bradykinesia, gait disturbance,
      disorientation, and urinary incontinence for three weeks. Magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) showed dilatation of the ventricles. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
      examination demonstrated lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevation of protein levels,
      and decreased of glucose levels. A gadolinium-enhanced MRI revealed lesions in
      the ventricular wall and choroid plexus, mimicking ventriculitis. No evidence of
      bacterial, fungal, mycobacterial, or viral infections were observed in the CSF.
      Flow cytometry of CSF showed predominance of CD20+, lambda+ cells. PCR
      examination of CSF revealed positive IgH gene rearrangement, suggesting B cell
      lymphoma. Endoscopic brain biopsy showed diffuse large B cell lymphoma. As the
      patient had no evidence of lymphoma in the other organs, we made a diagnosed of
      primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). A limited intraventricular
      spread of PCNSL is rare but important as one of differential diagnosis of
      ventriculitis. 

PMID- 24225569
TI  - [Intracranial germinoma masquerading as a granulomatous inflammation, diagnostic
      failure after brain biopsy].
AB  - We report the case of a 33-year-old man with diplopia, sleepiness, and
      paresthesia of the left upper limb that were slowly progressive. On admission, he
      presented with restriction in the vertical movement of the eyes and abduction of
      the right eye, and horizontal and convergence nystagmus. Slight weakness of the
      left upper limb, bilateral Babinski sign, and truncal ataxia were also noted.
      Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and gadolinium-enhanced T1
      weighted imaging revealed a mass lesion that involved the diencephalon and the
      corpus callosum, which was invariably enhanced. Specimens obtained using a brain
      biopsy showed epithelioid granuloma with the presence of foreign body giant cells
      and lymphocytic infiltration. Prednisolone was administrated because we suspected
      neurosarcoidosis, but the clinical symptoms worsened with the enlargement of the
      lesion. A re-evaluation of the biopsy specimens using immunohistochemistry
      revealed tumor cells of germinoma that were scattered among the lymphocytes and
      positive for periodic acid-Schiff staining, placental alkaline phosphatase, and c
      kit. A combination of chemotherapy and radiation resulted in clinical improvement
      and marked reduction of the mass lesion in size. We concluded that the
      possibility of germinoma should be considered in case granulomatous inflammation
      is observed in brain biopsy specimens. 

PMID- 24225570
TI  - []An adult case of mumps-associated encephalitis/encephalopathy successfully
      treated with steroid pulse therapy].
AB  - A 32-year-old-immunologically healthy woman suffered from mumps. A few days
      later, she was brought to our hospital because of generalized convulsions. On
      arrival, she developed a decorticate posture. Anti-mumps virus antibodies were
      detected in her serum. Elevated protein levels without pleocytosis were observed
      in her cerebrospinal fluid. On the basis of a diagnosis of mumps-associated
      encephalitis/encephalopathy, steroid pulse therapy was administered, which
      improve her disturbance of consciousness. She exhibited akinetic mutism, which
      was followed by deterioration of the frontal lobe. Single-photon emission
      computed tomography demonstrated decreased regional cerebral blood flow in the
      bilateral frontal regions. Therefore, she was suspected with frontal lobe
      dysfunction associated with the lesion, including the thalamus and/or brain stem.
      We consider that the encephalitis/encephalopathy present in this case was caused
      by a reversible autoimmune process triggered by mumps virus infection. 

PMID- 24225571
TI  - [Ineffective mefloquine therapy in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
      complicated with malignant lymphoma: finding and usefulness of susceptibility
      weighted imaging].
AB  - A 57-year-old woman presented with motor and cognitive impairments under
      treatment for cryptogenic organizing pneumonia with immunosuppressive agents.
      Magnetic resonance imaging showed widespread signal abnormalities in the cerebral
      white matter. Susceptibility-weighted imaging showed attenuated contrast of the
      cerebral medullary vein in the lesions, and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron
      emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET) revealed decreased uptake at the same site
      and increased uptake in multifocal lung involvements. Lung biopsy findings were
      consistent with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Polymerase chain reaction for JC
      Virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid yielded positive results. Based on these
      findings, the present case was given a diagnosis of progressive multifocal
      leukoencephalopathy (PML). The patient was treated with oral mefloquine, but her
      respiratory condition deteriorated and chemotherapy was required to prevent
      further deterioration. As a result, chemotherapy to treat lymphoma could not
      result in beneficial immune reconstitution, PML continued to progress despite
      mefloquine treatment, and the patient developed decorticate posture. The efficacy
      of mefloquine in patients with non-HIV-associated PML warrants further
      investigation. 

PMID- 24225578
TI  - Newly available antibodies with practical applications in surgical pathology.
AB  - Selected antibodies that have become available in recent years and have
      applications in diagnostic pathology are discussed. They include antibodies that
      are organ-related, provide information on cellular differentiation or
      histogenetic type, have predictive value in tumors, and highlight infective
      agents. PAX8 (paired box gene 8) is a marker expressed in the lower female
      genital tract, thyroid, and kidney and their tumors. Napsin A is expressed in the
      lung and kidney and is an alternative marker for pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
      Arginase A is a sensitive and specific marker for liver tumors. ERG (Ets-related
      gene) is an excellent marker for endothelium and vascular tumors as well as
      prostatic cancer (about 50% of cases). SOX10 (SRY-related HMG box) is expressed
      predominantly in melanocytic and Schwann cells and the corresponding tumors. DOG1
      (discovered on GIST 1) is an excellent marker for gastrointestinal stromal tumor
      (GIST) and acinic cell carcinoma. OCT3/4 is a pan-germ cell tumor marker, except
      yolk sac tumor. SALL4 is positive in various types of germ cell tumors, including
      yolk sac tumor. MUC4 (mucin-related antigen 4) is a sensitive and specific marker
      for low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Langerin is a specific marker for Langerhans
      cells and their tumors. SOX11 is a sensitive marker for mantle cell lymphoma. New
      generation antibodies against anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are required to
      reliably demonstrate ALK gene translocation in pulmonary carcinomas. Lack of
      expression of succinate dehydrogenase B is seen in paragangliomas of the
      hereditary form and in the pediatric type of GIST. Antibodies against Trepenoma
      pallidum can facilitate the diagnosis of syphilis, whereas those against SV40
      (simian virus 40) are helpful for diagnosis of BK virus infection and progressive
      multifocal leukoencephalopathy. 

PMID- 24225579
TI  - State residence restrictions and forcible rape rates: a multistate quasi
      experimental analysis of UCR data.
AB  - This study examines whether the presence of state residence restrictions resulted
      in changes in statewide rates of forcible rape. It builds on the limited
      geographic coverage of prior studies by including state-level Uniform Crime
      Report (UCR) data across 19 years for 49 states and the District of Columbia. It
      uses a quasi-experimental research method based on a longitudinal fixed-effects
      panel model design, which can help control for relatively static differences
      between states. Results indicate that when a state residence restriction was
      present, regardless of how it was measured, rates of UCR forcible rape were
      higher in the state than when the policy was not present. This suggests that
      residence restrictions, at least at the state level, are not useful as an overall
      crime prevention measure, but may be useful for increasing detection or reporting
      levels of such crimes. However, results also suggest that the size of the
      increase varied by whether the policy only applied to offenders with child
      victims or also included those with adult victims. Implications for research and
      policy are discussed. 

PMID- 24225580
TI  - From protein sequence to dynamics and disorder with DynaMine.
AB  - Protein function and dynamics are closely related; however, accurate dynamics
      information is difficult to obtain. Here based on a carefully assembled data set
      derived from experimental data for proteins in solution, we quantify backbone
      dynamics properties on the amino-acid level and develop DynaMine--a fast, high
      quality predictor of protein backbone dynamics. DynaMine uses only protein
      sequence information as input and shows great potential in distinguishing regions
      of different structural organization, such as folded domains, disordered linkers,
      molten globules and pre-structured binding motifs of different sizes. It also
      identifies disordered regions within proteins with an accuracy comparable to the
      most sophisticated existing predictors, without depending on prior disorder
      knowledge or three-dimensional structural information. DynaMine provides
      molecular biologists with an important new method that grasps the dynamical
      characteristics of any protein of interest, as we show here for human p53 and E1A
      from human adenovirus 5.

PMID- 24225581
TI  - Improvement of the cloud point extraction of uranyl ions by the addition of ionic
      liquids.
AB  - The cloud point extraction (CPE) of uranyl ions by different kinds of extractants
      in Triton X-114 (TX-114) micellar solution was investigated upon the addition of
      ionic liquids (ILs) with various anions, i.e., bromide (Br(-)), tetrafluoroborate
      (BF4(-)), hexafluorophosphate (PF6(-)) and bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide
      (NTf2(-)). A significant increase of the extraction efficiency was found on the
      addition of NTf2(-) based ILs when using neutral extractant tri-octylphosphine
      oxide (TOPO), and the extraction efficiency kept high at both nearly neutral and
      high acidity. However, the CPE with acidic extractants, e.g., bis(2-ethylhexyl)
      phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) which are only effective at
      nearly neutral condition, was not improved by ILs. The results of zeta potential
      and (19)F NMR measurements indicated that the anion NTf2(-) penetrated into the
      TX-114 micelles and was enriched in the surfactant-rich phase during the CPE
      process. Meanwhile, NTf2(-) may act as a counterion in the CPE of UO2(2+) by
      TOPO. Furthermore, the addition of IL increased the separation factor of UO2(2+)
      and La(3+), which implied that in the micelle TOPO, NTf2(-) and NO3(-)
      established a soft template for UO2(2+). Therefore, the combination of CPE and IL
      provided a supramolecular recognition to concentrate UO2(2+) efficiently and
      selectively.

PMID- 24225583
TI  - Cationic polymer-immobilized polysulfone-based fibers as high performance
      sorbents for Pt(IV) recovery from acidic solutions.
AB  - This work reports a novel concept for the development of a polysulfone (PS)-based
      fiber as a high-performance acid-tolerant adsorbent for the recovery of platinum
      group metals (PGMs), particularly Pt(IV), in acidic media. Polyethylenimine (PEI)
      coated PS-Escherichia coli biomass composite fiber (PEI-PSBF) was prepared by
      spinning biomass-PS blends in water, coating with PEI and cross-linking with
      glutaraldehyde. The E. coli biomass on the fiber was executed as a functional
      group donor for binding PEI. PS fiber (PSF), PS-biomass composite fiber (PSBF),
      and PEI-modified PSF (PEI-PSF) were also prepared and compared with PEI-PSBF. The
      results of SEM and FTIR analyses revealed the presence of PEI on the surface of
      PEI-PSBF. Kinetic and isotherm experiments showed the negligible sorption
      capacity of PSF. In contrast, adsorption equilibrium on PSBF and PEI-PSBF was
      attained after 40 min and 6h, respectively. The maximum Pt(IV) uptake of PEI-PSBF
      was 6.6 times higher than that of PSBF. Pt(IV) ions were completely recovered
      from loaded PEI-PSBF by 0.1M thiourea in 1M HCl solution. The PEI-PSBF was also
      stable in 0.1M and 1M HCl solutions. The PEI-PSBF exhibited promising properties
      as an adsorbent for PGMs-containing acidic wastewaters.

PMID- 24225582
TI  - Physiological and proteomic changes suggest an important role of cell walls in
      the high tolerance to metals of Elodea nuttallii.
AB  - Macrophytes bioaccumulate metals, the suggestion being made that they be
      considered for phytoremediation. However, a thorough understanding of the
      mechanisms of metal tolerance in these plants is necessary to allow full
      optimization of this approach. The present study was undertaken to gain insight
      into Hg and Cd accumulation and their effects in a representative macrophyte,
      Elodea nuttallii. Exposure to methyl-Hg (23 ng dm(-3)) had no significant effect
      while inorganic Hg (70 ng dm(-3)) and Cd (281 MUg dm(-3)) affected root growth
      but did not affect shoots growth, photosynthesis, or antioxidant enzymes.
      Phytochelatins were confirmed as having a role in Cd tolerance in this plant
      while Hg tolerance seems to rely on different mechanisms. Histology and
      subcellular distribution revealed a localized increase in lignification, and an
      increased proportion of metal accumulation in cell wall over time. Proteomics
      further suggested that E. nuttallii was able to efficiently adapt its energy
      sources and the structure of its cells during Hg and Cd exposure. Storage in cell
      walls to protect cellular machinery is certainly predominant at environmental
      concentrations of metals in this plant resulting in a high tolerance highlighted
      by the absence of toxicity symptoms in shoots despite the significant
      accumulation of metals.

PMID- 24225584
TI  - Physics-based agent to simulant correlations for vapor phase mass transport.
AB  - Chemical warfare agent simulants are often used as an agent surrogate to perform
      environmental testing, mitigating exposure hazards. This work specifically
      addresses the assessment of downwind agent vapor concentration resulting from an
      evaporating simulant droplet. A previously developed methodology was used to
      estimate the mass diffusivities of the chemical warfare agent simulants methyl
      salicylate, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, di-ethyl malonate, and chloroethyl
      phenyl sulfide. Along with the diffusivity of the chemical warfare agent bis(2
      chloroethyl) sulfide, the simulant diffusivities were used in an advection
      diffusion model to predict the vapor concentrations downwind from an evaporating
      droplet of each chemical at various wind velocities and temperatures. The results
      demonstrate that the simulant-to-agent concentration ratio and the corresponding
      vapor pressure ratio are equivalent under certain conditions. Specifically, the
      relationship is valid within ranges of measurement locations relative to the
      evaporating droplet and observation times. The valid ranges depend on the
      relative transport properties of the agent and simulant, and whether vapor
      transport is diffusion or advection dominant. 

PMID- 24225585
TI  - Influence of generated intermediates' interaction on heterogeneous Fenton's
      degradation of an azo dye 1-diazo-2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid by using sludge
      based carbon as catalyst.
AB  - Sewage sludge based carbons have recently been used as novel catalyst in
      heterogeneous Fenton's reactions to degrade azo dye molecules. The carbons,
      functioning as both catalyst and adsorbent, play an important role in pollutants
      elimination, especially for those simultaneously generated organic intermediates.
      Different factors, i.e., H2O2 concentration, may influence the type and
      properties of those intermediates and may have great impacts on their elimination
      through the interactions with catalysts' surface. Thus, techniques including
      Temperature Programmed Desorption-Mass Spectrometer (TPD-MS), N2 adsorption
      isotherm and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) were used to probe the ways of
      the interaction between oxidation products and catalyst by using different
      initial H2O2 concentrations (10 and 20mM). The higher Chemical Oxygen Demand
      (COD) removal with 20mM H2O2 was found to be related not only to the higher
      hydroxyl radicals but also the specific interactions between the intermediates
      and catalyst' surface. The deep oxidation occurred in the conditions with higher
      oxidant amount enhances the intermediates' adsorption on catalyst, thus
      increasing the COD removal by large margin. Simulated adsorption experiments by
      using six primarily formed intermediates and three deeply mineralized products on
      three different catalysts also confirmed the assumption. Results suggested close
      relations between adsorption capacities and intermediates' properties such as
      polar surface area and octanol-water partition coefficient. 

PMID- 24225586
TI  - Transformation of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether under UV irradiation:
      potential sources of the secondary pollutants.
AB  - A commercial brominated flame retardant 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE
      47) was used as the model chemical to investigate the degradation and
      transformation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in gas and liquid
      phases, respectively, under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The results showed that
      BDE-47 can be transformed to less-brominated BDE analogs. A total of six
      compounds that are less-brominated BDEs and two brominated phenols were observed
      as transformation products in the reaction mixtures. Different degradation rates
      of BDE-47 in n-nonane and in isooctane in the same chamber system were observed.
      Degradation rate of BDE-47 in n-nonane was faster than in isooctane. Under UV
      irradiation, the bromine on the ortho positions of the phenyl rings was lost
      first to form 2,4,4'-tribromodiphenyl ether (BDE-28), which then progressively
      lead to 4,4'-dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE-15) or 2,4'-dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE
      8). An airborne transformation pathway has been proposed according to observed
      transformation products. The more volatile less-brominated BDEs from
      transformation of BDE-47 are easily evaporated into air to be a source of
      secondary pollutants in the environment.

PMID- 24225587
TI  - Reductive transformation of p-nitrophenol by Fe(II) species: the effect of
      anionic media.
AB  - Electron exchange between aqueous Fe(II) and structural Fe(III) of iron minerals
      has been illustrated for understanding the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds
      (NAC). However, factors influencing Fe(II)-induced the reduction of NAC still
      remain elusive. In this paper, p-nitrophenol (1.5mM) was selected to explore the
      effects of pH, the stabilizing ligands (Cl(-), SO4(2-)) of ferrous ions and the
      extra addition of iron hydroxide on the reduction of NAC via Fe(II) species. The
      results indicate that the reduction degree of is much lower in SO4(2-) medium
      than that in Cl(-) medium at pH 7.6. p-Nitrophenol reduction increased in SO4(2-)
      medium and slightly decreased in Cl(-) medium when Fe hydroxide was extra added.
      Cl(-) strength (0.01-0.1 mol L(-1)) has no obvious effect on p-NP reduction.
      SO4(2-) species and its dosage have markedly inhibitory effect on p-NP reduction
      due to the selective adsorption of SO4(2-) and the formation of sulphated surface
      complexes on the fresh Fe hydroxide.

PMID- 24225588
TI  - Isolation and characterization of a novel phenanthrene (PHE) degrading strain
      Psuedomonas sp. USTB-RU from petroleum contaminated soil.
AB  - The phenanthrene degrading novel bacterium strain USTB-RU was isolated from
      petroleum contaminated soil in Dagan oilfield, southeast of Tianjin, northeast
      China. The novel isolate was identified as Pseudomonas sp. USTB-RU on the basis
      of morphological, physicochemical characteristics and analysis of 16S rDNA gene
      sequence. The strain could degrade 86.65% of phenanthrene at an initial
      concentration of 100 mg L(-1) in 8 days and identified intermediate metabolite
      evident the biodegradation of phenanthrene through protocatechuate metabolic
      pathway. The strain showed the potential to produce surface-active compounds that
      may have caused for the resulted efficient biodegradation through enhancing the
      substrate bioavailability. The results highlighted that the adaptability of USTB
      RU to grow in a range of temperature, pH and potential to utilize various
      commonly co-exist pollutants in contaminated site other than phenanthrene as sole
      carbon and energy source. Further, susceptibility of the strain for the tested
      antibiotics inferred the possibility to absence of risk of spreading drug
      resistant factor to other indigenous bacteria. Therefore, the isolated novel
      strain USTB-RU may have a high potential for application in in situ
      bioremediation of phenanthrene contaminated environment.

PMID- 24225589
TI  - Fluorescent BINOL-based sensor for thorium recognition and a density functional
      theory investigation.
AB  - A novel 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) derivative fluorescence sensor L-1 for the
      recognition of thorium ion with a fluorescence quench response. This ligand
      showed high selectivity and sensitivity for thorium ion recognition. Coordination
      effects were investigated by DFT calculations, and the coordination modes and
      sites were confirmed. Moreover, the coordination abilities of the L-1 ligand with
      Th(4+) and UO2(2+) were evaluated. 

PMID- 24225590
TI  - Exogenous auxin alleviates cadmium toxicity in Arabidopsis thaliana by
      stimulating synthesis of hemicellulose 1 and increasing the cadmium fixation
      capacity of root cell walls.
AB  - Auxin is involved in not only plant physiological and developmental processes but
      also plant responses to abiotic stresses. In this study, cadmium (Cd(2+)) stress
      decreased the endogenous auxin level, whereas exogenous auxin (alpha
      naphthaleneacetic acid, NAA, a permeable auxin analog) reduced shoot Cd(2+)
      concentration and rescued Cd(2+)-induced chlorosis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Under
      Cd(2+) stress conditions, NAA increased Cd(2+) retention in the roots and most
      Cd(2+) in the roots was fixed in hemicellulose 1 of the cell wall. NAA treatment
      did not affect pectin content and its binding capacity for Cd(2+), whereas it
      significantly increased the content of hemicellulose 1 and the amount of Cd(2+)
      retained in it. There were highly significant correlations between Cd(2+)
      concentrations in the root, cell wall and hemicellulose 1 when the plants were
      subjected to Cd(2+) or NAA+Cd(2+) treatment for 1 to 7d, suggesting that the
      increase in hemicellulose 1 contributes greatly to the fixation of Cd(2+) in the
      cell wall. Taken together, these results demonstrate that auxin-induced
      alleviation of Cd(2+) toxicity in Arabidopsis is mediated through increasing
      hemicellulose 1 content and Cd(2+) fixation in the root, thus reducing the
      translocation of Cd(2+) from roots to shoots. 

PMID- 24225591
TI  - Influence of promoter on the catalytic activity of high performance Pd/PATP
      catalysts.
AB  - A series of Pd-M/PATP (M=Fe, Cu, Ce) catalysts applied in low temperature CO
      oxidation were prepared by a deposition-precipitation (DP) method. The techniques
      of N2 adsorption/desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature
      programmed reduction by H2 (H2-TPR), BET and ICP were employed for catalyst
      characterization. It was found that the Pd-Fe/PATP catalyst had superior activity
      than Pd-Cu/PATP and Pd-Ce/PATP catalyst under similar condition. The
      characterization results showed Pd nanoparticles of Pd-Fe/PATP catalyst were
      dispersed highly and small size. The effects of Fe loading content, calcination
      temperature and H2 reduction on low temperature CO catalytic oxidation were also
      investigated in detail. At 10 wt.% Fe loading, the catalyst which was calcined at
      200 degrees C and no reduced with H2 had the highest activity. An additional
      reduction peak which was indicated by H2-TPR in the range of 200-250 degrees C
      (beside Pd oxide and Fe2O3) was detected in Pd-Fe-PATP catalyst when Fe content
      was 10 wt.%. It was ascribed to the reduction of weakly chemical-adsorbed oxygen
      and was very important to enhance the activity of Pd-Fe/PATP catalysts. From the
      analysis of research result, it could be seen that reaction pathway for low
      temperature CO oxidation over Pd-Fe/ATP was due to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood
      reaction mechanism.

PMID- 24225592
TI  - Quantitative dielectrophoretic tracking for characterization and separation of
      persistent subpopulations of Cryptosporidium parvum.
AB  - Microbial persistence to antibiotics is attributed to subpopulations with
      phenotypic variations that cause a spread of susceptibility levels, leading to
      the recurrence of infections and stability of biofilms. Herein, persistent oocyst
      subpopulations identified by animal infectivity and excystation assays during the
      disinfection of Cryptosporidium parvum, a water-borne pathogen capable of causing
      enteric infections at ultra-low doses, are separated and characterized by
      quantitative dielectrophoretic tracking over a wide frequency range (10 kHz-10
      MHz). To enable the simultaneous and facile dielectrophoretic tracking of
      individual oocysts, insulator constrictions in a microfluidic channel are
      utilized to spatially modulate the localized field over the extent needed for
      defining oocyst trajectories and for obtaining high-resolution displacement
      versus time measurements under both, positive and negative dielectrophoresis. In
      this manner, by obviating the need for averaging dielectrophoretic data over a
      large collection region, the force response is more sensitive to differences in
      electrophysiology from sub-population fractions. Hence, the electrophysiology of
      sensitive and persistent oocysts after heat and silver nanoparticle treatments
      can be quantified by correlating the force response at low frequencies (<100 kHz)
      to the integrity of the oocyst wall and at high frequencies (0.4-1 MHz) to the
      sporozoites in the oocyst. This label-free method can characterize heterogeneous
      microbial samples with subpopulations of phenotypically different alterations,
      for quantifying the intensity of alteration and fraction with a particular
      alteration type. 

PMID- 24225593
TI  - The selective transfer of patterned graphene.
AB  - We demonstrate a selective microcleaving graphene (MG) transfer technique for the
      transfer of graphene patterns and graphene devices onto chosen targets using a
      bilayer-polymer structure and femtosecond laser microfabrication. In the bilayer
      polymer structure, the first layer is used to separate the target graphene from
      the other flakes, and the second layer transfers the patterned graphene to the
      chosen targets. This selective transfer technique, which exactly transfers the
      patterned graphene onto a chosen target, leaving the other flakes on the original
      substrate, provides an efficient route for the fabrication of MG for microdevices
      and flexible electronics and the optimization of graphene's performance. This
      method will facilitate the preparation of van der Waals heterostructures and
      enable the optimization of the performance of graphene hybrid devices. 

PMID- 24225594
TI  - Amphiphilic modification and asymmetric silica encapsulation of hydrophobic Au
      Fe3O4 dumbbell nanoparticles.
AB  - A facile method is developed for amphiphilic surface modification and asymmetric
      silica encapsulation of hydrophobic Au-Fe3O4 dumbbell nanoparticles. The obtained
      asymmetric Janus nanocomposites display tunable wettability, enhanced catalysis
      and better cell internalization as compared to those with complete silica
      encapsulation. 

PMID- 24225596
TI  - When I grow up, I want to be a doctor, policeman, doctor...?

PMID- 24225595
TI  - Dose response of whey protein isolate in addition to a typical mixed meal on
      blood amino acids and hormonal concentrations.
AB  - The purpose was to investigate the effects of a controlled typical 1-day diet
      supplemented with two different doses of whey protein isolate on blood amino acid
      profiles and hormonal concentrations following the final meal. Nine males (age:
      29.6 +/- 6.3 yrs) completed four conditions in random order: a control (C)
      condition of a typical mixed diet containing ~10% protein (0.8 g.kg1), 65%
      carbohydrate, and 25% fat; a placebo (P) condition calorically matched with
      carbohydrate to the whey protein conditions; a low-dose condition of 0.8 grams of
      whey protein isolate per kilogram body mass per day (g.kg1.d1; W1) in addition to
      the typical mixed diet; or a high-dose condition of 1.6 g.kg1.d1 (W2) of
      supplemental whey protein in addition to the typical mixed diet. Following the
      final meal, significant (p < .05) increases in total amino acids, essential amino
      acids (EAA), branch-chained amino acids (BCAA), and leucine were observed in
      plasma with whey protein supplementation while no changes were observed in the
      control and placebo conditions. There was no significant group difference for
      glucose, insulin, testosterone, cortisol, or growth hormone. In conclusion,
      supplementing a typical daily food intake consisting of 0.8 g of protein.kg1.d1
      with a whey protein isolate (an additional 0.8 or 1.6 g.kg1.d1) significantly
      elevated total amino acids, EAA, BCAA, and leucine but had no effect on glucose,
      insulin, testosterone, cortisol, or growth hormone following the final meal.
      Future acute and chronic supplementation research examining the physiological and
      health outcomes associated with elevated amino acid profiles is warranted. 

PMID- 24225597
TI  - NPWT or HRT-dressing? Results of an expert panel and a Delphi panel analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the similarities and differences between Hydration
      Response Technology (HRT) and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with regard
      to wound bed preparation, and to devise a set of recommendations for their use on
      the basis of the opinion of two panels. METHOD: An expert panel that analysed in
      vitro and clinical data as well as the similarities and differences between the
      two modalities was established. This culminated in a series of recommendations on
      which modality to use for which indication. These recommendations were presented
      to a Delphi panel, consisting of users of both NPWT and HRT-dressing. The panel
      was then asked to produce its own recommendations. RESULTS: The outcomes and
      recommendations of both panels were reported. NPWT is the preferred treatment
      modality for abdominal dehisced wounds, and to a lesser extent, for surgical
      wound healing by secondary intention. For all other indications, the treatment
      modalities are at least equal, with HRT-dressing often being the superior mode to
      treat wounds such as venous leg ulcers, arterial ulcers and vasculitis.
      CONCLUSION: In the opinion of the expert panel and the Delphi panel, both
      modalities share a number of clinical and non-clinical properties. However,
      because of the numerous advantages of HRT technology, HRT dressing has the
      potential to replace NPWT in a number of indications, where the patient, health
      care providers and institutions may benefit. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: This study
      was sponsored by Sorbion GmbH & Co, Senden, Germany. Authors M. Hermans and K.
      Cutting are consultants to Sorbion GmbH & Co, Senden, Germany.

PMID- 24225598
TI  - Negative pressure wound therapy: improving the patient experience Part 2 of 3.
AB  - Despite the clear benefits of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) as a
      treatment for wounds, it is essential that greater focus is given to the patient
      experience of this treatment. In particular, it is important that any unpleasant
      consequences, such as pain, stress, and skin trauma are minimised, so as to
      promote quality of life and healing. This article presents part two of three
      studies which aim to explore ways in which the patient experience of NPWT can be
      improved. In this study, the views of wound care clinicians (n=12) were
      investigated in greater depth through semi-structured interviews. Findings
      indicate a pressing need to minimise pain, particularly through ongoing
      assessment and collaboration with patients, and also through the use of
      appropriate dressings, films and other products that promote patient comfort.
      Additionally, it is evident that greater education is needed for both nurses and
      patients about NPWT, in order to promote high-quality care and patient wellbeing.

PMID- 24225599
TI  - In vitro studies on the beneficial effect of a hydrokinetic fiber dressing on
      wound healing by reduction of protease activity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test the binding capacity of a hydrokinetic fiber dressing for PMN
      elastase, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in vitro, and to determine whether testing of dressing
      material samples in vitro is sufficient to predict the performance of the whole
      dressing. METHOD: In vitro protease binding assays for PMN elastase, MMP-2 and
      MMP-9 were used to evaluate the protease modulating capacity of sorbion sachet
      EXTRA, a superabsorbant dressing that consists of special hydrokinetic fibers,
      which are formed from cellulose and sodium polyacrylate in a mechanical process
      without any bonding agents or adhesives. The ability of the hydrokinetic fiber
      dressing to inhibit elastase and collagenase activity was also tested at 0%, 50%
      and 100% saturation volume. RESULTS: The hydrokinetic fiber wound dressing was
      able to bind considerable amounts of elastase, reducing elastase activity by
      approximately 84%. Moreover, it significantly decreased MMP-2 and MMP-9
      concentrations in vitro and was able to completely inhibit collagenase activity.
      CONCLUSION: In summary, the hydrokinetic fiber dressing sorbion sachet EXTRA was
      able to significantly reduce the concentration and activity of proteolytic
      enzymes in vitro. These results suggest that sorbion sachet EXTRA should have a
      beneficial action by reducing the detrimental effects of proteolytic enzymes in
      vivo. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: This work was supported by Sorbion GmbH & Co. KG,
      Senden, Germany.

PMID- 24225600
TI  - Report on a clinical evaluation of the KerraPro Heel silicone heel pad.
AB  - Heels are at increased risk of injury due to the posterior prominence and lack of
      padding over the calcaneus. Pressure injuries, once established, are extremely
      costly, both in terms of the detrimental effect on psychosocial wellbeing and
      threat to life, as well as financially due to length of hospital stay and
      resources used to heal the wounds. A new and inexpensive silicone heel pad has
      been designed to simplify the necessary decisions and to address the problems
      associated with pressure injuries to the heels. This article will describe an
      observational evaluation of the product. KerraPro Heel pads were evaluated in two
      separate cohorts of 17 participants over a 4-week period with the primary aim to
      evaluate the efficacy of the product in preventing and alleviating pressure
      injuries on the heels. All participants had been reported as 'at risk' or 'at
      high risk' of pressure injury to the heels and had a history of developing such
      lesions. The KerraPro heel pads were compared with the participant's standard
      protocol. The outcome of the evaluation demonstrated the effectiveness of the
      KerraPro Heel pads in the prevention and treatment of heel pressure injuries. 

PMID- 24225601
TI  - Maximising the secondary beneficial effects of larval debridement therapy.
AB  - Laboratory-based clinical investigations have shown that maggots and their
      secretions promote, among other activities, fibroblast motogenesis and
      angiogenesis. These events would contribute to re-granulation if translated to
      the wound environment. Maggot secretions also have ascribed antibacterial actions
      and may exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. Many of these biological events would
      be lost in the presence of necrotic tissue, making debridement a prerequisite for
      the release of larval-secreted secondary beneficial effects on the wound. We
      argue that Larval Debridement Therapy (LDT) should be considered as a primary and
      secondary treatment in wound management, with the primary application designed to
      debride the wound, and with subsequent applications to the debrided wound
      targeted to cellular events that promote healing. This review lends support to a
      re-evaluation of larval application protocols, in order to optimally harness the
      potential secondary beneficial clinical effects of larval therapy. 

PMID- 24225602
TI  - An exploration of fourth-year undergraduate nurses' knowledge of and attitude
      towards pressure ulcer prevention.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine undergraduate nurses' knowledge of and attitudes towards
      pressure ulcer prevention. METHOD: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design
      was used for this study. Ethical approval was received. A convenience sample of
      fourth-year undergraduate nurses was selected to participate (n=60). Data were
      collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, the participants
      showed a positive attitude towards pressure ulcer prevention but displayed poor
      knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention. Interestingly, having a high level of
      competency corresponded with having a positive attitude towards pressure ulcer
      prevention, but did not equate to possessing knowledge of pressure ulcer
      prevention. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that fourth-year
      undergraduates have a positive attitude but lack adequate knowledge on the
      prevention of pressure ulcers. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: There were no external
      sources of funding for this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to
      declare.

PMID- 24225603
TI  - Feelings of powerlessness in patients with venous leg ulcers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess feelings of powerlessness in patients with venous leg
      ulcers. METHOD: An exploratory, descriptive, analytic, cross-sectional study was
      conducted at the Plastic Surgery Outpatient Clinic of the Sao Paulo Hospital
      (HSP) and at the Outpatient Wound-Care Clinic of the Sorocaba Hospital Complex
      (CHS), Brazil, from May 2010 to April 2012. Sixty patients with venous leg ulcers
      (VLUs), of both sexes, aged greater than or equal to 18 years, from the two
      outpatient wound-care clinics were selected to participate in the study. All
      participants responded to the Powerlessness Assessment Tool (PAT) for adult
      patients. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test, Mann
      Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test at a significance level of 5% (p<0.05).
      RESULTS: Forty-four (73%) patients were women and 38 (63%) were aged 61-70 years.
      Eight (13%) patients were alcoholics and 46 (77%) were smokers. Thirty-two (53%)
      patients had a VLU for more than 10 years; the ulcer area ranged from 11-20 cm2
      in 19 (32%) patients and was >30 cm2 in 18 (30%) patients. Mean total PAT score
      was 47.83 +/- 7.99 and ranged from 51-60 for 31 (52%) patients and from 41-50 for
      19 (32%) patients. CONCLUSION: Most patients with venous leg ulcers reported high
      PAT scores, revealing the presence of strong feelings of powerlessness.
      DECLARATION OF INTEREST: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

PMID- 24225604
TI  - Hemisoleus muscle flap in the reconstruction of exposed bones in the lower limb.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of soleus muscle flap for covering complex
      defects of the middle and lower leg. The study also outlines functional gain
      after the reconstructive procedure, the donor site morbidity and the technical
      details of the operative procedure. METHOD: This prospective study consists of a
      total of 40 patients with middle and lower third defects with exposed bone
      present in the leg. In all cases, a proximally-based hemisoleus flap was used.
      All patients were between 15-65 years of age. Depending upon the position of the
      defect and ease of rotation, either the medial or lateral hemisoleus was used to
      cover the defects. In 7 patients with large defects, both the hemi-gastrocnemius
      and hemisoleus flap were used. RESULTS: Most of the patients studied (52.5%) had
      defects in the middle third of their leg. A further 12(30%) patients had defects
      over the upper part of the lower third of the leg and 7(17.5%) cases involved
      large defects exposing bones comprising both the middle and lower thirds of the
      leg. All the flaps survived well except 5 which developed partial skin graft
      loss, and 1 where complete flap loss was observed. Out of 5 patients who
      developed partial graft loss, 3 patients achieved complete healing by regular
      dressings and 2 required regrafting. The patient who developed complete flap loss
      required below knee amputation. No donor site morbidity was observed, except
      minimal depression in the posterior leg. CONCLUSION: Due to a high degree of
      reliability, versatility, minimal donor site morbidity, less operating time, low
      cost and good functional gain, this procedure is highly suitable for the
      treatment of complex middle and lower leg defects. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: There
      were no external sources of funding for this study. The authors have no conflicts
      of interest to declare.

PMID- 24225605
TI  - 'Clinical and cost-effectiveness of absorbent dressings in the treatment of
      highly exuding VLUs'.

PMID- 24225606
TI  - Back to basics: histological, microbiological and biochemical sampling in wound
      care.
AB  - Despite the advances in our understanding of normal and abnormal wound healing
      over the past decade, a specific biomarker which can be used clinically to
      identify 'hard-to-heal' wounds still remains elusive. Tissue and exudate samples
      extracted from the site of the wound are traditionally analysed using
      histological, microbiological and biochemical laboratory techniques. The aim of
      this paper is to review the advantages of these techniques, their limitations and
      the rapid developments in the fields of microbiology and proteomics, which are
      offering new insights into the differences between healing and non-healing
      wounds. 

PMID- 24225607
TI  - Developing a new, national approach to surveillance for ventilator-associated
      events: executive summary.

PMID- 24225608
TI  - Pediatric antimicrobial susceptibility trends across the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns across US pediatric healthcare
      institutions are unknown. A national pooled pediatric antibiogram (1) identifies
      nationwide trends in antimicrobial resistance, (2) allows across-hospital
      benchmarking, and (3) provides guidance for empirical antimicrobial regimens for
      institutions unable to generate pediatric antibiograms. METHODS: In January 2012,
      a request for submission of pediatric antibiograms between 2005 and 2011 was sent
      to 233 US hospitals. A summary antibiogram was compiled from participating
      institutions to generate proportions of antimicrobial susceptibility. Temporal
      and regional comparisons were evaluated using chi(2) tests and logistic
      regression, respectively. RESULTS: Of 200 institutions (85%) responding to our
      survey, 78 (39%) reported generating pediatric antibiograms, and 55 (71%)
      submitted antibiograms. Carbapenems had the highest activity against the majority
      of gram-negative organisms tested, but no antibiotic had more than 90% activity
      against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Approximately 50% of all Staphylococcus aureus
      isolates were methicillin resistant. Western hospitals had significantly lower
      proportions of S. aureus that were methicillin resistant compared with all other
      regions tested. Overall, 21% of S. aureus isolates had resistance to clindamycin.
      Among Enterococcus faecium isolates, the prevalence of susceptibility to
      ampicillin (25%) and vancomycin (45%) was low but improved over time (P< .01),
      and 8% of E. faecium isolates were resistant to linezolid. Southern hospitals
      reported significantly higher prevalence of E. faecium with susceptibilities to
      ampicillin, vancomycin, and linezolid compared with the other 3 regions (P< .01).
      CONCLUSIONS: A pooled, pediatric antibiogram can identify nationwide
      antimicrobial resistance patterns for common pathogens and might serve as a
      useful tool for benchmarking resistance and informing national prescribing
      guidelines for children.

PMID- 24225609
TI  - Identifying targets for antimicrobial stewardship in children's hospitals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are recommended to optimize
      antimicrobial use for hospitalized patients. Although mechanisms for the
      implementation of ASPs have been described, data-driven approaches to prioritize
      specific conditions and antimicrobials for intervention have not been
      established. We aimed to develop a strategy for identifying high-impact targets
      for antimicrobial stewardship efforts. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional
      study. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Children admitted to 32 freestanding children's
      hospitals in the United States in 2010. METHODS: We identified the conditions
      with the largest proportional contribution to the total days of antibiotic
      therapy prescribed to all hospitalized children. For the 4 highest-using
      conditions, we examined variability between hospitals in antibiotic selection
      patterns for use of either first- or second-line therapies depending on the
      condition. Antibiotic use was determined using standardized probability of
      exposure to selected agents and standardized days of therapy per 1,000 patient
      days, adjusting for patient demographics and severity of illness. RESULTS: In
      2010, 524,364 children received 2,082,929 days of antibiotic therapy. Surgical
      patients received 43% of all antibiotics. The 4 highest-using conditions
      pneumonia, appendicitis, cystic fibrosis, and skin and soft-tissue infection
      represent 1% of all conditions yet accounted for more than 10% of all antibiotic
      use. Wide variability in antibiotic use occurred for 3 of these 4 conditions.
      CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic use in children's hospitals varied broadly across
      institutions when examining diagnoses individually and adjusting for severity of
      illness. Identifying conditions with both frequent and variable antimicrobial use
      informs the prioritization of high-impact targets for future antimicrobial
      stewardship interventions.

PMID- 24225610
TI  - The use of best practice alerts with the development of an antimicrobial
      stewardship navigator to promote antibiotic de-escalation in the electronic
      medical record.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Develop a clinical decision support tool comprised of an electronic
      medical record alert and antimicrobial stewardship navigator to facilitate
      antimicrobial stewardship. DESIGN: We analyzed alerts targeting antimicrobial de
      escalation to assess the effectiveness of the navigator as a stewardship tool.
      The alert provides antimicrobial recommendations, then directs providers to the
      navigator, which includes order management, relevant patient information,
      evidence-based clinical information, and bidirectional communication capability.
      SETTING: Academic, tertiary care medical center with an electronic medical
      record. INTERVENTION: Alerts containing stewardship recommendations and immediate
      access to the navigator were created. RESULTS:  Antibiotic use and response data
      were collected 1 day before stewardship recommendation via the best practice
      alert (BPA) tool and 1 day after the BPA tool response. A total of 1,285
      stewardship BPAs were created. Two hundred and forty-four (18.9%) of the BPAs
      were created and acted upon within 72 hours for the purpose of de-escalation: 169
      (69%) were accepted, 30 (12%) were accepted with modification, and 45 (18%) were
      rejected. Statistically significant decreases in total antibiotic use as well as
      in use of broad-spectrum (anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and
      anti-pseudomonal) agents occurred when accepted recommendations were compared
      with rejected recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the successful
      development of a clinical decision support tool to perform prospective audit and
      feedback comprised of an alert and navigator system featuring evidence-based
      recommendations and clinical and educational information. We demonstrate that
      this tool improves antibiotic use through our example of de-escalation.

PMID- 24225611
TI  - Incidence, classification, and risk stratification for Candida central line
      associated bloodstream infections in pediatric patients at a tertiary care
      children's hospital, 2000-2010.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for pediatric Candida central line-associated
      bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study.
      SETTING: Freestanding tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Patients with
      Candida CLABSI from January 31, 2000, through December 31, 2010, compared with
      age- and year-matched controls. METHODS: Demographics, comorbidities, presence of
      indwelling foreign bodies, exposure to antibiotics or corticosteroids, total
      parenteral nutrition (TPN) or blood transfusions, complications, and outcome were
      evaluated. Bivariate and then logistic regression were used to compare temporal
      trends and risk factors. Results. A total of 160 Candida CLABSI patients (median
      age, 1.96 years) were compared with 457 controls. Those with Candida CLABSIs were
      more likely to have intestinal failure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.777 [95%
      confidence interval (CI), 2.315-19.839]; P< .001), to have a gastrostomy tube in
      place (aOR, 4.156 [95% CI, 2.317-7.456]; P< .001), and to receive TPN (aOR, 3.897
      [95% CI, 2.403-6.319]; P< .001) or blood transfusions (aOR, 2.990 [95% CI, 1.841
      4.856]; P< .001), and they had a 3-fold increase in mortality (aOR, 3.543 [95%
      CI, 1.501-8.364]; P< .004). Candida albicans was most common, but non-albicans
      strains resistant to amphotericin (C. lusitaniae) and fluconazole (C. glabrata
      and C. krusei) were also found. Conclusions. Those patients with intestinal
      failure, gastrostomy tube presence, and/or receipt of TPN and blood transfusions
      are at increased risk for development of Candida CLABSI.

PMID- 24225612
TI  - Management of neurosurgical instruments and patients exposed to Creutzfeldt-Jakob
      disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To summarize the approaches used to manage exposure of patients to
      inadequately sterilized neurosurgical instruments contaminated as a result of
      Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). METHODS: Information on past CJD exposure
      incidents reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was
      aggregated and summarized. In addition, inactivation studies were reviewed, and
      data from selected publications were provided for reference. RESULTS: Nineteen
      incidents of patient exposure to potentially CJD-contaminated instruments were
      reported to the CDC, including 17 that involved intracranial procedures and 2
      that involved ophthalmologic procedures. In more than 50% of incidents, the
      neurosurgical procedures were performed for diagnostic work up of the index
      patients. At least 12 of the hospitals had multiple neurosurgical sets, and the
      CJD-contaminated instruments could not be identified in 11 of 19 hospitals. In 12
      of 15 hospitals with neurosurgical incidents, a decision was made to notify
      patients of their potential exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Neurosurgical instruments used
      for treatment of patients with suspected or diagnosed CJD or patients whose
      diagnosis is unclear should be promptly identified and sterilized using
      recommended CJD decontamination protocols. Inability to trace instruments
      complicates appropriate management of exposure incidents. The feasibility of
      instituting instrument tracking procedures should be considered.

PMID- 24225613
TI  - Incidence and pathogen distribution of healthcare-associated infections in pilot
      hospitals in Egypt.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report type and rates of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) as
      well as pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns from a pilot
      HAI surveillance system in Egypt. METHODS: Prospective surveillance was conducted
      from April 2011 through March 2012 in 46 intensive care units (ICUs) in Egypt.
      Definitions were adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
      National Healthcare Safety Network. Trained healthcare workers identified HAIs
      and recorded data on clinical symptoms and up to 4 pathogens. A convenience
      sample of clinical isolates was tested for antimicrobial resistance at a central
      reference laboratory. Multidrug resistance was defined by international consensus
      criteria. RESULTS: ICUs from 11 hospitals collected 90,515 patient-days of
      surveillance data. Of 472 HAIs identified, 47% were pneumonia, 22% were
      bloodstream infections, and 15% were urinary tract infections; case fatality
      among HAI case patients was 43%. The highest rate of device-associated infections
      was reported for ventilator-associated pneumonia (pooled mean rate, 7.47 cases
      per 1,000 ventilator-days). The most common pathogens reported were Acinetobacter
      species (21.8%) and Klebsiella species (18.4%). All Acinetobacter isolates tested
      (31/31) were multidrug resistant, and 71% (17/24) of Klebsiella pneumoniae
      isolates were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers. CONCLUSIONS: Infection
      control priorities in Egypt should include preventing pneumonia and preventing
      infections due to antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

PMID- 24225614
TI  - Infection control knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare workers in
      Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To better understand hospital infection control practices in Ethiopia.
      DESIGN: A cross-sectional evaluation of healthcare worker (HCW) knowledge,
      attitudes, and practices about hand hygiene and tuberculosis (TB) infection
      control measures. METHODS: An anonymous 76-item questionnaire was administered to
      HCWs at 2 university hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Knowledge items were
      scored as correct/incorrect. Attitude and practice items were assessed using a
      Likert scale. RESULTS: In total, 261 surveys were completed by physicians (51%)
      and nurses (49%). Fifty-one percent of respondents were male; mean age was 30
      years. While hand hygiene knowledge was fair, self-reported practice was
      suboptimal. Physicians reported performing hand hygiene 7% and 48% before and
      after patient contact, respectively. Barriers for performing hand hygiene
      included lack of hand hygiene agents (77%), sinks (30%), and proper training
      (50%) as well as irritation and dryness (67%) caused by hand sanitizer made in
      accordance with the World Health Organization formulation. TB infection control
      knowledge was excellent (more than 90% correct). Most HCWs felt that they were at
      high risk for occupational acquisition of TB (71%) and that proper TB infection
      control can prevent nosocomial transmission (92%). Only 12% of HCWs regularly
      wore a mask when caring for TB patients. Only 8% of HCWs reported that masks were
      regularly available, and 76% cited a lack of infrastructure to isolate
      suspected/known TB patients. CONCLUSIONS: Training HCWs about the importance and
      proper practice of hand hygiene along with improving hand sanitizer options may
      improve patient safety. Additionally, enhanced infrastructure is needed to
      improve TB infection control practices and allay HCW concerns about acquiring TB
      in the hospital.

PMID- 24225615
TI  - Innovative solution to sharp waste management in a tertiary care hospital in
      Karachi, Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prevalence of hepatitis B and C in Pakistan is 2.5% and 4.5%,
      respectively. Major cause of these infections is reuse of syringes. OBJECTIVE: To
      determine a cost-effective, innovative solution to prevent syringe reuse and
      break the transmission cycle of blood-borne infections. STUDY DESIGN, SETTINGS,
      AND DURATION: Analytical study in a tertiary care hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate
      Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan, July 2011 to June 2012. METHODS: Healthcare
      workers from 30 wards included in the study were trained on injection safety, use
      of needle remover and needle pit, and management of needlestick injuries. Each
      ward was provided with 2 needle-removing devices, and a pit was constructed for
      disposal of needles. Usage of the device in wards and pit use were monitored
      regularly. RESULTS: In 28 (93.3%) wards, sharp containers were accessible by
      public and were slack. Syringes were recapped using both hands in 27 (90%) cases;
      needlestick injury was reported by 30% of paramedics, while 25 (83.3%) of the
      interviewed staff had not received any formal training in injection safety.
      Vigilant monitoring and information sharing led to healthcare workers in 28
      (96.5%) wards using the device. Needle containers were emptied in 27 (93.1%)
      wards, and needle pits were used in 26 (96.3%) wards. Needlestick injury was nil
      in follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Needle removers permanently disable syringes. The
      needle pit served as a cost-effective, innovative method for disposal of needles.
      The intervention resulted in reducing the risk of needlestick injury.

PMID- 24225616
TI  - Assessment for possible healthcare-associated transmission of a new variant
      influenza virus--Pennsylvania, August 2011.
AB  - In August 2011, one of the earliest cases of influenza A(H3N2) variant [A(H3N2)v]
      virus infection was hospitalized with severe illness. To investigate the
      potential for healthcare-associated transmission of influenza A(H3N2)v, we
      evaluated both healthcare providers and patient contacts of the case. We found
      that healthcare-associated transmission was unlikely. 

PMID- 24225617
TI  - Carbapenem de-escalation therapy in a resource-limited setting.
AB  - Pulmonary infection (P=.01) and an infectious diseases consultation (P=.04) were
      associated with carbapenem de-escalation; pulmonary infection and septic shock
      were associated with unsuccessful de-escalation. Successful de-escalation was
      associated with lower mortality (0% vs 23%; P<.001) and shorter duration of
      carbapenem use (4 vs 10 days; P <= .001).

PMID- 24225618
TI  - Impact of different catheter lock strategies on bacterial colonization of
      permanent central venous hemodialysis catheters.
AB  - Thirty-nine hemodialysis patients with permanent central venous catheters were
      analyzed for bacterial catheter colonization comparing different catheter-lock
      strategies. The closed needleless Tego connector with sodium chloride lock
      solution was significantly more frequently colonized with bacteria than the
      standard catheter caps with antimicrobially active citrate lock solution (odds
      ratio, 0.22 [95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.71]; P = .011).

PMID- 24225619
TI  - The impact of observation units on the rate of hospital-acquired infection.
AB  - Using Clostridium difficile as an example, we calculated the impact that reduced
      inpatient-day denominators resulting from implementation of hospital observation
      units would have on hospital-acquired infection rates. Using proposed scenarios
      of reduced inpatient-days, we estimated an increase in the hospital-acquired C.
      difficile infection rate of up to 12%. 

PMID- 24225620
TI  - Harnessing claims to improve detection of surgical site infections following
      hysterectomy and colorectal surgery.
AB  - Surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance is performed using a variety of
      methods with unclear performance characteristics. We used claims data to identify
      records for review following hysterectomy and colorectal surgery. Claims-enhanced
      screening identified SSIs missed by routine surveillance and could be used for
      targeted chart review to improve SSI detection. 

PMID- 24225621
TI  - A multicenter study measuring appropriateness of carbapenem use.

PMID- 24225622
TI  - Frequency of disinfectant resistance genes in pediatric strains of methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

PMID- 24225623
TI  - Development of a core team for the management of peripherally inserted central
      catheters.

PMID- 24225624
TI  - Reply to Parcell et al.

PMID- 24225625
TI  - Mucosal barrier injury laboratory--confirmed bloodstream infection or
      contaminant?

PMID- 24225626
TI  - Monitoring of cleaning practices for portable, multiuse medical equipment.

PMID- 24225627
TI  - Sharing eyedrops between patients: when will it end?

PMID- 24225628
TI  - Survival of a surrogate virus on N95 respirator material.

PMID- 24225629
TI  - Evaluation of universal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening
      using nasal polymerase chain reaction compared with nasal, axilla, and groin and
      throat and perianal cultures in a hospital setting.

PMID- 24225630
TI  - Multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis typing of vancomycin
      resistant Enterococcus faecium in Serbia.

PMID- 24225631
TI  - Clostridium difficile 027 emerging outbreak in Marseille, France.

PMID- 24225634
TI  - Simultaneous quantification of cocaine, amphetamines, opiates and cannabinoids in
      vitreous humor.
AB  - A GC-MS method for simultaneous analysis of cocaine (COC), amphetamines (AMPs),
      opiates, cannabinoids and their metabolites in vitreous humor (VH) was developed
      and fully validated. VH samples were extracted using solid phase extraction and
      injected into the GC-MS, using a selected ion monitoring mode. Linearity ranged
      from 10 to 1000 ng/mL; the exception was anhydroecgonine methyl ester (AEME), for
      which linearity ranged from 10 to 750 ng/mL. Inter-assay imprecision lay from 1.2
      to 10.0%, intra-assay imprecision was <10.4% for all the analytes and accuracy
      ranged from 95.6 to 104.0%. An limit of quantitation for all drugs was 10 ng/mL
      and recoveries ranged from 70.4 to 100.1% for basic and neutral compounds; the
      acid compounds had poor recovery--<40%. The validated method was applied to 10 VH
      samples taken from individuals whose blood had screened positive for drugs of
      abuse. All the individuals screened positive for COC in the blood (seven samples)
      also had positive results in VH; COC concentration ranged from 30.81 to 283.97
      ng/mL (mean 186.98 ng/mL) and benzoylecgonine concentration ranged from 11.47 to
      460.98 ng/mL (mean 133.91 ng/mL). It was also noticed that, in five cases,
      cocaethylene was detected. AEME was also quantified in one case. The use of AMP
      detected by blood analysis was confirmed in the VH of one individual (24.31
      ng/mL). However, samples taken from three individuals whose blood tested positive
      for carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol presented negative results. The results
      demonstrated that VH is a suitable alternative biological sample to determine
      COC, AMPs, opiates and their metabolites.

PMID- 24225635
TI  - Ni(II) tetraphosphine complexes as catalysts/initiators in the ring opening
      polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone.
AB  - Reactions of the tetraphosphine ligand N,N,N',N'
      tetra(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)ethylene diamine) (dppeda) or 1,4-N,N,N',N'
      tetra(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)benzene diamine (dpppda) with NiCl2, ancillary
      ligand (C2H5)2NCS2Na (Na(dtc)) and NH4PF6 afforded two binuclear complexes
      [(dtc)Ni(dppeda)Ni(dtc)](PF6)2 (1) and [(dtc)Ni(dpppda)Ni(dtc)](PF6)2 (2).
      Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, (1)H,
      (13)C{(1)H} NMR and (31)P{(1)H} NMR, electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra,
      thermogravimetric (TGA) experiments and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The
      Ni(ii) atoms in both compounds form a square planar coordination geometry while
      the ligands hold a similar end-to-end coordination mode. Both products can
      catalyze the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epsilon-caprolactone (epsilon
      CL) while 1 exhibited a higher catalytic activity than 2. Influencing aspects
      such as solvent, temperature, the ratio of epsilon-CL to catalyst, the presence
      of benzyl alcohol, concentration of epsilon-CL and reaction intervals were
      investigated.

PMID- 24225636
TI  - Boning up on autophagy: the role of autophagy in skeletal biology.
AB  - From an evolutionary perspective, the major function of bone is to provide stable
      sites for muscle attachment and affording protection of vital organs, especially
      the heart and lungs (ribs) and spinal cord (vertebrae and intervertebral discs).
      However, bone has a considerable number of other functions: serving as a store
      for mineral ions, providing a site for blood cell synthesis and participating in
      a complex system-wide endocrine system. Not surprisingly, bone and cartilage cell
      homeostasis is tightly controlled, as is the maintenance of tissue structure and
      mass. While a great deal of new information is accruing concerning skeletal cell
      homeostasis, one relatively new observation is that the cells of bone
      (osteoclasts osteoblasts and osteocytes) and cartilage (chondrocytes) exhibit
      autophagy. The focus of this review is to examine the significance of this
      process in terms of the functional demands of the skeleton in health and during
      growth and to provide evidence that dysregulation of the autophagic response is
      involved in the pathogenesis of diseases of bone (Paget disease of bone) and
      cartilage (osteoarthritis and the mucopolysaccharidoses). Delineation of
      molecular changes in the autophagic process is uncovering new approaches for the
      treatment of diseases that affect the axial and appendicular skeleton. 

PMID- 24225638
TI  - Tyrosine capsid-mutant AAV vectors for gene delivery to the canine retina from a
      subretinal or intravitreal approach.
AB  - Recombinant adeno-associated viruses are important vectors for retinal gene
      delivery. Currently utilized vectors have relatively slow onset, and for
      efficient transduction it is necessary to deliver treatment subretinally, with
      the potential for damage to the retina. Amino-acid substitutions in the viral
      capsid improve efficiency in rodent eyes by evading host responses. As dogs are
      important large animal models for human retinitis pigmentosa, we evaluated the
      speed and efficiency of retinal transduction using capsid-mutant vectors injected
      both subretinally and intravitreally. We evaluated AAV serotypes 2 and 8 with
      amino-acid substitutions of surface-exposed capsid tyrosine residues. The chicken
      beta-actin promoter was used to drive green fluorescent protein expression.
      Twelve normal adult beagles were injected; four dogs received intravitreal
      injections and eight dogs received subretinal injections. Capsid-mutant viruses
      tested included AAV2(quad Y-F) (intravitreal and subretinal) and self
      complementary scAAV8(Y733F) (subretinal only). Contralateral control eyes
      received injections of scAAV5 (subretinal) or scAAV2 (intravitreal). Subretinally
      delivered vectors had a faster expression onset than intravitreally delivered
      vectors. Subretinally delivered scAAV8(Y733F) had a faster onset of expression
      than scAAV5. All subretinally injected vector types transduced the outer retina
      with high efficiency and the inner retina with moderate efficiency.
      Intravitreally delivered AAV2(quad Y-F) had a marginally higher efficiency of
      transduction of both outer retinal and inner retinal cells than scAAV2. Because
      of their rapid expression onset and efficient transduction, subretinally
      delivered capsid-mutant AAV8 vectors may increase the efficacy of gene therapy
      treatment for rapid photoreceptor degenerative diseases. With further refinement,
      capsid-mutant AAV2 vectors show promise for retinal gene delivery from an
      intravitreal approach. 

PMID- 24225639
TI  - Enhanced antitumor immunotherapeutic effect of B-cell-based vaccine transduced
      with modified adenoviral vector containing type 35 fiber structures.
AB  - For successful clinical tumor immunotherapy outcomes, strong immune responses
      against tumor antigens must be generated. Cell-based vaccines compromise one
      strategy with which to induce appropriate strong immune responses. Previously, we
      established a natural killer T-cell (NKT) ligand-loaded, adenoviral vector
      transduced B-cell-based anticancer cellular vaccine. To enhance tumor antigen
      delivery to B cells, we established a modified adenoviral vector (Ad-k35) that
      encoded a truncated form of the breast cancer antigen Her2/neu (Ad-k35HM) in
      which fiber structure was substituted with adenovirus serotype 35. We observed
      increased tumor antigen expression with Ad-k35HM in both human and murine B
      cells. In addition, an Ad-k35HM-transduced B-cell vaccine elicited strong antigen
      specific cellular and humoral immune responses that were further enhanced with
      the additional loading of soluble NKT ligand KBC009. An Ad-k35HM-transduced,
      KBC009-loaded B-cell vaccine efficiently suppressed the in vivo growth of
      established tumors in a mouse model. Moreover, the vaccine elicited human
      leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 epitope-specific cytotoxic T-cell responses in B6.Cg
      (CB)-Tg (HLA-A/H2-D) 2Enge/Jat mice. These findings indicated that the Ad-k35
      could be appropriate for the preclinical and clinical development of B-cell-based
      anticancer immunotherapies. 

PMID- 24225640
TI  - Virally expressed connexin26 restores gap junction function in the cochlea of
      conditional Gjb2 knockout mice.
AB  - Mutations in GJB2, which codes for the gap junction (GJ) protein connexin26
      (Cx26), are the most common causes of human nonsyndromic hereditary deafness. We
      inoculated modified adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors into the scala media of
      early postnatal conditional Gjb2 knockout mice to drive exogenous Cx26
      expression. We found extensive virally expressed Cx26 in cells lining the scala
      media, and intercellular GJ network was re-established in the organ of Corti of
      mutant mouse cochlea. Widespread ectopic Cx26 expression neither formed ectopic
      GJs nor affected normal hearing thresholds in wild-type (WT) mice, suggesting
      that autonomous cellular mechanisms regulate proper membrane trafficking of
      exogenously expressed Cx26 and govern the functional manifestation of them.
      Functional recovery of GJ-mediated coupling among the supporting cells was
      observed. We found that both cell death in the organ of Corti and degeneration of
      spiral ganglion neurons in the cochlea of mutant mice were substantially reduced,
      although auditory brainstem responses did not show significant hearing
      improvement. This is the first report demonstrating that virally mediated gene
      therapy restored extensive GJ intercellular network among cochlear non-sensory
      cells in vivo. Such a treatment performed at early postnatal stages resulted in a
      partial rescue of disease phenotypes in the cochlea of the mutant mice. 

PMID- 24225641
TI  - Low-dose serotherapy improves early immune reconstitution after cord blood
      transplantation for primary immunodeficiencies.
AB  - Cord blood transplantation (CBT) is curative for many primary immunodeficiencies
      (PIDs) but is associated with risks of viral infection and graft-versus-host
      disease (GvHD). Serotherapy reduces GvHD but potentially increases the risk of
      viral infection by delaying immune reconstitution. Because many PID patients have
      pre-existing viral infections, the optimal dose of serotherapy is unclear. We
      performed a retrospective analysis in 34 consecutive PID patients undergoing CBT
      and compared immune reconstitution, viral infection, GvHD, mortality, and long
      term immune function between high-dose (n = 11) and low-dose (n = 9) serotherapy.
      Serotherapy dose had no effect on neutrophil engraftment. Median CD3(+)
      engraftment occurred at 92.5 and 97 days for high- and low-dose serotherapy,
      respectively. The low-dose serotherapy group had higher CD3(+), CD4(+), and early
      thymic emigrant counts at 4 months compared with the high-dose group. GvHD
      severity and number of viral infections did not differ between serotherapy doses.
      Survival from the transplantation process was 90.9% for high-dose and 100% for
      low-dose groups. In conclusion, low-dose serotherapy enhanced T cell
      reconstitution and thymopoiesis during the first year after CBT with no increase
      in GvHD. 

PMID- 24225642
TI  - Yersinia pestis biovar Microtus strain 201, an avirulent strain to humans,
      provides protection against bubonic plague in rhesus macaques.
AB  - Yersinia pestis biovar Microtus is considered to be a virulent to larger mammals,
      including guinea pigs, rabbits and humans. It may be used as live attenuated
      plague vaccine candidates in terms of its low virulence. However, the Microtus
      strain's protection against plague has yet to be demonstrated in larger mammals.
      In this study, we evaluated the protective efficacy of the Microtus strain 201 as
      a live attenuated plague vaccine candidate. Our results show that this strain is
      highly attenuated by subcutaneous route, elicits an F1-specific antibody titer
      similar to the EV and provides a protective efficacy similar to the EV against
      bubonic plague in Chinese-origin rhesus macaques. The Microtus strain 201 could
      induce elevated secretion of both Th1-associated cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2 and
      TNF-alpha) and Th2-associated cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6), as well as
      chemokines MCP-1 and IL-8. However, the protected animals developed skin ulcer at
      challenge site with different severity in most of the immunized and some of the
      EV-immunized monkeys. Generally, the Microtus strain 201 represented a good
      plague vaccine candidate based on its ability to generate strong humoral and cell
      mediated immune responses as well as its good protection against high dose of
      subcutaneous virulent Y. pestis challenge. 

PMID- 24225643
TI  - Lithium in tap water and suicide mortality in Japan.
AB  - Lithium has been used as a mood-stabilizing drug in people with mood disorders.
      Previous studies have shown that natural levels of lithium in drinking water may
      protect against suicide. This study evaluated the association between lithium
      levels in tap water and the suicide standardized mortality ratio (SMR) in 40
      municipalities of Aomori prefecture, which has the highest levels of suicide
      mortality rate in Japan. Lithium levels in the tap water supplies of each
      municipality were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
      After adjusting for confounders, a statistical trend toward significance was
      found for the relationship between lithium levels and the average SMR among
      females. These findings indicate that natural levels of lithium in drinking water
      might have a protective effect on the risk of suicide among females. Future
      research is warranted to confirm this association. 

PMID- 24225645
TI  - How do grass species, season and ensiling influence mycotoxin content in forage?
AB  - Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungal species that have harmful
      effects on mammals. The aim of this study was to assess the content of mycotoxins
      in fresh-cut material of selected forage grass species both during and at the end
      of the growing season. We further assessed mycotoxin content in subsequently
      produced first-cutting silages with respect to the species used in this study:
      Lolium perenne (cv. Kentaur), Festulolium pabulare (cv. Felina), Festulolium
      braunii (cv. Perseus), and mixtures of these species with Festuca rubra (cv.
      Gondolin) or Poa pratensis (Slezanka). The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol, zearalenone
      and T-2 toxin were mainly detected in the fresh-cut grass material, while
      fumonisin and aflatoxin contents were below the detection limits. July and
      October were the most risky periods for mycotoxins to occur. During the cold
      temperatures in November and December, the occurrence of mycotoxins in fresh-cut
      material declined. Although June was a period with low incidence of mycotoxins in
      green silage, contents of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in silages from the
      first cutting exceeded by several times those determined in their biomass
      collected directly from the field. Moreover, we observed that use of
      preservatives or inoculants did not prevent mycotoxin production. 

PMID- 24225646
TI  - Impediments to comprehensive research on climate change and health.
AB  - During every climatic era Life on Earth is constrained by a limited range of
      climatic conditions, outside which thriving and then surviving becomes difficult.
      This applies at both planetary and organism (species) levels. Further, many
      causal influences of climate change on human health entail changes-often
      disruptive, sometimes irreversible-in complex system functioning. Understanding
      the diverse health risks from climate change, and their influence pathways,
      presents a challenge to environmental health researchers whose prior work has
      been in a more definable, specific and quantitative milieu. Extension of the
      research agenda and conceptual framework to assess present and future health
      risks from climate change may be constrained by three factors: (i) lack of
      historically-informed understanding of population-health sensitivity to climatic
      changes; (ii) an instinctual 'epidemiologising' tendency to choose research
      topics amenable to conventional epidemiological analysis and risk estimation; and
      (iii) under-confidence in relation to interdisciplinary collaborative scenario
      based modeling of future health risks. These constraints must be recognized and
      remedied. And environmental researchers must argue for heightened public
      attention to today's macro-environmental threats to present and future population
      health-emphasising the ecological dimension of these determinants of long-term
      health that apply to whole populations and communities, not just to individuals
      and social groupings. 

PMID- 24225647
TI  - IAServ: an intelligent home care web services platform in a cloud for aging-in
      place.
AB  - As the elderly population has been rapidly expanding and the core tax-paying
      population has been shrinking, the need for adequate elderly health and housing
      services continues to grow while the resources to provide such services are
      becoming increasingly scarce. Thus, increasing the efficiency of the delivery of
      healthcare services through the use of modern technology is a pressing issue. The
      seamless integration of such enabling technologies as ontology, intelligent
      agents, web services, and cloud computing is transforming healthcare from
      hospital-based treatments to home-based self-care and preventive care. A
      ubiquitous healthcare platform based on this technological integration, which
      synergizes service providers with patients' needs to be developed to provide
      personalized healthcare services at the right time, in the right place, and the
      right manner. This paper presents the development and overall architecture of
      IAServ (the Intelligent Aging-in-place Home care Web Services Platform) to
      provide personalized healthcare service ubiquitously in a cloud computing setting
      to support the most desirable and cost-efficient method of care for the aged
      aging in place. The IAServ is expected to offer intelligent, pervasive, accurate
      and contextually-aware personal care services. Architecturally the implemented
      IAServ leverages web services and cloud computing to provide economic, scalable,
      and robust healthcare services over the Internet. 

PMID- 24225644
TI  - Flaviviruses in Europe: complex circulation patterns and their consequences for
      the diagnosis and control of West Nile disease.
AB  - In Europe, many flaviviruses are endemic (West Nile, Usutu, tick-borne
      encephalitis viruses) or occasionally imported (dengue, yellow fever viruses).
      Due to the temporal and geographical co-circulation of flaviviruses in Europe,
      flavivirus differentiation by diagnostic tests is crucial in the adaptation of
      surveillance and control efforts. Serological diagnosis of flavivirus infections
      is complicated by the antigenic similarities among the Flavivirus genus. Indeed,
      most flavivirus antibodies are directed against the highly immunogenic envelope
      protein, which contains both flavivirus cross-reactive and virus-specific
      epitopes. Serological assay results should thus be interpreted with care and
      confirmed by comparative neutralization tests using a panel of viruses known to
      circulate in Europe. However, antibody cross-reactivity could be advantageous in
      efforts to control emerging flaviviruses because it ensures partial cross
      protection. In contrast, it might also facilitate subsequent diseases, through a
      phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement mainly described for dengue
      virus infections. Here, we review the serological methods commonly used in WNV
      diagnosis and surveillance in Europe. By examining past and current
      epidemiological situations in different European countries, we present the
      challenges involved in interpreting flavivirus serological tests and setting up
      appropriate surveillance programs; we also address the consequences of flavivirus
      circulation and vaccination for host immunity. 

PMID- 24225648
TI  - Evaluating multipollutant exposure and urban air quality: pollutant
      interrelationships, neighborhood variability, and nitrogen dioxide as a proxy
      pollutant.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although urban air pollution is a complex mix containing multiple
      constituents, studies of the health effects of long-term exposure often focus on
      a single pollutant as a proxy for the entire mixture. A better understanding of
      the component pollutant concentrations and interrelationships would be useful in
      epidemiological studies that exploit spatial differences in exposure by
      clarifying the extent to which measures of individual pollutants, particularly
      nitrogen dioxide (NO2), represent spatial patterns in the multipollutant mixture.
      OBJECTIVES: We examined air pollutant concentrations and interrelationships at
      the intraurban scale to obtain insight into the nature of the urban mixture of
      air pollutants. METHODS: Mobile measurements of 23 air pollutants were taken
      systematically at high resolution in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, over 34 days in
      the winter, summer, and autumn of 2009. RESULTS: We observed variability in
      pollution levels and in the statistical correlations between different pollutants
      according to season and neighborhood. Nitrogen oxide species (nitric oxide, NO2,
      nitrogen oxides, and total oxidized nitrogen species) had the highest overall
      spatial correlations with the suite of pollutants measured. Ultrafine particles
      and hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol concentration, a derived measure used as a
      specific indicator of traffic particles, also had very high correlations.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the multipollutant mix varies
      considerably throughout the city, both in time and in space, and thus, no single
      pollutant would be a perfect proxy measure for the entire mix under all
      circumstances. However, based on overall average spatial correlations with the
      suite of pollutants measured, nitrogen oxide species appeared to be the best
      available indicators of spatial variation in exposure to the outdoor urban air
      pollutant mixture.

PMID- 24225649
TI  - Autophagy during beef aging.
AB  - The conversion of muscle into meat is a complex process of major concern for meat
      scientists due to its influence on the final meat quality. The aim of this study
      was to investigate the occurrence of autophagic processes in the conversion of
      muscle into meat. Our findings demonstrated, for the first time, the occurrence
      of autophagic processes in the muscle tissue at early postmortem period (2 h to
      24 h) in both beef breeds studied (Asturiana de los Valles and Asturiana de la
      Montana) showing significant time-scale differences between breeds, which could
      indicate a role of this process in meat maturation. These breeds have different
      physiological features: while Asturiana de los Valles is a meat-specialized breed
      showing high growth rate, an elevated proportion of white fibers in the muscle
      and low intramuscular fat level, Asturiana de la Montana is a small- to medium
      sized rustic breed adapted to less-favored areas, showing more red fibers in the
      muscle and a high intramuscular fat content. 

PMID- 24225650
TI  - Circadian rhythms in Mexican blind cavefish Astyanax mexicanus in the lab and in
      the field.
AB  - Biological clocks have evolved as an adaptation to life on a rhythmic planet,
      synchronising physiological processes to the environmental light-dark cycle. Here
      we examine circadian clock function in Mexican blind cavefish Astyanax mexicanus
      and its surface counterpart. In the lab, adult surface fish show robust circadian
      rhythms in per1, which are retained in cave populations, but with substantial
      alterations. These changes may be due to increased levels of light-inducible
      genes in cavefish, including clock repressor per2. From a molecular standpoint,
      cavefish appear as if they experience 'constant light' rather than perpetual
      darkness. Micos River samples show similar per1 oscillations to those in the lab.
      However, data from Chica Cave shows complete repression of clock function, while
      expression of several light-responsive genes is raised, including DNA repair
      genes. We propose that altered expression of light-inducible genes provides a
      selective advantage to cavefish at the expense of a damped circadian oscillator. 

PMID- 24225651
TI  - Effects of site-specific level adjustments on speech recognition with cochlear
      implants.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Modulation detection thresholds (MDTs) vary across stimulation sites
      in a cochlear implant (CI) electrode array in a manner that is subject and ear
      specific. Previous studies have demonstrated that speech recognition with a CI
      can be improved by site-selection strategies, where selected stimulation sites
      with poor modulation sensitivity are removed from a subject's processor MAP.
      Limitations of site-selection strategies are that they can compromise spectral
      resolution and distort frequency-place mapping because the frequencies assigned
      to the removed sites are usually reallocated to other sites, and site bandwidths
      are broadened. The objective of the present study was to test an alternative
      approach for rehabilitation that aimed at improving the across-site mean MDTs by
      adjusting stimulation parameters at the poorly performing sites. On the basis of
      previous findings that modulation detection contributes to speech recognition and
      improves significantly with stimulus level, the authors hypothesized that
      modulation sensitivity at the poor sites could be improved by artificially
      increasing stimulation levels at those sites in the speech processor, which then
      would lead to improved speech recognition. DESIGN: Nine postlingually deafened
      ears implanted with Nucleus CIs were evaluated for MDTs, absolute-detection
      threshold levels (T levels), and the maximum loudness levels (C levels) on each
      of the available stimulation sites. For each ear, the minimum stimulation level
      settings in the speech-processor MAP were raised by 5%, and alternatively by 10%,
      of the dynamic range (DR) from true thresholds on five stimulation sites with the
      poorest MDTs. For comparison, a 5% level raise was applied globally to all
      stimulation sites. The C levels were fixed during these level manipulations. MDTs
      at the five poorest stimulation sites were compared at 20% DR before and after
      the level adjustments. Speech-reception thresholds (SRTs), that is, signal to
      noise ratios required for 50% correct speech recognition, were evaluated for
      these MAPs using CUNY sentences. The site-specific level-adjusted MAPs were
      compared with the global-level-adjusted MAP and the MAP without level adjustment.
      The effects on speech recognition of adjusting the minimal stimulation level
      settings on the five poorest stimulation sites were also compared with effects of
      removing these sites from the speech-processor MAP. RESULTS: The 5% level
      increase on the five electrodes with the worst MDTs resulted in an improvement in
      the group mean SRT of 2.36 dB SNR relative to the MAP without level adjustment.
      The magnitude of level increase that resulted in the greatest SRT improvement for
      individuals varied across ears. MDTs measured at 20% DR significantly improved on
      the poor sites after the level adjustment that resulted in the best SRT for that
      ear was applied. Increasing the minimal stimulation levels on all stimulation
      sites or removing sites selected for rehabilitation, the parsimonious approaches,
      did not improve SRTs. CONCLUSIONS: The site-specific adjustments of the T level
      settings improved modulation sensitivity at low levels and significantly improved
      subjects' SRTs. Thus, this site-rehabilitation strategy was an effective
      alternative to site-selection strategies for improving speech recognition in CI
      users.

PMID- 24225652
TI  - Auditory phenotype of Niemann-Pick disease, type C1.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the auditory
      phenotype in Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1), to understand better the
      natural history of this complex, heterogeneous disorder, and to define further
      the baseline auditory deficits associated with NPC1 so that use of potentially
      ototoxic interventions (e.g., 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin) may be more
      appropriately monitored and understood. DESIGN: Fifty patients with NPC1 ranging
      in age from 4 months to 21 years (mean = 9.3 years) enrolled in a natural
      history/observational study at the National Institutes of Health. The auditory
      test battery included, when possible, immittance audiometry, pure-tone and speech
      audiometry, otoacoustic emission testing, and a neurotologic auditory brainstem
      response study. Longitudinal data were collected on a subset of patients.
      RESULTS: Over half of the cohort exhibited hearing loss involving the high
      frequencies ranging from a slight to moderate degree, and 74% of patients
      presented with clinically significant hearing loss involving the frequencies most
      important to speech understanding (0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz). Despite the heterogeneity
      of the sample, results among patients were sufficiently consistent to implicate
      retrocochlear dysfunction in the majority (66%) of individuals, with (22%) or
      without (44%) accompanying cochlear involvement. Some patients (10%) presented
      with a profile for auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. The combination of
      cross-sectional and longitudinal data indicates these patients are at risk for a
      progressive decline in auditory function. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest cohort
      of patients with NPC1 evaluated comprehensively for auditory dysfunction, and
      results implicate the pathological processes of NPC1 in the manifestation of
      hearing loss. Patients with NPC1 should be monitored audiologically throughout
      their lives, beginning at the time of diagnosis. Clinicians and researchers
      should be aware of this historically overlooked aspect of the phenotype.

PMID- 24225653
TI  - The medaka mutation tintachina sheds light on the evolution of V-ATPase B
      subunits in vertebrates.
AB  - Vacuolar-type H(+) ATPases (V-ATPases) are multimeric protein complexes that play
      a universal role in the acidification of intracellular compartments in eukaryotic
      cells. We have isolated the recessive medaka mutation tintachina (tch), which
      carries an inactivating modification of the conserved glycine residue (G75R) of
      the proton pump subunit atp6v1Ba/vatB1. Mutant embryos show penetrant
      pigmentation defects, massive brain apoptosis and lethality before hatching.
      Strikingly, an equivalent mutation in atp6v1B1 (G78R) has been reported in a
      family of patients suffering from distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), a
      hereditary disease that causes metabolic acidosis due to impaired kidney
      function. This poses the question as to how molecularly identical mutations
      result in markedly different phenotypes in two vertebrate species. Our work
      offers an explanation for this phenomenon. We propose that, after successive
      rounds of whole-genome duplication, the emergence of paralogous copies allowed
      the divergence of the atp6v1B cis-regulatory control in different vertebrate
      groups. 

PMID- 24225654
TI  - Recognition of the protein kinase AVRPPHB SUSCEPTIBLE1 by the disease resistance
      protein RESISTANCE TO PSEUDOMONAS SYRINGAE5 is dependent on s-acylation and an
      exposed loop in AVRPPHB SUSCEPTIBLE1.
AB  - The recognition of pathogen effector proteins by plants is typically mediated by
      intracellular receptors belonging to the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat
      (NLR) family. NLR proteins often detect pathogen effector proteins indirectly by
      detecting modification of their targets. How NLR proteins detect such
      modifications is poorly understood. To address these questions, we have been
      investigating the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) NLR protein RESISTANCE TO
      PSEUDOMONAS SYRINGAE5 (RPS5), which detects the Pseudomonas syringae effector
      protein Avirulence protein Pseudomonas phaseolicolaB (AvrPphB). AvrPphB is a
      cysteine protease that specifically targets a subfamily of receptor-like
      cytoplasmic kinases, including the Arabidopsis protein kinase AVRPPHB
      Susceptible1 (PBS1). RPS5 is activated by the cleavage of PBS1 at the apex of its
      activation loop. Here, we show that RPS5 activation requires that PBS1 be
      localized to the plasma membrane and that plasma membrane localization of PBS1 is
      mediated by amino-terminal S-acylation. We also describe the development of a
      high-throughput screen for mutations in PBS1 that block RPS5 activation, which
      uncovered four new pbs1 alleles, two of which blocked cleavage by AvrPphB.
      Lastly, we show that RPS5 distinguishes among closely related kinases by the
      amino acid sequence (SEMPH) within an exposed loop in the C-terminal one-third of
      PBS1. The SEMPH loop is located on the opposite side of PBS1 from the AvrPphB
      cleavage site, suggesting that RPS5 associates with the SEMPH loop while leaving
      the AvrPphB cleavage site exposed. These findings provide support for a model of
      NLR activation in which NLR proteins form a preactivation complex with effector
      targets and then sense a conformational change in the target induced by effector
      modification. 

PMID- 24225655
TI  - Augmentation of LPS-induced vascular endothelial cell growth factor production in
      macrophages by transforming growth factor-beta1.
AB  - The effect of LPS on the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
      was examined using RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. LPS induced VEGF production in RAW
      264.7 cells and mouse peritoneal cells. LPS induced VEGF production via the
      expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha and LPS-induced VEGF production was
      dependent on the activation of p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB activation. Transforming
      growth factor (TGF)-beta1 augmented LPS-induced VEGF production, although TGF
      beta1 alone did not induce VEGF production. The augmentation of LPS-induced VEGF
      production by TGF-beta1 was inhibited by a p38 MAPK inhibitor and was correlated
      with the phosphorylation of Smad3. The enhancing effect of TGF-beta1 on LPS
      induced VEGF production was observed in vivo in the skin lesions of mice
      receiving a subcutaneous injection of LPS. Taken together, it is suggested that
      LPS induced the VEGF production in macrophages and that it was augmented by TGF
      beta1 in vitro and in vivo. 

PMID- 24225656
TI  - The acid-catalysed synthesis of 7-azaindoles from 3-alkynyl-2-aminopyridines and
      their antimicrobial activity.
AB  - The synthesis of 7-azaindoles from 3-alkynyl-2-aminopyridines using acidic
      conditions, namely, a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoroacetic
      anhydride (TFAA), is described. This methodology resulted in the synthesis of
      fifteen 7-azaindoles, with most containing substituents at the 2- and 5
      positions. The majority of these were tested for antimicrobial activity against a
      range of bacteria and yeasts. The 7-azaindoles displayed the best activity
      against the yeasts, particularly against Cryptococcus neoformans, where
      activities as low as 3.9 MUg ml(-1) were observed. 

PMID- 24225658
TI  - Comparison of different multielement techniques for analysis of mosses used as
      biomonitors.
AB  - Mosses are used as biomonitors on a regular basis to study trends in the
      atmospheric deposition of trace elements in Norway. In this paper the analytical
      scheme used so far, based on a combination of instrumental neutron activation
      analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry (INAA/AAS) is compared with
      inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-ES) and inductively coupled
      plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). ICP-ES provided satisfactory data for nearly
      20 elements, but detection limits were inadequate for some elements of
      importance. For ICP-MS quantitative data were obtained for 33 elements including
      the heavy metals of key interest in air pollution studies. In most cases where
      comparison was possible the ICP-MS data compared favourably with data obtained by
      the reference scheme or by ICP-ES. On the basis of this study ICP-MS is
      considered to be an equivalent alternative to INAA/AAS in multielement studies
      using mosses as biomonitors. In addition ICP-MS offers some promise for the study
      of elements such as Be, Ga, Mo, Te, Tl, and Bi, for which very little information
      exists regarding their behaviour as air pollutants. 

PMID- 24225657
TI  - A novel renal epithelial cell in vitro assay to assess Candida albicans
      virulence.
AB  - Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, can cause severe systemic
      infections in susceptible patient groups. Systemic candidiasis is mainly studied
      in the mouse intravenous challenge model, where progressive infection correlates
      with increased early renal chemokine levels. To develop a new in vitro assay to
      assess C. albicans virulence, which reflects the events occurring in the murine
      infection model, renal M-1 cortical collecting duct epithelial cells were
      evaluated as the early producers of cytokines in response to C. albicans. We show
      that renal epithelial cells respond only to live C. albicans cells capable of
      forming hyphae, producing chemokines KC and MIP-2, with levels correlating with
      epithelial cell damage. By assaying epithelial cell responses to strains of known
      virulence in the murine intravenous challenge model we demonstrate that renal
      epithelial cells can discriminate between virulent and attenuated strains. This
      simple, novel assay is a useful initial screen for altered virulence of C.
      albicans mutants or clinical isolates in vitro and provides an alternative to the
      mouse systemic infection model. 

PMID- 24225659
TI  - Temporal changes in blood lead levels of hazardous waste workers in New Jersey,
      1984-1987.
AB  - The blood lead levels of 568 New Jersey hazardous waste workers were determined
      at least once in the period 1984-1987. Workers almost always wore protective
      clothing in the field, which should have prevented exposure to lead. Therefore,
      despite their occupation, these workers are probably representative of the New
      Jersey suburban population in the mid-1980s. Blood lead levels ranged from 2.0
      20.7 ug/dL, with an arithmetic mean value of 5.8 ug/dL, representing a decline
      from levels measured a decade earlier, but there was no clear change over the
      four years of the study. Blood lead levels increased with age of the worker up to
      age 60. Women showed lower levels than men in every age group. 

PMID- 24225660
TI  - Heavy metals in the SPM of air in the environment surrounding a ferro-alloy
      industrial plant in India.
AB  - Prices for ferro-alloys have hardened due to the closure of plants in developed
      countries on account of increasingly stringent pollution control legislation,
      resulting in a higher cost of production. A ferro-alloy industry with a capacity
      of 80000 MT per annum was selected to study the nature of pollution. Because of
      the objectionable nature of polluting air in and around the plant it was located
      in a rural area where there was no other industry. The area was agriculturally
      active and there was no effective control system for this plant.The quality of
      ambient air around the plant site is discussed in this paper along with the
      meteorological conditions. The maximum concentration of suspended particulate
      matter (SPM) was 768 ug/NM(3) downwind of the plant, minimum 184 ug/NM(3), and
      the average was more than 446 ug/NM(3). The presence of heavy metals, viz. Fe,
      Mn, Cr and Pb, was also assessed. The concentration of Fe was 50 ug/NM(3)
      downwind and 10 ug/NM(3) upwind. The concentration of other metals followed a
      similar trend. 

PMID- 24225661
TI  - Cadmium, zinc and total mercury levels in the tissues of several fish species
      from La Plata river estuary, Argentina.
AB  - A survey of the concentrations of heavy metals - cadmium, zinc and total mercury 
      in the tissues of fifteen fish species from Samborombon Bay, La Plata river
      estuary, in Argentina, has been carried out. Liver appeared to be the main organ
      accumulating cadmium and zinc, while both liver and muscle showed a similar
      ability for accumulating mercury. The bioaccumulation process was verified for
      the three metals analyzed, even though low concentrations have been determined.
      The biomagnification process of the metals studied was not verified in this
      environment. The highest metal concentrations were recorded in Mugil liza, and
      particulate matter and sediments - which are closely related to its trophic and
      ecological habits - seemed to be the main source of metals for this species. Both
      Micropogonias furnieri and Mugil liza were recognized as possible indicator
      species for future monitoring programmes for heavy metals in Samborombon Bay.
      Considering the present results, this area of La Plata river estuary is
      characterized as a non-polluted environment. 

PMID- 24225662
TI  - Coral lipids and environmental stress.
AB  - Environmental monitoring of coral reefs is presently limited by difficulties in
      recognising coral stress, other than by monitoring coral mortality over time. A
      recent report described an experiment demonstrating that a measured lipid index
      declined in shaded corals. The technique described might have application in
      monitoring coral health, with a decline in coral lipid index as an indicator of
      coral stress. The application of the technique as a practical monitoring tool was
      tested for two coral species from the Great Barrier Reef. Consistent with the
      previous results, lipid index for Pocillopora damicornis initially declined over
      a period of three weeks in corals maintained in filtered seawater in the dark,
      indicating possible utilization of lipid stored as energy reserves. However,
      lipid index subsequently rose to near normal levels. In contrast, lipid index of
      Acropora formosa increased after four weeks in the dark in filtered seawater. The
      results showed considerable variability in lipid content between samples from the
      same colony. Results were also found to be dependent on fixation times and sample
      weight, introducing potential error into the practical application of the
      technique. The method as described would be unsuitable for monitoring
      environmental stress in corals, but the search for a practical method to monitor
      coral health should continue, given its importance in coral reef management. 

PMID- 24225663
TI  - Sulphate-sulphur levels of topsoils related to atmospheric sulphur dioxide
      pollution.
AB  - Sulphate-sulphur levels were determined in topsoils from areas of varying
      vehicular traffic densities, population densities and industrial activities in
      Ibadan City, Nigeria. The factors of traffic and population densities, as well as
      industrial activities, had been shown to correlate positively with ambient
      sulphur dioxide levels.The soil-SO 4 (=) levels correlated positively with
      gradients in the factors tested. Vehicular traffic density variations had the
      most pronounced and significant effect on the SO 4 (=) level trend. The results
      indicate that soil-SO 4 (=) levels may be indirectly empirically related to
      ambient sulphur dioxide levels derived from diffuse sources. 

PMID- 24225664
TI  - Interspecies comparison of lichens as biomonitors of trace-element air pollution.
AB  - The linearity of the interspecies relation between the elemental contents in
      Parmelia sulcata and Lecanora conizaeoides, sampled in a polluted area, was
      examined by the function y=az+b and yz (-1)=a+bz (-1), with y and z being the
      elemental content in Parmelia and Lecanora, respectively. For As, Co, V and Zn
      significant positive a and b values were found, allowing interspecies
      calibration. For Br, Cd, Cr, Fe, La, Sb, Se and W the a values were zero and the
      b values were positive, indicating saturation of Parmelia and thus ruling out
      interspecies calibration. For Cu a part of the data set showed saturation effects
      in Lecanora. The results showed that the average concentration ratio could not be
      used for intercalibration purposes, because the concentration ratios were
      dependent on the concentrations. 

PMID- 24225665
TI  - Ground level nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the rural Waikato Valley, New
      Zealand.
AB  - Ground level nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations have been measured for one
      year over an area of 400 square kilometres in rural New Zealand using an array of
      21 sites. Three passive samplers were exposed at each site for intervals of two
      weeks from August 1989 to August 1990. The exposure sites were centred around the
      Waikato Valley township of Huntly (population 6900). Important features of the
      survey area include a 1000 MW thermal power station situated on the outskirts of
      the town, the Waikato River and State Highway 1, a major north-south traffic
      route along the valley. The NO2 concentrations in the survey area ranged from
      below 0.1 to 10.1 ppb, with an annual average of 1.2 ppb. Seasonal variations
      indicate summer values about three times lower than those found in the winter.
      The spatial distribution of NO2 appears to be related to contributions from State
      Highway 1. 

PMID- 24225666
TI  - Left lower quadrant mass.

PMID- 24225667
TI  - A golden future in medicinal inorganic chemistry: the promise of anticancer gold
      organometallic compounds.
AB  - From wedding rings on fingers to stained glass windows, by way of Olympic medals,
      gold has been highly prized for millennia. Nowadays, organometallic gold
      compounds occupy an important place in the field of medicinal inorganic chemistry
      due to their unique chemical properties with respect to gold coordination
      compounds. In fact, several studies have proved that they can be used to develop
      highly efficient metal-based drugs with possible applications in the treatment of
      cancer. This Perspective summarizes the results obtained for different families
      of bioactive organometallic gold compounds including cyclometallated gold(iii)
      complexes with C,N-donor ligands, gold(I) and gold(I/III) N-heterocyclic (NHC)
      carbene complexes, as well as gold(I) alkynyl complexes, with promising
      anticancer effects. Most importantly, we will focus on recent developments in the
      field and discuss the potential of this class of organometallic compounds in
      relation to their versatile chemistry and innovative mechanisms of action.

PMID- 24225668
TI  - Fish oil supplementation reduces markers of oxidative stress but not muscle
      soreness after eccentric exercise.
AB  - Due to the potential anti-inflammatory properties of fish-derived long chain n-3
      fatty acids, it has been suggested that athletes should regularly consume fish
      oils-although evidence in support of this recommendation is not clear. While fish
      oils can positively modulate immune function, it remains possible that, due to
      their high number of double bonds, there may be concurrent increases in lipid
      peroxidation. The current study aims to investigate the effect of fish oil
      supplementation on exercise-induced markers of oxidative stress and muscle
      damage. Twenty males underwent a 6-week double-blind randomized placebo
      controlled supplementation trial involving two groups (fish oil or placebo).
      After supplementation, participants undertook 200 repetitions of eccentric knee
      contractions. Blood samples were taken presupplementation, postsupplementation,
      immediately, 24, 48, and 72 hr postexercise and muscle soreness/maximal voluntary
      contraction (MVC) assessed. There were no differences in creatine kinase, protein
      carbonyls, endogenous DNA damage, muscle soreness or MVC between groups. Plasma
      thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were lower (p < .05) at 48 and 72
      hr post exercise and H2O2 stimulated DNA damage was lower (p < .05) immediately
      postexercise in the fish oil, compared with the control group. The current study
      demonstrates that fish oil supplementation reduces selected markers of oxidative
      stress after a single bout of eccentric exercise. 

PMID- 24225669
TI  - Non-covalent surface modification of boron nitride nanotubes for enhanced
      catalysis.
AB  - Boron nitride nanotubes were functionalized with microperoxidase-11 in aqueous
      media, showing improved catalytic performance due to a strong electron coupling
      between the active centre of microperoxidase-11 and boron nitride nanotubes. 

PMID- 24225670
TI  - A dramatic platform for oxygen reduction reaction based on silver nanoclusters.
AB  - We report a high-yield strategy for the synthesis of very small silver
      nanoclusters (2 to 5 silver atoms) formed from conventional silver salts and
      scaffolds as high-performance catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The
      work demonstrates that Ag NCs are excellent catalysts for ORR and show great
      potential in alkaline fuel cells. 

PMID- 24225671
TI  - Tomato resistance to Alternaria stem canker: localization in host genotypes and
      functional expression compared to non-host resistance.
AB  - The Alternaria stem canker resistance locus (Asc-locus), involved in resistance
      to the fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata f. sp. lycopersici and in
      insensitivity to host-specific toxins (AAL-toxins) produced by the pathogen, was
      genetically mapped on the tomato genome. Susceptibility and resistance were
      assayed by testing a segregating F2 population for sensitivity to AAL-toxins in
      leaf bioassays. Linkage was observed to phenotypic markers solanifolium and
      sunny, both on chromosome 3. For the Asc-locus, a distance of 18 centiMorgan to
      solanifolium was calculated, corresponding to position 93 on chromosome 3. This
      map position of the resistance locus turned out to be the same in three different
      resistant tomato accessions, one Dutch and two American, that are at least 40
      years apart. AAL-toxin sensitivity in susceptible and resistant tomato genotypes
      was compared with AAL-toxin sensitivity in a non-host Nicotiana tabacum during
      different levels of plant cell development. In susceptible and resistant tomato
      genotypes, inhibitory effects were demonstrated at all levels, except for leaves
      of resistant genotypes. However, during pollen and root development, inhibitory
      effects on susceptible genotypes were larger than on resistant genotypes. In the
      non-host Nicotiana tabacum, hardly any effects of AAL-toxins were demonstrated.
      Apparently, a cellular target site is present in tomato, but not in Nicotiana
      tabacum. It was concluded that three levels of AAL-toxin sensitivity exist: (1) a
      susceptible host sensitivity, (2) a resistant host sensitivity, (3) a non-host
      sensitivity, and that the resistance mechanism operating in tomato is different
      from that operating in Nicotiana tabacum. 

PMID- 24225672
TI  - Internal estimation and controlled selection with applications to sheep.
AB  - This paper examines the relationship of economic weights, a i, with a general
      economic value surface. It is inferred that the a i may vary across the
      population, as they can depend on the mean vector for the characters of interest.
      It is shown how these ideas extend to provide simple mechanisms for controlled
      selection. The problem of estimation is raised, and it is suggested that the
      procedures can be efficiently implemented, even in small populations, by a system
      of 'internal' parameter estimation. This makes the entire selection programme
      independent of externally generated estimates of genetic parameters. 

PMID- 24225673
TI  - A comparison of anther and microspore culture as a breeding tool in Brassica
      napus.
AB  - A direct comparison of microspore culture and anther culture was made in Brassica
      napus using F1 crosses of Regent (canola) by Golden (rapeseed), and their
      reciprocals, as well as a hybrid between Reston and a highly embryogenic, canola
      quality breeding line (G231) as donor plants. The study confirmed that microspore
      culture can be ten times more efficient than anther culture for embryo
      production. Embryo yields from cultures initiated from the Reston x G231 were
      four-fold greater than those initiated from the Regent x Golden crosses, and
      significant differences were also detected among cultures initiated from the
      different Regent x Golden crosses. These results illustrate the influence that
      donor plant genotype has on embryo production. However, superior embryogenic
      potential among donor material was not always coincident with superior plant
      production. The average haploid-todiploid ratio in microspore-derived regenerates
      was 2?1 for the population obtained from the Regent x Golden crosses but 1?1 for
      the Reston x G231 cross. For both types of material, the frequency of diploids
      increased upon repeated cycles of explanting. A field study showed that there
      were no differences between the populations of anther-derived and microspore
      derived spontaneous diploid and doubled haploid lines, with respect to the days
      required for them to flower or to mature. The information is valuable for canola
      breeding programs considering the use of haploidy. 

PMID- 24225674
TI  - Variation in outcrossing rate and population genetic structure of Clarkia
      tembloriensis (Onagraceae).
AB  - Outcrossing rate estimates for eight accessions of Clarkia tembloriensis indicate
      that this annual plant species has a wide interpopulational range of outcrossing
      rate ([Formula: see text]). Populations' t estimates were significantly
      correlated with observed heterozygosity and mean number of alleles per locus.
      Estimated fixation indices, [Formula: see text], for most populations were very
      close to their expected values, Feq, for a given [Formula: see text] Nei's gene
      diversity statistics showed that the group of outcrossing populations have more
      total genetic variation and less differentiation among populations than does the
      group of selfing populations. These results indicate that the breeding system of
      C. tembloriensis has had a strong influence on the amount and distribution of
      genetic variation within and among its populations. 

PMID- 24225675
TI  - An isozyme marker for resistance to race 3 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
      lycopersici in tomato.
AB  - The inheritance and the linkage relationship of resistance to race 3 of Fusarium
      oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici derived from Lycopersicon pennellii (LA 716) were
      analyzed in an interspecific backcross to L. esculentum. Progeny from each
      backcross (BC1) individual were in-oculated with race 3 and their response was
      measured according to a visual rating system; progeny responses were used to
      calculate a mean disease rating for each BC1 individual. The frequency
      distribution of the disease ratings was bimodal, indicating that resistance to
      race 3 was controlled by one major locus. Linkage analysis of this locus
      proceeded in two steps. Initially, disease ratings were compared between
      homozygotes and heterozygotes at each of 17 segregating marker enzyme loci.
      Highly significant differences were detected for the chromosome segment marked by
      the Got-2 locus on chromosome 7. This indicated that Got-2 was linked to the race
      3 resistance gene, designated I-3; this gene accounted for the observed bimodal
      distribution of BC1 disease ratings. In the second step, the genotype of each BC1
      individual at the I-3 locus was determined using cluster analysis of the disease
      ratings; a test for independent assortment between I-3 and Got-2 revealed strong
      linkage, with an estimated map distance of 2.5 centiMorgans. Additional evidence
      for this linkage was obtained from the analysis of five breeding lines previously
      selected for resistance to race 3 solely on the basis of inoculations; all five
      showed co-selection for Got-2. The Got-2 locus is proposed as a selectable marker
      to expedite the transfer of race 3 resistance to commercial tomato cultivars. 

PMID- 24225676
TI  - RFLP-based genetic maps of wheat homoeologous group 7 chromosomes.
AB  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) mapping was attempted using 18
      cDNA clones, 14 anonymous and 4 of known function, which had been shown to have
      homologous DNA sequences on the group 7 chromosomes of wheat. The loci identified
      by these probes have been mapped on one or more chromosomes in this homoeologous
      group using linkage data derived from various F2, random inbred, doubled haploid
      and single chromosome recombinant populations. The maps also include three
      isozyme loci, five disease resistance loci, two anthocyanin pigment loci and a
      vernalisation response locus. The mapping data have been used to determine the
      extent of map co-linearity over the A, B and D genomes, the degree of RFLP
      variability in the three genomes and the relative efficiency of various
      restriction enzymes in detecting RFLPs in wheat. The strategy for future mapping
      in wheat, particularly the use of "alien" genomes or segments, such as that from
      Aegilops ventricosa used here, is discussed. 

PMID- 24225677
TI  - Protein mapping and genome expression variations in the basidiomycete Agrocybe
      aegerita.
AB  - A procedure suitable for the extraction and mapping of total proteins from the
      basidiomycete, Agrocybe aegerita, was developed. A. aegerita mycelia were
      fragmented either with a Dangoumeau grinder, an X-press bomb or a sonicator and
      the efficiency of these three disruption methods were compared. The extraction
      buffer composition was optimized to avoid proteolytic activities. 2D-SDS-PAGE
      analysis of protein extracts showed that the rate of reproducibility depending on
      extractions and electrophoretic separations was always greater than 96% for all
      strains. The differences in efficiency observed between the breaking procedures
      indicate that the A. aegerita cell wall is more mechanically resistant than that
      of other basidiomycetes. The efficient action of protease inhibitors (PMSF and
      SDS) showed that A. aegerita mycelia contains numerous and/or highly active
      proteases. Reproducibility of protein extraction and separation methods allowed
      the establishment and the comparison of standard maps. Qualitative and
      quantitative variations in gene products between a wild dikaryotic strain and 11
      homokaryotic strains from its progeny were examined. The genetic diversity,
      determined by comparing the distribution of proteic variations in 11 homokaryons
      from the same progeny, was comparable to that observed between co-isogenic
      homokaryons of another basidiomycete. 

PMID- 24225678
TI  - Transfer of resistance against Phoma lingam to Brassica napus by asymmetric
      somatic hybridization combined with toxin selection.
AB  - Irradiated mesophyll protoplasts from nine different accessions of B. juncea, B.
      nigra and B. carinata, all resistant to Phoma lingam, were used as gene donors in
      fusion experiments with hypocotyl protoplasts isolated from B. napus as the
      recipient. A toxin, sirodesmin PL, was used to select those fusion products in
      which the resistant gene(s) was present. In the fusion experiments different gene
      donors, various irradiation dosages and toxin treatments were combined. Symmetric
      and asymmetric hybrid plants were obtained from the cell cultures with and
      without toxin selection. Isozymes were used to verify hybrid characters in the
      symmetric hybrids, whereas two DNA probes were used to identify donor-DNA in the
      asymmetric hybrids. Resistance to P. lingam was expressed in all symmetric
      hybrids, and in 19 of 24 toxin-selected asymmetric hybrids, while all the
      unselected asymmetric hybrids were susceptible. 

PMID- 24225679
TI  - Effects of auxin and cytokinin on induction of sister chromatid exchanges in
      cultured cells of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - In order to know the mutagenic effects of synthetic auxins (NAA, 2,4-D, and 2,4,5
      T) and a cytokinin (kinetin) in vitro, sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were
      analyzed in cultured cells of a hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In the MS
      medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D, the mean number of SCEs per cell was
      15.2, and per pg of DNA, 0.42. No significant effect was found in the treatments
      of NAA or 2,4-D at concentrations of 0.5-10.0 mg/l, whereas more than 2.0 mg/l of
      2,4,5-T induced dramatic increases of SCEs. Kinetin itself had no significant
      effect on SCE induction, but there was a tendency that SCEs induced by 2,4,5-T
      were suppressed by kinetin. 

PMID- 24225680
TI  - Microspore mutagenesis and selection: Canola plants with field tolerance to the
      imidazolinones.
AB  - In vitro microspore mutagenesis and selection was used to produce five fertile
      double-haploid imidazolinone-tolerant canola plants. The S2 plants of three of
      the mutants were resistant to at least the field-recommended levels of Assert and
      Pursuit. One mutant was tolerant to between five and ten times the field
      recommended rates of Pursuit and Scepter. Two semi-dominant mutants, representing
      two unlinked genes, were combined to produce an F1 hybrid which was superior in
      imidazolinone tolerance to either of the heterozygous mutants alone. Evaluation
      of the mutants under field conditions indicated that this hybrid and the original
      homozygous mutants could tolerate at least two times the field-recommended rates
      of Assert. The field results indicated the mutants were unaffected in seed yield,
      maturity, quality and disease tolerance. These genes represent a potentially
      valuable new herbicide resistance system for canola, which has little effect on
      yield, quality or maturity. The mutants could be used to provide tolerance to
      several imidazolinones including Scepter, Pursuit and Assert. 

PMID- 24225681
TI  - Factors affecting transient gene expression in electroporated black spruce (Picea
      mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) protoplasts.
AB  - Methods were developed for transient gene expression in protoplasts of black
      spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana). Protoplasts were isolated
      from embryogenic suspension cultures of black spruce and from non-embryogenic
      suspensions of jack pine. Using electroporation, transient expression of the
      chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene was assayed and shown to be affected
      by the cell line used, by voltage, temperature, and by the plasmid concentration
      and conformation. Increasing the plasmid DNA concentration (0-150MUg ml(-1))
      resulted in higher levels of transient CAT expression. In jack pine, linearized
      plasmid gave 2.5 times higher levels of CAT enzyme activity than circular.
      Optimal voltage varied for each cell line of the two species within the range 200
      350 V cm(-1) (960 MUF). A heat shock treatment of protoplasts for 5 min at 45 
      degrees C resulted in enhanced CAT gene expression for both species. 

PMID- 24225682
TI  - Biochemical genetic markers in sugarcane.
AB  - Isozyme variation was used to identify biochemical markers of potential utility
      in sugarcane genetics and breeding. Electrophoretic polymorphism was surveyed for
      nine enzymes among 39 wild and noble sugarcane clones, belonging to the species
      most closely related to modern varieties. Up to 114 distinct bands showing
      presence versus absence type of variation were revealed and used for qualitative
      characterization of the materials. Multivariate analysis of the data isolated the
      Erianthus clone sampled and separated the Saccharum spontaneum clones from the S.
      robustum and S. officinarum clones; the latter two were not differentiated from
      one another. The analysis of self-progenies of a 2n=112 S. spontaneum and of a
      commercial variety showed examples of mono- and polyfactorial segregations.
      Within the progeny of the variety, co-segregation of two isozymes frequent in S.
      spontaneum led to them being assigned to a single chromosome initially
      contributed by a S. spontaneum donor. This illustrates how combined survey of
      ancestral species and segregation analysis in modern breeding materials should
      permit using the lack of interspecific cross-over to establish linkage groups in
      a sugarcane genome. 

PMID- 24225683
TI  - System of pleiotropic polygenes in the Cucurbitacea Ecballium elaterium (L.)
      Rich. related to durability and size of plant.
AB  - The statistical association between the characters "life durability of plant" and
      "size of plant" observed in a set of samples - cultivated forming a system of
      randomly balanced incomplete blocks - and corresponding to filial generations
      (pure, hybrid or backcross) from hybridization between the monoecious subspecies
      and the dioecious subspecies of the Cucurbitacea Ecballium elaterium (L.) Rich,
      respectively, is in concordance with the hypothesis that the system of polygenes
      governing the life durability of the plant in this species and the system of
      polygenes governing the size of the plants belong to the same system of
      polygenes. This system of pleiotropic polygenes governs the size and life
      durability of the plants at the same time. 

PMID- 24225684
TI  - Transmission of organelles in triploid hybrids produced by gametosomatic fusions
      of two Nicotiana species.
AB  - Gametosomatic hybrids produced by the fusion of microspore protoplasts of
      Nicotiana tabacum Km(+)Sr(+) with somatic cell protoplasts of N. rustica were
      analysed for their organelle composition. For the analysis of mitochondrial
      (mt)DNA, species-specific patterns were generated by Southern hybridization of
      restriction endonuclease digests of total DNA and mtDNA with four DNA probes of
      mitochondrial origin: cytochrome oxidase subunit I, cytochrome oxidase subunit
      II, 26s rDNA and 5s-18s rDNA. Of the 22 hybrids analyzed, some had parental-type
      pattern for some probes and novel-type for the others, indicating interaction
      between mtDNA of the two parent species. For chloroplast (cp)DNA analysis,
      species-specific patterns were generated by Southern hybridization of restriction
      endonuclease digests of total DNA with large subunits of ribulose bisphosphate
      carboxylase and cpDNA as probes. All the hybrids had N. rustica-specific
      patterns. Hybrids were not resistant to streptomycin, a trait encoded by the
      chloroplast genome of N. tabacum. In gametosomatic fusions of the two Nicotiana
      species, mitochondria but not the chloroplasts are transmitted from the parent
      contributing microspore protoplasts. 

PMID- 24225685
TI  - Spatial and temporal expression of the two sucrose synthase genes in maize:
      immunohistological evidence.
AB  - We describe the spatial and temporal immunohistological distributions of the two
      sucrose synthases, SS1 and SS2, encoded by the Sh and Sus genes, respectively, in
      different parts of the maize plant. The two similar isozymes were differentially
      localized in developing endosperm cells through the combined uses of a shrunken
      (sh) mutant lacking the SS1 protein and the SS1 and SS2 antisera. The
      accumulation of SS1 protein always coincided with starch deposition in the Sh
      endosperm cells, whereas in the sh endosperm, the centrally located cells were
      lost at or during the most critical phase of starch biosynthesis. The SS2
      specific cells, including aleurone layer and the basal endosperm transfer cells
      in both genotypes, were not associated with detectable starch deposition. Such
      heterogeneity was indicative of two cell types separable by gene expression, and
      of differential in vivo roles of the two isozymes in the endosperm. In young
      roots, the expression of both SS encoding genes was predominantly in the vascular
      cylinder region. These data fulfill a previous prediction, based on the genetic
      analyses, that the expression of the SS genes is spatially and/or temporally
      separated in endosperm cells but not in root cells. 

PMID- 24225686
TI  - Genetic parameters and selection efficiency using part-records for production
      traits in strawberries.
AB  - The efficiency of selection for yield and fruit size using parts of the complete
      season record was evaluated using data collected for individual strawberry
      seedlings (Fragaria x annanasa) in four genetic tests. Part-records were
      generated for each trait using cumulative weekly sums, and these were compared
      with complete records to assess the value of extended data collection. In
      addition, part-records were generated using data from alternate weeks of harvest.
      Scoring separate sets of seedlings in alternate weeks was assumed to allow a
      doubling of the unselected population size, halving the selection proportion and
      increasing selection intensity. Heritabilities estimated for part-records were
      often larger for mid-season cumulative part-records than for the complete-season
      records. Seasonal patterns for broad-sense and narrow-sense heritabilities
      differed, suggesting temporal expression of genes that condition yield and fruit
      size. Predicted genetic gains were largest using cumulative part-records between
      4 and 12 weeks of the 15-week season, depending on trait and breeding objective
      (breeding value versus clonal value), with 8-9 weeks as a reasonable compromise.
      Selection using alternate-weeks records was identified as an efficient
      alternative to selection using total complete-season records. Superiority of the
      alternate-weeks option depends on the balance between increased selection
      intensity and decreased individual genetic information, and will differ for
      specific traits and program designs. 

PMID- 24225687
TI  - Non-additive gene effects in populations under different methods of selection.
AB  - The genetic parameters of two quantitative traits, 13-day larval weight and pupal
      weight, in Tribolium populations developed by reciprocal recurrent selection
      (RRS) and by within-line purebred selection (WLS) were compared each with the
      other and also with the parameters of the unselected base populations using the
      genetic model of Carbonell, Nyquist and Bell. The variability for two and three
      way crosses of inbred lines derived from "companion" populations (two strains,
      breeds, or varieties used for a terminal cross or hybrid) was analyzed into
      genetic effects: autosomal additivity ((*) g), autosomal heterosis ((*) s), sex
      linked additivity (L), sex-linked heterosis (LL), general maternal (m), specific
      maternal or reciprocal (r), additive by additive epistasis (aa), and deviations
      from the model due, among other causes, to higher order epistasis (dev). One
      series of crosses involved companion populations with diverse origins. For
      contrast, a second series of crosses involved companion populations originating
      from a common heterogenous base population. For the heterotic trait larval
      weight, (*) g and (*) s effects were equally important and accounted for over 50%
      of the total variation. The aa epistasis contributed another 20% and was followed
      in importance by higher order epistasis and general maternal effects. For the
      more highly heritable trait, pupal weight, (*) g effects were most important with
      (*) s, aa, and m effects having smaller but significant influences. Sex-linked
      and reciprocal effects were statistically significant for many crosses, but they
      were relatively unimportant overall. In general, the unselected base populations
      showed higher (*) g variation than either RRS or WLS populations with the reverse
      true for (*) s effects. In agreement with theoretical expectations, RRS was more
      effective than WLS in exploiting (*) s effects. The aa epistatic effects for
      larval weight were of major importance in the unselected populations, but RRS and
      WLS did not differ significantly for exploiting superior aa gene combinations.
      Companion populations with diverse origins revealed significantly larger
      variation due to (*) g and (*) s effects in crosses than did populations
      initiated from a common heterogeneous base. 

PMID- 24225688
TI  - Characterization of proteins associated with self-incompatibility in Solanum
      tuberosum.
AB  - The gametophytic self-incompatibility system of Solarium tuberosum is controlled
      by a single locus, designated as the S-locus. Protein extracts from potato styles
      of defined S-genotypes have been analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis,
      and found to contain a group of basic glycoproteins. Each genetically determined
      allele S 1 to S 4 was associated with the presence of one of a number of these
      polypeptides differing slightly in isoelectric points (in the range 8.3->9.1)
      and/or apparent molecular weight (ranging from 23,000 to 29,000). Two abundant
      basic polypeptides, one of which is apparently not glycosylated, were present in
      all genotypes examined. Amino-terminal protein sequence determinations revealed
      homologies of the S. tuberosum stylar proteins S2, S3 and S4 with SI-associated
      polypeptides from Nicotiana alata and Lycopersicon peruvianum. With an
      oligonucleotide generated to the potato-S2 N-terminal protein sequence, it was
      possible to detect a style-specific RNA species of ~920 nucleotides. The
      oligonucleotide also behaved as an allele-specific probe when hybridized to total
      RNA of different S-genotypes. 

PMID- 24225689
TI  - Dialect-I, species-specific repeated DNA sequence from barley, Hordeum vulgare.
AB  - Dialect-1, species-specific repetitive DNA sequence of barley Hordeum vulgare,
      was cloned and analysed by Southern blot and in situ hybridization. Dialect-1 is
      dispersed through all barley chromosomes with copy number 5,000 per genome. Two
      DNA fragments related to Dialect-1 were revealed in lambda phage library,
      subcloned and mapped. All three clones are structurally heterogenous and it is
      suggested that the full-length genomic repeat encompassing Dialect-1 is large in
      size. The Dialect-1 DNA repeat is represented in the genomes of H. vulgare and
      ssp. agriocrithon and spontaneum in similar form and copy number; it is present
      in rearranged form with reduced copy number in the genomes of H. bulbosum and H.
      murinum, and it is absent from genomes of several wild barley species as well as
      from genomes of wheat, rye, oats and maize. Dialect-1 repeat may be used as a
      molecular marker in taxonomic studies and for identification of barley
      chromosomes in interspecies hybrids. 

PMID- 24225690
TI  - Efficient transformation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) using a binary vector
      in Agrobacterium rhizogenes.
AB  - We transformed three potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes by using A.
      rhizogenes or a mixture of A. rhizogenes and A. tumefaciens. Inoculations of
      potato stem segments were performed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes AM8703
      containing two independent plasmids: the wild-type Ri-plasmid, pRI1855, and the
      binary vector plasmid, pBI121. In mixed inoculation experiments, Agrobacterium
      rhizogenes LBA1334 (pRI1855) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens AM8706 containing the
      disarmed Ti-plasmid (pAL4404) and the binary vector plasmid (pBI121) were mixed
      in a 1?1 ratio. The T-DNA of the binary vector plasmid pBI121 contained two
      marker genes encoding neomycin phosphotransferase, which confers resistance to
      kanamycin, and beta-glucuronidase. Both transformation procedures gave rise to
      hairy roots on potato stem segments within 2 weeks. With both procedures it was
      possible to obtain transformed hairy roots, able to grow on kanamycin and
      possessing beta-glucuronidase activity, without selection pressure. The
      efficiency of the A. rhizogenes AM8703 transformation, however, was much higher
      than that of the "mixed" transformation. Up to 60% of the hairy roots resulting
      from the former transformation method were kanamycin resistant and possessed beta
      glucuronidase activity. There was no correlation between the height of the
      kanamycin resistance and that of the beta-glucuronidase activity in a root clone.
      Hairy roots obtained from a diploid potato genotype turned out to be diploid in
      80% of the cases. Transformed potato plants were recovered from Agrobacterium
      rhizogenes AM8703-induced hairy roots. 

PMID- 24225691
TI  - Segregation of genetic markers in the two-spored secondarily homothallic
      basidiomycete Coprinus bilanatus.
AB  - Secondarily homothallic basidiomycetes, of which the cultivated mushroom Agaricus
      bisporus is an example, produce both self-fertile and non self-fertile spores.
      The random migration of nuclei from the basidia to give binucleate spores
      provides the simplest explanation for the regulation of breeding behaviour in
      this group of fungi. To test the predictions of the random migration hypothesis,
      the segregation of mating-type, auxotrophy and antimetabolite resistance has been
      determined in the secondarily homothallic ink-cap fungus, Coprinus bilanatus. In
      41 of a total of 56 spore progenies tested, the segregation ratios conformed to
      the predictions of the random migration hypothesis. Poor fits to the predicted
      ratios were, in many instances, associated with an adenine auxotrophy. On the
      basis of the data reported, random migration can be regarded as the primary
      control of secondary homothallism. 

PMID- 24225692
TI  - Reconceptualizing schizophrenia.
AB  - The recent emphasis for research on psychiatric disorders focuses on supposed
      underlying processes and their biological elements. Although such a direction may
      be fruitful, it would be a mistake to ignore more integrated approaches for
      understanding the mysteries of schizophrenia or other psychiatric disorders. The
      complexity of the biopsychosocial paradigm should not lead to ignoring its
      potential value for understanding these disorders. The role of subjective data
      other than those identified as "symptoms" is also likely to be crucial. 

PMID- 24225693
TI  - Ultrastructure of bacteria and the proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in marine
      sediments.
AB  - Bacteria in sediments from the surface aerobic layer (0-1 cm) and a deeper
      anaerobic layer (20-21 cm) of a seagrass bed were examined in section by
      transmission electron microscopy. Bacteria with a Gram-negative ultrastructure
      made up 90% of bacteria in the surface layer, and Gram-positive bacteria
      comprised 10%. In the anaerobic zone, Gram-negative bacteria comprised 70% and
      Gram-positive bacteria 30% of the bacterial population. These differences were
      highly significant and support predictions of these proportions made from muramic
      acid measurements and direct counting with fluorescence microscopy. Most cells
      were enveloped in extracellular slime layers or envelopes, some with considerable
      structural complexity. The trophic value to animals of these envelopes is
      discussed. A unique organism with spines was observed. 

PMID- 24225694
TI  - Evaluation of a proposed surface colonization equation usingThermothrix thiopara
      as a model organism.
AB  - The colonization equation shown below was evaluated usingThermothrix thiopara as
      a model organism.[Formula: see text] where: N=number of cells on surface (cells
      field(-1)); A = attachment rate (cells field(-1) h(-1)); M=specific growth rate
      (h(-1)); t=incubation period (h).Previous studies of microbial surface
      colonization consider attachment and growth independently. However, the proposed
      colonization equation integrates the effects of simultaneous attachment and
      growth. Using this equation, the specific growth rate ofT. thiopara was found to
      be 0.38+/-0.3 h(-1) during in situ colonization. Estimates ofMU were independent
      of incubation period after 4 h (2 generations). Shorter incubations were
      inadequate to produce sufficient microcolonies for accurate determination of
      specific growth rate. Empirical data for the time course of colonization fell
      within the 95% confidence interval of predicted values. The attachment rate,
      although assumed to be constant, was found to continuously increase with time.
      This increase may have been an artifact due to the continuous deposition of
      travertine on the surface, or may indicate the need for a function to replace A
      in the colonization equation. Using the exponential growth equation, the progeny
      of cells that attach during incubation are considered to be progeny of cells that
      attach initially. This erroneously inflated the growth rate by 55%. 

PMID- 24225695
TI  - Growth and uptake kinetics of a facultatively oligotrophic bacterium at low
      nutrient concentrations.
AB  - In oligotrophic waters, not only community structure but also physiological
      properties of heterotrophic bacteria are influenced by the concentration of
      organic matter.The relationship between growth rate of two facultatively
      oligotrophic strains ofAeromonas sp. No. 6 andFlavobacterium sp. M1 was studied
      in comparison with that of two eutrophic strains ofEscherichia coli 7020
      andFlavobacterium sp. M2. These strains had two or three different substrate
      constants (Ks values) depending on substrate concentrations: Ks values for the
      two former were remarkably lower than those for the two latter. For instance, Ks
      value forAeromonas sp. No. 6 was about 8.9MUM when substrate concentration was
      greater than 53MUM and about 1.1MUM when substrate concentration was less man
      53MUM. InE. coli the Ks value was about 260MUM at greater than 5600MUM and about
      47MUM at less than 5600MUM substrate concentration.Uptake kinetics ofAeromonas
      sp. grown in a medium containing 2.7 mM glutamate (H-cell) and 0.11MUM glutamate
      (L-cell) have been determined for the intact cells. H-cell had two distinct
      values of Km for glutamate assimilation and respiration, and L-cell had three
      distinct values of Km for glutamate assimilation and respiration: In H-cell Km of
      assimilation was 2.8*10(-7) M and 1.5*10(-4) M, and Km of respiration was 2.3*10(
      7) M and 1.7*10(-4) M; in L-cell Km of assimilation was 7.4*10(-8) M, 8.3*10(-6)
      M, and 1.3*10(-4) M, and Km of respiration was 2.5*10(-7), 8.9*10(-6)M, and
      1.7*10(-4) M. More than 60% of glutamate taken up by the H- and L-cells was
      respired when the substrate concentration was less than 10(-6) M, although at
      greater than 10(-6) M, 50% and 30% of glutamate was respired by H-cells and L
      cells, respectively. These results suggest that the facultatively oligotrophic
      bacteria grow with high efficiency in environments with extremely low nutrient
      concentration, such as oligotrophic waters of lakes and ocean, as compared with
      in their growth in conditions of high nutrient concentraton, such as nutrient
      broth. 

PMID- 24225696
TI  - Bacterial productivity in the water column and sediments of the Georgia (USA)
      coastal zone: Estimates via direct counting and parallel measurement of thymidine
      incorporation.
AB  - Three methods of estimating bacterial productivity were compared using parallel
      samples of Atlantic Ocean water (within 0.25-15 km of the Georgia coast). The
      frequency-of-dividing cells (FDC) method and the [(3)H]thymidine incorporation
      method gave results which were strongly correlated (r=0.97), but the FDC
      estimates were always higher (X2 to X7) than the [(3)H]thymidine estimates.
      Estimates of bacterial productivity ranged from 2-4*10(8) cells.l(-1).h(-1) at
      0.25 km from shore to 1-9*10(7)cells.l(-1).h(-1) at 15 km. A method involving
      incubation of 3-MUm filtrates and direct counting gave results that could not be
      easily translated into estimates of bacterial productivity. Application of the
      FDC method to sediment samples gave high productivity estimates, which could be
      not reconciled with productivity estimates based on sediment oxygen uptake. 

PMID- 24225697
TI  - Abiotic formation of particles from extracellular organic carbon released by
      phytoplankton.
AB  - (14)C-labeled extracellular organic carbon (EOC) released by the phytoplankton in
      a Danish Estuary was shown immediately to form particles (>0.2MUm) when the
      products were added to a natural water sample. About 14%-20% of the added
      activity could be recovered as particles. Any bacterial assimilation of the
      extracellular products was thus masked. The abiotic origin of the particulate EOC
      was verified, and it was shown that the particle formation was due to some
      factors present in the estuarine water with a nominal diameter >0.2MUm.
      Precaution must be taken to avoid misinterpretations in studies concerning carbon
      flow from algae to bacteria. 

PMID- 24225698
TI  - Further studies on respiratory rates of freshwater amoebae (Rhizopoda,
      Gymnamoebia).
AB  - The respiration rates of axenically culturedAcanthamoeba castellanii
      (Gymnamoebia) and of the test organismTetrahymena pyriformis (Ciliophora) were
      compared using both Warburg and cartesian diver respirometer techniques at 20
      degrees C. Furthermore, the latter procedure was employed to measure the oxygen
      consumption of the amoebae,Polychaos fasciculatum, Saccamoeba limax, andAmoeba
      sp. The linear relationship between respiration rate and mean cell volume in
      amoebae was reassessed in view of these additional estimates. The importance of
      this regression in ecological studies is discussed. 

PMID- 24225699
TI  - Statistical sampling of bacterial strains and its use in bacterial diversity
      measurement.
AB  - The cultural bacterial strains of two sediment samples, i.e., 260 strains, were
      submitted to numerical taxonomy to determine "ecological profiles." From these
      profiles several calculations of bacterial diversity were done with increasing
      number of strains (between 10 and 130). Studying 20-30 strains was sufficient to
      obtain a diversity of bacterial community.Number of tests could be reduced from
      62 to 30 without any influence on bacterial diversity. Similarity between studied
      tests was shown by using numerical taxonomy. 

PMID- 24225700
TI  - Analysis of the community structure of yeasts associated with the decaying stems
      of cactus. I.Stenocereus gummosus.
AB  - Yeast communities of decayingStenocereus gummosus were analyzed for spatial,
      temporal, and physiological characteristics. Analysis of random samples within
      plants, between plants, and between localities shows that the species proportions
      of the yeast community are relatively constant within plants and between
      localities, but that there is significant variability between rotting plants. It
      is suggested that the increased variability between plants represents sampling of
      different stages of succession. The physiological abilities of the yeast
      community also show a relatively constant pattern within plants and between
      localities yet more variability between plants.The variablity profiles of species
      proportions and community physiological characters are demonstrated to be
      correlated within and between plants. This observation is an extension of the
      Kluge-Kerfoot phenomenon to the level of the community. The correlation of within
      and between plant variability profiles is suggested to be a result of the
      temporal and spatial availability of resources during the stages of rotting plant
      succession. The community structure is thus postulated to result from a set of
      possible future resource states of the habitat. 

PMID- 24225701
TI  - Yeast flora of grape berries during ripening.
AB  - The yeast flora associated with the surface of grapes during ripening was studied
      with regard to different sectors of the grape skin and the position in the bunch
      by means of traditional as well as more vigorous preisolation and precounting
      treatments. The yeast number per square centimeter of skin increases with
      ripening and is highest in the area immediately surrounding the stem. The cluster
      sector closer to the peduncle seems to constitute a favorable substrate for
      yeasts, hosting a resident flora about 10 and 100 times higher than the central
      and lower parts of the bunch, respectively.Kloeckera apiculata was the normal
      resident species of grapes regardless of the sector or the ripening period, and
      constitutes the fermenting flora of mature grapes. The ecological implications of
      the results of this survey are discussed. 

PMID- 24225702
TI  - Decomposers and the fire cycle in a phryganic (East Mediterranean) ecosystem.
AB  - Dehydrogenase activity, cellulose decomposition, nitrification, and CO2 release
      were measured for 2 years to estimate the effects of a wildfire over a phryganic
      ecosystem. In decomposers' subsystem we found that fire mainly affected the
      nitrification process during the whole period, and soil respiration for the
      second post-fire year, when compared with the control site. Our data suggest that
      after 3-4 months the activity of microbial decomposers is almost the same at the
      two sites, suggesting that fire is not a catastrophic event, but a simple
      perturbation common to Mediterranean-type ecosystems. 

PMID- 24225703
TI  - Vital staining permits isolation of calcium vesicles from the green alga
      Mougeotia.
AB  - The calcium vesicles of the green alga Mougeotia (G. Wagner and R. Rossbacher,
      1980, Planta 149, 298-305) were isolated for characterization in vitro by
      fractionation of algal homogenate on sucrose density gradients. A new technique,
      based on vital staining by neutral red or rhodamine B, permitted isolation.
      Minimum dye binding to the calcium vesicles prevented desintegration, and for
      isolation a single, thoroughly defined centrifugation step sufficed, facilitated
      by the exceptionally high vesicular density of >=1.3 g. cm(-3). Neutral red in
      particular seems to be accumulated by the vesicles via hydrogen bonds to abundant
      phenolic hydroxyl groups which, reversibly bound to an as yet undefined vesicle
      core, may well provide coordination sites for the observed calcium binding. 

PMID- 24225704
TI  - Immuno-gold localization of alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl residues in pollen tubes of
      Nicotiana alata Link et otto.
AB  - Immuno-gold labelling using a monoclonal antibody (PCBC3) with a primary
      specificity for alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl residues was used to locate these
      residues in pollen tubes of Nicotiana alata grown in vivo. The antibody bound to
      the outer fibrillar layer of the pollen-tube wall: the inner, non-fibrillar wall
      layer was not labelled. Cytoplasmic vesicles (0.2 MUm diameter) were also
      labelled. The antibody may bind to an arabinan in the pollen-tube wall. 

PMID- 24225705
TI  - Immunocytological and chemical studies on the stromacentre-forming protein from
      Avena plastids.
AB  - The stromacentre (SC), a particular structure in the plastids of Avena, was
      isolated from etioplasts of Avena sativa by density gradient centrifugation and
      then analyzed and compared with ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase
      (RuBPCase) from A. sativa, with pyrenoids of Chlorella vulgaris and with the
      "stromacentre" of Opuntia. Purified SC-elements consisted of protein subunits
      with a relative molecular weight of 63 kDa, different from the isolated RuBPCase
      of A. sativa as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis. After peptide mapping, the proteolytic cleavage patterns of the
      63-kDa protein were also found to be different from those of the RuBPCase.
      Antibodies against SC-elements, RuBPCase, and the large subunit of RuBPCase were
      produced. Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion tests did not give crossreactions
      between the SC-elements and RuBPCase or the large subunit of this enzyme.
      Immunogold labelling of ultrathin sections showed that antibodies against the SC
      elements marked the stromacentre in Avena, but not the pyrenoids in Chlorella.
      Antibodies against the large subunit of RuBPCase, however, did not label the SC,
      but labelled the stroma of the plastids in Avena and the pyrenoids of Chlorella.
      In Opuntia, a comparable structure described as an SC was not labelled by any of
      the antisera. Immunoelectrophoretical investigations demonstrated a strong
      correlation between the presence of the 63-kDa protein and the occurrence of the
      SC in different Avena species with and without SC. 

PMID- 24225706
TI  - Characterization of monoclonal antibodies to protoplast membranes of Nicotiana
      tabacum identified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
AB  - Murine monoclonal antibodies to protoplast membrne antigens were generated using
      mouse myelomas and spleen cells from mice immunized with Nicotiana tabacum L.
      leaf protoplasts. For selecting antibody-secreting clones, a sensitive and rapid
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for monoclonal antibody binding to
      immobilized cellular membrane preparations or immobilized protoplasts was
      developed. With intact protoplasts as immobilized antigen, the ELISA is selective
      for antibodies that bind to plasma-membrane epitopes present on the external
      surface of protoplasts. Using the membrane ELISA, a total of 24 hybridoma lines
      were identified that secreted antibodies to plant membrane epitopes. The
      protoplast ELISA and subsequent immunofluorescence studies identified four
      hybridoma lines as secreting antibodies which bound to the external surface of
      protoplasts and cells. The corresponding antigens were not species- or tissue
      specific, were periodatesensitive, and were located in membranes which
      equilibrated broadly throughout a linear sucrose gradient. When protein blots of
      electrophoretically separated membrane proteins were probed with these
      antibodies, a band of Mr 14 kilodaltons (kDa) and a smear of bands of Mr 45-120
      kDa were labeled. An additional set of three antibodies appeared by
      immunofluorescence to bind to the plasma membrane of broken but not intact
      protoplasts and labeled membranes equilibrating at a density of approx. 1.12
      kg.l(-1) in a linear sucrose density gradient. These classes of monoclonal
      antibodies enlarge the library of monoclonal antibodies (Norman et al. 1986,
      Planta 167, 452-459) available for the study of plant plasma-membrane structure
      and function. 

PMID- 24225707
TI  - Water stress in Eucalyptus pauciflora: comparison of effects on stomatal
      conductance with effects on the mesophyll capacity for photosynthesis, and
      investigation of a possible involvement of photoinhibition.
AB  - Seedlings of Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieb. ex Spreng., grown in 4-1 pots, were
      stressed by withholding water while relationships between net assimilation rate
      (A) and intercellular partial pressure of CO2 (pi) in selected leaves were
      obtained repeatedly throughout the stress cycle. Water stress at first caused
      stomatal closure without any decline in the A(pi) relationship. As stress became
      more severe, the A(pi) relationship was affected as well. This always affected
      assimilation rate at both high and low intercellular partial pressures of CO2. It
      was then tested whether water-stressed leaves were more prone to photoinhibition
      than unstressed ones. Plants were water-stressed while at the same time subjected
      to strong photon flux area density (2000 MUmol quanta.m(-2).s(-1)). A possible
      light-induced inhibition was assessed by comparing quantum yields of
      photosynthesis with light directed onto one or the other surface of the leaf. A
      decline in quantum yield was observed, and the decline on the previously
      irradiated side was more pronounced than on the previously shaded side, but the
      effect was small and disappeared entirely within 1 d of rewatering the plants. It
      is concluded that photoinhibition can play a role, but not an important one, in
      the effect of water stress on the A(pi) relationship in leaves of E. pauciflora. 

PMID- 24225708
TI  - Sucrose uptake in isolated phloem of celery is a single saturable transport
      system.
AB  - The uptake of different sugars was studied in segments of isolated phloem from
      petioles of celery (Apium graveolens L.) in order to determine the kinetics and
      specificity of phloem loading in this highly uniform conductive tissue. The
      uptake kinetics of sucrose and the sugar alcohol, mannitol, which are both phloem
      translocated, indicated presence of a single saturable system, while uptake of
      non-phloem sugars (glucose and 3-O-methylglucose) exhibited biphasic kinetics
      with lower uptake rates than those for sucrose and mannitol. The presence of
      unlabeled mannitol, 3-O-methylglucose and maltose in the incubation solution did
      not cause inhibition of labeled-sucrose uptake, indicating high carrier
      specificity and lack of sucrose hydrolysis in vivo. The pH optimum for sucrose
      uptake was 5-6. Furthermore, a rapid and transient alkalinization of the external
      media by sucrose indicated a sugar/H(+)-cotransport mechanism. Dual-labeling
      experiments showed that sucrose influx continued at a constant rate (V max=15
      MUmol.h(-1).(g FW)(-1)), whereas sucrose efflux was low and insensitive to
      external concentration. Therefore, the saturable uptake kinetics for sucrose did
      not appear to be the result of an equilibrium between rates of sucrose influx and
      efflux. 

PMID- 24225709
TI  - Purification of an autocatalytic protein-glycosylating enzyme from cell
      suspensions of Daucus carota L.
AB  - A glycosyltransferase was identified in the 174 000 . g membrane pellet and the
      supernatant from extracts of cell suspensions of Daucus carota L. The enzyme from
      the supernatant was enriched 475-fold, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel
      electrophoresis and fluorography of this purified sample showed that the only
      enriched protein band (40 000 Da) was simultaneously an enzyme and a glucose
      acceptor. Gel filtration and electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions
      proved that in vivo this protein provides the subunits for a very large molecule.
      Radio-gas-liquid chromatography demonstrated that only one glucosyl moiety was
      transferred from UDP-glucose to the protein. 

PMID- 24225710
TI  - Acetyl-CoA-carboxylase activity in normally developing wheat leaves.
AB  - In order to investigate the role of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the
      regulation of fatty-acid biosynthesis in chloroplasts, the activities and
      relative amounts of the enzyme have been measured in the tissue of wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves undergoing development and cellular
      differentiation. The total activity in the first leaves of 5- to 7-d-old plants
      was similar but decreased to less than half in 9-d-old plants. The activity of
      ACC in the cells of the first leaf of 7-d-old plants doubled when cell age
      increased from 24 to 48 h, remained relatively constant for a further 24 h and
      then declined. The amount of ACC in cells increased 15-fold during the first 36 h
      of cell enlargement. Cells more than 36 h old contained about two-thirds the
      maximum amount of ACC found in younger cells. The most rapid phase of fatty-acyl
      accumulation in lipids was in cells aged between 60 and 84 h. Tenfold changes in
      the activity of ACC were observed when the assay conditions with respect to ATP,
      ADP, Mg(2+) and pH were changed to correspond to the physiological conditions in
      chloroplasts during light/dark transitions. This observation and the magnitude of
      the changes in the optimum activity and amount of ACC in leaf cells undergoing
      development are consistent with a role for ACC in the regulation of the flow of
      carbon from acetyl CoA to fatty acids in chloroplasts. 

PMID- 24225711
TI  - Ammonium regulation of urate uptake in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
AB  - Urate was taken up at a negligible rate by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells grown
      on ammonium and transferred to media containing urate plus ammonium or urate plus
      chloral hydrate or cycloheximide. Addition of ammonium to cells actively
      consuming urate produced a rapid inhibition of urate uptake whereas the
      intracellular oxidation of urate was unaffected. Methylammonium but not glutamine
      or glutamate inhibited urate uptake. Addition of L-methionine-DL-sulfoximine to
      cells actively consuming urate provoked ammonium excretion, which was accompanied
      by a rapid inhibition of urate uptake. In cells growing on urate and exhibiting
      noticeable levels of nitrite-reductase activity, nitrite caused a sudden
      inhibition of urate uptake whereas nitrate required a time to induce nitrate
      reductase and to exert its inhibitory effect on uptake. The urate-uptake system
      did not require urate for induction since the urate-uptake capacity appeared in
      nitrogen-starved cells. From these results it is concluded that, in Chlamydomonas
      reinhardtii, ammonium inhibits urate uptake and also acts as co-repressor of the
      uptake system. 

PMID- 24225712
TI  - Auxin carriers in Cucurbita vesicles : I. Imposed perturbations of transmembrane
      pH and electrical potential gradients characterised by radioactive probes.
AB  - The behaviour of radioactive probes of transmembrane pH gradients ([(14)C]butyric
      acid) and electrical potential gradients ((86)Rb(+) and S(14)CN(-)) has been
      characterised in membrane vesicles from Cucurbita pepo L. hypocotyls subjected to
      changing gradients and ionophore-mediated changes in the conductivity of K(+) and
      H(+) ions. The vesicles are sealed in the presence of 25 mM KCl. The K(+)
      ionophore valinomycin changes the distribution of (86)Rb(+) and of S(14)CN(-) in
      opposite directions, which depend on the external K(+) concentration. The
      accumulation of [(14)C]butyric acid by the vesicles and its association with the
      membranous phase are enhanced by increasing acidity, as expected for this
      lipophilic weak acid (pKa=4.8). Uptake of S(14)CN(-) increases and valinomycin
      stimulated (86)Rb(+) uptake decreases when the external pH is lowered, indicating
      a strongly pH-dependent H(+) diffusion potential. 

PMID- 24225713
TI  - Auxin carriers in Cucurbita vesicles : II. Evidence that carrier-mediated routes
      of both indole-3-acetic acid influx and efflux are electroimpelled.
AB  - The association at 0 degrees  C of [(3)H]indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) with membrane
      vesicles prepared from Cucurbita pepo L. hypocotyls at pH 7.9 and resuspended at
      pH 6.0 was greatly diminished by osmotic shrinkage. Nonradioactive IAA inhibited
      a large proportion of this association thus revealing a saturable component, also
      decreased by osmotic shrinkage, which mainly represents operation of an auxin
      uptake carrier, with saturable binding having only a minor role. The contribution
      of this carrier to the steady state of IAA transport changed in the same
      direction as the proton motive force (transmembrane pH and electrical potential
      difference) which was manipulated using the K(+) ionophore valinomycin with
      differing K(+) concentration gradients over a range of assay pH values. We
      conclude that the uptake carrier is electroimpelled with IAA(-)/2H(+) (or
      IAAH/H(+)) symport as a possible mechanism. The same procedures were used to
      examine the behaviour of the IAA efflux carrier, whose inhibition by N-1
      naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) causes an increase in IAA accumulation by the
      vesicles. The extent of NPA-stimulation was linked to the magnitude of the
      electrical potential difference (negative inside) across the vesicle membranes.
      We conclude that IAA transport by the efflux carrier is electroimpelled, with
      IAA(-) a likely substrate. 

PMID- 24225714
TI  - Auxin carriers in Cucurbita vesicles : III. Specificity, with particular
      reference to 1-naphthylacetic acid.
AB  - Carrier-mediated uptake of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by microsomal vesicles from
      Cucurbita pepo L. hypocotyls was strongly inhibited by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic
      acid (2,4-D; i 50= 0.3 MUM) but only weakly by 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA). The
      fully ionised auxin indol-3-yl methanesulphonic acid also inhibited (i 50=3 MUM).
      The same affinity ranking of these auxins for the uptake carrier, an
      electroimpelled auxin anion-H(+) symport, is demonstrable in hypocotyl segments.
      The specificity of the auxin-anion eflux carrier was tested by the ability of
      different nonradioactive auxins to compete with [(3)H]IAA and reduce the
      stimulation of net radioactive uptake by N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), a
      noncompetitive inhibitor of this carrier. By this criterion, NAA and IAA had
      comparable affinities, with 2,4-D interaction more weakly. Stimulation of
      [(3)H]IAA uptake by NAA, as a result of competition for the efflux carrier, could
      also be demonstrated when a suitable concentration of 2,4-D was used selectively
      to inhibit the uptake carrier. However, when [(3)H]NAA was used, no stimulation
      of its association with vesicles by NPA, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, or
      nonradioactive NAA was found. In hypocotyl segments, [(3)H]NAA net uptake was
      much less sensitive to NPA stimulation than was [(14)C]IAA uptake. The apparent
      contradictions concerning NAA could be explained by carrier-mediated auxin efflux
      making a smaller relative contribution to the overall transport of NAA than of
      IAA. The relationship between carrier specificity as manifested in vitro and the
      specificity of polar auxin transport is discussed. 

PMID- 24225715
TI  - Differential induction of enzyme in soybean cell cultures by elicitor or osmotic
      stress.
AB  - Soybean cell cultures were challenged either by glucan elicitor from Phytophthora
      megasperma f.sp. glycinea or by osmotic stress (0.4 M glucose). Osmotic stress
      induced production of a microsomal NADPH-dependent flavone synthase (flavone
      synthase II) which catalyses conversion of (2S)-naringenin to apigenin. In one of
      our cell-lines this enzyme activity was not detected either in unchallenged cells
      or in cells treated with glucan elicitor. Inducibility of flavone synthase II by
      0.4 M glucose was highest at the end of the linear growth phase. Changes in the
      activities of a number of other enzymes were determined after treatment of the
      cells with elicitor or 0.4 M glucose. The activities of phenylalanine
      ammonialyase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, chalcone synthase and dihydroxypterocarpan
      6a-hydroxylase all increased with elicitor and with osmoticum, albeit to a
      different degree. The rise in enzyme activity occurred later with osmoticum than
      with elicitor. The prenyltransferase involved in glyceollin synthesis was induced
      strongly by elicitor but only very weakly by osmoticum, whereas isoflavone
      synthase and NADPH: cytochrome-c reductase were only induced by elicitor. The
      activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase did not change with elicitor or
      with osmoticum. Different product patterns were also obtained: whereas with
      elicitor, glyceollin I was the major product, intermediates of the glyceollin
      pathway (7,4'-dihydroxyflavanone, trihydroxypterocarpan) accumulated with
      osmoticum. 

PMID- 24225716
TI  - Gibberellins regulate seed germination in tomato by endosperm weakening: a study
      with gibberellin-deficient mutants.
AB  - The germination of seeds of tomato [Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill.] cv.
      Moneymaker has been compared with that of seeds of the gibberellin-deficient
      dwarf-mutant line ga-1, induced in the same genetic background. Germination of
      tomato seeds was absolutely dependent on the presence of either endogenous or
      exogenous gibberellins (GAs). Gibberellin A4+7 was 1000-fold more active than
      commercial gibberellic acid in inducing germination of the ga-1 seeds. Red light,
      a preincubation at 2 degrees C, and ethylene did not stimulate germination of ga
      1 seeds in the absence of GA4+7; however, fusicoccin did stimulate germination
      independently. Removal of the endosperm and testa layers opposite the radicle tip
      caused germination of ga-1 seeds in water. The seedlings and plants that develop
      from the detipped ga-1 seeds exhibited the extreme dwarfy phenotype that is
      normal to this genotype. Measurements of the mechanical resistance of the
      surrounding layers showed that the major action of GAs was directed to the
      weakening of the endosperm cells around the radicle tip. In wild-type seeds this
      weakening occurred in water before radicle protrusion. In ga-1 seeds a similar
      event was dependent on GA4+7, while fusicoccin also had some activity.
      Simultaneous incubation of de-embryonated endosperms and isolated axes showed
      that wild-type embryos contain and endosperm-weakening factor that is absent in
      ga-1 axes and is probably a GA. Thus, an endogenous GA facilitates germination in
      tomato seeds by weakening the mechanical restraint of the endosperm cells to
      permit radicle protrusion. 

PMID- 24225717
TI  - Nitrogen limitation and amino-acid metabolism of Chlorella symbiotic with green
      hydra.
AB  - Chlorella algae symbiotic in the digestive cells of Hydra viridissima Pallas
      (green hydra) were found to contain less amino-N and smaller pools of free amino
      acids than their cultured counterparts, indicating that growth in symbiosis was
      nitrogen-limiting. This difference was reflected in uptake of amino acids and
      subsequent incorporation into protein; symbiotic algae incorporated a greater
      proportion of sequestered radioactivity, supplied as (14)C-labelled alanine,
      glycine or arginine, than algae from nitrogen-sufficient culture, presumably
      because smaller internal pools diluted sequestered amino acids to a lesser
      extent. Further experiments with symbiotic algae showed that metabolism of the
      neutral amino acid alanine differed from that of the basic amino acid arginine.
      Alanine but not arginine continued to be incorporated into protein after uptake
      ceased, and while internal pools of alanine were exchangeable with alanine in the
      medium, those of arginine were not exchangeable with external arginine. Thin
      layer chromatography of ethanol-soluble extracts of algae incubated with
      [(14)C]alanine or [(14)C]arginine showed that both were precursors of other amino
      acids. The significance of nitrogen-limiting growth of symbiotic algae is
      discussed in terms of host-cell regulation of algal cell growth and division. 

PMID- 24225718
TI  - Initiation of auxin autonomy in Nicotiana glutinosa cells by the cytokinin
      biosynthesis gene from Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Agrobacteria carrying mutations at the auxin-biosynthesizing loci (iaaH and iaaM
      of the Ti plasmid) induce shoot-forming tumors on many plant species. In some
      cases, e.g. Nicotiana glutinosa L., tumors induced by such mutant strains exhibit
      an unorganized and fully autonomous phenotype. These characteristics are stable
      in culture at both the tissue and cellular level. We demonstrate that the
      cytokinin-biosynthesis gene (ipt) of the Ti plasmid is responsble for the
      induction of both auxin and cytokinin autonomy in N. glutinosa. Cloned cell lines
      carrying an ipt gene but lacking iaaH and iaaM are capable of accumulating indole
      3-acetic acid. Interestingly, non-transformed N. glutinosa tissues exhibit an
      auxin-requiring phenotype when they are grown on medium supplemented with an
      exogenous supply of cytokinin. These results strongly indicate that exogenously
      supplied cytokinin does not mimic all the effects of the expression of the ipt
      gene in causing the auxin-autonomous growth of N. glutinosa cells. 

PMID- 24225719
TI  - The photosynthetic induction response in wheat leaves: net CO2 uptake, enzyme
      activation, and leaf metabolites.
AB  - The photosynthetic induction response was studied in whole leaves of wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.) following 5-min, 30-min and 10-h dark periods. After the 5
      min dark treatment there was a rapid burst in the rate of photosynthesis upon
      illumination (half of maximum after 30s), followed by a slight decrease after 1.5
      more min and then a gradual rise to the maximum rate. During this initial burst
      in photosynthesis, there was a rapid rise in the level of 3-phosphoglycerate
      (PGA) and a high PGA/triose-phosphate (triose-P) ratio was obtained. In addition,
      after the 5-min dark treatment, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco,
      EC 4.1.1.39), ribulose-5-phosphate kinase (EC 2.7.1.19) and chloroplastic
      fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) maintained a relatively high state of
      activation, and maximum activation occurred within 1 min of illumination. The
      results indicate there is a high capacity for CO2 fixation in the cycle upon
      illumination but attaining maximum rates requires an increase in the ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate (RuBP) pool (adjustment in triose-P utilization for carbohydrate
      synthesis versus RuBP synthesis). With both the 30-min and 10-h dark
      pretreatments there was only a slight rise in photosynthesis upon illumination,
      followed by a lag, then a gradual increase to steady-state (half-maximum rate
      after 6 min). In contrast to the 5-min dark treatment, the level of PGA was low
      and actually decreased initially, whereas the level of RuBP increased and was
      high during induction, indicating that Rubisco is limiting. This regulation via
      the carboxylase was not reflected in the initial extractable activity, which
      reached a maximum by 1 min after illumination. The light activation of
      chloroplastic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase in leaves darkened for 30 min and 10 h
      prior to illumination was relatively slow (reaching a maximum after 8 min).
      However, this was not considered to limit carbon flux through the carbon-fixation
      cycle during induction since RuBP was not limiting. When photosynthesis
      approached the maximum steady-state rate, a high PGA/triose-P ratio and a high
      PGA/RuBP ratio were obtained. This may allow a high rate of photosynthesis by
      producing a favorable mass-action ratio for the reductive phase (the conversion
      of PGA to triose phosphate) while stimulating starch and sucrose synthesis. 

PMID- 24225720
TI  - Comparison of de-novo flower-bud formation in a photoperiodic and a day-neutral
      tobacco.
AB  - Regeneration of flower buds in thin tissue layers from pedicels of photoinduced
      short-day (SD) tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Maryland Mammoth, is described.
      Up to seven flower buds per explant were obtained in a medium containing
      Murashige and Skoog's macro- and microclements, 100 mg/l myoinositol, 0.1 mg/l
      thiamine-HCl, 6% glucose, 5 MUM N(6)-benzylaminopurine, and 0.5 MUM alpha
      naphthaleneacetic acid. Usually some vegetative buds were also formed in the
      pedicel thin tissue layers. Thin tissue layers from other positions in the
      induced SD tobacco regenerated vegetative buds only. A comparative study with a
      day-neutral (DN) tobacco, Samsun, showed that the capacity to form de-novo flower
      buds was more localized and less strongly determined in photoperiodic than in the
      DN tobacco. The differences between the photoperiodic and DN tobaccos in flower
      bud regeneration capacity are thus quantitative and not qualitative. The basis
      for this quantitative difference is not known, but may depend on factors
      controlling production of floral stimulus (florigen) and competency of cells to
      respond to florigen, and-or stability of the determined state to form flower buds
      in vitro. 

PMID- 24225721
TI  - Spinach ferredoxin is a calcium-binding protein.
AB  - Spinach-leaf ferredoxin was identified as a calcium-binding protein by (45)Ca
      autoradiography on nitrocellulose membranes and with the cationic carbocyanine
      dye 1-ethyl-2-[3-(1-ethylnaphtho[1,2-d]thiazolin-2-ylidene)-2-methylpropenyl]
      naphtho[1,2-d]thiazolium bromide ("stains-all"). Binding of (45)Ca was observed
      at pH 6.8 and pH 7.8 and in the presence of 5 mM and 20 mM MgCl2. At the higher
      MgCl2 concentration the Ca(2+)-binding capacity is reduced. Only micromolar
      concentrations of LaCl3, however, are required to achieve a similar effect. Both
      the oxidized and reduced forms of ferredoxin bind calcium. 

PMID- 24225722
TI  - Doped organic transistors operating in the inversion and depletion regime.
AB  - The inversion field-effect transistor is the basic device of modern
      microelectronics and is nowadays used more than a billion times on every state-of
      the-art computer chip. In the future, this rigid technology will be complemented
      by flexible electronics produced at extremely low cost. Organic field-effect
      transistors have the potential to be the basic device for flexible electronics,
      but still need much improvement. In particular, despite more than 20 years of
      research, organic inversion mode transistors have not been reported so far. Here
      we discuss the first realization of organic inversion transistors and the
      optimization of organic depletion transistors by our organic doping technology.
      We show that the transistor parameters--in particular, the threshold voltage and
      the ON/OFF ratio--can be controlled by the doping concentration and the thickness
      of the transistor channel. Injection of minority carriers into the doped
      transistor channel is achieved by doped contacts, which allows forming an
      inversion layer.

PMID- 24225723
TI  - Air pollution exposures during adulthood and risk of endometriosis in the Nurses'
      Health Study II.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Particulate matter and proximity to large roadways may promote
      disease mechanisms, including systemic inflammation, hormonal alteration, and
      vascular proliferation, that may contribute to the development and severity of
      endometriosis. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine the association of air
      pollution exposures during adulthood, including distance to road, particulate
      matter<2.5 MUm, between 2.5 and 10 MUm, and <10 MUm, (PM2.5, PM10-2.5, PM10), and
      timing of exposure with risk of endometriosis in the Nurses' Health Study II.
      METHODS: Proximity to major roadways and outdoor levels of PM2.5, PM10-2.5, and
      PM10 were determined for all residential addresses from 1993 to 2007.
      Multivariable-adjusted time-varying Cox proportional hazard models were used to
      estimate the relation between these air pollution exposures and endometriosis
      risk. RESULTS: Among 84,060 women, 2,486 incident cases of surgically confirmed
      endometriosis were identified over 710,230 person-years of follow-up. There was
      no evidence of an association between endometriosis risk and distance to road or
      exposure to PM2.5, PM10-2.5, or PM10 averaged over follow-up or during the
      previous 2- or 4-year period. CONCLUSIONS: Traffic and air pollution exposures
      during adulthood were not associated with incident endometriosis in this cohort
      of women.

PMID- 24225725
TI  - Robotic assisted prostatic surgery in the Trendelenburg position does not impair
      cerebral oxygenation measured using two different monitors: A clinical
      observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robotic assisted prostatic surgery is frequently used because of its
      reduced side-effects compared with conventional surgery. During surgery, an
      extreme Trendelenburg position and CO2 pneumoperitoneum are necessary, which may
      lead to cerebral oedema, can potentially reduce brain perfusion and therefore
      could impair cerebral oxygenation. Cerebral oxygen saturation can be measured non
      invasively using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis of
      the present study was that steep Trendelenburg positioning during robotic
      assisted prostatic surgery impairs cerebral oxygen saturation measured using two
      different NIRS monitors. DESIGN: Clinical observational study. SETTING: Primary
      care university hospital, study period from March 2012 to February 2013.
      PATIENTS: A total of 29 patients scheduled for robotic assisted prostatic surgery
      in a steep Trendelenburg position. INTERVENTIONS: Cerebral oxygen saturation was
      measured throughout anaesthesia using the INVOS sensor (a trend monitor using two
      infrared wavelengths) for one hemisphere and the FORE-SIGHT sensor (a monitor
      using four wavelengths of laser light to calculate absolute oxygen saturation)
      for the other hemisphere in an alternate randomisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:
      Changes in cerebral oxygenation of more than 5% during surgery in the
      Trendelenburg position. RESULTS: The median duration of Trendelenburg positioning
      was 190 (interquartile range 130 to 230) min. Cerebral oxygen saturation
      decreased with INVOS from 74 +/- 5% at baseline to a lowest value of 70 +/- 4%
      with a slope of -0.0129 min(-1) (P < 0.01) and with FORE-SIGHT from 72 +/- 5% at
      baseline to a nadir of 70 +/- 3% with a slope of -0.008 min(-1) (P < 0.01).
      Comparing INVOS with FORE-SIGHT, there was a good association, with a slope of
      0.86 +/- 0.04 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Both monitors showed a clinically
      irrelevant decrease in cerebral oxygen saturation of less than 5% over 4 h in a
      steep Trendelenburg position combined with CO2 pneumoperitoneum in patients
      undergoing robotic assisted prostatic surgery. This extreme positioning seems to
      be acceptable with regard to cerebral oxygenation. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: ID NCT01275898.

PMID- 24225726
TI  - Pain assessment in the postanaesthesia care unit using pupillometry: A cross
      sectional study after standard anaesthetic care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients assess their own pain with a numerical rating scale (NRS).
      In the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU), NRS helps to determine and monitor
      analgesic administration, but is useless in patients who are unable to
      communicate. In non-PACU patients, acute pain increases pupillary diameter and
      pupillary light reflex amplitude (PLRA), the difference between pupillary
      diameter before and after light stimulation. OBJECTIVES: To study the association
      between postoperative pain (NRS) and pupillary diameter or PLRA in PACU patients
      after routine anaesthetic care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING:
      Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, Paris. PATIENTS: One hundred and forty-five
      patients undergoing planned surgery under general anaesthesia. INTERVENTIONS:
      NRS, pupillary diameter and PLRA were measured on arrival in the PACU. When NRS
      was more than 4, intravenous morphine titration was started and a second
      measurement performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association between NRS and
      pupillary diameter or PLRA was assessed with Pearson correlation coefficient (r)
      as was association between changes in these variables after morphine titration.
      RESULTS: Mean NRS was 4.7, and was more than 4 in 79 patients (55%). No
      statistically significant association was observed between NRS and pupillary
      diameter (r = 0.10, P = 0.54) or PLRA (r = 0.03, P = 0.72). Twenty-seven patients
      (19%) received morphine titration with significant decreases in NRS, pupillary
      diameter and PLRA afterwards. No association was observed between NRS changes and
      pupillary diameter or PLRA changes. CONCLUSION: Acute postoperative pain is not
      associated with pupillary diameter or PLRA. Further research is required to
      develop tools to assess pain in the PACU.

PMID- 24225727
TI  - Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale for general anaesthesia.

PMID- 24225728
TI  - History of anaesthesia: early forms of local anaesthesia.
AB  - The direct application of volatile anaesthetic and the application of intense
      cold to traumatic injuries and surgical sites were important steps in 18th and
      19th century anaesthesia. Local tissue temperature could be brought down by the
      application of ice and salt by the surgeon. Techniques used topical applications
      of chloroform, Dutch Oil, amyl hydrate, the vaporisation of nebulised ether,
      methylene and ethylene chloride applied by spray or fumigation and vaginal douche
      with carbonic acid gas. Mastering the projection of cold was extremely difficult.
      Keeping the aperture of the device used for the spraying of anaesthetic liquids
      clear of obstruction became a major challenge for instrument makers. To improve
      the precision of the jet, a different system of nozzles had to be invented.
      Nineteenth century medical practitioners were able to call on general
      anaesthesia, but some individuals and specific indications such as minor surgery
      called for an alternative approach. The introduction of cocaine in 1884
      completely changed common practice. 

PMID- 24225729
TI  - Reply to: A Simple epidural simulator: fruits and potatoes, and what kind of
      bananas?

PMID- 24225732
TI  - A complex odontoma of the anterior maxilla associated with an erupting canine.
AB  - Many developmental anomalies of the jaw are accidentally diagnosed during
      radiographic investigations for other symptoms. Complex odontomas are odontogenic
      tumours, relatively rare in the anterior maxilla and generally asymptomatic.
      Frequently the odontoma may interfere with the eruption of teeth. This paper
      describes a case of complex odontoma in an 8-year-old girl, which resulted in the
      palatal displacement of the lateral incisor and an erupting permanent canine. A
      calcified mass was seen on the radiograph and was provisionally diagnosed as an
      odontoma which was surgically enucleated. Routine follow-up was carried out for
      more than 1 year and no recurrence was seen. 

PMID- 24225730
TI  - Penicillinolide A: a new anti-inflammatory metabolite from the marine fungus
      Penicillium sp. SF-5292.
AB  - In the course of studies on bioactive metabolites from marine fungi, a new 10
      membered lactone, named penicillinolide A (1) was isolated from the organic
      extract of Penicillium sp. SF-5292 as a potential anti-inflammatory compound. The
      structure of penicillinolide A (1) was mainly determined by analysis of NMR and
      MS data and Mosher's method. Penicillinolide A (1) inhibited the production of NO
      and PGE2 due to inhibition of the expression of iNOS and COX-2. Penicillinolide A
      (1) also reduced TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 production, and these anti
      inflammatory effects were shown to be correlated with the suppression of the
      phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaB-alpha, NF-kappaB nuclear
      translocation, and NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. In addition, using inhibitor
      tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), a competitive inhibitor of HO activity, it was
      verified that the inhibitory effects of compound 1 on the production of pro
      inflammatory mediators and NF-kappaB DNA binding activity were partially
      associated with HO-1 expression through Nrf2 nuclear translocation. 

PMID- 24225733
TI  - Rectosigmoid gallstone coleus: a rare emergency presentation.
AB  - An elderly woman presented with abdominal pain and vomiting, was known to have
      gallstones. A CT scan was arranged identifying gallstone ileus and cholecystitis.
      Ensuing sepsis precipitated fast atrial fibrillation delaying the planned
      laparotomy. Her symptoms subsequently resolved with conservative management. Ten
      days following admission her abdomen became distended. A repeat CT scan showed
      large bowel dilation with intramural air suggestive of obstruction and bowel
      ischaemia. Emergency laparotomy was performed identifying a large 23 mm gallstone
      impacted at the rectosigmoid junction (gallstone coleus). The stone was milked
      back to the transverse colon where it was retrieved and a transverse loop
      colostomy was formed. Gallstone ileus is rare; gallstone coleus is even rarer. On
      review of the published literature both entities have not been seen in the same
      patient during the same admission or indeed caused by the same gallstone. 

PMID- 24225734
TI  - Transient intussusception: rare cause of abdominal pain in cystic fibrosis.

PMID- 24225735
TI  - Successful revision of polyethylene only, after delayed presentation of a
      dislocated bearing in an Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement.
AB  - We present the case of a 79-year-old man who dislocated the mobile bearing of a
      well-functioning Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement in a fall. The
      diagnosis was delayed by 14 days during which time the patient remained fully
      mobile. At the time of arthrotomy, there was some visible burnishing of the
      femoral articular surface where it had been rubbing on the tibial component. Both
      components were soundly fixed and had been functioning well for 7 years. The
      decision was made to leave the components in situ and simply replace the mobile
      meniscal bearing. The patient returned to full normal activity and has been
      followed-up for 3.5 years. Serial X-rays reveal no evidence of polyethylene wear
      and the knee remains pain free and fully functional. We conclude that it is safe
      to retain the components of an Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement despite
      some evidence of surface damage. Replacing just the mobile meniscus gave a good
      result in our patient. 

PMID- 24225736
TI  - Under pressure: a contribution to the pathogenesis of acquired ileal atresia.
AB  - An acquired ileal atresia is a rare occurrence. A 3-week-old neonate is
      presented, who developed postnatally a type 2 ileal atresia and an ileal stenosis
      within a pre-existing internal hernia secondary to an adhesion band. The
      literature reports a total of eight cases (4 females) with acquired ileal atresia
      in babies ranging in age from 3 weeks to 2 years (median 4 months). Mechanical
      forces (eg, adhesion band, intussusception and volvulus) onto the intestine are
      most frequently (75%) implicated as the primary event. The distal ileum is most
      often affected and a type 3A atresia is identified in six of eight (75%) cases. 

PMID- 24225737
TI  - A patient with pneumopericardium secondary to extranodal T-cell lymphoma.
AB  - Natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphomas represent a rare type of lymphoma derived
      from either activated NK cells or cytotoxic T cells. Most cases with T/NK cell
      lymphoma present with extranodal manifestations. Primary nodal disease is very
      rare. The upper respiratory tract is the most common site involved in extranodal
      disease. Symptoms include epistaxis and nasal obstruction. T/NK cell lymphomas
      show aggressive and invasive clinical progression, with a poor prognosis. Without
      treatment, survival is measured in months. We report a case of a 51-year-old male
      patient with pneumopericardium as a complication of intestinal T/NK cell
      lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing
      pneumopericardium as a fatal complication of T/NK cell lymphoma.
      Pneumopericardium should be considered in patients diagnosed with T/NK cell
      lymphoma presenting with chest pain. 

PMID- 24225738
TI  - Formation of alumina nanocapsules by high-energy-electron irradiation of Na
      dawsonite nanorods.
AB  - We report the synthesis of unique Al2O3 nanocapsules by high-energy-electron
      irradiation of Na-dawsonite and a formation mechanism different from thermal
      decomposition which usually produces NaAlO2. The novel decomposition process may
      open up a shortcut for fabricating hollow nanostructures. 

PMID- 24225739
TI  - Sometimes consensus and expert opinion is the best we can do.

PMID- 24225740
TI  - Effects of antioxidant supplementation on exercise performance in acute
      normobaric hypoxia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of a 3-week supplementation between
      two different mixtures of antioxidants and placebo on aerobic exercise
      performance in acute normobaric hypoxia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Seventeen subjects
      were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to receive a broad-based
      antioxidants supplement containing beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, d-alpha
      tocopherol-succinate, N-acetylcysteine, riboflavin, zinc, and selenium
      (antioxidant capsule group [AO group]), or a combination of alpha-ketoglutaric
      acid (alpha-KG) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF; CYL concentrate
      supplementation group [CS group]), or placebo (PL group). Before and after
      supplementation, subjects performed two incremental cycle-exercise tests until
      exhaustion. The first test was conducted under normoxic conditions (LA, FiO2 of
      20.9%, ~547 m) and the second after the 3-week supplementation period under
      normobaric hypoxic conditions (AHA, FiO2 of 12.9%, ~4300m). RESULTS: In CS peak
      cycling performance (peak power) declined from LA to AHA 7.3% (90% CI: 2.2-12.4)
      less compared with PL (p = .04) and 6.7% (90%CI: 3.2-10.2) less compared with AO
      (p = .03). Better maintenance of aerobic exercise capacity in CS was associated
      with an attenuated reduction in maximal heart rate in hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS:
      Aerobic exercise performance was less impaired in acute normobaric hypoxia after
      3 weeks with supplementation of alpha-KG and 5-HMF compared with a broad-based
      antioxidants supplement or PL.

PMID- 24225741
TI  - The use and value of polling to determine public opinion on GMOs in Europe:
      limitations and ways forward.
AB  - In this article, we review and assess existing surveys that attempt to gauge
      public opinion about GM crops. This review shows that consumer surveys can be
      something of a blunt instrument. Questionnaires, however well-constructed and
      professionally delivered, are answered in a vacuum of knowledge and elicit
      misleading responses. People recurrently admit they lack information on the
      technology behind GM food. It is a part of the general unfamiliarity with the
      food production process with which people show equal, if not greater, concern.
      Lacking control over a process involving such an emotive subject like food makes
      people uneasy and reluctant to accept "unknowns". In addition, if people give
      answers to hypothetical questions, they do so as "cautious citizens" rather than
      consumers and this is not a good guide to actual behavior in real life.
      Qualitative studies using focus groups can be a much better guide to how people
      really feel about issues, but they also need expert facilitation and analysis to
      be of real value. An even better guide to acceptance and purchasing behavior (if
      that is the objective) is to put people in a situation where they are actually
      making a choice of whether or not to buy GM products. 

PMID- 24225742
TI  - The predictive ability of a CK5/p63/CK8/18 antibody cocktail in stratifying
      breast papillary lesions on needle biopsy: an algorithmic approach works best.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Immunohistochemical markers have been shown to assist in the
      stratification of breast papillary lesions. We evaluated the ability of different
      cytokeratin (CK) and p63 expression profiles on needle biopsy specimens to
      predict excision diagnoses. METHODS: A CK5/p63/CK8/18 antibody cocktail was
      applied to 58 needle biopsy specimens (32 papillomas, 7 atypical papillomas, 19
      papillary carcinomas on excision). RESULTS: p63 expression was greater in
      papillomas than in atypical papillomas (P = .044) and papillary carcinomas (P<
      .0001). Papillary carcinomas and atypical papillomas showed greater CK8/18
      expression (and conversely less CK5 expression) than did papillomas (P < .0001).
      Negative or focal p63 expression was 96% sensitive for diagnosing any atypical
      lesion (atypical papilloma or papillary carcinoma) on excision, whereas CK8/18
      predominant expression (>=80% cells) was 100% sensitive. In contrast, the
      sensitivity of the original diagnosis was only 81%. The greatest accuracy for the
      diagnosis of atypical papillary lesions (95%) was achieved when both p63 and
      cytokeratins were used in combination in an algorithmic fashion. This method also
      correctly identified all cases that had papillary carcinoma (100% sensitivity) on
      excision. CONCLUSIONS: Although a single stain or combination cannot
      independently stratify papillary lesions, a CK5/p63/CK8/18 antibody cocktail is a
      useful adjunct to morphology for evaluating breast papillary lesions in needle
      biopsy specimens.

PMID- 24225743
TI  - Comparison of outcomes of group O vs non-group O premature neonates receiving
      group O RBC transfusions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: At some institutions all infants requiring RBC transfusions in
      neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) receive only group O RBCs. Although
      transfused group O plasma is minimized in packed RBCs, small amounts of residual
      anti-A, anti-B, and anti-A,B in group O packed RBCs may bind to the corresponding
      A and B antigens of non-group O RBCs, possibly hemolyzing their native RBCs and
      thereby releasing free hemoglobin, theoretically resulting in hypercoagulability
      and promoting bacterial growth from free iron. METHODS: Premature infants in the
      University of Kentucky Children's Hospital NICU database who were transfused (all
      received group O transfusions) were compared for a number of severity markers to
      determine if non-group O patients had worse outcomes than group O patients.
      RESULTS: In this NICU sample, 724 neonates received at least 1 blood component.
      No significant differences were found between group O and non-group O infants
      with regard to final disposition or complications. CONCLUSIONS: This reassuring
      finding validates the longstanding neonatal transfusion practice of using group O
      packed RBCs for infants of all blood groups in the NICU. However, a recent study
      shows increased mortality from necrotizing enterocolitis in group AB neonates at
      a facility transfusing only group O RBCs to neonates of all blood groups and
      suggests a change in neonatal transfusion practice to ABO group-specific RBCs;
      therefore more studies may be warranted.

PMID- 24225744
TI  - Splenic lymphoid subsets with less well-recognized phenotypes mimic aberrant
      antigen expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Flow cytometry can assist in the diagnosis of lymphoma by identifying
      aberrant antigen expression. Recognition of aberrancy requires knowledge of the
      phenotype of normal lymphoid cells. METHODS: Lymphoid subsets were characterized
      in 20 spleens removed for traumatic rupture, using 8-color flow cytometry.
      RESULTS: Normal variation in splenic lymphoid subsets was highlighted and several
      well-recognized subsets were identified: CD5+ B cells (20/20 specimens), CD7- T
      cells (20/20), and CD3 brightgammadeltaT cells (16/20). In addition, less well
      recognized lymphoid subsets that resemble those described in lymphoma were
      identified in all specimens: CD5- T cells (4.5 +/- 5.1% of T cells), CD2- natural
      killer (NK) cells (38 +/- 7% of NK cells), and CD7dim+ NK cells. Similar
      populations were identified in 20 control peripheral blood specimens, where they
      represented a smaller proportion of total lymphoid cells. CONCLUSIONS:
      Familiarity with the phenotype of normal lymphoid subsets can help prevent
      misinterpreting flow cytometric data. Furthermore, in the context of neoplastic
      cells, the phenotype may suggest expanded normal subsets rather than aberrant
      antigen expression.

PMID- 24225745
TI  - Polyclonal antibody targeting SOX11 cannot differentiate mantle cell lymphoma
      from B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether SOX11 is a diagnostic marker of mantle cell
      lymphoma (MCL). METHODS: We analyzed SOX11 expression in 349 B-cell non-Hodgkin
      lymphomas (B-NHLs) via immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Nuclear staining of SOX11
      was observed in 54 (93.1%) of 58 MCLs. We noticed that SOX11 protein was also
      expressed on the nuclei in 8 (21.6%) of 37 B-lymphoblastic lymphomas, 45 (32.6%)
      of 138 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, 15 (44.1%) of 34 follicular lymphomas, 8
      (30.8%) of 26 Burkitt lymphomas, 2 (10.0%) of 20 chronic lymphocytic
      leukemia/small cell lymphomas, and 3 (18.8%) of 16 marginal zone lymphomas.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although the positive rate of SOX11 expression in MCL was
      significantly higher than other B-NHLs (P < .001), polyclonal antibody targeting
      SOX11 is not able to identify MCL from B-NHLs because the nuclear staining of
      SOX11 was widely positive in B-NHLs.

PMID- 24225746
TI  - An intervention to improve the timing of vancomycin levels.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Blood samples for vancomycin levels are often drawn too early,
      leading to potential misinterpretation of results. However, only a few studies
      describe interventions to reduce mistimed vancomycin levels. METHODS: We
      implemented an information technology (IT)-based intervention that provided
      educational instructions to nurses and determined the percentage of levels drawn
      too early for 27 months before (n = 6,291) and 14 months after (n = 3,608) the
      intervention. In addition, we conducted nurse interviews (n = 40) and dataset
      analysis to assess the root causes of mistimed levels. RESULTS: The percentage of
      vancomycin timing errors decreased from 39% (2,438/6,291) to 32% (1,137/3,608),
      though in a time series analysis this decrease was not statistically significant
      (P = .64). Four common causes of mistimed levels were found: (1) unclear provider
      orders, (2) scheduling levels to be drawn with morning laboratory tests, (3) lack
      of communication between providers, and (4) failure to adjust the blood draw in
      relation to the previous dose. CONCLUSIONS: A real-time, IT-based intervention
      that links the timing of levels with medication administration might have a more
      substantial impact.

PMID- 24225747
TI  - Occult hematologic malignancy in routine tonsillectomy specimens: a single
      institutional experience and review of the literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Handling of tonsillectomy specimens often includes gross and
      histologic examination. The published incidence of occult malignancy in benign
      appearing tonsils is vanishingly rare, and consequently some propose omitting
      histologic analysis in young patients without clinical risk factors for
      malignancy or grossly suspicious features. METHODS: At our institution, an occult
      Burkitt lymphoma in a grossly benign-appearing tonsil from an otherwise healthy 5
      year-old prompted review of our cases. We retrospectively reviewed tonsillectomy
      findings over a 5-year period, excluding patients with known lymphoma or head and
      neck malignancies. A total of 740 patients were identified. All cases underwent
      gross and histologic examination. RESULTS: Four additional malignancies were
      diagnosed, including a clinically unsuspected lymphoma in a 14-year-old patient.
      In our experience, although most tonsillar malignancies present with suspicious
      clinical or gross findings, occult malignancies do occur. CONCLUSIONS:
      Recognition of these occult findings may facilitate early diagnosis and
      treatment; thus pathologic study of these specimens may still be justified.

PMID- 24225748
TI  - Quantification of expression of antigens targeted by antibody-based therapy in
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Anti-CD20 (rituximab), anti-CD52 (alemtuzumab), anti-CD22 (BL22,
      HA22), and anti-CD25 (Oncotac) are therapeutic options that are the mainstay or
      in preclinical development for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
      (CLL). Studies suggest that levels of surface antigen expression may affect
      response to monoclonal antibody-based therapy. METHODS: Using the flow cytometric
      Quantibrite method (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA) to determine antibodies bound
      per cell, we quantified the levels of surface expression of CD20, CD22, CD25, and
      CD52 in CLL cells from 28 untreated patients. RESULTS: The CLL cells in all cases
      expressed CD20, CD22, and CD52 but 4 (14%) cases were negative for CD25. Although
      the ranking of levels of expression from highest to lowest was CD52, CD20, CD22,
      and CD25, the level of antigen expression on any specific case could not be
      accurately predicted. CONCLUSIONS: Quantification of antigens might be useful in
      evaluating new antigens to target for therapy and may provide a systematic
      approach to selecting individualized therapy in CLL.

PMID- 24225749
TI  - Downregulation of p21 in myelodysplastic syndrome is associated with p73 promoter
      hypermethylation and indicates poor prognosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: p21 Can both promote and inhibit tumorigenic processes. We explored
      the role of p21 in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). METHODS: In this study, we
      analyzed p21 expression and p73 methylation in 88 patients with de novo MDS.
      RESULTS: We found decreased expression of the p21 gene in higher-risk MDS
      compared with lower-risk groups or healthy controls (P < .05). Patients with p73
      methylation had lower p21 than those in the unmethylated group (P < .001).
      Moreover, there was a significantly positive correlation between p73 and p21
      expression in MDS (r = 0.436, P < .001). In vitro assays further confirm the role
      of p73 methylation in p21 expression. Compared with patients with normal
      expression levels of p21, patients with lower p21 expression levels experienced
      much higher rates of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia and lower overall
      survival both in univariate as well as multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results suggest p21 expression may serve as a new biomarker to predict clinical
      outcome in patients with MDS.

PMID- 24225750
TI  - Automated evaluation of synovial and ascitic fluids with the Advia 2120
      hematology analyzer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if the Advia 2120
      hematology analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Deerfield, IL) can
      accurately quantify both WBCs and the proportion of neutrophils from synovial and
      ascitic body fluids. METHODS: We analyzed 60 samples on the Advia and compared
      the results with manual counts and smear reviews. We also assessed the effect of
      adding hyaluronidase to the samples. WBC counts and the proportion of neutrophils
      reported by the hematology analyzer were harmonized and highly correlated with
      manual counts and fluid smear reviews. RESULTS: The addition of hyaluronidase to
      the synovial fluid consistently increased the WBC counts on both manual and
      automated analysis (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the Advia hematology
      analyzer can be used for WBC and neutrophil counting of cells in synovial and
      ascitic fluids. Hyaluronidase should be added before manual or automated counting
      of cells in synovial fluids.

PMID- 24225751
TI  - Histologic findings and clinical characteristics in acutely symptomatic
      ulcerative colitis patients with superimposed Clostridium difficile infection.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine biopsy specimens for histologic features suggestive of
      Clostridium difficile infection in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).
      METHODS: Nine patients with UC had colonic biopsy specimens taken during a
      symptomatic flare that coincided with positive C difficile (C difficile+) tests.
      Twenty-eight controls were biopsied during a UC flare but tested negative for C
      difficile. We reviewed the slides for evidence of pseudomembranes, ischemic-like
      changes, degree of colitis, and lamina propria hemorrhage. RESULTS: In C
      difficile+ patients, 4 (44.4%) of 9 had microscopic pseudomembranes compared with
      11% in controls (P < .05). Other histologic/clinical features were not
      predictive. CONCLUSIONS: Although the presence of microscopic pseudomembranes
      suggests C difficile infection in patients with UC, sensitivity and specificity
      are poor; biopsy findings do not reliably detect this infection in patients with
      UC.

PMID- 24225752
TI  - p63 expression in Merkel cell carcinoma predicts poorer survival yet may have
      limited clinical utility.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical utility of p63 expression, which has been
      identified in several cohorts as a predictor of poorer prognosis in Merkel cell
      carcinoma (MCC). METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to determine p63
      expression on MCC tumors from 128 patients. RESULTS: Of the patients, 33% had
      detectable p63 expression. p63 Positivity was associated with an increased risk
      of death from MCC (hazard ratio, 2.05; P = .02) in a multivariate Cox regression
      model considering stage at presentation, age at diagnosis, and sex. Although p63
      expression correlated with diminished survival in this largest cohort reported
      thus far, the effect was weaker than that observed in prior studies. Indeed,
      within a given stage, p63 status did not predict survival in a clinically or
      statistically significant manner. CONCLUSIONS: It remains unclear whether this
      test should be integrated into routine MCC patient management.

PMID- 24225753
TI  - Performance and abnormal cell flagging comparisons of three automated blood cell
      counters: Cell-Dyn Sapphire, DxH-800, and XN-2000.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare two hematological analyzers-the DxH-800 (DxH; Beckman
      Coulter, Miami, FL) and XN-2000 (XN; Sysmex, Kobe, Japan)-with the Cell-Dyn
      Sapphire (SAPH; Abbott, Santa Clara, CA). METHODS: We analyzed 4,375 samples.
      Slide reviews were made in the presence of blast, abnormal lymphocyte, and
      immature granulocyte (IG) flags or nucleated RBC (NRBC) count. RESULTS: The
      analyzers exhibited excellent correlations for CBC and neutrophils but displayed
      a limit correlation for lymphocytes. The XN did not miss circulating blasts (0.5%
      95% in microscopy). For NRBCs, the XN demonstrated a sensitivity of 90%; DxH,
      74%; and SAPH, 29%. Only the XN demonstrated a correlation with microscopy,
      permitting a WBC six-part differential until 15% of NRBCs. The XN and DxH gave
      useful IG counts with a cutoff less than 5% and a WBC level more than
      2,500/mm(3). For abnormal lymphocytes detection, only XN demonstrated sensitivity
      of more than 95%, but its specificity of 54% requires adaptation. CONCLUSION: The
      XN increases the sensitivity of abnormal cell detection compared with the other
      counters, permitting a seven-part differential between predefined levels,
      decreasing the slide review from 20% to 9%.

PMID- 24225754
TI  - Expression of the activating receptor, NKp46 (CD335), in human natural killer and
      T-cell neoplasia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of CD335 (NKp46), an activation receptor
      that is selectively expressed on natural killer (NK) cells. METHODS: We assessed
      CD335's potential utility as a diagnostic marker in 657 cases by flow cytometry
      and 410 cases by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We observed that CD335 was highly
      specific for NK cells in nonneoplastic tissues. Moreover, 61 (90%) of 68 of NK
      cell neoplasms demonstrated CD335 expression, whereas B-cell, myelomonocytic, and
      plasma cell neoplasms lacked expression. Notably, 16 (20%) of 82 mature T-cell
      neoplasms, particularly T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia, mycosis
      fungoides, and ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma, aberrantly expressed CD335.
      CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these data support the diagnostic utility of CD335 in
      evaluating hematopoietic malignancies and suggest that CD335 could be a useful
      target for selective immunotherapy in patients with mature NK and T-cell
      neoplasms.

PMID- 24225755
TI  - Evaluation of an external quality assessment program for HIV testing in Haiti,
      2006-2011.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an external quality assessment (EQA) program for human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rapid diagnostics testing by the Haitian National
      Public Health Laboratory (French acronym: LNSP). Acceptable performance was
      defined as any proficiency testing (PT) score more than 80%. METHODS: The PT
      database was reviewed and analyzed to assess the testing performance of the
      participating laboratories and the impact of the program over time. A total of
      242 laboratories participated in the EQA program from 2006 through 2011;
      participation increased from 70 laboratories in 2006 to 159 in 2011. RESULTS: In
      2006, 49 (70%) laboratories had a PT score of 80% or above; by 2011, 145 (97.5%)
      laboratories were proficient (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The EQA program for HIV
      testing ensures quality of testing and allowed the LNSP to document improvements
      in the quality of HIV rapid testing over time.

PMID- 24225756
TI  - Immunohistochemistry for the novel markers glypican 3, PAX8, and p40 (DeltaNp63)
      in squamous cell and urothelial carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) from diverse anatomic
      sites and invasive urothelial carcinomas (UCs) for expression of the oncofetal
      antigen glypican 3 (GPC3), the paired box transcription factor PAX8, and the
      DeltaN isoform of p63 (p40). METHODS: Immunohistochemistry for GPC3, PAX8, and
      p40 was performed on whole sections of 107 SCCs from 11 anatomic sites and 49
      UCs; evaluation included extent and intensity of staining. RESULTS: GPC3 was
      detected in 20% of SCCs and 12% of UCs and PAX8 in 3% of SCCs, limited to the
      uterine cervix, and 10% of UCs. p40 Was found in 99% of SCCs and 96% of UCs.
      CONCLUSIONS: GPC3 expression is frequent in SCC/UC, awareness of which should
      guard against an incorrect diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, while PAX8,
      limited in distribution, may have some use in suggesting a cervical or urothelial
      tract origin in a metastatic squamotransitional carcinoma of unknown primary.
      There is no drop-off in sensitivity for the diagnoses of SCC or UC with DeltaNp63
      specific immunohistochemistry, and if this performance can be extended to other
      applications, p40 may supplant the dominant "pan-p63" antibody clone.

PMID- 24225758
TI  - Replacing urine protein electrophoresis with serum free light chain analysis as a
      first-line test for detecting plasma cell disorders offers increased diagnostic
      accuracy and potential health benefit to patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the most clinically effective diagnostic testing
      strategy for plasma cell disorders in the clinical laboratory. METHODS: Serum and
      urine samples from 2,799 patients with suspected plasma cell dyscrasias were
      tested by alternative diagnostic testing strategies consisting of serum protein
      electrophoresis (SPE) with either urine protein electrophoresis (UPE) or serum
      free light chain (sFLC) analysis. RESULTS: The combination of sFLC analysis and
      SPE had the greatest sensitivity (100%), detecting abnormalities in all 124
      patients diagnosed with plasma cell disorders. Routine sFLC testing would have
      had much potential health benefit for two patients in the study population.
      First, a patient who had a markedly abnormal sFLC result was diagnosed with light
      chain deposition disease by renal biopsy, but no abnormality was detected by SPE
      or UPE. Second, a patient diagnosed with multiple plasmacytomas following biopsy
      of a lung tumor had a grossly abnormal sFLC result but an equivocal weak-positive
      SPE result, and no urine sample was received by the laboratory for the patient.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the combination of SPE and sFLC analysis is
      the most clinically effective first-line diagnostic testing strategy for
      detecting plasma cell disorders in the clinical laboratory.

PMID- 24225757
TI  - Improving diagnostic capability for HPV disease internationally within the NIH
      NIAID Division of AIDS Clinical Trial Networks.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an external quality assurance (EQA) program for the
      laboratory diagnosis of human papillomavirus (HPV) disease that was established
      to improve international research capability within the Division of AIDS at the
      National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease-supported Adult AIDS
      Clinical Trials Group network. METHODS: A three-component EQA scheme was devised
      comprising assessments of diagnostic accuracy of cytotechnologists and
      pathologists using available EQA panels, review of quality and accuracy of
      clinical slides from local sites by an outside expert, and HPV DNA detection
      using a commercially available HPV test kit. RESULTS: Seven laboratories and 17
      pathologists in Africa, India, and South America participated. EQA scores were
      suboptimal for EQA proficiency testing panels in three of seven laboratories.
      There was good agreement between the local laboratory and the central reader 70%
      of the time (90% confidence interval, 42%-98%). Performance on the College of
      American Pathologists' HPV DNA testing panel was successful in all laboratories
      tested. CONCLUSIONS: The prequalifying EQA round identified correctable issues
      that will improve the laboratory diagnosis of HPV-related cervical disease at the
      participating international study sites and will provide a mechanism for ongoing
      education and continuous quality improvement.

PMID- 24225762
TI  - Sysmex XE-5000 blast Q flag analysis.

PMID- 24225759
TI  - Traditional serrated adenoma of the colorectum: clinicopathologic implications
      and endoscopic findings of the precursor lesions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinicopathologic and endoscopic features of
      precursor lesions associated with traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs). METHODS:
      Mutation studies for BRAF, KRAS, PIK3CA, and EGFR and immunohistochemical
      staining for Ki-67 were performed on 107 TSAs from 104 patients. RESULTS:
      Nondysplastic hyperplastic polyp (HP) or sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSA/P)
      precursor lesions were found in 56 (52.3%) TSAs, among which 32 (57.1%) cases
      showed a flat-elevated lesion with a type II pit pattern during endoscopy. TSAs
      with an SSA/P precursor lesion were usually found in the proximal colon, while
      TSAs with an HP or with no precursor lesion were mainly located in the distal
      colon and rectum (P < .001). TSAs with a precursor lesion showed a lower
      frequency of conventional epithelial dysplasia and KRAS mutation as well as a
      higher frequency of BRAF mutation compared with those with no precursor lesion (P
      = .002, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A significant
      proportion of HP or SSA/P precursor lesions accompanied by TSAs can be detected
      by endoscopy based on both their flat-elevated growth and type II pit patterns.
      The heterogeneity of TSAs in terms of clinicopathologic and molecular features
      correlated with the status or type of precursor lesions.

PMID- 24225763
TI  - [Personalized medicine and breast cancer: anticipatory medicine, prognostic
      evaluation and therapeutic targeting].
AB  - Breast cancer is now considered as a large collection of distinct biological
      entities, the management of which is increasingly personalized. Personalized
      medicine - defined as a medicine, which uses molecular profiles, notably genetic
      profiles, from patients and/or tumors to tailor therapeutic decisions - is now
      introduced in the management of breast cancer at any stages: screening and
      prevention of hereditary forms, prognostic and predictive evaluation of early
      breast cancer, and, more recently, novel clinical trials in advanced breast
      cancer, where genetic characterization of tumor tissue based on genomics,
      including next-generation sequencing tools, is used to drive specific therapeutic
      targeting.

PMID- 24225769
TI  - Water-oxidation catalysis by synthetic manganese oxides--systematic variations of
      the calcium birnessite theme.
AB  - Layered manganese oxides from the birnessite mineral family have been identified
      as promising heterogeneous compounds for water-oxidation catalysis (WOC), a key
      reaction for the conversion of renewable energy into storable fuels. High
      catalytic rates were especially observed for birnessites which contain calcium as
      part of their structures. With the aim to systematically improve the catalytic
      performance of such oxide materials, we used a flexible synthetic route to
      prepare three series of calcium birnessites, where we varied the calcium
      concentrations, the ripening times of the original precipitates and the
      temperature of the heat treatment following the initial synthetic steps
      (tempering) during the preparation process. The products were carefully analysed
      by a number of analytical techniques and then probed for WOC activity using the
      Ce(4+)-system. We find that our set of twenty closely related manganese oxides
      shows large, but somewhat systematic alterations in catalytic rates, indicating
      the importance of synthesis parameters for maximum catalytic performance. The
      catalyst of the series for which the highest water-oxidation rate was found is a
      birnessite of medium calcium content (Ca : Mn ratio 0.2 : 1) that had been
      subjected to a tempering temperature of 400  degrees C. On the basis of the
      detailed analysis of the results, a WOC reaction scheme for birnessites is
      proposed to explain the observed trends in reactivity. 

PMID- 24225771
TI  - Palladium-catalyzed stereospecific cross-coupling of enantioenriched allylic
      alcohols with boronic acids.
AB  - In the presence of 2.5 mol% Pd2(dba)3-TMEDA (1 : 4), a range of enantioenriched
      allylic alcohols smoothly coupled with boronic acids in a highly regioselective
      fashion with inversion of configuration to afford structurally diverse alkenes in
      good yields with perfect retention of ee. 

PMID- 24225770
TI  - Decreased perivascular CGRP-containing nerves in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima
      Fatty rats with insulin resistance and hypertension.
AB  - We previously reported that chronic hyperinsulinemia induced by drinking fructose
      elicited an abnormal neuronal regulation of vascular tone, which contributed to
      the development of hypertension. This study was designed to elucidate the
      possible mechanisms underlying the dysfunctional neuronal regulation of vascular
      tone induced by chronic hyperinsulinemia by comparing isolated mesenteric
      vascular beds from Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats with those of
      control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rat (LETO) rats. Insulin, triglyceride and
      total cholesterol levels in plasma, blood glucose concentrations, a glucose
      insulin index, systolic blood pressure and perivascular innervations were
      assessed using biochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Mesenteric vascular
      beds isolated from OLETF and LETO rats were perfused with a Krebs solution
      containing methoxamine, and changes in perfusion pressure in response to
      periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS) and the perfusion of vasoactive agents were
      measured. OLETF rats (8-25 weeks old) showed age-related increases in insulin,
      triglycerides, total cholesterol, blood glucose, the glucose-insulin index
      (homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-IR)) and systolic blood pressure
      compared with LETO rats. In perfused mesenteric vascular beds, the PNS-induced
      adrenergic nerve-mediated vasoconstrictor responses in OLETF rats were
      significantly greater than those in LETO rats, whereas the PNS-induced calcitonin
      gene-related peptide (CGRP) nerve-mediated vasodilator responses in OLETF rats
      were significantly smaller than those in LETO rats. In immunohistochemical
      experiments, the density of CGRP-immunopositive nerves in the mesenteric arteries
      of OLETF rats decreased significantly with age. The present findings suggest that
      the abnormal innervation of perivascular nerves in mesenteric resistance arteries
      induced by chronic hyperinsulinemia disturbs the neuronal regulation of vascular
      tone and may cause hypertension in OLETF rats.

PMID- 24225772
TI  - A combination of alkaloids and triterpenes of Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) R. Br.
      leaves enhances immunomodulatory activity in C57BL/6 mice and induces apoptosis
      in the A549 cell line.
AB  - Experiments were conducted to evaluate the induction of apoptosis and the
      immunomodulatory activities of alkaloids and triterpenes of Alstonia scholaris
      (Linn.) R. Br. leaves (ASL). Importantly, their possible synergistic properties
      were also explored in this study. Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and
      Lewis tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice were used for the evaluation of their
      activities. A MTT assay was used to determine the proliferation inhibition in
      A549 cells. Annexin-V/PI double staining as well as flow cytometry was performed
      to detect apoptosis and cell cycle status. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      (ELISA) was conducted to determine the levels of inflammatory mediators
      interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum.
      Furthermore, western blot analysis was applied to evaluate the expressions of
      proteins associated with cell death. Alkaloids or triterpenes showed a high anti
      proliferative activity in A549 cells, with IC50 values of 14.4 ug/mL and 9.3
      ug/mL, respectively. The alkaloids and triterpenes combination could
      significantly inhibit tumor growth in tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice, compared with
      alkaloids or triterpenes alone (7.5, 15, 30 g raw material/kg). The immune organs
      indexes including spleen index and thymus index were increased remarkably by the
      combination of alkaloids and triterpenes, whereas the levels of IL-6 and TNF
      alpha were up-regulated significantly. Moreover, Annexin-V/PI double staining and
      flow cytometry showed that the combination of alkaloids and triterpenes (1, 2 and
      3 mg raw material/kg) could induce apoptosis and cause S cell cycle arrest in
      A549 cells. Western blot analysis also showed that their combination (2 mg raw
      material/kg) significantly down-regulated Bcl-2 expression and pro-casp8 level,
      whereas it remarkably increased the level of cleaved caspase-8 leading to
      apoptosis in A549 cells. These observations provide preliminary evidence that
      both alkaloids and triterpenes possess immune regulation and induction apoptosis
      activities. Their combination has a stronger activity than that of either class
      alone. Our findings suggested that these components might be beneficial for the
      prevention and treatment of NSCLC through a significant synergy effect.

PMID- 24225773
TI  - Synthesis of a versatile building block combining cyclen-derivative DO3A with a
      polyamine via a rigid spacer.
AB  - The five-step synthesis of a polydentate building block combining a cyclen-based
      macrocycle (DO3A) with N-(2-aminoethyl)propane-1,3-diamine, which are linked
      through the xylylen moiety as a rigid C-spacer is described. These two molecular
      parts were coupled by subsequent bromine atom substitution in 1,4
      bis(bromomethyl)benzene. First, N-(2-aminoethyl)propane-1,3-diamine was protected
      by phthaloyl moieties and then it was reacted with 1,4-bis(bromomethyl)benzene to
      form (2-phthalimidoethyl)(3-phthalimido-prop-1-yl)(4-bromomethylbenzyl)amine (2).
      This compound underwent a substitution reaction with DO3A in the form of its tert
      butyl esters leading to the intermediate 1-{4-[(2-phthalimidoethyl)(3
      phthalimidoprop-1-yl)aminomethyl]phenylmethyl}-4,7,10-tris(t-butoxy
      carbonylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (3). The phthaloyl as well as the
      t-butyl protecting groups were removed in the next two reaction steps to form the
      final product 1-{4-[(2-aminoethyl)(3-aminoprop-1-yl)aminomethyl]phenylmethyl}
      4,7,10-tris(carboxy-methyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (5). The intermediates
      1-4 as well as the final product 5 were characterized by elemental analysis, mass
      spectrometry, and multinuclear (1H and 13C) and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.
      The final product 5 could serve as a potential building block in subsequent
      syntheses of binuclear complexes of lanthanides and/or transition metals.

PMID- 24225774
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of RGD-conjugated MEK1/2 kinase inhibitors
      for integrin-targeted cancer therapy.
AB  - Two novel series of RGD-MEKI conjugates derived from a MEK1/2 kinase inhibitor-
      PD0325901--have been developed for integrin receptor mediated anticancer therapy.
      The first series, alkoxylamine analog RGD-MEKI conjugates 9a-g showed anti
      proliferation activity in melanoma A375 cells by the same mechanism as that of
      PD0325901. PEGylation increased the IC50 value of 9f three-fold in the A375
      assay, and the multi-cRGD peptide cargo significantly improved the receptor
      specific anti-proliferation activity of 9g in integrin-overexpressing U87 cells.
      In the second series, RGD-PD0325901 13 exhibited significantly increased
      antitumor properties compared to the alkoxylamine analogs by both inhibition of
      the ERK pathway activity and DNA replication of the cancer cells. Furthermore, 13
      displayed more potent anti-proliferation activity in the U87 assay than PD0325901
      in a dose-dependent manner. All these data demonstrate that RGD-MEKI conjugates
      with an ester bond linkage enhanced anticancer efficacy with improved targeting
      capability toward integrin-overexpressing tumor cells.

PMID- 24225775
TI  - Processes of care in the multidisciplinary treatment of gastric cancer: results
      of a RAND/UCLA expert panel.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: There is growing interest in reducing the variations and deficiencies
      in the multidisciplinary management of gastric cancer. OBJECTIVE: To define
      optimal treatment strategies for gastric adenocarcinoma (GC). DESIGN, SETTING,
      AND PARTICIPANTS: RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method involving a multidisciplinary
      expert panel of 16 physicians from 6 countries. INTERVENTIONS: Gastrectomy,
      perioperative chemotherapy, adjuvant chemoradiation, surveillance endoscopy, and
      best supportive care. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Panelists scored 416 scenarios
      regarding treatment scenarios for appropriateness from 1 (highly inappropriate)
      to 9 (highly appropriate). Median appropriateness scores from 1 to 3 were
      considered inappropriate; 4 to 6, uncertain; and 7 to 9, appropriate. Agreement
      was reached when 12 of 16 panelists scored the scenario similarly. Appropriate
      scenarios agreed on were subsequently scored for necessity. RESULTS: For patients
      with T1N0 disease, surgery alone was considered appropriate, while there was no
      agreement over surgery alone for patients T2N0 disease. Perioperative
      chemotherapy was appropriate for patients who had T1-2N2-3 or T3-4 GC without
      major symptoms. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was classified as appropriate for T1
      2N1-3 or T3-4 proximal GC and necessary for T1-2N2-3 or T3-4 distal GC. There was
      no agreement regarding surveillance imaging and endoscopy following gastrectomy.
      Surveillance endoscopy was deemed to be appropriate after endoscopic resection.
      For patients with metastatic GC, surgical resection was considered inappropriate
      for those with no major symptoms, unless the disease was limited to positive
      cytology alone, in which case there was disagreement. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Patients with GC being treated with curative intent should be considered for
      multimodal treatment. For patients with incurable disease, surgical interventions
      should be considered only for the management of major bleeding or obstruction.

PMID- 24225778
TI  - Reverse-CD mimics with flexible linkages offer adaptable cavity sizes for guest
      encapsulation.
AB  - Reverse-CD mimics with adaptable cavity sizes have been synthesized. The
      adaptability has been demonstrated through single crystal structure determination
      and guest binding studies. 

PMID- 24225776
TI  - Structural and molecular basis of ZNRF3/RNF43 transmembrane ubiquitin ligase
      inhibition by the Wnt agonist R-spondin.
AB  - The four R-spondin (Rspo) proteins are secreted agonists of Wnt signalling in
      vertebrates, functioning in embryogenesis and adult stem cell biology. Through
      ubiquitination and degradation of Wnt receptors, the transmembrane E3 ubiquitin
      ligase ZNRF3 and related RNF43 antagonize Wnt signalling. Rspo ligands have been
      reported to inhibit the ligase activity through direct interaction with ZNRF3 and
      RNF43. Here we report multiple crystal structures of the ZNRF3 ectodomain
      (ZNRF3(ecto)), a signalling-competent Furin1-Furin2 (Fu1-Fu2) fragment of Rspo2
      (Rspo2(Fu1-Fu2)), and Rspo2(Fu1-Fu2) in complex with ZNRF3(ecto), or RNF43(ecto).
      A prominent loop in Fu1 clamps into equivalent grooves in the ZNRF3(ecto) and
      RNF43(ecto) surface. Rspo binding enhances dimerization of ZNRF3(ecto) but not of
      RNF43(ecto). Comparison of the four Rspo proteins, mutants and chimeras in
      biophysical and cellular assays shows that their signalling potency depends on
      their ability to recruit ZNRF3 or RNF43 via Fu1 into a complex with LGR
      receptors, which interact with Rspo via Fu2.

PMID- 24225777
TI  - Zebularine inhibits tumorigenesis and stemness of colorectal cancer via p53
      dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress.
AB  - Aberrant DNA hypermethylation is frequently found in tumor cells and inhibition
      of DNA methylation is an effective anticancer strategy. In this study, the
      therapeutic effect of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor zebularine (Zeb) on
      colorectal cancer (CRC) was investigated. Zeb exhibited anticancer activity in
      cell cultures, tumor xenografts and mouse colitis-associated CRC model. It
      stabilizes p53 through ribosomal protein S7 (RPS7)/MDM2 pathways and DNA damage.
      Zeb-induced cell death was dependent on p53. Microarray analysis revealed that
      genes related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response
      (UPR) were affected by Zeb. Zeb induced p53-dependent ER stress and autophagy.
      Pro-survival markers of ER stress/UPR (GRP78) and autophagy (p62) were increased
      in tumor tissues of CRC patients, AOM/DSS-induced CRC mice and HCT116-derived
      colonospheres. Zeb downregulates GRP78 and p62, and upregulates a pro-apoptotic
      CHOP. Our results reveal a novel mechanism for the anticancer activity of Zeb. 

PMID- 24225779
TI  - Bone grafts using autogenous tooth blocks: a case series.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A case study was conducted to examine the clinical results and
      histologic healing of bone grafts performed using an autogenous tooth block
      (AutoBT block), which was developed recently and proprietary. STUDY DESIGN:
      Guided bone regeneration, extraction socket graft, sinus bone graft, and ridge
      augmentation were performed using autogenous tooth block graft material in 12
      patients from March 2009 to June 2010. The clinical outcomes of each case were
      examined, and tissue specimens were collected from 1 case 2.5 months after the
      bone graft for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: All of the cases had
      successful bone graft results. One patient developed wound dehiscence after
      surgery, although favorable secondary healing was achieved. One implant resulted
      in osseointegration failure. A histopathologic examination was performed after
      2.5 months and showed excellent bone healing due to osteoconduction. The AutoBT
      block was incorporated into the upper soft tissue, aponeurosis, and lower
      recipient bone. CONCLUSION: There were no notable complications associated with
      the bone transplant materials. The AutoBT block is clinically useful for a
      variety of bone grafts.

PMID- 24225780
TI  - Photodynamic therapy to treat periimplantitis.
AB  - AIM: : Periimplantitis is a bacterial complication after dental implants
      implantation. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) implies the use of low-power laser in
      combination with appropriate photosensitizer to increase the detoxification of
      the implant surfaces. Little information exists about PDT in the treatment of
      periimplantitis. A randomized comparative case-control study has been conducted
      with 20 patients and 20 controls to compare the efficacy of antimicrobial PDT
      versus surgical therapy in patients with periimplantitis, who have received
      dental implants with rough surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the surgery group,
      mucoperiosteal flap surgery was used with scaling on implant surfaces and
      debridement of granulation tissue. Microbiologic testing was evaluated before and
      after intervention treatment, at 12 and 24 weeks in the study subjects.
      DISCUSSION: Total anaerobic counts of bacteria did not differ significantly
      between patients assigned to receive PDT and those assigned to receive surgical
      therapy (mean, 95.2% and 80.85%, respectively). PDT was associated with a
      significant decrease in bleeding scores (P = 0.02) as well as inflammatory
      exudation (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Treatment with PDT in patients with
      periimplantitis was not associated with major reduction of total anaerobic
      bacteria on the rough surfaces of dental implants as compared with surgical
      therapy. A significantly lower proinflammatory index of periimplantitis was
      observed in the PDT group at 24 weeks of follow-up.

PMID- 24225781
TI  - Is BMF central for anoikis and autophagy?

PMID- 24225782
TI  - Electron transport in purified glyoxysomal membranes from castor-bean endosperm.
AB  - Glyoxysomes isolated from castor-bean (Ricinus communis L.) endosperm were
      treated with water, 0.2 M KCl, 1 M KCl, or 0.1 M Na2CO3. Glyoxysomal sacs, i.e.
      membranes which retained some visible matrix, resulted from the treatments with
      water and KCl. Glyoxysomal ghosts, i.e. intact membranes free of matrix, were
      only obtained following treatment with carbonate. The ghosts were free of
      activities of matrix enzymes, particularly palmitoyl-CoA oxidation, isocitrate
      dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.42) and isocitrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.1), and contained only
      negligible amounts of malate synthase (EC 4.1.3.2), malate dehydrogenase (EC
      1.1.1.37), beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.98) and catalase (EC
      1.11.1.6). Distribution and appearance of membrane-associated particles in the
      protoplasmic and ectoplasmic faces of freeze-fracture replicas of the glyoxysomal
      membrane were the same in intact tissue, isolated glyoxysomes, and ghosts.
      Membranes purified by treatment with 0.2 M KCl or 0.1 M carbonate catalyzed the
      reduction of cytochrome-c when NADH or NADPH was provided as the electron donor.
      beta-Oxidation, localized in the matrix, could be linked to reduction of
      cytochrome-c or ferricyanide when purified membranes were combined with the
      matrix supernatant. Cytochrome-c could also be reduced by coupling enzyme
      activities in the matrix, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase or malate dehydrogenase,
      with those of the membrane. These results indicate that electrons from beta
      oxidation, malate oxidation or isocitrate oxidation can be transferred directly
      to the redox components of the glyoxysomal membrane. We, therefore, conclude that
      any NADH and NADPH formed by enzymes in the matrix can be recycled continuously
      within the organelle. 

PMID- 24225783
TI  - Electron-microscopic analysis of ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria L.) lectin:
      evidence for a new type of supra-molecular protein structure.
AB  - The lectin of ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria L.) was investigated electron
      microscopically after negative staining with uranyl salts. Affinity-purified
      preparations of this glycoprotein were highly heteromorphous as they contained
      small particles approximately 4.6 nm in diameter and very large particles of
      different shapes. Among the latter, circular and helicoidal structures were the
      most regular in appearance. The circles were 9.3 nm in diameter, whereas the
      helices were 9 nm or 20 nm in diameter and up to 60 nm in length. After
      photographic enhancement, pictures of the molecules indicated that both the
      larger structures and the small particles could be obtained in pure forms by gel
      filtration of the lectin on Sepharose 4B. Since the former were the only
      constituents of the excluded fraction (Mr>5000000), whereas they were totally
      absent in the fraction eluting with an apparent molecular weight of about 500000,
      these supra-molecular structures revealed by the electron microscope cannot be
      artefacts generated during preparation of the lectin for electron-microscopic
      observation. 

PMID- 24225784
TI  - Water droplets and ice deposits in leaf intercellular spaces: redistribution of
      water during cryofixation for scanning electron microscopy.
AB  - An experimental study is described of the formation of extracellular deposits on
      the surfaces of cells in freeze-fractured, frozen-hydrated primary leaves of
      Phaseolus vulgaris examined by low-temperature scanning electron microscopy. The
      deposits, observed under a range of experimental conditions, consisted of (a)
      droplets with diameters of 1.5 to 3.0 MUm, (b) droplets with diameters of 10 to
      30 MUm, (c) crystals with diameters of 1.0 to 6.0 MUm, and (d) granules with
      diameters up to 0.15 MUm. The types of deposit were influenced by specimen
      cooling rate, and their distribution was influenced by the direction of the
      thermal gradient during cooling. All deposits were predominantly water ice. The
      quantities of deposited water (up to 4.0% of the leaf water content) increased as
      the cooling rate was reduced. It is concluded that the ice deposits were
      primarily artefacts of cryofixation and do not represent the location of water in
      vivo, as recently suggested. We propose that the deposits arose in four main
      ways: (1) displacement of water from underlying cells by a pressure wave
      resulting from the volume increase of intracellular water as it freezes, (2)
      evaporation of water from warmer cells and its condensation onto colder cells,
      (3) withdrawal of water from underlying cells by extracellular ice
      crystallization, (4) condensation of pre-existing water vapour in the
      intercellular spaces onto cells. The significance of the findings is discussed in
      relation to the use of lowtemperature scanning electron microscopy in studies of
      plant morphology and for localizing water and soluble ions within plant cells and
      tissues. 

PMID- 24225785
TI  - Effects of specific inhibitors on the coordination of the concentrations of
      ribulose-bisphosphate-carboxylase subunits and their corresponding mRNAs in the
      alga Chlorogonium.
AB  - Investigations were carried out on the effects of inhibitors of transcription and
      translation on the concentrations of the subunits of the plastid enzyme ribulose
      1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCase) and their corresponding mRNAs
      in the unicellular green alga Chlorogonium elongatum Dangeard. The light-induced
      increase of nuclear-coded small-subunit mRNA was strongly inhibited by alpha
      amanitin while the increase of plastid-coded large-subunit mRNA was only weakly
      affected: Consequently, the mRNAs of the two subunits were present in very
      different proportions. Nevertheless, the light-induced increase of both subunits
      was strongly reduced by alpha-amanitin to the same degree, and hence the ratio of
      their concentrations was not affected compared with the untreated control cells.
      The effect of cycloheximide on the subunit mRNAs was similar to but weaker than
      that of alpha-amanitin. Again the increases in the subunit levels were strongly
      inhibited to the same degree. By contrast, rifampicin and chloramphenicol
      inhibited the light-induced increase of large-subunit mRNA more strongly than
      that of small-subunit mRNA, but the differences were less distinct than those
      caused by alpha-amanitin and cycloheximide. Again, the increase in both subunits
      was inhibited almost to the same extent. These results - especially those of the
      alpha-amanitin experiments - clearly show that the fine coordination of the
      RuBPCase subunits occurs posttranscriptionally at the level of translation and-or
      degradation. This conclusion was confirmed by pulse-chase experiments. Inhibition
      of the synthesis of the large subunits by chloramphenicol resulted - as also
      found by other authors-in a degradation of excess small subunits in the plastid.
      On the other hand, inhibition of the concentration of small subunits caused a
      proportionate reduction in the synthesis of large subunits, but no rapid
      degradation of large subunits could be detected. Therefore, the fine coordination
      of both subunits of RuBPCase is achieved by the degradation of an excess of small
      subunits, while the level of large subunits is adapted to the small subunit
      concentration, probably by adjustment of translation of the large-subunit mRNA.
      Furthermore, our experiments with alpha-amanitin and cycloheximide allow us to
      conclude that in the blue-light induction of large-subunit mRNA in the plastid
      the nucleocytoplasmic compartment is not directly involved. 

PMID- 24225786
TI  - Identification of oxindole-3-acetic acid, and metabolic conversion of indole-3
      acetic acid to oxindole-3-acetic acid in Pinus sylvestris seeds.
AB  - Oxindole-3-acetic acid (OxIAA) has been identified in germinating seeds of Scots
      pine (Pinus sylvestris) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Seeds
      germinated for 5 d contained 2.7 ng OxIAA.g(-1) (dry weight) whereas ungerminated
      seeds contained 0.2 ng.g(-1). Isotopically labelled OxIAA was formed in seeds
      incubated with [1'-(14)C]-, [2'-(14)C]- or [(2)H5]indole-3-acetic acid. 

PMID- 24225787
TI  - Implications for cytoplasmic pH, protonmotice force, and amino-acid transport
      across the plasmalemma of Riccia fluitans.
AB  - By means of pH-sensitive microelectrodes, cytoplasmic pH has been monitored
      continuously during amino-acid transport across the plasmalemma of Riccia
      fluitans rhizoid cells under various experimental conditions. (i) Contrary to the
      general assumption that import of amino acids (or hexoses) together with protons
      should lead to cytoplasmic acidification, an alkalinization of 0.1-0.3 pHc units
      was found for all amino acids tested. Similar alkalinizations were recorded in
      the presence of hexoses and methylamine. No alkalinization occurred when the
      substrates were added in the depolarized state or in the presence of cyanide,
      where the electrogenic H(+)-pump is inhibited. (ii) After acidification of the
      cytoplasm by means of various concentrations of acetic acid, amino-acid transport
      is massively altered, although the protonmotive force remained essentially
      constant. It is suggested that H(+)-cotransport is energetically interconnected
      with the proton-export pump which is stimulated by the amino-acid-induced
      depolarization, thus causing proton depletion of the cytoplasm. It is concluded
      that, in order to investigate H(+)-dependent cotransport processes, the
      cytoplasmic pH must be measured and be under continuous experimental control;
      secondly, neither DeltapH nor the protonmotive force across a membrane are
      reliable quantities for analysing a proton-dependent process. 

PMID- 24225788
TI  - Inhibition and promotion by light of the accumulation of translatable mRNA of the
      light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of photosystem II.
AB  - The amount of in-vitro translatable mRNA of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b
      binding protein (LHCP) of photosystem II strongly increases in darkness (D) after
      a 5-min red-light pulse while continuous illumination of mustard seedlings with
      far-red (FR), red or white light leads only to a slight increase in the amount of
      translatable LHCP-mRNA. No increase can be observed after a long-wavelength FR
      (RG9-light) pulse. However, a FR pretreatment prior to the RG9-light pulse
      strongly increase LHCP-mRNA accumulation in subsequent D. This is not observed in
      the case of the mRNA for the small subunit of ribulose-1.5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase. The increase of LHCP-mRNA in D after a FR pretreatment can be
      inhibited by a reillumination of the seedlings with FR. The inhibition of LHCP
      mRNA accumulation during continuous illumination with FR and the strong increase
      in D following a FR illumination was found to be independent of chlorophyll
      biosynthesis since no correlation between chlorophyll biosynthesis and
      translatable LHCP-mRNA levels could be detected. Even strong changes in the
      amount of intermediates of chlorophyll biosynthesis caused by application of
      levulinic acid or 5-aminolevulinic acid did not affect LHCP-mRNA levels.
      Therefore, we conclude that the appearance of LHCP-mRNA is inhibited during
      continuous illumination, even though illumination leads to a storage of a light
      singal which promotes accumulation of translatable LHCP-mRNA in D. 

PMID- 24225789
TI  - Ribonuclease in plant vacuoles: purification and molecular properties of the
      enzyme from cultured tomato cells.
AB  - A ribonuclease which was previously shown to be located in isolated vacuoles from
      suspension-cultured cells of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.; Abel and Glund
      1986, Physiol. Plant. 66, 79-86) has been purified to near homogeneity.
      Purification was up to 55000-fold with a yield of about 20%. The vacuolar origin
      of the protein was evidenced by comparing its electrophoretic mobility,
      isoelectric point, pH-optimum for activity and other properties with that of the
      RNA-degrading activity present in isolated vacuoles. The molecular weight of the
      native single polypeptide chain was estimated at 17500 and 20300 by gel
      filtration and sedimentation analysis, respectively. The enzyme hydrolyzed only
      single-stranded RNA with a mode of action that was endonucleolytic. The vacuolar
      ribonuclease had no requirement for divalent metal ions, and did not exhibit
      phosphomonoesterase (EC 3.1.3.1; EC 3.1.3.2) and phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.15.1;
      EC 3.1.16.1) activity. The specificity of the enzyme has been studied by using
      homopolyribonucleotides as substrates. The end-products obtained were the
      respective nucleoside 2':3'-cyclic monophosphates and, to minor extents, the
      corresponding nucleoside 3'(2')-monophosphates. According to these observations,
      the vacuolar ribonuclease from tomato can be classified as ribonuclease I (EC
      3.1.27.1). 

PMID- 24225791
TI  - Gradient in the degree of Crassulacean acid metabolism within leaves of Kalanchoe
      daigremontiana.
AB  - Leaves of the Crassulacean acid metabolism plant Kalanchoe daigremontiana Hamet
      et Perr., about 3.3 mm thick, showed higher rates of net CO2 exchange through the
      lower than through the upper surface during day and night, although the lower
      surface received only a small fraction of the light which was incident on the
      upper surface. Nocturnal acidification was more pronounced in cells from the
      lower than from the upper portion of leaves. The lower activity of the exposed
      side of these long-lived succulent leaves may be related to the potentially
      adverse effects of excessive light. 

PMID- 24225790
TI  - Blue-light control of mRNA level and transcription during chloroplast
      differentiation in photomixotrophic and photoautotrophic cell cultures
      (Chenopodium rubrum L.).
AB  - In cell suspension cultures of Chenopodium rubrum maintained under
      photomixotrophic or photoautotrophic growth conditions the differentiation of
      chloroplasts is strictly blue-light-dependent. During this process of greening
      the steady-state concentration of mRNAs coding for plastid proteins increases
      rapidly in response to blue-light exposure as was determined by a
      dothybridization technique employing cloned DNA sequences complementary to these
      nuclear and plastid transcripts (light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein, rbcs,
      rbcl, psbA, atpB, atpE). Red light suppresses this response when applied at an
      advanced stage of chloroplast development. Indications are that blue-light
      dependency of chloroplast differentiation is a common feature of cultured plant
      cells irrespective of their metabolism. A DNA-protein complex with an active RNA
      polymerase ("transcriptionally active chromosome"; TAC) which specifically
      transcribes the plastid genes of its endogenous DNA has been isolated and
      purified from chloroplasts of light-grown cells. Quantitative analyses of these
      in-vitro transcripts show that the activity of TAC from cells grown in blue light
      prior to isolation is significantly higher than that of TAC from cells raised in
      red light under the same conditions. The results indicate that blue light
      enhances the transcription of plastid genes encoding prominent proteins. This
      response could account for the observed rise in transcript level in vivo. 

PMID- 24225792
TI  - Some characteristics of anion transport at the tonoplast of oat roots, determined
      from the effects of anions on pyrophosphatedependent proton transport.
AB  - The effects of anions on inorganicpyrophosphate-dependent H(+)-transport in
      isolated tonoplast vesicles from oat (Avena sativa L.) roots were determined.
      Both fluorescent and radioactive probes were used to measure formation of pH
      gradients and membrane potential in the vesicles. Pyrophosphate hydrolysis by the
      H(+)-translocating pyrophosphatase was unaffected by anions. Nonetheless, some
      anions (Cl(-), Br(-) and NO3-) stimulated H(+)-transport while others (malate,
      [Formula: see text] and iminodiacetate) did not. These differential effects were
      abolished when the membrane potential was clamped at zero mV using potassium and
      valinomycin. Stimulation of H(+)-transport by Cl(-) showed saturation kinetics
      whereas that by NO3- consisted of both a saturable component and a linear phase.
      For Cl(-) and NO3-, the saturable phase had a K m of about 2 mol.m(-3). The
      anions that stimulated H(+)-transport also dissipated the membrane potential
      (Deltapsi.) generated by the pyrophosphatase. It is suggested that the
      stimulatory anions cross the tonoplast in response to the positive Deltapsi
      generated by the pyrophosphatase, causing dissipation of Deltapsi and stimulation
      of DeltapH, as expected by the chemiosmotic hypothesis. The work is discussed in
      relation to recent studies of the effects of anions on ATP-dependent H(+)
      transport at the tonoplast, and its relevance to anion accumulation in the
      vacuole in vivo is considered. 

PMID- 24225793
TI  - Race cultivar-specific differences in callose deposition in soybean roots
      following infection with Phytophthora megasperma f.sp. glycinea.
AB  - Primary roots of soybean (Glycine max (L.), Merrill, cv. Harosoy 63) seedlings
      were inoculated with zoospores from either race 1 (incompatible, host resistant)
      or race 3 (compatible, host susceptible) of Phytophthora megasperma f.sp.
      glycinea and total callose was determined at various times after inoculation.
      From 4 h onward, total callose was significantly higher in roots showing the
      resistant rather than the susceptible response. Local callose deposition in
      relation to location of fungal hyphae was determined in microtome sections by its
      specific fluorescence with sirofluor and was quantified on paper prints with an
      image-analysis system. Callose deposition, which occurs adjacent to hyphae, was
      found soon after inoculation (2, 3 and 4 h post inoculation) only in roots
      displaying the resistant response, and was also higher at 5 and 6 h after
      inoculation in these resistant roots than in susceptible roots. Early callose
      deposition in the incompatible root-fungus reaction could be a factor in
      resistance of soybean against P. megasperma. 

PMID- 24225794
TI  - Photorespiratory N donors, aminotransferase specificity and photosynthesis in a
      mutant of barley deficient in serine: glyoxylate aminotransferase activity.
AB  - A mutant of Hordeum vulgare L. (LaPr 85/84) deficient in serine: glyoxylate
      aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.45) activity has been isolated. The plant also lacks
      serine: pyruvate aminotransferase and asparagine: glyoxylate aminotransferase
      activities. Genetic analysis of the mutation strongly indicates that these three
      activities are all carried on the same enzyme protein. The mutant is incapable of
      normal rates of photosynthesis in air but can be maintained at 0.7% CO2. The rate
      of photosynthesis cannot be restored by supplying hydroxypyruvate, glycerate,
      glutamate or ammonium sulphate through the xylem stream. This photorespiratory
      mutant demonstrates convincingly that photorespiration still occurs under
      conditions in which photosynthesis becomes insensitive to oxygen levels. Two
      major peaks and one minor peak of serine: glyoxylate aminotransferase activity
      can be separated in extracts of leaves of wild-type barley by diethylaminoethyl
      sephacel chromatography. All three peaks are missing from the mutant, LaPr 85/84.
      The mutant showed the expected rate (50%) of ammonia release during
      photorespiration but produced CO2 at twice the wild-type rate when it was fed
      [(14)C]glyoxylate. The large accumulation of serine detected in the mutant under
      photorespiratory conditions shows the importance of the enzyme activity in vivo.
      The effect of the mutation on transient changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence
      initiated by changing the atmospheric CO2 concentration are presented and the
      role of the enzyme activity under nonphotorespiratory conditions is discussed. 

PMID- 24225795
TI  - Amylase activity and growth in internodes of deepwater rice.
AB  - Isoelectrofocusing, product analysis, thermal denaturation studies and affinity
      chromatography on cycloheptaamylose-Sephadex were used to identify the amylolytic
      enzymes in internodes of deepwater rice (Oryza sativa L.). Amylolytic activity in
      internodes of deepwater rice consists of alpha-amylase (sometimes separated into
      two isoforms) and of beta-amylase. During submergence of whole plants, alpha
      amylase activity increases in young, growing internodes, but beta-amylase
      activity declines. Although non-growing, mature internodes contain higher levels
      of beta-amylase than do the elongating younger internodes, the effect of
      submergence on amylase activities in both tissues follows the same trend.
      Submergence, gibberellic acid (GA3) and ethylene all promote alpha-amylase
      activity in growing and non-growing internodes of excised deepwater-rice stem
      sections. Inhibitor studies showed that submergence and ethylene promote alpha
      amylase activity in the absence of endogenous gibberellin (GA), and GA3 enhances
      alpha-amylase activity when ethylene action is inhibited. Therefore, ethylene and
      GA appear to increase alpha-amylase activity independently of each other.
      Enhanced alpha-amylase activities are probably responsible for the mobilization
      of carbohydrates which are needed to support internode elongation during
      submergence of deepwater rice. 

PMID- 24225796
TI  - Phytochrome-induced flavonoid biosynthesis in mustard (Sinapis alba L.)
      cotyledons. Enzymic control and differential regulation of anthocyanin and
      quercetin formation.
AB  - Phytochrome-induced increases in enzyme activities for phenylalanine ammonia
      lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) and chalcone isomerase (EC 5.5.1.6), and in amounts of the
      related end products, anthocyanin and the flavonol, quercetin, were measured in
      cotyledons of mustard (Sinapis alba L.). There was no correlation between the
      activities of these enzymes and the rate of anthocyanin accumulation; however,
      some correlation was found with the quercetin accumulation rate. Since
      anthocyanin and flavonol accumulation is spatially separated in mustard
      (flavonols in the upper epidermis, anthocyanin in the lower epidermis), it was
      possible to measure anthocyanin-associated phenylalanine ammonia-lyase
      independently. This activity correlated well with the accumulation rate for
      anthocyanin during the first few hours after induction. The phytochrome effect on
      anthocyanin formation differed from that on quercetin formation: anthocyanin was
      strongly induced by continuous far-red light and by both continuous red light and
      red light pulses, whereas quercetin was only effectively induced by continuous
      far-red light. 

PMID- 24225797
TI  - A plant lipid and the platelet-activating factor stimulate ATP-dependent H(+)
      transport in isolated plant membrane vesicles.
AB  - A plant lipid was isolated from zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) membranes and from
      soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr) phospholipids by thinlayer chromatography and
      further purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. This plant lipid was
      chromatographically very similar to the platelet-activating factor, an ether
      phospho-lipid with hormone-like properties found in mammals. Both the plant lipid
      and the platelet-activating factor stimulated ATP-dependent H(+) transport in
      isolated membrane vesicles from zucchini hypocotyls. 

PMID- 24225799
TI  - A simple, effective method of determining efficiency of boiler dust remover.

PMID- 24225798
TI  - Photomorphogenesis in Chenopodium album. Effects of supplementary far-red light
      on the kinetics of stem extension.
AB  - The effects of far-red light given against a background of white light on the
      stem-extension kinetics of three-week-old, light-grown Chenopodium album
      seedlings were investigated. Under white light alone, the stems (cotyledon-to
      apex) extended almost exactly logarithmically with time. Under these conditions
      the increase in log [stem length in mm] per hour was approx. 3.7.10(-3),
      equivalent to about 1% per h during both skoto-and photoperiods. Supplementary
      far-red given throughout each photoperiod massively stimulated extension. The
      calculated logarithmic extension rate, however, slowly returned to that of the
      controls, following an initial large increase. This is predicted by a model in
      which far-red light linearly increases the extension rate of individual
      internodes which arise at an exponentially increasing rate. The behaviour of the
      model is also consistent with critical experiments in which far-red was given as
      a pre-treatment or transiently, as well as with other published data. Far-red
      stimulation of logarithmic extension rate in successive photoperiods was closely
      and linearly correlated with calculated phytochrome photoequilibrium. Daily short
      periods of supplementary far-red were especially potent in accelerating
      extension; the plants seemed least responsive at the end of the photoperiod. 

PMID- 24225800
TI  - Migration of pollutants in groundwater. V. Modelling the removal of DNAPL
      droplets by flushing.
AB  - Mathematical models are developed for the flushing of droplets of dense
      nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) distributed in aquifers. The kinetics of the
      diffusion of dissolved volatile organic compound (VOC) from the droplets into the
      moving liquid is included in the models. Models are developed for the flushing of
      DNAPL droplets in lab columns, in aquifers with a one-dimensional radial flow
      field and in quiescent aquifers in which a single well screened at the bottom is
      used to bring about the flushing. Some representative results are given. 

PMID- 24225801
TI  - Migration of pollutants in groundwater. VI. Flushing of DNAPL droplets/ganglia.
AB  - Models for describing the flushing of DNAPL from contaminated aquifers are
      developed, and the dependence of the calculated cleanup times on the model
      parameters is explored. Diffusion transport from isolated DNAPL droplets, from
      low-permeability porous spherical domains containing distributed DNAPL droplets,
      and from low-permeability porous planar lamellae containing distributed DNAPL is
      analyzed, and the resulting expressions then coupled with the equations for
      advective transport of dissolved VOC by means of natural uniform flow and a
      system of injection and recovery wells generating a two-dimensional flow field.
      The models are readily run on currently available microcomputers. The results of
      computations with the models are consistent with the severe tailing and slow
      rates of remediation which are generally observed when DNAPLs are removed by
      flushing. 

PMID- 24225802
TI  - A method of rapid identification of the most important ecological problems in
      polluted areas.
AB  - A comprehensive method is presented for the evaluation of the living elements of
      the environment by way of an example of an area situated within the emission
      range of a non ferrous metal works. The exposure of particular components of the
      environment is shown using the method of indices, taking into consideration the
      action of pollutants on the most essential and sensitive receptors. Methods of
      exposure reduction are also suggested. The proposed method may be helpful in land
      use planning in polluted environments and can also be applied to determine the
      sequence of activities aimed at diminishing the effects of pollution. 

PMID- 24225803
TI  - Substrate influence on epiphytic lichens.
AB  - The origin of the presence of soil elements in the epiphytic lichen Lecanora
      conizaeoides was investigated in an area of heavily polluted soil (The
      Broekpolder The Netherlands). Analysis results of lichens, bark and tree rings of
      the supporting trees indicated that for As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Sc and V the
      levels in lichens may be considered to originate from wet and dry deposition. The
      Cd, Mn and Zn levels in lichens might have originated from both wet and dry
      deposition and the substrate bark. For these three elements, in particular,
      accumulation characteristics in lichens should be further investigated. 

PMID- 24225804
TI  - Trace elements and organochlorines in the shoalgrass community of the lower
      Laguna Madre, Texas.
AB  - Our objectives were to measure concentrations of seven trace elements and 14
      organochlorine compounds in sediment and biota of the shoalgrass (Halodule
      wrightii) community of the lower Laguna Madre of south Texas and to determine
      whether chemicals associated with agriculture (e.g. mercury, arsenic, selenium,
      organochlorine pesticides) were highest near agricultural drainages. Arsenic,
      mercury, selenium, lead, cadmium, and organochlorines were generally at
      background concentrations throughout the lower Laguna Madre. Nickel and chromium
      concentrations were exceptionally high in shrimp and pinfish (Lagodon
      rhomboides), which is difficult to explain because of no known anthropogenic
      sources for these trace elements. For sediment and blue crabs (Callinectes
      sapidus), mercury was highest near agricultural drainages. Also, DDE was more
      frequently detected in blue crabs near agricultural drainages than farther away.
      In contrast, selenium concentrations did not differ among collecting sites and
      arsenic concentrations were lowest in shoalgrass, blue crabs, and brown shrimp
      (Penaeus aztecus) near agricultural drainages. 

PMID- 24225805
TI  - Bacterial secondary production in freshwater measured by(3)H-thymidine
      incorporation method.
AB  - Bacterial secondary production in lake water was measured by(3)H-thymidine
      incorporation into DNA. The application of the method to freshwater systems
      studied required (1) thymidine concentration > 10 nM (10-25 nM) evaluated from
      isotope dilution by varying the specific activity of labeled thymidine, (2) short
      incubation periods less than 1 hour, and (3) partial purification of the DNA
      fraction for measuring(3)H-thymidine incorporation. During 2 diel studies,
      bacterial productivity was compared to phytoplankton primary production and
      extracellular release of organic carbon. Diel changes in bacterial growth
      suggested substantial activity during the morning and evening. Possible
      mechanisms of control of bacterial growth, such as extracellular release of
      organic carbon, are discussed. 

PMID- 24225806
TI  - Nutritional relationships among microorganisms in an epilithic biofilm community.
AB  - Previous studies of an epilithic algal-bacterial community in a pristine mountain
      stream suggested that heterotrophic bacteria were responding to the metabolic
      activities of the phototrophic population. Subsequent studies were performed to
      follow the flow of labeled carbon, from its initial inorganic form, through the
      trophic levels of the mat community. A majority of primary production metabolites
      were excreted by the algal population during active growth; this shifted to an
      incorporation into cellular material as phototrophic activity declined. Results
      suggest that there was a direct flux of soluble algal products to the bacterial
      population, with little heterotrophic utilization of dissolved organics from the
      overlying stream water. Both phototrophic productivity and bacterial utilization
      of algal products peaked at approximately the same time of year. Activity of the
      diatom-dominated algal population declined as silica concentrations in the stream
      water dropped, leading to a situation in which the sessile bacteria were
      substrate limited. These events resulted in an almost complete disappearance of
      the community in early September. 

PMID- 24225807
TI  - Physical determinants of microbial colonization and decomposition of plant litter
      in an Arctic Lake.
AB  - Physical effects on the microbial colonization and decomposition of plant litter
      in an oligotrophic lake were studied in Toolik Lake, Alaska. Colonization,
      measured by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analysis, and decomposition, measured by
      weight loss, were correlated with depth of incubation, light, and temperature.
      The effects of turbulence, light, and temperature were studied in microcosm
      experiments. A 10 degrees C increase (above ambient) in temperature caused a
      doubling in the amount of microbial colonization and a 50% increase in
      decomposition. Light intensity had no quantitative effect on either colonization
      or decomposition. Turbulence experiments conducted in Toolik Lake showed
      significant differences in decomposition between natural turbulence and no
      turbulence. Elevated temperature (20 degrees C, which was 10 degrees C above
      ambient), high turbulence, and total darkness changed the composition of the
      litter microbiota, causing a shift from a bacterially dominated microbiota to one
      dominated by large filamentous forms, as revealed by scanning electron
      microscopy. This study shows the importance of these physical factors in
      determining the rate at which plant litter is colonized and degraded in aquatic
      environments. 

PMID- 24225808
TI  - Transport of microbial biomass through the North Inlet ecosystem.
AB  - Tidal fluctuations and transports of total microbial biomass (measured as
      adenosine triphosphate [ATP]) were investigated at three marsh creeks comprising
      the major transfer points between the North Inlet marsh and the adjoining aquatic
      ecosystems. Two creeks, Town Creek and North Jones Creek, form the inlet mouth
      and are the only marsh-ocean exchange points. The third creek, South Jones Creek,
      connects to a brackish water embayment. The creeks were simultaneously sampled
      every 1.5 hours for 50 consecutive hours during neap tides (four tidal cycles)
      and 50 consecutive hours during spring tides of each season. At the inlet, ATP
      concentration fluctuated in phase with the tide during winter and fall and out of
      phase with the tide during the spring. Fluctuation patterns at South Jones Creek
      were irregular. The highest ATP concentrations were during the spring (mean=2.17
      mg of ATP per m(3)) and the lowest concentrations were during the winter
      (mean=0.65 mg of ATP per m(3)). Net transports of ATP varied from tidal cycle to
      tidal cycle with regard to direction of transport (import or export) and
      magnitude. Net transports were small compared to large instantaneous transports
      and only 4 of 22 determinations of net transport were different from zero
      transport. 

PMID- 24225809
TI  - Biotic adjustments to changing salinities in the Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA.
AB  - The salinity of the Great Salt Lake, Utah has changed greatly over the past 23
      years. The north arm of the lake has increased in salinity and decreased in
      overall biological diversity, whereas the south arm has decreased in salinity and
      increased markedly in biological diversity. 

PMID- 24225810
TI  - Measurement of Electron Transport System (ETS) activity in soil.
AB  - Electron transport system (ETS) activity was measured in amended and nonamended
      soil by measuring the reduction of 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl
      tetrazolium chloride (INT) to iodonitrotetrazolium formazan (INT-formazan), which
      can be easily extracted with methanol without interference from other compounds
      found in soil. A high correlation between ETS activity and oxygen consumption was
      observed. This technique allows rapid quantitative measurements of microbial ETS
      activity in soil. 

PMID- 24225811
TI  - Powder puff spiroplasma: A new epiphytic mycoplasma.
AB  - A spiroplasma (strain PPS1) isolated from healthy flowers ofCalliandra
      haematocephala in Florida has been found to be a member of a serogroup of the
      Spiroplasmataceae. It is distinct fromSpiroplasma citri and from other described
      spiroplasmas as determined by growth inhibition, fluorescent antibody, and ELISA
      serological tests. PPS1 was also distinguished fromS. citri and several other
      spiroplasmas by the guanine + cytosine content of its DNA. PPS1 requires sterol
      for growth, is inhibited by digitonin, grows at 20-30 degrees C, and does not
      hydrolyze arginine or urea. The ready isolation of this and similar organisms
      from surfaces of healthy plants emphasizes that caution should be exercised in
      attempts to isolate cell wall-less prokaryotes from the interior of diseased
      plants. Although some strains of spiroplasmas are known as insect pathogens in
      nature, the ecological role(s) of the flower-inhabiting spiroplasmas has yet to
      be fully determined. 

PMID- 24225812
TI  - Segmented filamentous bacteria in the rodent small intestine: Their colonization
      of growing animals and possible role in host resistance toSalmonella.
AB  - The establishment and proliferation of a model population of autochthonous
      surface-associated microorganisms in the small bowel of growing rats (2-12 weeks
      of age) was studied. Segmented filamentous bacteria on the distal ileal villi
      were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and countedin situ by
      transect line analysis. In young animals, these bacteria first colonized the
      villous base, but occupied all areas on the villus by adult age. Their
      distribution on Peyer's patches was also noted.In growing animals, colonization
      of the ileal villi by filamentous bacteria was significantly correlated to the
      development of host resistance to fatal infection by orally-dosedSalmonella
      enteritidis. In animals givenSalmonella and examined by SEM and transmission EM
      (TEM), the pathogen was seen only on ileal tissue surfaces, predominantly the
      villous base, from which the autochthonous population was absent. Conversely, in
      animals with filamentous bacteria,Salmonella surface colonization was not
      observed. The results suggest a possible protective role for the surface flora in
      the small bowel. 

PMID- 24225814
TI  - Evaluation of a proposed surface colonization equation usingThermothrix thiopara
      as a model organism.

PMID- 24225813
TI  - Yeasts from exudates ofQuercus, Ulmus, Populus, andPseudotsuga: New isolations
      and elucidation of some factors affecting ecological specificity.
AB  - The yeast flora associated with exudates ofQuercus, Ulmus, Populus,
      andPseudotsuga was examined in the light of new isolations in geographic areas
      different from those in previous reports. Application of multivariate analytic
      methods indicated that geographic distance, although a meaningful ecological
      factor, is largely overshadowed by host tree specificity, provided that yeast
      community physiological profiles and not yeast taxa, are used as ecological
      descriptors. Some physiological attributes used in classifying yeasts were
      identified as particularly important in shaping the yeast communities of those
      trees. The possible divergence between these attributes and those generally
      considered taxonomically useful is discussed. 

PMID- 24225815
TI  - The reverse remodeling effect of mesenchymal stem cells is independent from the
      site of epimyocardial cell transplantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represents a
      promising approach for treating the ischemic and the nonischemic diseased heart.
      The positive effects of transplanting these cells could be shown, but the exact
      mechanisms remain unknown. We evaluated whether the injection site affects the
      improvement in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and angiogenesis in
      doxorubicin (Dox)-induced failing hearts. METHODS: Heart failure was induced in
      New Zealand white rabbits by doxorubicin treatment, followed by right ventricular
      MSC transplantation (RV-MSC, n = 6), LV MSC transplantation (LV-MSC, n = 6), sham
      treatment (sham group, n = 6), or no therapy (Dox group, n = 5). Healthy rabbits
      were used as control group (n = 8). Cells were isolated after bone marrow
      aspiration and transplanted locally into the ventricular myocardium. After 4
      weeks, cardiac function and capillary density (CD31 staining) were measured.
      RESULTS: The transplantation of MSCs increased the EF significantly (LV-MSC,
      39.0% +/- 1.4%, and RV-MSC, 39.2% +/- 2.6%, vs sham group, 29.8% +/- 3.7%; P <
      0.001), without significance between the MSC groups (P = 0.858). Neither the
      evidence of a transdifferentiation nor any signs of cell engraftment of
      transplanted cells could be found. The capillary density (capillaries/high-power
      field) increased in both MSC groups compared with the sham group (LV-MSC by 8.3%
      +/- 3.4%; and RV-MSC, 8.1% +/- 2.2%; P < 0.05), without significance between the
      two MSC groups (P = 0.927). CONCLUSIONS: Injection of autologous MSCs in
      doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathic rabbit hearts improves EF and enhances
      angiogenesis. Despite local application, we observed global effects on heart
      function and capillary density without significant difference between right and
      LV injection. The paracrine mechanism might be one possible explanation for these
      findings.

PMID- 24225816
TI  - Effect of sodium bicarbonate and Beta-alanine on repeated sprints during
      intermittent exercise performed in hypoxia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the separate and combined effects of sodium bicarbonate
      and beta-alanine supplementation on repeated sprints during simulated match play
      performed in hypoxia. METHODS: Study A: 20 recreationally active participants
      performed two trials following acute supplementation with either sodium
      bicarbonate (0.3 g.kg-1BM) or placebo (maltodextrin). Study B: 16 recreationally
      active participants were supplemented with either a placebo or beta-alanine for 5
      weeks (6.4 g.day-1 for 4 weeks, 3.2 g.day-1 for 1 week), and performed one trial
      before supplementation (with maltodextrin) and two following supplementation
      (with sodium bicarbonate and maltodextrin). Trials consisted of 3 sets of 5 * 6 s
      repeated sprints performed during a football specific intermittent treadmill
      protocol performed in hypoxia (15.5% O2). Mean (MPO) and peak (PPO) power output
      were recorded as the performance measures. RESULTS: Study A: Overall MPO was
      lower with sodium bicarbonate than placebo (p = .02, 539.4 +/- 84.5 vs. 554.0 +/-
      84.6 W), although there was no effect across sets (all p > .05). Study B: There
      was no effect of beta-alanine, or cosupplementation with sodium bicarbonate, on
      either parameter, although there was a trend toward higher MPO with sodium
      bicarbonate (p = .07). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of sodium bicarbonate on repeated
      sprints was equivocal, although there was no effect of beta-alanine or
      cosupplementation with sodium bicarbonate. Individual variation may have
      contributed to differences in results with sodium bicarbonate, although the lack
      of an effect with beta-alanine suggests this type of exercise may not be
      influenced by increased buffering capacity.

PMID- 24225817
TI  - Increasing organ donation in Hispanic Americans: the role of media and other
      community outreach efforts.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The growing demand for organs continues to outpace supply. This gap
      is most pronounced in minority populations, who constitute more than 40% of the
      organ waiting list. Hispanic Americans are particularly less likely to donate
      compared with other minorities for reasons that remain poorly understood and
      difficult to change. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether outreach interventions that
      target Hispanic Americans improve organ donation outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Prospective before-after study of 4 southern California
      neighborhoods with a high percentage of Hispanic American residents. We conducted
      cross-sectional telephone surveys before and 2 years after outreach
      interventions. Respondents 18 years or older were drawn randomly from lists of
      Hispanic surnames. Awareness, perceptions, and beliefs regarding organ donation
      and intent to donate were measured and compared before and after interventions.
      INTERVENTION: Television and radio commercials about organ donation and
      educational programs at 5 high schools and 4 Catholic churches. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Number of survey participants who specify intent to donate. RESULTS: A
      total of 402 preintervention and 654 postintervention individuals participated in
      the surveys. We observed a significant increase in awareness of and knowledge
      about organ donation and a significant increase in the intent to donate (17.7% vs
      12.1%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.06-2.26; P = .02]). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Focused donor outreach programs sustain awareness and knowledge and
      can significantly improve intent to donate organs in the Hispanic American
      population. These programs should continue to be evaluated and implemented to
      influence donor registration.

PMID- 24225818
TI  - Somatic hybridization in Citrus: navel orange (C. sinensis Osb.) and grapefruit
      (C. paradisi Macf.).
AB  - Protoplasts of navel orange, isolated from embryogenic nucellar cell suspension
      culture, were fused with protoplasts of grapefruit isolated from leaf tissue. The
      fusion products were cultured in the hormone-free medium containing 0.6 M
      sucrose. Under the culture conditions, somatic embryogenesis of navel orange
      protoplasts was suppressed, while cell division of grapefruit mesophyll
      protoplasts was not induced. Six embryoids were obtained and three lines
      regenerated to complete plants through embryogenesis. Two of the regenerated
      lines exhibited intermediate morphological characteristics of the parents in the
      leaf shape. Chromosome counts showed that these regenerated plants had expected
      36 chromosomes (2n=2x=18 for each parent). The rDNA analysis using biotin-labeled
      rRNA probes confirmed the presence of genomes from both parents in these plants.
      This somatic hybridization system would be useful for the practical Citrus
      breeding. 

PMID- 24225819
TI  - Estimation of recombination parameters between a quantitative trait locus (QTL)
      and two marker gene loci.
AB  - A new method is described to obtain maximum likelihood estimates of recombination
      frequencies between quantitative trait loci (QTL) and marker gene loci; it is
      based on Fisher's method of scoring and numerical differentiation. The method is
      applied to data from chromosome-doubled monoploid lines of barley originating
      from the F1 generation of a cross between two well-adapted barley varieties. The
      lines segregated for marker gene loci ddt (DDT resistance) and s (short rachilla
      hairs) on chromosome 7. The quantitative trait of single-kernel weight was found
      statistically significantly associated with locus s, but not with locus ddt. The
      association is ascribed to a QTL designated Kw1. It could not be ascribed to
      pleiotropism at locus s since the recombination frequency between s and Kw1
      (0.26+/-0.09) differed significantly from zero. The recombination frequencies
      between Kw1 and ddt and between ddt and s were 0.42+/-0.07 and 0.31+/-0.03,
      respectively, suggesting the locus order ddt, s, Kw1. The segregation ratio for
      alleles in locus Kw1 was estimated to be 43?57, which is not significantly
      different from a 1?1 ratio. Means and standard deviations of single-kernel weight
      for lines with either of the two Kw1 alleles were estimated; the Kw1 locus
      accounted for 25% of the variance of the single kernel weight. 

PMID- 24225820
TI  - Inheritance of resistance to bacterial blight in common bean.
AB  - Inheritance of resistance to common bacterial blight in the trifoliate leaf,
      plant canopy, and pods was controlled by a single major gene. Additive followed
      by dominance effects were more important than epistatic interactions. Narrow
      sense heritability values ranged from 0.18 to 0.87 for trifoliate leaf, from 0.26
      to 0.76 for canopy, and from 0.11 to 0.36 for pods. Observed gains from selection
      for resistance were higher than expected gains. Implications of these results in
      breeding for resistance are discussed. 

PMID- 24225821
TI  - Monosomic analysis of tissue culture response in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - The ability of immature embryos of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to respond in
      cell culture was examined in crosses between the 'Wichita' monosomic series and a
      highly regenerable line, 'ND7532'. Segregation in disomic controls and 13
      monosomic families showed a good fit to a monogenic ratio indicating a
      qualitative mode of inheritance. Segregation in the cross involving monosomic 2D
      showed a high frequency of regeneration (93.6%) and high callus growth rate (1.87
      g/90 days) indicating that 2D is a critical chromosome. Modifying genes may be
      located on other chromosomes. Substitution of chromosomes from a low regenerable
      cultivar 'Vona' further indicated that the group 2 chromosomes, in particular
      chromosome 2D, possess genetic factors promoting callus growth and regeneration. 

PMID- 24225822
TI  - Comparison of the organization and expression of mtDNA of fertile and male
      sterile sugar beet varieties (Beta vulgaris L.).
AB  - Analysis of minicircle occurrence in different samples of sugar beet
      mitochondrial (mt) DNA invalidates the postulated relationship between
      cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) phenotype and the absence of minicircle c and d.
      In high molecular weight mt DNA, two types of restriction patterns are found for
      fertile genomes and only one type for the CMS; in spite of the multiplicity of
      crosses carried out by plant breeders, all the CMS varieties analyzed seem to
      have derived from the original cytoplasm discovered by Owen in 1945. Southern
      hybridizations with mitochondrial genes coding for cytochrome oxidase subunits II
      and III, ATPase subunits alpha, 6 and 9 and 26S ribosomal RNA indicate that gene
      organization is different between fertile and sterile genomes but similar in all
      fertile genomes. Transcription analysis with the same genes indicate several
      differences between fertile and sterile varieties but also within some fertile
      varieties. These results suggest that the mt genome found in male-sterile sugar
      beet may originate not from modifications of the fertile mitochondrial genome but
      from a particular source of cytoplasm, of which a possible origin is discussed. 

PMID- 24225823
TI  - Interspecific hybridization between Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek and V.
      glabrescens.
AB  - Interspecific hybrids of the mungbean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek (2n=22) and V.
      glabrescens (2n=44) were generated with the aid of embryo culture. V. glabrescens
      x V. radiata hybrids were recovered via germination of the immature embryos.
      Reciprocal hybrids were obtained via shoot formation from embryonic callus. The
      authenticity of the hybrids was determined by morphological characteristics,
      chromosome number, and isozyme patterns. The hybrids were highly sterile upon
      selfing, but backcrossing to the diploid parent yielded viable seeds. Some of the
      plants resembled the diploid parent morphologically while others resembled
      neither parent. The backcross plants were sufficiently fertile to give a large
      number of mature, selfed seeds. Plants obtained differed morphologically and in
      their isozyme patterns from either parent, indicating introgression. These
      progeny populations will be used as bridging materials to transfer pest
      resistance from the wild tetraploid to the cultivated mungbean. 

PMID- 24225824
TI  - Selection of higher regenerative callus and change in isozyme pattern in rice
      (Oryza sativa L.).
AB  - Calli were initiated from seedling roots in rice (Oryza sativa L. var. Tadukan)
      and subcultured at 45-day intervals on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D.
      Sectors of callus which differentiated shoot meristems (green spots) under the
      same 2,4-D concentration were selected from the calli subcultured 90 days after
      initiation. The selection was continued for about 2 years. Responses to 2,4-D
      between original and selected lines differed considerably, although
      differentiation was not generally seen in rice callus in the presence of 2 mg/l
      2,4-D. After 180 days, calli of the selected line differentiated into numerous
      shoot-bud primordia and grew out new callus tissues under 2 mg/l 2,4-D
      concentration; the frequency of the differentiation exceeded 90%. On the other
      hand, no calli of non-selected line differentiated into shootbuds under 2 mg/l
      2,4-D, and the frequency of the shootbud was only about 50% under lower 2,4-D
      concentration (0.1 mg/l). The pattern and activity of peroxidase isozyme varied
      markedly between calli of the selected and non-selected lines. First, two strong
      peroxidase bands which show fast mobility and one intermediate peroxidase band
      with slow mobility were detected only in the calli of selected line. Secondly,
      changes in band pattern of proteins separated by SDS-PAGE were observed. In the
      calli of selected line, there was a loss of the polypeptide bands with molecular
      weight of 24 and 42 K in the selected calli, but they were clearly present in the
      unselected line. The appearance of new peroxidase isozyme bands and loss of
      polypeptide bands, change in response to auxin and increased ability for shoot
      bud differentiation are closely correlated to each other. 

PMID- 24225825
TI  - Diversity within and between populations of two sympatrically distributed Hordeum
      species in Jordan.
AB  - The diversity of two sympatrically distributed barley species (Hordeum vulgare L.
      and Hordeum spontaneum C. Koch.) has been assessed for 7 morphometric and 13
      qualitative traits. Phenotypically, Hordeum vulgare was more stable than Hordeum
      spontaneum for all morphometric traits; this is a reflection of domestication and
      selection. The overall diversity indexes were 0.546+/-0.125 and 0.502+/-0.113 for
      Hordeum vulgare and Hordeum spontaneum, respectively (P=0.095). However, Hordeum
      spontaneum expressed a higher level of diversity for most qualitative traits. The
      observed similarity for a number of diversity indexes is probably due to gene
      flow between the two species. 

PMID- 24225826
TI  - Chromosomal control of the aminopeptidases of wheat and its close relatives.
AB  - Isoelectric focussing was used to separate the isozymes of aminopeptidase of
      wheat and its relatives. Three distinct homoeoallelic sets of genes have been
      shown to be present. AMP-1, controlled by genes on the long arms of group 6, has
      previously been described, but two new systems, AMP-2 (group 4) and AMP-3 (group
      7) are described here. The three systems are distinguished by their
      electrophoretic characteristics, by their genetic control and by their substrate
      specificity. Intervarietal, interspecific and intergeneric polymorphism has been
      observed at most of the loci. A further set of isozymes, AMP-4, was detected but
      the chromosomal control of these could not be determined. 

PMID- 24225827
TI  - Optimising visual selection in early clonal generations of potato based on
      genetic and economic considerations.
AB  - In 1985, 1986 and 1987, 600 clones were visually assessed at harvest on plant
      appearance. The clones were harvested 80 days after planting in the first year,
      in the following years after approximately 80 days as well as after 145 days. The
      correlation coefficients between years and between harvest times were low to
      medium. Simulating different selection intensities using the performance of these
      600 clones in two successive years, the relation between selection pressure in
      the first year and the retained proportion of well performing clones in the
      second year was described. Including the costs of testing, the most economic
      selection procedure was calculated. This procedure consisted in testing 1,579
      first-year clones and 499 second-year clones for every 100 third-year clones
      required. The optimal period of the main evaluation in the second clonal year is
      at ware potato harvest time. This selection procedure also provides good
      selection possibilities for underwater weight and foliage maturity. 

PMID- 24225828
TI  - In vitro selection for methomyl resistance in CMS-T maize.
AB  - Many plants resistant to methomyl (Lannate), an insecticide which selectively
      damages maize with the Texas (T) type of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS-T), were
      obtained by in vitro selection and also without selection. The selection
      procedure used 0.6-0.7mM methomyl and callus from CMS-T versions of several field
      and sweet corn genotypes (W182BN, Wf9, P39, MDM1, SW1 and hybrids of SW1,
      IL766A1, IL766A2, and 442 with W182BN-N). Addition of 1 mM methomyl to the
      regeneration medium greatly reduced recovery of methomyl-sensitive escapes.
      Resistance was linked with reversion to male fertility and maternally inherited.
      Most progeny of resistant plants exhibited stable maternally inherited resistance
      for two generations in field tests. First-generation progeny of seven culture
      derived plants segregated for resistance and sensitivity; this suggests that ears
      of these seven regenerants were cytoplasmically chimeral. Resistance to methomyl
      was associated with resistance to T toxin from Helminthosporium maydis race T and
      with changes in mitochondrial physiology. Prolonged culture (14-16 months versus
      6-8 months) increased the frequency of resistance among both selected and non
      selected regenerants. Little or no resistance was found among regenerants from
      certain genotypes. Selection with methomyl may be useful for production of
      improved sweet corn lines and as a source of mitochondrial mutants. This system
      is also convenient for studies of the effects of nuclear background and of
      culture and selection systems on the generation of cytoplasmic mutants. 

PMID- 24225829
TI  - Multiple reconstruction of barley karyotype resulting in complete cytological
      marking of the chromosome complement.
AB  - A new reconstructed barley karyotype, PK88, which is a quadruple homozygote for
      three unequal translocations, 1-2, 3-4, 5-7, and one pericentric inversion in
      chromosome 6, was studied. As a result of these chromosome rearrangements, a
      complete cytological marking of the complement has been achieved. Due to the
      specific intra or interchromosomal transfer of particular bands, Giemsa staining
      of somatic chromosomes provided clear-cut indications about the localization of
      translocation and inversion breakpoints. It was established that the long arms of
      chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 and the short arm of chromosome 3 have been involved
      in interchanges 1-2, 3-4, and 5-7. The breakpoints of pericentric inversion
      proved to be located proximally to the short (satellite) arm and distally in the
      long arm of chromosome 6. PK-88 offers an essential gain in resolution power and
      extension of the areas of application in cytogenetics over other reconstructed
      karyotypes produced so far in barley. 

PMID- 24225830
TI  - The pleiotropic phenotype of tomato cells selected for altered response to
      Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. lycopersici cell wall components.
AB  - With the aim of better understanding in vitro host-parasite interactions, tomato
      cell lines selected for altered response to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici
      cell wall components were further characterized. Particularly, their behaviour in
      dual culture in regard to both fungal inhibition and peroxidase activation was
      analysed and selected, and control cell clones were screened for
      esopolysaccharide content and toxin tolerance. Interclonal differences in growth
      response to 2,4-D and DMSO and the capacity to grow on a medium devoid of
      hormones (habituation) were taken as parameters representative of physiological
      variability not directly correlated with the response to pathogens. Significant
      differences between clones selected for increased (F+) and decreased (F-)
      response to fungal elicitors were found for pathogen inhibition, peroxidase and
      esopolysaccharide content, toxin tolerance being reduced in F but not
      significantly different from the control in F+. As expected, clonal variability
      for the response to 2,4-D and DMSO, although significant, was not connected with
      hostparasite interactions. The data reported thus show that selection for a
      character (response to elicitors), probably critical for the response to
      pathogens, may lead to the recovery of genotypes showing a set of modifications
      suggestive of a cascade of events leading to active defense. 

PMID- 24225831
TI  - Molecular, cytogenetic and morphological characterization of somatic hybrids of
      dihaploid Solanum tuberosum and diploid S. brevidens.
AB  - Fifty-eight somatic hybrid plants, produced both by chemical (11) and electrical
      fusion (47) of protoplasts of dihaploid Solanum tuberosum and S. brevidens, have
      been analysed by molecular, cytological and morphological methods. The
      potentially useful euploid plants constituted 34% of the total, of which 20% were
      tetraploid and 14% hexaploid; the remainder were aneuploid at the tetraploid,
      hexaploid and octoploid levels. Analysis of chloroplast DNA showed that 55% of
      hybrids contained chloroplasts from S. brevidens and 45% from S. tuberosum.
      Hexaploids, the products of three protoplasts fusing together, were analyzed with
      specific DNA probes, and this revealed that nuclear genome dosages could be
      either 2?1 S. tuberosum?S. brevidens, or vice-versa. Chloroplast types of
      hexaploids were not influenced by nuclear genome dosage, and all six possible
      combinations of genome dosage and chloroplast types were found amongst
      tetraploids and hexaploids. To examine the morphology of the hybrid population
      and its possible relation to the chromosome number and chloroplast DNA type, 18
      morphological characteristics were measured on greenhouse-grown plants and
      analyzed by principal component and canonical variate analyses. Both analyses
      showed that nuclear ploidy has the most prominent influence on the overall
      morphology of the hybrids. Differential parental genome expression in the
      morphology of the hybrids is discussed. These results provide useful data on the
      range of genetic combinations that can be expected to occur amongst somatic
      hybrid plants. 

PMID- 24225832
TI  - Expression and inheritance of inserted markers in binary vector carrying
      Agrobacterium rhizogenes-transformed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).
AB  - Transgenic shoots were regenerated from eight diploid potato hairy root clones
      obtained by transformation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes harboring next to its
      wild-type Ri-plasmid a binary vector containing the neomycin phosphotransferase
      and the beta-glucuronidase genes. The plants exhibited the typical hairy root
      phenotype. Of the plants isolated, 58% were tetraploid and 38% were diploid.
      Flowering and tuberization was much better in the diploid than in the tetraploid
      plants. Transgenic plants formed a significantly larger root system when grown on
      kanamycin-containing medium as compared to growth on kanamycin-free medium.
      Direct evidence for genetic transformation was obtained by opine, neomycin
      phosphotransferase and beta-glucuronidase assays, and by molecular hybridization.
      Fourteen flowering diploid plants were reciprocally crossed with untransformed S.
      tuberosum plants, but only six were successful. Seedlings obtained from four
      crosses showed that all traits were transmitted to the offspring. Molecular
      analysis confirmed the presence of multiple integrations (copies) of both vector
      T-DNA and Ri-T-DNA. The genetic data, furthermore, suggest that the traits
      derived from Ri-T-DNA and binary vector T-DNA are linked, as no recombination
      between the different traits was observed. 

PMID- 24225833
TI  - Localization of the T-DNA on marker chromosomes in transformed tobacco cells by
      in situ hybridization.
AB  - Chromosome and molecular analyses were conducted on tobacco cells which had been
      transformed by the T-DNA of the Ti-plasmid. These analyses showed that there were
      specific chromosome rearrangements in the transformed cells (marker chromosomes).
      There was a positive correlation between the number of marker chromosomes per
      cell and the oncogenic potential of the transformed cells. However, we show,
      using the Southern hybridization method, that the TL fragment of T-DNA, but not
      the TR, clearly hybridizes with nuclear DNA. In situ hybridization was used to
      locate the insertion site of T-DNA: the hybridization signal was found on a small
      metacentric chromosome. This chromosome may occur single or translocated onto
      other chromosomes, to make marker chromosomes. Thus, by locating the T-DNA, we
      have confirmed the correlation between the marker chromosomes and the oncogenic
      potential. 

PMID- 24225834
TI  - Embryo-callus-regenerated hybrids and their colchicine-induced amphiploids
      between Elymus canadensis and Secale cereale.
AB  - Intergeneric hybrids recovered through plant regeneration from embryo callus
      culture and their colchicine-induced amphiploids were obtained from a cross of
      Elymus canadensis with Secale cereale (cv 'Gazeller'). The embryo-callus
      regenerated F1 plants grew vigorously to maturity and regrew well after clipping,
      while the embryo-rescued F1 died of hybrid necrosis before maturity. Most of the
      morphological characters of the sterile F1 hybrids were intermediate between the
      parents, but tiller number and dry matter yield were higher than the parents.
      Amphiploids from these F1 plants had improved fertility but were less vigorous
      than the F1 plants. The predominance of univalents in the F1 and bivalents in the
      amphiploids indicated that the genomes S, H, and R were distinct. However, the
      occasional occurrence of multivalents reflected a random, intergenomic or
      intragenomic pairing. The mean chromosome associations of the F1 (2n=21, SHR),
      the C0 amphiploids (2n=42, SSHHRR), and the C1 amphiploid (2n=40) at metaphase I
      (MI) were 16.51I+2.05II+0.06III+0.02IV+0.02V, 2.20I+19.87II +0.02IV, and
      7.10I+16.37II+0.04III+0.02IV, respectively. These amphiploids could be exploited
      as new germplasm for forage crop improvement by controlled introgression and
      backcrosses to the parents. 

PMID- 24225835
TI  - Extent of genetic variability of endosperm esterases in Triticum aestivum L.
      2n=6x=42.
AB  - Genetic variability of endosperm esterase has been studied in 42 cultivars of
      Triticum aestivum L. 2n=6x=42. Different techniques, including sequential
      electrophoresis and electrofocusing, have been used with various substrates and
      esterase inhibitors. The electrophoretic patterns in each cultivar are described.
      Chromosomal location using the nullitetrasomic and ditelosomic lines of Chinese
      Spring was carried out in order to relate and/or locate the esterase genes to
      specific chromosomes. Most of the esterase isozymes located were in the long arm
      of the chromosomes of the homoeology group 3; but we have found six located in
      the short arms, five of them in the chromosome 3AS and one in the 3DS. This
      location increases the number of esterase genes described, because no esterase
      genes had been described so far in short arms of chromosomes of the homoeology
      group 3. The genetic control is discussed and, according to our results, between
      12 and 15 loci, organized in five "compound loci", control the endosperm
      esterases in wheat. Also one "modifier" gene modifying the mobility of two
      esterase bands and present in all the cultivars studied is postulated. 

PMID- 24225836
TI  - Method to estimate genotype probabilities at individual loci in farm livestock.
AB  - A Bayesian method to estimate genotype probabilities at a single locus using
      information on the individual and all its relatives and their mates has been
      developed. The method uses data over several generations, can deal with large
      numbers of individuals in large livestock families and allows for missing
      information. It can be extended to multiple alleles and can be used for autosomal
      or sex-linked loci. The allele frequencies and the form of expression (dominance,
      penetrance) must be specified. An algorithm using the method and involving an
      iterative procedure has been developed to calculate the genotype probabilities
      for practical use in livestock breeding. The method and algorithm were used to
      determine the accuracy of estimating genotype probabilities of sires for a female
      sex-limited trait, such as genetic variants of milk proteins. Data were similated
      and genotype probabilities estimated for 100 sires (20 replicates) with 3, 6 and
      12 female offspring per sire, for different population frequencies, for additive
      and dominance gene action and for variable genotypic expression. Such simulation
      is useful in the design of testing systems for the use of information on specific
      genetic loci in selection. 

PMID- 24225837
TI  - Protoplast-fusion-mediated transfer of organelles from Microcitrus into Citrus
      and regeneration of novel alloplasmic trees.
AB  - Iodoacetate-treated Citrus protoplasts from embryogenic nucellar calli of Sour
      orange (C. aurantium) or from Rough lemon (C. jambhiri) were fused with gamma
      irradiated protoplasts from a related genus, Microcitrus. The fused protoplasts
      were cultured to obtain colonies and micro-calli. Micro-calli derived from these
      two fusion combinations were isolated, propagated and differentiated into
      embryos, which subsequently regenerated trees having the morphology of Sour
      orange or Rough lemon. These intergeneric fusions resulted in mitochondria with
      novel DNA, indicating recombination between the chondriomes of Citrus and
      Microcitrus. Chloroplast DNA analyses of fusion-derived embryos indicated that
      they contained the chloroplasts of either fusion-partner or a mix of these
      chloroplasts. Later plastome analyses of leaves from fully differentiated plants
      showed that cybrids having Rough lemon morphology had either Rough lemon or
      Microcitrus chloroplast DNA, indicating complete sorting out of chloroplasts.
      Likewise, sorting out of Microcitrus chloroplasts was detected in a cybrid plant
      having Sour orange morphology. 

PMID- 24225838
TI  - Fast-germinating low beta-glucan mutants induced in barley with improved malting
      quality and yield.
AB  - Mutation breeding has been used to improve the speed of germination in the high
      yielding spring barley variety Troubadour. Five mutants were selected which
      combined fast germination and good agronomic performance. Two of these mutants
      yielded significantly more than did Troubadour over eight environments, and
      showed a clear improvement in their malting quality through an increase in
      extract yield. The improvement in malting quality appeared to be due to a
      decrease in the beta-glucan content, which seemed to enhance the germination
      speed and thus the starch degradation. The improvement in grain yield is
      postulated to be due to a better early growth caused by the enhanced germination
      speed. All the described changes could theoretically be explained by a single
      mutation event in each of the mutant genotypes, affecting the quantity of beta
      glucans present in the endosperm. 

PMID- 24225839
TI  - An RFLP marker in tomato linked to the Fusarium oxysporum resistance gene I2.
AB  - The locus, I2, which in tomato confers resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f.
      sp. lycopersici race 2, was introgressed into Lycopersicon esculentum from the
      wild species L. pimpinellifolium (P.I. 126915). We searched for restriction
      fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) between nearly isogenic lines (NILs) in
      clones that map to the region introgressed from the wild species. Since I2 maps
      to chromosome 11, we used DNA clones from this chromosome as hybridization probes
      to Southern blots containing bound DNA of the NILs digested with 23 restriction
      enzymes. Of the 14 chromosome 11 clones, 9 exhibited polymorphism. These clones
      were further hybridized to "verification" filters that contained DNA from
      resistant and susceptible L. esculentum varieties digested with the enzymes that
      gave the polymorphism. One clone, TG105, was found to be associated with I2; 19
      susceptible lines showed a different RFLP with this probe than 16 resistant
      lines, including the original L. pimpinellifolium accession used as a source for
      the resistance gene. These results together with our mapping analysis indicate
      that TG105 is closely linked to the resistance gene. 

PMID- 24225840
TI  - A novel approach for separating bacteriophages from other bacteriophages using
      affinity chromatography and phage display.
AB  - Practical applications of bacteriophages in medicine and biotechnology induce a
      great need for technologies of phage purification. None of the popular methods
      offer solutions for separation of a phage from another similar phage. We used
      affinity chromatography combined with competitive phage display (i) to purify T4
      bacteriophage from bacterial debris and (ii) to separate T4 from other
      contaminating bacteriophages. In 'competitive phage display' bacterial cells
      produced both wild types of the proteins (expression from the phage genome) and
      the protein fusions with affinity tags (expression from the expression vectors).
      Fusion proteins were competitively incorporated into the phage capsid. It allowed
      effective separation of T4 from a contaminating phage on standard affinity
      resins. 

PMID- 24225841
TI  - Netrin-dependent downregulation of Frazzled/DCC is required for the dissociation
      of the peripodial epithelium in Drosophila.
AB  - Netrins are secreted chemoattractants with roles in axon guidance, cell migration
      and epithelial plasticity. Netrin-1 also promotes the survival of metastasized
      cells by inhibiting the pro-apoptotic effects of its receptor Deleted in
      Colorectal Carcinoma (DCC). Here we report that Netrins can also regulate
      epithelial dissociation during Drosophila wing eversion. During eversion,
      peripodial epithelial cells lose apico-basal polarity and adherens junctions, and
      become migratory and invasive--a process similar to an epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition. Loss of netrinA inhibits the breakdown of cell-cell junctions,
      leading to eversion failure. In contrast, the Netrin receptor Frazzled blocks
      eversion when overexpressed, whereas frazzled RNAi accelerates eversion in vitro.
      In peripodial cells Frazzled is endocytosed, and undergoes NetA-dependent
      degradation, which is required for eversion. Finally, we provide evidence that
      Frazzled acts through the ERM-family protein Moesin to inhibit eversion. This
      mechanism may also help explain the role of Netrin and DCC in cancer metastasis.

PMID- 24225842
TI  - Utility of a triple antibody cocktail intraurothelial neoplasm-3 (IUN-3
      CK20/CD44s/p53) and alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) in the distinction of
      urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS) and reactive urothelial atypia.
AB  - Urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS) is a prognostically and therapeutically
      significant lesion with considerable morphologic overlap with reactive conditions
      especially in the setting of prior therapy. Various markers including CK20,
      CD44s, and p53 have been used as an adjunct in making this distinction; however,
      the utility of these markers in the posttreatment scenario is not fully
      established. alpha-Methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is a tumor-associated marker
      that is expressed in a subset of high-grade urothelial carcinomas but has not
      been studied in CIS. This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunoreactivity
      of CK20, CD44s, and p53 as a triple antibody cocktail intraurothelial neoplasm-3
      (IUN-3) in distinguishing CIS from its mimics and to compare its utility with
      AMACR in the diagnosis of CIS. A total of 135 specimens (7 benign ureters and 128
      bladder biopsies-28 reactive, 33 posttherapy reactive, 43 CIS, 24 CIS
      posttherapy) were included in this study. Immunostaining for p53 (brown,
      nuclear), CD44s (brown, membranous), and CK20 (red, cytoplasmic and membranous)
      was performed as a cocktail, and the staining pattern was further classified as:
      malignant (full-thickness CK20 and/or full-thickness p53 with CD44s negativity),
      reactive/benign (CK20 limited to the umbrella cell layer, p53 negative, and CD44s
      positivity ranging from basal to full thickness), and indeterminate (CK20 and p53
      positive but not full thickness and/or CD44s positive). AMACR staining was
      performed in 50 cases. Cytoplasmic staining for AMACR was graded as negative
      (absent to weak focal staining [<5% cells]) and positive (>=5%). The "IUN-3
      malignant" pattern was observed in 84% of cases of CIS without a history of prior
      therapy and in 71% of the cases of CIS with a history of prior therapy. Cases
      with posttherapy reactive atypia showed an "IUN-3 reactive" pattern in 84% cases
      and "IUN-3 indeterminate" pattern in 16% of the cases; the IUN-3 malignant
      pattern was not identified in any of the cases. Benign and reactive urothelium
      (with and without a history of therapy) showed an IUN-3 reactive pattern and
      negative AMACR staining in all the cases (100%). AMACR positivity was observed in
      78% of nontreated CIS cases and 50% of CIS posttherapy cases. In these cases, the
      IUN-3 cocktail showed an IUN-3 malignant pattern in 83% of untreated CIS cases
      and 88% of CIS posttherapy cases. AMACR positivity is a potentially useful marker
      of CIS. However, the IUN-3 malignant pattern is a more reliable indicator of CIS
      compared with AMACR, especially in the posttreatment setting. The simultaneous
      evaluation of all 3 markers (p53, CD44s, and CK20) in a single slide in the form
      of a cocktail is advantageous, especially in small biopsy specimens. 

PMID- 24225843
TI  - Amylase alpha-1A (AMY1A): a novel immunohistochemical marker to differentiate
      chromophobe renal cell carcinoma from benign oncocytoma.
AB  - Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) and oncocytoma present with a perplexing
      overlap of morphologic and immunohistochemical features. ChRCC have deletions in
      the 1p21.1 region including the amylase alpha-1A gene (AMY1A). No such deletions
      are found in oncocytoma. Instead, oncocytomas shared other deletions on
      chromosome 1: 1p31.3, 1q25.2, and 1q44. We performed AMY1A immunostaining on 75
      oncocytomas (57 tissue microarray [TMA] cores, 18 whole slides) and 54 ChRCCs (20
      TMA cores, 34 whole slides). Staining was assessed using the H-score method. The
      intensity was graded as follows: no staining=0, weak=1, moderate=2, and strong=3.
      The AMY1A immunostain preferentially stained the distal tubules and collecting
      ducts of normal kidney. All oncocytomas (100%) expressed AMY1A with an H-score
      that varied from 100 to 300 (mean 205). Mild to moderate heterogeneity in
      staining intensity was noted within a given oncocytoma. For oncocytomas, 87%
      (65/75) cases had H-scores of at least 120 with a mean score of 221. Notably, the
      13% (10/75) of oncocytoma cases that had an H-score of 100 were derived from the
      TMA. A total of 87% (47/54) of the ChRCC cases were negative for the AMY1A
      immunostain. Of the ChRCC cases, 4% (2/54) showed very weak cytoplasmic staining
      (H-score of 70 each), which was less than the lowest H-score of oncocytoma cases.
      All 5 cases of ChRCC, which showed an H-score of 100 or more, were referred to as
      eosinophilic variants of ChRCC. Three of these 5 cases showed a very nondescript,
      diffuse staining of the cytoplasm. Two of these 5 cases showed an H-score of 130.
      We think that as the staining pattern of these 2 cases is similar to that of
      oncocytoma, they should be put in a category of renal oncocytic neoplasms
      favoring oncocytoma. This result shows that AMY1A staining could be very helpful
      in further classifying even a subset of the eosinophilic variants of ChRCC. The
      difference between ChRCC and oncocytoma was statistically significant (chi test,
      P<0.0001). All cases of clear cell RCC and papillary RCC were negative for AMY1A
      expression. Overall, sensitivity and specificity of AMY1A staining for oncocytoma
      was 100% (95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.00) and 96.75% (95% confidence
      interval, 0.93-0.99), respectively. Similarly, the sensitivity and specificity
      for distinguishing oncocytoma from ChRCC was 100% (95% confidence interval, 0.95
      1.00) and 90.74% (95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.97), respectively. These data
      show that the novel marker AMY1A can be of great diagnostic utility when trying
      to differentiate ChRCC (classic and eosinophilic variant) and oncocytoma. 

PMID- 24225844
TI  - Discontinuous foci of cancer in a single core of prostatic biopsy: when it occurs
      and performance of quantification methods in a private-practice setting.
AB  - In addition to clinical data, prostatic biopsy (Bx) reports orient urologists in
      outlining the patient's treatment options. Discontinuous involvement of a core by
      multiple foci of cancer is not infrequent; however, there is currently no
      consensus as to which method of quantification should be the standard. We applied
      2 distinct approaches to quantify the length of cancer foci in the Bx and
      compared the results to prostatectomy (RP) parameters. All patients with matched
      Bx and RP treated by the same medical team between 2006 and 2010 were
      consecutively included in the study. Tumor extent in the Bx was estimated by
      multiple approaches, and the length was measured in millimeters. The subset of
      cases with discontinuous foci of cancer in a single core was initially reported
      by adding each foci and ignoring the benign intervening prostatic tissue, which
      was designated as additive quantification (AQ). Upon slide review, these foci
      were reassessed as a single focus and measured by linear quantification (LQ). RPs
      were partially embedded according to the International Society of Urological
      Pathology recommendations, and the percentage of tumor was evaluated with graphic
      precision. Mean percentage of the tumor in RP (%RP) and in the Bx were
      arbitrarily classified as limited (<6%) and nonlimited (>=6%). Bx parameters were
      then correlated with %RP and margin status. All methods of quantification of the
      tumor in the Bx obtained excellent correlation with %RP. LQ and AQ diverged in
      14/38 patients, with a mean total length of cancer of 5.8 mm more than the length
      obtained by LQ in the same population, accurately upgrading 6/14 cases to
      nonlimited. This subset (LQ>AQ) was more often seen in Bx with significantly more
      positive cores (P=0.003) of predominantly Gleason score 7 and associated with
      positive surgical margins in RP (P=0.034) independent of %RP (21% vs. 19% in the
      margin-negative cases). However, in the subset of Bx in which the tumor
      infiltration was continuous (AQ=AL) positive margins were indeed associated with
      tumor extent (31% vs. 6% in margin-negative cases). Discontinuous foci of cancer
      in a single core were most often seen in Bx sampling nonlimited disease, and this
      event was associated with positive surgical margins. LQ of cancer improved the
      performance of the Bx in predicting RP tumor extent relative to the traditional
      millimetric sum. Our findings support the idea that discontinuous foci may
      represent undersampling of a larger irregular nodule; however, this study is
      based on routine reports and does not directly access tumor biology. 

PMID- 24225845
TI  - Vitamin B12 deficiency in relation to functional disabilities.
AB  - This study was designed to assess whether symptoms, functional measures, and
      reported disabilities were associated with vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency when
      defined in three ways. Participants, aged 60 or more years of age, in 1999-2002
      National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) were categorized in
      relation to three previously used definitions of B12 deficiency: (1) serum B12 <
      148 pmol/L; (2) serum B12 < 200 pmol/L and serum homocysteine > 20 MUmol/L; and
      (3) serum B12 < 258 pmol/L or serum methylmalonic acid > 0.21 MUmol/L. Functional
      measures of peripheral neuropathy, balance, cognitive function, gait speed, along
      with self-reported disability (including activities of daily living) were
      examined with standardized instruments by trained NHANES interviewers and
      technicians. Individuals identified as B12 deficient by definition 2 were more
      likely to manifest peripheral neuropathy OR (odds) (95% confidence intervals), p
      value: 9.70 (2.24, 42.07), 0.004 and report greater total disability, 19.61
      (6.22, 61.86) 0.0001 after adjustments for age, sex, race, serum creatinine, and
      ferritin concentrations, smoking, diabetes, and peripheral artery disease.
      Smaller, but significantly increased, odds of peripheral neuropathy and total
      disability were also observed when definition 3 was applied. Functional measures
      and reported disabilities were associated with B12 deficiency definitions that
      include B12 biomarkers (homocysteine or methylmalonic acid). Further study of
      these definitions is needed to alert clinicians of possible subclinical B12
      deficiency because functional decline amongst older adults may be correctable if
      the individual is B12 replete. 

PMID- 24225846
TI  - Health-related quality of life in children with celiac disease: a study based on
      the Critical Incident Technique.
AB  - Celiac Disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disease triggered by dietary gluten.
      Gluten avoidance, which is the only available treatment for CD, could impact on
      quality of life of children with CD. We present the results of a qualitative
      study on the emotional impact of gluten free diet (GFD) on the everyday life of
      children affected with CD. We investigated 76 celiac patients aged 2-18 years
      (average age: 9.5 years). By using the Critical Incident Technique (CIT), we
      defined emotions related to difficulties and awkward situations experienced by
      the patients. Written answers to open-ended questions from either children (older
      than 8 years) and parents (children younger than 8 years) were analyzed
      qualitatively. We found 80 dilemmas experienced in three different arenas (food
      situations at school, meals at home, meals outside) and characterized lived
      experiences of children with CD in everyday life (specific emotions, difficulties
      in relationships and in management of daily life). Children with CD experience
      strong emotions related to the GFD, permeating several aspects of everyday life.
      These dilemmas may be missed by a conventional, questionnaire-based approach to
      the psycho-social consequences of CD treatment. 

PMID- 24225847
TI  - Stable Cu nanoclusters: from an aggregation-induced emission mechanism to
      biosensing and catalytic applications.
AB  - Highly luminescent and stable Cu nanoclusters (NCs) have been prepared,
      displaying an intriguing aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature. The
      attractive AIE feature allowed the CuNCs to serve as pH stimuli-responsive
      functional materials. Additionally, we explored the utility of CuNCs for
      biosensing and catalysis applications. 

PMID- 24225848
TI  - Chiral bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium double-decker complexes. Synthesis,
      structure, spectroscopy, and electrochemistry.
AB  - Two new chiral sandwich-type bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium double-decker
      complexes including the homoleptic species (R)- and (S)-Y[Pc(OBNP)4]2 (1) and a
      heteroleptic analogue (R)- and (S)-Y(Pc)[Pc(OBNP)4] (2) {Pc = unsubstituted
      phthalocyaninate; [Pc(OBNP)4] = tetrakis(dinaphtho[1,2-e:1',2'-g]-1,4
      (dioxocine)[2,3-b;2',3'-k;2'',3''-t;2''',3'''-c']phthalocyaninate)} have been
      synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. In particular, the molecular
      structures of (R)- and (S)-1 were determined on the basis of single crystal X-ray
      diffraction analysis, representing the first structurally characterized chiral
      bis(phthalocyaninato) rare earth double-decker complexes. Perfect mirror-image CD
      signals observed in the whole phthalocyanine absorption range of the CD spectra
      of the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers for both compounds reveal the effective chiral
      information transfer from the peripheral binaphthyl moieties to the
      phthalocyanine chromophore, while the difference observed in the CD spectrum
      between 1 and 2 indicates the effect of the chiral substituent number on the
      chiral information transfer. Nevertheless, the absolute structures unambiguously
      elucidated for both enantiomers of the homoleptic double-decker render it
      possible to clarify the chirality of optically active bis(phthalocyaninato) rare
      earth compounds.

PMID- 24225849
TI  - One-step electrochemical fabrication of nanoporous gold wire arrays from ionic
      liquid.
AB  - Nanoporous gold wire arrays were fabricated by a simple and straightforward
      template-free method from ionic liquid. The electrodeposition of AuZn nanowires
      was coupled with the galvanic metal displacement of the zinc in the wires by
      gold, creating the final nanoporous gold wire arrays. 

PMID- 24225850
TI  - HIV provides ample PAMPs for innate immune sensing.

PMID- 24225851
TI  - Chronic arsenic exposure and microbial drug resistance.

PMID- 24225852
TI  - Pathogen selection drives nonoverlapping associations between HLA loci.
AB  - Pathogen-mediated selection is commonly invoked as an explanation for the
      exceptional polymorphism of the HLA gene cluster, but its role in generating and
      maintaining linkage disequilibrium between HLA loci is unclear. Here we show that
      pathogen-mediated selection can promote nonrandom associations between HLA loci.
      These associations may be distinguished from linkage disequilibrium generated by
      other population genetic processes by virtue of being nonoverlapping as well as
      nonrandom. Within our framework, immune selection forces the pathogen population
      to exist as a set of antigenically discrete strains; this then drives
      nonoverlapping associations between the HLA loci through which recognition of
      these antigens is mediated. We demonstrate that this signature of pathogen-driven
      selection can be observed in existing data, and propose that analyses of HLA
      population structure can be combined with laboratory studies to help us uncover
      the functional relationships between HLA alleles. In a wider coevolutionary
      context, our framework also shows that the inclusion of memory immunity can lead
      to robust cyclical dynamics across a range of host-pathogen systems. 

PMID- 24225853
TI  - More players in the plant unfolded response.

PMID- 24225855
TI  - Editor's note.

PMID- 24225854
TI  - Fine-scale variation in meiotic recombination in Mimulus inferred from population
      shotgun sequencing.
AB  - Meiotic recombination rates can vary widely across genomes, with hotspots of
      intense activity interspersed among cold regions. In yeast, hotspots tend to
      occur in promoter regions of genes, whereas in humans and mice, hotspots are
      largely defined by binding sites of the positive-regulatory domain zinc finger
      protein 9. To investigate the detailed recombination pattern in a flowering
      plant, we use shotgun resequencing of a wild population of the monkeyflower
      Mimulus guttatus to precisely locate over 400,000 boundaries of historic
      crossovers or gene conversion tracts. Their distribution defines some 13,000
      hotspots of varying strengths, interspersed with cold regions of undetectably low
      recombination. Average recombination rates peak near starts of genes and fall off
      sharply, exhibiting polarity. Within genes, recombination tracts are more likely
      to terminate in exons than in introns. The general pattern is similar to that
      observed in yeast, as well as in positive-regulatory domain zinc finger protein 9
      knockout mice, suggesting that recombination initiation described here in Mimulus
      may reflect ancient and conserved eukaryotic mechanisms. 

PMID- 24225856
TI  - Medical crisis counseling: A new service delivery model.
AB  - The diagnosis or exacerbation of a chronic illness, the aftermath of a serious
      accident, or worries about future in the context of illness or debilitating
      injury are all examples of medical crises that pose significant coping
      challenges. Too often, traditional approaches to psychotherapy have been unable
      to respond the most urgent needs of people confronting such crises. Medical
      crisis counseling is a specialized approach to addressing the needs of
      individuals and families confronted by the difficulties of coping with losses or
      changes, as well as the challenge of living with long-term illness. This paper
      describes the medical crisis counseling model in contrast with other more
      traditional intervention approaches. 

PMID- 24225857
TI  - Within-family reproductive technologies as a solution to childlessness due to
      infertility: Psychological issues and interventions.
AB  - Patients choosing new reproductive technologies benefit from psychological
      consultation as they face unforeseen emotional and interpersonal sequalae from
      these procedures. This paper focuses on those patients who choose family members
      or close friends (i.e., "known donors") to donate sperm or eggs or uteri in order
      to conceive and produce their babies. Medical family therapy offers these
      patients and families a framework from which to examine the biological,
      psychological, and interpersonal issues involved in these within-family solutions
      to childlessness due to infertility. 

PMID- 24225858
TI  - Family management of childhood diabetes.
AB  - This paper reviews the available literature on family management of childhood
      diabetes and highlights gaps in the current knowledge base. Four aspects of
      family management of childhood diabetes are discussed: coping (how the family
      adjusts to living with a child who has diabetes), compliance (how the family
      manages the child's diabetes on a daily basis), communication (how the family
      learns from interactions with the health provider), and context (how the family
      environment "sets the stage" for managing diabetes). 

PMID- 24225859
TI  - Couples coping with cancer: Research issues and recent findings.
AB  - The diagnosis of cancer in one partner can impose numerous changes for both the
      individual diagnosed with cancer and his or her healthy spouse. In this article,
      the literature on spouse social support in the context of cancer is reviewed. The
      importance of understanding support given and received within a close
      relationship using an interactional, contextual perspective is emphasized.
      Examining support-related interactions and understanding the personal
      characteristics that determine the type and amount of support that providers give
      and the kind of support individuals prefer, and investigating why significant
      others respond in supportive or critical ways is important. In addition, the
      study of support interactions must be placed in the both in the context of a
      marriage and in the context of a catastrophic life event such as cancer. A
      longitudinal study of patients with gastrointestinal cancer and their healthy
      partners was undertaken to examine these issues, and the design of this study is
      described. General problems conducting research with couples undergoing a severe
      life stressor as well as specific problems our research group has encountered
      while setting up a research program in the cancer setting are reviewed. 

PMID- 24225860
TI  - Psychological impact of breast cancer on the patient and the family: A clinical
      perspective.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women, with 182,000 new
      cases diagnosed in 1993. Breast cancer will strike a sizable percentage of women
      during the child-rearing years impacting, therefore, not only on the woman, but
      on the significant others in her life. This article explores the impact of breast
      cancer for the patient's life partner, parents, and children. A model
      intervention program for cancer patients with young children, piloted at the
      Derner Institute and developed in conjunction with the American Cancer Society,
      is also discussed. 

PMID- 24225862
TI  - Treatment of urethral catheter dependence: A case study of intervention in the
      interdisciplinary geriatric setting.
AB  - This case report describes the assessment and treatment of a 69-year-old male
      medical patient with urethral catheter dependence. Assessment revealed an
      anxiety/phobic component to the dependence and hypothesized detrusor muscle
      deconditioning. Retraining of the bladder and desensitization to the anxiety
      provoking situation were achieved by exposure to decatheterization in the context
      of a supportive adult day health care setting. Interdisciplinary collaboration
      between nursing and psychology were associated with successful functional,
      social, and psychological outcomes. 

PMID- 24225861
TI  - Adult urinary incontinence: Assessment, intervention, and the role of clinical
      health psychology in program development.
AB  - Urinary incontinence (UI) is a disorder receiving little attention from clinical
      health psychologists. This paper establishes the importance of addressing the
      issue of UI within the clinical and research practices of clinical health
      psychologists. Over 10 million Americans suffer from loss of bladder control.
      Incontinence affects over half of older individuals in long-term care
      institutions, about one-third of hospitalized elderly, and up to 30% of Americans
      over the age of 60 living at home. Because of social stigma and misconceptions
      attached to urinary incontinence, it is estimated that less than half of those
      affected see a physician about their condition. Since UI is generally associated
      with medical, social, psychological, and economic consequences, a
      multidisciplinary perspective is important because these factors are integral in
      the selection of appropriate treatment. Definitions of UI, its incidence and
      costs, and brief reviews of treatment and management techniques are presented.
      Psychological sequelae and treatments are presented as a foundation for
      developing further treatment and research approaches. Guidelines for
      collaboration and consultation by clinical health psychologists with medical
      professionals in the area of UI are also discussed. 

PMID- 24225863
TI  - Neurobehavioral deficits, adolescent traumatic brain injury, and transition to
      college.
AB  - Outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been frequently evaluated for
      adults, although there has been minimal research on adolescents with TBI. It has
      been argued that TBI sequelae may be more difficult for adolescents to adjust to
      given developmental changes in physical (puberty), interpersonal (self-concept),
      and environmental domains (transition to college). In addition, it is commonly
      acknowledged that moderator variables such as psychiatric history, family
      functioning, substance use, and sexuality impact functional outcome following
      TBI, although it is often difficult to objectively evaluate these variables. The
      current study examined relationships among TBI-related deficits, moderator
      variables, and academic outcomes for six adolescents transitioning to college.
      The findings suggest that it may not be appropriate to predict functional outcome
      based solely on objective neuropsychological results. However, moderator
      variables appear to have a more direct relationship with outcome, depending on
      the moderator variable and the individual. 

PMID- 24225864
TI  - Relationship between the Millon Behavioral Health Inventory and the minnesota
      multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI) in low-back pain patients.
AB  - The Millon Behavioral Health Inventory (MBHI) is being used with increasing
      frequency for the assessment of chronic pain, although there is a relative lack
      of evidence as to its utility, and prior studies have not examined low back pain.
      This investigation compared the MBHI to the MMPI in a sample of low-back pain
      patients and analyzed subgroups of pain patients based upon their MBHI responses.
      Subjects were 60 patients who had been admitted to outpatient multidisciplinary
      pain clinics of two Chicago-area hospitals. Patients completed both the MMPI and
      the MBHI and provided demographic information. Results of correlational analyses
      indicated strong relationships between the MBHI psychogenic attitude,
      psychosomatic correlate, and prognostic index scales and the validity scales of
      the MMPI. The MBHI Pain Treatment Responsivity scale (PP) correlated with 16 of
      the other 19 MBHI scales. PP did not demonstrate specificity with low back pain
      patients. The results of both the scale comparisons and the exploratory two-group
      cluster subgroup analysis support the notion that responses to the MBHI are
      largely affected by the respondent's tendency to deny psychopathology or to admit
      emotional distress. 

PMID- 24225865
TI  - Correlation of photosystem-II complexes with exoplasmatic freeze-fracture
      particles of thylakoids of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp.
AB  - The supramolecular structure of the exoplasmic freeze-fracture particles of
      thylakoids of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. is compared with
      that of isolated photosystem-II complexes. The in-situ EF particles are scattered
      on the thylakoids or organized in rows of variable length; the latter aligned
      particles measure 10 nmx20 nm and are separated perpendicular to their long axis
      into two parts. We propose that they represent dimers composed of two monomeric
      10-nm EF particles side by side. Isolated photosystem (PS)II particles correspond
      in size to the monomeric 10-nm EF particles as analysed by negative contrast and
      freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Dimeric PSII particles, very similar to the
      in-situ 10 nmx20 nm EF particles, are obtained after incorporation of purified
      PSII complexes into liposomes made from phospholipid and cholesterol. Each
      monomeric complex consists of the reaction center, the water-splitting system,
      the chlorophyll antennae and phycobilisome-binding polypeptides. We propose that
      the dimeric complexes bind one hemidiscoidal phycobilisome at their domains
      exposed to the external side of the thylakoids. The implications of this
      arrangement of the PSII-phycobilisome complexes within the thylakoids upon
      excitation-energy distribution are discussed. 

PMID- 24225866
TI  - The release of alpha-amylase through gibberellin-treated barley aleurone cell
      walls : An immunocytochemical study with Lowicryl K4M.
AB  - Localisation of alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1.) in low-temperature-embedded isolated
      barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) aleurone has been achieved using rhodamine-labelled
      secondary antibodies and the protein A-gold technique. Treatment with gibberellic
      acid (GA3) resulted in an increase of immunofluorescence in the cytoplasm of
      aleurone cells and also its appearance in specific regions of the cell walls.
      Cytoplasmic label was neither perinuclear nor associated specifically with
      aleurone grains as had been found in earlier work, but was present throughout the
      cytoplasm of all cells. A relatively high level of labelling occurred in
      hydrolysed wall regions. Label was also associated with plasmodesmata in both
      hydrolysed and unhydrolysed wall regions. The pattern of labelling indicates that
      alpha-amylase is released from aleurone via digested wall channels and that,
      except for the inner wall layer, unhydrolysed regions are impermeable to the
      enzyme. It is suggested that the resistant wall tubes around plasmodesmata may
      facilitate enzyme release by providing a pathway for transfer, especially of wall
      hydrolases, into the more impermeable parts of the wall. 

PMID- 24225867
TI  - Cellular compartmentation of ureide biogenesis in root nodules of cowpea (Vigna
      unguiculata (L.) Walp.).
AB  - Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) nodules have been investigated by means of
      cytochemical and immunocytochemical procedures at the ultrastructural level in
      order to assess the role of the uninfected cells in ureide biogenesis. Uricase
      activity in the nodules was shown by cytochemical methods to be localized
      exclusively in the numberous large peroxisomes confined to the uninfected cells;
      the small peroxisomes in the infected cells did not stain for uricase. Uricase
      was also localized in the peroxisomes of uninfected cells by immunogold
      techniques employing polyclonal antibodies against nodule-specific uricase of
      soybean. There was no labeling above background of any structures in the infected
      cells. The results indicate that the uninfected cells are essential for ureide
      biogenesis in cowpea. Although tubular endoplasmic reticulum, the presumptive
      site of allantoinase, increases greatly in the uninfected cells during nodule
      development, it virtually disappears as the nodules mature. The inconsistency
      between the disappearance of the tubular endoplasmic reticulum from older nodules
      and the high allantoinase activity reported for older plants remains to be
      explained. 

PMID- 24225868
TI  - Ultrastructure of the salt glands of the mangrove, Avicennia marina (Forssk.)
      Vierh., as indicated by the use of selective membrane staining.
AB  - Each salt-excreting gland of the mangrove Avicennia marina (Forsskal) Vierh.
      consists of two to four collecting cells, one stalk cell, and eight to twelve
      excretory cells. Differential membrane staining by zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide
      (as a post-fixative) or phosphotungstic acid (as a section-stain) was used to
      characterise the ultrastructure of the glands. A large amount of tubular
      endoplasmic reticulum was found in the stalk and excretory cells of the gland,
      but not in the collecting cells. The ultrastructural arrangement of the
      endoplasmic reticulum indicates that salt is loaded from the apoplasm into the
      endoplasmic reticulum of the symplasm at the base of the stalk cell, traverses
      both cell types in the endoplasmic reticulum, and is excreted at the outer edge
      of the gland by an eccrine-type mechanism. Increasing development of the tubular
      endoplasmic reticulum accompanied differentiation of the gland cells. 

PMID- 24225869
TI  - Elicitor induction of the synthesis of a novel lectin-like arabinosylated
      hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein in suspension cultures of Phaseolus vulgaris L.
AB  - A novel lectin-like glycoprotein which accumulates in response to fungal elicitor
      action has been characterised in endomembranes from suspension cultures of French
      bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The lectin, which has specificity towards N
      acetylglucosamine oligomers, consists of a polypeptide of apparent molecular
      weight (Mr) 31 000 which is rich in glycine and contains 6.7% hydroxyproline O
      linked to arabinose-containing oligosaccharides to give a glycoprotein of Mr
      42500. A dual-labelling technique has been used to identify changes in the
      synthesis of the glycoprotein in cells exposed to fungal elicitor molecules.
      Thus, incorporation of [(14)C]proline into membranes in vivo and of [1(
      3)H]arabinose from uridine 5'-diphosphate [1(-3)H]arabinose in vitro and analysis
      by isoelectric focussing-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave absolute
      correspondence of the labelled isoform of the glycoprotein. Having established
      the absence of contaminating polypeptides, subsequent analysis of microsomal
      fractions bysodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that
      the peak of sythesis of the Mr-42500 glycoprotein occurred 4 h after the addition
      of fungal elicitor. The changes in the level of incorporation into the
      glycoprotein monomers were concomitant with increases in the activity of prolyl
      hydroxylase (EC 1.14.11.2)Incorporation of [(14)C]proline and its subsequent post
      translational modification to hydroxyproline in microsomal polypeptides was
      followed by rapid transfer into the wall with an average t 1/2 of about 7 min.
      The Mr-42500 glycoprotein was rapidly transferred out of the endomembrane
      fraction with a t 1/2 of 2 min and could be detected in wall fractions where it
      became progressively less extractable. The glycoprotein, which clearly differs
      from bean extensin, accounts for up to 40% of the hydroxyproline newly exported
      in response to elicitor action. The lectin, which resembles those found in the
      Solanaceae and which is coinduced with enzymes of phytoalexin synthesis, may play
      some role in disease resistance. 

PMID- 24225870
TI  - Model systems for the immunolocalisation of cis, trans abscisic acid in plant
      tissues.
AB  - To explore the feasibility of immunolocalisation of endogenous abscisic acid
      (ABA), model systems were developed for testing quantitatively the sensitivity of
      the second antibody peroxidase/antiperoxidse (PAP) method for immunolocalisation
      of ABA on plant tissues. Exogenous (+/-)ABA was fixed to carrot sections on glass
      slides or to homogenised pea cotyledon material on microtitre plates, either
      directly by carbodiimide fixation or by glutaraldehyde fixation of ABA-protein
      conjugates linked through the C1 carboxyl by 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethyl-amino-propyl)
      carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). Backgrounds were decreased by including 0.1%
      normal goat serum in the incubations, by including 0.1% Triton X-100 as a wetter,
      by including glycine in the rinses after EDC fixation and by using low-pH rinses
      after incubation with the primary antibody. Serum antibodies recognising the
      peptide bond between the protein and abscisic acid were removed by preincubating
      the serum with acetic acid conjugated to protein. Positives were only accepted
      when they could be eliminated by adding an excess of ABA-protein conjugate in the
      primary antiserum. By using a soluble peroxidase reaction product to facilitate
      quantitation, the limit of reliable exogenous ABA detection was found to be only
      of the order of 1 pmol. For the histochemical immunolocalisation of endogenous
      ABA, better antisera and lower backgrounds will be required.The efficiency of
      fixation of exogenous ABA was determined using [(3)H] or [(14)C]ABA. When aqueous
      EDC or di-isopropyl carbodiimide (IPC) were used the fixation efficiency was low
      (up to 5%), but much higher efficiencies (up to 80%) were obtained using IPC
      vapour with freeze-dried material. Similarly efficient fixation of endogenous ABA
      in pea cotyledon material, as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
      analysis, was obtained using the same technique. The PAP method failed to detect
      fixed endogenous ABA in pea cotyledons, even though the total tissue amounts
      present exceeded 1 pmol, evidence that not enough of the ABA was accessible to
      the antibody. 

PMID- 24225871
TI  - Effects of aluminum on the release and-or immobilization of soluble phosphate in
      corn root tissue : A (31)P-nuclear magnetic resonance study.
AB  - The effects of aluminum ions on the generation of mobile inorganic phosphate (Pi)
      within the cells of excised maize (Zea mays L.) root tips were examined using
      (31)P-nuclear magnetic resonance ((31)P-NMR) spectroscopy. When perfused with a
      solution containing 50 mM glucose and 0.1-5.0 mM Ca(2+) at pH 4.0, 3-5-mm-long
      excised maize root tips from 3-d-old seedlings showed a significant (approx.
      100%) increase in the amount of mobile Pi, (primarily vacuolar) over a period of
      30 h. This increase was above that which can be accounted for by the hydrolysis
      of endogenous sugar phosphates and nucleotides. A change of the pH of the
      perfusion solution to 7.0 reduced the increase in Pi to approx. 50%. Omission of
      Ca(2+) in the solution at pH 4.0 caused the mobile Pi to increase to about 170%.
      However, the presence of Al(3+) or both Ca(2+) and Al(3+) in the solution
      resulted in a significant loss (35-50%) of mostly vacuolar Pi over the same
      period of time. When root tips containing up to 65% of newly released Pi,
      produced after 20 h perfusion, were exposed to Al(3+), no additional increase in
      the level of the mobile-Pi signal area was noted. Exposure to Al(3+) with Ca(2+)
      and glucose under hypoxia at pH 4.0 resulted in a threefold decrease in
      intracellular Pi content after the root tips were returned to aerobic conditions.
      These results indicate that external pH plays an important role in the generation
      of mobile intracellular Pi and that the presence of both Ca(2+) and Al(3+) can
      independently suppress the production of this excess Pi and ultimately reduce the
      vacuolar Pi. 

PMID- 24225872
TI  - Energy relations of solute loading in sieve elements of willow.
AB  - Experiments are described which attempt to clarify the quantitative relationship
      between sieve-tube loading of sucrose, and ATP-turnover rates in the phloem of
      willow (Salix viminalis L.). Two experimental approaches have been made towards
      the solution of this problem. In the first of these the respiratory breakdown of
      (14)C-sugars was measured in segments of willow stem when no sieve-tube transport
      was taking place, and also under conditions where transport was occurring in
      response to the feeding of individuals of the aphid Tuberolachnus salignus
      (Gmelin). An increase in respiratory activity, measured by the output of (14)CO2,
      was found to occur as a consequence of transport. Since the rate of sieve-tube
      sugar loading could be measured by the production of honeydew from the aphids,
      and by making assumptions concerning the production of ATP in respiration, it was
      concluded that the stoichiometry of sucrose loading was 1.9 mol ATP . (mol
      sucrose)(-1). A somewhat higher value of 2.5 mol ATP . (mol sucrose)(-1) was
      found using the second approach. In this, attempts were made to measure ATP
      turnover rates using [(32)P]orthophosphate supplied to strips of willow bark
      which bore exuding aphid stylets. 

PMID- 24225873
TI  - Reassimilation of carbon dioxide by Flaveria (Asteraceae) species representing
      different types of photosynthesis.
AB  - The capability to reassimilate CO2 originating from intracellular decarboxylating
      processes connected with the photorespiratory glycolate pathway and-or
      decarboxylation of C4 acids during C4 photosynthesis has been investigated with
      four species of the genus Flaveria (Asteraceae). The C3-C4 intermediate species
      F. pubescens and F. anomala reassimilated CO2 much more efficiently than the C3
      species F. cronquistii and, with respect to this feature, behaved similarly to
      the C4 species F. trinervia. Therefore, under atmospheric conditions the
      intermediate species photorespired with rates only between 10-20% of that
      measured with F. cronquistii. At low oxygen concentrations (1,5%) the
      reassimilation potential of F. anomala approached that of F. trinervia and was
      distinct from that found with F. pubescens. The data are discussed with respect
      to a possible sequence of events during evolution of C4 photosynthesis. If
      compared with related data for C3-C4 intermediate species from other genera they
      support the hypothesis that, during evolution of C4 photosynthesis, an efficient
      capacity for CO2 reassimilation evolved prior to a CO2-concentrating mechanism. 

PMID- 24225874
TI  - Phytochrome action in light-grown mustard: kinetics, fluence-rate compensation
      and ecological significance.
AB  - Internode extension in young, light-grown mustard plants was measured
      continuously to a high degree of resolution using linear voltage displacement
      transducers. Plants were grown in background white light (WL) and the first
      internode was irradiated with supplementary far-red (FR) from fibre-optic light
      guides, depressing the Pfr/P (ratio of FR-absorbing form of phytochrome to total
      spectrophotometrically assayable phytochrome) within the internode and causing an
      acceleration of extension rate. The internode was sensitive to periods of FR as
      brief as 1 min, with a sharp increase in extension rate occurring after the
      return to background WL only. The mean latent period of the response to FR was
      approx. 10 min. Periods of FR longer than approx. 35 min caused an apparently
      biphasic growth response, with an initial sharp acceleration in extension rate
      (Phase 1) being followed by a brief deceleration and a further acceleration to a
      more-or-less steady elevated rate, somewhat less than the first peak (Phase 2).
      With such longer-term FR, extension rate decelerated upon FR switch-off after a
      mean lag of approx. 6 min, achieving the prestimulation extension rate within 16
      min. The magnitude of the FR-induced increase in extension rate, expressed as a
      percentage of the rate in WL alone, was an inverse, linear function of the
      phytochrome photoequilibrium (i.e. Pfr/P, measured in etiolated test material
      irradiated under the same geometry) over the range 0.17 to 0.63. This
      relationship was not significantly affected by variations in backround WL fluence
      rate over the range 50-150 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1) and was held both for Phase 1 and
      Phase 2 of the response. The data provide evidence for rapid coupling/uncoupling
      between phytochrome and its transduction chain in the light-grown plant and for
      fluence-rate compensation of the regulation of extension rate. The extensive
      linearity of the relationship between phytochrome photoequilibrium and
      proportional extension rate increment allows for fine tuning in shade avoidance.
      The results are discussed with respect to recent evidence on the nature of
      phytochrome in light-grown plants and in relation to the function of phytochrome
      in plants growing in the natural environment. 

PMID- 24225875
TI  - Implication of tyramine in the biosynthesis of morphinan alkaloids in Papaver.
AB  - Doubly-labeled [(3)H, (14)C]tyrosines, [1-(13)C-]tyramine or [2-(14)C]tyramine,
      administered to the stems of intact Papaver somniferum L. plants, were found to
      be incorporated into the morphinan alkaloids of the plant with comparable
      efficiency. (3)H/(14)C ratios of alkaloids from plants fed the tyrosines were
      consistent with an almost equal conversion of this amino acid into the
      tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) and benzyl-derived segments. Nuclear magnetic
      resonance (NMR) analyses of morphine isolated after administration of [1
      (13)C]tyramine demonstrated selective labeling of C-16 of the alkaloid,
      indicating the conversion of this amine primarily into the TIQ-derived moiety.
      Morphine and thebaine labeled by [2-(14)C]tyramine were degraded to
      phenanthridines and N,N'-dimethyl ethylamines. Of the total radioactivity in the
      alkaloids 97% was found to be associated with the ethylamines, a distribution
      consistent with the NMR data. This preferential utilization of tyramine in the
      biosynthesis of morphinan alkaloids can be explained by the compartmentalization
      of intermediates and enzymes of the pathway. 

PMID- 24225876
TI  - Cell-suspension culture of Arachis hypogaea L.: model system of specific enzyme
      induction in secondary metabolism.
AB  - A peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cell-suspension culture susceptible to selective
      induction of stilbene formation was established. The principles of defense
      responses of the whole plant were found to be retained in the artificial system.
      The suspension culture was characterized by its growth curve and by various
      biochemical parameters. In the stationary phase, reached 8 d after transfer to a
      new medium, the formation of stilbenes and stilbene synthase could be induced
      without altering the levels of other enzymes. Eighteen hours after applying an
      artificial elicitor (ultraviolet-C light) or 4 h after eliciting with a crude
      preparation of Phytophthora cambivora cell walls, phenylalanineammonia-lyase
      activity was increased eightfold and stilbene-synthase activity 20-fold. The
      activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase reached its peak at a slightly different
      time from that of stilbene synthase. The main products of L-phenylalanine
      metabolism in the induced cells were resveratrol, 3,3',5-trihydroxy-4'
      methoxystilbene and isopentenylresveratrol. Likewise, feruloyl-CoA reductase, as
      a parameter of lignin formation, was enhanced following induction, albeit with a
      different time course and with a less steep increase than found for phenylalanine
      ammonia-lyase and stilbene synthase. 

PMID- 24225877
TI  - Embryogenic callus formation from maize protoplasts.
AB  - Maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts have been obtained which divide rapidly and
      produce a callus that differentiates to form somatic embryos. The somatic embryos
      can be induced to form roots and small leaf-like structures. The genotype was the
      hybrid A188xBlack Mexican Sweet. Protoplasts were prepared from an embryogenic
      suspension culture derived from a Type II callus which had been selected from
      Type I callus produced by immature zygotic embryos. The basal medium for the
      suspension culture was N6 (C.C. Chu et al., 1975, Scientia Sinica 18, 659-668).
      The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentration of the suspension culture was
      critical for subsequent protoplast growth and was optimal at 4.0 mg.l.
      Protoplasts had to be cultured in a low-osmoticum medium (0.3 M mannitol) for
      subsequent cell divisions to occur. The protoplasts have been transformed
      transiently with the gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) containing the
      35S promoter obtained from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV-35S). 

PMID- 24225878
TI  - Oryzalin, a dinitroaniline herbicide, binds to plant tubulin and inhibits
      microtubule polymerization in vitro.
AB  - The effects of oryzalin, a dinitroaniline herbicide, on chromosome behavior and
      on cellular microtubules (MTs) were examined by light microscopy and immunogold
      staining, respectively, in endosperm cells from Haemanthus katherinae Bak. Brief
      treatments with 1.0.10(-8) M oryzalin reduced markedly the migration rate of
      anaphase chromosomes and 1.0.10(-7) M oryzalin stopped migration abruptly.
      Oryzalin (1.0.10(-7) M) depolymerized MTs and prevented the polymerization of new
      MTs at all stages of the mitotic cycle. The chromosome condensation cycle was
      unaffected by oryzalin. Endothelial cells from the heart of Xenopus leavis showed
      no chromosomal or microtubular rearrangements after oryzalin treatment. The
      inhibition by oryzalin of the polymerization of tubulin isolated from cultured
      cells of Rosa sp. cv. Paul's scarlet was examined in vitro by turbidimetry,
      electron microscopy and polymer sedimentation analysis. Oryzalin inhibited the
      rapid phase of taxol-induced polymerization of rose MTs at 24 degrees C with an
      apparent inhibition constant (K i ) of 2.59.10(6) M. Shorter and fewer MTs were
      formed with increasing oryzalin concentrations, and maximum inhibition of taxol
      induced polymerization occurred at approx. 1:1 molar ratios of oryzalin and
      tubulin. Oryzalin partially depolymerized taxol-stabilized rose MTs. Ligand
      binding experiments with [(14)C]oryzalin demonstrated the formation of a tubulin
      oryzalin complex that was time- and pH-dependent. The tubulin-oryzalin
      interaction (24 degrees C, pH 7.1) had an apparent affinity constant (K app) of
      1.19.10(5) M(-1). Oryzalin did not inhibit taxol-induced polymerization of
      bovinebrain MTs and no appreciable binding of oryzalin to brain tubulin or other
      proteins was detected. The results demonstrate pharmacological differences
      between plant and animal tubulins and indicate that the most sensitive mode of
      action of the dinitroaniline herbicides is the direct poisoning of MT dynamics in
      cells of higher plants. 

PMID- 24225879
TI  - Calcium transport by pea root membranes : I. Purification of membranes and
      characteristics of uptake.
AB  - Calcium transport has been studied using purified endomembrane vesicles from dark
      grown roots of Pisum sativum L. Membranes from a mixed microsomal (non
      mitochondrial) fraction showed ATP-dependent calcium uptake which was released by
      the ionophore A 23187, had a pH optimum of 7.2 and required Mg(2+) for uptake.
      Membranes were further purified using a rapid sucrosedensity-gradient technique
      yielding vesicles suitable for transport studies, and were identified using
      marker enzymes. Uptake by plasma membrane, tonoplast, endoplasmic reticulum and
      Golgi apparatus was indicated. Uptake by membranes of low density (predominantly
      tonoplast) had a pH optimum of 7.2-7.4 and nucleotide specificity ATP> guanosine
      5'-triphosphate>inosine 5'-triphosphate>ADP>, while that by high-density
      membranes had a pH optimum of 7.5-7.9 and less specificity for ATP. The
      importance of regulating sucrose concentrations in calcium transport studies was
      demonstrated. 

PMID- 24225880
TI  - Calcium transport by pea root membranes : II. Effects of calmodulin and
      inhibitors.
AB  - Calcium transport by purified endomembrane vesicles from roots of Pisum sativum
      L. was studied. Two types of ATP-dependent transport were demonstrated,
      protonophore-sensitive calcium/proton antiport and protonophore-insensitive
      transport. The former was predominantly located in the tonoplast, while the
      latter was associated with the plasma membrane and Golgi apparatus. Calcium
      uptake by membranes of low buoyant density (tonoplast) was inhibited by nitrate
      and was not sensitive to sodium orthovanadate while that by membranes of high
      buoyant density (plasma membrane, Golgi apparatus) was inhibited by sodium
      orthovanadate and insensitive to nitrate. Endoplasmic reticulum also took up
      calcium in the presence of ATP; however, because of its imperfect separation from
      the tonoplast, the nature of the calcium-transport system present could not be
      fully characterised. None of the calcium transporters were stimulated by
      calmodulin or inhibited by calmodulin inhibitors. 

PMID- 24225881
TI  - Gibberellins and the procera mutant of tomato.
AB  - The procera mutant of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) has a phenotype which
      is remarkably similar to that of normal tomatoes treated with exogenous
      gibberellin (GA), indicating that it might be a GA over-producer. However,
      analysis of endogenous GAs by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that
      Procera actually has lower levels of GA20 and GA1 than normal. The reason for
      these anomalously low GA levels is not clear, as there was no difference between
      procera and normal plants in their ability to metabolize [(3)H]GA20. The procera
      mutant responded to exogenous gibberellic acid with increased extension growth,
      but the proportional response for a given dose of GA was the same in procera and
      normal plants. It therefore appears that the procera mutation does not directly
      affect either the GA status of the plant, or its ability to respond to GA. 

PMID- 24225882
TI  - In-vitro auxin transport in membrane vesicles from maize coleoptiles.
AB  - When membrane vesicles from maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles are extracted at high
      buffer strength, a pH-driven, saturable association of [(14)C] indole-3-acetic
      acid is found, similar to the in-vitro auxin-transport system previously
      described for Cucurbita hypocotyls. The phytotropins naphthylphthalamic acid and
      pyrenoylbenzoic acid increase net uptake, pressumably by inhibiting the auxin
      efflux carrier. 

PMID- 24225883
TI  - Recruitment of galectin-3 during cell invasion and intracellular trafficking of
      Trypanosoma cruzi extracellular amastigotes.
AB  - The invasion of host cells by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi
      requires interactions with host cell molecules, and the replication of the
      parasite requires escape from a parasitophorous vacuole into the host cell
      cytosol. Galectin-3, a member of beta-galactosidase-binding lectin family, has
      numerous extracellular and intracellular functions. In this study, we
      investigated the role of galectin-3 during the invasion and intracellular
      trafficking of T. cruzi extracellular amastigotes (EAs). Endogenous galectin-3
      from mouse peritoneal macrophages accumulated around the pathogen during cell
      invasion by EAs. In addition, galectin-3 accumulated around parasites after their
      escape from the parasitophorous vacuole. Thus, galectin-3 behaved as a novel
      marker of phagolysosome lysis during the infection of host cells by T. cruzi. 

PMID- 24225885
TI  - I don't know the question, but sex is definitely the answer! Focus on "In pursuit
      of scientific excellence: sex matters" and "Do you know the sex of your cells?".

PMID- 24225884
TI  - Cellular calcium dynamics in lactation and breast cancer: from physiology to
      pathology.
AB  - Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in women, estimated
      at nearly 40,000 deaths and more than 230,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S.
      this year alone. One of the defining characteristics of breast cancer is the
      radiographic presence of microcalcifications. These palpable mineral precipitates
      are commonly found in the breast after formation of a tumor. Since free Ca(2+)
      plays a crucial role as a second messenger inside cells, we hypothesize that
      these chelated precipitates may be a result of dysregulated Ca(2+) secretion
      associated with tumorigenesis. Transient and sustained elevations of
      intracellular Ca(2+) regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell migration,
      and offer numerous therapeutic possibilities in controlling tumor growth and
      metastasis. During lactation, a developmentally determined program of gene
      expression controls the massive transcellular mobilization of Ca(2+) from the
      blood into milk by the coordinated action of calcium transporters, including
      pumps, channels, sensors and buffers, in a functional module that we term
      CALTRANS. Here we assess the evidence implicating genes that regulate free and
      buffered Ca(2+) in normal breast epithelium and cancer cells and discuss
      mechanisms that are likely to contribute to the pathological characteristics of
      breast cancer. 

PMID- 24225887
TI  - Isotopic signatures of N2O produced by ammonia-oxidizing archaea from soils.
AB  - N2O gas is involved in global warming and ozone depletion. The major sources of
      N2O are soil microbial processes. Anthropogenic inputs into the nitrogen cycle
      have exacerbated these microbial processes, including nitrification. Ammonia
      oxidizing archaea (AOA) are major members of the pool of soil ammonia-oxidizing
      microorganisms. This study investigated the isotopic signatures of N2O produced
      by soil AOA and associated N2O production processes. All five AOA strains (I.1a,
      I.1a-associated and I.1b clades of Thaumarchaeota) from soil produced N2O and
      their yields were comparable to those of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). The
      levels of site preference (SP), delta(15)N(bulk) and delta(18)O -N2O of soil AOA
      strains were 13-30%, -13 to -35% and 22-36%, respectively, and strains MY1-3 and
      other soil AOA strains had distinct isotopic signatures. A (15)N-NH4(+)-labeling
      experiment indicated that N2O originated from two different production pathways
      (that is, ammonia oxidation and nitrifier denitrification), which suggests that
      the isotopic signatures of N2O from AOA may be attributable to the relative
      contributions of these two processes. The highest N2O production yield and lowest
      site preference of acidophilic strain CS may be related to enhanced nitrifier
      denitrification for detoxifying nitrite. Previously, it was not possible to
      detect N2O from soil AOA because of similarities between its isotopic signatures
      and those from AOB. Given the predominance of AOA over AOB in most soils, a
      significant proportion of the total N2O emissions from soil nitrification may be
      attributable to AOA. 

PMID- 24225886
TI  - Genomic versatility and functional variation between two dominant heterotrophic
      symbionts of deep-sea Osedax worms.
AB  - An unusual symbiosis, first observed at ~3000 m depth in the Monterey Submarine
      Canyon, involves gutless marine polychaetes of the genus Osedax and intracellular
      endosymbionts belonging to the order Oceanospirillales. Ecologically, these worms
      and their microbial symbionts have a substantial role in the cycling of carbon
      from deep-sea whale fall carcasses. Microheterogeneity exists among the Osedax
      symbionts examined so far, and in the present study the genomes of the two
      dominant symbionts, Rs1 and Rs2, were sequenced. The genomes revealed
      heterotrophic versatility in carbon, phosphate and iron uptake, strategies for
      intracellular survival, evidence for an independent existence, and numerous
      potential virulence capabilities. The presence of specific permeases and
      peptidases (of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline), and numerous peptide
      transporters, suggests the use of degraded proteins, likely originating from
      collagenous bone matter, by the Osedax symbionts. (13)C tracer experiments
      confirmed the assimilation of glycine/proline, as well as monosaccharides, by
      Osedax. The Rs1 and Rs2 symbionts are genomically distinct in carbon and sulfur
      metabolism, respiration, and cell wall composition, among others. Differences
      between Rs1 and Rs2 and phylogenetic analysis of chemotaxis-related genes within
      individuals of symbiont Rs1 revealed the influence of the relative age of the
      whale fall environment and support possible local niche adaptation of 'free
      living' lifestages. Future genomic examinations of other horizontally-propogated
      intracellular symbionts will likely enhance our understanding of the contribution
      of intraspecific symbiont diversity to the ecological diversification of the
      intact association, as well as the maintenance of host diversity.

PMID- 24225888
TI  - Ecological succession among iron-oxidizing bacteria.
AB  - Despite over 125 years of study, the factors that dictate species dominance in
      neutrophilic iron-oxidizing bacterial (FeOB) communities remain unknown. In a
      freshwater wetland, we documented a clear ecological succession coupled with
      niche separation between the helical stalk-forming Gallionellales (for example,
      Gallionella ferruginea) and tubular sheath-forming Leptothrix ochracea. Changes
      in the iron-seep community were documented using microscopy and cultivation
      independent methods. Quantification of Fe-oxyhydroxide morphotypes by light
      microscopy was coupled with species-specific fluorescent in situ hybridization
      (FISH) probes using a protocol that minimized background fluorescence caused by
      the Fe-oxyhydroxides. Together with scanning electron microscopy, these
      techniques all indicated that Gallionellales dominated during early spring, with
      L. ochracea becoming more abundant for the remainder of the year. Analysis of
      tagged pyrosequencing reads of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA)
      collected during seasonal progression supported a clear Gallionellales to L.
      ochracea transition, and community structure grouped according to observed
      dominant FeOB forms. Axis of redundancy analysis of physicochemical parameters
      collected from iron mats during the season, plotted with FeOB abundance,
      corroborated several field and microscopy-based observations and uncovered
      several unanticipated relationships. On the basis of these relationships, we
      conclude that the ecological niche of the stalk-forming Gallionellales is in
      waters with low organic carbon and steep redoxclines, and the sheath-forming L.
      ochracea is abundant in waters that contain high concentrations of complex
      organic carbon, high Fe and Mn content and gentle redoxclines. Finally, these
      findings identify a largely unexplored relationship between FeOB and organic
      carbon.

PMID- 24225889
TI  - Some physiological aspects of the autecology of the suspension-feeding
      protozoanTetrahymena pyriformis.
AB  - Feeding, growth, and reproductive responses of the suspension-feeding
      protozoanTetrahymena pyriformis to shifts up or down of the density of its
      bacterial food were observed. The rates of feeding, growth, and reproduction were
      determined by measuring the rates of uptake of viable bacterial cells, of change
      of mean volume of the protozoan cells, and of change of number of protozoan
      cells, respectively. The effects of the nutritional status of the protozoans at
      the time of shifting were observed also. Results are interpreted in terms of the
      limited polymorphism exhibited in the life cycle of this organism. Responses in
      all cases seem to reflect a strategy for exploiting a patchy, transient
      environment, a conclusion already reached by several earlier investigators. 

PMID- 24225890
TI  - Experimental and modeling studies of a four-trophic level predator-prey system.
AB  - Experimental studies of a microbial food chain involving organic carbon
      substrates,Enterobacter aerogenes, and ciliate protozoansParamecium primaurelia
      andDldinium nasutum were conducted in stirred, aerated batch cultures.
      Quantitative measurements were made of organic carbon levels and of cell numbers,
      mean cell volumes, and total biovolumes for all three microbial populations. A
      mathematical model based on Monod kinetics was developed to describe this four
      trophic level predator-prey system. The model was formulated in terms of
      biovolume, which is the product of cell numbers and mean cell size, and includes
      terms for bio-volume decay. Batch culture data were used to derive parameter
      values, and model simulations were compared to experimental results. Despite the
      significance ofParamecium-Didinium studies in ecological literature, the entire
      food chain has not been previously studied or modeled. 

PMID- 24225891
TI  - Predacity by nematophagous fungi and its relation to the attraction of nematodes.
AB  - Predacity, the ability of nematophagous fungi to destroy nematodes, was
      investigated for eight species of fungi by a method using sterilized soil and the
      nematodePanagrellus redivivus. In addition, the ability of the fungi to attract
      nematodes was investigated using an agar plate technique. Predacity and
      attraction were highly correlated (r=0.98) in these tests. The presence of traps
      in cultures ofArthrobotrys oligospora increased the ability to attract nematodes
      by a factor of 2. 

PMID- 24225892
TI  - Accumulation and fate of tri-n-butyltin cation in estuarine bacteria.
AB  - The accumulation and possible metabolic transformation of tri-n-butyltin cation
      by tin-resistant estuarine bacteria was studied. The bacterial isolates
      accumulated tributyltin to 3.7-7.7 mg tin per g dry weight of cells by a
      nonenergy requiring process, probably by adsorption to the cell envelope.
      Chemical speciation of cell extracts and culture media by combined liquid
      chromatography-atomic absorption spectrophotometry and tin-selective purge and
      trap flame photometric gas chromatography for possible tributyltin degradation
      products revealed no significant biotransformations of tributyltin cation by the
      tributyltin-resistant isolates. Apparently the isolates accumulate, but do not
      metabolize tributyltin. 

PMID- 24225893
TI  - Soil microbial counts in relation to site characteristics at a subantarctic
      Island.
AB  - Enumerations of colony-forming units of aerobic bacteria and fungi at Marion
      Island (46 degrees 54'S, 37 degrees 45'E) showed that the mire and bog peats
      investigated possessed greater numbers of microorganisms on a dry soil weight
      basis than did the slope fernbrake soils but that counts from both sites were
      similar per unit soil volume. Afjaeldmark soil of an exposed rocky ridge
      contained very low microbial populations. Manuring by sea-birds and seals caused
      an increase in levels of soil N and P and in the numbers of bacteria and fungi.
      Regression analyses indicated that inorganic N and soil pH explained more of the
      variation in bacterial and fungal counts respectively than all other soil
      parameters included in the regression. Variation in botanical composition between
      the sites was examined using multivariate analysis and the resulting pattern
      compared with the soil microorganism and nutrient levels. This analysis
      emphasized the importance of manuring influences in elevating NH4-N and bacterial
      levels in the soil and allowing the occurrence of a vegetation cover dominated by
      copriphilous species. No correlation occurred between site botanical factors and
      soil fungi counts. 

PMID- 24225894
TI  - Mixed continuous culture experiments with an antibiotic-producing streptomycete
      andEscherichia coli.
AB  - Four strains ofStreptomyces aureofaciens capable of producing different amounts
      of tetracycline have been grown in continuous culture with either of two strains
      ofEscherichia coli orBacillus pumillus. Each of the bacteria had faster specific
      growth rates than any of the streptomycetes.E. coli NTCT 5993 had a higher
      affinity for sucrose than didS. aureofaciens SR 11. In mixed culture experiments,
      the bacteria displaced the streptomycete under the following conditions: (a) when
      the streptomycete produced no tetracycline; (b) in tetracycline-producing
      cultures after a fraction of the bacteria had died-the bacterial population that
      subsequently developed was resistant to the drug; and (c) when using tetracycline
      resistant bacteria. Under nutrient conditions leading to high antibiotic levels,
      it was possible to kill all the bacteria, and the streptomycete survived after a
      transient fall in mycelium and tetracycline levels. No stable mixed population
      was ever seen. Once tetracycline-resistant bacteria had displaced the
      streptomycete, and tetracycline concentrations had fallen, a sensitive bacterial
      population reappeared. Competition between sensitive and resistantE. coli NCTC
      5993 in the chemostat confirmed the selective advantage of the sensitive strain.
      Results were discussed in terms of the role of antibiotics in nature. 

PMID- 24225895
TI  - Background precipitation chemistry monitoring in the Soviet Union.
AB  - An overview is given of the precipitation chemistry field and laboratory programs
      of the former U.S.S.R. World Meteorological Organization Background Air Pollution
      Monitoring Program (WMO BAPMoN). Field and laboratory procedures are discussed,
      siting criteria are examined, station histories are documented, and four Soviet
      quality assurance techniques are discussed. Comparison of data from three Soviet
      BAPMoN stations with data from three U.S. BAPMoN stations indicate that sulfate
      concentrations are comparable but that U.S. samples are typically much more
      acidic. Soviet samples tend to have higher concentrations of cations of soil
      origin and higher concentrations of ammonium. 

PMID- 24225896
TI  - The epiphytic lichen hypogymnia physodes as a biomonitor of atmospheric nitrogen
      and sulphur deposition in Norway.
AB  - Hypogymnia physodes was sampled from 179 sites of Scots pine forests regularly
      distributed throughout Norway. The purpose was to map the nitrogen and sulphur
      contents of lichen thalli on a large-scale geographical basis, and to relate
      these values to differences in atmospheric deposition and climate.The lichen
      nitrogen and sulphur concentrations showed large differences; the highest
      concentration values being 4-5 times greater than the lowest. The highest
      nitrogen and sulphur values occurred along the coast of southern Norway and on
      some sites in the inland of southern Norway. There was a close correlation
      between the two elements. The lichen N/S ratio decreased with increasing
      latitude.The nitrogen and sulphur contents ofHypogymnia physodes were both
      significantly correlated to estimated atmospheric deposition of these two
      elements in Norway. The degree of explanation improved when climatic variables
      such as temperature sum, altitude, annual precipitation and temperature were
      included. Factors promoting growth, such as high bark pH, mild winters, hot
      summers, high precipitation, high ammonium deposition and high
      evapotranspiration, were all associated with lower lichen nitrogen and/or sulphur
      concentrations. Unfavourable growth conditions, such as at high altitude, was
      related to higher concentrations than expected from deposition models. This
      indicates that differences in element concentration between nearby localities
      might be related to local differences in climate and lichen growth conditions.
      This should be taken into consideration whenever using lichens for biomonitoring.

PMID- 24225897
TI  - Matrix diffusion effects in the cleanup of heterogeneous aquifers.
AB  - Simple mathematical models are developed to account for the rather slow mass
      transport of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) into aqueous solution in groundwater
      during flushing operations. The models are based on the assumption that this
      bottleneck in the process is associated with diffusion in the aqueous phase in
      the porous medium from the location of the NAPL drops/ganglia in a region of
      relatively low permeability out into a region of substantially higher
      permeability, somewhat analogous to diffusion from a block of porous rock into a
      nearby fracture, where the fracture system overwhelmingly dominates the overall
      permeability. The models include batch flushing, flushing in a laboratory column,
      and a one-dimensional model for flushing by means of a single recovery well. 

PMID- 24225898
TI  - Using 'found' data to augment a probability sample: Procedure and case study.
AB  - While probability sampling has the advantage of permitting unbiased population
      estimates, many past and existing monitoring schemes do not employ probability
      sampling. We describe and demonstrate a general procedure for augmenting an
      existing probability sample with data from nonprobability-based surveys ('found'
      data). The procedure, first proposed by Overton (1990), uses sampling frame
      attributes to group the probability and found samples into similar subsets.
      Subsequently, this similarity is assumed to reflect the representativeness of the
      found sample for the matching subpopulation. Two methods of establishing
      similarity and producing estimates are described: pseudo-random and calibration.
      The pseudo-random method is used when the found sample can contribute additional
      information on variables already measured for the probability sample, thus
      increasing the effective sample size. The calibration method is used when the
      found sample contributes information that is unique to the found observations.
      For either approach, the found sample data yield observations that are treated as
      a probability sample, and population estimates are made according to a
      probability estimation protocol. To demonstrate these approaches, we applied them
      to found and probability samples of stream discharge data for the southeastern
      US. 

PMID- 24225900
TI  - Novel characteristics of energy spectrum for 3D Dirac oscillator analyzed via
      Lorentz covariant deformed algebra.
AB  - We investigate the Lorentz-covariant deformed algebra for Dirac oscillator
      problem, which is a generalization of Kempf deformed algebra in 3 + 1 dimension
      of space-time, where Lorentz symmetry are preserved. The energy spectrum of the
      system is analyzed by taking advantage of the corresponding wave functions with
      explicit spin state. We obtained entirely new results from our development based
      on Kempf algebra in comparison to the studies carried out with the non-Lorentz
      covariant deformed one. A novel result of this research is that the quantized
      relativistic energy of the system in the presence of minimal length cannot grow
      indefinitely as quantum number n increases, but converges to a finite value,
      where c is the speed of light and beta is a parameter that determines the scale
      of noncommutativity in space. If we consider the fact that the energy levels of
      ordinary oscillator is equally spaced, which leads to monotonic growth of
      quantized energy with the increment of n, this result is very interesting. The
      physical meaning of this consequence is discussed in detail. 

PMID- 24225899
TI  - Expression of CD31/PECAM-1 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1) by
      blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare
      malignant neoplasm with cutaneous manifestations and a rapidly progressive
      clinical course. The diagnosis relies on characteristic clinicopathologic and
      immunopathologic features. However, the overlap of immunophenotypic features with
      other cancers, as well as newly discovered interpersonal and intrapersonal
      phenotypic variations, renders the identification of BPDCN challenging. A greater
      understanding of the proteins expressed by BPDCN might facilitate its recognition
      and provide insights into its clinical behavior. OBSERVATIONS: In 7 of 9 patients
      at 4 tertiary care institutions, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated strong
      CD31/PECAM-1 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1) expression by
      neoplastic cells. Combined with similar findings observed in 1 former patient, 8
      of 10 cases of BPDCN were CD31/PECAM-1 positive. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Expression of CD31/PECAM-1 by BPDCN adds new information about the antigenic
      profile of this unusual neoplasm. CD31/PECAM-1 influences multiple cell functions
      including adhesion, apoptosis, coagulation, host response, and protein synthesis
      that might affect clinical features of BPDCN such as hemorrhage, aggressive tumor
      growth, and resistance to therapy. Therefore, the potential role of this molecule
      in the tumor formation and progression of BPDCN warrants additional exploration.

PMID- 24225901
TI  - Iron regulation in athletes: exploring the menstrual cycle and effects of
      different exercise modalities on hepcidin production.
AB  - The trace element iron plays a number of crucial physiological roles within the
      body. Despite its importance, iron deficiency remains a common problem among
      athletes. As an individual's iron stores become depleted, it can affect their
      well-being and athletic capacity. Recently, altered iron metabolism in athletes
      has been attributed to postexercise increases in the iron regulatory hormone
      hepcidin, which has been reported to be upregulated by exercise-induced increases
      in the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6. As such, when hepcidin levels are
      elevated, iron absorption and recycling may be compromised. To date, however,
      most studies have explored the acute postexercise hepcidin response, with limited
      research seeking to minimize/attenuate these increases. This review summarizes
      the current knowledge regarding the postexercise hepcidin response under a
      variety of exercise scenarios and highlights potential areas for future research
      such as: a) the use of hormones though the female oral contraceptive pill to
      manipulate the postexercise hepcidin response, b) comparing the use of different
      exercise modes (e.g., cycling vs. running) on hepcidin regulation. 

PMID- 24225902
TI  - VapC20 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cleaves the sarcin-ricin loop of 23S rRNA.
AB  - The highly persistent and often lethal human pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      contains at least 88 toxin-antitoxin genes. More than half of these encode VapC
      PIN domain endoribonucleases that inhibit cell growth by unknown mechanisms. Here
      we show that VapC20 of M. tuberculosis inhibits translation by cleavage of the
      Sarcin-Ricin loop (SRL) of 23S ribosomal RNA at the same position where Sarcin
      and other eukaryotic ribotoxins cleave. Toxin-inhibited cells can be rescued by
      the expression of the antitoxin, thereby raising the possibility that vapC20
      contributes to the extreme persistence exhibited by M. tuberculosis. VapC20
      cleavage is inhibited by mutations in the SRL that flank the cleavage site but
      not by changes elsewhere in the loop. Disruption of the SRL stem abolishes
      cleavage; however, further mutations that restore the SRL stem structure restore
      cleavage, revealing that the structure rather than the exact sequence of the SRL
      is important for this activity. 

PMID- 24225903
TI  - Novel, electrolyte solutions comprising fully inorganic salts with high anodic
      stability for rechargeable magnesium batteries.
AB  - Herein the first inorganic magnesium salt solution capable of highly reversible
      magnesium electrodeposition is presented. Synthesized by acid-base reaction of
      MgCl2 and Lewis acidic compounds such as AlCl3, this salt class demonstrates
      upwards of 99% Coulombic efficiency, deposition overpotential of <200 mV, and
      anodic stability of 3.1 V. 

PMID- 24225904
TI  - Heterogeneity among studies in rates of decline of antiretroviral therapy
      adherence over time: results from the multisite adherence collaboration on HIV 14
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To use electronic drug monitoring to determine if adherence to HIV
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) changes over time, whether changes are linear, and
      how the declines vary by study. DESIGN: We conducted a longitudinal study of
      pooled data from 11 different studies of HIV-infected adults using ART. The main
      outcome was ART adherence (percent of prescribed doses taken) measured by
      electronic drug monitoring. We modeled and compared changes in adherence over
      time using repeated measures linear mixed effects models and generalized additive
      mixed models (GAMMs). Indicator variables were used to examine the impact of
      individual studies, and the variation across studies was evaluated using study
      specific parameter estimates calculated by using interaction terms of study and
      time. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 41 years, 35% were female, most
      had high school education or less, and 46% were African American. In GAMMs,
      adherence declined over time. The GAMMs further suggested that the decline was
      nonlinear, and in both sets of models, there was considerable study-to-study
      variability in how adherence changed over time. LIMITATIONS: Findings may not be
      generalizable to non-US populations or to patients not in clinical studies.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although overall ART adherence declined with time, not all studies
      showed declines, and a number of patterns of change were seen. Studies that
      identify clinical and organizational factors associated with these different
      patterns are needed. Models of changes in adherence with time should take account
      of possible nonlinear effects.

PMID- 24225905
TI  - One-pot phase transfer and surface modification of CdSe-ZnS quantum dots using a
      synthetic functional copolymer.
AB  - We present a facile, one-pot procedure for the organic-to-water phase transfer
      and biofunctionalization of semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, or QDs)
      which employs a synthetic functional copolymer, namely poly(DMA-NAS-MAPS),
      consisting of three components: a surface interacting monomer, N,N
      dimethylacrylamide (DMA), a chemically reactive monomer, N-acryloyloxysuccinimide
      (NAS), and a silane monomer, [3-(methacryloyloxy)-propyl]-trimethoxysilane
      (MAPS). The nanocrystals were transferred to water by exploiting the amphiphilic
      character of the copolymer backbone. Hydrolyzed MAPS units contributed to improve
      the solubility of QDs in water, whereas NAS exhibited reactivity toward
      biomolecules. A solution of streptavidin in phosphate buffer exhibited good
      dispersion ability leading to a clear and transparent colloidal suspension,
      indicative of good QD dispersion during phase transfer and purification. Unlike
      most of the published methods, the proposed functionalization approach does not
      require coupling agents and multistep reactions. 

PMID- 24225906
TI  - Genetically encoded fluorescent redox probes.
AB  - Redox processes are involved in almost every cell of the body as a consequence of
      aerobic life. In the past decades, redox biology has been increasingly recognized
      as one of the key themes in cell signaling. The progress has been accelerated by
      development of fluorescent probes that can monitor redox conditions and dynamics
      in cells and cell compartments. This short paper focuses on fluorescent redox
      probes that are genetically encoded, and discusses their properties, molecular
      mechanism, advantages and pitfalls. Our recent work on reaction-based encoded
      probes that are responsive to particular redox signaling molecules is also
      reviewed. Future challenges and directions are also commented. 

PMID- 24225907
TI  - Process mining for individualized behavior modeling using wireless tracking in
      nursing homes.
AB  - The analysis of human behavior patterns is increasingly used for several research
      fields. The individualized modeling of behavior using classical techniques
      requires too much time and resources to be effective. A possible solution would
      be the use of pattern recognition techniques to automatically infer models to
      allow experts to understand individual behavior. However, traditional pattern
      recognition algorithms infer models that are not readily understood by human
      experts. This limits the capacity to benefit from the inferred models. Process
      mining technologies can infer models as workflows, specifically designed to be
      understood by experts, enabling them to detect specific behavior patterns in
      users. In this paper, the eMotiva process mining algorithms are presented. These
      algorithms filter, infer and visualize workflows. The workflows are inferred from
      the samples produced by an indoor location system that stores the location of a
      resident in a nursing home. The visualization tool is able to compare and
      highlight behavior patterns in order to facilitate expert understanding of human
      behavior. This tool was tested with nine real users that were monitored for a 25
      week period. The results achieved suggest that the behavior of users is
      continuously evolving and changing and that this change can be measured, allowing
      for behavioral change detection. 

PMID- 24225909
TI  - Improving oral function and cosmesis in a case of Freeman-Sheldon syndrome.
AB  - Children born with the rare congenital condition Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (FSS)
      have a characteristic facial appearance: microstomia, a long philtrum, 'H-shaped'
      chin abnormality and 'pinched lips' in addition to extra-facial features such as
      kyphoscoliosis and hand deformities. Such children often have problems with oral
      continence and difficulties with speech leading to both nutritional and
      psychosocial concerns. Prompt correction through surgery is therefore important
      in effectively managing the condition. We report the case of a 7-year-old girl
      who presented with the appearance of scarred lips with difficulties in closing
      her mouth, a speech impediment and oral incontinence. Using a muscle-sparing
      technique to reconstruct the upper and lower lips, better oral continence was
      achieved alongside markedly improved speech and an aesthetically pleasing result.
      Taken together, this case aptly illustrates the benefits of lip reconstruction in
      improving function and cosmesis in patients with FSS. 

PMID- 24225908
TI  - Microfluidic transwell inserts for generation of tissue culture-friendly
      gradients in well plates.
AB  - Gradients of biochemical molecules play a key role in many physiological
      processes such as axon growth, tissue morphogenesis, and trans-epithelium
      nutrient transport, as well as in pathophysiological phenomena such as wound
      healing, immune response, bacterial invasion, and cancer metastasis. In this
      paper, we report a microfluidic transwell insert for generating quantifiable
      concentration gradients in a user-friendly and modular format that is compatible
      with conventional cell cultures and with tissue explant cultures. The device is
      simply inserted into a standard 6-well plate, where it hangs self-supported at a
      distance of ~250 MUm above the cell culture surface. The gradient is created by
      small microflows from the device, through an integrated track-etched porous
      membrane, into the cell culture well. The microfluidic transwell can deliver
      stable, quantifiable gradients over a large area with extremely low fluid shear
      stress to dissociated cells or tissue explants cultured independently on the
      surface of a 6-well plate. We used finite-element modeling to describe the porous
      membrane flow and molecular transport and to predict gradients generated by the
      device. Using the device, we applied a gradient of the chemotactic peptide N
      formyl-met-leu-phe (fMLP) to a large population of HL-60 cells (a neutrophil cell
      line) and directly observed the migration with time-lapse microscopy. On
      quantification of the chemotactic response with an automated tracking algorithm,
      we found 74% of the cells moving towards the gradient. Additionally, the modular
      design and low fluid shear stress made it possible to apply gradients of growth
      factors and second messengers to mouse retinal explant cultures. With a
      simplified interface and well-defined gradients, the microfluidic transwell
      device has potential for broad applications to gradient-sensing biology. 

PMID- 24225910
TI  - Durable recovery of the macular architecture and functionality of a diagnosed age
      related macular degeneration 1 year after a single intravitreal injection of
      dobesilate.
AB  - Among the age-related diseases that affect vision, age-related macular
      degeneration is the most frequent cause of blindness in patients older than 60
      years. In this communication, we report the full anatomical and functional
      recovery of a patient diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration 1 year
      after a single intravitreal injection of dobesilate. 

PMID- 24225911
TI  - Lipoma of the sinus tarsi.
AB  - Lipoma is rarely found in the foot. It is usually asymptomatic although sometimes
      can present with pain. We report a case of lipoma of the sinus tarsi presenting
      with functional instability. 

PMID- 24225912
TI  - Giant leiomyoma of the oesophagus with eosinophilic infiltration.
AB  - The most common benign tumour of the oesophagus is leiomyoma. Haemopoietic
      elements rarely infiltrate oesophageal leiomyoma. We report the case of a 24-year
      old man with a long history of intermittent dysphagia. Endoscopy revealed
      external compression with normal oesophageal mucosa. A barium swallow study
      showed a defect in the oesophageal wall and a narrow oesophageal lumen. A CT scan
      of the chest confirmed a mass in the mid-oesophagus. A tumour was excised and the
      histology report revealed leiomyoma infiltrated with eosinophils, which is a rare
      variant. 

PMID- 24225913
TI  - Immunoassay and ultrastructural localization of isopentenyladenine and related
      cytokinins using monoclonal antibodies.
AB  - Two hybridoma cell lines, J40-IV-A1 and J40-IV-C4 were obtained from a fusion of
      spleen cells of Balb/c mice immunized against an isopentenyladenosine-bovine
      serum albumin conjugate with X63. Ag 8.653 myeloma cells. These hybrids secrete
      monoclonal antibodies of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class and share high
      affinities and specificities to isopentenyladenine and isopentenyladenosine
      suitable for the detection of femtomole amounts of these cytokinins in plant
      extracts by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One of the monoclonal
      antibodies (J40-IV-C4) has been employed to localize isopentenyladenine
      immunoreactivity in a cytokinin-over-producing mutant of the moss, Physcomitrella
      patens. After fixation and embedding at low temperature, immunoreactivity was
      visualized in protonemal filaments of the moss mutant by the use of indirect
      immunogold labelling. In the mutant, the labelling was predominantly in the wall
      of the protonemal cells. Neither the wild-type nor control treatments showed any
      labelling. The signficance of these observations is discussed with respect to the
      applicability of immunocytochemical techniques for the localization of low
      molecular-weight compounds in plant tissue. 

PMID- 24225914
TI  - The effects of immobilization on the biochemical, physiological and morphological
      features of Anabaena azollae.
AB  - Anabaena azollae, a presumptive isolate from Azolla filiculoides, was immobilized
      in polyurethane foam, hydrophilic polyvinyl foam and alginate. When viewed by low
      temperature scanning electron microscopy a thick mucilage layer covered the
      surface of both cells and matrix; this closely resembles the mode of attachment
      of the symbiont Anabaena in the Azolla leaf cavity. The heterocyst frequency of
      the immobilized A. azollae doubled relative to free-living cells and reached a
      level of 14-17%. Immobilization induced increases in both hydrogen production via
      nitrogenase or hydrogenase and in the rates and stabilization of acetylene
      reduction (N2-fixation). Ammonia production by immobilized cells with L
      methionine-D,L-sulfoximine (MSX) is greater than that of freeliving cells.
      Immobilized cells without MSX were, however, able to excrete ammonium at lower
      rates thus emulating the characteristic of the symbiotic cyanobacteria (A.
      azollae) in the leaf cavity of Azolla. 

PMID- 24225915
TI  - Observations on dividing plastids in the protonema of the moss Funaria
      hygrometrica Sibth. : Arrangement of microtubules and filaments.
AB  - The process of division was investigated in the different types of plastids found
      in the tip cell of the protonema of Funaria hygrometrica Sibth. There were no
      structural changes in the envelope membranes of any of the plastid types during
      the initial stage of division. As the process of constriction advanced,
      thylakoids were locally disintegrated and sometimes starch grains in the isthmus
      were locally dissolved. In the isthmus, tightly constricted plastids were
      characterized by an undulating envelope and an increasing number of vesicles.
      After three-dimensional reconstruction of electronmicrographs a distinct
      filamentous structure was observed in the plane of division outside the plastid
      but close to the envelope. At different stages of division the constricted
      regions were partly surrounded by one or a few filaments. The roundish plastids
      in the apical zone were accompanied by single microtubule bundles, and the
      spindle-shaped plastids in the cell base were surrounded by single microtubules
      and microtubule bundles. A model of co-operation between microtubules and the
      filamentous structure in the division process is discussed. 

PMID- 24225916
TI  - Do some plant responses to cytokinins involve the cyanide-resistant respiratory
      pathway?
AB  - A disengagement of the cyanide-resistant, alternative respiratory pathway in
      soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) callus tissue was observed prior to the start of
      deoxyisoflavone production stimulated by addition of the cytokinin benzyladenine.
      To test whether this loss of alternativepathway activity was part of the response
      to cytokinin, inhibitors of the alternative pathway were assayed for their
      ability to elicit cytokinin-like responses. Salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) was
      found to produce a deoxyisoflavone difference spectrum similar to that observed
      following treatment of the callus tissue with benzyladenine, while propyl gallate
      (PG) was without effect. Both SHAM and PG were further tested for cytokinin-like
      activity in other bioassays. In two anti-senescence bioassays using leaf tissue
      (of Avena sativa L. and Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr.) and in the Cucumis sativus
      L. bioassay which measures stimulation of weight gain by excised cotyledons, both
      SHAM and PG were effective "cytokinins" at 1 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively. In two
      other bioassays (betacyanin formation in Amaranthus caudatus L. seedlings and the
      soybean-callus celldivision assay), SHAM appeared to be toxic. These results
      substantiate the suggestion that effects on the alternative pathway may play a
      role in some cytokinin responses and further raise the question of what should be
      considered a true cytokinin response. 

PMID- 24225917
TI  - Immunogold-localization and synthesis of an oil-body membrane protein in
      developing soybean seeds.
AB  - The synthesis of a major oil-body membrane brotein was studied in maturing
      soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cotyledons. The membrane contained four abundant
      proteins with apparent molecular mass (Mr) of 34000, 24000, 18000 and 17000. The
      Mr=24000 protein (mP 24) was selected for more detailed analysis. The protein was
      purified to apparent homogeneity by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and isolated from the gel by
      electroelution or chemical hydrolysis of gel crosslinks. It was then used to
      elicit rabbit antibodies which were judged to be specific when assayed by SDS
      PAGE-immunoblot procedures. The mP 24 was localized in immature soybean cotyledon
      cells by indirect immunogold procedures on thin sections of Lowicryl- and LR
      White-embedded tissue. Indirect labeling with the primary antiserum followed by
      colloidal gold-protein A showed specific labeling of the oil-body membrane and an
      absence of label on the other subcellular organelles including the endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER). Parallel tissue samples were studied by conventional transmission
      electron microscopy. Although segments of the ER were observed to be closely
      juxtaposed to the oil bodies, continuity between the two organelles was not
      observed. The synthesis of mP 24 was studied by in-vitro translation and in-vivo
      labeling with [(3)H]leucine followed by indirect immunoaffinity isolation of the
      labeled products. The SDS-PAGE fluorography results indicated that the primary
      translation product and the in-vivo synthesized protein have the same Mr, and
      this is also the same Mr as the protein in the mature membrane. 

PMID- 24225918
TI  - The permeability of electroporated cells and protoplasts of sugar beet.
AB  - A simple method has been developed to determine the changes in permeability of
      protoplasts and intact cells when electroporated. Cells and protoplasts of sugar
      beet, Beta vulgaris L., were subjected to electric pulse treatments of different
      field strengths, pulse number and pulse duration, and the ability to accumulate
      and retain the hydrophilic dye phenosafranine was determined
      spectrophotometrically. Results of timecourse studies of phenosafranine
      accumulation and retention indicated that pores are formed or enlarged rapidly in
      the plasmamembrane and remain permeable to phenosafranine for relatively long
      periods; the half-life of the 'pores" was temperaturedependent. Both cells and
      protoplasts retained the highest levels of phenosafranine when supplied with a
      series of five rectangular pulses of 50 MUs duration and of field strength 2500
      V.cm(-1). If these parameters were exceeded, The phenosafranine content was
      reduced, concomitant with a decline in viability as indicated by fluorescein
      diacetate staining, indicating the loss of the integrity of the plasmamembrane.
      The pattern of accumulation and retention by protoplasts of radioactivity from
      [(3)H]pABD1, a modified bacterial plasmid, was similar to that of phenosafranine,
      but uptake of the plasmid by cells was not demonstrated. The mothod can be used
      to determine conditions for the optimum permeabilization of protoplasts for
      direct gene transfer. 

PMID- 24225919
TI  - Isolation and characterization of a genomic clone encoding the beta-subunit of
      beta-conglycinin.
AB  - beta-Conglycinin, and abundant storage protein in soybean (Glycine max (L.)
      Merr.) seeds, is a trimeric protein consisting of various isomers containing the
      three subunits, alpha', alpha and beta. Accumulation of the beta-subunit is
      unique because it appears to be regulated by a variety of developmental and
      environmental signals. In this paper we describe the isolation and
      characterization of a genomic clone encoding the beta-subunit of beta
      conglycinin. The genomic clone was characterized by restriction-enzyme mapping
      and partial DNA sequence analysis, by immunoprecipitation of a hybrid-selected
      invitro translation product, and by RNA blot hybridization reactions. An mRNA of
      approx. 1700 nucleotides hybridized to an internal 2-kilobase (kb) region of this
      4.4-kb cloned DNA restriction fragment and was translated to yield a polypeptide
      with an approximate molecular weight of 48 kilodalton. This polypeptide is
      immunoprecipitable by antibody against beta-conglycinin and is of appropriate
      size to represent the precursor polypeptide of the beta-subunit. When this
      sequence was used as a probe in RNA blot hybridization experiments, the beta-gene
      transcript was first detected by stage K and accumulated through stage O during
      soybean seed development, coincident with appearance of the beta-subunit. Partial
      DNA sequence analysis of the 5' end of the gene confirmed that the isolated gene
      encoded a beta-subunit, based upon the previously reported amino terminal
      sequence for this protein. Genomic DNA blot hybridization analyses indicate that
      multiple DNA restriction fragments are highly homologous to this cloned beta-gene
      sequence. 

PMID- 24225920
TI  - Expression of the beta-subunit of beta-conglycinin in seeds of transgenic plants.
AB  - Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seeds contain the storage protein beta
      conglycinin, encoded by a multigene family. beta-Conglycinin consists of three
      subunits; alpha', alpha, and beta. A genomic clone for a beta-subunit of beta
      conglycinin has been characterized by restriction-enzyme mapping and hybrid
      selected in-vitro translation followed by immunoprecipitation. In order to
      determine the developmental regulation of this beta-subunit gene, its expression
      was studied in seeds of transgenic petunia (Petunia hybrida) and tobacco
      (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants. The beta-subunit expressed in seeds of petunia and
      tobacco was recognized by anti-beta-conglycinin serum at a relative molecular
      mass of 53 000, equivalent to that of the native protein. Separation of the
      petunia-seed proteins by isoelectric focusing followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis showed that multiple
      isoelectric forms of the beta-subunit were produced. There was approximately a
      twofold variation in the accumulation of the beta-subunit protein in the mature
      seeds of transgenic petunia plants, each containing a single beta-subunit gene.
      However, the level of protein accumulation in mature seeds and the amount of beta
      subunit mRNA in developing seeds was not correlated. Accumulation of the beta
      subunit protein in transgenic seeds was less than the alpha'-subunit protein that
      accumulated in transgenic petunia seeds containing a single alpha'-subunit gene
      and less than the amount of the beta-subunit in mature soybean seeds which
      contain 8-13 beta-subunit genes. In transgenic tobacco plants, the accumulation
      of the beta-subunit protein in seeds was generally well correlated with the
      number of genes that were incorporated in the different transformants. 

PMID- 24225921
TI  - The levels of two distinct species of phytochrome are regulated differently
      during germination in Avena sativa L.
AB  - The abundance and molecular mass of phytochrome in germinating embryos of A.
      sativa (oat) grown in light or darkness have been monitored using immunoblot and
      spectrophotometric assays. Immunoblot analysis shows that imbibed but quiescent
      embryos have two immunochemically distinct species of phytochrome with monomeric
      molecular masses of 124 and 118 kDa (kdalton). The 118-kDa species has the
      properties of the 118-kDa phytochrome extracted from fully green oat tissue (J.G.
      Tokuhisa, S.M. Daniels, P.H. Quail, 1985, Planta 164, 321-332), whereas the 124
      kDa polypeptide appears similar to the well-characterized photoreceptor of
      etiolated tissue. The capacity of antibodies directed against etiolated-oat
      phytochrome to immunoprecipitate the 124-kDa species but not the 118-kDa species
      has been exploited to quantitate the levels of each separately over a 72-h time
      course of germination and seedling development. The abundance of the 124-kDa
      molecule increases at least 200-fold in etiolated seedlings over 72 h whereas in
      light-grown seedlings the level of this molecule is relatively constant. In
      contrast, the amount of the 118-kDa species increases only twofold in both dark-
      and light-grown seedlings over the same period of time. These data indicate that
      whereas the abundance of 124-kDa phytochrome is regulated at the protein level by
      the well-documented, differential stability of the red- and far-red-absorbing
      forms in vivo, the 118-kDa molecule is present at a low constitutive level,
      presumably reflecting no such difference in the stability of the two spectral
      forms. 

PMID- 24225922
TI  - Photoinhibition, 77K chlorophyll fluorescence quenching and phosphorylation of
      the light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex of photosystem II in soybean
      leaves.
AB  - When the capacity of leaves for orderly dissipation of excitation energy in
      photosynthesis is exceeded, one mechanism by which the excess energy appears to
      be dissipated is through a nonradiative decay process. This process is observed
      as a reversible quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence emission (77K) from both
      photosystem II and photosystem I which persists in darkness (Demmig and Bjorkman
      1987, Planta 171, 171-184). Fluorescence quenching was induced in soybean
      (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) leaves by two methods: 1) changing the composition of
      the gas surrounding the leaf from normal air to 2% O2, 0% CO2 at a low, constant
      photon flux density (PFD=photon fluence rate), and 2) increasing the PFD in the
      presence of normal air. In either case the quenching was fully reversible after
      return to the original condition (low PFD, normal air). The half-time of the
      relaxation of the quenching was in the order of 30 min. Both treatments resulted
      in reversible dephosphorylation of the light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein
      complex of photosystem II (LHC-II). Treatment under photoinhibitory conditions
      (high PFD plus chloramphenicol) also caused dephosphorylation of LHC-II.
      Therefore, phosphorylation of LHC-II cannot account for the observed fluorescence
      quenching. In addition, our results indicate that in vivo a factor other than the
      redox state of the plastoquinone pool controls LHC-II phosphorylation. This
      factor may be DeltapH, the pH gradient across the thylakoid membranes. 

PMID- 24225923
TI  - Ethylene regulation of beta-1,3-glucanase in tobacco.
AB  - Ethylene treatment (approx. 20 MUl .1(-1) in air for 2 d) of tobacco (Nicotiana
      tabacum L. cv. Havana 425) plants markedly increases the endo-beta-1,3-glucanase
      (EC 3.2.1.39) content of leaves. The antigenic form of the enzyme induced is the
      same one whose production is blocked by treating cultured cells with combinations
      of auxin (1.1 . 10(-5) M alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid) and cytokinin (1.4 . 10(
      6) M kinetin). Evidence is presented that cultured tobacco cells require ethylene
      for beta-1,3-glucanase accumulation: i) ethylene treatment increased the
      accumulation of ?-1,3-glucanase in callus tissues >10 d after subculturing and in
      cell-suspension cultures; ii) callus tissues can produce ethylene; iii)
      conditions known to inhibit ethylene production (1 mM CoCl2; 33 degrees  C
      treatment) or ethylene action (approx. 1.6 mmol . 1(-1) norbornadiene in air)
      inhibited beta-1,3-glucanase accumulation by callus tissues treated for 4 d
      following subculturing; and, these inhibitory effects were prevented by exogenous
      ethylene. Combinations of auxin and cytokinin blocked ethylene-induced
      accumulation of beta-1,3-glucanase by cell-suspension cultures. The results favor
      a model in which ethylene induces results favor a model in which ethylene induces
      beta 1,3-glucanase accumulation, and auxin and cytokinin inhibit this induction
      process. 

PMID- 24225924
TI  - Temporal and light control of plastid transcript levels for proteins involved in
      photosynthesis during mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedling development.
AB  - Transcript levels of four plastid genes encoding constituents of the
      photosynthetic apparatus were assessed in cotyledons of developing mustard
      (Sinapis alba L.) seedlings. These genes, encoding the P700 apoproteins of
      photosystem I, the alpha subunit of the extrinsic CF1 moiety of the plastid ATP
      synthase complex, and the cytochromes f and b 6, have been localized and mapped
      previously on mustard chloroplast DNA (G. Dietrich and G. Link, 1985 Curr. Genet.
      9, 683-692). Dot blot and Northern hybridization analysis provides evidence that
      in dark-grown seedlings transcript levels of all four genes rise between 30 h and
      72 h after sowing and thereafter fall again, pointing to the existence of an
      endogenous, light-independent, developmental program. In light-grown seedlings,
      an additional enhancement of transcript levels beyond, the dark values becomes
      noticeable at approx. 30-36 h and then continues throughout the subsequent "light
      responsive" phase until 96 h after sowing. This is consistent with a
      photoregulated modulation mechanism operating once "competence" has been reached.
      Enhanced transcript accumulation occurs following continuous illumination by
      either white light or (photosynthetically inefficient) far-red light thought to
      operate mainly through phytochrome. However, the degree of light enhancement for
      the transcript specifying the P700 apoprotiens is higher with white light than
      with far-red light, implying involvement of additional photoreceptor(s) mediating
      this response. In addition to the endogenous gross regulation and light
      enhancement, a fine regulation of transcript levels seems to operate, as
      indicated by temporal variations of two related transcripts originating from the
      cytochrome-f gene region. The observed developmental and photocontrolled changes
      in specific transcript levels for photosynthesis proteins are only reflected in
      part by changes in total RNA content and do not appear due to light-dark
      differences in plastid-DNA copy number during mustard seedling development. 

PMID- 24225925
TI  - Regulation of auxin transport in pea (Pisum sativum L.) by phenylacetic acid:
      effects on the components of transmembrane transport of indol-3yl-acetic acid.
AB  - Phenylacetic acid (PAA), a naturally-occurring acidic plant growth substance, was
      readily taken up by pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alderman) stem segments from
      buffered external solutions by a pH-dependent, non-mediated diffusion. Net uptake
      from a 0.2 MUM solution at pH 4.5 proceeded at a constant rate for at least 60
      min and, up to approx. 100 MUM, the rate of uptake was directly proportional to
      the external concentration of the compound. The net rate of uptake of PAA was not
      affected by the inclusion of indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) in the uptake medium (up
      to approx. 30 MUM) and, unlike the net uptake of IAA, was not stimulated by N-1
      naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) or 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid. At an external
      concentration of 0.2 MUM and pH 4.5, the net rate of uptake of PAA was about
      twice that of IAA. It was concluded that the uptake of PAA did not involve the
      participation of carriers and that PAA was not a transported substrate for the
      carriers involved in the uptake and polar transport of IAA. Nevertheless, the
      inclusion of 3-100 MUM unlabelled PAA in the external medium greatly stimulated
      the uptake by pea stem segments of [1-(14)C]IAA (external concentration 0.2 MUM).
      It was concluded that whilst PAA was not a transported substrate for the NPA
      sensitive IAA efflux carrier, it interacted with this carrier to inhibit IAA
      efflux from cells. Over the concentration range 3-100 MUM, PAA progressively
      reduced the stimulatory effect of NPA on IAA uptake, indicating that PAA also
      inhibited carrier-mediated uptake of IAA. The consequences of these observations
      for the regulation of polar auxin transport are discussed. 

PMID- 24225926
TI  - Regulation of auxin transport in pea (Pisum sativum L.) by phenylacetic acid:
      inhibition of polar auxin transport in intact plants and stem segments.
AB  - The transport of [(14)C]phenylacetic acid (PAA) in intact plants and stem
      segments of light-grown pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alderman) plants was
      investigated and compared with the transport of [(14)C]indiol-3yl-acetic acid
      (IAA). Although PAA was readily taken up by apical tissues, unlike IAA it did not
      undergo long-distance transport in the stem. The absence of PAA export from the
      apex was shown not to be the consequence of its failure to be taken up or of its
      metabolism. Only a weak diffusive movement of PAA was observed in isolated stem
      segments which readily transported IAA. When [1-(14)C]PAA was applied to a mature
      foliage leaf in light, only 5.4% of the (14)C recovered in ethanol extracts
      (89.6% of applied (14)C) had been exported from the leaf after 6.0 h. When
      applied to the corresponding leaf, [(14)C]sucrose was readily exported (46.4% of
      the total recovered ethanol-soluble (14)C after 6.0 h). [1-(14)C]phenylacetic
      acid applied to the root system was readily taken up but, after 5.0 h, 99.3% of
      the recovered (14)C was still in the root system.When applied to the stem of
      intact plants (either in lanolin at 10 mg.g(-1), or as a 10(-4) M solution),
      unlabelled PAA blocked the transport through the stem of [1-(14)C]IAA applied to
      the apical bud, and caused IAA to accumulate in the PAA-treated region of the
      stem. Applications of PAA to the stem also inhibited the basipetal polar
      transport of [1-(14)C]IAA in isolated stem segments. These results are consistent
      with recent observations (C.F. Johnson and D.A. Morris, 1987, Planta 172, 400
      407) that no carriers for PAA occur in the plasma membrane of the light-grown pea
      stem, but that PAA can inhibit the carrier-mediated efflux of IAA from cells. The
      possible functions of endogenous PAA are discussed and its is suggested that an
      important role of the compound may be to modulate the polar transport and-or
      accumulation by cells of IAA. 

PMID- 24225927
TI  - A selective assay for prephenate aminotransferase activity in suspension-cultured
      cells of Nicotiana silvestris.
AB  - Prephenate aminotransferase in Nicotiana silvestris Speg. et Comes is highly
      stable to thermal treatment. This property was exploited to obtain, by treatment
      at 70 degrees  C for 10 min, a residual level (1-4%) of aspartate
      aminotransferase activity that proved to be catalyzed exclusively by prephenate
      aminotransferase. The latter enzyme was the most mobile of all aspartate
      aminotransferase bands during polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis conducted under
      non-denaturing conditions. This methodology for convenient assay of prephenate
      aminotransferase in crude extracts, as demonstrated for N. silvestris, may
      generally apply to higher plants since prephenate aminotransferase from a variety
      of plant sources has been found to exhibit high thermal stability. 

PMID- 24225928
TI  - Effects of R-(1-amino-2-phenylethyl)phosphonic acid on glyceollin accumulation
      and expression of resistance to Phytophthora megasperma f.sp. glycinea in
      soybean.
AB  - (R)-(1-Amino-2-phenylethyl)phosphonic acid (R-APEP), an inhibitor of
      phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), was applied to the tap root of 42-h-old
      soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merrill cv. Harosoy 63) seedlings during inoculation
      with zoospores of the incompatible race 1 of Phytophthora megasperma f.sp.
      glycinea (Pmg1) for 2 h and during a subsequent incubation period. In contrast to
      L-2-aminooxy-3-phenylpropionic acid, R-APEP was not toxic to the zoospores which
      remained virulent in presence of the inhibitor. A 50% inhibition of PAL activity
      in vitro was observed with 4.2 MUM R-APEP and with 36 MUM of the S-enantiomer.
      When R-APEP at 330 MUM was applied for a total of 36 h to the seedlings,
      resistance against Pmg 1 was abolished. Such seedlings were indistinguishable in
      appearance from those seedlings which had been inoculated with the compatible
      race 3 of Pmg. Roots treated with R-APEP at 330 MUM showed a reduction of about
      47% in glyceollin content when measured 12 h after inoculation, and with 1 mM a
      67% reduction. In contrast, treatment with S-APEP (1 mM) caused only a 20%
      reduction in glyceollin content. As determined by indirect immunofluorescence of
      fungal hyphae in cryotome cross-sections of roots, the growth pattern of the
      incompatible race 1 of Pmg changed to that of the compatible race 3 under
      conditions where R-APEP caused loss of resistance against Pmg 1. The results
      support the concept of an important role of glyceollin in resistance of soybean
      against incompatible races of the fungus. 

PMID- 24225929
TI  - Phoretic egg parasitoid,Telenomus euproctidis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), uses
      sex pheromone of tussock mothEuproctis taiwana (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) as a
      kairomone.
AB  - The phoretic egg parasitoid,Telenomus euproctidis Wilcox (Hymenoptera:
      Scelionidae) was found more frequently on virgin than on mated female moths
      ofEuproctis taiwana (Shiraki) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), when virgin and mated
      moths were exposed concurrently in the field for 24 hr. A synthetic component of
      the moth's sex pheromone. (Z)-16-methyl-9-heptadecenyl isobutyrate, attracted
      both the wasp,T. euproctidis, and maleE. taiwana. These findings suggest thatT.
      euproctidis uses the sex pheromone of the female moth,E. taiwana, as a kairomone
      to locate a host female moth and through her the host eggs. 

PMID- 24225930
TI  - Behavioral responses ofSpodoptera littoralis males to sex pheromone components
      and virgin females in wind tunnel.
AB  - The major component of the sex pheromone of femaleSpodoptera littoralis, (Z,E)
      9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate (1), elicited all steps of the male behavioral
      sequence, i.e., wing fanning and taking flight, oriented upwind flight and
      arrival to the middle of the tunnel, close approach and contact with the source.
      The activity was equivalent to that elicited by virgin females. In the range of
      doses tested, the dosage of1 had no significant effect on the number of source
      contacts. Male response was significantly affected by light intensity, being
      optimum at 3 lux. Activity of the minor components (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate
      (2), (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (3), tetradecyl acetate (4), (Z)-11-tetradecenyl
      acetate (5), and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (6) was significantly lower
      than that of the major component when assayed individually. In multicomponent
      blends compound4 appeared to strongly decrease the number of males arrested at
      the source, the effect being particularly important when compound5 was present in
      the blend. Results of single sensillum experiments confirmed the existence of two
      main physiologically distinct sensillar types. The most common type of sensilla
      contained a neuron that responded specifically to compound1. A second type of
      sensilla, located laterally on the ventral sensory surface, contained two
      receptor neurons responding to compound6 and to (Z)-9-tetradecenol. Among short
      sensilla, one hair responded to compound4 and could represent a minor sensillar
      type. No sensory neuron was found to detect the other minor pheromone compounds2,
      3, and5. 

PMID- 24225931
TI  - Sex pheromone ofStenoma cecropia Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae).
AB  - (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienal (Z9,E11-14: Ald; 11%), (Z,E)-9,11,13-tetradecatrienal
      (Z9,E11, 13-14: Ald; 67%), (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9,E11-14: Ac,
      5.5%), and (Z,E)-9,11,13-tetradecatrienyl acetate (Z9,E11,13-14: Ac; 16.5%) were
      identified in the extracts of female pheromone glands ofStenoma cecropia
      (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae). From electroantennograms and single sensillum
      recordings, receptors toZ9,E11,13-14:Ald andZ9,E11-14: Ald were found on male
      antenna. Behavioral data were obtained from olfactometric tests in the laboratory
      and field trapping experiments in Colombia. It appeared that a blend ofZ9,E11,13
      14:Ald (83%) andZ9,E11-14:Ald (17%) was attractive to males. These aldehydes are
      assumed to be components of the sex pheromone ofS. cecropia, whereas the acetates
      found in gland extracts might be precursors of the pheromone. 

PMID- 24225932
TI  - Allelopathic potential of well water fromPluchea lanceolata-infested cultivated
      fields.
AB  - Pluchea lanceolata, an allelopathic perennial weed, has an extensive deep root
      and rhizome system. The objective of the present study was to determine the
      allelopathic potential of well water collected from weed-infested cultivated
      fields. Results indicate that well water recovered fromP. lanceolata-infested
      cultivated fields inhibited the shoot growth of pea, chick pea, mustard, and
      wheat under greenhouse conditions. Two phenolic compounds, phenol and
      phloroglucinol, were isolated and identified from collected well water using UV
      spectroscopy. The allelopathic potential of the aqueous extract of the two
      compounds was determined by growth experiments with 10(4) M solutions of the
      compounds. As a consequence of repeated irrigation with well water fromP.
      lanceolata-infested fields, higher levels of phenolics can accumulate in the
      soil, which may contribue to increased interference to crop plants. The present
      study is of significance since it cautions on the use of well water for
      irrigating cultivated fields infested with the perennial allelopathic weed (P.
      lanceolata) with dense subterranean systems and emphasizes the importance of
      controlling such weeds in cultivated fields. 

PMID- 24225933
TI  - Within-plant variation in concentrations of amino acids, sugar, and sinigrin in
      phloem sap of black mustard,Brassica nigra (L.) Koch (Cruciferae).
AB  - Although within-plant variation in the nutrient and allelochemical composition of
      phloem sap has been invoked to explain patterns of host use by phloem-feeding
      insects, little is known about within-plant variation in phloem chemistry. Here I
      describe a new technique in which I use the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae
      Sulz., to investigate within-plant variation in the concentrations of chemicals
      in the phloem sap of black mustard,Brassica nigra (L.) Koch (Cruciferae).
      Relationships between the concentrations of chemicals in aphid diets and honeydew
      were established using honeydew from aphids fed on artificial diets with known
      concentrations of amino acids, sucrose, and sinigrin. These relationships were
      applied to honeydew from aphids fed on different aged leaves of black mustard to
      estimate the concentrations of the chemicals in phloem sap. Sinigrin
      concentration was estimated to be high (>10 mM) in phloem sap in young leaves,
      calling into question the prevailing opinion that phloem sap contains only low
      concentrations of allelochemicals. High concentrations may function as defenses
      against sap-feeding herbivores. Within-plant variation in phloem sap composition
      was high: (1) young leaves had high concentrations of nutrients (216 mM amino
      acids, 26% sugar) and sinigrin (>10 mM); (2) mature and presenescent leaves had
      lower concentrations of nutrients (77-83 mM amino acids, 19-20% sugar) and low
      concentrations of sinigrin (1-2 mM); and (3) senescing leaves had high
      concentrations of nutrients (199 mM amino acids, 25% sugar) and low
      concentrations of sinigrin (3 mM). 

PMID- 24225934
TI  - Influence of alkaloid concentration on acceptability of tall larkspur (Delphinium
      spp.) to cattle and sheep.
AB  - Tall larkspur (Delphinium spp.) is a serious toxic plant problem on western U.S.
      ranges. The major toxins in tall larkspur are methyllycaconitine (MLA) and 14
      deacetylnudicauline (14-DAN); the sum of both is termed the toxic alkaloid
      concentration. Toxic alkaloids comprise about 20-50% of the total alkaloid
      concentration in tall larkspur. Toxic and total alkaloid concentration generally
      declines with maturity, whereas cattle and sheep consumption of larkspur
      typically increases with plant maturity. We hypothesized that cattle and sheep
      consumption of tall larkspur was negatively related to higher concentrations of
      total or toxic alkaloid. We compared consumption of several collections of dried,
      ground larkspur and fresh larkspur in a series of trials. In another trial, a
      crude alkaloid fraction was extracted with ethanol, added to alfalfa hay, and
      consumption compared to untreated alfalfa hay, alcohol-treated hay, and the
      essentially alkaloid-free plant residue. In all cases we correlated amounts eaten
      with total and toxic alkaloid concentration. A grazing trial was also conducted
      to relate larkspur consumption over time to alkaloid concentrations. Total
      alkaloid concentrations in dried, whole-plant collections ranged from 9.3 to 38.8
      mg/g of dry weight, whereas toxic alkaloid concentrations varied from 0.0 to 7.1
      mg/g. In one pen trial, cattle preferred a larkspur collection (P<0.01) that
      contained no toxic alkaloids but had a high total alkaloid concentration (39
      mg/g). There was no correlation (P>0.05), however, between concentrations of
      total or toxic alkaloids and amount of dry plant consumed in this or any other
      trial. Conversely, sheep consumption tended to be negatively influenced by total
      and toxic alkaloid concentration (P<=0.08). In the trials with extract, cattle
      preferred the alcohol-treated hay and rejected the alkaloid-free residue
      (P<0.01), whereas the alkaloid-treated hay was of intermediate acceptability.
      Cattle preferred the alkaloid-treated hay over the alkaloid-free residue,
      indicating that alkaloids did not deter consumption. Conversely, the alkaloid
      treated hay was less preferred than either untreated or alcohol-treated hay,
      suggesting a negative effect on acceptability. There was no correlation between
      alkaloid concentration and amount of treated feed eaten. In field trials, the
      amount of composited, fresh leaves or flowers eaten by cattle was influenced by
      plant part (P=0.04), but was not related (P>0.05) to alkaloid concentration.
      Cattle preferred leaves over flowers when offered individual plants differing in
      phenological stage and/or amount of shade, but alkaloid concentration was not
      related to consumption. We conclude that knowledge of the concentration of total
      or toxic alkaloid in tall larkspur will give little or no indication of plant
      acceptability to cattle. Even though accurate predictions can be made about the
      potential toxicity of larkspur based on the concentration of toxic alkaloids,
      predictions about consumption must be based primarily on plant phenology. 

PMID- 24225935
TI  - Sex pheromone of aphid parasitoidPraon volucre (Hymenoptera, Braconidae).
AB  - Mating in the aphid parasitoidPraon volucre is mediated by a female-produced sex
      pheromone, which laboratory behavioral studies suggest is released from the
      abdomen. Gas chromatography coupled with electrophysiological and behavioral
      assays on males showed one area of activity in an air entrainment sample of
      virgin females. However, levels of pheromone production are very low and this has
      so far precluded its identification. 

PMID- 24225936
TI  - Sensitivity ofLemna bioassay interacts with stock-culture period.
AB  - The effect of stock-culture period on the sensitivity of theLemna bioassay to
      four different phenolic substances was evaluated in this study. The sensitivity
      of the bioassay interacted with the stock-culture period of either 11, 14, or 18
      days. After a seven-day testp-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), vanillic acid (VA),trans
      cinnamic acid (CA), and ferulic acid (FA) with a concentration of 0.05 mM
      significantly reduced the number of fronds and the dry weight compared with the
      untreated control when the stock-culture period had been exactly 14 days. The
      sensitivity after the shorter (11 days) or longer (18 days) stock-culture period
      was reduced, and the differences in the dry weight to the untreated control were
      not significant after a stock culture period of 18 days. The two higher
      concentrations (0.1 and 0.25 mM) showed stronger inhibition. A comparison of the
      inhibition at 0.05 mM revealed that the stock-culture period affected the
      relative toxicity of the four phenolic substances. Since the pH increased in the
      stock-culture flasks during the 18-day period from 6.25 to 7.9, we hypothesize
      that differences in theLemna assay can be at least partly attributed to a pH
      effect, possibly in combination with a relative nutrient deficiency. We recommend
      a standardization of the stock-culture period to 14 days to improve the
      sensitivity of theLemna bioassay. 

PMID- 24225937
TI  - Chemoecological role of mammalian urine in host location by tsetse,Glossina spp.
      (Diptera: Glossinidae).
AB  - Trap catch size was used to investigate whetherGlossina pallidipes andG.
      longipennis could distinguish between the urine of the African buffalo, cattle,
      and waterbuck at Nguruman in southwest Kenya. NG2G traps baited with aged urine
      of these bovids caught significantly more of each tsetse than did the controls.
      The mean catch of either tsetse species in traps baited with aged urine of
      buffalo and cattle (tsetse hosts) and waterbuck (a nonhost) did not differ
      significantly. Aged urine from both tsetse hosts (buffalo and cattle) and the
      nonhost (waterbuck) was found to contain 4-cresol and 3-n-propylphenol in about
      the same ratio. However, the aged urine from other tsetse hosts (bushpig and
      warthog) lacked 3-n-propylphenol. Cattle urine had to be aged outside the soil to
      produce statistically significant increases in the trap catch ofG. pallidipes.
      Furthermore, patches of soil on which fresh urine of cattle was deposited, and in
      which it was aged, failed to effect a significant increase in the trap catch of
      eitherG. austeni, G. brevipalpis, orG. pallidipes as Gazi, southeast Kenya. The
      likelihood of tsetse either differentiating its hosts from nonhosts or locating
      favored hosts by the urine scent appears remote under natural conditions. It is
      more likely that the chemical signals critical for host location by the tsetse
      emanate from skin glands rather than volatilize from the urine of mammals. 

PMID- 24225938
TI  - Intrapopulational changes in sex pheromone composition during scotophase in
      oriental tobacco budworm,Helicoverpa assulta (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - Solvent extracts of individual pheromone glands were prepared from
      femaleHelicoverpa assulta (Guenee) at 2-hr intervals throughout the scotophase.
      The amounts of female sex pheromone components, (Z)-9-hexadecenal, (Z)-11
      hexadecenal, (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate, and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate, in the
      extracts were determined by gas chromatographic analysis. Although females called
      from early scotophase (2 hr) until late scotophase (6 hr) the quantity of
      extracted pheromone remained high at 8 hr, the end of the scotophase. More than
      70% of the pheromone gland extracts contained sex pheromone components regardless
      of whether the donor females had been called or resting. Pheromone components
      were absent from gland extracts prepared at the onset of the scotophase. The
      quantity of (Z)-9-hexadecenal and (Z)-11-hexadecenal increased rapidly to reach a
      maximum of approximately 260 and 30 ng/female, respectively, that was maintained
      for up to 8 hr, the duration of the scotophase. The quantity of (Z)-9-hexadecenyl
      acetate and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate increased continuously during the
      scotophase to peak at 600 and 30 ng/female, respectively, 8 hr into the
      scotophase. At the end of scotophase the quantity of all pheromone components
      decreased significantly. 

PMID- 24225939
TI  - Spontaneous seroclearance of hepatitis B seromarkers and subsequent risk of
      hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The associations between long-term risk of hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) and spontaneous seroclearance of HBV e antigen (HBeAg), HBV DNA
      and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) have never been examined by a prospective study
      using serially measured seromarkers. This study aimed to assess the importance of
      spontaneous HBeAg, HBV DNA and HBsAg seroclearance in the prediction of HCC risk.
      METHODS: This study included 2946 HBsAg seropositive individuals who were
      seronegative for antibodies against HCV and free of liver cirrhosis. Serial serum
      samples collected at study entry and follow-up health examinations were tested
      for HBeAg, HBV DNA and HBsAg. Cox proportional hazards models were used to
      calculate the HRs of developing HCC after seroclearance of HBV markers. RESULTS:
      The HR (95% CI) of developing HCC after seroclearance of HBeAg, HBV DNA and HBsAg
      during follow-up was 0.63 (0.38 to 1.05), 0.24 (0.11 to 0.57) and 0.18 (0.09 to
      0.38), respectively, after adjustment for age, gender and serum level of alanine
      aminotransferase at study entry. High HBV DNA levels at the seroclearance of
      HBeAg (mean+/-SD, 4.35+/-1.64 log10 IU/mL) may explain the non-significant
      association between HBeAg seroclearance and HCC risk. Among HBeAg seronegative
      participants with detectable serum HBV DNA at study entry, the lifetime (30-75
      years-old) cumulative incidence of HCC was 4.0%, 6.6% and 14.2%, respectively,
      for those with seroclearance of both HBV DNA and HBsAg, seroclearance of HBV DNA
      only, and seroclearance of neither. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous seroclearance of HBV
      DNA and HBsAg are important predictors of reduced HCC risk.

PMID- 24225940
TI  - Prevalence and characteristics in coding, classification and diagnosis of
      diabetes in primary care.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Approximately 366 million people worldwide live with diabetes and
      this figure is expected to rise. Among the correct diagnosis, there will be
      errors in the diagnosis, classification and coding, resulting in adverse health
      and financial implications. AIM: To determine the prevalence and characteristics
      of diagnostic errors in people with diabetes managed in primary care settings.
      METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in nine general practices in
      Leicester, UK, from May to August 2011, using a validated electronic toolkit.
      Searches identified cases with potential errors which were manually checked for
      accuracy. RESULTS: There were 54 088 patients and 2434 (4.5%) diagnosed with
      diabetes. Out of 316 people identified with potential errors with the toolkit,
      180 (57%) had confirmed errors after manually reviewing the records, resulting in
      an error prevalence of 7.4%. Correctly coded people on registers had
      significantly greater glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reductions. There were no
      significant differences between patients with and without errors in their HbA1C,
      body mass index, age and size of practice. There was also no significant
      association of the errors with pay-for-performance initiatives; however, those
      patients not on disease register had worse glycaemic control. CONCLUSIONS: A high
      prevalence of diabetic diagnostic errors was confirmed using medication,
      biochemical and demographic data. Larger studies are needed to more accurately
      assess the scale of this problem. Automation of these processes might be
      possible, which would allow searches to be even more user friendly.

PMID- 24225941
TI  - Preserving youth: does rapamycin deliver?
AB  - Research suggests that the drug rapamycin slows mammalian aging, but a
      provocative new study has gained attention by claiming to show it does not. 

PMID- 24225942
TI  - Piecing together the puzzle of severe malaria.
AB  - Severe malaria manifests as several overlapping syndromes with high mortality.
      Interaction of parasites with endothelial protein C receptors and high parasite
      biomass have recently been identified as key determinants of severe disease.
      However, gaps in our understanding of severe malaria might hinder translation of
      these findings into new therapies. 

PMID- 24225943
TI  - Restoration of the unfolded protein response in pancreatic beta cells protects
      mice against type 1 diabetes.
AB  - Perturbations in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis can evoke stress
      responses leading to aberrant glucose and lipid metabolism. ER dysfunction is
      linked to inflammatory disorders, but its role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune
      type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains unknown. We identified defects in the expression of
      unfolded protein response (UPR) mediators ATF6 (activating transcription factor
      6) and XBP1 (X-box binding protein 1) in beta cells from two different T1D mouse
      models and then demonstrated similar defects in pancreatic beta cells from T1D
      patients. Administration of a chemical ER stress mitigator, tauroursodeoxycholic
      acid (TUDCA), at the prediabetic stage resulted in a marked reduction of diabetes
      incidence in the T1D mouse models. This reduction was accompanied by (i) a
      significant decrease in aggressive lymphocytic infiltration in the pancreas, (ii)
      improved survival and morphology of beta cells, (iii) reduced beta cell
      apoptosis, (iv) preserved insulin secretion, and (v) restored expression of UPR
      mediators. TUDCA's actions were dependent on ATF6 and were lost in mice with beta
      cell-specific deletion of ATF6. These data indicate that proper maintenance of
      the UPR is essential for the preservation of beta cells and that defects in this
      process can be chemically restored for preventive or therapeutic interventions in
      T1D. 

PMID- 24225944
TI  - Aldehyde dehydrogenase expression drives human regulatory T cell resistance to
      posttransplantation cyclophosphamide.
AB  - High-dose, posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is an effective strategy
      for preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic blood or marrow
      transplantation (alloBMT). However, the mechanisms by which PTCy modulates
      alloimmune responses are not well understood. We studied early T cell
      reconstitution in patients undergoing alloBMT with PTCy and the effects of
      mafosfamide, a cyclophosphamide (Cy) analog, on CD4(+) T cells in allogeneic
      mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs) in vitro. Patients exhibited reductions in
      naive, potentially alloreactive conventional CD4(+) T cells with relative
      preservation of memory CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells. In particular, CD4(+)CD45RA(
      )Foxp3(+hi) effector regulatory T cells (Tregs) recovered rapidly after alloBMT
      and, unexpectedly, were present at higher levels in patients with GVHD.
      CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells from patients and from allogeneic MLRs expressed
      relatively high levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), the major in vivo
      mechanism of Cy resistance. Treatment of MLR cultures with the ALDH inhibitor
      diethylaminobenzaldehyde reduced the activation and proliferation of CD4(+) T
      cells and sensitized Tregs to mafosfamide. Finally, removing Tregs from
      peripheral blood lymphocyte grafts obviated PTCy's GVHD-protective effect in a
      xenogeneic transplant model. Together, these findings suggest that Treg
      resistance to Cy through expression of ALDH may contribute to the clinical
      activity of PTCy in preventing GVHD. 

PMID- 24225946
TI  - SUMO-1 gene transfer improves cardiac function in a large-animal model of heart
      failure.
AB  - Recently, the impact of small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (SUMO-1) on the
      regulation and preservation of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium adenosine
      triphosphatase (SERCA2a) function was discovered. The amount of myocardial SUMO-1
      is decreased in failing hearts, and its knockdown results in severe heart failure
      (HF) in mice. In a previous study, we showed that SUMO-1 gene transfer
      substantially improved cardiac function in a murine model of pressure overload
      induced HF. Toward clinical translation, we evaluated in this study the effects
      of SUMO-1 gene transfer in a swine model of ischemic HF. One month after balloon
      occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery followed by
      reperfusion, the animals were randomized to receive either SUMO-1 at two doses,
      SERCA2a, or both by adeno-associated vector type 1 (AAV1) gene transfer via
      antegrade coronary infusion. Control animals received saline infusions. After
      gene delivery, there was a significant increase in the maximum rate of pressure
      rise [dP/dt(max)] that was most pronounced in the group that received both SUMO-1
      and SERCA2a. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improved after high
      dose SUMO-1 with or without SERCA2a gene delivery, whereas there was a decline in
      LVEF in the animals receiving saline. Furthermore, the dilatation of LV volumes
      was prevented in the treatment groups. SUMO-1 gene transfer therefore improved
      cardiac function and stabilized LV volumes in a large-animal model of HF. These
      results support the critical role of SUMO-1 in SERCA2a function and underline the
      therapeutic potential of SUMO-1 for HF patients. 

PMID- 24225945
TI  - Sclerostin inhibition reverses skeletal fragility in an Lrp5-deficient mouse
      model of OPPG syndrome.
AB  - Osteoporosis pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG) is a rare genetic disease that produces
      debilitating effects in the skeleton. OPPG is caused by mutations in LRP5, a WNT
      co-receptor that mediates osteoblast activity. WNT signaling through LRP5, and
      also through the closely related receptor LRP6, is inhibited by the protein
      sclerostin (SOST). It is unclear whether OPPG patients might benefit from the
      anabolic action of sclerostin neutralization therapy (an approach currently being
      pursued in clinical trials for postmenopausal osteoporosis) in light of their
      LRP5 deficiency and consequent osteoblast impairment. To assess whether loss of
      sclerostin is anabolic in OPPG, we measured bone properties in a mouse model of
      OPPG (Lrp5(-/-)), a mouse model of sclerosteosis (Sost(-/-)), and in mice with
      both genes knocked out (Lrp5(-/-);Sost(-/-)). Lrp5(-/-);Sost(-/-) mice have
      larger, denser, and stronger bones than do Lrp5(-/-) mice, indicating that SOST
      deficiency can improve bone properties via pathways that do not require LRP5.
      Next, we determined whether the anabolic effects of sclerostin depletion in Lrp5(
      /-) mice are retained in adult mice by treating 17-week-old Lrp5(-/-) mice with a
      sclerostin antibody for 3 weeks. Lrp5(+/+) and Lrp5(-/-) mice each exhibited
      osteoanabolic responses to antibody therapy, as indicated by increased bone
      mineral density, content, and formation rates. Collectively, our data show that
      inhibiting sclerostin can improve bone mass whether LRP5 is present or not. In
      the absence of LRP5, the anabolic effects of SOST depletion can occur via other
      receptors (such as LRP4/6). Regardless of the mechanism, our results suggest that
      humans with OPPG might benefit from sclerostin neutralization therapies. 

PMID- 24225947
TI  - Protein phosphatase 2A is regulated by protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha)-dependent
      phosphorylation of its targeting subunit B56alpha at Ser41.
AB  - Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a family of multifunctional serine/threonine
      phosphatases consisting of a catalytic C, a structural A, and a regulatory B
      subunit. The substrate and therefore the functional specificity of PP2A are
      determined by the assembly of the enzyme complex with the appropriate regulatory
      B subunit families, namely B55, B56, PR72, or PR93/PR110. It has been suggested
      that additional levels of regulating PP2A function may result from the
      phosphorylation of B56 isoforms. In this study, we identified a novel
      phosphorylation site at Ser(41) of B56alpha. This phosphoamino acid residue was
      efficiently phosphorylated in vitro by PKCalpha. We detected a 7-fold higher
      phosphorylation of B56alpha in failing human hearts compared with nonfailing
      hearts. Purified PP2A dimeric holoenzyme (subunits C and A) was able to
      dephosphorylate PKCalpha-phosphorylated B56alpha. The potency of B56alpha for
      PP2A inhibition was markedly increased by PKCalpha phosphorylation. PP2A activity
      was also reduced in HEK293 cells transfected with a B56alpha mutant, where serine
      41 was replaced by aspartic acid, which mimics phosphorylation. More evidence for
      a functional role of PKCalpha-dependent phosphorylation of B56alpha was derived
      from Fluo-4 fluorescence measurements in phenylephrine-stimulated Flp293 cells.
      The endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) release was increased by 23% by expression of
      the pseudophosphorylated form compared with wild-type B56alpha. Taken together,
      our results suggest that PKCalpha can modify PP2A activity by phosphorylation of
      B56alpha at Ser(41). This interplay between PKCalpha and PP2A represents a new
      mechanism to regulate important cellular functions like cellular Ca(2+)
      homeostasis. 

PMID- 24225948
TI  - Characterization of intermediate steps in amyloid beta (Abeta) production under
      near-native conditions.
AB  - Processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by gamma-secretase results in
      generation of Abeta peptides of different lengths ranging from 51 to 30 residues.
      Accumulation of Abeta and in particular Abeta42 is enhanced by familial Alzheimer
      disease (FAD) causing mutations in APP and is believed to play a pivotal role.
      The molecular mechanism underlying normal Abeta production, the impact of FAD
      mutations on this process and how anti-amyloidogenic gamma-secretase modulators
      (GSMs) cause a selective decrease in Abeta40 and Abeta42 and an increase in
      shorter Abeta peptides, however, is poorly understood. By using a combined immuno
      and LC-MS-based assay we identify several major intermediates, i.e. 3- and 4
      peptides that line up head to head across the entire APP transmembrane sequence
      from Abeta51 to Abeta31/Abeta30 and from Abeta49 to Abeta30/31. FAD APP mutations
      displayed a relative increase in 3- and 4-peptides from Abeta48 to Abeta38
      compared with Abeta49 to Abeta37. These findings correlate with an increase in
      the Abeta42/40 ratio. GSMs caused a decrease in Abeta40 and Abeta42 and an
      increase in Abeta37 and Abeta38 paralleled by an increase of the intermediates
      Abeta40-38 and Abeta42-39. Collectively, these data provide a thorough
      characterization of all intermediate steps in Abeta production in native cell
      membranes and provide key mechanistic insights to genetic and pharmacological
      modulation of Abeta generation. 

PMID- 24225949
TI  - In planta mutagenesis of Src homology 3 domain-like fold of NdhS, a ferredoxin
      binding subunit of the chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase-like complex in
      Arabidopsis: a conserved Arg-193 plays a critical role in ferredoxin binding.
AB  - Chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase-like (NDH) complex mediates cyclic electron
      transport around photosystem I and chlororespiration in angiosperms. The Src
      homology 3 domain (SH3)-like fold protein NdhS/CRR31 is an NDH subunit that is
      necessary for high affinity binding of ferredoxin, indicating that chloroplast
      NDH functions as a ferredoxin:plastoquinone oxidoreductase. However, the
      mechanism of the interaction between NdhS and ferredoxin is unclear. In this
      study, we analyzed their interaction in planta by using site-directed mutagenesis
      of NdhS. In general, binding of ferredoxin to its target proteins depends on
      electrostatic interaction. In silico analysis predicted the presence of a
      positively charged pocket in the SH3-like domain of NdhS, where nine charged
      residues are highly conserved among plants. Systematic alteration of these sites
      with neutral glutamine revealed that only arginine 193 was required for high NDH
      activity in vivo. Further replacement of arginine 193 with negatively charged
      aspartate or glutamate or hydrophobic alanine significantly decreased the
      efficiency of ferredoxin-dependent plastoquinone reduction by NDH in ruptured
      chloroplasts. Similar results were obtained in in vivo analyses of NDH activity
      and electron transport. From these results, we propose that the positive charge
      of arginine 193 in the SH3-like domain of NdhS is critical for electrostatic
      interaction with ferredoxin in vivo. 

PMID- 24225950
TI  - Identification of a small peptide that inhibits PCSK9 protein binding to the low
      density lipoprotein receptor.
AB  - PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) is a negative regulator of
      the hepatic LDL receptor, and clinical studies with PCSK9-inhibiting antibodies
      have demonstrated strong LDL-c-lowering effects. Here we screened phage-displayed
      peptide libraries and identified the 13-amino acid linear peptide Pep2-8 as the
      smallest PCSK9 inhibitor with a clearly defined mechanism of inhibition that has
      been described. Pep2-8 bound to PCSK9 with a KD of 0.7 MUm but did not bind to
      other proprotein convertases. It fully restored LDL receptor surface levels and
      LDL particle uptake in PCSK9-treated HepG2 cells. The crystal structure of Pep2-8
      bound to C-terminally truncated PCSK9 at 1.85 A resolution showed that the
      peptide adopted a strand-turn-helix conformation, which is remarkably similar to
      its solution structure determined by NMR. Consistent with the functional binding
      site identified by an Ala scan of PCSK9, the structural Pep2-8 contact region of
      about 400 A(2) largely overlapped with that contacted by the EGF(A) domain of the
      LDL receptor, suggesting a competitive inhibition mechanism. Consistent with
      this, Pep2-8 inhibited LDL receptor and EGF(A) domain binding to PCSK9 with IC50
      values of 0.8 and 0.4 MUm, respectively. Remarkably, Pep2-8 mimicked secondary
      structural elements of the EGF(A) domain that interact with PCSK9, notably the
      beta-strand and a discontinuous short alpha-helix, and it engaged in the same
      beta-sheet hydrogen bonds as EGF(A) does. Although Pep2-8 itself may not be
      amenable to therapeutic applications, this study demonstrates the feasibility of
      developing peptidic inhibitors to functionally relevant sites on PCSK9. 

PMID- 24225951
TI  - The prion protein modulates A-type K+ currents mediated by Kv4.2 complexes
      through dipeptidyl aminopeptidase-like protein 6.
AB  - Widely expressed in the adult central nervous system, the cellular prion protein
      (PrP(C)) is implicated in a variety of processes, including neuronal
      excitability. Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase-like protein 6 (DPP6) was first
      identified as a PrP(C) interactor using in vivo formaldehyde cross-linking of
      wild type (WT) mouse brain. This finding was confirmed in three cell lines and,
      because DPP6 directs the functional assembly of K(+) channels, we assessed the
      impact of WT and mutant PrP(C) upon Kv4.2-based cell surface macromolecular
      complexes. Whereas a Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease version of PrP with
      eight extra octarepeats was a loss of function both for complex formation and for
      modulation of Kv4.2 channels, WT PrP(C), in a DPP6-dependent manner, modulated
      Kv4.2 channel properties, causing an increase in peak amplitude, a rightward
      shift of the voltage-dependent steady-state inactivation curve, a slower
      inactivation, and a faster recovery from steady-state inactivation. Thus, the net
      impact of wt PrP(C) was one of enhancement, which plays a critical role in the
      down-regulation of neuronal membrane excitability and is associated with a
      decreased susceptibility to seizures. Insofar as previous work has established a
      requirement for WT PrP(C) in the Abeta-dependent modulation of excitability in
      cholinergic basal forebrain neurons, our findings implicate PrP(C) regulation of
      Kv4.2 channels as a mechanism contributing to the effects of oligomeric Abeta
      upon neuronal excitability and viability. 

PMID- 24225952
TI  - Actin-binding and cell proliferation activities of angiomotin family members are
      regulated by Hippo pathway-mediated phosphorylation.
AB  - Whether the Hippo pathway has downstream targets other than YAP and TAZ is
      unknown. In this report, we have identified angiomotin (Amot) family members as
      novel substrates of Hippo core kinases. The N-terminal regions of Amot proteins
      contain a conserved HXRXXS consensus site for LATS1/2-mediated phosphorylation.
      Phospho-specific antibodies showed that Hippo core kinases could mediate
      phosphorylation of endogenous as well as exogenous Amot family members. Knockdown
      of LATS1 and LATS2 endogenously reduced the phosphorylation of Amots detected by
      the phospho-specific antibodies. Mutation of the serine to alanine within this
      HXRXXS site in Amot and AmotL2 established that this site was essential for Hippo
      core kinase-mediated phosphorylation. Wild-type and non-phosphorylated Amot (Amot
      S175A) were targeted to actin filaments, whereas phospho-mimic Amot (Amot-S175D)
      failed to be localized with actin. Overexpression of LATS2 caused dissociation of
      Amot from actin but not Amot-S175A. Mapping of the actin-binding site of Amot
      showed that serine 175 of Amot was important for the actin-binding activity. Amot
      S175A promoted, whereas Amot and Amot-S175D inhibited, cell proliferation. These
      results collectively suggest that the Hippo pathway negatively regulates the
      actin-binding activity of Amot family members through direct phosphorylation. 

PMID- 24225953
TI  - Novel key metabolites reveal further branching of the roquefortine/meleagrin
      biosynthetic pathway.
AB  - Metabolic profiling and structural elucidation of novel secondary metabolites
      obtained from derived deletion strains of the filamentous fungus Penicillium
      chrysogenum were used to reassign various previously ascribed synthetase genes of
      the roquefortine/meleagrin pathway to their corresponding products. Next to the
      structural characterization of roquefortine F and neoxaline, which are for the
      first time reported for P. chrysogenum, we identified the novel metabolite
      roquefortine L, including its degradation products, harboring remarkable chemical
      structures. Their biosynthesis is discussed, questioning the exclusive role of
      glandicoline A as key intermediate in the pathway. The results reveal that
      further enzymes of this pathway are rather unspecific and catalyze more than one
      reaction, leading to excessive branching in the pathway with meleagrin and
      neoxaline as end products of two branches. 

PMID- 24225954
TI  - Body fluid exosomes promote secretion of inflammatory cytokines in monocytic
      cells via Toll-like receptor signaling.
AB  - Tumor-derived exosomes have been shown to induce various immunomodulatory
      effects. However, the underlying signaling pathways are poorly understood. Here,
      we analyzed the effects of ex vivo-derived exosomes on monocytic cell
      differentiation/activation using THP-1 cells as model. We isolated exosomes from
      various body fluids such as amniotic fluid, liver cirrhosis ascites, and
      malignant ascites of ovarian cancer patients. We observed that exosomes were
      internalized by THP-1 cells and induced the production of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha,
      and IL-6. Analysis of the signaling pathways revealed a fast triggering of
      NFkappaB and a delayed activation of STAT3. Pharmacologic and antibody-blocking
      experiments showed that the initial production of IL-6 was instrumental for
      subsequent activation of STAT3. Importantly, triggering of cell signaling was not
      a unique property of tumor exosomes but was also observed with exosomes of
      noncancerous origin. Exosomal signaling was TLR-dependent as the knockdown of
      Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 blocked NFkappaB and STAT3 activation.
      Similar results were obtained with TLR-neutralizing antibodies. Exosomes also
      triggered the release of cytokines from mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells
      or macrophages. This process was MyD88-dependent, further supporting a role of
      TLR signaling. Our results suggest that exosomes trigger TLR-dependent signaling
      pathways in monocytic precursor cells but possibly also in other immune cells.
      This process could be important for the induction of immunosuppressive mechanisms
      during cancer progression and inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 24225955
TI  - Structure of soybean serine acetyltransferase and formation of the cysteine
      regulatory complex as a molecular chaperone.
AB  - Serine acetyltransferase (SAT) catalyzes the limiting reaction in plant and
      microbial biosynthesis of cysteine. In addition to its enzymatic function, SAT
      forms a macromolecular complex with O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase. Formation of
      the cysteine regulatory complex (CRC) is a critical biochemical control feature
      in plant sulfur metabolism. Here we present the 1.75-3.0 A resolution x-ray
      crystal structures of soybean (Glycine max) SAT (GmSAT) in apoenzyme, serine
      bound, and CoA-bound forms. The GmSAT-serine and GmSAT-CoA structures provide new
      details on substrate interactions in the active site. The crystal structures and
      analysis of site-directed mutants suggest that His(169) and Asp(154) form a
      catalytic dyad for general base catalysis and that His(189) may stabilize the
      oxyanion reaction intermediate. Glu(177) helps to position Arg(203) and His(204)
      and the beta1c-beta2c loop for serine binding. A similar role for ionic
      interactions formed by Lys(230) is required for CoA binding. The GmSAT structures
      also identify Arg(253) as important for the enhanced catalytic efficiency of SAT
      in the CRC and suggest that movement of the residue may stabilize CoA binding in
      the macromolecular complex. Differences in the effect of cold on GmSAT activity
      in the isolated enzyme versus the enzyme in the CRC were also observed. A role
      for CRC formation as a molecular chaperone to maintain SAT activity in response
      to an environmental stress is proposed for this multienzyme complex in plants. 

PMID- 24225956
TI  - Cdc48 chaperone and adaptor Ubx4 distribute the proteasome in the nucleus for
      anaphase proteolysis.
AB  - The cell cycle transition is driven by abrupt degradation of key regulators.
      While ubiquitylation of these proteins has been extensively studied, the
      requirement for the proteolytic step is less understood. By analyzing the cell
      cycle function of Cdc48 in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we found
      that double mutations in Cdc48 and its adaptor Ubx4 cause mitotic arrest with
      sustained Clb2 and Cdc20 proteins that are normally degraded in anaphase. The
      phenotype is neither caused by spindle checkpoint activation nor a defect in the
      assembly or the activity of the ubiquitylation machinery and the proteasome.
      Interestingly, the 26S proteasome is mislocalized into foci, which are
      colocalized with nuclear envelope anchor Sts1 in cdc48-3 ubx4 cells. Moreover,
      genetic analysis reveals that ubx4 deletion mutant dies in the absence of Rpn4, a
      transcriptional activator for proteasome subunits, and the proteasome chaperone
      Ump1, indicating that an optimal level of the proteasome is required for
      survival. Overexpression of Rpn4 indeed can rescue cell growth and anaphase
      proteolysis in cdc48-3 ubx4 cells. Biochemical analysis further shows that Ubx4
      interacts with the proteasome. Our data propose that Cdc48-Ubx4 acts on the
      proteasome and uses the chaperone activity to promote its nuclear distribution,
      thereby optimizing the proteasome level for efficient degradation of mitotic
      regulators. 

PMID- 24225958
TI  - E-cigarettes: good for children?

PMID- 24225957
TI  - The crystal structure of shiga toxin type 2 with bound disaccharide guides the
      design of a heterobifunctional toxin inhibitor.
AB  - Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2a) is clinically most closely associated with
      enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7-mediated hemorrhagic colitis that sometimes
      progresses to hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The ability to express the toxin has
      been acquired by other Escherichia coli strains, and outbreaks of food poisoning
      have caused significant mortality rates as, for example, in the 2011 outbreak in
      northern Germany. Stx2a, an AB5 toxin, gains entry into human cells via the
      glycosphingolipid receptor Gb3. We have determined the first crystal structure of
      a disaccharide analog of Gb3 bound to the B5 pentamer of Stx2a holotoxin. In this
      Gb3 analog,-GalNAc replaces the terminal-Gal residue. This co-crystal structure
      confirms previous inferences that two of the primary binding sites identified in
      theB5 pentamer of Stx1 are also functional in Stx2a. This knowledge provides a
      rationale for the synthesis and evaluation of heterobifunctional antagonists for
      E. coli toxins that target Stx2a. Incorporation of GalNAc Gb3 trisaccharide in a
      heterobifunctional ligand with an attached pyruvate acetal, a ligand for human
      amyloid P component, and conjugation to poly[acrylamide-co-(3
      azidopropylmethacrylamide)] produced a polymer that neutralized Stx2a in a mouse
      model of Shigatoxemia.

PMID- 24225959
TI  - Ultrasound hip screening: why bother?

PMID- 24225960
TI  - Question 1: Is there a role for high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy to prevent
      endotracheal intubation in children with viral bronchiolitis?

PMID- 24225961
TI  - Towards evidence based medicine for paediatricians.

PMID- 24225962
TI  - Question 2: Will continuous positive airway pressure reduce the need for
      ventilation in bronchiolitis?

PMID- 24225964
TI  - An update on venous thromboembolism in cancer.

PMID- 24225965
TI  - Joint statement by members of the NCCN Prostate Cancer Guidelines Panel.

PMID- 24225966
TI  - Treatment of cancer-associated retinopathy with rituximab.
AB  - Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) is a rare autoimmune condition associated
      with various cancers, causing significant visual impairment. Visual symptoms in
      CAR may or may not correlate with the extent of systemic disease or its response
      to chemotherapy, and must be addressed separately from the management of systemic
      malignancy. Steroids have been the mainstay of CAR therapy. Various
      immunomodulatory therapies have also been described with varying responses, but
      the overall visual prognosis remains poor. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody
      used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma and many autoimmune
      disorders. This case report describes a patient with small cell uterine cancer
      who initially presented with visual impairment associated with CAR. The patient's
      deteriorating visual symptoms were successfully halted for an extended,
      clinically meaningful period with rituximab. 

PMID- 24225967
TI  - Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, Version 1.2014.
AB  - The 2014 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Chronic Myelogenous
      Leukemia recommend quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction
      (QPCR) standardized to International Scale (IS) as the preferred method for
      monitoring molecular response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. A BCR
      ABL1 transcript level of 10% or less (IS) is now included as the response
      milestone at 3 and 6 months. Change of therapy to an alternate TKI is recommended
      for patients with BCR-ABL1 transcript levels greater than 10% (IS) at 3 months
      after primary treatment with imatinib. Continuing the same dose of TKI or
      switching to an alternate TKI are options for patients with BCR-ABL1 transcript
      levels greater than 10% (IS) at 3 months after primary treatment with dasatinib
      or nilotinib. The guidelines recommend 6-month evaluation with QPCR (IS) for
      patients with BCR-ABL1 transcript levels greater than 10% at 3 months. Monitoring
      with QPCR (IS) every 3 months is recommended for all patients, including those
      who meet response milestones at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months (BCR-ABL1 transcript
      level <=10% [IS] at 3 and 6 months, complete cytogenetic response at 12 and 18
      months). 

PMID- 24225968
TI  - Translating genomics in cancer care.
AB  - There is increasing enthusiasm for genomics and its promise in advancing
      personalized medicine. Genomic information has been used to personalize health
      care for decades, spanning the fields of cardiovascular disease, infectious
      disease, endocrinology, metabolic medicine, and hematology. However, oncology has
      often been the first test bed for the clinical translation of genomics for
      diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications. Notable hereditary cancer
      examples include testing for mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 in unaffected women to
      identify those at significantly elevated risk for developing breast and ovarian
      cancers, and screening patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer for
      mutations in 4 mismatch repair genes to reduce morbidity and mortality in their
      relatives. Somatic genomic testing is also increasingly used in oncology, with
      gene expression profiling of breast tumors and EGFR testing to predict treatment
      response representing commonly used examples. Health technology assessment
      provides a rigorous means to inform clinical and policy decision-making through
      systematic assessment of the evidentiary base, along with precepts of clinical
      effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and consideration of risks and benefits for
      health care delivery and society. Although this evaluation is a fundamental step
      in the translation of any new therapeutic, procedure, or diagnostic test into
      clinical care, emerging developments may threaten this standard. These include
      "direct to consumer" genomic risk assessment services and the challenges posed by
      incidental results generated from next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies.
      This article presents a review of the evidentiary standards and knowledge base
      supporting the translation of key cancer genomic technologies along the continuum
      of validity, utility, cost-effectiveness, health service impacts, and ethical and
      societal issues, and offers future research considerations to guide the
      responsible introduction of NGS technologies into health care. It concludes that
      significant evidentiary gaps remain in translating genomic technologies into
      routine clinical practice, particularly in efficacy, health outcomes, cost
      effectiveness, and health services research. These caveats are especially germane
      in the context of NGS, wherein efforts are underway to translate NGS results
      despite their limited accuracy, lack of proven efficacy, and significant
      computational and counseling challenges. Further research across these domains is
      critical to inform the effective, efficient, and equitable translation of
      genomics into cancer care. 

PMID- 24225969
TI  - Rapid access to mental health professionals with experience in treating cancer
      related distress: the American Psychosocial Oncology Referral Helpline.
AB  - The new quality standard for cancer care established in 2008 by the Institute of
      Medicine requires that the psychosocial domain be integrated into routine cancer
      care. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has incorporated this
      standard in its accreditation requirements for 1500 cancer centers in the
      country, to be fully implemented by 2015. Oncology offices and clinics are
      developing procedures for quickly identifying distressed patients and referring
      them to appropriate mental health professionals. The American Psychosocial
      Oncology Society (APOS), the Association of Oncology Social Work, and the
      Oncology Nursing Society are currently drafting recommendations to assist clinics
      in complying with accreditation requirements. A critical component of this new
      quality standard is assuring that those who need mental health services are
      referred to the appropriate resource. A large disconnect exists in most
      communities between oncology and mental health professionals because they treat
      very different patient populations. Therefore, oncology staff may have difficulty
      identifying mental health professionals for patients in need of psychological
      help. This step can be simplified by use of the APOS Helpline. This article
      discusses the unique role of the APOS Referral Helpline in the context of this
      new era of psychosocial care for patients with cancer. 

PMID- 24225970
TI  - Models of care and NCCN guideline adherence in very-low-risk prostate cancer.
AB  - NCCN Guidelines recommend active surveillance as the primary management option
      for patients with very-low-risk prostate cancer and an expected survival of less
      than 20 years, reflecting the favorable prognosis of these men and the lack of
      perceived benefit of immediate, definitive treatment. The authors hypothesized
      that care at a multidisciplinary clinic, where multiple physicians have an
      opportunity to simultaneously review and discuss each case, is associated with
      increased rates of active surveillance in men with very-low-risk prostate cancer,
      including those with limited life expectancy. Of 630 patients with low-risk
      prostate cancer managed at 1 of 3 tertiary care centers in Boston, Massachusetts
      in 2009, 274 (43.5%) had very-low-risk classification. Patients were either seen
      by 1 or more individual practitioners in sequential settings or at a
      multidisciplinary clinic, in which concurrent consultation with 2 or more of the
      following specialties was obtained: urology, radiation oncology, and medical
      oncology. Patients seen at a multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinic were more
      likely to select active surveillance than those seen by individual practitioners
      (64% vs 30%; P<.001), an association that remained significant on multivariable
      logistic regression (odds ratio [OR], 4.16; P<.001). When the analysis was
      limited to patients with an expected survival of less than 20 years, this
      association remained highly significant (72% vs 34%, P<.001; OR, 5.19; P<.001,
      respectively). Multidisciplinary care is strongly associated with selection of
      active surveillance, adherence to NCCN Guidelines and minimization of
      overtreatment in patients with very-low-risk prostate cancer. 

PMID- 24225971
TI  - Molecular tumor testing for Lynch syndrome in patients with colorectal cancer.
AB  - Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary colon cancer syndrome, and
      accounts for 2% to 3% of all colorectal cancers. These tumors are caused by
      germline mutations of DNA mismatch repair genes, which result in microsatellite
      instability. Colonic and extracolonic malignancies can occur at a young age, and
      are often diagnosed at a late stage because of underrecognition of the syndrome.
      Identifying individuals with LS before the development of these malignancies
      decreases mortality because of frequent screening and surveillance of colonic and
      extracolonic cancers. Moreover, family members of these individuals can be tested
      and begin screening at a young age if appropriate. Classically, Amsterdam
      criteria and Bethesda guidelines have been used to identify at-risk individuals;
      however, these tools miss a significant number of cases. As the molecular basis
      for LS has been clarified, more sophisticated strategies have emerged. Testing
      all colorectal cancers for loss of mismatch repair proteins, known as universal
      screening, is a strategy used to identify individuals at risk for LS. This
      approach has been shown to be more sensitive than previous methods that rely on
      family history. Implementation of universal tumor testing necessitates a
      systematic approach to positive results in order to have maximal effect, and
      could prove to be the most cost-effective approach to reducing cancer mortality
      in patients with LS. 

PMID- 24225973
TI  - Venous thromboembolic disease.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a common and life-threatening complication
      among patients with cancer. Thromboprophylaxis can be used to prevent the
      occurrence of VTE in patients with cancer who are considered at high risk for
      developing this complication. Therefore, it is critical to recognize the various
      risk factors for VTE in patients with cancer. Risk assessment tools are available
      to help identify patients for whom discussions regarding the potential benefits
      and risks of thromboprophylaxis would be appropriate. The NCCN Clinical Practice
      Guidelines in Oncology for VTE provide recommendations on risk evaluation,
      diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of VTE in patients with cancer. 

PMID- 24225974
TI  - Venous thromboembolism prevention in cancer outpatients.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has serious consequences for patients with cancer,
      including mortality. VTE is preventable with appropriate thromboprophylaxis, but
      prior public health efforts have focused on prophylaxis in the inpatient setting.
      However, most VTE events in malignancy currently occur in outpatients. Several
      recent clinical trials have addressed thromboprophylaxis in the ambulatory
      setting. Their findings suggest potential benefit, but with significant variation
      in underlying risk. A risk-adapted approach that incorporates risk of thrombosis,
      risk of bleeding, and patient preference can target high-risk patients and also
      allow low-risk patients to avoid prophylaxis. Risk assessment is therefore key to
      patient selection for outpatient prophylaxis. This article focuses on results of
      recent trials and updates from major guideline panels, with the intent of
      providing guidance to clinical providers. 

PMID- 24225972
TI  - Efficacy trial of an Internet-based intervention for cancer-related female sexual
      dysfunction.
AB  - The recent NCCN Guidelines for Survivorship recommend systematic evaluation and
      multidisciplinary treatment of cancer-related sexual dysfunctions. However, most
      oncology professionals fail to routinely assess sexual problems and lack
      expertise to treat them. An Internet-based intervention was designed to educate
      female patients and their partners about cancer-related sexual problems, describe
      medical treatment options and how to find expert care, and provide self-help
      strategies. A randomized trial assessed efficacy of the intervention when used as
      self-help versus the same Web access and 3 supplemental counseling sessions.
      Survivors of localized breast or gynecologic cancers completed online
      questionnaires at baseline, posttreatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up,
      including the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Menopausal Sexual Interest
      Questionnaire (MSIQ), the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) to assess emotional
      distress, and the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS) scale.
      Program evaluation ratings were completed posttreatment. Fifty-eight women
      completed baseline questionnaires (mean age, 53 +/- 9 years). Drop-out rates were
      22% during treatment and 34% at 6-month follow-up. Linear mixed models for each
      outcome across time showed improvement in total scores on the FSFI, MSIQ, and
      QLACS (P<.001) and BSI-18 (P=.001). The counseled group improved significantly
      more on sexuality measures, but changes in emotional distress and quality of life
      did not differ between groups. Program content and ease of use were rated
      positively. Research is needed on how best to integrate this intervention into
      routine clinical practice, and particularly how to improve uptake and adherence. 

PMID- 24225975
TI  - Are new oral anticoagulants ready for use in patients with cancer?
AB  - Patients with cancer have long been an important and enigmatic part of basic
      science and clinical research in thromboembolic disease. The reciprocal
      deleterious effects on outcomes of a cancer diagnosis on patients with thrombosis
      and a thrombotic event on patients with cancer have been observed and documented
      for more than a century. Patients with cancer continue to be one of the more
      difficult populations to manage using the available unfractionated and low
      molecular-weight heparins and the oral vitamin K antagonists. High rates of
      failure and bleeding complications have made researchers and practitioners alike
      seek newer more effective anticoagulation agents. The novel oral direct thrombin
      and activated factor Xa inhibitors have been shown in large clinical trials to be
      safe and efficacious in many prophylaxis and treatment settings. However,
      practitioners who treat patients with cancer should be cautious using these
      agents until more studies are specifically performed in this thrombophilic
      patient population. 

PMID- 24225976
TI  - Underinsured patients and the financial fallout of cancer care.

PMID- 24225979
TI  - SCVA December 2013: update in perioperative medicine.

PMID- 24225982
TI  - Editor's note.

PMID- 24225980
TI  - Extenders of cognition.

PMID- 24225983
TI  - Psychology and primary care: Evolving traditions.
AB  - The involvement of psychology and psychologists in primary health care is based
      upon patient care needs which suggest that upward of 60% of all visits to primary
      care physicians' offices are psychological in nature. Psychologists have a strong
      tradition of providing primary health care to medically ill patients and as long
      term members of the health care team. The wide array of cost-effective patient
      care services provided by psychologists is discussed. Present APA initiatives in
      primary health care are presented, along with descriptions of the manuscripts in
      this special issue of theJournal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
      focusing on primary health care. 

PMID- 24225984
TI  - Building a primary care discipline: Notes from a psychologist in family medicine.
AB  - Psychologists of a variety of emphases have actively participated in the growth
      of family medicine as an academic discipline. Rather than simply collaborate,
      they have shaped the very nature of the field. This paper describes a number of
      contributions from psychologists in family systems and educational arenas. In
      particular, physician-psychologist collaborative work is highlighted. 

PMID- 24225985
TI  - Teaching psychological knowledge and skills to family physicians.
AB  - Psychological problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, substance abuse) are prevalent
      in primary care medical settings. Family physicians (FPs) treat more patients
      than any other primary care medical specialists. Thus, FPs can play an extremely
      important role in providing psychological services to their patients. In contrast
      to other specialists (e.g., internists, obstetricians), FPs are required to
      complete behavioral science training in their residencies. In this paper, we
      describe standard undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate training of FPs. We
      present our unique program for teaching psychological principles and skills to
      family practice residents at the University of Kansas Medical Center. And
      finally, we introduce an instrument, the Interview Rating Scale (IRS), for
      evaluating the interviewing skills of physicians and residents. 

PMID- 24225986
TI  - Primary health care for women: What is it and who provides it?
AB  - Recent federal policy has highlighted historically underrecognized women's health
      issues. Women comprise the majority of the population, especially the elderly.
      Women's health care needs, utilization patterns, and outcomes vary from those of
      men, and often among each other. Primary health care services for women are
      multidisciplinary and emphasize prevention, education, and early intervention as
      well as treatment. Psychologists and other primary health care providers can
      collaborate to provide their services in a cost-effective manner that optimizes
      quality of care and comprehensive health care. 

PMID- 24225987
TI  - Domestic violence in primary care: The psychologist's role.
AB  - This paper highlights the difficulties facing medical and mental health
      professionals in helping families in which there is violence. Emphasis is placed
      on how domestic violence presents in primary care medical settings. Physician and
      patient characteristics that interfere with domestic violence detection are
      reviewed. A role is outlined for psychologists in primary care settings to
      facilitate detection and treatment. Facilitative efforts include educating
      physicians through collaboration and serving as an on-site resource for
      information and consultation. 

PMID- 24225988
TI  - The detection and management of mental health disorders in pediatric primary
      care.
AB  - We reviewed the literature on the detection and management of mental health
      disorders within the context of pediatric primary care. Pediatricians have
      displayed a low sensitivity and high specificity in research investigating the
      detection of mental health impairment in children. Active management efforts
      characterize approaches to identified cases with more recently trained primary
      care pediatricians displaying a wider range of skills in managing mental health
      disorders. Few efforts have been made by pediatric psychologists to develop
      strategies for enhancing detection rates and management or to empirically
      evaluate the integration of pediatric psychology services into the primary care
      context. A conceptual model of factors influencing detection rates and ongoing
      management of mental health disorders within pediatric primary care is presented.
      Recommendations are made for more direct involvement of pediatric psychologists
      within the primary care context. 

PMID- 24225989
TI  - Evaluating pediatric psychology consultation services in a medical setting: An
      example.
AB  - We examined the nature of referrals to a health center-based pediatric psychology
      service from 1990 to 1993 and assessed the satisfaction of health professionals
      with these services. Archival evaluation of 1467 records showed that over half of
      the consultation requests came from general pediatrics, pediatric neurology, and
      surgical services and that 70% of the psychological services were delivered on an
      outpatient basis. The most frequent referrals were for
      cognitive/neuropsychological evaluation and externalizing behavior problems.
      Pediatric psychology trainees were involved in 94% of the consultations. Survey
      of health professionals (n = 143) indicated very high overall satisfaction with
      the quality of services delivered. Presenting problems yielding the greatest
      likelihood for future consultation requests were behavior problems, child abuse,
      coping with illness, and depression/suicide. Results are discussed in the context
      of previous evaluations of pediatric psychology services and recommendations for
      future evaluation research. 

PMID- 24225990
TI  - New directions for the education of clinical psychologists: The primary care
      setting, the VA's PRIME program, and the in-depth generalist model.
AB  - As part of this special issue on psychology in primary care settings, we describe
      the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) new approach to education for practice
      in the primary care setting and we concurrently address some general issues
      related to the education of clinical psychologists for practice in this setting.
      In this article we argue that the primary care psychologist, in parallel with the
      generalist in medicine, must have a strong generic background in clinical
      psychology in order to gain the broad range of clinical skills necessary to
      function effectively as an "in-depth generalist" (IDG) who is capable of
      addressing the variety of psychological issues that emerge in the primary care
      setting. The IDG model of professional practice, which we believe is best suited
      for primary care/managed care settings, requires extensive training in generic
      clinical skills and increased time devoted to its implementation at both the
      predoctoral and the postdoctoral levels. 

PMID- 24225991
TI  - A commentary on high-dose enzyme replacement therapy attenuates
      cerebroventriculomegaly in a mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis type II.

PMID- 24225992
TI  - Differences in carrier frequency between mothers of Duchenne and Becker muscular
      dystrophy patients.
AB  - Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD) are X-linked inherited
      muscular disorders caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Two-thirds of DMD
      cases are thought to be caused by inheritance from carrier mothers and this study
      aimed to clarify and compare the carrier frequency of mothers of DMD and BMD
      patients according to the mutation type. We included 139 DMD and 19 BMD mothers.
      Of these, 113 patients (99 DMD and 14 BMD) and 13 patients (12 DMD and 1 BMD) had
      deletions and duplications of one or more exons, respectively. Small mutations,
      including nonsense mutations, small deletions/insertions and splice site
      mutations, were identified in 32 patients (28 DMD and four BMD). The overall
      carrier frequency for BMD mothers was significantly higher than for DMD (89.5% vs
      57.6%, P<0.05), probably as BMD patients can leave descendants. The carrier
      frequency tended to be lower in mothers of DMD patients with deletion mutations
      than with duplications and small mutations (53.5%, 66.7% and 67.9%,
      respectively). It was suggested that de novo mutations are more prevalent for
      deletions than other mutations. This is the first report to analyze the carrier
      frequency according to mutation type. 

PMID- 24225994
TI  - Computer simulation of single-ion trajectories in paul-type ion traps.
AB  - The computer simulation of single-ion trajectories using a number of computer
      programs is described together with associated theory. The programs permit
      calculation of ion trajectories while the ion is subjected to collisions with
      buffer gas of variable pressure, resonance excitation in any of three modes, and
      static or ramped DC and radiofrequency levels. Initially, the programs were
      designed for the calculation of ion trajectories in a quadrupole ion trap. The
      programs now permit such calculations for ions confined in traps having
      electrodes shaped to include percentages of hexapole and octupole components in
      the electric field as well as electrode surface geometries for which there is no
      closed-form expression. The Langevin collision theory is reviewed and a
      theoretical treatment of the multipole trap is presented. 

PMID- 24225993
TI  - A new mutation in the C-SH2 domain of PTPN11 causes Noonan syndrome with multiple
      giant cell lesions.
AB  - Noonan syndrome (NS), an autosomal dominant multisystem disorder, is caused by
      the dysregulation of the RAS-MAPK pathway and is characterized by short stature,
      heart defects, pectus excavatum, webbed neck, learning problems, cryptorchidism
      and facial dysmorphism. We here present the clinical and molecular
      characterization of a family with NS and multiple giant cell lesions (MGCLs). The
      proband is a 12-year-old girl with NS and MGCL. Her mother shows typical NS
      without MGCL. Whole-exome sequencing of the girl, her mother and her healthy
      maternal grand parents revealed a previously unobserved mutation in exon 5 of the
      PTPN11 gene (c.598 A>T; p.N200Y), transmitted from the mother to the proband. As
      no other modification in the RAS-MAPK pathway genes as related to Rasopathies was
      detected in the proband, this report demonstrates for the first time that a
      unique mutation affecting this, otherwise unaffected signaling route, can cause
      both NS and NS/MGCL in the same family. This observation further confirms that
      NS/MGCL is not a distinct entity but rather that MGCL represents a rare
      complication of NS. Moreover, the localization of the p.N200Y mutation suggests
      an alternative molecular mechanism for the excessive phosphatase activity of the
      PTPN11-encoded protein. 

PMID- 24225995
TI  - A method of increasing the sensitivity for laser desorption in an ion trap mass
      spectrometer.
AB  - Laser desorption in an ion trap mass spectrometer shows significant promise for
      both qualitative and trace analysis. In this work, we explore various
      combinations of time-varying DC and radiofrequency (RF) fields in order to
      optimize laser-generated signals. By judicious choice of timing between the laser
      desorption pulse and the rise in the applied RF trapping potential, we observed
      over an order of magnitude enhancement in the trapped ion signal. This new method
      for laser desorption has enabled us to observe mass spectra of many compounds
      (e.g., pyrene, dichlorobenzene, and ferrocene) that are barely detectable using
      previous laser desorption methods. Effects of laser timing and the magnitude of
      the steady-state RF potential are discussed. 

PMID- 24225996
TI  - Selective detection of phosphopeptides in complex mixtures by electrospray liquid
      chromatography/mass spectrometry.
AB  - A mass spectrometry-based method that does not involve the use of radiolabeling
      was developed for selective detection of phosphopeptides in complex mixtures.
      Mixtures of phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated peptides at the low picomole
      level are analyzed by negative ion electrospray liquid chromatography/mass
      spectrometry using C-18 packed fused-silica columns (<=320-MUm i.d.). Peptides
      and phosphopeptides in the chromatographic eluant undergo collision-induced
      dissociation in the free-jet expansion region prior to the mass analyzing
      quadrupole. Using relatively high collisional excitation potentials,
      phospho|peptides containing phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, and phosphotyrosine
      fragment to yield diagnostic ions at m/z 63 and 79 corresponding to PO2 (-); and
      PO3 (-), respectively. Chromatographic peaks containing phosphopeptides are
      indicated where these diagnostic ions maximize. The highest sensitivity for
      phosphopeptide detection is obtained using selected-ion monitoring for m/z 63 and
      79. Full-scan mass spectra that exhibit the diagnostic phosphopeptide fragment
      ions, together with pseudomolecular ions, may be obtained by stepping the
      collisional excitation potential from a high value during the portion of each
      scan in which the low-mass-to-charge ratio diagnostic marker ions are being
      detected to a lower value while the upper mass-to-charge ratio range is being
      scanned. Good sensitivity for phosphopeptide detection was achieved using
      standard trifluoroacetic acid containing mobile phases for reversed-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography. Data illustrating the selectivity and
      sensitivity of the approach are presented for mixtures of peptides and
      phosphopeptides containing the three commonly phosphorylated amino acids. 

PMID- 24225997
TI  - Comparison of the orders of gas-phase basicities and ammonium ion affinities of
      polyethers by the kinetic method and ligand exchange technique.
AB  - The orders of relative gas-phase basicities and ammonium ion affinities of a
      series of polyethers obtained by application of the kinetic method and ligand
      exchange technique are compared to evaluate the discrepancies of results between
      the two techniques. The order of gas-phase basicities determined by the ligand
      exchange technique in a quadrupole ion trap agrees with the order established
      previously by Kebarle using equilibrium methods in a high-pressure mass
      spectrometer. The order obtained by the kinetic method in a triple quadrupole
      mass spectrometer varies for the ranking of one polyether (12-crown-4), and this
      discrepancy is attributed to a difference in the rates of the competing
      dissociation pathways from the triethylene glycol dimethyl ether/12-crown4 proton
      bound adduct, owing to a substantial variation in the flexibilities of these two
      ethers. For the order of gas-phase ammonium ion affinities, the kinetic method
      results agree overall with the ligand exchange results; however, the order of
      ammonium ion affinities for tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether and 15-crown-5
      could not be differentiated by the ligand exchange method because of the rapidity
      of ammonium ion transfer between the two polyethers in both directions. 

PMID- 24225998
TI  - Gas-phase acidities of diols.
AB  - The gas-phase acidities of several alpha, omega-alkanediols were measured with
      the equilibrium method in an ion cyclotron resonance spectrometer. The values
      obtained imply cyclization of the structures via an intramolecular hydrogen bond.
      The results are in quantitative disagreement with those obtained by the method of
      dissociation of the excited dimer species; care must be used in applying that
      method to ensure that all of the criteria for relating kinetics to equilibria are
      met. 

PMID- 24225999
TI  - Ion formation processes in the afterpeak time regime of pulsed glow discharge
      plasmas.
AB  - The formation of ions following the termination of power in a pulsed glow
      discharge ion source is investigated. The populations of ionized species
      containing sputtered atoms M(+), M 2 (1) :, and MAr(+) are observed to maximize
      after the termination of discharge power. Collisions involving sputtered atoms
      and metastable argon atoms, Penning and associative ionization, are considered to
      be responsible for the formation of ions in the discharge afterpeak time regime.
      The domination of these ion formation processes during the afterpeak time regime
      is supported by the results from investigations of discharge operating
      parameters, metastable argon atom quenching, and ion kinetic energy
      distributions. 

PMID- 24226000
TI  - Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with an electrically floating
      sampling interface.
AB  - In conventional inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry devices, the sampler
      and skimmer are grounded. In this work, modest DC voltages (+ 10 to + 50 Vl are
      applied to either (or both) sampler and skimmer. Alternatively, the skimmer is
      biased, and the sampler is merely left floating. The latter arrangement improves
      sensitivity for Co(+) by sixfold, provides nearly the same molar sensitivity for
      CO(+), Rh(+), and Ho(+), and extends the upper end of the linear dynamic range to
      approximately 100 ppm. These changes to the interface do not affect the
      background perceptibly. The relationship between applied potential and the
      potential actually measured on the sampler and skimmer is also discussed. 

PMID- 24226001
TI  - Networking mass spectrometer data systems for improved productivity and
      electronic archiving of data.
AB  - Several Finngan-MAT mass spectrometer data systems were networked together to
      achieve the following two primary objectives: (1) to allow access to mass
      spectrometry data and data processing functions from remote locations without
      affecting simultaneous data acquisition at the instruments, and (2) to
      electronically archive mass spectrometry data at a central location on a high
      capacity, fast-access device that allows rapid retrieval of archived data for all
      data processing operations at all locations. UNIX workstations, IBM PC/AT
      compatible computers, and Data General Nova minicomputers were connected via
      Ethernet interfaces to allow rapid data transfer among all systems as well as X
      Windows access to UNIX-based systems. Bridging techniques were used to isolate
      possible high-traffic areas of the network and to enable security measures for
      adequate protection of files. Additionally, serial connections were made through
      a Northern Telecom phone system to provide remote terminal access to the Data
      General Nova-based systems. Use of these connectivity techniques significantly
      improved productivity by allowing retrieval, processing, and printing of data
      from remote locations, such as office areas, without affecting data acquisition,
      processing, and printing performed simultaneously at the instruments. For
      archival purposes, data files are electronically stored on high-capacity magneto
      optical disks for rapid retrieval. A highcapacity fixed disk is also available
      for centralized temporary data file storage. A Digital Equipment Corporation
      DECstation 2100 UNIX workstation was used as the file server for centralized data
      storage while being simultaneously utilized as the data system computer for one
      of the mass spectrometers. Utilization of this UNIX-based file server system in
      conjunction with Ethernet connectivity techniques provides a centralized, rapid
      access, high-capacity, cost- and space-efficient method for electronic archival
      of mass spectrometry raw data recorded at all of the instruments. 

PMID- 24226002
TI  - High Efficiency Photo-Induced Dissociation of Precursor Ions in a Tandem Time-of
      Flight Mass Spectrometer.
AB  - High efficiency photo-induced dissociation (PID) has been demonstrated in a
      tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This instrument focuses isomass ion
      packets to temporal and spatial dimensions similar to those of the focused laser
      pulses from a high power excimer laser. This high density overlap of photons and
      ions yields highly efficient fragmentation and also provides high resolution
      selection of specific precursor ion mass-to-charge ratio values. Using 193 nm
      photon excitation of the molecular ion of bromobenzene (m/z = 1561,
      fragmentation, collection, and PID efficiencies af 79%, 132%, and 104%,
      respectively, were obtained. Characteristic fragmentations of toluene,
      nitrobenzene, acetophenone, triethylamine, N,N-diethylformamide, N
      methylacetamide, and cyclohexene have also been demonstrated. 

PMID- 24226003
TI  - Genetic analysis of methionine-rich storage protein accumulation in maize.
AB  - Experiments were conducted to determine the chromosomal location of the gene
      conditioning overproduction of a methionine-rich, 10-K zein in maize kernels of
      line BSSS53. In addition, the chromosomal location of the structural gene
      encoding the overproduced protein was determined. Whereas the structural gene,
      designated Zps10/(22), was found to be located on the long arm of chromosome 9
      near the centromere, the locus regulating overproduction of the zein protein was
      mapped to the short arm of chromosome 4. This regulatory gene has been designated
      Zpr10/(22). Regulation of 10-K zein production by Zpr10/(22) is, therefore, via a
      trans-acting mechanism. 

PMID- 24226004
TI  - Inheritance of plastids in interspecific hybrids of blue spruce and white spruce.
AB  - Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) was purified from blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.) and
      white spruce [P. glauca (Moench) Voss], and was digested with several different
      restriction endonucleases. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were
      identified that differentiated the cpDNA of both species. Intraspecific
      conservation of the RFLPs that differentiated each species was confirmed by
      examining trees from across the natural range of each species. Ten F1 hybrids
      were examined, and the cpDNA from each showed the banding pattern of the paternal
      species. Cloned Petunia cpDNA containing part of the rbcL gene hybridized to
      polymorphic bands, while a cloned maize mtDNA probe of the coxII gene failed to
      hybridize to any band. 

PMID- 24226005
TI  - Selection strategies for developing smooth bromegrass cell wall ideotypes.
AB  - A random sample of 80 families of the B8HD smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis
      Leyss.) population were tested in three environments for forage yield and cell
      wall constituents. Expected progress from one cycle of family selection was
      computed for single-trait selection and multiple-trait restricted selection.
      Expected gains were compared to desired goals and actual results from one cycle
      of phenotypic selection. Desired goals were: Model I = reduced lignin and
      cellulose, with increased hemicellulose, resulting in no change in cell wall
      content; Model II = reduced lignin and cellulose with no change in hemicellulose;
      or Model III = reduced lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. Single-trait
      selection for high hemicellulose in first harvest or low cellulose in second
      harvest had the best expected responses, of any single trait, for Model I.
      Possible undesirable effects of selection for low cellulose would be a reduction
      in forage yield potential. Multiple-trait restricted selection was judged to be
      more effective, with responses all in the desired direction, by specifying
      increased hemicellulose in index development. Selection in second harvest was
      expected to have similar responses as first harvest, except for a greater
      increase in forage yield. Development of Models II or III is expected to be
      difficult due to a negative correlation estimate between first and second harvest
      cell wall concentration. 

PMID- 24226006
TI  - Control of tissue culture response in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - The ability of immature embryos of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to respond to
      tissue culture has been shown to involve the group 2 chromosomes. The available
      group 2 ditelosomic and nullisomic-tetrasomic lines of 'Chinese Spring' wheat
      were used to determine the chromosome arm location and chromosome dosage effect
      associated with the expression of tissue culture response (TCR). Significant
      differences were found between the aneuploid lines and the euploid control for
      the expression of both regenerable callus formation and callus growth rate. A
      model is proposed suggesting that a major TCR gene is located on 2DL and that 2AL
      and 2BS possess minor TCR genes. Furthermore, a major regulatory gene controlling
      the expression of TCR genes may be located on chromosome 2BL. 

PMID- 24226007
TI  - Inheritance of two endosperm protein loci in rice (Oryza sativa L.).
AB  - Previous studies indicated two types of phenotypic protein markers as two minor
      bands of SDS-PAGE for rice storage protein. A variant derived from a Pakistani
      variety, Dular, was found to show a mobility variant with Band 11, a relatively
      faster-moving band as compared to Band 10, while most of the other cultivated
      rices exhibited Band 10 at a molecular weight of around 100-110 K. Band 11 was
      also observed in several wild rice species. How this variant occurred is not
      known. Another marker is characterized by the presence of either Band 56 (slower
      migrating band) or Band 57 (faster-migrating band) in most cultivars at a
      molecular weight of about 28-27 K. Most indica varieties developed in Taiwan have
      Band 57 and japonica varieties have Band 56. Genetic analysis of F1, F2 and F3
      seeds from interstrain crosses indicated that Band 10 versus Band 11 and Band 56
      versus Band 57 are due to codominant alleles at two loci. Tests of independent
      inheritance between these two loci (Band 10/11 versus Band 56/57) indicated that
      there is no linkage between them. Both of these two protein loci encode for
      endosperm proteins and mostly belong to the minor polypeptide subunits of the
      glutelin fraction of rice seed proteins. Studies on reciprocal crosses indicate
      dosage effects as exhibited in band patterns. Variations in band intensity were
      frequently observed when the maternal genotype was different. 

PMID- 24226008
TI  - Genetic control of linolenic acid concentration in seed oil of rapeseed (Brassica
      napus L.).
AB  - Results from a diallel mating of two rapeseed lines with distinctly different
      linolenic acid concentration show that this trait is mainly under control of
      nuclear genes of the embryo. However, significant differences in reciprocal F1,
      BC1 and BC2 indicate maternal control, which is realized by interaction between
      maternal genotype and nuclear genes of the embryo. Additionally, temperature
      exerts considerable influence on the degree of maternal control. Since no
      reciprocal differences are detectable in F2, cytoplasmic factors seem not to be
      involved in the inheritance of linolenic acid concentration. Hypotheses on the
      physiological nature of maternal control of this trait are discussed. 

PMID- 24226009
TI  - A proposal to improve the efficiency of index selection by "rounding".
AB  - This paper describes a rounding procedure to improve the efficiency of index
      selection. The procedure involves performing canonical variate analysis on the
      phenotypic and genotypic variances of a group of traits estimated from a progeny
      test experiment. The eigenvectors corresponding to the significant eigenvalues
      are used to transform the original traits into a set of independent variables.
      The selection index is then constructed based on the new set of variables. The
      efficiency of the new index is expected to be improved by rounding off the
      variables associated with the insignificant eigenvalues. 

PMID- 24226010
TI  - Species relationship in the Pennisetum gene pool: enzyme polymorphism.
AB  - Variation in leaf esterases (EST), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD),
      shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH), leucine aminopeptidase (AMP), phosphoglucomutase
      (PGM) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) is reported in the Pennisetum gene pool. In
      the primary gene pool, polymorphism for EST, AMP, SKDH was very high, as compared
      to the near-monomorphic isozymes of PGD. Two loci controlling leaf esterases Est
      1 and Est-2, were identified in the primary gene pool. Differences in allelic
      frequency distribution of the polymorphic Est-1 locus occur between the
      cultivated and wild pearl millet. The prevalent alleles of Est-1 are absent in P.
      purpureum Schumach (secondary gene pool). A monomorphic band of the alpha
      esterase-specific Est-2 locus was identified in most of the secondary gene pool
      accessions, P. squamulatum Fresen and an accession of P. pedicellatum. SKDH and
      EST revealed differences between most of the tertiary gene pool species. By
      contrast, a PGD zymogram was prevalent in several species of different sectional
      taxa. Gene duplication for PGD isozymes occurs in the diploid species, P.
      ramosum, of the tertiary gene pool. Heterodimers of PGD and EST were observed in
      the hybrid between pearl millet and P. squamulatum, whereas a monomeric structure
      characterized SKDH and AMP. 

PMID- 24226011
TI  - Allozyme diversity in wild Phaseolus vulgaris: further evidence for two major
      centers of genetic diversity.
AB  - Allozyme analysis was performed on 83 wild Phaseolus vulgaris accessions,
      representing a wide geographical distribution from Mesoamerica to Argentina, to
      determine levels of genetic diversity and geographic patterns of variability at
      nine polymorphic isozyme loci. The collection can be divided into two major
      groups, one consisting of accessions from Mexico, Central America, Colombia and
      Peru, and the other consisting of accessions from Peru and Argentina. One
      accession from northern Peru is distinct from the two major groups, and may
      delineate a transition zone between the two divergent groups. The level of
      genetic diversity within wild P. vulgaris (Ht=0.132) is comparable with those
      found in other Phaseolus species. There was no significant within-accession gene
      diversity (Hs=0.006); however, there is a moderate level of genetic diversity
      (Dst=0.126) between accessions. Our results are consistent with previous studies
      on the genetic diversity of wild P. vulgaris using phaseolin, the major seed
      storage protein of beans. 

PMID- 24226012
TI  - Triple hybridization with cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).
AB  - A crossing programme for trispecific hybridization including cultivated barley
      (Hordeum vulgare L.) as the third parent was carried out. The primary hybrids
      comprised 11 interspecific combinations, each of which had either H. jubatum or
      H. lechleri as one of the parents. The second parent represented species closely
      or distantly related to H. jubatum and H. lechleri. In trispecific crosses with
      diploid barley, the seed set was 5.7%. Crosses with tetraploid barley were highly
      unsuccessful (0.2% seed set). Three lines of diploid barley were used in the
      crosses, i.e. 'Gull', 'Golden Promise' and 'Vada'. Generally, cv 'Gull' had high
      crossability in crosses with related species in the primary hybrid. It is
      suggested that 'Gull' has a genetic factor for crossability not present in cv
      'Vada' and cv 'Golden Promise'. One accession of H. brachyantherum used in the
      primary hybrid had a very high crossability (seed set 54.7%) in combination with
      cv 'Vada' but no viable offspring was produced. In all, two trispecific hybrids
      were raised, viz. (H. lechleri x H. brevisubulatum) x 'Gull' (2n=7-30) and (H.
      jubatum x H. lechleri) x 'Gull' (2n=20-22). The first combination invariably had
      a full complement of seven barley chromosomes plus an additional chromosome no.
      7, but a varying number of chromosomes (19-22) of the wild-species hybrid. The
      second combination had a full set of barley chromosomes. The meiotic pairing was
      low in both combinations. 

PMID- 24226013
TI  - Inheritance of photoperiod-induced flowering in three photoperiodic lines of
      Aeschynomene americana L.
AB  - Induction of flowering by photoperiod was studied in the parental, F1, F2, and
      reciprocal backcross generations of crosses between three photoperiod-responsive
      Aeschynomene americana L. lines. Generation means appeared additive. Analysis
      with Mather and Jinks' scaling tests showed little or no epistasis and indicated
      that an additive-dominance model was adequate. Partitioning components of
      variation revealed that nearly all variation was additive genetic with dominance
      and environmental variation negligible. An additive genetic model with two loci,
      each with two alleles and all alleles having equal net effect, was tested using
      Power's partitioning method. Results demonstrated that the model fit the data and
      that there is a major additive genetic system controlling flowering in these
      crosses, with minor genetic and environmental influences present. Selection for
      flowering at a desired day length should be feasible. 

PMID- 24226014
TI  - Haploid transformation in Brassica napus using an octopine-producing strain of
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Microspore-derived embryos of Brassica napus were transformed using the disarmed
      octopine-producing LBA4404 strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens containing the
      binary vector pBin19. Octopine-producing strains have previously been reported to
      be ineffective in transforming Brassica. Four actively growing yellow/ green
      sectors were selected from the embryos on 50 mg/l kanamycin and plants
      regenerated. Analysis for NPT-II activity in these young plants initially
      indicated no expression of the bacterial NPT-II gene. The plants were
      nevertheless grown to maturity, selfed and S1 seed was collected. Three of the S1
      plants produced microspores which were from 4 to 20 times more tolerant to
      kanamycin than the original parent. Southern analysis revealed that one plant (EC
      1) had a single site of insertion and the other two plants (EC-2 and EC-6) had
      two sites of insertion with sequence homology to the bacterial NPT-II gene.
      Microspores from the EC-2 and EC-6 transgenics produced embryos on approximately
      five times the level of kanamycin tolerated by microspores from untransformed
      plants, while the EC-1 transgenic produced microspores with more than 20 times
      the tolerance to kanamycin. Analysis of S1 progeny of the EC-1 transgenic
      indicated that 100% of the progeny exhibited the trait through both Southern
      analysis and by expressing tolerance to kanamycin in microspore-derived embryos. 

PMID- 24226015
TI  - In vitro culture of Cucumis sativus L. : 7. Genes controlling plant regeneration.
AB  - The ability to regenerate plants from leaf explants has been tested for three
      highly inbred cucumber lines (B, G, S), their reciprocal hybrids, F2 and BC1
      generations. The lines differed from each other in their regenerating ability,
      which was expressed by the percentage of explants regenerating embryoidal callus
      and mean number of plantlets per plant. Thus, the lines could be classified as
      frequently (B), intermediately (G) or occasionally regenerating ones (S). There
      were no reciprocal cross differences in the regeneration. It was found that the
      intermediately and intensively regenerating lines contain two pairs of dominant
      genes responsible for plant regeneration, characterized by complementary and
      probably additive interaction. The frequently regenerating line differed from the
      intermediately regenerating in the effect of one gene. It is supposed that the
      above-mentioned genes belong to three different loci. The ability to regenerate
      plants from leaf expiants had high heritability. 

PMID- 24226016
TI  - Genetic improvement of pyrethrum : 4. Selective divergence, heterosis and
      potential hybrid clones.
AB  - Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariefolium), an important paramedicinal plant is a
      potential source of pyrethrins, which have a long history of safe uses against
      mosquito larvae - a carrier of malarial parasite. It was introduced in India from
      Kenya in 1931. Considerable genetic diversity has been generated over the years.
      Repeated clonal selection could lead to isolation of a number of divergent clones
      representing selective divergence. Planned hybridization among some of the chosen
      clones could further enlarge the spectrum of variation as measured by
      multivariate analyses (D(2)-statistic and canonical analysis). The resulting
      hybrids manifested a variable degree of heterosis which was found to be, by and
      large, positively associated with the degree of divergence between the two
      constituent parents of a hybrid. However, the choice of the potential hybrid
      clone(s) for commercial exploitation was most viable when parents for
      hybridization were short-listed on the basis of parental divergence coupled
      essentially with per se performance for specific traits. The latter criterion
      assumes greater significance since low x low or medium x low parental hybrids
      also tended to register high heterosis for both the pyrethrins content and yield.
      Four hybrids: 234xL, 8xL, 326*395 and 319xL were identified to be the most
      promising for clonal selection. 

PMID- 24226017
TI  - Use of restriction fragment length polymorphism to fingerprint beets at the
      genotype and species levels.
AB  - cDNA probes have been used to assess genetic variation in beet using
      hybridisation techniques that detect restriction fragment length polymorphism.
      Probes have been identified which differ in the levels of variation that they can
      detect (i) within closely related genetic material of sugar beet, and (ii)
      between sugar beet and a taxonomically distant Beta species. 

PMID- 24226018
TI  - An attempt to elucidate the origin of cultivated soybean via comparison of
      nucleotide sequences encoding glycinin B4 polypeptide of cultivated soybean,
      Glycine max, and its presumed wild progenitor, Glycine soja.
AB  - Nucleotide sequences of cDNAs encoding soybean glycinin B4 polypeptide were
      compared for three soybean cultivars and two introductions of wild soybean, G.
      soja. For three G. max cultivars, only two nucleotide substitutions were found,
      while G. max and G. soja nucleotide sequences had four substitutions. These data
      give added proof that G. max originated from G. soja. On the other hand, the time
      required for the accumulation of four nucleotide substitutions (calculated from
      the parameters of 11S globulin molecular evolution) appeared to be longer than
      the duration of the soybean domestication period. 

PMID- 24226019
TI  - Ecotypes and genetic divergence among sympatrically distributed populations of
      Hordeum vulgare and Hordeum spontaneum from the xeric region of Jordan.
AB  - The progeny of paired samples of Hordeum vulgare L. and Hordeum spontaneum C.
      Koch, collected from Jordan's xeric region was used in this study. Statistical
      analyses of seven easily measured morphometric traits were used to elucidate the
      relationships and distances between populations of both species, to detect any
      ecogeographical races, and to study the interrelationships and adjustments in the
      morphometric traits under study. Flag leaf area and plant height were the two
      most important discriminating variables which totally separated Hordeum vulgare
      from Hordeum spontaneum and accounted for 85.3% of total phenotypic variance in
      the collection. Cluster analysis indicated that the level of divergence among
      populations of both species was considerably different. Populations of Hordeum
      vulgare clustered at a maximum Euclidean distance of 2.08, while the maximum
      distance at which populations of Hordeum spontaneum clustered was 1.49. Three
      ecotypes each of Hordeum vulgare and Hordeum spontaneum were identified. These
      ecotypes corresponded to the environmental range of the collection sites. The
      interrelationships between the seven morphometric traits were adjusted in
      different ways as revealed by the principal components analysis. Sampling from
      the different clusters identified in this analysis is expected to increase the
      allelic diversity for selection and breeding purposes. 

PMID- 24226020
TI  - Paternal inheritance of plastids in Medicago sativa.
AB  - Plastids are plant cellular organelles that are generally inherited from the
      maternal parent in the angiosperms. Many species exhibit biparental inheritance
      of plastids, but usually with a predominantly maternal influence. In contrast to
      this, we report strong paternal inheritance of plastids in reciprocal crosses of
      alfalfa, Medicago sativa, by following restriction fragment length polymorphisms
      for plastid DNA in two normal green plastids. Mitochondrial inheritance remained
      exclusively maternal. 

PMID- 24226021
TI  - Evidence for cytoplasmic control of in vitro microspore embryogenesis in the
      anther culture of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - Anthers were cultured from two sets of seven lines of hexaploid wheat (Triticum
      aestivum L.) with different cytoplasms, the euplasmic nucleus donors, 'Siete
      Cerros 66' and 'Penjamo 62', as well as their six alloplasmic lines derived from
      wild relative species of the genera Triticum and Aegilops. Significant
      cytoplasmic and nuclear effects but no cytoplasmic-nuclear interaction were found
      for embryogenic anther response, with the best performance of 'Penjamo 62' in Ae.
      kotschyi cytoplasm. Plant regeneration was not affected significantly by the
      cytoplasmic background of the lines cultured. The possible genetic implications
      of the observed cytoplasmic and nuclear influences on the in vitro haploid
      induction of wheat are discussed. 

PMID- 24226022
TI  - Chromosomal location of genes controlling heat shock proteins in hexaploid wheat.
AB  - The low molecular weight heat shock protein (HSP) profiles of the hexaploid wheat
      cultivar "Chinese Spring" and its ditelosomic series were characterized by
      isoelectric focusing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of denatured in vivo
      radiolabeled proteins. Comparisons of the ditelosomics (DTs) to the euploid
      "Chinese Spring" enabled the assignment of genes controlling 9 of the 13 targeted
      HSPs to seven chromosome arms. There did not appear to be a genome-specific
      action in the regulation of expression of these HSPs. There did appear to be a
      higher frequency of controlling genes within homoeologous DT lines 3, 4 and 7.
      Significant variation in protein quantity was evident among the DT lines for some
      HSPs, while other HSPs were remarkably stable in their expression across all DTs
      examined. The results are useful in identifying specific DT lines for the
      investigation of HSP functions in hexaploid wheat. 

PMID- 24226023
TI  - Nuclear genes affecting albinism in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) anther culture.
AB  - Inheritance of the ability to respond in wheat anther culture was studied from
      6*2 reciprocal crosses between six varieties with high and two varieties with low
      capacity for green plant formation and their parents, replicated in two
      environments. Effects of genotypes dominated embryo formation and percentages of
      green plants, accounting for 78.4% and 85.4% of total variation, respectively,
      while smaller genetic effects were indicated for regeneration. Nuclear genes
      could explain almost all the genotype effects in this material. Embryo formation
      showed heterosis over high parent for 5 of the 12 hybrids, while percentages of
      green plants from the hybrids were intermediate to the parents. General Combining
      Ability (GCA) could explain 78.8% of the variation for embryo formation among the
      hybrids, whereas differences in percentage of green plants were dominated by
      Specific Combining Ability (SCA), accounting for 67.9% of hybrid variation. A
      positive correlation (r=0.81(**)) was observed between the genetic capacity for
      regeneration and green plant formation. Analysis of covariance indicated that
      effects causing GCA for green plant formation were mainly responsible for this
      correlation. A regression model with two parallel lines divided the six parent
      lines with high green plant formation into three groups with respect to their
      reactions with the two testers. The results are discussed with regard to possible
      involvement of two sets of nuclear genes affecting the percentage of green plants
      obtained in wheat anther culture: one set consisting of mainly additive effects
      affecting green plant percentage through an initial effect on regeneration
      ability, and another set of two or a few more major genes with dominance or
      epistatic effects uncorrelated with regeneration. 

PMID- 24226024
TI  - Flower production, male sterility and berry setting in andigena potato.
AB  - Unlike tuberosum, andigena potato germ plasm exhibits a high degree of genetic
      variation in morphological, biochemical and reproductive traits. Sixty-five
      percent of the 565 genotypes comprising 145 accessions of Solanum tuberosum ssp.
      andigena obtained from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Peru remain
      totally vegetative and never develop any floral bud when cultivated in northern
      India. In 18% of genotypes, the floral buds develop but they drop off from the
      plants prematurely. Thus, 83% of genotypes do not develop mature flowers. The
      frequency of such genotypes is maximum in the Bolivian genotypes. Whereas 17% of
      genotypes produce mature flowers, only 2% develop berries. The highest proportion
      of floral bud formation and their subsequent development and differentiation into
      mature flowers occur in Peruvian and Colombian genotypes. Partial to high male
      sterility occurs in 93% of the flowering genotypes; their pollen sterility ranges
      from 15% to 91%. Seven percent of the flowering genotypes are completely pollen
      sterile. The male sterility is expressed variously, ranging from structural to
      sporogenous types. The floral bud formation, its development and retention to
      maturity, pollen and ovule functionability and fruit development are under the
      control of a large number of genes, most of which are unlinked and independent.
      Many of these genes are polygenic in nature. 

PMID- 24226025
TI  - Meiotic behaviour of telo-tertiary compensating trisomics of rye: evaluation for
      use in hybrid varieties.
AB  - Meiosis of four telocentric-tertiary compensating trisomics of rye (Secale
      cereale L.) was studied with the purpose of evaluating their suitability for use
      in maintaining genic male-sterile lines applied in hybrid varieties. They had
      been constructed from four different reciprocal translocations and three
      different telocentrics. In one trisomic a slight, but significant tendency was
      demonstrated for preferential pairing of the two normal chromosomes associated
      with the compensating complex. This promotes the desired segregation into one
      normal and one compensating karyotype. In all trisomies, however, too high a
      frequency of failure of chiasma formation in a critical segment of the complex
      was evident. This is correlated with the ease of recovery of the trisomics, but
      results in undesired segregational products. Interstitial chiasmata leading to
      the formation of branched configurations were also present, more in some
      trisomics than in others. These also result in undesired segregations. The
      behaviour at meiosis was so closely correlated with the length of the chromosome
      segments involved that a prediction of the most favourable combination of
      telocentric and translocation can be made. The telocentric should be large, the
      corresponding translocated segment large and the interstitial segment small. The
      non-translocated arm of the translocated chromosome should be large and the
      second translocated segment small. The combinations of translocations and
      telocentrics had not been selected for these criteria and did not meet the
      requirements for practical application. 

PMID- 24226026
TI  - Nuclear and cytoplasmic gene control of resistance to loose smut (Ustilago
      tritici (Pers.) Rostr.) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - Using disomic chromosome substitution lines based on the susceptible wheat
      cultivar 'Chinese Spring', loose smut resistance of wheat cultivars 'Hope' and
      'Thatcher' was shown to be conferred in each case by a single dominant major gene
      carried on chromosome 7 A ('Hope') or 7 B ('Thatcher'). Partial resistance was
      determined by genes on an additional eight 'Hope' or seven 'Thatcher'
      chromosomes, and similarities were evident between the partial resistance
      genotypes of'Hope' and 'Thatcher'. 'Chinese Spring' exhibited a mean infection
      value of approximately 50%, indicating a significant level of partial resistance,
      which was found to be due, in part, to genes on the homoeologous chromosome arms
      1 As, 1 Es and 1 Ds, and to cytoplasmic genes. Substitution of the 'Chinese
      Spring' nucleus into the cytoplasm of Aegilops squarrosa, Ae. variabilis or Ae.
      mutica resulted in increased susceptibility to Ustilago tritici. Several
      alloplasmic lines of the resistant wheat cultivars 'Selkirk' and 'Chris'
      exhibited race-specific susceptibility to U. tritici. 

PMID- 24226027
TI  - High-fat diet induces site-specific unresponsiveness to LPS-stimulated STAT3
      activation in the hypothalamus.
AB  - Hypophagia induced by inflammation is associated with Janus kinase (JAK)-2/signal
      transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 signaling pathway, and leptin
      mediated hypophagia is also mediated by JAK2-STAT3 pathway. We have previously
      reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not reduce food intake in leptin
      resistant high-fat diet (HFD) rats but maintained body weight loss. We
      investigated whether changes in p-STAT3 expression in the hypothalamus and brain
      stem could account for the desensitization of hypophagia in HFD animals after a
      low LPS dose (100 MUg/kg). Wistar rats fed standard diet (3.95 kcal/g) or HFD
      (6.3 kcal/g) for 8 wk were assigned into control diet-saline, control diet-LPS,
      HFD-saline, and HFD-LPS groups. LPS reduced feeding in the control diet but not
      HFD. This group showed no p-STAT3 expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN)
      and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), but sustained, though lower than
      control, p-STAT3 in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and raphe pallidus
      (RPa). LPS decreased body weight in HFD rats and increased Fos expression in the
      NTS. LPS increased body temperature, oxygen consumption, and energy expenditure
      in both control diet and HFD rats, and this response was more pronounced in HFD
      LPS group. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and increased energy
      expenditure seem to contribute to body weight loss in HFD-LPS. This response
      might be related with increased brain stem activation. In conclusion, LPS
      activates STAT3-mediated pathway in the hypothalamus and brain stem, leading to
      hypophagia, however, LPS effects on food intake, but not body weight loss, are
      abolished by leptin resistance induced by HFD. The preserved STAT3
      phosphorylation in the brain stem suggests that unresponsiveness to LPS on STAT3
      activation under HFD might be selective to the hypothalamus. 

PMID- 24226029
TI  - Urinary oxygen tension: a clinical window on the health of the renal medulla?
AB  - We describe the determinants of urinary oxygen tension (Po2) and the potential
      for use of urinary PO2 as a "physiological biomarker" of the risk of acute kidney
      injury (AKI) in hospital settings. We also identify knowledge gaps required for
      clinical translation of bedside monitoring of urinary PO2. Hypoxia in the renal
      medulla is a hallmark of AKI of diverse etiology. Urine in the collecting ducts
      would be expected to equilibrate with the tissue PO2 of the inner medulla.
      Accordingly, the PO2 of urine in the renal pelvis changes in response to stimuli
      that would be expected to alter oxygenation of the renal medulla. Oxygen exchange
      across the walls of the ureter and bladder will confound measurement of the PO2
      of bladder urine. Nevertheless, the PO2 of bladder urine also changes in response
      to stimuli that would be expected to alter renal medullary oxygenation. If
      confounding influences can be understood, urinary bladder PO2 may provide
      prognostically useful information, including for prediction of AKI after
      cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. To translate bedside monitoring of urinary PO2
      into the clinical setting, we require 1) a more detailed knowledge of the
      relationship between renal medullary oxygenation and the PO2 of pelvic urine
      under physiological and pathophysiological conditions; 2) a quantitative
      understanding of the impact of oxygen transport across the ureteric epithelium on
      urinary PO2 measured from the bladder; and 3) a simple, robust medical device
      that can be introduced into the bladder via a standard catheter to provide
      reliable and continuous measurement of urinary PO2.

PMID- 24226031
TI  - Screening for nodal metastasis and its challenges: nodal needles in the SCC
      haystack.

PMID- 24226028
TI  - Chronic alcohol consumption disrupts myocardial protein balance and function in
      aged, but not adult, female F344 rats.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to assess whether the deleterious effect of chronic
      alcohol consumption differs in adult and aged female rats. To address this aim,
      adult (4 mo) and aged (18 mo) F344 rats were fed a nutritionally complete liquid
      diet containing alcohol (36% total calories) or an isocaloric isonitrogenous
      control diet for 20 wk. Cardiac structure and function, assessed by
      echocardiography, as well as myocardial protein synthesis and proteolysis did not
      differ in either alcohol- versus control-fed adult rats or in adult versus aged
      control-fed rats. In contrast, cardiac function was impaired in alcohol-fed aged
      rats compared with age-matched control rats. Additionally, alcohol feeding
      decreased cardiac protein synthesis that was associated with decreased
      phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6K1. This reduction in mammalian target of
      rapamycin (mTOR) kinase activity was associated with reduced eIF3f and binding of
      both Raptor and eIF4G to eIF3. Proteasome activity was increased in alcohol-fed
      aged rats with a coordinate elevation in the E3 ligases atrogin-1 and muscle RING
      finger protein-1 (MuRF1). These changes were associated with increased regulated
      in development and DNA damage response 1 (REDD1) and phosphorylation of AMP
      activated protein kinase (AMPK) but no increase in AKT or forkhead transcription
      factor (FOXO)3 phosphorylation. Finally, markers of autophagy (e.g., LC3B, Atg7,
      Atg12) and TNF-alpha were increased to a greater extent in alcohol-fed aged rats.
      These data demonstrate that aged female rats exhibit an enhanced sensitivity to
      alcohol compared with adult animals. Our data are consistent with a model whereby
      alcohol increases proteolysis via FOXO-independent increase in atrogin-1, which
      degrades eIF3f and therefore impairs formation of a functional preinitiation
      complex and protein synthesis. 

PMID- 24226030
TI  - Do metaboreceptors alter heat loss responses following dynamic exercise?
AB  - Metaboreceptor activation during passive heating is known to influence cutaneous
      vascular conductance (CVC) and sweat rate (SR). However, whether metaboreceptors
      modulate the suppression of heat loss following dynamic exercise remains unclear.
      On separate days, before and after 15 min of high-intensity treadmill running in
      the heat (35 degrees C), eight males underwent either 1) no isometric handgrip
      exercise (IHG) or ischemia (CON), 2) 1 min IHG (60% of maximum, IHG), 3) 1 min
      IHG followed by 2 min of ischemia (IHG+OCC), 4) 2 min of ischemia (OCC), or 5) 1
      min IHG followed by 2 min of ischemia with application of lower body negative
      pressure (IHG+LBNP). SR (ventilated capsule), cutaneous blood flow (Laser
      Doppler), and mean arterial pressure (Finometer) were measured continuously
      before and after dynamic exercise. Following dynamic exercise, CVC was reduced
      with IHG exercise (P < 0.05) and remained attenuated with post-IHG ischemia
      during IHG+OCC relative to CON (39 +/- 2 vs. 47 +/- 6%, P < 0.05). Furthermore,
      the reduction in CVC was exacerbated by application of LBNP during post-IHG
      ischemia (35 +/- 3%, P < 0.05) relative to IHG+OCC. SR increased during IHG
      exercise (P < 0.05) and remained elevated during post-IHG ischemia relative to
      CON following dynamic exercise (0.94 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.53 +/- 0.09 mg.min(-1).cm(
      2), P < 0.05). In contrast, application of LBNP during post-IHG ischemia had no
      effect on SR (0.93 +/- 0.09 mg.min(-1).cm(-2), P > 0.05) relative to post-IHG
      ischemia during IHG+OCC. We show that CVC is reduced and that SR is increased by
      metaboreceptor activation following dynamic exercise. In addition, we show that
      the metaboreflex-induced loading of the baroreceptors can influence the CVC
      response, but not the sweating response. 

PMID- 24226032
TI  - The solubility of oxygen in physiological salines.
AB  - The oxygen solubility coefficient (alphaO2) of several different physiological
      saline solutions was measured over a broad range of temperatures (0 to 25?C).
      Distilled water had a higher value than a physiological salt solution (similar to
      Cortland's saline). Plasma expanders (polyvinylpyrrolidone, dextran, albumin)
      lowered the alphaO2 value of the physiological salt solution. A salt solution
      with a 4% (w/v) mixture of protein substitute had a lower alphaO2 value than the
      corresponding 1% mixture. The solubility of oxygen was inversely related to
      temperature. 

PMID- 24226033
TI  - Elasmobranch pericardial function 2. The influence of pericardial pressure on
      cardiac stroke volume in horn sharks and blue sharks.
AB  - The importance of negative pericardial pressure to heart function in
      clasmobranchs has been questioned due to the discovery of positive pericardial
      pressures in healthy horn sharks (Heterodontus francisci). We therefore implanted
      electromagnetic flow probes on the ventral aorta of horn sharks and blue sharks
      (Prionace glauca) and assessed stroke volume and pericardial pressure as
      pericardial fluid volume (PFV) was varied to test the hypothesis that
      elasmobranchs are capable of maintaining a relatively large stroke volume at
      pericardial pressures near and above ambient. Stroke volume was maximum between
      zero and 25% maximum PFV (maximum PFV: the volume of pericardial fluid required
      to open the pericardioperitoneal canal), where pericardial pressure was most
      negative. At 50% maximum PFV (pericardial pressure near or slightly above
      ambient) stroke volume was 70% and 98% of its maximum in horn sharks and blue
      sharks, respectively. At a larger PFV, stroke volume declined drastically,
      reaching zero where both PFV and pericardial pressure were maximum. Thus, at a
      pericardial pressure apparently associated with resting or mild activity, stroke
      volume is a relatively large proportion of the apparent maximum. Increased
      circulatory demands associated with strenuous activity may induce ejection of
      pericardial fluid through the perieardioperitoneal canal, which then lowers
      pericardial pressure. The lowered pericardial pressure causes an increase in
      stroke volume, indicating that control is in part effected by changing
      pericardial pressure. 

PMID- 24226034
TI  - Seasonal changes in reproductive condition and plasma levels of sex steroids in
      the blue cod,Parapercis colias (Bloch and Schneider) (Mugiloididae).
AB  - Gonad and plasma samples were taken from blue cod captured throughout the
      reproductive cycle, gonad condition was assessed, and plasma levels of 17alpha
      hydroxyprogesterone (17alphaOHP), 17alpha,20Beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one
      (17alpha,20BetaP), testosterone (T), 17Beta-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) were
      measured by radioimmunoassay. It was confirmed that spawning occurred over an
      extended period in late winter and spring, with individual fish being involved in
      multiple spawning events. Plasma levels of T were bimodal in both sexes with
      peaks (maximum of 6.0 ng.ml(-1)) occurring 2 months prior to, and also during the
      early part of the spawning period. 17alpha,20BetaP was elevated in males (2.1
      ng.ml(-1)) in mid-spermatogenesis coinciding with the first T peak (4.9 ng.m.(
      1)). 17alpha,20BetaP was detectable but not significantly elevated (0.6-1.2
      ng.ml(-1)) at any sample time in females. E2 was elevated in mature females (1.0
      ng.ml(-1)) early in the spawning period but remained at assay detection limits
      (0.3 ng.ml(-1)) at all other sample times. Neither 17alphaOHP nor E1 were
      detectable in the plasma of either sex. It is suggested that bimodal increases in
      sex steroids prior to spawning may be a feature of species with rapid
      recrudescence. 

PMID- 24226035
TI  - Free amino acids in metamorphosing bonefish (Albula sp.) leptocephali.
AB  - Metamorphosing leptocephalous larvae of the bonefish (Albula sp.) were analyzed
      for total ninhydrinpositive substances (NPS) and free amino acids. Total NPS
      content showed little change during metamorphosis. The average NPS value (+/
      S.E.) for 16 larvae was 1.8 (+/-0.1) mg*larva(-1), which represents approximately
      4% and 8% of the total dry weight of early and advanced larvae, respectively.
      Taurine was the most abundant free amino acid in whole-larva extracts, accounting
      for 36% and 59% of the total by weight in early and advanced larvae,
      respectively. The essential amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine,
      histidine, valine, methionine, lysine and arginine, accounted for about half
      (47%) of the total in early larvae but were reduced to about 23% of the total in
      advanced larvae. All of the component essential amino acids decreased during
      metamorphosis, but the greatest effect was seen with the first five. The
      remaining non-essential amino acids comprised less than 20% of the total in early
      larvae and, although the overall value changed little during metamorphosis,
      certain components such as glycine and glutamic acid showed large increases
      whereas others such as tyrosine and serine were reduced. Increases in amino acid
      content after acid hydrolysis of whole-larva extracts indicated that
      trichloroacetic acid-soluble, low molecular weight peptides were present in both
      early and advanced leptocephali. 

PMID- 24226036
TI  - Polar and neutral lipid composition of the gonads and serum of the
      plaice,Pleuronectes platessa L.
AB  - The individual polar and neutral lipids of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.)
      ovaries, testes and serum were determined, just before spawning, in February 1984
      and March 1985. Serum was also assayed in June and September 1984.
      Phosphatidylcholine (PC) was found to be the major polar lipid in both male and
      female plaice serum throughout the year and in the ovaries. The testes, however,
      contained almost equal amounts of PC and phosphatidylethanolamine. The polar
      lipid levels in plaice gonads, expressed as a percentage of the total lipid
      present, were higher in the ovaries than in the testes, but in male plaice serum,
      the percentage of polar lipid was consistently higher than in the female. In
      plaice testes, 86% of the total neutral lipid occurred as cholesterol, but this
      represented only 49% of the total neutral lipid in the ovaries, with
      triacylglycerol as the other major ovarian neutral lipid. 

PMID- 24226037
TI  - Interactions among dietary minerals, arginine and lysine in rainbow trout (Salmo
      gairdneri).
AB  - Studies were conducted to determine whether interactions occur among dietary
      lysine, arginine and monovalent minerals in rainbow trout. In one experiment,
      rainbow trout fingerlings were fed diets containing three levels of lysine (2.4,
      3.1 and 3.8 g per 100 g diet), two levels of arginine (1.7 and 2.5 g per 100 g
      diet) and two mixtures of Na(+) K(+) and Cl in a 3*2*2 factorial design. The
      mixtures varied in the proportions of cations to anions such that Cl equalled the
      sum of Na(+) and K(+) (cations - anions = 0 mEq/kg diet) in one mixture and
      exceeded the sum of Na(+) and K(+) (cations - anions = -200 mEq/kg diet) in the
      second mixture. Growth and efficiency of feed conversion were not affected by
      dietary lysine and arginine in fish fed diets containing - 200 mEq/kg balance,
      but when fish were fed diets containing a 0 mEq/kg balance, 3.8% lysine and a
      combination of 3.1% lysine and 2.5% arginine depressed both measures of response.
      Trout receiving the 0 mEq/kg cation-anion balance had significantly higher free
      histidine concentrations and lower free lysine concentrations in muscle and
      higher hepatic arginase activity (P<=0.01) than those receiving -200 mEq/kg. In
      another experiment, trout were fed diets containing three levels of K(+) (21, 191
      and 360 mEq/kg), two levels of Na(+) (21 and 191 mEq/kg) and two levels of Cl(-)
      (179 and 347 mEq/kg) in a 3*2*2 factorial design. Growth and efficiency of feed
      conversion were depressed and hepatosomatic index increased with higher levels of
      dietary K(+) (P<=0.01), Na(+) (P<=0.05) and Cl (P<=0.01), with significant K(+) x
      Cl(+) (P<=0.01) and K(+) x Na(+) x Cl (P<=0.05) interactions. Increasing dietary
      K(+) resulted in increased levels of muscle free histidine and decreased levels
      of muscle free lysine and arginine (P<=0.01), while increasing dietary Cl
      increased muscle free lysine, the effect of which was dependent on dietary
      potassium (K(+) x Cl(-), P<=0.01). It is concluded that dietary levels of K(+),
      Na(+) and Cl(-), irrespective of overall cation-anion balance of these minerals,
      affects growth rate, efficiency of feed utilization and the metabolism of basic
      amino acids in tissues of trout. Excess lysine causes depressed growth and
      efficiency of feed utilization. These effects were due to a lysine toxicity
      rather than a lysine-arginine antagonism, as they were not prevented by
      supplemental dietary arginine. 

PMID- 24226038
TI  - Serum metabolites related to cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity energy
      expenditure, sedentary time and vigorous activity.
AB  - The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between objectively
      measured physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and serum
      metabolites measured by targeted metabolomics in a population- based study. A
      total of 100 subjects provided 2 fasting blood samples and engaged in a CRF and
      PA measurement at 2 visits 4 months apart. CRF was estimated from a step test,
      whereas physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), time spent sedentary and
      time spend in vigorous activity were measured by a combined heart rate and
      movement sensor for a total of 8 days. Serum metabolite concentrations were
      determined by flow injection analysis tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS).
      Linear mixed models were applied with multivariable adjustment and p-values were
      corrected for multiple testing. Furthermore, we explored the associations between
      CRF, PA and two metabolite factors that have previously been linked to risk of
      Type 2 diabetes. CRF was associated with two phosphatidylcholine clusters
      independently of all other exposures. Lysophosphatidylcholine C14:0 and
      methionine were significantly negatively associated with PAEE and sedentary time.
      CRF was positively associated with the Type 2 diabetes protective factor.
      Vigorous activity was positively associated with the Type 2 diabetes risk factor
      in the mutually adjusted model. Our results suggest that CRF and PA are
      associated with serum metabolites, especially CRF with phosphatidylcholines and
      with the Type 2 diabetes protective factor. PAEE and sedentary time were
      associated with methionine. The identified metabolites could be potential
      mediators of the protective effects of CRF and PA on chronic disease risk. 

PMID- 24226040
TI  - Achieving balance in alert implementations.

PMID- 24226041
TI  - Boston strong, nursing strong.

PMID- 24226042
TI  - A descriptive study of point-of-care reference resource use by advanced practice
      RNs in Texas.
AB  - This descriptive study replicates and extends previous research on advanced
      practice RNs and the (1) reference resources available to them at the point of
      care, (2) resources they use to inform their clinical practice, and (3) resources
      they are accessing from handheld electronic devices such as PDAs, smartphones,
      and tablet computers during practice. These elements formed the purpose of the
      current study. A sample of advanced practice RNs from Texas Public Health Region
      11 was surveyed. Available resources were current journals appropriate to setting
      and current clinical guidelines. These advanced practice RNs "always or
      frequently" based their professional practice on personal experience of caring
      for patients/clients over time, information learned in college/university, and
      information learned about each patient/client as an individual. Responses for
      Hispanic respondents as well as electronic device users were similar. Content and
      features accessed daily by handheld computer devices were reference materials, e
      mail, address/phonebook, Internet access other than e-mail, calendar/date book,
      alarm/reminder, calculator, and memo pad. Software installed on handheld devices
      and used daily included drug references, medical text/reference book, medical
      math/formula calculator, practice guidelines, and language translator/dictionary.
      Respondents who did not report using handheld devices at work were older, had
      more years in advanced practice nursing, and were more likely to work in a
      hospital, birthing center, or institution such as a prison, school, or military
      facility. There was no difference in resource or electronic device use by
      Hispanic advanced practice RNs. Electronic resources for practice are growing and
      being used by advanced practice RNs. Consideration should be given to
      incorporating evaluation and implementation of electronic clinical resources into
      advanced practice RN educational programs. Future research should include greater
      detail about the origin of information used in practice. Patient responses to the
      use of electronic handheld devices in clinical settings needs illuminating. 

PMID- 24226039
TI  - Risk assessment of shellfish toxins.
AB  - Complex secondary metabolites, some of which are highly toxic to mammals, are
      produced by many marine organisms. Some of these organisms are important food
      sources for marine animals and, when ingested, the toxins that they produce may
      be absorbed and stored in the tissues of the predators, which then become toxic
      to animals higher up the food chain. This is a particular problem with shellfish,
      and many cases of poisoning are reported in shellfish consumers each year. At
      present, there is no practicable means of preventing uptake of the toxins by
      shellfish or of removing them after harvesting. Assessment of the risk posed by
      such toxins is therefore required in order to determine levels that are unlikely
      to cause adverse effects in humans and to permit the establishment of regulatory
      limits in shellfish for human consumption. In the present review, the basic
      principles of risk assessment are described, and the progress made toward robust
      risk assessment of seafood toxins is discussed. While good progress has been
      made, it is clear that further toxicological studies are required before this
      goal is fully achieved. 

PMID- 24226044
TI  - Construction and validation of a distance learning module on premedication
      antisepsis for nursing professionals.
AB  - The aim of this descriptive study, carried out at a public university, was to
      design, develop, and validate a distance learning module on intramuscular
      premedication antisepsis. The content was introduced in the Modular Object
      Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment, based on the Systematic Model for Web
      Based Training projects. Ten nurses and information technologists at work
      consented to participate, in compliance with ethical guidelines, and answered a
      questionnaire to validate the Virtual Learning Environment. The educational
      aspects of the environment interface were mostly evaluated as "excellent,"
      whereas the assessment of didactic resources indicated interactivity
      difficulties. It is concluded that distance learning is an important tool for the
      teaching of premedication antisepsis. To ensure its effectiveness, appropriate
      methods and interactive devices must be used. 

PMID- 24226046
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24226045
TI  - Single-neuron criticality optimizes analog dendritic computation.
AB  - Active dendritic branchlets enable the propagation of dendritic spikes, whose
      computational functions remain an open question. Here we propose a concrete
      function to the active channels in large dendritic trees. Modelling the input
      output response of large active dendritic arbors subjected to complex spatio
      temporal inputs and exhibiting non-stereotyped dendritic spikes, we find that the
      dendritic arbor can undergo a continuous phase transition from a quiescent to an
      active state, thereby exhibiting spontaneous and self-sustained localized
      activity as suggested by experiments. Analogously to the critical brain
      hypothesis, which states that neuronal networks self-organize near criticality to
      take advantage of its specific properties, here we propose that neurons with
      large dendritic arbors optimize their capacity to distinguish incoming stimuli at
      the critical state. We suggest that "computation at the edge of a phase
      transition" is more compatible with the view that dendritic arbors perform an
      analog rather than a digital dendritic computation. 

PMID- 24226047
TI  - Detection ofLegionella antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
      using whole cell and carbohydrate antigens.
AB  - The systematic study ofLegionella as a human pathogen and a bacterium widely
      disseminated in the environment requires simplification of present methodology.
      We describe a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the
      detection of serum antibodies that can also be used for the detection of
      antigen.Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 and 3 (Philadelphia 2 and Bloomington
      2),L. bozemanii (WIGA), andL. micdadei (TATLOCK) were grown in diphasic medium
      consisting of charcoal yeast extract agar (CYE) overlayed with yeast extract
      medium (YEM) for the production of whole cell antigen and CYE for the extraction
      of carbohydrate antigen. The whole cells were inactivated with 0.5% formalin. The
      carbohydrate was obtained from the supernatant of cells resuspended twice in
      phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The antigen was sterilized and concentrated by
      filtration and purified by chromatography through a Sepharose 4B column. The
      highest molecular weight fractions were used for chemical characterization, which
      confirmed the carbohydrate nature of the antigen, and for micro-ELISA. Titers
      ranging from 5*10(3) to 3*10(5) (inverse of serum dilutions) were obtained from
      rabbit sera collected after 1, 2, or 3 injections of whole cells. The titers were
      somewhat higher and more consistent with the higher of 2 antigen concentrations
      used (5 or 15MUg/ml protein or dry weight), and with the carbohydrate rather than
      the whole cell antigen. The reactions were serogroup and species specific and
      only low titers were obtained with some of the heterologous antigens. The
      sensitivity and specificity of the reactions were not diminished when as many as
      4 antigens were mixed in the same well. Thus, the micro-ELISA can be used as a
      test of highly specific antigens as well as a screening test with mixtures of
      antigens. A preliminary test withLegionella containing water specimen
      concentrates and high-titer rabbit sera indicated that the micro-ELISA can also
      be used for the detection of antigen. This investigation appears to have paved
      the way for the simplification of the serological methodology for the study
      ofLegionella. 

PMID- 24226048
TI  - Vibrios in the Louisiana gulf coast environment.
AB  - A polyphasic approach, using bacteriological, immunological, and molecular
      biological techniques was used to elucidate the distribution of pathogenicVibrio
      species in the Louisiana coastal environment. A variety ofVibrio species
      pathogenic for man, includingV. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. fluvialis,
      andV. vulnificus, were found to be ubiquitous in Louisiana.Vibrio species
      monitored were shown to fluctuate in response to environmental factors of
      temperature, salinity, and nutrient level, and to vary independently of fecal
      coliform counts. A comprehensive serological screening system, based on species
      specific H antigens, was developed to identify pathogenicVibrio sp. 1 step after
      primary isolation.Vibrio sp. were correctly identified with accuracies ranging
      from 93-100%, depending on the specific H antiserum. Over 2,500V. cholerae
      isolates were rapidly screened for production of cholera toxin by DNA
      hybridization of specific toxin gene probes to colonies inoculated on
      nitrocellulose filter paper. The toxin gene probes, together with O antigen
      analysis, revealed that enterotoxigenicV. cholerae 01 serovars were recovered
      only from sewage stations or human disease, whereas enterotoxigenicV. cholerae
      non 01 serovars were recovered from environmental samples in addition to clinical
      and sewage samples. The results of this study indicate that techniques of
      immunology and molecular biology are very valuable supplements to conventional
      bacteriological techniques in studying the epidemiology and ecology of
      pathogenicVibrio sp. 

PMID- 24226049
TI  - Survival and viability of nonculturableEscherichia coli andVibrio cholerae in the
      estuarine and marine environment.
AB  - Plating methods for estimating survival of indicator organisms, such
      asEscherichia coli, and water-borne pathogens includingVibrio cholerae, have
      severe limitations when used to estimate viable populations of these organisms in
      the aquatic environment. By combining the methods of immunofluorescent
      microscopy, acridine orange direct counting, and direct viable counting, with
      culture methods such as indirect enumeration by most probable number (MPN)
      estimation and direct plating, it was shown that bothE. coli andV. cholerae
      undergo a "nonrecoverable" stage of existence, but remain viable. Following 2
      week incubations in saltwater (5-25%o NaCl) microcosms, total counts, measured by
      direct microscopic examination of fluorescent antibody and acridine orange
      stained cells, remained unchanged, whereas MPN estimates and plate counts
      exhibited rapid decline. Results of direct viable counting, a procedure
      permitting estimate of substrate-responsive viable cells by microscopic
      examination, revealed that a significant proportion of the nonculturable cells
      were, indeed, viable. Thus, survival of pathogens in the aquatic environment must
      be re-assessed. The "die-off" or "decay" concept may not be completely valid.
      Furthermore, the usefulness of the coliform and fecal coliform indices for
      evaluating water quality for public health purposes may be seriously compromised,
      in the light of the finding reported here. 

PMID- 24226050
TI  - Aeromonas sobria in chlorinated drinking water supplies.
AB  - Aeromonas species were recovered from over 27% of 183 chlorinated drinking water
      samples collected during an 18-month period. Sixteen of 20 isolates tested
      elicited a cytotoxic response by Y-1 mouse adrenal cells. None of the strains was
      either enterotoxigenic by the rabbit ligated ileal loop assay, exhibited
      piliation, or showed significant mannose resistant adherence to human buccal
      cells. TheAeromonas isolates were further identified to beA. sobria and were
      resistant to ampicillin and susceptible to chloramphenicol, kanamycin,
      streptomycin, and tetracycline. Total coliform levels did not correlate
      withAeromonas densities in distribution water. With 85% of the
      samplings,Aeromonas occurred in distribution water when no coliforms were
      detectable by either the membrane filter or most-probable-number techniques. A
      significant correlation (P<.001) existed between standard plate count levels
      andAeromonas. 

PMID- 24226051
TI  - Gentamicin-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosa: Concepts regarding their evolution
      and attenuated virulence.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a free-living bacterial species, is a major nosocomial
      pathogen, especially of compromised patients within medical facilities. Numerous
      factors contribute to the ecological selection of this bacterial species within
      the hospital environment, among which the expression of newly acquired or
      quiescent enzymatic capability seems par-amount. The emergence of pathogenic
      strains ofP. aeruginosa appears to be gradual, embodying a transition of strains
      from their natural aquatic environment, to establishing inanimate (hospital) and
      animate (human) reservoirs. In this stepwise transition, subsets ofP. aeruginosa
      may evolve which express a survival trait, for example, gentamicin resistance,
      but concomitantly suffer a loss of invasive potential. In this study,P.
      aeruginosa strains from natural [22], hospital [11], and stool [17] sources were
      evaluated for their physiological and exoenzymatic activity and compared with
      gentamicin-resistantP. aeruginosa (GRPA) strains [49] of clinical origin. As a
      whole, environmental and hospital isolates showed reduced enzymatic potential,
      for example, frequency of production of elastase, lipase, deoxyribonuclease, and
      pyocyanin production. Human fecal isolates most closely resembled the prototype
      of human invasiveP. aeruginosa in their gentamicin susceptibility (95%) and
      increased frequencies of exoenzymes, including elastase production. On the other
      hand, GRPA were frequently apyocyanogenic (9/49), lacked extracellular enzymes
      correlated with pathogenicity, and were rarely isolated from systemic sites. When
      encountered, these strains appeared to represent colonization of a body site
      rather than incitants of overt infection. As a "subset" ofP. aeruginosa,
      gentamicin resistance was seen predominantly among serotype 11 strains, and
      encountered most frequently from patients with localized urinary tract
      infections. 

PMID- 24226052
TI  - Waterborne transmission ofCampylobacter enteritis.
AB  - Campylobacter jejuni is an important cause of human diarrheal disease throughout
      the world and likeSalmonella enteritidis, has a large animal reservoir which
      includes most of man's domestic animals. Until recently, it has been difficult to
      trace the chain of transmission from animals to man because of inadequate
      environmental sampling techniques and means to distinguish strains. Recent
      improvements in these techniques have made environmental studies more feasible in
      2 water-related out-breaks.In 1 study,C. jejuni was found to be an important
      cause of sporadic, summertime diarrheal disease among hikers in national
      wilderness areas of Wyoming. In this setting, illness was significantly
      associated with drinking untreated surface water. SubsequentlyC. jejuni was
      isolated from surface water, including mountian streams, and from animals in the
      area. Some of the environmental isolates were serotypically identical to strains
      isolated from humans.A second study occurred as a result of an outbreak of
      Campylobacter enteritis in a community in northern Illinois which was
      epidemiologically associated with the community water system.Campylobacter jejuni
      was isolated from several surface water sources and from the implicated water
      system. These studies demonstrate that environmental isolation ofC. jejuni is now
      possible and may add to our understanding of disease transmission. 

PMID- 24226053
TI  - The ecology of the streptococci.
AB  - All species of streptococci are divided into several groups according to the
      ecological niches they occupy. Members of the lactic acid group are found only in
      the plant environment and the dairy. Members of the pyogenic group and the buccal
      and intestinal residents of the subthermophilic group are found in intimate
      association only with homeothermic hosts. Members of the virulent pyogenic group,
      such asStreptococcus pyogenes, S. equi, andS. infrequens, are restricted to
      single hosts-the human, the horse, and the pig-whereas others, such asS.
      agalactiae can be found in several hosts. The intestinal dwellers of the
      subthermophilic group,S. bovis andS. equinus, occur in several animal species and
      are not isolated from other sources. The superficially homogeneousS. faecalis of
      the "enteric" group may actually consist of a group specifically restricted to
      the human host, and of a second group distributed among wild animals, insects,
      and plants. The latter group differs from the human type by the ability to
      hydrolyze starch and to produce a rennin-proteolytic type of curd in
      milk.Streptococcus faecium is widely distributed in both the homeothermic and
      poikilothermic environments, but no properties which differentiate the sources
      are known.Streptococcus faecium biot.casseliflavus has been isolated only from
      insects and plants.Streptococcus uberis occurs on the bovine lips and skin.
      Unidentified streptococci from all environments vary widely in properties. Many
      resembleS. lactis, S. faecalis, andS. faecium. 

PMID- 24226054
TI  - Distribution and possible interrelationships of pathogenic and
      nonpathogenicAcanthamoeba from aquatic environments.
AB  - Among the more recently discovered agents of human disease are small, free-living
      amebae belonging to the generaNaegleria andAcanthamoeba. An overview of the
      distribution ofAcanthamoeba in recent surveys of the near shore waters of the
      northeastern United States is presented. There appears to be a particular
      association between the presence ofAcanthamoeba in marine sediments and the sites
      of oceanic sludge dumping. Amebae belonging to the genusNaegleria have not been
      isolated from these marine sediments which routinely yieldedAcanthamoeba. Starch
      gel electrophoretic analysis of enzymes suggests that some isolates
      ofAcanthamoeba from oceanic sludge dump-sites are not members of previously
      recognized pathogenic species. 

PMID- 24226055
TI  - A spiroplasma of serogroup IV causes a May-disease-like disorder of honeybees in
      Southwestern France.
AB  - Honeybees affected by a disorder resembling the classical "May disease" in
      southwestern France contained numerous helical, motile organisms in their
      digestive tracts and hemolymph. Two strains of the organism (B31 and B39) were
      cultured and triply cloned in the BSR spiroplasma medium. The electrophoretic
      patterns of spiroplasmal proteins in 1 - and 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gels
      were similar to those of group IV spiroplasmas F1 and F2, cultured previously
      from flower surfaces in France. The organism could be introduced into adult bees
      by injection or food ingestion at various stages after emergence. Agent
      administered by either route multiplied to high titers in the hemolymph and
      killed the bees. Both multiplication and the induced lethal effect of the agent
      could be prevented by tetracycline but not penicillin. Spiroplasmas that were
      nearly identical to the B31 and B39 strains were also recovered from the surface
      of flowers collected within the area visited by the bees from the diseased hives.

PMID- 24226056
TI  - Spiroplasmas from coleopterous insects: New ecological dimensions.
AB  - The genusSpiroplasma (helical wall-less prokaryotes) is a recently described
      group of microorganisms that cause disease in plants, arthropods, and
      experimentally, in vertebrates. Two spiroplasmas from beetles have now been
      discovered in a search for microorganisms suitable for biological control of
      economically important coleopterous insects. Colorado potato beetles (CPB)
      infected with spiroplasma were commonly found on potato and other solanaceous
      plants in Maryland. Although this spiroplasma occurred in high concentration in
      gut fluids and sputum, it could not be cultivated in conventional spiroplasma
      media. However, another spiroplasma (CN-5 and related strains) reported here to
      occur commonly in association with larvae and adults of the green June
      beetle,Cotinus nitida, could be cultivated readily in the SM-1 formulation and
      several other conventional spiroplasma media. The CN-5 spiroplasma was
      serologically distinct from representative members of all 8 major groups now
      recognized. Thus, it represents a ninth major spiroplasma serogroup (IX), and can
      be considered to be an unnamed species. The CPB spiroplasma is apparently
      maintained in plant surface-insect gut cycles, but details of maintenance of the
      CN-5 spiroplasma are incompletely understood. Isolation of CN-5 spiroplasma from
      soil in which host larvae had fed suggests that transmission of this agent may
      occur in the soil. Both CN-5 and CPB spiroplasmas exhibited unusually active
      translational motility in natural fluids, and CN-5 organisms exhibited such
      motility in culture media. Although we have no evidence that either spiroplasma
      is pathogenic to its usual host, the pathogenicity of spiroplasmas to many hosts,
      including the beetle,Melolontha melolontha, suggests possible application for
      biological control. 

PMID- 24226057
TI  - Tuberculosis immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in A5221 STRIDE: timing,
      severity, and implications for HIV-TB programs.
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in
      HIV-tuberculosis (TB) is associated with increased immune reconstitution
      inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). The severity, frequency, and complications of TB
      IRIS were evaluated in A5221, a randomized trial of earlier ART (within 2 weeks
      after TB treatment initiation) vs. later ART (8-12 weeks after TB treatment) in
      HIV-infected patients starting TB treatment. METHODS AND MEASUREMENTS: In 806
      participants, TB IRIS was defined using published clinical criteria. Cases were
      classified as severe (hospitalization/death), moderate (corticosteroid
      use/invasive procedure), or mild (no hospitalization/procedures/steroids). Fisher
      exact, Wilcoxon, and log-rank tests were used for comparisons. MAIN RESULTS: TB
      IRIS occurred in 61 (7.6%) patients: 10.4% in earlier vs. 4.7% in later ART,
      11.5% with CD4 <50 vs. 5.4% with CD4 >=50 cells per cubic millimeter. The CD4/ART
      arm interaction was significant, P = 0.014, with 44.3% of TB IRIS occurring with
      CD4 <50 and earlier ART. TB IRIS occurred sooner with earlier vs. later ART
      initiation, at a median of 29 vs. 82 days after TB treatment initiation (P <
      0.001). IRIS manifestations included lymphadenopathy (59.0%), constitutional
      symptoms (54.1%), and radiographic changes (41.0%); central nervous system TB
      IRIS was uncommon (6.6%). TB IRIS was mild in 27.9%, moderate in 41.0%, and
      severe in 31.1%. No TB IRIS-associated deaths occurred. IRIS management required
      >=1 invasive procedures in 34.4%, hospitalization in 31.1%, and corticosteroids
      in 54.1%. CONCLUSIONS: TB IRIS was more frequent with earlier ART initiation and
      CD4 <50 cells per cubic millimeter. As ART is implemented earlier in HIV-TB
      coinfection, programs will require the diagnostic capabilities, clinical
      resources, and training necessary to manage TB IRIS.

PMID- 24226058
TI  - The VACS index predicts mortality in a young, healthy HIV population starting
      highly active antiretroviral therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) index is a weighted
      combination of age and 8 clinical variables. It has been well correlated with all
      cause mortality among HIV-infected patients. The US Military HIV Natural History
      Study (NHS) cohort provides a different validation population profile, being
      younger and healthier. A significant portion of the US HIV population is
      similarly composed; so, evaluation of the VACS index in this population is of
      great interest. METHODS: NHS subjects have medical history and laboratory data
      collected at 6-month visits. We performed an external validation of the VACS
      index in the NHS evaluating correlation, discrimination, and calibration for all
      cause mortality after highly active antiretroviral therapy initiation (HI). We
      then tested whether combining longitudinal VACS index values at different time
      points improves prediction of mortality. RESULTS: The VACS index at 1 year after
      HI was well correlated with all-cause mortality (Harrell c statistic 0.78),
      provided good discrimination (log-rank P < 0.05), and was marginally well
      calibrated using Brier score. Accounting for VACS index at HI and 6 months after
      HI significantly improved a standard model, including only the VACS index at 1
      year after HI (net reclassification improvement = 25.2%, 95% CI: 10.9% to 48.9%).
      CONCLUSIONS: The VACS index was well correlated and provided good discrimination
      with respect to all-cause mortality among highly active antiretroviral therapy
      initiating subjects in the NHS. Moderate overprediction of mortality in this
      young, healthy population suggests minor recalibration that could improve fit
      among similar patients. Considering VACS index at HI and 6 months improved
      outcome prediction and allowed earlier risk assessment.

PMID- 24226061
TI  - Ultrastructure and development of the gametophyte vaginula-sporophyte foot
      complex in the liverwort Targionia hypophylla L.
AB  - The development of the placental complex including the gametophyte vaginula and
      the bulbous foot of the sporophyte in the liverwort Targionia hypophylla L.
      (Marchantiales) was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The vaginula and
      foot are separated by an intervening space and each consist of parenchymatous
      cells without intercellular spaces. Transfer cells begin to differentiate at the
      gametophyte-sporophyte interface just prior the onset of meiosis. While a single
      epidermal transfer-cell layer has developed in the foot by the end of meiosis, a
      multilayered pattern of transfer cells is formed in the vaginula. Gametophyte
      transfer cells have wall labyrinths which decrease in complexity with distance
      from the foot, lack plasmodesmata, and show signs of degeneration in the
      proximity of the foot. During meiosis, amyloplasts of both vaginula and foot lack
      starch and develop some thylakoid grana. In the subsequent stage of spore
      maturation, obliteration of the wall labyrinth occurs in both gametophyte and
      sporophyte transfer cells. The developmental pattern of the placental complex in
      Targionia is discussed in relation to that of mosses. 

PMID- 24226059
TI  - Serial cervicovaginal exposures with replication-deficient SIVsm induce higher
      dendritic cell (pDC) and CD4+ T-cell infiltrates not associated with prevention
      but a more severe SIVmac251 infection of rhesus macaques.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Intravaginal exposure to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) acutely
      recruits interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells
      (pDC) and CD4 T-lymphocyte targets to the endocervix of nonhuman primates. We
      tested the impact of repeated cervicovaginal exposures to noninfectious,
      defective SIV particles over 72 hours on a subsequent cervicovaginal challenge
      with replication competent SIV. METHODS: Thirty-four female Indian Rhesus
      macaques were given a 3-day twice-daily vaginal exposures to either SIVsmB7, a
      replication-deficient derivative of SIVsmH3 produced by a T lymphoblast CEMx174
      cell clone (n = 16), or to CEM supernatant controls (n = 18). On the fourth day,
      animals were either euthanized to assess cervicovaginal immune cell infiltration
      or intravaginally challenged with SIVmac251. Challenged animals were tracked for
      plasma viral load and CD4 counts and euthanized at 42 days after infection.
      RESULTS: At the time of challenge, macaques exposed to SIVsmB7, had higher levels
      of cervical CD123 pDCs (P = 0.032) and CD4 T cells (P = 0.036) than those exposed
      to CEM control. Vaginal tissues showed a significant increase in CD4 T-cell
      infiltrates (P = 0.048) and a trend toward increased CD68 cellular infiltrates.
      After challenge, 12 SIVsmB7-treated macaques showed 2.5-fold greater daily rate
      of CD4 decline (P = 0.0408), and viral load rise (P = 0.0036) as compared with 12
      control animals. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated nonproductive exposure to viral particles
      within a short daily time frame did not protect against infection despite pDC
      recruitment, resulting instead in an accelerated CD4 T-cell loss with an
      increased rate of viral replication.

PMID- 24226062
TI  - The development of the placenta in the anthocerote Phaeoceros laevis (L.) Prosk.
AB  - The development of the placenta in the anthocerote Phaeoceros laevis (L.) Prosk.
      was studied by transmission electron microscopy. By the time the sporophyte
      emerges from the involucre, a conspicuous placental region is formed by the
      intrusive growth of sporophyte foot haustorial cells into the adjacent
      gametophyte vaginula tissue. The separation of gametophyte cells by haustorial
      cells and their incorporation into the placenta are preceded by the loosening and
      swelling of their walls and the formation of a periplasmic space. This process
      causes the disruption of the plasmodesmata, and may eventually result in the
      complete isolation and consequent degeneration of the cells. Crystals are
      commonly observed in the vacuoles of gametophyte placental cells. Crystals become
      more abundant during cytoplasmic degeneration, and are released in the placental
      lacunae that result from the complete dissolution of gametophyte cells. During
      the subsequent phase of capsule elongation, the gametophyte placental cells that
      retain the symplastic connection with the adjoining gametophyte parenchyma
      develop a wall labyrinth typical of transfer cells. Obliteration of the wall
      labyrinth by deposition of lightly staining wall material is observed later in
      sporophyte development, in concomitance with capsule dehiscence. Crystals are
      negative to the periodic acid/thiocarbohydrazide/silver proteinate test for
      carbohydrates whilst they are completely digested by pepsin or protease, denoting
      protein composition. 

PMID- 24226060
TI  - Cervicovaginal HIV-1 shedding in women taking antiretroviral therapy in Burkina
      Faso: a longitudinal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces transmission of HIV-1. However,
      genital HIV-1 can be detected in patients on ART. We analyzed factors associated
      with genital HIV-1 shedding among high-risk women on ART in Burkina Faso.
      METHODS: Plasma viral load (PVL) and enriched cervicovaginal lavage HIV-1 RNA
      were measured every 3-6 months for up to 8 years. Random-effects logistic and
      linear regression models were used to analyze associations of frequency and
      quantity of genital HIV-1 RNA with behavioral and biological factors, adjusting
      for within-woman correlation. The lower limit of detection of HIV-1 RNA in plasma
      and eCVL samples was 300 copies per milliliter. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty
      eight participants initiated ART from 2004 to 2011. PVL was detectable in 16%
      (171/1050) of visits, in 52% (90/174) of women. Cervicovaginal HIV-1 RNA was
      detectable in 16% (128/798) of visits with undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA in 45%
      (77/170) of women. After adjusting for PVL, detectable cervicovaginal HIV-1 RNA
      was independently associated with abnormal vaginal discharge and use of
      nevirapine or zidovudine vs. efavirenz and stavudine, respectively; longer time
      on ART and hormonal contraception were not associated with increased shedding.
      The presence of bacterial vaginosis, herpes simplex virus-2 DNA, and the use of
      nevirapine vs efavirenz were independently associated with an increased quantity
      of cervicovaginal HIV-1 RNA. CONCLUSIONS: Certain ART regimens, abnormal vaginal
      discharge, bacterial vaginosis, and genital herpes simplex virus-2 are associated
      with HIV-1 cervicovaginal shedding or quantity in women on ART after adjusting
      for PVL. This may reduce the effectiveness of ART as prevention in high-risk
      populations.

PMID- 24226063
TI  - Stability and expression of transferred DNA in F1 tobacco transformants studied
      at various states of differentiation.
AB  - Grafts from the SR1 tobacco crown-gall lines NT1 (having a deletion eliminating
      part of the transferred (TL)-DNA auxin locus) and NT2 (having an IS60 insertion
      in gene 2 of this auxin locus) were cross-pollinated with pollen from
      nontransformed SR1 tobacco plants. One half of the resulting F1 progeny resembled
      the female parent ("transformed" NT1-like and NT2-like seedlings respectively)
      and one half resembled the male parent ("non-transformed" SR1-like seedlings).
      For three states of differentiation (callus, shoot, graft) all phenotypic markers
      of the transformed seedlings studied were identical to those of the transformed
      female parent. Most phenotypic markers of non-transformed seedlings corresponded
      with markers of the male parent. Unlike the SR1 male parent, however, the SR1
      like seedlings showed the maternal traits hyperstyly and male sterility. These
      two traits were inherited by 100% of the F1 seedlings studied. Ninety percent of
      the non-transformed F2 seedlings were still male-sterile whereas in as much as 50
      100% of the non-transformed F3 progeny, male fertility had been restored. The SR1
      like F1 seedlings did not contain any T-DNA. At the level of restriction-fragment
      analysis the T-DNA structures of all 22 NT1-like seedlings examined were
      identical to the T-DNA structure of their female parent NT1. The steady-state
      level of transcripts 4 (cytokinin locus) and 6a/6b relative to transcript 3
      (octopine-synthase locus) was less in shoots and grafts than in callus. Observed
      variation in shoot morphology among the twenty-two NT1-like seedlings was not
      correlated with T-DNA structure, organization and expression at the level of
      steady-state mRNA. The T-DNA structure of NT2 and its transformed seedlings
      deviated from regular border-to-border TL-DNA, in that it extended beyond the
      left border repeat. 

PMID- 24226064
TI  - The Chlamydomonas cell cycle is regulated by a light/dark-responsive cell-cycle
      switch.
AB  - Cultures of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardii can be
      synchronized by light/dark cycling not only under photoautotrophic but also under
      mixotrophic growth conditions. We observed that cultures synchronized in the
      presence of acetate continue to divide synchronously for one cell-cycle period
      when transferred to heterotrophic growth conditions. This finding enabled us to
      investigate the differential effects of light on cell growth and cell division.
      When cells were exposed to continuous light at the beginning of the growth period
      they entered the division phase earlier than dark-grown cells as a consequence of
      an increased growth rate. Illumination at the end of the growth period, however,
      caused a considerable delay in cell division and an extended growth period. The
      light-induced delay in cell division was also observed in the presence of 3
      (3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), an inhibitor of photosystem II.
      This finding demonstrates that cell division is directly influenced by a
      light/dard-responsive cell-cycle switch rather than by light/dark-dependent
      changes in energy metabolism. The importance of this light/dark control to the
      regulation of the Chlamydomonas cell cycle was investigated in comparison with
      other control mechanisms (size control, time control). We found that the
      light/dard-responsive cell-cycle switch regulates the transition from G1-to S
      phase. This control mechanism is effective in cells which have attained the
      commitment to at least one round of DNA replication and division but have not
      attained the maximal cell mass which initiates cell division in the light. 

PMID- 24226065
TI  - Efficient induction by amiprophos-methyl and flow-cytometric sorting of
      micronuclei in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.
AB  - Amiprophos-methyl (APM) is a potential herbicide which acts at the level of
      microtubules. By exposure of suspension cells of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia to
      this agent, a high degree of metaphase arrest was observed and single as well as
      groups of chromosomes were scattered throughout the cell, offering good prospects
      for application in cytology and chromosome isolation. After prolonged exposure to
      the drug, the chromosomes decondensed and micronuclei were formed. Based on their
      DNA content, the micronuclei were sorted by flow cytometry. Prospects for
      application of isolated micronuclei for partial genome transfer and gene mapping
      are discussed. 

PMID- 24226066
TI  - Day-night changes in the levels of adenine nucleotides, phosphoenolpyruvate and
      inorganic pyrophosphate in leaves of plants having Crassulacean acid metabolism.
AB  - The levels of phosphorylated compounds studied during the dark period of
      Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) in Kalanchoe leaves showed increases for ATP
      and pyrophosphate and decreases for ADP, AMP and phosphenolpyruvate; levels of
      inorganic phosphate remained constant. Changes in adenylate levels and the
      correlated nocturnal increase in adenylate-energycharge were closely related to
      changes in malate levels. The increase in ATP levels was much inhibited in CO2
      free air and stimulated after induction of CAM in short-day-treated plants of K.
      blossfeldiana cv. Tom Thumb. Changes in levels of phosphoenolpyruvate and
      pyrophosphate were independent of the presence of CO2. The results show the
      operation of complex regulatory mechanisms in the energy metabolism of CAM plants
      during nocturnal malic-acid accumulation. 

PMID- 24226067
TI  - The relationship between turgor pressure and titratable acidity in mesophyll
      cells of intact leaves of a Crassulacean-acid-metabolism plant, Kalanchoe
      daigremontiana Hamet et Perr.
AB  - Day/night changes in turgor pressure (P) and titratable acidity content were
      investigated in the (Crassulacean-acid-metabolism (CAM) plant Kalanchoe
      daigremontiana. Measurements of P were made on individual mesophyll cells of
      intact attached leaves using the pressure-probe technique. Under conditions of
      high relative humidity, when transpiration rates were minimal, changes in P
      correlated well with changes in the level of titratable acidity. During the
      standard 12 h light/12 h dark cycle, maximum turgor pressure (0.15 MPa) occurred
      at the end of the dark period when the level of titratable acidity was highest
      (about 300 MUeq H(+).g(-1) fresh weight). A close relationship between P and
      titratable acidity was also seen in leaves exposed to perturbations of the
      standard light/dark cycle. (The dark period was either prolonged, or else only
      CO2-free air was supplied in this period). In plants deprived of irrigation for
      five weeks, diurnal changes in titratable acidity of the leaves were reduced
      (DeltaH=160 MUeq H(+).g(-1) fresh weight) and P increased from essentially zero
      at the end of the light period to 0.02 MPa at the end of the dark period.
      Following more severe water stress (experiments were made on leaves which had
      been detached for five weeks), P was zero throughout day and night, yet small
      diurnal changes in titratable acidity were still measured. These findings are
      discussed in relation to a hypothesis by Luttge et al. 1975 (Plant Physiol.
      56,613-616) for the role of P in the regulation of acidification/de-acidification
      cycles of plants exhibiting CAM. 

PMID- 24226068
TI  - Peroxidase-mediated integration of tyramine into xylem cell walls of tobacco
      leaves.
AB  - When [2-(14)C]tyramine was fed in vivo by petiolar uptake to Nicotiana tabacum
      Xanthi n.c. leaves partially inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus, radioactivity
      accumulated in inoculated areas bearing necrotic lesions, mainly in the veins and
      around the lesions. Light-microscopic autoradiography showed that integration of
      radioactivity was especially evident in xylem cell walls. This was confirmed in
      sections of petiole by electron-microscopic autoradiography. Study of the
      mechanism of insolubilisation of tyramine showed that the amine was integrated in
      regions in which peroxidase activity could be located cytochemically using 3,3'
      diaminobenzidine and H2O2 as substrates. When sections of petiole were incubated
      with labelled tyramine and H2O2 after fixation in glutaraldehyde, a distribution
      of radioactivity similar to that obtained after feeding tyramine by petiolar
      uptake was observed. It is concluded that simple phenols such as tyramine can be
      integrated in vivo into cell walls because they are oxidised by peroxidases. This
      result illustrates the difficulty of studying the metabolism of exogenous phenols
      in plants, especially in lignifying tissues which contain active wall-bound
      peroxidases. 

PMID- 24226069
TI  - Gibberellin modulation of phosphatidyl-choline turnover in wheat aleurone tissue.
AB  - Phosphatidyl choline (PC) is synthesised in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv.
      Flanders) aleurone tissue during early germination when new endomembranes are
      being formed. Although gibberellic acid does not ostensibly affect PC levels, it
      inhibits the incorporation of choline and differentially and specifically
      modulates the turnover of the N-methyl and methylene carbons of the choline
      headgroup of PC. Gibberellic acid has no effect on turnover of the phosphate
      moiety of either PC or the other major phosphatides. The possible biological
      importance of the findings is discussed. 

PMID- 24226070
TI  - Role of intracellular carbonic anhydrase in inorganic-carbon assimilation by
      Porphyridium purpureum.
AB  - Air-grown cells of Porphyridium purpurem contain appreciable carbonic-anhydrase
      activity, comparable to that in air-grown Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, but activity
      is repressed in CO2-grown cells. Assay of carbonic-anhydrase activity in intact
      cells and cell extracts shows all activity to be intracellular in Porphyridium.
      Measurement of inorganic-carbon-dependent photosynthetic O2 evolution shows that
      sodium ions increase the affinity of Porphyridium cells for HCO 3 (-) .
      Acetazolamide and ethoxyzolamide were potent inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase in
      cell extracts but at pH 5.0 both acetazolamide and ethoxyzolamide had little
      effect upon the concentration of inorganic carbon required for the half-maximal
      rate of photosynthetic O2 evolution (K0.5[CO2]). At pH 8.0, where HCO 3 (-) is
      the predominant species of inorganic carbon, the K0.5 (CO2) was increased from 50
      MUM to 950 MUM in the presence of ethoxyzolamide. It is concluded that in air
      grown cells of Porphyridium. HCO 3 (-) is transported across the plasmalemma and
      intracellular carbonic anhydrase increases the steady-state flux of CO2 from
      inside the plasmalemma to ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase by
      catalysing the interconversion of HCO 3 (-) and CO2 within the cell. 

PMID- 24226071
TI  - Auxin-induced rapid changes in translatable mRNAs in tobacco cell suspension.
AB  - When 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-dependent tobacco cell suspensions,
      one normal and one transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, were subcultured on
      hormone-lacking medium the stationary phase of the cell cycle was reached earlier
      than on medium containing 2,4-D. Addition of the auxin 2,4-D could restore cell
      division activity within 10-12 h for the most rapidly reacting cell line. The
      cell-division response was characterized as being auxin-specific and optimal with
      2,4-D at 2.2 10(-6) M. Although the cell lines used showed different
      characteristics, both reacted with a rapid increase in at least three mRNA
      species within 1 or 2 h after 2,4-D application. Two, 2,4-D-induced protein
      spots, seen after in-vitro translation, had the same characteristics (MWs 35
      kilodaltons (kDa) and 25 kDa with isoelectric points of 7.1 and 6.3,
      respectively) in both cell lines. Water-treated controls did not show alterations
      in the translatable mRNA populations. This indicates that the accumulation of the
      corresponding mRNAs is an early hormone-induced event. Since cell division is the
      only measurable reaction found after auxin application, cell systems as described
      here offer excellent possibilities for studying early auxin-induced changes at
      the molecular level preceding mitosis. 

PMID- 24226072
TI  - Hormonal regulation of zeatin-riboside accumulation by cultured tobacco cells.
AB  - Auxin (11 MUM alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid) and cytokinin (1.4 MUM kinetin)
      regulate cytokinin accumulation by cytokinin-requiring (C(-)) and cytokinin
      autotrophic (C(+)) lines of Havana 425 tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) tissues. No
      trans-zeatin riboside (ZR) (<0.5 pmol.g(-1) fresh weight) was detected in six C(
      ) and nine C(+) lines grown for 14 d on auxin + cytokinin and auxin medium,
      respectively. C(+) lines, but not C(-) lines accumulated ZR (1.9-5.1 pmol.g(-1)
      fresh weight) when incubated on hormone-free medium but both lines accumulated ZR
      when incubated on kinetin medium. Therefore, it appears that kinetin treatment
      can induce ZR accumulation and that this accumulation is blocked by auxin
      treatment. Similar effects were obtained with some lines of cells autotrophic for
      both auxin and cytokinin. Tobacco plants carrying the dominant Habituated leaf-1
      allele (Hl-1) differ from wild-type plants in that leaf-derived tissues in
      culture exhibit a C(+) phenotype. No differences in ZR content were found in C(+)
      leaf tissues from Hl-1/Hl-1 plants and C(+) tissues that arise epigenetically in
      wild-type plants. This indicates that the H-1 allele does not act to induce
      overproduction of ZR. The Hl-1 allele is known to have oncogenic functions
      similar to the isopentenyl transferase (ipt) locus of the Ti plasmid. Although Hl
      1/Hl-1 cells transformed with Ti plasmids defective at the ipt locus are
      tumorigenic and hormone-autotrophic in culture, they contain low levels of ZR
      typical of non-transformed Hl-1/Hl-1 cells. Therefore, the high levels of ZR
      characteristics of cells transformed with wild-type Ti plasmids are not necessary
      for expression of the tumor phenotype. 

PMID- 24226073
TI  - Induction and floral determination in the terminal bud of Nicotiana tabacum L.
      cv. Maryland Mammoth, a short-day plant.
AB  - Floral determination in the terminal bud of the short-day plant Nicotiana tabacum
      cv. Maryland Mammoth has been investigated. Plants grown continuously in short
      days flowered after producing 31.4+/-1.6 (SD) nodes while plants grown
      continuously in long days did not flower and produced 172.5+/-9.5 nodes after one
      year. At various ages, expressed as number of leaves that were at least 1.0 cm in
      length above the most basal 10-cm leaf, one of three treatments was performed on
      plants grown from seed in short days: 1) whole plants were shifted from short
      days to long days, 2) the terminal bud was removed and then rooted and grown in
      long days, and 3) the terminal bud was removed and then rooted and grown in short
      days. Whole plants flowered only when shifted from short days to long days at age
      15 or later. Only rooted terminal buds from plants at age 15 or older produced
      plants that flowered when grown in long days. Only terminal buds from plants at
      age 15 or older that were rooted and grown in short days produced the same number
      of nodes as they would have produced in their original locations while buds from
      younger plants produced more nodes than they would have in their original
      locations. Thus, determination for floral development in the terminal bud, as
      assayed by rooting, is simultaneous with the commitment to flowering as assayed
      by shifting whole plants to non-inductive conditions. 

PMID- 24226074
TI  - Close coupling between extrusion of H(+) and uptake of K (+) by barley roots.
AB  - Extrusion of H(+) by intact barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) roots was automatically
      titrated. Simultaneously, uptake of K(+) into the roots, transport of K(+)
      through the roots, and (as a residual term) accumulation of K(+) within the root
      tissue were determined. When no monovalent cation was present in the medium the
      steady rate of H(+) release was close to zero. Addition of K(+) stimulated H(+)
      extrusion within less than 1 min. The stimulation of H(+) release was apparently
      limited only by the movement of K(+) through the apoplast of the roots. The
      steady rate of H(+) extrusion depended on the availability of external K(+) and
      saturated at a K(+) concentration of about 100 MUmol. dm(-3). Half-maximum rates
      of net K(+) uptake and H(+) extrusion were reached at a K(+) concentration of
      about 10 MUmol.dm(-3). With (slowly absorbable) sulfate as the only anion
      present, the stoichoimetry between H(+) release and net K(+) uptake was one. In
      conclusion, the uptake of K(+) across the plasmalemma of the cells of the root
      cortex is electrically coupled to H(+) extrusion. 

PMID- 24226075
TI  - A monoclonal antibody specific for the red-absorbing form of phytochrome.
AB  - Characterisation of a new monoclonal antibody (mAb), designated LAS 41, directed
      against 124-kilodalton (kDa) etiolated-oat (Avena sativa L.) phytochrome,
      indicates that it recognises an epitope unique to the red-light-absorbing form,
      Pr. In a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), LAS 41 exhibits a
      seven- to eight-fold higher affinity for Pr than for the far-red-light-absorbing
      form of phytochrome, Pfr. In addition, in immunoprecipitation assays LAS 41
      effectively precipitates 100% of phytochrome presented as Pr but only
      precipitates a maximum of 24.5% of phytochrome presented as Pfr. These values are
      indicative of binding exclusively to Pr. Peptide-mapping studies show that LAS 41
      recognises and epitope located within a region 6-10 kDa from the aminoterminus of
      the phytochrome molecule. Since binding of LAS 41 to Pr induces alterations in
      the spectral properties of Pr, this indicates that at least part of the 4 kDa
      domain to which the antibody binds is essential for protein-chromophore
      interaction. Subsequent photoconversion of LAS 41-Pr complexes produces native
      Pfr spectra, with concomitant production of free antibody and antigen, as shown
      by a modified ELISA. The specificity of LAS 41 for Pr has facilitated the
      purification of Pfr which is free of contaminating Pr. This has enabled direct
      determination of the mole fraction of Pfr established by red light to be 0.874. 

PMID- 24226076
TI  - Control of nitrate and nitrite assimilation by carbohydrate reserves, adenosine
      nucleotides and pyridine nucleotides in leaves of Zea mays L. under dark
      conditions.
AB  - The rate of in-vivo nitrate reduction by leaf segments of Zea mays L. was found
      to decline during the second hour of dark anaerobic treatment. On transfer to
      oxygen the capacity to reduce nitrate under dark conditions was restored. These
      observations led to the proposal that nitrate reductase is a regulatory enzyme
      with ADP acting as a negative effector. The effect of ADP on the invitro activity
      of nitrate reductase and the changes in the in-vivo adenylate pool under dark-N2
      and dark-O2 were investigated. It was found that ADP inhibited the activity of
      partially purified nitrate reductase. Similarly, the in-vivo anaerobic inhibition
      of nitrate reduction was associated with a build-up of ADP in the leaf tissue.
      Under anaerobic conditions nitrite accumulated and on transfer to oxygen the
      accumulated nitrite was reduced. To explain this phenomenon the following
      hypothesis was proposed and tested. Under anaerobic conditions the supply of
      reducing equivalents for nitrite reduction in the plastid becomes restricted and
      nitrite accumulates as a consequence. On transfer to oxygen this restriction is
      removed and nitrite disappears. This capacity to reduce accumulated nitrite was
      found to be dependent on the carbohydrate status of the leaf tissue. 

PMID- 24226077
TI  - The Pseudomonas savastanoi tryptophan-2-mono-oxygenase is biologically active in
      Nicotiana tabacum.
AB  - It has been proposed that the "eukaryotic" T-DNA-encoded indole-3-acetic acid
      (IAA) biosynthesis genes of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and their prokaryotic
      counterpart in Pseudomonas savastanoi originated from common ancestor genes. This
      paper provides additional evidence for the functional similarity between the gene
      products. We have demonstrated that a chimeric gene consisting of the coding
      sequence of the P. savastanoi tryptophan-2-mono-oxygenase (iaaM gene) and a plant
      promoter encodes an active enzyme in Nicotiana tabacum. Transformants obtained
      with this chimeric gene grew as a callus on hormone-free media. No stably
      transformed plantlets could be isolated. The callus tissues contained extremely
      high levels of indole-3-acetamide and slightly elevated levels of IAA. Either
      indole-3-acetamide by itself has a low auxin activity or, alternatively, it is
      converted aspecifically and at low rates into IAA. The P. savastanoi tryptophan-2
      mono-oxygenase activity in plants is also able to detoxify the amino-acid
      analogue 5-methyltryptophan. This property can be used for positive selection of
      transformed calli. 

PMID- 24226078
TI  - Vacuolar pH in radish cotyledonal mesophyll cells.
AB  - The vacuolar pH in cotyledonal mesophyll cells from radish (Raphanus sativus L.
      var. sativus) seedlings was determined from vacuoles, isolated from protoplasts
      through osmotic shock, by means of measurement of vacuole extracts with a pH
      meter and the "methylamine method", and gave mean pH values of 6.28 and 6.26,
      respectively. Direct in situ measurements of the vacuolar pH from intact leaf
      tissue were recorded with pH-sensitive microelectrodes and gave a mean value of
      6.0. The results are discussed with respect to possible erroneous pH measurements
      and the vacuolar location of specific anabolic reactions. 

PMID- 24226079
TI  - Quality versus quantity of social ties in experimental cooperative networks.
AB  - Recent studies suggest that allowing individuals to choose their partners can
      help to maintain cooperation in human social networks; this behaviour can
      supplement behavioural reciprocity, whereby humans are influenced to cooperate by
      peer pressure. However, it is unknown how the rate of forming and breaking social
      ties affects our capacity to cooperate. Here we use a series of online
      experiments involving 1,529 unique participants embedded in 90 experimental
      networks, to show that there is a 'Goldilocks' effect of network dynamism on
      cooperation. When the rate of change in social ties is too low, subjects choose
      to have many ties, even if they attach to defectors. When the rate is too high,
      cooperators cannot detach from defectors as much as defectors re-attach and,
      hence, subjects resort to behavioural reciprocity and switch their behaviour to
      defection. Optimal levels of cooperation are achieved at intermediate levels of
      change in social ties. 

PMID- 24226080
TI  - Identification of major components of larviposition pheromone from larvae of
      tsetse fliesGlossina morsitans morsitans Westwood andGlossina morsitans centralis
      Machado.
AB  - The presence of pheromones produced by larvae ofGlossina morsitans morsitans
      andG. m. centralis, respectively, which attract gravid females and result in
      aggregation of pupae, is confirmed. Behavioral experiments indicated that females
      preferred to larviposit over moist sand conditioned by previously allowing larvae
      to pupariate in it. Similar results were obtained with filter papers contaminated
      with the prepupariation excretions of larvae and with volatiles collected from
      larvae prior to pupariation.n-Pentadecane andn-dodecane were identified as the
      dominant electrophysiologically active components of the larviposition pheromones
      ofG. m. morsitans andG. m. centralis, respectively, by GC-EAD and GC-MS analysis
      of the trapped larval volatiles. Both identified compounds were shown to
      significantly attract gravid females to larviposition sites in laboratory
      behavioral assays. 

PMID- 24226081
TI  - Chemistry of venom alkaloids in someSolenopsis (Diplorhoptrum) species from
      Puerto Rico.
AB  - A number of 15-carbon alkaloids have been identified in venom extracts of four
      Puerto Rican species of ants in the genusSolenopsis (Diplorhoptrum). Workers of a
      species from El Verde produced thecis andtrans isomers of 2-methyl-6
      nonylpiperidine with the latter isomer predominating. The same compounds were
      identified in queens of a species from Rio Grande, but in this species no
      alkaloids were detected in worker extracts. Workers of aDiplorhoptrum species
      collected on Mona Island produced primarily atrans-2-methyl-6-(Z-4
      nonenyl)piperidine,3, with smaller amounts of thecis isomer, whereas the major
      compound found in the queens of the same species on Mona Island was (5Z,9Z)-3
      hexyl-5-methylindolizidine, identical with the alkaloid produced by queens of a
      species collected on Cabo Rojo. Surprisingly, workers of the Cabo Rojo species
      produced (5Z,9Z)- and (5E,9E)-3-butyl-5-propylindolizidine (4 and5, respectively)
      reported earlier as the 223AB indolizidines from skins of dendrobatid frogs. The
      possible significance of the qualitative and quantitative differences in the
      venom alkaloids synthesized by queens and workers is discussed as is the
      possibility that ants containing such alkaloids may serve as a dietary source for
      the skin alkaloids used by certain frogs in chemical defense. 

PMID- 24226082
TI  - Corn volatiles as attractants for northern and western corn rootworm beetles
      (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae:Diabrotica spp.).
AB  - Synthetic corn volatiles and selected analogs were tested in commercial corn
      fields for attractiveness to feral northern (NCR,Diabrotica barberi) and western
      corn rootworm beetles (WCR,D. virgifera virgifera). Two new attractants,
      geranylacetone and alpha-terpineol, were identified among corn terpenes and
      compared at four stages in crop development with the phenylpropanoid standards
      cinnamyl alcohol and 4-methoxy-cinnamaldehyde, with each component at 30 mg/trap.
      Dose-response relationships (0.1-100 mg/trap) and efficacy of two-component
      blends (30 mg/component) were also examined. More beetles were captured on traps
      baited with (+)- than (-)-alpha-terpineol, but the difference was statistically
      significant only for WCR. Captures with geranylacetone or (+)-alpha-terpineol
      were directly proportional to the logarithm of the attractant dose. WCR females
      were attracted to as little as 0.1 mg of either compound. WCR males required >=
      1.0 mg of (+)-alpha-terpineol and were not attracted to geranylacetone at any
      dose. NCR required >=0.3 mg of either attractant and showed less marked response
      differences between the sexes than did WCR. Geranylacetone and cinnamyl alcohol
      were equally effective attractants, whereas (+)-alpha-terpineol was significantly
      less attractive to WCR but more attractive to NCR than was 4
      methoxycinnamaldehyde. Corn terpenes and phenylpropanoid standards produced
      similar seasonal response patterns in that captures tended to rise in each case
      as the season progressed, except during silking when no compound was attractive.
      Mixing corn terpenes or phenylpropanoid standards synergized responses of WCR
      females, but (+)-alpha-terpineol suppressed attraction of NCR females to
      geranylacetone. 

PMID- 24226083
TI  - Control of low-density gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) populations by
      mating disruption with pheromone.
AB  - This four-year study demonstrated that low-density populations of the gypsy
      moth,Lymantria dispar (L.), were effectively suppressed by annual aerial
      application of 75 g of racemic disparlure per hectare formulated in plastic
      laminate flakes. These tests also showed that, when plots were treated with 150 g
      of pheromone per hectare in 1990 only and left untreated for the following three
      years, populations continued to be suppressed in 1991-1993 as compared with the
      controls. Although none of the plots were treated in 1994, population assessment
      continued and showed that the gypsy moth population density remained low in the
      plots that had been treated annually for the preceding four years. The laminate
      flakes released an average of 0.48 g disparlure per day per hectare from each of
      the two applications in 1990, and 0.72 g per day per hectare from the single
      application in each of the following three years (1991-1993). Only 27-40% of the
      applied pheromone dose was emitted during male moth flight. 

PMID- 24226084
TI  - A new assay for quantifying brown algal phlorotannins and comparisons to previous
      methods.
AB  - Quantitative measurement of phlorotannins (polyphenolics) in brown algae
      (Phaeophyta) by colorimetric assays can be confounded because: (1) most such
      assays also react to nonphlorotannin substances (interferences) and (2) the
      appropriate reference compound for such assays is not always clear, although
      phloroglucinol is typically used. We developed a new assay in which 2,4
      dimethoxybenzaldehyde (DMBA) reacts specifically with 1,3-and 1,3,5-substituted
      phenols (e.g., phlorotannins) to form a colored product. This new assay, as well
      as eliminating the problem of measuring interferences, is inexpensive, rapid, and
      can be used with small sample volumes. We recommend it for all assays of
      phlorotannins from one or a set of closely related species where the structural
      types of phlorotannins present are likely to be similar among samples. It is also
      appropriate for broader surveys of phlorotannin levels across many species, but
      in this case a reference must be chosen with care. We also compared the DMBA
      assay to existing assays, including the Folin-Denis [both before and after the
      samples were mixed with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP)] and the Prussian blue
      assays. PVPP was not 100% efficient (and often much less) at removing
      phlorotannins from solution, and its effectiveness varied among different
      phlorotannins. Thus, in contrast to previous studies, measuring phenolic levels
      in extracts before and after treatment with PVPP will not necessarily result in
      an interference-free measure of phlorotannins. Based on an analysis of reactive
      substances in red and green algae (which do not contain phlorotannins) in the
      Folin-Denis and Prussian blue assays, we estimate that the average level of
      interferences (nonphlorotannins) in brown algae measured in these two assays is
      on the order of 0.5% by dry weight. 

PMID- 24226085
TI  - Volatile compounds from crabapple (Malus spp.) cultivars differing in
      susceptibility to the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman).
AB  - The volatile compounds emitted by leaves of four crabapple cultivars susceptible
      to damage by Japanese beetles and four relatively resistant cultivars were
      examined. Twelve compounds, mostly terpene hydrocarbons, were identified from
      intact leaves. The terpenes (E)-beta-ocimene, caryophylene, germacrene D and
      (E,E)-alpha-farnesene occurred in significantly higher levels in susceptible
      cultivars, whereas resistant cultivars produced greater amounts of (E)-4,8
      dimethyl 1,3,7-nonatriene and linalool. The relative attractiveness of the
      cultivars as determined in a pitfall bioassay, however, was not related to their
      susceptibility to the Japanese beetle as previously determined by defoliation
      sustained in the field. The attractiveness of individual cultivars was found to
      be positiviely correlated with linalool as a percent of the total volatile blend
      emitted by leaves. This study and previous work suggest that variation in
      susceptibility of crabapple cultivars to defoliation by Japanese beetles is not
      due to the attractiveness of the individual cultivars but rather to nonvolatile
      components of susceptibility and/or resistance. A scenario for host location by
      the Japanese beetle is presented. 

PMID- 24226086
TI  - Volatile components in dorsal gland secretions of the collared peccary,Tayassu
      tajacu (Tayassuidae, mammalia).
AB  - Secretions of the dorsal gland of free-ranging adult male and female collared
      peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
      Both sexes contain (2E,6E,10E)-geranylgeraniol; squalene (allE isomer); and the
      following isomers of springene, a diterpene homolog of beta-farnesene:
      (3E,6E,10E)-alpha-springene, (3Z,6E,10E)-alpha-springene, and (6E,10E)-beta
      springene. A diterpene alcohol and an additional isomer each of squalene and
      springene also were observed. Straight- and branched-chain esters abound in the
      secretions of females, but they were not detected in males. 

PMID- 24226087
TI  - Structure-activity relationship observations for the bagworm moth pheromone.
AB  - Structure-activity relationship (SAR) observations were made for the bagworm moth
      pheromone, (R)-2-pentyl decanoate, and a series of analogs with modifications in
      the alcohol portion of the molecule. Observed attractiveness of these analogs was
      related to molecular structure and their physical attributes using computational
      chemistry. Electrostatic potential and Van der Waals (VdW) electrostatic coded
      surface three-dimensional (3D) maps of the molecular mechanics (MM) minimized
      lowest energy conformation of the pheromone show that size, shape, charge
      distribution, and chirality of the molecule are related to attractiveness. 

PMID- 24226088
TI  - Toxicity of lignans to symbiotic fungus of leaf-cutting ants.
AB  - Lignans fromVirola sebifera Aubl.,Virola sp., andOtoba parvifolia (Mkfg.) A.
      Gentry (Myristicaceae) inhibited the in vitro growth of the fungus cultivated by
      leaf-cutting ants of the speciesAtta sexdens rubropilosa Forel (Hymenoptera:
      Formicidae). A comparison of activity among the lignans was obtained. 

PMID- 24226089
TI  - Dichloromethane attracts diabroticite larvae in a laboratory behavioral bioassay.
AB  - A two-choice laboratory behavioral bioassay was used to demonstrate that
      dichloromethane elicits the dose-dependent attraction of secondinstar western and
      southern corn rootworms. Preliminary data suggest that second-instar banded
      cucumber beetles are also attracted to dichloromethane. An eluotropic series of
      10 materials, including distilled water, ethanol, methanol, acetone, ethyl
      dichloroacetate, dichloromethane, diethyl ether, benzene, hexadecane, and hexane,
      was tested for attraction of western corn rootworm larvae. Dichloromethane was
      the only one attractive at all doses tested, and orthogonal comparisons revealed
      a quadratic trend (convex) for responses of larvae to increasing dose. Benzene
      and hexadecane also attracted larvae, but significantly fewer than
      dichloromethane, and only at three doses and one dose, respectively. Orthogonal
      comparisons revealed no linear or quadratic trend for responses of larvae to
      increasing doses of either compound. Dichloromethane is the first organic
      compound demonstrated to attract western corn rootworm larvae in the absence of
      carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide has previously been reported to attract western
      corn rootworm larvae either independently or when combined with other organic
      compounds, and the sensitivity of our bioassay was tested by demonstrating the
      dose-dependent attraction of western corn rootworm larvae to carbonated water as
      a carbon dioxide source. We have also demonstrated the attraction of southern
      corn rootworm larvae to carbon dioxide and propose that carbon dioxide and
      dichloromethane behave analogously when they interact with chemoreceptor sites on
      larvae. 

PMID- 24226090
TI  - Reproductive performance and population dynamics of cowpea aphid (Homoptera:
      Aphididae) on leaf extracts of resistant and susceptible cowpeas.
AB  - Membrane feeding studies were conducted to determine the effects of raw juices
      and chemical extracts of leaves of aphid-resistant (ICV-12) and aphid-susceptible
      (ICV-1) cultivars of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp.)], on the survival,
      growth, and reproduction of cowpea aphidAphis craccivora Koch. Life table and
      demographic statistics of the cohort population and subsequent generations were
      estimated. Compared to ICV-1, the leaf juices and chemical extracts of ICV-12
      exhibited significant (P<-0.05) adveres effects on aphid survival, growth, and
      reproduction. Raw leaf juice and ethyl acetate extract of ICV-12 in both water
      and sucrose significantly (P<-0.05) limited aphid performance. The adverse long
      term effects were often more extreme than those resulting from a diet of
      distilled water alone. Methanol extract of ICV-12 showed an intermediate level of
      adverse effects on aphids, being generally less than that of ethyl acetate but
      greater than that of hexane. Compared to the other ICV-12 extracts, the hexane
      extracts in water or sucrose media did not significantly affect the aphid
      performance. Overall, it was determined that antibiosis was a governing modality
      of aphid-resistance in ICV-12. Postingestive intoxication was caused by foliage
      components of seedling plants of that cultivar. 

PMID- 24226092
TI  - Access, affordability, and insurance complexity are often worse in the United
      States compared to ten other countries.
AB  - The United States is in the midst of the most sweeping health insurance
      expansions and market reforms since the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid in
      1965. Our 2013 survey of the general population in eleven countries-Australia,
      Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden,
      Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States-found that US adults were
      significantly more likely than their counterparts in other countries to forgo
      care because of cost, to have difficulty paying for care even when insured, and
      to encounter time-consuming insurance complexity. Signaling the lack of timely
      access to primary care, adults in the United States and Canada reported long
      waits to be seen in primary care and high use of hospital emergency departments,
      compared to other countries. Perhaps not surprisingly, US adults were the most
      likely to endorse major reforms: Three out of four called for fundamental change
      or rebuilding. As US health insurance expansions unfold, the survey offers
      benchmarks to assess US progress from an international perspective, plus insights
      from other countries' coverage-related policies. 

PMID- 24226091
TI  - Simultaneous detection of antibodies against Apx toxins ApxI, ApxII, ApxIII, and
      ApxIV in pigs with known and unknown Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae exposure
      using a multiplexing liquid array platform.
AB  - Surveillance for the presence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection in a
      population plays a central role in controlling the disease. In this study, a 4
      plex fluorescent microbead-based immunoassay (FMIA), developed for the
      simultaneous detection of IgG antibodies to repeat-in-toxin (RTX) toxins (ApxI,
      ApxII, ApxIII, and ApxIV) of A. pleuropneumoniae, was evaluated using (i) blood
      serum samples from pigs experimentally infected with each of the 15 known A.
      pleuropneumoniae serovars or with Actinobacillus suis, (ii) blood serum samples
      from pigs vaccinated with a bacterin containing A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 1, 3,
      5, or 7, and (iii) blood serum samples from pigs with an unknown A.
      pleuropneumoniae exposure status. The results were compared to those obtained in
      a previous study where a dual-plate complement fixation test (CFT) and three
      commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were conducted
      on the same sample set. On samples from experimentally infected pigs, the 4-plex
      Apx FMIA detected specific seroconversion to Apx toxins as early as 7 days
      postinfection in a total of 29 pigs inoculated with 14 of the 15 A.
      pleuropneumoniae serovars. Seroconversion to ApxII and ApxIII was detected by
      FMIA in pigs inoculated with A. suis. The vaccinated pigs showed poor humoral
      responses against ApxI, ApxII, ApxIII, and ApxIV. In the field samples, the
      humoral response to ApxIV and the A. pleuropneumoniae seroprevalence increased
      with age. This novel FMIA (with a sensitivity of 82.7% and a specificity of 100%
      for the anti-ApxIV antibody) was found to be more sensitive and accurate than
      current tests (sensitivities, 9.5 to 56%; specificity, 100%) and is potentially
      an improved tool for the surveillance of disease and for monitoring vaccination
      compliance. 

PMID- 24226093
TI  - Progressive cognitive decline and neuropathy in a sailor.

PMID- 24226094
TI  - Composite growth model applied to human oral and pharyngeal structures and
      identifying the contribution of growth types.
AB  - The growth patterns of different anatomic structures in the human body vary in
      terms of growth amount over time, growth rate and growth periods. The oral and
      pharyngeal structures, also known as vocal tract structures, are housed in the
      craniofacial complex where the cranium/brain follows a distinct neural growth
      pattern, and the face follows a distinct somatic or skeletal growth pattern.
      Thus, it is reasonable to expect the oral and pharyngeal structures to follow a
      combined or mixed growth pattern. Existing parametric growth models are limited
      in that they are mainly focused on modeling one particular type of growth
      pattern. In this paper, we propose a novel composite growth model using neural
      and somatic baseline curves to fit the combined growth pattern of select vocal
      tract structures. The method can also determine the overall percent contribution
      of each of the growth types.

PMID- 24226096
TI  - Addressing the American health-care cost crisis: role of the oncology community.
AB  - Health-care cost growth is unsustainable, and the current level of spending is
      harming our economy and our patients. This commentary describes the scope of the
      health-care spending problem and the particular factors in cancer care that
      contribute to the problem, reflecting in part presentations and discussions from
      an Institute of Medicine National Cancer Policy Forum Workshop held in October
      2012. Presenters at the workshop identified a number of steps that the oncology
      community can take to reduce the rate of growth in cancer-care costs while
      maintaining or improving upon the quality of care. This commentary aims to
      highlight opportunities for the oncology community to take a leadership role in
      delivering affordable, high-quality cancer care. 

PMID- 24226095
TI  - Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor alpha regulates diurnal rhythm and fasting
      induction of sterol 12alpha-hydroxylase in bile acid synthesis.
AB  - Sterol 12alpha-hydroxylase (CYP8B1) is required for cholic acid synthesis and
      plays a critical role in intestinal cholesterol absorption and pathogenesis of
      cholesterol gallstone, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. In this study we investigated
      the underlying mechanism of fasting induction and circadian rhythm of CYP8B1 by a
      cholesterol-activated nuclear receptor and core clock gene retinoic acid-related
      orphan receptor alpha (RORalpha). Fasting stimulated, whereas restricted-feeding
      reduced expression of CYP8B1 mRNA and protein. However, fasting and feeding had
      little effect on the diurnal rhythm of RORalpha mRNA expression, but fasting
      increased RORalpha protein levels by cAMP-activated protein kinase A-mediated
      phosphorylation and stabilization of the protein. Adenovirus-mediated gene
      transduction of RORalpha to mice strongly induced CYP8B1 expression, and
      increased liver cholesterol and 12alpha-hydroxylated bile acids in the bile acid
      pool and serum. A reporter assay identified a functional RORalpha response
      element in the CYP8B1 promoter. RORalpha recruited cAMP response element-binding
      protein-binding protein (CBP) to stimulate histone acetylation on the CYP8B1 gene
      promoter. In conclusion, RORalpha is a key regulator of diurnal rhythm and
      fasting induction of CYP8B1, which regulates bile acid composition and serum and
      liver cholesterol levels. Antagonizing RORalpha activity may be a therapeutic
      strategy for treating inflammatory diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver
      disease and type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 24226097
TI  - The imperative to address the cost of oncology care.

PMID- 24226098
TI  - Intermediate vaginal flora and bacterial vaginosis are associated with the same
      factors: findings from an exploratory analysis among female sex workers in Africa
      and India.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Several recent studies suggest that intermediate vaginal flora (IVF)
      is associated with similar adverse health outcomes as bacterial vaginosis (BV).
      Yet, it is still unknown if IVF and BV share the same correlates. We conducted a
      cross-sectional and exploratory analysis of data from women screened prior to
      enrolment in a microbicide trial to estimate BV and IVF prevalence and examine
      their respective correlates. METHODS: Participants were interviewed, examined and
      provided blood and genital samples for the diagnosis of IVF and BV (using Nugent
      score) and other reproductive tract infections. Polytomous logistic regressions
      were used in estimating respective ORs of IVF and BV, in relation to each
      potential risk factor. RESULTS: Among 1367 women, BV and IVF prevalences were
      47.6% (95% CI 45.0% to 50.3%) and 19.2% (95% CI 17.1% to 21.2%), respectively.
      Multivariate polytomous analysis of IVF and BV showed that they were generally
      associated with the same factors. The respective adjusted ORs were for HIV 1.98
      (95% CI 1.37 to 2.86) and 1.62 (95% CI 1.20 to 2.20) (p=0.2248), for gonorrhoea
      1.25 (95% CI 0.64 to 2.4) and 2.01 (95% CI 1.19 to 3.49) (p=0.0906), for
      trichomoniasis 3.26 (95% CI 1.71 to 6.31) and 2.39 (95% CI 1.37 to 4.33)
      (p=0.2630), for candidiasis 0.52 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.75) and 0.59 (95% CI 0.44 to
      0.78) (p=0.5288), and for hormonal contraception 0.65 (95% CI 0.40 to 1.04) and
      0.62 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.90) (p=0.8819). In addition, the association between
      vaginal flora abnormalities and factors such as younger age, HIV, gonorrhoea
      trichomoniasis and candidiasis were modified by the study site (all p for
      interaction <=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IVF has almost the same correlates as BV. The
      relationship between some factors and vaginal flora abnormalities may be site
      specific.

PMID- 24226099
TI  - Location-based HIV behavioural surveillance among MSM in Auckland, New Zealand
      2002-2011: condom use stable and more HIV testing.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Over the last decade, annual HIV diagnoses among men who have sex
      with men (MSM) in New Zealand increased, then stabilised in 2006 and have not
      increased further. The aim was to examine trends in behaviours in order to better
      understand this pattern and inform community-based prevention. METHODS: From 2002
      to 2011, we conducted five repeat cross-sectional behavioural surveillance
      surveys among MSM at community locations in Auckland (fair day, gay bars, sex-on
      site venues; n=6091). Participation was anonymous and self-completed. Recruitment
      methods were consistent at each round. RESULTS: Overall, the samples became more
      ethnically diverse and less gay community attached over time. Condom use during
      anal intercourse was stable across three partnering contexts (casual, current
      regular fuckbuddy, current regular boyfriend), with a drop among casual contacts
      in 2011 only. In the 6 months prior to surveys, there was a gradual decline over
      time in the proportion reporting >20 male partners, an increase in acquiring
      partners from the internet and increases in engagement in anal intercourse in
      some partnering contexts. HIV testing in the 12 months prior to surveys rose from
      35.1% in 2002 to 50.4% in 2011, mostly from 2008. CONCLUSIONS: This first indepth
      examination of trends in HIV-related behaviours among five consecutive large and
      diverse samples of MSM in New Zealand does not suggest condom use is declining.
      However, subtle changes in sexual networks and partnering may be altering the
      epidemic determinants in this population and increasing exposure.

PMID- 24226100
TI  - C-reactive protein and hypertension.
AB  - C-reactive protein (CRP), the prototypical acute-phase reactant, is one of the
      most widely known biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Circulating levels of CRP
      are clinically used to predict the occurrence of cardiovascular events and to
      aide in the selection of therapies based on more accurate risk assessment in
      individuals who are at intermediate risk. This paper reviews the role of CRP in
      hypertension. In hypertensive individuals, CRP levels associate with vascular
      stiffness, atherosclerosis and the development of end-organ damage and
      cardiovascular events. Data suggest that some anti-hypertensive medications may
      lower CRP levels in a manner independent of their effect on blood pressure. In
      individuals who are normotensive at baseline, CRP levels have been shown in
      multiple cohorts to foretell the development of hypertension on follow-up.
      Whether genetic variability that influences circulating levels of CRP independent
      of environmental and behavioral factors can also be used in a similar manner to
      predict the change in blood pressure and development of hypertension is
      controversial. In addition to its role as a biomarker, experimental studies have
      unraveled an active direct participation of CRP in the development of endothelial
      dysfunction, vascular stiffness and elevated blood pressure. CRP has also been
      implicated as a mediator of vascular remodeling in response to injury and cardiac
      remodeling in response to pressure overload. Emerging data may reveal novel
      vascular inflammatory pathways and identify new targets for treatment of vascular
      pathology. 

PMID- 24226102
TI  - Bromoperoxidase activity of amavadin dissected: a DFT investigation.
AB  - Bromoperoxidase catalytic activity exerted by oxidated amavadin [V(HIDPA)2](-)
      (HIDPA = 2,2'-(hydroxyimino) dipropionate) in mono- and bis-protonated forms has
      been investigated by DFT. Possible reaction pathways for formation of
      peroxido/hydroperoxido complexes and subsequent bromide oxidation have been
      systematically dissected. The effect of increasing [H(+)] on catalytically active
      species and on halogenide oxidation has been also studied. Similarly to vanadium
      haloperoxidase (VHPO), the results point to a hydroperoxido amavadin adduct as
      the most reactive species toward bromide oxidation. However, comparison of the
      reactivity of amavadin and VHPO reveals also crucial differences in the catalytic
      mechanism of such natural V complexes. 

PMID- 24226103
TI  - Board certification in health psychology.
AB  - As professional practice in health psychology has matured, mechanisms for board
      certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology have been
      developed. This article describes the American Board of Health Psychology and its
      role in the credentialing of practitioners who demonstrate advanced competence in
      the science and practice of psychology related to health, including the
      prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of illness. 

PMID- 24226101
TI  - Predictors of plasma and urinary catecholamine levels in normotensive and
      hypertensive men and women.
AB  - Age, sex, hypertension and dietary sodium are proposed to affect plasma and
      urinary catecholamines. Yet no prior study has examined the simultaneous effects
      of these factors within the same study population. So results may have been
      confounded by factors not determined. We investigate, for the first time, the
      impact of simultaneously determined predictors of plasma and urinary
      catecholamines and the relationship of catecholamines with the diagnosis of
      hypertension. Hypertensive and normotensive subjects (n=308) were studied off
      antihypertensives in liberal and low sodium balance. 24 h urinary catecholamines
      (norepinephrine and epinephrine) were measured. Plasma catecholamines were
      measured supine after overnight fast. Repeated measures multivariate linear
      regression models examined the effect of sex, race, age, body mass index (BMI),
      dietary salt (liberal salt vs low salt), hypertension status and mean arterial
      pressure (MAP) on plasma and urinary catecholamines. Logistic regression
      determined the relationship of catecholamines with diagnosis of hypertension.
      Dietary sodium restriction and increasing age predicted increased plasma and
      urinary norepinephrine, with sodium restriction having the greatest effect.
      Female sex predicted lower urinary and plasma epinephrine. Neither plasma nor
      urinary catecholamines predicted the diagnosis of hypertension. In summary,
      specific demographic factors variably impact catecholamines and should be
      considered when assessing catecholamines in research and clinical settings. 

PMID- 24226104
TI  - Analysis of long-term stress reactions in emergency room patients: An initial
      study.
AB  - The psychological stress reactions of 44 family medicine patients who were
      treated in the emergency room were examined approximately a year after the event.
      Patients were assessed on several psychological measures, including one for
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and on their perception of how stressful
      the event was initially and now. Results show continuing stress reactions related
      to the emergency room event. Three patients endorsed symptoms indicating full
      PTSD and 13 appeared to have at least partial PTSD. Age appeared to be a factor
      in the presence of stress symptoms and in degree of perceived communication with
      the physician. 

PMID- 24226105
TI  - Multiaxial taxonomy of fibromyalgia syndrome patients.
AB  - Pain, disability, and depression are present in various degrees in patients with
      fibromyalgia syndrome. Cluster analysis was used in this research to ascertain
      the existence of subgroups of patients in a fibromyalgia sample based on these
      variables. Two clusters were defined: one characterized by high levels of pain,
      disability, and depression (n=51) and another characterized by low levels of
      pain, disability, and depression (n=67). Multivariate analysis of variance
      (MANOVA) confirmed differences between clusters on these health status factors
      and a second MANOVA revealed that the subgroup with a poorer health status
      reported greater passive coping, helplessness, and stress, and less satisfaction
      with social support, than the subgroup with better health status. Logistic
      regression indicated that the best discriminator of subgroup membership was
      helplessness. These results suggest that different approaches to patient
      management, particularly intervention strategies aimed at reducing helplessness,
      may be beneficial for patients with high levels of pain, disability, and
      depression. 

PMID- 24226106
TI  - Anxious attachment and psychological distress in cardiac rehabilitation patients.
AB  - This study investigated the relevance of anxious attachment to the
      differentiation of psychologically distressed and non-psychologically distressed
      cardiac patients. Attachment is a biologically based behavioral system in which
      proximity to a special other is sought or maintained to achieve a sense of safety
      and security. Anxious attachment, as the name denotes, fails to achieve the
      function of attachment in the sense of individuals having little or no confidence
      in the availability of their attachment figures. Empirically, three scales
      (feared loss of the attachment figure, proximity seeking and separation protest)
      capture the features of anxious attachment as elaborated by Bowlby. These scales
      were administered to 178 cardiac rehabilitation patients drawn from the cardiac
      rehabilitation program of the Calgary General Hospital. The results indicate that
      feared loss and proximity seeking differentiated psychologically distressed from
      non-psychologically distressed patients. The implications of this finding for the
      understanding of psychologically distressed cardiac patients are discussed. 

PMID- 24226107
TI  - Antihypertensive treatment, compliance, and quality of life: Review of a little
      understood relation.
AB  - If patients notoriously violate treatment regimens known to effectively control
      hypertension, then there must be some subjective costs associated with adherence
      to these regimens. Generally speaking, there must be some reduction in quality of
      life associated with antihypertensive medication. Unfortunately the concept of
      quality of life, due to its lack of specificity, is of little help in further
      investigating the nature of these subjective costs. We developed a simple
      neuropsychophysiological model based on fundamental psychological and
      physiological processes: corticoinhibitory effects of phasic blood pressure
      elevation reduce the aversive or painful qualities of many stressors. This
      negative reinforcement increases the rate of the reinforced physiological
      behavior, i.e., phasic analgesic blood pressure increases. Such negatively
      reinforced operant behavior is known to be extremely resistant to extinction.
      Counter actions such as taking antihypertensive medication not only lead to
      reduced quality of life due to their cancellation of the analgesic effect of
      conditioned blood pressure increase, but also lead to some form of reluctance to
      comply with treatment. The model not only provides an innovative etiological path
      to the emergence of neurogenic essential hypertension, but also yields a highly
      specific and "lean" concept of quality of life. Furthermore, it supplies the
      health care community with a concise explanation for the well-known low
      compliance of patients with their antihypertensive regimens. In addition to its
      parsimony, the model fits well with various experimental findings and has been
      operationalized and tested empirically. Specific therapeutic implications can be
      derived. 

PMID- 24226108
TI  - The relationship between the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) Attention
      index and putative measures of Attention.
AB  - Although the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R; Wechsler, 1987) is one of the
      more frequently used measures of memory and attention, its
      Attention/Concentration Index (ACI) has been minimally researched. If the ACI is
      to be used as a measure of "attention," the need exists to determine if it is
      related to other measures theoretically argued to be sensitive to attention
      deficits. The present study evaluated the relationship between the WMS-R ACI and
      other putative measures of attention by comparing individuals labeled as
      Attention Impaired [ACI at least 15 points < General Memory Index (GMI)] versus
      those labeled as Memory Impaired (GMI at least 15 points < ACI). Contrary to
      expectations, the Attention Impaired group scored equal to the Memory Impaired
      group on all measures theorized to be sensitive to attention deficits (Trails A
      and B time, Trails B errors, Rey AVLT interference list), except for
      statistically weaker performance on Trails A errors. In contrast but as expected,
      the Memory Impaired group scored statistically worse on all memory tests (Rey
      AVLT, all TPT variables). The groups also did not differ on tests argued not to
      be differentially affected by either attention or memory (WAIS-R FIQ, Category
      Test). It is concluded that the WMS-R Attention Index is not related to deficits
      on other measures sensitive to attention, further emphasizing the need to
      identify more clearly specific attention constructs. 

PMID- 24226109
TI  - A role for clinical psychology in health care and policy concerning the physical
      environment.
AB  - Some persons adversely react to specific environments, while others are
      impervious or actually thrive. Medical attention often overlooks such
      sensitivities to the physical environment. Such sensitivities, including phobias
      and seasonal affectivity, fall within clinical psychology's purview. A
      theoretical/clinical approach called the Synchronous Systems Model, which defines
      and uses individual differences in people and in settings, could serve medical
      health care and policy. When specific people are matched appropriately with
      specific treatments within the most propitious settings, cost effectiveness and
      medical efficacy rise. Such documented accountability could make clinical
      psychologists central to triage of medical services as well as health care policy
      in these days of the shrinking health care dollar. The Synchronous Systems Model
      provides theory, supportive data, and clinical assessment devices to strengthen
      clinical psychology's role in medical settings. 

PMID- 24226110
TI  - A chip-to-world connector with a built-in reservoir for simple small-volume
      sample injection.
AB  - We present a novel connector that allows for easy handling and injection of
      sample volumes between 1 and 20 MUl. All tubing connections between external
      pumps and the microfluidic device are established before the sample is introduced
      into a sealable reservoir built into the connector. This approach allows for
      multiple injections of small sample volumes without the need to dismantle the
      chip-tubing assembly. We demonstrate that the connector reservoir seal can
      withstand pressures of up to 6 bar, that opening or closing the reservoir does
      not dislocate the sample by more than 35 nl, and that the connector can be used
      for injecting samples into both miscible and immiscible carrier fluids. 

PMID- 24226111
TI  - A repeated sequence probe for the C genome in Avena (Oats).
AB  - The genus Avena consists of at least 23 species composed of three ploidy levels.
      Cytogenetic analysis has characterised four distinct karyotypes. These are the A,
      B, C and D genomes. We have isolated a repeated sequence clone that can be used
      for the detection of the C genome in Avena by filter hybridization techniques.
      This clone, termed RS-1, is a genomic DNA clone containing at least one highly
      repeated sequence that is abundant in Avena species containing the C genome. This
      sequence or a related sequence is also present, but at much reduced levels, in
      species that do not contain the C genome. Because of its abundance and the
      characteristic Southern blot pattern, we have termed this clone a C genome
      specific clone. We have also done similar analysis of the Avena genus using a
      rDNA clone from wheat. The results of these experiments demonstrate that clearly
      definable C genome-specific markers can be identified with both probes. These
      molecular probes can be useful in studying the genomic relationships of Avena and
      can provide some clues as to the origin of the cultivated Avena species. These
      results can, therefore, provide breeders with directions for the efficient
      transfer of desirable traits of wild Avena species into commencal varieties. 

PMID- 24226112
TI  - Nitrate reductases in hexaploid and tetraploid wheats and Aegilops.
AB  - Nitrate reductase activity (NR activity), protein content (NR protein) and
      polypeptides were compared in shoots of Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare (L.) cv
      Fidel (bread wheat, AABBDD genome), Triticum dicoccum cv Vernal (AABB genome),
      Aegilops squarrosa var. strangulata (DD genome) and the amphiploid 365 (AABBDD
      genome), produced by crossing T. dicoccum cv Vernal and Ae. squarrosa var.
      strangulata. Constitutive NR protein and activity were found in shoots of all
      seedlings grown without nitrate, with the highest activity in the bread wheat.
      The inducible NR protein and activity developed upon the addition of nitrate. A
      116-K polypeptide was identified as the main component of the NR from the bread
      wheat, while a faint, sometimes discernable 94-K band appeared on Western blots.
      Only one NR polypeptide could be identified in Ae. squarrosa -the 94 K. An
      intermediary situation was observed with the tetraploid T. dicoccum and the
      amphiploid: The 94-K polypeptide was the only one separated from NR of seedlings
      grown in the absence of nitrate. The 116-K polypeptide appeared after the
      addition of nitrate. The intensity of its band on the gel increased with the
      duration of the nitrate treatment. When comparing Ae. squarrosa and T. dicoccum,
      the constitutive isozyme (94-K polypeptide) was found in the D as well as in the
      AB genomes, while the inducible NR (116-K polypeptide) was absent from the D
      genome. Addition of the D genome into the AB genome slightly reinforced the
      expression of the inducible form (AB genome expression) in the amphiploid wheat.
      We postulate that the inducible form of NR in the bread wheat resulted from an
      evolutionary selection pressure favoured by cultivation. 

PMID- 24226113
TI  - Inheritance of resistance in cucumber to race 2 of Colletotrichum lagenarium.
AB  - The resistant breeding line, AR79-95, and the susceptible cultivar, Model, were
      crossed to develop F1, F2, F3, and backcross populations for genetic analysis of
      resistance in cucumbers to race 2 of Colletotrichum lagenarium (Pass.) Ellis &
      Halsted., the causal agent of cucurbit anthracnose. There was no maternal effect
      on resistance and a small amount of F1 heterosis toward the susceptible parent.
      Generation means analysis showed that there was additive and dominance but no
      epistatic gene action detected on the scale used. Additive and dominance genetic
      variances were estimated, and narrow-sense heritability was low to moderate.
      Based on effective factor formulae, at least five effective factors contrtolled
      the resistance. Some of these factors were dominant and others recessive.
      Implications for breeding procedures are discussed. 

PMID- 24226114
TI  - Recombination of Chlamydomonas chloroplast DNA occurs more frequently in the
      large inverted repeat sequence than in the single-copy regions.
AB  - It is well documented that chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) recombination occurs at a
      relatively high frequency during sexual reproduction of unicellular green algae
      from the Chlamydomonas genus. Like the cpDNAs of most land plants, those of
      Chlamydomonas species are divided into two single-copy regions by a large
      inverted repeat sequence, part of which encodes the chloroplast rRNA genes. In
      the present study, we scored the inheritance of polymorphic loci spanning the
      entire chloroplast genome in hybrids recovered from reciprocal interspecific and
      F1 crosses between Chlamydomonas eugametes and C. moewusii, and from these data,
      estimated the density of recombination junctions within each region of
      recombinant cpDNAs. Our results indicate that recombination junctions occur at
      highly variable frequencies across the three main domains of the chloroplast
      genome. The large inverted repeat sequence was found to exhibit at least a five
      fold higher density of recombination junctions compared to one of the singlecopy
      regions, whereas junctions in the latter region were five-fold more abundant
      relative to those in the other single-copy region. This marked difference in the
      densities of recombination junctions implies that the extent of genetic linkage
      between two given chloroplast loci will depend not only on their physical
      distance, but also on their locations within the genome. 

PMID- 24226115
TI  - Extensive homologous chloroplast DNA recombination in the pt14 Nicotiana somatic
      hybrid.
AB  - In a previous study, six recombination sites have been confirmed in the
      chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) of pt14, a somatic hybrid of Nicotiana tabacum and
      Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. In the present study, physical mapping revealed six
      recombination sites in the 11.4-kb SalI fragment alone, only one of which has
      been previously identified. This fragment is located in the large unique region.
      We assume, therefore, that the pt14 cpDNA is a fine mosaic of the parental
      genomes with a recombination site about every 2 kb. A 748-bp region that
      comprised the intergenic region between ORF73 and ORF74B, and 460 bp of the petD
      intron have been sequenced. Parent-specific sequences in the pt14 DNA defined the
      regions within which recombination took place. The exact site of recombination
      events could not be determined because the parental sequences were identical
      between the polymorphic markers, and these sequences have been preserved in the
      pt14 line. 

PMID- 24226116
TI  - Genotype, plant, bud size and media factors affecting anther culture of
      cauliflowers (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis).
AB  - Eleven F1 hybrid cultivars of cauliflower, representing a range of maturity
      types, were examined for their responsiveness to anther culture. Embryos were
      produced from each of the cultivars tested, and the mean embryo yield varied from
      82.2 embryos per 100 anthers cultured for cv Dova to 0.6 embryos for cv Serrano.
      Variation between genotypes and between plants within a genotype was significant,
      both in terms of embryo yield and percentage responsive anthers. Autumn and
      winter maturing cauliflowers were generally more responsive than summer types.
      Embryo yields were enhanced by culturing anthers on solid rather than on liquid
      media. An increase in concentration of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)
      from 0.1 to 0.3 mg/l also increased embryo yield. Embryo yield was doubled when
      anthers were cultured on solid media containing 0.3 mg/l 2,4-D compared to liquid
      media containing 0.1 mg/l 2,4-D. Although bud size alone did not have a
      significant effect on embryo production, genotype x bud size and plant x bud size
      (within genotype) interactions were significant. Estimation of the variance
      components demonstrated that, apart from the residual plate-to-plate variation,
      variation between plants was the largest source of variation, accounting for
      approximately 30% of total variance. Plant x bud size (within genotype)
      interaction accounted for 18% of total variance and genotypic differences for
      approximately 8%. 

PMID- 24226117
TI  - Meiotic and isozymic characterization of plants regenerated from euploid and
      selfed monosomic tall fescue embryos.
AB  - Tissue culture of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb., 2n=6x=42) would be
      enhanced by improving the callus induction and plant regeneration efficiency, and
      evaluating the meiotic and isozymic variation induced by culture. Mature embryos
      were cultured from four lines of Kenhy tall fescue and from the progeny of three
      selfed monosomics. Evaluation of six media-auxin combinations showed callus
      initiation was greatest on SH medium with 2.5 mg/l 2,4,5-T or 7.4 mg/l pCPA,
      while plant regeneration was greatest on SH medium with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D.
      Cytological analyses of 27 plants derived from euploid parents showed a high
      frequency of aneuploidy (15/27). Chromosome numbers of aneuploids ranged from 36
      to 41, with one plant having 80 chromosomes and two plants being asynaptic. Two
      of ten monosomic-derived plants were euploid, five were monosomic, one was
      monosomic with a fragment and two were double monosomic. Zymograms of the parents
      and regenerants were obtained for the enzymes ACPH, ADH, GOT, 6-PGD and PGI.
      Isozyme variation was observed for two groups of plants derived from the same
      Kenhy embryos. One group of four monosomic-derived plants differed for the
      enzymes GOT and ACPH, and all four plants had a PGI pattern. different from that
      of the parental monosomic plant. This indicated loss of a PGI allele, probably as
      a result of callus culture. 

PMID- 24226118
TI  - A novel intergeneric hybrid in the Triticeae: Triticum aestivum x Psathyrost
      achys juncea.
AB  - Two hybrid embryos of intergeneric origin between Triticum aestivum cv Fukuho
      (2n=6x=42, AABBDD) and Psathyrostachys juncea (2n=2x=14, NN) were successfully
      rescued. One hybrid plant had the expected chromosome number of 28 (ABDN),
      whereas the second plant had 35 chromosomes. The average meiotic chromosome
      pairing in the 35-chromosome hybrid was 21.87 univalents + 6.38 bivalents + 0.11
      trivalents + 0.009 quadrivalents, which indicates that two copies of the N genome
      were present. Chromosome pairing in the 28-chromosome hybrid was low (1.35
      bivalents), and pointed out the lack of homology between the wheat genomes and
      the P. juncea genome. These new hybrids showed some necrosis and chlorosis, which
      caused severe floral abortion in the plant that had 35 chromosomes. These
      problems became gradually less severe after 18 months. 

PMID- 24226119
TI  - High transmission of paternal plastid DNA in alfalfa plants demonstrated by
      restriction fragment polymorphic analysis.
AB  - A high frequency of paternal plastid transmission occurred in progeny from
      crosses among normal green alfalfa plants. Plastid transmission was analyzed by
      hybridization of radiolabeled alfalfa plastid DNA (cpDNA) probes to Southern
      blots of restriction digests of the progeny DNA. Each probe revealed a specific
      polymorphism differentiating the parental plastid genomes. Of 212 progeny, 34
      were heteroplastidic, with their cpDNAs ranging from predominantly paternal to
      predominantly maternal. Regrowth of shoots from heteroplasmic plants following
      removal of top growth revealed the persistence of mixed plastids in a given
      plant. However, different shoots within a green heteroplasmic plant exhibited
      paternal, maternal, or mixed cpDNAs. Evidence of maternal nuclear genomic
      influence on the frequency of paternal plastid transmission was observed in some
      reciprocal crosses. A few tetraploid F1 progeny were obtained from tetraploid
      (2n=4x=32) Medicago sativa ssp. sativa x diploid (2n=2x=16) M. sativa ssp.
      falcata crosses, and resulted from unreduced gametes. Here more than the maternal
      genome alone apparently functioned in controlling plastid transmission.
      Considering all crosses, only 5 of 212 progeny cpDNAs lacked evidence of a
      definitive paternal plastid fragment. 

PMID- 24226120
TI  - Extrachromosomal plasmid-like DNA in the obligate parasitic fungus Erysiphe
      graminis f. sp. hordei.
AB  - The obligate parasitic fungus, Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei, was found to
      harbour plasmid-like extrachromosomal DNA. A 1.35-kb fragment of this 9kb plasmid
      was cloned into the pUC12 vector. No homology was detected to nuclear or
      mitochondrial DNA. As only about half of the 27 isolates examined contained
      plasmid-like DNA, this appears to be inessential for fungal survival. The plasmid
      is frequent in European isolates and is found in both newly collected isolates
      and in isolates kept under laboratory conditions for many years. No correlation
      between presence of plasmid and specific avirulence/virulence genes was found.
      The plasmid appear to be located in the mitochondria. 

PMID- 24226121
TI  - Implications of non-linear economic weights for breeding.
AB  - Relationships were studied theoretically between phenotypic values of selection
      candidates ('parents') and economic worth of the 'offspring' that would belong to
      production populations. The candidates could include individuals, crosses or
      clones, and the offspring could be produced either sexually or vegetatively.
      Cases considered included: three systems for generating production populations
      [clonal propagation, pair(full-sib)crosses and half-sib crosses]; three economic
      worth (profit) functions for individual offspring (linear, intermediate optimum,
      acceptable versus cull); and independently varying heritabilities for both
      parents and offspring. The heritabilities were varied in the model against a
      background of fixed genetic variance. Parental values were considered in terms of
      phenotypic standard deviations from the population mean, assuming normality.
      Lower heritabilities and, to a lesser extent, genetic segregation severely damped
      down the non-linearities of economic worth in relation to measured parental
      values, such that the linear weightings for traits in a selection index should
      usually be a good approximation, provided the profit function for individual
      offspring is monotonic. The economic advantages of corrective mating within a
      select population may be minimal if both heritabilities are low and the profit
      functions apply to individual offspring. The economic advantages accruing from
      genetic uniformity of clones (or crosses between inbreds) in conjunction with non
      linear profit functions are strongly dependent on achieving high broad-sense
      heritabilites, particularly in the offspring (production population). 

PMID- 24226122
TI  - Quantitative three-dimensional study on the position of the female gametophyte
      and its constituent cells as a prerequisite for corn (Zea mays) transformation.
AB  - The position of the embryo sac in the spikelet and of the embryo sac's
      constituent cells within the sporophytic tissues of Zea mays was localized by
      scanning electron microscopy, serial thick sectioning, and computer three
      dimensional reconstruction. Within certain limits, the embryo sac is consistently
      oriented in the same position inside of the spikelet. This information is a
      prerequisite for successful microinjections into the in situ female cells of Zea
      mays. 

PMID- 24226123
TI  - In vitro microspore reaction of different German wheat cultivars.
AB  - The in vitro microspore androgenesis reaction of 25 commercial German spring
      (including 4 Triticum durum) and 50 winter wheat cultivars was investigated.
      Tremendous genotypical differences were found in microspore response. The best
      responding winter wheat cultivai, "Florida", is characterized by the presence of
      a 1B/1R wheat-rye translocation chromosome. The significance of this finding and
      other genetic systems for future use of haploids in plant breeding is discussed. 

PMID- 24226124
TI  - Ribosomal gene spacer length variability in cultivated and wild rice species.
AB  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism of the rDNA spacer was studied in the
      genus Oryza using a cloned rice rDNA probe. One-hundred-five accessions,
      including 58 cultivated rice and 47 wild species with various genome types, were
      analysed. Seven size classes differing from one another by an "increment" of ca.
      300 bp were observed amongst the Asiatic cultivated rice of the species O.
      sativa. A general tendency from a smaller spacer in the Japonica subtypes to
      longer ones in Indica is observed. Classification as Japonica or Indica on the
      basis of rDNA pattern generally agrees with classification based on isozyme
      patterns. In contrast, African rice of the species O. glaberrima does not display
      any rDNA size variation. When wild species are considered, extensive variation is
      observed, but the fragment sizes do not fall into regularly increasing size
      classes except for O. rufipogon and O. longistaminata. The variation is greater
      in these species than in the cultivated ones. 

PMID- 24226125
TI  - Selection system efficiencies for computer simulated progeny test field designs
      in loblolly pine.
AB  - Six simulated progeny test field designs in combination with three within-family
      selection systems were tested on three loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) progeny
      test sites in southeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas, to compare genetic
      gains for the single trait, height. Residual deviations obtained by subtraction
      of family and plantation mean effects for each plantation were combined with
      simulated genetic effects with known family variance structure. The simulated
      genetic populations, arranged in the following progeny test field designs - large
      square or almost square plots, five- and ten-tree row plots, five-tree
      noncontiguous plots, two tree row plots, and single-tree plots - were
      superimposed on the residual data for each plantation. Within-family selection
      methods based on deviations from block means, deviations from neighborhood means
      and deviations from plot means were built into the model. Realized genetic gain
      attained by each design - selection system combination was compared with the
      genetic gain theoretically possible if selection accuracy were perfect, and with
      expected gain estimated using the general linear model. In general, average
      realized genetic gain compared well with expected gain. Differences between
      designs with large versus small plots were generally lower than expected,
      although the single-tree plot design always yielded highest realized gain.
      Realized gain was generally higher than expected when within-family selection was
      based on deviations from block or neighborhood means, but equal to or lower than
      expected when selection was based on deviations from plot means. 

PMID- 24226126
TI  - Modifications of floral development in tobacco induced by fusion of protoplasts
      of different male-sterile cultivars.
AB  - Protoplasts derived from different cytoplasmic male-sterile cultivars of
      Nicotiana tabacum were fused. Nearly 200 cybrid calli were regenerated into
      plants and their flower morphologies were examined. Most cybrids exhibited
      parental-type male-sterile morphologies. Some, however, showed novel male-sterile
      phenotypes or phenotypes which combined traits of both male-sterile parents in a
      new combination. Others were restored to fertility, with stamens which produced
      functional pollen. 

PMID- 24226127
TI  - Genetic and environmental factors in the resistance of Drosophila subobscura
      adults to high temperature shock : 1. Breeding temperature and crowding.
AB  - Survival time following a high temperature shock of Drosophila subobscura adults
      in dry air has shown great variability. This experimental condition involved
      desiccation as the first cause of death. Here survival is studied under
      saturation humidity, so that the mortality may be imputed only to thermic stress.
      We analyze the influence of culture temperature and crowding on resistance for
      different sex and age of the adults. The results show strong influences of these
      environmental factors on heat shock resistance and show interactions with the age
      and sex of the adults. We suggest that these facts could be due to
      acclimatization and/or to adaptation. The acclimatization would occur during
      development and would affect physiological processes related to aging of the
      flies. The adaptation would take place for selection, acting through differential
      mortality before the heat shock. Of course, other processes could be significant.
      Whatever the causal explanation, it will be necessary in any future research
      related with heat shock resistance to take these factors into account. 

PMID- 24226128
TI  - The effects of 'gibberellin-insensitive' dwarfing alleles in wheat on grain
      weight and protein content.
AB  - Three series of near-isogenic wheat lines differing in dwarfing alleles, in the
      varietal backgrounds of 'Maris Huntsman', 'Maris Widgeon' and 'Bersee', and the
      F2 grain on intravarietal F1 hybrids, produced with a chemical hybridising agent,
      were examined for grain size and protein content. Individual F2 grains from
      Rht1/rht, Rht2/rht and Rht3/rht F1 spikes were classified for Rht genotype by
      assaying embryo half grains in a gibberellic acid seedling response test, while
      the remaining half was used for protein determination. Mean grain weight and
      protein percentage were lower in all homozygous isogenic lines and the Rht/rht F1
      hybrids than in the respective tall lines, in an allele dose-dependent manner. In
      all the hybrids, the Rht genotype of individual F2 grains, which segregated
      within the spikes of F1 plants, had no significant effects on grain weight or
      protein. Consequently, the pleiotropic effects of the Rht alleles on these yield
      and quality components must be attributed to their presence in maternal plant
      tissues rather than in the endosperm or embryo tissues of individual grains. 

PMID- 24226129
TI  - Introgression of Allium fistulosum L. into Allium cepa L.: cytogenetic evidence.
AB  - A diploid Allium cepa plant was recovered from the backcross of an interspecific
      triploid (2 x A. cepa + 1 x A. fistulosum) to an A. cepa diploid which exhibited
      both A. cepa and A. fistulosum Adh-1 alleles. Cytogenetic analyses revealed a
      recombinant sub-telocentric chromosome. The ADH-1 locus is believed to be on the
      long arm of the sub-telocentric A. fistulosum chromosome 5. Meiosis of the
      triploid progenitor gives strong evidence that recombination occurred. A.
      fistulosum chromosome 8 has been substituted for A. cepa chromosome 1. 

PMID- 24226130
TI  - Chloroplast DNA in Pinus monticola : 1. Physical map.
AB  - Restriction sites on the chloroplast genome of Pinus monticola have been mapped,
      and the gene for the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate
      carboxylase/oxygenase, the genes for the photosystem II polypeptides psbA, psbD
      and psbC, and the 16S and 23S ribosomal RNA genes have been located. The genome
      lacks the large inverted repeat characteristic of most angiosperms. The gene
      order is similar to that found in P. radiata. The presence of dispersed repeated
      sequences is likely. Two structural features, lack of a large inverted repeat and
      the presence of dispersed repeats, may confer a degree of variability on the
      genome which will prove useful in studies of population structure. 

PMID- 24226131
TI  - The genetic interaction between non-nodulation and supernodulation in soybean: an
      example of developmental epistasis.
AB  - The interaction between three non-nodulation mutants (nod49, nod772 and nod139)
      and a supernodulation mutant (nts382) of soybean was studied by analysing the
      progeny from crosses between these mutants. Previously it had been shown that the
      non-nodulation mutants arose from single mutation events and that nod49 and
      nod772 are allelic, whereas nod139 represents another gene required for
      nodulation. Analysis of progeny from crosses between nts382 and the wild type
      showed that this mutant also arose from a single mutation. Complementation tests
      demonstrated that the mutation responsible for supernodulation in nts382 is not
      allelic to either of these non-nodulation characters, and that it segregates
      independently. Progeny were identified that were homozygous for both
      supernodulation and non-nodulation, and these plants were incapable of
      nodulation. Thus, non-nodulation is epistatic over supernodulation and this is
      discussed in terms of the developmental blockage in the two mutant types. The
      identification and confirmation of these double mutants of the supernodulation
      and non-nodulation mutations are described. Although the non-nodulation mutations
      behave as recessive characters in a wild-type background, these mutations are
      incompletely dominant in a genetic background homozygous for supernodulation. The
      significance of these results to the understanding of nodule ontogeny is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24226132
TI  - Energy expenditure and locomotor activity in mice selected for food intake
      adjusted for body weight.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the differences in physical activity and
      their contribution to differences in energy utilization in mice, selected either
      high or low for food intake, adjusted for body weight, which show correlated
      responses in lean content and metabolic rate. Simultaneous measurements of
      fasting metabolic rate and activity were made in lines of mice selected at
      either: a young age, 4-to 6-week food intake corrected for 4-week body weight; or
      an older age, 8- to 10-week food intake corrected for mean weight at 8 and 10
      weeks of age. Correlated response in metabolic rate was found to have been
      accompanied by changes in locomotor activity near the ages at selection in both
      sets of lines. Activity, however, accounted for only a small proportion of
      variation in fasting heat production, generally less than 5%, although a highly
      positive correlation (r=0.63) between the two traits was found. It was concluded
      that selection for food intake adjusted for body weight has led to correlated
      response in physical activity. In consequence, mice selected in the upward
      direction expend some of the excess energy intake rather than assimilating it as
      body mass and are, therefore, slightly leaner than their counterparts selected in
      the downward direction. 

PMID- 24226133
TI  - Cytology of F1 hybrids and chromosome number of F2 and BC 1 progeny of the cross
      Bromus riparius x B. inermis.
AB  - Hybrids between B. inermis Leyss (2n=8x=56) and B. riparius Rehm. (2n=10x=70)
      were easily made. The F1 hybrids had a fertility of 20%-50% under open
      pollination and backcrossing to B. inermis. Chromosome pairing in B. riparius was
      predominantly as bivalents (29.04-33.85 per cell for plant means). Bivalents also
      predominated in the F1 hybrid (2n=9x=63) and there was a high level of pairing
      with no reduction in chiasma frequency. It was impossible to estimate the
      frequency of auto-versus allosyndetic pairing. Chromosome pairing in a hybrid
      between B. arvensis (2n=2x=14) and B. riparius confirmed that the B. riparius
      complement is capable of complete autosyndetic pairing. Chromosome numbers in the
      F2 progeny ranged from 2n=56 to 72 but they were skewed towards 2n=63 to 70.
      Backcrosses ranged from 2n=56 to 63, as expected, with the distribution skewed
      towards 2n=56. Selection towards the 2n=56 level would be difficult in the F2.
      Empirical observation suggested that cytoplasm had a major influence on
      morphology in the backcrosses. Additional studies are required to determine the
      best breeding scheme to introgress germ plasm between B. inermis and B. riparius.

PMID- 24226134
TI  - Aerosol matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - A new method of liquid sample introduction for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer
      (TOF-MS) has been developed by applying the method of matrix-assisted laser
      desorption ionization to aerosols. Analyte biomolecules are dissolved in a
      methanol solvent along with a UVabsorbing matrix and formed into an aerosol with
      a pneumatic nebulizer. The aerosol particles are dried in a heated skimmer tube
      before ionization by pulsed 355-nm UV laser radiation. Mass analysis is achieved
      in a linear TOF-MS. Results for the ionization of bovine insulin (5733.5 Mw) are
      reported. 

PMID- 24226135
TI  - Matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry of biotransformation products
      of dynorphin a in vitro.
AB  - The utility of matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry for
      characterizing products of in vitro processing of synthetic dynorphin A (Dyn A)
      peptides in biologic matrices is described. A series of laser desorption matrices
      were tested for their response to Dyn A (1-6), Dyn A (1-7), Dyn A (1-8), Dyn A (1
      9), Dyn A (1-l0), Dyn A (1-13), Dyn A (2-17), and Dyn A (1-17). alpha-Cyano-4
      hydroxycinnamic acid was chosen as a suitable matrix for subsequent studies. Mass
      spectra of dynorphin peptides indicated a good signal-to-noise response down to
      (1) 10 fmole of Dyn A (1-10) amide standard in aqueous acidic solution and (2) a
      concentration of 10(-7) M for seven dynorphin peptides spiked into human plasma.
      Two examples of the mass spectrometric analysis of the products of in vitro
      processing are presented: Dyn A (1-13) and Dyn A (1-17) in human blood. The
      presence and identity of processed peptides can be simply inferred from the
      molecular masses provided by the mass spectrometric measurement without extensive
      sample purification. A comparison of matrixassisted laser desorption mass
      spectrometry is made with high-performance liquid chromatography. 

PMID- 24226136
TI  - An aerodynamic drag model for protein ions.
AB  - The energy losses of protein ions passing through a collision cell filled with
      inert gas have been modeled as the aerodynamic drag on a projectile at high
      Knudsen number. When applied to the energy loss data of Covey and Douglas (J. Am.
      Soc. Mass Spectrom. 1993, 4, 616-623) with drag coefficients from the gas
      dynamics literature, derived protein cross sections are ~0.8 of those found with
      the simple collision model used by Covey and Douglas. 

PMID- 24226137
TI  - Probing high order structure of proteins by fast-atom bombardment mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - During the past decade, numerous investigations have demonstrated that the rate
      at which amide hydrogens located at peptide linkages undergo isotopic exchange is
      a sensitive probe of the high order structure and dynamics of proteins. The
      present investigation demonstrates that microbore high-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) continuous-flow fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry
      (FABMS) can be used to accurately quantify deuterium located at peptide linkages
      in short segments of large proteins. This result is important because it
      demonstrates the feasibility of using mass spectrometry as a tool for studying
      the high order structure and dynamics of large proteins. Following a period of
      deuterium exchange-in, a protein was placed into slow-exchange conditions and
      fragmented into peptides with pepsin. The digest was analyzed by continuous-flow
      HPLC FABMS to determine the molecular weights of the peptides, from which the
      number of deuterons located at the peptide linkages could be deduced. The HPLC
      step was used both to fractionate the peptides according to their
      hydrophobicities and to remove through back-exchange all deuterium except that
      located at peptide amide linkages. This approach has been applied to alpha
      crystallin, a lens protein composed of two gene products with monomer molecular
      weights of 20 kDa and an aggregate molecular weight approaching 1000 kDa. Results
      from this study show that some of the peptide amide hydrogens in alphaA
      crystallin exchange very rapidly (k > 10 h(-1)) while others exchange very slowly
      (k < 10(-3) h(-1)). The ability not only to detect that a conformational change
      has occurred, but also to identify the specific regions within the protein where
      the change occurred, was demonstrated by measuring changes in the exchange rates
      within these regions as the deuterium exchange-in temperature was increased from
      10 to 80  degrees  C. 

PMID- 24226138
TI  - Determination of ion frequencies in a quadrupole ion trap by using a fast direct
      current pulse as pump and a laser probe.
AB  - A new technique has been developed which allows the direct measurement of
      frequencies of ions trapped in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. This
      pump/probe method employs a fast direct current (DC) pulse (pump) to displace a
      kinetically cooled ion population from the center of the trap, and a laser
      (probe) which recognizes when ions reappear at the center of the trap by the
      formation of photodissociation fragments. The translationally excited ions
      undergo periodic motion within the confines of the ion trap, and this periodic
      motion can be followed by recording the intensity of the photodissociation
      fragment as a function of the delay time between the DC pump and the laser probe.
      The DC pulse has a rise time of 15 ns; data are taken 1 ms after its application
      to allow stable ion motion to be sampled. Sampling of the ion cloud is done at 50
      ns intervals, and fast Fourier transformation of the time-based data yields the
      ion frequencies and their relative magnitudes. Data are reported for ions derived
      from acetophenone (m/z 105) and 1,4-cyclohexadiene (m/z 80) under various
      trapping conditions corresponding to different Mathieu qz values. The measured
      fundamental secular frequencies, fz and fr, are found to agree well with those
      predicted. The presence of higher order multipole contributions to the trapping
      field is evident from such ion frequencies as the drive frequency, fRF,. The
      ability to measure ion frequencies under operating conditions provides a new tool
      for comparing simulated and experimental data. Simulation data from the program
      ITSIM, modified to account for the effects of collisions, are shown to predict
      the major frequency components observed in the experimental data. 

PMID- 24226139
TI  - Charge compensation for imaging large insulating samples by using secondary ion
      tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - A charge compensation technique has been developed for secondary ion mass
      spectrometry and imaging of insulating samples as large as 1 cm(2) using a triple
      quadrupole-based microprobe. The microprobe secondary ion extraction field is
      synchronized with a periodic primary Cs(+) beam to allow a sheetlike beam of 5-eV
      electrons to pass over the sample surface when the extraction field is zeroed.
      Electrons are attracted to, and neutralize, any points on the sample that have
      accumulated positive charge. Positive secondary ion images from Teflon(r), a well
      known insulator, illustrate the effectiveness of charge compensation. Locating
      and identifying analytes on dry filter paper by using tandem mass spectrometry
      are also demonstrated. 

PMID- 24226140
TI  - Correlation between electron capture negative chemical ionization mass
      spectrometric fragmentation and calculated internal energies for polychlorinated
      biphenyls.
AB  - Correlationbse tween molecular structure and fragmentation observed in electron
      capture negative chemical ionization mass spectra (moderator gas = methane) of 49
      selected tetrachlorinated, pentachlorinated, and hexachlorinated biphenyls have
      been investigated by using molecular modeling. The semiempirical general
      molecular orbital program MOPAC was used to calculate molecular properties for
      biphenyl and the 209 polychlorinated biphenyls. The mass spectrometric ionization
      and fragmentation processes were found to be linked to the number of chlorine
      atoms present on the biphenyl, and to the number of those chlorine atoms in the
      ortho (2, 2', 6, and 6') positions. The intensity of molecular ions increased
      with the number of chlorine atoms present, but this was counteracted by enhanced
      fragmentation as the number of ortho position chlorine atoms increased. The
      molecular parameters that were most closely linked with the number of ortho
      chlorine atoms were the twist angle between the phenyl rings and the energy of
      the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). It is suggested that
      fragmentation occurs when the energy of the ionizing electron exceeds the energy
      difference between the LUMO and LlJMO + 1 orbitals. 

PMID- 24226143
TI  - Health and physical function predicting strength and balance training adoption: a
      community-based study among individuals aged 75 and older.
AB  - This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of health and physical
      function that are associated with not starting strength and balance training
      (SBT). The study population consisted of 339 community-dwelling individuals (75
      98 years, 72% female). As part of a population-based intervention study they
      received comprehensive geriatric assessment, physical activity counseling, and
      had the opportunity to take part in SBT at the gym once a week. Compared with the
      SBT-adopters, the nonadopters (n = 157, 46%) were older and less physically
      active, had more comorbidities and lower cognitive abilities, more often had
      sedative load of drugs or were at the risk of malnutrition, had lower grip
      strength and more instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) difficulties,
      and displayed weaker performance in Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go
      assessments. In multivariate models, higher age, impaired cognition, and lower
      grip strength were independently associated with nonadoption. In the future, more
      individually-tailored interventions are needed to overcome the factors that
      prevent exercise initiation. 

PMID- 24226144
TI  - Secretion of hatching enzyme and its proteolytic activity in coregoninae
      (Coregonus albula L andC. lavaretus L) embryos.
AB  - After the electrial stimulation Coregoninae embryos secreted the hatching enzyme
      (chorionase) within 0.1-0.5 h, and the dissolution of their chorions lasted 1.2
      2.0 h, depending on embryo's developmental stage (DS 13 or DS 14) and water
      temperature (5.2 or 9.6-9.8 degrees C).Crude chorionase (hatching liquid)
      ofCoregonus albula andC. lavaretus was collected in large quantities by means of
      the electric stimulation of eggs. In both species the temperature optimum of
      proteolytic activity of the crude chorionasc was 30 degrees C; the activity was
      lost at temperatures < 3-2 degrees C and > 35-40 degrees C. The maximal
      proteolytic activity was observed at pH 8.5; a rapid decrease in enzyme activity
      was evident at pH < 7.0, and the activity was zero at pH 6.The temperature
      activity curve of chorionase may reflect the adaptation of Coregoninae to
      hatching immediately after the ice cover recedes from lakes, whereas the rapid
      decrease of enzyme activity at pH 7 -pH 6 can affect adversely the process of
      hatching in acidified lakes. 

PMID- 24226145
TI  - Oxygen consumption and responses to hypoxia of ammocoetes of the southern
      hemisphere lampreyGeotria australis.
AB  - The standard rate of oxygen consumption of ammocoetes (larvae) ofGeotria
      australis with a mean weight of c. 0.5 g was 9.6, 31.4 and 59.4MUl g(-1) h(-1) at
      4.5, 15.5 and 25.0 degrees C respectively, which gives an overall Q10 of 2.4. The
      regression coefficient for the logarithmic relationship between oxygen
      consumption and body weight at 15.5 degrees C was 0.704. The ammocoetes ofG.
      australis have a much lower rate of oxygen consumption at 15.5 and 25.0 degrees C
      than those of holarctic lampreys. This presumably reflects the lower oxygen
      delivery pressure to their tissues and helps account for their slow growth rate.
      At 15.5 degrees C, ammocoetes ofG. australis emerged from the substrate at 21-25
      mm Hg and, unlike those of the Northern HemisphereIchthyomyzon greeleyi, died at
      14-17 mm Hg. Thus, despite having a thinner water/blood barrier in the gills and
      blood with a higher oxygen affinity and capacity than holarctic ammocoetes, the
      larvae ofG. australis cannot survive very low dissolved oxygen tensions. This is
      apparently related to an inability of larvalG. australis to meet the high oxygen
      requirements of the respiratory pump at these oxygen tensions. During
      metamorphosis, oxygen consumption at 15.5 degrees C rose from approximately 27MUl
      g(-1) h(-1) at the beginning of transformation to 33.2MUl g(-1) h(-1) by Stage 3
      and then rapidly to 66MUl g(-1) h(-1) at Stage 6. It remained near this level in
      Stage 7 and the downstream migrant. 

PMID- 24226146
TI  - An analysis of the energetic cost of the branchial and cardiac pumps during
      sustained swimming in trout.
AB  - Experimental data are available for the oxygen cost of the branchial and cardiac
      pumps in fish. These data were used to theoretically analyze the relative oxygen
      cost of these pumps during rest and swimming in rainbow troutSalmo gairdneri.
      Efficiency of the heart increases with activity and so the relative oxygen cost
      of the cardiac pumps decreased from 4.6% at rest to 1.9% at the critical swimming
      speed. The relative oxygen cost of the branchial pump is significant in the
      resting and slowly swimming fish, being 10 to 15% of total oxygen uptake.
      However, when swimming trout switch to a ram mode of ventilation, a considerable
      saving in oxygen cost is accrued by switching the cost of ventilation from the
      branchial to the tail musculature. Thus, the relative oxygen cost of the
      branchial and cardiac pumps actually decreases at critical swimming speed
      compared to rest and therefore is unlikely to be a major limiting factor in
      maximum oxygen delivery to the tissues. 

PMID- 24226147
TI  - Autocatalytic pathways to cell death: A new analysis of the tuna burn problem.
AB  - During capture and storage of tuna, a small but significant number of fish
      display a characteristic muscle degeneration termed tuna burn. Based on detailed
      amino acid analyses and on previous studies of metabolite changes during online
      swimming of tuna, a new model of the etiology of burnt muscle is developed.
      According to this model oxygen-lack to white muscle (developing initially during
      capture) leads to a metabolic collapse, to a drop in ATP concentration, to a
      consequent opening of ATP-dependent K(+) channels, with an efflux of K(+), and
      thus to a collapse of membrane potential. When the membrane potential falls far
      enough to open voltage-dependent Ca(++) channels, Ca(++) influx occurs leading to
      elevated Ca(++) concentrations in the cytosol. This process is augmented by
      simultaneous movement of Ca(++) from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and from
      mitochondria into the cytosol. At high intracellular concentrations Ca(++) can be
      devastating. One of its more notable effects involves the activation of Ca(++)
      dependent proteases, which preferentially target key components of the
      contractile machinery (troponins, tropomyosin, C-protein, M-protein, Z-discs,
      alpha-actinin) and thus cause disassembly of myofilaments prior to any
      significant hydrolysis of myosin or actin. This process is autocatalytic in the
      sense that Ca(++)-activated proteases may act upon SR, thus increasing Na(+)
      /Ca(++) exchange, and ultimately adding more Ca(++) to the cytosolic pool.
      According to this model, the difference between burnt and unburnt regions of the
      myotome is simply due to how far each region has moved along this self
      destructive, autocatalytic pathway. The model is helpful in explaining previously
      perplexing data and in making useful (i.e. measurable) predictions for further
      studies of this important problem. 

PMID- 24226148
TI  - Renal corpuscle development in boreal fishes with and without antifreezes.
AB  - Light and election microscopy were used to document the degree of renal corpuscle
      development in boreal telcost fishes that produce peptide or glycopeptide
      antifreeze compounds on a seasonal or permanent basis. Emphasis was placed on
      gadids, cottids and pleuronectids from both the North Atlantic and North Pacific
      Oceans. Based on the classification of Marshall and Smith (1930), corpuscle
      development ranged from fully glomerular (Type 1) to pauciglomerular (Type III).
      Unlike the situation in Antarctic notothenioid fishes, there were no aglomerular
      species among the boreal fishes. Corpuscles were small in diameter in gadids
      whereas in cottids they ranged from small to large with considerable
      intraspecific variation. Eight of eleven species with antifreeze had intermediate
      (Type II-III) or pauciglomerular kidneys with relatively few dense corpuscles
      (dia. 36-82MUm). In some of these species an extensive mesangium and a
      substantial capillary endothelium contributed to a glomerular filtration barrier
      that was four to five times thicker than that in Type I kidneys. The corpuscles
      of other pauciglomerular species were unremarkable and appeared functional at the
      ultrastructural level. The boreal fish fauna is taxonomically diverse and,
      compared to the unrelated Antarctic fauna, of relatively recent evolutionary
      origin. Furthermore, antifreeze is present only during the winter in some
      species. Hence it is not surprising that the urinary conservation of antifreeze
      is accomplished by mechanisms other than the evolutionary loss of renal
      corpuscles. 

PMID- 24226149
TI  - Osmoregulatory ability of chum salmon,Oncorhynchus keta, reared in fresh water
      for prolonged periods.
AB  - The osmoregulatory ability of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), reared in fresh
      water for a prolonged period, was examined by transferring them directly to
      seawater and then back to fresh water. When fry and juveniles weighing 0.3-125g,
      reared in fresh water for 1.5-13 months, were transferred directly to seawater,
      they adjusted their plasma Na(+) concentration to the seawater-adapted level
      within 12-24h. When they were transferred back to fresh water after having been
      adapted to seawater for 2 weeks, the plasma Na(+) level gradually decreased
      during the first 12-24h, and then increased to reattain the initial freshwater
      level after 5-7 days. No mortality was observed during the experiment except
      among the smallest fry weighing about 0.3g after transfer to seawater (2.1%). The
      maintenance of good osmoregulatory ability of the chum salmon for a prolonged
      period in fresh water seems to be unique among Pacific salmon, with the possible
      exception of the pink salmon.Changes in plasma levels of hormones during the
      transfer experiments were recorded in juveniles reared in fresh water for 13
      months. Prolactin levels increased maximally 3 days after transfer from seawater
      to fresh water, as would be expected from its well-established role in freshwater
      adaptation in several euryhaline teleosts. In addition, an increase in plasma
      growth hormone was observed during the first 12h after seawater transfer, along
      with a tendency towards a decrease during freshwater transfer, suggesting an
      important role for this hormone in seawater adaptation. There were no consistent
      changes in plasma levels of thyroxine and cortisol during freshwater to seawater
      or seawater to freshwater transfer. 

PMID- 24226150
TI  - First international symposium on fish endocrinology.

PMID- 24226151
TI  - Clinical and immunological factors associated with bullous pemphigoid relapse.

PMID- 24226153
TI  - Flexible high-repetition-rate ultrafast fiber laser.
AB  - High-repetition-rate pulses have widespread applications in the fields of fiber
      communications, frequency comb, and optical sensing. Here, we have demonstrated
      high-repetition-rate ultrashort pulses in an all-fiber laser by exploiting an
      intracavity Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) as a comb filter. The repetition
      rate of the laser can be tuned flexibly from about 7 to 1100 GHz by controlling
      the optical path difference between the two arms of the MZI. The pulse duration
      can be reduced continuously from about 10.1 to 0.55 ps with the spectral width
      tunable from about 0.35 to 5.7 nm by manipulating the intracavity polarization
      controller. Numerical simulations well confirm the experimental observations and
      show that filter-driven four-wave mixing effect, induced by the MZI, is the main
      mechanism that governs the formation of the high-repetition-rate pulses. This all
      fiber-based laser is a simple and low-cost source for various applications where
      high-repetition-rate pulses are necessary.

PMID- 24226152
TI  - Influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms on thrombin generation in factor V
      Leiden heterozygotes.
AB  - Carriership of the factor V (FV) Leiden mutation increases the risk of venous
      thromboembolism (VTE) ~4-fold, but the individual risk of each FV Leiden carrier
      depends on several co-inherited risk and protective factors. Under the hypothesis
      that thrombin generation might serve as an intermediate phenotype to identify
      genetic modulators of VTE risk, we enrolled 188 FV Leiden heterozygotes (11 with
      VTE) and determined the following parameters: thrombin generation in the absence
      and presence of activated protein C (APC); plasma levels of prothrombin, factor
      X, antithrombin, protein S and tissue factor pathway inhibitor; and the genotypes
      of 24 SNPs located in the genes encoding these coagulation factors and
      inhibitors. Multiple regression analysis was subsequently applied to identify the
      (genetic) determinants of thrombin generation. The endogenous thrombin potential
      (ETP) showed a striking inter-individual variability among different FV Leiden
      carriers and, especially when measured in the presence of APC, correlated with
      VTE risk. Several SNPs in the F2 (rs1799963, rs3136516), F10 (rs693335), SERPINC1
      (rs2227589), PROS1 (Heerlen polymorphism) and TFPI (rs5940) genes significantly
      affected the ETP-APC and/or the ETP+APC in FV Leiden carriers. Most of these SNPs
      have shown an association with VTE risk in conventional epidemiological studies,
      suggesting that the genetic dissection of thrombin generation leads to the
      detection of clinically relevant SNPs. In conclusion, we have identified several
      SNPs that modulate thrombin generation in FV Leiden heterozygotes. These SNPs may
      help explain the large variability in VTE risk observed among different FV Leiden
      carriers. 

PMID- 24226154
TI  - Regeneration of fertile plants from protoplasts derived from embryogenic cell
      suspensions of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).
AB  - We report regeneration of fertile plants from barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv.
      Igri) protoplasts isolated from regenerable suspension cultures initiated from
      anther-derived embryogenic callus. Plants were routinely regenerated from these
      suspension cultures, which maintained their regenerative capacity for several
      months. It was first possible to isolate protoplasts from suspensions after three
      months of culture and after four months protoplasts capable of division could be
      isolated. Protoplasts maintained the regenerative capacity of the donor cells and
      formed embryogenic callus. Green plants were regenerated from protoplast-derived
      calli, although the proportion of albino plantlets was high. Viable regenerants
      were transferred to soil and fertile plants were recovered. 

PMID- 24226155
TI  - Plantlet regeneration from encapsulated somatic embryos of hybrid Solanum
      melongena L.
AB  - High frequency somatic embryogenesis was induced from leaf expiants of F1 hybrid
      Solanum melongena L. on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 8.0 mg/1
      NAA and 0.1 mg/1 Kn. The somatic embryos were encapsulated in various
      concentrations (2-6%) of sodium alginate and complexed with calcium chloride (25
      100mM): 3% sodium alginate and 75 mM calcium chloride were found to be optimal
      for encapsulation. The encapsulated somatic embryos were transferred to various
      conversion media in vitro and in vivo. The frequency of plantlet regeneration
      varied from 27.0-49.7% in vitro and 2.0-4.5% in vivo. 

PMID- 24226156
TI  - Regeneration of Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense from shoot apex tissues for
      transformation.
AB  - A method of regenerating cotton plants from the shoot apical meristem of
      seedlings was developed for use with particle gun and Agrobacterium-mediated
      transformation. This method was developed to circumvent the problems of genotype
      restriction and chromosomal damage frequently encountered in cotton regeneration
      in tissue culture through somatic embryogenesis. In this procedure, the cells of
      the shoot meristem are targeted for transformation. Normal and fertile plants of
      Gossypium barbadense Pima S-6, and 19 cultivars of G. hirsutum were regenerated
      using this method. Shoot regeneration from these tissues was direct and
      relatively rapid. A MS based, hormone-free medium could be used with all the
      varieties tested. 

PMID- 24226157
TI  - Auxin-stimulated somatic embryogenesis from immature cotyledons of white clover.
AB  - Cotyledons from immature embryos of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cv.
      Osceola were exposed to 2,4-D or NAA to induce somatic embryogenesis. NAA at 10
      or 20 mg 1(-1) was very inefficient at stimulating embryogenesis, while
      concentrations of 30 or 40 mg 1(-1) resulted in death of the explant tissue.
      Continuous exposure of cotyledons to 40 mg 1(-1) 2,4-D resulted in somatic
      embryos which were arrested at the globular stage, or which underwent cycles of
      secondary embryogenesis, never proceeding beyond the globular stage. A 10 day
      exposure time to 2,4-D at the same concentration led to formation of somatic
      embryos, most of which had poorly developed cotyledons. Almost 10% of the somatic
      embryos converted into plants following transfer to medium devoid of growth
      regulators. Attempts to improve morphology of somatic embryos by using shorter
      exposure times to 2,4-D at 40 mg 1(-1), or by maintaining the 10 day exposure
      time while varying the concentration of 2,4-D, were not successful. Plants were
      obtained from all parents evaluated, although at different frequencies. 

PMID- 24226158
TI  - Plant cell growth under different levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
AB  - An experimental system, in which gases of known composition were passed through
      flasks, was used to systematically study the effects of oxygen and carbon dioxide
      on plant cell growth. As expected, oxygen limiting conditions resulted in
      suppressed growth of Catharanthus roseus cultures. Oxygen limitations did not
      alter the amount of cell mass produced per gram of sugar consumed which suggests
      that the production of fermentative metabolites was limited. Varying levels of
      carbon dioxide were observed to have no effect on the growth rates of either C.
      roseus or Daucus carota cultures. The amount of C. roseus cell mass generated per
      gram of sugar consumed appeared to be slightly increased at higher carbon dioxide
      levels. 

PMID- 24226159
TI  - Induction of catharanthine synthesis and stimulation of major indole alkaloids
      production by Catharanthus roseus cells under non-growth-altering treatment with
      Pythium vexans extracts.
AB  - A Catharanthus roseus cell line was selected that synthesised catharanthine
      exclusively under elicitation.From the first day of culture, treatment with very
      low concentrations of a Pythium extract did not alter the growth of the
      suspension but, within 24 hours, induced the synthesis of catharanthine and
      stimulated the production of ajmalicine. Kinetic analysis showed that serpentine
      then began to accumulate and that all of these effects lasted more than 7 days.
      Elicitation also induced changes in the cell/medium distribution of the
      alkaloids. Higher, although non-lethal, concentrations of the fungal elicitor
      were shown to impair alkaloid production. This cell line will serve as a model to
      study the conditions for the expression of catharanthine synthesis at the
      molecular level. 

PMID- 24226160
TI  - Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. 'Russet
      Burbank'.
AB  - Stem sections from shoot cultures maintained in vitro were used to produce
      transgenic plants of the potato, Solanum tuberosum L. cv. 'Russet Burbank'. Stem
      internode pieces inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens containing coat
      protein genes from potato virus X and potato virus Y, produced shoots with a
      frequency of 60% in the absence of selection and 10% on medium containing 100
      mg/l kanamycin monosulfate. Regenerated shoots were assayed for kanamycin
      resistance by placing stem segments on callus induction medium containing an
      increased level of kanamycin. Of a total 255 regenerated shoots, 47 (18%) were
      kanamycin resistant. Of the kanamycin resistant shoots, 25 (53%) expressed the
      PVX or PVY coat protein genes as assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or
      Western immunoblot analysis. 

PMID- 24226161
TI  - Effect of abscisic acid and callus size on regeneration of american and
      international rice varieties.
AB  - Embryogenesis and plant regeneration of Texas and international rice, Oryza
      saliva (L.), varieties (both indica and japonica types) were induced in culture
      on a regime consisting of the use of ABA or BAP in the subculture medium and
      small (10 mg) callus pieces on the regeneration medium. Ten 10 mg callus pieces
      on regeneration medium resulted in a 2- to 10-fold increase in plant regeneration
      over single 100 mg pieces. Plant regeneration of Texas rice cultivars (Lemont,
      Rico I, Rexmont and Skybonnet) and Taipei 309 was enhanced by the use of ABA in
      the subculture medium with a 2-fold and a 3- to 10-fold increase in plant
      regeneration with 2.6 mgL(-1) and 26 mgL(-1) ABA in the subculture media,
      respectively. Regeneration of plants from callus of IR36 and IR64 was not
      enhanced by ABA but by the use of BAP and Trp in the subculture medium or by 2,4
      D alone. The subculture medium containing BAP and Trp produced a 5-fold increase
      in plant regeneration rate from IR64 callus and was equal to subculture medium
      containing only 2,4-D for IR36 callus. Both Lemont and IR36 were previously
      reported to be difficult to regenerate or non-regenerative, however, the use of
      ABA or BAP in the subculture medium, small callus pieces and visual selection of
      embryogenic callus allowed the regeneration of up to 20 and 22 plants from 100 mg
      of Lemont and IR36 callus, respectively. 

PMID- 24226162
TI  - Plantlet regeneration from immature cotyledon protoplasts of soybean (Glycine max
      L.).
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from immature cotyledons of Glycine max L. Merr. cv.
      Clark 63 and cultured in liquid or in agarose-gelled modified KP8 medium. Plating
      efficiencies of 45-50% were obtained in liquid medium and 55-60% in 1.2% (w/v)
      agarose beads. Upon regular dilution with K8 medium rapidly growing green
      microcalli (1-2 mm in size) were obtained in 5-6 weeks, which upon transfer to
      MSB medium with 0.5 mg 1(-1) each of 2,4-D, BA, Kn and 500 mg 1(-1) CH produced
      compact green calli in 4-6 weeks. After 3-4 regular subcultures of 14 days each
      on MSB medium containing 0.5 mg 1(-1) each of BA, Kn, ZT, 0.1 mg 1(-1) NAA and
      500 mg 1(-1) CH, about 21% of the compact calli formed multiple shoots. Addition
      of glutamine, asparagine and GA3 enhanced shoot regeneration up to 30%. Shoots of
      0.5-1.0 cm length were transferred to 1/2 MS medium with 0.01 mg 1(-1) TH and 0.5
      mg 1(-1) GA3 for elongation. In 2 to 3 weeks, approximately 60% of the shoots
      were 2-3 cm in length. These shoots were rooted on 1/2 MS with 1% sucrose and 0.2
      mg 1(-1) IBA or 0.5 mg 1(-1) NAA. So far, twenty six plants have been transferred
      to the greenhouse, where they all have set seed. 

PMID- 24226163
TI  - Selection of atrazine tolerant soybean calli and expression of that tolerance in
      regenerated plants.
AB  - Lines of soybean [Glycine max (L.)] tolerant of atrazine were developed by an in
      vitro and in vivo atrazine challenge. Cotyledonary node plus epicotyl explants
      from mature germinated seed of soybean introduction PI 438489B were cultured on
      RV-5 medium containing 48 mg active ingredient (a.i.)/l atrazine for one month.
      Most of the explants (66%) on medium containing atrazine, and 10% on medium
      without atrazine died. Explants surviving exposure to atrazine callused and
      organogenically regenerated shoots developed. Soil around R0 plants regenerated
      from atrazine tolerant shoots and nonatrazine challenged shoots (controls) were
      subsequently tested in vivo for atrazine tolerance. All controls died. Seeds were
      collected from atrazine tolerant R0 plants. Two weeks after planting, emerged R1
      seedlings were tested in vivo for atrazine tolerance as the R0 plants were. This
      procedure was repeated on the R2 plants. All nonatrazine selected control plants
      died when exposed to this herbicide. Atrazine tolerant R2 plants were maintained
      in atrazine amended soil and appeared as healthy and vigorous as the control
      growing in atrazine free soil. 

PMID- 24226164
TI  - In vitro induction of androgenic haploids in Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.).
AB  - The influence of culture medium on induction of androgenic calli was examined
      with five different basal media. MS medium was the most responsive in inducing
      callus. Differences in induction of calli among ten genotypes revealed that the
      most responsive genotype was a local cultivar, Mangira, with 48.6% anthers
      initiating callus formation. The influence of temperature pre-treatment (5
      degrees +/-1 degrees C) for varying periods (0 to 15 days) on immature capitula
      prior to inoculation of anthers on the medium revealed that the percentage of
      anthers inducing callus increased till 3-5 days of pre-treatment. The effect of
      physiological conditions of anther donor plants grown in the field and in green
      houses on induction and re-differentiation have shown that the field grown anther
      donor plants exhibited optimum response. Shoot regeneration was observed on MS
      supplemented with BAP (2.0 mg/l) and NAA (0.5 mg/l) and rhizogenesis on MS (half
      strength) medium, supplemented with NAA (0.1 mg/l) and 1% sucrose. Cytological
      studies of anther derived plants showed two ploidy levels, where the haploids
      were predominant (64%). 

PMID- 24226165
TI  - Effects of Pluronic F-68 on callus growth and protoplast plating efficiency of
      Solanum dulcamara.
AB  - The effects of the non-ionic surfactant, Pluronic F-68, on the growth of callus
      and protoplasts from Solanum dulcamara L. have been studied. Growth of callus was
      stimulated by addition of 0.1% (w/v) commercial grade Pluronic to culture medium,
      whereas lower concentrations (0.01% w/v) had no corresponding effect. In
      contrast, higher concentrations (1.0% w/v) of Pluronic inhibited callus growth.
      The mean plating efficiency of protoplasts grown at different densities (15 days
      after plating) was increased up to 26% following culture with 0.1% (w/v)
      Pluronic, while 0.01% (w/v) Pluronic was ineffective. Mean protoplast plating
      efficiency decreased by up to 32% following culture with 1.0% (w/v) Pluronic. 

PMID- 24226167
TI  - Lewis base-catalyzed reactions of cyclopropenones: novel synthesis of mono- or
      multi-substituted allenic esters.
AB  - The reactions of cyclopropenones with nucleophiles (H2O or methanol) could be
      catalyzed by nitrogen-containing Lewis bases or phosphorus-containing Lewis
      bases, affording the corresponding mono- or multi-substituted allenic esters in
      moderate to excellent yields. 

PMID- 24226166
TI  - Genome scale transcriptomics of baculovirus-insect interactions.
AB  - Baculovirus-insect cell technologies are applied in the production of complex
      proteins, veterinary and human vaccines, gene delivery vectors' and
      biopesticides. Better understanding of how baculoviruses and insect cells
      interact would facilitate baculovirus-based production. While complete genomic
      sequences are available for over 58 baculovirus species, little insect genomic
      information is known. The release of the Bombyx mori and Plutella xylostella
      genomes, the accumulation of EST sequences for several Lepidopteran species, and
      especially the availability of two genome-scale analysis tools, namely
      oligonucleotide microarrays and next generation sequencing (NGS), have
      facilitated expression studies to generate a rich picture of insect gene
      responses to baculovirus infections. This review presents current knowledge on
      the interaction dynamics of the baculovirus-insect system' which is relatively
      well studied in relation to nucleocapsid transportation, apoptosis, and heat
      shock responses, but is still poorly understood regarding responses involved in
      pro-survival pathways, DNA damage pathways, protein degradation, translation,
      signaling pathways, RNAi pathways, and importantly metabolic pathways for energy,
      nucleotide and amino acid production. We discuss how the two genome-scale
      transcriptomic tools can be applied for studying such pathways and suggest that
      proteomics and metabolomics can produce complementary findings to transcriptomic
      studies. 

PMID- 24226168
TI  - Relationship between wave reflection and renal damage in hypertensive patients: a
      retrospective analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Arterial stiffening has harmful effects; peripheral pulse wave
      reflections deleteriously increase central pressure, but on the contrary they
      could also possibly be protective, as the pulse is transmitted to the
      microcirculation to a lesser extent. The aim of this study was, therefore, to
      explore the relationship between wave reflection and small vessel damage in the
      kidney. METHODS: In 216 hypertensive patients, data on renal resistive index,
      obtained by Doppler ultrasound sampling of the interlobar arteries, as well as
      augmentation index (AIx) and carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), were
      retrospectively analyzed. Reflection magnitude was computed through a triangular
      flow estimate. RESULTS: AIx and reflection magnitude were positively correlated
      with resistive index; age, BMI, central pulse pressure, and cholesterol, but not
      AIx or reflection magnitude, were predictors of resistive index in multivariate
      analyses. Crossing tertiles of PWV and AIx, resistive index did not differ
      between patients with high AIx and low PWV (n=25; 0.632 (0.064)) and those with
      low AIx and high PWV (n=17; 0.645 (0.053)), despite a difference in reflection
      magnitude (74.9 (6.7) vs. 51.2 (7.3)%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pressure wave
      reflection is positively correlated with resistive index in a hypertensive
      population. No negative relationship was found even adjusting for confounders or
      when it was examined separately from the influence of arterial stiffness. These
      findings do not support the hypothesis of peripheral wave reflections having a
      significant protective role for the microcirculation of a low resistance vascular
      bed such as the kidney.

PMID- 24226169
TI  - Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in
      children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prominent upper front teeth are a common problem affecting about a
      quarter of 12-year old children in the UK. The correction of this condition is
      one of the most common treatments performed by orthodontists. This condition
      develops when the child's permanent teeth erupt and children are often referred
      to an orthodontist for treatment with dental braces to reduce the prominence of
      the teeth. These teeth are more likely to be injured and their appearance can
      cause significant distress.If a child is referred at a young age, the
      orthodontist is faced with the dilemma of whether to treat the patient early or
      to wait until the child is older and provide treatment in early adolescence.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of orthodontic treatment for prominent upper
      front teeth when this treatment is initiated when the child is seven to 11 years
      old compared to when they are in early adolescence, or when treatment uses
      different types of orthodontic braces. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the following
      databases: Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register (to 17 April 2013),
      CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2013, Issue 3), MEDLINE (OVID) (1946 to 17 April
      2013) and EMBASE (OVID) (1980 to 17 April 2013). There were no restrictions
      regarding language or publication date. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled
      trials of children and/or adolescents (age < 16 years) on early treatment (either
      one or two-phase) with any type of orthodontic braces (removable, fixed,
      functional) or head-braces compared with late treatment with any type of
      orthodontic braces or head-braces; or, on any type of orthodontic braces or head
      braces compared with no treatment or another type of orthodontic brace or
      appliance (with treatment starting in children of similar ages in both groups) to
      correct prominent upper front teeth. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Review authors
      screened the search results, extracted data and assessed risk of bias
      independently, used odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for
      dichotomous outcomes, mean differences (MDs) and 95% CIs for continuous outcomes
      and a fixed-effect model for meta-analyses as there were fewer than four studies.
      MAIN RESULTS: We included 17 studies based on data from 721 participants.Three
      trials (n = 343) compared early (two-phase) treatment (7-11 years of age) with a
      functional appliance, with adolescent (one-phase) treatment. Statistically
      significant differences in overjet, ANB and PAR scores were found in favour of
      functional appliance when the first phase of early treatment was compared with
      observation in the children due to receive treatment in adolescence. However, at
      the end of treatment in both groups, there was no evidence of a difference in the
      overjet (MD 0.21, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.51, P = 0.18) (low quality evidence), final
      ANB (MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.47 to 0.43, P = 0.92), PAR score (MD 0.62, 95% CI -0.66
      to 1.91, P = 0.34) or self concept score (MD 0.83, CI -2.31 to 3.97, P = 0.60).
      However, two-phase treatment with functional appliance showed a statistically
      significant reduction in the incidence of incisal trauma (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35 to
      0.99, P = 0.04) (moderate quality evidence). The incidence of incisal trauma was
      clinically significant with 29% (54/185) of patients reporting new trauma
      incidence in the adolescent (one-phase) treatment group compared to only 20%
      (34/172) of patients receiving early (two-phase) treatment.Two trials (n = 285),
      compared early (two-phase) treatment using headgear, with adolescent (one-phase)
      treatment. Statistically significant differences in overjet and ANB were found in
      favour of headgear when the first phase of early treatment was compared with
      observation in the children due to receive treatment in adolescence. However, at
      the end of treatment in both groups, there was no evidence of a difference in the
      overjet (MD 0.22, 95% CI -0.56 to 0.12, P = 0.20) (low quality evidence), final
      ANB (MD -0.27, 95% CI -0.80 to 0.26, P = 0.32) or PAR score (MD -1.55, 95% CI 
      3.70 to 0.60, P = 0.16). The incidence of incisal trauma was, however,
      statistically significantly reduced in the two-phase treatment group (OR 0.47,
      95% CI 0.27 to 0.83, P = 0.009) (low quality evidence). The adolescent treatment
      group showed twice the incidence of incisal trauma (47/120) compared to the young
      children group (27/117).Two trials (n = 282) compared different types of
      appliances (headgear and functional appliance) for early (two-phase) treatment.
      At the end of the first phase of treatment statistically significant differences,
      in favour of functional appliances, were shown with respect to final overjet
      only. At the end of phase two, there was no evidence of a difference between
      appliances with regard to overjet (MD -0.21, 95% CI -0.57 to 0.15, P = 0.26),
      final ANB (MD -0.17, 95% CI -0.67 to 0.34, P= 0.52), PAR score (MD -0.81, 95% CI 
      2.21 to 0.58, P = 0.25) or the incidence of incisal trauma (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.43
      to 1.44, P = 0.44).Late orthodontic treatment for adolescents with functional
      appliances showed a statistically significant reduction in overjet of -5.22 mm
      (95% CI -6.51 to -3.93, P < 0.00001) and ANB of -2.37 degrees  (95% CI -3.01 to 
      1.74, P < 0.00001) when compared to no treatment (very low quality
      evidence).There was no evidence of a difference in overjet when Twin Block was
      compared to other appliances (MD 0.01, 95% CI -0.45 to 0.48, P = 0.95). However,
      a statistically significant reduction in ANB (-0.63 degrees , 95% CI -1.17 to 
      0.08, P = 0.02) was shown in favour of Twin Block. There was no evidence of a
      difference in any reported outcome when Twin Block was compared with
      modifications of Twin Block.There was insufficient evidence to determine the
      effects of Activator, FORSUS FRD EZ appliances, R-appliance or AIBP. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggests that providing early orthodontic treatment for
      children with prominent upper front teeth is more effective in reducing the
      incidence of incisal trauma than providing one course of orthodontic treatment
      when the child is in early adolescence. There appears to be no other advantages
      for providing treatment early when compared to treatment in adolescence.

PMID- 24226170
TI  - Long-term statin use and risk of breast cancer--letter.

PMID- 24226171
TI  - Local perceptions on factors influencing the introduction of international
      healthcare accreditation in Pakistan.
AB  - One contributor to poor health outcomes in developing countries is weak health
      systems; key to strengthening them are interventions to improve quality of health
      services. Though the value of healthcare accreditation is increasingly
      recognized, there are few case studies exploring its adaptation in developing
      countries. The aim of our study in Pakistan was to identify perceived factors
      influencing the adaptation of international healthcare accreditation within a
      developing country context. We used qualitative methods including semi-structured
      interviews, a structured group discussion, focus groups and non-participant
      observation of management meetings. Data analysis used a grounded theory approach
      and a conceptual framework adapted from implementation science. Using our
      conceptual framework categories of 'inner' and 'outer' setting, we found six
      perceived inner health system factors that could influence the introduction of
      healthcare accreditation and two 'outer' setting factors, perceived as external
      to the health system but able to influence its introduction. Our research
      identified that there is no 'one size fits all' approach to introducing
      healthcare accreditation as a means to improve healthcare quality. Those planning
      to support healthcare accreditation, such as national and provincial ministries
      and international development partners, need to understand how the three
      components of healthcare accreditation fit into the local health system and into
      the broader political and social environment. In our setting this included moving
      to supportive and transparent external evaluation mechanisms, with a first step
      of using locally developed and agreed standards. In addition, sustainable
      implementation of the three components was seen as a major challenge, especially
      establishment of a well-managed, transparent accreditation agency able to lead
      processes such as training and support for peer surveyors. Consideration of local
      change mechanisms and cultural practices is important in designing a local
      accreditation approach. The results of our study are important for health systems
      strengthening in Pakistan and in other developing countries. 

PMID- 24226172
TI  - Absence of ribosomes in Capsicum chromoplasts.
AB  - Ribosome development was followed by electron microscopy and gel electrophoresis
      of ribosomal (r)RNAs in the plastids of fully expanded fruits of Capsicum annuum
      L. during ripening. Chloroplasts from young Capsicum leaves were used as a
      structural and electrophoretic standard. Four stages were distinguished on the
      basis of colour changes during fruit ripening. Chloroplasts of the green fruit
      had a lower content of 16S and 23S rRNAs than leaf chloroplasts. They contained
      only a few ribosomes, some more discrete "ribosomal particles", and the contrast
      of ribosomal structures was faint. From the outset of ripening, most of the
      ribosomal structures in the plastid stroma disappeared. A continuous decrease in
      plastid rRNAs occurred during ripening. Fully differentiated chromoplasts of the
      red fruit did not contain rRNAs or ribosomes. Throughout plastid development, DNA
      nucleoids were evident and there was only a small decrease in the DNA peak on
      electrophoretograms. The loss of ribosomes during the chloroplast-to-chromoplast
      conversion in Capsicum fruit is discussed in relation to the variations in
      pigments and enzymic systems in both plastid types. 

PMID- 24226173
TI  - Immunological characterization of chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins of barley
      thylakoids.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies have been raised against the light-harvesting chlorophyll
      a/b-binding proteins of photosystem I (LHCI) using a photosystem (PS) I
      preparation (PSI-200) wild-type from barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Svalof's
      Bonus) as the antigen. These antibodies cross-reacted with a minor light
      harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein of PSII (Chla/b-P1=CP29), but not with the
      major one, LHCII (=Chla/b-P2(**)). Similarly, a monoclonal antibody to Chla/b-P1,
      elicited by a PSII preparation as the antigen, cross-reacted with LHCI, but not
      LHCII. This explains why an antigen consisting of LHCII, free of LHCI, but
      contaminated with Chla/b-P1, can elicit antibodies which cross-react with LHCI.
      Immunoblot assays showed that LHCI and Chla/b-P1 have at least two epitopes in
      common. Immunogold labelling of thin-sectioned wild-type thylakoids confirmed a
      preferential localisation of Chla/b-P1 in grana partition membranes and LHCI in
      stroma lamellae. The presence of LHCI was demonstrated in barley mutants lacking
      the PSI reaction centre (viridis-zb (63)) and chlorophyll b (chlorina-f2), and
      was correlated with the presence of long-wavelength (730 nm) fluorescence
      emission at 77 K. The mutant viridis-k (23), which has a 77 K long-wavelength
      fluorescence peak at 720 nm, was shown by immune-blot assay to lack LHCI,
      although Chla/b-P1 was present. 

PMID- 24226174
TI  - Spatial relationship between microtubules and plasma-membrane rosettes during the
      deposition of primary wall microfibrils in Closterium sp.
AB  - The mechanism by which cortical microtubules (MTs) control the orientation of
      cellulose microfibril deposition in elongating plant cells was investigated in
      cells of the green alga, Closterium sp., preserved by ultrarapid freezing.
      Cellulose microfibrils deposited during formation of the primary cell wall are
      oriented circumferentially, parallel to cortical MTs underlying the plasma
      membrane. Some of the microfibrils curve away from the prevailing circumferential
      orientation but then return to it. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy shows
      short rows of particle rosettes on the P-face of the plasma membrane, also
      oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the cell. Previous studies of algae
      and higher plants have provided evidence that such rosettes are involved in the
      deposition of cellulose microfibrils. The position of the rosettes relative to
      the underlying MTs was visualized by deep etching, which caused much of the
      plasma membrane to collapse. Membrane supported by the MTs and small areas around
      the rosettes resisted collapse. The rosettes were found between, or adjacent to,
      MTs, not directly on top of them. Rows of rosettes were often at a slight angle
      to the MTs. Some evidence of a periodic structure connecting the MTs to the
      plasma membrane was apparent in freeze-etch micrographs. We propose that rosettes
      are not actively or directly guided by MTs, but instead move within membrane
      channels delimited by cortical MTs attached to the plasma membrane, propelled by
      forces derived from the polymerization and crystallization of cellulose
      microfibrils. More widely spaced MTs presumably allow greater lateral freedom of
      movement of the rosette complexes and result in a more meandering pattern of
      deposition of the cellulose fibrils in the cell wall. 

PMID- 24226175
TI  - Protein bodies in ray cells of Populus x canadensis Moench 'robusta'.
AB  - Light- and electron-microscopical investigations revealed distinct intravacuolar
      protein aggregates of 0.3-0.8 MUm in diameter in ray cells of poplar during the
      dormant season. In semi-thin sections, these bodies showed positive protein
      staining and enzymatic digestibility with pepsin, indicating their proteinaceous
      nature. Morphometric measurements showed such protein bodies in 7-13% of the area
      of the ray-cell lumen. This amount corresponded with the protein content of the
      wood determined biochemically, e.g. 2.0-5.0 MUg.mg(-1) dry weight. Polyacrylamide
      gel electrophoresis of the total protein fraction extracted from wood showed
      prominent polypeptide species with an apparent molecular weight of 30-32
      kilodaltons. The results indicate considerable protein storage in ray cells,
      especially in the form of protein-storage vacuoles. 

PMID- 24226176
TI  - Plasmatubules in the pollen tubes of Nicotiana sylvestris.
AB  - Ultrastructural studies of the pollen tubes of Nicotiana sylvestris grown in the
      pistil revealed an extensive development of plasmatubules formed by evaginations
      of the plasma membrane. The plasmatubules occurred as twisted tubular structures
      in the periplasmic space along the tube wall and, in cross section, exhibited
      circular profiles with an outer diameter of 28+/-4 nm. They were also seen in
      deep, pocket-like invaginations of the plasma membrane and in this case the
      profiles had an outer diameter of 34+/-8 nm. In the pocket-like invaginations
      they were partially branched and often closely packed to form groups with obvious
      patterns. The enlargement of the plasma-membrane area resulting from
      plasmatubules formed along the tube wall was about six-to tenfold. Pollen tubes
      grown in vitro exhibited poorly developed plasmatubules. It is suggested that the
      large extension of the plasma membrane could enhance the uptake of nutrients, and
      thus might be responsible for the comparatively fast growth of pollen tubes in
      the pistil. Moreover, it is also assumed that the turnover rate of the Golgi
      apparatus must be higher in pollen tubes growing in vivo than in vitro, in order
      to provide a sufficient amount of membrane for the formation of the plasma
      membrane with its tubular modifications. 

PMID- 24226177
TI  - The effect of red and far-red light on proton secretion from mesophyll-cell
      protoplasts of Vicia faba L.
AB  - The influence of red and far-red irradiation on the transport of H(+) and
      (86)Rb(+) through the plasmalemma was studied using parenchymal protoplasts
      isolated from Vicia faba leaves. The results indicate that red light stimulates
      H(+) secretion and the uptake of (86)Rb(+). Moreover, it has been demonstrated
      that far-red irradiation acts antagonistically with respect to red light in both
      these processes. 

PMID- 24226178
TI  - An endogenous RNA-synthesis-promoting oligopeptide from Cucurbita pepto var.
      patissonina.
AB  - The effect of CPPTI (Cucurbita pepo patissonina trypsin inhibitor) on the growth
      of Cucurbita pepo var patissonina (White bush) was examined. Plants treated with
      CPPTI grew faster than untreated plants and similarly to those treated with
      gibberellic acid. Isolated cell nuclei from plants treated with CPPTI showed that
      of the three DNA-dependent RNA polymerases assayed, RNA polymerase I (EC2.7.7.6)
      activity was preferentially elevated. 

PMID- 24226179
TI  - Development of nitrogen-assimilating enzymes in sunflower cotyledons during
      germination as affected by the exogenous nitrogen source.
AB  - Activities of nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.6.6.1), nitrite reductase (NiR; EC
      1.7.7.1), glutamine synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH;
      EC 1.4.1.3) were measured in cotyledons of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv
      Peredovic) seedlings during germination and early growth under various external
      nitrogen sources. The presence of NO 3 (-) in the medium promoted a gradual
      increase in the levels of NR and NiR activities during the first 7 d of
      germination. Neither NR nor NiR activities were increased in a nitrogen-free
      medium or in media with either NH 4 (+) or urea as nitrogen sources. Moreover,
      the presence of NH 4 (+) did not abolish the NO 3 (-) -dependent appearance of NR
      and NiR activities. The increase of NR activity was impaired both by
      cycloheximide and chloramphenicol, which indicates that both cytoplasmic 80S and
      plastidic 70S ribosomes are involved in the synthesis of the NR molecule. By
      contrast, the appearance of NiR activity was only inhibited by cycloheximide,
      indicating that NiR seems to be exclusively synthesized on the cytoplasmic 80S
      ribosomes. Glutamine-synthetase activity was also strongly increased by external
      NO 3 (-) but not by NH 4 (+) or urea. The appearance of GS activity was more
      efficiently suppressed by cycloheximide than chloramphenicol. This indicates that
      GS is mostly synthesized in the cytoplasm. The cotyledons of the dry seed contain
      high levels of GDH activity which decline during germination independently of the
      presence or absence of a nitrogen source. Cycloheximide, but not chloramphenicol,
      greatly prevented the decrease of GDH activity. 

PMID- 24226180
TI  - In vitro synthesis of the cyanelle proteins of Cyanophora paradoxa by isolated
      cyanelles and cyanelle RNA.
AB  - Cyanelles isolated from the alga Cyanophora paradoxa Korschikoff synthesized
      cyanelle proteins in vitro. This synthesis was stimulated by light and totally
      inhibited by chloramphenicol. Cycloheximide had only a small inhibitory effect.
      Electrophoretic separation of the labelled soluble cyanelle proteins yielded at
      least 20 discrete polypeptides. The RNA isolated from the cyanelles and the whole
      cells was successfully translated in a rabbit reticulocyte-lysate system. 

PMID- 24226181
TI  - Cross-reactivity of monoclonal antibodies against phytochrome from Zea and Avena
      : Localization of epitopes, and an epitope common to monocotyledons,
      dicotyledons, ferns, mosses, and a liverwort.
AB  - The cross-reactivity of diverse monoclonal antibodies against phytochrome from
      Zea and Avena was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) and by
      immunoblotting. About 40 antibodies were selected by means of nondenatured
      phytochrome; all of them reacted with sodium dodecyl sulfate denatured homologous
      antigen on immunoblots. The epitopes for 14 antibodies (4 raised against Avena
      and 10 against Zea phytochrome) were localized in 6 regions of the phytochrome
      molecule by means of Western blot analysis of proteolytic fragments of known
      localization. Results of studies on the inhibition of antibody binding by other
      antibodies were largely compatible with these latter findings. Except in a few
      cases, inhibition occurred when antibodies were located on the same or a closely
      adjacent region. As demonstrated by 16 species, cross-reactivity with
      phytochromes from other Poaceae was high. Greater losses in cross-reactivity were
      observed only with antibodies recognizing an epitope in the vicinity of the
      carboxyl terminus of 118-kg . mol(-1) phytochrome. Cross-reactivity with
      phytochrome from dicotyledons was restricted to a few antibodies. However,
      phytochrome(s) from plants illuminated for 24 h or more could be detected. One of
      the antibodies that recognized phytochrome from dicotyledons was also found to
      recognize phytochrome or a protein of 120-125 kg.mol(-1) from several ferns, a
      liverwort and mosses. This antibody (Z-3B1), which was localized within a 23.5
      kg.mol(-1) section of Avena phytochrome (Grimm et al., 1986, Z. Naturforsch. 41c,
      993), seems to be the first antibody raised against phytochrome from a
      monocotyledon with such a wide range of reactivity. Even though epitopes were
      recognized on different phytochromes, the strength of antibody binding indicated
      that these epitopes are not necessarily wholly identical. 

PMID- 24226182
TI  - Isolation and characterization of a barley mutant with abscisic-acid-insensitive
      stomata.
AB  - A barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mutant ("cool") with leaf transpiration unaffected
      by the application of 1 mM abscisic acid (ABA) was isolated from the population
      of M2 seedlings using thermography (electronic visualization, and quantitation of
      the temperature profiles on the surface of the leaves). Stomata of the mutant
      plants were insensitive to exogenously applied ABA, darkness, and such
      desiccation treatments as leaf excision and drought stress. The evaporative
      cooling of the leaves of the "cool" barley was always higher than that of the
      wild-type barley, even without ABA application, indicating that the diffusive
      resistance of the mutant leaves to water loss was always lower. Guard-cell
      morphology and stomatal density as well as ABA level and metabolism were
      seemingly unaltered in the mutant plants. In addition, gibberellin-induced alpha
      amylase secretion and precocious embryo germination in the mutant barley was
      inhibited by ABA to the same extent as in the wild-type barley. 

PMID- 24226183
TI  - Rapid elicitation of second messengers by nanomolar doses of triacontanol and
      octacosanol.
AB  - Triacontanol (TRIA) increases the dry weight and alters the metabolism of rice
      (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings within 10 min of application to either the shoots or
      roots. This activity is prevented if octacosanol (OCTA, C28 primary alcohol) is
      applied with the TRIA on the roots or shoots. Triacontanol activity is also
      stopped if the OCTA is applied at least 1 min before the TRIA on the opposite
      part of the seedling.Triacontanol rapidly elicits a second messenger that moves
      rapidly throughout the plant resulting in stimulation of growth (dry-weight
      increase) and water uptake. Octacosanol also produces a second messenger that
      inhibits TRIA activity. We have named the putative secondary messengers elicited
      by TRIA and OCTA, TRIM and OCTAM, respectively. The water-soluble TRIM extracted
      from plants treated with TRIA increases the growth of rice seedlings about 50%
      more than extracts from untreated plants, within 24 h of application. Both OCTAM
      and OCTA inhibit the activity of TRIA but not of TRIM.The TRIA messenger was
      isolated from rice roots within 1 min of a foliar application of TRIA. The TRIM
      elicited by TRIA will pass through a 4-mm column of water connecting cut rice
      shoots with their roots and can also be recovered from water in which cut stems
      of TRIA-treated plants have been immersed. Triacontanol applied to oat (Avena
      sativa L.) or tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) shoots connected to rice
      roots by a 4-mm water column also results in the appearance of TRIM in rice
      roots. 

PMID- 24226184
TI  - Induced net Ca(2+) uptake and callose biosynthesis in suspension-cultured plant
      cells.
AB  - In suspension-cultured cells of Glycine max and Catharanthus roseus, marked
      callose synthesis can be induced by digitonin and chitosan. Leakage of a limited
      pool of electrolytes precedes callose formation, K(+) representing the major
      cation lost. Poly-L-ornithine, as well as the ionophores A 23187 and ionomycin,
      also induces some callose synthesis but to a lesser extent. Digitonin increases
      the net uptake of Ca(2+) from the external buffer with a time course parallel to
      callose synthesis but lagging behind the leakage of K(+). Nifedipine partly
      blocks callose synthesis as well as the digitonin-induced increase in net Ca(2+)
      uptake. Taken together, the data support the hypothesis that addition of the
      various substances might indirectly lead to membrane perturbation causing the
      common event of an increase in net Ca(2+) uptake which results in callose
      deposition by a direct activition of the Ca(2+)-dependent and plasma-membane
      located 1,3-beta-glucan synthase. 

PMID- 24226186
TI  - Metabolism and compartmentation of dihydrozeatin exogenously supplied to
      photoautotrophic suspension cultures of Chenopodium rubrum.
AB  - [(3)H]Dihydrozeatin supplied to photoautotrophically growing cell suspension
      cultures of Chenopodium rubrum was rapidly taken up and metabolized by the cells.
      The predominant metabolites in extracts of the cells were [(3)H]dihydrozeatin-O
      glucoside and [(3)H]dihydrozeatin riboside-O-glucoside. Both these compounds
      could be shown to be compartmented within the vacuole, whereas
      [(3)H]dihydrozeatin and [(3)H]dihydrozeatin riboside, which were both present to
      a minor extent in cell extracts, were both present to a minor extent in cell
      extracts, were localized predominantly outside the vacuole. Analysis of the
      culture medium at the end of the 36-h incubation period showed that there had
      been an efflux of [(3)H]dihydrozeatin metabolites out of the cells. Whereas
      [(3)H]dihydrozeatin riboside was found to be the major extracellular
      [(3)H]dihydrozeatin metabolite, the O-glucosides of neither this compound nor
      [(3)H]dihydrozeatin could be detected in the medium. The differential
      compartmentation of [(3)H]dihydrozeatin metabolites found with the C. rubrum
      suspension-culture system is discussed with respect to possible mechanisms
      governing the metabolism of cytokinins in plants cells. 

PMID- 24226185
TI  - Uridine 5'-diphospho-D-glucose-dependent vectorial sucrose synthesis in tonoplast
      vesicles of the storage hypocotyl of red beet (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. conditiva).
AB  - Tonoplast vesicles were prepared from red-beet (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. conditiva)
      hypocotyl tubers ("beetroot") known to store sucrose. Uptake experiments,
      employing uridine 5'-diphospho-[(14)C]glucose (UDP-[(14)C]glucose) showed the
      operation of an UDP-glucose-dependent group translocator for vectorial synthesis
      and accumulation of sucrose, recently described for sugarcane and red-beet
      vacuoles and for tonoplast vesicles prepared from sugarcane suspension cells.
      Characterization of the kinetic properties yielded the following results. Uptake
      of UDP-glucose was linear for 15 min. The apparent K m was 0.75 mM for UDP
      glucose (at pH 7.2, 1 mM Mg(2+)), V max was 32 nmol.(mg protein)(-1).min(-1). The
      incorporation of UDP-glucose exhibited a sigmoidal substrate-saturation curve in
      the absence of Mg(2+), the Hill coefficient (n H) was 1.33; Michaelis-Menten
      kinetics were obtained, however, in the presence of 1 mM MgCl2. For the reaction
      sequence under the control of the group translocator a dual pH optimum was found
      at pH 7.2 and 7.9, respectively. All reaction intermediates and the end product
      sucrose could be identified by two-dimensional high-performance thin-layer
      chromatography and autoradiography. The distribution pattern of radioactivity
      showed almost uniformly high labeling of all intermediates and sucrose. The
      physiological relevance of the results is discussed in the light of the fact that
      the tonoplast of red-beet storage cells accommodates two mechanisms of sucrose
      uptake (i) vectorial sucrose synthesis and (ii) direct ATP-dependent sucrose
      assimilation. 

PMID- 24226187
TI  - Determination of endogenous abscisic acid levels in immature cereal embryos
      during in vitro culture.
AB  - Levels of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) in immature wheat (Triticum aestivum cv.
      Timmo) and barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Golden Promise) embryos have been
      determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Embryos of both cereal species
      showed an increase in ABA content during development on the parent plant.
      Immature embryos were excised and cultured in vitro on nutrient media that led to
      precocious germination or on media containing 9% (w/v) mannitol that maintained
      their developmental arrest. Barley and wheat embryos responded to these culture
      conditions in an identical manner with respect to changes in morphology, fresh
      weight, protein and lectin content. However, in complete contrast, the ABA
      content of barley embryos increased by an order of magnitude during culture on
      mannitol, whereas that of wheat embryos showed no significant change. The results
      are discussed within the context of the role of ABA in the regulation of embryo
      development. 

PMID- 24226188
TI  - Model of gas exchange and diffusion in legume nodules : I. Calculation of gas
      exchange rates and the energy cost of N2 fixation.
AB  - A mathematical model is described which allows the estimation of rates of O2,
      CO2, N2, and H2 exchange from legume nodules under steady state conditions of N2
      fixation. Calculated rates of gas exchange under defined conditions of nodule
      size, relative growth rate (RGR), specific total nitrogenase activity (TNA),
      nitrogenase electron allocation coefficient (EAC), uptake-hydrogenase activity
      (HUP) and nature of the N export product compared favorably with experimentally
      obtained rates reported in the literature. Therefore the model was used to
      predict the effects of varying each of these nodule characteristics on the rates
      of gas exchange, and on the apparent respiratory cost (CO2/NH3) and sucrose cost
      (sucrose consumed/NH3) of N2 fixation.The model predicted that, all other
      characters being equal, ureide-producing nodules would consume 8% less sucrose
      per N fixed than asparagine-producing nodules, but would display an apparent
      respiratory cost which would be 5% higher than that in asparagine-producing
      nodules. In both ureide-producing and asparagine-producing nodules, the major
      factor affecting the apparent respiratory cost of N2 fixation was predicted to be
      EAC, followed by TNA, nodule RGR and nodule size. The relative importance of HUP
      in improving the apparent respiratory cost of N2 fixation was predicted to be
      largely dependent upon its potential role in the regulation of EAC. 

PMID- 24226189
TI  - Model of gas exchange and diffusion in legume nodules : II. Characterisation of
      the diffusion barrier and estimation of the concentrations of CO2, H 2 and N 2 in
      the infected cells.
AB  - The rates of nodule O2, CO2, N2 and H2 exchange calculated in the previous
      modeling study (D.B. Layzell et al., 1987, Planta 173, 117-127) were combined
      with information on the diffusion characteristics of each gas, and the structural
      characteristics of soybean nodules, to produce a comprehensive mathematical model
      of nodule structure and function. The model assumed that an aqueous barrier to
      gas diffusion exists in the nodule cortex which may be regulated to maintain an
      O2 concentration of 10 nM in the centre of the infected cells of the central
      zone. The model was used to predict the concentration of N2, CO2 and H2 in the
      infected cells as the physical and physiological characteristics of the nodule
      were varied. The model predicted that (a) the diffusion barrier may be
      represented by plugs of water in the intercellular spaces of a layer of cells
      between the inner and outer cortex, the depth of which may be varied to vary the
      resistance of the barrier; (b) facilitated diffusion of O2 by oxyleghemoglobin is
      essential to the regulation of free O2 concentration in the infected cells; (c)
      the diffusion barrier is less effective in regulating CO2 flux than the fluxes of
      other gases with the result that the total gas pressure in the central zone is
      less than atmospheric pressure; (d) concentrations of N2 and HCO 3 (-) in the
      infected cells are saturating with respect to nitrogenase activity and
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity respectively and (e) under atmospheric
      conditions the concentration of H2 in the infected cells is similar to, or
      greater than the K i . (H2) for N2 fixation, which may account for values of
      nitrogenase electron allocation coefficient below 0.75. 

PMID- 24226191
TI  - Selective photocatalytic conversion of glycerol to hydroxyacetaldehyde in aqueous
      solution on facet tuned TiO2-based catalysts.
AB  - Glycerol is selectively converted to hydroxyacetaldehyde (HAA) and H2 in aqueous
      solution on TiO2-based photocatalysts. The product selectivity was verified to be
      strongly dependent on the facets of TiO2. Rutile with high percentage of {110}
      facets results in over 90% superior selectivity of HAA, while anatase with {001}
      or {101} facets gives only 16% and 49% selectivity for HAA, respectively. 

PMID- 24226192
TI  - Signalling: Finding the GAPs in mTORC1 signalling.

PMID- 24226194
TI  - The interface between physical and mental disorders: The need to dismantle the
      biopsychosocialneuroimmunological model of disease.
AB  - This article argues for the necessity of cognitive-behavioral assessment for a
      thorough understanding of how psychological factors mediate disease process
      across a wide range of diseases including coronary artery disease, breast cancer,
      and human immunodeficiency disease. Based on empirical data presented as part of
      the APA Presidential miniconvention, "To Your Health: Psychology through the Life
      Span," the conclusion is that psychological treatment can help extend life.
      Stress management programs can positively influence adherence to treatment
      regimens and positively influence the human immune system response during the
      course of treatment and recovery from illness. Even in the face of life
      threatening circumstances such as liver transplantation, Stage II and III breast
      cancer, and after HIV infection has been diagnosed, the quality of life can be
      remarkably improved. Physicians and psychologists must work together to produce
      the beneficial effects of the synergy between mind-body processes. 

PMID- 24226195
TI  - Hypertension and cognitive function.
AB  - Previous research indicates that blood pressure may impact a variety of cognitive
      functions, including short-term memory, abstract reasoning, visual-spatial
      abilities, and attention (Boller, Vrtunski, Mack, & Kim, 1977; Elias, Robbins,
      Schultz, & Pierce, 1990; Franceschi, Tancredi, Smirne, Mercinelli, & Canal, 1982;
      Mazzucchiet al., 1986). However, studies which have assessed the cognitive
      functioning of hypertensive adults have offered conflicting results, particularly
      when hypertension levels were in the mild range (e.g., Bolleret al., 1977;
      Eliaset al., 1990; Elias, Wolf, D'Agostino, Cobb, & White, 1993; Farmeret al.,
      1987, 1990; Franceschiet al., 1982; Perez-Stable, Coates, Halliday, Gardiner, &
      Hauck, 1992; Schmidtet al., 1991; Waldstein, Ryan, Manuck, Parkinson, & Bromet,
      1991). A number of factors may contribute to the inconsistent findings in this
      area. Researchers have employed a wide range of neuropsychological instruments to
      assess varying domains of cognitive function. Sample sizes in some studies have
      been too small to ensure sufficient power. Finally, studies have employed varying
      methodological control over potential confounding factors such as concurrent
      medical conditions, alcohol abuse, psychiatric disorders, or antihypertensive
      medication. This study compared male veterans with blood pressures in the mildly
      hypertensive range (n=166) to normotensive veterans (n=176) on neuropsychological
      measures of verbal fluency, visual-spatial ability, verbal and visual memory,
      dexterity, attention, and executive functions. Results revealed that, after
      controlling for differences in education and income, there was no relationship
      between mild hypertension and combined measures of cognitive performance. The
      present findings suggest that mild hypertension alone has little effect on
      cognitive function in adults. 

PMID- 24226196
TI  - The relationship among the transtheoretical model of behavioral change,
      psychological distress, and diet attitudes in obesity: Implications for primary
      care intervention.
AB  - Obesity is prevalent but undertreated in primary care. Family practice volunteer
      outpatients (N=454) were administered the Stage of Change for Weight (URICA), the
      Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Diet Readiness Test (DRT) to assess the
      relationship between these variables and obesity. The body mass index (BMI) was
      used to classify obesity revealing 197 patients with elevated BMI's. There was no
      significant difference between the obese and the nonobese on any of the
      psychological measures. The obese reported significantly more difficulty setting
      diet goals and less control over their eating, ate more to emotional situations,
      and exercised less than the nonobese. The obese sample (46.7%) reported being in
      the Action stage of change for weight management. Implications for intervention
      in primary care include targeting attitudes (DRT) and dispelling physician
      attitudes that obese individuals have increased levels of psychological distress.
      Addressing Stage of Change for weight management can facilitate tailoring the
      appropriate intervention when used in concert with the DRT variables. 

PMID- 24226197
TI  - Mental health treatment and medical utilization: First pilot study in the
      military.
AB  - Savings in medical utilization, as a function of psychotherapeutic intervention,
      which has been widely demonstrated elsewhere, can be replicated in military
      medical settings. Results point not only to decreased medical utilization
      following mental health intervention, but also to more appropriate treatment. 

PMID- 24226193
TI  - Immunity, inflammation and cancer: a leading role for adenosine.
AB  - Cancer is a complex disease that is dictated by both cancer cell-intrinsic and
      cell-extrinsic processes. Adenosine is an ancient extracellular signalling
      molecule that can regulate almost all aspects of tissue function. As such,
      several studies have recently highlighted a crucial role for adenosine signalling
      in regulating the various aspects of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic processes
      of cancer development. This Review critically discusses the role of adenosine and
      its receptors in regulating the complex interplay among immune, inflammatory,
      endothelial and cancer cells during the course of neoplastic disease. 

PMID- 24226198
TI  - Clinical expression and diagnosis of atypical cortical degenerative syndromes.
AB  - Atypical cortical degenerative syndromes of the non-Alzheimer's disease type are
      becoming increasingly recognized in the literature. Three cases consisting of
      primary progressive aphasia, posterior cortical atrophy, and frontal lobe
      dementia of the non-Alzheimer's type are presented to replicate and extend
      emerging literature. Detailed clinical description and neuropsychological data,
      coupled with confirmatory neurofunctional imaging, are presented to provide
      empirical support that specific inclusion and exclusion criteria can be applied
      to clinically diagnosis atypical degenerative cortical dementias. 

PMID- 24226199
TI  - The clinical psychologist as program consultant: When is enough enough?
AB  - One of the most influential roles clinical psychologists play in health care
      settings is as consultant to medical colleagues. The psychologist consultant
      typically approaches either clinical or programmatic questions intending to tap
      both empirical research and clinical judgment perspectives in trying to answer
      them. This paper describes a specific "program consultation case," a not atypical
      consultation situation in which graduate medical education directors asked for
      advice about their residency training program. The purpose is to use this example
      to generate ideas and provoke discussion about such consultation processes and
      their usefulness in the health care training and service delivery world. The
      psychologist may be faced with questions that have meaningful implications beyond
      the specific consultation. What if the concerns being posed by this particular
      program are concerns which have been raised before, have been researched before,
      and have generated reasonable suggestions, conclusions, and strategies for
      improvement? And what if no one has paid attention, so that the questions are
      being raised again? When empirical and clinical data consistently combine to
      identify problems within health-related training or service delivery systems, and
      when suggestions or alternatives for their solutions have been presented and,
      also presumably, ignored, what does the clinical psychologist consultant do next?

PMID- 24226200
TI  - When is enough enough? We are only beginning.
AB  - Sheridan (1995) presents the problem of the psychologist consulting to a medical
      residency program as an example of the difficulty one experiences in attempting
      to challenge, even from a data-based perspective, the calcification inherent in
      health systems and medical education in particular. This paper responds to her
      challenging questions, "How much should we get involved in changing health care
      and medical education, and at what level (local, national) should psychology
      intervene (if at all)?" It is suggested that psychologists pick up the challenge
      to bring about change, whenever possible, with the admonition-we are only
      beginning. 

PMID- 24226203
TI  - Evidence for an alternatively spliced MITF exon 2 variant.

PMID- 24226202
TI  - The expression of proinflammatory genes in epidermal keratinocytes is regulated
      by hydration status.
AB  - Mucosal wounds heal more rapidly, exhibit less inflammation, and are associated
      with minimal scarring when compared with equivalent cutaneous wounds. We
      previously demonstrated that cutaneous epithelium exhibits an exaggerated
      response to injury compared with mucosal epithelium. We hypothesized that
      treatment of injured skin with a semiocclusive dressing preserves the hydration
      of the skin and results in a wound healing phenotype that more closely resembles
      that of mucosa. Here we explored whether changes in hydration status alter
      epidermal gene expression patterns in rabbit partial-thickness incisional wounds.
      Using microarray studies on injured epidermis, we showed that global gene
      expression patterns in highly occluded versus non-occluded wounds are distinct.
      Many genes including IL-1beta, IL-8, TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and
      COX-2 (cyclooxygenase 2) are upregulated in non-occluded wounds compared with
      highly occluded wounds. In addition, decreased levels of hydration resulted in an
      increased expression of proinflammatory genes in human ex vivo skin culture
      (HESC) and stratified keratinocytes. Hierarchical analysis of genes using RNA
      interference showed that both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta regulate the expression of
      IL-8 through independent pathways in response to reduced hydration. Furthermore,
      both gene knockdown and pharmacological inhibition studies showed that COX-2
      mediates the TNF-alpha/IL-8 pathway by increasing the production of prostaglandin
      E2 (PGE2). IL-8 in turn controls the production of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in
      keratinocytes. Our data show that hydration status directly affects the
      expression of inflammatory signaling in the epidermis. The identification of
      genes involved in the epithelial hydration pathway provides an opportunity to
      develop strategies to reduce scarring and optimize wound healing. 

PMID- 24226206
TI  - Development of an evaluation framework for African-European hospital patient
      safety partnerships.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient safety is recognised as a significant healthcare problem
      worldwide, and healthcare-associated infections are an important aspect. African
      Partnerships for Patient Safety is a WHO programme that pairs hospitals in Africa
      with hospitals in Europe with the objective to work together to improve patient
      safety. OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of an evaluation framework for
      hospital-to-hospital partnerships participating in the programme. METHODS: The
      framework was structured around the programme's three core objectives: facilitate
      strong interhospital partnerships, improve in-hospital patient safety and spread
      best practices nationally. Africa-based clinicians, their European partners and
      experts in patient safety were closely involved in developing the evaluation
      framework in an iterative process. RESULTS: The process defined six domains of
      partnership strength, each with measurable subdomains. We developed a
      questionnaire to measure these subdomains. Participants selected six indicators
      of hospital patient safety improvement from a short-list of 22 based on their
      relevance, sensitivity to intervention and measurement feasibility. Participants
      proposed 20 measures of spread, which were refined into a two-part conceptual
      framework, and a data capture tool created. CONCLUSION: Taking a highly
      participatory approach that closely involved its end users, we developed an
      evaluation framework and tools to measure partnership strength, patient safety
      improvements and the spread of best practice.

PMID- 24226205
TI  - Pharmacologically antagonizing the CXCR4-CXCL12 chemokine pathway with AMD3100
      inhibits sunlight-induced skin cancer.
AB  - One way sunlight causes skin cancer is by suppressing anti-tumor immunity. A
      major mechanism involves altering mast cell migration via the C-X-C motif
      chemokine receptor 4-C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCR4-CXCL12) chemokine
      pathway. We have discovered that pharmacologically blocking this pathway with the
      CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 prevents both UV radiation-induced immune suppression
      and skin cancer. The majority of control mice receiving UV-only developed
      histopathologically confirmed squamous cell carcinomas. In contrast, skin tumor
      incidence and burden was significantly lower in AMD3100-treated mice. Perhaps
      most striking was that AMD3100 completely prevented the outgrowth of latent
      tumors that occurred once UV irradiation ceased. AMD3100 protection from UV
      immunosuppression and skin cancer was associated with reduced mast cell
      infiltration into the skin, draining lymph nodes, and the tumor itself. Thus a
      major target of CXCR4 antagonism was the mast cell. Our results indicate that
      interfering with UV-induced CXCL12 by antagonizing CXCR4 significantly inhibits
      skin tumor development by blocking UV-induced effects on mast cells. Hence, the
      CXCR4-CXCL12 chemokine pathway is a novel therapeutic target in the prevention of
      UV-induced skin cancer. 

PMID- 24226208
TI  - Reasons for using and failing to use sunscreen: comparison among whites,
      Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders in Southern California.

PMID- 24226207
TI  - The role of technological progress vs. accidental discoveries and clinical
      experience.
AB  - The 50th anniversary of dialysotherapy celebrated by nephrologists around the
      world in 2012 provided an opportunity for discussion on the role of clinical
      experience in relation to technological progress in the evolution of dialysis,
      especially of recently observed inadequate decrease in mortality/morbidity rates
      of patients on chronic dialysis. My report, based on almost 50 years of career in
      nephrology, refers the evolution of dialysis, from catharsis to modern
      dialysotherapy with special attention devoted to nowadays gravely underestimated
      role of clinical experience and personalized professional care for patients. 

PMID- 24226209
TI  - Ionization-induced pi -> H site-switching in phenol-CH4 complexes studied using
      IR dip spectroscopy.
AB  - IR spectra of phenol-CH4 complexes generated in a supersonic expansion were
      measured before and after photoionization. The IR spectrum before ionization
      shows the free OH stretching vibration (nu(OH)) and the structure of neutral
      phenol-CH4 in the electronic ground state (S0) is assigned to a pi-bound
      geometry, in which the CH4 ligand is located above the phenol ring. The IR
      spectrum after ionization to the cationic ground state (D0) exhibits a red
      shifted nu(OH) band assigned to a hydrogen-bonded cationic structure, in which
      the CH4 ligand binds to the phenolic OH group. In contrast to phenol-Ar/Kr, the
      observed ionization-induced pi -> H migration has unity yield for CH4. This
      difference is attributed to intracluster vibrational energy redistribution
      processes.

PMID- 24226210
TI  - The allotetraploidization of maize : 5. The utilization of zygomeres.
AB  - Artificial allotetraploidization is the derivation of synthetic allotetraploids.
      In an allotetraploid, chromosomes of similar genomes pair with their homologues
      in similar genomes rather than with their homoeologues in the dissimilar genomes.
      The basis of this discrimination is not completely understood because the
      mechanisms of chromosome pairing are not adequately known. Sybenga has
      hypothesized the existence of special units of DNA (zygomeres) that are
      responsible for the initiation of synapsis of chromosomes during meiosis.
      Zygomeres, if they exist, should be detectable by preferential pairing studies.
      In the work reported here, trisome 3 maize plants had two standard chromosomes 3
      marked with the genes al sh2 or al Sh2, and an odd chromosome 3 from a commercial
      inbred line (or derivatives thereof) marked with the dominant alleles A1 Sh2. In
      a previous study, three inbred lines (B41, Hy, and 38-11) were found to have
      chromosomes 3 that caused a great amount of preferential pairing. It may be
      assumed that they have different zygomeres than those of the standard chromosome
      3. Hybrids between these inbred lines and hybrids between the inbreds and the
      standard were used as the donors of the odd chromosome. Segregation for
      preferential pairing (and presumably for zygomeres) was observed. The data can be
      explained on the basis of only two zygomeres per chromosome. Zygomeres should be
      able to be mapped as though they were genes. 

PMID- 24226211
TI  - Genetic variation detected by use of the M13 "DNA fingerprint" probe in Malus,
      Prunus, and Rubus (Rosaceae).
AB  - Recently, "DNA fingerprints" have been reported in a wide array of organisms. We
      used the M13 repeat probe on several genera and species in the angiosperm family
      Rosaceae. Four apple cultivars could be differentiated when any one of five
      restriction enzymes was used to analyze minisatellite DNA. Similarly, four
      individual trees of Prunus serotina (black cherry) exhibited different
      "fingerprints" with each of four enyzmes. A total of 14 Rubus (blackberries and
      raspberries) plants representing four species were investigated with two enzymes.
      Extensive inter-and intraspecific variation was found. However, some closely
      growing plants had identical "fingerprints", probably due to their being derived
      through vegetative propagation. 

PMID- 24226212
TI  - Chromosomal location of adenylate kinase isozymes in Triticeae species.
AB  - One system of monomeric adenylate kinase isozymes, designated ADK, was observed
      in Triticum aestivum and in five diploid Triticeae species. The gene loci Adk-a,
      Adk-b and Adk-d were located on 7AL, 7BL and 7DL Triticum aestivum cv "Chinese
      Spring" chromosomal arms, respectively. Adk gene loci were also located on the
      7RL chromosomal arm of Secale cereale cv "Ailes", the 7H chromosome of Hordeum
      vulgare cv "Betzes", 7X of Agropyron intermedium, 7E of Elytrigia elongata and
      CSU-E of Aegilops umbellulata. The results suport the notion of the conservation
      of gene synteny groups within Triticeae species. 

PMID- 24226213
TI  - Germinal reversion of an unstable mutation for anthocyanin pigmentation in
      soybean.
AB  - Plants of the "w4-mutable" line of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are chimeral
      for anthocyanin pigmentation. Mutable plants produce both near-white and purple
      flowers, as well as flowers of mutable phenotype with purple sectors on near
      white petals. It is established here that the mutable trait is conditioned by an
      unstable recessive allele of the w4 locus that conditions anthocyanin
      biosynthesis. The gene symbol w4-m is assigned to the mutable allele. Allele w4-m
      was derived from a stable, wild-type W4 progenitor allele and reverts at high
      frequency to a stable, wild-type W4 allele. Reversion occurs both early and late
      during the development of the germ line. Several experiments give estimates of
      germinal reversion frequency, indicating that approximately 6% of mutable alleles
      revert to wild-type from one generation to the next. Allele w4-m exhibits many
      features typical of an allele controlled by a transposable element. 

PMID- 24226214
TI  - The three C's - competition, coexistence and coevolution - and their impact on
      the breeding of forage crop mixtures.
AB  - The role of competition, coexistence and co-evolution in the formation of plant
      communities is discussed, particularly in relation to the breeding of improved
      grass/legume mixtures. Competition occurs whenever the demand for a particular
      resource outstrips supply, with the pressures generated within a species expected
      to exceed those between species. These pressures must be withstood before
      populations can coexist within a community. This is accomplished by a process of
      niche diversification, arising from temporal or spatial differences between the
      populations, that enables them to draw on resources not readily available to
      their competitors. Coexistence is crucial to the success of any breeding
      programme designed to raise the productivity of grass/ legume pastures, because
      it enables components to adapt not only to the environment which they share, but
      also to each other. A strategy that improves the "general ecological combining
      ability" of one or both components by a process of recurrent or reciprocal
      recurrent unilateral adaptation may prove successful, particularly if existing
      niche differences are increased thereby. Although both processes may give rise to
      populations which have apparently coevolved, only those resulting from reciprocal
      recurrent selection will meet the criteria of specificity and reciprocity. 

PMID- 24226215
TI  - Construction of Beta procumbens-specific DNA probes and their application for the
      screening of B. vulgaris x B. procumbens (2n = 19) addition lines.
AB  - Beta procumbens-specific DNA probes have been constructed by cloning digested
      total DNA in E. coli and screening the resulting recombinant plasmids in dot blot
      hybridizations with labelled B. procumbens and B. vulgaris DNA. Four clones (pTS1
      4) have been analyzed in detail determining their degree of specificity and DNA
      sequence. Two clones (pTS1 and pTS2) with the highest degree of B. procumbens
      specificity were adapted for the squash dot hybridization with the aim of
      screening large numbers of individual hybrid plants (B. vulgaris x B. procumbens)
      carrying an alien B. procumbens chromosome (2n = 19). These addition lines carry
      in some cases B. procumbens resistance genes to the beet cyst nematode (Heterodea
      schachtii Schm.). 

PMID- 24226216
TI  - The assignment of a Thinopyrum distichum (Thunb.) Love-derived translocation to
      the long arm of wheat chromosome 7D using endopeptidase polymorphisms.
AB  - Endopeptidase zymograms of the translocation line 'Indis' revealed the presence
      of several major and minor bands that had differential expression in coleoptile
      and seed tissues. While 'Indis' lacks Ep-D1a, which is present in the parental
      cultivar 'Inia 66', it also may not express any of the Th. distichum bands. The
      'Indis' zymogram was found to be identical to that of an isogenic line of 'Inia
      66' possessing Lr19. Since the absence of an Ep-D1a product appears to be linked
      to the 7DL translocation, it is possible to use the null condition as a marker
      for both the Lr19 or 'Indis' translocations. The 'Indis' translocation also did
      not show recombination with the cn-D1 chlorophyl mutant on 7DL, confirming that a
      part of 7D was involved. The results of a telocentric mapping experiment
      involving the 7D telosomes indicated that in 'Indis' a chromosome segment from
      Th. distichum replaced a large section of 7DL of 'Inia 66'. 

PMID- 24226217
TI  - The development of bridge lines for interspecific gene transfer between
      Lycopersicon esculentum and L. peruvianum.
AB  - Using a modified embryo callus culture technique, hybrids between Lycopersicon
      esculentum and L. peruvianum were developed and their usefulness as bridge lines
      for facilitating interspecific gene transfer was evaluated. Four of these lines
      showed a high level of sexual compatibility with several other L. peruvianum var.
      typicum accessions, as well as with accessions of L. peruvianum var. humifusum
      and L. peruvianum var. glandulosum and L. esculentum. These bridge line x L.
      peruvianum hybrids could be crossed with L. esculentum to introgress genes from
      L. peruvianum into L. esculentum. 

PMID- 24226218
TI  - Molecular analysis of the extent of asymmetry in two asymmetric somatic hybrids
      of tomato.
AB  - Two somatic hybrid plants generated from a single fusion event between
      Lycopersicon esculentum and irradiated L. pennellii protoplasts have been
      analyzed at the molecular level. Over 30 loci have been analyzed using isozymes
      and RFLPs. All loci tested on chromosomes 2-10 were heterozygous, while those
      loci on chromosome 12 were homozygous L. pennellii in both somatic hybrids. In
      one of the somatic hybrids, 2850, loci on chromosome 1 were also homozygous L.
      pennellii. The other somatic hybrid, 28F5, was heterozygous at all chromosome 1
      loci tested, but exhibited altered stoichiometry of parental bands as compared to
      the sexual hybrid. Loci on chromosome 2 from both somatic hybrids have altered
      stoichiometry, with L. pennellii alleles being four times more abundant than
      expected. Both somatic hybrids contain the L. esculentum chloroplast genome,
      while only L. pennellii polymorphisms have been detected in the mitochondrial
      genome. 

PMID- 24226219
TI  - Mapping seed storage protein loci Sec-1 and Sec-3 in relation to five chromosomal
      rearrangements in rye (Secale cereale L.).
AB  - Linkage relationships were established between the secalin loci, Sec 1 (40-K
      gamma and omega secalins, homologous to the wheat gliadins) and Sec 3 (HMW = high
      molecular-weight secalins, homologous to the wheat HMW glutenin subunits), and
      five chromosomal rearrangements involving chromosome 1R of rye (Secale cereale
      L.). These were: interchanges T273W (1RL/5RS), T306W (1RS/5RL), and T850W (1RS/
      4RL), Robertsonian centromere split Rb1RW and the interchanged Robertsonian split
      Rb2R/248W. The analysis established the linkage relationships between the secalin
      loci and the breakpoints of the rearrangements, in addition to the quantitative
      effects of the rearrangements on the linkage. Sec-1 is located in the satellite
      at a position at least 2.5 cMorgan from the proximal border of the terminal C
      band, and about 30 cMorgan from the nucleolar organizing region (NOR). The locus
      is also physically closer to the terminal C-band than to the NOR, but not as much
      as corresponds with the map distances. Similarly, the physical distance between
      Sec-3 and the centromere is greater than corresponds with the recombination
      frequency (0%-9%). Although overall recombination in 1RL remains the same,
      recombination between the centromere and Sec-3 is greatly reduced in the
      Robertsonian split combined with the interchange. This is not the case with the
      single Robertsonian split. 

PMID- 24226220
TI  - Tissue culture isolation of a second mutant locus for increased threonine
      accumulation in maize.
AB  - Regenerable maize (Zea mays L.) tissue cultures were selected for ability to grow
      in the presence of inhibitory (1.0-1.5 mM) concentrations of L-lysine plus L
      threonine. Testcross kernels from one regenerated plant (LT20) segregated for
      wild-type and high free threonine concentration in a 1?1 ratio consistent with a
      single dominant gene for high free threonine. Free threonine concentrations
      (nmol/mg dry weight) increased an average of 29-fold in bulked F2 kernel samples
      from heterozygous mutant plants, and the total (free plus protein-bound)
      threonine concentration increased 68%. Increases in protein-bound methionine,
      lysine and glycine concentrations were also noted, suggesting a possible effect
      of the mutation on protein concentration and composition. Allelism tests with a
      previously selected mutant line, Ltr (*)19, showed that two unlinked, codominant
      genes conditioned the high free threonine phenotype. Based on a separate study of
      aspartate kinase feedback inhibition characteristics in the two mutant lines, we
      propose that the mutant alleles [gene and allele designations are according to
      guidelines for maize genetic nomenclature (Burnham et al. 1975)] be designated
      Ask-LT19 and Ask2-LT20 for the Ltr (*)19 and LT20 mutants, respectively. 

PMID- 24226221
TI  - Genetic diversity among Plantagos : 17. A novel trisomic in Plantago lagopus.
AB  - In the progenies of the crosses between disomics and trisomies, two plants were
      isolated which carried an extra chromosome that was unlike any in the standard
      complement. The plants were not alike; while one carried a metacentric, the other
      had a telocentric extra chromosome. Their detailed structure and possible modes
      of origin are discussed. 

PMID- 24226222
TI  - Effects of epistasis on tests for linkage in self-pollinated species.
AB  - Tests for linkage based on covariances among relatives in self-pollinated species
      are usually based upon an assumption that epistasis is not important. This study
      was conducted to determine the impact of epistasis on, and to investigate the
      sensitivity of, such tests. Thirty covariances were calculated for each of ten
      non-epistatic and ten epistatic genetic models with varying probabilities of
      recombination between two coupling or repulsion loci. Each set of covariances was
      tested for linkage by comparing covariances calculated for the model with those
      expected for an additive-dominance model with no linkage. Results showed that the
      test for linkage is quite insensitive to the effects of linkage due to the
      disproportionate influence of inbreeding. Repulsion linkages should be easier to
      detect than coupling linkages for all models. Epistasis was found to mimic or
      counteract the effects of linkage. Tests for linkage based on covariances within
      a hierarchical mating design appear to be insensitive to linkage and may confuse
      the effects of linkage and epistasis. 

PMID- 24226223
TI  - Multiattribute evaluation of regional cotton variety trials.
AB  - The Australian Cotton Cultivar Trials (ACCT) are designed to investigate various
      cotton [Gossypium hirsutum (L.)] lines in several locations in New South Wales
      and Queensland each year. If these lines are to be assessed by the simultaneous
      use of yield and lint quality data, then a multivariate technique applicable to
      three-way data is desirable. Two such techniques, the mixture maximum likelihood
      method of clustering and three-mode principal component analysis, are described
      and used to analyze these data. Applied together, the methods enhance each
      other's usefulness in interpreting the information on the line response patterns
      across the locations. The methods provide a good integration of the responses
      across environments of the entries for the different attributes in the trials.
      For instance, using yield as the sole criterion, the excellence of the namcala
      and coker group for quality is overlooked. The analyses point to a decision in
      favor of either high yields of moderate to good quality lint or moderate yield
      but superior lint quality. The decisions indicated by the methods confirmed the
      selections made by the plant breeders. The procedures provide a less subjective,
      relatively easy to apply and interpret analytical method of describing the
      patterns of performance and associations in complex multiattribute and
      multilocation trials. This should lead to more efficient selection among lines in
      such trials. 

PMID- 24226224
TI  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of wild perennial relatives of
      soybean.
AB  - Total DNA from callus tissue of 28 accessions representing seven wild perennial
      Glycine species was compared using recombinant genomic probes derived from G.
      max, the soybean. Using two probes, we show that this molecular approach both
      confirms and extends the model for the taxonomic relationships between the
      species derived from morphological and cytogenetic data, and that it provides
      clear evidence that RFLP analysis of genomic sequences has the potential for
      revealing the derivation of the member species of the wild perennial Glycine
      taxon. Although, in this preliminary report, the sample size for each species is
      small, it is clear that the greatest between-accession variation occurs in G.
      tabacina (B2B2) and G. clandestine (A1A1), suggesting that these may be the taxa
      from which further speciation occurred in the subgenus. 

PMID- 24226225
TI  - The effect of parental divergence on F2 heterosis in winter wheat crosses.
AB  - In winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the development of a methodology to
      estimate genetic divergence between parental lines, when combined with knowledge
      of parental performance, could be beneficial in the prediction of bulk progeny
      performance. The objective of this study was to relate F2 heterosis for grain
      yield and its components in 116 crosses to two independent estimates of genetic
      divergence among 28 parental genotypes of diverse origins. Genetic divergence
      between parents was estimated from (a) pedigree relationships (coefficients of
      kinship) determined without experimentation, and (b) quantitative traits measured
      in two years of field experimentation in Kansas and North Carolina, USA. These
      distances, designated (1 -r) and G, respectively, provided ample differentiation
      among the parents. The 116 F2 bulks were evaluated at four locations in Kansas
      and North Carolina in one year. Significant rank correlations of 0.46 (P = 0.01)
      and 0.44 (P = 0.01) were observed between G and grain yield and kernel number
      heterosis, respectively. Although (1 -r) was poorly associated with grain yield
      heterosis, G and midparent performance combined to account for 50% of the
      variation in F2 yields among crosses when (1 -r) was above the median value,
      whereas they accounted for only 9% of the variation among crosses when (1-r) was
      below the median. Midparent and (1 -r) had equal effects on F2 grain yield (R
      (2)= 0.40) when G was greater than the median value. A breeding strategy is
      proposed whereby parents are first selected on the basis of performance per se
      and, subsequently, crosses are made between genetically divergent parents that
      have both large quantitative (G) and pedigree divergence (1 -r). 

PMID- 24226226
TI  - Chloroplast DNA in Pinus monticola : 2. Survey of within-species variability and
      detection of heteroplasmic individuals.
AB  - Within-species variability of a restriction site in the chloroplast (cp) DNA in
      Pinus monticola has been surveyed. Frequencies of two variants of the cp genome
      are significantly different in interior versus coastal populations. Paternal
      inheritance of the cp genome predominates, though some individuals have both
      variants of the genome. The presence of heteroplasmic individuals indicates
      occasional biparental inheritance. 

PMID- 24226227
TI  - Individual and group selection for productivity in Tribolium castaneum.
AB  - The usefulness of a non-random group selection method in the improvement of a
      character influenced by interactions among individuals has been experimentally
      tested in a population of Tribolium castaneum. The selected trait -number of
      adults produced in a fixed period of time -showed a clear increase after 11
      generations of selection. This increase is related to a reduction in
      developmental time, and it was specific for the population structure in which
      selection was applied, vanishing when this structure was altered. 

PMID- 24226228
TI  - Evaluation of selection index: application to the choice of an indirect
      multitrait selection index for soybean breeding.
AB  - Selection indices can be used to predict one trait from information available on
      several traits in order to improve the prediction accuracy. Plant or animal
      breeders are interested in selecting only the best individuals, and need to
      compare the efficiency of different trait combinations in order to choose the
      index ensuring the best prediction quality for individual values. As the usual
      tools for index evaluation do not remain unbiased in all cases, we propose a
      robust way of evaluation by means of an estimator of the mean-square error of
      prediction (EMSEP). This estimator remains valid even when parameters are not
      known, as usually assumed, but are estimated. EMSEP is applied to the choice of
      an indirect multitrait selection index at the F5 generation of a classical
      breeding scheme for soybeans. Best predictions for precocity are obtained by
      means of indices using only part of the available information. 

PMID- 24226229
TI  - Selection for increased length of reproductive life in mice.
AB  - An experiment was conducted in mice to examine whether selection can increase
      reproductive life and lifetime production of progeny. Mice in two lines with
      litter size standardized at birth and in two lines without standardization were
      pair-mated at 7 weeks of age and maintained as long as they produced litters up
      to 382 days. Progeny from the sixth litters were used to maintain the four
      selected lines, while progeny from the first litters were bred to maintain
      unselected control lines. Selected and control lines were compared at five and
      six generations of the selected lines. Contemporary comparisons revealed that the
      length of reproductive life and most lifetime production traits were
      significantly greater in the selected than in control lines. Realized
      heritability of the length of reproductive life ranged from 0.08 to 0.13. It was
      concluded that the length of reproductive life and lifetime production in mice
      can be increased by selection. 

PMID- 24226230
TI  - The role of pith, tube, and stalk density in determining sugarcane sucrose
      content and stalk weight.
AB  - Selection against pith and tube is one of the major criteria used to eliminate
      inferior sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivars in early stages of new cultivar
      evaluation. Understanding the genetic relationships for these traits would
      facilitate crossing and selection decisions. This study was conducted to
      determine heritability, genetic coefficient of variation, and the potential for
      genetic advance by selection for pith, tube, and stalk density. Correlation and
      path-coefficient analysis studies were conducted to determine the effects of
      Brix, pith, and stalk density on sucrose content and the effects of stalk volume,
      tube, and pith on stalk weight. Eighty randomly selected cultivars (four progeny
      from each of 20 crosses), representing a first clonal stage of a Louisiana
      sugarcane breeding population, and their parents were planted at St. Gabriel/LA,
      and yield data were collected in 1986, 1987, and 1988. Pith and tube exhibited
      large genotype and genotype-by-year variation, whereas variation in stalk density
      was nonsignificant. Broad-sense and narrow-sense heritabilities were high,
      moderately high, and low for pith, tube, and stalk density, respectively. Path
      coefficient analysis revealed that stalk volume was the major factor determining
      stalk weight. Tube and pith were factors that decreased stalk weight. As
      expected, Brix was the single most important factor determining sucrose content,
      however, high stalk density and low pith were also associated with high sucrose
      content. Sugarcane breeders should practice stringent selection for low pith
      across years to increase stalk weight and sucrose content. Since stalk density
      was effectively increased by high sucrose content and low pith, the use of stalk
      density in breeding and selection should be avoided. The minimal effect of tube
      on stalk weight suggests that its use as selection criteria be minimized or
      dropped. 

PMID- 24226231
TI  - The heritability of fitness: some single gene models.
AB  - Because directional selection exhausts additive-genetic variance, it is
      frequently claimed that the heritability of fitness should be very close to zero.
      However, mutation-selection balance generates a certain amount of additive
      genetic variance, so that even parent-offspring measures of heritability may be
      greater than zero at equilibrium. Intra-generation heritability may also be non
      zero, providing the potentials for genetic change following environmental change.

PMID- 24226232
TI  - Male sterility caused by cytoplasm of Brassica oxyrrhina in B. campestris and B.
      juncea.
AB  - Synthetic alloploid Brassica oxyrrhina (2n = 18, OO) x B. campestris (2n = 20,
      AA) was repeatedly backcrossed with B. campestris to place B. campestris nucleus
      in the cytoplasm of B. oxyrrhina. Alloplasmic plants, obtained in BC5 generation,
      were stably male sterile but mildly chlorotic during initial development.
      Synthetic alloploid B. oxyrrhina-campestris was also hybridized with B. juncea to
      transfer B. oxyrrhina cytoplasm. Segregation for green and chlorotic plants was
      observed in BC1 and BC2 generations. By selection, however, normal green male
      sterile B. juncea was obtained in BC3. Pollen abortion in both B. campestris and
      B. juncea is post-meiotic. 

PMID- 24226233
TI  - Ion transport by viscous gas flow through capillaries.
AB  - The effects of a number of experimental parameters on the efficiency of ion
      transport by viscous gas flow through narrow capillaries have been studied. Both
      electrospray and corona ion sources were used. The experimental data are
      consistent with ions loss to the walls of the capillary, which initially is
      caused mainly by space-charge expansion, but later is caused by diffusion. These
      processes can result in severe discrimination against low mass ions. The extent
      of ion loss may be calculated by using a simple model for radial diffusional loss
      in long cylinders, with an exponential decay of the ion density along the
      transport capillary. However, such a simple model underestimates ion loss by
      ignoring the effects of space-charge, turbulent flow, and rapid decay of higher
      radial diffusion modes (enhanced loss of ions that enter the capillary close to
      the wall). In contrast, Monte Carlo simulations showed that the effect of the
      parabolic velocity profile, under laminar flow conditions, is to increase the
      transmitted ion current, sometimes by several orders of magnitude, relative to
      the predictions of the simple diffusion model. After considering all these
      factors, the transmitted current from a corona was well reproduced by using
      mobility values for ions formed in such discharges. However, the measured
      transmitted current from an electrospray source was much too high. To explain
      this, it was necessary to assume that about 2% of the electrospray current is
      carried by aerosol particles with radii in the 10-25-A range. Finally, it is
      argued that in glass capillaries wall charging may explain why the transmitted
      ion current is observed to be very similar to that in metal capillaries. 

PMID- 24226234
TI  - Infrared multiple photon dissociation in the quadrupole ion trap via a multipass
      optical arrangement.
AB  - The design of a novel multipass optical arrangement for use with infrared
      multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) in the quadrupole ion trap is presented.
      This design circumvents previous problems of limited IR laser power, small IR
      absorption cross sections for many molecules, and the limited ion statistics of
      trapping and detection of ions for IRMPD in the quadrupole ion trap. In contrast
      to previous designs that utilized the quadrupole ion store, the quadrupole ion
      trap was operated in the mass selective instability mode with concurrent
      resonance ejection. The instrumental design consisted of a modified ring
      electrode with three spherical concave mirrors mounted on the inner surface of
      the ring. This modified design allowed for eight laser passes across the radial
      plane of the ring electrode. IRMPD of protonated bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether
      (diglyme) was used to characterize the performance of the multipass ring
      electrode. Two consecutive reactions for the IRMPD of protonated diglyme were
      observed with a lower energy channel predominant at less than 0.6 J (irradiation
      times from 1 to 30 ms) and a second channel predominant at energies greater than
      0.6 J (irradiation times > 30 ms). Other studies presented include a discussion
      of the dissociation kinetics of protonated diglyme, the use of a pulsed valve for
      increased trapping efficiency of parent ion populations, and the effects of laser
      wavelength and of ion residence time in the radial plane of the ring electrode on
      photodissociation efficiency. 

PMID- 24226235
TI  - Capillary electrophoresis fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass
      spectrometry with sustained off-resonance irradiation for the characterization of
      protein and peptide mixtures.
AB  - A new approach to protein and peptide analysis that involves the coupling of on
      line capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry with a variation of sustained off-resonance
      irradiation is described. With this technique, multiple irradiation frequencies
      are broadcast simultaneously, which yields fragmentation of species at different
      mass-to-charge ratio values from the same waveform. In conjunction with capillary
      electrophoresis, this technique can provide sequence information from small
      amounts of proteins or peptides in complex mixtures. Initial results obtained
      from a mixture of gramicidin S (1141 u), bee venom melittin (2845 u), and equine
      apomyoglobin (16,951 u) are presented. 

PMID- 24226236
TI  - Selective parent ion axialization for improved efficiency of collision-induced
      dissociation in laser desorption-ionization fourier transform ion cyclotron
      resonance mass spectrometry.
AB  - We have systematically established the excitation frequency, amplitude, duration,
      and buffer gas pressure for optimal axialization efficiency and mass selectivity
      of quadrupolar excitation-collisional cooling for isolation of parent ions for
      collision-induced dissociation in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass
      spectrometry. For example, at high quadrupolar excitation amplitude, ion
      axialization efficiency and selectivity are optimal when the applied quadrupolar
      excitation frequency is lower than the unperturbed ion cyclotron frequency by up
      to several hundred hertz. Moreover, at high buffer gas pressure (10(-6) Torr),
      quadrupolar excitation duration can be quite short because of efficient
      collisional cooling of the cyclotron motion produced by magnetron-to-cyclotron
      conversion. Efficiency, detected signal magnitude, and mass resolving power for
      collision-induced dissociation (CID) product ions are significantly enhanced by
      prior parent ion axialization. With this method, we use argon CID to show that C
      94 (+) (m/z 1128) formed by Nd:YAG laser desorption-ionization behaves as a
      closed-cage structure. 

PMID- 24226237
TI  - Investigation of the effect of a dc glow discharge on the performance of a
      particle beam liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry interface.
AB  - A low voltage (180-V) dc glow discharge device was inserted just below the
      pneumatic nebulizer in a particle beam interface of a high performance liquid
      chromatography/mass spectrometry system. The discharge in a helium atmosphere
      increased the signal produced by 12 test compounds by factors of about 2-6. The
      increases in signal were probably produced by an increase in the efficiency of
      solute transmission through the interface. The signal increases caused by the
      glow discharge were compared to somewhat larger increases caused by 0.01-M
      ammonium acetate in the mobile phase. The combination of glow discharge and
      ammonium acetate provided no meaningful advantage over the individual techniques.
      The mechanism of improved transport efficiency is not proven, but the
      neutralization of charged particles is a viable hypothesis. 

PMID- 24226239
TI  - A tandem mass spectrometry study of the gas phase RSC6H 5Cr (+)L (R = H, C 6H 5;
      L = arene) and C 6H 5SSC 6H 5Cr (+) ions.
AB  - Ion-molecule reactions of chromium containing ions with arylsulfides have been
      studied in the gas phase and their products have been characterized by tandem
      mass spectrometry. C6H5SH and (C6H5)2S react as typical aromatic compounds and
      give rise to Cr(+)C6H5SR] and RC6H5Cr(+)QH5SR' [R = H, CH3, CH(CH3)2; R' = H,
      C6H5] ions. Metastable ion mass spectra of the latter species show that the metal
      is more strongly bound to diphenylsulfide than to alkylbenzenes. C6H5SSC6H5
      reacts with chromium-containing ions to form only Cr(+)(C6H5SSC6H5). The
      decomposition characteristics of this ion and, in particular, the presence of a
      recovery signal in the neutralization-reionization mass spectrum are in keeping
      with the formation of a 1,2-dithia[2]cyclophane complex ion, which rearranges
      into a structurel(s) that contains Cr-S bond(s). No evidence was found for metal
      atom insertion into S-S, C-S, or S-H bonds. 

PMID- 24226238
TI  - Ion formation of N-Methyl carbamate pesticides in thermospray mass spectrometry:
      The effects of additives to the liquid chromatographic eluent and of the
      vaporizer temperature.
AB  - The effects of three additives-ammonium acetate, ammonium formate, and nicotinic
      acid-to the liquid chromatographic (LC) eluent and of the vaporizer temperature
      on the ion formation of N-methyl carbamate pesticides in thermospray (TSP) mass
      spectrometry was investigated by using filament- or discharge-assisted
      ionization. Nineteen carbamates and 12 of their known environmental degradation
      products were used as model compounds. The additives cause a strong reduction in
      the abundance of the characteristic fragment ions [M + H - CH3NCO](+) and [M - H 
      CH3NCO](-) for some of the carbamates. The addition of nicotinic acid reduces
      the quasimolecular ion intensity and, in most cases, produces nicotinic acid
      adduct ions. The addition of ammonium acetate or ammonium formate increases the
      intensity of the quasimolecular ion and in most cases produces a base peak for
      the ammonium adduct ion. The combination of a suppression of fragmentation and an
      enhancement of quasimolecular ion formation produces an overall gain in
      sensitivity. As to more specific effects, the addition of the ammonium salts
      reduces the intensity of M(-*) with the chlorinated carbamate barban and
      suppresses the formation of "odd" adduct ions in the TSP mass spectra of most
      other carbamates. Monitoring the intensity of the fragment and the quasimolecular
      ion signal as a function of the probe stem temperature, and the related probe tip
      temperature, proved to be an easy method to study the thermal degradation of the
      carbamates. This monitoring procedure showed that methiocarb and its sulfone
      already suffer from thermal degradation at a stem temperature of 90 degrees C and
      that these compounds will therefore present problems in quantitation with LC/TSP
      mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 24226240
TI  - N-Alkylnicotinium halides: A class of cationic matrix additives for enhancing the
      sensitivity in negative ion Fast-Atom bombardment mass spectrometry of
      polyanionic analytes.
AB  - The addition of some surfactants to the fast-atom bombardment (FAB) matrix
      previously has been demonstrated to enhance analyte signals in fast-atom
      bombardment mass spectrometry. In particular, cationic surfactants appear to
      enhance the negative ion FAB detectability of analytes that exist as anionic
      species in the matrix solution. It has been proposed that the charged surfactant
      concentrates the oppositely charged analyte near the surface, which results in
      larger signals for the analyte. Cationic surfactants that contain a fixed
      positive charge and an additional basic site were prepared with different
      hydrophobic moieties and were evaluated for their effectiveness as FAB matrix
      additives. The compound N-octylnico-tinium bromide (ONBr) is shown to improve
      greatly the analyte-related signals in negative ion fast-atom bombardment mass
      spectrometry for a variety of polyanionic analytes, relative to other surfactants
      (e.g., cetylpyridinium salts). This surfactant not only enhances detectability,
      but also simplifies the pseudomolecular ion region of the resulting spectra by
      reducing or eliminating metal cation adduct peaks. The simple mechanism of
      enhancement via surface activity is evaluated, and alternative mechanisms are
      considered. It is clearly shown that ONBr, as a FAB matrix additive, will allow
      mass spectrometry to be used for the analysis of anionic compounds that normally
      exhibit very low responses. 

PMID- 24226242
TI  - Involvement of strictosidine as a defensive chemical inCatharanthus roseus.
AB  - The involvement of the glucoalkaloid strictosidine in antimicrobial and
      antifeedant activity inCatharanthus roseus leaves was investigated. Strictosidine
      and its deglucosylation product, specifically formed by the enzyme strictosidine
      glucosidase, were shown to be active against several microorganisms. In contrast,
      neither the intact glucoside, nor the aglycone product(s) was found to exhibit
      antifeedant activity againstSpodoptera exigua larvae, as was found for intactC.
      roseus leaves and leaf extracts. Besides alkaloids further downstream in the
      biosynthesis pathway, a more apolar, yet unidentified compound may be involved in
      this activity. 

PMID- 24226243
TI  - Combined chemical defenses against an insect-fungal complex.
AB  - This study considered how host plant allelochemicals may contribute to defense
      against insects and fungi that jointly colonize the subcortical tissues of trees,
      the relative roles of constitutive and inducible chemistry in these defenses, and
      how the actions of two different feeding guilds might be interrelated. Our model
      consisted of the coniferous treePinus resinosa, the root- and lower stem
      colonizing beetlesHylastes porculus andDendroctonus valens, and their associated
      fungiLeptographium procerum andL. terebrantis, and the stem-colonizing bark
      beetleIps pini and its associated fungusOphiostoma ips. In a novel bioassay,
      extracts from reaction tissue elicted by wound inoculation withL. terebrantis
      were more repellent to beetles than were similar extracts from constitutive or
      mechanically wounded tissue. The effect on beetle behavior was more pronounced in
      nonpolar extracts, which contain mostly monoterpenes, than in polar extracts,
      which contain mostly phenolics. Synthetic monoterpenes at concentrations present
      in the various tissues exerted similar effects and were likewise repellent in
      dose-response experiments. Growth ofL. procerum andL. terebrantis was inhibited
      by polar extracts from constitutive and reaction tissue. Inhibition was higher in
      wounded than control tissue, but the inhibition response did not vary with the
      type of wounding. Synthetic monoterpenes strongly inhibited spore germination and
      mycelial growth of both fungi. Colonization of red pine roots byLeptographium
      spp. altered the subsequent effects of extracts of stem phloem tissue onI. pini.
      These effects varied with host condition. Beetles preferred extracts from
      constitutive stem phloem tissue of healthy trees to that of root-diseased trees.
      However, extracts from reaction tissues of healthy trees were more repellent toI.
      pini than were the reaction tissues of root-diseased trees. The implications of
      these results to plant defense against insect-fungal complexes and interactions
      among different feeding guilds are discussed. 

PMID- 24226244
TI  - Optimization of semiochemical-based trapping ofMetamasius hemipterus sericeus
      (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
AB  - Response of adults of the West Indian sugarcane weevil,Metamasius hemipterus
      sericeus, to various semiochemical treatments and physical trap designs was
      studied in southern Florida in field-grown banana and Canary Island date palms.
      Ethyl acetate released alone at 860-1007 mg/day was as effective for the capture
      ofM. h. sericeus as a combination of ethyl acetate (844-919 mg/day), ethyl
      propionate (348-362 mg/day), and ethyl butyrate (117-137 mg/day) and in one trial
      was more effective than fermenting sugarcane (250 g), ethyl propionate alone (353
      384 mg/day), ethyl butyrate alone (123-174 mg/day), or no treatment. Ethyl
      acetate released alone at 675-683 mg/day was as attractive as 250 g of fermenting
      sugarcane or the racemic blend of the male-produced aggregation pheromones [(+/-)
      5-methyl-nonan-4-ol and (+/-)-2-methyl-heptan-4-ol (8:1 ratio) "metalure"] at 3
      mg/day. Weevil counts increased with binary combinations of ethyl acetate,
      sugarcane, and/or metalure over these treatments alone and the ternary
      combination was two to three times more effective than any of the binary
      treatments. Attraction to ethyl acetate released alone at 777 mg/day with
      metalure was greater than to the hydrolysis products of ethyl acetate (ethanol
      and/or acetic acid each released at about 6-8 mg/day) with metalure. Weevil
      counts from traps baited with 250 g of sugarcane and metalure increased with
      increasing dose of ethyl acetate to about 400 mg/day and then appeared to
      plateau. Ethyl acetate (about 700 mg/day) and metalure increased weevil counts in
      traps with increasing amounts of sugarcane (0-2 kg). Molasses (45 g) + water (158
      ml) substitutes for sugarcane were about as effective for capturingM. h. sericeus
      as 250 g of fermenting sugarcane [all treatments with ethyl acetate (847 mg/day)
      and metalure]. Early experiments used a lethal pitfall trap. We demonstrated that
      several alternative trap designs were more effective than the lethal pitfall trap
      for capturing weevils. Color and height (on ground vs. 1 m on pole) did not
      affect trap efficacy when baited with the ternary combination of ethyl acetate
      (672-825 mg/day), sugarcane (250 g), and metalure. 

PMID- 24226245
TI  - Lipid compounds in secretions of fishing bat,Noctilio leporinus (Chiroptera:
      Noctilionidae).
AB  - The distinctive odor ofNoctilio leporinus arises from oily secretions found
      beneath the wings in the subaxillary region. Analysis of secretions by gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry identified 372 lipid compounds. Differences in
      number and chemical composition of glycolipids suggest that secretions of males
      from the same roost are more similar to each other than to other males or
      females. Differences in number and chemical composition of nonpolar lipids
      indicate that secretions of males are more similar to each other than to females.
      Since secretions differ between sexes, information on sexual identity and
      reproductive condition may be communicated. Individually unique lipid
      compositions further suggest that bats may be recognizable by their odor within
      the roost and while flying. 

PMID- 24226246
TI  - Attractant pheromone for male rice bug,Leptocorisa chinensis: Semiochemicals
      produced by both male and female.
AB  - GC profiles of the airborne volatiles produced by adult males and females of the
      rice bug,L. chinensis showed no qualitative chemical dimorphism. However, GC-EAD
      experiments showed that eight of the compounds elicited strong responses in male
      and female antennae. Ruling out alarm pheromone and compounds that were not found
      in the whole-body extracts of the bugs, four compounds remained to be tested as
      possible attractants. In field experiments, the whole mixture or tertiary blends
      were not attractive: however, males were strongly attracted to a 5 : 1 mixture of
      2-(E)-octenyl acetate and octanol. The attractancy of the binary mixture was
      decreased by the addition of 3-(Z)-octenyl actetate. Although the binary lure
      specifically attracted males, there was no evidence that it triggered any
      response of sexual behavior in males. 

PMID- 24226247
TI  - Interspecific advantage results in intraspecific disadvantage: Chemical
      protection versus cannibalism inUtetheisa ornatrix (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae).
AB  - This study suggests that alkaloid deficiency inUtetheisa (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)
      is a main cause of cannibalism; moreover, cannibalism can be predicted on the
      basis of alkaloid deficiency and of systemic alkaloid accumulation. This chemical
      plays a central role in the life of this species, because, first, it provides
      acquired chemical protection from potential predators, and, second, it determines
      mating success (as the alkaloid is an essential precursor of the male pheromone).
      Consequently, losers in the larval sequestering of alkaloids, which would result
      in a lack of chemical protection and in decreased mating success, tend to target
      conspecific winners, which are normally substantially protected against a variety
      of predators; by cannibalizing those accumulated alkaloid sources the losers tend
      to become the winners of cannibalistic encounters while making up their shortfall
      of these chemicals. What is a presumptive advantage in selection under high
      predation pressures and/or high alkaloid availabilities could become a
      disadvantage under high conspecific population densities and shortages of
      alkaloid supplies for larval uptake. Cannibalism may be expected to have general
      ecological importance in the evolutionary play ofUtetheisa and may contribute to
      a balanced regulation of the acquired alkaloid contents in these arctiid
      populations. 

PMID- 24226248
TI  - Insect antifeedant and growth-regulating activities of Salannin and other c-seco
      limonoids from neem oil in relation to Azadirachtin.
AB  - The antifeedant and insect growth-regulating activities of salannin, nimbin, and
      6-deacetylnimbin, in comparison with azadirachtin-A, have been studied
      againstSpodoptera litura, Pericallia ricini, andOxya fuscovittata. Salannin
      deterred feeding, delayed molt by increasing larval duration, caused larval and
      pupal mortalities, and decreased pupal weights in the two lepidopterans. Salannin
      also caused molt delays and nymphal mortalities inOxya fuscovittata. The role of
      salannin and other compounds in conferring bioactivity, along with azadirachtin
      A, to neem oil/neem seed extracts is emphasized. 

PMID- 24226249
TI  - Threshold chemosensitivity and hypothetical chemoreceptor function of the
      nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - The behavioral responses by the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans to 12 organic
      compounds was explored using tethered nematode and computer tracking methods.
      Results indicate that the nematode is attracted to acetone, diethyl ether,
      isoamyl acetate, isoamyl alcohol, 2,4-pentanedione, andn-propanol. No responses
      were detected to acetaldehyde, acetylcholine, ethanol, formaldehyde, i-propanol,
      and valerate. Isoamyl acetate and acetone were found to be the most potent
      attractants eliciting minimal responses at concentrations near 10(-10) M. The
      geometry and charge distribution of a single hypothetical receptor that would
      interact with all the compounds that elicited a response and none of the
      compounds that failed to elicit a response is explored. 

PMID- 24226250
TI  - 9-Methylgermacrene-B; proposed structure for novel homosesquiterpene from the sex
      pheromone glands ofLutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Lapinha,
      Brazil.
AB  - The principal volatile component (99 + %) of the sex pheromone glands ofLutzomyia
      longipalpis from Lapinha, Brazil, has been isolated and characterized as a novel
      homosesquiterpene with the specific structure proposed as 9-methylgermacrene-B,
      (E,E)-8-(1-methylethylidenyl)-1,5,10-trimethyl-1,5-cyclodecadiene. 

PMID- 24226251
TI  - Effect of simple phenolic compounds of heather (Calluna vulgaris) on rumen
      microbial activity in vitro.
AB  - Heather (Calluna vulgaris), a common dietary component of many mammalian
      herbivores, contains a broad range of tannin phenolics, flavonoids, and simple
      phenolic compounds. These may lead to a number of negative effects on herbivores
      as a result of toxicity or digestive inhibition. We assessed the effect of some
      simple phenolic compounds from heather on rumen microbial activity using thein
      vitro consecutive batch culture technique. The compounds tested were orcinol,
      quinol, and arbutin, a glucoside of quinol. At a concentration of 10 mM, both
      orcinol and quinol depressed production of gas and volatile fatty acids (VFAs).
      Orcinol and, to a lesser extent, quinol also reduced digestion of the substrate.
      In contrast to these negative effects on rumen microbial fermentation, arbutin
      stimulated both gas and VFA production, probably due to the presence of the
      fermentable sugar moiety. The presence of arbutin also resulted in different
      concentrations and proportions of VFAs compared to the presence of orcinol and
      quinol. Since many simple phenolic compounds are found in plants in the form of
      glycosides, the negative digestive effects of the phenolic moieties may be
      accompanied by the positive effect of the sugar moiety, which is liberated in the
      gastrointestinal tract on hydrolysis by glycosidase enzymes. This study suggests
      that when phenolics are present as glycosides, they do not necessarily adversely
      affect digestion by herbivores. 

PMID- 24226252
TI  - Olefinic acetates, Delta-9,11-14: OAc and Delta-7,9-12: OAc used as sex pheromone
      components in three geometrid moths,Idaea aversata, I. straminata, andI. biselata
      (Geometridae, Lepidoptera).
AB  - Pheromone compounds so far identified from most geometrid moths consist of all-Z
      diene, triene, or tetraene hydrocarbons with chain lengths of C17 to C21, and
      their monoepoxide derivatives biosynthesized from linoleic and linolenic acids.
      The present study reports the occurrence of olefinic acetates as sex pheromones
      in three species of Geometridae. (Z,Z)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate and (Z,Z)-7,9
      dodecadienyl acetate found in female gland extracts ofIdaea aversata elicited
      significant responses from conspecific male antennae in gas chromatography with
      electroantennographic detection (GCEAD). In extracts ofI. straminata, (Z,Z)-7,9
      dodecadienyl acetate, (E,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate, and (Z,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl
      acetate were found, and the synthetic compounds elicited strong responses from
      conspecific male antennae. In the third species,I. biselata, only (Z,Z)-7,9
      dodecadienyl acetate was found in the female extracts, and this compound elicited
      a strong EAD response from the conspecific male antenna. The identities of the
      pheromone components inI. aversata andI. straminata were further confirmed
      according to their characteristic ions after GC-MS analyses. Single sensillum
      recordings fromI. aversata showed two types of pheromone-detecting sensilla
      present on the male antenna. One type contained two receptor neurons, one of
      which was specifically tuned to (Z,Z)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate, the other to
      (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate. A second type contained one neuron responding
      to (Z,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate. The two types were clearly different also with
      respect to external morphology, the former being considerably longer and having a
      larger base diameter. Also inI. straminata two physiological types of sensilla
      could be distinguished. One type contained two neurons, one of which responded to
      (Z,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate, the other to (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate.
      The second type contained one neuron, responding to (Z,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl
      acetate. No correlation between external morphology and physiological response of
      the investigated sensilla was observed inI. straminata. In field tests, a two
      component blend containing (Z,Z)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate and (Z,Z)-7,9
      dodecadienyl acetate in a ratio of 10:1 was attractive to males ofI. aversata.
      This two-component blend was also attractive to males ofI. straminata, but in a
      ratio of 1:1. High numbers of maleI. biselata were caught in traps baited with
      (Z,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate alone. The incorporation of deuterium labels into
      pheromone components after topical application of deuterium-labeled palmitic acid
      confirmed that the pheromone components ofI. aversata could be synthesized from
      this precursor, as has been previously observed for acetate pheromone components
      of many other moth species. Our results suggest that an evolutionary reversal
      back to the production of palmitic acid-derived pheromone components has occurred
      within the geometrid subfamily Sterrhinae. 

PMID- 24226253
TI  - The importance of sequestered iridoid glycosides as a defense against an ant
      predator.
AB  - We reared larvae ofJunonia coenia Hubner (Nymphalidae) on artificial diets with
      trace concentrations of iridoid glycosides and on leaf diets with higher
      concentrations of iridoid glycosides. We offered these caterpillars to predacious
      ants and observed the effects of the following on predation: diet (artificial vs.
      leaf), site (ant colonies in dry vs. wet areas), instar (early vs. late), and
      time (changes in predation over five days). Diet and site were consistently
      significant predictors of the ants' propensities to reject prey and the
      caterpillars' abilities to escape predation. Leaf-diet caterpillars escaped more
      frequently than artificial-diet caterpillars, and ants from dry sites were more
      likely to reject prey than ants from wet sites. The percentage of iridoid
      glycosides found in individual caterpillars was also a good predictor of the
      probability of rejection by predators and prey escape. Caterpillars with higher
      levels of iridoids were more likely to be rejected and to escape, suggesting that
      sequestered iridoid glycosides are a defense against predaceous ants. 

PMID- 24226254
TI  - Mass-trapping ofCarpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in stone fruit
      orchards using synthetic aggregation pheromones and a coattractant: Development
      of a strategy for population suppression.
AB  - Experiments were conducted in southern New South Wales to evaluate the potential
      of mass-trapping using synthetic aggregation pheromones and a coattractant as a
      control option forCarpophilus spp. in stone fruit orchards. A cordon of 54 pipe
      and 54 funnel traps (one trap of each type per perimeter tree) baited with
      pheromones ofC. mutilatus andC. davidsoni and coattractant (fermenting bread
      dough) was maintained around an apricot orchard for three weeks prior to harvest.
      The incidence ofCarpophilus spp. in ripe fruit in the center of the orchard was
      significantly reduced compared to a nearby orchard or the perimeter trees
      containing traps. A cordon of 16 water-filled Magnet funnel traps baited with
      pheromones ofC. mutilatus andC. davidsoni and coattractant was placed around a 9
      * 9 block of trees in a peach orchard (single traps on alternate perimeter
      trees). This trapping regime significantly reduced infestation of fruit baits
      byCarpophilus spp. in the center tree over a period of six weeks compared to
      fruit baits in trap trees and distant (100 m) control trees. However, cordons of
      eight pheromone traps within 1 m of single trees or a single trap adjacent to a
      tree increasedCarpophilus spp. infestation of fruit baits by up to 7.5 * compared
      to trees without pheromone traps. Mass-trapping based on perimeter positioning of
      pheromone traps (at a yet to be determined distance from protected trees) appears
      to show potential as a control strategy forCarpophilus spp. in stone fruit
      orchards during fruit ripening and harvest but traps too close to trees must be
      avoided. Development of a strategy for population suppression is discussed with
      respect to trap type, efficacy, positioning, and density; pheromone and
      coattractant delivery systems; and orchard sanitation. 

PMID- 24226255
TI  - Aggregation of the scarab beetleHolotrichia consanguinea in response to female
      released pheromone suggests secondary function hypothesis for semiochemical.
AB  - The pheromone system of the scarab beetleH. consanguinea, an agricultural pest
      native to India, was investigated by extracting abdominal glands of females with
      dichloromethane and ether and analyzing them by GC-MS. Indoor bioassays with the
      natural product separated on a silica gel column showed that males responded to
      the hexane-ether (80:20) fraction by displaying a clear sexual behavior. Although
      the indoor bioassay-oriented approach did not lead to the identification of the
      active compound(s), field tests of candidate chemicals-anisole, indole, and
      phenol-showed that beetles responded strongly to anisole. Males and females were
      captured in anisolebaited traps in a ratio close to 1:1. Nearly the same sex
      ratio was also observed in beetles captured over the time during the flight
      activity of the beetles in the field. Because no clear evolutionary basis exists
      for why competing females are attracted to the semiochemical, it was simply
      referred to as a "female-released pheromone." 

PMID- 24226256
TI  - Structure-activity relationships in glucosinolates and other compounds
      stimulating oviposition in the cabbage root fly (Delia radicum).
AB  - The ability of a range of glucosinolates and other compounds in stimulating
      oviposition of the cabbage root fly (Delia radicum) was determined using a
      bioassay based on the use of surrogate leaves coated with test compounds. The
      results show that chemically dissimilar compounds are effective stimulants
      providing they contain the S=O group. No other part of the glucosinolate molecule
      was shown to be necessary. It has been shown that compounds other than
      glucosinolates may be important in the oviposition behavior ofD. radicum. 

PMID- 24226257
TI  - Multicentre validation of the Geneva Risk Score for hospitalised medical patients
      at risk of venous thromboembolism. Explicit ASsessment of Thromboembolic RIsk and
      Prophylaxis for Medical PATients in SwitzErland (ESTIMATE).
AB  - There is a need to validate risk assessment tools for hospitalised medical
      patients at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We investigated whether a
      predefined cut-off of the Geneva Risk Score, as compared to the Padua Prediction
      Score, accurately distinguishes low-risk from high-risk patients regardless of
      the use of thromboprophylaxis. In the multicentre, prospective Explicit
      ASsessment of Thromboembolic RIsk and Prophylaxis for Medical PATients in
      SwitzErland (ESTIMATE) cohort study, 1,478 hospitalised medical patients were
      enrolled of whom 637 (43%) did not receive thromboprophylaxis. The primary
      endpoint was symptomatic VTE or VTE-related death at 90 days. The study is
      registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01277536. According to the Geneva
      Risk Score, the cumulative rate of the primary endpoint was 3.2% (95% confidence
      interval [CI] 2.2-4.6%) in 962 high-risk vs 0.6% (95% CI 0.2-1.9%) in 516 low
      risk patients (p=0.002); among patients without prophylaxis, this rate was 3.5%
      vs 0.8% (p=0.029), respectively. In comparison, the Padua Prediction Score
      yielded a cumulative rate of the primary endpoint of 3.5% (95% CI 2.3-5.3%) in
      714 high-risk vs 1.1% (95% CI 0.6-2.3%) in 764 low-risk patients (p=0.002); among
      patients without prophylaxis, this rate was 3.2% vs 1.5% (p=0.130), respectively.
      Negative likelihood ratio was 0.28 (95% CI 0.10-0.83) for the Geneva Risk Score
      and 0.51 (95% CI 0.28-0.93) for the Padua Prediction Score. In conclusion, among
      hospitalised medical patients, the Geneva Risk Score predicted VTE and VTE
      related mortality and compared favourably with the Padua Prediction Score,
      particularly for its accuracy to identify low-risk patients who do not require
      thromboprophylaxis. 

PMID- 24226258
TI  - Does oral 3,5,3 '-triiodo-l-thyronine affect dietary glucose utilization and
      plasma insulin levels in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)?
AB  - A factorial experiment was conducted to determine the effect and interaction of
      dietary carbohydrate level and triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) supplementation on the
      growth, physiological response and plasma insulin and cortisol levels of rainbow
      trout. The oral administration of T3 significantly increased the growth, protein
      efficiency ratio and feed efficiency of trout, indicating an increased protein
      and perhaps energy utilization in these fish. However, T, administration did not
      significantly increase the utilization of dietary glucose as an energy source by
      the trout. Similarly, the administration of T3 did not significantly affect
      plasma insulin levels in either the fed or the fasted trout. Plasma insulin
      levels were significantly higher in fed trout reared on the non-T3 supplemented
      high carbohydrate diet in comparison to trout reared on the low carbohydrate
      diets. This indicates that increased dietary carbohydrate stimulates increased
      insulin secretion in the trout. Therefore, although rainbow trout are not insulin
      deficient, they can still be considered a diabetic-like animal due to their poor
      glucose tolerance. Plasma cortisol levels were not affected by diet composition
      and altered plasma glucose levels. 

PMID- 24226259
TI  - Effects of triiodothyronine and propylthiouracil on thyroid function and
      smoltification of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).
AB  - Yearling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were fed diets containing
      triiodothyronine (T3; 4 or 12gmg), propylthiouracil (PTU; 1.5 or 6.0 mg/g), or
      both T3 (12MUg/g) and PTU (1.5 mg/g) from January 10 to May 29. Plasma T4 and T3,
      concentrations were maintained within normal physiological limits in all groups
      of treated fish. Increases in plasma thyroxine (T4) occurred in late April in
      groups receiving the high dose of T3 or PTU, or the combination of T3, and PTU.
      Peaks of plasma T4 occurred in May in the other groups. Thyroid follicle
      epithelial cell height was increased in the groups in the following order:
      highest; PTU (6.0 mg/g), PTU (1.5 mg/g), PTU + T3, control, T3 (4gmg/g), T3
      (12MUg/g); lowest. In March specific binding of T3 by liver nuclei was not
      affected by treatment with T3 (12MUg/g) but was decreased 30% by treatment with
      PTU (6.0MUg/g). Body growth, food conversion efficiency, and pigmentary changes
      were increased by T3 (12MUg/g), decreased dose-dependently by PTU, and unaffected
      by the other dietary treatments. All treatments altered body proximate
      composition. Food consumption and the ability to osmoregulate in seawater were
      decreased in fish fed 6.0 mg/g PTU, but were unaffected by the other dietary
      treatments. These results suggest that during smoltification: 1) Thyroid hormones
      may be involved in control of thyroidal function and body growth and pigmentary
      changes, 2) Hypo-osmoregulatory competence is not further stimulated by exogenous
      T3 and 3) PTU does not block T4 synthesis but may block T3, action by interfering
      with nuclear T3 binding. 

PMID- 24226260
TI  - Annual cycle of plasma insulin and glucose of sea bass.Dicentrarchus labrax, L.
AB  - Annual plasma insulin and glucose cycles were studied inDicentrarchus labrax
      maintained in either seawater (37.80/00) or brackish water (3.50/00). In both
      media, the highest insulin levels were found during the prespawning period
      (August-November) coincident to increases in weight and a decrease in plasma
      glucose. During spawning (December-April) and postspawning (May-July) periods,
      the decrease in insulin occurred at the same time as a reduction in growth and an
      increase of plasma glucose. Temperature and salinity conditions impeded spawning
      in the brackish water group, in which a minor weight loss was regained more
      quickly than in the sea water group; insulin levels were also higher. 

PMID- 24226261
TI  - Control of gallbladder motility in the rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri.
AB  - Immunohistochemistry revealed nerves containing VIP-like and 5-HT-like material
      in both gallbladder wall and bile duct of the rainbow trout, while endocrine
      cells containing gastrin/CCK-like and substance P-like material were present in
      the mucosa of the bile duct and the duodenum. Fluorescence histochemistry showed
      adrenergic nerves close to the muscle layer of the gallbladder.Sulphated CCK8,
      caerulein and non-sulphated CCK8 (in this order of potency), 5-HT and
      acetylcholine were excitatory on isolated strip preparations, while VIP and
      adrenergic agonists were inhibitory. The adrenergic drugs were probably actingvia
      a beta-adrenergic receptor, while the effects of 5-HT and cholinergic drugs were
      antagonized by methysergide and atropine respectively.Electrical stimulation of
      the gallbladder nervesin situ failed to show any effect or under certain
      conditions induced a rebound effect.It is concluded that the motility control of
      the rainbow trout gallbladder may involve an inhibitory innervation by adrenergic
      and possibly VIP-releasing nerves, while 5-HT, acetylcholine and a CCK-like
      substance may be involved in the excitatory control. 

PMID- 24226262
TI  - Physiological responses to continuous swimming in wild salmon (Salmo salar L.)
      parr and smolt.
AB  - Wild salmon (Salmo salar) parr and smolt were forced to swim against constant
      flow (50 cm.s(-1)) for 8 hours. Physiological properties describing the hormonal
      status, the energy metabolism and the ionic and osmotic balance of fish were
      measured from the fish prior to and at the end of the swimming test.Plasma
      cortisol levels were elevated in response to enforced swimming; the response of
      the smolt was clearly greater than that of the parr. Plasma thyroxine
      concentration increased in the parr but stayed at the initial level in the
      smolts. The parr consumed much of their coelomic fat, but the glycogen stores
      stayed nearly constant. The smolts had very low fat stores, and the glycogen
      stores were depleted in the test. The ionic and osmotic balance of the parr was
      stable in the test, but in smolts, the plasma Cl(-1) and osmotic concentrations
      decreased and muscle moisture increased.The results indicate that downstream
      migration smolts have markedly lower physiological capacity for continuous
      swimming than parr. 

PMID- 24226263
TI  - The regulation of reactive changes around multiple sclerosis lesions by
      phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription.
AB  - Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) by
      phosphorylation is thought to mediate anti-inflammatory responses to CNS injury.
      Several studies have reported an increase in phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) in
      peripheral T cells and monocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)
      during relapses, suggesting that pSTAT3 might represent an inflammatory marker.
      Here, we examined immunoreactivity for pSTAT3 in brain tissue samples from MS
      patients and controls. Phosphorylated STAT3 immunoreactivity was sparse within
      lesions, with no difference between active and inactive lesions. It was, however,
      significantly greater in white matter (WM) adjacent to active and inactive
      lesions; moreover, it was significantly greater in WM adjacent to active versus
      inactive lesions. Phosphorylated STAT3-positive cells were identified as
      astrocytes and macrophages/microglia. Phosphorylated STAT3 expression was also
      detected by Western blotting in WM of patients with MS. In comparison, pSTAT3
      immunoreactivity was either rare or found focally in brain tissue samples from
      patients with other neurologic diseases. Our findings show that pSTAT3 does not
      correlate with inflammatory activity in MS lesions, but that it may play an
      important role in regulating reactive changes proximal to MS lesions.

PMID- 24226264
TI  - Thiamine deficiency induces massive cell death in the olfactory bulbs of mice.
AB  - Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency (TD) leads to focal brain necrosis in particular
      brain regions in humans and in experimental animal models. The precise mechanism
      of the selective topographic vulnerability triggered by TD still remains unclear.
      We examined the distribution pattern of cell death in the brains of mice in an
      experimental model of TD using anti-single-strand DNA immunohistochemistry and
      terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin
      nick end labeling methods. We found that interneurons in the olfactory bulb were
      sensitive to TD. The morphologic aspects of cell death in the olfactory bulb
      resembled those of cell death in thalamic neurons, which have previously been
      examined in detail. Furthermore, cell death in the olfactory bulb was partly
      relieved by the administration of an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, as
      was the case in thalamic lesions by TD. The superficial part of the olfactory
      granule cell layer seemed to be the most sensitive to TD, suggesting that
      differences in the afferents between superficial and deep granule cells may
      influence the sensitivity of these cells to TD. Our results indicate that the
      olfactory bulb should be considered as one of the vulnerable regions to TD.

PMID- 24226265
TI  - Pedunculopontine cholinergic cell loss in hallucinating Parkinson disease
      patients but not in dementia with Lewy bodies patients.
AB  - There is a cholinergic deficit in Parkinson disease (PD) and in dementia with
      Lewy bodies (DLB) that plays a role in a variety of clinical symptoms, including
      visual hallucinations (VH). The aim of this study was to assess cholinergic
      neuronal loss and PD and Alzheimer disease pathology in the pedunculopontine
      nucleus pars compacta (PPNc) of PD and DLB patients with VH. Postmortem brainstem
      tissue samples of 9 clinically diagnosed and pathologically confirmed PD patients
      with VH, 9 DLB patients with VH, and 9 age- and sex-matched nondemented controls
      were obtained from the Netherlands Brain Bank. Using a morphometric approach, we
      estimated the density of cholinergic neurons in the PPNc and determined the local
      load of alpha-synuclein-immunoreactive Lewy pathology, neurofibrillary tangles,
      and beta-amyloid plaques. Cholinergic cell density in the PPNc was significantly
      lower in PD compared with DLB patients with VH (-39%, p < 0.001) and controls (
      41%, p < 0.001). Alpha-synuclein load was higher in PD, whereas beta-amyloid
      plaque pathology was more pronounced in DLB patients. The mean cell density in
      DLB patients was not significantly reduced compared with that in controls. These
      results may indicate different patterns of degeneration of cholinergic output
      structures in PD and DLB.

PMID- 24226266
TI  - Decreased hypothalamic prohormone convertase expression in huntington disease
      patients.
AB  - In Huntington disease (HD), hypothalamic neuropeptidergic systems are not equally
      affected at the peptide and mRNA levels. Because prohormone convertases (PCs) are
      critically involved in the conversion of propeptides into their active forms, we
      postulated that a decrease in PC expression may underlie these discrepancies.
      Therefore, we assessed the expression of PC1/3 and PC2 in the hypothalamic
      infundibular, suprachiasmatic, and paraventricular nuclei in postmortem tissues
      of HD patients and controls (n = 9, each) using immunocytochemistry and
      quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We also assessed
      PC1/3 and PC2 mRNA expression in the inferior frontal gyrus and colocalization of
      both PCs with corticotropin-releasing hormone and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating
      hormone. In HD patients, PC1/3 and PC2 expression was decreased in the
      hypothalamic infundibular (both p = 0.046) and paraventricular nuclei (p = 0.031
      and p = 0.019). In the suprachiasmatic nucleus, PC1/3 and PC2 expressions were
      not different between HD and control cases; PC1/3 and PC2 mRNA levels in the
      inferior frontal gyrus were also not different. None of the PCs was colocalized
      with corticotropin-releasing hormone, whereas alpha-melanocyte-stimulating
      hormone showed colocalization with PC1/3 and PC2. These data suggest that defects
      in the processing of hypothalamic neuropeptides in HD may partially arise from
      decreased PC1/3 and PC2 expressions. These changes might contribute to selective
      neuropathology underlying various clinical manifestations and may provide novel
      therapeutic targets in HD patients.

PMID- 24226268
TI  - Proteolytic cleavage of polymeric tau protein by caspase-3: implications for
      Alzheimer disease.
AB  - Truncated tau protein at Asp(421) is associated with neurofibrillary pathology in
      Alzheimer disease (AD); however, little is known about its presence in the form
      of nonfibrillary aggregates. Here, we report immunohistochemical staining of the
      Tau-C3 antibody, which recognizes Asp(421)-truncated tau, in a group of AD cases
      with different extents of cognitive impairment. In the hippocampus, we found
      distinct nonfibrillary aggregates of Asp(421)-truncated tau. Unlike Asp(421)
      composed neurofibrillary tangles, however, these nonfibrillary pathologies did
      not increase significantly with respect to the Braak staging and, therefore, make
      no significant contribution to cognitive impairment. On the other hand, despite
      in vitro evidence that caspase-3 cleaves monomeric tau at Asp(421), to date, this
      truncation has not been demonstrated to be executed by this protease in polymeric
      tau entities. We determined that Asp(421) truncation can be produced by caspase-3
      in oligomeric and multimeric complexes of recombinant full-length tau in isolated
      native tau filaments in vitro and in situ in neurofibrillary tangles analyzed in
      fresh brain slices from AD cases. Our data suggest that generation of this
      pathologic Asp(421) truncation of tau in long-lasting fibrillary structures may
      produce further permanent toxicity for neurons in the brains of patients with AD.

PMID- 24226269
TI  - Confluence of alpha-synuclein, tau, and beta-amyloid pathologies in dementia with
      Lewy bodies.
AB  - Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is pathologically characterized by alpha
      synuclein aggregates in the brain. Most patients with DLB also show cerebral
      Alzheimer disease-type pathology (i.e. beta-amyloid plaques and
      hyperphosphorylated tau deposits). It is unclear whether this overlap is
      coincidental or driven by specific regional or cellular interactions. The aims of
      this study were to investigate the regional convergence of alpha-synuclein, tau,
      and beta-amyloid and to identify patterns of cellular co-occurrence of tau and
      alpha-synuclein in DLB. The study group consisted of 22 patients who met clinical
      and neuropathologic criteria for DLB. Protein aggregates were assessed
      semiquantitatively in 17 brain areas. APOE and MAPT genotypes were determined.
      Cellular co-occurrence of tau and alpha-synuclein was evaluated by double
      immunofluorescence. We found that total beta-amyloid pathology scores correlated
      positively with total alpha-synuclein pathology scores (rho = 0.692, p = 0.001).
      The factors that correlated best with the amount of alpha-synuclein pathology
      were the severity of beta-amyloid pathology and presence of the MAPT H1
      haplotype. Tau and alpha-synuclein frequently colocalized in limbic areas, but no
      correlation between total pathology scores was observed. This study confirms and
      extends the role of beta-amyloid deposition and the MAPT H1 haplotype as
      contributing factors in DLB pathogenesis and demonstrates the confluence of
      multiple agents in neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID- 24226267
TI  - Oligodendrocyte lineage and subventricular zone response to traumatic axonal
      injury in the corpus callosum.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury frequently causes traumatic axonal injury (TAI) in white
      matter tracts. Experimental TAI in the corpus callosum of adult mice was used to
      examine the effects on oligodendrocyte lineage cells and myelin in conjunction
      with neuroimaging. The injury targeted the corpus callosum over the
      subventricular zone, a source of neural stem/progenitor cells. Traumatic axonal
      injury was produced in the rostral body of the corpus callosum by impact onto the
      skull at the bregma. During the first week after injury, magnetic resonance
      diffusion tensor imaging showed that axial diffusivity decreased in the corpus
      callosum and that corresponding regions exhibited significant axon damage
      accompanied by hypertrophic microglia and reactive astrocytes. Oligodendrocyte
      progenitor proliferation increased in the subventricular zone and corpus
      callosum. Oligodendrocytes in the corpus callosum shifted toward upregulation of
      myelin gene transcription. Plp/CreER(T):R26IAP reporter mice showed normal
      reporter labeling of myelin sheaths 0 to 2 days after injury but labeling was
      increased between 2 and 7 days after injury. Electron microscopy revealed axon
      degeneration, demyelination, and redundant myelin figures. These findings expand
      the cell types and responses to white matter injuries that inform diffusion
      tensor imaging evaluation and identify pivotal white matter changes after TAI
      that may affect axon vulnerability vs. recovery after brain injury.

PMID- 24226271
TI  - Structural and expression differences between the vasculature of pilocytic
      astrocytomas and glioblastomas.
AB  - The identification of differences in vascular architecture and utilization of
      angiogenic pathways is a first step for identifying specific targets for tailored
      antiangiogenic therapies of brain tumor patients. Here, we compared the
      proliferating vasculature of 2 glioma subtypes with entirely different biologic
      behaviors and molecular background at the immunophenotype and gene expression
      levels. Proliferating vessels in 13 pilocytic astrocytomas and 8 glioblastomas
      were compared for differences in the composition of the vascular walls using
      confocal microscopy for markers of endothelial cells and pericytes/mural cells.
      Endothelial, pericytic, and mural cells had normal-appearing arrangements in the
      vessels in pilocytic astrocytomas, whereas those in glioblastomas appeared to be
      more disorganized. In addition, differences in expression of angiogenesis-related
      genes were sought in the tumor specimens using RNA expression arrays. There were
      114 out of 2,894 differentially expressed angiogenesis-related genes between
      these 2 glioma subtypes indicating differences in the utilization of various
      pathways. These results point to the need for detailed information on mechanisms
      of neoangiogenesis in tumor subtypes to facilitate the development of specific
      antiangiogenic strategies.

PMID- 24226270
TI  - Examination of the clinicopathologic continuum of Alzheimer disease in the
      autopsy cohort of the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center.
AB  - To test the hypothesis that Alzheimer disease (AD) is a clinical and pathologic
      continuum between normal aging and end-stage dementia, we selected a convenience
      sample of subjects from the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center 2005 to 2012
      autopsy cohort (n = 2,083) with the last clinical evaluation within 2 years
      before autopsy and no other primary neuropathologic diagnosis. Demographic and
      neuropathologic characteristics were correlated with the Clinical Dementia Rating
      Sum of Boxes in the 835 subjects meeting these criteria. Both neuritic plaques
      and neurofibrillary tangles independently predicted Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum
      of Boxes. Severe small-vessel disease, severe amyloid angiopathy, and hippocampal
      sclerosis were also independently associated with the degree of cognitive
      impairment. By contrast, education was a strong independent protective factor
      against cognitive deficits. The cause of mild to moderate dementia remained
      uncertain in 14% of the patients. Inverse probability weighting suggests the
      generalizability of these results to nonautopsied cohorts. These data indicate
      that plaques and tangles independently contribute to cognitive impairment, that
      concurrent vascular disease strongly correlates with cognitive dysfunction even
      in a sample selected to represent the AD pathologic continuum, and that education
      further modifies clinical expression. Thus, multiple concomitant etiologies of
      brain damage and premorbid characteristics contribute to the uncertainty of AD
      clinicopathologic correlations based only on tangles and plaques.

PMID- 24226272
TI  - Low intensity aerobic exercise and oxidative stress markers in older adults.
AB  - This comparative study examined the effects of regular low intensity aerobic
      exercise on oxidative stress markers in older adults. The study was carried out
      on 15 sedentary subjects (age: 65.1 +/- 3.5 years) versus 18 subjects performing
      fitness exercises (age: 65.8 +/- 3.3 years). Before and after an incremental
      exercise test, oxidative stress markers were assessed. Superoxide dismutase was
      higher at rest and at the recovery for the physically active subjects compared
      with sedentary subjects (p < .05). At recovery, glutathione peroxidase and alpha 
      Tocopherol increased significantly above the resting values only in the active
      group (p < .05). Malondialdehyde had increased in both groups (p < .01),
      associated with a higher level in the sedentary group (p < .05) at the recovery.
      These data suggest that low intensity aerobic exercise may be useful to prevent
      the decline of antioxidants linked with aging. 

PMID- 24226273
TI  - Differential protein profile in sexed bovine semen: shotgun proteomics
      investigation.
AB  - The preparation of sexed semen is based on the differential DNA content between
      the X and Y chromosome bearing sperm cells determined by fluorescence-activated
      cell sorting. In spite of its intrinsic limitations this represents the only
      effective method. However, the employment of sexed sperm for breeding food
      producing animals on a large scale requires additional knowledge in the protein
      repertoire for the development of improved methods to differentiate X and Y sperm
      cells maintaining high vitality. In order to address this issue, we performed a
      comparative shotgun proteomic investigation by nUPLC-MS/MS to characterize sexed
      bovine semen. The protein profiles of these two types of sperm cells have shown
      differential expression of proteins that may be directly associated with the main
      components of cytoskeletal structures of flagellum, as the axoneme, outer dense
      fibers and fibrous sheath, as well as glycolytic enzymes and calmodulin, involved
      in the energetic metabolism regulation. Overall these results may provide a base
      to a better comprehension of the biological features of sperm cells and may be
      useful to the development of alternative methods of separation. 

PMID- 24226274
TI  - Effects ofVerticillium albo-atrum culture filtrate on somatic embryogenesis in
      alfalfa.
AB  - Cell suspensions derived from young petioles of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were
      cultured in the presence and absence of aVerticillium albo-atrum culture filtrate
      (20% v/v) for 6 cycles. The frequency of somatic embryogenesis and the growth
      rate of the suspension cultures were investigated at each cycle. Somatic
      embryogenesis in the filtrate-treated cultures declined but was still at a
      relatively high level after 6 subcultures, compared to controls cultures which
      virtually lost the capacity for embryo formation in the same period. The decline
      in the embryogenic capacity of filtrate treated-cultures was accompanied by a six
      fold increase in the rate of growth of the cultures. 

PMID- 24226275
TI  - Improved efficiency of the walnut somatic embryo gene transfer system.
AB  - AnAgrobacterium-mediated gene transfer system which relies on repetitive
      embryogenesis to regenerate transgenic walnut plants has been made more efficient
      by using a more virulent strain ofAgrobacterium and vectors containing genes for
      both kanamycin resistance and beta-glucuronidase (GUS) activity to facilitate
      early screening and selection. Two plasmids (pCGN7001 and pCGN7314) introduced
      individually into the disarmedAgrobacterium host strain EHA101 were used as
      inoculum. Embryos maintained on medium containing 100 mg/l kanamycin after co
      cultivation produced more transformed secondary embryos than embryos maintained
      on kanamycin-free medium. Of the 186 GUS-positive secondary embryo lines
      identified, 70% were regenerated from 3 out of 16 primary embryos inoculated with
      EHA101/pCGN7314 and grown on kanamycin- containing medium, 28% from 4 out of 17
      primary embryos inoculated with EHA101/ pCGN7001 and grown on kanamycin medium,
      and 2% from one out of 13 primary embryos inoculated with EHA101/pCGN7001 but not
      exposed to kanamycin. Because kanamycin inhibits but does not completely block
      new embryo formation in controls, identification of transformants formerly
      required repetitive selection on kanamycin for several months. Introduction of
      the GUS marker gene allowed positive identification of transformant secondary
      embryos as early as 5-6 weeks after inoculation. DNA analysis of a representative
      subset of lines (n=13) derived from secondary embryos confirmed transformation
      and provided evidence for multiple insertion events in single inoculated primary
      embryos. 

PMID- 24226276
TI  - Interspecific somatic hybrids ofRudbeckia hirta andR. Laciniata (Compositae).
AB  - Interspecific somatic hybrid plants betweenRudbeckia hirta cv. Marmalade
      andR.laciniata cv. Irish Eyes were regenerated following the electro-fusion of
      mesophyll protoplasts ofR.hirta with callus protoplasts ofR.laciniata. A hybrid
      selection scheme was based on the fact that plant regeneration, from parental
      protoplasts ofR.hirta, was via shoot regeneration of callus, and only via
      rhizogenesis forR.laciniata. The other half of the selection strategy was based
      on the presence of anthocyanin-pigmented roots; a characteristic of theR.hirta
      parent only. Somatic hybrids were regenerated, via rhizogenesis, alongside
      normalR.laciniata but were distinguished by the presence of pigmented roots (a
      feature ofR.hirta). Hybrid plants had a floral morphology that was intermediate
      as compared to that of the two parents, with an expected somatic chromosome
      number of 2n=(2x+4x)=74. Pollen viability though was low. Esterase and peroxidase
      isozyme profiles confirmed the hybrid nature of the regenerated plants with
      pigmented roots, whilst chloroplast DNA restriction analysis showed that these
      hybrids had aR.laciniata chloroplast DNA. This demonstration of somatic
      hybridisation not only opens up the possibility of incorporating novel traits
      between such ornamentalCompositae species, but provides a selection strategy
      based on rhizogenesis as the route to plant regeneration coupled with heritable
      pigmentation production of roots as a confirmatory hybrid marker. 

PMID- 24226277
TI  - In vitro clonal multiplication of turmeric (Curcuma spp.) and ginger (Zingiber
      officinale Rosc.).
AB  - Rhizome buds, excised from threeCurcuma spp., and ginger, inoculated aseptically
      on MS medium with varying levels of BAP and kinetin, produced multiple shoots.
      For shoot multiplication, a concentration of 3.0 mg/l BAP was found to be optimum
      for all the species.In vitro plants were successfully established in the field
      and were morphologically uniform. A simple method to extend the subculture
      interval was used and its relevance to germplasm conservation is discussed. 

PMID- 24226278
TI  - The effects of interactions of culture environment with genotype on wheat
      (Triticum aestivum) anther culture response.
AB  - The interactions of genotype and several variables related to culture
      environment, including temperature pretreatment, conditioned medium and agar
      concentrations were examined in a series of experiments for their effects on
      percent anthers producing callus and number of embryoids produced per 100 anthers
      scored. Significant genotypic interaction was observed for both traits with all
      environmental variables except methods of medium conditioning. Such interactions
      involve both changes of response magnitude and changes of rank order of
      genotypes. The highest response frequencies observed were in excess of 30% of
      anthers callusing. Most lines examined responded relatively well to a culture
      regime utilizing a 4 degrees C treatment for 7-14 d prior to anther excision,
      followed by float culture, without transfer and without preconditioning of the
      culture medium. The results indicate, however, that particular genotypes may have
      specific requirements with respect to various environmental conditions so that
      culture conditions may need to be adjusted, especially for the least responsive
      genotypes. 

PMID- 24226279
TI  - Production of first and second generations aposporous gametophytes fromPyrrosia
      piloselloides (L.) Price frond strips cultured in vitro.
AB  - Second generation aposporous gametophytes were obtained from sporophytes derived
      from first generation aposporous gametophytes, which in turn came from the mature
      fronds grown from spores in the laboratory. Murashige and Skoog modified medium
      in 1% agar supplemented with sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol), auxins (NAA,
      2,4-D) and cytokinin (BA) promoted a higher percentage of aposporous development
      from mature fronds ofPyrrosia piloselloides derived from aseptically cultured
      spores as compared with those obtained from plants in the field. A method using
      4'6-diamidino-2-phenyl indole and fluorescence microscopy correlated the
      deoxyribonucleic acid contents of the aposporous gametophytes and sporophytes
      derived from them with their ploidy level. 

PMID- 24226280
TI  - Plant regeneration fromArabidopsis thaliana protoplasts.
AB  - Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts, isolated from a cell suspension, regenerated
      cell walls and then exhibited sustained cell divisions. Within 10 days after
      isolation as many as 40% of the protoplast-derived cells divided. Protoplast
      derived calli exhibited a wide range of developmental responses, including
      apparent embryogenesis. The cell suspension has been cryopreserved. 

PMID- 24226281
TI  - An in vitro method for screening for the presence of thepat-2 gene in tomatoes
      (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.).
AB  - Under field conditions,pat-2, the gene which conditions parthenocarpy in
      tomatoes, is recessive. A simple method has been devised for distinguishing the
      heterozygote from the two homozygotes using tissue culture. Ovaries of plants
      segregating for thepat-2 gene were excised and cultured on a medium containing
      100 ppm gibberellic acid. After three weeks in culture, three distinct ovary
      sizes could be seen. It was shown, using F 3 progeny tests, that the largest
      ovaries corresponded to those plants homozygous for thepat-2 gene, the smallest
      ovaries corresponded to those plants homozygous for the wild type allele, and the
      intermediate sized ovaries were the heterozygotes. The ability to identify the
      heterozygote would greatly simplify a backcross breeding program aimed at
      incorporating thepat-2 gene into commercial cultivars by eliminating the need for
      an F 3 progeny test to determine the genotype of a plant. 

PMID- 24226282
TI  - In situ detection of transposition of the maize controlling element (Ac) in
      transgenic soybean tissues.
AB  - The development of a transposon mutagenesis system in soybean would aid in the
      isolation of unknown genes. The maize controlling element (Ac) has, therefore,
      been introduced into the soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) genome byAgrobacterium
      mediated transformation.Ac was inserted into the untranslated leader region of
      the bacterial beta-glucuronidase gene (GUS) such that the excision ofAc resulted
      in restoration of the GUS gene activity. Excision events of theAc element were
      monitored by detecting blue cells or sectors in transgenic soybean tissues. Using
      the GUS gene assay and with hybridization data, we have demonstrated that theAc
      element transposes in transgenic soybean calli, leaves, stems, and roots. 

PMID- 24226283
TI  - Cultivation of plant cells in aqueous two-phase polymer systems.
AB  - Suspension cultures ofNicotiana tabacum have been successfully grown in aqueous,
      two-phase systems comprised of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran in a
      modified LS medium. Aqueous two-phase systems may be advantageous for plant
      tissue cultivation since cells can be immobilized in one phase while secondary
      products are collected and withdrawn in the other phase, thus enhancing
      productivity. Culture growth rate was compared in a variety of two-phase systems,
      covering a range of both polymer molecular weight and concentration. Systems
      exhibiting relatively higher phase miscibility yielded increased growth rates as
      compared to less miscible phase formulations. The highest observed growth rate
      occurred in 3% PEG 20000/5% crude dextran and approached growth rates and cell
      densities of cultures grown in standard LS medium. 

PMID- 24226284
TI  - Differentiation in explants from mature leguminous trees.
AB  - Stem and petiole explants, obtained from mature trees, ofAlbizzia lebbeck,Cassia
      fistula andC.siamea callused and differentiated shoot-buds and later shoots on B5
      medium supplemented with either 0.5 mg/l IAA + 1 mg/l BAP or BM + 2 mg/l NAA +
      0.5 mg/l BAP. The stem explants were more responsive than the petiole explants.
      InA.lebbeck, the IAA substituted medium favoured differentiation from both types
      of explants. However, inC.fistula, the type of explants rather than the medium
      composition had an overriding influence on shoot differentiation since those from
      petiole hardly responded in either medium. It has been possible to obtain
      plantlets from bothA.lebbeck andC.fistula under conditions conducive to rooting.
      Plantlets ofA.lebbeck have also been successfully transferred to the field. 

PMID- 24226285
TI  - Methylation of ribosomal RNA genes inPetunia hybrida plants, callus cultures and
      regenerated shoots.
AB  - The extent of methylation of the 18S-25S ribosomal RNA genes ofPetunia hybrida
      has been investigated using methylation-sensitive restriction endonucleases and
      Southern hybridisation. The genes in leaves, ovaries, petals, stigmas, anthers,
      and seed are methylated to a similar extent, but those in roots are
      hypomethylated. Genes in adventitious roots formed from stem cuttings are also
      hypomethylated. Genes in callus cultures initiated from leaf discs vary widely in
      the extent of methylation, but the pattern obtained is stable during culture.
      Callus cells containing hypomethylated genes can give rise to shoots in which the
      extent of methylation has reverted to that of the original leaf explant. These
      results demonstrate the striking plasticity of ribosomal RNA gene methylation
      inPetunia. 

PMID- 24226286
TI  - Somaclonal variant plants of wheat derived from mature embryo explants of three
      genotypes.
AB  - Somaclones regenerated from three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars,
      Glennson, Pavon and PAK-16171 were evaluated for variation in agronomic and
      morphological characters. Calli were initiated from germinating seeds on
      Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) medium plus 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2%
      sucrose and 1% agar. Calli were isolated and regenerated into whole plants on LS
      medium containing 0.1 mg/l indole - 3-acetic acid and 0.5 mg/l benzyladenine.
      Comparisons among the somaclones and their parents were made for plant height,
      spike length, number of grains per spike, and 100 grain weight. Significant
      variation was observed in these characters between the somaclones and parents.
      Genotypic differences were observed among the somaclones for many of these
      agronomic and morphological characters. 

PMID- 24226287
TI  - Glutathione-elicited changes in chromatin structure within the promoter of the
      defense gene chalcone synthase.
AB  - Sites hypersensitive to digestion by DNase I have been identified within the 5'
      flanking and 3'-coding sequences of genes encoding the defense enzyme chalcone
      synthase in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Two of the 5'-flanking hypersensitive
      sites are markedly induced upon elicitation of cells with glutathione and
      delineate sequence elements that are also present in the promoters of
      coordinately regulated genes. In contrast, other hypersensitive sites within the
      5'-flanking sequences are expressed constitutively and one maps within an element
      that is also present in the promoters of coordinately regulated genes. These
      results suggest that the transcriptional activation of chalcone synthase genes is
      accompanied by structural changes in the chromatin associated with the proximal
      region of the promoter and that these probably reflect the binding of
      transcription factors tocis-regulatory elements. 

PMID- 24226288
TI  - Root hair protoplasts ofLotus corniculatus L. (birdsfoot trefoil) express their
      totipotency.
AB  - Treatment of the roots of 24-48 h old seedlings of the forage legumeLotus
      corniculatus with 1.0% Cellulase YC, and 0.1% Pectolyase Y-23 in 4.2% mannitol
      solution released protoplasts from the tips of root hairs within 30-40 sec of
      enzyme incubation. Roots from approximately 1000 seedlings yielded 1.7*10(5)
      protoplasts. Ten percent of protoplasts divided to form cell colonies when
      cultured at 1.0*10(5) ml(-1) in droplets of KM8P medium with 0.6% Sea Plaque
      agarose. Colonies formed callus on UM agar medium; protoplast-derived tissues
      produced shoots on B5 medium containing 0.05 mg 1(-1) of BAP. Regenerated plants
      were phenotypically and cytologically normal (2n=2x=24+/-2), and produced
      nitrogen fixing root nodules following inoculation withRhizobium. These results
      confirm the totipotency of protoplasts isolated from specialised epidermal cells
      of seedling roots ofLotus corniculatus. 

PMID- 24226289
TI  - The ROC program: accelerated restoration of competency in a jail setting.
AB  - In 29 months of operation, the restoration of competency (ROC) program provided
      treatment services to 192 incompetent to stand trial patients in a jail setting.
      The ROC restored competency for 55% of the patients in an average of 57 days
      compared to the state hospital average of 180 days. The average cost of
      treatment/restoration per admission was $15,568 compared to the state hospital
      average of $81,000. The ROC model accelerates needed treatment for mentally ill
      defendants, cuts demand for costly state hospital forensic beds, and assists
      jails in better managing inmates with severe psychiatric disorders--yielding
      major cost savings and improved care. In addition to preventing readmissions and
      negative behavioral episodes, the ROC improved the broader forensic system by
      eliminating the state hospital waiting list, accelerating access to psychiatric
      services, promoting local access for lawyers and family, and gaining stakeholder
      satisfaction.

PMID- 24226290
TI  - Central nervous system involvement in scrub typhus.
AB  - Scrub typhus is an emerging infectious disease in India. Among its protean
      clinical manifestations, central nervous system involvement is common. In this
      prospective observational study, altered sensorium, headache, seizures and
      aseptic meningitis were found to be common central nervous system manifestations.
      Prompt treatment with doxycycline reduces morbidity and mortality. 

PMID- 24226291
TI  - Primary hydatid disease of brachialis and biceps brachii muscles: a case report.
AB  - Primary hydatid cyst of the skeletal muscle is very rare and accounts for less
      than 1% of all cases. It is often asymptomatic and can pose diagnostic problems.
      Accurate diagnosis should be made using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance
      imaging. Proper treatment should be a wide surgical resection of the localized
      muscle with the aid of antihelmintic chemotherapy pre- and postoperatively. We
      report a case of primary hydatic cyst located simultaneously in both the biceps
      brachii and brachialis muscles, treated with wide resection surgery and pre- and
      postoperative anthelmintic chemotherapy. 

PMID- 24226292
TI  - Bleeding after expandable nitinol stent placement in patients with esophageal and
      upper gastrointestinal obstruction: incidence, management, and predictors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Placement of self-expandable nitinol stents is useful for the
      treatment of esophageal and upper gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction. However,
      complications such as stent migration, tumor overgrowth, and bleeding occur.
      Although stent migration and tumor overgrowth are well documented in previous
      studies, the occurrence of bleeding has not been fully evaluated. PURPOSE: To
      evaluate the incidence, management strategies, and predictors of bleeding after
      placement of self-expandable nitinol stents in patients with esophageal and upper
      GI obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical
      records and results of computed tomography and endoscopy of 1485 consecutive
      patients with esophageal and upper GI obstructions who underwent fluoroscopically
      guided stent placement. RESULTS: Bleeding occurred in 25 of 1485 (1.7%) patients
      0 to 348 days after stent placement. Early stent-related bleeding occurred in 10
      patients (40%) and angiographic embolization was used for 5/10. Late bleeding
      occurred in 15 patients (60%) and endoscopic hemostasis was used for 7/15. Twenty
      two of 25 (88%) patients with bleeding had received prior radiotherapy and/or
      chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Bleeding is a rare complication after placement of
      expandable nitinol stents in patients with esophageal and upper GI obstruction,
      but patients with early bleeding may require embolization for control. Care must
      be exercised on placing stents in patients who have received prior radiotherapy
      or chemotherapy.

PMID- 24226293
TI  - Latest developments in the imaging of fibrotic liver disease.
AB  - According to the World Health Organization, liver cirrhosis accounted for 1.8% of
      all deaths in Europe, causing about 170,000 deaths per year. Approximately 29
      million persons in the EU suffer from chronic liver disease and this trend is on
      the rise. Liver disease is the EU's fifth most common cause of death accounting
      for at least one in six deaths. Early detection and monitoring of fibrosis has
      the potential to direct management of these chronic liver diseases and avert
      morbidity and mortality. Although the available techniques are in their infancy
      and the very early stages of fibrosis are difficult to detect, there have been
      significant advances in imaging over the last decade that has resulted in the use
      of these new imaging techniques being introduced into the patient pathway. This
      review explores the accuracies of these imaging techniques, their role in the
      management of patients, and the potential for the future. 

PMID- 24226294
TI  - Percutaneous embolization of symptomatic dissecting aneurysms of the celiac
      artery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Isolated spontaneous dissection of visceral arteries, not associated
      with aortic dissection, is a rare condition. To date, there is no consensus on
      the optimal treatment strategy. PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility,
      efficacy, and safety of percutaneous embolization for the treatment of isolated
      and symptomatic dissecting aneurysm of the celiac artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      From March 2010 to October 2011, four patients were diagnosed at our institution
      with symptomatic dissecting aneurysm of the celiac trunk. All patients had acute
      abdominal pain, two had intra-abdominal hemorrhage and bleeding shock. Three
      patients underwent elective "trapping" embolization of the celiac trunk with
      Amplatzer vascular plugs in the hepatic and splenic artery and celiac trunk, and
      coils in left gastric artery. One patient had a splenic artery rupture and
      underwent selective embolization of this vessel with platinum-fiber coils.
      RESULTS: Angiography and postoperative CT scan confirmed artery occlusion after
      embolization in all cases. Revascularization of celiac trunk branches was
      obtained via collaterals. No procedure-related adverse events occurred during
      follow-up (median, 4.5 months; range, 3-24 months) and vessel occlusion was
      maintained. CONCLUSION: Isolated and symptomatic dissecting aneurysm of the
      celiac trunk can be successfully managed by embolization techniques with good
      short- to mid-term results.

PMID- 24226295
TI  - The natural compound magnolol inhibits invasion and exhibits potential in human
      breast cancer therapy.
AB  - Invasion and metastasis are the main causes of treatment failure and death in
      breast cancer. Thus, novel invasion-based therapies such as those involving
      natural agents are urgently required. In this study, we examined the effects of
      magnolol (Mag), a compound extracted from medicinal herbs, on breast cancer cells
      in vitro and in vivo. Highly invasive cancer cells were found to be highly
      sensitive to treatment. Mag markedly inhibited the activity of highly invasive
      MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, Mag significantly downregulated matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, an enzyme critical to tumor invasion. Mag
      also inhibited nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) transcriptional activity and the
      DNA binding of NF-kappaB to MMP-9 promoter. These results indicate that Mag
      suppresses tumor invasion by inhibiting MMP-9 through the NF-kappaB pathway.
      Moreover, Mag overcame the promoting effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate
      (PMA) on the invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings reveal the therapeutic
      potential and mechanism of Mag against cancer. 

PMID- 24226297
TI  - An effort to 'leverage' the effect of participation in a mass event on physical
      activity.
AB  - Despite the considerable interest in community-based physical activity (PA)
      interventions, there is a lack of clarity on which strategies are most effective
      and most likely to work in different contexts. The purpose of this study was to
      use existing community resources to promote PA in a population sample of
      insufficiently active women using a cluster RCT design. Participants (n = 402)
      were grouped into 32 geographical-based clusters, which were randomly allocated
      into 16 intervention (n = 193) and 16 control (n = 209) regions. The intervention
      was delivered in conjunction with regional units of the Irish Sports Council;
      participants received a pack containing tailored information about local PA
      options in their community, training plans, stage-matched behaviour change
      booklets and a pedometer. Control participants received health promotion
      leaflets. Evaluation was conducted using the RE-AIM framework to assess both
      effectiveness and generalizability. Repeated measures ANOVAs with adjustment for
      clustering revealed that both groups displayed an approximate 39 min increase in
      PA, but decreases in sitting were greater in the intervention group than the
      control group (32.9 versus 1.2 min). Recall of materials was high ranging between
      85 and 97% for the various intervention components. Finally, those who received
      higher doses of the intervention (three or more components) reported an
      approximate 50 min increase in PA compared with 18 min among those who did not
      use any aspect of the intervention. While no clear intervention effect was
      evident, this research was successful in linking and implementing good research
      design with PA promoting networks. 

PMID- 24226296
TI  - Extensive lesions in the gustatory cortex in the rat do not disrupt the retention
      of a presurgically conditioned taste aversion and do not impair unconditioned
      concentration-dependent licking of sucrose and quinine.
AB  - Although damage to gustatory cortex (GC) in the rat has been reported to severely
      impair, if not eliminate, retention of a presurgically conditioned taste aversion
      (CTA), it has equivocal effects on taste preference as measured by intake tests.
      Because intake tests can be influenced by nongustatory (e.g., postingestive)
      factors, we employed the brief-access taste test to assess the effects of
      ibotenic acid-induced lesions targeting the GC on unconditioned licking to a
      sucrose and then a quinine concentration series in a specialized lickometer. As a
      functional lesion assessment, a presurgical CTA to 0.1M NaCl was established in
      thirsty rats by following 15-min intake with intraperitoneal administration of
      either LiCl (or NaCl for control) on 2 occasions. Both conditioned sham-operated
      (SHAM) rats and rats with histologically confirmed extensive damage to the GC
      (GCX) avoided a NaCl concentration series relative to unconditioned controls in a
      postsurgical brief-access CTA test, with no difference between the surgical
      groups in their responses to NaCl or similar concentrations of KCl. GCX rats also
      did not differ from SHAM rats in the EC50 of concentration-response functions for
      sucrose or quinine. Clearly, the critical cortical area required for the
      retention of a presurgical CTA falls outside of the extensive area of damage,
      which was well centered within the conventionally defined gustatory zone of the
      insular cortex. The absence of an effect on unconditioned responsiveness to
      sucrose and quinine suggests that the damaged region is also unnecessary for the
      normal expression of affective licking responses to tastants. 

PMID- 24226298
TI  - Protein synthesis in tissues of fed and starved carp, acclimated to different
      temperatures.
AB  - The temperature dependence of the rates of protein synthesis in the red and white
      skeletal muscle of the carp (Cyprinus carpio) was measured using a method which
      involved a single injection of tritiated phenylalanine. Plasma and muscle-free
      phenylalanine quickly reached a plateau level at all temperatures. During the
      plateau phase the incorporation of label into protein was liner. Muscle from fish
      previously acclimated to either a low temperature (8 degrees C) or a high
      temperature (28 degrees C), showed marked differences in the rates of protein
      synthesis. The results show that cold acclimation is associated with
      significantly higher rates of protein synthesis (p<0.001) in both red and white
      muscle. Arrhenius activation energies, derived from the rates of protein
      synthesis at the different experimental temperatures, were similar for both red
      and white muscle in fish acclimated to warm or cold temperatures. Measurements
      for both acclimated groups over the temperature range 8-34 degrees C showed that
      the activation energy for the process of protein synthesis was 86.7 kJ/mol and
      78.7 kJ/mol for the red and white muscle respectively. 

PMID- 24226299
TI  - Isolation and partial characterization of a novel keratan sulfate proteoglycan
      from metamorphosing bonefish (Albula) larvae.
AB  - Proteoglycans (PGs) were isolated from leptocephalous larvae of the bonefish
      (Albula sp.), which were in the early stages of metamorphosis, using both
      associative and dissociative conditions in the presence of protease inhibitors.
      The procedure was rapid and resulted in an extraction efficiency of 75%
      (associative) and 85-90% (dissociative). The majority of co-extracted protein
      could be effectively separated from the PGs by utilizing either Sepharose CL-2B
      or CL-6B gel chromatography. Sepharose CL-2B chromatography of extracted PGs
      after treatment with bacterial keratan sulfate-endo-beta-galactosidase
      (keratanase) showed that most of the high molecular weight (M r) carbohydrate was
      degraded. Free keratan sulfate (KS) chains were prepared from whole-larva
      extracts (which also contain small amounts of chondroitin sulfate) by both
      chondroitinase ABC treatment and ethanol fractionation. Sepharose CL-6B
      chromatography under dissociative conditions showed that larval KS chains were
      much larger (M r~55,000) than those from cornea. These chains tended to aggregate
      when chromatographed under associative conditions. Larval KS was degraded by
      keratanase and resistant to chondroitinase, ABC and testicular hyaluronidase.
      Differences were also noted in the oligosaccharides produced by keratanase
      treatment of the two preparations. However, biochemical composition of larval and
      corneal KS was similar. 

PMID- 24226300
TI  - Effects of prolonged epinephrine infusion on blood respiratory and acid-base
      states in the rainbow trout: Alpha and beta effects.
AB  - Rainbow trout were infused continuously for 12h with epinephrine in the presence
      or absence of alpha-and/or beta-adrenergic blockade to characterize the specific
      adrenergic mechanisms involved in the control of blood acid-base status and
      oxygen transport capacity. Infusion of epinephrine, alone, produced a transient
      respiratory acidosis, as indicated by an increase in carbon dioxide tension and a
      decrease in whole blood pH, yet arterial oxygen tension was elevated. Red blood
      cell pH increased by approximately 0.2 pH units during epinephrine infusion and
      this increase as well as the increase in oxygen tension were prevented by
      pretreatment with propranolol (a beta-adrenergic antagonist). Epinephrine
      infusion during alpha-adrenergic blockade caused a prolonged elevation of blood
      carbon dioxide tension and abolished the increases in hematocrit and hemoglobin
      concentrations observed during epinephrine infusion alone. Infusion of the alpha
      adrenergic agonists phenylephrine (an alpha1 agonist) or clonidine (an alpha2
      agonist) caused respiratory acidosis (decreased pH, increased CO2 tension) and a
      reduction in oxygen tension. Infusion of isoprenaline (a non-specific beta
      agonist) caused delayed increases in carbon dioxide and oxygen tensions. We
      speculate that the increased carbon dioxide tension observed during epinephrine
      infusion is a result of beta-adrenoceptor mediated inhibition of red blood cell
      bicarbonate dehydration and not branchial convective or diffusive adjustments.
      The effects of epinephrine on blood O2 tension, content and carrying capacity are
      discussed with reference to the participation of alpha- and beta-adrenergic
      mechanisms at the gill, spleen and red blood cell. 

PMID- 24226302
TI  - Referees of articles submitted to the Journal in 1987.

PMID- 24226301
TI  - Cardiac, ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar
      species of fish to waterborne cyanide.
AB  - Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were
      determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus
      nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne
      cyanide selected to produce death in 8-9 hours for each species. The lethal
      cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for
      trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia
      throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead
      followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was
      raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist)
      indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone
      but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in
      the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and
      amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last
      hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized
      by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads
      exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a
      gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred.
      Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation
      of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which
      suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to
      gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained
      above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption
      in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body
      lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were
      measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were
      much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for
      anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded
      to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas
      the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like
      response. 

PMID- 24226303
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24226304
TI  - Lower provider volume is associated with higher failure rates for endoscopic
      retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Among physicians who perform endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the relationship between procedure volume and
      outcome is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Quantify the ERCP volume-outcome relationship by
      measuring provider-specific failure rates, hospitalization rates, and other
      quality measures. RESEARCH DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SUBJECTS: A total of
      16,968 ERCPs performed by 130 physicians between 2001 and 2011, identified in the
      Indiana Network for Patient Care. MEASURES: Physicians were classified by their
      average annual Indiana Network for Patient Care volume and stratified into low
      (<25/y) and high (>=25/y). Outcomes included failed procedures, defined as repeat
      ERCP, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography or surgical exploration of the
      bile duct<=7 days after the index procedure, hospitalization rates, and 30-day
      mortality. RESULTS: Among 15,514 index ERCPs, there were 1163 (7.5%) failures;
      the failure rate was higher among low (9.5%) compared with high volume (5.7%)
      providers (P<0.001). A second ERCP within 7 days (a subgroup of failure rate)
      occurred more frequently when the original ERCP was performed by a low-volume
      (4.1%) versus a high-volume physician (2.3%, P=0.013). Patients were more
      frequently hospitalized within 24 hours when the ERCP was performed by a low
      volume (28.3%) versus high-volume physician (14.8%, P=0.002). Mortality within 30
      days was similar (low=1.9%, high=1.9%). Among low-volume physicians and after
      adjusting, the odds of having a failed procedure decreased 3.3% (95% confidence
      interval, 1.6%-5.0%, P<0.001) with each additional ERCP performed per year.
      CONCLUSIONS: Lower provider volume is associated with higher failure rate for
      ERCP, and greater need for postprocedure hospitalization.

PMID- 24226305
TI  - Surgeons' perceptions of public reporting of hospital and individual surgeon
      quality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospital-specific and surgeon-specific public reporting of
      performance measures is expanding largely due to calls for transparency from the
      public and oversight agencies. Surgeons continue to voice concerns regarding
      public reporting. Surgeons' perceptions of hospital-level and individual-level
      public reporting have not been assessed. This study (1) evaluated surgeons'
      perceptions of public reporting of surgical quality; and (2) identified specific
      barriers to surgeons' acceptance of public reporting. METHODS: All surgeons
      (n=185) at 4 hospitals (university, children's, 2 community hospitals),
      representing all surgical specialties, received a 41-item anonymous Internet
      based survey. Twenty follow-up qualitative interviews were conducted to assess
      surgeons' interpretation of findings. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 66%
      (n=122). Most surgeons supported public reporting of quality metrics at the
      hospital level (80%), but opposed individual reporting (53%, P<0.01). Fewer
      surgeons expected that individual (26%) or hospital (47%) public reporting would
      improve outcomes (P<0.01). Few indicated that their practice would change with
      hospital (11%) or individual (18%) public reporting (P=0.20). Primary concerns
      regarding public reporting at the hospital level included patients
      misinterpreting data, surgeons refusing high-risk patients, and outcome metric
      validity. Individual-surgeon level concerns included outcome metric validity,
      adequate sample sizes, and patients misinterpreting data. To make public
      reporting more acceptable, surgeons recommended patient education, simplified
      data presentation, continued risk-adjustment refinement, and internal review
      before public reporting. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons expressed concerns about public
      reporting of quality metrics, particularly reporting of individual surgeon
      performance. These concerns must be addressed to gain surgeons' acceptance and to
      use public reporting to improve health care quality.

PMID- 24226306
TI  - The impact of technology diffusion on treatment for prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of local therapy for prostate cancer may increase because of
      the perceived advantages of new technologies such as intensity-modulated
      radiotherapy (IMRT) and robotic prostatectomy. OBJECTIVE: To examine the
      association of market-level technological capacity with receipt of local therapy.
      DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SUBJECTS: Patients with localized prostate cancer
      who were diagnosed between 2003 and 2007 (n=59,043) from the Surveillance
      Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare database. MEASURES: We measured the
      capacity for delivering treatment with new technology as the number of providers
      offering robotic prostatectomy or IMRT per population in a market (hospital
      referral region). The association of this measure with receipt of prostatectomy,
      radiotherapy, or observation was examined with multinomial logistic regression.
      RESULTS: For each 1000 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, 174 underwent
      prostatectomy, 490 radiotherapy, and 336 were observed. Markets with high robotic
      prostatectomy capacity had higher use of prostatectomy (146 vs. 118 per 1000 men,
      P=0.008) but a trend toward decreased use of radiotherapy (574 vs. 601 per 1000
      men, P=0.068), resulting in a stable rate of local therapy. High versus low IMRT
      capacity did not significantly impact the use of prostatectomy (129 vs. 129 per
      1000 men, P=0.947) and radiotherapy (594 vs. 585 per 1000 men, P=0.579).
      CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a small shift from radiotherapy to prostatectomy
      in markets with high robotic prostatectomy capacity, increased capacity for both
      robotic prostatectomy and IMRT did not change the overall rate of local therapy.
      Our findings temper concerns that the new technology spurs additional therapy of
      prostate cancer.

PMID- 24226307
TI  - Rate of utilization and determinants of withdrawal of care in acute ischemic
      stroke treated with thrombolytics in USA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our current practices for utilization of thrombolytics are based on
      results of clinical trials with no or restricted use of "withdrawal of care"
      among treated patients. The increasing use of "withdrawal of care" in routine
      practice may lead to suboptimal outcomes among acute ischemic stroke patients.
      METHODS: We determined the frequency of "withdrawal of care" and determined
      demographic and clinical characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes among
      thrombolytic-treated ischemic stroke patients stratified by use of "withdrawal of
      care" using National Inpatient Sample data files from 2002 to 2010. RESULTS:
      "Withdrawal of care" during hospitalization was instituted in 4287 (3.3%) of the
      130,437 acute ischemic stroke patients treated with thrombolytics. In the
      stepwise logistic regression analysis, women [odds ratio (OR) 1.2, 95% confidence
      interval (CI), (1.0-1.5)], presence of atrial fibrillation [OR 1.2, 95% CI, (1.0
      1.5)], hemiplegia/hemiparesis [OR 1.4, 95% CI, (1.1-1.7)], aphasia [OR 1.2, 95%
      CI, (1.0-1.5)], and postthrombolytic intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 1.5, 95% CI,
      1.1-1.8) were significant predictors of "withdrawal of care" among thrombolytic
      treated ischemic stroke patient. Hospitals located in the west region [OR 1.7,
      95% CI, (1.2-2.4)], and teaching hospitals [OR 1.4, 95% CI, (1.0-1.8)] were more
      likely to use withdrawal of care. In-hospital mortality (61% vs. 9.0%, P<=0.0001)
      were higher among those with "withdrawal of care." CONCLUSIONS: Several
      individual-related and institution-related factors were associated with the use
      of "withdrawal of care" among thrombolytic-treated ischemic stroke patients. The
      excessively high mortality and resource utilization mandates a more evidence
      based policy for "withdrawal of care" in these patients.

PMID- 24226308
TI  - Prevalence, risk, and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder across ethnic
      and racial minority groups in the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We assess whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) varies in
      prevalence, diagnostic criteria endorsement, and type and frequency of
      potentially traumatic events (PTEs) among a nationally representative US sample
      of 5071 non-Latino whites, 3264 Latinos, 2178 Asians, 4249 African Americans, and
      1476 Afro-Caribbeans. METHODS: PTSD and other psychiatric disorders were
      evaluated using the World Mental Health-Composite International Diagnostic
      Interview (WMH-CIDI) in a national household sample that oversampled
      ethnic/racial minorities (n=16,238) but was weighted to produce results
      representative of the general population. RESULTS: Asians have lower prevalence
      rates of probable lifetime PTSD, whereas African Americans have higher rates as
      compared with non-Latino whites, even after adjusting for type and number of
      exposures to traumatic events, and for sociodemographic, clinical, and social
      support factors. Afro-Caribbeans and Latinos seem to demonstrate similar risk to
      non-Latino whites, adjusting for these same covariates. Higher rates of probable
      PTSD exhibited by African Americans and lower rates for Asians, as compared with
      non-Latino whites, do not appear related to differential symptom endorsement,
      differences in risk or protective factors, or differences in types and
      frequencies of PTEs across groups. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be marked
      differences in conditional risk of probable PTSD across ethnic/racial groups.
      Questions remain about what explains risk of probable PTSD. Several factors that
      might account for these differences are discussed, as well as the clinical
      implications of our findings. Uncertainty of the PTSD diagnostic assessment for
      Latinos and Asians requires further evaluation.

PMID- 24226309
TI  - Telephone-based motivational interviewing to promote physical activity and stage
      of change progression in older adults.
AB  - This study examined the efficacy of motivational interviewing (MI) for increasing
      physical activity in aging adults. Eighty-six participants aged 55 years and
      older were randomly assigned to receive either four weekly sessions of telephone
      based MI for increasing physical activity, or a healthy activity living guide
      (information only control). Changes from baseline weekly caloric expenditure from
      physical activity, self-efficacy for physical activity, and stage of change for
      physical activity were compared across groups at posttreatment and six months
      follow-up. Results indicated that MI participants had higher weekly caloric
      expenditures from physical activity at posttreatment, but not at six months
      follow-up; higher self-efficacy for physical activity at six months follow-up;
      and demonstrated greater stage of change progression across assessments. These
      findings support the use of telephone-based MI for increasing physical activity
      in older adults in the short-term. Future studies will need to determine if
      follow-up booster sessions increase long-term efficacy. 

PMID- 24226310
TI  - The doctor personality--does it exist?

PMID- 24226311
TI  - Norway and the goat kid that refused to count.

PMID- 24226312
TI  - [Better knowledge about pain management].

PMID- 24226313
TI  - [Blood Pressure Treatment--towards consensus on many things].

PMID- 24226314
TI  - [B. Gjelsvik replies].

PMID- 24226315
TI  - [Changes within analytical variation].

PMID- 24226316
TI  - [R.J. Ulvik replies].

PMID- 24226319
TI  - [The law and the budget].

PMID- 24226320
TI  - [Budget or estimates].

PMID- 24226321
TI  - [M. Halvorsen replies].

PMID- 24226322
TI  - [The origin of the word "quarantine"].

PMID- 24226323
TI  - [E. Hem replies].

PMID- 24226324
TI  - [Long-acting naltrexone--a new way out of opiate addiction?].

PMID- 24226325
TI  - [The lyme borreliosis controversy].

PMID- 24226326
TI  - [New guidelines for intravenous fluid therapy for children].

PMID- 24226328
TI  - [Notification of highly deviant biochemical analysis results].

PMID- 24226327
TI  - Long-acting injectable olanzapine can give rise to a condition consistent with
      central anticholinergic syndrome.

PMID- 24226329
TI  - [New recommendations for the interpretation of troponin values].

PMID- 24226332
TI  - Treatment of type 1 diabetes in the specialist health service--data from the
      Norwegian Diabetes Register for Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Norwegian Diabetes Register for Adults was established in 2005.
      The aim of the study is to assess the quality of treatment for adult patients
      with type 1 diabetes in the specialist health service based on register data.
      MATERIAL AND METHOD: We included patients >= 18 years with type 1 diabetes in the
      specialist health service for whom the register has data for the period from 1
      July 2010-to 31 December 2011. The patients were asked to consent to the transfer
      of data to the register when they attended a routine consultation. As of 31
      December 2011, 95% of the patients asked gave their consent. It is not known how
      large a proportion of patients were asked. RESULTS: We included the last
      registered data for 3,697 patients (46.8% women) from 24 outpatient clinics and
      specialist centres. The average age was 41.8 years and the average duration of
      diabetes was 20.8 years. Median HbA1c, systolic blood pressure and LDL
      cholesterol were 8.0%, 126 mm Hg and 2.8 mmol/l respectively. 9.8% achieved all
      treatment targets set out in the national guidelines for diabetes. 18% had HbA1c
      <= 7.0%, while 22% had HbA1c >= 9%. 39% of patients on statin therapy achieved
      the treatment target for LDL cholesterol. 19.6% smoked on a daily basis. 14.9%
      had received treatment for retinopathy and 5.8% had experienced coronary heart
      disease. There was no record of foot examination or ophthalmoscopy being
      performed in 33% and 29% of patients. INTERPRETATION: The preliminary register
      data indicate that diabetes treatment should be improved both with respect to the
      implementation of recommended procedures and the proportion of patients who
      achieve the treatment targets.

PMID- 24226333
TI  - Late onset metastases to the thyroid gland from renal carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metastases from renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid gland are
      uncommon and the clinical course often prolonged. We wished to determine the
      incidence of such metastases in surgical biopsy records from two Norwegian
      hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The archives of the Department of Pathology at
      Nordland Hospital Bodo (for the period 2002-11) and the Department of Pathology
      and Medical Genetics at St. Olav's Hospital (for the period 1986-2011) were
      searched for possible metastases from renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid gland.
      Biopsy and clinical records were later reviewed to determine sex, age, symptoms,
      the results of preoperative examinations, tumour size, immune profile and
      treatment, as well as subsequent clinical course and survival. RESULTS: The
      biopsy records of five patients, four females and one male, between the ages of
      58 and 89 years showed metastases in the thyroid gland that were morphologically
      and immunohistochemically identical to the renal cell carcinomas that had
      previously been removed from these patients. A considerable length of time had
      elapsed, up to 25 years (median 21 years), before the metastases appeared and
      gave rise to clinical symptoms. All of the patients underwent surgery. Survival
      following hemithyroidectomy ranged from two months to 13 years. One patient was
      still alive when the material was reviewed. INTERPRETATION: Metastases from renal
      clear cell carcinoma to the thyroid gland can occur many years after removal of
      the primary tumour and produce clinical symptoms such as multinodular goitres.
      Surgery is indicated if there are no other metastases. The prognosis is good in
      some patients.

PMID- 24226334
TI  - [Transcranial direct current stimulation for chronic pain].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive
      method for neuromodulation. By changing the neurons' resting membrane potential,
      the method can alter the activity in areas of the brain. We therefore wished to
      review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigate the treatment effect
      of tDCS on chronic pain. EVIDENCE: We undertook a search in PubMed with the
      search terms "transcranial direct current stimulation" and "pain", with
      "randomized controlled trial" as a filter. RESULTS: Five randomised, controlled
      trials that used quantitative outcome measures for pain were identified. The
      studies focused on strongly varying groups of patients suffering from pain. The
      results from some of the studies showed that stimulation with the aid of tDCS led
      to a significantly lower level of pain, but seen as a whole, the results were not
      conclusive. INTERPRETATION: The method should be further investigated in studies
      that include clearly defined groups of patients suffering from pain, as well as a
      larger number of participants, before implementation of the method is considered
      as a treatment option for chronic pain.

PMID- 24226335
TI  - [A horseshoe-shaped wound on the back].

PMID- 24226336
TI  - [A man in his 50s with incontinence, difficulty walking and hypernatremia].

PMID- 24226337
TI  - [Think holistically, think cooperation].

PMID- 24226338
TI  - Irritable bowel syndrome--a microbial perspective.

PMID- 24226339
TI  - [Confounder in Norwegian].

PMID- 24226342
TI  - [National guidelines for the interpretation of troponin values in the diagnosis
      of acute myocardial infarction].

PMID- 24226343
TI  - Notification of highly abnormal laboratory results to doctors outside hospitals.

PMID- 24226344
TI  - Selection index: economic weights for maximum simultaneous genetic gain.
AB  - Selection indices that maximize the correlation between an individual organism's
      index score and its breeding value frequently require a priori known "economic"
      weights before the optimum phenotypic weights can be estimated. The long
      generation intervals and economic uncertainty that surround forest tree breeding
      can make the choice of weights arbitrary. In this paper an algorithm is
      introduced for finding "economic" weights that will ensure maximum simultaneous
      progress in all index traits. At the outset the traits are assumed to be of equal
      preference. The solutions are functions of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a
      quadratic form of the additive genetic and phenotypic covariance matrices.
      Examples of applications in tree breeding emphasize the practical aspects of the
      method. 

PMID- 24226345
TI  - Genetic characterisation of a further homoeoallelic series of grain esterase
      loci,Est-6, in wheat.
AB  - Isoelectric focussing in alkaline pH gels has permitted the identification of a
      new homoeoallelic series of genes,Est-6, encoding grain esterases in bread
      wheat,Triticum aestivum. Nullisomic analysis located these genes to the short
      arms of the homoeologous group 2 chromosomes. A search for polymorphism withinEst
      6 revealed null alleles at each ofEst-A6,Est-B6 andEst-D6. A further
      homoeolocus,Est-M6, is present on chromosome arm2MS ofAegilops comosa. 

PMID- 24226346
TI  - Protein polymorphism in sugarcane revealed by two-dimensional gel analysis.
AB  - In order to identify molecular markers for the analysis of the sugarcane genome,
      proteins extracted from apical segments of shoot tissues were resolved by a
      combination of equilibrium (IEF) and nonequilibrium (NEPHGE) two-dimensional
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A number of taxa of the "Saccharum complex"
      group (Saccharum species and the related genera of Andropogoneae) with presumed
      contributions to the sugarcane genome were surveyed. Protein profiles were
      compared to a reference map consisting of 1,482 protein spots from the noble
      cane,Saccharum officinarum L. Fifty-three polypeptides, representing about 3.6%
      of the total resolved spots, showed interspecific variation, whereas 78
      polypeptides, about 5.3% of the total, showed intergeneric variation. Of the
      total polymorphic protein spots, qualitative (presence/absence) variation was
      more prevalent among the wild than among the cultivated species of the
      genusSaccharum, but the quantitative (spot intensity) variation was similar for
      both groups. The population of protein spots showing qualitative and quantitative
      variations was similar among the related genera of Andropogoneae. These
      polymorphic proteins can be used in genetic and evolutionary studies of the
      sugarcane genome. 

PMID- 24226347
TI  - The genetical control of tissue-specific peroxidases,Per-1,Per-2,Per-3,Per-4,
      andPer-5 in wheat.
AB  - Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of extracts from different tissues of hexaploid wheat
      cv "Chinese Spring" provided a method of distinguishing and identifying the four
      known, and one newly discovered, sets of genes encoding peroxidase isozyme
      production.Per-1, carried on the short arms of homoeologous group 1 chromosomes,
      shows a high degree of conservation and is active in coleoptile tissue.Per-2,
      carried on the short arms of group 2 chromosomes, shows some polymorphism and is
      most active in root tissue.Per-3, on the long arms of group 3 chromosomes, is
      highly variable and most active in embryo tissue.Per-4, carried on chromosome
      arms7AS,4AL, and7DS, is quite variable and most active in endosperm tissue. (The
      chromosome nomenclature used in this paper is that agreed to by the 7th
      International Wheat Genetics Symposium, where the previous designations of4A
      and4B were reversed.) Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based maps
      of the group 7 chromosomes were used to locatePer-A4 to a distal region of7AS. In
      addition, a further set of genes was identified as being active in root tissue.
      In wheat a single locus,Per-D5, was found on chromosome arm2DS. 

PMID- 24226348
TI  - Expression of alcohol-soluble endosperm proteins in maize single and double
      mutants.
AB  - Many maize (Zea mays L.) mutant genes exist. Some affect protein content or
      composition, while others modify carbohydrates or kernel phenotype. In
      doublemutant lines, two mutant genes are present. We know little about
      interactions of such genes, however. We therefore examined a normal maize inbred,
      B37, 10 near-isogenic single mutants and 46 double mutants to analyze
      quantitative effects on alcohol-soluble endosperm proteins. Proteins were
      extracted with 70% ethanol0.5% sodium acetate-5% mercaptoethanol, and
      fractionated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).
      Early peaks were alcohol-soluble glutelin (ASG) subunits, while late peaks
      contained zein. Results were quantified and statistically analyzed. In many
      double mutants, protein compositions differed significantly from averages of
      compositions of corresponding single mutants. For example, a high-methionine,
      water-insoluble ASG is absent when the opaque-2 (o2) gene combines with shrunken
      1 (sh1) or surgary-1 (su1). Another water-insoluble ASG nearly doubled when
      floury-2 (fl2) andsu1 combined. A high-proline, high-histidine, water-soluble ASG
      nearly doubled in combinations offl2 witho2,su1 and sugary-2 (su2). Zein was
      about half its expected value wheno2 combined with amylose-extender (ae), floury
      1 (fl1), soft-starch (h),sh1 andsu1. Thus, rapid protein extraction and
      quantitative RP-HPLC showed major new epistatic and synergistic effects of
      several mutant genes on protein composition. Unexpectedly, these effects often
      involve genes that primarily affect starch composition or kernel phenotype.
      Alcohol-soluble proteins often vary in amount, as ino2 lines. They also differ in
      nutritional value. Thus, RP-HPLC analysis of these proteins can identify
      nutritionally superior genotypes, and may help explain the basis of such quality.

PMID- 24226349
TI  - Use of recombinant inbred lines of wheat for study of associations of high
      molecular-weight glutenin subunit alleles to quantitative traits : 1. Grain yield
      and quality prediction tests.
AB  - The high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW glutenin), encoded by alleles at
      homoeologous lociGlu-A1,Glu-B1, andGlu-D1 on the long arms of chromosomes1A,1B,
      and1D of a set of F8 random recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from the bread
      wheat cross Anza * Cajeme 71, were classified by SDS-PAGE. Anza has poor
      breadmaking quality and HMW-glutenin subunits (Payne numbers) null (Glu-A1c), 7+8
      (Glu-B1b), and 2+12 (Glu-D1a); Cajeme 71 has good quality and 1 (Glu-A1a), 17+18
      (Glu-B1i), and 5+10 (Glu-D1d). The combinations of these alleles in the RIL were
      examined for associations with grain yield and four indicators of grain quality -
      protein content, yellowberry, pearling index, and SDS sedimentation volume. Data
      were obtained from a field experiment with three nitrogen fertilization
      treatments on 48 RIL and the parents. Orthogonal partitioning of the genetic
      variance associated with the three HMW glutenin subunit loci into additive and
      epistatic (digenic and trigenic) effects showed strong associations of these loci
      with grain yield and the indicators of quality; however, the associations
      accounted for no more than 25% of the differences between the parents. Genetic
      variance was detected among the RIL, which had the same HMW glutenin genotype for
      all traits. Epistatic effects were absent for grain yield and yellowberry, but
      were substantial for grain protein content, pearling index, and SDS sedimentation
      volume. All three loci had large single-locus additive effects for grain yield,
      protein, and SDS sedimentation volume. Yellowberry was largely influenced byGlu
      B1 andGlu-D1, whereas pearling index was associated withGlu-A1 andGlu-B1. Even
      though the observed associations-of effects of HMW glutenin loci with the
      quantitative characters were small relative to the total genetic variability,
      they are of considerable importance in understanding the genetics of wheat
      quality, and are useful in the development of new wheat varieties with specific
      desired characteristics. 

PMID- 24226350
TI  - Resistance toHeterodera avenue in the rye genome of triticale.
AB  - The cereal cyst nematode,Heterodera avenue Wollenweber, is a serious pest of
      cereals in many countries. A high level of resistance to the unique Australian
      pathotype of the nematode has been demonstrated in a triticale line (T701-4-6),
      which was originally obtained from CIMMYT. The level of resistance is similar to
      that in rye cultivar, South Australian, but higher than that in the wheat line
      (AUS 10894), hitherto reported to have useful resistance to the Australian
      pathotype. The gene for resistance was located on rye chromosome 6 (6R) after
      backcrossing the T701-4-6 line to wheat and correlating the resistance with the
      presence of individual rye chromosomes identified by morphological, cytological,
      and isozyme markers. Preliminary evidence suggests that the gene is located on
      the long arm of6R. To transfer the resistance to wheat, double monosomics of6R
      and6D in aph1bph1b homozygous background were selected from F2 progeny from a
      cross of disomic6R substitution for6D to theph1b mutant. Selfed seeds from these
      F2 plants will be screened for wheat-rye chromosome recombinants. 

PMID- 24226351
TI  - Cotransformation frequencies of foreign genes in soybean cell cultures.
AB  - Through the use of electroporation and a soybean (Glycine max L.) protoplast
      system, we generated stably transformed cell lines expressing a number of foreign
      genes (neomycin phosphotransferase,beta-glucuronidase, chloramphenicol acetyl
      transferase, and phosphinothricin acetyl transferase). Selected and unselected
      marker genes were cointroduced either linked on a single plasmid or as separate
      plasmids. Calli expressing multiple genes were recovered, and Cotransformation
      frequencies were established for both cases. Our results show a 50%
      cotransformation frequency in the case of linked genes. In situations in which
      two genes are introduced on independent plasmids, cotransformation frequencies
      are 18%-27%. Similar rates of cotransformation were observed among various marker
      pairs. 

PMID- 24226352
TI  - Stability of mitochondrial DNA in tissue-cultured cells of rice.
AB  - Restriction analysis of mitochondrial (mt) DNA from 3-month-old callus cultures
      of the cytoplasmic male sterile rice, V41A, which contains S2 or "wild abortive"
      cytoplasm, and its fertile maintainer, V41B, showed the same BamHI restriction
      profiles as mtDNA from the corresponding leaf material. Similarly, mtDNA of rice
      (var. Taipei 309) from leaves, a 2-month-old cell suspension (T3MS2/A), a
      totipotent suspension (T3MS) and a 19-month-old suspension, which had lost its
      protoplast regeneration ability (LB3), showed indistinguishable BamHI restriction
      profiles. However, clear differences in mtDNA restriction profiles were observed
      between LB3 and a 30-month-old suspension culture of Taipei 309 (LB1), which
      appeared to reflect substantial changes in the relative abundance of specific DNA
      sequences. Hybridisation of a maizecoxII gene probe to blots of restricted mtDNA
      confirmed that, while the relative abundance of certain mtDNA sequences was
      preserved during long-term tissue culture of rice, major changes in abundance
      were observed with other sequences. 

PMID- 24226353
TI  - Linkage and cytogenetic maps of genes controlling endosperm storage proteins and
      isozymes in rye (Secale cereale L.).
AB  - An F1 plant fromSecale cereale ssp.ancestrale xtelocentric substitution lines3R
      of the cultivated rye "Petkus spring" was used as female in a cross with the
      inbred line Riodeva (I28), which has the standard chromosome arrangement. Single
      plants from this backcross progeny were analyzed for chromosome constitution,
      storage protein, and isozymic patterns. The seed protein loci were identified
      asSec-1a andSec-1b loci controlling 40-Kgamma-secalins andomega-secalins,
      respectively. These loci are located on the short arm of chromosome1R. TheSec-3
      locus controlling high-molecular-weight secalins is located on the long arm of
      chromosome1R. A further seed protein locus,Pr-3 (55-K protein), was located on
      the short arm of chromosome1R. A linkage was found between the6Pgd-2 isozyme
      locus controlling 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase isozymes located on the long
      arm of chromosome1R and the four seed protein loci. The results favor the gene
      order:6Pgd-2 ...Sec-3 ... [centromere] ...Pr-3 ...Sec-1b ...Sec-1a. Other
      linkages detected werePer-3a andPer-3b (0.33+/-0.33 cM),Est-8 andEst-12 (0.33+/
      0.33 cM), andGot-3 and centromere (20.57+/-2.42 cM). The proxidase (Per),
      glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (Got), and esterase (Est) loci were located
      on chromosome arms2RS,3RL, and6RL, respectively. The distances and the maps
      obtained are compared with data available in the literature. 

PMID- 24226354
TI  - The effects of promoter on transient expression in conifer cell lines.
AB  - Protoplasts from suspension cultures of somatic embryos of white spruce (Picea
      glauca Moench Voss) were electroporated with plasmids containing the chimeric
      genes for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) or beta-glucuronidase (GUS),
      under control of one of three promoters. Transient CAT gene expression of
      approximately equal magnitude resulted when the CAT gene was fused to either the
      cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter or the nopaline synthase (NOS)
      promoter. When the CAT gene was fused to a tandem repeat CaMV 35S promoter (pPBI
      363), CAT enzyme activity compared to NOS or 35S promoters increased up to
      eightfold (cell line WS-34), and were up to 100-fold greater than control
      (electroporated without plasmid). Comparatively, protoplasts of black spruce
      (Picea mariana Mill) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), electroporated with
      pPBI-363, produced increases in CAT activity compared to control of 90-fold and
      70-fold, respectively. White spruce (WS-34) protoplasts were subsequently
      electroporated with the GUS gene fused to the tandem repeat CaMV 35S promoter.
      Comparatively, GUS enzyme activity increased up to tenfold compared to GUS fused
      to a CaMV 35S promoter. The results indicated that transient expression of the
      CAT and GUS genes was influenced by the type of promoter and cell line used, as
      well as by electroporation conditions. 

PMID- 24226355
TI  - Phylogeny of wild and cultivatedSolanum species based on nuclear restriction
      fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs).
AB  - Phylogenetic relationships between 14 wild and 3 cultivatedSolanum species,
      including the European potato,Solanum tuberosum ssp.tuberosum, were inferred
      using DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) as discriminating
      characters. Phenetic trees were obtained based on distance matrices as well as on
      parsimony methods, which were not significantly altered either by the
      computational method used, or by the individual plant genotypes or RFLP markers
      chosen for the analysis. The reliability of the tree topologies was assessed and,
      as expected, it increased with the number of polymorphic restriction fragments
      scored. The individual genotypes within each species, the different species
      themselves, and the main branches of the trees were clearly separated from each
      other. The least reliable parts in the trees were the positions of closely
      related species within the main clusters.S. tuberosum spp.tuberosum formed one
      group closely related withS. tuberosum spp.andigena,S. stenotomum, andS.
      canasense. This was well separated from a second group formed byS.
      sparsipilum,berthaultii,kurtzianum,gourlayi,vernei,spegazzinii,chacoense,
      andmegistacrolobum. Two further branches were formed byS. demissum andS. acaule,
      and byS. polyadenium,S. pinnatisectum,S. stoloniferum, andS. etuberosum. The
      phenetic trees presented here supported the description of relationships
      amongSolanum species based on biosystematic studies, with the exception of the
      placement ofS. chacoense andS. megistacrolobum. 

PMID- 24226357
TI  - Screening of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for physiological characters
      contributing to salinity resistance, and their relationship to overall
      performance.
AB  - Phenotypic resistance of salinity is expressed as the ability to survive and grow
      in a salinised medium. Some subjective measure of overall performance has
      normally been used in plant breeding programmes aimed at increasing salinity
      resistance, not only to evaluate progeny, but to select parents. Salinity
      resistance has, at least implicitly, been treated as a single trait.
      Physiological studies of rice suggest that a range of characteristics (such as
      low shoot sodium concentration, compartmentation of salt in older rather than
      younger leaves, tolerance to salt within leaves and plant vigour) would increase
      the ability of the plant to cope with salinity. We describe the screening of a
      large number of rice genotypes for overall performance (using an objective
      measure based on survival) and for the aforementioned physiological traits. There
      was wide variation in all the characters studied, but only vigour was strongly
      correlated with survival. Shoot sodium concentration, which a priori is expected
      to be important, accounted for only a small proportion of the variability in the
      survival of salinity. Tissue tolerance (the cellular component of resistance
      reflecting the ability to compartmentalise salt within leaves) revealed a
      fivefold range between genotypes in the tolerance of their leaves to salt, but
      this was not correlated positively with survival. On the basis of such (lack of)
      correlation, these traits would be rejected in normal plant breeding practice,
      but we discuss the fallacies involved in attempting correlation between
      individual traits and the overall performance of a salt-sensitive species in
      saline conditions. We conclude that whilst overall performance (survival) can be
      used to evaluate the salt resistance of a genotype, it is not the basis on which
      parents should be selected to construct a complex character through breeding. It
      was the norm for varieties which had one good characteristic affecting salt
      resistance to be unexceptional or poor in the others. This constitutes
      experimental evidence that the potential for salt resistance present in the rice
      genome has not been realised in genotypes currently extant. The results are
      discussed in relation to the use of physiological traits in plant breeding, with
      particular reference to environmental stresses that do not affect a significant
      part of a species' ecological range. 

PMID- 24226356
TI  - The inheritance of beta-amylase null in storage roots of sweet potato,Ipomoea
      batatas (L.) Lam.
AB  - Several sweet potato genotypes were found to lack completely or to have only
      traces ofbeta-amylase in their storage roots. Such genotypes do not increase in
      sweetness during cooking because, without a sufficient amount ofbeta-amylase, the
      normal hydrolysis of starch to maltose does not occur in the cooking process. In
      order to study the inheritance of this biochemical variant in the genotype, 41
      families were generated. The following conclusions were drawn from analyzing
      these families. (1) This trait is controlled by one recessive allele
      (designatedbeta-amy) (2) It is inherited in a hexasomic or tetradisomic manner,
      but not disomically or tetrasomically. This conclusion supports previous
      cytological data that sweet potato is an autohexaploid or has two identical
      genomes plus one genome which is somewhat different. (3) Thebeta-amy allele
      appears to exist at a high frequency in cultivated germplasm. (4) Breeding sweet
      potato for lowbeta-amylase activity is relatively easy. New types of sweet potato
      without normalbeta-amylase activity have great potential for processing and as a
      staple food. 

PMID- 24226358
TI  - Transfer of Hessian fly resistance from 'Chaupon' rye to hexaploid wheat via a
      2BS/2RL wheat-rye chromosome translocation.
AB  - Four wheat-rye lines derived from a cross between hexaploid wheat 'ND 7532' and
      'Chaupon' rye were homogeneous for resistance to biotype L of the Hessian
      fly,Mayetiola destructor. Because the wheat parent was susceptible and the rye
      parent was resistant to larval feeding, resistance was derived from rye.
      Resistance of 'Chaupon' and the wheat-rye lines was expressed as larval
      antibiosis. First-instar larvae died after feeding on plants. Chromosomal
      analyses using C- and N-banding techniques were performed on plants of each line
      to identify genomes and structural changes of chromosomes. Results showed that
      two of the resistant lines were chromosome addition lines carrying either the
      complete rye chromosome,2R, or only the long arm of2R. The other two resistant
      lines were identified as being2BS/ 2RL wheat-rye translocation lines. It was
      concluded, therefore, that the long arm of rye chromosome2R carries a gene or
      gene complex that conditions antibiosis to Hessian fly larvae and, in the2BS/2RL
      translocation lines, this rye chromatin is cytologically stable and can be used
      directly in wheat breeding programs. 

PMID- 24226360
TI  - Chromosome structure of durum wheat.
AB  - Meiotic pairing was analyzed at metaphase I in ABRR triticale * rye hybrids to
      identify the arm homoeology of chromosomes ofTriticum turgidum. Wheat chromosomes
      were identified using a C-banding technique. Results confirmed that the
      homoeologous relationships between chromosome arms of the A and B genomes inT.
      turgidum are the same as inT. aestivum, and that a double translocation
      involving4AL,5AL, and7BS is present inT. turgidum. It is proposed that a
      pericentric inversion involving a substantial portion of chromosome4A is present
      inT. turgidum andT. aestivum. 

PMID- 24226359
TI  - Transfer of cytoplasm from newBeta CMS sources to sugar beet by asymmetric fusion
      : 1. Shoot regeneration from mesophyll protoplasts and characterization of
      regenerated plants.
AB  - For our program on the transfer of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) by
      cybridization inBeta vulgaris L. (sugar beet), we have developed a procedure for
      the isolation and culture of mesophyll protoplasts of sugar beet followed by
      shoot regeneration. A prerequisite proved to be the presence in the media of n
      propylgallate (nPG), a lipoxygenase inhibitor. Sustained divisions were found in
      all accessions that were tested. Plating efficiencies and regeneration ability
      varied greatly from one experiment to the other and appeared to be accession
      dependent. Shoots could be easily transferred to soil. A majority of the
      regenerants (72%) retained the diploid chromosome number. Somaclonar variation in
      phenotype was low (4.9%). Mitochondrial DNA probes, capable of discriminating
      different cytoplasms ofBeta spp. showed no rearrangements due to the protoplast
      and in vitro culture phase, indicating that these probes can be used to identify
      cybrids after asymmetric fusions. The data presented here open up possibilities
      for genetic engineering using protoplasts in one of the world's most important
      arable crops. 

PMID- 24226361
TI  - Genetics of resistance toPuccinia graminis tritici andPuccinia recondite tritici
      in four South African wheats.
AB  - Genes for resistance toPuccinia graminis tritici andPuccinia recondita tritici
      identified in four South African wheats were:Sr6,Sr8a,Sr9e, andLr13 in
      'W3762';Sr5,Sr8a,Sr9b,Sr12,Sr24,Lr13, andLr24 in 'W3760';Sr2,Sr24,SrC,Lr13,
      andLr24 in 'W3751'; andSr7a,Sr23,Sr36, andLr16 in 'W3755'. GenesSr2,Sr9e, andSr24
      also conferred adult plant resistance to the predominant pathotypes ofP. graminis
      tritici. GenesSr7a,Sr23, andSrC, when present alone, did not confer acceptable
      adult plant resistance, even though low seedling reactions were associated with
      them when tested with the same pathotypes. Genetic recombination betweenLr13
      andSr9e was estimated at 12.5%+/-2.3%. 

PMID- 24226362
TI  - Deletion mutation as a means of isolating avirulence genes in flax rust.
AB  - The interaction between flax rust,Melampsora lini, and its host, flax,Linum
      usitatissimum, has been extensively studied, and certain genetic features make
      the system an appropriate choice to utilize in isolating genes conferring
      avirulence in rust. A mutant that was selected for virulence on Lx plants was
      isolated, after treatment with gamma rays, from a strain that is genotypicallyA
      L5,A-L6,A-L7,A-Lx/A-L5,A-L6,a-L7,a-Lx. These four specificities are tightly
      linked. Breeding tests showed that this mutant was genotypicallyA-L5,A-L6,a-L7,a
      Lx/a-L5,a-L6,a-L7,a-Lx and, when made homozygous for the mutant chromosome, was
      virulent onL5,L6,L7, andLx. This result excludes somatic recombination as a
      source of the mutation and indicates deletion as a likely cause. A 250 bp genomic
      sequence from a strain of rust homozygous for these four linked avirulence genes
      (A-L5,A-L6,A-L7,A-Lx) was isolated, using a method that allows the differential
      cloning of the specific DNA sequences located within a deletion in the mutant
      genome. This clone hybridized to two EcoRI bands in genomic DNA from the strain
      homozygous for the four linked avirulence genes and from the strain homozygousA
      L5 andA-L6 and heterozygousA-L7 andA-Lx, but showed no homology to DNA from the
      strain carrying the putative chromosomal deletion. The correlation between the
      genetically characterized deletion mutation and the isolation of a sequence from
      within a region of chromosome missing from this strain of rust suggests that this
      250 bp tract may be part of, or closely linked to, the defined set of avirulence
      genes. 

PMID- 24226363
TI  - Theoretical determination of the optimum number of parents for synthetics.
AB  - From the consideration of the expressions of the mean and of the variances amongk
      parent synthetics, it is possible, in the absence of epistasis, to give an
      algebraic determination of the optimum number of parents to include in a
      synthetic. The knowledge of four components of variance of inbred populations is
      necessary. Such components can be replaced by four simple statistics for the
      plant breeder: variances of general and specific combining abilities, variance
      among S1 families from the parents, and covariance between S1 value and general
      combining ability (GCA). A numerical study shows that this optimum is rather
      broad for a number of parents greater than four. As expected, the optimum tends
      to be higher for greater inbreeding depression. With inbreeding depression
      greater than 0.30, the maximum gain, in comparison to the random mating
      population with realistic selection intensity, would be less than 5%. In such a
      situation it will be better to use as synthetic the population improved by
      recurrent selection. 

PMID- 24226364
TI  - Association between dwarfing genes 'Rht1' and 'Rht 2' and resistance toSeptoria
      tritici Blotch in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell).
AB  - Differences in levels of resistance toSeptoria tritici blotch were observed in
      plants with a specific height-reducing gene. When the gene 'Rht 2' was present
      either as an isoline or in the progeny, a higher degree of resistance was found.
      The most susceptible plants were observed in populations carrying the 'Rht 1'
      gene. Associations, as determined by phenotypic correlations, were detected
      betweenSeptoria tritici blotch and tall stature, late heading, and maturity.
      Plants having short stature, early heading, early maturity, and acceptable levels
      of resistance were identified in the F2 population whenRht 2 was present. Results
      of this study indicated that wheat breeders must select the appropriate dwarfing
      source that may confer resistance and grow large F2 populations, in order to
      increase the probability of obtaining desired genotypes. 

PMID- 24226365
TI  - Quantitatively determined self-incompatibility : 2. Outcrossing inBorago
      officinaux.
AB  - It has been claimed that Borage (Borago officInalis L.) has a multifactorial self
      incompatibility system. Such systems may have a high level of ineffective
      pollination, and we show that this is the case in borage. The ranking of seed set
      from highest to lowest is as follows: bee-pollination; natural pollination in the
      absence of bees; artificial cross-pollination between unrelated plants;
      artificial cross-pollination between related plants; artificial self-pollination.
      In diallel crosses, significant parental effects were detected but no consistent
      patterns of seed set, which suggest a simple self-incompatibility system, were
      detected. The level of outcrossing with natural pollination was very variable but
      greater than 50%. Thus, there appears to be no straightforward self
      incompatibility system in borage. 

PMID- 24226366
TI  - Intrinsic GUS-like activities in seed plants.
AB  - Fifty-two plant species, covering some Gymnosperms and all the key groups of
      Angiosperms, were chosen for surveying their intrinsic beta-glucuronidase-like
      activities. Histochemical (overnight incubation) and qualitative fluorometric (24
      h incubation) assays indicated that, with few exceptions, such activities were
      detected in certain part(s) of the fruit walls, seed coats, endosperms or,
      especially, the embryos of the tested plants. Most of such activities in the
      excised immature embryos of soybean and string bean disappeared after one to a
      few days' in vitro culturing. Such activities in the intact mature seeds of these
      two species diminished also during germination process. The vegetative organs of
      seedlings/mature plants usually lack such activities. The enzyme(s) responsible
      for such activities was antigenically dissimilar to E. coli beta-glucuronidase. 

PMID- 24226367
TI  - Induced expression of a chimeric gene construct in transgenic lettuce plants
      using tobacco pathogenesis-related protein gene promoter region.
AB  - The expression of a stress- and salicylic acidinducible protein gene from
      tobacco, PR1a protein gene, was determined after its Introduction to lettuce
      (Lactuca sativa L.) plants. The 5' flanking 2.4 Kb fragment from PR1a gene was
      joined to the bacterial beta -glucuronidase (GUS) gene (PR-GUS) and introduced
      into lettuce cotyledons by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer using a binary
      vector containing a kanamycin-resistance gene as a selectable marker. As a
      control with constitutive expression, the chimeric gene consisting of CaMV 35S
      RNA promoter and GUS gene (35S-GUS) was used. An improved method for shoot
      formation directly from lettuce cotyledons was used effectively for
      transformation, shortening the time for regeneration. In 70% or more of kanamycin
      resistant regenerated lettuce plants, into which PR-GUS or 35S-GUS was
      introduced, high GUS activity and integration of the chimeric gene into the
      lettuce genome were detected. By treatment with salicylic acid, GUS activity
      increased 3- to 50-fold in PR-GUS transformants, however, no increase was
      detected in 35S-GUS plants. These results showed that the promoter of the stress
      inducible tobacco PR1a protein gene was introduced into lettuce plants, and the
      introduced chimeric gene was expressed normally under the regulated control of
      the PRla promoter. 

PMID- 24226368
TI  - Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of strawberry calli and recovery of
      transgenic plants.
AB  - Transformed calli and shoots of strawberry (Fragaria * ananassa Duch.) cv.
      Redcoat were obtained using Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying plasmid pB1121.
      Inoculated leaf explants produced transgenic calli at a frequency of 3% on
      selection medium containing 50 MUg/ml kanamycin. Twenty per cent of selected
      caili regenerated, giving rise to transgenic shoots. All transgenic calli and
      shoots expressed substantial amounts of GUS and NPT-II activity. The Southern
      blot analysis confirmed the insertion of both marker genes into the strawberry
      genome as single and multiple copy inserts. The transgenic shoots elongated on
      rooting medium in the presence of 25 MUg/ml kanamycin, but exhibited reduced
      rooting ability. 

PMID- 24226369
TI  - Embryo yield in wheat anther culture is influenced by the choice of sugar in the
      culture medium.
AB  - The effect of employing different sugars in wheat anther culture has been
      investigated using four Spring wheat cultivars. The most responsive cultivar,
      Orofen, gave a three to four-fold increase in embryo yield when maltose was used
      in place of sucrose, with 50 embryos being produced for every 100 anthers
      cultured. Measurement of sugar concentrations in the culture media indicated that
      sucrose was more rapidly hydrolysed than maltose. However, neither the osmotic
      potential of the medium nor the concentration of glucose appeared to be critical
      factors in determining embryo yield. 

PMID- 24226370
TI  - Genotype- and promoter-induced variability in transient beta-glucuronidase
      expression in pea protoplasts.
AB  - Leaf mesophyll protoplasts isolated from pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes Century
      and PI244253 showed transient expression of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) when
      electroporated with plasmid DNA containing various promoter-leader sequence
      constructs driving the GUS gene. The optimum conditions for transient expression
      were: using protoplasts isolated from leaf material that had been kept in the
      dark for 90 h; electroporating at 250 V and 960 MUF; and using 125 MUg of calf
      thymus carrier DNA and 75 MU of plasmid DNA. PI244253 had 5 to 20 times the GUS
      activity levels of Century. Similar levels of transient expression were obtained
      using either the nopaline synthase or cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (35S)
      promoters. These levels were lower than that obtained using a duplicated 35S
      promoter derivative. The presence of an untranslated coat protein mRNA leader
      sequence from alfalfa mosaic virus between each promoter and the GUS gene
      resulted in increased GUS activity. Leaf mesophyll protoplasts and root
      protoplasts of PI244253 did not differ in levels of transient expression. 

PMID- 24226371
TI  - Direct embryogenesis from single mesophyll protoplasts in alfalfa (Medicago
      sativa L.).
AB  - We used a tetraploid clone derived from an anther culture operation of 'Ladak'
      alfalfa to study the pathway of direct embryogenesis from leaf-mesophyll
      protoplasts. About 72% of the protoplasts divided, and 7% of those produced
      proembryos. Approximately 38% of the proembryos developed into green embryos, and
      33% initiated calluses. Other proembryos dedifferentiated into calluses which
      later redifferentiated embryos. Sixteen percent of the embryos developed directly
      into plants, whereas 81% produced plants indirectly via secondary embryos. The
      remaining 3% of the primary embryos failed to develop into plants. The lowest
      plating efficiency for direct embryogenesis was 0.3%. The high percentage of
      direct embryogenesis observed was related to the genetic nature of the clone, low
      density of liquid medium, low protoplast culture density, and the composition of
      culture media. 

PMID- 24226372
TI  - Transformation of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) using a binary Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens vector.
AB  - Kanamycin resistant plants of Solarium melongena L. (eggplant) cv. Picentia were
      obtained following the cocultivation of leaf explants with Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens. A disarmed binary vector system containing the neomycin
      phosphotransferase (NPTII) gene as the selectable marker and chloramphenicol
      acetyltransferase (CAT) as a reporter gene was utilized. In vitro grown plants
      were used as sources of explants to produce transgenic plants on selective medium
      containing 100 mg/l kanamycin. The transformation and expression of the foreign
      genes was confirmed by DNA hybridizations, leaf disc assays, and by measuring
      NPTII and CAT enzyme activities. This technique is simple, rapid, efficient, and
      transgenic eggplants of this commercial cultivar have been transferred to soil
      where they have flowered and set seed. 

PMID- 24226373
TI  - Cryopreservation of nucellar cells of navel orange (Citrus sinensis Osb. var.
      brasiliensis Tanaka) by vitrification.
AB  - The nucellar cells of navel orange(Citrus sinensis Osb. var. brasiliensis Tanaka)
      were successfully cryopreserved by vitrification. In this method, cells were
      sufficiently dehydrated with highly concentrated cryoprotective solution(PVS2)
      prior to direct plunge in liquid nitrogen. The PVS2 contains(w/v) 30% glycerol,
      15% ethylene glycol and 15% DMSO in Murashige-Tucker medium(MT) containing 0.15 M
      sucrose. Cells were treated with 60% PVS2 at 25 degrees C for 5 min and then
      chilled PVS2 at 0 degrees C for 3 min. The cell suspension of about 0.1 ml was
      loaded in a 0.5 ml transparent plastic straw and directly plunged in liquid
      nitrogen for 30 min. After rapid warming, the cell suspension was expelled in 2
      ml of MT medium containing 1.2 M sucrose. The average rate of survival was about
      80%. The vitrified cells regenerated plantlets. This method is very simple and
      the time required for cryopreservation is only about 10 min. 

PMID- 24226374
TI  - Somatic proembryo production from excised, wounded zygotic carrot embryos on
      hormone-free medium: evaluation of the effects of pH, ethylene and activated
      charcoal.
AB  - Wounded zygotic embryos of cultivated carrot produce somatic proembryos on
      hormone-free nutrient medium containing 1 mM NH 4 (+) as the sole nitrogen
      source. Continued maintenance of proembryos on this medium leads to a "pure"
      culture of preglobular stage proembryos (PGSPs). Ethylene had no effect on this
      process. Also, somatic embryo production was not affected by growing cultures on
      activated charcoal-impregnated filter papers. However, somatic proembryos
      initiated on activated charcoal papers were not maintainable as PGSPs and
      developed into later embryo stages. Normally, medium pH dropped from 5.7 to 4
      during each subculture period, but when using activated charcoal papers the pH
      endpoint was around 6-7 due to a leachable substance(s) within the filter papers.
      When powdered, activated charcoal was used in the medium as an adsorbent of
      products potentially released after wounding, pH dropped at the normal rate and
      to the expected levels; proembryos did not mature into later embryo stages and
      were maintainable exclusively as PGSPs. Low pH (~ 4) is detrimental to proembryo
      production, but is essential to maintaining PGSPs on hormone-free nutrient
      medium, whereas a sustained pH >5.7 allows continued development of PGSPs into
      later embryo stages. 

PMID- 24226375
TI  - Stress responses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) III. Induction of medicarpin and
      cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in elicitor-treated cell suspension cultures
      and protoplasts.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) accumulated phenolic
      secondary metabolites in a pattern similar to that seen in alfalfa roots. Upon
      treatment with a crude elicitor preparation from the bean pathogen Colletotrichum
      lindemuthianum, the pterocarpan phytoalexin medicarpin accumulated in cells and
      culture medium. The extractable activities of six enzymes involved in medicarpin
      biosynthesis (including three cytochrome P450 activities) were induced by
      treatment with elicitor, and their induction kinetics correlated with the rate of
      medicarpin accumulation. However, protoplasts prepared from these cultures
      accumulated neither medicarpin nor other secondary products after treatment with
      elicitor. The cytochrome P450 activities were induced during the preparation of
      the protoplasts, but could be further induced by treatment with fungal elicitor.
      The results are discussed in relation to the use of alfalfa protoplasts as a
      system for functional analysis of cloned defense genes. 

PMID- 24226376
TI  - Stress responses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) IV. Expression of defense gene
      constructs in electroporated suspension cell protoplasts.
AB  - We have investigated conditions for the uptake and expression of chimeric genes
      in protoplasts of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Constructs containing the
      bacterial reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) under the control
      of either the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter or a bean chalcone synthase
      (CHS) promoter were introduced into protoplasts by electroporation in the
      presence of polyethyleneglycol. The extent of expression in the absence of added
      inducers depended on the conditions for isolation, electroporation and subsequent
      culture of the protoplasts. Expression of the CHS promoter construct was
      increased on exposure of the protoplasts to a fungal elicitor or reduced
      glutathione. The relative levels of induced expression in relation to either
      basal expression or the type of elicitor used depended on the age of the
      suspension cultures from which the protoplasts were isolated. Electroporation of
      protoplasts with a construct from which bean CHS antisense transcripts were
      synthesized under the control of the 35S promoter resulted in the inhibition of
      appearance of elicitor-induced endogenous alfalfa CHS activity. The suitability
      of the alfalfa protoplast system for analysis and potential identification of
      defense response genes is discussed. 

PMID- 24226377
TI  - Production of isolated somatic embryos from sunflower thin cell layers.
AB  - We describe here a two step procedure which allows the easy isolation of somatic
      embryos from Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hypocotyl tissues. Thin cell layers
      composed of the epidermis plus 3 to 6 parenchyma cell layers were incubated for 5
      days in a basal Murashige and Skoog medium using an auxin to cytokinin weight
      ratio of 1/1. The epidermis layers were then transferred to a Gamborg medium
      containing a high level of sucrose. After one week of incubation in this medium,
      many somatic embryos started to be released from the parental epidermal tissue.
      Even though the germination of these embryos is difficult, we have been able to
      induce secondary embryos and regenerate fertile plants. 

PMID- 24226378
TI  - Regeneration of fertile plants from embryogenic suspension culture protoplasts of
      Sorghum vulgare.
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from immature inflorescence-derived embryogenic
      suspension cultures of two cultivars of Sorghum vulgare. The protoplasts were
      cultured in a modified K8P liquid medium. They started to divide after 4-5 days
      of culture, and achieved 16.8% division frequency by 10 days. Protocalli
      proliferated further upon transfer to C1 solid medium. After that, they were
      moved to C1 differentiation medium to induce shoot formation, followed by whole
      plant regeneration. So far, 60 plants have been obtained, with only two albinos.
      Some of these have been transplanted to soil in pots and grown to flowering and
      have set seeds. 

PMID- 24226379
TI  - Vitamin K antagonists in heart disease: current status and perspectives (Section
      III). Position paper of the ESC Working Group on Thrombosis--Task Force on
      Anticoagulants in Heart Disease.
AB  - Oral anticoagulants are a mainstay of cardiovascular therapy, and for over 60
      years vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) were the only available agents for long-term
      use. VKAs interfere with the cyclic inter-conversion of vitamin K and its 2,3
      epoxide, thus inhibiting gamma-carboxylation of glutamate residues at the amino
      termini of vitamin K-dependent proteins, including the coagulation factors (F) II
      (prothrombin), VII, IX and X, as well as of the anticoagulant proteins C, S and
      Z. The overall effect of such interference is a dose-dependent anticoagulant
      effect, which has been therapeutically exploited in heart disease since the early
      1950s. In this position paper, we review the mechanisms of action,
      pharmacological properties and side effects of VKAs, which are used in the
      management of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (where
      their use is limited), stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, heart valves
      and/or chronic heart failure. Using an evidence-based approach, we describe the
      results of completed clinical trials, highlight areas of uncertainty, and
      recommend therapeutic options for specific disorders. Although VKAs are being
      increasingly replaced in most patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation by
      the new oral anticoagulants, which target either thrombin or FXa, the VKAs remain
      the agents of choice for patients with atrial fibrillation in the setting of
      rheumatic valvular disease and for those with mechanical heart valves. 

PMID- 24226380
TI  - Elusive diagnosis of left ear nodules. Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD).

PMID- 24226382
TI  - Enantioselective organocatalytic oxidative enamine catalysis-1,5-hydride transfer
      cyclization sequences: asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines.
AB  - The first organocatalytic enantioselective intramolecular oxidative enamine
      catalysis and 1,5-hydride transfer-ring closure reaction cascade is described.
      This neutral reaction cascade allows for the efficient formation of ring-fused
      tetrahydroquinolines with high enantioselectivities. 

PMID- 24226381
TI  - Prophylaxis of intra- and postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients during
      cesarean section in spinal anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This paper describes a randomized prospective study conducted in 308
      patients undergoing caesarean section in spinal anaesthesia at a single hospital
      between 2010 and 2012 to find a suitable anti-emetic strategy for these patients.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Spinal anesthesia was performed in left prone position, at
      L3/L4 with hyperbaric 0.5% Bupivacaine according to a cc/cm body height ratio.
      There were no opioids given peri-operatively. The patients received either no
      prophylaxis (Group I) or tropisetron and metoclopramide (Group II) or
      dimenhydrinate and dexamethasone (Group III), or tropisetron as a single
      medication (Group IV). The primary outcome was nausea and/or vomiting (NV) in the
      intraoperative, early (0-2 h) or late (2-24 h) postoperative period. Multivariate
      statistical analysis was conducted with a regression analysis and a backward
      elimination of factors without significant correlation. RESULTS: All prophylactic
      agents significantly reduced NV incidence intraoperatively. Relative risk
      reduction for NV by prophylaxis was most effective (59.5%) in Group II
      (tropisetron and metoclopramide). In Group III (dimenhydrinate and
      dexamethasone), NV risk was reduced by 29.9% and by 28.7% in Group IV
      (tropisetron mono-therapy). The incidence of NV in the early (0?2 h) and the late
      (2?24 h) postoperative period was low all over (7.8%), but the relative risk
      reduction of NV in the early postoperative period was 54.1% (Group IV), 45.1%
      (Group III), and 34.8% (Group II), respectively. In the late postoperative
      period, there was no significant difference between the 4 groups. CONCLUSIONS: We
      recommend a prophylactic medication with tropisetron 2 mg and metoclopramide 20
      mg for patients during caesarean section. These agents are safe, reasonably
      priced, and highly efficient in preventing nausea and vomiting.

PMID- 24226383
TI  - Progestin-only pills for contraception.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The introduction of a new progestin-only oral contraceptive in Europe
      has renewed interest in this class of oral contraceptives. Unlike the more widely
      used combined oral contraceptives containing an estrogen plus progestin, these
      pills contain only a progestin (progestogen) and are taken without interruption.
      How these pills compare to others in their class or to combined oral
      contraceptives is not clear. OBJECTIVES: This review examined randomized
      controlled trials of progestin-only pills for differences in efficacy,
      acceptability, and continuation rates. SEARCH METHODS: Through October 2013, we
      searched the computerized databases MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), POPLINE, and LILACS for studies of progestin-only
      pills. We also searched for current trials via ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRP.
      Previous searches also included EMBASE. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all
      randomized controlled trials in any language that included progestin-only pills
      for contraception.  We incorporated any comparison with a progestin-only pill;
      this could include different doses, other progestin-only pills, combined oral
      contraceptives, or other contraceptives. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The first
      author abstracted the data and entered the information into RevMan 5. Another
      author performed a second, independent data abstraction to verify the initial
      data entry.We attempted to extract life-table rates (actuarial or continuous) and
      used the rate difference as the effect measure. Where life-table rates were not
      published, we used the incidence rate ratio (ratio of Pearl rates). Where only
      the crude number of events was published, we calculated the Peto odds ratio with
      95% confidence interval (CI) using a fixed-effect model. For continuous
      variables, the mean difference (MD) was computed with 95% CI. Because of
      disparate exposures, we were not able to combine studies in meta-analysis. MAIN
      RESULTS: Six trials met the inclusion criteria. We have not found any new studies
      since the initial review. In the trial comparing the desogestrel versus
      levonorgestrel progestin-only pill, desogestrel was not associated with a
      significantly lower risk of accidental pregnancy; the rate ratio was 0.27 (95% CI
      0.06 to 1.19). However, the desogestrel progestin-only pill caused more bleeding
      problems, although this difference was not statistically significant. The trial
      comparing low-dose mifepristone versus a levonorgestrel progestin-only pill found
      similar pregnancy rates. In the trial comparing ethynodiol diacetate versus a
      combined oral contraceptive, irregular cycles occurred in all women assigned to
      the progestin-only pill (odds ratio 135.96; 95% CI 7.61 to 2421.02). In a trial
      comparing two progestin-only and two combined oral contraceptives, the progestin
      only pill containing levonorgestrel 30 MUg had higher efficacy than did the pill
      containing norethisterone 350 MUg. An early trial found megestrol acetate
      inferior to other progestin-only pills in terms of efficacy. A study of the
      timing of pill initiation after birth found no important differences, but high
      losses to follow up undermined the trial. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Evidence is
      insufficient to compare progestin-only pills to each other or to combined oral
      contraceptives.

PMID- 24226384
TI  - Improved mass accuracy in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of
      flight mass spectrometry of peptides.
AB  - One problem of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization coupled to time-of
      flight mass spectrometry is the moderate mass accuracy that typically can be
      obtained in routine applications, Here we report improved mass accuracy for
      peptides, even when low amounts and complex peptide mixtures are used. A new
      procedure for preparing matrix surfaces is used, and there is no need to mix the
      matrix with the sample or to add internal standards. Examples are shown with a
      mass accuracy better than 50 ppm in a peptide mixture. Peptide mapping as well as
      sequencing by creating "ragged ends" or "ladder sequencing" should benefit
      especially from the improved mass accuracy. 

PMID- 24226385
TI  - Interaction of angiotensin peptides and zinc metal ions probed by electrospray
      ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - Electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry experiments were used to provide
      evidence regarding the sites of interactions between zinc metal ions and
      angiotensin peptides. The electrospray ionization mass spectra of histidine
      containing human angiotensin II (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe) and angiotensin
      I (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu) in the presence of zinc show abundant
      multiply charged ions for the zinc-attached peptide [M + aZn(2+) +(c -
      2a)H(+)](c+), where a = 1, 2 and c is charge. From collisionally activated
      dissociation experiments, with both low energy (triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometry) and high energy collisions (linked scan at constant B/E with a
      double focusing instrument) of the [M + Zn](2+) and [M + Zn + H](3+) ions for
      angiotensin II, a [b 6 + Zn](2+) species is produced as the most abundant product
      ion, suggesting that the zinc interaction site is in the vicinity of the His(6)
      residue. Additionally, tandem mass spectra from the zinc-attached ions for
      angiotensin I show abundant [b 6 + Zn](2+) and [b 9 + Zn](2+) products, providing
      evidence that both His(6) and His(9) are involved in zinc coordination. 

PMID- 24226386
TI  - The effect of charge state and the localization of charge on the collision
      induced dissociation of peptide ions.
AB  - The effect that charge state has on the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of
      peptide ions is examined in detail for several representative peptides under high
      energy collision conditions. The CID spectra of singly and doubly charged
      precursor ions (generated by fast-atom bombardment and electrospray ionization,
      respectively) are compared for several peptides with similar primary structure.
      It is shown that for peptides that contain highly basic amino acids, the
      dissociation of doubly charged ions is strongly influenced by the position of
      these residues within the peptide and the general observations reported
      concerning the dissociation of singly charged ions can be extended to precursors
      with higher charge states. Based on the dissociation behavior of the doubly
      charged ions of these peptides, it is demonstrated that two charges can reside in
      close proximity in the precursor ions, overcoming possible repulsion effects,
      when favored by a high concentration of basic sites. In addition)' this work
      illustrates that in the case of doubly charged ions..the charge state of some
      fragment ions can be determined directly from the mass-to-charge ratio
      assignments of the CID spectrum. 

PMID- 24226387
TI  - An approach to correlate tandem mass spectral data of peptides with amino acid
      sequences in a protein database.
AB  - A method to correlate the uninterpreted tandem mass spectra of peptides produced
      under low energy (10-50 eV) collision conditions with amino acid sequences in the
      Genpept database has been developed. In this method the protein database is
      searched to identify linear amino acid sequences within a mass tolerance of +/-1
      u of the precursor ion molecular weight A cross-correlation function is then used
      to provide a measurement of similarity between the mass-to-charge ratios for the
      fragment ions predicted from amino acid sequences obtained from the database and
      the fragment ions observed in the tandem mass spectrum. In general, a difference
      greater than 0.1 between the normalized cross-correlation functions of the first-
      and second-ranked search results indicates a successful match between sequence
      and spectrum. Searches of species-specific protein databases with tandem mass
      spectra acquired from peptides obtained from the enzymatically digested total
      proteins of E. coli and S. cerevisiae cells allowed matching of the spectra to
      amino acid sequences within proteins of these organisms. The approach described
      in this manuscript provides a convenient method to interpret tandem mass spectra
      with known sequences in a protein database. 

PMID- 24226388
TI  - Gas-Phase reactions of O 2 (-.) with alkyl and aryl esters of benzenedicarboxylic
      acids.
AB  - The reactions of O 2 (-.) with alkyl and aryl esters of benzenedicarboxylic acids
      have been studied under negative-ion chemical ionization (NICI) conditions via a
      conventional chemical ionization source. Reaction mechanisms have been elucidated
      by using ion isolation techniques on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance
      mass spectrometer. In addition, (18)O 2 (-.) has been used as the reagent and the
      products of competitive reactions that involve the mixed esters of
      benzenedicarboxylic acids have been studied. O 2 (-.) reactions with the alkyl
      esters of 1,2- and l,3-benzenedicarboxylic acids are attributed to SN2
      displacement at the O-alkyl carbon. The spectra of mixed alkyl esters show that O
      2 (-.) attack is reduced at sterically hindered alkyl groups. In contrast with
      the spectra of 1,2- and l,3-benzenedicarboxylic acids, the spectra of 1,4
      benzenedicarboxylic acids are dominated by M(-.) production. Reactions of O 2 (
      .) with phenyl benzoates and the aryl esters of benzenedicarboxylic acids proceed
      via addition-elimination pathways. Experiments with mixed alkyl-aryl
      benzenedicarboxylic acid esters show that the addition-elimination reaction
      pathway is preferred over O-alkyl SN2 displacement. The O2/ Ar-NICI mass spectra
      show features that can be used to distinguish 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1/4
      benzenedicarboxylic acid esters. Molecular and fragment ions provide structural
      information complementary to that generated under electron ionization and
      chemical ionization conditions. 

PMID- 24226389
TI  - Automated high-speed analysis of selected organic compounds in urban air by on
      line isotopic dilution cryofocusing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
AB  - An automated environmental air monitor has been developed to measure selected
      organic compounds in urban air. The instrument is based on a cryofocusing-thermal
      desorption gas chromatographic mass spectrometry technique where the mass
      spectrometer is a slightly modified residual gas analyzer (RGA). The RGA was
      chosen as a detector because the whole system must be robust for long periods,
      with 24-h continuous air monitoring. RCA are extremely simple and seemed the most
      reliable mass spectrometers for this purpose. Moreover, because they have no
      physically limited ion source, contamination is considerably reduced, so
      maintenance intervals are longer.The gas chromatograph is equipped with a
      computer-controlled six-way sampling valve, with a 100-mL sampling loop and
      thermal desorption cold trap injector. Environmental air is enriched with an
      isotopically labeled internal standard in the sampling line. This internal
      standard is added with a validated, custom-made, permeation tube device. The "on
      line" internal standard provides for high quality quantitative data because all
      variations in instrument sensitivity in cryofocusing or in thermal desorption
      efficiency are taken into account. High repetition rates (down to 5 min for a
      full analytical cycle) are obtained with the use of an isothermal gas
      chromatography program, microbore capillary column, and environmental air
      sampling during the gas chromatography run. 

PMID- 24226390
TI  - An inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometer for elemental
      analysis. Part I: Optimization and characteristics.
AB  - An inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ICP-TOFMS) has
      been constructed and evaluated for elemental analysis. The instrument produces
      analog spectra similar to those from quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass
      spectrometers. The large abundance of Ar ions is deflected away from the
      microchannel plate detector to reduce detector dead time and space-charge
      complications. The ICP-TOFMS, operated in a linear (nonreflecting) mode,
      currently has a resolving power of 500 (full width at half maximum). Present ion
      optics employed in the instrument require a trade-off between signal-to-noise
      ratio and resolving power. In addition, mass-dependent kinetic energies in the
      supersonic beam created in the ICP mass spectrometer interface cause a mass bias
      in the right-angle TOFMS because the ions must be steered to the detector to
      compensate for their velocity in the supersonic beam direction. In the current
      design the sampling duty cycle is only approximately 3%, thereby limiting
      sensitivity. However, positive potentials applied to the right-angle extraction
      region can increase sensitivity by a factor of 2-4 by slowing down the ions that
      enter the extraction zone. The transmission efficiency of the TOFMS is
      approximately 20% and is limited by divergence of the ion packet in the drift
      tube. 

PMID- 24226391
TI  - Beam-induced reaction between meta-nitrobenzyl alcohol and dipyridocyanine dyes
      in liquid-secondary-ion mass spectrometry.
AB  - Analyses of cationic dipyridocyanine dyes by liquid-secondary-ion mass
      spectrometry in a liquid matrix of meta-nitrobenzyl alcohol (rnNBA) provide
      evidence for beam-induced addition reactions between the sample molecule (C) and
      the mNBA solvent. The ionic products of these addition reactions formally
      correspond to [C+mNBA-O2](+), Ic+mNBA-O2-H](+), and [C+mNBA-O2-2H](+). Initial
      loss of H from the adduct ion extends the conjugation of the adduct into the mNBA
      ring structure, whereas the final loss of hydrogen is thought to be promulgated
      by the formation of a benzylic radical stabilized through resonance with the pi
      electron system of the nitrobenzyl alcohol. Alternatively, two hydrogens may be
      lost from the alcohol functionality to form an aldehyde. 

PMID- 24226392
TI  - Matrix design for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization: Sensitive
      determination of PAH-DNA adducts.
AB  - Two matrices, 4-phenyl-alpha-eyanocinnamic acid (PCC) and 4-benzyloxy-alpha
      eyanocinnamic acid (BCC), were identified for the determination of polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) adducts of DNA bases by matrix-assisted laser
      desorption ionization. These matrices were designed based on the concept that the
      matrix and the analyte should have structural similarities. PCC is a good matrix
      for the desorption of not only PAH-modified DNA bases, but also PAHs themselves
      and their metabolites. Detections can be made at the femtomolar level. 

PMID- 24226393
TI  - Erratum to: Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of alkanes, alkenes, and
      cydoalkanes.

PMID- 24226395
TI  - Isolation of monoclonal antibodies reacting with peribacteriod membranes and
      other components of pea root nodules containing Rhizobium leguminosarum.
AB  - Plant and bacterial antigens contributing to nodule development and symbiosis in
      pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots were identified after isolation of a set of
      monoclonal antibody (McAb)-producing hybridoma lines. Rats were immunised with
      the peribacteriod material released by mild osmotic shock treatment from membrane
      enclosed bacteroids of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viceae. In order to diversify
      the range of McAb specificities, this material was either used as immunogen
      directly (method 1), or after immunodepletion of a set of glycoprotein and
      lipopolysaccharide antigens (method 2), or after deglycosylation (method 3).
      After fusion and screening of cloned hybridoma lines, these three immunisation
      methods gave respectively 4, 2 and 1 classes of McAb with unique antigen
      specificities. Ultrastructural immunogold localisation studies showed four
      different antigens to be present on peribacteriod and plasma membranes
      (identified by MAC 64, 202, 206 or 209); in addition, a glycoprotein of plant
      origin but present in the infection-thread matrix was identified by MAC 204.
      Although none of the epitopes recognised by these McAb was nodule-specific,
      several were found to be more abundant in extracts of nodule tissue than in
      uninfected roots (MAC 64, 202, 204, 206). Two McAb reacted with new bacterial
      antigens: MAC 203 identified a bacterial antigen expressed upon infection but not
      in free-living cultures of Rhizobium, and MAC 115 identified a bacterial
      polypeptide (55 kdaltons) that was present in both free-living and bacteroid
      forms. There were also some McAb of broader specificity that react with antigens
      present in both plant and bacterial cytoplasms. 

PMID- 24226396
TI  - Growth of anthers in Lilium longiflorum : A kinematic analysis.
AB  - The post-initiation growth of 64 anthers (1.1-17.4 mm long) in Lilium longiflorum
      Thumb. was examined by time-lapse marking experiments in combination with serial
      sections and the scanning electron microscope. Each anther was characterized by
      spatial and temporal variation in growth rate. Larger anthers had two, and
      occasionally three, series of peaks and troughs in local growth rate. Regions of
      negative growth rate were frequently encountered. When observed over several
      days, the growth maxima and minima were found to move basipetally as a waveform
      down the length of the anther. The wavelength was longer in taller anthers;
      amplitude and frequency were variable, and anthers of the same size were not
      always synchronous. Distribution patterns of cell division (and elongation, once
      division has ceased) recapitulate the growth data. Anther growth is a non-steady
      system, therefore, with growth centers constantly shifting. Implications for
      future studies in organ growth patterns are discussed. 

PMID- 24226397
TI  - The capacity of plastids from developing pea cotyledons to synthesise acetyl CoA.
AB  - In order to determine whether the enzymes required to convert triose phosphate to
      acetyl CoA were present in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seed plastids, a rapid,
      mechanical technique was used to isolate plastids from developing cotyledons. The
      plastids were intact and the extraplastidial contamination was low. The following
      glycolytic enzymes, though predominantly cytosolic, were found to be present in
      plastids: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.12),
      phosphoglycerate kinase (EC 2.7.2.3), and pyruvate kinase(EC 2.7.1.40). Evidence
      is presented which indicates that plastids also contained low activities of
      enolase (EC 4.2.1.11) and phosphoglycerate mutase (EC 2.7.5.3). Pyruvate
      dehydrogenase, although predominantly mitochondrial, was also present in
      plastids. The plastidial activities of the above enzymes were high enough to
      account for the rate of lipid synthesis observed in vivo. 

PMID- 24226398
TI  - Leaf anatomy and ultrastructure of the Crassulacean-acid-metabolism plant
      Kalanchoe daigremontiana.
AB  - Light-microscopic analysis of leaf clearings of the obligate Crassulacean-acid
      metabolism (CAM) species Kalanchoe daigremontiana Hamet et Perr. has shown the
      existence of unusual and highly irregular venation patterns. Fifth-order veins
      exhibit a three-dimensional random orientation with respect to the mesophyll.
      Minor veins were often observed crossing over or under each other and over and
      under major veins in the mesophyll. Paraffin sections of mature leaves show
      tannin cells scattered throughout the mesophyll rather evenly spaced, and a
      distinct layer of tannin cells below the abaxial epidermis. Scanning electron
      microscopy showed that bundle-sheath cells are distinct from the surrounding
      mesophyll in veins of all orders. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated
      developing sieve-tube elements in expanded leaves. Cytosolic vesicles produced by
      dictyosomes undergo a diurnal variation in number and were often observed in
      association with the chloroplasts. These vesicles are an interesting feature of
      cell ultrastructure of CAM cells and may serve a regulatory role in the diurnal
      malic-acid fluctuations in this species. 

PMID- 24226399
TI  - Plasmalemma- and tonoplast-ATPase activity in mesophyll protoplasts, vacuoles and
      microsomes of the Crassulacean-acid-metabolism plant Kalanchoe daigremontiana.
AB  - Adenosine-triphosphatase activity on the plasmalemma and tonoplast of isolated
      mesophyll protoplasts, isolated vacuoles and tonoplast-derived microsomes of the
      Crassulacean-acid-metabolism plant Kalanchoe daigremontiana Hamet et Perr., was
      localized by a cytochemical procedure using lead citrate. Enzyme activity was
      detected on the cytoplasmic surfaces of the plasmalemma and tonoplast. The
      identity of the enzymes was confirmed by various treatments differentiating the
      enzymes by their sensitivity to inhibitors of plasmalemma and tonoplast H(+)
      ATPase. Isolated vacuoles and microsomes prepared from isolated vacuoles clearly
      exhibited single-sided deposition on membrane surfaces. 

PMID- 24226400
TI  - Cellular localization of nonhost resistance reactions of parsley (Petroselinum
      crispum) to fungal infection.
AB  - The response of parsley seedlings (Petroselinum crispum) inoculated with
      zoospores of the soybean-pathogenic fungus, Phytophthora megasperma f. sp.
      glycinea, ranged from "immunity" to "physiological susceptibility" depending on
      the post-inoculation environmental conditions. Typical nonhost resistance
      reactions, hypersensitive cell death and the formation of small local lesions,
      occurred under high relative humidity and 16 h illumination per day. Localized
      biochemical reactions were monitored using fluorescence microscopy combined with
      histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. The rapid accumulation of
      furanocoumarin phytoalexins, wall-bound phenolics and callose was detected around
      infection sites. Indirect antibody staining of frozen tissue sections
      demonstrated the local accumulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, a key enzyme
      of general phenylpropanoid metabolism, and S-adenosyl-L-methionine: bergaptol O
      methyltransferase, a specific enzyme of the furanocoumarin pathway. The results
      indicate that phenylpropanoid derivatives are synthesized de novo at infection
      sites. 

PMID- 24226401
TI  - Influence of energy flux and quality of light on the molecular organization of
      the photosynthetic apparatus in Scenedesmus.
AB  - The photosynthetic apparatus of the unicellular green alga Scenedesmus obliquus
      adapts to different levels and qualities of light as documented by the fluence
      rate curves of photosynthetic oxygen evolution. Cultures adapted to low fluence
      rates of white light (5W.m(-2)) have more chlorophyll (Chl) per cell mass, a
      higher chlorophyll to carotenoid ratio and a doubling of the chlorophyll to
      cytochrome f ratio compared with cells adapted to high fluence rates of white
      light (20W.m(-2)). Only small differences can be observed in the halfrise time of
      fluorescence induction, the electrophoretic profile of the pigment-protein
      complexes and the Chl a/Chl b-ratio. Scenedesmus cells adapted to blue light of
      high spectral purity demonstrate, in comparison with those adapted to red light,
      a higher chlorophyll content, a higher ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoid and a
      much higher ratio of chlorophyll to cytochrome f. Regarding these parameters and
      the fluence-rate curves of photosynthesis, the blue light causes the same effects
      as low levels of white light. In contrast, the action of red light resembles
      rather that of high levels of white light. Blue-light-adapted Scenedesmus cells
      have a smaller Chl a to Chl b ratio, a faster half-rise time of fluorescence
      induction and more chlorophyll in the light-harvesting system than red-light
      adapted cells, as shown in the electrophoretic profile of the pigment-protein
      complexes. Based on these results we propose a model for the adaptation of the
      photosynthetic apparatus of Scenedesmus to different levels and qualities of
      light. In this model low as compared with high levels of white light result in an
      increase in the number of photosystems per electron-transport chain, but not in
      an increase in the size of these photosystems. The same result is obtained by
      adaptation to blue light. The lack of sufficient Chl b formation in red-light
      adapted cells results in a decrease in the light harvesting chlorophyll-protein
      complexes and a photosynthetic response like that found in cells adapted to high
      light levels. The findings reported here confirm our earlier results in comparing
      blue-and red-light adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus with adaptation to
      low and high levels of white light, respectively. 

PMID- 24226402
TI  - Purification and characterization of D-glycerate-3-kinase from maize leaves.
AB  - Glycerate kinase (GK; EC 2.7.1.31) from maize (Zea mays L.) leaves was purified
      by a sequence of ammonium-sulfate precipitations and chromatography on
      diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, hydroxyapatite, Sephadex G-75SF and dye ligand
      (Green A) columns. The purest preparation was almost 1300-fold enriched and had a
      specific activity of 68 MUmol . min(-1) . (mg protein) (-1). The enzyme was a
      monomer of a relative molecular mass (Mr) of 44 kDa (kdalton) as determined by
      gel filtration, electrophoresis in dissociating conditions and by immunoblots.
      The enzyme was only weakly recognized by polyclonal antibodies against purified
      spinach GK, indicating substantial differences in molecular structure of the two
      proteins. Highly reducing conditions stabilized GK activity and were required for
      activation of crude leaf enzyme. The enzyme had a broad pH optimum of 6.8-8.5,
      and formed 3-phosphoglycerate and ADP as reaction products. Apparent K ms for D
      glycerate and Mg-ATP were 0.11 and 0.25 mM, respectively. The enzyme was strongly
      affected by a number of phosphoesters, especially by 3-phosphoglycerate (K i=
      0.36 mM), fructose bisphosphates and nucleoside bisphosphates. Inhibition by 3
      phosphoglycerate was competitive to Mg-ATP and noncompetitive to D-glycerate.
      Pyruvate was found noncompetitive to D-glycerate (K is=4 mM). The ratio of
      stromal concentration of Mg-ATP to phosphoesters, particularly to 3
      phosphoglycerate, may be of importance in the regulation of GK during C4
      photosynthesis. 

PMID- 24226403
TI  - Sulfur-dioxide fluxes into different cellular compartments of leaves
      photosynthesizing in a polluted atmosphere : I. Computer analysis.
AB  - Using experimental information obtained in earlier studies on cellular buffering
      and SO2 uptake into leaves (Pfanz and Heber, 1986, Plant Physiol. 81, 597-602;
      Pfanz et al., 1987 a, b, Plant Physiol.), a mathematical model is presented which
      permits computer analysis of the transport of SO2 from the atmosphere into the
      mesophyll of leaves and describes the intracellular distribution of hydration
      products of SO2. Oxidation of sulfite and metabolization of sulfate can also be
      included. Although the model does not attempt to incorporate all available
      information on the intracellular transport of sulfur species, it permits general
      conclusions in regard to cellular responses to SO2. The model can be extended and
      modified for gases other than SO2. Examples are presented to illustrate the
      information the model is able to give. Times required for SO2 equilibration are
      long. Equilibrium relationships between SO2 in the atmosphere and cellular SO2
      show that in order to survive in even slightly contaminated air, leaves must
      prevent equilibration between external and internal SO2. 

PMID- 24226404
TI  - Sulfur-dioxide fluxes into different cellular compartments of leaves
      photosynthesizing in a polluted atmosphere : II. Consequences of SO2 uptake as
      revealed by computer analysis.
AB  - A computer model is used to analyze fluxes of SO2 from polluted air into leaves
      and the intracellular distribution of sulfur species derived from SO2. The
      analysis considers only effects of acidification and of anion accumulation. (i)
      The SO2 flux into leaves is practically exclusively controlled by the boundary
      layer resistance of leaves to gas diffusion and by stomatal opening. At constant
      stomatal opening, flux is proportional to the concentration of SO2 in air. (ii)
      The sink capacity of cellular compartments for SO2 depends on intracellular pH
      and the intracellular localization of reactions capable of oxidizing or reducing
      SO2. In the mesophyll of illuminated leaves, the chloroplasts possess the highest
      trapping potential for SO2. (iii) If intracellular ion transport were
      insignificant, and if bisulfite and sulfite could not be oxidized or reduced,
      leaves with opened stomata would rapidly be killed both by the accumulation of
      sulfites and by acidification of chloroplasts and cytosol even if SO2 levels in
      air did not exceed concentrations thought to be permissible. Acidification and
      sulfite accumulation would remain confined largely to the chloroplasts and to the
      cytosol under these conditions. (iv) Transport of bisulfite and protons produced
      by hydration of SO2 into the vacuole cannot solve the problem of cytoplasmic
      accumulation of bisulfite and sulfite and of cytoplasmic acidification, because
      SO2 generated in the acidic vacuole from the bisulfite anion would diffuse back
      into the cytoplasm. (v) Oxidation to sulfate which is known to occur mainly in
      the chloroplasts can solve the problem of cytoplasmic sulfite and bisulfite
      accumulation, but aggravates the problem of chloroplastic and cytosolic
      acidification. (vi) A temporary solution to the problem of acidification requires
      the transfer of H(+) and sulfate into the vacuole. This transport needs to be
      energized. The storage capacity of the vacuole for protons and sulfate defines
      the extent to which SO2 can be detoxified by oxidation and removal of the
      resulting protons and sulfate anions from the cytoplasm. Calculations show that
      even at atmospheric levels of SO2 thought to be tolerable, known vacuolar buffer
      capacities are insufficient to cope with proton production during oxidation of
      SO2 to sulfate within a vegetation period. (vii) A permanent solution to the
      problem of acidification is the removal of protons. Protons are consumed during
      the reduction of sulfate to sulfide. Proteins and peptides contain sulfur at the
      level of sulfide. During photosynthesis in the presence of the permissible
      concentration of 0.05MUl.l(-1) SO2, sulfur may be deposited in plants at a ratio
      not far from 1/500 in relation to carbon. The content of reduced sulfur to carbon
      is similar to that ratio only in fast-growing, protein-rich plants. Such plants
      may experience little difficulty in detoxifying SO2. In contrast, many trees may
      contain reduced sulfur at a ratio as low as 1/10 000 in relation to carbon.
      Excess sulfur deposited in such trees during photosynthesis in polluted air gives
      rise to sulfate and protons. If detoxification of SO2 by reduction is inadequate,
      and if the storage capacity of the vacuoles for protons and sulfate is exhausted,
      damage is unavoidable. Calculations indicate that trees with a low ratio of
      reduced S to C cannot tolerate long-term exposure to concentrations of SO2 as low
      as 0.02 or 0.03 MUl.l(-1) which so far have been considered to be non-toxic to
      sensitive plant species. 

PMID- 24226405
TI  - Calcium requirement in nitrogen fixation in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus RF
      1.
AB  - Under diurnal 16/8-h light-dark cycles, ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl
      ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) at 1 mM completely blocked the
      appearance of rhythmic N2-fixing activity in Synechococcus RF-1. Ca(2+) at 2 mM,
      when supplied either together with or several hours after the EGTA application,
      restored the nitrogenase activity, whereas, when Ca(2+) was supplied several
      hours later, the peak of nitrogenase activity was shifted from the dark to the
      light period in which the activity is normally suppressed. Sr(2+) also reversed
      the inhibition by EGTA, but only partially. When O2 in the gas phase above the
      culture was below 1%, the inhibition of nitrogenase activity by EGTA was reduced
      to less than 20% of the control value without EGTA. Thus Ca(2+) appears to be
      required by the cell to protect its nitrogenase from inactivation by O2. In media
      without EGTA, a close correlation between nitrogenase activity and concentrations
      of Ca(2+) was also observed. 

PMID- 24226406
TI  - Effect of light and gibberellic acid on cell division in the first foliage leaf
      of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.).
AB  - The present paper is part of a research program which aims at a quantitative
      analysis of the effects of light and gibberellic acid (GA3) on growth of the
      first foliage leaf in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). Since leaf growth is
      the combined result of the increase in cell number (cell division) and cell
      enlargement, the influence of light and GA3 treatment on cell division in the
      basal meristem of the first leaf in two cultivars, Cappelli and Creso, was
      investigated. Creso is a short-strawed cultivar carrying the Gai 1 gene which
      influences both plant height and insensitivity to applied GA3. Cell division, as
      measured by mitotic index, was similar in darkness, continuous red light and
      dichromatic irradiation (far-red plus red), while lower mitotic rates were
      observed under continuous far-red light: this indicates that the response of cell
      division is modulated by a high-irradiance reaction of phytochrome in both
      cultivars. The two cultivars showed different responses to blue light. In
      Cappelli, blue light and dichromatic irradiation (blue plus red) gave lower
      mitotic indices than the dark control, indicating the action of a specific blue
      light-absorbing photoreceptor, whereas in Creso the response kinetics to all
      light regimes which included blue light were more complex. On the basis also of
      the results obtained with GA3 application in Cappelli, it appears that (i) the
      hormonal treatment is able to change the pattern of mitotic index only in the
      presence of the action of a blue-light receptor and (ii) the different responses
      of the two cultivars could be the result of different endogenous hormonal levels.
      The importance of the observations in relation to the data for first-leaf
      longitudinal growth reported in a previous paper (Baroncelli et al. 1984, Planta
      160, 298-304) is discussed. 

PMID- 24226407
TI  - Long-chain acyl CoA synthetase, carnitine and beta-oxidation in the pea-seed
      mitochondrion.
AB  - Mitochondria from pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds were separated into two fractions,
      mitoplasts (intact inner membrane) and the outer-membrane fraction. The
      mitoplasts only oxidised palmitate in the presence of carnitine and added
      outermembrane fraction. Mitoplasts were able to oxidise palmitoylCoA in the
      presence of carnitine and added outer-membrane fraction had no effect on this
      oxidation. It was concluded that a long-chain acylCoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.3) was
      located on the outer membrane and that the activity of this enzyme in assays was
      more than sufficient to account for any observed rate of O2 uptake during
      palmitate oxidation by pea mitochondria. The location of carnitine long-chain
      acyltransferase (carnitine palmitoyl transferase EC 2.3.1.21) would appear to be
      the mitoplast i.e. the inner mitochondrial membrane, and confirms the previous
      work at Newcastle. 

PMID- 24226408
TI  - Fractional control of photosynthesis by the QB protein, the cytochrome f/b 6
      complex and other components of the photosynthesic apparatus.
AB  - In order to obtain information on fractional control of photosynthesis by
      individual catalysts, catalytic activities in photosynthetic electron transport
      and carbon metabolism were modified by the addition of inhibitors, and the effect
      on photosynthetic flux was measured using chloroplasts of Spinacia oleracea L. In
      thylakoids with coupled electron transport, light-limited electron flow to
      ferricyanide was largely controlled by the QB protein of the electron-transport
      chain. Fractional control by the cytochrome f/b 6 complex was insignificant under
      these conditions. Control by the cytochrome f/b 6 complex dominated at high
      energy fluence rates where the contribution to control of the QB protein was very
      small. Uncoupling shifted control from the cytochrome f/b 6 complex to the QB
      protein. Control of electron flow was more complex in assimilating chloroplasts
      than in thylakoids. The contributions of the cytochrome f/b 6 complex and of the
      QB protein to control were smaller in intact chloroplasts than in thylakoids.
      Thus, even though the transit time for an electron through the electron-transport
      chain may be below 5 ms in leaves, oxidation of plastohydroquinone was only
      partially responsible for limiting photosynthesis under conditions of light and
      CO2 saturation. The energy fluence rate influenced control coefficients.
      Fractional control of photosynthesis by the ATP synthetase, the cytochrome f/b 6
      complex and by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase increased with increasing
      fluence rates, whereas the contributions of the QB protein and of enzymes
      sensitive to SH-blocking agents decreased. The results show that the burdens of
      control are borne by several components of the photosynthetic apparatus, and that
      burdens are shifted as conditions for photosynthesis change. 

PMID- 24226409
TI  - Determination of carbon-reduction-cycle intermediates in leaves of Arbutus unedo
      L. suffering depressions in photosynthesis after application of abscisic acid or
      exposure to dry air.
AB  - Gas exchange and contents of photosynthetic intermediates of leaves of Arbutus
      unedo L. were determined with the aim of recognizing the mechanisms of inhibition
      that were responsible for the "midday depression" of photosynthesis following
      exposure to dry air, and the decline in photosynthetic capacity following
      application of abscisic acid (ABA). Rapidly killed (<0.1 s) leaf samples were
      taken when gas analysis showed reduced CO2 assimilation. Determination of the
      contents of 3-phosphoglyceric acid (PGA), ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP),
      triose phosphates, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and hexose phosphates in the samples
      showed that significant variation occurred only in the level of PGA. As a result,
      the ratio PGA/RuBP decreased with increasing inhibition of photosynthesis,
      particularly when application of ABA had been the cause. A comparison of
      metabolite patterns did not bring out qualitative differences that would have
      indicated that effects of ABA and of dry air had been caused by separate
      mechanisms. Depression of photosynthesis occurred in the presence of sufficient
      RuBP which indicated that the carboxylation reaction of the carbon-reduction
      cycle was inhibited after application of ABA or exposure to dry air. 

PMID- 24226410
TI  - Spermidine and flower-bud differentiation in thin-layer explants of tobacco.
AB  - Three lines of evidence indicate a connection between high spermidine levels and
      floral initiation in thin-layer tissue cultures of Wisconsin-38 tobacco
      (Nicotiana tabacum L.). (1) Spermidine levels are much higher in floral buds than
      in vegetative buds. (2) Inhibition of spermidine synthesis by cyclohexylamine
      prevents the rise in spermidine titer, inhibits floral initiation and promotes
      the formation of vegetative buds instead. (3) Application of exogenous spermidine
      causes floral initiation in cultures which would otherwise form vegetative buds. 

PMID- 24226411
TI  - Vibrationally resolved absorption, emission and resonance Raman spectra of
      diamondoids: a study based on time-dependent correlation functions.
AB  - The time-dependent approach to electronic spectroscopy, as popularized by Heller
      and coworkers in the 1980's, is applied here in conjunction with linear-response,
      time-dependent density functional theory to study vibronic absorption, emission
      and resonance Raman spectra of several diamondoids. Two-state models, the
      harmonic and the Condon approximations, are used for the calculations, making
      them easily applicable to larger molecules. The method is applied to nine
      pristine lower and higher diamondoids: adamantane, diamantane, triamantane, and
      three isomers each of tetramantane and pentamantane. We also consider a hybrid
      species "Dia = Dia" - a shorthand notation for a recently synthesized molecule
      comprising two diamantane units connected by a C=C double bond. We resolve and
      interpret trends in optical and vibrational properties of these molecules as a
      function of their size, shape, and symmetry, as well as effects of "blending"
      with sp(2)-hybridized C-atoms. Time-dependent correlation functions facilitate
      the computations and shed light on the vibrational dynamics following electronic
      transitions.

PMID- 24226412
TI  - Molecular recognition of malachite green by hemoglobin and their specific
      interactions: insights from in silico docking and molecular spectroscopy.
AB  - Malachite green is an organic compound that can be widely used as a dyestuff for
      various materials; it has also emerged as a controversial agent in aquaculture.
      Since malachite green is proven to be carcinogenic and mutagenic, it may become a
      hazard to public health. For this reason, it is urgently required to analyze this
      controversial dye in more detail. In our current research, the interaction
      between malachite green and hemoglobin under physiological conditions was
      investigated by the methods of molecular modeling, fluorescence spectroscopy,
      circular dichroism (CD) as well as hydrophobic ANS displacement experiments. From
      the molecular docking, the central cavity of hemoglobin was assigned to possess
      high-affinity for malachite green, this result was corroborated by time-resolved
      fluorescence and hydrophobic ANS probe results. The recognition mechanism was
      found to be of static type, or rather the hemoglobin-malachite green complex
      formation occurred via noncovalent interactions such as pi-pi interactions,
      hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with an association constant of 10(4)
      M(-1). Moreover, the results also show that the spatial structure of the
      biopolymer was changed in the presence of malachite green with a decrease of the
      alpha-helix and increase of the beta-sheet, turn and random coil suggesting
      protein damage, as derived from far-UV CD and three-dimensional fluorescence.
      Results of this work will help to further comprehend the molecular recognition of
      malachite green by the receptor protein and the possible toxicological profiles
      of other compounds, which are the metabolites and ramifications of malachite
      green. 

PMID- 24226414
TI  - Predicting quality of life with a pretransplantation assessment battery: A
      prospective study of cardiac recipients.
AB  - This study provides descriptive data on the prevalence of symptoms and quality of
      life of cardiac transplantation recipients and tests the predictive validity of a
      pre-cardiac transplantation psychological assessment battery on
      posttransplantation quality of life. Following the formation of four cluster
      groups of pretransplantation MMPI profiles based on previous research, frequency
      analysis found that the cluster groups were not equally represented among cardiac
      recipients, such that the "Distressed/Confused" cluster had only one recipient
      member. Tests of significance among the three remaining cluster groups on the
      posttransplantation quality of life variables found no significant differences.
      Regression analyses to test the predictive validity of other pretransplantation
      medical and psychological variables indicated that trait anxiety was a
      significant predictor of increased symptom frequency and symptom problems and
      decreased mental health among recipients. Collectively, modest support was found
      for the use of pretransplantation psychological variables as predictors of
      posttransplantation quality of life. Interpretation of psychological test data in
      the context of other psychosocial variables is discussed. 

PMID- 24226413
TI  - Managing stress and managing illness: Survival and quality of life in chronic
      disease.
AB  - Interest has been steadily building in the impact of stress on psychological and
      physiological functioning, in particular on immune system responses, furthering
      the concept of a strong connection between the mind and the body. Implications
      for prevention of disease onset or treatment of stress-induced illness or
      immunocompromised conditions have been explored through the implementation of
      stress management techniques. Cognitive behavioral stress management
      interventions, biofeedback, relaxation, guided imagery, hypnosis, individual and
      group psychotherapy, aerobic exercise, and guided self-efficacy treatment are
      briefly reviewed to identify possible treatment mechanisms that may affect immune
      function and promote quality of life. The application of behavioral techniques to
      reduce distress and sharpen coping skills has great promise in reducing the costs
      associated with chronic disease and in enhancing quality of life among those
      afflicted. 

PMID- 24226415
TI  - Quality of life and social support of patients being evaluated for bone marrow
      transplantation.
AB  - A sample of 437 patients completed self-report measures of quality of life and
      social support while they were being evaluated for bone marrow transplantation
      (BMT) at The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center. Generally, the candidates showed
      reasonably high levels of quality of life (QOL) on the Satisfaction with Life
      Domains Scale (SLDS), their present ranking on the Cantril Self-Anchoring Ladder
      of Life, and their scores on the Bradburn Positive Affect Scale. The level of QOL
      of these candidates for transplant was significantly related to their level of
      social support. Both availability and adequacy of social support for these
      transplant candidates were found to be significantly related to QOL as measured
      by the SLDS. Availability of social support as measured by patient membership in
      religious and other organizations was significantly related to Positive Affect
      but not Negative Affect. The Family APGAR and Relational Support Scales measures
      of social support were significantly correlated with both Positive and Negative
      Affect. 

PMID- 24226416
TI  - Psychologists' sensitivity to medical factors examined during standard
      psychological evaluations: A preliminary description.
AB  - Medical disorders among psychiatric patients have frequently been overlooked by
      all mental health disciplines. These medical conditions have, at times, been
      later identified as influencing some of the presenting psychological symptoms.
      Although the relationship between medical factors and psychological symptoms has
      been recognized and discussed in the literature for several decades, improvement
      has not been well documented regarding the frequency of recognizing medical
      factors with psychiatric patients. Little research was found that reviewed the
      effectiveness of psychologists in recognizing related medical concerns. This
      study examined the frequency with which a random sampling of psychologists
      reviewed specific medical factors with their patients during the initial
      psychological evaluation. The results reveal that many psychologistsare sensitive
      to the possible influence of medical factors, which is especially important given
      the increased focus of psychologists as primary care providers and the increasing
      collaborative practice efforts between medicine and psychology. A summary and
      discussion of these descriptive results are presented and recommendations are
      offered. 

PMID- 24226417
TI  - Teaching medical staff psychological concepts via a hospital newsletter.
AB  - Despite the increased recognition of the critical role of social and
      psychological factors in health and illness, the teaching of psychology is rarely
      integrated in medical education. Staff generally have minimal formal training in
      psychological concepts. Patients on the inpatient rehabilitation unit frequently
      present with unexpected reactions in response to acute trauma and resulting
      changes in identity and capabilities. Rehabilitation goals therefore, must be
      based on psychological, as well as physical, capacities. A one-page, "user
      friendly" newsletter was designed to illustrate basic psychological principles
      via case vignettes. The topics of fear, countertransference, and resistance were
      selected as critical issues staff frequently encounter in their work with
      patients. The newsletters provided the staff with basic conceptual tools for
      effectively treating patients, and the work of psychologists was demystified. The
      newsletter format is proposed as a creative adjunct to didactic teaching. 

PMID- 24226418
TI  - Vertical integration in medical settings: A brief introduction to its potential
      effects on professional psychology.
AB  - Vertical integration in medical settings typically involves the merging of
      independent physicians, physician groups, and hospitals to render an organized
      health care network. Such systems are considered to be vertical, as they may
      allow for a seamless continuation of services throughout the range of needs a
      patient may require. Mergers often result in the redefining of professional
      services offered in the acquired facility or across the network. As such, mergers
      have the potential of adversely impacting psychological practices. Professional
      psychology needs to take a proactive stance in this changing health care
      landscape. Research regarding empirically validated treatments and effects of
      psychological interventions on overall health-care costs needs to be properly
      disseminated to health care administrators to assure their knowledge of the
      utility of psychological services in the medical setting. Training psychologists
      to assume leadership positions in health-care institutions, gaining
      representation on hospital staff boards, and linking psychologists and physicians
      through collaborative training, to provide improved care, may allow for
      psychology to influence health care delivery. 

PMID- 24226419
TI  - The role of IL-32 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
AB  - IL-32 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed by activated natural killer cells,
      T cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts. In this study, we examined the role of
      IL-32 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), including mycosis fungoides (MF) and
      Sezary syndrome (SS). IL-32 mRNA expression levels in lesional skin of MF patch,
      plaque, and tumor were increased compared with those of normal skin, which
      positively correlated with CCL17 and CCL18 mRNA expression levels. Serum IL-32
      levels positively correlated with disease activity within each patient.
      Immunostaining showed that keratinocytes expressed IL-32 in the lesional skin of
      MF patch and plaque, whereas in MF tumor, atypical T cells in the dermis strongly
      expressed IL-32. We also showed that IL-32 dose-dependently accelerated the
      proliferation of MF and SS cell lines in vitro, which was inhibited by blocking
      mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-kappaB-mediated signaling. The addition
      of anti-IL-32 antibodies in culture decreased the proliferation of SS cells and
      the viability of MF cells, suggesting that IL-32 serves as an autocrine growth
      factor. In conclusion, our results suggest that IL-32 has a role in the formation
      and maintenance of CTCL lesions, providing a possible therapeutic target for
      patients with this disease. 

PMID- 24226420
TI  - Critical role of 5-lipoxygenase and heme oxygenase-1 in wound healing.
AB  - Lipid mediators derived from 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) metabolism can activate both
      pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways, but their role in wound healing remains
      largely unexplored. In this study we show that 5-LO knockout (5-LO(-/-)) mice
      exhibited faster wound healing than wild-type (WT) animals, and exhibited
      upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Furthermore, HO-1 inhibition in 5-LO(-/
      ) mice abolished the beneficial effect observed. Despite the fact that 5-LO(-/-)
      mice exhibited faster healing, in in vitro assays both migration and
      proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were inhibited by the 5-LO
      pharmacologic inhibitor AA861. No changes were observed in the expression of
      fibronectin, transforming growth factor (I and III), and alpha-smooth muscle
      actin (alpha-SMA). Interestingly, AA861 treatment significantly decreased ROS
      formation by stimulated fibroblasts. Similar to 5-LO(-/-) mice, induction of HO
      1, but not superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2), was also observed in response to 5-LO
      (AA861) or 5-LO activating protein (MK886) inhibitors. HO-1 induction was
      independent of nuclear factor (erythroid derived-2) like2 (Nrf-2), cyclooxygenase
      2 (COX-2) products, or lipoxin action. Taken together, our results show that 5-LO
      disruption improves wound healing and alters fibroblast function by an
      antioxidant mechanism based on HO-1 induction. Overexpression of HO-1 in wounds
      may facilitate early wound resolution. 

PMID- 24226421
TI  - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and apoptosis induction in melanoma cells through
      histone modification by 3-deazaneplanocin A.

PMID- 24226422
TI  - CD271 on melanoma cell is an IFN-gamma-inducible immunosuppressive factor that
      mediates downregulation of melanoma antigens.
AB  - IFN-gamma released from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) during the effector phase
      is essential for rejecting bulky melanoma tumors. In contrast, IFN-gamma is known
      to induce certain immunosuppressive factors in tumor cells such as programmed
      cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1). In this study, we have identified candidates for
      IFN-gamma-inducible CTL-suppressive factors in melanoma cells using complementary
      DNA microarray analysis, and CD271/p75/neurotrophin receptor (NTR) was one of the
      candidate genes. Recently, CD271 was identified as a marker of the cancer stem
      cell-like population in human melanoma tissues. In this study, we showed that
      overexpression of CD271 on melanoma cells suppressed the in vitro activation of
      melanoma-specific CTLs. This suppression was mediated by CD271 ligation with
      activated CTL-derived nerve growth factor and the subsequent downregulation of
      melanoma antigens. Moreover, we found that the expression levels of PD-L1 on
      melanoma cells correlated with those of CD271, and they additively suppressed the
      activation of melanoma-specific CTLs. To the best of our knowledge, the role of
      overexpression of CD271 in an anti-melanoma T-cell response has been unreported. 

PMID- 24226423
TI  - Increased beta-adrenergic inotropy in ventricular myocardium from Trpm4-/- mice.
AB  - RATIONALE: The Trpm4 gene has recently been associated with several disorders,
      including cardiac conduction diseases and Brugada syndrome. Transient receptor
      potential member 4 (TRPM4) proteins constitute Ca2+ -activated, but Ca2+ 
      impermeable, nonselective cation channels and are expressed both in atrial and in
      ventricular cardiomyocytes. The physiological function of TRPM4 in the heart
      remains, however, incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE: To establish the role of
      TRPM4 in cardiac muscle function. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used TRPM4 knockout
      mice and performed patch-clamp experiments, membrane potential measurements,
      microfluorometry, contractility measurements, and in vivo pressure-volume loop
      analysis. We demonstrate that TRPM4 proteins are functionally present in mouse
      ventricular myocytes and are activated on Ca2+ -induced Ca2+ release. In Trpm4(-/
      ) mice, cardiac muscle displays an increased beta-adrenergic inotropic response
      both in vitro and in vivo. Measurements of action potential duration show a
      significantly decreased time for 50% and 90% repolarization in Trpm4(-/-)
      ventricular myocytes. We provide evidence that this change in action potential
      shape leads to an increased driving force for the L-type Ca2+ current during the
      action potential, which explains the altered contractility of the heart muscle.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that functional TRPM4 proteins are novel
      determinants of the inotropic effect of beta-adrenergic stimulation on the
      ventricular heart muscle.

PMID- 24226424
TI  - Middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms: an anatomic classification scheme
      for planning optimal surgical strategies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Changing landscapes in neurosurgical training and increasing use of
      endovascular therapy have led to decreasing exposure in open cerebrovascular
      neurosurgery. To ensure the effective transition of medical students into
      competent practitioners, new training paradigms must be developed. OBJECTIVE:
      Using principles of pattern recognition, we created a classification scheme for
      middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysms that allows their
      categorization into a small number of shape pattern groups. METHODS: Angiographic
      data from patients with MCA aneurysms between 1995 and 2012 were used to
      construct 3-dimensional models. Models were then analyzed and compared
      objectively by assessing the relationship between the aneurysm sac, parent
      vessel, and branch vessels. Aneurysms were then grouped on the basis of the
      similarity of their shape patterns in such a way that the in-class similarities
      were maximized while the total number of categories was minimized. For each
      category, a proposed clip strategy was developed. RESULTS: From the analysis of
      61 MCA bifurcation aneurysms, 4 shape pattern categories were created that
      allowed the classification of 56 aneurysms (91.8%). The number of aneurysms
      allotted to each shape cluster was 10 (16.4%) in category 1, 24 (39.3%) in
      category 2, 7 (11.5%) in category 3, and 15 (24.6%) in category 4. CONCLUSION:
      This study demonstrates that through the use of anatomic visual cues, MCA
      bifurcation aneurysms can be grouped into a small number of shape patterns with
      an associated clip solution. Implementing these principles within current
      neurosurgery training paradigms can provide a tool that allows more efficient
      transition from novice to cerebrovascular expert.

PMID- 24226425
TI  - High response rates and prolonged survival in patients with corticotroph
      pituitary tumors and refractory Cushing disease from capecitabine and
      temozolomide (CAPTEM): a case series.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Rarely, corticotrophic pituitary tumors take on an
      aggressive form characterized by rapid growth, invasion into local structures,
      compression of cranial nerves, and possible spread to distant sites. When
      conventional surgery, radiation therapy, and hormones fail to control progression
      and symptoms, alternative therapies are needed. A novel chemotherapeutic regimen
      of capecitabine and temozolomide (CAPTEM), originally designed in our laboratory,
      demonstrated dramatic antineoplastic effects against corticotrophic pituitary
      tumors. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present a case series of 4 patients with
      aggressive, adrenocorticotrophic hormone--producing pituitary tumors who had
      previously depleted all surgical, radiation, and hormonal therapies and were then
      treated with CAPTEM. Dramatic clinical improvements in neurological deficits and
      Cushing symptoms were evident in all patients after treatment was initiated.
      Confirmed by radiographic imaging, 2 of 4 patients demonstrated complete
      regression of disease, 1 patient had a 75% regression, and the fourth patient has
      ongoing stable disease for > 4.5 years at the time of this writing.
      Immunohistochemical analysis of patients' tumor samples showed low O-methyguanyl
      methyltransferase expression and adequate levels of mismatch repair enzymes (MLH
      1, MSH-2, MSH-6, and PMS-2), which are important for the in vivo efficacy of
      CAPTEM. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of prolonged antitumor response to
      and radiographic complete remissions as a result of CAPTEM in patients with
      aggressive pituitary tumors who had exhausted all other therapies.

PMID- 24226426
TI  - Allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for periodontal
      regeneration.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the possibility of using local administration of
      allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) to induce tissue
      regeneration in periodontal defects in a rat model of periodontitis. BMMSCs
      isolated from rats were mixed with 0.9% NaCl solution and injected into
      periodontal defects. Control groups were 0.9% NaCl solution or left untreated.
      The clinical assessments, x-rays, and histological examinations were used to
      evaluate the effect. At 12 wks post-transplantation, quantitative analysis
      revealed average probing bone loss values of 1.2 +/- 0.19, 1.6 +/- 0.2, and 1.7
      +/- 0.14; the bone regeneration rate was 53%, 45%, and 44% in the BMMSC+NaCl
      group, NaCl group, and untreated group, respectively. The clinical assessments, x
      rays, and histological examinations revealed significant periodontal tissue
      regeneration in the BMMSC injection group, compared with the control groups. The
      ELISA results showed that TNFalpha, IFNgamma, and IL1beta were 2,674.88 +/-
      102.77 pg/mL vs. 3,422.1 +/- 51.98 pg/mL, 609.85 +/- 25.5 pg/mL vs. 803.79 +/-
      33.85 pg/mL, and 1,038.46 +/- 76.29 pg/mL vs. 1,175.26 +/- 105.55 pg/mL in the
      BMMSC+NaCl group and NaCl group, respectively, indicating that BMMSC injection
      inhibited the inflammatory factors TNFalpha, IFNgamma, and IL1beta. Our results
      indicate that local administration of BMMSCs can repair defects due to
      periodontitis, exerting anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions.

PMID- 24226427
TI  - How important is it to keep taking the aspirin?

PMID- 24226429
TI  - Meristem transformation of sunflower via Agrobacterium.
AB  - For transformation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Zebulon), shoot apical
      meristems were dissected from seeds and cocultivated with a disarmed
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain harboring a binary vector carrying genes
      encoding GUS- and NPTII-activity. The influence of the media conditions, the time
      of cocultivation and the stage of the developing seed on shoot development and
      meristem transformation was analysed. Transformants were selected by their
      ability to grow on kanamycin. Transformation was confirmed by assays for GUS and
      NPTII. GUS-positive shoots were rooted on rockwool and transferred to soil.
      Transformation of shoot meristem cells occurred at low frequencies. Chimaeric
      expression of the two genes was observed in transformed plants. Integration of
      the foreign DNA in the sunflower genome was confirmed with the polymerase chain
      reaction. 

PMID- 24226428
TI  - Clinical and immunologic factors associated with bullous pemphigoid relapse
      during the first year of treatment: a multicenter, prospective study.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Although predisposing factors for bullous pemphigoid (BP) have been
      recently established, no clinical or immunologic factors have yet been identified
      to predict disease outcome. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for BP relapse
      during the first year of treatment. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
      Multicenter prospective study of 120 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed BP
      in 8 French dermatology departments. Baseline and 6 follow-up visits were planned
      to record disease activity and collect blood samples for measurement of serum
      anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 levels by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      (ELISA). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The end point was clinical relapse within
      the first year of therapy. Associations of clinical and immunologic (including
      serum levels of anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 autoantibodies) parameters with
      clinical relapse were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.
      RESULTS: During the 1-year follow-up, 35 patients (29.2%) experienced relapse,
      whereas anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 ELISA results were similar at baseline between
      patients who did and did not experience relapse. Factors at baseline
      independently associated with relapse were extensive disease at inclusion (hazard
      ratio [HR], 2.37 [95% CI, 1.2-4.8]) and an associated dementia (HR, 2.09 [95% CI,
      1.0-4.2]). Use of superpotent topical corticosteroids alone (by 100 patients
      [83.3%]) induced a dramatic, early decrease in serum levels of anti-BP180 and
      anti-BP230 autoantibodies. Mean early decreases in autoantibody levels between
      baseline and day 60 were lower in patients with relapse compared with patients
      with ongoing remission (-10.0% and -45.2%, respectively, for anti-BP180 levels [P
      < .001] and -11.8% and -35.4%, respectively, for anti-BP230 levels [P = .046]). A
      higher serum level of anti-BP180 at day 150, with a cutoff of 23 U/mL, provided
      84.2% sensitivity, 44.8% specificity, 33.3% positive predictive value, and 89.7%
      negative predictive value for the occurrence of relapses between days 150 and
      360. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The pronounced decrease in the level of anti
      BP180 autoantibodies and, to a lesser extent, those directed against BP230
      confirmed the use of superpotent topical corticosteroids alone as a reference BP
      treatment. Furthermore, our study suggests that neurological diseases play a
      major role in BP, not only as a predisposing but also as a prognostic factor.

PMID- 24226430
TI  - Isolation, culture and plantlet regeneration from cotyledon and mesophyll
      protoplasts of two pickling cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) genotypes.
AB  - Optimal protoplast yields from cotyledons (2.0*10(6) protoplasts/ 0.5 g tissue)
      and from true leaves (5.0*10(6) protoplasts/g tissue) of two Cucumis sativus
      genotypes were obtained following a 16 h digestion with, respectively, 1.25%
      pectinase+0.5% Cellulysin and 0.5 % pectinase+ 1.0% Cellulysin. Enzyme solutions
      were prepared in modified MS medium containing half-strength major salts, full
      complement of minor salts and vitamins, 2% sucrose and 0.25 M mannitol. A plating
      density of 3.5-4.0* 10(4) protoplasts/ml or higher was required for sustained
      division, with first division occurring in 6-7 days, second-third division in 8-9
      days, and minicalli formation by day 13. Embedding in 0.4% agarose provided the
      highest plating efficiency (proportion that formed minicalli) of mesophyll
      protoplasts, which was 28.3% for genotype 3672 and 15% for genotype 3676. By
      comparison, liquid culture and droplet culture gave lower plating efficiencies
      (10-19%). Cotyledon and mesophyll protoplasts of one genotype formed minicalli on
      MS medium containing 2,4-D/BA at 1.0/2.5 MUM and 5.0/5.0 MUM, respectively,
      within 21 days, while mesophyll protoplasts of the second genotype formed
      minicalli on MS medium containing NAA/BA at 5.0/5.0 MUM within 12 days. Shoot
      buds or somatic embryos were obtained upon subculture of calli to MS medium
      containing lower concentrations (0.05-0.01 MUM) of 2,4-D/BA or NAA/BA and a few
      plantlets, ca.18, were recovered on hormone-free medium. 

PMID- 24226431
TI  - Production of theanine and other gamma-glutamyl derivatives by Camellia sinensis
      cultured cells.
AB  - The maximum theanine production by Camellia sinensis cultured cells was achieved
      by culturing in the modified MS medium containing 2 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid,
      0.1 mg/l kinetin, 0 mM NH4NO3 and 39.6 mM KNO3 with 40 mM ethylamine
      hydrochloride or 20 mM ethylamine hydrochloride and 10 mM L-glutamic acid. Other
      primary amines, such as methylamine, n-butylamine, 2-hydroxyethylamine,
      2cyanoethylamine, aniline, benzylamine and phenylethylamine, were also
      biotransformed to N(5)-alkyl-L-glutamine derivatives by C. sinensis cultured
      cells. 

PMID- 24226432
TI  - Improved plant regeneration from shed microspore culture in barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L.) cv. igri.
AB  - This report describes rapid regeneration of green plants from microspores of the
      barley cultivar Igri. Use of 0.3 M mannitol during maceration and isolation was
      essential for response from mechanically isolated microspores of barley cv. Igri
      grown under our conditions. A shed microspore culture system proved to be simple
      and gave a fast response; plants were obtained as early as 25 days after the
      material was taken from the donor plant. A 28-day cold-pretreatment of spikes can
      also be replaced with a 3-4 day pretreatment of anthers in mannitol. Shed
      microspores from 100 anthers produced an average of 292 plants with 91% of them
      green. Approximately 80% of the regenerated plants were spontaneously doubled
      haploids. 

PMID- 24226433
TI  - Induction of shikonin biosynthesis by endogenous polysaccharides in Lithospermum
      erythrorhizon cell suspension cultures.
AB  - Endogenous polysaccharides capable of inducing shikonin biosynthesis in a growth
      medium were isolated from shikonin-producing Lithospermum cells cultured in a
      production medium. Chemical analysis showed that these active polysaccharides
      consist of galacturonic acid, galactose, arabinose and glucose. Their activity,
      however, was lost by a treatment with pectinlyase. Addition of a small amount of
      pectinase to cell cultures in the growth medium induced shikonin formation. This
      is the first report that endogenous polysaccharides participate in inducing
      normal secondary metabolism of higher plants. 

PMID- 24226434
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis from interspecific hybrid embryos
      of Vigna glabrescens and V. radiata.
AB  - Somatic embryogenesis occurred on cotyledons of morphologically abnormal embryos
      derived from Vigna glabrescens x V. radiata crosses and cultured on Murashige and
      Skoog (MS) medium without growth regulators. The frequency of 15-17 day old
      embryos that gave rise to somatic embryos increased from 8% to 29% by application
      a mixture of 100 mg/l gibberelllc acid, 25 mg/l alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid
      (NAA) and 5 mg/l kinetin daily to the pedicels of the developing pods. However,
      only callus formed on immature hybrid embryos of the reciprocal cross. These
      callus tissues occasionally gave rise to shoots via organogenesis when
      transferred to MS medium with 2 mg/l N(6)-benzyladenine and 0.05 mg/l NAA.
      Treatment of pods with growth regulators did not influence the frequency of
      organogenic callus. Selfed embryos of the parents did not form somatic embryos in
      culture, nor did callus derived from the selfed embryos produce shoots. Thus, the
      ability to redifferentiate appears to be associated with interspecific hybridity.

PMID- 24226435
TI  - Growth, ammonia accumulation and glutamine synthetase activity in alfalfa
      (Medicago sativa L.) shoots and cell cultures treated with phosphinothricin.
AB  - Phosphinothricin is a non-selective herbicide which inhibits glutamine synthetase
      (EC 6.3.1.2) activity causing an overaccumulation of ammonia in higher plants.
      Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) shoot tissue and petiole-derived callus exposed to
      phosphinothricin show 50 and 70% reductions, respectively, in glutamine
      synthetase activity with a concomitant rise of 10 and 20 fold, respectively, in
      endogenous ammonia. The diffusibility of ammonia may limit the use of a
      detoxifying gene, phosphinothricin acetyltransferase, as a selectable marker for
      alfalfa transformation. However, the addition of up to 40 times the standard
      levels of ammonium nitrate to the culture media used in this study had no effect
      on callus growth, although glutamine synthetase activity was inhibited by 50% and
      endogenous ammonia increased 27 fold. Therefore, ammonia accumulation may not be
      the primary cause of cell death in alfalfa after exposure to phosphinothricin. It
      follows that diffusion of ammonia from cell to cell would not restrict the
      selection for phosphinothricin acetyltransferase transformed cells, thereby
      indicating that this enzyme could be used as a selectable marker in
      transformation experiments. 

PMID- 24226436
TI  - Regeneration of Lycium barbarum L. plants from leaf tissue, callus culture and
      callus protoplasts.
AB  - The possibility of plant regeneration from leaf tissue, callus and callus
      protoplasts of Lycium barbarum L. has been studied. Leaf segments were cultured
      on B5 medium (Gamborg et al. 1968) containing 1.5 mg/1 6-benzylaminopurine and
      0.5 mg/1 alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid. Regeneration of shoots was initiated after
      30 days of cultivation. Callus was obtained from leaf and internode tissues on MS
      medium (Murashige and Skoog 1962) containing 0.4 mg/1 of 2,4dichlorophenoxyacetic
      acid. Subsequently, callus was successfully subcultured on the same medium with 1
      mg/l of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.2 mg/l alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid.
      Organogenesis in callus culture was obtained in the course of 40 days after
      transferring to TM-4 (Shahin 1984). Protoplasts were isolated from callus tissue
      grown in vitro using an enzymatic method. Cell colonies, minicallus formation and
      organogenesis were obtained. Shoots were rooted on Murashige and Skoog medium
      containing 0..1 mg/l alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid. Regenerated plants were
      transferred to soil and were grown to maturity. Regenerated plants carried normal
      morphological traits. 

PMID- 24226438
TI  - High frequency embryoid and plantlet formation from tissue cultures of the Finger
      millet-Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.
AB  - Compact nodulated embryogenic callus differentiated from cultured seeds of
      Eleusine coracana (Finger Millet) on Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal medium with
      2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (1.0, 3.0 mg (l)). This embryogenic callus was
      maintained on a medium with a lower level of 2,4 - dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. At
      every subculture the embryogenic callus had some preexisting embryoids in it.
      With this method of subculture the callus has retained its morphogenic potential
      for four years. Following transfer to media with different levels of auxins and
      cytokinins, the callus showed varied patterns of growth and morphogenesis.
      Embryoids could be germinated in profusion to form plantlets which could be
      transferred to the field. Shoot buds also differentiated from the whole surface
      of the embryoid or from the flattened meristemoids. 

PMID- 24226437
TI  - Recovery of morphologically normal transgenic tobacco from hairy roots co
      transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes and a binary vector plasmid.
AB  - Co-transformation of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaf explants with Agrobacterium
      rhizogenes harbouring pRi1855 and the binary vector pBin19 was achieved at a
      frequency of 67%. The kanamycin resistant hairy roots were cultured via a
      callusing phase to regenerate plants which were partially fertile when outcrossed
      with wild-type pollen. Phenotypic and molecular analysis of the F1 progeny
      demonstrated the efficient segregation of the hairy root marker from the
      kanamycin resistance marker, enabling morphologically normal plants to be
      recovered which retained the binary vector marker gene. This co-transformation
      strategy provides a means of introducing non-selectable genes into plants in
      cases where antibiotic resistance markers are undesirable. 

PMID- 24226439
TI  - Increased podophyllotoxin production in Podophyllum hexandrum cell suspension
      cultures after feeding coniferyl alcohol as a beta-cyclodextrin complex.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures, derived from roots of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle
      (Berberidaceae), accumulate podophyllotoxin. In this study the use of beta
      cyclodextrin in feeding the poorly water-soluble precursor coniferyl alcohol to
      these cultures is described. By complexation with beta-cyclodextrin, a solution
      of 3 mM coniferyl alcohol could be fed, resulting in enhanced podophyllotoxin
      accumulation. The same concentration of non-complexed suspended coniferyl alcohol
      had only little effect on the podophyllotoxin accumulation. beta-Cyclodextrin
      itself was proven to be non-toxic for the cells. It did not influence the
      podophyllotoxin content and it was not metabolized or used as a carbon source by
      the cells. For comparison, coniferin, the water-soluble beta-D-glucoside of
      coniferyl alcohol, was also fed in the same concentration. The effect of
      coniferin on the podophyllotoxin accumulation was stronger than that of coniferyl
      alcohol complexed with beta-cyclodextrin, but coniferin is not commercially
      available. 

PMID- 24226440
TI  - Alkaloids of hairy root cultures of a Datura candida hybrid.
AB  - From the in vitro hairy root cultures of a Datura candida hybrid, 19 tropane
      alkaloids have been identified using capillary gas-liquid chromatography and mass
      spectrometry. As in the parent plants, scopolamine is the major alkaloid. Two
      hitherto undescribed alkaloids have been detected and their structure tentatively
      characterised on the basis of their mass spectral fragmentations. 

PMID- 24226441
TI  - Temporary inhibition of cell wall synthesis improves the transient expression of
      the GUS gene in Brassica napus mesophyll protoplasts.
AB  - Transformation of Brassica napus mesophyll protoplasts was performed with the
      beta-glucuronidase gene fusion system. After electroporation, transient
      expression in protoplasts transformed directly after isolation was about 1 to 2
      per million. By the use of 2,6-dichloro-benzonitrile, a non-toxic inhibitor of
      cell wall synthesis, and in the presence of 5% polyethyleneglycol, transformation
      of the cell material was performed three days after isolation. At that time,
      about 25-30% of the protoplasts had reached the first S-phase of the mitotic
      cycle. A 1000 fold increase of protoplasts expressing the beta-glucoronisidase
      gene transiently was obtained, in the partly synchronized protoplasts, compared
      to those transformed directly after isolation. 

PMID- 24226442
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of Felicia and Brachycome.
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from leaves of axenic shoot cultures of Felicia
      bergeriana (Kingfisher Daisy) and Brachycome iberidifolia (Swan River Daisy) and
      from callus cultures of Felicia. Plants were regenerated from all three sources
      and since both species are of ornamental value (blue flowered) the establishment
      of plant regeneration provides a basis for their incorporation in somatic
      hybridisation programmes involving important ornamentals such as Chrysanthemum. 

PMID- 24226443
TI  - Tetraploids, triploids, and 2n pollen from diploid interspecific crosses with
      cassava.
AB  - Interspecific crosses of five cultivated cassava varieties (2n=36) were made with
      two related Manihot species, M. epruinosa (2n=36) and M. glaziovii (2n=36). From
      these diploid interspecific crosses, four spontaneous tetraploids (2n=4x=72) and
      two triploids (2n=3x=54) were isolated for the first time in cassava. Occurrence
      of relatively high frequencies (0.1%-35.6%) of 2n pollen and of apomixis seems to
      be associated with sexual polyploidization. The tetraploids and triploids were
      very vigorous and one of the tetraploids performed as well as the best variety in
      uniform yield trials conducted in Nigeria. These spontaneous polypoloids provide
      greater genetic variation and offer an opportunity to breed radically new cassava
      varieties. Approaches for isolating and utilizing the polyploid cassava clones
      for varietal and population improvement are discussed. 

PMID- 24226444
TI  - Comparison of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA from five morphologically
      distinct Beta vulgaris cultivars: sugar beet, fodder beet, beet root, foliage
      beet, and Swiss chard.
AB  - Two cytoplasms, N and S, are used in the breeding of sugar beet, Beta vulgaris
      var. altissima. These cytoplasms can be distinguished by their mitochondrial DNA.
      In an attempt to detect new cytoplasms, we compared the restriction profiles of
      chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA from five different cultivars of Beta vulgaris.
      All restriction patterns of chloroplast DNA were identical. With the exception of
      sugar beet with S-cytoplasm, all cultivars studied showed the same restriction
      profile of mitochondrial DNA, indicating that these cultivars all contain the N
      cytoplasm. These results are discussed with regard to the large morphological
      differences of the cultivars and the cytoplasmic variability found in natural
      populations of the wild beet, Beta maritima. 

PMID- 24226445
TI  - Quantitative analysis of resistance in cotton to three new isolates of the
      bacterial blight pathogen.
AB  - Genetic variability for virulence of the bacterial blight pathogen [Xanthomonas
      campestris pv malvacearum (Smith) Dye] on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has been
      shown by the identification of 19 races of the pathogen based on disease
      reactions of a set of ten host differentials. This study was conducted to
      determine the inheritance of host resistance to three recently identified
      isolates of X. campestris pv malvacearum, which are virulent on the entire set of
      differentials. True leaves of Tamcot CAMD-E, LEBOCAS-3-80, Stoneville 825, and
      their f1, F2, and backcross progenies were wound-inoculated in the field with
      separate bacterial suspensions of the virulent HV3, HV7, and Sudan isolates of
      the pathogen. LEBOCAS-3-80 was replaced with S295, a new immune cultivar, for a
      greenhouse study in which both cotyledons and true leaves were inoculated.
      Disease reactions were rated on a scale of 1-10, and genetic models were proposed
      utilizing generation means analysis. Dominance, when significant, was in the
      direction of resistance in all but one cross-isolate combination. Digenic
      interaction components indicated a duplicate type. Narrow-sense heritability for
      resistance ranged from 0.59 to 0.68; therefore, primarily additive-genetic
      variability among the selected cutlivars was detected, indicating that breeding
      for improved resistance to these isolates is a practical goal. 

PMID- 24226446
TI  - Somatic Mutator activity expression is dependent on the strength of Cy trans
      active signals in maize.
AB  - Two receptor element alleles (vp-rcy and bz-rcy) that respond to the trans-active
      element (Cy) controlling Mutator activity were used to analyze the strength of
      trans-active signals from Cy elements derived from a Mutator active line.
      Evidence is presented that the Mutator population tested consists mainly of a
      class of weak Cy elements designated as Cy:Mu. When Cy:Mu element are present in
      only a few copies, the strength of the combined transposition signal is weak. It
      is only when these active elements have a high copy number that the overall
      transposition signal is sufficiently strong enough to elicit a high frequency of
      transposition events. This study seeks to investigate the nature of the trans
      active signal from Cy:Mu elements. The implication of these results for molecular
      studies is discussed. 

PMID- 24226447
TI  - Numbers of sporophytic self-incompatibility alleles in populations of wild
      radish.
AB  - To estimate the numbers of sporophytic S-alleles in two adjacent populations of
      wild radish, we performed 701 reciprocal crosses among 50 individuals. Each cross
      was replicated five times in each direction. Sixteen plants were fully
      intercompatible, indicating the presence of at least 32 S-alleles in the two
      populations. A minimum of 22 S-alleles occur in a single population. The
      frequency of incompatibility was significantly higher for within-population
      crosses (14.5%) than for between-population crosses (7.8%). This suggests that
      the two populations differ in the composition and frequency of alleles at the S
      locus. 

PMID- 24226448
TI  - Cytogenetic studies in the genus Zea : 2. Colchicine-induced multivalents.
AB  - Premeiotic colchicine treatment brings about the production of one to five
      quadrivalents in Zea mays ssp. mays (maize, 2n=20) and an increase in the number
      of quadrivalents from five to ten in Zea perennis (2n=40). The results confirm
      the allotetraploid nature of maize and suggest that the species possesses two
      homoeologous genomes (A2A2 B2B2) that fail to pair, probably due to the presence
      of Ph-like genes. Moreover, the autoallooctoploid nature of Zea perennis, with a
      genome formula A'1A'1 A"1A"1 C1C1 C2C2, is supported by the present results. 

PMID- 24226449
TI  - Genetic analysis of soybean hard seededness with molecular markers.
AB  - Hard seededness in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a quantitative trait that
      affects the germination rate, viability, and quality of stored seeds. We have
      used 72 restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) to identify genomic
      regions containing quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting hard seededness in a
      segregating population from a G. max by a Glycine soja (Sieb. & Zucc.) cross.
      Five independent RFLP markers were found to be associated with variation in the
      hard-seeded trait. These markers and the epistatic interactions between them
      explain 71% of the variation for hard seededness. A genomic region associated
      with the i locus accounted for 32% of the variation in this segregating
      population. This study illustrates one approach to physiological genetic studies
      in plants. 

PMID- 24226450
TI  - Genome size variation in Zea mays ssp. mays adapted to different altitudes.
AB  - Previous studies have indicated a positive correlation between genome size and
      altitude among plant species. It has been hypothesized that increasing genome
      size occurs due to increasing C-banded heterochromatin. In corn, increasing
      altitude has been correlated with decreasing knob (C-banded) heterochromatin,
      suggesting that DNA content may decrease with increasing altitude. In this study,
      nuclear DNA content of 12 southwestern United States Indian maize populations,
      collected at various altitudes, was determined. The significant positive
      correlation observed between genome size and altitude suggests that corn follows
      the trend of increasing DNA content with increasing altitude observed in other
      plant species. Whether this correlation is due to increasing knob heterochromatin
      or additional intra- or supernumerary chromosomal DNA sequences has yet to be
      determined. 

PMID- 24226451
TI  - Genetic elements inducing gene changes at the pallida locus of Antirrhinum majus.
AB  - The pal-rec-low-o is a special repressed state of the pallida-recurrens allele,
      which normally mutates from the recessive to the dominant condition, giving
      pigmented Pal spots on corolla lobes. The pal-rec-low-o in the homozygous
      condition is stably colorless (except for rare mutant spots), but when crossed
      with the recessive tester strain, pal-tub pal-tub (also stably colorless), the
      mutation frequency of the particular repressed state of pal-rec (i.e., pal-rec
      low-o) increases spectacularly, giving several shifts of varying sizes. The
      evidence suggests that the activity of the repressed state of the: pal-rec-low-o
      allele is dependent on the presence of an independently located Pr element,
      contributed by the pal-tub tester strain. In the absence of such a regulatory
      element, the repressed allele exhibits stable expression due to the effect of a
      "repressor" Rp element residing at or near the locus. It has also been shown that
      the pal-tub regulatory element, Pr, while coming through a phase of
      heterozygosity, could be changed either by picking up an element from the
      stabilized colorless "original" strain which, being dominant, suppresses the gene
      action completely; or a change may take place in pal-tub's own regulatory
      machinery, which otherwise has characteristics of gene regulation. However, the
      pal-tub regulatory element, when inactive, can be made trans-active by
      introducing a fresh regulator into the genome, which may segregate at meiosis. 

PMID- 24226452
TI  - Genetic analysis of ecologically relevant morphological variability in Plantago
      lanceolata L. : 5. Diallel analysis of two natural populations.
AB  - Morphological variability was studied in two populations of Plantago lanceolata
      using diallel analysis. In each population, reciprocal crosses between all
      possible pairs of ten plants were made. In the greenhouse, six members of each
      family were grown and many characters were measured. Using the model of Cockerham
      and Weir, the contributions of the different genetic variance components were
      calculated. From earlier papers it was postulated in advance to what extent and
      by which effect the characters in both populations were genetically determined.
      The populations had been differentiated for life history and morphological
      characters, and varied also in the relative contribution of genetic components to
      variability. In the Merrevliet (Me) population, where strong biotic selection was
      assumed, low levels of additive-genetic variability were present and the relative
      dominance appeared to be high. The contrasting population, Westduinen (Wd), which
      is abiotically controlled and shows strong environmental variability, possessed
      higher levels of additive-genetic variability and lower levels of relative
      dominance. It is possible that differential natural selection has diminished
      additive-genetic variability to different extents in both populations: plasticity
      and environmental heterogeneity prevented the loss of additive-genetic
      variability in Wd, whereas in the stable population, Me, natural selection had
      the opportunity of not only changing the means of the characters but also of
      diminishing additive-genetic variability to a great extent. 

PMID- 24226453
TI  - Mapping of ripening-related or -specific cDNA clones of tomato (Lycopersicon
      esculentum).
AB  - Nineteen ripening-related or -specific clones from Lycopersicon esculentum were
      mapped via RFLP analysis using an F2 population from the cross L. esculentum x L.
      pennellii and cDNA or genomic clones of known map location. The map produced
      using cDNA and genomic clones of known map location corresponded well with
      previously published maps of tomato. The number of loci detected for each
      ripening-related or-specific clone varied from one to seven. These loci were
      located on all 12 chromosomes of the tomato genome. There was no significant
      clustering of ripening-related or-specific genes. Regions of very low
      recombination were observed. The clone for polygalacturonase (TOM6) mapped to a
      single region on chromosome 10, the same chromosome as the nor and alc ripening
      mutants. To fine map this chromosome, two backcross populations were produced
      from the cross of L. esculentum x L. pimpenillifolium, in which the esculentum
      parents used were homozygous for either the alc or the nor. The coding region for
      polygalacturonase is functionally unlinked to either of these two ripening
      mutants. 

PMID- 24226455
TI  - Prediction of the performance of inbred lines derived from a population cross in
      autumn-sown onions (Allium cepa L.).
AB  - A design and model are presented to allow the prediction, in early generations,
      of the mean and distribution of recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross
      between two parental populations or partially inbred lines. The procedure has
      been tested in autumn-sown onions (in the UK) using a wide cross between the
      openpollinated Japanese cultivar, Senshyu, and a partially inbred line derived
      from the European cultivar, Rawska. The early generations used for prediction
      included the first self-pollinated generation of the two parental populations and
      the F3 generation produced from the hybrid population. The predictions were
      tested by reference to the field performance of a random array of inbred lines,
      which were produced by single-seed descent (SSD) and had been selfed for three
      generations. The early generations, used for prediction, and a sample of SSD
      lines were raised alongside each other in each of two seasons. Within each
      season, good agreement was found between the predicted and observed performance
      of the recombinant inbred lines for three characters - yield, quality and
      maturity. This is used as evidence of the validity of the genetical model and the
      assumptions made. The effects of genotype x environment interactions prevented
      predictions made in one season being reliably applied to those made in the other
      and, therefore, reduce the attraction of this type of prediction study to the
      plant breeder. 

PMID- 24226454
TI  - Brassica taxonomy based on nuclear restriction fragment length polymorphisms
      (RFLPs) : 3. Genome relationships in Brassica and related genera and the origin
      of B. oleracea and B. rapa (syn. campestns).
AB  - RFLPs were used to study genome evolution and phylogeny in Brassica and related
      genera. Thirtyeight accessions, including 10 accessions of B. rapa (syn.
      campestris), 9 cultivated types of B. oleracea, 13 nine-chromosome wild brassicas
      related to B. oleracea, and 6 other species in Brassica and allied genera, were
      examined with more then 30 random genomic DNA probes, which identified RFLPs
      mapping to nine different linkage groups of the B. rapa genome. Based on the RFLP
      data, phylogenetic trees were constructed using the PAUP microcomputer program.
      Within B. rapa, accessions of pak choi, narinosa, and Chinese cabbage from East
      Asia constituted a group distinct from turnip and wild European populations,
      consistent with the hypothesis that B. rapa had two centers of domestication. A
      wild B. rapa accession from India was positioned in the tree between European
      types and East Asian types, suggesting an evolutionary pathway from Europe to
      India, then to South China. Cultivated B. oleracea morphotypes showed
      monophyletic origin with wild B. oleracea or B. alboglabra as possible ancestors.
      Various kales constitute a highly diverse group, and represent the primitive
      morphotypes of cultivated B. oleracea from which cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower,
      etc. probably have evolved. Cauliflower was found to be closely related to
      broccoli, whereas cabbage was closely related to leafy kales. A great diversity
      existed among the 13 collections of nine-chromosome wild brassicas related to B.
      oleracea, representing various taxonomic states from subspecies to species.
      Results from these studies suggested that two basic evolutionary pathways exist
      for the diploid species examined. One pathway gave rise to B. fruticulosa, B.
      nigra, and Sinapis arvensis, with B. adpressa or a close relative as the initial
      ancestor. Another pathway gave rise to B. oleracea and B. rapa, with Diplotaxis
      erucoides or a close relative as the initial ancestor. Raphanus sativus and Eruca
      sativus represented intermediate types between the two lineages, and might have
      been derived from introgression or hybridization between species belonging to
      different lineages. Molecular evidence for an ascending order of chromosome
      numbers in the evolution of Brassica and allied genera was obtained on the basis
      of RFLP data and phylogenetic analysis. 

PMID- 24226456
TI  - Asymmetric hybridization in Nicotiana by "gamma fusion" and progeny analysis of
      self-fertile hybrids.
AB  - Mesophyll protoplasts of the nitrate-reductase (NR)-deficient Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia mutant, "Nia26", were fused with gamma-irradiated mesophyll
      protoplasts of Nicotiana sylvestris, V-42. Hybrid selection was based on
      complementation of NR deficiency by transfer of the donor NR gene to N.
      plumbaginifolia. Regenerated hybrids had different numbers of donor chromosomes
      in a tetraploid background of N. plumbaginifolia. The transfer and expression of
      different isozymes from the donor were also observed. Six self-fertile
      regenerants were obtained from 21 independently isolated cell colonies. Progeny
      analyses revealed: (1) the linkage of NR and shikimate dehydrogenase (ShDh); (2)
      a stabilization of the transmission rate of NR; and (3) the obtainment of mono-
      and disomic addition lines in the first and second progeny of the original
      regenerants. Southern hybridization analyses demonstrated unequivocally the
      presence of the NR gene from the donor partner in progeny plants. 

PMID- 24226457
TI  - Effects of the d 2 dwarfing gene in pearl millet.
AB  - Dwarf varieties have had virtually no impact on the production of pearl millet,
      in contrast to the case of wheat, rice, and sorghum. This research compared tall
      and dwarf near-isogenic F1 hybrids to attempt to determine if there were
      deleterious effects of the d 2 dwarfing gene that might account for the lack of
      release/cultivation of dwarf pearl millet cultivars. Dwarf isohybrids on average
      yielded less than the tails, because of a smaller average seed size combined with
      a similar grain number per unit area. There was, however, a larger contribution
      of background genetic variation (pollinator, male-sterile, and interaction
      effects) to hybrid variation for nearly all characters measured, including seed
      size, than there was of the dwarfing gene. Selection of dwarf parents capable of
      producing hybrids with equal seed size and yield to that of tall parents should
      not be difficult. 

PMID- 24226458
TI  - Production and meiotic analysis of autotriploid Triticum speltoides and T.
      bicorne.
AB  - Autotriploid Triticum speltoides and T. bicorne (2n=3x=21) were produced by
      pollinating autotetraploids with pollen from their respective diploids. The
      autotriploid plants were vigorous, male sterile, and morphologically resembled
      their diploid parents. At meiosis, T. speltoides (3x) averaged 2.52 univalents,
      0.42 rod bivalents, 2.03 ring bivalents, 4.48 trivalents, and 0.03 chain
      quadrivalents per cell, and T. bicorne (3x) had 2.30 univalents, 0.20 rod
      bivalents, 2.10 ring bivalents, and 4.70 trivalents. Panhandle trivalents made up
      27% of the total trivalents, and involved 18% of the total number of chromosomes
      observed in T. bicorne (3x), and 26% and 17% in T. speltoides (3x), respectively.
      The observed chromosome pairing in both triploids was predicted well from the
      expressions developed by Alonso and Kimber. 

PMID- 24226459
TI  - Allozyme evidence for the origin and diversification of Gossypium barbadense L.
AB  - Gossypium barbadense L. is a commercially important cotton species of tropical
      South American origin presently grownin many regions of the world. The species is
      morphologically diverse, consisting of a wide range of wild (or feral),
      commensal, landrace, and highly improvedcommercial forms. We performed allozyme
      analysis on 153 accessions representing the spectrum of G. barbadense diversityto
      ascertain the geographic origin of the species, its patterns of diffusion
      subsequent to domestication, and to reveal infraspecific relationships. Levels
      ofgenetic variation in G. barbadense are moderate. Of 59 loci scored, 24 were
      polymorphic, with a mean number of alleles perlocus of 1.69 and an average
      panmictic heterozygosity of 0.062. Principal component analysis revealed
      geographic clustering of accessions into six relativelydiscrete regions. Gene
      frequencies at many loci are significantly heterogeneous among these regions,
      with an average G STof 0.272. Northwestern South America contains the greatest
      genetic variability; we suggest that this region is the ancestral home of the
      species. The data indicate separate diffusion pathways from this region into
      Argentina-Paraguay and into eastern and northern South America east of the Andes.
      Caribbean Island and Central American forms appear to be derived from the latter.
      These diffusion pathways are in accordance with morphological evidence and
      historical record. In contrast to expectations based on geographic proximity,
      Pacific Island forms have their closest affinity to accessions from eastern South
      America. Advanced cultivated stocks seem largely derived from western Andean
      material, but also contain introgressed G. hirsutum germ plasm. Introgression was
      relatively high (22%-50% of accessions) in commercial stocks and in forms from
      Argentina-Paraguay and various Pacific Islands, but was conspicuously low or
      absent in material from Central America and the Caribbean, where commensal and
      commercial forms of both species are sympatric. 

PMID- 24226460
TI  - Genetic changes from introgression of highland Mexican germ plasm into a Corn
      Belt Dent population of maize.
AB  - A backcross population (NZS1) of maize (Zea mays L.) was produced by crossing a
      highland Mexican population with the elite Corn Belt Dent synthetic AS3, and then
      by backcrossing to AS3. S1 lines, S2 lines, and S2 testcrosses with an elite
      tester were used to compare the means, correlations, genetic variances, and
      predicted gains from selection of NZS1 and AS3 for grain yield, grain moisture at
      harvest, root and stalk lodging in a cool, temperate environment in New Zealand.
      The S1 and S2 lines from NZS1 had lower mean grain yields, higher levels of root
      lodging and higher mean grain moistures than the S1 and S2 lines from AS3. Mean
      grain yields of testcrosses of NZS1 and AS3 were similar, but NZS1 testcrosses
      had higher levels of root lodging. Genotypic variances estimated from S1 and S2
      lines were larger for grain yield and root lodging for NZS1, smaller for grain
      moisture, and similar for stalk lodging. Predicted gains from selection for grain
      yield using intrapopulation methods based on the additive-genetic variance were
      larger for NZS1, but predicted gains for testcross selection were similar for the
      two populations. Lines with high combining ability for grain yield and acceptable
      grain moisture in combination with the tester occurred in NZS1. Because of the
      higher additive-genetic variance and the occurrence of lines with high combining
      ability for grain yield, we concluded that populations including highland Mexican
      germ plasm should be valuable for recurrent selection programs in New Zealand and
      in other cool, temperate regions. 

PMID- 24226461
TI  - Cybrids of Nicotiana tabacum and Petunia hybrida have an intergeneric mixture of
      chloroplasts from P. hybrida and mitochondria identical or similar to N. tabacum.
AB  - The mitochondrial genomes of cybrids of Nicotiana tabacum containing chloroplasts
      of Petunia hybrida were characterized by restriction endonuclease digestion and
      agarose gel electrophoresis. Cybrids that displayed normal growth and development
      contained mitochondrial DNA indistinguishable from N. tabacum mitochondrial DNA.
      Cybrids that displayed abnormal growth and development contained mitochondrial
      DNA that differed from N. tabacum either by possessing a few additional
      fragments, by lacking a few fragments, or both. In spite of these differences,
      the mitochondrial DNA of cybrids showing abnormal growth and development was much
      more similar to N. tabacum than to P. hybrida mitochondrial DNA. In those cybrids
      that contained P. hybrida chloroplasts and N. tabacum mitochondria, cotransfer of
      cytoplasmic organelles did not occur. Although P. hybrida chloroplasts can
      interact compatibly with the N. tabacum nucleus, no cybrids were found in which
      P. hybrida mitochondria coexisted with the N. tabacum nucleus. 

PMID- 24226462
TI  - Double-stranded RNA and male sterility in rice.
AB  - Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) was isolated from rice Oryza sativa ssp. japonica,
      but not from other subspecies. The dsRNA has been found in all of the examined
      cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) lines of BT (Chinsurah Boro II)-type rice, but was
      not detected in their companionate maintainer lines. It is uniquely and
      positivley correlated with the CMS trait in BT-type rice. Recently, the dsRNA was
      also found in a nuclear malesterile (NMS) rice, Nongken 58s, but was not found in
      its normal Nongken 58. The molecular weight of this dsRNA was estimated to be
      about 18 kb. Electron microscopic analysis reveals that it is linear snapped. The
      double strandedness of the RNA molecules was characterized by CF-11 cellulose
      column chromatography and nuclease treatments. It bound to CF-11 cellulose in the
      presence of 15% ethanol. It was sensitive to RNase A at low salt concentrations,
      but insensitive to DNase I, SI nuclease, and RNase A at high salt concentrations.
      The dsRNA was detected in both mitochondrial and cytoplasmic fractions. Dot-blot
      hybridization reveals that there is no sequence homology between this dsRNA and
      mtDNA, but there is homology between this dsRNA and nuclear genomic DNA. We have
      not been able to transmit this dsRNA to fertile rice. 

PMID- 24226463
TI  - "Erussica", the intergeneric fertile somatic hybrid developed through protoplast
      fusion between Eruca sativa Lam. and Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.
AB  - Hypocotyl calli-derived protoplasts of two cultivars of Brassica juncea (2n=36),
      a major oil-seed crop, were fused with normal as well as gamma-irradiated
      mesophyll protoplasts of Eruca sativa (2n=22). The irradiation of the Eruca
      fusion partner increased the plating efficiency as well as the morphogenic
      potentiality of the fusion products over the normal fusion. Fertile plants could
      be regenerated from such fusion products. Analysis of 63 out of 181 plants
      regenerated showed that, indeed, 11 somatic hybrids (2n=58) and 10 partial
      somatic hybrids (chromosome number ranged between 50 and 56) had been obtained.
      Pollen viability (0%-82.9%) and seed set (0%-50%) of the hybrids indicated them
      to be useful for future studies. 

PMID- 24226464
TI  - The effect of repeated cycles of selection on genetic variance, heritability, and
      response.
AB  - The genetic variance of a quantitative trait decreases under directional
      selection due to generation of linkage disequilibrium. After a few cycles of
      selection on individual phenotype, a limit is reached where there is no further
      reduction in the genetic variance. Bulmer's model is extended to an animal
      breeding situation where selection is on information on relatives rather than on
      the individual's own performance. Algebraic expressions are derived to predict
      the decrease in genetic variance and associated reductions in heritability and
      response in the limit. Consequences of the results are discussed in the context
      of breeding strategies. 

PMID- 24226465
TI  - Reverse Fox test for detecting visuospatial dysfunction corresponding to parietal
      hypoperfusion in mild Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: We developed a novel visuospatial clinical task to detect
      parietal dysfunction in mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: A total of 65
      outpatients, including 47 with mild AD and 18 cognitively and neuroradiologically
      normal individuals with subjective memory impairment (NL), performed the "Reverse
      Fox" test and underwent brain single photon emission tomography. Patients with AD
      were divided into subgroups according to the results of the Reverse Fox test
      (successful vs unsuccessful). RESULTS: Success in the Reverse Fox test was
      achieved by 31.9% of patients with AD and 94.4% of NL. The unsuccessful AD
      subgroup had reduced perfusion of the medial parietal and bilateral
      temporoparietal regions compared with the successful AD subgroup. CONCLUSIONS:
      Failure in the Reverse Fox test was related to parietal hypoperfusion in patients
      with mild AD. Our findings suggest that the Reverse Fox test may be one of the
      useful supporting tools for detecting mild AD at outpatient clinic.

PMID- 24226466
TI  - NAD(+)-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase in fish tissues.
AB  - NAD(+)-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase was found in the brain, heart, gills,
      kidney, liver and muscle of trout, and in the liver and muscle of eel. A complex
      homogenization buffer containing 1 mM ADP, 5 mM MgSO4, 5 mM citrate and 40%
      glycerol is required for retrieval of significant amounts of stable enzyme. The
      highest activities were found in brain of trout and the lowest in white muscle of
      trout and eel. The enzyme was partially purified from frozen trout heart to a
      final activity of 0.04 MUM/min/mg protein, and the kinetic properties of this
      partially purified enzyme were studied. The enzyme requires either Mn(2+) or
      Mg(2+) for activity, higher activities being observed with Mn(2+). Saturation
      kinetics for DL-isocitrate were sigmoidal, apparent S0.5=8.2+/-0.6 mM and
      nH=1.8+/-0.2, in the absence of ADP, changing to hyperbolic, apparent S0.5=1.4+/
      0.3 mM and nH=1.0, with 1 mM ADP added. Citrate and Ca(2+) were found to activate
      the enzyme to a small extent. NADH strongly inhibited the enzyme, I50=3.7+/-0.5
      MUM. ATP was also found to be an inhibitor, I50=7.2+/-1.4 mM. These properties
      are consistent with the role of the enzyme as a major control site of the
      tricarboxylic acid cycle. 

PMID- 24226467
TI  - Interacting effects of diet and environmental temperature on biochemical
      parameters in the liver ofLeuciscus idus melanotus (Cyprinidae: Teleostei).
AB  - One year old golden ide (Leuciscus idus melanotus) were starved for 2 weeks at 20
      degrees C (time zero) and then they were fed either freeze-dried mosquito larvae
      (natural diet) or a commercial fish chow (artificial diet) at an ambient
      temperature of 14 degrees C and 20 degrees C, respectively. Growth parameters and
      biochemical data in the liver were measured at time zero and after 3 and 7 weeks
      of specific regimen. If compared to natural food, the artificial diet caused
      transient increase in anabolic activity of the liver, but prevented long-lasting
      hepatocyte proliferation (increase of total liver DNA). After 3 weeks on
      artificial diet, the body weight was significantly higher and the liver mass
      doubled compared to ide kept on the natural regimen; tissue DNA content indicated
      that the hepatocyte volume increased mainly by increased protein content and
      corresponding uptake of water; lipid and glycogen contents were increased by a
      factor of 3-6, and the RNA?DNA ratio was increased accordingly. The growth of the
      ide, as reflected by the condition factor and hepatosomatic index (HSI), was
      virtually stopped when the artificial regimen was maintained for 7 weeks, whereas
      on natural food the condition factor was increased and liver weight and DNA were
      doubled. Growth of the fish maintained at 14 degrees C was significantly lower
      than that of fish maintained at 20 degrees C, though the total liver DNA was
      still increased on the natural regimen during the experiment. Less lipid was
      stored by fish maintained at 14 degrees C, whereas protein and glycogen deposits
      were enlarged, if compared to fish maintained at 20 degrees C. The specific
      activity of cytochrome oxidase in liver mitochondria and of NADPH cytochrome c
      reductase in the microsomal fraction were found independent of diet and ambient
      temperature. Oxidative capacity of hepatocytes (mitochondrial protein/mg DNA)
      remained unchanged, and microsomal protein/cell appeared reduced in response to
      the artificial food. However, reduction of cell number on this diet resulted in
      less total mitochondrial and microsomal protein in the organ. Golden ide liver is
      found to be a sensitive experimental model to characterize the mutual influence
      of diet and temperature on fish; the results are discussed with regard to the
      usage of golden ide as test fish for water pollution. 

PMID- 24226468
TI  - Relationship between transmembrane potential and activation of motility in
      rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).
AB  - A hypothesis is developed that activation of motility in rainbow trout
      spermatozoa is a result of membrane hyperpolarization. This hypothesis was
      developed to explain experimental observations of a relationship between membrane
      potential and motility as revealed by the use of voltage sensitive fluorescent
      dyes. The results lead to the following conclusions: a) Transmembrane potential
      hyperpolarizes with decreasing KCl concentration in 100 mM NaCl. b) Transmembrane
      potential hyperpolarizes with decreasing NaCl concentration. c) NaCl is three
      time less effective in changing transmembrane potential and two orders of
      magnitude less effective in inhibiting activation of motility than KCl. d)
      Chloride ions have little effect on transmembrane potential or motility. e)
      Increases in osmotic pressure with the non-ionic molecule sucrose increased the
      amount of KCl required to inhibit activation. f) The major effect of Na(+) on
      K(+) inhibition may be osmotic.It is suggested that while sperm cells are in the
      seminal plasma in the reproductive tract of the male rainbow trout their
      transmembrane potential is maintained above an activation threshold, probably
      through Na/K pumps which are found in almost all animal cells. Since K(+) is the
      most important ion in determining the transmembrane potential, hyperpolarization
      of the plasma membrane below an activation threshold occurs when the sperm cells
      are diluted, during spawning, into the low K(+) environment of freshwater. 

PMID- 24226469
TI  - Characterization of transport Na(+)-ATPases in gills of freshwater tilapia :
      Evidence for branchial Na(+)/H (+) (-NH4 (+)), ATPase activity in fish gills.
AB  - Branchial plasma membranes from the freshwater cichlid teleostOreochromis
      mossambicus (tilapia) contain two Na(+)-dependent ATPases: Na(+)/K(+) ATPase, and
      an amiloride-sensitive ATPase which is postulated to operate as a Na(+)/H(+) (
      NH4 (+)) ATPase. It is suggested that both enzyme activities are located in the
      basolateral membrane system of the chloride cells. K(+) has opposing effects on
      the two enzymes: it stimulates Na(+)/K(+) ATPase and inhibits Na(+)/H(+) (-NH4
      (+)) ATPase activity. Na(+)/H(+) ATPase appears more sensitive to NH4 (+) at low
      concentrations than Na(+)/K(+) ATPase and the stimulatory effect by NH4 (+) ions
      on the first enzyme could be important in facilitating NH4 (+) excretion by
      tilapia gills under physiological conditions.In vitro maximum stimulation by NH4
      (+) is similar for the two enzymes (200%). In contrast to Na(+)/K(+) ATPase,
      Na(+)/H(+) ATPase activity is inhibited by supra-physiological (>20 mM)
      concentrations of NH4 (+). 

PMID- 24226470
TI  - Smoltification in steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri): Developmental aspects of
      plasma constituents.
AB  - Selected biochemical parameters were measured in the plasma of both underyearling
      anadromous steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) and underyearling residentS.
      gairdneri. The analyses were conducted in an effort to determine whether or not
      there might be changes which could be associated with the parr-smolt
      transformation of anadromous strains. Plasma NH(+) 4 and plasma Na(+) were
      assayed and plasma proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis (2D PAGE).Ammonia was the only plasma ion to show changes with
      time that were different between the two strains of fish. Proteins prepared by 2D
      PAGE exhibited developmental changes in both migratory and nonmigratory fish.
      Each strain exhibited changes with time and the anadromous fish displayed
      patterns of proteins that were not observed in the nonanadromous strain. It is
      possible that certain changes in the protein constituents found in anadromous
      fish are associated with the processes of smoltification. The data are consistent
      with the notion that this developmental event occurs over an extended period of
      time and is not restricted to the spring.The data suggest that there may be some
      changes that occur in certain plasma constituents of migratory fish beginning in
      the fall and continuing into the spring. The data also indicate that certain
      ontogenetic events that are not associated with smoltification can be ascertained
      by analyses of plasma. 

PMID- 24226471
TI  - Stopped-flow kinetic studies of the formation and disintegration of polyion
      complex micelles in aqueous solution.
AB  - The formation of soluble polyion complexes (PICs) from anionic block copolymers,
      poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PEO-b-PSSNa) and
      cationic block copolymers, poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(quaternized 2-(dimethyl
      amino)ethyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PQDMA) was investigated by fluorescence
      spectroscopy, laser light scattering (LLS), and stopped-flow light scattering.
      Colloidally stabilized dispersions could be obtained upon direct mixing of the
      aqueous solutions of these two block copolymers, which indicated the formation of
      core-shell nanostructures with the core consisting of interpolymer electrostatic
      complexes between PSSNa and PQDMA blocks and the corona of PEO block. Both LLS
      and fluorescence results revealed that the most compact complex micelles formed
      at the equal molar ratio of oppositely charged SSNa and QDMA residues. The
      kinetics of the assembly process was studied via stopped-flow upon direct mixing
      of the two polymer solutions. The complexation process between PEO-b-PQDMA and
      PEO-b-PSSNa was fast and could finish within seconds. Moreover, the relaxation
      process can only be detected at near equal SSNa to QDMA molar ratios. The
      relaxation curves can be well fitted by a double-exponential function, leading to
      a fast relaxation process related to the initial quasi-equilibrium complex
      formation and a slow process related to the pre-complex structure rearrangements
      to the final equilibrium complexes. Both stages are determined as second-order
      reactions and processed through a micelle fusion-fission mechanism. Fluorescence
      kinetic studies revealed that the neutralization of an oppositely charged polyion
      was too fast to be detected and should be completed within the stopped-flow dead
      time. Thermodynamic studies revealed that spontaneous complexation is entropy
      driven. Upon increasing the ionic strength of the solutions, the complexation
      processes became slower due to the decrease of entropy driving force. The PIC
      dissociation process was further studied and considered to consist of two
      competing processes: a second-order process depending on PIC concentration and a
      first-order process independent of the PIC concentration. 

PMID- 24226472
TI  - Calcium chloride as a major component contributing to aphid resistance
      ofNicotiana benthamiana.
AB  - Substances with antiaphid activity were extracted from the leaf surface of aphid
      resistantN. benthamiana and purified. Sugar esters and diacyl glycerols were
      isolated from the chloroform extract, but only diacyl glycerols showed
      significant activity. However, the major activity was found in the water extract
      rather than in the chloroform extract. From the water extract calcium chloride
      was isolated as the most abundant active substance. Only calcium chloride showed
      significant activity among several calcium salts and chlorides of several metals
      that are abundant in plants. Calcium contents per unit area of leaf surface ofN.
      benthamiana and aphid-resistantN. gossei were almost equal to each other and 10
      100 times higher than that of aphid-susceptibleN. tabacum. 

PMID- 24226473
TI  - Relative importance of semiochemicals from first and second trophic levels in
      host foraging behavior ofAphidius ervi.
AB  - The responses of femaleAphidius ervi to odors from a host food plant (Vicia
      faba), host aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), nonhost aphids (Aphis fabae), and aphid
      plant complexes were investigated in a specially designed wind tunnel and a Y
      tube olfactometer. In single-target (no-choice) and two-target (dual-choice)
      experiments, plant volatiles played a crucial role in the host foraging behavior
      ofA. ervi. The odor from theA. pisum-plant complex elicited the strongest
      responses byA. ervi females, followed by the odor from plants previously damaged
      by the feeding ofA. pisum. There was a significantly weaker response to odor
      fromA. pisum in the absence of the plant and to undamaged plants. Similarly,
      mechanically damaged plants and plants infested with the nonhost aphidA. fabae
      did not elicit strong responses. A plant that had been damaged byA. pisum and
      subsequently washed with distilled water was as attractive as an unwashed,
      previously infested plant.Aphidius ervi probably overcomes the reliability
      detectability problem by selectively responding to herbivore-induced, volatile,
      semiochemical cues emitted by the first trophic level and by distinguishing
      between the volatiles induced by host and nonhost aphids. 

PMID- 24226474
TI  - Electroantennogram activity from antennae ofCeratitis capitata (Wied.) to fresh
      orange airborne volatiles.
AB  - Twenty-six compounds have been identified from fresh orange airborne volatiles,
      the most abundant being limonene and alloaromadendrene. Ethyl- and
      butylhexanoates were found in middle concentrations, whereas the other compounds
      occur at low levels. Electroantennograms recorded fromCeratitis capitata Wied.
      (males and females) revealed limonene. butyl hexanoate, dihydrocarvone, and
      limonene oxide to be most active. In the case of dihydrocarvone, 4-ethyl
      acetophenone, and carvone, female antennae give greater responses than antennae
      of males. Limonene oxide was more active for males than females. Total airborne
      volatiles recovered from oranges elicited high EAGs, with females being more
      sensitive than males. 

PMID- 24226475
TI  - Quantitative comparison of volatile compounds among sevenMedicago spp.
      accessions.
AB  - Previous research identified the presence of unique semivolatile compounds in
      alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica Gyllenhal) (AW) -resistantMedicago accessions.
      These compounds may impart repellency to AW in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The
      objective of our study was to analyze within- and between-population variation
      for four of these unique semivolatile compounds across eglandular and glandular
      hairedMedicago accessions. SevenMedicago accessions were evaluated under
      greenhouse conditions in an experiment arranged as randomized complete blocks
      with four replicates. Volatile compounds were extracted via supercritical fluid
      extraction and then quantitatively analyzed for levels of 2,7-dimethyl, 2,6
      octadienol;cis-geraniol; 1,(E)-8,(Z)-10-tetradecatriene; and 1-hepten-3-ol.
      Significant difference (P<0.05) among entries were observed for 2,7-dimethyl,2,6
      octadienol;cis-geraniol; 1, and (E)-8,(Z)-10-tetradecatriene. These compounds
      were found only in glandularhaired accessions. There were no significant
      differences in levels of 1-hepten-3-ol. Our findings demonstrate that the genetic
      incorporation of 2,7-dimethyl, 2,6-octadienol;cis-geraniol; 1, and (E)-8,(Z)-10
      tetradecatriene into cultivated alfalfa will require interspecific crossing.
      Alfalfa weevil behavioral tests using these compounds must be conducted prior to
      such crosses in order to ascertain the efficacy of repellency by these compounds.

PMID- 24226476
TI  - Variation in aphid alarm pheromone content among glandular and eglandular
      hairedMedicago accessions.
AB  - Pea (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) and blue alfalfa aphid (A. kondoi Shinji)
      deterrency in alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) may result from incorporating higher
      levels of the aphid alarm pheromone,(E)-beta-farnesene relative to(E)-beta
      caryophyllene. We evaluated five eglandular and two glandular-haired alfalfa
      accessions for differences in(E)-beta-farnesene and(E)-beta-caryophyllene content
      under glasshouse conditions using supercritical fluid extraction and gas
      chromatography. In addition, pea and blue alfalfa aphid olfactory behavioral
      tests were conducted uponMedicago species containing different ratios of(E)-beta
      famesene relative to(E)-beta-caryophyllene. No differences in(E)-beta
      caryophyllene content were observed among the seven entries (MU=0.42 ng/g plant
      material). Significant differences (P <= 0.05) among entries were observed for(E)
      beta-famesene content, with KS94GH6 exhibiting the highest (1.18 ng/g), and CUF
      101 the lowest levels (0.35 ng/g). Elite tetraploid sources possessed
      significantly lower levels (MU=0.42 ng/g) of(E)-beta-farnesene than did wild and
      cultivated diploid accessions (MU=0.83 ng/g). Olfactory behavioral tests for both
      the pea and blue alfalfa aphids demonstrated KS94GH6 repelled aphids while
      cultivated alfalfa types attracted aphids in each case. Previously demonstrated
      aphid resistance in diploid KS94GH6 may result from superior(E)-beta- farnesene
      levels, but(E)-beta-farnesene is probably not a factor in cultivated alfalfa
      resistance. Finally, accession KS94GH6 could act as an excellent germplasm
      resource for the incorporation of higher(E)-beta-farnesene levels into cultivated
      alfalfa. 

PMID- 24226477
TI  - Grain weevil,Sitophilus granarius (L.): Antennal and behavioral responses to male
      produced volatiles.
AB  - Coupled GC-EAG techniques have been applied to the study of volatiles from the
      grain weevil,Sitophilus granarius. for the first time. The size of EAG response
      was independent of the sex of the responding insect but was consistently larger
      to extracts of males than those of females. This difference was reflected in a
      behavioral preference for the male extracts by mated adults of both sexes tested
      together and virgin adults of both sexes tested separately. The GC-EAG results
      provide evidence for two materials that are released specifically by the males.
      Using circular dichroism. one has been found to be identical stereochemically
      with the (2S,3R)-sitophilate reported by others as the aggregation pheromone in a
      different strain. This enhances the prospects for the development of a single
      pheromone lure that would be generally applicable whatever the origin of the
      strain. The small amount of sitophilate found in the males suggests that it is
      not stored in large amounts. The other material, present in such a small amount
      that it has yet to be fully characterized, elicits a higher antennal activity
      than sitophilate and may have a significant role to play in enhancing the trap
      catch of this economically important pest. 

PMID- 24226478
TI  - Hemicellulose is an important leaf-feeding resistance factor in corn to the fall
      armyworm.
AB  - The fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), (FAW) is a major pest of
      corn,Zea mays L., in the southeastern United States. The damage to pretassel corn
      is caused by larvae feeding primarily on immature inner whorls. In this study,
      resistant lines were found to contain more crude fiber in whorls, mostly
      hemicellulose and cellulose. While hemicellulose, chiefly an arabinoxylan, was
      higher in resistant (R) lines than in susceptible (S) lines, the distribution of
      constituent neutral sugars was very similar in the lines. Both lines also
      containedp-coumaric and ferulic acids. These phenolic acids are known to occur
      both in the free state and in the cell wall as complexes bound by ester linkages
      to the arabinose moiety of the arabinoxylan.(13)C NMR data showed that the
      intensity of the carbonyl carbon (184 ppm) in resistant hemicellulose was
      stronger, indicating a greater degree of cross-linking. Thus, resistant
      hemicellulose is both structurally different from susceptible hemicellulose and
      present in greater quantities. In two of three laboratory dietary tests, FAW
      larval weight gains were significantly higher on diets with (S) hemicellulose
      incorporated at the same level as (R) hemicellulose. Therefore, resistance to the
      FAW appears to be correlated with both a greater amount and a higher degree of
      cross-linking of the hemicellulose of (R) lines. 

PMID- 24226479
TI  - Intra- and interindividual variation in flank gland secretions of free-ranging
      shrewsCrocidura russula.
AB  - Individual differences in flank gland secretions were examined among males of the
      monogamous shrewCrocidura russula during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons.
      Gas chromatography was used to measure intra- and interindividual variation of
      flank gland secretions of free-ranging shrews from different populations. The
      number of compounds detected by gas Chromatographic analyses was correlated with
      body mass, flank gland size, and the presence of blood parasites in individual
      shrews. Very few compounds were detected from the flank gland area of juvenile
      males. After they reached sexual maturity, however, the number of compounds
      detected from the flank gland secretions increased significantly. At the
      beginning of the reproductive season 48 different compounds were detected from
      male flank gland secretions. In the middle of the breeding season 70 compounds
      were detected, while only 11 compounds were detected during the nonbreeding
      season. Few compounds were common to all males. There were more volatile
      compounds in the flank gland secretions of males in the beginning of the breeding
      season than later in the breeding season. Males from the same population had
      fewer differences in the elution profile of compounds than males from different
      populations indicating that individuals from a distinct population have similar
      elution profiles of compounds and that each population has its own type of
      elution profile. No correlations were found between the number of compounds
      detected by gas chromatography for each male and the male's body mass or flank
      gland size. Blood parasites (trypanosomes,Trypanosoma crocidurae) were found in
      only three of 30 males investigated. 

PMID- 24226480
TI  - Volatile compounds from interdigital gland of male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
      virginianus).
AB  - Interdigital secretions were collected from eight male white-tailed deer of
      various ages. Analysis of volatiles was performed by gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry with a modified headspace technique. Forty-six volatile compounds
      were found including alkanes, arenes, aldehydes, ketones, aliphatic acids,
      esters, pyrroles, furans, and sulfur compounds. Eleven occurred in higher
      concentrations (P<=0.10) in dominant (>=3.5-year-old) than in subordinate (>=1.5
      year-old) animals. Dominant males typically have higher serum testosterone
      levels, and fatty acids and esters fluctuate with sebum production, which is
      under hormonal control. Therefore, these compounds may reflect testosterone
      levels and act as chemical signals indicating the presence of a dominant male.
      Interdigital volatiles also may act as generalized scent trail markers. 

PMID- 24226481
TI  - Field attraction ofBiprorulus bibax Breddin (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to
      synthetic aggregation pheromone and (E)-2-hexenal, a pentatomid defense chemical.
AB  - A synthetic blend of the aggregation pheromone [(3R,4S,1'E)-3,4-bis(1'
      butenyl)tetrahydro-2-furanol, linalool, farnesol, and nerolidol] of the spined
      citrus bug,Biprorulus bibax, and the pentatomid defense chemical, (E)-2-hexenal,
      both attracted adultB. bibax to individual trees in citrus orchards. Lemon trees
      containing single glass vials with aggregation pheromone or (E)-2-hexenal were
      colonized by significantly greater numbers of reproductiveB. bibax than unbaited
      trees. There was no significant difference between the treatments and bug
      recruitment was not improved by using both treatments.B. bibax did not enter
      cylinder/funnel traps baited with aggregation pheromone but colonized trees
      containing the traps. Orange or lemon trees containing aggregation pheromone on
      orchard perimeters recruited significantly larger populations of emigrating,
      nonreproductiveB. bibax during fall than untreated trees. Nonreproductive bugs
      were not attracted to trees containing (E)-2-hexenal. The potential for using
      these semiochemicals as management tools forB. bibax is discussed. 

PMID- 24226482
TI  - Avoidance response of a terrestrial salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) to
      chemical alarm cues.
AB  - Organisms from a wide variety of taxonomic groups possess chemical alarm cues
      that are important in mediating predator avoidance. However, little is known
      about the presence of such alarm cues in most amphibians, and in particular
      terrestrial salamanders. In this study we tested whether adult long-toed
      salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) showed an avoidance response to stimuli
      from injured conspecifics. Avoidance of stimuli from injured conspecifics could
      represent avoidance of a chemical alarm cue or, alternatively, avoidance of a
      territorial pheromone or conspecific predator odor. Consequently, we also tested
      whether salamanders avoided stimuli from noninjured conspecifics. Salamanders
      avoided stimuli from injured but not from noninjured conspecifics. Therefore, we
      concluded that the response to injured conspecifics represents avoidance of a
      chemical alarm cue and not avoidance of a territorial pheromone or predator cue.
      This is the first clear demonstration of chemical alarm signaling by a
      terrestrial amphibian and the first report of chemical alarm signaling in an
      ambystomatid salamander. By avoiding an area containing stimuli from injured
      conspecifics, long-toed salamanders may lower their risk of predation by avoiding
      areas where predators are foraging. 

PMID- 24226483
TI  - Factors affecting behavioral phase transition in the desert locust,Schistocerca
      gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae).
AB  - The behavior of the desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera:
      Acrididae), is adjusted rapidly to population density and is a phase
      characteristic. We used discriminant analysis to quantify the extent of phase
      transition from the solitary to the gregarious phase and accurately classify the
      phase status on the basis of two decisive behavioral parameters: nymphal activity
      and social interaction. Fecal extracts. examined by olfactometry, attract
      solitarious nymphs but do not contribute to behavioral phase transition. Neither
      do visual stimuli alone. Short-range olfaction of airborne volatiles slightly
      affects behavioral phase transition. Antennectomy abolishes density response.
      Cuticular lipid extract, containing presumptive contact pheromones, does not
      attract nymphs, but does significantly affect behavioral phase transition. 

PMID- 24226484
TI  - Hydration, ionic valence and cross-linking propensities of cations determine the
      stability of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) membranes.
AB  - The supra-molecular structure of LPS aggregates governs outer membrane
      permeability and activation of the host immune response during Gram-negative
      bacterial infections. Molecular dynamics simulations unveil at atomic resolution
      the subtle balance between cation hydration and cross-linking ability in
      modulating phase transitions of LPS membranes. 

PMID- 24226485
TI  - Recent advances and contributions to procedural sedation with considerations for
      the future.
AB  - As the demand for sedation services have increased, the delivery of sedation has
      shifted from the operating room setting to areas distant to the operating room,
      both within and outside the hospital setting. Sedation delivery is not
      monopolized by any one specialty, but rather is being delivered by
      anesthesiologists as well as non-anesthesiologists. As the field of sedation
      burgeons and multi-specialists enter the realm of meeting the demands, so also
      have the politics increased. Unfortunately, the choice of sedative agents has not
      increased in parallel with the demand for sedation. Over the past decade, there
      has been a paucity of new introductions for procedural sedation. Rather, new
      formulations of approved agents are being reexamined. The safe, efficient and
      predictable delivery of sedation remains at the forefront of discussion and
      review worldwide. This review will explore the recent, significant and noteworthy
      contributions to the field of sedation. 

PMID- 24226486
TI  - A pharmacokinetic study of 48-hour sevoflurane inhalation using a disposable
      delivery system (AnaConDa(r)) in ICU patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding sevoflurane kinetics and toxicity during
      long-term sedation of intensive care unit (ICU) patients using the AnaConDa(r)
      system. The objective of the present study was to establish a pharmacokinetic
      description of 48-h sevoflurane administration, and to estimate plasma
      concentrations of metabolites. METHODS: Forty-eight hour sedation with
      sevoflurane vaporized via an AnaConDa(r) device, with an end-tidal concentration
      objective of 1.5% (v/v), was initiated in 12 non-obese patients who did not have
      hepatic or renal failure but who required sedation for more than 48 h in our ICU.
      Plasma sevoflurane, hexafluoroisopropanol, and fluoride concentrations were
      determined over this time period and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed.
      RESULTS: The mean plasma concentration of sevoflurane was 76 mg/L at 24 h and 70
      mg/L at 48 h. Wash-out of plasma sevoflurane correlated with a rapid decrease in
      the mean end-tidal sevoflurane level. The mean free plasma fraction of
      hexafluoroisopropanol never exceeded 8 mg/mL. The mean fluoride concentration was
      0.8 umol/L on day 0, 51.7 umol/L on day 1, and 68.1 umol/L on day 2 (P<0.0001).
      The distribution volume was 53 L, the elimination constant 2.9 h-1, the transfer
      constant from compartment 1 to compartment 2 (K1-2) 1.2 h-1, the K2-1 0.26 h-1,
      the half-life of elimination 3.78 h, and the total clearance 156 L/h. CONCLUSION:
      Following 48 hours of sedation using sevoflurane inhalation administered using an
      AnaConDa(r) delivery device, sevoflurane washout was rapid. Plasma fluoride
      levels accumulated over the study period without apparent nephrotoxicity.

PMID- 24226487
TI  - Propofol versus thiopental by target controlled infusion in patients undergoing
      craniotomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For decades thiopental has been considered as the hypnotic drug of
      choice for intracranial surgery. However, total intravenous anesthesia performed
      with thiopental is associated with delayed recovery, whereas early post-operative
      neurological evaluation is critical. For this reason, target controlled infusion
      (TCI) of propofol is increasingly used for maintenance of anesthesia. However, a
      thiopental TCI has never been assessed for this purpose. We tested the hypothesis
      that a thiopental TCI provides an acceptable way to achieve early recovery
      compared to a propofol TCI during supratentorial surgery. METHODS: Eighty
      patients undergoing elective craniotomy for a supratentorial tumor were
      randomized to receive either a propofol TCI (group P) or a thiopental TCI (group
      T). Both groups received a sufentanil TCI and the bispectral index was monitored.
      The primary end-point was time to tracheal extubation. Secondary end-points were
      per- and post-operative hemodynamics as well as respiratory and recovery
      parameters. Assessment of study end-points was performed by an intensive care
      specialist blinded (like the patient) to the received hypnotic. RESULTS: Time to
      extubation was significantly (P<0.0001) shorter in group P (median 149 minutes;
      interquartile range 72-250 minutes) than in group T (median 453 minutes;
      interquartile range 286-813 minutes). Similarly, the recovery parameters were
      significantly better in group P than in group T. There was no difference between
      groups in terms of patient characteristics and hemodynamic parameters.
      CONCLUSION: Even with TCI and bispectral index monitoring, thiopental is
      associated with an inappropriate delayed recovery from supratentorial surgery
      compared to propofol TCI.

PMID- 24226488
TI  - Changes in thenar muscle tissue oxygen saturation assessed by near-infrared
      spectroscopy during weaning from mechanical ventilation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) measured by near-infrared
      spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to provide information on local tissue
      oxygenation in different clinical settings. This study aims to determine the
      effect of weaning from mechanical ventilation on thenar muscle StO2. METHODS: In
      consecutive critically ill mechanically ventilated patients, StO2 at the thenar
      eminence, along with a vascular occlusion test (VOT), were measured by NIRS, on
      mechanical ventilation and during a 2-hour T-piece spontaneous breathing trial
      (SBT). Hemodynamic, gas exchange and respiratory variables were recorded.
      RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included in this study, 25 tolerated the SBT
      and 19 failed. On mechanical ventilation, no differences in any measured variable
      were observed between patients who succeeded or failed. Two minutes after SBT
      start, StO2 was decreased in patients who failed whereas it did not change in
      patients who succeeded (P<0.001). For all data, 2 minutes after the start of SBT,
      StO2 significantly correlated with SaO2 (r=0.32, P=0.037) and with the
      respiratory frequency/tidal volume (f/VT) index (r=-0.34, P=0.023). VOT-derived
      StO2 downslope and StO2 upslope did not change significantly along the SBT test.
      The maximum StO2 value, its ratio to minimum StO2, and the post-VOT StO2 value
      decreased significantly in patients who failed whereas no change was found in
      those who succeeded the SBT (P=0.003, P=0.025 and P<0.001 respectively). StO2 and
      f/VT at the second minute of SBT yielded a receiver operator characteristics
      curve area value of 0.77 and 0.80, P=0.002, respectively, in detecting the SBT
      outcome. CONCLUSION: SBT failure was associated with a significant impairment of
      thenar muscle StO2. A decrease of StO2 at 2 minutes after disconnection from the
      ventilator was associated with SBT failure. Further validation is warranted.

PMID- 24226489
TI  - Immediate postoperative and mid-term survival in nonagenarians undergoing non
      traumatic emergency surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonagenarian people are increasingly using the emergency services,
      however, few studies have addressed this population. The goal of this prospective
      observational study is to determine relevant factors that independently reduce
      their immediate postoperative and mid-term survival. METHODS: We included all the
      nonagenarians who underwent non-traumatic emergency surgery between 2006-2011.
      The dependent variable, days of postoperative survival, was studied at 2
      intervals: 0-30 days and 31 days to 1 year after surgery (immediate and mid-term
      respectively). Firstly, we calculated the Kaplan-Meier survival curve (KMsc) of
      the whole population. To analyse the bivariate relationship between each of the
      pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables and mortality we used c2 and Fischer's
      test. Finally, we performed a stepwise Cox regression analysis and developed two
      models -one for each interval. RESULTS: The study included 142 patients. The
      overall one-year mortality rate was 47.2%, and the 30-day mortality rate was
      35.9%. The KMsc showed a steep drop during the first month, and then a more
      gradual one for the rest of year. The inflection point was at day 26. The
      variables associated with a reduced immediate postoperative survival were
      neoplasms and 4 complications: heart failure, pulmonary aspiration, renal
      impairment and stroke. The factors associated with a reduced mid-term survival
      were: postoperative arrhythmia, surgical reintervention, and perioperative red
      blood cell transfusion. CONCLUSION: Postoperative complications are an important
      predictor of reduced survival both immediately, and in the mid-term. Furthermore,
      most postoperative mortality occurs within the first 26 days postsurgery; hence
      the need for an aggressive treatment of such complications during this period.

PMID- 24226490
TI  - Influence of LMA cuff pressure on the incidence of pharyngolaryngeal adverse
      effects and evaluation of the use of manometry during different ventilation
      modes: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pharyngolaryngeal discomfort is a significant complication following
      the use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The present study aimed to investigate
      the relation of LMA cuff pressure and the occurrence of pharyngolaryngeal
      discomfort during spontaneous ventilation (SV), pressure support (PSV) and
      pressure control ventilation (PCV). METHODS: A hundred and twenty patients, ASA I
      III, were included in this study. Originally the patients were divided into three
      groups: the 1st group was left to breath spontaneously, the 2nd group was placed
      under PSV while PCV was used in the 3rd group. Each group was divided into two
      subgroups: A) intervention group (maintaining cuff pressure at 60 cmH2O,
      measurement in 10 min intervals) and B) observation group (no intervention in
      cuff pressure, measurement in 10 min intervals). Anesthesia was induced with
      propofol and fentanyl and maintained with sevoflurane in air/oxygen. Patients
      were assessed 2 and 24 hours post-surgery, for sore throat, dysphonia or
      dysphagia. RESULTS: A and B subgroup comparison at 24 hours revealed a
      statistically significant difference in the presence of pharyngolaryngeal
      discomfort in the PSV group (10% versus 55% respectively, P=0.006). Furthermore,
      when assessing the effect of maintaining a constant cuff pressure regardless of
      mode of ventilation, significantly fewer adverse effects were observed (8.3% vs.
      35%, P=0.001) when compared to the non-intervention subgroup. CONCLUSION:
      Maintaining LMA cuff pressure in values which do not exceed 60 cmH2O probably
      contributes in decreasing pharyngolaryngeal discomfort independently of
      ventilation mode. The ventilation mode which leads to the highest incidence of
      pharyngolaryngeal morbidity when cuff pressures are not closely monitored is PSV.

PMID- 24226491
TI  - Influence of apneic oxygenation and minimal tidal volumes on ventilator
      associated lung injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protective tidal volumes such as 6 mL/kg can still result in tidal
      hyperinflation and expose the lung to mechanical stress. Further reduction of
      tidal volume and apneic oxygenation might mitigate lung injury. We aimed to
      assess the influence of minimal tidal volumes and apneic oxygenation in
      combination with arterio-venous extracorporeal lung assist (av-ECLA) on
      ventilator-associated lung injury. METHODS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome
      was induced in swine (N.=24) by saline lavage. The animals were randomized into
      three groups, ventilated in a pressure-controlled mode with a tidal volume (VT)
      of 6 mL/kg, 3 mL/kg and 0 mL/kg body weight, respectively. The latter two groups
      were instrumented with an av-ECLA device. Lung injury was assessed by
      histological examination of lung tissue at the end of the 24 hour experiment and
      by gas exchange parameters. RESULTS: Oxygenation was significantly lower in the 3
      and 0 mL/kg groups, whereas CO2 remained in the targeted range in all groups.
      Histological examination revealed a reduction of tidal hyperinflation in the
      apical lung regions in the 3 and 0 mL/kg groups. In lower lung regions an
      increase of inflammation, intra-alveolar exudation and formation of atelectasis
      was shown in the animals ventilated with lower VTs. CONCLUSION: In combination
      with highly effective CO2-removal, the reduction of tidal volumes up to 0 mL was
      feasible. Tidal hyperinflation could be reduced in the upper lung areas, yet
      inflammation in the lower lung was higher with low tidal volumes. This stresses
      the differing mechanical properties of inhomogeneous injured lungs.

PMID- 24226492
TI  - Total intravenous anesthesia with superficial cervical block or morphine
      transition in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was compare the Aldrete score at 5 minutes of
      two groups of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy with intravenous
      anesthesia, receiving either anesthetic superficial cervical plexus block or
      intravenous morphine as transition analgesia. METHODS: After Ethics Committee
      approval, this randomized, controlled, double-blind, single-center study was
      performed on patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, who received total
      intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil infusion. After intubation,
      each patient was randomly assigned to Block (superficial cervical block with
      levobupivacaine before the surgical incision), or Morphine group (standardized
      dose of morphine 30 minutes before the end of surgery). In the recovery room, an
      investigator unaware of the patient randomization recorded time to extubation,
      Aldrete score, pain, nausea/vomiting, and shiver at T0 (time of extubation), and
      at 5 (T5), 10 (T10), and 30 minutes (T30) after extubation. RESULTS: Sixty-four
      patients were studied. Time to extubation was 11 +/- 6 min for Block and 20 +/-
      10 min for Morphine group (P>0.001). Median Aldrete score at T0 was 9 in the
      Block and 6.5 in the Morphine group (P<0.001), at T5 it was 8.5 and 7.0
      (P<0.001), respectively. At T5, 29 (90.6%) Block and 8 (25%) Morphine patients
      had an Aldrete score >= 8 (P<0.001). Systolic blood pressure was higher in the
      Block than in Morphine patients at T0 and T5. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates
      shorter time to extubation and better emergence from anesthesia when total
      intravenous anesthesia is associated with superficial cervical block than with
      morphine as transition analgesia.

PMID- 24226493
TI  - Protective lung ventilation in operating room: a systematic review.
AB  - Postoperative pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications adversely affect
      clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization, so that prevention has become a
      measure of the quality of perioperative care. Mechanical ventilation is an
      essential support therapy to maintain adequate gas exchange during general
      anesthesia for surgery. Mechanical ventilation using high tidal volume (VT)
      (between 10 and 15 mL/kg) has been historically encouraged to prevent hypoxemia
      and atelectasis formation in anesthetized patients undergoing abdominal and
      thoracic surgery. However, there is accumulating evidence from both experimental
      and clinical studies that mechanical ventilation, especially the use of high VT
      and plateau pressure, may potentially aggravate or even initiate lung injury.
      Ventilator-associated lung injury can result from cyclic alveolar overdistension
      of non-dependent lung tissue, and repetitive opening and closing of dependent
      lung tissue resulting in ultrastructural damage at the junction of closed and
      open alveoli. Lung-protective ventilation, which refers to the use of lower VT
      and limited plateau pressure to minimize overdistension, and positive end
      expiratory pressure to prevent alveolar collapse at end-expiration, was shown to
      improve outcome in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress
      syndrome (ARDS). It has been recently suggested that this approach might also be
      beneficial in a broader population, especially in critically ill patients without
      ARDS at the onset of mechanical ventilation. There is, however, little evidence
      regarding a potential beneficial effect of lung protective ventilation during
      surgery, especially in patients with healthy lungs. Although surgical patients
      are frequently exposed to much shorter periods of mechanical ventilation, this is
      an important gap in knowledge given the number of patients receiving mechanical
      ventilation in the operating room. This review developed the benefits of lung
      protective ventilation during surgery and general anesthesia and offers some
      recommendations for mechanical ventilation in the surgical context. 

PMID- 24226494
TI  - Use of ETView Tracheoscopic Ventilation Tube(r) in airway management of a patient
      with tracheal injury.

PMID- 24226495
TI  - Comparison of unilateral and bilateral spinal anesthesia with 2% hyperbaric
      prilocaine in day-case inguinal herniorrhaphy: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric 2% prilocaine produces a faster onset and shorter duration
      of spinal anesthesia than a plain solution. The anesthetic profile could be
      improved by restricting the block to the operative side. We compared unilateral
      versus conventional bilateral spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric 2% prilocaine in
      day-case patients undergoing unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy. METHODS: Eighty
      patients were randomly assigned to receive either conventional bilateral (N.=40)
      or unilateral (N.=40) spinal anesthesia with 50 mg hyperbaric prilocaine 2%. In
      the unilateral group, lateral decubitus was maintained for 10 minutes. Sensory
      and motor block courses, time to first micturition, and side effects were
      recorded. RESULTS: On the operated side, the highest sensory block was T8 (T12
      T2) in the unilateral and T9 (T11-T4) in the bilateral group (P=0.0328); the time
      to motor (115 +/- 26 min in the unilateral and 108 +/- 24 min in the bilateral
      groups, P=0.2350) and sensory (156 +/- 30 min in the unilateral and 158 +/- 26
      min in the bilateral groups, P=0.7550) block resolution was similar in both
      groups. On the non-operated side, the unilateral group had a faster motor (64 +/-
      48, P<0.001) and sensory (120 +/- 47, P<0.001) time to block resolution than the
      conventional group. Restricted unilateral motor and sensory block was achieved in
      30% and 12.5% of patients, respectively. Time to voiding was shorter in the
      unilateral than in the conventional group (220 +/- 47 vs. 249 +/- 51 min,
      respectively, P=0.0104). There were no significant differences in adequacy for
      surgery and side effects between the groups. CONCLUSION: In day-case inguinal
      herniorrhaphy, attempting unilateral spinal anesthesia with 50 mg hyperbaric 2%
      prilocaine produced faster time to voiding.

PMID- 24226496
TI  - Hypercapnic hypoventilation due to tracheobroncomalacia: the success of non
      invasive respiratory support with continuous positive airway pressure.

PMID- 24226497
TI  - The need to clot: a review of current management strategies for adverse bleeding
      events with new oral anticoagulants.
AB  - The new factor Xa inhibitors and direct thrombin inhibitors have offered
      alternatives to traditional anticoagulants, with benefits of no routine
      monitoring, less drug interactions, and oral administration. Current approved
      uses of these agents include prophylaxis of stroke in non-valvular atrial
      fibrillation and prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following hip and
      knee arthroplasty. However, concern over bleeding risk in the context of having
      no specific antidotes available is a topic of focus for many physicians in an
      acute care setting. This manuscript examines the recent literature in the
      management of acute bleeding and the various methods of reversing anticoagulation
      in this setting. Literature published over the last 18 months (2011/07/01
      present) was gathered from PubMed, Ovid, and Medline under a combined search
      strategy covering bleeding, reversal, and new oral anticoagulants, both factor Xa
      and direct thrombin inhibitors. The use of prothrombin complex concentrate, fresh
      frozen plasma, activated recombinant factor VII, activated prothrombin complex
      concentrate, as well as adjuncts of charcoal, hemodialysis, and antifibrinolytics
      are discussed. Recommendations are based on the determination of the severity of
      the bleed and physiological markers of anticoagulation, and involve the use of
      prothrombin complex concentrate, activated recombinant factor VII, and adjunctive
      therapy as appropriate. 

PMID- 24226498
TI  - Urine sodium profile in the course of septic acute kidney injury: insights
      relevant for kidney function monitoring.

PMID- 24226499
TI  - Which factors determine prognosis after ventilator-associated pneumothorax in
      mechanically ventilated patients?

PMID- 24226500
TI  - Oral fiberoptic intubation: the importance of the bevel orientation.

PMID- 24226501
TI  - High flow oxygen therapy: tracheal pressure and oxygenation relationships: still
      too much complex?

PMID- 24226502
TI  - Chest compressions for cardiac arrest: easier said than done...

PMID- 24226503
TI  - Hyponatremia: killer or innocent bystander?

PMID- 24226504
TI  - Assessing pain outcome: is oblique subcostal transversus abdominis plane block
      better than other techiques?

PMID- 24226505
TI  - Assessing association between postoperative hemoglobin levels and myocardial
      ischemic events.

PMID- 24226506
TI  - Vitamin C for preventing and treating tetanus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tetanus is a severe disease that can be prevented by vaccination. In
      developing countries vaccination coverage is not always high. Cases still occur
      also in developed countries, particularly in elderly people owing to their
      reduced immuno protection. There are about 1 million tetanus cases per year
      globally. In animal studies, vitamin C has protected against various infections
      and bacterial toxins. In a study with rats, vitamin C protected against the
      purified tetanus toxin. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prophylactic and therapeutic
      effect of vitamin C on tetanus. SEARCH METHODS: In May 2013 we searched the
      Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register; The Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE
      (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations ); and Ovid EMBASE for this third
      update. SELECTION CRITERIA: Controlled trials of vitamin C as a prevention or
      treatment for tetanus, whether or not these were placebo controlled, in any
      language, published or unpublished. Two review authors independently made
      inclusion decisions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both review authors
      independently extracted data from trial reports and assessed methodological
      quality. Since one of the cells in a 2 * 2 table had no events, we calculated the
      odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) for case fatality rate by
      using the Peto-method. Another of the 2 * 2 tables had no empty cells and the
      inverse-variance method was used to calculate its risk ratio (RR) estimate and
      95% CI. We also used the Fisher's exact test to calculate the exact 95% CI for
      the OR of the 2 * 2 table with the empty cell. MAIN RESULTS: One single trial was
      eligible for inclusion. This non-randomised, unblinded, controlled trial
      undertaken in Bangladesh involved 117 tetanus patients. Vitamin C at a dosage of
      1 g/day was administered intravenously alongside conventional treatment. At
      recruitment, the participants were stratified into two age groups and the results
      were reported by age. There was a significant difference in the vitamin C effect
      between the two age groups (P = 0.01). In the tetanus patients aged 1 to 12 years
      (n = 62), vitamin C treatment was associated with a 100% reduction in case
      fatality rate (95% CI from -100% to -94%). In patients aged 13 to 30 years (n =
      55), vitamin C treatment was associated with a 45% reduction in case fatality
      rate (95% CI from -69% to -5%). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: A single, non-randomised,
      poorly reported trial of vitamin C as a treatment for tetanus suggests a
      considerable reduction in mortality. However, concerns about trial quality mean
      that this result must be interpreted with caution and vitamin C cannot be
      recommended as a treatment for tetanus on the basis of this evidence. New trials
      should be carried out to examine the effect of vitamin C on tetanus treatment.

PMID- 24226507
TI  - Mechanistic investigations of test article-induced pancreatic toxicity at the
      endocrine-exocrine interface in the rat.
AB  - Pancreatic toxicity commonly affects the endocrine or exocrine pancreas. However,
      it can also occur at the endocrine-exocrine interface (EEI), where the capillary
      network of the islet merges with the capillaries of the surrounding acinar
      tissue, that is, the insulo-acinar portal system. The goal of this article is to
      describe a novel, test article-induced pancreatic toxicity that originated at the
      EEI and to summarize investigations into the mechanistic basis of the injury.
      This injury was initially characterized by light microscopy in 7/14 day-toxicity
      studies in Sprague-Dawley (Crl: CD(r)[SD]) rats with undisclosed test articles.
      Microvascular injury at the interface resulted in peri-islet serum exudation,
      fibrin deposition, hemorrhage, inflammation, and secondary degeneration/necrosis
      of surrounding exocrine tissue. More chronic injury presented as islet fibrosis
      and lobular atrophy. Direct cytotoxicity affecting the capillary endothelium at
      the EEI was confirmed ultrastructurally on day 4. Endothelial microparticle and
      blood flow studies further confirmed endothelial involvement. Similar lesions
      occurred less frequently in 2 other rat strains and not in the mouse, dog, or
      cynomolgus macaque. In summary, in vivo and investigative study data confirmed
      primary endothelial cytotoxicity in the pathogenesis of this lesion and suggested
      that the lesion may be rat/rat strain-specific and of uncertain relevance for
      human safety risk assessment. 

PMID- 24226508
TI  - Concurrent and discriminant validity of the Star Excursion Balance Test for
      military personnel with lateral ankle sprain.
AB  - The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) has frequently been used to measure motor
      control and residual functional deficits at different stages of recovery from
      lateral ankle sprain (LAS) in various populations. However, the validity of the
      measure used to characterize performance--the maximal reach distance (MRD)
      measured by visual estimation--is still unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the
      concurrent validity of the MRD in the SEBT estimated visually vs the MRD measured
      with a 3D motion-capture system and evaluate and compare the discriminant
      validity of 2 MRD-normalization methods (by height or by lower-limb length) in
      participants with or without LAS (n = 10 per group). RESULTS: There is a high
      concurrent validity and a good degree of accuracy between the visual estimation
      measurement and the MRD gold-standard measurement for both groups and under all
      conditions. The Cohen d ratios between groups and MANOVA products were higher
      when computed from MRD data normalized by height. CONCLUSION: The results support
      the concurrent validity of visual estimation of the MRD and the use of the SEBT
      to evaluate motor control. Moreover, normalization of MRD data by height appears
      to increase the discriminant validity of this test.

PMID- 24226509
TI  - NMR-based metabolomics and LC-MS/MS quantification reveal metal-specific
      tolerance and redox homeostasis in Chlorella vulgaris.
AB  - Live green algae are promising candidates for phytoremediation, but a suitable
      algal species which bio-accumulates high concentrations of heavy metals, and
      survives well in industrial water is yet to be identified. Potential metabolic
      engineering may be applied to improve algal phytoremediation performance, but the
      metal tolerance and bioaccumulation mechanisms in green algae have to be first
      fully understood. In this study, NMR-based metabolomics was used to study the
      effect of different metal species (copper, cadmium and lead) and metal
      concentrations in green microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris. High Cu concentrations
      influenced substantial decrease in organic osmolytes (betaine and
      glycerophosphocholine), which indicated Cu-induced redox imbalance. Accompanying
      redox imbalance, growth inhibition and photosynthesis impairments in Cu-spiked C.
      vulgaris revealed a clear relationship between Cu toxicity and redox homeostasis.
      As these metabolic changes were less prominent in Cd and Pb-spiked cultures, we
      inferred metal-specific toxicity in C. vulgaris, where redox active Cu(2+) is
      more potent than non-redox active Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) in causing redox imbalance.
      Subsequently, ICP-MS and LC-MS/MS quantification shed light on the metal-specific
      bioaccumulation and detoxification mechanisms. The metal bioconcentration factor
      (BCF) correlated well with the phytochelatin (PC) content in Cu and Cd-spiked C.
      vulgaris biomass. High BCF and PC levels with increasing Cu and Cd exposure
      concentrations indicated that PCs played a significant role in Cu and Cd
      bioaccumulation and detoxification. In contrast, the undetectable PC levels in Pb
      spiked cultures despite high Pb BCF suggest an alternative detoxification
      mechanism for Pb: either by passive absorption to the algal cell wall or
      interaction with glutathione (GSH). 

PMID- 24226510
TI  - Competition between resonance ejection and ion dissociation during resonant
      excitation in a quadrupole ion trap.
AB  - The competition between ion dissociation and ion ejection during resonant
      excitation in a quadrupole ion trap is investigated. Ions of similar mass but
      with a range of critical energies for the onset of dissociation have been
      examined. The effects of the amplitude and duration of the resonant excitation,
      the well depth in which the ions are trapped, and the pressure and nature of the
      collision gas are explored. Once the onset of ion ejection is reached, the rate
      of ion ejection increases with increased amplitude of the resonant excitation
      signal. The rate of ejection decreases or stays constant as a function of the
      duration of the resonant excitation, depending upon the ion species being
      excited. Increasing the trapping well depth increases the relative amount of
      dissociation versus ejection as does increasing the pressure of the bath gas.
      Adding heavier bath gases lowers the onset of ion dissociation and raises the
      onset of ion ejection. 

PMID- 24226511
TI  - Characterization of a high-pressure quadrupole collision cell for low-energy
      collision-indneed dissociation.
AB  - A RF-only quadrupole collision cell of new design has been evaluated for use in
      tandem mass spectrometry experiments as a component of a triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometer. The new design permits operation at values of collision gas
      thickness higher by 1 order of magnitude than those used in most cells of this
      type. When operated at sufficiently high collision gas pressures, the
      transmission efficiency for precursor ions increases with increasing pressure,
      often to values greater than those observed in the absence of collision gas.
      Simultaneously, the attainable resolving power for fragment ions across the
      entire mass-tocharge ratio range, even for multiply charged precursors, also
      increases to the point where isomers of a quadruply charged fragment are
      resolved. The performance of the cell, judged in terms of yields and resolution
      of fragment ions, has been investigated as a function of the nature and pressure
      of collision gas, the kinetic energy of the precursor ions that enter the cell,
      and of the size and charge state of the precursors. The enhanced performance is
      explicable in terms of a marked deceleration of all ions that emerge from the
      cell to very low energies, probably a few tens of millielectronvolts, so that the
      cell effectively acts as an ion source for the second mass filter (fragment ion
      analyzer) to provide a spectrum of ions of fixed axial energy. The high
      transmission efficiency appears to arise from a collisional focusing effect
      analogous to that exploited in three-dimensional RF ion traps. The low axial
      energies imply that ion transit times through the cell are sufficiently long
      (several milliseconds) that, in precursor ion experiments where the first mass
      filter is scanned, a hysteresis effect is observed. This implies that in this
      operating mode compromises must be sought between scan speed and quality of peak
      shape. Examples are given of spectra obtained under realistic operating
      conditions that employ flow injection of samples. 

PMID- 24226512
TI  - Proton transfer reaction studies of multiply charged proteins in a high mass-to
      charge ratio quadrupole mass spectrometer.
AB  - Proton transfer reactions of multiply charged ions at high mass-to-charge ratios
      were explored with a low frequency quadrupole mass spectrometer. This instrument
      enabled a qualitative comparison of proton transfer reaction rates at low charge
      states for ions generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) from different
      solution conformations and for disulfide-linked versus disulfide-reduced protein
      ions. Proton transfer reactions that efficiently reduced the number of charges
      for ESI-generated ions to approximately the number of arginines in the
      polypeptide sequence were observed. No significant differences in gas-phase
      reaction rates were noted between different solution conformers. Differences in
      reaction rates between "native" and disulfide-reduced proteins were much smaller
      than those observed below m/z 2000 with lower proton affinity reagents or by
      using lower reagent concentrations. These smaller differences in reaction rates
      are thought to reflect the reduced electrostatic contributions from widely spaced
      charge sites and thus, the reduced sensitivi ty to an ion's three-dimensional
      structure or U compactness. 

PMID- 24226513
TI  - Tandem mass spectrometry of poly(ethylene glycol) lithium-attachment ions.
AB  - A study of the fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry behavior of a
      number of ethylene glycol polymers (PEGs) has been carried out. Both linear
      (hydroxyl, amino, and/or alkyl end groups) and cyclic (crown ether) polymers were
      studied. One of the materials is a block copolymer of ethylene and propylene
      oxides. Collisional activation was carried out in the collision octapole of a
      BEoQ hybrid mass spectrometer at a translational energy of 50 eV, with collision
      gas air. For the linear polymers, the most intense product ions are lithiated,
      linear polyglycol oligomers, These ions are formed via internal hydrogen transfer
      reactions that are facilitated (charge-induced) by lithium. This series of
      product ions allows for the observation of consecutive losses of monomer units
      from the chain end; this is useful to determine the sequence of monomers in a
      copolymer. The most abundant product ions from cyclic PEGs are lithiated radical
      cations. An especially interesting finding in this work is the preferential loss
      of two internal ethylene oxide (EO) units (dioxane, 88 u) from some [M + Li](+)
      precursors. Factors that influence this loss include (a) the sequence length of
      EO repeat units in the oligomer and (b) the identity of the end groupts) on the
      oligomer. It is proposed that this elimination of dioxane involves a six-membered
      ring intermediate; this decomposition reaction is believed to be a lithium
      mediated (charge-induced) rearrangement. 

PMID- 24226514
TI  - Dissociation characteristics of [M + X](+) ions (X = H, Li, Na, K) from linear
      and cyclic polyglycols.
AB  - The unimolecular reactions of protonated and metalated polyglycols with
      kiloelectronvolt translational energies have been studied by collisionally
      activated dissociation and neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry. The
      former method provides information on the ionic dissociation products, whereas
      the latter allows for the identification of the complementary neutral losses.
      Protonated linear polyglycols mainly undergo charge-initiated decompositions that
      lead to eliminations of smaller oligomers, On the other hand, protonated crown
      ethers ("cyclic" polyglycols) favor charge-induced reactions that proceed by
      cleavages of two ethylene oxide units in the form of 1,4-dioxane. Replacement of
      one O by NH in the crown ether dramatically changes its unimolecular chemistry;
      now, charge-remote 1,4-eliminations from ring-opened isomers are preferred.
      Charge-remote reactions are also the major decomposition channels of all
      metalated precursors studied. The linear polyglycols decompose primarily by 1,4
      H2 eliminations and to a lesser extent by homolytic cleavages near chain ends.
      The reverse is true for metalated crown ethers, which preferentially produce
      distonic radical cations by the loss of saturated radicals; these reactions are
      proposed to involve prior rearrangement to open-chain isomers. The nature of the
      metal ion (Li(+), Na(+), or K(+)) does not greatly affect the unimolecular
      chemistry of the cationized polyglycol. In general, metalated precursors form
      many abundant fragment ions over the entire mass range; hence, collisional
      activation of such ions at high kinetic energy should be particularly useful for
      structure elucidations. 

PMID- 24226515
TI  - Internal energy distributions of tungsten hexacarbonyl ions after neutralization
      Reionization.
AB  - The internal energy distributions P(epsilon) transferred to W(CO) 6 (+.) during
      the kiloelectronvolt collisions that occur upon neutralization-reionization (NR)
      have been estimated based on the relative abundances of the W(CO) 0-6 (+.)
      products present in NR spectra (thermochemical method). The average internal
      energy of the incipient {W(CO) 6 (+.) }(*) ions arising after near thermoneutral
      neutralization with trimethylamine followed by reionization with O2 is ~9 eV for
      8-keV precursor ions and is mainly deposited during reionization, For comparison,
      the mean internal energy of {W(CO) 6 (+.) }(*) after electron ionization (EO or
      collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) is ~ 6 eV. Making the neutralization
      step endothermic slightly increases the overall excitation gained; however, a
      large increase in endothermicity (> 16 eV) causes only a modest rise of the
      average internal energy (<2 eV). The P(epsilon) curve for NR increases
      exponentially up to ~ 6 eV and levels off at higher energies.. showing that the
      probability of imparting large internal energies (6-17 eV) is high. In sharp
      contrast, the most probable excitation on CAD is <=6 eV, and the probability of
      deposition of larger energies declines exponentially. The mean internal energies
      after CAD and NR decrease steadily when the kinetic energy is lowered. The
      structure (minima-maxima) observed in the P(epsilon) distribution for El, which
      most likely originates from Franck-Condon factors, is not reproduced in the
      distributions for NR or high energy CAD, despite the fact that all three methods
      involve electronic excitation. Because of the large internal energies transferred
      upon NR, NR mass spectrometry could be particularly useful in the differentiation
      of ionic isomers with high dissociation but low isomerization thresholds. 

PMID- 24226516
TI  - Elimination of methane from protonated acetaldehyde: The Ab initio transition
      state.
AB  - The transition state (TS) for loss of CH4 from protonated acetaldehyde has been
      located at the second-order Moller-Plesset (MP2)/6-31G(d, p) level of theory. The
      activation energy is predicted to be 263.9 kJ/mol starting from the more stable
      form (methyl and hydrogen E) and 261.6 kJ/mol starting from the less stable form
      (methyl and hydrogen Z) that is required for reaction. The products (methane and
      the formyl ion) are predicted to lie 136.6 kJ/mol below the TS for their
      formation. MP2 methods underestimate the heats of formation of both the TS and
      the reaction products by about 40 kJ/mol when compared with experiment.
      Restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) calculations give much more accurate relative
      energies. The MP2 TS leads directly to fragmentation and is described as a
      protonation of the methyl group by the acidic proton on oxygen. Under RHF theory
      the reaction is stepwise. An RHF TS similar to the MP2 TS leads to a nonclassical
      intermediate (which is stable at this level of theory) that has one of the C-H
      bonds protonated. This mechanism (protonation of an alkyl group) appears to be a
      general one for high energy 1,2 eliminations from organic cations. 

PMID- 24226517
TI  - Nitric oxide-assisted atmospheric pressure corona discharge ionization for the
      analysis of automobile hydrocarbon emission species.
AB  - Nitric oxide reagent gas has been found to improve the sensitivity and robustness
      of the atmospheric pressure corona discharge ionization (APCDI) process.
      Sensitivity has been increased by a factor of 20-100, depending on the compound,
      over APCDI without nitric oxide. The robustness (defined as the sensitivity to
      matrix interferences) of APCDI in the presence of water has been improved by a
      factor of 3 over normal APCDI. These improvements are due in part to a
      modification of the commercial inlet system and ionization chamber that allows
      the chamber and sample gases to be heated to 100 and 350 degrees C, respectively.
      Nitric oxide was chosen as the reagent gas because of the variety and selectivity
      of its interaction with hydrocarbons with differing functional groups. Product
      ions of nitric oxide ionization and their subsequent tandem mass spectra are
      presented and discussed for selected alkanes; alkenes, alkylbenzenes, alcohols;
      aldehydes, and an ether. A tandem mass spectrometry (unique parent ion-daughter
      ion transition) method was developed to quantify compounds of specific interest
      in vehicle emissions. The absolute sensitivity for these compounds, under ideal
      conditions, was determined and ranges from 0.006 ppb for xylene (most sensitive)
      to 80 ppb for C8 (or larger) normal alkanes. Routine sensitivity for real-world
      samples was in the single parts per billion range for aromatic and olefinic
      species. Potential applications include the real-time, on-line monitoring of
      selected hydrocarbons in automobile exhaust. 

PMID- 24226518
TI  - RBP-J in FOXD1+ renal stromal progenitors is crucial for the proper development
      and assembly of the kidney vasculature and glomerular mesangial cells.
AB  - The mechanisms underlying the establishment, development, and maintenance of the
      renal vasculature are poorly understood. Here, we propose that the transcription
      factor "recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region"
      (RBP-J) plays a key role in the differentiation of the mural cells of the kidney
      arteries and arterioles, as well as the mesangial cells of the glomerulus.
      Deletion of RBP-J in renal stromal cells of the forkhead box D1 (FOXD1) lineage,
      which differentiate into all the mural cells of the kidney arterioles along with
      mesangial cells and pericytes, resulted in significant kidney abnormalities and
      mortality by day 30 postpartum (P30). In newborn mutant animals, we observed a
      decrease in the total number of arteries and arterioles, along with thinner
      vessel walls, and depletion of renin cells. Glomeruli displayed striking
      abnormalities, including a failure of FOXD1-descendent cells to populate the
      glomerulus, an absence of mesangial cells, and in some cases complete loss of
      glomerular interior structure and the development of aneurysms. By P30, the
      kidney malformations were accentuated by extensive secondary fibrosis and
      glomerulosclerosis. We conclude that RBP-J is essential for proper formation and
      maintenance of the kidney vasculature and glomeruli. 

PMID- 24226519
TI  - Increase in SGLT1-mediated transport explains renal glucose reabsorption during
      genetic and pharmacological SGLT2 inhibition in euglycemia.
AB  - In the kidney, the sodium-glucose cotransporters SGLT2 and SGLT1 are thought to
      account for >90 and ~3% of fractional glucose reabsorption (FGR), respectively.
      However, euglycemic humans treated with an SGLT2 inhibitor maintain an FGR of 40
      50%, mimicking values in Sglt2 knockout mice. Here, we show that oral gavage with
      a selective SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2-I) dose dependently increased urinary glucose
      excretion (UGE) in wild-type (WT) mice. The dose-response curve was shifted
      leftward and the maximum response doubled in Sglt1 knockout (Sglt1-/-) mice.
      Treatment in diet with the SGLT2-I for 3 wk maintained 1.5- to 2-fold higher
      urine glucose/creatinine ratios in Sglt1-/- vs. WT mice, associated with a
      temporarily greater reduction in blood glucose in Sglt1-/- vs. WT after 24 h (-33
      vs. -11%). Subsequent inulin clearance studies under anesthesia revealed free
      plasma concentrations of the SGLT2-I (corresponding to early proximal
      concentration) close to the reported IC50 for SGLT2 in mice, which were
      associated with FGR of 64 +/- 2% in WT and 17 +/- 2% in Sglt1-/-. Additional
      intraperitoneal application of the SGLT2-I (maximum effective dose in metabolic
      cages) increased free plasma concentrations ~10-fold and reduced FGR to 44 +/- 3%
      in WT and to -1 +/- 3% in Sglt1-/-. The absence of renal glucose reabsorption was
      confirmed in male and female Sglt1/Sglt2 double knockout mice. In conclusion,
      SGLT2 and SGLT1 account for renal glucose reabsorption in euglycemia, with 97 and
      3% being reabsorbed by SGLT2 and SGLT1, respectively. When SGLT2 is fully
      inhibited by SGLT2-I, the increase in SGLT1-mediated glucose reabsorption
      explains why only 50-60% of filtered glucose is excreted. 

PMID- 24226520
TI  - Impaired renal function and development in Belgrade rats.
AB  - Belgrade rats carry a disabling mutation in the iron transporter divalent metal
      transporter 1 (DMT1). Although DMT1 plays a major role in intestinal iron
      absorption, the transporter is also highly expressed in the kidney, where its
      function remains unknown. The goal of this study was to characterize renal
      physiology of Belgrade rats. Male Belgrade rats died prematurely with ~50%
      survival at 20 wk of age. Necropsy results indicated marked glomerular nephritis
      and chronic end-stage renal disease. By 15 wk of age, Belgrade rats displayed
      altered renal morphology associated with sclerosis and fibrosis. Creatinine
      clearance was significantly lower compared with heterozygote littermates. Urinary
      biomarkers of kidney injury, including albumin, fibrinogen, and kidney injury
      molecule-1, were significantly elevated. Pilot morphological studies suggest that
      nephrogenesis is delayed in Belgrade rat pups due to their low iron status and
      fetal growth restriction. Such defects in renal development most likely underlie
      the compromised renal metabolism observed in adult b/b rats. Belgrade rat kidney
      nonheme iron levels were not different from controls but urinary iron and
      transferrin levels were higher. These results further implicate an important role
      for the transporter in kidney function not only in iron reabsorption but also in
      glomerular filtration of the serum protein. 

PMID- 24226521
TI  - Biomechanical regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 in the renal collecting duct.
AB  - High-dietary sodium (Na), a feature of the Western diet, requires the kidney to
      excrete ample Na to maintain homeostasis and prevent hypertension. High urinary
      flow rate, presumably, leads to an increase in fluid shear stress (FSS) and FSS
      mediated release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by the cortical collecting duct (CCD)
      that enhances renal Na excretion. The pathways by which tubular flow
      biomechanically regulates PGE2 release and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression
      are limited. We hypothesized that FSS, through stimulation of neutral
      sphingomyelinase (N-SM) activity, enhances COX-2 expression to boost Na
      excretion. To test this, inner medullary CD3 cells were exposed to FSS in vitro
      and mice were injected with isotonic saline in vivo to induce high tubular flow.
      In vitro, FSS induced N-SM activity and COX-2 protein expression in cells while
      inhibition of N-SM activity repressed FSS-induced COX-2 protein abundance.
      Moreover, the murine CCD expresses N-SM protein and, when mice are injected with
      isotonic saline to induce high tubular flow, renal immunodetectable COX-2 is
      induced. Urinary PGE2 (445 +/- 91 vs. 205 +/- 14 pg/ml; P < 0.05) and
      microdissected CCDs (135.8 +/- 21.7 vs. 65.8 +/- 11.0 pg.ml(-1).mm(-1) CCD; P <
      0.05) from saline-injected mice generate more PGE2 than sham-injected controls,
      respectively. Incubation of CCDs with arachidonic acid and subsequent measurement
      of secreted PGE2 are a reflection of the PGE2 generating potential of the
      epithelia. CCDs isolated from polyuric mice doubled their PGE2 generating
      potential and this was due to induction of COX-2 activity/protein. Thus, high
      tubular flow and FSS induce COX-2 protein/activity to enhance PGE2 release and,
      presumably, effectuate Na excretion. 

PMID- 24226522
TI  - ROS dependence of cyclooxygenase-2 induction in rats subjected to unilateral
      ureteral obstruction.
AB  - Oxidative stress resulting from unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) may be
      aggravated by increased production of ROS. Previous studies have demonstrated
      increased cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in renal medullary interstitial cells
      (RMICs) in response to UUO. We investigated, both in vivo and in vitro, the role
      of ROS in the induction of COX-2 in rats subjected to UUO and in RMICs exposed to
      oxidative and mechanical stress. Rats subjected to 3-day UUO were treated with
      two mechanistically distinct antioxidants, the NADPH oxidase inhibitor
      diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and the complex I inhibitor rotenone (ROT), to
      interfere with ROS production. We found that UUO-mediated induction of COX-2 in
      the inner medulla was attenuated by both antioxidants. In addition, DPI and ROT
      reduced tubular damage and oxidative stress after UUO. Moreover, mechanical
      stretch induced COX-2 and oxidative stress in RMICs. Likewise, RMICs exposed to
      H2O2 as an inducer of oxidative stress showed increased COX-2 expression and
      activity, both of which were reduced by DPI and ROT. Similarly, ROS production,
      which was increased after exposure of RMICs to H2O2, was also reduced by DPI and
      ROT. Furthermore, oxidative stress-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 was
      blocked by both antioxidants, and inhibition of ERK1/2 and p38 attenuated the
      induction of COX-2 in RMICs. Notably, COX-2 inhibitors further exacerbated the
      oxidative stress level in H2O2-exposed RMICs. We conclude that oxidative stress
      as a consequence of UUO stimulates COX-2 expression through the activation of
      multiple MAPKs and that the induction of COX-2 may exert a cytoprotective
      function in RMICs. 

PMID- 24226523
TI  - Kindlin-2 regulates renal tubular cell plasticity by activation of Ras and its
      downstream signaling.
AB  - Kindlin-2 is an adaptor protein that contributes to renal tubulointerstitial
      fibrosis (TIF). Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tubular epithelial
      cells was regarded as one of the key events in TIF. To determine whether kindlin
      2 is involved in the EMT process, we investigated its regulation of EMT in human
      kidney tubular epithelial cells (TECs) and explored the underlying mechanism. In
      this study, we found that overexpression of kindlin-2 suppressed epithelial
      marker E-cadherin and increased the expression of fibronectin and the
      myofibroblast marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Kindlin-2 significantly
      activated ERK1/2 and Akt, and inhibition of ERK1/2 or Akt reversed kindlin-2
      induced EMT in human kidney TECs. Mechanistically, kindlin-2 interacted with Ras
      and son of sevenless (Sos)-1. Furthermore, overexpression of kindlin-2 increased
      Ras activation through recruiting Sos-1. Treatment with a Ras inhibitor markedly
      repressed kindlin-2-induced ERK1/2 and Akt activation, leading to restraint of
      EMT. We further demonstrated that knockdown of kindlin-2 inhibited EGF-induced
      Ras-Sos-1 interaction, resulting in reduction of Ras activation and suppression
      of EMT stimulated by EGF. Importantly, we found that depletion of kindlin-2
      significantly inhibited activation of ERK1/2 and Akt signaling in mice with
      unilateral ureteral obstruction. We conclude that kindlin-2, through activating
      Ras and the downstream ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways, plays an important role
      in regulating renal tubular EMT and could be a potential therapeutic target for
      the treatment of fibrotic kidney diseases. 

PMID- 24226525
TI  - The fire within: pyroptosis in the kidney.

PMID- 24226524
TI  - SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin reduces renal growth and albuminuria in proportion
      to hyperglycemia and prevents glomerular hyperfiltration in diabetic Akita mice.
AB  - Our previous work has shown that gene knockout of the sodium-glucose
      cotransporter SGLT2 modestly lowered blood glucose in streptozotocin-diabetic
      mice (BG; from 470 to 300 mg/dl) and prevented glomerular hyperfiltration but did
      not attenuate albuminuria or renal growth and inflammation. Here we determined
      effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin (300 mg/kg of diet for 15 wk;
      corresponding to 60-80 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) in type 1 diabetic Akita mice that,
      opposite to streptozotocin-diabetes, upregulate renal SGLT2 expression. Akita
      diabetes, empagliflozin, and Akita + empagliflozin similarly increased renal
      membrane SGLT2 expression (by 38-56%) and reduced the expression of SGLT1 (by 33
      37%) vs. vehicle-treated wild-type controls (WT). The diabetes-induced changes in
      SGLT2/SGLT1 protein expression are expected to enhance the BG-lowering potential
      of SGLT2 inhibition, and empagliflozin strongly lowered BG in Akita (means of 187
      237 vs. 517-535 mg/dl in vehicle group; 100-140 mg/dl in WT). Empagliflozin
      modestly reduced GFR in WT (250 vs. 306 MUl/min) and completely prevented the
      diabetes-induced increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (255 vs. 397
      MUl/min). Empagliflozin attenuated increases in kidney weight and urinary
      albumin/creatinine ratio in Akita in proportion to hyperglycemia. Empagliflozin
      did not increase urinary glucose/creatinine ratios in Akita, indicating the
      reduction in filtered glucose balanced the inhibition of glucose reabsorption.
      Empagliflozin attenuated/prevented the increase in systolic blood pressure,
      glomerular size, and molecular markers of kidney growth, inflammation, and
      gluconeogenesis in Akita. We propose that SGLT2 inhibition can lower GFR
      independent of reducing BG (consistent with the tubular hypothesis of diabetic
      glomerular hyperfiltration), while attenuation of albuminuria, kidney growth, and
      inflammation in the early diabetic kidney may mostly be secondary to lower BG. 

PMID- 24226526
TI  - Tuberous sclerosis complex, mTOR, and the kidney: report of an NIDDK-sponsored
      workshop.
AB  - Remarkable basic and translational advances have elucidated the role of the
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling network in the pathogenesis of
      renal disease. Many of these advances originated from studies of the genetic
      disease tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), leading to one of the clearest
      therapeutic opportunities to target mTOR with rapamycin and its analogs
      ("rapalogs"), which effectively inhibit mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) by an allosteric
      mechanism. Clinical trials based on these discoveries have provided strongly
      positive therapeutic results in TSC (Bissler JJ, McCormack FX, Young LR, Elwing
      JM, Chuck G, Leonard JM, Schmithorst VJ, Laor T, Brody AS, Bean J, Salisbury S,
      Franz DN. N Engl J Med 358: 140-151, 2008; Krueger DA, Care MM, Holland K,
      Agricola K, Tudor C, Mangeshkar P, Wilson KA, Byars A, Sahmoud T, Franz DN. N
      Engl J Med 363: 1801-1811, 2010; McCormack FX, Inoue Y, Moss J, Singer LG,
      Strange C, Nakata K, Barker AF, Chapman JT, Brantly ML, Stocks JM, Brown KK,
      Lynch JP 3rd, Goldberg HJ, Young LR, Kinder BW, Downey GP, Sullivan EJ, Colby TV,
      McKay RT, Cohen MM, Korbee L, Taveira-DaSilva AM, Lee HS, Krischer JP, Trapnell
      BC. N Engl J Med 364: 1595-1606, 2011). In June 2013, the National Institute of
      Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases convened a small panel of physicians
      and scientists working in the field to identify key unknowns and define possible
      "next steps" in advancing understanding of TSC- and mTOR-dependent renal
      phenotypes. TSC-associated renal disease, which affects >85% of TSC patients, and
      was a major topic of discussion, focused on angiomyolipomas and epithelial cysts.
      The third major topic was the role of mTOR and mTOR inhibition in the
      pathogenesis and therapy of chronic renal disease. Renal cell carcinoma, while
      recognized as a manifestation of TSC that occurs in a small fraction of patients,
      was not the primary focus of this workshop and thus was omitted from panel
      discussions and from this report. 

PMID- 24226527
TI  - Interplay between the Notch and PI3K/Akt pathways in high glucose-induced
      podocyte apoptosis.
AB  - Podocyte apoptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN).
      However, the mechanisms that mediate high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte apoptosis
      remain poorly understood. Conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes were
      cultured in HG medium. A chemical inhibitor or a specific short-hairpin RNA
      (shRNA) vector was used to inhibit the activation of the Notch pathway and the
      PI3K/Akt pathway in HG-treated podocytes. Western blotting and real-time PCR were
      used to evaluate the levels of Notch, PI3K/Akt, and apoptotic pathway signaling.
      The apoptosis rate of HG-treated podocytes was assessed by terminal
      deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and annexin
      V/propidium iodide staining. In HG-treated podocytes, PI3K/Akt pathway activation
      prevented podocyte apoptosis in the early stage of HG stimulation and Notch
      pathway-induced podocyte apoptosis in the late stage of HG stimulation. The
      inhibition of the Notch pathway or the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway
      prevented cell apoptosis in HG-treated podocytes. These findings suggest that the
      Notch and PI3K/Akt pathways may mediate HG-induced podocyte apoptosis. 

PMID- 24226528
TI  - Neuropsychological rehabilitation after brain injury: Scientific and professional
      issues.
AB  - Neuropsychological rehabilitation after acquired brain injury is an important
      contribution to our health-care system. Despite a growing database which supports
      its clinical utility, the insurance coverage for this form of care is now being
      threatened. This paper addresses some of the professional and scientific issues
      that psychologists need to face in order to continue to provide these services. 

PMID- 24226529
TI  - Differential diagnosis of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome with psychosis:
      Practical and ethical issues.
AB  - The present case illustrates practical and ethical issues that can be encountered
      by clinical psychologists providing consultation services in medical settings.
      The neuropsychological consultation service was asked to evaluate a 22-year-old
      male with psychosis, steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, and a family history
      of schizophrenia. MRI revealedmarked cortical atrophy. Clinical findings were
      consistent with (1) steroid inducedapparent atrophy, which has been shown to be
      reversible with withdrawal of steroids; (2) uremia secondary to steroid
      withdrawal; (3) cortical atrophy, found in some schizophrenics; or (4) an
      atypical, diffuse degenerative disorder. Clinical interview and psychological
      testing revealed significant thought disorder, prominent delusions, somatic
      hallucinations, and mood disturbance. Deterioration in social and academic
      functioning was also present. Except for impaired attention and concentration,
      neuropsychological evaluation showed no clear evidence of brain-based
      dysfunction. Further, neuropsychological results effectively ruled out a
      degenerative process and were not consistent with a steroid effects profile. A
      conclusive differential diagnosis of steroid induced psychosis versus severe
      psychopathology would require withdrawal from steroids and antipsychotics. In
      addition to the practical and ethical issues of withholding antipsychotics,
      steroid withdrawal would require either dialysis or renal transplant surgery.
      Decision making regarding dialysis dependency and the possibility of postsurgical
      psychosis secondary to true psychopathology were salient issues to both the
      patient and the treatment team. 

PMID- 24226530
TI  - Understanding symptoms of medical frontal lobe disorder: A clinical case study.
AB  - A case of anterior communicating artery aneurysm with damage to inferior medial
      frontal areas (Brodmann areas 25, 32, 24-inferior) is presented. Four prominent
      deficits are discussed: (1) anterograde amnesia, (2) inert perseverative card
      sorting, (3) motor stereotypies, and (4) reduplicative paramnesia. These four
      deficits are discussed as negative or positive symptoms, related either to damage
      in inferior medial frontal (Brodmann areas 25, 32, 24-inferior) regions or
      release phenomena of superior medial frontal (Brodmann areas 6-medial and 24
      superior) regions. It is concluded that the inferior and superior medial frontal
      regions act as opponent processors, with the inferior (B25, 32) area functioning
      to switch current mental set while the superior (B24-superior, 6-medial) region
      functions to maintain current mental set. Testable hypotheses about the opponent
      processor mechanism are suggested, as applied to neuropsychiatric disorders. 

PMID- 24226531
TI  - The role of the clinical psychologist on a burn unit in a general teaching
      hospital.
AB  - This paper reviews the core skills that a clinical psychologist brings to a burn
      unit and suggests a model for optimal psychological management of burn patients,
      families, and staff. Recovery from a burn injury involves three stages that
      comprise (a) acute treatment of severe medical complications, (b) adjustment to
      hospitalization, and (c) long-term rehabilitation. Each stage contains numerous
      issues that the clinical psychologist should monitor and manage. Assessment of
      patients at risk, early intervention, and specialist management are highlighted
      as critical components of effective psychological management of burn injury in a
      multidisciplinary team context. 

PMID- 24226532
TI  - Social desirability, perceived stress, and PACT ratings in lung transplant
      candidates: A preliminary investigation.
AB  - Some aspect of psychosocial criteria is commonly utilized by most transplant
      programs in assessing candidates' acceptability for transplantation. However,
      regardless of the assessment methodology, information obtained in pretransplant
      assessments may be limited given the evaluative nature of the assessment as well
      as the sensitive nature of the contents. Indeed, transplant candidates may
      present themselves in a favorable fashion, minimizing any negative traits or
      psychological dysfunction which they perceive might prevent transplantation.
      Unfortunately, there are limited data addressing the extent to which transplant
      candidates may present themselves in an overly positive light. This investigation
      surveys the prevalence of social desirability in lung transplant candidates as
      well as its association with self-reports of perceived stress. Further, the
      relationship between social desirability and interviewer ratings of transplant
      candidacy is examined. Subjects included 24 patients in end-stage organ failure
      being evaluated for lung transplant candidacy. Subjects completed the Perceived
      Stress Scale and a brief version of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale.
      Additionally, subjects were interviewer-rated on the Psychosocial Assessment of
      Candidates for Transplantation. Results indicate social desirability is a
      prevalent phenomenon in lung transplant candidates, with more than half of the
      sample scoring at or above the 84th percentile on the social desirability
      measure. Further, self-reports of perceived stress are moderately and inversely
      associated with social desirability (r=-.55,p <= .01). Social desirability was
      unrelated to interviewer-ratings of transplant candidates acceptability (r=.13,p
      <= .56). Future research might include larger samples of subjects, other organ
      transplant candidates, and more detailed assessments of symptom distress. 

PMID- 24226533
TI  - The impact of defibrillator discharges on psychological functioning of
      implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients.
AB  - A lag exists with respect to our understanding of the psychological demands and
      rehabilitation needs of individuals who have undergone implantable cardioverter
      defibrillator (ICD) implantation. The ICD is designed to transmit an electric
      shock to the heart to treat a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia. This study
      specifically examined the impact of defibrillator discharges on the psychological
      functioning of ICD recipients. A questionnaire was self-administered to 33
      individuals who have been living with the ICD for at least 6 months. Results
      revealed that levels of anger and depression were significantly higher in those
      subjects who reported a lower discharge rate, while sense of well-being was
      significantly higher in those subjects who reported a greater discharge rate.
      Possible explanations for our findings were proposed as well as implications for
      clinical intervention were discussed. 

PMID- 24226534
TI  - Sex differences in anger expression, depressed mood, and aggression in children
      and adolescents.
AB  - The current study examined anger expression styles and their relationship to
      levels of depressed mood and aggressive behavior in male and female children and
      adolescents. Measures of anger, anger expression, and depressed mood were
      collected from both children and their parents. Hierarchical multiple regressions
      revealed that anger expression significantly predicted sadness but not aggression
      for females, after accounting for age and anger level. Among males, anger
      expression was important in predicting aggression but not sadness, whereas age
      and anger level best predicted sadness. These results suggest that age, anger
      level, and anger expression may be risk factors for depression and aggression
      among children and adolescents. Sex appears to be an important factor in anger
      expression styles and related depression and aggressive behavior. 

PMID- 24226535
TI  - Glyoxysomal citrate synthase from watermelon cotyledons: immunocytochemical
      localization and heterologous translation in Xenopus oocytes.
AB  - Glyoxysomal citrate synthase (gCS) was purified from crude extracts of watermelon
      (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.) cotyledons, yielding a homogenous protein with a
      subunit MW of 48 kDa. The enzyme was selectively inhibited by 5,5'-dithiobis-(2
      nitrobenzoic acid), allowing quantification in the presence of the mitochondrial
      isoenzyme (mCS). Differences were also observed with respect to inhibition by ATP
      (k i=2.6 mmol . l(-1) for gCS, k i=0.33 mmol . l(-1) for mCS). The antibodies
      prepared against gCS did not cross-react with mCS. The immunocytochemical
      localization of gCS by the indirect protein A-gold procedure was restricted to
      the glyoxysomal membrane or the peripheral matrix of glyoxysomes. Other
      compartments, e.g. the endoplasmic reticulum, were not labeled. Xenopus oocytes
      were used for the translation of watermelon polyadenylated RNA (poly(A)(+)RNA). A
      translation product with a MW of 51 kDa was immunoprecipitated by the anti-gCS
      antibodies. It was absent in controls without poly(A)(+)RNA or with preimmune
      serum. A similar translation product was also immunoprecipitated after cell-free
      synthesis of watermelon poly(A)(+)RNA in a reticulocyte system, in contrast to
      the in-vivo labeled gCS (48 kDa). It was concluded that gCS is synthesized as a
      higher-molecular-weight precursor. 

PMID- 24226536
TI  - Photorespiratory metabolism and immunogold localization of photorespiratory
      enzymes in leaves of C3 and C 3-C 4 intermediate species of Moricandia.
AB  - Photorespiratory metabolism of the C3-C4 intermediate species Moricandia arvensis
      (L.) DC has been compared with that of the C3 species, Moricandia moricandioides
      (Boiss.) Heywood. Assays of glycollate oxidase (EC 1.1.3.1), glyoxylate
      aminotransferases (EC 2.6.1.4, EC 2.6.1.45) and hydroxypyruvate reductase (EC
      1.1.1.29) indicate that the capacity for flux through the photorespiratory cycle
      is similar in both species. Immunogold labelling with monospecific antibodies was
      used to investigate the cellular locations of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39), glycollate oxidase, and glycine
      decarboxylase (EC 2.1.2.10) in leaves of the two species. Ribulose 1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase was confined to the stroma of chloroplasts and
      glycollate oxidase to the peroxisomes of all photosynthetic cells in leaves of
      both species. However, whereas glycine decarboxylase was present in the
      mitochondria of all photosynthetic cells in M. moricandioides, it was only found
      in the mitochondria of bundle-sheath cells in M. arvensis. We suggest that
      localized decarboxylation of glycine in the leaves of M. arvensis will lead to
      improved recapture of photorespired CO2 and hence a lower rate of
      photorespiration. 

PMID- 24226537
TI  - The utilisation of fatty-acid substrates in triacylglycerol biosynthesis by
      tissue-slices of developing safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and sunflower
      (Helianthus annuus L.) cotyledons.
AB  - Developing cotyledons of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and sunflower
      (Helianthus annuus L.) readily utilised exogenously supplied (14)C-labelled fatty
      acid substrates for the synthesis of triacylglycerols. The other major
      radioactive lipids were phosphatidylcholine and diacylglycerol. In safflower
      cotyledons, [(14)C]oleate was rapidly transferred to position 2 of sn
      phosphatidylcholine and concomitant with this was the appearance of radioactive
      linoleate. The linoleate was further utilised in the synthesis of diacyl- and
      triacyl-glycerol via the reactions of the so-called Kennedy pathway. Supplying
      [(14)C]linoleate, however, resulted in a more rapid labelling of the
      diacylglycerols than from [(14)C]oleate. In contrast, sunflower cotyledons
      readily utilised both labelled acyl substrates for rapid diacylglycerol formation
      as well as incorporation into position 2 of sn-phosphatidylcholine. In both
      species, however, [(14)C]palmitate largely entered sn-phosphatidylcholine at
      position 1 during triacylglycerol synthesis. The results support our previous in
      vitro observations with isolated microsomal membrane preparations that (i) the
      entry of oleate into position 2 of sn-phosphatidylcholine, via acyl exchange, for
      desaturation to linoleate is of major importance in regulating the level of
      polyunsaturated fatty acids available for triacylglycerol formation and (ii)
      Palmitate is largely excluded from position 2 of sn-phosphatidylcholine and
      enters this phospholipid at position 1 probably via the equilibration with
      diacylglycerol. Specie differences appear to exist between safflower and
      sunflower in relation to the relative importance of acyl exchange and the
      interconversion of diacylglycerol with phosphatidylcholine as mechanisms for the
      entry of oleate into the phospholipid for desaturation. 

PMID- 24226538
TI  - Distribution of polyamines and their related catabolic enzyme in etiolated and
      light-grown leguminosae seedlings.
AB  - Diamine-oxidase (DAO; EC 1.4.3.6) activity and di-and polyamine levels were
      estimated along the epicotyl and root of light-grown and etiolated lentil (Lens
      culinaris Medicus) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings. The activity of DAO was
      higher in etiolated epicotyls than in lightgrown ones. In both species there was
      a positive correlation between DAO activity and the diamine (putrescine and
      cadaverine) levels along the whole epicotyl and root. Polyamine (spermine and
      spermidine) distribution seemed to be associated with the meristematic and
      elongating zone of the epicotyl and root. The physiological function of DAO is
      discussed in relation to its possible role in providing hydrogen peroxide to
      peroxidase-dependent reactions occurring in the cell wall. 

PMID- 24226539
TI  - Ethanol production and toxicity in suspension-cultured carrot cells and embryos.
AB  - The process of carrot (Daucus carota L.) somatic embryogenesis is highly
      sensitive to exogenously added ethanol, since 5 mM ethanol inhibits this process
      by 50%, whereas the growth of proliferating carrot cells is inhibited to the same
      extent by 20 mM ethanol. This is consistent with the fact that proliferating
      cultures produce ethanol and release it into the medium at concentrations up to
      20 mM, whereas embryogenic culture medium contains less than 1 mM ethanol. Data
      are presented showing the influence of cell density and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic
      acid on ethanol production and on the presence of an alcohol-dehydrogenase (EC
      1.1.1.1.) inactivator in carrot embryos. 

PMID- 24226540
TI  - A monoclonal antibody to (S)-abscisic acid: its characterisation and use in a
      radioimmunoassay for measuring abscisic acid in crude extracts of cereal and
      lupin leaves.
AB  - A monoclonal antibody produced to abscisic acid (ABA) has been characterised and
      the development of a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for ABA using the antibody is
      described. The antibody had a high selectivity for the free acid of (S)-cis,
      trans-ABA. Using the antibody, ABA could be assayed reliably in the RIA over a
      range from 100 to 4000 pg (0.4 to 15 pmol) ABA per assay vial. As methanol and
      acetone affected ABA-antibody binding, water was used to extract ABA from leaves.
      Water was as effective as aqueous methanol and acetone in extracting the ABA
      present. Crude aqueous extracts of wheat, maize and lupin leaves could be
      analysed without serious interference from other immunoreactive material. This
      was shown by measuring the distribution of immunoreactivity in crude extracts
      separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC), or by comparing the assay with physicochemical methods of
      analysis. Analysis of crude extracts by RIA and either, after TLC purification,
      by gas chromatography using an electron-capture detector or, after HPLC
      purification, by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) gave very
      similar ABA concentrations in the initial leaf samples. However, RIA analysis of
      crude aqueous extracts of pea seeds resulted in considerable overestimation of
      the amount of ABA present. Determinations of ABA content by GC-MS and RIA were
      similar after pea seed extracts had been purified by HPLC. Although the RIA could
      not be used to analyse ABA in crude extracts of pea seeds, it is likely that
      crude extracts of leaves of several other species may be assayed successfully. 

PMID- 24226541
TI  - Effect of nitrogen stress and abscisic acid on nitrate absorption and transport
      in barley and tomato.
AB  - The potential of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum
      Mill.) roots for net NO 3 (-) absorption increased two-to five fold within 2 d of
      being deprived of NO 3 (-) supply. Nitrogen-starved barley roots continued to
      maintain a high potential for NO 3 (-) absorption, whereas NO 3 (-) absorption by
      tomato roots declined below control levels after 10 d of N starvation. When
      placed in a 0.2 mM NO 3 (-) solution, roots of both species transported more NO 3
      (-) and total solutes to the xylem after 2 d of N starvation than did N
      sufficient controls. However, replenishment of root NO 3 (-) stores took
      precedence over NO 3 (-) transport to the xylem. Consequently, as N stress became
      more severe, transport of NO 3 (-) and total solutes to the xylem declined,
      relative to controls. Nitrogen stress caused an increase in hydraulic conductance
      (L p) and exudate volume (J v) in barley but decrased these parameters in tomato.
      Nitrogen stress had no significant effect upon abscisic acid (ABA) levels in
      roots of barley or flacca (a low-ABA mutant) tomato, but prevented an agerelated
      decline in ABA in wild-type tomato roots. Applied ABA had the same effect upon
      barley and upon the wild type and flacca tomatoes: L p and J v were increased,
      but NO 3 (-) absorption and NO 3 (-) flux to the xylem were either unaffected or
      sometimes inhibited. We conclude that ABA is not directly involved in the normal
      changes in NO 3 (-) absorption and transport that occur with N stress in barley
      and tomato, because (1) the root ABA level was either unaffected by N stress
      (barley and flacca tomato) or changed, after the greatest changes in NO 3 (-)
      absorption and transport and L p had been observed (wild-type tomato); (2)
      changes in NO 3 (-) absorption/transport characteristics either did not respond
      to applied ABA, or, if they did, they changed in the direction opposite to that
      predicted from changes in root ABA with N stress; and (3) the flacca tomato
      (which produces very little ABA in response to N stress) responded to N stress
      with very similar changes in NO 3 (-) transport to those observed in the wild
      type. 

PMID- 24226542
TI  - Growth response of barley and tomato to nitrogen stress and its control by
      abscisic acid, water relations and photosynthesis.
AB  - Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown
      hydroponically and examined 2, 5, and 10 d after being deprived of nitrogen (N)
      supply. Leaf elongation rate declined in both species in response to N stress
      before there was any reduction in rate of dryweight accumulation. Changes in
      water transport to the shoot could not explain reduced leaf elongation in tomato
      because leaf water content and water potential were unaffected by N stress at the
      time leaf elongation began to decline. Tomato maintained its shoot water status
      in N-stressed plants, despite reduced water absorption per gram root, because the
      decline in root hydraulic conductance with N stress was matched by a decline in
      stomatal conductance. In barley the decline in leaf elongation coincided with a
      small (8%) decline in water content per unit area of young leaves; this decline
      occurred because root hydraulic conductance was reduced more strongly by N stress
      than was stomatal conductance. Nitrogen stress caused a rapid decline in tissue
      NO 3 (-) pools and in NO 3 (-) flux to the xylem, particularly in tomato which
      had smaller tissue NO 3 (-) reserves. Even in barley, tissue NO 3 (-) reserves
      were too small and were mobilized too slowly (60% in 2 d) to support maximal
      growth for more than a few hours. Organic N mobilized from old leaves provided an
      additional N source to support continued growth of N-stressed plants. Abscisic
      acid (ABA) levels increased in leaves of both species within 2 d in response to N
      stress. Addition of ABA to roots caused an increase in volume of xylem exudate
      but had no effect upon NO 3 (-) flux to the xylem. After leaf-elongation rate had
      been reduced by N stress, photosynthesis declined in both barley and tomato. This
      decline was associated with increased leaf ABA content, reduced stomatal
      conductance and a decrease in organic N content. We suggest that N stress reduces
      growth by several mechanisms operating on different time scales: (1) increased
      leaf ABA content causing reduced cell-wall extensibility and leaf elongation and
      (2) a more gradual decline in photosynthesis caused by ABA-induced stomatal
      closure and by a decrease in leaf organic N. 

PMID- 24226543
TI  - Lectin-gene expression in pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots.
AB  - The expression of a lectin gene in pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots has been
      investigated using the copy DNA of a pea seed lectin as a probe. An mRNA which
      has the same size as the seed mRNA but which is about 4000 times less abundant
      has been detected in 21-d-old roots. The probe detected lectin expression as
      early as 4 d after sowing, with the highest level being reached at 10 d, i.e.
      just before nodulation. In later stages (16-d- and 21-d-old roots), expression
      was substantially decreased. The correlation between infection by Rhizobium
      leguminosarum and lectin expression in pea roots has been investigated by
      comparing root lectin mRNA levels in inoculated plants and in plants grown under
      conditions preventing nodulation. Neither growth in a nitrate concentration which
      inhibited nodulation nor growth in the absence of Rhizobium appreciably affected
      lectin expression in roots. 

PMID- 24226544
TI  - The lithium-chloride-soluble cell-wall layers of Chlamydomonas reinhardii contain
      several immunologically related glycoproteins.
AB  - Cell-wall glycoproteins of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardii
      have been purified from LiCl extracts of intact cells by gel exclusion
      chromatography and preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis. Antibodies were raised against several polypeptide components
      isolated from the LiCl extracts. All these antibodies specifically reacted with
      the cell surface of formaldehyde-fixed cells. They showed cross-reactivity with
      the different antigens and were also reactive against some other polypeptides
      present in the LiCl extracts of intact wild-type cells as shown by double
      diffusion assays and immunoblot analyses. These antigens were largely missing in
      LiCl extracts from the cell-wall-deficient mutant CW-15. The pattern of
      immunologically related cell-wall polypeptides of C. reinhardii varied during the
      vegetative cell cycle and was found to be also dependent on the growth
      conditions. Dot-immunobinding assays on chemically modified cell-wall
      glycoproteins demonstrated differences between the various antibodies with
      respect to their specificities. Differences were observed especially with respect
      to their reactivities against chemically deglycosylated cell-wall polypeptides.
      Chemical deglycosylation generally reduced the binding of the different
      antibodies indicating that all these antibodies recognize carbohydrate side
      chains. Only two of these antibody preparations, raised against cell-wall
      glycoproteins of relative molecular mass 35 and 150 kilodaltons, were found to be
      strongly reactive against deglycosylated cell-wall polypeptides. When these
      antibodies were saturated with cell-wall-derived glycopeptides in order to
      abolish the binding to carbohydrate side chains, they still recognized the same
      cell-wall polypeptides as did the untreated antibodies. These findings indicate
      that the cross-reactivity of the different cell-wall polypeptides with the
      antibodies is not exclusively the consequence of similar glycosylation patterns
      but is also the result of the presence of similar structures within the non
      glycosylated stretches of the polypeptide backbones. Cell walls isolated from
      growing tobacco pollen tubes contained a single polypeptide component which
      showed crossreactivity with the antibodies to the cell-wall glycoproteins of C.
      reinhardii. 

PMID- 24226545
TI  - Studies on the regulation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase in tomato
      using monoclonal antibodies.
AB  - A partially purified preparation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC)
      synthase (EC 4.4.1.14) from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.) fruit tissue
      was used to generate monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific for the two different
      MAbs yielded a 50-kDa polypeptide as shown by sodium dodecylsulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
      capable of detecting <1 ng of antigen was developed. The ELISA system was used to
      demonstrate that two of the MAbs recognized different epitopes on the ACC
      synthase protein. Wound-induced increases in ACC-synthase activity in tomato
      fruit tissue were correlated with changes in ELISA-detectable protein. In-vivo
      labeling of wounded tissue with [(35)S]methionine followed by extraction and
      immunopurification in the presence of various protease inhibitors yielded one
      major radioactive band of 50 kDa molecular mass. Pulse labeling with
      [(35)S]methionine at various times after wounding indicated that the wound
      induced increase in ACC-synthase activity involved de-novo synthesis of a rapidly
      turning over 50-kDa polypeptide. 

PMID- 24226546
TI  - Inhibition of light-induced stomatal opening and of guard-cell-protoplast
      swelling in Vicia faba L. by tentoxin, an inhibitor of photophosphorylation.
AB  - The fungal phytotoxin tentoxin and its natural derivative dihydrotentoxin impair
      light-induced stomatal opening in epidermal strips of broad bean (Vicia faba L.)
      incubated in a potassium-rich medium. Swelling of guard-cell protoplasts (GCPs)
      of the same species is inhibited in the presence of both substances. Swollen GCPs
      shrink after tentoxin or dihydrotentoxin treatment and these effects cannot be
      fully compensated by the phytoeffector fusicoccin. A comparison with the
      potassium carrier valinomycin shows that tentoxin acts in a different manner,
      because it is effective in the light only, whereas valinomycin causes shrinkage
      of GCPs also in the dark. Determination of adenine nucleotides in GCPs indicates
      a reduced ATP content and an enhanced ADP level after addition of tentoxin. At
      the same time, tentoxintreated GCPs contain more NADPH and less NAD(+) than the
      control (NADP(+) and NADH content does not differ). The results presented are
      consistent with the hypothesis that tentoxin closes stomata as a consequence of
      its inhibitory action on photophosphorylation. 

PMID- 24226547
TI  - Xanthoxin levels and metabolism in the wild-type and wilty mutants of tomato.
AB  - Using (13)C-labelled internal standards and gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry/multiple-ion monitoring the levels of xanthoxin (Xan) and 2-trans
      xanthoxin (t-Xan) have been determined in stressed and non-stressed leaves of
      wildtype tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Ailsa Craig), and the wilty
      mutants, notabilis (not), flacca (flc) and sitiens (sit). Levels of Xan were very
      low in all tissues. Ratios of t-Xan: Xan ranged from 10:1 to <500:1. In the wild
      type and flc, t-Xan levels increased following stress. The results from feeding
      experiments using [(13)C]Xan and t-Xan demonstrated that whilst wild-type and not
      plants readily converted Xan into abscisic acid (ABA), flc and sit plants
      converted only a small amount of applied Xan into ABA. In all plants t-Xan was
      not converted into ABA. These results indicate that the flc and sit mutants are
      impaired in ABA biosynthesis because they are unable to convert Xan into ABA,
      whereas the not mutant is blocked at a metabolic step prior to Xan. Another
      possible ABA precursor, ABA-1',4'-trans-diol (ABA-t-diol) was found to occur in
      wild-type and mutant tissue. All four tissues could convert [(2)H]ABA-t-diol to
      ABA. Incubation of stressed leaves in the presence of (18)O2 provided evidence
      consistent with Xan and ABA originating via oxidative cleavage of a xanthophyll
      such as violaxanthin. 

PMID- 24226548
TI  - Generation of hydroxyl radicals by soybean nodule leghaemoglobin.
AB  - Leghaemoglobin, a protein present in root nodules of soybean (Glycine max (L.)
      Merr.), generates the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (.OH) upon incubation with
      hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The H2O2 appears to cause breakdown of the haem,
      releasing iron ions that convert H2O2 into .OH outside the protein.
      Oxyleghaemoglobin (oxygenated ferrous protein) is more sensitive to attack by
      H2O2 than is metleghaemoglobin (ferric protein). The possibility of
      oxyleghaemoglobin breakdown by H2O2 and formation of damaging .OH may explain why
      the root nodule is equipped with iron-storage proteins and enzymes that can
      remove H2O2. 

PMID- 24226549
TI  - Incorporation of (14)CO 2 into C 4 acids by leaves of C 3-C 4 intermediate and C
      3 species of Moricandia and Panicum at the CO 2 compensation concentration.
AB  - Comparative (14)CO2 pulse-(12)CO2 chase studies performed at CO2 compensation
      (Gamma)-versus air-concentrations of CO2 demonstrated a four-to eightfold
      increase in assimilation of (14)CO2 into the C4 acids malate and aspartate by
      leaves of the C3-C4 intermediate species Panicum milioides Nees ex Trin., P.
      decipiens Nees ex Trin., Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC., and M. spinosa Pomel at
      Gamma. Specifically, the distribution of (14)C in malate and aspartate following
      a 10-s pulse with (14)CO2 increases from 2% to 17% (P. milioides) and 4% to 16%
      (M. arvensis) when leaves are illuminated at the CO2 compensation concentration
      (20 MUl CO2/l, 21% O2) versus air (340 MUl CO2/l, 21% O2). Chasing recently
      incorporated (14)C for up to 5 min with (12)CO2 failed to show any substantial
      turnover of label in the C4 acids or in carbon-4 of malate. The C4-acid labeling
      patterns of leaves of the closely related C3 species, P. laxum Sw. and M.
      moricandioides (Boiss.) Heywood, were found to be relatively unresponsive to
      changes in pCO2 from air to Gamma. These data demonstrate that the C3-C4
      intermediate species of Panicum and Moricandia possess an inherently greater
      capacity for CO2 assimilation via phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (EC
      4.1.1.31) at the CO2 compensation concentration than closely related C3 species.
      However, even at Gamma, CO2 fixation by PEP carboxylase is minor compared to that
      via ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) and the C3 cycle, and it is,
      therefore, unlikely to contribute in a major way to the mechanism(s) facilitating
      reduced photorespiration in the C3-C4 intermediate species of Panicum and
      Moricandia. 

PMID- 24226550
TI  - Variation in endoplasmic-reticulum-associated glycoproteins of carrot cells
      cultured in vitro.
AB  - Glycoproteins extracted from microsomes of in-vitro-cultured cells of Daucus
      carota L. cv. US-Harumakigosun were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and detected by peroxidase-conjugated
      concanavalin A. The appearance of a glycoprotein with Mr 31 000 (GP 31) was
      correlated with the ability of cells to form somatic embryos. GP 31 appeared in
      embryogenic cells cultured in 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-containing
      medium, but not in somatic embryos and non-embryogenic cells; it disappeared when
      the cultures were transferred to auxin-free medium. Another glycoprotein with Mr
      32 000 (GP 32) was detected only in non-embryogenic cells, regardless of the
      presence or absence of 2,4-D. Both glycoproteins, GP 31 and GP 32, were
      associated with the rough endoplasmic reticulum and were extractable with 0.05%
      deoxycholate. 

PMID- 24226551
TI  - Simultaneous influx of ammonium and potassium into maize roots: kinetics and
      interactions.
AB  - The interaction between ammonium and potassium during influx was examined in
      roots of dark-grown decapitated corn seedlings (Zea mays L., cv. Pioneer 3369A).
      Influx was measured during a 10-min exposure to either ((15)NH4)2SO4 ranging from
      10 to 200 MUM NH 4 (+) with and without 200 MUM K((86)Rb)Cl or to K((86)Rb)Cl
      ranging from 10 to 200 MUM K(+) with and without 200 MUM NH 4 (+) as
      ((15)NH4)2SO4. The simple Michaelis-Menten model described the data well only for
      potassium influx in the presence of ambient ammonium. For the other three
      instances, the data were improved by assuming that a second influx mechanism
      became operative as the low-concentration phase approached saturation. Two
      distinct mechanisms are thus indicated for both ammonium and potassium influx
      within the range of 10 to 200 MUM.The influx mechanism operating at low
      concentrations showed greater affinity for potassium than for ammonium, even
      though the capacity for ammonium transport was twice as large as that for
      potassium. It is suggested that this phase involved a common transport system for
      the two ions and that localized low acidity next to the internal surface,
      following H(+) extrusion, favored ammonium deprotonation and dissociation from
      the transport system-ammonium complex. Parallel decreases in V max and increases
      in Km of the low-concentration saturable phase occurred for ammonium influx when
      ambient potassium was present and for potassium influx when ambient ammonium was
      present. The data support a mixed-type inhibition in each case. Simultaneous
      measurement of potassium and ammonium influx showed that they were highly
      negatively correlated at the lower concentrations, indicating that the extent to
      which influx of the inhibited ion was restricted was associated with influx of
      the inhibitor ion. Presence of ambient ammonium eliminated the second phase of
      potassium influx. In contrast, the presence of ambient potassium decreased the
      concentration at which the second phase of ammonium influx was initiated but did
      not restrict the rate. 

PMID- 24226552
TI  - Effectively addressing addiction requires changing the language of addiction.
AB  - Public knowledge and attitudes about addiction are largely inconsistent with
      scientific evidence. The gap between the facts and public and professional
      perceptions is due in part to the language used to describe the disease and those
      who have it. A key step in modifying public attitudes and improving how health
      professionals and policymakers address addiction is to better align the language
      of addiction with the scientific evidence. Unless we clarify the language, those
      with the disease will continue to experience the stigma associated with it and
      attempts to deliver comprehensive and effective evidence-based prevention,
      treatment, and disease management will be profoundly compromised. 

PMID- 24226553
TI  - Hinged circular fixator construct for correction of congenital metatarsal
      deformity in a foal.
AB  - A five-week-old American Quarter Horse colt was presented for evaluation of a
      left hindlimb deformity and lameness. Radiographs of the left hindlimb revealed a
      varus deformity with recurvatum originating in the mid-diaphysis of the third
      metatarsal bone. Surgical correction was undertaken by performing an osteotomy
      through the centre of rotation of angulation located within the mid-diaphysis of
      the third metatarsal bone, and a four-ring hinged circular external fixator
      construct was applied. Distraction of the osteotomy site was performed over an 11
      day period. Notable complications included failure of a fixation pin, infection
      of the surgical site, and temporary laxity of the supporting tendons and
      ligaments of the contralateral metatarsophalangeal joint. The fixator was
      maintained until there was sufficient bone formation to allow frame removal, 152
      days after the initial surgery. Use of a hinged circular construct allowed for
      partial correction of the deformity with resultant lengthening and resolution of
      the lameness in this colt. 

PMID- 24226554
TI  - Functional outcomes for children with severe sepsis: is a "good save" good
      enough?

PMID- 24226555
TI  - Toward a restrictive transfusion practice in the PICU: if not now, when? if not
      us, who?

PMID- 24226556
TI  - Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a decade of progress, one patient at a time.

PMID- 24226557
TI  - Defining adequate pain control in the child with Down syndrome: are we treating
      perception or reality?

PMID- 24226558
TI  - Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in resource-limited countries.

PMID- 24226559
TI  - Neuromonitoring of neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients using
      serial cranial ultrasounds.

PMID- 24226560
TI  - Pediatric drug dosing during renal replacement therapy: searching for help.

PMID- 24226561
TI  - Optimizing fluid management in children on extracorporeal life support.

PMID- 24226562
TI  - Simulation-based procedural training for pediatric residents: one small step for
      a program ... one giant leap for mankind!

PMID- 24226563
TI  - The ventricular assist device: bridge to transplant. Bridge to recovery? Bridge
      to beyond?

PMID- 24226564
TI  - Pediatric risk of mortality: is it the time of admission or the disease?

PMID- 24226565
TI  - The author replies.

PMID- 24226566
TI  - Simulation training for pediatric residents on central venous catheter placement:
      a pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of simulation training on pediatric residents'
      acquisition and retention of central venous catheter insertion skills. A
      secondary objective was to assess the effect of simulation training on self
      confidence to perform the procedure. DESIGN: Prospective observational pilot
      study. SETTING: Single university clinical simulation center. SUBJECTS: Pediatric
      residents, postgraduate years 1-3. INTERVENTIONS: Residents participated in a 60-
      to 90-minute ultrasound-guided central venous catheter simulation training
      session. Video recordings of residents performing simulated femoral central
      venous catheter insertions were made before (baseline), after, and at 3-month
      following training. Three blinded expert raters independently scored the
      performances using a 24-item checklist and 100-mm global rating scale. At each
      time point, residents rated their confidence to perform the procedure on a 100-mm
      scale. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-six residents completed the study.
      Compared with baseline, immediately following training, median checklist score
      (54.2% [interquartile range, 40.8-68.8%] vs 83.3% [interquartile range, 70.0
      91.7%]), global rating score (8.0 mm [interquartile range, 0.0-64.3 mm] vs 79.5
      mm [interquartile range, 16.3-91.7 mm]), success rate (38.5% vs 80.8%), and self
      confidence (8.0 mm [interquartile range, 3.8-19.0 mm] vs 52.0 mm [interquartile
      range, 43.5-66.5 mm]) all improved (p < 0.05 for all variables). Compared with
      baseline, median checklist score (54.2% [interquartile range, 40.8-68.8%] vs
      54.2% [interquartile range, 45.8-80.4%], p = 0.47), global rating score (8.0 mm
      [interquartile range, 0.0-64.3 mm] vs 35.5 mm [interquartile range, 5.3-77.0], p
      = 0.62), and success rate (38.5% vs 65.4%, p = 0.35) were similar at 3-month
      follow-up. Self-confidence, however, remained above baseline at 3-month follow-up
      (8.0 mm [interquartile range, 3.8-19.0 mm] vs 61.0 mm [interquartile range, 31.5
      71.8 mm], p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Simulation training improved pediatric
      residents' central venous catheter insertion procedural skills. Decay in skills
      was found at 3-month follow-up. This suggests that simulation training for this
      procedure should occur in close temporal proximity to times when these skills
      would most likely be used clinically and that frequent refresher training might
      be beneficial to prevent skills decay.

PMID- 24226567
TI  - Imbalance between pulmonary angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin
      converting enzyme 2 activity in acute respiratory distress syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Angiotensin-converting enzyme and its effector peptide angiotensin II
      have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
      Recently, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was identified as the counter
      regulatory enzyme of angiotensin-converting enzyme that converts angiotensin II
      into angiotensin-(1-7). The aim of this study was to determine pulmonary
      angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity in
      patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. DESIGN: Prospective
      observational pilot study. SETTING: A PICU of a university hospital. PATIENTS:
      Fourteen patients admitted, requiring mechanical ventilation for respiratory
      syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection. INTERVENTIONS: None.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two groups of patients were distinguished at
      admission: a group fulfilling the criteria for acute respiratory distress
      syndrome and a non-acute respiratory distress syndrome group. Angiotensin
      converting enzyme and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity were measured in
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
      had increased angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and decreased angiotensin
      converting enzyme 2 activity (p < 0.001) compared with the control group.
      CONCLUSION: It is shown for the first time that in acute respiratory distress
      syndrome, enhanced angiotensin-converting enzyme activity is paralleled by a
      reduced angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity, similar to that found in an
      experimental rat model of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The reduced
      angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity may be counteracted by restoring
      angiotensin-(1-7) level, thereby offering a novel treatment modality for this
      syndrome.

PMID- 24226568
TI  - Clobetasol propionate, 0.05%, vs hydrocortisone, 1%, for alopecia areata in
      children: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Alopecia areata is an idiopathic cause of hair loss with limited
      therapeutic repertoire. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a high-
      vs low-potency topical corticosteroid in pediatric patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: This single-center, randomized, blind, 2-arm, parallel-group,
      superiority trial was carried out over a 24-week period at a tertiary referral
      academic dermatology clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto,
      Ontario, Canada. Forty-two children attending the outpatients clinic, 2 to 16
      years of age with alopecia areata affecting at least 10% of scalp surface area,
      were eligible; 1 declined to participate. There were no withdrawals from the
      study. INTERVENTIONS FOR CLINICAL TRIALS: Patients were randomly assigned to
      receive clobetasol propionate, 0.05% cream, or hydrocortisone, 1%, cream.
      Patients applied a thin layer of the assigned cream twice daily to the areas of
      hair loss for 2 cycles of 6 weeks on, 6 weeks off, for a total of 24 weeks. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the change in scalp surface area
      with hair loss over 24 weeks following enrollment. RESULTS All participants were
      assessed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks (except 1 participant who missed the 6-week
      visit). After adjusting for baseline hair loss, the clobetasol group had a
      statistically significant (P < .001) greater decrease in the surface area with
      hair loss, compared with the hydrocortisone group at all time points except at 6
      weeks. One patient with extensive alopecia areata experienced skin atrophy that
      resolved spontaneously in 6 weeks. There was no difference observed in the number
      of patients with abnormal urinary cortisol at the beginning and the end of the
      study. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Topical clobetasol propionate, 0.05%, cream is
      efficacious and safe as a first-line agent for limited patchy childhood alopecia
      areata. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01453686.

PMID- 24226569
TI  - Structural variation around prolactin gene linked to quantitative traits in an
      elite Holstein sire family.
AB  - Digestion of genomic DNA with the restriction endonuclease Avail disclosed a
      probable insertion deletion of approximately 200 base pairs (bp) near the
      prolactin gene. Two alleles were apparent as three distinct hybridization
      patterns. These alleles were statistically associated with quantitative trait
      loci among sons of one elite Holstein sire family. The favorable genotype was
      correlated with the presence of a 1.15-kb hybridization band inherited from the
      sire when genomic DNA was probed with a full-length cDNA for prolactin. Pedigree
      estimates of genetic merit among genotypes were similar, differing by only 19.3
      kg for milk in ancestor merit. Comparisons of genetic estimates for quantitative
      yield traits in offspring of this heterozygous sire showed significant (P<0.05)
      differences between homozygous genotypes for predicted difference milk (PDM),
      predicted difference dollars (PD$), cheese yield dollars, and protein dollars.
      The estimated differences between homozygous genotypes for USDA Transmitting
      Abilities of PDM, PD$, Cheese Yield $ and Protein $ were 282.93 kg, $74.35,
      $48.58 and $53.67, respectively. However, the estimated breeding values from
      progeny ranged over 900 kg in transmitting ability for milk. Frequency of the
      favorable marker allele was estimated to be 0.231 in the elite cow population
      used as dams of sons. These results demonstrate the potential of molecular
      biological techniques to discriminate between individuals within a family and to
      predict breeding values for selection schemes. 

PMID- 24226570
TI  - Mapping quantitative trait loci using molecular marker linkage maps.
AB  - High-density restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and allozyme linkage
      maps have been developed in several plant species. These maps make it technically
      feasible to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) using methods based on flanking
      marker genetic models. In this paper, we describe flanking marker models for
      doubled haploid (DH), recombinant inbred (RI), backcross (BC), F1 testcross
      (F1TC), DH testcross (DHTC), recombinant inbred testcross (RITC), F2, and F3
      progeny. These models are functions of the means of quantitative trait locus
      genotypes and recombination frequencies between marker and quantitative trait
      loci. In addition to the genetic models, we describe maximum likelihood methods
      for estimating these parameters using linear, nonlinear, and univariate or
      multivariate normal distribution mixture models. We defined recombination
      frequency estimators for backcross and F2 progeny group genetic models using the
      parameters of linear models. In addition, we found a genetically unbiased
      estimator of the QTL heterozygote mean using a linear function of marker means.
      In nonlinear models, recombination frequencies are estimated less efficiently
      than the means of quantitative trait locus genotypes. Recombination frequency
      estimation efficiency decreases as the distance between markers decreases,
      because the number of progeny in recombinant marker classes decreases. Mean
      estimation efficiency is nearly equal for these methods. 

PMID- 24226572
TI  - Interspecific variation for thermal dependence of glutathione reductase in
      sainfoin.
AB  - Understanding the biochemical and physiological consequences of species variation
      would expedite improvement in agronomically useful genotypes of sainfoin
      (Onobrychis spp.) Information on variation among sainfoin species is lacking on
      thermal dependence of glutathione reductase (B.C. 1.6.4.2.), which plays an
      important role in the protection of plants from both high and low temperature
      stresses by preventing harmful oxidation of enzymes and membranes. Our objective
      was to investigate the interspecific variation for thermal dependency of
      glutathione reductase in sainfoin. Large variation among species was found for:
      (i) the minimum apparent Km (0.4-2.5 MUM NADPH), (ii) the temperature at which
      the minimum apparent Km was observed (15 degrees -5 degrees C), and (iii) the
      thermal kinetic windows (2 degrees -30 degrees C width) over a 15 degrees -45
      degrees C temperature gradient. In general, tetraploid species had narrower (<=17
      degrees C) thermal kinetic windows than did diploid species (~30 degrees C), with
      one exception among the diploids. Within the tetraploid species, the cultivars of
      O. viciifolia had a broader thermal kinetic window (>=7 degrees C) than the plant
      introduction (PI 212241, >2  degrees C) itself. 

PMID- 24226571
TI  - Study of two different recombination events in maize cmsT-regenerated plants
      during reversion to fertility.
AB  - The change of phenotype from sterility to fertility for some cmsT callus tissue
      culture regenerated plants and their progenies has been correlated with changes
      in their mitochondrial genome. Those changes that have been analyzed here are the
      result of recombination events. Two different sets of repeated sequences have
      been found to be involved in those recombination events. The most common one is a
      recombination through a 127-bp repeat between various independently isolated
      revertants. The second one is a recombination through a 58-bp repeat. In every
      case the products of recombination containing the urf13 gene have been deleted. 

PMID- 24226573
TI  - Long-term storage of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. pollen.
AB  - Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] pollen has been successfully stored
      for 2,615 and 2,911 days at -18 degrees  and -73  degrees C, respectively, and
      continues to be viable. Viability of pollen stored at -73  degrees C appears to
      be little affected either by pollen storage moisture contents below 7.2% or by
      storage in glass vial or zip-lock plastic bag containers. Pollen moisture content
      appears to be more critical for maintaining viability at -18 degrees C than at 
      73 degrees C. Glass vials appear to be more desirable for longer term (>3 years)
      storage at -18 degrees C. 

PMID- 24226574
TI  - Identification of callus types for long-term maintenance and regeneration from
      commercial cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - Immature embryos, inflorescences, and anthers of eight commercial cultivars of
      Triticum aestivum (wheat) formed embryogenic callus on a variety of media.
      Immature embryos (1.0-1.5 mm long) were found to be most suitable for embryogenic
      callus formation while anthers responded poorly; inflorescences gave intermediate
      values. Immature embryos of various cultivars showed significant differences in
      callus formation in response to 11 of the 12 media tested. No significant
      differences were observed when the embryos were cultred under similar conditions
      on MS medium with twice the concentration of inorganic salts, supplemented with
      2,4-D, casein hydrolysate and glutamine. Furthermore, with inflorescences also no
      significant differences were observed. Explants on callus formation media formed
      two types of embryogenic calli: an off-white, compact, and nodular callus and a
      white compact callus. Upon successive subcultures (approximately 5 months), the
      nodular embryogenic callus became more prominent and was identified as 'aged
      callus'. The aged callus upon further subculture, formed an off-white, soft, and
      friable embryogenic callus. Both the aged and friable calli maintained their
      embryogenic capacity over many subculture passages (to date up to 19 months). All
      embryogenic calli (1 month old) from the different callus-forming media,
      irrespective of expiant source, formed only green shoots on regeneration media
      that developed to maturity in the greenhouse. There were no significant
      differences in the response of calli derived from embryos and inflorescences
      cultured on the different initiation media. Also, the shoot-forming capacity of
      the cultivars was not significantly different. Anther-derived calli formed the
      least shoots. Aged and friable calli on regeneration media also formed green
      shoots but at lower frequencies. Plants from long-term culture have also been
      grown to maturity in soil. 

PMID- 24226575
TI  - Theory and application of open-pollination and polycross in forage grass
      breeding.
AB  - Progeny testing and selection of forage grasses by means of growing half-sib (HS)
      families from openpollination and polycross have been considered from theoretical
      and practical points of view. Special attention has been paid to the genetic
      variation within half-sib families, which is expected to be large as compared to
      the genetic variation between families. Based on observations of individual
      plants within plots, the environmental component of the variation is expected to
      be large and nonestimatable. The results of an experiment in meadow fescue
      (Festuca pratensis Huds.) are presented. In this experiment, randomly selected
      individual plants within HS families were cloned and laid out in randomized
      blocks. For the characters observed (earliness and raw matter yield) no
      significant variance component for dominance was found. The highly significant
      additive component estimated for earliness, as well as for yield, after each of
      three cuts and in total were about three times as large within as between
      families, as expected from the theoretical considerations. The estimated response
      to selection was much higher for a combination of between- and within-family
      selection as compared to free clone or family mean selection alone. It is
      suggested that a program for progeny testing and selection in a base population
      of perennial forage grasses should start with an experiment in which a large
      number of randomly selected parental clones and a fixed number of clones from
      each of the half-sib families derived from the mother genotypes are grown
      simultaneously. The selected clones within superior families could later on be
      further cloned, placed in a polycross field, and the new HS-families could be
      sown in ordinary field trials at various locations for further selection. 

PMID- 24226576
TI  - Bialaphos selection of stable transformants from maize cell culture.
AB  - Stable transformed Black Mexican Sweet (BMS) maize callus was recovered from
      suspension culture cells bombarded with plasmid DNA that conferred resistance to
      the herbicide bialaphos. Suspension culture cells were bombarded with a mixture
      of two plasmids. One plasmid contained a selectable marker gene, bar, which
      encoded phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT), and the other plasmid encoded
      a screenable marker for beta-glucuronidase (GUS). Bombarded cells were selected
      on medium containing the herbicide bialaphos, which is cleaved in plant cells to
      yield phosphinothricin (PPT), an inhibitor of glutamine synthetase. The bialaphos
      resistant callus contained the bar gene and expressed PAT as assayed by PPT
      inactivation. Transformants that expressed high levels of PAT grew more rapidly
      on increasing concentrations of bialaphos than transformants expressing low
      levels of PAT. Fifty percent of the bialaphos-resistant transformants tested (8
      of 16) expressed the nonselected gene encoding GUS. 

PMID- 24226577
TI  - Protoplast-fusion-derived Solanum cybrids: application and phylogenetic
      limitations.
AB  - We established interspecific Solanum cybrids in order to study the intrageneric
      nuclear-organelle compatibility and the introgression of advantageous plasmone
      coded breeding traits into potato. Cybridization was performed by the donor
      recipient protoplast-fusion procedure. We found that the plastomes of S.
      chacoense, S. brevidens, and S. etuberosum could be transferred into the cybrids
      having S. tuberosum nuclear genomes; chondriome components were likewise
      transferred from the former species into these cybrids. The combination with S.
      chacoense as organelle donor and potato as recipient resulted in green fertile
      plants with potato morphology. By using S. etuberosum as an organelle donor and
      potato as recipient, male-sterile cybrid plants, most of them having pigmentation
      abnormalities, were obtained. The combination of S. brevidens with potato
      resulted in palegreen (almost albino) regenerants. The latter albino plantlets
      had both the chloroplast DNA and the mitochondrial DNA of the donor (S.
      brevidens) and did not survive the transfer into the greenhouse. An immediately
      applicative result of this study is the de novo establishment of male-sterile
      plants in a potato cultivar. Such plants should be useful as seed parents in the
      production of hybrid, true-potato seeds. 

PMID- 24226578
TI  - Genetic analysis of resistances to races 1 and 2 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
      lycopersici from the wild tomato Lycopersicon pennellii.
AB  - Resistance to race 3 of Fusarium wilt in the wild tomato Lycopersicon pennellii
      (LA 716) was previously found to be controlled by one major locus, I-3, tightly
      linked to Got-2 on chromosome 7. This accession was also found to carry
      resistance to races 1 and 2; a genetic analysis of these resistances is reported
      in this paper. This analysis proceeded in two steps. First, allelism tests
      demonstrated that race 1 and 2 resistances carried by L. pennellii were not
      allelic to the I and I-2 genes originally incorporated into L. esculentum from L.
      pimpinellifolium. Second, an interspecific backcross with L. pennellii (BC1) was
      used to determine the mode of inheritance of these new resistances and their
      chromosomal location by segregation and linkage analysis. BC1 responses to each
      of the races were determined using progeny tests (BC1S1). BC1S1 plants were
      inoculated with race 1 or 2 and evaluated after 1 month using a visual disease
      rating system; mean disease ratings were calculated for each BC1 individual for
      each race based on the progeny scores. A bimodal frequency distribution of the
      BC1 mean disease ratings was observed for both races, indicating that one major
      locus controlled resistance in each case. Statistical comparisons of the mean
      disease ratings of homozygous versus heterozygous individuals at each of 17
      segregating enzyme loci were used to map the resistances to races 1 and 2. Tight
      linkage was detected between the enzyme locus Got-2 and resistances to both
      races, as was previously reported for the I-3 locus. Therefore, the Got-2 locus
      can be used as a selectable marker for resistances to all three races. The
      relationship of these resistances is discussed in the paper. In addition, as
      previously reported for race 3, significance was also detected for the chromosome
      segment marked by Aps-2 on chromosome 8 for both races. Currently many cultivars
      carry I and I-2 resistances to races 1 and 2. Incorporation of the LA 716
      resistances to these two races into cultivars may reduce the likelihood of new
      race development. 

PMID- 24226579
TI  - Biochemical characterization of lines descended from 8x triticale x 4x triticale
      cross.
AB  - Fifty-two progenies originating from a cross between 8x and 4x triticale were
      submitted to cytogenetic analyses and to various electrophoretic studies [high
      molecular-weight (HMW) glutelins, HMW secalins, gamma-secalins, alpha and omega
      gliadins, beta-amylases] to identify new genetic structures, more specifically
      the input of the D genome in a genetic context other than the wheat one. Markers
      of the rye genome (HMW and omega-secalins) were identified in all of the
      triticale lines, but they originated either from the 4x or from the 8x parent, or
      from both. Chromosomes 4A, 1B, and 2R, present in both parents, showed the same
      banding patterns in all progenies. Chromosomes 1R and 5R, present in both
      parents, showed heterogeneous labelling. The expression of chromosomes 6A, 1D,
      and 4D, present in the 8x parent only, was more complex with a possible
      involvement of a regulatory system. Several hexaploid progenies had introgressed
      part of the D genome, suggesting that crossing 8x and 4x triticale was a
      practicable approach for transferring D chromosomes into hexaploid triticale. 

PMID- 24226580
TI  - Within-population variation in susceptibility to Agrobacterium tumefaciens A281
      in Picea abies (L.) Karst.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic variation of
      susceptibility to Agrobacterium within a Picea abies population. Tumor formation
      was studied in 16 open-pollinated families belonging to a central Swedish
      population of Picea abies. Strain A281 of Agrobacterium tumefaciens was used to
      infect 3-monthold seedlings in a five-block greenhouse experiment. The analysis
      of variance showed strong significance for the between-family variation of tumor
      formation percentages, varying from 28% to 73%. The most susceptible material
      will be suitable for experiments on the production of transgenic plants in vitro
      using disarmed Agrobacterium strains. 

PMID- 24226581
TI  - A genetic analysis of mutations recovered from tomato following Agrobacterium
      mediated transformation with the maize transposahle elements Activator and
      Dissociation.
AB  - The maize autonomous transposable element, Activator (Ac), and the nonautonomous
      element Dissociation (Ds), were introduced into the tomato cultivars VF36 and
      VFNT Cherry by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Progeny families from 145
      primary transformants were scored at the seedling stage for phenotypically
      variant individuals. When VF36 was transformed, 20% of families had progeny with
      aberrant phenotypes. The mutation frequency in VFNT Cherry transformants was
      lower; in this cultivar 7% of the transformants had progeny segregating for
      seedling mutations. The majority of the mutations showed monogenic inheritance in
      the R1 population, suggesting that the mutations occurred early in the
      transformation/regeneration process. One mutation, however, was recovered at low
      frequency in the R1, suggesting a late mutagenesis event. When tomato was
      transformed with either the Ac or Ds elements, no differences in mutation
      frequencies were observed. Since Ac is transpositionally active in tomato
      transformants while Ds is not, these numbers indicate that the mutation frequency
      inherent to the transformation process is higher than the mutational activity of
      Ac. These results demonstrate that efficient gene tagging using heterologous
      transposable elements will require screening for transposon-induced mutations in
      later generations. 

PMID- 24226582
TI  - Analysis of DNA from a Beta procumbens chromosome fragment in sugar beet carrying
      a gene for nematode resistance.
AB  - We have begun to apply techniques for the preparation and anaylsis of large DNA
      segments from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) addition lines carrying a mitotically
      stable chromosome fragment from B. procumbens that confers monogenic resistance
      to the nematode Heterodera schachtii, with a view towards isolating the
      resistance gene. DNA probes specific for this chromosome fragment were selected,
      and various methods for cloning genome-specific fragments, including probes from
      megabase DNA separated in pulsed-field slab gels, are compared. Probes that
      display high homology to B. procumbens have been used for hybridization of a
      representative genomic library and for initial step in mapping the chromosome
      fragment via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis after restriction with infrequently
      cutting enzymes. Our data indicate that DNA molecules from the entire chomosome
      fragment can be separated from protoplast DNA lysates. 

PMID- 24226583
TI  - Genetic variability of leaf esterases in Triticum aestivum L. 2n=6x=42.
AB  - Starch gel electrophoresis with two different buffer systems and several
      substrates and inhibitors have been used to study the electrophoretic variability
      of esterases in leaves of cultivars of Triticum aestivum. Each one of the buffer
      systems showed different levels of variability, according to the electrophoretic
      patterns. At the same time green and etiolated leaves showed different patterns
      in each buffer system. The variability was dependent upon the developmental stage
      of the leaves. According to the results from chromosomal location, the genes
      controlling esterases in green leaves were located in homoeology group 3, while
      the genes controlling esterases in etiolated leaves were in homoeology group 6.
      But both esterase isozymes showed a similar electrophoretic migration and a
      similar reponse to substrates and inhibitors. The possible origin of both sets of
      genes due to an interchromosomal duplication is discussed. 

PMID- 24226584
TI  - Effect of various irradiation treatments of plant protoplasts on the
      transformation rates after direct gene transfer.
AB  - In P. hybrida and B. nigra an enhancement of transformation rates (direct gene
      transfer) of about six to seven-fold was obtained after irradiation of
      protoplasts with 12.5 Gy (X-ray). The effect of protoplast irradiation was
      similar in experiments where protoplasts were irradiated 1h before transformation
      (X-ray/DNA) or 1h after completion of the transformation procedure (DNA/X-ray).
      Increased X-ray doses up to 62.5 Gy resulted in further enhancement of
      percentages of transformed colonies, indicating a correlation between relative
      transformation frequencies (RTF) and the doses applied. Estimation of degradation
      rates of plasmid sequences in plant protoplasts yielded a reduction of plasmid
      concentration to 50% 8-12 h after transformation. In 1-day-old protoplasts, the
      level of plasmid fragments dropped to 0%-10% compared to 1h after transformation.
      The results demonstrate that the integration rates of plasmid sequences into the
      plant genome may in part be governed by DNA repair mechanisms. This could be an
      explanation for the observed genotypic dependence of transformation rates in
      different plant species and plant genotypes. Gene copy number reconstructions
      revealed enhanced integration rates of plasmid sequences in transformed colonies
      derived from irradiated protoplasts. 

PMID- 24226585
TI  - Chromosomal identification and meiotic behavior of reciprocal translocations in a
      rye polymorphic population. Evolutionary implications.
AB  - The spontaneous interchange polymorphism of rye cultivar "Ailes" is composed, as
      can be deduced from the chromosomal identification of the interchanges analyzed,
      of several different reciprocal translocations in which the chromosomes of its
      haploid complement are involved with a similar frequency, except for chromosomes
      4R and 6R. Several features of chromosome behavior at metaphase I, such as
      configuration and orientation of quadrivalents and frequency of chiasmata, were
      analyzed in structural heterozygotes for different interchanges. The two main
      factors affecting the orientation of quadrivalents at metaphase I proved to be
      the morphology of these chromosome associations at metaphase I and, in
      particular, the frequency of bound chromosome arms that they showed. A genotypic
      control of alternate orientation of quadrivalents independent of chiasmata
      frequency was not detected. In addition, the frequency of alternate orientation
      shows no relation to the fitness. Possible evolutionary implications of the
      results obtained are discussed. 

PMID- 24226586
TI  - Genetic differences between the Chinese and European races of the common carp :
      6. Growth of fish in cages.
AB  - Relative growth rates of six genetic groups of common carp were compared in small
      netting cages and in earthen ponds. These groups of carp included an isolate of
      the Chinese 'Big Belly Carp', its crossbred with a European isolate, and four
      European progenies, purebreds or crossbreds. Five different environments were
      produced in the ponds, mainly by varying the stocking rates of carp. Each of the
      (ten) cages was treated as a different environment. Each cage and each pond were
      stocked with random samples of each genotype, i.e., 'communal testing' was
      carried out. The performance of a given genotype in a given environment was
      estimated from its weight gain in that environment. The mean weight gain of all
      groups, stocked into a given environment, was taken as an estimate of that
      environment as it influenced the growth of carp. The characteristics of the
      regression of growth of a given genotype on the environment in which it grew
      [i.e., the coefficient of regression (b) and the Y intercept (a)] are taken as
      measures of its adaptation to that environment. No real differences in adaptation
      to pond versus cage conditions were isolated for four of the tested groups, the
      Chinese x European crossbred, the two European crossbreds and one of the European
      purebreds. The Chinese carp showed a specific adaptation to growth in ponds (or a
      lack of adaptation to growth in cages), whereas Dor-70 was specifically adapted
      to cage conditions. These results may be explained by the genetic history of the
      two lines. The Big Belly Carp was domesticated under conditions of Chinese
      subsistence aquaculture, which apparently generated an adaptation to gathering
      and utilizing natural foods. These are prominently absent in cages. Dor-70 was
      produced in a long-term selection experiment, which apparently generated a
      response for growth in cages. These results may be of applicative value, if
      common carp were to be considered as candidates for commercial cage aquaculture.
      It would then be important to use strains like Dor-70, which are adapted to these
      conditions, and avoid strains like the Chinese Big Belly carp. 

PMID- 24226587
TI  - Estimation of heritability and genetic trend in populations at a physiological
      limit.
AB  - Limits on physiological processes, though perhaps unknown, must exist. The
      reported simulations evaluate the effect of a physiological limit on the
      estimation of genetic parameters and genetic progress. Simulation experiments
      reveal no change in the estimate of heritability, even for limits as restrictive
      as 1.5 phenotypic standard deviations above the population mean. However,
      estimates of additive genetic and environmental variance shrink as limits on
      performance increase in severity. Simulated physiological limits do not affect
      the rate of genetic progress. However, absolute measures of estimated genetic
      change are less than those predicted by response equations. 

PMID- 24226588
TI  - Genetic analysis of the obligate parasitic barley powdery mildew fungus based on
      RFLP and virulence loci.
AB  - Genome organization of the biotrophic barley powdery mildew fungus was studied
      using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Genomic DNA clones
      containing either low-or multiple-copy sequences appeared to be the best RFLP
      markers, as they frequently revealed polymorphisms that could be readily
      detected. A total of 31 loci were identified using 11 genomic DNA clones as
      probes. Linkage analysis of the 31 RFLP loci and five virulence loci resulted in
      the construction of seven groups of linked loci. Two of these contained both RFLP
      markers and virulence genes. RFLP markers were found to be very efficient in
      characterizing mildew isolates, as only three markers were necessary to
      differentiate 28 isolates. The DNA of the barley powdery mildew fungus appeared
      to contain a considerable number of repetitive sequences dispersed throughout the
      genome. 

PMID- 24226590
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24226589
TI  - Autofertility and rate of cross-fertilization: crucial characters for breeding
      synthetic varieties in faba beans (Vicia faba L.).
AB  - To increase the level and stability of yield in faba beans (Vicia faba L.),
      heterosis must be exploited. Hybrids are not available because of the instability
      of male sterility. Synthetic varieties can and should be bred. Thus, we studied
      the reproductive behavior of this partially allogamous, insect-pollinated crop.
      Autofertility (AF) and the rate of cross-fertilization (C) were measured in 36
      inbred lines and 28 crosses in F1, F2, and F3 generations for 3 years at
      Hohenheim, Stuttgart, FRG. Heterozygosity strongly increased AF and decreased C.
      AF was negatively correlated with C. AF varied from 1% to 98%, and C varied from
      7% to 82%. Heritability for both characters was high. For an optimum exploitation
      of heterosis, breeders should utilize lines with high C as variety components. It
      is often labor-intensive to multiply such lines, due to low AF. Hence, breeders
      tend to use autofertile lines with rather limited C. We showed that even in this
      case about 50% of the total heterosis, which equals a yield increase of at least
      25% over the inbred line level, is realized. An increase in yield stability due
      to heterogeneity will occur simultaneously. 

PMID- 24226591
TI  - Division and gametophytic tissue formation from protoplasts of young sporophytes
      in fern Lygodium japonicum.
AB  - Protoplasts isolated enzymatically from juvenile leaflets of sporophytes in fern
      Lyqodium japonicum were inoculated in a MS medium containing NAA 2.7 MUm, BAP 2.2
      MUm, 0.6 M mannitol, and 0.05 M sucrose. Cell division took place within 8 days
      of culture initiation, and after 30 days cell-clusters with 10-15 cells were
      observed. When the cell-clusters were transferred into fresh hormone-free medium
      containing no mannitol, they developed rhizoids and protonema-like regenerants.
      About 2 months later, cordate prothallia developed bearing both antheridia and
      archegonia. 

PMID- 24226592
TI  - Controlled cell wall regeneration for efficient microinjections of Nicotiana
      tabacum var. Carlson protoplasts.
AB  - Nicotiana tabacum var. Carlson protoplast culture conditions were modified to
      contain a cell wall inhibitor, 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile, in order to delay cell
      wall regeneration and to allow efficient nuclear and cytoplasmic microinjections.
      Under modified conditions, the protoplast preparations appeared healthier as
      compared to the control protoplasts and showed no resistance at all during
      microinjection. Furthermore, the duration of protoplast microinjection was
      extended for up to 3-4 days. In order to set up nuclear microinjections, the
      nuclei of these protoplasts were stained either before or after immobilization
      without any adverse effect on their mitotic activity. Successful cytoplasmic
      microinjections were demonstrated by injecting Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) RNA,
      which resulted in viral infection of 14% of the injected protoplasts. 

PMID- 24226593
TI  - Genetic transformation of foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) by chimeric foreign genes
      and production of cardioactive glycosides.
AB  - The chimeric neo and gus genes on a mini Ti vector are efficiently transferred
      into the genome of fox glove (Digitalis purpurea L.) using a binary vector system
      based on a rootinducing Ri plasmid, pRi15834. The transgenic state of established
      transformed roots was confirmed by Southern blot analysis and by detection of
      agropine and mannopine. The expression of the chimeric genes controlled by the
      promoters from TR 1'-2' genes, nos gene and cauliflower mosaic virus 35S RNA was
      demonstrated by enzymatic and histochemical assays of neomycin phosphotransferase
      II and beta-glucuronidase. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried
      out using polyclonal antibody reactable against digitoxin to investigate the
      production of cardenolides. The results of ELISA indicated that the cardioactive
      glycosides were highly produced in the green transformed hairy roots. 

PMID- 24226594
TI  - Long term culture and caffeine production of immobilized coffee (Coffea arabica)
      L. cells in polyurethane foam.
AB  - Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cells could be immobilized in polyurethane foam and
      subcultured repeatedly for a long time. Four phases were observed for cell growth
      and caffeine production, I; immobilization, II; growth, III; caffeine production,
      IV; regrowth. Their periods were influenced by the number of foam particles.
      Especially in the phase III, the immobilized cells produced a relatively large
      amount of caffeine in the subculture numbers 5-8 (34 cubes) when the fresh weight
      of the immobilized cells decreased despite culture in growth medium (DK medium).
      Caffeine production appeared to have a negative correlation with the growth of
      the immobilized cells throughout the subcultures. 

PMID- 24226595
TI  - Direct analysis of RNA transcripts in electroporated carrot protoplasts.
AB  - We describe a method for direct analysis of RNA transcribed from DNA introduced
      into carrot cells by electroporation. Octopine synthase RNA transcribed from the
      plasmid p35SOcs was detected in total and poly A(+) RNA on Northern blots and in
      RNA protection assays. The highest level of octopine synthase transcript was
      detected at approximately 8 hrs post-electroporation, although RNA could still be
      detected after 48 hrs. This method allows detection of foreign gene expression in
      a plant system and bypasses the need for reporter genes. 

PMID- 24226596
TI  - Specific differences in tolerance to exogenous berberine among plant cell
      cultures.
AB  - The tolerance of plant cells to exogenously administered berberine, an
      antimicrobial isoquinoline alkaloid, was studied using berberine-producing and
      nonproducing cell suspension cultures. Both Coptis japonica and Thalictrum flavum
      cells, which have an intrinsic ability to synthesize berberine, took up exogenous
      berberine from the culture medium by an energy-requiring active transport to
      accumulate it exclusively in vacuoles. By contrast, T. minus cells, which excrete
      indigenous berberine mostly into the medium, did not take up exogenously supplied
      berberine, indicating that the alkaloid transport in this species is
      unidirectional. No inhibition of cell growth by exogenous berberine was observed
      in the three berberine-producing cell cultures. On the other hand, a small amount
      of exogenous berberine strongly inhibited cell growth in the berberine-free
      cultures of Datura innoxia, Catharanthus roseus, and Paeonia albiflora. The
      berberine taken up actively by Datura cells could not be transported into
      vacuoles but was dispersed in the cytoplasm, causing a severe inhibition of cell
      growth. 

PMID- 24226597
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from callus cultures of Bunium
      persicum Boiss.
AB  - Callus was obtained from mericarps of Bunium persicum Boiss. on MS medium
      supplemented with 2.0 mg/1 2,4-D and 4.0 mg/1 Kn. Small white clumps of compactly
      packed cells developed on the callus on a medium containing 1.0 mg/1 2,4-D and 0
      mg/1 Kn. These cell clumps differentiated numerous globular embryos on the same
      medium. Embryo maturation and germination was achieved on the basal as well as on
      1 mg/1 Kn supplemented medium. All regenerated plants examined were normal
      diploids with 2n=14. 

PMID- 24226598
TI  - Callus formation from root protoplasts of Quercus rubra L. (red oak).
AB  - Root protoplasts of Quercus rubra L. were isolated from 12 day old seedlings with
      an enzyme mixture containing Cellulase R1O + Rhozyme HP150 + Macerozyme R1O,
      supplemented with cysteine and bovine serum albumin.Protoplasts were purified by
      a Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and cultured at low density in a liquid
      medium. The modified woody plant medium, containing 2.2 MUM benzyladenine + 1.8;
      MUM zeatin + 5.3 MUM alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid + 2.2 MUM dichlorophenoxyacetic
      acid, allowed sustained divisions and formation of microcalluses.Protoplast -
      derived microcallus developed into green and compact callus when transferred to
      an agarose solidified medium, supplemented with casein hydrolysate and indole 3
      acetic acid (devoid of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and placed under low
      illumination. 

PMID- 24226599
TI  - Accumulation of anthocyanins enhanced by a high osmotic potential in grape (Vitis
      vinifera L.) cell suspensions.
AB  - A cell suspension of grape, Vitis vinifera L. cv Gamay Freaux, was grown under
      different conditions of water stress (high external osmotic potential) induced by
      an increase of sucrose concentration or by the addition of mannitol to the
      culture medium. Best growth (cell density) was achieved in the low osmotic
      potential medium. Increasing the osmotic potential of the medium from -0.5 MPa to
      -0.9 MPa medium resulted in a significant increase in accumulation of
      anthocyanins in pigmented cells. Regulation of the osmotic potential of culture
      medium may be useful in controlling anthocyanin production. 

PMID- 24226600
TI  - Extracellular accumulation of high specific-activity peroxidase by cell
      suspension cultures of cowpea.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures of cowpea (Vigna sp.) were able to produce extracellular
      peroxidase. Different growth regulator concentrations induced different
      peroxidase activity in callus. The crude extracellular medium after four weeks of
      culture showed higher (6 times) specific peroxidase activity and higher thermo
      stability than commercial horse-radish peroxidase. The commercial production of
      peroxidase enzyme from cowpea by utilizing plant cell cultures is discussed. 

PMID- 24226601
TI  - Growth characteristics and ion contents of non-selected and salt-selected callus
      lines of highbush blueberry (Vacdnium corymbosum) cultivars Blue Crop and Denise
      Blue.
AB  - Non-selected and sodium chloride selected callus lines of Vacdnium corymbosum
      L.cv Blue Crop and cv. Denise Blue were grown on media supplemented with 0-100 mM
      NaCl. For both cultivars, fresh weight and dry weight yields were greater in
      selected lines on all levels of NaCl. Selected lines of Blue Crop displayed
      better growth than selected lines of Denise Blue at most concentrations of NaCl.
      Internal Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations in selected and non-selected lines of
      both cultivars increased as external concentration was raised. However, selected
      lines of Blue Crop and Denise Blue accumulated more Na(+) and Cl(-) than non
      selected lines. Selected lines of both cultivars maintained higher levels of K(+)
      than non-selected lines on all external NaCl levels. Selected lines of Blue Crop
      had higher levels of Na(+) and Cl(-) than that of Denise Blue. The results
      suggest Na(+) and Cl(-) accumulation could be a mechanism allowing better growth
      in selected lines at moderate salinity levels (50-75 mM NaCl). 

PMID- 24226602
TI  - Effect of NaCl on lipid content of plasma membranes isolated from roots and cell
      suspension cultures of the dicot halophyte Kosteletzkya virginica (L.) Presl.
AB  - Lipid concent was examined in plasma membrane fractions isolated by discontinuous
      sucrose density-gradient centrifugation from both salinized and unsalinized roots
      and cell suspension cultures of Kosteletzkva virginica (L.) Presl., seashore
      mallow, a halophytic dicot. The distribution of marker enzymes along the gradient
      indicated that plasma membranes of roots and cell cultures accumulated primarily
      at the 34%/45% interface. Total sterol and phospholipid content increased
      significantly in plants and cell suspensions grown on salinized nutrient media.
      In addition, K. virginica plasma membranes were constitutively rich in sterols,
      and a high sterol-to-phospholipid ratio was maintained or elevated under saline
      conditions. These results are discussed in relation to membrane composition as a
      mechanism involved in the cellularly based salt tolerance of K. virginica. 

PMID- 24226603
TI  - Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation and regeneration of muskmelon
      plants.
AB  - Transgenic muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) plants were produced efficiently by
      inoculating cotyledon explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404
      bearing a Ti plasmid with the NPT II gene for kanaymcin resistance. After co
      cultivation for three days, expiants were transferred to melon regeneration
      medium with kanamycin to select for transformed tissue. Shoot regeneration
      occurred within 3-5 weeks; excised shoots were rooted on medium containing
      kanamycin before transferring to soil. Morphologically normal plants were
      produced in three months. Southern blot analysis confirmed that ca. 85% of the
      regenerated plants contained the NPT gene. Dot blot analysis and leaf callus
      assay of progeny of transgenic plants verified transmission of the introduced
      gene(s) to the next generation. Factors affecting transformation efficiency are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24226604
TI  - Axillary shoot proliferation and growth of Populus deltoides shoot cultures.
AB  - Shoot cultures of four genotypes of Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh. were
      established from adventitious shoots regenerated from internodal stem explants.
      Stable shoot cultures for all four genotypes were maintained in a continuous
      culture regime for over one year. The stable shoot cultures were used as explants
      to investigate the effects of zeatin concentration and genotype on axillary shoot
      production and growth. The concentration of zeatin significantly affected the
      production of axillary shoots, with 1.0 mgL(-1) zeatin producing the greatest
      number of shoots (31.0 shoots per culture vessel) while 0.25 mgL(-1) zeatin
      produced the greatest growth (5.9 mg per axillary shoot) when measured by dry
      weight accumulation per shoot. Genotypic differences were significant in the
      production and growth of axillary shoots. 

PMID- 24226605
TI  - Co-transformation of indica rice protoplasts with gusA and neo genes.
AB  - Protoplasts of the indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety, IR54, were transiently
      transformed with the gusA gene and stably transformed with both the neo and gusA
      genes. We show that PEG-mediated co-transformation of protoplasts with two genes
      on separate plasmids coupled with selection on kanamycin is an effective way of
      transferring foreign gene(s) into the indica rice genome. The efficiency of co
      transformation was generally 20-30%, i.e. the frequency of kanamycin-resistant
      calli having both the neo and gusA active genes. Southern blot analysis using a
      probe for gusA indicated integration of several copies of the gene, often as head
      to tail tandem repeats. 

PMID- 24226606
TI  - Comments on fluorescence methods for probing local deviations from lamellar
      packing.
AB  - Fluorescence probes have been used to monitor the conversion from the lamellar to
      nonlamellar phases. In addition there is current interest in understanding the
      nature of the changes in the physical properties of phospholipid bilayers that
      are correlated with their propensity for forming nonlamellar phases. Fluorescent
      probes have been used to demonstrate changes in surface hydrophobicity, quenching
      efficiency, and rates of interbilayer transfer of fluorescently labeled analogs.
      These studies are beginning to provide an assessment of the nature of the
      differences between stable bilayers and those that readily convert into inverted
      phases. Such studies are important because these differences in physical
      properties often lead to altered membrane functional behavior. 

PMID- 24226607
TI  - Long-lived fluorescence probes for studying lipid dynamics: A review.
AB  - A great many studies have focused on the heterogeneous packing of lipids in the
      bilayer matrix. However, less attention has been directed toward the temporal
      aspects of these lipid-lipid interactions. Studies of lipid packing fluctuations,
      or 'gel-fluid' exchange, using fluorescence probe methodologies have been
      limited. This limitation arises from thesubmicrosecond time scale over which the
      fluctuations are expected to occur. Traditionally, dynamic studies of lipid
      bilayers have been restricted to the nanosecond time regime, and the
      submicrosecond time 'window' has not been explored in any great depth by
      fluorescence methods, although persistent lipid dynamics has been evident. Probes
      with long fluorescence lifetimes (several hundred nanoseconds) have the potential
      to expand this important time 'window,' providing information on 'gel-fluid'
      exchange rates and insights into how important biological effectors such as
      proteins, cholesterol, and anesthetics affect or modulate these fluctuations.
      Using the long-lived fluorescence probe coronene, combined with time-resolved
      fluorescence methods geared toward microheterogeneity, we present a view of
      bilayer dynamics in an alternate time domain. Fluorescence probes are expected to
      inhabit an equilibrium between fluid and gel environments. Some probes remain in
      their respective environments throughout their excited-state lifetime, while
      others reside in surroundings that will change (i.e., 'melt'). Long-lived
      fluorescence membrane probes can provide direct estimates of submicrosecond lipid
      fluctuation or 'melt' rates. Simple Landau modeling leads to adistribution of
      'melt' rates and provides an attractive alternative to a simplercompartmental
      model where a unique lipid fluctuation of gel-fluid exchange rate is measured.
      Thedistribution model is probe independent (defined by thermodynamic quantities)
      and can be applied generally to the rotational motions of fluorescence probes
      embedded in the lipid bilayer. 

PMID- 24226608
TI  - Fluorescence techniques for probing water penetration into lipid bilayers.
AB  - Fluorescence spectroscopy can be used as a highly sensitive and localized probe
      for hydration in lipid bilayers. Water associates with the head-group region,
      where it participates in an interlipid network of hydrogen bonds. Deeper in the
      bilayer, water is contained within acyl-chain packing defects. Fluorescence
      methodology is available to probe both the interstitial and head-group hydration
      in lipid bilayers, and results are in good agreement with other techniques. Using
      fluorescence spectroscopic approaches, cholesterol is shown to dehydrate the acyl
      chain region, while hydrating the head-group region. Membrane proteins appear to
      increase acyl-chain hydration at the protein-lipid interface. Overall
      fluorescence spectroscopic techniques may be most effective in studying the water
      content of lipid bilayers and especially of biological membranes. 

PMID- 24226609
TI  - Fluorescence lifetimes of diphenylhexatriene-containing probes reflect local
      probe concentrations: Application to the measurement of membrane fusion.
AB  - An important process in the life of a cell is fusion between cellular membranes.
      This is the process by which two cellular compartments surrounded by different
      membranes join to become a single compartment surrounded by a single membrane,
      without significant loss of compartment contents. To demonstrate fusion, the cell
      biophysicist must demonstrate all three critical aspects of the process: (1)
      mixing of membrane components, (2) mixing of compartment contents; and (3)
      retention of compartment contents. Most commonly, accomplishing this involves the
      use of fluorescence probes. The general theme to the methods described involves
      some form of concentration-dependent quenching. An unique method developed in our
      laboratory utilizes the concentration dependence of the fluorescence lifetime of
      a phosphatidylcholine containing carboxyethyl diphenylhexatriene at position 2
      and palmitic acid at position 1 of glycerol (DPHpPC). The fluorescence lifetime
      of this molecule and that of its parent fluorophore diphenylhexatriene (DPH)
      shorten dramatically as their two-dimensional concentrations in a membrane
      increase. This "lifetime quenching" can be described by dimer formation that
      reduces the symmetry of the DPH excited state. This phenomenon allows one to use
      the fluorescence lifetime to gain insight into the local concentration of probe
      in microscopic regions of a membrane. One application of this is in
      distinguishing lipid transfer between the outer leaflets of two contacting
      membrane bilayers from fusion between these membranes that leads to mixing of
      lipids in both the inner and outer leaflets of the membrane bilayers. This allows
      a single measurement to demonstrate fusion between membrane pairs. 

PMID- 24226610
TI  - Determination of DPH order parameters in unoriented vesicles.
AB  - This article reviews the determination of orientational order parameters in non
      macroscopically oriented membranes from the data obtained with the fluorescent
      probe all-trans-1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). Special attention is paid to
      the effect of microheterogeneity in the probe environment on the recovered values
      of the order parameters. An effort is made to accommodate new findings in the
      existing picture of orientational order in membranes. 

PMID- 24226611
TI  - Fluorescence lifetime distributions in membrane systems.
AB  - Membranes are complex biological systems that display heterogeneity at all
      spatial scales. At a molecular level, the heterogeneity arises from lipid and
      protein composition. At the cellular level, heterogeneity is due to membrane
      organization and large scale morphology. A quantitative evaluation of membrane
      heterogeneity at a microscopic level is very important for several fields of
      membrane studies. We have developed a method for the analysis of the decay of
      fluorescent membrane probes that can provide a quantity sensitive to membrane
      heterogeneity. This method is based on the analysis of the fluorescence decay
      using continuous lifetime distributions. The major challenge in the
      interpretation of the analysis results is in the identification, at a molecular
      level, of the mechanisms that influence the fluorescence decay. In this review we
      illustrate the principles of data analysis and we show examples of identification
      of the measured parameters with specific variables that affect membrane
      heterogeneity. 

PMID- 24226612
TI  - Membrane lipid domains and dynamics as detected by Laurdan fluorescence.
AB  - 2-Dimethylamino-6-lauroylnaphthalene (Laurdan) is a membrane probe of recent
      characterization, which shows high sensitivity to the polarity of its
      environment. Steady-state Laurdan excitation and emission spectra have different
      maxima and shape in the two phospholipid phases, due to differences in the
      polarity and in the amount of dipolar relaxation. In bilayers composed of a
      mixture of gel and liquid-crystalline phases, the properties of Laurdan
      excitation and emission spectra are intermediate between those obtained in the
      pure phases. These spectral properties are analyzed using the generalized
      polarization (GP). TheGP value can be used for the quantitation of each phase.
      The wavelength dependence of theGP value is used to ascertain the coexistence of
      different phase domains in the bilayer. Moreover, by following the evolution of
      Laurdan emission vs. time after excitation, the kinetics of phase fluctuation in
      phospholipid vesicles composed of coexisting gel and liquid-crystalline phases
      was determined.GP measurements performed in several cell lines did not give
      indications of coexistence of phase domains in their membranes. In natural
      membranes, Laurdan parameters indicate a homogeneously fluid environment, with
      restricted molecular motion in comparison with the phospholipid liquid
      crystalline phase. The influence of cholesterol on the phase properties of the
      two phospholipid phases is proposed to be the cause of the phase behavior
      observed in natural membranes. In bilayers composed of different phospholipids
      and various cholesterol concentrations, Laurdan response is very similar to that
      arising from cell membranes. In the absence of cholesterol, from the steady-state
      and time-resolved measurements of Laurdan in phospholipid vesicles, the condition
      for the occurrence of separate coexisting domains in the bilayer has been
      determined: the molecular ratio between the two phases must be in the range
      between 30% and 70%. Below and above this range, a single homogeneous phase is
      observed, with the properties of the more concentrated phase, slightly modified
      by the presence of the other. Moreover, in this concentration range, the
      calculated dimension of the domains is very small, between 20 and 50 A. 

PMID- 24226613
TI  - Video fluorescence microscopic techniques to monitor local lipid and phospholipid
      molecular order and organization in cell membranes during hypoxic injury.
AB  - Digitized video microscopy is rapidly finding uses in a number of fields of
      biological investigation because it allows quantitative assessment of
      physiological functions in intact cells under a variety of conditions. In this
      review paper, we focus on the rationale for the development and use of
      quantitative digitized video fluorescence microscopic techniques to monitor the
      molecular order and organization of lipids and phospholipids in the plasma
      membrane of single living cells. These include (1) fluorescence polarization
      imaging microscopy, used to measure plasma membrane lipid order, (2) fluorescence
      resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging microscopy, used to detect and monitor
      phospholipid domain formation, and (3) fluorescence quenching imaging microscopy,
      used to spatially map fluid and rigid lipid domains. We review both the
      theoretical as well as practical use of these different techniques and their
      limits and potential for future developments, and provide as an illustrative
      example their application in studies of plasma membrane lipid order and
      topography during hypoxic injury in rat hepatocytes. Each of these methods
      provides complementary information; in the case of hypoxic injury, they all
      indicated that hypoxic injury leads to a spatially and temporally heterogeneous
      alteration in lipid order, topography, and fluidity of the plasma membrane.
      Hypoxic injury induces the formation of both fluid and rigid lipid domains; the
      formation of these domains is responsible for loss of the plasma membrane
      permeability barrier and the onset of irreversible injury (cell death). By
      defining the mechanisms which lead to alterations in lipid and phospholipid order
      and organization in the plasma membrane of hypoxic cells, potential sites of
      intervention to delay, prevent, or rescue cells from hypoxic injury have been
      identified. Finally, we briefly discuss fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy
      (FLIM) and its potential application for studies monitoring local lipid and
      phospholipid molecular order and organization in cell membranes. 

PMID- 24226614
TI  - Configurational relaxation of "Van Der Waals complexes" in solution.
AB  - Novel measurements on the microscopic solvation dynamics of 3-amino-N
      methylphthalimide (3ANMP) in nonpolar decalin (decahydronaphthalene) solutions
      with small concentrations of ethanol and other polar additives have been made,
      using the time-dependent fluorescence Stokes shift (TDFSS) technique. It is found
      that the experimentally measured TDFSS slightly differs from that predicted by
      the theory of the generalized Smoluchowski-Vlasov equation (SVE). The essentially
      slower character of the TDFSS in binary solutions than given by the SVE approach
      may be explained by the control of the solvation behavior by the large-wavevector
      processes involving nearest-neighbor molecules. 

PMID- 24226615
TI  - Band shape analysis of electronic spectra of polar dye solutions.
AB  - A semiclassical theory of electronic spectra of polar dye solutions is presented
      and analytical expressions of the spectra are given. A quasi-molecular approach
      is applied and the quasi-molecule model of the spectra previously published is
      reanalyzed. It is assumed that a large-amplitude motion plays a key role in the
      broadening of the spectra of polar dye solutions. An energy-level diagram of a
      quasi-molecule, considered as a dye molecule with its nearest neighborhood, is
      presented. In addition, the energy of reorientation in going from a Franck-Condon
      to an equilibrated state is determined. The orientation energy is equal to that
      part of the excitation energy given by the difference of the excited Franck
      Condon state of a quasi-molecule from that of its equilibrated excited state. It
      is shown that after excitation, not only is excess vibrational, but also part of
      the electrostatic interaction energy is transferred to the surroundings. This
      energy may be obtained directly from absorption and fluorescence spectra of polar
      dye solutions. Experimental verification is performed on several coumarin
      solutions. The mean value for the reorientation energy in this case is found to
      be 645 cm-1. 

PMID- 24226616
TI  - Evidence for an excited-state reaction contributing to NADH fluorescence.
AB  - The fluorescence of reduced beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was
      monitored as a function of the excitation and emission wavelengths. In aqueous
      and organic solvents the intensity decay was found to be more heterogeneous than
      reported earlier. When the ternary complex of NADH with the enzyme (horse liver
      alcohol dehydrogenase) and substrate analog (iso-butyramide) is formed, three
      exponents are required to fit the data. The decay-associated spectrum for the
      shortest lifetime undergoes a sign change from positive at the blue edge of
      emission to negative at the red edge. This phenomenon is interpreted as an
      outcome of reversible excited-state reaction leading to the appearance of at
      least one fluorescent product. 

PMID- 24226617
TI  - Direct determination of kinetic parameters for diffusion-influenced reactions in
      solution by analysis of fluorescence decay curves.
AB  - Fluorescence decay curves were synthesized using the Smoluchowski-Collins-Kimball
      (SCK) model for diffusion-influenced bimolecular reactions so as to simulate
      measurements using the technique of time-correlated single photon counting
      (TCSPC). The experimental conditions required for successful recovery of the
      parameters used to generate these decay curves were assessed by direct analysis
      using the decay function associated with the SCK model, where the term "direct
      analysis" refers to analysis in which all of the fundamental parameters
      associated with the SCK model are permitted to vary freely. Analysis of decay
      curves synthesized using an instrument response function measured using a flash
      lamp TCSPC system and having a full-width at halfmaximum (fwhm) of approximately
      2.8 ns was unsuccessful for the values of the parameters associated with the SCK
      model that were used in this work. However, analysis of these synthesized
      fluorescence decay curves using the long-time approximation to the SCK model was
      found to be valid. The results of analysis of fluorescence decay curves
      synthesized using a 37-ps fwhm instrument response function indicate that the
      long-time approximation becomes a poor description of the kinetics of diffusion
      on the time scale associated with these decay curves. Furthermore, direct
      analysis using the function associated with the SCK model of the synthesized
      fluorescence decay curves convoluted with this response function and containing
      5.0* 10(4) or 1.0 * 10(5) counts in the channel of maximum intensity resulted in
      the recovery of parameter values that are in very good agreement with those used
      to generate these decay curves. The results obtained using the simple methodology
      developed in this work demonstrate for the first time that direct analysis of
      fluorescence decay curves measured using TCSPC according to the decay function
      derived from the SCK model can yield reliable estimates for values of the
      relevant parameters under suitable experimental conditions. 

PMID- 24226618
TI  - Plasma kinetics of injected recombinant chicken somatotropin in juvenile coho
      salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) using a homologous radioimmunoassay.
AB  - Although somatotropins are potent growth promoters in salmonids, there is little
      information on how these proteins are metabolized by poikilotherms. In the
      present study, the plasma uptake and clearance rates of recombinant chicken
      somatotropin (rcGH) were investigated in juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus
      kisutch). Two doses of rcGH were administered by intraperitoneal (ip) or
      intramuscular (im) injection and blood samples were collected over a period of 32
      days. A specific radioimmunoassay was validated and used to discriminate rcGH
      from endogenous somatotropin. Plasma rcGH concentration was proportional to the
      dose delivered, but uptake and clearance rates were found to be independent of
      dose (between 0.5 and 5.0 MUg/g). Absorption of rcGH into the plasma was faster
      from the im site, but the peak levels attained were similar after im or ip
      treatment (using the same dose) as was area under the curve. Plasma half-life was
      calculated from the declining phase of the uptake/clearance profile but the
      results were biased by the concurrent uptake of rcGH from the ip or im reservoir
      of material, resulting in an over-estimation of the true half-life value.
      Effective treatment doses and intervals are discussed. 

PMID- 24226619
TI  - An homologous radioimmunoassay for brown trout (Salmo trutta) vitellogenin.
AB  - An homologous radioimmunoassay for brown trout vitellogenin (VTG) was developed.
      Intact VTG, isolated from juvenile brown trout by selective precipitation and
      anion exchange chromatography was labelled with Na(125)I, with 1,3,4,6
      tetrachloro-3alpha,6alpha-diphenylglycoluril (Iodogen) as the oxidizing agent.
      Incorporation of Na(125)I into VTG was higher than 75% and there was little
      degradation of the labelled protein. Labelled VTG eluted at the same position as
      unlabelled, purified brown trout VTG when analyzed by gel filtration on Sepharose
      6B. Antisera with high titers, i.e. 1?250 000, against brown trout VTG were
      raised in rabbits. The sensitivity of the assay was 5 ng VTG/ml and the standard
      curve was linear between 10 and 100 ng VTG/ml. Plasma from maturing female brown
      trout, as well as estradiol-treated and untreated juvenile brown trout diluted
      parallel to the standard curve, while plasma from maturing female rainbow trout
      and estradiol-treated arctic charr diluted non-parallel to the standard curve for
      brown trout VTG. Purified rainbow trout VTG and plasma from maturing female
      rainbow trout diluted parallel to each other, but with lower sensitivity than for
      brown trout VTG. Determinations of protein-bound phosphorus in the plasma of
      estradiol-treated juvenile brown trout correlated well with the RIA
      determinations of VTG. Repeated freezing and thawing of plasma samples yielded up
      to a hundred-fold increase in the apparent VTG level, while storage of a plasma
      sample for one year at -20 degrees C did not affect the VTG level as measured by
      RIA. 

PMID- 24226620
TI  - Bilirubin-binding protein in the serum of spawning-migrating chum
      salmon,Oncorhynchus keta: Its identity with carotenoid-carrying lipoprotein.
AB  - The serum carotenoid level gradually increased during the spawning migration of
      chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Zeaxanthin, a yellowish carotenoid, was detected
      in the serum of spent males, while astaxanthin was a main carotenoid in the serum
      of males and females at other developmental stages. A high bilirubin level was
      found in the serum of spent males; the serum of spent male was yellow in colour
      due to the presence of zeaxanthin and bilirubin, although the serum of the other
      fish was bright orange.Three types of carotenoid-carrying lipoprotein such as low
      density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and very high density
      lipoprotein fractions were present in the serum. Carotenoid-carrying lipoprotein
      from the HDL fraction became a main component during spawning migration. The
      serum bilirubin from the spent male salmon was distributed in the HDL fraction.
      Because bilirubin, as well as carotenoids, were present in the HDL fraction, the
      carotenoid-carrying lipoprotein from the HDL fraction was identical with
      bilirubin-binding protein in the serum of spent males. This carrier lipoprotein
      had two subunits (molecular weight 24,000 and 12,000); no disulfide bond was
      detected between the two subunits. 

PMID- 24226621
TI  - Hepatocellular adaptation to extreme nutritional conditions in ide,Leuciscus idus
      melanotus L. (Cyprinidae). A morphofunctional analysis.
AB  - The adaptive response of the omnivorous ide,Leuciscus idus melanotus, to drastic
      metabolic conditions was analyzed on different levels of organisation
      investigating a variety of parameters: Organism (condition factor, liver-somatic
      index), organ (liver structure), cellular and subcellular level (hepatocyte
      structure, glycogen and lipid storage, contents and distribution of nucleic
      acids, enzyme alterations).During starvation, ide were able to maintain liver
      integrity in a biphasic process: after an initial phase of disturbance, ide
      established a new structural and metabolic homeostasis. Recovery from starvation
      was possible only with a complete diet but not with a sucrose diet. Carbohydrate
      overload, as evoked by sucrose refeeding, did not result in liver or carcass
      fattening as known from mammals.To the best of our knowledge, the present study
      is the first to use enzyme histochemistry in fish nutrition research. In mammals,
      histochemistry is particularly helpful for understanding processes of hepatic
      metabolic adaptation. In fish, however, on the basis of our results, enzyme
      histochemical studies appear to be of limited value, as long as no further data
      are available on a zonal distribution of enzyme activities in teleost liver
      parenchyma. Instead, the histochemical detection of the distribution of hepatic
      storage products and RNA-positive material yielded important information on liver
      adaptive processes. 

PMID- 24226622
TI  - Characterization of the receptor for gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the
      pituitary of the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus.
AB  - Receptors for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) were characterized using a
      radioligand prepared from a superactive analog of salmon GnRH (sGnRH), D-Arg(6)
      Pro(9)-sGnRH-NEt (sGnRHa). Binding of(125)I-sGnRHa to catfish pituitary membrane
      fractions reached equilibrium after 2 h incubation at 4 degrees C. Displacement
      experiments with several GnRH analogs as well as other peptides, demonstrated the
      specificity of(125)I-sGnRHa binding. Specific binding was enhanced in the
      presence of the cation chelator ethylene bis (oxyethylenenitrilo) tetra-acetic
      acid (EGTA), indicating an inhibitory effect of cations on GnRH-receptor binding.
      The binding of(125)I-sGnRHa to pituitary membranes was found to be saturable at
      radioligand concentrations of 5 nM and above. A Scatchard analysis of the
      saturation data suggested the presence of a single class of high-affinity binding
      sites (Ka=0.901+/-0.06*10(9)M(-1), Bmax=1678+/-150 fmol/mg protein). A
      comparative study on(125)I-sGnRHa binding to pituitary membrane fractions of male
      and female catfish, indicated that there were no differences in binding affinity
      and binding capacity between both sexes. The results demonstrate the presence of
      specific, saturable GnRH receptors in the African catfish pituitary. 

PMID- 24226623
TI  - Effect of running retraining on pain, function, and lower-extremity biomechanics
      in a female runner with iliotibial band syndrome.
AB  - CONTEXT: Iliotibial-band syndrome (ITBS) is a common overuse running injury.
      There is inconclusive evidence to support current management strategies, and few
      advances have been made in the past few years. New management approaches should
      thus be developed and evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a real-time
      running-retraining program on lower-extremity biomechanics, pain while running,
      and function. DESIGN: Single-subject experimental study. SETTING: University
      motion-analysis laboratory. PARTICIPANT: Female recreational runner with ITBS.
      INTERVENTION: Nine real-time running-retraining sessions were implemented based
      on the biomechanical alterations of the participant's symptomatic lower limb,
      including pelvic and knee movement in the transverse plane, as well as foot
      movement in the frontal plane. Real-time visual feedback of the pelvic-rotation
      angle was provided during the running-retraining sessions. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS: 3-dimensional lower-extremity running kinematics, pain on a verbal
      analog scale while running on a treadmill, and the Lower Extremity Functional
      Scale (LEFS). RESULTS: Pelvic external rotation decreased, although the aim was
      to increase pelvic external rotation and knee rotation. The foot-progression
      angle improved after the intervention and at 1-mo follow-up. There was a 12.5%
      improvement in running time, and the pain score while running improved by 50%
      postintervention; these improvements were maintained at 1-mo follow-up. The mean
      LEFS score, indicative of function, improved by 8.75% and by 10% at the end of
      the intervention and at 1-mo follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: The real-time
      running-retraining program improved pain while running, as well as function, and
      was effective in addressing the lower-limb biomechanical alterations of the knee
      and foot in a female runner with ITBS. The application, effectiveness, and
      feasibility of real-time training should be addressed in larger studies in the
      future.

PMID- 24226624
TI  - In situ grafted carbon on sawtooth-like SiC supported Ni for high-performance
      supercapacitor electrodes.
AB  - A novel C-Ni-SiC composite using sawtooth-like SiC as support and carbon as
      modified material was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and thermochemical
      pyrolysis. As a supercapacitor electrode, it exhibits very high specific
      capacitance (1780 F g(-1)) and excellent cycling performance (>96% for 2500
      cycles). 

PMID- 24226625
TI  - Tobacco product use among middle and high school students--United States, 2011
      and 2012.
AB  - Nearly 90% of adult smokers in the United States began smoking by age 18 years.
      To assess current tobacco product use among youths, CDC analyzed data from the
      2012 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). This report describes the results of
      that analysis, which found that, in 2012, the prevalence of current tobacco
      product use among middle and high school students was 6.7% and 23.3%,
      respectively. After cigarettes, cigars were the second most commonly used tobacco
      product, with prevalence of use at 2.8% and 12.6%, respectively. From 2011 to
      2012, electronic cigarette use increased significantly among middle school (0.6%
      to 1.1%) and high school (1.5% to 2.8%) students, and hookah use increased among
      high school students (4.1% to 5.4%). During the same period, significant
      decreases occurred in bidi and kretek use among middle and high school students,
      and in dissolvable tobacco use among high school students. A substantial
      proportion of youth tobacco use occurs with products other than cigarettes, so
      monitoring and prevention of youth tobacco use needs to incorporate other
      products, including new and emerging products. Implementing evidence-based
      interventions can prevent and reduce tobacco use among youths as part of
      comprehensive tobacco control programs. In addition, implementation of the 2009
      Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which granted the Food and
      Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the manufacture,
      distribution, and marketing of tobacco products, also is critical to addressing
      this health risk behavior.

PMID- 24226626
TI  - Use of Japanese encephalitis vaccine in children: recommendations of the advisory
      committee on immunization practices, 2013.
AB  - On June 19, 2013, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted
      to extend existing recommendations for use of inactivated Vero cell culture
      derived Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine (JE-VC) (Ixiaro, Intercell Biomedical)
      to include children aged 2 months through 16 years. The ACIP JE Vaccine Workgroup
      reviewed the epidemiology of JE in travelers and evaluated published and
      unpublished data on JE-VC immunogenicity and safety in adults and children. The
      evidence for benefits and risks associated with JE-VC vaccination of children was
      evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and
      Evaluation (GRADE) framework. This report summarizes the evidence considered by
      ACIP and outlines the recommendations for use of JE-VC in children traveling to
      JE-endemic countries. 

PMID- 24226627
TI  - Notes from the field: late vitamin K deficiency bleeding in infants whose parents
      declined vitamin K prophylaxis--Tennessee, 2013.
AB  - Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) is a coagulopathy that develops in infants
      who do not have sufficient vitamin K stores to support production of clotting
      factors. In adults, vitamin K is absorbed from food and from vitamin K
      synthesized by gut bacteria. However, placental transfer in humans is limited;
      cord blood and infant liver reserve levels of vitamin K are substantially below
      adult levels. As a result, infants are predisposed to develop VKDB, which is
      classified as early, classic, and late, according to when it presents. In the
      United States, administration of intramuscular vitamin K at birth to prevent all
      forms of VKDB has been standard practice since first recommended by the American
      Academy of Pediatrics in 1961. Without this prophylaxis, incidence of early and
      classical VKDB ranges from 0.25% to 1.7% of births; incidence of late VKDB ranges
      from 4.4 to 7.2 per 100,000 infants. The relative risk for developing late VKDB
      has been estimated at 81 times greater among infants who do not receive
      intramuscular vitamin K than in infants who do receive it.

PMID- 24226628
TI  - Notes from the field: primary amebic meningoencephalitis associated with ritual
      nasal rinsing--St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin islands, 2012.
AB  - On November 21, 2012, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Health
      documented the first case and death from primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)
      in the territory. PAM, a rare and almost universally fatal condition, results
      when Naegleria fowleri, a free-living thermophilic ameba found in warm
      freshwater, enters the nose and migrates to the brain. The patient was a man aged
      47 years whose only reported freshwater exposures were the use of tap water for
      daily household activities and for ablution, a ritual cleansing that he practiced
      several times a day in preparation for Islamic prayer. Ablution can include nasal
      rinsing. On November 16, 2012, the patient had visited the emergency department
      with a headache; he was treated symptomatically and released. The following day,
      the patient returned to the emergency department by ambulance with fever,
      confusion, agitation, and a severe headache, for which he was admitted.
      Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies were consistent with bacterial meningitis, and
      antibiotics were started. On November 18, neurologic findings included fixed
      nonresponsive pupils, no response in the upper or lower extremities, muted
      plantar responses, and no response to verbal commands. Microscopic examination of
      the CSF obtained from a second lumbar puncture revealed motile amebic
      trophozoites. CSF specimens sent to CDC for confirmatory testing were positive
      for N. fowleri by real-time polymerase chain reaction testing. On the morning of
      November 21, the patient was pronounced brain dead based on neurologic criteria. 

PMID- 24226629
TI  - Notes from the field: outbreak of tuberculosis associated with a newly identified
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype--New York City, 2010-2013.
AB  - In January 2010, the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
      (DOHMH) identified a tuberculosis (TB) case caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      with a genotype not reported previously in the United States. The patient was
      evaluated for TB while incarcerated but was released before the diagnosis was
      confirmed and before beginning TB treatment. The patient, who had a history of
      homelessness and clinical characteristics suggesting infectiousness, could not be
      located by DOHMH for 13 months. Numerous efforts were made to locate the patient,
      including queries to shelters, jails, and infection-control staff members at
      local hospitals. The patient was located after he had an abnormal chest
      radiograph result following referral by a local jail to a hospital emergency
      department (ED) for symptoms of alcohol withdrawal; he died from complications of
      liver cirrhosis 5 days later, without having started TB treatment. During
      February 2012-May 2013, DOHMH identified four additional patients with the same
      TB genotype. All five patients were U.S.-born black men aged 52-57 years. Four
      had a history of substance abuse; three had a history of homelessness; and two
      had a history of incarceration. All patients had drug-susceptible TB and were
      negative for human immunodeficiency virus. Three patients completed TB treatment.
      One patient, who was homeless at the time of diagnosis, began TB treatment but
      was lost to follow-up by DOHMH. 

PMID- 24226630
TI  - Diagnosis and treatment of mantle cell lymphoma.
AB  - Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a relatively rare lymphoma entity accounting for an
      estimated 3%-6% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases. Characterised by both the
      incurability of indolent lymphomas and the rapid growth of aggressive lymphomas,
      MCL has a median overall survival of only 4-5 years. Although the disease often
      shows an encouraging response to first-line treatment, its clinical course is
      usually marked by recurrent relapses, resulting in a dismal long-term outcome.
      The choice of therapy for managing the disease is a complex problem that still
      requires evidence-based guidance. Owing to the rarity of MCL, the bulk of data
      comes from phase II trials in small numbers of patients. Nevertheless,
      therapeutic strategies for MCL have evolved in an effort to adapt treatment
      according to the individual patient's risk profile, and the overall survival has
      nearly doubled in the last 30 years. The use of effective immunochemotherapy
      regimens in first-line therapy, advances in stem cell transplantation, and the
      development of more active salvage therapy regimens have improved the outcome.
      This review will summarise the key factors that drive clinical practice with
      respect to the management of MCL. 

PMID- 24226631
TI  - Core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia in pediatric patients enrolled in the
      AIEOP AML 2002/01 trial: screening and prognostic impact of c-KIT mutations.

PMID- 24226632
TI  - Effect of oxygen inhalation on cerebral blood flow velocity in premature
      neonates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study tested the hypothesis that hyperoxemia and hypoxemia
      differentially alter cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in a gestational age
      dependent manner. METHODS: Cases comprised 98 neonates with mild respiratory
      distress, receiving oxygen for >24 h in first 48 h of life. Ninety-eight age- and
      weight-matched healthy neonates served as controls. Infants with perinatal
      asphyxia, shock, sepsis, malformations, acidosis/alkalosis, and hypo/hypercarbia
      were excluded. Resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic flow
      velocity (PSV), and vascular diameter were measured in internal carotid,
      vertebral, and middle cerebral arteries by transcranial doppler ultrasonography
      between 24 and 48 h of life with immediate postdoppler arterial blood gas
      analysis. For subgroup analysis, neonates were divided by gestational age and
      PaO2. RESULTS: An overall decrease in RI/PI and increase in PSV and vasodilation
      was observed in cases. Hyperoxemia (PaO2 >90 mm Hg) was more common in premature
      neonates. Neonates <32 wk showed an increase in CBFV (decreased RI/PI and
      increased PSV/diameter) in association with hyperoxemia. An opposite response was
      observed in neonates >= 32 wk, where CBFV increased in response to hypoxemia
      (PaO2 <50 mm Hg) and decreased in hyperoxemia. Increased CBFV showed high
      predictive accuracy for immediate mortality and intracranial hemorrhage.
      CONCLUSION: Depending on gestational maturity, hyperoxemia or hypoxemia produce
      differential effects in CBFV.

PMID- 24226633
TI  - Brain tissue oxygen monitoring identifies cortical hypoxia and thalamic hyperoxia
      after experimental cardiac arrest in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Optimization of cerebral oxygenation after pediatric cardiac arrest
      (CA) may reduce neurological damage associated with the post-CA syndrome. We
      hypothesized that important alterations in regional partial pressure of brain
      tissue oxygen (PbO2) occur after resuscitation from CA and that clinically
      relevant interventions such as hyperoxia and blood pressure augmentation would
      influence PbO2. METHODS: Cortical and thalamic PbO2 were monitored in immature
      rats subjected to asphyxial CA (9 or 12 min asphyxia) and sham-operated rats
      using oxygen sensors. RESULTS: Thalamus and cortex showed similar baseline PbO2.
      Postresuscitation, there was early and sustained cortical hypoxia in an insult
      duration dependent fashion. In contrast, thalamic PbO2 initially increased
      fourfold and afterwards returned to baseline values. PbO2 level was dependent on
      the fraction of inspired O2, and the response to oxygen was more pronounced after
      a 9 vs. 12 min CA. After a 12 min CA, PbO2 was modestly affected by blood
      pressure augmentation using epinephrine in the thalamus but not in the cortex.
      CONCLUSION: After asphyxial pediatric CA, there is marked regional variability of
      cerebral oxygenation. Cortical hypoxia is pronounced and appears early, whereas
      thalamic hyperoxia is followed by normoxia. Compromised PbO2 in the cortex may
      represent a relevant and clinically measurable therapeutic target aimed at
      improving neurological outcome after pediatric CA.

PMID- 24226634
TI  - Targeting intracellular degradation pathways for treatment of liver disease
      caused by alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.
AB  - The classic form of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (ATD) is a well-known genetic
      cause of severe liver disease in childhood. A point mutation alters the folding
      of a hepatic secretory glycoprotein such that the protein is prone to misfolding
      and polymerization. Liver injury, characterized predominantly by
      fibrosis/cirrhosis and carcinogenesis, is caused by the proteotoxic effect of
      polymerized mutant alpha1-antitrypsin Z (ATZ), which accumulates in the
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of hepatocytes. Several intracellular pathways have
      been shown to be responsible for disposal of ATZ after it accumulates in the ER,
      but autophagy appears to be specialized for disposal of insoluble ATZ polymers.
      Recently, we have found that drugs that enhance the activity of the autophagic
      pathway reduce the cellular load of mutant ATZ and reverse hepatic fibrosis in a
      mouse model of ATD. Because several of these autophagy enhancers have been used
      safely in humans for other reasons, we have been able to initiate a clinical
      trial of one of these drugs, carbamazepine, to determine its efficacy in severe
      liver disease due to ATD. In this review, we discuss the autophagy enhancer drugs
      as a new therapeutic strategy that targets cell biological mechanisms integral to
      the pathogenesis of liver disease due to ATD. 

PMID- 24226635
TI  - Combined effects of maternal inflammation and neonatal hyperoxia on lung fibrosis
      and RAGE expression in newborn rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) have been
      implicated in fibrotic processes. We hypothesized that lung fibrosis induced by
      maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammation and neonatal hyperoxia
      involves RAGE in newborn rats. METHODS: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received
      intraperitoneal injections of LPS or normal saline (NS) on 20 and 21 d of
      gestation. The pups were reared in room air (RA) or an O2-enrich atmosphere (O2),
      creating the four study groups, NS + RA, NS + O2, LPS + RA, and LPS + O2. The O2
      treatment was >95% O2 for 7 d, followed by 60% O2 for 14 d. RESULTS: Rat pups
      born to LPS-injected dams exhibited significantly higher lung interferon-gamma
      and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on postnatal day 7 than the pups born to NS
      injected dams. Rat pups reared in hyperoxia expressed higher lung IL-10 on
      postnatal day 7, compared with the RA-reared pups. The LPS + O2 group had
      significantly higher total collagen and transforming growth factor-beta1 on
      postnatal days 7 and 21 than the NS+RA group. RAGE mRNA and sRAGE protein
      expression were significantly lower in the LPS + O2 group on postnatal day 7 than
      the NS+RA group. CONCLUSION: RAGE may be involved in the pathogenesis of lung
      fibrosis induced by maternal systemic inflammation and postnatal hyperoxia in rat
      neonates.

PMID- 24226636
TI  - Disappearance of cryoproteins in the sera of a patient with SLE after treatment
      with blisibimod, a novel subcutaneous anti-B cell therapy.

PMID- 24226637
TI  - Nurse psychologists: A unique group within health psychology.
AB  - Since the mid-1980s commonalities between nursing and psychology have been
      explored, with subsequent establishment of a Nursing and Health Psychology
      Committee within the American Psychological Association's Division 38. A survey
      was undertaken to study this little-known, unique cadre of individuals with dual
      preparation in both nursing and psychology. Participants were queried regarding
      their educational preparations in both disciplines, current employment,
      theoretical and/or research interests, and current projects. Results of the
      survey provide information about the characteristics of this group. Dual
      preparation appears to offer certain advantages for the practice of health
      psychology. 

PMID- 24226638
TI  - The psychologist's role in assessing and facilitating patients' knowledge of
      advance directives in medical settings: A preliminary investigation.
AB  - In a time of budgetary shortfalls in the medical industry, an aging population,
      and an increased emphasis on health care choices, psychologists are being called
      upon to administer advance medical directive programs to patients. This study
      reports preliminary findings from a program to assess and facilitate patients'
      knowledge of advance directives (ADs) by the Psychology Service at the Ann Arbor
      VA Medical Center. The participant pool included 243 male veteran patients
      admitted to medical and surgical wards at the hospital. The intervention included
      the use of a computer-generated prompt for consultation, which was sent to the
      psychology staff in response to a patient inquiry regarding ADs. It also involved
      an increased emphasis on the delivery of written material on ADs by the
      admissions clerks. The intervention appeared to result in a modest increase in
      patients' knowledge of advance directives. Suggestions are offered for areas that
      should be emphasized in future attempts to increase patients' knowledge and
      utilization of advance directives. 

PMID- 24226640
TI  - The K-BIT: A screen for IQ in six diverse populations.
AB  - Performance data were collected on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT)
      from a total of 196 individuals from six diverse populations. College students
      did best, followed closely by closed head-injured adults and their controls; the
      order of performance then was learning-disabled children, psychiatric patients,
      and finally, neurosurgical patients in the acute stages of recovery. 

PMID- 24226639
TI  - Psychological distress and well-being in advanced cancer: The effects of optimism
      and coping.
AB  - This study examined the relations among optimism, coping, functional status, and
      psychological adjustment in 75 adults diagnosed with cancer. Both the positive
      and the negative aspects of psychological adjustment were assessed. All
      participants had been diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer (i.e., Stages II,
      III, and IV). Participants completed three assessments across a 4-month time
      period. Both optimism and coping were associated with psychological adjustment,
      even after controlling for functional status and prior adjustment. Additionally,
      optimism and coping were differentially related to distress and well-being.
      Optimism was strongly and positively associated with well-being and inversely
      related to distress. Escape-Avoidance coping was positively associated with
      distress and Accepting Responsibility coping was negatively associated with well
      being. Comparisons between the current and prior studies indicated that
      individuals who are diagnosed with more advanced stages of cancer or who have
      survived bone marrow transplantation exhibit higher levels of optimism than do
      healthy individuals and individuals with early-stage disease. 

PMID- 24226641
TI  - Psychology and mind-body segregation: Are we part of the problem?
AB  - Despite advances in behavioral medicine and health psychology, the health care
      system and medical education continue to show resistance to a truly
      biopsychosocial model of medical practice. Psychologists in medical settings have
      generally been identified as challenging the concept of mind-body duality and the
      segregation of biologic and psychosocial sciences in medicine. However, examples
      are presented of how psychologists contribute to and perpetuate mind-body
      segregation via exclusive theoretical conceptualizations, arbitrary definitions
      of professional behavior, and dogmatic constraints on the limits of psychology's
      field of knowledge. 

PMID- 24226642
TI  - Establishing psychological services in a community-based, health care setting: A
      3-year case study.
AB  - Health care practitioners are being challenged to reorganize service delivery and
      psychology providers are emerging as important participants in shaping the
      development of primary health care practices. The article outlines the 3-year
      process of a community/academic/health care center partnership to develop a new
      model for providing interdisciplinary health care services. The authors describe
      the process of integrating psychological services into an interdisciplinary,
      primary care community-based health care center, outline specific planning
      strategies, and identify the roadblocks and barriers encountered. 

PMID- 24226643
TI  - The psychological physician: Semantics and survival.
AB  - The calls for change in three areas of professional psychology are briefly
      reviewed, along with the reasons why such changes would be in the best interest
      of not only psychology but also the consumers of mental health services.
      Psychology's survival is linked to the implementation of these changes. It is
      argued that psychology must (1) standardize its education, training, and doctoral
      degree; (2) expand its scope of practice; and (3) become, legally and otherwise,
      "psychological physicians," or risk being rolled-over by history. The importance
      of terminology and semantics is also discussed. Conclusions are drawn and
      discussed. 

PMID- 24226644
TI  - The psychological physician: Onward to the future.
AB  - This article considers the future of professional psychology, with particular
      reference to the scope of practice. Contemporary threats to, and opportunities
      for, professional psychology are discussed. It is argued that the course of our
      continuing evolution could lead to our becoming the premier primary behavioral
      health care profession, as psychological physicians. The prescription privilege
      agenda is discussed as the next logical step in that evolution. 

PMID- 24226645
TI  - A rose by any other name: Maintaining the name and highlighting the uniqueness of
      psychology as a health care profession.
AB  - In this article, we reply to the comments made by Holden and Levant (preceding
      articles). While we agree with their goals of expanding the scope of practice of
      psychology, standardizing training, and educating the public and other health
      care professionals about the field of clinical psychology, we do not agree that
      changing the discipline's name to "psychological physician" is a necessary or
      sufficient means to these ends. We outline the bases for our disagreement with
      the name change proposal and provide other proposals for reaching the goals set
      forth by Holden and Levant. 

PMID- 24226647
TI  - Ilial crest bone graft transposition as treatment for fracture of the medial
      femoral trochlear ridge in a dog.
AB  - This is a report of a fracture of the medial trochlear ridge of the distal femur
      occurring as a major complication after surgery for medial patellar luxation. To
      address the complication, a non-vascularized iliac bone graft was collected and
      fixated with two positional screws to the trochlea. An external skeletal fixator
      was placed to prevent motion of the stifle joint during the healing period and to
      reduce the risk for fragment dislodgment. One year after the graft was placed the
      dog's function was satisfactory. This case report indicates that a non
      vascularized iliac bone graft provides an alternative for management of fractures
      of the medial ridge of the distal femur. 

PMID- 24226648
TI  - Stabilities of thiomolybdate complexes of iron; implications for retention of
      essential trace elements (Fe, Cu, Mo) in sulfidic waters.
AB  - In aquatic ecosystems, availabilities of Fe, Mo and Cu potentially limit rates of
      critical biological processes, including nitrogen fixation, nitrate assimilation
      and N2O decomposition. During long periods in Earth's history when large parts of
      the ocean were sulfidic, what prevented these elements' quantitative loss from
      marine habitats as insoluble sulfide phases? They must have been retained by
      formation of soluble complexes. Identities of the key ligands are poorly known
      but probably include thioanions. Here, the first determinations of stability
      constants for Fe(2+)-[MoS4](2-) complexes in aqueous solution are reported based
      on measurements of pyrrhotite (hexagonal FeS) solubility under mildly alkaline
      conditions. Two linear complexes, [FeO(OH)MoS4](3-) and [(Fe2S2)(MoS4)2](4-),
      best explain the observed solubility variations. Complexes that would be
      consistent with cuboid cluster structures were less successful, implying that
      such clusters probably are minor or absent in aqueous solution under the
      conditions studied. The new data, together with prior data on stabilities of
      Cu(+)-[MoS4](2-) complexes, are used to explore computationally how competition
      of Fe(2+) and Cu(+) for [MoS4](2-), as well as competition of [MoS4](2-) and HS(
      ) for both metals would be resolved in solutions representative of sulfidic
      natural waters. Thiomolybdate complexes will be most important at sulfide
      concentrations near the [MoO4](2-)-[MoS4](2-) equivalence point. At lower sulfide
      concentrations, thiomolybdates are insufficiently stable to be competitive
      ligands in natural waters and at higher sulfide concentrations HS(-) ligands out
      compete thiomolybdates.

PMID- 24226646
TI  - Blood transfusion for preventing primary and secondary stroke in people with
      sickle cell disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In sickle cell disease, a common inherited haemoglobin disorder,
      abnormal haemoglobin distorts red blood cells, causing anaemia, vaso-occlusion
      and dysfunction in most body organs. Without intervention, stroke affects around
      10% of children with sickle cell anaemia (HbSS) and recurrence is likely. Chronic
      blood transfusion dilutes the sickled red blood cells, reducing the risk of vaso
      occlusion and stroke. However, side effects can be severe. OBJECTIVES: To assess
      risks and benefits of chronic blood transfusion regimens in people with sickle
      cell disease to prevent first stroke or recurrences. SEARCH METHODS: We searched
      the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register,
      comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches
      and handsearches of relevant journals and conference proceedings.Date of the
      latest search of the Group's Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register: 28 January
      2013. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials
      comparing blood transfusion as prophylaxis for stroke in people with sickle cell
      disease to alternative or no treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both
      authors independently assessed the risk of bias of the included trials and
      extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: Searches identified three eligible randomised
      trials (n = 342). The first two trials addressed the use of chronic transfusion
      to prevent primary stroke; the third utilized the drug hydroxycarbamide
      (hydroxyurea) and phlebotomy to prevent both recurrent (secondary) stroke and
      iron overload in patients who had already experienced an initial stroke. In the
      first trial (STOP) a chronic transfusion regimen for maintaining sickle
      haemoglobin lower than 30% was compared with standard care in 130 children with
      sickle cell disease judged (through transcranial Doppler ultrasonography) as high
      risk for first stroke. During the trial, 11 children in the standard care group
      suffered a stroke compared to one in the transfusion group, odds ratio 0.08 (95%
      confidence interval 0.01 to 0.66). This meant the trial was terminated early. The
      transfusion group had a high complications rate, including iron overload,
      alloimmunisation, and transfusion reactions. The second trial (STOP II)
      investigated risk of stroke when transfusion was stopped after at least 30 months
      in this population. The trial closed early due to a significant difference in
      risk of stroke between participants who stopped transfusion and those who
      continued as measured by reoccurrence of abnormal velocities on Doppler
      examination or the occurrence of overt stroke in the group that stopped
      transfusion. The third trial (SWiTCH) was a non-inferiority trial comparing
      transfusion and iron chelation (standard management) with hydroxyurea and
      phlebotomy (alternative treatment) with the combination endpoint of prevention of
      stroke recurrence and reduction of iron overload. This trial was stopped early
      after enrolment and follow up of 133 children because of analysis showing
      futility in reaching the composite primary endpoint. The stroke rate (seven
      strokes on hydroxyurea and phlebotomy, none on transfusion and chelation, odds
      ratio 16.49 (95% confidence interval 0.92 to 294.84)) was within the non
      inferiority margin, but the liver iron content was not better in the alternative
      arm. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The STOP trial demonstrated a significantly reduced
      risk of stroke in participants with abnormal transcranial Doppler ultrasonography
      velocities receiving regular blood transfusions. The follow-up trial (STOP 2)
      indicated that individuals may revert to former risk status if transfusion is
      discontinued. The degree of risk must be balanced against the burden of chronic
      transfusions. The combination of hydroxyurea and phlebotomy is not as effective
      as "standard" transfusion and chelation in preventing secondary stroke and iron
      overload. Ongoing multicentre trials are investigating the use of chronic
      transfusion to prevent silent infarcts, the use of hydroxyurea as an alternative
      to transfusion in children with abnormal transcranial Doppler ultrasonography
      velocities, and the use of hydroxyurea to prevent conversion of transcranial
      Doppler ultrasonography velocities from conditional (borderline) to abnormal
      values.

PMID- 24226649
TI  - Postadmission sepsis as a screen for quality problems: a case-control study.
AB  - The present on admission (POA) indicator used with diagnosis codes listed in
      hospital discharge abstracts makes it possible to screen for possible in-hospital
      complications, which may in turn point to quality of care problems. A case
      control study was performed among 382 patients from 30 New York State hospitals
      to see if lapses in quality were associated with the development of postadmission
      sepsis. Cases with hospital-acquired sepsis (labeled not POA) were compared with
      matched controls without sepsis. The authors found that central venous catheters
      and emergently inserted peripheral intravenous catheters were associated with
      subsequent development of sepsis. Urethral catheters were associated with sepsis
      for medical patients but not for surgical patients. Adherence to several process
      of care guidelines was incomplete but none occurred statistically significantly
      more frequently among sepsis cases than controls. Using discharge abstract
      diagnosis codes to determine the presence of postadmission complications shows
      promise for identifying areas for quality improvement. 

PMID- 24226650
TI  - Reduction of central line-associated bloodstream infections in a pediatric
      hematology/oncology population.
AB  - This study reports the results of an initiative to reduce central line-associated
      bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) among pediatric hematology/oncology patients, a
      population at increased risk for CLABSI. The study design was a pre-post
      comparison of a series of specific interventions over 40 months. Logistic
      regression was used to determine if the risk of developing CLABSI decreased in
      the postintervention period, after controlling for covariates. The overall CLABSI
      rate fell from 9 infections per 1000 line days at the beginning of the study to
      zero in a cohort of 291 patients encompassing 2107 admissions. Admissions during
      the intervention period had an 86% reduction in odds of developing a CLABSI,
      controlling for other factors. At the study team's institution, an initiative
      that standardized blood culturing techniques, lab draw times, line care
      techniques, and provided physician and nurse education was able to eliminate
      CLABSI among pediatric hematology/oncology patients. 

PMID- 24226651
TI  - Staging for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma as a predictor of sentinel lymph
      node biopsy results: meta-analysis of American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria
      and a proposed alternative system.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The appropriate clinical setting for the application of sentinel
      lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
      (cSCC) is not well characterized. Numerous case reports and case series examine
      SLNB findings in patients who were considered to have high-risk cSCC, but no
      randomized clinical trials have been performed. OBJECTIVE: To analyze which
      stages in the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) criteria and a recently
      proposed alternative staging system are most closely associated with positive
      SLNB findings in nonanogenital cSCC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Medical
      literature review and case data extraction from private and institutional
      practices to identify patients with nonanogenital cSCC who underwent SLNB.
      Patients were eligible if sufficient tumor characteristics were available to
      classify tumors according to AJCC staging criteria and a proposed alternative
      staging system. One hundred thirty patients had sufficient data for AJCC staging,
      whereas 117 had sufficient data for the alternative system. EXPOSURE:
      Nonanogenital cSCC and SLNB. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Positive SLNB findings
      by cSCC stage, quantified as the number and percentage of positive nodes.
      RESULTS: A positive SLN was identified in 12.3% of all patients. All cSCCs with
      positive SLNs were greater than 2 cm in diameter. The AJCC criteria identifed
      positive SLNB findings in 0 of 9 T1 lesions (0%), 13 of 116 T2 lesions (11.2%),
      and 3 of 5 T4 lesions (60.0%). No T3 lesions were identified. The alternative
      staging system identified positive SNLB findings in 0 of 9 T1 lesions (0%), 6 of
      85 T2a lesions (7.1%), 5 of 17 T2b lesions (29.4%), and 3 of 6 T3 lesions
      (50.0%). Rates of positive SLNB findings in patients with T2b lesions were
      statistically higher than those with T2a lesions (P = .02, Fisher exact test) in
      the alternative staging system. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our findings suggest
      that most cSCCs associated with positive SLNB findings occur in T2 lesions (in
      both staging systems) that are greater than 2 cm in diameter. The alternative
      staging system appears to more precisely delineate high-risk lesions in the T2b
      category that may warrant consideration of SLNB. Future prospective studies are
      necessary to validate the relationship between tumor stage and positive SLNB
      findings and to identify the optimal staging system.

PMID- 24226652
TI  - Third Conference on Methods and Applications of Fluorescence spectroscopy,
      Prague, Czech Republic, October 18-21, 1993.

PMID- 24226653
TI  - Fluorescence lifetime-based biosensing of zinc: Origin of the broad dynamic
      range.
AB  - Fluorescence lifetime-based chemical sensors have recently been described for
      applications in medicine, environmental monitoring, and bioprocess control. These
      sensors transduce the level of the analyte as a change in the apparent
      fluorescence lifetime of an indicator phase. We have previously developed a
      wavelength-ratiometric fluorescence biosensor for zinc based on binding of zinc
      and dansylamide to apo-carbonic anhydrase which exhibited high sensitivity and
      selectivity. We demonstrate that the apo-carbonic anhydrase/dansylamide indicator
      system is very well suited for lifetime-based sensing, with a subnanomolar
      detection limit and greater than 1000-fold dynamic range. The theoretical basis
      for the wide dynamic range is discussed. 

PMID- 24226654
TI  - Diclofenac and naproxen analysis by microbore liquid chromatography (LC) with
      native fluorescence detection.
AB  - A microbore LC system applying native fluorescence detection is described for
      analysis of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents diclofenac and naproxen in
      pharmaceutical preparations, allowing the visualization of some diclofenac
      decomposition products. The suggested system is practical and specific and offers
      detection limits of 0.2 MUg ml(-1) for diclofenac and of 1 pg ml(-1) for naproxen
      (solutions to be injected). Moreover, the solvent consumption is reduced by a 10
      fold factor compared to the classical HPLC setup. 

PMID- 24226655
TI  - Application of a novel lipophilized fluorescent dye in an optical nitrate sensor.
AB  - A new lipophilic pH probe (1-hydroxypyrene-3,6,8-tris-octadecylsulfonamide) has
      been synthesized, and its spectral properties and applications in a solid state
      nitrate sensor are shown. The sensor is investigated with respect to sensitivity,
      limits of detection, and selectivity over other anions found in drinking water. 

PMID- 24226656
TI  - Fluorescence spectroscopy of polynuclear aromatic compounds in environmental
      monitoring.
AB  - The occurrence of polynuclear aromatic compounds (PAC) in the environment and
      experimental techniques suitable for the detection of PAC in environmental
      compartments are briefly reviewed. The specific requirements for on-site andin
      situ environmental analysis are outlined. Particular emphasis is given to
      fluorescence spectroscopic techniques for the investigation of humic acid- and
      soil-containing samples. Some examples of studies in the literature on Shpol'skii
      and jet spectroscopy and on laser-induced fluorescence (OF) measurements of PAC
      and mineral oils are highlighted. Contaminants in the environment are usually
      encountered as multicomponent mixtures in very complex matrices. Total
      fluorescence analysis in combination with the chemometrical technique of rank
      annihilation factor analysis (RAFA) was employed for the evaluation of a six
      component PAC mixture in toluene. It was shown that even in the presence of
      strong spectral overlap the qualitative identification of all compounds and the
      reliable quantification of five substances was possible. Results are presented
      from our stationary and time-resolved fluorescence investigations of the
      interactions between pyrene and humic acid in water. The Stern-Volmer analysis
      showed a significant effect of pH on the static quenching efficiency which can be
      explained by the pH-dependent macromolecular structure of humic acids.
      Preliminary results from studies of the deactivation of triplet PAC and quenching
      of delayed fluorescence by humic acid are reported. LIF measurements of mineral
      oils directly from soil surfaces and of a model oil in a soil column were
      performed with a fiber-optic coupled multichannel spectrometer. The fluorescence
      intensity/ concentration relationships were established for a crude and a fuel
      oil; the corresponding lower limits of detection (LOD) were determined to be
      0.025 and 0.125% m/m (mass/mass percentages). These detection limits are compared
      with realistic oil contaminations of soils. In a soil column designed to mimic
      fixed-bed bioreactors the distributions of fluorescence signal intensities from a
      perylene-doped model oil before and after water flooding were determined. These
      results fromin situ measurements can provide a quantitative basis for the
      modelling of temporal and spatial contaminants' distributions in reactor design. 

PMID- 24226657
TI  - Time-resolved chlorophyll fluorescence of spruce needles under various light
      conditions.
AB  - Different branches of a declined spruce were exposed to full sunlight, reduced
      sunlight (using a fine wire mesh), and natural shadow. Subnanosecond decay
      kinetics and time-gated fluorescence spectra of individual needles were measured
      and compared with their chlorophyll concentration. Sunlight-exposed needles
      showed lower chlorophyll concentrations and higher intensitiesI 3 of a long-lived
      fluorescent component (decay time about 3 ns) than shadow needles. This seems to
      be due to a reduced energy transfer from the chlorophyll antenna molecules to the
      reaction centres of Photosystem II. After light reduction to 15-20% during one
      summer season the chlorophyll concentration increased, whereasI 3 decreased, thus
      proving some recovery of the photosynthetic apparatus. 

PMID- 24226658
TI  - Effect of C-H bonds on the quenching of luminescent lanthanide chelates.
AB  - The quenching of europium(III) and terbium(III) chelate luminescence by high
      energy C-H vibrational manifolds was studied with two types of stable chelates,
      i.e., a seven-dentate phenylethynylpyridine derivative and a nine-dentate
      terpyridine derivative. The replacement of C-H bonds by C-D bonds in the
      chelating parts of the ligands had a clear positive effect on Eu(3+) luminescence
      but a negligible effect on Tb(2+) luminescence. In aqueous solution, however, the
      positive effect was undetectable, if the chelating ligand did not create complete
      shielding of the ion against aqueous quenching. In chelates, where the
      coordination of water molecules to the inner sphere is prevented, the residual
      quenching through C-H vibrational quanta can be avoided by replacement of all C-H
      bonds in the vicinity of the emitting ion by C-D bonds. 

PMID- 24226659
TI  - Fluorescence yields and molecular orientation of thin organic films: Vapor
      Deposited Oligothiophenes alpha3T-alpha8T.
AB  - The fluorescence quantum yields of vapor-deposited (VD) films of alpha
      oligothiophenes,nT, with ring numbers ofn=3-8 and layer thicknesses ofd=3-50 nm
      were determined at room temperature andT=77 K and compared to the yields of
      dilute solutions and small (5T)x clusters. The yields of highly oriented
      ultrathin films are of the order of PhiF=5*10(-5)-1*10(-4). The yields increase
      strongly with the layer thickness and also upon cooling, but do not reach the
      values in dilute solution. The main nonradiative deactivation step S1 -> T1 in
      solution was quantified by(1)O2 production, the yields of which systematically
      decrease withn from PhiF (3T) to 0.36 (6T), in contrast to the fluorescence
      yields, which increase from PhiF=0.01 (2T) to 0.40 (6T). In films or clusters the
      S1 -> T1 deactivation step must be a very unimportant side reaction: neither(1)O2
      nor any signal of triplet-triplet absorption could be positively identified. 

PMID- 24226660
TI  - Time-resolved fluorescence relaxation of 3-methyllumiflavin in polar solution.
AB  - We have studied the fluorescent properties of a well-defined model flavin
      compound (3-methyllumiflavin) in a relatively polar solvent like propylene glycol
      or ethanol. Inhomogeneous spectral broadening effects were directly time-resolved
      by detection at the extreme blue and red edges of the fluorescence band of 3
      methyllumiflavin using excitation in the main absorption band. At the high-energy
      side of the emission band a rapid decay component (tens of picoseconds) was
      resolved indicative for the disappearance of the initially prepared,
      nonequilibrium state with a characteristic dipolar relaxation time. At the low
      energy side the rise of a solvent relaxed fluorescent species could be time
      resolved. The wavelength-dependent effects on the dipolar relaxation were
      abolished when excitation was at the low-energy side of the absorption band. The
      experimental decays of the flavin "solvate" at different energies of fluorescence
      and excitation are presented as they represent an easy diagnosis for energy
      dependent solvation dynamics. Wavelength dependent rotation of 3
      methyllumiflavin, examined by fluorescence anisotropy decay, turned out to be
      absent for 3-methyllumiflavin in propylene glycol between 263 and 293 K, probably
      because of the small change in dipole moment upon flavin excitation. 

PMID- 24226661
TI  - Specific solvent effects of hydroxylic solvents on the emission properties of
      ruthenium(ii)tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) chloride.
AB  - The excited state of Ru(II)[bpy]3 (2+) dissolved in hydroxylic solvents is
      subject to specific solvent effects, which were hitherto not understood on a
      quantitative basis. We determined the solvent effects of linear monovalent
      alcohols on the energy gap law of internal conversion with the help of lifetime
      and intensity measurements. An on-line method for measurement of the temperature
      dependence of quantum efficiencies was introduced. A modified Franck-Condon
      analysis of emission spectra by taking into account the shape of a Morse
      potential of the involved states was applied to compute excited-state energies. 

PMID- 24226662
TI  - Hydrolysis kinetics of photoexcited 6-methoxyquinoline in aqueous acetonitrile
      solutions.
AB  - 6-Methoxyquinoline undergoes pseudo-first-order hydrolysis and its conjugate
      acid, second-order proton abstraction by hydroxide ion, in the lowest excited
      singlet state. The proton transfer kinetics in water containing acetonitrile up
      to a mole fraction of about 0.1 have been evaluated as a function of acetonitrile
      concentration. At mole fractions above 0.13 of acetonitrile, proton transfer does
      not occur. At mole fractions below 0.1 steady-state and pulsed-source
      fluorimetries show the rate constant for hydrolysis to decrease exponentially
      with the mole fraction of acetonitrile. This is believed to be due to penetration
      of the aqueous solvent cage of the 6-methoxyquinoline by acetonitrile rather than
      to specific solvation by the organic cosolvent. The rate of neutralization of the
      conjugate acid by hydroxide ion is found to vary only slightly and depends on the
      bulk dielectric properties of the solvent. 

PMID- 24226663
TI  - Specific molecular properties of organic solvents determine the fluorescence
      depolarization of DPH and TMA-DPH in membranes.
AB  - In pig liver microsomes and protein-free egg PC liposomes the effects of organic
      solvent molecules on the fluorescence depolarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5
      hexatriene (DPH) and 1-[4-(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenyl-hexa-3,5-triene (TMA
      DPH) were investigated. Aromaticity, alkyl chain length, and stereometry of the
      solvent molecules are shown to determine the changes of fluorescence
      depolarization. A concentration-dependent decrease in the fluorescence anisotropy
      is obtained with aromatic molecules but not with aliphatic molecules. The
      decrease correlates with the increasing side chain length of alkylbenzenes for
      both fluorophors and both membrane systems. Benzene in microsomes deviates
      characteristically from this trend. Measurements of TMA-DPH reveal smaller
      changes of anisotropy but yield the same qualitative results. Moreover, it is
      possible to distinguish the effects of the different stereometric properties of
      the three xylene isomers on the fluorescence anisotropy of DPH. According to
      their alkyl chain length and their specific stereometry, they exert the strongest
      fluidizing effect of all solvents investigated. 

PMID- 24226664
TI  - Recovery of lifetime distributions from frequency-domain fluorometry data by
      means of the quantified maximum entropy method.
AB  - The new quantified version of the maximum entropy method allows one to recover
      lifetime distributions with a precise statement of the accuracy of position,
      surface, and broadness of peaks in the distribution. Applications to real data
      (2,6-ANS in aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles of Beta
      cyclodextrin) are presented. 

PMID- 24226665
TI  - End-to-end diffusion coefficients and distance distributions from fluorescence
      energy transfer measurements: Enhanced resolution by using multiple donors with
      different lifetimes.
AB  - We describe a method to improve the resolution of donor-to-acceptor distance
      distributions in molecules which are flexing on the timescale of the fluorescence
      lifetime. We measured the timedependent donor decays of two donor (D)-acceptor
      (A) pairs, where the donor lifetimes were substantially different. The donors
      were an indole residue (5.7 ns) and a naphthalene residue (24.4 ns). The same
      dansyl acceptor was used for both D-A pairs. The donor decays are complex due to
      both a distribution of D-A distances and D-A diffusion. Using the donor decay
      data for each D-A pair alone, it is difficult to resolve both the distance
      distribution and the D-to-A diffusion coefficient. However, these values are
      unambiguously recovered from global analysis of the data from both D-A pairs. The
      increased resolution from the global analysis is apparently the result of the
      complementary information content of the data for each D-A pair. The shorter
      lived indole donor provides more information on the time-zero distance
      distribution because there is less time for D-A diffusion, and the longer-lived
      naphthyl donor is quenched to a greater extent than indole due to the longer time
      for diffusion-enhanced energy transfer. Simulations were also used to demonstrate
      the increased resolution of global analysis with different lifetime donors to
      obtain distance distribution parameters in the presence of D-A diffusion. 

PMID- 24226666
TI  - Aggregation ofNaja nigricollis cardiotoxin: Characterization and quantitative
      estimate by time-resolved polarized fluorescence.
AB  - After purification to homogeneity by Bio-Rex 70 ion exchange chromatography,
      micromolar solutions ofNaja nigricollis cardiotoxin were found to contain
      significant amounts of aggregates, as detected by time-resolved polarized
      fluorescence of its single tryptophan residue. The level of cardiotoxin
      aggregation depends strongly and reversibly on the protein concentration and pH.
      However, supplementary reverse-phase HPLC completely suppresses this aggregation,
      resulting in all cases in fluorescence anisotropy decays characteristic of the
      pure cardiotoxin monomer. The self-association properties of cardiotoxin, in the
      presence of a possible cofactor eliminated by the HPLC step, may be functionally
      relevant, and would deserve further investigation. The physical heterogeneity of
      the cardiotoxin samples required an appropriate model for the analysis of
      fluorescence depolarization, which was iteratively improved by comparison with
      experimental results. In this way, an approximate molar fraction of 10-15%
      aggregated cardiotoxin at a 90MUM total protein concentration, pH 7, was
      determined. The fluorescence of the partly aggregated samples is significantly
      perturbed as compared to the HPLC-treated monomer, indicating that the
      cardiotoxin aggregate must have an increased average fluorescence lifetime and a
      strongly decreased initial anisotropy. The decrease in initial anisotropy
      suggests either an increased mobility of the tryptophan residue upon aggregation
      or fast energy transfers between residues of different cardiotoxin molecules
      brought within a short distance in the aggregate. This study illustrates the high
      sensitivity of the time-resolved fluorescence technique, through both total
      fluorescence and anisotropy parameters, to low levels of physical or chemical
      heterogeneity in a protein sample. 

PMID- 24226667
TI  - Fluorescence investigations of pure and mixed evaporated dye layers.
AB  - Fluorescence spectroscopy is used to investigate energy transfer processes in
      evaporated layers consisting of several different dyes. In this study films
      ofN,N'-dimethylperylene-3,4?9,10-bis-dicarboximide (methylperylene pigment, MPP),
      coevaporated with copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) at varying ratios, and double
      layers of MPP and CuPc with different thicknesses are investigated. It is shown
      that energy transfer from MPP to CuPc occurs in both mixed and double layers. The
      energy transfer leads to a strong quenching of the MPP fluorescence and
      sensitized CuPc emission in the NIR region. The concentration dependence of the
      fluorescence quenching in mixed layers can be described by a Stern-Volmer plot. A
      simple model based on exciton diffusion between MPP molecules toward active
      quenching centers is used to determine the diffusion length. 

PMID- 24226668
TI  - Simultaneous determination of benomyl and morestan residues in waters by
      synchronous solid-phase spectrofluorimetry.
AB  - In this paper a new, sensitive, and simple method for simultaneous determination
      of pesticides morestan and benomyl at trace levels in waters is reported. Both
      chemicals, showing native fluorescence in solution at neutral medium, were fixed
      on C-18 silica gel at pH 1, giving a fluorescent system. The benomyl-morestan
      silica gel system, after dry, was packed in a 1-mm silica cell and its
      synchronous fluorescence spectra were recorded at deltalambda=80 nm for
      determination of benomyl and deltalambda=25 nm for determination of morestan.
      Measurements of fluorescence were performed at lambda1=289 nm and lambda2=367 nm
      for benomyl and morestan analysis, respectively. The applicable concentration
      ranges were from 0.5 to 15.0 ng.ml(-1) for benomyl and from 0.6 to 15.0 ng.ml(-1)
      for morestan, with relative standard deviations of 1.2 and 1.5% for benomyl and
      morestan, respectively, being 0.15 and 0.18 ng.ml(-1) its respective detection
      limits. The method was applied to the simultaneous determination of residues of
      both pesticides in water of different provenances. 

PMID- 24226669
TI  - A long-wavelength biolabeling reagent based on the oxonol fluorophore.
AB  - A red fluorescent dye of the oxonol class, bis-[1-(carboxymethyl)barbituric acid
      (5)]-pentamethinoxonol, has been synthesized and, in the form of the succinimidyl
      active ester, has been applied to antibody labeling for application to flow
      cytometry and to imaging of tissue sections. The new dye, named CMOX (for
      carboxymethyloxonol), shows maximum excitation at 583 nm and emission at 611 nm,
      with a quantum yield of 0.2 in aqueous buffer and methanol. Antibodies labeled
      with the new dye show favorable brightness, photostability, and low levels of
      nonspecific binding. 

PMID- 24226670
TI  - Immunohistochemical investigation of the pituitary of the sturgeon (Acipenser
      baeri, Chondrostei).
AB  - An immunohistochemical study of the sturgeon (Acipenser baeri) pituitary was
      undertaken using antisera directed against hormones from various classes of
      vertebrates, including the only pituitary hormone available from sturgeon,
      gonadotrophin. A positive reaction was obtained after application of antisera
      towards the following hormones 1-24 synthetic ACTH (1-24 ACTH), melanophore
      stimulating hormone (MSH), ovine prolactin (oPRL), ovine growth hormone (oGH),
      salmon growth hormone (sGH), carp gonadotrophin (cGTH) and its beta subunit
      (betacGTH), sturgeon gonadotrophin (aciGTH), carp thyrotrophin (cTSH) and beta
      subunit of the human thyrotrophin (betahTSH). The results demonstrate that, in
      general, the sturgeon pituitary resembles that of teleosts as regards the
      distribution of the different cell types: ACTH and PRL cells in the rostral pars
      distalis, GTH, TSH and GH cells in the proximal pars distalis and MSH and PAS
      cells in pars intermedia. In addition to the topographical organization of the
      sturgeon pituitary, this study provides data on the immunological relationships
      between sturgeon pituitary hormones and those of other vertebrates. 

PMID- 24226671
TI  - Studies on the effect of air exposure on gill Na(+)/K (+)-ATPase of the marble
      goby,Oxyeleotris marmorata, a facultative air-breathing fish.
AB  - Gill and liver microsomal Na(+)/K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase)
      activities, body weight, and several blood parameters were measured in marble
      gobies held in freshwater, in air on wet filter paper for 7 days and three days
      after return to freshwater following 7 days in air. During the 7 days in air,
      body weight, and blood Na(+) and K(+) concentrations remained unchanged. During
      the same period, however, mean specific activity of the gill ATPase fell 79%
      while liver ATPase specific activity was unchanged. When these fish were returned
      to water the specific activity of the gill ATPase returned to values seen in
      freshwater gobies within 3 days. Several changes were also noted in the
      characteristics of the ATPase in the fish held in air. 

PMID- 24226672
TI  - Steroid release from separated theca and granulosa layers of Atlantic salmon
      (Salmo salar) ovarian follicles: the effects of a purified salmon gonadotrophin
      preparation.
AB  - Theca and granulosa layers were removed from ovarian follicles of mature Atlantic
      salmon (Salmo salar) and were separately incubated under sterile conditions with
      and without a partially purified salmon gonadotrophin preparation (GTH). Aliquots
      of the incubation media were removed at intervals and analysed for the steroids
      17alpha, 20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha20betaP), 17alpha
      hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and oestradiol.
      The biosynthesis of C19 and C21 steroids was very largely restricted to the
      thecal tissue and was markedly stimulated in the presence of GTH. Androstenedione
      (max 65 ng/ml) and testosterone (max 14 ng/ml) were released from the earliest
      stages of incubation whereas the release of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (max 51
      ng/ml) and progesterone (max 5.5 ng/ml) commenced only after a lengthy induction
      period. A trace (1.0 ng/ml) of 17alpha20betaP was produced by the theca in the
      presence of GTH but oestradiol was not detected. The granulosa preparations
      released levels of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione only
      marginally above the detection limits (ca 0.7 ng/ml) and there was little
      stimulation of output with GTH. Oestradiol (max 4 ng/ml) was released only in the
      presence of GTH. 17alpha20betaP, progesterone and testosterone were not detected
      as products of this tissue. These results, together with those derived earlier
      from incubations of complete follicles support the view that the synthesis of
      17alpha20betaP is essentially a two-cell process in which 17alpha
      hydroxyprogesterone produced in the theca is subject to the action of steroid
      20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the granulosa. The temporal pattern of
      release of steroids in these and earlier experiments is considered in relation to
      mechanisms of steroid biosynthesis and to their possible roles in oocyte final
      maturation. 

PMID- 24226673
TI  - Interaction between ovine growth hormone and triiodo-L-thyronine on metabolic
      reserves of rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri.
AB  - Rainbow trout (Salmo gairneri) were given slow-release coconut oil implants which
      contained triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and were subsequently administered ovine
      growth hormone (oGH) (either 0.24 or 2.5 MUg/g body weight) or saline every
      seventh day for four injections. The purpose of the study was to examine the
      interactions between oGH and T3 on several aspects of the metabolism in rainbow
      trout.Trout treated with T3 alone had higher carcass water content, lower liver
      glycogen, higher plasma T3 levels and lower plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and
      protein levels compared with the controls implanted with coconut oil implants
      alone. Trout treated with oGH alone had higher condition factors, lowered carcass
      total lipid content, elevated liver lipid and RNA content, and elevated plasma T3
      and L-thyroxine (T4) levels compared with the coconut oil-implanted and saline
      injected controls. Trout treated with T3 and oGH had lower liver glycogen
      content, higher plasma T3 and fatty acid levels and lower plasma T4, cholesterol
      and triglyceride levels compared with the controls given coconut oil implants and
      saline injections alone. There were no apparent effects of either hormone alone
      or in combination on liver: body mass ratios, liver DNA content, liver RNA:DNA
      ratios, liver RNA:protein ratios, liver protein:DNA ratios and liver protein
      content.The data suggest an interaction between oGH and T3 as regards the
      regulation of condition factor, carcass water content, carcass and liver total
      lipid content, liver RNA content, plasma fatty acid and plasma protein content. 

PMID- 24226674
TI  - Effect of gender and reproductive status on brain catecholamine and indoleamine
      levels of flagfish (Jordanella floridae).
AB  - Levels of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, tryptophan, noradrenalin and
      dopamine were determined in whole brains of male (dominant, subordinate, solitary
      and resting) and female (laying and resting) flagfish (Jordanella floridae) and
      related to reproductive activity. Levels of serotonin were consistently elevated
      in sexually active male flagfish, relative to resting males. Dominant males
      exhibited lower noradrenalin levels than all other groups of fish. Solitary males
      exhibited higher levels of noradrenalin than dominant males, and were not
      significantly different from resting males. The lowest levels of tryptophan were
      apparent in brains of sexually inactive males and females. Neither sex nor
      reproductive status had a significant impact on 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid
      levels. The hatchability of eggs fertilized by solitary males was reduced by over
      40% when compared to dominant males. 

PMID- 24226675
TI  - Muscle ammonia stores are not determined by pH gradients.
AB  - The theory of non-ionic diffusion predicts that ammonia will distribute between
      intracellular and extracellular tissue compartments according to transmembrane pH
      gradients. The distribution of ammonia and(14)C-DMO were compared in white muscle
      and plasma of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) at rest, and following exhaustive
      exercise. Under both experimental conditions, intracellular ammonia levels far
      exceeded those predicted by transmembrane pH gradients. Calculated equilibrium
      potentials for[Formula: see text]) were very close to published resting values of
      membrane potential Em in fish white muscle. We conclude that NH 4 (+) is
      permeable across cell membranes and that intracellular ammonia stores are not
      determined by pH gradients. 

PMID- 24226676
TI  - The effect of size on the mechanical properties of the myotomal-skeletal system
      of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).
AB  - The length and mean cross-sectional area of the myotome of rainbow trout,Salmo
      gairdneri, scale isometrically with total length (L, cm) and L(2) respectively
      for fish from 5 to 35 cm in length. The net maximum force, (F, kN.m(-2))
      developed by a single twitch of thein situ myotome on one side of the body, and
      measured normal to the hypural complex increased as; F=1.05*10(-3).L(2.6), and
      maximum lateral velocity (W, m.s(-1)) at the hypural plate as; W=0.29 L(-0.47).
      Maximum power (P, W) increased as; P=7.64*10(-5).L(3.06). Acceleration rates
      predicted from these data do not agree well with observations. In addition,
      except for small fish, predicted maximum speeds differed from those calculated
      from minimum twitch times of excised muscle blocks and stride length, the popular
      method for estimating maximum speed. It is suggested that temporal summation of
      twitches must occur in larger fish. This could provide forces matched to inertial
      loads which are important in fitness-critical maneuvers. 

PMID- 24226677
TI  - Estimation of the refractive indices of imidazolium-based ionic liquids using
      their polarisability values.
AB  - Statistical models have been used to estimate the refractive index of 72
      imidazolium-based ionic liquids using the electronic polarisability of their ions
      as the data for two different mathematical approaches: artificial neural
      networks, in the form of multi-layer perceptrons, and multiple linear regression
      models. Although the artificial neural networks and linear models have been able
      to accomplish this task, the multi-layer perceptron model has been shown to be a
      more accurate method, thanks to its ability of determining non-linear
      relationships between different dependent variables. Additionally, it is clear
      that the multiple linear regression presents a systematic deviation in the
      estimated refractive index values, which confirms that it is an inappropriate
      model for this system. 

PMID- 24226678
TI  - Plasmodesmatal distribution and frequency in vascular bundles and contiguous
      tissues of the leaf ofThemeda triandra.
AB  - Small and intermediate vascular bundles and contiguous tissues of the leaf blade
      ofThemeda triandra var.imberbis (Retz.) A. Camus were examined with transmission
      and scanning electron microscopes to determine the distribution and frequency of
      plasmodesmata between various cell types. Plasmodesmata are most abundant at the
      mesophyll/bundle-sheath cell and bundle-sheath/vascular parenchyma cell
      interfaces, and their numbers decrease with increasing proximity to both thick-
      and thin-walled sieve tubes. Among cells of the vascular bundles, the greatest
      frequency of plasmodesmata occurs between vascular parenchyma cells, followed by
      that of plasmodesmata between vascular parenchyma cells and companion cells, and
      then by the pore-plasmodesmata connections between companion cells and thin
      walled sieve tubes (sieve tube-companion cell complexes). The sieve tube
      companion cell complexes of theT. triandra leaf are not isolated symplastically
      from the rest of the leaf and, in this respect, differ from their counterparts in
      theZea mays leaf. However, the thick-walled sieve tubes, like their counterparts
      inZea mays, lack companion cells and are symplastically connected with vascular
      parenchyma cells that about the xylem. 

PMID- 24226679
TI  - Microfilament bundles of F-actin inSpirogyra observed by fluorescence microscopy.
AB  - Microfilament bundles (MFBs) of F-actin were observed by fluorescence microscopy
      in cells ofSpirogyra treated with rhodamine-phalloidin. Four types of MFBs could
      be recognized on the basis of locality and appearance: those dispersed in the
      cytoplasm near the cell surface; those beneath the plasma membrane running
      parallel to each other; those at the edges of the chloroplast; and those
      surrounding the nucleus. Each type exhibited a unique behavior during the cell
      cycle. Microfilament bundles dispersed in the cytoplasm came together at the
      middle of the cell to form a fibril ring at the mitotic prophase. The fibril ring
      decreased in diameter, causing the development of a furrow in the protoplast that
      progressed from the outside to the inside. After the completion of furrowing, the
      MFBs in the fibril ring dispersed beneath the plasma membrane. Microfilament
      bundles surrounding the nucleus formed a net-like cage which became invisible at
      the mitotic anaphase, while MFBs seen at the chloroplast edges persisted there
      during the cell cycle without changing their position. Parallel MFBs running
      perpendicular to the long axis of the cell were seen at all stages in the cell
      cycle. 

PMID- 24226680
TI  - Isolation of functional extensor and flexor protoplasts fromPhaseolus coccineus
      L. pulvini: potassium induced swelling.
AB  - Methods are described for the isolation of functional protoplasts from secondary
      pulvinus tissue (flexor and extensor) and from leaf mesophyll tissue of primary
      leaves ofPhaseolus coccineus L. Integrity of the protoplasts was shown by vital
      staining and their ability to evolve oxygen in the light. Extensor-cell
      protoplasts increased their volume for up to 60% upon addition of 10 mM KCl. This
      K(+)-induced swelling was accompanied by increased rates of proton extrusion. 

PMID- 24226681
TI  - Differential regulation and tissue-specific distribution of enzymes of
      phenylpropanoid pathways in developing parsley seedlings.
AB  - Characteristic enzymes of general phenylpropanoid metabolism (phenylalanine
      ammonialyase) and of the flavonoid-glycoside and furanocoumarin branch pathways
      (chalcone synthase and S-adenosyl-L-methionine: bergaptol O-methyltransferase,
      respectively) were localized immuno-histochemically in cross-sections of various
      aerial parts of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) at different stages of seedling
      development. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase occurred predominantly in epidermal and
      oil-duct epithelial cells, but was also detectable in other tissue parts. The two
      pathway-specific enzymes were localized in the epidermis (chalcone synthase) and
      in oil ducts (bergaptol O-methyl-transferase). High chalcone-synthase
      concentrations occurred very early in leaf development and then declined. High
      levels of the methyltransferase were present at all times investigated. The
      temporal and spatial at all times investigated. The temporal and spatial
      distribution of all three enzymes is in agreement with the time courses and sites
      of accumulation of the biosynthetic end products. 

PMID- 24226682
TI  - Studies on the limitations to photosynthesis in leaves of the atrazine-resistant
      mutant ofSenecio vulgaris L.
AB  - In leaves of an atrazine-resistant mutant ofSenecio vulgaris the quantum
      efficiency of CO2 assimilation was reduced by 21% compared to the atrazine
      susceptible wild type, and at a light level twice that required to saturate
      photosynthesis in the wild type the CO2 fixation rate in the mutant was decreased
      by 15%. In leaves at steady-state photosynthesis there was a measurable increase
      in the reduction state of the photosystem II (PSII) primary quinone acceptor,Q A.
      Although this would lead to a decreased rate of PSII electron transport and may
      thus explain the decrease in quantum efficiency, this cannot account for the fall
      in the maximum rate of CO2 fixation. The atrazine-resistant mutant showed an
      appreciably longer photosynthetic induction time which indicates an effect on
      carbon metabolism; however, the response of CO2-fixation rate to intercellular
      CO2 concentration revealed no differences in carboxylation efficiency. There were
      also no differences in the ability to perform a State 1-State 2 transition
      between the atrazine-resistant and susceptible biotypes and no difference in the
      profiles of phosphorylated thylakoid polypeptides. It is concluded that the
      alteration of the redox equilibrium between PSII quinone electron acceptors in
      the atrazine-resistant biotype limits appreciably the photosynthetic efficiency
      in non-saturating light. Additionally, there is a further, as yet unidentified,
      limitation which decreases photosynthesis in the resistant mutant under light
      saturating conditions. 

PMID- 24226683
TI  - Effect of high light intensities on oxygen evolution and the light activation of
      NADP-malate dehydrogenase in intact spinach chloroplasts.
AB  - The factors limiting the photosynthetic carbon metabolism of intact spinach
      (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts after a high-light pretreatment have been
      studied. Photosynthetic CO2 fixation was decreased and became more sensitive to
      the inhibitory effect of the cyclic-electron-flow inhibitor, antimycin A.
      Depending on the extent of photoinhibition, changing the balance of linear to
      cyclic electron flow by adding oxaloacetate and antimycin A either did not
      relieve, or partially relieved the photoinhibitory effect. The decrease in CO2
      fixation appeared to be the consequence of either a limitation by photosystem-II
      activity (in the case of moderate inhibition) or, at least partially an
      unfavourable balance between the linear and cyclic electron flows (in the case of
      strong inhibition). The light activation of NADP-malate dehydrogenase (EC
      1.1.1.82) was decreased only in the presence of CO2, i.e. when there was strong
      competition for reducing power; otherwise, it was unaffected by photoinhibitory
      treatments, in accordance with its low energy requirement. 

PMID- 24226684
TI  - The stromacentre inAvena plastids: an aggregation ofbeta-glucosidase responsible
      for the activation of oat-leaf saponins.
AB  - The stromacentre, a particular structure in the plastids of mostAvena species,
      was isolated from etioplasts ofAvena sativa and then characterized to determine
      its biological function. When comparing differentAvena species with or without
      stromacentre, it was shown that the stromacentre, a 63-kDa protein, and saponins
      (characteristic compounds ofAvena sativa) either occur together or not at all.
      This linkage was confirmed by demonstrating a transformation of saponins by the
      isolated stromacentre protein: avenacosides were hydrolyzed to 26-desgluco
      avenacosides. Therefore, the stromacentre protein had to be regarded as abeta
      glucosidase. Enzyme assays usingp-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside as substrate
      showed that thisbeta-glucosidase has a pH optimum at pH 6.0. The calculatedK m
      value for this substrate was 2.2.10(-3) M. Antibodies against the stromacentre
      protein inhibitedbeta-glucosidase activity. The determination of the molecular
      weight of thebeta-glucosidase by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis
      showed that it consists of subunits of 63 kDa. After gel electrophoresis under
      non-denaturing conditions, enzymatically active molecules were shown to consist
      of at least two of these subunits. Molecules aggregated up to about 10(6) Da also
      had enzyme activity. Enzyme assays using avenacosides as substrate showed a pH
      optimum at pH 6.0. The calculatedK m value for this substrate was 1.2.10(-5) M.
      The high affinity to the avenacosides and the high specificity for the C-26 bound
      glucose indicate that avenacosides are the natural substrates for thisbeta
      glucosidase. Assuming that the avenacosides in oat leaves play a role as
      preformed chemical inhibitory substances against phytopathogenic microorganisms,
      a model is presented showing the stromacentre with a central role in activating
      the fungitoxicity of avenacosides. 

PMID- 24226685
TI  - Wheat-germ agglutinin is synthesized as a glycosylated precursor.
AB  - The biosynthesis and processing of wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA) were studied in
      developing wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Marshall) embryos using pulse-chase
      labeling, subcellular fractionation and immunocytochemistry. A substantial amount
      of newly synthesized WGA was organelle-associated. Isolation of WGA on affinity
      columns of immobilized N-acetylglucosamine indicated that it was present in a
      dimeric form. When extracts from embryos pulse-labeled with [(35)S]cysteine were
      fractionated on an isopycnic sucrose gradient, radioactivity incorporated into
      WGA was detected at a position coincident with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      marker enzyme NADH-cytochromec reductase. The WGA in the ER could be slowly
      chased into the soluble, vacuolar fraction, with a half-life of approx. 8 h.
      Immunolocalization studies demonstrated the accumulation and distribution of WGA
      throughout the vacuoles.Four forms of the WGA monomer were characterized using
      immunoaffinity purification and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis. In-vitro translation of polyadenylated RNA isolated from
      developing wheat embryos produced a polypeptide with Mr 21 000. In-vivo labeling
      of embryos with radioactive amino acids resulted in the formation of a
      polypeptide of Mr 23 000 and the mature monomer of Mr 18000. When [(3)H]mannose
      was used in labeling studies, only the polypeptide of Mr 23 000 was detected. In
      vivo labeling in the presence of tunicamycin yielded an additional polypeptide of
      Mr 20 000. These results indicate that WGA is cotranslationally processed by the
      removal of a signal peptide and the addition of a glycan, presumably at the
      carboxy-terminus (N.V. Raikhel and T.A. Wilkins, 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
      84, 6745-6749). The glycosylated precursor of WGA is post-translationally
      processed to the mature form by the removal of a carboxyl-terminal glycopeptide. 

PMID- 24226686
TI  - Blue light promotes ionic current influx at the growing apex ofVaucheria
      terrestris.
AB  - Irradiation of the growing apex of the algaVaucheria terrestris Gotz
      var.terrestris with blue light (BL), which causes a transient acceleration of
      growth, also causes a large transient increase in inwardly directed current,
      which was monitored with a vibrating probe. The growing apex is normally the site
      of an inward current, and the surface of the non-growing, basal part of the
      coenocytic cell the site of an outward current. Irradiation of the apex causes
      only a slight increase in current efflux at the basal part of the cell. The BL
      promoted current influx at the apex (BLCI) usually starts within 10 s after the
      onset of irradiation, preceding the light-growth response. With BL pulses shorter
      than 3 min, the BLCI reaches a maximum in about 3 min, and then declines to its
      original value over the next 3 min. If the BL pulse is longer than 3 min, the
      BLCI continues until the light is turned off. The threshold energy of the BLCI
      with broad-band BL is 2-5 J.m(-2), i.e. smaller than for both the light-growth
      response and phototropic response. The maximum BLCI reaches a value of approx. 5
      MUA.cm(-2), equivalent to an influx of 50 pmol.cm(-2).s(-1) of monovalent
      cations. The effect of red light (RL) is completely different from that of BL: it
      either causes increases in the inward current of less than 0.3 MUA.cm(-2), or a
      transient decrease of current. Furthermore, the direction of the RL-induced
      change is always the same at the apex and trunk, indicating the participation of
      photosynthesis. Our results indicate that the BLCI is kinetically and spatially
      related to the light-growth response and the phototropic bending ofVaucheria. It
      seems to be a necessary step for the phototropic bending. 

PMID- 24226687
TI  - Expression sites and developmental regulation of genes encoding (1->3,1->4)-beta
      glucanases in germinated barley.
AB  - Expression sites of genes encoding (1->3,1->4)-beta-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase (EC
      3.2.1.73) have been mapped in germinated barley grains (Hordeum vulgare L.) by
      hybridization histochemistry. A(32)P-labelled cDNA (copy DNA) probe was
      hybridized to cryosections of intact barley grains to localize complementary
      mRNAs. No mRNA encoding (1->3,1->4)-beta-glucanase is detected in ungerminated
      grain. Expression of (1->3,1->4)-beta-glucanase genes is first detected in the
      scutellum after 1 d and is confined to the epithelial layer. At this stage, no
      expression is apparent in the aleurone. After 2 d, levels of (1->3,1->4)-beta
      glucanase mRNA decrease in the scutellar epithelium but increase in the aleurone.
      In the aleurone layer, induction of (1->3,1->4)-beta-glucanase gene expression,
      as measured by mRNA accumulation, progresses from the proximal to distal end of
      the grain as a front moving away from, and parallel to, the face of the
      scutellum. 

PMID- 24226688
TI  - Phosphorylation of the plasma-membrane H(+)-ATPase of oat roots by a calcium
      stimulated protein kinase.
AB  - When plasma-membrane vesicles isolated from oat (Avena sativa L.) root cells were
      incubated with [gamma-(32)P]ATP, the H(+)-ATPase was found to be phosphorylated
      at serine and threonine residues. Phosphotyrosine was not detected. Endogenous
      ATPase kinase activity was also observed in plasma-membrane vesicles isolated
      from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) root cells as well as from yeast
      (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Identity of the phosphorylated oat root Mr=100 000
      polypeptide as the ATPase was confirmed using conventional glycerol density
      gradient centrifugation to purify the native enzyme and by a new procedure for
      purifying the denatured polypeptide using reversephase high-performance liquid
      chromatography. Kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the oat root plasma-membrane
      H(+)-ATPase was stimulated by the addition of low concentrations of Ca(2+) and by
      a decrease in pH, from 7.2 to 6.2. These results demonstrate that kinase-mediated
      phosphorylation of the H(+)-ATPase is a plausible mechanism for regulating
      activity. They further indicate that changes in the cytoplasmic [Ca(2+)] and pH
      are potentially important elements in modulating the kinase-mediated
      phosphorylation. 

PMID- 24226689
TI  - Limitation of photosynthesis by changes in temperature : Factors affecting the
      response of carbon-dioxide assimilation to temperature in barley leaves.
AB  - The aim of this work was to examine the effect of abrupt changes in temperature
      in the range 5 to 30 degrees C upon the rate of photosynthetic carbon
      assimilation in leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Measurement of the CO2
      assimilation rate in relation to the intercellular partial pressure of CO2 at
      different temperatures and O2 concentrations and at saturating irradiance showed
      that as the temperature was decreased photosynthesis was saturated at
      progressively lower CO2 partial pressures and that the transition between the CO2
      limited and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate-regeneration-limited rate became more
      abrupt. Feeding of orthophosphate to leaves resulted in an increased rate of CO2
      assimilation at lower temperatures at around ambient or higher CO2 partial
      pressures both in 20% O2 and in 2% O2 and it removed the abruptness in the
      transition between the CO2-limited and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate-regeneration
      limited rates. Phosphate feeding tended to inhibit carbon assimilation at higher
      temperatures. The response of carbon assimilation to temperature was altered by
      feeding orthophosphate, by changing the concentrations of CO2 or of O2 or by
      leaving plants in the dark at 4 degrees C for several hours. Similarly, the
      response of carbon assimilation to phosphate feeding or to changes in 2% O2 was
      altered by leaving the plants in the dark at 4 degrees C. The mechanism of
      limitation of photosynthesis by an abrupt lowering of temperature is discussed in
      the light of the results. 

PMID- 24226690
TI  - Abscisic-acid contents and concentrations in protoplasts from guard cells and
      mesophyll cells ofVicia faba L.
AB  - The abscisic-acid (ABA) contents of isolated guard-cell protoplasts and mesophyll
      cell protoplasts fromVicia faba were determined by high-pressure liquid
      chromatography followed by gas chromatography. The amounts of ABA found
      immediately after preparation of the protoplasts varied from 90 to 570 amol per
      guard-cell protoplast, and from 75 to 100 amol per mesophyll-cell protoplast.
      These contents correspond to concentrations between 36 and 230 MUmol per liter in
      guard-cell protoplasts and between 2.7 and 3.3 MUmol per liter in mesophyll-cell
      protoplasts. During exposure of protoplasts to betaine concentrations of 0.3,
      0.5, and 0.8 mol.l(-1) at 0 degrees  and 20 degrees C for 30 min, ABA contents as
      well as the fractions of ABA that leaked into the medium remained constant for
      both protoplast types. There was no evidence for net production of ABA in
      isolated protoplasts subjected to osmotic stress. 

PMID- 24226691
TI  - Chalcone synthases from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) : I. Purification, peptide
      patterns, and immunological properties of different forms.
AB  - The two chalcone-synthase forms from leaves ofSpinacia oleracea L. were purified
      to apparent homogeneity. Antibodies were raised against both proteins in rabbits.
      The specificity of the antibodies was tested using immunotitration,
      immunoblotting, and immunoelectrophoresis techniques. The antibodies exhibited
      exclusive specificity for chalcone synthase and did not discriminate between the
      two antigens. The homodimeric chalcone synthases had the same subunit molecular
      weight but differed in their apparent native molecular weights. The peptide maps
      indicated extensive homology between the proteins. Chalcone-synthase activity was
      not detected in isolated spinach chloroplasts. Both enzyme forms were present in
      spinach cell-suspension cultures in which they were induced by light. 

PMID- 24226692
TI  - Chalcone synthases from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) : II. Immunofluorescence
      and immunogold localization.
AB  - The distribution of the two chalcone synthases in leaves ofSpinacia oleracea L.
      was studied at both the tissue and the subcellular level using immunofluorescence
      and immunogold techniques. Neither technique differentiated between the two
      enzyme forms. The chalcone synthases are located in the upper and the lower
      epidermis and to a minor extent in the subepidermal layers. Traces of the two
      enzyme forms may be present in the residual mesophyll. This distribution is
      independent of leaf age. A similar distribution of chalcone synthase among
      tissues was observed in parsley, pea, and bean. Chalcone synthase is also present
      in guard cells. The spinach chalcone synthases are cytosolic enzymes, and are not
      associated with tonoplast or endoplasmic reticulum. A small fraction of the
      chalcone synthases is located in the stroma of the chloroplasts. 

PMID- 24226693
TI  - The effect of humidity and light on cellular water relations and diffusion
      conductance of leaves ofTradescantia virginiana L.
AB  - Turgor (Psip) and osmotic potential (Psis) in epidermal and mesophyll cells, in
      situ xylem water potential (Psi-xyl) and gas exchange were measured during
      changes of air humidity and light in leaves ofTradescantia virginiana L., Turgor
      of single cells was determined using the pressure probe. Sap of individual cells
      was collected with the probe for measuring the freezing-point depression in a
      nanoliter osmometer. Turgor pressure was by 0.2 to 0.4 MPa larger in mesophyll
      cells than in epidermal cells. A water-potential gradient, which was dependent on
      the rate of transpiration, was found between epidermis and mesophyll and between
      tip and base of the test leaf. Step changes of humidity or light resulted in
      changes of epidermal and mesophyll turgor (Psip-epi, Psip-mes) and could be
      correlated with the transpiration rate. Osmotic potential was not affected by a
      step change of humidity or light. For the humidity-step experiments, stomatal
      conductance (g) increased with increasing epidermal turgor.Deltag/Psip-epi
      appeared to be constant over a wide range of epidermal turgor pressures. In light
      step experiments this type of response was not found and stomatal conductance
      could increase while epidermal turgor decreased. 

PMID- 24226694
TI  - Iron assimilation in plants: reduction of a ferriphytosiderophore by NADH:nitrate
      reductase from squash.
AB  - NADH:nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1) from squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch., cv.
      Buttercup) can catalyze the reduction of a ferriphytosiderophore from barley
      (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Europa). Maximal activity occurs at pH 6, with an
      apparentK m andV max of 76 MUM and 21 nmol.min(-1).(mg protein)(-1),
      respectively. The ferriphytosiderophore strongly inhibits nitrate reduction
      catalyzed by nitrate reductase at the optimal pH for nitrate reduction, i.e. 7.5.
      On the contrary, nitrate is a poor inhibitor of ferriphytosiderophore reduction
      catalyzed by nitrate reductase at the optimal pH for this reaction, pH 6.0. Thus,
      squash has the potential to assimilate the iron from a ferriphytosiderophore
      synthesized by another plant. 

PMID- 24226695
TI  - A method for separating PEGylated Au nanoparticle ensembles as a function of
      grafting density and core size.
AB  - After ligand exchange with PEG, Au NPs with differently mixed surface
      functionalities co-exist in the as-synthesized sample. It is found that the
      poorly grafted nanoparticles can be simply removed using a chromatographic
      method, and the well grafted nanoparticles can be eluted as a function of the
      core size. 

PMID- 24226696
TI  - Effects of long-term preservation on growth and productivity of Panax ginseng and
      Catharanthus roseus cell cultures.
AB  - Cell cultures of Panax ginseng and Catharanthus roseus producing secondary
      metabolites were preserved in liquid nitrogen or under mineral oil for six
      months. The growth behaviour and the ability of the cultures to produce
      ginsenosides or indole alkaloids were measured after a recovery period and
      compared with cultures maintained by frequent subcultivation during the same
      period. Neither growth kinetics nor the degree of vacuolization during growth
      were affected by the long term preservation. Some changes in secondary metabolism
      were however found, indicating that preservation under mineral oil does not
      preserve the productivity of cell cultures whereas the cryogenic method does. 

PMID- 24226697
TI  - Cryopreservation of isolated mint shoot tips by vitrification.
AB  - Shoot tips isolated from a mint clone, Mentha aquatica x M. spicata, were
      gradually exposed to a mixture containing 35% ethylene glycol, 1 M
      dimethylsulfoxide and 10% polyethylene glycol-8000 and then immersed into liquid
      nitrogen. Cooling and warming rates were approximately 4800 degrees C/min and
      9000 degrees C/min respectively. Survival after liquid nitrogen treatment ranged
      from 31% to 75% among experiments. There was no obvious reason for this
      variation. In many cases the treated shoot tip directly developed into a shoot
      without any or with only slight callus formation. 

PMID- 24226698
TI  - Triterpenoid biosynthesis in tissue cultures of Glycyrrhiza glabra var.
      glandulifera.
AB  - The incorporation of [1-(14)C]acetate and [2(14) C]mevalonate into free and
      esterified triterpen-3-ols was examined in original plant organs and tissue
      cultures of Glycyrrhiza glabra var. glandulifera. Both substrates labeled beta
      amyrin, an oleanane-type triterpene, and cycloartenol and 24
      methylenecycloartanol, both of which are intermediates of phytosterol
      biosynthesis. The label in esterified triterpenes was distributed mainly in
      phytosterol intermediates, but not in beta-amyrin. The ratio of betaamyrin
      formation among the three triterpenes from [2-(14)C]mevalonate was relatively
      high in stolon segments and in root cultures, but negligible in callus cultures.
      Administration of a specific inhibitor of squalene-2, 3-epoxide:cycloartenol
      (lanosterol) cyclase caused a marked increase of beta-amyrin synthesis in root
      suspension cultures, and of 24-methylenecycloartanol synthesis in cell suspension
      cultures, from [2-(14)C]mevalonate. 

PMID- 24226699
TI  - The transfer of 'Polima' cytoplasmic male sterility from oilseed rape (Brassica
      napus) to broccoli (B. oleracea) by protoplast fusion.
AB  - Protoplast fusion was utilised to transfer Polima type cytoplasmic male sterility
      (CMS) from Brassica napus, canola cv. Polima Karat (Pol-Karat) to B. oleracea,
      broccoli, var. "Green Comet". Southern and RFLP analysis confirmed that four
      cybrids possessed nuclear genomes of broccoli with Polima mitochondria and
      chloroplasts. A fifth cybrid was a nuclear hybrid between broccoli and Pol-Karat,
      with Polima mitochondria and chloroplasts of broccoli. The broccoli type cybrids
      were morphologically similar to "Green Comet", while the hybrid type was an
      intermediate of the two fusion parents. Flowers on the cybrids were distinctive
      in that although they possessed a morphology typical of Polima, they had very
      reduced petals. The broccoli type cybrids exhibited some female fertility, albeit
      low, establishing potential for F1 hybrid production. 

PMID- 24226700
TI  - Stable transformation of papaya via microprojectile bombardment.
AB  - Stable transformation of papaya (Carica papaya L.) has been achieved following
      DNA delivery via high velocity microprojectiles. Three types of embryogenic
      tissues, including immature zygotic embryos, freshly explanted hypocotyl
      sections, and somatic embryos derived from both, were bombarded with tungsten
      particles carrying chimeric NPTII and GUS genes. All tissue types were cultured
      prior to and following bombardment on half-strength MS medium supplemented with
      10 mg 1(-1) 2,4-D, 400 mg 1(-1) glutamine, and 6% sucrose. Upon transfer to 2,4-D
      free medium containing 150 mg 1(-1) kanamycin sulfate, ten putative transgenic
      isolates produced somatic embryos and five regenerated leafy shoots. Leafy shoots
      were produced six to nine months following bombardment. Tissues from 13 of these
      isolates were assayed for NPTII activity, and 10 were positive. Six out of 15
      isolates assayed for GUS expression were positive. Three isolates were positive
      for both NPTII and GUS. 

PMID- 24226701
TI  - Effect of AgNO3 and aminoethoxyvinylglycine on in vitro shoot and root
      organogenesis from seedling explants of recalcitrant Brassica genotypes.
AB  - The presence of 1-10 MUM aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) or 5-30 MUM AgNO3 markedly
      enhanced shoot regeneration from cotyledon and hypocotyl cultures of eight
      recalcitrant Brassica campestris and B. juncea genotypes tested. Expiants of B.
      campestris ssp. chinensis and ssp. parachinensis grown with a high AVG
      concentration (20 MUM), regenerated poorly. All cytokinins tested were equally
      effective in promoting shoot formation, except that kinetin was inhibitory to
      shoot regeneration from hypocotyls of B. campestris ssp. pekinensis (cv. Wong
      Bok). Both AgNO3 and AVG had no effect on percent rooting and number of roots per
      rooted cutting of Wong Bok, White Sun and Leaf Heading, but AgNO3 was inhibitory
      to rooting of India Mustard. However, root elongation of all cuttings was
      markedly inhibited by AVG at concentrations of 5 and 10 MUM. 

PMID- 24226702
TI  - Plant regeneration from cotyledon protoplasts of Xinjiang muskmelon.
AB  - Cotyledon protoplasts were isolated from seedlings of Xinjiang muskelon (Cucumis
      melo var.saccharinus) grown under sterile conditions and cultured in modified
      Miller medium. High frequency division of the protoplast-derived cells was
      observed. Agarose bead culture with B6S3 tobacco crown gall nurse cells was found
      most suitable for the cotyledon protoplasts when compared with other culture
      methods. Intact plants were regenerated from the protocalli by a two-step culture
      procedure with liquid and then solid media. 

PMID- 24226703
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Triticum aestivum x Leymus
      angustus F1 hybrids and the parental lines.
AB  - Somatic embryos and plants were produced from cultured inflorescence and leaf
      segments of Triticum aestivum X Leymus anaustus F1 hybrids and the parental
      lines. Inflorescences showed a better capacity for somatic embryogenesis and
      plant regeneration than leaves. Leymus anaustus produced the highest number of
      embryogenic calli, while the hybrids were intermediate between this species and
      Triticum aestivum. Presence of 2,4-D was shown to be essential for induction and
      maintenance of somatic embryogenesis. Addition of five amino acids (glutamine,
      proline, asparagine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid) did not have any marked
      effect when they were used in the callus induction medium. The regenerated plants
      had the same morphology as the original plants. No cytological modification was
      observed in the examined plants. 

PMID- 24226704
TI  - Direct gene transfer to plant protoplasts by mild sonication.
AB  - A novel procedure employing mild sonication for transformation of plant
      protoplasts is described. Transient expression of a chloramphenicol
      acetyltransferase (CAT) gene in protoplasts of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and
      tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) was obtained by a brief exposure of the
      protoplasts to 20 kHz ultrasound in the presence of plasmid DNA. Maximum levels
      of CAT activity were achieved by sonication for 500-900 ms at 30-70 W electric
      power (0.65-1.6 W/cm2 acoustic power). This reduced the viability to 15-20 % and
      60 % for sugar beet and tobacco protoplasts, respectively. Up to 12 % (sugar
      beet) and 81 % (tobacco) of maximum transient expression could be achieved with
      no significant loss of viability. Protoplasts surviving exposure to ultrasound
      were found to have a similar long-term viability and to regenerate to micro-calli
      as untreated protoplasts. Plasmid DNA concentrations of 80-110 MUg/ml and sucrose
      concentrations of 21-28 % in the sonication medium were found to be optimal for
      transient expression. 

PMID- 24226705
TI  - Partial purification and characterization of phytases from pollen of lily (Lilium
      longiflorum Thunb.).
AB  - Two phytases from lily pollen (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.) were partially purified
      and characterized. The first (pH optimum 5.0) was purified 40-fold from
      ungerminated pollen. The second (pH optimum 6.5) appeared during germination and
      was purified 68-fold from pollen germinated 2 h. Molecular weight of the first
      was 72 kD, and the second was 36 kD as determined by gel filtration. Both were
      active against phosphate esters other than phytate, although purification of the
      first reduced its activity against AMP and myo-inositol 2-P to 10% of activity
      against phytate. Phytase from germinated pollen (but not ungerminated) was
      inhibited by the sulfhydryl agent parahydroxy mercuribenzoate; P i inhibited
      phytase from ungerminated but not germinated pollen. Such different catalytic and
      physical properties may reflect different biochemical functions. 

PMID- 24226706
TI  - Efficient plant regeneration from rice protoplasts in general medium.
AB  - We established an efficient and reproducible procedure for protoplast propagation
      and fertile plant regeneration of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars Nipponbare and
      Taipei 309. Selection of scutellum-derived secondary calli, the use of General
      medium and nurse culture were all found to be critical in the procedure. When 5
      basal media (Murashige and Skoog, RY-2, modified R2, Amino Acid and General
      media) were compared, suspension callus growth rate, protoplast yield and plating
      efficiency were all about 30% higher in General medium than in the second-best R2
      medium. Only one month was required to develop suspension cultures for protoplast
      isolation using General medium. A plating efficiency as high as 17% and a plant
      regeneration frequency of 67% were achieved by the improved procedure. Agronomic
      traits of protoplast- and seed-derived plants were found to be similar. 

PMID- 24226707
TI  - Calcium increases the yield of somatic embryos in carrot embryogenic suspension
      cultures.
AB  - An upward shift in the concentration of calcium present in the medium during
      somatic embryogenesis increased the number of embryos produced approximately two
      fold. This was observed when embryogenic suspension cells grown in 2,4-D medium
      with the normal calcium concentration of 10(-3) M were transferred to hormone
      free medium containing 10(-2) M calcium and when embryogenic suspension cells
      grown in 2,4-D medium containing 10(-4) M calcium were transferred to hormone
      free medium with 10(-3) M calcium. At calcium concentrations between 6.10(-3) and
      10(-2) M globular stage somatic embryos were found in cultures supplemented with
      2.10(-6) M of 2,4-D indicating that elevated calcium counteracts the inhibitory
      effect of 2,4-D on somatic embryogenesis. No qualitative changes were found in
      the pattern of extracellular polypeptides as a result of growth and embryogenesis
      in media with different calcium concentrations. 

PMID- 24226708
TI  - Beet necrotic yellow vein virus coat protein-mediated protection in sugarbeet
      (Beta vulgaris L.) protoplasts.
AB  - Transformed Beta vulgaris L. suspension cultures were obtained after
      cocultivation of sugarbeet cells with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring a
      binary vector containing the coat protein gene of beet necrotic yellow vein virus
      inserted between the kanamycin resistance gene and a beta-glucuronidase reporter
      gene. Protoplasts were isolated both from untransformed cells, and from
      transformed cells expressing the viral coat protein, and both were then infected
      with beet necrotic yellow vein virus. Comparison of the levels of infectivity
      shows that the expression of the coat protein gene in sugarbeet protoplasts
      mediates high levels of protection against infection by beet necrotic yellow vein
      virus. 

PMID- 24226709
TI  - Plant regeneration in vitro of South Pacific taro (Colocasia esculenta var.
      esculenta cv. Akalomamale, Aracea).
AB  - Axillary bud expiants from South Pacific (Solomon Islands) taro, Colocasia
      esculenta var. esculenta cv. Akalomamale (Araceae) cultured on a modified
      Murashige-Skoog medium containing 1 mg NAA 1(-1) and TE formed callus and
      produced multiple plantlets. Explants died if NAA was present at levels lower
      than 0.1 mg 1(-1). BA was not required and may have been inhibitory. Plantlets
      developed faster and became larger following transfer to a hormone-free medium
      two weeks after the start of culture. Fully grown plants were established in a
      potting mix and are growing well in a greenhouse. 

PMID- 24226710
TI  - Low-cost solar cell based on a composite of silicon nanowires and a highly
      conductive nonphotoactive polymer.

PMID- 24226711
TI  - A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the essentiality
      of acid inhibitors for abdominal pain after gastroscopic mucosal biopsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastroscopy and gastroscopic mucosal biopsy techniques have
      become increasingly used as of late for evaluating symptoms presumed to be
      originated in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Patients often complain however
      of abdominal pain post-gastroscopic mucosal biopsy, and this study aimed to
      explore the necessity of acid inhibitors when abdominal pain worsened. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we
      screened 272 participants, and ultimately enrolled 200 into the study. These 200
      participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive acid inhibitors
      (esomeprazole, treatment group, n=100; dose,20 mg/d) or matched placebo (control
      group, n=100) for 3 days post-gastroscopic mucosal biopsy. The presence of
      abdominal pain was observed pre-and post-gastroscopy, and the therapeutic effect
      of esomeprazole was assessed. This study was registered at the Chinese clinical
      trial registry as ChiCTR-TRC-00000500. RESULTS: Ten subjects were lost to
      followup (4 in treatment group; 6 in the control group). There was no significant
      difference in the number of subjects with aggravating abdominal pain (treatment
      29.2% vs. control 22.3%; p>0.05) between the two groups. Esomeprazole did not
      significantly (p>0.05) affect the rate of abdominal pain within 24 h (treatment
      27.1% vs. control 19.1%), 48 h (treatment 40.6% vs. control 27.7%), and 96 h
      (treatment 43.8% vs. control 34.0%) on abdominal pain in all in the evaluated
      subjects. Between the two groups however, a statistically significant difference
      (p<0.05) was found on overall effective treatment rates at 48 h (treatment 92.9%
      vs. control 66.7%) and at 96 h (treatment 100% vs. control 81%) in the subjects
      with worsened abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that routine
      prophylaxis with acid inhibitors is not recommended for all patients post
      gastroscopic mucosal biopsy, however acid inhibitors should be administered for
      patients with aggravating abdominal pain.

PMID- 24226712
TI  - Acid buffering effects of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum L. in the
      rabbit stomach.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the gastroprotective properties of Ocimum gratissimum
      L. have been mentioned, the exact mechanism is yet to be explored. Since acid
      output plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulceration, the
      present study was aimed at investigating the effect of leaf extract of Ocimum
      gratissimum on gastric luminal pH, acid output, parietal cell mass and gastric
      mucous cell population in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model of pyloric
      ligation for acid secretion and ulcer study was employed. Prior to the 4 h
      ligation, male New Zealand rabbits were treated orally with 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg
      and 250 mg/kg b.w aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum twice daily for
      three weeks. The antisecretory and antiulcer effect of Ocimum gratissimum was
      compared with omeprazole (20 mg/kg p.o). Parietal cell mass and gastric mucous
      cell population were determined in the gastric samples by histometry. RESULTS:
      Aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum caused significant reduction in ulcer
      formation, gastric secretion volume and acid output in a dose dependent manner
      (p<0.05). Percentage inhibition was recorded as 29%, 46.2%, 52.9% for ulcer; and
      16.2%, 35.9%, 52.1% for acid output upon pretreatment with 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg
      and 250 mg/kg b.w respectively. Parietal cell mass was also reduced while gastric
      mucous cell population and luminal pH increased accordingly when compared to the
      control group. Data were comparable with the antisecretory effect of omeprazole.
      CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the anti-secretory activity of Ocimum
      gratissimum may be the anti-ulcer mechanism of this plant.

PMID- 24226713
TI  - Investigation of ErbB-2 overexpression on patients with gastric cancer in Eastern
      Anatolia of Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: In the present study, the frequency of ErbB-2 overexpression and
      its relationship with pathologic parameters on patients with gastric cancer in
      Eastern Anatolia of Turkey was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32
      newly diagnosed patients were enrolled in the study. DNA isolation was performed
      on paraffinized tumor tissues obtained from patients by endoscopy or surgical
      resection. ErbB-2 overexpression was investigated from the isolated DNA by "Real
      Time Polymerase Chain Reaction". RESULTS: ErbB-2 positivity was detected in five
      (15.6%) of 32 gastric cancer patients. The correlation between distant metastases
      and ErbB-2 positivity was found to be statistically significant (p=0.04).
      Additionally, no statistically significant correlation was noted between ErbB-2
      positivity and parameters such as level of differentiation (p=0.7), the depth of
      tumor invasion (p=0.08), lymph node metastases (p=0.6), Lauren's classification
      (p=0.4), World Health Organization classification (p=0.3), tumor, node,
      metastasis staging (p=0.3) and tumor localization (p=0.2). Lymph node involvement
      was present in all ErbB-2 positive patients, the depth of tumor invasion was T3
      (one case) and T4 (four cases) with the cardia being the most common location,
      which was remarkable, though not statistically significant (p>0.05). All ErbB-2
      positive patients were detected with intestinal-type gastric cancer according to
      Lauren's classification and with the tubular-type according to World Health
      Organization classification. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, given the
      rates of ErbB-2 overexpression (15.6%) in gastric cancer, the investigation of
      ErbB-2 overexpression as an important biomarker in humanized monoclonal-antibody
      treatment in patients with gastric cancer was considered appropriate.

PMID- 24226714
TI  - The role of second-look endoscopy in endoscopic submucosal dissection for early
      gastric cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Delayed bleeding is a major complication of endoscopic
      submucosal dissection. Second-look endoscopy is routinely performed in most
      hospitals to reduce the possibility of delayed bleeding without solid evidence to
      support this practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether second-look
      endoscopy prevents delayed bleeding, and to verify clinicopathological features
      of delayed bleeding in order to identify lesions that may benefit from a second
      look endoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated 392 lesions in 388
      patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer
      from January 2006 to July 2011. Clinically evident bleeding from mucosal defects
      24 hours after endoscopic submucosal dissection was considered delayed bleeding.
      Data including characteristics of patients, lesions, and procedures were
      reviewed. Furthermore, the rate of delayed bleeding before and after second-look
      endoscopy, performed within three days of endoscopic submucosal dissection, was
      investigated to determine the utility of second-look endoscopy. RESULTS: Delayed
      bleeding was evident in 12 of 392 lesions (3,1%), all of which achieved
      endoscopic hemostasis. The only significant factor predicting delayed bleeding
      was a resected specimen size of over 40 mm (OR=6,200, 95% CI=1,912 - 20,108).
      Delayed bleeding occurred more frequently prior to the second-look endoscopy
      (p=0,022). CONCLUSIONS: In our endoscopic submucosal dissection data about early
      gastric cancer, it is too early to conclude that second-look endoscopy is not a
      valuable procedure, and second-look endoscopy may be useful for preventing post
      endoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding, especially in resected specimens
      greater than 40 mm in size.

PMID- 24226715
TI  - Iloprost reduces colitis induced oxidative stress: An experimental study in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Reactive oxygen species have a known potent role in the
      pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Iloprost, a pharmaceutical, is a chemically
      stable derivative of a naturally- occurring human prostacyclin. Several studies
      have demonstrated protective effects of iloprost via its antioxidant and its anti
      inflammatory activity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of
      iloprost on oxidant/antioxidant status, as well as the large bowel histopathology
      in experimental colitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Forty adult male Wistar-albino
      rats were randomly divided in to four equal weight-matched groups: sham group
      (n=10), iloprost administered sham group (n=10), colitis group (n=10), iloprost
      administered colitis group (n=10). Acetic acid (1 ml of 4% solution) was used to
      induce colonic inflammation in the rats. RESULTS: Colonic tissue and plasma
      malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the iloprost administered
      colitis group than the colitis group (p<0.01). Tissue glutathione levels of the
      iloprost administered colitis group were significantly higher than the colitis
      group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated in this study iloprost to be an
      antioxidant, as well as iloprost demonstrating protective activity against
      colitis induced oxidative stress.

PMID- 24226716
TI  - Comparison of the forty-eight week efficacy between telbivudine and entecavir in
      HBeAg-positive Asian patients with chronic hepatitis B: A meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Telbivudine and entecavir are two pharmacologic agents
      recommended and also widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in most
      Asian countries. There are few conclusive results when comparing the efficacy of
      these two drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. The aim of this study
      is to evaluate, by means of meta-analysis, the short-term efficacy between the
      two drugs in nucleos(t)ide-naive Asian HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B
      patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials, the Wanfang Database and CNKI (National Knowledge
      Infrastructure). Twelve eligible trials (1011 patients in total) were included
      into this study, and they were evaluated for quality and heterogeneity. RESULTS:
      Meta-analysis date showed the rate of HBeAg clearance and rate of HBeAg
      seroconversion in the telbivudine group was higher than the entecavir group,
      respectively. There was no statistically significant difference however between
      the two groups in the rate of alanine aminotransferase normalization, or the rate
      of HBV DNA suppression. Although creatine kinase elevations occurred more
      frequently in the telbivudine group than when compared to the entecavir group,
      there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the
      short-term treatment duration. CONCLUSIONS: For the short-term treatment of HBeAg
      positive nucleos(t)ide-naive Asian patients with chronic hepatitis B, telbivudine
      is as potent as entecavir in normalizing alanine aminotransferase and suppressing
      HBV DNA, and telbivudine is superior to entecavir in clearing HBeAg and
      developing anti-HBe. Careful monitoring is needed to avoid adverse events, as
      well as drug resistance during antiviral therapy with telbivudine.

PMID- 24226717
TI  - Increased bile lithogenicity by SCP2 via HMGCR and CYP7A1 regulation in human
      hepatocytes.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lithogenic bile is a major cause of cholesterol gallstones, and
      hypersecretion of biliary cholesterol is believed to be an important cause of
      lithogenic bile. Sterol carrier protein 2 plays a key role in cholesterol
      trafficking and may regulate lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Human sterol carrier protein 2 cDNA was cloned and shRNAs against sterol
      carrier protein 2 were synthesized. Sterol carrier protein 2-modified hepatocyte
      models were then set up using adenoviral vectors to study its regulatory function
      in lipid metabolism. Following overexpression and knockdown of sterol carrier
      protein 2, HMGCR and CYP7A1 expression as well as the secretion of bile lipids
      were studied in hepatocytes. RESULTS: The expression of HMGCR was enhanced by
      sterol carrier protein 2 overexpression and downregulated by sterol carrier
      protein 2 knockdown. The concentration of cholesterol in the supernatant was
      elevated under sterol carrier protein 2 overexpression and decreased under sterol
      carrier protein 2 downregulation. Although sterol carrier protein 2
      overexpression could repress the expression of CYP7A1, no changes were noted in
      total bile acid concentration. Thus, the expression of sterol carrier protein 2
      could influence bile lithogenicity in the sterol carrier protein 2-modified
      hepatocyte models. CONCLUSIONS: Sterol carrier protein 2 may function as a
      moderator of HMGCR in human hepatocytes. Likely influences cholesterol metabolism
      and bile lithogenicity of human liver cells by regulating the expression of HMGCR
      and CYP7A1.

PMID- 24226718
TI  - The effects of chronic bile reflux on the gastric mucosa of rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To establish a rat model mimicking human bile reflux for
      studying the pathological effects of chronic bile reflux. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      The duodenum of Sprague-Dawley rats was transected below the opening of the
      common bile duct, and a gastrojejunostomy was performed at the greater curvature
      of the forestomach. After the rats demonstrated bile reflux for 1 year, we
      studied the pathological features of the glandular stomach and forestomach
      mucosa. We also studied the effect of bile reflux on gastrin expression in the
      glandular stomach mucosa by using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Chronic bile
      reflux caused significant hyperplasia and expansion of gastric glands in the
      glandular stomach. Dysplasia and cancer formation also developed, but the
      incidence was significantly lower than that reported in the literature.
      Intestinal metaplasia and ulceration in the glandular stomach were also rare. In
      the forestomach, the squamous epithelium showed significant hyperplasia and
      keratinization along with keratin pearls and keratocysts. Intestinal metaplasia
      was rare and no tumorigenesis was observed. Chronic bile reflux significantly
      increased gastrin expression in the glandular stomach mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: When
      simulating the physiological bile reflux pathway, chronic bile reflux caused
      hyperplasia and expansion of gastric glands in the glandular stomach and squamous
      epithelial hyperplasia and keratinization in the forestomach.

PMID- 24226719
TI  - Major predictors for difficult common bile duct stone.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has become the
      standard treatment for common bile duct stones worldwide. However, there are only
      a few reports with small number of patients concerning the factors that
      contribute to the technical difficulty of endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography in these patients. In this study we aimed to investigate
      these factors in a large group of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients
      with a naiive papilla (n=1850) who underwent endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography during a study period of 2 years were prospectively
      evaluated. Of these, 757 patients with common bile duct stones were included in
      the study. Following successful cannulation, patients who needed either more than
      one episode for stone extraction or mechanical lithotripsy, extracorporeal shock
      wave lithotripsy, or patients in whom stone extraction could not be achieved
      endoscopically and underwent surgery were regarded as having "difficult stones".
      Age, sex, laboratory parameters, endoscopic and cholangiographic findings were
      recorded in all patients. Predictive factors for difficult stones were
      investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The study group
      consisted of 432 women and 325 men with a mean age of 60+/-16 years (range, 4
      96). Of the total 757 patients, 654 (86.4%) had easy and 103 (13.6%) had
      difficult stones. Endoscopic stone extraction was successful in 98.1% of
      patients. A stricture distal to the stone (OR: 8.248), smaller common bile
      duct/stone diameter ratio (OR: 0,348), stone diameter (OR: 1,187) stone impaction
      (OR: 1,117) and higher bilirubin levels (OR: 1,1) were found to be independent
      predictors of difficult stone extraction on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION:
      Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a very effective method for the
      treatment of common bile duct stones. Presence of a stricture distal to the
      stone, smaller common bile duct/stone diameter ratio, stone diameter, impacted
      stone, and higher bilirubin levels are significant predictors of difficult stone.

PMID- 24226720
TI  - A study in four European countries to examine the importance of sensory
      attributes of oral nutritional supplements on preference and likelihood of
      compliance.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: A study designed to examine the importance of the sensory
      attributes of oral nutritional supplements on preference and likelihood of
      compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Independent individuals >= 50 years not
      currently receiving oral nutritional supplements were recruited to a two-stage,
      single-blind, randomised, preference study, conducted in four European countries.
      Stage 1 consisted of a 5-day trial period during which two units of commonly
      prescribed oral nutritional supplements were administered, with a different oral
      nutritional supplements being consumed each day. In Stage 2, all participants
      consumed two units daily of one oral nutritional supplements for five days and
      two units daily of a second oral nutritional supplements for a further five days.
      Using standardised hedonic scales, participants reported their perceptions of
      each oral nutritional supplements for a range of sensory attributes, and
      estimated how many units of each oral nutritional supplements they could consume.
      RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred seventy one individuals completed the study.
      The overall opinion of each oral nutritional supplements was strongly correlated
      with taste (r=0.91; p<0,0001), while unit volume demonstrated a weak relationship
      (r =0,29; p<0,0001). One oral nutritional supplements (Reformulated Ensure Plus)
      was preferred overall, scoring significantly higher for taste (p<0,05) and oral
      sensation (p<0,05) than other oral nutritional supplements. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study contributes to the understanding of how sensory attributes, particularly
      taste and oral sensation, influence preference and compliance to oral nutritional
      supplements.

PMID- 24226721
TI  - Jejunal stricture in a premature infant: Is cytomegalovirus the causative
      pathogen or a superinfection?
AB  - Cytomegalovirus infection can cause gastrointestinal disease, especially in
      immunocompromised patients and premature infants. In the neonatal period,
      however, gastrointestinal involvement is infrequent. A case of cytomegalovirus
      enteritis and jejunal stricture in a preterm neonate is presented. The diagnosis
      was established after the histopathology of the surgical specimen demonstrated
      the presence of cytomegalovirus inclusion bodies. Every neonatal gastrointestinal
      cytomegalovirus infection case has been described in the literature as a
      necrotizing enterocolitis-like illness, but none of them clearly identifies
      whether cytomegalovirus was the pathogen responsible for causing necrotizing
      enterocolitis or whether cytomegalovirus occured as an infection during the
      course of necrotizing enterocolitis.

PMID- 24226722
TI  - A severe course of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome and the review of clinical features
      and therapy in 49 Chinese patients.
AB  - We describe a severe case of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome and review the clinical
      features and therapy in 49 Chinese patients. A 67-year-old man who underwent
      severe chronic diarrhea had typical clinical manifestations of hyperpigmentation,
      hair loss, and dystrophic changes in the fingernails. Although sufficient
      nutrition support and other therapies reported in the literature were provided,
      the patient died of systemic failure one year later. Cronkhite-Canada syndrome is
      characterized by generalized gastrointestinal polyps associated with
      hyperpigmentation, hair loss, and onycholysis. Anemia, positive stool occult
      blood, serum electrolyte disturbances, and low serum proteins are the main
      clinical features of patients with Cronkhite-Canada syndrome. Most patients were
      diagnosed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy, and polyps were found
      in the entire alimentary tract, except the notable exception of the esophagus.
      The polyp-like samples of mucosa, hyperplasia, and adenoma were characterized by
      acute/chronic inflammation. Four cases were complicated with cancer. The
      treatment of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome includes symptomatic and support therapy,
      administration of corticosteroids, antibiotics and acid inhibitors, therapeutic
      endoscopy, and surgery. While the mortality rate was reported as 47.3% (9/19),
      some patients may live a long life with controlled symptoms. 

PMID- 24226723
TI  - Multidetector computed tomography diagnosis of adenomyomatosis of the
      gallbladder.
AB  - The differentiation of gallbladder adenomyomatosis from gallbladder carcinoma is
      important as both conditions may present with thickening of the gallbladder wall
      or as a focal mass. Identification of Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses is the key
      feature in making an accurate diagnosis of gallbladder adenomyomatosis on imaging
      studies. The diagnosis of gallbladder adenomyomatosis can be made with accurately
      by multidetector computed tomography when the presence of Rokitansky-Aschoff
      sinuses (small cystic spaces within the thickened gallbladder wall) are noted.
      Herein we present multidetector computed tomography findings of a 27-year-old
      patient with gallbladder adenomyomatosis. 

PMID- 24226724
TI  - Endosonography and elastography in the diagnosis of esophageal tuberculosis.

PMID- 24226725
TI  - An unusual simultaneous occurence of gastric adenocarcinoma, leiomyoma and B-cell
      small lymphocytic lymphoma involving the perigastric lymph nodes and spleen.

PMID- 24226726
TI  - Acute gastric volvulus presenting with gastric outlet obstruction and upper
      gastrointestinal bleeding.

PMID- 24226727
TI  - Thrombocytopenia as a side effect of pantoprazole.

PMID- 24226728
TI  - Preventive approaches for intrafamilial H. pylori transmission as an efficient
      target strategy to decrease the prevalence of the infection in developing
      countries.

PMID- 24226729
TI  - Small bowel volvulus secondary to post appendectomy adhesion band.

PMID- 24226730
TI  - A duodenal mass and acute pancreatitis.

PMID- 24226731
TI  - Discrimination between closely related Triticeae species using genomic DNA as a
      probe.
AB  - Labelled total genomic DNA was used as a probe in combination with blocking DNA
      to discriminate between taxonomically closely related species in the genera
      Hordeum and Secale. Discrimination was possible both by Southern hybridization to
      size-fractionated restriction enzyme digests of genomic DNA and by in situ
      hybridization to chromosome preparations. To distinguish between two species
      (e.g. H. vulgare and H. bulbosum), genomic DNA from one species was used as the
      labelled probe, while unlabelled DNA from the other species was applied at a much
      higher concentration as a block. The blocking DNA presumably hybridized to
      sequences in common between the block and the labelled probe, and between the
      block and DNA sequences on the membrane or chromosomes in situ. If so, mainly
      species-specific sequences would remain as sites for probe hybridization. These
      species-specific sequences are dispersed and represent a substantial proportion
      of the genome (unlike many cloned, species-specific sequences). Consequently,
      rapid nonradioactive methods detected probe hybridization sites satisfactorily.
      The method was able to confirm the parentage of hybrid plants. It has potentially
      wide application in plant breeding for the detection of alien DNA transfer, and
      it can be easily adapted to many species. 

PMID- 24226732
TI  - Genetic structure of Glycine canescens, a perennial relative of soybean.
AB  - Allozyme variation as detected by starch gel electrophoresis was used to assess
      the extent and spatial organization of genetic variation across the entire range
      of Glycine canescens sensu lato. Eleven enzyme systems were assayed in 116
      accessions of this taxon and 102 alleles were detected at a total of 31 loci.
      Eighty-one percent of loci were polymorphic. Most of this variation occurred
      between and very little within accessions. Three major groupings were detected.
      These groupings (groups 1, 2, and 3) also differed with respect to mean seed size
      and their geographic distribution. A further ten accessions stood out from these
      distinct groups. These accessions were most closely related to group 3 but were
      variable among themselves. In general, they were collected from highly dissected
      terrain, often in the remote interior of the continent. A final group of 18
      problematic accessions (group X), originally tentatively identified as G.
      canescens on morphological grounds, was shown to be isozymically distinct from
      this species and was reclassified as one form of the polytypic species G.
      clandestina. 

PMID- 24226733
TI  - Somaclonal variation in high tannin sorghums.
AB  - Genetic variants were found among over 6,000 primary plants (R1) regenerated from
      embryogenic tissue cultures of eight high tannin sorghums [Sorghum bicolor (L.)
      Moench]. Field assessment of somaclonal variation has progressed to the R2
      population, with over 48,000 R2 seedlings (27,000 plants) in 1,126 rows from
      1,055 R1 plants. A total of 43 variant phenotypes was recovered, including
      several types of chlorophyll deficiencies, dwarfism, short culm, sterility,
      narrow leaf, and several previously unreported variants, such as ragged leaf,
      multibranched heads, and Hydra, a developmental variant which produces large
      numbers of panicles. Variation production greatly depends on parent genotype and
      appears to increase with increasing time in cultures. The toal average somaclonal
      variation rate (based per 100 R1 plants) and somaclonal variant frequency (based
      per 100 R2 plants) estimated in the tested population were 11.3 and 1.6,
      respectively. Chimerism was found in regenerants. The estimated size of the
      mutated sector carried by mutant regenerants ranged from the whole plant to less
      than 3% of a single head. The average proportion of mutated R1 heads carrying
      large (80%-100%), medium (40%-80%), and small (<40%) mutated sectors was 38.7%,
      26.0% and 35.3%, respectively. Some sector mutations do not appear until the R3
      generation. In order to avoid losing variants, the population for selecting
      somaclonal variation should be as large as possible. Some of these variants found
      may be useful for further study or for use in breeding programs. 

PMID- 24226734
TI  - Intraspecific variation in nuclear DNA content among world populations of a
      mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse).
AB  - Aedes albopictus is commonly distributed in most parts of the Oriental region and
      on many islands in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. The species was recently
      introduced into the United States and Brazil. Feulgen cytophotometric
      quantitation of haploid nuclear DNA content was carried out for 37 populations of
      Ae. albopictus to determine the extent of intraspecific variation in nuclear DNA
      content and whether the range expansion of the species has coincided with an
      increase in DNA content. The haploid nuclear DNA content varied nearly three
      fold. The minimum DNA content was 0.62 pg in Koh Samui from Thailand, and the
      maximum DNA content was 1.66 pg in Houston-61 from the United States. Statistical
      comparisons of populations revealed significant differences in DNA contents. No
      geographic clustering of populations was noted with respect to DNA content. In
      general, populations from the United States and Brazil had higher DNA contents,
      but there was no indication that the range expansion had occurred hand in hand
      with an increase in DNA content. Each population had a specific amount of DNA
      that is probably imposed by the microenvironment. 

PMID- 24226735
TI  - Imputing missing yield trial data.
AB  - The Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) statistical model
      has been demonstrated effective for understanding genotype-environment
      interactions in yields, estimating yields more accurately, selecting superior
      genotypes more reliably, and allowing more flexible and efficient experimental
      designs. However, AMMI had required data for every genotype and environment
      combination or treatment; i.e., missing data were inadmissible. The present paper
      addresses the problem. The Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm is implemented
      for fitting AMMI depite missing data. This missing-data version of AMMI is here
      termed "EM-AMMI". EM-AMMI is used to quantify the direct and indirect information
      in a yield trial, providing theoretical insight into the gain in accuracy
      observed and into the process of imputing missing data. For a given treatment,
      the direct yield data are the replicates of that treatment, and the indirect data
      are all the other yield data in the trial. EM-AMMI is used to inpute missing data
      for a New York soybean yield trial. Important applications arise from both
      unintentional and intentional missing data. Empirical measurements demonstrate
      good predictive success, and statistical theory attributes this success to the
      Stein effect. 

PMID- 24226736
TI  - DNA "fingerprints" applied to paternity analysis in apples (Malus x domestica).
AB  - Analysis of minisatellite DNA sequences, yielding so called DNA "fingerprints",
      has proven useful in paternity analysis for several different organisms. Here 64
      apple seedlings, grown from seeds collected in an orchard with three cultivars,
      were analyzed using the M13 "fingerprint" probe. Paternity could be determined
      for 56 of the seedlings, 2 of which were derived through selfing. The analysis
      was facilitated by the occurrence of a multiallelic locus. The five different
      fragments determined by this locus migrated to similar positions, whether
      digesting the DNA with restriction enzymes TaqI or RsaI. 

PMID- 24226737
TI  - Cytogenetic identification of Aegilops squarrosa chromosome additions in durum
      wheat.
AB  - A set of four normal chromosomes (1D, 2D, 3D, and 6D), and three translocation
      chromosomes (4DS.5DS, 5DL.7DS, and 7DL.4DL) involving all 14 chromosome arms of
      the D-genome were obtained as monosomic additions from Aegilops squarrosa (genome
      D, n=7) in Triticum durum Desf. cv 'PBW114' (genome AB, n=14). The cyclical
      translocation occurred during the synthesis of the amphiploid probably as a
      result of misdivision and reunion of the univalents during meiosis of the F1
      hybrid T. durum x A. Squarrosa. The amphiploid was backcrossed twice with the
      durum parent to obtain monosomic addition lines. The monosomic addition
      chromosomes were identified by C-banding and associated phenotypic traits. All
      monosomic addition lines were fertile. The development of disomic and ditelosomic
      addition lines is underway, which will be useful for cytogenetic analysis of
      individual D-genome chromosomes in the background of T. Durum. 

PMID- 24226738
TI  - An analytical model for the estimation of chromosome substitution effects in the
      offspring of individuals heterozygous at a segregating marker locus.
AB  - Use of marker genes for quantitative traits has been suggested as a supplement to
      selection for livestock species. Linkage relationships can be estimated by using
      data from offspring of a heterozygous parent, if offspring can be positively
      assigned segregation of one or the other of the marker alleles. In field data,
      some data on offspring can be characterized and used to estimate the difference
      in chromosome substitution effects, but other matings result in uncertain
      transfer of the marker alleles. In this study, an alternative estimation
      procedure is proposed that would allow incorporation of data on all offspring of
      a heterozygous parent, even those where chromosome segregation is ambiguous. If
      the frequency of the marker alleles is known in the population of mates of a
      heterozygous individual, the mean and variance of the heterozygous offspring can
      be used in a generalized leastsquares model to estimate the chromosome
      substitution effect. When gene frequencies are not known, maximum likelihood
      estimates can be obtained from the data for use in a conditional estimate. Monte
      Carlo simulations of data following the assumed genetic model were analyzed as
      proposed, and parameter estimates were characterized. Estimates of chromosome
      substitution effects were reasonable approximations of input values.
      Distributions of t-statistics testing the null hypothesis of no difference
      between marked chromosome segments were unbiased, with only slightly larger
      variance than expected. Addition of data from heterozygous offspring improved the
      efficiency of detection of chromosome substitution effects by more than four
      times when marker gene frequencies were low. 

PMID- 24226739
TI  - Est-7, a set of genes controlling green tissue esterases in wheat and related
      species.
AB  - Analysis using isoelectric focusing of "Chinese Spring" wheat genetic stocks
      revealed a set of coleoptile and leaf esterase loci, designated Est-7, on the
      long arms of the group 2 chromosomes. A survey of 38 other hexaploid genotypes
      revealed onyl a single variant, at Est-D7. Homoeoloci were found on chromosome
      (arm) 2HL of Hordeum vulgare, 2RL of Secale cereale, 2R (m)alpha of S. montanum,
      2U of Aegilops umbellulata, 2E of Agropyron elongation and 2V of Dasypyrum
      villosa. 

PMID- 24226740
TI  - Characterization of soybean vegetative storage proteins and genes.
AB  - Soybean vegetative storage proteins (VSPs) were purified and characterized. Anion
      exchange HPLC resolved partially purified VSPs into fractions containing 27-kD/27
      kD and 29-kD/29-kD homodimers and 27-kD/29-kD heterodimers. Reversed-phase HPLC
      resolved partially purified VSPs into three fractions. One fraction contained
      only 27-kD VSP and the other two contained 29-kD VSP. The two 29-kD VSP fractions
      differed with respect to their cyanogen bromide cleavage patterns, an observation
      that indicated the 29-kD VSPs were heterogeneous. Genomic clones that contained
      29-kD VSP genes were also isolated and characterized. One genomic clone contained
      a complete 29-kD VSP gene and was sequenced. The coding region in the clone
      contained two introns whose borders had regulatory sequences typical of other
      eukaryotic genes. Putative polyadenlyation signals were present in the 3'
      flanking region of the gene, while putative TATA, CAAT, and enhancer core
      sequences were found in the 5'-flanking regions. A second genomic clone that was
      studied contained the 5' regions of two partial 29-kD VSP genes in an inverted
      linkage. Genomic DNA gel blots showed that the two genes were organized in the
      same arrangement in the soybean genome. 

PMID- 24226741
TI  - Variation in the ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer of a maize population mass
      selected for high grain yield.
AB  - Variation in the intergenic spacer of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was detected among
      individual plants of the open-pollinated maize variety 'Hays Golden' and
      populations derived from this variety. rDNA intergenic spacer-length variants
      were detected at approximately 200 bp intervals, consistent with the number of
      200 bp subrepeats as the basis for this variation. Inheritance data revealed that
      more than one spacer-length class may be present on an individual chromosome.
      Fourteen different predominant rDNA intergenic spacer hybridization fragment
      patterns were detected. C-29, a population developed by 29 cycles of mass
      selecting Hay Golden for high grain yield, exhibited a significant change in rDNA
      intergenic spacer hybridization fragment pattern composition in comparison to
      Hays Golden. This change included a reduction in frequency of the shortest
      predominant space-length variant (3.4 kb) and an increase in a 5.2 -kb
      hybridization fragment. I-31, a population developed through thermal neutron
      irradiation of Hays Golden and 31 generations of mass selection for high grain
      yield, did not exhibit a significant change in overall rDNA intergenic spacer
      composition. I-31 did exhibit an increase in frequency of the 5.2-kb
      hybridization fragment and a significant change in two specific hybridization
      fragment patterns that had also changed in C-29. These data, particularly for the
      C-29 population, suggest that rDNA intergenic spacer-length variants and/or
      associated loci were influenced by selection. 

PMID- 24226742
TI  - Abscisic acid deficiency prevents development of freezing tolerance in
      Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.
AB  - Abscisic acid (ABA) has been implicated as a regulatory factor in plant cold
      acclimation. In the present work, the cold-acclimation properties of an ABA
      deficient mutant (aba) of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. were analyzed. The
      mutant had apparently lost its capability to cold acclimate: the freezing
      tolerance of the mutant was not increased by low temperature treatment but stayed
      at the level of the nonacclimated wild type. The mutational defect could be
      complemented by the addition of exogenous ABA to the growth medium, restoring
      freezing tolerance close to the wild-type level. This suggests that ABA might
      have a central regulatory function in the development of freezing tolerance in
      plants. Cold acclimation has been previously correlated to the induction of a
      specific set of proteins that have been suggested to have a role in freezing
      tolerance. However, these proteins were also induced in the aba mutant by low
      temperature treatment. 

PMID- 24226743
TI  - Homologies to plastid DNA in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of potato.
AB  - Potato plastid DNA clones, representing onefourth of the potato plastome
      complexity and containing sequences of the 16SrRNA, rps16, atpA, atpE, psaA,
      psaB, trnK, trnV, and trnG genes, were used as hybridization probes on nuclear-
      and mitochondrial-enriched DNAs. Each probe hybridized to multiple nuclear
      restriction fragments distinct from the plastid cleavage products generated by
      the same endonucleases. The nuclear hybridizable fragments are highly methylated
      at their Hpall target sequences (C/CGG). In some instances, the transfer seemed
      to involve plastid regions of several kilobase pairs, as reflected by the co
      integration in the nucleus of restriction sites that are distant in the plastome.
      Three clones hybridized additionally to distinct mitochondrial fragments. These
      results indicate that extensive DNA transfers did occur between plastids and
      other organelles in potato. 

PMID- 24226744
TI  - The agronomic performance of wheat doubled haploid lines derived from wheat x
      maize crosses.
AB  - The agronomic performance of 9 doubled haploid (DH) lines of Chinese Spring, 6 DH
      lines of Hope, 14 DH lines of the single chromosome substitution line Chinese
      Spring (Hope 5 A) and their respective parents was analyzed under field
      conditions. Seventeen Chinese Spring DH lines derived from wheat x Hordeum
      bulbosum crosses were also included for comparison. No significant variation was
      detected in either population of Chinese Spring DH lines and neither DH
      population differed from its parent. The Hope DH lines differed significantly for
      tiller biomass, spikelet number per ear, ear grain weight and 50-grain weight.
      However, all the variation could be attributed to the poor performance of only
      one line. Chinese Spring (Hope 5 A) DH lines showed significant variation for ear
      emergence time, but this was probably due to genetic heterogeneity in the
      parental stock. Overall, the results suggest that most DH lines produced by the
      wheat x maize method resemble their wheat parent, and that the variation induced
      in DH production is likely to be similar to that found in DHs from wheat x
      Hordeum bulbosum crosses. 

PMID- 24226745
TI  - High-rate spontaneous reversion to cytoplasmic male sterility in sugar beet: a
      characterization of the mitochondrial genomes.
AB  - Among the fertile sugar beet lines with nuclear sterility maintenance genes, rf,
      in a homozygous recessive state, sublines capable of reverting spontaneously at a
      high rate to sterility were identified. Of 24 related fertile sublines studied, 6
      were found to spontaneously revert to sterility with a frequency of about 19%.
      Genetic analysis confirmed the cytoplasmic nature of spontaneously arising
      sterility. Reversion to sterility in these sublines was accompanied by
      alterations in the mitochondrial genome structure: loss of the autonomously
      replicating minicircle c (1.3 kb) and changes in the restriction patterns of high
      molecular-weight mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Southern hybridixation analysis with
      cloned minicircle c as a probe revealed no integration of this DNA molecule into
      the main mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of the revertants. Comparative BamHI
      and EcoRI restriction analysis of the mtDNA from the sterile revertants and
      fertile parental subline showed that the spontaneous reversion is accompanied by
      extensive genomic rearrangement. Southern blot analysis with cloned alpha-subunit
      of F1-ATPase (atpA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COX II) genes as probes
      indicated that the changes in mtDNA accompanying spontaneous reversion to
      sterility involved these regions. The mitochondrial genomes of the spontaneous
      revertants and the sterile analogue were shown to be identical. 

PMID- 24226746
TI  - Early-acting inbreeding depression and reproductive success in the highbush
      blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L.
AB  - Tetraploid Vaccinium corymbosum genotypes exhibit wide variability in seed set
      following self- and cross-pollinations. In this paper, a post-zygotic mechanism
      (seed abortion) under polygenic control is proposed as the basis for fertility
      differences in this species. A pollen chase experiment indicated that self-pollen
      tubes fertilize ovules, but are also 'outcompeted' by foreign male gametes in
      pollen mixtures. Matings among cultivars derived from a pedigree showed a linear
      decrease in seed number per fruit, and increase in seed abortion, with increasing
      relatedness among parents. Selfed (S1) progeny from self-fertile parents were
      largely self-sterile. At zygotic levels of inbreeding of F>0.3 there was little
      or no fertility, suggesting that an inbreeding threshold regulates reproductive
      success in V. corymbosum matings. Individuals below the threshold are facultative
      selfers, while those above it are obligate outcrossers. Inbreeding also caused a
      decrease in pollen viability, and reduced female fertility more rapidly than male
      fertility. These phenomena are discussed in terms of two models of genetic load:
      (1) mutational load - homozygosity for recessive embryolethal or sub-lethal
      mutations and (2) segregational load - loss of allelic interactions essential for
      embryonic vigor. Self-infertility in highbush blueberries is placed in the
      context of 'late-acting' self-incompatibility versus 'early-acting' inbreeding
      depression in angiosperms. 

PMID- 24226747
TI  - Predicting cumulated response to directional selection in finite panmictic
      populations.
AB  - Accurate prediction of the cumulated genetic gain requires predicting genetic
      variance over time under the joint effects of selection and limited population
      size. An algorithm is proposed to quantify at each generation the effects of
      these factors on average coefficient of inbreeding, genetic variance, and genetic
      mean, under a purely additive polygenic model, with no mutation, and under the
      assumption of absence of inbreeding depression on viability affecting selection
      differentials. This algorithm is relevant to populations where mating is at
      random and generations do not overlap. It was tested via Monte Carlo simulation
      on a population of 3 males and 25 females mass selected out of 50 candidates of
      each sex, over 30 generations. For two values of the initial heritability of the
      selected trait, 0.5 and 0.9 (to represent high accuracy in index selection),
      predicted values of the genetic variance are in agreement with observed results
      up to the 12th and 19th generations, respectively. Beyond these generations, the
      variance is overestimated, due to an underestimation of the effect of selection
      on the rate of inbreeding. Finally, the algorithm provides predictions of the
      cumulated responses close to the observed values in both selected populations. It
      is concluded that, as regards the hypotheses of the study, the proposed algorithm
      is satisfactory, and could be used to optimize selection methods with respect to
      the cumulated genetic gain in the mid- or long-term. Possible extensions of the
      algorithm to more realistic situations are discussed. 

PMID- 24226748
TI  - Genetic analysis of risk in clonal populations of forest trees.
AB  - A major concern arising from the culture of clonally propagated crops of forest
      trees is risk of catastrophic loss due to an agent or event not anticipated at
      the time of population establishment. Since danger of such a catastrophe depends
      to some degree on the genetic variability within clonal mixtures, attention has
      been focused on the number of clones needed to keep the risk of catastrophic loss
      below specified levels. In this paper, we describe a genetical analysis of
      susceptibility to a destructive agent and the effect that frequency of genes for
      susceptibility have on the number of clones needed to effectively manage this
      risk. As a part of the analysis, parameters representing the minimum unacceptable
      mortality rates in plantations (beta) and acceptable levels of risk (alpha) are
      defined, and their effects on the number of single-pair matings needed for the
      production of clonal stock are evaluated. Dominance and recessive gene action
      models for a single two-allele genetic locus are investigated. Probabilities for
      plantation failure are functions of the gene frequency for the allele conferring
      susceptibility. These functions converge to zero for allele frequencies less than
      beta but to one for frequencies greater than or equal to beta. This convergence
      is periodic rather than monotonie, since probabilities for plantation failure
      increase rather than decrease over restricted ranges of increasing numbers of
      clones. Recessive and dominance gene actions are found to have different effects
      on the minimum number of clones needed to attain acceptable risk levels. For
      conditions in which substantial numbers of clones are required, selecting
      multiple clones per mating is an effective method for reducing the number of
      matings necessary to achieve acceptable risks. 

PMID- 24226749
TI  - Asymptotically efficient partial diallel crosses.
AB  - The asymptotic efficiency of partial diallel crosses is defined, and circulant
      plans having such a property are identified. In the absence of an optimal plan to
      suit his requirements, the breeder should opt for suggested plans to derive
      maximum information for given resources. 

PMID- 24226750
TI  - The equivalence of two linear methods for the improvement of traits expressed as
      ratios.
AB  - Many traits of interest to animal breeders can be expressed as ratios. Yet there
      remains no uniquely agreed upon method for the genetic evaluation for ratio
      traits. To generalize, livestock breeders make direct use of ratios (e.g.,
      feed/gain) or linear approximations to ratios. Dairy breeders, on the other hand,
      tend to use ratios of linear predictors of genetic merit for the evaluation of
      ratio traits (e.g., fat percent). In the present note, we demonstrate that the
      two methods are nearly, though not exactly, identical. The proof relies on the
      expression of the approximate correlation between two ratios. 

PMID- 24226751
TI  - Biomolecular identification of ancient Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA in
      human remains from Britain and continental Europe.
AB  - Tuberculosis is known to have afflicted humans throughout history and re-emerged
      towards the end of the 20th century, to an extent that it was declared a global
      emergency in 1993. The aim of this study was to apply a rigorous analytical
      regime to the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in 77
      bone and tooth samples from 70 individuals from Britain and continental Europe,
      spanning the 1st-19th centuries AD. We performed the work in dedicated ancient
      DNA facilities designed to prevent all types of modern contamination, we checked
      the authenticity of all products obtained by the polymerase chain reaction, and
      we based our conclusions on up to four replicate experiments for each sample,
      some carried out in an independent laboratory. We identified 12 samples that,
      according to our strict criteria, gave definite evidence for the presence of MTBC
      DNA, and another 22 that we classified as "probable" or "possible." None of the
      definite samples came from vertebrae displaying lesions associated with TB.
      Instead, eight were from ribs displaying visceral new bone formation, one was a
      tooth from a skeleton with rib lesions, one was taken from a skeleton with
      endocranial lesions, one from an individual with lesions to the sacrum and
      sacroiliac joint and the last was from an individual with no lesions indicative
      of TB or possible TB. Our results add to information on the past temporal and
      geographical distribution of TB and affirm the suitability of ribs for studying
      ancient TB.

PMID- 24226752
TI  - Elevated first trimester PAPP--a is associated with increased risk of placenta
      accreta.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to determine whether there were
      differences in first trimester serum analytes between cases of placenta previa
      with and without accreta. METHODS: Cases of placenta previa in which the patient
      had first trimester aneuploidy screening were identified. Pregnancy-associated
      plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (fbhCG) MoMs
      were compared with those with an accreta. Accreta cases were also compared with
      published distributions to determine significance and to develop likelihood
      ratios based on MoM values. RESULTS: Eighty-two cases of previa were identified,
      including 16 with a histological diagnosis of placenta accreta. The median PAPP-A
      MoM of 1.68 in accreta was significantly greater than that of 0.98 in non-accreta
      (P = 0.002). For fbhCG, the median MoM was 1.00 and 1.01 in accreta and non
      accreta, respectively. Of the 16 patients with accreta, 14 (87.5%, 95% confidence
      interval: [61.6%, 98.4%]) had PAPP-A MoM above 1.0. Six of 16 (37.5%) accreta
      cases were above the 90th percentile of the unaffected distribution. The
      likelihood ratios for accreta were 0.5, 2.0, and 3.0. PAPP-A MoMs were 0.19,
      2.11, and 4.27, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: First trimester PAPP-A levels may be
      useful in identifying pregnancies at high risk for placenta accreta. Larger
      studies could incorporate both clinical and biochemical data into a risk
      algorithm.

PMID- 24226753
TI  - Molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of feline astrovirus in
      Korean cats.
AB  - Astroviruses (AstVs) are important pathogens associated with enteric diseases in
      humans and other animals. However, most animal AstVs, including feline astrovirus
      (FAstV), are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate
      the prevalence and association of FAstV with enteric diseases in cats, and to
      conduct a molecular analysis of FAstVs, in Korea. Eleven faecal samples from 62
      hospitalised cats at animal hospitals in the Moran market in South Korea tested
      positive for FAstV. The prevalence of FAstV was higher in cats <2 months old
      (25%) than in cats >2 months old (14.3%) (P = 0.31). Diarrhoea and normal faeces
      were observed in 19% (8/42) and 15% (3/20) of cats with FAstV, respectively (P =
      1.00). Amino acid sequences alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis showed that
      FAstVs, including Korean strains, formed a single clade within the
      mamastroviruses. 

PMID- 24226754
TI  - Feline reference intervals for the Sysmex XT-2000iV and the ProCyte DX
      haematology analysers in EDTA and CTAD blood specimens.
AB  - Laser-based haematology analysers are routinely used in veterinary clinical
      pathology laboratories, and are available to practitioners. However, feline
      haematological reference intervals (RIs) determined according to international
      recommendations are, to our knowledge, not available. Furthermore, platelet count
      RI is difficult to establish in cats because of the frequent occurrence of
      platelet aggregation in blood specimens. The purpose of this study was to
      establish feline haematological RIs with the Sysmex XT-2000iV and ProCyte DX
      analysers, in ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and in citrate,
      theophylline, adenosine and dipyridamole (CTAD), which is a combination of
      anticoagulants limiting platelet aggregation. Blood specimens from 120 healthy
      cats were analysed in duplicate, and the degree of platelet aggregation was
      assessed on blood smears. After exclusion of inadequate specimens, 81 sets of
      results (from 44 males and 37 females, aged from 6 to 116 months) were available
      for the determination of RIs by the non-parametric method. The effects of the
      anticoagulant, analyser and aggregation score were assessed. When the aggregation
      effect was significant, the RIs were determined using the subgroup of blood
      specimens with no or little aggregation. The effects of sex, age and weight were
      also investigated, but were moderate. The different RIs obtained with the Sysmex
      XT-2000iV and ProCyte DX analysers, and the two anticoagulants, were very similar
      to previous RIs established in EDTA with the ADVIA 120, another laser-based
      analyser, except for the platelet count in CTAD specimens. Its lower reference
      limit was higher in CTAD vs EDTA specimens, which confirms the interest in this
      anticoagulant in cats. 

PMID- 24226755
TI  - Prevalence of otitis externa in stray cats in northern Italy.
AB  - Feline otitis externa is a dermatological disorder that has not been evaluated
      much in stray cats. One hundred and eighty-seven stray cats were randomly
      selected during a trap-neuter-release programme to investigate the prevalence of
      otitis externa in stray cat colonies in northern Italy. Swabs for cytological
      examination were obtained from the external ear canal of each cat. A direct
      otoscopic assessment of the external ear canal was made in 86/187 cats.
      Cytological evidence of otitis externa was present in 55.1% of cats. The
      influence on otitis of age, gender, habitat and season of sampling was tested,
      but no risk factors were found. Otodectes cynotis (as a sole agent or in
      combination) was the primary cause of otitis in 53.3% of cats. Cocci and rods,
      either alone or in combination with other agents, were perpetuating factors in
      71.8% and 29.1% of cats, respectively. Pregnancy status was a risk factor for
      otitis caused by coccal infections. Malassezia species, alone or in combination,
      was the perpetuating factor in 50.5% of cats with otitis. Urban habitat and
      winter season were risk factors for otitis associated with Malassezia species.
      Demodex cati was identified as an incidental finding in two cats. There was good
      agreement between otoscopy and cytology with regard to the diagnosis of otitis
      externa. The results of this study show a high prevalence of otitis externa in
      stray colony cats and provide information on causal factors for feline otitis
      externa. 

PMID- 24226756
TI  - Addressing women's breast cancer risk and perceptions of control in medical
      settings.
AB  - Many women with family histories of breast cancer deal with two distinct but
      related issues: their objective physical risk and the emotions this risk
      engenders. Studies indicate that approximately 70% of African American and white
      women are concerned about their chances of developing breast cancer someday and
      perceive themselves to be at risk. Health care providers, including
      psychologists, need to be aware of the special needs and psychosocial concerns of
      high-risk women with family histories of breast cancer, since perceptions of
      breast cancer risk influence screening practices. Providers need training in
      understanding the significance of specific family patterns of breast cancer,
      screening guidelines appropriate for women at risk, and the benefits and risks of
      available prevention options, including genetic screening. Delivering accurate
      information about both established risk factors known to elevate personal risk,
      such as age and family history, and factors which women associate with breast
      cancer, such as bumping and bruising a breast, smoking, and oral contraceptive
      use, is essential for promoting accurate risk perceptions and appropriate
      screening schedules. 

PMID- 24226757
TI  - Psychosocial correlates of eczema in a non-treatment-seeking population.
AB  - Data from the Vietnam Experience Study were used to examine psychosocial
      correlates of eczema. Based upon the results of dermatologic examinations, three
      groups of male veterans were identified: (a) subjects with eczema (n = 80), (b)
      subjects with tinea (n = 282), and (c) subjects with no medical diagnosis (n =
      176). These three groups were compared on measures of anxiety, depression,
      hostility, and social support. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule (Version III-A)
      was used to determine diagnoses of anxiety and depression and level of social
      support. MMPI Scales 2 and 7, the Wiggins content scale of Depression, and the
      Cook-Medley Hostility Scale were used to assess anxiety, depression, and
      hostility. Eczema subjects did not differ from tinea or no-disease control groups
      on dependent measures. These results are contrasted with previous studies of
      treatment-seeking patients, which showed greater prevalence of anxiety and
      depression among individuals with eczema. Directions for future research are
      suggested. 

PMID- 24226758
TI  - Interaction of asthmatics and their spouses: A preliminary study of individual
      differences.
AB  - Some asthmatics show evidence of airways reactivity triggered by strong emotions.
      Six case studies of married patients with severe asthma are reported. The
      videotaped interactions of the asthmatic and his/her spouse were coded for affect
      and behavior. Repeated measures of pulmonary function and affective state were
      recorded before and after two interaction tasks. Over the course of the
      experimental period, two patients' pulmonary function improved and four patients'
      deteriorated. In general, decreased pulmonary function was associated with more
      self-rated hostility and depression. The results are discussed in terms of their
      implications for the intra- and interpersonal factors that are important in
      asthma management. 

PMID- 24226759
TI  - Personality disorders and response to outpatient treatment of chronic pain.
AB  - As part of a comprehensive interdisciplinary evaluation conducted prior to
      participation in an outpatient chronic pain treatment program, the psychological
      status of 101 persons was assessed. The majority of participants was found to
      have a form of personality disorder, determined by conservative cutoff scores
      applied to their Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) profiles. DSM-III-R
      Cluster C disorders (i.e., Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Passive
      Aggressive) were overrepresented in this sample. Subsequent analyses revealed
      that personality disorders were related to higher levels of self-reported
      distress and pain at both the beginning and the end of outpatient treatment.
      Differential responses to treatment were observed on self-report measures;
      however, few relations were found between personality disorder and physical
      therapist ratings of impairment and improvement. Implications for the assessment
      of personality disorders in outpatient pain treatment programs are discussed and
      appropriate intervention strategies are considered. 

PMID- 24226760
TI  - Developmental changes of parental-reported sleep disturbance symptoms in children
      with attention deficit disorder.
AB  - The primary goal of this retrospective study was to assess parental report of
      current sleep disorders in school-aged attention deficit disorder (ADD) children,
      as well as recalled sleep problems from when the children were infants (0-12
      months) and toddlers (1-3 years). Results of a sleep questionnaire completed by
      mothers of 48 ADD children and a comparison group of 30 patients with school
      problems indicate that ADD children were perceived to have significantly more
      sleep problems and that these problems had onset in infancy. Specific items in
      the questionnaire which were increased included latency to sleep onset of more
      than 30 min at least 3 nights per week, fatigue upon awakening, and recall of
      nightmares. Pediatric clinicians should be alert to possible sleep disorders in
      children suspected of attention disorders and should consider "sleep hygiene"
      measures as a component of treatment. 

PMID- 24226761
TI  - Prevalence of traumatic brain injury in an inpatient psychiatric population.
AB  - This study investigated the prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an
      inpatient psychiatric population. We hypothesized increased prevalence of TBI
      relative to the general population due to a variety of risk factors observed in
      psychiatric patients. One hundred (mean age = 34) psychiatric inpatients
      completed the revised Head Injury Questionnaire. Chart review of 17 subjects
      reporting injuries established whether injuries were documented in medical
      records. Sixty-eight percent of this psychiatric population reported one or more
      injuries in which they were unconscious or dazed. This number is higher than the
      prevalence in the general population. Injuries were generally of mild to moderate
      severity; multiple injuries were common. Chart review of 17 subjects reporting
      TBI indicated that histories of TBI had not been noted in the medical record.
      Finally, 63% of TBI subjects reported that their injury predated the onset of
      their psychiatric symptoms. These results suggest a possible role of TBI in
      psychiatric symptomatology and have implications for psychiatric treatment in
      this population. 

PMID- 24226762
TI  - Psychological aspects of scuba diving injuries: Suggestions for short-term
      treatment from a psychodynamic perspective.
AB  - Dive medicine is described as an area of practice in which psychologists may
      choose to expand their clinical service and research activities. The author
      argues that most research studying risk behavior and sports take into account
      biological, behavioral or cognitive approaches, while ignoring unconscious
      conflict in risk-taking and injury management. The present paper uses a
      psychodynamically-oriented, interview-based approach to studying psychological
      reactions to decompression sickness in three experienced scuba divers. Brief
      interventions and their outcomes are described. 

PMID- 24226763
TI  - Methods for overcoming methodological problems in the measurement of client
      satisfaction in a clinical psychology practice.
AB  - This study surveyed client satisfaction with an outpatient service in clinical
      psychology at a university-based clinic in New Zealand. In an effort to collect
      honest opinions rather than "grateful testimonials" from clients, special
      consideration was given to the methodology used. In the absence of guidelines on
      how to analyze client satisfaction data, a variety of techniques was developed.
      These methods and analyses are reviewed and recommendations made with regard to
      future use. 

PMID- 24226764
TI  - Long-term prognosis of metacarpal and metatarsal fractures in dogs. A
      retrospective analysis of medical histories in 100 re-evaluated patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Lameness after metacarpal and metatarsal fractures in dogs is
      reported to occur with an incidence of 18% to 70%. On the basis of long-term
      results, the prognosis of these injuries was re-evaluated retrospectively.
      METHODS: Medical records of 100 dogs with complete clinical and radiographic
      follow-up examinations after an average of four years (4 months - 14 years) were
      evaluated. According to their treatment, patients were allocated to three groups
      (Group 1=conservative, Group 2=surgical, Group 3=combined). Assessment included
      complications during the healing period and the final radiographic and functional
      outcome, which was statistically compared for differences between groups (Fisher
      exact test, exact Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test). Further, risk factors for each
      bone were analyzed (stepwise, multiple logistic regression model). In 15 dogs,
      kinetic data (relative stance phase, peak vertical force and impulse) were
      investigated by computed gait analysis. RESULTS: Complications were observed in
      11 of 67 (16%) conservatively, in three of 25 (12%) surgically, and in three of
      eight (37%) conservatively and surgically treated dogs. Overall frequency of
      lameness evaluated by visual clinical assessment was three percent. Frequency of
      osteoarthritis and nonunion was also low, accounting for three percent and one
      percent respectively, although healing of mainly single-bone fractures resulted
      in malunions in 14% radiographically. Synostoses were found in 19% of patients,
      and significantly more frequent in surgically treated dogs. A higher risk of
      complications was identified for metatarsal compared to metacarpal fractures.
      Further, an increased risk for complications was detected for a higher degree of
      displacement and instability. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: According to the long-term
      results found in this study, the prognosis for metacarpal and metatarsal
      fractures is better than reported in the literature to date. With the reservation
      that more severe injuries are generally treated surgically, and these fractures
      more frequently developed synostosis, no significant difference could be detected
      between conservative and surgical treatment.

PMID- 24226765
TI  - Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risk of bladder cancer in the EPIC cohort
      study.
AB  - There is growing evidence of the protective role of the Mediterranean diet (MD)
      on cancer. However, to date no epidemiological study has investigated the
      influence of the MD on bladder cancer. We evaluated the association between
      adherence to the MD and risk of urothelial cell bladder cancer (UCC), according
      to tumor aggressiveness, in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer
      and Nutrition (EPIC). The analysis included 477,312 participants, recruited from
      ten European countries between 1991 and 2000. Information from validated dietary
      questionnaires was used to develop a relative Mediterranean diet score (rMED),
      including nine dietary components. Cox regression models were used to assess the
      effect of the rMED on UCC risk, while adjusting for dietary energy and tobacco
      smoking of any kind. Stratified analyses were performed by sex, BMI, smoking
      status, European region and age at diagnosis. During an average follow-up of 11
      years, 1,425 participants (70.9% male) were diagnosed with a first primary UCC.
      There was a negative but non-significant association between a high versus low
      rMED score and risk of UCC overall (HR: 0.84 [95% CI 0.69, 1.03]) and risk of
      aggressive (HR: 0.88 [95% CI 0.61, 1.28]) and non-aggressive tumors (HR: 0.78
      [95% CI 0.54, 1.14]). Although there was no effect modification in the stratified
      analyses, there was a significant 34% (p = 0.043) decreased risk of UCC in
      current smokers with a high rMED score. In EPIC, the MD was not significantly
      associated with risk of UCC, although we cannot exclude that a MD may reduce risk
      in current smokers. 

PMID- 24226766
TI  - Biogenesis of intronic miRNAs located in clusters by independent transcription
      and alternative splicing.
AB  - miRNAs are generally classified as "intergenic" or "intronic" based upon their
      genomic location. Intergenic miRNAs are known to be transcribed as independent
      transcription units, while intronic miRNAs are believed to be processed from the
      introns of their hosting transcription units and hence share common regulatory
      mechanisms and expression patterns with its host gene. Recent reports in the
      literature suggest that some intronic miRNAs, which do not show concordance in
      expression with their respective host genes, might be transcribed and regulated
      as independent transcription units. However, there is no direct evidence for the
      existence of independently transcribed intronic miRNA in humans to date. We have
      characterized the full-length primary transcripts (pri-miRNAs) of three human
      intronic miRNAs-miR 106b, miR 93, and miR 24-1-by RNA ligase-mediated RACE and
      show that human intronic miRNA can indeed be transcribed as independent
      transcription units. Also, clustered miRNAs are generally believed to arise from
      a common primary transcript and are expected to have similar expression profiles.
      However, we have identified several novel alternatively spliced transcripts by RT
      PCR, each of which harbors a single pre-miRNA from a cluster of closely located
      intronic miRNAs. We show that these transcripts represent unique pri-miRNAs for
      each of these clustered miRNAs. We also report the identification of conserved
      splice acceptor signals which are responsible for maturation of these novel
      splice variants. Our results suggest that alternative splicing might play a role
      in uncoupling the expression of clustered miRNAs from each other, which otherwise
      are generally believed to be co-transcribed and co-expressed. 

PMID- 24226767
TI  - Themis sets the signal threshold for positive and negative selection in T-cell
      development.
AB  - Development of a self-tolerant T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire with the
      potential to recognize the universe of infectious agents depends on proper
      regulation of TCR signalling. The repertoire is whittled down during T-cell
      development in the thymus by the ability of quasi-randomly generated TCRs to
      interact with self-peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
      proteins. Low-affinity TCR interactions with self-MHC proteins generate weak
      signals that initiate 'positive selection', causing maturation of CD4- or
      CD8alphabeta-expressing 'single-positive' thymocytes from CD4(+)CD8alphabeta(+)
      'double-positive' precursors. These develop into mature naive T cells of the
      secondary lymphoid organs. TCR interaction with high-affinity agonist self
      ligands results in 'negative selection' by activation-induced apoptosis or
      'agonist selection' of functionally differentiated self-antigen-experienced T
      cells. Here we show that positive selection is enabled by the ability of the T
      cell-specific protein Themis to specifically attenuate TCR signal strength via
      SHP1 recruitment and activation in response to low- but not high-affinity TCR
      engagement. Themis acts as an analog-to-digital converter translating graded TCR
      affinity into clear-cut selection outcome. By dampening mild TCR signals Themis
      increases the affinity threshold for activation, enabling positive selection of T
      cells with a naive phenotype in response to low-affinity self-antigens. 

PMID- 24226768
TI  - Antibiotics: Killing the survivors.

PMID- 24226769
TI  - The heterotaxy gene GALNT11 glycosylates Notch to orchestrate cilia type and
      laterality.
AB  - Heterotaxy is a disorder of left-right body patterning, or laterality, that is
      associated with major congenital heart disease. The aetiology and mechanisms
      underlying most cases of human heterotaxy are poorly understood. In vertebrates,
      laterality is initiated at the embryonic left-right organizer, where motile cilia
      generate leftward flow that is detected by immotile sensory cilia, which
      transduce flow into downstream asymmetric signals. The mechanism that specifies
      these two cilia types remains unknown. Here we show that the N
      acetylgalactosamine-type O-glycosylation enzyme GALNT11 is crucial to such
      determination. We previously identified GALNT11 as a candidate disease gene in a
      patient with heterotaxy, and now demonstrate, in Xenopus tropicalis, that galnt11
      activates Notch signalling. GALNT11 O-glycosylates human NOTCH1 peptides in
      vitro, thereby supporting a mechanism of Notch activation either by increasing
      ADAM17-mediated ectodomain shedding of the Notch receptor or by modification of
      specific EGF repeats. We further developed a quantitative live imaging technique
      for Xenopus left-right organizer cilia and show that Galnt11-mediated Notch1
      signalling modulates the spatial distribution and ratio of motile and immotile
      cilia at the left-right organizer. galnt11 or notch1 depletion increases the
      ratio of motile cilia at the expense of immotile cilia and produces a laterality
      defect reminiscent of loss of the ciliary sensor Pkd2. By contrast, Notch
      overexpression decreases this ratio, mimicking the ciliopathy primary ciliary
      dyskinesia. Together our data demonstrate that Galnt11 modifies Notch,
      establishing an essential balance between motile and immotile cilia at the left
      right organizer to determine laterality, and reveal a novel mechanism for human
      heterotaxy. 

PMID- 24226771
TI  - Human evolution: Group size determines cultural complexity.

PMID- 24226770
TI  - Commensal microbe-derived butyrate induces the differentiation of colonic
      regulatory T cells.
AB  - Gut commensal microbes shape the mucosal immune system by regulating the
      differentiation and expansion of several types of T cell. Clostridia, a dominant
      class of commensal microbe, can induce colonic regulatory T (Treg) cells, which
      have a central role in the suppression of inflammatory and allergic responses.
      However, the molecular mechanisms by which commensal microbes induce colonic Treg
      cells have been unclear. Here we show that a large bowel microbial fermentation
      product, butyrate, induces the differentiation of colonic Treg cells in mice. A
      comparative NMR-based metabolome analysis suggests that the luminal
      concentrations of short-chain fatty acids positively correlates with the number
      of Treg cells in the colon. Among short-chain fatty acids, butyrate induced the
      differentiation of Treg cells in vitro and in vivo, and ameliorated the
      development of colitis induced by adoptive transfer of CD4(+) CD45RB(hi) T cells
      in Rag1(-/-) mice. Treatment of naive T cells under the Treg-cell-polarizing
      conditions with butyrate enhanced histone H3 acetylation in the promoter and
      conserved non-coding sequence regions of the Foxp3 locus, suggesting a possible
      mechanism for how microbial-derived butyrate regulates the differentiation of
      Treg cells. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanisms by which host
      microbe interactions establish immunological homeostasis in the gut. 

PMID- 24226772
TI  - Antidiabetic effects of glucokinase regulatory protein small-molecule disruptors.
AB  - Glucose homeostasis is a vital and complex process, and its disruption can cause
      hyperglycaemia and type II diabetes mellitus. Glucokinase (GK), a key enzyme that
      regulates glucose homeostasis, converts glucose to glucose-6-phosphate in
      pancreatic beta-cells, liver hepatocytes, specific hypothalamic neurons, and gut
      enterocytes. In hepatocytes, GK regulates glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis,
      suppresses glucose production, and is subject to the endogenous inhibitor GK
      regulatory protein (GKRP). During fasting, GKRP binds, inactivates and sequesters
      GK in the nucleus, which removes GK from the gluconeogenic process and prevents a
      futile cycle of glucose phosphorylation. Compounds that directly hyperactivate GK
      (GK activators) lower blood glucose levels and are being evaluated clinically as
      potential therapeutics for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus. However,
      initial reports indicate that an increased risk of hypoglycaemia is associated
      with some GK activators. To mitigate the risk of hypoglycaemia, we sought to
      increase GK activity by blocking GKRP. Here we describe the identification of two
      potent small-molecule GK-GKRP disruptors (AMG-1694 and AMG-3969) that normalized
      blood glucose levels in several rodent models of diabetes. These compounds
      potently reversed the inhibitory effect of GKRP on GK activity and promoted GK
      translocation both in vitro (isolated hepatocytes) and in vivo (liver). A co
      crystal structure of full-length human GKRP in complex with AMG-1694 revealed a
      previously unknown binding pocket in GKRP distinct from that of the
      phosphofructose-binding site. Furthermore, with AMG-1694 and AMG-3969 (but not GK
      activators), blood glucose lowering was restricted to diabetic and not
      normoglycaemic animals. These findings exploit a new cellular mechanism for
      lowering blood glucose levels with reduced potential for hypoglycaemic risk in
      patients with type II diabetes mellitus. 

PMID- 24226774
TI  - Baryons in the relativistic jets of the stellar-mass black-hole candidate 4U 1630
      47.
AB  - Accreting black holes are known to power relativistic jets, both in stellar-mass
      binary systems and at the centres of galaxies. The power carried away by the
      jets, and, hence, the feedback they provide to their surroundings, depends
      strongly on their composition. Jets containing a baryonic component should carry
      significantly more energy than electron-positron jets. Energetic considerations
      and circular-polarization measurements have provided conflicting circumstantial
      evidence for the presence or absence of baryons in jets, and the only system in
      which they have been unequivocally detected is the peculiar X-ray binary SS 433
      (refs 4, 5). Here we report the detection of Doppler-shifted X-ray emission lines
      from a more typical black-hole candidate X-ray binary, 4U 1630-47, coincident
      with the reappearance of radio emission from the jets of the source. We argue
      that these lines arise from baryonic matter in a jet travelling at approximately
      two-thirds the speed of light, thereby establishing the presence of baryons in
      the jet. Such baryonic jets are more likely to be powered by the accretion disk
      than by the spin of the black hole, and if the baryons can be accelerated to
      relativistic speeds, the jets should be strong sources of gamma-rays and neutrino
      emission. 

PMID- 24226773
TI  - Metabolites produced by commensal bacteria promote peripheral regulatory T-cell
      generation.
AB  - Intestinal microbes provide multicellular hosts with nutrients and confer
      resistance to infection. The delicate balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory
      mechanisms, essential for gut immune homeostasis, is affected by the composition
      of the commensal microbial community. Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) expressing
      transcription factor Foxp3 have a key role in limiting inflammatory responses in
      the intestine. Although specific members of the commensal microbial community
      have been found to potentiate the generation of anti-inflammatory Treg or pro
      inflammatory T helper 17 (TH17) cells, the molecular cues driving this process
      remain elusive. Considering the vital metabolic function afforded by commensal
      microorganisms, we reasoned that their metabolic by-products are sensed by cells
      of the immune system and affect the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory
      cells. We tested this hypothesis by exploring the effect of microbial metabolites
      on the generation of anti-inflammatory Treg cells. We found that in mice a short
      chain fatty acid (SCFA), butyrate, produced by commensal microorganisms during
      starch fermentation, facilitated extrathymic generation of Treg cells. A boost in
      Treg-cell numbers after provision of butyrate was due to potentiation of
      extrathymic differentiation of Treg cells, as the observed phenomenon was
      dependent on intronic enhancer CNS1 (conserved non-coding sequence 1), essential
      for extrathymic but dispensable for thymic Treg-cell differentiation. In addition
      to butyrate, de novo Treg-cell generation in the periphery was potentiated by
      propionate, another SCFA of microbial origin capable of histone deacetylase
      (HDAC) inhibition, but not acetate, which lacks this HDAC-inhibitory activity.
      Our results suggest that bacterial metabolites mediate communication between the
      commensal microbiota and the immune system, affecting the balance between pro-
      and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. 

PMID- 24226775
TI  - Experimental evidence for the influence of group size on cultural complexity.
AB  - The remarkable ecological and demographic success of humanity is largely
      attributed to our capacity for cumulative culture. The accumulation of beneficial
      cultural innovations across generations is puzzling because transmission events
      are generally imperfect, although there is large variance in fidelity. Events of
      perfect cultural transmission and innovations should be more frequent in a large
      population. As a consequence, a large population size may be a prerequisite for
      the evolution of cultural complexity, although anthropological studies have
      produced mixed results and empirical evidence is lacking. Here we use a dual-task
      computer game to show that cultural evolution strongly depends on population
      size, as players in larger groups maintained higher cultural complexity. We found
      that when group size increases, cultural knowledge is less deteriorated,
      improvements to existing cultural traits are more frequent, and cultural trait
      diversity is maintained more often. Our results demonstrate how changes in group
      size can generate both adaptive cultural evolution and maladaptive losses of
      culturally acquired skills. As humans live in habitats for which they are ill
      suited without specific cultural adaptations, it suggests that, in our
      evolutionary past, group-size reduction may have exposed human societies to
      significant risks, including societal collapse. 

PMID- 24226777
TI  - Exposure to seawater stimulates lipid mobilization from depot tissues of juvenile
      coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and chinook (O. tshawytscha) salmon.
AB  - Tissue lipid content and lipolytic enzyme activity was determined in selected
      tissues of coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch, at various developmental stages
      (freshwater parr, freshwater smolt, seawater smolt, and seawater stunt) and in
      tissues of coho salmon and chinook salmon,O. tshawytscha, exposed to seawater
      periodically during smoltification. Among developmental groups, total lipid
      concentration of liver and dark muscle was highest in freshwater (FW) parr. Lipid
      concentration in both liver and dark muscle was significantly lower in FW smolts,
      seawater (SW) smolts and SW stunts; no difference was observed among these
      groups. Alterations in lipid composition were reflected in depot triacylglycerol
      lipase activity. FW smolts, SW smolts and SW stunts displayed significantly
      higher lipase activity than FW parr in each of the tissues examined (live, dark
      muscle and mesenteric fat). Early in smoltification (March, April), exposure to
      seawater results in enhanced lipid depletion from liver, dark muscle and
      mesenteric fat, both 30 and 60 days after exposure, compared to FW controls. This
      depletion was accompanied by increased liver (March and April) dark muscle
      (March) and mesenteric fat (March) lipase activity. Later in smoltification
      (May), salinity-induced alterations in lipid metabolism were not observed. These
      results indicate that exposure to seawater stimulates lipid depletion in juvenile
      salmon and that the depletion can be explained, in part, by increased depot
      lipase activity. Furthermore, these data confirm that metabolic dysfunction is
      associated with stunting. 

PMID- 24226778
TI  - Transepithelial ion exchange in smolting atlantic salmon (Salmo Salar L.).
AB  - Whole-body (but predominantly gill) Na(+) exchange, gill Na(+)/K(+)/ATPase
      activity and seawater tolerance were examined in juvenile Atlantic salmon during
      the smolting period. Transepithelial net Na(+) gain decreased steadily from late
      February showing a net loss in April and early May, returning to approximate
      equilibrium in mid-May. This seasonal net loss of Na(+) to the environment
      occurred slightly after maximal gill epithelial Na(+)/K(+)/ATPase activity and
      preceded maximal seawater tolerance. The results are discussed in relation to
      changes in gill permeability and salt intake via the diet. 

PMID- 24226776
TI  - Activated ClpP kills persisters and eradicates a chronic biofilm infection.
AB  - Chronic infections are difficult to treat with antibiotics but are caused
      primarily by drug-sensitive pathogens. Dormant persister cells that are tolerant
      to killing by antibiotics are responsible for this apparent paradox. Persisters
      are phenotypic variants of normal cells and pathways leading to dormancy are
      redundant, making it challenging to develop anti-persister compounds. Biofilms
      shield persisters from the immune system, suggesting that an antibiotic for
      treating a chronic infection should be able to eradicate the infection on its
      own. We reasoned that a compound capable of corrupting a target in dormant cells
      will kill persisters. The acyldepsipeptide antibiotic (ADEP4) has been shown to
      activate the ClpP protease, resulting in death of growing cells. Here we show
      that ADEP4-activated ClpP becomes a fairly nonspecific protease and kills
      persisters by degrading over 400 proteins, forcing cells to self-digest. Null
      mutants of clpP arise with high probability, but combining ADEP4 with rifampicin
      produced complete eradication of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in vitro and in a
      mouse model of a chronic infection. Our findings indicate a general principle for
      killing dormant cells-activation and corruption of a target, rather than
      conventional inhibition. Eradication of a biofilm in an animal model by
      activating a protease suggests a realistic path towards developing therapies to
      treat chronic infections. 

PMID- 24226779
TI  - Diurnal variations in hypothalamic monoamine levels in the teleostChanna
      punctatus (bloch) in response to melatonin under two photothermal conditions.
AB  - Hypothalamic dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)
      levels exhibited marked day-night variations under ambient photoperiod and
      temperature (12L?12D; 17+/-1 degrees C) with peak values at mid-light phase. The
      16L?8D; 22+/-1 degrees C treatment reversed the diurnal rhythm of 5-HT, but not
      that of DA and NA. However, there was an overall increase in the levels of the
      catecholamines on exposure to the long photoperiod and high temperature. The
      administration of melatonin in the fish held on 16L?8D; 22+/-1 degrees C regime
      restored the 5-HT rhythm to that of the 12L?12D; 17+/-1 degrees C control group,
      but with elevated mid-photophase value. However, there was no effect of the
      indole treatment on the 5-HT rhythm under the 12L?12D; 17+/-1 degrees C regime.
      Melatonin causes a significant reduction of NA level in both the groups, while DA
      level did not change in either group. 

PMID- 24226780
TI  - Effects of diet and feeding time on daily variations in plasma insulin, hepatic c
      AMP and other metabolites in a teleost fish,Dicentrarchus labrax L.
AB  - Juvenile sea bass, 1.5 years old, of mixed sex, held on long photoperiods were
      fed early on the photoperiod and late on the photoperiod, using different diets.
      Fish fed natural diets showed a daily rhythmicity of plasma insulin, liver c-AMP,
      plasma glucose, liver glycogen and muscle glycogen content, however, fish fed a
      commercial diet did not show this daily rhythmicity except for plasma insulin
      levels. In addition, these fish had significantly lower levels of plasma insulin,
      liver c-AMP and plasma glycerol than the group fed on the natural diets at
      similar feeding times. The time of feeding also induced different rhythmicity
      patterns in hormones and metabolites as well as a significant change in their
      mean levels. These facts are discussed in relation with the pre-feeding activity
      and increased appetite exhibited by the fish fed late on the photoperiod and with
      their implications on fish culture. 

PMID- 24226781
TI  - Thyroidal compensation in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fed canola meal.
AB  - Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson) were fed either a soybean mealbased
      (SM) or canola meal-based (CM) diet for up to 20 weeks. Plasma thyroxine (T4) and
      triiodothryonine (T3) levels were significantly lower in the CM-fed fish sampled
      after 12 weeks. However, there appeared to be some compensation after 12 and 20
      weeks in that the thyroid hormone levels in trout fed the CM were not
      significantly different from those of the SM-fed fish. Nevertheless, there was
      marked thyroid hyperplasia and hypertrophy in the CM-fed fish sampled at 12, 16
      and 20 weeks after commencement of the experiment. Moreover, the growth rate was
      significantly lower in the CM-fed fish in comparison to the SM-fed fish
      throughout the 20 week study period.Plasma T4 levels were similar in SM-fed fish
      sampled 12, 16 and 20 weeks after commencement of the experiment, but plasma T3
      levels progressively increased over this period, as did the apparent activity of
      the thyroid tissue based on histological criteria.Fasting for up to 8 weeks
      resulted in the arrested growth of the SM-fed fish, and a loss in body weight of
      the CM-fed animals over the 8 week period of the fast. In addition, the plasma
      thyroid hormone levels in the fasted fish tended to be lower than in fish fed
      both the SM and CM diets prior to fasting, and there was histological evidence
      indicating a reduced activity of the pituitary-thyroid axis. However, thyroid
      hyperplasia and hypertrophy were still evident in the fasted fish previously fed
      the CM diet indicating that the adverse affects of CM diets are not completely
      reversible after 8 weeks.In fish fed the CM diet for 12 weeks and then the SM
      diet for up to a further 8 weeks (diet C-S) there was a compensatory increase in
      plasma thyroid hormone levels evident within 4 weeks after the change in diet,
      but no apparent decrease in thyroid hyperplasia or hypertrophy. In addition, in
      the fish fed the C-S diet there was a marked compensatory growth rate, and an
      increased feed: gain ratio; body weights of this group of fish were not
      significantly different from those of the SM-fed animals after 20 weeks of study,
      indicating a considerably higher growth rate over the last 8 week period. 

PMID- 24226782
TI  - Gonadotropic hormone (GtH) receptors in the testis of the troutSalmo gairdneri:
      in vitro studies.
AB  - A particulate fraction obtained from trout testis at the time of spermiation
      shows saturable binding sites for(125)I-labeled salmon gonadotropin ((125)I-GtH).
      Non-gonadal tissues (liver, muscle and spleen) did not demonstrate specific(125)I
      GtH binding. The tracer's specific activity was determined by the self
      displacement method (18 to 30 MUCi/MUg). Maximal specific binding ability
      of(125)I-GtH varied from 20 to 30% of the labelled ligand added, depending on the
      hormone preparation. Specific binding of(125)I-GtH to 20 mg of the testis
      membrane varied from 40 to 85% of the total binding depending on the method of
      membrane prepratation, and was competitively inhibited by concentrations of
      unlabelled GtH ranging from ca 1 to 1000 ng/ml of incubate. Gonadotropin of
      mammalian origin, ovine TSH or salmon prolactin competed only weakly, or not at
      all, for testicular gonadotropin binding sites (relative potencies s
      GtH>>FSH=hCG>s-PRL>bTSH). Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding studies shows
      that saturable gonadotropin binding was due to a class of high affinity binding
      sites (sites I Ka?3*10(10) M(-1)) and possibly to a second class of lower
      affinity binding sites (sites II Ka=5 to 14*10(8) M(-1)). The binding capacity of
      sites I, as measured in enriched membrane preparations, was 45+/-18 fmoles/g of
      testis during the period of spermiation. The concentration of GtH required to
      obtain half maximal displacement of(125)I-GtH in the binding studies was of the
      same order of magnitude as the apparent ED50 for GtH stimulation of 11
      Cetotestosterone (11KT) secretion by trout testesin vitro. Mammalian LH and FSH
      were 100 to 1000 folds less potent than salmor GtH to increase 11 KT secretion. 

PMID- 24226783
TI  - The fatty acid compositions of established fish cell lines after long-term
      culture in mammalian sera.
AB  - The effect of long-term culture of fish cells in mammalian serum on the
      phospholipid fatty acid composition was investigated. All the cell lines studied
      had much lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than those found in
      intact fish tissues. In particular (n-3) PUFA were considerably depleted in the
      cultured cell lines, leading to very low (n-3)/(n-6) ratios in all the
      phospholipid classes. In general the cells were rich in 18:1, 16:0, 18:0 and 16:1
      with 20:4(n-6) and 22:6(n-3) as the major PUFA. The fatty acid composition
      reflected the composition of the fetal calf serum added to the media rather than
      their fish tissue origins. The results were discussed in relation to the roles of
      PUFA in general cell metabolism and more specifically the role of (n-3) PUFA in
      fish cells. 

PMID- 24226784
TI  - Fatty acid compositions of the major phosphoglycerides from fish neural tissues;
      (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)
      and cod (Gadus morhua) brains and retinas.
AB  - The fatty acid compositions of brain phosphoglycerides from a freshwater fish,
      the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), and a marine fish, the cod (Gadus morhua),
      were determined and compared with those from a terrestrial mammal, the rat. Fish
      brain lipids were characterized by a higher degree of unsaturation encompassing
      increased percentages of (n-3)PUFA (22?6 and 20?5) and lower percentages of (n
      6)PUFA (20?4 and 22?4). However the distribution of fatty acids and specific PUFA
      between different phosphoglycerides was essentially similar in rat and fish brain
      tissue. PE and PS contained the highest percentages of 22?6(n-3), PI was
      characterized by higher 18?0 and 20?4(n-6)/20?5(n-3), and PC had higher 16?0 and
      the lowest percentage of PUFA in all species. A generally similar pattern was
      found in the fish retinal phosphoglycerides except that PC was also rich in
      22?6(n-3). Overall trout brain phosphoglycerides were slightly more unsaturated
      than the cod lipids but with lower (n-3)/(n-6) ratios whereas cod retinal lipids
      were more unsaturated than the trout retinal lipids. 

PMID- 24226785
TI  - Mitochondrial NAD(P)-malic enzyme from herring skeletal muscle : Purification and
      some kinetic and regulatory properties.
AB  - Mitochondrial NAD(P)-dependent malic enzyme [EC 1.1.1.39, L-malate: NAD(+)
      oxidoreductase (decarboxylating)] was purified from herring skeletal muscle to a
      specific activity of 8.2 MUmol/min/mg. The purification procedure involved
      chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Red Agarose and a Sephacryl S-300 with a final
      recovery of 38% of enzyme activity. This enzyme catalyzes the oxidative
      decarboxylation of malate in the presence of either NAD or NADP in the presence
      of Mn(2+). Some kinetic characteristics of this enzyme were determined. The pH
      optimum of activity is 7.0. ATP was shown to be a competitive inhibitor with
      malate. The inhibition by ATP displayed hyperbolic competitive kinetics with a Ki
      (ATP) of 0.28 mM in the presence of NAD and 0.75 mM in the presence of NADP.
      Fumarate reversed ATP inhibition.In vivo, regulation of NAD(P)-dependent malic
      enzyme might respond to changing levels of mitochondrial ATP and fumarate with
      the enzyme undergoing kinetic activation by an increase in the concentration of
      mitochondrial fumarate which could reverse enzyme inhibition by ATP. 

PMID- 24226786
TI  - Respiratory stress in rainbow trout dying from aluminium exposure in soft, acid
      water, with or without added sodium chloride.
AB  - Rainbow trout exposed to 32 MUM aluminium at pH=5.0 in artificial soft water
      ([Ca(++)]=50 MUM), with or without added sodium chloride (150 mM), suffer from
      severe respiratory stress characterized by hyperventilation, low PaO 2, high PaCO
      2, low pHa and high blood lactate concentrations at death. Plasma chloride
      concentration at death had decreased in the group with no added NaCl, but not in
      the presence of added NaCl. Median survival times were not significantly
      different in the two groups. These findings suggest that death under the given
      conditions is primarily due to impeded gas exchange. 

PMID- 24226787
TI  - Influence of pH and temperature on force development and shortening velocity in
      skinned muscle fibres from fish.
AB  - Three species of fish were studied: Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), sculpin
      (Myoxocephalus scorpius) (from the North Sea, temperature 2 to 12 degrees C)
      andNotothenia neglecta (from Antarctica, temperature -2 to +2 degrees C). Single
      fast muscle fibres were isolated from anterior myotomes and skinned with
      detergent in order to directly determine the effects of pH and temperature on
      force production and shortening velocity.In all species maximum force production
      (Po) was independent of pH over the range 7.3-8.0. Decreasing the pH from 7.3 to
      6.6 reduced maximum force by 28% in fibres fromG. morhua andN. neglecta but had
      no effect on fibres fromM. scorpius. The depression in maximum force with
      acidosis was accompanied by a proportional decrease in stiffness and an increase
      in the rate of force recovery after stretch.Unloaded contraction velocity of cod
      fibres (Vmax) showed a pH optimum at around pH 7.6 decreasing by 31% at pH 6.6.
      Vmax of fibres from the other species was independent of pH over the range 6.6
      8.0.The effects of pH on Po and Vmax were similar at 0 and 10 degrees C. Thus for
      maximally activated fibres both force and contraction velocity are independent of
      temperature induced changes in pH. In some species acidosis depresses
      contractility and is likely to be a contributory factor to muscle fatigue. 

PMID- 24226788
TI  - Recurrent melanocytic nevi and melanomas in dermoscopy: results of a multicenter
      study of the International Dermoscopy Society.
AB  - IMPORTANCE Differentiating recurrent nevi from recurrent melanoma is challenging.
      OBJECTIVE To determine dermoscopic features to differentiate recurrent nevi from
      melanomas. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective observational study of
      15 pigmented lesion clinics from 12 countries; 98 recurrent nevi (61.3%) and 62
      recurrent melanomas (38.8%) were collected from January to December 2011. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Scoring the dermoscopic features, patterns, and colors in
      correlation with the histopathologic findings. RESULTS In univariate analysis,
      radial lines, symmetry, and centrifugal growth pattern were significantly more
      common dermoscopically in recurrent nevi; in contrast, circles, especially if on
      the head and neck area, eccentric hyperpigmentation at the periphery, a chaotic
      and noncontinuous growth pattern, and pigmentation beyond the scar's edge were
      significantly more common in recurrent melanomas. Patients with recurrent
      melanomas were significantly older than patients with recurrent nevi (mean [SD]
      age, 63.1 [17.5] years vs 30.2 [12.4] years) (P<.001), and there was a
      significantly longer time interval between the first procedure and the second
      treatment (median time interval, 25 vs 8 months) (P<.001). In a multivariate
      analysis, pigmentation beyond the scar's edge (P=.002), age (P<.001), and
      anatomic site (P=.002) were significantly and independently associated with the
      diagnosis of recurrent melanoma in dermoscopy. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
      Dermoscopically, pigmentation beyond the scar's edge is the strongest clue for
      melanoma. Dermoscopy is helpful in evaluating recurrent lesions, but final
      interpretation requires taking into account the patient age, anatomic site, time
      to recurrence, growth pattern, and, if available, the histopathologic findings of
      the first excision.

PMID- 24226789
TI  - Endovascular management of venous ulcer in a patient with occluded duplicated
      inferior vena cava and review of inferior vena cava development.
AB  - Duplication of inferior vena cava (IVC) is the most common IVC anomaly. We report
      a successful iliac vein and collateral stenting for venous decompression in a
      patient with an occluded right femorocaval graft with a duplicated IVC. We also
      review the literature of embryological development of IVC. 

PMID- 24226790
TI  - Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm: a case report and review of literature.
AB  - We report a case of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) that underwent
      inflammatory transformation which we treated medically with corticosteroids.
      Medical therapy resulted in resolution of presenting symptoms and observed
      inflammatory changes. We review the clinical features, associated pathology,
      diagnostic, and therapeutic options in the management of inflammatory AAA. 

PMID- 24226791
TI  - Wavelength-selective fluorescence as a novel tool to study organization and
      dynamics in complex biological systems.
AB  - The dynamics exhibited by a given component of a large macromolecule such as a
      folded globular protein or an organized supramolecular assembly like the
      biological membrane is a function of its precise localization within the larger
      system. A set of approaches based on the red edge effect in fluorescence
      spectroscopy, which can be used to monitordirectly the environment and dynamics
      around a fluorophore in a complex biological system, is reviewed in this article.
      A shift in the wavelength of maximum fluorescence emission toward higher
      wavelengths, caused by a shift in the excitation wavelength toward the red edge
      of the absorption band, is termed the red edge excitation shift (REES). This
      effect is mostly observed with polar fluorophores in motionally restricted media
      such as very viscous solutions or condensed phases. This phenomenon arises from
      the slow rates of solvent relaxation around an excited-state fluorophore, which
      is a function of the motional restriction imposed on the solvent molecules in the
      immediate vicinity of the fluorophore. Utilizing this approach, it becomes
      possible to probe the mobility parameters of the environment itself (which is
      represented by the relaxing solvent molecules) using the fluorophore merely as a
      reporter group. Further, since the ubiquitous solvent for biological systems is
      water, the information obtained in such cases will come from the otherwise
      'optically silent' water molecules. This makes REES and related techniques
      extremely useful in biology since hydration plays a crucial modulatory role in a
      large number of important cellular events. 

PMID- 24226792
TI  - New fluorescent dyes in the red region for biodiagnostics.
AB  - The increased sensitivity together with the advent of low-cost optical sources
      and detectors in the visible-near IR region has led us to current efforts to
      develop new efficient fluorescent labels for biodiagnostics with absorption and
      emission beyond 600 nm. In view of the general fluorescence decrease with
      increasing emission wavelength, we investigated the possibility to shift the
      absorption of rhodamine dyes toward the region 620-670 nm. The hydrophobic nature
      of all known long-wavelength dyes results in the tendency to form intra- and
      intermolecular aggregates in hydrophilic solvents, especially in aqueous
      environment. Due to the aggregation with biological materials, fluorescence
      quenching of the dyes is often observed. New strategies for prevention of these
      processes are considered. 

PMID- 24226793
TI  - 6-Thioguanine luminescence probe to study DNA and low-molecular-weight systems.
AB  - 6-Thioguanine, an antitumor drug, has been tested as a luminescence probe to
      study DNA and cryoprotector solutions at temperatures between 4.2 and 273 K. The
      electronic structure of the tautomeric and ionic forms of 6-thioguanine is
      studied comprehensively both theoretically and experimentally. An excited-state
      diagram of 6-thioguanine N9H tautomer is proposed. The temperature behavior of 6
      thioguanosine is examined in different cryoprotector solutions and with different
      aggregate states of solvents. Structure and phase transitions in low-molecular
      weight cryoprotectors (glycerol, ethanol, propanediol, DMSO) and their water
      solution are investigated in the 4.2-273 K temperature range. New structural
      transitions in propanediol-water solutions are found in the temperature interval
      10-180 K. DNA solutions are investigated by using 6-thioguanine incorporated in
      DNA by the method of biosynthesis. Phosphorescence intensity curves for 6
      thioguanosine in native DNA manifest peculiarities at 21, 64, 87, 140, 180, and
      268 K. 

PMID- 24226794
TI  - Fluorescence spectroscopy of monoclonal antibodies produced against the
      fluorescyl hapten conjugated through the xanthene ring.
AB  - Two mouse anti-fluorescyl monoclonal antibodies (mAb), clones FL43.1 and FL55.3,
      were produced to the fluorescein hapten, which was conjugated to the carrier
      protein through the 4' position of the xanthene ring. Association constants (K A)
      and thermodynamic parameters for both mAb were ascertained by monitoring the
      steady-state intrinsic and fluorescein fluorescence. Both techniques were in good
      agreement and gaveK A values in the 10(9) M (-1) range. Ligand-induced intrinsic
      fluorescence quenching showed a hypsochromic shift for mAb FL43.1, but not for
      FL55.3, suggesting that the ligand interacts with different tryptophan residues
      in each mAb. Because these mAb are directed toward the phenylcarboxylate portion
      of fluorescein, the different ionic and structural forms should be useful as
      indicators of antibody binding site pH and buffering capacity near the binding
      site. 

PMID- 24226795
TI  - Polarized fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy of 1,32-dihydroxy
      dotriacontane-bis-rhodamine 101 ester. A new and lipid bilayer-spanning probe.
AB  - We report on the properties of 1,32-dihydroxy-dotriacontane-bis-rhodamine 101
      ester (Rh101C32Rh101) in lipid bilayers of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3
      phosphocholine (DOPC) and in liquid solvents. The results are compared with those
      of rhodamine 101 octadecanyl ester (Rh101C18). Both molecules are solubilized in
      the lipid bilayer and the Rh101 moieties are anchored in the lipid-water
      interface, so that the electronic transition dipole moments (S 0 <->S 1) are
      oriented preferentially in the plane of the bilayer. At low concentrations of the
      dyes in lipid bilayers of DOPC, the fluorescence relaxation is single exponential
      with a lifetime of tau=4.9+/-0.2 ns. The relative fluorescence quantum yield of
      PhiC32/PhiC18 ~ 0.95 in DOPC vesicles. These results strongly suggest that only a
      small fraction of the Rh101C32Rh101 molecules are quenched, by, for example,
      intra- or intermolecular dimers in the ground state at mole fractions of less
      than 0.1% in the lipid bilayers. For Rh101C32Rh101 in lipid vesicles, the steady
      state and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropies are compatible with efficient
      intramolecular electronic energy transfer. It is concluded that nearly every
      Rh101C32Rh101 molecule is spanning across the lipid bilayer of DOPC. 

PMID- 24226796
TI  - Spectral inhomogeneity and wavelength-dependent rotation of probe molecules in
      membranes.
AB  - Using subnanosecond laser spectrofluorometry, the spectral and polarization time
      resolved characteristics of 1-phenylnaphthylamine (1-AN) fluorescent probe in
      phospholipid bilayer and red blood cell (RBC) membranes have been studied. It is
      shown that the electronic spectra of the probe in model-membranes are
      inhomogeneously broadened. In contrast to low-molecular weight solvents, there
      are two reasons for inhomogeneous broadening. The first is connected with
      different levels of location of probe molecules in the membrane. Inhomogeneous
      broadening due to the first factor has a static character. The second reason is
      similar to that of solutions and linked with fluctuations of solvate structure.
      This type of broadening has a dynamic character. The process of intermolecular
      relaxation in membranes is accompanied by the release of the free energy excess,
      which results in wavelength-dependent rotation of probe. 

PMID- 24226797
TI  - Electronic absorption and emission spectral data and fluorescence quantum yields
      of bridgedp-oligophenylenes, bi- to deciphenyls, and related furans and
      carbazoles.
AB  - Absorption and fluorescence emission spectral data, as well as fluorescence
      quantum yields (Phif), were determined for 41p-oligophenylene compounds
      containing 2-6, 8, and 10 benzene rings. Of 29 compounds containing carbon
      bridged rings (fluorenes), 28 were dialkylated on each bridge for improved
      solubility and photostability. Absorption maxima for oligophenylenes were
      observed at wavelengths as long as 366 nm, emission maxima to 437 nm, and molar
      extinction coefficients (E) as large as 153,000 L/mol-cm; all three exceeded
      predicted maximum values for the corresponding unbridged oligophenylenes. The
      substitution of furan for benzene or carbazole for a fluorene (two examples each)
      bathochromically shifted absorption and emission maxima. Dialkylated carbon
      bridges bathochromically shifted absorption and emission maxima, and lowered Phif
      in biphenyl and in one terphenyl analogue, but appeared to cause no diminution of
      Phif in higher oligophenylenes. Bis(2-methoxyethyl) substitution on the bridges,
      incorporated to provide solubility in polar solvents, lowered Phif in all
      examples. Tertiary alkyl substituents on terminal rings bathochromically shifted
      the absorption and emission maxima and generally increased Phif. The "loose bolt"
      effect, which lowers Phif in mononuclear substituted benzenes, may operate in 9,9
      dialkylfluorenes, but not in 2,7-di-t-butylfluorene or in higher oligophenylenes.
      Cyclic ether and methoxy substituents as auxofluors on terminal rings generally
      bathochromically shifted absorption and emission maxima and increased E and Phif.
      Cyano substituents bathochromically shifted absorption and emission maxima, and
      increased E, but lowered Phif slightly. 

PMID- 24226798
TI  - The use of parent material/slope positions as soil mapping units in irrigation
      soil surveys of Northern Nigeria.
AB  - The problems of different mapping units which hitherto formed the basis for
      irrigation soil surveys of the savanna landscapes in Nigeria are discussed. Using
      data from a semi-detailed soil survey, the possibility of establishing the major
      variations in soil properties which are relevant to irrigation by using a
      combination of parent material and slope position as mapping units are examined.
      In the mapping units considered, thirteen topsoil and eleven subsoil properties
      are significantly different between mapping units and have smaller variances
      within than between the mapping units. The variations of these topsoil and
      subsoil properties are also adequately accounted for by using parent
      material/slope position as a basis for mapping, suggesting that units based on
      parent material/slope position are of high utility for establishing the
      irrigation potentials of areas at the feasibility level of survey. 

PMID- 24226799
TI  - Butyltin and copper monitoring in a Northern Chesapeake Bay marina and river
      system in 1989: An assessment of tributyltin legislation.
AB  - This study was designed to: (1) evaluate dibutyltin (DBT) and tributyltin (TBT)
      bi-weekly in the water column for four months during the peak boating season
      (June-September, 1989) at seven stations in the Back Creek and Severn River area
      of Maryland waters of Chesapeake Bay; (2) compare butyltin values from the 1989
      study with values obtained from a similar butyltin monitoring study conducted in
      1988 (after Maryland TBT legislation) and 1986 (before Maryland TBT legislation);
      (3) determine the extent of TBT paint use in the Back Creek area by surveying
      boat owners; (4) determine dissolved copper concentrations from three of the
      seven stations bi-weekly during the four-month study; and (5) compare dissolved
      copper concentrations at these stations with previous copper data collected in
      1988.Mean four-month DBT concentrations ranged from 10 to 73 ng/L at the seven
      stations. Highest DBT concentrations occurred at Station 1 in a marina; lowest
      concentrations occurred at Station 7 in the Severn River. Mean four-month TBT
      concentrations ranged from 177 ng/L at Station 1 (marina) to 21 ng/L at Station 7
      (Severn River). Maximum TBT concentrations of 361 and 570 ng/L occurred at marina
      SDtations 1 and 3, respectively. Temporal trends in both DBT and TBT (station
      mean concentrations by date) showed that peak concentrations occurred during the
      early part of the boating season followed by reductions in late summer and early
      fall. Spike concentrations of both DBT (117 and 62 ng/L) and TBT (308 and 366
      ng/L) were reported on two sampling dates near a boat maintenance facility in
      Back Creek.There was a significant reduction in DBT concentrations from 1986 to
      1989 when date was treated as a fixed effect. However, TBT concentrations were
      not significantly reduced between 1986 and 1989 when mean concentrations of TBT
      were averaged across stations and dates for each year. A significant reduction
      was reported at Station 1 (marina station) when each station was examined for
      differences between years. TBT was also reported to significantly decrease
      (p=0.0442) at Station 7 between 1988 and 1989. A boat owner survey in the study
      area showed that 6% of the recreational boats that were surveyed were painted
      with TBT paint in 1989. This was a significant decrease in TBT paint use from the
      previous year when 31% of recreational boat owners surveyed used TBT paints.An
      evaluation of dissolved copper concentrations at three stations in the study area
      in 1989 showed that mean concentrations from bi-weekly sampling for four months
      was 10 MUg/L at Station 1, 7.8 MUg/L at Station 4 and 2.7 MUg/L at Station 7.
      Copper concentrations decreased with distance away from the Back Creek marinas.
      Copper concentrations at all three stations were significantly lower in 1989 than
      in 1988. 

PMID- 24226800
TI  - Economics of ground-water quality monitoring: A survey of experts.
AB  - The cost of a monitoring program can be easily ascertained in terms of the
      expenditures incurred for such items as personnel, supplies, field visits,
      instrumentation and laboratory analyses. The benefits of a monitoring program,
      however, cannot be easily evaluated due to the diversity of objectives for which
      monitoring programs are initiated and operated. The case study and the results of
      the follow-up exploratory survey reported in this paper were intended to capture
      the objective as well as the subjective reasons employed by a group of experts in
      responding to selected socio-economic questions related to the design of
      monitoring programs. Ninety-seven individuals, through a formal questionnaire,
      participated in the survey. They showed definite preferences, although there was
      some variability in responses due to such factors as residential status,
      institutional affiliation, education, and the length of professional experience.
      It was clear that the respondents favored the inclusion of cost-effectiveness
      criteria in monitoring programs; were ambivalent to the idea of initiating a
      regulatory program to monitor the wells of a large number of private owners; and
      if such a program were to be initiated they recommended that individual well
      owners share the bulk of the financial burden. Preliminary results from such
      exploratory surveys can lead to the framing of insightful research questions or
      hypotheses for further evaluation. Confirmatory testing of such questions or
      hypotheses in real world settings is a valuable area for further research. 

PMID- 24226801
TI  - Effects of Cu(2+), Pb (2+) and Zn (2+) on voltage-activated currents in Helix
      pomatia L. Neurons.
AB  - Effects of Cu(2+), Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) were studied on voltage-activated Na-, Ca-,
      and K-currents in snail neurons. It was found that: 1. In normal physiological
      saline Cu(2+), Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) ions exerted complex changes on the total ionic
      currents; 2. All three metal ion have depressed the inward Na-currents but with
      different K D , moreover Pb (2+) increased Na-current at low concentrations (5
      MUM); 3. The inward Ca-current was also reduced. The sequence of the blocking
      effect of metals was different: Pb>Cu>Zn, however the steady-state inactivation
      was influenced only by Cu(2+); 4. Outward currents were decreased in all neurons
      by Cu(2+), but the effects of Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) were either depression or
      enhancement in different indentified neurons; 5. The possibility of binding heavy
      metals to wide variety of membrane proteins and the observed effects on different
      ionic channels suggest that the metal effect is complex and cannot be taken as a
      specific one to a single channel type or site of location. 

PMID- 24226802
TI  - Correlation between environmental parameters and leaf injury in Nicotiana tabacum
      L. cv. 'Bel-W 3'.
AB  - Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. 'Bel-W3') were exposed to ambient air
      for 25 weeks during the 1987 growing season next to an air pollution monitoring
      station in Brera (Milan, Italy). The research objective was to study the
      influence of selected environmental parameters on leaf damage in this plant,
      which is widely used as an ozone indicator. A multiple linear correlation model
      was estimated between leaf damage and available meteorological and air pollution
      data. Leaf injury was positively correlated with ozone integrated exposure and
      temperature, but negatively with vapour pressure deficit. A linear correlation
      model was used to estimate ozone integrated exposure from the leaf injury index. 

PMID- 24226803
TI  - Population Pharmacokinetics of Lumefantrine in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women
      With Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Uganda.
AB  - Pregnancy alters the pharmacokinetic properties of many antimalarial compounds.
      The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of
      lumefantrine in pregnant and nonpregnant women with uncomplicated Plasmodium
      falciparum malaria in Uganda after a standard fixed oral artemether-lumefantrine
      treatment. Dense venous (n = 26) and sparse capillary (n = 90) lumefantrine
      samples were drawn from pregnant patients. A total of 17 nonpregnant women
      contributed with dense venous lumefantrine samples. Lumefantrine pharmacokinetics
      was best described by a flexible absorption model with multiphasic disposition.
      Pregnancy and body temperature had a significant impact on the pharmacokinetic
      properties of lumefantrine. Simulations from the final model indicated 27% lower
      day 7 concentrations in pregnant women compared with nonpregnant women and a
      decreased median time of 0.92 and 0.42 days above previously defined critical
      concentration cutoff values (280 and 175 ng/ml, respectively). The standard
      artemether-lumefantrine dose regimen in P. falciparum malaria may need
      reevaluation in nonimmune pregnant women.CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems
      Pharmacology (2013) 2, e83; doi:10.1038/psp.2013.59; advance online publication
      13 November 2013. 

PMID- 24226804
TI  - Accelerated thrombolysis for pulmonary embolism: will clinical benefit be
      ULTIMAtely realized?

PMID- 24226805
TI  - Randomized, controlled trial of ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed
      thrombolysis for acute intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with acute pulmonary embolism, systemic thrombolysis
      improves right ventricular (RV) dilatation, is associated with major bleeding,
      and is withheld in many patients at risk. This multicenter randomized, controlled
      trial investigated whether ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis
      (USAT) is superior to anticoagulation alone in the reversal of RV dilatation in
      intermediate-risk patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (63+/-14
      years) with acute main or lower lobe pulmonary embolism and echocardiographic RV
      to left ventricular dimension (RV/LV) ratio >=1.0 were randomized to receive
      unfractionated heparin and an USAT regimen of 10 to 20 mg recombinant tissue
      plasminogen activator over 15 hours (n=30; USAT group) or unfractionated heparin
      alone (n=29; heparin group). Primary outcome was the difference in the RV/LV
      ratio from baseline to 24 hours. Safety outcomes included death, major and minor
      bleeding, and recurrent venous thromboembolism at 90 days. In the USAT group, the
      mean RV/LV ratio was reduced from 1.28+/-0.19 at baseline to 0.99+/-0.17 at 24
      hours (P<0.001); in the heparin group, mean RV/LV ratios were 1.20+/-0.14 and
      1.17+/-0.20, respectively (P=0.31). The mean decrease in RV/LV ratio from
      baseline to 24 hours was 0.30+/-0.20 versus 0.03+/-0.16 (P<0.001), respectively.
      At 90 days, there was 1 death (in the heparin group), no major bleeding, 4 minor
      bleeding episodes (3 in the USAT group and 1 in the heparin group; P=0.61), and
      no recurrent venous thromboembolism. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with pulmonary
      embolism at intermediate risk, a standardized USAT regimen was superior to
      anticoagulation with heparin alone in reversing RV dilatation at 24 hours,
      without an increase in bleeding complications. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL:
      http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01166997.

PMID- 24226806
TI  - Prevention and treatment of thrombosis in pediatric and congenital heart disease:
      a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

PMID- 24226807
TI  - Association between insomnia symptoms and mortality: a prospective study of U.S.
      men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Insomnia complaints are common in older adults and may be associated
      with mortality risk. However, evidence regarding this association is mixed. Thus,
      we prospectively examined whether men with insomnia symptoms had an increased
      risk of mortality during 6 years of follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospective
      cohort study of 23,447 US men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-Up
      Study and free of cancer, reported on insomnia symptoms in 2004, were followed
      through 2010. Deaths were identified from state vital statistic records, the
      National Death Index, family reports, and the postal system. We documented 2025
      deaths during 6 years of follow-up (2004-2010). The multivariable-adjusted hazard
      ratios of total mortality were 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.50) for
      difficulty initiating sleep, 1.09 (95% CI, 0.97-1.24) for difficulty maintaining
      sleep, 1.04 (95% CI, 0.88-1.22) for early-morning awakenings, and 1.24 (95% CI,
      1.05-1.46) for nonrestorative sleep, comparing men with those symptoms most of
      the time with men without those symptoms, after adjusting for age, lifestyle
      factors, and presence of common chronic conditions. Men with difficulty
      initiating sleep and nonrestorative sleep most of the time had a 55% (hazard
      ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.19-2.04; P-trend=0.01) and 32% (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95%
      CI, 1.02-1.72; P-trend=0.002) increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality,
      respectively, relative to men without those symptoms. CONCLUSION: Some insomnia
      symptoms, especially difficulty initiating asleep and nonrestorative sleep, are
      associated with a modestly higher risk of mortality.

PMID- 24226809
TI  - Distribution of trace elements in the mammalian retina and cornea by use of
      particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE): localisation of zinc does not correlate
      with that of metallothioneins.
AB  - Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) in combination with 3D depth profiling with
      Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) was used to establish the
      distribution and concentration of trace elements within individual corneal and
      retinal areas in frozen sections from adult male Wistar rats (n = 6). The
      distribution of endogenous trace elements in the cornea and retina is non
      homogenous. The most abundant metal in the cornea is calcium followed by zinc.
      Iron and copper are present in small amounts localised particularly to the
      epithelium. Iron is also identified in keratocytes. Relatively high levels of
      calcium occur in the corneal epithelial cell bodies. Zinc has a wide intense
      distribution across the corneal epithelium (with greater levels in the basal
      part) and posterior stroma. In the retina, zinc is the most common metal followed
      by iron and copper. Relatively high levels of zinc exist in the retinal pigment
      epithelium (RPE), photoreceptor inner segments (RIS) and inner nuclear layer
      (INL). Chelatable zinc was localised with fluorescent TSQ in the RPE, RIS and
      plexiform layers. It is interesting to note that the highest levels of total zinc
      and the greatest intensity of chelatable zinc staining do not coincide. In the
      RPE and corneal epithelium, zinc co-localised with the zinc-containing
      metallothioneins (MT). However, there was a clear mismatch between the
      localisation of the most intense levels of zinc in the neuroretina (i.e. INL) and
      corneal posterior stroma with that reported for MT. For example, the presence of
      zinc is not particularly associated with the retinal ganglion cells, retinal area
      that contains MTs in significant amounts. While high amounts of zinc are present
      in the INL and corneal posterior stroma, which are largely devoid of MTs. This
      probably represents pools of static, catalytic and structural zinc associated
      with substances other than the MTs. 

PMID- 24226808
TI  - High-sensitivity troponin I for risk assessment in patients with atrial
      fibrillation: insights from the Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and other
      Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation (ARISTOTLE) trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity troponin-I (hs-TnI) measurement improves risk
      assessment for cardiovascular events in many clinical settings, but the added
      value in atrial fibrillation patients has not been described. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: At randomization, hs-TnI was analyzed in 14 821 atrial fibrillation
      patients in the Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events
      in Atrial Fibrillation (ARISTOTLE) trial comparing apixaban with warfarin. The
      associations between hs-TnI concentrations and clinical outcomes were evaluated
      by using adjusted Cox analysis. The hs-TnI assay detected troponin (>=1.3 ng/L)
      in 98.5% patients, 50% had levels >5.4, 25% had levels >10.1, and 9.2% had levels
      >=23 ng/L (the 99th percentile in healthy individuals). During a median of 1.9
      years follow-up, annual rates of stroke or systemic embolism ranged from 0.76% in
      the lowest hs-TnI quartile to 2.26% in the highest quartile (>10.1 ng/L). In
      multivariable analysis, hs-TnI was significantly associated with stroke or
      systemic embolism, adjusted hazard ratio 1.98 (1.42-2.78), P=0.0007. hs-TnI was
      also significantly associated with cardiac death; annual rates ranged from 0.40%
      to 4.24%, hazard ratio 4.52 (3.05-6.70), P<0.0001, in the corresponding groups,
      and for major bleeding hazard ratio 1.44 (1.11-1.86), P=0.0250. Adding hs-TnI
      levels to the CHA2DS2VASc score improved c-statistics from 0.629 to 0.653 for
      stroke or systemic embolism, and from 0.591 to 0.731 for cardiac death. There
      were no significant interactions with study treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Troponin-I is
      detected in 98.5% and elevated in 9.2% of atrial fibrillation patients. The hs
      TnI level is independently associated with a raised risk of stroke, cardiac
      death, and major bleeding and improves risk stratification beyond the CHA2DS2VASc
      score. The benefits of apixaban in comparison with warfarin are consistent
      regardless of hs-TnI levels. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL:
      http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00412984.

PMID- 24226810
TI  - Interactions of polymers with reduced graphene oxide: van der Waals binding
      energies of benzene on graphene with defects.
AB  - The interaction of benzene molecules with various defects in graphene is studied
      using density functional theory enhanced by two different recent dispersion
      corrections. Both provide the same qualitative picture: the binding strength of
      benzene to the various defects is governed by steric hindrance. Our first
      principles calculations in combination with a simple model predict reduced
      stabilities of polymer-graphene nanocomposites made of reduced graphene oxides
      depending on the defect density. Above ~15% defect coverage the interaction is
      lowered to roughly one third as compared to pristine graphene.

PMID- 24226811
TI  - The tangible common denominator of substance use disorders: a reply to
      commentaries to Rehm et al. (2013a).
AB  - In response to our suggestion to define substance use disorders via 'heavy use
      over time', theoretical and conceptual issues, measurement problems and
      implications for stigma and clinical practice were raised. With respect to
      theoretical and conceptual issues, no other criterion has been shown, which would
      improve the definition. Moreover, heavy use over time is shown to be highly
      correlated with number of criteria in current DSM-5. Measurement of heavy use
      over time is simple and while there will be some underestimation or
      misrepresentation of actual levels in clinical practice, this is not different
      from the status quo and measurement of current criteria. As regards to stigma,
      research has shown that a truly dimensional concept can help reduce stigma. In
      conclusion, 'heavy use over time' as a tangible common denominator should be
      seriously considered as definition for substance use disorder. 

PMID- 24226812
TI  - Self-intoxication with baclofen in alcohol-dependent patients with co-existing
      psychiatric illness: an emergency department case series.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics and management of
      alcohol-dependent patients with co-existing psychiatric illness seen after self
      intoxication with oral baclofen in an emergency department (ED). METHODS: A
      retrospective review of medical records of such patients over a 12-month period
      from January 2012. RESULTS: Twelve such patients were identified, median age 39.5
      years. The median supposed ingested dose of baclofen was 340 mg (range 140-800
      mg). Three patients who had co-ingested benzodiazepines had a decreased level of
      consciousness (Glasgow Coma Scale <8) and flumazenil had been given to reverse
      coma. Blood alcohol concentration, requested for all patients, was positive in
      three (ranging from 153 to 495 mg/100 ml). Gastric lavage was performed in two
      cases. All patients made a full recovery. They were discharged from the ED or
      intensive care unit after psychiatric assessment. CONCLUSION: Baclofen overdose
      affects the autonomic and central nervous system. Supportive care is symptom
      based. Care should be taken when prescribing baclofen with other central nervous
      system depressants and to patients with past attempted suicide.

PMID- 24226813
TI  - Excellent electrochemical properties of yolk-shell LiV3O8 powder and its
      potential as cathodic material for lithium-ion batteries.

PMID- 24226814
TI  - A new type of DNA "light-switch": a dual photochemical sensor and metalating
      agent for duplex and G-quadruplex DNA.
AB  - Ru(bpy)2dppz, a well studied "light-switch" metal complex, transforms into a
      photochemical "light-switch" and DNA damaging agent by incorporating structural
      strain. This distorted compound is photoreactive and ejects a ligand upon binding
      duplex and G-quadruplex DNA, producing a reactive metal center that metalates the
      DNA. 

PMID- 24226815
TI  - Transgenic Brassica napus plants obtained by cocultivation of protoplasts with
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Hypocotyl protoplasts of German winter oilseed, rape (Brassica napus) lines of
      double-low quality were transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring
      pGV 3850?1103 neo (dimer) containing chimaeric kanamycin resistance reporter
      genes. Transformed protoplasts were regenerated to fertile and phenotypically
      normal plants. Transformation was confirmed by kanamycin resistance, nopaline
      production, neomycinphosphotransferase II activity, and Southern blot
      hybridization. Seed progeny from self-pollinated transformants expressed the
      introduced kanamycin resistance as a Mendelian trait. 

PMID- 24226816
TI  - Kanamycin sensitivity of cultured tissues of Vitis.
AB  - The kanamycin sensitivity of callus growth and adventitious shoot and root
      formation was studied in several cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. and in V.
      rupestris Scheele cv. St. George to investigate the suitability of kanamycin
      resistance as a selectable marker for grape transformation. Kanamycin
      concentrations ranged from 0 to 30 mg/l. Carbenicillin was added to the medium in
      all experiments at concentrations of 500 or 250 mg/l, as normally used in
      cocultivation experiments with Agrobacterium. Callus formation, root initiation,
      and adventitious shoot formation were completely inhibited by 20, 10, and 7 mg/l
      kanamycin, respectively; suggesting that these are the minimum concentrations
      that should be necessary to select transformed plants. Carbenicillin produced
      inhibitory effects that sometimes resembled those of growth regulators. The high
      kanamycin sensitivity of adventitious shoot formation in grape exceeds that
      reported for any other plant species and is likely to hinder the recovery of
      transformed plants. 

PMID- 24226817
TI  - Atrazine and diuron resistant plants from photoautotrophic protoplast-derived
      cultures of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.
AB  - Atrazine and diuron resistant clones were isolated from diploid photoautotrophic
      protoplastderived colonies of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. Protoplasts were
      mutagenised with 0.1 mM N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and colonies were screened for
      resistance after plating. Selection of calli was carried out on their ability to
      grow and green on a selective medium containing either atrazine or diuron. Plants
      were regenerated from most tolerant calli. Herbicide spray showed that plants of
      6 and 4 clones were resistant to atrazine and diuron, respectively. 

PMID- 24226818
TI  - Transformation of Cucumis sativus tissue by Agrobacterium tumefaciens and the
      regeneration of transformed plants.
AB  - Cotyledons of cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Poinsett 76) were co
      cultivated with disarmed Agrobacterium strain C58Z707. The Agrobacterium strain
      contained the Agrobacterium-derived binary vector plasmid pGA482, its T-DNA
      region contains a plant expressible bacterial derived neomycin phosphotransferase
      II (NPT II) gene which upon transfer, genome integration, and expression in plant
      tissues confers resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin. After growth of
      inoculated cotyledon sections on selective medium containing 100 mg/l kanamycin,
      transformed embryogenic calli were obtained followed by the development of
      embryos and plant regeneration. Transformed R0 and R1 cucumber plants appeared
      normal and tested positive for NPT II enzyme activity. Genomic DNAs isolated from
      the NPT II positive plants all showed hybridization to the characteristic 2.0 kb
      (BamHI to HindIII) NPT II gene-containing fragment. These results show that the
      Agrobscterium-mediated gene transfer system and regeneration via somatic
      embryogenesis is an effective method for the transfer of genetic material into
      plant species belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. 

PMID- 24226819
TI  - Transmission of paternal chloroplasts in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).
AB  - Medgyesy et al. (1986, Mol. Gen. Genet. 204, 195-198) have described in Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia and in an interspecific cross involving N. plumbaginifolia and N.
      tabacum a procedure for selecting cell lines derived from seedlings carrying
      paternal chloroplasts by taking advantage of a plastid-encoded mutation which
      confers resistance to streptomycin. We have extended their demonstration of
      occasional transmission of chloroplasts through pollen to the case of an
      intraspecific cross in N. tabacum. The line used as maternal parent, ITB19(sua),
      displayed a cytoplasmic male sterility due to the presence of a cytoplasm
      originating from N. suaveolens. The line used as paternal parent, SR1, was
      fertile and possessed mutant chloroplasts conferring resistance to streptomycin.
      From cell lines derived from 204 seedlings, three were regenerated into
      streptomycin-resistant buds. The plants derived from these three clones were male
      sterile. Their progeny, after crossing with a wild type tobacco line, XHFD8, was
      resistant to streptomycin. Tests of resistance of the seedlings to tentoxin and
      restriction analyses of the chloroplast DNA indicated that two clones still had
      the maternal chloroplasts and were thus probably new streptomycin-resistant
      mutants, whereas the third one had acquired the chloroplasts of the paternal
      parent, but had retained the mitochondria of the maternal parent. 

PMID- 24226820
TI  - Fertile Indica rice plants regenerated from protoplasts isolated from microspore
      derived cell suspensions.
AB  - Rice plants (Oryza sativa L., Chinsurah Boro II var. Indica) were regenerated
      from protoplasts isolated from microspore derived cell suspensions. A simple
      procedure for the establishment of such cell suspension cultures from embryogenic
      microcallus derived from cultured isolated microspores of Indica-type rice is
      described. Regenerating protoplasts could readily be isolated from 5-12 months
      old cell suspensions showing visible colony formation in the range of 180-1050
      colonies/10(6) protoplasts after about one month in culture. More than 100
      independent green plantlets were regenerated via secondary embryogenesis from ca
      20*10(6) protoplasts. Out of 32 plants grown to maturity under greenhouse
      conditions 24 were fertile. 

PMID- 24226821
TI  - The accumulation of podophyllotoxin-beta-D-glucoside by cell suspension cultures
      derived from the conifer Callitris drummondii.
AB  - Podophyllotoxin was produced by cell cultures derived from needles of Callitris
      drummondii. The needles of this conifer contained 1.56% podophyllotoxin on a dry
      weight basis, 32% being present in the beta-glucosidic form. Trace amounts of
      desoxypodophyllotoxin and matairesinol were also detected. In dark-grown cell
      cultures, ca. 0.02 % podophyllotoxin was accumulated, 85-90 % in the beta-D
      glucosidic form. Moreover, traces of the lignans matairesinol, hinokinin and
      asarinin were detected. Illumination stimulated the endogenous production of
      podophyllotoxin-beta-D-glucoside; contents of up to 0.11 % could be measured. 

PMID- 24226822
TI  - Production of canthin-6-one alkaloids by cell suspension cultures of Brucea
      javanica (L.) Merr.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. were used to determine
      culture growth characteristics and production of canthin-6-one alkaloids. The
      major alkaloids produced were canthin-6-one, 11-hydroxycanthin-6-one, 5
      methoxycanthin-6-one and 11-methoxycanthin-6-one. Alkaloids were synthesised
      throughout the 36 day growth cycle of the cells with maximum amounts within the
      cells occurring between days 20 to 28; approximately 10% of the alkaloids were in
      the medium at day 24 rising to 45% at day 32. 

PMID- 24226823
TI  - Wheat germ agglutinin in wheat seedling roots: induction by elicitors and fungi.
AB  - Treatment of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings with elicitors originating
      from either plant or fungal cell walls induces about a 2-fold increase of wheat
      germ agglutinin (WGA) in the roots. While the WGA content in roots of healthy
      plants normally decreases as a function of germination time, a transient
      accumulation of WGA could be observed in plants challenged with different fungi,
      including Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium culmorum, Pythium ultimum and Neurospora
      crassa. Peak levels in challenged roots were 2 to 5 times as high as in control
      plants. Most of this induced WGA could be released from the roots by soaking them
      in a solution of the hapten N-acetylglucosamine. On the basis of the results
      obtained it is postulated that WGA may be involved in the defence of wheat
      against fungal attack. 

PMID- 24226824
TI  - Plant regeneration from root callus protoplasts of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus
      L.).
AB  - Callus protoplasts of sour cherry clone CAB4D entered sustained division in
      Murashige and Skoog's (1962) medium with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, 6
      beneylaminopurine and zeatin. Further to callusing, organogenesis was induced
      from the protoplastderived callus, in a basal regeneration medium with these same
      growth regulators at 0.01 mg/l, 2,0 mg/l and 0.05 mg/l, respectively. The
      regeneration pathway, from such callus, could be altered by adding different
      organic compounds to this medium. Casein hydrolysate, added alone, promoted
      rhizogenesis, with shoot buds regenerated from the protoplast-derived roots,
      while in a basal regeneration medium with casein hydrolysate and a group B
      vitamin mixture direct caulogenesis occurred. 

PMID- 24226825
TI  - Evidence for quantitative responses during co-culture of Pyrus communis
      protoplasts and Erwinia amylovora.
AB  - Mesophyll protoplasts were isolated from axenic shoot cultures of pear cultivars,
      exhibiting different degrees of susceptibility to fire blight infection at the
      whole plant level and they were co-cultured with the wild-type strain CFBP 1430
      of Erwinia amylovora, and with an avirulent transposon mutant of the former (PMV
      6046). Results, as assessed in terms of the effects of bacteria on protoplast
      viability, the time to the onset of divisions, the percentage of the originally
      cultivated protoplasts that divided once and of those proliferating to give 10
      cell colonies, correlated with field resistance to fire blight of the respective
      pear genotypes. These results might provide a model for a better understanding of
      the interaction between pear and E. amylovora. 

PMID- 24226826
TI  - Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Pisum sativum L. using
      binary and cointegrate vectors.
AB  - Epicotyl segments and nodus expiants from etiolated seedlings of Pisum sativum
      were transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains GV 2260 (p35S GUS INT)
      and GV 3850 HPT carrying either a neomycin- or hygromycinphosphotransferase-gene
      as selectable markers. The transgenic character of hygromycin- or kananamycin
      resistant tissue was confirmed by detection of nopaline or
      neomycinphosphotransferase-II- and beta-glucuronidase activity in crude extracts
      of resistant tissues. Up to 5 % of developing shoots from shoot proliferating
      nodi were regenerated via organogenesis to kanamycin-resistant plantlets.
      Transformation frequency in vitro was found to be influenced by expiant source,
      A. tumefaciens strain, pea genotype and duration of cocultivation. Acetosyringone
      did not increase the transformation rate. 

PMID- 24226827
TI  - Rapid multiplication of adventitious somatic embryos in peach and nectarine by
      secondary embryogenesis.
AB  - Somatic embryos were multiplied by secondary embryogenesis in cotyledonary
      cultures of peach and nectarine (Prunus persica L.) using a simplified culture
      medium for immature seeds. A three-stage process with an initial callus phase was
      established in darkness on a medium containing basal salts (modified MS)
      supplemented with 2,4-D (5 mg/l), Kn (2 mg/l) and BAP (2 mg/l) and casein
      hydrolysate (500 mg/l). This was followed by a growth regulator-free medium with
      activated charcoal for the adventitious and direct multiplication of somatic
      embryos under continuous light. Somatic embryos (10-15) originated from the
      epidermal layer of primary somatic embryos of 4-6 mm size. The incidence of
      morphologically abnormal embryos was reduced by subculturing every 20 days. Calli
      which were isolated and grown on a 2,4-D medium were more embryogenic than those
      on NAA. These embryos multiplied continuously for more than 10 months by a
      repetitive somatic embryogenic process. A third stage medium, supplemented with
      BAP (2 mg/l), was required for axis elongation, germination and transfer to soil.

PMID- 24226828
TI  - The effect of antibiotics on the inhibition of callus induction and plant
      regeneration from cotyledons of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.).
AB  - Callus induction and plantlet regeneration from cotyledonary expiants of
      sugarbeet was observed utilizing two media formulations, MS and a modified MS
      termed RVIM both supplemented with 1.0 MUg/ml BAP as the sole growth regulator.
      Callus induction was genotype dependent The USDA line 8787 produced the highest
      response for callus induction followed by 'Betaseed 4587' and the USDA line C600.
      This order was conserved on both media formulations. Shoot induction was
      consistently higher averaging 32% from the RVIM formulation over the 3 genotypes
      compared to 25% from MS. The antibiotics geneticin, gentamycin, hygromycin,
      kanamycin and phleomycin were screened with the modified RV system utilizing
      'Betaseed 4587'. Callus growth was inhibited by levels of 50 MUg/ml geneticin,
      150 MUg/ml gentamycin, 10 MUg/ml hygromycin, 150 MUg/ml kanamycin and 20 MUg/ml
      phleomycin. The results indicate that the concentrations of antibiotics used to
      inhibit callus induction will be sufficient for use as selectable markers in
      transformation experiments with Beta vulgaris. 

PMID- 24226829
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from seedling cotyledons of
      Stylosanthes guianensis, S. macrocephala and S. scabra.
AB  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts is a prerequisite to the production of
      modified plants using somatic hybridization and transformation. Whole plant
      regeneration was achieved from protoplasts isolated from seedling cotyledons of
      Stylosanthes guianensis, S. macrocephala and S. scabra, three economically
      important species of this tropical forage legume genus. The effects of both
      protoplast density and protoplast culture method on cell division and plating
      efficiency are presented. 

PMID- 24226830
TI  - Suspension feeding in ciliated protozoa: Functional response and particle size
      selection.
AB  - The quantitative uptake of latex beads of different sizes and of live cells by 14
      species of ciliates was studied. The functional response (uptake rate as function
      of food particle concentration) can be fitted to a hyperbolic function and this
      can be explained in terms of the function of the mouth apparatus. Each species
      shows a distinct size spectrum of particles which are retained and ingested.
      These size spectra may be explained by mouth morphology, and particle size
      selection may play a role for niche separation of coexisting ciliates. Most
      bacterivorous holotrich ciliates retain particles down to 0.2MUm and in one case
      down to 0.1MUm; they retain particles between 0.3 and 1MUm most efficiently. The
      spirotrich ciliates investigated do not retain particles smaller than 1-2MUm. 

PMID- 24226831
TI  - Suspension feeding in ciliated protozoa: Feeding rates and their ecological
      significance.
AB  - The quantitative uptake of suspended particles has been studied in 14 species of
      ciliated protozoa in terms of the maximum rate of water cleared at low particle
      concentrations and of the maximum ingestion rate at high particle concentrations.
      The results, supported by data from the literature, show that ciliates which feed
      on larger particles (> 1-5MUm) compare favorably with metazoan suspension feeders
      with respect to the ability to concentrate dilute suspensions of particles.
      Species specialized on smaller food particles (0.2-1MUm), the size range of most
      bacteria in natural environments, require a higher concentration of particles.
      Bacterial population densities which can sustain ciliate growth are found in
      sediments, waters rich in organic material, and in the early successional stages
      of decomposing organic material. This is not the case in open waters in general
      where bacterivorous ciliates cannot play a role as grazers of bacteria. 

PMID- 24226832
TI  - Microspatial heterogeneity in the distribution of ciliates in a small pond.
AB  - Five transects of contiguous samples from the surface of a small pond and one
      transect from its bottom were collected in order to quantify microspatial
      heterogeneity in the distribution of ciliated protozoa. Examination of the
      frequency-abundance relations for these transects suggests that they can be
      approximated by negative binomial distributions with a commonk of 1.87.
      Contagiousness or crowding increases with population density.Mean patch size and
      mean interpatch distance were measured for 4 transects as 1.5 to 2 cm and 3 to 4
      cm, respectively. This heterogeneity is suggested to arise from behavioral
      aggregation about discrete food sources and be very ephemeral.Blocking of
      adjacent contiguous samples was used to investigate the effect of sample size on
      the apparent correlation between the numbers of pairs of taxa. In all cases
      examined, taxa were relatively independent in their distribution at small sample
      sizes and became more negatively or positively associated as samples were
      combined. This may reflect that the small scale patches are essentially
      monospecific. 

PMID- 24226833
TI  - Use of numerical profiles for studying bacterial diversity.
AB  - A total of 308 bacteria were isolated from oil-storage tanks. Of these 20% were
      unidentifiable, even at the generic level. A numerical scoring method
      differentiated between the isolates and was used to estimate the diversity of the
      bacterial communities in the tanks over a period of 11 months. Although the
      scoring method suggested a higher diversity than did conventional identification,
      there was some consistency in the results produced by the two approaches. It is
      suggested that a scoring method based on only nine tests could be useful for
      estimating and comparing bacterial diversity in other habitats. 

PMID- 24226834
TI  - Occurrence ofAeromonas hydrophila in limnetic environments: Relationship of the
      organism to trophic state.
AB  - The densities ofAeromonas hydrophila in various natural waters were found to be
      strongly correlated with a relative index proposed for use in trophic state
      assessments of fresh waters. No such correlation was found with the recoverable
      heterotrophic population of whichA. hydrophila is a part.A. hydrophila was found
      to be seasonally distributed with maximal densities occurring during summer
      through early fall. It was also found to be spatially distributed within a pond
      with the most consistent densities occurring from 1 m depth down to that depth in
      the water column where the temperature reaches 16 degrees C. The densities of the
      organism correlated most strongly with total phosphorus, chlorophylla, and Secchi
      depth. Moderate correlations were found with dissolved phosphorus, Kjeldahl
      nitrogen, and dissolved organic carbon. Little or no correlation was obtained
      with ammonia, orthophosphate, pH, alkalinity, or dissolved oxygen. The
      discriminating ability that theA. hydrophila density measurements provide in the
      oligotrophic through mesotrophic range appears to exceed those of presently
      available methods. The facility and sensitivity of the enumeration method forA.
      hydrophila should make it a useful tool for trophic state assessments. 

PMID- 24226835
TI  - Composition of the saprophytic bacterial communities in freshwater systems
      contaminated by heavy metals.
AB  - The bacterial communities of three aquatic systems were analyzed in order to
      compare the influence of heavy metals. The first system was a sedimentation pond
      in a zinc-copper factory. The second was the bank of the Belgian river Meuse
      covered by the mossPlatyhypnidium riparioides (Hedw.) Dix. contaminated with
      heavy metals. The third was the bank of the same river covered by the same
      uncontaminated moss.The study was focused mainly on cadmium.The reciprocal
      averaging method showed that some bacterial strains could develop in very high
      concentrations of cadmium, but their physiological characteristics were not the
      same as those of the sensitive strains. In addition, the characteristics of the
      resistant strains depended on the environment. Correlation between resistance to
      heavy metals and to antibiotics was observed but was not the same in all
      communities. The density of resistant strains was roughly related to the level of
      toxicity in the environment. 

PMID- 24226836
TI  - Positional variation in phylloplane microbial populations within an apple tree
      canopy.
AB  - Variation in density of epiphytic yeasts, filamentous fungi, and bacteria on
      apple leaves collected from eight trees at nine dates for two seasons was
      determined with respect to three positional factors: height, compass direction
      from the center of the tree, and lateral proximity to the canopy periphery.
      Univariate analyses of variance were performed on each of the microbial classes
      for each date according to a model that excluded tree effect but accounted for
      the positional factors with interactions. The assumption of no tree effect was
      explored by residual analysis and examination of the seasonal pattern of
      microbial densities for each tree. No persuasive evidence was obtained to
      invalidate this assumption. For filamentous fungi and yeasts, height and lateral
      position were the most significant factors withp<0.05 for yeasts at several
      periods. The two factors appeared to be of equal importance. Trends were less
      clear for bacteria, but all three positional factors and some two-way
      interactions seemed of some importance. For filamentous fungi and bacteria,
      frequently no factors were significant at a level of 0.10, but at almost all
      sampling dates certain positional factors and interactions were significant at a
      level of 0.25. Inspection of partial correlation coefficients indicated no
      apparent linear association between densities of most pairs of microbial classes.
      Implications of these results for experimental design and for the microbial
      ecology of the phylloplane community are discussed. 

PMID- 24226837
TI  - Bacterial symbionts on green hydra and their effect on phosphate uptake.
AB  - Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria (1.5-2MUm long and 0.5MUm wide) have been found
      associated with green hydra. They are always present on the hydra surface
      delineating the ectodermal cells, on animals in culture, and also on those
      sampled from a natural habitat. The bacteria could be removed by a 30-min
      treatment with antibiotics (50MU/ml polymyxin B and 50MU/ml streptomycin).
      Antibiotic-treated hydra took up 55% less phosphate from the medium than control
      hydra. The nutritional relationship between the bacteria and green hydra and
      possible routes of infection of the hydra by these prokaryotic symbionts are
      discussed. Their importance in interpreting results of certain types of
      physiological experiments using aquatic organisms is emphasized. 

PMID- 24226838
TI  - [Alternative splicing--principles, functional consequences and therapeutic
      implications].
AB  - Protein-coding genes in higher eukaryotes are transcribed as pre-mRNA in which
      the coding regions (exons) are separated by non-coding segments (introns). The
      exons are connected to form the mature mRNA in a process called splicing. In the
      case of alternative splicing an exon can be either included or skipped from the
      mature transcript leading to formation of several mRNAs from a single pre-mRNA.
      As over 90 % of all human genes are alternatively spliced, alternative splicing
      dramatically increases proteome diversity and fulfills important regulatory
      functions. This is underlined by mutations that interfere with splicing
      regulation and directly correlate with the formation of several diseases.
      Correction of these disturbed splicing processes has emerged as a promising
      therapeutic concept and has led to the development of several drugs that are
      currently being tested in clinical trials. 

PMID- 24226839
TI  - First trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein is not raised in pregnancies
      with open spina bifida.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Two recent studies have suggested that maternal serum alpha
      fetoprotein (AFP) levels are increased in the first trimester of pregnancies in
      which the fetus has an open spina bifida. This is contrary to previously
      published studies. This study assesses further whether maternal serum AFP is
      elevated in the first trimester in cases with open spina bifida. METHODS: Cases
      with open spina bifida were identified from our fetal database, and corresponding
      first trimester screening samples were retrieved and analysed for maternal serum
      AFP. A control group was selected by taking three samples matched for gestational
      age (exact day), ethnicity and smoking status and received in the laboratory on
      the same day. AFP was measured with the Kryptor platform and free beta-hCG and
      pregnancy-associated plasma protein A results were available from the fetal
      database. RESULTS: Thirty-nine open spina bifida cases were identified with a
      control group of 126 cases. The median multiple of the median AFP in the cases
      were not significantly different from the controls (0.92 vs 1.06 p = 0.3511) as
      was the case for free beta-hCG (0.87 vs 0.95 p = 0.7146) and pregnancy-associated
      plasma protein A (1.04 vs 1.04 p = 0.261). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that
      maternal serum biochemical markers in the first trimester are unable to
      distinguish cases in which the fetus has open spina bifida.

PMID- 24226840
TI  - Editor's note.

PMID- 24226841
TI  - Introduction to the special issue on "psychological research and practice in
      organ transplantation".
AB  - This paper provides a brief overview of articles in this Special Issue on
      "Psychological Research and Practice in Organ Transplantation." The articles
      provide empirical information on the psychological adaptation of transplant
      candidates and recipients, as well as addressing the myriad ethical and clinical
      issues evident in the field of organ transplantation. Heart, liver, lung, kidney,
      and bone marrow transplantation for children and adults has increased in
      frequency in recent years, and the articles address the need for more
      sophisticated and comprehensive assessment of psychological concomitants. The
      Guest Editor's "Top Ten" list of research needs which transplantation
      psychologists might further address is discussed in this article. 

PMID- 24226842
TI  - Psychological adjustment of pediatric lung transplantation candidates and their
      parents.
AB  - Investigated psychological functioning of 45 children and adolescents (ages 5 to
      17 years) and their parents presenting at a major medical center for evaluation
      for lung transplantation. Patients completed self-reports, and parents completed
      measures on their children's behavior problems and emotional distress as well as
      on their own symptoms of distress. In general, children and their parents
      reported normal functioning on standard psychological measures. Few children fell
      in the clinically significant range, whereas 21% of mothers and 14% of fathers
      reported clinically significant levels of distress. Older children reported lower
      levels of depressive symptoms than younger children, and patients with cystic
      fibrosis manifested lower levels of internalizing symptoms than those with other
      pulmonary diseases. Findings demonstrate the resiliency of children and their
      parents facing a stressful point in the child's medical status and document the
      usefulness of psychological screening of patients and parents to identify those
      in need of clinical intervention. 

PMID- 24226843
TI  - Psychological adjustment of children in the pretransplant phase of bone marrow
      transplantation: Relationships with parent distress, parent stress, and child
      coping.
AB  - Families of 22 children preparing to undergo bone marrow transplantation (BMT)
      provided information concerning parent-reported major negative life stress, child
      coping strategies, parental psychological symptomatology, and child adjustment.
      Immediately prior to BMT, children and families are confronted with multiple
      stresses which challenge the child's coping and strain the parents' ability to
      assist the child with coping. Hence, stress, parental adjustment (distress), and
      child coping may be important factors affecting the child's overall psychological
      adjustment. Results showed that 15-25% of children and parents experienced
      clinically significant levels of psychological distress. Parent and child
      psychological distress were closely related. Major negative life stresses
      experienced by the parent and use of avoidant coping by the child significantly
      predicted child adjustment problems in the pretransplant period. Coping skills
      interventions targeting avoidant coping and management of parental
      stress/distress may reduce child psychosocial risk prior to BMT. 

PMID- 24226844
TI  - Depression and coping in candidates for kidney transplantation: Racial and ethnic
      differences.
AB  - Subjects were 288 adolescents and adults with end-stage renal disease who were
      candidates for kidney transplantation, a group identified at risk for
      noncompliance. The purpose was to examine racial and ethnic variations in coping
      variables that may underlie noncompliance and impact upon health outcome.
      Secondarily, the relationship between depression and particular styles of coping
      was investigated. Race/Ethnicity was divided into three categories: Black/Non
      Hispanic, White/Non-Hispanic, and Hispanic. Coping and depression were assessed
      using the COPE and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively. Results indicated
      that Hispanic and Black subjects were more likely to use maladaptive styles of
      coping and less likely to use adaptive coping than were White subjects and that
      Black subjects reported more physical symptoms of depression. These findings
      point to possible mechanisms underlying the occurrence of noncompliance and
      resulting poorer health outcome for individuals of different racial and ethnic
      groups. 

PMID- 24226845
TI  - Coping strategies and psychological distress in cancer patients before autologous
      bone marrow transplant.
AB  - The increased use of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to treat a variety of
      cancers has led researchers to study psychological functioning of BMT patients.
      The majority of studies conducted, however, has focused on adjustment after
      transplantation. Cancer patients' use of coping strategies before undergoing this
      procedure may also relate to levels of psychological distress. Our aims were (1)
      to provide normative coping data, controlling for situation-specific variables
      with a homogeneous sample, targeted stressor, and fixed time point, using the
      Ways of Coping Questionnaire; and (2) to identify coping strategies associated
      with distress before high-dose chemotherapy. Subjects were 49 patients scheduled
      to receive high-dose chemotherapy and an autologous bone marrow transplant.
      Consistent with previous coping research, we found that escape-avoidance was
      related to psychological distress on several measures. Item endorsement analyses
      of the escape-avoidance subscale suggest that patients may have used more passive
      than active avoidance strategies. Subsequent participation in a longitudinal
      study was not affected by initial levels of avoidant coping. 

PMID- 24226846
TI  - Gender differences in patterns of emotional distress following heart
      transplantation.
AB  - The study provides the first empirical evaluation of gender differences in
      psychological symptomatology and DSM-III-R major depressive disorder (MDD) across
      the first year following heart transplantation. An important goal was to identify
      physical health-related and psychosocial factors that could account for, or
      mediate, any association between gender and psychological distress. The sample
      for the present analyses was drawn from a larger cohort of 172 heart recipients
      and included all 28 women in the cohort plus 118 men who were matched
      demographically with the group of women. Detailed patient assessments were
      completed at 2, 7, and 12 months posttransplant. As expected, women's symptom
      levels were consistently higher than men's. However, while men's symptom levels
      in all areas declined with time posttransplant, women's distress in the area of
      depression initially improved but then worsened by the 12-month assessment. The
      distribution of episodes of MDD showed a temporal pattern of gender differences
      similar to that of depressive symptoms. The most important mediators of the
      gender-depression relationship were factors related to early posttransplant daily
      functional limitations: women reported more impairments in daily activities.
      Higher levels of such impairments, in turn, predicted subsequently higher
      depression levels by 12 months posttransplant. Several additional variables
      pertaining to transplant-related concerns and a low sense of personal mastery
      while not serving as mediators-exerted their own independent effects on 12-month
      depression levels. The findings are relevant to the tailoring of educational and
      clinical interventions to the individual needs of women and men who receive heart
      transplants. 

PMID- 24226847
TI  - Relapse prevention treatment for liver transplant patients.
AB  - This paper explores the utility of relapse prevention therapy (RPT) for
      transplant candidates with substance use disorders. Similarities and differences
      between this population and the general substance abuse patient population are
      discussed and suggestions are made for modifying the RPT treatment protocol.
      Major issues include the source and intensity of motivation for treatment, the
      nature of the therapeutic relationship, the type and severity of psychosocial
      consequences that may have been experienced as a result of substance use, and the
      patient's perception of the problem (addiction versus liver disease).
      Recommendations are made to provide empathy and support around medical concerns,
      motivate them for sobriety, and work to build collaborative relationships between
      team members and patients. Patients need to see the RP therapists as working to
      help them maintain sobriety and obtain a transplant, not as policing their drug
      use. 

PMID- 24226848
TI  - Noncompliance in end-stage renal disease: A threat to quality of care and cost
      containment.
AB  - Noncompliance to treatment regimen after kidney transplantation is a threat to
      health outcomes and cost containment. Although there are methodological
      challenges to obtaining reliable compliance data, the results of noncompliance
      are increased morbidity and mortality in posttransplant patients. In addition,
      recent research suggests that patients who incur repeated rejection episodes
      leading to graft failure have higher levels of medical utilization. Some
      psychosocial factors related to compliance and medical utilization are
      potentially modifiable through cognitive-behavioral intervention. 

PMID- 24226849
TI  - Cognitive functioning as a contraindication to organ transplant surgery: Dilemmas
      encountered in medical decision making.
AB  - A case is presented to illustrate some of the difficulties encountered when
      providing psychological consultation to evaluate the readiness of patients for
      pediatric heart-lung transplantation. The outcome of complex medical decision
      making can often hinge on information provided by the psychological consultant
      who is attempting to simultaneously serve the needs of the patient as well as the
      transplant team. Ethical dilemmas frequently arise when medical decision making
      is driven by limited health care resources and cost constraints. The utility of
      cognitive functioning as a variable in pediatric transplant decision making is
      discussed. Recommendations are made for further work in this area on both
      conceptual and empirical grounds to guide the integration of psychological
      information into transplant decision making as health care delivery continues to
      evolve in the future. 

PMID- 24226850
TI  - Biomechanical testing of a beta-tricalcium phosphate wedge for advancement of the
      tibial tuberosity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: to evaluate in vitro the strength of different compositions of beta
      tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) wedges in comparison with titanium foam and
      cages. To study the response to cyclic loading of the strongest beta-TCP wedge,
      titanium foam and titanium cage. METHODS: Compression test: Twenty-five tibiae
      were prepared for tibial tuberosity advancement using the modified Maquet
      technique. Five groups were defined depending on the material used to maintain
      the tibial tuberosity: Group 1=titanium cage; Group 2=wedges of porous titanium
      foam with 50% porosity (OrthoFoam(r)); Group 3=blocks of biphasic synthetic bone
      (60% hydroxyapatite [HAP] and 40% beta-TCP, porosity 80%); Group 4=blocks of
      biphasic synthetic bone (60% HAP and 40% beta-TCP, porosity 70%) and Group
      5=blocks of biphasic synthetic bone (65% HAP and 35% beta-TCP, porosity 60%).
      Loads to failure were calculated for each implant. Cyclic study: Five additional
      tibiaes of group 1, 2 and 5 were fatigue tested from 100 to 500 N at a rate of 4
      Hz for 200,000 cycles or until failure. RESULTS: Compression test: For the five
      groups, the mean load at failure was 1895 N, 1917 N, 178 N, 562 N and 1370 N
      respectively. Cyclical study: All samples in the three groups tested withstood
      200,000 cycles without failure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The ideal implant to
      maintain tibial tuberosity advancement after the modified Maquet technique would
      be absorbable and allow osteoconduction and osteoinduction. As such, beta-TCP
      wedges have many advantages and our study shows that they can withstand loads in
      the patellar tendon up to 500 N over 200,000 cycles in vitro and deserve more
      investigation.

PMID- 24226851
TI  - In vivo antitumor effect of an intracellular single-chain antibody fragment
      against the E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus 16.
AB  - Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated tumors still represent an urgent problem of
      public health in spite of the efficacy of the prophylactic HPV vaccines. Specific
      antibodies in single-chain format expressed as intracellular antibodies
      (intrabodies) are valid tools to counteract the activity of target proteins. We
      previously showed that the M2SD intrabody, specific for the E7 oncoprotein of
      HPV16 and expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum of the HPV16-positive SiHa
      cells, was able to inhibit cell proliferation. Here, we showed by confocal
      microscopy that M2SD and E7 colocalize in the endoplasmic reticulum of SiHa
      cells, suggesting that the E7 delocalization mediated by M2SD could account for
      the anti-proliferative activity of the intrabody. We then tested the M2SD
      antitumor activity in two mouse models for HPV tumors based respectively on TC-1
      and C3 cells. The M2SD intrabody was delivered by retroviral vector to tumor
      cells before cell injection into C57BL/6 mice. In both models, a marked delay of
      tumor onset with respect to the controls was observed in all the mice injected
      with the M2SD-expressing tumor cells and, importantly, a significant percentage
      of mice remained tumor-free permanently. This is the first in vivo demonstration
      of the antitumor activity of an intrabody directed towards an HPV oncoprotein. We
      consider that these results could contribute to the development of new
      therapeutic molecules based on antibodies in single-chain format, to be employed
      against the HPV-associated lesions even in combination with other drugs.

PMID- 24226852
TI  - Review by quality not quantity for better policy.

PMID- 24226864
TI  - Large NIH projects cut.

PMID- 24226866
TI  - Physicists plan to build a bigger LHC.

PMID- 24226865
TI  - Warsaw talks to thrash out UN climate roadmap.

PMID- 24226867
TI  - Mars mission set for launch.

PMID- 24226868
TI  - Social scientists hit back at grant rules.

PMID- 24226869
TI  - Preprints come to life.

PMID- 24226870
TI  - AIDS prevention: Africa's circumcision challenge.

PMID- 24226871
TI  - Malaria: A race against resistance.

PMID- 24226877
TI  - Research infrastructure: US shutdown should spur other nations.

PMID- 24226878
TI  - Impact: Take peer review into account.

PMID- 24226879
TI  - Antarctic: Riding shutdowns in developing world.

PMID- 24226880
TI  - Communication: Science is not about simple stories.

PMID- 24226881
TI  - Impact: Akin to quantifying dreams.

PMID- 24226882
TI  - Impact: China needs to review its metrics.

PMID- 24226883
TI  - Applied physics: A cascade laser's random walk.

PMID- 24226884
TI  - Solar System: Russian skyfall.

PMID- 24226885
TI  - Quantum physics: The right ambience for a single spin.

PMID- 24226886
TI  - Biodiversity: The ecological deficit.

PMID- 24226887
TI  - Sound and heat revolutions in phononics.
AB  - The phonon is the physical particle representing mechanical vibration and is
      responsible for the transmission of everyday sound and heat. Understanding and
      controlling the phononic properties of materials provides opportunities to
      thermally insulate buildings, reduce environmental noise, transform waste heat
      into electricity and develop earthquake protection. Here I review recent progress
      and the development of new ideas and devices that make use of phononic properties
      to control both sound and heat. Advances in sonic and thermal diodes,
      optomechanical crystals, acoustic and thermal cloaking, hypersonic phononic
      crystals, thermoelectrics, and thermocrystals herald the next technological
      revolution in phononics. 

PMID- 24226888
TI  - Stabilizing the magnetic moment of single holmium atoms by symmetry.
AB  - Single magnetic atoms, and assemblies of such atoms, on non-magnetic surfaces
      have recently attracted attention owing to their potential use in high-density
      magnetic data storage and as a platform for quantum computing. A fundamental
      problem resulting from their quantum mechanical nature is that the localized
      magnetic moments of these atoms are easily destabilized by interactions with
      electrons, nuclear spins and lattice vibrations of the substrate. Even when large
      magnetic fields are applied to stabilize the magnetic moment, the observed
      lifetimes remain rather short (less than a microsecond). Several routes for
      stabilizing the magnetic moment against fluctuations have been suggested, such as
      using thin insulating layers between the magnetic atom and the substrate to
      suppress the interactions with the substrate's conduction electrons, or coupling
      several magnetic moments together to reduce their quantum mechanical
      fluctuations. Here we show that the magnetic moments of single holmium atoms on a
      highly conductive metallic substrate can reach lifetimes of the order of minutes.
      The necessary decoupling from the thermal bath of electrons, nuclear spins and
      lattice vibrations is achieved by a remarkable combination of several symmetries
      intrinsic to the system: time reversal symmetry, the internal symmetries of the
      total angular momentum and the point symmetry of the local environment of the
      magnetic atom. 

PMID- 24226889
TI  - Evidence for high salinity of Early Cretaceous sea water from the Chesapeake Bay
      crater.
AB  - High-salinity groundwater more than 1,000 metres deep in the Atlantic coastal
      plain of the USA has been documented in several locations, most recently within
      the 35-million-year-old Chesapeake Bay impact crater. Suggestions for the origin
      of increased salinity in the crater have included evaporite dissolution, osmosis
      and evaporation from heating associated with the bolide impact. Here we present
      chemical, isotopic and physical evidence that together indicate that groundwater
      in the Chesapeake crater is remnant Early Cretaceous North Atlantic (ECNA) sea
      water. We find that the sea water is probably 100-145 million years old and that
      it has an average salinity of about 70 per mil, which is twice that of modern sea
      water and consistent with the nearly closed ECNA basin. Previous evidence for
      temperature and salinity levels of ancient oceans have been estimated indirectly
      from geochemical, isotopic and palaeontological analyses of solid materials in
      deep sediment cores. In contrast, our study identifies ancient sea water in situ
      and provides a direct estimate of its age and salinity. Moreover, we suggest that
      it is likely that remnants of ECNA sea water persist in deep sediments at many
      locations along the Atlantic margin. 

PMID- 24226892
TI  - Low vitamin D levels are associated with symptoms of depression in young adult
      males.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Results from studies examining associations between serum 25
      hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and depressive symptoms are equivocal.
      We investigated the relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and
      symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in a cross-sectional analysis of a
      population-based sample of young adults participating in the Western Australian
      Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. METHODS: Participants provided a blood sample at
      the 20-year follow-up (March 2010-April 2012) for the measurement of serum
      25(OH)D concentrations. Mental health symptoms were assessed using the 21-item
      Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Associations between serum 25(OH)D
      concentrations and total DASS-21 scores and subscale scores of depression,
      anxiety and stress were explored in males and females using negative binomial
      regression, adjusting for age, race, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity
      (n=735). Models examining subscale scores were also adjusted for the other
      subscale scores. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, an increase in serum
      25(OH)D concentrations of 10 nmol/L decreased total DASS-21 scores in males by 9%
      (rate ratio (RR) 0.91; 95%CI 0.87,0.95; p<0.001) and depression subscale scores
      in males by 8% (RR 0.92; 95%CI 0.87,0.96; p=0.001). However, in adjusted models
      there were no significant associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and
      symptoms of anxiety and stress in males. There were no significant associations
      between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and symptoms of depression, anxiety and
      stress in females. CONCLUSIONS: We found an association between serum 25(OH)D
      concentrations and symptoms of depression, but not anxiety and stress, in males.
      Randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine any benefit of vitamin D
      supplementation in the prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms in young
      adults.

PMID- 24226893
TI  - Patterns of service utilisation in psychosis: findings of the 2010 Australian
      national survey of psychosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper reports patterns of health service utilisation in the
      second Australian national survey of psychosis corresponding with changes in
      available services of this period. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were
      carried out of an age-stratified random sample of adults who screened positive
      for psychosis. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify predictors
      of service use for a sample of 1825 individuals. RESULTS: Use of psychiatric
      inpatient services was associated with higher symptom levels, suicidal ideation,
      poor social functioning and younger age. High users of emergency mental health
      services similarly reported higher symptom levels, poor functioning and younger
      age, and also reported being married or in a de facto relationship. Recipients of
      general practitioner services had greater anxiety symptoms and suicidal thoughts,
      fewer negative symptoms, single marital status and English as their first
      language. Rehabilitation service use was associated with greater anxiety
      symptoms, unemployment, younger age of illness onset, living alone and having no
      dependent children living at home. Last, outpatient/community services were more
      frequently used by younger people with good premorbid adjustment, hallucinations
      and a less severe course of illness. CONCLUSIONS: Service utilisation patterns
      vary with the clinical and socio-demographic features of those who use them -
      inpatient and emergency service users being similar in such features and
      differing from users of other services. Comparison with the first national survey
      of psychosis revealed a significant decline in acute inpatient service use and a
      substantial increase in the use of outpatient/community and rehabilitation
      services over the past 10 years.

PMID- 24226894
TI  - Isotopic examination of links between diet, social differentiation, and DISH at
      the post-medieval Carmelite Friary of Aalst, Belgium.
AB  - Stable isotope ratios (delta(13) C and delta(15) N) were measured in human
      burials from the post-medieval (16th-18th c. AD) Carmelite friary burial grounds
      at Aalst, a town in Flanders, Belgium. Dietary patterns of 39 adult individuals
      were analyzed, from a mixed monastic and lay population buried in three different
      locations, reflecting groups with differing social status. The data show
      significant variation in the consumption of perhaps meat, but certainly also
      marine protein between females and males. This result represents a remarkable
      continuity with medieval dietary patterns, suggesting that the social and
      economic changes of the early modern period had a limited effect on everyday
      life. When both sexes were examined together, individuals buried in the cloister
      garth consumed significantly less marine protein compared to people buried in the
      church, likely reflecting social stratification. No statistical differences were
      observed between isotopic values from the church and the cloister alley,
      suggesting a similarly diverse diet of the monastic part of the buried population
      and that of the richer lay population. Finally, the hypothesis that diffuse
      idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is linked to a diet rich in animal
      protein was tested. No systematic or statistically significant differences
      between pathological and non-pathological bones from the same individuals
      affected with DISH were observed, and no statistical differences were found
      between individuals with DISH and individuals without DISH.

PMID- 24226895
TI  - Creatine turnover in the starry flounder,Platichthys stellatus.
AB  - Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) were cannulated and a bolus of 9
      MUCi(14)C-creatine in saline was injected into the caudal vein. The fish were
      sacrificed at intervals ranging from 1h to 36d after label injection. Creatine
      pool size (PCr+Cr) and creatinine (Crn) content in blood, muscle, gills and liver
      were analyzed and specific activities (SA) determined.Mean concentrations of
      PCr+Cr/Crn in PCA-extracts of muscle, gills, liver and blood of experimental fish
      (at rest) were 38.1/2.40, 4.1/0.25, 5.6/0.45 and 0.3/n.d. MUmol.g(-1)
      respectively.Within 10 min, plasma SA had decreased by approximately 90%. In
      white muscle, the rate of(14)C-Cr appearance as well as label disappearance was
      slow compared to gills and liver. In fish examined 36d postinjection, mean SA in
      muscle had decreased to 23% of maximum SA which occurred 24h after
      injection.(14)C-Cr was incorporated into the liver tissue at a very high rate, SA
      being two orders of magnitude higher in liver than in white muscle. Over the
      first 6d, retention of label was observed in liver; after 36d only 3% of the
      original label was detected.Creatine pool size (PCr+Cr) in white muscle decreased
      with food deprivation. In flounder sacrificed after 36d, PCr+Cr was only 52% that
      of fed control fish, suggesting that creatine or precursors for its biosynthesis
      are supplied with the diet. 

PMID- 24226896
TI  - Smoltification induced by a 'skeleton' photoperiod in underyearling coho salmon
      (Oncorhynchus kisutch).
AB  - Underyearling coho salmon fry were subjected to three initial photoperiod
      treatments (6L?18D, 10L?14D, 14L?10D) for two months and subsequently to three
      final treatments (16L?8D, 9L?6D?1L?8D, 10L?14D) in a factorial design. Growth
      rates and seawater adaptability were monitored regularly. The groups that were
      exposed initially to 6L?18D or 10L?14D and then to 16L?8D grew faster and had
      lower plasma sodium ion levels after seawater challenge tests than any of the
      other groups. Fish which were initially exposed to 6 L or 10 L daylength and then
      to a 9L?6D?1L?8D skeleton photoperiod, showed a slightly lower growth rate and
      seawater adaptability than those given the corresponding complete 16L?8D
      photoperiod. However fish maintained on skeleton photoperiods had significantly
      greater growth rates and seawater adaptability than those kept on the 10L?14D
      photoperiod. This indicates that it is not the accumulated number of hours of
      exposure to light that initiates smolting, but rather the time during the day
      when light is experienced. Fish exposed initially to 14L?10D showed little or no
      response to subsequent changes in photoperiod, suggesting that responsiveness to
      inductive photoperiods depends on the initial photoperiod treatment. 

PMID- 24226897
TI  - The presence of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one receptor activity in the
      ovary of the brook trout,Salvelinus fontinalis, during terminal stages of oocyte
      maturation.
AB  - The presence of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha,20beta-DHP)
      oocyte receptor activity has been demonstrated in brook troutSalvelinus
      fontinalis. Scatchard analyses of the cytosol fraction during various terminal
      stages of oocyte maturation gave a high equilibrium association constant (Ka)
      value of 1.394+/-0.669 10(8)M(-1) (n=7) and low maximum binding capacities
      (Nmax). The association kinetics of the receptor was second order
      k+1=2.292*10(6)M(-1) sec(-1). The dissociation rate constant ka was 1.502*10(-2)
      sec(-1) for the first order dissociation reaction. The Ka=1.526*10(8)M(-1), when
      it was determined from k+1/k-1 a value close to that found from the Scatchard
      analysis. Competition studies showed the following binding affinities
      testosterone > 17alpha-HP > 17alpha,20beta-DHP > Promegestone > progesterone >
      estradiol > pregnenolone; cortisol showed no competitive inhibition. Cytosolic
      extracts when pre-equilibrated with various labelled steroids and eluted from a
      Sephacryl S-300 column gave multiple specific binding peaks. On sucrose density
      gradient centrifugation specific binding was observed at 3.05 S in cytosol
      containing 0.15M sodium chloride buffer. The receptor lost binding activity when
      incubated with various proteases, but DNase and RNase had no effect. Blood plasma
      without heparin at (1?10) dilution also bound [(3)H]17alpha,20beta-DHP, Ka was
      8.04*10(7) M(-1).The nuclear pellet extract (750*g) gave very little specific
      binding activity even at high radiolabelled steroid concentrations and a linear
      Scatchard plot was not obtained. Nevertheless the nuclear extract, after dextran
      charcoal treatment, pre-equilibrated with [(3)H]17alpha,20beta-DHP, bound
      specifically to DNA cellulose, and cytosol from the same oocytes also bound to
      DNA cellulose under similar conditions. Although specific binding to DNA
      cellulose was obtained the salt concentrations at which the steroid-receptor
      complex elution took place was not reproducible in both nuclear extracts and
      cytosol samples. Also binding activity was extremely small compared to the total
      cytosolic binding. The nuclear extract when pre-equilibrated with high
      concentrations (20 nM) of the labelled steroid and then chromatographed on
      Sephacryl S-300 column gave a specific binding peak which was similar to that of
      the cytosolic preparation.The receptor levels in cytosol decreased progressively
      during final maturation (Stages 1-7). There is preliminary evidence for the
      presence of 17alpha,20beta-DHP receptor activity in cytosol of landlocked
      Atlantic salmonSalmo salar ouananiche, and rainbow troutSalmo gairdneri. The zona
      radiata fraction from late stages oocyes 5, 6, and 7 in brook and rainbow trout
      oocytes were isolated by ultracentrifugation; from this fraction a protein was
      characterized which covalently bound [(3)H]R5020 after photoaffinity labelling.
      The same protein also bound [(3)H]17alpha,20beta-DHP after solubilization in Brig
      35 buffer. The SDS gel electrophoresis subunit composition of the above protein
      was similar to the cytosol counterpart binding [(3)H]17alpha,20beta-DHP, although
      the molecular weights were different. The blood sample [(3)H]R5020 binding
      component subunit composition was different from that of the membrane extracted
      protein. These results demonstrate the presence of 17alpha,20beta-DHP receptor
      activity in the cytosol and zona radiata membranes of the oocytes during final
      maturation. 

PMID- 24226898
TI  - Comparison of whole body and tissue blood volumes in rainbow trout (Salmo
      gairdneri) with(125)I bovine serum albumin and (51)Cr-erythrocyte tracers.
AB  - Total, packed cell and, plasma volume estimates were made for the whole body and
      selected tissues of rainbow trout by the simultaneous injection of radiolabelled
      trout erythrocyte ((51)Cr-RBC) and radioiodinated bovine serum albumin ((125)I
      BSA) tracers. Blood volumes were estimated with both markers separately by the
      tracer-hematocrit method and as the combination of the(51)Cr-RBC packed cell
      and(125)I-BSA plasma volumes. Mean whole body blood volume was significantly less
      when calculated from the(51)Cr-RBC tracer data (3.52+/-0.78 ml/100 g; +/-SD) than
      when calculated with the(125)I-BSA tracer (5.06+/-0.86 ml/100 g) or as the sum of
      the two volumes combined (4.49+/-0.60 ml/100 g). The whole body hematocrit (28+/
      5%), estimated as the quotient of the(51)Cr-RBC volume divided by the sum of
      the(125)I-BSA and the(51)Cr-RBC volumes, also was significantly less than the
      dorsal aortic microhematocrit (36+/-4%). Estimates of total blood volumes in most
      tissues were significantly smaller when calculated from the(51)Cr-RBC data than
      when calculated by the other two methods. Tissue blood volumes were greatest in
      highly vascularized and well perfused tissues and least in poorly vascularized
      tissues. The relative degree of vascularization among tissues generally remained
      the same regardless of whether the red cell or the plasma tracer was used to
      calculated blood volume. It is not clear whether the expanded plasma volume is
      the result of the distribution of erythrocyte-poor blood into the secondary
      circulation or the result of extravascular exchange of plasma proteins. 

PMID- 24226899
TI  - Some errors in respirometry of aquatic breathers: How to avoid and correct for
      them.
AB  - Respirometry in closed and flow-through systems is described with the objective
      of pointing out problems and sources of errors involved and how to correct for
      them.Both closed respirometry applied to resting and active animals and
      intermillent-flow respirometry is described. In addition, flow-through or open
      respirometry is discussed, in particular when the system is in non-steady
      state.Simulations are used to show how improper analysis can lead to improper
      conclusions. 

PMID- 24226900
TI  - A study of diffusion models applied to dust emissions from industrial complexes.
AB  - Industrial complexes may release dust emissions through several to up to tens of
      stacks, as well as via fugitive area sources. Several diffusion models for small
      scale fugitive dust sources have been developed and combined with a point source
      model to form a series of models for industrial complexes. The applicable area of
      these models and the methods for obtaining the main parameters in the models have
      been tested and verified using measurement data gained from several field
      experiments. The models developed in this paper can give quite satisfactory
      results when compared to other current models. 

PMID- 24226901
TI  - Effects of an oil spill on emergence and mortality in fiddler crabs Uca pugnax.
AB  - Following a spill of 567 000 gallons of No. 2 fuel oil into the Arthur Kill in
      New York and New Jersey in January 1990 we studied the emergence and mortality of
      fiddler crabs. We (1) compared seven salt marsh creeks immediately adjacent to
      the oil spill with 23 creeks at varying distances from the spill; (2) examined
      the temporal pattern of emergence in one creek; and (3) compared mortality rate
      of crabs that emerged with those we dug up. Twice as many crabs emerged in the
      adjacent creeks compared to those that were only 4.5km away. There were
      significant differences in the number of crabs that emerged as a function of
      distance from the spill. Crabs continued to emerge until mid-March. For all the
      emerged crabs, the percentage of females ranged from 28 to 80, whereas the
      percentage of females in intact burrows was 64-65%. For all emerged samples,
      females died earlier than males. In the laboratory, all emerged crabs died within
      four weeks whereas over 90% of the controls were still alive eight weeks after
      the initiation of the experiment. 

PMID- 24226902
TI  - Carbon dioxide flux across a forest-field ecotone.
AB  - CO2 flux of a deciduous forest and an old-field surface, and the ecotone between
      these two typical southern U.S. ecological communities, was studied in July,
      1989. Rates of CO2 flux were greatest in the old field and least in the forest
      plots. The ecotone showed the greatest variation in CO2 flux. These differences
      appear to be due to differences in soil surface temperature, the old field being
      more exposed to direct solar radiation. The ecotonal community represents a
      landscape property which should be considered in studies of the transfer of
      carbon across the soil-atmosphere boundary. 

PMID- 24226903
TI  - Scaling methods in assessing environmental quality: A methodological approach to
      eutrophication.
AB  - The identification of pollution levels by numerical classification-ordination and
      the statistical confirmation of the detected trends-were attempted in a
      eutrophication assessment study. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of
      data scaling and the selection of a distance coefficient that would accentuate
      discrete states within the system. Among metric, binary and ordinal variable
      scaling, ordinal numbers showed the maximum sensitivity in discriminating
      pollution levels; the observed trends were further enhanced by using the absolute
      distance coefficient as a resemblance measure. The eutrophic patterns identified
      were statistically confirmed by a non-parametric permutation test. Finally a step
      by-step multivariate procedure is proposed for assessing environmental quality in
      aquatic ecosystems. 

PMID- 24226904
TI  - Past and present water-quality conditions in the Hanford Reach, Columbia River.
AB  - Twelve water quality variables from upstream and downstream locations in the
      Hanford Reach of the mainstem Columbia River, southcentral Washington, were
      compared statistically for the two time periods 1951 to 1953 and 1986 to 1988.
      During the 1951 to 1953 period, beta radioactivity and, most likely, water
      temperatures in the Hanford Reach were significantly higher downstream than
      upstream, while dissolved oxygen and sulfate were significantly lower. The
      increased beta radioactivity and temperature downstream were due to the discharge
      of cooling water from five single-purpose production reactors then operating on
      the Hanford Site. The last production reactor closed in January 1971. During the
      1986 to 1988 period, beta radioactivity and water temperatures were similar
      upstream and downstream, but nitrate nitrogen had become significantly higher
      downstream. Comparison of 1951 to 1953 with 1986 to 1988 showed, as expected,
      that beta radioactivity was much lower today, at essentially background levels.
      Phosphate in the Hanford Reach had decreased significantly over the 35 year
      interval, while biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and nitrate nitrogen
      had increased. These changes, while detectable statistically, were relatively
      small. Today, the quality of water in the Hanford Reach remains well within
      Washington State standards for Class A waters. Occasional low pH values, which
      appear to orginate upriver, violate these standards. 

PMID- 24226905
TI  - Radon risk assessment: The effect of voluntary sampling distributions and bias.
AB  - This paper examines the problem of estimating indoor radon concentrations for
      radon-induced lung cancer risk assessment. Previous authors have identified
      various problems and possible corrections for the use of generally available
      radon screening measurements. Bias evident in data collected from volunteers is
      described; regional databases developed from voluntary data generally exhibit
      higher mean values than those obtained from random samples. Tools are developed
      to better characterize the differences in voluntary and random concentration
      distributions. Application is demonstrated using voluntary and random radon
      survey data for the state of North Dakota. 

PMID- 24226907
TI  - Nonradiative excitation energy transport in one-component disordered systems.
AB  - High-accuracy Monte Carlo simulations of the time-dependent excitation
      probabilityG (s) (t) and steady-state emission anisotropyr M /r 0M for one
      component three-dimensional systems were performed. It was found that the values
      ofr M /r 0M obtained for the averaged orientation factor[Formula: see text] only
      slightly overrate those obtained for the real values of the orientation factor
      kappa ik (2) . This result is essentially different from that previously
      reported. Simulation results were compared with the probability coursesG (s) (t)
      andR(t) obtained within the frameworks of diagrammatic and two-particle Huber
      models, respectively. The results turned out to be in good agreement withR(t) but
      deviated visibly fromG (s) (t) at long times and/or high concentrations. Emission
      anisotropy measurements on glycerolic solutions of Na-fluorescein and rhodamine
      6G were carried out at different excitation wavelengths. Very good agreement
      between the experimental data and the theory was found, with lambdaex~lambda0-0
      for concentrations not exceeding 3.5.10(-2) and 7.5.10(-3) M in the case of Na
      fluorescein and rhodamine 6G, respectively. Up to these concentrations, the
      solutions investigated can be treated as one-component systems. The discrepancies
      observed at higher concentrations are caused by the presence of dimers. It was
      found that forlambda ex <lambda0-0 (Stokes excitation) the experimental emission
      anisotropies are lower than predicted by the theory. However, upon anti-Stokes
      excitation (lambdaex>lambda0-0), they lie higher than the respective theoretical
      values. Such a dispersive character of the energy migration can be explained
      qualitatively by the presence of fluorescent centers with 0-0 transitions
      differing from the "mean" at lambda0-0. 

PMID- 24226908
TI  - A statistical model of steady-state solvatochromism.
AB  - This work provides a description of the solvatochromic effect in terms of a hard
      sphere model taking into account the microscopic parameters of the solution. The
      average energies of the solute-solvent system were calculated for Franck-Condon
      and relaxed states assuming pairwise electrostatic interactions between
      polarizable, dipolar molecules contained in clusters made of 1-solute and 10
      solvent molecules. This in turn allowed us to estimate the values of the
      solvatochromic shifts. The dependence of these shifts on temperature and
      electronic properties of molecules expressed in terms of their polarity and
      polarizability was investigated. 

PMID- 24226906
TI  - Diapause, signal and molecular characteristics of overwintering Chilo
      suppressalis (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
AB  - Diapause is a complex and dynamic process. Chilo suppressalis, an important rice
      pest in Asia enters facultative diapause as larvae. Our results demonstrated in
      Yangzhou, China, diapause was initiated between September 4 and 12, 2010. After
      diapause termination, C. suppressalis remained in quiescence in the field for as
      long as three months. The average time between collection of field larvae of C.
      suppressalis and their pupation decreased as the season progressed from fall to
      next spring. Unexpectedly, the pupated ratio of female to male in the initiation
      of diapause was 0.22. The abundance of hsp90, hsp70, hsp60 and CsAQP1 all peaked
      on January 8 or 15, 2011. Nitric oxide (NO) is a secondary messenger that is
      positively correlated with the diapause of C. suppressalis. Among several
      geographically separated populations of C. suppressalis, there are no significant
      differences in the mRNA levels of hsp70, hsp60 or CsAQP1. 

PMID- 24226909
TI  - Accurate whole-spectrum measurements of intracellular pH and [Na(+)].
AB  - Fluorescent measurements of intracellular H(+) and Na(+) are improved by using
      whole spectra of the fluorescent indicators BCECF and SBFI, respectively. The
      extra data in whole spectra enable both an accurate calibration and a ready
      detection of artifacts which are not possible to identify using a more
      conventional data analysis that relies upon only two wavelength "windows" in the
      fluorescence spectra. The whole-spectrum technique is applicable to cell
      suspensions in a conventional fluorimeter (as is reported here with SBFI), as
      well as to attached cells using a fluorimeter combined with an inverted
      epifluorescence microscope. The spectral method was highly reproducible in that
      pairs of successive pH measurements differed, on average, by only 0.01+/-0.02 U.
      Random uncertainty from sample to sample was estimated numerically from the
      standard deviation of measurements on ionophore-treated cells. When full-spectrum
      analysis was employed, this scatter showed a two-fold improvement over results
      obtained using the two-wavelength ratio method. Because SBFI has a relatively
      narrow dynamic range, whole-spectrum analysis has been applied to improve the
      accuracy of sodium determinations. The calibrated system measured [Na(+)]i with
      excellent linearity over the range 2-150 mM and with an accuracy of approximately
      5 mM. 

PMID- 24226910
TI  - Quantitative treatment of the effect of solvent on the electronic absorption and
      fluorescence spectra of substituted coumarins: Evaluation of the first excited
      singlet-state dipole moments.
AB  - The electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of coumarin and 11 substituted
      coumarins were measured in several solvents (dioxane, ethyl ether, ethyl acetate,
      ethanol, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, and dimethyl sulfoxide). Ground-state
      dipole moments were determined in dioxane at 298 K. The results were used to
      obtain the first excited singlet-state dipole moments of the coumarins under
      study by the solvatochromic shift method (Bakhshiev, Kawski-Chamma-Viallet,
      McRae, and Suppan correlations). Also, the ground- and the first excited singlet
      state dipole moments were calculated using a combination of the PPP method (pi
      contribution) and the vector sum of the sigma-bond and group moments (sigma
      contribution). In general, the first excited singlet-state dipole moments of the
      coumarins are noticeably higher than the corresponding ground-state values,
      indicating a substantial redistribution of thepi-electron densities resulting in
      a more polar excited state. There is a reasonably good agreement between the
      calculated and the experimental dipole moments. 

PMID- 24226911
TI  - Time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence in flavodoxins.
AB  - The time-resolved fluorescence characteristics of tryptophan in flavodoxins
      isolated from the bacteriaDesulfovibrio gigas, Desulfovibrio vulgaris,
      Clostridium beijerinckii, andMegasphaera elsdenii were examined. The fluorescence
      decays were recorded using pulsed synchrotron radiation as the excitation source
      and time-correlated single-photon counting in detection. The results were
      analyzed as lifetime distributions using the maximum entropy method. Comparison
      of the fluorescence decays of normal and flavin mononucleotide-depleted
      flavodoxins demonstrates that radiationless energy transfer from tryptophan to
      flavin occurs in all flavodoxins investigated. On comparing the lifetime
      distribution patterns of apo and holoflavodoxins, it was noticed that a certain
      amount of apoprotein is present in all holoflavodoxin samples. The three
      dimensional structure of two flavodoxins allowed us to compare experimental with
      theoretical transfer rates and the results were in fair agreement. 

PMID- 24226912
TI  - Myosin head rotation in muscle fibers measured using polarized fluorescence
      photobleaching recovery.
AB  - The technique of polarized fluorescence photobleaching recovery (PFPR) has been
      applied for the first time to investigation of the rotational correlation time of
      the myosin head in muscle fibers. This is a novel application of PFPR because it
      is the first time PFPR has been applied to a sample which is not cylindrically
      symmetric about the optical axis. Therefore we present a method for analysis of
      PFPR results from an oriented sample such as the muscle fibers aligned
      perpendicularly to the optical axis used here. Control experiments performed on
      fluorescently labeled myosin heads in solution demonstrate that, under some
      conditions, our PFPR apparatus can easily measure a rotational correlation time
      of less than 200 MUs. Validity of this application of PFPR to muscle fibers is
      provided by the agreement of our results with published results from a variety of
      other spectroscopic techniques. In particular, using glycerinated rabbit psoas
      muscle fibers, we find that for relaxed fibers and isometrically contracting
      fibers, the myosin heads undergo high-amplitude rotations on the submillisecond
      time domain. For fibers in rigor the myosin heads are highly oriented and nearly
      immobile. For fibers in ADP the myosin heads are highly ordered in a distribution
      quite different from that in rigor, and they are slightly more mobile than in
      rigor. 

PMID- 24226913
TI  - Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of 4-Formyl-4'-N,N-dimethylamino-1,1'
      biphenyl: The unusual red edge effect and efficient laser generation.
AB  - The synthesis and photophysics of 4-formyl-4'-N,N-dimethylamino-1,1'-biphenyl are
      reported. The emission spectrum in various solvent polarities demonstrates
      solvatochromism, indicating that the fluorescence originates from an
      electronically excited species with a strong charge transfer character. The
      change in Delta[Formula: see text] [[Formula: see text] max(absorption) 
      [Formula: see text] max(emission)] varies from ~1500 cm(-1) inn-heptane to as
      much as ~7500 cm(-1) in acetonitrile. In protic solvents, the unusual excitation
      energy-dependent steady-state emission (red edge effect), resulting from solvent
      dielectric relaxation, was observed in media with a low viscosity. The large
      Stokes-shifted and high-yield fluorescence led to the observation of the
      efficient lasing action. The frequency tunability of the laser output is strongly
      solvent dependent, generating a new charge transfer laser dye in the blue-green
      region. 

PMID- 24226914
TI  - Electronic energy transfer in benzophenone adlayer.
AB  - The extent to which energy transfer occurs in electronically excited organic
      adlayer films on dielectric surfaces is investigated. Migration and subsequent
      trapping of the energy in the film are observed by pumping the singlet state of
      an organic adlayer of benzophenone and by monitoring the phosphorescence and
      fluorescence lifetimes. To observe the effects of adsorption, benzophenone was
      chosen as the adlayer because the energies of its well characterizedn,pi carbonyl
      states are remarkably sensitive to solvent interactions. Upon excitation with a
      nitrogen laser, the perturbation on the electronic states of benzophenone by the
      substrate caused the emergence of the normally absent fluorescence from the
      adlayer traps at the interface between the surface of the dielectric substrate
      and the adlayer. Energy transfer to this interface was observed as a function of
      film thickness. On the surface of a single crystal of an organic crystal,
      naphthalene, energy transfer from the adlayer to the substrate was observed,
      whereas such transfer was not energetically possible with the other dielectric
      surfaces. 

PMID- 24226915
TI  - An ammonia-stabilized mixed-cation borohydride: synthesis, structure and thermal
      decomposition behavior.
AB  - We demonstrate the synthesis, crystal structure and thermal decomposition
      behavior of a novel ammonia-stabilized mixed-cation borohydride where the NH3
      groups enable the coexistence of Li and Mg cations as an "assistant".
      Li2Mg(BH4)4.6NH3, which is comprised of orderly arranged Mg[NH3]6(2+) ammine
      complexes and Li2[BH4]4(2-) complex anions, was synthesized by the
      mechanochemical reaction between Mg(BH4)2.6NH3 and LiBH4. This novel compound
      crystallizes in a tetragonal P4(3)2(1)2 (No. 96) structure with lattice
      parameters a = b = 10.7656(8) A and c = 13.843(1) A with very short dihydrogen
      bonds, which determine a very low onset temperature of 80  degrees C for hydrogen
      release and are also responsible for the nucleation of Li2Mg(BH4)4.3NH3 as a
      decomposition intermediate. Mechanistic investigations on the thermal
      decomposition showed that the H(delta+)-H(delta-) combination in the ammonia
      stabilized mixed-cation borohydride was significantly enhanced due to the
      strengthened Mg-N bonds. Upon heating, 11.02 moles of H2 (equivalent to 11.1 wt%)
      and 3.07 moles of NH3 are evolved from one mole of Li2Mg(BH4)4.6NH3 with a three
      step reaction. The insights into the formation mechanism of ammonia-stabilized
      mixed-cation borohydride and the role played by NH3 group are very useful as a
      guideline for the design and synthesis of novel B-N-based materials with high
      hydrogen content.

PMID- 24226916
TI  - Pretreatment of urine samples with SDS improves direct identification of urinary
      tract pathogens with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - We pretreated with SDS 71 urine samples with bacterial counts of >10(5) CFU/ml
      and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF)
      identification scores of <2, in order to minimize failure rates. Identification
      improved in 46.5% of samples, remained unchanged in 49.3%, and worsened in 4.2%.
      The improvement was more evident for Gram-negative (54.3%) than for Gram-positive
      (32%) bacteria. 

PMID- 24226917
TI  - Incorporation of a proteotyping approach using mass spectrometry for surveillance
      of influenza virus in cell-cultured strains.
AB  - The reemergence of deadly pandemic influenza virus strains has necessitated the
      development of improved methods for rapid detection and subtyping of influenza
      viruses that will enable more strains to be characterized at the molecular level.
      Representative circulating strains of human influenza viruses from primary
      clinical specimens were grown in cell culture, purified through polyethylene
      glycol precipitation, proteolytically digested with an endoproteinase, and
      analyzed and identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry using unique
      signature peptides that are characteristic of type A H1N1 and H3N2 and type B
      influenza viruses. This proteotyping approach enabled circulating strains of type
      A influenza virus to be typed and subtyped, cocirculating seasonal and pandemic
      H1N1 viruses to be differentiated, and the lineage of type B viruses to be
      determined through single-ion detection by high-resolution mass spectrometry.
      Results were obtained using virus titers comparable to those used in reverse
      transcription (RT)-PCR assays with clinical specimens grown in cell cultures. The
      methodology represents a more rapid and direct approach than RT-PCR and can be
      integrated into existing procedures currently used for the surveillance of
      emerging pandemic and seasonal influenza viruses. 

PMID- 24226918
TI  - Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and pyrazinamide susceptibility
      related to pncA mutations in sputum specimens through an integrated gene-to
      protein function approach.
AB  - Testing the pyrazinamide (PZA) susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      isolates is challenging. In a previous paper, we described the development of a
      rapid colorimetric test for the PZA susceptibility of M. tuberculosis by a PCR
      based in vitro-synthesized-pyrazinamidase (PZase) assay. Here, we present an
      integrated approach to detect M. tuberculosis and PZA susceptibility directly
      from sputum specimens. M. tuberculosis was detected first, using a novel long
      fragment quantitative real-time PCR (LF-qPCR), which amplified a fragment
      containing the whole pncA gene. Then, the positive amplicons were sequenced to
      find mutations in the pncA gene. For new mutations not found in the Tuberculosis
      Drug Resistance Mutation Database (www.tbdreamdb.com), the in vitro PZase assay
      was used to test the PZA resistance. This approach could detect M. tuberculosis
      within 3 h with a detection limit of 7.8 copies/reaction and report the PZA
      susceptibility within 2 days. In an initial testing of 213 sputum specimens, the
      LF-qPCR found 53 positive samples with 92% sensitivity and 97% specificity
      compared to the culture test for M. tuberculosis detection. DNA sequencing of the
      LF-qPCR amplicons revealed that 49 samples were PZA susceptible and 1 was PZA
      resistant. In the remaining 3 samples, with new pncA mutations, the in vitro
      PZase assay found that 1 was PZA susceptible and 2 were PZA resistant. This
      integrated approach provides a rapid, efficient, and relatively low-cost solution
      for detecting M. tuberculosis and PZA susceptibility without culture. 

PMID- 24226919
TI  - Detection of Rickettsia in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and Ctenocephalides
      felis fleas from southeastern Tunisia by reverse line blot assay.
AB  - Ticks (n = 663) and fleas (n = 470) collected from domestic animals from
      southeastern Tunisia were screened for Rickettsia infection using reverse line
      blot assay. Evidence of spotted fever group Rickettsia was obtained. We detected
      Rickettsia felis in fleas, Rickettsia massiliae Bar 29 and the Rickettsia conorii
      Israeli spotted fever strain in ticks, and Rickettsia conorii subsp. conorii and
      Rickettsia spp. in both arthropods. The sensitivity of the adopted technique
      allowed the identification of a new association between fleas and R. conorii
      subsp. conorii species. The presence of these vector-borne Rickettsia infections
      should be considered when diagnosing this disease in humans in Tunisia. 

PMID- 24226932
TI  - Pinning effect for photoisomerization of a dicationic azobenzene derivative by
      anionic sites of the clay surface.
AB  - The photoisomerization behaviour of a dicationic azobenzene derivative on the
      inorganic surface was examined. The isomerization reaction was controlled by the
      charged array of the inorganic surface due to the "pinning effect" because of the
      electrostatic interaction between anionic charged sites on the inorganic surface
      and cationic charged sites in dye molecules. 

PMID- 24226924
TI  - Comparison of Simplexa universal direct PCR with cytotoxicity assay for diagnosis
      of Clostridium difficile infection: performance, cost, and correlation with
      disease.
AB  - Simplexa Clostridium difficile universal direct PCR, a real-time PCR assay for
      the detection of the C. difficile toxin B (tcdB) gene using the 3M integrated
      cycler, was compared with a two-step algorithm which includes the C. Diff Chek-60
      glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) antigen assay followed by cytotoxin neutralization.
      Three hundred forty-two liquid or semisolid stools submitted for diagnostic C.
      difficile testing, 171 GDH antigen positive and 171 GDH antigen negative, were
      selected for the study. All samples were tested by the C. Diff Chek-60 GDH
      antigen assay, cytotoxin neutralization, and Simplexa direct PCR. Of 171 GDH
      positive samples, 4 were excluded (from patients on therapy or from whom
      duplicate samples were obtained) and 88 were determined to be true positives for
      toxigenic C. difficile. Of the 88, 67 (76.1%) were positive by the two-step
      method and 86 (97.7%) were positive by PCR. Seventy-nine were positive by the GDH
      antigen assay only. Of 171 GDH antigen-negative samples, none were positive by
      PCR. One antigen-negative sample positive by the cytotoxin assay only was deemed
      a false positive based on chart review. Simplexa C. difficile universal direct
      PCR was significantly more sensitive for detecting toxigenic C. difficile
      bacteria than cytotoxin neutralization (P = 0.0002). However, most PCR
      positive/cytotoxin-negative patients did not have clear C. difficile disease. The
      estimated cost avoidance provided by a more rapid molecular diagnosis was
      outweighed by the cost of isolating and treating PCR-positive/cytotoxin-negative
      patients. The costs, clinical consequences, and impact on nosocomial transmission
      of treating and/or isolating patients positive for toxigenic C. difficile by PCR
      but negative for in vivo toxin production merit further study. 

PMID- 24226933
TI  - Magnetoresistive polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites with
      negative permittivity.
AB  - Contrary to the observed positive giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in as-received
      multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), pure polyaniline (PANI) synthesized with
      Cr(vi) as oxidant and MWNTs/PANI nanocomposites with ammonium persulfate (APS) as
      oxidant, a room temperature negative GMR of around -2% was reported in MWNTs/PANI
      nanocomposites with Cr(vi) as oxidant. Different from a frequency switch of
      permittivity from negative to positive in MWNTs/PANI nanocomposites with APS as
      oxidant, unique negative permittivity was observed in MWNTs/PANI nanocomposites
      with Cr(vi) as oxidant within the measured frequency range from 20 to 2 * 10(6)
      Hz. The obtained unique negative permittivity was explained by the plasma
      frequency from the Drude model, at which the permittivity changes from negative
      to positive and the material changes from a metamaterial to an ordinary
      dielectric medium. The observed positive and negative GMR behaviors in these
      disordered systems as verified by the temperature dependent resistivity
      exploration were well explained through a wave-function shrinkage model and
      orbital magnetoconductivity theory by calculating the changed localization length
      (a0). 

PMID- 24226934
TI  - Trapped in misbelief for almost 40 years: selective synthesis of the four
      stereoisomers of mefloquine.
AB  - Here we report the synthesis of all four stereoisomers of mefloquine. Mefloquine
      (Lariam) is an important anti-malaria drug that is applied as a racemate of the
      erythro form. However, the (-)-isomer induces psychosis, while the (+)-enantiomer
      does not have this undesired side effect. There are six syntheses of which five
      lead to the wrong enantiomer without the authors of these syntheses noting that
      they had synthesized the wrong compound. At the same time physical chemistry
      investigations had assigned the absolute configuration correctly and the last
      enantioselective synthesis that took these results into account delivered the
      correct absolute configuration. Since various synthetic approaches failed to
      provide the correct stereoisomers in previous syntheses, we submit here a
      synthetic approach with a domino Sonogashira-6pi-electrocyclisation as key step
      that confirmed synthetically the correct absolute configuration of all four
      isomers. 

PMID- 24226936
TI  - Genetic transformation of strawberry by Agrobacterium tumefaciens using a leaf
      disk regeneration system.
AB  - An efficient genetic transformation protocol has been developed for strawberry
      cv. Redcoat using Agrobacterium tumefadens. The protocol relies on a high
      frequency (84%) shoot regeneration system from leaf disks. The leaf disks were
      inoculated with a non-oncogenic Agrobacterium tumefadens strain MP90 carrying a
      binary vector plasmid pBI121 which contains a chimeric nopaline synthase (NOS)
      promoter driven neomycin phosphotransferase (NPT II) gene and a cauliflower
      mosaic virus 35S (CaMV35S) promoter driven, beta-glucuronidase (GUS) marker gene.
      The inoculated leaf disks, pre-cultured for 10 days on non-selective shoot
      regeneration medium, formed light green meristematic regions on selection medium
      containing 50 MUg/ml kanamycin. These meristematic regions developed into
      transformed shoots at a frequency of 6.5% on a second selection medium containing
      25 MUg/ml kanamycin. The selected shoots were multiplied on shoot proliferation
      medium in the presence of kanamycin. All such shoots were resistant to kanamycin
      and expressed varying levels of NPT II and GUS enzyme activity. Histochemical
      assays for GUS activity indicated that the 35S promoter was highly active in
      meristematic cells of shoot and root apices. Molecular analysis of each
      transgenic clone confirmed the integration of both marker genes into the
      strawberry genome. Leaf disks prepared from transformed plants, when put through
      the second selection cycle on kanamycin, formed callus and exhibited GUS
      activity. The rooted transformed plants were grown in a greenhouse for further
      characterization. The protocol may be useful for improvement of strawberry
      through gene manipulations. 

PMID- 24226935
TI  - The influence of type-specific human papillomavirus infections on the detection
      of cervical precancer and cancer: A population-based study of opportunistic
      cervical screening in the United States.
AB  - There are limited data on the prospective risks of detecting cervical precancer
      and cancer in United States (US) populations specifically where the delivery of
      opportunistic cervical screening takes place outside managed care and in the
      absence of organized national programs. Such data will inform the management of
      women with positive screening results before and after widespread human
      papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and establishes a baseline preceding recent
      changes in US cervical cancer screening guidelines. Using data reported to the
      statewide passive surveillance systems of the New Mexico HPV Pap Registry, we
      measured the 3-year HPV type-specific cumulative incidence of cervical
      intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more severe (CIN2+) and grade 3 or more
      severe (CIN3+) detected during real-world health care delivery across a diversity
      of organizations, payers, clinical settings, providers and patients. A stratified
      sample of 47,541 cervical cytology specimens from a screening population of
      379,000 women underwent HPV genotyping. Three-year risks for different
      combinations of cytologic interpretation and HPV risk group ranged from <1% (for
      several combinations) to approximately 70% for CIN2+ and 55% for CIN3+ in women
      with high-grade (HSIL) cytology and HPV16 infection. A substantial proportion of
      CIN2+ (35.7%) and CIN3+ (30.9%) were diagnosed following negative cytology, of
      which 62.3 and 78.2%, respectively, were high-risk HPV positive. HPV16 had the
      greatest 3-year risks (10.9% for CIN2+,8.0% for CIN3+) followed by HPV33, HPV31,
      and HPV18. Positive results for high-risk HPV, especially HPV16, the severity of
      cytologic interpretation, and age contribute independently to the risks of CIN2+
      and CIN3+. 

PMID- 24226937
TI  - Transient expression of the beta-glucuronidase gene introduced into barley
      coleoptile cells by microinjection.
AB  - A beta-glucuronidase gene was introduced directly into barley (Hordeum vulgare L.
      cv. Kobinkatagi) coleoptile cells by microinjection and transient expression of
      the gene was examined. Inner epidermis tissue of coleoptiles was excised and
      injected with plasmid DNA, pBI221, carrying cauliflower mosaic virus 35S
      promoter, beta-glucuronidase gene, and a nopaline synthase polyadenylation
      region. Histochemical assay for beta-glucuronidase production showed positive
      enzyme activity only in coleoptile cells injected with plasmid DNA. Expression of
      the beta-glucuronidase gene was examined chronologically using honogenates of
      injected coleoptile tissues. Glucuronidase activity first appeared after 6 hr,
      reached the maximum level 24 hr after injection, and decreased afterwards. These
      results suggest that microinjection of coleoptile tissues may be a useful
      approach for the genetic engineering of Gramineae plants in which protoplast
      regeneration is difficult. 

PMID- 24226938
TI  - Transformation of cultured cells of Chenopodium quinoa by binary vectors that
      carry a fragment of DNA from the virulence region of pTiBo542.
AB  - A 15.2-kb KpnI fragment from the virulence region of pTiBo542, the Ti plasmid
      harbored by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain A281, was introduced into binary
      vectors. The fragment contained the virB, virC and virG genes, and it is known to
      have the ability to increase the virulence of strains of A. tumefaciens. The
      strains of A. tumefaciens that carried the resulting plasmids were able to
      transform cells in a suspension culture of Chenopodium quinoa Willd cells which
      were not transformable by common vectors. Although the sizes of the plasmids was
      very large, a foreign segment of DNA was introduced into one of the plasmids by
      homologous recombination in A. tumefaciens cells, and the segment was
      subsequently transferred to plant cells. 

PMID- 24226939
TI  - Lobeline production by hairy root culture of Lobelia inflata L.
AB  - Hairy roots were obtained following inoculation of the stems of Lobelia inflata
      L. with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain ATCC 15834. These hairy roots contained
      agropine and mannopine. In addition, lobeline was detected by HPLC and confirmed
      by mass spectrometry. Various media were tested for the growth of hairy roots as
      well as for the content of lobeline in hairy roots. The growth rate of hairy
      roots cultured in Nitsch and Nitsch's medium was approximately one third of those
      cultured in other media. The lobeline content of hairy roots (18-54 MUg/g dry
      weight) cultured in these media was the same order of magnitude compared with
      that of roots of L. inflata (24 MUg/g dry weight) cultivated in pots. The hairy
      roots cultured in Nitsch and Nitsch's medium were morphologically different from
      those cultured in other media. 

PMID- 24226940
TI  - Efficient plant regeneration from hypocotyl protoplasts of broccoli (Brassica
      oleracea L. ssp. italica Plenck).
AB  - We have assessed the capacity of cultured protoplasts from two tissue sources of
      several commercially-grown broccoli cultivars to regenerate plants. A procedure
      that employs hypocotyl protoplasts and a culture medium with a high NAA:2,4-D
      auxin ratio was developed. The procedure permits highly efficient formation of
      colonies that regenerate shoots at frequencies of 8-17% with two of the four
      cultivars tested. The time required for the development of plants from
      protoplasts was 8-11 weeks. No mtDNA rearrangements were observed among any of 17
      analysed regenerants. Double-stranded RNAs were detected in mitochondrial DNA
      (mtDNA) preparations of some, but not all, regenerants of one of the cultivars. 

PMID- 24226941
TI  - A simple, versatile feeder layer system for Brassica oleracea protoplast culture.
AB  - Protoplasts from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea ssp. botrytis) and broccoli (ssp.
      italica) leaves and hypocotyls were successfully cultured on membrane filters
      over a feeder layer of cells from a B. campestris suspension culture. Cells from
      rice, tomato and tobacco suspensions were not as effective as the B. campestris
      cells. Plants were recovered from protoplasts of previously recalcitrant Brassica
      genotypes. Protoplasts cultured in low numbers (10-100) on the feeder layer
      divided and formed colonies capable of plant regeneration, as did fused
      protoplasts. 

PMID- 24226942
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature zygotic embryos of
      papaya (Carica papaya L.).
AB  - Immature zygotic embryos from open-pollinated and selfed Carica papaya L. fruits,
      90 to 114 days post-anthesis, produced 2 to 20 somatic embryos on apical domes,
      cotyledonary nodes, and radicle meristems after culture for three weeks on half
      strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1 to 25 mg l(-1) 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 400 mg l(-1) glutamine, and 6% sucrose. After
      six weeks of culture, about 40 to 50% of the zygotic embryos had become
      embryogenic, and each embryogenic embryo yielded hundreds of somatic embryos
      within five months of culture on media supplemented with 2,4-D. Somatic embryos
      matured on half-strength MS medium, germinated on MS medium containing 5 mg l(-1)
      kinetin, and grew large enough for greenhouse culture on MS medium. Shoots were
      rooted in vermiculite and grown in the greenhouse. 

PMID- 24226943
TI  - Glucosylation of salicylic acid by cell suspension cultures of Mallotus
      japonicus.
AB  - Salicylic acid was converted into its O-glucoside when administered to cell
      suspension cultures of Mallotus japonicus. The efficiency of the glucosylation
      was highest in the cells grown in Linsmaier-Skoog medium containing 1 MUM 2,4
      dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid at any scale of culture (7 ml - 3 1). The yield of
      salicylic acid-O-glucoside could be increased up to 1.1 g/l by continuously
      dripping a non-toxic amount of salicylic acid (5.8 mg/31 medium/h) to a 51
      fermenter during a culture period of 14 d. 

PMID- 24226944
TI  - Cryopreservation of dried axillary buds from plantlets of Asparagus officinalis
      L. grown in vitro.
AB  - Dried axillary buds from plantlets of Asparagus lofficinalis L. grown in vitro
      were successfully cryopreserved. Single node segments (5mm in length) with
      axillary bud were taken from mature in vitro plantlets. The segments were
      precultured on solidfied Murashige-Skoog medium (1962) containing 0.7M sucrose at
      25  degrees C in light for 2 days. Thereafter, these precultured segments were
      subjected to dehydration with silica gel at room temperature for 0 to 24 h. The
      axillary buds of precultured segments tolerated dehydration to about 14% water
      content(FW) with 50% lethality (LD50) and the threshold water content at which
      the dried buds remained alive after exposure to liquid nitrogen was 16.9%(LD50).
      The maximum rate of survival of cryopreserved buds was about 71% of untreated
      control. Surviving buds produced shoots and regenerated into plantlets. These
      results demonstrate the feasibility of cryopreserving dried axillary buds from in
      vitro plantlets. 

PMID- 24226945
TI  - Botanical and chemical evaluation of Atractylodes lancea plants propagated in
      vitro and by division of the rhizome.
AB  - A single plant of Atractylodes lancea, a perennial herb of Asteraceae, was
      propagated in vitro by shoot culture from floral buds and shoot tips. The
      reproduced plants were then grown under field conditions for up to four years and
      their botanical and chemical characteristics were compared to those of control
      plants that were propagated by dividing the rhizome of the parent plant. The
      first-year-plants of the micropropagated plants were scanty, but in the second
      year they were comparable to the control in most botanical features. On the other
      hand, the contents of two sesquiterpenes (hinesol and beta-eudesmol) and a
      polyacetylenic compound (atractylodin) in the rhizome of the micropropagated
      plants remained low for the first two or three years of cultivation and at the
      third or fourth year they reached to the same level as that of the control.
      Accordingly micropropagation yields clonal plants of A. lancea comparable to
      those obtained by conventional propagation methods within three or four years of
      cultivation. 

PMID- 24226946
TI  - Factors affecting PEG-mediated stable transformation of maize protoplasts.
AB  - Factors influencing the frequency of stable transformation and co-transformation
      of maize protoplasts utilizing a polyethylene glycol (PEG) mediated DNA uptake
      procedure have been investigated. Protoplast plating conditions, pre-treatment
      buffer composition, PEG concentration, and DNA concentration were all found to be
      important. Carrier DNA was not beneficial when transforming with circular plasmid
      DNA. The effect of linearizing plasmid DNA was inconsistent across experiments,
      and may be dependent on the presence of carrier DNA. Functional co-transformation
      of an unlinked marker gene (hygromycin phosphotransferase) was increased by
      increasing the ratio of nonselected:selected DNA, and varied from 39% at a 1?1
      ratio to 65% at a 100?1 ratio. Under optimum conditions, up to 300 transformed
      calli were recovered per million input protoplasts. The protocol is simple,
      inexpensive, and effective, and is useful for studies in maize requiring large
      numbers of stably transformed or co-transformed cell lines. 

PMID- 24226947
TI  - Isolation and culture of protoplasts from embryogenic suspension cultures of red
      fescue (Festuca rubva L.).
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from fast-growing embryogenic suspension cultures of
      red fescue cv. Dawson (Festuca rubra L.) without agitation. The enzyme isolation
      solution was highly efficient at releasing protoplasts of greater than 95%
      viability (5*10(6)-10(7) protoplasts per ml of packed cell volume). A three step
      procedure was followed for washing and transferring protoplasts from a solution
      high in inorganic salts to a medium containing glucose and sucrose. The addition
      of 30 mM sodium thiosulfate to the wash and culture media was found to be helpful
      in reducing the number of lysed protoplasts. Isolated protoplasts began to divide
      within 48-72 h when protoplasts were plated in agarose squares and surrounded by
      nurse cells (mixed nurse plating technique). Maximum colony formation (plating
      efficiency) was approximately 1%. Many of the colonies continued to grow and
      produced embryos when transferred to a medium consisting of half-strength MS
      salts, 4 mg/l 2,4-D, 3 g/l casein hydrolysate and 30 g/l sucrose. Upon transfer
      to hormone-free medium and exposure to light 16 h/day, many of the embryos
      germinated to produce green leaves and roots. 

PMID- 24226948
TI  - Plant regeneration capacity of callus derived from leaf, stem, and root segments
      of Populus alba L. x P. grandidentata Michx.
AB  - Expiants for establishing callus cultures originated from in vitro cultured
      hybrid poplar (Populus alba L. X P. grandidentata Michx.). Plant regeneration was
      achieved from established callus cultures derived from stem internodes (SI), leaf
      discs (LD), and root segments (RS). Shoot regeneration from callus occurred
      within 4 weeks of culture on most of the media tested. Frequency of shoot
      formation was greatly increased by subculturing the selected organogenic calli on
      regeneration media. The highest rate of multiple shoot formation (an average
      number of 7/SI, 11/LD, and 8/RS) was obtained by using 0.05 MUM IBA in
      combination with 22.5 MUM 2iP, 22.5 MUM zeatin, and 12.5 MUM 2iP, respectively.
      Regenerated shoots were easily rooted in polyterra(TM) peat plugs in transparent
      plastic boxes. The rooted plantlets were subsequently transferred to pots
      containing an artificial potting mix. 

PMID- 24226949
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24226950
TI  - A new system to bioassay pesticides present in the surface microlayer using
      floating propagules of an aero-aquatic hyphomycetous fungus Pseu doaegerita
      matsushimae.
AB  - The surface microlayer often contains pesticides at levels which may be more than
      one hundred thousand times those sampled in the remainder of the water column.
      Standard bioassay systems cannot asses these pesticides since no system yet
      devised has made use of organisms inhabiting the surface microlayer. Using
      floating propagules of Pseudoaegerita matsushimae, an aeroaquatic hyphomycetous
      fungus, a bioassay system was devised in which the percentage germinations of
      such propagules after exposure to various levels of pesticides were plotted to
      produce a dosegermination scale onto which subsequent data could be fitted. The
      following pesticides and pesticide mixtures were used: PCP; DDT; Methoxychlor;
      Bis(tributyl)tin Oxide; Malathion; Captan; 1 part PCP/1 part DDT; 2 parts PCP/1
      part DDT; 3 parts PCP/1 part DDT; 2 parts DDT/1 part PCP; 3 parts DDT/1 part PCP;
      1 part PCP/1 part Methoxychlor; 2 parts PCP/1 part Methoxychlor; 3 parts PCP/1
      part Methoxychlor; 2 parts Methoxychlor/1 part PCP; 3 parts Methoxychlor/1 part
      PCP. The bioassay system revealed increased sensitivity to pesticides and
      pesticide mixtures which affected respiratory metabolism. Some pesticide mixtures
      were more effective in inhibiting germination than their individual components
      while others appeared much less toxic to the propagules than their unassisted
      components. 

PMID- 24226951
TI  - Mercury bioaccumulation in organisms from three Puerto Rican estuaries.
AB  - We analyzed mercury levels in shrimp (Palaemonetes sp.), Blue Crabs (Callinectes
      sp.), fish (Tarpon Megalops atlantica and Tilapia Tilapia mossambica), lizards
      (Ameiva exsul), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) in
      three estuaries in Puerto Rico in 1988. There were no quantifiable concentrations
      greater than the method detection limit of mercury in shrimp, crabs and lizards
      from any site. Mercury levels were also below detection limits in Tilapia, except
      for specimens collected at Frontera Creek, allegedly contaminated with mercury.
      However, mercury levels ranged from 92-238 MUg/kg (wet weight) in Tarpon, a
      predaceous fish that feeds on smaller fish. Few of the birds had detectable
      levels of mercury. Our results indicate relatively low concentrations of mercury
      in biota collected in all of the three estuaries at most trophic levels, although
      10 of 12 Tarpon fillet samples from Frontera had detectable mercury compared to 3
      of 12 fillet samples for the other two lagoons. 

PMID- 24226952
TI  - COD and TOC analysis of leachate from a solidified organic waste.
AB  - Several combinations of binders and absorbent additives were utilized to solidify
      a typical organic waste, API Separator sludge. The effectiveness of the materials
      was based on the waste leachability from the solidified samples. COD and TOC
      analyses were used to determine the organic content of the leachate samples.The
      ability of the COD and TOC analyses to assess waste leachability was limited. The
      inability of the COD and TOC tests to differentiate between organic compounds
      made the results difficult to interpret. This was due to organic contaminants
      from the solidification materials contributing to the COD and TOC contents of the
      leachates. Also, the COD test may have be influenced by reduced inorganic
      compounds contained in the flyash binder and the sludge. Representative samples
      for the TOC analysis were difficult to obtain for the leachates containing oils
      or suspended particles. It is recommended that the COD and TOC tests only be used
      as a screening method for determining solidified organic waste leachability and
      other methods need to be employed to obtain more accurate results. 

PMID- 24226953
TI  - An environmental stress information system.
AB  - This paper reports on the development of an environmental stress information
      system (ESIS) for the purpose of storing, updating and analysing environmental
      stress data related to noise, heat, improper illumination and air contaminants.
      The information system (ESIS) consists of a set of programs as well as a set of
      data base files for the purpose of efficient data processing. The system is user
      friendly and, once started, guides the user with the help of menu-driven options.
      All data related to noise, heat, illumination and air contaminants can be
      entered, updated, displayed or printed in certain specified formats. Finally, the
      use of the ESIS in evaluating air contaminants such as total suspended particles,
      certain specified metals and inorganic gases in the Jeddah Industrial estate is
      also reported. 

PMID- 24226954
TI  - Riverine pollution in some northern and north eastern states of india.
AB  - Water samples from 30 rivers in northern and north-eastern hilly states of India
      were analysed for bacteriological and physicochemical parameters along with
      metals and pesticide residues. It was found that 34% of samples had >50
      coliforms/100 ml, while 24% of samples demonstrated >50 thermotolerant (faecal)
      coliforms/100 ml. Among the metals, iron was found to be above maximum
      permissible limits in the rivers of all the states, while manganese was found to
      be above the maximum permissible limit in the rivers of Tripura and some northern
      states. Zinc, lead, nickel, chromium, copper, cobalt and cadmium plus
      physicochemical parameters and residual pesticides, however, were within their
      maximum permissible limits. 

PMID- 24226955
TI  - Distribution of suspended particulate matter with trace element composition and
      apportionment of possible sources in the Raniganj coalfield, India.
AB  - Ambient air monitoring for suspended particulate matter was carried over a period
      of one year in some coal mining areas of the Raniganj coalfield. Concentrations
      of seven elements in suspended particulate matter were determined. The set of
      data obtained was analysed to determine the sources of trace elements by factor
      analysis. The data could be interpreted on the basis of five factors. These
      factors are attributed to various sources of particulate matter by noting the
      dependence of factors on the elements. 

PMID- 24226956
TI  - Innate lymphoid cells: new players in atherosclerosis?

PMID- 24226957
TI  - Notice of retraction.

PMID- 24226961
TI  - Effects of desiccation and rehydration on nitrogen fixation by epiphylls in a
      tropical rainforest.
AB  - Nitrogen fixation rates by epiphyllous microorganisms are affected by
      desiccation. Rates from leaf samples which had been dried for 12 h were 0.66 ng
      N/10 cm(2)/h. In contrast, rates from leaves which had been kept continuously wet
      were 18.69 ng N/10 cm(2)/h. Leaf samples which had been rehydrated for 2 and 4 h
      showed intermediate fixation rates (4.26 and 9.76 ng N/10 cm(2)/h, respectively).
      Epiphyllous bryophytes maintain moist conditions on the leaf surface and thus
      create a microenvironment suitable for prolonged fixation by the microorganisms. 

PMID- 24226960
TI  - Nitrogen economy of endolithic microbial communities in hot and cold deserts.
AB  - The source of combined nitrogen in endolithic microbial communities was studied
      in samples from desert localities in North and South America, the Middle East,
      South Africa, and Antarctica. Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) seems to
      occur only exceptionally. Evidence suggests that, in general, the nitrogen source
      for endolithic microorganisms in deserts is abiotically fixed nitrogen produced
      by atmospheric electric discharges (lightning or aurorae), conveyed to the rock
      by atmospheric precipitation. Nitrogen is apparently not a limiting factor in
      these low-productivity communities. An incomplete nitrogen cycle seems to be
      present which includes the following pathways: supply of nitrates and ammonia
      from the atmosphere; decomposition of organic matter to ammonia; reassimilation
      of ammonia; ammonia volatilization; loss of organic matter through weathering
      (only in certain Antarctic rocks); biological nitrogen fixation (exceptional). 

PMID- 24226962
TI  - Effects of water fluctuations on microbial mass and activity in soil.
AB  - When previously dried soil was remoistened, a series of microbial events
      occurred. The bacterial plate count population increased rapidly, with a doubling
      time of 4-5 h. The length of fungal hyphae and microscopic counts of bacteria
      increased more slowly. The microscopically counted bacterial population was
      estimated to have a doubling time of about 90 h. The respiratory burst occurring
      after 2-3 days coincided with the maximal growth rate of the bacterial plate
      count population. From the respiratory data, plate count bacteria were estimated
      to have a cell mass of 0.4 pg dry weight, whereas the mass of microscopically
      counted bacteria was only 10% of this. Changes in bacterial DNA content
      corresponded to changes in the microscopic count, whereas changes in soil
      catalase activity mainly corresponded to changes in the fungal biomass, which was
      dominant.It is suggested that bacterial plate counts and microscopic counts
      represent two distinct populations of bacteria, which for practical purposes may
      be termed zymogenous and autochthonous, respectively. 

PMID- 24226963
TI  - Characterization, distribution, and significance ofMetallogenium in Lake
      Washington.
AB  - During summer stratification,Metallogenium personatun was found exclusively in
      the hypolimnion of Lake Washington where the oxygen tension was below 8 ppm.
      Numbers of the organism decreased in the lake immediately following turnover in
      October. Significant concentrations ofMetallogenium microcolonies did not recur
      until spring, after the lake had stratified. During stratification the
      distribution of particulate manganese closely followed the distribution
      ofMetallogenium. EDAX analysis, confirmed by electron microprobe analyses of the
      encrustation, showed that the primary component was manganese. Iron and some
      trace elements were also precipitated on the organism but to a lesser degree. In
      addition, phosphate, the primary substance limiting phytoplankton growth in Lake
      Washington, was found in the encrustation, indicatingMetallogenium maybe
      important in limiting algal blooms in the lake. Attempts to growMetallogenium in
      the laboratory were unsuccessful. This inability, combined with the negative
      results of thin-sectioning and acridine orange staining ofMetallogenium
      microcolonies, suggests that the microcolonial structures seen in Lake Washington
      are not a living form of an organism. 

PMID- 24226964
TI  - DNA base compositions of halophilic and nonhalophilicBacillus firmus strains of
      marine origin.
AB  - The mineral salt requirements of 27 strains ofBacillus firmus were determined.
      Twenty-six of these strains were of marine origin and one terrestrial strain was
      used as a reference. Three strains demonstrated strictly halophilic behavior,
      i.e., they showed no growth in media prepared without sodium chloride. Seven
      strains were nonhalophilic. The growth of 17 strains was stimulated by the
      addition of sodium chloride, but the cells were able to grow without it. These
      results were compared with the DNA base compositions of the strains. In contrast
      to literature data, relationships between the DNA base ratios and the halophilic
      or nonhalophilic behavior of the cells could not be detected. But strains with
      guanine plus cytosine values above 41 mol% did grow well at 44 degrees C, and
      those strains showing poor growth at this temperature had lower guanine plus
      cytosine percentages. 

PMID- 24226965
TI  - Chemotactic responses ofThiobacillus thioparus.
AB  - A capillary assay was employed to quantify chemotactic responses in the
      chemoautotrophic bacterium,Thiobacillus thioparus. NH4Cl, KNO3, and Na2S2O3 were
      strong attractants. The minimum concentration of each of these inorganic
      chemicals needed to elicit an observable response was approximately 10(-4) M.T.
      thioparus did not respond to carbohydrates or amino acids. 

PMID- 24226966
TI  - Effect of food level on reproduction and metamorphosis in the suctorian
      protozoanTokophrya lemnarum stein.
AB  - A sessile predator, the ciliated protozoanTokophrya lemnarum, produces a motile
      embryo. The embryo attaches to a substrate and secretes a stalk at metamorphosis.
      Production of the offspring is closely synchronized with the feeding schedule, so
      that fecundity per individual varies directly with the food level. Some embryos
      produced by an adult do not attach at metamorphosis but become freely floating
      adults. The percentage of nonattaching embryos is compared between adults fed
      high or low level diets. Adults on the low level diet produce 25% or more
      nonattaching embryos compared to 10% or less produced by adults on a high level
      diet. If the adult is switched from a low level diet to a high level diet, or
      from high to low, the percentage of nonattaching embryos produced on each diet
      remains relatively constant. It is suggested that nonattachment provides one
      means for individuals to escape areas of low prey density and availability. 

PMID- 24226967
TI  - Physiological ecology of acetylene reduction (nitrogen fixation) in a Delaware
      salt marsh.
AB  - The effects of several fixed nitrogen compounds on acetylene reduction activity
      (nitrogen fixation) of surface sediments from a Delaware salt marsh were studied.
      Ammonia addition caused little decrease in activity early in the summer but
      resulted in a considerable decrease (85-95%) in activity late in the summer and
      early in the fall. Nitrate caused a near complete suppression of activity at all
      times. Other compounds such as glutamate, urea, and yeast extract caused a slight
      increase in activity in tallSpartina sediments and caused more than a 2.5-fold
      increase in shortSpartina sediments. There was a lag period (1-2 days) before the
      commencement of in vitro acetylene reduction activity during the spring and early
      summer, but this lag period was not present in the late summer. The addition of
      chloramphenicol to samples from a shortSpartina zone caused decreases in activity
      similar to those obtained with ammonia, whereas chlorate amendments yielded
      results which, when compared on an electron basis, were comparable to those
      obtained with nitrate. These results indicated that the observed lag period may
      be the result of a physiological response to the in situ levels of ammonia and/or
      nitrate. It is suggested here that in situ nitrogenase activity may be controlled
      by two processes: (a) repression and derepression of nitrogenase synthesis
      mediated by the levels of ammonia, and (b) competition for reducing power
      (electrons) and energy (ATP) between the processes of nitrate reduction and
      nitrogen fixation. 

PMID- 24226968
TI  - Toxicity of carbide waste to heterotrophic microorganisms in caves.
AB  - The spent carbide from acetylene-generating lamps used by spelunkers has long
      been assumed to be toxic. Pure cultures ofE. coli, S. cerevisiae, andB. subtilis
      were inhibited within 15 minutes by addition of a 1% solution of waste carbide.
      The heterotrophic microorganisms which form the food base in caves were depressed
      81% in 1 hour by the application of fresh carbide waste to a cave stream mudbank.
      The effects were temporary as the toxicity was lost when the extremely alkaline
      pH of the waste was neutralized. The reduction in pH occurs naturally over time
      by atmospheric and substrate buffering and is probably related to soil type and
      available moisture. 

PMID- 24226969
TI  - A method of the selective isolation and enumeration of marine Vibrionaceae.
AB  - A noninhibitory medium and GasPack anaerobic culture system were employed for the
      selective enumeration and isolation of Vibrionaceae in seawater and marine
      sediments.Vibrio counts obtained by the new method for seawater and sediment
      samples were compared with vibrio numbers in the heterotrophic bacterial
      population appearing on a medium routinely employed in the laboratory for such
      counts. The ratio of the former to the latter counts ranged from 0.5 to 1.3, the
      average being 0.96. The seawater and sediment bacteria that grew and produced
      visible colonies on the medium under anaerobic conditions for 3 days at 20
      degrees C were almost exclusively vibrios.From the results reported here it is
      concluded that most of the vibrios present in seawater and sediment samples can
      be recovered by the new method developed in this study. 

PMID- 24226970
TI  - Prediction of obstetrical risk using maternal serum markers and clinical risk
      factors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Abnormal maternal serum analytes (pregnancy associated plasma protein
      A, total human chorionic gonadotropin, alpha fetoprotein, Inhibin A, and
      unconjugated estriol) measured as part of aneuploidy screening programs have been
      associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes in euploid pregnancies. This study
      aimed to determine if their predictive ability could be enhanced with additional
      information on obstetrical history. METHOD: Forty-five thousand two hundred
      eighty-seven women participated in the screening program and delivered euploid
      singleton infants between 2010 and 2012 in British Columbia, Canada. A split
      sample design was used to develop and validate prognostic models for serious
      perinatal events (stillbirth, preterm birth <32 weeks, or HELLP syndrome) and
      severe pre-eclampsia [pre-eclampsia with preterm birth <34 weeks or small for
      gestational age <10th percentile] using logistic regression. RESULTS: Three
      thousand five hundred four women (7.7%) had at least one abnormal marker using
      standard cut-off values. The combination of serum markers and clinical risk
      factors improved the ability of statistical models to predict a serious perinatal
      event [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.62] and severe pre-eclampsia (AUC = 0.78)
      compared with serum markers or clinical risk factors alone. CONCLUSIONS: While
      detection rates are low, the combination of maternal serum markers and
      obstetrical history helps to identify a small subset of women at higher risk for
      serious perinatal events and severe pre-eclampsia.

PMID- 24226971
TI  - [Model aeroplanes: a not to be ignored source of complex injuries].
AB  - With the incidence of work-related injuries decreasing, we continue to observe an
      unchanged trend in leisure-related accidents. As in any other hobby, model flying
      devices bear the risk for accidents among builders and flyers ranging from skin
      lacerations to complicated and even life-threatening injuries. The fast-moving
      razor-sharp propeller blades predominantly cause trauma to the hands and fingers
      resulting in typical multiple parallel skin injuries also affecting structures
      deep to the dermis (e. g., tendons, vessels and nerves). The resultant clinical
      management involves complex reconstructive surgical procedures and prolonged
      rehabilitative follow-up. Improving the legal framework (e. g., warnings by the
      manufacturer) on the one hand, providing informative action and sensitising those
      affected on the other, should form a basis for an altered prevention strategy to
      reduce model flying device-related injuries in the future. 

PMID- 24226972
TI  - Fast presurgical magnetic resonance imaging of meniscal tears and concurrent
      subchondral bone marrow lesions. Study of dogs with naturally occurring cranial
      cruciate ligament rupture.
AB  - Meniscal tears and subchondral bone marrow lesions have both been described in
      dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture, but their possible concurrence has
      not been evaluated. In a population of 14 dogs exhibiting signs of stifle pain
      with surgically confirmed cranial cruciate ligament rupture, a short presurgical
      1.5T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging protocol including dorsal proton density,
      dorsal T1-weighted gradient recalled echo, and sagittal fat-saturated dual echo
      sequences was tested to further investigate these features and illustrate
      meniscal tears. Interobserver agreement for detection of medial meniscal tears
      (k=0.83) and bone marrow lesions (k=0.87) was excellent. Consensus MR reading
      allowed detection of nine out of 12 surgically confirmed medial meniscal tears
      and there was no false positive. All dogs had cruciate ligament enthesis-related
      bone marrow lesions in the tibia, femur or both bones. Additionally, among the 12
      dogs with confirmed medial meniscal tears, subchondral bone marrow lesions were
      present in the caudomedial (9 dogs) and caudoaxial (11 dogs) regions of the
      tibial plateau, resulting in odds ratios (13.6, p=0.12, and 38.3, p=0.04,
      respectively) that had large confidence intervals due to the small group size of
      this study. The other two dogs had neither tibial bone marrow lesions in these
      locations nor medial meniscal tears. These encouraging preliminary results
      warrant further investigation using this clinically realistic preoperative MR
      protocol. As direct diagnosis of meniscal tears remained challenging in dogs even
      with high-field MR, identification of associated signs such as subchondral bone
      marrow lesions might indirectly allow suspicion of an otherwise unrecognized
      meniscal tear.

PMID- 24226973
TI  - Steroidogenesis during induced oocyte maturation and ovulation in the African
      catfish,Clarias gariepinus.
AB  - Changes in ovarian steroidogenesis accompanying oocyte maturation and ovulation
      were studied in the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus. Laboratory-reared females
      with postvitellogenic ovaries were treated with pimozide and LHRH-analogue. The
      plasma gonadotropin levels were determined by means of a homologous
      radioimmunoassay, the condition of the ovaries was studied by histological
      examination of the follicles, and the steroidogenetic capacity of the ovaries was
      analyzed byin vitro incubation of tissue fragments for 3 h with [(3)H]
      pregnenolone and [(3)H]androstenedione as precursors. Data were collected at
      regular intervals between 0 and 16 h after pimozide-LHRH analogue
      administration.Until 4 h after the beginning of the experiments the plasma
      gonadotropin levels did not rise above 25 ng/ml, the ovaries remained in the
      stage of postvitellogenesis, and testosterone was the main end product of
      steroidogenesis. Four hours later the gonadotropin concentration in the blood had
      risen to more than 150 ng/ml, and the ovaries had entered the stage of germinal
      vesicle migration. At the same time steroidogenesis shifted towards the
      production of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,
      17alpha-diol-20-one, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,6alpha,17alpha-triol-20-one, 5beta
      pregnane-3alpha,17alpha,20beta-triol and 5beta-pregnane
      3alpha,6alpha,17alpha,20beta-tetrol. During the subsequent stage of germinal
      vesicle breakdown the plasma gonadotropin level remained high, and the synthesis
      of the C21-steroids showed a further increase. Simultaneously, the production of
      some C19-steroid glucuronides was enhanced. The preovulation and especially the
      postovulation stages were accompanied by a gradual decrease in steroidogenic
      capacity of the ovaries, even though the plasma gonadotropin level remained high.
      It is concluded that the prematuration surge of gonadotropin influences the
      activity of enzymes involved in steroidogenesis, leading to a reduced C17,20
      lyase and to an augmented activity of the enzymes 20beta-hydroxysteroid
      dehydrogenase (HSD), 5beta-reductase, 3alpha-HSD, 6alpha-hydroxylase and UDP
      glucuronosyltransferase. During ovulation the activity of all steroidogenic
      enzymes, including such key enzymes as 3beta-HSD and 17alpha-hydroxylase,
      gradually decreases.Not only 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, but also
      the 5beta-reduced pregnanes may be involved in inducing oocyte maturation and/or
      ovulation. The very polar triol and tetrol products may function, together with
      the steroid glucuronides as sex pheromones. 

PMID- 24226974
TI  - Plasma profiles of fourteen ovarian steroids before, during and after ovulation
      in African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, determined by gas chromatography and mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - The plasma concentrations of fourteen ovarian steroids were measured in
      postvitellogenic African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, which had been injected with
      pimozide and LHRHa. Postvitellogenesis persisted for at least four hours after
      pimozide and LHRHa administration. During this stage a limited rise in the plasma
      gonadotropin (GTH) level was accompanied by an increase in the testosterone
      concentration. The estradiol level was high and remained high except for a
      passing drop during the stage of germinal vesicle migration. At the stage of
      germinal vesicle migration a strong increase in the plasma GTH level coincided
      with a maximum in the testosterone concentration and a concomitant increase in
      the levels of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and of five 5beta-reduced
      pregnanes. During germinal vesicle breakdown the GTH concentration remained high,
      the plasma level of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone tended to increase, and the
      levels of 5beta-pregnane-3alpha, 17alpha-diol-20-one, 5beta-pregnane
      3alpha,17alpha,20beta-triol and 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17alpha,20alpha-triol
      reached a maximum. At pre-ovulation the GTH concentration did not change, and
      peak levels were reached of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and 5beta
      pregnane-3alpha,6alpha,17alpha-triol-20-one. Shortly after ovulation the GTH
      concentration slightly decreased together with a sharp decline in the
      concentrations of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and the 5beta-reduced
      steroids, with the exception of 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17alpha,20alpha-triol,
      5beta-pregnane-3alpha,6alpha,17alpha,20beta-tetrol and 5beta-dihydrotestosterone.
      The plasma concentrations of androstenedione, estrone, etiocholanolone and 5beta
      androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol showed marginal fluctuations during oocyte
      maturation and ovulation. Apart from 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one,
      the 5beta-reduced pregnanes might be candidates for the function of oocyte
      maturation inducing hormone inC. gariepinus. 

PMID- 24226975
TI  - Steroids and steroid glucuronides in the ovarian fluid of the African
      catfish,Clarias gariepinus, between ovulation and oviposition.
AB  - As part of a series of experiments concerning a possible pheromonal function of
      steroids and steroid glucuronides excreted by the sex organs of the African
      catfish,Clarias gariepinus, qualitative and quantitative studies, using GCMS,
      were carried out to examine the presence of the steroids, that can be synthesized
      by the ovary during oocyte maturation and ovulation, and of the corresponding
      steroid glucuronides, in the fluid surrounding the eggs in the ovarian cavity
      shortly after ovulation.Full mass spectra were obtained of 5beta-pregnane
      3alpha,17alpha-diol-20-one, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17alpha,20alpha-triol, 5beta
      pregnane-3alpha,6alpha,17alpha-triol-20-one, 5beta-pregnane
      3alpha,6alpha,17alpha,20beta-tetrol, 5beta-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol and
      5beta-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol-11-one. After selected ion monitoring the
      following steroids could be detected by the presence of at least two
      characteristic ions at the expected retention time: 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,
      17alpha,20beta-triol, etiocholanolone, 5beta-dihydrotestosterone, 5beta
      androstane-3alpha,11beta-diol-17-one, testosterone and estradiol. After treatment
      with beta-glucuronidase the following steroids could be determined in a similar
      way: 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17alpha-diol-20-one, 5beta-pregnane
      3alpha,17alpha,20alpha-triol, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17alpha,20beta-triol, 5beta
      pregnane-3alpha,6alpha,17alpha-triol-20-one, 5beta
      pregnane,3alpha,6alpha,17alpha,20beta-tetrol, 5beta-androstane-3alpha,17beta
      diol, etiocholanolone, 5beta-dihydrotestosterone, testosterone and estradiol.The
      free steroids 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,6alpha,17alpha,20beta-tetrol and 5beta
      pregnane-3alpha,6alpha,17alpha-triol-20-one and the steroid glucuronides of
      testosterone, 5beta-dihydrotestosterone and estradiol appeared to be the most
      abundant of these compounds. The results indicate that very polar steroids and
      steroid glucuronides, synthesized in the ovary, can be excreted via the ovarian
      fluid shortly before and during oviposition, and possibly function as sex
      attractants, inducing reproductive behaviour in male conspecifics. 

PMID- 24226976
TI  - The growth and reproductive endocrinology of adult triploid Pacific salmonids.
AB  - This paper describes the effect of triploidy on growth and reproductive
      endocrinology in the months leading up to and including spawning in rainbow
      trout,Salmo gairdneri, and pink salmon,Oncorhynchus gorbuscha. Growth rates were
      the same for diploid and triploid rainbow trout, but triploid female pink salmon
      were smaller than maturing diploid females and diploid and triploid males of the
      same age. Triploid males of both species developed typical secondary sexual
      characteristics and had normal endocrine profiles, although their cycle appeared
      to be delayed by about one month. Triploid females remained silvery in appearance
      and showed no endocrine signs of maturation, even at the level of the pituitary.
      Thus, although triploids of both sexes are genetically sterile, only the females
      do not undergo physiological maturation. 

PMID- 24226977
TI  - Antifreeze proteins in the urine of marine fish.
AB  - Several species of marine teleosts have evolved blood plasma antifreeze
      polypeptides which enable them to survive in ice-laden seawater. Four distinct
      antifreeze protein classes differing in carbohydrate content, amino acid
      composition, protein sequence and secondary structure are currently known.
      Although all of these antifreezes are relatively small (2.6-33 kd) it was
      generally thought that they were excluded from the urine by a variety of
      glomerular mechanisms. In the present study antifreeze polypeptides were found in
      the bladder urine of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), sea raven
      (Hemitripterus americanus), ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) and Atlantic cod
      (Gadus morhua). Since the plasma of each of these fish contains a different
      antifreeze class it would appear that all four classes of antifreeze can enter
      the urine. The major antifreeze components in the urine of winter flounder were
      found to be identical to the major plasma components in terms of high performance
      liquid chromatography retention times and amino acid composition. It is concluded
      that plasma antifreeze peptides need not be chemically modified before they can
      enter the urine. 

PMID- 24226978
TI  - Species-specific composition of free amino acids on the leaf surface of
      fourSenecio species.
AB  - The specificity of the chemical composition of the leaf surface of fourSenecio
      species was studied in order to understand the host selection ofTyria jacobaeae,
      a monophagous moth that hasSenecio jacobaea as its principal host plant.
      Pyrrolizidine alkaloids characteristic forSenecio species were not detected in
      water and sulfuric acid extracts of the leaf surface ofSenecio jacobaea. Water
      extracts of the leaf surfaces ofS. jacobaea, S. vulgaris, S. viscosus, andS.
      sylvaticus contained low concentrations of free amino acids. The proportions of
      these amino acids were very different from those inside the leaf tissues. In a
      discriminant analysis, the four species could be completely separated on the
      basis of the relative proportions of amino acids on the leaf surface. 

PMID- 24226979
TI  - Chemosensory predator recognition in the lizardPodarcis hispanica: Effects of
      predation pressure relaxation.
AB  - We compared the behavior of two subspecies ofPodarcis hispanica lizards in cages
      that had been chemically marked by a saurophagous snake, the viperVipera
      latastei. One of the subspecies (P.h. atrata) has experienced a relaxation from
      predation pressure by this viper, as snakes were eradicated from the island it
      inhabits over 100 years ago. Nevertheless, individuals fromP.h. atrata responded
      to the snake's chemicals similarly to individuals from a population ofP.h.
      hispanica, currently sympatric withV. latastei. Lizards exhibited more stress
      indicating behaviors (foot shakes, tail vibrations, sudden starts), became less
      mobile, and tongue-flicked more while moving in a snake-inhabited terrarium than
      when in a clean, unfamiliar terrarium. 

PMID- 24226980
TI  - Investigation of the role of diterpenes produced by marine pulmonatesTrimusculus
      reticulatus andT. conica.
AB  - The intertidal pulmonate limpetTrimusculus reticulatus, which is found in caves
      or crevices along the California coast, was previously reported to contain two
      novel diterpenoids, 6beta-isovaleroxylabda-8,13-dien-7alpha,15-diol (1) and
      2alpha,7alpha-diacetoxy-6beta-isovaleroxylabda-8,13-dien-15-ol (2). Dissection of
      the animals prior to extraction revealed that the diterpenoids were concentrated
      in the mantle, foot, and mucus, but not in the viscera. The presence ofT.
      reticulatus or its mucus was toxic to veliger larvae of the sabellariid reef
      building tube wormPhragmatopoma californica. The major diterpenoid1 was
      responsible for the observed larvicidal activity. Protection against overgrowth
      by settling invertebrate larvae is important for the survival of this sessile
      filter-feeding pulmonate. A related pulmonate,T. conica, which was found in
      similar intertidal habitats in New Zealand, contained 6beta-acetoxy-7alpha
      isovaleroxylabda-8,13-dien-15-oic acid (3) and 1beta,7beta,12beta,18-tetraacetoxy
      cholest-5-en-3beta-ol (4). The diterpene3 was also localized in the foot, mantle,
      and mucus ofT. conica but was not larvicidal toP. californica. 

PMID- 24226981
TI  - Ant repellent effect of the sternal gland secretion ofPolistes dominulus (Christ)
      andP. sulcifer (Zimmermann). (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).
AB  - The long-chain carboxylic acids identified in the sternal gland secretion
      ofPolistes dominulus andP. sulcifer females were tested individually on three
      species of ants,Crematogaster scutellaris, Formica cunicularia, andLasius sp., in
      order to verify if they have a repellent effect. The unsaturated acids
      (palmitoleic, linoleic, and oleic) act as repellents of all three ant species,
      while the saturated acids (lauric, myristic, palmitic, and stearic) have no
      effect. The mixture reproducing the secretion of the sternal glands ofP.
      dominulus maintained its repellency for at least four days. 

PMID- 24226982
TI  - Isolation and identification of house fly,Musca domestica L., repellents from
      pepper tree,Schinus molle L.
AB  - Foliage from the pepper tree,Schinus molle L., is traditionally used in Ethiopia
      to "repel" house flies,Musca domestica L. The volatile extracts of pepper tree
      leaves were shown to have repellent and feeding-deterrent activity against house
      flies in a two-choice laboratory bioassay. High-performance liquid
      chromatographic fractionation of steam-distilled volatiles from leaves, monitored
      by laboratory bioassays, demonstrated that bioactivity is associated with two
      compounds,cis-menth-2-en-1-ol andtrans-piperitol. The absolute configuration of
      the latter was established as (1S,6S)-piperitol by comparison of acetyl lactate
      derivatives. Racemic compounds were synthesized from piperitone, and bioassays
      with house flies indicatedtrans-piperitol to be the most active house fly
      repellent. 

PMID- 24226983
TI  - Effects of octadecanoid metabolites and inhibitors on induced nicotine
      accumulation inNicotiana sylvestris.
AB  - We examined the effects of inhibitors of the octadecanoid pathway (n-propyl
      gallate, acetosalicylic acid, salicylhydroxamic acid, methyl salicylate, and
      antipyrine) on wound- and jasmonate-induced nicotine accumulation and compared
      the nicotine-inducing ability of exogeneous additions of linolenic acid (18:3)
      and its methyl ester, linoleic acid (18:2), abscisic acid, traumatic acid, and
      methyl dihydrojasmonate to the nicotine-inducing ability of exogenous additions
      of methyl jasmonate (MJ). The first four of these inhibitors significantly
      reduced wound-induced nicotine accumulation when applied in a lanolin paste to
      wounded tissues immediately after wounding at concentrations of 89-90ug/plant.
      When methyl salicylate and propyl gallate were mixed individually with MJ,
      neither inhibited MJ-induced nicotine synthesis, which suggests that the
      inhibitors block jasmonate synthesis or release from stored pools and not its
      effects. Linolenic acid or its methyl ester applied to undamaged plants or
      damaged plants (to either damaged or undamaged leaves) or to the roots of
      hydroponically growing plants did not induce nicotine accumulation or increase
      nicotine accumulation above levels found in damaged plants. Similarly, traumatic
      acid, linoleic acid, and abscisic acid did not induce nicotine accumulations.
      Methyl dihydrojasmonate, which is biosynthetically derived from linoleic acid,
      had 12-56% of the nicotine-inducing acitivity of MJ when added to the roots of
      hydroponically grown plants. The signal transduction pathway mediating wound
      induced nicotine production therefore shares many features of the pathway
      eliciting wound-induced proteinase inhibitor production but differs in not being
      regulated at the lipase step in jasmonic acid production and not being responsive
      to abscisic acid. 

PMID- 24226984
TI  - Identification of sex pheromone ofTetanolita mynesalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae),
      a prey species of bolas spider,Mastophora hutchinsoni.
AB  - The bolas spider,Mastophora hutchinsoni, attracts adult males of four species of
      nocturnally active Lepidoptera through aggressive chemical mimicry of those
      species' sex pheromones. Here we report the identification of the sex pheromone
      of one prey species, the smoky tetanolita (Tetanolita mynesalis). In sex
      pheromone gland extracts, only two peaks stimulated an electrophysiological
      response as measured by a coupled gas chromatography-electroantennographic
      detection analysis. These two peaks had retention times identical to (3Z,6Z,9Z)
      heneicosatriene (3Z,6Z,9Z-21:H) and (3Z,9Z)-cis-6,7-epoxy-heneicosadiene (3Z,9Z
      cis-6,7-epoxy-21:H), respectively, and mass spectra identical to these two
      compounds. It was determined that 0.23+/-0.16 and 0.56+/-0.26 ng of 3Z,6Z,9Z-21:H
      and 3Z,9Z-cis-6,7-epoxy-21:H, respectively, were present in pheromone gland
      extracts from individual females. A 1:1 blend of 3Z,6Z,9Z-21:H and 3Z,9Z-6S,7R
      epoxy-21:H was an effective attractant for adult males from feral populations.
      Blend ratios of these two components from 2:1 to 1:2 were equally effective as
      attractants. Greater deviation from the optimal blends resulted in diminished
      trap catches. The enantiomer 3Z,9Z-6R,7S-epoxy-21:H not only was not effective in
      attracting males, its presence in the effective blend shut down trap catches.
      These results indicate that the pheromone blend consists of 3Z,6Z,9Z-21:H and
      3Z,9Z-6S,7R-epoxy-21:H. This is the first report of a hydrocarbon/epoxide
      pheromone for a prey species of this bolas spider. Sex attractants or pheromones
      for the other three prey species are composed of aldehydes or acetates. 

PMID- 24226985
TI  - Biological performance of Colorado potato beetle larvae on potato genotypes with
      differing levels of polyphenol oxidase.
AB  - Two potato genotypes resistant to the Colorado potato beetle (CPB) and three
      susceptible genotypes were used to investigate the role of total foliar
      polyphenol oxidase (PPO) on the performance of CPB larvae in long-term feeding
      assays. A significant positive correlation was found between larval mortality and
      PPO content in potato foliage. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was
      also observed between PPO content and larval weight, fecundity, and relative
      larval growth rate. These results suggest a significant role of PPO in conferring
      potato resistance to the Colorado potato beetle at least in those clones where
      the PPO levels were above a certain threshold. 

PMID- 24226986
TI  - Sex pheromone of caddisflyHesperophylax occidentalis (Banks) (Trichoptera:
      Limnephilidae).
AB  - The main component of the sex pheromone of the caddisflyHesperophylax
      occidentalis (Banks) (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) was identified as 6-methylnonan
      3-one (enantiomeric composition has not yet been determined). Extracts of adult
      females elicited strong electroantennogram (EAG) responses from adult male
      antennae, but elicited significantly smaller EAG responses from adult female
      antennae. Extracts of adult males did not elicit appreciable EAG responses from
      antennae of either sex. Racemic 6-methylnonan-3-one was synthesized and elicited
      EAG responses from male antennae as strong as those obtained with female
      extracts. In field tests with baited sticky traps near lakes and streams, traps
      baited with synthetic racemic 6-methylnonan-3-one caught significantly more males
      than control traps. Female adults contained approximately 1 ug of 6-methylnonan-3
      one per individual. Related ketones and alcohols of other chain lengths were also
      tentatively identified, being present in tiny amounts in female extracts.
      Extraction of different body parts showed that 6-methylnonan-3-one occurs only in
      a region near the intersegmental membrane between the fourth and fifth abdominal
      sternites of the female (no discrete glands were observed). Extracts of males did
      not contain 6-methylnonan-3-one, nor did pupae of either sex. 

PMID- 24226987
TI  - Hesperophylax occidentalis (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae): Electroantennogram
      structure-activity study of sex pheromone component 6-methylnonan-3-one.
AB  - Electroantennogram (EAG) analyses ofHesperophylax occidentalis male and female
      antennae were used to generate dose-response curves for synthetic, racemic 6
      methylnonan-3-one and to demonstrate the chemical specificity of male antennal
      olfactory cells. Male antennae responded to 6-methylnonan-3-one, the main female
      pheromone component. Females also demonstrated a response to 6-methylnonan-3-one,
      but a smaller one than males. The chemical specificity of male antennal receptors
      was determined by comparing EAG activity of synthetic, racemic 6-methylnonan-3
      one and a series of structural analogs. The three structural parameters
      considered, including keto position, chain length, and methyl-group position,
      were demonstrated to contribute significantly to the reception of synthetic,
      racemic 6-methylnonan-3-one by male antennae. For straight-chain nonanones with
      keto groups at different positions, nonan-3-one elicited the greatest EAG
      responses from male antennae. For straight-chain alkan-3-ones with different
      chain lengths, the EAG responses of male antennae to nonan-3-one and decan-3-one
      were the same, but greater than those to other chain lengths. For methyl-branched
      nonan-3-ones, 6-methylnonan-3-one elicited greater EAG responses from antennae
      than analogs with the methyl group at another position. 

PMID- 24226988
TI  - Feeding and oviposition deterrent activities of flower buds of
      globemallow,Sphaeralcea emoryi torrey, against boll weevil,Anthonomus grandis
      Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
AB  - The globemallow,Sphaeralcea emoryi Torrey, a plant native to Arizona was
      evaluated as a source of feeding or oviposition deterrents to the boll
      weevil,Anthonomus grandis Boheman. Feeding and oviposition responses of
      reproductive weevils to the flower buds and artificial diets spiked with dry
      powder or extracts of the globemallow buds were determined. Boll weevils were
      deterred from feeding and ovipositing in the flower buds unless the calyxes were
      removed. Male and virgin female weevils were discouraged from feeding as much as
      gravid weevils. Secondary chemicals in the flower buds served primarily as
      feeding deterrents but also prevented oviposition. The concentration of these
      chemicals was highest in the calyxes of the buds, and potent deterrent activity
      could be extracted from the calyxes with methanol. Boll weevils were able to
      perceive the deterrents by contact chemosensory organs on the antennae, maxillary
      palps and labial palps. 

PMID- 24226989
TI  - Phytotoxicity of sesquiterpene lactone parthenin on aquatic weeds.
AB  - The sesquiterpene lactone parthenin, one of the major toxins in an obnoxious
      weed, parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.), was toxic at 50 ppm to the
      floating aquatic weeds pistia (Pistia stratiotes L.) and lemna (Lemna
      pausicostata Hegelm.) and at 100 ppm to water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes Mart
      Solmns.), salvinia (Salvinia molesta Mitchell), azolla (Azolla nilotica Decne.),
      and spirodella (Spirodella polyrhiza L. Schleid). The lethal dose for the
      submerged weeds najas (Najas graminea Del.), ceratophyllun (Ceratophyllum
      demersun L.), and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata L. f. Royle) was 25 ppm. The
      submerged aquatic weeds were more sensitive to parthenin. Water hyacinth was used
      as a representative for studying the phytotoxicity of parthenin on aquatic weeds.
      Inhibition of water hyacinth by parthenin was associated with decline in water
      use, root dysfunction, excessive leakage of solutes from roots indicative of
      massive damage to cellular membranes, loss of dehydrogenase activity in the
      roots, and loss of chlorophyll in the leaves. Plant death occurred in a period of
      one to two weeks. Parthenin phytotoxicity is gradually lost in an aquatic
      environment as a lethal dose became nonlethal in about 30 days under outdoor
      conditions. Possible buildup of a toxin concentration may affect population
      dynamics and a shift in the aquatic weed flora in the immediate area of
      parthenium stands. Accumulation of the toxin in an aquatic environment, however,
      at a level sufficient to produce such changes in a natural ecosystem as a
      consequence of rain washing parthenium plants and leaching of toxin from their
      residue appears to be unlikely. 

PMID- 24226990
TI  - Oviposition response ofLobesia botrana females to long-chain free fatty acids and
      esters from its eggs.
AB  - Avoidance of occupied ovisposition sites supposes that females perceive
      information related to their own progency. Fatty acids identified from egg
      extracts have been reevaluated using a different extraction method, and we have
      investigated the dose-dependent oviposition response of European grape vine moths
      (Lobesia botrana) to myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic
      acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, methyl palmitate, methyl oleate, and ethyl
      palmitate; all except ethyl palmitate have been identified from eggs ofL.
      botrana. A methylene dichloride extract of eggs fromL. botrana revealed the
      presence of saturated free fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, and stearic) and
      unsaturated acids (palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic) in amounts
      ranging from 3.9 ng/egg equivalent for myristic acid to 30 ng/egg equivalent for
      palmitic and oleic acids. The extract also contained traces of methyl palmitate
      and methyl stearate. The greatest avoidance indexes were observed in response to
      palmitic, palmitoleic, and oleic acids. All the other compounds tested caused
      weaker responses. A reduction in the number of eggs laid was observed when moths
      were exposed to each of the esters applied at 0.3 ug per application spot.
      Reduction in eggs laid was also observed at a 10-fold higher dose of oleic acid.
      The present results confirm that general and simple molecules can be involved in
      the regulation of oviposition site selection and that they may participate in
      chemical marking of the eggs. 

PMID- 24226991
TI  - Fluorescence of the Schiff bases of pyridoxal and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate withL
      isoleucine in aqueous solutions.
AB  - The present study reports on the absorption and emission properties of the Schiff
      bases formed by pyridoxal and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate withL-isoleucine in aqueous
      solutions. Species protonated at the imine and ring nitrogen are the most
      fluorescent in both Schiff bases with a quantum yield of 0.02, i.e., 20-fold the
      value found for species in alkaline solutions. In agreement with other studies,
      species protonated at the imine nitrogen shows an emission around 500 nm upon
      excitation at 415 nm. In contrast to previous observations on other PLP Schiff
      bases, emissions at 560 nm (PL-Ile) and 540 nm (PLP-Ile) are observed upon
      excitation at 365 and 415 nm, respectively. The emission at 470 nm found in PLP
      Ile Schiff base upon excitation at 355 nm is ascribed to a multipolar
      monoprotonated species. An estimation for the pK a of the imine in the excited
      state ( ~ 8.5) for both Schiff bases is also reached. Our results suggest that
      fast protonation reactions on the excited state are responsible for the observed
      fluorescence. These effects, in which the hydrogen bond and the phosphate group
      seem to play a role, could be extended to understanding coenzyme environments in
      proteins. 

PMID- 24226992
TI  - Ground- and excited-state spectroscopic studies on [1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(amino)
      2,4-(dicyano)-9,10-tetrahydrophenanthrene].
AB  - The effects of polar and nonpolar solvents on both the ground and the excited
      state properties of [1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(amino)-2,4-(dicyano)-9,10
      tetrahydrophenanthrene] is examined. Light absorption results in a population of
      a locally excited (LE) first singlet state (S1,npi(*)) which shows sensitivity to
      the polarity of the surrounding solvent and hydrogen-bonding ability to the
      quencher 4-methylpyridine. Relaxation of this state leads to an intramolecular
      charge-transfer state (ICT) which leads to a large Stokes shift in polar solvents
      and an excited-state dipole moment of MUe= 10D. The quenching of the fluorescence
      state by 4-methylpyridine studied inn-hexane and acetonitrile at room temperature
      is found to be efficient and a positive deviation from linearity was observed in
      the Stern-Volmer plots even at concentrations of 4-methylpyridine below 0.4M.
      This is explained as a result of the occurrence of both a dynamic and a static
      quenching mechanism. The static quenching constants (K sv) along with those
      obtained by visible spectroscopy (K GS) indicate that the ground-state complex is
      weak and relatively solvent dependent. 

PMID- 24226993
TI  - Use of the SPP scale for the analysis of molecular systems with dual emissions
      resulting from the solvent polarity.
AB  - The solvent polarity/polarizability (SPP) scale is shown to be highly useful for
      analyzing the solvatochromic behavior of molecular systems emitting dual
      fluorescence by virtue of the solvent polarity. Stokes' shift data are presented
      on a test set of seven solutes in 58 solvents correlating with the SPP (single
      parameter polarity/polarizability index). SPP values for seven further solvents
      are given, extending the previously available list. 

PMID- 24226994
TI  - Extrinsic fluorescence probe study of human serum albumin using Nile red.
AB  - Nile red bound to human serum albumin (HSA) shows an order of magnitude increase
      in the probe's fluorescence intensity. Here, we report on the fluorescence
      characteristics of the probe-protein complex in Trizma buffer (pH 7.1), urea,
      guanidine hydrochloride, and AOT/isooctane/buffer reverse micelles using both
      steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. With a view to
      illustrating the use of extrinsic probe fluorescence spectroscopy in protein
      research, we demonstrate that protein unfolding can be observed through
      measurements of the probe's time-resolved anisotropy and steady-state
      fluorescence spectrum. Moreover, this shows that thermal unfolding is
      fundamentally different from using denaturant, with respect to changes in both
      the nanosecond diffusional rotation of the probe at intermediate stages and in
      the denatured protein's structure. Also, the large Stokes shift of Nile red
      allows the changes in the environment of the probe-protein complex in reverse
      micelles of varying waterpool size to be easily identified in the steady-state
      fluorescence. This was not seen in earlier work exploiting the intrinsic
      tryptophan fluorescence of HSA and further demonstrates the complementary
      information that extrinsic fluorescence probe studies can offer protein science.
      We discuss the complex acrylamide quenching characteristics of Nile red bound to
      HSA in terms of the possibility of at least two binding sites for the probe and
      the effect of acrylamide on the probe-protein structure at very high quencher
      concentrations. 

PMID- 24226995
TI  - Two distinguishable fluorescent modes of 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate bound
      to human albumin.
AB  - We study the interaction of 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) with human
      (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by phase and modulation fluorescence
      spectroscopy. We determined that both HSA and BSA show one or two distinguishable
      fluorescent sites, depending of the ANS/serum albumin ratio. At above a 1?1
      ANS/HSA molar ratio, the steady-state emission spectra for ANS can be resolved in
      two components: component 1, emitting with a lifetime (tau1) of 16 ns and a
      lambda1max of 478 nm, with a quantum yield (ff1) of 0.67, and component 2, with a
      lifetime (tau2) of 2-4 ns and a lambda2max of 483 nm, with an average quantum
      yield (ff2) of about 0.11. Considering these findings, the binding analysis is
      fitted with a model of two independent sites. Site 1 has an association constantK
      as1=0.87*10(6)M(-1) and a capacity of 1.04 mol of ANS/mol of HSA, and site 2 aK
      as2=0.079*10(6)M(-1) and a capacity of 2.34 mol of ANS/mol of HSA. Analysis of
      fluorescence lifetime distributions shows that the rigidity of the fluorophore
      environment at site 1 changes when site 2 is occupied. These findings suggest an
      interconnection between the two sites and that ligands can stabilize the
      protein's globular structure. To assess the identity of the ANS binding sites we
      used diazepam as a marker of the site located at the IIIA HSA subdomain and
      aspirin as a marker of sites located at the IIIA and IIA HSA subdomains. Both
      ligands displace ANS only from site 1, suggesting that it corresponds to the
      binding site located at the IIIA sub-domain of the protein. We determined that
      theK as values for diazepam and aspirin are 0.113* 10(6) and 0.021*10(6) M (-1)
      respectively. 

PMID- 24226996
TI  - Intramolecular energy transfer in compounds with two 1-pyrenoate groups separated
      by methylene spacers.
AB  - Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy (r) and fluorescence lifetime (tau)
      measurements have been used to study the efficiency of nonradiative singlet
      energy transfer as a function of alkane size in 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid
      alkanediyl esters (as a function ofm in Py-COO-(CH2) m -OOC-Py, where Py denotes
      pyrene substituted in the 1-position, andm=2-6). Experiments were performed in
      media of different viscosity, eta, obtained by changing the temperature (from -20
      to 40 degrees C) of dilute solutions in ethylene glycol and by examination of the
      compounds in a solid matrix of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at ambient
      temperature. The Py-COO-(CH2)m-OOC-Py exhibit intramolecular excimer emission in
      ethylene glycol at these temperatures, but the intensity of this emission is much
      lower than when these compounds are placed in common solvents of lower eta. The
      values of tau indicate that excitation hopping or intramolecular energy transfer
      takes place between the chromophores attached to the ends of the alkane bridges.
      Values ofr obtained by the extrapolationsT/eta->0 ortauT/eta->0 in ethylene
      glycol, as well as the values obtained in the rigid matrix of PMMA, show very
      little dependence onm. A theoretical conformational analysis, using the
      rotational isomeric state (RIS) model, was also performed. The combination of the
      experimental results forr in the media of high eta with the theoretical (RIS)
      analysis produces an estimated value of 21 +/-2 A for the Forster radius in Py
      COO-(CH2)m-OOC-Py. 

PMID- 24226997
TI  - Fluorescence of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase using one- and two-photon
      excitation.
AB  - We examined the steady-state and time-resolved emission of liver alcohol
      dehydrogenase resulting from one-photon and two-photon excitation. Previous
      studies with one-photon excitation revealed that the two nonidentical tryptophan
      residues display different emission spectra and decay times. The use of two
      photon excitation resulted in similar emission spectra, multiexponential
      intensity decays, time-resolved emission spectra, and anisotropy decays as was
      observed for one-photon excitation. These results suggest that both nonidentical
      tryptophan residues are excited to a similar extent for one- and two-photon
      excitation. However, the limiting anisotropy (r 0) with two-photon excitation
      from 585 to 610 nm is below 0.1 and appears distinct from that observed
      previously forN-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide. 

PMID- 24226998
TI  - The spine.

PMID- 24226999
TI  - Drug development: Chemical brace.

PMID- 24227000
TI  - Perspective: Protecting the neck.

PMID- 24227001
TI  - Emergency medicine: The need for speed.

PMID- 24227002
TI  - Technology: Mobility machines.

PMID- 24227003
TI  - Perspective: Avoiding injury.

PMID- 24227004
TI  - Sensation and loss.

PMID- 24227005
TI  - Stem cells: A time to heal.

PMID- 24227006
TI  - Regenerative medicine: Rebuilding the backbone.

PMID- 24227007
TI  - Canine mammary tumors: a review and consensus of standard guidelines on
      epithelial and myoepithelial phenotype markers, HER2, and hormone receptor
      assessment using immunohistochemistry.
AB  - Although there have been several studies on the use of immunohistochemical
      biomarkers of canine mammary tumors (CMTs), the results are difficult to compare.
      This article provides guidelines on the most useful immunohistochemical markers
      to standardize their use and understand how outcomes are measured, thus ensuring
      reproducibility of results. We have reviewed the biomarkers of canine mammary
      epithelial and myoepithelial cells and identified those biomarkers that are most
      useful and those biomarkers for invasion and lymph node micrometastatic disease.
      A 10% threshold for positive reaction for most of these markers is recommended.
      Guidelines on immunolabeling for HER2, estrogen receptors (ERs), and progesterone
      receptors (PRs) are provided along with the specific recommendations for
      interpretation of the results for each of these biomarkers in CMTs. Only 3+ HER2
      positive tumors should be considered positive, as found in human breast cancer.
      The lack of any known response to adjuvant endocrine therapy of ER- and PR
      positive CMTs prevents the use of the biological positive/negative threshold used
      in human breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry results of ER and PR in CMTs should
      be reported as the sum of the percentage of positive cells and the intensity of
      immunolabeling (Allred score). Incorporation of these recommendations in future
      studies, either prospective or retrospective, will provide a mechanism for the
      direct comparison of studies and will help to determine whether these biomarkers
      have prognostic significance. Finally, these biomarkers may ascertain the most
      appropriate treatment(s) for canine malignant mammary neoplasms.

PMID- 24227008
TI  - Laser capture microdissection for the investigative pathologist.
AB  - An important step in translational research is the validation of molecular
      findings from in vitro experiments using tissue specimens. However, tissue
      specimens are complex and contain a multitude of diverse cell populations that
      interfere with the molecular profiling data of a specific cell type. Laser
      capture microdissection (LCM) alleviates this issue by providing a valuable tool
      for the enrichment of a specific cell type within complex tissue samples.
      However, LCM and molecular analysis from tissue specimens can be complex and
      challenging due to numerous issues related with the tissue processing and its
      impact on the integrity of biomolecules in the specimen. The intricate nature of
      this application highlights the essential role a pathologist plays in
      translational research by contributing an expertise in histopathology, tissue
      handling, tissue analysis techniques, and clinical correlation of biological
      findings. The present review examines key practical aspects in tissue handling,
      specimen selection, quality control, and sample preparation for LCM and
      downstream molecular analyses that are a primary objective of the investigative
      pathologist. 

PMID- 24227009
TI  - Veterinary and human biobanking practices: enhancing molecular sample integrity.
AB  - Animal models have historically informed veterinary and human pathophysiology.
      Next-generation genomic sequencing and molecular analyses using analytes derived
      from tissue require integrative approaches to determine macroanalyte integrity as
      well as morphology for imaging algorithms that can extend translational
      applications. The field of biospecimen science and biobanking will play critical
      roles in tissue sample collection and processing to ensure the integrity of
      macromolecules, aid experimental design, and provide more accurate and
      reproducible downstream genomic data. Herein, we employ animal experiments to
      combine protein expression analysis by microscopy with RNA integrity number and
      quantitative measures of morphologic changes of autolysis. These analyses can be
      used to predict the effect of preanalytic variables and provide the basis for
      standardized methods in tissue sample collection and processing. We also discuss
      the application of digital imaging with quantitative RNA and tissue-based protein
      measurements to show that genomic methods augment traditional in vivo imaging to
      support biospecimen science. To make these observations, we have established a
      time course experiment of murine kidney tissues that predicts conventional
      measures of RNA integrity by RIN analysis and provides reliable and accurate
      measures of biospecimen integrity and fitness, in particular for time points less
      than 3 hours post-tissue resection. 

PMID- 24227010
TI  - Megaesophagus in Friesian horses associated with muscular hypertrophy of the
      caudal esophagus.
AB  - Friesian horses have a perceived high rate of congenital or hereditary diseases,
      including megaesophagus, that may lead to choke and death. A retrospective study
      was performed to determine the prevalence and pathologic characteristics of
      esophageal disease in 852 horses, including 17 Friesians, that had been
      necropsied over a 6-year period at the Diagnostic Center for Population and
      Animal Health. Forty-two horses had grossly described esophageal lesions (25
      muscular hypertrophy, 7 hemorrhage, 6 megaesophagus, 4 erosion/ulceration, 3
      obstruction, 2 tears, 2 secondary neoplasms, 2 lymphoid patches, 1 thin wall, 1
      esophagitis). Some of these lesions occurred concurrently in the same horse. Ten
      of these horses died or were euthanatized because of severe esophageal disease (6
      megaesophagus causing tears in 2 horses, 3 esophageal obstruction with food
      bolus, and 1 esophagitis). All 6 horses with megaesophagus were Friesians. No
      cause for megaesophagus was noted in the necropsy reports; however, 5 of these 6
      Friesians had marked caudal esophageal muscular hypertrophy (wall thickness: 1.9
      +/- 0.3 cm). Microscopic review of the esophagus of these Friesians confirmed
      smooth muscle hypertrophy, with no obvious fibrosis, degeneration, or loss of
      myenteric plexi. Unlike the Friesians, the 4 non-Friesian horses with severe
      esophageal disease had esophageal obstruction with an intraluminal food bolus or
      severe esophagitis. None had caudal esophageal muscular hypertrophy. It is
      concluded that in comparison to other horse breeds, Friesians have a higher
      prevalence of severe esophageal disease, specifically megaesophagus, that is
      commonly associated with marked caudal muscular hypertrophy. 

PMID- 24227011
TI  - Switching light with light--advanced functional colloidal monolayers.
AB  - Colloidal monolayers comprising of highly ordered two dimensional crystals are of
      high interest to generate surface patterns for a variety of different
      applications. Mostly, unfunctionalized polymer or silica colloids are assembled
      into monolayers. However, the incorporation of functional molecules into such
      colloids offers a convenient possibility of implementing additional properties to
      the two-dimensional crystal. Here, we present the formation of novel functional
      colloidal monolayers with photoswitchable fluorescence. The miniemulsion
      polymerization technique was used to incorporate an appropriate dye system of a
      perylene-based fluorophore and a bis-arylethene as a photochrome in polymeric
      colloids in defined ratios. Upon irradiation with UV or visible light the
      photochrome reversibly isomerizes from the ring-closed form, which is able to
      absorb light of the emission wavelength of the fluorescent dye and the ring-open
      form, which is not. The fluorescence emission of the dye can thus be reversibly
      switched on and off with light even when embedded in colloids. The colloids were
      self-assembled at the air-water interface to produce hexagonally ordered
      functional monolayers and more complex binary crystals. We investigate in detail
      the influence of the polymeric matrix on the switching properties of the
      fluorophore/photochrome system and find that the rate constants for the
      photoswitching, which all lie in the same range, are less influenced by the
      polymeric environment than expected. We demonstrate the reversible switching of
      the fluorescence emission in self-assembled colloidal monolayers. The arrangement
      of broadly distributed functional colloids into ordered monolayers with high
      addressability was obtained by the formation of binary colloidal monolayers. 

PMID- 24227012
TI  - Analysis of Sartans: a review.
AB  - The risk of cardiovascular diseases is closely related to hypertension, high
      cholesterol levels, and diabetes. When these risk factors appear together they
      are referred to as a metabolic syndrome. In the treatment of cardiovascular
      diseases, a combination of antihypertensive, hypolipemiant, and antidiabetic
      drugs is often applied. Diuretics (chlortalidone, hydrochlorothiazide, etc.) and
      angiotensin II receptors antagonist (sartans) are used to control hypertension,
      whereas statins (fluvastatin, simvastatin, etc.) are used to reduce cholesterol
      levels. This review is concerned with methods for the analysis of sartans in
      various matrices, such as pharmaceutical formulations, environmental and
      biological samples, and discusses the current status of stability studies of
      sartans . It also presents analytical methods for the simultaneous determination
      of sartans, diuretics, and statins.

PMID- 24227013
TI  - Quinoline-attached triazacyclononane (TACN) derivatives as fluorescent zinc
      sensors.
AB  - TACN (1,4,7-triazacyclononane) derivatives with three 6-methoxy-2-quinolylmethyl
      or 1-isoquinolylmethyl moieties were examined as fluorescent zinc sensors. Upon
      the addition of zinc, 6-MeOTQTACN (5) exhibited a 9-fold fluorescence increase at
      420 nm (lambdaex = 341 nm, phiZn = 0.070). Fluorescence enhancement is specific
      for zinc and cadmium, although cadmium induces smaller increases (ICd/I0 = 3.6
      and ICd/IZn = 40%). The isoquinoline analog 1-isoTQTACN (6) exhibits minimal
      fluorescence enhancement upon zinc binding. TPEN (N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2
      pyridylmethyl)ethylene-diamine) does not extract zinc from the 6-MeOTQTACN-Zn
      complex (5-Zn). The quantum yield, metal ion selectivity and metal binding
      affinity differences between TACN and ethylenediamine (EN) skeletons in quinoline
      based ligands are discussed based on the X-ray crystallographic analysis of zinc
      and cadmium complexes, demonstrating the superiority of quinoline-TACN
      conjugates.

PMID- 24227014
TI  - Family nursing is more than family centered care.

PMID- 24227016
TI  - Longitudinal associations between neighborhood recreational facilities and change
      in recreational physical activity in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis,
      2000-2007.
AB  - Many cross-sectional studies have investigated the relationship between
      neighborhood physical environment and physical activity. However, few studies
      have examined this relationship longitudinally, and no study has examined the
      association between change in objective measurements of physical activity
      resources and change in physical activity in adults. We used longitudinal data
      from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (2000-2007) of 6,814 adults who
      were aged 45-84 years at baseline. Physical activity was assessed via a
      semiquantitative questionnaire at baseline and at 2 follow-up visits
      (approximately 1.6 and 3.2 years later). We measured the density of recreational
      facilities within 1 mile of each participant's home address and used linear mixed
      effects models to estimate the association between change in recreational
      facility density and change in physical activity. After adjusting for potential
      confounders, we found that a greater increase in recreational density was
      associated with a less pronounced decline in physical activity (mean difference
      in annual change in physical activity for each 1-unit increase in recreational
      density over time = 10.3 (95% confidence interval: 0.7, 19.9)). This association
      was stronger in older adults. Better access to recreational facilities may
      benefit middle-aged and older adults by enabling them to maintain activity levels
      as they age. 

PMID- 24227017
TI  - Associations between short-term changes in air pollution and correlates of
      arterial stiffness: The Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study, 2007-2011.
AB  - We investigated associations between short-term exposure to air pollution and
      central augmentation index and augmentation pressure, correlates of arterial
      stiffness, in a cohort of elderly men in the Boston, Massachusetts, metropolitan
      area. This longitudinal analysis included 370 participants from the Veterans
      Affairs Normative Aging Study with up to 2 visits between 2007 and 2011 (n =
      445). Augmentation index (as %) and augmentation pressure (in mmHg) were measured
      at each visit by using radial artery applanation tonometry for pulse wave
      analysis and modeled in a mixed effects regression model as continuous functions
      of moving averages of air pollution exposures (over 4 hours and 1, 3, 7, and 14
      days). The results suggest that short-term changes in air pollution were
      associated with augmentation index and augmentation pressure at several moving
      averages. Interquartile range (IQR) increases in 3-day average exposure to
      particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 MUm (3.6-MUg/m(3) IQR increase)
      and sulfate (1.4-MUg/m(3) IQR increase) and 1-day average exposure to particle
      number counts (8,741-counts/cm(3) IQR increase) were associated with augmentation
      index values that were 0.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2, 1.4), 0.6% (95%
      CI: 0.1, 1.2), and 1.7% (95% CI: 0.4, 2.9) higher, respectively. Overall, the
      findings were similar for augmentation pressure. The findings support the
      hypothesis that exposure to air pollution may affect vascular function.

PMID- 24227018
TI  - 'Consumed by breathing' - a critical interpretive meta-synthesis of the
      qualitative literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To derive an improved understanding of how patients respond to,
      appraise, and understand the experience of an acute exacerbation of chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease via a critical interpretive meta-synthesis.
      METHODS: Search terms - Exacerbate* OR hospital* AND 'Chronic obstructive' OR
      emphysema OR bronchitis AND interview* OR qualitative. Inclusion criteria -
      Primary research published in English of patients' experiences of an acute
      exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Data extraction and
      synthesis - eight papers were identified. Data were extracted by three
      researchers and constructs elicited via reciprocal translational analysis.
      FINDINGS: Themes reflected two domains of understanding an acute exacerbation:
      (1) Acute effect - encompassing intense emotions, somatic awareness and patients
      need for rescue. (2) Sustained regulation - reflecting life as interrupted,
      ongoing beliefs and behaviour and help-seeking. DISCUSSION: Acute exacerbations
      of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease result in heightened patient arousal,
      vigilance and powerlessness in response to symptoms. Ongoing, psychological
      interventions which promote partnership working by both acknowledging patients
      fear and shaping their appraisals may mitigate distress, enhancing the impact of
      health messages and engagement in pulmonary rehabilitation.

PMID- 24227019
TI  - Reproducibility of the quantification of arterial and tissue contributions in
      multiple postlabeling delay arterial spin labeling.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the reproducibility of estimation of cerebral blood flow
      (CBF), bolus arrival time (BAT), and arterial blood volume (aBV) from arterial
      spin labeling (ASL) data acquired at multiple postlabeling delays (PLDs).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBF, BAT, and aBV parameters were estimated from flow
      suppressed and nonflow-suppressed multiple-PDL PICORE-Q2TIPS ASL using model
      based Bayesian and least-squares fitting frameworks, and aBV was also obtained
      from a model-free approach. Reproducibility of these parameters was assessed by
      computing the within- and between-subject coefficients of variability (CVw and
      CVb). RESULTS: CVw and CVb were comparable across model-based approaches, but
      were greater for the aBV from the model-free approach. Overall, the Bayesian
      model estimation procedure was found to provide the best compromise between
      reliability and reproducibility, yielding CVw/CVb values of 21/21, 3/4, and
      24/26% for CBF, BAT, and aBV, respectively. Although a CBF range of 45
      mL/100g/min to 59 mL/100g/min was found on average and a BAT of 0.7-1.0 seconds
      across methods, the corresponding maps were comparable in terms of the
      parameters' spatial distributions, and in particular in the identification of
      macrovascular locations, as assessed through comparison with time-of-flight
      images. CONCLUSION: Reproducible estimates of CBF, BAT, and aBV values can be
      obtained from non-macroflow-suppressed ASL using both least-squares and Bayesian
      model-based methods.

PMID- 24227020
TI  - One-pot synthesis of 3-alkylidenephthalides from benzoic acids by a rhodium
      catalyzed ortho-C-H acylation process.

PMID- 24227021
TI  - Persistent polyclonal B lymphocytosis.

PMID- 24227022
TI  - Physical map of chloroplast DNA of aerial yam, Dioscorea bulbifera L.
AB  - A physical map of chloroplast DNA (ctDNA) of aerial yam, Dioscorea bulbifera L.
      was constructed using three restriction endonucleases, PstI, SalI, and SmaI. In
      addition, a clone bank of the BamHI-digested fragments were generated, and the
      locations of most BamHI fragments on the map were also determined. The ctDNA of
      D. bulbifera was found to be a circular molecule with a total size of ca. 152 kb
      involving two inverted repeats of ca. 25.5 kb, and small and large single copy
      regions of ca. 18.5 and 83.4 kb, respectively. The genes for the large subunit of
      the ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) and the ATP-synthase subunits
      beta and E (atpB/atpE) were mapped. 

PMID- 24227023
TI  - Developmental mutants showing abnormal organ differentiation in rice embryos.
AB  - Zygotes of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv Taichung 65) were treated with 1.0 mM
      solution of the chemical mutagen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Out of 1420 M2 lines, 28
      single-locus recessive mutants on embryogenesis were identified. Among them, we
      analyzed 11 mutants in the present study, which differentiated the shoot
      (plumule) and/or root (radicle) with abnormality. Of the 11 mutants, two showed
      no shoot differentiation with normal root. On the other hand, we could not detect
      any mutant which exhibited a normal shoot without a root. This suggests that
      shoot and root are genetically controlled by different loci and that the alleles
      associated with shoot formation mutate more frequently than do those of the root.
      Five mutants showed aberrant morphology of shoot when both the shoot and root
      developed. One of them, odm 5 (organ differententiation mutant 5) was germinable,
      but produced many fine and twisted leaves. This mutant was, however, lethal at
      the early post-germination stage under the usual cultural conditions. In another
      mutant (odm 4), shoot differentiation seemed to be initiated at an arbitrary
      position, resulting in a very abnormal morphology of the shoot when the position
      fronted the endosperm. The other two mutants showed abnormal morphology of both
      the shoot and root. One (odm 11) of the remaining two mutants showed a wide
      variation of abnormalities including no organ differentiation, either shoot or
      root differentiation and the development of both shoot and root with
      abnormalities. The last one (odm 16) was unique. It had an embryo with normal
      shoot and root but the embryo size was only one-third to one-half of normal
      embryos in length. Of course, the shoot and root are also small but viable.
      Therefore, odm 16 is considered to be a mutant in the size regulation of the
      embryo. Although an allelism test has not yet been done, most of these mutants
      are probably non-allelic, as the phenotypic abnormality differs largely with each
      one. In rice, the shoot and root highly differentiate in contrast to
      dicotyledonous embryo. Accordingly, these developmental mutants are very useful
      materials for investigating the regulatory mechanism of gene expression in organ
      differentiation. 

PMID- 24227024
TI  - Identification of 2n breeding lines and 4n varieties of potato (Solanum
      tuberosum, ssp. tuberosum) with RFLP-fingerprints.
AB  - The possibility of genotype identification with RFLP fingerprints was examined
      with 20 tetraploid potato varieties and 38 diploid potato lines. By using a
      sensitive detection system for small restriction fragment length differences and
      highly variable potato sequences as probes, all genotypes (diploids and
      tetraploids) were distinguished by a minimum of two probe/enzyme combinations.
      The best single probe/enzyme combination distinguished 19 out of 20 4n varieties
      and 33 out of 38 2n lines. Intravarietal variability was very small compared to
      the intervarietal variability, and patterns obtained with different DNA sources
      of the same genotype were identical. 

PMID- 24227025
TI  - Alloplasmic male sterility in AD allotetraploid Gossypium hirsutum upon
      replacement of its resident A cytoplasm with that of D species G. harknessii.
AB  - Alloplasmic male sterile (cms) and restoration-of-fertility (Rf) lines of the AD
      allotetraploid Gossypium hirsutum were earlier derived from the presumed
      introgression of the cytoplasm of the D species G. harknessii. To confirm that
      this happened and address its significance, cytoplasms of the maternal
      progenitor, backcross intermediates, derived breeding lines, related A, D, and F
      species, and a synthetic AD tetraploid were examined by agarose and
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 140 restriction enzyme fragments of
      chloroplast DNA. Length mutations of 10-50 nucleotides predominate over site
      loss/gain mutations. Chloroplast DNA is maternally inherited and that of G.
      harknessii has been maintained in the cms lines for at least 13 successive
      generations without detectable alteration. Chloroplast DNA divergence is
      consistent with current nuclear genome classification and shows that the A
      progenitor was the maternal parent of the AD tetraploids. As predicted from
      incompatability models of cms, the degree of male sterility in alloplasmic
      Gossypium tetraploids is correlated with the extent of evolutionary divergence of
      their cytoplasms. It is suggested that the A genome in the AD tetraploids
      dominates those nuclear-cytoplasm interactions reflected by male fertility. 

PMID- 24227026
TI  - Delivery of foreign genes to intact barley cells by high-velocity
      microprojectiles.
AB  - Foreign DNA was introduced through the cell walls of intact suspension culture
      cells of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) by utilizing the particle acceleration
      approach. DNA-coated microscopic tungsten particles were accelerated to
      velocities that permitted their penetration of intact cells. Chimaeric constructs
      of beta-glucuronidase and neomycin phosphotransferase II under the control of the
      dual Agrobacterium TR 1'2' promoter or the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter
      served as reporter genes. Three days after particle delivery, high-level
      expression of both reporter genes was observed. That plasmid size could be
      critical for stabilizing DNA in the course of particle delivery will be
      discussed. 

PMID- 24227027
TI  - Somatic hybridization of sexually incompatible top-fruit tree rootstocks, wild
      pear (Pyrus communis var. pyraster L.) and Colt cherry (Prunus avium x
      pseudocerasus).
AB  - Mesophyll protoplasts of wild pear (Pyrus communis var. pyraster L., Pomoideae)
      were chemically fused with cell suspension protoplasts of cherry rootstock Colt
      (Prunus avium x pseudocerasus, Prunoideae), following an electroporation
      treatment of the separate parental protoplast systems. Fusion-treated protoplasts
      were cultured, on modified K8P medium, where it had been previously established
      that neither parental protoplasts were capable of division. Somatic hybrid calli
      were recovered and, following caulogenesis on MS medium with zeatin and after
      rooting of regenerated shoots, complete trees were obtained and grown in vivo.
      Hybridity of these trees was confirmed based on morphological characters,
      chromosome complement and isozyme analysis. Two separate cloned lines of this
      intersubfamilial rootstock somatic hybrid (wild pear (+) Colt cherry) were
      produced. This is the first report of the production of somatic hybrid plants of
      two woody species, of agronomic value, within the order Rosales. 

PMID- 24227028
TI  - Hierarchical cluster analysis as a tool to manage variation in germplasm
      collections.
AB  - The potential of using hierarchical cluster analysis to classify entries from a
      germplasm collection according to their degree of similarity was assessed.
      Results suggest that similarity is generally greatest among individual entries by
      country of origin and that hierarchical cluster analysis could be used as a tool
      to classify entries from germplasm collections according to their respective gene
      pools, even when no passport data are available. Based on this technique, it is
      also shown that the segregative potential of entries can be estimated. 

PMID- 24227029
TI  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of plants produced by in
      vitro anther culture of Solanum chacoense Bitt.
AB  - In this study, a novel approach was used to characterize the genetic architecture
      of plants produced by in vitro anther culture of two lines of self-incompatible
      Solanum chacoense Bitt. (2n=2x=24). We used cytological observations to determine
      the ploidy level of the regenerated plants and scanned genomic DNA of the anther
      donor plants to identify heterozygous sequences. Restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (RFLP) analyses permitted the visualization of DNA variations.
      Several heterozygous DNA markers were found within single anther donor plants.
      Completely homozygous lines could be easily identified. Somatically derived
      plants could be separated from diploid plants produced from 2n (unreduced)
      microspores. Our results demonstrate first division restitution (FDR) as the
      mechanism operating during the production of 2n microspores in one of our S.
      chacoense line. Potential applications of RFLP analyses for genetic mapping,
      identification of lethal alleles and quantitative trait loci (QTL) with haploid
      or homozygous diploid plants and determination of gene-centromere distance with
      diploid plants derived from 2n microspores will be discussed. 

PMID- 24227030
TI  - Use of tissue culture to bypass wheat hybrid necrosis.
AB  - Hybrid necrosis in wheat is a barrier to gene transfer in wheat breeding
      practice. It is based on two complementary genes, Ne1 and Ne2. Recovery mutants
      (Re1, Re2 and Re3) which can grow to maturity were recovered from immature embryo
      cultures of necrotic hybrids between T. aestivum and T. durum. Cytological
      observation demonstrated that Re1 had 34 chromosomes instead of 35. This
      indicated that one of the chromosomes carrying the Ne genes was lost. Genetic
      study suggested that for Re1, the lost chromosome was chromosome 5B of the durum
      parental line. Re mutants are male sterile but can be maintained through a young
      ear culture method. Re mutants could be successfully pollinated by either
      parental line and the BC1 progeny is partially fertile. Re mutants were
      repeatedly induced in about 1% of the regenerated plants from immature embryo
      culture. This technique provides a practical way to bypass hybrid necrosis. 

PMID- 24227031
TI  - Comparison of unpredictable environmental variation generated by year and by
      seeding-time factors for measuring type 4 stability.
AB  - Type 4 stability has been proposed to measure a cultivar's homeostatic property
      to resist unpredictable environmental variation. The requirement for calculating
      this stability is that the experiment must contain a time factor in addition to
      the cultivar x location factors. Of the two time factors, year and seeding-time,
      the latter is less attractive biologically because it represents only a part of
      the broader context of unpredictable variation represented by years, but it is
      attractive in terms of shortening the test period. Investigation of historical
      data from the Eastern Cooperative trials and the Ontario Production trials in
      Canada indicates that the unpredictable variation generated by seeding-time was
      about half that generated by year. Although type 4 stability measured by both
      factors appears to be the same, the stability measured by seeding-time is more
      prone to variation. The implication is that complete substitution of the year
      factor by seeding-time is not appropriate, but use of both factors in combination
      may be sensible. 

PMID- 24227032
TI  - RFLP analysis and linkage mapping in Solanum tuberosum.
AB  - A morphologically and agronomically heterogeneous collection of 38 diploid potato
      lines was analysed for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) with 168
      potato probes, including random genomic and cDNA sequences as well as
      characterized potato genes of known function. The use of four cutter restriction
      enzymes and a fragment separation range from 250 to 2,000 bases on denaturing
      polyacrylamide gels allowed the detection of RFLPs of a few nucleotides. With
      this system, 90% of all probes tested showed useful polymorphism, and 95% of
      those were polymorphic with two or all three enzymes used. On the average, 80% of
      the probes were informative in all pairwise comparisons of the 38 lines with a
      minimum of 49% and a maximum of 95%. The percentage of heterozygosity was
      determined relative to each other for each line and indicated that direct
      segregation analysis in F1 populations should be feasible for most combinations.
      From a backcross involving one pair of the 38 lines, a RFLP linkage map with 141
      loci was constructed, covering 690 cMorgan of the Solanum tuberosum genome. 

PMID- 24227033
TI  - A BamHI family of highly repeated DNA sequences of Nicotiana tabacum.
AB  - HRS60.1, a monomer unit (184 bp) of a highly repeated nuclear DNA sequence of
      Nicotiana tabacum, has been cloned and sequenced. Following BamHI digestion of
      tobacco DNA, Southern hybridization with HRS60.1 revealed a ladder of
      hybridization bands corresponding to multiples of the basic monomer unit. If the
      tobacco DNA was digested with restriction endonucleases which have no target site
      in HRS60.1, the larger part of DNA homologous to HRS60.1 remained as uncleaved
      "relic" DNA. These results suggest a tandem arrangement of this DNA repeat unit.
      Four other clones of tobacco nuclear DNA cross-hybridized with HRS60.1, thus
      forming a "HRS60-family". Sequencing their inserts has shown their strong mutual
      homology. HRS60-family comprised about 2% of the nuclear genome of N. tabacum.
      Computer comparisons with other tandem plant-repeated DNA sequences could not
      detect any other homologous sequence. 

PMID- 24227034
TI  - Isolation and characterization of streptomycin-resistant mutants in Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia.
AB  - Streptomycin-resistant colonies were isolated from protoplast cultures of haploid
      Nicotiana plumbaginifolia based on their ability to green in medium containing 1
      mg/ml streptomycin sulfate. The frequency of resistant colonies was 0.9*10(-5) in
      nonmutagenized culture, and increased ten-fold following treatment of culture
      with 10 MUg/ml N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Of a total of 52 resistant
      clones isolated, 2 gave rise to haploid, 15 to diploid, and 3 to tetraploid
      plants upon transfer of calli to differentiation medium. Leaf-segment and
      protoplast assays showed that all diploid regenerates were resistant to
      streptomycin but sensitive to chloramphenicol, kanamycin, lincomycin, neomycin,
      and spectinomycin. Plants in most diploid clones were fertile and able to set
      seeds when self-fertilized and crossed reciprocally to wild-type plants.
      Inheritance of streptomycin resistance was studied in the diploid clones and,
      without exception, the resistance was transmitted maternally. Comparative studies
      of the ultrastructure of organelles and protein synthesis in isolated
      chloroplasts between wild-type and resistant clones in the presence of
      streptomycin suggest that streptomycin resistance is controlled by chloroplasts. 

PMID- 24227035
TI  - Selection strategies and artificial evolution.
AB  - Artificial selection results in biolgical changes, creating artificial evolution.
      When using selection indexes, the artificial evolution depends on the relative
      economic (or other) weight of traits in the breeding objective, and on the
      phenotypic and genetic variances and covariances among these traits and the
      traits recorded in the selection index. As shown here, the selection strategy (in
      this case, individual selection versus progeny test selection) can also have
      marked effects on the kind of artificial evolution produced. Thus, where economic
      weights are uncertain, choice between alternative selection strategies might take
      into account the different types of animal or plant resulting. 

PMID- 24227036
TI  - Localization of the alpha2-macroglobulin gene and Lpm gene family on mink
      chromosome 9.
AB  - Using cloned cDNA for human alpha2-macroglobulin (A2M) as a probe, mink-Chinese
      hamster hybrid cells were analysed. The results allowed us to assign a gene for
      A2M to mink chromosome 9. Breeding tests demonstrated that the Lpm-locus coding
      for other related alpha-macroglobulin protein and the gene for peptidase B (PEPB)
      are linked 11+/-3 cm apart. The PEPB gene is located on mink chromosome 9, and
      hence, the Lpw-locus is on the same mink chromosome. The relationship of the
      genetic systems controlling the isotypically different alpha-macroglobulins in
      mink serum are discussed. 

PMID- 24227037
TI  - Genetical control and linkage relationships of isozyme markers in sugar beet (B.
      vulgaris L.) : 1. Isocitrate dehydrogenase, adenylate kinase, phosphoglucomutase,
      glucose phosphate isomerase and cathodal peroxidase.
AB  - Five isozyme systems were genetically investigated. The different separation
      techniques, the developmental expression and the use as marker system in sugar
      beet genetics and breeding is discussed. Isocitrate dehydrogenase was controlled
      by two genes. The gene products form inter- as well as intralocus dimers, even
      with the gene products of the Icd gene in B. procumbens and B. patellaris.
      Adenylate kinase was controlled by one gene. Three different allelic forms were
      detected, which were active as monomeric proteins. Glucose phosphate isomerase
      showed two zones of activity. One zone was polymorphic. Three allelic variants,
      active as dimers, were found. Phosphoglucomutase also showed two major zones of
      activity. One zone was polymorphic and coded for monomeric enzymes. Two allelic
      forms were found in the accessions studied. The cathodal peroxidase system was
      controlled by two independent genes, of which only one was polymorphic. The gene
      products are active as monomers. Linkage was found between red hypocotyl color
      (R) and Icd 2. Pgm 1, Gpi 2, Ak 1 and the Icd 2-R linkage group segregated
      independently. 

PMID- 24227038
TI  - Plant regeneration and variants from calli derived from immature embryos of
      diploid barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and H. vulgare L. x H. bulbosum L. crosses.
AB  - Plant regeneration from calli was carried out at two locations using several
      parental genotypes and environments. Selfed immature diploid (VV) barley (Hordeum
      vulgare) embryos and immature haploid (V) or hybrid (VB) embryos from crosses
      between H. vulgare and H. bulbosum were used as explants. 'Golden Promise',
      'Emir' and 'CB 7432' were the best cultivars for plant regeneration, and 15
      degrees C tended to be more suitable for plant development than higher
      temperatures. A total of 844 regenerants were obtained, and over 200 fertile
      progenies were screened agronomically. Apart from the occurrence of polyploidy
      and albinism, three variants were identified. One showed maternal inheritance for
      yellow leaf striping while the other two were controlled by single recessive
      genes. One of these possessed increased resistance to scald (Rhynchosporium
      secalis) compared with the donor parent cv 'Triumph', and one resembled a
      chlorina mutant. 

PMID- 24227039
TI  - Effect of repeated DNA sequences on direct gene transfer in protoplasts of
      Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.
AB  - Highly repeated nuclear DNA sequences from leaves of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia
      were cloned in pBR322 and tested for their effect on direct gene transfer in
      protoplasts of the same organism. Protoplasts were prepared from suspension
      cultures and were incubated in the presence of the plasmid pHP23 carrying the
      kanamycin resistance gene APH(3')II and in the presence of the plasmids carrying
      the cloned sequence. DNA uptake was induced by a polyethyleneglycol (PEG)
      treatment. Out of the 22 tested clones, 3 significantly stimulated the frequency
      of appearance of transformed colonies. DNA was extracted from some of the
      kanamycin-resistant calli obtained by co-transformations. Dot-blots have shown
      that the stimulatory effect on transformation frequency is often accompanied by a
      consistent increase in integrated genes sequences. 

PMID- 24227040
TI  - Genetic diversity in Cucumis sativus L. assessed by variation at 18 allozyme
      coding loci.
AB  - The genetic diversity of the U.S. Cucumis sativus L. germplasm collection [757
      plant introductions (PI) representing 45 countries] was assessed using 40 enzymes
      which represented 74 biochemical loci. Polymorphisms were observed at 18 loci
      (G2dh-1, Gpi-1, Gpi-2, Gr-1, Gr-2, Idh, Mdh-1, Mdh-2, Mdh-3, Mpi-2, Pepla-2,
      Peppap-2, Per-4, Pgd-1, Pgd-2, Pgm-1, Pgm-3, and Skdh). Two PIs (285606 and
      215589) contained alleles [G2dh-1(1) and Per-4(2), respectively] which did not
      occur in any other PI. Other alleles which occurred in low frequencies (in < 1%
      of the PIs) included Gpi-1(3), Gpi-2(3), Gr-1(3), Gr-2(1), Idh(1), Mdh-1(2), Mdh
      2(1), Peppap-2(1), and Pgd-1(1). Individual loci containing more than one allele
      in greater than 20% of the PIs included Mpi-2, Pepla-2, Pgd-2, and Pgm-1.
      Multivariate analyses aided in the reduction of data (principle components),
      depicted relationships among PIs (cluster), and identified the most
      discriminating enzyme loci (Pgm-1, Pepla-2, Gr-1, Pgd-2, Mpi-2, and Skdh)
      (classification and regression tree). 

PMID- 24227041
TI  - The mentor pollen phenomenon in poplars: a new concept.
AB  - The mentor effect has been investigated in poplars. Attempts to overcome
      interspecific incompatibility are analysed by pollen germination and pollen tube
      behaviour in situ, both for compatible and incompatible crosses. We have
      demonstrated that following the mixed pollination, the two pollen sets interact
      at different levels of the progamic phase. A hypothetical model is proposed which
      describes mentor effect as the result of interactions of antagonist and cynergic
      forces applying on compatible pollen and tubes. These forces promote pollen tube
      growth both on the female partner surface and within the tissues. 

PMID- 24227042
TI  - Inheritance of somatic embryogenesis and organ regeneration from immature embryo
      cultures of winter wheat.
AB  - Diallel analyses of F1 and reciprocal crosses among five winter wheat lines show
      that additive, non-additive, and cytoplasmic genetic effects were significant in
      the genetic control of somatic embryogenesis, shoot, and root induction
      frequencies as well as in numbers of somatic embryos, shoots, and roots. However,
      additive genetic effect appears to be most important since, in most cases a
      larger portion of the cross variation was accounted for by general combining
      ability. The results suggest that somatic embryogenesis and organ regeneration in
      winter wheat can be improved through genetic manipulation. Due to the presence of
      maternal effects, it may be critical to use a suitable genotype as a female
      parent in a selection program. 

PMID- 24227043
TI  - Inheritance of seed dormancy in Cummis sativus var. hardwickii (Royle) Alef.
AB  - Reciprocal matings were made between two Cucumis sativus var. sativus L. inbred
      lines (WI 1606 and WI 2808) and two var. hardwickii (Royle) Alef. accessions (PI
      215589 and PI 183967). Each case produced a series of reciprocal F1, F2, and BC1
      and BC2 progenies which were used to evaluate seed dormancy in var. hardwickii.
      Under controlled conditions (25 degrees +/-1 degrees C and 85%+/-5% RH; 12 h
      fluorescent light, 30 MUmol s(-1) m(-2)), no seed dormancy was observed in the
      var. sativus inbred lines 36 days following seed extraction from fruit. With rare
      exception, var. hardwickii accessions were dormant for at least 60 days. Seed
      dormancy in the F1 was absent 36 days post extraction, indicating that dormancy
      in var. hardwickii is conditioned by recessive genes present. Seed of some F1
      progeny germinated between 36 and 50 days post-extraction, indicating the
      presence of transient dormancy or the more variable expression of the dormancy of
      var. hardwickii. No significant reciprocal differences in either germination rate
      or percentage were detected in either of the F1 and F2 progeny sets, suggesting
      lack of cytoplasmic or maternal control over these traits. It was estimated that
      three to seven factors or loci are involved with the expression of this trait
      depending on the method of calculation, and that a complex interaction between
      embryonic and non-embryonic tissue exists. Least square estimates indicate that
      both additive and dominance effects were important in the expression of dormancy.
      Comparison of theoretical geometric and arithmetic F2 means to observed F2 means
      also suggests that non-additive gene action contributes substantially to the
      observed variation. Broad-sense heritability ranged between 78 and 95%. 

PMID- 24227044
TI  - Alternative male reproductive tactics drive asymmetrical hybridization between
      sunfishes (Lepomis spp.).
AB  - The potential role of alternative reproductive tactics in circumventing premating
      isolating mechanisms and driving hybridization between species has long been
      recognized, but to date there is little empirical support from natural systems.
      Hybridization occurs between bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and pumpkinseed
      sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) and it is known to be asymmetrical (male bluegill *
      female pumpkinseed). Here, we test whether this pattern is driven by a
      recognition failure by pumpkinseed females or by an alternative cuckolder
      reproductive tactic in bluegill males. Using genetic parentage data, we found
      that bluegill cuckolders fathered 24.9% of the larvae in bluegill nests, but no
      evidence that pumpkinseed females spawned in bluegill nests. Pumpkinseed
      cuckolders fathered 8.7% of the larvae in pumpkinseed nests, whereas bluegill
      cuckolders fathered 13.6% of the larvae in those nests. Bluegill cuckolders thus
      frequently spawn in pumpkinseed nests and are responsible for the asymmetrical
      hybridization between the species. We discuss the evolutionary consequences of
      interactions between bluegill and pumpkinseed and the role of alternative
      reproductive tactics in adaptation and introgression. 

PMID- 24227045
TI  - Evidence for a recent origin of penguins.
AB  - Penguins are a remarkable group of birds, with the 18 extant species living in
      diverse climatic zones from the tropics to Antarctica. The timing of the origin
      of these extant penguins remains controversial. Previous studies based on DNA
      sequences and fossil records have suggested widely differing times for the origin
      of the group. This has given rise to widely differing biogeographic narratives
      about their evolution. To resolve this problem, we sequenced five introns from 11
      species representing all genera of living penguins. Using these data and other
      available DNA sequences, together with the ages of multiple penguin fossils to
      calibrate the molecular clock, we estimated the age of the most recent common
      ancestor of extant penguins to be 20.4 Myr (17.0-23.8 Myr). This time is half of
      the previous estimates based on molecular sequence data. Our results suggest that
      most of the major groups of extant penguins diverged 11-16 Ma. This overlaps with
      the sharp decline in Antarctic temperatures that began approximately 12 Ma,
      suggesting a possible relationship between climate change and penguin evolution. 

PMID- 24227046
TI  - Oxytocin shapes parental motion during father-infant interaction.
AB  - An infant-oriented parental repertoire contributes to an infant's development and
      well-being. The role of oxytocin (OT) in promoting affiliative bonds and
      parenting has been established in numerous animal and human studies. Recently,
      acute administration of OT to a parent was found to enhance the carer's, but at
      the same time also the infant's, physiological and behavioural readiness for
      dyadic social engagement. Yet, the exact cues that are involved in this
      affiliative transmission process remain unclear. The existing literature suggests
      that motion and vocalization are key social signals for the offspring that
      facilitates social participation, and that distance and motion perception are
      modulated by OT in humans. Here, we employed a computational method on video
      vignettes of human parent-infant interaction including 32 fathers that were
      administered OT or a placebo in a crossover experimental design. Results indicate
      that OT modulates parental proximity to the infant, as well as the father's head
      speed and head acceleration but not the father's vocalization during dyadic
      interaction. Similarly, the infant's OT reactivity is positively correlated with
      father's head acceleration. The current findings are the first to report a
      relationship between the OT system and parental motion characteristics, further
      suggesting that the cross-generation transmission of parenting in humans might be
      underlaid by nuanced, infant-oriented, gestures relating to the carer's
      proximity, speed and acceleration within the dyadic context. 

PMID- 24227047
TI  - Action at a distance: dependency sensitivity in a New World primate.
AB  - Sensitivity to dependencies (correspondences between distant items) in sensory
      stimuli plays a crucial role in human music and language. Here, we show that
      squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) can detect abstract, non-adjacent
      dependencies in auditory stimuli. Monkeys discriminated between tone sequences
      containing a dependency and those lacking it, and generalized to previously
      unheard pitch classes and novel dependency distances. This constitutes the first
      pattern learning study where artificial stimuli were designed with the species'
      communication system in mind. These results suggest that the ability to recognize
      dependencies represents a capability that had already evolved in humans' last
      common ancestor with squirrel monkeys, and perhaps before. 

PMID- 24227048
TI  - Brains and the city in passerine birds: re-analysis and confirmation of the
      original result.

PMID- 24227049
TI  - Chronology of fusion of the primary and secondary ossification centers in the
      human sacrum and age estimation in child and adolescent skeletons.
AB  - Little is known about fusion times of the primary and secondary centers of
      ossification in the sacrum, particularly from dry bone observations. In this
      study, the timing of union of these centers was studied in a sample of modern
      Portuguese skeletons (90 females and 101 males) between the ages of 0 and 30
      years, taken from the Lisbon documented skeletal collection. A three-stage scheme
      was used to assess fusion status between ossification centers as unfused,
      partially fused and completely fused. Posterior probability tables of age, given
      a certain stage of fusion, were calculated for most anatomical locations studied
      using both reference and uniform priors. Partial union of primary centers of
      ossification was observed from 1 to 8 years of age and partial union of secondary
      centers of ossification was observed from 15 to 21 years of age. The first
      primary centers of ossification to complete fusion are the neural arch with the
      centrum of the fifth sacral vertebrae and the last are the costal element with
      the centrum of the first sacral vertebra. The annular and sacroiliac epiphyses
      are the first, among the secondary centers of ossification observed, to complete
      fusion, after which the lateral margin fuses. This study offers information on
      timing of fusion of diverse locations in the developing sacrum useful for age
      estimation of complete or fragmented immature human skeletal remains and fills an
      important gap in the literature, by adding to previously published times of
      fusion of primary and secondary ossification centers in this sample.

PMID- 24227050
TI  - Isomerization and decomposition of a Criegee intermediate in the ozonolysis of
      alkenes: dynamics using a multireference potential.
AB  - The isomerization and decomposition dynamics of the simplest Criegee intermediate
      CH2 OO have been studied by classical trajectory simulations using the
      multireference ab initio MR-PT2 potential on the fly. A new, accelerated
      algorithm for dynamics with MR-PT2 was used. For an initial temperature of 300 K,
      starting from the transition state from CH2 OO->CH2 O2  , the system reaches the
      dioxirane structure in around 50 fs, then isomerizes to formic acid (in ca. 2800
      fs), and decomposes into CO+H2 O at around 2900 fs. The contributions of
      different configurations to the multiconfigurational total electronic wave
      function vary dramatically along the trajectory, with diradical contributions
      being important for transition states corresponding to H-atom transfers, while
      being only moderately significant for CH2 OO. The implications for reactions of
      Criegee intermediates are discussed.

PMID- 24227052
TI  - Embryogenesis and plant regeneration from anther culture of bamboo (Sinocalamus
      latiflora (Munro) McClure).
AB  - Embryogenic callus was initiated from bamboo (Sinocalumus satiflora (Munro)
      McClure) anthers cultured on N6 medium supplemented with 1 mg/l 2,4-D, 1 mg/l BA,
      2 g/l charcoal, 0.8% agar (Sigma) and 9% sucrose. Anthers with microspores at
      miduninucleate to early-binucleate stages showed better rate of response for
      callus induction. Prolonged culture of these embryogenic calli on the original
      medium or subculture to an auxin-free medium resulted in embryoid formation and
      their subsequent germination to form rooted plantlets. Chromosome counts from
      root-tip cells of anther-derived plant indicated that they were haploid (N=36). 

PMID- 24227051
TI  - Socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality in the Czech Republic, Russia,
      Poland and Lithuania in the 2000s: findings from the HAPIEE Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Relatively large socioeconomic inequalities in health and mortality
      have been observed in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the former Soviet
      Union (FSU). Yet comparative data are sparse and virtually all studies include
      only education. The aim of this study is to quantify and compare socioeconomic
      inequalities in all-cause mortality during the 2000s in urban population samples
      from four CEE/FSU countries, by three different measures of socioeconomic
      position (SEP) (education, difficulty buying food and household amenities),
      reflecting different aspects of SEP. METHODS: Data from the prospective
      population-based HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol, and Psychosocial factors in Eastern
      Europe) study were used. The baseline survey (2002-2005) included 16 812 men and
      19 180 women aged 45-69 years in Novosibirsk (Russia), Krakow (Poland), Kaunas
      (Lithuania) and seven Czech towns. Deaths in the cohorts were identified through
      mortality registers. Data were analysed by direct standardisation and Cox
      regression, quantifying absolute and relative SEP differences. RESULTS: Mortality
      inequalities by the three SEP indicators were observed in all samples. The
      magnitude of inequalities varied according to gender, country and SEP measure. As
      expected, given the high mortality rates in Russian men, largest absolute
      inequalities were found among Russian men (educational slope index of inequality
      was 19.4 per 1000 person-years). Largest relative inequalities were observed in
      Czech men and Lithuanian subjects. Disadvantage by all three SEP measures
      remained strongly associated with increased mortality after adjusting for the
      other SEP indicators. CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasise the importance of all
      SEP measures for understanding mortality inequalities in CEE/FSU.

PMID- 24227053
TI  - Regulation of alpha-amylase promoter by gibberellic acid and abscisic acid in
      barley protoplasts transformed by electroporation.
AB  - Transient gene expression was studied in isolated protoplasts of barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L. cv Himalaya) transformed by electroporation. Two plasmid constructions
      were used, both of which contained the gene coding for neomycin
      phosphotransferase II (nptII) as a reporter gene. In one plasmid the reporter
      gene was under the control of an alpha-amylase group 1 gene promoter of barley
      and in the other, used as a control, under the CaMV 35S transcript promoter.
      Protoplasts were isolated from three different types of tissue: the aleurone
      layer, the scutellar epithelium and the mesophyll. All three types of protoplasts
      electroporated with 35S -nptII plasmid construction showed strong NPTII activity
      on which GA3 and ABA had no effect. In protoplasts isolated from the aleurone
      layer and scutellum the expression of amy-nptII was low when compared with the
      expression of 35S -nptII. In aleurone protoplasts GA3 enhanced the expression of
      amy-nptII about tenfold and ABA prevented the action of GA3. In protoplasts
      isolated from the scutellar epithelium GA3 did not affect the low level of
      expression of amy-nptII. In mesophyll protoplasts the amy-nptII was not expressed
      at all. 

PMID- 24227054
TI  - Optimizing sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] root and plantlet formation
      by selection of proper embryo developmental stage and size, and gel type for
      fluidized sowing.
AB  - Potassium starch polyacrylamide, potassium acrylate, a copolymer of potassium
      acrylate and acrylamide, and hydroxyethylcellulose carrier gels were tested to
      find a fluid drilling material suited for synthetic seeding of sweet potato
      (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) somatic embryos. Somatic embryo developmental stage
      and size, and maturation (incubation) time were also evaluated to improve
      plantlet formation. All embryos suspended in the fluidized hydroxyethylcellulose
      gel were viable after six days and 7% developed into plantlets after two weeks.
      Up to 97% of the somatic embryos suspended in acrylate and/or acrylamide gels
      died within six days. Root development was at least 10% and plantlet development
      at least 30% greater when embryos were subcultured on basal medium for 16 instead
      of 25 days prior to placement and suspension in hydroxyethylcellulose gel. Up to
      25% more plantlets were obtained from embryos at the elongated torpedo stage than
      those at the cotyledonary or torpedo stages of development. When suspended in
      hydroxyethylcellulose gel embryo length had no effect on the percentage of
      plantlets obtained. 

PMID- 24227055
TI  - Agrobacterium induced gall formation in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and
      formation of shoot-like structures expressing introduced genes.
AB  - The objective of this research was to define an in vitro regeneration and
      transformation system for bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) using six cultivars
      and one Guatemalan wild accession. The wild accession exhibited the best
      regeneration response. Only occasional elongation of shoot buds in 'Yolo Wonder
      L' was achieved by culture in the dark on a medium containing 10 mg/l BA and l
      mg/l IAA. Transformed shoot buds and leaf-like structures were obtained, showing
      beta- glucuronidase activity predominantly in the vascular and perivascular
      tissues, with no indication of contaminating Agrobacterium in the tissues.
      Attempts to regenerate whole transgenic plants from transformed shoot buds were
      unsuccessful. 

PMID- 24227056
TI  - Improved embryoid induction and green shoot regeneration from wheat anthers
      cultured in medium with maltose.
AB  - Anthers from spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes, including six F1
      hybrids, were cultured in a modified liquid N6 medium containing either sucrose
      or maltose. In every case, use of maltose resulted in greater microspore callus
      induction and green shoot regeneration than culture in sucrose-containing medium.
      Induction in maltose medium also allowed green shoots to be recovered from
      crosses that showed only a poor response in other media and from two genotypes
      that did not respond to modified N6 medium with sucrose. Replacement of sucrose
      with maltose generally resulted in microspores having a more embryogenic mode of
      development in which distinct embryoids often formed. The most responsive
      genotype produced over 200 green shoots/100 anthers when cultured in medium with
      maltose. 

PMID- 24227057
TI  - Shoot regeneration from stem and leaf callus of Eucalyptus tereticornis.
AB  - Adventitious shoots were obtained from leaf and stem callus of Eucalyptus
      tereticornis SM. Callus was induced on B5 medium with 0.1 mg/l benzyladenine (BA)
      and 3 or 5 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid in the dark. Shoot initiation occurred on
      modified Woody Plant medium (mWP) containing 0.5 mg/l BA, 500 mg/l
      polyvinylpyrrolidone and 10% (v/v) coconut milk. Multiple shoots were also
      regenerated directly from hypocotyl segments of 4 to 6 week old seedlings on B5
      medium with 0.5 mg/l BA. Regenerated shoots could be rooted with 100% efficiency
      on mWP medium containing 0.5 mg/l indolebutyric acid and transferred to soil in
      the greenhouse. Suspension cultures were obtained from the callus using B5 medium
      with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Callus clumps grew from less than 1
      mm to 4-6 mm in diameter within two weeks on transfer to shoot regeneration
      medium but failed to form shoots or somatic embryos. 

PMID- 24227058
TI  - Air pollutants from hydrocarbons and derivatives in micropropagation
      laboratories: toxicity symptoms on tissue culture of the cherry rootstock Colt
      (Prunus avium x P. pseudocerasus).
AB  - Several air pollutants in research and micropropagation laboratories originate
      from the combustion of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. The combustion
      products of some natural gases (propane-butane, propane, methane) and ethanol
      were analyzed, and the atmosphere composition was investigated inside the laminar
      flow box, inside the room where transplanting is performed and inside the culture
      vessels after transplanting. Large quantities of ethylene and other biologically
      active compounds are produced when hydrocarbons are partially oxidized or
      unevenly combusted and when ethanol is used for sterilization of dissecting
      instruments during transplanting operations. Air pollutants' effects have been
      tested on Prunus Colt shoot cultures; the toxicity symptoms observed suggest the
      elimination of gas combustion and alcohols during transplanting operations. 

PMID- 24227059
TI  - Selection of penstemide and serrulatoloside producing clones in penstemon
      serrulatus by small-aggregate cloning.
AB  - A plating method is described for cultured cells of Penstemon serrulatus Menz.
      which allows effective cloning of aggregates consisting of less than 10 cells, on
      a simple synthetic medium. The obtained clones snowed high diversity with respect
      to their ability to produce penstemide, an ester iridoid of the Valeriana-type.
      Some of the clones produced higher quantities of this compound than the original
      cell line. The content of another iridoid glucoside of the same type,
      serrulatoloside, was also determined. 

PMID- 24227060
TI  - Production of tumour-inhibitory lignans in callus cultures of Podophyllum
      hexandrum.
AB  - Callus cultures have been established from root explants of aseptically-grown
      Podophyllum hexandrum seedlings. A fully defined medium based on Gamborg's B5
      salts supplemented with 2/4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, gibberellic acid and 6
      benzylaminopurine was effective for both initiation and sustained growth of
      callus tissue. Cultures produced anticancer lignans podophyllotoxin, 4'
      demethylpodophyllotoxin and podophyllotoxin 4-O-glucoside at levels similar to
      those found in the expiant material as assayed by high performance liquid
      chromatography. The relative proportions of podophyllotoxin and 4'-demethyl
      podophyllotoxin were markedly influenced by the presence of plant growth
      regulators. Particularly high levels of podophyllotoxin were associated with
      growth regulator induced tissue differentiation. 

PMID- 24227061
TI  - Competence for gene transfer by electroporation in a sub-population of
      protoplasts from uniform carrot cell suspension cultures.
AB  - We have investigated the basis for increased transient reporter gene expression
      following electroporation of protoplasts from uniform carrot cell suspension
      cultures at increasing DNA concentrations. Use of a combination of histochemical
      and fluorometric GUS gene assays allowed differentiation between increases due to
      a higher proportion of expressing protoplasts and increases due to higher
      expression by each expressing protoplast. A plateau of 20-25% expressing
      protoplasts was reached by 50 MUg ml(-1) DNA but total expression continued to
      increase in direct proportion to applied DNA concentration up to at least 100 MUg
      ml(-1). This indicates the existence of a subpopulation of protoplasts competent
      for the uptake and expression of genes by electroporation. 

PMID- 24227062
TI  - Micropropagation of Phytolacca dodecandra through shoot-tip and nodal cultures.
AB  - A procedure for micropropagation of endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) is described.
      BA at 0.44 MUM produced 3.1 new shoots per expiant in six weeks using shoot tips.
      Nodal expiants, however, produced up to 4.7 shoots per explant on medium with
      0.44 MUM BA and 0.27 MUM GA,. IBA at 0.49 MUM induced 90% rooting with minimal
      callus. Plantlets were successfully transferred to the greenhouse and some
      staminate clones produced flowers after six months. 

PMID- 24227063
TI  - Production of nematocidal compounds by hairy root cultures of Tagetes patula L.
AB  - Marigold (Tagetes patula L.) hairy roots induced by infection with Agrobacterium
      rhizogenes produced alpha-terthienyl when grown in darkness, and an n-hexane
      extract of the roots showed nematocidal activity. Depending on the hairy root
      line used, the level of alpha-terthienyl varied from 15 to 1268 MUg per g dry
      weight, a level that corresponded to 0.15 to 12.7-fold that in intact roots.
      Analysis by HPLC indicated that the nematocidal activity was due predominantly to
      alpha-terthienyl. However, it is suggested that nematocidal compounds other than
      alpha-terthienyl are present in hairy roots cultured in the dark for long periods
      or in the light. 

PMID- 24227064
TI  - Plant regeneration by somatic embryogenesis from cultured immature embryos of oak
      (Querem robur L.) and linden (Tilia cordata Mill.).
AB  - Embryogenic cultures and somatic embryos were obtained from immature zygotic
      embryos of oak (Quercus robur L.) cultured on a modified MS medium and WPM
      containing BAP (1 mg.l(-1)) and GA3 (1 mg.l(-1)) or BAP and IBA. Germination and
      conversion of oak somatic embryos into plantlets was achieved on WPM containing a
      reduced concentration of cytokinin. Linden (Tilia cordata Mill.) somatic embryos
      developed in embryogenic tissues initiated from immature zygotic embryos cultured
      on a modified MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.3-2.0 mg.l(-1)). Germination
      of linden somatic embryos and plantlet formation occurred on MS medium containing
      a low concentration of IBA. Oak and linden plantlets produced from somatic
      embryos were successfully established in soil. Somatic embryos and plantlets were
      also regenerated from embryogenic cultures of Quercus petraea and Tilia
      platyphyllos. 

PMID- 24227065
TI  - Plant regeneration from mesophyll protoplasts of Centaurea cyanus, Senecio x
      hybridus and Callistephus chinensis.
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from leaves of glasshouse-grown plants of Centaurea
      cyanus and axenic shoot cultures of Senecio x hybridus. Upon culture, using
      modified MS-based media, protoplasts of both systems entered division to produce
      callus, followed by plant regeneration. Leaf protoplasts of Callistephus
      chinensis entered sustained division only following the preconditioning for 24h
      of peeled leaf tissues on agar-solidified MS-based medium. Protoplasts were also
      isolated from cell suspensions of C. chinensis and divided in MS-based or KM
      media. However, only leaf mesophyll protoplasts of Callistephus produced callus,
      which developed shoots.The establishment of protoplast-to-plant protocols for
      these ornamental species has provided a basis for broadening their gene pools
      through somatic hybridisation. 

PMID- 24227066
TI  - Excision of the maize transposable element Ac in flax callus.
AB  - The frequency and fidelity of Ac transposition, and that of its non-autonomous
      derivative Ds, were investigated in flax callus. Flax (Linum usitatissimum var.
      Antares) hypocotyls were transformed with Agrobacterium Ti plasmid vectors
      containing the Ac or Ds element inserted within the untranslated leader sequence
      of a chimaeric neomycin phosphotransferase II gene. Kanamycin resistant tissues
      were produced as a result of excision of Ac in around 35% of the total number of
      Ac-containing transformants. In contrast, no excision was observed from
      transformants containing the Ds element. Whilst Ac appears to have excised
      completely from T-DNAs, little evidence was found to infer reintegration of the
      Ac element into the genome. 

PMID- 24227067
TI  - The accumulation of podophyllotoxin-beta-D-glucoside by cell suspension cultures
      derived from the conifer Callitris drummondii.

PMID- 24227068
TI  - In vitro hepatic monodeiodination of L-thyroxine and the temporal effect of
      17beta-estradiol on deiodination in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson).
AB  - Thein vitro hepatic monodeiodination of L-thyroxine (T4) to triiodo-L-thyronine
      (T3) in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was found to be pH- and temperature
      dependent, and was related to the amount of homogenate in the reaction vessel,
      suggestive of an enzyme-regulated event. Dithiothreitol (DTT) introduced into the
      reaction medium stimulated T3 production in a dose-related manner, whilst 6n
      propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) inhibited T3 production, also in a dose-related manner.
      The conversion was stimulated in the presence of light and depressed at buffer
      concentrations of less than 0.1 M.Prior treatment of fish with an intraperitoneal
      slow-release implant containing 17beta-estradiol (E2), at doses which are known
      to induce chronic mild elevations in plasma E2 levels, elicited a biphasic
      response to E2 as regards hepatic T3 production from T4 with a depression of T4
      to T3 conversion evident within 1-2 days after implantation, and a subsequent
      stimulation of T3 production evident 56 days after, implantation. This increased
      hepatic deiodinase activity after chronic exposure to E2 at physiological doses
      was accompanied by a 3.5 fold increase in Vmax without a significant change in
      Km, suggesting the presence of an increased amount of the enzyme. 

PMID- 24227069
TI  - Fundulus heteroclitus Gonadotropin(s) 2. Year-round husbandry of animals with
      active pituitaries and responsive follicles.
AB  - Mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) were exposed to various regimens of
      temperature and photoperiod in order to develop a routine husbandry procedure so
      as to have throughout the year a population of reproductively healthy fish with a
      good quantity and quality of prematuration follicles (1.2-1.5 mm) suitable for
      carrying out homologous bioassays ofF. heteroclitus gonadotropin. During the fall
      and winter months, wild fish in the field all had regressed ovaries
      (gonadosomatic index <1). On the other hand, laboratory-maintained fish, with or
      without cold temperature (15 degrees C) and short photoperiod (10 h light/day)
      pretreatment, generally had sexually mature ovaries (GSI>10) when maintained on a
      warm temperature (25 degrees C) and long photoperiod (14 h light) protocol.
      Ovarian follicles retrieved from laboratory fish were responsive toF.
      heteroclitus pituitary extract stimulation, and underwent germinal vesicle
      breakdown normallyin vitro. Hence these ovarian follicles served well as a
      bioassay forF. heteroclitus gonadotropin even outside of the normal breeding
      season. The pituitary glands retrieved from laboratory fish in winter also
      retained high gonadotropic potencies, in terms of maturational and steroidogenic
      activities. Our results thus demonstrated that active gametogenesis in laboratory
      maintained fish can be extended five months beyond the end of the normal breeding
      season. Apparently,F. heteroclitus in Florida is potentially a continuous breeder
      when under favorable conditions, but has a reproductive quiescent period imposed
      upon it by some environmental stressor(s). Although the design of the present
      experiments did not determine the relative importance of nutritional factors,
      temperature, and photoperiod on the annual reproductive cycle ofF. heteroclitus,
      there are indications that diatary factors may play a much more dominant role in
      the reproductive cycle than previously recognized. 

PMID- 24227070
TI  - The effect of feeding three anabolic steroids in different combinations on the
      growth, food conversion efficiency and protein and nucleic acid levels of liver,
      kidney, brain and muscle of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio).
AB  - A study on the effect of three different anabolic-androgenic steroids on the
      growth, food conversion efficiency and nucleic acid contents of liver, kidney,
      brain and muscle of carp,Cyprinus carpio was undertaken. The three steroids,
      methyltestosterone (MT), ethylestrenol (EE) and oxandrolone (ON), were fed in
      different combinations at final concentrations of 5 or 6 mg/kg diet for 60 days.
      No effect on the growth was observed in any of the experimental groups. A
      decrease in the specific growth rate (11-21%) and food conversion efficiency (20
      29%) was noted. Feeding of drugs increased the cranio-somatic and reno-somatic
      index in all except one group. Hepatosomatic (ON+MT) and viscero-somatic (ON+MT;
      EE+MT+ON) indices decreased. Protein increased and RNA/DNA decreased in only one
      group while a decrease in protein/DNA was observed in the liver of all
      experimental groups. RNA/DNA increased and protein/RNA decreased only in one
      group while no effect was seen in protein and protein/DNA contents in any of the
      treated kidneys. Proteins, protein/RNA and protein/DNA decreased in certain
      groups in brain tissue. In muscle, no effect was seen in proteins or protein/DNA.
      Protein/RNA decreased in all but one group while RNA/DNA was higher only in the
      group fed all the three steroids together. 

PMID- 24227071
TI  - The fate of noradrenaline and adrenaline in the perfused cod spleen.
AB  - The time course of appearance of catecholamine metabolites was studied in the
      spleen of cod,Gadus morhua, during perfusion with radioactively labelled
      noradrenaline and adrenaline at 10 degrees C. The tlag for appearance of the
      metabolites ranged between 1.78 and 6.76 min after onset of perfusion for both
      amines, indicating a rapid disposition of catecholamines. Perfusion with
      noradrenaline resulted in mainly MOPEG, VMA and DOMA formation, while perfusion
      with adrenaline additionally resulted in MN formation. There was still formation
      of deaminated metabolites after denervation, which indicates an additional non
      neuronal site of deamination. It is concluded from the study that the fate of
      noradrenaline and adrenaline within the cod spleen depends on their affinities
      for the two uptake mechanisms and an extraneuronal site of deamination of great
      importance cannot be excluded. 

PMID- 24227072
TI  - Species differences in the adrenergic responses of fish red cells: studies on
      whitefish, pikeperch, trout and carp.
AB  - The occurrence and pH dependence (pHe 7-8) of the adrenergic red cell responses
      of two salmonids, trout and whitefish, and a percinid, pikeperch were studied.
      These are all species that live in well-oxygenated waters. The responses were
      compared to those of carp, which tolerates oxygen-deficient waters.The adrenergic
      responses of trout and whitefish red cells were pronounced. In these species red
      cell swelling, the accumulation of sodium and chloride in the cell, and the
      increase in red cell oxygen content at atmospheric oxygen tension were maximal at
      pH 7.3. In contrast, pikeperch red cells responded to beta-adrenergic stimulation
      only at extracellular pH 7.1. In carp, the adrenergic response, occurring below
      extracellular pH 7.5, was small as compared to the two salmonids. In each case
      the onset of the adrenergic response coincided with the onset of the Root
      effect.The differences in the adrenergic responses between the two salmonids and
      pikeperch suggest that the occurrence of the adrenergic response is not directly
      related to the environmental oxygen requirements of the species, but may be
      linked to the activity pattern. 

PMID- 24227073
TI  - The influence of the dietary carbohydrate: lipid ratio on the chronic toxicity of
      sodium pentachlorophenate to rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson).
AB  - The influence of diets varying in carbohydrate: lipid ratio on the chronic
      toxicity of waterborne sodium pentachlorophenate (0 or 50 MUg NaPCP.l(-1)) to
      rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was examined over a 12 week period. The three
      diets used were practical salmonid formulations, equivalent in energy and protein
      content, with cerelose: fish oil ratios of 18.2?4.7% (high carbohydrate, HC),
      9.3?9.1% (intermediate, INT), and 0.6?13.8% (low carbohydrate, LC). With
      increasing levels of dietary carbohydrate trout exhibited enlarged livers,
      elevated liver glycogen content, reduced liver protein content, reduced body
      lipid content, reduced weight gain, and elevated feed: gain ratio. For all diet
      groups, exposure of trout to NaPCP resulted in reduced liver glycogen content,
      higher liver protein content, reduced levels of plasma total triiodo-L-thyronine
      and L-thyroxine, increased thyroid epithelial cell height, and increased feed:
      gain ratios relative to their respective dietary control group. NaPCP exposure
      led to nominal reductions in weight gain and body lipid content of fish reared on
      the HC and INT diets. NaPCP exposed fish on the LC diet gained significantly less
      weight but had a higher body lipid content than control fish. The increasing
      NaPCP bioconcentration factor (BCF) associated with increasing lipid content of
      fish (log BCF=2.75 [log % lipid] +0.30; r=0.95) may explain the differences in
      response. Correction of bioconcentration data for the lipid content of fish
      reduced the range in BCF from 5- to 2.8-fold. 

PMID- 24227074
TI  - Lactate dehydrogenase isozymes in the trunk and cardiac muscles of an antarctic
      teleost fish,Notothenia neglecta Nybelin.
AB  - The distribution and kinetics of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isozymes in the red
      and white trunk muscles, and cardiac muscle of an antarctic teleost fish
      (Notothenia neglecta Nybelin) have been studied. Pyruvate inhibition of LDH in
      all three muscle types is very low, being less than 50% even at a concentration
      of 60mM pyruvate. Activity versus pyruvate concentration profiles are not
      significantly different for LDH in all three muscle types. The Michaelis constant
      (Km) for pyruvate was not significantly different for all three LDH's. Raising
      the assay temperature caused an increase in Km of similar form in all three
      muscle types, while Km was lowest at the lowest assay temperature (-1 degrees C).
      When samples were run on a polyacrylamide gel, the bands stained specifically for
      LDH activity appeared at identical positions as those of the H2M2 band of the
      standards.It would appear therefore that the LDH isozyme found in the red and
      white trunk muscle ofN. neglecta is identical to that in cardiac muscle. This
      fact is discussed in relation to the physiological ecology of antaretic fishes,
      and the metabolic constraints imposed by their habitat, including their apparent
      low capacity for utilising glycolytic fuels. 

PMID- 24227075
TI  - Referees of articles submitted to the journal in 1988.

PMID- 24227076
TI  - Thyroidal compensation in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fed canola meal.

PMID- 24227077
TI  - Anti-Mullerian hormone: reality check.

PMID- 24227079
TI  - Semiclassical approach to fluorescence spectra of polar dye solutions. Anharmonic
      approximation.
AB  - On the basis of the quasi-molecule model of electronic spectra of polar dye
      solutions, a description of structureless fluorescence spectra is accomplished.
      In the model, parameters of the spectrum have a simple physical interpretation
      and allow us to specify the dye-solvent interaction potentials in the initial and
      final states of fluorescence. These parameters for a few coumarin solutions are
      found by fitting theoretical distributions to the experimentally obtained
      spectra. A whole fluorescence spectrum can be theoretically reproduced only when
      the anharmonicity of the motion of molecules in solution is taken into account.
      However, a main part of the spectrum can also be recovered in harmonic
      approximation. A criterion for the fitting range in this case is formulated. 

PMID- 24227078
TI  - Barcode tagging of human oocytes and embryos to prevent mix-ups in assisted
      reproduction technologies.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Is the attachment of biofunctionalized polysilicon barcodes to
      the outer surface of the zona pellucida an effective approach for the direct
      tagging and identification of human oocytes and embryos during assisted
      reproduction technologies (ARTs)? SUMMARY ANSWER: The direct tagging system based
      on lectin-biofunctionalized polysilicon barcodes of micrometric dimensions is
      simple, safe and highly efficient, allowing the identification of human oocytes
      and embryos during the various procedures typically conducted during an assisted
      reproduction cycle. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Measures to prevent mismatching errors
      (mix-ups) of the reproductive samples are currently in place in fertility
      clinics, but none of them are totally effective and several mix-up cases have
      been reported worldwide. Using a mouse model, our group has previously developed
      an effective direct embryo tagging system which does not interfere with the in
      vitro and in vivo development of the tagged embryos. This system has now been
      tested in human oocytes and embryos. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Fresh immature
      and mature fertilization-failed oocytes (n = 21) and cryopreserved day 1 embryos
      produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection
      (ICSI) (n = 205) were donated by patients (n = 76) undergoing ARTs. In vitro
      development rates, embryo quality and post-vitrification survival were compared
      between tagged (n = 106) and non-tagged (control) embryos (n = 99). Barcode
      retention and identification rates were also calculated, both for embryos and for
      oocytes subjected to a simulated ICSI and parthenogenetic activation. Experiments
      were conducted from January 2012 to January 2013. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS,
      SETTING, METHODS: Barcodes were fabricated in polysilicon and biofunctionalizated
      with wheat germ agglutinin lectin. Embryos were tagged with 10 barcodes and
      cultured in vitro until the blastocyst stage, when they were either
      differentially stained with propidium iodide and Hoechst or vitrified using the
      Cryotop method. Embryo quality was also analyzed by embryo grading and time-lapse
      monitoring. Injected oocytes were parthenogenetically activated using ionomycin
      and 6-dimethylaminopurine. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Blastocyst
      development rates of tagged (27/58) and non-tagged embryos (24/51) were
      equivalent, and no significant differences in the timing of key morphokinetic
      parameters and the number of inner cell mass cells were detected between the two
      groups (tagged: 24.7 +/- 2.5; non-tagged: 22.3 +/- 1.9), indicating that
      preimplantation embryo potential and quality are not affected by the barcodes.
      Similarly, re-expansion rates of vitrified-warmed tagged (19/21) and non-tagged
      (16/19) blastocysts were similar. Global identification rates of 96.9 and 89.5%
      were obtained in fresh (mean barcode retention: 9.22 +/- 0.13) and vitrified
      warmed (mean barcode retention: 7.79 +/- 0.35) tagged embryos, respectively, when
      simulating an automatic barcode reading process, though these rates were
      increased to 100% just by rotating the embryos during barcode reading. Only one
      of the oocytes lost one barcode during intracytoplasmic injection (100%
      identification rate) and all oocytes retained all the barcodes after
      parthenogenetic activation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Although the direct
      embryo tagging system developed is effective, it only allows the identification
      and traceability of oocytes destined for ICSI and embryos. Thus, the traceability
      of all reproductive samples (oocytes destined for IVF and sperm) is not yet
      ensured. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The direct embryo tagging system
      developed here provides fertility clinics with a novel tool to reduce the risk of
      mix-ups in human ARTs. The system can also be useful in research studies that
      require the individual identification of oocytes or embryos and their individual
      tracking. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was supported by the
      Sociedad Espanola de Fertilidad, the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science
      (TEC2011-29140-C03) and the Generalitat de Catalunya (2009SGR-00282 and 2009SGR
      00158). The authors do not have any competing interests.

PMID- 24227080
TI  - Design and development of a fiber-optic immunosensor utilizing near-infrared
      fluorophores.
AB  - The design and application of a fluorescent fiber-optic immunosensor (FFOI) are
      reported. The FFOI is utilized for the detection of antibody/antigen binding
      within the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region. The technique is developed
      through the combined use of fiber-optic, semiconductor laser-excitation,
      fluorescence detection, NIR dye, and immunochemical techniques. The antibody is
      immobilized on the FFOI and utilized as a recognition component for trace amounts
      of specific antigen. The FFOI is constructed to utilize an antibody sandwich
      technique. The assay involves the immobilization of the capture antibody on the
      sensing tip of the FFOI followed by the exposure of the immobilized sensing tip
      to the antigen. The antigen-coated FFOI is then introduced to a second antibody
      previously labeled with the NIR dye. Typical measurements are performed in about
      15 min. A semiconductor laser provides the excitation (780 nm) of the immune
      complex. The resulting emission is detected by a silicon photodiode detector (820
      nm). The intensity of the resulting fluorescence is directly proportional to the
      concentration of the antigen. The sensitivity of the analysis reaches 10 ng/ml
      and the response time is 10-15 min. 

PMID- 24227081
TI  - Assessment of murine neuroblastoma (N1E-115) resting membrane potential by
      confocal microscopy.
AB  - Digital imaging (confocal microscopy) and a slow potentiometric dye
      (tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester) were used to assess the resting membrane
      potential (V m) of murine neuroblastoma cells (N1E-115). The averageV m was found
      to be -64.0+/-2.0 mV. The difference between this and the previously reported
      higher values was attributed to the use of glass microelectrode techniques that
      probably caused mechanical injury to the cell membranes: Digital imaging of N1E
      115V m was found to be sensitive, reproducible, fast, and simple. 

PMID- 24227082
TI  - Fluorescence lifetime characterization of magnesium probes: Improvement of Mg(2+)
      dynamic range and sensitivity using phase-modulation fluorometry.
AB  - We measured the Mg(2+)-dependent absorption spectra, emission spectra, quantum
      yields, and intensity decays of most presently available fluorescent magnesium
      probes. The lifetimes were found to be strongly Mg(2+) dependent for Mag-quin-1,
      Mag-quin-2, magnesium green, and magnesium orange and increased 2- to 10-fold
      upon binding of Mg(2+). The lifetimes of Mag-fura-2, Mag-fura-5, Mag-fura red,
      and Mag-indo-1 were similar in the presence and absence of Mg(2+). Detailed
      timeresolved measurements were carried out for Mag-quin-2 and magnesium green
      using phase-modulation fluorometry. Apparent dissociation constants (K d) were
      determined from the steady-state and time-resolved data. Their values were
      compared and discussed. Mg(2+) sensing is described using phase and modulation
      data measured at a single modulation frequency. Phase angle and modulation data
      showed the possibility of obtaining a wider Mg(2+)-sensitive range than available
      from intensity measurements. A significant expansion in the Mg(2+)-sensitive
      range was found for Mag-quin-2 using excitation wavelengths from 343 to 375 nm,
      where the apparentK d from the phase angle was found to vary from 0.3 to about
      100 mM. Discrimination against Ca(2+) was also measured for Mag-quin-2 and
      magnesium green. Significant phototransformation and/or photode-composition,
      which affect the sensitivity to Mg(2+), were observed for Mag-quin-2 and
      magnesium green under intense and long illumination. 

PMID- 24227083
TI  - Photometric and fluorimetric study of the acid-base behavior of 2,2'-diquinolyl
      and 2,2',2"-terpyridyl.
AB  - A photometric and fluorimetric study of the acid-base behavior of 2,2'-diquinolyl
      and 2,2',2"-terpyridyl was performed. In sulfuric acid medium, the doubly charged
      2,2'-diquinolynium ion undergoes the first dissociation atH 0=0.20+/-0.09, as
      determined by fluorimetry (lambdaex=336 nm, lambdaem=424 nm). Photometric
      titration is less accurate because of the overlapping of the absorption spectra.
      The second dissociation constant of 2,2'-diquinolyl was determined by
      fluorimetric titration (lambdaex=336 nm, lambdaem=420 nm), obtaining a value of
      3.67+/-0.03. The triply charged 2,2',2"-terpyridyl molecule was found to undergo
      the first dissociation atH 0=-7.17+/-0.04, as determined by fluorimetric
      titration (lambdaex=316 nm, lambdaem=350 nm), in aqueous sulfuric acid medium.
      Photometric titration (lambda=335 nm) was performed in the presence of 6.5%
      ethanol because of the low solubility of the compound in water. In this
      ethanolic?water medium, a value of the dissociation constant atH 0=-7.39+/-0.03
      was calculated. The second dissociation constant was determined to be 2.81+/-0.12
      by photometric titration at 285 nm, and values of 4.03+/-0.26 and 4.16+/-0.20
      were found for the third dissociation constant by photometric titrations at 320
      and 295 nm, in 10% ethanol, in close agreement with previously reported values.
      The fluorimetric titration profile obtained by exciting at 274 nm and measuring
      the fluorescence emission at 350 nm, in the zone betweenH 0=-3 and pH=10, is
      complicated by the several equilibria involved. 

PMID- 24227084
TI  - Filter switching device for dual-wavelength videoimaging.
AB  - An inexpensive, dual-wavelength, videoimaging system that can be used for
      parallel observation of two fluorescent dyes is described. All four filters, two
      for excitation and two for emission, are placed on the same oscillating holder.
      Filters are coupled with a single dichroic mirror having two spectral windows. A
      coil driven by an electronic circuit connected to photosensors, which determine
      the position of the holder, moves the magnet that shifts the position of the
      filters. Since the filter holder is placed between two springs, it oscillates
      with the frequency of mechanical resonance. As a result the filter switching did
      not require much power and did not produce significant vibrations of the base.
      Switching frequencies up to 4.5 s(-1) were reached with the first experimental
      device. System performance was tested using phospholipid vesicles loaded with
      water-soluble and membrane dyes. It has been demonstrated that the device can be
      used successfully in experiments on membrane fusion with rhodamine- and calcein
      labeled liposomes. 

PMID- 24227086
TI  - Development of a laser-based fluorescence microscope with subnanosecond time
      resolution.
AB  - This report describes the development of a fluorescence microscope based on a
      standard inverted optical microscope which incorporates a pulsed picosecond dye
      laser excitation source and a detector consisting of a gated image intensifier
      coupled to a CCD camera. Fluorescence images have been obtained using gate
      durations of 0.5 ns from this apparatus, representing a reduction in gate
      duration of an order of magnitude compared with similar instruments reported by
      others recently. Subnanosecond gated fluorescence images of V79-4 Chinese hamster
      lung fibroblasts stained with a phthalocyanine photosensitizer used in
      photodynamic therapy are presented. The results of these measurements are
      discussed in terms of the intracellular distribution of the sensitizer. Other
      potential applications and limitations of this technique are also outlined. 

PMID- 24227085
TI  - Diffusion-enhanced resonance energy transfer shows that linker-DNA accessibility
      decreases during salt-induced chromatin condensation.
AB  - Accessibility of linker-DNA chromatin during salt-induced condensation of chicken
      erythrocytes chromatin was studied by diffusion-enhanced resonance energy
      transfer. A terbium complex was covalently bound to linker-DNA and fluorescein
      molecules bound to latex particles with diameters ranging from 14 to 2470 nm were
      used as acceptor. The accessibility of linker-DNA to molecules with a diameter
      superior to 14 nm diminished during condensation, but for an acceptor diameter of
      14 nm or less, no accessibility variation was observed. It can be concluded that
      (1) linker-DNA is located inside the fiber when chromatin is in the condensed
      state, (2) chromatin condensation can prevent the approach to DNA due to steric
      hindrance, (3) salt-induced chromatin condensation is a gradual process, and (4)
      condensed chromatin models containing a central cavity are more likely. 

PMID- 24227087
TI  - An expert system for water quality modelling.
AB  - The RAISON-micro (Regional Analysis by Intelligent System ON a micro-computer)
      expert system is being used to predict the effects of mine effluents on receiving
      waters in Ontario. The potential of this system to assist regulatory agencies and
      mining industries to define more acceptable effluent limits was shown in an
      initial study. This system has been further developed so that the expert system
      helps the model user choose the most appropriate model for a particular
      application from a hierarchy of models. The system currently contains seven
      models which range from steady state to time dependent models, for both
      conservative and nonconservative substances in rivers and lakes. The menu driven
      expert system prompts the model user for information such as the nature of the
      receiving water system, the type of effluent being considered, and the range of
      background data available for use as input to the models. The system can also be
      used to determine the nature of the environmental conditions at the site which
      are not available in the textual information database, such as the components of
      river flow. Applications of the water quality expert system are presented for
      representative mine sites in the Timmins area of Ontario. 

PMID- 24227088
TI  - Expres: An expert system for assessing the fate of pesticides in the subsurface.
AB  - The expert system described here is designed to aid regulatory personnel in their
      assessment of the potential for pesticides to contaminate the soil and
      groundwater environment. The expert system, known as EXPRES (EXpert system for
      Pesticide Regulatory Evaluation Simulations), consists of existing numerical
      models which are used to simulate the transport and transformation of pesticides
      in the unsaturated zone, coupled with a knowledge-based system that guides the
      user through the choice of all the necessary information for characterizing the
      physical, meteorological, hydrogeological, pedological and agricultural settings
      of typical agricultural regions across Canada, as required by the pesticide
      model. The expert system is designed to be used as a management tool to aid in
      policy decisions. Thus, its purpose is to provide an assessment of the potential
      hazards and to identify if further study is warranted. 

PMID- 24227089
TI  - Derivation of unit and flood hydrographs using a gis.
AB  - A geographic information system (GIS) supporting a flood hydrograph prediction
      software package is described. The hydrograph prediction method is based on the
      convolution of excess rainfall with a synthetic unit hydrograph, derived by the
      Soil Conservation Service runoff curve number and a regional dimensionless unit
      hydrograph method, respectively. The GIS uses a raster method to store the
      following data: land use and land cover, soil type, rainfall intensity-frequency
      duration statistics, runoff curve numbers (CN), regional dimensionless unit
      hydrograph, and regional lag-time relationship. The GIS has also the capability
      of computing a number of watershed and hydrologic parameters required for
      predictions, such as a watershed average rainfall and CN value, area, centroid,
      stream length etc. Most of the data for such computations are input from a
      digitizer. Substantial time and cost savings are possible once the data base has
      been created. Application of the system is illustrated by an example predicting
      flood frequency curves for selected watersheds in Alberta's Rocky Mountain
      foothills, Canada. 

PMID- 24227090
TI  - An expert system for assessing safety and security of heterogeneous public water
      sources.
AB  - We have implemented a diagnostic system designed to advise on the likely causes
      of sanitary problems with public water sources. The approach to the problem makes
      extensive use of rule based expert systems and multi media information (maps,
      data, text, expert knowledge). The rules were based on actual water survey data,
      with a weighting scheme designed to highlight causes of health risks
      approximately in reverse order of importance (where such order may be presumed to
      exist). Out put is a vailable in one of several languages. 

PMID- 24227091
TI  - Evaluation of the effects of acid precipitation in eastern Canada using the
      raison system.
AB  - Evaluations have been made of the key chemical factors in the aquatic effects
      upon surface waters due to acidic precipitation in eastern Canada. The region of
      Canada east of the Manitoba/Ontario border was divided into 22 aggregates and
      assessments of inorganic and organic ion chemistry appraised relative to sulphate
      deposition rates and distributions. Aquatic sensitivity is largely dominated by
      the concentration, distribution and magnitude of SO inf4 (sup2-) (sulphate)
      deposition and by the prevalent geology and derived soils found in each
      aggregate. The RAISON system provided an adaptable and highly flexible platform
      to evaluate interactively, multiple data sets of divergent characteristics.
      Attributes usually associated with geographical information systems are
      significantly augmented by quantitative numerical and stochastic capabilities
      that were used extensively in this study. 

PMID- 24227092
TI  - A knowledge-based approach to regional acidification modelling.
AB  - Data from over 2000 stations and knowledge from experts on atmospheric transport,
      soil geochemistry, lake chemistry, wetland processes and acidification modelling
      were assembled in an expert system. The data were grouped by aggregates of
      tertiary watersheds based on water chemistry knowledge. A set of expert rules was
      used to determine which of six existing models was most appropriate for a given
      set of data. Comparison of computed and observed alkalinity indicated median
      relative errors from 11.3-17.9%, with regression slopes ranging from 0.91-1.18
      and regression coefficients between 0.82 and 0.99. The expert model performance
      was further confirmed with paleolimnological data and other independent sets of
      data. The sensitivity of the predicted alkalinity was illustrated by changing
      some of the rules. Given that the rules were acceptable by experts and produced
      reasonable agreement with observations, the knowledge-based system seemed a
      viable approach to the impact assessment of acidic deposition. 

PMID- 24227093
TI  - The predicted effect of SO2 emission controls on the water quality of eastern
      Canadian lakes.
AB  - Changes in SO inf4 (sup2-) deposition predicted to occur in response to
      implementation of announced SO2 emission control programs in Canada and the
      U.S.A. have been used as input to water chemistry models thereby giving an
      estimate of the changes in lake acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) and pH that can
      be expected from these programs. Eastern Canada has been divided into 22
      subregions for the purpose of this analysis. Relative to the current level (1982
      86) of SO inf4 (sup2-) deposition (Scenario 1), the effect of the Canadian SO2
      emission control program alone (Scenario 2) is compared to that obtained when
      controls are implemented throughout North America (Scenarios 3 and 4). SO2
      emission reduction will effect a shrinkage of the high wet SO inf4 (sup2-)
      deposition field in NE North America such that under Scenario 4 conditions,
      almost no area will remain in Canada that receives >20 kg ha(-1) yr(-1). The
      greatest decrease in deposition and resulting change in lake chemistry occurs in
      southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. ANC distributions shift to higher
      concentrations and the percentage of lakes having pH<6 decreases in these areas.
      The Atlantic Provinces will obtain only a minor benefit from the control
      programs, i.e. experiencing only a small decrease in deposition and improvement
      in water quality. High sensitivity of the terrain in many parts of Atlantic
      Canada means that large numbers of lakes will remain acidic (i.e. ANC<0) and/or
      have pH<6 (an important biological threshold) even after full implementation of
      the current plans for SO2 control in Canada and the U.S. 

PMID- 24227094
TI  - A prototype expert system for fishway design.
AB  - The design of structures for fish passage in rivers and streams provides an
      opportunity to apply expert system concepts to a design problem. Fishways
      contribute to the sustainable development of water resources projects by
      providing a path that allows fish migrations to be maintained. A prototype expert
      system (FDES) has been developed to recommend the most suitable fishway type for
      given design conditions. A recommendation is provided on the basis of fishway
      hydraulics, fish passage performance, and cost requirements. Fishway design
      demands expertise in various scientific disciplines such as hydrology,
      hydraulics, and fish biology. Expert system technology may be used to reduce
      design time requirements and to serve as a teaching aid to inexperienced
      engineers by organizing and accessing the cumulative knowledge of the most
      experienced designers. The rule-based expert system development tool, VP-Expert,
      supplies the backward chaining control structure for accessing the knowledge
      within the prototype. 

PMID- 24227095
TI  - A physically based method for prediction of runoff frequencies.
AB  - A method is described for predicting changes in flood frequencies resulting from
      various causes affecting runoff in a watershed. The method utilizes the curve
      number and the traingular unit hydrograph procedures of the United States
      Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service to transform rainfall
      frequencies into frequencies of peak discharge. The theory underlying the method
      is discussed. Application is illustrated by an example. 

PMID- 24227096
TI  - Plotting formula for pearson type III distribution considering historical
      information.
AB  - Most of the existing plotting position formulas have been proposed for use in the
      analysis of systematic flood records, but little has been reported on the
      plotting formulas for historical or non-systematic flood samples. In particular,
      no previous investigations have specifically examined the probability plots for
      the Pearson type III (P3) distribution in the analysis of historical flood
      information. The present paper suggests a new plotting position formula for the
      P3 distribution for use with both systematic and historical flood records. The
      proposed formula has a simple structure as do most existing formulas, but it is
      more flexible because in can take explicitly into account the skewness
      coefficient of the underlying distribution. Further, results of graphical and
      numerical comparisons have demonstrated that the suggested formula provided the
      least bias in flood quantile estimation as compared with many available plotting
      formulas, including the well-known Weibull formula. Finally, results of a
      numerical example using actual flood data have indicated the practica convenience
      of the proposed plotting formula. It can be concluded that the formula developed
      in this study is the most appropriate for the P3 distribution in the analysis of
      flood records considering historical information. 

PMID- 24227097
TI  - Application of generalized linear models to the analysis of toxicity test data.
AB  - Generalized linear models give a unified approach to the performance of
      regression analysis of dichotomous, count or continuous data. This paper studies
      binomial, negative binomial and gamma regression models and gives a detailed
      description of inference procedures based on them. In particular, the maximum
      likelihood procedure is described for a logistic function (binomial regression)
      or a log-linear regression model (negative binomial and gamma regression). The
      process of model fitting and evaluation is illustrated by examples referring to
      the determination of endpoints in acute and chronic toxicity tests. 

PMID- 24227098
TI  - Statistical analyses of regional surface water quality in southeastern Ontario.
AB  - Historical records from Ontario's Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network
      (PWQMN) for rivers and streams were analyzed to assess the feasibility of mapping
      regional water quality patterns in southeastern Ontario which spans two major
      geologic zones, the Precambrian Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands, thus
      serving as a paradigm for much of Ontario. Despite biases toward the populated
      Lowlands and associated pollution problems, general spatial trends are evident
      via the analysis of intervariable relations, individual parameter maps and
      multivariate analysis. Using a robust algorithm designed to identify outliers and
      abstract underlying bivariate relations, a linear regional hardness-alkalinity
      relation was derived, where most anomalies proved to be mine drainage impacted
      sites. Regionally, multivariate ordination reveals that central tendencies of
      common indicators of ionic strength and nutrient richness correlate positively
      and that site clusters broadly reflect the transition from oligotrophic Shield
      waters to eutrophic conditions of heavily agricultural Lowland streams. Results
      suggest that on the Shield more precisely delineated aquatic regions may be
      realized by applying GIS to integrate river and synoptic lake survey data.
      Further synthesis with bedrock and surficial geology, physiography, pedology and
      other temporally invariant spatial attributes should yield regional patterns of
      background quality from which locally 'attainable' water objectives might be
      defined. Additional synoptic surveys of sedimentary Lowland streams may be
      required as most available sites relflect anthropogenic pollution. 

PMID- 24227099
TI  - Monitoring statistics which have increased power over a reduced time range.
AB  - The problem of monitoring trends for changes at unknown times is considered.
      Statistics which permit one to focus high power on a segment of the monitored
      period are studied. Numerical procedures are developed to compute the null
      distribution of these statistics. 

PMID- 24227100
TI  - Trend evaluation of water quality parameters in the Niagara and St. Lawrence
      Rivers.
AB  - Physical and chemical (nutrients and major ions) indicators of water quality
      monitored by Environment Canada between 1977 and 1987 in the Niagara River at
      Niagara-on-the-Lake and in the St. Lawrence River at Wolfe Island are analyzed
      for seasonal and annual variations. Parametric methods such as moving averages
      and linear regression and nonparametric methods (Spearman's rank coefficient) are
      used to test for the existence of trends in these data. The results indicate that
      specific conductivity, sodium and chloride have decreased significantly over the
      period of study. During the same period there is no significant trend for either
      discharge and nutrients. 

PMID- 24227101
TI  - Detection of water quality changes along a river system.
AB  - Water quality monitoring networks are generally multi-purpose, and thus the data
      generated are expected to provide information on a set of objectives. Two
      questions that are fundamental to these objectives are the detection of long term
      trends and of differences between locations. The extent to which these questions
      can be answered and the types of statistical methods which can be used are
      considered in a case study of conventional parameters sampled monthly for nine
      years. Regression and nonparametric methods, which explicitly account for
      seasonality, are compared for both the determination of change over time and of
      differences between locations. Changes over time in the form of step changes and
      differences between locations which depend upon season were found. 

PMID- 24227102
TI  - Variances and covariances underlying loading estimates and part-whole
      relationships.
AB  - The effluent limit guidelines are usually based on loading estimates of chemicals
      discharged into the environment. The loading estimates, calculated as the product
      of flow times concentration, have underlying mathematical relationships in terms
      of variances and covariances. These relationships are presented by using the
      moment generating function technique. Estimators of loading means are compared.
      Cramer-Rao bounds for the variances of unbiased estimators of the loading means
      are presented. Mathematical details underlying several part-whole and ratio
      estimators are also presented. An understanding of these relationships should
      provide unbiased estimates of loading means, variances and covariances. 

PMID- 24227103
TI  - Design and model based inferences with applications to acidification of lakes in
      eastern Canada.
AB  - The design and model based approaches for making inferences about the number of
      lakes affected by acidic deposition and the chemical characteristics of aquatic
      resources at risk are described. In many instances when the lakes in the sample
      are selected for convenience without any randomization, the model based approach
      continues to provide valid inferences about the population of lakes. The
      performances of the two approaches are compared using a small population of 177
      lakes which are located in southern Quebec. Examples from the Canadian acid rain
      monitoring program in the Atlantic provinces are also given. 

PMID- 24227104
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24227105
TI  - Patients' perceptions of the potential of breathing training for asthma: a
      qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poor symptom control is common in asthma. Breathing training
      exercises may be an effective adjunct to medication; it is therefore important to
      understand facilitators and barriers to uptake of breathing training exercises.
      AIMS: To gain insight into patients' perceptions of breathing training exercises
      designed to help control asthma symptoms. METHODS: Semi-structured think-aloud
      interviews were conducted with 29 people with asthma about their views of a
      booklet on breathing training exercises. RESULTS: Thematic analysis showed
      breathing training exercises were seen as acceptable in principle because they
      were viewed as nonpharmacological, holistic, unobtrusive, and likely to increase
      patient confidence in managing symptoms. Anticipated disadvantages included the
      time required and perceived irrelevance for those with well-controlled asthma.
      These views were influenced by prior experience of changing breathing, wanting to
      self-manage asthma, negative views of medication, and perceived asthma
      control/severity. Anticipated barriers to carrying out the exercises included
      difficulties with nose breathing, remembering to do them, and persevering with
      them. Anticipated facilitators included monitoring tools and social support.
      CONCLUSIONS: The idea of breathing training was viewed positively as an
      acceptable non-pharmacological treatment that patients can do discreetly to help
      them breathe more easily and reduce their reliance on medication. Uptake of
      breathing training may be greater among those who perceive their asthma as severe
      and/or have negative views of medication. To enhance uptake, it might be helpful
      to present breathing training exercises as holistic skills that can also benefit
      those with mild symptoms.

PMID- 24227106
TI  - Electroantennogram responses ofHyles lineata (Sphingidae: Lepidoptera) to
      volatile compounds fromClarkia breweri (Onagraceae) and other moth-pollinated
      flowers.
AB  - Electroantennograms (EAGs) from field-collectedHyles lineata moths were recorded
      in response to 10 individual floral volatiles identified fromClarkia breweri
      (Onagraceae), to 22 scent compounds produced by other moth-pollinated flowers and
      to eight ubiquitous "green leaf volatiles." Females' EAGs were generally 1.5- to
      2-fold greater than those observed for male moths. Female:male EAG rank orders
      were significantly correlated, but marked differences in order were observed for
      some compounds (e.g., benzyl alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, geraniol, and linalool).
      Linalool, benzyl acetate, methyl salicylate, and pyranoid linalool oxide elicited
      the largest EAG responses (-1.2 to -0.8 mV) among scent compounds fromC. breweri.
      EAG responses were significantly lower for monoterpenes as a pooled compound
      class than for aromatic esters, alcohols and aldehydes, fatty acid derivatives, N
      bearing compounds and oxygenated terpenoids. EAG responses to structurally
      related scent compounds were not significantly different in most cases. Both male
      and femaleH. lineata were sensitive to mostC. breweri scent compounds at 10(-2)
      to 10(-4) ug/ul doses, and rank order in potency varied with the
      dose/concentration tested.H. lineata's olfactory sensitivity to diverse volatile
      compounds across a range of doses/concentrations suggests that a broad array of
      volatiles could function as floral attractants for foraging hawkmoths. 

PMID- 24227107
TI  - Exogenous jasmonates simulate insect wounding in tomato plants (Lycopersicon
      esculentum) in the laboratory and field.
AB  - Wounding increases the levels and activities of several defense-related proteins
      in the foliage of the tomato plant,Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Evidence
      indicates that two of these responses, the systemic increases in polyphenol
      oxidase and proteinase inhibitors, are regulated by an octadecanoid-based
      signalling pathway which includes the wound hormone, jasmonic acid. It is not
      known whether other responses to wounding are also regulated by this same
      signalling pathway. In this paper, we show that application of jasmonates
      (jasmonic acid or its volatile derivative, methyl jasmonate) in low
      concentrations to foliage of young tomato plants induced, in a dose-dependent
      manner, the same protein responses-polyphenol oxidase, proteinase inhibitors,
      lipoxygenase, and peroxidase-as doesHelicoverpa zea Boddie feeding. Application
      of jasmonic acid to a single leaflet of four-leaf tomato plants induced these
      four proteins in a spatial pattern nearly identical to that produced by localized
      feeding ofH. zea. Exogenous jasmonic acid also decreased suitability of foliage
      for the beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua Hubner in the laboratory. Based on these
      results, we conducted an experiment to measure the effects of jasmonic acid spray
      under field conditions. We provide the first evidence that jasmonic acid spray on
      field plants induces production of chemical defenses above the levels found in
      unsprayed controls. Exogenous jasmonic acid sprayed on plants in agricultural
      plots increased levels of polyphenol oxidase and proteinase inhibitors. Because
      application of jasmonic acid induces these defensive compounds at low
      concentrations in a manner similar to natural wounding, it may prove to be a
      useful tool for stimulating plant resistance to insects in the field. 

PMID- 24227108
TI  - High recaptures and long sampling range of pheromone traps for fall web worm
      mothHyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) males.
AB  - Newly emerged males ofHyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), marked
      with different fluorescent colors, were recaptured by pheromone trapping. Three
      Uni-traps, baited with (3Z,6Z)9,10-epoxyheneicosadiene,
      (9Z,12Z,15Z)octadecatrienal, and (3Z,6Z)9,10-epoxyheneicosa-triene in a 1:10:1
      ratio, total 6 mg/dispenser, were placed in a line 15 m apart, perpendicular to
      the dominant wind direction, and checked after 12, 36, and 60 hr. At dusk,
      releases of 10-25 males were made over distances from 30 to 250 m, during 4
      periods over a soybean field (nonhost plant). Recapture rates were high; of a
      total of 176 males released, 115 were recaptured with 88% of these within 12
      hours. Between 40 and 100% of males were recovered over shorter distances (30-150
      m), and between 10-24% at longer distances (200 and 250 m). No other species or
      unmarked males were captured. The trapping period showed little effect on
      recaptures. The central trap of the three traps had somewhat higher catches, but
      the slope of the regression of recapture over distance did not differ among
      traps. There was a significant decline of recapture over distance (r=-0.56) for
      catches of individual traps but a large scatter. Summed recaptures per distance
      gave less scatter and hadr=-0.86, allowing calculation of the maximum sampling
      range (R s ) after 60 hr as 340 m with a 95% confidence interval of 190-710 m
      (regression of arcsin ?p and ?R). The area of sampling, found by integrating the
      probability function of recapture over distance, from the source to maximumR, was
      7 ha. The high recapture rates and the longR,. compared to those in the
      literature for other taxa, indicate that pheromone traps are highly efficient
      sampling devices in this species. 

PMID- 24227109
TI  - Role of allelopathy as a possible factor associated with the rising dominance
      ofBunias orientalis L. (Brassicaceae) in some native plant assemblages.
AB  - Leaf extracts ofBunias orientalis were shown to inhibit seed germination of a
      variety of cultivar plant species and of species cooccurring withB. orientalis in
      the field. Root exudate solutions and leaf litter leachates ofB. orientalis were
      tested for their allelopathic activity using seedling growth assays.
      Additionally, in comparative seedling growth assays soil cores removed from
      denseB. orientalis stands were tested bimonthly for elevated allelopathic
      effects. The impact of root exudates on seedling growth was generally weak and
      varied between species. Similar results were obtained for the effect ofB.
      orientalis leaf litter leachates on seedlings grown in sand culture relative to
      the effect of leaf litter leachates of a plant species mixture. When soil as a
      growth substrate was used, no consistent differences in seedling growth were
      obtained between the two litter leachate treatments. In the soil core experiment
      seedlings grown in soil cores collected from a denseB. orientalis stand
      unexpectedly showed better performance than seedlings grown in soil cores
      collected from a nearby mixed plant stand withoutB. orientalis, at least in early
      spring and late autumn. Predominating nutrient effects are, therefore, assumed to
      conceal a potentially increased allelopathic effect of soil beneath denseB.
      orientalis stands. It is concluded that other factors than allelopathy must be
      investigated to explain the rapid establishment of dense stands of this alien
      plant species. 

PMID- 24227110
TI  - Intercaste, intercolony, and temporal variation in cuticular hydrocarbons
      ofCopotermes formosanus shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).
AB  - We characterized the variation in cuticular hydrocarbon mixtures between seven
      colonies of the Formosan subterranean termite,Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki,
      from the same population. We report differences between castes, between colonies,
      and within the population over time to assess seasonality. Colonies ofC.
      formosanus from Oahu, Hawaii, were sampled for 25 months. Each month, one sample
      each of 200 workers, 50 soldiers, nymphs, or alates from each colony was
      subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the
      cuticular hydrocarbons. We resolved 39 individual peaks and identified 52
      individual or isomeric mixtures of hydrocarbons. Onlyn-alkanes and methyl
      branched alkanes occur; no olefins were found. Internally branched
      monomethylalkanes were the most abundant class of hydrocarbons, representing 45%
      to 50% of the total 9-;11-;13-Methyl-heptacosane accounted for over 30% of the
      total hydrocarbon for all castes. 2-Methyl- and 3-methylalkanes comprise
      approximately 30% of the total. Internally branched dimethylalkanes constitute
      15% to 20% of the total cuticular hydrocarbon. Only one trimethylalkane, 13,15,17
      trimethylnonacosane, was found in small amounts. The hydrocarbon mixtures of all
      four castes were similar. Quantitative differences in hydrocarbon mixtures among
      the castes were easily displayed using canonical discriminant analysis. Soldiers
      and workers are significantly different from one another and from nymphs and
      alates. Nineteen peaks are statistically significant between workers and
      soldiers. Nymphs and alates were not statistically different. We detected
      statistically significant quantitative differences between colonies in 18 peaks
      for workers and 12 peaks for soldiers. Each of the colonies ofC. formosanus can
      be separated from the others by the proportions of their hydrocarbon components.
      We detected statistically significant differences between months of the year for
      12 peaks for workers and four peaks for soldiers; two peaks each for workers and
      soldiers showed distinct, seasonal trends. This seasonal shift in proportions of
      hydrocarbons correlates with the production of alates. 

PMID- 24227111
TI  - Aggregation pheromones ofDrosophila immigrans, D. phalerata, andD. subobscura.
AB  - Aggregation pheromones ofDrosophila immigrans, D. phalerata andD. subobscura were
      demonstrated by testing attraction of adult flies to hexane extracts of the flies
      in a windtunnel bioassay. Extracts of adult males of all species attracted
      conspecific males and females. However,D. subobscura flies were attracted only
      when the extract (cVA) in the extracts of adult maleD. immigrans andD. phalerata.
      Both species were attracted to synthetic cVA. Male and femaleD. phalerata. Both
      species were attracted to synthetic cVA. Male and femaleD. subobscura produced
      5,9-pentacosadiene, 5-pentacosene, 2-methylhexacosene and 5,9-heptacosadiene,
      while only maleD. subobscura produced (Z)-5-tricosene and minor amounts of cVA. 

PMID- 24227112
TI  - Experiments on bioassay sensitivity in the study of allelopathy.
AB  - The purpose of these experiments was to study the effects of various experimental
      procedures and conditions on bioassay sensitivity in allelopathic studies. The
      following factors were considered: bioassay methods, choice of test species, the
      effect of osmotic potential on germination and growth of the test species, growth
      in dark or in light and the effect of concentrating the extracts in vacuo.
      Extracts from rape and rye were used in the studies to act as allelopathic
      agents. Ryegrass appeared as the most sensitive test species when grown
      horizontally on quartz sand, while radish was the most sensitive test species
      when grown on filter paper in transparent boxes at a 45 degrees  angle. Root
      length was the most sensitive growth variable measured. Percent germination
      appeared a more sensitive measure than the speed of germination index, "S", when
      germinated seeds were counted after one and two days for radish and ryegrass,
      respectively. A rise in the osmotic potential affected germination more than root
      length, and radish appeared more sensitive to a rise in osmotic potential than
      ryegrass. A confounding of germination and root length inhibition may therefore,
      give misleading results. 

PMID- 24227113
TI  - Green leaf volatiles as antiaggregants for the mountain pine beetle,Dendroctonus
      ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Scolytidae).
AB  - We tested the hypothesis that green leaf volatiles act as antiaggregants for the
      mountain pine beetle (MPB),Dendroctonus ponderosac Hopkins. In coupled gas
      chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analysis MPB antennae
      responded to 30 ng doses of all six-carbon green leaf alcohols tested [1-hexanol,
      (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-2-hexen-1-ol, (E)-3-hexen-1-ol, and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol], but
      not to the aldehydes, hexanal or (E)-2-hexenal, or to alcohol or aldehyde
      homologues with more or fewer than six carbon atoms. In field trapping
      experiments a blend of green leaf alcohols [1-hexanol, (Z)-2-hexen-1-ol, (E)-3
      hexen-1-ol and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol] effectively disrupted the response to attractive
      semiochemicals; a blend of the aldehydes hexanal and (E)-2-hexenal was inactive.
      The two best disruptants. (E)-2-hexen-1-ol and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, reduced catches
      of both sexes to levels not significantly different from catches in unbaited
      control traps. They also reduced the attack on trees baited with attractive MBP
      pheromones to a level not significantly different from that on unbaited control
      trees. Neither of the clerid predators captured,Enoclerus sphegeus (F.)
      norThanasimus undatulus (Say), was repelled by green leaf volatiles. Our results
      suggest that green leaf alcohols are promising disruptants which may be used to
      supplement the antiaggregation pheromone, verbenone, in protecting single high
      value trees as well as carefully selected stands with low-level populations of
      MPBs. 

PMID- 24227114
TI  - Phlorotannin-protein interactions.
AB  - Tannins are one of the most broadly distributed types of plant secondary
      compounds, and have been the focal point for many studies of plant/herbivore
      interactions. Tannins interact strongly with proteins, so that the fate and
      effects of ingested tannins are in part dependent on the mode of interaction of
      the tannin with dietary and endogenous proteins in an herbivore's gut. We
      investigated the factors affecting the precipitation of proteins by phlorotannins
      from three species of marine brown algae:Carpophyllum maschalocarpum, Ecklonia
      radiata, andLobophora variegata. Phlorotannins were precipitated by proteins in a
      pH-dependent and concentration-dependent fashion. Precipitation also varied as a
      function of the presence of reducing agent, the type of phlorotannin or protein
      used, and the presence of organic solvents such as hydrogen bond inhibitors. Of
      particular significance was the ability of some phlorotannins to oxidize and form
      covalent bonds with some proteins. In contrast, under similar experimental
      conditions three types of terrestrial tannins (procyanidins, profisetinidins, and
      gallotannins) apparently did not form covalent complexes with proteins. Our
      results suggest several ways in which the biological activity of phlorotannins
      may vary as a function of the properties of the gut environment of marine
      herbivores. Moreover, we identify specific structural characteristics of
      phlorotannins which affect their tendency to oxidize, and thus, their potential
      effects on marine herbivores. 

PMID- 24227115
TI  - Reassessment of the roles of the peritrophic envelope and hydrolysis in
      protecting polyphagous grasshoppers from ingested hydrolyzable tannins.
AB  - We examined several of the mechanisms that have been reported to enable
      polyphagous grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to tolerate ingested
      hydrolyzable tannins: hydrolysis, adsorption on the peritrophic envelope, and
      peritrophic envelope impermeability. None of these mechanisms explain the
      tolerance ofMelanoplus sanguinipes to ingested tannic acid. In this species,
      tannin hydrolysis was 12-47% complete, adsorption accounted for less than 1% of
      the tannic acid contained in the midgut, and the peritrophic envelope was
      permeated by several gallotannins. The foregut is the main site for the chemical
      transformation of tannic acid in this species. InPhoetaliotes nebrascensis,
      hydrolysis was more extensive (82% complete), but the peritrophic envelope was
      readily permeated by two gallotannins. Oxidizing redox conditions were found in
      the guts of both species, and ingested tannins were oxidized inM. sanguinipes. We
      hypothesize that the tolerance of some polyphagous grasshoppers to ingested
      hydrolyzable tannins may be the consequence of their ability to tolerate the
      reactive oxygen species generated by polyphenol oxidation, whereas others may
      rely on rapid and extensive hydrolysis. 

PMID- 24227116
TI  - Mediation of cardiac glycoside insensitivity in the monarch butterfly (Danaus
      plexippus): Role of an amino acid substitution in the ouabain binding site of
      Na(+),K (+)-ATPase.
AB  - The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) sequesters cardiac glycosides (CG) for
      its chemical defense against predators. Larvae and adults of this butterfly are
      insensitive towards dietary cardiac glycosides, whereas other Lepidoptera are
      sensitive and intoxicated by ouabain. Ouabain inhibits Na(+),K(+)-ATPase by
      binding to its alpha-subunit. We have amplified and cloned the DNA-sequence
      encoding the respective ouabain binding site. Instead of the amino acid
      asparagine at position 122 in ouabain-sensitive insects, the Monarch has a
      histidine in the putative ouabain binding site, which consists of 12 amino acids.
      Starting with the CG-sensitive Na(+),K(+)-ATPase gene fromDrosophila, we
      converted pos. 122 to a histidine residue as inDanaus plexippus by site-directed
      mutagenesis. Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK) (which are sensitive to ouabain)
      were transfected with the mutated Na(+),K(+)-ATPase gene in a pSVDF-expression
      vector and showed a transient expression of the mutatedDrosophila Na(+),K(+)
      ATPase. When treated with ouabain, the transfected cells tolerated ouabain at a
      concentration of 50 mM, whereas untransformed controls or controls transfected
      with the unmutatedDrosophila gene, showed a substantial mortality. This result
      implies that the asparagine to histidine exchange contributes to ouabain
      insensitivity in the Monarch. In two other CG-sequestering insects, e.g.,Danaus
      gilippus andSyntomeida epilais, the pattern of amino acid substitution differed,
      indicating that the Monarch has acquired this mutation independently during
      evolution. 

PMID- 24227117
TI  - Isolation and identification of (3-methoxyphenyl)acetonitrile as a phytotoxin
      from meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) seedmeal.
AB  - Ethyl ether, ethanol, and water extracts of meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba Hartweg
      ex. Benth.) seedmeal were prepared and bioassayed against velvetleaf (Abutilon
      theophrasti Medicus) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. "Cardinal"). Both the ethyl
      ether and ethanol fractions, but not the water extract, inhibited velvetleaf and
      wheat radicle elongation. Fractionation of the extracts indicated that (3
      methoxyphenyl)acetonitrile (3-MPAN) was the active compound from both extracts,
      comprising >97% of the active ethanol fraction. 3-Methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate,
      which had been previously shown to be the major breakdown product of
      glucolimnanthin, the majorL. alba glucosinolate, was not detected in either
      extract. Radicle elongation of velvetleaf and wheat were inhibited by 3-MPAN with
      I50 (the concentration required to inhibit growth by 50%) values of approximately
      4 * 10(-4) M (velvetleaf) and 7*10(-4) M (wheat). 

PMID- 24227118
TI  - The GDF5 SNP is associated with meniscus injury and function recovery in male
      Chinese soldiers.
AB  - Genetic factor have previously been shown to play an important role in sports
      injuries and recovery. GDF5 Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism rs143383 has been
      recently reported to be associated with fracture susceptibility. Furthermore, the
      effect of GDF5 during the recovery processes of trauma is increased. In the
      present study, we aimed to evaluate whether this SNP was associated with
      susceptibility to the meniscus injury and postoperative recovery in Chinese male
      soldiers. GDF5 SNP was genotyped in 135 male soldiers with meniscus injury and
      400 healthy male controls. Moreover, the function recovery of the soldiers
      suffering from the meniscal repair was also assessed. Our data showed that the
      GDF5 TT genotype (60.0 vs. 47.25%; P=0.010) and T allele (76.3 vs. 68.75%;
      P=0.019) were significantly over-represented in the meniscus injury group
      compared with the control group. We found that the TC (P<0.05), CC (P<0.05) and C
      carriers (P<0.05) genotype exhibited significantly higher Lysholm Scores than the
      TT genotype at 1 month postoperative. In addition, the CC (P<0.05) genotype also
      demonstrated significantly higher Lysholm Scores than the TT genotype 2 months
      postoperative. Taken together, our results revealed that the GDF5 SNP was
      associated with susceptibility to the meniscus injury and postoperative function
      recovery in Chinese male soldiers. 

PMID- 24227119
TI  - Exercise decreases susceptibility to homocysteine seizures: the role of oxidative
      stress.
AB  - The aim of the study was to examine the effects of chronic exercise training on
      seizures induced by homocysteine thiolactone (HCT) in adult rats. Rats were
      assigned to: sedentary control; exercise control; sedentary+HCT; exercise+HCT
      group. Animals in the exercise groups ran 30 min daily on a treadmill for 30
      consecutive days (belt speed 20 m/min), while sedentary rats spent the same time
      on the treadmill (speed 0 m/min). On the 31st day, the HCT groups received HCT
      (8.0 mmol/kg), while the control groups received vehicle. Afterwards, convulsive
      behavior and EEG activity were registered. Lipid peroxidation, superoxide
      dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity were ascertained in the rat
      hippocampus. No signs of seizures were registered in sedentary and exercise
      control rats. Seizure latency was increased, while number of seizure episodes and
      spike-and-wave discharges (SWD) in EEG were decreased in the exercise+HCT
      compared to the sedentary+HCT group. Seizure incidence, the severity thereof and
      duration of SWDs were not significantly different between these groups. Exercise
      partly prevented increase of lipid peroxidation and decrease of the SOD and CAT
      activity after HCT administration. These results indicate beneficial effects of
      exercise in model of HCT-induced seizures in rats, what could be, at least in
      part, a consequence of improved antioxidant enzymes activity.

PMID- 24227120
TI  - Effects of whole body vibration plus diet on insulin-resistance in middle-aged
      obese subjects.
AB  - We investigated the early effects of whole body vibration (WBV) added to
      hypocaloric diet on insulin-resistance and other parameters associated with
      glucose regulation in sedentary obese individuals. We randomly assigned 34
      patients to WBV plus hypocaloric diet (WBV group) or diet alone (CON group) for 8
      weeks. Fasting and post-load glucose, insulin, lipids, C-reactive protein, tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha, leptin, adiponectin were assessed. Insulin sensitivity
      index (ISI) was derived from oral-glucose-tolerance test. Body composition was
      evaluated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Both groups lost approximately
      5% of weight, with greater reduction of body fat in WBV than in CON (-7.1+/-1.2
      Kg vs. -5.3+/-1.0 Kg, p=0.003). Percent variation of ISI was more pronounced in
      WBV than in CON group (+35+/-4% vs. + 22+/-5%, p=0.002), accompanied by slight
      improvement in post-load glucose (-1.07+/-0.02 vs. - 0.12+/-0.01 mmol/l, p=0.031)
      but without changes in fasting levels. Adiponectin significantly increased in WBV
      group compared with CON (p=0.021 for comparison) whereas no differences in leptin
      and inflammatory markers were observed. In middle-aged sedentary obese subjects,
      WBV added to hypocaloric diet for 8 weeks improved body composition, insulin
      resistance, glucose regulation and adiponectin levels to a greater extent
      compared with diet alone. Efficacy and feasibility of this approach in the long
      term need to be ascertained. 

PMID- 24227121
TI  - Validating the EMG(FT) from a single incremental cycling test.
AB  - The purposes of this study were to (1) identify the EMG(FT) from a single
      incremental cycle ergometry test and (2) validate this fatigue threshold by
      having participants perform constant workload rides at 70, 100 and 130% of the
      estimated EMG(FT). 11 healthy college-age participants performed incremental
      cycle ergometry on the initial visit. The EMG amplitude was recorded from the
      vastus lateralis muscle for each power output and fitted with linear regression
      which provided the estimated EMG(FT). In subsequent visits, participants
      exercised at 3 percentages of their EMG(FT) with the EMG amplitude recorded for
      each condition. The results indicated no significant (p>0.05) increases in EMG
      amplitude vs. time for the 70% and 100% workloads, respectively. In addition, the
      participants were able to maintain these exercise intensities for over 40 min.
      For the 130% workload, however, EMG amplitude vs. time increased significantly
      (p<0.001) and the participants were able to maintain the exercise condition for
      less than 12 min. These findings indicate that the EMG(FT) estimated from a
      single incremental cycle ergometry test is a valid measure of neuromuscular
      fatigue and may potentially be useful in assessing the efficacy of rehabilitative
      interventions.

PMID- 24227122
TI  - Comparison of selected lactate threshold parameters with maximal lactate steady
      state in cycling.
AB  - The aim of the present investigation was to compare power at "onset of blood
      lactate accumulation" (OBLA), "individual anaerobic threshold" (IAT) and "+1.5
      mmol ? l(-1) lactate model" with power in maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) in
      cycling. However, there is a lack of studies concerning the absolute individual
      differences between different lactate parameters and MLSS.A total of 57 male
      participants performed several 30-min constant-load tests to determine MLSS by
      measuring blood lactate concentration (BLC). Depending on BLC, power was
      increased or decreased by 10 W in the following 30-min test. For detecting power
      at different threshold parameters, an incremental test was performed that began
      at 40 W and increased by 40 W every 4 min.Highly significant correlations were
      found between OBLA and MLSS: r=0.89 (mean difference -7.4 W); IAT and MLSS:
      r=0.83 (mean difference 12.4W), "+1.5 mmol ? l(-1) lactate model" and MLSS:
      r=0.88 (mean difference -37.4W). On average, the parameters of OBLA and IAT
      approximate MLSS with no significant differences. The "+1.5 mmol ? l(-1) lactate
      model" underestimates MLSS significantly.Based on Bland-and-Altman, the
      comparison of power of all threshold parameters with power in MLSS shows great
      individual differences despite the high regression coefficients and low mean
      differences between these methods. 

PMID- 24227126
TI  - Differential filtration studies of carbon flux from living algae to
      microheterotrophs, microplankton size distribution and respiration in Lake
      Kinneret.
AB  - The flux of newly photosynthetically fixed, dissolved organic carbon (PDOC) from
      phototrophs to microheterotrophs in Lake Kinneret was examined by differential (3
      and 0.4MUm) filtration after samples were incubated with(14)C-bicarbonate for 3
      hours (in the light) and subsequently for 21 hours (in darkness). Only a small
      proportion (average about 10%) of the carbon fixed from(14)C-bicarbonate in the
      light was associated with particulate matter <3MUm. In 14 out of 16 experiments
      there was no significant decrease in the relative proportion of radioactivity
      associated with larger (>3MUm) organisms after the dark period, suggesting that
      the amount of PDOC taken up by unclumped, single bacteria (<3MUm) was not very
      great. Respiration rates, estimated by the decrease in(14)C particulate counts in
      the dark period, ranged from 3.4 to 21.2% of daylight net photosynthesis. In
      almost all cases, parallel experiments with additions of radioactive glucose or
      amino acids indicated that the majority of active heterotrophs passed through
      3MUm filters. Apparent residence times for glucose and amino acids were 20 to 168
      hours and 20 to 152 hours, respectively. 

PMID- 24227123
TI  - Force-velocity profile: imbalance determination and effect on lower limb
      ballistic performance.
AB  - This study sought to lend experimental support to the theoretical influence of
      force-velocity (F-v) mechanical profile on jumping performance independently from
      the effect of maximal power output (P max ). 48 high-level athletes (soccer
      players, sprinters, rugby players) performed maximal squat jumps with additional
      loads from 0 to 100% of body mass. During each jump, mean force, velocity and
      power output were obtained using a simple computation method based on flight
      time, and then used to determine individual linear F-v relationships and P max
      values. Actual and optimal F-v profiles were computed for each subject to
      quantify mechanical F-v imbalance. A multiple regression analysis showed, with a
      high-adjustment quality (r2=0.931, P<0.001, SEE=0.015 m), significant
      contributions of P max , F-v imbalance and lower limb extension range (h PO ) to
      explain interindividual differences in jumping performance (P<0.001) with
      positive regression coefficients for P max and h PO and a negative one for F-v
      imbalance. This experimentally supports that ballistic performance depends, in
      addition to P max , on the F-v profile of lower limbs. This adds support to the
      actual existence of an individual optimal F-v profile that maximizes jumping
      performance, a F-v imbalance being associated to a lower performance. These
      results have potential strong applications in the field of strength and
      conditioning. 

PMID- 24227127
TI  - Significance of algal extracellular products to bacteria in lakes and in
      cultures.
AB  - In simulated diurnal experiments withChlorella pyrenoidosa andPseudomonas
      fluorescens, bacterial growth was virtually confined to the daylight period and
      occurred at the expense of glycolate, the predominant extracellular product of
      the alga. Both glycolate levels and(14)C-DOC excretion rates were much lower in
      mixed algal-bacterial than in axenicChlorella cultures.This close coupling of
      bacterial growth to algal photosynthesis and extracellular release was also
      observed in Jack's Lake, but not in Lake Erie. Experimental enrichment with lake
      water particulates >30MUm suppressed the daytime growth of bacteria in Jack's
      Lake, but increased it dramatically in Lake Erie. Daylight doubling times for
      bacteria in lakewater ranged from 2 to 19 days. In mixed culture withChlorella,
      Pseudomonas had a doubling time of about 2 hours in the light. 

PMID- 24227128
TI  - Respiratory studies on two small freshwater amoebae.
AB  - The changes in respiration rate and mean cell volume induced by temperature
      within the range 10 degrees C-25 degrees C were investigated in two small species
      of freshwater amoebae,Saccamoeba limax Page andVannella sp. Mean cell volume
      varied in response to temperature, with maxima at 20 degrees C inVannella sp.
      (10.15* 10(3) (+/-1.80)MUm(3) and 15 degrees C inS. limax (9.08*10(3) (+/
      0.93)MUm(3). Respiration rate increased over the temperature range investigated.
      The highest rates and the greatest rate of increase between temperatures occurred
      inVannella sp. Q10 ranged between 0.12 and 1.33 inS. limax and between 1.77 and
      7.36 inVannella sp. A regression of log oxygen uptake versus log cell volume
      incorporating the data of the present investigation and the data of other workers
      on amoeba respiration is presented, and the ecological significance and
      application of such data discussed. 

PMID- 24227129
TI  - Fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis as an estimator of microbial biomass on
      coniferous needle surfaces.
AB  - Estimating microbial standing crops and microbial production in natural habitats
      has been difficult for microbial ecologists. The present paper describes a simple
      spectrophotometric assay based on the hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate which
      estimates well the standing crops of microbial cells on coniferous needles and
      twigs. A technique is also presented for correlating optical density readings
      with actual dry weights of microbial cells epiphytic on needles, and thus for
      standardizing the assay. The assay shows promise of broad applicability to other
      microbial habitats. 

PMID- 24227130
TI  - Influence of zinc, lead, and cadmium pollutants on the microflora of hawthorn
      leaves.
AB  - Transect studies were conducted to determine the relative effects of zinc, lead,
      and cadmium pollution on microorganisms occurring on hawthorn leaves at varying
      distances from a smelting complex.Sporobolomyces roseus was absent from the most
      heavily contaminated leaves but, although lead was inhibitory, other
      environmental factors were also important in determining its overall population
      level. Conversely,Aureobasidium pullulans and nonpigmented yeasts showed a
      significant partial positive correlation with lead but were inhibited by zinc
      and/or cadmium. Numbers of bacterial colonies were only slightly reduced by the
      combined effect of all three metals, but total numbers of bacteria were highly
      negatively correlated with lead. Filamentous fungi, isolated by leaf washing,
      were only slightly inhibited by all three metals, and the degree of mycelial
      proliferation on senescent leaves was little affected by heavy metal pollution.
      Computer-generated maps were produced of the distribution ofA. pullulans in
      relation to zinc and lead fallout. 

PMID- 24227131
TI  - Determination of volatile nematode exudates and their effects on a nematode
      trapping fungus.
AB  - Volatile compounds exuded from axenically grown free-living nematodes were
      determined with gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques. Carbon
      dioxide evolved from 5-200 nematodes was determined with an ampoule technique,
      whereas total ammonia (NH3 + NH4 (+)) and acetic and propionic acids were
      determined by direct injection of water in which nematodes had been suspended for
      1-3 days. CO2 amounted to about 80 ng nematode(-1) d(-1), total ammonia to 1-5
      ng, and acetic and propionic acids to 0.5 and 1.0 pg nematode(-1) d(-1).The
      effects of these compounds on induction of trap formation in the nematodetrapping
      fungusArthrobotrys oligospora were tested. CO2 inhibited trap formation at 5-10%
      CO2 in air (v/v), whereas ammonia stimulated trap formation in a certain
      concentration range. No effects of acetic and propionic acids were noted for the
      concentrations tested. The combined effects of these volatiles in the aqueous
      environment are discussed on the basis of stoichiometric considerations. 

PMID- 24227132
TI  - In vitro inhibition of root-rot pathogensPhellinus weirii, Armillariella mellea,
      Fomes annosus, andPhytophthora cinnamomi by a newly isolatedBacillus sp.
AB  - A Gram-positive bacterium that inhibits several root-rot pathogens was isolated
      from alder forest soil on the Oregon coast. This organism, similar toBacillus
      cereus, produces in culture media a heat-stable, broad-spectrum antibiotic which
      inhibits growth of four important Northwest conifer root disease fungi:Phellinus
      weirii (Murr.) Gilbertson,Fomes annosus (Fr.) Cke.,Armillariella mellea (Fr.)
      Karst., andPhytophthora cinnamomi Rands. 

PMID- 24227133
TI  - Degradation of some phenoxy acid herbicides by mixed cultures of bacteria
      isolated from soil treated with 2-(2-methyl-4-chloro)phenoxypropionic acid.
AB  - Mixed bacterial cultures capable of using 2-methyl-4-chIorophenoxyacetic acid
      (MCPA) and 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) as the sole source of carbon
      and energy were isolated from field soil treated with the herbicide (+/-)2-(2
      methyl-4-chloro)phenoxypropionic acid (mecoprop). An enrichment technique with
      two aromatic compounds as sources of carbon was used. Effects of temperature and
      substrate concentration were studied. The mixed cultures retained their ability
      to degrade MCPA although the bacteria were grown for 3 months (32 successive
      passages) with glucose as the sole source of carbon and energy. With benzoic acid
      as co-substrate, one of the cultures was also able to degrade mecoprop and (+/-)2
      (2, 4-dichloro)phenoxypropionic acid (dichlorprop). This ability was not
      maintained, however, over more than 10 passages. 

PMID- 24227134
TI  - Interaction between an ammonium-oxidizer,Nitrosomonas sp., and two heterotrophic
      bacteria,Nocardia atlantica andPseudomonas sp.: A note.
AB  - Closed culture experiments showed that the ability of an estuarine
      chemolithotrophic ammonium-oxidizer,Nitrosomonas sp., to convert ammonium to
      nitrite was substantially increased by as much as 150% and 50% when grown in the
      presence of two heterotrophs isolated from the same environment. The heterotrophs
      were identified asNocardia atlantica andPseudomonas sp. The growth of the
      heterotrophs was stimulated by as much as one order of magnitude in the presence
      of the ammonium-oxidizer. 

PMID- 24227135
TI  - Aerotaxis and chemotaxis ofAzospirillum brasilense: A note.
AB  - Azospirillum brasilense was attracted to capillaries containing either phosphate
      buffer, distilled water, or saline. The number of bacteria in these capillaries
      was 3-4*10(4), after 1 h of incubation. In the presence of phosphate buffer +
      attractants, the number of cells accumulated in the capillary increased only to
      5*10(4)-1.1*10(5) cells. It was not possible, therefore, to measure chemotaxis
      inA. brasilense as distinct from aerotaxis by the capillary method. Chemotaxis
      was observed in semi-solid agar plates and was determined by a growth band
      oriented towards the attractant. Positive chemotactic response was obtained with
      peptone, tryptone, yeast extract, amino acids, organic acids, arabinose and
      galactose. 

PMID- 24227137
TI  - Antibody responses in mice to particles formed from adsorption of a murine
      monoclonal antibody onto glass microparticles.
AB  - Immunogenicity of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is a concern because
      of the effects of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) on therapeutic efficacy.
      Particulate matter has been suggested as a potential contributing factor to
      immunogenicity. In this study, we investigated ADA levels in mice in response to
      administration of a murine immunoglobulin G (IgG)2c/kappa mAb (mAb1) that was
      generated in C57BL/6J mice. Particles of mAb1 were formed by adsorbing the
      protein to glass microparticles. Formulations containing microparticles were
      administered subcutaneously to mice of either the syngeneic strain, C57Bl/6J, or
      the allogeneic strain, BALB/c. ADA levels were measured using an isotype-specific
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Whereas BALB/c mice showed strong IgG1
      and IgG2b responses against both the particulate and native mAb1 samples,
      adsorption of mAb1 to particles rendered it slightly more immunogenic than its
      native, soluble form. In BALB/c mice, immunoglobulin M (IgM) was produced after
      the first week of injections and then faded gradually. In contrast, C57BL/6J mice
      showed moderate IgM, IgG1, IgG2b, and IgG3 responses to injections of glass
      particle-adsorbed mAb1. ADA responses were higher in the allogeneic BALB/c mice,
      which do not produce mAbs of the IgG2c/kappa isotype. Thus, the presence of both
      foreign epitopes and particles may be important in inducing ADA responses.

PMID- 24227138
TI  - Selection of somatic hybrids between diploid clones of potato (Solanum tuberosum
      L.) transformed by direct gene transfer.
AB  - Five diploid potato clones have been transformed by electroporation of
      protoplasts with different selectable markers. The resulting diploid regenerated
      plants have been used in somatic hybridization. It has been shown that hybrid
      cell selection on the basis of antibiotic or herbicide resistances brought by the
      two parents of fusion is an efficient method for the recovery of tetraploid
      somatic hybrids. 

PMID- 24227139
TI  - Heavy metal tolerant transgenic Brassica napus L. and Nicotiana tabacum L.
      plants.
AB  - A chimeric gene containing a cloned human metallothionein-II (MT-II) processed
      gene was introduced into Brassica napus and Nicotiana tabacum cells on a disarmed
      Ti-plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Transformants expressed MT protein as a
      Mendelian trait and in a constitutive manner. Seeds from self-fertilized
      transgenic plants were germinated on media containing toxic levels of cadmium and
      scored for tolerance/ susceptibility to this heavy metal. The growth of root and
      shoot of transformed seedlings was unaffected by up to 100 MUM CdCl2, whereas
      control seedlings showed severe inhibition of root and shoot growth and chlorosis
      of leaves. The results of these experiments indicate that agriculturally
      important plants such as B. napus can be genetically engineered for heavy metal
      tolerance/sequestration and eventually for partitioning of heavy metals in non
      consumed plant tissues. 

PMID- 24227140
TI  - A simple, nondestructive spraying assay for the detection of an active kanamycin
      resistance gene in transgenic tomato plants.
AB  - A simple, nondestructive kanamycin spraying assay for detecting neomycin
      phosphotransferase II activity in tomato has been developed. This assay does not
      require the use of tissue culture or biochemical methods, but allows transgenic
      and non-transgenic tomato plants to be distinguished directly at the plant level
      in the green-house. Its potential applications in large-scale genetic analyses
      are discussed. 

PMID- 24227141
TI  - A modified pedigree method of selection.
AB  - A dismal 81% failure of newly bulked lines against checks was observed in Indian
      wheat material evolved by the pedigree method. This is considered to be the
      consequence of selection in space planting in early generations followed by yield
      tests in a competitive environment which did not allow any scope of selection for
      competitive ability. Thus, most of the homozygous lines, which were until now
      raised and carried forward under space planting, failed to compete with the
      checks for yield in close planting. It is, therefore, necessary to modify the
      method to combine both the competitive ability and identity of selected plants.
      The proposed modified procedure involves raising the population under spaced
      planting as well as under drilling from F2 onwards. Evaluation for tiller index
      marks an important step. On the basis of tiller index, single plants are isolated
      from spaced populations. Steps of the modified procedure are outlined in detail.
      The modified method, which economises on breeders' workload and other physical
      inputs, besides having other advantages, can also be used for certain other grain
      crops. Preliminary results based on the modified method during the past two
      seasons have indicated its utility. 

PMID- 24227142
TI  - Chromosomal location of gliadin coding genes in T. aestivum ssp. spelta and
      evidence on the lack of components controlled by Gli-2 loci in wheat aneuploids.
AB  - Electrophoretical analyses of the gliadin fraction extracted from seeds of the
      intervarietal substitution lines of T. aestivum ssp. spelta in the T. aestivum
      ssp. vulgare cv 'Chinese Spring' for the homoeologous groups 1 and 6 and
      substitution lines of 6D chromosome of 'Chinese Spring' in the durum wheat cv
      'Langdon' allowed the identification of seeds without gliadin proteins controlled
      by genes on chromosome 6A and 6B. A gliadin component of 'Chinese Spring', not
      previously assigned to any specific chromosome, is controlled by chromosome 6D in
      the 6D (6A) and 6D (6B) disomic substitution lines of 'Langdon'. Additional genes
      controlling the synthesis of this component may be present on other chromosomes,
      very likely 6A and 6B, since the analysis of the 'Chinese Spring' compensating
      nullisomic-tetrasomics involving the 6D chromosome does not show the loss of this
      component or any apparent change in staining intensity. Chromosomal location data
      and two-dimensional gliadin maps reveal close homologies between the two
      hexaploid wheats, 'Chinese Spring' (T. aestivum ssp. vulgare) and T. aestivum
      ssp. spelta, belonging to different subspecies in the hexaploid group of genomic
      formula AABBDD. The comparison of gliadin electrophoretic patterns aiding in the
      identification of evolutionary pathways in wheat is stressed. 

PMID- 24227143
TI  - Fate of introduced genetic markers in transformed root clones and regenerated
      plants of monohaploid and diploid potato genotypes.
AB  - Agrobacterium transformation of stem internodes of four monohaploid (839-79, 849
      7, 851-23, 855-1) and two diploid (M9 and HH260) potato genotypes using hairy
      root-inducing single (LBA 1020, LBA 9365, LBA 9402) and binary (LBA 1060KG)
      vectors is reported. Various media and successive culture steps were tested for
      plant regeneration from different transformed root clones. The fate of introduced
      genetic markers in root clones and regenerated plants (hairy root phenotype,
      hormone autotrophy, opine production, kanamycin resistance, beta-glucuronidase
      activity), the ploidy stability and protoplast yield were analysed. The
      transformation efficiency of stem internodes (hairy root production) and the
      regeneration capacity of the transformed root clones greatly differed within and
      between the various potato genotypes. The regenerated plants obtained after
      transformation with both types of vectors often showed the absence of one or more
      genetic markers. However, transformation with the binary Agrobacterium vector
      generally resulted in the stable presence of the opines in all transformed root
      clones and most regenerated plants. In HH260, transformation efficiency, plant
      regeneration of transformed root clones, protoplast yield and ploidy stability
      were the highest as compared to the other genotypes. The application of these
      transformed plants as marker lines in gene mapping and gene expression studies is
      indicated. 

PMID- 24227144
TI  - Incorporation of hygromycin resistance in Brassica nigra and its transfer to B.
      napus through asymmetric protoplast fusion.
AB  - With the idea to develop a selection system for asymmetric somatic hybrids
      between oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and black mustard (B. nigra), the marker
      gene hygromycin resistance was introduced in this last species by protoplast
      transformation with the disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58 pGV 3850
      HPT. The B. nigra lines used for transformation had been previously selected for
      resistance to two important rape pathogens (Phoma lingam, Plasmodiophora
      brassicae). Asymmetric somatic hybrids were obtained through fusion of X-ray
      irradiated (mitotically inactivated) B. nigra protoplasts from transformed lines
      as donor with intact protoplasts of B. napus, using the hygromycin resistance as
      selection marker for fusion products. The somatic hybrids hitherto obtained
      expressed both hygromycin phosphotransferase and nopaline synthase genes.
      Previous experience with other plant species had demonstrated that besides the T
      DNA, other genes of the donor genome can be co-transferred. In this way, the
      produced hybrids constitute a valuable material for studying the possibility to
      transfer agronomically relevant characters - in our case, diseases resistances -
      through asymmetric protoplast fusion. 

PMID- 24227145
TI  - Genome-specific repetitive sequences in the genus Oryza.
AB  - Repetitive DNA sequences are useful molecular markers for studying plant genome
      evolution and species divergence. In this paper, we report the isolation and
      characterization of four genome-type specific repetitive DNA sequences in the
      genus Oryza. Sequences specific to the AA, CC, EE or FF genome types are
      described. These genome-type specific repetitive sequences will be useful in
      classifying unknown species of wild or domestic rice, and in studying genome
      evolution at the molecular level. Using an AA genome-specific repetitive DNA
      sequence (pOs48) as a hybridization probe, considerable differences in its copy
      number were found among different varieties of Asian-cultivated rice (O. sativa)
      and other related species within the AA genome type. Thus, the relationship among
      some of the members of AA genome type can be deduced based on the degree of DNA
      sequence similarity of this repetitive sequence. 

PMID- 24227146
TI  - Inheritance of potato aphid resistance in hybrids between Lycopersicon esculentum
      and L. pennellii.
AB  - The potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, is an important pest of tomato,
      Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., because it transmits tomato viruses and directly
      reduces crop yields by its feeding. This study was conducted to determine whether
      the wild tomato species, Lycopersicon pennellii (Corr.) D'Arcy, would be useful
      as a source of potato aphid resistance for tomato. Type IV trichome density and
      aphid resistance were assessed in six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1P1, and
      BC1P2) from crosses between L. pennellii (LA 716) and two tomato cultivars, New
      Yorker and VF Vendor. Weighted leastsquares were used in joint scaling tests to
      estimate the relative importance of gene effects on type IV trichome density and
      potato aphid resistance of the hybrids. A simple additive-dominance model
      adequately explained the variation in type IV trichome density. Models which
      included digenic epistatic effects were required to explain the variation in
      aphid resistance. Standard unit heritability estimates of aphid resistance in the
      backcross to L. esculentum were obtained by regression of BC1F2 off-spring
      families on BC1F1 parents. Regression coefficients and heritability estimates
      varied between years with the level and uniformity of the aphid infestation. In
      the 1985-1986 growing seasons, when aphid infestations were uniform, aphid
      resistance exhibited a moderate level of heritability (29.8% +/- 14.1% and 47.1%
      +/- 11.5% in New Yorker and VF Vendor backcross populations, respectively). The
      non-uniform aphid infestation of 1984 resulted in lower heritability estimates in
      the 1984-1985 growing seasons (16.1% +/- 15.7% and 21.9% +/- 14.8% in the New
      Yorker and VF Vendor backcross populations, respectively). Selection for potato
      aphid resistance would probably be most efficient if it were delayed until gene
      combinations are fixed in later generations, because of the large epistatic
      effects and the low heritability of this trait in seasons with variable aphid
      infestations. 

PMID- 24227147
TI  - Correlated responses in development and distribution of fat depots in mice
      selected for body composition traits.
AB  - Development of adipose tissue in five depots was investigated in mice selected
      for high or low 12-week epididymal fat pad weight as a percentage of body weight
      (HF and LF lines), or high or low 12-week hind carcass weight as a percentage of
      body weight (HL and LL lines). An unselected control line (RC) was maintained.
      Hind carcass (HC) and fat pads from subcutaneous hindlimb, subcutaneous forelimb,
      gonads, kidneys and mesentery were dissected and weighed at 4, 6, 9, 12 or 15
      weeks of age. Generally, body weight (BW), daily gain (DG), feed intake (FI),
      feed efficiency (FE) and feed intake/metabolic body weight (FC) were higher
      (P<=0.05) in HF than in LF, and in LL than in HL. HF had more fat (as a
      percentage of BW) than LF in all depots (P?-0.01), and asymmetry (P<=0.01) was
      detected for gonadal fat. LL consistently had a higher (P<=0.01) fat percentage
      than HL, and asymmetry (P<=0.01) was observed for perirenal fat. At age of
      selection, ranking of fat depot weights as a percentage of total fat depot weight
      was not changed by selection; however, gonadal fat accounted for more of the
      total fat in HF and LL compared with RC, while the opposite was found in LF and
      HL. HC percentage was higher (P<=0.01) in HL than LL, and higher (P<=0.01) in LF
      than HF. Growth rate of each fat depot relative to BW was not affected by
      selection. These results demonstrated that selection for proportion of fat in one
      depot or for HC percentage changed fat percentage in other depots. However, the
      rate of fat deposition in each depot relative to body weight gain was not
      altered. 

PMID- 24227148
TI  - Association of four isozyme loci with a reciprocal translocation between 1R/4R
      chromosomes in cultivated rye (Secale cereale L.).
AB  - The progeny of four crosses between a structural heterozygote for a reciprocal
      translocation and a homozygote for the standard chromosome arrangement were
      analyzed in rye (Secale cereale L. cv "Ailes") for the electrophoretic patterns
      of eight different leaf and endosperm isozymes and also for the meiotic
      configuration at metaphase I. The Pgi-1, 6-Pgd-2 and Mdh-1 loci are linked to
      each other and also to the reciprocal translocation. These loci have been located
      on chromosome 1R. The Mdh-1 locus is located in the interstitial segment of
      chromosome 1R, between the centromere and the breakpoint. The Pgm-1 locus has
      been located on chromosome arm 4RS and is linked to Pgi-1, 6-Pgd-2, Mdh-1 and the
      reciprocal translocation. The estimated distance between the Pgm-1 locus and the
      centromere is 14.98 +/- 2.27 cM. Therefore, the reciprocal translocation involves
      the 1R and 4R chromosomes. Other linked loci detected have been Mdh-2b and Est-2
      (7.40 +/- 2.90 cM) and Got-3 and Est-2 (5.62 +/- 3.07 cM). These three last loci
      are located on chromosome 3R and their order most probably is Mdh-2b - Est-2 -
      Got-3. 

PMID- 24227149
TI  - Mechanism of durable resistance: a new approach.
AB  - Wheat genotypes, including backcross derivatives of 'Thatcher' carrying Lr10 and
      Lr23, substitution lines for Lr10 and Lr23 in Chinese Spring background and
      Chinese Spring and Thatcher were analysed against 21 pathotypes of leaf rust in
      seedling tests. Adult plant responses in all these stocks were observed in the
      field nurseries under exposure to the inoculum of the Indian virulent races of
      leaf rust. The seedling data demonstrated that both the substitution lines and
      the backcross derivatives for each gene carry identical pattern of infection for
      resistance. The high level of adult plant resistance in the substitution lines,
      in contrast to the backcross derivatives in Thatcher, has been postulated to be
      due to the combination of resistance contributed by Lr10 and adult plant Chinese
      Spring resistance or to Lr23 and Chinese Spring adult plant resistance. It has
      been suggested that genes Lr10 and Lr23 added to the Chinese Spring background
      provide sources for durable resistance, since Chinese Spring has continued to
      provide a moderate level of adult plant resistance to leaf rust for a very long
      time. 

PMID- 24227150
TI  - Some aspects of autotetraploid population dynamics.
AB  - Self-compatible autotetraploids are likely to set much of their seed by selfing.
      Formulae are presented for the frequencies in any generation of states of loci,
      from homozygous to quadri-allelic, considering the frequencies of selfing and of
      double reduction but not allowing for the effects of inbreeding depression on
      population structure. The changing structure of populations over generations is
      also explored by computer simulation, incorporating selection against inbreds but
      ignoring double reduction. The findings are discussed in relation to mass
      selection programmes. 

PMID- 24227151
TI  - Environmental sensitivity and heterosis for egg laying in Drosophila
      melanogaster.
AB  - Genotype * temperature interactions for egg laying were studied in Drosophila
      melanogaster using two sets of half diallel crosses: one between inbred lines of
      the same geographic origin, and the other between established laboratory, newly
      derived inbred lines from different geographic origins. The sensitivity of most
      genotypes to changes in temperature was adequately described as a linear
      regression of mean in temperature. The regression coefficients (linear
      sensitivities) were heterogeneous between genotypes. Hybrids were more affected
      by temperature variation than were inbreds. All the heterogeneity of linear
      sensitivities was accounted for by a linear function of the genotypic means,
      which strongly suggests that a scale effect is responsible for the differences in
      sensitivity to temperature. In contrast, no general relationship was found
      between standard error deviation (sensitivity to small environmental changes) and
      mean performance between genotypes, although hybrids tended to be less variable
      than inbreds. This shows that the sensitivity to environmental variation depends
      not only on the genotype, but also on the nature of the environmental variation.
      The variability within temperatures may be affected by the general homeostasis of
      individual genotypes, while the variability between temperatures could be the
      result of genes directly affecting the trait and their multiplicative interaction
      with the environment. 

PMID- 24227152
TI  - Cytogenetic studies of Haplopappus gracilis in both callus and suspension cell
      cultures.
AB  - Investigations have been carried out on karyotype change in both callus and
      suspension cell cultures of Haplopappus gracilis (2n=4). It has been found that
      polyploidization arises directly in culture to give up to six times the normal
      diploid chromosome number in some cultures. In polyploid cultures, both
      chromosome loss and chromosome rearrangements occur to give rise to aneuploid
      karyotypes displaying chromosomes which differ in morphology from the diploid
      set. Whole or partial chromosome loss has been observed in the form of lagging
      chromosomes and chromosome bridges at anaphase, and micronuclei, ring chromosomes
      and chromosome fragments at other stages in mitosis. C-banded preparations have
      confirmed the occurrence of chromosomal rearrangements. Comparative
      investigations suggest that (i) more polyploidy occurs in callus cultures than in
      suspension cell cultures, and (ii) the presence of cytokinin (kinetin) in the
      culture medium may reduce the extent of karyotype change. 

PMID- 24227153
TI  - Genetic diversity in wild diploid wheats Triticum monococcum var. boeoticum and
      T. urartu (Poaceae).
AB  - The genetic diversity of two wild diploid wheat species, Triticum monococcum var.
      boeoticum and T. urartu, was assessed using starch gel electrophoresis. Genetic
      diversity is uniformly low in both species. Number of alleles per locus was very
      low with a mean of 1.22 for T. monococcum var. boeoticum and 1.19 in T. urartu.
      Percentage of polymorphic loci was also low, with a mean of 19.71 for T.
      monococcum var. boeoticum and a mean of 18.35 for T. urartu. Mean gene diversity
      was low with a mean of 0.052 in populations of T. monococcum var. boeoticum and a
      mean of 0.040 in populations of T. urartu. Genetic affinities of the species and
      of populations were computed using Nei's identity index (NI). Overall genetic
      affinities of the two species are NI=0.697. The genetic affinities of different
      populations of a species are uniformly high with NIs ranging from 0.894 to 1.000
      in T. monococcum var. boeoticum and from 0.898 to 1.000 in T. urartu. 

PMID- 24227154
TI  - In vitro selection for 2,4-D tolerance in red clover.
AB  - In vitro, selection is a viable method of selecting herbicide-tolerant crops.
      This research was to evaluate in vitro selection techniques for enhancing 2,4-D
      [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid] tolerance in red clover (Trifolium pratense
      L.). In vivo and in vitro responses to 2,4-D of eight diverse red clover
      populations were correlated (r=0.77), justifying in vitro selection for 2,4-D
      tolerance. Suspension cultures of a red clover genotype capable of regeneration
      were plated onto agar-based nutrient media supplemented with 0.18 mM 2,4-D for
      selection experiments. After two cycles of selection, 16 2,4-D tolerant callus
      lines were identified based on visual growth assessment. These lines were
      evaluated for 2,4-D tolerance (based on 2,4-D content), using a 2,4-D bioassay
      procedure which consisted of placing selected callus tissue pieces on top of oat
      (Avena sativa L.) coleoptile or internode sections. The relative amount of 2,4-D
      in the callus tissue was estimated by the amount of oat section elongation after
      24 h. Two of the more tolerant callus lines had 61% and 83% less 2,4-D in their
      tissues than the susceptible control tissue. These studies indicated that in
      vitro selection can enhance the levels of 2,4-D tolerance in red clover callus
      tissue. 

PMID- 24227155
TI  - Atrazine-resistant cauliflower obtained by somatic hybridization between Brassica
      oleracea and ATR-B. napus.
AB  - Somatic hybridization between Brassica oleracea ssp. botrytis (cauliflower,
      2n=18), carrying the Ogura (R1) male-sterile cytoplasm and B. napus (2n= 38),
      carrying a male-fertile, atrazine-resistant (ATR) cytoplasm, yielded three
      hybrids (2n=56) and six cauliflower cybrids (2n=18), which were selected for
      resistance to the herbicide in vitro. The hybrids and cybrids were male fertile
      and self-compatible. They contained both chloroplasts and mitochondria from the
      ATR cytoplasm. We found no evidence for mtDNA recombination in any of the
      regenerated plants. Selfed progeny of the B. oleracea atrazine-resistant cybrids
      were evaluated for tolerance to the herbicide in the field. Resistant plants
      exposed to 0.56-4.48 kg/ha (0.5-4.0 pounds/acre) atrazine in the soil showed no
      damage at any herbicide level, whereas plants of a susceptible alloplasmic line
      were severely damaged at the lowest level of herbicide application and killed at
      all higher levels. These atrazine-resistant cauliflower may have potential
      horticultural use, especially in fields where atrazine carry over is a serious
      problem. 

PMID- 24227156
TI  - Genetic diversity of six isozyme loci in cultivated barley of Tibet.
AB  - A random sample of 463 accessions of cultivated barley from the Tibet Hordeum
      germplasm collection was assayed electorphoretically for genetic diversity at six
      isozyme loci. Two loci (Acp-1 and Got-1) were found to be monomorphic and
      extensive variation was detected at the remaining four loci (Est-1, Est-2, Est-3
      and Est-4). The allelic composition of Tibetan barley appeared to be distinct as
      compared to the results of previous studies of barleys from other parts of the
      world. Partitioning of genetic diversity showed that approximately 96% of the
      total variation was maintained at the within-subregion level and only about 4%
      was accounted for by differentiation among the eight subregions. Analysis of
      multilocus genotypes revealed non-random association of the alleles at the four
      loci, both in the entire sample and in all the subregions, although the four
      major multilocus genotypes did not show significant departure from the
      expectation based on complete random association. The possible causes for the
      establishment of these multilocus associations were discussed. 

PMID- 24227157
TI  - PEG- and electroporation-induced transformation in Nicotiana tabacum: influence
      of genotype on transformation frequencies.
AB  - Experimental parameters for direct gene transfer with recombinant DNA encoding
      neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) under control of eukaryotic expression
      signals were established. The introduced gene was shown by the growth of
      transformants on media containing kanamycin, by genomic blotting and by assaying
      NPTII activity. Leaf protoplasts from three green genotypes of varieties xanthii
      and petit havanna, and from four plastome-encoded albino genotypes of Nicotiana
      tabacum were analyzed with respect to cell division kinetics and yield of
      kanamycin-tolerant colonies after direct gene transfer. No clear correlation was
      found between the time of onset of cell division and transformation frequency. 

PMID- 24227158
TI  - A new cytoplasmic male sterile genotype in the sugar beet Beta vulgaris L.: a
      molecular analysis.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from fertile (N) and possibly new cytoplasmic male
      sterile (CMS) genotypes was studied in the sugar beet Beta vulgaris L. It was
      found by restriction endonuclease analysis that BMC-CMS, a cytoplasm that was
      derived from the wild beet Beta maritima, contained a unique type of mtDNA which
      is distinguishable from both the N and S-CMS, the only other CMS genotype that is
      currently availabe in B. vulgaris L. The organization of three genes: coxI, coxII
      and cob, was analyzed by hybridization with heterologous probes from maize. These
      genes have a similar structure in N and BMC-CMS that is different from S-CMS. It
      is concluded that BMC-CMS is a novel CMS genotype in the sugar beet. 

PMID- 24227159
TI  - Effect of selection intensity and population size on percent oil in maize, Zea
      mays L.
AB  - The effect of selection intensity and population size on the response to
      selection for percent oil in the grain of maize (Zea mays L.) was evaluated in a
      replicated experiment over ten cycles of selection. An open-pollinated variety,
      Armel's Reid Yellow Dent, was divided into subpopulations of 6,10 and 50 plants.
      Selection proportions of 17% and 5% were imposed upon each subpopulation.
      Selection was based on the percentage of oil in individual kernels as determined
      by wide-line nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. As expected, total response
      to selection increased with larger population sizes and selection intensities.
      The concave shape of the response curves suggested that an appreciable part of
      the genetic variance can be attributed to additive genes at high initial
      frequencies, dominance genes at low initial frequencies, or to the generation of
      negative linkage disequilibrium due to selection. The consistently greater loss
      of vigor experienced by the more intensely selected populations reflects the
      enhancement of inbreeding due to artificial selection, an effect that increases
      with the intensity of selection. The results indicate that combined selection,
      based on kernels and using within- and amongfamily information, will be more
      efficient than other conventional selection procedures, including the normal
      combined scheme where selection is based on plants. 

PMID- 24227160
TI  - Oxidative addition of disulfide/diselenide to group 10 metal(0) and in situ
      functionalization to form neutral thiasalen/selenasalen group 10 metal(II)
      complexes.
AB  - Three components, one pot synthesis of thiasalen/selenasalen Ni(II), Pd(II) and
      Pt(II) complexes, 14-19, by the oxidative addition of S-S/Se-Se bond of bis(o
      formylphenyl)disulfide/-diselenide to Ni(0), Pd(0) and Pt(0) followed by in situ
      Schiff base formation with ethylenediamine is reported. S-S or Se-Se bonds were
      cleaved and coordinated to the metal center as thiolate (ArS(-)) or selenolate
      (ArSe(-)) while the formal oxidation state of metal centers was changed from '0'
      to '+2'. The disulfide/diselenide reacted with zero-valent metals at room
      temperature to give only the monometallic complexes. All complexes (except Pd
      thiolate complex 15) were studied by single crystal X-ray crystallography and
      revealed the square planar geometry around metal centers.

PMID- 24227162
TI  - Micellar control of the photooxidation pathways of 10-methyl phenothiazine:
      electron versus energy transfer mechanisms.
AB  - 10-Methyl phenothiazine (MPS) was chosen as a model compound to investigate the
      effects of compartmentalisation and of charged interfaces on the primary
      mechanisms involved in the phototoxic reactions related to phenothiazine drugs.
      Two most important pathways resulting from the interaction of the triplet excited
      state of MPS ((3)MPS*) with molecular oxygen ((3)O2) have to be considered: (i)
      energy transfer producing singlet oxygen ((1)O2) and (ii) electron transfer
      generating the superoxide anion (O2(-)) and the radical cation (MPS(+)). The
      quantum yields of (1)O2 production by MPS solubilized in the dispersed pseudo
      phase of aqueous micellar systems were found to be similar to those determined in
      solvents of various polarities, regardless of the anionic or cationic nature of
      the surfactant (SDS or CTAC). However, micellar compartmentalisation and
      surfactant charge affect considerably both the sensitized and the self-sensitized
      photooxidation of MPS. The formation of 10-methyl phenothiazine sulfoxide (MPSO),
      produced by the reaction of MPS with (1)O2, proceeds at a higher rate in SDS
      micelles than in neat polar solvents. This result may be explained by the
      protonation of the zwitterionic intermediate Z (MPS(+)OO(-)) at the micellar
      interface to yield the corresponding cation C (MPS(+)OOH) that is stabilized in
      the negatively charged micelles and reacts much faster with MPS than Z to yield
      MPSO. The electron transfer reaction from (3)MPS* to O2 yielding MPS(+) and O2(-)
      is also enhanced in SDS micelles, as back electron transfer (BET) is prevented by
      ejection of O2(-) to the aqueous bulk phase and stabilization of MPS(+) in the
      anionic micelles. The size of the SDS micelles modulates the relative
      contribution of each pathway (formation of MPSO or MPS(+)) to the overall
      conversion of MPS to its oxidation products. Photooxidation of MPS in cationic
      micelles is a very slow process, as the formation of neither C nor MPS(+) is
      favoured in positively charged micelles. 

PMID- 24227161
TI  - Investigating biocomplexity through the agent-based paradigm.
AB  - Capturing the dynamism that pervades biological systems requires a computational
      approach that can accommodate both the continuous features of the system
      environment as well as the flexible and heterogeneous nature of component
      interactions. This presents a serious challenge for the more traditional
      mathematical approaches that assume component homogeneity to relate system
      observables using mathematical equations. While the homogeneity condition does
      not lead to loss of accuracy while simulating various continua, it fails to offer
      detailed solutions when applied to systems with dynamically interacting
      heterogeneous components. As the functionality and architecture of most
      biological systems is a product of multi-faceted individual interactions at the
      sub-system level, continuum models rarely offer much beyond qualitative
      similarity. Agent-based modelling is a class of algorithmic computational
      approaches that rely on interactions between Turing-complete finite-state
      machines--or agents--to simulate, from the bottom-up, macroscopic properties of a
      system. In recognizing the heterogeneity condition, they offer suitable
      ontologies to the system components being modelled, thereby succeeding where
      their continuum counterparts tend to struggle. Furthermore, being inherently
      hierarchical, they are quite amenable to coupling with other computational
      paradigms. The integration of any agent-based framework with continuum models is
      arguably the most elegant and precise way of representing biological systems.
      Although in its nascence, agent-based modelling has been utilized to model
      biological complexity across a broad range of biological scales (from cells to
      societies). In this article, we explore the reasons that make agent-based
      modelling the most precise approach to model biological systems that tend to be
      non-linear and complex.

PMID- 24227163
TI  - Tooth cusp sharpness as a dietary correlate in great apes.
AB  - Mammalian molars have undergone heavy scrutiny to determine correlates between
      morphology and diet. Here, the relationship between one aspect of occlusal
      morphology, tooth cusp radius of curvature (RoC), and two broad dietary
      categories, folivory and frugivory, is analyzed in apes. The author hypothesizes
      that there is a relationship between tooth cusp RoC and diet, and that folivores
      have sharper teeth than frugivores, and further test the correlation between
      tooth cusp RoC and tooth cusp size. Eight measures of tooth cusp RoC (two RoCs
      per cusp) were taken from 53 M(2) s from four species and subspecies of
      frugivorous apes (Pongo pygmaeus, Pan troglodytes troglodytes, Pan troglodytes
      schweinfurthii, and Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and two subspecies of folivorous
      apes (Gorilla beringei beringei, and Gorilla beringei graueri). Phylogenetically
      corrected ANOVAs were run on the full dataset and several subsets of the full
      dataset, revealing that, when buccolingual RoCs are taken into account, tooth
      cusp RoCs can successfully differentiate folivores and frugivores. PCAs revealed
      that folivores consistently had duller teeth than frugivores. In addition, a
      weak, statistically significant positive correlation exists between tooth cusp
      size and tooth cusp RoC. The author hypothesizes differences in tooth cusp RoC
      are correlated with wear rates, where, per vertical unit of wear, duller cusps
      will have a longer length of exposed enamel ridge than sharper cusps. More data
      need to be gathered to determine if the correlation between tooth cusp RoC and
      tooth cusp size holds true when small primates are considered.

PMID- 24227164
TI  - A highly active perovskite electrode for the oxygen reduction reaction below 600 
      degrees C.

PMID- 24227165
TI  - Highly asymmetrical porphyrins with enhanced push-pull character for dye
      sensitized solar cells.
AB  - A porphyrin pi-system has been modulated by enhancing the push-pull character
      with highly asymmetrical substitution for dye-sensitized solar cells for the
      first time. Namely, both two diarylamino moieties as a strong electron-donating
      group and one carboxyphenylethynyl moiety as a strong electron-withdrawing,
      anchoring group were introduced into the meso-positions of the porphyrin core in
      a lower symmetrical manner. As a result of the improved light-harvesting property
      as well as high electron distribution in the anchoring group of LUMO, a push-pull
      enhanced, porphyrin-sensitized solar cell exhibited more than 10% power
      conversion efficiency, which exceeded that of a representative highly efficient
      porphyrin (i.e., YD2)-sensitized solar cell under optimized conditions. The
      rational molecular design concept based on highly asymmetric, push-pull
      substitution will open the possibilities of further improving cell performance in
      organic solar cells.

PMID- 24227166
TI  - Somatic hybrid plants produced by electrofusion between dihaploid potatoes: BF15
      (H1), Aminca (H6) and Cardinal (H3).
AB  - In order to regenerate somatic hybrids, mesophyll protoplasts from a dihaploid
      potato, BF15 (H1), were electrofused with those from two other dihaploid clones,
      Aminca (H6) and Cardinal (H3). Determination of the ploidy level by flow
      cytometry showed that 10% of plants regenerated from the fusion experiment with
      "BF15 + Aminca" were diploids, 14% triploids, 63% tetraploids and very few were
      mixoploids or had a higher ploidy level. Using morphological markers and vigour
      in plant growth, we were able to recover a total of 24 somatic hybrid plants,
      respectively 20 and 4 hybrids (accounting for 12% and 13% of regenerants) from
      the fusions "BF15 + Aminca" and "BF15 + Cardinal". Most of the somatic hybrids
      were at the expected tetraploid level (2n=4x=48). The hybrid nature was confirmed
      by examining isoenzyme patterns for malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and isocitrate
      dehydrogenase (ICD). 

PMID- 24227167
TI  - Silicon carbide fiber-mediated DNA delivery into plant cells.
AB  - Silicon carbide fiber-mediated delivery of DNA into intact plant cells was
      investigated. Black Mexican Sweet (BMS) maize (Zea mays) and tobacco (Nicotiana
      tabacum) suspension culture cells were vortexed in the presence of liquid medium,
      plasmid DNA encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS), and silicon carbide fibers.
      Penetration of BMS cells by the silicon carbide fibers was observed by scanning
      electron microscopy of vortexed cells. Following fiber and DNA treatment, BMS
      cells transiently expressed GUS activity at a mean frequency of 139.5 units (one
      unit = one blue cell or one colony of blue cells) per sample. Treated tobacco
      cells expressed an average of 373 GUS units per sample. Untreated controls did
      not exhibit GUS activity. These results indicate that the silicon carbide fibers
      vortex procedure can be used to rapidly and inexpensively deliver foreign DNA
      into intact plant cells for investigations of transient gene expression. 

PMID- 24227168
TI  - Plant regeneration from a cryopreserved embryogenic cell suspension of a
      commercial sugarcane hybrid (Saccharum sp.).
AB  - Efficient plant regeneration was obtained from a cryopreserved embryogenic cell
      suspension of sugarcane established from leaf derived callus. Pregrowing the
      cells for three days in MS basal medium supplemented with 0.33 M sorbitol was
      essential to the process. The cells were cooled at a rate of 0.5 degrees C/min to
      -40 degrees C and then stored in liquid nitrogen. Thawing was carried out rapidly
      in water at +40 degrees C, and the cells were then plated without washing onto
      filter paper discs placed on a semi-solid regeneration medium (MS basal + 3%
      sucrose + 0.13 mg/1 2,4-D +0.25 mg/1 BAP + 0.25 mg/1 kinetin + 0.25 mg/1 zeatin).
      The filter paper discs, along with the cells, were transferred to the same, fresh
      medium after five hours. After 24 hours the cells were scraped off, placed on
      fresh semi-solid medium and incubated at 28 degrees C in the dark for two weeks
      before transfer to light. A regeneration efficiency of 92% was obtained
      (regenerated plants, expressed as a percent of unfrozen control). Plants
      regenerated from cryopreserved cells, and grown to maturity in the greenhouse,
      were morphologically identical to regenerated control plants. 

PMID- 24227169
TI  - Immobilization of cells of Nicotiana tabacum L. on polyphenyleneoxide coated with
      poly-L-lysine.
AB  - Cells of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin 38 were immobilized on poly (2,6
      dimethyl)-p-phenyleneoxide in powder form (Sorfix) coated with poly-L-lysine
      (molecular weight 40 000 daltons). The dependence of cell immobilization on the
      amount of bound polyL-lysine was estimated. 

PMID- 24227170
TI  - Plant regeneration from callus and protoplasts of Brassica nigra (IC 257) through
      somatic embryogenesis.
AB  - A method to obtain plants from embryogenic callus of Brassica nigra and
      protoplasts of hypocotyl expiants is described. Callus was initiated on Murashige
      and Skoog medium containing kinetin (kn) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4
      D). Lowering of auxin induced embryo formation. Supplementation with gibberellic
      acid (GA3) enhanced embryogenic response tenfold. Passage through liquid medium
      devoid of growth regulators was essential for the growth of embryos. Secondary
      embryos were produced on transfer to solid basal medium. Embryogenic callus
      retained its morphogenic ability even after 12 subcultures. Both primary and
      secondary embryos produced fertile plants. Hypocotyl-derived protoplasts were
      also regenerated to plants following the same protocol. The survival of plants on
      transfer to soil was about 80%. The seeds from plants derived from callus and
      protoplasts were viable. 

PMID- 24227171
TI  - In vitro propagation of the bamboo (Bambusa tulda Roxb.) through shoot
      proliferation.
AB  - An efficient protocol has been developed for the in vitro propagation of Bambusa
      tulda through shoot proliferation. Shoots from 3-week-old aseptically grown
      seedlings were used to initiate cultures. Multiple shoots were obtained on liquid
      Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (8*10(-6)M)
      and kinetin (4*10(-6)M). Continuous shoot proliferation at a rate of 4-5 fold
      every three weeks was achieved through forced axillary branching. More than 90%
      of the shoots could be rooted on a modified MS medium containing indoleacetic
      acid (1*10(-5)M) and coumarin (6.8*10(-5)M). Following simple hardening
      procedures, the in vitro raised plants were transferred to the soil with more
      than 80% success. 

PMID- 24227172
TI  - Phytochrome-mediated swelling of etiolated leaf protoplasts and its possible
      biological significance.
AB  - Red light, mediated by the photoreceptor phytochrome, induces maize leaf
      unrolling as well as leaf expansion. Protoplasts prepared from maize leaves still
      in the rolled condition swell in a red-far red photoreversible manner indicating
      that phytochrome mediates this phenomenon. To determine if protoplast swelling is
      related to leaf unrolling, leaf expansion, or both, we compared red-light induced
      swelling of protoplasts from rolled maize leaves to protoplasts prepared from
      tissues that are known to grow in response to light but do not unroll. We also
      compared the swelling response of protoplasts from rolled vs. unrolled leaves. In
      all cases, we found that swelling correlated with the unrolling response and not
      leaf expansion. 

PMID- 24227173
TI  - Rapid mass propagation of Chrysanthemum morifolium by callus derived from stem
      and leaf explants.
AB  - A procedure for rapid multiplication of Chrysanthemum morifolium RAMAT cv. Birbal
      Sahni using leaf callus and stem (nodal/internodal) callus as well as node and
      apical shoots has been developed. Murashige and Skoog's medium (1962)
      supplemented with 2mg/1 2,4-D yielded good green calli from both leaf and stem
      segments within 2 weeks. About 1 cm * 1 cm callus regenerated 2-3 shoots after 3
      weeks on MS solid medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l IAA and 0.2 mg/l BAP. Each of
      the regenerated shoots when transferred to the same shooting medium without agar
      yielded about 150 new shoots, which in turn regenerated roots after another week
      in MS half strength or modified White's media (Rangaswamy, 1961). It has been
      estimated that about 10(14) plantlets could be produced in a year from one
      expiant following the proposed protocol. 

PMID- 24227174
TI  - Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in the forage grass Caucasian
      bluestem (Bothriochloa caucasica).
AB  - Plantlets were regenerated from cultured seed explants of the forage grass
      Caucasian bluestem [Bothriochloa caucasica (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard] via somatic
      embryogenesis. Embryogenic callus was produced in four weeks when surface
      sterilized seeds were cultured on a medium containing MS-salts, B-5 vitamins, 12
      mM L-proline, 2% sucrose, 0.8% agar and 5MUM 2,4-D. Plantlets were regenerated in
      6-8 weeks after culture initiation. Healthy root and shoot systems were produced
      within three weeks after the plantlets were transferred to a medium lacking 2,4
      D. Approximately 95% of the plantlets survived greenhouse acclimation and
      produced healthy plants and viable seeds. Caucasian bluestem callus cultures
      exhibit natural resistance to kanamycin. High levels of kanamycin (up to 800
      mg/l) did not completely inhibit callus growth. However, the regeneration of
      healthy-plantlets was completely inhibited by kanamycin even at low levels (50
      mg/l). 

PMID- 24227175
TI  - Plant regeneration from leaf and seed-derived calli and suspension cultures of
      the African perennial wild rice, Oryza longistaminata.
AB  - Plant regeneration from 2-month-old callus cultures derived from immature leaves
      of 7-day-old aseptic seedlings and mature embryos of the African wild rice Oryza
      longistaminata was achieved at 20% and 100% frequency, respectively. The
      morphogenic potential of the embryo-derived calluses dropped from 100% at the
      third subculture to 12.5 % at the 12th subculture. Five-month-old morphogenic
      calluses were used to establish a fast-growing suspension culture which, when
      plated onto semisolid medium, still retained its ability to regenerate plantlets
      9 months after initiation. Histological analyses demonstrated that late plant
      regeneration from established callus and suspension cultures occured through
      organogenesis, although some embryogenesis events may have taken place during
      initiation of these cultures. 

PMID- 24227176
TI  - Manipulating the desiccation tolerance and vigor of dry somatic embryos of
      Medicago sativa L. with sucrose, heat shock and abscisic acid.
AB  - The effects of sucrose concentration in the maturation medium in combination with
      a heat shock treatment at 36 degrees C were investigated in an attempt to improve
      the vigor of seedlings grown from dry somatic embryos of alfalfa (Medicago sativa
      L.). Callus was formed from petiole expiants and dispersed in liquid suspension
      medium in the presence of 5 MUM 2,4-D. The cell suspension was sieved to
      synchronize embryo development. The 200 - 500 MUm fraction was plated on embryo
      development medium without 2,4-D, grown for 14 days, and transferred to
      maturation medium. With 3% sucrose in the maturation medium, the somatic embryos
      germinated precociously and were unable to survive desiccation. At higher sucrose
      concentrations, germination was delayed and the embryos continued to accumulate
      dry matter. After 13 days on 6% sucrose medium (27 days after sieving), the
      somatic embryos were tolerant of drying to 12% moisture without exposure to
      exogenous ABA. Heat shock, which presumably stimulates endogenous ABA synthesis,
      improved the desiccation tolerance of somatic embryos if applied prior to day 27
      after sieving, but its effects were minimal after day 27. High sucrose
      concentrations up to 9% in the maturation medium were optimal during the first 8
      days on maturation medium (days 14 to 22 after sieving), but a lower
      concentration (6%) was optimal during the later stages of embryo maturation (days
      22 to 30 after sieving). The inclusion of 10(-5) M ABA in the maturation medium
      with 6% sucrose further improved embryo quality if applied approximately 20 days
      after sieving. 

PMID- 24227177
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of flowering plants in rose.
AB  - Somatic embryos of the cut rose cultivars 'Domingo' and 'Vickey Brown' were
      obtained from callus derived from leaf explants on half strength Murashige and
      Skoog medium with low concentrations of kinetin and 1-naphthyl acetic acid or 2
      naphthyloxyacetic acid. Somatic embryos were first observed after 6 to 12 weeks
      of culture on callus formed at the basis or midrib of the leaf. Embryos could be
      grown to phenotypically true to type greenhouse plants. 

PMID- 24227178
TI  - Induction of callus from axillary buds of taro (Colocasia esculenta var.
      esculenta, Araceae) and subsequent plantlet regeneration.
AB  - Axillary buds of taro (Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta, Araceae) cultured on
      half strength Murashige-Skoog medium (HMS) containing taro extract (HMSTE) and 2,
      4, 5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid produce a compact, hard, slow growing callus
      which is not very active morphogenetically and produces only a few plantlets.
      When cultured on HMSTE plus 5 mg 1(-1) each of naphthaleneacetic acid and benzyl
      adenine (HMSNB) the buds produce a fast growing, friable and morphogenetically
      active callus. Meristematic regions form on the friable callus after 30 days on
      HMSNB. If transferred to HMSTE at this point the callus gives rise to plantlets.
      Addition of taro extract to the media is required for the culture of buds,
      induction of callus and plantlet regeneration. 

PMID- 24227179
TI  - Establishing axenic cultures from mature pecan embryo explants on media with low
      water availability.
AB  - Endophytic fungi associated with mature pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) C.
      Koch) nuts prevented successful, contaminant-free in vitro culture of embryo
      expiants, even after rigorous surface disinfestation of the nuts and careful
      aseptic shelling. Disinfestation with sodium hypochlorite after shell removal was
      also unsuccessful, because even dilute concentrations which were ineffective
      against the fungal contaminants prevented subsequent growth from the embryo.
      Explanting media with low water availability which would not sustain growth of
      fungal contaminants, but supported growth from mature pecan embryos, were
      developed as an alternative disinfestation method. The explanting media were
      supplemented with 0.9-1.5% agar, and other media components were selectively
      omitted to test their influence on water availability and fungal growth.
      Disinfestation of up to 65% of the cultures was accomplished, depending on the
      medium formulation, compared to 100% loss to contamination on control medium
      (0.5% agar). A complete medium (containing sucrose, salts, vitamins, 18 MUM BAP,
      and 5 MUM IBA) with 1.5% agar provided control of contamination, and encouraged
      subsequent regeneration from the embryo expiants, which remained free of
      contaminant growth through subsequent subcultures. 

PMID- 24227180
TI  - Phytochelatin accumulation and stress tolerance in tomato cells exposed to
      cadmium.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) adapted to growing
      continuously in the presence of 0.1 mM CdCl2 and accumulated phytochelatins (PCs,
      poly(gamma-Glu-Cys)n-Gly). The highest level of PCs was measured 4 days after
      inoculation and coincided with the peak of cellular cadmium concentration. At
      this time there was an 8-fold molar excess of PC (gamma-Glu-Cys) over Cd. PCs
      could not be detected after 12 days when the cellular concentration of cadmium
      was 0.2 mM. These results indicate that PCs are produced in excess of that
      required to bind the cellular cadmium in the early stage of the culture period
      followed by degradation of PCs during the stationary phase. Adaptation to 0.1 mM
      CdCl2 did not increase tolerance to higher concentrations of cadmium when
      compared with control cells, but did significantly enhance tolerance to both
      anaerobiosis and heat shock. Exposure of tomato cells to 0.1 mM CdCl2 resulted in
      several changes in proteins synthesized. 

PMID- 24227181
TI  - Strategies for sustaining self used by family caregivers for older adults with
      dementia.
AB  - The negative health consequences of caring for an older adult family member with
      dementia are well documented. However, not all family caregivers experience these
      negative health consequences. The purposes of this study were to describe
      strategies family caregivers use to help them continue to provide care for an
      older family member with dementia despite challenges and describe these family
      caregivers' resilience and psychological distress. A mixed methods design was
      used with a narrative approach dominant and standardized scales for resilience
      and psychological distress used to enhance the description of the sample. Data
      were collected through telephone interviews with 18 family caregivers residing in
      an urban area. The findings indicate that family caregivers used four strategies
      to sustain the self: drawing on past life experiences, nourishing the self,
      relying on spirituality, and seeking information about dementia. Understanding
      strategies used by family caregivers to sustain themselves is essential for
      providing holistic nursing care and developing effective interventions. 

PMID- 24227182
TI  - Longitudinal pattern of depressive symptoms around natural menopause.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: An increased risk of depressive symptoms has been associated with the
      transition to menopause, but the risk of depressive symptoms in the early
      postmenopausal years has not been well characterized. OBJECTIVES: To identify
      within-woman changes in depressive symptoms during a 14-year period around
      menopause, determine associations of a history of depression with the pattern of
      depressive symptoms, and evaluate the rate of change in reproductive hormones as
      predictors of depressive symptoms following menopause. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A randomly identified, population-based sample in Philadelphia
      County, Pennsylvania, of 203 late-reproductive-age women who were premenopausal
      at baseline and reached natural menopause. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Center for
      Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of high scores on
      the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale decreased from 10 years
      before to 8 years after the final menstrual period (FMP), with a decrease of
      approximately 15% of baseline per year (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.81-0.89; P <
      .001). Relative to the FMP, the risk of depressive symptoms was higher in the
      years before and lower in the years after the FMP. Among women with a history of
      depression, the likelihood of depressive symptoms was more than 13 times greater
      overall and 8 times greater after menopause compared with women with no
      depression history. Among women who first experienced depressive symptoms
      approaching menopause, the risk of depressive symptoms declined after the FMP,
      with a significantly lower risk the second year after menopause. The risk of
      depressive symptoms after menopause decreased by 35% for each unit (SD) increase
      before the FMP in the log rate of change of follicle-stimulating hormone (odds
      ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.91; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The FMP was
      pivotal in the overall pattern of decreasing depressive symptoms in midlife
      women, with higher risk before and lower risk after the FMP. A history of
      depression strongly increased the risk both before and after menopause. Women who
      had no history of depression before the menopause transition had a low risk of
      depressive symptoms 2 or more years after the FMP.

PMID- 24227183
TI  - Level of physical activity associated with risk of cardiovascular diseases and
      mortality in patients with type-2 diabetes: report from the Swedish National
      Diabetes Register.
AB  - AIMS: To estimate risks of coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease
      (CVD), and total mortality with low or higher levels of physical activity (PA)
      assessed with questionnaire, in an observational study of patients with type-2
      diabetes from the Swedish National Diabetes Register. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A
      total of 15,462 patients (60 years), were followed for 5 years from baseline in
      2004 until 2009, with 760 CVD events and 427 total mortality events based on
      54,344 person-years. RESULTS: Comparing 6963 patients with low baseline PA (never
      or 1-2 times/week for 30 min) and 8499 patients with higher baseline PA (regular
      3 times/week or more), hazard ratios for fatal/nonfatal CHD, fatal/nonfatal CVD,
      fatal CVD, and total mortality were 1.25 (95% CI 1.05-1.48; p = 0.01), 1.26 (95%
      CI 1.09-1.45; p = 0.002), 1.69 (95% CI 1.18-2.41; p = 0.004), and 1.48 (95% CI
      1.22-1.79; p < 0.001), adjusting for age, sex, diabetes duration, diabetes
      treatment, and smoking (model 1). Adjusting also for HbA1c, systolic blood
      pressure, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass
      index, and albuminuria (model 2), HRs were 1.19 (95% CI 1.00-1.42; p = 0.049),
      1.18 (95% CI 1.02-1.36; p = 0.04), 1.54 (95% CI 1.07-2.22; p = 0.02), and 1.41
      (95% CI 1.16-1.72; p < 0.001), respectively. Corresponding results (model 2),
      comparing 4166 patients having low PA both baseline and at follow up with all
      other 11,296 patients were 1.68 (95% CI 1.41-2.01), 1.68 (95% CI 1.45-1.96), 2.12
      (95% CI 1.48-3.03), and 2.03 (95% CI 1.66-2.48) (all p < 0.001) and compared to
      2797 patients with low baseline PA and higher PA at follow up were 2.51 (95% CI
      1.87-3.38), 2.54 (95% CI 1.98-3.27), 3.26 (95% CI 1.74-6.10), and 2.91 (95% CI
      2.08-4.07) (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This large observational study of
      patients with type-2 diabetes showed considerably increased risks for CVD and
      mortality with low PA.

PMID- 24227184
TI  - The impact of the macroeconomy on health insurance coverage: evidence from the
      Great Recession.
AB  - This paper investigates the impact of the macroeconomy on the health insurance
      coverage of Americans using panel data from the Survey of Income and Program
      Participation for 2004-2010, a period that includes the Great Recession of 2007
      2009. We find that a one percentage point increase in the state unemployment rate
      is associated with a 1.67 percentage point (2.12%) reduction in the probability
      that men have health insurance; this effect is strongest among college-educated,
      white, and older (50-64 years old) men. For women and children, health insurance
      coverage is not significantly correlated with the unemployment rate, which may be
      the result of public health insurance acting as a social safety net. Compared
      with the previous recession, the health insurance coverage of men is more
      sensitive to the unemployment rate, which may be due to the nature of the Great
      Recession.

PMID- 24227185
TI  - Clinical psychology in medical settings: Psychology's role in health care.
AB  - The number of clinical psychologists working in medical settings has grown along
      with the range of services provided by psychologists to patients with a multitude
      of medical problems across the lifespan. Medical care cost savings brought about
      by these psychological interventions is highlighted along with issues of public
      policy and specialization of training. The opportunity for ongoing development of
      clinical psychology in medical settings is described as unlimited and the mission
      of the newJournal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings is presented as
      supporting that growth. 

PMID- 24227186
TI  - Health and behavior: The coming together of science and practice in psychology
      and medicine after a century of benign neglect.
AB  - For thousands of years, physicians had available only a few drugs with which to
      minister to patients and the practice of psychology was an integral and
      therapeutically powerful component in the practice of medicine. Thus, good
      "bedside medicine" consisting of empathy, compassion, and a nurturant attitude
      toward the ill individual was a major component of the physician's armamentarium
      until relatively recently. However, the explosion in scientific knowledge in
      biology, physiology, chemistry, and microbiology which began a century ago and
      has continued through the twentieth century helped produce several generations of
      physician specialists and subspecialists with little knowledge of the powerful
      role psychological factors play in health and illness. As a result, practitioners
      of medicine and practitioners of psychology have had little or no contact during
      most of this century. However, as advances in microbiology, public health, and
      nutrition have eradicated many of the infectious diseases, infirmities associated
      with one's lifestyle have replaced the latter as the major causes of death today.
      One offshoot of this shift is that after a century of benign neglect, physicians
      and psychologists have rediscovered a common ground in the arena labeled health
      and behavior. Some factors responsible for these recent developments are
      highlighted. 

PMID- 24227188
TI  - Psychological assessment of quality of life following liver transplantation.
AB  - Administered measures of functional status, psychological distress, and quality
      of life to a consecutive series of 48 liver transplant recipients in follow-up
      clinic. Results showed that nearly total functional recovery was the norm. Thirty
      six patients (75%) had a Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score of 80-100.
      Twelve transplant recipients had KPS scores below 80; none were employed, and
      most had been transplanted within 1 year. In spite of their impaired financial
      status, eight of these 12 reported being mostly satisfied on the self-report
      Quality-of-Life Scale (QLS). For the posttransplant sample as a whole, 83% were
      mostly satisfied with their quality of life. Pre- and posttransplant patient
      samples were not significantly different in reporting mild emotional distress.
      Results for the small subgroup with significant objective or subjective problems
      in achieving acceptable quality of life following liver transplantation were
      reviewed. Higher than normal emotional distress on the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90
      R) was consistently reported by these patients. Prospective studies are needed to
      identify predictor variables of quality-of-life problems and to develop
      prevention and rehabilitation interventions. 

PMID- 24227189
TI  - Relative absence of neuropsychological deficit in patients with low grade
      astrocytomas.
AB  - Given the current accuracy and precision of modern brain imaging technology,
      there is presumed to be little utility in neuropsychological assessment
      procedures in patients with brain tumors. The primary exposure of many clinical
      neuropsychologists to patients with brain tumors is during their training, in the
      form of didactic classroom activities, such as reviewing the brain tumor cases of
      early investigators in the field. Historically, these brain tumors were the more
      aggressive and destructive tumors, such as grade III and IV astrocytomas, that
      could be identified with pre CT and pre MRI technology. With current imaging
      technology, low grade tumors that might previously have gone undiagnosed for
      years can be detected and patients followed over time. This series of cases
      represents documentation of the very unique neuropsychological status of patients
      with relatively slow growing, infiltrative brain tumors classified as grade II
      astrocytomas. The potential relevance of neuropsychological assessment for such
      cases is discussed. 

PMID- 24227187
TI  - Current status of psychological research in organ transplantation.
AB  - Research addressing the psychological concomitants of organ transplantation is
      reviewed. Specifically, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial correlates of
      kidney, heart, liver, and bone marrow transplantation in both children and adults
      are discussed. Despite several conceptual and methodological shortcomings of the
      psychologically-based research in this area, results seem to indicate that organ
      transplantation is associated with many psychological issues at
      pretransplantation, posttransplantation, and follow-up periods. Implications of
      these general findings for the advancing roles of the health psychologist in
      organ transplantation are discussed. 

PMID- 24227190
TI  - Variation in tibial tubercle-trochlear groove measurement as a function of age,
      sex, size, and patellar instability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) measurement was
      developed to quantify morphologic abnormalities about the knee associated with
      patellar instability and to help guide surgical decision making. PURPOSE: To
      assess variations in TT-TG as a function of patient age and size in a population
      of patients with patellar instability compared with those with no instability.
      STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: All patients
      younger than 20 years who underwent surgery for patellar instability from 2010 to
      2012 were included in this retrospective study. A total of 180 patients with no
      history of patellar instability or patellofemoral complaints were used as a
      control group. The TT-TG was measured on magnetic resonance axial images using
      the centers of the tibial tubercle and the trochlear groove. Data were normalized
      based on patient height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and femur width. Alpha
      was set at P < .05 to declare significance. RESULTS: The average age of the 45
      patellar instability patients was 15.4 years (range, 10-18 years), their mean TT
      TG was 16.3 mm (range, 6.5-26 mm), and 51% were male. By comparison, the mean age
      of the control group was 16 years (range, 10-19 years), the mean TT-TG was 11.7
      mm (range, 3-22 mm), and 58% were male. The TT-TG and the normalized TT-TG for
      height, weight, BMI, and femur width were all greater in the patellar instability
      group compared with the control group (P <= .001). Thirty-one percent of patients
      had a TT-TG greater than 20 mm in the instability group compared with 3% in the
      control group (P < .05, specificity 97%, sensitivity 31%). The TT-TG was found to
      increase as a function of height in both groups (r = 0.14, P = .04) and decreased
      with age only in the instability group (r = -0.3, P = .04). CONCLUSION: An
      elevated TT-TG is associated with patellar instability both in pediatric and
      adolescent patients. However, this measurement varies as a function of patient
      age and height, with each centimeter in height increasing the TT-TG by 0.12.
      Normalization of TT-TG to patient height may control for size variations and
      should be undertaken in the work-up and management of patients with patellar
      instability.

PMID- 24227192
TI  - Woodstove emission measurement methods: Comparison and emission factors update.
AB  - On February 26, 1988, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promulgated
      Standards of Performance for residential wood heaters, or woodstoves. Over the
      past several years, a number of field studies have been undertaken to determine
      the actual level of emission reduction achieved by new technology woodstoves in
      everyday use. These studies have required the development and use of particulate
      and gaseous emission sampling equipment compatible with operation in private
      houses. Since woodstoves are tested for certification in the laboratory using EPA
      Methods 5G and 5H, it is of substantial interest to determine the correlation
      between these regulatory methods and the in-house equipment. Two in-house
      sampling systems have been used most widely. One is an intermittent, pump-driven
      particulate sampler which collects particulate and condensable organics on a
      filter and organic adsorbent resin. Oxygen concentration is measured by a sensor
      in the sample line. The sampler is controlled by a data logger which also records
      other parameters of interest. The second system uses an evacuated cylinder as the
      motive force. Particulate and condensable organics are collected in a condenser
      and dual filter. The sampler operates continuously whenever the stack temperature
      is above the set point. Average stack gas concentrations are measured from the
      evacuated cylinder at the conclusion of the sampling period. Both samplers were
      designed to operate unattended for 1-week periods. A large number of tests have
      been run comparing Methods 5G and 5H to both of the field samplers. This paper
      presents these comparison data and determines the relationships between
      laboratory certification sampling methods and field samplers. 

PMID- 24227193
TI  - Comparison of PM10 concentrations in high- and medium-volume samplers in a desert
      environment.
AB  - The USEPA replaced TSP with PM10 as the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for
      particulate matter. The commercially available PM10 sampler is a high-volume
      model using quartz fiber filters. In certain investigations, such as source
      apportionment studies, chemical analysis of the filter is necessary, however,
      many analyses cannot be run on quartz filters. An alternate filter such as Teflon
      is amenable to XRF and ion chemical analyses but is not amenable to analysis for
      carbon. To overcome these problems DRI constructed a medium-volume PM10 sampler
      that is capable of collecting particulates on both Teflon and quartz fiber
      filters simultaneously. This paper describes the design of the DRI medium-volume
      PM10 sampler, discusses a method for determining equivalence of two samplers, the
      results of applying the method to test the equivalence of the medium-volume
      sampler and a commerical high-volume sampler, and examines differences between
      PM10 and TSP measurements in a southwestern desert. 

PMID- 24227191
TI  - Angiogenic growth factors augment K-Cl cotransporter expression in erythroid
      cells via hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha.
AB  - The potassium chloride cotransporters (KCC) family of proteins are widely
      expressed and are involved in the transepithelial movement of potassium and
      chloride ions and the regulation of cell volume. KCC activity is high in
      reticulocytes, and contributes to the dehydration of sickle red blood cells.
      Because plasma levels of both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and
      placental growth factor (PlGF) are elevated in sickle cell individuals, and VEGF
      has been shown to increase KCC expression in other cells, we hypothesized that
      VEGF and PlGF influence KCC expression in erythroid cells. Both VEGF and PlGF
      treatment of human erythroid K562 cells increased both mRNA and protein levels of
      KCC1, KCC3b, and KCC4. VEGF- and PlGF-mediated cellular signaling involved VEGF
      R1 and downstream effectors, specifically, PI-3 kinase, p38 MAP kinase, mTOR,
      NADPH-oxidase, JNK kinase, and HIF-1alpha. VEGF and PlGF-mediated transcription
      of KCC3b and KCC4 involved hypoxia response element (HRE) motifs in their
      promoters, as demonstrated by promoter analysis, EMSA and ChiP. These results
      were corroborated in vivo by adenoviral-mediated overexpression of PlGF in normal
      mice, which led to increased expression of mKCC3 and mKCC4 in erythroid
      precursors. Our studies show that VEGF and PlGF regulate transcription of KCC3b
      and KCC4 in erythroid cells via activation of HIF-1alpha, independent of hypoxia.
      These studies provide novel therapeutic targets for regulation of cell volume in
      RBC precursors, and thus, amelioration of dehydration in RBCs in sickle cell
      disease.

PMID- 24227194
TI  - Phytomonitoring of urban-industrial pollutants: A new approach.
AB  - Biological effect monitoring of urban-industrial pollutants was carried out using
      an 'air pollution tolerance index' (APTI) of plants. For the purpose four leaf
      parameters - namely, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, relative water content and
      leaf extract pH - were combined together in a formulation signifying the APTI of
      plants. The index indicated the plant response at the cell membrane and
      chloroplast levels. SitesP 1,P 2 andP 3 were selected in western parts of
      Varanasi, India, near the junction of a national highway and a railway track. The
      control site was selected in the University campus. In the prevailing wind
      direction from siteP 1, pollution zones I, II and III were marked. None of the
      four above mentioned plant parameters indicated a consistent response to
      pollutants. However, the APTI showed the most sensitive and consistent response
      of plants to urban-industrial pollutants. The APTI of plants showed a marked
      gradation as the pollutant load decreased from zone I, II and III to the control
      site. The APTI can be used as a good indicator of the impact of pollution on
      plants. 

PMID- 24227195
TI  - Evaluation of acoustical particle counter for the sizing of fog droplets.
AB  - An acoustical particle counter (or acoustical particle sizing device) was
      evaluated for counting and sizing of fog droplets. Fog droplets were generated
      under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Fog droplet sizes were measured by
      an optical and an electron microscope and compared to results from the acoustical
      particle counter. Most of the droplets were found to be in the size range of 5-30
      um. The mean diameters estimated from the acoustical particle counter were in
      agreement with the microscope values of mean droplet diameter. A Rich 100
      condensation nuclei monitor was also operated simultaneously during the fog
      droplet counting to monitor the condensation nuclei counts in the laboratory. The
      results indicate that condensation nuclei count is inversely correlated with the
      fog droplet threshold diameter. Aerosols of uniform size (35 um) were generated
      by the vibrating orifice monodisperse aerosol generator and counted at three
      different flow rates by the acoustical particle counter. The counts/liter/minute
      were similar, indicating the reliability of the acoustical particle counter. 

PMID- 24227196
TI  - Cleanup of fractured rock aquifers: Implications of matrix diffusion.
AB  - As contamination moves through a fractured rock aquifer, it tends to diffuse from
      the flowing fracture water into the rock's essentially stagnant pore water. This
      process tends both to retard a contamination plume's advance through a fractured
      rock aquifer and to substantially increase the difficulty of purging
      contamination from the aquifer. A mathematical model has been developed to
      evaluate the potential impact of this phenomenon upon water quality restoration
      in fractured rock aquifers. The numerical modeling reveals that cleanup of
      fractured rock aquifers will, in many cases, require many decades, even
      centuries, to achieve, particularly where substantial improvements in water
      quality are sought. The parameters which most strongly govern the degree to which
      matrix diffusion prolongs the aquifer restoration process are the rock's matrix
      porosity, fracture spacing, and matrix diffusivity, the chemical identity of the
      contaminant(s), and the length of time the aquifer has been contaminated.Since
      sedimentary rocks tend to have both relatively high matrix porosities and matrix
      diffusivities, it can be particularly difficult to purge contamination from
      sedimentary rock aquifers. Crystalline rocks, in contrast, typically have lower
      matrix porosities and matrix diffusivities, and therefore undergo more rapid
      cleanup. However, even in crystalline rocks, attainment of very high degrees of
      water quality improvement may be problematic. Numerical modeling also indicates
      that conventional groundwater 'pump and treat' programs are not likely to be very
      effective in speeding up aquifer restoration if the rate limiting step in the
      process is diffusion of contaminants from the rock matrix. 

PMID- 24227197
TI  - Macrobenthic surveys as a valuable tool for assessing freshwater quality in the
      Iberian Peninsula.
AB  - Relationships between natural macrobenthic communities and aquatic environmental
      conditions have been recently used to perform the Biological Monitoring Water
      Quality (BMWQ) score system for assessing freshwater quality in the Iberian
      Peninsula. In this paper, the second version of the BMWQ score system is applied
      to two selected field studies (organic and nonorganic pollution) in order to
      illustrate the suitable functional character of this method. The total BMWQ (t
      BMWQ) score and the average BMWQ (a-BMWQ) score are calculated, and their
      relationships with diversity indices are also examined. The BMWQ method appears
      to be very sensitive to changes in freshwater quality generated by simple organic
      pollution, but this method appears to be less sensitive to changes generated by
      complex nonorganic pollution. In addition, both scores are more sensitive
      measures to assess macroinvertebrate response to organic pollution than total
      density and diversity indices, exhibiting higher positive coefficients of linear
      correlation with Camargo's diversity index than with Shannon's and MacArthur's
      diversity indices. However, the a-BMWQ score is more sensitive to changes in
      family composition than the t-BMWQ score, whereas this latter score is more
      sensitive to family richness and sample size. In this sense, the use of the a
      BMWQ score is recommended for the biological assessment of freshwater quality
      degradation in the Iberian Peninsula. More information is obtained for less
      effort when the a-BMWQ score is used. 

PMID- 24227198
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24227199
TI  - DNA copy number aberrations in endobronchial lesions: a validated predictor for
      cancer.
AB  - We recently identified a DNA copy number aberration (CNA)-based classifier,
      including changes at 3p26.3-p11.1, 3q26.2-29, and 6p25.3-24.3, as a risk
      predictor for cancer in individuals presenting with endobronchial squamous
      metaplasia. The current study was set out to validate the prediction accuracy of
      this classifier in an independent series of endobronchial squamous metaplastic
      and dysplastic lesions. The study included 36 high-risk subjects who had
      endobronchial lesions of various histological grades that were identified and
      biopsied by autofluorescence bronchoscopy and were subjected to arrayCGH in a
      nested case-control design. Of the 36 patients, 12 had a carcinoma in situ or
      invasive carcinoma at the same site at follow-up (median 11 months, range 4-24),
      while 24 controls remained cancer free (78 months, range 21-142). The previously
      defined CNA-based classifier demonstrated 92% (95% CI 77% to 98%) accuracy for
      cancer (in situ) prediction. All nine subjects with CNA-based classifier-positive
      endobronchial lesions at baseline experienced cancer outcome, whereas all 24
      controls and 3 cases were classified as being low risk. In conclusion, CNAs prove
      to be a highly accurate biomarker for assessing the progression risk of
      endobronchial squamous metaplastic and dysplastic lesions. This classifier could
      assist in selecting subjects with endobronchial lesions who might benefit from
      more aggressive therapeutic intervention or surveillance. 

PMID- 24227200
TI  - Protease-mediated ectodomain shedding.
AB  - Ectodomain shedding is the proteolytic cleavage of cell surface proteins
      resulting in the loss of the extracellular domains. This mechanism is important
      in a variety of normal and pathological processes, including growth factor
      signalling, cell adhesion, inflammation and cell survival. Elevated protease
      activity in the lungs is a key pathological mechanism in emphysema which could
      enhance ectodomain shedding in lung cells. Here, the major steps and consequences
      of ectodomain shedding are reviewed. 

PMID- 24227201
TI  - 2-Naphthol-phosphatidylethanolamine: A fluorescent phospholipid analogue for
      excited-state proton transfer studies in membranes.
AB  - The fluorescence properties of the phospholipid derivative,N-[1-(2-naphthol)]
      phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPH-PE), have been studied by steady-state and time
      resolved fluorescence techniques. The new probe is a naphthol adduct of
      phosphatidylethanolamine. The emission spectrum of the fluorescent phospholipid
      depends on the pH and on the proton acceptor concentration as expected for a
      typical two-state excited-state proton transfer reaction. In ethanol solutions at
      an apparent pH of 6.7 and in the presence of acetate anion (0.14M), a
      biexponential decay is obtained from global analysis of the data. The
      lifetimes,tau 1=3.9 ns andtau 2=6.2 ns. are constant across the spectral region
      350-460 nm. The decay-associated spectra and the species-associated spectra
      reproduce well the profiles reported for a two-state excited-state proton
      transfer reaction. The fluorescent phospholipid has been incorporated into
      dimyristoyllecithin and dipalmitoyllecithin vesicles. Although lower proton
      transfer is found, the reaction appears to be dependent on the gel-to-liquid
      crystalline phase transition of the lipid membrane. In addition, the steady-state
      anisotropy of NAPH-PE measured as a function of temperature trace the phase
      transition of the two vesicle systems. Thus, it is shown that the physical state
      of the bilayer affects a reaction which takes place at the membrane surface. In
      the presence of acetate ions (0.3M), global analysis, performed in terms of
      fluorescence decay parameters, recovers preexponential coefficients that are
      consistent with an excited-state proton transfer reaction. The short lifetime
      drops from 3.9 to 0.44 ns without significant changes of the longer-lifetime
      component. 

PMID- 24227202
TI  - Three-photon excitation ofp-quaterphenyl with a mode-locked femtosecond
      Ti:sapphire laser.
AB  - We observed emission fromp-quaterphenyl (p-QT) at 360 nm when exposed to the
      focused light from a femtosecond (fs) Ti:sapphire laser at 850 nm. This
      wavelength is too long to allow two-photon excitation of p-QT. The emission
      intensity of p-QT was found to depend on the cube of the laser power at 850 nm,
      suggesting that excitation occurs due to a three-photon process. The same
      emission spectrum and single exponential decay times were observed for three
      photon excitation at 850 nm as for two-photon excitation at 586 nm and for one
      photon excitation at 283 nm. The same rotational correlation times were observed
      for one-, two-, and three-photon excitation, but higher time-zero anisotropies
      were observed for two- and three-photon excitation. The steady-state anisotropies
      for one-, two-, and three-photon excitation are precisely consistent with
      cos(2)theta, cos(4)theta, and cos(6)theta excitation photoselection, where theta
      is the angle between the electric field of the incident light and the absorption
      dipole. These experiments were performed with 3*10(-5) M solutions of p-QT. Use
      of such low concentrations was possible because p-QT displays one of the highest
      apparent cross sections we have observed to date for three-photon excitation. The
      spatial distribution of the excited fluorescence was less for three-photon
      excitation than for two-photon excitation of Coumarin 102 at the same 850-nm
      excitation wavelength. The high cross section, photostability, and clear
      cos(6)theta photoselection of p-QT make it an ideal three-photon standard for
      spectroscopy and microscopy. 

PMID- 24227203
TI  - Spectral properties of the prototropic forms of fluorescein in aqueous solution.
AB  - The commonly used fluorescent probe, fluorescein, can exist in seven prototropic
      forms. We have used global analysis procedures to reanalyze the absorption data
      of Diehl and Horchak-Morris (Talanta 34, 739-741, 1987) in terms of five
      alternative ionization models. We identify the forms of fluorescein present in
      aqueous solution and the pK a of each ionisation transition. The pKa values of
      the neutral xanthene, carboxylic acid, and cationic xanthene groups are 6.3, 3.1
      3.4, and 3.1-3.4, respectively, and the pKa value of lactonization is 2.4. As a
      consequence, the neutral form of fluorescein is a mixture of the lactone (70%),
      zwitterionic (15%), and quinoid (15%) forms. A knowledge of the forms present in
      solution permits the characterization of their spectral properties. It is shown
      that the quinoid and monoanion forms have similar absorption spectra, while the
      zwitterion spectrum is similar to that of the cation but blue-shifted by 3 nm.
      The emission spectra of the monoanion and quinoid forms are also identified and
      shown to be similar but not identical. A model for the excited-state reactions of
      fluorescein is presented. 

PMID- 24227204
TI  - Time-resolved response of fluorescent alkali ion indicators and detection of
      short-lived intermediates upon binding to molecular cavities.
AB  - Stopped-flow kinetic studies have been performed to determine the kinetic
      parameters of K(+) binding to the fluorescent cryptand F222 and of Na(+)binding
      to F221 at pH 8.O. The results clearly indicate that a comparatively stable
      intermediate is formed before the rate-limiting binding step occurs with a rate
      constant around 30 s(-1) under the chosen experimental conditions. The conversion
      of the intermediate to the final cation complex is assigned to the final
      penetration of the already bound, but still partially solvated cation into the
      ligand's cavity. The main fluorescence intensity change found upon cation binding
      is attributed to the second reaction step, and not to the fast, initial binding
      reaction. The comparatively slow overall binding reaction is interpreted on the
      bases of a special solvate substitution mechanism which, in principle, can also
      account for the 1500 times slower binding of Ca 2(+) to F221. With regard to time
      resolved analytical Na(+) and K(+) determinations, the response times under the
      chosen conditions are around 20 ms. Differentiation between Na(+) and Ca(2+), for
      example, is possible with F221 on the basis of completely different response
      times. 

PMID- 24227205
TI  - Conformational changes of Na,K-ATPase probed with eosin Y.
AB  - Time-resolved fluorescence and binding studies have been carried out on Na,K
      ATPase in the presence of the fluorescent dye eosin Y to obtain thermodynamic and
      kinetic parameters for the interaction of the enzyme with different cations.
      Eosin Y binding is indicated by a 3 ns fluorescence decay process and is observed
      only in the presence of mono- and divalent cations. This type of cation binding
      is interpreted as a nonselective electrostatic interaction, with negatively
      charged groups of the enzyme providing a high-affinity eosin Y binding site.
      Eosin Y binding is observed only under conditions where the enzyme exists in the
      conformational state F1. The kinetic parameters of eosin Y binding have been
      determined employing stopped-flow fluorometry. 

PMID- 24227206
TI  - Time-resolved fluorescence studies of ribonuclease T1 in reversed micelles.
AB  - Time-resolved fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decay data were obtained for
      ribonuclease T1 entrapped in bis(2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate/heptane
      reverse micelles, as a function of the size of the inner water pool at neutral
      pH. Data have been presented previously to show that this protein retains its
      native structure and undergoes reversible thermal unfolding in these reverse
      micelles (Shastry and Eftink,Biochemistry 36, in press). The fluorescence decay
      of entrapped protein is similar to that for the protein in buffer. The rotational
      correlation time of entrapped ribonuclease T1 is found to be longer than that in
      buffer; this rotational correlation time decreases with increasing size of the
      water pool but is still over twice the value for the protein in buffer for the
      largest size of water pool investigated, indicating an increased microviscosity
      within the reverse micelle. Thermal unfolding of the protein results in a
      significant decrease in the rotational correlation time of the entrapped
      proteins, consistent with the protein being unfolded but not interacting with the
      inner surfactant wall of the reverse micelle. 

PMID- 24227207
TI  - Resolution of multiexponential spectral relaxation of Yt-base by global analysis
      of collisionally quenched samples.
AB  - We measured the wavelength-dependent intensity decays of 4,9-dihydro-4,6-dimethyl
      9-oxo-1H-imidazo-1,2a-purine (Yt-base) in propanol to determine the time-resolved
      emission spectra and rates of spectral relaxation. We found that resolution of
      the spectral relaxation times was dramatically improved by global analysis of the
      frequency-domain data with increasing amounts of the collisional quencher CCl4.
      Collisional quenching preferentially decreases the longer-lived relaxed component
      of the emission, thereby increasing the fractional contribution of the
      incompletely relaxed portion of the emission. The data could not be explained by
      a single spectral relaxation time, and at least two relaxation times are needed
      to describe the time-dependent emission center of gravity of Yt-base. 

PMID- 24227208
TI  - Arterial ischemic stroke as a complication to disseminated infection with
      Fusobacterium necrophorum.
AB  - Lemierre syndrome (LS) is a rare complication of oropharyngeal and odontogenic
      infections in otherwise healthy young individuals. It is characterized by septic
      internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis and disseminated metastatic abscesses.
      Cerebral arterial ischemic stroke is rarely seen in LS. The authors present a 14
      year-old, previously healthy girl, who developed cerebral arterial infarction
      following acute tonsillitis and abscess formations due to Fusobacterium
      necrophorum. 

PMID- 24227209
TI  - Phenylpropenoid phenolics in sweetbay magnolia as chemical determinants of host
      use in saturniid silkmoths (Callosamia).
AB  - Host plant chemistry can play an important role in determining the evolution of
      host use patterns in herbivorous insects by influencing host selection,
      consumption, and assimilation of foliage. We used a comparative approach to test
      the hypothesis that specialist herbivores of sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia
      virginiana) possess adaptations that allow them to overcome chemical deterrents
      or toxins that prevent herbivory by unadapted herbivores. The three silkmoth
      species in the genusCallosamia can be collectively regarded as specialists on
      magnoliaceous hosts; however, only the monophagousC. securifera is able to
      complete development on sweetbay magnolia, its natural host. In laboratory assays
      with intact foliage, bothC. angulifera and the polyphagousC. promethea fed
      readily on sweetbay but were unable to survive past the third instar. Two
      neolignan compounds, magnolol and a biphenyl ether, were found to reduce neonate
      growth and survival of unadapted herbivore species when painted on acceptable
      host leaves at concentrations similar to those found in sweetbay foliage. Both
      compounds significantly reduced neonate growth ofC. angulifera andC. promethea
      but had no effect on the sweetbay specialist,C. securifera, indicating that the
      latter species possesses the unique ability in the genus to tolerate, metabolize,
      or otherwise circumvent the phytochemical defenses of this host. 

PMID- 24227210
TI  - Disruption of male oriental fruit moth to calling females in a wind tunnel by
      different concentrations of synthetic pheromone.
AB  - Disruption of male Oriental fruit moth orientation to calling females was studied
      in a wind tunnel by surrounding calling female moths with septa loaded with
      synthetic pheromone. At the lowest loadings, 0.01 and 0.1ug, which produced
      release rates well below those of calling females, some males flew to septa
      instead of the females. At loadings of 1 and 10ug, which produced release rates
      close to those of a calling female, more than half the males flew to septa
      instead of the females, but there was little evidence of habituation at any of
      these loadings. At higher loadings, 100 and 1000ug, upwind flight of males was
      arrested, and many males remained inactive, indicating habituation. Preexposure
      of the males for 3 hr to ambient pheromone concentrations in the tunnel had no
      significant effect on numbers of disrupted males. However, at the 1000-ug
      loading, most of the males that had been preexposed to the synthetic pheromone
      remained inactive. This may indicate a higher level of habituation than among
      males that had not been preexposed, most of which flew, although they
      subsequently showed flight arrestment. Levels of disruption were similar to those
      found for the spruce budworm in comparable experiments. In both species, less
      than 1% of the males were able to locate females when time-averaged
      concentrations of synthetic pheromone were above 20 ng/m(3). However, levels of
      inactivity and flight arrestment were higher among male Oriental fruit moths than
      among male spruce budworms, which may explain why Oriental fruit moths are more
      susceptible to disruption than are spruce budworms. 

PMID- 24227211
TI  - The role of primary and secondary metabolites in chrysanthemum resistance
      toFrankliniella occidentalis.
AB  - The presence of deleterious secondary metabolites to western flower thrips (WFT)
      (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande) in several chrysanthemum (Dendranthema
      grandiflora Tzvelev) cultivars was tested. WFT performance on leaf sap mixed with
      artificial diet was compared to WFT performance on a control of artificial diet
      mixed with water. Leaf sap of six of 10 chrysanthemum cultivars tested had a
      significant negative effect on WFT performance and therefore contained
      deleterious secondary metabolites. Leaf sap of a resistant and a susceptible
      chrysanthemum cultivar were fractionated by gel to study the role of secondary
      metabolites in greater detail. None of the 20 individual fractions obtained had a
      negative effect on WFT performance, whereas after mixing of these fractions
      activity was found again. Moreover, WFT performance on the fraction mixture of
      the resistant cultivar was significantly lower than on the susceptible fraction
      mixture. The results suggest that WFT resistance in the cultivars studied was
      caused by several secondary metabolites that had an additional or synergistic
      negative effect on WFT performance. The role of a deficiency of primary
      metabolites in WFT resistance of chrysanthemum was also investigated. WFT
      performance on leaf sap with and without extra primary metabolites (artificial
      diet) was compared. The variance in WFT performance was significantly smaller
      when extra primary metabolites were added; WFT performance on leaf sap with and
      without extra primary metabolites was not correlated. The results suggest that
      resistance was partly caused by a deficiency of primary metabolites. 

PMID- 24227212
TI  - Scarab beetleAnomala albopilosa albopilosa utilizes a more complex sex pheromone
      system than a similar speciesA. cuprea.
AB  - Four compounds have been identified as sex pheromone constituents of the scarab
      beetleAnomala albopilosa albopilosa, namely (R, Z)-5-(-)-(oct-1
      enyl)oxacyclopentan-2-one (buibuilactone), 2-(E)-nonenol, 2-(E)-nonenal, and
      methyl benzoate (in the ratio 10:3:3:1). The diel rhythm of pheromone release
      inA. a. albopilosa showed a peak at the beginning of the scotophase, which is
      also a peak of mating activity. On the other hand, the similar speciesA. cuprea
      utilizes a two-constituent sex pheromone, having a common major component, but
      the pheromone is released both during scoto-and photophase. Temporal difference
      in mating activity and pheromone release along with chemical diversity seem to
      form the basis for maintaining species specificity in pheromonal communication
      betweenA. a. albopilosa andA. cuprea. 

PMID- 24227213
TI  - Food deprivation affects preference of sheep for foods varying in nutrients and a
      toxin.
AB  - We investigated how food deprivation affected preference of lambs for foods that
      varied in concentrations of nutrients and a toxin. Thirty lambs (10
      lambs/treatment) were fed different amounts of alfalfa pellets (high in protein,
      marginal in energy for growth) as a basal ration (20, 40, or 60 g/kg body
      weight). Every morning, prior to ingesting the basal ration of alfalfa pellets,
      each lamb was offerend three foods for 15 min. The foods contained different
      amounts of energy and a toxin, depending on the addition of barley (energy) and
      LiCl (toxin) to alfalfa. The proportions of barley and LiCl changed every five
      days during the 25-day study. The results showed: (1) all lambs preferred food
      that was high > intermediate > low in energy (barley) in the absence of LiCl, but
      all lambs decreased consumption of foods high in energy as LiCl concentrations
      increased; (2) the greater the level of food deprivation, the lower the
      consumption of foods containing LiCl, even if the foods provided high levels of
      energy; (3) lambs moderately food deprived or fed ad libitum ingested more LiCl
      than lambs that were highly deprived; and (4) lambs quickly (15 min/day)
      regulated intake of foods in response to changes in barley and LiCl
      concentrations. Thus, our results suggest that the interaction between
      nutritional status and toxicosis plays an important role in food preference of
      lambs. Our findings also suggest that toxic plants may kill herbivores that lack
      nutritious alternative foods not only because the animals are forced to be less
      discriminating, but also because they are more susceptible to toxins. 

PMID- 24227214
TI  - Variation of total phenolic content and individual low-molecular-weight phenolics
      in foliage of mountain birch trees (Betula pubescens ssp.tortuosa).
AB  - We studied seasonal and between-tree variation in the composition and content of
      total and individual low-molecular-weight phenolics (LMWP) in leaves of mountain
      birch trees (Betula pubescens ssp.tortuosa). The major phenolic compounds were
      chlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside, myricetin-3-O-(5
      acetyl)-L-rhamnopyranoside, and 1-O-galloyl-beta-D-(2-O-acetyl)-glucopyranose.
      The content of total phenolics, as well as the sum of individual LMWP, varied
      only slightly among trees while variation in contents of individual LMWP was
      large. Concentrations of almost all phenolics decreased during the growing season
      but pairwise correlations between individual phenolics remained similar over the
      whole season indicating tree-specific LMWP profiles over the season. Among
      flavonoids, the between-tree component of variation was 2.6 times as large as the
      seasonal component, while for variation of nonflavonoids the between-tree
      component was larger than the seasonal one. To explain the significant
      correlations within both flavonoid and nonflavonoid compounds, we discuss the
      biogenesis of LMWP in birch leaves, as well as their ecological role. 

PMID- 24227215
TI  - Antifouling activity oflyso-platelet-activating factor extracted from australian
      spongeCrella incrustans.
AB  - Larvae of the ascidianClavelina moluccensis do not settle in the field on the
      spongeCrella incrustans and are deterred from settling by crude chemical extracts
      of the sponge. Progressive refinement of extracts, guided by bioassays, led to
      the identification oflyso-platelet-activating factor (lyso-PAF) from the
      sponge.lyso-PAF is inhibitory in assays using ascidian, bryozoan, barnacle, and
      algal settlement and mussel byssal attachment. Its role in the field has not yet
      been demonstrated. 

PMID- 24227216
TI  - Sex recognition inDiglyphus isaea walker (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): Role of an
      uncommon family of behaviorally active compounds.
AB  - The sexual behavior of the ectoparasitoidDiglyphus isaea is described.
      Recognition of the female by the male occurs at close range. Males initiate
      courtship behavior in the presence of a living female regardless of age, as well
      as in the presence of a female killed by freezing. Courtship behavior is not
      observed in the presence of a dead female washed with organic solvents but could
      be elicited using a lure covered with a female organic extract. These findings
      demonstrate that each sex develops a specific chemical signature that can be
      dissolved in hexane and transferred to a lure. Analysis of organic extracts by
      gas chromatography revealed chemical dimorphism between the two sexes. Gas
      chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry showed that the main components in
      females were esters of medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain 11-alcohols. There
      were few hydrocarbons. Female esters, which were present in only small
      proportions in males, were recovered in the nonhydrocarbon fraction obtained
      after fractionation of the total extract on a silica-filled microcolumn as a
      mixture containing 11-heneicosyl, 11-docosyl, 11-tricosyl, 11-tetracosyl, and 11
      pentacosyl octanoate, and 11-docosyl, 11-tricosyl, 11-tetracosyl, and 11
      pentacosyl decanoate. These results demonstrate that there is a specific gender
      related chemical signature. 

PMID- 24227217
TI  - Hydrocarbons ofNasutitermes acajutlae and comparison of methodologies for
      sampling cuticular hydrocarbons of caribbean termites for taxonomic and
      ecological studies.
AB  - Using data from the arboreal nestingNasutitermes acajutlae (Holmgren), we propose
      standard collection and extraction methodology for characterization of cuticular
      hydrocarbons of termites under field conditions in the tropics. Specifically, we
      evaluated: (1) the effect of the duration and the number of extractions; (2) the
      effect of drying termites before extraction; (3) the effect of sample size; (4)
      the effect of solvents (ethanol versus hexane) on cuticular hydrocarbon profiles.
      Olefins comprise ca. 70% of the cuticular hydrocarbons ofN. acajutlae.
      Hydrocarbons consist of two distinct groups: early-eluting components, primarilyn
      alkanes and methyl-branched alkanes, and late-eluting compounds, which consist
      almost exclusively of unsaturated components with one to six double bonds.
      Soldiers have more early-eluting compounds than workers or alates. Nests from the
      same island had qualitatively similar, but quantitatively dissimilar hydrocarbon
      mixtures. Brief extractions of 300 live workers in 10 ml of hexane for only 20
      sec produced a hydrocarbon mixture equivalent to a 10-min extraction. Long-term
      extraction of 300 workers in hexane for two years resulted in different mixtures
      of hydrocarbons. Drying workers tended to enhance extraction of the less abundant
      unsaturated compounds such as C41.4 and C41.5. A single extraction of a minimum
      of 100 workers (live or dried), with hexane for 20 sec to 10 min is best; these
      extraction regimes resulted in mixtures of hydrocarbons that are quantitatively
      very similar. For quantitative comparisons, extracts from dried samples should
      not be compared to those from live samples. Storage in ethanol caused numerous
      unidentified, nonhydrocarbon compounds to be extracted either from the cuticle or
      from internal tissues. 

PMID- 24227218
TI  - Self-germination inhibitors fromColletotrichum fragariae.
AB  - The conidial germination ofColletotrichum fragariae in water was dependent on
      population, size germination was inhibited at higher concentrations of conidia in
      water. The inhibition was considered to be caused by some germination-inhibiting
      substances exuded from conidia, since the germination did occur after washing the
      conidia repeatedly. The germination-inhibiting substances were searched for in
      the acetone extract of potato-sucrose-agar (PSA) cultures of the fungus and five
      active compounds were isolated. Their structures were characterized
      spectroscopically. HPLC analysis indicated that one of the isolated compounds
      among these was exuded not only from mycelia but also from the conidia in water
      under crowded conditions. We suggest that these compounds control the conidial
      germination of the fungi. 

PMID- 24227219
TI  - A comparison of the effectiveness of predator odor and plant antifeedant in
      deterring small mammal feeding damage on lodgepole pine seedlings.
AB  - The influence of mustelid (weasel) anal-gland compounds (semiochemicals) and a
      plant antifeedant (pinosylvin) on snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) and meadow
      vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) feeding damage was investigated. This study has
      shown conclusively that when applied to spring-planted lodgepole pine seedlings,
      pinosylvin is effective in significantly reducing feeding damage. Seedlings
      treated with pinosylvin suffered damage levels of 2.3% and 21.2% compared to the
      controls with damage levels of 24.5% and 41.0%. Weasel scent was found to reduce
      damage levels, but the reduction was not statistically significant in all blocks.

PMID- 24227220
TI  - Temporal clumping of bark beetle arrival at pheromone traps: Modeling anemotaxis
      in chaotic plumes.
AB  - The sequence of arrival of the bark beetlesIps typographus andPityogenes
      chalcographus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) at traps baited with their synthetic
      pheromones was monitored with a portable fraction collector. Histograms of the
      natural arrival patterns of both species were nonrandom and clumped at shorter
      time scales (1-, 2-, 4-, 5-, or 6-min cells) but appeared random at larger time
      scales (10, 20 or 30 min). Monte Carlo generation of similar histograms showed
      them to be random at all of these time scales. A stochastic computer model could
      graphically simulate insect orientation to odor sources based on present theories
      of odor-modulated anemotaxis and casting. Although this model was used
      throughout, since it assumes only that insects cast perpendicular to the current
      wind direction, a second model could slightly improve orientation success.
      However, the second model requires that the insect remember its ground path
      (upwind) prior to losing the plume (after an abrupt wind direction change). The
      effects of casting and flight parameters on orientation success and randomness of
      arrival sequence within various plumes were determined by simulation. Similarly,
      the effects of random walks in plume direction, plume width, and wind speed were
      explored. The results showed that dynamic random variations in plume direction
      and especially wind speed could cause an otherwise random arrival sequence (e.g.,
      under constant wind) to become clumped and nonrandom. Therefore, the clumped
      arrival patterns of bark beetles and other insects, includingSpodoptera litura,
      at pheromone sources could result from random-walk fluctuations in wind speed and
      wind direction. 

PMID- 24227221
TI  - Enantiospecific pheromone production and response profiles for populations of
      pine engraver,Ips pini (Say) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), in British Columbia.
AB  - Analyses of the enantiomeric composition of ipsdienol produced by individual male
      pine engravers,Ips pini (Say), from six populations in British Columbia, support
      the hypothesis that New York and Idaho races of this species hybridize in
      southeastern British Columbia. Production profiles, expressed as frequency
      distributions of (+):(-) ipsdienol ratios [= ratio of (S)-(+)-ipsdienol to (R)-(
      )-ipsdienol], were bimodal for four western British Columbia populations. The
      (+):(-) ratios ranged from 63:37 to 71:29. consistent with those previously found
      for the New York race. The profile for a southeastern population from Radium,
      British Columbia, was intermediate between those for the four western British
      Columbia populations and that from one population in Kimberley, British Columbia,
      just south of Radium. Males in the Kimberley population produce predominantly (R)
      (-)-ipsdienol, typical of California nad Idaho males. Response profiles of
      different individuals ofI. pini, determined by captures of beetles in multiple
      funnel traps baited with ipsdienol of 11 different (+):(-) ratios, were not
      consistent with production profiles. Populations in Williams Lake and Princeton,
      in western British Columbia, and Radium, in southeastern British Columbia, had
      response profiles with maximal attraction to ipsdienol over a broad range of
      (+):(-) ratios, falling off as enantiomeric purity was approached at either end
      of the spectrum. This type of response profile is consistent with that for the
      New York race, which has been shown to respond optimally to (+):(-) ratios
      ranging from 40:60 to 70:30. The response profile of the Kimberley population
      gradually declined from maximal attraction to ipsdienol with a (+):(-) ratio of
      2:98 to the lowest response at a (+):(-) ratio of 98:2. The attraction ofI. pini
      to chemical stimuli in California is interrupted by ipsdienol with a (+):(-)
      ratio >5:95, a pheromone of a host competitor, the California five-spined ips,Ips
      paraconfusus Lanier. We hypothesie that the Idaho race, which does not compete
      withI. paraconfusus due to geographical separation, is characterized by a
      Kimberley-type enantiomeric response profile, intermediate between those of the
      New York and California races. 

PMID- 24227222
TI  - Determination of fusaric acid in maize using molecularly imprinted SPE clean-up.
AB  - A new LC method to detect fusaric acid (FA) in maize is reported based on a
      molecularly imprinted SPE clean-up using mimic-templated molecularly imprinted
      polymers. Picolinic acid was used as a toxin analog for imprinting polymers
      during a thermolytic synthesis. Both acidic and basic functional monomers were
      predicted to have favorable binding interactions by MP2 ab initio calculations.
      Imprinted polymers synthesized with methacrylic acid or 2-dimethylaminoethyl
      methacrylate exhibited imprinting effects in SPE analysis. FA levels were
      determined using RP ion-pairing chromatography with diode-array UV detection and
      tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate in the mobile phase. A method was developed
      to detect FA in maize using molecularly imprinted SPE analysis within the range
      of 1-100 MUg/g with recoveries between 83.9 and 92.1%. 

PMID- 24227223
TI  - Role of the unfolded protein response in organ physiology: lessons from mouse
      models.
AB  - The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a key subcellular compartment involved in the
      folding and maturation of around one-third of the total proteome. Accumulation of
      misfolded proteins in the ER lumen engages a signal transduction pathway known as
      unfolded protein response (UPR) that feedback to recover ER homeostasis or to
      trigger apoptosis of irreversible damaged cells. The UPR is initiated by three
      main stress sensors including protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK),
      activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), and inositol-requiring protein 1alpha
      (IRE1alpha), which reprogram the genome through the control of downstream
      transcription factors. In this article, the authors have reviewed most relevant
      studies uncovering the physiological function of the UPR in different organs and
      tissues based on the phenotypes observed after genetic manipulation of the
      pathway in vivo. Biomedical applications of targeting the UPR on a disease
      context are also discussed.

PMID- 24227224
TI  - Physiological effects of hydrocarbons on the marine diatomCyclotella cryptica.
AB  - Effects of hydrocarbons on the marine diatomCyclotella cryptica have been studied
      in laboratory experiments. Low hydrocarbon concentrations (100 MUg. l(-1))
      stimulate growth whereas higher concentrations (l mg. l(-1)) inhibit growth. The
      aromatics are most toxic among the hydrocarbons, whereas the paraffins do not
      seem to have any serious effect on growth or photosynthesis of the algae. Both
      aromatic and paraffin fractions affected the chlorophyll a, protein, and sugar
      contents of the cells. Toxicity levels were affected by the presence of dissolved
      organic material in the medium. Studies on the ultrastructure ofC. cryptica have
      shown that paraffins affect the thickness of the cell wall. 

PMID- 24227225
TI  - Effect of light intensity on macromolecular synthesis in cyanobacteria.
AB  - The light-dependent incorporation of NaH(14)CO3 into low molecular weight
      compounds, polysaccharide, or protein was determined in cultures of the
      cyanobacteriumMerismopedia tenuissima incubated at a series of light intensities.
      There was an inverse relationship between incorporation into polysaccharide and
      protein. At light intensities of 90 MUE/m(2)/sec or above, relative incorporation
      of radioisotope into polysaccharide was greatest and relative incorporation into
      protein was lowest. Optimal relative protein accumulation occurred in samples
      incubated at 20 MUE/m(2)/sec. A broader optimum of light intensity for maximal
      protein accumulation was found if ammonia rather than nitrate was the nitrogen
      source. Physiological adaptation of cultures to growth at a particular light
      intensity did not alter the pattern of macromolecular incorporation when those
      cultures were tested over the series of light intensities. The response of
      cultures ofOscillatoria rubescens to light intensity was similar to that ofM.
      tenuissima, although incorporation into low molecular weight compounds was
      significantly greater.The effect of light intensity on macromolecular synthesis
      in a natural population ofOscillatoria rubescens was also determined. A pattern
      similar to that observed in batch cultures ofO. rubescens was occasionally found,
      but in other experiments there was no increase in relative protein incorporation
      when light intensity was decreased. 

PMID- 24227226
TI  - Response of thermal algal-bacterial mat to grazing by brine flies.
AB  - Gelatinous mats of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and bacteria in alkaline
      thermal springs of Yellowstone National Park add biomass at the surface more
      rapidly than material is degraded in the anaerobic layers underneath. This
      inequality leads to flow diversion and exposure of mat surface. The
      microenvironment of these cool exposed "islands" is drastically altered as adults
      and larvae of ephydrid fly species invade, feed on, and solubilize the mat. We
      studied the effect of this grazing by comparing hot and cool ungrazed controls
      with mat that was cooled and remained open to invasion by ephydrid flies. Mat
      community biomass changes (ash free dry weight-AFDW) and changes in bacterial
      numbers were determined. Mat biomass was essentially unchanged for 3 weeks in the
      controls. Numbers of bacteria remained unchanged in the cool ungrazed control but
      decreased by more than 90% in the hot-ungrazed control. Grazing by ephydrid flies
      initially increased both mat biomass and numbers of unicellular heterotrophic
      bacteria. When grazed mat was reexposed to flowing hot water, biomass and
      bacterial numbers per mg AFDW declined immediately and significantly. The long
      term effect of grazing on the mat is solubilization with downstream biomass
      export and subsequent initiation of successional algal-bacterial mat regrowth.
      Our experimental results suggest an initial stimulation of net photosynthesis by
      grazing, possibly related to the promotion of bacterial activity resulting in the
      release of essential mineral nutrients and/or free CO2. 

PMID- 24227227
TI  - Microbial succession on a chitinous substrate in a woodland stream.
AB  - Plate counts, scanning electron microscopy, and direct observations were utilized
      to determine successional trends of different groups of microorganisms
      onProcambarus versutus (Hagen) exoskeletons incubatedin situ in a second-order,
      acidic woodland stream in Northwest Florida. Plate counts and SEM observations
      indicated a definite successional pattern dominated in numbers initially by the
      nonbranching bacteria, followed by the actinomycetes. The greatest number of
      fungal propagules coincided with the least number of bacterial colony-forming
      units. Chitinoclastic bacterial colonizers increased on the substrate throughout
      the study, comprising as much as 88% of the total bacterial community during the
      final stages of chitin decomposition. Scanning electron micrographs taken over
      the duration of the study revealed the abundance of an actinomycete, identified
      as a species ofStreptomyces, on the exoskeleton. Enumeration of microorganisms in
      the stream sediment was also performed in conjunction with the exoskeleton
      analysis. Relatively constant numbers of bacteria and fungi were observed, with
      chitinoclastic bacteria comprising between 3 and 11% of the total sediment
      bacterial community. 

PMID- 24227228
TI  - Measurement of in situ rates of nitrification in sediment.
AB  - A method has been developed for the measurement of nitrification rates in intact
      sediment cores without disturbing the concentration gradients of oxygen and
      ammonium. N-serve (2-chloro-6-trichloromethyl-pyridine), a specific inhibitor of
      the autotrophic ammonium oxidation, was injected into a 0-2 cm surface layer of
      the sediment (20 ppm) and added to the water column of sediment cores (5 ppm). N
      serve in these concentrations was sufficient to inhibit nitrification, but did
      not change the rate of ammonium production or incorporation in sediment
      suspensions, which were incubated aerobically and anaerobically. The ammonium
      accumulation in cores injected with N-serve was thus equal to the amount of
      ammonium which was oxidized to nitrate in the control cores. Nitrification rates
      were in the range of 0-3 mmol N m(-2) (-1.) 

PMID- 24227229
TI  - Effects of temperature, ph, salinity, and inorganic nitrogen on the rate of
      ammonium oxidation by nitrifiers isolated from wetland environments.
AB  - Ammonium-oxidizing bacteria were examined in two wetland environments, a
      freshwater marsh and an estuarine bay, during a 2-year period. Two predominant
      types were consistently isolated, one from each environment. Both isolates were
      identified as species ofNitrosomonas. Using a closed culture, high cell density
      assay, the effects of temperature, pH, salinity, Na(+), K(+), nitrite, nitrate,
      and ammonium concentrations on ammonium oxidation were determined. Maximum
      activity was observed for the freshwater isolate at 35 degrees C, pH 8.5,
      salinities of 0.3 to 0.5% Na(+) and K(+), and ammonium concentrations greater
      than 0.5 g/l. For the estuarine isolate, maximum activity was observed at 40
      degrees C, pH 8.0, salinities of 0.5 to 1.0%, 1.0% Na(+) and K(+), and 0.2 g/l
      ammonium. The estuarine isolate had a Na(+) requirement which could be partially
      substituted by the K(+), suggesting that the organism is a true estuarine
      bacterium. Nitrite inhibited both isolates at concentrations greater than 5 mg/l,
      whereas nitrate had no significant effect on either isolate. 

PMID- 24227230
TI  - N2 Fixation (C2H 2 reduction) by epiphylls on coffee,Coffea arabica.
AB  - Nitrogen fixation (C2H2 reduction) by epiphylls on coffee,Coffea arabica, grown
      in sites with different degrees of shade, was determined. Coffee leaves with
      nitrogen-fixing epiphylls were found in all sites in approximately equal numbers.
      Rates of C2H2 reduction were similar for all sites and throughout the year,
      averaging 3.21 nmoles C2H2 reduced leaf with epiphylls(-1) day(-1). Apparently,
      neither rates of activity nor abundance of leaves with nitrogen-fixing epiphylls
      is related to the degree of shade in a site. No correlation was found between
      percent epiphyll cover and the presence or magnitude of nitrogen-fixing activity.
      Calculated annual fixation by epiphylls on coffee was low, ranging from 0.7 g N2
      ha(-1) year(-1) for the shadeless site to 1.4 g N2 ha(-1) year(-1) for the site
      withIngajinicuil shade trees. These results suggest that epiphyll fixation is not
      an important source of nitrogen for the coffee ecosystem studied. 

PMID- 24227231
TI  - Effect of Kepone on estuarine microbial activity.
AB  - In situ heterotrophic uptake of mixed(14)C-amino acids and direct viable cell
      (DVC) count of Chesapeake Bay water samples were not significantly affected by
      the insecticide Kepone at concentrations [Symbol: see text]0.01 mg/1. Maximum
      inhibition of heterotrophic uptake,ca. 85-90%, and DVC count, 45-97%, was evident
      at concentrations of Kepone exceeding 0.2 mg/1. A specific activity index
      (Metabolic Activity/DVC or Kepone-resistant DVC), heterotrophic uptake, and DVC
      count were found to be statistically correlated (a=0.05) to one another, but
      negatively correlated with concentration of Kepone. The direct viable cell count
      proved to be a rapid, simple method for estimating the effect of Kepone on in
      situ estuarine microbial activity. 

PMID- 24227233
TI  - Mutants for rice storage proteins : 2. Isolation and characterization of protein
      bodies from rice mutants.
AB  - Rice storage proteins of the endosperm are localized in two types of protein
      bodies, PB-I and PB-II. Protein bodies were isolated by sucrose density gradient
      centrifugation from developing endosperm of three rice mutants, CM 21, CM 1675
      and CM 1834, and characterized after pepsin-digestion treatment by protein
      contents determination. Mutant protein bodies (PBs) except for their internal
      structure, were similar in shape and density to PB-I of the variety Kinmaze.
      Electrophoretic analysis of PB-I polypeptides revealed that SDS (Sodium
      dodecylsulfate) bands of 13 and 16 kilodaltons consisted, respectively, of four
      and two individual polypeptides with different pI values, while the 10-kilodalton
      band behaved as a single polypeptide after isoelectric focussing (IEF)
      electrophoresis. The differences in the polypeptide composition induced by
      mutants were due to the decrease and/or increase in the content of specific PB-I
      polypeptides. Electron microscopic observations revealed that the typical
      lamellar structure of the PB-I is not visible in CM 1675. On the contrary, the
      inner portion of PB-I in CM 1834 and CM 21 showed higher electron density than
      that of the variety Kinmaze. On these two mutants, the content of pepsin
      indigestible and -digestible proteins were similar to those of Kinmaze, although
      the values of the PB-II/PB-I ratio were greater than those for Kinmaze,
      suggesting that these two mutants are high-glutelin rice mutants. 

PMID- 24227234
TI  - Species relationships in the Hordeum murinum aggregate viewed from chloroplast
      DNA restriction fragment patterns.
AB  - Three annual widespread species of Hordeum were investigated by the fragment
      pattern method on their chloroplast (cp) DNA. The species were H. glaucum, H.
      leporinum and H. murinum; H. vulgare was surveyed for comparison. Twelve
      restriction enzymes were used, nine recognizing 6 bp, one 5 bp and two 4 bp,
      thus, randomly surveyed, a total of 2,113 bp or 1.6% of the cp genome.
      Differences in patterns were found in three enzymes, HindIII, CfoI and MspI. CfoI
      characterizes H. glaucum from the other two species. HindIII and MspI revealed
      polymorphisms within species. These results confirm previous numerical taxonomic
      relationships among these three closely related species. Furthermore, cpDNA
      polymorphism in Hordeum is discussed in view of earlier reports on cpDNA
      polymorphism in H. vulgare. The taxonomic implications of cpDNA polymorphism are
      discussed after reviewing several articles using the fragment pattern method on
      cpDNA. The importance of using material from several populations representative
      of a species is stressed. 

PMID- 24227235
TI  - A note on the formation of optimal composite populations.
AB  - Two recently proposed methods for predicting the optimal breed contributions to a
      new composite breed are discussed. It is shown that these can both lead to
      incorrect solutions, and a reliable method is proposed. 

PMID- 24227236
TI  - An investigation into the role of 5-Azacytidine in tissue culture.
AB  - A major problem associated with cereal biotechnology remains the extreme
      difficulty of reliably and efficiently regenerating plants from protoplasts.
      Because of the assumed inverse correlation between levels of the modified
      nucleotide 5-methylcytosine in a gene and the degree of transcription, we report
      here on experiments to determine whether exposure of maize and tobacco cultures
      to the 5-methylcytosine analogue 5-Azacytidine (5-Azt) induces gene de
      methylation and, as such, enhances tissue culture response, for example by
      increasing protoplast division frequency. The results show that whilst 5-Azt may
      be of use in expanding leaf areas capable of producing callus as well as
      increasing the amount of callus produced, in all other aspects 5-Azt is strongly
      inhibitory to growth at all but the lowest concentrations. Molecular analysis
      shows that no readily discernible changes in gene methylation status can be
      found, regardless of 5-Azt concentration or the gene probe used. Differences can,
      however, be found in methylation status between callus and developmentally
      determined tissues, irrespective of 5-Azt treatment. The results suggest that,
      apart from a very limited role, 5-Azt has no obvious use in tissue culture. 

PMID- 24227237
TI  - Occurrence of 2n pollen and ps gene frequencies in cultivated groups and their
      related wild species in tuber-bearing Solanums.
AB  - The gene frequency for parallel spindles (ps) was estimated from the frequency of
      plants producing 2n pollen in three cultivated groups: 2x Phureja (phu), 2x
      Stenotomum (stn), and 4x Andigena (adg), as well as in four related wild taxa: 2x
      Solanum brevicaule (brc), 2x S. sparsipilum (spl), 4x S. gourlayi (grl) and 4x S.
      gourlayi-S. infundibuliforme hybrids (grl-ifd). Plants with more than 1% large
      pollen were considered as 2n pollen producers. Observations of meiosis in a
      sample of 2n pollen-producing plants indicated that parallel spindles is the
      mechanism of 2n pollen formation. The number of plants with 2n pollen among the
      total examined was 228 plants (15.5%) of 1,473 in 2x spl, 31 (26.7%) of 116 in 2x
      brc, 92 (17.4%) of 528 in 2x stn, 665 (22.1%) of 3,008 in 2x phu, 731 (51.4%) of
      1,421 in 4x adg, 591 (41.2%) of 1,436 in 4x grl, and 36 (64.3%) out of 56 in 4x
      grl-ifd. The ps gene frequencies assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were: 0.393
      for 2x spl, 0.462 for 2x brc, 0.417 for 2x stn, 0.470 for 2x phu, 0.847 for 4x
      adg, 0.801 for 4x grl, and 0.895 for 4x grl-ifd. Twenty-five adg clones were
      randomly selected from a large population and were crossed with 2x clone W5295.7,
      which produces 2n pollen by parallel spindles (ps). The 4x progenies from 4x*2x
      crosses were used to determine the genotypes at the ps locus by screening 10-20
      plants in each family for 2n pollen. Based on chromosome segregation at the ps
      locus, 9, 14, 1, and 1 clones were nulliplex, simplex, simplex or duplex, and
      duplex, respectively. The frequency of the ps gene in the adg population was
      estimated to be 0.825 and 0.815 for chromosome and chromatid segregation,
      respectively. The high frequencies of 2n pollen and the ps gene in cultivated 2x
      and 4x groups, and in wild taxa closely related to them, provide evidence for
      sexual polyploidization in the tuber-bearing Solanums. 

PMID- 24227238
TI  - Nucleus substitution between Petunia species using gamma ray-induced
      androgenesis.
AB  - The ovaries of two different Petunia species: Petunia hybrida (hort) and Petunia
      parodii (Steere) were irradiated with tau-ray doses ranging from 50 to 1,000 Gy
      before pollination. Seed setting occurred after 4 days preculture on a non
      sterile medium. Ovaries transformed into fruits were then cultivated aseptically
      with the following results: (1) tau-ray doses ranging from 200 to 1,000 Gy led to
      the development of two types of plants: haploids 2n=x=7 and overdiploids
      2n>2x=14. (2) The androgenetic origin of haploids was ascertained by using
      genetic markers. The origin of overdiploids is discussed. (3) Androgenetic
      haploids contained the chloroplasts of the irradiated female parent. No visible
      change of cp DNA patterns was observed after irradiation. (4) The four possible
      androgenetic events were successfully obtained between the two Petunia species:
      hybrida haploids with hybrida or parodii cytoplasm, and parodii haploids with
      parodii or hybrida cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24227239
TI  - The isolation, characterization and application in the Triticeae of a set of
      wheat RFLP probes identifying each homoeologous chromosome arm.
AB  - To investigate the use of RFLP analysis in the Triticeae, a set of low copy
      number probes has been isolated from a wheat cDNA library. The probes identify
      each of the 14 homoeologous chromosome arms of wheat as determined by analysis of
      DNA fragments hybridizing to the probes in aneuploid lines of Chinese Spring.
      These probes can be used in RFLP analyses both for the assignment of homoeology
      of alien chromosomes or arms added to wheat, and for the determination of
      chromosome dosage in wheat aneuploids. Different chromosomes from various
      Triticeae species can therefore be followed in a wheat genetic background using a
      single technique. The potential uses of the set in facilitating the transfer of
      alien segments into wheat are outlined. 

PMID- 24227240
TI  - The chromosomal location of a third set of malate dehydrogenase loci, Mdh-3, in
      wheat, barley and related species.
AB  - A third set of malate dehydrogenase loci have been identified and located on the
      short arms of homoeologous group 5 chromosomes in wheat. Allelic differences have
      been found at each of the three Mdh-3 loci. However, Mdh-D3 appears to be least
      variable, with a second allele found only in Sears' 'Synthetic' among a survey of
      42 varieties. Homoeoloci were identified on chromosome 7 (5H) of Hordeum vulgare,
      the short arm of 5E in Agropyron elongatum and 5U in Aegilops umbellulata. 

PMID- 24227241
TI  - High molecular weight glutenin subunit in durum wheat (T. durum).
AB  - The diversity of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits of 502 varieties
      of durum wheat (Triticum durum) from 23 countries was studied using sodium
      dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Twenty-nine types
      of patterns were observed with 18 mobility bands. A total of 18 alleles were
      identified by comparing the mobilities of their subunits to those previously
      found in hexaploid wheat (T. aestivum) and in Triticum turgidum var. dicoccum.
      Five new alleles were detected: two on the Glu A1 and three on the Glu B1 locus.
      Comparison of the frequency of alleles in the three species T. aestivum, T.
      dicoccum and T. durum was investigated. Significant differences exist between
      each of these species on the basis of the frequency distributions of their three
      and four common alleles at the Glu A1 and Glu B1 locus, respectively. The Glu B1c
      allele occuring very frequently in hexaploid wheats was not found in the two
      tetraploid species. More than 83% of the T. durum analysed were found to have the
      Glu A1c (null) allele. 

PMID- 24227242
TI  - Genetic and environmental considerations for evaluating crown position of wheat.
AB  - Crown position affects winter survival of fallsown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
      Direct or indirect selection for crown depth has been little practiced. Reports
      have suggested that short subcrown internode length was closely related to
      semidwarf plant height and that semidwarfism was related to poor emergence. This
      study determined the relationships among crown depth, plant height, and emergence
      rate index in three wheat populations. The efficiency of evaluating crown
      placement in the field was examined and additional information was obtained on
      its genetic control. The F2-derived F4 and F5 lines from the crosses of female
      parents 'Daws', 'Nugaines', and 'Stephens' with male parent 'Selection 7952' were
      planted at Central Ferry and Pullman, Washington, respectively. Correlations from
      each population indicated that crown depth and subcrown internode length were not
      closely associated with plant height and emergence rate index. Crown depth was a
      more reliable indicator of crown placement than subcrown internode length.
      Adjustment of the data for seed depth differences was essential for evaluating
      subcrown internode length but less important for evaluating crown depth. After
      adjustment for seed depth, narrow-sense h (2) values for subcrown internode
      length and crown depth were 0.25-0.41. Crown depth and subcrown internode length
      were inherited as quantitative traits in phenotypes that expressed variable
      dominance. Modest gains due to selection for crown depth were achieved. 

PMID- 24227243
TI  - Additive genetic variance within populations derived by single-seed descent and
      pod-bulk descent.
AB  - Breeders of self-pollinated legumes commonly use single-seed descent (SSD) or pod
      bulk descent (PBD) to produce segregating populations of highly inbred
      individuals. We presented equations for the expected value of the additive
      genetic variance within populations derived by SSD (E(V A)SSD) and PBD (E(V
      A)PBD) in terms of the initial population size (N 0), the number of seed
      harvested per pod (M), the probability of survival of an individual (theta), and
      the generation at which the population is evaluated (S t). Differences between
      (E(V A)SSD) and (E(V A)PBD) are due to differences in the expected amount of
      random drift which occurs with the two methods after the S 0 generation. With
      both methods, random drift occurs when progeny are sampled from heterozygous
      parents. An additional component of random drift occurs when sampled progeny fail
      to survive during SSD, or when sampling occurs amoung families during PBD. For
      values of N 0, M, theta, and S t that are typical of soybean (Glycine max (L.)
      Merr.) breeding programs, (E(V A)SSD) will be greater than (E(V A)PBD). The ratio
      of (E(V A)SSD) to (E(V A)PBD) will: (1) increase as M and theta increase; (2)
      approach a value of 1.00 as N 0 increases; and (3) be a curvilinear function of S
      t. Plant breeders should compare SSD and PBD based upon values of (E(V A)SSD) and
      (E(V A)PBD) and the expected cost of carrying out the two methods. 

PMID- 24227244
TI  - Expression and fate of CAT reporter gene microinjected into fertilized medaka
      (Oryzias latipes) eggs in the form of plasmid DNA, recombinant phage particles
      and its DNA.
AB  - Fertilized medaka (Oryzias latipes) eggs were cytoplasmically injected with the
      chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene encompassed in supercoiled and
      linear plasmid DNA, as well as in intact recombinant phage particles and DNA
      isolated from the phage. Expression for the CAT plasmid DNA was highest at the
      gastrula/neurula stage, while for the DNA of the phage, it peaked in the 1-week
      old embryo; then expression declined but was still detectable in early adulthood
      (4 weeks post injection). Following the fate of exogenous DNA, an extensive
      replication was observed in early embryogenesis, and DNA was still found 4 weeks
      after injection, suggesting a possibility of integration. The system is useful as
      a transient expression system for the analysis of early developmental genes in
      particular, but also as a test system for the analysis of cloned genes of
      interest for the farming of economically important fish species. The fact that
      DNA transferred in intact phage particles or its DNA is functionally active opens
      the possibility to introduce larger DNA pieces (20 kb), e.g., for the functional
      test of larger and more distant control regions. 

PMID- 24227245
TI  - Efficient design of crossbreeding experiments.
AB  - The efficiencies of different experimental configurations for estimating additive
      (A) and heterotic (H) effects in purebred and crossbred populations derived from
      two parent breeds are examined. Allocation of resources over six groups is
      considered: the two parental breeds, the F1, the F2 and the backcrosses to the
      two parental breeds. Additive and heterotic effects are best estimated by
      allocating resources to the two parental groups and F1 in the proportions 35%,
      35%, 30% and for many practical situations, an experiment involving numbers in
      the region 250-300 is reasonable. If it is not possible to include all three
      groups, other combinations involving a subset of them and some of the other three
      groups can be used to give estimates of A and H. However, even the best of these
      alternatives requires over twice the resources to give the same precision as the
      optimal design and, further, these estimates may be correlated. Relatively modest
      reallocation of resources to the F2 to estimate or test for an epistatic effect
      (E) leads to a minor reduction in the precision of estimates of A and H while
      giving reasonable precision for the estimate of E. The inclusion of maternal
      effects in the model greatly reduces the efficiency of estimation of A and H.
      Where one of the breeds is introduced through the sire line only, optimal
      allocation gives roughly equal replication to the pure lines and F1 but about 63%
      of allocation is placed in equal amounts on the two backcrosses produced through
      crossing F1 dams with pure sires of both breeds. The relevance of these results
      to the planning of livestock crossbreeding trials, particularly those involving a
      local and an exotic or imported breed, is discussed. 

PMID- 24227246
TI  - Ribosomal DNA repeat unit polymorphism in 25 Hordeum species.
AB  - Tandemly repeated DNA sequences containing structural genes encoding ribosomal
      RNA (rDNA) were investigated in 25 species of Hordeum using the wheat rDNA probe
      pTA71. The rDNA repeat unit lengths were shown to vary between 8.5 and 10.7 kb.
      The number of length classes (1-3) per accession generally corresponded to the
      number of nucleolar organizing regions (NORs). Intraspecific variation was found
      in H. parodii, H. spontaneum and H. leporinum, but not in H. bulbosum.
      Restriction analysis showed that the positions of EcoRI, SacI and certain BamHI
      cleavage sites in the rRNA structural genes were highly conserved, and that
      repeat unit length variation was generally attributable to the intergenic spacer
      region. Five rDNA BamHI restriction site maps corresponded to the following
      groups of species: Map A - H. murinum, H. glaucum, H. leporinum, H. bulbosum, H.
      marinum, H. geniculatum; Map B - H. leporinum; Map C - H. vulgare, H. spontaneum,
      H. agriocrithon; Map D - H. chilense, H. bogdanii; and Map E - remaining 14
      Hordeum species. The repeat unit of H. bulbosum differed from all other species
      by the presence of a HindIII site. The closer relationship of H. bulbosum to H.
      leporinum, H. murinum and H. glaucum than to H. vulgare was indicated by their
      BamHI restriction maps. 

PMID- 24227247
TI  - Autopolyploidy in Dactylis glomerata L.: further evidence from studies of
      chloroplast DNA variation.
AB  - Chloroplast DNA variation has been used to examine some of the maternal lineages
      involved in the evolution of the intraspecific polyploid complex, Dactylis
      glomerata L. Diploid (2x) and tetraploid (4x) individuals were collected from
      natural populations of the subspecies glomerata (4x), marina (4x) and lusitanica
      (2x), as well as from sympatric 2x/4x populations of the Galician type. Digestion
      of their ctDNA with 11 restriction endonucleases revealed enough variation to
      characterise three ctDNA variants, designated MBMK, MBmK and mBMK. The
      distribution of these ctDNA variants reflects different stages in their spread
      among the populations. The MBMK ctDNA variant predominated at both ploidy levels
      in subspecies glomerata, lusitanica and marina, and in recent tetraploid
      Galician/glomerata hybrids. The MBmK variant was detected in a single tetraploid
      individual and probably results from a relatively recent mutation. Fixation of
      the mBMK minority variant in the diploid and tetraploid Galician populations adds
      to the evidence concerning the possible origin of the Galician tetraploids. It
      means that the Galician diploids were maternal ancestors of the tetraploids. This
      result complements evidence from earlier studies based on morphology or
      biochemical markers, and reduces the likelihood that the tetraploids arose by
      hybridisation between an ancient Galician diploid and an alien tetraploid. It is,
      however, consistent with a true autopolyploid origin of the tetraploids. 

PMID- 24227248
TI  - Evidence for the existence of 2n gametes in Lotus tenuis Wald. et Kit.
      (2n=2x=12): their relevance in evolution and breeding of Lotus corniculatus L.
      (2n=4x=24).
AB  - Crosses between male sterile L. corniculatus (2n=4x=24) and L. tenuis (2n=2x=12)
      plants were performed in order to verify the presence of 2n gametes in L. tenuis.
      All but one of the plants from these crosses had 2n=4x=24 and the L. corniculatus
      phenotype; this plant had 2n=2x=12 and the L. tenuis phenotype. The plants also
      showed good quantity of pollen at tripping, good pollen fertility and good
      percentage of seed setting in the backcross to L. corniculatus. On the whole,
      both cytological and morphological observations, showing that all but one of the
      plants from L. corniculatus x L. tenuis were normal tetraploids, suggest the
      existence of diploandrous gametes in L. tenuis. On the other hand, haploid
      parthenogenesis probably gave origin to the dihaploid plant 2n=2x=12. 

PMID- 24227249
TI  - Partitioning of variation derived from tissue culture of winter wheat.
AB  - The presence of somaclonal variation is well documented in wheat, but information
      is needed which identifies point(s) during the tissue culture process at which
      variation is most likely induced. Field experiments were designed to partition
      the total somaclonal variation among three potential sources: single embryo
      derived calli, regenerant (R0) plants of a common embryo-derived callus, and
      spike-derived lines of a common R0 plant. Three populations of winter wheat ('TAM
      105', 'Vona', and 'KS75210') totaling 72 lines were evaluated in replicated
      drilled plots in the R2 and R3 generations. The principal source of variation was
      influenced by parent genotype. Considering all traits, somaclonal variation in
      the 'TAM 105' and 'Vona' populations was predominantly attributed to tillers from
      the same regenerant plant. This source, as well as the original R0 plant source,
      contributed to variation in the 'KS75210' population, depending on the trait
      measured. Embryos did not consistently provide a significant source of variation.
      The presence of somaclonal variation was not always associated with a downward
      shift in population mean compared to parental controls. Significant population
      increases were noted for spike density and biomass, and some lines showed
      significantly higher grain protein content without a yield reduction, but these
      responses were again genotype-specific. 

PMID- 24227250
TI  - Variability and correlations in muskmelon in relation to the cultivation method.
AB  - Six fruit characters have been measured in 23 cultivars of Cucumis melo,
      representing a wide geographical range. Plants were grown both in the greenhouse
      and in the field. When the 23 cultivars were analyzed together, the largest
      component of variance was found between cultivars under both growth conditions,
      suggesting the existence of large genetic diversity for all the characters
      studied. Generally, variance between plants within cultivars was less than or
      equal to variance between fruits within plant. This indicates that environmental
      variation is the most important part of the variation within cultivars.
      Correlations between pairs of characters at cultivar, plant and fruit levels were
      calculated from the variance-covariance components. In the majority of paired
      traits, the correlation values indicated that genetic and environmental factors
      may act in the same direction. 

PMID- 24227251
TI  - C-banding pattern and powdery mildew resistance of Triticum ovatum and four T.
      aestivum-T. ovatum chromosome addition lines.
AB  - C-banding patterns of T. ovatum (Ae. ovata) and four T. aestivum cv 'Poros'-T.
      ovatum chromosome addition lines are presented, and the added chromosomes of T.
      ovatum have been identified. Furthermore, nucleolar activity and powdery mildew
      resistance were analyzed in the 'Poros'-ovatum addition lines and compared to
      that of T. ovatum and T. aestivum cv 'Poros'. The addition lines II, III and IV
      and 'Poros' were highly susceptible to powdery mildew isolates nos. 8 and 9,
      whereas the addition lines VI1 and VI2 showed high resistance. Even for an Ml-k
      virulent isolate, these two lines were highly resistant. By combining the
      cytological results and those of the powdery mildew analysis, the added
      chromosomes of T. ovatum can be excluded from responsibility for the high powdery
      mildew resistance of the addition lines VI1 and VI2. The same is true for a
      modified chromosome 6B, which is present in the 'Poros'-ovataum addition lines
      II, III and VI. The high variation in C-banding pattern observed in the A-, B-
      and D-genome complement of the addition lines is believed to be the result of
      crossing different lines of T. aestivum instead of 'Poros' alone. Thus, we cannot
      trace the powdery mildew resistance back to a specific chromosome. 

PMID- 24227252
TI  - Cytological characterization, powdery mildew resistance and storage protein
      composition of tetraploid and hexaploid 1BL/1RS wheat-rye translocation lines.
AB  - Progenies of a tetraploid 1BL/1RS wheat-rye translocation line, CV 256, selected
      from the cross 'Cando' x 'Veery', were analyzed by means of Giemsa C-banding. CV
      256 is cytologically stable for the presence of the 1BL/1RS translocation but
      still segregating for A- and B-genome chromosomes of 'Cando' and 'Veery'. In CV
      256, nucleolar activity of the 1RS NOR locus is suppressed, as judged by the
      absence of a secondary constriction in that rye segment and the capability of
      organizing nucleoli. PAGE analysis of prolamins confirmed the presence of two 1RS
      secalins in all single seeds analyzed. SDS-PAGE analysis of reduced glutenins of
      single seeds indicated that some seeds contained the 'Cando' Glu-B1 locus
      (subunits 6+8), some contained the 'Veery' Glu-B1 locus (subunits 7+9) while
      others contained all four subunits, indicating that the material was
      heterozygous. Pm8 resistance is expressed in the tetraploid 1BL/1RS translocation
      line based on the reactions of six well-defined powdery mildew isolates. However,
      Pm8 resistance is not expressed in the hexaploid wheat cultivars 'Olymp',
      'Heinrich' and 'Florida', which also contain the 1BL/1RS translocation.
      Obviously, the existence of the 1BL/1RS translocation is not a proof for the
      expression of the associated genes. PAGE results did not show a clear linkage
      between powdery mildew resistance and the presence of 1RS secalins. 

PMID- 24227253
TI  - Induced genetic variability in Rhizobium leguminosarum for nitrogen fixation
      parameters in Vicia faba L.
AB  - SUMARY: The objective of this work was to know the behaviour and variability of
      Rhizobium leguminosarum after irradiation. The induced variation was tested under
      greenhouse conditions on the variety JV 3 of broad beans (Vicia faba) in six
      replications. Induced genetic variabilty was observed for strain, parent and
      mutant versus parent. Out of 24 irradiated strains, strain 93-32 performed better
      with a greater number of nodules and higher dry weight of nodules per plant and
      biological yield. Environment played an important role in the expression of
      characters observed. High heritability and genetic advance of these traits
      indicated that the nitrogen fixation ability of Rhizobium can easily be improved
      by selection.

PMID- 24227254
TI  - Production and cytogenetics of hybrids of Triticum aestivum x Leymus innovatus.
AB  - Hybrid plants were obtained between Triticum aestivum (2n=6x=42, AABBDD) and
      Leymus innovatus (2n=4x=28, JJNN) at a frequency varying from 0.4% to 1.2% of the
      pollinated florets. Improvement of the embryo culture medium resulted in a higher
      frequency of embryo rescue. Eight of ten hybrids had the expected chromosome
      number of 35 (ABDJN). Meiotic analysis indicated that there was no homology
      between the genomes of the two species. Two hybrids had only 28 chromosomes.
      Comparison of chromosome pairing between the two types of hybrids suggested that
      Leymus innovatus carries genes that affect chromosome pairing and behavior. The
      relatively high occurrence of spontaneous doubling in the meiocytes of these
      hybrids may indicate that backcrossing of the hybrids to wheat should be
      possible, although frequent chromosome irregularities observed in the meiocytes
      of the hybrids may decrease the probability of success of this step, which is
      essential to the process of gene transfer from L. innovatus to wheat. 

PMID- 24227255
TI  - Synthesis of male sterile, triazine-resistant Brassica napus by somatic
      hybridization between cytoplasmic male sterile B. oleracea and atrazine-resistant
      B. campestris.
AB  - Fusion of leaf protoplasts from an inbred line of Brassica oleracea ssp. botrytis
      (cauliflower, n=9) carrying the Ogura (R1) male sterile cytoplasm with hypocotyl
      protoplasts of B. campestris ssp. oleifera (cv "Candle", n=10) carrying an
      atrazine-resistant (ATR) cytoplasm resulted in the production of synthetic B.
      napus (n=19). Thirty-four somatic hybrids were produced; they were characterized
      for morphology, phosphoglucose isomerase isoenzymes, ribosomal DNA hybridization
      patterns, chromosome numbers, and organelle composition. All somatic hybrids
      carried atrazine-resistant chloroplasts derived from B. campestris. The
      mitochondrial genomes in 19 hybrids were examined by restriction endonuclease and
      Southern blot analyses. Twelve of the 19 hybrids contained mitochondria showing
      novel DNA restriction patterns; of these 12 hybrids, 5 were male sterile and 7
      were male fertile. The remaining hybrids contained mitochondrial DNA that was
      identical to that of the ATR parent and all were male fertile. 

PMID- 24227257
TI  - Multifunctional core-shell structured nanocarriers for synchronous tumor
      diagnosis and treatment in vivo.
AB  - Multifunctional, mesoporous, silica-coated upconversion luminescent/magnetic
      NaGdF4:Yb/Er@NaGdF4:Yb@mSiO2-PEG (referred to as UCNPS; PEG=polyethylene glycol)
      nanocomposites were fabricated through a phase-transfer-assisted surfactant
      templating coating process, followed by hydrophilic polymer (PEG)
      functionalization to improve the stability and biocompatibility. The UCNP core
      imparts the nanomaterials with luminescence and magnetic properties for
      simultaneous upconversion optical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, whereas
      the mesoporous shell affords the nanomaterials the ability to load the anticancer
      drug doxorubicin. Proof-of-principle in vitro and in vivo experiments are
      presented to demonstrate that the resultant composite nanomaterials can serve as
      nanotheranostics for synchronous upconversion luminescence/MR dual modal imaging
      and anticancer drug delivery; this finally realizes the integration of
      diagnostics and the treatment of cancers.

PMID- 24227258
TI  - Evolution of lead concentration in the particulate matter of Santiago, Chile,
      since 1978.
AB  - Santiago is a city of over 4.5 million inhabitants and about 415000 motor
      vehicles using leaded gasoline. Twenty-four-hour samples were taken of total and
      fractionated particulate matter using a low-volume system and two Andersen
      cascade impactors, between 1978 and 1989 at different sites of the city of
      Santiago. Lead concentrations were determined by atomic absorption
      spectrophotometry. The results show that Pb concentrations vary greatly depending
      on the site selected. Higher values are always detected near the city center. An
      annual variation with the highest value during the autumn-winter period (May
      July) is clearly observed. Lead concentrations versus size are clearly biased to
      particles smaller than 2 um. A correlation is observed between Pb concentrations
      and the suspended particulate matter under 3 um at different sites of the city.
      The curves of Pb concentration versus size of the aerosols emitted by the gas
      exhaust of motor vehicles using leaded gasoline are similar to those of the
      atmospheric aerosols. 

PMID- 24227259
TI  - A stress-strain model to evaluate the forest situation in Germany and the state
      of the art of damage research.
AB  - The situation and the latest findings of forest damage research in Germany are
      discussed. A newly developed concept for this research is described. This concept
      allows to identify the drawbacks of the recent damage research concept but also
      the integration of results compiled up to now. The importance for including
      natural occurring stress factors such as climate, soil conditions or local
      situation of individual species is outlined. 

PMID- 24227260
TI  - Survey and evaluation of contaminants in earthworms and in soils derived from
      dredged material at confined disposal facilities in the Great Lakes Region.
AB  - Soils derived from dredged material were collected, together with earthworms from
      nine confined disposal facilities located in the Great Lakes Region. These
      samples were analyzed for 18 elements, 11 organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, and 24
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The concentrations detected in earthworms were
      evaluated in terms of their potential hazard to wildlife, which for the sake of
      the evaluation were assumed to prey entirely either on earthworms or on other
      soil invertebrates having similar concentrations. The soil concentrations (dry
      wt.) of the contaminants of greatest concern were <1.9 to 32 ppm Cd, <0.053 to
      0.94 ppm Hg, 4.6 to 550 ppm Pb, and <0.1 to 1.0 ppm PCBs. The concentrations in
      earthworms (dry wt., ingested soil included) were as high as 91 ppm Cd, 1.6 ppm
      Hg, 200 ppm Pb, and 1.8 ppm PCBs. Based on laboratory toxicity studies of
      relatively sensitive species, and on concentration factors calculated from the
      earthworm and soil data, we estimated that lethal or serious sublethal effects on
      wildlife might be expected at concentrations of 10 ppm Cd, 3 ppm Hg, 670 ppm Pb,
      and 1.7 ppm PCBs in alkaline surface soils derived from dredged material.
      Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in earthworms were well below
      those in soil. 

PMID- 24227261
TI  - A real-time monitoring system for Kerava river quality.
AB  - The hygienic quality of the water of the Kerava river, southern Finland,
      deteriorates occasionally. The purpose of the study was to design a real-time
      monitoring system that would inform the public using the river for recreational
      purposes about the changes in water quality. The system was constrained to
      consist of on-line sensing of water quality and quantity, and adjacent
      forecasting models. Four different system alternatives were analyzed and
      compared. The first alternative observes river flow in real-time; the second
      alternative also monitors water temperature, turbidity, pH, conductivity and
      dissolved oxygen. The data collected in this way are used to forecast
      Streptococcus and E. coli concentrations, using canonical correlation and
      regression analysis. The third configuration is a two-step procedure, where river
      flow is first predicted by an ARMAX model and the hygienic state is then based on
      the flow estimate, as in the first assemblage. The most expensive monitoring
      system, which at present is the least well-known, is to apply the Lidar system,
      where the hygienic status of the river quality is observed directly using laser
      technology, placing less emphasis on modeling. In this paper, the alternatives
      are formulated and a preliminary comparison is made, using the criteria of
      operational feasibility, prediction uncertainty, investment and maintenance
      costs, and suitability for in-situ monitoring. 

PMID- 24227262
TI  - Metals in feathers of brown noddy (Anous stolidus): Evidence for bioaccumulation
      or exposure levels?
AB  - Levels of environmental pollution are generally assumed to be greater in
      nearshore and estuarine habitats compared to the open ocean. This difference
      presumably derives from high inputs from industrial and agricultural sources
      entering estuaries and bays from rivers and as direct runoff. This suggests that
      levels of heavy metals should be higher in birds that obtain their food resources
      from nearshore habitats rather than the open ocean far from land. I compared the
      levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and selenium in feathers of young and adult
      brown noddies (Anous stolidus) along the coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Prior to
      fledging, young noddies obtain all their food resources from their parents that
      bring back fish and squid from a few km offshore, whereas adults spend much of
      the year outside the breeding season on the open ocean, where they obtain most of
      the metals that accumulate in their feathers. For all metals, the young noddies
      had lower levels than adults. These data do not support the hypothesis that heavy
      metal pollution is greater nearshore than on the open ocean, but further
      investigation is needed to distinguish simple biaccumulation with age from
      differential exposure by habitat, and contamination from the birds own secretions
      during preening and from the outside. 

PMID- 24227263
TI  - Evidence for long-term migration on the Balkan Peninsula using dental and cranial
      nonmetric data: Early interaction between corinth (Greece) and its colony at
      Apollonia (Albania).
AB  - This article seeks to identify "Greeks" and "non-Greeks" in "mixed" mortuary
      contexts in a Greek colony. Specifically, we test the hypothesis that Illyrian
      and Greek individuals lived and were buried together at the Corinthian colony of
      Apollonia, Albania (established ca. 600 BC). The pattern of human biological
      interaction at Apollonia is tested by identifying variation in genetic
      relatedness using biodistance analysis of dental and cranial nonmetric traits for
      three sites: Apollonia (n = 116), its founder-city Corinth (n = 69), and Lofkend
      (n = 108), an inland site near Apollonia pre-dating colonization. Logistic
      regression analysis estimates that individuals from colonial Apollonia are most
      closely related to prehistoric Illyrian populations (from Lofkend and prehistoric
      Apollonia), rather than Greeks (from Corinth). The phenotypic similarity between
      colonial Apollonia and prehistoric Illyria suggests that there was a large
      Illyrian contribution to the gene pool at the colony of Apollonia. However, some
      trait combinations show low biological distances among all groups, suggesting
      homogeneity among Illyrian and Greek populations (assessed through pseudo
      Mahalanobis' D(2) ). The degree of phenotypic similarity suggests shared ancestry
      and long-term migration throughout these regions. The impacts of missing data and
      small sample sizes are also considered.

PMID- 24227264
TI  - The evolution of gender.

PMID- 24227265
TI  - A multidisciplinary approach to the study of the plasma membrane of Zea mays
      pollen during controlled dehydration.
AB  - A multidisciplinary approach (freeze-fracture, nuclear magnetic resonance,
      differential scanning calorimetry, isoelectric focusing and fluorochromatic
      reaction test) has been used to follow the behaviour of Zea mays pollen during
      dehydration - and to estimate its quality. At anthesis, the water content of
      maize pollen is 57-58% and the vegetative plasma membrane is continous and well
      structured with a very low density of intramembraneous particles on the
      extraplasmic fracture face. Maize pollen grains can withstand the drying process
      until a water content of 28% is reached, at which point 60-80% of the individuals
      show a negative reaction in the fluorochromatic test. At this water content,
      there is no more crystallizable water and thus metabolism decreases, leading to
      oxidative damage and the formation of gelphase microdomains in the plasma
      membrane. Consequently, the plasma-membrane permeability is modified. At 15-13%
      water content, all pollen grains show a negative fluorochromatic reaction, and
      gel-phase microdomains are more numerous but membranes still have a bilayer
      structure. Relaxation-time experiments indicate the occurrence of water
      replacement at the membrane level. Thus, sugar may stabilize the membrane
      structure at water contents as low as 3%. During the dehydration process, pollen
      walls act as elastic structures and remain closely applied to the protoplast. The
      combination of wall deformation and water replacement would permit pollen
      survival until oxidative damage occurs in the dehydrated grain. 

PMID- 24227266
TI  - Somatic instability of carotenoid biosynthesis in the tomato ghost mutant and its
      effect on plastid development.
AB  - The tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill.) ghost plant is a mutant of the
      San Marzano cultivar affected in carotenoid biosynthesis. ghost plants exhibit a
      variable pattern of pigment biosynthesis during development. Cotyledons are green
      but true leaves are white. Green sectors, which appear to be clonal in origin,
      are frequently observed in the white tissue. Because of the lack of
      photosynthesis ghost plants have a very low viability in soil. We have developed
      a strategy for propagating ghost plants that employs organ culture to generate
      variegated green-white plants which, supported by the photosynthetic green areas,
      develop in soil to almost wild-type size. These plants were used to analyze the
      pigment content of the different tissues observed during development and plastid
      ultrastructure. Cotyledons and green leaves contain both colored carotenoids and
      chlorophyll but only the colorless carotenoid phytoene accumulates in white
      leaves. the plastids in the white tissue of ghost leaves lack internal membrane
      structures but normal chloroplasts can be observed in the green areas. The
      chromoplasts of white fruits are also impaired in their ability to form thylakoid
      membranes. 

PMID- 24227267
TI  - Pathway of assimilate transfer between mesophyll cells and minor veins in leaves
      of Cucumis melo L.
AB  - Photoassimilating mature leaves of Cucumis melo exported carbon at a rate of 1.7
      mg C.dm(-2).h(-1). Radiolabeling with (14)C showed that stachyose and raffinose
      are the main carbohydrates translocated. Autoradiograms indicated that sieve
      elements of the abaxial phloem of minor veins are the sole conduits for carbon
      export from mature leaves and carbon import into immature leaflets. Sieve
      elements of the abaxial phloem are associated with intermediary cells which are
      intimately connected with the surrounding mesophyll cells by numerous
      plasmodesmata. Photoassimilate, labeled with (14)C, was released into the leaf
      apoplast and could be trapped in a buffer solution circulating over the abraded
      adaxial epidermis. Carbon efflux was 1% of the carbon-export rate. A comparable
      distribution of (14)C among the sugars, amino acids and organic acids, recovered
      from the free space and from leaf extracts, was recorded. The composition of
      released (14)C-labeled carbohydrates in the free space resembled the pattern of
      photoassimilate, but differed clearly from the translocate. Release of organic
      compounds into the leaf apoplast was stimulated by chelating agents like Na-ATP,
      ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)
      N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid; a correlation between carbon efflux into the apoplast
      and carbon export from the leaf was not detected. It is suggested that the
      release of organic compounds into the leaf apoplast of Cucumis melo is the
      consequence of a general leakage from mesophyll and vascular parenchyma cells. A
      selective release of transport oligosaccharides was not observed. The
      experimental results presented here do not preclude a symplastic transfer of
      assimilates in mature leaves. 

PMID- 24227268
TI  - Microtubule cytoskeleton in intact and wounded coenocytic green algae.
AB  - Microtubule (MT) arrangements were investigated, with immunofluorescence and
      electron microscopy, in two related species of coenocytic green algae. Intact
      cells of both Ernodesmis verticillata (Kutzing) Boergesen and Boergesenia
      forbesii (Harvey) Feldmann have two morphologically distinct populations of MTs:
      a highly regular cortical array consisting of a single layer of parallel,
      longitudinal MTs; and perinuclear MTs radiating from the surface of the envelope
      of each interphase nucleus. In both algae, mitotic figures lack perinuclear MTs
      around them. Pre-incubation with taxol does not alter the appearance of these
      arrays. The cortical and nuclear MTs appear to coexist throughout the nuclear
      cycle, unlike the condition in most plant cells. At the cut/contracting ends of
      wounded Ernodesmis cells, cortical MTs exhibit bundling and marked convolution,
      with some curvature and slight bundling of MTs throughout the cell cortices. In
      Boergesenia, wound-induced reticulation and separation of the protoplasm into
      numerous spheres also involves a fasciation of MTs within the attenuating regions
      of the cytoplasm. Although some cortical MTs are fairly resistant to cold and
      amiprophos-methyl-induced depolymerization, the perinuclear ones are very labile,
      depolymerizing in 5-10 min in the cold. The MT cytoskeleton is not believed to be
      directly involved in wound-induced motility in these plants because amiprophos
      methyl and cold depolymerize most cortical MTs without inhibiting motility. Also,
      the identical MT distributions in intact cells of these two algae belie the very
      different patterns of cytoplasmic motility. Although certain roles of the MT
      arrays may be ruled out, their exact functions in these plants are not known. 

PMID- 24227269
TI  - Secretion and membrane recycling in plant cells: novel intermediary structures
      visualized in ultrarapidly frozen sycamore and carrot suspension-culture cells.
AB  - Freeze-fracture electron microscopy of propane-jet-frozen samples has been
      employed to investigate vesicle-mediated secretion and membrane recycling events
      in carrot (Daucus carota L.) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.)
      suspension-culture cells. Stabilization of the cells by means of ultrarapid
      freezing has enabled us to preserve the cells in a turgid state and to visualize
      new intermediate membrane configurations related to these events. Indeed, many of
      the observed membrane configurations, such as flattened membrane vesicles with
      slit-shaped membrane fusion sites and horseshoe-shaped membrane infoldings,
      appear to result from the action of turgor forces on the plasma membrane.
      Individual cells exhibited great variations in numbers and types of membrane
      configurations postulated to be related to secretion and membrane-recycling
      events. In the majority of cells, the different membrane profiles displayed a
      patchy distribution, and within each patch the membrane configurations tended to
      be of the same stage. This result indicates that secretory events are triggered
      in domains measuring from 0.1 to about 10 MUm in diameter. Based on an extensive
      analysis of the different membrane configurations seen in our samples, we have
      formulated the following model of vesicle-mediated secretion in plant cells:
      Fusion of a secretory vesicle with the plasma membrane leads to the formation of
      a single, narrow-necked pore that increases in diameter up to about 60 nm. During
      discharge, the vesicle is flattened, forming a disc-shaped structure
      perpendicular to the plane of the plasma membrane. As the vesicle is flattened,
      the pore is converted to a slit, the maximum length of which coincides with the
      diameter of the flattened vesicle. The flattened vesicle then tips over and
      concomitantly the plasma-membrane slit becomes curved into a horseshoe-shaped
      configuration as it extends along the outer margins of the tipped-over vesicle.
      Some coated pits are present interspersed between the above-mentioned structures,
      but their numbers appear insufficient to account for an exclusively endocytotic
      mechanism of membrane recycling. Instead, our micrographs are more consistent
      with a mixed mode of recycling of membrane components to the cortical endoplamic
      reticulum and to Golgi cisternae that involves both internalization of membrane
      by endocytosis and of individual lippid molecules by unknown mechanisms (lipid
      exchange proteins?). To this end, overall flattening out of the horseshoe-shaped
      membrane infoldings is accompanied by a retraction and reduction in size of their
      central, tongue-like structure. 

PMID- 24227270
TI  - Microcallus growth from maize protoplasts.
AB  - Maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts obtained from Type I and Type II calli from
      several genotypes were shown to be capable of synthesizing cell walls and forming
      small clusters of cells. The medium used also supported cluster formation from
      protoplasts obtained from root tips. The effects of various additions to the
      medium (such as casein hydrolysate, coconut water, amino acids, sugars,
      phytohormones, nitrate, calcium, and dimethylsulfoxide as well as pH variations
      on cellcluster formation were determined. The method of culture (protoplasts
      plated in agarose or supported in alginate beads in liquid medium) as well as
      several components of the medium were found to be critical for microcallus
      formation. Protoplasts obtained from embryogenic Type I callus and cultured in
      the medium of C. Nitsch and J.P. Nitsch (1967, Planta 72, 355-370) modified by
      various additions (NN 67-mod medium) were affected most by various sugars, casein
      hydrolysate, coconut water, and a combination of the auxins napthalene-1-acetic
      acid (2 mg/l) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.1 mg/l), and the cytokinin
      N(6)-benzylaminopurine (0.5 mg/l). Cluster size in the agarose culture system was
      from 0.1 to 0.5 mm diameter and in the alginate culture system, up to 2.0 mm
      diameter. 

PMID- 24227271
TI  - Fast photoacoustic transients from dark-adapted intact leaves: oxygen evolution
      and uptake pulses during photosynthetic induction - a phenomenology record.
AB  - Using a photoacoustic technique it has been possible to observe fast oxygen
      evolution and uptake transients at a high time resolution (approx. 0.2 s), when a
      dark-adapted leaf is reilluminated. There is initially a rapid pulse of oxygen
      evolution, correlated with the initial fluorescence rise (total duration under
      the experimental conditions used about 1-2 s), corresponding presumably to the
      photoreduction of the plastoquinone pool. This phenomenon may be utilized to
      calibrate the oxygen-evolution photoacoustic signal. The first pulse is followed
      by a series of slower bursts of oxygen uptake and evolution, reflecting various
      pools which are expressed following sequential activation of various parts of the
      photosynthetic apparatus, until achievement of a steady state. 

PMID- 24227272
TI  - Phloem unloading in tobacco sink leaves: insensitivity to anoxia indicates a
      symplastic pathway.
AB  - Phloem unloading in transition sink leaves of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) was
      analyzed by quantitative autoradiography. Detectable levels of labeled
      photoassimilates entered sink leaves approx. 1 h after source leaves were
      provided with (14)CO2. Samples of tissue were removed from sink leaves when label
      was first detected and further samples were taken at the end of an experimental
      phloem-unloading period. The amount of label in veins and in surrounding cells
      was determined by microdensitometry of autoradiographs using a
      microspectrophotometer. Photoassimilate unloaded from first-, second-and third
      order veins but not from smaller veins. Import termination in individual veins
      was gradual. Import by the sink leaf was completely inhibited by exposing the
      sink leaf to anaerobic conditions, by placing the entire plant in the cold, or by
      steam-girdling the sink-leaf petiole. Phloem unloading was completely inhibited
      by cold; however, phloem unloading continued when the sink-leaf petiole was steam
      girdled or when the sink leaf was exposed to a N2 atmosphere. Compartmental
      efflux-analysis indicated that only a small percentage of labeled nutrients was
      present in the free space after unloading from sink-leaf veins in a N2
      atmosphere. The results are consistent with passive symplastic transfer of
      photoassimilates from phloem to surrounding cells. 

PMID- 24227273
TI  - Quality of a stress-sensitive Cucurbita pepo L. pollen.
AB  - The quality of Cucurbita pepo L. pollen was studied using field pollinations and
      the fluorochromatic-reaction test. The extreme sensitivity of this pollen to
      dehydration and ageing is demonstrated. Controlled stress applied to mature
      pollen leads to the development of seedless fruits. Molecular signals seem to be
      involved in the induction of this parthenocarpy. These results indicate the
      existence of distinct sequences involved in the completion of the fertilization
      program of pollen. With pollen altered by stress, the fertilization process may
      be stopped at different stages of its completion. We bring evidence that
      Cucurbita pepo plants have developed special adaptations in order to compensate
      for the poor viability of their pollen. 

PMID- 24227274
TI  - On the properties of fluorescing compounds in guard and epidermal cells of Allium
      cepa L.
AB  - Onion guard cells, in contrast to those of Vicia and Pisum, do not require an
      alkaline treatment in order to fluoresce. Fluorescing compounds of Allium cepa L.
      were characterized using in-vivo microspectrophotometry; furthermore, invitro
      chemical analysis for epidermal tissue, intact guard and epidermal cells, and
      isolated guard-cell protoplasts was performed. The emission intensity (lambdamax
      520 nm) decreased when intact onion guard cells were excited with 436 nm light,
      but increased (lambdamax 470 nm) when excited at 365 nm. This photodecomposition
      at 436 nm is typical of flavins or flavoproteins whereas an increase in
      fluorescence intensity with excitation at 365 nm may be explained by the presence
      of other substances. The presence of flavins could not be unambiguously confirmed
      from these results. Indeed, the absorption spectra of the vacuolar area of guard
      cells did not show the peak at 445 nm which is characteristic for flavins.
      Furthermore, there was no decrease of absorption at the excitation wavelengths of
      440 and 330 nm. Since spectral data indicate the presence at high amounts of
      flavonoids in guard and epidermal cells, this may reduce the sensitivity for the
      detection of flavins in guard cells. Using thin-layer chromatography and high
      performance liquid chromatography together with hydrolytic procedures, flavonol
      glycosides with kaempferol and quercetin as aglycones substituted with sulphate
      and glucuronate were identified. Further studies on guard-cell metabolism should
      consider the presence of flavonoids in stomata of onion and other plants. 

PMID- 24227275
TI  - Action spectrum for the blue-light-dependent morphogenesis of hair whorls in
      Acetabularia mediterranea.
AB  - In young Acetabularia mediterranea Lamouroux (=A. acetabulum (L.) Silva) the
      formation of the lateral hair whorls can be induced by a short pulse of blue
      light after continuous red preillumination. In this paper we describe the
      experimental conditions for optimum response and the properties of the action
      spectrum. The probit of the cells which eventually form hair whorls is linearly
      correlated to the logarithm of the incident quanta of blue light. Parallel
      fluence-response curves for all wavelengths indicate the involvement of only one
      photoreceptor pigment. The action spectrum shows no effectiveness of wavelengths
      above 520 nm, a high action peak at 470 nm and two lower ones at 425 and 370 nm,
      and is in accordance with those of cryptochrome-like photoreceptors. 

PMID- 24227276
TI  - Changes in cotyledon mRNA during floral induction of Pharbitis nil CV. Violet.
AB  - Floral induction in seedlings of Pharbitis nil Choisy cv. Violet, with one
      cotyledon removed, was manipulated by applying various photoperiodic treatments
      to the remaining cotyledon. Populations of polyadenylated RNA from treated
      cotyledons were examined to identify messages specifically involved in floral
      induction. The RNA was translated in vitro using a wheat-germ system, and the
      resulting translation products were analysed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide
      gel electrophoresis. Substantial qualitative and quantitative differences were
      found between mRNA from cotyledons of seedlings kept in continuous light (non
      induced) and of seedlings given a 16-h dark period (induced). In contrast,
      inhibition of flowering with a night-break resulted only in one detectable,
      quantitative difference in mRNA. 

PMID- 24227277
TI  - Kinetic modelling of phototropism in maize coleoptiles.
AB  - Blue-light-induced phototropism of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles was studied
      with a view to kinetic models. Red-light-grown plants were used to eliminate
      complication arising from the activation by blue light of phytochrome-mediated
      phototropism. In the first part, mathematical models were developed to explain
      the phototropic fluence-response data, which were obtained for the responses
      induced by a single unilateral pulse (30 s) and those induced by a unilateral
      pulse (30 s) given immediately after a bilateral pulse (30 s, fixed fluences).
      These data showed bell-shaped fluence-response curves, characteristic of "first
      positive curvature". Modelling began with the assumptions that the light gradient
      plays a fundamental role in phototropism and that the magnitude of the response
      is determined by the gradient, or the concentration difference, in a photoproduct
      between the irradiated and the shaded sides of the tissue. Minimal mathematical
      models were then derived, by defining chemical kinetics of the photoreaction and
      introducing the minimum of parameters needed to correlate the incident
      fluencerate to the functional fluence-rates within the tissue, the functional
      fluence-rate to the rate constant of the photoreaction, and the photoproduct
      concentration difference to the curvature response. The models were tested using
      a curve-fitting computer program. The model obtained by assigning first-order
      kinetics to the photoreaction failed to explain the fluence-response data,
      whereas application of second-order kinetics led to a successful fit of the model
      to the data. In the second part, temporal aspects of the photosystem were
      examined. Experimental results showed that a high-fluence bilateral pulse
      eliminated the bell-shaped fluence-response curve for an immediate unilateral
      pulse, and that the curve gradually reappeared as the time for unilateral
      stimulation elapsed after the bilateral pulse. The model based on a second-order
      photoreaction could be extended to explain the results, with assumed changes in
      two components: the concentration of the reactant for the photoproduct, and the
      light-sensitivity of the reaction. The reactant concentration, computed with the
      curvefitting program, showed a gradual increase from zero to a saturation level.
      This increase was then modelled in terms of regeneration of the reactant from the
      photoproduct, with an estimated first-order rate constant of about 0.001.s(-1).
      The computed value for the constant reflecting the light-sensitivity showed a
      sharp decline after the high-fluence pulse, followed by a gradual return to the
      initial level. From these analytical results, the appearance of "second positive
      curvature" was predicted. 

PMID- 24227278
TI  - Calmodulin-like protein from the fern Anemia phyllitidis L. Sw.
AB  - Spores and prothallia of the fern Anemia phyllitidis L. Sw. contain a protein
      which in its physicochemical properties corresponds largely to calmodulin. It
      shows immunoreactivity with a calmodulin antiserum and activates bovine brain
      phosphodiesterase. Its content increases during the early processes of light
      induced spore germination, indicating that the Ca(2+)-dependence of these
      processes may be mediated by this protein. 

PMID- 24227279
TI  - Calcium ions and polyamines activate the plasma membrane-located 1,3-beta-glucan
      synthase.
AB  - Sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation and partitioning in a polyethylene
      glycol/dextran two-phase system were used to isolate plasmamembrane vesicles from
      microsomal preparations of soybean cell suspension cultures. Both methods
      resulted in the enrichment of the activity of a 1,3-beta-glucan synthase which
      forms a polymer consisting of more than 99% of 1,3-linked glucose (callose).
      Digitonin increases the 1,3-beta-glucan synthase activity in the various membrane
      fractions to a different degree, supporting the suggestion that this enzyme is
      vectorially arranged in the plasma membrane. The enzyme is greatly activated
      either by poly-L-ornithine or synergistically by Ca(2+) and spermine, indicating
      that the same enzyme is affected and exhibits the regulatory properties necessary
      for callose synthesis. 

PMID- 24227280
TI  - Signal storage in phytochrome action on nitrate-mediated induction of nitrate and
      nitrite reductases in mustard seedling cotyledons.
AB  - Application of nitrate leads to an induction of nitrate reductase (NR; EC
      1.6.6.1) and nitrite reductase (NIR; EC 1.7.7.1) in the cotyledons of dark-grown
      mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedlings, and this induction can strongly be promoted
      by a far-red-light pretreatment - operating through phytochrome - prior to
      nitrate application. This light treatment is almost ineffective - as far as
      enzyme appearance is concerned - if no nitrate is given. When nitrate is applied,
      the stored light signal potentiates the appearance of NR and NIR in darkness,
      even in the absence of active phytochrome, to the same extent as continuous far
      red light. This action of previously stored light signal lasts for approx. 12
      h.Storage of the light signal was measured for NR and NIR. The process shows
      enzyme-specific differences. Storage occurs in the absence as well as in the
      presence of nitrate, i.e. irrespective of whether or not enzyme synthesis takes
      place. The kinetics of signal transduction and signal storage indicate that the
      formation and action of the stored signal are a bypass to the process of direct
      signal transduction. Signal storage is possibly a means of enabling the plant to
      maintain the appropriate levels of NR and NIR during the dark period of the
      natural light/dark cycle. 

PMID- 24227281
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24227283
TI  - Hydrogen evolution coupled with the photochemical oxygenation of cyclohexene with
      water sensitized by tin(IV) porphyrins by visible light.
AB  - Hydrogen evolution coupled with the photochemical oxygenation of cyclohexene with
      water was observed in the system sensitized by Sn(IV)-porphyrin adsorbed on Pt
      loaded TiO2 nano-particles in aqueous acetonitrile solution upon visible light
      irradiation.

PMID- 24227282
TI  - Expert consensus statement on the use of fractional flow reserve, intravascular
      ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography: a consensus statement of the
      Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.

PMID- 24227284
TI  - Mitochondria-targeting oxidovanadium(IV) complex as a near-IR light
      photocytotoxic agent.
AB  - Oxidovanadium(IV) complexes [VO(L(1))(phen)].Cl (1) and [VO(L(2))(L(3))].Cl (2),
      in which HL(1) is 2-{[(benzimidazol-2-yl)methylimino]-methyl}phenol (sal-ambmz),
      HL(2) is 2-[({1-[(anthracen-9-yl)methyl]-benzimidazol-2-yl}methylimino)
      methyl]phenol (sal-an-ambmz), phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and L(3) is
      dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) conjugated to a Gly-Gly-OMe dipeptide
      moiety, were prepared, characterized, and their DNA binding, photoinduced DNA
      cleavage, and photocytotoxic properties were studied. Fluorescence microscopy
      studies were performed by using complex 2 in HeLa and HaCaT cells. Complex 1,
      structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, has a vanadyl group in VO2N4
      core with the VO(2+) moiety bonded to N,N-donor phen and a N,N,O-donor Schiff
      base. Complex 2, having an anthracenyl fluorophore, showed fluorescence emission
      bands at 397, 419, and 443 nm. The complexes are redox-active exhibiting the
      V(IV)/V(III) redox couple near -0.85 V versus SCE in DMF 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium
      perchlorate (TBAP). Complex 2, having a dipeptide moiety, showed specific binding
      towards poly(dAdT)2 sequence. The dppz-Gly-Gly-OMe complex showed significant DNA
      photocleavage activity in red light of 705 nm through a hydroxyl radical ((.) OH)
      pathway. Complex 2 showed photocytotoxicity in HaCaT and HeLa cells in visible
      light (400-700 nm) and red light (620-700 nm), however, the complex was less
      toxic in the dark. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the localization of complex 2
      primarily in mitochondria. Apoptosis was found to occur inside mitochondria
      (intrinsic pathway) caused by ROS generation.

PMID- 24227285
TI  - Whole genome sequencing as a diagnostic test: challenges and opportunities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extraordinary technological advances and decreases in the cost of DNA
      sequencing have made the possibility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) as a highly
      accessible clinical test for numerous indications feasible. There have been many
      recent, successful applications of WGS in establishing the etiology of complex
      diseases and guiding therapeutic decision-making in neoplastic and nonneoplastic
      diseases and in various aspects of reproductive health. However, there are major,
      but not insurmountable, obstacles to the increased clinical implementation of
      WGS, such as hidden costs, issues surrounding sequencing and analysis, quality
      assurance and standardization protocols, ethical dilemmas, and difficulties with
      interpretation of the results. CONTENT: The widespread use of WGS in routine
      clinical practice remains a distant proposition. Prospective trials will be
      needed to establish if, and for whom, the benefits of WGS will outweigh the
      likely substantial costs associated with follow-up tests, the risks of
      overdiagnosis and overtreatment, and the associated emotional distress. SUMMARY:
      WGS should be carefully implemented in the clinic to allow the realization of its
      potential to improve patient health in specific indications. To minimize harm the
      use of WGS for all other reasons must be carefully evaluated before clinical
      implementation.

PMID- 24227286
TI  - Psychology, behavioral sciences, and the challenge to medical education.
AB  - It is generally agreed that the health care system is in crisis despite reform
      efforts over the past two decades. Evidence is presented which suggests that
      medical education has failed successfully to integrate medically relevant
      behavioral science research findings into medical school curricula or train
      physicians in the application of behaviorally based treatment technologies.
      Psychologists in medical education settings have the opportunity to impact
      medical education and foster psychology's role in health care. If psychology
      fails to respond to this opportunity, we cannot then complain of the inevitable
      consequences. 

PMID- 24227287
TI  - Optimism and coping as determinants of psychosocial adjustment to rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - Psychosocial adjustment in 66 patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis, with a
      mean duration of 12 years with the disease, were evaluated in a prospective
      design, with 62% of the sample followed up 16 months later. It was predicted that
      dispositional optimism would predict adjustment over time and that perceived
      support and perceived control would be related to psychosocial adjustment at the
      time of concurrent measurement. At Time 1, psychosocial adjustment was associated
      with greater optimism and perceived support and less disability. Optimism at Time
      1 was the only significant predictor of changes in adjustment at Time 2
      controlling for Time 1 adjustment and Time 2 disability. It was found that
      optimism temporally precedes increases in psychosocial adjustment. In terms of
      coping strategies, wishful thinking was related to poorer social adjustment,
      whereas problem-focused coping was marginally related to positive adjustment.
      Neither coping strategy predicted adjustment across time. Optimism at Time 1 did
      predict problem-focused coping at Time 2. Perceived social support regarding a
      specific circumstance at a given point in time enables one to persist in solving
      a task. Interventions to enhance the quality of life of individuals coping with
      progressive deteriorative disease must look at the influence of their behavior
      and attitude on those who provide care for them. 

PMID- 24227288
TI  - Psychometric assessment of cardiac transplantation candidates.
AB  - Psychometric assessment protocols were used to chart the course of 287 end-stage
      cardiac patients' psychological adjustment at pretransplantation and, again, in
      34 who were subsequently transplanted. The regression and repeated-measures
      analyses suggested that psychological distress is typical of the adult
      transplantation candidate, although impaired cognitive functioning is more
      typical of the acute postoperative stage. Negative affect, cognitive,
      personality, and coping measures are interrelated at pretransplantation;
      depression and mental control show significant decreases at 2 weeks
      posttransplantation. Whereas the transplantation process is inherently
      distressing, psychological testing may identify cognitive and personality
      features that require more specific clinical attention. 

PMID- 24227289
TI  - Readability of prescription drug labels by older and younger adults.
AB  - This experiment investigated the readability of medication labels using various
      combinations of fonts, sizes, and weights of print. Older and younger adult
      reading speeds and error rates for different print types were compared for both
      bottle and flat labels. Findings of the study indicated significant differences
      in reading speed, error rates, and subjective evaluations for print
      characteristics investigated. Furthermore, the effects of these print
      characteristics varied for different age groups. Implications of these findings
      for the design of medication labels for older adults are discussed. 

PMID- 24227290
TI  - Failed back surgeries and minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI)
      profiles.
AB  - MMPI profiles were evaluated for 105 prospective surgical patients who had
      previously undergone surgery or other procedures for treatment of back pain.
      Patients were classified into groups having undergone zero, one, two, three, or
      four or more previous surgeries. While all groups demonstrated a
      characteristicsomatogenic profile, none of the MMPI validity or clinical scales
      significantly differentiated the groups and there was no relationship between
      increased number of surgeries and MMPI scale characteristics. These results
      support the nonoptimistic prognostication of thesomatogenic MMPI profile for
      surgical intervention for back pain but show no clear relationship of MMPI
      profile characteristics to degree of experience of previously failed surgery. 

PMID- 24227291
TI  - Personality disorder correspondence between the million behavioral health
      inventory (MBHI) and the minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI).
AB  - The MBHI and MMPI personality disorder scales were analyzed for convergent and
      discriminant validity. Correlational data demonstrated that six of the eight
      scales were significantly related, while the remaining two scales approached
      significance. Further analyses of these data, however, demonstrated that none of
      the scales correlated significantly better with its convergent scale compared to
      nonconvergent scales. The MBHI classified significantly more of the sample as
      personality disordered (93%) compared to the MMPI personality disorder scales
      (17%). Furthermore, the MBHI tended to describe the sample as falling within the
      Anxious cluster of personality disorders, whereas the MMPI described them within
      the Dramatic cluster. Single scale codetype correspondence was found to be 15%,
      while two-point concordance was 12.5%, indicating very low congruence between
      personality style codetypes. These two measures do not appear to be measuring the
      same personality style constructs. 

PMID- 24227292
TI  - Determination of fluoroquinolones in bovine milk samples using a pipette-tip SPE
      step based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes prior to CE separation.
AB  - A simple CE-UV method was developed for the simultaneous determination of
      ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin in milk samples. The optimum separation
      was obtained using a 20 mM ammonium dihydrogenphosphate solution with 2 mM
      cetyltrimethylammonium bromide at pH 3.0 as the BGE. Satisfactory resolution for
      structurally very similar analytes, like norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin, was
      achieved without including any organic solvent. Milk samples were prepared using
      a simple/extraction procedure based on acidic protein precipitation followed by
      an SPE step using only 5 mg of multiwalled carbon nanotubes as the sorbent
      material. The LODs for the three compounds were between 7.5 and 11.6 MUg/L and
      the RSDs for the peak areas were between 2.6 and 4.9%. The complete method was
      applied to spiked real milk samples with satisfactory recoveries for all analytes
      (84-106%). 

PMID- 24227295
TI  - Social closure, aggressive behavior, and cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in the
      polydomous antCataglyphis iberica (hymenoptera, Formicidae).
AB  - Nestmate recognition was studied in the polydomous antCataglyphis iberica
      (Formicinae) in the laboratory. The study examined six colonies collected from
      two different populations 600 km apart in the Iberian peninsula (Barcelona and
      Murcia). Introduction of an alien worker into an allocolonial arena always ended
      in death to the intruder, demonstrating that in this species societies are
      extremely closed. Dyadic encounters composed of individuals from different
      colonies in a neutral arena confirmed the existence of high aggression between
      allocolonial individuals. We also investigated variability in the composition of
      the major cuticular hydrocarbons between the colonies used in the behaviorial
      tests. There were marked quantitative differences between the profiles of ants
      from the two populations, suggesting that the populations are completely
      segregated. Cuticular profiles within a population tended to be more similar, but
      were nevertheless colony specific. The degree of colony closure inC. iberica
      seemed to be independent of geographic distance since aggression between the
      colonies was always at its maximum, irrespective of their population origin. 

PMID- 24227294
TI  - Statistical testing of shared genetic control for potentially related traits.
AB  - Integration of data from genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
      association studies of different traits should allow researchers to disentangle
      the genetics of potentially related traits within individually associated
      regions. Formal statistical colocalisation testing of individual regions requires
      selection of a set of SNPs summarising the association in a region. We show that
      the SNP selection method greatly affects type 1 error rates, with published
      studies having used methods expected to result in substantially inflated type 1
      error rates. We show that either avoiding variable selection and instead testing
      the most informative principal components or integrating over variable selection
      using Bayesian model averaging can help control type 1 error rates. Application
      to data from Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis reveals a common genetic
      signature across seven regions shared between the diseases, and indicates that in
      five of six regions associated with Graves' disease and not Hashimoto's
      thyroiditis, this more likely reflects genuine absence of association with the
      latter rather than lack of power. Our examination, by simulation, of the
      performance of colocalisation tests and associated software will foster more
      widespread adoption of formal colocalisation testing. Given the increasing
      availability of large expression and genetic association datasets from disease
      relevant tissue and purified cell populations, coupled with identification of
      regulatory sequences by projects such as ENCODE, colocalisation analysis has the
      potential to reveal both shared genetic signatures of related traits and causal
      disease genes and tissues. 

PMID- 24227293
TI  - A general framework for association tests with multivariate traits in large-scale
      genomics studies.
AB  - Genetic association studies often collect data on multiple traits that are
      correlated. Discovery of genetic variants influencing multiple traits can lead to
      better understanding of the etiology of complex human diseases. Conventional
      univariate association tests may miss variants that have weak or moderate effects
      on individual traits. We propose several multivariate test statistics to
      complement univariate tests. Our framework covers both studies of unrelated
      individuals and family studies and allows any type/mixture of traits. We relate
      the marginal distributions of multivariate traits to genetic variants and
      covariates through generalized linear models without modeling the dependence
      among the traits or family members. We construct score-type statistics, which are
      computationally fast and numerically stable even in the presence of covariates
      and which can be combined efficiently across studies with different designs and
      arbitrary patterns of missing data. We compare the power of the test statistics
      both theoretically and empirically. We provide a strategy to determine genome
      wide significance that properly accounts for the linkage disequilibrium (LD) of
      genetic variants. The application of the new methods to the meta-analysis of five
      major cardiovascular cohort studies identifies a new locus (HSCB) that is
      pleiotropic for the four traits analyzed. 

PMID- 24227296
TI  - Effect of ethanol and alpha-pinene on response of ambrosia beetle,Trypodendron
      lineatum, to lineatin-baited funnel and drainpipe traps.
AB  - The response ofT. lineatum to ethanol and alpha-pinene, when used with the
      pheromone lineatin, was tested for two trap types. Funnel traps, which are
      passive barrier traps, caught significantly more beetles than drainpipe traps,
      which require an active response by the beetle to enter the trap. However, the
      response ofT. lineatum to the semiochemical treatments did not significantly
      differ for the two trap types. Treatments that included alpha-pinene with the
      pheromone, either with or without ethanol, caught significantly moreT. lineatin
      than those with the pheromone alone. When ethanol and or alpha-pinene were added
      to the pheromone significantly more female beetles were trapped than with
      pheromone alone. Male-female ratios were significantly lower for both types of
      traps when ethanol was included in the bait than for lineatin alone or with alpha
      pinene. A higher percentage of male beetles entered the drainpipe traps than was
      captured with funnel traps. 

PMID- 24227297
TI  - Role of prey odor in food recognition by rock crabs,Cancer irroratus say.
AB  - Rock crabs,Cancer irroratus, respond to food odors in low concentration as
      measured by changes in antennular flicking rate. The responses of rock crabs to
      prey odor were tested in the presence and absence of visual cues to determine the
      role of chemical cues in prey recognition. Crabs were attracted to the source of
      mussel odor introduced into one arm of a Y maze. Natural and artificial prey
      shells and resin boxes were presented to crabs with and without the presence of
      mussel extract. The crabs were able to see, handle, and manipulate these objects.
      Crabs opened and consumed contents that emitted chemosensory cues and ignored
      identical objects that did not. Rock crabs were attracted to food odors and are
      capable of utilizing chemical cues to detect, locate, and identify food items. 

PMID- 24227298
TI  - Structures and allelopathic effects ofNuphar alkaloids: Nupharolutine and 6,6'
      dihydroxythiobinupharidine.
AB  - Two of the majorNuphar alkaloids, nupharolutine and 6,6'
      dihydroxythiobinupharidine, were isolated from the aquatic perennial herbNuphar
      lutea (L.) Sibth. & Sm., yellow water lily. In a lettuce seedling bioassay of the
      two pure compounds, the former was inactive and the latter was highly inhibitory
      of radicle elongation at concentrations greater than 2 ppm. Structures and
      stereochemistry of the two compounds were confirmed by DEPT,(1)H-(1)H COSY,(1)H
      (13)C COSY, and(1)H-(1)H NOESY experiments. 

PMID- 24227299
TI  - Resorcinol in exudates ofNuphar lutea.
AB  - Resorcinol (1,3-dihydroxybenzene) was identified as one of the major constituents
      of the exudate ofNuphar lutea seedlings, which were raised from seeds and
      cultivated under axenic conditions. The compound is released from the plants in
      considerable amounts (up to 15 nmol/seedling/day). Highest rates of resorcinol
      exudation were measured when the seedlings were incubated under physiological
      conditions (macronutrient and light supply) that resembled those of natural
      stands of the plant. An inverse correlation exists between nitrate and/or light
      supply and resorcinol production. Because of its generally toxic properties,
      resorcinol is suggested to play a role as an allelochemical in interactions
      between macrophytes and other organisms of the aquatic ecosystem. A first
      approach of resorcinol application to zooplankton and phytoplankton organisms
      resulted in deleterious effects against aDaphnia species. Two Cryptophyceae
      species reduced resorcinol concentration to zero, showing a concomitant increase
      of the size of starch granule enclosures. Cyanophyceae and Chlorophyceae seemed
      not to be affected. 

PMID- 24227300
TI  - Identification of sex pheromones from cowpea weevil,Callosobruchus maculatus, and
      related studies withC. analis (coleoptera: Bruchidae).
AB  - Female cowpea weevils,Callosobruchus maculatus, produce a sex pheromone that
      elicits orientation and sexual behavior in males. Bioassay-directed isolation of
      the sex pheromone was conducted and compounds in the active fraction were
      identified and synthesized. Volatiles were collected from individual virgin
      females by adsorption on filter paper dises and hexane extraction. A bioassay was
      used in which the locomotory response of single males in glass vials was recorded
      upon exposure to treatments or controls. Crude extracts were subjected to silica
      gel column chromatography with solvents of increasing polarity; all activity
      eluted with methanol. Activity in the highly polar methanol fraction suggested a
      carboxylic acid or a compound with multiple polar functionality. Acid-base
      partitioning of the crude extract isolated all activity in the acid fraction,
      confirming that the pheromone was a carboxylic acid. The acid fraction was
      further fractionated by preparative GC with a Carbowax column. The most active GC
      fraction contained the following five 8-carbon acids identified by GC-MS and
      comparison with synthetic candidates: 3-methyleneheptanoic acid, (Z)-3-methyl-3
      heptenoic acid, (E)-3-methyl-3-heptenoic acid, (Z)-3-methyl-2-heptenoic acid, and
      (E)-3-methyl-2-heptenoic acid. Each of the synthetic acids was active
      individually for males, and combinations of two or more of the acid pheromones
      had an additive effect. Upwind flight responses to natural and synthetic
      pheromones were observed in a flight tunnel. (Z)-3-Methyl-2-heptenoic acid was
      previously identified as the sex pheromone for the relatedC. analis, but this and
      the other four acid pheromones fromC. maculatus were inactive for maleC. analis.
      There was no cross-attraction betweenC. maculatus andC. analis in reciprocal
      studies using extracted volatiles from females of both species, GC-MS analysis
      ofC. analis female volatiles failed to detect any of theC. maculatus compounds
      but did find an unidentified C-8 acid with a GC retention time different from any
      of theC. maculatus pheromones. 

PMID- 24227301
TI  - The pheromone of the eastern tent caterpillar,Malacosoma americanum (F.)
      (lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae).
AB  - The pheromone system of the eastern tent caterpillar,M. americanum, has been
      identified as a mixture of (E,Z)-5,7-dodecadienal and the corresponding alcohol.
      Field data on the attractiveness of the aldehyde alone were not consistent, but
      mixtures of aldehyde and alcohol in varying proportions were attractive to males.
      Addition of small amounts ofE,Z acetate toE,Z aldehyde had no effect on male
      response, but larger amounts reduced trap catch. Traps baited withZ,E, E,E, orZ,Z
      aldehydes were not more attractive than blank traps. Pherocon IC traps fortified
      with extra adhesive and baited with lures consisting of 500 ug (E,Z)-5,7
      dodecadienal with either 250 or 100 ug of the corresponding alcohol trapped as
      many as 100 males/trap/night with means of 15-20. Lures prepared from purified
      (94%E,Z) aldehyde and alcohol were more attractive than those prepared from
      unpurified (58%E,Z) materials. 

PMID- 24227302
TI  - Sex phermone components of mulberry looper,Hemerophila atrilineata butler
      (lepidoptera: Geometridae).
AB  - (6Z-9S, 10R)-Epoxy-octadecene (SR-1) and (3Z, 6Z-9S, 10R)-epoxy-octadecadiene (SR
      2) are sex pheromone components of the mulberry looper (MBL),Hemerophila
      atrilineata Butler. Compounds extracted from female MBL pheromone glands were
      identified by coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC
      EAD) and GC-mass spectrometry. In field experiments in China,SR-2,RS-2, or both
      combined were hardly attractive, butSR-2 in combination withSR-1 attracted
      significant numbers of MBL males. Synergistic behavioral activity ofSR-1 plusSR
      2, but not of corresponding antipode mixtures, indicates enantiospecificity of
      MBL pheromone communication. Because blends of racemic and enantiospecific (SR)1
      plus2 were similarly attractive, racemic1 plus2 may have potential for mass
      trapping or confusion of MBL males in commercial mulberry plantations. 

PMID- 24227303
TI  - Aggregation pheromone system of nymphal gregarious desert locust,Schistocerca
      gregaria (forskal).
AB  - Hexanal, octanal, nonanal, decanal, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid,
      and decanoic acid were identified in the volatile emissions from fifth instars
      ofSchistocerca gregaria by coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC
      EAD) detection and coupled GC-mass spectrometry (MS). In laboratory assays,
      synthetic blends of the eight compounds, with acids and aldehydes tested
      separately, evoked strong aggregation responses from fifth instars, similar to
      responses evoked by a crude volatile extract of the nymphs. A nymphal fecal
      volatile phenolic blend of guaiacol and phenol, which we have previously shown to
      evoke an aggregative response from different stages of the insect, significantly
      synergized the activity of the blend of eight compounds, suggesting mutually
      augmentative roles for nymphal and fecal volatiles in evoking aggregation. These
      results indicate that the aggregation behavior of gregarious second to fifth
      instars is modulated by three sets of pheromonal compounds: aldehydes and acids
      emitted by the nymphs themselves and phenols associated with their feces. 

PMID- 24227304
TI  - Some chemical bases for gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar, larval rejection of green
      ash,Fraxinus pennsylvanica, foliage as food.
AB  - Green ash is one of the few tree species rejected as food by larvae of the
      generalist gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Such
      rejection is based especially on chemicals present in green ash foliage. The
      gypsy moth larval feeding-inhibitory activity is contained in the ethyl acetate
      extractables of green ash foliage. Three representative columnchromatographed
      fractions of the extractables contained antifeedant activity. Individual
      fractions showed weaker antifeedant activity compared to the total ethyl acetate
      extractables. Acid hydrolysis of the extractables destroyed antifeedant activity
      and yielded feeding stimulant activity at higher concentrations. The aqueous
      extractables were not feeding-inhibitory. Compounds in the green ash extractables
      were separated by TLC, HPLC, CC, and GC. 

PMID- 24227305
TI  - Olfactory responses ofIps plastographus maritimus lanier (coleoptera: Scolytidae)
      to insect and host-associated volatiles in the laboratory.
AB  - Attraction of both sexes ofIps plastographus maritimus Lanier to bark-phloem
      xylem discs of Monterey pine,Pinus radiata D. Don, was demonstrated in the
      laboratory. Increasing concentrations of male and female volatiles trapped
      separately and released in a one-to-one ratio decreased attraction for both sexes
      combined. Attraction of both sexes to volatiles derived from males and females
      tunneling together in a one-to-one ratio increased with increasing concentration
      of extract. Attraction of males and females to male-infested discs and to trapped
      male volatiles increased with increasing dose of males or male extract.
      Attraction of males and females to female-infested discs and to trapped female
      volatiles was also demonstrated. The presence of females in male galleries
      reduced the attractiveness of infested disks to both sexes combined. Increasing
      numbers of females, tunneling separately from males in the same disc, reduced
      attraction of males, but not females. When a constant attractive dose of male
      volatiles was released with increasing doses of female volatiles, there was no
      difference in response of either sex when female volatiles were present compared
      with the response to male volatiles alone. When a constant attractive dose of
      male volatiles was released with increasing concentrations of volatiles derived
      from males and females tunneling together in a one-to-one ratio, attraction ofI.
      p. maritimus decreased. Response of females was frequently higher than that of
      males to the same attractant source. Hence, both sexes produce an attractant, and
      both sexes tunneling together in the same gallery reduce attraction of males and
      females to an attractive dose of male attractant. 

PMID- 24227306
TI  - Comparative study of hermit crab responses to shell-related chemical cues.
AB  - The responses of Australian hermit crabs to two types of shell-related odor cues
      were compared. Introduction of gastropod snail odor elicited an increase in
      grasping of shells in all four species tested (Clibanarius infraspinatus, C.
      taeniatus, C. virescens, andDiogenes avarus). However, the magnitude of response
      in the case ofC. virescens was significantly lower than the responses of
      individuals of the other species. Individuals ofC. infraspinatus responded to
      introduction of conspecific hemolymph with an increase in both locomotion and the
      frequency of grasping of shells.C. infraspinatus also responded to the hemolymph
      of the other three species, and there were no differences in the magnitude of the
      responses depending upon the source of the hemolymph. When individuals ofC.
      infraspinatus were exposed to snail odor and conspecific hemolymph at the same
      time, the responses were indistinguishable from those shown to hemolymph alone. 

PMID- 24227307
TI  - 3-Methyl-alpha-himachalene: Proposed structure for novel homosesquiterpene sex
      pheromone ofLutzomyia longipalpis (diptera: Psychodidae) from Jacobina, Brazil.
AB  - The principal behaviorally active volatile component (ca. 90% +) of the sex
      pheromone glands ofLutzomyia longipalpis from Jacobina. Brazil, has been isolated
      and characterized as a novel homosesquiterpene with the structure 3-methyl-alpha
      himachalene (C16H26). A minor component (ca. 10%) of the gland extract has also
      been identified as the sesquiterpenealpha-himachalene (C15H24). This work
      confirms that there are at least 3 members of theL. longipalpis species complex. 

PMID- 24227308
TI  - Quantification of contact oviposition stimulants for black swallowtail
      butterfly,Papilio polyxenes, on the leaf surfaces of wild carrot,Daucus carota.
AB  - Ovipositing black swallowtail butterflies,Papilio polyxenes, make their final
      host-selection decisions on the basis of compounds present on the leaf surface.
      Little information is available, however, on the chemistry of leaf surfaces. The
      purpose of this study was to develop a technique to extract and quantify the
      concentrations of compounds from the leaf surfaces ofDaucus carota, one of the
      main host species forP. polyxenes, with particular reference to compounds already
      identified as contact oviposition stimulants, namelytrans-chlorogenic acid (CA)
      and luteolin-7-O-(6"-O-malonyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (L7MG), as well as its
      degradation product luteolin-7-glucoside (L7G). Plant surfaces were extracted by
      dipping leaves sequentially in pairs of solvents: (1) CHCl3-MeOH, (2) near
      boiling H2O, (3) CHCl3-near-boiling H2O, and (4) CH2Cl2-CH2Cl2. The resulting
      extracts were fractionated and analyzed using high-performance liquid
      chromatography. The leaf-surface concentrations of each compound were calculated
      using regressions relating leaf surface area to leaf weight that were obtained
      from measurements of field-collected carrot plants. All four methods removed the
      three compounds from carrot leaf surfaces, but the solvent systems differed in
      effectiveness. The chloroform-near-boiling water solvent system performed better
      than the other solvent combinations, but not significantly so. This system also
      extracted the highest number of polar, UV-absorbing compounds. Methylene chloride
      was significantly less efficient than the other methods. An additional test
      confirmed that the chloroform-near-boiling water method removed compounds from
      the surface alone and probably not from the apoplast or symplast. Surface
      concentrations of CA (up to 600 ng/cm(2) leaf surface) were substantially greater
      than those of the two flavonoid compounds. No clear seasonal trend in
      concentrations was evident from the limited number of sampling dates. 

PMID- 24227309
TI  - Determination of feeding preference of Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes
      formosanus Shiraki) for some amino acid additives.
AB  - A choice feeding test using 21 amino acids was conducted to determine the feeding
      preference of Formosan subterranean termite,Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, in
      the laboratory. Significantly more filter paper treated withD-aspartic acid orL
      glutamic acid was consumed by Formosan subterranean termites than was control
      filter paper treated with water. In two-choice feeding tests, termites consumed
      significantly more filter paper treated withD-aspartic acid orL-aspartic acid
      than paper treated with water. AddingL-proline,L-lysine, orL-isoleucine to filter
      paper significantly increased consumption compared with control filter paper in
      no-choice tests. The use of amino acid additives in termite baits is briefly
      discussed. 

PMID- 24227310
TI  - FGF7 signals are relayed to autocrine EGF family growth factors to induce
      branching morphogenesis of mouse salivary epithelium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Matrigel-embedded epithelium of the mouse submandibular gland
      undergoes branching morphogenesis when cultured in medium supplemented with
      fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), whereas it
      elongates a stalk with limited branching in medium with only FGF7. Because LPA is
      a well-known activator of epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling, we
      hypothesized the involvement of autocrine EGF family growth factors in the
      branching morphogenesis. RESULTS: Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
      studies showed that three members, Tgfa, Hbegf,and Nrg1 of the EGF family were
      expressed in the epithelium cultured with FGF7 + LPA as well as in the epithelium
      freshly isolated from the rudiments. All the growth factors induced extensive
      branching morphogenesis in the Matrigel-embedded epithelium in the presence of
      LPA. Tyrphostin AG112, an inhibitor of EGF signaling, severely impaired branching
      morphogenesis induced by FGF7 + LPA without exogenous addition of EGF family
      growth factors to the culture medium. The shaking cultures, which were expected
      to decrease the concentration of autocrine growth factors near the epithelium by
      promoting their diffusion, significantly reduced branching morphogenesis induced
      by FGF7 + LPA. CONCLUSIONS: Autocrine EGF family growth factors are involved in
      epithelial branching morphogenesis induced by FGF7 + LPA.

PMID- 24227312
TI  - Volumetric quantification of fluid flow reveals fish's use of hydrodynamic
      stealth to capture evasive prey.
AB  - In aquatic ecosystems, predation on zooplankton by fish provides a major pathway
      for the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels. Copepods are an abundant
      zooplankton group that sense hydromechanical disturbances produced by approaching
      predators and respond with rapid escapes. Despite this capability, fish capture
      copepods with high success. Previous studies have focused on the predatory strike
      to elucidate details of this interaction. However, these raptorial strikes and
      resulting suction are only effective at short range. Thus, small fish must
      closely approach highly sensitive prey without triggering an escape in order for
      a strike to be successful. We use a new method, high-speed, infrared, tomographic
      particle image velocimetry, to investigate three-dimensional fluid patterns
      around predator and prey during approaches. Our results show that at least one
      planktivorous fish (Danio rerio) can control the bow wave in front of the head
      during the approach and consumption of prey (copepod). This alters hydrodynamic
      profiles at the location of the copepod such that it is below the threshold
      required to elicit an escape response. We find this behaviour to be mediated by
      the generation of suction within the buccopharyngeal cavity, where the velocity
      into the mouth roughly matches the forward speed of the fish. These results
      provide insight into how animals modulate aspects of fluid motion around their
      bodies to overcome escape responses and enhance prey capture. 

PMID- 24227311
TI  - Investigation of nerve injury through microfluidic devices.
AB  - Traumatic injuries, both in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral
      nervous system (PNS), can potentially lead to irreversible damage resulting in
      permanent loss of function. Investigating the complex dynamics involved in these
      processes may elucidate the biological mechanisms of both nerve degeneration and
      regeneration, and may potentially lead to the development of new therapies for
      recovery. A scientific overview on the biological foundations of nerve injury is
      presented. Differences between nerve regeneration in the central and PNS are
      discussed. Advances in microtechnology over the past several years have led to
      the development of invaluable tools that now facilitate investigation of
      neurobiology at the cellular scale. Microfluidic devices are explored as a means
      to study nerve injury at the necessary simplification of the cellular level,
      including those devices aimed at both chemical and physical injury, as well as
      those that recreate the post-injury environment. 

PMID- 24227313
TI  - Incidence of unplanned admissions after sinonasal surgery: a 6-year review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There has been an increasing transition from hospital-based surgeries
      to ambulatory surgery center (ASC)-based surgeries. A significant portion of ASC
      cases are otolaryngological procedures, with sinonasal surgery as one of the most
      common procedures. However, admissions into the hospital from the ASC can be
      difficult for the patient and the provider. This study evaluates the incidence of
      unplanned admissions after sinonasal surgery in a 6-year period and identifies
      the factors for these admissions. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of
      patients who had ambulatory sinonasal surgeries from January 2007 to December
      2012 at Weill Cornell Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital performed by
      the senior author (A.K.). Electronic medical records were reviewed for age,
      gender, procedure/surgery performed, and admission and/or discharge information.
      RESULTS: A total of 750 patients who underwent sinonasal surgeries from January
      2007 to December 2012 were eligible for review. The study sample had a mean age
      of 46 years and 55.6% were male. There were a total of 24 admissions, of which 6
      were unplanned (0.8%). Reasons for unplanned admissions included pain (most
      common, 50%), followed by epistaxis, nausea, and other. CONCLUSION: The rate for
      unplanned admissions for sinonasal surgeries was 0.8%, which is lower than the
      national rate (2.65%), indicating that sinonasal surgeries are appropriate as
      ambulatory cases. Because the reason for unplanned admission was highest for
      pain, patients should be further evaluated for more effective methods of pain
      control postoperatively or preemptively.

PMID- 24227314
TI  - Quantitation of microbial growth on surfaces.
AB  - An equation describing the initial phases of microbial surface colonization is
      presented. Simultaneous microbial attachment and growth are considered as the
      primary components of colonization. A table is given that permits determination
      of growth rate from the density and distribution of cells present on surfaces
      after incubation in situ. Other methods used to calculate microbial growth rate
      on surfaces are evaluated. The new procedure is more accurate and less time
      consuming than those used previously. Published data on microbial surface
      colonization more closely follow the proposed colonization equation than the
      exponential growth equation, which overestimates the growth rate. 

PMID- 24227315
TI  - Specificity of bacterial symbionts in Mediterranean and Great Barrier Reef
      sponges.
AB  - Bacteria were isolated from marine sponges from the Mediterranean and the Great
      Barrier Reef and characterized using numerical taxonomy techniques. A similar
      sponge-specific bacterial symbiont was found in 9 of 10 sponges examined from
      both geographic regions. This symbiont occurred in sponges of two classes and
      seven orders, and it probably has been associated with sponges over a long
      geological time scale. Another symbiont apparently specific to the spongeVerongia
      aerophoba was found. This sponge is yellow-orange, similar in color to the
      bacterial symbiont. These symbionts are two of a large mixed bacterial population
      present in many sponges. 

PMID- 24227316
TI  - Identification and population dynamics of bacteria in symptomatic oat leaves.
AB  - Bacteria isolated from symptomatic oat leaves included pseudomonads,Erwinia
      herbicola, and others.Pseudomonas coronafaciens was isolated predominantly from
      leaves with halo blight symptoms or necrotic spots. Leaves with red leaf symptoms
      yielded many types of bacteria, including saprophytic pseudomonads,P. syringae,
      E. herbicola, Bacillus sp.,Micrococcus sp.,Corynebacterium sp., a yeast, and
      other unidentified species. Only isolates ofP. coronafaciens were pathogenic on
      the plant hosts tested. The bacteria associated with red leaf symptoms exist as
      saprophytes and/or epiphytes on leaves with those symptoms. It is concluded that
      bacteria do not contribute to red leaf symptom development in oats, but
      symptomatic leaves provide an environment for their growth. 

PMID- 24227317
TI  - Trichoderma hamatum: Its hyphal interactions withRhizoctonia solani andPythium
      spp.
AB  - The mode of hyphal interaction and parasitism ofPythium spp. andRhizoctonia
      solani byTrichoderma hamatum was studied by both phase-contrast and Nomarski
      differential interference-contrast microscopy. Directed growth of the
      mycoparasite toward its host was observed. In the area of interaction,T. hamatum
      produced appressorial-like structures attached to the host cell wall.
      Subsequently, several different types of interactions occurred.T. hamatum either
      grew parallel to and along the host hypha or coiled around its host. In the
      contrast regions the parasite formed bulbular or hook-like structures that
      contained granular cytoplasm. In other cases the parasite penetrated into and
      grew within the mycelium ofR. solani orP. ultimum. As a consequence of the
      attack, the host hypha became vacuolated, shrank, collapsed, and finally
      disintegrated. These observations suggest the involvement of parasitism followed
      by lysis rather than involvement of antibiotics in this host-mycoparasite
      relationship. 

PMID- 24227318
TI  - Occurrence and activity of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms in alkaline
      coal strip mine spoils.
AB  - Spoils samples collected from a coal strip mine in southeastern Montana were
      examined for populations and activities of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.
      Spoils examined were of three types: (a) acidic pyrite-rich waste coal, (b)
      oxidation halo material, and (c) alkaline material, which was the most widespread
      type. Bacterial numbers, sulfur oxidation, and(14)CO2 uptake activity declined to
      low levels in the summer when spoils were dry. Even in wetter spring months
      pyritic spoils contained relatively low numbers of acidophilic iron- and sulfur
      oxidizing bacteria, probably indicative of water stress since the same spoils
      incubated with excess water or dilute mineral salts showed considerably greater
      bacterial numbers and activity. Certain wells in coal and spoils aquifers
      contained substantial populations of iron-oxidizing acidophilic bacteria.
      However, these wells were always of alkaline or neutral pH, indicating that
      bacterial pyrite oxidation occurred where groundwaters contacted either replaced
      spoils or coal that contained pyrite or other metal sulfides. Bacterial activity
      may contribute to trace metal and sulfate leaching in the area. 

PMID- 24227319
TI  - A pressure-retaining deep ocean sampler and transfer system for measurement of
      microbial activity in the deep sea.
AB  - A deep ocean sampler (DOS) has been developed for microbiological sampling and is
      capable of aseptically collecting 400-ml water samples from any depth in the
      world oceans. The instrument maintains samples under in situ pressure and
      temperature. A hyperbaric transfer system has also been developed, enabling
      transfer of sample volumes up to 150 ml, without decompression or dilution, to
      pressurized incubation chambers. Utilization of(14)C-glutamate (21 to 96MUg/l)
      and(14)C-acetate (4.6MUg/l) by microbial populations in undecompressed water
      samples from the N.W. Atlantic and the Cape and Angola Basins was recorded over
      incubation periods of 2 to 18 weeks. Rates of substrate utilization ranged from 1
      to 38*10(-2) MUg/l/day. 

PMID- 24227320
TI  - Filterable marine bacteria found in the deep sea: Distribution, taxonomy, and
      response to starvation.
AB  - A significant number of viable colony-forming bacteria were recovered from deep
      ocean bottom water samples passed through a 0.45MUm filter. However, these
      bacteria small enough to pass through a 0.45MUm membrane filter and termed
      "filterable bacteria" were less abundant in open-ocean surface water and coastal
      water samples. The reduced size of bacterial cells present in deep-ocean bottom
      water samples was documented by scanning electron microscopy. The concentration
      of ATP in the water samples was found to be correlated with results of direct
      counts of bacteria.Numerical taxonomy of bacterial strains isolated from water
      samples collected at two stations in the deep sea yielded taxonomic clusters
      grouped according to sample and size fraction. The generic composition of
      bacterial populations of bottom water filtrates was compared with that of
      bacteria retained by 0.45MU m filters. Strains ofAlcaligenes, Flavobacterium,
      Pseudomonas, andVibrio spp. were identified among those retained by, as well as
      passing through, 0.45MUm filters.Two marine isolates obtained from the filtrate
      of a deep-ocean water sample were incubated for 9 weeks in nutrient-free
      artificial seawater, during which the cells became rounded and reduced in size.
      After the 9-week incubation period, more than 10% of the viable cells of both
      cultures were able to pass through a 0.4MUm filter. The viable count at 9 weeks
      wasca. 10% of that of the initial population, although from direct counts the
      total population number remained relatively constant throughout the incubation
      period. From the observed reduction in cell size and increased starvation
      resistance of cells held under low nutrient conditions, it is concluded that a
      significant relationship exists between decreased cell size and increased
      survival of marine bacteria in the deep sea. 

PMID- 24227321
TI  - Barophilic growth of bacteria from intestinal tracts of deep-sea invertebrates.
AB  - Digestive tracts of abyssal scavenging amphipods and a deep-sea holothurian were
      examined for the presence of intestinal microflora capable of rapid proliferation
      under in situ pressures of 430 to 520 atmospheres (atm) and temperatures of 3-5
      degrees C. For two amphipod specimens, population doubling times of 5 and 6 hours
      were observed under in situ conditions, compared to 8 and 6 hours, respectively,
      at 1 atm. Growth enhancement under pressure was related inversely to initial
      population size and directly to concentration of available nutrient. In the case
      of the deposit-feeding holothurian, attached bacteria scraped from the intestinal
      lining showed a doubling time, under pressure, of 11 hours, compared to 36 hours
      for transient sediment bacteria that comprised the gut contents. These data
      suggest that deep-sea animals possess a commensal gut flora capable of responding
      to increased nutrient levels, via feeding of the host, without inhibition by the
      elevated hydrostatic pressures encountered in the deep ocean environment. 

PMID- 24227322
TI  - Hydrodynamic radius alone governs the mobility of molecules through
      plasmodesmata.
AB  - Various fluorescent molecular probes have been injected into the cytoplasm of
      nectary trichome cells of Abutilon striatum to ascertain the conductivity of the
      plasmodesmata. Most of the probes were based on fluorescein conjugated to a range
      of amino acids and peptides. The probes are not broken down by cytoplasmic
      enzymes during the period of observation. The results indicate that there are no
      specific effects of aromatic amino acids, either polar or hydrophobic types, on
      the conductivity of the Abutilon plasmodesmata, contrary to reports for other
      plants. The conductivity of the plasmodesmata in the trichomes is slightly
      greater than for any that have been studied in the tissues of other plants. It is
      proposed that in Abutilon the mobility of a probe is determined solely by the
      effective Stokes radius of the molecule, and that the radius of the molecule is
      governed by the molecular weight and, in particular, by the nature of the side
      groups in the peptide chain attached to the fluorochrome. Calculations are
      presented which indicate that channels between material in the plasmodesmatal
      annulus are the most likely route for the diffusion of the probes, and that the
      width of individual channels in the annulus is close to 3 nm. 

PMID- 24227323
TI  - Localization of membrane-associated calcium during development of fucoid algae
      using chlorotetracycline.
AB  - During the first day of development, fertilized eggs of fucoid algae generate an
      embryonic axis and commence rhizoid growth at one pole. Using Fucus distichus
      (L.) Powell, F. vesiculosus L. and Pelvetia fastigiata (J.Ag.) DeTony we have
      investigated the role of calcium in axis formation and fixation as well as in tip
      growth. The intracellular distribution of membrane-associated calcium was
      visualized with the fluorescent calcium probe chlorotetracycline (CTC). Punctate
      fluorescence associated with organelle-like structures was found in conjunction
      with diffuse staining at all developmental stages. This membrane-associated
      calcium remained uniformly distributed throughout the cortical cytoplasm while
      the axis was established, but increased in the rhizoid protuberance at
      germination. In subsequent development, fluorescence was restricted to the
      cortical cytoplasm at the elongating tip and at sites of crosswall
      biosynthesis.The requirement for Ca(2+) uptake during development was
      investigated through inhibition studies; influx was impaired with transport
      antagonists or by removal of extracellular calcium. Both treatments curtailed
      germination and tip elongation but had little effect on axis polarization.
      Reductions in external calcium that interfered with elongation also markedly
      reduced the apical CTC fluorescencence, indicating that calcium uptake and
      localization are prerequisites for tip growth. This apical Ca(2+) is probably
      involved in the secretory process that sustains tip elongation. By contrast,
      calcium was not implicated in the generation of an embryonic axis. 

PMID- 24227324
TI  - Comparison of the effect of excessive light on chlorophyll fluorescence (77K) and
      photon yield of O2 evolution in leaves of higher plants.
AB  - High-light treatments (1750-2000 MUmol photons m(-2) . s(-1)) of leaves from a
      number of higher-plant species invariably resulted in quenching of the maximum
      77K chlorophyll fluorescence at both 692 and 734 nm (F M, 692 and F M, 734). The
      response of instantaneous fluorescence at 692 nm (F O, 692) was complex. In
      leaves of some species F O, 692 increased dramatically in others it was quenched,
      and in others yet it showed no marked, consistent change. Regardless of the
      response of F O, 692 an apparently linear relationship was obtained between the
      ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (F V/F M, 692) and the photon yield of
      O2 evolution, indicating that photoinhibition affects these two variables to
      approximately the same extent. Treatment of leaves in a CO2-free gas stream
      containing 2% O2 and 98% N2 under weak light (100 MUmol . m(-2) . s(-1)) resulted
      in a general and fully reversible quenching of 77K fluorescence at 692 and 734
      nm. In this case both F O, 692 and F M, 692 were invariably quenched, indicating
      that the quenching was caused by an increased non-radiative energy dissipation in
      the pigment bed. We propose that high-light treatments can have at least two
      different, concurrent effects on 77K fluorescence in leaves. One results from
      damage to the photosystem II (PSII) reaction-center complex and leads to a rise
      in F O, 692; the other results from an increased non-radiative energy dissipation
      and leads to quenching of both F O, 692 and F M, 692 This general quenching had a
      much longer relaxation time than reported for DeltapH-dependent quenching in
      algae and chloroplasts. Sun leaves, whose F V/F M, 692 ratios were little
      affected by high-light exposure in normal air, suffered pronounced
      photoinhibition when the exposure was made under conditions that prevent
      photosynthetic gas exchange (2% O2, 0% CO2). However, they were still less
      susceptible than shade leaves, indicating that the higher capacity for energy
      dissipation via photosynthesis is not the only cause of their lower
      susceptibility. The rate constant for recovery from photoinhibition was much
      higher in mature sun leaves than in mature shade leaves, indicating that
      differences in the capacity for continuous repair may in part account for the
      difference in their susceptibility to photoinhibition. 

PMID- 24227325
TI  - Transport of sugars across the plasma membrane of beetroot protoplasts.
AB  - Protoplasts isolated from beetroot tissue took up glucose preferentially whereas
      sucrose was transported more slowly. The (14)C-label from [(14)C]glucose and
      [(14)C]sucrose taken up by the cells could be detected rapidly in phosphate
      esters and, after feeding of [(14)C]glucose was found also in sucrose. The
      temperature-dependent uptake process (activation energy EA about 50 kJ . mol(-1))
      seems to be carrier mediated as indicated by its substrate saturation and, for
      glucose, by competition experiments which revealed positions C1, C5 and C6 of the
      D-glucose molecule as important for effective uptake. The apparent Km(20 degrees 
      C) for glucose (3-O-methylglucose) was about 1 mM whereas for sucrose a
      significantly lower apparent affinity was determined (Km about 10 mM). When
      higher concentrations of glucose (5 mM) or sucrose (20 mM) were administered, the
      uptake process followed first-order kinetics. Carrier-mediated transport was
      inhibited by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, Na-orthovanadate, p
      chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid, and by uncouplers and ionophores. The uptake
      system exhibited a distinct pH optimum at pH 5.0. The results indicate that
      generation of a proton gradient is a prerequisite for sugar uptake across the
      plasma membrane. Protoplasts from the bundle regions in the hypocotyl take up
      glucose at higher rates than those derived from bundle-free regions. The results
      favour the idea that apoplastic transport of assimilates en route of unloading
      might be restricted to distinct areas within the storage organ (i.e. the bundle
      region) whereas distribution in the storage parenchyma is symplastic. 

PMID- 24227326
TI  - Control of photoassimilate movement in source-leaf tissues of Ipomoea tricolor
      Cav.
AB  - Autoradiographs obtained from discs from mature, peeled Ipomoea tricolor Cav.
      leaves indicated that a 15-min 2 mM p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonic acid (PCMBS)
      pretreatment did not prevent the accumulation of (14)CO2-derived (14)C
      photosynthate within the minor veins. However, accumulation of (14)C
      photosynthate within these veins was almost, or completely prevented by treatment
      of the leaf discs at pH 9.0. Peeled Ipomoea leaf discs were also used to study
      the kinetics of exogenously supplied [(14)C]sucrose; influx occurred by the
      combined operation of a saturable and a first-order kinetic mechanism. Both
      transport mechanisms were inhibited by a 15-min 2 mM PCMBS pretreatment or by
      treatment at pH 9.0. An analysis of autoradiographs obtained on leaf discs that
      had been fed exogenous [(14)C]sucrose, showed that whereas all cells of the leaf
      took up sucrose at pH 5.0, uptake at pH 9.0 occurred primarily into cells of the
      minor veins. In contrast with (14)C-photoassimilate experiments, PCMBS
      pretreatment, at either pH 5.0 or pH 9.0, resulted in a reduction in the
      radioactivity within the minor veins when the label was supplied exogenously as
      [(14)C]sucrose. Kinetic experiments conducted with mesophyll cells isolated
      enzymatically from peeled source-leaf discs indicated that [(14)C]sucrose influx
      also occurred by a saturable and a first-order kinetic mechanism. Comparative
      studies between leaf discs and isolated mesophyll cells showed that mesophyll
      cells could account for 75% of the total uptake occurring into the peeled leaf
      discs. These results indicate that the effects of PCMBS and alkaline pH on net
      sucrose uptake by leaf tissues are not exerted solely on phloem tissues, and that
      some of the effects of these treatments may be attributable to an inhibition of
      symplasmic transport to the minor veins. 

PMID- 24227327
TI  - Intracellular feruloylation of pectic polysaccharides.
AB  - The pectic polysaccharides of spinach cell walls carry feruloyl groups on
      arabinose and galactose residues. The following experiments were designed to
      discover whether the arabinose residues are feruloylated intra-or
      extracellularly. Cultured spinach cells started to incorporate exogenous
      [(3)H]arabinose into polymers at a linear rate after a lag period of approx. 3-4
      min, although radioactive polysaccharides and extensin did not start to appear
      outside the plasmalemma until after an approx. 25-min lag. In the same cells,
      polysaccharide-bound feruloyl-[(3)H]arabinose units starded to accumulate
      radioactivity at a linear rate after a lag period of approx. 4-5 min. Therefore,
      arabinose residues of polysaccharides began to be feruloylated while still
      intracellular. The rate of formation of polysaccharide-bound feruloyl
      [(3)H]arabinose units did not appreciably increase after 25 min, showing that any
      additional extracellular feruloylation of the polysaccharide was relatively slow.
      This conclusion was supported by two different types of pulse-chase experiments,
      one of which was designed to detect feruloylation of polysaccharides up to 6 d
      after synthesis. 

PMID- 24227328
TI  - Comparison of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, radioimmunoassay and bioassay
      for the quantification of gibberellin A9 in norway spruce (Picea abies (L.)
      Karst.).
AB  - Quantitative estimates of gibberellin A9 in Norway spruce extracts obtained by
      gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, radioimmunoassay (RIA_ and bioassay were
      compared after successive purifications of the extracts. The extracts were
      assayed in several dilutions with and without the addition of standard
      gibberellin A9, thus showing the effect of extract components on the response of
      the assays. Radioimmunoassay produced estimates comparable to gas chromatography
      mass spectrometry after one purification step by high-performance liquid
      chromatography. Extracts purified by polyvinylpyrrolidone-column chromatography
      and solvent partitioning but not high-performance liquid chromatography resulted
      in inaccurate RIA estimates. The performance of the RIA could be monitored by
      logit-log transformations of the standard curve and extract dilution curve and by
      calculating the slope of the standard addition curve. It was, however, not
      possible to correct for the interference caused by extract components by the
      standard addition procedure. Quantifications by Tan-ginbozu dwarf-rice bioassay
      were accurate, but a large and unpredictable variation makes it unsuitable for
      quantitative determinations. 

PMID- 24227329
TI  - Non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll a fluorescence in isolated
      chloroplasts under conditions of stressed photosynthesis.
AB  - Non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll a fluorescence after short-time light,
      heat and osmotic stress was investigated with intact chloroplasts from Spinacia
      oleracea L. The proportions of non-photochemical fluorescence quenching (q N )
      which are related (q E ) and unrelated (q I ) to the transthylakoid proton
      gradient (DeltapH) were determined. Light stress resulted in an increasing
      contribution of q Ito total q N.The linear dependence of q. Eand DeltapH, as seen
      in controls, was maintained. The mechanisms underlying this type of quenching are
      obviously unaffected by photoin-hibition. In constrast, q Ewas severely affected
      by heat and osmotic stress. In low light, the response of q Eto changes in
      DeltapH was enhanced, whereas it was reduced in high light. The data are
      discussed with reference to the hypothesis that q Eis related to thermal
      dissipation of excitation energy from photosystem II. It is shown that q Eis not
      only controlled by DeltapH, but also by external factors. 

PMID- 24227330
TI  - Evidence for a light-dependent system for reassimilation of photorespiratory CO2,
      which does not include a C 4 cycle, in the C 3-C 4 intermediate species
      Moricandia arvensis.
AB  - Three methods of estimating photorespiratory rate in leaves of the C3-C4
      intermediate species Moricandia arvensis and the related C3 species Moricandia
      moricandioides were compared. The results indicated that the photorespiratory
      rate in M. arvensis is less than in M. moricandioides, and that this is caused
      partly by reduced carbon flux through the photorespiratory pathway, and partly by
      the presence of a mechanism for enhanced photorespiratory CO2 reassimilation in
      the intermediate species. Measurements of the CO2 compensation point (Gamma) in
      the two species supported this conclusion. A functional C4 pathway is unlikely to
      be involved in the reduction of photorespiratory rate in M. arvensis since pulse
      chase experiments showed that carbon did not move from C4 acids to the reductive
      pentose-phosphate pathway in attached leaves under steady-state conditions at
      Gamma. 

PMID- 24227331
TI  - Effects of fusicoccin and abscisic acid on glucose uptake into isolated beetroot
      protoplasts.
AB  - Uptake of glucose, 3-O-methylglucose and sucrose into beetroot protoplasts is
      considerably stimulated by 10(-6)M fusicoccin. This effect is decreased in the
      presence of 10mM Na(+) or K(+), 2 mM Mg(2+) or Ca(2+). Whereas fusicoccin causes
      no change in the pH-optimum of the sugar uptake (pH 5.0), the apparent Km of this
      uptake which obeys a biphasic kinetics is decreased by the action of fusicoccin.
      In the protoplast suspension, fusicoccin induces an acidification which is
      suppressed by uncoupling agents. Correspondingly, uncouplers as well as vanadate
      and diethylstilbestrol markedly inhibit the effect of fusicoccin on sugar uptake.
      The present data support the view that glucose uptake into beetroot protoplasts
      depend on the proton-pumping activity of the plasmalemma-ATPase. cis-Abscisic
      acid diminishes significantly the fusicoccin-enhanced glucose uptake. By using a
      radioimmunoassay, the internal abscisic acid content of the protoplast was
      estimated to be in the range of 10(-6) M. Protoplasts isolated from bundle tissue
      contain twice as much abscisic acid as those derived from storage parenchyma.
      Because protoplasts from the bundle tissue were shown to take up sugars much
      faster than those from the storage cells, the observed effect of abscisic acid
      might reflect an involvement of this hormone in the regulation of carbohydrate
      partitioning in the beet. 

PMID- 24227332
TI  - Thionin genes specifically expressed in barley leaves.
AB  - Complementary-DNA (cDNA) clones encoding thionin were identified as one of the
      most frequent types of clones in a cDNA library constructed from total
      polyadenylated RNA from young barley leaf cells. One full-length clone codes for
      a precursor protein that starts with a signal peptide (28 amino acids) followed
      by the mature thionin (46 amino acids) and terminated by a long acidic extension
      (63 amino acids). The amino-acid sequence of the leaf thionin is 52% homologous
      to thionins from barley endosperm and in the C-terminal extension the homology
      decreases to 41%. In contrast, the leaf thionin is 72% homologous to viscotoxin
      from mistletoe leaves. Leaf thionin is coded by a multigene family with an
      estimated nine to eleven genes and analysis of the cDNA clones showed that at
      least two extremely homologous genes are expressed. Northern hybridization
      experiments indicate that the leaf thionin genes are not expressed in endosperm
      and roots. In leaves, the expression of the thionin genes is strongly repressed
      by light. 

PMID- 24227333
TI  - Sodium efflux from perfused giant algal cells.
AB  - Internodal cells of the giant alga Chara corallina were perfused internally to
      replace the native cytoplasm, tonoplast and vacuole with artificial cytoplasm.
      Sodium efflux from perfused cells, measured by including (22)Na in the perfusion
      media, was increased by increasing the internal sodium concentration and by
      decreasing the external pH, and was inhibited by external application of the
      renal diuretic amiloride. The sodium efflux was markedly ATP-dependent, with a 50
      fold decrease in efflux observed after perfusion with media lacking ATP. Efflux
      in the presence of ATP was reduced by 33% by inclusion of 10 MUM N,N'
      dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in the perfusion medium. The membrane potential of the
      perfused cells approximated that of intact cells from the same culture. It is
      suggested that sodium efflux in perfused Chara cells proceeds via a secondary
      antiporter with protons, regulated by ATP in a catalytic role and with the proton
      motive force acting as the energy source. 

PMID- 24227334
TI  - Nuclease sensitivity of storage-protein genes in isolated nuclei of pea seeds.
AB  - The chromatin structure of legumin genes in nuclei isolated from leaves and
      cytyledons of pea (Pisum sativum L.) was investigated. Digestions with
      micrococcal nuclease (EC 3.1.31.1.) showed that the nucleosomal repeat length of
      total chromatin (171+/-25 base pairs) was similar in nuclei from both tissues.
      The sensitivity to pancreatic deoxyribonuclease (DNase I; EC 3.1.21.1.) of the
      legumin genes in cotyledon nuclei was greater than that in leaf nuclei; this
      increase in sensitivity correlated with transcriptional activity of the genes. No
      DNase-I-hypersensitive sites were detected in these genes in either tissue. 

PMID- 24227335
TI  - Calcium binding by spinach stromal proteins.
AB  - Calcium binding to spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) stromal proteins was examined
      by dual-wavelength spectrophotometry using the metallochromic indicator
      tetramethylmurexide. The data are consistent with the existence of at least two,
      probably independent, classes of binding sites. The total number of binding sites
      varied between 90-155 nmol.mg(-1) protein with "average" binding constants of 1.1
      2.7.mM(-1). Both Mg(2+) and La(3+) inhibited calcium binding competitively, with
      "average" inhibitor constants of 0.26.mM(-1) and 39.4.mM(-1), respectively; an
      increase in the potassium concentration up to 50 mM had no effect. In a typical
      experiment a decrease in pH (7.8 to 7.1) resulted in a decrease in the total
      number of calcium binding sites from 90 to 59 nmol.mg(-1) protein, but in an
      increase of the "average" affinity from 2.7 to 4.5.mM(-1). Calculations, using
      these data and those of Gross and Hess (1974, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 339, 334
      346) for binding site I of washed thylakoid membranes, showed that the free
      Ca(2+) concentration in the stroma under dark conditions, pH 7.1, is higher than
      under light conditions, pH 7.8. The physiological relevance of the observed
      calcium binding by stromal proteins is discussed. 

PMID- 24227336
TI  - Wall relaxation in growing stems: comparison of four species and assessment of
      measurement techniques.
AB  - This study was carried out to develop improved methods for measuring in-vivo
      stress relaxation of growing tissues and to compare relaxation in the stems of
      four different species. When water uptake by growing tissue is prevented, in-vivo
      stress relaxation occurs because continued wall loosening reduces wall stress and
      cell turgor pressure. With this procedure one may measure the yield threshold for
      growth (Y), the turgor pressure in excess of the yield threshold (P-Y), and the
      physiological wall extensibility (phi). Three relaxation techniques proved
      useful: "turgor-relaxation", "balance-pressure" and "pressure-block". In the
      turgor-relaxation method, water is withheld from growing tissue and the reduction
      in turgor is measured directly with the pressure probe. This technique give
      absolute values for P and Y, but requires tissue excision. In the balance
      pressure technique, the excised growing region is sealed in a pressure chamber,
      and the subsequent reduction in water potential is measured as the applied
      pressure needed to return xylem sap to the cut surface. This method is simple,
      but only measures (P-Y) not the individual values of P and Y. In the pressure
      block technique, the growing tissue is sealed into a pressure chamber, growth is
      monitored continuously, and just sufficient pressure is applied to the chamber to
      block growth. The method gives high-resolution kinetics of relaxation and does
      not require tissue excision, but only measures (P-Y).The three methods gave
      similar results when applied to the growing stems of pea (Pisum sativum L.),
      cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and zucchini
      (Curcubita pepo L.) seedlings. Values for (P-Y) averaged between 1.4 and 2.7 bar,
      depending on species. Yield thresholds averaged between 1.3 and 3.0 bar. Compared
      with the other methods, relaxation by pressure-block was faster and exhibited
      dynamic changes in wall-yielding properties. The two pressure-chamber methods
      were also used to measure the internal water-potential gradient (between the
      xylem and the epidermis) which drives water uptake for growth. For the four
      species it was small, between 0.3 and 0.6 bar, and so did not limit growth
      substantially. 

PMID- 24227337
TI  - Occurrence of phytoalexins and other putative defense-related substances in
      uninfected parsley plants.
AB  - Considerable amounts of the following substances were found in uninfected parsley
      (Petroselinum crispum) cotyledons: furanocoumarins, the putative phytoalexins of
      this and some related plant species, two enzymes of the furanocoumarin pathway (S
      adenosyl-L-methionine: xanthotoxol and S-adenosyl-L-methionine: bergaptol O
      methyltransferases), two hydrolytic enzymes (1,3-beta-glucanase, EC 3.2.1.39, and
      chitinase, EC 3.2.1.14), and 'pathogenesis-related' proteins. The furanocoumarins
      and the methyltransferase activities reached their highest levels at the onset of
      cotyledon senescence as the hydrolytic enzymes increased from low to relatively
      high activity values. The relative amounts of pathogenesis-related proteins 1 and
      2, as well as the corresponding mRNAs, also increased markedly. Two enzymes of
      general phenylpropanoid metabolism, L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and 4
      coumarate: CoA ligase, decreased in activity in a biphasic fashion during
      cotyledon development. At all developmental stages, the levels of these putative
      defense-related agents in total cotyledon extracts were too high to enable
      detection of, possibly, additional changes upon infection with zoospores of
      Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea, a fungal pathogen to which parsley shows
      a non-host, hypersensitive resistance response. 

PMID- 24227339
TI  - Crop management impacts the efficiency of quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection
      and use: case study of fruit load*QTL interactions.
AB  - Mapping studies using populations with introgressed marker-defined genomic
      regions are continuously increasing knowledge about quantitative trait loci (QTL)
      that correlate with variation in important crop traits. This knowledge is useful
      for plant breeding, although combining desired traits in one genotype might be
      complicated by the mode of inheritance and co-localization of QTL with
      antagonistic effects, and by physiological trade-offs, and feed-back or feed
      forward mechanisms. Therefore, integrating advances at the genetic level with
      insight into influences of environment and crop management on crop performance
      remains difficult. Whereas mapping studies can pinpoint correlations between QTL
      and phenotypic traits for specific conditions, ignoring or overlooking the
      importance of environment or crop management can jeopardize the relevance of such
      assessments. Here, we focus on fruit load (a measure determining competition
      among fruits on one plant) and its strong modulation of QTL effects on fruit size
      and composition. Following an integral approach, we show which fruit traits are
      affected by fruit load, to which underlying processes these traits can be linked,
      and which processes at lower and higher integration levels are affected by fruit
      load (and subsequently influence fruit traits). This opinion paper (i) argues
      that a mechanistic framework to interpret interactions between fruit load and QTL
      effects is needed, (ii) pleads for consideration of the context of agronomic
      management when detecting QTL, (iii) makes a case for incorporating interacting
      factors in the experimental set-up of QTL mapping studies, and (iv) provides
      recommendations to improve efficiency in QTL detection and use, with particular
      focus on model-based marker-assisted breeding. 

PMID- 24227338
TI  - A chloroplast-targeted DnaJ protein contributes to maintenance of photosystem II
      under chilling stress.
AB  - DnaJ proteins act as essential molecular chaperones in protein homeostasis and
      protein complex stabilization under stress conditions. The roles of a tomato
      (Lycopersicon esculentum) chloroplast-targeted DnaJ protein (LeCDJ1), whose
      expression was upregulated by treatment at 4 and 42  degrees C, and with high
      light, NaCl, polyethylene glycol, and H2O2, were investigated here using sense
      and antisense transgenic tomatoes. The sense plants exhibited not only higher
      chlorophyll content, fresh weight and net photosynthetic rate, but also lower
      accumulation of reactive oxygen species and membrane damage under chilling
      stress. Moreover, the maximal photochemistry efficiency of photosystem II (PSII)
      (F v/F m) and D1 protein content were higher in the sense plants and lower in the
      antisense plants, and the photoinhibitory quenching was lower in the sense plants
      and higher in the antisense plants, suggesting that the inhibition of PSII was
      less severe in the sense plants and more severe in the antisense plants compared
      with the wild type. Furthermore, the PSII protein complexes were also more stable
      in the sense plants. Interestingly, the sense plants treated with streptomycin
      (SM), an inhibitor of organellar translation, still showed higher F v/F m, D1
      protein content and PSII stability than the SM-untreated antisense plants. This
      finding suggested that the protective effect of LeCDJ1 on PSII was, at least
      partially, independent of D1 protein synthesis. Furthermore, chloroplast heat
      shock protein 70 was identified as the partner of LeCDJ1. These results indicate
      that LeCDJ1 has essential functions in maintaining PSII under chilling stress. 

PMID- 24227341
TI  - Distance-dependent quenching of Nile Blue fluorescence byN,N-diethylaniline
      observed by frequency-domain fluorometry.
AB  - Fluorescence quenching of Nile Blue by amines is thought to be due to electron
      transfer to the excited dye molecule from the amine electron donor. We used
      electron transfer quenching of Nile blue byN,N-diethylaniline in propylene glycol
      as a model system for an interaction which depends exponentially on distance. We
      investigated the time dependence of the presumed distance-dependent process using
      gigahertz harmonic-content frequency-domain fluorometry. The frequency-domain
      data and the steady-state quantum yield were analyzed globally based on either
      the Smoluchowski-Collins-Kimball radiation boundary condition (RBC) model or the
      distancedependent quenching (DDQ) model, in which the rate of quenching depends
      exponentially on the flourophore-quencher distance. We performed a global
      analysis which included both the frequencydomain time-resolved decays and the
      steady-state intensities. The latter were found to be particularly sensitive to
      the model and parameter values. The data cannot be satisfactorily analyzed using
      the RBC model for quenching. The analysis shows the excellent agreement of the
      DDQ model with the experimental data, supporting the applicability of the DDQ
      model to describe the quenching by the electron transfer process, which depends
      exponentially on the donor-acceptor distance. 

PMID- 24227340
TI  - Directed evolution of 2G12-targeted nonamannose glycoclusters by SELMA.

PMID- 24227342
TI  - Invariance of activity coefficients for the hydrogen ion with charge-type of
      fluorescent indicators in aqueous-methanol solutions.
AB  - Steady-state fluorimetric pH titrations of three fluorescent indicators of
      differing charge-type were carried out in aqueous methanol solutions containing
      up to 64 mol% methanol. The plot of the ratio of the relative fluorescence
      efficiency of the indicator acid to that of its conjugate base versus the product
      of the formal hydrogen ion concentration and the appropriate Bronsted kinetic
      activity factor gives straight lines for titrations in each mixed solvent, just
      as it does in water, but only if the constant terms in the Bronsted factor are
      modified to account for the bulk dielectric constant in each solvent. The product
      of the formal charges on the proton and the particular conjugate base studied in
      each titration must also be included in the Bronsted factor. This supports the
      hypothesis that a valid operational pH can be defined and kinetic parameters
      related to proton transfer can be extracted from the fluorimetric titrations in
      mixed solvents. 

PMID- 24227343
TI  - Dynamics ofLens culinaris agglutinin studied by red-edge excitation spectra and
      anisotropy measurements of 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene-6-sulfonate (TNS) and of
      tryptophan residues.
AB  - The fluorescence of 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene-6-sulfonate bound toLens culinaris
      agglutinin and of the Trp residues of the protein was investigated. Red-edge
      excitation spectra and steady-state anisotropy as a function of temperature
      indicate that the TNS is bound rigidly. Red-edge excitation spectra, steady-state
      anisotropy as a function of sucrose and anisotropy decay experiments performed on
      Trp residues fluorescence prove that the internal fluorophore presents residual
      motion independent of the global rotation of the protein. Fluorescence anisotropy
      decay allows to calculate the rotational correlation time (351 ps) of this local
      motion. Quenching resolved emission anisotropy with iodide gives values equal to
      0.257 and 0.112 for the anisotropies of the buried and the surface Trp residues,
      respectively. This result indicates that the Trp residues present at the surface
      of the protein have important local motions compared to those embedded in the
      protein matrix. The results obtained from TNS and Trp residues indicate that the
      agglutinin has different dynamic domains. 

PMID- 24227344
TI  - Spectroscopic and photophysical investigations on the nature of localization of
      rhodamine-123 and its dibromo derivative in different cell lines.
AB  - Steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic properties of rhodamine-123 (rh123)
      and 4,5-dibromorhodamine methyl ester (dbr123) bound to different cell lines are
      evaluated. Studies are also performed on the dye bound to extracted mitochondria.
      Results are compared with those obtained in homogeneous and microheterogeneous
      media. Results suggest that these dyes can specifically bind only with cell
      mitochondria. As a result of binding, excitation and emission spectra are red
      shifted by 10 to 12 nm. The fluorescence decay of these dyes bound to
      mitochondria shows two lifetimes. Values are about 4.0 and 2.0 ns forrh123 and
      about 1.9 and 0.5 ns fordbr123. Detailed global analysis of emission wavelength
      and dye concentration dependences of the fluorescence decay is performed. Results
      indicate that these dyes are bound to two different binding sites at
      mitochondria. The decay-associated fluorescence spectrum for the species
      corresponding to each binding site is recovered. Species1, corresponding to the
      longer lifetime, is found to be more red shifted compared to species2. The
      fluorescence of species2 is heavily quenched. The origin of this quenching is
      explained in terms of resonance energy transfer between donor species2 and
      acceptor species1. The possible nature of the two binding sites is also
      discussed. 

PMID- 24227345
TI  - Fluorescence evidence for cholesterol regular distribution in phosphatidylcholine
      and in sphingomyelin lipid bilayers.
AB  - Our previous studies indicated that sterols (including cholesterol and
      dehydroergosterol) can be regularly distributed into hexagonal superlattices in
      the plane of liquid-crystalline phosphatidylcholine bilayers. It was suggested
      that regular and irregular regions coexist in the membrane. In the present study,
      we report supporting evidence for our sterol regular distribution model. We have
      examined the fractional concentration dependencies of dehydroergosterol (a
      naturally occurring cholesterol analogue) fluorescence intensity and lifetime in
      various phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin bilayers. Fluorescence intensity
      and lifetime dips have been observed at specific sterol mole fractions. At those
      mole fractions, the acrylamide quenching rate constant of dehydroergosterol
      fluorescence reaches a local maximum. Those mole fractions match the critical
      sterol mole fractions at which sterol molecules are expected to be regularly
      distributed into hexagonal superlattices. The results support the idea that the
      sterols in the regular region are embedded in the bilayer less deep than those in
      the irregular regions. We have also examined the fractional cholesterol
      concentration dependencies of diphenylhexatriene (DPH) fluorescence intensity,
      lifetime, and polarization in DMPC vesicles. DPH fluorescence intensity and
      polarization also exhibit distinct dips and peaks, respectively, at critical
      sterol mole fractions for hexagonal superlattices. However, DPH lifetime changes
      little with sterol mole fraction. As a comparison, the fluorescence properties of
      DHE and DPH behave differently in response to the formation of sterol regular
      distribution. Furthermore, finding evidence for sterol regular distribution in
      both phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin membranes raises the possibility that
      sterol regular distribution may occur within phospholipid/cholesterol enriched
      domains of real biological membranes. 

PMID- 24227346
TI  - Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the fluorescence of indole derivatives.
AB  - Effects of hydrostatic pressure on the fluorescence emission of L-tryptophan, N
      acetyl-L-trytophanamide and indole were investigated. An increase in pressure
      ranging from 1 bar to 2.4 kbar results in reversible red-shifts of the emission
      of the three fluorophores. The pressure-induced redshift amounts to about 170 cm(
      1) at 2.4 kbar, and appears related to changes in Stokes shift of the
      fluorophores caused by pressure effects on the dielectric constant and/or
      refractive index of the medium. As the pressure range investigated here is the
      range commonly used in studies of protein subunit association and/or folding,
      these observations raise the need for caution in interpreting pressure-induced
      spectral shifts. The significance of these observations to pressure studies of
      proteins is illustrated by investigation of pressure effects on human Cu,Zn
      Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and azurin fromPseudomonas aeruginosa. A reversible
      170 cm(-1) red-shift of the emission of SOD was observed upon pressurization to
      2.4 kbar. This might be interpreted as pressure-induced conformational changes of
      the protein. However, further studies using SOD that had been fully unfolded by
      guanidine hydrochloride, and fluorescence anisotropy measurements indicated that
      the observed red-shift was likely due to a direct effect of pressure on the
      fluorescence of the single tryptophan residue of SOD. Similar pressure-induced
      red-shifts were also observed for the buried tryptophan residue of azurin or for
      azurin that had been previously denatured by guanidine hydrochloride. These
      observations further suggest that the effective dielectric constant of the
      protein matrix is affected by pressure similarly to water. 

PMID- 24227347
TI  - Cation-sensitive fluorescence of anionic polymers bearing naphtho-18-crown-6
      units.
AB  - Changes in the fluorescence intensity of anionic polymers bearing naphtho-18
      crown-6 moieties on addition of cations were studied in water at 30  degrees C.
      On addition of alkali metal cations, the fluorescence intensity of the polymers
      decreased sharply for Tl(+) less for Cs(+) and little for Li(+), K(+) and Rb(+).
      On addition of alkaline earth metal cations, Ba(2+) caused the strongest decrease
      of the fluorescence intensity of the polymers. The decrease of the fluorescence
      intensity of the polymers was suggested to be caused by the external heavy-atom
      effect of the cations bound to the cavity of the crowned naphthalene moiety. The
      content of the crowned naphthalene units in the polymers affected the cation
      dependent fluorescence change. The fluorescence change of the polymers based on
      the cation complexation competition was also studied. 

PMID- 24227348
TI  - Polarized emission from a rhenium metal-ligand complex.
AB  - We report the first observation of polarized emission from a rhenium
      phenanthroline complex, Re(CO)3(phen)Cl. Highly luminescent rhenium complexes are
      known, with quantum yields near 0.5 and lifetimes in excess of 10 MUs. The
      detection of polarized emission suggests the use of rhenium complexes as probes
      of the hydrodynamics of large macromolecular complexes and for use in
      fluorescence polarization immunoassays with gated detection. 

PMID- 24227349
TI  - The effect of cooking on the phytochemical content of vegetables.
AB  - Cooking induces many chemical and physical modifications in foods; among these
      the phytochemical content can change. Many authors have studied variations in
      vegetable nutrients after cooking, and great variability in the data has been
      reported. In this review more than 100 articles from indexed scientific journals
      were considered in order to assess the effect of cooking on different
      phytochemical classes. Changes in phytochemicals upon cooking may result from two
      opposite phenomena: (1) thermal degradation, which reduces their concentration,
      and (2) a matrix softening effect, which increases the extractability of
      phytochemicals, resulting in a higher concentration with respect to the raw
      material. The final effect of cooking on phytochemical concentration depends on
      the processing parameters, the structure of food matrix, and the chemical nature
      of the specific compound. Looking at the different cooking procedures it can be
      concluded that steaming will ensure better preservation/extraction yield of
      phenols and glucosinolates than do other cooking methods: steamed tissues are not
      in direct contact with the cooking material (water or oil) so leaching of soluble
      compounds into water is minimised and, at the same time, thermal degradation is
      limited. Carotenoids showed a different behaviour; a positive effect on
      extraction and the solubilisation of carotenes were reported after severe
      processing.

PMID- 24227350
TI  - Surgical aphorisms.

PMID- 24227351
TI  - Psychological insight for surgeons.

PMID- 24227352
TI  - Communication in the operating theatre.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Communication is extremely important to ensure safe and effective
      clinical practice. A systematic literature review of observational studies
      addressing communication in the operating theatre was conducted. The focus was on
      observational studies alone in order to gain an understanding of actual
      communication practices, rather than what was reported through recollections and
      interviews. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature for accessible
      published and grey literature was performed in July 2012. The following
      information was extracted: year, country, objectives, methods, study design,
      sample size, healthcare professional focus and main findings. Quality appraisal
      was conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. A meta-ethnographic
      approach was used to categorize further the main findings under key concepts.
      RESULTS: Some 1174 citations were retrieved through an electronic database
      search, reference lists and known literature. Of these, 26 were included for
      review after application of full-text inclusion and exclusion criteria. The
      overall quality of the studies was rated as average to good, with 77 per cent of
      the methodological quality assessment criteria being met. Six key concepts were
      identified: signs of effective communication, signs of communication problems,
      effects on teamwork, conditions for communication, effects on patient safety and
      understanding collaborative work. CONCLUSION: Communication was shown to affect
      operating theatre practices in all of the studies reviewed. Further detailed
      observational research is needed to gain a better understanding of how to improve
      the working environment and patient safety in theatre.

PMID- 24227353
TI  - Meta-analysis of ischaemic preconditioning for liver resections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular clamping reduces blood loss during liver resection but leads
      to ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Ischaemic preconditioning (IP) may reduce this.
      This study aimed to evaluate IP in liver resection under clamping. METHODS: This
      was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs)
      evaluating IP in adults undergoing liver resection under either continuous
      clamping (CC) or intermittent clamping (IC). Primary outcomes were mortality,
      liver failure and morbidity. Secondary outcomes included duration of operation,
      blood loss, length of hospital stay, length of intensive therapy unit stay,
      transfusion requirements, prothrombin time, and bilirubin and aminotransferase
      levels. Weighted mean differences were calculated for continuous data, and pooled
      odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous data. Results were produced with a random
      effects model with 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.). RESULTS: A total of
      2960 records were identified and 11 RCTs included 669 patients (IP 331, control
      338). No significant difference in mortality (6 RCTs; IP 186, control 190; OR
      1.36, 95 per cent c.i. 0.13 to 13.68; P = 0.80) or morbidity (6 RCTs; IP 186,
      control 190; OR 0.58, 0.31 to 1.07; P = 0.08) was found for IP plus CC versus CC.
      Nor was there a significant difference in mortality (4 RCTs; IP 122, control 121;
      OR 1.33, 0.24 to 7.32; P = 0.74) or morbidity (4 RCTs; IP 122, control 121; OR
      0.87, 0.52 to 1.47; P = 0.61) for IP plus (CC or IC) versus IC. No significant
      differences were found for secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSION: This meta
      analysis failed to find a significant benefit of IP in liver resection.

PMID- 24227354
TI  - Systematic review and meta-analysis of oesophageal Doppler-guided fluid
      management in colorectal surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oesophageal Doppler monitor (ODM)-guided fluid therapy has been
      recommended for routine use in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. However,
      recent trials have suggested either equivalent or inferior results for patients
      randomized to ODM-guided fluid management, especially when compared with fluid
      restriction or within the context of optimized perioperative care. Hence, an
      updated systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. METHODS: A systematic
      review and meta-analysis was conducted of all randomized trials exploring ODM
      guided fluid management in major colorectal surgery with the endpoints total
      complications and length of hospital stay (LOS). Subset analyses were planned a
      priori specifically to investigate the role of the ODM in the context of fluid
      restriction or optimized perioperative care. RESULTS: Six high-quality trials
      comprising a total of 691 patients were included in the final analysis. ODM
      guided fluid therapy did not influence the incidence of complications (odds ratio
      0.74, 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0.50 to 1.11; P = 0.15), with
      moderate heterogeneity in the results (I(2)  = 33 per cent; P = 0.19). There was
      no difference in mean LOS between patients receiving ODM-guided fluid therapy and
      controls: mean difference -0.88 (95 per cent c.i. -2.89 to 1.13) days (P = 0.39).
      There was no difference in complications or LOS when ODM-guided fluid therapy was
      compared with fluid restriction or used within an otherwise optimized
      perioperative environment. CONCLUSION: ODM-guided fluid therapy did not influence
      LOS or complications in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Results favouring
      the ODM were seen only in early studies, whereas newer trials did not show any
      benefit from such monitoring.

PMID- 24227355
TI  - Systematic review and meta-analysis of single-incision versus conventional
      multiport appendicectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare
      clinical outcomes following single-incision laparoscopic appendicectomy (SILA)
      and conventional multiport laparoscopic appendicectomy (CLA) for the treatment of
      acute appendicitis. METHODS: An electronic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of
      Science and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Publications were included
      if they were clinical trials randomizing patients with appendicitis to SILA or
      CLA. Outcome measures evaluated included operating time, length of hospital stay,
      total postoperative complications, and, specifically, wound infection, intra
      abdominal collection and ileus. Weighted mean difference was calculated for the
      effect size of SILA on continuous variables, and pooled odds ratios were
      calculated for discrete variables. RESULTS: The literature search identified
      seven randomized clinical trials that met the inclusion criteria for meta
      analysis. In total, 1108 appendicectomies were included, 555 SILA and 553 CLA
      procedures. There were no significant differences between the groups in the
      incidence of total postoperative complications, wound infection, intra-abdominal
      collection, ileus or length of hospital stay. However, SILA was associated with a
      significantly longer operating time compared with CLA (weighted mean difference
      6.96 (95 per cent confidence interval 3.79 to 10.12) min; P < 0.001). Insertion
      of an additional port was required in 7.6 per cent of patients undergoing SILA.
      CONCLUSION: SILA is a safe procedure for the treatment of acute appendicitis,
      with comparable clinical outcome to CLA when undertaken by experienced
      laparoscopic surgeons.

PMID- 24227356
TI  - Systematic review of the impact of registration and screening on colorectal
      cancer incidence and mortality in familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch
      syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The British Society of Gastroenterology recommends that all familial
      adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome (LS) families are screened in the
      context of a registry. This systematic review was performed to appraise the
      published evidence for registration and screening in relation to colorectal
      cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. METHODS: Five electronic databases were
      searched using a combination of medical subject heading terms and free-text
      keywords. Titles and abstracts were scrutinized by two independent reviewers.
      Inclusion criteria were English-language studies describing CRC incidence and/or
      mortality in patients with FAP or LS, with comparison of either: screened and
      unscreened patients, or time periods before and after establishment of the
      registry. RESULTS: Of 4668 abstracts identified, 185 full-text articles were
      selected; 43 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. No randomized clinical
      trial evidence was identified. For FAP, 33 of 33 studies described a significant
      reduction of CRC incidence and mortality with registration and screening. For LS,
      nine of ten studies described a reduction of CRC incidence and mortality with
      registration and screening. Five studies (FAP, 2; LS, 3) provided evidence for
      complete prevention of CRC-related deaths during surveillance. Clinical and
      statistical heterogeneity prevented pooling of data for meta-analysis.
      CONCLUSION: Studies consistently report that registration and screening result in
      a reduction of CRC incidence and mortality in patients with FAP and LS (level 2a
      evidence, grade B recommendation). Funding and managerial support for hereditary
      CRC registries should be made available.

PMID- 24227357
TI  - Randomized clinical trial of intraoperative superficial cervical plexus block
      versus incisional local anaesthesia in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Moderate wound pain and opiate analgesia requirement is reported
      following thyroid and parathyroid surgery. A randomized clinical trial was
      performed to investigate whether intraoperative superficial cervical plexus block
      (SCPB) would decrease postoperative pain and analgesia use. METHODS: Patients
      were randomized to incisional local anaesthesia (control) or incisional local
      anaesthesia plus intraoperative SCPB. The primary outcome measure was pain,
      assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures were
      analgesia use (strong opiates defined as having potency at least as strong as
      that of oral morphine), respiratory rate and sedation score. Primary outcome
      measures were analysed with non-parametric tests, as well as with receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) curves calculated as area under the curve (AUC) to
      discriminate between trial limbs. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were randomized
      to each group. Pain (VAS) scores were lower in patients who received
      intraoperative SCPB than in controls 30 min after surgery and subsequently (P <
      0.020 at all time points), with a median pain score of zero on the day of
      operation in the SCPB group. Corresponding analysis of ROC curves showed
      differences between groups at 30 min (AUC = 0.722, P = 0.012), 90 min (AUC =
      0.747, P = 0.005), 150 min (AUC = 0.803, P < 0.001) and 210 min (AUC = 0.849, P <
      0.001) after surgery, and at 07.00 hours on postoperative day 1 (AUC = 0.710, P =
      0.017). Fewer patients in the SCPB group required strong opiates (5 of 29 versus
      16 of 29 in the control group; P = 0.003) and rescue opiates (6 of 29 versus 20
      of 29; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative SCPB reduces pain scores following
      thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and reduces the requirement for strong and
      rescue opiates. REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2009-012671-98
      (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu).

PMID- 24227358
TI  - Randomized clinical trial of fluid and salt restriction compared with a
      controlled liberal regimen in elective gastrointestinal surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Excessive intravenous fluid prescription may play a causal role in
      postoperative complications following major gastrointestinal resectional surgery.
      The aim of this study was to investigate whether fluid and salt restriction would
      decrease postoperative complications compared with a more modern controlled
      liberal regimen. METHODS: In this observer-blinded single-site randomized
      clinical trial consecutive patients undergoing major gastrointestinal resectional
      surgery were randomized to receive either a liberal control fluid regimen or a
      restricted fluid and salt regimen. The primary outcome was postoperative
      complications of grade II and above (moderate to severe). RESULTS: Some 240
      patients (194 colorectal resections and 46 oesophagogastric resections) were
      enrolled in the study; 121 patients were randomized to the restricted regimen and
      119 to the control (liberal) regimen. During surgery the control group received a
      median (interquartile range) fluid volume of 2033 (1576-2500) ml and sodium input
      of 282 (213-339) mmol, compared with 1000 (690-1500) ml and 142 (93-218) mmol
      respectively in the restricted group. There was no significant difference in
      major complication rate between groups (38.0 and 39.0 per cent respectively).
      Median (range) hospital stay was 8 (3-101) days in the controls and 8 (range 3
      76) days among those who received restricted fluids. There were four in-hospital
      deaths in the control group and two in the restricted group. Substantial
      differences in weight change, serum sodium, osmolality and urine : serum
      osmolality ratio were observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: There were no
      significant differences in major complication rates, length of stay and in
      hospital deaths when fluid restriction was used compared with a more liberal
      regimen. REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN39295230 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).

PMID- 24227359
TI  - Randomized clinical trial of fluid and salt restriction compared with a
      controlled liberal regimen in elective gastrointestinal surgery (Br J Surg 2013;
      100: 1739-1746).

PMID- 24227360
TI  - Surgical complications and their implications for surgeons' well-being.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals can be seriously affected when they are
      involved in major clinical incidents. The impact of such incidents on staff is of
      particular relevance to surgery, as the operating room is one of the highest-risk
      areas for serious complications. This qualitative study aimed to assess the
      personal and professional impact of surgical complications on surgeons. METHODS:
      This single time point study involved semistructured, individual interviews with
      general and vascular surgeons, consultants and senior registrars from two
      National Health Service organizations in London, UK. RESULTS: Twenty-seven
      surgeons participated. Many were seriously affected by major surgical
      complications. Surgeons' practice was also often affected, not always in the best
      interest of their patients. The surgeons' reactions depended on the
      preventability of the complications, their personality and experience, patient
      outcomes and patients' reactions, as well as colleagues' reactions and the
      culture of the institution. Discussing complications, deconstructing the
      incidents and rationalizing were the most commonly quoted coping mechanisms.
      Institutional support was generally described as inadequate, and the participants
      often reported the existence of strong institutional blame cultures. Suggestions
      for supporting surgeons in managing the personal impact of complications included
      better mentoring, teamwork approaches, blame-free opportunities for the
      discussion of complications, and structures aimed at the human aspects of
      complications. CONCLUSION: Those involved in the management of surgical services
      need to consider how to improve support for surgeons in the aftermath of major
      surgical incidents.

PMID- 24227361
TI  - Nomogram for predicting invasion in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of
      ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for invasive
      breast cancer in patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on a
      preoperative biopsy. These factors were used to develop a nomogram for predicting
      the risk of invasion in the preoperative setting. METHODS: This was a
      retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical treatment for DCIS
      diagnosed before surgery between 1997 and 2009. Multivariable analysis was used
      to identify clinical, radiological and histopathological factors that may predict
      upstaging. A nomogram was developed to predict the probability of invasion using
      multiple logistic regression analysis. This nomogram was subsequently validated
      using another cohort of patients with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS between
      2010 and 2012. RESULTS: Upstaging to invasive cancer occurred in 123 (24.9 per
      cent) of 493 women treated between 1997 and 2009. A larger DCIS lesion (at least
      15 mm), lack of hormone receptor expression, intermediate or high nuclear grade,
      diagnosis on core biopsy compared with vacuum-assisted biopsy, and non-cribriform
      subtype of DCIS were significantly associated with upstaging. A nomogram
      developed using these factors demonstrated good predictive performance (area
      under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) 0.823, 95 per cent
      confidence interval 0.787 to 0.860). The nomogram showed similar predictive
      performance in the validation data set, based on another 149 women (AUC 0.700,
      0.613 to 0.786). CONCLUSION: Upstaging to invasive cancer in women with a
      preoperative diagnosis of DCIS is common. A nomogram based on the five most
      significant factors related to upstaging accurately predicted invasive cancer.
      This nomogram may be useful when deciding whether to pursue axillary staging with
      sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with DCIS.

PMID- 24227362
TI  - Vascular reconstruction combined with liver resection for malignant tumours.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The resectability criteria for malignant liver tumours have expanded
      during the past two decades. The use of vascular reconstruction after hepatectomy
      has been integral in this process. However, the majority of reports are
      anecdotal. This is a retrospective analysis of the techniques, morbidity,
      mortality and risk factors of liver resections with vascular reconstruction based
      on a large series from a single centre. METHODS: Patients who underwent hepatic
      resection combined with vascular resection and reconstruction between 1997 and
      2009 were included in this study. Indications for surgery, morbidity and 90-day
      mortality are reported along with factors predictive of operative mortality.
      RESULTS: Eighty-four patients had liver resection with 97 vascular resections and
      reconstruction. There were 44 men and 40 women with a mean(s.d.) age of
      56.9(12.1) years. Mean(s.d.) follow-up was 37.3(34.1) months. All patients had
      primary or metastatic liver tumours. The perioperative morbidity rate was 62 per
      cent (52 patients) and the operative mortality rate 14 per cent (12). Predictors
      of operative mortality were: bilirubin level exceeding 34 umol/ml (P = 0.023),
      indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min over 10 per cent (P = 0.031), duration
      of ischaemia (P = 0.011), amount of blood transfused (P = 0.025) and combined
      major extrahepatic procedure (P = 0.042). Actuarial 3- and 5-year survival rates
      were 44 and 26 per cent respectively. CONCLUSION: Liver resection with combined
      vascular resection and reconstruction can be performed in selected patients with
      acceptable morbidity and mortality. The lack of therapeutic alternatives and the
      poor outcome of non-operative management seem to justify this approach. The
      identification of risk factors should help improve patient selection and
      postoperative outcome as well as facilitate objective risk communication with
      surgical candidates.

PMID- 24227363
TI  - Vascular reconstruction combined with liver resection for malignant tumours (Br J
      Surg 2013; 100: 1764-1775).

PMID- 24227364
TI  - Portal vein embolization improves rate of resection of extensive colorectal liver
      metastases without worsening survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most patients requiring an extended right hepatectomy (ERH) have an
      inadequate standardized future liver remnant (sFLR) and need preoperative portal
      vein embolization (PVE). However, the clinical and oncological impact of PVE in
      such patients remains unclear. METHODS: All consecutive patients presenting at
      the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) requiring
      ERH at presentation from 1995 to 2012 were studied. Surgical and oncological
      outcomes were compared between patients with adequate and inadequate sFLRs at
      presentation. RESULTS: Of the 265 patients requiring ERH, 126 (47.5 per cent) had
      an adequate sFLR at presentation, of whom 123 underwent a curative resection. Of
      the 139 patients (52.5 per cent) who had an inadequate sFLR and underwent PVE, 87
      (62.6 per cent) had a curative resection. Thus, the curative resection rate was
      increased from 46.4 per cent (123 of 265) at baseline to 79.2 per cent (210 of
      265) following PVE. Among patients who underwent ERH, major complication and 90
      day mortality rates were similar in the no-PVE and PVE groups (22.0 and 4.1 per
      cent versus 31 and 7 per cent respectively); overall and disease-free survival
      rates were also similar in these two groups. Of patients with an inadequate sFLR
      at presentation, those who underwent ERH had a significantly better median
      overall survival (50.2 months) than patients who had non-curative surgery (21.3
      months) or did not undergo surgery (24.7 months) (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: PVE
      enabled curative resection in two-thirds of patients with CLM who had an
      inadequate sFLR and were unable to tolerate ERH at presentation. Patients who
      underwent curative resection after PVE had overall and disease-free survival
      rates equivalent to those of patients who did not need PVE.

PMID- 24227365
TI  - Postoperative adverse outcomes after non-hepatic surgery in patients with liver
      cirrhosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative adverse outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis are
      not completely understood. This study evaluated the association between liver
      cirrhosis and adverse outcomes after non-hepatic surgery. METHODS: Reimbursement
      claims were used to identify patients with preoperative liver cirrhosis who
      underwent non-hepatic surgery from 2004 to 2007. Control patients without
      cirrhosis were matched by age, sex, type of surgery and anaesthesia. The adjusted
      odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.) of postoperative
      adverse events associated with liver cirrhosis were analysed by multivariable
      logistic regression. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality rates among 24 282 patients
      with cirrhosis and 97 128 control patients were 1.2 per cent (299 deaths) and 0.7
      per cent (635 deaths) respectively. Liver cirrhosis was associated with
      postoperative 30-day mortality (OR 1.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.63 to 2.16), acute
      renal failure (OR 1.52, 1.34 to 1.74), septicaemia (OR 1.42, 1.33 to 1.51) and
      intensive care unit admission (OR 1.39, 1.33 to 1.45). Postoperative mortality
      increased in patients who had liver cirrhosis with viral hepatitis (OR 2.87, 1.55
      to 5.30), alcohol dependence syndrome (OR 3.74, 2.64 to 5.31), jaundice (OR 5.47,
      3.77 to 7.93), ascites (OR 5.85, 4.62 to 7.41), gastrointestinal haemorrhage (OR
      3.01, 2.33 to 3.90) and hepatic coma (OR 5.11, 3.79 to 6.87). CONCLUSION:
      Patients with liver cirrhosis had increased mortality and complications after non
      hepatic surgery, particularly those with cirrhosis-related clinical indicators.

PMID- 24227366
TI  - Value of peritoneal cytology in potentially resectable pancreatic cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peritoneal lavage cytology (CY) is used in the diagnosis and staging
      of various cancers. The clinical significance of positive cytology results in
      patients with pancreatic cancer is yet to be determined. METHODS: Peritoneal
      washing samples were collected from consecutive patients with pancreatic cancer
      between July 1991 and December 2012. The correlations between cytology results,
      clinicopathological parameters and recurrence patterns were evaluated. The
      prognostic impact of CY status, regarding resectability and the effectiveness of
      adjuvant chemotherapy, were analysed. RESULTS: Of 523 included patients, 390
      underwent resection. Patients with tumours at least 2 cm in diameter were more
      likely to have CY+ status than patients with tumours smaller than 2 cm (48 of 312
      versus 3 of 78 respectively; P = 0.005) and there was a significant correlation
      between CY+ status and tumour invasion of the anterior pancreatic capsule (43 of
      276 versus 8 of 113 with no invasion of the capsule; P = 0.030). Although the
      overall survival of patients with resected CY+ tumours was worse than that of
      patients with resected CY- tumours, it was significantly better than the survival
      of unresected patients regardless of CY status. Multivariable analysis of all
      patients who had pancreatectomy did not identify CY+ as an independent prognostic
      factor. Patients with CY+ tumours tended to develop peritoneal metastasis more
      often than those with CY- tumours, although not significantly so. The median
      survival time of 34 patients with resected CY+ tumours who received adjuvant
      chemotherapy was better than that of 17 patients who had surgery alone, although
      this was not statistically significant (15.3 versus 10.0 months; P = 0.057).
      CONCLUSION: CY+ status is not clinically equivalent to gross peritoneal
      metastasis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Curative resection is still
      recommended regardless of CY status.

PMID- 24227367
TI  - Altered central pain processing after pancreatic surgery for chronic
      pancreatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal pain is common in chronic pancreatitis (CP) and may
      involve altered central pain processing. This study evaluated the relationship
      between pain processing and pain outcome after pancreatic duct decompression
      and/or pancreatic resection in patients with CP. METHODS: Patients with CP
      underwent quantitative sensory testing. Pain processing was measured via
      electrical pain detection (ePDT) and electrical pain tolerance (ePTT) thresholds
      in dermatomes C5 and L4. Inhibitory descending pain control mechanisms were
      assessed using the conditioned pain modulation (CPM) paradigm. Healthy controls
      and patients with CP were compared, and patients with CP and a poor pain outcome
      (visual analogue scale (VAS) score greater than 30) were compared with those with
      a good pain outcome (VAS score 30 or less). RESULTS: Forty-eight patients with CP
      had lower ePDT, ePTT and CPM responses compared with values in 15 healthy
      controls (P < 0.030). The sum of ePDT values was lower in patients with a poor
      pain outcome than in those with a good outcome (median 7.1 versus 11.2 mA; P =
      0.008). There was a correlation with the VAS score and the sum of ePDT values (rs
      = -0.45, P = 0.016) and ePTT values (rs  = -0.46, P = 0.011), and CPM response
      (rs  = -0.43, P = 0.006) in patients with CP. CONCLUSION: After pain-relieving
      pancreatic surgery, patients with CP exhibit altered central pain processing
      compared with that in healthy controls. Poor pain outcomes are associated with
      more central sensitization and more pronociceptive descending pain modulation,
      and this should be considered when managing persistent pain after pain-relieving
      surgery for CP.

PMID- 24227368
TI  - Local recurrence after stenting for obstructing left-sided colonic cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) may be used in acute
      obstructing left-sided colonic cancers to avoid high-risk emergency surgery.
      However, oncological safety remains uncertain. This study evaluated the long-term
      oncological outcome of SEMS as a bridge to elective curative surgery versus
      emergency resection. METHODS: A consecutive prospective cohort of patients
      admitted with obstructing left-sided colonic cancer between 2006 and 2012 was
      analysed. The decision to stent as a bridge to surgery or to perform emergency
      surgery was made by the on-call consultant colorectal surgeon in conjunction with
      a consultant interventional radiologist; when appropriate, they performed the
      stent procedure together. Primary outcomes were local and distant recurrence, and
      overall survival. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, in
      hospital mortality, proportion of procedures undertaken laparoscopically, and
      anastomosis and stoma rates. RESULTS: In total, 105 patients with obstructing
      left-sided colonic cancer were treated with curative intent; 62 were treated with
      SEMS as a bridge to surgery and 43 had emergency resection. In patients aged 75
      years or less, stenting and delayed surgery was associated with a higher local
      recurrence rate compared with emergency surgery at the end of follow-up (32
      versus 8 per cent; P = 0.038). This did not translate into a significant
      difference in overall survival. CONCLUSION: SEMS was associated with an increased
      local recurrence rate.

PMID- 24227369
TI  - Population-based cohort study comparing 30- and 90-day institutional mortality
      rates after colorectal surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgical mortality results are increasingly being reported and
      published in the public domain as indicators of surgical quality. This study
      examined how mortality outlier status at 90 days after colorectal surgery
      compares with mortality at 30 days and subsequent intervals in the first year
      after surgery. METHODS: All adults undergoing elective and emergency colorectal
      resection between April 2001 and February 2007 in English National Health Service
      (NHS) Trusts were identified from administrative data. Funnel plots of
      postoperative case mix-adjusted institutional mortality rate against caseload
      were created for 30, 90, 180 and 365 days. High- or low-mortality unit status of
      individual Trusts was defined as breaching upper or lower third standard
      deviation confidence limits on the funnel plot for 90-day mortality. RESULTS: A
      total of 171 688 patients from 153 NHS Trusts were included. Some 14 537 (8.5 per
      cent) died within 30 days of surgery, 19 466 (11.3 per cent) within 90 days, 23
      942 (13.9 per cent) within 180 days and 31 782 (18.5 per cent) within 365 days.
      Eight institutions were identified as high-mortality units, including all four
      units with high outlying status at 30 days. Twelve units were low-mortality
      units, of which six were also low outliers at 30 days. Ninety-day mortality
      correlated strongly with later mortality results (rs  = 0.957, P < 0.001 versus
      180-day mortality; rs  = 0.860, P < 0.001 versus 365-day mortality). CONCLUSION:
      Extending mortality reporting to 90 days identifies a greater number of mortality
      outliers when compared with the 30-day death rate. Ninety-day mortality is
      proposed as the preferred indicator of perioperative outcome for local analysis
      and public reporting.

PMID- 24227370
TI  - Risk of infection and sepsis in severely injured patients related to single
      nucleotide polymorphisms in the lectin pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infectious complications remain a serious threat to patients with
      multiple trauma. Susceptibility and response to infection is, in part, heritable.
      The lectin pathway plays a major role in innate immunity. The aim of this study
      was to assess whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in three key genes
      within the lectin pathway affect susceptibility to infectious complications in
      severely injured patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort of severely injured
      patients admitted to a level I trauma centre between January 2008 and April 2011
      were genotyped for SNPs in MBL2 (mannose-binding lectin 2), MASP2 (MBL-associated
      serine protease 2) and FCN2 (ficolin 2). Association of genotype with prevalence
      of positive culture findings and infection was tested by chi(2) and logistic
      regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were included, of whom 112
      (51.1 per cent) developed a positive culture from sputum, wounds, blood or urine.
      A systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) developed in 139 patients (63.5
      per cent), sepsis in 79 (36.1 per cent) and septic shock in 37 (16.9 per cent).
      Patients with a MBL2 exon 1 variant allele were more prone to positive wound
      cultures (odds ratio (OR) 2.51, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.12 to 5.62; P =
      0.025). A MASP2 Y371D DD genotype predisposed to SIRS (OR 4.78, 1.06 to 21.59; P
      = 0.042) and septic shock (OR 2.53, 1.12 to 4.33; P = 0.003). A FCN2 A258S AS
      genotype predisposed to positive wound cultures (OR 3.37, 1.45 to 7.85; P =
      0.005) and septic shock (OR 2.18, 1.30 to 4.78; P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Severely
      injured patients with SNPs in MBL2, MASP2 Y371D and FCN2 A258S of the lectin
      pathway of complement activation are significantly more susceptible to positive
      culture findings, and to infectious complications, SIRS and septic shock than
      patients with a wildtype genotype.

PMID- 24227372
TI  - Outcomes following prosthetic patch repair in newborns with congenital
      diaphragmatic hernia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The anatomical defect in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can
      usually be closed primarily but prosthetic patch repair may be required in
      newborns with a deficient diaphragm. High rates of patch failure and hernia
      recurrence (up to 50 per cent) have been reported. This study evaluated
      contemporary outcomes following patch repair of CDH at a UK paediatric surgical
      centre. METHODS: Medical records of newborns undergoing surgery for CDH between 1
      February 1990 and 1 November 2010, and attending a multidisciplinary follow-up
      clinic, were examined. Operative details and patch utilization are reported.
      RESULTS: Of 118 newborns with CDH, 37 required a patch to the diaphragmatic
      defect. Gore-Tex(r) patches were used in 35 and biological Surgisis(r) patches in
      two. Eight babies additionally required an abdominal wall patch. Seven infants
      had an abdominal patch alone with primary diaphragm repair. A total of 102
      infants (86.4 per cent) survived after surgery. Two early recurrences were both
      related to the use of biological patches, leading to revisional surgery with Gore
      Tex(r) patch reconstruction. Diaphragmatic patch use was associated with a
      greater requirement for intensive cardiovascular and respiratory support,
      although there was no significant difference in mortality between patch versus
      primary diaphragm repair. The mortality rate was significantly higher among
      infants requiring abdominal wall patching (with or without a diaphragmatic
      patch): 40 per cent (6 of 15) versus 9.7 per cent (10 of 103) (P = 0.006).
      Postoperative survival rates for infants with a diaphragmatic patch alone,
      abdominal wall patch alone, and both abdominal and diaphragmatic patches were 86
      per cent (25 of 29), 57 per cent (4 of 7) and 63 per cent (5 of 8) respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Prosthetic diaphragmatic hernia repair at this centre has a good
      outcome and low rate of recurrence (5 per cent). The recognition of an inadequate
      abdominal domain prenatally may additionally prove to be a useful marker for
      predicting increased mortality in newborns with CDH.

PMID- 24227371
TI  - Population-based study of presentation and adverse outcomes after femoral hernia
      surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rates of emergency admission with femoral hernia are high compared
      with those for other hernias. This study aimed to determine the modes and
      consequences of presentation to primary care before admission to hospital.
      METHODS: This was a population-based cohort study using healthcare records from
      the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to Hospital Episode Statistics
      data from 1997 to 2007. Length of hospital stay, bowel resection rates and 30-day
      mortality were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 885 patients (690 female, 78.0 per
      cent) underwent femoral hernia repair, with 406 operations (45.9 per cent)
      performed as an emergency. The majority of patients who were admitted as an
      emergency (331, 81.5 per cent) presented to the general practitioner for the
      first time with symptoms of a hernia in the 7 days before admission, compared
      with just ten (2.1 per cent) of 479 patients admitted electively (P < 0.001). The
      median (i.q.r.) length of stay for patients undergoing elective surgery was 1 (0
      2) day compared with 5 (3-9) days for those having an emergency repair (P <
      0.001). Adverse events were more common among patients operated on as emergency,
      with 94 (23.2 per cent) having a small bowel resection compared with one (0.2 per
      cent) who had elective surgery. There were no deaths within 30 days in the
      elective group, but seven (1.7 per cent) in the emergency group. CONCLUSION: A
      large proportion of patients with femoral hernia present late to primary care and
      are operated on as an emergency, with worse outcomes.

PMID- 24227373
TI  - Authors' reply: systematic review of the efficacy of cilostazol, naftidrofuryl
      oxalate and pentoxifylline for the treatment of intermittent claudication (Br J
      Surg 2012; 99: 1630-1638).

PMID- 24227374
TI  - Systematic review of the efficacy of cilostazol, naftidrofuryl oxalate and
      pentoxifylline for the treatment of intermittent claudication (Br J Surg 2012;
      99: 1630-1638).

PMID- 24227376
TI  - Superoxide dismutase activity of the naturally occurring human serum albumin
      copper complex without hydroxyl radical formation.
AB  - The superoxide radical anion (O2(.-)) is biologically toxic and contributes to
      the pathogenesis of various diseases. Here we describe the superoxide dismutase
      (SOD) activity of human serum albumin (HSA) complexed with a single Cu(II) ion at
      the N-terminal end (HSA-Cu complex). The structure of this naturally occurring
      copper-coordinated blood serum protein has been characterized by several
      physicochemical measurements. The O2(.-) dismutation ability of the HSA-Cu (1:1)
      complex is almost the same as that of the well-known SOD mimics, such as Mn(III) 
      tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium)porphyrin. Interestingly, the HSA-Cu complex does not
      induce a subsequent Fenton reaction to produce the hydroxyl radical (OH(.)),
      which is one of the most harmful reactive oxygen species.

PMID- 24227377
TI  - A systematic large-scale phenotypic analysis of de novo and inherited copy number
      variation.

PMID- 24227378
TI  - Field performance of woodburning stoves in crested butte, Colorado.
AB  - The carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) emissions of woodburning
      stoves have been measured under field conditions. Both conventional airtight
      stoves and newly installed airtight stoves certified by the U.S. Environmental
      Protection Agency to be low emitters of PM were monitored. The certified stoves
      were of two types, catalytic and noncatalytic. Compared to the conventional
      stoves, PM emission rates (g/hr) were reduced approximately 70% by both types of
      certified stoves. The CO emission rates were reduced 71% and 53% by catalytic and
      noncatalytic stoves respectively. These rate reductions occur because the
      certified stoves burn cleaner (less pollutant formation per kg of wood burned)
      and the average burn rate of certified stoves in field use is less than the
      average burn rate of conventional stoves. 

PMID- 24227379
TI  - Effect of contaminated groundwater on tree growth: A tree-ring analysis.
AB  - A study was conducted of the effect of contaminated groundwater seepage on tree
      growth downslope from the F- and H-Area seepage basins of the Department of
      Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Trees in wetlands along Four Mile
      Creek began to show localized stress and mortality in the late 1970s. Extreme
      winter temperatures and high rainfall were ruled out as potential causal factors
      of tree stress. Drought was shown to affect trees in both contaminated and
      uncontaminated zones, but trees in uncontaminated areas exhibited better recovery
      after drought than trees in contaminated areas. Pollution-mediated alteration of
      soil acidity and aluminum, sodium, and heavy metal concentrations likely acted to
      predispose trees to decline, with severe drought acting as the trigger for
      decline initiation and tree death. Thus, a moderate pollution loading, not
      sufficient to cause visible damage of itself, may create conditions in which
      sudden, severe decline could result from natural stresses. This mechanism of
      forest decline may be common, and should be considered in evaluations of the
      impact of pollution on wetland forest systems. 

PMID- 24227380
TI  - Evaluation of sampling strategies to characterize dissolved oxygen conditions in
      northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries.
AB  - Dissolved oxygen was continuously monitored in eight sites of northern Gulf of
      Mexico estuaries in August, 1990. Monte Carlo analyses on subsamples of the data
      were used to evaluate several commonly used monitoring strategies. Monitoring
      strategies which involve single point sampling of dissolved oxygen may often
      misclassify an estuary as having good water quality. In the case of shallow,
      often well-mixed estuaries that experience diurnal cycles, such monitoring often
      does not occur at night, during the time of lowest dissolved oxygen
      concentration. Our objective was to determine the minimum sampling effort
      required to correctly classify a site in terms of the observed frequency of
      hypoxia. Tests concluded that the most successful classification strategy used
      the minimum dissolved oxygen concentration from a continuously sampled 24-hour
      period. 

PMID- 24227381
TI  - Remote measurement of NO2 in the brown cloud over Albuquerque, New Mexico.
AB  - Remote measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were recorded in the 'brown cloud'
      over Albuquerque, NM, using absorption spectroscopy in the winter of 1987-88 and
      summer of 1989. The NO2 burdens (optical densities) measured in this manner were
      found to be in excess of 100 ppm-m. These long pathlength measurements correspond
      to total concentrations of approximately 5-10 ppb over the integrated observation
      pathlengths, which ranged from 10-20 km. These concentrations compare well with
      single location, independent NO x analyses. Using two correlation (absorption)
      spectrometers simultaneously, it was shown that the NO2 distribution is not
      uniform over the city and can change on the order of minutes in the boundary
      layer late in the day, demonstrating the advantages of NO2 optical measurements
      for assessing the location and extent of urban nitrogen dioxide levels in the
      boundary layer. 

PMID- 24227382
TI  - Tilapia cage culture and the dissolved oxygen trends in Sampaloc Lake, the
      Philippines.
AB  - The 28-hectare tilapia cage culture that occupied the 104-hectare Sampaloc Lake,
      a crater lake, shifted to intensive method in 1986 when tilapia growth slowed
      done at the beginning of 1982. Thus, commercial feeds became the main source of
      allochthonous organic matter in the lake. Total feeds given annually for the 28
      hectare cage culture at 3 croppings per year amounted to 5250 tons. At feed
      conversion ratio of 1 : 2 a significant portion of the feeds given ended as
      organic wastes in the lake. In 1988, tilapia cage operators began experiencing
      their worst occurrences of fishkill, worth millions of pesos. An assessment of
      the dissolved oxygen condition of Sampaloc lake in late 1989, 1990 and mid-1991
      showed ominous trends which might adversely affect the use of Sampaloc lake for
      fishery. 

PMID- 24227383
TI  - Comparative rice seed toxicity tests using filter paper, growth pouch-tm, and
      seed tray methods.
AB  - Paper substrate, especially circular filter paper placed inside a Petri dish, has
      long been used for the plant seed toxicity test (PSTT). Although this method is
      simple and inexpensive, recent evidence indicates that it gives results that are
      significantly different from those obtained using a method that does not involve
      paper, especially when testing metal cations. The study compared PSTT using three
      methods: filter paper, Growth Pouch-TM, and seed tray. The Growth Pouch-TM is a
      commercially available device. The seed tray is a newly designed plastic
      receptacle placed inside a Petri dish. The results of the Growth Pouch-TM method
      showed no toxic effects on rice for Ag up to 40 mg L(-1) and Cd up to 20 mg L(
      1). Using the seed tray method, IC50 (50% inhibitory effect concentration) values
      were 0.55 and 1.4 mg L(-1) for Ag and Cd, respectively. Although results of
      filter paper and seed tray methods were nearly identical for NaF, Cr(VI), and
      phenol, the toxicities of cations Ag and Cd were reduced by using the filter
      paper method; IC50 values were 22 and 18 mg L(-1), respectively. The results
      clearly indicate that paper substrate is not advisable for PSTT. 

PMID- 24227384
TI  - Trace monitoring of water-borne phenolics in the Klang River Basin.
AB  - The Klang River Basin is located in the most densely populated region in
      Malaysia, with its heavy concentration of industries and population. A systematic
      study of the pollution to this river system caused by phenolic compounds have
      been carried out under this project. Analyses of water samples from the Klang
      River by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet (UV)
      detector at 280 nm have shown the presence of some priority phenolic pollutants. 

PMID- 24227385
TI  - Editor's note.

PMID- 24227386
TI  - On perhaps becoming what you had previously despised: Psychologists as
      prescribers of medication.
AB  - The authors contend that organized psychology's efforts to gain limited
      prescriptive privileges may be misguided. The modification of psychology's
      traditional scope of practice may produce harm in the form of lessened patient
      regard, devaluation of nonpharmacologic elements of practice, and markedly
      increased exposure to claims of malpractice. The authors also decry the
      disingenuous use of psychopharmacologically "underserved" populations as
      rationales for the pursuit of prescriptive privileges. Psychology may mount a
      major effort to make this change without sufficient justification, in the view of
      the authors. 

PMID- 24227387
TI  - Prescription privileges and psychology: A reply to adams and Bieliauskas.
AB  - The ability to prescribe psychoactive medications is a legitimate extension of
      the practice of psychology. Arguments raised against this proposition by Adams
      and Bieliauskas should not deter the profession from attaining prescriptive
      authority. Prescription privileges will expand the range of disorders and patient
      populations that psychologists can treat. Their acquisition will be of benefit to
      both the profession and the patient alike. 

PMID- 24227388
TI  - Could versus should: A reply to Sammons.
AB  - Sammons (1994) believes that our critique of organized psychology's efforts to
      gain limited prescriptive privileges (Adams & Bieliauskas, 1994) is comprised of
      pseudo-problems (e.g., the noncurative nature of psychopharmacology) or issues
      that can readily be handled (e.g., malpractice exposure). We disagree and attempt
      herein to inject some reality into the picture of the bright new world of
      psychologists armed with prescription pads. Most importantly, the seemingly
      vanished distinction between whatcould be done politically or legislatively and
      whatshould be done for the profession and the public good is redrawn. 

PMID- 24227389
TI  - Training program in psychosocial intervention for high-risk infants and their
      families.
AB  - A multidisciplinary training program for psychosocial intervention in the
      Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was developed. The purpose of the program was
      to train mental health and health care professionals in a psychosocial preventive
      intervention model for high-risk infants and their families throughout the
      infants' hospital course in the NICU. The program was divided into modules that
      include assessment and intervention with the infant, parents, family, and larger
      caregiving environment. Over a 3-year period 40 trainees from 9 disciplines were
      trained. A randomized clinical trial was conducted which showed the positive
      effects of the intervention. A clinical service including inpatient and
      outpatient follow-up has been established in the NICU based on the psychosocial
      model developed from the training program. 

PMID- 24227390
TI  - Caregivers of adults with cancer: Multidimensional correlates of psychological
      distress.
AB  - The relationship between psychological distress and intrapersonal, family, and
      socioecological variables was examined in 77 caregivers of adults actively
      receiving cancer treatment. Results indicated that a sizable minority (29%) of
      caregivers was experiencing clinically significant psychological distress.
      Furthermore, family disturbances and maladaptive coping strategies were most
      predictive of psychological distress in this sample. The clinical implications of
      these findings in relation to the assessment and treatment of both patients and
      caregivers are discussed. 

PMID- 24227391
TI  - Meta-monitoring: Case illustrations of a potential "Slump-Buster" for self
      regulatory problems.
AB  - Meta-monitoring has been defined as a secondary feedback system in which people
      monitor their rates of progress in attaining their primary self-regulatory goals.
      The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of adding an explicit
      version of meta-monitoring to a long-term cognitive-behavioral treatment program
      for obesity. It was expected that meta-monitoring in this therapeutic context
      might increase positive affect and, thereby, improve self-regulated cognitive and
      behavioral changes. Four obese women who were in treatment for 1 to 2 years prior
      to the study served as subjects. They meta-monitored by rating their self
      monitoring, affect, and eating and thinking patterns for each of 34 weeks. Weight
      changes and measures of self-monitoring, affect, and eating/thinking patterns
      suggested some initially positive effects (during the first 2 weeks, especially).
      While the duration of the impact of meta-monitoring in this clinical trial seemed
      modest, the approach may have promise as a means of reenergizing self-regulatory
      efforts during lapses or slumps. Experiments on various methods of
      operationalizing meta-monitoring, examining its effects on different problems,
      and testing its hypothesized mechanisms seem warranted. 

PMID- 24227392
TI  - Measuring depressive symptomatology of patients referred to a behavioral medicine
      clinic: Concordance of self-report measures.
AB  - We measured depressive symptomatology of 134 outpatient veterans treated within a
      Behavioral Medicine Clinic utilizing three reliable instruments with depression
      subscales: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Derogatis Stress
      Profile (DSP), and Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Results indicate that
      although the instruments correlate significantly, they differ in sensitivity to
      depression and are clinically discordant. The MMPI classified a substantially
      higher number of patients as depressed than either the DSP or SCL-90-R. The
      present study argues that the discrepancy in clinical concordance and sensitivity
      of the three depression scales has considerable implications for psychologists
      concerned with the assessment and treatment of depression. 

PMID- 24227393
TI  - The clinical utility of the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test in medical
      rehabilitation.
AB  - Recent research has reported the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test Trial V (RAVLT
      V) score to be a sensitive indicator of global cognitive functioning, not merely
      verbal learning skills. The concurrent validity of the RAVLT-V relative to other
      neuropsychological measures frequently utilized in medical rehabilitation was
      investigated in a sample of 64 outpatients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury
      (TBI). The sample was predominantly male (77%), white (97%), youthful (31.4+/
      11.5 years), high school educated, and an average of 53 months postinjury. Using
      stepwise multiple regression analysis, a three-variable model consisting of
      gender, Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised Delayed Memory Index, and Trailmaking Part
      B (time) accounted for 61% of the variance in RAVLT-V scores. These findings
      suggest that in TBI patients, the RAVLT taps not only specific verbal learning
      and memory, but also global cognitive functions. Sensitivity to diffuse
      neuropsychological changes and ease/speed of administration make the RAVLT a
      valuable tool in medical rehabilitation settings. 

PMID- 24227394
TI  - Self-appraised problem-solving skills and the prediction of secondary
      complications among persons with spinal cord injuries.
AB  - Secondary complications following spinal cord injury (SCI) include decubitus
      ulcers and recurrent urinary tract infections. These conditions can significantly
      impair quality of life and prove life-threatening; it is also believed that these
      conditions are mediated by behavioral pathways. According to the social problem
      solving model, persons who report effective problem-solving skills should be
      capable of adhering to long-term therapeutic regimens of self-care necessary to
      prevent these complications. We tested this assumption in the present study.
      Discriminant function analyses revealed self-appraised skills in approaching and
      defining problems contributed to the prediction of secondary complications among
      53 persons with SCI. Results are discussed in light of the social problem-solving
      model, and the utility of problem-solving interventions in rehabilitation is
      explored. 

PMID- 24227395
TI  - A metal-free multicomponent cascade reaction for the regiospecific synthesis of
      1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles.

PMID- 24227396
TI  - Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for the treatment of
      patellofemoral instability.
AB  - Patellofemoral instability can be a disabling problem. Numerous techniques are
      employed for its treatment. Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction
      in combination with other procedures has been explored by many orthopedic
      surgeons. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of isolated
      MPFL reconstruction in treating the symptoms associated with patellofemoral
      instability, preventing recurrence of patella dislocation, and returning patients
      to preinjury level of activity. This is a case series study. We conducted a
      clinical follow-up study on 56 knees (49 patients) after MPFL reconstruction for
      recurrent patellar instability with a mean follow-up of 4.3 years (range, 1.1
      6.8). A single MPFL reconstruction technique was performed in all cases. Patient
      outcomes were evaluated using: International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC)
      subjective knee form, Tegner activity score, functional hop test, and
      radiographs. Mean age at time of surgery was 24 years old (range, 13-49). Females
      comprised 75% of the sample. Mean interval from injury to surgery was 7.2 +/- 8.6
      years (range, 51 days-37 years). At follow-up, there were no recurrent
      dislocations reported, patella subluxation in 6 (11%) cases, and radiographic
      degenerative changes were none to mild in all patients. The series mean IKDC
      scores at follow-up was 76.3 +/- 19.2 (range, 30-99), and Tegner activity scores
      were 5.6 +/- 2.5. MPFL reconstruction is an option for treating the symptoms of
      patellar instability, preventing recurrent dislocation, and returning patients
      near to their preinjury level of activity. The level of evidence is IV.

PMID- 24227397
TI  - Anterior horn lateral meniscus tear, repair, and meniscectomy.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to describe the effect of anterior horn of the
      lateral meniscus (AHLM) tears on tibiofemoral contact pressures and the ability
      to restore normal parameters with repair. Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were
      used. The specimens were subjected to a load of 1,000 N at 0 and 30 degrees of
      flexion and peak pressure, force and contact area were recorded. The test was
      repeated for four different instances. Peak force in the lateral compartment was
      significantly increased at 0 degrees of knee flexion from 37 N intact to 47 N
      after the tear and 56 N postmeniscectomy. At 0 degrees of knee flexion, the peak
      pressure of the lateral meniscus was significantly increased from 1.1 MPa in the
      intact state to 1.9 MPa after meniscectomy. The peak pressure in the
      nontraumatized medial compartment was significantly increased after partial
      lateral meniscectomy (p < 0.05). This cadaveric study demonstrated a significant
      increase in tibiofemoral peak forces in both the medial and lateral compartments
      with a tear of the AHLM. It also showed an increase in peak contact pressure
      after meniscectomy. With repair, the preinjury condition peak forces were
      restored to normal, suggesting the importance of repairing tears of the AHLM. 

PMID- 24227398
TI  - A new simplified onlay technique for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
AB  - The integrity of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is essential for the normal
      kinematics of the knee. Injury to the PCL has adverse consequences, with
      worsening of functional performance and an increased risk to develop
      osteoarthritis. Conservative treatment is sometimes adopted, not only because it
      is an acceptable option for selected patients but also due to the lack of
      consensus in the orthopedic literature regarding the best surgical method. Hereby
      we describe a simplified technique for onlay PCL reconstruction pointing out
      possible advantages if compared with the traditional transtibial or inlay
      techniques. 

PMID- 24227399
TI  - Time to get rid of the clock: intraobserver and interobserver reliability in
      determination of the o'clock position of the femoral tunnel in ACL
      reconstruction.
AB  - This study evaluates intraobserver and interobserver agreement in reporting the
      o'clock position of the femoral tunnel during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
      reconstruction. Four PGY2 residents, four PGY5 residents, and four sports
      medicine orthopedic surgeons reported the o'clock position of the femoral ACL
      tunnel in 10 arthroscopic pictures on two occasions 3 months apart. Intraobserver
      agreement was determined using the intraobserver correlation coefficient (r >
      0.576 for 0.05 significance level). Interobserver agreement between members of
      each group and between reviewer groups was evaluated with the intraclass
      correlation coefficient (ICC > 0.75 considered good agreement). Poor
      interobserver agreement was demonstrated between the attending and PGY2 groups
      (ICC = 0.1685), between the attending and PGY5 groups (ICC = 0.2982), and between
      the PGY5 and PGY2 groups (ICC = 0.267). Attending surgeons, PGY5s, and PGY2s
      demonstrated poor interobserver agreement amongst themselves (ICC = 0.2244,
      0.471, and 0.0859, respectively). PGY2s and PGY5s demonstrated good intraobserver
      agreement, but attending surgeons demonstrated poor intraobserver agreement.
      Attending orthopedic surgeons and residents of different levels of training
      interpret the o'clock position of the femoral tunnel differently. Greater years
      of experience does not improve intraobserver or interobserver agreement on the
      o'clock position. The clock face terminology for femoral tunnel placement may not
      be a reliable descriptor for scientific investigations or clinical instruction. 

PMID- 24227400
TI  - Comparison of robot surgery modular and total knee arthroplasty kinematics.
AB  - The kinematics of seven knee specimens were measured from 0 to 120 degrees
      flexion using an up-and-down crouching machine. Motion was characterized by the
      positions of the centers of the lateral and medial femoral condyles in the
      anterior-posterior direction relative to a fixed tibia. A modular
      unicompartmental knee, trochlea flange, and patella resurfacing
      (multicompartmental knee [MCK] system) were implanted using a surgeon-interactive
      robot system that provided accurate surface matching. The MCK was tested,
      followed by standard cruciate retaining (CR) and posterior stabilized (PS) knees.
      The motion of the MCK was close to anatomic, especially on the medial side, in
      contrast to the CR and PS knees that showed abnormal motion features. Such a
      modular knee system, accurately inserted, has the potential for close to normal
      function in clinical application. 

PMID- 24227401
TI  - Contrasting reactions of loggerhead shrikes to two types of chemically defended
      insect prey.
AB  - Feeding tests with loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) showed this bird to
      acceptUtetheisa ornatrix, a moth (Arctiidae) protected by pyrrolizidine
      alkaloids, but to avoidLytta polita, a beetle (Meloidae) containing cantharidin. 

PMID- 24227402
TI  - Influence of snail feces and mucus on oviposition and larval behavior
      ofPherbellia cinerella (Diptera: Sciomyzidae).
AB  - Larvae of the sciomyzid flyPherbellia cinerella are voracious predators of
      terrestrial helicid snails. Eggs are deposited in areas where snails occur and
      larvae hunt actively for their prey. Snail feces and mucus were tested to
      determine if they had any kairomone or stimulatory effects onP. cinerella. Adult
      flies oviposited more frequently on substrates containing fresh snail feces than
      on substrates containing snail mucus or water (control). However, mucus and feces
      both stimulated increased search behaviour in first instar larvae. These results
      are discussed in relation to snail biology, and the potential for augmentation of
      these flies in areas affected by pest snails. 

PMID- 24227403
TI  - Behavioral observations and measurements of aerial pheromone in a mating
      disruption trial against pea mothCydia nigricana F. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae).
AB  - Synthetic sex pheromone of the pea mothCydia nigricana. (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1
      yl acetate (E8,E10-12 : Ac), was applied in a 3-ha pea field at a rate of 17
      g/ha, in two different dispenser formulations. Aerial concentrations within pea
      canopy, as determined by a field electroantennogram (EAG) apparatus, were 2 and 3
      ng/m(3) in the two dispenser treatments. The validity of the EAG measurements was
      corroborated by sampling of field air, followed by gas chromatographic
      quantification ofE8,E10-12 : Ac. Males were attracted to fresh dispensers
      releasingE8,E10-12 : Ac plus less than 2% of the antagonisticE, Z; Z, E; andZ, Z
      isomers. Two days after placement, the proportion of these isomers had increased
      to 6%. Males were then no longer attracted to the dispensers, but were observed
      to fly out of the treated field. Male attraction to calling females was almost
      entirely suppressed, and attraction to traps baited with synthetic pheromone was
      significantly reduced. Larval infestation in the pheromone-treated field was 2%,
      compared to 36% in a control field. 

PMID- 24227404
TI  - A method for collection, long-term storage, and bioassay of labile volatile
      chemosignals.
AB  - A procedure for headspace sampling and long-term storage of organic volatiles
      coupled with gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis was used to
      study the volatile chemosignals in a biological secretion prior to bioassay. The
      approach involved collecting the volatiles in evacuated canisters from an
      apparatus in which 1 ml of secretion was dispersed for headspace sampling. These
      canisters, stainless steel, 850 ml, and 100% internally electropolished, have
      been demonstrated to store volatile compounds, in chemically stable form, for
      several weeks. The GC-MS analyses provided the quantitation and identification of
      compounds from C3 through C14 at concentrations as low as 0.10 parts per billion
      volume. The approach was used to study chemosignals of musth temporal gland
      secretions (TGS) from a male Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). Fresh TGS material
      loses its biological activity within 1 hr. TGS material stored at -20 degrees C
      usually looses its activity within 30 days. The usefulness of this method for
      long-term storage of the volatile chemosignals was demonstrated by the retention
      of biologically active TGS headspace compounds, as determined through bioassays,
      stored in these canisters for one year. 

PMID- 24227405
TI  - Daily rhythms of metabolic rates: Role of chemical signals in coexistence of
      spiny mice of the genusAcomys.
AB  - The common spiny mouseAcomys cahirinus and the golden spiny mouseA. russatus
      coexist in the extreme arid and hot parts of the Arava Rift Valley in Israel. The
      coexistence of these two species is through exclusion ofA. russatus from
      nocturnal activity byA. cahirinus, which is nocturnal. An attempt was made to
      study the daily activity rhythm response ofA. russatus to chemical signals
      released byA. cahirinus, in order to understand the mechanism of segregation. For
      this purpose oxygen consumption,[Formula: see text]O2, was studied in individuals
      ofA. russatus kept alone in a metabolic chamber in a constant ambient temperature
      of 32 degrees C under two photoperiod regimes: 12L:12D, and constant darkness
      (D:D). After three days of[Formula: see text]O2 recording under these conditions,
      chemical signals released fromA. cahirinus were passed through the metabolic
      chamber. This treatment caused a shift in the activity rhythm only ofA. russatus
      kept at 12:12D, while a decrease in[Formula: see text]O2 rates ofA. russatus was
      noted in both groups. These results suggest that chemical signals released byA.
      cahirinus may play a role in shiftingA. russatus toward its diurnal activity. 

PMID- 24227406
TI  - Neutral lipids in snail-conditioned water fromBiomphalaria glabrata (Gastropoda:
      Planorbidae).
AB  - Thin-layer chromatography was used to study neutral lipids in snail-conditioned
      water (SCW) fromBiomphalaria glabrata snails. A major lipid fraction in SCW at 2
      and 4 hr after snail incubation contained free fatty acids. Fatty acids released
      per snail per milliliter of water when 10 snails were incubated in 5 ml of
      deionized water for 4 or 2 hr was 2.4+/-0.4 ug/ml and 0.9+/-0.1 ug/ml (mean +/-
      SE), respectively. The amount released at 4 hr was significantly greater than at
      2 hr. Snails also released free sterols, a sterol ester-hydrocarbon fraction,
      methyl esters, and other unidentified lipid fractions into the water. The
      potential of these neutral lipids to serve as chemoattractants for larval
      trematodes or snails remains to be determined. 

PMID- 24227407
TI  - Analysis of characteristic human female axillary odors: Qualitative comparison to
      males.
AB  - Odors produced in the human female axillae are of both biological and commercial
      importance. Several studies have suggested that extracts from female underarm
      secretions can alter the length and timing of the female menstrual cycle. In
      addition, more than 1.6 billion dollars are spent annually on products to
      eliminate or mask the axillary odors. Our recent studies have determined that the
      characteristic axillary odors in males consist of C6-C11, saturated, unsaturated
      and branched acids, with (E)-3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid (3M2H) being the major
      compound in this mixture. The 3M2H appears to be carried to the skin surface
      bound to two proteins in the axillary secretions. Data reported here show that
      the same mixture of odorous compounds is found in female axillary secretions,
      with several minor qualitative differences. Separation of the female apocrine
      secretions into aqueous and organic soluble fractions demonstrated that 3M2H, and
      several other members of the acids in the characteristic odor, are released by
      hydrolysis with base. Electrophoretic separation of the proteins found in the
      aqueous phase of female apocrine secretions revealed a pattern identical to that
      seen in males. The qualitative similarity of the acidic constituents making up
      the characteristic axillary odors of both females and males as well as the
      proteins present in the aqueous phase suggest a similar origin for axillary odors
      in both sexes. 

PMID- 24227408
TI  - Reproductive biology of the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle,Psacothea hilaris
      (pascoe) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). III. Identification of contact sex pheromone
      on female body surface.
AB  - A major component of female contact sex pheromone of the yellow-spotted longicorn
      beetle,Psacothea hilaris (Pascoe), was isolated from the elytra and identified as
      (Z)-21-methyl-8-pentatriacontene. The synthetic compound released the typical
      mating behavior including holding, mounting, and abdominal bending in males,
      although its activity was considerably lower than the extract of female elytra
      when treated on a gelatin capsule as an artificial female model. 

PMID- 24227409
TI  - Isolation, identification, and synthesis of sex pheromone components of female
      tea cluster caterpillar,Andraca bipunctata walker (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) in
      Taiwan.
AB  - Octadecanal (18:Ald), (E)-11-octadecenal (E11-18:Ald), (E)-14-octadecenal (E14
      18:Ald) and (E,E)-11,14-octadecadienal (E11,E14-18:Ald) were isolated and
      identified as major components from the pheromone glands of the tea cluster
      caterpillar,Andraca bipunctata, in Taiwan by analyzing the mass spectra of gland
      components and their DMDS adducts. GC retention times and mass spectra of the
      components were in agreement with those of authentic synthetic compounds. The
      average amount of 18:Ald,E11-18:Ald,E14-18:Ald andE11,E14-18:Ald per female gland
      (1 to 3 days old) was 121+/-76, 50+/-20, 187+/-75, and 237+/-110 ng,
      respectively, in a ratio of 20:8:31:41. SyntheticE11,E14-18:Ald caught more males
      than each of the other three components or blank control in field trapping
      tests.E11,E14-18:Ald is reported as an insect sex pheromone for the first time.
      Male antenna responded toE11,E14-18:Ald strongly in an EAG analysis. Furthermore,
      4 hr after the injection of PBAN (pheromone biosynthetic activating neuropeptide)
      into decapitated female moths (2 days old), the percentage of theE11,E14-C18 Ald
      in the gland extract increased from 0% to 75.5%, which was also significantly
      more than that of unligated and uninjected control at 55.1%. All these data
      indicated thatE11,E14-18:Ald is the sex pheromone of theAndraca bipunctata in
      Taiwan. 

PMID- 24227410
TI  - Semiochemicals via epoxide inversion.
AB  - A sequence of reactions is presented for inverting the configurations of both
      epoxide carbons in 1,2-disubstituted epoxides. As examples, (+)-disparlure was
      converted to its enantiomer, (-)-disparlure, andexo-endo conversion of a
      cyclohexene oxide was demonstrated. 

PMID- 24227411
TI  - Multivariate discrimination of host use by dwarf mistletoeArceuthobium vaginatum
      subsp.cryptopodum: Inter- and intraspecific comparisons.
AB  - The parasitic dwarf mistletoeArceuthobium vaginatum attacksPinus ponderosa as its
      primary host andP. contorta as an occasional host. Within ponderosa pine stands
      there is also differential parasitism among individual trees. We compared
      biochemical features of phloem and xylem oleoresin between infected individuals
      of the two pine species (N=15 for each species) and also between infected (N=30)
      and nearby uninfected (N=30) ponderosa pine conspecifics. There were significant
      differences in chemical features, both at the interspecific (P. ponderosa vs.P.
      contorta) and intraspecific (P. ponderosa) levels. Discriminant function analysis
      based on chemical features of phloem correctly classified all trees used in the
      analysis as eitherP. ponderosa orP. contorta, and 95% of all ponderosa pine trees
      as either parasitized or nonparasitized. Monoterpene composition of oleoresin was
      distinct between species, and differences between parasitized and
      nonparasitizedP. ponderosa were also significant. Many of the observed chemical
      differences are probably constitutive, although levels of nonstructural
      carbohydrates and alpha-pinene may change in response to dwarf mistletoe
      infection. Biochemical differences at the intraspecific level were distinct from
      interspecific differences. Patterns of differential attack can have genetic
      consequences upon both the parasite and its hosts, and, in the process, may
      contribute to the evolution of host races of the parasite and to the evolution of
      host resistance within ponderosa pine. 

PMID- 24227413
TI  - Apple foliage enhances mating disruption of light-brown apple moth.
AB  - Uptake and release of pheromone and behavioral inhibitor ofEpiphyas postvittanna
      by apple leaves was tested using field electroantennograms (EAG), trap catches to
      synthetic lures and virgin females, and chemical analysis. Trap catches in single
      apple trees (N=3) were monitored for six cycles of six days' duration, using
      delta traps baited with synthetic pheromone. Polyethylene dispensers (0, 1, 10
      per tree) releasing pheromone and inhibitor were present for only the first three
      days of each cycle. Application of 10 dispensers per tree resulted in complete
      disruption of trapping, which continued for one day after dispensers were
      removed. Over the three nights following the removal of the dispensers (days 4
      6), trap catch was 0, 10, and 15% of the control catch. In contrast, the presence
      of only one dispenser per tree led to 0-20% of control catches, but on the three
      nights following dispenser removal catches were 35, 40, and 80% of the control
      catch. Field EAGs indicated significantly higher relative pheromone
      concentrations in the trees with 10 dispensers present, compared to trees with
      single dispensers, but removal of dispensers produced no detectable treatment
      effect compared to the control trees one day after dispenser removal. In a second
      experiment, releases of marked male moths into apple orchard plots following the
      removal of polyethylene dispensers (1 hr earlier that day) resulted in
      significantly lower catches in traps baited with virgin females in blocks that
      had been treated, compared to controls. Recovery of pheromone by solvent washing
      of leaves loaded with 50 ug of the main component of the sex pheromone (1.26
      ug/cm(2)) was low (2.5%). Leaves held in a pheromone-saturated atmosphere were
      loaded with 0.045+/-0.007 ug pheromone/cm(2). Analysis of apple leaves taken from
      a pheromone-treated tree at different distances from the pheromone dispenser
      showed a decay of the pheromone load per square centimeter with increasing
      distance from the dispenser, as previously indicated by EAG. 

PMID- 24227412
TI  - Volatile infochemicals used in host and host habitat location byCotesia flavipes
      Cameron andCotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), larval
      parasitoids of stemborers on graminae.
AB  - FemaleCotesia flavipes Cameron andCotesia sesamiae (Cameron) were attracted to
      odors in a Y-tube olfactometer from uninfested maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum
      [Sorghum bicolor (L.)], and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach). In dual
      choice tests,Cotesia flavipes showed a preference for maize over sorghum, while
      maize and napier grass were equally attractive. In contrast,Cotesia sesamiae
      preferred volatiles from sorghum and napier grass over those from maize. The two
      parasitoids were significantly more attracted to maize infested with the
      stemborers,Chilo partellus (Swinhoe),Chilo orichalcociliellus Strand,Sesamia
      calamistis Hampson, andBusseola fusca (Fuller), than uninfested maize. In dual
      choice tests,Cotesia flavipes andCotesia sesamiae were unable to discriminate
      between odors from plants infested by the different species of stemborers. 

PMID- 24227414
TI  - Search for tsetse attractants: A structure-activity study on 1-octen-3-ol
      inGlossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae).
AB  - Trapping tsetse flies belonging to thepalpalis group still relies totally upon
      luring by visual cues even though odor-baited trapping is used effectively
      against themorsitans-group species. Forty-three percent of the antennal olfactory
      cells ofGlossina f. fuscipes, a member of thepalpalis group, respond to 1-octen-3
      ol. For this species we report a structure-activity relationship between 1-octen
      3-ol analogs, in which carbon chain length and the configuration of the hydroxyl
      and pi-bond moieties are varied, and biological activity. Although the optimum
      chain length for all cells sensitive to 1-octen-3-ol is eight and most cells give
      lower responses when the hydroxyl function is omitted, there is a clear division
      into two groups. One group is diverse and represents cells that appear
      indifferent to the presence or position of the pi bond; many will respond to such
      disparate structures as acetone and 3-methylphenol as well as to 1-octen-3-ol. In
      the other group, the structural requirements for the stimulus are more stringent;
      the cells appear to be specifically tuned to 1-octen-3-ol. Their thresholds are
      three orders of magnitude lower than those of the former group. The existence of
      two clusters points to a functional division in the olfactory sense. We suggest
      that the latter low-threshold group is involved in host detection from a distance
      while the former diverse group is involved in host discrimination at close range.
      Trap harvests with 1-octen-3-ol as a bait may have been disappointing because the
      appropriate mixture for generating a landing response on the traps is still
      lacking. 

PMID- 24227415
TI  - Pheromone chirality of asian palm weevils,Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) andR.
      vulneratus (Panz.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
AB  - Production of 4-methyl-5-nonanol, and 4-methyl-5-nonanone by two sympatric Asian
      palm weevils,Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) andR. vulneratus (Panz.) suggested
      that enantiospecificity of either compound could impart species specificity of
      pheromone communication. Weevil-produced, racemic 4-methyl-5-nonanol and 4-methyl
      5-nonanone and their stereoselectively synthesized optical isomers were subjected
      to gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass
      spectrometry (MS) on a chiral Cyclodex-B column. Only theS,S stereoisomer of 4
      methyl-5-nonanol was EAD active and was produced by bothR. ferrugineus andR.
      vulneratus. Production and EAD activity of (S)-4-methyl-5-nonanone exceeded that
      of its antipode in both weevils. In field experiments in Java. (4S, 5S)-4-methyl
      5-nonanol and the stereoisomeric mixture were equally attractive. The 4R,5R
      stereoisomer was inactive. The corresponding ketone enantiomers neither enhanced
      nor reduced attraction to (4S,5S)-4-methyl-5-nonanol. Lack of apparent
      differences betweenR. ferrugineus andR. vulneratus pheromones suggests that
      synonomy of both weevils should be considered unless other pre- or postzygotic
      reproductive isolating mechanisms are disclosed in future studies. 

PMID- 24227416
TI  - Correlation of 1-octen-3-one with antixenotic resistance in subterranean clover
      cotyledons to red-legged earth mite,Halotydeus destructor (Acarina:
      Penthaleidae).
AB  - Artificially damaged cotyledons of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum
      L.) released several volatile metabolites, including 1-octen-3-one, arising from
      lipid peroxidation. The amount of 1-octen-3-one produced was negatively
      correlated with feeding damage caused by the red-legged earth mite (Halotydeus
      destructor) in nine out of 10 resistant and susceptibleT. subterraneum varieties
      tested. The EC50 of this compound in deterring mites from feeding in a membrane
      bioassay was 50 ppm. Cotyledon toughness was also involved in resistance. The
      resistant variety, S3615D, which has the lowest toughness value among the
      resistant varieties, produced the highest amount of 1-octen-3-one recovered from
      the headspace in 1 hr. Artificially damaged cotyledons of both susceptible
      Dalkeith and resistant DG1007, growing in shade, showed lower toughness, but had
      enhanced production of C8 volatile compounds and were avoided by mites during a 3
      hr feeding test. When both 1-octen-3-one content and cotyledon toughness value
      were taken as cofactors in resistance, the resultant multiplication value yielded
      a more significantly negative correlation with mite feeding damage scores within
      the 10 varieties than either factor alone. We conclude that 1-octen-3-one has a
      role in resistance of subclover cotyledon to the mite. 

PMID- 24227417
TI  - Anal gland secretion of European mole: Volatile constituents and significance in
      territorial maintenance.
AB  - The chemical composition of the volatile components of the anal gland secretion
      of mature and immature moles of both sexes was examined by gas chromatography and
      mass spectrometry. The compounds in the secretion of adult males appear to vary
      little throughout the year and are similar to those from the adult female outside
      the breeding season. The secretions are dominated by C5-C10 carboxylic acids.
      Female glands regress as they enter proestrus, accompanied by profound changes in
      the chemical composition of the secretion with early disappearance of the
      carboxylic acids. In juvenile moles, the composition of the secretion changes as
      the animal matures, with carboxylic acids becoming dominant only as the animal
      reaches maturity. Anal gland secretion probably plays an important role in
      territorial maintenance. 

PMID- 24227418
TI  - Cardiometabolic risk factors and insulin resistance in obese children and
      adolescents: relation to puberty.
AB  - WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: The prevalence of obesity with
      concomitant increasing risk for having cardiometabolic diseases is rising in the
      childhood population. Insulin resistance has a key role in metabolic changes in
      these children. Insulin levels elevate as puberty commences in every individual.
      WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Children with increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases
      show significant differences in insulin levels even before the onset of puberty
      compared with those without risks. The pattern of appearance of dyslipidaemia
      also varies in children with risk factors even in the pre-pubertal group from
      those without risk. Children with metabolic syndrome display considerably
      pronounced changes in their metabolic parameters before the onset of puberty,
      which become more pronounced as puberty passes. BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance
      (IR) has a key role in the metabolic changes in obese children. In commencing
      puberty, the insulin levels elevate. It is not clear, however, how insulin levels
      develop if the metabolic syndrome appears. OBJECTIVES: Metabolic changes were
      assessed in obese children before, during and after puberty to analyse the
      relationship between IR and puberty in subjects with and without metabolic
      syndrome. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-four obese children (5-19 years) attended
      the study. The criteria of the International Diabetes Federation were used to
      assess the presence of cardiometabolic risks (CMRs). Subjects with increased CMR
      were compared with those without risk (nCMR). Pubertal staging, lipid levels,
      plasma glucose and insulin levels during oral glucose tolerance test were
      determined in each participant. IR was expressed by homeostasis model assessment
      (HOMA-IR) and the ratio of glucose and insulin areas under the curve (AUC-IR).
      RESULTS: Significantly higher AUC-IR were found in pre-pubertal CMR children
      compared with nCMR subjects (11.84 +/- 1.03 vs. 8.00 +/- 0.69; P < 0.01), but no
      difference was discovered during and after puberty. HOMA-IR differs between CMR
      and nCMR only in post-puberty (6.03 +/- 1.26 vs. 2.54 +/- 0.23; P < 0.01). CMR
      children have dyslipidaemia before the onset of puberty. CONCLUSIONS: CMR is
      associated with increased postprandial IR in pre-pubertal and increased fasting
      IR in post-pubertal obese children. Dyslipidaemia appeared already in pre-puberty
      in CMR children.

PMID- 24227419
TI  - Interaction ofBdellovibrio with Its prey in mixed microbial populations.
AB  - The interaction ofBdellovibrio with its prey can be affected by the presence of
      other microorganisms regardless of whether they serve as a prey for the
      bdellovibrios. This was shown in a system in which the fate of one prey could be
      followed in mixed bacterial populations thanks to a specific trait,
      bioluminescence. The attacking bdellovibrio causes decay of bioluminescence, and
      the rate of light decay of the population indicates the rate at which the
      luminous bacteria are attacked. Using this system it was found that different
      bacteria affected the predatorprey interaction in different ways: some "competed"
      with the original prey for the predator; others enhanced the activity of the
      predator toward the original prey, and others inhibited it. The significance of
      these findings in relation to the distribution and activity ofBdellovibrio in the
      natural ecosystem is discussed. 

PMID- 24227420
TI  - Inhibition of the predatory activity ofBdellovibrio by various environmental
      pollutants.
AB  - The predatory activity of bdellovibrios is affected by various environmental
      pollutants such as detergents, heavy metals, and pesticides. This was shown in a
      two-membered system ofBdellovibrio andPhotobacterium, in which the effect of the
      predator on the bioluminescence of the prey indicated the activity of the former.
      The high sensitivity of the bdellovibrios toward certain chemicals (e.g., CdCl2)
      indicates the possibility of using the system for biological monitoring of those
      chemicals. 

PMID- 24227421
TI  - Problems in estimating growth rates of marine phytoplankton from short-term(14)C
      assays.
AB  - Growth rate estimates (MU') of phytoplankton populations that were sampled from
      nitrogen-limited continuous cultures and then incubated for short durations in
      batch culture with added(14)C-HCO3 (-) were significantly different than steady
      state growth rates (MU) for 3 of 5 marine phytoplankton species. Two
      diatoms,Thalassiosira weissflogii andChaetoceros simplex, displayed virtually
      identical growth rates (MU=MU') over a wide range ofMU, whereasMU' for a third
      diatom,Phaeodactylum tricornutum, was overestimated by an average of 40% compared
      toMU. In contrast,MU' was underestimated by the(14)C technique for the two
      remaining species: up to 40% at a steady-stateMU of 1.0 day(-1) for the
      chlorophyteDunaliella tertiolecta and up to 100% atMU of 1.4 day(-1) for the
      haptophytePavlova lutheri. For the latter two species the divergence betweenMU
      andMU' appeared to increase with increasing steady-stateMU. A simple model of
      labeled and total carbon flow between the aqueous phase and cellular biomass was
      constructed to demonstrate that respiration was negligible whenMU=MU', but was
      significant whenMU'>MU. In the cases in whichMU'<MU, a rapid physiological
      alteration presumably took place once the steady state was disturbed and cells
      were placed in the incubation chambers, which perhaps was related to the
      nutritional state of the cultures at the time of sampling. Questions thus are
      raised regarding our ability to measure accurately primary productivity from
      shipboard experiments with confined samples of phytoplankton from nutrient
      impoverished waters that probably are less hardy than the laboratory cultures
      used in these studies. 

PMID- 24227422
TI  - Growth patterns and substrate requirements of naturally occurring obligate
      oligotrophs.
AB  - Eighteen strains of obligately oligotrophic bacteria that grow in a medium
      containing 1 mg of organic carbon per liter and do not grow in a rich medium (5
      g/liter of nutrient) were isolated as dominant organisms from the oligotrophic
      water of Lake Biwa. The growth properties of these, especially of five strains,
      were examined. The maximum cell yield ranged from 8.5*10(4)/ml to 2.3*10(6)/ml,
      and their doubling times ranged from 6.6/h to 11.8/h in LT10(-4) medium (0.5 mg
      trypticase and 0.05 mg yeast extract in 1 liter of filtered and aged lake water).
      They also showed good growth in lake water medium without adding nutrients. The
      optimum concentrations for their growth were 5 mg/1, 5-50 mg/1, 50 mg/1, or 500
      mg/1, depending on the strains. They utilized glutamate, glycine, serine, and
      glycolate, but not acetate, proline, or leucine. Several properties were
      examined. Their growth properties were very different from those of oligotrophs
      or oligocarbophiles isolated by other researchers. 

PMID- 24227423
TI  - Nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with bark beetles.
AB  - Nitrogen-fixingEnterobacter agglomerans andEnterobacter spp. were consistently
      isolated from the bark beetleDendroctonus terebrans. Large populations of
      nitrogen-fixing bacteria were found with the beetle, although no in situ
      acetylene reduction was demonstrated. The constant occurrence of nitrogenfixing
      bacteria withD. terebrans suggests a symbiotic relationship. Nitrogen-fixing
      bacteria were also isolated from the bark beetlesDendroctonus frontalis andIps
      avulsus. 

PMID- 24227424
TI  - Distribution of chromobacteria in a lowland river.
AB  - A selective medium was used to estimate the numbers of purple pigmented bacteria
      in the River Wey. Chromobacteria were never isolated from the springs at the
      source of the river, but they appeared within a short distance and their numbers
      generally increased over the first 30 km. Counts were always low but were much
      higher during the winter than during the summer.Records of water temperature and
      turbidity, as well as daily rainfall, were maintained during the sampling period.
      An unweighted multiple regression analysis of some of the results has shown that
      much of the variability in the counts of chromobacteria was correlated with
      turbidity (r=0.67,P<0.001). After turbidity was allowed for, a significant
      inverse correlation with temperature (r=0.60,P < 0.001) became apparent and these
      two factors together accounted for 64.7% of the variation in counts. Allowing for
      these two factors revealed a significant correlation with rainfall during the
      previous 4 days (r=0.27,P<0.05), and the three factors together accounted for
      67.2% of the variability in counts.In an attempt to discover the source of
      chromobacteria, samples of silt, soil, and storm overflow effluents were studied.
      In general, chromobacteria were present in highest numbers in soil or silt
      containing substantial quantities of organic material. 

PMID- 24227425
TI  - Productivity and species composition of algal mat communities exposed to a
      fluctuating thermal regime.
AB  - Algal mat communities growing in thermal effluents of production nuclear reactors
      at the Savannah River Plant, near Aiken, SC, are exposed to large temperature
      fluctuations resulting from reactor operations. Rates of primary production and
      species composition were monitored at 4 sites along a thermal gradient in a
      trough microcosm to determine how these large temperature fluctuations affected
      productivity and algal community structure. Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) were
      the only phototrophic primary producers growing in water above 45 degrees C.
      These thermophiles were able to survive and apparently adapt to ambient
      temperatures when the reactor was shut down. The algal mat communities exposed to
      <45 degrees C were composed of blue-green and eukaryotic algae that adapted
      rapidly to ambient temperatures. An increase in the percentage extracellular
      release (PER) of(14)C-labeled dissolved organic compounds and a decrease in
      primary production were observed during periods of thermal fluctuation. The
      results show that the dominant phototrophs in this artificially heated aquatic
      habitat have been selected for their ability to survive large temperature
      fluctuations and are similar to those of natural hot springs. 

PMID- 24227426
TI  - Characteristics of bacterial communities in the Gulf of Alaska.
AB  - Taxonomic diversity, physiological tolerance ranges, and nutrient utilization
      capabilities were determined for bacterial communities in Gulf of Alaska surface
      waters and sediments. Taxonomic diversity was assessed using Shannon Weaver (H')
      and equitability (J') indices. Physiological tolerance and nutritional
      versatility indices were developed to further assess the state of "informational
      heterogeneity" within the bacterial communities. The Gulf of Alaska bacterial
      communities were characteristically diverse; the bacterial populations in these
      marine ecosystems generally were eurytolerant and nutritionally versatile. The
      maintenance of a high degree of informational heterogeneity was found to be
      characteristic of these bacterial communities. It appears to be of adaptive
      advantage to maintain diverse populations with physiological tolerances whose
      ranges exceed those experienced within the natural habitat, and for the bacterial
      communities to possess a high degree of nutritional versatility within these
      marine ecosystems. 

PMID- 24227427
TI  - Effects of cadmium and copper on the ultrastructure ofAnkistrodesmus braunii
      andAnabaena 7120.
AB  - The effects of brief exposure to, or growth in the presence of, lethal and
      sublethal concentrations of Cu(NO)2 and Cd(NO3) on the ultrastructure of the blue
      green algaAnabaena 7120 and the green algaAnkistrodesmus braunii were studied.
      Exposure to increasing amount of both metal ions led to the appearance of larger
      proportions of electron-dense cells whose organelles were less well defined than
      those of untreated cells. Metal-treated cells ofAnabaena 7120 became distorted.
      Some had a corrugated appearance. Others lysed, leaving a much larger proportion
      of heterocysts. Such heterocysts were often empty or had a curious collapsed
      appearance. Growth ofA. braunii in the presence of 10(-4) M Cu(NO2)2 produced
      substantial numbers of multinucleate giant cells with thick walls; such cells
      result from repeated mitotic division without subsequent cytokinesis. The giant
      cells contained centrioles, structures not as yet found in normal cells of the
      genusAnkistrodesmus. Some nuclei of giant, but not of normal, cells contained
      deep indentations that appeared as "holes" in cross section. Some giant cells
      also contained triple parallel strands of endoplasmic reticulum which extended
      across much of the cell, connecting to the nuclear envelope. Some ultrastructural
      changes were also noted in algal cells grown over sediment containing Cu or Cd,
      but these were generally less severe than those occurring when metal ions were
      added directly to the algal cultures. 

PMID- 24227428
TI  - Microscopic studies of cell divisions induced in alfalfa roots by Rhizobium
      meliloti.
AB  - We have used spot-inoculation and new cytological procedures to observe the
      earliest events stimulated in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) roots by Rhizobium
      meliloti. Roots were inoculated with 1-10 nl of concentrated bacteria, fixed in
      paraformaldehyde, and after embedding and sectioning stained with a combination
      of acridine orange and DAPI (4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole hydrochloride). Normal
      R. meliloti provoke cell dedifferentiation and mitosis in the inner cortex of the
      root within 21-24 h after inoculation. This activation of root cells spreads
      progressively, leading to nodule formation. In contrast, the R. meliloti nodA and
      nodC mutants do not stimulate any activation or mitosis. Thus the primary and
      earliest effect of Rhizobium nod gene action is plant cellular activation. A
      rapid, whole-mount visualization by lactic acid shows that the pattern of nodule
      form varies widely. Some R. meliloti strains were found to be capable of
      stimulating on alfalfa roots both normal nodules and a "hybrid" structure
      intermediate between a nodule and a lateral root. 

PMID- 24227429
TI  - Assembly of cell-wall glycoproteins of Chlamydomonas reinhardii: Oligosaccharides
      are added in medial and trans Golgi compartments.
AB  - A series of monoclonal antibodies and a polyclonal antiserum have been used to
      investigate the localisation and pathway of biosynthesis of the cell-wall
      hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein 2BII in the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardii. Glyco
      protein precursors were detected within the endoplasmic reticulum using a
      polyclonal antiserum raised to the deglycosylated 2BII. Monoclonal antibodies
      which are known to recognise different carbohydrate epitopes of 2BII were found
      to label two distinct regions of the Golgi stack. The immunolabelling results
      demonstrate that there is compartmentation of protein synthesis and glycosylation
      steps for these O-glycosidically linked glycoproteins. Newly synthesised
      glycoproteins are transported from the Golgi apparatus to the cell surface via
      two distinct routes. They then undergo assembly into a cell wall, the inner wall
      layer being formed first and probably functionaing as a template within which the
      outer crystalline wall layers are assembled. 

PMID- 24227430
TI  - Phytochrome-mediated regulation of beta-amylase mRNA level in mustard (Sinapis
      alba L.) cotyledons.
AB  - Phytochrome, activated by continuous red light, increases the amount of total
      polyadenylated RNA during photomorphogenesis of mustard (Sinapis alba L.)
      cotyledons. In-vitro translation of total polyadenylated RNA in a reticulocyte
      translation system has shown that the activity of translatable beta-amylase mRNA
      is increased by phytochrome about threefold in the 3-d-old cotyledons, based on
      equal amounts of polyadenylated RNA, and about eightfold on a per-cotyledon
      basis. Cordycepin prevents the accumulation of translatable beta-amylase mRNA. It
      is concluded that the phytochrome-mediated control of beta-amylase synthesis is
      exerted on the level of mRNA synthesis. During seedling development in continuous
      red light, a phytochrome-dependent increase of beta-amylase mRNA can be observed
      at least 6 h before the onset of beta-amylase synthesis. If, after a period of
      enzyme synthesis, phytochrome action is interrupted by long-wavelength far-red
      light followed by darkness, beta-amylase mRNA as well as beta-amylase synthesis
      remain at a high level for 8-10 h and then decline sharply. It is concluded that
      beta-amylase mRNA, having an apparent lifetime of the order of 8-10 h, can be
      formed under the influence of phytochrome during early seedling development but
      it activates beta-amylase synthesis only after a lag-phase of about 8 h, when the
      cotyledons acquire competence to synthesize the enzyme. The consequences of these
      findings for the signal-transduction chain of phytochrome are discussed. 

PMID- 24227431
TI  - Thioredoxin and NADP-thioredoxin reductase from cultured carrot cells.
AB  - Dark-grown carrot (Daucus carota L.) tissue cultures were found to contain both
      protein components of the NADP/thioredoxin system-NADP-thioredoxin reductase and
      the thioredoxin characteristic of heterotrophic systems, thioredoxin h.
      Thioredoxin h was purified to apparent homogeneity and, like typical bacterial
      counterparts, was a 12-kdalton (kDa) acidic protein capable of activating
      chloroplast NADP-malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.82) more effectively than
      fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11). NADP-thioredoxin reductase (EC
      1.6.4.5) was partially purified and found to be an arsenite-sensitive enzyme
      composed of two 34-kDa subunits. Carrot NADP-thioredoxin reductase resembled more
      closely its counterpart from bacteria rather than animal cells in acceptor
      (thioredoxin) specificity. Upon greening of the cells, the content of NADP
      thioredoxin-reductase activity, and, to a lesser extent, thioredoxin h decreased.
      The results confirm the presence of a heterotrophic-type thioredoxin system in
      plant cells and raise the question of its physiological function. 

PMID- 24227432
TI  - Intracellular localisation of phytochrome and ubiquitin in red-light-irradiated
      oat coleoptiles by electron microscopy.
AB  - The intracellular localisation of phytochrome and ubiquitin in irradiated oat
      coleoptiles was analysed by electron microscopy. We applied indirect
      immunolabeling with polyclonal antibodies against phytochrome from etiolated oat
      seedlings or polyclonal antibodies against ubiquitin from rabbit reticulocytes,
      together with a goldcoupled second antibody, on serial ultrathin sections of
      resin-embedded material. Immediately after a 5-min pulse of red light-converting
      phytochrome from the red-absorbing (Pr) to the far-redabsorbing (Pfr) form-the
      label for phytochrome was found to be sequestered in electron-dense areas. For up
      to 2 h after irradiation, the size of these areas increased with increasing dark
      periods. The ubiquitin label was found in the same electrondense areas only after
      a dark period of 30 min. A 5 min pulse of far-red light, which reverts Pfr to Pr,
      given immediately after the red light did not cause the electron-dense structures
      to disappear; moreover, they contained the phytochrome label immediately after
      the far-red pulse. In contrast, after the reverting far-red light pulse,
      ubiquitin could only be visualised in the electron-dense areas after prolonged
      dark periods (i.e. 60 min). The relevance of these data to light-induced
      phytochrome pelletability and to the destruction of both Pr and Pfr is discussed.

PMID- 24227433
TI  - Rhythms during extended dark periods determine rates of net photosynthesis and
      accumulation of starch and soluble sugars in subsequent light periods in leaves
      of Sorghum.
AB  - Photosynthesis and photosynthate partitioning in leaves of Sorghum bicolor (L.)
      Moench exhibited a cyclic dependence on the duration (10-62 h) of dark periods
      inserted prior to bright light test periods (550 MUmol.s(-1).m(-2),
      photosynthetic photon flux). Maximum rates of net photosynthesis and of
      accumulation of starch and soluble sugars were, in the order given, two-, three-
      and fourfold greater than minimum values. Between 14 and 53% of photosynthate was
      retained in leaves depending on the length of the dark period. These changes were
      sufficient to account for the previously described stimulatory effect of short
      daylengths (i.e., long nights) on carbohydrate accumulation in leaves (N.J.
      Chatterton and J.E. Silvius, 1980, Physiol. Plant. 49, 141-144). The freerunning
      periods for the rhythmic dependence on darkness, determined either directly or by
      curve fitting, were about 24 h for net photosynthesis, 23 h for starch
      accumulation, and 26 h for solublesugar cccumulation. The deviation from period
      lengths of 24 h for carbohydrate accumulation indicates that these rhythms are
      probably endogenous and circadian. Initial maxima were observed after 14 h of
      darkness for photosynthesis, after 18-22 h for starch, and after 26 h for soluble
      sugars. The differences in period length and phase indicate that at least three
      separate rhythms underlie the dependence of photosynthate partitioning in Sorghum
      on darkness. Periods of low leaf dry-matter accumulation coincided approximately
      with periods of high net photosynthesis. As a result, maximum photoassimination
      and maximum export were synchronized and, furthermore, occurred at about the same
      time as expected light periods. 

PMID- 24227434
TI  - Localization of mitochondria in plant cells by vital staining with rhodamine 123.
AB  - The positively-charged fluorescent dye rhodamine 123 (r-123) specifically stains
      mitochondria in living plant protoplasts, suspensionculture cells, and root
      hairs. This dye functions as a vital stain and permits visualization of the
      localization, distribution and movement of the mitochondria. Dehydration of root
      hairs caused mitochondria to aggregate into clumps. Mitochondria were either
      homogenous or heterogeneous and were frequently seen to accumulate in the
      perinuclear regions of suspension-culture cells but not in those of protoplasts
      or root-hair cells. Dinitrophenol and high concentrations of ethyleneglycol
      bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and KCl immediately
      eliminated fluorescence in r-123-stained mitochondria whereas ionomycin enhanced
      it. Treatment of seedlings with r-123 resulted in differential brightness of
      fluorescence in different tissues. Meristematic tissues, such as root and shoot
      tips, exhibited the brightest fluorescence. The cytotoxicity of r-123 in both
      germinating seedlings and suspension-culture cells was low. The specificity,
      sensitivity and low toxicity of r-123 should make it a useful tool in experiments
      designed to examine agents and conditions which affect the location, the
      physiological status or the viability of mitochondria. 

PMID- 24227435
TI  - Seed development and vivipary in Zea mays L.
AB  - Seed development was investigated in kernels of developing wild-type and
      viviparous (vp-1) Zea mays L. Embryos and endosperm of wild-type kernels began to
      dehydrate at approx. 35 d after pollination (DAP); viviparous embryos did not
      desiccate but accumulated fresh weight via coleoptile growth in the caryopses.
      Concentrations of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) in the embryo were relatively
      high early in development, being approx. 150 ng.g(-1) fresh weight at 20 DAP. The
      ABA content declined thereafter, falling to approx. 50 ng.g(-1) at 30 DAP.
      Endosperm ABA content was always low, being less than 20 ng.g(-1). There were no
      differences between wild-type and vp-1 tissues. Immature kernels did not
      germinate when removed from the ear until late in development. The ability to
      germinate was correlated with decreasing moisture content in the endosperm at the
      time of removal; premature drying of immature kernels resulted in greatly
      increased germination following imbibition. Excised embryos germinated
      precociously when removed from the endosperm as early as 25 DAP. Such germination
      could be prevented by treatment with 10(-5) M ABA or by lowering the solute
      potential (Psis) of the medium with 0.3 M mannitol. Treatment of excised embryos
      with ABA led to internal ABA concentrations comparable to those in embryos in
      which germination was inhibited in situ. Mannitol treatment did not have this
      effect, although water-deficit stress of excised embryos resulted in substantial
      ABA production. Germinated vp-1 embryos were less sensitive to growth inhibition
      by ABA or mannitol than germinating wild-type embryos. The vp-1 seedlings were
      not wilty and their transpiration rates were reduced in response to ABA or water
      shortage. 

PMID- 24227436
TI  - Developmental modulation of tubulin protein and mRNA levels during somatic
      embryogenesis in cultured carrot cells.
AB  - The number of cortical microtubules (MTs) increases considerably as cultured
      carrot (Daucus carota L.) cells initiate and progress through somatic
      embryogenesis. The basis for this increase in MT number was investigated. A
      radioimmune assay was used to show that tubulin-protein per cell first decreased
      as the undifferentiated cells initiated embryonic development, but subsequently
      increased approximately fivefold between the globular and torpedo/plantlet
      stages. The increase during the torpedo/plantlet stage was correlated with the
      increase in cell size that occurred during the latter stages of embryogenesis.
      The cellular levels of tubulin mRNA were determined by Northern blot analysis,
      using labeled probes derived from soybean alpha- and beta-tubulin genomic
      sequences, cloned in the vectors pSP64 and pSP65. This analysis demonstrated that
      the levels of tubulin-gene transcripts varied with the tubulin-protein levels.
      Cell-free translation of polyadenylated RNA, followed by immunoprecipitation with
      an anti-tubulin antiserum, established that these transcripts represented
      functional tubulin mRNA. These results indicate that MT formation in early
      embryogenesis is controlled by factors other than the availability of tubulin,
      but that MT formation later in embryogenesis is coordinated with concomitant
      changes in tubulin-gene transcription and in the size of the total tubulin
      heterodimer pool. 

PMID- 24227437
TI  - Acclimation of potassium influx in rye (Secale cereale) to low root temperatures.
AB  - The influx of K(+)((86)Rb(+)) into intact roots of rye (Secale cereale L. cv.
      Rheidal) exposed to a differential temperature (DT) between the root (8 degrees 
      C) and shoot (20 degrees  C) is initially reduced compared with warm-grown (WG)
      controls with both shoot and root maintained at 20 degrees  C. Over a period of 3
      d, however, K(+)-influx rates into DT plants are restored to levels similar to or
      greater than those of the WG controls, the absolute rates of K(+) influx being
      strongly dependent upon the shoot/root ratio. Acclimation in DT plants results in
      a reduction of K(+) influx into the apical (0-2 cm) region of the seminal root
      which is associated with a compensatory increase in K(+) influx into the more
      mature, basal regions of the root. Values of V max and apparent K m for K(+)
      influx into DT plants were similar to those for WG plants at assay temperatures
      of 8 degrees  C and 20 degrees  C except for an increase in the apparent K m at 8
      degrees  C. The influx of K(+) from solutions containing 0.6 mol.m(-3) K(+) into
      both WG and DT plants was found to be linearly related to assay temperature over
      the range 2-27 degrees  C, and the temperature sensitivity of K(+) influx to be
      dependent upon shoot/root ratio. At high shoot/root ratios, the ratio of K(+)
      influx at 20 degrees  C:K(+) influx at 8 degrees  C for WG plants approached a
      minimum value of 1.9 whereas that for DT plants approached unity indicating that
      K(+) influx into DT plants has a large temperature-insensitive component.
      Additionally, when plants were grown in solutions of low potassium concentration,
      K(+) influx into DT plants was consistently greater than that into WG plants, in
      spite of having a greater root potassium concentration ([K(+)]int). This result
      indicates some change in the regulation of K(+) influx by [K(+)]int in plants
      exposed to low root temperatures. We suggest that K(+) influx into rye seedlings
      exposed to low root temperatures is regulated by the increased demand placed on
      the root system by a proportionally larger shoot and that the acclimation of K(+)
      influx to low temperatures may be the result of an increased hydraulic
      conductivity of the root system. 

PMID- 24227438
TI  - Activation of fatty acids by non-glyoxysomal peroxisomes.
AB  - Peroxisomes from mung-bean hypocotyls catalyze, in the presence of fatty acids,
      CoASH, ATP, and MgCl2, the formation of acyl-CoA, AMP, and pyrophosphate in a
      1:1:1 stoichiometry. This observation demonstrates that the peroxisomes of mung
      bean hypocotyls possess an acyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.3) for fatty-acid
      activation. Acyl-CoA synthetase activity is associated with the non-glyoxysomal
      peroxisomes from various tissues. The acyl-CoA synthetase of the peroxisomes of
      the mung-bean hypocotyl utilizes oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid most
      effectively (3 nkat.mg(-1) peroxisomal protein). In contrast to the beta
      oxidation enzymes of the peroxisomes whith are largely solubilized in the
      presence of 0.2 mol.l(-1) KCl, the acyl-CoA synthetase remains associated with
      the membrane fraction of peroxisomes. On the basis of the latency of the enzyme
      and its resistance to protease treatment of the peroxisomes, it is concluded that
      the enzyme is located at the matrix face of the peroxisome membrane. 

PMID- 24227439
TI  - Structure, organization and expression of transferred DNA in Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia crown-gall tissues.
AB  - Data are provided which show that transferred DNA (T-DNA) present in Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia crown-gall lines in most cases was scrambled and not intact. Both
      wild-type, and 'rooter'- and 'shooter'-type mutants of octopine-type
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens were used to infect N. plumbaginifolia plantlets,
      cultured in vitro. Resulting tumors were excised from the plantlets and cultured
      for more than three years. During subculturing the tumor lines were scored for
      the following phenotypic traits: phytohormone autonomous growth in vitro
      (Aut(+)), spontaneous shoot regeneration (Reg(+)), root deficiency of shoots
      (Rod(+)), octopine production (Ocs(+)) and mannopine and agropine production
      (Mas(+)Ags(+)). An unexpectedly large variety of phenotypes was observed. For
      instance, two out of three tumor lines induced on haploid plantlets by the rooter
      mutant LBA4210 regenerated shoots, a phenomenon which is not observed for
      octopine tobacco tumor lines. Fifty percent of the crown-gall lines studied did
      not contain octopine. Only one line out of six independent lines analyzed was
      found to have a 'regular' T-DNA structure. Occurrence of aberrant T-DNA
      structures was not correlated with the ploidy level of infected plantlets, nor
      with the T-region structure of the inciting bacterial strain. The pattern of TL
      DNA transcripts was studied for one line and correlated well with the aberrant T
      DNA structure detected. Segments of TR-DNA, having irregular structures as well,
      were detected in two out of the six lines studied. The scrambled nature of the TR
      DNA explained the absence of mannopine and agropine in these two lines. In
      addition, it was observed that N. plumbaginifolia tissue lines which did not
      carry T-DNA, became readily phytohormone autotrophic (habituated) at an early
      stage in tissue culture. 

PMID- 24227440
TI  - Formation of isopentenyl diphosphate via mevalonate does not occur within
      etioplasts and etiochloroplasts of mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedlings.
AB  - Seedlings from the white mustard, Sinapis alba, grown under continuous far-red
      light exhibit enhanced plastid enzyme activities when compared with dark-grown
      seedlings (for review, see Mohr 1981). These activities are even more pronounced
      upon illumination with white light during the etioplast/chloroplast
      transformation. Etioplasts and etiochloroplasts from the cotyledons of such
      seedlings show high prenyl-lipid-synthesizing activities when [1
      (14)C]isopentenyl diphosphate is used as the precursor. They lack, however, any
      enzymatic activities for the formation of isopentenyl diphosphate via the
      mevalonate pathway, i.e. hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, mevalonate kinase,
      phosphomevalonate kinase and diphosphomevalonate decarboxylase, which are present
      and easily detectable within the endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm. These
      results corroborate the view that the cytoplasm of the plant cell is the only
      site of isopentenyl-diphosphate formation via the mevalonate pathway. 

PMID- 24227441
TI  - Calculation of leaf photosynthetic parameters from light-response curves for
      ecophysiological applications.
AB  - Measurement of the light response of photosynthetic CO2 uptake is often used as
      an implement in ecophysiological studies. A method is described to calculate
      photosynthetic parameters, such as the maximum rate of whole electron transport
      and dissimilative respiration in the light, from the light response of CO2
      uptake. Examples of the light-response curves of flag leaves and ears of wheat
      (Triticum aestivum cv. ARKAS) are shown. 

PMID- 24227442
TI  - The pattern of amyloplast DNA accumulation during wheat endosperm development.
AB  - The accumulation of amyloplast DNA during endosperm development was studied in
      two cultivars of spring wheat, Triticum aestivum L. 'Chinese Spring' (CS) and
      'Spica', small and relatively larger-grained cultivars, respectively. Endosperms
      were isolated between 9 and 45 days post anthesis (dpa) and the amyloplast DNA
      content of endosperm nucleic-acid extracts was measured by quantitative
      hybridisation with a homologous chloroplast-DNA probe. The endosperm cells of CS
      and Spica accumulated amyloplast DNA during development in a similar way. In both
      cultivars there was a large increase in the amount of plastid DNA (ptDNA) per
      endosperm between 9 and about 15 dpa, after which there was no further increase.
      Because nuclear DNA continued to accumulate until 24 dpa, the percentage
      contribution of amyloplast DNA to total DNA fluctuated in both cultivars during
      development, reaching maxima at 12 dpa of about 1.00% and 0.85%, and dropping to
      apparently constant levels of 0.60% and 0.52% in CS and Spica, respectively, by
      24 dpa. In both cultivars, the average number of ptDNA copies per amyloplast was
      calculated to increase from about 10 copies at 9 dpa to about 50 copies in the
      mature amyloplasts at 31 dpa. However, the heavier endosperms of Spica contain
      more cells than those of CS and the varieties therefore differed in the amount of
      ptDNA that accumulated per endosperm: Spica endosperms accumulated 110 ng of
      ptDNA by 15 dpa, compared with only 85 ng in CS. The apparent accumulation of
      ptDNA copies in wheat amyloplasts during endosperm development contrasts with the
      decline in chloroplast-DNA copies in wheat chloroplasts during leaf development. 

PMID- 24227443
TI  - Endogenous indoles and the biosynthesis and metabolism of indole-3-acetic acid in
      cultures of Rhizobium phaseoli.
AB  - Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analyses of purified extracts from cultures
      of Rhizobium phaseoli wild-type strain 8002, grown in a non-tryptophan
      supplemented liquid medium, demonstrated the presence of indole-3-acetic acid
      (IAA), indole-3-ethanol (IEt), indole-3-aldehyde and indole-3-methanol (IM). In
      metabolism studies with (3)H-, (14)C- and (2)H-labelled substrates the bacterium
      was shown to convert tryptophan to IEt, IAA and IM; IEt to IAA and IM; and IAA to
      IM. Indole-3-acetamide (IAAm) could not be detected as either an endogenous
      constituent or a metabolite of [(3)H]tryptophan nor did cultures convert
      [(14)C]IAAm to IAA. Biosynthesis of IAA in R. phaseoli, thus, involves a
      different pathway from that operating in Pseudomonas savastanio and Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens-induced crown-gall tumours. 

PMID- 24227444
TI  - Localization of glycollate dehydrogenase in Dunaliella salina.
AB  - Glycollate dehydrogenase of the halotolerant green alga Dunaliella salina,
      isolated from a brine pond, was found associated with the membrane fraction which
      exhibited complete photosynthetic activity. Highest enzyme activity was found in
      cells grown in the presence of 5% NaCl. Any increase in NaCl concentration led to
      a decrease in specific enzyme activity. 

PMID- 24227445
TI  - The presence of coconut in southern Panama in pre-Columbian times: clearing up
      the confusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pre-Columbian presence of coconut on the Pacific coast of Panama
      is attested by a number of independent written accounts. However, recent papers
      question their accuracy and conclude that coconut was introduced to the region by
      the Spaniards after their conquests. Scope In order to examine the value of such
      claims, an extensive search was conducted of the relevant historical accounts of
      coconut in America and in the Orient. KEY RESULTS: The Spanish chronicler Oviedo
      (1478-1557) is found to have effectively used fruit and seed size to distinguish
      coconut from other palms. In addition, it is shown that he has been inaccurately
      faulted with incorrectly representing a cluster of coconuts. The original
      drawing, a cluster of a native Bactris, was in the marginalia and was only
      assigned to coconut after Oviedo's death. Finally, the location is identified of
      a coastal Panamanian site described by Pedro Martir de Angleria and where tidal
      dispersal of coconuts was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This previously overlooked
      evidence confirms the pre-historical presence of coconut in Panama. Genetic data
      indicate that it must have been brought there directly or indirectly from the
      Philippines. But when, where and by whom remains a subject of research. Further
      molecular marker studies, computer simulation of natural drift and archaeological
      research could contribute to this research.

PMID- 24227447
TI  - Effect of cleaning and sanitization agents on the surface characteristics of new
      and extended-wear produce picking bins.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although surface characteristics of food contact materials are known
      to alter the efficacy of cleaning procedures there is a lack of data establishing
      how cleaning/sanitization practices affect the surface characteristics of
      materials used for produce handling on-farm. The overall objective of this work
      was to characterize the effects of cleaning and sanitization procedures on the
      surface properties of new and extended-wear polyethylene bins used for produce
      harvest and handling. RESULTS: Compared to detergent cleaned samples, chlorine
      and quaternary ammonium sanitization resulted in a decrease in advancing contact
      angle from 100 degrees  to 88 degrees  and 59 degrees , respectively, after 2 min
      exposure. However, changes in surface chemistry were not observed. Increasing
      sanitization time to 144 min (representative of 4320 sanitization cycles)
      resulted in an increase in contact angle to 73 degrees  for quaternary ammonium
      sanitization and a decrease in contact angle to 75 degrees  for chlorine
      sanitization. Abrasion increased contact angle hysteresis due to enhanced surface
      roughness. The hysteresis effect of abraded material was reduced with quaternary
      ammonium treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This work indicates that sanitizing agents
      employed in on-farm cleaning can alter the surface characteristics of
      polyethylene picking bins and should be considered in developing cleaning and
      sanitization procedures.

PMID- 24227448
TI  - A randomized, double-blind pilot study of dexmedetomidine versus midazolam for
      intensive care unit sedation: patient recall of their experiences and short-term
      psychological outcomes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sedation with dexmedetomidine may facilitate ventilator liberation
      and limit the occurrence of delirium. No trial has assessed patient recall or the
      development of psychological outcomes after dexmedetomidine sedation. This pilot
      study evaluated whether transitioning benzodiazepine sedation to dexmedetomidine
      alters patient recall and the incidence of anxiety, depression, or acute stress
      disorder (ASD). METHODS: This investigation was a randomized, double-blind,
      single-center study. Existing continuous benzodiazepine sedation was converted to
      dexmedetomidine or midazolam when patients qualified for daily awakenings.
      Sedation was titrated to achieve Riker sedation agitation scores of 3 to 4. The
      intensive care unit (ICU) Stressful Experiences Questionnaire, hospital anxiety
      and depression scale, and the impact of event scale-revised were administered
      before hospital discharge to assess recall, anxiety, depression, and
      manifestations of ASD. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients received dexmedetomidine,
      and 12 patients received midazolam. Median dosing was 0.61 ug/kg/h for 3.5 days
      for dexmedetomidine and 3.7 mg/h for 3 days for midazolam. Attainment of goal
      sedation and analgesia was similar; however, more dexmedetomidine patients
      experienced agitation and pain. The median duration of mechanical ventilation
      from study drug initiation to extubation was 3.4 days in dexmedetomidine patients
      and 2.9 days in midazolam patients. Dexmedetomidine patients remembered 18.5
      experiences compared with 8.5 in midazolam patients (P = .015). Rates of anxiety
      and depression were similar. In all, 5 (62.5%) dexmedetomidine patients and 1
      (12.5%) midazolam patient manifested ASD (P = .063), and 1 dexmedetomidine
      patient and 5 midazolam patients developed new-onset delirium (P = .07).
      Hypotension occurred in 10 (90.9%) dexmedotomidine patients and 6 (50%) midazolam
      patients (P = .069). CONCLUSIONS: Transitioning benzodiazepine sedation to
      dexmedetomidine when patients qualify for daily awakenings may reduce the
      development of delirium and facilitate remembrance of ICU experiences but may
      lead to manifestations of ASD. Monitoring hypotension is required for both the
      sedatives. Additional comparative studies focusing on the long-term impact of ICU
      recall and psychological outcomes are needed.

PMID- 24227449
TI  - Brain Death Determination.
AB  - In the United States, each year 1% to 2% of deaths are brain deaths. Considerable
      variation in the practice of determining brain death still remains, despite the
      publication of practice parameters in 1995 and an evidence-based guideline update
      in 2010. This review is intended to give bedside clinicians an overview of
      definition, the causes and pitfalls of misdiagnosing brain death, and a focus on
      the specifics of the brain death determination process. 

PMID- 24227450
TI  - Predictors of Outcome Post Cardiac Arrest.
AB  - Early predictors of prognosis in comatose patients post cardiac arrest help
      inform decisions surrounding continuation or withdrawal of treatment and provide
      a framework on which to better inform relatives of the likely outcome. Markers
      defined prior to the widespread use of therapeutic hypothermia post arrest may no
      longer be reliable and an up-to-date analysis of the literature is presented.

PMID- 24227446
TI  - Regulation of root morphogenesis in arbuscular mycorrhizae: what role do fungal
      exudates, phosphate, sugars and hormones play in lateral root formation?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AMs) form a widespread root-fungus symbiosis
      that improves plant phosphate (Pi) acquisition and modifies the physiology and
      development of host plants. Increased branching is recognized as a general
      feature of AM roots, and has been interpreted as a means of increasing suitable
      sites for colonization. Fungal exudates, which are involved in the dialogue
      between AM fungi and their host during the pre-colonization phase, play a well
      documented role in lateral root (LR) formation. In addition, the increased Pi
      content of AM plants, in relation to Pi-starved controls, as well as changes in
      the delivery of carbohydrates to the roots and modulation of phytohormone
      concentration, transport and sensitivity, are probably involved in increasing
      root system branching. SCOPE: This review discusses the possible causes of
      increased branching in AM plants. The differential root responses to Pi, sugars
      and hormones of potential AM host species are also highlighted and discussed in
      comparison with those of the non-host Arabidopsis thaliana. CONCLUSIONS: Fungal
      exudates are probably the main compounds regulating AM root morphogenesis during
      the first colonization steps, while a complex network of interactions governs
      root development in established AMs. Colonization and high Pi act synergistically
      to increase root branching, and sugar transport towards the arbusculated cells
      may contribute to LR formation. In addition, AM colonization and high Pi
      generally increase auxin and cytokinin and decrease ethylene and strigolactone
      levels. With the exception of cytokinins, which seem to regulate mainly the
      root:shoot biomass ratio, these hormones play a leading role in governing root
      morphogenesis, with strigolactones and ethylene blocking LR formation in the non
      colonized, Pi-starved plants, and auxin inducing them in colonized plants, or in
      plants grown under high Pi conditions.

PMID- 24227451
TI  - Patterns of care of radiation therapy in patients with stage IV rectal cancer: a
      Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results analysis of patients from 2004 to
      2009.
AB  - BACKGROUND: According to the 2013 National Comprehensive Cancer Network
      guidelines, pelvic radiation therapy (RT) is one of the preferred regimens for
      patients with metastatic rectal cancer (mRC). The objective of this study was to
      analyze patterns of care and outcomes data for the receipt of RT among patients
      with mRC using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.
      METHODS: Patients with stage IV rectal or rectosigmoid cancer were identified in
      the SEER database (2004-2009). Patients were stratified according to their
      primary disease site (rectum vs rectosigmoid), tumor (T) classification, and
      lymph node (N) classification. Treatment regimens (with or without surgical
      resection, with or without RT) were recorded. The Fisher exact test was used to
      compare RT rates based on stratified factors. Two and five-year survival rates
      were compared among treatment groups. RESULTS: In total, 6873 patients with stage
      IV rectal cancer and 3417 patients with rectosigmoid cancer were identified.
      Overall, 20.5% of patients with rectal cancer underwent surgery alone, whereas
      38.7% received RT with or without surgery. Within the rectosigmoid group, 51.4%
      of patients underwent surgery alone, and 15.1% received RT with or without
      surgery. The use of RT differed significantly between patients with in situ (Tis)
      through T2 tumors versus T3/T4 tumors (P < .001) and between those with N0
      disease versus N1/N2 disease (P < .001). The 2-year and 5-year survival rates
      differed between treatment groups, with the highest survival rates observed among
      those who received combined surgery and RT. CONCLUSIONS: The primary treatments
      for patients with mRC include RT with or without surgery. RT is used more
      commonly in patients with primary rectal (vs rectosigmoid) tumors, N0 disease, or
      Tis-T2 tumors. Treatment with combination surgery and RT is associated with
      prolonged survival.

PMID- 24227452
TI  - Cadmium, zinc, copper and metallothionein levels in the kidney and liver of
      humans from central Poland.
AB  - Cd, Zn, Cu, and metallothionein (MT) levels have been determined in the renal
      cortex and liver of 70 persons who died in Lodz and its surroundings in the years
      1985-1989. The mean concentrations were: 44.9+/-28.6 ug Cd/g, 52.0+/-16.7 ug
      Zn/g, 2.4+/-1.0 ug Cu/g, 0.79+/-0.40 umol Hg/g, and 3.5+/-1.8 ug Cd/g, 66.7+/
      30.5 ug Zn/g, 4.9+/-2.1 ug Cu/g, 0.50+/-0.38 umol Hg/g wet tissue in renal cortex
      and liver, respectively, with mean age 54.0+/-13.8. Smokers showed 2.4 times
      higher levels of Cd in the renal cortex than non-smokers. The mean body burden of
      Cd was 33.4+/-17.3 mg. Smoking increases it twofold from 22.0 mg in non-smokers
      to 41.8 mg in smokers. 

PMID- 24227453
TI  - Ground water discharge and the related nutrient and trace metal fluxes into
      Quincy bay, Massachusetts.
AB  - Measurement of the rate and direction of ground water flow beneath Wollaston
      Beach, Quincy, Massachusetts by use of a heat-pulsing flowmeter shows a mean
      velocity in the bulk sediment of 40 cm d(-1). The estimated total discharge of
      ground water into Quincy Bay during October 1990 was 1324-2177 m(3) d(-1), a
      relatively low ground water discharge rate. The tides have only a moderate effect
      on the rate and direction of this flow. Other important controls on the rate and
      volume of ground water flow are the limited thickness, geographic extent, and
      permeability of the aquifer. Comparisons of published streamflow data and
      estimates of ground water discharge indicate that ground water makes up between
      7.4-12.1% of the gaged freshwater input into Quincy Bay. The data from this study
      suggest the ground water discharge is a less important recharge component to
      Quincy Bay than predicted by National Urban Runoff Program (NURP) models.The high
      nitrate and low nitrite and ammonia concentrations in the ground water at the
      backshore well sites and low nitrate and high nitrite and ammonia concentrations
      in the water flowing from the foreshore suggests that denitrification is active
      in the sediments. The low ground water flow rates and low nitrate concentrations
      in the foreshore samples suggest that little or no nitrate is surviving the
      denitrification process to affect the planktonic community. Similarly, oxidizing
      conditions in the aquifer and low trace metal concentrations in the ground water
      samples suggest that the metals may be precipitating and binding to sedimentary
      phases before impacting the bay. 

PMID- 24227454
TI  - Consistency of observations of forest tree defoliation in three European
      countries.
AB  - The crown densities of 186 trees of five common European tree species (Norway
      spruce (Picea abies), silver fir (Abies alba), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), oak
      (Quercus robur) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) were assessed simultaneously by
      observation teams from France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Major differences
      in the scores existed, with the maximum difference on any one tree being 45%.
      Differences tended to be consistent, with the French team scoring more lightly
      than the German team and the German team more lightly than the UK team. The
      differences throw into question the value of international comparisons of forest
      condition, particularly the use of comparative tables of the extent of "forest
      decline" in individual European countries. 

PMID- 24227455
TI  - Vertical ozone variation in the lower troposphere of Delhi.
AB  - Measurements of ozone in the urban environment of Delhi were carried out at
      ground level and heights of 23m, 51m, 117m and 153m at four different sites
      synoptically during 1989-90. A considerable ozone build up was observed all over
      Delhi and a significant vertical variation in its concentration was observed at
      all sites. At any given time O3 levels were lowest at ground level and invariably
      increased with increasing distance from the ground. 

PMID- 24227456
TI  - Masonry fireplace emissions test method: Repeatability and sensitivity to fueling
      protocol.
AB  - A test method for masonry fireplaces has been evaluated during testing on six
      masonry fireplace configurations. The method determines carbon monoxide and
      particulate matter emission rates (g/h) and factors (g/kg) and does not require
      weighing of the appliance to determine the timing of fuel loading.The
      intralaboratory repeatability of the test method has been determined from
      multiple tests on the six fireplaces. For the tested fireplaces, the ratio of the
      highest to lowest measured PM rate averaged 1.17 and in no case was greater than
      1.32. The data suggest that some of the variation is due to differences in fuel
      properties.The influence of fueling protocol on emissions has also been studied.
      A modified fueling protocol, tested in large and small fireplaces, reduced CO and
      PM emission factors by roughly 40% and reduced CO and PM rates from 0 to 30%. For
      both of these fireplaces, emission rates were less sensitive to fueling protocol
      than emission factors. 

PMID- 24227457
TI  - Terrestrial snails as quantitative indicators of environmental metal pollution.
AB  - Concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were measured in individuals of
      Arianta arbustorum from different urban sampling sites. In comparison to snails
      from a reference site, the animals collected in the city showed higher
      concentrations of cadmium, lead, and copper, indicating elevated levels of metal
      pollution. The most pronounced difference in tissue concentrations between
      control animals and contaminated snails was observed for lead. Within the city,
      metal levels in snails differed significantly, even between adjacent populations.
      Arianta arbustorum is a suitable species for biomonitoring, because it is
      widespread, resident and easy to collect; it has a high capacity for metal
      accumulation and shows different concentrations depending on metal contamination
      of the sampling area. An interspecific comparison of metal concentrations in
      terrestrial gastropods was conducted to define background levels and classes of
      burden. Three pollution levels are distinguished on the basis of the snails'
      metal burden: no pollution (class 1: reference sites), moderate (class 2: traffic
      and other human activities in urban areas), and high pollution (class 3: mining
      and heavy industry). 

PMID- 24227458
TI  - Synthesis of a [2]catenane from the sodium ion templated orthogonal arrangement
      of two diethylene glycol chains.

PMID- 24227459
TI  - Tropylium, chlorine isotopic abundances, monomeric metaphosphate anion, and
      conestoga wagon theory.
AB  - As I look back over a career in mass spectrometry, three high points stand out
      especially prominently. These are associated with (1) the tropylium model for the
      CuH 7 (+) ion in the mass spectra of toluene and other alkylbenzenes, (2)
      revision of the previously accepted value for the natural abundance of the
      chlorine isotopes, and (3) the first direct observation of the monomeric
      metaphosphate anion, which had been for a quarter of a century an elusive,
      suspected reaction intermediate. Studies of organic ions in the rarefied
      atmosphere of the mass spectrometer, where only unimolecular processes are
      allowed, have deepened my appreciation of the role and ubiquity of bimolecular
      processes in more conventional chemical contexts. Consideration of the two
      categories of molecular behavior has prompted me to seek and find, for a selected
      system in the mass spectrometer, parallels both in condensed-phase chemistry and,
      by an anthropomorphic extension, in human behavior. 

PMID- 24227460
TI  - Surface-Induced dissociation from a liquid surface.
AB  - Mass-selected projectile ions in the tens of electronvolt energy range undergo
      surface-induced dissociation upon collision with a liquid perfluorinated
      polyether (PFPE) surface. The efficiency of translational-to-vibrational (T-V)
      energy transfer is similar to that observed for a fluorinated self-assembled
      monolayer (SAM) surface. The thermometer ion W(CO)^' was used to detenrrine an
      average T-V conversion efficiency of 18% in the collision energy range of 30-50
      eV. The surface can be bombarded for several hours without displaying any change
      in the scattered ion products. Ion-surface reactions occur with some projectiles
      and are analogous to those seen with the fluorinated SAM surface. For example, WF
      ? (+) (m=1-5) and W(CO)nF ? (+) (n=1-2, m=1-2) are generated upon collisions of
      W(CO) 6 (+) with the PFPE liquid surface. The ion-surface reactions observed
      suggest that F atoms and/or CF3 groups are accessible for reaction while the
      oxygen atoms lie below the outermost surface layer. Chemical sputtering of the
      liquid surface also occurs and yields common fluorocarbon fragment ions,
      including CF 3 (+) , C2F 5 (+) , and C3F 7 (+) and the oxygenated product CFO(+).
      The liquid surface is remarkably free of hydrocarbon impurities. Collisions of
      the pyrazine and benzene molecular ions, both probes for hydrocarbon impurities,
      resulted in very little protonated pyrazine or protonated benzene. 

PMID- 24227461
TI  - The effects of air and helium on the performance of the ion trap detector when
      used for real-time monitoring of some atmospheric pollutants.
AB  - The feasibility of using an ion trap detector for real-time monitoring of
      volatile organic compounds in atmospheric samples is demonstrated. Detection
      limits in the low part-per-million to low part-per-billion ranges are achieved
      with an operating dynamic range of at least 5 orders of magnitude. Sample
      introduction through semipermeable membranes and molecular leak valves was
      evaluated. The membrane introduction method provided detection limit enhancements
      of 10-300 times over the molecular leak method. The effects of partial pressure
      from air and helium buffer gas were studied, and it was determined that, for
      optimum amounts of air, the helium buffer gas had no apparent effect on
      sensitivity or resolution. Air acts as the buffer gas to enhance ion signals by
      collisionally damping ion motion. The enhancement of molecular ion abundance at
      high partial pressures of air is postulated to be due to charge exchange and
      possibly collisional stabilization reactions. 

PMID- 24227462
TI  - Gridless Ion Acceleration Systems for Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Pointlike ion sources allow the application of gridless acceleration systems in
      time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF/MS). When ions are extracted from large
      sample areas according to the applied ionization method and sample geometry, the
      application of electrostatic lenses for acceleration seems to be difficult.
      Inhomogeneous extraction fields are likely to induce acceleration time variations
      for ions emerging from different locations on the sample. We investigated
      gridless acceleration systems with the help of computer simulations. An
      appropriate solution for TOF/MS was found and experimentally tested, combining
      the features of compactness and a wide-acceptance aperture with simple principles
      of construction. nt]mis|Dedicated to Ronald D, Macfarlane on the occasion of his
      60th birthday. 

PMID- 24227463
TI  - A simple method for estimating effective ion source residence time.
AB  - A method is presented that uses the well-understood O2/Ax ion-molecule reaction
      system to determine the effective ion source residence time of a chemical
      ionization source. The process consists of: (1) defining the kinetic system in
      terms of reactions, reaction rates, and ionization cross sections; (2) solving
      the differential equations that describe the time evolu-tion of the kinetic
      system, and (3) comparing the calculated results to experimentally measured
      relative ion intensities. These steps are repeated for a variety of 02/Ar sample
      ratios and inlet pressures. The method leads to a simple relationship between
      inlet pressure and effective ion source residence time, independent of the 02/Ar
      sample ratio. 

PMID- 24227464
TI  - Determination of positions, velocities, and kinetic energies of resonantly
      excited ions in the quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer by laser
      photodissociation.
AB  - The effects on ion motion caused by the application of a resonance AC dipole
      voltage to the end-cap electrodes of the quadrupole ion trap are described. An
      excimer laser is used to photodissociate benzoyl ions, and its triggering is
      phase locked to the AC voltage to follow the motion of the ion cloud as a
      function of the phase angle of the AC signal. Resonantly excited ions maintain a
      coherent motion in the presence of He buffer gas, which dissipates energy from
      the ions via collisions. Maximum ion displacements, which depend upon the
      potential well depth (q z value), occur twice each AC cycle. Axial components of
      ion velocities are determined by differentiating the displacements of the
      distributions with respect to time. The experimental data show that these
      velocities are maximized when the ion cloud passes through zero axial
      displacement, and they compare favorably with results calculated using a simple
      harmonic oscillator model. Axial components of ion kinetic energies are low (<5
      eV) under the chosen experimental conditions. At low values of q2 (~ 0.2), the
      width of the ion distribution increases as the ion cloud approaches the center of
      the trap and decreases as it approaches the end-cap electrodes. This effect is
      created by compaction of the ion trajectories when ion velocities are decreased. 

PMID- 24227465
TI  - Laser microprobe mass spectrometry of quaternary phosphonium salts: Direct versus
      matrix-assisted laser desorption.
AB  - The use of laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LMMS) for the structural
      characterization of thermolabile quaternary phosphonium salts has been evaluated.
      A comparison has been made between LM mass spectra obtained by direct analysis of
      "neat" organic salts and the corresponding "matrix-assisted" LM mass spectra.
      Main limitations of LMMS for the direct analysis of neat organic salts (i.e., no
      matrix) result from (1) formation of artifact ions that originate from thermal
      degradation and surface recombination reactions and (2) poor shot-to-shot
      reproducibility of the spectra. Dilution of the organic salts in a suitable, UV
      absorbing matrix (e.g., nicotinic acid) significantly enhances the quality of the
      LM mass spectra. Improvements are: (1) an increase of the ion yield of preformed
      cations, (2) reduction or elimination of thermal decomposition and other
      deleterious surface reactions, and (3) a much better shot-to-shot spectral
      reproducibility. An interesting analytical feature is that these LM mass spectra,
      which contain only a few matrix peaks, can be obtained for subnanogram amounts of
      sample.The results also show that triphenylphosphonium salts with polycyclic
      aromatic substituents can be used as "molecular thermometers" to probe both the
      temperatures experienced by the sample molecules during the laser-induced
      desorption ionization process and the internal energies of the desorbed ion
      species. In this way, quaternary phosphonium salts can be used for evaluating
      whether improvements have been achieved by applying different sample treatments.
      Comparison of four different matrices (i.e., nicotinic acid, ammonium chloride,
      glycerol, and 3-nitrobenzylalcohol) indicates that the effectiveness of a matrix
      to reduce thermal degradation and to decrease the internal energies of the ions
      depends on the UV-absorption characteristics and the volatilization/sublimation
      temperature of the matrix material. 

PMID- 24227466
TI  - Structures of gas-phase C2F 7 (+) ions.
AB  - In an ion cyclotron resonance spectrometer, less than 96% of the C7F 7 (+) cation
      formed on electron ionization of perfluorotoluene reacts with
      hexamethyldisilazane. In contrast, the C7F 7 (+) from perfluoronorbornadiene or
      perfluorobicyclo[3.2.O]hepta-2,6-diene is nonreactive with hexamethyldisilazane.
      Collision-induced dissociation results support this dichotomy, although the
      evidence is not as clear-cut. The reactive ion is assigned the benzyl structure
      and the nonreactive ion the tropyl structure, on the basis of analogy with the
      protio cases. By AM1 calculations, the perfluorobenzyl ion is 25 kcal/mol more
      stable than the perfluorotropyl ion, the opposite of the situation for the protio
      analogs (- 12 kcal/mol). Ab initio calculations at the 3-21G level agree with the
      semiempirical energy difference to within 0.4 kcal/mol; at the more appropriate 6
      31G*/MP2 level, the perfluorobenzyl cation is 9.7 kcal/mol more stable than the
      perfluorotropyl cation. 

PMID- 24227467
TI  - Charge-remote fragmentation and the two-step elimination of alkanols from fast
      atom bombardment-desorbed (M + H)(+), (M + Cat) (+), and (M - H) (-) ions of
      aromatic beta-hydroxyoximes.
AB  - Aromatic beta-hydroxyoximes undergo unusual fragmentation reactions as protonated
      or cationized species, as radical cations, or as (M - H)(-) ions, As protonated
      species, they expel OH ' from the oxime functionality in violation of the even
      electron rule. Parallel eliminations of alkyl radicals follow OH' loss when the
      aromatic ring is substituted with an alkyl chain. Alkyl radical losses appear to
      be characteristic of radical cations that can isomerize to ions in which the
      alkyl chain bears a radical site and the charged site is the conjugate acid of a
      basic functionality (e.g., oxime or imine). Evidence for the mechanisms was found
      in the ion chemistry of oxime and imine radical cations. The imine reference
      compounds were conveniently generated by fast atom bombardment-induced reduction
      of oximes, removing the requirement for using conventional chemical synthesis.
      Protonated imines and the (M - H)(-) ions of oximes fragment extensively via
      charge-remote processes to eliminate the elements of alkanes. This chemistry is
      not shared by the protonated oximes. 

PMID- 24227468
TI  - Mass and charge assignment for electrospray ions by cation adduction.
AB  - The assignment of the mass (m) value from the m/z value for ions with a multiple
      number of charges (z) in electrospray mass spectra usually utilizes multiple
      peaks of the same m but different z values, or unit-mass-separated isotopic peaks
      of the same z value from high resolution spectra. The latter approach is also
      feasible with much less resolving power using adduct ions of much higher mass
      separation. The application of this to mixture spectra containing many masses,
      such as spectra from tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) ion dissociation, does not
      appear to have been pointed out previously. Thus, replacing two protons by one
      Cu(2+) ion increases the mass by 61.5 Da, with this shift providing a mass scale
      for assignment of m and z from this pair of m/z values. The more common Na(+)
      adduct peaks provide a 22.0 Da separation, of utility for 1000 resolving power
      only below approximately 10 kDa. Further, collisional dissociation lowers the
      degree of Cu(2+) adduction in the resulting sequence-specific fragment ions much
      less than that of the corresponding Na(+) adducts, making the Cu(2+) adducts far
      more useful for m and z determination in MS/MS studies. 

PMID- 24227470
TI  - Erratum to: Low-energy tandem mass spectrometry of the molecular ion derived from
      fatty acid methyl esters: A novel method for analysis of branched-chain fatty
      acids.

PMID- 24227472
TI  - Effect of diclofenac on the pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin in rats.
AB  - A sensitive and specific method was developed and validated for the determination
      of moxifloxacin in plasma using HPLC. The effect of diclofenac (12.5, 25, 50
      mg/kg) on the pharmacokinetics of orally administered moxifloxacin (40 mg/kg) in
      rats was investigated. Pharmacokinetic parameters of moxifloxacin were determined
      in rats following oral administration to rats in the presence and absence of
      diclofenac. The coadministration of the 2 drugs resulted in 10~29.5% decrease of
      the AUC and a 24.7~34% decrease of t1/2 for moxifloxacin; Tmax for moxifloxacin
      was 1.41~1.9-fold higher than that after the administration of moxifloxacin
      alone; Cmax for moxifloxacin decreased by 20.5~49%, as compared to that after the
      administration of moxifloxacin alone. Consequently, moxifloxacin and diclofenac
      should be monitored closely for potential drug interactions.

PMID- 24227471
TI  - Development and validation of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric
      method for quantification of meropenem in rat plasma and its application in a
      preclinical dose proportionality study.
AB  - A simple, rapid, sensitive and selective assay based liquid chromatography-tandem
      mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for quantitative analysis
      of meropenem in rat plasma using rolipram as internal standard. Efficient
      chromatographic separation of analyte from matrix components was achieved by
      using Kromasil 100 C18 (150*4.6 mm, 5 um) reversed phase column with mobile phase
      consisting of acetonitrile and 2 mM ammonium acetate buffer (80:20, v/v)
      delivered in isocratic mode with constant flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. Detection of
      meropenem and rolipram was performed in positive mode using multiple reaction
      monitoring (MRM). The mass transitions 384.1->141.0 and 276.2->191.1 were used to
      quantify meropenem and rolipram, respectively. A fast and simple solid phase
      extraction method was optimized for extraction of meropenem from rat plasma. The
      developed method was validated for selectivity, accuracy, precision, linearity,
      recovery, stability, matrix effect, dilution integrity as per regulatory
      guidelines. The developed method was selective with no interfering components at
      the retention time of meropenem and rolipram. The assay demonstrated acceptable
      linearity (R(2)>0.99) over a dynamic range of 0.19-201.40 ug/mL. The method
      exhibited excellent and acceptable precision and accuracy, and produced
      consistent recoveries. The method demonstrated excellent stability of meropenem
      in rat plasma under studied conditions investigated. Finally, the validated
      method was successfully applied to quantify meropenem levels in rat plasma of a
      dose escalation study. 

PMID- 24227473
TI  - Antiproliferative activity of novel thiophene and thienopyrimidine derivatives.
AB  - A novel series of newly synthesized thiophene derivatives, ethyl-4,5-dimethyl-2
      (3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)thioureido)thiophene-3-carboxylate 3, ethyl-2-[(2
      (dimethylamino)ethoxy)mercapto)methyleneamino)]-4,5-dimethyl-thiophene-3
      carboxylate 9, thienopyrimidines 4, 7, 10-20, triazolothienopyrimidines 5, 6 were
      prepared and tested for their antiproliferative activity. The structures of the
      synthesized compounds were confirmed on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, (1)H
      NMR, (13)C-NMR and mass spectral data. The results showed that the synthesized
      compounds were more active on breast cancer than on colon cancer cell lines and
      the most potent compounds in this study are compounds 3 and 13 which exerted
      remarkable activity against MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer) and HT-29 (colon cancer)
      cell lines with IC50 values (40.68, 49.22 MUM) for compound 3 and (34.04, 45.62
      MUM) for compound 13. Also, compounds 4-6, 9 showed a moderate activity against
      breast cancer cell line, while compounds 15, 19 and 20 showed no activity. 

PMID- 24227474
TI  - Antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of the methanolic extract of Momordica
      charantia Linn (Cucurbitaceae) and its mechanism of action.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The whole plant of Momordica charantia Linn (Cucurbitaceae) is used
      in traditional African medicine in the management of depressive illness. METHODS:
      Momordica charantia (MC) (50-400 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 1 h before
      behavioural studies using the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test
      (TST) to investigate antidepressant-like effect while the anxiolytic-like effect
      was evaluated with elevated plus maze test (EPM), hole-board test (HBT), and
      light-dark test (LDT). RESULTS: Acute treatment with MC (50-400 mg/kg)
      significantly increased swimming time (86.51%) and reduced the duration of
      immobility (52.35%) in FST and TST with peak effects observed at 200 mg/kg,
      respectively, in comparison to control. The pretreatment of mice with either
      sulpiride (dopamine D2 receptor antagonist), or metergoline (5-HT2 receptor
      antagonist), or cyproheptadine (5-HT2 receptor antagonist), or prazosin (alpha1
      adrenoceptor antagonist), or yohimbine (alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist), and
      atropine (muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist) 15 min before oral
      administration of MC (200 mg/kg) significantly blocked its anti-immobility
      effect. Similarly, MC (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced anxiety by increasing the
      open arm exploration (64.27%) in EPM, number of head-dips in HBT (34.38%), and
      time spent in light compartment (29.38%) in the LDT. However, pretreatment with
      flumazenil (GABAA receptor antagonist) 15 min before MC (200 mg/kg) significantly
      blocked (54.76%) its anxiolytic effect. CONCLUSION: The findings in this study
      showed that MC possesses antidepressant-like effect that is dependent on the
      serotonergic (5-HT2 receptor), noradrenergic (alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptors),
      dopaminergic (D2 receptor), and muscarinic cholinergic systems and an anxiolytic
      like effect that might involve an action on benzodiazepine-type receptor.

PMID- 24227475
TI  - Evaluation of serum lipid profile in patients with hypertension living in a
      coastal region of Bangladesh.
AB  - Serum lipid levels are greatly controlled by genetic and environmental factors.
      When investigating the relationship between lipid disturbances and hypertension
      it is necessary to use local data on blood lipid profile in each region.
      Unfortunately, there is no literature reporting the lipid profile in hypertensive
      patients in coastal region of Bangladesh. The present study was conducted as a
      case-control study with 100 hypertensive patients as cases and equal number of
      normotensive individuals as controls. Socio-demographic, anthropometric and
      clinical data of both patients and controls were collected. Serum lipid
      parameters were analyzed biochemically. Independent sample t-test, Chi-Square
      test and Pearson's correlation test were done for the statistical analysis using
      the statistical software package SPSS. Our study found that serum total
      cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL, VLDL, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL were
      significantly higher (p<0.05) whereas the level of HDL cholesterol was
      significantly lower in hypertensive patients as compared to control subjects
      (p<0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis reveals that HDL cholesterol was
      inversely correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both patient
      and control groups. But serum TC, TG, LDL and HDL cholesterol were directly
      correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both groups. This study
      explored that hypertensive patients have higher level of TC, TG, LDL and VLDL
      cholesterol but lower level of HDL cholesterol than the normotensive subjects.
      Routine investigation of lipid profile in hypertensive patients may help to
      prevent further aggravation and risks of coronary artery diseases. 

PMID- 24227476
TI  - Increased gene expression of glucose transporters in the mouse brain after
      treatment with fluoxetine and pergolide.
AB  - Glucose transporters play key roles in the homeostatic control of brain
      functions. In the present study, we examined the effect of fluoxetine, a
      selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and pergolide, a dopamine D receptor
      agonist, on the gene expression levels of glucose transporters in the mouse
      brain. mRNAs for 8 sodium-independent glucose transporters (GLUTs), other than
      GLUT4 and GLUT9, and sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) were
      confirmed to be expressed in brain tissue. Fluoxetine and pergolide significantly
      increased the expression levels of mRNAs for GLUT1 and GLUT10 in the brain.
      Furthermore, the expression of GLUT6 in tissue was increased by administering
      pergolide to mice. On the other hand, fluoxetine and pergolide had no effect on
      the expression levels of mRNAs for the other GLUTs and SGLT1. Therefore, we
      concluded that the gene expression of several GLUT isoforms in the mouse brain
      was affected by the treatment with fluoxetine and pergolide. 

PMID- 24227477
TI  - In vivo evaluation of axial integrity of coronary stents using intravascular
      ultrasound: Insights on longitudinal stent deformation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the axial integrity of different coronary stents using
      intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). BACKGROUND: Longitudinal stent deformation was
      recently reported. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent IVUS analysis
      after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for de novo coronary lesions were
      evaluated. Stent length was compared with label length for calculation of
      absolute change and relative difference (absolute change divided by label
      length). RESULTS: A total of 233 DES utilizing five different platforms were
      included. The median absolute change in stent length was 0.90 mm (interquartile
      range [IQR] 0.48-1.39) and the relative difference was 5.24% (IQR 2.55-8.29).
      There was no significant difference among the groups in median absolute or
      relative change: Cypher 0.89 mm/3.89%, Taxus 0.88 mm/5.39%, Endeavor 1.16
      mm/6.77%, Xience V 0.86 mm/5.80%, and PROMUS Element 0.79 mm/5.34% (P = 0.085, P
      = 0.072, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the Cypher
      stent was independently correlated with a lower change in length, whereas stent
      label length and deployment pressure were correlated with higher absolute change.
      CONCLUSION: The axial integrity of DES platforms examined in vivo was high, with
      only mild changes in stent length after implantation. While there are differences
      between first- and second-generation DES, axial integrity among second-generation
      DES was similar.

PMID- 24227478
TI  - Sequence-derived structural features driving proteolytic processing.
AB  - Proteolytic signaling, or regulated proteolysis, is an essential part of many
      important pathways such as Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog. How the structure of the
      cleaved substrate regions influences the efficacy of proteolytic processing
      remains underexplored. Here, we analyzed the relative importance in proteolysis
      of various structural features derived from substrate sequences using a dataset
      of more than 5000 experimentally verified proteolytic events captured in CutDB.
      Accessibility to the solvent was recognized as an essential property of a
      proteolytically processed polypeptide chain. Proteolytic events were found nearly
      uniformly distributed among three types of secondary structure, although with
      some enrichment in loops. Cleavages in alpha-helices were found to be relatively
      abundant in regions apparently prone to unfolding, while cleavages in beta
      structures tended to be located at the periphery of beta-sheets. Application of
      the same statistical procedures to proteolytic events divided into separate sets
      according to the catalytic classes of proteases proved consistency of the results
      and confirmed that the structural mechanisms of proteolysis are universal. The
      estimated prediction power of sequence-derived structural features, which turned
      out to be sufficiently high, presents a rationale for their use in bioinformatic
      prediction of proteolytic events. 

PMID- 24227480
TI  - Phytotoxicity of cacalol and some derivatives obtained from the roots ofPsacalium
      decompositum (A. Gray) H. Rob. & Brettell (Asteraceae), matarique or maturin.
AB  - The effect of cacalol and extracts (water and petroleum ether) derived from the
      roots ofPsacalium decompositum (Asteraceae) on the germination and radicle growth
      of two plants.Amaranthus hypochondriacus (Amaranthaceae) andEchinochloa crusgalli
      (Poaceae), and on the radial growth of four phytopathogenic fungi is described.
      The activity of two cacalol derivatives (methyl cacalol and cacalol acetate) was
      also investigated. Germination ofA. hypochondriacus was inhibited by almost all
      the treatments. The extracts and cacalol produced a significant inhibition of
      radicle growth ofA. hypochondriacus andE. crusgalli. Cacalol acetate showed a
      specific inhibition onE. crusgalli, and methyl cacalol significantly inhibited
      the growth ofA. hypochondriacus. In general, antifungal activity depended upon
      the target fungi and the concentration of each treatment. Cacalol had also
      effects on the morphology and coloration of the fungal mycelium. The bioactivity
      shown by the extracts ofPsacalium decompositum on the tested seeds and fungi is
      mainly due to their content in cacalol. 

PMID- 24227479
TI  - Genomewide association study in cervical dystonia demonstrates possible
      association with sodium leak channel.
AB  - Dystonia is a common movement disorder. A number of monogenic causes have been
      identified. However, the majority of dystonia cases are not explained by single
      gene defects. Cervical dystonia is one of the commonest forms without genetic
      causes identified. This pilot study aimed to identify large effect-size risk loci
      in cervical dystonia. A genomewide association study (GWAS) was performed.
      British resident cervical dystonia patients of European descent were genotyped
      using the Illumina-610-Quad. Comparison was made with controls of European
      descent from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium using logistic regression
      algorithm from PLINK. SNPs not genotyped by the array were imputed with 1000
      Genomes Project data using the MaCH algorithm and minimac. Postimputation
      analysis was done with the mach2dat algorithm using a logistic regression model.
      After quality control measures, 212 cases were compared with 5173 controls. No
      single SNP passed the genomewide significant level of 5 * 10(-8) in the analysis
      of genotyped SNP in PLINK. Postimputation, there were 5 clusters of SNPs that had
      P value <5 * 10(-6) , and the best cluster of SNPs was found near exon 1 of
      NALCN, (sodium leak channel) with P = 9.76 * 10(-7) . Several potential regions
      were found in the GWAS and imputation analysis. The lowest P value was found in
      NALCN. Dysfunction of this ion channel is a plausible cause for dystonia. Further
      replication in another cohort is needed to confirm this finding. We make this
      data publicly available to encourage further analyses of this disorder.

PMID- 24227481
TI  - Purification and characterization of new fatty acids with antibiotic activity
      produced bySporothrix flocculosa.
AB  - Chloroform extracts from a culture broth of the biocontrol fungusSporothrix
      flocculosa were separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Compounds with
      antifungal activity were revealed with theCladosporium cucumerinum bioassay on
      TLC plates and were isolated by using silica gel column, preparative TLC, and
      reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). They were
      identified by standard methods of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gas
      chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS), and infrared spectrum (IR). In
      addition to an active molecule previously described, two new fatty acids with
      antibiotic activity were characterized, 9-heptadecenoic acid and 6-methyl-9
      heptadecenoic acid, the latter displaying the strongest activity among all three
      active molecules. This high number of active metabolites produced byS. flocculosa
      would explain its rapid and strong activity as a biocontrol agent of powdery
      mildews. In this context, screening ofS. flocculosa isolates for increased
      production of these molecules should help in selection of candidates with
      superior biocontrol properties. 

PMID- 24227482
TI  - Efficacy of nonpheromone communication disruptants of codling moth (Cydia
      pomonella): Effect of pheromone isomers and of distance between calling females
      and dispensers.
AB  - Field tests comparing the ability of codlemone, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol, and
      isomers of codlemone to disrupt pheromonal communication of codling moth were
      carried out. In a pear orchard, four nonisomerizing, gray septa dispensers were
      placed in the upper canopy of each tree containing a trap baited with 10 virgin
      female codling moths. The dispensers were at trap height and 70 cm from the edge
      of each trap. Trap catches of released male codling moths in three test areas
      were compared simultaneously when trees in each of the test areas contained
      unbaited dispensers, dispensers with 1 mg of codlemone containing 1% isomers, and
      dispensers with 1 mg of a test communication disruptant. When the test disruptant
      was an equilibrium mixture of codlemone and its isomers (61% codlemone, 39%
      isomers), the percent communication disruption was 86.8% compared to 68.7% for
      codlemone (P < 0.001). When the disruptant was (E,Z)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (94%EZ,
      3%EE), the percentage disruption was 86.4% compared to 62.7% for codlemone (P <
      0.002). These results show that the previously reported superior disruptant
      potency (relative to codlemone) of compositions containing codlemone with a high
      percentage of isomers was not a result of the proximity of the dispensers to the
      traps. The percent disruption of compositions of codlemone with 10 and 20%
      isomers was also determined. A plot of percentage disruption versus logarithm of
      percentage of nonpheromone isomers in the mixture from 1% to 97% gave a straight
      line withR (2)=0.93. 

PMID- 24227483
TI  - Effects of organic solvent extracts from herbage on feeding behavior in goats.
AB  - The effects of organic solvent extracts from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne
      L. cv. Friend), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L. cv. Akimidori) andLolium
      *Festuca hybrid on the hay consumption of goats were measured by simple two
      choice feeding assays. Orchardgrass hay treated with methanol extracts
      (resuspended in water) of perennial ryegrass showed an increased intake by goats
      compared to untreated hay (P < 0.01). The palatability of hay tended to be
      slightly decreased by spraying it with pentane extract of perennial ryegrass and
      orchardgrass. Furthermore, extracts of hybrid with pentane inhibited goats from
      feeding (P < 0.05). Methanol extract stimulated hay consumption whereas the
      pentane extracts did not change or reduce intake. 

PMID- 24227484
TI  - Pheromone specificity inEriocrania semipurpurella (Stephens) andE. sangii (Wood)
      (Lepidoptera: Eriocraniidae) based on chirality of semiochemicals.
AB  - The fifth abdominal segment of femaleEriocrania semipurpurella (Stephens) andE.
      sangii (Wood) contains a pair of exocrine glands. Hexane extracts of this segment
      were prepared from both species and analyzed by gas chromatography with
      simultaneous flame ionization and electroantennographic detection (EAD). For both
      species, the EAD active peaks were identified as nonan-2-one, (Z)-6-nonen-2-one,
      and (Z)-6-nonen-2-ol by means of mass spectrometry and comparison of retention
      indices with those of synthetic standards. Enantiomeric separation of chiral
      alcohols from the female extracts was achieved by gas chromatographic analysis on
      a cyclodextrin column. InE. semipurpurella, a mixture of (2S,6Z)-nonen-2-ol and
      (2R,6Z)-nonen-2-ol (2: I) was found, whereas inE. sangii (2S,6Z)-nonen-2-ol was
      the predominant enantiomer and only traces of theR enantiomer were indicated by
      the antennal response. In field tests, a blend of the three compounds was not
      attractive to conspecific males. A subtractive assay showed that the alcohol in
      various enantiomeric mixtures was the only attractive compound, whereas addition
      of (Z)-6-nonen-2-one to the alcohol completely inhibited the attraction of both
      species. A trapping experiment including a wide range of ratios between theR andS
      enantiomers showed that baits containing 95-100% of theS enantiomer were
      attractive to maleE. sangii, whereas males ofE. semipurpurella were attracted to
      all tested ratios of the enantiomers. However, the response profiles of maleE.
      semipurpurella differed between populations from southern Sweden, south Finland,
      and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. In south Sweden males were maximally attracted
      to a racemic mixture of the alcohols. At the Kola PeninsulaE. semipurpurella was
      attracted to baits containing 95-100% of theR enantiomer. In south Finland all
      tested ratios between 0 and 100%R enantiomer trappedE. semipurpurella, but the
      trap catches appeared to be bimodally distributed with peaks around 15 and 70%R
      enantiomer. The trapping results suggest the existence of pheromone races or
      sibling species among the specimens identified asE. semipurpurella. 

PMID- 24227485
TI  - Location and behavioral effects of lectin binding on entomopathogenic nematodes
      with different foraging strategies.
AB  - Lectins have been used to locate and ascribe a function to sensory organs of
      nematodes. We had two objectives: (1) to determine the location of carbohydrate
      exudates on the surface of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes with
      different foraging strategies and (2) to evaluate the importance of carbohydrates
      in host finding and recognition.Steinernema carpocapsae finds hosts by ambushing,
      and most individuals respond poorly to host cues. No specific areas of lectin
      binding were recorded for this species. Wheat germ agglutinin bound specifically
      to the anterior region ofHeterorhabditis bacteriophora and to the anterior and
      posterior ofS. glaseri. These two nematode species are cruise foragers and are
      highly responsive to host cues. The behavioral effects of lectins varied. None of
      the species' responses to volatile host cues was affected.S. carpocapsae's rate
      of attachment during ambushing was increased by treatment with WGA, and this
      effect was negated by treatment with a competing sugar (N-acetylglucosamine). The
      infectivity ofS. glaseri in an assay that required movement through 5 cm of sand
      to find the host was significantly decreased by treatment with WGA. 

PMID- 24227487
TI  - Seasonal change in nagilactone contents in leaves inPodocarpus nagi forest.
AB  - Nagilactones isolated fromPodocarpus nagi (Thunb.) Zoll. et Moritz. are known by
      their physiological activities as a plant growth inhibitor or antiherbivory
      substance. As the first step in clarifying the nagilactone dynamics in a forest
      canopy, the seasonal variations in nagilactone contents in leaves and mass of
      nagilactones accumulated in the canopy were examined at Mt. Mikasa, Nara City,
      central Japan. Nagilactone content in mature leaves dropped sharply in May, when
      new leaves flushed. The nagilactone content of new leaves was far greater than
      that of mature leaves, implying a translocation of nagilactones from old leaves
      to new leaves. The total mass of nagilactones in the canopy was 3.9 kg/ha. 

PMID- 24227486
TI  - Effects of diet on localized defecation by Northern Pike,Esox lucius.
AB  - Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) are able to detect conspecific alarm
      pheromone in the feces of northern pike (Esox lucius) and have been shown to
      avoid areas labeled with the feces of pike that were fed minnows. The minnows did
      not avoid areas labeled with the feces of pike that were fed swordtails
      (Xiphophorous helleri), which lack ostariophysan alarm pheromone. In laboratory
      experiments, pike fed a diet of minnows localized their defecation away from
      their foraging area. It has been suggested that in doing so, pike may remove
      chemical cues that label their foraging area as dangerous to prey species. As yet
      there has been no conclusive evidence to support this hypothesis. In this
      experiment, we test the effects of different predator diets on localized
      defecation by pike. Pike were fed minnows, swordtails, or mice (Mus musculus).
      Swordtails and mice lack ostariophysan alarm pheromones. Area use and location of
      feces were recorded. Pike fed minnows spent significantly more time in the home
      area (i.e., area of the test tank where they were fed) and defecated
      significantly more often in the opposite end of the tank. Pike fed swordtails
      also exhibited a significant preference for the home area in area use, while
      those fed mice showed no such preference. When fed either swordtails or mice,
      there was no significant difference between the proportion of time spent and
      proportion of feces in each area of the test tank. These data suggest that pike
      localize their defecation only when consuming prey items containing alarm
      pheromone. The current findings support the hypothesis that pike localize their
      defecation to remove chemical cues from the foraging area of the home range in
      order to avoid chemically labeling their foraging area as dangerous to prey. 

PMID- 24227488
TI  - Fate of the chromene encecalin in the interaction ofEncelia farinosa and its
      specialized herbivoreTrirhabda geminata.
AB  - Leaf beetles of the speciesTrirhabda geminata are specialized herbivores that are
      able to feed on the chemically well-protected foliage of the desert
      sunflowerEncelia farinosa, which contains the insecticidal chromene derivative
      encecalin. Chemical analysis of the beetles and their fecal excretions indicated
      that encecalin is present only in the alimentary canal and is not absorbed across
      the gut membrane, as previously shown for other herbivorous insects (e.g., the
      Egyptian armyworm,Spodoptera littoralis) that are susceptible to this chromene
      derivative. Further differences betweenT. geminata and nonadapted insects were
      observed with regard to the metabolism of encecalin. Whereas the encecalin
      resistent leaf beetles metabolize encecalin mainly to encecalol by reduction of
      the acetyl group, susceptible insects, such as larvae ofS. littoralis, metabolize
      encecalin mainly by exoxidation of the 3,4 double bond, which creates a powerful
      alkylating agent and is responsible for the toxicity of encecalin. Reductive
      rather than oxidative metabolism of encecalin therefore seems important for the
      resistance ofT. geminata against the chemical defense of their host plantE.
      farinosa. 

PMID- 24227489
TI  - Attractiveness to mexican fruit flies of combinations of acetic acid with
      ammonium/amino attractants with emphasis on effects of hunger.
AB  - Ammonium acetate was more attractive than other ammonium salts to Mexican fruit
      flies (Anastrepha ludens) in an orchard test. We hypothesized that acetic acid
      enhanced the attractiveness of ammonia in the orchard test and that acetic acid
      may similarly enhance attractiveness of AMPu, an attractant consisting of a
      mixture of ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium carbonate, methylamine HCl, and
      putrescine. In laboratory experiments, acetic acid was attractive to flies
      deprived of either yeast hydrolysate or both sugar and yeast hydrolysate but not
      to flies fed both sugar and yeast hydrolysate. AMPu/acetic acid combinations were
      more attractive than AMPu alone to flies deprived of both sugar and yeast
      hydrolysate but not to flies fed sugar, regardless of yeast hydrolysate
      deprivation status. Acetic acid is the first attractant found that has become
      more attractive with both sugar and protein deprivation in studies withA. ludens.
      It is also the first that has enhanced the attractiveness of another attractant
      type. In orchard tests, yellow sticky panels baited with either AMPu or 17 mg of
      acetic acid were at least six times more attractive than unbaited panels.
      However, panels baited with both acetic acid (17-68 mg) and AMPu were less
      attractive than AMPu alone. These results differed from the laboratory data in
      which combinations were never less attractive than AMPu alone. 

PMID- 24227490
TI  - Identification and bioassay of kairomones forHelicoverpa zea.
AB  - Hexane extracts of leaves of 307 accessions from 73 host plant species
      ofHelicoverpa zea were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and used forH. zea
      oviposition and neonate larvae orientation bioassays. The gas chromatographic
      (GC) retention times of compounds statistically associated with behavioral
      activity were identified by correlation of GC peak area with oviposition and
      larval orientation preferences. Although taxonomically diverse in their origin,
      compounds for study were purified from extracts of species of the
      genusLycopersicon, due to their relative abundance. The structures of eight long
      chain alkanes associated with oviposition preference were assigned by mass
      spectrometry, and the structures of five similarly associated organic acids and a
      terpenoid alkene were identified by(1)H and(13)C nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy. The structures of a number of other phytochemicals from the plant
      leaves were identified for comparative purposes, including a previously unknown
      terpene, 7-epizingiberene. Bioassays were performed on the isolated acids and on
      the alkane wax fractions of severalLycopersicon species, and significant
      differences were found in oviposition stimulation for both classes of compounds.
      Of the hundreds of compounds found in the extracts, none were observed to act as
      oviposition deterrents. The results of these bioassays may be useful in
      explaining the broad host range ofH. zea, as well as the process and evolution of
      host plant selection for oviposition. 

PMID- 24227491
TI  - Role of plant volatiles in the search for a host by parasitoidDiglyphus isaea
      (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).
AB  - Diglyphus isaea Walker is a larval ectoparasitoid used in biological pest control
      against the American serpentine leaf minerLiriomyza trifolii Burgess. We studied
      the parasitoid's host searching behavior, using olfactometric methods. Our data
      show that the parasitoids locate host larvae (a leafmining dipteran) on the basis
      of volatile signals released by the plant-host complex. FemaleD. isaea are
      strongly attracted to the odors arising from damaged bean plants, whereas they
      show practically no response to intact plants. The results of our chemical
      analyses showed that about 15 components were present, two of which,cis-3-hexen-1
      ol and 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, were present in significantly larger
      quantities in the leaf extracts from mined or damaged bean plants than in those
      from healthy plants. The damage inflicted by the host larvae on these plants
      triggers the release of larger amounts of these substances, which probably lead
      the parasites to their hosts. The compounds thus act as synomones. 

PMID- 24227492
TI  - Relationships betweenDendroctonus micans Kug. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) survival
      and development and biochemical changes in Norway Spruce,Picea abies (L.) Karst.,
      phloem caused by mechanical wounding.
AB  - The bark of Norway spruce trees,Picea abies (L.) Karst., was wounded to produce
      areas of bark with differing biochemical characteristics. Adults and larvae
      ofDendroctonus micans Kug. were inserted into these trees at points around the
      wounds. Larval survival was higher, larval dry weights were higher, and adults
      were more likely to oviposit at sites around the wound that had higher phloem
      moisture contents. Larvae showed higher survival and dry weights in phloem with
      low terpene contents. Adults oviposited in phloem with lower stilbene glucoside
      contents. Phloem moisture differed at sites around the wound compared with that
      at a control site away from the wound, and the nitrogen content of entire bark
      cores was higher above wounds than at control sites away from the wounds. Phloem
      moisture correlated with the nitrogen content of entire bark. Phloem terpene
      contents correlated with each other, as did the stilbene contents. Associations
      between the host exploitation pattern ofD. micans and the biochemistry of the
      host phloem are discussed in relation to preselection by adults of sites suitable
      for larval development. 

PMID- 24227493
TI  - Growth and physiological responses of Black Spruce (Picea mariana) to sites
      dominated byLedum groenlandicum.
AB  - Growth and physiological parameters of black spruce planted eight years
      previously were compared at sites with and withoutLedum groenlandicum to quantify
      the adverse effects on black spruce inLedum sites. Tree height, crown diameter,
      and dry weights of stems, branches, and needles of black spruce were
      significantly less at theLedum-dominated sites. Annual stem height, basal
      diameter, growth ring width, and cumulative wood volume of black spruce were
      significantly reduced in theLedum sites compared to those of the non-Ledum sites.
      Yearly growth of black spruce in the first seven years after planting was more
      affected in theLedum site than the eighth year's growth. Foliar nutrient analysis
      of black spruce in theLedum site showed an overall imbalance in nutrient
      accumulation. Black spruce growing in theLedum site had higher foliar
      concentrations of Al, Ca, Fe, Ni, and S and lower concentrations of N and Si than
      those growing in the non-Ledum site. Black spruce growing in theLedum site also
      had a higher foliar phenolic content. Preliminary experiments suggest thatLedum
      has the potential to leach water-soluble phenolics to its immediate organic soil.

PMID- 24227494
TI  - Action of antialgal compounds fromJuncus effusus L. onSelenastrum capricornutum.
AB  - Twenty-nine free and glucosylated dihydrophenanthrenes and tetrahydropyrenes
      isolated fromJuncus effusus have been tested against the unicellular green
      algaSelenastrum capricornutum. The free compounds showed a strong inhibitory
      activity, while the glucosides were inactive or had a slight stimulating effect
      on growth. Tetrahydropyrene33, obtained by hydrolysis of the naturalbeta
      glucosides29 and30 or by hemisynthesis from1, is the most active compound,
      causing 90% inhibition of the growth at 2.5 * 10(-5) M concentration. Synthetic
      alpha-glucosides28, 31, and32 showed comparable activity to those of29 and30. 

PMID- 24227495
TI  - Competition between heterotrophic and autotrophic microplankton for dissolved
      nutrients.
AB  - When a heterotrophic (Rhodotorula rubra) and a phototrophic (Selenastrum
      capricornutum) plankton were grown together in dilute phosphate (Pi) continuous
      cultures, coexistence occurred only when the heterotroph was growthrate limited
      by organic carbon (C). Because of its higher affinity for Pi, and because C
      starvation does not affect the heterotrophic yeast's ability to transport Pi, the
      concentration of organic carbon indirectly controlled the biomass of the
      phototroph. The results support a threshold model of microbial growth. 

PMID- 24227496
TI  - Effects of random motility on growth of bacterial populations.
AB  - A spatially distributed mathematical model is developed to elucidate the effects
      of chemical diffusion and cell motility as well as cell growth, death, and
      substrate uptake on steady-state bacterial population growth in a finite, one
      dimensional, nonmixed region. The situation considered is growth limited by a
      diffusing substrate from an adjacent phase not accessible to the bacteria.
      Chemotactic movement is not considered in this paper; we consider only
      "randomwalk"-type random motility behavior here. The following important general
      concepts are suggested by the results of our theoretical analysis: (a) The
      significance of random motility effects depends on the magnitude of the
      ratioMU/kL (2), whereMU is the bacterial random motility coefficient,k is the
      growth rate constant, andL is the linear dimension of the confined growth region.
      (b) In steady-state growth in a confined region, the bacterial population size
      decreases asMU increases. (c) The effect ofMU on population size can be great; in
      fact, sometimes relative population sizes of two species can be governed
      primarily by the relative values ofMU rather than by the relative values ofk. 

PMID- 24227497
TI  - Measurement of the microbial biomass in intact cores of soil.
AB  - The fumigation/respiration technique was used to estimate the size of the soil
      microbial biomass. Sieving decreased the biomass in winter but increased it in
      summer; we suggest that this was a consequence of the different substrates
      available and the different microbial populations during the year. The flush in
      respiration following fumigation correlated significantly with the CO2-C produced
      10 days after fumigation (X), so that in the soils studied by us the biomass (B)
      can be calculated from Bk=0.673X-3.53, wherek is the fraction of fumigated
      organisms mineralized to CO2, thus avoiding the need to measure CO2 production
      from unfumigated cores. 

PMID- 24227498
TI  - Characteristics of the heterotrophic bacterial populations in hypersaline
      environments of different salt concentrations.
AB  - Solar salterns, based on a multi-pond system, give a discontinuous gradient of
      salt concentrations. The heterotrophic bacterial populations of ponds containing
      from 10% salt to saturation have been studied. Saltern samples were spread on
      agar plates containing different media for halophilic bacteria and one medium
      made with water of the pond plus nutrients. Replica plating was done to determine
      the salt range for growth of the colonies. We studied 150 strains to determine
      the salt spectra of growth, the morphology, and nutrient requirements. The
      following conclusions were reached: (a) In salt concentrations above 10% (total
      salts), most bacteria are halophilic and few are halotolerant; (b) the two types
      of halophilic bacteria, moderate and extreme, show different distributions; in
      these ponds a narrow overlap exists between 25% and 32% salts with moderate
      halophiles predominating below this interval and extreme halophiles above it; (c)
      the populations of moderate halophiles are highly heterogeneous, and the salt
      concentration of their habitat affects their taxonomic composition, salt range
      for growth, and nutrient requirements. The population composition of extreme
      halophiles is less affected by the salt concentrations at which these bacteria
      are found. 

PMID- 24227499
TI  - Contribution of periphytic bacteria to the concentration of chromium in the
      crabHelice crassa.
AB  - Periphytic bacteria found on the carapace and gills of crabs collected from near
      a tannery effluent outlet were shown to be able to concentrate chromium. By
      concentrating Cr, the bacteria contributed to the total Cr concentration of the
      crabs. Since crabs and other crustaceans are eaten by bottom feeding fish,
      bacteria may be contributing to the passage of Cr up the food chain. 

PMID- 24227500
TI  - Ecology of bacterial communities in the schistosomiasis vector snailBiomphalaria
      glabrata.
AB  - The internal colony-forming bacterial flora of the schistosome intermediate host
      snailBiomphalaria glabrata (Say) has been characterized in ca. 500 individual
      snails from Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and St. Lucia, and from laboratory aquaria.
      Freshly captured wild snails harbor 2-40*10(6) CFU.g(-1), and healthy aquarium
      snails harbor 4-16*10(7) CFU.g(-1), whereas moribund individuals have 4-10 times
      as many bacteria as healthy individuals from the same habitats.Pseudomonas spp.
      are the most common predominant bacteria in normal snails, whereasAcinetobacter,
      Aeromonas, andMoraxella spp. predominate in moribund snails. External bacterial
      populations in water appear to have little effect on the composition and size of
      the flora in any snail. In addition to normal (healthy) and moribund snails, a
      third group of snails has been distinguished on the basis of internal bacterial
      density and predominating genera. These "high-density" snails may have undergone
      stresses and may harbor opportunistic pathogens. The microfloras of wild and
      laboratory-reared snails can be altered and stimulated to increase in density by
      crowding the snails or treating them with antibiotics. 

PMID- 24227501
TI  - Ecological study of twoNitrobacter serotypes coexisting in the same soil.
AB  - The problem of competition betweenNitrobacter strains was posed by the fact that
      two serotypes (N.w and L) coexisted in a soil, as shown by immunofluorescence.
      The L serotype had a lower growth rate in pure culture than serotype N.w, as well
      as a slower nitrifying activity when inoculated to a sterilized soil percolated
      with NO2 (-) solution. When both serotypes were inoculated together, only N.w was
      observed by immunofluorescence at the end of the percolation; when in the control
      soil the two serotypes were identified, strain L always adhered to particles.
      Maintenance of the two serotypes in the soil could be explained as their
      exploitation of distinct ecological niches. Thus the relative in situ importance
      of the two strains is governed by environmental conditions. 

PMID- 24227502
TI  - A mesoporous carbon-supported Pt nanocatalyst for the conversion of
      lignocellulose to sugar alcohols.
AB  - The conversion of lignocellulose is a crucial topic in the renewable and
      sustainable chemical industry. However, cellulose from lignocellulose is not
      soluble in polar solvents, and is, therefore, difficult to convert into value
      added chemicals. A strategy to overcome this drawback is the use of mesoporous
      carbon, which enhances the affinity between the cellulose and the catalyst
      through its abundant functional groups and large uniform pores. Herein, we report
      on the preparation of a Pt catalyst supported on a type of 3D mesoporous carbon
      inspired by Echinometra mathae (Pt/CNE) to enhance the interaction between the
      catalyst and a nonsoluble reactant. In the hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose,
      the abundant oxygen groups of CNE facilitated the access of cellulose to the
      surface of the catalyst, and the open pore structure permits cello-oligomers to
      effectively diffuse to the active sites inside the pore. The highly dispersed Pt
      performed dual roles: hydrolysis by in situ generating protons from H2 or water
      as well as effective hydrogenation. The use of the Pt/CNE catalyst resulted in an
      approximately 80 % yield of hexitol, the best performance reported to date. In
      direct conversion of hardwood powder, the Pt/CNE shows good performance in the
      production of sugar alcohols (23 % yield). We expect that the open-structured 3D
      carbon will be widely applied to the conversion of various lignocellulosic
      materials. 

PMID- 24227503
TI  - [The praise of the leak: a tribute to Henri Laborit (1914-1995)].
AB  - Henri Laborit (1914-1995) was a French military MD. He contributed to the
      discovery of an important molecule that has changed the face of psychiatry,
      namely chlorpromazine, which became the first drug in the class of first
      generation antipsychotics, which later led to the dopamine hypothesis of
      schizophrenia. He did not receive the Nobel Prize for this discovery, unlike
      Daniel Bovet who get the Nobel Prize for the discovery of antihistaminics. Henri
      Laborit is also the author of a book that has contributed to the popularization
      of neurosciences in France, "The Praise of flight" (1976). 

PMID- 24227504
TI  - Major pulmonary resections by exclusive VTS. a first in Tunisia.
AB  - Although thoracoscopic surgery had been introduced in Tunisia since 1993, there
      were no anatomical resections performed that way. We report herein the first 3
      cases of lobectomy performed by exclusive video-thoracoscopic surgery (VTS).
      Three female patients presenting with bronchiectasis (2 cases) and cystic
      adenomatoid malformation (1 case) have underwent a thoracoscopic lobectomy with
      different outcomes. 

PMID- 24227505
TI  - Diagnosis and management of refractory celiac disease: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Refractory celiac disease is defined by persisting malabsorptive
      symptoms in spite of a strict gluten free diet for at least 6 to 12 months.
      Alternatives to gluten free diet seem to be still controversial. AIM: To describe
      the clinical and epidemiologic aspects of refractory celiac disease, and to
      identify therapeutic options in this condition. METHODS: Systematic review and
      critical analysis of observational studies, clinical trials and case reports that
      focused on diagnosis and management of refractory celiac disease. RESULTS:
      Refractory celiac disease can be classified as type 1 or type 2 according to the
      phenotype of intraepithelial lymphocytes. Great complications such as enteropathy
      associated T-cell lymphoma may occur in a subgroup of these patients mainly in
      refractory celiac disease type 2. Curative therapies are still lacking.
      CONCLUSION: Refractory celiac disease remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Its
      prognosis remains still dismal by the absence yet of curative therapies. However,
      some new treatments seem to hold promise during few cohort-studies.

PMID- 24227506
TI  - [Sexual abuse in Ziguinchor, Senegal: epidemiology and management].
AB  - AIMS: To determine the frequency of sexual abuse, establish the demographic
      profile and to evaluate the care of victims of sexual abuse in Ziguinchor.
      METHODS: That is a retrospective, descriptive study from February 1, 2008 to
      August 31, 2010, including all patients received in the Department of Gynecology
      and Obstetrics, Ziguinchor Regional hospital for sexual abuse. For each patient,
      data analyzed were sociodemographic data, characteristics of aggression, clinical
      implications and psychological support. The data were entered and analyzed using
      the Excel 2003 version. RESULTS: 50 cases of sexual abuse were collected on 4950
      patients, a prevalence of 1%. The average age of victims was 13 years (range: 3
      to 23 years). The abuse took place in the day in 60% of cases. The location was
      familiar to victims in 70% of cases. The notion of penetrative genital contact
      was reported in 74% of victims. Physical force or a weapon was used in 34% of
      cases. The offender was 30 years old in 86% and operated alone in 92% of cases.
      Half of the victims had consulted in the first 24 hours. Genital trauma was found
      in 82% of victims. Feelings of fear, shame, or anger was observed in 64% of
      patients. Antibiotic was prescribed in two-thirds of the victims as postexposure
      prophylaxis for HIV was performed in only five patients. Emergency contraception
      was prescribed in 34% of victims. Six pregnancies were recorded. Six patients had
      developed complications such as depressive syndrome, hysteria with severe
      epileptiform seizures, mood disorder and psychosis. A proportion of 26% of
      victims did not consider it necessary to have recourse to justice. CONCLUSION:
      The management of a victim of sexual abuse should not stop at a forensic
      evaluation. We must therefore endeavor to provide a solution to three important
      consultation which are medical care, legal and emotional.

PMID- 24227507
TI  - Gender difference in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma represents the fifth most common cancer
      worldwide and account for approximately 90% of primary liver cancer. Men have a
      higher prevalence than women; the sex ratio varies between 2:1 and 4:1, depending
      on the geographic region. AIM: To determine the influence of gender on the
      clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with hepatocellular
      carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed in
      63 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and their clinicopathologic features
      and survival were compared in relation to gender. The data was summarized by
      descriptive statistics and analysed with SPSS version 11.5. RESULTS: Among these
      patients, 36 were men (57.1%) with male-to female ratio of 2:1.5, the mean female
      age was 59.8 years (p=0.054). Serum albumin level was significantly lower in
      women (p=0.0061).The average size of the tumor was 45.8mm and the difference was
      not significant (p=0.638). Hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly more
      prevalent among 16 men with post viral B cirrhosis (p=0.04). The main reason for
      therapeutic abstention was multifocal character of the hepatocellular carcinoma.
      The median survival time (6.52 months) was not different between the 2 groups.
      CONCLUSION: At diagnosis, men were younger than women. The viral C etiology was
      statistically more frequent in women than in men. Hepatocellular carcinoma was
      more aggressive in male but median survival time was not significant between
      groups. Screening and early treatment can limit this problem.

PMID- 24227508
TI  - [Association between suicidal behaviour and cyclothymic temperament in patients
      with recurrent depressive disorder].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suicidal behaviour is a major health problem, particularly among
      patients with depressive disorders. AIMS: To determine the frequency of suicidal
      behavior among sample of patients with recurrent depressive disorder and to
      explore the relationship between suicidal behavior and cyclothymic temperament in
      these patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study bearing on 98 patients
      (43 men and 55 women, mean age of 46.8 +/- 9.9 years) followed for recurrent
      depressive disorder according to the criteria of DSM-IV recruited during partial
      or complete recovery interval. Information about suicidal behavior was collected
      from medical records. Cyclothymic temperament (CT) was assessed using the
      cyclothymic subscale (21 items). Patients who had scores above the threshold
      score of 10 and were considered as cyclothymic (CT+ group) and other patients
      were considered non-cyclothymic (CT- group). RESULTS: History of suicide attempts
      were reported in 22.4% of patients. The mean number of previous suicide attempts
      was significantly higher among patients in the TC+ group (0.7 +/- 1.4) versus 0.2
      +/- 0.6 for patients in the TC- group (p=0.01). Recurrent thoughts of death and
      suicide attempts in the last depressive episode, were significantly higher in the
      CT+ group, with a 57.5% versus 24.6% in the CT- group, (p=0.001) and 33.3% versus
      10.7% in the TC- group (p=0.006). A multivariate analysis retained the TC as an
      independent factor associated with suicidal behavior, with two other factors: the
      young age of patients and the frequency of previous hospitalizations. CONCLUSION:
      Our findings the frequency of suicidal behavior and suggest the involvement of CT
      in the increased risk of suicide among patients with recurrent depressive
      disorder.

PMID- 24227509
TI  - [Cutaneous adverse drug reaction: prospective study of 118 cases].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few prospective studies are available on the incidence and analysis
      of the characteristics of adverse cutaneous drug reactions. AIM: To describe the
      adverse cutaneous reactions, their epidemiologic characteristics as well as the
      different causative drugs through a prospective hospital study. METHODS: A 12
      month prospective study was managed in our department of dermatology of the
      teaching hospital Hedi Chaker of Sfax. Requested information included patient
      characteristics (associated disorders), drug intake (list and chronology of the
      drug intake during the 3 weeks preceding the adverse reaction) and
      characteristics of the skin reaction (type, course). The diagnosis was based on a
      beam of clinical and anamnestic arguments. The drug imputability was evaluated
      according to the Begaud's French method. RESULTS: One hundred eighteen cases were
      collected. A prevalence of 1.08/100 among patients consulting in dermatology
      department was estimated. The macular and papular exanthema represented the most
      frequent clinical aspects (42 cases) followed by acute urticaria (23 cases),
      photosensitivity (19 cases) and fixed drug eruption (15 cases). Principal
      imputable drugs were antibiotics, mainly penicillins followed by analgesics and
      non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. CONCLUSION: Although it was monocentric, this
      study revealed a high frequency of drug-induced dermatitis with different
      clinical presentation. The high incidence of drug-induced dermatitis induced by
      antibiotics, analgesics and anti-inflammatory is due to their widespread use,
      often in self-medication.

PMID- 24227511
TI  - [Is BNP assay useful for the diagnosis of acute dyspnea in emergencies
      departments?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: It would be interesting to the emergency doctor to have at his
      disposal a helpful diagnostic tool like brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Such
      assay is simple, available and reliable. AIMS: To report our experience on the
      role of BNP in the etiological diagnosis of acute dyspnea (AD) in emergency room
      (ER) and to assess the cost-effectiveness ratio of such diagnosis strategy.
      METHODS: A prospective study conducted in the ER of Rabta university teaching
      hospital of Tunis, from March 1st to June 20th 2010, involving 30 consecutive
      patients presenting to the emergency for AD. All patients underwent
      echocardiography in their acute phase and benefited from the dosage of BNP during
      the first 4 hours. The echocardiography parameters were collected by a single
      operator who was unaware of the results of the BNP dosage. RESULTS: The mean age
      of patients was 72.8years with a sex ratio of 1.5. AD was of orthopnea type in 9
      cases and stage III NYHA dyspnea in the other patients. Clinical and radiological
      signs of left heart failure were noted in 30% of cases. Ultrasound data have
      objectified systolic dysfunction in 4 cases, diastolic in 3 cases and systolic
      plus diastolic in 10 cases. The BNP levels were below 100 pg/ml in 10 cases with
      pulmonary origin of the AD. A BNP level between 100 and 400 pg/ml was noted in 3
      cases. In our study, the clinical probability of AHF prior to performing the test
      was estimated at 53% and estimated at 100% after the BNP assay. The BNP assay has
      reduced the length of stay in the emergency department 4 to 5 days and saved
      nearly 50% of the cost of care per patient. CONCLUSION: The BNP assay, has
      allowed us to confirm the AHF all cases. Given the prognostic value and economic
      benefit of this test we recommend its use in ER of our country.

PMID- 24227510
TI  - [The announcement of the lung age it is a motivation to quit smoking?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smoking represents an ever-increasing problem of public health in the
      world, the impact of which is actually rising. The majority of smokers wish to
      stop smoking one day. This fact is one of the major acts leading to a better
      health and wellbeing. In the eighties, the lung age was already mentioned by
      Morris and Temple, a further tool motivating tobacco cessation. AIM: To determine
      the lung age of a population of workers and to evaluate the impact of its
      announcement on the smoking behavior. METHODS: It is a prospective study realized
      during a year (November 2010-November 2011) in a wire enterprise LEONI in Sousse
      (Tunisia), during an intervention program. 35 adult smokers were concerned by our
      study. A measurement of the breathing function by "Neo6" and a calculation of the
      lung age were practiced on all smokers. RESULTS: 35 smoking men (mean +/- SD age
      of 36 +/- 7 years, 27 and 28 smokers have, respectively, a high socio-economic
      level and a high schooling level) were included. The number of daily cigarettes
      consumed was from 5 to 40. The measurement of the smokers' respiratory function
      by the "Neo 6" did not show a pulmonary function defect. The lung age was of 45
      +/-13 years, significantly higher than the chronological age. The evaluation of
      the announcement of the lung age, realized one year after, showed that 8 among
      the 35 workers have stopped smoking and 7 smokers have reduced their tobacco
      consumption. CONCLUSION: Communicating the lung age results is an additional tool
      motivating tobacco cessation.

PMID- 24227512
TI  - [Laparoscopic management of ovarian masses during pregnancy].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of an adnexal mass associated with pregnancy is
      increasingly common with the routine use of ultrasound during prenatal care. AIM:
      To assess the feasibility, advantages and limiting factors of laparoscopy in the
      management of ovarian masses during pregnancy. METHODS: Rretrospective study of a
      series of 34 pregnant women operated by laparoscopy for adnexal masses during a
      period of 14 years. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 29 years. Fifty percent
      of patients were nulliparous. In 62% of cases, patients were asymptomatic.
      Laparoscopy was performed at a mean gestational age of 15 weeks. Open laparoscopy
      was performed in 58.8% of cases. Intraperitoneal cystectomy was performed in 28
      cases (72%). In two cases (5 %), it was a borderline ovarian tumor requiring
      further surgery outside of pregnancy. Fetal loss was noted at a term of 16 weeks.
      CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of adnexal masses during pregnancy appears to
      be safe and reproducible procedure with few maternal and fetal complications.

PMID- 24227513
TI  - [Benefits of coronary revascularization in septuagenarian patients with acute
      coronary syndrome].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prognosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in elderly patients is
      bleak. Also older people tend to receive less invasive treatment than younger
      patients. AIM: To analyze the impact of coronary revascularization on the mid
      term outcome of septuagenarian patients admitted with ACS. METHODS: We
      retrospectively studied 250 patients 70 years or older hospitalised for ACS
      between january 2006 to september 2010. RESULTS: This population was more likely
      to be male with mean age 74 years and 93 % of ACS were inaugural events (60%
      NSTEMI, 40% STEMI). Coronary angiograms showed complex coronary lesions with a
      high incidence of multivessel disease, bifurcation lesions, and calcified
      stenosis. Seventy-six patients were treated medically and 174 underwent
      percutaneous or surgical revascularization. At six-month clinical follow-up,
      major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were significantly higher in medically
      treated than revascularized patients (62% Vs 31.7%, P <0.001). Patients with
      invasive strategy have significantly higher event free survival rate comparing to
      those assigned to medical management (64% Vs 49.7%, p: 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our
      study confirmed the superiority of invasive strategy compared to medical
      treatment in septuagenarian patients with acute coronary syndromes. Advanced age
      should not exclude patients from invasive strategy with complete
      revascularization.

PMID- 24227514
TI  - [Effectiveness and acceptance of hydroxyurea in the treatment of severe forms of
      sickle cell disease: a prospective study of 65 cases].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease is a serious illness by its complications. For
      the severe forms, three therapeutic options are actually allowed: transfusion
      therapy, hydroxyurea and bone marrow transplantation. aim: To evaluate the
      contribution of hydroxyurea in the management of severe forms of sickle cell
      disease. methods: It is a prospective study carried out a period of 11 years in
      "Centre National de Greffe de Moelle Osseuse" of Tunis. They were 65 patients
      divided into 38 homozygote forms and 27 double heterozygous composite S/beta
      thalassemics. The mean age was 130 months. The failure criterion of the treatment
      was hospitalization duration more than 15 days/ patient / year or the occurrence
      of a severe complication of the disease. results: The main indications of
      hydroxyurea were the prevention of the recidivism of an acute chest syndrome in 8
      cases, iterative painful crises, more than 3 events per year, in 53 cases and
      anemic forms of the disease in 4 cases. We have observed, a rapid and durable
      improvement in the clinical manifestations and a significant fall of the number
      of hospitalization days / patient/year from 25.2 days to 2.6 days (p<0.001). The
      treatment was well tolerated. The rates of foetal hemoglobin have significantly
      increased from 6.4 to 27.45 % (p<0.001), of hemoglobin from 7.6 to 9.4
      g/dl(p<0.001), of the mean corpuscular volume from 80.3 to 99.1 fl (p<0.001), and
      a significant fall of the white blood cell rate from 15077 to 8170/mm3 (p<0.001),
      of polynuclear neutrophils from 8015 to 3509/mm3 (p<0.001), and reticulocytes
      from 693736 to 209837 /mm3(p<0.001) was observed.Ten patients were considered as
      treatment failure with a failure rate of 15.3%. The main failure etiology was
      represented with bad observance. CONCLUSION: Hydroxyurea has a favored place in
      management of severe forms of sickle cell diseases of the child. Carefully used,
      with frequent monitoring does not have problems in short range but acceptance
      studies on the long term mast be undertaken.

PMID- 24227515
TI  - [Esophageal atresia associated with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis].

PMID- 24227517
TI  - A case of spontaneous rupture perforation of sarcomatoid carcinoma in the urinary
      bladder.

PMID- 24227516
TI  - [A train can hide another].

PMID- 24227518
TI  - [Uterine carcinosarcoma].

PMID- 24227519
TI  - [Carcinoma of the sigmoid colon: an unusual cause of fourniers gangrene].

PMID- 24227520
TI  - Systemic lupus erythematosus and Hodgkin disease.

PMID- 24227521
TI  - Selective arterial embolization in case of bleeding in advanced cervical cancer.

PMID- 24227522
TI  - [Endovascular treatment of an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta secondary to
      Behcet's disease].

PMID- 24227523
TI  - [Ectopic pregnancy under Implanon contraception: a case of encysted haematocele].

PMID- 24227524
TI  - Internal iliac vein thrombosis: a rare and multifactor complication in Crohn's
      disease.

PMID- 24227525
TI  - Concha bullosa pyocele.

PMID- 24227526
TI  - Syntaxin11 serves as a t-SNARE for the fusion of lytic granules in human
      cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
AB  - CTLs kill target cells via fusion of lytic granules (LGs) at the immunological
      synapse (IS). Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein
      receptors (SNAREs) function as executors of exocytosis. The importance of SNAREs
      in CTL function is evident in the form of familial hemophagocytic
      lymphohistiocytosis type 4 that is caused by mutations in Syntaxin11 (Stx11), a
      Qa-SNARE protein. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanism of Stx11 function
      in primary human effector CTLs with high temporal and spatial resolution.
      Downregulation of endogenous Stx11 resulted in a complete inhibition of LG fusion
      that was paralleled by a reduction in LG dwell time at the IS. Dual color
      evanescent wave imaging suggested a sequential process, in which first Stx11 is
      transported to the IS through a subpopulation of recycling endosomes. The
      resulting Stx11 clusters at the IS then serve as a platform to mediate fusion of
      arriving LGs. We conclude that Stx11 functions as a t-SNARE for the final fusion
      of LG at the IS, explaining the severe phenotype of familial hemophagocytic
      lymphohistiocytosis type 4 on a molecular level. 

PMID- 24227527
TI  - High-energy collisional activation studied via angle-resolved translational
      energy spectra of survivor ions.
AB  - Angle-resolved translational energy spectroscopy has been applied to Cs4I + (3)
      ions that survived 8 keV collisions with a range of collision gas targets,
      including inert gases and deuterium. The experimental data comprise values of the
      translational energy loss DeltaTR as a function of the (laboratory-frame)
      scattering angle theta R for each collision gas under conditions such that single
      collision events dominated the scattering. The values of DeltaTR increase with
      theta R, in accordance with very general expectations. However for any value of
      theta R, the values of DeltaTR for helium and deuterium as targets were almost
      indistinguishable from one another but were at least five to six times larger
      than those for neon and all other collision gases. These data have been shown to
      be consistent with theoretical considerations based upon conservation of energy
      and linear momentum. Theoretical approaches include the simple "elasticlimit"
      model, which makes no mechanistic assumptions, and a particular "binary-model"
      theory, which excludes electronic excitation as a possibility. Both theories are
      consistent with the experimental data and interpret the surprisingly large values
      of DeltaTR for low-mass targets in terms of large recoil energies of the target
      required to ensure conservation of momentum. The most likely alternative
      candidate as sink for DeltaTR is internal excitation of the target, but this
      possibility was excluded in the present work by choosing DeltaTR values less than
      the lowest excitation energies of the inert gas targets. Moreover, such an
      interpretation cannot explain the similar results obtained using helium and
      deuterium, which were markedly different from those obtained for all other
      collision gases. 

PMID- 24227528
TI  - Delayed dissociation spectra of survivor ions from high-energy collisional
      activation.
AB  - Collisional activation (CA) of large ions at kiloelectronvolt energies is
      accompanied by unexpectedly large losses of translational energy, which vary with
      the nature of the collision gas. Previous investigations have concentrated upon
      subsequent fragmentations occurring within a time window covering a few fis
      immediately following collision, using massanalyzed ion kinetic energy
      spectrometry. In the present work, survivor ions were selected for specified
      values of translational energy loss, and their internal energy contents assessed
      via their subsequent unimolecular fragmentation reactions within a later time
      window. Beam collimation was also applied when circumstances permitted to impose
      angular selection, thus minimizing cross talk between effects of collisional
      scattering and energy dispersion. It was shown that internal excitation of the
      reactant ion can account for only a small fraction of the observed loss of
      translational energy. The recoil energy of the target is thus the principal sink
      for the translational energy loss, since the latter was always chosen to be less
      than the lowest excitation energy of the target. This conclusion is shown to be
      consistent with theoretical models of the CA process. The practical implications
      of these conclusions for CA of large ions at kiloelectronvolt energies are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24227529
TI  - Analysis and elimination of systematic errors originating from coulomb mutual
      interaction and image charge in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance precise
      mass difference measurements.
AB  - The effect of mutual Coulomb-mediated interactions between ions of two different
      mass-to-charge ratios (but equal ion cyclotron orbital radii) on their Fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT/ICR) mass spectral frequency difference is
      derived analytically and measured experimentally. For a cylindrical ion trap, ion
      packets are modeled theoretically as infinitely extended lines of charge, and
      contributions to cyclotron frequency difference due to direct Coulomb repulsion
      between the lime charges as well as the forces arising from image charge induced
      on the trap electrodes by each line charge are calculated. A striking theoretical
      prediction is that the effect on ICR frequency difference of mutual Coulomb
      repulsion between ions in a mass doublet may be compensated by the image-charge
      effect. As a result, there is an optimal (calculable) ion cyclotron orbital
      radius at which the measured cyclotron orbital frequency difference between ions
      of two different mass-to-charge ratios is independent of mutual Coulomb-mediated
      interactions between the two components of the mass doublet! Moreover, if the two
      mass-doublet component ions are present in equal numbers, then the measured ion
      cyclotron orbital frequency difference is also independent of all Coulomb
      mediated interactions between the two types of ions! Thus, the single largest
      systematic error in measurement of mass difference in a mass doublet by FT/ICR
      mass spectrometry may be virtually eliminated by appropriate control of ICR
      orbital radius and/or by performing measurements at various relative abundance
      ratios and extrapolating to equal relative abundance of the two mass-doublet
      components. We report experimental tests and verification of these predictions
      for two different mass doublets: (3)He(+)/(3)H(+) (cylindrical trap at 4.7 Tesla)
      and (12)C(1)H 2 (+) /(14) N(+) (cubic trap at 7.0 Tesla). From the latter
      measurement, we determine the mass of atomic nitrogen as m((14)N)=14.003 074
      014(19) u. 

PMID- 24227530
TI  - High-efficiency surface-induced dissociation on a rhenium oxide surface.
AB  - We report on the high-efficiency surface-induced dissociation of benzene and
      cyclohexane polyatomic ions after scattering from a rhenium oxide surface with a
      kinetic energy of 5-290 eV. Rhenium oxide was prepared by directly heating a
      rhenium metal foil, under 10(-5) mbar partial oxygen pressure, at about 1000
      K.Rhenium oxide is characterized by a very high work function of 6.4 eV and thus
      minimizes ion reneutralization probabilities. The catalytic combustion of surface
      organic impurities with oxygen ensures good long-term stability.We found that the
      surface-induced dissociation ion current is 70 times larger on rhenium oxide than
      on bare rhenium or stainless steel. Absolute scattered ion yields of about 50%
      were measured. The implications of surface-induced dissociation on mass
      spectrometry in supersonic molecular beams are mentioned. 

PMID- 24227531
TI  - Amino acid sequence prerequisites for the formation of cn ions.
AB  - Ammo acid sequence prerequisites are described for the formation of c, ions
      observed in high-energy collision-induced decomposition spectra of peptides. It
      is shown that the formation of cn ions is promoted by the nature of the amino
      acid C-terminal to the cleavage site. A propensity for cn cleavage preceding
      threonine, and to a lesser extent tryptophan, lysine, and serine, is demonstrated
      where fragmentation is directed N-terminally at these residues. In addition, the
      nature of the residue N-terminal to the cleavage site is shown to have little
      effect on cn ion formation. A mechanism for cn ion formation is proposed and its
      applicability to the results observed is discussed. 

PMID- 24227532
TI  - Low-mass ions produced from peptides by high-energy collision-induced
      dissociation in tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - High-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectrometry provides a
      rapid and sensitive means for determining the primary sequence of peptides. The
      low-mass region (below mass 300) of a large number of tandem CID spectra of
      peptides has been analyzed. This mass region contains several types of
      informative fragment ions, including dipeptide ions, immonium ions, and other
      related ions. Useful low-mass ions are also present in negative-ion CID spectra.
      Immonium ions (general structure [H2N=CH-R](+), where R is the amino acid side
      chain) and related ions characteristic of specific amino acid residues give
      information as to the presence or absence of these residues in the peptide being
      analyzed. Tables of observed immonium and reiated ions for the 20 standard amino
      acids and for a number of modified amino acids are presented. A database
      consisting of 228 high-energy CID spectra of peptides has been established, and
      the frequency of occurrence of various ions indicative of specific ammo acid
      residues has been determined. Two model computer-aided schemes for analysis of
      the ammo-acid content of unknown peptides have been developed and tested against
      the database. 

PMID- 24227533
TI  - Gas-phase halo alkylation of C60-fullerene by ion-molecule reaction under
      chemical ionization.
AB  - Chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra of C60-fullerene were studied using 1,2
      dibromoethane and 1,2-dichloroethane as CI reagents. The ion-molecule reaction
      between C60 and C2H4X(+) (X=Br and Cl) leads to the formation of (C60+C2H4X)(+)
      adducts. The collision-induced dissociation of the adducts reveal gas phase halo
      alkylation of C60-fullerence involving the C-C bond formation. 

PMID- 24227534
TI  - Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by high-performance liquid
      chromatography-particle beam-mass spectrometry.
AB  - In this article, we report a high-performance liquid chromatography-particle beam
      mass spectrometric (HPLC-PB-MS) method for the determination of polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PB interface consists of a concentric
      ultrasonic nebulizer with temperature-controlled desolvation chamber and a three
      stage momentum separator. The HPLCPB-MS method showed greater sensitivity for
      PAHs with molecular weights above 178 than for those PAHs with molecular weights
      below 178. The percent relative standard deviations for the determination of 0.5
      ng chrysene, 1.0 ng dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, 1.0 ng benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and 2.5
      ng coronene were 20%, 2.5%, 13.7%, and 6%, respectively. The detection limits at
      signal/noise = 3 were 0.2 ng for chrysene, 1.0 ng for dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, 0.5
      ng for benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and 1.5 ng for coronene. 

PMID- 24227536
TI  - Charting weight four times daily as an effective behavioural approach to obesity
      in patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Although many obese people successfully lose weight by dieting and/or behavioural
      therapy, most of them subsequently regain the lost weight. Thus, new therapeutic
      strategies are required to maintain weight loss. We report a woman with type 2
      diabetes and moderate obesity who succeeded in achieving good glycaemic control
      and long-term weight loss with weaning from insulin therapy, while charting her
      weight four times daily. This charting method might be useful for long-term
      maintenance of weight reduction in obese diabetic patients. Obese patients can
      monitor their irregular weight fluctuations produced by overeating and correct
      both their food intake and their lifestyle. Further studies, including randomized
      control trials, will be needed to confirm the efficacy of this approach in
      patients with type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 24227538
TI  - Relationship between peripheral artery disease and combined albuminuria and low
      estimated glomerular filtration rate among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - This study aimed at investigating the combined effects of albuminuria and reduced
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on peripheral artery disease (PAD)
      among elderly patients with diabetes. A total of 236 subjects were cross
      classified into four groups according to the presence or absence of albuminuria
      (urinary albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) >= 30 mg/g) and low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73
      m2). Cardiovascular risk factors and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) were also
      assessed. After multivariate adjustment using logistic regression analysis, the
      odds ratios (OR) for prevalent PAD related to albuminuria with preserved eGFR,
      normoalbuminuria with low eGFR and albuminuria with low eGFR compared to
      normoalbuminuria with preserved eGFR were 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) =
      0.43-2.79], 3.14 (95% CI = 1.20-8.22) and 3.87 (95% CI = 1.72-8.72),
      respectively. In conclusion, in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, both
      normoalbuminuria with low eGFR and albuminuria with low eGFR are associated
      independently with PAD.

PMID- 24227537
TI  - The relationship between inhibitors of the Wnt signalling pathway (sclerostin and
      Dickkopf-1) and carotid intima-media thickness in postmenopausal women with type
      2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - The aim of the study was to investigate the association of the extracellular
      inhibitors of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling sclerostin and Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) with
      carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We
      performed a cross-sectional study including 40 T2DM postmenopausal women and 40
      healthy controls. CIMT was measured by B-mode ultrasound. Serum sclerostin and
      Dkk-1 were measured by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
      Serum sclerostin and Dkk-1 concentrations were significantly higher in T2DM group
      than in controls. There was a significant negative correlation between sclerostin
      and Dkk-1 and CIMT in T2DM (p = 0.0063 and p = 0.0017, respectively). After
      adjustment for potential confounders, associations remained significant only for
      sclerostin. These data suggest that sclerostin, an established modulator of the
      canonical Wnt signalling, may protect against progression of vascular
      complications in diabetic patients, possibly by attenuating upregulation of beta
      catenin activity in the vascular cells. 

PMID- 24227539
TI  - Marketing cigarettes when all else is unavailable: evidence of discounting in
      price-sensitive neighbourhoods.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Since price is both a key determinant of smoking and one of the few
      remaining marketing strategies available in countries without point-of-sale
      tobacco display, this study examines cigarette price variations in the Australian
      market and assesses whether those variations are consistent with price being used
      to increase or maintain smoking among price-sensitive groups. METHOD: An audit of
      1739 tobacco retailers was used to collect variations in the price of the best
      selling Australian cigarette brand, as well as record retailer compliance with
      tobacco retailing legislation. We examined variation in pricing across outlet
      type, demographic variations (socioeconomic level, % in the area under 18 and %
      born in Australia), remoteness and retailer compliance with tobacco retailing
      legislation. RESULTS: Multipacks were offered by 27.8% of retailers, with the
      average pack price in a twin pack $1.32 (or 7.3%) cheaper than a single pack.
      Prices were significantly lower in some outlet types, in lower socioeconomic
      postcodes and in those with a higher percentage of people under 18. In contrast
      with other consumer goods, prices were lower (although not significantly so)
      outside major cities. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of substantial multi-pack
      discounts and lower prices in postcodes with a higher proportion of price
      sensitive smokers (young people and those from lower socioeconomic groups) is
      consistent with targeted discounts being used as a tobacco marketing strategy.
      The results support policy interventions to counter selective discounts and to
      require disclosure of trade-based discounts.

PMID- 24227540
TI  - Applying linguistic methods to understanding smoking-related conversations on
      Twitter.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Social media, such as Twitter, have become major channels of
      communication and commentary on popular culture, including conversations on our
      nation's leading addiction: tobacco. The current study examined Twitter
      conversations following two tobacco-related events in the media: (1) President
      Obama's doctor announcing that he had quit smoking and (2) the release of a
      photograph of Miley Cyrus (a former Disney child star) smoking a cigarette. With
      a focus on high-profile individuals whose actions can draw public attention, we
      aimed to characterise tobacco-related conversations as an example of tobacco
      related public discourse and to present a novel methodology for studying social
      media. METHODS: Tweets were collected 11-13 November 2011 (President Obama) and 1
      3 August 2011 (Miley Cyrus) and analysed for relative frequency of terms, a novel
      application of a linguistic methodology. RESULTS: The President Obama data set
      (N=2749 tweets) had conversations about him quitting tobacco as well as a
      preponderance of information on political activity, links to websites, racialised
      terms and mention of marijuana. Websites and terms about Obama's smoke-free
      status were most central to the conversation. In the Miley Cyrus data (N=4746
      tweets), terms that occurred with the greatest relative frequency were positive,
      emotional and supportive of quitting (eg, love, and please), with words such as
      'love' most central to the conversation. CONCLUSIONS: People are talking about
      tobacco-related issues on Twitter, and semantic network analysis can be used to
      characterise on-line conversations. Future interventions may be able to harness
      social media and major current events to raise awareness of smoking-related
      issues.

PMID- 24227541
TI  - Cigarette tax avoidance and evasion: findings from the International Tobacco
      Control Policy Evaluation (ITC) Project.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decades of research have produced overwhelming evidence that tobacco
      taxes reduce tobacco use and increase government tax revenue. The magnitude and
      effectiveness of taxes in reducing tobacco use provide an incentive for tobacco
      users, manufacturers and others, most notably criminal networks, to devise ways
      to avoid or evade tobacco taxes. Consequently, tobacco tax avoidance and tax
      evasion can reduce the public health and fiscal benefit of tobacco taxes.
      OBJECTIVES: First, this study aims to document, using data from the International
      Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC), levels and trends in cigarette
      users' tax avoidance and tax evasion behaviour in a sample of 16 low-, middle-
      and high-income countries. Second, this study explores factors associated with
      cigarette tax avoidance and evasion. METHODS: We used data from ITC surveys
      conducted in 16 countries to estimate the extent and type of cigarette tax
      avoidance/evasion between countries and across time. We used self-reported
      information about the source of a smoker's last purchase of cigarettes or self
      reported packaging information, or similar information gathered by the
      interviewers during face-to-face interviews to measure tax avoidance/evasion
      behaviours. We used generalised estimating equations to explore individual-level
      factors that may affect the likelihood of cigarette tax avoidance or evasion in
      Canada, the USA, the UK and France. FINDINGS: We found prevalence estimates of
      cigarette tax avoidance/evasion vary substantially between countries and across
      time. In Canada, France and the UK, more than 10% of smokers reported last
      purchasing cigarettes from low or untaxed sources, while in Malaysia some
      prevalence estimates suggested substantial cigarette tax avoidance/evasion. We
      also found important associations between household income and education and the
      likelihood to engage in tax avoidance/evasion. These associations, however,
      varied both in direction and magnitude across countries.

PMID- 24227542
TI  - Immunohistochemical expression of RECK protein in placental membranes of the
      preterm delivery with and without chorioamnionitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the immunohistochemical expression of RECK protein in
      placental membranes of late preterm delivery in women with and without
      histologically proven chorioamnionitis. STUDY DESIGN: Fetal membranes were
      collected from women who had late preterm delivery with (n=8) and without (n=9)
      histologic chorioamnionitis. Immunohistochemistry for RECK protein was performed
      on formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded sections. The two groups were matched for
      age, body mass index and parity. SPSS Version 13.0 was used for statistical
      analysis. RESULTS: There was weaker immunohistochemical expression of RECK
      protein in placental membranes of women with histologic chorioamnionitis compared
      to control subjects (P=0.0498). CONCLUSIONS: Chorioamnionitis has an impact on
      immunohistochemical expression of RECK protein in placental membranes in late
      preterm delivery.

PMID- 24227543
TI  - Photonenergy-controlled symmetry breaking with circularly polarized light.
AB  - Circularly polarized light (CPL) is known to be a true chiral entity capable of
      generating absolute molecular asymmetry. However, the degree of inducible optical
      activity depends on the lambda of the incident CPL. Exposure of amorphous films
      of rac-alanine to tunable CPL led to enantiomeric excesses (ee) which not only
      follow the helicity but also the energy of driving electromagnetic radiation.
      Postirradiation analyses using enantioselective multidimensional GC revealed
      energy-controlled ee values of up to 4.2 %, which correlate with theoretical
      predictions based on newly recorded anisotropy spectra g(lambda). The tunability
      of asymmetric photochemical induction implies that both magnitude and sign can be
      fully controlled by CPL. Such stereocontrol provides novel insights into the
      wavelength and polarization dependence of asymmetric photochemical reactions and
      are highly relevant for absolute asymmetric molecular synthesis and for
      understanding the origins of homochirality in living matter. 

PMID- 24227544
TI  - A functional evenness index for microbial ecology.
AB  - Microbial ecologists attempting to describe community structures through the use
      of synthetic parameters face enormous difficulties. These stem in part from the
      necessity of using standard taxonomic reference levels in a field where the
      species level is poorly defined. This paper presents an attempt to obviate this
      problem. A "functional evenness" index (E) is defined using information measures;
      it is based directly on the characteristics of the bacteria, as determined, for
      example, with the API 20B method. Comparisons of this index with classic
      structure indices, such as taxonomic evenness (Pielou) or systematic dominance
      (Hulburt), show that it behaves like an evenness index, while bypassing the
      taxonomic study required before computation of the classic indices. Its use is
      illustrated with samples of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria obtained from brackish
      lagoon sediments. 

PMID- 24227545
TI  - Seasonal distribution of nitrifying bacteria and rates of nitrification in
      coastal marine sediments.
AB  - The distribution of nitrification potential (NP) with depth in sediment and
      season was investigated in a shallow sandy sediment (0.5 m water) and a deeper
      muddy sediment (17m water). In both sediments, nitrifying bacteria were present
      in the anoxic strata (oxygen penetration was 5 mm below the surface). The NP at 6
      8 cm depth in the sediment was 50% and 10% of the surface NP at the sandy and
      muddy sediment, respectively. It is suggested that bioturbation and physical
      disturbance of the sediment were the most likely reasons for this distribution.
      The NP increased as sediment temperature decreased. This effect was less marked
      in the muddy sediment. It is concluded that during the summer, the numbers or
      specific activity of nitrifying bacteria diminished for the following reasons:
      There was decreased O2 penetration into the sediment and increased competition
      for O2 by heterotrophs; there was increased competition for NH4 (+) and there was
      inhibition by H2S. These effects counteracted the potentially higher growth rates
      and increased rates of NH4 (+) production at the elevated summer temperatures.
      The potential nitrification rates in the upper 1 cm, which were measured at 22
      degrees C, were converted to calculated rates at the in situ temperature
      (Q10=2.5) and in situ oxygen penetration. These calculated rates were shown to
      closely resemble the measured in situ rates of nitrification. The relationship
      between the in situ rates of nitrification and the nitrification potential is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24227546
TI  - Hydrogen as an electron donor for sulfate-reducing bacteria in slurries of salt
      marsh sediment.
AB  - Experiments with a Warburg respirometer showed that a sediment slurry consumed
      hydrogen from a hydrogen atmosphere, and this consumption was not due to the
      activity of methanogenic bacteria. The hydrogren uptake was inhibited by the
      addition of 20 mM molybdate. Further experiments with sediment slurry held in
      conical flasks under an atmosphere of nitrogen showed that hydrogen accumulated
      in the headspace when bacterial sulfate reduction was inhibited either by the
      addition of 20 mM molybdate or by low (<5 mM) sulfate concentrations in the
      slurry. Methanogenesis was stimulated in the presence of a hydrogen atmosphere or
      by the addition of 20 mM molybdate. The results confirmed that hydrogren was an
      important electron donor for sulfate-reducing bacteria present in the sediment.
      The stimulation of methanogenesis by molybdate could be explained in part by a
      competition for hydrogen between sulfate-reducing bacteria and hydrogen
      metabolizing methanogenic bacteria, but competition for another common substrate,
      possibly acetate, could also be significant. 

PMID- 24227547
TI  - Effect of mineral composition on bacterial attachment to submerged rock surfaces.
AB  - A direct microscopic count technique employing fluorescein isothiocyanate stain
      was used to compare microbial colonization on the exposed surfaces of rocks and
      minerals suspended in several ponds for various time intervals. Hematitic
      sandstone was never colonized at a rate greater than limestone, but quartz was
      always colonized more rapidly than calcite. The use of single-crystal minerals
      (quartz and calcite) in a nested factor experiment showed that the effect of the
      minerals on colonization was statistically significant, but that differences
      among the immersion sites were also significant. Sandstone samples placed in a
      pond outflow accumulated microbial colonizers more rapidly than those placed in
      the still waters of the same pond. The results indicate that the composition of
      the mineral substrate, in concert with the immersion environment, controls the
      formation of primary slime layers in aquatic systems. 

PMID- 24227548
TI  - Seasonal selection in a freshwater heterotrophic bacterial community.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine if a seasonal selection could be
      demonstrated in the heterotrophic component of a freshwater bacterial community.
      Surface samples were taken at approximately monthly intervals covering an annual
      seasonal cycle, and counts were made of the numbers of bacteria capable of
      growing at each of 10 incubation temperatures from 0 degrees  to 45 degrees C at
      5 degrees C intervals. Evidence for seasonal selection was provided by a 6
      degrees C shift in the mean temperature of the counts from the summer sample to
      the winter sample. The selection was even more evident when the number of
      organisms capable of growing at 10 degrees C and those capable of growing at 35
      degrees C were compared over the seasonal cycle. The counts at these two
      incubation temperatures varied inversely to each other. Although a negligible
      number of organisms from a representative summer sample grew at 10 degrees C, 18%
      of the organisms from a representative winter sample grew at this temperature.
      The data of this study indicate that, although seasonal selection does occur, the
      magnitude of that selection is not great enough to permit the growth of bacteria
      during the coldest month to approach the levels of growth observed during the
      summer months. However, the selection appears to be adequate to permit
      significant activity during the spring and fall transition months. 

PMID- 24227549
TI  - Activity of bacteriolytic enzymes adsorbed to clays.
AB  - Myxococcus virescens is able to produce extracellular bacteriolytic enzymes that
      are rapidly adsorbed on montmorillonite. These adsorbed enzymes are active and
      can be assayed by measuring the release of UV-absorbing materials in mixtures
      containingMicrococcus luteus cells. The activity of the clay-adsorbed enzymes is,
      however, considerably lower than that of the unadsorbed enzymes. Both unadsorbed
      and adsorbed enzymes have their maximum activity at approximately the same pH. At
      lower clay-enzyme concentrations, the activity is proportional to the
      concentration. If, however, increasing amounts of clay are added to a fixed
      volume of clay-enzyme suspension, the activity remains almost unchanged until a
      definite limit is reached, then the activity decreases rapidly. This limit was
      dependent only on the ratio of the amounts of enzyme and clay and not on the
      absolute concentration of the enzyme. The montmorillonite-adsorbed bacteriolytic
      enzymes fromM. virescens were not active against gram-negative bacteria, and no
      activity against purified cell walls fromM. luteus could be measured.
      Montmorillonite-adsorbed egg white lysozyme was not active onM. luteus cells. 

PMID- 24227550
TI  - Protozoan grazing of bacteria in soil-impact and importance.
AB  - Interactions between bacteria and protozoa in soil were studied over 2-week
      periods in the field and in a pot experiment. Under natural conditions the total
      biological activity was temporarily synchronized by a large rainfall, and in the
      laboratory by the addition of water to dried-out soil, with or without plants. In
      the field, peaks in numbers and biomass of bacteria appeared after the rain, and
      a peak of naked amoebae quickly followed. Of the three investigated groups
      flagellates, ciliates, and amoebae-only populations of the latter were large
      enough and fluctuated in a way that indicated a role as bacterial regulators. The
      bacterial increase was transient, and the amoebae alone were calculated to be
      able to cause 60% of the bacterial decrease. The same development of bacteria and
      protozoa was observed in the pot experiment: in the presence of roots, amoebic
      numbers increased 20 times and became 5 times higher than in the unplanted soil.
      In the planted pots, the amoebic increase was large enough to cause the whole
      bacterial decrease observed; but in the unplanted soil, consumption by the
      amoebae caused only one-third of the bacterial decrease. 

PMID- 24227551
TI  - Effects of epiphyton onPotamogeton crispus L. leaves.
AB  - Potamogeton crispus L. grows as a winter producing annual in the shallow lakes of
      the Pongolo Floodplain, South Africa. Colonization of leaves by algal and
      bacterial epiphytes, as seen by scanning electron microscopy, followed the
      established pattern of increasing diversity and density with leaf age. It was
      apparent from the micrographs that the primary and subsequent colonizers were
      present even after death of the host leaf. Cross sections of leaves, viewed by
      transmission electron microscopy, illustrated that bacterial attachment did not
      damage the surface of young leaves. There was, however, extensive inward swelling
      and disorganization of the epidermal walls, characteristic of a reaction to
      invasion by pathogens. In older leaves the swelling was also present in mesophyll
      cells, while bacteria had invaded and degraded the epidermal cell wall. The
      bacterial invasion was concomitant with signs of senescence, and in dead leaves
      the organisms had penetrated and degraded the epidermis and mesophyll cell walls.
      The epiphyton/ host relationship may therefore be considered necrotrophic with
      important consequences for the transfer of energy from producers to consumers
      during decomposition. 

PMID- 24227552
TI  - Evaluation of membrane adsorption-epifluorescence microscopy for the enumeration
      of bacteria in coastal surface films.
AB  - We have evaluated a method for enumerating surface slick bacteria by combining a
      membrane adsorption procedure with epifluorescence microscopy. Various chemicals
      were investigated for their ability to enhance bacterial elution from the
      membrane filters. The results of the elution-epifluorescence method were compared
      to plate counts and to direct epifluorescence counts of the sampling membrane
      filters. In all tests, the elution-epifluorescence technique yielded
      significantly higher bacterial concentrations. 

PMID- 24227553
TI  - Phosphoproteome analysis of Lotus japonicus seeds.
AB  - In this study, we report the first dataset of phosphoproteins of the seeds of a
      model plant, Lotus japonicus. This dataset might be useful in studying the
      regulatory mechanisms of seed germination in legume plants. By proteomic analysis
      of seeds following water absorption, we identified a total of 721 phosphopeptides
      derived from 343 phosphoproteins in cotyledons, and 931 phosphopeptides from 473
      phosphoproteins in hypocotyls. Kinase-specific prediction analyses revealed that
      different kinases were activated in cotyledons and hypocotyls. In particular,
      many peptides containing ATM-kinase target motifs, X-X-pS/pT-Q-X-X, were detected
      in cotyledons. Moreover, by real-time RT-PCR analysis, we found that expression
      of a homolog of ATM kinase is upregulated specifically in cotyledons, suggesting
      that this ATM-kinase homolog plays a significant role in cell proliferation in
      the cotyledons of L. japonicus seeds. The data have been deposited to the
      ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000053
      (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000053). 

PMID- 24227554
TI  - Drug-induced liver injury secondary to testosterone prohormone dietary supplement
      use.
AB  - Dietary supplementation has become progressively more prevalent, with over half
      of the American population reporting use of various products. An increased
      incidence of supplement use has been reported in the military especially within
      Special Operations Forces (SOF) where training regimens rival those of elite
      athletes. Federal regulations regarding dietary supplements are minimal, allowing
      for general advertisement to the public without emphasis on the potentially
      harmful side effects. Subsequent medical care for these negative effects causes
      financial burden on the military in addition to the unit?s loss of an Operator
      and potential mission compromise. This report reviews a case of an Operator
      diagnosed with drug-induced liver injury secondary to a testosterone prohormone
      supplement called Post Cycle II. Clinical situations like this emphasize the
      necessity that SOF Operators and clinicians be aware of the risks and benefits of
      these minimally studied substances. Providers should also be aware of the Human
      Performance Resource Center for Health Information and Natural Medicines
      Comprehensive Database supplement safety ratings as well as the Food and Drug
      Administration?s MedWatch and Natural Medicines WATCH, to which adverse reactions
      should be reported. 

PMID- 24227555
TI  - Identification and management of bed bug infestations in austere environments.
AB  - Military forces have missions that send them all over the globe. With the
      reemergence of bed bugs worldwide, the possibility of Servicemembers encountering
      them has increased. Special Operations Forces are often sent to locations that
      may not have integrated pest management support. Knowing how to identify and
      manage a bed bug infestation, with and without proper equipment and supplies, may
      become necessary in the very near future. It is also important that
      Servicemembers are aware of how bed bugs travel, to prevent their dispersal back
      to the United States and into their barracks and homes. 

PMID- 24227556
TI  - Rice-based electrolyte drinks more effective than water in replacing sweat losses
      during hot weather training and operations.
AB  - Heat-related injury presents significant threats to the health and operational
      effectiveness of Soldiers and military operations. In 2012, active component,
      U.S. Armed Forces experienced 365 incident cases of heat stroke and 2,257
      incident cases of ?other heat injury.? Most of these occurred among recruit and
      enlisted personnel and most were under the age of 30. In conditioned military
      personnel, a rice-based oral rehydration solution was superior to water alone at
      maintaining body weight and, by inference, enabled Soldiers to better maintain
      their the state of hydration during prolonged exercise in high ambient
      temperatures. In view of the health risks associated with dehydration and their
      effects on training and operations, this study suggests that the consumption of
      beverages containing electrolytes and a rice-based carbohydrate is superior to
      the consumption of water alone in preventing dehydration and heat related
      illness. 

PMID- 24227557
TI  - Tactical lighting in special operations medicine: survey of current preferences.
AB  - Success in Special Operations Forces medicine (SOFMED) is dependent on maximizing
      visual capability without compromising the provider or casualty position when
      under fire. There is no single ideal light source suitable for varied SOFMED
      environments. We present the results of an online survey of Special Operations
      Medical Operators in an attempt to determine strengths and weaknesses of current
      systems. There was no consensus ideal hue for tactical illumination. Most
      Operators own three or more lights, and most lights were not night vision
      compatible. Most importantly, nearly 25% of respondents reported that lighting
      issues contributed to a poor casualty outcome; conversely, a majority (50 of 74)
      stated their system helped prevent a poor outcome. Based on the results of this
      initial survey, we can affirm that the design and choice of lighting is critical
      to SOFMED success. We are conducting ongoing studies to further define ideal
      systems for tactical applications including field, aviation, and marine settings.

PMID- 24227558
TI  - Filling in the gaps of predeployment fleet surgical team training using a team
      centered approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Teamwork and successful communication are essential parts of any
      medical specialty, especially in the trauma setting. U.S. Navy physicians
      developed a course for deploying fleet surgical teams to reinforce teamwork,
      communication, and baseline knowledge of trauma management. METHOD: The course
      combines 22 hours of classroom didactics along with 28 hours of hands-on
      simulation and cadaver-based laboratories to reinforce classroom concepts. It
      culminates in a 6-hour, multiwave exercise of multiple, critically injured
      victims of a mass casualty and uses the ?Cut Suit? (Human Worn Partial Task
      Surgical Simulator; Strategic Operations), which enables performance of multiple
      realistic surgical procedures as encountered on real casualties. Participants are
      graded on time taken from initial patient encounter to disposition and the number
      of errors made. Pre- and post-training written examinations are also given. The
      course is graded based on participants? evaluation of the course. RESULTS: The
      majority of the participants indicated that the course promoted teamwork,
      enhanced knowledge, and gave confidence. Only 51.72% of participants felt
      confident in dealing with trauma patients before the course, while 82.76% felt
      confident afterward (p = .01). Both the time spent on each patient and the number
      of errors made also decreased after course completion. CONCLUSION: The course was
      successful in improving teamwork, communication and base knowledge of all the
      team members.

PMID- 24227559
TI  - The correlation of early hyperglycemia with outcomes in adult trauma patients: a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is often treated in both acute and long-term settings
      and has recently garnered attention for its utility as a prognostic marker in
      traumatic injury. This could be of vital importance in Special Operations, as
      triage and disposition of trauma patients are often accomplished under less-than
      ideal conditions. Blood glucose levels are easily obtained, require inexpensive
      instruments, but are likely not routinely taken in the field for trauma patients.
      OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to systematically search available
      medical literature for early (within 48 hours of presentation) hyperglycemia in
      trauma patients and present the relevant data regarding prognosis in a
      qualitative fashion. SOURCES: A systematic review was conducted of published
      English language articles using PubMed/MEDLINE in addition to searching
      bibliographies. Search terms included hyperglycemia, trauma, and prognosis. STUDY
      ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Eligible analytical studies had an adult population, who
      had experienced a traumatic injury, with blood glucose measurements within the
      first 48 hours of care, and had prognostic end points such as morbidity measures
      (intensive care unit time, infection, length of stay, etc.) and/or mortality.
      STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Studies were appraised according to their
      design, size, population characteristics, definition of ?hyperglycemic? and
      ?normoglycemic,? and morbidity and mortality outcomes. RESULTS: We reviewed 104
      studies. Ninety-five were identified from a PubMed/MEDLINE search, and an
      additional nine were from relevant citations and bibliographies. Eighty-seven
      studies were excluded; 17 articles met inclusion criteria and were analyzed for
      the review. Five were prospective in nature and 12 were retrospective reviews.
      Five studies analyzed patients with traumatic brain injury, and one study
      exclusively concerned burn patients. Sixteen of the studies found negative
      outcomes with early hyperglycemia. One study found no significant relationship
      between serum glucose measurements and mortality. LIMITATIONS: LIMITATIONS of
      this review included the use of one database and articles available online and in
      English. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS: There is strong evidence
      that early hyperglycemia is correlated with a worse prognosis in trauma patients.
      Providers at all levels could potentially use this information to aid in the
      triage and disposition of traumatic injury victims.

PMID- 24227560
TI  - Cutaneous leishmaniasis: the efficacy of nonantimony treatment in the austere
      environment. Using cryotherapy, thermotherapy, and photodynamic therapy as an
      alternative method of treatment.
AB  - The author provides a retrospective review of clinical trials evaluating
      cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and thermotherapy in the treatment of
      cutaneous Leishmania infestations. Current cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) treatment
      is based primarily on antimony compounds such as meglumine antimoniate, sodium
      stibogluconate, ketaconozole, amphotericin B, and other similar compounds. All
      have potentially severe sideeffects and relatively narrow therapeutic windows
      (i.e., the minimum doses that are therapeutic and do not cause harm).
      Investigational modalities using heat and cold therapies were shown to have
      similar results compared with current treatment regimens. Combination therapies
      have also been investigated and are the standard of treatment in the United
      States. Although the current therapies are effective in the treatment of the
      trypanosomatid protozoan Leishmania parasite, some effective alternative
      modalities have been shown to have fewer serious side-effects compared with
      current medications. Investigational studies that were reviewed showed that
      whether used individually or as an adjunct to traditional therapies, alternative
      treatment methods proved to be equally efficacious in treating CL. Some
      investigational therapies, such as cryotherapy as the sole modality, approached
      92% cure rate. Any of the three investigated alternatives (i.e., heat, cold, or
      photodynamic) are techniques that could be readily used by Special Operations
      Forces (SOF) medics during their operations in remote and/or austere regions of
      the world. 

PMID- 24227561
TI  - Use of the LMA Supreme in the Special Operations Environment: A Retrospective
      Comparison of the LMA Supreme and King LT-D.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of the LMA Supreme(r) (LAM) as a
      combat supraglottic airway for U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). It is
      imperative to continuously evaluate and compare existing management options for
      airway control as requirements and technologies change. Providing our Special
      Operators with the most advanced and reliable medical equipment is of the utmost
      importance, and it is our intention here to compare the LMA Supreme with the
      currently fielded King LT-D(r) (King Systems) to determine whether the LMA
      Supreme may be a viable alternative supraglottic airway. 

PMID- 24227562
TI  - Needle thoracentesis decompression: observations from postmortem computed
      tomography and autopsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Needle thoracentesis decompression (NTD) is a recommended emergency
      treatment for tension pneumothorax. Current doctrine recognizes two suitable
      sites: the second intercostal space in the midclavicular line and the fourth or
      fifth intercostal space in the anterior axillary line. METHODS: A review was
      conducted of postmortem computed tomography and autopsy results in 16 cases where
      NTD was performed as an emergency procedure. RESULTS: In 16 cases with 23
      attempted procedures, the outcome was confirmed in 17 attempts. In 7 placements,
      the catheter was in the pleural cavity; in 7 placements, the catheter never
      entered the pleural cavity; and in 3 placements, cavity penetration was verified
      at autopsy even though the catheter was no longer in the cavity. Success was
      noted in 6 of 13 anterior attempts and 4 of 4 lateral attempts, for an overall
      success rate of 59% (10 of 17). In the remaining 6 attempted procedures, a
      catheter was noted in the soft tissue on imaging; however, presence or absence of
      pleural cavity penetration was equivocal. All placements were attempted in the
      combat environment; no information is available about specifically where or by
      whom. CONCLUSION: NTD via a lateral approach was more successful than that via an
      anterior approach, although it was used in fewer cases. This supports the
      revision of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care Guidelines specifying the lateral
      approach as an alternative to an anterior approach.

PMID- 24227563
TI  - Point-of-Care Coagulation Testing for Trauma Patients in a Military Setting: A
      Prospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Almost 50% of military trauma patients who need
      transfusions develop a coagulopathy. Immediately treating this coagulopathy
      improves the patient?s prognosis. Field military hospitals often lack laboratory
      devices needed to diagnose a clinically significant coagulopathy and have limited
      blood product resources such as plasma. Point-of-care (POC) devices for the
      measurement of prothrombin time (PT) are available and have been tested in a
      variety of situations, including hemorrhagic surgery. The authors compared a POC
      device, the Coaguchek XS Pro (F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland),
      with laboratory measures for determining the PT in military trauma patients in a
      field hospital. METHODS: This single-center prospective study was designed to
      compare POC coagulation monitoring with traditional laboratory testing. It was
      conducted at the French military hospital located at Kabul International Airport.
      All patients with trauma injuries resulting from war operations were included. A
      blood sample was drawn immediately on admission. PT was determined both in the
      laboratory and with use of the Coaguchek XS pro. RESULTS: Forty patients with war
      trauma were enrolled during a 3-month period. The authors recorded 69
      measurements. The two methods were correlated with a correlation coefficient of
      0.78 (p < .001). The Bland-Altman plot showed a mean difference of 5.8% (95%
      confidence interval ?14.9% to 26.6%). Using a PT cutoff of 60%, POC had a
      sensitivity of 77.1% and a specificity of 94.1%. RESULTS from POC PT measurement
      were available within a mean of 25.8 minutes before laboratory measures.
      CONCLUSIONS: The Coaguchek XS Pro device can be used successfully in an austere
      environment without compromising its performance.

PMID- 24227564
TI  - Cessation of vital signs monitored during lethal hemorrhage: a Swine study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Two challenges of trauma triage are to identify wounded who are in
      danger of imminent death and to enable medics to determine if resuscitation is
      possible when making ?dead or alive? decisions on the battlefield. Hemorrhagic
      shock is the leading cause of death in combat injuries. The purpose of this study
      was to establish the sequence of vital sign cessation during lethal hemorrhage in
      swine. Our hypothesis was that brain electrical activity (electroencephalography
      [EEG]) and respiration are earlier indicators of imminent death than traditional
      modalities measured during triage, such as heart electrical activity
      (electrocardiography [ECG]) and blood pressure. METHODS: Lethal hemorrhage was
      induced in anesthetized Yorkshire pigs. Vital sign modalities measured were
      respiration, heart electrical activity (ECG), heart sound, blood pressure
      (systemic arterial pressure), and brain electrical activity (EEG). RESULTS: The
      sequence of vital sign cessation was (1) respiration, (2) brain electrical
      activity (EEG), (3) heart sound, (4) blood pressure, and (5) heart electrical
      activity (ECG). Cessation of respiration occurred at approximately the same time
      that brain electrical activity stopped (?flatlined?) for 2 seconds and then
      resumed briefly before cessation; cessation of heart electrical activity occurred
      almost 8 minutes later. CONCLUSIONS: A 2-second EEG flatline and final
      respiration are useful event markers to indicate an opportunity to prevent
      irreversible brain damage from lethal hemorrhage. Since the 2-second EEG flatline
      and final respiration occur about 8 minutes before cessation of heart electrical
      activity (ECG), EEG and final respiration are earlier indicators of imminent
      death. The use of deployable noninvasive brain monitors implementing these
      findings can be live-saving on the battlefield as well is in civilian
      environments.

PMID- 24227565
TI  - U.s. Military experience with junctional wounds in war from 2001 to 2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2012, we reported on junctional wounds in war, but only of the few
      injuries that were critically severe. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study
      is to associate a wide range of junctional wounds and casualty survival over a
      decade in order to evidence opportunities for improvement in trauma care within a
      large healthcare system. METHODS: We retrospectively surveyed data from a
      military trauma registry. We associated survival and injuries at the junction of
      the trunk and appendages in the current war (2001 to 2010). RESULTS: The
      junctional injury rate rose 14-fold from 0%, its minimum in 2001, to 5%, its
      maximum in 2010. Of the 833 casualties with junctional injury in the study, the
      survival rate was 83%; its change was not statistically significant over time.
      Most casualties had severe extremity injuries and associated injuries of other
      body regions such as the face and head. CONCLUSIONS: Junctional injury is common,
      severe, disabling, and lethal. The findings of this study may increase awareness
      of junctional injury. Opportunities for improvement which we identified included
      further research on the future addition of junctional codes (such as neck
      diagnoses) in order to align research methods to clinical care.

PMID- 24227566
TI  - Management of Junctional Hemorrhage in Tactical Combat Casualty Care: TCCC
      Guidelines?Proposed Change 13-03.
AB  - The vast majority of combat casualties who die from their injuries do so prior to
      reaching a medical treatment facility. Although most of these deaths result from
      nonsurvivable injuries, efforts to mitigate combat deaths can still be directed
      toward primary prevention through modification of techniques, tactics, and
      procedures and secondary prevention through improvement and use of personal
      protective equipment. For deaths that result from potentially survivable
      injuries, mitigation efforts should be directed toward primary and secondary
      prevention as well as tertiary prevention through medical care with an emphasis
      toward prehospital care as dictated by the fact that the preponderance of
      casualties die in the prehospital environment. Since the majority of casualties
      with potentially survivable injuries died from hemorrhage, priority must be
      placed on interventions, procedures, and training that mitigate death from
      truncal, junctional, and extremity exsanguination. In response to this need,
      multiple novel and effective junctional tourniquets have recently been developed.

PMID- 24227567
TI  - Tactical emergency casualty care?pediatric appendix: novel guidelines for the
      care of the pediatric casualty in the high-threat, prehospital environment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Active shooter events and active violent incidents are increasingly
      targeting civilians, placing children at heightened risk for complex and
      devastating trauma. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified as a
      priority preparing domestic first responders to manage complex mass casualty
      incidents as a primary step in strengthening our medical system. Existing
      literature suggests that many prehospital providers are uncomfortable treating
      critically ill or injured pediatric patients and that there is a gap in the
      consistent provision of high-quality trauma care to these patients. The success
      of threat-based care developed by the military has led to an exponential rise in
      the familiarity and utilization of these concepts within certain specialized
      elements of civilian care. Evolution of these concepts is accelerating to meet
      the demands of the nonmilitary civilian environment through the formation and
      subsequent work of the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC).
      However, a gap remains in the available literature describing the application of
      these principles to specialized populations. METHODS: In the absence of an
      evidence-based set of guidelines for prehospital care of the pediatric casualty,
      the C-TECC sought to establish a set of peer-reviewed guidelines to serve as a
      foundation describing current best practices. The Pediatric Working Group (PWG)
      utilized the adult TECC guidelines as a starting point and identified a series of
      key questions regarding trauma interventions. The PWG conducted a standard PubMed
      search to identify key relevant or potentially relevant literature. The
      literature review was presented to the C-TECC Guidelines Committee for review and
      approval of recommended principles. RECOMMENDATIONS: Given the dearth of
      supporting literature on the subject, the TECC committee was purposefully
      conservative in the adaptation of the adult TECC guidelines to a pediatric
      standard. The guidelines highlight information tailored to the pediatric
      population and were designed to be a resource for individual agencies seeking
      guidance for high-threat operations. To our knowledge, the TECC Pediatric
      Appendix is the first published recommendation for the widespread use of
      tourniquets in pediatric hemorrhage. In addition, the Guidelines are meant to
      highlight gaps in trauma literature and stimulate discussion regarding future
      research in the area of prehospital care of the pediatric casualty.

PMID- 24227568
TI  - Tactical medicine in response to acts of terrorism.

PMID- 24227569
TI  - The application of regional anesthesia by the special forces medical sergeant.

PMID- 24227570
TI  - Pertussis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pertussis, a disease that has been well described since the Middle
      Ages, has a worldwide distribution and can infect all ages. It is caused by the
      gram-negative, pleomorphic bacillus Bordetella pertussis, which is transmitted
      from human to human via aerosolized droplets at close range. Descriptions such as
      the one-hundred day cough in Chinese and whooping cough in English, describe the
      severity of this disease seen in both the developed and the developing world.

PMID- 24227571
TI  - Erythema ab igne.
AB  - Erythema ab igne is a reticulated, erythematous, hyperpigmented dermatosis
      resulting from chronic mild to moderate heat exposure. The authors present two
      cases of erythema ab igne, one from a hot water bottle to treat chronic low back
      pain and another from a heated automobile seat. They review other reported
      etiologies and highlight scenarios in which military medical providers may
      encounter erythema ab igne. 

PMID- 24227572
TI  - Mandibular gland components of european and africanized honey bee queens (Apis
      mellifera L.).
AB  - The composition of the five-component honey bee queen mandibular gland pheromone
      (QMP) of mated European honey bee queens was compared to those of virgin and
      drone-laying (i.e., laying only haploid unfertilized eggs that develop into
      males), European queens and Africanized mated queens. QMP of mated European
      queens showed significantly greater quantities of individual components than all
      queen types compared, except for a significantly greater quantity of 9-hydroxy
      (E)-2-decenoic acid (9-HDA) found in Africanized queens. Glands of European drone
      laying queens contained quantities intermediate between virgin and mated queens,
      reflecting their intermediate reproductive state and age. QMP ontogeny shifts
      from a high proportion of 9-keto-(E)-2-decenoic acid (ODA) in young unmated
      queens to roughly equal proportions of ODA and 9-HDA in mated queens. A
      biosynthetic shift occurs after mating that results in a greater proportion of 9
      HDA, methylp-hydroxybenzoate (HOB), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethanol (HVA)
      production, accompanied by a decreased proportion of ODA. Africanized QMP
      proportions of ODA and 9-HDA were significantly different from European queens. A
      quantitative definition of a "queen equivalent" of QMP is proposed for the
      various queen types, and a standard queen equivalent for mated European honeybee
      queen mandibular gland pheromone is adopted as 200ug ODA, 80ug 9-HDA, 20ug HOB,
      and 2 ug HVA. 

PMID- 24227573
TI  - Effects of nitrogen fertilization on secondary chemistry and ectomycorrhizal
      state of Scots pine seedlings and on growth of grey pine aphid.
AB  - Effects of nitrogen availability on secondary compounds, mycorrhizal infection,
      and aphid growth of 1-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings were
      studied during one growing season. Seedlings were fertilized with nutrient
      solutions containing low, optimum, and two elevated (2 * and 4 * optimum) levels
      of NH4NO3. At the end of growing season foliar nitrogen concentration, needle
      biomass, needle length, water contents of needles, root collar diameter, and
      number of buds increased with enhanced nitrogen availability. Addition of
      nitrogen did not have effect on concentrations of monoterpenes in growing
      needles, but in mature needles significantly decreased concentrations of some
      individual and total monoterpenes were detected. In growing needles the
      concentrations of some individual resin acids decreased, and in mature needles
      concentrations of some individual and total resin acids increased with increased
      nitrogen fertilization. Higher numbers of resin ducts were found in mature
      needles with nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization decreased total
      phenolic concentrations in growing and mature needles of the current year, but in
      needles of the previous year no significant differences occurred. Mycorrhizal
      infection was highest at medium (optimum and 2 * optimum) nitrogen fertilization
      levels. The relative growth rate (RGR) of grey pine aphid [Schizolachnus pineti
      (F.)] responded positively to the increase in foliar nitrogen content. However,
      the increase in aphid performance between optimum and the highest fertilization
      level was slight. This may indicate a deterring effect of resin acids on aphids.
      The results indicate that carbon/nutrient balance hypothesis fails to predict
      directly the effects of nitrogen availability on concentrations of carbon-based
      defensive compounds in mature foliage. Altered nitrogen supply affects allocation
      to secondary metabolites differently, depending on the developmental state of the
      plant and the biosynthesis pathway, cost of synthesis, and storage of compounds. 

PMID- 24227574
TI  - Host-location kairomone fromPeriplaneta americana (L.) for parasitoidAprostocetus
      hagenowii (Ratzeburg).
AB  - Chemically mediated host location in the eulophid parasitoidAprostocetus
      hagenowii (Ratzeburg) was investigated. In Y-tube bioassays 77.6% of female
      parasitoids responded to aPeriplaneta americana (L.) ootheca; parasitoids did not
      respond to air with no volatile stimuli. Frass from adult cockroaches was as
      attractive as an ootheca. Bioassay of one ootheca equivalent of five lipid
      fractions (eluted with hexane and 1, 5, 10, and 30% ether in hexane) from silica
      gel column chromatography indicated that the active component was a hydrocarbon.
      Further separation and bioassay of oothecal hydrocarbons by AgNO3-impregnated
      silica gel column chromatography indicated that the biological activity was in
      one fraction. Gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of this fraction revealed a
      single peak; this peak was identified by researchers in 1963, 1969, and 1972 as
      (Z,Z)-6,9-heptacosadiene. Qualitative and quantitative GC analyses of total
      hydrocarbons from oothecae, frass, and adult females were essentially identical;
      6,9-heptacosadiene was the dominant hydrocarbon from each source. The alkadiene
      was 37 times more abundant in frass than on the ootheca. The volatilization of
      the alkadiene from oothecae was demonstrated by aeration and trapping on Super Q
      adsorbent. The current study is the first evidence for biological activity of
      (Z,Z)-6,9-heptacosadiene, a major hydrocarbon component on adult female American
      cockroaches, on their oothecae, and in their frass. 

PMID- 24227575
TI  - Response of xylem-feeding leafhopper to host plant species and plant quality.
AB  - Carneocephala floridana, an oligophagous leafhopper that inhabits the salt
      marshes along the coasts of Florida, utilizesBorrichia frutescens andSalicornia
      virginica (both herbs) as primary summer hosts, but uses two grasses,Distichlis
      spicata andSpartina alterniflora, during the winter. We tested whether the
      seasonal patterns of abundance and apparent host-switching byCarneocephala are
      related to plant quality. In laboratory experiments, nymphs ofCarneocephala
      reared on nonfertilized control plants of the two herbs produced adults that were
      similar in size to field-collected insects. OnlyCarneocephala raised at the
      lowest densities onSpartina andDistichlis from the highest fertilizer treatments
      produced adults similar in body mass to those reared on nonfertilizedBorrichia
      andSalicornia. ForDistichlis, superior quality (high foliar nitrogen) plants were
      able to mitigate the negative effect of nymphal crowding on adult body mass.
      However, laboratory fertilization regimes produced an extremely high foliar
      nitrogen content in the two herbs and the organic acid concentration in the xylem
      fluid ofBorrichia, the only host species suitable for xylem fluid extraction,
      increased 2.5- to 3-fold. Total amino acid concentration in the xylem fluid of
      fertilizedBorrichia decreased compared to nonfertilized plants.Carneocephala
      demonstrated reduced feeding efficiencies on high nitrogenBorrichia. Our results
      suggest thatCarneocephala prefers, and performs better on, plants with high
      nitrogen content up to a threshold, beyond which high nitrogen levels result in
      reduced leafhopper feeding rates and assimilation efficiencies. 

PMID- 24227576
TI  - Stereoselective synthesis of dominicalure 1 and 2: Components of aggregation
      pheromone from male lesser grain borerRhyzopertha dominica (F.).
AB  - Dominicalure 1 (9a) and dominicalure 2 (9b), were synthesized by esterification
      of alpha,beta-unsaturated acids4a and4b with (S)-(+)-2-pentanol (8). The key step
      was the asymmetric reduction of 3-penten-2-one (5) to give the chiral
      intermediate6, which, upon diimide reduction, DNB derivatization,
      recrystallization, and hydrolysis, yielded8 in 63% ee. Acids4a and4b were
      prepared in a simple and efficient three-step synthesis with an overall yield of
      54% and 62%, respectively, in stereoisomerically pure form. 

PMID- 24227577
TI  - Towards a rapid near-infrared technique for prediction of resistance to sugarcane
      borerEldana saccharina walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) using stalk surface wax.
AB  - Multiple regression predictive models based on data acquired by near-infrared
      (NIR) spectrophotometry suggest that stalk surface wax components contribute
      towards resistance toEldana saccharina Walker in sugarcane. At least 35 sugarcane
      clones of known resistance were required to calibrate a predictive model that
      accounted for approximately 54% of the variation in resistance toEldana.
      Wavelengths chosen in multiple regression models suggest that alcohols and
      carbonyls are important in the wax contribution. Through the use of wax
      fractionation and gas chromatography, a high alcohol/aldehyde ratio and shorter
      carbon chain length appears to be associated with resistance. The use of NIR in
      the screening of wild germplasm and the early screening of breeding material for
      resistance, without prior knowledge of the biochemical mechanisms involved, is an
      exciting prospect. However, cause-and-effect relationships remain to be shown. 

PMID- 24227578
TI  - Role of cuticular hydrocarbons of aphid parasitoids in their relationship to
      aphid-attending ants.
AB  - Lysiphlebus cardui, the dominant aphidiid parasitoid of the black bean
      aphid,Aphis fabae cirsiiacanthoidis (Afc), on creeping thistle, is able to forage
      in ant-attended aphid colonies without being attacked by ants. Several behavioral
      observations and experimental studies led to the hypothesis thatL. cardui mimics
      the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of its host aphid. Chemical analysis of the
      cuticular extracts revealed that bothL. cardui and Afc exclusively possess
      saturated hydrocarbons:n-alkanes, monomethyl (MMA), dimethyl (DMA), and trimethyl
      alkanes (TMA). Comparison of the hydrocarbon profiles of parasitoid and aphid
      showed great qualitative resemblance between parasitoid and host:L. cardui
      possesses almost all host-specific compounds in addition to species-specific
      hydrocarbons of mainly higher molecular weight (>C30). However, there is a lesser
      quantitative correspondence between parasitoid and host aphid. Furthermore, we
      analyzed the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of another parasitoid of Afc,Trioxys
      angelicae. This aphidiid species is vigorously attacked and finally killed by
      honeydewcollecting ants when encountered in aphid colonies. Its cuticular
      hydrocarbon profile is characterized by the presence of large amounts of (Z)-11
      alkenes of chain lenghts C27, C29, C31, and C33, in addition to alkanes and
      presumably trienes. The role of the unsaturated hydrocarbons onT. angelicae as
      recognition cues for aphid-attending ants is discussed. 

PMID- 24227579
TI  - Effect of birch (Betula pendula) bark and food protein level on root voles
      (Microtus oeconomus): I. food consumption, growth, and mortality.
AB  - The effect of protein and birch bark powder (BBP) content of forage on food
      consumption and growth of root voles (Microtus oeconomus) was studied by feeding
      young voles with eight different diets for two weeks. Voles ate more when the
      protein content of forage was moderate (6%) or low (3%), and when BBP was added
      to the diets, as compared to a high (12%) protein diet without BBP addition. On
      high and moderate protein diets voles gained weight, whereas on low protein diets
      they lost weight. Addition of BBP caused reduced growth or weight loss. Consuming
      a diet with moderate (6%) protein and high BBP (20%) resulted in high mortality
      (9 of 10 died). These results show that root voles need at least 6% protein for
      growth and that the effect of birch bark depends on the protein content of the
      forage. 

PMID- 24227580
TI  - Effect of birch (Betula pendula) bark and food protein level on root voles
      (Microtus oeconomus): II. detoxification capacity.
AB  - The effect of protein and birch bark powder (BBP) content of forage on
      detoxification capacity of root voles (Microtus oeconomus) was studied. Young
      voles were fed with eight different diets for two weeks. Individuals on low (3%)
      protein diets had significantly lighter livers and kidneys than those on moderate
      (6%) or high (12%) protein diets. Birch bark powder addition did not have
      significant effect on organ weight. Detoxification was significantly induced,
      apparently due to secondary compounds in BBP. The activity of ethoxyresorufin-O
      dealkylase (EROD) was high when protein content or BBP concentration in forage
      was high as compared to low protein diets or diets containing no BBP.
      Glucuronidation, on the other hand, was not induced by BBP. High BBP content
      caused serious physiological stress to the voles. The only individuals surviving
      were those capable of sufficiently allocating energy and protein to
      detoxification. 

PMID- 24227581
TI  - Identification of presumed pheromone blend from australasian predaceous
      bug,Oechalia schellenbergii (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).
AB  - Oechalia schellenbergii is one of the most common predatory insects in Australia
      and the islands of the South Pacific. Adult males of this predaceous "true bug"
      collected during March near Gatton, Queensland, Australia, had a pair of enlarged
      exocrine glands opening underneath their wings that presumably produce an
      attractant pheromone. The two major components of the secretion are 3
      methylenehexyl acetate and 9-hydroxygeranyl diacetate [2,6-dimethyl-2(E),6(E)
      octadien-1,8-diol diacetate]. 

PMID- 24227582
TI  - Mammalian exocrine secretions: X. constituents of preorbital secretion of
      grysbok,Raphicerus melanotis.
AB  - Using electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectrometry with methane and
      nitric oxide as reactant gases in conjunction with mass spectral analysis of the
      dimethyl disulfide derivatives of unsaturated constituents, 51 compounds have
      been identified in addition to the compounds previously found in the preorbital
      secretion of the grysbokRaphicerus melanotis. The compounds identified are
      saturated, monounsaturated, and diunsaturated alcohols and formates, saturated
      and monounsaturated aldehydes, saturated carboxylic acids,gamma- anddelta
      lactones, alkyl methyl sulfides, andbeta-hydroxyalkyl acetates. All of these
      compounds have unbranched structures. The constituent previously incorrectly
      identified as (Z)-5-tetradecen-1-ol, was found to consist of the coeluting (Z)-7-
      and (Z)-8-tetradecenols. 

PMID- 24227583
TI  - Preservation of salicaceae leaves for phytochemical analyses: Further assessment.
AB  - The chemistry of the plant family Salicaceae has been of interest to researchers
      as diverse as chemical ecologists, chemosystematists, and paper chemists.
      Continuing the debate on proper methods for preservation of plant material prior
      to analysis, vacuum-drying was recently advocated, because freeze-drying may
      cause degradation of phenolic glycosides. This study was conducted to clarify the
      consequences of freeze-drying for foliar secondary chemicals and to evaluate the
      consequences of vacuum-drying for primary compounds (protein and carbohydrates).
      Leaves of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) were flash-frozen in liquid
      nitrogen and freeze-dried or vacuum-dried at room temperature. We then analyzed
      samples for levels of salicortin and tremulacin (phenolic glycosides), condensed
      tannins, nitrogen, soluble protein, sugars, and starch. Freeze-drying did not
      alter the concentrations of phenolic glycosides or tannins, relative to vacuum
      drying. Freeze-drying did cause a small and inexplicable decline in nitrogen and
      soluble protein. Vacuum-drying, however, reduced starch concentrations by 38%. We
      suggest that the vacuum-drying method be used in studies in which carbohydrates
      are of no interest. For studies measuring carbohydrates, however, freeze-drying
      is a better alternative, and should effect no changes in levels of secondary
      compounds if samples are not allowed to thaw during the drying process. 

PMID- 24227584
TI  - Learning and sibling odor preference in juvenile arctic char,Salvelinus alpinus
      (L.).
AB  - The importance of learning for sibling odor preference in juvenile Arctic char
      was analyzed in the present study. Fish were reared in the following eight
      conditions: (1) communally with siblings for 15 months; (2) communally with
      siblings for 17 months; (3) in isolation since fertilization; (4) in isolation
      since fertilization and exposed to sibling scent during the whole rearing period;
      (5) in isolation since fertilization and exposed to sibling scent from time of
      free swimming; (6) in isolation since fertilization and exposed to sibling scent
      during the whole rearing period, except two months without scent until testing;
      (7) in isolation since fertilization and exposed to sibling scent from time of
      free swimming, except two months without scent until testing; and (8) communally
      with siblings followed by a two-month isolation until testing. Char were followed
      individually in a Y-maze (fluviarium test) with a video-computer-based image
      analysis system for 12 hr. Sibling-scented water was supplied to one lateral half
      of the test area and water from non-siblings on the opposite half. Isolated
      individuals without any preexposure to siblings showed no significant preference.
      Test fish reared with siblings and those that had been reared in isolation but
      exposed to sibling scent until testing preferred water conditioned by their own
      siblings. Isolated fish that had been exposed to sibling scent since
      fertilization, or since free swimming, followed by a two-month period with only
      pure water, showed no significant preference. Char isolated for two months after
      being communally reared preferred water scented by siblings. The results
      demonstrated that behavioral discrimination between siblings and nonsibling odors
      occurred after total isolation (isolated both from siblings and sibling odors)
      only in individuals that had been communally reared. This may suggest that social
      interactions are important for learning and long-term memory of sibling odors in
      Arctic char. 

PMID- 24227585
TI  - Sex pheromone of tomato pestScrobipalpuloides absoluta (Lepidoptera:
      Gelechiidae).
AB  - The sex attractant ofScrobipalpuloides absoluta females is a 90:10 mixture of
      (3E,8Z,11Z)-3,8,11-tetradecatrien-1-yl acetate and (3E,8Z)-3,8-tetradecadien-1-yl
      acetate. Tetradecadienyl acetates bearing 8Z,11Z; 3E,8Z; and 3E,11Z double bonds
      were synthesized by stereospecific procedures; the mass spectral and gas
      chromatographic properties of the 3E,8Z isomer were found to be congruent with
      those of the tetradecadienyl acetate fromS. absoluta. In wind tunnel bioassays, a
      10:1 mixture of synthetic (3E,8Z,11Z)-3,8,11-tetradecatrien-1-yl acetate and
      (3E,8Z)-3,8-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate was highly attractive toS. absoluta males.
      Interestingly, the presence of (8Z,11Z)-8,11-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate (10%)
      inhibited the response to (3E,8Z,11Z)-3,8,11-tetradecatrien-1-yl acetate
      completely. 

PMID- 24227586
TI  - Effects of allelochemicals on plant respiration and oxygen isotope fractionation
      by the alternative oxidase.
AB  - The goal of this investigation was to determine the effects of allelochemicals on
      plant respiration that thereby may be responsible for their role in growth
      inhibition. We have tested the effects of juglone, quercetin, cinnamic acid,
      andalpha-pinene on respiration rates, and electron partitioning through the
      cytochrome and alternative respiratory pathways, by measuring on-line oxygen
      consumption and oxygen isotope fractionation in soybean cotyledon tissue.
      Cinnamic acid andalpha-pinene decreased the oxygen consumption rate and increased
      the relative partitioning of electron transport to the alternative pathway.
      Possible biochemical mechanisms of these effects are discussed. 

PMID- 24227587
TI  - Attraction ofCeratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) flies to odor of coffee
      fruit.
AB  - On potted nonfruiting host trees in outdoor field cages, we evaluated attraction
      of released mature laboratory-cultured or wild-origin Mediterranean fruit flies
      (medflies) to odor of freshly picked fruit of host and nonhost plants. Odor of
      ripe intact or crushed coffee fruit (the presumed ancestral host of medflies) was
      significantly more attractive than odor of ripe intact or crushed fruit of five
      lower-ranking hosts and three nonhosts. Odor of crushed coffee fruit was
      significantly more attractive than odor of intact coffee fruit. Odor of ripe or
      near-ripe coffee fruit was significantly more attractive than odor of unripe
      coffee fruit. Immature females (without eggs) were significantly more attracted
      to odor of a proteinaceous food lure than to odor of ripe coffee fruit, whereas
      the reverse was true for mature females carrying a high egg load. In some trials,
      males proved as discriminating as females in favor of coffee fruit odor, but in
      several other trials males were less discriminating than females. Response
      patterns of mature laboratory-cultured females were similar to those of mature
      wild-origin females. In a field of coffee plants, attraction of natural
      population females was significantly greater to odor of ripe coffee fruit than to
      water but was not greater than attraction to odor of proteinaceous food. Findings
      are discussed in relation to potential use of synthetic volatiles of coffee or
      other host fruit in traps for monitoring or controlling medflies. 

PMID- 24227588
TI  - Behavioral response of femaleHelicoverpa (Heliothis)armigera HB. (Lepidoptera:
      Noctuidae) moths to synthetic pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) kairomone.
AB  - FemaleH. armigera moths are highly attracted by a steam distillate from pigeonpea
      plants, one of their main hosts. A mixture of six compounds, all sesquiterpenes
      (beta-caryophyllene,alpha-humulene,alpha-guajene,alpha-muurolene,gamma-muurolene,
      andalpha-bulnesene), mixed in the proportions as found in the steam distillate,
      elicited the same behavioral responses (oriented upwind flights and contacts with
      the odor source) as the steam distillate. Onlyalpha-bulnesene was attractive by
      itself, but still less than the whole mixture. In addition, the sesquiterpene
      mixture acts as an oviposition stimulant. Both behavioral responses, orientation
      and oviposition, are concentration dependent. Electrophysiological recordings
      from female and male antennae (EAG) showed the same qualitative and quantitative
      responses to each of the compounds of the sesquiterpene mixture. The EAG
      responses to the original steam distillate were higher and similar to chickpea
      kairomonal components, which were also tested. The pigeonpea sesquiterpene
      mixture and its individual components elicited weak EAG responses only. The
      response of the male antenna to female-produced pheromone components was in the
      same range as the pigeonpea steam distillate. 

PMID- 24227589
TI  - Effect of predator odors on heart rate and metabolic rate of wapiti (Cervus
      elaphus canadensis).
AB  - We measured the heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]) of
      wapiti (Cervus elaphus canadensis) before, during, and after presentation of
      biologically irrelevant odors (pentane, thiophene, and a perfume), artificial
      predator odors (an ether extract of cougar feces, and PDT, a compound found in
      mustelid anal gland secretion), stale predator odors (dog feces and urine and fox
      urine, kept at ambient temperature for a few weeks), and fresh predator odors
      (wolf, coyote, and cougar feces and the odor of a dead coyote, kept frozen
      between collection and test). Overall, responses to odors were small compared to
      other stressful stimuli. Individual variability was high among scents and among
      wapiti, but two of the fresh predator odors (cougar and wolf feces) produced
      larger HR and[Formula: see text] responses than the other scents and were more
      often successful at producing responses. As a group, fresh predator odors
      produced larger tachycardias and elicited a larger number of significant HR
      responses than biologically irrelevant novel odors. although the two classes of
      odors did not differ in their effect on[Formula: see text]. Although several
      other studies have shown that ungulates have reduced feeding levels when their
      food is scented with predator odors, it is not clear if this is due to reduced
      palatability or antipredator behavior. This study is the first demonstration that
      a wild ungulate species reacted more strongly to predator odors than to other
      odors in a nonfeeding situation. 

PMID- 24227590
TI  - Coronary angiogram classification of spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
AB  - Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is under-diagnosed and the true
      prevalence is underestimated. Unfortunately, SCAD is frequently missed on
      coronary angiogram since the arterial wall is not imaged with this test. Optical
      coherence tomography or intravascular ultrasound should be the true gold-standard
      to diagnose SCAD. Given the elusive angiographic diagnosis of SCAD and the lack
      of familiarity with angiographic variants of SCAD, a diagnostic algorithm and
      angiographic classification for SCAD is proposed in this article.

PMID- 24227591
TI  - ICO amplicon NGS data analysis: a Web tool for variant detection in common high
      risk hereditary cancer genes analyzed by amplicon GS Junior next-generation
      sequencing.
AB  - Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized genomic research and is set
      to have a major impact on genetic diagnostics thanks to the advent of benchtop
      sequencers and flexible kits for targeted libraries. Among the main hurdles in
      NGS are the difficulty of performing bioinformatic analysis of the huge volume of
      data generated and the high number of false positive calls that could be
      obtained, depending on the NGS technology and the analysis pipeline. Here, we
      present the development of a free and user-friendly Web data analysis tool that
      detects and filters sequence variants, provides coverage information, and allows
      the user to customize some basic parameters. The tool has been developed to
      provide accurate genetic analysis of targeted sequencing of common high-risk
      hereditary cancer genes using amplicon libraries run in a GS Junior System. The
      Web resource is linked to our own mutation database, to assist in the clinical
      classification of identified variants. We believe that this tool will greatly
      facilitate the use of the NGS approach in routine laboratories.

PMID- 24227592
TI  - Gender, power, and intimate partner violence: a study on couples from rural
      Malawi.
AB  - Gender-based power imbalances are perhaps the most compelling underlying
      explanation for intimate partner violence (IPV) among women in sub-Saharan
      Africa. However, an overemphasis on female victimization results in an incomplete
      understanding of men's experiences as victims and the broader dyadic context in
      which violence occurs. This study examines the role of three domains of
      relationship power (power resources, processes, and outcomes) on sexual and
      physical IPV victimization in a unique sample of 466 young couples from Malawi.
      Two power resources were studied, namely, income and education level. Power
      processes were captured with a measure of couple communication and collaboration
      called unity. Power outcomes included a measure of relationship dominance (male
      dominated or female-dominated/egalitarian). Multilevel logistic regression using
      the Actor Partner Interpersonal Model framework was used to test whether
      respondent and partner data were predictive of IPV. The findings show that unity
      and male dominance were salient power factors that influenced young people's risk
      for sexual IPV. Unity had a stronger protective effect on sexual IPV for women
      than for men. Involvement in a male-dominated relationship increased the risk of
      sexual IPV for women, but decreased the risk for men. The findings also showed
      that education level and unity were protective against physical IPV for both men
      and women. Contrary to what was expected, partner data did not play a role in the
      respondent's experience of IPV. The consistency of these findings with the
      literature, theory, and study limitations are discussed. 

PMID- 24227593
TI  - DYT6 in Japan-genetic screening and clinical characteristics of the patients.

PMID- 24227594
TI  - Electron sharing and anion-pi recognition in molecular triangular prisms.
AB  - Stacking on a full belly: Triangular molecular prisms display electron sharing
      among their triangularly arranged naphthalenediimide (NDI) redox centers. Their
      electron-deficient cavities encapsulate linear triiodide anions, leading to the
      formation of supramolecular helices in the solid state. Chirality transfer is
      observed from the six chiral centers of the filled prisms to the single-handed
      helices. 

PMID- 24227595
TI  - B-cell-derived IL-10 does not vitally contribute to the clinical course of
      glomerulonephritis.
AB  - IL-10-secreting regulatory B cells have been postulated as negative mediators of
      inflammation. However, their impact on immune-mediated diseases requires further
      investigation. We recently found that IL-10-secreting B cells infiltrate the
      kidney during crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN). We therefore studied the
      function of B-cell-derived IL-10 in light of the potential risks associated with
      increasingly used B-cell depleting therapies. Lack of IL-10 production by B
      cells, however, did not influence acute or adaptively mediated progressive renal
      injury in terms of renal function and histological damage in the nephrotoxic
      nephritis model of GN. Renal leukocyte infiltration and cytokine expression were
      similar apart from increased macrophages in mice lacking B-cell-derived IL-10.
      Systemic immune responses as assessed by cytokine production, leukocyte
      composition, proliferation, and activation were indistinguishable, while
      production and renal deposition of Ag-specific IgG were mildly impaired in the
      absence of B-cell-produced IL-10. Importantly, detailed analysis of systemic and
      renal regulatory T cells did not show any differences between nephritic mice
      bearing IL-10-deficient B cells and WT controls. Finally, studies in reporter
      mice revealed that B cells are only a minor source of systemic IL-10. In summary,
      our data reveal that endogenous B-cell-derived IL-10 does not play a major role
      in the nephrotoxic nephritis model of crescentic GN. 

PMID- 24227598
TI  - Two-dimensional coulomb-induced frequency modulation in Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance: A mechanism for line broadening at high mass and for large
      ion populations.
AB  - Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) spectra generated for large ion
      populations exhibit frequency shifts and line broadening, apparently due to
      Coulomb forces between ions. Although previous two-dimensional (2D) models of
      Coulomb effects in FTICR accounted for frequency shifts, they did not account for
      spectral line broadening. In this article, a 2D model is proposed that predicts
      line broadening due to Coulomb-induced frequency modulation. The model considers
      the case of two different-mass ions orbiting at their respective cyclotron
      frequencies around a common guiding center. A mutual modulation of the cyclotron
      frequency occurs at the difference frequency between ions. If the modulation
      period is much shorter than the FTICR observation time, then sidebands spaced at
      intervals approximately equal to the modulation frequency are predicted. However,
      if the modulation period is similar in duration to the FTICR observation period,
      the sidebands can no longer be resolved, which results in spectral line
      broadening. This latter case is a necessary consequence for isotopic peaks in the
      high mass region around m/z 2000, where deterioration in FTICR performance has
      been observed. Computer simulations are used to confirm the mass dependence and
      to demonstrate other features of the model, including a strong dependence of the
      modulation on ion number. In support of the model, experimental FTICR spectra for
      large populations of methylnaphthalene ions at m/z 141 and 142 exhibit constant
      frequency sidebands corresponding to multiples of the difference frequency for
      the two ions extending from nominal values of m/z 136 to 147. 

PMID- 24227599
TI  - Nonlinear resonance effects during ion storage in a quadrupole ion trap.
AB  - Contributions of higher-order fields to the quadrupolar storage field produce
      nonlinear resonances in the quadrupole ion trap. Storing ions with secular
      frequencies corresponding to these nonlinear resonances allows absorption of
      power from the higher-order fields. This results in increased axial and radial
      amplitudes which can cause ion ejection and collision-induced dissociation (CID).
      Experiments employing long storage times and/or high ion populations, such as
      chemical ionization, ion-molecule reaction studies, and resonance excitation CID,
      can be particularly susceptible to nonlinear resonance effects. The effects of
      higher-order fields on stored ions are presented and the influence of
      instrumental parameters such as radiofrequency and direct current voltage (qZ and
      az values), ion population, and storage time are discussed. 

PMID- 24227600
TI  - Formation and emission of tetraalkylammonium salt molecular ions sputtered from a
      gelatin matrix.
AB  - A gelatin matrix was simultaneously doped with nine equimolar, homologous,
      tetraalkylammonium salts ranging in mass from 210 to 770 Da. Bombardment of the
      sample with kiloelectronvolt ions resulted in a nonidentical distribution of
      relative cation intensities with a maximum at m/z 242 for samples with a total
      salt concentration of 0.004 g of salt/g of gelatin. A rapid increase in relative
      intensities with increasing mass is observed for the low mass salts and is
      believed to be linked to changes in the ionization efficiencies. The changes in
      ionization efficiencies are likely related to decreasing coulombic attractive
      forces between the organic cation and the counterion. Disappearance cross
      sections, determined from decay curves, indicate that sputter-induced damage
      increases with increasing mass of the cation. Fragment-to-intact cation ratios
      also suggest that damage accumulates fastest in the heaviest salts. These
      observations indicate that desorption yields of the organic salts in a gelatin
      matrix decrease with increasing mass. In addition, suppression of lower mass
      tetraalkylammonium salt intact cation intensities was observed for salt-in
      gelatin concentrations greater than 10(-3) g/g. 

PMID- 24227601
TI  - XeF(+), IF (+), and other unusual ions generated by reactions of hyperthermal ion
      beams at self-assembled monolayer surfaces.
AB  - Collisions of atomic and molecular ions (I(+), Xe(+); CH3I(+), I 2 (+) ) with
      self-assembled fluoroalkyl-monolayer surfaces result in reactions involving the
      net transfer of fluorine atoms or fluorocarbon radicals from the surface to the
      projectile ions. The scattered products, which include unusual ionic species such
      as IF(+), IF 2 (+) CFI(+); CF2I(+), I2F(+), and XeF(+), are generated in
      endothermic ion-surface reactions. These reactions are not observed when the
      collision partner is a gas-phase (rather than a surface-bound) perfluoroalkane.
      Evidence is presented which suggests that in some cases molecular projectiles
      undergo surface-induced dissociation to yield atomic species which subsequently
      react with the surface. Fluorine abstraction is favored for projectiles
      containing highly polarizable elements. 

PMID- 24227602
TI  - Mechanism of gas-phase aldose-ketose isomerization: A study using tandem mass
      spectrometry and theoretical calculations.
AB  - Fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry and the semiempirical molecular
      orbital method were used to investigate the mechanism of gas-phase aldose-ketose
      isomerization process in lithiated 1,3 linked disaccharide isomers. Both the 1,3
      hydrogen shift and hydride transfer mechanisms were investigated. Our
      experimental and theoretical calculations support the latter. The hydride
      transfer mechanism in these lithium-coordrnated systems is similar to the xylose
      isomerase catalyzed aldose-ketose isomerization. 

PMID- 24227603
TI  - Oxidation reactions of dibenzothiophene subjected to negative chemical ionization
      with oxygen.
AB  - Dibenzothiophene (1) suffers surface-catalyzed oxidation under CI(O2) conditions.
      While in the positive mode M(+) is the only major ion and those of the oxidation
      products are of minor importance in the negative mode, essentially only ions
      stemming from oxidized species can be seen, the sulfone ion [M+O2](-) being the
      most important one. The ion m/z 184 previously attributed to M(-) is actually the
      anion of 2-sulfobenzoic acid cyclic anhydride. Structures for the various
      oxidation products are proposed and the mechanisms leading to their formation are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24227604
TI  - Analysis of oligodeoxynucleotides by negative-ion matrix-assisted laser
      desorption mass spectrometry.
AB  - Thirty compounds were tested in combination with ammonium acetate for the ability
      to desorb and ionize oligodeoxynucleotides by ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser
      desorption mass spectrometry. Negative ion yields using matrices such as 2,5
      dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde are enhanced by the
      addition of ammonium salts at a molar ratio of 1:1, pH 7. 3-Hydroxy-4
      methoxybenzaldehyde was tested with 12 different ammonium, alkylammonium, and
      pyridinium salts for the ability to cocrystallize with oligodeoxynucleotides and
      to improve desorption and ionization. Ions of oligodeoxynucleotides 9, 10, and 11
      nucleotides in length were observed with a matrix of 3-hydroxy-4
      methoxybenzaldehyde and ammonium acetate, pH 7, at a mass resolution of 100-150
      (fwhm). A small oligodeoxynucleotide (11-mer) was observed at the femtomole level
      with a combination of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and ammonium acetate as the
      matrix. Ions from single stranded DNA (60 nucleotides in length) were also
      observed using this same matrix combination. The results of these studies have
      shown that both sensitivity and desorption conditions need to be further improved
      before complex mixtures of large pieces of DNA can be effectively analyzed. 

PMID- 24227605
TI  - Construction and characterization of a small-bore electrospray ionization source.
AB  - A simple, economical, and efficient electrospray ionization (ESI) source has been
      constructed in the configuration of a probe that makes use of a standard 13 mm
      vacuum lock. The principal components have been placed inside a glass tube making
      use of the electrical insulating properties of the glass while allowing for
      visual adjustments to be readily made. The ESI source, a variation of an
      atmospheric pressure ionization interface, is a modified version of designs
      published by Chait et al. (Rapid Comm. Mass Spectrom. 1990, 4, 81-87) and Knapp
      et al. (Annl. Chem. 1991, 63, 1658-1660) wherein a heated metal capillary is used
      for desolvation. The ESI probe has been tested on three different Extrel
      quadmpole mass spectrometers, with removable ion volumes, using polypeptides and
      small proteins. No modifications to the standard electron ionization/chemical
      ionization lens assembly were required to obtain excellent results other than
      removal of the ion volume. The spectra acquired were in excellent agreement with
      those previously published. 

PMID- 24227607
TI  - Conference report : PDMS '93, Hirschegg, Kleinwalsertal, Austria, June 19-26,
      1993.

PMID- 24227606
TI  - Laser desorption ion trap mass spectrometry of self-assembled monolayers.
AB  - It is demonstrated that laser desorption ion trap mass spectrometry (LD-ITMS) can
      be successfully applied to the chemical analysis of a monolayer of adsorbates on
      a solid surface. Negative ion spectra obtained from LD-ITMS of self-assembled
      monolayers adsorbed from solutions of alkanethiols (CH3(CH2)nSH with n=5, 9, and
      15) onto polycrystalline gold surfaces displayed clear ion peaks corresponding to
      the sulfonate adsorbate species. Sulfonate ions with the general formula
      CH3(CH2)n SO3 were detected at m/z 165, 221, and 305, respectively, and were
      derived from the partial oxidation of the corresponding alkanethiol self
      assembled monolayers. Little fragmentation and no clustering was observed in
      these mass spectra. These results indicate that the sensitivity of LD-ITMS is
      sufficient to allow its application to a wide array of problems in surface
      science. 

PMID- 24227611
TI  - Atomic model of the recognition site of the American cockroach pheromone
      receptor.
AB  - All the minimum-energy conformations (MECs) of two sex pheromones of the American
      cockroach,Periplaneta americana, and their 11 structural analogs (seven agonists,
      two antagonists, and two inactive compounds) were calculated using the molecular
      mechanics method. The MECs of the analogs were compared with the most populated
      MECs of the pheromones. The MECs most common in all the ligands were assumed to
      represent the bioactive conformations. An atomic model complementary to the
      bioactive conformation of one of the pheromones, periplanone B, was constructed.
      The model incorporates five groups capable of forming H bonds with oxygen atoms
      of the ligands and a set of hydrogen atoms contributing to nonbonded interactions
      with the ligands. Using this model, the energies of ligand-receptor complexes
      were calculated. For a group of mimics, the activities predicted from the
      calculated energies of ligand-receptor interactions were in reasonable agreement
      with the experimentally observed activities. The sites of the receptor model
      essential for the receptor activation were specified. 

PMID- 24227610
TI  - Recognition memory and theta-gamma interactions in the hippocampus.
AB  - Neuronal oscillations and cross-frequency interactions in the rat hippocampus
      relate in important ways to memory processes and serve as a model for studying
      oscillatory activity in cognition more broadly. We report here that hippocampal
      synchrony (CA3-CA1 coherence) increased markedly in the low gamma range as rats
      were exploring novel objects, particularly those for which the rat subsequently
      showed good memory. The gamma synchrony varied across phases of the theta rhythm
      such that coherence was highest at the falling slope and trough of the theta
      wave. Further, the shape of the theta wave was more asymmetric and elongated at
      the falling slope during exploration of objects for which the rat subsequently
      showed good memory as compared with objects for which the rat subsequently showed
      poor memory. The results showed a strong association between event-related gamma
      synchrony in rat hippocampus and memory encoding for novel objects. In addition,
      a novel potential mechanism of cross-frequency interactions was observed whereby
      dynamic alterations in the shape of theta wave related to memory in
      correspondence with the strength of gamma synchrony. These findings add to our
      understanding of how theta and gamma oscillations interact in the hippocampus in
      the service of memory.

PMID- 24227612
TI  - Predator-induced diel vertical migration inDaphnia: Enrichment and preliminary
      chemical characterization of a kairomone exuded by fish.
AB  - Planktivorous fish release a cue of an unknown chemical nature into the water
      that induces diel vertical migration inDaphnia as predator avoidance response. We
      used a bioassay to obtain information about the chemical nature of the kairomone.
      We present a method to enrich the cue from holding water of fish by sorbent
      extraction. The kairomone exuded byLeucaspius delineatus can be characterized as
      a nonolefinic low-molecular-weight anion of intermediate lipophilicity. The
      presence of amino groups in the molecule can be excluded, whereas hydroxy groups
      are essential for activity. Separation by HPLC yielded only one active fraction.
      The kairomones released byCarassius carassius andRutilus rutilus showed the same
      chemical characteristics, suggesting that the kairomones from different species
      of fish, sensed byDaphia, are very similar, if not identical. 

PMID- 24227613
TI  - Antifungal polyoxygenated fatty acids fromAeollanthus parvifolius.
AB  - Two polyoxygenated fatty acids with antifungal activity have been isolated from
      aerial parts ofAeollanthus parvifolius (Labiatae) using bioassay-guided isolation
      procedures. Spectroscopic analysis was used to identify the compounds as (Z)
      4xi,9xi-diacetoxy-6xi,7xi-epoxy-5xi-hydroxy-8-oxododeca-2-enoic acid and (Z)
      4xi,6xi,7xi,9xi-tetraacetoxy-5xi-hydroxy-8-oxododeca-2-enoic acid. Both of these
      compounds inhibited spore germination ofCladosporium cucumerinum. Minimum
      inhibitory doses were 1 ug and 5 ug, respectively, but only the former inhibited
      germination ofAspergillus niger at a dose of 5 ug. Neither compound exhibited
      antibacterial activity. (Z)-4xi,9xi-Diacetoxy-6xi,7xi-epoxy-5xi-hydroxy-8
      oxododeca-2-enoic acid reduced the hyphal growth ofPythium ultimum. The mode of
      action was not resolved but did not involve either the disruption of the cell
      wall membrane or the inhibition of extracellular enzymes. Application of (Z)
      4xi,6xi,7xi,9xi-tetraacetoxy-5xi-hydroxy-8-oxododeca-2-enoic acid to seedling
      plants did not give any protection against fungal attack, and indeed the compound
      appeared to be phytotoxic. 

PMID- 24227614
TI  - Repellency of oral exudate to eastern and western spruce budworm larvae
      (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).
AB  - A two-choice feeding bioassay was used to investigate the intra-specific
      repellency of the larval oral exudate of eastern and western spruce
      budworms,Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) andC. occidentalis Free., respectively.
      Results of the bioassay indicated that feeding behavior on artificial diet-drop
      feeding stations was modified in the presence of exudate, with feeding stations
      treated with conspecific exudate being avoided when an untreated station was
      available 3 cm away. Feeding was suppressed when a single, exudate-treated
      station was provided, or when the treated and untreated stations were separated
      by only 1 cm. The repellent effect functioned both inter- and intraspecifically.
      When induced to produce exudate,C. occidentalis larvae were not immediately
      repelled by either their own or other individuals' exudate. However, 24 hr after
      induction, test larvae were repelled by exudate from either source. In both
      species, larval oral exudate probably functions to repel conspecific competitors.

PMID- 24227615
TI  - Systemic induction of feeding deterrents in cotton plants by feeding ofSpodoptera
      SPP. Larvae.
AB  - Cotton,Gossypium hirsutum L., has been shown to exhibit systemic induced
      resistance to arthropods under certain conditions. We conducted experiments to
      determine the effects of previous feeding ofSpodoptera exigua Hubner
      andSpodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) larvae on feeding behavior, growth, and
      survival of larvae subsequently feeding on cotton. In one feeding choice test,S.
      exigua larvae preferred young leaves from undamaged control plants to undamaged
      young leaves from a previously damaged plant. Feeding deterrence was noticeable
      after only 6 hr of initial feeding damage by larvae, and there was almost
      complete deterrence after 30 and 54 hr of continuous feeding. In a second feeding
      choice test,S. littoralis larvae fed more on mature leaves from undamaged control
      plants than on undamaged mature leaves from previously damaged plants. In no
      choice tests, third instars ofS. littoralis fed undamaged young leaves from
      damaged plants did not gain weight and died by the seventh day, whereas larvae
      fed young leaves from undamaged control plants gained weight and pupated within
      11 days. Sixth instars ofS. littoralis fed either old damaged leaves, old
      undamaged leaves, or young undamaged leaves all from previously damaged plants
      gained weight slowly and took more than 12 days to pupate, whereas larvae fed
      young leaves from undamaged plants gained weight rapidly and pupated within five
      days of the beginning of the experiment. 

PMID- 24227616
TI  - Use of a comparative approach to identify allelopathic potential and relationship
      between allelopathy bioassays and "competition" experiments for ten grassland and
      plant species.
AB  - Various allelopathy bioassays were used to evaluate the allelopathic potential of
      10 grassland forage species against a common test (phytometer) species,Carduus
      nutans L. Aqueous extracts did not influenceC. nutans germination, although
      radicle elongation was often severely inhibited.C. nutans was strongly affected
      by shoot, but not root, leachates. Decomposing ground tissue had mixed effects,
      and often stimulated shoot production ofC. nutans. Calculation ofR (2)
      (coefficient of determination) values between these results, and the results of
      previous experiments investigating the effects of the same 10 species onC. nutans
      emergence and development in field plots and glasshouse competition experiments
      frequently revealed strong, statistically significant relationships. Our results
      therefore provide correlative evidence for the importance of allelopathy in field
      conditions. 

PMID- 24227617
TI  - Male sex pheromone of a giant danaine butterfly,Idea leuconoe.
AB  - Males of a giant danaine butterfly,Idea leuconoe, display hairpencils during
      courtship. The females were visually attracted to and olfactorily arrested by an
      artificial butterfly model to which male hairpencil extracts were added. The
      hairpencil extracts contained a complex mixture of volatiles, including
      pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) derivatives (danaidone, viridifloric beta-lactone),
      aromatics (phenol,p-cresol, benzoic acid), terpenoids (geranyl methyl thioether,
      (E,E)-farnesol), a series of gamma-lactones (6-hydroxy-4-undecanolides and its
      homologs), hydrocarbons [(Z)-9-tricosene, etc.], and several compounds with
      higher molecular weight. A mixture of the major volatiles applied to a butterfly
      dummy strongly elicited an abdomen-curling acceptance posture in females.
      Viridifloric beta-lactone and danaidone induced significant electroantennogram
      responses on the female's antennae, suggesting their principal role together with
      other hairpencil components as a sex pheromone to seduce females.I. leuconoe
      males seem to acquire the precursor for both of the PA fragments from the host
      plant,Parsonsia laevigata (Apocynaceae), during the larval stage; thereby they do
      not show pharmacophagous behavior towards PA-containing plants during the adult
      stage. However, males are pharmacophagously attracted to and feed on a number of
      simple phenolic compounds in a manner similar to other danaine species towards
      PAs. Wild males sequester one of the phagostimulants, (-)-mellein, in the
      hairpencils in varying quantities. Phenolic compounds incorporated in the
      hairpencils may act primarily as warning odors linked with the defensive PAs
      present in the body tissues. 

PMID- 24227618
TI  - Effects of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) litter on seed germination and early
      seedling growth of four boreal tree species.
AB  - Laboratory and greenhouse bioassays were used to test for inhibitory effects of
      senescent and decomposed leaves and aqueous extract from bilberry (Vaccinium
      myrtillus L.) against seed germination and seedling growth of aspen (Populus
      tremula L.), birch (Betula pendula Roth.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and
      Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.]. Aqueous extracts from bilberry leaves
      were inhibitory to aspen seed germination and seedling growth and also induced
      root damage and growth abnormalities. Addition of activated carbon removed the
      inhibitory effects of extracts. Senescent leaves reduced pine and spruce seed
      germination, but rinsing of seeds reversed this inhibition. Senescent leaves were
      more inhibitory than decomposed leaf litter, suggesting that the inhibitory
      compounds in bilberry leaves are relatively soluble and released at early stages
      during decomposition. Spruce was generally less negatively affected by litter and
      aqueous extracts than the other tested species. This study indicates that
      chemical effects of bilberry litter have the potential to inhibit tree seedling
      recruitment, but these effects were not consistently strong. Phytotoxicity is
      unlikely to be of critical importance in determining success for spruce seedling
      establishment. 

PMID- 24227619
TI  - Chemistry of metapleural gland secretions of three attine ants,Atta sexdens
      rubropilosa, Atta cephalotes, andAcromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera:
      Formicidae).
AB  - The chemical composition of the secretions of the metapleural glands of workers
      and soldiers of twoAtta species,Atta sexdens rubropilosa andA. cephalotes, and
      workers ofAcromyrmex octospinosus, has been studied. As indicated by infrared
      spectrometry and confirmed by the ninhydrin test, the secretions contain chiefly
      proteins. Of the volatile acidic portion, which is present as ionized salts,
      phenylacetic acid is the major component in workers and soldiers ofA. s.
      rubropilosa andA. cephalotes. BothAtta species also contain 3-hydroxydecanoic
      acid and its homolog as minor components together with indoleacetic acid. While
      there are qualitative similarities in the acidic composition in the secretions
      ofA. s. rubropilosa andA. cephalotes, they differ quantitatively. The secretion
      ofAcromyrmex octospinosus contains 3-hydroxydecanoic and indoleacetic acids, but
      lacks phenylacetic acid. The bactericidal and fungicidal actions of the three
      major substances have been confirmed. 

PMID- 24227620
TI  - Stable free radical from plant litter decomposing in water.
AB  - The presence of a stable radical species in both fresh straw and that which had
      been submerged in aerated water for up to six months has been demonstrated using
      electron paramagnetic (spin) resonance (EPR or ESR) spectroscopy. A radical
      signal was associated also with material shown to contain straw lignin markers,
      which was leached from the rotting straw into surrounding water. Fresh straw
      treated with strong alkali to remove phenolics did not show a radical signal. The
      possible effect of a dissolved stable free radical is discussed in relation to
      the antagonistic effect of rotting straw on algal and cyanobacterial growth in
      water to which straw has been added as a nuisance algal control agent. 

PMID- 24227621
TI  - Pine needle oil causes avoidance behaviors in pocket gopherGeomys bursarius.
AB  - Essential oils from coniferous trees contain secondary metabolites that act as
      feeding deterrents for a number of herbivorous mammals. We investigated effects
      of pine needle oil on feeding and other behaviors of herbivorous plains pocket
      gophers. In experiment l, pocket gophers were offered sweet potato from single
      feeding stations placed in home cages of individually housed animals. Stations
      contained either a scent dispenser with pine needle oil or mineral oil. Subjects
      removed significantly less food from stations scented with pine needle oil.
      Experiment 2 was performed to investigate neophobic responses to odors.d
      Pulegone, presented under conditions identical to those used in experiment l, did
      not reduce food removal compared to mineral oil. In experiment 3 pocket gophers
      were observed in a maze consisting of a start box connected to two goal boxes by
      tunnels. One goal was scented with pine needle oil, the second with mineral oil.
      Subjects entered goals scented with pine needle oil significantly less frequently
      than goals scented with mineral oil and spent less time there. They performed all
      recorded behaviors at lower frequencies while located in pine-scented goals. In
      experiment 4 animals were introduced into a maze consisting of a start box from
      which two soil-packed tunnels could be entered. Embedded in the soil of one
      tunnel was a barrier of electrical cable that had been soaked in pine needle oil,
      the second tunnel contained a barrier of cable soaked in mineral oil. Pocket
      gophers gnawed significantly less insulation from cable treated with pine needle
      oil than from cable treated with mineral oil. Our results show that constituents
      in pine needle oil are aversive to plains pocket gophers. Under natural
      conditions they may function as feeding deterrents. Some of the compounds may be
      suitable repellents for control of pocket gopher damage. 

PMID- 24227622
TI  - Chemiotropic behavior of female olive fly (Bactrocera oleae GMEL.) onOlea
      europaea L.
AB  - An interpretation is given of a number of observations on the chemiotropic
      behavior ofBactrocera oleae in connection with olive maceration water and the
      fly's return to the olive groves after the first summer rains. To this end, the
      headspace of both maceration water and leaf leaching water, simulating rainfall,
      were examined. In both cases, the presence of ammonia, which is generally known
      to attract fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae), was detected and, for the first
      time, in addition to other compounds that are inert for the fly, the presence of
      styrene was also detected. This aromatic hydrocarbon was found to be a strong
      attractant. It is shown that both ammonia and styrene are products of the
      metabolism of microbial flora present on the olive and leaf surface. 

PMID- 24227623
TI  - Terpene variations in maritime pine constitutive oleoresin related to host tree
      selection byDioryctria sylvestrella RATZ. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
AB  - Gas chromatographic analysis of the volatile terpenes of the wood oleoresin of
      maritime pines showed that the relative proportions of terpenes within the same
      tree did not vary according to sampling height and date. Pruning and tree vigor
      did not affect terpene profiles, but oleoresin composition varied widely from
      tree to tree. The trees attacked byDioryctria sylvestrella contained a
      significantly higher percentage of limonene, longipinene, and copaene, and a
      discriminant analysis, using the relative percentage of six terpenes,
      significantly separated infested and uninfested trees. The olfactory sensitivity
      of adult moths to a series of 20 volatile chemicals, including maritime pine
      oleoresin components, was evaluated with the electroantennogram method. Both
      sexes were sensitive to monoterpenes, oxygenated terpenoid compounds, and
      oleoresin samples. The use of terpenes as host attractants and biochemical
      markers for resistance toD. sylvestrella is discussed. 

PMID- 24227624
TI  - Chemical defense of giant springtailTetrodontophora bielanensis (Waga) (Insecta:
      Collembola).
AB  - The giant springtail,Tetrodontophora bielanensis (Waga), is characterized by
      integumental openings (pseudocells) from which small droplets of a sticky
      defensive fluid are secreted after molestation. The secretion originates
      initially from secretory cells below the pseudocellae; subsequent irritations
      result in release of hemolymph, which was identified by both chemical and
      microscopical methods as well as by scanning electron microscopy. Bioassays with
      topically treated ground beetlesNebria brevicollis showed that the pseudocellular
      fluid evokes a total disorientation and cleansing behavior of the beetle. The
      main constituents were identified as the following pyridopyrazines: 2,3
      dimethoxpyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine (1), 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine
      (2), and 2-methoxy-4H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine-3-one (3). These alkaloids are mainly
      present in the pseudocellar fluids of female and male springtails but are absent
      in their food or feces. Minor amounts are found in the hemolymph of adults, while
      larvae contain traces of2 only. All compounds were synthesized and tested for
      activity. In natural concentrations, the synthetic alkaloids elicited the same
      effects from the ground beetles as the pseudocellar fluid. 

PMID- 24227625
TI  - Catalytic transfer hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis for reductive upgrading of
      furfural and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural.
AB  - The sequential transfer hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis of furfural and 5
      hydroxymethylfurfural to 2-methylfuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran was studied over in
      situ reduced, Fe2 O3 -supported Cu, Ni, and Pd catalysts, with 2-propanol as
      hydrogen donor. The remarkable activity of Pd/Fe2 O3 in both transfer
      hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis is attributed to a strong metal-support interaction.
      Selectivity towards hydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, decarbonylation, and ring
      hydrogenation products is shown to strongly depend on the Pd loading. A
      significant enhancement in yield to 62%, of 2-methylfuran and 2
      methyltetrahydrofuran was observed under continuous flow conditions.

PMID- 24227626
TI  - A combination of plaque components analyzed by integrated backscatter
      intravascular ultrasound and serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein a levels
      predict the no-reflow phenomenon during percutaneous coronary intervention.
AB  - AIMS: Previous studies reported that integrated backscatter intravascular
      ultrasound (IB-IVUS) provides high diagnostic accuracy for tissue
      characterization of coronary plaques and that pregnancy-associated plasma protein
      A (PAPP-A) could be a marker of adverse cardiac outcome in patients with
      cardiovascular disease. We examined whether IB-IVUS and PAPP-A levels could
      predict the incidence of no-reflow during percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PCI) METHODS AND RESULTS: About 176 consecutive patients (138 men, mean age 68
      +/- 11 years) who underwent PCI with IB-IVUS were prospectively enrolled.
      Combined no-reflow, including transient filter no-reflow by using distal
      protection devices, was observed in 31 patients. The percentages of coronary
      lipid volume (%LV) analyzed by IB-IVUS and serum PAPP-A were significantly higher
      in patients with combined no-reflow than normal-reflow. To predict no-reflow, a
      receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis determined cut-off values of %LV
      as 62% and serum PAPP-A as 7.71 ng/mL. The multivariate logistic regression
      analysis showed that %LV (hazard ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval 1.6-13.4, P <
      0.01) and PAPP-A (hazard ratio 4.32, 95% confidence interval 1.5-12.7, P < 0.01)
      were independent predictors of combined no-reflow CONCLUSIONS: %LV analyzed by IB
      IVUS and serum PAPP-A levels were closely associated with the coronary no-reflow
      phenomenon. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 24227627
TI  - NPHS2 mutations in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: a mutation update and
      the associated phenotypic spectrum.
AB  - Mutations in the NPHS2 gene encoding podocin are implicated in an autosomal
      recessive form of nonsyndromic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in both
      pediatric and adult patients. Patients with homozygous or compound heterozygous
      mutations commonly present with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome before the
      age of 6 years and rapidly progress to end-stage kidney disease with a very low
      prevalence of recurrence after renal transplantation. Here, we reviewed all the
      NPHS2 mutations published between October 1999 and September 2013, and also all
      novel mutations identified in our personal cohort and in international genetic
      laboratories. We identified 25 novel pathogenic mutations in addition to the 101
      already described. The mutations are distributed along the entire coding region
      and lead to all kinds of alterations including 53 missense, 17 nonsense, 11 small
      insertions, 26 small deletions, 16 splicing, two indel mutations, and one
      mutation in the stop codon. In addition, 43 variants were classified as variants
      of unknown significance, as these missense changes were exclusively described in
      the heterozygous state and/or considered benign by prediction software. Genotype
      phenotype analyses established correlations between specific variants and age at
      onset, ethnicity, or clinical evolution. We created a Web database using the
      Leiden Open Variation Database (www.lovd.nl/NPHS2) software that will allow the
      inclusion of future reports. 

PMID- 24227628
TI  - Unusual acetylation-dependent reaction cascade in the biosynthesis of the
      pyrroloindole drug physostigmine.
AB  - Physostigmine is a parasympathomimetic drug used to treat a variety of
      neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma. Because of
      its potent biological activity and unique pyrroloindole skeleton, physostigmine
      has been the target of many organic syntheses. However, the biosynthesis of
      physostigmine has been relatively understudied. In this study, we identified a
      biosynthetic gene cluster for physostigmine by genome mining. The 8.5 kb gene
      cluster encodes eight proteins (PsmA-H), seven of which are required for the
      synthesis of physostigmine from 5-hydroxytryptophan, as shown by in vitro total
      reconstitution. Further genetic and enzymatic studies enabled us to delineate the
      biosynthetic pathway for physostigmine. The pathway features an unusual reaction
      cascade consisting of highly coordinated methylation and
      acetylation/deacetylation reactions. 

PMID- 24227630
TI  - Unilateral hyperhidrosis improved by subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation.

PMID- 24227629
TI  - Differential post-transcriptional regulation of IL-10 by TLR2 and TLR4-activated
      macrophages.
AB  - The activation of TLRs by microbial molecules triggers intracellular-signaling
      cascades and the expression of cytokines such as IL-10. Il10 expression is
      tightly controlled to ensure effective immune responses, while preventing
      pathology. Maximal TLR-induction of Il10 transcription in macrophages requires
      signaling through the MAPKs, ERK, and p38. Signals via p38 downstream of TLR4
      activation also regulate IL-10 at the post-transcriptional level, but whether
      this mechanism operates downstream of other TLRs is not clear. We compared the
      regulation of IL-10 production in TLR2 and TLR4-stimulated BM-derived macrophages
      and found different stability profiles for the Il10 mRNA. TLR2 signals promoted a
      rapid induction and degradation of Il10 mRNA, whereas TLR4 signals protected Il10
      mRNA from rapid degradation, due to the activation of Toll/IL-1 receptor domain
      containing adaptor inducing IFN-beta (TRIF) and enhanced p38 signaling. This
      differential post-transcriptional mechanism contributes to a stronger induction
      of IL-10 secretion via TLR4. Our study provides a molecular mechanism for the
      differential IL-10 production by TLR2- or TLR4-stimulated BMMs, showing that p38
      induced stability is not common to all TLR-signaling pathways. This mechanism is
      also observed upon bacterial activation of TLR2 or TLR4 in BMMs, contributing to
      IL-10 modulation in these cells in an infection setting. 

PMID- 24227631
TI  - Titanium-adhesive polymer nanoparticles as a surface-releasing system of dual
      osteogenic growth factors.
AB  - A titanium (Ti)-adhesive nanoparticle is developed as a surface-releasing system
      for dual osteogenic growth factors. The Ti-adhesive nanoparticle is prepared by
      self-assembly of a poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-grafted hyaluronic acid
      (HA) copolymer, followed by conjugation of catechol groups on nanoparticle
      surfaces. The nanoparticles consist of Ti-adhesive peripheral catechol groups,
      anionic HA shells, and hydrophobic PLGA inner cores. The immobilization of the
      nanoparticles onto Ti substrates is successfully verified using various
      analytical tools including field-emission scanning electron microscopy (Fe-SEM),
      contact angle measurement, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Positively
      charged dual growth factors, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and insulin
      like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are readily loaded onto the negatively charged HA
      shells of surface-immobilized nanoparticles, which is confirmed by fluorescence
      microscopy. The Ti substrates with dual growth factor-loaded nanoparticle
      immobilized nanoparticles remarkably promote the attachment, proliferation,
      spreading, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human adipose-derived stem
      cells (hADSCs).

PMID- 24227632
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging tracking of ultra small superparamagnetic iron oxide
      labeled rabbit dendritic cells.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in atherosclerosis plaque formation,
      but the mechanism has not been elucidated clearly. This study is designed to
      establish a method for tracing DCs in vivo facilitating the investigation of the
      DCs' specific roles in atherosclerosis. Rabbit DCs labeled by different
      concentrations of ultra small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) were injected
      into atherosclerosis rabbit model and traced with magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI). Results showed that USPIO labeling nearly have no cytotoxicity to DCs in
      low concentrations (<500 ug/mL) but induced some decrease of cell viability at
      high concentrations (>500 ug/mL). Moreover, USPIO labeling, from 200 to 2000
      ug/mL, caused a dose-dependent decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential
      in DCs. The high labeling concentration (2000 ug/mL) triggered necrosis instead
      of apoptosis in DCs. By T2WI and fs T2WI sequence imaging comparison, DCs were
      found to exist in rabbit abdominal artery plaques after 24 h of transplantation
      and in spleen after one week detected by Prussian blue staining of tissue
      sections. We concluded that about 200 ug/mL USPIO is ideal to effectively label
      DCs for MRI tracing in vivo without a threat to cell viability. Combining USPIO
      labeling and MRI to track the movement of injected DCs in vivo is a feasible
      method. 

PMID- 24227633
TI  - Detection of spontaneous tumorigenic transformation during culture expansion of
      human mesenchymal stromal cells.
AB  - Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have been explored in a number of
      clinical trials as a possible method of treating various diseases. However, the
      effect of long-term cell expansion in vitro on physiological function and genetic
      stability is still poorly understood. In this study, MSC cultures derived from
      bone marrow and liver were evaluated for the presence of aberrant cells following
      long-term expansion. In 46 independent cultures, four batches of transformed MSCs
      (TMCs) were found, which were all beyond the culture period of five weeks. These
      aberrant cells were first identified based on the appearance of abnormal cytology
      and the acquirement of growth advantage. Despite common MSC markers being
      diminished or absent, TMCs remain highly susceptible to lysis by allogenic
      natural killer (NK) cells. When transplanted into immunodeficient mice, TMCs
      formed sarcoma-like tumors, whereas parental MSCs did not form tumors in mice.
      Using a combination of high-resolution genome-wide DNA array and short-tandem
      repeat profiling, we confirmed the origin of TMCs and excluded the possibility of
      human cell line contamination. Additional genomic duplication and deletions were
      observed in TMCs, which may be associated with the transformation event. Using
      gene and microRNA expression arrays, a number of genes were identified that were
      differentially expressed between TMCs and their normal parental counterparts,
      which may potentially serve as biomarkers to screen cultures for evidence of
      early transformation events. In conclusion, the spontaneous transformation of
      MSCs resulting in tumorigenesis is rare and occurs after relatively long-term
      (beyond five weeks) culture. However, as an added safety measure, cultures of
      MSCs can potentially be screened based on a novel gene expression signature. 

PMID- 24227635
TI  - Acute hemodynamic effects of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in postural
      tachycardia syndrome: a randomized, crossover trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed
      in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and act at synaptic
      terminals to increase monoamine neurotransmitters. We hypothesized that they act
      to increase blood pressure and attenuate reflex tachycardia, thereby improving
      symptoms. Acute hemodynamic profiles after SSRI administration in POTS patients
      have not previously been reported. METHODS: Patients with POTS (n=39; F=37, 39 +/
      9 years) underwent a randomized crossover trial with sertraline 50mg and placebo.
      Heart rate, systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure were measured with the
      patient seated and standing for 10 min prior to drug or placebo administration,
      and then hourly for 4 h. The primary endpoint was standing heart rate at 4 h.
      RESULTS: At 4 h, standing heart rate and systolic blood pressure were not
      significantly different between sertraline and placebo. Seated systolic (106+/-12
      mmHg vs. 101+/-8 mmHg; p=0.041), diastolic (72+/-8 mmHg vs. 69+/-8 mmHg;
      p=0.022), and mean blood pressure (86+/-9 mmHg vs. 81+/-9 mmHg; p=0.007) were
      significantly higher after sertraline administration than placebo. At 4 h,
      symptoms were worse with sertraline than placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Sertraline had a
      modest pressor effect in POTS patients, but this did not translate into a reduced
      heart rate or improved symptoms.

PMID- 24227636
TI  - A mixed microscopic method for differentiating seven species of "Bixie"-related
      Chinese Materia Medica.
AB  - Confusion in the species associated with the name of "Bixie" in Chinese Materia
      Medica began centuries ago. In recent decades, diverse medicinal plants from the
      genera Dioscorea and Smilax, and even minor species from the genus Heterosmilax,
      have been documented under the name Bixie or a very similar name as folk
      medicines in different areas of China. However, the traditional efficacies and
      chemical profiles of these herbs are not exactly the same and even vary wildly.
      Comprehensive authentication of multiple Bixie herbs has not yet been attempted.
      To differentiate and ensure the correct use of these Bixie-related herbs, in this
      study, seven sorts of representative Bixie herbs (Dioscorea collettii, D.
      zingiberensis, D. nipponica, D. septemloba, Smilax china, S. glabra, and
      Heterosmilax japonica) were characterized based on the microscopic examination of
      their powders and cryotomed transverse sections. This is not only the first
      attempt to distinguish Bixie herbs by a comprehensive microscopic techniques,
      including common light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and polarized light
      microscopy, but also it is the first research to observe characteristics of
      transections of crude drugs under polarized lighting for the purpose of
      authentication. Polarized light has been found to provide a number of unique
      characteristics. The results indicate that starch granules, stone cells, vascular
      bundles, and other significant tissue features can be used to authenticate
      "Bixie" herbs. The method was proven to be quick, handy, specific, and simple. It
      should be widely applicable to other herbal materials.

PMID- 24227637
TI  - Expert Panel Report: Guidelines (2013) for the management of overweight and
      obesity in adults.

PMID- 24227634
TI  - Fc gamma receptors in respiratory syncytial virus infections: implications for
      innate immunity.
AB  - RSV infections are a major burden in infants less than 3 months of age. Newborns
      and infants express a distinct immune system that is largely dependent on innate
      immunity and passive immunity from maternal antibodies. Antibodies can regulate
      immune responses against viruses through interaction with Fc gamma receptors
      leading to enhancement or neutralization of viral infections. The mechanisms
      underlying the immunomodulatory effect of Fc gamma receptors on viral infections
      have yet to be elucidated in infants. Herein, we will discuss current knowledge
      of the effects of antibodies and Fc gamma receptors on infant innate immunity to
      RSV. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of RSV infections in young
      infants may provide insight into novel therapeutic strategies such as
      vaccination.

PMID- 24227638
TI  - Special issues on Electrospray ionization.

PMID- 24227639
TI  - Ion formation from charged droplets: Roles of geometry, energy, and time.
AB  - The formation of ions from the charged droplets produced in the several spray
      ionization techniques is viewed as an activated rate process involving field
      assisted desorption, in accord with the ideas first set forth by Iribame and
      Thomson. The novel features of the present treatment are particularly relevant to
      the unique ability of electrospray ionization to transform large molecules in
      solution to free ions in the gas phase, with extensive multiple charging. These
      new features stem mainly from the realization that the spacing of charges on a
      desorbed ion must relate to the spacing of charges on the surface of the droplet
      whence it came. The consequences of this "rule" can account for the existence of
      maxima and minima in the number of charges on the ions of a particular species as
      well as the nature of the distribution of ions among the intervening charge
      states. They also explain the dependence of charge state on the configuration in
      solution of the parent molecule of the desorbed ion. In addition, they provide
      insight into the sequence in time at which ions in the various charge states
      leave an evaporating droplet. 

PMID- 24227640
TI  - Observation and implications of high mass-to-charge ratio ions from electrospray
      ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - High mass-to-charge ratio ions (> 4000) from electrospray ionization (ESI) have
      been observed for several proteins, including bovine cytochrome c (M r 12,231)
      and porcine pepsin (M r 34,584), by using a quadrupole mass spectrometer with an
      m/z 45,000 range. The ESI mass spectrum for cytochrome c in an aqueous solution
      gives a charge state distribution that ranges from 12 + to 2 +, with a broad, low
      intensity peak in the mass-to-charge ratio region corresponding to the [M + H](+)
      ion. the negative ion ESI mass spectrum for pepsin in 1% acetic acid solution
      shows a charge state distribution ranging from 7- to 2-. To observe the [M - H](
      ) ion, harsher desolvation and interface conditions were required. Also observed
      was the abundant aggregation of the protens with average charge states
      substantially lower than observed for their monomeric counterparts. The negative
      ion ESI mass spectrum for cytochrome c in 1-100 mM NH4OAc solutions showed
      greater relative abundances for the higher mass-to-charge ratio ions than in
      acuidic solutions, with an [M - H](-) ion relative abundance approximately 50%
      that of the most abundant charge state peak. The observation that protein
      aggregates are formed with charge states comparable to monomeric species (at
      fower mass-to-charge ratios) suggests that the high mass-to-charge ratio monomers
      may be formed by the dissociation of aggregate species. The observation of low
      charge state and aggregate molecular ions concurrently with highly charged
      species may serve to support a variation of the charged residue model, originally
      described by Dole and co-workers (Dole, M., et al. J. Chem. Phys. 1968, 49, 2240;
      Mack, L. L., et al. J. Chem. Phys. 1970, 52, 4977) which involves the
      Coulombically driven formation of either very highly solvated molecular ions or
      lower ananometer-diameter droplets. 

PMID- 24227641
TI  - Solvent effect on analyte charge state, signal intensity, and stability in
      negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry; implications for the mechanism of
      negative ion formation.
AB  - Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
      The effect of solvent composition on negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI)
      mass spectrometry was examined. The onset potentials for ES1 of a series of
      chlorinated solvents and methanol were found to be within the range predicted by
      D. P. H. Smith, based on differences in the surface tension of the solvents used.
      The tendency toward electric discharge decreased with increasing percent weight
      of chlorine in the solvent. This effect has been attributed to an increasing
      propensity for electron capture for more highly chlorinated solvents. Addition of
      the electron scavenger gas SF, was even more effective at suppressing corona
      discharge phenomena. In a comparison of ultimate signal intensity obtainable for
      a test analyte in 10% methanol, the highest signal, which was stable over the
      widest range of temperatures, was exhibited by chloroform compared to
      dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, and methanol (100%).
      Chloroform, thus, is a recommended solvent for negative ion electrospray mass
      spectrometry (ES/MS) when solubility is not a limiting issue. Solvent polarity
      was shown to exhibit a profound influence on the distribution of charge states in
      negative ion ES/MS. For both chlorinated and nonchlorinated organic solvents, the
      higher the solution dielectric constant, the more the charge-state distribution
      is shifted toward higher charge states. These observations build on the
      "electrophoretic" mechanism of droplet charging. Solvents with high solution
      dielectric constants are considered to be most effective at stabilizing multiply
      charged ions (where charge separation is greatest), and they are likely to
      increase the level of droplet charging. Solvents with high basicities (gas phase
      and solution phase) and high proton affinities, yet low dielectric constants,
      favor lower charge states in ES mass spectra of lipid A and cardiolipin from
      Escherichia coli. This indicates that gas-phase processes and solvent basicity
      contribute much less toward ion formation than solution-phase solvation via
      preferred orientation of the solvent dipole. 

PMID- 24227642
TI  - Fourier-transform electrospray instrumentation for tandem high-resolution mass
      spectrometry of large molecules.
AB  - Department of Chemistry, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York,
      USA Mass spectrometry instrumentation providing unit resolution and lo-ppm mass
      accuracy for molecules larger than 10 kDa was first reported in 1991. This
      instrumentation has now been improved with a 6.2-T magnet replacing that of 2.8
      T, a more efficient vacuum system, ion injection with controlled ion kinetic
      energies, accumulated ion trapping with an open-cylindrical ion cell, acquisition
      of 2M data points, and updated electrospray apparatus. The resulting capabilities
      include resolving power of 5 * 10(5) for a 29-kDa protein, less than l-ppm mass
      measuring error, and dissociation of protein molecular ions to produce dozens of
      fragment ions whose exact masses can be identified from their mass-to-charge
      ratio values and isotopic peak spacing. 

PMID- 24227643
TI  - High-resolution accurate mass measurements of biomolecules using a new
      electrospray ionization ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer.
AB  - A novel electrospray ionization/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass
      spectrometer based on a 7-T superconducting magnet was developed for high
      resolution accurate mass measurements of large biomolecules. Ions formed at
      atmospheric pressure using electrospray ionization (ESI) were transmitted
      (through six differential pumping stages) to the trapped ion cell maintained
      below 10(-9) torr. The increased pumping speed attainable with cryopumping (>
      10(5) L/s) allowed brief pressure excursions to above 10(-4) torr, with greatly
      enhanced trapping efficiencies and subsequent short pumpdown times, facilitating
      high-resolution mass measurements. A set of electromechanical shutters were also
      used to minimize the effect of the directed molecular beam produced by the ES1
      source and were open only during ion injection. Coupled with the use of the
      pulsed-valve gas inlet, the trapped ion cell was generally filled to the space
      charge limit within 100 ms. The use of 10-25 ms ion injection times allowed mass
      spectra to be obtained from 4 fmol of bovine insulin (Mr 5734) and ubiquitin (Mr
      8565, with resolution sufficient to easily resolve the isotopic envelopes and
      determine the charge states. The microheterogeneity of the glycoprotein
      ribonuclease B was examined, giving a measured mass of 14,898.74 Da for the most
      abundant peak in the isotopic envelope of the normally glycosylated protein
      (i.e., with five mannose and two N-acetylglucosamine residues (an error of
      approximately 2 ppm) and an average error of approximately 1 ppm for the higher
      glycosylated and various H3PO4 adducted forms of the protein. Time-domain signals
      lasting in excess of 80 s were obtained for smaller proteins, producing, for
      example, a mass resolution of more than 700,000 for the 4(+) charge state (m/z
      1434) of insulin. 

PMID- 24227644
TI  - Negative ion formation in electrospray mass spectrometry.
AB  - Analytical and Chemical Sciences, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle
      Park, North Carolina, USA Negative ion electrospray (ES) operating on a single
      quadrupole mass spectrometer for the detection of low-molecular-weight molecules
      is discussed. The ES interface was operated at a positive cylindrical electrode
      potential to produce negative ions, and the results obtained were compared to the
      positive ion mode. As in the case of operation in the more common positive mode,
      negative ions with varying degrees of solvation and structurally relevant
      fragments can be obtained from a variety of solute species, including beta-lactam
      antibiotics, aminoglycosides, aminocyclitols, tetracyclines, sulfonamides,
      nucleotides, peptides, and explosives. No fragmentation of parent species, except
      those from some labile explosives, was provided because low potential differences
      are applied between the capillary and the first skimmer, and electrical discharge
      is avoided in the gas phase. An increase in the capillary voltage resulted in
      collision-induced decomposition to produce structurally relevant fragment ions in
      both operation modes. An evaluation of representative chromatographic solvents
      indicated that 2-propanol added with oxygen in the ES bath gas is best suited to
      suppress electrical (corona) discharge phenomena in negative ion operation,
      whereas it aids in solution nebulization, desolvation, and transfer of ions in
      solution to the gas phase. For positive ion mode, no such precaution was
      necessary. Conditions that promote the formation of ions in solution usually
      improve ES response. Therefore, an increase in the solvent pH can increase the
      sensitivity in negative ion ES ionization. Negative ion ES offers the advantage
      of providing complementary structural information to help in the characterization
      of an unknown compound or to confirm a certain tentatively proposed structure.
      Nucleotides and explosives were best characterized in negative ion mode owing to
      the ease with which they form anions in solution, and they could be detected down
      to the l-pg /gML level. 

PMID- 24227645
TI  - Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for analysis of low-molecular-weight
      anticancer drugs and their analogues.
AB  - In this study, several anticancer drugs and their analogues consisting of organic
      and organometallic compounds were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry (ESI/MS) using a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Protonated molecular
      ions [M+H](+) were observed for all of the compounds studied, and in the case of
      the two steroid sulfates, deprotonated molecular ions [M-H](-) were obtained.
      Tandem mass spectrometry was performed on these quasimolecular ions, and the
      product ions formed provided useful fragmentation patterns that were
      characteristic for the compounds. This study provides evidence that ESI/MS is a
      sensitive technique for structure confirmation and identification of small
      organic and organometallic molecules. 

PMID- 24227646
TI  - Applications of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to neutral organic
      molecules including fullerenes.
AB  - The use of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) for the detection
      of neutral organic molecules becomes possible by their derivation with specific
      ESI/MS tagging reagents that have either proton or metal ion binding sites. We
      used the neutral crown ether group in several reagents to attach a metal binding
      site to substrate molecules. Application of this method to steroids, amino acids,
      vitamin D, fatty acids, and fullerenes is described. Besides characterization,
      tagged molecules can be used for studying organic reactions by ESI/MS. This work
      demonstrates that ESI/MS provides a unique window on fullerene solution
      chemistry. ESI/MS is not only an excellent tool for the analysis of biopolymers
      but is also useful for studying the organic chemistry of small neutral molecules.

PMID- 24227649
TI  - Erratum to: 10th asilomat conference on mass spectrometry: Time of flight mass
      spectrometry.

PMID- 24227647
TI  - Identification of components in waste streams by electrospray and tandem mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Highly polar, non-gas-chromatographable compounds have few unambiguous analysis
      protocols for environmental applications. A recent environmental investigation,
      concerning the identification of a non-gas-chromatographable yellow component in
      chemical waste water and in effluents from a biological wastewater treatment
      plant required the use of a number of analytical approaches. Electrospray mass
      spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography,
      nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular spectroscopy of commercial and
      synthesized chlorodinitrophenol isomers were required in order to identify the
      specific isomer causing the color. The present report summarizes the electrospray
      ionization and tandem mass spectrometric studies that were used. The mass
      spectrometric study shows that two different isomers of chlorodinitrophenol
      exhibit very different collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra. Differences
      in the tandem mass spectra can be attributed to the different structures of the
      anions formed from these two different isomers. Instrumentation that uses
      electrospray ionization and produces CID mass spectra and optical absorption
      spectra in a single analysis may be required in order to produce highly specific
      information on non-gas-chromatographable compounds found in the environment. 

PMID- 24227650
TI  - Gold-catalyzed synthesis of tetrazoles from alkynes by C-C bond cleavage.

PMID- 24227651
TI  - A comparative study of P450 gene expression in field and laboratory Musca
      domestica L. strains.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The housefly is a global pest that has developed resistance to most
      insecticides applied for its control. Resistance has been associated with
      cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s). The authors compare the expression of six
      genes possibly associated with insecticide resistance in three unselected
      strains: a multiresistant strain (791a), a neonicotinoid-resistant strain (766b)
      and a new field strain (845b). RESULTS: CYP4G2 was highly expressed throughout
      the range of strains and proved to be the one of the most interesting expression
      profiles of all P450s analysed. CYP6G4 was expressed up to 11-fold higher in 766b
      than in WHO-SRS. Significant differences between expression of P450 genes between
      F1 flies from 845b and established laboratory strains were shown. In general,
      P450 gene expression in 845b was 2-14-fold higher than in the reference strain (P
      < 0.0101) and 2-23-fold higher than in the multiresistant strain (P < 0.0110).
      CONCLUSION: The newly collected field strain 845b had significantly higher
      constitutive gene expression than both WHO-SRS and 791a. High constitutive
      expression of CYP4G2 in houseflies indicates a possible role of this gene in
      metabolic resistance. There is a strong indication that CYP6G4 is a major
      insecticide resistance gene involved in neonicotinoid resistance.

PMID- 24227652
TI  - COUP-TFI controls activity-dependent tyrosine hydroxylase expression in adult
      dopaminergic olfactory bulb interneurons.
AB  - COUP-TFI is an orphan nuclear receptor acting as a strong transcriptional
      regulator in different aspects of forebrain embryonic development. In this study,
      we investigated COUP-TFI expression and function in the mouse olfactory bulb
      (OB), a highly plastic telencephalic region in which continuous integration of
      newly generated inhibitory interneurons occurs throughout life. OB interneurons
      belong to different populations that originate from distinct progenitor lineages.
      Here, we show that COUP-TFI is highly expressed in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)
      positive dopaminergic interneurons in the adult OB glomerular layer (GL). We
      found that odour deprivation, which is known to downregulate TH expression in the
      OB, also downregulates COUP-TFI in dopaminergic cells, indicating a possible
      correlation between TH- and COUP-TFI-activity-dependent action. Moreover, we
      demonstrate that conditional inactivation of COUP-TFI in the EMX1 lineage results
      in a significant reduction of both TH and ZIF268 expression in the GL. Finally,
      lentiviral vector-mediated COUP-TFI deletion in adult-generated interneurons
      confirmed that COUP-TFI acts cell-autonomously in the control of TH and ZIF268
      expression. These data indicate that COUP-TFI regulates TH expression in OB cells
      through an activity-dependent mechanism involving ZIF268 induction and strongly
      argue for a maintenance rather than establishment function of COUP-TFI in
      dopaminergic commitment. Our study reveals a previously unknown role for COUP-TFI
      in the adult brain as a key regulator in the control of sensory-dependent
      plasticity in olfactory dopaminergic neurons. 

PMID- 24227653
TI  - Insm1 controls development of pituitary endocrine cells and requires a SNAG
      domain for function and for recruitment of histone-modifying factors.
AB  - The Insm1 gene encodes a zinc finger factor expressed in many endocrine organs.
      We show here that Insm1 is required for differentiation of all endocrine cells in
      the pituitary. Thus, in Insm1 mutant mice, hormones characteristic of the
      different pituitary cell types (thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating
      hormone, melanocyte-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotrope hormone, growth
      hormone and prolactin) are absent or produced at markedly reduced levels. This
      differentiation deficit is accompanied by upregulated expression of components of
      the Notch signaling pathway, and by prolonged expression of progenitor markers,
      such as Sox2. Furthermore, skeletal muscle-specific genes are ectopically
      expressed in endocrine cells, indicating that Insm1 participates in the
      repression of an inappropriate gene expression program. Because Insm1 is also
      essential for differentiation of endocrine cells in the pancreas, intestine and
      adrenal gland, it is emerging as a transcription factor that acts in a pan
      endocrine manner. The Insm1 factor contains a SNAG domain at its N-terminus, and
      we show here that the SNAG domain recruits histone-modifying factors (Kdm1a,
      Hdac1/2 and Rcor1-3) and other proteins implicated in transcriptional regulation
      (Hmg20a/b and Gse1). Deletion of sequences encoding the SNAG domain in mice
      disrupted differentiation of pituitary endocrine cells, and resulted in an
      upregulated expression of components of the Notch signaling pathway and ectopic
      expression of skeletal muscle-specific genes. Our work demonstrates that Insm1
      acts in the epigenetic and transcriptional network that controls differentiation
      of endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary gland, and that it requires the SNAG
      domain to exert this function in vivo. 

PMID- 24227654
TI  - Short-range Wnt5 signaling initiates specification of sea urchin posterior
      ectoderm.
AB  - The border between the posterior ectoderm and the endoderm is a location where
      two germ layers meet and establish an enduring relationship that also later
      serves, in deuterostomes, as the anatomical site of the anus. In the sea urchin,
      a prototypic deuterostome, the ectoderm-endoderm boundary is established before
      gastrulation, and ectodermal cells at the boundary are thought to provide
      patterning inputs to the underlying mesenchyme. Here we show that a short-range
      Wnt5 signal from the endoderm actively patterns the adjacent boundary ectoderm.
      This signal activates a unique subcircuit of the ectoderm gene regulatory
      network, including the transcription factors IrxA, Nk1, Pax2/5/8 and Lim1, which
      are ultimately restricted to subregions of the border ectoderm (BE).
      Surprisingly, Nodal and BMP2/4, previously shown to be activators of ectodermal
      specification and the secondary embryonic axis, instead restrict the expression
      of these genes to subregions of the BE. A detailed examination showed that
      endodermal Wnt5 functions as a short-range signal that activates only a narrow
      band of ectodermal cells, even though all ectoderm is competent to receive the
      signal. Thus, cells in the BE integrate positive and negative signals from both
      the primary and secondary embryonic axes to correctly locate and specify the
      border ectoderm. 

PMID- 24227655
TI  - RPE specification in the chick is mediated by surface ectoderm-derived BMP and
      Wnt signalling.
AB  - The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is indispensable for vertebrate eye
      development and vision. In the classical model of optic vesicle patterning, the
      surface ectoderm produces fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) that specify the
      neural retina (NR) distally, whereas TGFbeta family members released from the
      proximal mesenchyme are involved in RPE specification. However, we previously
      proposed that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) released from the surface
      ectoderm are essential for RPE specification in chick. We now show that the BMP-
      and Wnt-expressing surface ectoderm is required for RPE specification. We reveal
      that Wnt signalling from the overlying surface ectoderm is involved in
      restricting BMP-mediated RPE specification to the dorsal optic vesicle. Wnt2b is
      expressed in the dorsal surface ectoderm and subsequently in dorsal optic vesicle
      cells. Activation of Wnt signalling by implanting Wnt3a-soaked beads or
      inhibiting GSK3beta at optic vesicle stages inhibits NR development and converts
      the entire optic vesicle into RPE. Surface ectoderm removal at early optic
      vesicle stages or inhibition of Wnt, but not Wnt/beta-catenin, signalling
      prevents pigmentation and downregulates the RPE regulatory gene Mitf. Activation
      of BMP or Wnt signalling can replace the surface ectoderm to rescue MITF
      expression and optic cup formation. We provide evidence that BMPs and Wnts
      cooperate via a GSK3beta-dependent but beta-catenin-independent pathway at the
      level of pSmad to ensure RPE specification in dorsal optic vesicle cells. We
      propose a new dorsoventral model of optic vesicle patterning, whereby initially
      surface ectoderm-derived Wnt signalling directs dorsal optic vesicle cells to
      develop into RPE through a stabilising effect of BMP signalling. 

PMID- 24227657
TI  - Establishing robust cognitive dimensions for characterization and differentiation
      of patients with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, frontotemporal
      dementia and depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia requires
      detailed neuropsychological examinations. These examinations typically yield a
      large number of outcome variables, which may complicate the interpretation and
      communication of results. The purposes of this study were the following: (i) to
      reduce a large data set of interrelated neuropsychological variables to a smaller
      number of cognitive dimensions; (ii) to create a common metric for these
      dimensions (z-scores); and (iii) to study the ability of the cognitive dimensions
      to distinguish between groups of patients with different types of cognitive
      impairment. METHODS: We tested 1646 patients with different forms of dementia or
      with a major depression with a standard (n = 632) or, if cognitively less
      affected, a challenging neuropsychological battery (n = 1014). To identify the
      underlying cognitive dimensions of the two test batteries, maximum likelihood
      factor analyses with a promax rotation were conducted. To interpret the sum
      scores of the factors as standard scores, we divided them by the standard
      deviation of a cognitively healthy sample (n = 1145). RESULTS: The factor
      analyses yielded seven factors for each test battery. The cognitive dimensions in
      both test batteries distinguished patients with different forms of dementia (MCI,
      Alzheimer's dementia or frontotemporal dementia) and patients with major
      depression. Furthermore, patients with stable MCI could be separated from
      patients with progressing MCI. Discriminant analyses with an independent new
      sample of patients (n = 306) revealed that the new dimension scores distinguished
      new samples of patients with MCI from patients with Alzheimer's dementia with
      high accuracy. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that these cognitive dimensions
      may benefit neuropsychological diagnostics.

PMID- 24227656
TI  - N-glycosylation requirements in neuromuscular synaptogenesis.
AB  - Neural development requires N-glycosylation regulation of intercellular
      signaling, but the requirements in synaptogenesis have not been well tested. All
      complex and hybrid N-glycosylation requires MGAT1 (UDP-GlcNAc:alpha-3-D-mannoside
      beta1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase I) function, and Mgat1 nulls are the
      most compromised N-glycosylation condition that survive long enough to permit
      synaptogenesis studies. At the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), Mgat1
      mutants display selective loss of lectin-defined carbohydrates in the
      extracellular synaptomatrix, and an accompanying accumulation of the secreted
      endogenous Mind the gap (MTG) lectin, a key synaptogenesis regulator. Null Mgat1
      mutants exhibit strongly overelaborated synaptic structural development,
      consistent with inhibitory roles for complex/hybrid N-glycans in morphological
      synaptogenesis, and strengthened functional synapse differentiation, consistent
      with synaptogenic MTG functions. Synapse molecular composition is surprisingly
      selectively altered, with decreases in presynaptic active zone Bruchpilot (BRP)
      and postsynaptic Glutamate receptor subtype B (GLURIIB), but no detectable change
      in a wide range of other synaptic components. Synaptogenesis is driven by
      bidirectional trans-synaptic signals that traverse the glycan-rich synaptomatrix,
      and Mgat1 mutation disrupts both anterograde and retrograde signals, consistent
      with MTG regulation of trans-synaptic signaling. Downstream of intercellular
      signaling, pre- and postsynaptic scaffolds are recruited to drive synaptogenesis,
      and Mgat1 mutants exhibit loss of both classic Discs large 1 (DLG1) and newly
      defined Lethal (2) giant larvae [L(2)GL] scaffolds. We conclude that MGAT1
      dependent N-glycosylation shapes the synaptomatrix carbohydrate environment and
      endogenous lectin localization within this domain, to modulate retention of trans
      synaptic signaling ligands driving synaptic scaffold recruitment during
      synaptogenesis. 

PMID- 24227659
TI  - In vivo whole-brain T1-rho mapping across adulthood: normative values and age
      dependence.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report a systematic investigation of variations in brain T1rho (T1
      rho) values over adulthood, and present normative values for cortical gray
      matter, juxtacortical white matter, selected white matter tracts and subcortical
      structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one healthy control subjects (23 males
      aged 18-76 years and 18 females aged 21-73 years) were imaged at 3.0 Tesla (T)
      using a novel whole-brain T1rho-weighted fluid suppressed three-dimensional turbo
      spin echo technique. T1rho maps were calculated and atlas-based segmentation used
      to determine regional T1rho values. Linear regression was used to determine
      changes in T1rho with age. RESULTS: T1rho values showed significant decreases
      with age in cortical gray matter (P < 0.001), left and right caudate (P =
      0.004/0.006), putamen (P = 0.001, P < 0.001), hippocampus (P = 0.039/0.010),
      amygdala (P = 0.002/0.001), and nucleus accumbens (P = 0.001/0.002). Significant
      increases with age (P < 0.05) were observed in all the white matter tracts
      considered, except the corticospinal tracts and forceps major. CONCLUSION: T1rho
      demonstrates changes related to the processes of normal aging.

PMID- 24227658
TI  - Current Methods in Health Behavior Research Among U.S. Community College
      Students: A Review of the Literature.
AB  - The majority of health behavior research involving college students in the United
      States has focused on 4-year college students. Two-year or community college
      students have been less studied, although a significant proportion of U.S.
      undergraduates, primarily those from disadvantaged socioeconomic and/or
      racial/ethnic background, are enrolled in community colleges. Thus, there is a
      need to enhance health behavior and health promotion research among community
      college students. This study systematically reviewed 42 published, peer-reviewed
      health behavior studies conducted among U.S. community college students in order
      to determine the current state of research in the area with regard to behaviors
      studied, research designs used, recruitment and data collection strategies
      practiced, rates of student participation, and characteristics of the
      participants represented. Findings identified the methodological limitations of
      current research and suggested optimal recruitment and data collection methods
      suitable for various research needs. Findings are discussed in the context of
      enhancing health behavior research among U.S. community college students. 

PMID- 24227660
TI  - Canagliflozin: effects in overweight and obese subjects without diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of canagliflozin, a sodium glucose co
      transporter 2 inhibitor, on body weight in overweight and obese subjects (body
      mass index [BMI] >=27 and <50 kg/m(2) ). METHODS: This 12-week, Phase 2b,
      randomized, double-blind study enrolled 376 subjects without diabetes mellitus
      who received canagliflozin 50, 100, or 300 mg or placebo once daily. The primary
      endpoint was the percent change in body weight from baseline through Week 12.
      RESULTS: Canagliflozin increased urinary glucose excretion in a dose-dependent
      manner and produced statistically significant reductions in body weight compared
      with placebo (least squares mean percent changes from baseline of -2.2%, -2.9%, 
      2.7%, and -1.3% with canagliflozin 50, 100, and 300 mg and placebo; P < 0.05 for
      all comparisons). Overall adverse event (AE) rates were similar across groups.
      Canagliflozin was associated with higher rates of genital mycotic infections in
      women, which were generally mild and led to few study discontinuations. Osmotic
      diuresis-related AE rates were low and similar across groups. CONCLUSIONS: In
      overweight and obese subjects without diabetes mellitus, canagliflozin
      significantly reduced body weight compared with placebo and was generally well
      tolerated.

PMID- 24227661
TI  - An open trial of 'grief-help': a cognitive-behavioural treatment for prolonged
      grief in children and adolescents.
AB  - In the past years, there is growing recognition of a syndrome of disturbed grief
      referred to as prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Although mostly studied in adults,
      clinically significant PGD symptoms have also been observed in children and
      adolescents. To date, no effective treatment for childhood PGD yet exists. We
      recently developed a nine-session cognitive-behavioural treatment for childhood
      PGD combined with five sessions of parental counselling. In the current article,
      we present outcomes of treatment of 10 consecutive children and adolescents
      turning to our university clinic with elevated PGD symptoms as their primary
      problem and main reason to seek therapy. Patients were significantly improved at
      post-treatment, with large improvements in self-rated PGD and post-traumatic
      stress (effect sizes > 0.8) and small to moderate improvement in depression and
      parent-rated internalizing and externalizing problems (0.2 < effect sizes < 0.8).
      Additional predictor analysis of outcomes suggested that, among other things,
      this treatment approach is less efficacious for children and adolescents further
      removed from loss and those confronted with suicidal loss. That said, the
      treatment appears promising, and controlled evaluation is clearly indicated.

PMID- 24227662
TI  - Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-bermudenynol, a C15 Laurencia metabolite with a
      vinyl chloride containing oxocene skeleton, through intramolecular amide enolate
      alkylation.
AB  - A substrate-controlled asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-bermudenynol, a compact
      and synthetically challenging C15 Laurencia metabolite that contains several
      halogen atoms, is reported. The oxocene core, which contains a vinyl chloride,
      was constructed by an efficient and highly stereoselective intramolecular amide
      enolate alkylation (IAEA). This result showcases the broad utility of the IAEA
      methodology as a useful alternative for cases in which the ring-closing
      metathesis is inefficient. 

PMID- 24227663
TI  - Special issues on electrospray ionization.

PMID- 24227664
TI  - Collision cross sections for protein ions.
AB  - A method for the determination of cross sections for gas-phase protein ions,
      based on the energy loss of ions as they pass through a collision gas, is
      described. A simple model relates the energy loss to the number of collisions and
      hence the cross section. Results from a Monte Carlo model that support the
      validity of this approach are described. Experimental cross sections are reported
      for motilin, ubiquitin, cytochrome c, myoglobm, and bovine serum albumin. Cross
      sections range from approximately 800 A(2) for motilin to approximately 14,000
      A(2) for bovine serum albumin and generally increase with the number of charges
      on the ion. Cytochrome c ions from aqueous solution show somewhat smaller cross
      sections than ions formed from solutions of higher organic content, suggesting
      that the gas-phase ions may retain some memory of their solution conformation. 

PMID- 24227665
TI  - Application of electrospray mass spectrometry in probing protein-protein and
      protein-ligand noncovalent interactions.
AB  - A novel mass spectrometry-based methodology using electrospray ionization (ESI)
      is described for the detection of protein-protein [interferon (IFN)-gamma dimer]
      and protein-ligand [ras-guanosine diphosphate (GDP)] noncovalent interactions.
      The method utilizes ESI from aqueous solution at appropriate pH. The presence of
      the noncovalent complex of the IFN-gamma dimer was confirmed by the observed
      average molecular weight of 33,819 Da. The key to the detection of the IFN-gamma
      dimer is the use of an alkaline solution (pH ~ 9) for sample preparation and for
      mass spectrornetry analysis. The effect of the declustering energy in the region
      of the ion sampling orifice and focusing quadrupole on the preservation of the
      gas-phase noncovalent complex (IFN-gamma dimer) was also studied. The effect of
      the declustering energy on complex dissociation was further extended to probe the
      noncovalent protein-ligand association of ras-GDP. It was found that little
      energy is required to dissociate the IFN-gamma dimer, whereas a substantial
      amount of energy is required to dissociate the gas-phase ras-GDP complex. 

PMID- 24227666
TI  - Studies on heme binding in myoglobin, hemoglobin, and cytochrome c by ion spray
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - The ion spray mass spectra of three representative heme-containing proteins were
      studied, with an emphasis on results obtained under neutral (pH 7) aqueous
      conditions. The noncovalently bound heme in myoglobin and hemoglobin may be
      readily distinguished from the covalently bound heme prosthetic group attached to
      cytochrome c by using collisioninduced dissociation in the free-jet expansion
      region of the mass spectrometer as well as in the collision quadrupole with
      premass selection. The charge state of iron in the expelled heme from myoglobin
      and hemoglobin appears to be 3+ but 2f for heme expelled from cytochrome c. 

PMID- 24227667
TI  - Stepwise refolding of Acid-denatured myoglobin: Evidence from electrospray mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Application of electrospray mass spectrometry (ES/MS) to a protein refolding
      study was demonstrated. Acid denaturation of equine myoglobin was reversed by
      adding various amounts of ammonium hydroxide to the protein that was unfolded in
      10% acetic acid. The protein refolding process was followed by ES/MS, in which
      both the changes in the protein charge-state distribution and mass were
      monitored. The ES/MS results show that the pH-dependent renaturation of the acid
      denatured myoglobin is stepwise, consisting of two major steps. The unfolded
      polypeptide chain first refolds to establish a compact nativelike structure,
      without the assistance of the heme prosthetic group. The newly formed binding
      cavity then retains the heme group by noncovalent interactions. It is also shown
      that inclusion of a stabilizing buffer, such as ammonium acetate, in the protein
      solution is greatly beneficial to the ES/MS detection of intact noncovalent
      globin/heme complex. 

PMID- 24227668
TI  - Probing the helical content of growth hormone-releasing factor analogs using
      electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - A series of growth hormone-releasing factor analogs have been studied by both
      circular dichroism and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). The
      peptides are 32 residues long and are known to adopt a random-coil structure in
      aqueous solution but become increasingly helical as the proportion of organic
      solvent is increased. Deuterium exchange was observed as an increase in mass of
      the peptide, as measured by ESI/MS. Rates of exchange were measured and half
      lives calculated for analogs containing amino acid substitutions designed to
      promote or discourage helix formation. Exchange was slower in peptides that are
      helical (as shown by circular dichroism) than in randomly coiled peptides.
      Solution conditions that favor helix formation also produced slower exchange
      rates. These studies suggest that ESI/MS can provide date about the extent and
      stability of helix formation. 

PMID- 24227669
TI  - High-energy collision-induced dissociation of multiply charged polypeptides
      produced by electrospray.
AB  - The recent commercial implementation of an electrospray source on a four-sector
      mass spectrometer has allowed the study of high-energy collisional activation of
      multiply charged cations. With this configuration, higher mass-to-charge ratios
      can be accommodated in both precursor ion selection and fragment ion detection.
      Good mass accuracy facilitates analysis of fragment ions and allows more reliable
      mechanistic correlation of these fragments. A convenient scheme was devised to
      permit the use of kilovolt potentials in both MS-I and MS-II, with precursors of
      varying charge states. Algorithms were devised to assign masses of different
      types of multiply charged fragment ions. Nine polypeptides were studied in the
      mass range 2000-5000 Da. Through this entire mass range, fragment ions were
      observed to be amply formed by cleavages in both the backbone and side chains,
      analogous to high-energy collisional activation of singly charged ions. This
      stands in sharp contrast to the patterns reported with low-energy, multiple
      collisions. Abundances of sequence ion series are influenced by the positions of
      basic residues. Analysis of charge distributions in fragment ions also indicates
      that the charges tend to be spread out across the peptides. 

PMID- 24227670
TI  - Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of phosphopeptides isolated by on-line
      immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography.
AB  - Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) affords a rapid and sensitive
      technique for determining peptides produced by the enzymatic digestion of
      phosphoroteins. When coupled with on-line immobilized metal-ion affinity
      chromatography (IMAC), the combmation allows separation and mass spectrometric
      identification of phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated peptides. In this study,
      the feasibility and general applicability of on-line IMAC/ESI/MS is investigated
      by using immobilized ferric ions for selective chelation of several
      phosphotyrosine and phosphoserine peptides. The sensitivity and practicality of
      the technique for phosphoproteins are demonstrated via the analysis of 30 pmol
      (~0.7 MUg) of bovine beta-casein purified by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide
      gel electrophoresis, electroblotted onto a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane,
      and digested in situ with trypsin. It is observed that on-line IMAC/ESI/MS
      suffers less from sample losses than experiments performed off-line, suggesting
      that the limiting factors in sensitivity for this technique are the purification
      procedures and sample handling rather than the IMAC and mass spectrometry. Thus,
      the ability to inject the tryptic digest of an electroblotted protein directly
      onto the column without buffer exchange and to analyze the eluent directly via on
      line coupling of the IMAC column to the mass spectrometer greatly reduces sample
      losses incurred through sample handling and provides a convenient method for
      analyzing phosphopeptides at low levels. 

PMID- 24227671
TI  - Application of electrospray mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser
      desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for molecular weight
      assignment of peptides in complex mixtures.
AB  - Electrospray mass spectrometry (ES/MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption
      ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF/MS) were used to provide
      mass spectra from seven elapid snake venoms. Spectral interpretation was much
      simpler for MALDI/TOF/MS. ES/MS proved more useful for the provision of molecular
      weight data for very closely related peptides, but suppression of higher
      molecular weight compounds was seen to occur during flow injection analysis.
      MALDI/TOF/MS proved useful for providing a complete picture of the venom, but the
      low resolution led to obscuring of major ions, and the mass accuracy was poorer
      for known peptides. Suppression also occurred during MALDI/TOF/MS but could be
      overcome using alternative matrices because the spectra were very dependent on
      the choice of matrix. ES/MS and MALDI/TOF/MS provide complementary and
      confirmatory information such that for the anal sis of complex peptide mixtures
      (snake venoms), the use of both techniques is desirable. 

PMID- 24227674
TI  - MEDIPS: genome-wide differential coverage analysis of sequencing data derived
      from DNA enrichment experiments.
AB  - MOTIVATION: DNA enrichment followed by sequencing is a versatile tool in
      molecular biology, with a wide variety of applications including genome-wide
      analysis of epigenetic marks and mechanisms. A common requirement of these
      diverse applications is a comparison of read coverage between experimental
      conditions. The amount of samples generated for such comparisons ranges from few
      replicates to hundreds of samples per condition for epigenome-wide association
      studies. Consequently, there is an urgent need for software that allows for fast
      and simple processing and comparison of sequencing data derived from enriched
      DNA. RESULTS: Here, we present a major update of the R/Bioconductor package
      MEDIPS, which allows for an arbitrary number of replicates per group and
      integrates sophisticated statistical methods for the detection of differential
      coverage between experimental conditions. Our approach can be applied to a
      diversity of quantitative sequencing data. In addition, our update adds novel
      functionality to MEDIPS, including correlation analysis between samples, and
      takes advantage of Bioconductor's annotation databases to facilitate annotation
      of specific genomic regions. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The latest version
      of MEDIPS is available as version 1.12.0 and part of Bioconductor 2.13. The
      package comes with a manual containing detailed description of its functionality
      and is available at http://www.bioconductor.org.

PMID- 24227675
TI  - PhosphoNetworks: a database for human phosphorylation networks.
AB  - SUMMARY: Phosphorylation plays an important role in cellular signal transduction.
      Current phosphorylation-related databases often focus on the phosphorylation
      sites, which are mainly determined by mass spectrometry. Here, we present
      PhosphoNetworks, a phosphorylation database built on a high-resolution map of
      phosphorylation networks. This high-resolution map of phosphorylation networks
      provides not only the kinase-substrate relationships (KSRs), but also the
      specific phosphorylation sites on which the kinases act on the substrates. The
      database contains the most comprehensive dataset for KSRs, including the
      relationships from a recent high-throughput project for identification of KSRs
      using protein microarrays, as well as known KSRs curated from the literature. In
      addition, the database also includes several analytical tools for dissecting
      phosphorylation networks. PhosphoNetworks is expected to play a prominent role in
      proteomics and phosphorylation-related disease research. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: http://www.phosphonetworks.org

PMID- 24227676
TI  - Track data hubs enable visualization of user-defined genome-wide annotations on
      the UCSC Genome Browser.
AB  - SUMMARY: Track data hubs provide an efficient mechanism for visualizing remotely
      hosted Internet-accessible collections of genome annotations. Hub datasets can be
      organized, configured and fully integrated into the University of California
      Santa Cruz (UCSC) Genome Browser and accessed through the familiar browser
      interface. For the first time, individuals can use the complete browser feature
      set to view custom datasets without the overhead of setting up and maintaining a
      mirror. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Source code for the BigWig, BigBed and
      Genome Browser software is freely available for non-commercial use at
      http://hgdownload.cse.ucsc.edu/admin/jksrc.zip, implemented in C and supported on
      Linux. Binaries for the BigWig and BigBed creation and parsing utilities may be
      downloaded at http://hgdownload.cse.ucsc.edu/admin/exe/. Binary Alignment/Map
      (BAM) and Variant Call Format (VCF)/tabix utilities are available from
      http://samtools.sourceforge.net/ and http://vcftools.sourceforge.net/. The UCSC
      Genome Browser is publicly accessible at http://genome.ucsc.edu.

PMID- 24227677
TI  - featureCounts: an efficient general purpose program for assigning sequence reads
      to genomic features.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Next-generation sequencing technologies generate millions of short
      sequence reads, which are usually aligned to a reference genome. In many
      applications, the key information required for downstream analysis is the number
      of reads mapping to each genomic feature, for example to each exon or each gene.
      The process of counting reads is called read summarization. Read summarization is
      required for a great variety of genomic analyses but has so far received
      relatively little attention in the literature. RESULTS: We present featureCounts,
      a read summarization program suitable for counting reads generated from either
      RNA or genomic DNA sequencing experiments. featureCounts implements highly
      efficient chromosome hashing and feature blocking techniques. It is considerably
      faster than existing methods (by an order of magnitude for gene-level
      summarization) and requires far less computer memory. It works with either single
      or paired-end reads and provides a wide range of options appropriate for
      different sequencing applications. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: featureCounts
      is available under GNU General Public License as part of the Subread
      (http://subread.sourceforge.net) or Rsubread (http://www.bioconductor.org)
      software packages.

PMID- 24227678
TI  - CheNER: chemical named entity recognizer.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Chemical named entity recognition is used to automatically identify
      mentions to chemical compounds in text and is the basis for more elaborate
      information extraction. However, only a small number of applications are freely
      available to identify such mentions. Particularly challenging and useful is the
      identification of International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
      chemical compounds, which due to the complex morphology of IUPAC names requires
      more advanced techniques than that of brand names. RESULTS: We present CheNER, a
      tool for automated identification of systematic IUPAC chemical mentions. We
      evaluated different systems using an established literature corpus to show that
      CheNER has a superior performance in identifying IUPAC names specifically, and
      that it makes better use of computational resources. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: http://metres.udl.cat/index.php/9-download/4-chener,
      http://chener.bioinfo.cnio.es/

PMID- 24227679
TI  - A mutation (L1014F) in the voltage-gated sodium channel of the grain aphid,
      Sitobion avenae, is associated with resistance to pyrethroid insecticides.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The grain aphid, Sitobion avenae Fabricius (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is
      an important pest of cereal crops. Pesticides are the main method for control but
      carry the risk of selecting for resistance. In response to reports of reduced
      efficacy of pyrethroid sprays applied to S. avenae, field samples were collected
      and screened for mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel, the primary
      target site for pyrethroids. Aphid mobility and mortality to lambda-cyhalothrin
      were measured in coated glass vial bioassays. RESULTS: A single amino acid
      substitution (L1014F) was identified in the domain IIS6 segment of the sodium
      channel from the S. avenae samples exhibiting reduced pyrethroid efficacy.
      Bioassays on aphids heterozygous for the kdr mutation (SR) or homozygous for the
      wild-type allele (SS) showed that those carrying the mutation had significantly
      lower susceptibility to lambda-cyhalothrin. CONCLUSION: The L1014F (kdr)
      mutation, known to confer pyrethroid resistance in many insect pests, has been
      identified for the first time in S. avenae. Clonal lines heterozygous for the
      mutation showed 35-40-fold resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin in laboratory
      bioassays, consistent with the reported effect of this mutation on pyrethroid
      sensitivity in other aphid species.

PMID- 24227680
TI  - Age-related changes of hyoid bone position in healthy older adults with
      aspiration.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Aspiration, the passage of a bolus below the vocal folds,
      increases morbidity and mortality in the elderly by increasing the risk of
      aspiration pneumonia and other conditions. We hypothesized that altered position
      of the hyoid bone associated with aging may negatively affect airway protection
      during swallowing (i.e., aspiration) in older adults. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective
      study. METHODS: We re-reviewed computed tomography (CT) scans of the head from 40
      older adults (65-80 years old), comprised of 20 aspirators and 20 nonaspirators,
      obtained from a previous cohort study. In addition, CT scans of the head from 40
      young adults (20-40 years old) were retrieved from a medical records database.
      Three-dimensional reconstruction and 2-dimensional sagittal views were used to
      measure the distance between the mandible and hyoid bone. Comparisons between age
      groups, genders, and aspiration status were made. RESULTS: Older adults had a
      larger distance between the hyoid and mandible in both latitude and longitudinal
      positions compared to the young adults. Among older males, there was evidence
      that the hyoid bone in the aspirators tended to be positioned more posterior
      compared to the nonaspirators. CONCLUSIONS: The distance between the hyoid and
      mandible is increased with aging, and a more posterior position of the hyoid bone
      is correlated with aspiration in older males. These findings suggest that age
      related changes in hyoid bone position may be a component of decreased swallowing
      safety and aspiration in older adults and warrant further investigation. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: N/A.

PMID- 24227681
TI  - Comparison of retinal and cerebral blood flow between continuous arterial spin
      labeling MRI and fluorescent microsphere techniques.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare basal retinal and cerebral blood flow (BF) values using
      continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) MRI and fluorescent microspheres.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 41 animals were used. BF was measured using an
      established microsphere technique (a mixture of 2.5 million 8 MUm green and 0.5
      million 10 MUm blue fluorescent microspheres) and CASL MRI blood flow measurement
      in the rat retina and brain at 7 Tesla (T) and 11.7T, respectively. RESULTS:
      Retinal BF by MRI was 1.18 +/- 0.57 mL/g/min and choroidal BF was 8.14 +/- 1.8
      mL/g/min (n = 6). Microsphere retinal BF was 9.12 +/- 2.8 MUL/min per tissue and
      choroidal BF was 73.38 +/- 44 MUL/min per tissue (n = 18), corresponding to a
      retinal BF value of 1.22 +/- 0.36 mL/g/min by means of a wet weight conversion.
      The wet-weight of the choroid could not be determined. To corroborate our
      findings, cerebral BF (CBF) by MRI was also analyzed. In the cerebral cortices,
      CBF was 0.91 +/- 0.29 mL/g/min (n = 14) by CASL MRI and 1.09 +/- 0.37 mL/g/min (n
      = 6) by microspheres. There were no significant differences found between MRI and
      microsphere blood flow in the retina and brain. CONCLUSION: BF values in the rat
      retina and cerebral cortex by MRI are in agreement with those obtained by the
      microsphere technique.

PMID- 24227683
TI  - Site selection and pain outcome after autologous bone graft harvest.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In foot and ankle surgery, there are multiple sites used for
      autologous bone graft, including the proximal (PT) or distal tibia (DT),
      calcaneus (C), and iliac crest (ICBG). There has been no comparison between these
      anatomic areas and the potential for acute or persistent pain at 1 year. The
      purpose of this study was to prospectively compare patient-reported outcomes of
      acute and persistent pain at 1 year after surgery to determine if harvest site
      selection made a difference. METHODS: As part of a clinical trial examining ankle
      and hindfoot fusion rates with autograft compared with synthetic graft, the
      autologous bone graft harvest sites were assessed with visual analog pain outcome
      scores at 3, 24, 36, and 52 weeks after surgery. Patients with a score of 20+
      defined clinically significant pain. Four harvest sites were compared: ICBG, PT,
      DT, and C. Fisher exact test was used to compare the graft site pain between
      locations. RESULTS: Twelve percent of subjects reported clinically significant
      pain at 24 weeks and 8.5% at 52 weeks postoperatively. Each lower extremity
      harvest site (C, DT, PT) showed higher rates of clinically significant graft
      harvest site pain than the ICBG at 52 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous bone graft
      harvest carried a risk of persistent pain at up to 1 year (weeks 24-52) in 18% of
      patients. Lower-extremity bone graft sites had the greatest risk for persistent
      pain at 1 year. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

PMID- 24227682
TI  - Enhancing tissue repair in annulus fibrosus defects of the intervertebral disc:
      analysis of a bio-integrative annulus implant in an in-vivo ovine model.
AB  - Annulus fibrosus repair techniques for the intervertebral disc (IVD) address the
      unsolved problem of reherniation after IVD herniation and might facilitate the
      development of nucleus pulposus replacement techniques for IVD diseases. This
      study investigates the suitability of a bio-integrative annulus
      implant.Standardized box defects were applied to the annulus L3/4 and L4/5 of 16
      sheep, followed by randomized insertion of the textile polyglycolic
      acid/polyvinylidene fluoride annulus implant in one of the defects. Explantation
      was conducted after 2, 6 and 12 weeks, followed by provocative pressure testing
      and histological analysis. At 2 weeks' follow-up, all specimens of the control
      defect group demonstrated uncontained herniated nucleus pulposus tissue in the
      annulus defects. For the treated specimens, the annulus implant consistently
      provided an effective barrier for herniating nucleus pulposus tissue, with no
      implant dislocation at all time-points. After 2 weeks, a homogeneous cell
      infiltration of the annulus implant was observed, leading to a progressive
      directional matrix build-up. Repair tissue thickness was significantly stronger
      with the annulus implant at all follow-ups (p < 0.01). No pronounced foreign body
      reaction and no difference in the amount of supra-annular scar tissue over the
      defect sites were observed. The implantation procedure inflicted annulus damage
      adjacent to the defect. At later time-points, however, no difference in
      comparison with the control defect group was evident. The investigated
      biointegrative annulus implant showed promising results with regard to
      biointegration, enhancement of repair tissue and function as a mechanical barrier
      in an ovine model.

PMID- 24227684
TI  - An approach to mixed P(n)A(sm) ligand complexes.
AB  - The reaction of a P4 butterfly complex with yellow arsenic yields the largest
      mixed Pn Asm ligand complexes synthesized to date. [{Cp'''Fe(CO)2 }2 (MU,eta(1:1)
      -P4 )] reacts with As4 to yield [{Cp'''Fe}2 (MU,eta(4:4) -Pn As4-n )] and
      [Cp'''Fe(eta(5) -Pn As5-n )]. Mass spectrometry together with NMR spectroscopy
      and X-ray crystallography give clear evidence about the arrangement of the E
      positions within the cyclo-E5 and E4 moieties of the products. Moreover, the
      results of DFT calculations agree well with the experimental determined outcomes.
      By coordinating the E4 complex [{Cp'''Fe}2 (MU,eta(4:4) -Pn As4-n )] with CuCl, a
      rearrangement of the E positions occurs in favor with a preferred phosphorus
      coordination towards copper atoms in the resulting 1D polymeric chain. 

PMID- 24227685
TI  - beta-cell dysfunction due to increased ER stress in a stem cell model of Wolfram
      syndrome.
AB  - Wolfram syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in WFS1
      and is characterized by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and
      deafness. To investigate the cause of beta-cell failure, we used induced
      pluripotent stem cells to create insulin-producing cells from individuals with
      Wolfram syndrome. WFS1-deficient beta-cells showed increased levels of
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress molecules and decreased insulin content. Upon
      exposure to experimental ER stress, Wolfram beta-cells showed impaired insulin
      processing and failed to increase insulin secretion in response to glucose and
      other secretagogues. Importantly, 4-phenyl butyric acid, a chemical protein
      folding and trafficking chaperone, restored normal insulin synthesis and the
      ability to upregulate insulin secretion. These studies show that ER stress plays
      a central role in beta-cell failure in Wolfram syndrome and indicate that
      chemical chaperones might have therapeutic relevance under conditions of ER
      stress in Wolfram syndrome and other forms of diabetes. 

PMID- 24227687
TI  - Comparison between high-resolution isotropic three-dimensional and high
      resolution conventional two-dimensional FSE MR images of the wrist at 3 tesla: a
      pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To demonstrate the clinical feasibility of high-resolution three
      dimensional (3D) isotropic FSE MRI of the wrist by comparing it to high
      resolution conventional 2D FSE (2D) MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven healthy
      volunteers were enrolled. All images were obtained at 3 Tesla (T). Delineation of
      anatomic structures of the wrist, amount of artifact, quality of fat suppression,
      image blur, and overall quality were qualitatively evaluated. Relative signal
      intensity (SI) of each structure and relative signal contrast between structures
      of the wrist were quantitatively measured. RESULTS: The 2D MRI demonstrated
      significantly higher scores than 3D in anatomic delineation of the SL ligament (P
      = 0.013), fat suppression (P = 0.013), and image blur (P = 0.003). The remaining
      quantitative analyses, including overall quality, revealed no statistical
      significances between 2D and 3D MRI. There were no statistical differences in
      relative SI of each structure between 2D and 3D imaging, except for bone marrow
      with fat suppression. There were no significant differences in relative fluid to
      TFCC and fluid to bone marrow contrast between 2D and 3D imaging, suggesting that
      both sequences have similar rates of detection for TFCC pathology and bone marrow
      lesions. CONCLUSION: With regard to clinical applications, 3D MRI of the wrist
      has almost equal potential to 2D MRI.

PMID- 24227686
TI  - Inclusion of the orientational entropic effect and low-resolution experimental
      information for protein-protein docking in Critical Assessment of PRedicted
      Interactions (CAPRI).
AB  - Inclusion of entropy is important and challenging for protein-protein binding
      prediction. Here, we present a statistical mechanics-based approach to
      empirically consider the effect of orientational entropy. Specifically, we
      globally sample the possible binding orientations based on a simple shape
      complementarity scoring function using an FFT-type docking method. Then, for each
      generated orientation, we calculate the probability through the partition
      function of the ensemble of accessible states, which are assumed to be
      represented by the set of nearby binding modes. For each mode, the interaction
      energy is calculated using our ITScorePP scoring function that was developed in
      our laboratory based on principles of statistical mechanics. Using the above
      protocol, we present the results of our participation in Rounds 22-27 of the
      Critical Assessment of PRedicted Interactions (CAPRI) experiment for 10 targets
      (T46-T58). Additional experimental information, such as low-resolution small
      angle X-ray scattering data, was used when available. In the prediction (or
      docking) experiments of the 10 target complexes, we achieved correct binding
      modes for six targets: one with high accuracy (T47), two with medium accuracy
      (T48 and T57), and three with acceptable accuracy (T49, T50, and T58). In the
      scoring experiments of seven target complexes, we obtained correct binding modes
      for six targets: one with high accuracy (T47), two with medium accuracy (T49 and
      T50), and three with acceptable accuracy (T46, T51, and T53).

PMID- 24227688
TI  - Morphogenesis and three-dimensional movement of the stomach during the human
      embryonic period.
AB  - The stomach develops as the local widening of the foregut after Carnegie stage
      (CS) 13 that moves in a dramatic and dynamic manner during the embryonic period.
      Using the magnetic resonance images of 377 human embryos, we present the
      morphology, morphometry, and three-dimensional movement of the stomach during
      CS16 and CS23. The stomach morphology revealed stage-specific features. The
      angular incisura and the cardia were formed at CS18. The change in the angular
      incisura angle was approximately 90 degrees  during CS19 and CS20, and was <90
      degrees  after CS 21. The prominent formations of the fundus and the pylorus
      differentiate at around CS20. Morphometry of the stomach revealed that the
      stomach gradually becomes "deflected" during development. The stomach may appear
      to move to the left laterally and caudally due to its deflection and differential
      growth. The track of the reference points in the stomach may reflect the visual
      three-dimensional movement. The movement of point M, representing the movement of
      the greater curvature, was different from that of points C (cardia) and P
      (pyloric antrum). The P and C were located just around the midsagittal plane in
      all the stages observed. Point M moved in the caudal-left lateral direction until
      CS22. Moreover, the vector CP does not rotate around the dorsoventral axis, as
      widely believed, but around the transverse axis. The plane CPM rotated mainly
      around the longitudinal axis. The data obtained will be useful for prenatal
      diagnosis in the near future.

PMID- 24227689
TI  - Chiral copper(II) phosphate catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of isochromene
      derivatives by sequential intramolecular cyclization and asymmetric transfer
      hydrogenation of o-alkynylacetophenones.

PMID- 24227690
TI  - Cardiovascular magnetization transfer ratio imaging compared with histology: a
      postmortem study.
AB  - Cardiovascular magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) imaging by steady state free
      precession is a promising imaging method to assess microstructural changes within
      the myocardium. Hence, MTR imaging was correlated to histological analysis. Three
      postmortem cases were selected based on a suspicion of myocardial infarction. MTR
      and T2 -weighted (T2w ) imaging was performed, followed by autopsy and
      histological analysis. All tissue abnormalities, identified by autopsy or
      histology, were retrospectively selected on visually matched MTR and T2w images,
      and corresponding MTR values compared with normal appearing tissue. Regions of
      elevated MTR (up to approximately 20%, as compared to normal tissue), appearing
      hypo-intense in T2w -images, revealed the presence of fibrous tissue in
      microscopic histological analysis. Macroscopic observation (autopsy) described
      scar tissue only in one case. Regions of reduced MTR (up to approximately 20%)
      corresponded either to (i) the presence of edema, appearing hyperintense in T2w 
      images and confirmed by autopsy, or to (ii) inflammatory granulocyte infiltration
      at a microscopic level, appearing as hypo-intense T2w -signal, but not observed
      by autopsy. Findings from cardiovascular MTR imaging corresponded to histology
      results. In contrast to T2w -imaging, MTR imaging discriminated between normal
      myocardium, scar tissue and regions of acute myocardial infarction in all three
      cases.

PMID- 24227691
TI  - 25th anniversary article: Designer hydrogels for cell cultures: a materials
      selection guide.
AB  - Cell culturing, whether for tissue engineering or cell biology studies, always
      involves placing cells in a non-natural environment and no material currently
      exist that can mimic the entire complexity of natural tissues and variety of cell
      matrix interactions that is found in vivo. Here, we review the vast range of
      hydrogels, composed of natural or synthetic polymers that provide a route to
      tailored microenvironments. 

PMID- 24227692
TI  - Intrinsic rewards, fruit and vegetable consumption, and habit strength: a three
      wave study testing the associative-cybernetic model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Habit formation is thought to lead to long-term maintenance of fruit
      and vegetable consumption. Habits develop through context-dependent repetition,
      but additional variables such as intrinsic reward of behaviour may influence
      habit strength. Drawing upon the Associative-Cybernetic Model, this exploratory
      study tested different pathways by which intrinsic reward may influence fruit and
      vegetable consumption habit strength. METHODS: In a three-wave study of fruit and
      vegetable intake in adults (N = 127) from the general population, intrinsic
      reward, intention, and self-efficacy were assessed at baseline, fruit and
      vegetable consumption and intrinsic reward two weeks later, and habit strength
      another two weeks later. Direct, indirect, and moderation effects of intrinsic
      reward on habit strength were tested simultaneously in a moderated mediation
      model. RESULTS: Intrinsic reward had a positive indirect effect on habit strength
      through its influence on the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption.
      Further, the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and habit was
      stronger where consumption was considered more intrinsically rewarding.
      CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the potential relevance of intrinsic reward to
      habit. We suggest that intrinsic rewards from behaviour may not only facilitate
      habit via behaviour frequency, but also reinforce the relationship between
      behavioural repetition and habit strength.

PMID- 24227694
TI  - Defective bone microstructure in hydronephrotic mice: a histomorphometric study
      in ICR/Mlac-hydro mice.
AB  - Chronic renal impairment can lead to bone deterioration and abnormal bone
      morphology, but whether hydronephrosis is associated with bone loss remains
      unclear. Herein, we aimed to use computer-assisted bone histomorphometric
      technique to investigate microstructural bone changes in Imprinting Control
      Region (ICR) mice with a spontaneous mutation that was associated with bilateral
      nonobstructive hydronephrosis (ICR/Mlac-hydro). The results showed that 8-week
      old ICR/Mlac-hydro mice manifested decreases in trabecular bone number and
      thickness, and an increased trabecular separation, thereby leading to a reduction
      in trabecular bone volume compared with the wild-type mice. Furthermore,
      histomorphometric parameters related to both bone resorption and formation, that
      is, eroded surface, osteoclast surface, and osteoblast surface, were much lower
      in ICR/Mlac-hydro mice than in the wild type. A decrease in moment of inertia was
      found in ICR/Mlac-hydro mice, indicating a decrease in bone strength. In
      conclusion, ICR/Mlac-hydro mice exhibited trabecular bone loss, presumably caused
      by marked decreases in both osteoblast and osteoclast activities, which together
      reflected abnormally low bone turnover. Thus, this mouse strain appeared to be a
      valuable model for studying the hydronephrosis-associated bone disease.

PMID- 24227693
TI  - A prospective multicenter study of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria cells in
      patients with bone marrow failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare clonal
      hematopoietic stem cell disorder, is characterized by chronic, uncontrolled
      complement activation leading to intravascular hemolysis and an inflammatory
      prothrombotic state. The EXPLORE study aimed to determine the prevalence of
      undiagnosed PNH in patients with aplastic anemia (AA), myelodysplastic syndrome
      (MDS), and/or other bone marrow failure (BMF) syndromes and the effect of PNH
      clone size on hemolysis. METHODS: Patients, selected from medical office chart
      reviews, had blood samples collected for hematologic panel testing and for flow
      cytometry detection of PNH clones. RESULTS: Granulocyte PNH clones >= 1% were
      detected in 199 of all 5,398 patients (3.7%), 93 of 503 AA patients (18.5%), 50
      of 4,401 MDS patients (1.1%), and 3 of 130 other BMF patients (2.3%). Higher
      sensitivity analyses detected PNH clones >= 0.01% in 167 of 1,746 patients from
      all groups (9.6%) and in 22 of 1,225 MDS patients (1.8%), 116 of 294 AA patients
      (39.5%), and four of 54 other BMF patients (7.8%). Among patients with PNH clones
      >= 1%, median clone size was smaller in patients with AA (5.1%) than in those
      with MDS (17.6%) or other BMF (24.4%), and the percentage of patients with
      lactate dehydrogenase levels (a marker for intravascular hemolysis) >= 1.5 *
      upper limit of normal was smaller in patients with AA (18.3%) than in those with
      MDS (42.0%). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the presence of PNH clones in
      high-risk patient groups and suggest that screening of such patients may
      facilitate patient management and care.

PMID- 24227695
TI  - An unconventional glycosyl transfer reaction: glucansucrase GTFA functions as an
      allosyltransferase enzyme.

PMID- 24227696
TI  - Imaging of the murine biliopancreatic tract at 7 Tesla: technique and results in
      a model of primary sclerosing cholangitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of a 7 Tesla (T) MR cholangiopancreatography
      (MRCP) protocol to image the morphology and detect and intraindividually monitor
      pathological changes of the biliopancreatic tract in a mouse model of primary
      sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six female Mdr2(Abcb)(-/-)
      mice, a well-established model of PSC, were imaged five times during weeks 10-19.
      Three wild-type controls were imaged at age 15 weeks. MRCP acquisition with three
      dimensional fast recovery fast spin echo sequences (3D-FRFSE) was performed using
      three sequences with different resolutions, repetition times (TR), and
      with/without respiration-gating in a 7 T preclinical MRI system. Image quality
      and visualization of five biliopancreatic structures were evaluated by three
      independent readers. RESULTS: Image quality was rated diagnostically sufficient
      in 86% of the datasets acquired without gating and in 100% for the respiration
      gated sequences. Intrahepatic ducts were well visualized (>= 97%) in Mdr2(-/-)
      mice. Stenoses and dilatations of the biliary ducts were intraindividually
      monitored. Progression and regression of bile duct pathologies were sufficiently
      assessed during the observation time. CONCLUSION: High-quality respiration-gated
      MRCP of the Mdr2(-/-) PSC model at 7 T allows for in vivo imaging of murine
      biliopancreatic tract and monitoring of bile duct pathologies, permitting
      longitudinal intraindividual studies in murine models of inflammatory bile duct
      diseases.

PMID- 24227697
TI  - Algal biomass conversion to bioethanol - a step-by-step assessment.
AB  - The continuous growth in global population and the ongoing development of
      countries such as China and India have contributed to a rapid increase in
      worldwide energy demand. Fossil fuels such as oil and gas are finite resources,
      and their current rate of consumption cannot be sustained. This, coupled with
      fossil fuels' role as pollutants and their contribution to global warming, has
      led to increased interest in alternative sources of energy production.
      Bioethanol, presently produced from energy crops, is one such promising
      alternative future energy source and much research is underway in optimizing its
      production. The economic and temporal constraints that crop feedstocks pose are
      the main downfalls in terms of the commercial viability of bioethanol production.
      As an alternative to crop feedstocks, significant research efforts have been put
      into utilizing algal biomass as a feedstock for bioethanol production. Whilst the
      overall process can vary, the conversion of biomass to bioethanol usually
      contains the following steps: (i) pretreatment of feedstock; (ii) hydrolysis; and
      (iii) fermentation of bioethanol. This paper reviews different technologies
      utilized in the pretreatment and fermentation steps, and critically assesses
      their applicability to bioethanol production from algal biomass. Two different
      established fermentation routes, single-stage fermentation and two-stage
      gasification/fermentation processes, are discussed. The viability of algal
      biomass as an alternative feedstock has been assessed adequately, and further
      research optimisation must be guided toward the development of cost-effective
      scalable methods to produce high bioethanol yield under optimum economy. 

PMID- 24227698
TI  - A bioinspired soft actuated material.
AB  - A class of soft actuated materials that can achieve lifelike motion is presented.
      By embedding pneumatic actuators in a soft material inspired by a biological
      muscle fibril architecture, and developing a simple finite element simulation of
      the same, tunable biomimetic motion can be achieved with fully soft structures,
      exemplified here by an active left ventricle simulator. 

PMID- 24227699
TI  - Targeted next-generation sequencing using fine-needle aspirates from
      adenocarcinomas of the lung.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Molecular testing of cancer is increasingly critical to medicine.
      Next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides comprehensive, unbiased, and
      inexpensive mutation analysis of multiple genes with a single test. However, to
      the authors' knowledge, the usefulness of NGS in fine-needle aspiration (FNA)
      specimens, which may be the only specimens available, is unknown. Non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC) is an ideal model in which to evaluate cytopathologic
      applications of NGS because FNA is used for diagnosis and staging and specific
      molecular therapeutic targets in NSCLC are known. Herein, the performance and
      quality of targeted NGS in FNA specimens from a small series of lung
      adenocarcinomas is evaluated. METHODS: Sequence data were generated from FNA
      specimens and paired formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from 5
      patients with lung adenocarcinoma. DNA was isolated from FNA aspirate smears and
      cores of FFPE tissue. Multiplex sequencing of 27 cancer-related genes was
      performed after hybrid capture enrichment. Read-quality metrics and single
      nucleotide variant calls were compared. RESULTS: The overall concordance of total
      reads across specimens was > 99% and the average concordance of single-nucleotide
      variants was 99.5%. The total reads generated, as well as the percentages of
      mapped, on-target, and unique reads were statistically indistinguishable (P >
      0.05) between FFPE and FNA preparations. There also was no difference in the
      depth of sequencing coverage, including exon-level coverage in known lung cancer
      mutation hotspots. CONCLUSIONS: DNA isolated from FNA slides yields
      comprehensive, accurate, and statistically indistinguishable sequence information
      compared with that obtained from FFPE tissue. These results support the
      integration of NGS technologies into the standard cytopathology workflow. Cancer
      (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:104-13. (c) 2013 American Cancer Society.

PMID- 24227700
TI  - Opioid utilization and opioid-related adverse events in nonsurgical patients in
      US hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies in the outpatient setting have demonstrated high rates
      of opioid prescribing and overdose-related deaths. Prescribing practices in
      hospitalized patients are unexamined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate patterns and
      predictors of opioid utilization in nonsurgical admissions to US hospitals,
      variation in use, and the association between hospital-level use and rates of
      severe opioid-related adverse events. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Adult
      nonsurgical admissions to 286 US hospitals. MEASUREMENTS: Opioid exposure and
      severe opioid-related adverse events during hospitalization, defined using
      hospital charges and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision,
      Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. RESULTS: Of 1.14 million admissions,
      opioids were used in 51%. The mean +/- standard deviation daily dose received in
      oral morphine equivalents was 68 +/- 185 mg; 23% of exposed received a total
      daily dose of >=100 mg oral morphine equivalents. Opioid-prescribing rates ranged
      from 5% in the lowest-prescribing hospital to 72% in the highest-prescribing
      hospital (mean, 51% +/- 10%). After adjusting for patient characteristics, the
      adjusted opioid-prescribing rates ranged from 33% to 64% (mean, 50% +/- standard
      deviation 4%). Among exposed, 0.60% experienced severe opioid-related adverse
      events. Hospitals with higher opioid-prescribing rates had higher adjusted
      relative risk of a severe opioid-related adverse event per patient exposed
      (relative risk: 1.23 [1.14-1.33] for highest-prescribing compared with lowest
      prescribing quartile). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of hospitalized nonsurgical
      patients were exposed to opioids, often at high doses. Hospitals that used
      opioids most frequently had increased adjusted risk of a severe opioid-related
      adverse event per patient exposed. Interventions to standardize and enhance the
      safety of opioid prescribing in hospitalized patients should be investigated.

PMID- 24227701
TI  - Prevalence and severity of categorical and dimensional personality disorders in
      adolescents with eating disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to explore and compare the prevalence
      of categorical and dimensional personality disorders (PDs) and their severity in
      Spanish adolescents with Eating Disorders (EDs). METHOD: Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition and International
      Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision-10 modules of the International
      Personality Disorder Examination were administered to a sample of 100 female
      adolescents with EDs (mean age=15.8 years, SD=0.9). RESULTS: 'Thirty-three per
      cent of the sample had at least one PD, in most cases a simple PD. The rate of
      PDs was 64-76% in bulimia patients, 22-28% in anorexia and 25% in EDs not
      otherwise specified. The highest dimensional scores were observed in bulimia,
      [corrected] mainly in borderline and histrionic PDs, and higher scores for
      anankastic PD in anorexia than in the other ED diagnoses. Overall, purging type
      EDs had higher cluster B personality pathology scores than restrictive type.'
      [corrected] The Publisher would like to apologize for this error and any
      confusion it may have caused. [corrected]. DISCUSSION: Adolescent female patients
      with ED have a risk of presenting a comorbid PD, especially patients with bulimia
      and purging type EDs.

PMID- 24227702
TI  - Mechanistic insights from substrate preference in unsaturated glucuronyl
      hydrolase.
AB  - Natural and synthetic unsaturated glucuronides were tested as substrates for
      Clostridium perfringens unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolase to probe its mechanism
      and to guide inhibitor design. Of the natural substrates, a chondroitin
      disaccharide substrate with sulfation of the primary alcohol on carbon 6 of its N
      acetylgalactosamine moiety was found to have the highest turnover number of any
      substrate reported for an unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolase, with kcat =112 s(-1)
      . Synthetic aryl glycoside substrates with electron-withdrawing aglycone
      substituents were cleaved more slowly than those with electron-donating
      substituents. Similarly, an unsaturated glucuronyl fluoride was found to be a
      particularly poor substrate, with kcat /Km =44 nM(-1) s(-1) -a very unusual
      result for a glycoside-cleaving enzyme. These results are consistent with a
      transition state with positive charge at carbon 5 and the endocyclic oxygen, as
      anticipated in the hydration mechanism proposed. However, several analogues
      designed to take advantage of strong enzyme binding to such a transition state
      showed little to no inhibition. This result suggests that further work is
      required to understand the true nature of the transition state stabilised by this
      enzyme.

PMID- 24227703
TI  - Variable spatiotemporal resolution three-dimensional Dixon sequence for rapid
      dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate a new variable spatiotemporal resolution dynamic contrast
      enhanced (DCE) MRI method termed DIfferential Subsampling with Cartesian Ordering
      (DISCO), for imaging of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DISCO combines
      variable density, pseudorandom k-space segmentation and two-point Dixon fat-water
      separation for high spatiotemporal resolution breast DCE MRI. During the contrast
      wash-in phase, view sharing is used to achieve high temporal resolution. Forty
      patients referred for breast MRI were imaged, 26 using the proposed DISCO
      sequence and 14 using a conventional low-spatial-resolution dynamic sequence
      (VIBRANT-FLEX) on a 3 Tesla scanner. DISCO dynamic images from 14 patients were
      compared with VIBRANT-FLEX images from 14 other patients. The image quality
      assessed by radiologist image ranking in a blinded manner, and the temporal
      characteristics of the two sequences were compared. RESULTS: A spatial resolution
      of 1.1 * 1.1 * 1.2 mm(3) (160 slices, 28 cm field of view) was achieved with
      axial bilateral coverage in 120 s. Dynamic images with ~ 9 s effective temporal
      resolution were generated during the 2-min contrast wash-in phase. The image
      quality of DISCO dynamic images ranked significantly higher than low spatial
      resolution VIBRANT-FLEX images (19.5 versus 9.5, Mann-Whitney U-test P =
      0.00914), with no significant differences in the maximum slope of aortic
      enhancement. CONCLUSION: DISCO is a promising variable-spatiotemporal-resolution
      imaging sequence for capturing the dynamics of rapidly enhancing tumors as well
      as structural features postcontrast. A near 1-mm isotropic spatial resolution was
      achieved with postcontrast static phase images in 120 s and dynamic phase images
      acquired in 9 s per phase.

PMID- 24227704
TI  - From flavors and pharmaceuticals to advanced biofuels: production of isoprenoids
      in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - Isoprenoids denote the largest group of chemicals in the plant kingdom and are
      employed for a wide range of applications in the food and pharmaceutical
      industry. In recent years, isoprenoids have additionally been recognized as
      suitable replacements for petroleum-derived fuels and could thus promote the
      transition towards a more sustainable society. To realize the biofuel potential
      of isoprenoids, a very efficient production system is required. While complex
      chemical structures as well as the low abundance in nature demonstrate the
      shortcomings of chemical synthesis and plant extraction, isoprenoids can be
      produced by genetically engineered microorganisms from renewable carbon sources.
      In this article, we summarize the development of isoprenoid applications from
      flavors and pharmaceuticals to advanced biofuels and review the strategies to
      design microbial cell factories, focusing on Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the
      production of these compounds. While the high complexity of biosynthetic pathways
      and the toxicity of certain isoprenoids still denote challenges that need to be
      addressed, metabolic engineering has enabled large-scale production of several
      terpenoids and thus, the utilization of these compounds is likely to expand in
      the future. 

PMID- 24227705
TI  - Synthesis of asymmetrically substituted terpyridines by palladium-catalyzed
      direct C-H arylation of pyridine N-oxides.
AB  - The synthesis of asymmetrically substituted 2,2':6',2''-terpyridines is reported.
      First, palladium-catalyzed C-H arylation of pyridine N-oxides with substituted
      bromopyridines gave 2,2'-bipyridine N-oxides, which were further arylated in a
      second step to form 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine N-oxides. Yields of up to 77% were
      obtained with N-oxides bearing an electron-withdrawing ethoxycarbonyl substituent
      in the 4-position. Pd(OAc)2 with either P(tBu)3 or P(o-tolyl)3 was used as the
      catalyst. Cyclometalated complexes derived from Pd(OAc)2 and these phosphines
      were also effective. K3PO4 as the base gave better results than K2CO3. Subsequent
      deoxygenation with H2 and Pd/C as the catalyst gave the asymmetrically
      substituted 2,2':6',2''-terpyridines in near quantitative yield. This reaction
      sequence significantly reduces the number of steps required in comparison with
      known cross-coupling methods and therefore allows convenient and scalable access
      to substituted terpyridines.

PMID- 24227706
TI  - Dedifferentiated liposarcoma and pleomorphic liposarcoma: a comparative study of
      cytomorphology and MDM2/CDK4 expression on fine-needle aspiration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) and pleomorphic liposarcoma
      (PLPS) are distinct high-grade liposarcomas. DDLPS is a nonlipogenic sarcoma
      characterized by amplification of MDM2 and CDK4. PLPS is a high-grade sarcoma
      containing lipoblasts, characterized by a complex karyotype and a more aggressive
      clinical course. Rarely, DDLPS shows lipogenic differentiation, mimicking PLPS.
      The cytomorphologic features of DDLPS and PLPS and the utility of ancillary
      studies have not been systemically analyzed. METHODS: Cytologic preparations of
      25 DDLPS and 13 PLPS, all histologically confirmed, were retrospectively reviewed
      along with clinical and cytogenetic data. Sample cellularity, vascular
      architecture, background material, predominant cell morphology, quality of the
      cytoplasm, and nuclear pleomorphism were compared for both tumor types.
      Immunohistochemistry for MDM2 and CDK4 was performed on cell blocks and/or core
      needle biopsies. RESULTS: Fine-needle aspirate smears from both DDLPS and PLPS
      were variably cellular, composed of cellular clusters and noncohesive cells.
      Abundant myxoid stroma was present in ~25% of DDLPS and PLPS cases, whereas
      branching curvilinear vessels were more common in DDLPS than in PLPS (7 of 25
      versus 2 of 13). Tumors were composed of predominantly spindled (18 of 25 DDLPS
      versus 3 of 13 PLPS) or epithelioid cells (7 of 25 DDLPS versus 6 of 13 PLPS).
      Pleomorphic cells were predominant in 3 PLPS, and were frequent in both (13 of 25
      DDLPS versus 10 of 13 PLPS). The cytoplasm was mostly fibrillary and often
      vacuolated in both entities. Other features included necrosis, mitoses, and a
      prominent inflammatory infiltrate. The main cytologic differences were the
      presence of marked pleomorphism, abundant lipoblasts, and cells with
      microvacuolated cytoplasm in most PLPS. A total of 24 (96%) and 20 (80%) cases of
      DDLPS expressed MDM2 and CDK4, respectively, whereas none of the PLPS expressed
      both markers. Six DDLPS tested showed ring or giant marker chromosomes and/or
      MDM2 amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization; 2 PLPS had complex
      karyotypes. CONCLUSIONS: DDLPS and PLPS exhibit variable and occasionally
      overlapping cytologic features. The presence of lipoblasts, cells with
      microvacuolated cytoplasm, and marked pleomorphism are more suggestive of PLPS,
      but these characteristics can be present in DDLPS. Coexpression of MDM2 and CDK4
      distinguishes DDLPS from PLPS.

PMID- 24227707
TI  - The readmission risk flag: using the electronic health record to automatically
      identify patients at risk for 30-day readmission.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Identification of patients at high risk for readmission is a crucial
      step toward improving care and reducing readmissions. The adoption of electronic
      health records (EHR) may prove important to strategies designed to risk stratify
      patients and introduce targeted interventions. OBJECTIVE: To develop and
      implement an automated prediction model integrated into our health system's EHR
      that identifies on admission patients at high risk for readmission within 30 days
      of discharge. DESIGN: Retrospective and prospective cohort. SETTING: Healthcare
      system consisting of 3 hospitals. PATIENTS: All adult patients admitted from
      August 2009 to September 2012. INTERVENTIONS: An automated readmission risk flag
      integrated into the EHR. MEASURES: Thirty-day all-cause and 7-day unplanned
      healthcare system readmissions. RESULTS: Using retrospective data, a single risk
      factor, >= 2 inpatient admissions in the past 12 months, was found to have the
      best balance of sensitivity (40%), positive predictive value (31%), and
      proportion of patients flagged (18%), with a C statistic of 0.62. Sensitivity
      (39%), positive predictive value (30%), proportion of patients flagged (18%), and
      C statistic (0.61) during the 12-month period after implementation of the risk
      flag were similar. There was no evidence for an effect of the intervention on 30
      day all-cause and 7-day unplanned readmission rates in the 12-month period after
      implementation. CONCLUSIONS: An automated prediction model was effectively
      integrated into an existing EHR and identified patients on admission who were at
      risk for readmission within 30 days of discharge.

PMID- 24227708
TI  - The protein kinase A regulatory subunit R1A (Prkar1a) plays critical roles in
      peripheral nerve development.
AB  - Signaling through cAMP has been implicated in Schwann cell (SC) proliferation and
      myelination, but the signaling pathway components downstream of cAMP required for
      SC function remain unknown. Protein kinase A (PKA) is a potential downstream
      effector of cAMP. Here, we induced loss of Prkar1a, the gene encoding the type 1A
      regulatory subunit of PKA, in SC to study its role in nerve development; loss of
      Prkar1a is predicted to elevate PKA activity. Conditional Prkar1a knock-out in
      mouse SC (Prkar1a-SCKO) resulted in a dramatic and persistent axonal sorting
      defect, and unexpectedly decreased SC proliferation in Prkar1a-SCKO nerves in
      vivo. Effects were cell autonomous as they were recapitulated in vitro in Prkar1a
      SCKO SC, which showed elevated PKA activity. In the few SCs sorted into 1:1
      relationships with axons in vivo, SC myelination was premature in Prkar1a-SCKO
      nerves, correlating with global increase in the cAMP-regulated transcription
      factor Oct-6 and expression of myelin basic protein. These data reveal a
      previously unknown role of PKA in axon sorting, an unexpected inhibitory role of
      PKA on SC cell proliferation in vivo and define the importance of Prkar1a in
      peripheral nerve development. 

PMID- 24227709
TI  - Gpr126 functions in Schwann cells to control differentiation and myelination via
      G-protein activation.
AB  - The myelin sheath surrounding axons ensures that nerve impulses travel quickly
      and efficiently, allowing for the proper function of the vertebrate nervous
      system. We previously showed that the adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor (aGPCR)
      Gpr126 is essential for peripheral nervous system myelination, although the
      molecular mechanisms by which Gpr126 functions were incompletely understood.
      aGPCRs are a significantly understudied protein class, and it was unknown whether
      Gpr126 couples to G-proteins. Here, we analyze Dhh(Cre);Gpr126(fl/fl) conditional
      mutants, and show that Gpr126 functions in Schwann cells (SCs) for radial sorting
      of axons and myelination. Furthermore, we demonstrate that elevation of cAMP
      levels or protein kinase A activation suppresses myelin defects in Gpr126 mouse
      mutants and that cAMP levels are reduced in conditional Gpr126 mutant peripheral
      nerve. Finally, we show that GPR126 directly increases cAMP by coupling to
      heterotrimeric G-proteins. Together, these data support a model in which Gpr126
      functions in SCs for proper development and myelination and provide evidence that
      these functions are mediated via G-protein-signaling pathways. 

PMID- 24227710
TI  - Safety signals in the primate amygdala.
AB  - The ability to distinguish danger from safety is crucial for survival. On the
      other hand, anxiety disorders can result from failures to dissociate safe cues
      from those that predict dangerous outcomes. The amygdala plays a major role in
      learning and signaling danger, and recently, evidence accumulates that it also
      acquires information to signal safety. Traditionally, safety is explored by
      paradigms that change the value of a previously dangerous cue, such as extinction
      or reversal; or by paradigms showing that a safe cue can inhibit responses to
      another danger-predicting cue, as in conditioned-inhibition. In real-life
      scenarios, many cues are never paired or tested with danger and remain neutral
      all along. A detailed study of neural responses to unpaired conditioned-stimulus
      (CS-) can therefore indicate whether information on safety-by-comparison is also
      acquired in the amygdala. We designed a multiple-CS study, with CS- from both
      visual and auditory modalities. Using discriminative aversive-conditioning, we
      find that responses in the primate amygdala develop for CS- of the same modality
      and of a different modality from that of the aversive CS+. Moreover, we find that
      responses are comparable in proportion, sign (increase/decrease), onset, and
      magnitude. These results indicate that the primate amygdala actively acquires
      signals about safety, and strengthen the hypothesis that failure in amygdala
      processing can result in failure to distinguish dangerous cues from safe ones and
      lead to maladaptive behaviors. 

PMID- 24227711
TI  - alpha6beta1 and alpha7beta1 integrins are required in Schwann cells to sort
      axons.
AB  - During development, Schwann cells extend lamellipodia-like processes to segregate
      large- and small-caliber axons during the process of radial sorting. Radial
      sorting is a prerequisite for myelination and is arrested in human neuropathies
      because of laminin deficiency. Experiments in mice using targeted mutagenesis
      have confirmed that laminins 211, 411, and receptors containing the beta1
      integrin subunit are required for radial sorting; however, which of the 11 alpha
      integrins that can pair with beta1 forms the functional receptor is unknown. Here
      we conditionally deleted all the alpha subunits that form predominant laminin
      binding beta1 integrins in Schwann cells and show that only alpha6beta1 and
      alpha7beta1 integrins are required and that alpha7beta1 compensates for the
      absence of alpha6beta1 during development. The absence of either alpha7beta1 or
      alpha6beta1 integrin impairs the ability of Schwann cells to spread and to bind
      laminin 211 or 411, potentially explaining the failure to extend cytoplasmic
      processes around axons to sort them. However, double alpha6/alpha7 integrin
      mutants show only a subset of the abnormalities found in mutants lacking all
      beta1 integrins, and a milder phenotype. Double-mutant Schwann cells can properly
      activate all the major signaling pathways associated with radial sorting and show
      normal Schwann cell proliferation and survival. Thus, alpha6beta1 and alpha7beta1
      are the laminin-binding integrins required for axonal sorting, but other Schwann
      cell beta1 integrins, possibly those that do not bind laminins, may also
      contribute to radial sorting during peripheral nerve development. 

PMID- 24227712
TI  - Changes in brain function occur years before the onset of cognitive impairment.
AB  - To develop targeted intervention strategies for the treatment of Alzheimer's
      disease, we first need to identify early markers of brain changes that occur
      before the onset of cognitive impairment. Here, we examine changes in resting
      state brain function in humans from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. We
      compared longitudinal changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), assessed by
      (15)O-water PET, over a mean 7 year period between participants who eventually
      developed cognitive impairment (n = 22) and those who remained cognitively normal
      (n = 99). Annual PET assessments began an average of 11 years before the onset of
      cognitive impairment in the subsequently impaired group, so all participants were
      cognitively normal during the scanning interval. A voxel-based mixed model
      analysis was used to compare groups with and without subsequent impairment.
      Participants with subsequent impairment showed significantly greater longitudinal
      rCBF increases in orbitofrontal, medial frontal, and anterior cingulate regions,
      and greater longitudinal decreases in parietal, temporal, and thalamic regions
      compared with those who maintained cognitive health. These changes were linear in
      nature and were not influenced by longitudinal changes in regional tissue volume.
      Although all participants were cognitively normal during the scanning interval,
      most of the accelerated rCBF changes seen in the subsequently impaired group
      occurred within regions thought to be critical for the maintenance of cognitive
      function. These changes also occurred within regions that show early accumulation
      of pathology in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that there may be a connection
      between early pathologic change and early changes in brain function. 

PMID- 24227713
TI  - A novel Hap1-Tsc1 interaction regulates neuronal mTORC1 signaling and
      morphogenesis in the brain.
AB  - Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a leading genetic cause of autism. The TSC
      proteins Tsc1 and Tsc2 control the mTORC1 signaling pathway in diverse cells, but
      how the mTORC1 pathway is specifically regulated in neurons remains to be
      elucidated. Here, using an interaction proteomics approach in neural cells
      including neurons, we uncover the brain-enriched protein huntingtin-associated
      protein 1 (Hap1) as a novel functional partner of Tsc1. Knockdown of Hap1
      promotes specification of supernumerary axons in primary hippocampal neurons and
      profoundly impairs the positioning of pyramidal neurons in the mouse hippocampus
      in vivo. The Hap1 knockdown-induced phenotypes in primary neurons and in vivo
      recapitulate the phenotypes induced by Tsc1 knockdown. We also find that Hap1
      knockdown in hippocampal neurons induces the downregulation of Tsc1 and
      stimulates the activity of mTORC1, as reflected by phosphorylation of the
      ribosomal protein S6. Inhibition of mTORC1 activity suppresses the Hap1 knockdown
      induced polarity phenotype in hippocampal neurons. Collectively, these findings
      define a novel link between Hap1 and Tsc1 that regulates neuronal mTORC1
      signaling and neuronal morphogenesis, with implications for our understanding of
      developmental disorders of cognition. 

PMID- 24227714
TI  - Medial habenula output circuit mediated by alpha5 nicotinic receptor-expressing
      GABAergic neurons in the interpeduncular nucleus.
AB  - The Chrna5 gene encodes the alpha5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit, an
      "accessory" subunit of pentameric nicotinic receptors, that has been shown to
      play a role in nicotine-related behaviors in rodents and is genetically linked to
      smoking behavior in humans. Here we have used a BAC transgenic mouse line,
      alpha5(GFP), to examine the cellular phenotype, connectivity, and function of
      alpha5-expressing neurons. Although the medial habenula (MHb) has been proposed
      as a site of alpha5 function, alpha5(GFP) is not detectable in the MHb, and
      alpha5 mRNA is expressed there only at very low levels. However, alpha5(GFP) is
      strongly expressed in a subset of neurons in the interpeduncular nucleus (IP),
      median raphe/paramedian raphe (MnR/PMnR), and dorsal tegmental area (DTg). Double
      label fluorescence in situ hybridization reveals that these neurons are
      exclusively GABAergic. Transgenic and conventional tract tracing show that
      alpha5(GFP) neurons in the IP project principally to the MnR/PMnR and
      DTg/interfascicular dorsal raphe, both areas rich in serotonergic neurons. The
      alpha5(GFP) neurons in the IP are located in a region that receives cholinergic
      fiber inputs from the ventral MHb, and optogenetically assisted circuit mapping
      demonstrates a monosynaptic connection between these cholinergic neurons and
      alpha5(GFP) IP neurons. Selective inhibitors of both alpha4beta2- and alpha3beta4
      containing nicotinic receptors were able to reduce nicotine-evoked inward
      currents in alpha5(GFP) neurons in the IP, suggesting a mixed nicotinic receptor
      profile in these cells. Together, these findings show that the alpha5-GABAergic
      interneurons form a link from the MHb to serotonergic brain centers, which is
      likely to mediate some of the behavioral effects of nicotine. 

PMID- 24227715
TI  - An updated midline rule: visual callosal connections anticipate shape and motion
      in ongoing activity across the hemispheres.
AB  - It is generally thought that callosal connections (CCs) in primary visual
      cortices serve to unify the visual scenery parted in two at the vertical midline
      (VM). Here, we present evidence that this applies also to visual features that do
      not cross yet but might cross the VM in the future. During reversible
      deactivation of the contralateral visual cortex in cats, we observed that
      ipsilaterally recorded neurons close to the border between areas 17 and 18
      receive selective excitatory callosal input on both ongoing and evoked activity.
      In detail, neurons responding well to a vertical Gabor patch moving away from the
      deactivated hemifield decreased prestimulus and stimulus-driven activity much
      more than those preferring motion toward the cooled hemifield. Further, activity
      of neurons responding to horizontal lines decreased more than the response to
      vertical lines. Embedding a single Gabor into a collinear line context
      selectively stabilized responses, especially when the context was limited to the
      intact hemifield. These findings indicate that CCs interconnect not only neurons
      coding for similar orientations but also for similar directions of motion. We
      conclude that CCs anticipate stimulus features that are potentially relevant for
      both hemifields (i.e., coherent motion but also collinear shape) because already
      prestimulus activity and activity to stimuli not crossing the VM revealed feature
      specificity. Finally, we hypothesize that intrinsic and callosal networks
      processing different orientations and directions are anisotropic close to the VM
      facilitating perceptual grouping along likely future motion or (shape)
      trajectories before the visual stimulus arrives. 

PMID- 24227716
TI  - Convergent rhythm generation from divergent cellular mechanisms.
AB  - Different modulatory inputs commonly elicit distinct rhythmic motor patterns from
      a central pattern generator (CPG), but they can instead elicit the same pattern.
      We are determining the rhythm-generating mechanisms in this latter situation,
      using the gastric mill (chewing) CPG in the crab (Cancer borealis) stomatogastric
      ganglion, where stimulating the projection neuron MCN1 (modulatory commissural
      neuron 1) or bath applying CabPK (C. borealis pyrokinin) peptide elicits the same
      gastric mill motor pattern, despite configuring different gastric mill circuits.
      In both cases, the core rhythm generator includes the same reciprocally
      inhibitory neurons LG (lateral gastric) and Int1 (interneuron 1), but the pyloric
      (food-filtering) circuit pacemaker neuron AB (anterior burster) is additionally
      necessary only for CabPK rhythm generation. MCN1 drives this rhythm generator by
      activating in the LG neuron the modulator-activated inward current (IMI), which
      waxes and wanes periodically due to phasic feedback inhibition of MCN1
      transmitter release. Each buildup of IMI enables the LG neuron to generate a self
      terminating burst and thereby alternate with Int1 activity. Here we establish
      that CabPK drives gastric mill rhythm generation by activating in the LG neuron
      IMI plus a slowly activating transient, low-threshold inward current (ITrans-LTS)
      that is voltage, time, and Ca(2+) dependent. Unlike MCN1, CabPK maintains a
      steady IMI activation, causing a subthreshold depolarization in LG that
      facilitates a periodic postinhibitory rebound burst caused by the regular buildup
      and decay of the availability of ITrans-LTS. Thus, different modulatory inputs
      can use different rhythm-generating mechanisms to drive the same neuronal rhythm.
      Additionally, the same ionic current (IMI) can play different roles under these
      different conditions, while different currents (IMI, ITrans-LTS) can play the
      same role. 

PMID- 24227717
TI  - CLN3 loss disturbs membrane microdomain properties and protein transport in brain
      endothelial cells.
AB  - Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL) is a fatal childhood-onset
      neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in ceroid lipofuscinosis neuronal
      3 (CLN3), a hydrophobic transmembrane protein of unresolved function. Previous
      studies indicate blood-brain barrier (BBB) defects in JNCL, and our earlier
      report showed prominent Cln3 expression in mouse brain endothelium. Here we find
      that CLN3 is necessary for normal trafficking of the microdomain-associated
      proteins caveolin-1, syntaxin-6, and multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) in
      brain endothelial cells. Correspondingly, CLN3-null cells have reduced caveolae,
      and impaired caveolae- and MDR1-related functions including endocytosis, drug
      efflux, and cell volume regulation. We also detected an abnormal blood-brain
      barrier response to osmotic stress in vivo. Evaluation of the plasma membrane
      with fluorescent sphingolipid probes suggests microdomain destabilization and
      enhanced fluidity in CLN3-null cells. In further work we found that application
      of the glycosphingolipid lactosylceramide to CLN3-deficient cells rescues protein
      transport and caveolar endocytosis. Last, we show that CLN3 localizes to the
      trans-Golgi network (TGN) and partitions with buoyant microdomain fractions. We
      propose that CLN3 facilitates TGN-to-plasma membrane transport of microdomain
      associated proteins. Insult to this pathway may underlie BBB dysfunction and
      contribute to JNCL pathogenesis. 

PMID- 24227718
TI  - Cortical reorganization after long-term adaptation to retinal lesions in humans.
AB  - Single-unit recordings demonstrated that the adult mammalian visual cortex is
      capable of reorganizing after induced retinal lesions. In humans, whether the
      adult cortex is capable of reorganizing has only been studied using functional
      magnetic resonance imaging, with equivocal results. Here, we exploited the
      phenomenon of visual crowding, a major limitation on object recognition, to show
      that, in humans with long-standing retinal (macular) lesions that afflict the
      fovea and thus use their peripheral vision exclusively, the signature properties
      of crowding are distinctly different from those of the normal periphery. Crowding
      refers to the inability to recognize objects when the object spacing is smaller
      than the critical spacing. Critical spacing depends only on the retinal location
      of the object, scales linearly with its distance from the fovea, and is
      approximately two times larger in the radial than the tangential direction with
      respect to the fovea, thus demonstrating the signature radial-tangential
      anisotropy of the crowding zone. Using retinal imaging combined with behavioral
      measurements, we mapped out the crowding zone at the precise peripheral retinal
      locations adopted by individuals with macular lesions as the new visual reference
      loci. At these loci, the critical spacings are substantially smaller along the
      radial direction than expected based on the normal periphery, resulting in a
      lower scaling of critical spacing with the eccentricity of the peripheral locus
      and a loss in the signature radial-tangential anisotropy of the crowding zone.
      These results imply a fundamental difference in the substrate of cortical
      processing in object recognition following long-term adaptation to macular
      lesions. 

PMID- 24227719
TI  - Preparing for selective inhibition within frontostriatal loops.
AB  - Action inhibition can globally prevent all motor output or selectively cancel
      specific actions during concurrent motor output. Here we examine the behavioral
      and neural basis of selective inhibition focusing on the role of preparation. In
      18 healthy human participants we manipulated the extent to which they could
      prepare for selective inhibition by providing or withholding information on what
      actions might need to be stopped. We show that, on average, information improves
      both speed and selectivity of inhibition. Functional magnetic resonance imaging
      data show that preparation for selective inhibition engages the inferior frontal
      gyrus, supplementary motor area, and striatum. Examining interindividual
      differences, we find the benefit of proactive control to speed and selectivity of
      inhibition trade off against each other, such that an improvement in stopping
      speed leads to a deterioration of selectivity of inhibition, and vice versa. This
      trade-off is implemented through engagement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
      and putamen. Our results suggest proactive selective inhibition is implemented
      within frontostriatal structures, and we provide evidence that a speed
      selectivity trade-off might underlie a range of findings reported previously. 

PMID- 24227720
TI  - Tonic activation of Bax primes neural progenitors for rapid apoptosis through a
      mechanism preserved in medulloblastoma.
AB  - Commitment to survival or apoptosis within expanding progenitor populations poses
      distinct risks and benefits to the organism. We investigated whether specialized
      mechanisms regulate apoptosis in mouse neural progenitors and in the progenitor
      derived brain tumor medulloblastoma. Here, we identified constitutive activation
      of proapoptotic Bax, maintained in check by Bcl-xL, as a mechanism for rapid cell
      death, common to postnatal neural progenitors and medulloblastoma. We found that
      tonic activation of Bax in cerebellar progenitors, along with sensitivity to DNA
      damage, was linked to differentiation state. In cerebellar progenitors, active
      Bax localized to mitochondria, where it was bound to Bcl-xL. Disruption of
      Bax:Bcl-xL binding by BH3-mimetic ABT 737 caused rapid apoptosis of cerebellar
      progenitors and primary murine medulloblastoma cells. Conditional deletion of Mcl
      1, in contrast, did not cause death of cerebellar progenitors. Our findings
      identify a mechanism for the sensitivity of brain progenitors to typical
      anticancer therapies and reveal that this mechanism persists in medulloblastoma,
      a malignant brain tumor markedly sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy. 

PMID- 24227721
TI  - Longitudinal growth curves of brain function underlying inhibitory control
      through adolescence.
AB  - Neuroimaging studies suggest that developmental improvements in inhibitory
      control are primarily supported by changes in prefrontal executive function.
      However, studies are contradictory with respect to how activation in prefrontal
      regions changes with age, and they have yet to analyze longitudinal data using
      growth curve modeling, which allows characterization of dynamic processes of
      developmental change, individual differences in growth trajectories, and
      variables that predict any interindividual variability in trajectories. In this
      study, we present growth curves modeled from longitudinal fMRI data collected
      over 302 visits (across ages 9 to 26 years) from 123 human participants. Brain
      regions within circuits known to support motor response control, executive
      control, and error processing (i.e., aspects of inhibitory control) were
      investigated. Findings revealed distinct developmental trajectories for regions
      within each circuit and indicated that a hierarchical pattern of maturation of
      brain activation supports the gradual emergence of adult-like inhibitory control.
      Mean growth curves of activation in motor response control regions revealed no
      changes with age, although interindividual variability decreased with
      development, indicating equifinality with maturity. Activation in certain
      executive control regions decreased with age until adolescence, and variability
      was stable across development. Error-processing activation in the dorsal anterior
      cingulate cortex showed continued increases into adulthood and no significant
      interindividual variability across development, and was uniquely associated with
      task performance. These findings provide evidence that continued maturation of
      error-processing abilities supports the protracted development of inhibitory
      control over adolescence, while motor response control regions provide early
      maturing foundational capacities and suggest that some executive control regions
      may buttress immature networks as error processing continues to mature. 

PMID- 24227722
TI  - D1 dopamine receptor coupling to PLCbeta regulates forward locomotion in mice.
AB  - Several studies have reported the coupling of dopamine signaling to phospholipase
      C beta (PLCbeta) both in vitro and in vivo. However, the precise physiological
      relevance of this signaling pathway in mediating dopamine behaviors is still
      unclear. Here we report that stimulation of dopamine receptor signaling in vivo
      with systemic administration of apomorphine, amphetamine, and cocaine leads to
      increased production of inositol triphosphate (IP3) in the mouse striatum. Using
      selective antagonists and dopamine D1 and D2 receptor knock-out animals, we show
      that the production of IP3 is mediated by the D1 receptor, but not the D2
      receptor. A selective blocker of PLCbeta, U73122, was used to assess the
      physiological relevance of D1-mediated IP3 production. We show that U73122
      inhibits the locomotor-stimulating effects of apomorphine, amphetamine, cocaine,
      and SKF81297. Furthermore, U73122 also suppresses the spontaneous hyperactivity
      exhibited by dopamine transporter knock-out mice. Importantly, the effects of
      U73122 are selective to dopamine-mediated hyperactivity, as this compound does
      not affect hyperactivity induced by the glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist MK801.
      Finally, we present evidence showing that an imbalance of D1- and D2-mediated
      signaling following U73122 treatment modifies the locomotor output of animals
      from horizontal locomotor activity to vertical activity, further highlighting the
      importance of the PLCbeta pathway in the regulation of forward locomotion via
      dopamine receptors. 

PMID- 24227723
TI  - Frontal cortex activation causes rapid plasticity of auditory cortical
      processing.
AB  - Neurons in the primary auditory cortex (A1) can show rapid changes in receptive
      fields when animals are engaged in sound detection and discrimination tasks. The
      source of a signal to A1 that triggers these changes is suspected to be in
      frontal cortical areas. How or whether activity in frontal areas can influence
      activity and sensory processing in A1 and the detailed changes occurring in A1 on
      the level of single neurons and in neuronal populations remain uncertain. Using
      electrophysiological techniques in mice, we found that pairing orbitofrontal
      cortex (OFC) stimulation with sound stimuli caused rapid changes in the sound
      driven activity within A1 that are largely mediated by noncholinergic mechanisms.
      By integrating in vivo two-photon Ca(2+) imaging of A1 with OFC stimulation, we
      found that pairing OFC activity with sounds caused dynamic and selective changes
      in sensory responses of neural populations in A1. Further, analysis of changes in
      signal and noise correlation after OFC pairing revealed improvement in neural
      population-based discrimination performance within A1. This improvement was
      frequency specific and dependent on correlation changes. These OFC-induced
      influences on auditory responses resemble behavior-induced influences on auditory
      responses and demonstrate that OFC activity could underlie the coordination of
      rapid, dynamic changes in A1 to dynamic sensory environments. 

PMID- 24227724
TI  - N-cadherin sustains motility and polarity of future cortical interneurons during
      tangential migration.
AB  - In the developing brain, cortical GABAergic interneurons migrate long distances
      from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) in which they are generated, to the
      cortex in which they settle. MGE cells express the cell adhesion molecule N
      cadherin, a homophilic cell-cell adhesion molecule that regulates numerous steps
      of brain development, from neuroepithelium morphogenesis to synapse formation. N
      cadherin is also expressed in embryonic territories crossed by MGE cells during
      their migration. In this study, we demonstrate that N-cadherin is a key player in
      the long-distance migration of future cortical interneurons. Using N-cadherin
      coated substrate, we show that N-cadherin-dependent adhesion promotes the
      migration of mouse MGE cells in vitro. Conversely, mouse MGE cells electroporated
      with a construct interfering with cadherin function show reduced cell motility,
      leading process instability, and impaired polarization associated with abnormal
      myosin IIB dynamics. In vivo, the capability of electroporated MGE cells to
      invade the developing cortical plate is altered. Using genetic ablation of N
      cadherin in mouse embryos, we show that N-cadherin-depleted MGEs are severely
      disorganized. MGE cells hardly exit the disorganized proliferative area. N
      cadherin ablation at the postmitotic stage, which does not affect MGE
      morphogenesis, alters MGE cell motility and directionality. The tangential
      migration to the cortex of N-cadherin ablated MGE cells is delayed, and their
      radial migration within the cortical plate is perturbed. Altogether, these
      results identify N-cadherin as a pivotal adhesion substrate that activates cell
      motility in future cortical interneurons and maintains cell polarity over their
      long-distance migration to the developing cortex. 

PMID- 24227725
TI  - Autoantibodies to epilepsy-related LGI1 in limbic encephalitis neutralize LGI1
      ADAM22 interaction and reduce synaptic AMPA receptors.
AB  - More than 30 mutations in LGI1, a secreted neuronal protein, have been reported
      with autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTE). Although LGI1
      haploinsufficiency is thought to cause ADLTE, the underlying molecular mechanism
      that results in abnormal brain excitability remains mysterious. Here, we focused
      on a mode of action of LGI1 autoantibodies associated with limbic encephalitis
      (LE), which is one of acquired epileptic disorders characterized by subacute
      onset of amnesia and seizures. We comprehensively screened human sera from
      patients with immune-mediated neurological disorders for LGI1 autoantibodies,
      which also uncovered novel autoantibodies against six cell surface antigens
      including DCC, DPP10, and ADAM23. Our developed ELISA arrays revealed a specific
      role for LGI1 antibodies in LE and concomitant involvement of multiple
      antibodies, including LGI1 antibodies in neuromyotonia, a peripheral nerve
      disorder. LGI1 antibodies associated with LE specifically inhibited the ligand
      receptor interaction between LGI1 and ADAM22/23 by targeting the EPTP repeat
      domain of LGI1 and reversibly reduced synaptic AMPA receptor clusters in rat
      hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, we found that disruption of LGI1-ADAM22
      interaction by soluble extracellular domain of ADAM22 was sufficient to reduce
      synaptic AMPA receptors in rat hippocampal neurons and that levels of AMPA
      receptor were greatly reduced in the hippocampal dentate gyrus in the epileptic
      LGI1 knock-out mouse. Therefore, either genetic or acquired loss of the LGI1
      ADAM22 interaction reduces the AMPA receptor function, causing epileptic
      disorders. These results suggest that by finely regulating the synaptic AMPA
      receptors, the LGI1-ADAM22 interaction maintains physiological brain excitability
      throughout life. 

PMID- 24227727
TI  - Cerebral arterial pulsation drives paravascular CSF-interstitial fluid exchange
      in the murine brain.
AB  - CSF from the subarachnoid space moves rapidly into the brain along paravascular
      routes surrounding penetrating cerebral arteries, exchanging with brain
      interstitial fluid (ISF) and facilitating the clearance of interstitial solutes,
      such as amyloid beta, in a pathway that we have termed the "glymphatic" system.
      Prior reports have suggested that paravascular bulk flow of CSF or ISF may be
      driven by arterial pulsation. However, cerebral arterial pulsation could not be
      directly assessed. In the present study, we use in vivo two-photon microscopy in
      mice to visualize vascular wall pulsatility in penetrating intracortical
      arteries. We observed that unilateral ligation of the internal carotid artery
      significantly reduced arterial pulsatility by ~50%, while systemic administration
      of the adrenergic agonist dobutamine increased pulsatility of penetrating
      arteries by ~60%. When paravascular CSF-ISF exchange was evaluated in real time
      using in vivo two-photon and ex vivo fluorescence imaging, we observed that
      internal carotid artery ligation slowed the rate of paravascular CSF-ISF
      exchange, while dobutamine increased the rate of paravascular CSF-ISF exchange.
      These findings demonstrate that cerebral arterial pulsatility is a key driver of
      paravascular CSF influx into and through the brain parenchyma, and suggest that
      changes in arterial pulsatility may contribute to accumulation and deposition of
      toxic solutes, including amyloid beta, in the aging brain.

PMID- 24227726
TI  - Tau pathology is present in vivo and develops in vitro in sensory neurons from
      human P301S tau transgenic mice: a system for screening drugs against
      tauopathies.
AB  - Intracellular tau aggregates are the neuropathological hallmark of several
      neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, progressive
      supranuclear palsy, and cases of frontotemporal dementia, but the link between
      these aggregates and neurodegeneration remains unclear. Neuronal models
      recapitulating the main features of tau pathology are necessary to investigate
      the molecular mechanisms of tau malfunction, but current models show little and
      inconsistent spontaneous tau aggregation. We show that dorsal root ganglion (DRG)
      neurons in transgenic mice expressing human P301S tau (P301S-htau) develop tau
      pathology similar to that found in brain and spinal cord and a significant
      reduction in mechanosensation occurs before detectable fibrillar tau formation.
      DRG neuronal cultures established from adult P301S-htau mice at different ages
      retained the pattern of aberrant tau found in vivo. Moreover, htau became
      progressively hyperphosphorylated over 2 months in vitro beginning with
      nonsymptomatic neurons, while hyperphosphorylated P301S-htau-positive neurons
      from 5-month-old mice cultured for 2 months died preferentially. P301S-htau
      positive neurons grew aberrant axons, including spheroids, typically found in
      human tauopathies. Neurons cultured at advanced stages of tau pathology showed a
      60% decrease in the fraction of moving mitochondria. SEG28019, a novel O
      GlcNAcase inhibitor, reduced steady-state pSer396/pSer404 phosphorylation over 7
      weeks in a significant proportion of DRG neurons showing for the first time the
      possible beneficial effect of prolonged dosing of O-GlcNAcase inhibitor in vitro.
      Our system is unique in that fibrillar tau forms without external manipulation
      and provides an important new tool for understanding the mechanisms of tau
      dysfunction and for screening of compounds for treatment of tauopathies. 

PMID- 24227728
TI  - Global facilitation of attended features is obligatory and restricts divided
      attention.
AB  - In many common situations such as driving an automobile it is advantageous to
      attend concurrently to events at different locations (e.g., the car in front, the
      pedestrian to the side). While spatial attention can be divided effectively
      between separate locations, studies investigating attention to nonspatial
      features have often reported a "global effect", whereby items having the attended
      feature may be preferentially processed throughout the entire visual field. These
      findings suggest that spatial and feature-based attention may at times act in
      direct opposition: spatially divided foci of attention cannot be truly
      independent if feature attention is spatially global and thereby affects all foci
      equally. In two experiments, human observers attended concurrently to one of two
      overlapping fields of dots of different colors presented in both the left and
      right visual fields. When the same color or two different colors were attended on
      the two sides, deviant targets were detected accurately, and visual-cortical
      potentials elicited by attended dots were enhanced. However, when the attended
      color on one side matched the ignored color on the opposite side, attentional
      modulation of cortical potentials was abolished. This loss of feature selectivity
      could be attributed to enhanced processing of unattended items that shared the
      color of the attended items in the opposite field. Thus, while it is possible to
      attend to two different colors at the same time, this ability is fundamentally
      constrained by spatially global feature enhancement in early visual-cortical
      areas, which is obligatory and persists even when it explicitly conflicts with
      task demands. 

PMID- 24227729
TI  - Uncoupling of EphA/ephrinA signaling and spontaneous activity in neural circuit
      wiring.
AB  - Classic studies have proposed that genetically encoded programs and spontaneous
      activity play complementary but independent roles in the development of neural
      circuits. Recent evidence, however, suggests that these two mechanisms could
      interact extensively, with spontaneous activity affecting the expression and
      function of guidance molecules at early developmental stages. Here, using the
      developing chick spinal cord and the mouse visual system to ectopically express
      the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir2.1 in individual embryonic neurons,
      we demonstrate that cell-intrinsic blockade of spontaneous activity in vivo does
      not affect neuronal identity specification, axon pathfinding, or EphA/ephrinA
      signaling during the development of topographic maps. However, intrinsic
      spontaneous activity is critical for axon branching and pruning once axonal
      growth cones reach their correct topographic position in the target tissues. Our
      experiments argue for the dissociation of spontaneous activity from hard-wired
      developmental programs in early phases of neural circuit formation. 

PMID- 24227730
TI  - The sigma-1 receptor interacts directly with GluN1 but not GluN2A in the
      GluN1/GluN2A NMDA receptor.
AB  - The sigma-1 receptor (Sig1R) is widely expressed in the CNS, where it has a
      neuroprotective role in ischemia and stroke and an involvement in schizophrenia.
      The Sig1R interacts functionally with a variety of ion channels, including the
      NMDA receptor (NMDAR). Here, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging to
      investigate the interaction between the Sig1R and the NMDAR. The Sig1R bound
      directly to GluN1/GluN2A NMDAR heterotetramers. Furthermore, the mean angle
      between pairs of bound Sig1Rs was 72 degrees . This result suggested that the
      Sig1R interacts with either GluN1 or GluN2A, but not both, and supports our
      recent demonstration that the NMDAR subunits adopt an adjacent (i.e., 1/1/2/2)
      arrangement. The Sig1R could be coisolated with GluN1 but not with GluN2A,
      indicating that GluN1 is its specific target within the NMDAR. Consistent with
      this conclusion, AFM imaging of coisolated Sig1R and GluN1 revealed GluN1 dimers
      decorated with Sig1Rs. In situ proximity ligation assays demonstrated that the
      Sig1R interacts with GluN1 (but not with GluN2A) within intact cells and also
      that its C terminus is extracellular. We conclude that the Sig1R binds to the
      GluN1/GluN2A NMDAR specifically via the GluN1 subunit. This interaction likely
      accounts for at least some of the modulatory effects of Sig1R ligands on the
      NMDAR. 

PMID- 24227731
TI  - Ventromedial prefrontal cortex pyramidal cells have a temporal dynamic role in
      recall and extinction of cocaine-associated memory.
AB  - In addicts, associative memories related to the rewarding effects of drugs of
      abuse can evoke powerful craving and drug seeking urges, but effective treatment
      to suppress these memories is not available. Detailed insight into the neural
      circuitry that mediates expression of drug-associated memory is therefore of
      crucial importance. Substantial evidence from rodent models of addictive behavior
      points to the involvement of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in
      conditioned drug seeking, but specific knowledge of the temporal role of vmPFC
      pyramidal cells is lacking. To this end, we used an optogenetics approach to
      probe the involvement of vmPFC pyramidal cells in expression of a recent and
      remote conditioned cocaine memory. In mice, we expressed Channelrhodopsin-2
      (ChR2) or Halorhodopsin (eNpHR3.0) in pyramidal cells of the vmPFC and studied
      the effect of activation or inhibition of these cells during expression of a
      cocaine-contextual memory on days 1-2 (recent) and ~3 weeks (remote) after
      conditioning. Whereas optical activation of pyramidal cells facilitated
      extinction of remote memory, without affecting recent memory, inhibition of
      pyramidal cells acutely impaired recall of recent cocaine memory, without
      affecting recall of remote memory. In addition, we found that silencing pyramidal
      cells blocked extinction learning at the remote memory time-point. We provide
      causal evidence of a critical time-dependent switch in the contribution of vmPFC
      pyramidal cells to recall and extinction of cocaine-associated memory, indicating
      that the circuitry that controls expression of cocaine memories reorganizes over
      time. 

PMID- 24227732
TI  - The Fragile X mental retardation protein regulates matrix metalloproteinase 9
      mRNA at synapses.
AB  - Activity-dependent protein synthesis at synapses is dysregulated in the Fragile X
      syndrome (FXS). This process contributes to dendritic spine dysmorphogenesis and
      synaptic dysfunction in FXS. Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is an enzyme
      involved in activity-dependent reorganization of dendritic spine architecture and
      was shown to regulate spine morphology in a mouse model of FXS, the Fmr1 knock
      out mice. Here we show that MMP-9 mRNA is part of the FMRP complex and
      colocalizes in dendrites. In the absence of FMRP MMP-9 mRNA translation is
      increased at synapses, suggesting that this mechanism contributes to the
      increased metalloproteinase level at synapses of Fmr1 knock-out mice. We propose
      that such a local effect can contribute to the aberrant dendritic spine
      morphology observed in the Fmr1 knock-out mice and in patients with FXS. 

PMID- 24227733
TI  - Early auditory processing in area V5/MT+ of the congenitally blind brain.
AB  - Previous imaging studies of congenital blindness have studied individuals with
      heterogeneous causes of blindness, which may influence the nature and extent of
      cross-modal plasticity. Here, we scanned a homogeneous group of blind people with
      bilateral congenital anophthalmia, a condition in which both eyes fail to
      develop, and, as a result, the visual pathway is not stimulated by either light
      or retinal waves. This model of congenital blindness presents an opportunity to
      investigate the effects of very early visual deafferentation on the functional
      organization of the brain. In anophthalmic animals, the occipital cortex receives
      direct subcortical auditory input. We hypothesized that this pattern of
      subcortical reorganization ought to result in a topographic mapping of auditory
      frequency information in the occipital cortex of anophthalmic people. Using
      functional MRI, we examined auditory-evoked activity to pure tones of high,
      medium, and low frequencies. Activity in the superior temporal cortex was
      significantly reduced in anophthalmic compared with sighted participants. In the
      occipital cortex, a region corresponding to the cytoarchitectural area V5/MT+ was
      activated in the anophthalmic participants but not in sighted controls. Whereas
      previous studies in the blind indicate that this cortical area is activated to
      auditory motion, our data show it is also active for trains of pure tone stimuli
      and in some anophthalmic participants shows a topographic mapping (tonotopy).
      Therefore, this region appears to be performing early sensory processing,
      possibly served by direct subcortical input from the pulvinar to V5/MT+. 

PMID- 24227734
TI  - Body and object effectors: the organization of object representations in high
      level visual cortex reflects body-object interactions.
AB  - The principles driving the functional organization of object representations in
      high-level visual cortex are not yet fully understood. In four human fMRI
      experiments, we provide evidence that the organization of high-level visual
      cortex partly reflects the degree to which objects are typically controlled by
      the body to interact with the world, thereby extending the body's boundaries.
      Univariate whole-brain analysis showed an overlap between responses to body
      effectors (e.g., hands, feet, and limbs) and object effectors (e.g., hammers,
      combs, and tennis rackets) in lateral occipitotemporal cortex (LOTC) and parietal
      cortex. Region of interest analyses showed that a hand-selective region in left
      LOTC responded selectively to object effectors relative to a range of noneffector
      object control conditions (e.g., graspable objects, "act-on" objects, musical
      instruments). Object ratings showed that the strong response to object effectors
      in hand-selective LOTC was not due to general action-related object properties
      shared with these control conditions, such as hand priming, hand grasping, and
      hand-action centrality. Finally, whole-brain representational similarity analysis
      revealed that the similarity of multivoxel object response patterns in left
      lateral occipitotemporal cortex selectively predicted the degree to which objects
      were rated as being controlled by and extending the body. Together, these results
      reveal a clustering of body and object effector representations, indicating that
      the organization of object representations in high-level visual cortex partly
      reflects how objects relate to the body. 

PMID- 24227735
TI  - Compression and suppression of shifting receptive field activity in frontal eye
      field neurons.
AB  - Before each saccade, neurons in frontal eye field anticipate the impending eye
      movement by showing sensitivity to stimuli appearing where the neuron's receptive
      field will be at the end of the saccade, referred to as the future field (FF) of
      the neuron. We explored the time course of this anticipatory activity in monkeys
      by briefly flashing stimuli in the FF at different times before saccades.
      Different neurons showed substantial variation in FF time course, but two salient
      observations emerged. First, when we compared the time span of stimulus probes
      before the saccade to the time span of FF activity, we found a striking temporal
      compression of FF activity, similar to compression seen for perisaccadic stimuli
      in human psychophysics. Second, neurons with distinct FF activity also showed
      suppression at the time of the saccade. The increase in FF activity and the
      decrease with suppression were temporally independent, making the patterns of
      activity difficult to separate. We resolved this by constructing a simple model
      with values for the start, peak, and duration of FF activity and suppression for
      each neuron. The model revealed the different time courses of FF sensitivity and
      suppression, suggesting that information about the impending saccade triggering
      suppression reaches the frontal eye field through a different pathway, or a
      different mechanism, than that triggering FF activity. Recognition of the
      variations in the time course of anticipatory FF activity provides critical
      information on its function and its relation to human visual perception at the
      time of the saccade. 

PMID- 24227736
TI  - Microglial CD33-related Siglec-E inhibits neurotoxicity by preventing the
      phagocytosis-associated oxidative burst.
AB  - Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins (Siglecs) are members of the Ig superfamily
      that recognize sialic acid residues of glycoproteins. Siglec-E is a mouse CD33
      related Siglec that preferentially binds to sialic acid residues of the cellular
      glycocalyx. Here, we demonstrate gene transcription and protein expression of
      Siglec-E by cultured mouse microglia. Siglec-E on microglia inhibited
      phagocytosis of neural debris and prevented the production of superoxide radicals
      induced by challenge with neural debris. Soluble extracellular Siglec-E receptor
      protein bound to the neural glycocalyx. Coculture of mouse microglia and neurons
      demonstrated a neuroprotective effect of microglial Siglec-E that was dependent
      on neuronal sialic acid residues. Increased neurotoxicity of microglia after
      knockdown of Siglece mRNA was neutralized by the reactive oxygen species
      scavenger Trolox. Data suggest that Siglec-E recognizes the intact neuronal
      glycocalyx and has neuroprotective function by preventing phagocytosis and the
      associated oxidative burst. 

PMID- 24227737
TI  - Neural codes formed by small and temporally precise populations in auditory
      cortex.
AB  - The encoding of sensory information by populations of cortical neurons forms the
      basis for perception but remains poorly understood. To understand the constraints
      of cortical population coding we analyzed neural responses to natural sounds
      recorded in auditory cortex of primates (Macaca mulatta). We estimated stimulus
      information while varying the composition and size of the considered population.
      Consistent with previous reports we found that when choosing subpopulations
      randomly from the recorded ensemble, the average population information increases
      steadily with population size. This scaling was explained by a model assuming
      that each neuron carried equal amounts of information, and that any overlap
      between the information carried by each neuron arises purely from random sampling
      within the stimulus space. However, when studying subpopulations selected to
      optimize information for each given population size, the scaling of information
      was strikingly different: a small fraction of temporally precise cells carried
      the vast majority of information. This scaling could be explained by an extended
      model, assuming that the amount of information carried by individual neurons was
      highly nonuniform, with few neurons carrying large amounts of information.
      Importantly, these optimal populations can be determined by a single biophysical
      marker-the neuron's encoding time scale-allowing their detection and readout
      within biologically realistic circuits. These results show that extrapolations of
      population information based on random ensembles may overestimate the population
      size required for stimulus encoding, and that sensory cortical circuits may
      process information using small but highly informative ensembles. 

PMID- 24227738
TI  - Electrical stimulation of the human homolog of the medial superior temporal area
      induces visual motion blindness.
AB  - Despite tremendous advances in neuroscience research, it is still unclear how
      neuronal representations of sensory information give rise to the contents of our
      perception. One of the first and also the most compelling pieces of evidence for
      direct involvement of cortical signals in perception comes from electrical
      stimulation experiments addressing the middle temporal (MT) area and the medial
      superior temporal (MST) area: two neighboring extrastriate cortical areas of the
      monkey brain housing direction-sensitive neurons. Here we have combined fMRI with
      electrical stimulation in a patient undergoing awake brain surgery, to separately
      probe the functional significance of the human homologs, i.e., area hMT and hMST,
      on motion perception. Both the stimulation of hMT and hMST made it impossible for
      the patient to perceive the global visual motion of moving random dot patterns.
      Although visual motion blindness was predominantly observed in the contralateral
      visual field, stimulation of hMST also affected the ipsilateral hemifield. These
      results suggest that early visual cortex up to the stage of MT is not sufficient
      for the perception of global visual motion. Rather, visual motion information
      must be mediated to higher-tier cortical areas, including hMST, to gain access to
      conscious perception. 

PMID- 24227739
TI  - CRMP2 tethers kainate receptor activity to cytoskeleton dynamics during neuronal
      maturation.
AB  - The CRMP2 and CRMP4 proteins are strongly expressed in the developing nervous
      system, mediating neurite outgrowth, neuronal polarity, and axon guidance. In the
      present study, we demonstrate the interaction of the CRMP2 and CRMP4 proteins
      with the GluK5 subunit of the kainate (KA) receptor (KAR) and investigated the
      role of KARs in modulating the development of cultured mouse DRG neurons. We
      found that KARs modulate neuronal maturation and neurite outgrowth in a
      bidirectional manner. Accordingly, low concentrations of KA delayed maturation
      and enhanced neurite outgrowth, whereas maturation was promoted by higher
      concentrations of KA that attenuated neuritic elongation. The effects of weak KAR
      activation were prevented by blocking their noncanonical signaling and involved a
      differential regulation of CRMP2. Whereas the delay in maturation involves PKC
      mediated phosphorylation of CRMP2 at T555 leading to a downregulation of membrane
      Cav2.2, the promotion of neurite outgrowth is achieved by dephosphorylation at
      T514 at the growth cones, the latter reflecting PKC-driven enhancement of
      GSK3beta phosphorylation at S9. Together, these findings indicate that
      noncanonical KAR signaling influences neuronal development by modulating CRMP2
      activity. 

PMID- 24227740
TI  - Role of somatosensory cortex in visuospatial attention.
AB  - The human somatosensory cortex (S1) is not among the brain areas usually
      associated with visuospatial attention. However, such a function can be presumed,
      given the recently identified eye proprioceptive input to S1 and the established
      links between gaze and attention. Here we investigated a rare patient with a
      focal lesion of the right postcentral gyrus that interferes with the processing
      of eye proprioception without affecting the ability to locate visual objects
      relative to her body or to execute eye movements. As a behavioral measure of
      spatial attention, we recorded fixation time during visual search and reaction
      time for visual discrimination in lateral displays. In contrast to a group of age
      matched controls, the patient showed a gradient in looking time and in visual
      sensitivity toward the midline. Because an attention bias in the opposite
      direction, toward the ipsilesional space, occurs in patients with spatial
      neglect, in a second study, we asked whether the incidental coinjury of S1
      together with the neglect-typical perisylvian lesion leads to a milder neglect. A
      voxelwise lesion behavior mapping analysis of a group of right-hemisphere stroke
      patients supported this hypothesis. The effect of an isolated S1 lesion on visual
      exploration and visual sensitivity as well as the modulatory role of S1 in
      spatial neglect suggest a role of this area in visuospatial attention. We
      hypothesize that the proprioceptive gaze signal in S1, although playing only a
      minor role in locating visual objects relative to the body, affects the
      allocation of attention in the visual space. 

PMID- 24227741
TI  - Synapsin II and Rab3a cooperate in the regulation of epileptic and synaptic
      activity in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.
AB  - Some forms of idiopathic epilepsy in animals and humans are associated with
      deficiency of synapsin, a phosphoprotein that reversibly associates with synaptic
      vesicles. We have previously shown that the epileptic phenotype seen in synapsin
      II knock-out mice (SynII(-)) can be rescued by the genetic deletion of the Rab3a
      protein. Here we have examined the cellular basis for this rescue using whole
      cell recordings from CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells in brain slices. We find
      that SynII(-) neurons have increased spontaneous activity and a reduced threshold
      for the induction of epileptiform activity by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Using
      selective recordings of glutamatergic and GABAergic activity we show that in wild
      type neurons low concentrations of 4-AP facilitate glutamatergic and GABAergic
      transmission in a balanced way, whereas in SynII(-) neurons this balance is
      shifted toward excitation. This imbalance reflects a deficit in inhibitory
      synaptic transmission that appears to be secondary to reduced Ca(2+) sensitivity
      in SynII(-) neurons. This suggestion is supported by our finding that synaptic
      and epileptiform activity at SynII(-) and wild-type synapses is similar when
      GABAergic transmission is blocked. Deletion of Rab3a results in glutamatergic
      synapses that have a compromised responsiveness to either low 4-AP concentrations
      or elevated extracellular Ca(2+). These changes mitigate the overexcitable
      phenotype observed in SynII(-) neurons. Thus, Rab3a deletion appears to restore
      the excitatory/inhibitory imbalance observed in SynII(-) hippocampal slices
      indirectly, not by correcting the deficit in GABAergic synaptic transmission but
      rather by impairing excitatory glutamatergic synaptic transmission. 

PMID- 24227742
TI  - Glial control of endocannabinoid heterosynaptic modulation in hypothalamic
      magnocellular neuroendocrine cells.
AB  - Cannabinoid receptors are functionally operant at both glutamate and GABA
      synapses on hypothalamic magnocellular neuroendocrine cells; however, retrograde
      endocannabinoid actions are evoked at only glutamate synapses. We tested whether
      the functional targeting of evoked retrograde endocannabinoid actions to
      glutamate, and not GABA, synapses on magnocellular neurons is the result of the
      spatial restriction of extracellular endocannabinoids by astrocytes. Whole-cell
      GABA synaptic currents were recorded in magnocellular neurons in rat hypothalamic
      slices following manipulations to reduce glial buffering of extracellular
      signals. Depolarization- and glucocorticoid-evoked retrograde endocannabinoid
      suppression of synaptic GABA release was not detected under normal conditions,
      but occurred in both oxytocin and vasopressin neurons under conditions of
      attenuated glial coverage and depressed glial metabolic function, suggesting an
      emergent endocannabinoid modulation of GABA synapses with the loss of astrocyte
      function. Tonic endocannabinoid suppression of GABA release was insensitive to
      glial manipulation. Blocking cannabinoid transport mimicked, and increasing the
      extracellular viscosity reversed, the effect of suppressed glial buffering on the
      endocannabinoid modulation of GABA release. Evoked, but not tonic,
      endocannabinoid modulation of GABA synapses was mediated by 2
      arachidonoylglycerol. Therefore, depolarization- and glucocorticoid-evoked 2
      arachidonoylglycerol release from magnocellular neurons is spatially restricted
      to glutamate synapses by astrocytes, but spills over onto GABA synapses under
      conditions of reduced astrocyte buffering; tonic endocannabinoid modulation of
      GABA release, in contrast, is likely mediated by anandamide and is insensitive to
      astrocytic buffering. Astrocytes, therefore, provide dynamic control of stimulus
      evoked 2-arachidonoylglycerol, but not tonic anandamide, regulation of GABA
      synaptic inputs to magnocellular neuroendocrine cells under different
      physiological conditions. 

PMID- 24227743
TI  - Fast hemodynamic responses in the visual cortex of the awake mouse.
AB  - Hemodynamic responses in mice and other species are typically measured under
      anesthesia. However, anesthesia could influence their relationship to neural
      activity. To investigate this relationship, we used optical imaging in mouse
      primary visual cortex (V1). Hemodynamic responses yielded clear maps of
      retinotopy in both anesthetized and awake mice. However, during wakefulness,
      responses were four times larger and twice as fast. These differences held
      whether we induced anesthesia with urethane or isoflurane and whether awake mice
      were stationary or running on a treadmill. With electrode recordings, we
      established that the effects of wakefulness reflect changes in neurovascular
      coupling, not in neural activity. By activating V1 directly via optogenetics, we
      replicated the effects of wakefulness in terms of timing but not of amplitude. We
      conclude that neurovascular coupling depends critically on anesthesia and
      wakefulness: during wakefulness, neural activity is followed by much stronger and
      quicker hemodynamic responses. 

PMID- 24227744
TI  - Black carbon accrual during 2000 years of paddy-rice and non-paddy cropping in
      the Yangtze River Delta, China.
AB  - Rice straw burning has accompanied paddy management for millennia, introducing
      black carbon (BC) into soil as the residue of incomplete combustion. This study
      examined the contribution of BC to soil organic matter and the rate at which it
      accumulates in paddy soils as a result of prolonged paddy management. Soil depth
      profiles were sampled along a chronosequence of 0-2000 years of rice-wheat
      rotation systems and adjacent non-paddy systems (50-700 years) in the Bay of
      Hangzhou (Zhejiang province, China). The soil BC content and its degree of
      condensation were assessed using benzene-polycarboxylic acids (BPCAs) as
      geochemical markers. The results showed that despite regular long term BC input,
      BC only contributed 7-11% of total soil organic carbon (SOC) in the topsoil
      horizons. Nevertheless, along with SOC, paddy soils accumulated BC with
      increasing duration of management until 297 years to reach a steady-state of 13 t
      BC ha(-1). This was 1.8 times more than in non-paddy soils. The fate of BC in
      paddy soils (0-1 m) could be modeled revealing an average annual input of 44 kg
      ha(-1) yr(-1), and a mean residence time of 303 years. The subsoils contributed
      at least 50% to overall BC stocks, which likely derived from periods prior to
      land embankment and episodic burial of ancient topsoil, as also indicated by BPCA
      pattern changes. We conclude that there is a significant but limited accumulation
      of C in charred forms upon prolonged paddy management. The final contribution of
      BC to total SOC in paddy soils was similar to that in other aerobic ecosystems of
      the world.

PMID- 24227745
TI  - Abnormal photocurrent response and enhanced photocatalytic activity induced by
      charge transfer between WS(2) nanosheets and WO(3) nanoparticles.
AB  - Sun trap: Pure WS2 nanosheets are prepared that exhibit excellent photosensitive
      properties. After functionalization with WO3 nanoparticles, abnormal photocurrent
      responses, enhanced photocatalytic activity, and induced photoluminescence is
      observed. 

PMID- 24227746
TI  - Microarray platform affords improved product analysis in mammalian cell growth
      studies.
AB  - High throughput (HT) platforms serve as a cost-efficient and rapid screening
      method for evaluating the effect of cell-culture conditions and screening of
      chemicals. We report the development of a HT cell-based microarray platform to
      assess the effect of culture conditions on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.
      Specifically, growth, transgene expression and metabolism of a GS/methionine
      sulphoximine (MSX) CHO cell line, which produces a therapeutic monoclonal
      antibody, was examined using a microarray system in conjunction with a
      conventional shake flask platform in a non-proprietary medium. The microarray
      system consists of 60-nL spots of cells encapsulated in alginate and separated in
      groups via an 8-well chamber system attached to the chip. Results show the non
      proprietary medium developed allows cell growth, production, and normal
      glycosylation of recombinant antibody and metabolism of the recombinant CHO cells
      in both the microarray and shake flask platforms. In addition, 10.3 mM glutamate
      addition to the defined base medium results in lactate metabolism shift in the
      recombinant GS/MSX CHO cells in the shake flask platform. Ultimately, the results
      demonstrate that the HT microarray platform has the potential to be utilized for
      evaluating the impact of media additives on cellular processes, such as cell
      growth, metabolism, and productivity. 

PMID- 24227747
TI  - Does spatial ability help the learning of anatomy in a biomedical science course?
AB  - A three-dimensional appreciation of the human body is the cornerstone of clinical
      anatomy. Spatial ability has previously been found to be associated with
      students' ability to learn anatomy and their examination performance. The
      teaching of anatomy has been the subject of major change over the last two
      decades with the reduction in time spent on dissection and greater use of web
      based and computer-based resources. In this study, we examine whether the
      relationship between spatial ability and performance in anatomy examinations is
      sustained in a contemporary curriculum. A comparison of students' performance in
      a series of tests of spatial ability to their anatomy examination scores in
      biomedical sciences course exhibited only weak association (r = 0.145 and P =
      0.106). This has implications for the use of spatial ability as a predictor of
      success in introductory subjects in the teaching of anatomy.

PMID- 24227749
TI  - Cyclopalladation and reactivity of amino esters through C-H bond activation:
      experimental, kinetic, and density functional theory mechanistic studies.
AB  - The orthopalladation, through C-H bond activation, of a large number of amino
      esters and amino phosphonates derived from phenylglycine, and having different
      substituents at the aryl ring and the C-alpha atom, as well as on the N-amine
      atom, has been studied. The experimental observations indicated an improvement in
      the yields of the orthopalladated compounds when the N-amine and/or the C-alpha
      atom are substituted, when compared with the unsubstituted methyl phenylglycinate
      derivatives. In contrast, substitutions at the aryl ring do not promote
      significant changes in the orthometalation results. Furthermore, the use of
      hydrochloride salts of the amino esters has also been shown to have a remarkably
      favorable effect on the process. All these observations have been fully
      quantified at different temperatures and pressures by a detailed kinetic study in
      solution in different solvents and in the presence and absence of added Bronsted
      acids and chloride anions. The data collected indicate relevant changes in the
      process depending on these conditions, as expected from the general background
      known for cyclopalladation reactions. An electronic mechanism of the
      orthopalladation has been proposed based on DFT calculations at the B3LYP level,
      and a very good agreement between the trends kinetically measured and the
      theoretically calculated activation barriers has been obtained. The reactivity of
      the new orthopalladated amino phosphonate derivatives has been tested and it was
      found that their halogenation, alkoxylation and carbonylation resulted in
      formation of the corresponding functionalized ortho-haloaminophosphonates, ortho
      alkoxyaminophosphonates and oxoisoindolinylphosphonates.

PMID- 24227748
TI  - Caring about prognosis: a validation study of the caring criteria to identify
      hospitalized patients at high risk for death at 1 year.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Identifying patients, at the time of hospital admission, who are at
      high risk for 1-year mortality is an ideal opportunity to introduce palliative
      interventions into the hospital care plan. The CARING (C = primary diagnosis of
      cancer, A = >= 2 admissions to the hospital for a chronic illness within the last
      year; R = resident in a nursing home; I = intensive care unit admission with
      multiorgan failure, NG = noncancer hospice guidelines [meeting >= 2 of the
      National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's guidelines] criteria is a
      practical prognostic index developed and validated in the Veteran's
      Administration hospital setting that identifies patients at high risk of death
      within 1 year, although its effectiveness in a broader patient population is
      unknown. OBJECTIVE: To validate the CARING criteria in a university and safety
      net hospital setting. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING:
      Inpatient. PATIENTS: Adults admitted to medical and surgical inpatient services
      during the study period of July 2005 through August 2005. MEASUREMENTS: Mortality
      at 1 year following the index hospitalization was the primary end point. The
      CARING criteria were abstracted from the chart using only medical data available
      at time of admission. RESULTS: At total of 1064 patients were admitted during the
      study period. Primary diagnosis of cancer (odds ratio [OR) = 7.23 [4.45-11.75]),
      intensive care unit admission with multiple organ failure (OR = 6.97 [2.75
      17.68]), >2 noncancer hospice guidelines (OR = 15.55 [7.28-33.23]), and age (OR =
      1.60 [1.32-1.93]) were predictive of 1-year mortality (C statistic = 0.79). One
      year survival was significantly lower for those who met >= 1 of the CARING
      criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The CARING criteria are a practical prognostic tool
      validated in a broad inpatient population that can be utilized on hospital
      admission to estimate risk of death in 1 year, with the goal of identifying
      patients who may benefit most from incorporating palliative interventions into
      their hospital plan of care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:696-701. (c)
      2013 Society of Hospital Medicine.

PMID- 24227750
TI  - Study of intermolecular interactions in the corrole matrix by solid-state NMR
      under 100 kHz MAS and theoretical calculations.

PMID- 24227751
TI  - A blueprint for cost-efficient localization microscopy.
AB  - Crystal clear: The authors introduce a miniaturized localization microscopy setup
      based on cost-effective components. They demonstrate its feasibility for
      subdiffraction resolution fluorescence imaging in resolving different cellular
      nanostructures. The setup can be used advantageously in practical courses for
      training students in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. 

PMID- 24227752
TI  - Aging results in molecular changes in an enriched population of undifferentiated
      rat spermatogonia.
AB  - A strong correlation exists between increasing paternal age and a decline in
      reproductive function. Testis aging is associated with testicular atrophy,
      increased DNA damage, and de novo mutations. It is unclear whether these problems
      arise from the spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), a buildup of anomalies as older
      germ cells progress through spermatogenesis, or both. We hypothesize that with
      the continual divisions of SSCs that maintain the germ cell population, an
      alteration of these cells occurs over time. To test this, we utilized young (4-mo
      old) and aged (18- and 21-mo-old) transgenic rats that express GFP in germ cells
      only. We first examined the number and activity of SSCs from the different age
      groups by transplantation. Aged rats had numerically fewer SSCs than young rats
      (<50%; not significant) despite the lack of testicular atrophy, and 21-mo-old
      rats show a significant reduction in colony length, suggesting that the quality
      of SSCs also deteriorates. To evaluate any molecular changes occurring in the
      early cells of spermatogenesis with age, we isolated an SSC-enriched population
      of CD9-positive (CD9(+)) cells using fluorescence-activated cell sorting
      (confirmed by transplantation studies) and extracted RNA for microarray analysis.
      In the aged CD9(+) cells, 60 transcripts were upregulated and more than 500
      downregulated compared to the young cells. An altered expression was found for
      transcripts involved in mitosis and in DNA damage response. These results suggest
      molecular alterations in the SSC-enriched population of aged CD9(+) cells,
      implying that reproductive aging originates in the undifferentiated cells of
      spermatogenesis. 

PMID- 24227753
TI  - Multicolor flow cytometry and nanoparticle tracking analysis of extracellular
      vesicles in the plasma of normal pregnant and pre-eclamptic women.
AB  - Excessive release of syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicles (STBMs) from the
      placenta into the maternal circulation may contribute to the systemic
      inflammation that is characteristic of pre-eclampsia (PE). Other intravascular
      cells types (platelets, leukocytes, red blood cells [RBCs], and endothelium) may
      also be activated and release extracellular vesicles (EVs). We developed a
      multicolor flow cytometry antibody panel to enumerate and phenotype STBMs in
      relation to other EVs in plasma from nonpregnant (NonP) and normal pregnant
      (NormP) women, and women with late-onset PE. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA)
      was used to determine EV size and concentration. In vitro-derived STBMs and EVs
      from platelets, leukocytes, RBCs, and endothelial cells were examined to select
      suitable antibodies to analyze the corresponding plasma EVs. Flow cytometry
      analysis of plasma from NonP, NormP, and PE showed that STBMs comprised the
      smallest group of circulating EVs, whereas most were derived from platelets. The
      next most abundant group comprised unidentified orphan EVs (which did not label
      with any of the antibodies in the panel), followed by EVs from RBCs and
      leukocytes. NTA showed that the total number of EVs in plasma was significantly
      elevated in NormP and late-onset PE women compared to NonP controls, and that EVs
      were smaller in size. In general, EVs were elevated in pregnancy plasma apart
      from platelet EVs, which were reduced. These studies did not show any differences
      in EVs between NormP and PE, probably because late-onset PE was studied. 

PMID- 24227754
TI  - Differential incubation temperatures result in dimorphic DNA methylation
      patterning of the SOX9 and aromatase promoters in gonads of alligator (Alligator
      mississippiensis) embryos.
AB  - Environmental factors are known to influence sex determination in many
      nonmammalian vertebrates. In all crocodilians studied thus far, temperature is
      the only known determinant of sex. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating
      the effect of temperature on sex determination are not known. Aromatase (CYP19A1)
      and SOX9 play critical roles in vertebrate sex determination and gonadogenesis.
      Here, we used a variety of techniques to investigate the potential roles of DNA
      methylation patterning on CYP19A1 and SOX9 expression in the American alligator,
      an organism that relies on temperature-dependent sex determination. Our findings
      reveal that developing gonads derived from embryos incubated at a male-producing
      temperature (MPT) show elevated CYP19A1 promoter methylation and decreased levels
      of gene expression relative to incubation at a female-producing temperature
      (FPT). The converse was observed at the SOX9 locus, with increased promoter
      methylation and decreased expression occurring in embryonic gonads resulting from
      incubation at FPT relative to that of MPT. We also examined the gonadal
      expression of the three primary, catalytically active DNA methyltransferase
      enzymes and show that they are present during critical stages of gonadal
      development. Together, these data strongly suggest that DNA methylation
      patterning is a central component in coordinating the genetic cascade responsible
      for sexual differentiation. In addition, these data raise the possibility that
      DNA methylation could act as a key mediator integrating temperature into a
      molecular trigger that determines sex in the alligator. 

PMID- 24227756
TI  - Fibroblast growth factor receptor two (FGFR2) regulates uterine epithelial
      integrity and fertility in mice.
AB  - Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) regulate luminal
      epithelial (LE) cell proliferation in the adult mouse uterus. This study tested
      the hypothesis that FGFR2 has a biological role in postnatal development and
      function of the uterus by conditionally deleting Fgfr2 after birth using
      progesterone receptor (Pgr)-Cre mice. Adult Fgfr2 mutant female mice were
      initially subfertile and became infertile with increasing parity. No defects in
      uterine gland development were observed in conditional Fgfr2 mutant mice. In the
      adult, Fgfr2 mutant mice possessed a histologically normal reproductive tract
      with the exception of the uterus. The LE of the Fgfr2 mutant uterus was
      stratified, but no obvious histological differences were observed in the
      glandular epithelium, stroma, or myometrium. Within the stratified LE, cuboidal
      basal cells were present and positive for basal cell markers (KRT14 and TRP63).
      Nulliparous bred Fgfr2 mutants contained normal numbers of blastocysts on Day 3.5
      postmating, but the number of embryo implantation sites was substantially reduced
      on Day 5.5 postmating. These results support the idea that loss of FGFR2 in the
      uterus after birth alters its development, resulting in LE stratification and
      peri-implantation pregnancy loss. 

PMID- 24227758
TI  - Decidualized human endometrial stromal cells are sensors of hormone withdrawal in
      the menstrual inflammatory cascade.
AB  - Menstruation is a complex process dependent on premenstrual release of
      inflammatory mediators and proteolytic enzymes from endometrial cells.
      Endometrial leukocytes are traditionally considered to be the major source of the
      inflammatory factors. However, evidence is emerging to suggest a role for
      decidualized endometrial stromal cells in the premenstrual inflammatory cascade.
      We sought to determine if withdrawal of hormone support (estrogen and
      progesterone) from decidualized endometrial stromal cells, in a model mimicking
      the precise timing leading to menstruation, activated inflammatory signaling
      pathways and downstream release of inflammatory mediators. Human endometrial
      stromal cells decidualized gradually over 12 days of estradiol and progestin
      treatment as evidenced by an increase in prolactin secretion. Withdrawal of
      hormone support from decidualized stromal cells resulted in a decrease in
      cytoplasmic IkappaB and a progressive increase in nuclear accumulation of NF
      kappaB, as demonstrated by Western immunoblot and immunocytochemical analyses.
      Concomitant with nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, hormone withdrawal led to
      production of a host of inflammatory mediators by the decidualized stromal cells,
      including IFN-alpha, IL-6, CCL11, GM-CSF, CCL2, IL1-RA, CXCL10, CXCL8, IL-12, IL
      15, VEGF, and CCL5. Elevation of inflammatory mediators was not observed,
      however, upon hormone withdrawal in cells treated with the NF-kappaB inhibitor
      BAY 11-7085. Decidualized stromal cells are likely highly sensitive sensors of
      changing hormone levels. This provides a mechanism by which decidualized stromal
      cells may recruit inflammatory leukocytes into the premenstrual endometrium and
      contribute to the intense inflammation underlying this unique physiological
      process. 

PMID- 24227759
TI  - Resting-state fMRI study on drug-naive patients with Parkinson's disease and with
      depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study used resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) to evaluate
      regional and network alterations in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with
      and without depression. METHOD: We recruited 29 patients with PD with depression
      (PD-Dep), 30 patients with PD without depression (PD-NDep), and 30 normal
      controls. All participants underwent resting-state fMRI scans on a 3-T MR system.
      The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) of blood oxygen level-dependent
      signals was used to characterise regional cerebral function. Functional
      integration of the brain network was evaluated by seed-based correlation
      approach. RESULTS: The PD-Dep group showed significantly higher ALFF value in the
      left orbitofrontal area compared with both the PD-NDep and control groups (p<0.05
      corrected by FWE). In patients with PD, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
      score was positively correlated with the ALFF value in the left orbitofrontal
      cortex (p<0.005 uncorrected). Brain network connectivity analysis revealed
      reduced functional connectivity of putamen in both PD subgroups. However, the PD
      Dep group showed more distributed reduced connectivity in the prefrontal-limbic
      network than the PD-NDep group did (p<0.05 corrected by FWE). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study demonstrates that PD-Dep patients are characterised by increased regional
      spontaneous neural activity in the orbitofrontal area and decreased functional
      integration within the prefrontal-limbic network. These findings may be helpful
      for facilitating further understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying
      depression in PD.

PMID- 24227755
TI  - How the kidney is impacted by the perinatal maternal environment to develop
      hypertension.
AB  - Environmental conditions during perinatal development such as maternal
      undernutrition, maternal glucocorticoids, placental insufficiency, and maternal
      sodium overload can program changes in renal Na(+) excretion leading to
      hypertension. Experimental studies indicate that fetal exposure to an adverse
      maternal environment may reduce glomerular filtration rate by decreasing the
      surface area of the glomerular capillaries. Moreover, fetal responses to
      environmental insults during early life that contribute to the development of
      hypertension may include increased expression of tubular apical or basolateral
      membrane Na(+) transporters and increased production of renal superoxide leading
      to enhanced Na(+) reabsorption. This review will address the role of these
      potential renal mechanisms in the fetal programming of hypertension in
      experimental models induced by maternal undernutrition, fetal exposure to
      glucocorticoids, placental insufficiency, and maternal sodium overload in the
      rat. 

PMID- 24227761
TI  - Approach to the adult hospitalized patient on an insulin pump.
AB  - Patients on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, or insulin pumps, are
      increasingly seen in hospitals. Inpatient providers need to have a working
      knowledge of insulin pumps to be able to decide, in conjunction with the patient
      whenever feasible, whether or not pump use is to be continued in the hospital, to
      assist patients in adjusting insulin doses via continuous subcutaneous insulin
      infusion, to transition patients to multiple daily subcutaneous insulin dosing as
      appropriate, and to prevent or manage problems that might arise from improper
      handling of the insulin pump. Clinical vignettes with key points and strategies
      for patient care are discussed in this article.

PMID- 24227760
TI  - Histone deacetylase inhibitors with enhanced enzymatic inhibition effects and
      potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities.
AB  - In the present work, a series of small molecules were designed and synthesized
      based on structural optimization. A significant improvement in the enzyme
      inhibitory activity of these compounds was discovered. Moreover, the tested
      compounds have moderate preference for class I HDACs over HDAC6, as demonstrated
      by enzyme selectivity assays. In vitro antiproliferation assay results show that
      representative compounds can selectively inhibit the growth of non-solid lymphoma
      and leukemic cells such as U937, K562, and HL60. In the in vivo antitumor assay,
      (S)-4-(2-(5-(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-sulfonamido)-2-phenylacetamido)-N
      hydroxybenzamide (D17) showed better performance than SAHA in blocking U937 tumor
      growth. Western blot analysis revealed that representative molecules can block
      the function of both class I HDACs and HDAC6. More importantly, our western blot
      results reveal that the levels of some oncogenic proteins (p-Akt in the
      PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway, c-Raf and p-Erk in the MAPK signal pathway) were
      dramatically down-regulated by our compounds in the U937 cell line rather than
      MDA-MB-231 cells. This distinction in cellular mechanism might be an important
      reason why the U937 cell line was found to more sensitive to our HDAC inhibitors
      than the MDA-MB-231 cell line. 

PMID- 24227762
TI  - An overview of the roles and responsibilities of Chinese medical colleges in body
      donation programs.
AB  - The use of human tissue is critical for gross anatomy education in the health
      professions. Chinese medical colleges have faced a shortage of anatomical
      specimens over the past decade. While body donation plays an important role in
      overcoming this gap, this practice has only recently been introduced in China,
      and the donation rate is relatively low and fraught with a number of
      difficulties. In the past, traditional Chinese culture focused on preserving the
      human body intact, which often limited body donation. In recent years, the public
      has become more open toward body donation. At Nanjing Medical University, only 20
      bodies were donated in 2001. After the university became involved in an organized
      body donation program, this number increased to 70 donated bodies per year (2007
      to 2012). This article describes and reviews Chinese medical colleges as a
      special case study among body donation programs, particularly in terms of the
      multiple responsibilities and roles that such institutions must assume in the
      course of adopting these programs. Medical colleges in China must serve as
      advocates, coordinators, builders, managers, educators, and beneficiaries in
      undertaking body donation programs. It is important for medical colleges to
      recognize these pluripotent roles and educate the public in order to promote body
      donation programs. This case study may also effectively guide and encourage
      Chinese medical colleges in refining their own body donation programs in the
      future.

PMID- 24227763
TI  - Exploring the experience of hearing voices from a first person perspective: a
      meta-ethnographic synthesis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to identify, appraise, and synthesize the
      current peer-reviewed qualitative literature which explores the phenomenon of
      hearing voices from a first person perspective. METHODS: A comprehensive
      systematic search of the literature was conducted. Seven studies utilizing
      various qualitative methodologies met the criteria to be included in the
      synthesis. An appraisal tool (Walsh & Downe, 2005, J. Adv. Nurs., 50, 204-211)
      was used to assess their quality. A meta-ethnographic approach was used to
      synthesize the data extracted from them. RESULTS: The interpretation of the
      findings suggested five key themes: identity of the voice(s), power of the
      voice(s), impact of hearing voices on relationships, relationship with the
      voice(s), and the distinction between thoughts and voices. The identity of the
      voices seemed inextricably linked to the perceived power the voice(s) wielded
      over the voice hearer. The quality of the studies included in the synthesis
      varied greatly. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this synthesis highlight the
      importance of the voice hearer's individual frame of reference for understanding
      their experience. Clinical implications include the need for mental health
      professionals to explore an individual's understanding of their experience of
      hearing voices and address the perceived power of the voice(s). Further research
      is indicated in this area with a focus of improving the quality of qualitative
      research studying this phenomenon. PRACTITIONER POINTS: There are multiple frames
      of reference in which to understand an individual's experience of hearing voices.
      Mental health professionals should attend to the meaning and understanding voice
      hearers give to the experience.

PMID- 24227764
TI  - Design, synthesis, and X-ray crystal structure of a fullerene-linked metal
      organic framework.
AB  - Given the unique structural and electronic properties of C60 , metal-organic
      frameworks (MOFs) containing C60 linkers are expected to exhibit interesting
      characteristics. A new hexakisfullerene derivative possessing two pairs of phenyl
      pyridine groups attached to two methano-carbon atoms located at the trans-1
      positions was designed and synthesized. The four pyridyl nitrogen atoms define a
      perfectly planar rectangle. This new C60 derivative was used to assemble the
      first fullerene-linked two-dimensional MOF by coordination with Cd(2+) . 

PMID- 24227765
TI  - Surface supported gold-organic hybrids: on-surface synthesis and surface directed
      orientation.
AB  - The surface-assisted synthesis of gold-organic hybrids on Au (111) and Au (100)
      surfaces is repotred by thermally initiated dehalogenation of chloro-substituted
      perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid bisimides (PBIs). Structures and surface
      directed alignment of the Au-PBI chains are investigated by scanning tunnelling
      microscopy in ultra high vacuum conditions. Using dichloro-PBI as a model system,
      the mechanism for the formation of Au-PBI dimer is revealed with scanning
      tunnelling microscopy studies and density functional theory calculations. A PBI
      radical generated from the homolytic C-Cl bond dissociation can covalently bind a
      surface gold atom and partially pull it out of the surface to form stable PBI-Au
      hybrid species, which also gives rise to the surface-directed alignment of the Au
      PBI chains on reconstructed Au (100) surfaces. 

PMID- 24227766
TI  - Cadaver CT scans a useful adjunct in gross anatomy: The medical student
      perspective.

PMID- 24227767
TI  - PPh3-catalyzed ring-expansion reactions of sulfamate-derived cyclic imines with
      acetylenedicarboxylates.
AB  - The PPh3-catalyzed ring-expansion reaction of sulfamate-derived cyclic imines
      with acetylenedicarboxylates has been developed. The reaction works quite
      efficiently under very mild conditions to afford benzo[g][1,2,3]oxathiazocine-4,5
      dicarboxylate 2,2-dioxide derivatives in high yields.

PMID- 24227769
TI  - Tadalafil for benign prostatic hyperplasia: an update.

PMID- 24227770
TI  - Management of hyperemesis gravidarum.
AB  - Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are common complaints and vary considerably in
      duration and severity. Hyperemesis gravidarum represents the extreme end of the
      spectrum associated with dehydration and weight loss. As embryonic organogenesis
      occurs during the first trimester, pharmacological intervention for any condition
      during this period poses a significant clinical dilemma requiring careful
      assessment of risks and benefits. In the UK, there are no formal national
      guidelines for the management of hyperemesis gravidarum. In addition, no high
      quality evidence exists for i.v. fluid and electrolyte replacement in hyperemesis
      gravidarum, and a Cochrane review on interventions for the treatment of nausea
      and vomiting in pregnancy specifically excluded studies on hyperemesis
      gravidarum. In this article, we review the evidence for the efficacy and safety
      of different management options for hyperemesis gravidarum.

PMID- 24227768
TI  - A double blind, within subject comparison of spontaneous opioid withdrawal from
      buprenorphine versus morphine.
AB  - Preliminary evidence suggests that there is minimal withdrawal after the
      cessation of chronically administered buprenorphine and that opioid withdrawal
      symptoms are delayed compared with those of other opioids. The present study
      compared the time course and magnitude of buprenorphine withdrawal with a
      prototypical MU-opioid agonist, morphine. Healthy, out-of-treatment opioid
      dependent residential volunteers (N = 7) were stabilized on either buprenorphine
      (32 mg/day i.m.) or morphine (120 mg/day i.m.) administered in four divided doses
      for 9 days. They then underwent an 18-day period of spontaneous withdrawal,
      during which four double-blind i.m. placebo injections were administered daily.
      Stabilization and spontaneous withdrawal were assessed for the second opioid
      using the same time course. Opioid withdrawal measures were collected eight times
      daily. Morphine withdrawal symptoms were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than
      those of buprenorphine withdrawal as measured by mean peak ratings of Clinical
      Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS), Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS), all
      subscales of the Profile of Mood States (POMS), sick and pain (0-100) Visual
      Analog Scales, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory
      rate, and pupil dilation. Peak ratings on COWS and SOWS occurred on day 2 of
      morphine withdrawal and were significantly greater than on day 2 of buprenorphine
      withdrawal. Subjective reports of morphine withdrawal resolved on average by day
      7. There was minimal evidence of buprenorphine withdrawal on any measure. In
      conclusion, spontaneous withdrawal from high-dose buprenorphine appears
      subjectively and objectively milder compared with that of morphine for at least
      18 days after drug cessation. 

PMID- 24227771
TI  - Linaclotide for constipation-predominant IBS.
AB  - Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic relapsing disorder characterised by
      abdominal pain or discomfort associated with defaecation, abdominal bloating and
      a change in bowel habit. IBS may be classified by the change in bowel function as
      'diarrhoea predominant' (IBS-D), 'constipation predominant' (IBS-C) or mixed, or
      may be unclassified. Although it is not thought to be associated with the
      development of serious disease, IBS is a debilitating condition often resulting
      in reduced quality of life and significant use of healthcare resources. Current
      drug treatment strategies target the patient's predominant symptoms and typically
      involve the use of an antispasmodic and either a laxative or antidiarrhoeal
      agent. Linaclotide (Constella-Almirall) is an oral guanylate cyclase-C receptor
      agonist licensed for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe IBS-C in
      adults. In this article, we consider the evidence for linaclotide and how its use
      fits with current management strategies for IBS-C.

PMID- 24227772
TI  - MicroRNA-155 tunes both the threshold and extent of NK cell activation via
      targeting of multiple signaling pathways.
AB  - NK cells are innate lymphocytes important for host defense against viral
      infections and malignancy. However, the molecular programs orchestrating NK cell
      activation are incompletely understood. MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is markedly
      upregulated following cytokine activation of human and mouse NK cells.
      Surprisingly, mature human and mouse NK cells transduced to overexpress miR-155,
      NK cells from mice with NK cell-specific miR-155 overexpression, and miR-155(-/-)
      NK cells all secreted more IFN-gamma compared with controls. Investigating
      further, we found that activated NK cells with miR-155 overexpression had
      increased per-cell IFN-gamma with normal IFN-gamma(+) percentages, whereas
      greater percentages of miR-155(-/-) NK cells were IFN-gamma(+). In vivo murine
      CMV-induced IFN-gamma expression by NK cells in these miR-155 models
      recapitulated the in vitro phenotypes. We performed unbiased RNA-induced
      silencing complex sequencing on wild-type and miR-155(-/-) NK cells and found
      that mRNAs targeted by miR-155 were enriched in NK cell activation signaling
      pathways. Using specific inhibitors, we confirmed these pathways were
      mechanistically involved in regulating IFN-gamma production by miR-155(-/-) NK
      cells. These data indicate that miR-155 regulation of NK cell activation is
      complex and that miR-155 functions as a dynamic tuner for NK cell activation via
      both setting the activation threshold as well as controlling the extent of
      activation in mature NK cells. In summary, miR-155(-/-) NK cells are more easily
      activated, through increased expression of proteins in the PI3K, NF-kappaB, and
      calcineurin pathways, and miR-155(-/-) and 155-overexpressing NK cells exhibit
      increased IFN-gamma production through distinct cellular mechanisms. 

PMID- 24227773
TI  - MicroRNAs transfer from human macrophages to hepato-carcinoma cells and inhibit
      proliferation.
AB  - Recent research has indicated a new mode of intercellular communication
      facilitated by the movement of RNA between cells. There is evidence that RNA can
      transfer between cells in a multitude of ways, including in complex with proteins
      or lipids or in vesicles, including apoptotic bodies and exosomes. However, there
      remains little understanding of the function of nucleic acid transfer between
      human cells. In this article, we report that human macrophages transfer microRNAs
      (miRNAs) to hepato-carcinoma cells (HCCs) in a manner that required intercellular
      contact and involved gap junctions. Two specific miRNAs transferred efficiently
      between these cells--miR-142 and miR-223--and both were endogenously expressed in
      macrophages and not in HCCs. Transfer of these miRNAs influenced
      posttranscriptional regulation of proteins in HCCs, including decreased
      expression of reporter proteins and endogenously expressed stathmin-1 and insulin
      like growth factor-1 receptor. Importantly, transfer of miRNAs from macrophages
      functionally inhibited proliferation of these cancerous cells. Thus, these data
      led us to propose that intercellular transfer of miRNA from immune cells could
      serve as a new defense against unwanted cell proliferation or tumor growth.

PMID- 24227774
TI  - In vivo blockade of the programmed cell death-1 pathway using soluble recombinant
      PD-1-Fc enhances CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses but has limited clinical benefit.
AB  - The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 pathway has
      been shown to limit cell-mediated effector functions during chronic viral
      infections impeding clearance of pathogens. As a strategy to reverse this
      exhaustion and increase T cell polyfunctionality, PD-1 ligands were blocked in
      vivo using a recombinant macaque PD-1 fused to a macaque Ig-Fc (rPD-1-Fc) in
      SIVmac239-infected rhesus macaques during the early chronic phase of infection,
      either alone or in combination with antiretroviral therapy. In vitro blockade
      showed improvement of Ag-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from monkeys
      chronically infected with SIV. Of note, a prolonged 5-d blockade in culture was
      beneficial for both gag-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells based on proliferation
      and dual cytokine production. Although the in vivo administration of rPD-1-Fc
      induced enhanced SIV-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation both in the blood
      and gut, it failed to alter plasma viremia. However, rPD-1-Fc administration in
      the context of antiretroviral therapy interruption induced a significant delay of
      viral load rebound. In addition, rPD-1-Fc administration in MamuA*001(+) monkeys
      led to both an increase in the frequencies and Ki67 expression of GagCM9(+)
      CD8(+) T cells in the blood and rectal mucosa and polyfunctionality of GagCM9(+)
      CD8(+) T cells in blood. In conclusion, however, our data suggest that PD
      1/programmed cell death ligand-1 blockade using soluble rPD-1-Fc instead of anti
      PD-1 mAb, although effective in rescuing the effector function of SIV-specific
      CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells during the early chronic phase of infection, has
      limited clinical benefit. 

PMID- 24227775
TI  - Batf3 and Id2 have a synergistic effect on Irf8-directed classical CD8alpha+
      dendritic cell development.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) are heterogeneous cell populations represented by different
      subtypes, each varying in terms of gene expression patterns and specific
      functions. Recent studies identified transcription factors essential for the
      development of different DC subtypes, yet molecular mechanisms for the
      developmental program and functions remain poorly understood. In this study, we
      developed and characterized a mouse DC progenitor-like cell line, designated DC9,
      from Irf8(-/-) bone marrow cells as a model for DC development and function.
      Expression of Irf8 in DC9 cells led to plasmacytoid DCs and CD8alpha(+) DC-like
      cells, with a concomitant increase in plasmacytoid DC- and CD8alpha(+) DC
      specific gene transcripts and induction of type I IFNs and IL12p40 following TLR
      ligand stimulation. Irf8 expression in DC9 cells led to an increase in Id2 and
      Batf3 transcript levels, transcription factors shown to be important for the
      development of CD8alpha(+) DCs. We show that, without Irf8, expression of Id2 and
      Batf3 was not sufficient for directing classical CD8alpha(+) DC development. When
      coexpressed with Irf8, Batf3 and Id2 had a synergistic effect on classical
      CD8alpha(+) DC development. We demonstrate that Irf8 is upstream of Batf3 and Id2
      in the classical CD8alpha(+) DC developmental program and define the hierarchical
      relationship of transcription factors important for classical CD8alpha(+) DC
      development. 

PMID- 24227777
TI  - Polysaccharide-specific memory B cells generated by conjugate vaccines in humans
      conform to the CD27+IgG+ isotype-switched memory B Cell phenotype and require
      contact-dependent signals from bystander T cells activated by bacterial proteins
      to differentiate into plasma cells.
AB  - The polysaccharides (PS) surrounding encapsulated bacteria are generally unable
      to activate T cells and hence do not induce B cell memory (BMEM). PS conjugate
      vaccines recruit CD4(+) T cells via a carrier protein, such as tetanus toxoid
      (TT), resulting in the induction of PS-specific BMEM. However, the requirement
      for T cells in the subsequent activation of the BMEM at the time of bacterial
      encounter is poorly understood, despite having critical implications for
      protection. We demonstrate that the PS-specific BMEM induced in humans by a
      meningococcal serogroup C PS (Men C)-TT conjugate vaccine conform to the isotype
      switched (IgG(+)CD27(+)) rather than the IgM memory (IgM(+)CD27(+)) phenotype.
      Both Men C and TT-specific BMEM require CD4(+) T cells to differentiate into
      plasma cells. However, noncognate bystander T cells provide such signals to PS
      specific BMEM with comparable effect to the cognate T cells available to TT
      specific BMEM. The interaction between the two populations is contact-dependent
      and is mediated in part through CD40. Meningococci drive the differentiation of
      the Men C-specific BMEM through the activation of bystander T cells by bacterial
      proteins, although these signals are enhanced by T cell-independent innate
      signals. An effect of the TT-specific T cells activated by the vaccine on
      unrelated BMEM in vivo is also demonstrated. These data highlight that any
      protection conferred by PS-specific BMEM at the time of bacterial encounter will
      depend on the effectiveness with which bacterial proteins are able to activate
      bystander T cells. Priming for T cell memory against bacterial proteins through
      their inclusion in vaccine preparations must continue to be pursued. 

PMID- 24227776
TI  - Epithelial NF-kappaB orchestrates house dust mite-induced airway inflammation,
      hyperresponsiveness, and fibrotic remodeling.
AB  - NF-kappaB activation within the epithelium has been implicated in the
      pathogenesis of asthma, yet the exact role of epithelial NF-kappaB in allergen
      induced inflammation and airway remodeling remains unclear. In the current study,
      we used an intranasal house dust mite (HDM) extract exposure regimen time course
      in BALB/c mice to evaluate inflammation, NF-kappaB activation, airway
      hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and airway remodeling. We used CC10-IkappaBalphaSR
      transgenic mice to evaluate the functional importance of epithelial NF-kappaB in
      response to HDM. After a single exposure of HDM, mRNA expression of
      proinflammatory mediators was significantly elevated in lung tissue of wild-type
      (WT) mice, in association with increases in nuclear RelA and RelB, components of
      the classical and alternative NF-kappaB pathway, respectively, in the bronchiolar
      epithelium. In contrast, CC10-IkappaBalphaSR mice displayed marked decreases in
      nuclear RelA and RelB and mRNA expression of proinflammatory mediators compared
      with WT mice. After 15 challenges with HDM, WT mice exhibited increases in
      inflammation, AHR, mucus metaplasia, and peribronchiolar fibrosis. CC10
      IkappaBalphaSR transgenic mice displayed marked decreases in neutrophilic
      infiltration, tissue damping, and elastance parameters, in association will less
      peribronchiolar fibrosis and decreases in nuclear RelB in lung tissue. However,
      central airway resistance and mucus metaplasia remained elevated in CC10
      IkappaBalphaSR transgenic mice, in association with the continued presence of
      lymphocytes, and partial decreases in eosinophils and IL-13. The current study
      demonstrates that following airway exposure with an asthma-relevant allergen,
      activation of classical and alternative NF-kappaB pathways occurs within the
      airway epithelium and may coordinately contribute to allergic inflammation, AHR,
      and fibrotic airway remodeling. 

PMID- 24227778
TI  - Focal adhesion kinase negatively regulates Lck function downstream of the T cell
      antigen receptor.
AB  - Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a critical regulator of signal transduction in
      multiple cell types. Although this protein is activated upon TCR engagement, the
      cellular function that FAK plays in mature human T cells is unknown. By
      suppressing the function of FAK, we revealed that FAK inhibits TCR-mediated
      signaling by recruiting C-terminal Src kinase to the membrane and/or receptor
      complex following TCR activation. Thus, in the absence of FAK, the inhibitory
      phosphorylation of Lck and/or Fyn is impaired. Together, these data highlight a
      novel role for FAK as a negative regulator TCR function in human T cells. These
      results also suggest that changes in FAK expression could modulate sensitivity to
      TCR stimulation and contribute to the progression of T cell malignancies and
      autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 24227779
TI  - Disturbed follicular architecture in B cell A disintegrin and metalloproteinase
      (ADAM)10 knockouts is mediated by compensatory increases in ADAM17 and TNF-alpha
      shedding.
AB  - B cell A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) is required for the
      development and maintenance of proper secondary lymphoid tissue architecture;
      however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we show
      disturbances in naive lymph node architecture from B cell-specific ADAM10
      deficient mice (ADAM10(B-/-)) including loss of B lymphocyte/T lymphocyte
      compartmentalization, attenuation of follicular dendritic cell reticula,
      excessive collagen deposition, and increased high endothelial venule formation.
      Because TNF-alpha signaling is critical for secondary lymphoid tissue
      architecture, we examined compensatory changes in ADAM17 and TNF-alpha in
      ADAM10(B-/-) B cells. Surprisingly, defective follicular development in these
      mice was associated with increased rather than decreased TNF-alpha expression. In
      this article, we describe an increase in TNF-alpha message, mRNA stability,
      soluble protein release, and membrane expression in ADAM10(B-/-) B cells compared
      with wild type (WT), which coincides with increased ADAM17 message and protein.
      To assess the mechanistic contribution of excessive TNF-alpha to abnormal
      lymphoid architecture in ADAM10(B-/-) mice, we performed a bone marrow
      reconstitution study. Rectification of WT architecture was noted only in
      irradiated WT mice reconstituted with ADAM10(B-/-) + TNF knockout bone marrow
      because of normalization of TNF-alpha levels not seen in ADAM10(B-/-) alone. We
      conclude that ADAM17 overcompensation causes excessive TNF-alpha shedding and
      further upregulation of TNF-alpha expression, creating an aberrant signaling
      environment within B cell cortical regions of ADAM10(B-/-) lymph nodes,
      highlighting a key interplay between B cell ADAM10 and ADAM17 with respect to TNF
      alpha homeostasis. 

PMID- 24227780
TI  - BANK1 controls CpG-induced IL-6 secretion via a p38 and MNK1/2/eIF4E translation
      initiation pathway.
AB  - BANK1, an adaptor protein expressed in B cells, plays a little understood role in
      B cell signaling. Because BANK1 contains an N-terminal putative Toll/IL-1R
      receptor domain, we used mouse Bank1(-/-) splenic B cells to test whether BANK1
      affects signaling induced by the TLR9 agonist CpG. Following CpG stimulation,
      BANK1 deficiency reduced p38 phosphorylation without affecting that of ERK or JNK
      and reduced IL-6 secretion. Bank1(-/-) B cells showed reduced phosphorylation of
      MNK1/2 and eIF4E, suggesting an effect on translation initiation, whereas Bank1(
      /-) had no effect on IL-6 mRNA stability, thus suggesting that BANK1 has no
      effect on MK2 signaling. IL-6 secretion observed when CpG stimulation was
      combined with anti-CD40 was reduced in the absence of BANK1. Whereas in the
      presence of anti-CD40 stimulation CpG induced a stronger phosphorylation of AKT,
      mTOR, and 4E-BP1, Bank1(-/-) had no effect on phosphorylation of mTOR and 4E-BP1,
      and a weak effect on AKT, implying that BANK1 does not affect the release of
      eIF4E by phospho-4E-BP1. Taken together, these data establish a previously
      unrecognized role for BANK1 in CpG-induced responses by splenic B cells on p38
      signaling and control of translation initiation of IL-6 via MNK1/2 and eIF4E. 

PMID- 24227781
TI  - Mast cells are dispensable for normal and activin-promoted wound healing and skin
      carcinogenesis.
AB  - The growth and differentiation factor activin A is a key regulator of tissue
      repair, inflammation, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis. However, the cellular targets,
      which mediate the different activin functions, are still largely unknown. In this
      study, we show that activin increases the number of mature mast cells in mouse
      skin in vivo. To determine the relevance of this finding for wound healing and
      skin carcinogenesis, we mated activin transgenic mice with CreMaster mice, which
      are characterized by Cre recombinase-mediated mast cell eradication. Using single
      and double-mutant mice, we show that loss of mast cells neither affected the
      stimulatory effect of overexpressed activin on granulation tissue formation and
      reepithelialization of skin wounds nor its protumorigenic activity in a model of
      chemically induced skin carcinogenesis. Furthermore, mast cell deficiency did not
      alter wounding-induced inflammation and new tissue formation or chemically
      induced angiogenesis and tumorigenesis in mice with normal activin levels. These
      findings reveal that mast cells are not major targets of activin during wound
      healing and skin cancer development and also argue against nonredundant functions
      of mast cells in wound healing and skin carcinogenesis in general. 

PMID- 24227782
TI  - Selective inhibition of KCa3.1 channels mediates adenosine regulation of the
      motility of human T cells.
AB  - Adenosine, a purine nucleoside, is present at high concentrations in tumors,
      where it contributes to the failure of immune cells to eliminate cancer cells.
      The mechanisms responsible for the immunosuppressive properties of adenosine are
      not fully understood. We tested the hypothesis that adenosine's immunosuppressive
      functions in human T lymphocytes are in part mediated via modulation of ion
      channels. The activity of T lymphocytes relies on ion channels. KCa3.1 and Kv1.3
      channels control cytokine release and, together with TRPM7, regulate T cell
      motility. Adenosine selectively inhibited KCa3.1, but not Kv1.3 and TRPM7, in
      activated human T cells. This effect of adenosine was mainly mediated by A2A
      receptors, as KCa3.1 inhibition was reversed by SCH58261 (selective A2A receptor
      antagonist), but not by MRS1754 (A2B receptor antagonist), and it was mimicked by
      the A2A receptor agonist CGS21680. Furthermore, it was mediated by the
      cAMP/protein kinase A isoform (PKAI) signaling pathway, as adenylyl-cyclase and
      PKAI inhibition prevented adenosine effect on KCa3.1. The functional implication
      of the effect of adenosine on KCa3.1 was determined by measuring T cell motility
      on ICAM-1 surfaces. Adenosine and CGS21680 inhibited T cell migration. Comparable
      effects were obtained by KCa3.1 blockade with TRAM-34. Furthermore, the effect of
      adenosine on cell migration was abolished by pre-exposure to TRAM-34.
      Additionally, adenosine suppresses IL-2 secretion via KCa3.1 inhibition. Our data
      indicate that adenosine inhibits KCa3.1 in human T cells via A2A receptor and
      PKAI, thereby resulting in decreased T cell motility and cytokine release. This
      mechanism is likely to contribute to decreased immune surveillance in solid
      tumors. 

PMID- 24227783
TI  - Cutting edge: Central memory CD8 T cells in aged mice are virtual memory cells.
AB  - The number of memory phenotype CD8 T cells increases dramatically with aging in
      both humans and mice. However, the mechanism for this is unknown. The prevailing
      hypothesis is that memory T cells accumulate with aging as a result of lifelong
      antigenic stimulation. However, data supporting this supposition are lacking. In
      this study, we demonstrate that central memory CD8 T cells, which represent a
      large majority of memory CD8 T cells in aged mice, are not memory cells that
      develop in response to antigenic stimulation but are virtual memory cells that
      develop without antigenic stimulation. In addition to phenotypic evidence, we
      show that accumulation of central memory CD8 T cells is independent of CD4 T
      cells, CCR5, and CXCR3, all of which are known to be essential for Ag-driven
      development of central memory CD8 T cells. Thus, this study reveals a novel
      mechanism for aging-related changes in CD8 T cells. 

PMID- 24227784
TI  - The kinetics of myelin antigen uptake by myeloid cells in the central nervous
      system during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
AB  - Induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in susceptible
      animals requires reactivation of encephalitogenic CD4(+) T cells by APCs in the
      CNS. However, it has remained unresolved from where APCs in the CNS acquire
      myelin Ag for T cell activation and under which conditions, that is, whether only
      during EAE or also in the naive CNS. In this study, we investigated the kinetics
      of myelin Ag uptake by CNS APCs during EAE and in the naive CNS. Our results show
      that during EAE CX3CR1(+)CD11b(+) microglia were the first APCs in the CNS to
      contain myelin Ag upon induction of disease, albeit in very small numbers.
      Dendritic cells (DCs) arrived in the CNS in sizable numbers significantly later
      (day 5 postimmunization), without detectable myelin Ag, but acquired it by day 7
      postimmunization. Furthermore, a sharp increase in neuroantigen-containing DCs
      coincided with the onset of EAE symptoms. Importantly, in naive mice a low but
      consistent number of microglia contained myelin Ag, suggesting release by
      oligodendrocytes under steady state conditions. Although microglia isolated from
      naive brain and spinal cord did not elicit a strong CD4(+) T cell response in
      vitro, myelin Ag-containing microglia may still play a local role in modulating
      encephalitogenic CD4(+) T cell responses in early EAE prior to the arrival of
      other professional APCs, such as DCs. Finally, newly arriving DCs in the CNS not
      yet loaded with myelin Ag before the onset of EAE may be a potential therapeutic
      target. 

PMID- 24227786
TI  - TLR1/2 ligand-stimulated mouse liver endothelial cells secrete IL-12 and trigger
      CD8+ T cell immunity in vitro.
AB  - Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are unique organ-resident APCs capable
      of Ag cross-presentation and subsequent tolerization of naive CD8(+) T cells.
      Under certain conditions, LSECs can switch from a tolerogenic to an immunogenic
      state and promote the development of T cell immunity. However, little is known
      about the mechanisms of LSECs to induce T cell immunity. In this study, we
      investigated whether functional maturation of LSECs can be achieved by TLR ligand
      stimulation and elucidated the mechanisms involved in LSEC-induced T cell
      immunity. We demonstrate that pretreatment of LSECs with palmitoyl-3-cysteine
      serine-lysine-4 (P3C; TLR1/2 ligand) but not poly(I:C) (TLR3 ligand) or LPS (TLR4
      ligand) reverted their suppressive properties to induce T cell immunity.
      Importantly, P3C stimulation caused functional maturation of Ag-presenting LSECs
      and enabled them to activate virus-specific CD8(+) T cells. The LSEC-mediated
      CD8(+) T cell immunity was initiated by soluble mediators, one of which was IL-12
      secreted at a low but sustained level after P3C stimulation. P3C stimulation did
      not induce programmed death ligand 1 expression on LSECs, thereby favoring T cell
      proliferation and activation instead of suppression. Our data suggest that LSECs
      undergo maturation exclusively in response to TLR1/2 ligand stimulation and that
      the immunological status of LSECs was dependent upon the balance between
      programmed death ligand 1 and IL-12 expression. These results have implications
      for our understanding of liver-specific tolerance and autoimmunity and for the
      development of strategies to overcome T cell tolerance in situations such as
      chronic viral liver infections or liver cancer. 

PMID- 24227785
TI  - Cutting edge: Hypoxia-induced Nanog favors the intratumoral infiltration of
      regulatory T cells and macrophages via direct regulation of TGF-beta1.
AB  - Emerging evidence suggests a link between tumor hypoxia and immune suppression.
      In this study, we investigated the role of hypoxia-induced Nanog, a stemness
      associated transcription factor, in immune suppression. We observed that hypoxia
      induced Nanog correlated with the acquisition of stem cell-like properties in B16
      F10 cells. We further show that Nanog was selectively induced in hypoxic areas of
      B16-F10 tumors. Stable short hairpin RNA-mediated depletion of Nanog, combined
      with melanocyte differentiation Ag tyrosinase-related protein-2 peptide-based
      vaccination, resulted in complete inhibition of B16-F10 tumor growth. Nanog
      targeting significantly reduced immunosuppressive cells (regulatory T cells and
      macrophages) and increased CD8(+) T effector cells in tumor bed in part by
      modulating TGF-beta1 production. Additionally, Nanog regulated TGF-beta1 under
      hypoxia by directly binding the TGF-beta1 proximal promoter. Collectively, our
      data establish a novel functional link between hypoxia-induced Nanog and TGF
      beta1 regulation and point to a major role of Nanog in hypoxia-driven
      immunosuppression. 

PMID- 24227787
TI  - Transparent, flexible, superomniphobic surfaces with ultra-low contact angle
      hysteresis.
AB  - See-through surfaces: High transparency is required to use superomniphobic
      surfaces, which can be self-cleaning, stain-proof, anti-bio-fouling, drag
      reducing, or anti-fogging, for smartphone screens, eye glasses, windshields, or
      flat panel displays. A spray-based method has now been developed that can
      fabricate transparent, flexible, and highly superomniphobic surfaces.
      HD=hexadecane. 

PMID- 24227788
TI  - Impaired comprehension of alternating syntactic constructions in autism.
AB  - Individuals on the higher-functioning end of the autism spectrum have significant
      impairments in communication. Language delay can occur, particularly in syntactic
      or structural linguistic knowledge. However, classically observed semantic
      deficits generally overshadow these structural deficits. This research examined
      the potential effects on comprehension of dative expressions that exhibited
      syntactic alternation versus those that were restricted, whether in syntactic
      construction or through marked semantic differences in construction. Children
      with autism and matched neurotypical control participants were presented with a
      sentence battery of dative statements representing these variations in
      construction and were asked to display basic comprehension of the sentence
      meaning by identifying the recipient, or indirect object, of the dative verb.
      Construction, restriction, and semantic differentiation variables were analyzed
      for potential effects on the rate of accurate comprehension. Both groups
      performed with greater accuracy when dative expressions used a prepositional
      phrase than when the dative action was expressed in the syntax. The autism group
      performed more poorly when the dative expression could syntactically alternate
      than when it was restricted. These effects improve our knowledge of how children
      with autism understand alternating grammatical constructions.

PMID- 24227789
TI  - Peptide prefractionation is essential for proteomic approaches employing multiple
      reaction monitoring of fruit proteomic research.
AB  - Off-gelTM IEF has become a popular tool in proteomics research to fractionate
      peptides or proteins. We conducted a detailed investigation on the fruit
      proteomics of apple, banana, and strawberry fruit employing Off-gelTM
      electrophoresis (OGE) as a crucial step to improve the proteome coverage and
      quantitative proteomic workflows including multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM). We
      provide technical details concerning the application of Off-gelTMIEF, nano-LC-MS
      detection, and MRM optimization and analysis. Our results demonstrated that the
      application of OGE is an effective method for peptide fractionation and increased
      significantly the number of proteins identified by at least ten times, with more
      total peptides detected and collected. Furthermore, we developed a protocol
      combining OGE and MRM studies to identify and quantitatively investigate
      monodehydroascorbate reductase, a key enzyme in the redox and antioxidant system
      of apple fruit during fruit ripening. Using this method, the quantitative changes
      in this protein during ripening and in response to ethylene treatment was
      investigated. Our results provide direct and comprehensive evidence demonstrating
      the benefits of OGE and its application for both shotgun and quantitative
      proteomics research. 

PMID- 24227790
TI  - Unusual N-H activation of 2-aminopyrimidine: supramolecular assembly into an
      Ag(I) metal-organic framework.
AB  - A rare example of coordination at the amino group of NH2 pym (2-aminopyrimidine)
      relevant to N-H activation is described that leads to a novel Ag(I) -imide 3D
      metal-organic framework (MOF). The coordination of Ag(I) to NH2 pym produced an
      electron-withdrawing effect and thus increased its acidity, which facilitated the
      N-H activation and the subsequent formation of the Ag-imide bond. A cooperative
      metalation/deprotonation process for the N-H activation of NH2 pym is suggested.
      Interestingly, photoluminescence of 1 is switched on at the low temperature of 77
      K.

PMID- 24227791
TI  - Is behind armour blunt trauma a real threat to users of body armour? A systematic
      review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Behind armour blunt trauma (BABT) has been defined as a non
      penetrating injury caused by the rapid deformation of body armour. There has been
      an increasing awareness of BABT as an injury mechanism in both the military and
      civilian worlds; whether BABT results in serious injuries is debatable. METHOD: A
      systematic review of the openly accessible literature was conducted using the
      Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method to
      investigate those injuries classified as BABT and their severity. RESULTS: 50
      sources were identified that included pertinent information relevant to this
      systematic review on BABT injuries. Typical injuries reported included skin
      contusion, laceration and penetration, rib fracture and contusions to lungs,
      kidneys, spleen and (rarely) the heart. No evidence of fatal injuries due to BABT
      was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Whether BABT can lead to life-threatening injuries
      when small-arms ammunition impacts body armour components designed to stop that
      ammunition is debatable. It should be emphasised that other data may be available
      in government reports that are not openly available. Further research should be
      considered that investigates developments in body armour, including initiatives
      that involve reducing burden, and how they affect BABT.

PMID- 24227792
TI  - A chest x-ray that doesn't look right.

PMID- 24227793
TI  - How to use capillary refill time.

PMID- 24227794
TI  - Resident microbiota affect Bordetella pertussis infectious dose and host
      specificity.
AB  - Before contacting host tissues, invading pathogens directly or indirectly
      interact with host microbiota, but the effects of such interactions on the
      initial stages of infection are poorly understood. Bordetella pertussis is highly
      infectious among humans but requires large doses to colonize rodents, unlike a
      closely related zoonotic pathogen, Bordetella bronchiseptica, raising important
      questions about the contributions of bacterial competition to initial
      colonization and host selection. We observed that <100 colony-forming units (CFU)
      of B. bronchiseptica efficiently infected mice and displaced culturable host
      microbiota, whereas 10 000 CFU of B. pertussis were required to colonize murine
      nasal cavities and did not displace host microorganisms. Bacteria isolated from
      murine nasal cavities but not those from the human lower respiratory tract
      limited B. pertussis growth in vitro, indicating that interspecies competition
      may limit B. pertussis colonization of mice. Further, a broad-spectrum antibiotic
      treatment delivered before B. pertussis inoculation reduced the infectious dose
      to <100 CFU, and reintroduction of single Staphylococcus or Klebsiella species
      was sufficient to inhibit B. pertussis colonization of antibiotic-treated mice.
      Together, these results reveal that resident microorganisms can prevent B.
      pertussis colonization and influence host specificity, and they provide rationale
      for manipulating microbiomes to create more-accurate animal models of infectious
      diseases. 

PMID- 24227795
TI  - Lanthanide-doped hollow nanomaterials as theranostic agents.
AB  - The field of theranostics has sprung up to achieve personalized medicine. The
      theranostics fuses diagnostic and therapeutic functions, empowering early
      diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, and real-time monitoring of treatment effect
      into one step. One particularly attractive class of nanomaterials for theranostic
      application is lanthanide-doped hollow nanomaterials (LDHNs). Because of the
      existence of lanthanide ions, LDHNs show outstanding fluorescent and paramagnetic
      properties, enabling them to be used as multimodal bioimaging agents.
      Synchronously, the huge interior cavities of LDHNs are able to be applied as
      efficacious tools for storage and delivery of therapeutic agents. The LDHNs can
      be divided into two types based on difference of component: single-phase
      lanthanide-doped hollow nanomaterials and lanthanide-doped hollow nanocomposites.
      We describe the synthesis of first kind of nanomaterials by use of hard template,
      soft template, template-free, and self-sacrificing template method. For
      lanthanide-doped hollow nanocomposites, we divide the preparation strategies into
      three kinds (one-step, two-step, and multistep method) according to the synthetic
      procedures. Furthermore, we also illustrate the potential bioapplications of
      these LDHNs, including biodetection, imaging (fluorescent imaging and magnetic
      resonance imaging), drug/gene delivery, and other therapeutic applications.

PMID- 24227796
TI  - Serotonin in anxiety and depression.

PMID- 24227797
TI  - The significance of serum total immunoglobulin E for in vitro diagnosis of
      allergic rhinitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is diagnosed by clinical parameters with no widely
      accepted screening test. Measurement of total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) has
      limited use in the general population due to a low negative predictive value. The
      value of total IgE level in select populations undergoing in vitro allergy
      testing remains unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the utility of
      total serum IgE in the in vitro diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A
      retrospective chart review of patients undergoing testing for allergic rhinitis
      was performed. Clinical parameters, total IgE level, and enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum-specific IgE levels were analyzed with
      multivariate logistic regression. The positive and negative predictive values and
      a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the utility
      of total IgE in predicting serum-specific IgE test results. RESULTS: Records from
      1073 patients were reviewed. ROC curve for total IgE >150 IU/mL (Sigma 0.88)
      indicates good discrimination in identifying patients with sensitization by in
      vitro testing, whereas low total IgE level had strong negative predictive value
      (0.87, IgE <10) in identifying negative specific IgE testing. Multivariate
      logistic regression showed that differences in covariables did not significantly
      change the odds of a positive in vitro allergy test panel. CONCLUSION: Serum
      total IgE level is useful in the in vitro diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. In
      vitro testing for specific IgE may be unnecessary in patients with low serum
      total IgE, whereas high total IgE level suggests that in vitro testing would
      confirm specific sensitizations in patients with allergic rhinitis.

PMID- 24227799
TI  - The effect of real-time teleconsultations between hospital-based nurses and
      patients with severe COPD discharged after an exacerbation.
AB  - We investigated the effect of daily real-time teleconsultations for one week
      between hospital-based nurses specialised in respiratory diseases and patients
      with severe COPD discharged after acute exacerbation. Patients admitted with
      acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) at two
      hospitals were recruited at hospital discharge. They were randomly assigned to
      intervention or control. The telemedicine equipment consisted of a briefcase with
      built-in computer including a web camera, microphone and measurement equipment.
      The primary outcome was the mean number of total hospital readmissions within 26
      weeks of discharge. A total of 266 patients (mean age 72 years) were allocated to
      either intervention (n = 132) or control (n = 134). There was no significant
      difference in the unconditional total mean number of hospital readmissions after
      26 weeks: mean 1.4 (SD 2.1) in the intervention group and 1.6 (SD 2.4) in the
      control group. In a secondary analysis, there was no significant difference
      between the two groups in mortality, time to readmission, mean number of total
      hospital readmissions, mean number of readmissions with AECOPD, mean number of
      total hospital readmission days or mean number of readmission days with AECOPD
      calculated at 4, 8, 12 and 26 weeks. Thus the addition of one week of
      teleconsultations between hospital-based nurses and patients with severe COPD
      discharged after hospitalisation did not significantly reduce readmissions or
      affect mortality. 

PMID- 24227798
TI  - Yersinia pestis survival and replication within human neutrophil phagosomes and
      uptake of infected neutrophils by macrophages.
AB  - Yersinia pestis, the bacterial agent of plague, is transmitted by fleas. The bite
      of an infected flea deposits Y. pestis into the dermis and triggers recruitment
      of innate immune cells, including phagocytic PMNs. Y. pestis can subvert this PMN
      response and survive at the flea-bite site, disseminate, and persist in the host.
      Although its genome encodes a number of antiphagocytic virulence factors,
      phagocytosis of Y. pestis by PMNs has been observed. This study tests the
      hypotheses that Y. pestis, grown at the ambient temperature of the flea vector
      (21 degrees C), where the major antiphagocytic virulence factors are not
      produced, can survive and replicate within human PMNs and can use PMNs as a route
      to infect macrophages subsequently. We show that Y. pestis is localized within
      PMN phagosomes, predominately as individual bacteria, and that intracellular
      bacteria can survive and replicate. Within 12 h of infection, ~70% of infected
      PMNs had PS on their surface and were plausibly competent for efferocytosis. With
      the use of live cell confocal imaging, we show that autologous HMDMs recognize
      and internalize infected PMNs and that Y. pestis survives and replicates within
      these HMDMs following efferocytosis. Addition of HMDMs to infected PMNs resulted
      in decreased secretion of inflammatory cytokines (compared with HMDMs incubated
      directly with pCD1(-) Y. pestis) and increased secretion of the anti-inflammatory
      cytokine IL-1ra. Thus, Y. pestis can survive and replicate within PMNs, and
      infected PMNs may be a route for noninflammatory infection of macrophages.

PMID- 24227800
TI  - Differences in the topographic profiles of retinal thickening in eyes with and
      without serous macular detachment associated with diabetic macular oedema.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate if cases of diabetic macular oedema (DMO) associated with
      serous macular detachment (SMD) have a different topographic profile of retinal
      thickening compared with DMO cases not associated with SMD. METHODS: Optical
      coherence tomography scans of 152 eyes from 152 patients with centre-involving
      DMO and central subfield thickness >350 um were identified. Measurements were
      taken of the neural retina at the highest point of thickening within the central
      subfield (H) and lateral extent of retina thicker than 350 um (W). Group means
      were compared between eyes with SMD and eyes without SMD. RESULTS: SMD was
      present in 55 eyes (36%). H was lower in eyes with SMD than in eyes without SMD
      (396 um vs 550 um, p<0.001) while W was higher in eyes with SMD compared with
      eyes without SMD (4.74 mm vs 4.18 mm, p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: There were distinct
      differences in topographical profiles of retinal thickening between eyes with SMD
      and eyes without SMD. These findings suggest a possible mechanical basis for the
      pathogenesis of SMD in DMO.

PMID- 24227801
TI  - Pazopanib eye drops: a randomised trial in neovascular age-related macular
      degeneration.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate pazopanib eye drops in patients with subfoveal choroidal
      neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: 70
      patients with minimally classic or occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation
      were randomly assigned to 5 mg/mL TID, 2 mg/mL TID, and 5 mg/mL QD pazopanib eye
      drops for 28 days in a multicentre, double-masked trial with an optional safety
      extension for up to 5 additional months. The primary outcomes were central
      retinal thickness (CRT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at Day 29.
      RESULTS: No significant decrease from baseline in CRT was observed overall;
      however, an exploratory analysis showed improvement in CRT (mean decrease of 89
      MUm) in patients with the CFH TT genotype who received 5 mg/mL TID (p=0.01, n=5).
      Mean increases in BCVA were observed in the 5 mg/mL TID overall (4.32 letters
      (p=0.002, n=26)) and in those that with CFH Y402H TT (6.96 letters (p=0.02, n=5))
      and CT (4.09 letters (p=0.05, n=9)) genotypes. No safety signals that precluded
      continued investigation were detected. CONCLUSIONS: 5 mg/mL pazopanib eye drops
      resulted in mean improvement in BCVA at Day 29 and improvements in vision.
      However, improvement in macular oedema for age-related macular degeneration was
      found only in the subset of subjects with the CFH Y402H TT genotype, warranting
      further investigation.

PMID- 24227802
TI  - Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser LASIK:
      comparison of corneal wound healing and inflammation.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate and compare early corneal wound healing and inflammatory
      responses after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) versus femtosecond
      laser laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: Thirty-six eyes of 36
      rabbits underwent SMILE, while another 36 eyes of 36 rabbits were treated with
      femtosecond laser LASIK. All the eyes were subjected to the same refractive
      correction of -6.00 DS/-1.00 DC. Twelve eyes that had no surgery were included
      for control. After euthanisation, corneal tissue sections were evaluated with
      terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end
      labelling (TUNEL) assay to detect apoptosis at postoperative 4 and 24 h,
      immunocytochemistry for Ki67 to detect keratocyte proliferation at postoperative
      day 3, week 1 and month 1, and immunocytochemistry for CD11b to detect
      inflammation at postoperative day 1, day 3 and week 1, respectively. RESULTS: No
      adverse effects were noted after SMILE or LASIK. Corneal healing postoperatively
      was uneventful in all cases. There were significantly fewer TUNEL-positive
      corneal stromal cells after the SMILE procedure at 4 and 24 h postoperatively
      (p<0.01) compared with the LASIK procedure. In addition, immunocytochemistry
      showed significantly fewer Ki67-positive cells in the SMILE group than those in
      the femtosecond laser LASIK group at day 3 and week 1 postoperatively (p<0.05),
      but there was little expression of Ki67 at month 1 postoperatively in both
      groups. The CD11b-positive cells were significantly fewer in the SMILE group at
      day 1, day 3 and week 1 postoperatively (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SMILE induces less
      keratocyte apoptosis, proliferation and inflammation compared with femtosecond
      laser LASIK.

PMID- 24227803
TI  - Validity and repeatability of the Aladdin ocular biometer.
AB  - AIM: To assess the accuracy and reproducibility of biometry undertaken with the
      Aladdin (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) in comparison with the current gold standard
      device, the IOLMaster 500 (Zeiss, Jena, Germany). SETTING: University Eye Clinic,
      Birmingham, UK and Refractive Surgery Centre, Kiel, Germany. METHODS: The right
      eye of 75 patients with cataracts and 22 healthy participants were assessed using
      the two devices. Measurements of axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD)
      and keratometry (K) were undertaken with the Aladdin and IOLMaster 500 in random
      order by an experienced practitioner. A second practitioner then obtained
      measurements for each participant using the Aladdin biometer in order to assess
      interobserver variability. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences
      (p>0.05) between the two biometers were found for average difference (AL)+/-95%
      CI=0.01+/-0.06 mm), ACD (0.00+/-0.11 mm) or mean K values (0.08+/-0.51 D).
      Furthermore, interobserver variability was very good for each parameter (weighted
      kappa>=0.85). One patient's IOL powers could not be calculated with either
      biometer measurements, whereas a further three could not be analysed by the
      IOLMaster 500. The IOL power calculated from the valid measurements was not
      statistically significantly different between the biometers (p=0.842), with 91%
      of predictions within+/-0.25 D. CONCLUSIONS: The Aladdin is a quick, easy-to-use
      biometer that produces valid and reproducible results that are comparable with
      those obtained with the IOLMaster 500.

PMID- 24227804
TI  - Vascular endothelial growth factor suppression times in patients with diabetic
      macular oedema treated with ranibizumab.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To measure vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in
      aqueous humour from patients with diabetic macular oedema (DME) treated with
      ranibizumab and to determine how long VEGF was suppressed. METHODS: In this
      nonrandomised, prospective clinical study, 17 eyes of 17 patients were included
      in the study. A total of 110 aqueous humour samples were taken before an
      intravitreal ranibizumab injection in patients with DME. VEGF-A was measured by
      Luminex multiplex bead analysis (Luminex Inc, USA). RESULTS: VEGF was completely
      suppressed in all patients after ranibizumab injections for a mean of 33.7 days
      (SD+/-5.1, range 27-42, median 34). VEGF suppression times were individually
      stable during the observation time of up to 16 months. There was no statistically
      significant difference of VEGF levels at baseline and before the beginning of a
      new injection series (123.6 pg/mL vs 125.1 pg/mL; p=1.0, Wilcoxon). CONCLUSIONS:
      Monthly ranibizumab injections lead to a complete VEGF suppression in patients
      with DME. The long-term stability and the range of suppression times among
      individuals suggest that some patients could benefit from individual injection
      intervals.

PMID- 24227805
TI  - CYP1B1 genotype influences the phenotype in primary congenital glaucoma and
      surgical treatment.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of the present work was to investigate CYP1B1 gene mutations in
      patients of Han Chinese ethnicity with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG), and
      explore the clinical characteristics associated with operative effects. METHODS:
      Peripheral blood genomic DNA was extracted from patients with PCG to act as a PCR
      template. CYP1B1 mutations were identified from the amplified coding sequences of
      CYP1B1. A total of 238 patients, including 116 patients described previously,
      were used to examine the CYP1B1 mutation frequency. Of the 238 patients, 192
      patients (306 eyes) who underwent first operative treatment from January 1991 to
      September 2007 in the Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital of Fudan University were
      analysed to investigate the relationship between clinical characteristics
      (including CYP1B1 mutation status) and surgical effect via statistical analyses
      (multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression). RESULTS: The frequency of
      CYP1B1 mutation carriers in Chinese patients with PCG is 17.2%, and nine novel
      CYP1B1 mutations were discovered. The median of onset age for patients with
      CYP1B1 mutations (2 months) is earlier than in patients without mutations (6
      months). We identified that the mutant CYP1B1 gene, as well as poorer corneal
      transparency, was associated with better surgical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients
      with CYP1B1 mutations tend to have a higher operative success rate in terms of
      better intraocular pressure control effect. The combination of the CYP1B1
      genotype (with or without mutations) and preoperative corneal opacity score can
      partially predict the outcome of PCG surgery.

PMID- 24227806
TI  - The effect of nicotine on choroidal thickness.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of nicotine on choroidal thickness using
      optical coherence tomography (OCT). DESIGN: Prospective, case-control study.
      METHODS: Sixteen young, healthy subjects and 16 age and gender matched control
      cases were included in this study; 4 mg nicotine gum was given to the study group
      and placebo gum to the control group. All participants underwent OCT scanning
      with a high-speed and resolution spectral-domain OCT device (3D OCT 2000, Topcon,
      Japan) at baseline, and 1 h following nicotine or placebo administration. The
      measurements were taken in the morning (10:00-12:00 hours) to avoid diurnal
      fluctuation. RESULTS: The median foveal choroidal thickness at baseline was
      337.00 MUm (IQR 84.50), which decreased to 311.00 MUm (IQR 78.00) at 1 h
      following oral nicotine intake (p=0.001). The median choroidal thickness was also
      significantly decreased at five other extrafoveal points (p<0.05 for all). In the
      control group, the median baseline choroidal thickness at the fovea was 330.50
      MUm (IQR 104.25), and was 332.00 MUm (IQR 103.75) at 1 h (p=0.271). CONCLUSIONS:
      Nicotine causes a significant decrease in choroidal thickness following oral
      intake. This acute decrease might be a result of reduced ocular blood flow due to
      the vasoconstrictive effect of nicotine.

PMID- 24227807
TI  - Late paravalvular abscess 6 weeks after transfemoral aortic revalving.

PMID- 24227808
TI  - Huge left-ventricular pseudoaneurysm compressing coronary artery 10 weeks after
      stabbing attack.

PMID- 24227809
TI  - A patient with chest pain during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

PMID- 24227811
TI  - Continuity of public insurance coverage: a systematic review of the literature.
AB  - Publicly financed insurance programs are tasked with maintaining coverage for
      eligible children, but published measures to assess coverage have not been
      evaluated. Therefore, we sought to identify and categorize measures of health
      insurance continuity for children and adolescents. We conducted a systematic
      review of Medline and HealthStar databases, review of reference lists of eligible
      articles, and contact with experts. We categorized measures into 8 domains based
      on a conceptual framework. We identified 147 measures from 84 eligible articles.
      Most measures evaluated the following domains: always insured (41%), repeatedly
      uninsured (36%), and transition out of coverage (29%), while fewer assessed
      single gap in coverage, always uninsured, transition into coverage, change in
      coverage, and eligibility. Only 18% of measures assessed associations between
      continuity of coverage and child and adolescent health outcomes. These results
      suggest that a number of measures of continuity of coverage exist, but few
      measures have assessed impact on outcomes. 

PMID- 24227810
TI  - Natriuretic peptides in cardiovascular diseases: current use and perspectives.
AB  - The natriuretic peptides (NPs) family, including atrial, B-type, and C-type NPs,
      is a group of hormones possessing relevant haemodynamic and anti-remodelling
      actions in the cardiovascular (CV) system. Due to their diuretic, natriuretic,
      vasorelaxant, anti-proliferative, and anti-hypertrophic effects, they are
      involved in the pathogenic mechanisms leading to major CV diseases, such as heart
      failure (HF), coronary artery disease, hypertension and left ventricular
      hypertrophy, and cerebrovascular accidents. Blood levels of NPs have established
      predictive value in the diagnosis of HF, as well as for its prognostic
      stratification. In addition, they provide useful clinical information in
      hypertension and in both stable and unstable coronary artery disease. Structural
      abnormalities of atrial natriuretic peptide gene (NPPA), as well as genetically
      induced changes in circulating levels of NPs, have a pathogenic causal link with
      CV diseases and represent emerging markers of CV risk. Novel NP-based therapeutic
      strategies are currently under advanced clinical development, as they are
      expected to contribute to the future management of hypertension and HF. The
      present review provides a current appraisal of NPs' clinical implications and a
      critical perspective of the potential therapeutic impact of pharmacological
      manipulation of this class of CV hormones.

PMID- 24227812
TI  - A case study of a team-based, quality-focused compensation model for primary care
      providers.
AB  - In 2011, Fairview Health Services began replacing their fee-for-service
      compensation model for primary care providers (PCPs), which included an annual
      pay-for-performance bonus, with a team-based model designed to improve quality of
      care, patient experience, and (eventually) cost containment. In-depth interviews
      and an online survey of PCPs early after implementation of the new model suggest
      that it quickly changed the way many PCPs practiced. Most PCPs reported a shift
      in orientation toward quality of care, working more collaboratively with their
      colleagues and focusing on their full panel of patients. The majority reported
      that their quality of care had improved because of the model and that their
      colleagues' quality had to. The comprehensive change did, however, result in
      lower fee-for-service billing and reductions in PCP satisfaction. While
      Fairview's compensation model is still a work in progress, their early
      experiences can provide lessons for other delivery systems seeking to reform PCP
      compensation. 

PMID- 24227813
TI  - Evaluation of a Care Coordination Measure for the Consumer Assessment of
      Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Medicare survey.
AB  - There is widespread interest in assessing care coordination to improve overall
      care quality. We evaluated a five-item measure of care coordination included in
      the 2012 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Medicare
      survey (n = 326,194 respondents, 46% response rate). This measure includes
      patient reports of whether their personal doctor discusses their medicines, has
      medical records and other relevant information, and is informed about care from
      specialists, and whether the patient gets help in managing care and timely follow
      up on test results. A one-factor categorical confirmatory factor analytic model
      indicated that five items constituted a coherent scale. Estimated health-plan
      level reliability was 0.70 at about 102 responses per plan. The composite had a
      strong unique association with the CAHPS global rating of health care,
      controlling for the CAHPS core composite scores. This measure can be used to
      evaluate relative plan performance and characteristics associated with better
      care coordination. 

PMID- 24227815
TI  - Evidence for upgrading the ratings for transcendental meditation: response to AHA
      scientific statement on alternative methods and BP.

PMID- 24227816
TI  - GATA2 deficiency: a protean disorder of hematopoiesis, lymphatics, and immunity.
AB  - Haploinsufficiency of the hematopoietic transcription factor GATA2 underlies
      monocytopenia and mycobacterial infections; dendritic cell, monocyte, B, and
      natural killer (NK) lymphoid deficiency; familial myelodysplastic syndromes
      (MDS)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML); and Emberger syndrome (primary lymphedema
      with MDS). A comprehensive examination of the clinical features of GATA2
      deficiency is currently lacking. We reviewed the medical records of 57 patients
      with GATA2 deficiency evaluated at the National Institutes of Health from January
      1, 1992, to March 1, 2013, and categorized mutations as missense, null, or
      regulatory to identify genotype-phenotype associations. We identified a broad
      spectrum of disease: hematologic (MDS 84%, AML 14%, chronic myelomonocytic
      leukemia 8%), infectious (severe viral 70%, disseminated mycobacterial 53%, and
      invasive fungal infections 16%), pulmonary (diffusion 79% and ventilatory defects
      63%, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis 18%, pulmonary arterial hypertension 9%),
      dermatologic (warts 53%, panniculitis 30%), neoplastic (human papillomavirus+
      tumors 35%, Epstein-Barr virus+ tumors 4%), vascular/lymphatic (venous thrombosis
      25%, lymphedema 11%), sensorineural hearing loss 76%, miscarriage 33%, and
      hypothyroidism 14%. Viral infections and lymphedema were more common in
      individuals with null mutations (P = .038 and P = .006, respectively).
      Monocytopenia, B, NK, and CD4 lymphocytopenia correlated with the presence of
      disease (P < .001). GATA2 deficiency unites susceptibility to MDS/AML,
      immunodeficiency, pulmonary disease, and vascular/lymphatic dysfunction. Early
      genetic diagnosis is critical to direct clinical management, preventive care, and
      family screening. 

PMID- 24227817
TI  - Bendamustine-bortezomib-dexamethasone is an active and well-tolerated regimen in
      patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
AB  - Bendamustine with bortezomib and dexamethasone was evaluated in 79 patients with
      relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Median age was 64 years, and patients had a
      median of 2 prior treatment lines (range, 1 to 6 lines). Bendamustine 70 mg/m(2)
      days 1 and 4; bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) intravenously days 1, 4, 8, and 11; and
      dexamethasone 20 mg days 1, 4, 8, and 11 once every 28 days was given for up to 8
      cycles. Primary end point was overall response rate (ORR). Secondary end points
      were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, time to response, and
      toxicity. ORR was 60.8%, and when minor responses were included, 75.9%. Median
      time to response was 31 days. ORR rate was similar in patients previously exposed
      to bortezomib, lenalidomide, and bortezomib plus lenalidomide. PFS was 9.7 and OS
      was 25.6 months. Multivariate analysis showed high lactate dehydrogenase, >=3
      prior treatment lines, and low platelet counts correlating with short survival.
      Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was noted in 38%, and grade 3/4/5 infections were
      noted in 23%. Grade <=2 polyneuropathy increased from 19% at baseline to 52% at
      cycle 8 and grade 4, from 0% to 7%. Bendamustine-bortezomib-dexamethasone is
      active and well tolerated in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma. This
      trial was registered in the EudraCT database as No. 2008-006421-13. 

PMID- 24227818
TI  - Rational design of small molecules targeting the C2 domain of coagulation factor
      VIII.
AB  - The C domains of coagulation factors V (FV) and VIII (FVIII) are structurally
      conserved domains and share a common and essential function in membrane binding.
      In vivo regulation of thrombin formation strongly depends on the expression and
      regulation of the cofactor activities of FVIII and FV. With this study, we
      explored the possibility of inhibition of thrombin formation in full blood with
      small druglike molecules. Such compounds may serve as lead molecules for the
      development of a new type of orally available coagulation inhibitors that act by
      blocking the interaction between the C domains of FVIII and the membrane surface.
      We identified 9 novel molecules that are able to inhibit binding of the FVIII C2
      domain to a model membrane by application of a combined ligand-based and target
      structure-based virtual screening approach that took into account the knowledge
      of a set of previously identified low-molecular-weight FVIII binders that were,
      however, not active in full blood. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration
      values of our newly identified compounds varied from 2.1 to 19.9 uM, of which 7
      of 9 molecules did not appreciably inhibit FV membrane binding and were thus
      specific for FVIII. The most active bioactive compound showed activity in both
      plasma and in full blood. 

PMID- 24227819
TI  - Inhibitory FcgammaRIIb (CD32b) becomes activated by therapeutic mAb in both cis
      and trans and drives internalization according to antibody specificity.
AB  - A major feature that distinguishes type I from type II anti-CD20 monoclonal
      antibodies (mAbs) and reduces their therapeutic efficacy is the tendency to
      internalize from the cell surface. We have shown previously that the extent of
      internalization correlates with the capacity of type I mAb to simultaneously
      engage both CD20 and the inhibitory Fcgamma receptor, FcgammaRIIb, in a bipolar
      configuration. Here, we investigated whether mAbs directed at other B-cell
      surface receptors also engaged FcgammaRIIb and whether this interaction promoted
      internalization. Most mAbs engaged and activated FcgammaRIIb, with the strength
      of activation related to the level of mAb bound to the cell surface. However,
      engagement did not affect internalization of most mAb-ligated receptors, either
      in cell lines or primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells with the exception of
      CD19 and CD38. Furthermore, at high cell concentrations/density both cis and
      trans interactions between cell-surface bound mAb and FcgammaRIIb were evident,
      but trans interactions did not inhibit type I anti-CD20 mAb-mediated
      internalization. These data identify that FcgammaRIIb is engaged by many mAbs in
      both cis and trans configurations, triggering its activation, but that
      internalization via FcgammaRIIb occurs for only a select subset. These findings
      have implications when designing new antibody-based therapeutics. 

PMID- 24227820
TI  - Crenolanib is a potent inhibitor of FLT3 with activity against resistance
      conferring point mutants.
AB  - Mutations of the type III receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 occur in approximately
      30% of acute myeloid leukemia patients and lead to constitutive activation. This
      has made FLT3-activating mutations an attractive drug target because they are
      probable driver mutations of this disease. As more potent FLT3 inhibitors are
      developed, a predictable development of resistance-conferring point mutations,
      commonly at residue D835, has been observed. Crenolanib is a highly selective and
      potent FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with activity against the internal
      tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD) mutants and the FLT3/D835 point mutants. We tested
      crenolanib against a panel of D835 mutant cell lines and primary patient blasts
      and observed superior cytotoxic effects when compared with other available FLT3
      TKIs such as quizartinib and sorafenib. Another potential advantage of crenolanib
      is its reduced inhibition of c-Kit compared with quizartinib. In progenitor cell
      assays, crenolanib was less disruptive of erythroid colony growth, which may
      result in relatively less myelosuppression than quizartinib. Finally, correlative
      data from an ongoing clinical trial demonstrate that acute myeloid leukemia
      patients can achieve sufficient levels of crenolanib to inhibit both FLT3/ITD and
      resistance-conferring FLT3/D835 mutants in vivo. Crenolanib is thus an important
      next-generation FLT3 TKI.

PMID- 24227822
TI  - Altered cortical microarchitecture in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of
      undetermined significance.
AB  - Patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) are at
      increased fracture risk, and we have previously shown that MGUS patients have
      altered trabecular bone microarchitecture compared with controls. However, there
      are no data on whether the porosity of cortical bone, which may play a greater
      role in bone strength and the occurrence of fractures, is increased in MGUS.
      Thus, we studied cortical porosity and bone strength (apparent modulus) using
      high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography imaging of the distal
      radius in 50 MGUS patients and 100 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched
      controls. Compared with controls, MGUS patients had both significantly higher
      cortical porosity (+16.8%; P < .05) and lower apparent modulus (-8.9%; P < .05).
      Despite their larger radial bone size, MGUS patients have significantly increased
      cortical bone porosity and reduced bone strength relative to controls. This
      increased cortical porosity may explain the increased fracture risk seen in MGUS
      patients. 

PMID- 24227824
TI  - PET/MRI: a new technology in the field of molecular imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The introduction of the new simultaneous PET/MRI scanner opens new
      opportunities in functional imaging. SOURCES OF DATA: This article is based on
      the literature review and our personal experience of the first simultaneous
      PET/MRI scanner in the UK. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: PET/CT is well established and a
      key component of management guidance in a range of diseases. MRI has superior
      soft tissue resolution, which is useful in the evaluation of many diseases. AREAS
      OF CONTROVERSY: There are currently no guidelines regarding clinical use of
      PET/MRI, and those centres with a PET/MRI facility are undertaking research to
      look for a 'key application'. GROWING POINTS AND AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING
      RESEARCH: This review briefly describes some of the technical advances, present
      comparisons with the diagnostic performance of current imaging modalities (PET/CT
      and MRI) and identifies potential indications and research directions.

PMID- 24227825
TI  - NHS 111 led to more ambulance dispatches, finds study.

PMID- 24227821
TI  - Phase 3 study of recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein in severe hemophilia
      A.
AB  - This phase 3 pivotal study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics
      of a recombinant FVIII Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc) for prophylaxis, treatment of
      acute bleeding, and perioperative hemostatic control in 165 previously treated
      males aged >=12 years with severe hemophilia A. The study had 3 treatment arms:
      arm 1, individualized prophylaxis (25-65 IU/kg every 3-5 days, n = 118); arm 2,
      weekly prophylaxis (65 IU/kg, n = 24); and arm 3, episodic treatment (10-50
      IU/kg, n = 23). A subgroup compared recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) and rFVIIIFc
      pharmacokinetics. End points included annualized bleeding rate (ABR), inhibitor
      development, and adverse events. The terminal half-life of rFVIIIFc (19.0 hours)
      was extended 1.5-fold vs rFVIII (12.4 hours; P < .001). Median ABRs observed in
      arms 1, 2, and 3 were 1.6, 3.6, and 33.6, respectively. In arm 1, the median
      weekly dose was 77.9 IU/kg; approximately 30% of subjects achieved a 5-day dosing
      interval (last 3 months on study). Across arms, 87.3% of bleeding episodes
      resolved with 1 injection. Adverse events were consistent with those expected in
      this population; no subjects developed inhibitors. rFVIIIFc was well-tolerated,
      had a prolonged half-life compared with rFVIII, and resulted in low ABRs when
      dosed prophylactically 1 to 2 times per week.

PMID- 24227827
TI  - Secondary prevention for patients after a myocardial infarction: summary of
      updated NICE guidance.

PMID- 24227828
TI  - Cleared GP asks police to investigate patient for perverting course of justice.

PMID- 24227829
TI  - Sailing without a lookout: cuts to the Office for National Statistics.

PMID- 24227830
TI  - Transverse ultrasound image through the orbit.

PMID- 24227831
TI  - Evidence is lacking for or against multivitamins to prevent heart disease or
      cancer, US task force says.

PMID- 24227832
TI  - GP who married widower shortly after patient's death is suspended for six months.

PMID- 24227834
TI  - Equine tetherin blocks retrovirus release and its activity is antagonized by
      equine infectious anemia virus envelope protein.
AB  - Human tetherin is a host restriction factor that inhibits replication of
      enveloped viruses by blocking viral release. Tetherin has an unusual topology
      that includes an N-terminal cytoplasmic tail, a single transmembrane domain, an
      extracellular domain, and a C-terminal glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor.
      Tetherin is not well conserved across species, so it inhibits viral replication
      in a species-specific manner. Thus, studies of tetherin activities from different
      species provide an important tool for understanding its antiviral mechanism.
      Here, we report cloning of equine tetherin and characterization of its antiviral
      activity. Equine tetherin shares 53%, 40%, 36%, and 34% amino acid sequence
      identity with feline, human, simian, and murine tetherins, respectively. Like the
      feline tetherin, equine tetherin has a shorter N-terminal domain than human
      tetherin. Equine tetherin is localized on the cell surface and strongly blocks
      human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV),
      and equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) release from virus-producing cells. The
      antiviral activity of equine tetherin is neutralized by EIAV envelope protein,
      but not by the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu, which is a human tetherin antagonist,
      and EIAV envelope protein does not counteract human tetherin. These results shed
      new light on our understanding of the species-specific tetherin antiviral
      mechanism. 

PMID- 24227835
TI  - Evolution and diversity in human herpes simplex virus genomes.
AB  - Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes a chronic, lifelong infection in >60% of
      adults. Multiple recent vaccine trials have failed, with viral diversity likely
      contributing to these failures. To understand HSV-1 diversity better, we
      comprehensively compared 20 newly sequenced viral genomes from China, Japan,
      Kenya, and South Korea with six previously sequenced genomes from the United
      States, Europe, and Japan. In this diverse collection of passaged strains, we
      found that one-fifth of the newly sequenced members share a gene deletion and one
      third exhibit homopolymeric frameshift mutations (HFMs). Individual strains
      exhibit genotypic and potential phenotypic variation via HFMs, deletions, short
      sequence repeats, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms, although the protein
      sequence identity between strains exceeds 90% on average. In the first genome
      scale analysis of positive selection in HSV-1, we found signs of selection in
      specific proteins and residues, including the fusion protein glycoprotein H. We
      also confirmed previous results suggesting that recombination has occurred with
      high frequency throughout the HSV-1 genome. Despite this, the HSV-1 strains
      analyzed clustered by geographic origin during whole-genome distance analysis.
      These data shed light on likely routes of HSV-1 adaptation to changing
      environments and will aid in the selection of vaccine antigens that are invariant
      worldwide. 

PMID- 24227836
TI  - Histone deacetylase classes I and II regulate Kaposi's sarcoma-associated
      herpesvirus reactivation.
AB  - In primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells infected with latent Kaposi's sarcoma
      associated herpesvirus (KSHV), the promoter of the viral lytic switch gene, Rta,
      is organized into bivalent chromatin, similar to cellular developmental switch
      genes. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACis) reactivate latent KSHV and
      dramatically remodel the viral genome topology and chromatin architecture.
      However, reactivation is not uniform across a population of infected cells. We
      sought to identify an HDACi cocktail that would uniformly reactivate KSHV and
      reveal the regulatory HDACs. Using HDACis with various specificities, we found
      that class I HDACis were sufficient to reactivate the virus but differed in
      potency. Valproic acid (VPA) was the most effective HDACi, inducing lytic cycle
      gene expression in 75% of cells, while trichostatin A (TSA) induced less
      widespread lytic gene expression and inhibited VPA-stimulated reactivation. VPA
      was only slightly superior to TSA in inducing histone acetylation of Rta's
      promoter, but only VPA induced significant production of infectious virus,
      suggesting that HDAC regulation after Rta expression has a dramatic effect on
      reactivation progression. Ectopic HDACs 1, 3, and 6 inhibited TPA-stimulated KSHV
      reactivation. Surprisingly, ectopic HDACs 1 and 6 stimulated reactivation
      independently, suggesting that the stoichiometries of HDAC complexes are critical
      for the switch. Tubacin, a specific inhibitor of the ubiquitin-binding,
      proautophagic HDAC6, also inhibited VPA-stimulated reactivation.
      Immunofluorescence indicated that HDAC6 is expressed diffusely throughout
      latently infected cells, but its expression level and nuclear localization is
      increased during reactivation. Overall, our data suggest that inhibition of HDAC
      classes I and IIa and maintenance of HDAC6 (IIb) activity are required for
      optimal KSHV reactivation. 

PMID- 24227838
TI  - Mechanism of HIV-1 neutralization by antibodies targeting a membrane-proximal
      region of gp41.
AB  - Induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) is an important goal for HIV
      1 vaccine development. Two autoreactive bNAbs, 2F5 and 4E10, recognize a
      conserved region on the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41 adjacent to the viral
      membrane known as the membrane-proximal external region (MPER). They block viral
      infection by targeting a fusion-intermediate conformation of gp41, assisted by an
      additional interaction with the viral membrane. Another MPER-specific antibody,
      10E8, has recently been reported to neutralize HIV-1 with potency and breadth
      much greater than those of 2F5 or 4E10, but it appeared not to bind phospholipids
      and might target the untriggered envelope spikes, raising the hope that the MPER
      could be harnessed for vaccine design without major immunological concerns. Here,
      we show by three independent approaches that 10E8 indeed binds lipid bilayers
      through two hydrophobic residues in its CDR H3 (third heavy-chain complementarity
      determining region). Its weak affinity for membranes in general and preference
      for cholesterol-rich membranes may account for its great neutralization potency,
      as it is less likely than other MPER-specific antibodies to bind cellular
      membranes nonspecifically. 10E8 binds with high affinity to a construct mimicking
      the fusion intermediate of gp41 but fails to recognize the envelope trimers
      representing the untriggered conformation. Moreover, we can improve the potency
      of 4E10 without affecting its binding to gp41 by a modification of its lipid
      interacting CDR H3. These results reveal a general mechanism of HIV-1
      neutralization by MPER-specific antibodies that involves interactions with viral
      lipids. 

PMID- 24227837
TI  - Novel neuroprotective GSK-3beta inhibitor restricts Tat-mediated HIV-1
      replication.
AB  - The implementation of new antiretroviral therapies targeting transcription of
      early viral proteins in postintegrated HIV-1 can aid in overcoming current
      therapy limitations. Using high-throughput screening assays, we have previously
      described a novel Tat-dependent HIV-1 transcriptional inhibitor named 6
      bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (6BIO). The screening of 6BIO derivatives yielded unique
      compounds that show potent inhibition of HIV-1 transcription. We have identified
      a second-generation derivative called 18BIOder as an inhibitor of HIV-1 Tat
      dependent transcription in TZM-bl cells and a potent inhibitor of GSK-3beta
      kinase in vitro. Structurally, 18BIOder is half the molecular weight and
      structure of its parental compound, 6BIO. More importantly, we also have found a
      different GSK-3beta complex present only in HIV-1-infected cells. 18BIOder
      preferentially inhibits this novel kinase complex from infected cells at
      nanomolar concentrations. Finally, we observed that neuronal cultures treated
      with Tat protein are protected from Tat-mediated cytotoxicity when treated with
      18BIOder. Overall, our data suggest that HIV-1 Tat-dependent transcription is
      sensitive to small-molecule inhibition of GSK-3beta. 

PMID- 24227839
TI  - Retrovirus-specific differences in matrix and nucleocapsid protein-nucleic acid
      interactions: implications for genomic RNA packaging.
AB  - Retroviral RNA encapsidation involves a recognition event between genomic RNA
      (gRNA) and one or more domains in Gag. In HIV-1, the nucleocapsid (NC) domain is
      involved in gRNA packaging and displays robust nucleic acid (NA) binding and
      chaperone functions. In comparison, NC of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1
      (HTLV-1), a deltaretrovirus, displays weaker NA binding and chaperone activity.
      Mutation of conserved charged residues in the deltaretrovirus bovine leukemia
      virus (BLV) matrix (MA) and NC domains affects virus replication and gRNA
      packaging efficiency. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that the MA
      domain may generally contribute to NA binding and genome encapsidation in
      deltaretroviruses. Here, we examined the interaction between HTLV-2 and HIV-1 MA
      proteins and various NAs in vitro. HTLV-2 MA displays higher NA binding affinity
      and better chaperone activity than HIV-1 MA. HTLV-2 MA also binds NAs with higher
      affinity than HTLV-2 NC and displays more robust chaperone function. Mutation of
      two basic residues in HTLV-2 MA alpha-helix II, previously implicated in BLV gRNA
      packaging, reduces NA binding affinity. HTLV-2 MA binds with high affinity and
      specificity to RNA derived from the putative packaging signal of HTLV-2 relative
      to nonspecific NA. Furthermore, an HIV-1 MA triple mutant designed to mimic the
      basic character of HTLV-2 MA alpha-helix II dramatically improves binding
      affinity and chaperone activity of HIV-1 MA in vitro and restores RNA packaging
      to a DeltaNC HIV-1 variant in cell-based assays. Taken together, these results
      are consistent with a role for deltaretrovirus MA proteins in viral RNA
      packaging. 

PMID- 24227841
TI  - Inosine-mediated modulation of RNA sensing by Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and
      TLR8.
AB  - RNA-specific adenosine deaminase (ADAR)-mediated adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I)
      editing is a critical arm of the antiviral response. However, mechanistic
      insights into how A-to-I RNA editing affects viral infection are lacking. We
      posited that inosine incorporation into RNA facilitates sensing of nonself RNA by
      innate immune sensors and accordingly investigated the impact of inosine-modified
      RNA on Toll-like receptor 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) sensing. Inosine incorporation into
      synthetic single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) potentiated tumor necrosis factor alpha
      (TNF-alpha) or alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) production in human peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in a sequence-dependent manner, indicative of TLR7/8
      recruitment. The effect of inosine incorporation on TLR7/8 sensing was restricted
      to immunostimulatory ssRNAs and was not seen with inosine-containing short double
      stranded RNAs or with a deoxy-inosine-modified ssRNA. Inosine-mediated increase
      of self-secondary structure of an ssRNA resulted in potentiated IFN-alpha
      production in human PBMCs through TLR7 recruitment, as established through the
      use of a TLR7 antagonist and Tlr7-deficient cells. There was a correlation
      between hyperediting of influenza A viral ssRNA and its ability to stimulate TNF
      alpha, independent of 5'-triphosphate residues, and involving Adar-1.
      Furthermore, A-to-I editing of viral ssRNA directly enhanced mouse Tlr7 sensing,
      when present in proportions reproducing biologically relevant levels of RNA
      editing. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that inosine incorporation into
      immunostimulatory ssRNA can potentiate TLR7/8 activation. Our results suggest a
      novel function of A-to-I RNA editing, which is to facilitate TLR7/8 sensing of
      phagocytosed viral RNA. 

PMID- 24227840
TI  - Human cytomegalovirus major immediate early 1 protein targets host chromosomes by
      docking to the acidic pocket on the nucleosome surface.
AB  - The 72-kDa immediate early 1 (IE1) protein encoded by human cytomegalovirus
      (hCMV) is a nuclearly localized promiscuous regulator of viral and cellular
      transcription. IE1 has long been known to associate with host mitotic chromatin,
      yet the mechanisms underlying this interaction have not been specified. In this
      study, we identify the cellular chromosome receptor for IE1. We demonstrate that
      the viral protein targets human nucleosomes by directly binding to core histones
      in a nucleic acid-independent manner. IE1 exhibits two separable histone
      interacting regions with differential binding specificities for H2A-H2B and H3
      H4. The H2A-H2B binding region was mapped to an evolutionarily conserved 10-amino
      acid motif within the chromatin-tethering domain (CTD) of IE1. Results from
      experimental approaches combined with molecular modeling indicate that the IE1
      CTD adopts a beta-hairpin structure, docking with the acidic pocket formed by H2A
      H2B on the nucleosome surface. IE1 binds to the acidic pocket in a way similar to
      that of the latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) of the Kaposi's sarcoma
      associated herpesvirus. Consequently, the IE1 and LANA CTDs compete for binding
      to nucleosome cores and chromatin. Our work elucidates in detail how a key viral
      regulator is anchored to human chromosomes and identifies the nucleosomal acidic
      pocket as a joint target of proteins from distantly related viruses. Based on the
      striking similarities between the IE1 and LANA CTDs and the fact that nucleosome
      targeting by IE1 is dispensable for productive replication even in "clinical"
      strains of hCMV, we speculate that the two viral proteins may serve analogous
      functions during latency of their respective viruses. 

PMID- 24227842
TI  - APOBEC3 deaminases induce hypermutation in human papillomavirus 16 DNA upon beta
      interferon stimulation.
AB  - Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide 3 (APOBEC3) proteins are
      interferon (IFN)-inducible antiviral factors that counteract various viruses such
      as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by
      inducing cytidine (C)-to-uracil (U) mutations in viral DNA and inhibiting reverse
      transcription. However, whether APOBEC3 proteins (A3s) can hypermutate human
      papillomavirus (HPV) viral DNA and exhibit antiviral activity in human
      keratinocyte remains unknown. Here we examined the involvement of A3s in the HPV
      life cycle using cervical keratinocyte W12 cells, which are derived from low
      grade lesions and retain episomal HPV16 genomes in their nuclei. We focused on
      the viral E2 gene as a potential target for A3-mediated hypermutation because
      this gene is frequently found as a boundary sequence in integrated viral DNA.
      Treatment of W12 cells with beta interferon (IFN-beta) increased expression
      levels of A3s such as A3A, A3F, and A3G and induced C-to-U conversions in the E2
      gene in a manner depending on inhibition of uracil DNA glycosylase. Exogenous
      expression of A3A and A3G also induced E2 hypermutation in W12 cells. IFN-beta
      induced hypermutation was blocked by transfection of small interfering RNAs
      against A3G (and modestly by those against A3A). However, the HPV16 episome level
      was not affected by overexpression of A3A and A3G in W12 cells. This study
      demonstrates that endogenous A3s upregulated by IFN-beta induce E2 hypermutation
      of HPV16 in cervical keratinocytes, and a pathogenic consequence of E2
      hypermutation is discussed. 

PMID- 24227843
TI  - TMPRSS2 and ADAM17 cleave ACE2 differentially and only proteolysis by TMPRSS2
      augments entry driven by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus spike
      protein.
AB  - The type II transmembrane serine proteases TMPRSS2 and HAT can cleave and
      activate the spike protein (S) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome
      coronavirus (SARS-CoV) for membrane fusion. In addition, these proteases cleave
      the viral receptor, the carboxypeptidase angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2),
      and it was proposed that ACE2 cleavage augments viral infectivity. However, no
      mechanistic insights into this process were obtained and the relevance of ACE2
      cleavage for SARS-CoV S protein (SARS-S) activation has not been determined.
      Here, we show that arginine and lysine residues within ACE2 amino acids 697 to
      716 are essential for cleavage by TMPRSS2 and HAT and that ACE2 processing is
      required for augmentation of SARS-S-driven entry by these proteases. In contrast,
      ACE2 cleavage was dispensable for activation of the viral S protein. Expression
      of TMPRSS2 increased cellular uptake of soluble SARS-S, suggesting that protease
      dependent augmentation of viral entry might be due to increased uptake of virions
      into target cells. Finally, TMPRSS2 was found to compete with the metalloprotease
      ADAM17 for ACE2 processing, but only cleavage by TMPRSS2 resulted in augmented
      SARS-S-driven entry. Collectively, our results in conjunction with those of
      previous studies indicate that TMPRSS2 and potentially related proteases promote
      SARS-CoV entry by two separate mechanisms: ACE2 cleavage, which might promote
      viral uptake, and SARS-S cleavage, which activates the S protein for membrane
      fusion. These observations have interesting implications for the development of
      novel therapeutics. In addition, they should spur efforts to determine whether
      receptor cleavage promotes entry of other coronaviruses, which use peptidases as
      entry receptors. 

PMID- 24227844
TI  - Discovery of a novel bottlenose dolphin coronavirus reveals a distinct species of
      marine mammal coronavirus in Gammacoronavirus.
AB  - While gammacoronaviruses mainly comprise infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and
      its closely related bird coronaviruses (CoVs), the only mammalian
      gammacoronavirus was discovered from a white beluga whale (beluga whale CoV
      [BWCoV] SW1) in 2008. In this study, we discovered a novel gammacoronavirus from
      fecal samples from three Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus),
      which we named bottlenose dolphin CoV (BdCoV) HKU22. All the three BdCoV HKU22
      positive samples were collected on the same date, suggesting a cluster of
      infection, with viral loads of 1 * 10(3) to 1 * 10(5) copies per ml. Clearance of
      virus was associated with a specific antibody response against the nucleocapsid
      of BdCoV HKU22. Complete genome sequencing and comparative genome analysis showed
      that BdCoV HKU22 and BWCoV SW1 have similar genome characteristics and
      structures. Their genome size is about 32,000 nucleotides, the largest among all
      CoVs, as a result of multiple unique open reading frames (NS5a, NS5b, NS5c, NS6,
      NS7, NS8, NS9, and NS10) between their membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N) protein
      genes. Although comparative genome analysis showed that BdCoV HKU22 and BWCoV SW1
      should belong to the same species, a major difference was observed in the
      proteins encoded by their spike (S) genes, which showed only 74.3 to 74.7% amino
      acid identities. The high ratios of the number of synonymous substitutions per
      synonymous site (Ks) to the number of nonsynonymous substitutions per
      nonsynonymous site (Ka) in multiple regions of the genome, especially the S gene
      (Ka/Ks ratio, 2.5), indicated that BdCoV HKU22 may be evolving rapidly,
      supporting a recent transmission event to the bottlenose dolphins. We propose a
      distinct species, Cetacean coronavirus, in Gammacoronavirus, to include BdCoV
      HKU22 and BWCoV SW1, whereas IBV and its closely related bird CoVs represent
      another species, Avian coronavirus, in Gammacoronavirus. 

PMID- 24227845
TI  - A cell-biased effect of estrogen in prion infection.
AB  - Prion disorders are associated with the accumulation of a misfolded form
      (PrP(Sc)) of the normal prion protein, PrP(C). Here, we show that estrogen acts
      as a regulator of the processes of both prion infection and prion maintenance.
      Estrogen was found to be cell biased in its effect; it protected cells against
      prion infection in a prevention mode and enabled prion maintenance in a treatment
      mode. These processes were regulated by the estrogen receptor subtypes Eralpha
      and Erbeta. By using specific receptor agonists, Eralpha was found to be the main
      receptor active in slowing prion infection, whereas in chronically infected
      cells, although Eralpha allowed partial maintenance of PrP(Sc) levels, Erbeta was
      the main receptor involved in maintaining PrP(Sc) in a treatment paradigm. A cell
      biased effect of estrogen has been reported for other neurodegenerative
      disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Estrogen's effect is dependent on the
      cell's health status, which impacts the use of estrogen. This work also
      identified that by targeting the estrogen receptors with the selective estrogen
      receptor modulators tamoxifen (Tam) and 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (OHT), PrP(Sc) could
      be cleared from prion-infected cell culture. Tam and OHT had half-maximal
      inhibitory concentrations for clearance of PrP(Sc) of 0.47 MUM and 0.14 nM,
      respectively. This work identifies further factors involved in the prion disease
      process, and through antagonism of the estrogen system, we demonstrate that the
      estrogen system is a target for controlling PrP(Sc) levels. 

PMID- 24227846
TI  - Immunoprevalence and immunodominance of HLA-Cw*0801-restricted T cell response
      targeting the hepatitis B virus envelope transmembrane region.
AB  - HLA-C-restricted T cells have been shown to play an important role in HIV
      control, but their impact on protection or pathogenesis in other viral infections
      remains elusive. Here, we characterized the hierarchy of HLA class I-restricted
      hepatitis B virus (HBV) epitopes targeted by CD8 T cells in HBV-infected
      subjects. The frequency of CD8 T cells specific for a panel of 18 HBV epitopes
      (restricted by HLA-A*0201/03/07 [hereinafter HLA-A0201/03/07], -A1101, -A2402/07,
      -B5801, -B4001, -B1301, and -Cw0801) was quantified in a total of 59 subjects who
      resolved HBV infection. We found that the HLA-Cw0801-restricted epitope comprised
      of Env residues 171 to 180 (Env171-180) is immunoprevalent in the Southeast Asian
      subjects (10/17 HLA-Cw0801-positive subjects) and immunodominant in the majority
      of HLA-Cw0801-positive subjects able to control HBV infection. HLA-Cw0801
      restricted Env171-180-specific CD8 T cells recognized endogenously produced HBV
      surface antigen (HBsAg) and tolerated amino acid variations within the epitope
      detected in HBV genotypes B and C. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the HLA
      Cw0801-restricted Env171-180 T cell response is an important component of the HBV
      specific adaptive T cell immunity in Asians infected with HBV. Thus, HLA-C
      restricted T cells might play an important role in various viral infections. 

PMID- 24227847
TI  - Processing of the l1 52/55k protein by the adenovirus protease: a new substrate
      and new insights into virion maturation.
AB  - Late in adenovirus assembly, the viral protease (AVP) becomes activated and
      cleaves multiple copies of three capsid and three core proteins. Proteolytic
      maturation is an absolute requirement to render the viral particle infectious. We
      show here that the L1 52/55k protein, which is present in empty capsids but not
      in mature virions and is required for genome packaging, is the seventh substrate
      for AVP. A new estimate on its copy number indicates that there are about 50
      molecules of the L1 52/55k protein in the immature virus particle. Using a quasi
      in vivo situation, i.e., the addition of recombinant AVP to mildly disrupted
      immature virus particles, we show that cleavage of L1 52/55k is DNA dependent, as
      is the cleavage of the other viral precursor proteins, and occurs at multiple
      sites, many not conforming to AVP consensus cleavage sites. Proteolytic
      processing of L1 52/55k disrupts its interactions with other capsid and core
      proteins, providing a mechanism for its removal during viral maturation. Our
      results support a model in which the role of L1 52/55k protein during assembly
      consists in tethering the viral core to the icosahedral shell and in which
      maturation proceeds simultaneously with packaging, before the viral particle is
      sealed. 

PMID- 24227848
TI  - Risk assessment of H2N2 influenza viruses from the avian reservoir.
AB  - H2N2 influenza A viruses were the cause of the 1957-1958 pandemic. Historical
      evidence demonstrates they arose from avian virus ancestors, and while the H2N2
      subtype has disappeared from humans, it persists in wild and domestic birds.
      Reemergence of H2N2 in humans is a significant threat due to the absence of
      humoral immunity in individuals under the age of 50. Thus, examination of these
      viruses, particularly those from the avian reservoir, must be addressed through
      surveillance, characterization, and antiviral testing. The data presented here
      are a risk assessment of 22 avian H2N2 viruses isolated from wild and domestic
      birds over 6 decades. Our data show that they have a low rate of genetic and
      antigenic evolution and remained similar to isolates circulating near the time of
      the pandemic. Most isolates replicated in mice and human bronchial epithelial
      cells, but replication in swine tissues was low or absent. Multiple isolates
      replicated in ferrets, and 3 viruses were transmitted to direct-contact cage
      mates. Markers of mammalian adaptation in hemagglutinin (HA) and PB2 proteins
      were absent from all isolates, and they retained a preference for avian-like
      alpha2,3-linked sialic acid receptors. Most isolates remained antigenically
      similar to pandemic A/Singapore/1/57 (H2N2) virus, suggesting they could be
      controlled by the pandemic vaccine candidate. All viruses were susceptible to
      neuraminidase inhibitors and adamantanes. Nonetheless, the sustained
      pathogenicity of avian H2N2 viruses in multiple mammalian models elevates their
      risk potential for human infections and stresses the need for continual
      surveillance as a component of prepandemic planning. 

PMID- 24227849
TI  - Expression profile of microRNAs in Epstein-Barr virus-infected AGS gastric
      carcinoma cells.
AB  - Latent infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is responsible for multiple types
      of malignancies, including 10% of all gastric carcinomas. The microRNA (miRNA)
      expression in several EBV-infected AGS gastric carcinoma cell lines was
      determined. Infected cells expressed the viral BamHI A rightward transcript
      (BART) miRNAs at high levels and had consistently decreased expression of a small
      fraction of cellular miRNAs with specific downregulation of tumor suppressor
      miRNAs. These changes likely reflect expression of the viral noncoding RNAs and
      not latent protein expression. 

PMID- 24227850
TI  - Virus-viroid interactions: Citrus Tristeza Virus enhances the accumulation of
      Citrus Dwarfing Viroid in Mexican lime via virus-encoded silencing suppressors.
AB  - An assay to identify interactions between Citrus Dwarfing Viroid (CDVd) and
      Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) showed that viroid titer was enhanced by the
      coinfecting CTV in Mexican lime but not in etrog citron. Since CTV encodes three
      RNA silencing suppressors (RSSs), p23, p20 and p25, an assay using transgenic
      Mexican limes expressing each RSS revealed that p23 and, to a lesser extent, p25
      recapitulated the effect observed with coinfections of CTV and CDVd. 

PMID- 24227851
TI  - Increased sequence coverage through combined targeting of variant and conserved
      epitopes correlates with control of HIV replication.
AB  - A major challenge in the development of an HIV vaccine is that of contending with
      the extensive sequence variability found in circulating viruses. Induction of HIV
      specific T-cell responses targeting conserved regions and induction of HIV
      specific T-cell responses recognizing a high number of epitope variants have both
      been proposed as strategies to overcome this challenge. We addressed the ability
      of cytotoxic T lymphocytes from 30 untreated HIV-infected subjects with and
      without control of virus replication to recognize all clade B Gag sequence
      variants encoded by at least 5% of the sequences in the Los Alamos National
      Laboratory HIV database (1,300 peptides) using gamma interferon and interleukin-2
      (IFN-gamma/IL-2) FluoroSpot analysis. While targeting of conserved regions was
      similar in the two groups (P = 0.47), we found that subjects with control of
      virus replication demonstrated marginally lower recognition of Gag epitope
      variants than subjects with normal progression (P = 0.05). In viremic controllers
      and progressors, we found variant recognition to be associated with viral load (r
      = 0.62, P = 0.001). Interestingly, we show that increased overall sequence
      coverage, defined as the overall proportion of HIV database sequences targeted
      through the Gag-specific repertoire, is inversely associated with viral load (r =
      -0.38, P = 0.03). Furthermore, we found that sequence coverage, but not variant
      recognition, correlated with increased recognition of a panel of clade B HIV
      founder viruses (r = 0.50, P = 0.004). We propose sequence coverage by HIV Gag
      specific immune responses as a possible correlate of protection that may
      contribute to control of virus replication. Additionally, sequence coverage
      serves as a valuable measure by which to evaluate the protective potential of
      future vaccination strategies. 

PMID- 24227852
TI  - Characterization of the noncoding regions of the 1918 influenza A H1N1 virus.
AB  - The terminal noncoding region (NCR) sequences of the eight gene segments of the
      influenza A/Brevig Mission/1/1918 (H1N1) virus were determined by rapid
      amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Chimeric viruses encoding the open reading
      frames of the 1918 virus but flanked by either the wild-type 1918 NCR sequences
      or the NCR sequences of two other H1N1 virus strains, A/WSN/1933 and A/New
      York/312/2001, were produced. No growth differences between the NCR variant 1918
      influenza viruses were noted. 

PMID- 24227853
TI  - Vaccination with a fusion protein that introduces HIV-1 gag antigen into a
      multitrimer CD40L construct results in enhanced CD8+ T cell responses and
      protection from viral challenge by vaccinia-gag.
AB  - CD40 ligand (CD40L, CD154) is a membrane protein that is important for the
      activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and DC-induced CD8(+) T cell responses. To be
      active, CD40L must cluster CD40 receptors on responding cells. To produce a
      soluble form of CD40L that clusters CD40 receptors necessitates the use of a
      multitrimer construct. With this in mind, a tripartite fusion protein was made
      from surfactant protein D (SPD), HIV-1 Gag as a test antigen, and CD40L, where
      SPD serves as a scaffold for the multitrimer protein complex. This SPD-Gag-CD40L
      protein activated CD40-bearing cells and bone marrow-derived DCs in vitro.
      Compared to a plasmid for Gag antigen alone (pGag), DNA vaccination of mice with
      pSPD-Gag-CD40L induced an increased number of Gag-specific CD8(+) T cells with
      increased avidity for major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted Gag
      peptide and improved vaccine-induced protection from challenge by vaccinia-Gag
      virus. The importance of the multitrimeric nature of the complex was shown using
      a plasmid lacking the N terminus of SPD that produced a single trimer fusion
      protein. This plasmid, pTrimer-Gag-CD40L, was only weakly active on CD40-bearing
      cells and did not elicit strong CD8(+) T cell responses or improve protection
      from vaccinia-Gag challenge. An adenovirus 5 (Ad5) vaccine incorporating SPD-Gag
      CD40L was much stronger than Ad5 expressing Gag alone (Ad5-Gag) and induced
      complete protection (i.e., sterilizing immunity) from vaccinia-Gag challenge.
      Overall, these results show the potential of a new vaccine design in which
      antigen is introduced into a construct that expresses a multitrimer soluble form
      of CD40L, leading to strongly protective CD8(+) T cell responses. 

PMID- 24227854
TI  - Wheat streak mosaic virus infects systemically despite extensive coat protein
      deletions: identification of virion assembly and cell-to-cell movement
      determinants.
AB  - Viral coat proteins function in virion assembly and virus biology in a tightly
      coordinated manner with a role for virtually every amino acid. In this study, we
      demonstrated that the coat protein (CP) of Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV; genus
      Tritimovirus, family Potyviridae) is unusually tolerant of extensive deletions,
      with continued virion assembly and/or systemic infection found after extensive
      deletions are made. A series of deletion and point mutations was created in the
      CP cistron of wild-type and/or green fluorescent protein-tagged WSMV, and the
      effects of these mutations on cell-to-cell and systemic transport and virion
      assembly of WSMV were examined. Mutants with overlapping deletions comprising N
      terminal amino acids 6 to 27, 36 to 84, 85 to 100, 48 to 100, and 36 to 100 or
      the C-terminal 14 or 17 amino acids systemically infected wheat with different
      efficiencies. However, mutation of conserved amino acids in the core domain,
      which may be involved in a salt bridge, abolished virion assembly and cell-to
      cell movement. N-terminal amino acids 6 to 27 and 85 to 100 are required for
      efficient virion assembly and cell-to-cell movement, while the C-terminal 65
      amino acids are dispensable for virion assembly but are required for cell-to-cell
      movement, suggesting that the C terminus of CP functions as a dedicated cell-to
      cell movement determinant. In contrast, amino acids 36 to 84 are expendable, with
      their deletion causing no obvious effects on systemic infection or virion
      assembly. In total, 152 amino acids (amino acids 6 to 27 and 36 to 100 and the 65
      amino acids at the C-terminal end) of 349 amino acids of CP are dispensable for
      systemic infection and/or virion assembly, which is rare for multifunctional
      viral CPs. 

PMID- 24227855
TI  - Evolution of bovine ephemeral fever virus in the Australian episystem.
AB  - Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an arthropod-borne rhabdovirus that causes
      a debilitating disease of cattle in Africa, Asia, and Australia; however, its
      global geodynamics are poorly understood. An evolutionary analysis of G gene
      (envelope glycoprotein) ectodomain sequences of 97 BEFV isolates collected from
      Australia during 1956 to 2012 revealed that all have a single common ancestor and
      are phylogenetically distinct from BEFV sampled in other geographical regions.
      The age of the Australian clade is estimated to be between 56 and 65 years,
      suggesting that BEFV has entered the continent on few occasions since it was
      first reported in 1936 and that the 1955-1956 epizootic was the source of all
      currently circulating viruses. Notably, the Australian clade has evolved as a
      single genetic lineage across the continent and at a high evolutionary rate of
      ~10(-3) nucleotide substitutions/site/year. Screening of 66 isolates using
      monoclonal antibodies indicated that neutralizing antigenic sites G1, G2, and G4
      have been relatively stable, although variations in site G3a/b defined four
      antigenic subtypes. A shift in an epitope at site G3a, which occurred in the mid
      1970s, was strongly associated with a K218R substitution. Similarly, a shift at
      site G3b was associated primarily with substitutions at residues 215, 220, and
      223, which map to the tip of the spike on the prefusion form of the G protein.
      Finally, we propose that positive selection on residue 215 was due to cross
      reacting neutralizing antibody to Kimberley virus (KIMV). This is the first study
      of the evolution of BEFV in Australia, showing that the virus has entered the
      continent only once during the past 50 to 60 years, it is evolving at a
      relatively constant rate as a single genetic lineage, and although the virus is
      relatively stable antigenically, mutations have resulted in four antigenic
      subtypes. Furthermore, the study shows that the evolution of BEFV in Australia
      appears to be driven, at least in part, by cross-reactive antibodies to KIMV
      which has a similar distribution and ecology but has not been associated with
      disease. As BEFV and KIMV are each known to be present in Africa and Asia, this
      interaction may occur on a broader geographic scale.

PMID- 24227856
TI  - Inhibition of Bim enhances replication of varicella-zoster virus and delays
      plaque formation in virus-infected cells.
AB  - Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is an important host defense mechanism against
      intracellular pathogens, such as viruses. Accordingly, viruses have evolved
      multiple mechanisms to modulate apoptosis to enhance replication. Varicella
      zoster virus (VZV) induces apoptosis in human fibroblasts and melanoma cells. We
      found that VZV triggered the phosphorylation of the proapoptotic proteins Bim and
      BAD but had little or no effect on other Bcl-2 family members. Since
      phosphorylation of Bim and BAD reduces their proapoptotic activity, this may
      prevent or delay apoptosis in VZV-infected cells. Phosphorylation of Bim but not
      BAD in VZV-infected cells was dependent on activation of the MEK/extracellular
      signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Cells knocked down for Bim showed delayed
      VZV plaque formation, resulting in longer survival of VZV-infected cells and
      increased replication of virus, compared with wild-type cells infected with
      virus. Conversely, overexpression of Bim resulted in earlier plaque formation,
      smaller plaques, reduced virus replication, and increased caspase 3 activity.
      Inhibition of caspase activity in VZV-infected cells overexpressing Bim restored
      levels of virus production similar to those seen with virus-infected wild-type
      cells. Previously we showed that VZV ORF12 activates ERK and inhibits apoptosis
      in virus-infected cells. Here we found that VZV ORF12 contributes to Bim and BAD
      phosphorylation. In summary, VZV triggers Bim phosphorylation; reduction of Bim
      levels results in longer survival of VZV-infected cells and increased VZV
      replication. 

PMID- 24227857
TI  - Differential impact of magnitude, polyfunctional capacity, and specificity of HIV
      specific CD8+ T cell responses on HIV set point.
AB  - Defining the characteristics of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cell responses that lead to
      viral control is crucial for vaccine development. We evaluated the differential
      impact of magnitude, polyfunctional capacity, and specificity of the CD8(+)
      response at approximately 6 months postinfection on the viral set point at 12
      months in a cohort of HIV-infected individuals. High frequencies of Gag and Nef
      responses endowed with four functions were the best predictors of a low viral set
      point. 

PMID- 24227860
TI  - Elimination of friend retrovirus in the absence of CD8+ T cells.

PMID- 24227861
TI  - A novel strategy to develop a robust infectious hepatitis C virus cell culture
      system directly from a clinical isolate.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver diseases.
      Progress in the HCV field was greatly enhanced by constructing infectious cDNA
      clone of JFH-1. Since then, JFH-1-based intra- and intergenotypic recombinants
      have been developed, and this permitted the study of vaccines and antiviral
      inhibitors for all genotypes. Recently, highly efficient HCV culture systems have
      been established by using consensus sequence-based clones. We developed a novel
      strategy to construct infectious HCV cDNA clone by combining functional screening
      of sequences directly from a genotype 2a clinical isolate (PR63) and cell culture
      adaptation. Using JFH-1 cDNA as the starting backbone, we sequentially replaced
      the JFH-1 fragments with a sequence from the pools of PR63 sequences. Through
      engineering adaptive mutations that improve HCV infectivity, we finally
      established a full-length cell culture-derived infectious clone of PR63, named
      PR63cc, that could efficiently produce virus particles in Huh7-derived cells,
      with peak titers of 1.6 * 10(5) focus-forming units/ml. The PR63cc could be
      neutralized by an anti-E2 antibody and inhibited by antiviral agents but appeared
      more resistant to an NS5A inhibitor than JFH-1. In summary, we developed a new
      approach to construct an infectious HCV cDNA clone that can produce viruses
      efficiently in cell culture. This approach could be applied to other viral
      isolates, with potential implications for individualized treatments of HCV
      patients. 

PMID- 24227862
TI  - The connection domain mutation N348I in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase enhances
      resistance to etravirine and rilpivirine but restricts the emergence of the E138K
      resistance mutation by diminishing viral replication capacity.
AB  - Clinical resistance to rilpivirine (RPV), a novel nonnucleoside reverse
      transcriptase (RT) inhibitor (NNRTI), is associated an E-to-K mutation at
      position 138 (E138K) in RT together with an M184I/V mutation that confers
      resistance against emtricitabine (FTC), a nucleoside RT inhibitor (NRTI) that is
      given together with RPV in therapy. These two mutations can compensate for each
      other in regard to fitness deficits conferred by each mutation alone, raising the
      question of why E138K did not arise spontaneously in the clinic following
      lamivudine (3TC) use, which also selects for the M184I/V mutations. In this
      context, we have investigated the role of a N348I connection domain mutation that
      is prevalent in treatment-experienced patients. N348I confers resistance to both
      the NRTI zidovudine (ZDV) and the NNRTI nevirapine (NVP) and was also found to be
      associated with M184V and to compensate for deficits associated with the latter
      mutation. Now, we show that both N348I alone and N348I/M184V can prevent or delay
      the emergence of E138K under pressure with RPV or a related NNRTI, termed
      etravirine (ETR). N348I also enhanced levels of resistance conferred by E138K
      against RPV and ETR by 2.2- and 2.3-fold, respectively. The presence of the N348I
      or M184V/N348I mutation decreased the replication capacity of E138K virus, and
      biochemical assays confirmed that N348I, in a background of E138K, impaired RT
      catalytic efficiency and RNase H activity. These findings help to explain the low
      viral replication capacity of viruses containing the E138K/N348I mutations and
      how N348I delayed or prevented the emergence of E138K in patients with M184V
      containing viruses. 

PMID- 24227865
TI  - Comparative analysis of hepatitis B virus polymerase sequences required for viral
      RNA binding, RNA packaging, and protein priming.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus replicates a DNA genome through reverse transcription of a
      pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) by using a multifunctional polymerase (HP). A critical
      function of HP is its specific association with a viral RNA signal, termed
      epsilon (Hepsilon), located on pgRNA, which is required for specific packaging of
      pgRNA into viral nucleocapsids and initiation of viral reverse transcription. HP
      initiates reverse transcription by using itself as a protein primer (protein
      priming) and Hepsilon as the obligatory template. HP is made up of four domains,
      including the terminal protein (TP), the spacer, the reverse transcriptase (RT),
      and the RNase H domains. A recently developed, Hepsilon-dependent, in vitro
      protein priming assay was used in this study to demonstrate that almost the
      entire TP and RT domains and most of the RNase H domain were required for protein
      priming. Specific residues within TP, RT, and the spacer were identified as being
      critical for HP-Hepsilon binding and/or protein priming. Comparison of HP
      sequence requirements for Hepsilon binding, pgRNA packaging, and protein priming
      allowed the classification of the HP mutants into five groups, each with distinct
      effects on these complex and related processes. Detailed characterization of HP
      requirements for these related and essential functions of HP will further
      elucidate the mechanisms of its multiple functions and aid in the targeting of
      these functions for antiviral therapy. 

PMID- 24227863
TI  - Novel treatment with neuroprotective and antiviral properties against a
      neuroinvasive human respiratory virus.
AB  - Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are recognized respiratory pathogens with
      neuroinvasive and neurotropic properties in mice and humans. HCoV strain OC43
      (HCoV-OC43) can infect and persist in human neural cells and activate
      neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative mechanisms, suggesting that it could be
      involved in neurological disease of unknown etiology in humans. Moreover, we have
      shown that HCoV-OC43 is neurovirulent in susceptible mice, causing encephalitis,
      and that a viral mutant with a single point mutation in the viral surface spike
      (S) protein induces a paralytic disease that involves glutamate excitotoxicity in
      susceptible mice. Herein, we show that glutamate recycling via the glial
      transporter 1 protein transporter and glutamine synthetase are central to the
      dysregulation of glutamate homeostasis and development of motor dysfunctions and
      paralytic disease in HCoV-OC43-infected mice. Moreover, memantine, an N-methyl-d
      aspartate receptor antagonist widely used in the treatment of neurological
      diseases in humans, improved clinical scores related to paralytic disease and
      motor disabilities by partially restoring the physiological neurofilament
      phosphorylation state in virus-infected mice. Interestingly, memantine attenuated
      mortality rates and body weight loss and reduced HCoV-OC43 replication in the
      central nervous system in a dose-dependent manner. This novel action of memantine
      on viral replication strongly suggests that it could be used as an antiviral
      agent to directly limit viral replication while improving neurological symptoms
      in various neurological diseases with a viral involvement. Mutations in the
      surface spike (S) protein of human respiratory coronavirus OC43 appear after
      persistent infection of human cells of the central nervous system, a possible
      viral adaptation to this environment. Furthermore, a single amino acid change in
      the viral S protein modulated virus-induced neuropathology in mice from an
      encephalitis to a neuropathology characterized by flaccid paralysis, which
      involves glutamate excitotoxicity. We now show that memantine, a drug that is
      used for alleviating symptoms associated with neuropathology, such as Alzheimer's
      disease, can partially restore the physiological state of infected mice by
      limiting both neurodegeneration and viral replication. This suggests that
      memantine could be used as an antiviral agent while improving neurological
      symptoms in various neurological diseases with a viral involvement.

PMID- 24227866
TI  - EBP1, a novel host factor involved in primer binding site-dependent restriction
      of moloney murine leukemia virus in embryonic cells.
AB  - Mouse embryonic cells are unable to support the replication of Moloney murine
      leukemia virus (MLV). The integrated viral DNA is transcriptionally silenced,
      largely due to binding of host transcriptional repressors to the primer binding
      site (PBS) of the provirus. We have previously shown that a PBS DNA-binding
      repressor complex contains ZFP809 and TRIM28. Here, we identified ErbB3-binding
      protein 1 (EBP1) to be a novel component of the ZFP809-TRIM28 silencing complex
      and show that EBP1 depletion reduces PBS-mediated retroviral silencing. 

PMID- 24227868
TI  - Children's exposure to second-hand smoke at home in Bangladesh: a community
      survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In Bangladesh, second-hand smoke (SHS) is recognised as a principal
      source of indoor air pollution and a major public health problem. However, we
      know little about the extent to which people are aware of the risks of second
      hand smoking, or restrict smoking indoors or in the presence of children. We
      report findings of a community survey exploring these questions. DESIGN AND
      SETTING: A total of 722 households were surveyed in urban and rural settings,
      using a multistage cluster random sampling approach and a semistructured
      questionnaire. In addition, we used qualitative methods to further explore the
      determinants of smoking-related behaviours inside homes. FINDINGS: 55% of
      households in our sample had at least one regular smoker. Smoking indoors was
      common. In 30% of households, smoking occurred in the presence of children,
      exposing nearly 40% of children to SHS. Overall, we found a lack of awareness
      about the harms associated with second-hand smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      highlights that a sizeable proportion of children and non-smokers are exposed to
      SHS at homes in Bangladesh, posing a significant and grave public health problem.
      In the absence of any impetus to legislate against smoking in private places, an
      educational approach is recommended to change smoking practices at home. Such a
      shift toward voluntary smoking restrictions at home would require behaviour
      change among smokers and support from non-smoking family members.

PMID- 24227867
TI  - Novel H7N9 influenza virus shows low infectious dose, high growth rate, and
      efficient contact transmission in the guinea pig model.
AB  - The zoonotic outbreak of H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus that occurred in
      eastern China in the spring of 2013 resulted in 135 confirmed human cases, 44 of
      which were lethal. Sequencing of the viral genome revealed a number of molecular
      signatures associated with virulence or transmission in mammals. We report here
      that, in the guinea pig model, a human isolate of novel H7N9 influenza virus,
      A/Anhui/1/2013 (An/13), is highly dissimilar to an H7N1 avian isolate and instead
      behaves similarly to a human seasonal strain in several respects. An/13 was found
      to have a low 50% infectious dose, grow to high titers in the upper respiratory
      tract, and transmit efficiently among cocaged guinea pigs. The pH of fusion of
      the hemagglutinin (HA) and the binding of virus to fixed guinea pig tissues were
      also examined. The An/13 HA displayed a relatively elevated pH of fusion
      characteristic of many avian strains, and An/13 resembled avian viruses in terms
      of attachment to tissues. One important difference was seen between An/13 and
      both the H3N2 human and the H7N1 avian viruses: when inoculated intranasally at a
      high dose, only the An/13 virus led to productive infection of the lower
      respiratory tract of guinea pigs. In sum, An/13 was found to retain fusion and
      attachment properties of an avian influenza virus but displayed robust growth and
      contact transmission in the guinea pig model atypical of avian strains and
      indicative of mammalian adaptation. 

PMID- 24227869
TI  - Are familial factors underlying the association between socioeconomic position
      and prescription medicine? A register-based study on Danish twins.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although well established, the association between socioeconomic
      position and health and health behaviour is not clearly understood, and it has
      been speculated that familial factors, for example, dispositional factors or
      exposures in the rearing environment, may be underlying the association. The
      objective was to compare prescription fillings within twin pairs who are partly
      or fully genetically identical and share childhood exposures. DESIGN: Twin cohort
      study. SETTING: Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: Data from the Danish Twin Registry were
      linked to registers in Statistics Denmark and the Danish Registry of Medicinal
      Product statistics. A total of 8582 monozygotic (MZ) and 15 788 dizygotic same
      sex (DZSS) twins were included. OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of prescription fillings
      during follow-up (1995-2005) was analysed according to education and income.
      Results of unpaired and intrapair analyses were compared. RESULTS: An inverse
      social gradient in filling of prescriptions for all-purpose and system-specific
      drugs was observed in the unpaired analyses. In the intrapair analyses,
      associations were attenuated some in DZSS and more in MZ twins. Filling of drugs
      targeting the nervous system was still strongly associated with income in the
      intrapair analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Familial factors seem to account for part of the
      observed social inequality in filling of prescription medicine.

PMID- 24227870
TI  - Intention-to-treat analyses and missing data approaches in pharmacotherapy trials
      for alcohol use disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Intention to treat (ITT) is an analytic strategy for reducing
      potential bias in treatment effects arising from missing data in randomised
      controlled trials (RCTs). Currently, no universally accepted definition of ITT
      exists, although many researchers consider it to require either no attrition or a
      strategy to handle missing data. Using the reports of a large pool of RCTs, we
      examined discrepancies between the types of analyses that alcohol pharmacotherapy
      researchers stated they used versus those they actually used. We also examined
      the linkage between analytic strategy (ie, ITT or not) and how missing data on
      outcomes were handled (if at all), and whether data analytic and missing data
      strategies have changed over time. DESIGN: Descriptive statistics were generated
      for reported and actual data analytic strategy and for missing data strategy. In
      addition, generalised linear models determined changes over time in the use of
      ITT analyses and missing data strategies. PARTICIPANTS: 165 RCTs of
      pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorders. RESULTS: Of the 165 studies, 74
      reported using an ITT strategy. However, less than 40% of the studies actually
      conducted ITT according to the rigorous definition above. Whereas no change in
      the use of ITT analyses over time was found, censored (last follow-up completed)
      and imputed missing data strategies have increased over time, while analyses of
      data only for the sample actually followed have decreased. CONCLUSIONS:
      Discrepancies in reporting versus actually conducting ITT analyses were found in
      this body of RCTs. Lack of clarity regarding the missing data strategy used was
      common. Consensus on a definition of ITT is important for an adequate
      understanding of research findings. Clearer reporting standards for analyses and
      the handling of missing data in pharmacotherapy trials and other intervention
      studies are needed.

PMID- 24227871
TI  - Feasibility, acceptability and outcomes at a 12-month follow-up of a novel
      community-based intervention to prevent type 2 diabetes in adults at high risk:
      mixed methods pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: Lifestyle interventions can prevent type 2 diabetes (T2D)
      in adults with impaired glucose tolerance. In a mixed methods pilot study, we
      aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability and outcomes at a 12-month follow
      up of a behavioural intervention for adults at risk of T2D. PARTICIPANTS: Adults
      aged 45-65 years with a Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) >=11. SETTING: The
      intervention was delivered in leisure and community settings in a local authority
      that ranks in the 10 most socioeconomically deprived in England. INTERVENTION: A
      10-week supported programme to promote increased physical activity (PA), healthy
      eating and weight loss was delivered by fitness trainers as twice-weekly group PA
      or cookery sessions, each followed by behavioural counselling with support to 12
      months. OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed feasibility and acceptability of the
      intervention, and change in behavioural and health-related outcomes at 6 and 12
      months. RESULTS: From 367 registers of interest, 218 participants were recruited
      to the programme with baseline mean (SD): age 53.6 (6) years, FINDRISC 13.9
      (3.1), body mass index 33.5 (5.9) kg/m(2), waist circumference 108.1 (13.7) cm,
      PA levels (self-report): daily total 49.1 (5.9) metabolic-equivalent (MET) h/day.
      Follow-up at 12 months was completed by 134 (61%) participants, with an estimated
      mean (95% CI) change from baseline in weight -5.7 (-7.8 to -2.8); -2.8 (-3.8 to 
      1.9) kg, waist circumference -7.2 (-9.2 to -5.2); -6.0 (-7.1 to -5.0) cm, and PA
      level 7.9 (5.8 to 10.1); 6.7 (5.2 to 8.2) MET h/day equivalent, for men and
      women, respectively (from covariance pattern mixed models). Participants reported
      an enjoyable, sociable and supportive intervention experience. CONCLUSIONS:
      Participants' views indicated a high level of intervention acceptability. High
      retention and positive outcomes at 12 months provide encouraging indications of
      the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the intervention. A definitive
      trial of this intervention is warranted.

PMID- 24227872
TI  - Long-term prediction of major coronary or ischaemic stroke event in a low
      incidence Southern European population: model development and evaluation of
      clinical utility.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a long-term prediction model of first major cardiovascular
      event and to assess its clinical utility in a low-incidence European population.
      SETTING: Four independent population-based cohorts enrolled between 1986 and 1993
      in Northern Italy. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: N=5247 35-year-old to 69-year-old
      men and women free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Absolute 20-year risk
      of first fatal or non-fatal coronary or ischaemic stroke event (monitoring trends
      and determinants in cardiovascular disease (MONICA) validated) was estimated from
      gender-specific Cox models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Model discrimination (area
      under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-curve, AUC). 'High-risk'
      subjects were identified based on several threshold values for the 20-year
      predicted risk. Clinical utility was defined in terms of fraction of missed
      events (events among those considered at low-risk) and unnecessary treatment
      (false:true positive ratio). A net benefit curve was also provided. RESULTS:
      Kaplan-Meier 20-year risk was 16.1% in men (315 events) and 6.1% in women (123
      events). Model discrimination (AUC=0.737 in men, 0.801 in women) did not change
      significantly as compared to 10-year prediction time interval. In men, with
      respect to risk stratification based on the number of risk factors, a 20%
      predicted risk cut-off would miss less events (36% vs 50%) and reduce unnecessary
      treatment (false:true positive ratio 2.2 vs 3.0); the net benefit was higher over
      the whole range of threshold values. Similar considerations hold for women.
      CONCLUSIONS: Long-term prediction has good discrimination ability and is
      clinically useful for risk stratification in primary prevention. A clinical
      utility analysis is recommended to identify the optimal stratification according
      to different public health goals.

PMID- 24227873
TI  - Active buildings: modelling physical activity and movement in office buildings.
      An observational study protocol.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Health benefits of regular participation in physical activity are
      well documented but population levels are low. Office layout, and in particular
      the number and location of office building destinations (eg, print and meeting
      rooms), may influence both walking time and characteristics of sitting time. No
      research to date has focused on the role that the layout of the indoor office
      environment plays in facilitating or inhibiting step counts and characteristics
      of sitting time. The primary aim of this study was to investigate associations
      between office layout and physical activity, as well as sitting time using
      objective measures. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Active buildings is a unique
      collaboration between public health, built environment and computer science
      researchers. The study involves objective monitoring complemented by a larger
      questionnaire arm. UK office buildings will be selected based on a variety of
      features, including office floor area and number of occupants. Questionnaires
      will include items on standard demographics, well-being, physical activity
      behaviour and putative socioecological correlates of workplace physical activity.
      Based on survey responses, approximately 30 participants will be recruited from
      each building into the objective monitoring arm. Participants will wear
      accelerometers (to monitor physical activity and sitting inside and outside the
      office) and a novel tracking device will be placed in the office (to record
      participant location) for five consecutive days. Data will be analysed using
      regression analyses, as well as novel agent-based modelling techniques. ETHICS
      AND DISSEMINATION: The results of this study will be disseminated through peer
      reviewed publications and scientific presentations. Ethical approval was obtained
      through the University College London Research Ethics Committee (Reference number
      4400/001).

PMID- 24227874
TI  - Power and its applications: a new module in the medical curriculum at Trinity
      College Dublin.

PMID- 24227875
TI  - A short history of providing medical history within the British medical
      undergraduate curriculum.
AB  - This article aims to discuss the history of medical history in the British
      medical undergraduate curriculum and it reviews the main characters and
      organisations that have attempted to earn it a place in the curriculum. It also
      reviews the arguments for and against the study of the subject that have been
      used over the last 160 years. 

PMID- 24227876
TI  - Diagnosis of neuroschistosomiasis by antibody specificity index and semi
      quantitative real-time PCR from cerebrospinal fluid and serum.
AB  - We describe the case of a 16-year-old German male expatriate from Ghana who
      presented with obstipation, dysuria, dysaesthesia of the gluteal region and the
      lower limbs, bilateral plantar hypaesthesia and paraesthesia without pareses. A
      serum-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Schistosoma spp. specific antibody specificity
      index of 3.1 was considered highly suggestive of intrathecal synthesis of anti
      Schistosoma spp. specific antibodies, although standardization of this procedure
      has not previously been described. Diagnosis was confirmed by detection of
      Schistosoma DNA in CSF by semi-quantitative real-time PCR at 100-fold
      concentration compared with serum. Accordingly the two diagnostic procedures,
      which have not previously been applied for routine diagnosis, appear to be useful
      for the diagnosis of neuroschistosomiasis. Clinical symptoms resolved following
      anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory therapy. 

PMID- 24227877
TI  - Clinical utility of loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid diagnosis of
      Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children.
AB  - Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a cost-effective and rapid
      method for identifying Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). We investigated the utility of
      the LAMP assay in diagnosing MP pneumonia among children in a clinical setting.
      In this prospective study, the cause of community-acquired pneumonia was
      evaluated in 111 patients for whom MP was the suspected pathogen. All
      participants were patients at a city hospital in Japan between April 2012 and
      September 2012. Throat swabs for the LAMP assay were obtained at admission, and
      paired serum samples to measure antibody titres to MP by particle agglutination
      were obtained at admission and during convalescence. Overall, 45 of 111 (41 %)
      patients had a fourfold or greater increase in MP titres and received a diagnosis
      of MP pneumonia. Among them, 43 (96 %) patients (median age, 9 years) were
      positive on the LAMP assay and had a fourfold or greater increase in MP titres.
      The median interval from fever onset to collection of throat swabs was 7 days
      (range, 4-10 days). As compared with paired serum titres, the LAMP assay enabled
      quicker diagnosis of MP (median interval, 13 vs. 7 days), thereby allowing early
      initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. 

PMID- 24227878
TI  - Prospective evaluation of the VITEK MS for the routine identification of bacteria
      and yeast in the clinical microbiology laboratory: assessment of accuracy of
      identification and turnaround time.
AB  - This study assessed the accuracy of bacterial and yeast identification using the
      VITEK MS, and the time to reporting of isolates before and after its
      implementation in routine clinical practice. Three hundred and sixty-two isolates
      of bacteria and yeast, consisting of a variety of clinical isolates and American
      Type Culture Collection strains, were tested. Results were compared with
      reference identifications from the VITEK 2 system and with 16S rRNA sequence
      analysis. The VITEK MS provided an acceptable identification to species level for
      283 (78 %) isolates. Considering organisms for which genus-level identification
      is acceptable for routine clinical care, 315 isolates (87 %) had an acceptable
      identification. Six isolates (2 %) were identified incorrectly, five of which
      were Shigella species. Finally, the time for reporting the identifications was
      decreased significantly after implementation of the VITEK MS for a total mean
      reduction in time of 10.52 h (P<0.0001). Overall, accuracy of the VITEK MS was
      comparable or superior to that from the VITEK 2. The findings were also
      comparable to other studies examining the accuracy of the VITEK MS, although
      differences exist, depending on the diversity of species represented as well as
      on the versions of the databases used. The VITEK MS can be incorporated
      effectively into routine use in a clinical microbiology laboratory and future
      expansion of the database should provide improved accuracy for the identification
      of micro-organisms. 

PMID- 24227881
TI  - Reconstruction with a patient-specific titanium implant after a wide anterior
      chest wall resection.
AB  - The reconstruction of full-thickness chest wall defects is a challenging problem
      for thoracic surgeons, particularly after a wide resection of the chest wall that
      includes the sternum. The location and the size of the defect play a major role
      when selecting the method of reconstruction, while acceptable cosmetic and
      functional results remain the primary goal. Improvements in preoperative imaging
      techniques and reconstruction materials have an important role when planning and
      performing a wide chest wall resection with a low morbidity rate. In this report,
      we describe the reconstruction of a wide anterior chest wall defect with a
      patient-specific custom-made titanium implant. An infected mammary tumour
      recurrence in a 62-year old female, located at the anterior chest wall including
      the sternum, was resected, followed by a large custom-made titanium implant.
      Latissimus dorsi flap and split-thickness graft were also used for covering the
      implant successfully. A titanium custom-made chest wall implant could be a viable
      alternative for patients who had large chest wall tumours. 

PMID- 24227882
TI  - Computed tomography surveillance scanning after lung cancer surgery: mathematical
      optimization of scanning interval based on tumour biology.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the optimal computed tomography (CT) scanning interval
      for the detection of a new primary lung cancer and recurrent disease, utilizing
      the known mathematical formula for tumour doubling. METHODS: where: Ti interval
      time, Di initial diameter and Do final diameter. Three doubling times were
      utilized for demonstration of the principle, 30, 80 and 100 days. RESULTS: A
      worst-case scenario for a doubling time of 30 days indicates that a 2-mm tumour
      will need 210 days (7 months) to reach 10 mm in diameter and 300 days (10 months)
      to reach 20 mm in diameter. Over a 5-year (60 months) follow-up period, this
      indicates that eight CT scans will be required if a threshold of 10 mm is desired
      or six if a threshold of 20 mm is desired. For an 80-day doubling time over a 5
      year (60 months) follow-up period, three CT scans will be required if a threshold
      of 10 mm is desired or two if a threshold of 20 mm is desired and for a 100-day
      doubling time. Assuming complete histological clearance of the primary lung
      cancer and that recurrence occurs from a microscopic focus, a time period of 1700
      days (56 months) is required to reach 10 mm in diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The exact
      timing of interval CT scanning to detect recurrence and new primary tumour
      depends on philosophy; however, three monthly CT scanning is probably
      inappropriate, and scanning every 7 months is probably the shortest interval that
      is clinically useful, particularly for small-cell lung cancer in the first year
      after treatment. We recommend, based on mathematical modelling, a scanning
      interval post-potentially curative resection surgery for primary lung cancer of
      18 months, which is different from the current guidelines on surveillance, for
      non-small-cell lung cancer.

PMID- 24227883
TI  - Centrosome-dependent asymmetric inheritance of the midbody ring in Drosophila
      germline stem cell division.
AB  - Many stem cells, including Drosophila germline stem cells (GSCs), divide
      asymmetrically, producing one stem cell and one differentiating daughter.
      Cytokinesis is often asymmetric, in that only one daughter cell inherits the
      midbody ring (MR) upon completion of abscission even in apparently symmetrically
      dividing cells. However, whether the asymmetry in cytokinesis correlates with
      cell fate or has functional relevance has been poorly explored. Here we show that
      the MR is asymmetrically segregated during GSC divisions in a centrosome age
      dependent manner: male GSCs, which inherit the mother centrosome, exclude the MR,
      whereas female GSCs, which we here show inherit the daughter centrosome, inherit
      the MR. We further show that stem cell identity correlates with the mode of MR
      inheritance. Together our data suggest that the MR does not inherently dictate
      stem cell identity, although its stereotypical inheritance is under the control
      of stemness and potentially provides a platform for asymmetric segregation of
      certain factors. 

PMID- 24227884
TI  - Isoform-specific tethering links the Golgi ribbon to maintain
      compartmentalization.
AB  - Homotypic membrane tethering by the Golgi reassembly and stacking proteins
      (GRASPs) is required for the lateral linkage of mammalian Golgi ministacks into a
      ribbon-like membrane network. Although GRASP65 and GRASP55 are specifically
      localized to cis and medial/trans cisternae, respectively, it is unknown whether
      each GRASP mediates cisternae-specific tethering and whether such specificity is
      necessary for Golgi compartmentalization. Here each GRASP was tagged with
      KillerRed (KR), expressed in HeLa cells, and inhibited by 1-min exposure to
      light. Significantly, inactivation of either GRASP unlinked the Golgi ribbon, and
      the immediate effect of GRASP65-KR inactivation was a loss of cis- rather than
      trans-Golgi integrity, whereas inactivation of GRASP55-KR first affected the
      trans- and not the cis-Golgi. Thus each GRASP appears to play a direct and
      cisternae-specific role in linking ministacks into a continuous membrane network.
      To test the consequence of loss of cisternae-specific tethering, we generated
      Golgi membranes with a single GRASP on all cisternae. Remarkably, the membranes
      exhibited the full connectivity of wild-type Golgi ribbons but were
      decompartmentalized and defective in glycan processing. Thus the GRASP isoforms
      specifically link analogous cisternae to ensure Golgi compartmentalization and
      proper processing. 

PMID- 24227885
TI  - Effects of tubulin acetylation and tubulin acetyltransferase binding on
      microtubule structure.
AB  - Tubulin undergoes posttranslational modifications proposed to specify microtubule
      subpopulations for particular functions. Most of these modifications occur on the
      C-termini of tubulin and may directly affect the binding of microtubule
      associated proteins (MAPs) or motors. Acetylation of Lys-40 on alpha-tubulin is
      unique in that it is located on the luminal surface of microtubules, away from
      the interaction sites of most MAPs and motors. We investigate whether acetylation
      alters the architecture of microtubules or the conformation of tubulin, using
      cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). No significant changes are observed based on
      protofilament distributions or microtubule helical lattice parameters.
      Furthermore, no clear differences in tubulin structure are detected between cryo
      EM reconstructions of maximally deacetylated or acetylated microtubules. Our
      results indicate that the effect of acetylation must be highly localized and
      affect interaction with proteins that bind directly to the lumen of the
      microtubule. We also investigate the interaction of the tubulin
      acetyltransferase, alphaTAT1, with microtubules and find that alphaTAT1 is able
      to interact with the outside of the microtubule, at least partly through the
      tubulin C-termini. Binding to the outside surface of the microtubule could
      facilitate access of alphaTAT1 to its luminal site of action if microtubules
      undergo lateral opening between protofilaments. 

PMID- 24227886
TI  - Processive acceleration of actin barbed-end assembly by N-WASP.
AB  - Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP)-activated actin polymerization
      drives extension of invadopodia and podosomes into the basement layer. In
      addition to activating Arp2/3, N-WASP binds actin-filament barbed ends, and both
      N-WASP and barbed ends are tightly clustered in these invasive structures. We use
      nanofibers coated with N-WASP WWCA domains as model cell surfaces and single
      actin-filament imaging to determine how clustered N-WASP affects Arp2/3
      independent barbed-end assembly. Individual barbed ends captured by WWCA domains
      grow at or below their diffusion-limited assembly rate. At high filament
      densities, however, overlapping filaments form buckles between their nanofiber
      tethers and myosin attachment points. These buckles grew ~3.4-fold faster than
      the diffusion-limited rate of unattached barbed ends. N-WASP constructs with and
      without the native polyproline (PP) region show similar rate enhancements in the
      absence of profilin, but profilin slows barbed-end acceleration from constructs
      containing the PP region. Increasing Mg(2+) to enhance filament bundling
      increases the frequency of filament buckle formation, consistent with a
      requirement of accelerated assembly on barbed-end bundling. We propose that this
      novel N-WASP assembly activity provides an Arp2/3-independent force that drives
      nascent filament bundles into the basement layer during cell invasion. 

PMID- 24227887
TI  - ARP2/3-mediated junction-associated lamellipodia control VE-cadherin-based cell
      junction dynamics and maintain monolayer integrity.
AB  - Maintenance and remodeling of endothelial cell junctions critically depend on the
      VE-cadherin/catenin complex and its interaction with the actin filament
      cytoskeleton. Here we demonstrate that local lack of vascular endothelial (VE)
      cadherin at established cell junctions causes actin-driven and actin-related
      protein 2/3 complex (ARP2/3)-controlled lamellipodia to appear intermittently at
      those sites. Lamellipodia overlap the VE-cadherin-free adjacent plasma membranes
      and facilitate formation of new VE-cadherin adhesion sites, which quickly move
      into the junctions, driving VE-cadherin dynamics and remodeling. Inhibition of
      the ARP2/3 complex by expression of the N-WASP (V)CA domain or application of two
      ARP2/3 inhibitors, CK-548 and CK-666, blocks VE-cadherin dynamics and causes
      intercellular gaps. Furthermore, expression of carboxy-terminal-truncated VE
      cadherin increases the number of ARP2/3-controlled lamellipodia, whereas
      overexpression of wild-type VE-cadherin largely blocks it and decreases cell
      motility. The data demonstrate a functional interrelationship between VE-cadherin
      mediated cell adhesion and actin-driven, ARP2/3-controlled formation of new VE
      cadherin adhesion sites via intermittently appearing lamellipodia at established
      cell junctions. This coordinated mechanism controls VE-cadherin dynamics and cell
      motility and maintains monolayer integrity, thus potentially being relevant in
      disease and angiogenesis. 

PMID- 24227889
TI  - Protein-tyrosine phosphatase H1 increases breast cancer sensitivity to
      antiestrogens by dephosphorylating estrogen receptor at Tyr537.
AB  - Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha or ER) is the only target of breast cancer
      therapy using antiestrogens. However, about 50% of ER-expressing breast cancer is
      intrinsically refractory to the antihormone therapy and strategies to improve the
      therapeutic response are urgently needed. Dynamic ER phosphorylation and
      dephosphorylation play an important role in ER activity and antihormone response.
      Although more than 10 kinases participate in phosphorylating ER protein,
      phosphatases involved remain mostly unidentified. Here, we tested the hypothesis
      that the protein-tyrosine phosphatase H1 (PTPH1) may regulate ER tyrosine
      phosphorylation and thereby impact breast cancer antihormone sensitivity. Our
      results showed that PTPH1 dephosphorylates ER at Tyr537 in vitro and in breast
      cancer cells. Moreover, PTPH1 stimulates ER nuclear accumulation and increases
      breast cancer sensitivity to tamoxifen (TAM) and/or fulvestrant in cell culture
      and in a xenograft model. Further analysis revealed that PTPH1 depends on its
      catalytic activity to stimulate ER nuclear accumulation and to enhance breast
      cancer antihormone sensitivity. These studies thus identified PTPH1 as a novel ER
      phosphatase and further demonstrate a therapeutic potential of enhancing breast
      cancer sensitivity to antiestrogens through dephosphorylating ER by PTPH1.

PMID- 24227890
TI  - Superior antitumor activity of a novel bispecific antibody cotargeting human
      epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and type I insulin-like growth factor
      receptor.
AB  - The humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) trastuzumab (Herceptin;
      Genentech) effectively inhibits human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
      positive breast tumors. However, many patients responding to treatment often
      develop resistance. Cross-talk between type I insulin-like growth factor receptor
      (IGF-IR) and HER2 and elevated IGF-IR signaling have been implicated in tumor
      cell resistance to trastuzumab therapy. Previously, we reported that the anti-IGF
      IR mAb m590 inhibits proliferation and migration of breast cancer MCF-7 cells in
      vitro. Here, we generated a "knobs-into-holes" bispecific antibody (Bi-Ab)
      against HER2 and IGF-IR by engineering trastuzumab and m590. We compared the
      effects of Bi-Ab treatment in vitro and in SKOV-3 HER2- and IGF-IR-overexpressing
      cancer xenograft mouse model with those of m590 and trastuzumab treatment alone
      or in combination. Bi-Ab effectively inhibited proliferation of HER2- and IGF-IR
      overexpressing ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells in vitro by ablating receptor
      phosphorylation and downstream PI3K/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase
      signaling. Bi-Ab more effectively inhibited cancer growth in SKOV-3 HER2- and IGF
      IR-overexpressing cancer xenograft mouse model than m590 and trastuzumab alone or
      in combination. Mice bearing SKOV-3 HER2- and IGF-IR-overexpressing xenografts
      showed extensive and sustainable tumor regression when treated with Bi-Ab. Our
      results suggest that Bi-Ab has superior antitumor activity compared with
      monospecific antibodies, and cotargeting HER2 and IGF-IR may be clinically
      beneficial in minimizing the acquired resistance to trastuzumab therapy.

PMID- 24227888
TI  - ESCRT regulates surface expression of the Kir2.1 potassium channel.
AB  - Protein quality control (PQC) is required to ensure cellular health. PQC is
      recognized for targeting the destruction of defective polypeptides, whereas
      regulated protein degradation mechanisms modulate the concentration of specific
      proteins in concert with physiological demands. For example, ion channel levels
      are physiologically regulated within tight limits, but a system-wide approach to
      define which degradative systems are involved is lacking. We focus on the Kir2.1
      potassium channel because altered Kir2.1 levels lead to human disease and Kir2.1
      restores growth on low-potassium medium in yeast mutated for endogenous potassium
      channels. Using this system, first we find that Kir2.1 is targeted for
      endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD). Next a synthetic gene array
      identifies nonessential genes that negatively regulate Kir2.1. The most prominent
      gene family that emerges from this effort encodes members of endosomal sorting
      complex required for transport (ESCRT). ERAD and ESCRT also mediate Kir2.1
      degradation in human cells, with ESCRT playing a more prominent role. Thus
      multiple proteolytic pathways control Kir2.1 levels at the plasma membrane. 

PMID- 24227891
TI  - A1180V of cardiac sodium channel gene (SCN5A): is it a risk factor for dilated
      cardiomyopathy or just a common variant in Han Chinese?
AB  - Our previous study of a Chinese family with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
      suggested that A1180V of the cardiac sodium channel gene (SCN5A) was associated
      with the disease within this family. According to data deposited in dbSNP,
      however, A1180V has been found in some small samples of the Asian population. In
      this study, we followed up the affected pedigree and expanded the investigation
      of the prevalence of A1180V in 460 unrelated healthy Han Chinese. Besides, we
      searched and analyzed it in other database as well. During the follow-up period,
      1 A1180V carrier's condition deteriorated a lot, and another 4 carriers
      progressed to DCM or atrioventricular block (AVB). We also found that the A1180V
      was absent among the 460 individuals (0%, 0/460), and the carrier frequency of
      A1180V among Chinese was about 0.51% obtained from the 1000 genome project. In
      conclusion, our finding suggests that A1180V is a potential risk factor for DCM,
      and it is extremely rare among Healthy Han Chinese.

PMID- 24227892
TI  - Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin: its response to hypoxia and
      association with acute mountain sickness.
AB  - Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a common clinical challenge at high altitude
      (HA). A point-of-care biochemical marker for AMS could have widespread utility.
      Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) rises in response to renal
      injury, inflammation and oxidative stress. We investigated whether NGAL rises
      with HA and if this rise was related to AMS, hypoxia or exercise. NGAL was
      assayed in a cohort (n = 22) undertaking 6 hours exercise at near sea-level (SL);
      a cohort (n = 14) during 3 hours of normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 11.6%) and on two
      trekking expeditions (n = 52) to over 5000 m. NGAL did not change with exercise
      at SL or following normobaric hypoxia. During the trekking expeditions NGAL
      levels (ng/ml, mean +/- sd, range) rose significantly (P < 0.001) from 68 +/- 14
      (60-102) at 1300 m to 183 +/- 107 (65-519); 143 +/- 66 (60-315) and 150 +/- 71
      (60-357) at 3400 m, 4270 m and 5150 m respectively. At 5150 m there was a
      significant difference in NGAL between those with severe AMS (n = 7), mild AMS (n
      = 16) or no AMS (n = 23): 201 +/- 34 versus 171 +/- 19 versus 124 +/- 12
      respectively (P = 0.009 for severe versus no AMS; P = 0.026 for mild versus no
      AMS). In summary, NGAL rises in response to prolonged hypobaric hypoxia and
      demonstrates a relationship to the presence and severity of AMS.

PMID- 24227893
TI  - Local and systemic inflammatory responses to experimentally induced gingivitis.
AB  - This study profiled the local and systemic inflammatory responses to
      experimentally induced gingivitis. Eight females participated in a 21-day
      experimental gingivitis model followed by a 14-day resolution phase. Bleeding on
      probing and plaque index scores were assessed before, during, and after
      resolution of gingival inflammation, and samples of saliva, GCF, and plasma were
      collected. Samples were assessed for biomarkers of inflammation using the BioPlex
      platform and ELISA. There were no significant changes in GCF levels of cytokines
      during the experimental phase; however, individual variability in cytokine
      profiles was noted. During resolution, mean GCF levels of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF
      alpha decreased and were significantly lower than baseline levels (P = 0.003, P =
      0.025, and P = 0.007, resp.). Furthermore, changes in GCF levels of IL-2, IL-6,
      and TNF-alpha during resolution correlated with changes in plaque index scores (r
      = 0.88, P = 0.004; r = 0.72, P = 0.042; r = 0.79, P = 0.019, resp.). Plasma
      levels of sICAM-1 increased significantly during the experimental phase (P =
      0.002) and remained elevated and significantly higher than baseline levels during
      resolution (P < 0.001). These results support the concept that gingivitis adds to
      the systemic inflammatory burden of an individual.

PMID- 24227894
TI  - Surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer: a review of the literature and
      proposal for a decisional flow-chart.
AB  - Surgical resection is one of the standard therapeutic choices for the treatment
      of hypopharyngeal cancer, whether or not combined with postoperative
      radiotherapy. The type of operation depends on the extension of the lesion and
      the subsites involved and often requires some form of reconstruction.
      Reconstructive strategies depend on whether the larynx, or part of it, has been
      preserved. We believe that the decisional flow-chart of the reconstructive
      methods after hypopharyngeal cancer resection should be based not only on the
      extent of resection, but also on the subsites involved. This report presents a
      literature review on the management of cancer of the hypopharynx and a proposal
      for a surgical decisional flow-chart. 

PMID- 24227895
TI  - Vascular pedicle ossification of free fibular flap: is it a rare phenomenon? Is
      it possible to avoid this risk?
AB  - Free fibula flap is the most common free tissue transfer for maxillary and
      mandibular reconstructions. The distal part of the harvested bone is transferred,
      while the proximal part is removed by sub-periosteum dissection. The vascularized
      periosteum attached to the vascular pedicle has osteogenic potential. 61 patients
      reconstructed with free fibula flaps were divided in 2 groups: 41 flaps performed
      with a standard technique and 20 flaps performed by dissecting the periosteum
      from the pedicle. Patients were followed up with orthopantomography and CT scan
      at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery. The minimum follow-up time was 18
      months. With retrospective analysis of the first group we diagnosed 7 pedicle
      ossifications on 41 reconstructions (17%). In the second group, no pedicle
      ossification was observed (p < 0.05). The dissection of periosteum from the
      vascular pedicle of free fibula flaps avoids the risk of ossification. 

PMID- 24227896
TI  - Is there a role for postoperative radiotherapy following open partial
      laryngectomy when prognostic factors on the pathological specimen are
      unfavourable? A survey of head and neck surgical/radiation oncologists.
AB  - Our aim was to survey the opinions of Italian radiation and ENT oncologists
      regarding the role of postoperative radiotherapy (PRT) and the appropriate dose
      to be given to patients with remnant larynx (RL) after open partial laryngectomy
      (OPL). The radio-oncologists (ROs) of the Italian Radiation-Oncologist
      Association (AIRO) and the ENTs of the Head-Neck Oncology Society (AIOCC-IHNS)
      were contacted through a SurveyMonkey online interface questionnaire. There were
      148 usable responses. The majority of ROs recommended PRT in the case of
      positive/close margins (R(+)/R(close)) or in the case of initial involvement of
      thyroid cartilage (pT3(tci)). In the same cases, ENTs prefer a "watch and wait"
      policy (w&w). Both disciplines recommended w&w in the case of negative margins
      (R(-)). Finally, the majority of RO s recommended irradiating RL with 62-66 Gy in
      R(+), with 56-66 Gy (61.4%) in R(close) and with 56-60 Gy (34%) in pT3(tci). In
      Conclusion, OPL raises new considerations about PRT.

PMID- 24227897
TI  - The rs39335 polymorphism of the RELN gene is not associated with otosclerosis in
      a southern Italian population.
AB  - Otosclerosis, the single most common cause of hearing impairment in white adults,
      is characterised by bone dystrophy localized to the otic capsule and isolated
      endochondral bone sclerosis with alternating phases of bone resorption and
      formation. Conductive hearing loss develops when otosclerotic foci invade the
      stapedio-vestibular joint (oval window) and interfere with free motion of the
      stapes, but affected subjects frequently develop profound sensorineural hearing
      loss. The aetiology of otosclerosis is unknown. In the last years, several
      association studies have been performed and have suggested that single nucleotide
      polymorphisms in some genes may be implicated in development of otosclerosis. The
      strongest association has been demonstrated for the reelin gene, located on
      chromosome 7q22.1, which encodes an extracellular matrix protein. The involvement
      of reelin in the pathogenesis of otosclerosis is controversial; it was identified
      in European and North African populations, but was excluded in an Indian
      population. To analyze the role of reelin in otosclerosis, it has been studied in
      a case-control analysis for the polymorphism rs39335 in a southern Italy
      population. In this population, the pathogenic link between the rs39335 variant
      and otosclerosis was excluded. 

PMID- 24227898
TI  - Posterior lacrimal sac approach technique without stenting in endoscopic
      dacryocystorhinostomy.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic
      dacryocystorhinostomy by the posterior lacrimal sac approach without use of
      lacrimal stents or harvest of mucosal flaps as a valid surgical procedure for the
      treatment of an obstruction of the lacrimal pathways. A retrospective evaluation
      was conducted in a cohort of 75 patients between 2007 and 2011. A total of 78
      endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomies were analyzed in 75 patients. After a mean
      follow-up of 25.7 months (minimum 12 months), 93.3% had a complete relief of
      symptoms after surgery. Our experience appears to confirm that the endoscopic
      posterior lacrimal sac approach with no stent insertion or mucosal flaps creation
      is a good alternative to other known endoscopic procedures. 

PMID- 24227899
TI  - Evaluation of hearing aid benefit through a new questionnaire: CISQ (Complete
      Intelligibility Spatiality Quality).
AB  - The purpose of this work was to create a rapid and simple instrument to evaluate
      the benefits of a hearing aid, that was at the same time reliable and complete.
      We created a new questionnaire by integration of other well consolidated
      psychometric tests to better investigate all the aspects that contribute in
      determining the hearing aid benefit, also considering as important some areas
      that are not usually considered (spatiality and quality of sound). We started
      from a 36-item questionnaire divided in six subscales (spatiality and quality of
      signal, intelligibility in silence, background noise intelligibility, averseness
      and reverberation), and submitted it to patients before hearing aid application
      and at 2-3 months after that. A statistically significant difference between
      results before and after hearing aid application was found. To obtain the final
      30-item questionnaire, we analyzed the reliability of each subscale using
      Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and eliminated the item whose internal consistency
      was lower for every subscale. For these reasons, the CISQ questionnaire is a
      rapid and simple test that can be considered a reliable and complete instrument
      to evaluate the benefits of a hearing aid. 

PMID- 24227900
TI  - The impact of a multidisciplinary approach on response rate of mandibular
      advancing device therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to evaluate the importance of a
      multidisciplinary approach on increasing the response ratio expectation to
      mandibular advancing device (MAD) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep
      apnoea syndrome, especially in severe cases. Forty-two mild-to-severe OSAS
      patients were selected, after comprehensive evaluation by neurologists,
      otorhinolaryngologists and orthodontists, and treated with a Somnodent(r) device.
      Six months later, a polysomnographic exam with the MAD in situ was performed. The
      paired t-test evaluated the effectiveness of therapy and the results were
      compared with data from systematic reviews. The average treatment response was
      statistically significant for the apnoea/hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen
      desaturation index and was higher than the outcomes presented in literature. An
      optimum therapy response (AHI < 5) was observed in 53% of patients (40% in severe
      OSAS) and a good response (AHI < 10) in 73% of patients (50% in severe OSAS). The
      Somnodent(r) device was effective and the multidisciplinary patient selection
      improved the response ratio compared to that reported by previous systematic
      reviews. 

PMID- 24227901
TI  - Ectopic lingual goiter treated by transoral robotic surgery.
AB  - Multinodular goiter in lingual thyroid is quite rare. Surgical removal is
      indicated in symptomatic patients and when cancer is suspected. An external
      approach is most often used, but is associated with morbidity and sequelae. In
      this study, we present for the first time the technique of transoral robotic
      surgery (TORS) for removal of a massive lingual goiter. Prospective patient data
      were collected, including demographics, medical history, symptoms, comorbidities
      and drugs prescribed. The da Vinci Surgical System was used for a transoral
      approach to the oropharynx. The technique was validated in a 31-year-old woman
      with signs and symptoms of multinodular goiter presenting since childhood. The
      procedure required 115 min, with intervals as follows: tracheotomy, 25 min; robot
      setting time, 20 min; and console time, 70 min. TOR S is feasible in cases of
      multinodular goiter in a lingual thyroid. The procedure appears to be safe, with
      quick recovery of swallowing and speech. 

PMID- 24227902
TI  - Sudden clinical course of an unusual ENT tumour: clinical pictures of
      extramedullary plasmacytoma secondary to multiple myeloma.
AB  - Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare monoclonal plasmacytic proliferation
      involving upper airways in 80% of cases. The heterogeneous pattern of frequency
      in the head and neck area may result in insidious clinical expressions that are
      potentially lethal for the patient. The presentation and management of two
      suggestive clinical photographs characterized by sudden and aggressive EMP
      development secondary to multiple myeloma are discussed. 

PMID- 24227903
TI  - Intramuscular haemangioma of the levator anguli oris: a rare case.
AB  - Intramuscular haemangiomas are benign malformations of blood vessels occurring in
      skeletal muscles. Because of the rarity of these lesions, their deep location and
      variable clinical presentation, they often pose diagnostic difficulties. We
      herein present the first reported case of intramuscular haemangioma occurring in
      the levator anguli oris muscle. A 26-year-old man was referred to our Department
      for evaluation and management of a progressive swelling of the right cheek. Based
      mainly on the imaging findings, a preoperative diagnosis of intramuscular
      haemangioma was made and surgery was performed. During intervention, a highly
      vascular soft tissue mass was identified within the levator anguli oris muscle.
      The lesion was completely removed via an intraoral approach, and
      histopathological examination showed an intramuscular haemangioma. 

PMID- 24227904
TI  - Palliative combined treatment for unresectable cutaneous basosquamous cell
      carcinoma of the head and neck.
AB  - A case is presented of a patient with a skin basosquamous cell carcinoma of the
      frontal region infiltrating the cerebral tissue and with a widespread
      unresectable regional metastatic ulceration of the left parotid region. The
      patient underwent combined palliative treatment: surgical coverage of the
      ulceration by means of a pectoralis mayor flap transposition and radiotherapy.
      After 18 months of follow-up, no signs of tumour progression were noted, the
      patient is currently free from pain, no increase in trismus was seen, and a
      slight gain in weight was recorded. Unresectable cancer is mainly treated by
      concurrent chemoradiation; radiotherapy, however, is contraindicated in deep
      neoplastic ulcerations with exposure of large vessels. The data reported suggest
      that surgical coverage of an unresectable neoplastic ulcer is feasible, and
      combined with early administration of radiation permits a palliative approach in
      an otherwise untreatable condition. 

PMID- 24227905
TI  - The discovery of stapes.
AB  - Giovanni Filippo Ingrassia revisited and redefined some of Galeno's reports, and
      was recognized as one of the leading Italian Physicians of the 16th century.
      Ingrassia principally studied the skull, and gave very important contributions to
      otorhinolaryngology, including the discovery of the stapes. He also isolated the
      inferior nasal concha from the maxillary bone, described the frontal sinus, the
      pterygopalatine fossa and several foramina of the skull. Ingrassia firstly
      attributed a sensorial function to the middle ear bones, which he called fifth
      particular function. He also added some details to the description of the VIII
      cranial nerve, which introduces the concept of bone conducting sound. The most
      important discovery in Ingrassia's study about the hearing organ was the first
      description of the third bone of the ossicular chain that he called "stapes".
      Ingrassia should thus be reconsidered under a new light for his important
      discovery and for his intuitions about the stapes and its role in hearing. It is
      appropriate for a Sicilian physician to be placed at his rightful place side-by
      side with Eustachio and Valsalva in the history of otology.

PMID- 24227906
TI  - P600-like positivity and Left Anterior Negativity responses are elicited by
      semantic reversibility in nonanomalous sentences.
AB  - ERPs are commonly elicited by semantic and syntactic violations in sentences,
      leading to proposals that they reflect neural activity underlying ordinary
      language comprehension. We examined ERPs in an auditory sentence-picture-matching
      task, using nonanomalous sentences that were either semantically reversible, (boy
      pushes girl) or irreversible, (boy eats apple). Timelocked to the end of the
      critical clause, which occurred in the middle of a longer sentence, we observed
      an enhanced central-posterior positivity in response to the reversible sentences.
      The topography of this response is consistent with the P600 potential reported in
      studies of syntactic anomalies and other manipulations related to sentence
      structure. Following the end of the sentence, during a memory delay period prior
      to picture onset, reversible sentences also evoked a protracted anterior
      negativity, predominantly on the left. This negativity was stronger for sentences
      containing relative clauses compared to simple active sentences, but did not
      differ between object-embedded and the less complex subject-embedded clauses. The
      observation of a P600 occurring selectively in reversible sentences supports the
      interpretation of that potential as reflecting the syntactic processing of
      thematic relationships, as irreversible sentences contained alternative cues for
      thematic roles. The left anterior negativity likely reflects later processes of
      rehearsal and reanalysis of sentence content in working memory.

PMID- 24227907
TI  - PGE 2 desensitizes beta -agonist effect on human lung fibroblast-mediated
      collagen gel contraction through upregulating PDE4.
AB  - In the current study, we investigated the effect of a long-acting beta -agonist
      (salmeterol) and a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor (cilomilast) on human
      lung fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction. Higher concentrations of
      salmeterol (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) inhibited fibroblast-mediated collagen gel
      contraction. No effect was observed with cilomilast alone (up to 10(-5) M). In
      the presence of 10(-8) M salmeterol, however, cilomilast could significantly
      inhibit fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction in a concentration-dependent
      manner (10(-7) ~10(-5) M). Blockade of endogenous PGE2 by indomethacin further
      potentiated the inhibitory effect of salmeterol on fibroblast-mediated collagen
      gel contraction, but it did not affect cilomilast's effect. Pretreatment with
      PGE2 abolished the inhibitory effect of salmeterol, but it potentiated the
      inhibitory effect of cilomilast on fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction.
      Finally, indomethacin slightly inhibited PDE4C expression, while PGE2 stimulated
      the expression of PDE4A and -4C in human lung fibroblasts. These findings suggest
      that long-acting beta -agonist and PDE4 inhibitor have a synergistic effect in
      regulating fibroblast tissue repair functions and that PGE2 can modulate the
      effect of beta -agonist and PDE4 inhibitor at least in part through the mechanism
      of regulating PDE4 expression.

PMID- 24227909
TI  - Gender differences in fat distribution and inflammatory markers among Arabs.
AB  - Recent studies from the Gulf region suggest that compared to men, women have a
      greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MeS). OBJECTIVE: To investigate
      gender differences in body composition, adipokines, inflammatory markers, and
      aerobic fitness in a cohort of healthy Qatari adults. Participants. Healthy
      Qatari (n = 58) were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. METHODS: Body
      composition and regional fat distribution were determined by dual-energy X-ray
      absorptiometry and computerized tomography. Laboratory assessments included serum
      levels of fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile analysis, adipokines, and
      inflammatory markers. Subjects were also evaluated for aerobic fitness. RESULTS:
      Women had more adipose tissue in the total abdominal (P = 0.04) and abdominal
      subcutaneous (P = 0.07) regions compared to men. Waist circumference and indices
      of insulin sensitivity were similar; however, women had a more favourable lipid
      profile than men. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly higher
      in women, whereas inflammatory profiles were not different between men and women.
      Aerobic fitness was lower in women and was associated with abdominal fat
      accumulation. CONCLUSION: In premenopausal women, higher levels of adiponectin
      may support maintenance of insulin sensitivity and normolipidemia despite greater
      adiposity. However, poor aerobic fitness combined with abdominal fat accumulation
      may explain their greater future risk of MeS compared with men.

PMID- 24227908
TI  - Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for macular edema.
AB  - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are nowadays widely used in
      ophthalmology to reduce eye inflammation, pain, and cystoid macular edema
      associated with cataract surgery. Recently, new topical NSAIDs have been approved
      for topical ophthalmic use, allowing for greater drug penetration into the
      vitreous. Hence, new therapeutic effects can be achieved, such as reduction of
      exudation secondary to age-related macular degeneration or diabetic maculopathy.
      We provide an updated review on the clinical use of NSAIDs for retinal diseases,
      with a focus on the potential future applications. 

PMID- 24227911
TI  - The Pandora's Box.

PMID- 24227910
TI  - Expression of VEGF-A, Otx homeobox and p53 family genes in proliferative
      vitreoretinopathy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a severe inflammatory
      complication of retinal detachment. Pathological epiretinal membranes grow on the
      retina surface leading to contraction, and surgery fails in 5% to 10% of the
      cases. We evaluated the expression of VEGF-A, Otx1, Otx2, Otx3, and p53 family
      members from PVR specimens to correlate their role in inducing or preventing the
      pathology. METHODS: Twelve retinal samples were taken from patients affected by
      PVR during therapeutic retinectomies in vitreoretinal surgery. Gene expression
      was evaluated using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analysis and
      immunohistochemistry, using four healthy human retinae as control. RESULT:
      Controls showed basal expression of all genes. PVR samples showed little or no
      expression of Otx1 and variable expression of VEGF-A, Otx2, Otx3, p53, and p63
      genes. Significant correlation was found among VEGF-A, Otx2, p53, and p63 and
      between Otx1 and Otx3. CONCLUSIONS: Otx homeobox, p53 family, and VEGF-A genes
      are expressed in PVR human retina. We individuated two possible pathways (VEGF-A,
      Otx2, p53, p63 and Otx1 and Otx3) involved in PVR progression that could
      influence in different manners the course of the pathology. Individuating the
      genetic pathways of PVR represents a novel approach to PVR therapies.

PMID- 24227912
TI  - Orthognathic model surgery by using of a passive Robot Arm.
AB  - PURPOSE: The possibility of using a passive Robot Arm (3D method) in model
      surgery and comparing with manual technique model surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Seventeen patients undergoing orthognathic surgery gave consent for this study.
      Model surgery was performed by using a manual technique and using the Robot Arm.
      The model surgery that was performed by using the manual technique named group A
      and the one performed by the Robot Arm named group B. Patients' maxillary casts
      were measured before and after model surgery, and results were compared with
      those for the original treatment plan in the horizontal (X-axis), vertical (Y
      axis), and transverse (Z-axis) planes. RESULTS: Statistical analysis using Mann
      Whitney U test for X- and Y-axis and independent sample t test for Z-axis have
      shown significant differences between both groups in X-axis (P = .026) and Y-axis
      (P = .021) but not in Z-axis (P = .762). CONCLUSIONS: Model surgery performed
      with a Robot Arm is more accurate in all dimensions X, Y, and Z than the manual
      model surgery.

PMID- 24227914
TI  - Whole-exome sequencing identifies novel compound heterozygous mutations in USH2A
      in Spanish patients with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.
AB  - PURPOSE: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal dystrophy
      characterized by extreme genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Thus, the diagnosis
      is not always easily performed due to phenotypic and genetic overlap. Current
      clinical practices have focused on the systematic evaluation of a set of known
      genes for each phenotype, but this approach may fail in patients with inaccurate
      diagnosis or infrequent genetic cause. In the present study, we investigated the
      genetic cause of autosomal recessive RP (arRP) in a Spanish family in which the
      causal mutation has not yet been identified with primer extension technology and
      resequencing. METHODS: We designed a whole-exome sequencing (WES)-based approach
      using NimbleGen SeqCap EZ Exome V3 sample preparation kit and the SOLiD 5500*l
      next-generation sequencing platform. We sequenced the exomes of both unaffected
      parents and two affected siblings. Exome analysis resulted in the identification
      of 43,204 variants in the index patient. All variants passing filter criteria
      were validated with Sanger sequencing to confirm familial segregation and absence
      in the control population. In silico prediction tools were used to determine
      mutational impact on protein function and the structure of the identified
      variants. RESULTS: Novel Usher syndrome type 2A (USH2A) compound heterozygous
      mutations, c.4325T>C (p.F1442S) and c.15188T>G (p.L5063R), located in exons 20
      and 70, respectively, were identified as probable causative mutations for RP in
      this family. Family segregation of the variants showed the presence of both
      mutations in all affected members and in two siblings who were apparently
      asymptomatic at the time of family ascertainment. Clinical reassessment confirmed
      the diagnosis of RP in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Using WES, we identified two
      heterozygous novel mutations in USH2A as the most likely disease-causing variants
      in a Spanish family diagnosed with arRP in which the cause of the disease had not
      yet been identified with commonly used techniques. Our data reinforce the
      clinical role of WES in the molecular diagnosis of highly heterogeneous genetic
      diseases where conventional genetic approaches have previously failed in
      achieving a proper diagnosis.

PMID- 24227913
TI  - Regional replication of association with refractive error on 15q14 and 15q25 in
      the Age-Related Eye Disease Study cohort.
AB  - PURPOSE: Refractive error is a complex trait with multiple genetic and
      environmental risk factors, and is the most common cause of preventable blindness
      worldwide. The common nature of the trait suggests the presence of many genetic
      factors that individually may have modest effects. To achieve an adequate sample
      size to detect these common variants, large, international collaborations have
      formed. These consortia typically use meta-analysis to combine multiple studies
      from many different populations. This approach is robust to differences between
      populations; however, it does not compensate for the different haplotypes in each
      genetic background evidenced by different alleles in linkage disequilibrium with
      the causative variant. We used the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) cohort
      to replicate published significant associations at two loci on chromosome 15 from
      two genome-wide association studies (GWASs). The single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) that exhibited association on chromosome 15 in the original studies did
      not show evidence of association with refractive error in the AREDS cohort. This
      paper seeks to determine whether the non-replication in this AREDS sample may be
      due to the limited number of SNPs chosen for replication. METHODS: We selected
      all SNPs genotyped on the Illumina Omni2.5v1_B array or custom TaqMan assays or
      imputed from the GWAS data, in the region surrounding the SNPs from the
      Consortium for Refractive Error and Myopia study. We analyzed the SNPs for
      association with refractive error using standard regression methods in PLINK. The
      effective number of tests was calculated using the Genetic Type I Error
      Calculator. RESULTS: Although use of the same SNPs used in the Consortium for
      Refractive Error and Myopia study did not show any evidence of association with
      refractive error in this AREDS sample, other SNPs within the candidate regions
      demonstrated an association with refractive error. Significant evidence of
      association was found using the hyperopia categorical trait, with the most
      significant SNPs rs1357179 on 15q14 (p=1.69*10-3) and rs7164400 on 15q25
      (p=8.39*10-4), which passed the replication thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      adds to the growing body of evidence that attempting to replicate the most
      significant SNPs found in one population may not be significant in another
      population due to differences in the linkage disequilibrium structure and/or
      allele frequency. This suggests that replication studies should include less
      significant SNPs in an associated region rather than only a few selected SNPs
      chosen by a significance threshold.

PMID- 24227915
TI  - Cataract-specific posttranslational modifications and changes in the composition
      of urea-soluble protein fraction from the rat lens.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine age-related changes in the composition of the urea-soluble
      (US) protein fraction from lenses of senescence-accelerated OXYS (cataract model)
      and Wistar (control) rats and to establish posttranslational modifications (PTMs)
      occurring under enhanced oxidative stress in OXYS lenses. METHODS: The identity
      and the relative abundance of crystallins in the US fractions were determined
      using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser
      desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MS). The identities and
      the positions of PTMs were established using MS/MS measurements. RESULTS: Two
      dimensional gel electrophoresis maps of US protein fractions were obtained for
      lenses of 3-, 12-, and 62-week-old Wistar and OXYS rats, and the relative
      abundance of different isoforms of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-crystallins was
      determined. beta-Crystallins were the major contributor of the US fraction in 3
      week-old lenses (above 50%), gamma-crystallins in 12-week-old lenses (50-60%),
      and in 62-week-old lenses, the contributions from all three crystallin families
      leveled out. The major interstrain difference was the elevated level of alpha
      crystallins in the US fraction from 12-week-old OXYS lenses. Spots with increased
      relative abundance in OXYS maps were attributed to the cataract-specific spots of
      interest. The crystallins from these spots were subjected to MS/MS analysis, and
      the positions of acetylation, oxidation, deamidation, and phosphorylation were
      established. CONCLUSIONS: The increased relative abundance of alpha-crystallins
      in the US fraction from 12-week-old OXYS lenses points to the fast
      insolubilization of alpha-crystallins under oxidative stress. Most of the PTMs
      attributed to the cataract-specific modifications also correspond to alpha
      crystallins. These PTMs include oxidation of methionine residues, deamidation of
      asparagine and glutamine residues, and phosphorylation of serine and threonine
      residues.

PMID- 24227916
TI  - Characterization of novel RS1 exonic deletions in juvenile X-linked
      retinoschisis.
AB  - PURPOSE: X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is a vitreoretinal dystrophy
      characterized by schisis (splitting) of the inner layers of the neuroretina.
      Mutations within the retinoschisis (RS1) gene are responsible for this disease.
      The mutation spectrum consists of amino acid substitutions, splice site
      variations, small indels, and larger genomic deletions. Clinically, genomic
      deletions are rarely reported. Here, we characterize two novel full exonic
      deletions: one encompassing exon 1 and the other spanning exons 4-5 of the RS1
      gene. We also report the clinical findings in these patients with XLRS with two
      different exonic deletions. METHODS: Unrelated XLRS men and boys and their
      mothers (if available) were enrolled for molecular genetics evaluation. The
      patients also underwent ophthalmologic examination and in some cases
      electroretinogram (ERG) recording. All the exons and the flanking intronic
      regions of the RS1 gene were analyzed with direct sequencing. Two patients with
      exonic deletions were further evaluated with array comparative genomic
      hybridization to define the scope of the genomic aberrations. After the deleted
      genomic region was identified, primer walking followed by direct sequencing was
      used to determine the exact breakpoints. RESULTS: Two novel exonic deletions of
      the RS1 gene were identified: one including exon 1 and the other spanning exons 4
      and 5. The exon 1 deletion extends from the 5' region of the RS1 gene (including
      the promoter) through intron 1 (c.(-35)-1723_c.51+2664del4472). The exon 4-5
      deletion spans introns 3 to intron 5 (c.185-1020_c.522+1844del5764). CONCLUSIONS:
      Here we report two novel exonic deletions within the RS1 gene locus. We have also
      described the clinical presentations and hypothesized the genomic mechanisms
      underlying these schisis phenotypes.

PMID- 24227917
TI  - Evaluation of PRSS56 in Chinese subjects with high hyperopia or primary angle
      closure glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Mouse serine protease 56 (Prss56) mutants show a phenotype of angle
      closure glaucoma with a shortened ocular axial length. Mutations in the human
      PRSS56 gene are associated with posterior microphthalmia and nanopthalmos. In
      this study, variations in PRSS56 were evaluated in patients with either primary
      angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) or high hyperopia. METHODS: A total of 561
      participants were enrolled in this study, including 189 individuals with PACG,
      110 individuals with simple high hyperopia (sphere refraction >=+5.00 D), and 262
      normal control subjects (-0.5 D<sphere refraction<+0.5 D). Polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing were performed to detect sequence variations
      in PRSS56. Novel variations were evaluated using online tools, such as PolyPhen-2
      and SIFT. The frequencies of the variations were compared between patients and
      controls using Fisher's exact test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Eleven variants
      including ten novel variants and one known variant, involving 15 alleles, were
      detected in 14 patients (five patients with PACG and nine patients with high
      hyperopia). Of the 11 variants, two novel variants were detected in four out of
      262 normal controls, involving four alleles. The frequency of the variants in the
      patients with high hyperopia significantly differed from that in the controls
      (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that variants in PRSS56 may be
      implicated in PACG and high hyperopia.

PMID- 24227918
TI  - Apelin-13 induces proliferation, migration, and collagen I mRNA expression in
      human RPE cells via PI3K/Akt and MEK/Erk signaling pathways.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our previous study showed that apelin was increased in the vitreous and
      fibrotic membranes of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in
      vivo, which suggested that apelin may be involved in the development of PDR. In
      this study, we investigated whether the expression of apelin was upregulated in
      human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro under high glucose
      conditions. Furthermore, to explore the role of apelin in RPE cells, we
      investigated the effect of exogenous recombinant apelin on proliferation,
      migration, and collagen I (a major component of extracellular matrix molecules,
      associated with PDR) expression and investigated the signaling pathways involved
      in these processes. METHODS: Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to
      determine the apelin expression in ARPE-19 cells under high glucose conditions.
      Exogenous recombinant apelin was used to study the effect of apelin on ARPE-19
      cells in vitro. Cell proliferation, migration, and collagen I expression were
      assessed using an MTT assay, a transwell assay, and real-time PCR analysis.
      LY294002 (an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) and PD98059 (an
      inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase) were used to help to determine the
      apelin signaling mechanism. RESULTS: High glucose upregulated apelin expression
      in RPE cells. Exogenous recombinant apelin activated protein kinase B (Akt) and
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) phosphorylation and promoted
      proliferation, migration, and collagen I expression in RPE cells. Pretreatment
      with LY294002 and PD98059 abolished apelin-induced activation of Akt and Erk,
      proliferation, and collagen I expression. Apelin-induced migration was partially
      blocked by pretreatment with LY294002 and PD98059. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of
      apelin was upregulated under high glucose conditions in RPE cells in vitro.
      Exogenous recombinant apelin increased the biologic activity of RPE cells, as
      well as the expression of collagen I. Apelin promoted proliferation, migration,
      and collagen I expression through the PI3K/Akt and MEK/Erk signaling pathways in
      RPE cells. From these results, we revealed the role of apelin in regulating
      proliferation, migration, and collagen I expression in RPE cells and the
      signaling mechanism under these processes, which suggested that apelin may play a
      profibrotic role in the development of PDR.

PMID- 24227919
TI  - Review: mesenchymal stem cells and corneal reconstruction.
AB  - Corneal reconstruction is among the most effective methods for curing corneal
      injury due to various clinical disorders. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a
      type of multipotent cells distributed in various tissues, which can be easily
      isolated and expanded in vitro. MSCs are self-renewable and have the potential to
      transdifferentiate into other type of cells under certain conditions. More
      recently, the modulating angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory
      properties of MSCs have been confirmed in animal models. The potential roles of
      MSCs are valuable for corneal reconstruction. Thus, in this review, we summarized
      the current understanding of the possible roles of MSCs in corneal
      reconstruction. 

PMID- 24227921
TI  - Comorbidity and survival of Danish lung cancer patients from 2000-2011: a
      population-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine lung cancer survival and the impact of comorbidity in the
      Central Denmark Region from 2000 to 2011. METHODS: We performed a population
      based cohort study of lung cancer patients diagnosed during four 3-year calendar
      periods (2000-2002, 2003-2005, 2006-2008, and 2009-2011) in the Central Denmark
      Region. The Danish National Registry of Patients was used to identify 9,369
      incident lung cancer patients, and to obtain data on their Charlson comorbidity
      index score, categorized as no (score = 0), medium (score = 1-2), or high (score
      >=3) level comorbidity. We calculated 1- and 5-year survival in different
      calendar time periods overall, and by age, sex, and level of comorbidity, and
      used Cox regression to compute mortality rate ratios (MRR) for each level of
      comorbidity versus no comorbidity in different calendar time periods. RESULTS:
      Overall 1-year survival increased from 31% in 2000-2002 to 37% in 2009-2011,
      while the 5-year survival increased from 10% in 2000-2002 to predicted 13% in
      2009-2011 with the largest improvement observed for women and patients less than
      80 years. The adjusted 1-year MRR in patients with high comorbidity compared with
      those without comorbidity was 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.46) in
      2000-2002 and 1.35 (95% CI: 1.17-1.56) in 2009-2011. The corresponding adjusted 5
      year MRRs were 1.21 (95% CI: 1.04-1.40) in 2000-2002 and 1.26 (95% CI: 1.11-1.42)
      in 2009-2011. CONCLUSION: Lung cancer patients' survival increased from 2000 to
      2011 in the Central Denmark Region, most prominently for women under 80 years and
      patients with no, or medium level of comorbidity. Their prognosis remained
      nonetheless dismal with overall 5-year survival of 13%, and comorbidity remained
      a negative prognostic factor.

PMID- 24227922
TI  - Comorbidity and survival of Danish breast cancer patients from 2000-2011: a
      population-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have suggested that breast cancer survival in Denmark
      has improved, primarily in cancer patients without comorbidity. We therefore
      conducted a population-based cohort study to examine recent temporal changes in
      survival and mortality among breast cancer patients with different extents of
      comorbidity. METHODS: We used population-based medical and administrative
      registries to identify breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2011 in
      the Central Denmark Region. We defined comorbid diseases according to the
      Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), including a history of hospitalization for
      comorbid disease up to 10 years before breast cancer diagnosis. We studied the
      impact of comorbidities on overall 1- and 5-year survival in different calendar
      time periods, using a hybrid analysis for survival prediction in the most recent
      calendar periods. RESULTS: We included 9,329 breast cancer patients. The
      proportion of patients within different comorbidity categories remained stable
      from 2000 to 2011. One-year survival improved from 91% in 2000-2002 to 95% in
      2009-2011, while 5-year survival improved from 72% to a predicted 78%. During the
      entire study period, comorbidity was a strong predictor of the survival of breast
      cancer patients. However, we observed improvements over time in 1- and 5-year
      survival for all comorbidity groups. During the 12-year study period, the
      estimated 5-year survival for patients with a high comorbidity disease burden
      (CCI score >=3) increased from 25% to a predicted 50%, and their 5-year age
      adjusted mortality hazard ratio (HR) fell from 4.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]:
      3.0, 5.4) to 2.7 (95% CI: 2.0, 3.6), respectively, compared with patients with no
      comorbid disease. CONCLUSION: Survival of breast cancer patients diagnosed in the
      Central Denmark Region improved from 2000 to 2011, regardless of the extent of
      comorbid disease.

PMID- 24227920
TI  - The impact of comorbidity on cancer survival: a review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of studies have shown poorer survival among cancer patients
      with comorbidity. Several mechanisms may underlie this finding. In this review we
      summarize the current literature on the association between patient comorbidity
      and cancer prognosis. Prognostic factors examined include tumor biology,
      diagnosis, treatment, clinical quality, and adherence. METHODS: All English
      language articles published during 2002-2012 on the association between
      comorbidity and survival among patients with colon cancer, breast cancer, and
      lung cancer were identified from PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase. Titles and abstracts
      were reviewed to identify eligible studies and their main results were then
      extracted. RESULTS: Our search yielded more than 2,500 articles related to
      comorbidity and cancer, but few investigated the prognostic impact of comorbidity
      as a primary aim. Most studies found that cancer patients with comorbidity had
      poorer survival than those without comorbidity, with 5-year mortality hazard
      ratios ranging from 1.1 to 5.8. Few studies examined the influence of specific
      chronic conditions. In general, comorbidity does not appear to be associated with
      more aggressive types of cancer or other differences in tumor biology. Presence
      of specific severe comorbidities or psychiatric disorders were found to be
      associated with delayed cancer diagnosis in some studies, while chronic diseases
      requiring regular medical visits were associated with earlier cancer detection in
      others. Another finding was that patients with comorbidity do not receive
      standard cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy
      as often as patients without comorbidity, and their chance of completing a course
      of cancer treatment is lower. Postoperative complications and mortality are
      higher in patients with comorbidity. It is unclear from the literature whether
      the apparent undertreatment reflects appropriate consideration of greater
      toxicity risk, poorer clinical quality, patient preferences, or poor adherence
      among patients with comorbidity. CONCLUSION: Despite increasing recognition of
      the importance of comorbid illnesses among cancer patients, major challenges
      remain. Both treatment effectiveness and compliance appear compromised among
      cancer patients with comorbidity. Data on clinical quality is limited.

PMID- 24227924
TI  - Comorbidity and survival of Danish patients with colon and rectal cancer from
      2000-2011: a population-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate recent trends in the prevalence and impact of comorbidity
      on colorectal cancer (CRC) survival in the Central Region of Denmark. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Using the Danish National Registry of Patients, we identified 5,777
      and 2,964 patients with a primary colon or rectal cancer, respectively, from 2000
      through 2011. We estimated survival according to Charlson Comorbidity Index
      scores and computed mortality rate ratios (MRRs) using Cox proportional hazard
      regression analysis, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: More than one-third of
      CRC patients had comorbidity at diagnosis. During the study period, 1-year
      survival increased substantially in colon cancer patients with Charlson score 0
      (72% to 80%) and modestly for Charlson score 3+ patients (43% to 46%). Using
      colon cancer patients with Charlson score 0 as reference, adjusted 1-year MRRs in
      patients with Charlson score 3+ were 2.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.57
      3.05) in 2000-2002 and 2.56 (95% CI: 1.96-3.35) in 2009-2011. One-year survival
      after rectal cancer improved from 81% to 87% in patients with Charlson score 0
      and from 56% to 60% in Charlson score 3+. Corresponding MRRs in patients with
      Charlson 3+ were 2.21 (95% CI: 1.33-3.68) in 2000-2002 and 3.09 (95% CI: 1.91
      5.00) in 2009-2011 using Charlson score 0 as reference. Five-year MRRs did not
      differ substantially from 1-year MRRs. CONCLUSION: Comorbidity was common among
      CRC patients and was associated with poorer prognosis. We observed improved
      survival from 2000 to 2011 for all comorbidity levels, with least improvement for
      colon cancer patients with comorbid conditions.

PMID- 24227925
TI  - Dr taylor and the transylvanian peel.

PMID- 24227923
TI  - Comorbidity and survival of Danish prostate cancer patients from 2000-2011: a
      population-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We investigated temporal changes in overall survival among prostate
      cancer (PC) patients and the impact of comorbidity on all-cause mortality.
      METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study in the Central Denmark
      Region (1.2 million inhabitants). Using medical registries, we identified 7,654
      PC patients with first-time PC diagnosis within the period 2000-2011 and their
      corresponding comorbidities within 10 years prior to the PC diagnosis. We
      estimated 1- and 5-year survival in four consecutive calendar periods using a
      hybrid analysis and plotted Kaplan-Meier survival curves. We used Cox
      proportional hazards regression to compute 1- and 5-year age-adjusted mortality
      rate ratios (MRRs) for different comorbidity levels. All estimates are reported
      with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The annual
      number of PC cases doubled over the 12-year study period. Men aged <70 years
      accounted for the largest proportional increase (from 33% to 47%). The proportion
      of patients within each comorbidity category remained constant over time. One
      year survival increased from 82% (CI: 80%-84%) in 2000-2002 to 92% (CI: 90%-93%)
      in 2009-2011, while 5-year survival increased from 43% (CI: 40%-46%) to 65% (CI:
      62%-67%) during the same time intervals. Improvements in 5-year survival were
      most prominent among patients aged <80 years and among those with no comorbidity
      (from 51% to 73%) and medium comorbidity (from 32% to 54%). Improvements in
      survival were much smaller for those with high comorbidity (from 33% to 39%). The
      1-year age-adjusted MRR for patients with high comorbidity (relative to patients
      with no comorbidity) increased over time from 1.84 (CI: 1.19-2.84) to 3.67 (CI:
      2.49-5.41), while the 5-year age-adjusted MRR increased from 1.73 (CI: 1.34-2.23)
      to 2.38 (CI: 1.93-2.94). CONCLUSION: Overall survival of PC improved
      substantially during 2000-2011, although primarily among men with low
      comorbidity. All-cause mortality was highest among PC patients with high
      comorbidity, and their relative 1- and 5-year mortality increased over time
      compared to those without comorbidity.

PMID- 24227926
TI  - A double-blind randomized controlled trial showing the analgesic and anesthetic
      properties of lidocaine E to be equivalent to those of ropivicaine and
      bupivacaine in carpal tunnel release surgery.
AB  - In a three-phase trial, the anesthetic properties of lidocaine, bupivacaine and
      ropivicaine were compared in carpal tunnel release surgery. In phase I, two
      groups of 25 sequential patients were injected with either lidocaine plain 2% or
      lidocaine 2% with adrenaline 1:100,000 (E), as the local anesthetic for
      outpatient carpal tunnel release surgery. Subjective injection pain,
      postoperative pain at 2 h increments and the number of analgesic pills taken were
      recorded. During the first postoperative hours, outcome measures were superior in
      the lidocaine E group. In phase II, a double-blind randomized design compared 42
      patients injected with either lidocaine E or a combination of lidocaine E and
      bupivacaine. Postoperative pain scores and analgesic pills taken were compared
      using nonparametric statistical tests. During the first 4 h there was a slight
      benefit in the duration of the anesthetic and fewer pain pills were used in the
      bupivacaine group. Phase III was a randomized double-blind comparison of
      ropivicaine and lidocaine E 2% in 72 patients. There was a slight decrease in
      pain scores and fewer analgesic pills required during the first 6 h in the
      ropivicaine group. Lidocaine plain 2% provided significantly inferior analgesic
      and anesthetic properties compared with lidocaine E 2%, bupivacaine or
      ropivicaine. Sequential randomized comparisons between lidocaine E and
      bupivacaine and ropivicaine showed clinical equivalence. The present study showed
      lidocaine E 2% to be a satisfactory and comparatively cost-effective anesthetic
      for outpatient carpal tunnel surgery. 

PMID- 24227927
TI  - Fasciocutaneous cubital flap in soft tissue loss of the wrist.
AB  - Surgical managment of soft tissue loss in the wrist consists of suitable coverage
      for the protection of vascular, nervous and tendinous structures. The
      fasciocutaneous cubital flap covers wrist defects, providing safe support over
      the nerves, tendons and vessels. Reported here is five cases of wrist defects by
      different etiology (extravasations, autolysis, trauma and neuritis). A
      fasciocutaneous cubital flap successfully covered the soft tissue loss in all
      cases. This flap is applied in an easy, one-stage procedure and it maintains the
      major arteries of the forearm. 

PMID- 24227928
TI  - Analysis of reporting return to work in studies comparing open with endoscopic
      carpal tunnel release: A review of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In studies comparing open with endoscopic carpal tunnel release,
      return to work (RTW) is often cited as a primary outcome. OBJECTIVE: The present
      study assessed the reporting of RTW and evaluated its usefulness in studies
      comparing these two methods of carpal tunnel release. METHODS: A computerized
      search was conducted to find randomized controlled trials that compared open with
      endoscopic carpal tunnel release, with RTW as an outcome measure. The factors
      that were compared across the studies included definition of RTW, units
      quantifying RTW, measures of hand function, patients' type of employment,
      worker's compensation or insurance status, patients' handedness, unilateral or
      bilateral carpal tunnel release, and use of rehabilitation. RESULTS: Fifteen
      studies met the inclusion criteria for the present systematic review. Of the 15
      studies reviewed, there were seven definitions of RTW. All studies defined
      whether the patients underwent unilateral or bilateral carpal tunnel release but
      there was variability in the calculation of RTW when bilateral releases were
      performed. The impact of worker's compensation or insurance, type of work,
      handedness and rehabilitation were inconsistently addressed as factors affecting
      RTW. CONCLUSIONS: Although RTW ideally reflects function and recovery, it is
      inadequately measured and reported. The present review revealed that, in studies
      comparing open carpal tunnel release with endoscopic carpal tunnel release, there
      is lack of uniformity in reporting RTW, which may contribute to the inconclusive
      results for RTW. Future research needs to ensure that RTW is used in a consistent
      manner.

PMID- 24227929
TI  - A review of 2975 consecutive operations by one surgeon in an accredited
      outpatient plastic surgicentre: A Canadian experience.
AB  - The present paper constitutes a retrospective review of 2975 consecutive
      operations performed by the author, one of the three owners of the Saskatoon
      Plastic Surgicentre. The unit opened in 1987; therefore, the study spans 17
      years. Patients are not kept overnight, and the Surgicentre is approved and
      equipped as a level C facility for general anesthesia. Only patients who score 1
      or 2 according to the American Association of Anesthesiologists are treated. Only
      certified anesthesiologists are used. Of the patients with postoperative
      complications, only two required transfer to a hospital. One developed a
      pneumothorax, which was treated on arrival at the intensive care unit with no
      sequelae. The other collapsed following facelift surgery. She was transferred to
      University of Saskatchewan hospital and died later that evening with a massive
      pulmonary embolus. In a properly established outpatient centre, a large number of
      patients can be safely treated with very few complications. However, despite
      placing patient safety as the first consideration and adhering strictly to the
      highest standards, death can occur. 

PMID- 24227930
TI  - Maxillofacial injuries in moose-motor vehicle collisions versus other high-speed
      motor vehicle collisions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anecdotal experience has suggested that there is a higher frequency
      of maxillofacial injuries among motor vehicle collisions involving moose.
      OBJECTIVES: A retrospective cohort study design was used to investigate the
      incidence of various injuries resulting from moose-motor vehicle collisions
      versus other high-speed motor vehicle collisions. METHODS: A chart review was
      conducted among patients presenting to a Canadian regional trauma centre during
      the five-year period from 1996 to 2000. RESULTS: Fifty-seven moose-motor vehicle
      collisions were identified; 121 high-speed collisions were randomly selected as a
      control group. Demographic, collision and injury data were collected from these
      charts and statistically analyzed. The general demographic features of the two
      groups were similar. Moose collisions were typically frontal impact resulting in
      windshield damage. The overall injury severity was similar in both groups.
      Likewise, the frequency of intracranial, spinal, thoracic and extremity injuries
      was similar for both groups. The group involved in collisions with moose,
      however, was 1.8 times more likely then controls to sustain a maxillofacial
      injury (P=0.004) and four times more likely to sustain a maxillofacial fracture
      (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Occupants of motor vehicles colliding with moose are more
      likely to sustain maxillofacial injuries than those involved in other types of
      motor vehicle collisions. It is speculated that this distribution of injuries
      relates to the mechanism of collision with these large mammals with a high centre
      of gravity.

PMID- 24227931
TI  - A new agent for flap survival - Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn): An
      experimental study in rats.
AB  - Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) is a member of the Elaeagnaceae family,
      and is a temperate bush native to Europe and Asia. The antioxidant activity of H
      rhamnoides L. has been shown in vitro cell culture and animal studies. Different
      fractions of H rhamnoides L. fruits inhibit 2,2-azobis-(2,4
      dimethylvaleronitrile) and ascorbate iron-induced lipid peroxidations in vitro. H
      rhamnoides L., as well as vitamin E, decrease the malondialdehyde content in
      hyperlipidemic rabbit serum-cultured smooth muscle cells. The aim of the present
      study was to investigate, in a rat model, the potential effect of H rhamnoides L.
      on survival of random pattern skin flaps. For this purpose, 30 Wistar Albino rats
      were used, and a McFarlane-type caudally based skin flap was created on the
      dorsum of the rat (2.5 cm * 8 cm). Rats were divided into three groups: one
      control (group A) and two treatment groups (groups B and C). H rhamnoides L. was
      administered orally to the experimental groups: group B received a single 15
      mg/kg dose per day and group C received 15 mg/kg twice per day. The areas and
      lengths of flap necrosis were measured in each group. The extent of necrotic flap
      areas were evaluated as length and area of total flap area, and differences were
      studied by Student's t tests. The areas and lengths of necrosis of skin flaps
      decreased depending on H rhamnoides L., but viability of the flaps treated with
      15 mg/kg/day was not significantly different from the control group. The rats
      receiving H rhamnoides L. 15 mg/kg twice per day had the highest flap survival
      rate (P<0.001). In conclusion, H rhamnoides L. may have a dose-dependent effect
      to increase flap survival in random skin flaps. 

PMID- 24227933
TI  - Compression neuropathy of the median nerve during tissue expansion of the
      forearm.
AB  - Acute median nerve compression usually occurs from increased pressure within the
      compartments. During tissue expansion of the forearm, the interstitial pressure
      increases, which usually decreases following the relaxation of tissue. Clinical
      diagnosis of acute neuropathy is usually made from the history and clinical signs
      and symptoms. The cases of two patients who developed acute symptoms of
      neuropathy during tissue expansion of the forearm are presented. 

PMID- 24227932
TI  - Digital Merkel cell carcinoma.
AB  - Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and biologically aggressive neuroendocrine
      tumour of the skin. Recent analysis of a surveillance, epidemiology and end
      results program has shown a statistically significant increase of 8% per year in
      the age-adjusted rates for MCC of the skin over the past 15 years. MCC commonly
      presents as a painless, rapidly growing, single red or purple cutaneous nodule.
      Diagnosis is often delayed until histopathological examination due to the
      relative rarity of the disease. MCC-specific immunohistochemical markers are
      available for definitive diagnosis, including anticytokeratin-20-positive stain
      and thyroid transcription factor-1-negative stains. Because there are no phase
      III trials to guide management, treatment is often tailored to the individual
      patient by integrating surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. 

PMID- 24227934
TI  - Scrotal and penile reconstruction using the vacuum-assisted closure device.
AB  - Fournier's gangrene is a necrotizing, soft tissue infection that spreads along
      the deep external fascial planes of the perineum, scrotum (or vagina), penis,
      thighs and lower abdomen. Due to the rapid progression of the disease, patients
      are frequently left with a large integumentary deficit. Treatment of the skin
      defect has been described in a multitude of ways including split-thickness skin
      grafting, burying the testes in the thighs, thigh flaps and a variety of
      myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps. Many of the previously described
      techniques have worked well for smaller defects and for closure of wounds but
      fall short of aesthetic reconstruction of sexual organs. Described here is a
      technique using split-thickness skin grafts, with foam dressings as the bolster.
      This was performed using the vacuum-assisted closure device (Kinetic Concepts
      Inc, USA). This technique creates a natural appearing scrotum that holds the
      testes away from the body, in a physiological manner, and surfaces the penis with
      a natural appearance, in a functional manner. The technique results in nearly
      100% graft take and greatly decreases length of hospital stay. 

PMID- 24227935
TI  - A midface swelling in a child - A possible diagnostic dilemma.
AB  - A lump on the midface of a child can pose as a diagnostic dilemma. There is a
      wide variety of possible differential diagnoses, ranging from simple benign
      conditions such as a sebaceous cyst, dermoid cyst, lipoma, neuroma and
      neurofibroma, to potentially devastating conditions such as odontogenic myxoma. A
      case of a child in which the formulation of a definite diagnosis was clinically
      and histologically challenging is presented. 

PMID- 24227936
TI  - Reconstruction of a transmetatarsal amputation stump using a salvaged peroneal
      artery fasciocutaneous flap from the opposite leg: A case report.
AB  - During lower extremity amputation, the objective is to provide a functional
      residual limb that permits maximum patient mobility and independence.
      Preservation of length of the fore part of the foot using salvageable tissue from
      the amputated part in young patients prevents equines deformity and revision of
      amputation to a higher level. This can be achieved using tissue available from
      the amputated part. The spare part concept in reconstructive surgery should be
      integrated into the trauma algorithm to avoid additional donor site morbidity.
      Reported here is a young adult patient with crush injuries to both feet, which
      resulted in amputations. A fasciocutaneous flap raised from one extremity was
      used to facilitate transmetatarsal amputation stump length preservation of the
      other extremity. 

PMID- 24227937
TI  - Cyclophilin A as a New Therapeutic Target for Hepatitis C Virus-induced
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C
      virus (HCV) infections is thought to account for more than 80% of primary liver
      cancers. Both HBV and HCV can establish chronic liver inflammatory infections,
      altering hepatocyte and liver physiology with potential liver disease progression
      and HCC development. Cyclophilin A (CypA) has been identified as an essential
      host factor for the HCV replication by physically interacting with the HCV non
      structural protein NS5A that in turn interacts with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
      NS5B. CypA, a cytosolic binding protein of the immunosuppressive drug
      cyclosporine A, is overexpressed in many cancer types and often associated with
      malignant transformation. Therefore, CypA can be a good target for molecular
      cancer therapy. Because of antiviral activity, the CypA inhibitors have been
      tested for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Nonimmunosuppressive Cyp
      inhibitors such as NIM811, SCY-635, and Alisporivir have attracted more interests
      for appropriating CypA for antiviral chemotherapeutic target on HCV infection.
      This review describes CypA inhibitors as a potential HCC treatment tool that is
      contrived by their obstructing chronic HCV infection and summarizes roles of CypA
      in cancer development. 

PMID- 24227938
TI  - Effects of vitamin d on blood pressure and endothelial function.
AB  - Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent, primarily due to limited sun exposure, which
      may be observed in urban areas, or as a result of modern lifestyles. Common myths
      about vitamin D persist, including that it is mostly obtained from the diet and
      is only essential for bone and mineral homeostasis. Nonetheless, advances in
      biomedical science suggest that vitamin D is a hormone that is integral to
      numerous physiologic functions in most cells and tissues. Therefore, abnormal
      vitamin D levels may contribute to health disturbances. A number of recent
      reports on potential associations between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular
      disease have highlighted its role in this system. A focus over the previous
      decade has been to better understand the mechanisms behind vitamin D regulation
      and the pathophysiology associated with suboptimal vitamin D levels. Vitamin D
      deficiency is highly associated with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases,
      even when considering other well-known risk factors. In this process, the renin
      angiotensin system is disrupted, and hypertension and endothelial dysfunction
      contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease. Likewise, clinical outcomes
      upon the normalization of vitamin D levels have been investigated in different
      patient populations. It makes sense that vitamin D supplementation to improve
      vitamin D status among vitamin D-deficient individuals could be useful without
      requiring a sudden lifestyle change. This manuscript provides a brief overview of
      vitamin D metabolism and the vitamin D receptor. It also summarizes the current
      clinical research relating to vitamin D supplementation and its effects on
      hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular medicine. 

PMID- 24227939
TI  - Chronic administration of baicalein decreases depression-like behavior induced by
      repeated restraint stress in rats.
AB  - Baicalein (BA), a plant-derived active flavonoid present in the root of
      Scutellaria baicalensis, has been widely used for the treatment of stress-related
      neuropsychiatric disorders including depression. Previous studies have
      demonstrated that repeated restraint stress disrupts the activity of the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in depression. The
      behavioral and neurochemical basis of the BA effect on depression remain unclear.
      The present study used the forced swimming test (FST) and changes in brain
      neurotransmitter levels to confirm the impact of BA on repeated restraint stress
      induced behavioral and neurochemical changes in rats. Male rats received 10, 20,
      or 40 mg/kg BA (i.p.) 30 min prior to daily exposure to repeated restraint stress
      (2 h/day) for 14 days. Activation of the HPA axis in response to repeated
      restraint stress was confirmed by measuring serum corticosterone levels and the
      expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor in the hypothalamus. Daily BA
      administration significantly decreased the duration of immobility in the FST,
      increased sucrose consumption, and restored the stress-related decreases in
      dopamine concentrations in the hippocampus to near normal levels. BA
      significantly inhibited the stress-induced decrease in neuronal tyrosine
      hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the ventral tegmental area and the expression of
      brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in the hippocampus. Taken together,
      these findings indicate that administration of BA prior to the repeated restraint
      stress significantly improves helpless behaviors and depressive symptoms,
      possibly by preventing the decrease in dopamine and BDNF expression. Thus, BA may
      be a useful agent for the treatment or alleviation of the complex symptoms
      associated with depression. 

PMID- 24227940
TI  - Sex Differences in Hippocampal Neuronal Sensitization by Nicotine in M. gerbils.
AB  - We studied the sex different nicotine effect on evoked population spike
      amplitudes (ePSA) and connexin (Cx) expression in the hippocampus CA1 area of
      gerbils. Acute doses of nicotine bitartrate (0.5 mg/kg: NT-0.5) slightly reduced
      ePSA in males but markedly augmented that in females. Acute NT (5.0 mg/kg)
      markedly increased the ePSA in all gerbils. Unlike acute NT-0.5, repeated NT-0.5
      injection (twice a day for 7 days) significantly increased the ePSA in males and
      slightly affected the NT-0.5 effect in females. The Cx36 and Cx43 expression
      levels as well as Cx expressing neuronal populations were significantly increased
      by repeated NT-0.5 in in both male and female gerbils, and particularly, Cx43
      expression was somewhat prominent in females. These results demonstrated a sex
      difference with respect to the nicotine effect on hippocampal bisynaptic
      excitability, irrelevant to connexin expression. 

PMID- 24227941
TI  - Gastroprotective effect of the three glucuronopyranoside flavonoids in rats.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the protective action of glucuronopyranoside
      flavonoids (QGC, AGC, LGC) on gastritis in rats. QGC, AGC and omeprazole
      decreased the gastric volume significantly, and each ID50 was 0.75, 0.54 and 8.5
      mg/kg, respectively, thus the order of potency was AGC, QGC and omeprazole. They
      also decreased acid output, and each ID50 was 7.81, 0.58 and 6.71 mg/kg,
      respectively, thus the order of potency was AGC, omeprazole and QGC. They
      inhibited gastritis induced by indomethacin, and it recovered significantly by
      increasing the GSH levels in gastritis. The gastric MPO activity in the gastritis
      group increased more than in the normal group. QGC, LGC, or AGC administration
      reduced moderately the MPO activity in a dose-dependent manner. This study
      demonstrated that AGC, QGC, or LGC showed potent efficacy on the gastritis, by
      preventing oxidative stress. These results suggest that QGC, AGC, or LGC have
      gastroprotective effect in rats. 

PMID- 24227942
TI  - Ineffective doses of dexmedetomidine potentiates the antinociception induced by
      morphine and fentanyl in acute pain model.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the synergistic potentiation effect of
      ineffective doses of dexmedetomidine on antinociception induced by morphine and
      fentanyl in acute pain model in rats. Seventy albino Wistar rats were separated
      into 7 groups. Data for the control and sham groups were recorded. The
      ineffective dose of dexmedetomidine was investigated and found to be 3 u g/kg.
      Each group was administered the following medications: 3 mg/kg morphine
      (intraperitoneal) to Group 3, 5 ug/kg fentanyl (intraperitoneal) to Group 4,
      dexmedetomidine 3 u g/kg (subcutaneously) to Group 5, dexmedetomidine 3 ug/kg
      (subcutaneous)+3 mg/kg morphine (intraperitoneal) to Group 6 and finally 3 ug/kg
      dexmedetomidine (subcutaneous)+5 ug/kg fentanyl (intraperitoneal) to Group 7.
      Just before the application and 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the
      administration of medication, two measurements of tail flick (TF) and hot plate
      (HP) tests were performed. The averages of the measurements were recorded. TF and
      HP latencies were the main outcomes. The analgesic effect of the combinations
      with dexmedetomidine+morphine (Group 6) and dexmedetomidine+fentanyl (Group 7),
      compared to the analgesic effect of morphine alone and fentanyl alone was
      significantly higher at 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after administration. In this
      study, dexmedetomidine in ineffective doses, when combined with morphine and
      fentanyl, potentiates the effects of both morphine and fentanyl. 

PMID- 24227943
TI  - Estrogen rather than progesterone cause constipation in both female and male
      mice.
AB  - Females are more often affected by constipation than males, especially during
      pregnancy, which is related to the menstrual cycle. Although still controversial,
      alterations of progesterone and estrogen may be responsible. Therefore, this
      study was conducted in order to determine whether the female sex steroid hormone
      itself is responsible for development of constipation in both female and male
      mice. Administration of estrogen resulted in a decrease in weight of accumulated
      feces on days 2, 3, 4, and 5 in male mice and on day 5 in female mice, compared
      with the control group, but progesterone administration did not. Administration
      of estrogen resulted in a decrease in gastrointestinal movement, compared to
      normal; however, no significant change was observed by administration of
      progesterone. In conclusion, estrogen, rather than progesterone, may be a
      detrimental factor of constipation via decreased bowel movement in mice. 

PMID- 24227944
TI  - Activation of G Proteins by Aluminum Fluoride Enhances RANKL-Mediated
      Osteoclastogenesis.
AB  - Receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis is
      accompanied by intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in a form of oscillations, which
      plays essential roles by activating sequentially Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent
      protein kinase, calcineurin and NFATc1, necessary in the osteoclast
      differentiation. However, it is not known whether Ca(2+) mobilization which is
      evoked in RANKL-independent way induces to differentiate into osteoclasts. In
      present study, we investigated Ca(2+) mobilization induced by aluminum fluoride
      (AlF4 (-)), a G-protein activator, with or without RANKL and the effects of AlF4
      (-) on the osteoclastogenesis in primary cultured mouse bone marrow-derived
      macrophages (BMMs). We show here that AlF4 (-) induces intracellular Ca(2+)
      concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) oscillations, which is dependent on extracellular
      Ca(2+) influx. Notably, co-stimulation of AlF4 (-) with RANKL resulted in
      enhanced NFATc1 expression and formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase
      (TRAP) positive multinucleated cells. Additionally, we confirmed that mitogen
      activated protein kinase (MAPK) is also activated by AlF4 (-). Taken together,
      these results demonstrate that G-protein would be a novel modulator responsible
      for [Ca(2+)]i oscillations and MAPK activation which lead to enhancement of RANKL
      mediated osteoclastogenesis. 

PMID- 24227945
TI  - Antiapoptotic Effect of Paricalcitol in Gentamicin-induced Kidney Injury.
AB  - While the anti-apoptotic effect of paricalcitol has been demonstrated in various
      animal models, it is not yet clear whether paricalcitol attenuates the apoptosis
      in gentamicin (GM)-induced kidney injury. We investigated the effect of
      paricalcitol on apoptotic pathways in rat kidneys damaged by GM. Rats were
      randomly divided into three groups: 1) Control group (n=8), where only vehicle
      was delivered, 2) GM group (n=10), where rats were treated with GM (150
      mg/kg/day) for 7 days, 3) PARI group (n=10), where rats were co-treated with
      paricalcitol (0.2 ug/kg/day) and GM for 7 days. Paricalcitol attenuated renal
      dysfunction by GM administration in biochemical profiles. In terminal
      deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining, increased apoptosis
      was observed in GM group, which was reversed by paricalcitol co-treatment.
      Immunoblotting using protein samples from rat cortex/outer stripe of outer
      medulla showed increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved form of caspase-3 in GM
      group, both of which were reversed by paricalcitol. The phosphorylated Jun-N
      terminal kinase (JNK) expression was increase in GM, which was counteracted by
      paricalcitol. The protein expression of p-Akt and nitro-tyrosine was also
      enhanced in GM-treated rats compared with control rats, which was reversed by
      paricalcitol co-treatment. Paricalcitol protects GM-induced renal injury by
      antiapoptotic mechanisms, including inhibition of intrinsic apoptosis pathway and
      JNK. 

PMID- 24227946
TI  - Anti-Depressant Like Effect of Methyl Gallate Isolated from Acer barbinerve in
      Mice.
AB  - In the present study, the anti-depressant like effect of methyl gallate (MG)
      isolated from the stem bark of Acer barbinerve was examined in ICR mice. Body
      weight (BDW) and blood glucose (BDG) levels significantly decreased in the
      repeated restraint stress (RRS) group (2 h/day for 14 days) compared to the no
      stress (NS) group. To examine the effect of MG on RS-induced BDW loss and
      hypoglycemia, MG (10 mg/kg) and the anti-depressant fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) were
      administered daily for 14 days. Orally administered MG and fluoxetine
      significantly attenuated the RS-induced BDW loss and hypoglycemia. Interestingly,
      MG administered mice showed increased BDG levels in the normal and glucose
      feeding condition. Chronic RS-subjected mice showed immobilized and depressed
      behaviors. The effect of MG on the depressed behaviors was evaluated using the
      tail-suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test (FST). In both tests, RS
      induced immobilized behaviors were significantly reversed in MG and fluoxetine
      administered groups. Taken together, MG significantly attenuated the RS-induced
      BDW loss, hypoglycemia, and depressed behaviors. Considering that decreased BDG
      levels (hypoglycemia) can cause depression, MG may exert its anti-depressant like
      effect by preventing hypoglycemia. Our results suggest that MG isolated from A.
      barbinerve can exert anti-depressant like effect, and could be used as a new and
      natural anti-depressant therapy. 

PMID- 24227947
TI  - Nectandrin A Enhances the BMP-Induced Osteoblastic Differentiation and
      Mineralization by Activation of p38 MAPK-Smad Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Osteoblastic activity of nectandrin A was examined in C2C12 cells. Nectandrin A
      enhances the BMP-induced osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization,
      manifested by the up-regulation of differentiation markers (alkaline phosphatase
      and osteogenic genes) and increased calcium contents. In C2C12 cells co
      transfected with expression vector encoding Smad4 and Id1-Luc reporter,
      nectandrin A increased Id1 luciferase activity in a concentration-dependent
      manner, when compared to that in BMP-2 treated cells, indicating that Smad
      signaling pathway is associated with nectandrin A-enhanced osteoblastic
      differentiation in C2C12 cells. In addition, nectandrin A activated p38 mitogen
      activated protein kinase (MAPK) in time- and concentration-dependent manners, and
      phosphorylated form of pSmad1/5/8 and alkaline phosphatase activity were both
      decreased when the cells were pretreated with SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor,
      suggesting that p38 MAPK might be an upstream kinase for Smad signaling pathway.
      Taken together, nectandrin A enhances the BMP-induced osteoblastic
      differentiation and mineralization of C2C12 cells via activation of p38 MAPK-Smad
      signaling pathway, and it has a therapeutic potential for osteoporosis by
      promoting bone formation. 

PMID- 24227948
TI  - The Effect of Metformin Treatment on CRBP-I Level and Cancer Development in the
      Liver of HBx Transgenic Mice.
AB  - Retinoids regulate not only various cell functions including proliferation and
      differentiation but also glucose and lipid metabolism. After we observed a marked
      up-regulation of cellular retinol-binding protein-I (CRBP-I) in the liver of
      hepatitis B virus x antigen (HBx)-transgenic (HBx Tg) mice which are prone to
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and fatty liver, we aimed to evaluate retinoid
      pathway, including genes for the retinoid physiology, CRBP-I protein expression,
      and retinoid levels, in the liver of HBx Tg mice. We also assessed the effect of
      chronic metformin treatment on HCC development in the mice. Many genes involved
      in hepatic retinoid physiology, including CRBP-I, were altered and the tissue
      levels of retinol and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) were elevated in the liver
      of HBx Tg mice compared to those of wild type (WT) control mice. CRBP-I protein
      expression in liver, but not in white adipose tissue, of HBx Tg mice was
      significantly elevated compared to WT control mice while CRBP-I protein
      expressions in the liver and WAT of high-fat fed obese and db/db mice were
      comparable to WT control mice. Chronic treatment of HBx Tg mice with metformin
      did not affect the incidence of HCC, but slightly increased hepatic CRBP-I level.
      In conclusion, hepatic CRBP-I level was markedly up-regulated in HCC-prone HBx Tg
      mice and neither hepatic CRBP-I nor the development of HCC was suppressed by
      metformin treatment. 

PMID- 24227949
TI  - Disappearance of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and o2-sensitive nonselective
      cationic current in arterial myocytes of rats under ambient hypoxia.
AB  - Acute hypoxia induces contraction of pulmonary artery (PA) to protect
      ventilation/perfusion mismatch in lungs. As for the cellular mechanism of hypoxic
      pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), hypoxic inhibition of voltage-gated K(+)
      channel (Kv) in PA smooth muscle cell (PASMC) has been suggested. In addition,
      our recent study showed that thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and hypoxia-activated
      nonselective cation channel (INSC) is also essential for HPV. However, it is not
      well understood whether HPV is maintained in the animals exposed to ambient
      hypoxia for two days (2d-H). Specifically, the associated electrophysiological
      changes in PASMCs have not been studied. Here we investigate the effects of 2d-H
      on HPV in isolated ventilated/perfused lungs (V/P lungs) from rats. HPV was
      almost abolished without structural remodeling of PA in 2d-H rats, and the lost
      HPV was not recovered by Kv inhibitor, 4-aminopyridine. Patch clamp study showed
      that the hypoxic inhibition of Kv current in PASMC was similar between 2d-H and
      control. In contrast, hypoxia and TXA2-activated INSC was not observed in PASMCs
      of 2d-H. From above results, it is suggested that the decreased INSC might be the
      primary functional cause of HPV disappearance in the relatively early period (2
      d) of hypoxia. 

PMID- 24227950
TI  - Effect of ECQ on Iodoacetamide-Induced Chronic Gastritis in Rats.
AB  - This study investigated effect of extract containing quercetin-3-O-beta-D
      glucuronopyranoside from Rumex Aquaticus Herba (ECQ) against chronic gastritis in
      rats. To produce chronic gastritis, the animals received a daily intra-gastric
      administration of 0.1 ml of 0.15% iodoacetamide (IA) solution for 7 days. Daily
      exposure of the gastric mucosa to IA induced both gastric lesions and significant
      reductions of body weight and food and water intake. These reductions recovered
      with treatment with ECQ for 7 days. ECQ significantly inhibited the elevation of
      the malondialdehyde levels and myeloperoxidase activity, which were used as
      indices of lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltration. ECQ recovered the
      level of glutathione, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and expression of
      SOD-2. The increased levels of total NO concentration and iNOS expression in the
      IA-induced chronic gastritis were significantly reduced by treatment with ECQ.
      These results suggest that the ECQ has a therapeutic effect on chronic gastritis
      in rats by inhibitory actions on neutrophil infiltration, lipid peroxidation and
      various steps of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. 

PMID- 24227952
TI  - Glutamic acid as anticancer agent: An overview.
AB  - The objective of the article is to highlight various roles of glutamic acid like
      endogenic anticancer agent, conjugates to anticancer agents, and derivatives of
      glutamic acid as possible anticancer agents. Besides these emphases are given
      especially for two endogenous derivatives of glutamic acid such as glutamine and
      glutamate. Glutamine is a derivative of glutamic acid and is formed in the body
      from glutamic acid and ammonia in an energy requiring reaction catalyzed by
      glutamine synthase. It also possesses anticancer activity. So the transportation
      and metabolism of glutamine are also discussed for better understanding the role
      of glutamic acid. Glutamates are the carboxylate anions and salts of glutamic
      acid. Here the roles of various enzymes required for the metabolism of glutamates
      are also discussed. 

PMID- 24227951
TI  - Polymers influencing transportability profile of drug.
AB  - Drug release from various polymers is generally governed by the type of polymer/s
      incorporated in the formulation and mechanism of drug release from polymer/s. A
      single polymer may show one or more mechanisms of drug release out of which one
      mechanism is majorly followed for drug release. Some of the common mechanisms of
      drug release from polymers were, diffusion, swelling, matrix release, leaching of
      drug, etc. Mechanism or rate of drug release from a polymer or a combination of
      polymers can be predicted by using different computational methods or models.
      These models were capable of predicting drug release from its dosage form in
      advance without actual formulation and testing of drug release from dosage form.
      Quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) is an important tool used in
      the prediction of various physicochemical properties of actives as well as
      inactives. Since last several decades QSPR has been applied in new drug
      development for reducing the total number of drugs to be synthesized, as it
      involves a selection of the most desirable compound of interest. This technique
      was also applied in predicting in vivo performance of drug/s for various
      parameters. QSPR serves as a predictive tool to correlate structural descriptors
      of molecules with biological as well as physicochemical properties. Several
      researchers have contributed at different extents in this area to modify various
      properties of pharmaceuticals. The present review is focused on a study of
      different polymers that influence the transportability profiles of drugs along
      with the application of QSPR either to study different properties of polymers
      that regulate drug release or in predicting drug transportability from different
      polymer systems used in formulations. 

PMID- 24227953
TI  - Current practices for labeling medications in hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Good medication labeling practices are imperative to ensure safe
      medication use. Non-adherence to labeling protocols is reported as one major
      source of medication errors. OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to evaluate and
      compare adherence to labeling guidelines for dispensed medications among the
      hospitals of the five different health sectors in the city of Riyadh, Saudi
      Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 14
      public hospitals in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Labeling guidelines issued
      by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices were used as a standard assessment
      tool. A total of 218 medication labels were collected and evaluated for labeling
      adequacy. Descriptive statistics were used to elaborate the study findings. All
      analyses were performed with Microsoft Access. RESULTS: The study showed a
      substantial rate of adherence to the labeling guidelines. In terms of the
      established criteria, community and mail orders were reported to adhere strongly
      (90.5%), whereas injectables adhered least to the labeling guidelines. The
      labeling format, contents of the label, instructions on the labels, abbreviations
      used on the labels and drug names were also consistent with the guidelines
      (80.0%, 84.0%, 88.0%, 97.7% and 85.5%, respectively). Organizations belonging to
      the public sector reported a higher level of adherence (?80.0%) than the level
      found for private hospitals (70.0%). CONCLUSION: In Riyadh hospitals, medication
      labeling following the guidelines issued by the Institute for Safe Medication
      Practices, is well accepted and rationally practiced. However, a nationwide study
      is recommended to evaluate if the guidelines are followed throughout Saudi
      Arabia.

PMID- 24227954
TI  - Availability and needs of herbal medicinal information resources at community
      pharmacy, Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - A cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia
      was conducted over a period of 6 months from July through December 2011. Data
      collection was carried out using a structured self-administered questionnaire.
      The survey questionnaire consisted of a brief introduction to the study and
      eleven questions. The questions consisted of close ended, multiple-choice, and
      fill-in short answers. A stratified random sample of one thousand and seven
      hundred registered pharmacy practitioners all over Saudi Arabia were randomly
      chosen to respond to the survey. The data from each of the returned questionnaire
      were coded and entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
      version 19 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) which was used for statistical
      analysis. Only one thousand four hundred one pharmacists responded to the survey
      (response rate is 82.4%) with a completely answered questionnaire. The study
      results show that 59.7% of the participants sometimes discuss herbal medicine use
      with their patients, while only 4.25% never discuss it. The study shows 48.5% of
      participated pharmacists record herbal medicine use sometimes where only 9.4% of
      them never did so. However, with regard to initiation of the discussion, the
      study shows that 44.3% of the respondents reported that patients initiate herbal
      issue discussion while 20.8% reported that pharmacists initiate the discussion.
      This discussion was reported to be a one time discussion or an ongoing discussion
      by 14.3% or 9.9% of the respondents respectively. According to the study results,
      respondents reported that the most common barriers that limit discussing herbal
      medicines' use with their patients were lack of time due to other obligations
      assigned to the community pharmacist (46%), lack of reliable resources (30.3%),
      lack of scientific evidence that support herbal medicine use (15.2%), or lack of
      knowledge of herbal medicines (13.4%). Yet, a small number of respondents was
      concerned about interest in herbal medicines (9.1%) and other reasons (2.4%). So
      it is urgent to ensure that pharmacists are appropriately educated and trained.
      Extra efforts are needed to increase the awareness of pharmacists to adverse drug
      reactions reporting system at Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Finally, more
      consideration to herbal issues should be addressed in both pharmacy colleges'
      curricula and continuous education program.. 

PMID- 24227955
TI  - Hospital pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia: Drug monitoring and patient education
      in the Riyadh region.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this national survey is to evaluate hospital pharmacy
      practice in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. The results of the survey
      pertaining to the monitoring and patient education of the medication use process
      were presented. METHODS: We have invited pharmacy directors from all 48 hospitals
      in the Riyadh region to participate in a modified-American Society of Health
      System Pharmacists (ASHP) survey questionnaire. The survey was conducted using
      similar methods to those of the ASHP surveys. RESULTS: The response rate was
      60.4% (29/48). Most hospitals (23, 79%) had pharmacists regularly monitor
      medication therapy for patients. Of these hospitals, 61% had pharmacists
      monitoring medication therapy daily for less than 26% of patients, 17% monitored
      26-50% of patients and 22% monitored more than half of patients daily. In 41% of
      hospitals, pharmacists routinely monitored serum medication concentrations or
      their surrogate markers; 27% gave pharmacists the authority to order initial
      serum medication concentrations, and 40% allowed pharmacists to adjust dosages.
      Pharmacists routinely documented their medication therapy monitoring activities
      in 52% of hospitals. Overall, 74% of hospitals had an adverse drug event (ADE)
      reporting system, 59% had a multidisciplinary committee responsible for reviewing
      ADEs, and 63% had a medication safety committee. Complete electronic medical
      record (EMR) systems were available in 15% of hospitals and 81% had a partial EMR
      system. The primary responsibility for performing patient medication education
      lays with nursing (37%), pharmacy (37%), or was a shared responsibility (26%). In
      44% of hospitals, pharmacists provided medication education to half or more
      inpatients and in a third of hospitals, pharmacists gave medication education to
      26% or more of patients at discharge. CONCLUSION: Hospital pharmacists in the
      Riyadh region are actively engaged in monitoring medication therapy and providing
      patient medication education, although there is considerable opportunity for
      further involvement.

PMID- 24227956
TI  - Impact of clinical pharmacist on cost of drug therapy in the ICU.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the presence of Clinical Pharmacist affects the
      cost of drug therapy for patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Al
      Hussein hospital at Royal Medical Services in Amman, Jordan. METHOD: This study
      compares the consumed quantities of drugs over two periods of time. Each period
      was ten months long. In the second period there was a Clinical Pharmacist. The
      decrease in consumption rate of drugs is considered to be an indicator of the
      success of Clinical Pharmacist in the ICU, as any decrease in consumption rate
      reflects the correct application of Clinical Pharmacy practices. The cost of this
      decrease in consumption rate represents the total reduction of drug therapy cost.
      RESULTS: The total reduction of drug therapy cost after applying Clinical
      Pharmacy practices in the ICU over a period of ten months was 149946.80 JD
      (211574.90 USD), which represents an average saving of 35.8% when compared to the
      first period in this study. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed a
      significant reduction in the consumed quantities of drugs and therefore a
      reduction in cost of drug therapy. Such findings highlight the importance of the
      presence of Clinical Pharmacist in all Jordanian hospitals wards and units.

PMID- 24227957
TI  - A study assessing the impact of different teaching modalities for pharmacy
      students in a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course.
AB  - The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of different teaching methods
      adopted for the practical session of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). CPR
      training is one of the compulsory modules of the Public Health Pharmacy (PHP)
      course at Universiti Sains Malaysia. CPR training comprises of 10% of total marks
      of the PHP course. To test the effectiveness of the different teaching
      strategies, three groups were defined using a two-stage cohort distribution-i.e.
      based on grade point average (GPA) and different teaching modalities. Group One
      was instructed using images and PowerPoint lecture slides. Group Two was
      instructed using videos and PowerPoint lecture slides. Group Three was instructed
      using PowerPoint slides with white boards and videos. Students in Group Three
      were not provided with a hard/soft copy of the PowerPoint slides and were
      encouraged to write down all the information on their personal notebooks. A 20
      item questionnaire was used to assess the students' understanding toward the CPR
      session. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science
      Students, SPSS version 13(r). Based on the response attained, the comparison of
      the final score among the groups was undertaken using one way ANOVA. Twenty-seven
      students have participated in this study. Final evaluation using the
      questionnaire revealed that student's in Group Three had a better understanding
      of CPR (18.1 +/- 1.5, p <0.001) than the other two. Students' note taking during
      the lecture and use of traditional chalkboard teaching were found significant to
      improve the students' understanding and learning in the CPR session. 

PMID- 24227958
TI  - Preparation and characterization of minoxidil loaded nanostructured lipid carrier
      gel for effective treatment of alopecia.
AB  - In the present work attempts have been made to prepare the nanostructured lipid
      carrier (NLC) gel, by using minoxidil, which is preferably used in case of
      Alopecia, i.e. baldness pattern as a effective drug. The nine different
      formulations of Minoxidil-NLC (NLC1-NLC9) were prepared using solid and liquid
      lipids with Cholesterol and Soya lecithin in different concentrations by the melt
      dispersion ultrasonication method. Properties of NLC1-NLC9 such as the particle
      size and its distribution, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the drug
      entrapment efficiency (EE), and the drug release behavior were investigated. The
      nanoparticulate dispersion was suitably gelled and characterized with respect to
      drug content, pH, spreadability, rheology, and in vitro release. Safety of the
      NLC-based gel was assessed using primary skin irritation studies. The formulated
      NLC3 was spherical in shape, with average particle size of 280 nm, zeta potential
      of -42.40 mV and entrapment efficiency of 86.09%. Differential Scanning
      Calorimeter (DSC) measurements revealed that imperfect crystallization occurred
      in the inner core of the NLC particles. The drug release behavior from the NLC
      displayed a biphasic drug release pattern with burst release at the initial stage
      followed by sustained release. These results indicated that the NLC3 is a
      suitable carrier of minoxidil with improved drug loading capacity and controlled
      drug release properties. It has been observed that NLC gel produces the gel with
      good consistency, homogeneity, spreadability and rheological behavior. The
      developed NLC-based gel showed faster onset and elicited prolonged activity up to
      16 h. The present study concluded that the NLC-based gel containing minoxidil
      dissolved in a mixture of solid lipid and liquid lipid in the nanoparticulate
      form helped us to attain the objective of faster onset yet prolonged action as
      evident from in vitro release. 

PMID- 24227959
TI  - Evaluation of PEG and mPEG-co-(PGA-co-PDL) microparticles loaded with sodium
      diclofenac.
AB  - The aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate novel biodegradable
      polyesters namely; poly(ethylene glycol)-Poly(glycerol adipate-co-omega
      pentadecalactone), PEG-PGA-co-PDL-PEG, and poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether)
      Poly(glycerol adipate-co-omega-pentadecalactone), PGA-co-PDL-PEGme as an
      alternative sustained release carrier for lung delivery compared with non-PEG
      containing polymer PGA-co-PDL. The co-polymers were synthesized through lipase
      catalysis ring opening polymerization reaction and characterized using GPC, FT
      IR, (1)H-NMR and surface contact angle. Furthermore, microparticles containing a
      model hydrophilic drug, sodium diclofenac, were prepared via spray drying from a
      modified single emulsion and characterized for their encapsulation efficiency,
      geometrical particle size, zeta potential, tapped density, primary aerodynamic
      diameter, amorphous nature, morphology, in vitro release and the aerosolization
      performance. Microparticles fabricated from mPEG-co-polymer can be targeted to
      the lung periphery with an optimum in vitro deposition. Furthermore, a
      significantly higher in vitro release (p > 0.05, ANOVA/Dunnett's) was observed
      with the PEG and mPEG-co-polymers compared to PGA-co-PDL. In addition, these co
      polymers have a good safety profile upon testing on human bronchial epithelial,
      16HBE14o- cell lines. 

PMID- 24227960
TI  - A rat model against chemotherapy plus radiation-induced oral mucositis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Present study was aimed at developing an experimental model of oral
      mucositis in rats using a combination of chemotherapeutic agent and radiation.
      STUDY DESIGN: Female Wistar rats (150-200 g) were divided into 3 groups (n = 6).
      Rats in group 1 (normal control) and group 2 (mucositis control) were treated
      with vehicle. Rats in group 3 were treated with l-glutamine (1 g/kg, p.o.; 15
      days) before and after mucositis induction. Oral mucositis was induced by
      busulfan (6 mg/kg, p.o.; 4 days) and the tongue exposed to infrared (IR)
      radiation of intensity 40 mV/cm(2) for 5 s on the 1st, 4th and 10th days of
      challenge using a tail flick apparatus. Parameters monitored were body weight,
      food intake, blood count and survival. Oral mucositis score (OMS) was recorded
      daily. Histological changes of the irradiated tongue were assessed by hematoxylin
      and eosin staining. RESULTS: Busulfan and IR radiation significantly reduced body
      weight and food intake of the mucositis control group as compared to normal
      control. Clear ulceration of the tongue reflected in the OMS. Histopathology of
      the tongue revealed intense lymphocytic infiltration, decreased thickness of
      squamous epithelial cell layer, decrease in number of blood vessels, and necrosis
      of cells along with pseudo-membrane formation in the mucositis control group.
      These findings suggested that oral mucositis was successfully induced and
      treatment with l-glutamine partially reversed these conditions. CONCLUSION: Oral
      mucositis was established successfully in rats by the combination of
      chemotherapeutic agent and IR radiation. This may be a useful model for screening
      drugs in the treatment of oral mucositis.

PMID- 24227961
TI  - A new and simple HPLC method for determination of etamsylate in human plasma and
      its application to pharmacokinetic study in healthy adult male volunteers.
AB  - A new and simple HPLC assay method was developed and validated for the
      determination of etamsylate in human plasma. After protein precipitation with 6%
      perchloric acid, satisfactory separation was achieved on a HyPURITY C18 column
      (250 mm * 4.6 mm, 5 MUm) using a mobile phase comprising 20 mM sodium dihydrogen
      phosphate-2 hydrate (pH was adjusted to 3.5 by phosphoric acid) and acetonitrile
      at a ratio of 95:5 v/v. The elution was isocratic at ambient temperature with a
      flow rate of 0.75 ml/min. Allopurinol was used as internal standard. The
      calibration curve was linear over the range from 0.25 to 20 MUg/ml (r (2) =
      0.999). The limit of quantification for etamsylate in plasma was 0.25 MUg/ml. The
      within day coefficient of variance (%CV) ranged from 3.9% to 10.2%, whereas the
      between-day %CV ranged from 3.1% to 8.7%. The assay method has been successfully
      used to estimate the pharmacokinetics of etamsylate after oral administration of
      a 500 mg tablet under fasting conditions to 24 healthy Egyptian human male
      volunteers. Various pharmacokinetic parameters including AUC0- t , AUC0-infinity,
      C max, T max, t 1/2, MRT, Cl/F, and Vd/F were determined from plasma
      concentration-time profile of etamsylate. 

PMID- 24227962
TI  - A comparative study of validated spectrophotometric and TLC- spectrodensitometric
      methods for the determination of sodium cromoglicate and fluorometholone in
      ophthalmic solution.
AB  - The determination of sodium cromoglicate (SCG) and fluorometholone (FLU) in
      ophthalmic solution was developed by simple, sensitive and precise methods. Three
      spectrophotometric methods were applied: absorptivity factor (a-Factor method),
      absorption factor (AFM) and mean centering of ratio spectra (MCR). The linearity
      ranges of SCG were found to be (2.5-35 MUg/mL) for (a-Factor method) and (MCR);
      while for (AFM), it was found to be (7.5-50 MUg/mL). The linearity ranges of FLU
      were found to be (4-16 MUg/mL) for (a-Factor method) and (AFM); while for (MCR),
      it was found to be (2-16 MUg/mL). The mean percentage recoveries/RSD for SCG were
      found to be 100.31/0.90, 100.23/0.57 and 100.43/1.21; while for FLU, they were
      found to be 100.11/0.56, 99.97/0.35 and 99.94/0.88 using (a-Factor method), (AFM)
      and (MCR), respectively. A TLC-spectrodensitometric method was developed by
      separation of SCG and FLU on silica gel 60 F254 using
      chloroform:methanol:toluene:triethylamine in the ratio of (5:2:4:1 v/v/v/v) as
      developing system, followed by spectrodensitometric measurement of the bands at
      241 nm. The linearity ranges and the mean percentage recoveries/RSD were found to
      be (0.4-4.4 MUg/band), 100.24/1.44 and (0.2-1.6 MUg/band), 99.95/1.50 for SCG and
      FLU, respectively. A comparative study was conducted between the proposed methods
      to discuss the advantage of each method. The suggested methods were validated in
      compliance with the ICH guidelines and were successfully applied for the
      determination of SCG and FLU in their laboratory prepared mixtures and commercial
      ophthalmic solution in the presence of benzalkonium chloride as a preservative.
      These methods could be an alternative to different HPLC techniques in quality
      control laboratories lacking the required facilities for those expensive
      techniques. 

PMID- 24227963
TI  - Methotrexate for the treatment of generalized vitiligo.

PMID- 24227964
TI  - Electronic medical records in ophthalmology.

PMID- 24227965
TI  - Descemet stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty: A comparative study
      of outcome in patients with preexisting glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare postoperative complications after Descemet stripping with
      automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in patients with and without glaucoma.
      METHODS: For this retrospective study a series of 298 DSAEK cases performed at
      the Doheny Eye Institute were taken, we compared postoperative complications in
      eyes with glaucoma on medication (55) or with previous glaucoma surgeries (64)
      with a time-matched group of all other DSAEK cases (179, control). RESULTS: With
      a mean follow-up of 1.85 +/- 1.12 years, the complication rates were 12.8%,
      11.1%, and 26.8% for postoperative graft detachment, graft failure, and IOP
      elevation, respectively. Graft detachment was an independent risk factor for
      graft failure (odds ratio OR = 12.35, 95% confidence interval CI [5.46-27.90], P
      < 0.001). Graft detachment was not associated with either history of glaucoma or
      glaucoma surgery (P > 0.05). Glaucoma on medication had no increased risks of
      graft failure compared to normal eyes (P = 0.38). However, increased risk of
      failure was seen in eyes with prior incisional glaucoma surgeries (OR = 4.26, 95%
      CI [1.87-9.71], P < 0.001). Medically managed glaucoma has increased risks of
      postoperative IOP elevation (OR = 2.39, 95% CI [1.25-4.57], P = 0.013), whereas
      surgically managed glaucoma has no significant elevation (P = 0.23). Elevation of
      IOP was not significantly correlated with graft failure (P = 0.21). CONCLUSION:
      DSAEK is the preferred treatment for corneal endothelial dystrophy. We observed
      that having glaucoma or glaucoma surgery is not associated with graft detachment.
      A history of glaucoma surgery and postoperative graft detachment appeared to be
      important risk factors for graft failure. And more studies are indicated to study
      long-term IOP evolution in post-DSAEK patients and its association with graft
      survival.

PMID- 24227966
TI  - Ranibizumab for idiopathic epiretinal membranes: A retrospective case series.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab on idiopathic epiretinal
      membranes (ERMs). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on a consecutive series
      of ranibizumab intravitreal injections for epiretinal membranes was performed.
      Four cases were identified by reviewing a claims database linked to electronic
      medical records. All patients received a total of three 0.05 mg/0.05 ml
      ranibizumab intravitreal injections at a monthly interval. The primary outcome
      measure was the final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the end of the
      injection series, and the final central macular thickness (CMT). RESULTS: All
      four patients completed 3 months follow-up after the last ranibizumab injection.
      The mean baseline CMT was 509 microns (SD = 111). A trend was noticed for
      reduction in CMT (Delta = 41 microns) P = 0.08. Three patients improved by one
      line in their BCVA. The remaining patient maintained the same BCVA. No
      complications were noted. CONCLUSION: In this study, intravitreal injection of
      ranibizumab marginally reduced retinal thickness in four patients with minimal
      improvement in visual acuity. No safety concerns were noticed. Further basic
      science and clinical studies may be warranted to assess the role of vascular
      endothelial growth factor and the effect of ranibizumab on idiopathic epiretinal
      membranes.

PMID- 24227967
TI  - Effect of Homatropine eye drops on pain after photorefractive keratectomy: A
      pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the effect of homatropine eye drops on pain after
      photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: This randomized, double masked,
      interventional study included 15 patients (30 eyes) who underwent bilateral PRK.
      After operation, patients received homatropine eye drops, 4 times daily in only
      one eye (homatropine eye). The level of pain was evaluated using visual analogue
      scale (VAS), verbal rating scale (VRS) and pain rating index (PRI) at 0.5, 24 and
      48 h after operation. RESULTS: The level of pain was statistically similar
      between the two eyes half an hour after operation, however, homatropine eyes had
      significantly less pain 24 h after operation compared to fellow eyes (2.5 +/- 1.9
      vs 5.3 +/- 2.5, P = 0.004 for VAS, 2.0 +/- 1.2 vs 3.2 +/- 0.9, P = 0.023 for VRS,
      and 9.4 +/- 5.7 vs 16.0 +/- 9.0, P = 0.031 for PRI). Also, 48 h after surgery,
      the pain scales were less in the homatropine eyes (2.3 +/- 1.7 vs 4.0 +/- 2.1, P
      = 0.014 for VAS, 1.6 +/- 1.0 vs 2.5 +/- 1.0, P = 0.038 for VRS, and 6.8 +/- 5.7
      vs 12.0 +/- 8.9, P = 0.005 for PRI). No delayed epithelial healing was observed.
      CONCLUSION: Homatropine eye drops may be useful for reducing pain after
      Photorefractive keratectomy.

PMID- 24227968
TI  - Multifocal electroretinogram in diabetic subjects.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify local retinal abnormalities and evaluate the nature and
      extent of retinal dysfunction in diabetics using full field electroretinogram
      (ERG) and multifocal ERG (MF-ERG) and to determine the correlation between
      features of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and MF-ERG. METHODS: Twenty-eight
      normal subjects (Control Group; 56 eyes) and 37 patients (72 eyes) with diabetes
      mellitus (DM Group) were evaluated. In the DM Group, 17 eyes had no retinopathy
      (grade 1), 18 eyes had early non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) (grade
      3), 16 eyes had late NPDR (grade 4), 21 eyes had proliferative diabetic
      retinopathy (PDR) (grade 5). Full field ERG and MF-ERG, were used to assess the
      effects of diabetic retinopathy on retinal function. OCT and fluorescein
      angiography were used to assess and compare morphological changes with functional
      changes in diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: In diabetic patients without retinopathy
      (17 eyes), the amplitudes of the second order component of MF-ERG were reduced
      and implicit times were delayed, while only implicit times of first order
      component of MF-ERG were delayed but the amplitudes of first order component were
      normal. In diabetic patients with retinopathy (55 eyes), the overall amplitudes
      were reduced and peak implicit time increased in the first order component and
      second order component. OCT of the DM Group showed the fovea of eyes with edema
      were thicker than the Normal Group. The fovea of eyes with cystoid macular edema
      (CME) were significantly thicker than the fovea of eyes with diffuse swelling.
      The implicit times of MF-ERG were directly correlated with foveal thickness.
      CONCLUSION: MF-ERG reveals local retinal dysfunction in diabetic patients. MF-ERG
      offers the advantage of topographic mapping of retinal dysfunction. The magnitude
      of delay of MF-ERG implicit time reflects the degree of local clinical
      abnormalities in eyes with retinopathy. Local response delays found in eyes
      without retinopathy detects subclinical local retinal dysfunction in diabetics.
      The combination of OCT and MF-ERG may provide objective criteria for evaluation
      and assessment of diabetic retinopathy.

PMID- 24227970
TI  - The gene therapy revolution in ophthalmology.
AB  - The advances in gene therapy hold significant promise for the treatment of
      ophthalmic conditions. Several studies using animal models have been published.
      Animal models on retinitis pigmentosa, Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), and
      Stargardt disease have involved the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) to
      deliver functional genes into mice and canines. Mice models have been used to
      show that a mutation in cGMP phosphodiesterase that results in retinitis
      pigmentosa can be corrected using rAAV vectors. Additionally, rAAV vectors have
      been successfully used to deliver ribozyme into mice with a subsequent
      improvement in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. By using dog models,
      researchers have made progress in studying X-linked retinitis pigmentosa which
      results from a RPGR gene mutation. Mouse and canine models have also been used in
      the study of LCA. The widely studied form of LCA is LCA2, resulting from a
      mutation in the gene RPE65. Mice and canines that were injected with normal
      copies of RPE65 gene showed signs such as improved retinal pigment epithelium
      transduction, visual acuity, and functional recovery. Studies on Stargardt
      disease have shown that mutations in the ABCA4 gene can be corrected with AAV
      vectors, or nanoparticles. Gene therapy for the treatment of red-green color
      blindness was successful in squirrel monkeys. Plans are at an advanced stage to
      begin clinical trials. Researchers have also proved that CD59 can be used with
      AMD. Gene therapy is also able to treat primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in
      animal models, and studies show it is economically viable. 

PMID- 24227969
TI  - The role of cerebrospinal fluid pressure in glaucoma and other ophthalmic
      diseases: A review.
AB  - Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in the world. Well-known
      risk factors include age, race, a positive family history and elevated
      intraocular pressures. A newly proposed risk factor is decreased cerebrospinal
      fluid pressure (CSFP). This concept is based on the notion that a pressure
      differential exists across the lamina cribrosa, which separates the intraocular
      space from the subarachnoid fluid space. In this construct, an increased
      translaminar pressure difference will occur with a relative increase in elevated
      intraocular pressure or a reduction in CSFP. This net change in pressure is
      proposed to act on the tissues within the optic nerve head, potentially
      contributing to glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Similarly, patients with ocular
      hypertension who have elevated CSFPs, would enjoy a relatively protective effect
      from glaucomatous damage. This review will focus on the current literature
      pertaining to the role of CSFP in glaucoma. Additionally, the authors examine the
      relationship between glaucoma and other known CSFP-related ophthalmic disorders. 

PMID- 24227971
TI  - Lacrimal glands in cystic fibrosis.
AB  - Cystic fibrosis is a systemic disease involving defective mucus secretion in
      different parts of the body resulting in a wide range of systemic complications.
      We are presenting the histology of the lacrimal gland from a 25 year old male
      with cystic fibrosis using light microscopy. To the best of our knowledge this is
      the first report. 

PMID- 24227972
TI  - Successful treatment of melanocytoma associated choroidal neovascular membrane
      with intravitreal bevacizumab.
AB  - Melanocytoma of the optic disc is a benign melanocytic tumour that rarely causes
      visual impairment. We report a rare case of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in
      association with optic disc melanocytoma and its response to intravitreal
      injection of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bevacizumab. The
      choroidal neovascular membrane regressed following a single intravitreal
      bevacizumab injection with formation of a scar. CNV associated with optic disc
      melanocytoma is rare. Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment may be an effective
      treatment for CNV associated with optic disc melanocytoma. 

PMID- 24227973
TI  - Monocular elevation deficiency with associated dextrocardia and situs inversus.
AB  - A patient having monocular elevation deficiency with associated dextrocardia and
      situs inversus is reported. Review of the literature regarding ocular features
      described in association with dextrocardia is also presented. 

PMID- 24227974
TI  - Post-LASIK interface fluid syndrome caused by steroid drops.
AB  - Interface fluid syndrome after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a rare but
      visually threatening postoperative complication. In this case series we present 8
      post-LASIK eyes that developed interface fluid syndrome after prolonged steroid
      use. Patients presented with signs mimicking diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK)
      that worsened with steroid treatment. Slit-lamp examination revealed corneal haze
      and an optically clear fluid-filled space between the flap and stroma. The IOP
      was high in all cases. Topical steroids were stopped and replaced with topical
      and systemic anti-glaucoma medications resulting in a dramatic improvement in
      visual acuity. 

PMID- 24227975
TI  - Ocular tumors: Triumphs, challenges and controversies.

PMID- 24227976
TI  - Retinoblastoma: A new challenge to the Knudson's Dogma.

PMID- 24227977
TI  - Diffuse anterior retinoblastoma: A review.
AB  - Diffuse anterior retinoblastoma is a rare variant of diffuse infiltrating
      retinoblastoma which occurs in up to 1-2% of cases of retinoblastoma. In diffuse
      anterior retinoblastoma there is a small focus of tumor in the peripheral retina
      from which free tumor cells enter the aqueous humor and implant on the ciliary
      body, iris, lens and trabecular meshwork. Patients most commonly present with
      pseudouveitis, pseudohypopyon and increased intraocular pressure. The
      differential diagnosis is broad and all of the reported cases relied upon
      aspirates from the aqueous humor in order to make the diagnosis prior to
      proceeding with treatment. Treatment involves enucleation and, depending upon the
      extent of the tumor, may require systemic chemotherapy or external beam
      radiation. This review summarizes the 7 previously reported cases of diffuse
      anterior retinoblastoma, discusses pathologic features, and addresses the
      challenges of early diagnosis and future directions. 

PMID- 24227979
TI  - Intravitreal chemotherapy for vitreous seeding in retinoblastoma: Recent advances
      and perspectives.
AB  - For decades intravitreal chemotherapy (IViC) remained virtually banished from the
      therapeutic armamentarium against retinoblastoma, except as a heroic attempt of
      salvage before enucleation in only eyes with refractory vitreous seeding. Very
      recently, we have initiated a reappraisal of this route of administration by (1)
      profiling eligibility criteria, (2) describing a safety-enhanced injection
      procedure, (3) adjusting the tumoricidal dose of melphalan, and (4) reporting an
      unprecedented efficacy in terms of tumor control of vitreous seeding. Since then,
      intravitreal chemotherapy is being progressively implemented worldwide with great
      success, but still awaits formal validation by the ongoing prospective phase II
      clinical trial. As far as preliminary results are concerned, IViC appears to
      achieve complete vitreous response in 100% of the 35 newly recruited patients
      irrespective of the previous treatment regimen, including external beam
      radiotherapy and/or intra-arterial melphalan. In other words, vitreous seeding,
      still considered as the major cause of primary and secondary enucleation, can now
      be controlled by IViC. However, sterilization of vitreous seeding does not
      necessarily translate into eye survival, unless the retinal source of the seeds
      receives concomitant therapy. In conclusion, IViC, an unsophisticated and cost
      effective treatment, is about to revolutionize the eye survival prognosis of
      vitreous disease in advanced retinoblastoma. 

PMID- 24227978
TI  - Animal models in retinoblastoma research.
AB  - Advances in animal models of retinoblastoma have accelerated research in this
      field, aiding in understanding tumor progression and assessing therapeutic
      modalities. The distinct pattern of mutations and specific location of this
      unique intraocular tumor have paved the way for two types of models- those based
      on genetic mutations, and xenograft models. Retinoblastoma gene knockouts with an
      additional loss of p107, p130, p53 and using promoters of Nestin, Chx10, and Pax6
      genes show histological phenotypic changes close to the human form of
      retinoblastoma. Conditional knockout in specific layers of the developing retina
      has thrown light on the origin of this tumor. The use of xenograft models has
      overcome the obstacle of time delay in the presentation of symptoms, which
      remains a crucial drawback of genetic models. With the advances in molecular and
      imaging technologies, the current research aims to develop models that mimic all
      the features of retinoblastoma inclusive of its initiation, progression and
      metastasis. The combination of genetic and xenograft models in retinoblastoma
      research has and will help to pave way for better understanding of retinoblastoma
      tumor biology and also in designing and testing effective diagnostic and
      treatment modalities. 

PMID- 24227980
TI  - Proton beam radiotherapy of uveal melanoma.
AB  - Proton beam radiotherapy of uveal melanoma can be administered as primary
      treatment, as salvage therapy for recurrent tumor, and as neoadjuvant therapy
      prior to surgical resection. The physical properties of proton beams make it
      possible to deliver high-doses of radiation to the tumor with relative sparing of
      adjacent tissues. This form of therapy is effective for a wider range of uveal
      melanoma than any other modality, providing exceptionally-high rates of local
      tumor control. This is particularly the case with diffuse iris melanomas, many of
      which are unresectable. The chances of survival, ocular conservation, visual
      preservation and avoidance of iatrogenic morbidity depend greatly on the tumor
      size, location and extent. When treating any side-effects and/or complications,
      it is helpful to consider whether these are the result of collateral damage or
      persistence of the irradiated tumor ('toxic tumor syndrome'). 

PMID- 24227981
TI  - Periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma: A comprehensive review.
AB  - Sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) is a rare tumour occurring at periocular and
      extra-ocular sites. SGC can be a challenging diagnosis for both clinicians and
      pathologists. High recurrence rates and a tendency for intra-epithelial spread,
      locoregional and distant metastases make it important for SGC to be suspected and
      be included in the differential diagnosis of an eyelid lesion. Early diagnosis,
      that may sometimes need ancillary testing, and prompt management using a
      multimodal approach can help reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with SGC.

PMID- 24227982
TI  - Orbital rhabdomyosarcomas: A review.
AB  - Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant tumor and is one of the few life
      threatening diseases that present first to the ophthalmologist. It is the most
      common soft-tissue sarcoma of the head and neck in childhood with 10% of all
      cases occurring in the orbit. RMS has been reported from birth to the seventh
      decade, with the majority of cases presenting in early childhood. Survival has
      changed drastically over the years, from 30% in the 1960's to 90% presently, with
      the advent of new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. The purpose of this
      review is to provide a general overview of primary orbital RMS derived from a
      literature search of material published over the last 10 years, as well as to
      present two representative cases of patients that have been managed at our
      institute. 

PMID- 24227983
TI  - Ocular surface squamous neoplasia - Review of etio-pathogenesis and an update on
      clinico-pathological diagnosis.
AB  - Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) has a varied clinical presentation, the
      diagnosis of which rests on the histopathological examination of the excised
      lesion. The term OSSN includes mild dysplasia on one end of the spectrum and
      invasive squamous cell carcinoma on the other end. This lesion has a multi
      factorial aetiology with interplay of several factors like exposure to
      ultraviolet radiation, various chemical carcinogens and viral infections, however
      role of individual agents is not well understood. With the upsurge of infection
      with human immunodeficiency virus, a changing trend is seen in the clinical
      presentation and prognosis of patients of OSSN even in developed countries.
      Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal microscopy, hold
      promise in in-vivo differentiation of intraepithelial neoplasia from invasive
      squamous cell carcinoma. Variants of squamous cell carcinoma like Mucoepidermoid
      carcinoma, spindle cell carcinoma and OSSN associated with HIV infection should
      be suspected in a case of aggressive clinical presentation of OSSN or with
      massive and recurrent tumours. Surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are the
      various treatment modalities which in combination show promising results in
      aggressive, recurrent and larger tumours. 

PMID- 24227984
TI  - Ocular metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma with ELM4-ALK translocation: A case
      report with a review of the literature.
AB  - Choroidal metastasis is the most common intraocular neoplasm and is associated
      with significant morbidity. In a small percentage of patients, ocular
      manifestation may be the initial presentation of a systemic malignancy and can be
      diagnostically difficult to distinguish from ocular primary malignancies. Herein,
      we present a case of a never-smoker whose ocular pathology was integral to the
      diagnosis and management of a lung adenocarcinoma harboring a rare oncogene.
      Through this case, we have explored important diagnostic and therapeutic
      considerations of pulmonary metastases to the choroid. 

PMID- 24227985
TI  - Efficacy of vincristine and carboplatin as chemo-reduction for advanced bilateral
      retinoblastoma, the Saudi experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a 2-drug chemotherapy regimen without
      external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and/or without enucleation in bilateral
      retinoblastoma. METHODS: From 1996 to 2010, 79 patients were diagnosed with
      bilateral RB and were eligible for chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was administered
      prior to and/or following local therapy to the eye. All patients received 3
      cycles of chemo-reduction with carboplatin and vincristine, additional cycles of
      the same or other chemotherapy, local therapy, EBRT and enucleation were
      determined according to re-evaluation by the ophthalmologist. RESULTS: Advanced
      disease was seen in 115 (79%) eyes (group IV and V: 96, Group D and E: 19) out of
      146 affected eyes. Tumor response after chemotherapy was observed in 78 patients
      (98.7%); complete response in 25 (32.1%), partial response in 49 (62.8%) Four
      (5.1%) had progressive disease. A total of 50 (63.3%) patients required EBRT; 38
      for persistent disease, 4 for progressive disease, 2 for new lesions, 2 for re
      activation and 4 for disease control. Enucleation was required in 15 (19%).
      Secondary malignancies occurred in two patients who underwent EBRT; one
      osteogenic sarcoma and one rhabdomyosarcoma then later osteogenic sarcoma. The 10
      year overall survival was 96.3% with a median follow-up time of 3.124 +/- 0.536
      years (95%CI: 2.074-4.174). CONCLUSIONS: The 2-drug chemotherapy regimen combined
      with local therapy appears to be adequate therapy for low stage disease but not
      in patients with advanced disease. The occurrence of secondary cancers in this
      group of patients is worrisome further highlighting the deleterious effects of
      EBRT.

PMID- 24227986
TI  - Uveal melanoma in children and teenagers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To review the features and prognosis of uveal melanoma in children.
      METHODS: Retrospective case series. RESULTS: Of 122 children with uveal melanoma,
      there were 53 (43%) male and 69 (57%) female patients. In this group, the mean
      age at presentation was 15 years (median 16 years, range 3-20 years). Age at
      presentation was 0 to 5 years in 4 (3%), 5.1 to 10 years in 14 (11%), 10.1 to 15
      years in 43 (35%), and 15.1 to ?20 in 61 (50%). Associated ocular melanocytosis
      was present in 4 (3%). The melanoma was primarily located in the iris (n = 30,
      25%), ciliary body (n = 10, 8%), or choroid (n = 82, 67%). The mean tumor basal
      dimension was 9.8 mm and mean thickness was 5.0 mm. The tumor color was pigmented
      (brown) (n = 102, 84%), nonpigmented (yellow) (n = 19, 16%), or mixed (n = 25,
      21%). Subretinal fluid (n = 66, 54%) and hemorrhage (n = 9, 7%) were noted.
      Primary treatment involved laser photocoagulation (n = 3, 2%), transpupillary
      thermotherapy (n = 17, 14%), local tumor resection (n = 26, 21%), plaque
      radiotherapy (n = 42, 34%), or enucleation (n = 54, 44%). Kaplan Meier 5, 10, and
      20-year estimates for uveal melanoma-related metastasis were 9%, 9%, and 20%,
      respectively, for children compared to 15%, 25%, and 36% for all ages.
      CONCLUSION: Uveal melanoma in children tends to occur most often in the teenage
      years as a pigmented tumor involving the choroid or iris and with mean thickness
      of 5 mm. Prompt treatment is advised.

PMID- 24227987
TI  - Secondary glaucoma as initial manifestation of uveal melanoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Secondary glaucoma can be induced by a variety of local ocular problems.
      Intraocular tumors may initially present as secondary glaucoma. METHODS: 8
      consecutive patients with secondary glaucoma were found to have uveal melanoma.
      Thorough examination included detailed history, fundus examination with scleral
      depression, B scan ultrasonography, and CT/MRI scanning techniques. RESULTS: A
      single case presented with spontaneous hyphema, two patients presented with
      secondary glaucoma, extraocular melanoma and metastases, a single case was found
      to have angle block by an iridociliary ring melanoma and 4 cases presented with
      neovascular glaucoma. Enucleation was necessary in all 8 cases. CONCLUSIONS:
      General ophthalmologists should be aware of these rare initial manifestations of
      intraocular tumors as secondary glaucoma. Enucleation would be recommended in
      most cases of intraocular malignancy manifesting as secondary glaucoma. One
      should be extremely cautious in doing a penetrating surgery in such cases.

PMID- 24227988
TI  - Morphologic changes of the fovea and visual acuity associated with retinal
      detachment secondary to circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To clarify and review the early and late morphologic changes of the
      macula associating with visual loss in patients with subfoveal fluid secondary to
      extrafoveal circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas. METHODS: Previously six non
      treated eyes of six patients with subfoveal retinal detachment secondary to
      extrafoveal circumscribed choroidal hemangioma were included. Visual acuity (VA),
      duration of visual symptoms, color fundus photography, optical coherence
      tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence, and fluorescein angiography (FA) were
      evaluated. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 58 years (range, 25-78). The VA and
      duration of symptoms in each patient was 1.2 (3 days), 0.6 (1 week), 0.4 (3
      months), 0.5 (6 months), 0.02 (12 months), and 0.01 (8 years), respectively.
      Three patients with symptoms for less than 3 months did not have retinal pigment
      epithelial (RPE) alterations, retinal edema, or thinning of the retinal structure
      in the fovea. A patient with symptoms for 3 months had subfoveal deposits
      underneath the detached neurosensory retina with foveal hyperautofluorescence.
      Two patients with symptoms exceeding 12 months had highly affected RPE and
      cystoid macular degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The VA was affected in patients with
      longer visual symptoms, and there are some changes in the retina and RPE in the
      fovea by FA and OCT. Persistent subretinal fluid secondary to choroidal
      hemangiomas may result in pathologic changes in the neurosensory retina.

PMID- 24227989
TI  - Ocular manifestations of graft-versus-host disease.
AB  - Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has evolved over the
      past two decades to become the standard of care for hematologic and lymphoid
      malignancies. Major ocular complications after allogeneic HSCT have been
      increasing in number and severity. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a
      major cause of ocular morbidity after allogeneic HSCT. The main objective of this
      review is to elucidate the ocular complications in patients developing GVHD
      following HSCT. Ocular complications secondary to GVHD are common and include dry
      eye syndrome, acquisition of ocular allergy from donors with allergic disorders.
      Eyelid changes may occur in GVHD leading to scleroderma-like changes. Patients
      may develop poliosis, madarosis, vitiligo, lagophthalmos, and entropion. The
      cornea may show filamentary keratitis, superficial punctate keratitis, corneal
      ulcers, and peripheral corneal melting which may lead to perforation in severe
      cases. Scleritis may also occur which can be anterior or posterior.
      Keratoconjunctivis sicca appears to be the most common presentation of GVHD. The
      lacrimal glands may be involved with mononuclear cell infiltration of both the
      major and accessory lacrimal glands and decrease in tear production. Severe dry
      eye syndrome in patients with GVHD may develop conjunctival scarring,
      keratinization, and cicatrization of the conjunctiva. Therapy of GVHD includes
      systemic immunosuppression and local therapy. Surgical treatment in refractory
      cases includes surgical intervention to improve the manifestation of GVHD of the
      eye. This may include tarsorrhapy, prose lenses, punctal occlusions and corneal
      transplantation. 

PMID- 24227990
TI  - The use of forehead flaps in the management of large basal cell carcinomas of the
      medial canthus/medial lower eyelid in Saudi patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer worldwide. BCC
      represents 90-95% of all malignant eyelid tumors with lower eyelid/medial canthus
      lesions being more common than lower eyelid/lateral canthus lesions. Although
      various local flaps have been used for the reconstruction of medial
      canthus/adjacent eyelid defects, we find the forehead flap to be the most suited
      for these cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We are reporting a clinical series of BCC
      involving the medial canthus and adjacent medial lower eyelid through a
      retrospective review of 18 patients who underwent surgical excision of the lesion
      followed by primary reconstruction using forehead flaps. Patients who underwent
      reconstruction without forehead flaps were excluded. All cases were Saudis and
      underwent this type of reconstruction. Indications, results, and complications
      were reviewed with special emphasis on the acceptance of the obvious forehead
      donor site scar in Saudi patients. RESULTS: All flaps survived completely Follow
      up ranged from 2 to 10 years (mean of 5 years). Tumor recurrence was not seen in
      any of the patients. Functionally, there was no ectropion and the eyelid margin
      was well aligned and stable. However, epiphora was evident since lacrimal system
      reconstruction was not performed. CONCLUSION: We are presenting the first Saudi
      series of large medical canthus/lower eyelid defects that underwent
      reconstruction using forehead flaps. The outcome was satisfactory and there were
      no cases of tumor recurrence. The only disadvantage is the donor scar which seems
      to be acceptable in the Saudi population because of their traditional head cover.

PMID- 24227991
TI  - Ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative disorders in an ophthalmic referral center in
      Saudi Arabia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the pattern of ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative disorders
      (OALD) in an ophthalmic referral center in Saudi Arabia and to review their,
      histopathological characteristics with clinical correlation. METHODS:
      Retrospective chart review of 40 cases of patients who underwent incisional
      biopsy with the suspected diagnosis of periocular and/or adnexal lymphoid lesions
      over the period: 2000-2012 at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH),
      Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The routine histopathologic slides are reviewed by a single
      pathologist to identify cases of Benign Reactive Lymphoid Hyperplasia (RLH),
      Atypical Lymphoid Hyperplasia and probable lymphoma. The identification of the
      specific types of lymphoma is performed at a tertiary general hospital: King
      Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC). RESULTS: Forty patients
      are included with an age range of 11-91 years and a median of 36 years. The males
      constitute 70% and females 30% of the cases. The right eye and/or orbit are
      involved in 48%. The left eye is involved in 45% while a bilateral disease is
      found in 7.5%. The median duration of symptoms is 5 months. The site distribution
      is conjunctiva (42.5%), orbit (25%), lacrimal gland (12.5%), eyelid (10%),
      lacrimal sac (7.5%) and caruncle (2.5%). One case is excluded after
      histopathologic diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Diagnosis in the remaining 39
      cases includes: RLH in 14 cases (35%), atypical lymphoid hyperplasia in three
      cases (9%), and lymphoma in 22 cases (56%). Classification of the lymphoma group
      is: extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) in 9/22 cases (41%), diffuse large B
      cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in 4/22 cases (18%), Castelman's disease in 3/22 cases
      (14%), Burkitt's lymphoma in 2/22 cases (9%), follicular lymphoma and T cell-rich
      B cell lymphoma: one case each (4.5%).Two cases remain unclassified. CONCLUSION:
      We have a wide age range which is comparable to other studies. Our results show
      male predominance and the commonest site of involvement is conjunctival, however
      if RLH cases are excluded, the commonest site for lymphoma is orbit/lacrimal
      gland in 45% followed by conjunctival in 23%. The commonest type of lymphoma is:
      EMZL in 41% followed by DLBCL in 18% then other types of lymphoma including
      follicular lymphoma.

PMID- 24227992
TI  - Dealing with hunger: Metabolic stress responses in tumors.
AB  - Increased nutrient uptake and usage is a hallmark of many human malignancies.
      During the course of tumorigenesis, cancer cells often outstrip their local
      nutrient supply leading to periods of nutrient deprivation. Interestingly, cancer
      cells often develop strategies to adapt and survive these challenging conditions.
      Accordingly, understanding these processes is critical for developing therapies
      that target cancer metabolism. Exciting new progress has been made in elucidating
      the mechanisms used by cancer cells under nutrient restricted conditions. In this
      review, we highlight recent studies that have brought insight into how cancer
      cells deal with low nutrient environments. 

PMID- 24227993
TI  - Intersection of Smoking, Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency
      syndrome and Cancer: Proceedings of the 8(th) Annual Texas Conference on Health
      Disparities.
AB  - The Texas Center for Health Disparities, a National Institute on Minority Health
      and Health Disparities Center of Excellence, presents an annual conference to
      discuss prevention, awareness education and ongoing research about health
      disparities both in Texas and among the national population. The 2013 Texas
      Conference on Health Disparities brought together experts, in research, patient
      care and community outreach, on the "Intersection of Smoking, Human
      immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and Cancer".
      Smoking, HIV/AIDS and cancer are three individual areas of public health concern,
      each with its own set of disparities and risk factors based on race, ethnicity,
      gender, geography and socio-economic status. Disparities among patient
      populations, in which these issues are found to be comorbid, provide valuable
      information on goals for patient care. The conference consisted of three sessions
      addressing "Comorbidities and Treatment", "Public Health Perspectives", and "Best
      Practices". This article summarizes the basic science, clinical correlates and
      public health data presented by the speakers. 

PMID- 24227995
TI  - Developing mobile- and BIM-based integrated visual facility maintenance
      management system.
AB  - Facility maintenance management (FMM) has become an important topic for research
      on the operation phase of the construction life cycle. Managing FMM effectively
      is extremely difficult owing to various factors and environments. One of the
      difficulties is the performance of 2D graphics when depicting maintenance
      service. Building information modeling (BIM) uses precise geometry and relevant
      data to support the maintenance service of facilities depicted in 3D object
      oriented CAD. This paper proposes a new and practical methodology with
      application to FMM using BIM technology. Using BIM technology, this study
      proposes a BIM-based facility maintenance management (BIMFMM) system for
      maintenance staff in the operation and maintenance phase. The BIMFMM system is
      then applied in selected case study of a commercial building project in Taiwan to
      verify the proposed methodology and demonstrate its effectiveness in FMM
      practice. Using the BIMFMM system, maintenance staff can access and review 3D BIM
      models for updating related maintenance records in a digital format. Moreover,
      this study presents a generic system architecture and its implementation. The
      combined results demonstrate that a BIMFMM-like system can be an effective visual
      FMM tool. 

PMID- 24227996
TI  - Uniformity masks design method based on the shadow matrix for coating materials
      with different condensation characteristics.
AB  - An intuitionistic method is proposed to design shadow masks to achieve thickness
      profile control for evaporation coating processes. The proposed method is based
      on the concept of the shadow matrix, which is a matrix that contains coefficients
      that build quantitive relations between shape parameters of masks and shadow
      quantities of substrate directly. By using the shadow matrix, shape parameters of
      shadow masks could be derived simply by solving a matrix equation. Verification
      experiments were performed on a special case where coating materials have
      different condensation characteristics. By using the designed mask pair with
      complementary shapes, thickness uniformities of better than 98% are demonstrated
      for MgF2 (m = 1) and LaF3 (m = 0.5) simultaneously on a 280 mm diameter spherical
      substrate with the radius curvature of 200 mm.

PMID- 24227994
TI  - Obesity, metabolism and the microenvironment: Links to cancer.
AB  - Historically, cancer research has focused on identifying mutations or
      amplification of genes within the tumor, which informed the development of
      targeted therapies against affected pathways. This work often considers tumor
      cells in isolation; however, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the
      microenvironment surrounding tumor cells strongly influences tumor onset and
      progression. This is the so-called "seed and soil" hypothesis wherein the seed
      (cancer cell) is fed and molded by the metabolites, growth factors, modifications
      of the extracellular matrix or angiogenic factors provided by the soil (or
      stroma). Currently, 65% of the US population is obese or overweight; similarly
      staggering figures are reported in US children and globally. Obesity mediates and
      can exacerbate, both normal and tumor microenvironment dysfunction. Many obesity
      associated endocrine, metabolic and inflammatory mediators are suspected to play
      a role in oncogenesis by modifying systemic nutrient metabolism and the nutrient
      substrates available locally in the stroma. It is vitally important to understand
      the biological processes linking obesity and cancer to develop better
      intervention strategies aimed at curbing the carcinogenic events associated with
      obesity. In this review, obesity-driven changes in both the normal and tumor
      microenvironment, alterations in metabolism, and release of signaling molecules
      such as endocrine, growth, and inflammatory mediators will be highlighted. In
      addition, we will discuss the effects of the timing of obesity onset or
      particular "windows of susceptibility," with a focus on breast cancer etiology. 

PMID- 24227997
TI  - Bacterial communities in polluted seabed sediments: a molecular biology assay in
      Leghorn Harbor.
AB  - Seabed sediments of commercial ports are often characterized by high pollution
      levels. Differences in number and distribution of bacteria in such areas can be
      related to distribution of pollutants in the port and to sediment conditions. In
      this study, the bacterial communities of five sites from Leghorn Harbor seabed
      were characterized, and the main bacterial groups were identified. T-RFLP was
      used for all samples; two 16S rRNA libraries and in silico digestion of clones
      were used to identify fingerprint profiles. Library data, phylogenetic analysis,
      and T-RFLP coupled with in silico digestion of the obtained sequences evidenced
      the dominance of Proteobacteria and the high percentage of Bacteroidetes in all
      sites. The approach highlighted similar bacterial communities between samples
      coming from the five sites, suggesting a modest differentiation among bacterial
      communities of different harbor seabed sediments and hence the capacity of
      bacterial communities to adapt to different levels and types of pollution. 

PMID- 24227998
TI  - Life comparative analysis of energy consumption and CO2 emissions of different
      building structural frame types.
AB  - The objective of this research is to quantitatively measure and compare the
      environmental load and construction cost of different structural frame types.
      Construction cost also accounts for the costs of CO2 emissions of input
      materials. The choice of structural frame type is a major consideration in
      construction, as this element represents about 33% of total building construction
      costs. In this research, four constructed buildings were analyzed, with these
      having either reinforced concrete (RC) or steel (S) structures. An input-output
      framework analysis was used to measure energy consumption and CO2 emissions of
      input materials for each structural frame type. In addition, the CO2 emissions
      cost was measured using the trading price of CO2 emissions on the International
      Commodity Exchange. This research revealed that both energy consumption and CO2
      emissions were, on average, 26% lower with the RC structure than with the S
      structure, and the construction costs (including the CO2 emissions cost) of the
      RC structure were about 9.8% lower, compared to the S structure. This research
      provides insights through which the construction industry will be able to respond
      to the carbon market, which is expected to continue to grow in the future.

PMID- 24227999
TI  - Ambient vibration testing for story stiffness estimation of a heritage timber
      building.
AB  - This paper investigates dynamic characteristics of a historic wooden structure by
      ambient vibration testing, presenting a novel estimation methodology of story
      stiffness for the purpose of vibration-based structural health monitoring. As for
      the ambient vibration testing, measured structural responses are analyzed by two
      output-only system identification methods (i.e., frequency domain decomposition
      and stochastic subspace identification) to estimate modal parameters. The
      proposed methodology of story stiffness is estimation based on an eigenvalue
      problem derived from a vibratory rigid body model. Using the identified natural
      frequencies, the eigenvalue problem is efficiently solved and uniquely yields
      story stiffness. It is noteworthy that application of the proposed methodology is
      not necessarily confined to the wooden structure exampled in the paper. 

PMID- 24228000
TI  - Extracorporeal rescue for early and late graft failure after cardiac
      transplantation: short result and long-term followup.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Graft failure after heart transplantation led to poor outcomes. We
      tried to analyze the outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
      rescue in graft survival after transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective review
      of 385 consecutive heart transplants revealed 46 patients of graft failure
      requiring ECMO rescue (48 episodes). The pretransplant and ECMO-related variables
      were evaluated. RESULTS: The median age was 37.7 +/- 18.8 years, and the median
      support time was 155 +/- 145 hours. Success rate was 47.9% (23/48). Pretransplant
      ECMO use was 25% (12/48) and they had 58.3% mortality. The success rate in
      "early" graft failures was 51.4% (18/35) and 50% for "late" graft failure. The
      ischemic time with graft failure (178 +/- 70 min) was significantly longer than
      that without graft failure. Preoperative status and the longer ischemic time may
      be the major factors for failure. Long-term 5-year survival demonstrated
      significant survival difference between graft failure and nongraft failure. No
      survival difference was shown between "early" and "late" graft failure.
      CONCLUSIONS: Graft failure still carried high mortality if advanced circulatory
      support was required. Early graft failure and late graft failure had similar
      outcomes. Further investigation of the risk factors shows that ECMO does play a
      role of rescue in catastrophic conditions.

PMID- 24228001
TI  - Impediments for the uptake of the Botswana government's male circumcision
      initiative for HIV prevention.
AB  - Botswana remains one of the countries with high prevalence of HIV infection with
      a population prevalence rate of 17.6 in 2008. In 2009, the Ministry of Health
      launched male circumcision as an additional strategy to the already existing HIV
      preventive efforts. The purpose of this paper is to share what the participants
      of a survey to evaluate a short-term male circumcision communication strategy in
      seven health districts of Botswana reported as impediments for the program's
      uptake. Qualitative data were obtained from 32 key informants and 36 focus group
      discussions in 2011. Content analysis method was used to analyze data and to
      derive themes and subthemes. Although male circumcision was generally acceptable
      to communities in Botswana, the uptake of the program was slow, and participants
      attributed that to a number of challenges or impediments that were frustrating
      the initiative. The impediments were organized into sociocultural factors,
      knowledge/informational factors, and infrastructural and system factors. 

PMID- 24228002
TI  - Power and time slot allocation in cognitive relay networks using particle swarm
      optimization.
AB  - The two main problems in cognitive radio networks are power and time slot
      allocation problems which require a precise analysis and guarantee the quality of
      service in both the primary and secondary users. In this paper, these two
      problems are considered and a method is proposed to solve the resulting
      optimization problem. Our proposed method provides an improved performance in
      solving the constrained nonlinear multiobject optimization for the power control
      and beamforming in order to reach the maximum capacity and proper adaption of
      time slots, and as a result a new scheme for joint power and time slot allocation
      in cognitive relay networks is proposed. We adopt space diversity access as the
      secondary users access scheme and divide the time between multiple secondary
      users according to their contribution to primary user's transmission. Helping
      primary users provides more opportunities for secondary users to access the
      channel since the primary users can release the channel sooner. In contrast,
      primary network leases portion of channel access time to the secondary users for
      their transmission using particle swarm optimization (PSO). Numerical studies
      show good performance of the proposed scheme with a dynamic cost function in a
      nonstationary environment. 

PMID- 24228005
TI  - Micromagnetic simulations of anisotropies in coupled and uncoupled ferromagnetic
      nanowire systems.
AB  - The influence of a variation of spatial relative orientations onto the coupling
      dynamics and subsequent magnetic anisotropies was modeled in ferromagnetic
      nanowires. The wires were analyzed in the most elementary configurations, thus,
      arranged in pairs perpendicular to each other, leading to one-dimensional
      (linear) and zero-dimensional (point-like) coupling. Different distances within
      each elementary pair of wires and between the pairs give rise to varying
      interactions between parallel and perpendicular wires, respectively. Simulated
      coercivities show an exchange of easy and hard axes for systems with different
      couplings. Additionally, two of the systems exhibit a unique switching behavior
      which can be utilized for developing new functionalities. 

PMID- 24228003
TI  - Effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on NKG2D signal pathway and its
      contribution to immune escape of MKN45 cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate VIP effect on the cytotoxicity of NK cell to gastric
      cancer cells in vitro and the relation between the effect with the NKG2D signal
      molecules in NK cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: NK cells were purified from
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Before and after NK cells were
      incubated with VIP or its antagonist (D-p-Cl-Phe6,Leu17)-VIP, we detected the
      cytotoxicity of NK cells to MKN45 gastric cancer cells by MTT and detected the
      expressions of NKG2D, DAP10, and NF- kappa B proteins and mRNAs in NK cells by
      immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR in those conditions. Then we analyzed the effect
      of VIP and its antagonist on the cytotocicity of NK cell to gastric cancer cells
      and on expressions of NKG2D, DAP10, and NF- kappa B signal molecules in NK cells.
      RESULTS: VIP could inhibit the cytotoxicity of NK cells to MKN45 cells and could
      inhibit the expressions of NKG2D, DAP10, and NF- kappa B in NK cells. However, (D
      p-Cl-Phe6, Leu17)-VIP could reverse those effects. CONCLUSIONS: The VIP inhibited
      the cytotoxicity of NK cell to MKN45 cells which might get through inhibiting the
      expressions of NKG2D signal molecules in NK cells. This may be one mechanism of
      gastric cancer cells escaping organism immune clearance.

PMID- 24228006
TI  - Rapid method for the determination of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid
      using a double-wavelength UV spectroscopy.
AB  - This study reports on a rapid method for the determination of levulinic acid (LA)
      and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in acid hydrolyze system of glucose based on UV
      spectroscopy. It was found that HMF and LA have a maximum absorption at the
      wavelengths of 284 nm and 266 nm, respectively, in a water medium, and the
      absorptions of HMF and LA at 284 nm and 266 nm follow Beer's law very well.
      However, it was found that a major spectral interference species will arise in
      the quantification of HMF and LA; nonetheless, this interference can be
      eliminated through the absorption treatment of charcoal. Therefore, both HMF and
      LA can be quantified with a double-wavelength technique. The repeatability of the
      method had a relative standard deviation of less than 4.47% for HMF and 2.25% for
      LA; the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.017 mmol/L for HMF and 4.68 mmol/L
      for LA, and the recovery ranged from 88% to 116% for HMF and from 94% to 105% for
      LA. The present method is simple, rapid, and accurate. It is suitable to use in
      the research of the preparation of HMF and LA in biorefinery area.

PMID- 24228007
TI  - Application of a developed method for the extraction of triazines in surface
      waters and storage prior to analysis to seawaters of Galicia (northwest Spain).
AB  - A simple method based on solid-phase extraction combined with liquid
      chromatography for simultaneous determination of nine triazine herbicides
      (ametryn, atrazine, cyanazine, prometryn, propazine, simazine, simetryn,
      terbuthylazine, and terbutryn) in surface water samples was developed and
      validated. Under optimized conditions, 50 mL of water sample was pumped through
      the Oasis HLB cartridge, and triazines were eluted with 3 mL acetone. Finally the
      extract was concentrated to dryness, reconstituted with 1 mL methanol : water (1
      : 1) and injected into the HPLC-DAD system. The stability of the herbicides on
      the cartridges at -18 and 4 degrees C was also evaluated, and the recoveries
      obtained after three weeks of storage were satisfactory for all compounds. The
      analytical features of the proposed method were satisfactory: repeatability and
      intermediate precision were <10% and recoveries in spiked river water and
      seawater samples were higher than 93% for all compounds studied. Limits of
      quantification (varied from 0.46 to 0.98 ug L-1) were adequately allowing the
      determination of these compounds at the levels requested by the 2008/105/EC
      Directive. Finally, this method was applied to the analysis of 50 seawater
      samples from Galicia (northwest Spain).

PMID- 24228008
TI  - Application of HPLC with ELSD detection for the assessment of azelaic acid
      impurities in liposomal formulation.
AB  - In the course of research and development of a new pharmaceutical formulation of
      azelaic acid in the liposomal form, we developed a rapid and accurate method for
      the detection of impurities using high-performance liquid chromatography. A
      chromatographic column from Merck (Purospher Star RP C18, 250-4 mm (5 MUm) was
      used in the assay, and the mobile phase gradient consisted of three phases: A-
      methanol : water (5 : 95) + 1.5% (v/v) acetic acid; B--water : methanol (5 : 95)
      + 1.5% (v/v) acetic acid; and C--chloroform. Detection of the impurities and the
      active substance was performed by an evaporative light-scattering detector. The
      method was validated for selectivity, system precision, method precision, limit
      of detection, and response rates. The proposed method can be used to detect
      impurities in the liposomal formulation of azelaic acid. The method enables
      separation of azelaic acid from the identified and unidentified impurities and
      from the excipients used in the drug form.

PMID- 24228009
TI  - Soluble RAGE plasma levels in patients with coronary artery disease and
      peripheral artery disease.
AB  - The objective of the present study was define in a relatively large patient
      population with coronary artery disease (CAD) whether the concomitant presence of
      peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is known to convey additional
      cardiovascular risk, was associated with different circulating levels of sRAGE
      with respect to CAD alone and control subjects. Clinical and laboratory
      parameters including the ankle brachial index (ABI) and sRAGE (enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay kit) were investigated in 544 patients with angiographically
      documented CAD and 328 control subjects. 213/554 CAD patients (39%) showed an ABI
      <0.9 associated with typical symptoms (group CAD + PAD), whereas 331 patients
      were free from PAD. The concentration of plasma sRAGE was significantly lower (P
      < 0.0001) in CAD population, with and without PAD, than in control subjects.
      Among CAD patients, those with PAD showed lower levels of sRAGE. The distribution
      of the three groups (CAD, CAD + PAD, and controls) according to sRAGE tertiles
      showed that lower levels were more frequent in patients with CAD and CAD + PAD,
      whereas higher levels were more frequently found in controls. CAD patients
      presenting with PAD have lower sRAGE levels than CAD patients without peripheral
      atherosclerosis showing that stable atherosclerotic lesions in different vascular
      districts are inversely related to soluble decoy receptor sRAGE. 

PMID- 24228010
TI  - Covalent grafting of the RGD-peptide onto polyetheretherketone surfaces via
      Schiff base formation.
AB  - In recent years, the synthetic polymer polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has
      increasingly been used in a number of orthopedic implementations, due to its
      excellent mechanical properties, bioinertness, and chemical resistance. For in
      vivo applications, the surface of PEEK, which does not naturally support cell
      adhesion, has to be modified to improve tissue integration. In the present work
      we demonstrate a novel wet-chemical modification of PEEK to modify the surface,
      enabling the covalent grafting of the cell-adhesive RGD-peptide. Modification of
      the polymer surface was achieved via Schiff base formation using an aliphatic
      diamine and subsequent crosslinker-mediated immobilization of the peptide. In
      cell culture experiments with primary osteoblasts it was shown that the RGD
      modified PEEK not only significantly promoted cellular adhesion but also strongly
      enhanced the proliferation of osteoblasts on the modified polymer surface. 

PMID- 24228011
TI  - Association between waste management and HBV among solid municipal waste workers:
      a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
AB  - AIM: To conduct a systematic review of this relationship using available
      published observational studies in the field of solid municipal waste treatment.
      METHODS: The review of the scientific literature was based on Medline and Scopus
      databases up to December 2012, using the keywords HBV, waste, solid, treatment,
      workers, disposal, and refuse in different combinations. RESULTS: 160 studies
      were found and checked. Finally, 5 observational studies were considered
      suitable, all cross-sectional. The pooled proportion of HBs-Ag considering all
      the studies was 11% (95% CI: 5-21%), and considering the high quality studies
      only, this proportion was 14% (95% CI: 6-24%). The pooled proportion of HBs-Ab
      positivity among waste workers considering all the studies was 14.2% (95% CI: 1.4
      37.2%), and considering the high quality studies only, this proportion was 24%
      (95% CI: 18-30%). The pooled proportion of HBc-Ab positivity among waste workers
      considering all the studies was 24% (95% CI: 6-49%). The pooled estimation of the
      risk of HBV positivity (HBsAg) among exposed was OR = 2.39 (95% CI: 0.88-6.52).
      CONCLUSION: In conclusion, waste workers need to be vaccinated against HBV
      infection since they are at risk of acquiring this infection through the exposure
      to potentially infected waste.

PMID- 24228012
TI  - Prognosis of elderly Japanese patients aged >=80 years undergoing hemodialysis.
AB  - Although the number of elderly patients requiring dialysis has increased, data
      regarding the prognosis of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis are limited.
      In the present study, prognosis in Japanese hemodialysis patients aged >=80 years
      was evaluated. From January 1988 to July 2013, 1144 consecutive patients with end
      stage renal disease required renal replacement therapy at our institution; of
      these, 141 were aged >=80 years. These patients' charts were retrospectively
      reviewed for relevant clinical variables and survival time. The life expectancies
      table from the National Vital Statistics database was used, and prognostic
      factors were assessed by multivariate analysis. In total, 107 deaths (76%) were
      recorded during the study period. The median survival time and estimated life
      shortening period in the patients were 2.6 years and -5.3 years, respectively.
      Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status and hemoglobin level were
      revealed as prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis. Estimates of
      prognosis and prognostic factors may provide useful information for physicians as
      well as elderly patients with end-stage kidney disease. 

PMID- 24228013
TI  - Maternal hypotension during fetoscopic surgery: incidence and its impact on fetal
      survival outcomes.
AB  - In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the incidence of
      intraoperative maternal hypotension during fetoscopic surgery for twin-twin
      transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and to evaluate the impact of intraoperative
      hypotension on fetal survival. A total of 328 TTTS patients with recipient twin
      cardiomyopathy who underwent fetoscopic surgery under epidural anesthesia were
      included. The exposure of interest was maternal medical therapy with nifedipine
      for the treatment of fetal cardiomyopathy. We found that intraoperative
      hypotension occurred in 53.4% (175/328 patients). There was no statistically
      significant difference in incidence of hypotension between nifedipine exposure
      and nonexposure groups (54.8% versus 50.8%, P = 0.479). However, the nifedipine
      exposure group received a statistically significant higher dose of phenylephrine
      (7.04 +/- 6.38 mcg/kg versus 4.70 +/- 4.14 mcg/kg, P = 0.018) and higher doses of
      other vasopressor, as counted by number of treatments (6.06 +/- 4.58 versus 4.96
      +/- 3.42, P = 0.022). There were no statistically significant differences in
      acute fetal survival rate (within 5 days) and fetal survival rate at birth
      between hypotensive and nonhypotensive patients. We concluded that preoperative
      exposure to nifedipine resulted in increased intraoperative maternal vasopressor
      requirement during fetoscopic surgery under epidural anesthesia. In patients who
      had intraoperative maternal hypotension, there was no correlation between the
      presence of maternal hypotension and postoperative fetal survival. 

PMID- 24228014
TI  - Evaluation of self-etching adhesive and Er:YAG laser conditioning on the shear
      bond strength of orthodontic brackets.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength, the adhesive
      remnant index scores, and etch surface of teeth prepared for orthodontic bracket
      bonding with self-etching primer and Er:YAG laser conditioning. One hundred and
      twenty bovine incisors were randomly divided into four groups. In Group I
      (Control), the teeth were conditioned with 35% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds. In
      Group II the teeth were conditioned with Transbond Plus SEP (5 sec); III and IV
      were irradiated with the Er:YAG 150 mJ (11.0 J/cm2), 150 mJ (19.1 J/cm2),
      respectively, at 7-12 Hz with water spray. After surface preparation, upper
      central incisor stainless steel brackets were bonded with Transbond Plus Color
      Change Adhesive. The teeth were stored in water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours and
      shear bond strengths were measured, and adhesive remnant index (ARI) was
      determined. The conditioned surface was observed under a scanning electron
      microscope. One-way ANOVA and chi-square test were used. Group I showed the
      significantly highest values of bond strength with a mean value of 8.2
      megapascals (MPa). The lesser amount of adhesive remnant was found in Group III.
      The results of this study suggest that Er:YAG laser irradiation could not be an
      option for enamel conditioning.

PMID- 24228015
TI  - Cardiac safety of diclofenac at a single dose in ram.
AB  - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are frequently prescribed drug group in
      human and veterinary medicine. However, diclofenac, a traditional nonsteroidal
      anti-inflammatory drug, related to cardiotoxicity is reported, and blood cardiac
      damage markers may increase within the first hours after damage. The aim of the
      current research was to determine the effect of diclofenac on the blood cardiac
      damage markers. Single dose of diclofenac (2.5 mg/kg, IM) was injected to 6 rams.
      Blood samples were collected in before (0 hour, control) and 6 hours after
      injection. Specific (troponin I, and creatine kinase-MB) and nonspecific (lactate
      dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase) blood cardiac damage marker
      concentrations, routine biochemical (hepatic damage, renal damage, lipid
      metabolism, glucose, and phosphorus) parameters, and hemogram values were
      measured. Diclofenac increased (P < 0.05) specific (troponin I) and nonspecific
      cardiac (lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase), hepatic (aspartate
      aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase), and
      muscular (creatine kinase) damage markers and high density lipoprotein level,
      while it decreased (P < 0.05) low density lipoprotein level. Moreover, diclofenac
      decreased (P < 0.05) white blood cell counts and increased (P < 0.05) red blood
      cell counts. In conclusion, it may be stated that diclofenac shows slight
      cardiotoxicity, whereas it may show potent hepatic and muscular damage effects at
      an intramuscularly single dose in sheep. Thereby, repeated injections of
      diclofenac may be more harmful in sheep. 

PMID- 24228016
TI  - Lateral condyle fracture of the humerus in children treated with bioabsorbable
      materials.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcome of lateral
      condyle fracture of the elbow in children treated with bioabsorbable or metallic
      material. From January 2008 to December 2009, 16 children with similar fractures
      and ages were grouped according to the fixation material used. Children were seen
      at 3, 6, and 12 months and more than 4 years (mean 51.8 months) postoperatively.
      The clinical results were compared using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS).
      Radiographic studies of the fractured and opposite elbow were assessed at last
      follow-up control. Twelve children had a sufficient followup and could be
      included in the study. Seven could be included in the traditional group and 5 in
      the bioabsorbable group. At 12 months, the MEPS was 100 for every child in both
      groups. Asymptomatic bony radiolucent visible tracks and heterotopic
      ossifications were noted in both groups. There were no significant differences in
      terms of clinical and radiological outcome between the two groups. The use of
      bioabsorbable pins or screws is a reasonable alternative to the traditional use
      of metallic materials for the treatment of lateral condyle fracture of the elbow
      in children. 

PMID- 24228017
TI  - Is %DeltaSUVmax a useful indicator of survival in patients with advanced nonsmall
      cell lung cancer?
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of the maximum standardized uptake value
      (SUVmax), size of primary lung lesion, and %DeltaSUVmax on outcome (overall
      survival (OS) and 2-year disease-free survival (2-year DFS)) of patients with
      advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 86 stage III
      IV NSCLC patients underwent 18 F-FDGPET/CT, before and after chemotherapy, and
      were classified into subgroups according to the response criteria of the European
      Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. SUVmax values and tumor size
      with the best prognostic significance were searched. Correlation between the
      SUVmax value and the initial response to therapy (best response) and the
      relationship between %DeltaSUVmax and OS were assessed. RESULTS: In patients in
      PD (20/86), the average pretreatment SUVmax was 11.8 +/- 5.23, and the mean size
      of the primary lesion was 43.35 mm +/- 16.63. In SD, PR, and CR patients (66/86),
      the average pretreatment SUVmax was 12.7 +/- 8.05, and the mean size of the
      primary lesion was 41.6 mm +/- 21.15. Correlation was identified only for
      %DeltaSUVmax; patients with PD (DeltaSUVmax > +25%) showed a worse OS than
      patients with DeltaSUVmax < +25% (CR, PR, and SD) (P = 0.0235). CONCLUSIONS: In
      stage III-IV NSCLC, among the assessed factors, only %DeltaSUVmax may be
      considered as a useful prognostic factor.

PMID- 24228019
TI  - Extending stochastic network calculus to loss analysis.
AB  - Loss is an important parameter of Quality of Service (QoS). Though stochastic
      network calculus is a very useful tool for performance evaluation of computer
      networks, existing studies on stochastic service guarantees mainly focused on the
      delay and backlog. Some efforts have been made to analyse loss by deterministic
      network calculus, but there are few results to extend stochastic network calculus
      for loss analysis. In this paper, we introduce a new parameter named loss factor
      into stochastic network calculus and then derive the loss bound through the
      existing arrival curve and service curve via this parameter. We then prove that
      our result is suitable for the networks with multiple input flows. Simulations
      show the impact of buffer size, arrival traffic, and service on the loss factor. 

PMID- 24228020
TI  - A TaqMan real-time PCR assay for detection and quantification of Sporisorium
      scitamineum in sugarcane.
AB  - Sporisorium scitamineum is a fungal smut pathogen epidemic in sugarcane producing
      areas. Early detection and proper identification of the smut are an essential
      requirement in its management practice. In this study, we developed a TaqMan real
      time PCR assay using specific primers (bEQ-F/bEQ-R) and a TaqMan probe (bEQ-P)
      which were designed based on the bE (b East mating type) gene (Genbank Accession
      no. U61290.1). This method was more sensitive (a detection limit of 10 ag pbE DNA
      and 0.8 ng sugarcane genomic DNA) than that of conventional PCR (10 fg and 100
      ng, resp.). Reliability was demonstrated through the positive detection of
      samples collected from artificially inoculated sugarcane plantlets (FN40). This
      assay was capable of detecting the smut pathogen at the initial stage (12 h) of
      infection and suitable for inspection of sugarcane pathogen-free seed cane and
      seedlings. Furthermore, quantification of pathogen was verified in pathogen
      challenged buds in different sugarcane genotypes, which suggested its feasibility
      for evaluation of smut resistance in different sugarcane genotypes. Taken
      together, this novel assay can be used as a diagnostic tool for sensitive,
      accurate, fast, and quantitative detection of the smut pathogen especially for
      asymptomatic seed cane or plants and evaluation of smut resistance of sugarcane
      genotypes. 

PMID- 24228021
TI  - The research on borehole stability in depleted reservoir and caprock: using the
      geophysics logging data.
AB  - Long-term oil and gas exploitation in reservoir will lead to pore pressure
      depletion. The pore pressure depletion will result in changes of horizontal in
      situ stresses both in reservoirs and caprock formations. Using the geophysics
      logging data, the magnitude and orientation changes of horizontal stresses in
      caprock and reservoir are studied. Furthermore, the borehole stability can be
      affected by in-situ stresses changes. To address this issue, the dehydration from
      caprock to reservoir and roof effect of caprock are performed. Based on that, the
      influence scope and magnitude of horizontal stresses reduction in caprock above
      the depleted reservoirs are estimated. The effects of development on borehole
      stability in both reservoir and caprock are studied step by step with the above
      geomechanical model. 

PMID- 24228022
TI  - Cardiovascular risk assessment: a comparison of the Framingham, PROCAM, and DAD
      equations in HIV-infected persons.
AB  - This study aims to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to
      assess the agreement between the Framingham, Framingham with aggravating factors,
      PROCAM, and DAD equations in HIV-infected patients. A cross-sectional study was
      conducted in an outpatient centre in Brazil. 294 patients older than 19 years
      were enrolled. Estimates of 10-year cardiovascular risk were calculated. The
      agreement between the CVD risk equations was assessed using Cohen's kappa
      coefficient. The participants' mean age was 36.8 years (SD = 10.3), 76.9% were
      men, and 66.3% were on antiretroviral therapy. 47.8% of the participants had
      abdominal obesity, 23.1% were current smokers, 20.0% had hypertension, and 2.0%
      had diabetes. At least one lipid abnormality was detected in 72.8%, and a low HDL
      C level was the most common. The majority were classified as having low risk for
      CV events. The percentage of patients at high risk ranged from 0.4 to 5.7. The
      PROCAM score placed the lowest proportion of the patients into a high-risk group,
      and the Framingham equation with aggravating factors placed the highest
      proportion of patients into the high-risk group. Data concerning the
      comparability of different tools are informative for estimating the risk of CVD,
      but accuracy of the outcome predictions should also be considered. 

PMID- 24228023
TI  - Immunomics in Skin Cancer - Improvement in Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapy
      Monitoring.
AB  - This review will focus on the elements of the skin's immune system, immune cells
      and/or non-immune cells that support immune mechanisms, molecules with immune
      origin and/or immune functions that are involved in skin carcinogenesis. All
      these immune elements are compulsory in the development of skin tumors and/or
      sustainability of the neoplastic process. In this light, recent data gathered in
      this review will acknowledge all immune elements that contribute to skin
      tumorigenesis; moreover, they can serve as immune biomarkers. These immune
      markers can contribute to the diagnostic improvement, prognosis forecast, therapy
      monitoring, and even personalized therapeutical approach in skin cancer. Immune
      processes that sustain tumorigenesis in non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers
      are described in the framework of recent data.

PMID- 24228025
TI  - Significance of glutathione peroxidase 1 and caudal-related homeodomain
      transcription factor in human gastric adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Aim. To investigate the expressions of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and caudal
      related homeodomain transcription factor (CDX2) in GAC and their correlation with
      clinicopathological features and tumor cell proliferation. Methods. The
      expressions of GPX1, CDX2, and Ki67 were immunohistochemically evaluated in 172
      GAC specimens. The association of GPX1 and CDX2 with patient's
      clinicopathological features and Ki67 positive rate was analyzed statistically.
      Results. In 172 cases of GAC, the expression of GPX1 was weaker than that in
      adjacent normal mucosa, and the expression of CDX2 was higher than that in
      adjacent normal mucosa. High expression GPX1 strong-expression was associated
      with differentiation, Lauren type, WHO type and extensive lymph node metastasis
      of GAC. High expression of CDX2 was associated with differentiation, Lauren type,
      WHO type, extensive lymph node metastasis, and TNM of GAC. Survival curves showed
      that expressions of GPX1 and CDX2 were factors of good outcome (P = .03 and .02,
      resp.). According to multivariate analysis, only lymph node metastasis, TNM
      stage, and CDX2 expression were independently associated with survival. In
      addition, a strong association of GPX1 expression was noted with Ki67 and CDX2.
      Conclusions. The expression of GPX1 and CDX2 may play a role in the
      carcinogenesis, differentiation, and progression of GAC, and CDX2 may be an
      independent prognostic factor. 

PMID- 24228026
TI  - Risk of Atherosclerosis and Helicobacter pylori Infection according to CD14
      Promotor Polymorphism in Healthy Korean Population.
AB  - Background and Aim. We aim to elucidate the association of risk factors for
      atherosclerosis and H. pylori infection according to the promotor polymorphism of
      the CD14 gene in healthy Korean population. Methods. The patients who visited our
      hospital for routine health examinations and 266 healthy adults (170 males and 96
      females) were enrolled in this study. The promotor polymorphism at -159C/T of the
      CD14 gene was determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism
      analysis. According to genetic polymorphism and H. pylori infection, we analyzed
      the risk of atherosclerosis. Results. The genotype frequencies were CC 7.9%, CT
      45.1%, and TT 47.0%, respectively. There were no differences between specific
      genotypes of CD14 gene and H. pylori infection rate. As for HDL cholesterol
      level, there were significant differences among the three genotypes (P < 0.01).
      In subjects with H. pylori infection, no significant differences were observed
      between specific genotypes of CD14 gene and the risk factors of atherosclerosis.
      Conclusion. The promotor polymorphism at -159C/T of the CD14 gene was associated
      with the risk factor of atherosclerosis in healthy Korean population. However, it
      was not associated with the rate of H. pylori infection and H. pylori induced
      atherosclerotic risk. 

PMID- 24228024
TI  - Anti-cancer Therapies in High Grade Gliomas.
AB  - High grade gliomas represent one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant
      types of human cancer, with only 1-2 years median survival rate for patients with
      grade IV glioma. The treatment of glioblastoma is a considerable therapeutic
      challenge; combination therapy targeting multiple pathways is becoming a fast
      growing area of research. This review offers an up-to-date perspective of the
      literature about current molecular therapy targets in high grade glioma, that
      include angiogenic signals, tyrosine kinase receptors, nodal signaling proteins
      and cancer stem cells related approaches. Simultaneous identification of
      proteomic signatures could provide biomarker panels for diagnostic and
      personalized treatment of different subsets of glioblastoma. Personalized
      medicine is starting to gain importance in clinical care, already having recorded
      a series of successes in several types of cancer; nonetheless, in brain tumors it
      is still at an early stage.

PMID- 24228027
TI  - The Effects of Eucheuma cottonii on Signaling Pathway Inducing Mucin Synthesis in
      Rat Lungs Chronically Exposed to Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) Coal Dust.
AB  - This study was aimed at investigating the effects of Eucheuma cottonii (EC) in
      oxidative stress and the signaling for mucin synthesis in rat lungs chronically
      exposed to coal dust. Coal dust with concomitant oral administration of ethanolic
      extract of EC at doses of 150 (EC150) or 300 mg/kg BW (EC300) compared to exposed
      to PM10 coal dust at doses of 6.25 (CD6.25), 12.5 (CD12.5), or 25 mg/m(3) (CD25)
      (an hour daily for 6 months) and nonexposure group (control). The malondialdehyde
      (MDA), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)- alpha ,
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and MUC5AC levels were determined in the
      lung. The administration of EC300 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the MDA levels
      in groups exposed to all doses of coal dust compared to the respective coal dust
      exposed nonsupplemented groups. Although not statistically significant,EC reduced
      the EGF levels and EGFR expressions in CD12.5 and CD25 groups and decreased the
      TGF- alpha , level and MUC5AC expression in CD25 group compared to the respective
      coal dust-exposed nonsupplemented groups. EC was able to decrease oxidative
      stress and was also able to decrease signaling for mucin synthesis, at least a
      part, via reducing the ligand in chronic coal dust exposure. 

PMID- 24228029
TI  - Idiopathic hirsutism and insulin resistance.
AB  - Background and Objectives. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and idiopathic
      hirsutism (HI) are the two most common causes of hirsutism. Insulin resistance
      plays a key role in PCOS, but there are not enough data showing that patients
      with HI also have insulin resistance. This study was designed to evaluate the
      presence of insulin resistance in women with HI. Methods. Based on a cross
      sectional study, two groups of age-BMI matched, hirsute women were compared to
      age-BMI matched, nonhirsute women. Sixty nonobese women with PCOS, thirty
      nonobese women with HI, and sixty nonobese control women were included in the
      study. Samples of hormones including androgens were measured. Insulin resistance
      based on homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was
      compared between three groups by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results. Patients with
      PCOS had significantly higher basal insulin level (16.04 +/- 1.4 versus 7.32 +/-
      6.85  MU Iu/mL) and HOMA-IR score (3.7 +/- 3.36 versus 1.75 +/- 1.67) than
      patients with HI (P  0.001). Patients with HI also had significantly higher basal
      insulin level and HOMA-IR score than control group (P  0.001). Conclusion. Our
      data suggest that both PCOS and HI are associated with insulin resistance and
      these patients are more insulin resistant than healthy control people. 

PMID- 24228030
TI  - An Evaluation of Growth Hormone and IGF-1 Responses in Neonates with
      Hyperinsulinaemic Hypoglycaemia.
AB  - Background. Hyperinsulinaemic Hypoglycaemia (HH) is the most common cause of
      severe and persistent hypoglycemia in the neonatal period. It has been shown that
      the neonates with HH fail to generate adequate serum cortisol counterregulatory
      response to symptomatic hypoglycemia. However the role played by growth hormone
      (GH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) is not clear. Objectives. To
      compare the serum GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP3 responses to HH in neonates undergoing
      diagnostic fasting studies. Population and Methods. Data was retrospectively
      collected on full-term neonates who presented with severe and persistent
      hypoglycemia and were confirmed to have HH. Neonates born with intrauterine
      growth retardation or those on medical therapy (diazoxide or octreotide) were
      excluded. Results. 31 neonates with HH (mean gestational age: 38 weeks and mean
      birth weight: 3.9 kg) were included in the study. The mean age at the time of
      diagnostic fast was 4 weeks, the mean glucose concentration during the fast was
      2.2 mmol/L (SEM +/- 0.09), and the mean insulin level was 11.9 mU/L (+/-2.12).
      The mean serum GH concentration during the hypoglycaemia was 12.5 ug/L (+/-1.53).
      The mean serum IGF-1 and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP3)
      levels were 29.2 ng/ml (+/-7.8) and 1.21 mg/L (+/-0.13), respectively. The mean
      cortisol concentration was 201 nmol/L (+/-33). Conclusions. Whilst the serum IGF
      1 and IGFBP3 levels are relatively low during hypoglycaemia, the serum GH level
      does reflect an appropriate counterregulatory response to HH. The serum cortisol
      counterregulatory hormonal responses are blunted. Further studies are required to
      understand the mechanism(s) of these hormonal alterations in neonates with HH. 

PMID- 24228031
TI  - Three-dimensional reconstruction of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma at
      invasion front.
AB  - We conducted three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of oral tongue squamous cell
      carcinoma (OTSCC) using serial histological sections to visualize the
      architecture of invasive tumors. Fourteen OTSCC cases were collected from
      archival paraffin-embedded specimens. Based on a pathodiagnostic survey of whole
      cancer lesions, a core tissue specimen (3 mm in diameter) was dissected out from
      the deep invasion front using a paraffin tissue microarray. Serial sections (4 
      MU m thick) were double immunostained with pan-cytokeratin and Ki67 antibodies
      and digitized images were acquired using virtual microscopy. For 3D
      reconstruction, image registration and RGB color segmentation were automated
      using ImageJ software to avoid operator-dependent subjective errors. Based on the
      3D tumor architecture, we classified the mode of invasion into four types:
      pushing and bulky architecture; trabecular architecture; diffuse spreading; and
      special forms. Direct visualization and quantitative assessment of the
      parenchymal-stromal border provide a new dimension in our understanding of OTSCC
      architecture. These 3D morphometric analyses also ascertained that cell invasion
      (individually and collectively) occurs at the deep invasive front of the OTSCC.
      These results demonstrate the advantages of histology-based 3D reconstruction for
      evaluating tumor architecture and its potential for a wide range of applications.

PMID- 24228028
TI  - The Endocannabinoid System in the Postimplantation Period: A Role during
      Decidualization and Placentation.
AB  - Although the detrimental effects of cannabis consumption during gestation are
      known for years, the vast majority of studies established a link between cannabis
      consumption and foetal development. The complex maternal-foetal
      interrelationships within the placental bed are essential for normal pregnancy,
      and decidua definitively contributes to the success of this process.
      Nevertheless, the molecular signalling network that coordinates strategies for
      successful decidualization and placentation are not well understood. The
      discovery of the endocannabinoid system highlighted new signalling mediators in
      various physiological processes, including reproduction. It is known that
      endocannabinoids present regulatory functions during blastocyst development,
      oviductal transport, and implantation. In addition, all the endocannabinoid
      machinery was found to be expressed in decidual and placental tissues.
      Additionally, endocannabinoid's plasmatic levels were found to fluctuate during
      normal gestation and to induce decidual cell death and disturb normal placental
      development. Moreover, aberrant endocannabinoid signalling during the period of
      placental development has been associated with pregnancy disorders. It indicates
      the existence of a possible regulatory role for these molecules during
      decidualization and placentation processes, which are known to be particularly
      vulnerable. In this review, the influence of the endocannabinoid system in these
      critical processes is explored and discussed. 

PMID- 24228032
TI  - Chapter Oral Health Advocates: A Nationwide Model for Pediatrician Peer Education
      and Advocacy about Oral Health.
AB  - Objective. (1) To describe an innovative program training US pediatricians to be
      Chapter Oral Health Advocates (COHAs). (2) To provide insight into COHAs'
      experiences disseminating oral health knowledge to fellow pediatricians. Patients
      and Methods. Interviews with 40 COHAs who responded to an email request, from a
      total of 64 (62% response). Transcripts were analyzed for common themes about
      COHA activities, facilitators, and barriers. Results. COHAs reported positive
      experiences at the AAP oral health training program. A subset of academic COHAs
      focused on legislative activity and another on resident education about oral
      health. Residents had an easier time adopting oral health activities while
      practicing pediatricians cited time constraints. COHAs provided insights into
      policy, barriers, and facilitators for incorporating oral health into practice.
      Conclusions. This report identifies factors influencing pediatricians' adoption
      of oral health care into practice. COHAs reported successes in training peers on
      integrating oral health into pediatric practice, identified opportunities and
      challenges to oral health implementation in primary care, and reported issues
      about the state of children's oral health in their communities. With ongoing
      support, the COHA program has a potential to improve access to preventive oral
      health services in the Medical Home and to increase referrals to a Dental Home. 

PMID- 24228033
TI  - Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Activation Status of the Akt/mTOR/pS6
      Signaling Pathway in Oral Lichen Planus.
AB  - Introduction. Aberrations of the Akt/mTOR/pS6 pathway have been linked to various
      types of human cancer, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The purpose
      of this study was to evaluate the activation status of Akt, mTOR, and pS6 in oral
      lichen planus (OLP) in comparison with oral premalignant and malignant lesions
      and normal oral mucosa (NM). Materials and Methods. Immunohistochemistry for p
      Akt, p-mTOR, and phospho-pS6 was performed in 40 OLP, 20 oral leukoplakias (OL),
      10 OSCC, and 10 control samples of NM. Results. Nuclear p-Akt expression was
      detected in the vast majority of cases in all categories, being significantly
      higher in OL. Cytoplasmic p-Akt and p-mTOR staining was present only in a
      minority of OLP cases, being significantly lower compared to OL and OSCC. Phospho
      pS6 showed cytoplasmic positivity in most OLP cases, which however was
      significantly lower compared to OL and OSCC. Conclusions. Overall, cytoplasmic p
      Akt, p-mTOR, and phospho-pS6 levels appear to be significantly lower in OLP
      compared to OL and OSCC. However, the expression of these molecules in a subset
      of OLP cases suggests that activation of Akt/mTOR/pS6 may occur in the context of
      OLP, possibly contributing to the premalignant potential of individual cases. 

PMID- 24228034
TI  - The role of hypoxia in orthodontic tooth movement.
AB  - Orthodontic forces are known to have various effects on the alveolar process,
      such as cell deformation, inflammation, and circulatory disturbances. Each of
      these conditions affecting cell differentiation, cell repair, and cell migration,
      is driven by numerous molecular and inflammatory mediators. As a result, bone
      remodeling is induced, facilitating orthodontic tooth movement. However,
      orthodontic forces not only have cellular effects but also induce vascular
      changes. Orthodontic forces are known to occlude periodontal ligament vessels on
      the pressure side of the dental root, decreasing the blood perfusion of the
      tissue. This condition is accompanied by hypoxia, which is known to either affect
      cell proliferation or induce apoptosis, depending on the oxygen gradient. Because
      upregulated tissue proliferation rates are often accompanied by angiogenesis,
      hypoxia may be assumed to fundamentally contribute to bone remodeling processes
      during orthodontic treatment. 

PMID- 24228036
TI  - A sharpened focus on patient-centred care / Focalisation accrue sur les soins
      axes sur le patient.

PMID- 24228035
TI  - Different Culture Media Affect Proliferation, Surface Epitope Expression, and
      Differentiation of Ovine MSC.
AB  - Orthopedic implants including engineered bone tissue are commonly tested in
      sheep. To avoid rejection of heterologous or xenogeneic cells, autologous cells
      are preferably used, that is, ovine mesenchymal stem cells (oMSC). Unlike human
      MSC, ovine MSC are not well studied regarding isolation, expansion, and
      characterization. Here we investigated the impact of culture media composition on
      growth characteristics, differentiation, and surface antigen expression of oMSC.
      The culture media varied in fetal calf serum (FCS) content and in the addition of
      supplements and/or additional epidermal growth factor (EGF). We found that FCS
      strongly influenced oMSC proliferation and that specific combinations of
      supplemental factors (MCDB-201, ITS-plus, dexamethasone, and L-ascorbic acid)
      determined the expression of surface epitopes. We compared two published
      protocols for oMSC differentiation towards the osteogenic, adipogenic, and
      chondrogenic fate and found (i) considerable donor to donor variations, (ii)
      protocol-dependent variations, and (iii) variations resulting from the preculture
      medium composition. Our results indicate that the isolation and culture of oMSC
      in different growth media are highly variable regarding oMSC phenotype and
      behaviour. Furthermore, variations from donor to donor critically influence
      growth rate, surface marker expression, and differentiation. 

PMID- 24228037
TI  - Patient-centred care.

PMID- 24228038
TI  - Ontario pharmacists concerned about federal oversight of imported medications in
      light of birth-control pill recalls.

PMID- 24228039
TI  - Newfoundland and Labrador government needs to catch up to the rest of the country
      in pharmacist authority.

PMID- 24228040
TI  - Manitoba pharmacists pass new regulations for expanded scope of practice
      envisioned 7 years ago.

PMID- 24228041
TI  - Expanded authority for Quebec pharmacists delayed in wake of ongoing negotiations
      on compensation.

PMID- 24228042
TI  - Arthritis screening and support program to be delivered by pharmacists at
      Shoppers Drug Mart.

PMID- 24228043
TI  - Public health watch.

PMID- 24228044
TI  - On becoming a new pharmacist.

PMID- 24228045
TI  - Cancer's ability to target your health and your wallet.

PMID- 24228046
TI  - Pharmacy's role in a modern health continuum.

PMID- 24228047
TI  - Real-world application of MedsCheck opportunities: The Costco pharmacists
      intervention trial for reduction of cardiovascular risk.

PMID- 24228048
TI  - Ontario Pharmaceutical Opinion Program: Initial experience.

PMID- 24228049
TI  - Reducing fall risk while managing pain and insomnia: Addressing polypharmacy in
      an 81-year-old woman.

PMID- 24228050
TI  - Guidelines for pharmacists integrating into primary care teams.

PMID- 24228051
TI  - Publicly funded remuneration for the administration of injections by pharmacists:
      An international review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The administration of injections has become an increasingly common
      addition to pharmacists' scope of practice. Four Canadian provinces, all US
      states and a number of other countries have regulations allowing pharmacists to
      administer injections. However, the extent to which such services are remunerated
      is unknown. METHODS: We contacted regulatory and advocacy organizations within
      those jurisdictions where pharmacists are authorized to administer injections to
      identify publicly funded programs that pay pharmacists for these services, as
      well as details of the eligible drugs/vaccines. Patient or private insurer
      payment programs were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 281 organizations we contact-ed,
      104 provided information on a total of 34 pharmacist vaccination programs
      throughout Canada, the United States, England, Wales and Ireland. Converted to
      2013 Canadian dollars, remuneration averages $13.12 (SD $4.63) per injection
      (range, $4.14-$21.21). All regions allow pharmacists to bill for administration
      of the influenza vaccine, while some states allow for a number of other vaccines.
      Alberta has the broadest range of injections eligible for remuneration.
      DISCUSSION: Despite evidence of increased vaccination rates in areas allowing
      pharmacist administration of injections, the availability of publicly funded
      remuneration programs and the fee offered vary by more than 5-fold across North
      America and the United Kingdom. CONCLUSION: Pharmacist-administered injections
      have great public health potential. The range of injections eligible for
      remuneration should be expanded to include a wide range of vaccines and other
      injectable drugs, and remuneration should be sufficient to encourage more
      pharmacists to provide this service.

PMID- 24228052
TI  - Expanded pharmacy practice: Where are we, and where do we need to go?

PMID- 24228053
TI  - Special CPJ Supplement: CPhA 2013 Abstracts, Posters and Presentations.

PMID- 24228055
TI  - Indoor volatile organic compounds and chemical sensitivity reactions.
AB  - Studies of unexplained symptoms observed in chemically sensitive subjects have
      increased the awareness of the relationship between neurological and
      immunological diseases due to exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
      However, there is no direct evidence that links exposure to low doses of VOCs and
      neurological and immunological dysfunction. We review animal model data to
      clarify the role of VOCs in neuroimmune interactions and discuss our recent
      studies that show a relationship between chronic exposure of C3H mice to low
      levels of formaldehyde and the induction of neural and immune dysfunction. We
      also consider the possible mechanisms by which VOC exposure can induce the
      symptoms presenting in patients with a multiple chemical sensitivity. 

PMID- 24228056
TI  - The "hidden diversity" of medicinal plants in northeastern Brazil: diagnosis and
      prospects for conservation and biological prospecting.
AB  - Increases in ethnobotanical studies and knowledge in recent decades have led to a
      greater and more accurate interpretation of the overall patterns related to the
      use of medicinal plants, allowing for a clear identification of some ecological
      and cultural phenomena. "Hidden diversity" of medicinal plants refers in the
      present study to the existence of several species of medicinal plants known by
      the same vernacular name in a given region. Although this phenomenon has
      previously been observed in a localized and sporadic manner, its full dimensions
      have not yet been established. In the present study, we sought to assess the
      hidden diversity of medicinal plants in northeastern Brazil based on the
      ethnospecies catalogued by local studies. The results indicate that there are an
      average of at least 2.78 different species per cataloged ethnospecies in the
      region. Phylogenetic proximity and its attendant morphological similarity favor
      the interchangeable use of these species, resulting in serious ecological and
      sanitary implications as well as a wide range of options for conservation and
      bioprospecting. 

PMID- 24228057
TI  - Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Learning and Memory via Activation of the CREB
      Signaling Pathway in the Hippocampus to Attenuate Apoptosis after Cerebral
      Hypoperfusion.
AB  - Studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) ameliorates learning and memory
      after ischemic injury. However, there have been few studies elucidating the
      mechanisms of EA on learning and memory in cerebral hypoperfusion. In this study,
      we explored the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway
      mediated antiapoptotic action involved in EA-induced improvement of learning and
      memory. EA at GV20 and GV14 acupoints was applied in cerebral hypoperfusion rats.
      A Morris water maze task was performed, and the immunoreactivities of pCREB, Bcl
      2, and Bax in the hippocampal CA1 area were evaluated by the Western blotting
      technique. Our findings indicated that (1) EA ameliorated spatial learning and
      memory impairment in cerebral hypoperfusion rats; (2) EA increased the
      immunoreactivities of pCREB and Bcl-2 and decreased the immunoreactivity of Bax;
      (3) intracerebroventricular administration of H89 (the inhibitor of protein
      kinase A) blocked EA-induced, pCREB-mediated antiapoptotic action and improved
      learning and memory. These results suggest that EA can ameliorate learning and
      memory via activation of the CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus to
      attenuate apoptosis after cerebral hypoperfusion. 

PMID- 24228058
TI  - Ethanol Extract of Ulmus pumila Root Bark Inhibits Clinically Isolated Antibiotic
      Resistant Bacteria.
AB  - In this study, root bark of Ulmus pumila (U. pumila) was extracted with ethanol,
      and then the antimicrobial effects were tested on clinically isolated 12 MRSA
      strains and 1 standard MRSA strain. U. pumila showed antibacterial activities
      against all MRSA strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of U. pumila
      root bark against all MRSA strains revealed a range from 125 to 250  MU g/mL.
      These results may provide the scientific basis on which U. pumila root bark has
      traditionally been used against infectious diseases in Korea. In real-time PCR
      analysis, the sub-MIC (64-125  MU g/mL) concentrations of U. pumila root bark
      extract showed the inhibition of the genetic expressions of virulence factors
      such as mecA, sea, agrA, and sarA in standard MRSA. Phytochemical analyses of U.
      pumila root bark showed relatively strong presence of phenolics, steroids, and
      terpenoids. These results suggest that the ethanol extract of U. pumila root bark
      may have antibacterial activity against MRSA, which may be related to the
      phytochemicals such as phenolics, steroids, and terpenoids. Further studies are
      needed to determine the active constituents of U. pumila root bark responsible
      for such biomolecular activities. 

PMID- 24228054
TI  - Evidence for prion-like mechanisms in several neurodegenerative diseases:
      potential implications for immunotherapy.
AB  - Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal, untreatable
      neurodegenerative diseases. While the impact of TSEs on human health is
      relatively minor, these diseases are having a major influence on how we view, and
      potentially treat, other more common neurodegenerative disorders. Until recently,
      TSEs encapsulated a distinct category of neurodegenerative disorder, exclusive in
      their defining characteristic of infectivity. It now appears that similar
      mechanisms of self-propagation may underlie other proteinopathies such as
      Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and
      Huntington's disease. This link is of scientific interest and potential
      therapeutic importance as this route of self-propagation offers conceptual
      support and guidance for vaccine development efforts. Specifically, the existence
      of a pathological, self-promoting isoform offers a rational vaccine target. Here,
      we review the evidence of prion-like mechanisms within a number of common
      neurodegenerative disorders and speculate on potential implications and
      opportunities for vaccine development. 

PMID- 24228059
TI  - The effect of electroacupuncture on osteosarcoma tumor growth and metastasis:
      analysis of different treatment regimens.
AB  - Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor found in children and
      adolescents and is associated with many complications including cancer pain and
      metastasis. While cancer patients often seek complementary and alternative
      medicine (CAM) approaches to treat cancer pain and fatigue or the side effects of
      chemotherapy and treatment, there is little known about the effect of acupuncture
      treatment on tumor growth and metastasis. Here we evaluate the effects of six
      different electroacupuncture (EA) regimens on osteosarcoma tumor growth and
      metastasis in both male and female mice. The most significant positive effects
      were observed when EA was applied to the ST-36 acupoint twice weekly (EA-2X/3)
      beginning at postimplantation day 3 (PID 3). Twice weekly treatment produced
      robust reductions in tumor growth. Conversely, when EA was applied twice weekly
      (EA-2X/7), starting at PID 7, there was a significant increase in tumor growth.
      We further demonstrate that EA-2X/3 treatment elicits significant reductions in
      tumor lymphatics, vasculature, and innervation. Lastly, EA-2X/3 treatment
      produced a marked reduction in pulmonary metastasis, thus providing evidence for
      EA's potential antimetastatic capabilities. Collectively, EA-2X/3 treatment was
      found to reduce both bone tumor growth and lung metastasis, which may be mediated
      in part through reductions in tumor-associated vasculature, lymphatics, and
      innervation. 

PMID- 24228060
TI  - Use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the detection of glycemic
      elements in Indian medicinal plants.
AB  - The demand for interdisciplinary research is increasing in the new millennium to
      help us understand complex problems and find solutions by integrating the
      knowledge from different disciplines. The present review is an excellent example
      of this and shows how unique combination of physics, chemistry, and biological
      techniques can be used for the evaluation of Indian medicinal herbs used for
      treating diabetes mellitus. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a
      sensitive optical technique that is widely used for its simplicity and
      versatility. This review presents the most recent application of LIBS for
      detection of glycemic elements in medicinal plants. The characteristics of
      matrices, object analysis, use of laser system, and analytical performances with
      respect to Indian herbs are discussed. 

PMID- 24228061
TI  - Overview of Botanical Status in EU, USA, and Thailand.
AB  - The botanical status in EU, USA, and Thailand is different owing to the
      regulatory status, the progress of science, and the influence of culture and
      society. In the EU, botanicals are positioned as herbal medicinal products and
      food supplements, in the US they are regulated as dietary supplements but often
      used as traditional medicines, and in Thailand, they are regulated and used as
      traditional medicines. Information for some of the most popular botanicals from
      each country is included in this review. 

PMID- 24228062
TI  - Does Oral Ingestion of Piper sarmentosum Cause Toxicity in Experimental Animals?
AB  - The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportion in Malaysia
      and worldwide. Scientific studies have shown that herbal plant Piper sarmentosum
      exhibits an antidiabetic property. Despite the extensive usage and studies of
      this herb as alternative medicine, there is paucity of the literature on the
      safety information of this plant. Thus, the present study aimed to observe the
      subacute toxic effects of Piper sarmentosum aqueous extract (PSAE) on the
      haematological profile, liver, and kidney in rats. The extract was administered
      by oral gavage to 6 male and female Sprague Dawley rats in daily dose of 50
      mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days. The control group
      received normal saline. General behavior of the rats, adverse effects, and
      mortality were observed for 28 days. The haematological and biochemical
      parameters were determined at baseline and after the treatment. PSAE did not show
      abnormality on the body weight and gross observation of internal organs. The
      haematological, biochemical and histopathological profiles showed minimal changes
      and variation within normal clinical range except for significant increase in
      serum potassium level that suggests the need of regular monitoring. Nevertheless,
      these findings suggested that PSAE up to 2000 mg/kg/day did not show subacute
      toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats. 

PMID- 24228063
TI  - Antistress Effects of the Ethanolic Extract from Cymbopogon schoenanthus Growing
      Wild in Tunisia.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the antistress properties of the ethanol extract
      of Cymbopogon schoenanthus (CSEE), growing wild in the southern part of Tunisia.
      The effect of extracts on H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and stress in human
      neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Its effect on stress-induced in ICR mice was exposed
      to force swim and tail suspension, in concordance with heat shock protein
      expression (HSP27 and HSP90), corticosterone, and catecholamine neurotransmitters
      level. Our results demonstrated that pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with CSEE at
      1/2000, 1/1000, and 1/500 v/v dilutions significantly inversed H2O2-induced
      neurotoxicity. Moreover, CSEE treatments significantly reversed heat shock
      protein expression in heat-stressed HSP47-transformed cells (42 degrees C, for 90
      min) and mRNA expression of HSP27 and HSP90 in H2O2-treated SH-SY5Y. Daily oral
      administration of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg CSEE was conducted to ICR mice for 2
      weeks. It was resulted in a significant decrease of immobility time in forced
      swimming and tail suspension tests. The effect of CSEE on animal behavior was
      concordant with a significant regulation of blood serum corticosterone and
      cerebral cortex levels of catecholamine (dopamine, adrenaline, and
      noradrenaline). Therefore, this study was attempted to demonstrate the preventive
      potential of CSEE against stress disorders at in vitro and in vivo levels. 

PMID- 24228064
TI  - Efficacy of crest herbal toothpaste in "clearing internal heat": a randomized,
      double-blind clinical study.
AB  - Objective. Evaluation of the efficacy of Crest Herbal Crystal Toothpaste in
      "clearing internal heat." Methods. This was a randomized, double-blind,
      controlled parallel design clinical test of a product that was already on the
      market. 72 subjects were randomly assigned to control group (group A with Colgate
      Herbal Salty Toothpaste) or treatment group (group B with Crest Herbal Crystal
      Toothpaste) with ratio of 1 : 2. Subjects were instructed to brush with 1g
      toothpaste for 2 minutes each time, 2 times per day in a 4-aweek test period;
      measurement with the rating scale on the efficacy of "clearing internal heat" for
      the herbal toothpaste was done at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks of toothpaste
      usage. Results. The rating scale on efficacy of "clearing internal heat" for the
      herbal toothpaste reveals that the primitive points of 72-case intention-to-treat
      (ITT) analysis and 67-case per-protocol (PP) analysis for subjects in group A and
      subjects in group B were found to be reduced progressively with statistical
      significance (P < 0.05). The overall effective rates for group A and group B
      were, respectively, 62.50%, 56.25% (ITT) and 62.50%, 60.64% (PP). The statistical
      results indicated that the symptoms of fire-heat for both groups of subjects have
      been improved after application of toothpaste. Conclusion. The efficacy of Crest
      Herbal Crystal Toothpaste in "clearing internal heat" was confirmed by the trial
      as compared to Colgate Herbal Salty Toothpaste. And its efficacy was objectively
      evaluated by the rating scale on efficacy of "clearing internal heat." 

PMID- 24228065
TI  - The physical effects of aromatherapy in alleviating work-related stress on
      elementary school teachers in taiwan.
AB  - People use aromatherapy to relieve the symptoms of physical and psychological
      stress. However, previous studies have not precisely clarified a scientific basis
      for the beneficial effects of aromatherapy. Therefore, the overall purpose of
      this study was to elucidate the beneficial effect of aromatherapy in relieving
      work-related stress. Twenty-nine elementary school teachers from Taiwan
      participated in this study. The experimental procedures comprised 2 phases.
      First, we verified the effect of aromatherapy by conducting 2 blind tests. We
      used natural bergamot essential oil extracted from plants and synthesized a
      chemical essential oil as the placebo to do the aromatherapy. Second, we analyzed
      the performance of the aromatherapy treatment on the teachers who had various
      workloads. We measured the teachers' heart rate variability to evaluate their
      autonomic nervous system activity. The results show that only the natural
      bergamot essential oil had an effect and that the aromatherapy treatment relieved
      work-related stress of teachers with various workloads. However, the aromatherapy
      treatment had a weak effect on young teachers who had a heavy workload. Moreover,
      the aromatherapy treatment exhibited no effect on teachers who belong to the
      abnormal body mass index subgroup having a heavy workload. 

PMID- 24228066
TI  - Can cytomorphology of granulomas distinguish sarcoidosis from tuberculosis?
      Retrospective study of endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle
      aspirate of 49 granulomatous lymph nodes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and sarcoidosis on
      fine needle aspiration material is very challenging in tubercular endemic
      regions. We carried out a pilot study to explore cytomorphologic features of
      granulomas which could help in differentiation between sarcoidosis and TB. Final
      diagnoses in these patients were based on clinical, microbiologic and follow-up
      studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial
      needle aspiration smears of 49 consecutive patients with a final cytologic
      diagnosis of granulomatous lymphadenitis were reviewed. Based on cytologic
      features two cytologic categories were enunciated and the results were correlated
      with microbiologic studies and/follow-up of minimum of 6 months. RESULTS: The
      cytologic categories did not correlate with the final clinical outcome of
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: Different patterns of granulomas observed in cytology
      smears do not help distinguish TB from sarcoidosis. The novel non-invasive
      techniques of mediastinal sampling though help in confirming granulomatous
      pathology, distinction between these entities and treatment decisions still
      depend upon correlating cytologic, microbiologic, clinical and radiological data
      in a large number of cases in tubercular endemic regions.

PMID- 24228067
TI  - Bone marrow elements in cerebrospinal fluid: Review of literature with a case
      study.
AB  - Presence of bone marrow elements in cerebrospinal fluid is rare. Journal
      publications on this topic are few and majority of them were written over a
      decade ago mostly as case reports in young children or the elderly. The increased
      cellularity and presence of myeloid precursors can be a pitfall and may be
      misdiagnosed as leukemia or lymphoma or central nervous system infection, when
      the specimen is actually not representative. With the intention to create
      awareness of potential pitfalls and avoid erroneous diagnoses, as well as adding
      on to the current photo archive of bone marrow elements in CSF, we present a
      recent case of bone marrow contaminants in the CSF of a 16-year-old girl. 

PMID- 24228070
TI  - Efficacy and safety of laquinimod in multiple sclerosis: current status.
AB  - Laquinimod is a novel immunomodulatory agent, in development as a potential
      disease-modifying treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Structurally related to
      linomide, its pharmacological predecessor, laquinimod combines anti-inflammatory
      and possibly clinically relevant neuroprotective effects with the convenience of
      oral administration. In this review we aim to highlight the immunomodulatory and
      neuroprotective effects of laquinimod, and to describe its effects in animal
      models of MS. Furthermore, we focus on current results of clinical studies in MS.
      Randomized, controlled clinical trials in relapsing MS demonstrate a dose
      response effect on disease activity, measured by reduced clinical relapse rate,
      reduced number of brain MRI active lesions, as well as on sustained disability
      and brain atrophy. Laquinimod has a favourable tolerability and safety profile. A
      new phase III study, recently completed, will soon provide further details on the
      therapeutic potential of this drug. Laquinimod is a promising emerging treatment
      for relapsing-remitting MS that may provide a new therapeutic option in the near
      future. 

PMID- 24228069
TI  - Protein expression profiles of intestinal epithelial co-cultures: effect of
      functionalised carbon nanotube exposure.
AB  - To assess the biological effects of low level, water dispersible, functionalised
      carbon nanotube (f-CNT) exposure in an in vitro model simulating the digestive
      tract, cellular protein expression was quantified and compared using label-free
      quantitative mass spectrometry (LFQMS). Co-cultured cells were exposed to well
      characterised SWCNT-COOH, MWCNT-COOH, and MWCNT-PVP. The relative expression of
      2,282 unique proteins was compared across the dose groups. 428 proteins were
      found to be differentially expressed. At the high dose, the extent of
      differential protein expression was CNT-specific and directly related to CNT
      colloidal stability. Cells responded to low level MWCNT-PVP exposure with three
      fold greater differential expression. Bioinformatic analysis indicated
      significant and f-CNT-specific effects on relevant molecular and cellular
      functions and canonical pathways, with little overlap across f-CNT type and in
      the absence of overt toxicity.

PMID- 24228068
TI  - Nanoparticle toxicity by the gastrointestinal route: evidence and knowledge gaps.
AB  - The increasing interest in nanoparticles for advanced technologies, consumer
      products, and biomedical applications has led to great excitement about potential
      benefits but also concern over the potential for adverse human health effects.
      The gastrointestinal tract represents a likely route of entry for many
      nanomaterials, both directly through intentional ingestion or indirectly via
      nanoparticle dissolution from food containers or by secondary ingestion of
      inhaled particles. Additionally, increased utilisation of nanoparticles may lead
      to increased environmental contamination and unintentional ingestion via water,
      food animals, or fish. The gastrointestinal tract is a site of complex, symbiotic
      interactions between host cells and the resident microbiome. Accordingly,
      evaluation of nanoparticles must take into consideration not only absorption and
      extraintestinal organ accumulation but also the potential for altered gut
      microbes and the effects of this perturbation on the host. The existing
      literature was evaluated for evidence of toxicity based on these considerations.
      Focus was placed on three categories of nanomaterials: nanometals and metal
      oxides, carbon-based nanoparticles, and polymer/dendrimers with emphasis on those
      particles of greatest relevance to gastrointestinal exposures.

PMID- 24228072
TI  - The role of neuroimaging in the diagnosis of headache disorders.
AB  - Headache is a common clinical feature in patients in the emergency room and in
      general neurology clinics. For physicians not experienced in headache disorders
      it might be difficult sometimes to decide in which patients neuroimaging is
      necessary to diagnose an underlying brain pathology and in which patients
      cerebral imaging is unnecessary. Most patients presenting to the primary-care
      physician with a nonacute headache and no further neurological signs or symptoms
      will not be suffering from an underlying serious condition. This review focuses
      on the main primary headache diseases, including migraine, tension-type headache
      and cluster headache, as well as frequent secondary headache entities with common
      clinical presentation and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms to
      help guide the decision on the utilization of neuroimaging in the diagnostic
      workup. 

PMID- 24228071
TI  - The cognitive side of essential tremor: what are the therapeutic implications?
AB  - While essential tremor (ET) has traditionally been categorized as a pure motor
      disease, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of cognition in ET have
      demonstrated that these patients may have cognitive dysfunction. Recent
      epidemiological studies demonstrate an association between ET (particularly with
      onset after age 65) and increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia.
      Although existing studies have generally conceptualized cognitive changes in ET
      as consistent with a 'frontosubcortical' or 'corticocerebellar' profile, results
      from these same studies suggest that cognitive impairment in ET may in fact be
      heterogeneous. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. Cognitive
      changes could be a byproduct of the cerebellar dysfunction of ET itself;
      alternately, they may be a feature of concomitant neurodegenerative diseases that
      have been associated in several studies with ET, including Alzheimer's disease,
      Parkinson's disease or progressive supranuclear palsy. While the study of
      cognitive dysfunction in ET has received research attention in recent years, the
      results of these studies have not been translated into the clinical domain and
      clinical practice. This review first summarizes the current literature on the
      potential relationships between ET and cognitive change. We then suggest areas of
      further clinical evaluation and treatment; these suggestions are directed at
      physicians caring for ET patients who may demonstrate or complain of cognitive
      impairment. As we discuss, clinicians should ideally screen ET patients for
      possible signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment in addition to assessing for
      psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life. These recommendations are in
      contrast to most current clinical practice, which does not routinely include such
      assessment among ET patients. To our knowledge, there have been no
      pharmacotherapeutic trials to date of any agent for cognitive change associated
      with ET. We believe that studies for this indication are now called for. Future
      efforts in this direction will also need to take into account the pathobiology of
      cognitive changes in ET, which itself is an area that is ripe for future
      investigations. 

PMID- 24228073
TI  - Notch signalling in adult neurons: a potential target for microtubule
      stabilization.
AB  - Cytoskeletal dysfunction has been proposed during the last decade as one of the
      main mechanisms involved in the aetiology of several neurodegenerative diseases.
      Microtubules are basic elements of the cytoskeleton and the dysregulation of
      microtubule stability has been demonstrated to be causative for axonal transport
      impairment, synaptic contact degeneration, impaired neuronal function leading
      finally to neuronal loss. Several pathways are implicated in the microtubule
      assembly/disassembly process. Emerging evidence is focusing on Notch as a
      microtubule dynamics regulator. We demonstrated that activation of Notch
      signalling results in increased microtubule stability and changes in axonal
      morphology and branching. By contrast, Notch inhibition leads to an increase in
      cytoskeleton plasticity with intense neurite remodelling. Until now, several
      microtubule-binding compounds have been tested and the results have provided
      proof of concept that microtubule-binding agents or compounds with the ability to
      stabilize microtubules may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of
      Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, based
      on its key role in cytoskeletal dynamics modulation, we propose Notch as a new
      potential target for microtubule stabilization. 

PMID- 24228074
TI  - Kynurenines and other novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of dementia.
AB  - Dementia is a common neuropsychological disorder with an increasing incidence.
      The most prevalent type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. The underlying
      pathophysiological features of the cognitive decline are neurodegenerative
      processes, a cerebrovascular dysfunction and immunological alterations. The
      therapeutic approaches are still limited, although intensive research is being
      conducted with the aim of finding neuroprotective strategies. The widely accepted
      cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate antagonists did not meet expectations of
      preventing disease progression, and research is therefore currently focusing on
      novel targets. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, secretase inhibitors and
      statins are promising drug candidates for the prevention and management of
      different forms of dementia. The kynurenine pathway has been associated with
      various neurodegenerative disorders and cerebrovascular diseases. This pathway is
      also closely related to neuroinflammatory processes and it has been implicated in
      the pathomechanisms of certain kinds of dementia. Targeting the kynurenine system
      may be of therapeutic value in the future. 

PMID- 24228075
TI  - Health technologies for the improvement of chronic disease management: a review
      of the Medical Advisory Secretariat evidence-based analyses between 2006 and
      2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As part of ongoing efforts to improve the Ontario health care system,
      a mega-analysis examining the optimization of chronic disease management in the
      community was conducted by Evidence Development and Standards, Health Quality
      Ontario (previously known as the Medical Advisory Secretariat [MAS]). OBJECTIVE:
      The purpose of this report was to identify health technologies previously
      evaluated by MAS that may be leveraged in efforts to optimize chronic disease
      management in the community. DATA SOURCES: The Ontario Health Technology
      Assessment Series and field evaluations conducted by MAS and its partners between
      January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2011. REVIEW METHODS: Technologies related to
      at least 1 of 7 disease areas of interest (type 2 diabetes, coronary artery
      disease, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive
      heart failure, stroke, and chronic wounds) or that may greatly impact health
      services utilization were reviewed. Only technologies with a moderate to high
      quality of evidence and associated with a clinically or statistically significant
      improvement in disease management were included. Technologies related to other
      topics in the mega-analysis on chronic disease management were excluded. Evidence
      based analyses were reviewed, and outcomes of interest were extracted. Outcomes
      of interest included hospital utilization, mortality, health-related quality of
      life, disease-specific measures, and economic analysis measures. RESULTS: Eleven
      analyses were included and summarized. Technologies fell into 3 categories: those
      with evidence for the cure of chronic disease, those with evidence for the
      prevention of chronic disease, and those with evidence for the management of
      chronic disease. CONCLUSIONS: The impact on patient outcomes and hospitalization
      rates of new health technologies in chronic disease management is often
      overlooked. This analysis demonstrates that health technologies can reduce the
      burden of illness; improve patient outcomes; reduce resource utilization
      intensity; be cost-effective; and be a viable contributing factor to chronic
      disease management in the community. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: People with chronic
      diseases rely on the health care system to help manage their illness. Hospital
      use can be costly, so community-based alternatives are often preferred. Research
      published in the Ontario Health Technology Assessment Series between 2006 and
      2011 was reviewed to identify health technologies that have been effective or
      cost-effective in helping to manage chronic disease in the community. All
      technologies identified led to better patient outcomes and less use of health
      services. Most were also cost-effective. Two technologies that can cure chronic
      disease and 1 that can prevent chronic disease were found. Eight technologies
      that can help manage chronic disease were also found. Health technologies should
      be considered an important part of chronic disease management in the community.

PMID- 24228076
TI  - Optimizing chronic disease management mega-analysis: economic evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As Ontario's population ages, chronic diseases are becoming
      increasingly common. There is growing interest in services and care models
      designed to optimize the management of chronic disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate
      the cost-effectiveness and expected budget impact of interventions in chronic
      disease cohorts evaluated as part of the Optimizing Chronic Disease Management
      mega-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Sector-specific costs, disease incidence, and
      mortality were calculated for each condition using administrative databases from
      the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Intervention outcomes were based
      on literature identified in the evidence-based analyses. Quality-of-life and
      disease prevalence data were obtained from the literature. METHODS: Analyses were
      restricted to interventions that showed significant benefit for resource use or
      mortality from the evidence-based analyses. An Ontario cohort of patients with
      each chronic disease was constructed and followed over 5 years (2006-2011). A
      phase-based approach was used to estimate costs across all sectors of the health
      care system. Utility values identified in the literature and effect estimates for
      resource use and mortality obtained from the evidence-based analyses were applied
      to calculate incremental costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Given
      uncertainty about how many patients would benefit from each intervention, a
      system-wide budget impact was not determined. Instead, the difference in lifetime
      cost between an individual-administered intervention and no intervention was
      presented. RESULTS: Of 70 potential cost-effectiveness analyses, 8 met our
      inclusion criteria. All were found to result in QALY gains and cost savings
      compared with usual care. The models were robust to the majority of sensitivity
      analyses undertaken, but due to structural limitations and time constraints, few
      sensitivity analyses were conducted. Incremental cost savings per patient who
      received intervention ranged between $15 per diabetic patient with specialized
      nursing to $10,665 per patient wth congestive heart failure receiving in-home
      care. LIMITATIONS: Evidence used to inform estimates of effect was often limited
      to a single trial with limited generalizability across populations,
      interventions, and health care systems. Because of the low clinical fidelity of
      health administrative data sets, intermediate clinical outcomes could not be
      included. Cohort costs included an average of all health care costs and were not
      restricted to costs associated with the disease. Intervention costs were based on
      resource use specified in clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Applying estimates of
      effect from the evidence-based analyses to real-world resource use resulted in
      cost savings for all interventions. On the basis of quality-of-life data
      identified in the literature, all interventions were found to result in a greater
      QALY gain than usual care would. Implementation of all interventions could offer
      significant cost reductions. However, this analysis was subject to important
      limitations. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of
      death and disability in Ontario. They account for a third of direct health care
      costs across the province. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of
      health care interventions that might improve the management of chronic diseases.
      The evaluated interventions led to lower costs and better quality of life than
      usual care. Offering these options could reduce costs per patient. However, the
      studies used in this analysis were of medium to very low quality, and the methods
      had many limitations.

PMID- 24228078
TI  - Chronic disease patients' experiences with accessing health care in rural and
      remote areas: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rurality can contribute to the vulnerability of people with chronic
      diseases. Qualitative research can identify a wide range of health care access
      issues faced by patients living in a remote or rural setting. OBJECTIVE: To
      systematically review and synthesize qualitative research on the advantages and
      disadvantages rural patients with chronic diseases face when accessing both rural
      and distant care. DATA SOURCES: This report synthesizes 12 primary qualitative
      studies on the topic of access to health care for rural patients with chronic
      disease. Included studies were published between 2002 and 2012 and followed adult
      patients in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. REVIEW METHODS:
      Qualitative meta-synthesis was used to integrate findings across primary research
      studies. RESULTS: Three major themes were identified: geography, availability of
      health care professionals, and rural culture. First, geographic distance from
      services poses access barriers, worsened by transportation problems or weather
      conditions. Community supports and rurally located services can help overcome
      these challenges. Second, the limited availability of health care professionals
      (coupled with low education or lack of peer support) increases the feeling of
      vulnerability. When care is available locally, patients appreciate long-term
      relationships with individual clinicians and care personalized by familiarity
      with the patient as a person. Finally, patients may feel culturally marginalized
      in the urban health care context, especially if health literacy is low. A culture
      of self-reliance and community belonging in rural areas may incline patients to
      do without distant care and may mitigate feelings of vulnerability. LIMITATIONS:
      Qualitative research findings are not intended to generalize directly to
      populations, although meta-synthesis across a number of qualitative studies
      builds an increasingly robust understanding that is more likely to be
      transferable. Selected studies focused on the vulnerability experiences of rural
      dwellers with chronic disease; findings emphasize the patient rather than the
      provider perspective. CONCLUSIONS: This study corroborates previous knowledge and
      concerns about access issues in rural and remote areas, such as geographical
      distance and shortage of health care professionals and services. Unhealthy
      behaviours and reduced willingness to seek care increase patients' vulnerability.
      Patients' perspectives also highlight rural culture's potential to either
      exacerbate or mitigate access issues. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: People who live in
      a rural area may feel more vulnerable--that is, more easily harmed by their
      health problems or experiences with the health care system. Qualitative research
      looks at these experiences from the patient's point of view. We found 3 broad
      concerns in the studies we looked at. The first was geography: needing to travel
      long distances for health care can make care hard to reach, especially if
      transportation is difficult or the weather is bad. The second concern was
      availability of health professionals: rural areas often lack health care
      services. Patients may also feel powerless in "referral games" between rural and
      urban providers. People with low education or without others to help them may
      find navigating care more difficult. When rural services are available, patients
      like seeing clinicians who have known them for a long time, and like how familiar
      clinicians treat them as a whole person. The third concern was rural culture:
      patients may feel like outsiders in city hospitals or clinics. As well, in rural
      communities, people may share a feeling of self-reliance and community belonging.
      This may make them more eager to take care of themselves and each other, and less
      willing to seek distant care. Each of these factors can increase or decrease
      patient vulnerability, depending on how health services are provided.

PMID- 24228077
TI  - How diet modification challenges are magnified in vulnerable or marginalized
      people with diabetes and heart disease: a systematic review and qualitative meta
      synthesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diet modification is an important part of self-management for
      patients with diabetes and/or heart disease (including coronary artery disease,
      heart failure, and atrial fibrillation). Many health care providers and community
      based programs advise lifestyle and diet modification as part of care for people
      with these conditions. This report synthesizes qualitative information on how
      patients respond differently to the challenges of diet modification. Qualitative
      and descriptive evidence can illuminate challenges that may affect the success
      and equitable impact of dietary modification interventions. OBJECTIVES: To (a)
      examine the diet modification challenges faced by diabetes and/or heart disease
      patients; and (b) compare and contrast the challenges faced by patients who are
      members of vulnerable and nonvulnerable groups as they change their diet in
      response to clinical recommendations. DATA SOURCES: This report synthesizes 65
      primary qualitative studies on the topic of dietary modification challenges
      encountered by patients with diabetes and/or heart disease. Included papers were
      published between 2002 and 2012 and studied adult patients in North America,
      Europe, and Australia/New Zealand. REVIEW METHODS: Qualitative meta-synthesis was
      used to integrate findings across primary research studies. RESULTS: Analysis
      identified 5 types of challenges that are common to both vulnerable and
      nonvulnerable patients: self-discipline, knowledge, coping with everyday stress,
      negotiating with family members, and managing the social significance of food.
      Vulnerable patients may experience additional barriers, many of which can magnify
      or exacerbate those common challenges. LIMITATIONS: While qualitative insights
      are robust and often enlightening for understanding experiences and planning
      services in other settings, they are not intended to be generalizable. The
      findings of the studies reviewed here--and of this synthesis--do not strictly
      generalize to the Ontario (or any specific) population. This evidence must be
      interpreted and applied carefully, in light of expertise and the experiences of
      the relevant community. CONCLUSIONS: Diet modification is not simply a matter of
      knowing what to eat and making the rational choice to change dietary practices.
      Rather, diet and eating practices should be considered as part of the situated
      lives of patients, requiring an individualized approach that is responsive to the
      conditions in which each patient is attempting to make a change. Common
      challenges include self-discipline, knowledge, coping with everyday stress,
      negotiating with family members, and managing the social significance of food. An
      individualized approach is particularly important when working with patients who
      have vulnerabilities. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Health care providers often
      encourage people with diabetes and/or heart disease to change their diet. They
      advise people with diabetes to eat less sugar, starch, and fat. They advise
      people with heart disease to eat less fat and salt. However, many patients find
      it difficult to change what they eat. This report examines the challenges people
      may face when making such changes. It also examines the special challenges faced
      by people who are vulnerable due to other factors, such as poverty, lack of
      education, and difficulty speaking English. Five themes were common to all people
      who make diet changes: self-discipline, knowledge, coping with stress,
      negotiating with family members, and managing the social aspect of food. Members
      of vulnerable groups also reported other challenges, such as affording fresh
      fruit and vegetables or understanding English instructions. This report may help
      health care providers work with patients more effectively to make diet changes.

PMID- 24228079
TI  - Patient experiences of depression and anxiety with chronic disease: a systematic
      review and qualitative meta-synthesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in patients with chronic
      disease, but remain undertreated despite significant negative consequences on
      patient health. A number of clinical groups have developed recommendations for
      depression screening practices in the chronic disease population. OBJECTIVES: The
      objective of this analysis was to review empirical qualitative research on the
      experiences of patients with chronic disease (e.g., COPD, diabetes, heart
      disease, stroke) and comorbid depression or anxiety, and to highlight the
      implications of the screening and management of anxiety and/or depression on
      chronic disease outcomes. REVIEW METHODS: We performed literature searches for
      studies published from January 2002 to May 2012. We applied a qualitative mega
      filter to nine condition-specific search filters. Titles and abstracts were
      reviewed by two reviewers and, for the studies that met the eligibility criteria,
      full-text articles were obtained. Qualitative meta-synthesis was used to
      integrate findings across relevant published primary research studies.
      Qualitative meta-synthesis produced a synthesis of evidence that both retained
      the original meaning of the authors and offered a new, integrative interpretation
      of the phenomenon through a process of comparing and contrasting findings across
      studies. RESULTS: The findings of 20 primary qualitative studies were
      synthesized. Patients tended to experience their chronic conditions and anxiety
      or depression as either independent or inter-related (i.e., the chronic disease
      lead to depression/anxiety, the depression/anxiety lead to the chronic disease,
      or the two conditions exacerbated each other). Potential barriers to screening
      for depression or anxiety were also identified. LIMITATIONS: A wider array of
      issues might have been captured if the analysis had focused on broader
      psychological responses to the chronic disease experience. However, given the
      objective to highlight implications for screening for anxiety or depression, the
      more narrow focus seemed most relevant. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic disease and anxiety
      or depression can be independent or inter-related. Patients may be reluctant to
      acknowledge depression or anxiety as a separate condition, or may not recognize
      that the conditions are separate because of overlapping physical symptoms. More
      qualitative research is needed to specifically address screening for depression
      or anxiety. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Depression is a common complication of
      chronic disease. It may worsen the disease, and it may also affect the self
      management of the disease. Screening for depression earlier, and then treating
      it, may reduce distress and improve symptoms of the chronic disease, leading to
      better quality of life.

PMID- 24228080
TI  - Experiences of patient-centredness with specialized community-based care: a
      systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Specialized community-based care (SCBC) endeavours to help patients
      manage chronic diseases by formalizing the link between primary care providers
      and other community providers with specialized training. Many types of health
      care providers and community-based programs are employed in SCBC. Patient-centred
      care focuses on patients' psychosocial experience of health and illness to ensure
      that patients' care plans are modelled on their individual values, preferences,
      spirituality, and expressed needs. OBJECTIVES: To synthesize qualitative research
      on patient and provider experiences of SCBC interventions and health care
      delivery models, using the core principles of patient-centredness. DATA SOURCES:
      This report synthesizes 29 primary qualitative studies on the topic of SCBC
      interventions for patients with chronic conditions. Included studies were
      published between 2002 and 2012, and followed adult patients in North America,
      Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. REVIEW METHODS: Qualitative meta-synthesis
      was used to integrate findings across primary research studies. RESULTS: Three
      core themes emerged from the analysis: patients' health beliefs affect their
      participation in SCBC interventions;patients' experiences with community-based
      care differ from their experiences with hospital-based care;patients and
      providers value the role of nurses differently in community-based chronic disease
      care. LIMITATIONS: Qualitative research findings are not intended to generalize
      directly to populations, although meta-synthesis across several qualitative
      studies builds an increasingly robust understanding that is more likely to be
      transferable. The diversity of interventions that fall under SCBC and the cross
      interventional focus of many of the studies mean that findings might not be
      generalizable to all forms of SCBC or its specific components. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with chronic diseases who participated in SCBC interventions reported
      greater satisfaction when SCBC helped them better understand their diagnosis,
      facilitated increased socialization, provided them with a role in managing their
      own care, and assisted them in overcoming psychological and social barriers.
      PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: More and more, to reduce bed shortages in hospitals,
      health care systems are providing programs called specialized community-based
      care (SCBC) to patients with chronic diseases. These SCBC programs allow patients
      with chronic diseases to be managed in the community by linking their family
      physicians with other community-based health care providers who have specialized
      training. This report looks at the experiences of patients and health care
      providers who take part in SCBC programs, focusing on psychological and social
      factors. This kind of lens is called patient-centred. Three themes came up in our
      analysis: patients' health beliefs affect how they take part in SCBC
      interventions; patients' experiences with care in the community differ from their
      experiences with care in the hospital; patients and providers value the role of
      nurses differently. The results of this analysis could help those who provide
      SCBC programs to better meet patients' needs.

PMID- 24228081
TI  - Electrical stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: an evidence-based analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of
      deep brain stimulation (DBS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for the treatment
      of drug-resistant epilepsy in adults and children. DATA SOURCES: A literature
      search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Centre
      for Reviews and Dissemination database, for studies published from January 2007
      until December 2012. REVIEW METHODS: Systematic reviews, meta-analyses,
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and observational studies (in the absence of
      RCTs) of adults or children were included. DBS studies were included if they
      specified that the anterior nucleus of thalamus was the area of the brain
      stimulated. Outcomes of interest were seizure frequency, health resource
      utilization, and safety. A cost analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The search
      identified 6 studies that assessed changes in seizure frequency after electrical
      stimulation: 1 RCT on DBS in adults, 4 RCTs on VNS in adults, and 1 RCT on VNS in
      children. The studies of DBS and VNS in adults found significantly improved rates
      of seizure frequency, but the study of VNS in children did not find a significant
      difference in seizure frequency between the high and low stimulation groups.
      Significant reductions in hospitalizations and emergency department visits were
      found for adults and children who received VNS. No studies addressed the use of
      health resources for patients undergoing DBS. Five studies reported on adverse
      events, which ranged from serious to transient for both procedures in adults and
      were mostly transient in the 1 study of VNS in children. LIMITATIONS: We found no
      evidence on DBS in children or on health care use related to DBS. The measurement
      of seizure frequency is self-reported and is therefore subject to bias and issues
      of compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Based on evidence of low to moderate quality, both
      DBS and VNS seemed to reduce seizure frequency in adults. In children, VNS did
      not appear to be as effective at reducing seizure frequency, but children had
      significantly fewer hospitalizations and ED visits after VNS implantation.
      Despite the considerable risks associated with these invasive procedures, long
      term adverse events appear to be limited. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Electrical
      stimulation of specific areas of the brain is a procedure used to control
      epileptic seizures when more conventional treatments are not working. Most adults
      and children with epilepsy are able to control their seizures with medication,
      but for some patients, drugs are not effective and surgery to remove the part of
      the brain where the seizures start is not an appropriate option. This study
      looked at the research available on the effectiveness, safety, and cost of two
      types of electrical stimulation devices currently licensed for treatment of
      epilepsy for adults and children in Canada: vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and
      deep brain stimulation (DBS). Both approaches appear to be effective at reducing
      the frequency of seizures in adults. However, the evidence on DBS is limited to a
      single study with adults; we found no studies of DBS with children. Studies on
      VNS showed that both adults and children had fewer hospitalizations and emergency
      department visits after the procedure. Both procedures carry serious risks, but
      several longer-term studies have found that adverse events appear to be limited.
      The cost of VNS, including the process of assessing whether or not patients are
      good candidates for the procedure, is estimated to be about $40,000 per person
      (and higher for DBS because the device is more expensive and the operating time
      is longer). Of the 70,000 people in Ontario with epilepsy, about 1,400 (300
      children and 1,110 adults) may be candidates for VNS to reduce their seizures.

PMID- 24228082
TI  - Carbon-13 urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with
      uninvestigated ulcer-like dyspepsia: an evidence-based analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dyspepsia is a condition defined by chronic pain or discomfort in the
      upper gastrointestinal tract that can be caused by Helicobacter pylori. The
      carbon-13 urea breath test (13C UBT) is a non-invasive test to detect H. pylori.
      OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of
      the 13C UBT in adult patients with ulcer-like dyspepsia who have no alarm
      features. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed using Ovid MEDLINE,
      Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid Embase, the Wiley
      Cochrane Library, and the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination database, for
      studies published between 2003 and 2012. REVIEW METHODS: We abstracted the
      sensitivity and specificity, which were calculated against a composite reference
      standard. Summary estimates were obtained using bivariate random effects
      regression analysis. RESULTS: From 19 diagnostic studies, the 13C UBT summary
      estimates were 98.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 96.3-99.0) for sensitivity
      and 95.1% (95% CI, 90.3-97.6) for specificity. In 6 studies that compared the 13C
      UBT with serology, the 113C UBT sensitivity was 95.0% (95% CI, 90.1-97.5) and
      specificity was 91.6 % (95% CI, 81.3-96.4). The sensitivity and specificity for
      serology were 92.9% (95% CI, 82.6-97.3) and 71.1% (95% CI, 63.8-77.5),
      respectively. In 1 RCT, symptom resolution, medication use, and physician visits
      were similar among the 13C UBT, serology, gastroscopy, or empirical treatment
      arms. However, patients tested with 13C UBT reported higher dyspepsia-specific
      quality of life scores. LIMITATIONS: Processing of the 13C UBT results can vary
      according to many factors. Further, the studies showed significant heterogeneity
      and used different composite reference standards. CONCLUSIONS: The 13C UBT is an
      accurate test with high sensitivity and specificity. Compared with serology, it
      has higher specificity. There is a paucity of data on the 13C UBT beyond test
      accuracy. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Breath test for detecting bacteria in patients
      with ulcer-like symptoms. Dyspepsia is a condition that causes long-term pain or
      discomfort in the upper abdomen. Symptoms can include heartburn, burping,
      bloating, nausea, or slow digestion. Dyspepsia can be caused by a bacterium that
      also causes ulcers and stomach cancer. Half of the world's people are believed to
      be infected with these bacteria. A test has been developed to detect the bacteria
      in a breath sample. Our review determined the accuracy of this breath test in
      adults with ulcer-like symptoms. From 19 studies, the breath test correctly
      identified 98% of patients with the bacteria and 95% of patients without the
      bacteria, as determined by a reference standard. Six studies compared the breath
      test to a blood test that is currently used. Both the breath and blood tests
      performed well in correctly identifying patients with the bacteria. However, the
      blood test was incorrectly positive in 20 more patients who did not have the
      bacteria according to the breath test. This means that more patients would have
      received unnecessary treatment. Thus, the breath test is an accurate test to
      detect the bacteria in adult patients who have ulcer-like symptoms. But the many
      differences among the studies in our review included several steps taken to
      perform the breath test and the reference standards used to compare a blood test
      with the breath test.

PMID- 24228083
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of the carbon-13 urea breath test for the detection of
      Helicobacter pylori: an economic analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This analysis aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various
      testing strategies for Helicobacter pylori in patients with uninvestigated
      dyspepsia and to calculate the budgetary impact of these tests for the province
      of Ontario. DATA SOURCES: Data on the sensitivity and specificity were obtained
      from the clinical evidence-based analysis. Resource items were obtained from
      expert opinion, and costs were applied on the basis of published sources as well
      as expert opinion. REVIEW METHODS: A decision analytic model was constructed to
      compare the costs and outcomes (false-positive results, false-negative results,
      and misdiagnoses avoided) of the carbon-13 (13C) urea breath test (UBT), enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serology test, and a 2-step strategy of an
      ELISA serology test and a confirmatory 13C UBT based on the sensitivity and
      specificity of the tests and prevalence estimates. RESULTS: The 2-step strategy
      is more costly and more effective than the ELISA serology test and results in
      $210 per misdiagnosis case avoided. The 13C UBT is dominated by the 2-step
      strategy, i.e., it is more costly and less effective. The budget impact analysis
      indicates that it will cost $7.9 million more to test a volume of 129,307
      patients with the 13C UBT than with ELISA serology, and $4.7 million more to test
      these patients with the 2-step strategy. LIMITATIONS: The clinical studies that
      were pooled varied in the technique used to perform the breath test and in
      reference standards used to make comparisons with the breath test. However, these
      parameters were varied in a sensitivity analysis. The economic model was designed
      to consider intermediate outcomes only (i.e., misdiagnosed cases) and was not a
      complete model with final patient outcomes (e.g., quality-adjusted life years).
      CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the 2-step strategy could be economically
      attractive for the testing of H. pylori. However, testing with the 2-step
      strategy will cost the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care $4.7 million more
      than with the ELISA serology test.

PMID- 24228084
TI  - Hysteroscopic tubal sterilization: an evidence-based analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hysteroscopic tubal sterilization is a minimally invasive alternative
      to laparoscopic tubal ligation for women who want permanent contraception. The
      procedures involves non-surgical placement of permanent microinserts into both
      fallopian tubes. Patients must use alternative contraception for at least 3
      months postprocedure until tubal occlusion is confirmed. Compared to tubal
      ligation, potential advantages of the hysteroscopic procedure are that it can be
      performed in 10 minutes in an office setting without the use of general or even
      local anesthesia. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to determine the
      effectiveness and safety of hysteroscopic tubal sterilization compared with tubal
      ligation for permanent female sterilization. DATA SOURCES: A standard systematic
      literature search was conducted for studies published from January 1, 2008, until
      December 11, 2012. REVIEW METHODS: Observational studies, randomized controlled
      trials (RCTs), systematic reviews and meta-analyses with 1 month or more of
      follow-up were examined. Outcomes included failure/pregnancy rates, adverse
      events, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: No RCTs were identified. Two
      systematic reviews covered 22 observational studies of hysteroscopic
      sterilization. Only 1 (N = 93) of these 22 studies compared hysteroscopic
      sterilization to laparoscopic tubal ligation. Two other noncomparative case
      series not included in the systematic reviews were also identified. In the
      absence of comparative studies, data on tubal ligation were derived for this
      analysis from the CREST study, a large, multicentre, prospective, noncomparative
      observational study in the United States (GRADE low). Overall, hysteroscopic
      sterilization is associated with lower pregnancy rates and lower complication
      rates compared to tubal ligation. No deaths have been reported for hysteroscopic
      sterilization. LIMITATIONS: A lack of long-term follow-up for hysteroscopic
      sterilization and a paucity of studies that directly compare the two procedures
      limit this assessment. In addition, optimal placement of the microinsert at the
      time of hysteroscopy varied among studies. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopic
      sterilization is associated with: lower pregnancy rates compared to tubal
      ligation (GRADE very low); lower complication rates compared to tubal ligation
      (GRADE very low); no significant improvement in patient satisfaction compared to
      tubal ligation (GRADE very low). PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Hysteroscopic tubal
      sterilization is a minimally invasive alternative to conventional tubal ligation
      for women who want a permanent method of contraception. Both approaches involve
      closing off the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg from moving down the tube and
      the sperm from reaching the egg. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure to tie or
      seal the fallopian tubes, and it usually requires general anesthesia. In
      contrast, hysteroscopic tubal sterilization can be performed in 10 minutes in an
      office setting without general or even local anesthesia. A tiny device called a
      microinsert is inserted into each fallopian tube through the vagina, cervix, and
      uterus without surgery. An instrument called a hysteroscope allows the doctor to
      see inside the body for the procedure. Once the microinserts are in place, scar
      tissue forms around them and blocks the fallopian tubes. Health Quality Ontario
      conducted a review of the effectiveness and safety of hysteroscopic tubal
      sterilization compared to tubal ligation. This review indicates that
      hysteroscopic tubal sterilization is associated with: lower pregnancy rates
      compared to tubal ligation; lower complication rates compared to tubal ligation;
      no significant improvement in patient satisfaction compared to tubal ligation.
      However, we found a number of limitations to the studies available on
      hysteroscopic tubal sterilization. Among other concerns, most studies did not
      include long-term follow-up and only 1 study directly compared hysteroscopic
      tubal sterilization to tubal ligation.

PMID- 24228085
TI  - Hysteroscopic tubal sterilization: a health economic literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hysteroscopic sterilization is a minimally invasive alternative to
      laparoscopic tubal ligation for women who want permanent contraception. In
      contrast to the laparoscopic technique, a hysteroscope is used to pass permanent
      microinserts through the cervix and place them in the fallopian tubes. This
      procedure does not require local or general anesthesia and can be performed in an
      office setting. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this analysis was to determine,
      based on published literature, the cost-effectiveness of hysteroscopic tubal
      sterilization (HS) compared with laparoscopic tubal ligation (LS) for permanent
      female sterilization. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search was conducted
      for studies published between January 1, 2008, and December 11, 2012. REVIEW
      METHODS: Potentially relevant studies were identified based on the title and
      abstract. Cost-utility analyses (studies that report outcomes in terms of costs
      and quality-adjusted life-years) were prioritized for inclusion. When not
      available, cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-consequence analyses were
      considered. Costing studies were considered in the absence of all other analyses.
      RESULTS: A total of 33 abstracts were identified. Three cost analyses were
      included. A retrospective chart review from Canada found that HS was $111 less
      costly than LS; a prospective activity-based cost management study from Italy
      reported that it was ?337 less costly than LS; and the results of an American
      decision model showed that HS was $1,178 less costly than LS. LIMITATIONS: All
      studies had limited applicability to the Ontario health care system due to
      differences in setting, resource use, and costs. CONCLUSIONS: Three cost analyses
      found that, although the HS procedure was more expensive due to the cost of the
      microinserts, HS was less costly than LS overall due to the shorter recovery time
      required. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Hysteroscopic sterilization is a minimally
      invasive alternative to conventional tubal ligation for women who want a
      permanent method of contraception. Both approaches involve closing off the
      fallopian tubes, preventing the egg from moving down the tube and the sperm from
      reaching the egg. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure to tie or seal the
      fallopian tubes, and it usually requires general anesthesia. In contrast,
      hysteroscopic tubal sterilization can be performed in 10 minutes in an office
      setting without general or even local anesthesia. A tiny device called a
      microinsert is inserted into each fallopian tube through the vagina, cervix, and
      uterus without surgery. An instrument called a hysteroscope allows the doctor to
      see inside the body for the procedure. Once the microinserts are in place, scar
      tissue forms around them and blocks the fallopian tubes. Health Quality Ontario
      commissioned a systematic review of published economic literature to determine
      whether hysteroscopic sterilization is cost-effective compared to tubal ligation.
      This review did not find any studies that reported results in terms of both costs
      and effectiveness or costs and quality-adjusted life-years. We did find 3 costing
      studies and included them in our review. All of these studies found that when
      hysteroscopic sterilization was performed as an outpatient procedure, it was less
      expensive than tubal ligation due to a shorter recovery time. However, none of
      the studies apply directly to Ontario because of differences in our health care
      system compared to those in the studies.

PMID- 24228086
TI  - Association between sleep duration and 24-hour urine free cortisol in the MrOS
      Sleep Study.
AB  - CONTEXT: Short sleep duration is associated with adverse health outcomes, but the
      mechanisms involved are unknown. It has been postulated that short sleep duration
      may elevate cortisol levels, but studies have had conflicting results. It is
      unclear whether these differing findings may be due to methodological issues,
      such as assessment of sleep duration. Specifically, objective versus subjective
      methods of measuring habitual sleep duration may account for the conflicting
      results found in epidemiological studies. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine
      whether habitual sleep duration, measured objectively (by actigraphy) and
      subjectively (by self-report), was associated with 24-hour urine free cortisol
      (UFC), a measure of integrated cortisol secretion. Our secondary goal was to
      determine whether slow wave sleep (SWS, determined by polysomnography) was
      associated with 24-hour UFC. DESIGN/SETTING: Cross sectional study of community
      dwelling older men. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: 325 men (mean age = 76.6 years, SD =
      5.5) from the Portland site of the MrOS Sleep Study, who underwent 24-hour urine
      collection, polysomnography, actigraphy and sleep questionnaire. PRIMARY OUTCOME:
      24-hour UFC. RESULTS: In this study of community dwelling older men, self
      reported sleep duration was inversely related to 24-hour UFC levels. Participants
      reporting <5 hours of habitual sleep had an adjusted mean 24-hour UFC of 29.8 ug,
      compared to 28.0 ug in participants reporting >5 to <8 hours of sleep 25.5 ug in
      those reporting >8 hours of habitual sleep. However, sleep duration determined by
      actigraphy was not associated with 24-hour UFC in either univariable or
      multivariable regression models. SWS was not associated with 24-hour UFC.
      CONCLUSION: Objectively measured (i.e., actigraphic) sleep duration is not
      associated with 24-hour UFC in these community dwelling older men. This finding,
      together with prior studies, suggests that elevated levels of integrated cortisol
      secretion is not the mechanisms by which short sleep duration leads to adverse
      health outcomes.

PMID- 24228087
TI  - ULtiMATE system for rapid assembly of customized TAL effectors.
AB  - Engineered TAL-effector nucleases (TALENs) and TALE-based constructs have become
      powerful tools for eukaryotic genome editing. Although many methods have been
      reported, it remains a challenge for the assembly of designer-based TALE repeats
      in a fast, precise and cost-effective manner. We present an ULtiMATE (USER-based
      Ligation Mediated Assembly of TAL Effector) system for speedy and accurate
      assembly of customized TALE constructs. This method takes advantage of uracil
      specific excision reagent (USER) to create multiple distinct sticky ends between
      any neighboring DNA fragments for specific ligation. With pre-assembled
      templates, multiple TALE DNA-binding domains could be efficiently assembled in
      order within hours with minimal manual operation. This system has been
      demonstrated to produce both functional TALENs for effective gene knockout and
      TALE-mediated gene-specific transcription activation (TALE-TA). The feature of
      both ease-of-operation and high efficiency of ULtiMATE system makes it not only
      an ideal method for biologic labs, but also an approach well suited for large
      scale assembly of TALENs and any other TALE-based constructions. 

PMID- 24228088
TI  - The SYT-SSX fusion protein and histological epithelial differentiation in
      synovial sarcoma: relationship with extracellular matrix remodeling.
AB  - Synovial sarcoma (SS) tumor cells, which have the chromosomal translocation
      t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2), have an inherently greater propensity for epithelial
      differentiation than other mesenchymal tumors, especially spindle cell sarcomas.
      This is caused by de-repression of the transcription of E-cadherin by SYT-SSX1
      and SYT-SSX2, which dissociate Snail or Slug, respectively, from the E-cadherin
      promoter. However, a subset of SS with SYT-SSX1 loses E-cadherin expression
      despite adequate de-repression because of mutations in E-cadherin, resulting in
      monophasic histology. The ratio of the expression levels of SYT-SSX1 and Snail is
      also associated with E-cadherin expression: the lower the SYT-SSX1/Snail ratio,
      the lower the level of E-cadherin expression, and vice versa, thus affecting
      tumor histology. In addition, Wnt signal activation caused by mutation of beta
      catenin, APC, or Axin 1 and 2 is associated with monophasic histology. Remodeling
      of the extracellular matrix is also important. Only cells that survive all of
      these steps can finally exhibit biphasic histology. On the other hand, the SYT
      SSX2 fusion has a weaker de-repression effect on the E-cadherin promoter than
      does SYT-SSX1, so it is difficult for SYT-SSX2-expressing tumors to achieve
      sufficient capacity for epithelial differentiation to form glandular structures.
      This review provides an interesting model for this epithelial differentiation
      that shows a possible mechanism for the aberrant mesenchymal to epithelial
      transition of SS and suggests that it might better be considered an epithelial to
      mesenchymal transition. 

PMID- 24228090
TI  - New bone formation in a bone defect associated to dental implant using absorbable
      or non-absorbable membrane in a dog model.
AB  - The aim of this research was to determine the bone formation capacity in
      fenestration defects associated with dental implants using absorbable and non
      absorbable membranes. Six dogs were used in the study. In both tibias of each
      animal 3 implants were installed, and around these 5 mm circular defects were
      created. The defects were covered with absorbable membranes (experimental group
      1), non-absorbable membranes (experimental group 2), and the third defect was not
      covered (control group). At 3 and 8 weeks post-surgery, the animals were
      euthanized and the membranes with the bone tissue around the implants were
      processed for histological analysis. The statistical analysis was conducted with
      Tukey's test, considering statistical significance when p<0.1. Adequate bone
      repair was observed in the membrane-covered defects. At 3 weeks, organization of
      the tissue, bone formation from the periphery of the defect and the absence of
      inflammatory infiltrate were observed in both experimental groups, but the defect
      covered with absorbable membrane presented statistically greater bone formation.
      At 8 weeks, both membrane-covered defects showed adequate bone formation without
      significant differences, although they did in fact present differences with the
      control defect in both periods (p>0.1). In the defects without membrane,
      continuous connective tissue invasions and bone repair deficiency were observed.
      There were no significant differences in the characteristics and volume of the
      neoformed bone in the defects around the implants covered by the different
      membranes, whereas the control defects produced significantly less bone. The use
      of biological membranes contributes to bone formation in three-wall defects. 

PMID- 24228089
TI  - The effect of porcine ADM to improve the burn wound healing.
AB  - To study the effect of porcine acellular dermal matrix (ADM) on the burn wound
      healing. Seventy healthy Wistar rats were inflicted with 2 cm second degree burn
      and divided into 2 groups; one group was treated with porcine ADM and the other
      with Povidone Iodine Cream. Biopsies were taken on day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21 for
      histopathological and biochemical analysis to test PCNA, K19, Integrin-beta1,
      PDGF, EGF and FGF. The results revealed relatively better and faster regeneration
      after treatment of porcine ADM, along with greatly increased synthesis in
      collagen in the experimental group. PCNA, K19, Integrin-beta1 had an increase and
      then tapered down, and were stronger in the experimental group than in the
      contrast group during 21 days after burns. PDGF, EGF and FGF levels increased on
      day 3, peaked on day 5 and then started to decrease, while significantly enhanced
      expression of relevant growth factors were observed in the experimental group.
      Porcine ADM stimulate collagen synthesis, stem cells proliferation and
      differentiation, and the expression of relevant growth factors and ultimately
      improve the burn wound healing. 

PMID- 24228091
TI  - Expression and clinical significance of the nin one binding protein and p38 MAPK
      in prostate carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prostate carcinoma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The
      MAPK Signaling Pathway plays an important role in multiple tumors, including
      prostate carcinoma. MAPK signaling is mediated by ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK, which
      are important in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation and
      apoptosis. However, relatively little is known about the regulatory mechanism of
      p38 MAPK in prostate cancers. NOB1 is among the most novel topic in MAPK studies
      currently. Recent studies found its vital role in tumor metastasis in
      glioblastoma proliferation, however, its expression profile and its prognostic
      value in prostate carcinoma have not been investigated. METHODS: To determine the
      relationship between NOB1 and p38 MAPK expressions, a population-based study was
      conducted for immunohistochemical staining analysis of tumor tissues, in matched
      malignant and nonmalignant prostatectomy samples from 132 PCa patients. Moreover,
      Western blot analysis and NOB1 interference studies of prostate cancer cell
      lines. To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic between NOB1 and p38 MAPK in
      prostate cancer (PCa) tissue after radical prostatectomy, the hypothesis that
      prostate cancers with NOB1 expression have distinct clinical, prognostic and
      molecular attributes was tested. RESULTS: Among 132 prostate cancers, NOB1
      expression was detected in 117 (88.7%) tumors by immunohistochemistry. NOB1 and
      p38 MAPK expression had significant positive correlation with carcinogenesis,
      tumor progression and patient survival. Immunohistochemically, NOB1 expression in
      prostate cancer was independently associated with p38 MAPK activation (P=0.0002).
      Furthermore, p38 MAPK expression was completely suppressed by NOB1 interference
      in the prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and PC-3. CONCLUSIONS: NOB1 expression
      status was closely correlated with important histopathologic characteristics and
      the recurrence and metastasis of prostate carcinomas. These data support a
      potential link between NOB1 and p38 MAPK, and suggest that NOB1 may identify a
      subset of prostate cancer patients with a poor prognosis. This study proved that
      NOB1 in PCa tissue can be used, in combination with traditional
      clinicopathological factors, as promising diagnostic and prognostic tools.

PMID- 24228092
TI  - Influences of HIF-lalpha on Bax/Bcl-2 and VEGF expressions in rats with spinal
      cord injury.
AB  - Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a subunit of HIF-l and thought
      to be able to protect hypoxic cells from apoptosis or necrosis under ischemic and
      anoxic conditions. This study aimed to investigated whether recombinant
      adenovirus vector over-expressing HIF-lalpha could affect apoptosis-related
      proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a rat
      spinal cord injury (SCI) model. A total of 60 male SD rats were divided into 4
      groups: Sham, Control, Ad-Blank and Ad-HIF-1alpha groups. 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days
      after surgery, the behavioral recovery was evaluated with BBB scales. Then, rats
      were sacrificed and the spinal cord was collected for detection of Bcl-2, Bax and
      VEGF expressions by immunohistochemistry. Results showed the Bcl-2, Bax, VEGF and
      HIF-lalpha expressions increased in animals with SCI, but the increase in Bcl-2,
      VEGF and HIF-lalpha expressions were higher in Ad-HIF-1alpha group when compared
      with other groups, but Bax expression decreased significantly. In addition,
      administration of Ad-HIF-1alpha significantly reduced apoptotic cells and
      promoted the recovery of neurological function. In conclusion, administration of
      Ad-HIF-1alpha after SCI could ameliorate neuronal apoptosis and promote
      angiogenesis in rats. Our study provides a basis for further exploration of the
      relationship between HIF1alpha and SCI. 

PMID- 24228093
TI  - Suppressing the malignant phenotypes of glioma cells by lentiviral delivery of
      small hairpin RNA targeting hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha.
AB  - Hypoxic microenvironment of solid tumors is known to shape malignant phenotypes
      of cancer cells through the dimeric transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor
      (HIF)-1. In the present study, the therapeutic effect of targeting alpha subunit
      of HIF-1 in glioma cells via lentiviral delivery of small hairpin RNA (shRNA) was
      evaluated. Data from quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry
      demonstrated that HIF-1alpha was progressively upregulated during the development
      of gliomas. Lentiviral shRNA targeting HIF-1alpha led to substantial loss of cell
      viability, G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and impairment of cell
      motility and invasiveness in human glioma U87MG cells. Xenograft experiments in
      nude mice further showed that HIF-1alpha-shRNA inhibited tumor growth and caused
      persistent repression of HIF-1alpha and its target genes, including VEGF, GLUT1
      and MMP2, up to 25 days post-inoculation. Taken together, lentiviral delivery of
      shRNA is a promising therapeutic approach for targeting HIF-1alpha in glioma. 

PMID- 24228094
TI  - Effects of low-frequency noise on cardiac collagen and cardiomyocyte
      ultrastructure: an immunohistochemical and electron microscopy study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Low-frequency noise (LFN) leads to the development of tissue
      fibrosis. We previously reported the development of myocardial and perivascular
      fibrosis and a reduction of cardiac connexin43 in rats, but data is lacking
      concerning the affected type of collagen as well as the ultrastructural
      myocardial modifications. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to quantify
      cardiac collagens I and III and to evaluate myocardial ultrastructural changes in
      Wistar rats exposed to LFN. METHODS: Two groups of rats were considered: A LFN
      exposed group with 8 rats continuously submitted to LFN during 3 months and a
      control group with 8 rats. The hearts were sectioned and the mid-ventricular
      fragment was selected. After immunohistochemical evaluation, quantification of
      the collagens and muscle were performed using the image J software in the left
      ventricle, interventricular septum and right ventricle and the collagen I/muscle
      and collagen III/muscle ratios were calculated. Transmission electron microscopy
      (TEM) was used to analyze mid-ventricular samples taken from each group. RESULTS:
      The collagen I/muscle and collagen III/muscle ratios increased in totum
      respectively 80% (p<0.001) and 57.4% (p<0.05) in LFN-exposed rats. TEM showed
      interstitial collagen deposits and changes in mitochondria and intercalated discs
      of the cardiomyocytes in LFN-exposed animals. CONCLUSIONS: LFN increases collagen
      I and III in the extracellular matrix and induces ultrastructural alterations in
      the cardiomyocytes. These new morphological data open new and promising paths for
      further experimental and clinical research regarding the cardiac effects of low
      frequency noise.

PMID- 24228095
TI  - Protective effect of curcumin on chemotherapy-induced intestinal dysfunction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapy is one of most important treatments for human cancers.
      However, side effects such as intestine dysfunction significantly impaired its
      clinical efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of
      Curcumin on chemotherapy-induced intestinal dysfunction in rats. METHODS: Sixty
      healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (normal saline), 5
      FU group and 5-FU+Curcumin group. The weight, serum level of endotoxin, DAO and D
      lactate were determined. The pathological change of intestinal mucosa structure
      was studied under light microscopy and electron microscopy. The expression of
      Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS:
      The Curcumin intragastrically administrated obviously reduced 5-FU-induced weight
      loss. 5-FU induced dramatic increase of serum endotoxin, D-lactate and D-Amino
      Acid Oxidase (DAO) that were significantly reversed by Curcumin treatment.
      Meanwhile, 5-FU-induced-damage to intestinal mucosa structure was markedly
      recovered by Curcumin. The expression of Bax and Caspase-3 were dramatically
      increased after 5-FU treatment (p<0.01) and Curcumin treatment significantly
      reduced Bax expression (p<0.05) but had only a moderate effect on reducing
      caspase-3 expression (p>0.05). Interestingly, Bcl-2 expression was low in control
      group but increased after 5-FU treatment (p>0.05) and Curcumin treatment further
      stimulated Bcl-2 expression (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin can significantly
      reverse chemotherapy-induced weight-loss, increase of serum endotoxin, D-lactate
      and DAO and damage to intestinal mucosa structure. Curcumin also reduced the
      expression of pro-apoptotic Bax but stimulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 to attenuate
      5-FU-induced apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. The clinical
      administration of Curcumin may improve chemotherapy-induced intestinal
      dysfunction, thus increasing the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy.

PMID- 24228096
TI  - Spermatocytic seminoma: a 21 years' retrospective study in a tertiary care
      hospital in Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spermatocytic seminoma is a rare testicular germ cell tumor of old
      men. Accounting for 1-4% of all seminomas, spermatocytic seminomas have distinct
      pathogenesis, histological features, immunohistochemical profile and
      comparatively benign clinical behavior which distinguishes them from other germ
      cell tumors, especially classic seminoma. AIMS: The purposes of our study were to
      assess the patient demographics, pathological features and to evaluate the
      utility of CD 117 immunostain along with other immunohistochemical stains in
      distinguishing Spermatocytic seminomas from classic seminomas. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: All spermatocytic seminomas patients diagnosed during 1992 to 2013 at
      Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan
      University hospital were included. Patient characteristics, histological details
      and follow-up data of few patients were available. CD 117 expression was
      determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Total 16 cases of Spermatocytic
      seminomas were reviewed. Median age was 60 years and average tumor size was 10.4
      cms. Microscopically, all of the 16 cases showed presence of edema and absence of
      lymphocytic infiltrate and intratubular germ cell neoplasia. Cytoplasmic glycogen
      was negative in all 13 cases, PLAP immunostain was negative in all 12 cases,
      while CD 117 was positive in all 8 cases, where applied. CONCLUSION: CD 117 is of
      limited utility in differentiating the spermatocytic seminoma from classic
      seminoma as it is expressed in significant number of spermatocytic seminomas.
      However, different histological features, PAS special stain and PLAP immunostain
      are significantly helpful in distinguishing these two entities.

PMID- 24228097
TI  - SIRT1 is highly expressed in brain metastasis tissues of non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) and in positive regulation of NSCLC cell migration.
AB  - Brain metastases are a frequent and ongoing major complication of non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC). To deepen our understanding to the underlying mechanisms by
      which NSCLC cells metastasize to brain and hence to improve the therapy, a high
      throughput RNAi screening with shRNA library of 153 epigenetic genes was
      subjected to A549, a NSCLC cell line with high migration ability, to examine the
      effects of these genes on cell migration by wound-healing assay. The screening
      results showed that knockdown of 2 genes (KDM5B and SIRT1) dramatically and
      specifically inhibits A549 migration but not affects the proliferation, which was
      subsequently confirmed through transwell migration assay. Furthermore, SIRT1 is
      found to be highly expressed in brain metastasis tissues of NSCLC, compared to
      the NSCLC tissues, suggesting that SIRT1 may play roles in brain metastasis of
      NSCLC. The relationship between SIRT1 expression and cell migration ability was
      further investigated in three NSCLC cell lines and the result indicated that
      SIRT1 expression is tightly correlated with cell migration ability. Collectively,
      our work provides potential biomarker and therapeutic target for brain metastasis
      of NSCLC. 

PMID- 24228098
TI  - Administration of dexamethasone protects mice against ischemia/reperfusion
      induced renal injury by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling.
AB  - Dexamethasone (DEX), a ligand for glucocorticoid receptor (GR), has long been
      used in the clinical practice due to its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive
      properties. Given that ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced renal injury is featured
      by the excessive immune response; the current study is therefore designed to
      address the impact of dexamethasone on IR-induced renal injury, a common disorder
      in the clinical settings. Precondition of mice with 4 mg/kg of dexamethasone
      significantly attenuated IR-induced injury as manifested by the improved renal
      function along with ameliorated pathological changes and suppressed inflammatory
      infiltration. Mechanistic studies revealed that dexamethasone promotes GR
      activation, and by which it attenuates the signals for PI3K/AKT activation.
      Attenuated PI3K/AKT signaling thus suppresses inflammatory response which then
      protects kidneys from IR-induced injury. All together, our data support that
      dexamethasone could be a good alternative therapy for prevention and treatment of
      IR-induced renal injury in the clinical practice. 

PMID- 24228099
TI  - FasL on human nucleus pulposus cells prevents angiogenesis in the disc by
      inducing Fas-mediated apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells.
AB  - The intervertebral disc is the largest avascular organ in the human body.
      However, with the progress of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), the disc
      tends to be vascularized increasingly via angiogenesis. It is well established
      that both human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and vascular endothelial cells
      express FasL and Fas. However, the issue remains open as to whether there are
      certain active mechanisms preventing angiogenesis in the disc via the FasL-Fas
      machinery. Here, we established a co-culture system of human NP cells and
      vascular endothelial (HMEC-1) cells. We found that normal NP cells were more
      capable of inducing apoptosis in HMEC-1 cells (14.2+/-3.4%) than degenerate NP
      cells (6.7+/-1.9%), p<0.05. By up-regulating the FasL expression in degenerate NP
      cells, we found that FasL played an essential role in the mediation of HMEC-1
      cell apoptosis with the activation of downstream FADD and caspase-3. Furthermore,
      we found an increased Fas expression in HMEC-1 cells following co-cultured with
      NP cells, which might be closely linked with FasL produced by NP cells and
      enhance their interaction. Collectively, this is the first study showing FasL-Fas
      network might plays an important role in the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis
      avoidance of human disc. Consequently, our findings might shed light on the
      pathogenesis in human IDD and provide a novel target for the treatment strategies
      for IDD. 

PMID- 24228100
TI  - Hemocoagulase atrox reduces vascular modeling in rabbit carotid artery
      adventitia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of hemocoagulase atrox and
      cauterization hemostasis on intimal hyperplasia and explore the effect of
      hemocoagulase atrox on vascular modeling in rabbit carotid artery adventitia.
      METHODS: A total of 27 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (0d, 14d,
      28d). They were anaesthetized using an intramuscular injection of phenobarbital
      sodium (1 ml/kg). The left and right common carotid arteries were exposed and
      capillary hemorrhaged after blunt dissection of the adventitia layers of common
      carotid arteries. Nine rabbits in each group were again randomly divided into 3
      groups, in which animals were respectively treated with hemocoagulase (2 U/ml),
      cauterization (power = 40 w) and saline (as control). Groups of animals were
      euthanized at 0, 14 and 28 days after surgery. The samples were equally divided
      in the middle of the adventitia removal section to obtain equal parts for
      histologic, immunohistochemical and molecular biologic analysis. The vascular
      repair after adventitial stripping was observed by HE staining, Masson staining
      and transmission electron microscopy. The expression of carotid MCP-1, PCNA, TGF
      beta1, alpha-SMA and VEGF were measured at different time points by RT-PCR and
      immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: HE staining and Masson staining showed
      that hemocoagulase atrox had a significantly stronger effect on reducing intimal
      hyperplasia than the cauterization after 14 and 28 days. The results of RT-PCR
      showed that the expression of MCP-1, TGF-beta1, alpha-SMA and VEGF in
      hemocoagulase atrox-treated animals were lower than that of cauterization-treated
      animals. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that hemocoagulase atrox as a topical
      hemostatic is safety and efficiently and it can accelerate adventitia restoration
      and decrease intimal proliferation.

PMID- 24228101
TI  - Expression analysis of URI/RMP gene in endometrioid adenocarcinoma by tissue
      microarray immunohistochemistry.
AB  - Multiple studies have recently demonstrated the oncogenic property of URI (or
      RMP, a member of the prefoldin family of molecular chaperones) during progression
      of hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian cancer, and possibly prostate cancer. Most
      recently, we have shown that URI/RMP is up-regulated in cervical cancer, another
      reproductive system tumor beside ovarian and prostate cancers. To investigate if
      URI/RMP also plays a role in other reproductive system tumors, especially in
      endometrioid adenocarcinoma, we analyzed URI/RMP expression in a TMA (tissue
      microarray) containing tissues from 30 cases of endometrioid adenocarcinoma
      (which covers tumor tissues from Grade I through Grade III) and adjacent
      endometrium by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and densitometry analysis using image
      pro plus 6.0 software. Our results showed that the mean density of URI/RMP
      expression in cancerous tissue is slightly higher than that of the adjacent
      endometrial tissue, though not statistically significant (p>0.05). There is no
      significant difference either between the mean density of Grade III cancerous
      tissue and that of Grade I and II cancers. Notably, we detected significantly
      higher signal intensity in cancerous tissue of all 7 Grade III cases than that of
      their adjacent endometrial tissue (p<0.05), suggesting a correlation of URI/RMP
      expression with the differentiation and pathological classification of
      endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Together, our results demonstrate the heterogeneous
      expression of URI/RMP in endometrioid adenocarcinoma. The higher level of URI/RMP
      expression in high-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas compared to tissues of
      adjacent endometrium or gland suggests a diagnostic and possibly, a prognostic
      value of URI/RMP in endometrioid adenocarcinoma. 

PMID- 24228102
TI  - DGKalpha DNA vaccine relieves airway allergic inflammation in asthma model
      possibly via induction of T cell anergy.
AB  - Induction of T cell immune tolerance is thought to be a good method for treatment
      of asthma. Diacylglycerol kinases alpha (DGKalpha), enzymes that catalyze
      phosphorylation of diacylglycerol to produce phosphatidic acid, could inhibit
      diacylglycerol (DAG)-mediated signaling following T-cell receptor engagement and
      prevent T cell hyperactivation, thus playing important roles in the induction of
      T cell anergy. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of DNA
      vaccine encoding DGKalpha gene administration on allergen-induced airway allergic
      inflammation in the murine model of asthma. Animal models were created and
      plasmid containing DGKalpha were constructed. Cytokine production was detected
      after the administration of DGKalpha gene plasmid. Immunization of mice with alum
      adsorbed ovalbumin (OVA) followed by challenged with inhalation of aerosolized
      OVA resulted in the development of airway allergic inflammation. Administration
      of DGKalpha gene before the aerosolized OVA challenge significantly decreased the
      allergic airway inflammation and eosinophil infiltration in bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluid (BALF). Immunization with DGKalpha DNA vaccine decreased OVA
      specific IgE and interleukin 13 (IL-13) levels in sera, and increased the IFN
      gamma level in BALF. The results of the present study provide evidence for the
      potential utility of the administration of DGKalpha DNA vaccine as an approach to
      gene therapy for asthma. 

PMID- 24228103
TI  - In vivo biocompatibility of the PLGA microparticles in parotid gland.
AB  - Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles are used in various disorders
      for the controlled or sustained release of drugs, with the management of salivary
      gland pathologies possible using this technology. There is no record of the
      response to such microparticles in the glandular parenchyma. The purpose of this
      study was to assess the morphological changes in the parotid gland when injected
      with a single dose of PLGA microparticles. We used 12 adult female Sprague Dawley
      rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were injected into their right parotid gland with
      sterile vehicle solution (G1, n=4), 0.5 mg PLGA microparticles (G2, n=4), and
      0.75 mg PLGA microparticles (G3, n=4); the microparticles were dissolved in a
      sterile vehicle solution. The intercalar and striated ducts lumen, the thickness
      of the acini and the histology aspect in terms of the parenchyma organization,
      cell morphology of acini and duct system, the presence of polymeric residues, and
      inflammatory response were determined at 14 days post-injection. The
      administration of the compound in a single dose modified some of the morphometric
      parameters of parenchyma (intercalar duct lumen and thickness of the glandular
      acini) but did not induce tissue inflammatory response, despite the visible
      presence of polymer waste. This suggests that PLGA microparticles are
      biocompatible with the parotid tissue, making it possible to use intraglandular
      controlled drug administration. 

PMID- 24228104
TI  - Expression of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) in neuroendocrine
      tumors & adenocarcinomas of pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, and lung.
AB  - Human aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) was initially identified as
      an enzyme in reducing 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT) to 5alpha
      androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol (3alpha-diol) and oxidizing 3alpha-diol to
      androsterone. It was subsequently demonstrated to possess ketosteroid reductase
      activity in metabolizing other steroids including estrogen and progesterone, 11
      ketoprostaglandin reductase activity in metabolizing prostaglandins, and
      dihydrodiol dehydrogenase x (DDx) activity in metabolizing xenobiotics. AKR1C3
      was demonstrated in sex hormone-dependent tissues including testis, breast,
      endometrium, and prostate; in sex hormone-independent tissues including kidney
      and urothelium. Our previous study described the expression of AKR1C3 in squamous
      cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma but not in small cell carcinoma. In this
      report, we studied the expression of AKR1C3 in normal tissue, adenocarcinomas (43
      cases) and neuroendocrine (NE) tumors (40 cases) arising from the aerodigestive
      tract and pancreas. We demonstrated wide expression of AKR1C3 in superficially
      located mucosal cells, but not in NE cells. AKR1C3-positive immunoreactivity was
      detected in 38 cases (88.4%) of adenocarcinoma, but only in 7 cases (17.5%) of NE
      tumors in all cases. All NE tumors arising from the pancreas and appendix and
      most tumors from the colon and lung were negative. The highest ratio of positive
      AKR1C3 in NE tumors was found in tumors arising from the small intestine (50%).
      These results raise the question of AKR1C3's role in the biology of normal
      mucosal epithelia and tumors. In addition, AKR1C3 may be a useful adjunct marker
      for the exclusion of the NE phenotype in diagnostic pathology. 

PMID- 24228105
TI  - High expression of Notch ligand Jagged2 is associated with the metastasis and
      recurrence in urothelial carcinoma of bladder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Notch signaling pathway is closely related with human organ
      development and tumorgenisis. Jagged2 is among the most popular topic in Notch
      studies currently. Recent studies found its vital role in tumor metastasis in
      breast cancer; however, its expression profile and its prognostic value in
      urothelial carcinoma of bladder have not been investigated. METHODS:
      Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Jagged2 in 120 bladder
      urothelial carcinoma. Moreover, the expression of Jagged2 was analyzed by Western
      blot in 60 bladder urothelial carcinoma and 20 normal epithelial tissues. MTT
      assay and flow cytometry and transwell assay were used to examine the
      proliferative and invasive ability of bladder cancer cells with the treatment of
      GSIXX (the inhibitor of Jagged2). Prognostic value of Jagged2 expression and its
      correlation with tumor metastasis and recurrence were evaluated, and the
      proliferative and invasive ability and cell cycle process of the bladder cancer
      cells were detected as well. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher Jagged2
      expressions in bladder urothelial carcinoma and highly invasive bladder T24 cells
      than those in bladder normal tissues and the superficial bladder BIU-87 cells.
      Jagged2 expression was positively correlated with histological grade, p T stage,
      recurrence, and metastasis. With the increasing concentration of GSIXX, we found
      that not only the cell proliferation and invasion activity decreased
      significantly, but also the cell cycle was blocked at G2/M stage. CONCLUSIONS:
      Jagged2 expression status was closely correlated with important histopathologic
      characteristics (grades and stages) and the recurrence and metastasis of bladder
      urothelial carcinomas. Furthermore, Jagged2 played an important function on the
      bladder cancer cells' proliferation by regulating the cancer cell cycle from G1/S
      to G2/M and probably promoted the invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer.

PMID- 24228106
TI  - Cyclosporin A enhances the ability of trophoblasts to displace the activated
      human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers.
AB  - Transformation of the spiral arteries including the displacement of vascular
      endothelial cells by extravillous trophoblasts is an essential prerequisite to
      normal placentation. However, the activated endothelial cells resist the invasion
      of trophoblasts, which contributes to the pathologies of some pregnant disorders.
      Our previous studies have demonstrated that Cyclosporin A (CsA) promotes the
      migration and invasion of human first-trimester trophoblasts. In the present
      study, we further investigated whether CsA could promote the ability of
      trophoblasts to displace the activated human umbilical vein endothelial cell
      (HUVEC) monolayers and the possible molecular mechanisms. Human choriocarcinoma
      Jar cells were used as a model of invasive trophoblasts. CsA pretreated JAR cells
      (red) were added to HUVEC monolayers (green) activated with either necrotic JAR
      cells or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). The ability of JAR cells to
      displace HUVECs from the monolayers was examined by confocal microscopy. The
      effects of CsA on Titin and E-cadherin expression, matrix metalloproteinases
      (MMPs) activity and CXCL12 secretion of JAR cells were evaluated by western blot,
      gelatin zymography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.
      We found that CsA pretreatment increased the ability of JAR cells to displace
      activated HUVECs from the monolayers. However, the displacement was reduced by
      untreated JAR cells. Moreover, CsA pretreatment up-regulated Titin expression,
      down-regulated E-cadherin expression, improved MMP2 and MMP9 activity, and
      increased the CXCL12 secretion in JAR cells. These results indicate that CsA may
      improve the trophoblast invasion to activated HUVEC monolayers through different
      downstream targets, and ultimately, improve the transformation and remodeling of
      spiral arteries. 

PMID- 24228107
TI  - Proteomic analysis of knock-down HLA-G in invasion of human trophoblast cell line
      JEG-3.
AB  - Previous studies showed that aberrant HLA-G expression in trophoblast cells plays
      important roles in trophoblast invasion; however, the mechanisms remain to be
      explored. In this study, we found that suppressed HLA-G expression could
      dramatically decrease the mRNA and protein expression levels of matrix
      metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9, and in the proteome assay,
      there were 3 identified proteins namely, prefoldin 1, eukaryotic translation
      elongation factor 2 and malate dehydrogenase 2, which were verified by Western
      blot and known to be associated with invasion, cell cycle and cell metabolism,
      respectively. Collectively, our study indicated a potential involvement of HLA-G
      in autocrine networks that may regulate prefoldin, MMPs and trophoblast invasion
      at the maternal-fetal interface in human pregnancy. 

PMID- 24228108
TI  - ZFX knockdown inhibits growth and migration of non-small cell lung carcinoma cell
      line H1299.
AB  - ZFX (zinc finger transcription factor, X chromosome-linked) contributes to the
      maintenance of different types of stem cells and the progression of various
      cancers. We have previously reported that ZFX knockdown inhibits proliferation of
      glioma in vitro and in vivo. Since overexpression of ZFX in lung cancer tissue
      correlates with lymph node metastasis, we hypothesized that ZFX may play a role
      in lung cancer. In this study, we identified ZFX as a promoter of lung cancer
      growth and migration in a NSCLC (non-small cell lung carcinoma) cell line H1299.
      ZFX knockdown caused proliferation inhibition determined by MTT assay and colony
      formation assay, G0/G1 arrest of cell cycle and slightly increased proportion of
      apoptotic cells assessed by flow cytometry assay, decreased population of
      migrating cells showed by wound-healing assay, increased cell senescence
      evidenced by senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining. ZFX knockdown
      also led to decreased proportion of tumor bearing mice and reduced mean tumor
      volume in a subcutaneous tumor model. In addition, western blot showed that ZFX
      knockdown down regulated a set of proteins involved in proliferation, survival
      and motility. Altogether, these results suggest that ZFX may be a potential
      therapeutic target for NSCLC. 

PMID- 24228109
TI  - Correlation between platelet-derived growth factor signaling pathway and
      inflammation in desoxycorticosterone-induced salt-sensitive hypertensive rats
      with myocardial fibrosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether inflammation could excessively activate
      platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathway in desoxycorticosterone
      (DOCA) induced salt-sensitive hypertensive rats with myocardial fibrosis (MF).
      METHODS: A total of 30 male SD rats underwent right nephrectomy and then bred
      with 1% sodium chloride and 0.1% potassium chloride for 2 weeks. These animals
      were randomly divided into 3 groups: CON group, DOCA group and DOCA+FAS group.
      Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured once every 2 weeks; HE staining was
      done to observe myocardial inflammation; immunohistochemistry was done to detect
      expressions of monocyte-macrophage antigen (ectodermal dysplasia 1, ED-1),
      PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta in the myocardium; real time fluorescence quantitative
      PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expressions of DGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C, PDGF-D,
      PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta. RESULTS: The SBP in DOCA group and DOCA+FAS group
      increased markedly when compared with CON group (P<0.01), but there was no marked
      difference between DOCA group and DOCA+FAS group (P>0.05). At 14 days, in DOCA
      group, the myocardial inflammation was obvious, ED-1 expression increased
      markedly, the mRNA expressions of PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C, PDGFRalpha and
      PDGFRbeta increased to different extents, protein expressions of PDGFRalpha and
      PDGFRbeta also elevated markedly (P<0.01), but the PDGF-D mRNA expression
      remained unchanged, when compared with CON group. After treatment with fasudil (a
      drug with anti-inflammatory activity), myocardial inflammation was significantly
      attenuated, mRNA expressions of PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C and PDGFRalpha as well as
      PDGFRalpha protein expression reduced dramatically (P<0.01), but the mRNA and
      protein expressions of PDGFRbeta remained unchanged (P>0.05) when compared with
      DOCA group. CONCLUSION: In DOCA/salt induced hypertensive rats with MF, excessive
      activation of PDGF/PDGFR signaling pathway is involved in myocardial
      inflammation.

PMID- 24228110
TI  - Diagnostic and therapeutic implications of a novel immunohistochemical panel
      detecting duodenal mucosal invasion by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated a series of pancreaticoduodenectomy and duodenal
      biopsies with a panel of immunohistochemical markers to identify duodenal mucosal
      invasion by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), including markers of poor
      prognosis and targets of promising novel immunotherapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Eighteen consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomy specimens with duodenal mucosal
      invasion by PDAC were examined for expression of MUC1, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC6,
      mesothelin, MUC2, CDX2, and DPC4 on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of
      duodenal-ampullary-pancreatic junctions. Expression of all but MUC6 was also
      assessed in duodenal biopsies from 12 patients with duodenal mucosal invasion by
      PDAC. RESULTS: The duodenal mucosa expressed MUC1 (crypts), MUC2 (goblet cells),
      MUC6 (Brunner glands), CDX2, and DPC4. PDACs in the duodenal mucosa from the
      resection (n=16-18) and biopsy (n=12) specimens were marked as follows: MUC1 100%
      (30/30), MUC4 83% (24/29), MUC5AC 83% (25/30), mesothelin 82% (23/28), MUC2 7%
      (2/30), and CDX2 36% (10/28). Loss of DPC4 expression was seen in 16 of 29 (55%)
      cases. Reactive mucosa adjacent to PDAC expressed MUC4, MUC5AC and mesothelin in
      65% (17/26), 19% (5/27), and 19% (5/26) of cases, respectively. While MUC5AC and
      mesothelin had high diagnostic accuracy for detection of PDAC, MUC2, CDX2 and
      DPC4 expression demonstrated negative correlation with PDAC, with absent
      expression being highly specific for PDAC. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical
      labeling for PDAC biomarkers may aid the diagnosis of PDAC in duodenal biopsy,
      especially in situations where diagnosis of a pancreatic mass is challenging.

PMID- 24228111
TI  - Effect of GnRH-II on the ESC proliferation, apoptosis and VEGF secretion in
      patients with endometriosis in vitro.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of GnRH-II on the cell proliferation, apoptosis
      and secreting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of ectopic, eutopic and
      normal endometrial stromal cells (ESC) from patients with or without
      endometriosis (EMs) in vitro. METHODS: The ectopic, eutopic and normal ESC were
      isolated, cultured and identified, then added 0 M, 10(-10) M, 10(-8) M, 10(-6) M
      GnRH-II. The growth and proliferation of three ESC were measured by MTT assay;
      the cell apoptosis were detected with the method of Hoechst staining and Flow
      Cytometry test; ELISA was used to measure the VEGF concentration change by three
      ESC secretion. RESULTS: GnRH-II inhibited the proliferation of ectopic, eutopic
      ESC from patients with endometriosis and normal ESC from control patients, in a
      dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05); GnRH-II increased the apoptotic rate of
      three ESC in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05); The concentration of VEGF in three
      ESC was significantly decreased after the treatment of GnRH-II, in a dose
      dependent manner (P<0.01); And these above effects were the strongest on the
      ectopic than on the eutopic or normal, there were statistical significance
      (P<0.05); and three was no significantly difference between the eutopic and
      normal (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GnRH-II significantly inhibited the cell
      proliferation, induced cell apoptosis and decreased the VEGF secreting of
      ectopic, eutopic and normal ESC in EMs in vitro, and these effects were the
      strongest on ectopic ESC, which suggested that GnRH-II may become a new effective
      treatment for endometriosis.

PMID- 24228112
TI  - High expression of biglycan is associated with poor prognosis in patients with
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Biglycan (BGN), an extracellular matrix component, has been reported to play a
      crucial role in the tumor progression of various cancers. However, the relation
      between the expression of BGN and clinical prognosis has not been studied yet. We
      therefore carry out the present study to elucidate the role of BGN in predicting
      outcomes of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this
      study, the expression of BGN in 170 cases of ESCC tissues and matched 46 adjacent
      non-tumorous tissues was measured by quantitative real-time PCR and
      immunohistochemistry. Upregulation of BGN occurred in approximately 60% of
      primary ESCCs compared with their non-tumor counterparts. In addition, high
      expression of BGN was significantly associated with clinical stage (P = 0.009),
      tumor invasion (P = 0.006) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.046). The 5-year
      disease-specific survival (DSS) in high expression of BGN group is poorer than
      that in low level expression group (36.8% VS 57.4%, P = 0.006). Stratified
      analysis according to the pathological stage revealed its discernibility on DSS
      was only pronounced in patients with advanced clinical stage (P = 0.010). Cox
      multivariate analysis revealed that pathologic N category (P < 0.001; hazard
      ratio, 2.482, 95% CI, 1.576-3.909) and BGN expression (P = 0.019; hazard ratio,
      1.713, 95% CI, 1.092-2.688) were two independent prognostic factors. The findings
      of the present study provide evidence that BGN represents a potential novel
      prognostic biomarker for resected ESCC patients in advanced clinical stage. 

PMID- 24228113
TI  - Systemic mesenchymal stem cells reduce growth rate of cisplatin-resistant ovarian
      cancer.
AB  - Epithelial ovarian cancer is one of the most malignant cancers in women and
      resistant to chemotherapy is the major obstacle for the five-year survival rate.
      Cisplatin is one of the effective anticancer drug used in the ovarian cancer. To
      find a good strategy to cure the tumors which is resistant to cisplatin, the
      cisplatin-resistant 3SKOV3 cells were selected from SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells.
      Furthermore, the isolated mesenchymal stem cells were infused systemically to try
      to cure the transplanted tumor induced by 3SKOV3 cells in nude mice. The
      morphology and cell membrane CD44 expression were investigated by microscope and
      flow cytometry. The biological behaviors of resistant 3SKOV3 and its parental
      SKOV3 cells, including proliferation, adhesion, and cell cycle were determined by
      CCK8, absorbance assay and FCM methods. The transplanted tumors were set up in
      nude mice with 3SKOV3 cells injection. The growth rate of transplanted tumors was
      detected following with MSCs injection. The 3SKOV3 cells have different
      morphologic manifestation and expressed high level of CD44 molecule. At the same
      time, 3SKOV3 cells have less adhesion ability and less S-phase ratio. The
      isolated MSCs from bone marrow could inhibit the growth of transplanted tumor via
      systemic injection. The cisplatin-resistant 3SKOV3 cells have the different
      biological behaviors as its parental SKOV3 cells. The present study indicated
      that systemic MSCs have the therapeutic role on ovarian cancer. However, further
      investigations are in progress to elucidate the underlying mechanism. 

PMID- 24228114
TI  - High expression of inositol polyphosphate phosphatase-like 1 associates with
      unfavorable survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Inositol polyphosphate phosphatase-like 1 (INPPL1), also known as SH2-containing
      inositol 5'-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2), has been suggested to act downstream of the
      PI3K/AKT pathway and play an important function in tumor development and
      progression. However, the associations between SHIP2 expression and the clinical
      features to determine its clinicopathologic significance in hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) have not been investigated. In the present study, one-step
      quantitative PCR reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and
      immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis with HCC tissue microarrays (TMA) were
      employed to evaluate the expression of SHIP2 in HCC. The results showed that
      SHIP2 expression in the mRNA and protein levels was significantly higher in HCC
      tissue than in corresponding non-cancerous tissue (p = 0.0014 and p < 0.001,
      respectively). The expression of SHIP2 protein in HCC was related to tumor
      differentiation, alpha-fetoprotein level, liver cirrhosis, and five-year survival
      rate (all p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test indicated that high
      expression of SHIP2 (p = 0.017) and tumor differentiation (p = 0.036) showed
      significant correlations with poor prognosis of HCC patients. The data indicate
      that SHIP2 expression is correlated with significant characteristics of HCC, and
      it may be useful as an unfavorable prognostic factor in HCC. 

PMID- 24228115
TI  - Hepatorenal syndrome: insights into the mechanisms of intra-abdominal
      hypertension.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hepatorenal syndrome is one of the serious complications of cirrhosis
      and closely associated with the increasing intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). The
      study aims to explore the potential mechanism of intra-abdominal hypertension in
      the development of hepatorenal syndrome in mouse models. METHODS: Eighty male
      mice were randomly divided into model group (subcutaneous injection of carbon
      tetrachloride) and control group (subcutaneous injection of olive oil). After 12
      weeks, parts of the mice were sacrificed and liver histopathology was detected.
      Then, albumin (30 g/L) and normal saline were separately injected into the
      peritoneal cavity of mice to induce the different IAP levels (0, 5, 10 and
      20cmH2O). Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and renal histopathology were
      examined 24 hours later. RESULTS: Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels
      were statistically significant high in the group of IAP= 10 and 20cmH2O as
      compared with the IAP= 0cmH2O. From results of renal histopathology, the
      constrictive renal tubular lumen and inflammatory infiltration in the
      interstitial were observed in groups of IAP= 5 and 10cmH2O. Besides, the formed
      casts and hyperemia in the renal interstitial could be detected in group of IAP=
      20cmH2O. The cellular swelling and edema of renal tubular epithelial cells were
      found in model group simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that intra
      abdominal hypertension was a significant pathological mechanism and a potential
      independent risk factor of hepatorenal syndrome.

PMID- 24228116
TI  - An improved method for the isolation and culture of rat epidermal stem cells.
AB  - The management of burns and injuries using novel treatment strategies involving
      epidermal stem cells (ESC) requires a better understanding of the biology of
      these cells, in particular, their isolation and the maintenance of their unique
      characteristics in culture. The purpose of this study was to describe an improved
      method for isolating putative ESC from fetal rat skin and to maintain them long
      term in culture. Single ESC suspensions were obtained from fetal rat skin by
      enzyme digestion containing 0.5% neutral protease. The target cells were
      harvested by rapid adherence on type IV collagen plates and were cultured in
      complex DMEM. After primary isolation, cells were continuously cultured in K
      serum free medium. After reaching 70-80% confluence, the cells were digested with
      0.25% trypsin at 37 degrees C for 5-10 minutes, and passaged at a ratio of 1:2.
      The cultured ESC showed good growth, resulting in cell viability of over 98%.
      Four days later, clones containing 100-200 cells were detected, showing
      cobblestone-like characteristics. The rapidly adherent cells were positive for
      keratin 15, 19 and P63. Eighty three percent of cells expressed beta1 integrin.
      The growth-curve showed that the rapidly adherent cells were in the exponential
      growth phase. The protocol described in this paper provides a simplified and
      effective method to isolate and maintain long-term culture of epidermal stem
      cells from fetal rat skin. This method should be valuable for isolating and
      studying ESC from various transgenic rat lines that are currently available. 

PMID- 24228117
TI  - Loss of RhoGDI is a novel independent prognostic factor in hepatocellular
      carcinoma.
AB  - RhoGDI (Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor alpha or RhoGDIalpha) has been identified
      as a regulator of Rho GTPases, which are essential for tumor progression, but its
      role in cancer remains controversial and little is known in hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed RhoGDI expression in 147
      clinicopathologically characterized HCC cases. RhoGDI expression was detected in
      cytoplasm of HCC tissues. Statistical analysis showed that there was no
      relationship between RhoGDI expression and clinicopathological features.
      Importantly, a significant trend was identified between loss of RhoGDI expression
      in HCC and worsening clinical prognosis. Multivariate survival analysis showed
      that negative RhoGDI expression was recognized as an independent prognostic
      factor of patient's survival. Our results suggest that RhoGDI protein is a
      valuable marker of prognosis for patients with HCC. 

PMID- 24228118
TI  - High frequency of coexpression of maspin with p63 and p53 in squamous cell
      carcinoma but not in adenocarcinoma of the lung.
AB  - Maspin, a member of the serpin family of protease inhibitors, has been shown to
      inhibit tumor growth and suppress metastasis in several malignancies, including
      lung cancer. Previous studies have reported that p63 and p53 control maspin
      expression by transactivating the promoter. The present study analyzed
      immunohistochemical studies to determine the expression and coexpression patterns
      of maspin, p63 and p53 in non-small cell lung carcinoma, specifically squamous
      cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The results showed that 83/86 cases (96.5%) of
      squamous cell carcinoma and 82/161 cases (50.9%) of adenocarcinoma included in
      this study were positive for maspin. There were 79/86 cases (91.9%) of squamous
      cell carcinoma and 16/161 cases (9.9%) of adenocarcinoma with positive expression
      for p63. In addition, 77/86 cases (89.5%) of squamous cell carcinoma and 99/161
      cases (61.5%) of adenocarcinoma were positive for p53. Maspin, p63 and p53
      expression were each significantly higher in squamous cell carcinoma than
      adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinomas more highly coexpress maspin and p63, as
      well as maspin and p53, when compared with adenocarcinomas. The high frequency of
      coexpression of maspin and p63, as well as maspin and p53, in squamous cell
      carcinoma, suggests that p63 and p53 may be involved in the pathway to control
      maspin expression. Therapeutic targeting on maspin, p63 and p53 molecules might
      be beneficial in the management of patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the
      lung in the future. 

PMID- 24228119
TI  - CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether four single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CTLA-4 gene are associated with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a Chinese population. METHODS: Samples
      were collected from a Chinese population and analyzed for the association of SNPs
      in CTLA-4 gene with COPD in a case-control study. Four SNPs (rs231775, rs3087243,
      rs231725, rs5742909) in CTLA-4 gene were chosen and genotyped. The results were
      then analyzed using statistical methods. RESULTS: We found that none of these
      four SNPs (rs231775, rs3087243, rs231725, rs5742909) in CTLA-4 gene were
      associated with the disease. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that there was no
      significant association between these four SNPs in CTLA-4 gene and COPD
      susceptibility in a Chinese population.

PMID- 24228120
TI  - Correlation between chemosensitivity to anticancer drugs and Bcl-2 expression in
      gastric cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate chemoresistance of human gastric cancer to
      chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro and explore the relationship with Bcl-2 protein
      expression. METHODS: Single-cell suspensions were prepared from freshly excised
      samples of primary gastric cancer, and were separately exposed to taxol (TAX),
      cisplatin (CDDP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), adriamycin (ADM) and mitomycin (MMC) for
      48 h. The induction of cell death was confirmed by microscopic analysis of cell
      morphology. Metabolic activity and the inhibitory rate (IR) of cells were
      evaluated by MTT assay. Expression of Bcl-2 was determined by
      immunohistochemistry of gastric cancer tissue samples. RESULTS: The IRs of cancer
      cells exposed to different chemotherapeutic drugs varied as follows: the IRs for
      TAX, CDDP and 5-FU were significantly higher than those for ADM and MMC (P <
      0.01). Poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells were more sensitive than well
      differentiated cells (P = 0.021). The positive rate of Bcl-2 expression was 80%,
      and Bcl-2 expression was significantly associated with chemoresistance to 5-FU
      (r(s) = 0.265, P = 0.041), ADM (r(s) = 0.425, P = 0.001) and MMC (r(s) = 0.40, P
      = 0.002). Furthermore, Bcl-2 expression was strongly associated with lymph node
      metastasis in gastric cancer (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of Bcl-2 may
      predict a loss of the efficacy of the chemotherapy drugs 5-FU, ADM and MMC in
      patients with gastric cancer.

PMID- 24228121
TI  - Occurrence of anaplastic large cell lymphoma following IgG4-related autoimmune
      pancreatitis and cholecystitis and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
AB  - IgG4-related sclerosing disease is an established disease entity with
      characteristic clinicopathological features. Recently, the association between
      IgG4-related sclerosing disease and the risk of malignancies has been suggested.
      IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis with pancreatic cancer has been reported.
      Further, a few cases of extraocular malignant lymphoma in patients with IgG4
      related sclerosing disease have also been documented. Herein, we describe the
      first documented case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) following IgG4
      related autoimmune pancreatitis and cholecystitis and diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma (DLBCL). A 61-year-old Japanese male, with a past history of DLBCL, was
      detected with swelling of the pancreas and tumorous lesions in the gallbladder.
      Histopathological study of the resected gallbladder specimen revealed diffuse
      lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with fibrosclerosis in the entire gallbladder
      wall. Eosinophilic infiltration and obliterative phlebitis were also noted.
      Immunohistochemically, many IgG4-positive plasma cells had infiltrated into the
      lesion, and the ratio of IgG4/IgG-positive plasma cells was 71.6%. Accordingly, a
      diagnosis of IgG4-related cholecystitis was made. Seven months later, he
      presented with a painful tumor in his left parotid gland. Histopathological study
      demonstrated diffuse or cohesive sheet-like proliferation of large-sized lymphoid
      cells with rich slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and irregular-shaped large
      nuclei. These lymphoid cells were positive for CD30, CD4, and cytotoxic markers,
      but negative for CD3 and ALK. Therefore, a diagnosis of ALK-negative ALCL was
      made. It has been suggested that the incidence of malignant lymphoma may be high
      in patients with IgG4-related sclerosing disease, therefore, intense medical
      follow-up is important in patients with this disorder. 

PMID- 24228123
TI  - Concurrent primary carcinoid tumor arising within mature teratoma and clear cell
      renal cell carcinoma in the horseshoe kidney: report of a rare case and review of
      the literature.
AB  - Primary carcinoid tumor arising in a mature teratoma of the horseshoe kidney is
      exceptionally rare and only 4 such cases have been reported in the world
      literature to date. The simultaneous occurrence of different subtypes of renal
      cell carcinoma (RCC) or RCC coexistence with non-RCC neoplasms from the same
      kidney is unusual and infrequently reported. Herein we report a case of primary
      carcinoid tumor arising within mature teratoma, concurrent with a clear cell RCC
      in the horseshoe kidney of a 37-year-old man. Histologically, both the carcinoid
      tumor and clear cell RCC demonstrated the characteristic morphology in their
      classic forms. In addition to the carcinoid tumor, the mature teratoma consisted
      of variably sized, large cystic spaces lined by cytologically bland mucinous
      columnar epithelium, pseudostratified columnar epithelium, ciliated epithelium
      and mature smooth muscle fibers were also identified within the cystic wall.
      Furthermore, foci of round, small nodules composed of mature prostatic acinus
      were noted in the teratoma which was confirmed by exhibiting strong
      immunoreactivity for prostate specific antigen. The present case serves to expand
      the histologic component that may be encountered in the mature terotoma of the
      kidney and further broadens the spectrum of primary tumors occurring in the
      horseshoe kidney. 

PMID- 24228122
TI  - Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease involving appendix and mesenteric nodes with a
      protracted course: report of a rare case lacking relationship to IgG4-related
      disease and review of the literature.
AB  - Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive
      lymphadenopathy, is a rare disease of unknown etiology that typically presents as
      nodal disease in young children. However, it also can present in various
      extranodal sites and can be difficult to recognize if not considered in the
      differential diagnosis. Here, we report a case of appendix involvement by
      extranodal RDD, which occurred in a 69-year-old woman with a long duration of 12
      years for intermittent right lower quadrant pain. The patient underwent a right
      hemicolectomy for a clinical diagnosis of appendiceal cancer. A mixed
      inflammatory infiltration of mature lymphocytes, plasma cells and histiocytes
      exhibiting emperipolesis were indentified. Other areas had storiform fibrosis and
      sclerosis admixed with numerous plasma cells. These histologic features
      combination with immunoreactivity for CD68 and S100 protein were indicative of a
      diagnosis of extranodal RDD. We discuss the clinical, pathologic findings as well
      as differential diagnoses and consideration of a possible relationship of this
      entity to IgG4-related lesion. 

PMID- 24228125
TI  - Prominent mucoid degeneration of the parotid gland in a patient with systemic
      lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Lupus erythematosus (LE) can cause various cutaneous lesions including
      panniculitis (LE profundus), but salivary gland involvement has been extremely
      rare in patients with LE. Herein, we report the first documented case of systemic
      LE with prominent mucoid degeneration and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in the
      parotid gland. A 38-year-old Japanese male with histories of autoimmune hemolytic
      anemia and systemic LE presented with a swelling of the bilateral cervical
      region. A physical examination revealed a swelling of the bilateral parotid gland
      and erythema of the right cheek. A biopsy specimen of the cheek demonstrated LE
      profundus with mucoid material deposition in the dermis. A biopsy specimen of the
      parotid gland showed lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and prominent mucoid material
      deposition within the parotid gland as well as mild lymphoplasmacytic
      infiltration and hyaline fat necrosis in the perisalivary tissue. Mucoid material
      deposition is one of the characteristic features of LE, however, this is the
      first case demonstrating mucoid material deposition in the salivary gland.
      Moreover, albeit extremely rare, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration within the
      lobules of the salivary gland has also been reported in patients with LE.
      Therefore, it is important that both lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and mucoid
      material deposition must be included in the differential diagnostic
      considerations for salivary gland tumors in patients who had been previously
      diagnosed as systemic or discoid LE. 

PMID- 24228124
TI  - A case of bilateral renal cell carcinoma associated with long-term dialysis
      showing false-positive immunoreactivity for TFE3 as Xp11 translocation renal cell
      carcinoma.
AB  - Renal carcinomas associated with Xp11.2 translocations/transcription factor 3
      (TFE3) gene fusion (Xp11 translocation RCC) are a rare subtype of renal cell
      carcinoma. A middle-aged Japanese man, who had a medical history of dialysis for
      more than 12 years, had bilateral renal cancers with a background of acquired
      cystic disease of the kidney and remarkable deposition of calcium oxalate in the
      tumorous area. The right renal tumor showed papillary architecture of clear cells
      with diffuse and strong immunoreactivity for TFE3 and focal and weak positivity
      for cathepsin K, suggesting a possibility of Xp11 translocation RCC. However, RT
      PCR failed to detect any type of the reported fusion genes involving TFE3. Thus,
      the sample was sent for a TFE3 break-apart FISH assay in a renal tumor
      consultation service, which reported no evidence of TFE3 gene rearrangement. The
      right renal tumor was finally diagnosed as papillary renal cell carcinoma with
      cystic change. We report here a case of bilateral renal cell carcinoma in a
      patient undergoing long-term dialysis, which showed false-positive
      immunoreactivity for TFE3 immunostaining. Titration of TFE3 immunohistochemical
      staining (IHC) should be performed and cross-referenced with the FISH or RT-PCR
      results to avoid the misinterpretation of TFE3 IHC results.

PMID- 24228126
TI  - Mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma with K-ras mutation arising in type 1
      congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation: a case report with review of the
      literature.
AB  - Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lung is a rare
      hamartomatous cystic lesion, characterized by the presence of large cysts, which
      are histopathologically lined by pseudostratified ciliated cells. It has been
      recognized that rare cases of type 1 CCAM show malignant transformation, usually
      bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) or adenocarcinoma. Herein, we describe a case
      of BAC arising in type 1 CCAM with K-ras mutation. A 9-year-old Japanese girl
      presented with fever. Computed tomography demonstrated large cystic lesions in
      her right lower lung. Histopathological study of the resected specimen revealed
      multiple cysts, which were lined by pseudostratified ciliated cells, and
      occasionally interspersed with mucous cells without atypia. A small focus of
      proliferation of columnar cells showing lepidic growth pattern was present. These
      columnar cells had abundant mucin in the cytoplasm and mildly to moderately
      enlarged nuclei. Accordingly, a diagnosis of BAC arising in type 1 CCAM was made.
      Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed K-ras mutation at codon 12 in the BAC
      component. The presence of mucous cell/goblet cell hyperplasia and atypical
      adenomatous hyperplasia is a well known phenomenon in type 1 CCAM. A recent study
      clearly demonstrated K-ras mutation in these lesions, which are thought to be
      precursors of BAC. Therefore, the concept of malignant transformation in the
      sequence from type 1 CCAM to mucous cell hyperplasia to atypical adenomatous
      hyperplasia to BAC and invasive adenocarcinoma due to K-ras mutation has been
      proposed. Careful histopathological analysis is important for evaluation of
      malignant lesions in type 1 CCAM. 

PMID- 24228127
TI  - Sustained complete remission of a limited-stage blastic plasmacytoid dendritic
      cell neoplasm followed by a simultaneous combination of low-dose DeVIC therapy
      and radiation therapy: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - The patient was a 74-year-old man who was found to have a cutaneous mass on his
      left shoulder in February 2012. Because the mass bled easily and was tending to
      grow, total resection of the cutaneous tumor, which measured approximately 5 cm x
      3 cm, was performed in July. Histopathological examination revealed a tumor that
      extended from the dermis to the cutaneous adipose tissue, but no invasion of the
      epidermis was seen. The tumor cells were plasmacytoid cells ranging in size from
      small to intermediate, and there was no nuclear irregularity. They had a high
      nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, and nucleoli were observed. The tumor cells were CD4
      positive, CD56-positive, and CD123-positive, and they were AE1/AE3-negative, CD3
      negative, CD20-negative, and myeloperoxidase-negative. (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose
      positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT), a bone marrow
      examination, etc., were performed, but no lesions were detected at other sites.
      Based on the above findings a diagnosis of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell
      neoplasm (BPDCN), Stage IEA, was made. Because the patient had limited-stage
      BPDCN and was elderly, we treated him with a simultaneous combination of low-dose
      DeVIC (dexamethasone, VP16, ifosfamide, and carboplatin) therapy and local
      radiation therapy (LRT) and sustained a complete remission for approximately 1
      year. Simultaneous combination of non-CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin,
      vincristine, and prednisone) chemotherapy and LRT appeared to be useful in the
      treatment of limited-stage BPDCN even in the elderly. 

PMID- 24228128
TI  - Histiocytoid breast carcinoma: a case report showing immunohistochemical
      profiles.
AB  - Histiocytoid breast carcinoma (HBC) is a rare type of breast cancer with a
      controversial histogenesis. Here we describe a case report of a 65-year old woman
      with HBC. The patient presented with two masses in the right breast.
      Histopathologically, the tumors consisted of a diffuse infiltration of large
      tumor cells and histological components of carcinoma in situ and atypical lobular
      hyperplasia were also observed. The infiltration pattern was similar to that of
      invasive lobular carcinoma with targetoid and Indian file arrangements. The
      invasive histiocytoid cells had finely granular, eosinophilic to vesicular
      cytoplasm and nuclei with a bland uniform appearance, a single small eosinophilic
      nucleolus and finely granular chromatin. We compared the immunohistochemical
      profiles of 17 breast cancer markers between invasive carcinoma, carcinoma in
      situ, atypical lobular hyperplasia and normal breast epithelium. Although they
      all shared the same reactivity for many of the proteins, they exhibited
      differences in GCDFP-15, E-cadherin, P120, CEA, HER-2, ER and PR expression, and
      these are discussed. This is the first case study of two HBC masses occurring in
      one breast simultaneously. By analyzing and comparing their morphologic
      characteristics and spectrum of immunohistochemical expression, our study
      supports the view that HBC is a variant of lobular carcinoma and our findings may
      assist in future diagnoses of HBC. 

PMID- 24228129
TI  - Florid diffuse peritoneal deciduosis mimicking carcinomatosis in a primigravida
      patient: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - A case of a 27 year old G1P0 female with a dichorionic, diamniotic twin pregnancy
      presenting with premature rupture of membranes found to have omental caking and
      diffuse yellow-tan peritoneal nodules, clinically suspicious for carcinomatosis.
      The case work-up showed this to be an example of florid-diffuse peritoneal
      deciduosis mimicking carcinomatosis which has since resolved 4 months postpartum.

PMID- 24228130
TI  - An adult case of systemic Epstein-Barr virus-positive T/natural killer-cell
      lymphoproliferative disorder with good outcome.
AB  - Epstein-Barr virus-positive T/natural killer (NK)-cell lymphoproliferative
      disorder (EBV+T/NK LPD) encompasses a heterogeneous group of disorders that have
      a common feature with excessive lymphoid proliferation of mainly T cells and/or
      NK cells. This disease is rare, predominantly affects children and young adults,
      and associated with high mortality. Herein, we report a case of EBV+T/NK LPD that
      occurred in an old woman with good outcome. The patient presented with fever,
      splenomegaly, and pancytopenia. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen
      showed splenomegaly. The clinical impression was a malignant tumor of spleen, so
      splenectomy was performed. Microscopically, the architecture of the spleen was
      preserved. The white pulp Malpighian corpuscles were atrophied. The red pulp
      showed intact sinusoids and pulp cords with increased cellular infiltrate. The
      proliferating lymphoid cells were mostly small lymphoid cells with minimal or no
      nuclear atypia, mixed with rare medium-sized or large cells. Immunohistochemical
      study and in-situ hybridization showed that the EBER-positive lymphoid cells were
      positive for CD3 and CD56. They were also positive for cytotoxic molecules, such
      as T-cell restricted intracellular antigen (TIA1), granzyme B. The case exhibited
      polyclonal rearrangement of T-cell receptor gene (TCR) by polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) studies. Without radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the patient is
      alive and well with no evidence of disease 25 months after surgery. 

PMID- 24228131
TI  - Metastasis of lung adenosquamous carcinoma to meningioma: case report with
      literature review.
AB  - The occurrence of metastasis of a systemic neoplasm to an intracranial tumor is a
      rare phenomenon. Meningiomas have been reported as the most common intracranial
      tumor to harbor a systemic metastasis, with breast and lung carcinomas being the
      most common sites of origination. Here, we report a case of an adenocarcinoma
      metastasis of an adenosquamous lung carcinoma found within a meningioma,
      resulting in the patient's first clinical manifestations. We also review the
      literature for other cases of adenocarcinoma metastatic to a meningioma and
      suggest mechanisms that make meningiomas likely to harbor systemic metastases
      including increased vascularity, slow growth rate, increased hyaline content and
      expression of cell-cell adhesion molecules. 

PMID- 24228132
TI  - Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive large B-cell lymphoma: a case report with
      emphasis on the cytological features of the pleural effusion.
AB  - Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive large B-cell lymphoma (ALK-positive
      LBCL) is an extremely rare distinct clinicopathological subtype of LBCL,
      characterized by the presence of ALK-positive monomorphic large immunoblast-like
      neoplastic B cells. Herein, we describe the first cytological report on ALK
      positive LBCL in the pleural effusion. A 69-year-old Japanese male with a past
      history of malignant lymphoma of the cecum presented with progressive dyspnea and
      pleural effusion. Removal of the pleural effusion and aspiration of bone marrow
      were performed. May-Grunwald-Giemsa stain of the pleural fluid revealed abundant
      single or small aggregates of large-sized round cells. These cells had centrally
      located large round to oval nuclei. The peculiar finding was the presence of
      pseudopodial cytoplasmic projections, and some neoplastic cells had eosinophilic
      pseudopodial cytoplasmic projections, which resembled "flaming plasma cells".
      Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies of the bone marrow demonstrated
      CD138(+), ALK1(+), CD20(-), CD79a(-), CD30(-), and IgA(+) large-sized neoplastic
      cells. Therefore, a diagnosis of ALK-positive LBCL was made. The peculiar finding
      of the present case was that most of the neoplastic cells had pseudopodial
      cytoplasmic projections, and some of them had eosinophilic pseudopodial
      cytoplasmic projections that resembled "flaming plasma cells", which has been
      recognized as the characteristic finding of IgA myeloma. Therefore, tumor cells
      that resembled "flaming plasma cells" in the pleural effusion may have had IgA in
      the cytoplasm. Albeit extremely rare, ALK-positive LBCL shows aggressive clinical
      course, thus, recognition of the cytomorphological features of this type of
      malignant lymphoma is important for early and correct diagnosis. 

PMID- 24228133
TI  - Dubin-Johnson syndrome with multiple liver cavernous hemangiomas: report of a
      familial case.
AB  - Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) is a rare autosomal recessive inheritance disorder
      of bilirubin metabolism. Herein we reported a complicated but interesting case
      which is readily resulted in misdiagnosis or an indefinite diagnosis, and this is
      the first reported familial case of DJS with multiple liver cavernous
      hemangiomas. A 49-year-old man was referred to our hospital for jaundice and
      multiple low-density liver masses. Extensive laboratory investigations showed
      conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia and positive urine bilirubin. Microscopically,
      lesions were composed of blood-filled vascular channels of various sizes lined by
      a single layer of flat endothelial cells supported by fibrous tissue. Coarse
      brown granules presented in the hepatocytes of the liver lobules locating beside
      the tumor, particularly in the centrilobular hepatocytes, and the granules showed
      blue-green with Schmorl's reaction lipofuscin staining. Interestingly, one of the
      patient's six siblings (female) shared the same condition with him. The
      relationship between DJS and hemangiomas remains unclear, and it might be
      contributed to some hereditary factors, or probably occurred simultaneously by
      chance. It was certified that the true reason for the long-term unclear jaundice
      was DJS, which was presumed clinically to be caused by bile excretion obstacles
      associated with the hemangiomas. Liver biopsy and histochemical stain may be
      helpful to identify the reason of jaundice and avoid misdiagnosis or an
      indefinite diagnosis. 

PMID- 24228134
TI  - Sclerosing Sertoli cell tumor of the testis: a case report with review of the
      literature.

PMID- 24228135
TI  - Prognostic value of cancer stem cell marker CD133 expression in non-small cell
      lung cancer: a systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between CD133-positive non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC) and clinicopathological features and its impact on survival.
      METHODS: A search in the Pubmed, Embase and Wanfang databases (up to July 15,
      2013) was performed. Only articles in which CD133 antigen was detected in situ
      localization by immunohistochemical staining were included. This meta-analysis
      was done using RevMan 5.2 software. Outcomes included overall survival and
      various clinicopathological features. RESULTS: A total of 1004 NSCLC patients
      from 11 studies were included. Meta-analysis showed that CD133 expression
      patients had a significant worse 5-year overall survival compared to the low
      expression ones (RR = 3.19, 95% CI: 2.05-4.98, P<0.0001 fixed random). With
      respect to clinicopathological features, CD133 expression by IHC method was
      closely correlated with tumor T stage (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.59-1.39, P = 0.67
      fixed-effect) and tumor grade (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.80-1.79, P = 0.37 fixed
      effect). CONCLUSION: CD133-positive NSCLC patients had worse prognosis, and was
      associated with common clinicopathological poor prognostic factors.

PMID- 24228136
TI  - Cross-kingdom sequence similarities between human micro-RNAs and plant viruses.
AB  - Micro-RNAs regulate the expression of cellular and tissue phenotypes at a post
      transcriptional level through a complex process involving complementary
      interactions between micro-RNAs and messenger-RNAs. Similar nucleotide
      interactions have been shown to occur as cross-kingdom events; for example,
      between plant viruses and plant micro-RNAs and also between animal viruses and
      animal micro-RNAs. In this study, this view is expanded to look for cross-kingdom
      similarities between plant virus and human micro-RNA sequences. A method to
      identify significant nucleotoide sequence similarities between plant viruses and
      hsa micro-RNAs was created. Initial analyses demonstrate that plant viruses
      contain nucleotide sequences which exactly match the seed sequences of human
      micro-RNAs in both parallel and anti-parallel directions. For example, the bean
      common mosaic virus strain NL4 from Colombia contains sequences that match
      exactly the seed sequence for micro-RNA of the hsa-mir-1226 in the parallel
      direction, which suggests a cross-kingdom conservation. Similarly, the rice
      yellow stunt viral cRNA contains a sequence that is an exact match in the anti
      parallel direction to the seed sequence of hsa-micro-RNA let-7b. The functional
      implications of these results need to be explored. The finding of these cross
      kingdom sequence similarities is a useful starting point in support of bench
      level investigations. 

PMID- 24228137
TI  - BRG1, a SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzyme ATPase, is required for maintenance
      of nuclear shape and integrity.
AB  - We recently reported that reducing the levels of BRG1, the catalytic subunit of
      mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes, induces alterations in nuclear
      shape in a breast epithelial cell line. Immunostaining the BRG1 knockdown cells
      with nuclear lamina antibodies revealed a significantly increased frequency of
      grooves, or invaginations, in the nuclei. Disruption of each of the major
      cytoplasmic filament systems (actin, tubulin and cytokeratins) had no impact on
      the BRG1-dependent changes in nuclear shape, indicating that the observed changes
      in nuclear morphology are unlikely to be a result of alterations in the integrity
      of the nuclear-cytoplamic contacts in the cell. We propose that the BRG1
      dependent nuclear shape changes reflect a role for the chromatin remodeling
      enzyme in maintaining the structural integrity of the nucleus via global
      regulation of chromatin structure and dynamics within the nucleus. 

PMID- 24228139
TI  - Prediction of hypotension in spinal anesthesia.

PMID- 24228138
TI  - Neuroprotective effect of ginkgolide B on bupivacaine-induced apoptosis in SH
      SY5Y cells.
AB  - Local anesthetics are used routinely and effectively. However, many are also
      known to activate neurotoxic pathways. We tested the neuroprotective efficacy of
      ginkgolide B (GB), an active component of Ginkgo biloba, against ROS-mediated
      neurotoxicity caused by the local anesthetic bupivacaine. SH-SY5Y cells were
      treated with different concentrations of bupivacaine alone or following
      preincubation with GB. Pretreatment with GB increased SH-SY5Y cell viability and
      attenuated intracellular ROS accumulation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction,
      and ER stress. GB suppressed bupivacaine-induced mitochondrial depolarization and
      mitochondria complex I and III inhibition and increased cleaved caspase-3 and
      Htra2 expression, which was strongly indicative of activation of mitochondria
      dependent apoptosis with concomitantly enhanced expressions of Grp78, caspase-12
      mRNA, protein, and ER stress. GB also improved ultrastructural changes indicative
      of mitochondrial and ER damage induced by bupivacaine. These results implicate
      bupivacaine-induced ROS-dependent mitochondria, ER dysfunction, and apoptosis,
      which can be attenuated by GB through its antioxidant property. 

PMID- 24228140
TI  - Intrathecal injection of magnesium sulfate: shivering prevention during cesarean
      section: a randomized, double-blinded, controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia is known to significantly impair thermoregulation
      and predispose patients to hypothermia. We hypothesized that the addition of an
      intrathecal injection of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) to bupivacaine would improve
      perioperative shivering in female patients undergoing elective caesarean section.
      METHODS: In a block-randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial 72 patients
      scheduled for elective caesarean section with spinal anesthesia were separated
      into two groups. In the treatment group, 2 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine plus 25 mg
      MgSO4 (0.5 ml) were injected intrathecally, and in the control group 2 ml of 0.5%
      bupivacaine plus 0.5 ml normal saline were injected intrathecally. Core
      temperature was measured before and after drug injection at predetermined
      intervals. Sedation was graded using the Ramsay sedation scale. RESULTS: No
      significant intergroup differences in appearance of shivering were seen
      immediately or at 5, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 90 min after block administration.
      However, at 10, 15, and 20 min post block, there was a significant difference in
      shivering. The group administered MgSO4 showed lower shivering grades compared
      with the control group. Core temperature was significantly reduced in the MgSO4
      group compared to the normal saline group 30 min after blocking. CONCLUSIONS:
      Intrathecal injection of MgSO4 improved perioperative shivering in female
      patients undergoing elective caesarean section.

PMID- 24228141
TI  - The comparison of predictive performance in bispectral index prediction during
      target effect-site controlled infusion of propofol using different blood effect
      site equilibration rate constants in the same pharmacokinetic model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Blood-brain equilibration rate constant (ke0 ) is derived from either
      pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling (k e0_model) or a model-independent
      observed time to peak effect (k e0_tpeak). Performance in bispectral index (BIS)
      prediction was compared between k e0_model and k e0_tpeak for microemulsion or
      long chain triglyceride (LCT) propofol. METHODS: Time to peak effect (tpeak, time
      to a maximally reduced BIS value) of microemulsion propofol after an intravenous
      bolus (1 mg/kg) was measured in 100 patients (group Amicro). An observed tpeak of
      1.6 min for LCT propofol was obtained from an earlier study. Another 40 patients
      received a target controlled infusions of microemulsion propofol (k e0_model =
      0.187/min, group Bmicro = 20) or LCT propofol (k e0_model = 0.26/min, group BLCT
      = 20) and remifentanil. The k e0_tpeak's in group Bmicro and BLCT were calculated
      using the observed tpeak value obtained from group Amicro and 1.6 min,
      respectively. Effect-site concentrations of propofol were recalculated using the
      amounts of propofol infused over time and k e0_tpeak's. Predicted BIS values
      calculated by sigmoid Emax equations with k e0_model and k e0_tpeak were compared
      with observed BIS values during induction and emergence for both formulations of
      propofol. RESULTS: Observed tpeak of microemulsion propofol was 1.68 min. The
      median performance errors of BIS in group Bmicro were -1.83% (-24.8 to 18.9, k
      e0_model) and -2.42% (-26.1 to 36.2, k e0_tpeak), while 8.01% (-20.5 to 30.1, k
      e0_model) and 7.37% (-27.0 to 49.1, k e0_tpeak) in group BLCT. The median
      absolute performance errors of BIS in group Bmicro were 11.87% (2.2-31.1k
      e0_model) and 14.38% (-0.6 to 44.6, k e0_tpeak), while 17.31% (5.54-36.0, k
      e0_model) and 18.28% (-0.1 to 56.0, k e0_tpeak) in group BLCT. CONCLUSIONS: The k
      e0_model showed better performance in BIS prediction than the k e0_tpeak.

PMID- 24228142
TI  - Intubating laryngeal mask airway as an independent ventilatory and intubation
      device. A comparison between supine, right lateral and left lateral.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sudden loss of airway in patients in the lateral position has always
      been proven to be difficult to manage with conventional laryngoscopy. We
      performed a randomized controlled trial to prove the success rate of ventilation
      and intubation in the lateral position via intubating laryngeal mask airway
      (ILMA). METHODS: Ninety patients were divided into three groups of 30 patients
      each, positioned supine, right lateral, and left lateral randomly. Each group
      comprised of both sexes of American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I and II,
      aged between 18-55 years with normal airway posted for surgery under general
      anesthesia. Patients were pre-medicated with fentanyl followed by induction with
      propofol and neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium. ILMA was inserted and blind
      tracheal intubation via ILMA was done. The success rate, time taken and the
      number of adjusting maneuvers used for both procedures were recorded. The data
      was tabulated and analyzed using ANOVA (analysis of variance), multiple 't' test
      and chi square. RESULTS: The success rate of intubation (96%) and time taken in
      insertion and intubation was found to be quite similar in all the three groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the ILMA has an important role to play in the
      emergency management of airways in patients in the lateral position in terms of
      ease, success rate and time taken.

PMID- 24228143
TI  - Effects of incrementally increasing tidal volume on the cross-sectional area of
      the right internal jugular vein.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Different tidal volume (TV) settings during mechanical ventilation
      alter intrathoracic blood volume, and these changes could alter central venous
      pressure and the cross sectional area (CSA) of the right internal jugular vein
      (RIJV). The aim of this study was to determine the optimal TV for maximizing the
      CSA of the RIJV in the supine and Trendelenburg positions in anesthetized
      patients. METHODS: Forty patients were randomly allocated to a supine group
      (Group S, n = 20) or a Trendelenburg group (Group T, n = 20) by computer
      generated randomization. RIJV CSAs were measured repeatedly after increasing the
      inspiratory volume in 1 ml/kg increments from a TV of 8 ml/kg to 14 ml/kg using
      ultrasound images. RESULTS: Peak inspiratory pressure increased significantly on
      increasing TV from 11 ml/kg to 14 ml/kg and between baseline (TV 8 ml/kg) and 11
      ml/kg in both groups (P < 0.05). RIJV CSA was not increased versus baseline even
      after TV changes in either group and no intergroup difference was found.
      CONCLUSIONS: TV increases do not increase the CSA of the RIJV within the TV range
      8 to 14 ml/kg in the supine or 10 degrees  Trendelenburg position.

PMID- 24228144
TI  - Heart rate variability as a predictor of hypotension after spinal anesthesia in
      hypertensive patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypotension is a common phenomenon after spinal anesthesia in
      hypertensive patients. We investigated whether heart rate variability could
      predict the occurrence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia in hypertensive
      patients. METHODS: Forty-one patients undergoing spinal anesthesia were included.
      Heart rate variability was measured at five different time points such as before
      fluid loading (baseline), after fluid loading as well as 5 min, 15 min and 30 min
      after spinal anesthesia. Fluid loading was performed using 5 ml/kg of a
      crystalloid solution. Baseline total power and low to high frequency ratio
      (LF/HF) in predicting hypotension after spinal anesthesia were analyzed by
      calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC).
      RESULTS: Moderate hypotension, defined as a decrease of mean arterial pressure to
      below 20-30% of the baseline, occurred in 13 patients and severe hypotension,
      defined as a decrease of mean arterial pressure greater than 30% below the
      baseline, occurred in 7 patients. LF/HF ratiosand total powers did not
      significantly change after spinal anesthesia. AUCs of LF/HF ratio for predicting
      moderate hypotension was 0.685 (P = 0.074), severe hypotension was 0.579 (P =
      0.560) and moderate or severe hypotension was 0.652 (P = 0.101), respectively.
      AUCs of total power for predicting moderate hypotension was 0.571 (P = 0.490),
      severe hypotension was 0.672 (P = 0.351) and moderate or severe hypotension was
      0.509 (P = 0.924), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Heart rate variability is not a
      reliable predictor of hypotension after spinal block in hypertensive patients
      whose sympathetic activity is already depressed.

PMID- 24228145
TI  - Comparison of spread of subarachnoid sensory block and incidence of hypotension
      in early and late second trimester of pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstetric or non-obstetric surgery can be performed in pregnant women
      during the second trimester. We evaluated maximal sensory block level (MSBL), and
      other sensory block characteristics after spinal anesthesia in early and late
      second trimester pregnant women. METHODS: Forty-four pregnant women scheduled for
      cervical cerclage under spinal anesthesia in the early second trimester (Group E)
      or in the late second trimester (Group L) were enrolled in this study. Spinal
      anesthesia was performed at the L3/4 and 7 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine was
      injected into the subarachnoid space. Hemodynamic variables, incidence of
      nausea/vomiting, ephedrine dose, and sensory block were recorded every 2.5 min
      during the first 15 min and 20 min after the injection. The MSBL, the time at
      which MSBL was achieved, and the time to the two-segment regression of the
      sensory level were also recorded. RESULTS: The maximum number of segments blocked
      was significantly greater in the Group L than in the Group E. The incidence of
      nausea/vomiting and hypotension, and dose of administrated ephedrine were
      significantly higher in the Group L than in the Group E. The mean arterial
      pressure during the 15 min after subarachnoid injection was significantly lower
      compared to the baseline value in the Group L. CONCLUSIONS: The MSBL of spinal
      anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine 7 mg were T9 in the early and T5 in the
      late second trimester groups. Pregnant women in the late second trimester
      exhibited increased incidence of hypotension and need for ephedrine than women in
      the early second trimester.

PMID- 24228146
TI  - Plasma concentrations of nociceptin/orphanin FQ: comparison of levels after
      general and neuraxial anesthesia for arthroscopic knee surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is an endogenous opioid
      heptadecapeptide. Preclinically, the pharmacologic action of N/OFQ has been
      characterized for the treatment of pain in non-human primates. Clinically, the
      pharmacologic action of N/OFQ is unclear, and concentrations have only been
      measured under certain clinical conditions. The aims of this study were to
      measure the plasma concentrations of N/OFQ in different postoperative pain states
      and to identify the potential relationship between postoperative pain states and
      N/OFQ plasma concentrations. METHODS: Two groups of 14 patients scheduled for
      knee arthroscopy were included in this study. Postoperative pain in the first
      group (IV group) was controlled by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV
      PCA). Postoperative pain in the second group (ES group) was controlled by
      epidural patient-controlled analgesia (E-PCA) or the remnant analgesic effects of
      spinal anesthesia. Plasma concentrations of N/OFQ were measured by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. Numerical rating scale (NRS) scores were recorded for all
      patients. Differences between the two groups with regards to plasma
      concentrations of N/OFQ and NRS scores were evaluated by the Mann-Whitney U-test.
      RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of N/OFQ (mean +/- SD) were 70.4 +/- 128.0 pg/ml
      in the IV group and 19.2 +/- 43.4 pg/ml in the ES group. NRS scores (mean +/- SD)
      were 3.1 +/- 1.9 in the IV group and 0.5 +/- 1.1 in the ES group. The differences
      in plasma N/OFQ concentrations between groups were not significant (P = 0.06).
      NRS scores were significantly lower in the ES group as compared with the IV group
      (P = 0.0019). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma concentrations of N/OFQ increase in acute
      postoperative pain states, but are not correlated with the level of postoperative
      pain.

PMID- 24228147
TI  - Synergistic anti-allodynic effect between intraperitoneal thalidomide and
      morphine on rat spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thalidomide has been recognized as having an anti-allodynic effect
      against neuropathic pain induced by spinal nerve ligation. Its clinical
      beneficial effects are mainly derived from its immune-modulating property, which
      is known to influence the analgesic action of morphine. The possible
      characteristics of systemic interactions between thalidomide and morphine in the
      context of spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain were examined in rats.
      METHODS: Neuropathic pain was induced by ligation of the L5/6 spinal nerves in
      male Sprague-Dawley rats and mechanical allodynia was assessed using von Frey
      filaments. The ED50 was calculated for thalidomide and for morphine, and the
      mixture of both drugs was intraperitoneally administered at different doses of
      ED50 of each drug (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1/1 of ED50) to obtain the experimental ED50
      value for the combination of thalidomide and morphine. Isobolographic analysis
      was used to evaluate the characteristics of drug interactions between morphine
      and thalidomide. RESULTS: The ED50 of thalidomide was three-fold higher than that
      of morphine. The experimental ED50 value of the mixture of thalidomide and
      morphine was significantly lower than the calculated theoretical ED50 value.
      Isobolographic analysis revealed a synergistic interaction for anti-allodynic
      effect after intraperitoneal delivery of the thalidomide-morphine mixture.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that thalidomide acts synergistically with
      morphine to produce an anti-allodynic effect in neuropathic pain induced by
      spinal nerve ligation in rats. Thus, the combination of thalidomide with morphine
      may be one of the useful strategies in the management of neuropathic pain.

PMID- 24228148
TI  - Unidirectional valve malfunction by the breakage or malposition of disc - two
      cases report -.
AB  - Malfunction of the unidirectional valve in a breathing circuit system may cause
      hypercapnia from the rebreathing of expired gas, ventilation failure, and
      barotrauma. Capnography is a useful method for monitoring the integrity of the
      unidirectional valve. We experienced two cases of malfunction of a unidirectional
      valve which caused leakage and reverse flow, diagnosed early as a change of the
      capnographic waveform. One case was caused by expiratory unidirectional valve
      breakage. The other was caused by an incorrectly-assembled inspiratory
      unidirectional valve. 

PMID- 24228149
TI  - Acute onset Lance-Adams syndrome following brief exposure to severe hypoxia
      without cardiac arrest -a case report-.
AB  - Myoclonic status epilepticus (MSE) within the first 24 hours after
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) predicts poor prognosis, enough to
      discontinue the treatment. In contrast, chronic MSE appearing a few days after
      CPR is called Lance-Adams syndrome (LAS), which is characterized by preserved
      intellect and a favorable prognosis. We herein report a case of LAS, which
      developed after a transient hypoxic event without an overt cardiac arrest due to
      hematoma formation in the neck after partial glossectomy. Differential diagnosis
      was also challenging as LAS was developed 8 hours after the hypoxic event. 

PMID- 24228150
TI  - Coexistence of expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm and aggravated intervertebral
      disc extrusion -a case report-.
AB  - Abdominal aortic aneurysm is included in the differential diagnosis of lower back
      pain. Although rare, this important disease can cause potentially lethal
      complications. In this case, expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm coexisted with
      intervertebral disc extrusion. The diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm was
      delayed, putting the patient at risk of aneurysmal rupture. In the management of
      patients with degenerative spinal diseases, we should not overlook the
      possibility of comorbidities such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. We also
      suggest the importance of interpreting images more carefully, especially for
      elderly male patients. 

PMID- 24228151
TI  - Coagulopathy following venous air embolism: a disastrous consequence -a case
      report-.
AB  - Venous air embolism (VAE) is a life-threatening complication of some surgical
      procedures. Though occurrence of VAE is frequent during neurosurgical procedures,
      coagulopathy following VAE has not previously been reported. Coagulation
      abnormalities are more commonly reported associated with fat or amniotic fluid
      embolism, but rarely with VAE. We present a case of massive VAE in sitting
      position leading to fatal coagulopathy even after successful resuscitation
      following the event. Coagulation abnormalities and bleeding can produce
      catastrophic consequences in neurosurgical patients. This report emphasizes the
      possibility of this potentially fatal complication in patients who have sustained
      a massive VAE. 

PMID- 24228152
TI  - Anesthetic management of a patient with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome with intractable
      epilepsy -a case report-.
AB  - A 34-month-old female patient who had a prior history of generalized tonic-clonic
      seizures had been diagnosed with the Lennox-Gastuat syndrome. She was scheduled
      for epiblepharon repairs in both lower lids under general anesthesia.
      Preoperatively, her tonic seizure was poorly controlled with antiepileptic drugs.
      General anesthesia with thiopental and isoflurane was provided and the
      intraoperative course and the emergence of anesthesia were uneventful and smooth.

PMID- 24228153
TI  - Unilateral vocal cord paralysis following a short period of endotracheal
      intubation anesthesia.

PMID- 24228154
TI  - Difficult airway management in a case with lingual tonsil hypertrophy and temporo
      mandibular joint partial ankylosis.

PMID- 24228155
TI  - A failure of internal jugular vein catheterization caused by the internal jugular
      vein occlusion.

PMID- 24228156
TI  - The intermittent bolus infusions of rapid infusion system caused hypothermia
      during liver transplantation.

PMID- 24228157
TI  - Postoperative patient controlled analgesia in elderly Koreans: epidural versus
      intravenous administration.

PMID- 24228158
TI  - Lee fiberoptic intubating airway for facilitating orotracheal fiberoptic
      intubation.

PMID- 24228160
TI  - Therapeutic doses of clopidogrel increase fracture risk.

PMID- 24228161
TI  - Bone mass is regulated by a central IL-1-PSNS-bone axis.

PMID- 24228159
TI  - Role of mathematical modeling in bone fracture healing.
AB  - Bone fracture healing is a complex physiological process commonly described by a
      four-phase model consisting of an inflammatory phase, two repair phases with soft
      callus formation followed by hard callus formation, and a remodeling phase, or
      more recently by an anabolic/catabolic model. Data from humans and animal models
      have demonstrated crucial environmental conditions for optimal fracture healing,
      including the mechanical environment, blood supply and availability of
      mesenchymal stem cells. Fracture healing spans multiple length and time scales,
      making it difficult to know precisely which factors and/or phases to manipulate
      in order to obtain optimal fracture-repair outcomes. Deformations resulting from
      physiological loading or fracture fixation at the organ scale are sensed at the
      cellular scale by cells inside the fracture callus. These deformations together
      with autocrine and paracrine signals determine cellular differentiation,
      proliferation and migration. The local repair activities lead to new bone
      formation and stabilization of the fracture. Although experimental data are
      available at different spatial and temporal scales, it is not clear how these
      data can be linked to provide a holistic view of fracture healing. Mathematical
      modeling is a powerful tool to quantify conceptual models and to establish the
      missing links between experimental data obtained at different scales. The
      objective of this review is to introduce mathematical modeling to readers who are
      not familiar with this methodology and to demonstrate that once validated, such
      models can be used for hypothesis testing and to assist in clinical treatment as
      will be shown for the example of atrophic nonunions. 

PMID- 24228162
TI  - The anabolic effect of PTH on bone is mediated by periostin.

PMID- 24228163
TI  - P2RY12 and its role in osteoclast activity and bone remodeling.

PMID- 24228164
TI  - Fracture risk prediction: importance of age, BMD and spine fracture status.
AB  - Our purpose was to identify factors for a parsimonious fracture risk assessment
      model considering morphometric spine fracture status, femoral neck bone mineral
      density (BMD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) clinical risk factors.
      Using data from 2761 subjects from the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study
      (CaMos), a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of randomly selected community
      dwelling men and women aged ?50 years, we previously reported that a logistic
      regression model considering age, BMD and spine fracture status provided as much
      predictive information as a model considering these factors plus the remaining
      WHO clinical risk factors. The current analysis assesses morphometric vertebral
      fracture and/or nonvertebral fragility fracture at 5 years using data from an
      additional 1964 CaMos subjects who have now completed 5 years of follow-up (total
      N=4725). Vertebral fractures were identified from lateral spine radiographs
      assessed using quantititative morphometry at baseline and end point. Nonvertebral
      fragility fractures were determined by questionnaire and confirmed using
      radiographs or medical records; fragility fracture was defined as occurring with
      minimal or no trauma. In this analysis, a model including age, BMD and spine
      fracture status provided a gradient of risk per s.d. (GR/s.d.) of 1.88 and
      captured most of the predictive information of a model including morphometric
      spine fracture status, BMD and all WHO clinical risk factors (GR/s.d. 1.92). For
      comparison, this model provided more information than a model considering BMD and
      the WHO clinical risk factors (GR/s.d. 1.74). These findings confirm the value of
      age, BMD and spine fracture status for predicting fracture risk. 

PMID- 24228165
TI  - The endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids, and pain.
AB  - The endocannabinoid system is involved in a host of homeostatic and physiologic
      functions, including modulation of pain and inflammation. The specific roles of
      currently identified endocannabinoids that act as ligands at endogenous
      cannabinoid receptors within the central nervous system (primarily but not
      exclusively CB 1 receptors) and in the periphery (primarily but not exclusively
      CB 2 receptors) are only partially elucidated, but they do exert an influence on
      nociception. Exogenous plant-based cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) and
      chemically related compounds, like the terpenes, commonly found in many foods,
      have been found to exert significant analgesic effects in various chronic pain
      conditions. Currently, the use of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol is limited by its
      psychoactive effects and predominant delivery route (smoking), as well as
      regulatory or legal constraints. However, other phytocannabinoids in combination,
      especially cannabidiol and beta-caryophyllene, delivered by the oral route appear
      to be promising candidates for the treatment of chronic pain due to their high
      safety and low adverse effects profiles. This review will provide the reader with
      the foundational basic and clinical science linking the endocannabinoid system
      and the phytocannabinoids with their potentially therapeutic role in the
      management of chronic pain. 

PMID- 24228166
TI  - Non-invasive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) of the Motor Cortex for
      Neuropathic Pain-At the Tipping Point?
AB  - The term "neuropathic pain" (NP) refers to chronic pain caused by illnesses or
      injuries that damage peripheral or central pain-sensing neural pathways to cause
      them to fire inappropriately and signal pain without cause. Neuropathic pain is
      common, complicating diabetes, shingles, HIV, and cancer. Medications are often
      ineffective or cause various adverse effects, so better approaches are needed.
      Half a century ago, electrical stimulation of specific brain regions
      (neuromodulation) was demonstrated to relieve refractory NP without distant
      effects, but the need for surgical electrode implantation limited use of deep
      brain stimulation. Next, electrodes applied to the dura outside the brain's
      surface to stimulate the motor cortex were shown to relieve NP less invasively.
      Now, electromagnetic induction permits cortical neurons to be stimulated entirely
      non-invasively using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Repeated sessions
      of many TMS pulses (rTMS) can trigger neuronal plasticity to produce long-lasting
      therapeutic benefit. Repeated TMS already has US and European regulatory approval
      for treating refractory depression, and multiple small studies report efficacy
      for neuropathic pain. Recent improvements include "frameless stereotactic"
      neuronavigation systems, in which patients' head MRIs allow TMS to be applied to
      precise underlying cortical targets, minimizing variability between sessions and
      patients, which may enhance efficacy. Transcranial magnetic stimulation appears
      poised for the larger trials necessary for regulatory approval of a NP
      indication. Since few clinicians are familiar with TMS, we review its theoretical
      basis and historical development, summarize the neuropathic pain trial results,
      and identify issues to resolve before large-scale clinical trials. 

PMID- 24228167
TI  - Personalized pain medicine: the clinical value of psychophysical assessment of
      pain modulation profile.
AB  - Experimental pain stimuli can be used to simulate patients' pain experience. We
      review recent developments in psychophysical pain testing, focusing on the
      application of the dynamic tests-conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and temporal
      summation (TS). Typically, patients with clinical pain of various types express
      either less efficient CPM or enhanced TS, or both. These tests can be used in
      prediction of incidence of acquiring pain and of its intensity, as well as in
      assisting the correct choice of analgesic agents for individual patients. This
      can help to shorten the commonly occurring long and frustrating process of
      adjusting analgesic agents to the individual patients. We propose that evaluating
      pain modulation can serve as a step forward in individualizing pain medicine. 

PMID- 24228168
TI  - Neonatal pain in very preterm infants: long-term effects on brain,
      neurodevelopment and pain reactivity.
AB  - Effects of early life psychosocial adversity have received a great deal of
      attention, such as maternal separation in experimental animal models and
      abuse/neglect in young humans. More recently, long-term effects of the physical
      stress of repetitive procedural pain have begun to be addressed in infants
      hospitalized in neonatal intensive care. Preterm infants are more sensitive to
      pain and stress, which cannot be distinguished in neonates. The focus of this
      review is clinical studies of long-term effects of repeated procedural pain
      related stress in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in relation to brain
      development, neurodevelopment, programming of stress systems, and later pain
      sensitivity in infants born very preterm (24-32 weeks' gestational age). Neonatal
      pain exposure has been quantified as the number of invasive and/or skin-breaking
      procedures during hospitalization in the NICU. Emerging studies provide
      convincing clinical evidence for an adverse impact of neonatal pain/stress in
      infants at a time of physiological immaturity, rapidly developing brain
      microstructure and networks, as well as programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary
      adrenal axis. Currently it appears that early pain/stress may influence the
      developing brain and thereby neurodevelopment and stress-sensitive behaviors,
      particularly in the most immature neonates. However, there is no evidence for
      greater prevalence of pain syndromes compared to children and adults born healthy
      at full term. In addressing associations between pain/stress and outcomes,
      careful consideration of confounding clinical factors related to prematurity is
      essential. The need for pain management for humanitarian care is widely
      advocated. Non-pharmacological interventions to help parents reduce their
      infant's stress may be brain-protective. 

PMID- 24228170
TI  - Pain Medicine in Crisis-A Possible Model toward a Solution: Empowering Community
      Medicine to Treat Chronic Pain.
AB  - Pain medicine in Israel and in the world has reached a crisis. The lack of
      available pain medicine services is resulting in the unsatisfactory treatment for
      chronic pain sufferers. The main causes of this crisis are: 1) the high
      prevalence of chronic pain, reaching levels of 17% in the adult population;2) the
      lack of appropriate training of primary care physicians in the field of chronic
      pain management; and 3) the paucity of consultation services in the field of
      chronic pain. In this journal article, we propose a possible model for the
      solution of the problem, based upon levels of treatment according to the severity
      of the disease and upon training of primary and secondary care physicians in the
      treatment of pain. According to the model, the vast majority of treatment and
      management will take place in the community after appropriate training of primary
      care physicians. More complex cases will be referred to secondary care community
      based pain clinics manned by physicians with further in-depth training. Only the
      most complex of patients, or those needing specialized treatment such as invasive
      analgesic therapy, will be referred to tertiary pain centers manned by
      specialists in pain medicine. Implementation of this model will necessitate
      training of primary care physicians and the establishment of secondary care
      facilities and can, in our opinion, pose a pragmatic solution for the hundreds of
      thousands of patients suffering from chronic pain. 

PMID- 24228169
TI  - Completing the Pain Circuit: Recent Advances in Imaging Pain and Inflammation
      beyond the Central Nervous System.
AB  - This review describes some of the recent developments in imaging aspects of pain
      in the periphery. It is now possible to image nerves in the cornea non
      invasively, to image receptor level expression and inflammatory processes in
      injured tissue, to image nerves and alterations in nerve properties, to image
      astrocyte and glial roles in neuroinflammatory processes, and to image pain
      conduction functionally in the trigeminal ganglion. These advances will
      ultimately allow us to describe the pain pathway, from injury site to behavioral
      consequence, in a quantitative manner. Such a development could lead to
      diagnostics determining the source of pain (peripheral or central), objective
      monitoring of treatment progression, and, hopefully, objective biomarkers of
      pain. 

PMID- 24228171
TI  - Impact of right-sided nephrectomy on long-term outcomes in retroperitoneoscopic
      live donor nephrectomy at single center.
AB  - Objective. To assess the long-term graft survival of right-sided
      retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy (RPLDN), we compared the outcomes of
      right- and left-sided RPLDN. Methods. Five hundred and thirty-three patients
      underwent live donor renal transplantation with allografts procured by RPLDN from
      July 2001 to August 2010 at our institute. Of these, 24 (4.5%) cases were
      selected for right-sided RPLDN (R-RPLDN) according to our criteria for donor
      kidney selection. Study variables included peri- and postoperative clinical data.
      Results. No significant differences were found in the recipients' postoperative
      graft function and incidence of slow graft function. Despite significant
      increased warm ischemic time (WIT: mean 5.9 min versus 4.7 min, P < 0.001) in R
      RPLDN compared to that in L-RPLDN, there was no significant difference between
      the two groups regarding long-term patient and graft survival. The complication
      rate in R-RPLDN was not significantly different compared to that in L-RPLDN (17%
      versus 6.5%, P = 0.132). No renal vein thrombosis was experienced in either
      groups. Conclusions. Although our study was retrospective and there was only a
      small number of R-RPLDN patients, R-RPLDN could be an option for laparoscopic
      live donor nephrectomy because of similar results, with the sole exception of
      WIT, in L-RPLDN, and its excellent long-term graft outcomes. 

PMID- 24228172
TI  - Improved Method for the Detection and Quantification of Naegleria fowleri in
      Water and Sediment Using Immunomagnetic Separation and Real-Time PCR.
AB  - Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare and typically fatal infection
      caused by the thermophilic free-living ameba, Naegleria fowleri. In 2010, the
      first confirmed case of PAM acquired in Minnesota highlighted the need for
      improved detection and quantification methods in order to study the changing
      ecology of N. fowleri and to evaluate potential risk factors for increased
      exposure. An immunomagnetic separation (IMS) procedure and real-time PCR TaqMan
      assay were developed to recover and quantify N. fowleri in water and sediment
      samples. When one liter of lake water was seeded with N. fowleri strain CDC:V212,
      the method had an average recovery of 46% and detection limit of 14 amebas per
      liter of water. The method was then applied to sediment and water samples with
      unknown N. fowleri concentrations, resulting in positive direct detections by
      real-time PCR in 3 out of 16 samples and confirmation of N. fowleri culture in 6
      of 16 samples. This study has resulted in a new method for detection and
      quantification of N. fowleri in water and sediment that should be a useful tool
      to facilitate studies of the physical, chemical, and biological factors
      associated with the presence and dynamics of N. fowleri in environmental systems.

PMID- 24228173
TI  - Direct Effect of Two Naphthalene-Sulfonyl-Indole Compounds on Toxoplasma gondii
      Tachyzoite.
AB  - Past studies have stated that the parasitostatic effect of IFN-gamma is most
      likely due to the starvation of Toxoplasma gondii for tryptophan in the host
      cell. The aim of this study was to evaluate the direct effect of two new
      Naphthalene-Sulfonyl-Indole compounds as competitive molecules for tryptophan on
      viability and infectivity of Toxoplasma tachyzoites. Tachyzoites of RH strain
      were incubated in various concentrations (25-800 MUM) of 1-(naphthalene-2
      sulfonyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole and 1-[5-(2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1
      sulfonyl)naphthalene-1-sulfonyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole for 1.5 hours. Then, they
      were stained by PI and analyzed by FACS. To evaluate the infectivity, 2 * 10(6)
      tachyzoites exposed to the concentrations mentioned above were intraperitoneally
      inoculated into five mice from each group. Also, naive parasites and parasites
      exposed to DMSO (control) were inoculated in both groups of mice. The LD50 of 1
      (naphthalene-2-sulfonyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole was 62 MUmol whilst the quantity
      of 1-[5-(2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-sulfonyl)naphthalene-1-sulfonyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H
      indole was more than 800 MUmol. The infectivity of tachyzoites exposed to both of
      the compounds preserved and killed mice. No statistical correlation was seen
      between longevity of mice groups and different doses of the compounds. If we
      consider a well-organized transporter mechanism for indole compounds in the
      parasite, thus the designation of an antagonist that has indole groups can assist
      with the production of new drugs. 

PMID- 24228174
TI  - Oxidative stress, vascular remodeling, and vascular inflammation in hypertension.

PMID- 24228175
TI  - Assessing Systems of Care for US Children with Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder.
AB  - Background. The proportion of US children with special health care needs (CSHCN)
      with epilepsy/seizure disorder who receive care in high-quality health service
      systems was examined. Methodology. We analyzed data for 40,242 CSHCN from the
      2009-2010 National Survey of CSHCN and compared CSHCN with epilepsy/seizure
      disorder to CSHCN without epilepsy/seizure disorder. Measures included attainment
      rates for 6 federal quality indicators with comparisons conducted using chi
      square and logistic regression methods. In addition, CSHCN with epilepsy/seizure
      disorder were compared to CSHCN without epilepsy/seizure disorder on the basis of
      14 unmet health care needs. Results. Lower attainment rates for receiving
      comprehensive care in a medical home and easily accessible community-based
      services were found for CSHCN with epilepsy/seizure disorder versus CSHCN without
      epilepsy/seizure disorder (medical home: 32% versus 43%; accessible community
      based services: 50% versus 66%, resp.) in unadjusted analyses. Lower adjusted
      odds for these indicators as well as greater unmet need for specialists,
      dentistry, prescriptions, therapies, and mental health care were also found for
      CSHCN with epilepsy/seizure disorder. Conclusions. Further efforts are needed to
      improve attainment of high-quality health care services for CSHCN with
      epilepsy/seizure disorders. 

PMID- 24228176
TI  - The role for epigenetic modifications in pain and analgesia response.
AB  - Pain remains a poorly understood and managed symptom. A limited mechanistic
      understanding of interindividual differences in pain and analgesia response
      shapes current approaches to assessment and treatment. Opportunities exist to
      improve pain care through increased understanding of how dynamic epigenomic
      remodeling shapes injury, illness, pain, and treatment response. Tightly
      regulated alterations of the DNA-histone chromatin complex enable cells to
      control transcription, replication, gene expression, and protein production.
      Pathological alterations to chromatin shape the ability of the cell to respond to
      physiologic and environmental cues leading to disease and reduced treatment
      effectiveness. This review provides an overview of critical epigenetic processes
      shaping pathology and pain, highlights current research support for the role of
      epigenomic modification in the development of chronic pain, and summarizes the
      therapeutic potential to alter epigenetic processes to improve health outcomes. 

PMID- 24228178
TI  - Motorcycle Related Injuries among Rural Dwellers in Irrua, Nigeria:
      Characteristics and Correlates.
AB  - Background. The escalating use of motorcycle for commercial transportation of
      commuters and goods has resulted in an increase in morbidity and mortality from
      road traffic injuries. Objectives. To study the characteristics of motorcycle
      injuries seen in Irrua, Nigeria. Materials and Methods. This is a one-year
      prospective study of all patients seen from January 1, 2009, to December 31,
      2009. A structured proforma was filled for all consecutive crash victims
      involving a motorcycle. Results. Motorcycle injuries accounted for 11.6% of
      attendance in surgical emergency room (142 out of 1,214); 76.8% were males.
      Amongst victims 47.1% were riders, 42.9%, passengers, and 7.8% pedestrians.
      Extremity injury accounted for 42.2% while head injury occurred in 21.8%. There
      were 9 deaths (6.3%). In this study no victim used crash helmet. Conclusion.
      Banning of motorcycle for commercial use and the introduction of tricycles into
      rural/suburban comminutes may be an important preventive strategy. 

PMID- 24228177
TI  - Current controversies in the prediction, diagnosis, and management of cerebral
      vasospasm: where do we stand?
AB  - Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs in approximately 30,000 persons in the
      United States each year. Around 30 percent of patients with aneurysmal
      subarachnoid hemorrhage suffer from cerebral ischemia and infarction due to
      cerebral vasospasm, a leading cause of treatable death and disability following
      aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods used to predict, diagnose, and manage
      vasospasm are the topic of recent active research. This paper utilizes a
      comprehensive review of the recent literature to address controversies
      surrounding these topics. Evidence regarding the effect of age, smoking, and
      cocaine use on the incidence and outcome of vasospasm is reviewed. The abilities
      of different computed tomography grading schemes to predict vasospasm in the
      aftermath of subarachnoid hemorrhage are presented. Additionally, the utility of
      different diagnostic methods for the detection and visualization of vasospasm,
      including transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, CT angiography, digital
      subtraction angiography, and CT perfusion imaging is discussed. Finally, the
      recent literature regarding interventions for the prophylaxis and treatment of
      vasospasm, including hyperdynamic therapy, albumin, calcium channel agonists,
      statins, magnesium sulfate, and endothelin antagonists is summarized. Recent
      studies regarding each topic were reviewed for consensus recommendations from the
      literature, which were then presented. 

PMID- 24228180
TI  - Elbow dislocations: a review ranging from soft tissue injuries to complex elbow
      fracture dislocations.
AB  - This review on elbow dislocations describes ligament and bone injuries as well as
      the typical injury mechanisms and the main classifications of elbow dislocations.
      Current treatment concepts of simple, that is, stable, or complex unstable elbow
      dislocations are outlined by means of case reports. Special emphasis is put on
      injuries to the medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) and on posttraumatic
      elbow stiffness. 

PMID- 24228181
TI  - The SomnuSeal Oral Mask Is Reasonably Tolerated by Otherwise CPAP Noncompliant
      Patients with OSA.
AB  - Compliance with CPAP is the major limiting factor in treating patients with OSA.
      The novel SomnuSeal mask is an oral self-adaptable mask located between the teeth
      and the lips ensuring that there are no air leaks or skin abrasions. Fifty
      patients with AHI > 20, who failed previous CPAP trials, were asked to sleep with
      the mask for one month. In all patients, the mask was connected to an AutoPAP
      machine with a heated humidifier. Efficacy, convenience, and compliance (average
      usage for 4 or more hours per night) were monitored. Fifty patients (41 m and 9
      f, mean age 57 +/- 12 years, BMI 33.6 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2), and AHI 47 +/- 23/h)
      participated. Eleven were classified as compliant (average mask usage of 26
      nights, 4.7 hours per night), five were only partially compliant (average usage
      of 13 nights, 2.9 hours per night), and 34 could not comply with it. In all
      patients who slept with it, the efficacy (assessed by residual AHI derived from
      the CPAP device) was good with an AHI of less than 8/hour. Interestingly, the
      required optimal pressure decreased from an average of 9.3 cmH2O to 4.6 cmH2O.
      The SomnuSeal oral interface is effective and may result in converting
      noncompliant untreated patients with OSA into well-treated ones. 

PMID- 24228179
TI  - Targeting antigens to dendritic cell receptors for vaccine development.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) are highly specialized antigen presenting cells of the
      immune system which play a key role in regulating immune responses. Depending on
      the method of antigen delivery, DCs stimulate immune responses or induce
      tolerance. As a consequence of the dual function of DCs, DCs are studied in the
      context of immunotherapy for both cancer and autoimmune diseases. In vaccine
      development, a major aim is to induce strong, specific T-cell responses. This is
      achieved by targeting antigen to cell surface molecules on DCs that efficiently
      channel the antigen into endocytic compartments for loading onto MHC molecules
      and stimulation of T-cell responses. The most attractive cell surface receptors,
      expressed on DCs used as targets for antigen delivery for cancer and other
      diseases, are discussed. 

PMID- 24228183
TI  - Breast Mass and Lytic Bone Lesions: A Rare Presentation of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
      Arising in the Breast.
AB  - Background. Primary breast lymphoma is a rare malignancy representing less than
      1% of all tumors presenting in the breast. Case Presentation. A 55-year-old woman
      presented with altered mental status due to severe hypercalcemia and was found to
      have a large breast mass with lytic bone lesions in the calvarium of the skull.
      Biopsy of the mass revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Staging workup did not
      reveal any visceral organ or distant lymph node involvement. The patient's bone
      marrow biopsy was positive for involvement with lymphoma. Interestingly, the
      patient also had a non quantifiable IgA kappa monoclonal protein in the serum.
      Conclusion. Here, we describe a common presentation in medical oncology, that is,
      a patient presenting as a clinically advanced breast tumor with hypercalcemia
      from lytic bone lesions. However, diagnostic workup led to the diagnosis of
      another common malignancy in an uncommon location, namely, diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma arising in the breast. 

PMID- 24228182
TI  - Insulin deprivation decreases caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling in cultured
      rat sertoli cells.
AB  - Insulin is essential for the regulation of glucose homeostasis. Insulin
      dysfunction occurs in several pathologies, such as diabetes mellitus, which is
      associated with fertility problems. Somatic Sertoli cells (SCs) not only
      metabolize glucose to lactate, which is the central energy source used by
      developing germ cells, but also determine the germ cell population size. If a
      deregulation in SCs apoptosis occurs, it will affect germ cells, compromising
      spermatogenesis. As SCs apoptotic signaling is a hormonally regulated process, we
      hypothesized that the lack of insulin could lead to alterations in apoptotic
      signaling. Therefore, we examined the effect of insulin deprivation on several
      markers of apoptotic signaling in cultured rat SCs. We determined mRNA and
      protein expression of apoptotic markers as well as caspase-3 activity. SCs
      cultured in insulin deprivation demonstrated a significant decrease on mRNA
      levels of p53, Bax, caspase-9, and caspase-3 followed by a significant increase
      of Bax and decrease of caspase-9 protein levels relatively to the control.
      Caspase-3 activity was also decreased in SCs cultured in insulin deprivation
      conditions. Our results show that insulin deprivation decreases caspase-dependent
      apoptotic signaling in cultured rat SCs evidencing a possible mechanism by which
      lack of insulin can affect spermatogenesis and fertility. 

PMID- 24228184
TI  - Sarcomatoid carcinoma of male urethra with bone and lung metastases presenting as
      urethral stricture.
AB  - A 57-year-old man who presented with urinary retention was found to have a
      sarcomatoid carcinoma of the urethra. Evaluation with CT scan of the abdomen and
      pelvis revealed multiple pulmonary nodules and osteolytic lesions of left
      posterior ribs. After external beam radiation therapy and six cycles of systemic
      chemotherapy, patient underwent a surgical resection of the urethral cancer.
      After his surgery, patient was also found to have multiple brain metastases and
      underwent whole brain radiation therapy, nine months after his initial diagnosis.
      Sarcomatoid carcinomas of the genitourinary tract are extremely rare tumors that
      require a very aggressive, multimodal treatment approach. 

PMID- 24228185
TI  - Cardiovascular risk and hippocampal thickness in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Cardiovascular risk factors influence onset and progression of Alzheimer's
      disease. Among cognitively healthy people, changes in brain structure and
      function associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, or other vascular risks
      suggest differential regional susceptibility to neuronal damage. In patients with
      Alzheimer's disease, hippocampal and medial temporal lobe atrophy indicate early
      neuronal loss preferentially in key areas for learning and memory. We wanted to
      investigate whether this regional cortical thinning would be modulated by
      cardiovascular risk factors. We utilized high-resolution magnetic resonance
      imaging and a cortical unfolding technique to determine the cortical thickness of
      medial temporal subregions in 30 patients with Alzheimer's disease.
      Cardiovascular risk was assessed using a sex-specific multivariable risk score.
      Greater cardiovascular risk was associated with cortical thinning in the
      hippocampus CA2/3/dentate gyrus area but not other hippocampal and medial
      temporal subregions. APOE genotype, a family history of Alzheimer's disease, and
      age did not influence cortical thickness. Alzheimer's disease-related atrophy
      could mask the influence of genetic risk factors or age on regional cortical
      thickness in medial temporal lobe regions, whereas the impact of vascular risk
      factors remains detectable. This highlights the importance of cardiovascular
      disease prevention and treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease. 

PMID- 24228186
TI  - Decreased copper in Alzheimer's disease brain is predominantly in the soluble
      extractable fraction.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and represents a
      significant burden on the global economy and society. The role of transition
      metals, in particular copper (Cu), in AD has become of significant interest due
      to the dyshomeostasis of these essential elements, which can impart profound
      effects on cell viability and neuronal function. We tested the hypothesis that
      there is a systemic perturbation in Cu compartmentalization in AD, within the
      brain as well as in the periphery, specifically within erythrocytes. Our results
      showed that the previously reported decrease in Cu within the human frontal
      cortex was confined to the soluble (P < 0.05) and total homogenate (P < 0.05)
      fractions. No differences were observed in Cu concentration in erythrocytes. Our
      data indicate that there is a brain specific alteration in Cu levels in AD
      localized to the soluble extracted material, which is not reflected in
      erythrocytes. Further studies using metalloproteomics approaches will be able to
      elucidate the metabolic mechanism(s) that results in the decreased brain Cu
      levels during the progression of AD. 

PMID- 24228187
TI  - Prospective single-site experience with radiofrequency-targeted vertebral
      augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.
AB  - Vertebral augmentation procedures are widely used to treat osteoporotic vertebral
      compression fractures (VCFs). We report our initial experience with
      radiofrequency-targeted vertebral augmentation (RF-TVA) in 20 patients aged 50 to
      90 years with single-level, symptomatic osteoporotic VCF between T10 and L5, back
      pain severity > 4 on a 0 to 10 scale, Oswestry Disability Index >= 21%, 20% to
      90% vertebral height loss compared to adjacent vertebral body, and fracture age <
      6 months. After treatment, patients were followed through hospital discharge and
      returned for visits after 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Back pain severity
      improved 66% (P < 0.001), from 7.9 (95% CI: 7.1 to 8.6) at pretreatment to 2.7
      (95% CI: 1.5 to 4.0) at 3 months. Back function improved 46% (P < 0.001), from 74
      (95% CI: 69% to 79%) at pretreatment to 40 (95% CI: 33% to 47%) at 3 months. The
      percentage of patients regularly consuming pain medication was 70% at
      pretreatment and only 21% at 3 months. No adverse events related to the device or
      procedure were reported. RF-TVA reduces back pain severity, improves back
      function, and reduces pain medication requirements with no observed complications
      in patients with osteoporotic VCF. 

PMID- 24228188
TI  - UPLC-TOF-MS Characterization and Identification of Bioactive Iridoids in Cornus
      mas Fruit.
AB  - Cornus mas L. is indigenous to Europe and parts of Asia. Although Cornus is
      widely considered to be an iridoid rich genera, only two iridoids have been
      previously found in this plant. The lack of information on taxonomically and
      biologically active iridoids prompted us to develop and optimize an analytical
      method for characterization of additional phytochemicals in C. mas fruit. An
      ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with photodiode array
      spectrophotometry (PDA) and electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI
      TOF-MS) was employed and mass parameters were optimized. Identification was made
      by elucidating the mass spectral data and further confirmed by comparing
      retention times and UV spectra of target peaks with those of reference compounds.
      Primary DNA damage and antigenotoxicity tests in E. coli PQ37 were used to screen
      the iridoids for biological activity. As a result, ten phytochemicals were
      identified, including iridoids loganic acid, loganin, sweroside, and cornuside.
      Nine of these were reported for the first time from C. mas fruit. The iridoids
      did not induce SOS repair of DNA, indicating a lack of genotoxic activity in E.
      coli PQ37. However, loganin, sweroside, and cornuside did reduce the amount of
      DNA damage caused by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, suggesting potential antigenotoxic
      activity. 

PMID- 24228189
TI  - Resistant starch: promise for improving human health.
AB  - Ongoing research to develop digestion-resistant starch for human health promotion
      integrates the disciplines of starch chemistry, agronomy, analytical chemistry,
      food science, nutrition, pathology, and microbiology. The objectives of this
      research include identifying components of starch structure that confer digestion
      resistance, developing novel plants and starches, and modifying foods to
      incorporate these starches. Furthermore, recent and ongoing studies address the
      impact of digestion-resistant starches on the prevention and control of chronic
      human diseases, including diabetes, colon cancer, and obesity. This review
      provides a transdisciplinary overview of this field, including a description of
      types of resistant starches; factors in plants that affect digestion resistance;
      methods for starch analysis; challenges in developing food products with
      resistant starches; mammalian intestinal and gut bacterial metabolism; potential
      effects on gut microbiota; and impacts and mechanisms for the prevention and
      control of colon cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Although this has been an active
      area of research and considerable progress has been made, many questions
      regarding how to best use digestion-resistant starches in human diets for disease
      prevention must be answered before the full potential of resistant starches can
      be realized. 

PMID- 24228190
TI  - Iron biology, immunology, aging, and obesity: four fields connected by the small
      peptide hormone hepcidin.
AB  - Iron status and immune response become impaired in situations that involve
      chronic inflammation, such as obesity or aging. Little is known, however, about
      the additional burden that obesity may place on the iron status and immune
      response in the elderly. This question is relevant given the rising numbers of
      elderly obese (BMI >30 kg/m(2)) individuals and the high prevalence of iron
      deficiency worldwide. Iron is necessary for proper function of both the innate
      and adaptive immune system. Hepcidin, a peptide hormone that regulates cellular
      iron export, is essential for the maintenance of iron homeostasis. Therefore,
      since immune cells require iron for proper function hepcidin may also play an
      important role in immune response. In this review, we summarize the evidence for
      hepcidin as a link between the fields of gerontology, obesity, iron biology, and
      immunology. We also identify several gaps in knowledge and unanswered questions
      pertaining to iron homeostasis and immunity in obese populations. Finally, we
      review studies that have shown the impact of weight loss, focusing on calorie
      restriction, iron homeostasis, and immunity. These studies are important both in
      elucidating mechanistic links between obesity and health impairments and
      identifying possible approaches to target immune impairment and iron deficiency
      as comorbidities of obesity. 

PMID- 24228191
TI  - Cranberries and their bioactive constituents in human health.
AB  - Recent observational and clinical studies have raised interest in the potential
      health effects of cranberry consumption, an association that appears to be due to
      the phytochemical content of this fruit. The profile of cranberry bioactives is
      distinct from that of other berry fruit, being rich in A-type proanthocyanidins
      (PACs) in contrast to the B-type PACs present in most other fruit. Basic research
      has suggested a number of potential mechanisms of action of cranberry bioactives,
      although further molecular studies are necessary. Human studies on the health
      effects of cranberry products have focused principally on urinary tract and
      cardiovascular health, with some attention also directed to oral health and
      gastrointestinal epithelia. Evidence suggesting that cranberries may decrease the
      recurrence of urinary tract infections is important because a nutritional
      approach to this condition could lower the use of antibiotic treatment and the
      consequent development of resistance to these drugs. There is encouraging, but
      limited, evidence of a cardioprotective effect of cranberries mediated via
      actions on antioxidant capacity and lipoprotein profiles. The mixed outcomes from
      clinical studies with cranberry products could result from interventions testing
      a variety of products, often uncharacterized in their composition of bioactives,
      using different doses and regimens, as well as the absence of a biomarker for
      compliance to the protocol. Daily consumption of a variety of fruit is necessary
      to achieve a healthy dietary pattern, meet recommendations for micronutrient
      intake, and promote the intake of a diversity of phytochemicals. Berry fruit,
      including cranberries, represent a rich source of phenolic bioactives that may
      contribute to human health. 

PMID- 24228192
TI  - The food matrix and sterol characteristics affect the plasma cholesterol lowering
      of phytosterol/phytostanol.
AB  - Foods with added phytosterols/phytostanols (PS) are recommended to lower LDL
      cholesterol (LDL-c) concentrations. Manufacturers have incorporated PS into a
      variety of common foods. Understanding the cholesterol-lowering impact of the
      food matrix and the PS characteristics would maximize their success and increase
      the benefit to consumers. This review systematically examines whether the PS
      characteristics and the fatty acid composition of foods with added PS affects
      serum LDL-c. A total of 33 studies published between the years 1998 and 2011
      inclusive of 66 individual primary variables (strata) were evaluated. The
      functional food matrices included margarine, mayonnaise, yogurt, milk, cheese,
      meat, grain, juice, and chocolate. Consistently, >=10% reductions in LDL-c were
      reported when the characteristics of the food matrix included poly- and
      monounsaturated fatty acids known to lower LDL-c. Also, >10% mean reductions in
      LDL-c were reported when beta-sitostanol and campestanol as well as stanol esters
      were used. These characteristics allow both low-fat and high-fat foods to
      successfully incorporate PS and significantly lower LDL-c. 

PMID- 24228193
TI  - Recent developments in multivitamin/mineral research.
AB  - The 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee was charged with the task of
      investigating the effects of multivitamin/mineral supplements on healthy
      populations and also on those with chronic disease. The evidence from which the
      committee prepared its conclusions was graded on 5 fundamental criteria: quality,
      consistency, quantity, clinical impact, and generalizability. The committee
      concluded that for the general healthy population, evidence was insufficient to
      make a multivitamin/mineral recommendation. On the other hand, the committee
      noted the value of some supplemental nutrients for at-risk populations such as
      iron, folic acid, and vitamin B-12. However, most of the studies referenced for
      the research used the conventional, all-encompassing, and oversimplified
      definition of a multivitamin/mineral as being a supplement containing 3 or more
      vitamins with or without minerals. In the few years since the committee released
      its 2010 report, several randomized clinical trials showing the benefits of daily
      multivitamin/mineral supplementation have been completed using supplements
      containing at least 10 or more vitamins and/or minerals, but there also continues
      to be some reports that do not find benefit from such supplements. Furthermore,
      several steps have been taken to advance the science behind these supplements so
      that consumers, physicians, and government agencies can all have more confidence
      in understanding the role of supplemental nutrition in the American diet. This
      review provides new evidence from 2010 onward addressing the committee's primary
      concerns about multivitamin/mineral research in regard to improving public
      health. It also includes several recent studies that may be of interest to future
      committees indicating the potential benefits of these supplements on improving
      the cognitive performance and mental well-being of healthy populations. 

PMID- 24228195
TI  - State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2013, Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

PMID- 24228196
TI  - Navigating the current job market--grab hold of your future now!
AB  - Although the U.S. federal government, the National Science Foundation, and other
      influential groups have called for American universities to educate and train
      more scientists, a recent article in the Washington Post and broadcasting on
      National Public Radio affirmed a harsh reality: there are too few jobs for
      today's young scientists. Essentially, landing a job in science doesn't just
      happen, you must prepare! The intent of this education track session, targeted to
      students, postdoctorates, junior faculty, and other early- to midcareer
      professionals was to provide insights on trends in the current job market and
      offer strategies and resources to be competitive. The session featured speakers
      representing different work environments, such as academia, industry, health care
      institutions, public relations, and entrepreneurial positions. 

PMID- 24228197
TI  - Health, nutrition, and cost outcomes of human milk feedings for very low
      birthweight infants.
AB  - This symposium examined the impact of human milk (HM) from the infant's own
      mother on health, nutrition, and cost outcomes in very low birthweight (VLBW;
      <1500 g birthweight) infants. The 4 symposium speakers presented original
      research and summarized existing evidence about these primary outcomes. The
      conclusions from the symposium suggest that: 1) HM feedings for VLBW infants in
      the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reduce the risks and the associated costs
      of late onset sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); 2) the gut microbiota
      of the VLBW infant is influenced by multiple factors, some of which are
      modifiable, and that the milk microbiota affects the developing gut microbiota in
      a positive manner; 3) the clinical realties of feeding HM in the NICU that
      compromise safety and efficacy of HM can be addressed with evidence-based
      clinical practices; and 4) piglets can serve as a model for the premature infant
      to assess the impact of HM and formula additives on intestinal development. 

PMID- 24228194
TI  - Optimizing intramuscular adaptations to aerobic exercise: effects of carbohydrate
      restriction and protein supplementation on mitochondrial biogenesis.
AB  - Mitochondrial biogenesis is a critical metabolic adaptation to aerobic exercise
      training that results in enhanced mitochondrial size, content, number, and
      activity. Recent evidence has shown that dietary manipulation can further enhance
      mitochondrial adaptations to aerobic exercise training, which may delay skeletal
      muscle fatigue and enhance exercise performance. Specifically, studies have
      demonstrated that combining carbohydrate restriction (endogenous and exogenous)
      with a single bout of aerobic exercise potentiates the beneficial effects of
      exercise on markers of mitochondrial biogenesis. Additionally, studies have
      demonstrated that high-quality protein supplementation enhances anabolic skeletal
      muscle intracellular signaling and mitochondrial protein synthesis following a
      single bout of aerobic exercise. Mitochondrial biogenesis is stimulated by
      complex intracellular signaling pathways that appear to be primarily regulated by
      5'AMP-activated protein kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase mediated
      through proliferator-activated gamma receptor co-activator 1 alpha activation,
      resulting in increased mitochondrial DNA expression and enhanced skeletal muscle
      oxidative capacity. However, the mechanisms by which concomitant carbohydrate
      restriction and dietary protein supplementation modulates mitochondrial
      adaptations to aerobic exercise training remains unclear. This review summarizes
      intracellular regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and the effects of
      carbohydrate restriction and protein supplementation on mitochondrial adaptations
      to aerobic exercise. 

PMID- 24228198
TI  - omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of cognitive decline in humans.
AB  - The brain is a lipid-rich organ where docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is enriched and
      where eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may have anti-inflammatory effects. The
      potential role for n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids such as DHA and EPA in the
      prevention of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) has attracted
      major interest for the past 20 y. This review presents our understanding of
      recent observational, interventional, and experimental studies, with the aim of
      providing some answers to the following question: Can n-3 FA intake modulate
      cognitive function during aging? In longitudinal observation studies we mainly
      observe inverse relations between fish intake or serum concentrations of DHA and
      cognitive impairment. Intervention studies of EPA and DHA supplementation in
      healthy old individuals have been negative so far (i.e., after up to 2 years of
      treatment, no differences in cognitive decline between treated and nontreated
      participants have been observed). In studies that provided EPA and DHA to adults
      with mild cognitive impairment or age-related cognitive impairment the data seem
      to be positive. However, when patients with established AD were supplemented with
      EPA and DHA it appears no benefit was gained. For studies on healthy individuals,
      a major concern is that the treatment periods may have been too short. There
      might also be subgroup effects because of the carriage of apolipoprotein
      Eepsilon4 alleles or risk factor burden. Experimental studies appear to be
      consistently positive (i.e., n-3 FA supplementation in rodents over a substantial
      portion of their lives reduces amyloid-beta deposition and hippocampal neuron
      loss and improves cognitive functioning). We are getting closer to providing
      evidence-based recommendations on fish and fish oil intake to facilitate memory
      function during old age. In the meantime it is advised to follow the general CDC
      dietary recommendations of 2-3 fish meals per week or the equivalent intake of
      long chain n-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA. 

PMID- 24228199
TI  - The metabolic and endocrine response and health implications of consuming sugar
      sweetened beverages: findings from recent randomized controlled trials.
AB  - Fructose-containing sugars, including fructose itself, high fructose corn syrup
      (HFCS), and sucrose have engendered considerable controversy. The effects of HFCS
      and sucrose in sugar-sweetened beverages, in particular, have generated intense
      scientific debate that has spilled over to the public. This controversy is
      related to well-known differences in metabolism between fructose and glucose in
      the liver. In addition, research studies have often been conducted comparing pure
      fructose and pure glucose even though neither is consumed to any appreciable
      degree in isolation in the human diet. Other evidence has been drawn from animal
      studies and epidemiologic or cohort studies. Few randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs) have compared HFCS with sucrose (the 2 sugars most commonly consumed in
      the human diet) at dosage amounts within the normal human consumption range. This
      review compares results of recently concluded RCTs with other forms of evidence
      related to fructose, HFCS, and sucrose. We conclude that great caution must be
      used when suggesting adverse health effects of consuming these sugars in the
      normal way they are consumed and at the normal amounts in the human diet, because
      RCTs do not support adverse health consequences at these doses when employing
      these sugars. 

PMID- 24228200
TI  - From efficacy research to large-scale impact on undernutrition: the role of
      organizational cultures.
AB  - Undernutrition in low-income countries is receiving unprecedented attention at
      global and national levels due to the convergence of many forces, including
      strong evidence concerning its magnitude, consequences, and potential solutions
      and effective advocacy by many organizations. The translation of this attention
      into large-scale reductions in undernutrition at the country level requires the
      alignment and support of many organizations in the development and implementation
      of a coherent policy agenda for nutrition, including the strengthening of
      operational and strategic capacities and a supportive research agenda. However,
      many countries experience difficulties achieving such alignment. This article
      uses the concept of organizational culture to better understand some of the
      reasons for these difficulties. This concept is applied to the constellation of
      organizations that make up the "National Nutrition Network" in a given country
      and some of the individual organizations within that network, including academic
      institutions that conduct research on undernutrition. We illustrate this concept
      through a case study involving a middle-income country. We conclude that efforts
      to align organizations in support of coherent nutrition agendas should do the
      following: 1) make intentional and sustained efforts to foster common
      understanding, shared learning, and socialization of new members and other
      elements of a shared culture among partners; 2) seek a way to frame problems and
      solutions in a fashion that enables individual organizations to secure some of
      their particular interests by joining the effort; and 3) not only advocate on the
      importance of nutrition but also insist that high-level officials hold
      organizations accountable for aligning in support of common-interest solutions
      (through some elements of a common culture) that can be effective and appropriate
      in the national context. We further conclude that a culture change is needed
      within academic departments if the discipline of nutrition is to play a central
      role in translating the findings from efficacy trials into large-scale reductions
      in undernutrition. 

PMID- 24228203
TI  - Evidence needed to inform the next dietary reference intakes for iodine.
AB  - In 2001, Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for iodine were set for the different
      gender and life-stage groups by the Institute of Medicine. Because of the serious
      consequences of iodine deficiency for the developing fetus and infant, there is
      particular interest in further understanding optimal iodine nutrition and
      improving the monitoring of iodine status, particularly during infancy,
      pregnancy, and lactation. This review discusses the basis for the current DRIs
      for iodine and the evidence that may be needed for considering and conducting the
      reevaluation of one or more of the DRIs. 

PMID- 24228202
TI  - Treatment of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease: the role of lipid
      emulsions.
AB  - Parenteral nutrition is a life-saving therapy for infants with intestinal
      failure. However, long-term parenteral nutrition carries the risk of progressive
      liver disease. Substantial data has implicated components of parenteral soybean
      oil in the pathogenesis of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD).
      Elevated serum concentrations of phytosterols, an abundance of omega-6
      polyunsaturated fatty acids, and a relative paucity of alpha-tocopherol have been
      associated with the risk of cholestasis and hepatic injury observed in PNALD.
      Currently available treatment strategies include the reduction of the dose of
      administered parenteral soybean oil and/or the replacement of parenteral soybean
      oil with alternative parenteral lipid emulsions. The purpose of this review is to
      provide an overview of the pathogenetic mechanisms associated with the
      development of PNALD and the data evaluating currently available treatment
      strategies. 

PMID- 24228201
TI  - Hepatic fatty acid trafficking: multiple forks in the road.
AB  - The liver plays a unique, central role in regulating lipid metabolism. In
      addition to influencing hepatic function and disease, changes in specific
      pathways of fatty acid (FA) metabolism have wide-ranging effects on the
      metabolism of other nutrients, extra-hepatic physiology, and the development of
      metabolic diseases. The high prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
      (NAFLD) has led to increased efforts to characterize the underlying biology of
      hepatic energy metabolism and FA trafficking that leads to disease development.
      Recent advances have uncovered novel roles of metabolic pathways and specific
      enzymes in generating lipids important for cellular processes such as signal
      transduction and transcriptional activation. These studies have also advanced our
      understanding of key branch points involving FA partitioning between metabolic
      pathways and have identified new roles for lipid droplets in these events. This
      review covers recent advances in our understanding of FA trafficking and its
      regulation. An emphasis will be placed on branch points in these pathways and how
      alterations in FA trafficking contribute to NAFLD and related comorbidities. 

PMID- 24228205
TI  - Prevalence and Degree of Breast Arterial Calcifications on Mammography: A Cross
      sectional Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to establish a database including
      prevalence and degree of breast arterial calcifications (BAC) in our population
      of women presenting for mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mammograms of
      1786 women over the age of 40 years were examined for the presence and degree of
      BAC. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate patient's age and ethnic
      origin with the presence and degree of BAC. RESULTS: There was statistically
      significant and strong correlation between the patient's age and presence of BAC.
      There was also a less strong yet statistically significant correlation between
      patient age and degree of BAC. Regression analysis showed the likelihood of BAC
      at various ages. The prevalence of BAC is only 2% of women under 50 years of age;
      the prevalence of Grade 2-3 BAC is only 1% in women under 60 years of age.
      CONCLUSION: There is a predictable increase with age in both prevalence and
      degree of BAC in women. The presence of high degree BAC in women under 60 years
      of age or any BAC in women under 50 years of age is unusual.

PMID- 24228204
TI  - The connection between dietary phosphorus, cardiovascular disease, and mortality:
      where we stand and what we need to know.
AB  - Disorders of phosphorus metabolism are independent risk factors for
      cardiovascular disease. Because excess dietary phosphorus intake is common in the
      general population and plays a central role in disturbances in phosphorus
      homeostasis, these findings have fueled interest in restricting phosphorus intake
      as a potential therapy for improving cardiovascular outcomes. Although
      experimental and observational data support this possibility, current limitations
      in the assessment of dietary phosphorus consumption in free-living populations
      and the lack of reliable biomarkers of the effects of dietary phosphorus on
      cardiovascular health pose major barriers to the design and conduct of trials
      assessing the efficacy of phosphorus restriction in improving cardiovascular
      health. Fibroblast growth factor 23 and Klotho are novel mediators of phosphorus
      metabolism that are tightly linked to dietary phosphorus intake and show promise
      as integrated biomarkers of phosphorus excess and its long-term health
      consequences. Advances in the understanding of how these hormones are associated
      with diet and phosphorus metabolism will likely bolster future efforts to assess
      the true health consequences of excess phosphorus intake and whether restricting
      phosphorus intake has salutary effects on cardiovascular health. 

PMID- 24228206
TI  - Isolated tuberculous tenosynovitis of the anterior tibial and extensor digitorum
      longus tendons.
AB  - Musculoskeletal system is involved in 1-5% of extrapulmonary cases of
      tuberculosis. Tuberculous tenosynovitis is a rare form of musculoskeletal
      tuberculosis. Tuberculosis of the tendon sheath in the hand has been seen in a
      few cases. Involvement of the tendons of the leg is less common. Diagnosis is not
      easy as there are no specific clinical symptoms or signs. A 33-year-old male
      presented with painful swelling in the distal right lower limb that caused
      restriction of movement. Imaging studies showed inflammation and infection of the
      extensor digitorium longus and tibialis anterior tendons. Histopathological
      studies showed a necrotizing granulomatous inflammation in the synovial tissue. A
      diagnosis of tuberculosis was made and medical treatment was initiated that
      proved successful. Patient remained infection-free at 26-month follow-up
      examination. 

PMID- 24228207
TI  - Acquired arteriovenous fistula of the breast following ultrasound guided biopsy
      of invasive ductal carcinoma.
AB  - Image guided large-core breast biopsies are commonly performed procedures with
      relatively rare complications. The majority of these complications are minor,
      though at times more significant vascular injuries can occur with these biopsies
      as demonstrated by this case. Patient developed a pulsatile vascular breast mass
      after an ultrasound guided breast biopsy of invasive ductal carcinoma.
      Sonographic evaluation of this new breast mass demonstrated this mass to
      represent an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Though multiple therapies are available
      for an iatrogenic fistula within the breast, the AVF was surgically excised in
      this case as it was immediately adjacent to a known cancer. 

PMID- 24228208
TI  - Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the upper trachea: a rare neoplasm.
AB  - Primary malignant tracheal tumors are not common and adenoid cystic carcinoma
      (ACC) of trachea is rare. We report an extremely rare case of ACC of proximal
      trachea, which was diagnosed in a 42-year-old male who presents with 6-month
      history of dyspnea. Lateral skiagram of neck, computed tomography, and magnetic
      resonance imaging revealed a broad-based polypoidal soft tissue mass arising from
      posterior wall of the proximal trachea. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of ACC.
      The patient was treated by surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and is on
      regular follow-up. Follow-up at 18 months post-treatment showed no local
      recurrence or distant metastases. The literature on tracheal ACC is reviewed.
      Image findings are briefly discussed. 

PMID- 24228209
TI  - Nasal lobular capillary hemangioma.
AB  - Nasal lobular capillary hemangioma is a rare benign tumor of the paranasal
      sinuses. This lesion is believed to grow rapidly in size over time. The exact
      etiopathogenesis is still a dilemma. We discuss a case of nasal lobular capillary
      hemangioma presenting with a history of epistaxis. Contrast enhanced computed
      tomography of paranasal sinuses revealed an intensely enhancing soft-tissue mass
      in the left nasal cavity and left middle and inferior meati with no obvious bony
      remodeling or destruction. We present imaging and pathologic features of nasal
      lobular capillary hemangioma and differentiate it from other entities like nasal
      angiofibroma. 

PMID- 24228210
TI  - Multispectral Photoacoustic Imaging of Prostate Cancer: Preliminary Ex-vivo
      Results.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to validate if ex-vivo multispectral
      photoacoustic (PA) imaging can differentiate between malignant prostate tissue,
      benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and normal human prostate tissue. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Institutional Review Board's approval was obtained for this study. A
      total of 30 patients undergoing prostatectomy for biopsy-confirmed prostate
      cancer were included in this study with informed consent. Multispectral PA
      imaging was performed on surgically excised prostate tissue and chromophore
      images that represent optical absorption of deoxyhemoglobin (dHb), oxyhemoglobin
      (HbO2), lipid, and water were reconstructed. After the imaging procedure is
      completed, malignant prostate, BPH and normal prostate regions were marked by the
      genitourinary pathologist on histopathology slides and digital images of marked
      histopathology slides were obtained. The histopathology images were co-registered
      with chromophore images. Region of interest (ROI) corresponding to malignant
      prostate, BPH and normal prostate were defined on the chromophore images. Pixel
      values within each ROI were then averaged to determine mean intensities of dHb,
      HbO2, lipid, and water. RESULTS: Our preliminary results show that there is
      statistically significant difference in mean intensity of dHb (P < 0.0001) and
      lipid (P = 0.0251) between malignant prostate and normal prostate tissue. There
      was difference in mean intensity of dHb (P < 0.0001) between malignant prostate
      and BPH. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative
      predictive value of our imaging system were found to be 81.3%, 96.2%, 92.9% and
      89.3% respectively. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results of ex-vivo human prostate
      study suggest that multispectral PA imaging can differentiate between malignant
      prostate, BPH and normal prostate tissue.

PMID- 24228211
TI  - Benign medullary fibroma of the kidney: a rare diagnostic dilemma.
AB  - Renomedullary interstitial cell tumor or medullary fibroma, is a small tumor that
      commonly presents as an incidental finding, but in rare cases maybe large and
      symptomatic. Although it is a benign tumor, it is difficult to differentiate this
      lesion from other malignancies of the kidney on radiological basis and hence many
      patients undergo radical nephrectomy. We present a case of renal medullary
      fibroma and various nuances associated with radiological identification of this
      lesion and its management related dilemmas. 

PMID- 24228212
TI  - Lymphangioma circumscriptum in an adult: an unusual oral presentation.
AB  - Lymphangioma is a benign hamartomatous tumor of lymphatic vessels. This lymphatic
      malformation is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of lymphatic vessels.
      Extra-oral lymphangiomas occur more frequently in the neck region predominantly
      in the posterior triangle, while intra-oral lymphangiomas are commonly seen in
      the tongue mainly on the dorsum surface. Various imaging modalities such as
      ultrasound and color Doppler are very useful in viewing the extent of the lesion.
      In most of the cases, surgical excision is the treatment of choice. The prognosis
      is good for most patients, but recurrence has also been reported in some cases,
      presumably because the lesion is interwoven between muscle fibers, preventing
      complete removal. This case report discusses the clinical features, color Doppler
      imaging, histopathology, and treatment of lymphangioma. 

PMID- 24228213
TI  - Giant choledochal cyst mimicking massive gallbladder hydrops in an adult patient:
      multi detector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings
      correlated to gross and histopathological findings.
AB  - Choledochal cysts are uncommon congenital anomalies of the biliary tree, commonly
      presenting in infancy, generally in the 1(st) year of life. Presentation in adult
      life is less common, accounting for 20% of cases. A 19-year-old female patient
      presented to the Emergency Department with severe abdominal distension, a
      palpable abdominal mass, mild jaundice and low grade fever. Ultrasound, computed
      tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen showed a massive
      septated cystic lesion filling the entire abdomen with a significant mass effect
      on surrounding structures. Origin of the lesion was unclear and diagnosis
      included a giant mesenteric or duplication cyst, massive gallbladder with
      hydrops, biliary cystadenoma and giant choledochal cyst, among others. Final
      diagnosis was a Type IA choledochal cyst with massive asymmetric cystic
      dilatation of the extra-hepatic segments of the left hepatic duct with asymmetric
      dilatation of the right hepatic duct. Patient had an uneventful recovery after
      resection of the entire extrahepatic cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy at
      the level of the hilum. In this article, we correlate CT and MRI findings to
      gross and histopathological findings of this giant Todani's Type IA choledochal
      cyst. 

PMID- 24228214
TI  - Radiographically Occult Latent Radiogenic Osteosarcoma Uncovered on Tc-99m
      Methylene-diphosphonate Bone Scintigraphy.
AB  - We present a case of a 70-year-old male who was referred for a technetium-99m
      methylene-diphosphonate bone scan for mild left hip pain and an elevated alkaline
      phosphatase level of 770 units/L. No additional information was provided and the
      patient's history was limited due to a language barrier. We were able to
      ascertain that the patient had a remote history of prostate cancer, which had
      been treated with radiation. Originally, we felt the bone scan was compatible
      with Paget's disease; however, further work-up revealed the presence of
      osteosarcoma, which was potentially radiation-induced. 

PMID- 24228215
TI  - Truncus arteriosus with persistent left superior vena cava: cardiac computed
      tomography findings in an unrepaired adult patient.
AB  - Truncus arteriosus (TA), a rare complex congenital cardiac disease in which
      systemic pulmonary and coronary circulations originate from a common vessel,
      develops due to failure of separation of the common trunk during embryonic life.
      In this case report, we discuss a 24-year-old patient with TA in whom a computed
      tomography angiography was performed. To the best of our knowledge, no case has
      been reported so far where an adult had combined left superior vena cava and
      pulmonary vein anomaly. 

PMID- 24228216
TI  - Concepts for Liver Segment Classification: Neither Old Ones nor New Ones, but a
      Comprehensive One.
AB  - Concepts dealing with the subdivision of the human liver into independent
      vascular and biliary territories are applied routinely in radiological, surgical,
      and gastroenterological practice. Despite Couinaud's widely used eight-segments
      scheme, opinions on the issue differ considerably between authors. The aim of
      this article is to illustrate the scientific basis for understanding and
      harmonizing inconsistencies between seemingly contradictory observations.
      Possible clinical implications are addressed. 

PMID- 24228217
TI  - Superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm presenting as a gluteal mass: case report
      and review of literature.
AB  - Aneurysms of the gluteal arteries are very rare with the majority being post
      trauma pseudoaneurysms. Generally, management of these aneurysms could be
      surgical or through endovascular techniques. We present a case of a superior
      gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm complicating a pelvic fracture that presented as a
      gluteal mass. It was successfully treated by transcatheter coil embolization. We
      review the presentation, imaging, and treatment options. Aneurysms have to be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses, therefore lesion
      intervention by aspiration or needle biopsy should not be tried before ruling out
      a possible vascular nature which will easily be revealed by ultrasound Doppler or
      computed tomography scans. 

PMID- 24228219
TI  - Novel group of podovirus infecting the marine bacterium Alteromonas macleodii.
AB  - Four novel, closely related podoviruses, which displayed lytic activity against
      the gamma-proteobacterium Alteromonas macleodii, have been isolated and
      sequenced. Alterophages AltAD45-P1 to P4 were obtained from water recovered near
      a fish farm in the Mediterranean Sea. Their morphology indicates that they belong
      to the Podoviridae. Their linear and dsDNA genomes are 100-104 kb in size,
      remarkably larger than any other described podovirus. The four AltAD45-phages
      share 99% nucleotide sequence identity over 97% of their ORFs, although an
      insertion was found in AltAD45-P1 and P2 and some regions were slightly more
      divergent. Despite the high overall sequence similarity among these four phages,
      the group with the insertion and the group without it, have different host ranges
      against the A. macleodii strains tested. The AltAD45-P1 to P4 phages have genes
      for DNA replication and transcription as well as structural genes, which are
      similar to the N4-like Podoviridae genus that is widespread in proteobacteria.
      However, in terms of their genomic structure, AltAD45-P1 to P4 differ from that
      of the N4-like phages. Some distinguishing features include the lack of a large
      virion encapsidated RNA polymerase gene, very well conserved among all the
      previously described N4-like phages, a single-stranded DNA binding protein and
      different tail protein genes. We conclude that the AltAD45 phages characterized
      in this study constitute a new genus within the Podoviridae.

PMID- 24228220
TI  - What are the limitations on the wider therapeutic use of phage?
AB  - Bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses a serious health threat. Since research
      into new antibiotics is not progressing at the same rate as the development of
      bacterial resistance, widespread calls for alternatives to antibiotics have been
      made. Phage therapy is an ideal alternative candidate to be investigated. However
      the success of phage therapy may be hampered by a lack of investment support from
      large pharmaceutical companies, due to their narrow spectrum of activity in
      antibiotics, very large costs associated with clinical trials of the variety of
      phages needed, and regulatory requirements remaining unclear. Intellectual
      property is difficult to secure for therapeutic phage products for a variety of
      reasons, and patenting procedures vary widely between the US and the EU.
      Consequently, companies are more likely to invest in phage products for
      decontamination or veterinary use, rather than clinical use in humans. Some still
      raise questions as to the safety of phage therapy overall, suggesting the
      possibility of cytotoxicity and immunogenicity, depending on the phage
      preparation and route. On the other hand, with patients dying because of
      infections untreatable with conventional antibiotics, the question arises as to
      whether it is ethical not to pursue phage therapy more diligently. A paradigm
      shift about how phage therapy is perceived is required, as well as more rigorous
      proof of efficacy in the form of clinical trials of existing medicinal phage
      products. Phage therapy potential may be fulfilled in the meantime by allowing
      individual preparations to be used on a named-patient basis, with extensive
      monitoring and multidisciplinary team input. The National Health Service and
      academia have a role in carrying out clinical phage research, which would be
      beneficial to public health, but not necessarily financially rewarding.

PMID- 24228222
TI  - Life in Science: Richard Calendar.

PMID- 24228221
TI  - Enzymatic characterization of a lysin encoded by bacteriophage EL.
AB  - The bacteriophage EL is a virus that specifically attacks the human pathogen
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This phage carries a large genome that encodes for its
      own chaperonin which presumably facilitates the proper folding of phage proteins
      independently of the host chaperonin system. EL also encodes a lysin enzyme, a
      critical component of the lytic cycle that is responsible for digesting the
      peptidoglycan layer of the host cell wall. Previously, this lysin was believed to
      be a substrate of the chaperonin encoded by phage EL. In order to characterize
      the activity of the EL lysin, and to determine whether lysin activity is
      contingent on chaperonin-mediated folding, a series of peptidoglycan hydrolysis
      activity assays were performed. Results indicate that the EL-encoded lysin has
      similar enzymatic activity to that of the Gallus gallus lysozyme and that the EL
      lysin folds into a functional enzyme in the absence of phage chaperonin and
      should not be considered a substrate.

PMID- 24228223
TI  - Lytic bacteriophages: Potential interventions against enteric bacterial pathogens
      on produce.
AB  - Foodborne illnesses resulting from the consumption of produce commodities
      contaminated with enteric pathogens continue to be a significant public health
      issue. Lytic bacteriophages may provide an effective and natural intervention to
      reduce bacterial pathogens on fresh and fresh-cut produce commodities. The use of
      multi-phage cocktails specific for a single pathogen has been most frequently
      assessed on produce commodities to minimize the development of bacteriophage
      insensitive mutants (BIM) in target pathogen populations. Regulatory approval for
      the use of several lytic phage products specific for bacterial pathogens such as
      Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in foods and
      on food processing surfaces has been granted by various agencies in the US and
      other countries, possibly allowing for the more widespread use of bacteriophages
      in the decontamination of fresh and minimally processed produce. Research studies
      have shown lytic bacteriophages specific for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and
      Listeria monocytogenes have been effective in reducing pathogen populations on
      leafy greens, sprouts and tomatoes.

PMID- 24228224
TI  - The moonlighting function of bacteriophage P4 capsid protein, Psu, as a
      transcription antiterminator.
AB  - Psu, a 20-kD bacteriophage P4 capsid decorating protein moonlights as a
      transcription antiterminator of the Rho-dependent termination. Psu forms specific
      complex with E.coli Rho protein, and affects the latter's ATP-dependent
      translocase activity along the nascent RNA. It forms a unique knotted dimer to
      take a V-shaped structure. The C-terminal helix of Psu makes specific contacts
      with a disordered region of Rho, encompassing the residues 139-153. An energy
      minimized structural model of the Rho-Psu complex reveals that the V-shaped Psu
      dimer forms a lid over the central channel of the Rho hexamer. This configuration
      of Psu causes a mechanical impediment to the translocase activity of Rho. The
      knowledge of structural and mechanistic basis of inhibition of Rho action by Psu
      may help to design peptide inhibitors for the conserved Rho-dependent
      transcription termination process of bacteria.

PMID- 24228225
TI  - Life in Science: Armin Dale Kaiser.

PMID- 24228226
TI  - Bacteriophages lytic for Salmonella rapidly reduce Salmonella contamination on
      glass and stainless steel surfaces.
AB  - A cocktail of six lytic bacteriophages, SalmoFreshTM, significantly (p < 0.05)
      reduced the number of surface-applied Salmonella Kentucky and Brandenburg from
      stainless steel and glass surfaces by > 99% (2.1-4.3 log). Both strains were
      susceptible to SalmoFreshTM in the spot-test assay. Conversely, SalmoFreshTM was
      unable to reduce surface contamination with a Salmonella Paratyphi B strain that
      was not susceptible to the phage cocktail in the spot-test assay. However, by
      replacing two SalmoFreshTM component phages with two new phages capable of lysing
      the Paratyphi B strain in the spot-test assay, the target range of the cocktail
      was shifted to include the Salmonella Paratyphi B strain. The modified cocktail,
      SalmoLyseTM, was able to significantly (p < 0.05) reduce surface contamination of
      the Paratyphi B strain by > 99% (2.1-4.1 log). The data show that both phage
      cocktails were effective in significantly reducing the levels of Salmonella on
      hard surfaces, provided the contaminating strains were susceptible in the spot
      test (i.e., spot-test susceptibility was indicative of efficacy in subsequent
      surface decontamination studies). The data also support the concept that phage
      preparations can be customized to meet the desired antibacterial application.

PMID- 24228227
TI  - Innate and acquired bacteriophage-mediated immunity.
AB  - We recently described a novel, non-host-derived, phage-mediated immunity active
      at mucosal surfaces, the main site of pathogen entry in metazoans. In that work,
      we showed that phage T4 adheres to mucus glycoproteins via immunoglobulin-like
      domains displayed on its capsid. This adherence positions the phage in mucus
      surfaces where they are more likely to encounter and kill bacteria, thereby
      benefiting both the phage and its metazoan host. We presented this phage-metazoan
      symbiosis based on an exclusively lytic model of phage infection. Here we extend
      our bacteriophage adherence to mucus (BAM) model to consider the undoubtedly more
      complex dynamics in vivo. We hypothesize how mucus-adherent phages, both lytic
      and temperate, might impact the commensal microbiota as well as protect the
      metazoan epithelium from bacterial invasion. We suggest that BAM may provide both
      an innate and an acquired antimicrobial immunity.

PMID- 24228228
TI  - Identification of new prognostic biomarkers for Stage III metastatic melanoma
      patients.
AB  - Accurately predicting disease outcome among patients bearing Stage III metastatic
      melanoma is complex. However, current advances in personalized medicine call for
      ever more precise prognostic assessments, as these have a significant impact not
      only on the design and analysis of clinical trials, but also on therapeutic
      decision-making.

PMID- 24228229
TI  - Strategies to improve the immunogenicity of anticancer vaccines based on
      dendritic cell/malignant cell fusions.
AB  - The rationale for fusing dendritic cells (DCs) with whole tumor cells to generate
      anticancer vaccines resides in the fact that the former operate as potent antigen
      presenting cells, whereas the latter express a constellation of tumor-associated
      antigens (TAAs). Although the administration of DC/malignant cell fusions to
      cancer patients is safe and this immunotherapeutic intervention triggers
      efficient tumor-specific T-cell responses in vitro, a limited number of objective
      clinical responses to DC/cancer cell fusions has been reported thus far. This
      review discusses novel approaches to improve the immunogenicity of DC/malignant
      cell fusions as anticancer vaccines.

PMID- 24228230
TI  - Clonal expansion of renal cell carcinoma-infiltrating T lymphocytes.
AB  - T lymphocytes can mediate the destruction of cancer cells by virtue of their
      ability to recognize tumor-derived antigenic peptides that are presented on the
      cell surface in complex with HLA molecules and expand. Thus, the presence of
      clonally expanded T cells within neoplastic lesions is an indication of ongoing
      HLA-restricted T cell-mediated immune responses. Multiple tumors, including renal
      cell carcinomas (RCCs), are often infiltrated by significant amounts of T cells,
      the so-called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). In the present study, we
      analyzed RCC lesions (n = 13) for the presence of expanded T-cell clonotypes
      using T-cell receptor clonotype mapping. Surprisingly, we found that RCCs
      comprise relatively low numbers of distinct expanded T-cell clonotypes as
      compared with melanoma lesions. The numbers of different T-cell clonotypes
      detected among RCC-infiltrating lymphocytes were in the range of 1-17 (median =
      5), and in several patients, the number of clonotypes expanded within tumor
      lesions resembled that observed among autologous peripheral blood mononuclear
      cells. Moreover, several of these clonotypes were identical in TILs and PBMCs.
      Flow cytometry data demonstrated that the general differentiation status of CD8+
      TILs differed from that of circulating CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, PD-1 and LAG-3
      were expressed by a significantly higher percentage of CD8+ RCC-infiltrating
      lymphocytes as compared with PBMCs obtained from RCC patients or healthy
      individuals. Thus, CD8+ TILs display a differentiated phenotype and express
      activation markers as well as surface molecules associated with the inhibition of
      T-cell functions. However, TILs are characterized by a low amount of expanded T
      cell clonotypes.

PMID- 24228231
TI  - Early onset and enhanced growth of autochthonous mammary carcinomas in C3
      deficient Her2/neu transgenic mice.
AB  - Aside from its classical role in fighting infections, complement is an important,
      although poorly understood, component of the tumor microenvironment. In
      particular, the tumor growth-regulatory activities of complement remain under
      debate. To assess the role of the complement system in the progression of
      autochthonous mammary carcinomas, we have crossed complement component 3 (C3)
      deficient (C3-/- ) BALB/c male mice with BALB/c females expressing the activated
      rat Her2/neu oncogene (neuT). Although neuT transgenic mice develop spontaneous
      mammary cancers with 100% penetrance, a significantly shorter tumor latency
      (i.e., earlier onset of the first palpable tumor), a higher frequency of multiple
      tumors (multiplicity), and a dramatic increase in the tumor growth rate were
      found in neuT-C3-/- animals. The accelerated tumor onset observed in neuT-C3-/-
      mice was paralleled by an earlier onset of spontaneous lung metastases and by an
      increase in Her2 expression levels, primarily on the surface of tumor cells. The
      percentage of immune cells infiltrating neuT carcinomas was similar in C3
      deficient and C3-proficient mice, with the exception of a significant increase in
      the frequency of regulatory T cells in neuT-C3-/- tumors. Of particular interest,
      the enhanced immunosuppression imparted by C3 deficiency clearly influenced the
      immunogenic phenotype of autochthonous mammary tumors as neuT-C3-/- malignant
      cells transplanted into syngeneic immunocompetent hosts gave rise to lesions with
      a significantly delayed kinetics and reduced incidence as compared with cells
      obtained from neuT C3-proficient tumors. Finally, increased blood vessel
      permeability was evident in neuT-C3-/- tumors, although a similar number of tumor
      vessels was found in neuT and neuT-C3-/- lesions. Altogether, these data suggest
      that complement plays a crucial role in the immunosurveillance and, possibly, the
      immunoediting of Her2-driven autochthonous mammary tumors.

PMID- 24228232
TI  - Zinc supplementation is required for the cytotoxic and immunogenic effects of
      chemotherapy in chemoresistant p53-functionally deficient cells.
AB  - Optimal tumor eradication often results from the death of malignant cells, as
      induced by chemotherapeutic agents, coupled to the induction of antitumor immune
      responses. However, cancer cells frequently become resistant to the cytotoxic
      activity of chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether
      zinc dichloride (ZnCl2), which was known to re-establish the chemosensitivity of
      cancer cells by reactivating p53, promotes immunogenic instances of cell death.
      We found that ZnCl2, in combination with chemotherapeutic agents such as
      cisplatin and adriamycin (ADR), favors the apoptotic demise of chemoresistant
      cells, while cisplatin and ADR alone fail to do so. The co-culture of immature
      dendritic cells (DCs) with cancer cells succumbing to the co-administration of
      chemotherapy and ZnCl2 led to DC activation, as indicated by the upregulation of
      the activation markers CD83 and CD86. In part, such process depended on cell
      death, as it was limited (but not abrogated) by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD
      fmk. Moreover, DC activation relied on the ZnCl2-induced exposure of calreticulin
      (CRT) on the surface of cancer cells, correlating with the phosphorylation of
      eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha), a marker of
      endoplasmic reticulum stress. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of CRT as well as the
      inhibition of CRT exposure with brefeldin A strongly impaired DC maturation,
      indicating CRT translocation as induced by that ZnCl2 is a key event in this
      setting. Altogether, these results suggest that ZnCl2, has the potential to
      enhance the therapeutic effects of antineoplastic agents not only by improving
      their cytotoxic activity but also by promoting CRT exposure.

PMID- 24228234
TI  - Reader's Forum.

PMID- 24228233
TI  - IL-18-based combinatorial adjuvants promote the intranodal production of CCL19 by
      NK cells and dendritic cells of cancer patients.
AB  - The effective accumulation and interaction of mature dendritic cells (DCs) and
      naive T cells within lymph nodes (LNs), which are driven by the CCR7-CCL19/CCL21
      chemokine axis, are critical for the induction of adaptive T-cell immunity. Human
      natural killer (NK) cells activated by interleukin (IL)-18 exhibit a unique
      'helper' activity in promoting productive DC-T cell interactions, inducing DC
      maturation and shifting DC-primed T-cell responses toward a TH1 polarization.
      Here, we demonstrate that such IL-18-activated 'helper' NK cells uniquely
      stimulate DCs to produce high levels of CCL19 through tumor necrosis factor alpha
      (TNFalpha) and interferon gamma (IFNgamma), a process that relies on secondary NK
      cell activation by additional inflammatory signals including IFNalpha, IL-15, IL
      12 and IL-2. DCs activated by helper NK cells not only promote the efficient CCR7
      mediated recruitment of naive CD8+ T cells, but also stimulate their expansion
      and expression of granzyme B. Using an ex vivo explant culture system based on
      LNs isolated from colorectal cancer patients, we found that CCL19 is upregulated
      in human tumor-associated lymphoid tissues treated with helper NK cell
      stimulating factors. Our findings demonstrate the ability of 2 signal-activated
      helper NK cells to promote the production of the DC- and naive/memory T cell
      attracting chemokine CCL19 in LNs, and provide a rationale for the therapeutic
      application of IL-18-containing 'combinatorial adjuvants' to facilitate the
      induction of antitumor immune responses.

PMID- 24228235
TI  - Comparison of the condyle-fossa relationship between skeletal class III
      malocclusion patients with and without asymmetry: a retrospective three
      dimensional cone-beam computed tomograpy study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle
      fossa relationships are bilaterally symmetric in class III malocclusion patients
      with and without asymmetry and compared to those with normal occlusion. The
      hypothesis was a difference in condyle-fossa relationships exists in asymmetric
      patients. METHODS: Group 1 comprised 40 Korean normal occlusion subjects. Groups
      2 and 3 comprised patients diagnosed with skeletal class III malocclusion, who
      were grouped according to the presence of mandibular asymmetry: Group 2 included
      symmetric mandibles, while group 3 included asymmetric mandibles. Pretreatment
      three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (3D CBCT) images were obtained.
      Right- and left-sided TMJ spaces in groups 1 and 2 or deviated and non-deviated
      sides in group 3 were evaluated, and the axial condylar angle was compared.
      RESULTS: The TMJ spaces demonstrated no significant bilateral differences in any
      group. Only group 3 had slightly narrower superior spaces (p < 0.001). The axial
      condylar angles between group 1 and 2 were not significant. However, group 3
      showed a statistically significant bilateral difference (p < 0.001); toward the
      deviated side, the axial condylar angle was steeper. CONCLUSIONS: Even in the
      asymmetric group, the TMJ spaces were similar between deviated and non-deviated
      sides, indicating a bilateral condyle-fossa relationship in patients with
      asymmetry that may be as symmetrical as that in patients with symmetry. However,
      the axial condylar angle had bilateral differences only in asymmetric groups. The
      mean TMJ space value and the bilateral difference may be used for evaluating
      condyle-fossa relationships with CBCT.

PMID- 24228236
TI  - Effect of bite force on orthodontic mini-implants in the molar region: Finite
      element analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of bite force on the displacement and stress
      distribution of orthodontic mini-implants (OMIs) in the molar region according to
      placement site, insertion angle, and loading direction. METHODS: Five finite
      element models were created using micro-computed tomography (microCT) images of
      the maxilla and mandible. OMIs were placed at one maxillary and two mandibular
      positions: between the maxillary second premolar and first molar, between the
      mandibular second premolar and first molar, and between the mandibular first and
      second molars. The OMIs were inserted at angles of 45 degrees  and 90 degrees  to
      the buccal surface of the cortical bone. A bite force of 25 kg was applied to the
      10 occlusal contact points of the second premolar, first molar, and second molar.
      The loading directions were 0 degrees , 5 degrees , and 10 degrees  to the long
      axis of the tooth. RESULTS: With regard to placement site, the displacement and
      stress were greatest for the OMI placed between the mandibular first molar and
      second molar, and smallest for the OMI placed between the maxillary second
      premolar and first molar. In the mandibular molar region, the angled OMI showed
      slightly less displacement than the OMI placed at 90 degrees . The maximum Von
      Mises stress increased with the inclination of the loading direction.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that placement of OMIs between the second
      premolar and first molar at 45 degrees  to the cortical bone reduces the effect
      of bite force on OMIs.

PMID- 24228237
TI  - Evaluation of the relationship between upper incisor exposure and cephalometric
      variables in Korean young adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to classify Korean young adults into 3
      groups on the basis of upper incisor exposure rates (UIERs) and to compare the
      skeletal, dental, and soft tissue variables. METHODS: Samples were obtained from
      127 students at the College of Dentistry, Wonkwang University in South Korea.
      Facial photographs of frontal posed smiles and lateral cephalograms of the
      subjects were taken. The subjects were divided into 3 groups on the basis of
      UIERs and 20 measurements were compared among the 3 groups. The correlations
      between the variables were determined. RESULTS: Male and female subjects showed
      significant differences in the group distribution. Male subjects showed higher
      frequencies of low smiles, and female subjects showed higher frequencies of high
      smiles. The vertical height of the anterior alveolar process of the maxilla
      directly correlated with the UIER. However, the UIER showed no significant
      correlation with the vertical height of the anterior basal bone or the
      inclination of the upper incisor axis. In female subjects, the upper central
      incisor clinical crown length showed an inverse correlation with the UIER.
      However, this variable showed no significant correlation with the UIER in male
      subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The UIER was directly correlated with the levator muscle
      activity of the upper lip and inversely correlated with the upper lip thickness,
      yet there was no correlation between the UIER and upper lip length at rest.

PMID- 24228238
TI  - Debonding forces of three different customized bases of a lingual bracket system.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether extension of the
      custom base is necessary for enhancement of bond strength, by comparing the
      debonding forces and residual adhesives of 3 different lingual bracket systems.
      METHODS: A total of 42 extracted upper premolars were randomly divided into 3
      groups of 14 each for bonding with brackets having (1) a conventional limited
      resin custom base; (2) an extended gold alloy custom base: IncognitoTM; and (3)
      an extended resin custom base: KommonBaseTM. The bonding area was measured by
      scanning the bracket bases with a 3-dimensional digital scanner. The debonding
      force was measured with an Instron universal testing machine, which applied an
      occlusogingival shear force. RESULTS: The mean debonding forces were 60.83 N
      (standard deviation [SD] 10.12), 69.29 N (SD 9.59), and 104.35 N (SD17.84) for
      the limited resin custom base, extended gold alloy custom base, and extended
      resin custom base, respectively. The debonding force observed with the extended
      resin custom base was significantly different from that observed with the other
      bases. In addition, the adhesive remnant index was significantly higher with the
      extended gold alloy custom base. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 custom-base lingual brackets
      can withstand occlusal and orthodontic forces. We conclude that effective bonding
      of lingual brackets can be obtained without extension of the custom base.

PMID- 24228239
TI  - Does the time interval after bleaching influence the adhesion of orthodontic
      brackets?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test the null hypothesis that no difference exists between the
      effects of at-home bleaching and in-office bleaching on shear bond strength (SBS)
      with bracket bonding at 4 different time intervals after dental bleaching.
      METHODS: Ninety extracted human premolars were randomly divided into 9 groups (n
      = 10) according to the bleaching methods used (at-home bleaching and in-office
      bleaching) and the storage time in artificial saliva (30 min, 1 day, 2 weeks, and
      3 weeks before bonding). The control group was stored in artificial saliva for 7
      days. Brackets were bonded with the Transbond XT adhesive system, and SBS testing
      was performed. The adhesive remnant index (ARI) was used to assess the amount of
      resin remaining on the enamel surfaces after debonding. The SBS data were
      analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey test. For the ARI, the
      Kruskal-Wallis test was performed. Significance for all statistical tests was
      predetermined to be p < 0.05. RESULTS: The SBS of the unbleached group was
      significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the bleached groups (except for the
      group bonded 30 min after at-home bleaching). CONCLUSIONS: The null hypothesis
      was not totally rejected. All bleaching groups tested had decreased SBS of the
      brackets to the enamel, except for the group bonded 30 min after at-home
      bleaching. The SBS returned to values close to those of the unbleached enamel
      within 3 weeks following bleaching.

PMID- 24228240
TI  - Orthodontic and surgical management of cleidocranial dysplasia.
AB  - Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), an autosomal dominant disorder with a prevalence
      of 1 in 1,000,000 individuals, is mainly caused by mutations in Runx2, a gene
      required for osteoblastic differentiation. It is generally characterized by
      hypoplastic clavicles, narrow thorax, and delayed or absent fontanel closure.
      Importantly, its orofacial manifestations, including midfacial hypoplasia,
      retained primary teeth, and impacted permanent and supernumerary teeth, severely
      impede the well-being of affected individuals. Successful treatment of the
      orofacial problems requires the combined efforts of dental specialists. However,
      only a few successfully treated cases have been reported because of the rarity of
      CCD and complexity of the treatment. This article presents the University of
      California, San Francisco (UCSF) treatment protocol for the dentofacial
      manifestations of CCD based on two treated and 17 diagnosed cases. The records of
      two patients with CCD who had been treated at the UCSF School of Dentistry and
      the treatment options reported in the literature were reviewed. The UCSF
      treatment protocol produced a successful case and a partially successful one
      (inadequate oral hygiene in the retention stage resulted in decay and loss of
      teeth). It provides general guidelines for successfully treating the orofacial
      manifestations of CCD. 

PMID- 24228241
TI  - The world bacterial biogeography and biodiversity through databases: a case study
      of NCBI Nucleotide Database and GBIF Database.
AB  - Databases are an essential tool and resource within the field of bioinformatics.
      The primary aim of this study was to generate an overview of global bacterial
      biodiversity and biogeography using available data from the two largest public
      online databases, NCBI Nucleotide and GBIF. The secondary aim was to highlight
      the contribution each geographic area has to each database. The basis for data
      analysis of this study was the metadata provided by both databases, mainly, the
      taxonomy and the geographical area origin of isolation of the microorganism
      (record). These were directly obtained from GBIF through the online interface,
      while E-utilities and Python were used in combination with a programmatic web
      service access to obtain data from the NCBI Nucleotide Database. Results indicate
      that the American continent, and more specifically the USA, is the top
      contributor, while Africa and Antarctica are less well represented. This
      highlights the imbalance of exploration within these areas rather than any
      reduction in biodiversity. This study describes a novel approach to generating
      global scale patterns of bacterial biodiversity and biogeography and indicates
      that the Proteobacteria are the most abundant and widely distributed phylum
      within both databases. 

PMID- 24228242
TI  - Different contribution of splanchnic organs to hyperlactatemia in fecal
      peritonitis and cardiac tamponade.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Changes in hepatosplanchnic lactate exchange are likely to contribute
      to hyperlactatemia in sepsis. We hypothesized that septic and cardiogenic shock
      have different effects on hepatosplanchnic lactate exchange and its contribution
      to hyperlactatemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 anesthetized pigs were randomized
      to fecal peritonitis (P), cardiac tamponade (CT), and to controls (n = 8 per
      group). Oxygen transport and lactate exchange were calculated during 24 hours.
      RESULTS: While hepatic lactate influx increased in P and in CT, hepatic lactate
      uptake remained unchanged in P and decreased in CT. Hepatic lactate efflux
      contributed 20% (P) and 33% (CT), respectively, to whole body venous efflux.
      Despite maintained hepatic arterial blood flow, hepatic oxygen extraction did not
      increase in CT. CONCLUSIONS: Whole body venous lactate efflux is of similar
      magnitude in hyperdynamic sepsis and in cardiogenic shock. Although jejunal
      mucosal pCO2 gradients are increased, enhanced lactate production from other
      tissues is more relevant to the increased arterial lactate. Nevertheless, the
      liver fails to increase hepatic lactate extraction in response to rising hepatic
      lactate influx, despite maintained hepatic oxygen consumption. In cardiac
      tamponade, regional, extrasplanchnic lactate production is accompanied by hepatic
      failure to increase oxygen extraction and net hepatic lactate output, despite
      maintained hepatic arterial perfusion.

PMID- 24228243
TI  - Association study of estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms with spontaneous
      abortion: is this a possible reason for unexplained spontaneous abortion?
AB  - Estrogen plays a crucial role in fetal and placental development through estrogen
      receptors. Association of estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR1) polymorphisms with
      spontaneous abortion has been shown in some studies. Our main goal was to study
      the potential association of spontaneous abortion with the ESR1 gene variations
      (PvuII and XbaI) in fetal tissue. Totally, 161 samples were recruited including
      80 samples of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded fetal tissue from spontaneous
      abortion and 81 samples of normal term placental tissue. The restriction fragment
      length polymorphism (RFLP) method was performed for genotyping the rs2234693 (A/G
      XbaI) and rs9340799 (T/C PvuII) single nucleotide polymorphisms located in intron
      1 of ESR1. The results have been confirmed by DNA sequencing analysis. The
      different genotypes distribution was detected in two study groups. Haplotype
      analysis indicated that ppxx is protective genotype against spontaneous abortion
      (P = 0.01). In conclusion, the potential role of ESR1 genetic variation in
      spontaneous abortion might be valuable in high-risk subjects, and that needs to
      be confirmed with future studies. 

PMID- 24228244
TI  - SNP rs2073618 of the osteoprotegerin gene is associated with diabetic retinopathy
      in Slovenian patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Recent studies indicate that osteoprotegerin (OPG) acts as an important
      regulatory molecule in the vasculature. Also, a strong association was observed
      between circulation OPG and microvascular complication. By considering the
      possible role of OPG in diabetic retinopathy (DR) we examined two of the most
      studied polymorphisms of the OPG genes rs2073618 (located in exon I) and
      rs3134069 (located in the promoter region) and their relation to DR in Slovenian
      patients with type 2 diabetes. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the
      carriers of the CC genotype had a 2.2 higher risk for DR than those with either
      the CG genotype or the GG genotype (codominant model for rs2073618). Furthermore,
      the combined effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2073618 and
      rs3134069 on the DR was stronger than that of each SNP alone. The odds ratio (OR)
      for individuals with CC genotype (rs2073618) and AA genotype (rs3134069) compared
      with carriers of CG/GG (rs2073618) + AA (rs3134069) was 2.54 (95% CI = 1.26-5.13,
      P = 0.01). To conclude, these results indicate that SNPs in the OPG gene may be
      implicated in the pathogenesis of DR.

PMID- 24228245
TI  - Biosynthesis of osmoregulated periplasmic glucans in Escherichia coli: the
      phosphoethanolamine transferase is encoded by opgE.
AB  - Osmoregulated periplasmic glucans (OPGs) are oligosaccharides found in the
      periplasm of many Gram-negative bacteria. Glucose is the sole constitutive sugar
      and this backbone may be substituted by various kinds of molecules depending on
      the species. In E. coli, OPG are substituted by phosphoglycerol and
      phosphoethanolamine derived from membrane phospholipids and by succinyl residues.
      In this study, we describe the isolation of the opgE gene encoding the
      phosphoethanolamine transferase by a screen previously used for the isolation of
      the opgB gene encoding the phosphoglycerol transferase. Both genes show
      structural and functional similarities without sequence similarity. 

PMID- 24228246
TI  - Estimation of cutoff values of cotinine in urine and saliva for pregnant women in
      Poland.
AB  - Setting appropriate cutoff values and the use of a highly sensitive analytical
      method allow for correct classification of the smoking status. Urine-saliva pairs
      samples of pregnant women in the second and third trimester, and saliva only in
      the first trimester were collected. Offline SPE and LC-ESI-MS/MS method was
      developed in the broad concentration range (saliva 0.4-1000 ng/mL, urine 0.8-4000
      ng/mL). The mean recoveries were 3.7 +/- 7.6% for urine and 99.1 +/- 2.6% for
      saliva. LOD for saliva was 0.12 ng/mL and for urine 0.05 ng/mL; LOQ was 0.4 ng/mL
      and 0.8 ng/mL, respectively. Intraday and interday precision equaled,
      respectively, 1.2% and 3.4% for urine, and 2.3% and 6.4% for saliva. There was a
      strong correlation between salivary cotinine and the uncorrected cotinine
      concentration in urine in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The
      cutoff values were established for saliva 12.9 ng/mL and urine 42.3 ng/mL or 53.1
      MUg/g creatinine with the ROC curve analysis. The developed analytical method was
      successfully applied to quantify cotinine, and a significant correlation between
      the urinary and salivary cotinine levels was found. The presented cut-off values
      for salivary and urinary cotinine ensure a categorization of the smoking status
      among pregnant women that is more accurate than self-reporting.

PMID- 24228248
TI  - A review for detecting gene-gene interactions using machine learning methods in
      genetic epidemiology.
AB  - Recently, the greatest statistical computational challenge in genetic
      epidemiology is to identify and characterize the genes that interact with other
      genes and environment factors that bring the effect on complex multifactorial
      disease. These gene-gene interactions are also denoted as epitasis in which this
      phenomenon cannot be solved by traditional statistical method due to the high
      dimensionality of the data and the occurrence of multiple polymorphism. Hence,
      there are several machine learning methods to solve such problems by identifying
      such susceptibility gene which are neural networks (NNs), support vector machine
      (SVM), and random forests (RFs) in such common and multifactorial disease. This
      paper gives an overview on machine learning methods, describing the methodology
      of each machine learning methods and its application in detecting gene-gene and
      gene-environment interactions. Lastly, this paper discussed each machine learning
      method and presents the strengths and weaknesses of each machine learning method
      in detecting gene-gene interactions in complex human disease. 

PMID- 24228247
TI  - The treatment outcome and radiation-induced toxicity for patients with head and
      neck carcinoma in the IMRT era: a systematic review with dosimetric and clinical
      parameters.
AB  - A descriptive analysis was made in terms of the related radiation induced acute
      and late mucositis and xerostomia along with survival and tumor control rates
      (significance level at 0.016, bonferroni correction), for irradiation in head and
      neck carcinomas with either 2D Radiation Therapy (2DRT) and 3D conformal (3DCRT)
      or Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). The mean score of grade > II
      xerostomia for IMRT versus 2-3D RT was 0.31 +/- 0.23 and 0.56 +/- 0.23,
      respectively (Mann Whitney, P < 0.001). The parotid-dose for IMRT versus 2-3D RT
      was 29.56 +/- 5.45 and 50.73 +/- 6.79, respectively (Mann Whitney, P = 0.016).
      The reported mean parotid-gland doses were significantly correlated with late
      xerostomia (spearman test, rho = 0.5013, P < 0.001). A trend was noted for the
      superiority of IMRT concerning the acute oral mucositis. The 3-year overall
      survival for either IMRT or 2-3DRT was 89.5% and 82.7%, respectively (P = 0.026,
      Kruskal-Wallis test). The mean 3-year locoregional control rate was 83.6% (range:
      70-97%) and 74.4 (range: 61-82%), respectively (P = 0.025, Kruskal-Wallis). In
      conclusion, no significant differences in terms of locoregional control, overall
      survival and acute mucositis could be noted, while late xerostomia is definitely
      higher in 2-3D RT versus IMRT. Patients with head and neck carcinoma should be
      referred preferably to IMRT techniques. 

PMID- 24228249
TI  - In silico modeling and functional interpretations of Cry1Ab15 toxin from Bacillus
      thuringiensis BtB-Hm-16.
AB  - The theoretical homology based structural model of Cry1Ab15 delta-endotoxin
      produced by Bacillus thuringiensis BtB-Hm-16 was predicted using the Cry1Aa
      template (resolution 2.25 A). The Cry1Ab15 resembles the template structure by
      sharing a common three-domain extending conformation structure responsible for
      pore-forming and specificity determination. The novel structural differences
      found are the presence of beta0 and alpha3, and the absence of alpha7b, beta1a,
      alpha10a, alpha10b, beta12, and alpha11a while alpha9 is located spatially
      downstream. Validation by SUPERPOSE and with the use of PROCHECK program showed
      folding of 98% of modeled residues in a favourable and stable orientation with a
      total energy Z-score of -6.56; the constructed model has an RMSD of only 1.15 A.
      These increments of 3D structure information will be helpful in the design of
      domain swapping experiments aimed at improving toxicity and will help in
      elucidating the common mechanism of toxin action.

PMID- 24228250
TI  - A neural network model can explain ventriloquism aftereffect and its
      generalization across sound frequencies.
AB  - Exposure to synchronous but spatially disparate auditory and visual stimuli
      produces a perceptual shift of sound location towards the visual stimulus
      (ventriloquism effect). After adaptation to a ventriloquism situation, enduring
      sound shift is observed in the absence of the visual stimulus (ventriloquism
      aftereffect). Experimental studies report opposing results as to aftereffect
      generalization across sound frequencies varying from aftereffect being confined
      to the frequency used during adaptation to aftereffect generalizing across some
      octaves. Here, we present an extension of a model of visual-auditory interaction
      we previously developed. The new model is able to simulate the ventriloquism
      effect and, via Hebbian learning rules, the ventriloquism aftereffect and can be
      used to investigate aftereffect generalization across frequencies. The model
      includes auditory neurons coding both for the spatial and spectral features of
      the auditory stimuli and mimicking properties of biological auditory neurons. The
      model suggests that different extent of aftereffect generalization across
      frequencies can be obtained by changing the intensity of the auditory stimulus
      that induces different amounts of activation in the auditory layer. The model
      provides a coherent theoretical framework to explain the apparently contradictory
      results found in the literature. Model mechanisms and hypotheses are discussed in
      relation to neurophysiological and psychophysical data. 

PMID- 24228251
TI  - Paired measurements of paraoxonase 1 and serum amyloid A as useful disease
      markers.
AB  - Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and serum amyloid A (SAA) are proteins carried by high
      density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. Among the HDL-associated protein molecules,
      SAA, an inflammation-related marker, and PON1, an antioxidant marker, tend to
      change in relatively clear opposite directions in physiological situations. In
      clinical chemistry, paired measurements of both markers may provide useful
      information to understand dysfunctional HDL in diseases with inflammation and
      oxidative stress conditions. Actually, limited clinical studies have suggested
      that the combined use of PON1 and SAA may be a tool for observing the
      pathophysiology of some disease entities. From the findings of experimental
      studies, PON1 appears to be cooperatively regulated by inflammation- and
      oxidative stress-related molecules linked with SAA regulation in humans. More
      studies remain to be performed to ascertain the value of paired measurements of
      both promising markers in clinical practice. 

PMID- 24228252
TI  - Pulmonary hypertension in Portugal: first data from a nationwide registry.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease that must
      be managed in specialized centers; therefore, the availability of epidemiological
      national data is critical. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational,
      and multicenter registry with a joint collaboration from five centers from
      Portugal and included adult incident patients with PAH or chronic thromboembolic
      pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). RESULTS: Of the 79 patients enrolled in this
      study, 46 (58.2%) were classified as PAH and 33 patients (41.8%) as CTEPH. PAH
      patients had a mean age of 43.4 +/- 16.4 years. Idiopathic PAH was the most
      common etiology (37%). At presentation, PAH patients had elevated right atrial
      pressure (RAP) (7.7 +/- 5.9 mmHg) and mean pulmonary vascular resistance (11.4 +/
      6.5 Wood units), with a low cardiac index (2.7 +/- 1.1 L.min(-1).m(-2)); no
      patient was under selective pulmonary vasodilators; however, at follow-up, most
      patients were on single (50%), double (28%), or triple (9%) combination
      vasodilator therapy. One-year survival was 93.5%, similar to CTEPH patients
      (93.9%), that were older (60.0 +/- 12.5 years) and had higher RAP (11.0 +/- 5.2
      mmHg, P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: We describe for the first time nationwide data on
      the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of PAH and CTEPH patients in Portugal.
      Clinical presentation and outcomes are comparable with those reported on other
      national registries.

PMID- 24228253
TI  - Risk prediction models for mortality in community-acquired pneumonia: a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several models have been developed to predict the risk of mortality
      in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This study aims to systematically identify
      and evaluate the performance of published risk prediction models for CAP.
      METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library in November 2011 for
      initial derivation and validation studies for models which predict pneumonia
      mortality. We aimed to present the comparative usefulness of their mortality
      prediction. RESULTS: We identified 20 different published risk prediction models
      for mortality in CAP. Four models relied on clinical variables that could be
      assessed in community settings, with the two validated models BTS1 and CRB-65
      showing fairly similar balanced accuracy levels (0.77 and 0.72, resp.), while CRB
      65 had AUROC of 0.78. Nine models required laboratory tests in addition to
      clinical variables, and the best performance levels amongst the validated models
      were those of CURB and CURB-65 (balanced accuracy 0.73 and 0.71, resp.), with
      CURB-65 having an AUROC of 0.79. The PSI (AUROC 0.82) was the only validated
      model with good discriminative ability among the four that relied on clinical,
      laboratorial, and radiological variables. CONCLUSIONS: There is no convincing
      evidence that other risk prediction models improve upon the well-established CURB
      65 and PSI models.

PMID- 24228254
TI  - Systems approaches to modeling chronic mucosal inflammation.
AB  - The respiratory mucosa is a major coordinator of the inflammatory response in
      chronic airway diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD). Signals produced by the chronic inflammatory process induce
      epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) that dramatically alters the epithelial
      cell phenotype. The effects of EMT on epigenetic reprogramming and the activation
      of transcriptional networks are known, its effects on the innate inflammatory
      response are underexplored. We used a multiplex gene expression profiling
      platform to investigate the perturbations of the innate pathways induced by TGF
      beta in a primary airway epithelial cell model of EMT. EMT had dramatic effects
      on the induction of the innate pathway and the coupling interval of the canonical
      and noncanonical NF- kappa B pathways. Simulation experiments demonstrate that
      rapid, coordinated cap-independent translation of TRAF-1 and NF- kappa B2 is
      required to reduce the noncanonical pathway coupling interval. Experiments using
      amantadine confirmed the prediction that TRAF-1 and NF- kappa B2/p100 production
      is mediated by an IRES-dependent mechanism. These data indicate that the
      epigenetic changes produced by EMT induce dynamic state changes of the innate
      signaling pathway. Further applications of systems approaches will provide
      understanding of this complex phenotype through deterministic modeling and
      multidimensional (genomic and proteomic) profiling. 

PMID- 24228255
TI  - Development and evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles of raloxifene
      hydrochloride for enhanced bioavailability.
AB  - Raloxifene hydrochloride (RL-HCL) is an orally selective estrogen receptor
      modulator (SERM) with poor bioavailability of nearly 2% due to its poor aqueous
      solubility and extensive first pass metabolism. In order to improve the oral
      bioavailability of raloxifene, raloxifene loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN)
      have been developed using Compritol 888 ATO as lipid carrier and Pluronic F68 as
      surfactant. Raloxifene loaded SLN were prepared by solvent
      emulsification/evaporation method, and different concentrations of surfactant,
      and homogenization speed were taken as process variables for optimization. SLN
      were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency,
      surface morphology, and crystallinity of lipid and drug. In vitro drug release
      studies were performed in phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 using dialysis bag diffusion
      technique. Particle sizes of all the formulations were in the range of 250 to
      1406 nm, and the entrapment efficiency ranges from 55 to 66%. FTIR and DSC
      studies indicated no interaction between drug and lipid, and the XRD spectrum
      showed that RL-HCL is in amorphous form in the formulation. In vitro release
      profiles were biphasic in nature and followed Higuchi model of release kinetics.
      Pharmacokinetics of raloxifene loaded solid lipid nanoparticles after oral
      administration to Wistar rats was studied. Bioavailability of RL-HCL loaded SLN
      was nearly five times than that of pure RL-HCL.

PMID- 24228256
TI  - Ouabain-induced apoptosis in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons in
      vitro.
AB  - Ouabain is a common tool to explore the pathophysiological changes in adult
      mammalian cochlea in vivo. In prior studies, locally administering ouabain via
      round window membrane demonstrated that the ototoxic effects of ouabain in vivo
      varied among mammalian species. Little is known about the ototoxic effects in
      vitro. Thus, we prepared cochlear organotypic cultures from postnatal day-3 rats
      and treated these cultures with ouabain at 50, 500, and 1000 MUM for different
      time to elucidate the ototoxic effects of ouabain in vitro and to provide
      insights that could explain the comparative ototoxic effects of ouabain in vivo.
      Degeneration of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons was evaluated by
      hair-cell staining and neurofilament labeling, respectively. Annexin V staining
      was used to detect apoptotic cells. A quantitative RT-PCR apoptosis-focused gene
      array determined changes in apoptosis-related genes. The results showed that
      ouabain-induced damage in vitro was dose and time dependent. 500 MUM ouabain and
      1000 MUM ouabain were destructively traumatic to both spiral ganglion neurons and
      cochlear hair cells in an apoptotic signal-dependent pathway. The major apoptotic
      pathways in ouabain-induced spiral ganglion neuron apoptosis culminated in the
      stimulation of the p53 pathway and triggering of apoptosis by a network of
      proapoptotic signaling pathways.

PMID- 24228257
TI  - Facilitating ambulatory electronic health record system implementation: evidence
      from a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ambulatory care practices have increasing interest in leveraging the
      capabilities of electronic health record (EHR) systems, but little information is
      available documenting how organizations have successfully implemented these
      systems. Objective. To characterize elements of successful electronic health
      record (EHR) system implementation and to synthesize the key informants'
      perspectives about successful implementation practices. METHODS: Key informant
      interviews and focus groups were conducted with a purposive sample of individuals
      from US healthcare organizations identified for their success with ambulatory EHR
      implementation. Rigorous qualitative data analyses used both deductive and
      inductive methods. RESULTS: Participants identified personal and system-related
      barriers, at both the individual and organization levels, including poor computer
      skills, productivity losses, resistance to change, and EHR system failure.
      Implementation success was reportedly facilitated by careful planning and
      consistent communication throughout distinct stages of the implementation
      process. A significant element of successful implementation was an emphasis on
      optimization, both during "go-live" and, subsequently, when users had more
      experience with the system. CONCLUSION: Successful EHR implementation requires
      both detailed planning and clear mechanisms to deal with unforeseen or unintended
      consequences. Focusing on user buy-in early and including plans for optimization
      can facilitate greater success.

PMID- 24228258
TI  - Do fallers and nonfallers equally benefit from balance specific exercise program?
      A pilot study.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to determine the sample size that would allow broad
      generalizability of the results. To investigate the differences in the
      responsiveness of fallers and nonfallers to a multicomponent functional balance
      specific program, 23 participating subjects (70.1 +/- 6.6 years) were divided
      into nonfallers group (13) and fallers group (10). The components of the balance
      specific program were (1) changing of the center of gravity (CoG) in the vertical
      direction, (2) shifting of the CoG to the border of stability, (3) rotation of
      the head and body about the vertical axis, (4) standing and walking on soft
      surface, and (5) walking over obstacles or on a narrow path. At the end of eight
      months of the training program, there was no significant difference between the
      two groups regarding postural sway. The total center of pressure path length was
      used as the principal outcome measure for the sample size calculation. Based on
      these results the a priori sample size calculation yielded the estimate of 110
      subjects required to be enrolled in order to get 20 subjects in fallers and 30
      subjects in nonfallers group for the 80% power to detect the results as
      significant. 

PMID- 24228260
TI  - Antioxidant, lipid lowering, and membrane stabilization effect of sesamol against
      doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in experimental rats.
AB  - The present study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of sesamol
      against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. In this study, the
      cardioprotective effect of sesamol against doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy in
      experimental rats was evaluated at the dosage of 50 mg/kg bw. Doxorubicin was
      administered to rats at a total cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg through
      intraperitoneal route for 2 weeks in six-divided dose on 8th, 10th, 14th, 16th,
      18th, and 21st day. After the last dose administration, the endogenous
      antioxidants and lipid peroxidation were estimated in heart tissue homogenate.
      Cardiac biomarkers such as troponin T, LDH, CK, and AST and lipid profiles such
      as cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and VLDL were estimated in serum.
      Sesamol has cardioprotective activity through normalization of doxorubicin
      induced-altered biochemical parameters. Biochemical study was further supported
      by histopathological study, which shows that sesamol offered myocardial
      protection from necrotic damage. From these findings, it has been concluded that
      the sesamol has significant cardioprotection against doxorubicin induced
      cardiomyopathy via amelioration of oxidative stress, lipid lowering, and membrane
      stabilization effect.

PMID- 24228259
TI  - Epidemiology and risk factors of tooth loss among Iranian adults: findings from a
      large community-based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of tooth loss and different prosthetic
      rehabilitations among Iranian adults, as well as the potential determinants of
      tooth loss. METHODS: In a cross-sectional community-based study conducted among
      8094 Iranian adults living in Isfahan province, a self-administered questionnaire
      was used to assess epidemiologic features of tooth loss. RESULTS: Thirty-two
      percent of subjects had all their teeth, 58.6% had lost less than 6, and 7.2% of
      participants had lost more than 6 teeth. One hundred and sixty-nine individuals
      (2.2%) were edentulous. Among participants, 2.3% had single jaw removable partial
      denture, 3.6% had complete removable denture in both jaws, and 4.6% had fixed
      prosthesis. Others reported no prosthetic rehabilitation (89.5%). In the age
      subgroup analysis (<=35 and >35 years old) tooth loss was more prevalent among
      men than women (OR = 2.8 and 1.9, resp., P < 0.01). Also, in both age groups,
      current and former smokers had higher levels of tooth loss than nonsmokers (P <
      0.001 and P < 0.05, resp.). In addition, tooth loss was positively related to
      metabolic abnormality for age group >35 years (adjusted OR = 1.29, P < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Tooth loss is highly prevalent in Iranian adult population.
      Community programs promoting oral health for prevention of tooth loss should be
      considered taking into account its major determinants including lower educational
      level, male gender, smoking, and metabolic abnormality.

PMID- 24228261
TI  - Hemizona assay and sperm penetration assay in the prediction of IVF outcome: a
      systematic review.
AB  - The limited predictive value of semen analysis in achieving natural conception or
      in IVF outcome confirms the need for sperm function tests to determine optimal
      management. We reviewed HZA and SPA predictive power in IVF outcome, with
      statistical significance of diagnostic power of the assays. HZA was readily
      efficient in predicting IVF outcome, while evident inconsistency among the
      studies analysed framed the SPA's role in male fertility evaluation. Considerable
      variation was noted in the diagnostic accuracy values of SPA with wide
      sensitivity (52-100%), specificity (0-100%), and PPV (18-100%) and NPV (0-100%)
      together with fluctuation and notable differentiation in methodology and cutoff
      values employed by each group. HZA methodology was overall consistent with minor
      variation in cutoff values and oocyte source, while data analysis reported strong
      correlation between HZA results with IVF outcome, high sensitivity (75-100%),
      good specificity (57-100%), and high PPV (79-100%) and NPV (68-100%). HZA
      correlated well with IVF outcome and demonstrated better sensitivity/specificity
      and positive/negative predictive power. Males with normal or slightly abnormal
      semen profiles could benefit by this intervention and could be evaluated prior to
      referral to assisted reproduction. HZA should be used in a sequential fashion
      with semen analysis and potentially other bioassays in an IVF setting. 

PMID- 24228263
TI  - Serum lipid profiling of patients with  chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and 
      hepatocellular carcinoma by ultra fast  LC/IT-TOF MS.
AB  - In this study, an ultra fast LC/IT-TOF MS (UFLC/IT-TOF MS)-based serum lipidomics
      method was employed to characterize the serum lipid profile of patients with
      chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After data
      collection and processing, 96 lipids including lysophosphatidylcholines,
      phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, triacylglycerides, and cholesterol esters
      were identified and used for subsequent data analysis. Partial least squares
      discriminant analysis revealed that patients with liver diseases had distinctly
      different serum lipid profile from that of healthy controls; while cirrhosis and
      HCC patients had a similar serum lipid profile, but different from that of
      hepatitis patients. The ANOVA analysis found 75 of the 96 identified lipids to be
      abnormally regulated, among which most of these lipids were downregulated in
      cirrhosis and HCC patients compared with those of healthy controls and hepatitis
      patients, while hepatitis patients induced several lipids downregulated and
      others upregulated compared with those of healthy controls, indicating the
      aberrant lipid metabolism in patients with liver diseases. This work demonstrated
      the utility of UFLC/IT-TOF MS-based serum lipidomics as a powerful tool to
      investigate the lipid metabolism of liver diseases.

PMID- 24228262
TI  - Yield and cost of performing screening tests for constipation in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic constipation is one of the most common reasons for pediatric
      outpatient visits. Clinical guidelines recommend that the work-up for chronic
      refractory constipation include thyroid function tests, celiac serology, and
      measurement of calcium and lead levels. Data to justify routine screening of
      constipated children using these laboratory tests are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To
      study the prevalence of celiac disease, hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia and lead
      poisoning in children with chronic constipation; and to estimate the health care
      costs of applying the guideline recommendations. METHOD: Charts of constipated
      children from 2007 to 2011 were reviewed for the present retrospective cohort
      study. Results and costs of thyroid function tests, celiac panel, total
      immunoglobulin (Ig) A, and determination of lead and calcium levels were
      analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 7472 children (mean age 7.9 years; 3908 female)
      were evaluated: 1731 patients were screened for celiac antibodies; 55 had
      elevated tissue transglutaminase IgA levels and 29 had biopsy-positive celiac
      disease. Only three celiac patients had constipation as the sole presenting
      symptom; 1703 patients were screened for total IgA levels; 55 had IgA deficiency
      and two had biopsy-positive celiac disease; 2332 had free T4 and/or thyroid
      stimulating hormone levels; and 14 had hypothyroidism. Only two patients had
      constipation as the sole presenting symptom; 4651 patients had calcium levels
      measured, 10 of whom had high levels but normal repeat values. Three patients had
      normal lead levels. The mean cost per patient was USD$1,014. Total screening cost
      for all patients was USD$4.7 million. CONCLUSION: Constipation alone did not
      increase the likelihood of celiac disease or hypothyroidism above the population
      prevalence. No benefit of screening for hypercalcemia was found. High health care
      costs were associated with the use of screening tests for organic constipation.

PMID- 24228264
TI  - Differences and similarities between LC-MS  derived serum fingerprints of
      patients with  B-cell malignancies.
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are closely related
      B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. MM, a plasma cell malignancy, is the second most
      common haematopoietic cancer in Western countries, with the median survival time
      of 3-4 years. CLL, a lymphocyte B malignancy, is the most common leukaemia in
      Western countries. About 25-30% of all CLL patients do not survive the period of
      5 years following diagnosis. Both malignancies are complicated, not fully
      understood and incurable with the current standard treatment. Biologically, MM
      and CLL may be preceded by associated precursor conditions, that is, monoclonal
      gammopathy of undetermined significance for MM and its cellular counterpart and
      monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis for CLL. Similarities and differences in the
      biology of these malignancies prompted us to evaluate their metabolomics in
      stages requiring chemotherapy. Fingerprinting of serum metabolites by the use of
      LC-MS has never been applied in studies on MM and CLL patients. Obtained results
      revealed metabolites common for both malignancies (e.g. fatty acids,
      acylcarnitines, sphingolipids, phospholipids, phenylalanylphenylalanine and
      isoprene) as well as those which render them different (e.g.
      lysophosphatidylcholines, monoacylglycerols, aminocaproic acid,
      phenylacetylglutamine).

PMID- 24228265
TI  - Targeted analysis of omega-6-derived  eicosanoids in human serum by  SPE-LC-MS/MS
      for evaluation of coronary  artery disease.
AB  - A targeted approach has been applied to quantitative analysis of eicosanoids
      derived from omega-6 fatty acids in serum from individuals diagnosed with
      coronary artery disease (CAD). The target metabolites were series-2
      prostaglandins, thromboxane B2, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, and
      hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids. The method was based on SPELC-MS/MS in selected
      reaction monitoring mode for highly selective and sensitive determination of the
      target eicosanoids. The combination of SPE and LC-MS/MS involved the benefits
      from both direct analysis of serum without a step for protein precipitation and
      fully automation of the analysis. The method allowed comparison of omega-6
      derived eicosanoids in serum from patients diagnosed with CAD and from control
      individuals. The effect of treatment with aspirin on the profile of the target
      compounds was evaluated through its incidence on the different pathways. Finally,
      the serum levels of the target metabolites in patients diagnosed with CAD were
      also statistically examined according to the severity of the coronary lesion
      stratified as stable angina, non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, and acute
      myocardial infarction.

PMID- 24228267
TI  - Lipogranulomatosis and hypersplenism induced by ruptured silicone breast
      implants.

PMID- 24228266
TI  - Determination of changes in the metabolic  profile of avocado fruits (Persea
      americana) by two CE-MS approaches (targeted  and non-targeted).
AB  - A CZE method with two different MS detection conditions (MRM and Full Scan) was
      developed to determine qualitative and quantitative changes in the metabolic
      profile of avocado fruits (Persea americana). LODs in MRM approach were found
      between 20.1 and 203.0 ppb for abscisic acid and perseitol, respectively, whilst
      in Full Scan, varied within the range 0.22-1.90 ppm for the same metabolites. The
      RSDs for reproducibility test did not exceed 11.45%. The two MS approaches were
      used to quantify 10 metabolites (phenolic acids, flavonoids, a carbohydrate, an
      organic acid, a vitamin and a phytohormone) in 18 samples of avocado at different
      ripening states, and the achieved results were compared. Perseitol, quinic,
      chlorogenic, trans-cinnamic, pantothenic and abscisic acids, as well as
      epicatechin and catechin decreased during the ripening process, whereas ferulic
      and p-coumaric acids showed the opposite trend. Moreover, some other unknown
      compounds whose concentration changed largely during ripening were also studied
      by MS/MS and QTOF MS to get a tentative identification.

PMID- 24228268
TI  - Leptomeningeal metastases from primary plasma cell leukemia.

PMID- 24228269
TI  - Preface. cardiac and metabolic disorders in hemodialysis.

PMID- 24228270
TI  - 1H NMR-based metabonomic analysis of serum and urine in a nonhuman primate model
      of diabetic nephropathy.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious metabolic disease, and comprehensive
      understanding of its complex mechanism will help in preventing the onset and
      progression of DN. To reveal the systemic metabolic changes associated with renal
      injury, we performed 1H NMR-based metabonomic and multivariate analyses to
      analyze serum and urine obtained from a nonhuman primate model of DN. Our results
      indicated that DN monkeys exhibited a distinct metabolic profile, including
      higher levels of VLDL/LDL, lipids, unsaturated lipids, uric acid, allantoin,
      fumarate and hippurate, as well as lower levels of HDL, alanine, glutamate,
      pyruvate, formate, tyrosine, histidine and NAD+. The disturbed metabolic pathways
      were further identified, including NAD+ metabolism, purine metabolism, oxidative
      stress, lipid metabolism, and renal tubular reabsorption. This study highlights
      that NMR-based metabonomics provides insight into the underlying pathways in the
      pathogenesis and progression of DN at the metabolic level.

PMID- 24228271
TI  - Reactivity of bridged pentelidene complexes with isonitriles: a new way to pentel
      containing heterocycles.
AB  - The reaction of [Cp*E{W(CO)5}2] (E=P (1a), As (1b); Cp*=1,2,3,4,5
      pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with isonitriles RNC (R=tBu, cyclohexyl (Cy), nBu)
      depends on the steric demand of the substituent at the isonitrile as well as on
      the stoichiometry of the starting materials. With tBuNC only the Lewis acid/base
      adducts [Cp*E{W(CO)5}2ACHTUNGTRENUNG(CNtBu)] (E=P (2a), As (2b)) are formed. The
      use of Cy and n-butylisonitrile leads first to the formation of the Lewis
      acid/base adduct, but only at low temperatures. At ambient temperatures, a
      rearrangement occurs and bicycloACHTUNGTRENUNG[3.2.0]heptane derivatives of the
      type [{C(Me)CACHTUNGTRENUNG( CH2)C(Me)C(Me)C(Me)}C(NR)-E{W(CO)5}2] (E=P, As;
      R=Cy, nBu) (3a-Cy, 3b-Cy, 3a-nBu and 3b-nBu) are obtained. The use of a further
      equivalent of isonitrile results in products revealing two new structural motifs,
      the four-membered ring derivatives [CACHTUNGTRENUNG(Cp*)N(R)C(NR)E{W(CO)5}2] (4:
      E=P, As; R=Cy, nBu) and the bicyclic complexes [[{C(Me)CACHTUNGTRENUNG(
      CH2)C(Me)C(Me)C(Me)}C(NR)2-E{W(CO)5}2] (5: E=As; R=Cy). The reaction pathway
      depends on the substituent at the isonitrile. By treatment of 1a with two
      equivalents of CyNC only a 2H-1,3-azaphosphet complex 4a-Cy (E=P; R=Cy) is
      formed. Treatment of 1b with two equivalents of CyNC exclusively leads to the
      complex 5b-Cy (E=As; R=Cy). Treatment of 1a with two equivalents of nBuNC results
      in a mixture of complexes, the 2H-1,3-azaphosphet 4a-nBu (E=P; R=nBu) and the
      bicyclic complex 5a-nBu (E=P; R=nBu). For the arsenidene complex 1b a mixture of
      the 2H-1,3-azarsete complex 4b-nBu (E=As; R=nBu) and the bicyclic complex 5b-nBu
      (E=P, As; R=Cy, nBu) is obtained. Complex 4b-nBu is the first example of a 2H-1,3
      azarsete complex. All products have been characterized by using mass
      spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis.

PMID- 24228272
TI  - The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) Report - July 2013.

PMID- 24228273
TI  - Retraction notice to "Dexmedetomidine infusion is associated with enhanced renal
      function after thoracic surgery" (J Clin Anesth 2006;18:422-6).

PMID- 24228274
TI  - Efficient volume reconstruction for parallel-beam computed laminography by
      filtered backprojection on multi-core clusters.
AB  - Computed laminography (CL) was developed to use X-rays from synchrotron sources
      for high-resolution imaging of the internal structure of a flat specimen from a
      series of 2-D projection images. The projections are acquired by irradiation of
      the sample under different rotation angles where the object rotation axis is
      inclined with respect to the beam direction. This yields for laterally extended
      objects a more uniform average transmitted intensity during sample rotation
      compared with computed tomography (CT). The reconstruction problem of CL cannot
      be reduced to a data-efficient 2-D case (as for parallel-beam CT) since each
      single slice perpendicular to the rotation axis requires a 2-D region on the
      detector as input data for all projection directions. This paper describes a
      computationally efficient reconstruction procedure based on filtered
      backprojection (FBP) adapted to the CL acquisition geometry. From the Fourier
      slice theorem, we derive a framework for analytic image reconstruction and
      outline implementation details of the generic FBP algorithm. Different approaches
      reducing the reconstruction time by means of parallel and distributed
      computations are considered and evaluated.

PMID- 24228275
TI  - Labeling Spain with Stanford.
AB  - We present an end-to-end framework for outdoor scene region decomposition,
      learned on a small set of randomly selected images that generalizes well to
      multiple data sets containing images from around the world. We discuss the
      different aspects of the framework especially a generalized variational inference
      method with better approximations to the true marginals of a graphical model.
      Experimentally, we explain why the framework is robust and performs competitively
      on many diverse scene data sets, including several unseen scene types. We have
      obtained high pixel-level accuracies (~ 80%) in three of the four data sets,
      which include a benchmark data set known as the Stanford background data set. Our
      model obtained over 70% accuracy on the fourth data set, which contained a number
      of indoor and close-up images that are significantly different from our training
      examples.

PMID- 24228276
TI  - Nokia and Alaska airlines: a tale of two snow country-based companies. How well
      are physician-group leaders anticipating where population health management is
      headed?

PMID- 24228277
TI  - Taking the population health plunge: physician organization leaders go big.

PMID- 24228278
TI  - ACO challenge: leveraging data for accountable care. Interview by Mark Hagland.

PMID- 24228279
TI  - What does a car look like? Looking at the health information exchange conundrum:
      a historical perspective.

PMID- 24228280
TI  - Health information exchange: are we at an inflection point? As health information
      exchange evolves forward, industry leaders and experts debate what to do about
      some of the continuing obstacles to granular-level data exchange. Should federal
      officials intervene?

PMID- 24228281
TI  - Advancing mobile computing: how one New Jersey group has moved forward. At the 15
      physician Vanguard Medical Group in northeast New Jersey, PCMH participation
      helped spur a broader mobile strategy.

PMID- 24228282
TI  - HIEs see role as patient portal providers. HIE as possible alternative to patient
      portals.

PMID- 24228283
TI  - M.D. documentation: where the rubber meets the road. An emergency physician's
      perspective on technology as an enabler. Interview by Mark Hagland.

PMID- 24228285
TI  - People to know 2013: Meet 14 superstars making a difference in the diabetes
      world.

PMID- 24228284
TI  - Baby, it's cold outside.

PMID- 24228286
TI  - Fresh from the freezer: Pair frozen foods with pantry products to whip up quick
      and easy main dishes.

PMID- 24228287
TI  - Your heart-smart kitchen.

PMID- 24228288
TI  - Ready for action: rehab patients benefit from inclusive design.

PMID- 24228295
TI  - Final rules under the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and
      Addiction Equity Act of 2008; technical amendment to external review for multi
      state plan program. Final rules.
AB  - This document contains final rule implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete
      Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, which requires
      parity between mental health or substance use disorder benefits and
      medical/surgical benefits with respect to financial requirements and treatment
      limitations under group health plans and group and individual health insurance
      coverage. This document also contains a technical amendment relating to external
      review with respect to the multi-state plan program administered by the Office of
      Personnel Management.

PMID- 24228297
TI  - Abstracts of the 4th Central European Forum for Microbiology. October 16-18,
      2013. Keszthely, Hungary.

PMID- 24228296
TI  - Abstracts of the Annual Meeting of the Hungarian Society for Microbiology.
      October 24-26, 2013. Keszthely, Hungary.

PMID- 24228298
TI  - Abstracts of the 67th Meeting of the Italian Society of Anatomy and Histology.
      September 20-22, 2013. Brescia, Italy.

PMID- 24228299
TI  - An interview with Won Moon. By Andre Wilson Machado, Barry Briss, Greg J Huang,
      Richard Kulbersh and Sergei Godeiro Fernandes Rabelo Caldas.

PMID- 24228300
TI  - Abstracts of the 66th Meeting of the Italian Society of Anatomy and Histology.
      September 20-22, 2012. Pistoia, Italy.

PMID- 24228301
TI  - [Dear colleagues , dear colleagues , dear friends].

PMID- 24228302
TI  - The authors respond.

PMID- 24228303
TI  - AVMA governance changes.

PMID- 24228304
TI  - [Sleep disorders and work: guidelines for health surveillance, risk management
      and prevention].
AB  - Sleep disorders and related diseases are becoming increasingly relevant for the
      health and wellbeing of the general and working populations. Sleep disorders
      affect all aspects of health, showing a bi-directionality with health conditions
      and comorbidity with several diseases. Consequently, sleep disorders may have
      severe negative consequences both for the individual and the enterprise, as well
      as for society on the whole, in terms of health, productivity and social costs.
      When considering the disturbances of the sleep/wake cycle, it is important to
      distinguish between those connected with endogenous biological factors from those
      related to socio-environmental conditions, including work, and those associated
      with mental and physical diseases, that are often associated and interact with
      each other. Many sleep disorders are still underestimated and under-valued in
      clinical practice and, to a much greater extent, in workers' health surveillance.
      The present paper is aimed at drawing the attention of the occupational health
      physician to some key issues, particularly regarding excessive daytime
      sleepiness, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and shift and night work, as well as
      their implications in terms of health and occupational consequences. Information
      on the main aspects of clinical diagnosis and health surveillance, as well as
      risk management and prevention at the workplace, are provided.

PMID- 24228305
TI  - Estimating medical costs of work-related diseases in the Basque Country (2008).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the medical costs of work-attributable diseases (WAD)
      treated by the public health care system for one of the Spanish Autonomous
      Communities, the Basque Country, in 2008. METHODS: We calculated the burden of
      disease attributable to work for each category of diseases according to ICD-9-CM
      by using estimates of attributable fractions. Hospital and specialized outpatient
      care cost data were derived from the Spanish National Health System analytical
      accountability system. Secondary sources of information were used to estimate
      primary health care and drug prescriptions. RESULTS: Direct costs of work
      attributable diseases borne by the Basque Regional Health Service totalled 106
      million Euros in 2008, representing 3.3% of Basque public expenditures on health
      and 0.16% of Basque GDP in 2008. Specialized care, including hospitalizations,
      absorbed the highest proportion of costs (52%), followed by drug prescriptions
      and primary health care (27% and 21%, respectively). Diseases of the
      musculoskeletal system and connective tissues accounted for 47.3% of total costs,
      followed by cardiovascular diseases (19.6%) and cancer (15%). CONCLUSIONS:
      Occupational diseases and accidents are costly in the Basque Region of Spain,
      generating a severe deviation of public expenditures and overburdening of the
      Public Health System because they should really be the responsibility of the
      Social Security System. Proper identification and assignment of costs of work
      related diseases would result in significant savings for the National Health
      System (Spanish and European), would provide an incentive for the prevention of
      these avoidable causes of illness and thus contribute to the sustainability of
      social systems.

PMID- 24228306
TI  - [Asbestos-related diseases in former asbestos-cement workers in Senigallia].
AB  - BACKGROUND: A factory that produced asbestos-cement products, using chrysotile,
      amosite and crocidolite in very low percentages, cement and water, operated in
      Senigallia from 1948 to 1984. Workers and residents still living in Senigallia
      are 238. OBJECTIVES: The need for an organic response to requests by former
      workers for protection of health and recognition of occupational diseases induced
      the Prevention and Safety at the Workplace Service in Senigallia/Area Vasta 2 to
      implement a programme of health surveillance. METHODS: In 2010 a health
      surveillance programme was initiated that involved 158 subjects, 58 women and 100
      men. The average age of men was 75 years and 70 for women. The time elapsed
      between first exposure and participation in the programme was on average 50 years
      (SD 7.49). The average number of years of exposure to asbestos fibres was 17 (SD
      10.36). The programme included counselling activities, especially as regards
      cessation of smoking, and first and second level health checks. RESULTS: The
      health surveillance programme enabled us to diagnose pleural plaques and pleural
      thickening in 81% of the subjects and various degrees of interstitial
      abnormalities in 49.4%. The high percentage of asbestos-related diseases was
      connected mainly with the long latency of the population under study and the
      higher diagnostic sensitivity of low dose chest CT scan applied to these
      diseases. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, in order to optimize the benefits of a
      health surveillance programme of former workers exposed to asbestos, it will be
      advisable to define parameters of access to the programme for individual subjects
      in relation to life expectancy, clinical conditions, time elapsed since first
      exposure, time of cessation of exposure. Such parameters, together with any risk
      factors, will influence the diagnostic process.

PMID- 24228307
TI  - [Health education on occupational risks: a target not yet achieved? Workers'
      opinions collected via a questionnaire].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study collected the opinions of sample of workers, sent to the
      Department of Occupational Medicine of Brescia Civil Hospital, on the contents
      and the methods used for carrying out information programs on the occupational
      risks in their workplaces. METHODS: A questionnaire including three sections has
      been prepared: in the first section demographic data and information on the job
      were collected, in the second section the contents of programs on the prevention
      of occupational risks were evaluated, the third section investigated how these
      programs have been performed. RESULTS: 250 workers have been examined; 16 self
      employed workers have been excluded. Mean length of employment was sixteen years.
      29% of workers reported to have received information about the role of the main
      actors of the prevention in the workplaces according to the Italian legislation;
      overall 41.8% of workers have been informed both on occupational risks in their
      factory and specific job-related risks, potential occupational diseases and
      working procedures to prevent these risks. 7.2% of workers did not receive any
      information on occupational risks. 24% of subjects referred the involvement of
      the occupational physician in the information meetings. 55% of these meetings
      lasted more than 60 minutes and included frontal lectures and the delivery of
      information leaflets; learning assessment was referred by 50% of the workers and
      77.9% considered the information (contents and quality) at least sufficient.
      DISCUSSION: This study, even if preliminary and based on anamnestic data, pointed
      out that, at this moment, careful information on occupational risks in the
      workplaces seems a target not yet achieved. It is desirable to verify in the
      future the improvement of the quality of information given to workers, following
      the entry into force of the recent Italian legislation concerning this topic.

PMID- 24228308
TI  - ["On professions considered as a cause of disease" (1849) by Enrico de Betta. The
      first Italian modern discussion on diseases and work].
AB  - The doctoral dissertation in Pavia in 1849 by Enrico de Betta is presented as a
      well-constructed, comprehensive and modern discussion of diseases ascribable to
      work. 150 years after Ramazzini's treatise, Enrico de Betta, through an updated
      knowledge of contemporary literature especially French and German, refreshed and
      renewed the knowledge inherited from Ramazzini in the light of the changes
      introduced with the beginnings of industrial hygiene and the first steps taken in
      occupational epidemiology. In the introduction to the text and accompanying
      notes, the authors offer an interpretation of the significance of overcoming the
      main Ramazzinian paradigms. This takes into account the current debate,
      especially in the French cultural sphere, on the meaning of autonomy and
      complementarity of the various disciplines that are the foundations of the
      protection and promotion of the health conditions of the working classes. It is
      suggested therefore that a simplistic view of Ramazzini as the unique 'father" of
      modern occupational health and safety at work needs to be abandoned. The work of
      de Betta does not seem to have had much success in Italy. The debate and
      interventions on the relationship between diseases and work still had to wait
      half a century to produce effects, but this took place in a very different
      context, that of Giolitti's era.

PMID- 24228309
TI  - [Protection of working mothers: operational guide document. The Marche Regional
      Section of the Italian Society of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene
      (SIMLII) ].
AB  - Protection of working mothers: operational guide document. The aim of this
      operational guide document is to protect the health of working mothers and their
      babies during pregnancy, puerperium and breastfeeding. The project was developed
      by a technical working group which included professionals in the pertinent fields
      from the Workplace Prevention and Safety Services of the local Vasta-2 Area of
      the Marche Regional Health Service:physicians, health assistants, and nurses. It
      is considered to be a useful tool for risk assessment at the workplace aimed at
      professionals who are involved, with various duties and responsibilities, in the
      health care of the working mother. This paper consists of two functionally
      related sections, "Table of risks" and "Technical specifications". In the "Table
      of Risks" section, the occupational hazards for women during pregnancy or
      postpartum were analyzed with the highest possible degree of care. To this end
      the technical group provided, for each occupational hazard, its own operational
      suggestions, in relation to legislation, current scientific knowledge and
      Guidelines of other Italian Regions. The Marche Regional Section of the Italian
      Society of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene (SIMLII) participated in
      the final draft of the entire document. The second section, "Technical
      Specifications", illustrates the main tasks and any risks involved in the 34
      manufacturing sectors most prevalent in this area. This operational guide
      document is intended to be the beginning of a common strategy in public health to
      achieve a wider field of action in promotion and information aimed at protecting
      the reproductive health of working mothers.

PMID- 24228310
TI  - [The new role of the physician-in-charge in the business organization system].

PMID- 24228311
TI  - Protecting number one.

PMID- 24228312
TI  - Medicaid update.

PMID- 24228313
TI  - LSUSD Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program embraces change.

PMID- 24228314
TI  - Making the profession better & fulfilling our mission.

PMID- 24228315
TI  - How to turn patients into raving fans.

PMID- 24228316
TI  - 2013 marks 100th anniversary of dental hygiene profession.

PMID- 24228317
TI  - Infection control education integral to dental assistant training.

PMID- 24228318
TI  - Financial planning for special needs children.

PMID- 24228319
TI  - The importance of education in dental assisting.

PMID- 24228321
TI  - From idea to innovation: A dental assistant's journey through the patent process.

PMID- 24228320
TI  - Navigating online networks: Making social media work for the dental team.

PMID- 24228322
TI  - Air Force dental personnel improving their communities.

PMID- 24228323
TI  - The role of the dental assistant in embracing whitening.

PMID- 24228324
TI  - Expanding outreach in the dental community.

PMID- 24228325
TI  - [Bet on the talent of our team].

PMID- 24228326
TI  - [We need to make careers in early childhood attractive for men].

PMID- 24228327
TI  - [Detecting and fighting rare diseases. A necessary expertise].

PMID- 24228328
TI  - [Rare diseases, definitions and epidemiology].
AB  - There are between 6 000 to 8 000 rare diseases, of which 80% are of genetic
      origin. Most of them appear very early in life. Patients and their families are
      faced with diagnostic delays, inadequate management as well as a lack of
      information and resources.A large number of these pathologies are also sometimes
      called orphan diseases because the populations concerned do not find any
      treatments.

PMID- 24228330
TI  - [Prader-Willi syndrome].
AB  - Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare genetic disease that affects neurodevelopment in
      children. It is characterised by major behavioural problems and morbid obesity.
      Early diagnosis and growth hormone treatment can bring out considerable
      improvements. However, the outlook for adults remains problematic.

PMID- 24228329
TI  - [Rare diseases, a public health issue].
AB  - Under the influence of patients' associations, rare diseases have gradually
      become recognised as a public health issue. A first Rare Diseases National Plan,
      from 2005-2008, endeavoured to facilitate diagnosis and access to care. A second
      Plan, for 2011-2014, aims to improve patient management and develop research and
      international cooperation. The Rare Diseases Platform provides an essential
      resource for families and professionals.

PMID- 24228331
TI  - [Support for patients and families living with a developmental disability].

PMID- 24228332
TI  - [Education on caring for children with inherited epidermolysis bullosa].
AB  - Inherited epidermolysis bullosa is a rare dermatological disease that requires
      specific daily care. An education programme teaches parents how to bathe their
      children in optimal conditions described in a care protocol that encourages
      contact and promotes the parent-child relationship.

PMID- 24228333
TI  - [A multiprofessional team for children living with sickle-cell anemia].
AB  - Sickle-cell anaemia is a rare hereditary disease characterised by abnormal blood
      cells. It causes highly painful vaso-occlusive crises. Multi-professional care is
      encouraged through the intervention of a network.

PMID- 24228334
TI  - [Pierre Robin syndrome and support from associations].
AB  - Pierre Robin syndrome is a combination of three face and mouth malformations that
      affect nutrition, teething, language and sometimes breathing. In a context where
      information is lacking about this rare disease that affects one in 10,000
      children, associations can facilitate access to specialised teams while providing
      families with helpful support and advice.

PMID- 24228335
TI  - [Bibliography. Detecting and fighting rare diseases].

PMID- 24228336
TI  - [Pain relief for children in cultural contexts].
AB  - Around the world, pain relief for children still remains a sensitive issue
      influenced by beliefs and taboos. Perceptions of pain and pain tolerance depend
      on many factors. Nurses prevent and relieve children's pain while taking into
      account each family's cultural issues.

PMID- 24228338
TI  - [Intuition in pediatric care].
AB  - Caregiver intuition acquired through experience can be considered a form of
      intelligence in action. It is used in both reflection and field learning and can
      be mobilised as part of any nurse's clinical context. Transferring knowledge to
      young professionals should therefore include intuition to help them adapt to each
      care situation, especially in paediatrics.

PMID- 24228337
TI  - [Cross-cultural consultations, a forum for adolescent trauma victims].
AB  - Cross-cultural consultations for adolescents are part of the creative, multi
      disciplinary approach that their complex clinical context requires. For youth who
      have suffered a traumatic event, this psychotherapeutic work is restorative and
      reassuring. It provides support required to stimulate the mental processes of
      often stunned youth in psychological distress who have been isolated from their
      families and cultures.

PMID- 24228339
TI  - Health care innovation in the Asian Tigers and their cubs. Editorial.

PMID- 24228340
TI  - Process reengineering of preoperative verification, site marking and time-out for
      patient safety.
AB  - In this article, we describe our hospital's journey in implementing the WHO High
      5s Project Correct Site Surgery Standard (CSS) protocol. We discuss how we
      incorporated the protocol into our system by revising the pre-existing checklist,
      reengineering the existing processes on preoperative verification, site marking
      and time-out at the Major Operating Theatre (MOT), and performing audit and
      feedback to ensure effective compliance. We also reflect on the importance of
      leadership and ministry support, benchmarking and tailoring the practice for each
      discipline in the pursuit of improving patient safety within the hospital.

PMID- 24228341
TI  - A census study exploring the training needs of nurses working in Kwong Wah
      Hospital and Wong Tai Sin Hospital in Hong Kong, China.
AB  - As part of the strategic professional development plan for nurses, training needs
      analysis was conducted from August 2011 to February 2012, in the form of
      descriptive research with survey design. The aim was to support nursing staff in
      their professional development needs and promote staff engagement. Consecutive
      sampling was employed; all full time nurses working in Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH)
      and Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH) were recruited and invited to complete a self
      administered questionnaire. Based on the findings and conclusions, follow up
      strategies were proposed. Management then built a sustainable learning
      environment for KWH and WTSH nurses in the 2012-2015 professional development
      plan.

PMID- 24228342
TI  - Increasing productivity by reducing average length of stay (ALOS) in Apollo
      Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata, India.
AB  - Reduction of ALOS in the hospital through streamlined processes with validation
      for standardized work such as clinical pathways. The implementation of barcoding
      and streamlining laboratories with interface solutions has reduced the cycle time
      for the diagnostic areas. The long standing cases over seven days provided a
      trigger for the Medical Board, which helped in multidisciplinary care of these
      patients. Cohort of patients in respective wards according to discipline for
      almost 80% of patients have improved nursing and other paramedical services and
      had a definite impact on ALOS and other outcomes. Finally, the organization had a
      benefit of nearly USD 0.9 million for a period of nine months during this study.
      The organization has carried on with the benefits of the ALOS reduction and
      currently has reduced ALOS to 4.5 days.

PMID- 24228343
TI  - The Antimicrobal Stewardship Programme: where have we been...where are we going?
AB  - The misuse or overuse of antibiotics has been widely documented as one of the
      major causes of the emergence and transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms
      (MDRO). Antimicrobial resistance posed significant impacts to the increase in
      morbidity, mortality and cost of health care. In response to the threat of
      antibiotic resistance which has increased dramatically over the past ten years
      and the very few new antibiotics in the pipeline, Princess Margaret Hospital set
      up a Steering Committee with senior-level representatives from Infectious
      Disease, Microbiology and Pharmacy departments to devise an interventional
      programme called the Smart Use of Antibiotics Programme (SMAP) to offer guidance
      on the judicious use of antimicrobials. With concerted effort and support from
      hospital management and frontline clinicians, SMAP achieved significant monetary
      savings and a reduction in inappropriate antibiotic use. There was no adverse
      patient outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity

PMID- 24228344
TI  - Voice of the customer---a roadmap for service improvement.
AB  - Patient satisfaction surveys help a great deal in identifying ways of improving a
      hospital's services. Ultimately, that translates into better care and happier
      patients. Moreover, it shows the staff and the community that the hospital is
      serious about quality and is looking for ways to improve. This article describes
      how the Voice of the Customer (VOC) Survey can be used as a tool for improving
      services. Regular monitoring of VOC scores is essential for minimizing the gaps
      between service delivery and patient expectations. The present study showcases
      the various initiatives undertaken to improve the VOC scores from an original
      4.40 to 4.77 (on a 5 point scale) at the hospital under study.

PMID- 24228345
TI  - A study of patient satisfaction at a tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad, India.
AB  - The health care industry is fast changing and rapid transformation is required to
      meet the ever-increasing needs and demands of its patient population. Hospitals
      and health care providers are shifting from viewing patients as uneducated with
      few health care choices to educated consumers with many service demands and
      health care choices available. Modern health care organizations have identified
      the patient as an ultimate consumer of hospital services and understand the
      importance of patient satisfaction, establishing this as the yardstick. The
      present study is explorative in nature. This cross sectional study is aimed at
      collecting data regarding attitude of patients, assessing their satisfaction
      levels towards ease of getting care, facilities offered at the hospital, attitude
      of the staff at the hospital and overall status of the hospital. The research
      study revealed many insights regarding attributes that are important for doctors,
      nurses and hospitals which would match patient expectation and lead to
      satisfaction.

PMID- 24228346
TI  - The tele-interpreter service at the Bangkok Hospital Medical Center, Thailand.
AB  - Thailand has become one of the most famous medical hub countries, which is
      reflected in the increasing number of international patients visiting the Bangkok
      Hospital Medical Center (BMC). In response, the Interpreter Department at BMC has
      been established to provide translation for non-English speaking patients.
      Overtime the Interpreter Department frequently reaches maximum capacity when
      providing prompt services on demand, resulting in long waiting times and delayed
      medical treatment. BMC has foreseen the necessity to implement a tele-interpreter
      system via videoconferencing technology to provide effective translations in the
      medical environment where delay is usually not tolerated. Tele-interpretation
      allows doctors to simply select a language icon on their Wi-Fi IP telephone to
      instantly connect to an interpreter. After implementation in 2oo9, the overall
      customer satisfaction index for the Interpreter Department increased from 64.5%
      in Quarter 1 to 85.5% in Quarter 3 of 2011. The tele-interpretation system is
      currently the closest approximation to the face-to-face interpretation method.

PMID- 24228347
TI  - Financing health care in the United Arab Emirates.
AB  - Newcomers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) health care system often enquire
      about the way in which UAE health services are financed particularly when funding
      issues affect eligibility for treatment. The UAE ranks alongside many western
      counties on measures of life expectancy and child mortality but because of the
      unique population structure spends less of its national income on health. In the
      past as a wealthy country the UAE had no difficulty ensuring universal access to
      a comprehensive range of services but the health needs of the UAE population are
      becoming more complex and like many countries the UAE health system is facing the
      twin challenges of quality and cost. To meet these challenges new models of
      health care financing are being introduced. In this brief article we will
      describe the evolution of UAE health financing, its current state and likely
      future developments.

PMID- 24228348
TI  - Parsley, sage, rosemary and foxglove.

PMID- 24228349
TI  - Presidential profile: Omar Atiq, MD: The bold journey of a passionate physician.

PMID- 24228350
TI  - Arkansas Payment Initiative.

PMID- 24228351
TI  - Mosquito-borne infections: diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 24228352
TI  - CME: Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program: informing physicians how to
      use new monitoring tool.

PMID- 24228353
TI  - [Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for neuroblastoma. Our serie and review of
      literature].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Neuroblastoma is the most frequent adrenal mass in paediatric
      patients. Paediatric series about laparoscopic adrenalectomy are scarce, usually
      including adrenal masses from different origin. Series referring only to
      neuroblastoma are very rare. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We present 7 patients between 4
      and 48 month of age. RESULTS: We performed 8 laparoscopic adrenalectomy and one
      biopsy. Lateral transperitoneal approach was used in all patients. We employed 3
      ports on the left side and 4 on the right side. All tumours were extracted into a
      bag through the most posterior incision. One patient underwent a laparotomy
      because of important adherences. The average operative time was 88 minutes, and
      average time before discharging was 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic
      adrenalectomy is the gold standard in adult patients. Transperitoneal access
      achieves better working area. Paediatric patients don't have many surgical
      indications for adrenalectomy and the space inside the patient's body is smaller.
      Laparoscopy offers a less painful solution than open surgery, so that sooner
      discharging, and better scar's results. The outcome is similar to traditional
      surgery. Laparoscopy is an useful and safe procedure in paediatric patients with
      adrenal neuroblastoma, in very selected cases.

PMID- 24228354
TI  - [Analysis of efficacy in diaphragmatic plication with minimally invasive
      surgery].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Diaphragmatic paralysis may result difficulty for respiratory
      compromise and extubation. We study the effectiveness of diaphragmatic plication
      held in its two modalities: videothoracoscopy assisted surgery (VATS) and
      percutaneous with needle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of
      diaphragmatic plication performed in our center in the past three years. Review
      of clinical histories, analyzing the variables: sex and age, etiology and
      laterality, surgical indications, technique, ventilation support, complications
      and outcome. Data Analysis with SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: From 2009-2012, 24
      diaphragmatic plication were realized (7 left, 13 right, 2 bilateral) in 22
      children (15 males). The mean age was 10.4 months (2 to 23.1). In 68.1% paralysis
      was secondary to thoracic surgery. In 12 patients was performed VATS and in 5
      percutaneous with needle. Surgical indications were: respiratory distress (69.1%)
      with intercurrent processes (pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and atelectasis) and
      failure of extubation in 27.3%. After diaphragmatic plication in 90.9%
      respiratory symptoms remitted. Extubation was accomplished in all patients,
      requiring ventilator support for 12-96 hours. Mean hospital stay was 7.5 days (3
      to 13.5). There were no complications derived from surgery. There were two
      recurrences (9.2%) and only one was reoperated (4.6%). The percutaneous technique
      decreased the required postoperative analgesia and improved cosmetic outcome in
      90.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The diaphragmatic plication by minimally invasive surgery
      reduces operative morbidity and facilitates extubation of ventilator-dependent
      patients with diaphragmatic paralysis. The percutaneous technique improves the
      cosmetic results and reduces pain after surgery, without finding differences with
      VATS.

PMID- 24228355
TI  - [Implementation of "fast-track" treatment in paediatric complicated
      appendicitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Acute appendicitis is the most common emergency surgical pathology in
      childhood and there is no consensus on its management. Fast-track treatment,
      based on optimizing perioperative care has reduced morbidity and mortality of
      surgical pathologies, including simple acute appendicitis. The aim of our study
      was to assess the effects of a fast-track protocol in complicated acute
      appendicitis. METHODS: Ambispective cohort study. Historical unexposed cohort:
      children with complicated appendicitis and appendectomy in our hospital during
      2008-2009. Exposed cohort: children operated in 2010-2011 and who performed
      protocol. The protocol treatment was done after a literature review, adapting the
      principles of fast-track to a potentially severe urgent disease: early
      mobilization, limited drainage-tubes and short antibiotic regimens Taking
      hospital stay as the resulting variable, the calculated sample size for alpha =
      0.05 and power = 90% was 54, being X1 = 7 +/- 3DS and X2=5. RESULTS: We included
      151 patients, historical cohort 81 and current cohort 70, which excluded 31
      children who did not meet protocol because of surgeon choice. Both groups showed
      homogeneity due to the absence of differences in sex, age, weight, type of
      appendicitis (gangrenous, perforated, generalized peritonitis) or surgical
      approach. The average stay decreased 2.71 days (p <0.001) due to the protocol,
      without any complication increase (abscess, postoperative ileus, readmission).
      CONCLUSIONS: Complicated appendicitis in children is common and potentially
      serious, and optimization of treatment should be a primary goal of our practice.
      Application of a fast-track protocol can provide clinical and economic benefits,
      although this requires an appropriate multidisciplinary management.

PMID- 24228356
TI  - [Long gap esophageal atresia: Scharli versus Foker].
AB  - PURPOSE. To submit the short and long term results of long-gap esophageal atresia
      (EA) with two surgical techniques. METHODS. We carried out a retrospective study
      of long-gap type EA without fistula (n=8) and with fistula (n=2) over the last 18
      years, comparing the outcome of the Scharli technique (1992) with that of the
      Foker technique (1997). RESULTS. We included 10 patients with long gap EA. Mean
      birth weight was 2,418 grams. 30% had associated diseases (VACTERL, Down
      Syndrome, DiGeorge Syndrome). Gastrostomy or jejunostomy was initially placed in
      7 patients. Scharli technique was performed in 4 patients (mean age: 3.3 months),
      and Foker technique in 6 patients (median age: 23.5 days of life). Complications
      were: a) Scharli: dehiscence (25%), stenosis (75%), one patient died from his
      heart disease (25%), colonic herniation through diaphragmatic hiatus (25%). The
      mean number of stricture dilatations was 7 sessions (S.D. 9.2). a) Foker:
      dehiscence (83.3%), stenosis (83.3%), gastroesophageal reflux (GER) (83.3%),
      fistula (16.7%). Mean number of dilatations was 13.7 sessions (S.D. 12.8). All
      patients operated on with Scharli technique (6-18 years, median follow-up 12
      years) were asymptomatic at the time of the study, although one of them had grade
      III esophagitis in the last biopsy. As for the Foker's, 5 had undergone
      antireflux surgery and only one was asymptomatic. The rest had complications that
      were still being treated (stenosis and development of fistulae). CONCLUSION.
      Treatment of long gap EA remains a surgical challenge. In our experience patients
      developed fewer complications with the Scharli technique. Nevertheless, it is
      difficult to make a comparison with such a limited number of patients.

PMID- 24228357
TI  - [Role of pediatric urologist in the treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia:
      a study of satisfaction and psychosocial aspects].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Study the role of the pediatric urologist in the treatment of CAH and
      the satisfaction of families and patients to identify the psychosocial aspects
      that we can improve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study in girls with CAH
      treated in our center. We reviewed the medical records, analyzing the variables:
      place of birth, age at diagnosis, surgery, complications and follow up. Analysis
      of satisfaction and psychosocial aspects by telephone survey. RESULTS: Between
      1975-2011, 25 girls with CAH have been treated in our center. Cystoscopy and
      vaginoscopy was performed before clitoroplasty in 68% (16 girls), adding
      vulvovaginoplasty in 40% and vaginal descent in the 20%. The mean age was 8.78 +/
      2.30 months. Vaginal stenosis was the main complication (36%), performing
      introitus plasty in two girls, vaginal expansion in other 2 and dilation of the
      rest. 15 surveys were made, all expressed satisfaction with treatment, and only
      6.67% reported shortages information. With the aesthetic results of the
      genitoplasty 20% showed dissatisfaction. The family concern was constant at 60%,
      and sporadic in the rest. 13.3% required psychological support. Currently 80%
      have normal psychosocial life. CONCLUSION: The HSC requires a multidisciplinary
      approach right from birth to allow adequate psychosocial development. The
      pediatric urologist has an important weight in the multidisciplinary treatment.
      Realizing early feminizing genitoplasty decreases family impact and increases
      satisfaction. The prolonged follow-up will allow the detection and treatment of
      complications.

PMID- 24228358
TI  - ["Fast-track" in pediatric urologic surgery: pronenephrectomy].
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND OBJETIVES: Minimal invasive surgery trends to get prompt
      recovery in terms of inmediate deambulation and early discharge from hospital,
      without increasing patient's discomfort neither postoperative complications. This
      "fast-track" protocol is being progresively introduced in a crescent number of
      urological procedures. We are evaluating the viability of applying it in
      retroperitoneoscopic prone- position nephrectomy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We have
      performed a retrospective review of the clinical reports of the patients
      submitted to prone nephrectomy with hospitalization between 2007 and 2011 and we
      present patients submitted to this procedure in an outpatient basis (less than 8
      hours hospital stay) from 2011. We have recorded epidemiological factors,
      diagnosis, surgical time, first postoperative week analgesic requirements,
      parents cofort and postoperative complications. RESULTS: All the procedures were
      performed retroperitoneoscopically in prone position using two trocars. We
      included 34 nephrectomies with a mean surgical time of 107 minutes. Mean
      postoperative stay was under 24 hours in 23 patients, two of them were discharged
      in the first 8 hours after the procedure. Hospital stay over this time was due to
      concomitant pre-existent pathology in 6 patients and to non urological fever in
      the remaining 3. Analgesia was excellent in every patient with endovenous non
      steroid drugs, registering no pain after administering them orally. There were no
      complications. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that "fast-track" requirements can be
      applied to prone-retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in pediatric population, as
      long as they have no associated pathology. In our experience this surgical
      procedure can be included in day-case surgery, increasing patient's confort and
      with a positive economical impact.

PMID- 24228359
TI  - [What can we do to improve our management of intestinal atresia?].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review our management of intestinal atresia (AI). MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: A retrospective review of patientes with AI, from 1995 to 2011. RESULTS:
      AI was identified in 41 patients, 29,2% had maternal polyhydramnios and 48,7%
      were diagnosed prenatally. Four of them had Down Syndrome and 18 had cardiopathy.
      Duodenal atresia-stenosis (AD) was present in 21 patients, that were treated by
      19 duodenoduodenostomy, 1 duodenojejunostomy and 1 duodenotomy with duodenal
      membrane resection. Jejunoileal atresia (AYI) was present in 20 patients and we
      performed 15 end to end anastomosis, 1 ileo-colic anastomosis, 1 ileostomy, 2
      jejunostomies and 1 end to end anastomosis with jejunostomy. Nine AYI were
      reoperated: 6 bowel obstructions, 1 evisceration and 2 colo-rectal atresia. The
      average time on parenteral nutrition was 29 days and average hospital stay was
      37,3 days. One AD died due to heart disease. In AYI, 2 required transfer to
      another center due to short bowel. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal diagnosis of AI is
      difficult, especially AYI, which is only prenatally diagnosed in 35% of cases. AD
      respond better to surgery and rarely require reoperation, but mortality is higher
      than AYI because 57% suffer from heart disease. Reoperations are frecuent in AYI
      (45% of our patients), usually due to obstruction, ostomy closure and problems
      resulting from extensive bowel resections. It's important to keep in mind
      colorectal atresias, which can not be identified.

PMID- 24228360
TI  - [Biodegradable catheters for fistula prevention in hypospadias. Experimental
      preliminary study].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Continuous technical innovations are not enough to resolve the high
      incidence of fistula after hypospadias repair. A urethral catheter-tutor made of
      reabsorbable polymeric biomaterial (RPB) which could be left in situ long enough
      could reduce the complications. TARGET: To investigate in an animal model
      differents RPB to be used in urology. METHODOLOGY: CRL Wistar rats, males,
      divided into 5 equal groups according to the used polymers: polylactide; lactic
      coprolactone copolymer; lactic-glycolic copolymer; simulated; control silicones.
      Three individuals were sacrificed per group at 4th, 10th and 16th week. In all
      animals (exceptuating the simulated group), biomaterial was fixed to the bladder
      wall bylaparotomy. Animals remained in individual housing and kept under daily
      control of hematuria during the first 15 days and weekly weight and urine control
      for pH and lactate. After being slaughtered, remaining polymer was collected for
      chemical analysis and bladder tissue for hystologic study. RESULTS: There was no
      mortality, hematuria nor other clinical signs. The bladder wall showed a mild
      foreign body reaction. The values of lactate and pH in urine did not reach toxic
      levels. Lactic-glycolic was totally reabsorbed by the 10th week and had the
      lowest degree of calcification. Polylactide and lactic-coprolactone remained
      intact. CONCLUSION: The model of urinary bladder has proven useful for studying
      the degradation of bioresorbable polymers. The analyzed polymers have spent long
      time to be reabsorbed, so we will have to study new others.

PMID- 24228361
TI  - [Thoracoscopic treatment of secondary pneumothorax to costal osteochondroma].
AB  - Costal osteochondromas are benign, uncommon and usually asymptomatic tumors, but
      may be associated with severe intrathoracic complications such as pneumothorax,
      hemothorax, nerve or vascular injury and fractures. We report a 12 year old
      patient, who presented a right spontaneous pneumothorax, which did not improve
      with standard treatment. Thoracic CT showed a costal exostosis of 2.5 cm in
      length. Excision was performed by videothoracoscopy (VATS), with good
      postoperative course. We consider the thoracoscopic approach as the most
      appropriate initial way in this type of tumors.

PMID- 24228362
TI  - [Testicular cancer and cryptorchidism: myth or reality].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the previous history of cryptorchidism in patients with
      testicular cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a study using 175
      patients diagnosed with testicular cancer, in our hospital, from 1999 to 2010. We
      analyzed the previous history of cryptorchidism and its characteristics,
      testicular placing, histology and intervention age. RESULTS: 5 out of the 175
      patients (2,8%) with testicular neoplasm presented a history of cryptorchidism,
      The average age was 31 years old, an orchidopexy was only carried out in 2
      patients. The histology was different depending on the treatment chosen to battle
      cryptorchidism and in 2 cases it developed in the adjoining testicle. The average
      ratio was of 1,9. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reflect that the association of
      cryptorchidism with testicular neoplasm is in fact lower than in the past. A good
      and proper handling of cryptorchidism can prevent it from turning malignant,
      presenting these patients similar incidences to the rest of the population.

PMID- 24228363
TI  - Scramble to implement healthcare reform continues as October 1 deadline nears.

PMID- 24228364
TI  - Office-based surgery: embracing patient safety strategies.
AB  - Office-based surgery continues to grow as more procedures are being performed in
      the outpatient setting. With this exponential growth, there is an increasing
      emphasis on safe and effective patient care. Current research shows both gaps in
      safety and opportunities for improvement. Practice managers, clinicians, and
      other personnel should be cognizant that office procedures are coming under
      intense regulatory scrutiny. Effective strategies to maintain quality and patient
      safety include the use of checklists, obtaining office accreditation, encouraging
      board-certification and proper credentialing of proceduralists, and appropriate
      patient and procedure selection. There is increasing regulation of ambulatory
      surgery on state and national levels that will likely affect the financial and
      care quality aspects of office-based practice. Socioeconomic and political forces
      will continue to shape the future of office-based surgery.

PMID- 24228365
TI  - Purchasing technology: a few things to consider.
AB  - Standard-form software and hardware contracts need critical review to ensure that
      the product meets the needs of the practice.

PMID- 24228366
TI  - Online reputation management: the first steps.
AB  - Can patients reliably choose a good doctor online? Inevitably, some will. Many
      doctors are not comfortable being visible online. So if you do not have a blog or
      a social media profile, what shows up when a patient Googles you most likely will
      be something from an online rating site. This trend can have a profound impact on
      a medical practice. As one of authors (KP) noticed, patients are now saying that
      they found his practice through the Internet, in stark contrast to 10 years ago,
      when their information sources were the Yellow Pages or a newspaper ad, or from
      calling the local hospital. Below are five key reasons why determining your
      online reputation today can pay off in the future. This article will guide you in
      establishing your social media footprint and includes a personal story of one
      physician's reaction to conducting a Google search on herself.

PMID- 24228367
TI  - Understanding awareness of pharmacist-led medication therapy management among
      primary care physicians in New York City using qualitative methods: part I.
AB  - Pharmacist-led medication therapy management (MTM) programs have been shown to be
      an effective method of optimizing patient therapy for multiple disease states
      through improved clinical outcomes and decreased healthcare costs. Physicians
      have recognized pharmacists' ability to identify and prevent prescription errors,
      and educate patients about safe and appropriate medication use. Pharmacist
      interventions may help ease the burden of chronic disease among primary care
      providers and pave the way for a team-based approach in caring for underserved
      patients with heavy disease burdens. The New York City Department of Health and
      Mental Hygiene performed a qualitative study to obtain a better understanding of
      the perceptions related to pharmacist-led MTM programs among primary care
      physicians in New York City. Key findings from our study suggest that educating
      physicians on MTM and the role of pharmacists in the healthcare team is crucial
      to building trusting relationships for collaborative patient care. Key concerns
      among physicians included demonstrated pharmacist competency, integration of
      documentation systems, impact on workload, and effective collaboration between
      physicians and pharmacists. In this article, we describe our study rationale,
      design, and preliminary findings. A more detailed report and potential impact of
      our findings will be provided in Part II of this article.

PMID- 24228368
TI  - Partnerships in medical business: a framework for choosing the right key players.
AB  - At a time when more and more physicians are opting for shared practices and
      embarking on business ventures, partnerships play a key role. The fate of a
      medical business is largely contingent upon the success of the partnership. In
      this article, the author introduces a practical framework for deciding whether to
      take on a partnership. The model considers six critical factors: financial
      compensation, special skill set, goal alignment, personality assessment, overall
      strengths and weaknesses, and trustworthiness. It also provides an evaluation of
      financial incentives. The paper also provides several action items for
      physicians.

PMID- 24228369
TI  - You've been served!
AB  - Regardless of how difficult this process may be, you want the plaintiff's
      attorney to believe that you are a formidable opponent. You want the attorney to
      know that you will give the jury an impression of a competent, caring physician
      who practiced within the standard of care and did everything possible to provide
      appropriate care for the patient. Smart attorneys will factor this into the
      chances of winning a verdict, and following a strong physician performance in a
      deposition, will often drop the case. With all things being equal, jurors
      frequently side with the litigant who is seen as more credible. Pay close
      attention throughout the deposition. Pause slightly at the beginning of every
      answer to make sure you understand the question and to give your attorney time to
      object if need be.

PMID- 24228370
TI  - Patient loyalty and the social media effect.
AB  - In a changing healthcare environment, patient loyalty has never been more
      important. However, creating patient loyalty can mean more than providing quality
      health services within the four walls of the medical office. With patients
      turning to online sources and social media in search of advice and a better
      patient experience, we must now ensure that patients have meaningful engagements
      with us across the continuum of care, from the phone, to the office, to social
      media tools like Facebook and YouTube as we look to build loyalty and grow our
      referral volumes.

PMID- 24228371
TI  - Overcoming the ten most common barriers to effective team communication.
AB  - Communication is at the heart of medical practice management. Yet there are many
      barriers to effective communication that can interfere with the smooth running of
      the practice. This article describes the 10 most common barriers to effective
      medical practice team communication and offers six steps the practice manager can
      take to break them down. This article also suggests that the practice develop a
      team communication strategy. It suggests 10 communication principles readers can
      share directly with their teams and describes three hallmarks of effective team
      communication. Finally, this article provides a list of 25 practical questions
      practice managers can use to improve their team's communication.

PMID- 24228372
TI  - The seven elements of a payable claim.
AB  - Healthcare providers are obligated to comply with a wide range of statutory and
      regulatory requirements associated with the provision, documentation, coding, and
      billing of a medical claim. It is important to keep in mind that the viewpoint of
      an outside auditor is not going to be the same as that of the treating physician.
      For instance, when documenting medical services, the information viewed as most
      significant (and therefore recorded) by a treating physician may be very
      different from the information an outside auditor hopes to glean from a patient's
      record. As a result, a significant disconnect between the parties may occur. To
      avoid this, it is essential that a treating physician or other healthcare
      provider diligently work to help ensure that claims submitted to Medicare,
      Medicaid, or a private payer fully comply with all applicable coverage and
      payment requirements. We have developed a checklist that we refer to as "The
      Seven Elements of a Payable Claim" to assist providers in this effort.

PMID- 24228373
TI  - Vision problems?

PMID- 24228374
TI  - Is your glass half full or half empty? Your decision may impact your practice.
AB  - The attitude of the doctor and the medical staff can have a profound impact on
      the success of a practice. You can be sure that if everyone has a positive
      attitude toward patients, your patients will have a positive experience and will
      tell others about that positive experience. On the other hand, if a doctor is
      sullen, unhappy, and uninterested in his or her work, you can be sure that this
      negativity will be transferred to the staff and subsequently to the patients. As
      a result, there will be unhappy patients, unhappy staff, increased staff
      turnover, and a doctor who continues to be unhappy and dissatisfied with the
      practice of medicine. This article will describe both types of attitudes, and
      what can be done to improve the attitude of the practice and have a glass that is
      half full and not half empty.

PMID- 24228375
TI  - Ten practice redesign approaches.
AB  - As healthcare delivery continues to evolve at a rapid pace, practices need to
      consider redesign approaches to stay ahead of the pack. From national policy and
      private payer initiatives to societal macro trends and the growing use of mobile
      technologies, delivering value, understanding customer needs, and assessing
      satisfaction are important elements to achieve and maintain success. This article
      discusses 10 practice redesign approaches.

PMID- 24228376
TI  - It was just a joke: improper comments and practice liability.
AB  - There can be a fine line between humor and harassment, and that line is now
      frequently explored in litigation. A racial, sexual, or ethnic joke or bullying
      comment is not nearly as funny in the courtroom as it was in the break room. In
      addition, a practice's owner or partner can be utterly undefendable. This article
      casts light on crucial issues of workplace humor, banter, and liability.

PMID- 24228377
TI  - Sustainability in medicine.
AB  - Given the current state of the U.S. healthcare system, with increasingly
      complicated regulations and paperwork and decreasing reimbursements, the question
      arises: Is it possible to provide safe, high-quality healthcare and reduce costs?
      Furthermore, is it possible to care for the health of your patients while
      simultaneously caring for the financial health of your practice and promoting
      improvement in the overall health of the planet? This article will review some
      steps currently being taken by various companies and hopefully stimulate ideas
      for changes you may want to consider for your own practice, hospital, or
      institution.

PMID- 24228378
TI  - Relationship building blocks and the new era of healthcare.

PMID- 24228379
TI  - Virtual medical scribes: making electronic medical records work for you.
AB  - There is increasing buzz around the term "medical scribe" in healthcare today.
      Medical scribes help meet the growing electronic medical record (EMR) data entry
      challenge healthcare providers face. Medical scribes reduce providers' paperwork
      burden, increase a medical practice's net margins, and reduce stress levels for
      doctors and their staff. They do this by charting patient encounters in real-time
      during patient examinations, thus reducing significantly the data entry workload
      that EMRs place on providers. Medical scribes can work onsite or offsite from a
      HIPAA-secure location, the latter being known as "virtual medical scribes." This
      article explores the uses and benefits of scribes to give you the background to
      employ them effectively in your clinic or hospital.

PMID- 24228380
TI  - Thinking like Leonardo da Vinci and its implications for the modern doctor.
AB  - Most people when asked to name the most creative, innovative, and
      multidimensional people in history would agree that Leonardo da Vinci is either
      at the top or very close to the number one position on that list. Wouldn't it be
      nice to think like da Vinci? This article shares the seven unique principles of
      thinking that da Vinci used that enabled him to be the greatest painter,
      sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist,
      geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer of his (if not of all) time. This
      article will take you deep into the notebooks and codices of da Vinci, and
      suggest ways his ideas can be used by anyone in the healthcare profession to make
      them a better healthcare provider.

PMID- 24228381
TI  - Computer briefs: the healthcare trifecta.

PMID- 24228382
TI  - Actinobacteriological research in India.
AB  - Actinobacteria are important sources of compounds for drug discovery and have
      attracted considerable pharmaceutical, chemical, agricultural and industrial
      interests. Actinobacteriological research is still in its infancy in India. Early
      work on actinobacteria started in the 20th century and mostly focused on studying
      the diversity, identification and screening for antibiotics, enzymes and enzyme
      inhibitors. Exploration of diverse habitats for the isolation of actinobacteria,
      have yielded till date 23 novel species. Screening of actinobacteria for
      antagonistic activity, has led to the discovery of four novel antibiotics.
      Research on enzymes mostly covered lipases, amylases, proteases, endoglucanases,
      a-galactosidases, pectin lyases, xylanases, L-asparaginases, L-glutaminase and
      cellulases. Research on exploiting actinobacteria for other purposes such as
      production of enzyme inhibitors, single cell protein, bioemulsifier and
      biosurfactants is still in the experimental stage. This review compiles the work
      done in last few years, with an emphasis on actinobacterial diversity and
      bioprospecting for pharmaceutically important compounds like antibiotics, enzymes
      and other important applications. The chemical creativity and biotechnological
      potential of Indian actinobacterial strains are yet to be fully explored. A
      national strategy is required consistent with the opportunities provided by CBD
      Nagoya protocol.

PMID- 24228383
TI  - Cytotoxic function of gamma delta (gamma/delta) T cells against pamidronate
      treated cervical cancer cells.
AB  - The cytotoxic function of polyclonal expanded gamma/delta T cells against
      pamidronate-treated cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo were determined.
      The gamma/delta T cells were isolated and purified from PBMCs by using miniMACS
      and were later treated with 10 microM pamidronate. The expansion of gamma/delta T
      cells was 15 times more than the non-stimulated cells. Among the expanded
      gamma/delta T cells, 47% were Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells with a purity of 87%.
      Analyzing the cytotoxic function of gamma/delta T cells against 3 cervical cancer
      cells in vitro by LDH cytotoxicity test revealed that the killing efficacy
      increased if the cervical cancer cells (HeLa, SiHa and CaSki) were pretreated
      with pamidronate. The presence of CD107 on gamma/delta T cells indicated the
      degranulation of perforin and granzyme pathway is one of the mechanisms used by
      the gamma/delta T cells to kill cancer cells. The killing ability of gamma/delta
      T cells against cancer cells in vivo was preliminary assessed by using mouse
      baring HeLa cells. The results demonstrated that gamma/delta T cells induce
      apoptosis in tumor cells. Our study supports the usefulness of gamma/delta T
      cells in future development of immunotherapy for cervical cancer.

PMID- 24228384
TI  - Differential microglial and astrocytic response to bacterial and viral infection
      in the developing hippocampus of neonatal rats.
AB  - Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C; 5 mg/kg body weight, ip) and
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.3 mg/kg body weight, ip) induced microglial and
      astrocytic activation in Sprague Dawley rats. Higher microglial and astrocytic
      activities were noticed in Poly I:C infused rats throughout the hippocampus till
      postnatal day 21 with a comparatively weaker response in LPS group. However, LPS
      induced inflammation persisted even after postnatal day 21, indicating thereby,
      that the Poly I:C (viral mimic) produces an acute inflammation, while LPS
      (bacterial endotoxin) produces chronic inflammation when exposed during early
      neonatal life.

PMID- 24228385
TI  - In vitro cytotoxicity testing of new generation oxazaphosphorines against human
      histiocytic lymphoma cells.
AB  - Oxazaphosphorines belong to a group of alkylating agents. Mafosfamide
      cyclohexylamine salt (D-17272), 4-hydro-peroxy-cyclophosphamide (D-18864) and
      glufosfamide (D-19575, beta-D-glucose-isophosphoramide mustard) are new
      generation oxazaphosphorines. The objective of the present study was to compare
      the cytotoxic action of these oxazaphosphorine compounds against human
      histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells. The chemical structures of the oxazaphosphorines
      were responsible for the different responses of U937 cells. The cytotoxic effects
      of D-17272, D-18864, and D-19575 on U937 cells depended on the agent tested, its
      dose, and the time intervals after the oxazaphosphorine application. Among the
      oxazaphosphorine agents, D-18864 appeared to be the most cytotoxic, and D-19575
      was characterized by the lowest cytotoxicity. The in vitro cytotoxic activities
      of the oxazaphosphorines were strongly associated with their cell death inducing
      potential.

PMID- 24228386
TI  - Mollusc C-reactive protein crosses species barrier and reverses hepatotoxicity of
      lead in rodent models.
AB  - Achatina fulica C-reactive protein (ACRP) reversed the toxic effects of lead
      nitrate both in vivo in mice and in vitro in rat hepatocytes restoring the basal
      level of cell viability, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and superoxides.
      Cytotoxicity was also significantly ameliorated in rat hepatocytes by in vitro
      pre-treatments with individual subunits (60, 62, 90 and 110 kDa) of ACRP. Annexin
      V-Cy3/CFDA dual staining showed significant reduction in the number of apoptotic
      hepatocytes pre-treated with ACRP. ACRP induced restoration of mitochondrial
      membrane potential was remarkable. ACRP pre-treatment prevented Pb-induced
      apoptosis mediated by caspase activation. The antagonistic effect of ACRP may be
      due to scavenging of reactive oxygen species which maintained the homeostasis of
      cellular redox potential as well as reduced glutathione status. The results
      suggest that ACRP crosses the species barrier and it may be utilized as a viable
      exogenous agent of cytoprotection against heavy metal related toxicity.

PMID- 24228387
TI  - Phytomodulatory potential of lycopene from Lycopersicum esculentum against
      doxorubicin induced nephrotoxicity.
AB  - An elevated level of serum urea and creatinine was observed in doxorubicin (DOX)
      treated animals indicating DOX-induced nephrotoxicity. Enhanced lipid
      peroxidation (LPO) in the renal tissue was accompanied by a significant decrease
      in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx),
      glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) activities. Administration of
      lycopene (LycT) extracted from tomato to DOX treated mice showed a significant
      reduction in serum creatinine and urea levels which were associated with
      significantly low levels of LPO and significantly enhanced level of GSH and
      related antioxidant enzymes activity (GPx, GR and CAT) when compared to DOX
      group. Histopathological analysis revealed severe damage in the renal tissue of
      DOX treated animals. However, animals pretreated with LycT were observed to have
      reduced damage. Thus, from present results it may be inferred that lycopene may
      be beneficial in mitigating DOX induced nephrotoxicity in mice.

PMID- 24228388
TI  - Co-administration of trientine and flaxseed oil on oxidative stress, serum lipids
      and heart structure in diabetic rats.
AB  - The administration of flaxseed oil or flaxseed oil plus trientine in diabetic
      rats reduced triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol.
      Furthermore, the combined treatment significantly increased superoxide dismutase
      activity and attenuated serum Cu2+. The results suggest that the administration
      of flaxseed oil plus trientine is useful in controlling serum lipid
      abnormalities, oxidative stress, restoring heart structure, and reducing serum
      Cu2+ in diabetic rats.

PMID- 24228389
TI  - Cardioprotective effect of methanolic extract of Marrubium vulgare L. on
      isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction in rats.
AB  - Isoproterenol injection (100 mg/kg; sc) produced changes in ECG pattern including
      ST-segment elevation and suppressed R-amplitude. The methanolic extract of M.
      vulgare at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg significantly amended the ECG changes. A
      severe myocardial necrosis and edematous along with a sharp reduction in the
      arterial blood pressure, left ventricular contractility (LVdP/dt(max or min)),
      but a marked increase in the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were
      seen in the isoproterenol group. All parameters were significantly improved by
      the extract treatment. The extract (10 mg/kg) strongly increased LVdP/dt(max).
      Similarly, treatment with 40 mg/kg of M. vulgare lowered the elevated LVEDP and
      the heart to body weight ratio. In addition to in vitro antioxidant activity, the
      extract suppressed markedly the elevation of malondialdehyde levels both in serum
      and in myocardium. The results demonstrate that M. vulgare protects myocardium
      against isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction and suggest that the
      effects could be related to antioxidant activities.

PMID- 24228390
TI  - Antihypertensive and vasorelaxant effects of ethanol extract of stem barks from
      Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. in rats.
AB  - Administration of ethanol extract of stem bark from Z. rhoifolium (EEtOH-ZR)
      induced hypotension associated with a dual effect in heart rate in normotensive
      rats. This response was highlighted in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In
      rat superior mesenteric artery rings, the cumulative addition of EEtOH-ZR (0.1
      750 microg/mL) on a phenylephrine-induced pre-contraction (10(-5) M) promoted a
      vasorelaxant effect by a concentration-dependent manner and independent of
      vascular endothelium. A similar effect was obtained on KCl-induced pre
      contractions (80 mM). EEtOH-ZR attenuated contractions induced by cumulative
      addition of CaCl2 (10(-6)-3 x 10(-2) M) in depolarizing medium without Ca2+ only
      at 500 or 750 microg/mL. Likewise, on S-(-)-Bay K 8644-induced pre-contractions
      (10(-7) M), the EEtOH-ZR-induced vasorelaxant effect was attenuated. EEtOH-ZR
      (27, 81, 243 or 500 microg/mL) inhibited contractions induced by cumulative
      addition of phenylephrine (10(-9) - 10(-5) M) in endothelium-denuded preparations
      or by a single concentration (10(-5) M) in a Ca(2+)-free medium. The involvement
      of K+ channels was evaluated by tetraethylammonium (3 mM); the EEtOH-ZR-induced
      vasorelaxation was not attenuated. Thus, calcium influx blockade through voltage
      operated calcium channels (CavL) and inhibition of calcium release from
      intracellular stores are probably underlying EEtOH-ZR-induced cardiovascular
      effects.

PMID- 24228391
TI  - Ultrastructural changes and oxidative stress markers in wild and cultivar Sesamum
      orientale L. following Alternaria sesami (Kawamura) Mohanty and Behera.
      inoculation.
AB  - Alternaria sesami causes leaf spot disease in Sesamum orientale. Conidium
      germination, inoculation, penetration and colonization of the pathogen on the
      plant surfaces were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Electron
      microscopy analysis revealed multiple germ tubes from conidium that spread in all
      direction across the leaf surfaces. Penetration in the plant surface occured,
      directly through the epidermis or via stomata with or without the appressoria
      formation. Hyphal penetration continued through the substomata cavity and some of
      hyphal branches grew in the intercellular space of mesophyll tissue. Hyphal
      toxin, caused cell and cell wall damages. Changes in different biochemical
      parameters in the diseased sesame plants (both in wild and cultivar) were
      compared to control. Transmission electron microscopy showed structural changes
      in the chloroplast of diseased plants. Isozyme pattern and assays of different
      enzymes, namely catalase, acid phosphatase and peroxidase expressed varied level
      of activities. Meanwhile, esterase, polyphenol oxidase and superoxide dismutase
      in diseased plants showed remarkable levels compared to control. Due to the
      infection, chlorophyll content, carbohydrates and total soluble protein decreased
      whereas free amino acid, proline, phenols and disease-related proteins increased
      in the host plants. Differential SDS-PAGE band profiling of total soluble
      proteins were also observed in plants due to the infection.

PMID- 24228392
TI  - An OBVIOUS update: MSD on the run.

PMID- 24228393
TI  - Total hip arthroplasty as treatment for avascular necrosis secondary to slipped
      capital femoral epiphysis in a pre-teen.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While the treatment for avascular necrosis (AVN) secondary to slipped
      capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) varies, it is rare that a pre-teenager will
      undergo a total hip arthroplasty (THA) in efforts to relieve pain and maintain
      function. METHODS: A-10-year old female sustained an unstable SCFE while playing
      on wet grass. Unfortunately, her femoral head demonstrated significant AVN after
      surgical hip dislocation. All treatment options were discussed with the patient
      and her family. The decision of the family was to have the patient undergo a THA.
      RESULTS: Approximately one year after her injury, a ceramic on ceramic THA was
      performed. Her post-operative Harris Hip Scores increased dramatically and she
      was able to walk without crutches for the first time since her injury. At one
      year post operatively, the patient was no longer taking narcotics, losing weight,
      and returned to her sporting activities. CONCLUSION: THA for SCFE in pre
      teenagers is not a norm and should be considered on a case by case basis. This
      case report demonstrates a successful outcome and a review of options for the
      treatment of AVN secondary to SCFE.

PMID- 24228394
TI  - HIPAA compliance deadline approaching: five steps to ensure you are ready.
AB  - The September 23, 2013, deadline for covered entities, business associates, and
      their subcontractors to comply with new HIPAA rules is fast approaching. Now is
      the time to ensure HIPAA compliance before the deadline arrives and avoid any
      penalties that could result from failure to act.

PMID- 24228395
TI  - Knowledge is power: how to avoid six-figure ADA lawsuits.

PMID- 24228396
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      presidential lecture; internal medicine for variability among individuals].

PMID- 24228397
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Invited
      lecture: 1. What we have discovered in Hokkaido COPD Cohort Study].

PMID- 24228398
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Invited
      lecture: 2. Strategy for the treatment of hypertension in chronic kidney disease,
      focusing on Na regulation].

PMID- 24228399
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Invited
      lecture: 3. In pursuit of overcoming pneumonia].

PMID- 24228400
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Invited
      lecture: 4. Recent progress of research and clinics in inflammatory bowel
      disease].

PMID- 24228401
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Invited
      lecture: 5. Neurological involvement in connective tissue diseases].

PMID- 24228402
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 1. Frontier of the regenerative medicine; introduction].

PMID- 24228403
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 1. Frontier of the regenerative medicine; 1) Regenerative medicine for
      digestive organs and kidney].

PMID- 24228404
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 1. Frontier of the regenerative medicine; 2) Clinical application of
      iPS cells in cardiovascular field].

PMID- 24228405
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 1. Frontier of the regenerative medicine; 3) Regenerative medicine for
      neurological disorders].

PMID- 24228407
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 2. Diseases originated from stem cell abnormalities; introduction].

PMID- 24228406
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 1. Frontier of the regenerative medicine; 4) Perspective on
      regenerative medicine for spinal cord injury using iPS cell--from bench to
      bedside].

PMID- 24228408
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 2. Diseases originated from stem cell abnormalities; 1) Abnormalities
      in hematopoietic stem cells: congenital immunodeficiencies].

PMID- 24228409
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 2. Diseases originated from stem cell abnormalities; 2) Human leukemic
      stem cell].

PMID- 24228410
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 2. Diseases originated from stem cell abnormalities; 3) iPS cell
      technology for neurodegenerative disease].

PMID- 24228411
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 2. Diseases originated from stem cell abnormalities; 4) The intestinal
      epithelial stem cells and cancer stem cells].

PMID- 24228412
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 2. Diseases originated from stem cell abnormalities; 5) Stem cell
      disorders and epigenetics].

PMID- 24228413
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 3. Social impacts and controversial points of clinical practice
      guidelines; introduction].

PMID- 24228414
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 3. Social impacts and controversial points of clinical practice
      guidelines; 1) Overview of guidelines: concepts of making clinical practice
      guidelines and discussion on their social impacts, (1) Breast cancer practice
      guideline].

PMID- 24228415
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 3. Social impacts and controversial points of clinical practice
      guidelines; 1) Overview of guidelines: concepts of making clinical practice
      guidelines and discussion on their social impacts. (2) Evidence-based practical
      guideline for the treatment of diabetes in Japan].

PMID- 24228416
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 3. Social impacts and controversial points of clinical practice
      guidelines; 1) Overview of guidelines: concepts of making clinical practice
      guidelines and discussion on their social impacts. (3) Guideline for managements
      of hypertension--concept and social significance].

PMID- 24228417
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 3. Social impacts and controversial points of clinical practice
      guidelines; 2) Clinical guidelines and consensus development].

PMID- 24228418
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 3. Social impacts and controversial points of clinical practice
      guidelines; 3) Impact, evaluation and legal issues of clinical practice
      guidelines].

PMID- 24228419
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Symposium: 3. Social impacts and controversial points of clinical practice
      guidelines; 4) Guidelines in Japan and in the world].

PMID- 24228420
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Panel
      discussion: Development of a social system for the best medical quality and
      security; introduction].

PMID- 24228421
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Panel
      discussion: Development of a social system for the best medical quality and
      security: 1. Clinical autopsy: need for countermeasures against its declining
      rates].

PMID- 24228422
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Panel
      discussion: Development of a social system for the best medical quality and
      security: 2. Application of autopsy imaging and present situation].

PMID- 24228423
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Panel
      discussion: Development of a social system for the best medical quality and
      security: 3. What is the determining of cause of death for neurologists?].

PMID- 24228424
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Panel
      discussion: Development of a social system for the best medical quality and
      security: 4. Investigation of cause of death in cardiovascular disease--current
      status and problems].

PMID- 24228425
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Panel
      discussion: Development of a social system for the best medical quality and
      security: 5. Toward the infrastructural development of the death investigation
      system in Japan--from a lawyers' view].

PMID- 24228426
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine: Panel
      discussion: Development of a social system for the best medical quality and
      security: 6. From model project of investigation system for death associated with
      medical practice to the establishment of independent organization for
      professional investigation].

PMID- 24228427
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 1. Pathophysiology and treatment for autoimmune thyroid
      disease].

PMID- 24228428
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 2. Pathophysiology and treatment of pancreatitis].

PMID- 24228429
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 3. Molecular pathogenesis of leukemia].

PMID- 24228430
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 4. Spinocerebellar degeneration: recent progress].

PMID- 24228431
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 5. Recent advances in vasculitis].

PMID- 24228432
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 6. Pathophysiology of heart failure and medical treatment].

PMID- 24228433
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 7. Tuberculosis care and prevention].

PMID- 24228434
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 8. Risk and management of infectious complications in
      patients with autoimmune diseases treated with biologicals].

PMID- 24228435
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 9. How to use diuretics based on pathophysiology?].

PMID- 24228436
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 10. Diagnosis and treatment for idiopathic pulmonary
      fibrosis].

PMID- 24228437
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 11. Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO)].

PMID- 24228438
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 12. Blood transfusion and adverse events--an unrecognized
      and underestimated clinico-pathological condition].

PMID- 24228439
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 13. Cardiovascular imaging: present status and future
      perspective].

PMID- 24228440
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 14. Training reform for general internal medicine in Japan].

PMID- 24228441
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 15. Treatment of diabetic nephropathy].

PMID- 24228442
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 16. Pathogenesis and treatment of gallstone diseases].

PMID- 24228443
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 17. Characteristics of lung cancer in Japanese patients and
      therapy].

PMID- 24228444
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 18. Present status of dialysis therapy].

PMID- 24228445
TI  - [110th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine:
      Educational lecture: 19. Imported infectious diseases].

PMID- 24228446
TI  - [Archetypal scenery of a physician].

PMID- 24228447
TI  - [Comparison of the efficacy of ropivacaine and that of levobupivacaine for
      postoperative epidural analgesia in patients undergoing gynecological open
      abdominal surgery].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative analgesia is important in patients undergoing open
      abdominal surgery. We prospectively compared the efficacy of ropivacaine and that
      of levobupivacaine for postoperative epidural analgesia in patients undergoing
      gynecological open abdominal surgery. METHODS: Fifty-two ASA 1-2 patients
      scheduled for gynecological open abdominal surgery under combined general and
      epidural anesthesia were enrolled and randomized into two groups. In ropivacaine
      group (n = 26) the patients received 0.187% ropivacaine and fentanyl 3.2 microg x
      ml(-1) for postoperative epidural analgesia. In levobupivacaine group (n = 26)
      the patients received 0.187% levobupivacaine and fentanyl 3.2 microg ml(-1).
      Visual analogue scale (resting pain and pain on mobilization), the amount of
      rescue analgesics and epidural anesthesia related adverse events such as
      hypotension, nausea and vomiting were observed for 48 hours after surgery.
      RESULTS: There were no differences in visual analogue scale at all intervals
      between the two groups. In levobupivacaine group the patients used less amounts
      of rescue analgesics than ropivacaine group (P = 0.01). There were no differences
      in the incidences of postoperative hypotension, nausea and vomiting between the
      two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both 0.187% ropivacaine and levobupivacaine similarly
      provide appropriate postoperative epidural analgesia for patients undergoing
      gynecological open abdominal surgery.

PMID- 24228448
TI  - [Possible predictors of discontinuation of basal-flow of postoperative patient
      controlled analgesia].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify possible predictors of
      discontinuation of basal-flow of postoperative patient-controlled analgesia.
      METHODS: We reviewed postoperative pain assessment records by the postoperative
      pain service team from April 2010 to July 2011 in which surgical patients were
      provided with intravenous or epidural patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA or Epi
      PCA). From these data, we extracted cases with discontinuation of basal-flow of
      PCA, and candidate variables such as patients' characteristics, preoperative and
      intraoperative variables were assessed. Predictors with significant univariate
      association (P < 0.20) with the primary outcome were used to construct
      multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: We enrolled 685 patients for
      IV-PCA and 606 for Epi-PCA and obtained discontinuation groups (105 and 73 cases,
      respectively) with this cohort data. Results of multivariate analysis showed
      female, non-laparotomy, low body weight, and non-droperidol as independent risk
      factors for IV-PCA and low body weight, no-co-existing disease, and
      gastrointestinal surgery for Epi-PCA. There were no significant differences in
      pain intensity between discontinuation and non-discontinuation cases. The primary
      cause of discontinuation was PONV for IV-PCA and hypotension for Epi-PCA,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We should apply IV-PCA for female slender surgical
      patients undergoing non-laparotomy with great caution and provide prevention for
      PON. We should pay attention to incidence of postoperative hypotenion when we
      administer Epi-PCA to slender gastrointestinal surgical patients without co
      existing disease.

PMID- 24228449
TI  - [General anesthesia for lung resection in 7 patients with forced expiratory
      volume in 1 second of less than 1l].
AB  - Preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 1 l is a risk factor
      for anesthesia. We report perioperative management and prognosis of 7 patients
      with restricted lung function who underwent lung resection under general
      anesthesia. We assessed the patients preoperatively from the point of view of
      heart-lung functions such as predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in
      1 second greater than 0.8 l, an ability of walking on the level for more than 5
      minutes at his own speed without a rest, presence of hypercapnia, and degree of
      pulmonary hypertension. One patient was extubated on the first postoperative day
      because of an asthmatic attack, whereas the remaining 6 patients were extubated
      in the operating room. Although 1 patient developed postoperative complications
      of lung air leakage and pneumonia, he recovered with conservative therapy. All
      patients were discharged without any sequela. We were able to manage high-risk
      patients with limited lung functions successfully during the perioperative period
      without serious complications.

PMID- 24228450
TI  - [Pediatric use of cuffed tracheal tubes under general anesthesia].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the use of cuffed tracheal tubes (CTT) in children less than
      8 years of age has increased, the criteria for selecting CTTs of appropriate
      sizes have not been determined. METHODS: To study the criteria for choosing tubes
      of appropriate sizes (internal diameter: 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, or 5.5mm), we intubated
      51 children aged 2-8 years under general anesthesia using an original protocol.
      We excluded 2 patients who received 4.0-mm tubes; thus, the outcomes in 48
      patients were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: A larger CTT was replaced with a
      smaller one in 1 patient, and a CTT was replaced with an uncuffed tracheal tube
      (UTT) in another patient (excluded from analysis). No tube changes were required
      in 49 patients. Post-extubation stridor was observed in 3 patients. The 4.5-mm
      tubes seemed appropriate in 12 cases because average airway leakage in these
      cases was > 10%; 5.0- and 5.5-mm tubes did not seem appropriate in 17 and 19
      cases, respectively, because the leakage was < 10% of the tidal volume.
      CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the pediatric use of CTTs because of the very low tube
      exchange ratio and the acceptable incidence of stridor. However, the protocol may
      require modification.

PMID- 24228451
TI  - [Resveratrol did not prevent sevoflurane-induced neuroapoptosis in the neonatal
      mice brain].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In an animal model, neonatal exposure to sevoflurane induces
      neuroapoptosis, leading to memory deficits in adulthood. A recent study showed
      that resveratrol (20 mg x kg(-1)) prevent alcohol-induced cognitive deficits and
      neural apotosis in rat pups postnatally exposed to ethanol. We investigated if
      resveratorol prevent sevoflurane induced neuroapotosis. METHODS: Six-day-old mice
      were divided into two groups: resveratorol and control groups. Pups were given
      resveratrol orally 24h and 1h before sevoflurane anesthesia. Anesthesia was
      maintained for 6h. After anesthesia, apotosis was evaluated by
      immunohistochemical staining for activated caspase-3. Western blot analysis for
      cleaved poly-(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase was performed to examine
      apotosis. RESULTS: Neonatal exposure to sevoflurane induced severe neuroapotosis.
      There were no differences between control groups and resveratrol groups with
      regards to immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS:
      Resveratrol did not prevent sevoflurane-induced neuroapoptosis in the neonatal
      mice brain.

PMID- 24228452
TI  - [A case of extensive pulmonary atelectasis after intubation in a patient
      undergoing elective tympanoplasty].
AB  - A 33-year-old male, without significant medical history, underwent elective
      tympanoplasty. It was difficult to manage his airway because of overbites, small
      jaw, and short neck. After intubation, his left chest revealed obvious
      abnormality in sound and movement, and showed free air in the mediastinum on X
      ray. CT revealed extensive atelectasis. Although he is a current smoker, the
      length of preoperative smoking cessation necessary to decrease postoperative
      pulmonary complications is not clear. This case demonstrates the importance of
      preoperative preparation including education in smoking damage.

PMID- 24228453
TI  - [Perioperative management of a patient with anomalous origin of the left coronary
      artery from the pulmonary artery].
AB  - Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is a rare
      congenital disease, also known as Bland-White-Garland (BWG) syndrome. Mitral
      valve regurgitation secondary to papillary muscle dysfunction due to myocardial
      ischemia and progressive left ventricular dysfunction are major clinical
      manifestations of BWG syndrome. We report perioperative management of a five-year
      old patient with BWG syndrome who underwent the Takeuchi procedure making an
      intrapulmonary baffle using anterior pulmonary artery wall. General anesthesia
      was maintained with inhalation of sevoflurane in 25-40% oxygen and continuous
      infusion of remifentanil. Since a decrease in pulmonary artery pressure could
      induce coronary steal phenomenon, we ventilated the patient with minimally
      required FI(O2) to maintain Sp(O2) 98-100%, and maintained Pa(CO2) between 40 and
      50 mmHg to avoid myocardial ischemia before the induction of cardiopulmonary
      bypass (CPB). We started continuous infusions of nitroglycerin and milrinone
      after the initiation of CPB, which were continued through the post-CPB period.
      The patient was transferred to the ICU and the postoperative course was
      uneventful. There are two key points in the management of BWG syndrome : the
      balance between systemic and pulmonary artery pressure in pre-CPB period, and
      left ventricular support including both inotropes and vasodilators in post-CPB
      period.

PMID- 24228454
TI  - [Intraoperative evaluation of visceral arteries by transesophageal
      echocardiography during aortic fenestration].
AB  - 76-year-old man was diagnosed with DeBakey type IIIb acute aortic dissection, for
      which he underwent axillo-femoral bypass surgery. Two days postoperatively,
      hematochezia developed suddenly. Laboratory data revealed AST 5,088 IU x l(-1),
      ALT 3,822 IU x l(-1), and CK 27,746 IU x l(-1) suggesting intestinal malperfusion
      due to stenosis of the celiac artery (CEA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA).
      The abdominal aorta and visceral arteries were evaluated by transesophageal
      echocardiography (TEE). Color Doppler imaging revealed increased blood flow
      velocity (4.0 m x sec(-1)) in CEA due to the stenosis, while that in SMA was
      decreased. Open abdominal aortic fenestration was performed. The aorta was
      clamped at the level of the infra-renal and inferior mesenteric arteries, and the
      septum between the false and true lumens was resected. On postoperative TEE
      assessment, CEA stenosis was resolved, and flow velocity was improved (3.0 m x
      sec(-1)). Color Doppler imaging demonstrated that fenestration resulted in
      recovery of SMA perfusion. Aortic fenestration is useful in the treatment of
      ischemic complications of aortic dissection. Its advantages include minimal
      invasiveness and short operative time. Bypass surgery and reoperation were
      avoided by evaluating visceral arteries by TEE in the case reported here.

PMID- 24228455
TI  - [Anesthesia for living donor renal transplantation in a patient with
      Goodpasture's syndrome with a history of repeated alveolar hemorrhage].
AB  - A 20-year-old woman was scheduled for living renal transplantation from her
      mother. She was diagnosed with Goodpasture's syndrome at 8 years of age and had a
      previous history of alveolar hemorrhage 5 times. She developed renal failure,
      hypertension and required hemodialysis. She had no history of surgery. Blood test
      was not remarkable except anemia and elevated blood urea nitrogen and serum
      creatinine levels. General anesthesia was induced and maintained with fentanyl,
      remifentanil and propofol. After tracheal intubation, the lungs were mechanically
      ventilated with a pressure control mode and the peak airway pressure was
      initially adjusted to 9 cmH2O for maintaining airway pressure at a low level to
      prevent alveolar injury, which was increased to 12 cmH2O at the end of surgery
      for maintaining a tidal volume of approximately 250 ml. No hemorrhage was
      detected in the airway during anesthesia, blood gas data were within the normal
      range, and the tracheal tube was removed after surgery in the operating room.
      Postoperative course was uneventful. Antihypertensive agents were discontinued
      and she was successfully weaned from hemodialysis.

PMID- 24228456
TI  - [Massive pulmonary thromboembolism during an orthopedic surgery in an obese
      patient].
AB  - Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and the consequent pulmonary embolism (PE) are
      devastating complications in orthopedic surgery. We report a 45-year-old male
      patient who developed PE during an operation of proximal tibia fracture under
      general anesthesia. On mobilization of knee joint, end-tidal CO2 suddenly
      decreased from 28 to 18 mmHg. Sp(O2) decreased from 99 to 92%, but blood pressure
      was maintained. Postoperatively Sp(O2) was maintained 94-95% in room air, but
      sinus tachycardia over 120 beats x min(-1) continued. On postoperative day 1, the
      patient experienced dyspnea. In the chest CT scan, massive embolism was found in
      the bilateral main pulmonary arteries and both middle lobe as well as lower lobe
      arteries in the right lung. DVT was detected by enhanced CT scan of the lower
      extremity. This patient had many risk factors for PE such as obesity, smoking,
      immobilization and lack of thromboprophylaxis.

PMID- 24228457
TI  - [Spinal paralysis by extradural hematoma following catheter removal].
AB  - A 63-year-man with lung cancer underwent right upper lobectomy under general
      anesthesia combined with thoracic epidural anesthesia. The surgical course was
      uneventfully completed. On the second postoperative day, he developed complete
      paralysis below T4 level 1 hour after removal of the epidural catheter. The
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extradural hematoma compressing the
      spinal cord from T4 to T6 segments. Surgical removal of hematoma was scheduled.
      However, his neurological condition improved rapidly within a couple of hours,
      and the surgery was not carried out. The time course of recovery from complete
      paralysis suggests that extradural hematoma diffused into the extradural space,
      resulting in a decrease in the epidural pressure.

PMID- 24228458
TI  - [The efficacy of ultrasound-guided infraorbital nerve block with hockey stick
      typed probe].
AB  - We report a case of ultrasound-guided infraorbital nerve block with a hockey
      stick typed probe in plane approach. Individual difference of infraorbital
      anatomy makes it difficult to puncture the infraorbital for a man, and the risks
      include bleeding, double vision and paranasal sinus puncture. The advantage of
      ultrasound-guided nerve block has been reported. Compared with conventional land
      mark method approach, ultrasound technique is thought to be easy to perform, more
      quickly and safely without any complications. From our results, we have
      demonstrated that ultrasound-guided infraorbital nerve block assisted by hockey
      stick typed probe could become one of the safe methods for this purpose.

PMID- 24228459
TI  - [Anesthetic and perioperative management of a patient with uncontrolled
      thyrotoxicosis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery].
AB  - Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism is a risk factor of perioperative thyrotoxic crisis.
      We report a case of a 61-year-old woman with thyrotoxicosis diagnosed with
      unstable angina pectoris. She needed to have an early scheduled coronay artery
      bypass grafting surgery, because percutaneous intervention for the left main
      coronary artery in support of intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) resulted in
      failure. Tachycardia and hyperthermia were observed at admission to the ICU, and
      hemodynamic parameters suggested high-output heart failure. Preoperative
      management using antithyroid drug, inorganic iodine, corticosteroid and
      propranolol stabilized her hemodynamic condition, and then CABG was performed on
      ICU day 3. Intraoperative and postoperative use of landiolol, a short acting beta
      blocker, was useful for maintaining hemodynamic stability. Surgery was
      uneventfully completed and she was extubated on postoperative day 1 following
      IABP withdrawal. Appropriate preoperative management and perioperative use of the
      short acting beta blocker were useful for management of the patient with
      uncontrolled hyperthyroid state.

PMID- 24228460
TI  - [Low dose vasopressin is effective for catecholamine-resistant hypotension after
      resection of pheochromocytoma].
AB  - The perioperative management of pheochromocytoma is challenging for
      anesthesiologists and persistent hypotension secondary to cathecholamine
      depletion after tumor resection can be refractory to treatment. A 64-year-old man
      underwent right adrenalectomy for treatment of massive pheochromocytoma.
      Doxazosin administration was started and increased gradually to 12 mg daily. He
      was premedicated with doxazosin on the day of the surgery. Induction was
      uneventful but there was a sudden increase of blood pressure with tachycardia on
      handling of tumor which was controlled by intravenous remifentanil, landiolol,
      diltiazem, and magnesium sulfate. With dissection of the tumor, the blood
      pressure dropped to 65/40 mmHg, which was resistant to fluid and cathecholamine
      treatment. After commencement of low dose vasopressin administration (two boluses
      of 0.08 U followed by 1.6 U x hr(-1)), blood pressure gradually recovered to
      normal ranges. Low dose vasopressin can be safely used to treat postadrenalectomy
      hypotension and also can reduce the cathecholamine dose.

PMID- 24228461
TI  - [Successful management of sigmoidectomy with sildenafil citrate in a patient with
      acute exacerbation of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension].
AB  - An 84-year-old woman with pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to chronic
      pulmonary thromboembolism suffered from continuous warfarin dependent bleeding
      from sigmoid colon cancer. Sigmoidectomy was scheduled to control continuous
      bleeding. Six hours after discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy for elective
      sigmoidectomy, the patient showed hypoxia, pulmonary thromboembolism and
      pulmonary hypertension with right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of 81
      mmHg. The operation was postponed and heparin was infused. Since two-day
      heparinization therapy did not improve PH, oral administration of sildenafil
      citrate 60 mg daily was initiated. Seven days after initiation of sildenafil
      administration, RVSP decreased to 49 mmHg without improvement of hypoxia.
      Sigmoidectomy was performed under general anesthesia. The patient showed severe
      hypotension managed with noradrenaline and dopamine infusion during and after
      surgery, resulting from interaction between sildenafil and vasodilators. The
      patient was discharged 36 days after the operation without complications.

PMID- 24228462
TI  - [Increase in serum vecuronium concentration following sugammadex administration
      in a pediatric patient after prolonged sedation].
AB  - It is known that blood concentration of rocuronium increases after administration
      of sugammadex, but this is not clear in the case of vecuronium. We report a
      pediatric case in which serum vecuronium concentration increased following
      sugammadex administration after prolonged sedation using vecuronium. A 19-month
      old girl weighing 7.8 kg had a history of aortic valvuloplasty at 4 months of age
      due to truncus arteriosus. She presented again to our hospital due to aortic
      regurgitation. She underwent aortic valvuloplasty and then aortic valve
      replacement. The postoperative course was complicated with severe heart failure
      and acute kidney injury requiring peritoneal dialysis. For that reason she
      required long-term sedation including administration of a large amount of muscle
      relaxant due to severe low cardiac output syndrome after aortic valvuloplasty. A
      total of 615 mg (79 mg x kg(-1)) of vecuronium was administered over a period of
      24 days. On weaning from mechanical ventilation, 125 mg (16 mg x kg(-1)) of
      sugammadex was given. Vecuronium concentration measured by high-performance
      liquid chromatography (HPLC) was 5.03 ng x ml(-1) before sugammadex
      administration and increase to 13.98 ng x ml(-1) after that. However, blood
      concentration of metabolic products of vecuronium did not exceed the lower limits
      of measurement in each sample. She was successfully weaned from mechanical
      ventilation without recurarizarion. Serum concentration of vecuronium increased
      after administration of sugammadex because extravascular vecuronium was
      redistributed to intravascular space according to the concentration gradient
      induced by binding and clathration of vecuronium. The measured values of
      vecuronium after sugammadex administration on HPLC represented the total amount
      of free vecuronium and vecuronium combined with sugammadex. Recurarization might
      occur after sugammadex reversal in patients after long-term administration of
      vecuronium, especially if relatively smaller doses of sugammadex were given. We
      experienced a pediatric case in which serum vecuronium concentration increased
      following sugammadex administration after prolonged sedation using vecuronium.
      There is a risk of recurarization after sugammadex reversal in patients after
      long-term administration of vecuronium.

PMID- 24228463
TI  - [A case of rocuronium-induced anaphylactic shock successfully treated with
      sugammadex].
AB  - We report a case of a 19-year-old male with rocuronium-induced anaphylactic
      shock. He was scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis under
      general anesthesia. Induction of anesthesia was done with fentanyl, propofol and
      sevoflurane. Just after administration of rocuronium, he developed tachycardia
      with extended exanthema on the face, anterior chest wall and abdomen. He was
      difficult to ventilate manually with mask and then intubated without difficulty.
      The carotid arterial pulse was not palpable and adrenaline was given
      intermittently to maintain blood pressure. Although the systolic blood pressure
      increased to 80 mmHg, hemodynamics was unstable with adrenaline. Sugammadex was
      then given and the blood pressure became stable without adrenaline. Exanthema
      also disappeared gradually. He was then transferred to ICU and extubated without
      any sequela. The plasma beta-tryptase increased to 46 microg x l(-1) during the
      shock state and returned to 14.1 microg x l(-1) 8 hrs after the event. The blood
      hemoglobin level also increased to 21.3 g x dl(-1) during the shock state and
      returned to 17.2 g x dl(-1) during the recovery phase. The laboratory data showed
      a marked increase in vascular permeability caused by rocuronium-induced
      anaphylactic shock.

PMID- 24228464
TI  - [Anaphylaxis needing adrenaline administration during anesthesia: a 7-year single
      institution study].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adrenaline is the key treatment for acute anaphylaxis; however, it is
      difficult to use it appropriately in terms of dosage and timing. If used
      incorrectly, adrenaline can cause cardiac infarction, stroke, recurrence and
      other problems. METHODS: We collected data of suspected anaphylaxis from records
      in our anesthesia department between April 2005 and March 2012. All cases where
      the skin of patients turned red and blood pressure decreased continuously were
      included. We analyzed the usage of adrenaline in these cases. RESULTS: Six
      (0.034%) suspected anaphylaxis cases were analyzed from a total of 27,597
      anesthesia cases. Adrenaline was administered subcutaneously in 2 cases,
      intravenously in 3 cases, and with and infused in 1 case. In the 4 cases with
      intravenous administration, the median dose was 0.52 (range : 0.02-1.6) mg.
      Following decreased and unstable blood pressure, adrenaline was initiated after a
      median of 12.5 (5-25) min, and blood pressure returned to normal after 20 (5-95)
      min. Patients were extubated 19 (4-24) hours after observation of anomalous blood
      pressure. No aftereffects or recurrences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenaline
      was administered appropriately in terms of dosage, but timing should have been
      earlies in 3 of 6 cases.

PMID- 24228465
TI  - [A case of tracheal intubation for apnea with epidural opioid in recovery room
      after operation under general anesthesia].
AB  - We report a 68-year-old, American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I (ASA I),
      female patient scheduled for malignant uterine adnexal tumor surgery and
      revascularization for ovarian cancer. An epidural catheter was inserted at T12-L1
      for 5 cm. Anesthesia was induced with remifentanil (0.25 microg x kg(-1) x min(
      1)), sevoflurane (5%) and rocuronium (30 mg). Anesthesia was satisfactorily
      maintained after intubation with sevoflurane (1.5%) and remifentanil (0.2 microg
      x kg(-1) x min(-1)). We extubated the patient because spontaneous breathing and
      consciousness were observed. We intubated the patient immediately for apnea that
      occurred after extubation. The patient made an uneventful recovery after naloxone
      administration. In pharmacokinetic simulation, on the assumption that epidural
      administrated fentanyl was carried to blood content promptly, effect
      concentration to cause respiratory depression was not reached. Postoperative
      apnea was rationalized as follows; tardy respiratory depression with the epidural
      administration, and unexpected dosage of the residual fentanyl in the catheter.

PMID- 24228466
TI  - [Anesthetic management of a patient with hemophilia B during scoliosis surgery].
AB  - Posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis was planned in a 14-year-old male patient
      with hemophilia B. Preoperative examination showed factor IX activity of 8.4%
      with no inhibitor development. A perioperative dosage schedule was prepared after
      examining the pharmacokinetics of recombinant coagulation factor IX in order to
      maintain levels of perioperative factor IX activity at < or = 80% for the first 6
      days (days 0-6), and > or = 40% for days 7-14 postoperatively. The dose of
      recombinant coagulation factor IX was adjusted to maintain factor IX activity
      above 80%, while measuring coagulation activity every hour during the surgery.
      The patient showed a favorable course without hemorrhagic tendency. We could
      safely manage anesthesia without requiring allogeneic blood transfusion.

PMID- 24228467
TI  - [A case of transfusion-related acute lung injury following platelet transfusion
      during the cervical supine surgery].
AB  - We report a case of possible transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). The
      patient is a 69-year-old man who underwent cervical supine surgery Platelet
      products were transfused pre-and intra-operatively. At the end of the operation,
      he was fully awake and extubated. Shortly after extubation he showed low oxygen
      saturation, and we started bag-mask ventilation. A chest X-ray revealed bilateral
      diffuse pulmonary edema without cardiac enlargement. Thus we inserted
      endotracheal tube and started positive pressure assist ventilation. Hypoxemia was
      improved gradually, and he was re-extubated on the fourth day after the
      operation. The prevalence of TRALI reactions is reported to be high for platelet
      product and is influenced by patients' underlying clinical condition. Serum anti
      leukocyte antibody was negative, but we suspected the possibility of TRALI based
      on the clinical findings.

PMID- 24228468
TI  - [Anesthetic management in a patient with head and neck burn by asphalt].
AB  - In cases of facial burns caused by molten asphalt, examination for possible
      airway burns and early removal of the asphalt should be carried out to prevent
      chemical-induced tissue damage and infection. However, asphalt that has adhered
      to tissues is difficult to remove. A 35-year-old male with burns caused by molten
      asphalt was scheduled for emergency debridement. He had 6% body surface area
      burns on his face and neck. He was not able to open his eyes due to the adherence
      of asphalt. His respiratory condition was stable and a perioperative fiberoptic
      view revealed no airway burns. After awake intubation, orange peel oil was used
      to remove the asphalt from his face and eyes. Since orange peel oil does not
      contain any harmful substances, it is effective for removing asphalt without
      causing tissue damage.

PMID- 24228469
TI  - [A case of continuous epidural anesthesia for pain relief in a pregnant woman
      with uterine myoma in the second trimester of pregnancy].
AB  - We present a case of continuous epidural anesthesia for a pregnant woman with
      uterine myoma. A 35-year-old pregnant woman at 16 weeks of pregnancy became aware
      of pain in the right lower abdomen. She was diagnosed with painful degenerating
      uterine myoma. Acetaminophen failed to control pain, and intramuscular
      pentazocine was only weakly effective. To avoid increasing the analgesic dose, we
      resorted to continuous epidural anesthesia starting at 18 weeks of pregnancy. The
      pain was improved remarkably by continuous epidural anesthesia with 0.2%
      ropivacaine. The epidural catheter was removed 6 days after the initiation of
      treatment. Since then there was no recurrence of pain. Besides providing good
      analgesic effect, the epidural anesthesia can help suppress uterine contractions
      and improve blood flow to the myomatous parts of the uterus. Therefore, it can be
      a suitable method of pain control in women with uterine myomas in mid-pregnancy.

PMID- 24228470
TI  - [A virtual respiratory model of the concentration of each gas in the alveoli as a
      function of time when the inspired and expired volumes are equal].
AB  - A specific mathematical ventilation model was assumed to derive a new expression
      for the concentration of each gas in the alveoli with only the ventilatory
      parameters or with the functional residual volume, tidal volume, anatomical dead
      space, and end-tidal gas concentration. The inequality derived from the mean
      concentration equation showed that, if the I to E ratio was inversed, the end
      tidal P(CO2) was higher than the mean alveolar P(CO2), which was almost equal to
      the sampled arterial P(CO2). In the present model, at the inverse ratio
      ventilation (IRV), the end-tidal P(CO2) was higher than the arterial P(CO2). The
      mean equation provided not only the A-a D(O2), but also the a-AD(CO2). The A
      aD(O2) was evaluated with respect to cardiac output. In the equation, I is the
      duration of inspiration; E is the duration of expiration; P(CO2) is the carbon
      dioxide tension; A-aD(O2) is the mean alveolar/mean arterial P(O2) difference;
      P(O2) is the oxygen tension; and a-AD(CO2) is the mean arterial/mean alveolar
      P(CO2) difference.

PMID- 24228471
TI  - [The effectiveness of a system using re-useable linens to reduce the expense of
      surgical operations].
AB  - We introduced a system that uses re-useable linens for surgical operations in
      2008. After 3 years from introduction we were able to reduce the expense of about
      yen 4,340,000 per year and CO2 production of 9,548 kg CO2 x m(-2) per year. We
      were convinced of the effect on reducing the expense of surgical operations and
      of decreasing the level of CO2 production that leads to global warming.

PMID- 24228472
TI  - [On suggestion and its related problems].
AB  - Recently, intensive discussions about dissociative disorders have led to the
      rediscovery of the psychology of P. Janet, that has been under the shadow of
      Freud's psychoanalysis. Nevertheless, psychiatry, "Schulpsychiatrie" in German,
      has still paid little attention to the suggestion with which Janet has occupied
      himself throughout his long career. In this paper, the author examined suggestion
      from another point of view other than psychodynamic. It is presented that Freud
      reduced suggestion to a specific relation between an active subject and a passive
      object, as his precursors, F.A. Mesmer and R. de Puysegur did the same. In
      contrast, Janet's early studies influenced by the philosophy of M. de Biran seem
      to focus on another aspect of suggestion. From this aspect, suggestion is based
      on a spontaneous intersubjective process that should be expressed by the middle
      voice. Referring to H. Bergson, with whom Janet corresponded, the author pointed
      out that one is not always one's own self that reflects one's whole life history,
      regardless of the presence/absence of mental abnormality, as is the case with a
      person under suggestion. Taking into account these factors of suggestion, i. e.,
      the middle voice and fragile selfhood that is not firmly rooted in one's own life
      history, the author investigated hysteria as a distinct phenomenon that has a
      particularly close relation with suggestion. Furthermore, depersonalization and
      schizophrenia were discussed concerning their relation with hysteria. In this
      approach, the author suggested that the unconscious could be topographically
      localized not only in a deep portion of the mental apparatus, but also in its
      most superficial portion, unlike in the case of Freud's psychoanalysis.

PMID- 24228474
TI  - [Clinical features, treatments and outcome of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
      focusing on the assessment and characteristics of patients with treatment
      refractory OCD].
AB  - Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is fairly common, with prevalence estimates
      ranging from 1 to 2%. OCD is generally described as having a chronic course with
      periods of waxing and waning of symptoms, and most individuals with OCD are at
      risk for other comorbid psychiatric disorders such as major depression. It is
      associated with considerable impairment and disability, in that individuals with
      OCD often experience severe social and interpersonal difficulties, familial
      dysfunction, occupational problems and impaired quality of life. Indeed, WHO
      classifies OCD as one of the top 10 most debilitating illnesses. Despite the
      proven effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective
      serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of OCD, these 2 treatment
      strategies have demonstrated inadequate responses in at least 40% of OCD
      patients. Moreover, even when the best available treatments are applied, a number
      of patients remain severely affected and experience treatment-refractory OCD.
      Long-term follow-up (up to 40 years) studies also suggest that OCD often results
      in a chronic and lifelong condition with low rates of remission and with a
      relatively high probability of relapse. Thus, a "treatment-refractory" status
      should be assessed in each OCD individual according to responses to all available
      therapeutic alternatives, along with the long-term course and outcome. For
      further exploration of the treatment strategies for OCD patients assessed as
      "treatment-refractory", definition of the condition as well as the optimization
      and standardization of the currently best available treatments is needed. In
      particular, taking into account the psychopathologically and biologically
      heterogeneous nature of OCD, optimal and rational treatment strategies should be
      independently examined for each distinct OCD subtype. Further advance of social
      support and educational systems may also be helpful to promote earlier
      intervention for the treatment of individuals at high risk of developing chronic
      or treatment-refractory OCD.

PMID- 24228473
TI  - [Clinical experience with clozapine in 55 cases of treatment-resistant
      schizophrenia].
AB  - Up until October 2012, Kohnodai Hospital had introduced clozapine treatment for
      55 cases of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. In all cases, previous
      antipsychotic medication was discontinued the day before clozapine administration
      began. Of the 55 cases, 45(85%)are continuing clozapine administration, and 40
      cases (73%) are receiving outpatient treatment. The average dose of clozapine was
      373.1 mg/day (SD : 160.5). Clozapine was administered for a month or more in 51
      cases (93%). BPRS scores improved 20% or more in a month's administration of
      clozapine in 18 of the cases (35%). The average clozapine dose in the improvement
      cases was 176 mg/day. The average BPRS score had significantly decreased from the
      baseline at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after the start of clozapine administration.
      Of the 33 cases receiving clozapine treatment for 12 months or more, BPRS
      improved 20% or more in 27 (82%). BPRS improved 20% or more for the first time
      after clozapine administration within a month in 12 cases (44%), 3 months in 8
      cases (30%), 6 months in 5 cases (19%), and 12 months in 2 cases (7%). These
      results suggest that clozapine should be administered continuously for over 6
      months at the least and 12 months if possible to evaluate the efficacy of
      clozapine treatment. Of the 43 cases receiving outpatient clozapine therapy, the
      average GAF score improved significantly from the time of ward admission to
      discharge (20.6 and 42.0, respectively). Clozapine had to be discontinued in 2
      cases of leukopenia, 2 cases of neutropenia, 1 case of reduced left ventricular
      ejection due to pericardial effusion, 1 case of drug eruption, and 1 case of
      marked hunger. When introducing clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia,
      it is important to administer it as a monotherapy, slowly increase the dosage to
      reduce side effects, and achieve a treatment effect at the minimum required
      dosage.

PMID- 24228475
TI  - [Definition of treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder based on
      cognitive behavioral therapy].
AB  - Several lines of evidence have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is
      more effective than pharmacotherapy for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder
      (OCD). Not only pharmacotherapy-resistant but also CBT-resistant OCD should be
      defined. After reviewing previous studies, patients with treatment-refractory OCD
      may be required to show severe symptoms with a score of at least 28 on the Yale
      Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) even after therapy, and have at least a
      5-year history of OCD. I propose CBT-RESISTANT OCD as a term to describe cases of
      OCD that do not respond to adequate standard CBT of at least 30 hours. Moreover,
      CBT-REFRACTORY OCD can only be determined if a person has tried intensive CBT
      (including exposure and ritual prevention for 4 weeks, followed by eight weekly
      maintenance session) of at least 40 hours after standard CBT.

PMID- 24228476
TI  - [Treatment-refractory OCD and its biological pathophysiology].
AB  - Recently, ample evidence has suggested that selective serotonin reuptake
      inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy are highly effective
      treatments for OCD. There are, however, certain patients who are refractory to
      almost all types of therapeutic intervention. In recent studies, atypical
      antipsychotic augmentation of SSRIs and deep brain stimulation have been
      suggested to be effective for these refractory-type patients. Dysfunction of
      neuro-circuits throughout the frontal cortex and associated subcortical
      structures is considered to be due to both serotonergic and dopaminergic nerve
      system impairment. A large number of previous neuroimaging studies identified
      abnormally high metabolic activities throughout the frontal cortex as well as
      subcortical and limbic structures. These over-activities are suggested to be
      biological markers of the treatment response. In addition, structural and nerve
      connective dysfunction of these regions may be associated with a severe,
      treatment-resistant, and treatment-refractory status. A treatment-refractory
      state may be attributable to the clinical subtypes of OCD. Associations between
      the symptom subtype and brain activity reveal the heterogeneity of OCD. Several
      correlative analyses have shown distinct neural correlations associated with
      specific OCD symptom dimensions such as aggression/checking,
      contamination/cleaning, and hoarding. Overlapping of these neural disturbances
      will cause treatment-refractory OCD. Another reason for a treatment-refractory
      state may be comorbid disorders such as major depression and tic disorders.
      Comorbid depression will aggravate metabolic impairments in the hippocampus and
      thalamus and cause more severe disturbance of neuro-circuits in OCD. Obsessive
      compulsive symptom with Tourette syndrome or pervasive developmental disorders
      will become refractory because of fixation caused by developmental factors and a
      perceptual element called "just right feeling". There should be a close
      relationship between neuro-circuit disturbance and a treatment-refractory state.
      The pathophysiology becomes more complicated due to the symptom subtype and
      comorbidity. Further investigations are needed to develop effective treatment
      strategies based on biological evidence.

PMID- 24228477
TI  - [Treatment-refractory OCD from the viewpoint of obsessive-compulsive spectrum
      disorders: impact of comorbid child and adolescent psychiatric disorders].
AB  - More than a half of patients with OCD are classified as early-onset. Early-onset
      OCD has been indicated to be associated with a greater OCD global severity and
      more frequently comorbid with tic disorders and other obsessive-compulsive (OC)
      spectrum disorders, compared with late-onset OCD. Early-onset OCD patients with
      severe impairment caused by both OC symptoms and comorbid OC spectrum disorders
      may be identified as being refractory. Tic disorders and autism spectrum disorder
      (ASD) are child and adolescent psychiatric disorders included in OC spectrum
      disorders. OCD comorbid with chronic tic disorders including Tourette syndrome
      (TS) is specified as tic-related OCD. Tic-related OCD is characterized by the
      high prevalence of early-onset and sensory phenomena including "just right"
      feeling. Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) such as head banging and body punching
      often occur in patients with TS. The patients' concern about SIB is likely to
      trigger them, suggesting that an impulse-control problem is a feature of TS. More
      than a half of patients with TS have OC symptoms. When OC symptoms in patients
      with TS were assessed with a dimensional approach, symmetry dimension symptoms
      were found most frequently over the lifetime. On the other hand, the severity of
      aggression dimension symptoms was the most stable during the course among all
      dimensions. Aggression dimension symptoms also exhibited a close relationship
      with impairment of global functioning and sensory phenomena. This tendency may be
      characteristic of tic-related OCD. It is sometimes difficult to differentiate
      between OC symptoms and restricted, repetitive behaviors which are core symptoms
      of ASD. Recently, ego-dystonia and insight are considered non-essential to
      diagnose OCD, whereas high-functioning and/or atypical ASD is recognized as being
      more prevalent than previously estimated. In this situation, attention to
      comorbidity of OCD and ASD is increasing, and the prevalence of OCD in children
      and adolescents with ASD was reported to be about 20%. One study on the impact of
      comorbid ASD in adults with OCD indicated that comorbid patients had higher
      scores for the Autism Questionnaire (AQ) subscales of attention switching and
      imagination but showed little difference in OC symptoms except for the
      predominance of compulsion compared to patients with pure OCD. "Just right"
      feeling and impulse-control problems were evident in OC patients comorbid with
      both ASD and TS. Out of five adults with TS who underwent deep brain stimulation
      (DBS) because of refractory tics, four had impulse-control problems including
      SIB, leading to very severe physical injuries in two patients. After DBS, tics
      and SIB improved in all patients; however, one patient experienced their re
      aggravation. To improve understanding of and treatment/support for refractory
      OCD, OC spectrum disorders should also be considered.

PMID- 24228478
TI  - [Novel treatment strategies for refractory patients with obsessive-compulsive
      disorder].
AB  - Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral
      therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),
      response rates to these therapies are 40-60%. There may be many treatment
      refractory patients who do not respond to several SSRIs and intensive CBT
      treatment. The current treatment guidelines suggest various strategies for
      treatment-refractory cases, but there is no established evidence for most of
      them. Augmentation therapies with antipsychotics and glutamate modulator drugs
      have yielded some supporting evidence. When all drugs and CBT are ineffective,
      non-pharmacological treatment including deep brain stimulation (DBS) should be
      applied. However, it is necessary to establish criteria for treatment-refractory
      patients and standardize conventional treatment before neuromodulation treatment
      is applied in Japan.

PMID- 24228479
TI  - [Social cognition and psychiatry].
AB  - Social cognition consists of multiple interpersonal abilities such as emotional
      facial recognition, the "theory of mind", and empathy. Neural bases of these
      abilities have been investigated extensively, and key brain structures such as
      the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, insula, and superior temporal sulcus, are
      called the "social brain" by some researchers. Social cognition has been
      demonstrated to be an essential determinant of daily functioning in
      schizophrenia. Progress in social neuroscience, together with advanced
      neuroimaging technology, promotes our understanding of schizophrenia from the
      viewpoint of social cognition and the social brain.

PMID- 24228480
TI  - [Influence of RGPU-207 compound and amiodarone on ion currents in shellfish
      neurons].
AB  - RGPU-207 compound and amiodarone in concentrations of 1, 10, 100 and 1000 microM
      produce dose-dependent and reversible effects on trans-membrane sodium, calcium,
      and potassium ion currents of neurons in pond snail and orb snail shellfish. In
      concentration of 1 microM, both compounds increased the amplitude of potassium
      ion currents, while not affecting the amplitude of sodium and calcium ion
      currents. In concentrations of 100 and 1000 microM, dose-dependent suppression of
      all currents (with predominant potassium ion current suppression) was observed.
      Under the action of RGPU-207 compound, the kinetics of activation and
      inactivation of sodium and calcium ion currents was not changed, but the kinetics
      of activation of the potassium slow current was slowing down. Amiodarone
      decelerated the inactivation of calcium ion current and accelerated the
      inactivation of potassium slow current. RGPU-207 compound, in comparison to
      amiodarone, produces a similar membranotropic effect on the shellfish neurons.

PMID- 24228481
TI  - [Influence of lithium salt of comenic acid on the state of oxidative processes in
      brain of stressed animals].
AB  - The influence of a new substance, lithium salt of comenic acid, on the oxidative
      processes in the brain of animals under the conditions of acute and long combined
      stress has been investigated. It is established that lithium comenate (1 and 2
      mg/kg) exhibits pronounced dose-dependent antioxidative stress-protective effect,
      which is manifested in suppression of the hyperproduction of free radicals and
      depression of the content of malonic dialdehyde (a secondary product of lipid
      peroxidation) in the brain of stressed animals. The maximum antioxidative stress
      protection effect under the conditions of acute and long combined stress has been
      observed for lithium salt ofcomenic acid in a dose of 2 mg/kg.

PMID- 24228482
TI  - [Cerebrovascular effects of GABA-prostaglandin E2 conjugate in comparison with
      prostaglandin E2].
AB  - Experiments have shown that GABA conjugate with prostaglandin E2 enhances
      cerebral blood flow in rats after global transient ischemia, while not affecting
      the cerebral hemoperfusion in intact animals. It is established that
      cerebrovascular activity of the GABA conjugate with prostaglandin E2 under
      conditions of cerebral ischemia is based on GABAergic mechanisms of vascular tone
      regulation, since it is removed by GABA(A)-receptor blocker bicuculline. At the
      same time, cerebral blood flow of intact rats and rats after global transient
      ischemia of brain is equally enhanced by prostaglandin E2 alone. This effect is
      not neutralized by bicuculline.

PMID- 24228483
TI  - [Cardioprotective properties of zoniporide studied on experimental ischemia and
      reperfusion models in rat myocardium].
AB  - Using the experimental model of rat heart ischemia/reperfusion, it is established
      that zoniporide (inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchanger) produces a significant (1.4-fold)
      decrease in the area of myocardial necrosis, 2.1-fold decrease in the serum
      troponin I level, and 2-fold decrease in the severity of post-reperfusion
      arrhythmias.

PMID- 24228484
TI  - [Search for new drugs with antiarrhythmic properties among derivatives of adamant
      2-ylamides of alkylamidocarbonic acids].
AB  - The experiments on white outbred awaken male rats have shown that derivatives of
      adamant-2-ylamides of alkylamidocarbonic acids exhibit prominent antiarrhythmic
      (antifibrillatory) effect on the model of calcium chloride arrhythmia. The most
      pronounced effect was demonstrated by N-[2(adamant-2-yl)aminocarbonylmethyl]-N'
      [3-(diethylamino)propyl]-4-nitrobenzamide. This compound was also active on the
      model of aconitine arrhythmia, which is characteristic of class-I antiarrhythmic
      agents. It is established that N-[2-(adamant-2-yl)aminocarbonylmethyl]-N'-[3
      (diethylamino)propyl]-4-nitrobenzamide has prominent antiarrhythmic activity and
      is more safe than other antiarrhythmic drugs of class I (lidocaine, ethmosine,
      novocainamide), class IV (verapamil), and class III (cardiocyclide).

PMID- 24228485
TI  - [NO-dependent mechanisms of cardioprotective activity of MT preparation during
      course administration to SHR rats].
AB  - Chronic (15 days) single daily intraperitoneal insertion of the new preparation
      MT (5 mg/kg) and metoprolol (10 mg/kg) into SHR rats leads to the same decrease
      (18%) in arterial pressure. In addition, MT exhibits a cardioprotective effect
      because of NO-mimetic properties, increasing NO formation in myocardium via
      increasing general NOS activity and eNOS expression. MT normalizes iNOS
      expression in myocardium mitochondria and decreases nitrotyrosine (nitrosation
      stress marker) formation. At the same time, the reference preparation metoprolol
      did not exhibit NO-mimetic properties in myocardium of SHR rats.

PMID- 24228486
TI  - [Effect of a complex preparation of sea urchin shells on blood glucose level and
      oxidative stress parameters in type II diabetes model].
AB  - The experimental preclinical study on mice showed that a complex of
      polyhydroxylated naphthoquinone pigments and minerals from shells of sea urchins
      decreases the concentration of glucose, stimulates the synthesis of phospholipids
      in liver, and has antioxidant properties. On the model of streptozotocin
      nicotinamide-induced type II diabetes, this complex of polyhydroxylated
      naphthoquinone pigments and minerals from sea urchin shells exhibited activity
      after administration for 10 days in a dose of 1.8 mg/kg.

PMID- 24228487
TI  - [Assessment of the effects of chronic administration of zinc aspartate and zinc
      sulfate on amino acid metabolism indicators in tissues and the morphology of
      small intestine in young rats].
AB  - Enteral administration (every day, 10 times) of zinc aspartate (33 mg/kg) or zinc
      sulfate (25 mg/kg) to young rats weighing 50 - 60 g induces an amino acid
      imbalance in the blood plasma, liver, and myocardium. Zinc sulfate causes much
      more pronounced changes in the amino acid balance in the liver and myocardium, as
      compared to that in rats treated with zinc aspartate. One possible mechanism of
      the above changes can be the effect of zinc salts on nutrient absorption
      processes and metabolic features of zinc cations in the small intestine.

PMID- 24228488
TI  - [Disturbances of the immune status during chronic intoxication with 1,2
      dichloroethane and their treatment by administration of polyoxidonium].
AB  - It has been established in experiments on noninbred rats that chronic
      intoxication with 1,2-dichloroethane (30 days; total dose 0.9LD50; daily dose
      0.03 mg/kg body weight) causes a reduction of immune responses, decreases the
      activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of T-lymphocytes, reduces the
      concentration of blood cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, while not
      affecting the content of IL-10), and damages to a greater degree Th1 cells as
      compared to Th2 lymphocytes. The administration of polyoxidonium (daily dose, 150
      mg/kg, for 7 days,) partially restored the immune status, the activity of AChE T
      cells, and the content of cytokines in the blood.

PMID- 24228489
TI  - [Potential cytostatic effect of the maleimide derivative 1-(4-Cl-benzyl)-3-Cl-4
      (CF3-phenylamino)-1-H-pyrrol-2,5-dione].
AB  - The cytostatic/cytotoxic effects of the maleimide derivative 1-(4-Cl-Benzyl)-3-Cl
      4-(CF3-phenylamino)-1H-pyrrol-2,5-dione (MI-1) have been estimated on epithelial
      derived human cell cultures (Colo 205, MCF-7, and Hela). The anticancer and toxic
      effects of MI-1 have been investigated on DMH-induced cancer development and
      normal colon morphology in rats. The results showed that the compound studied has
      low cytotoxicity but produces a strong antiproliferative effect on cell cultures
      and partially suppresses colon cancer development in DMH-induced model. The MI-1
      effect on normal colon mucosa is insignificant, and no destructive changes have
      been detected in the intestine of rats. This maleimide derivate can be considered
      as a promising anticancer drug.

PMID- 24228490
TI  - [Pharmacological treatment of hemorheological disorders in children with acute
      respiratory viral infection].
AB  - This article presents the results of monitoring in a group of children with
      severe forms of acute respiratory viral infection and toxic encephalopathy.
      Hemorheological disorder in the form of hyperviscosity syndrome has been detected
      in all patients with severe forms of acute respiratory viral infection. It was
      suggested the inclusion of cytoflavin in the complex therapy for correcting the
      hemorheological status. The administration of cytoflavin led to reduction of
      erythrocyte aggregation and general improvements in rheological indices of
      children with severe forms of acute respiratory viral infection and toxic
      encephalopathy.

PMID- 24228491
TI  - [Comparative analysis of the effectiveness of antiviral therapy of children with
      infectious mononucleosis].
AB  - A group of 126 children (4 to 7 years old) with infectious mononucleosis received
      basic therapy in combination with nonspecific antiviral drugs. The same
      therapeutic efficiency was observed for cycloferon and genferon light included in
      complex treatment of infectious mononucleosis in children. The use of cycloferon
      (10 mg/kg i.m., single daily injection for 10 days) prevents the development of
      frequent acute respiratory viral infections in the period of convalescence.

PMID- 24228492
TI  - [Association of microsatellite loci alleles of the group-5 chromosomes with frost
      resistance of winter wheat].
AB  - Analysis of frost resistance and microsatellite analysis of the group-5
      chromosomes were performed on parental varieties and recombinant-inbred lines F7
      Luzanovka odesskaya/Odesskaya krasnokolosaya. Allelic differences for Xcfd7-5B
      Xwmc415-5B and Xgwm 182-5D microsatellite loci were associated with the level of
      frost resistance of the lines.

PMID- 24228493
TI  - [Putative temperature sensitive riboswitchers in Salmonella genome].
AB  - Currently, a number of structurally and functionally different temperature
      sensitive elements like as RNA thermometers which control a variety of biological
      processes of bacteria, including virulence, are known. Well-known RNA
      thermometers correspond to one long step-loop structure or few hairpins which can
      be matched or mismatched. Based on the computer and thermodynamical analysis of
      25 isolates of Salmonella enterica with complete genome, algorithm and the
      criteria of search for putative RNA thermometers were developed. It will permit
      to perform the search of potential riboswitchers in genome of socially
      significant pathogens in the future. For S. enterica, in addition to well-known
      4U RNA thermometer, four step-loop structures that may be new RNA thermometers
      were identified and two of them are localized in 5'-UTR of virulence regulators
      gltB and yaeQ. They correspond to necessary and sufficient conditions of RNA
      thermometer formation as far as these highly conservative structures are found in
      genome of all 25 isolates of S. enterica. Matched hairpins forming cruciform
      structure in supercoiled pUC8 plasmid were visualized by atomic force microscopy.

PMID- 24228494
TI  - The association between GAD1 gene polymorphisms and cerebral palsy in Chinese
      infants.
AB  - Studies suggest that GAD1 gene was a functional candidate susceptibility gene for
      cerebral palsy (CP). In order to investigate the contribution of GAD1 gene to the
      etiology of CP in Chinese infants, we carried out a case-control association
      study between GAD1 gene and CP. In this study, 374 health controls and 392
      infants with CP were recruited. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood and
      all three single nucleotide polymorphisms in GAD1 (rs3791874, rs3791862 and
      rs16858977) were genotyped by Sequenom's MassARRAY system. There were no
      significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies between CP or mixed CP
      patients and controls at any of the three genetic polymorphisms. Through
      haplotype analysis we found that haplotype GG (rs3791862, rs16858977) frequency
      demonstrated significantly statistical difference between mixed CP patients and
      controls (p = 0.0371). Our positive findings of haplotype GG suggested that
      variation of GAD1 gene was an important risk factor for mixed CP.

PMID- 24228495
TI  - Evaluation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms (FokI, TaqI and ApaI)
      in a family with dentinogenesis imperfecta.
AB  - Dentinogenesis imperfecta Type II (DGI-II) is a condition inherited as an
      autosomal dominant trait and characterized by abnormal dentine structure
      affecting both the primary and secondary dentitions. The genetic etiology of the
      disease still remains unclear, suggesting a genetically heterogeneous background.
      The aim of this study is to manifest briefly DGI-II and to investigate the
      association between BsmI, TaqI and FokI polymorphisms of Vitamin D receptor (VDR)
      gene and dentinogenesis imperfecta type II in a Turkish family by PCR-RFLP
      methodology. The affected mother and her two affected daughters were bb for BsmI
      polymorphism, whereas her unaffected son and her husband were Bb for the same
      polymorphism. One of the affected children was tt, the rest of the family were Tt
      for TaqI polymorphism, and all of the enrolled subjects were FF for FokI
      polymorphism. As a conclusion, BsmI polymorphism bb seems to be associated with
      (DGI-II), but should be examined in larger numbers in order to be considered as a
      risk factor.

PMID- 24228496
TI  - [Analysis of matrix Gla-protein (MGP) G-7A polymorphism association with ischemic
      atherothrombotic stroke in persons with risk factors].
AB  - G-7A polymorphism (rs1800801) of matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene in 170 patients
      with ischemic atherothrombotic stroke (IATS) and in 124 persons of the control
      group was determined. It was shown that in patients with IATS the distribution of
      the major allele homozygotes, heterozygotes and minor allele homozygotes was
      35.9; 48.8; 15.3% (in control--43.5; 50.0; 6.5%, P = 0.051 by chi2-test).
      Significant differences in the distribution of genotypes were revealed only in
      women (P = 0.022). Odds ratio for minor allele homozygotes (A/A) versus major
      allele carriers (G/A+G/G) was 2,618 (P = 0.023), while in women it was equal to
      6,645 (P = 0.015). In patients with A/A genotype the values of blood coagulation
      parameters (prothrombin time) indicated increased predisposition to
      hypercoagulability. The results obtained suggest that the A/A-variant of MGP gene
      is associated with an increased risk of IATS in female persons of the Ukrainian
      population and may be related to blood hypercoagulability and thrombi formation.

PMID- 24228497
TI  - [Allelic state of the molecular marker for the golden nematode (Globodera
      rostochiensis) resistance gene H1 among Ukrainian and world cultivars of potato
      (Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum)].
AB  - The purpose of our investigation was determination of allelic state of the H1
      resistance gene against the pathotypes Ro1 and Ro4 of golden potato cyst nematode
      (Globodera rostochiensis) among Ukrainian and world potato (Solanum tuberosum
      ssp. tuberosum) cultivars. The allelic condition of the TG689 marker was
      determined by PCR with DNA samples isolated from tubers of potato and primers,
      one pair of which flanks the allele-specific region and the other one was used
      for the control of DNA quality. Among analyzed 77 potato cultivars the allele of
      marker associated with the H1-type resistance was found in 74% of Ukrainian and
      90% foreign ones although some of those cultivars proved to be susceptible to the
      golden potato nematode in field. The obtained data confirm the presence of H1
      resistance against golden nematode pathotypes Ro1 and Ro4 among the Ukrainian
      potato cultivars and efficiency of the used marker within the accuracy that has
      been declared by its authors.

PMID- 24228498
TI  - [Ultrastructure and pigment composition of Sagittaria sagittifolia L. leaves].
AB  - Comparative analysis of the cellular ultrastructure and pigment content of both
      submerged and above-water Sagittaria sagittifolia leaves with transmission
      electron microscopic and biochemical methods were realized. Essential
      distinctions of S. sagittifolia ultrastructure of photosynthesizing cells in
      submerged leaves were revealed during the comparison with those in mesophyll
      cells of above-water leaves. The changes of chloroplast ultrastructure in
      submerged leaves are examined as the adaptative signs of photosynthesizing cells
      under influence of altered environment.

PMID- 24228499
TI  - Antineoplastic drug NSC631570 modulates functions of hypoxic macrophages.
AB  - Hypoxia is an important factor in the macrophages microenvironment. Many
      physiological and pathological processes including solid tumor development are
      characterized by both low oxygen content and presence of macrophages. Tumor
      associated hypoxia causes alternative polarization of macrophages in tumor tissue
      and transformation of these cells into the allies of a malignant neoplasm. The
      aim of the work was to investigate the effect of NSC631570, a cancer-selective
      drug that is known to selectively accumulate in the tumor tissue, on hypoxic
      macrophage function. Murine peritoneal macrophages (PMs) were subjected to
      hypoxia (3% O2). Nitrite level was assayed by the Griess reaction. Arginase
      activity was measured by colorimetric method. ROS generation and phagocytosis was
      estimated by flow cytometry. O2(-) generation was assayed by the NBT reduction
      method. HMGB1 expression was determined by ELISA. 42 h hypoxia caused alternative
      polarization of murine PMs with significant arginase prevalence. NSC631570
      repolarized arginine metabolism of hypoxic macrophages to NOS dominant and
      activated their pro-inflammatory functions: recovered ROS production and
      increased alarmin release NSC631570 can restore pro-inflammatory functions of
      macrophages, alternatively polarized by hypoxia.

PMID- 24228500
TI  - [Orbicular oris muscle flap wrapped by acellular dermis for the treatment of
      upper lip atrophy in children].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment of upper lip atrophy resulted by previous
      therapy. METHODS: From Mar. 2008 to Mar. 2012, 4 cases with upper lip atrophy
      resulted by radiotherapy and sclerosing agent injection were treated with lower
      orbicularis oris muscle flap wrapped by acellular dermis. The thickness and
      height of upper lip were increased to improve the lip atrophy. RESULTS: Primary
      wound healing was achieved in all the 4 cases. All the patients were followed up
      for 3 years with obvious improvement and inconspicuous scar. CONCLUSION: The
      volume of lower lip in children is not sufficient as donor site. The lower
      orbicularis oris muscle flap wrapped by acellular dermis can effectively improve
      the lip thickness and vermilion portion of upper lip.

PMID- 24228501
TI  - [Correction of shortened and broaden prolabium deformity with double flag-shaped
      flaps following bilateral cleft lip repair].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the correction for shortened and broaden prolabium
      deformity following bilateral cleft lip repair. METHODS: We designed the upper
      lip double flag-shaped flaps. The quadrilateral original surgical scar (flap flag
      pole part) was resected and the incision was made along the direction of
      nasolabial groove at the nostrils bottom to form two flag-shaped flaps (the
      section of the flag face). Lip tubercle were tracted and blunt dissection of
      upper philtrum were performed to form a wound, 4-6 mm in width. The flag-shaped
      flaps on both sides were rotated to the central, in order to form a new nasal
      base and new prolabium, followed by V-Y or Z plasty procedure to correct the
      defect of tubercle and vermilion. RESULTS: 10 cases were enrolled for the
      clinical application from January 2008 to December 2012. The height of the
      prolabium was lengthened by 4-6 mm after operation, which fundamentally corrected
      shortened and broaden prolabium deformity after bilateral cleft lip operation.
      The procedure can also correct the depression or defect of tubercle, too wide
      philtrum, philtrum column scar and the deformity of vermilion border continuity.
      The patients were followed up for a period of 3 months to 3 years with
      satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: Double flag-shaped flaps of the upper lip at
      the nostrils bottom is a simple and good surgery method to correct the shortened
      and broaden prolabium deformity following bilateral cleft lip repair.

PMID- 24228502
TI  - [The application of composite skin-vermilion triangle fap and functional
      reposition of orbicularis muscle in congenital cleft lip].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ideal method for correction of vermilion deformity
      in congenital cleft lip. METHODS: From Mar. 2010 to Jan. 2013, 68 cases with
      congenital cleft lip underwent vermilion deformities correction with composite
      skin-vermilion triangle fap and functional reposition of orbicularis oris muscle.
      RESULTS: Primary healing was achieved in all the patients. 46 cases were followed
      up for 3 months to one year. Asymmetric thickness of vermilion and tubercle
      malposition happened in 8 cases. All the other patients had a satisfactory result
      with symmetric and fluent cupid' s bow and everting tubercle. CONCLUSION: Well
      reposition of orbicularis oris muscle is key for correction of vermilion
      deformity and tubercle reconstruction. This technique is very simple and
      practical.

PMID- 24228503
TI  - [The application of pedicle orbital fat flap for the correction of lacrimal
      groove and palpebromalar groove deformity in the middle-aged and old people].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effective techniques for correction of lacrimal groove
      and palpebromalar groove deformity in the middle-aged and old people. METHOD: The
      lacrimal groove and palpebromalar groove deformity was corrected by the
      techniques of transcutaneous orbital fat releasing and pedicle orbital fat flap
      filling. From 1996 to 2011, 426 patients, aged from 35 to 72 (average, 48), were
      treated by the techniques. Among them, 54 patients had underwent the surgical
      treatment before this operation. 362 patients were followed up for 3-24 months.
      RESULTS: Completely correction was achieved in 283 patients, obvious improvement
      in 79 patients. The result was not satisfied in 2 patients with severe deformity
      who had surgical treatment before. CONCLUSION: The lacrimal groove and
      palpebromalar groove deformity can be effectively corrected by transcutaneous
      orbital fat releasing and pedicle orbital fat flap in the middle-aged and old
      people.

PMID- 24228504
TI  - [Effect of vacuum drainage on the blood circulation of expanded flap in ear
      reconstruction].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of vacuum drainage on blood circulation of
      expanded skin flap, so as to confirm suitable negative pressure for ear
      reconstruction. METHODS: 21 patients (Auricular Reconstructive Center of Plastic
      Surgery Hospital, PUMC) were randomly divided into A, B, C 3 groups to receive
      vacuum drainage of: -20, -40 and -60 kPa, respectively. The length and width of
      reconstructed ears,which represented the swelling degree, were measured instantly
      and 5, 10 days postoperatively. The changes were calculated and reflected venous
      drainage of flaps. The temperature of proximal (concha) and distal (helix) part
      of the expanded flaps, which represented the arterial blood supply of flaps, was
      detected by infrared thermography after operation. RESULTS: Five days after
      operation [(1.48 +/- 0.47) mm, (0.36 +/- 0.06) mm] and immediately [(1.67 +/-
      0.69) mm, (0.40 +/- 0.16) mm)] , the changes of the length and width of
      reconstructed ear in group B was significantly low, while there was no
      statistically difference between group A and C (P > 0.05). The data between 10
      days and 5 days after operation showed the same result. Along with the increase
      of the negative pressure, the swelling degree of reconstructed ears decreased
      firstly and then increased reversely ( P < 0.01 ). The flap temperature of
      reconstructed ears increased (P < 0.01), especially in proximal (concha) part (P
      < 0.01) , when the negative pressure increased (0 to -60 kPa). CONCLUSIONS:
      Vacuum drainage has effect on both the venous drainage and blood supply. Negative
      pressure of -40 kPa can improve both the blood supply and venous drainage. It
      should be as reference for clinical application.

PMID- 24228505
TI  - [Vacuum sealing drainage and free coupling chain-link posterior tibial artery
      flap in the reconstruction of degloving injury of propodium].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present the methods of vacuum sealing drainage and free coupling
      chain-link flap of posterior tibial artery flap and medial plantar flap in the
      reconstruction of degloving injury of propodium. METHODS: From Oct. 2008 to Dec.
      2011 five cases with degloving injury of propodium underwent debridement and
      vacuum sealing drainage on the first stage. Free chain-link flap of posterior
      tibial artery flap and medial plantar flap were applied to close the wound at the
      secondary stage. The nerve was included in the coupling flaps. The size of
      posterior tibial artery flap ranged from 14 cm x 10 cm to 11 cm x 8 cm,and the
      size of medial plantar flap ranged from 12 cm x 8 cm to 8 cm x 6 cm. RESULTS: All
      flaps were survived with no vascular crisis. The flap sensation recovered to S3
      S3 during the follow-up period of 6-21 months. The texture and appearance of
      flaps were satisfied. The plantar had not ulcer and corpus callosum. CONCLUSION:
      Vacuum sealing drainage and free chain-link flap of posterior tibial artery flap
      and medial plantar flap with nerve are the ideal methods for the reconstruction
      of degloving injury of propodium.

PMID- 24228506
TI  - [Anatomic study and clinical application of thinned posterior tibial artery
      perforator flap].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and therapeutic effect of thinned posterior
      tibial artery free perforator flap for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects
      at dorsum of hands. METHODS: Six fresh adult lower limbs specimens were injected
      with red latex via arterial cannula and dissected. The number, distribution,
      branches, and outer diameter of posterior tibia artery perforators were observed.
      Based on the anatomic study, the perforator flaps were designed to reconstruct
      soft tissue defects at dorsum of hands and wrists. The redundant fat on the flaps
      was removed, but preserving the nutrient vascular system. 11 flaps were used with
      the size ranging from 2 cm x 5 cm to 10 cm x 14 cm. RESULTS: 43 skin perforators
      of posterior tibial artery were observed in six lower limbs, 29 perforators with
      the outer diameter is greater than 0.5 mm when they threading over the deep
      fascia plane, on average every 4.8 bundles of sides. The mean outside diameter of
      perforating artery is (1.8 +/- 0.5) mm, and the length is (44 +/- 15) mm. 6
      perforators were founded both in the second and fifth zone which could be used
      for anastomosis for its better diameters. All flaps survived completely without
      any complication at donor sites. 7 cases were followed up for 3-12 months. Both
      satisfactory functional and cosmetic results were achieved with a soft and
      thinned appearance. CONCLUSIONS: The thinned posterior tibial artery free
      perforator flap has a reliable blood supply and good appearance. It is very
      suitable for the reconstruction of small or medium-sized defects at the dorsum of
      hands and wrists.

PMID- 24228507
TI  - [Lux1540nm fractional laser treatment for superficial scar].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of non-ablative fractional laser Lux1540nm in
      superficial scars therapy. METHODS: According to the Fitzpatrik skin type and
      scar appearances, appropriate laser energy and pulse width were selected for scar
      treatment. Therapeutic effect and side-effect was evaluated by preoperative
      photos and 6 months of postoperative photos. RESULTS: The total effective rate
      was 78.12% (28/32). 7 cases (21.88%) showed ineffective results. The therapeutic
      effect was improved along the increase of treatments. Temporary hyperpigmentation
      was found in 3 cases (9.38%) and faded away within 3-6 months. Temporary erythema
      faded away within 4-24 hours. CONCLUSION: The treatment of non-ablative
      fractional laser Lux1540nm for superficial scar is effective with minimum side
      effect.

PMID- 24228508
TI  - [Connective tissue growth factor induced differentiation of placenta mesenchymal
      stem cell into dermal fibroblast].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of placenta mesenchymal stem cells
      (PMSCs) differentiation into dermal fibroblast, and the potency of PMSCs used in
      cutaneous wound healing and stored as seed cells. METHODS: Enzyme digestion
      method was used to obtain PMSCs, and PMSCs were amplified after culture in vitro.
      Flow cytometry assay, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation were done for
      MSCs identification. The induction medium composed of DMEM/F12 + 50 microg/ml VC
      + 100 ng/ml connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was added into the 24-well
      plate for 16 days induction period. Pictures were taken to record morphologic
      change. Immunofluorescence tests were performed to detect Vimentin, FSP-1,
      collagen I , collagen III, desmin and laminin expression before and after
      induction. At the same time osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation were used
      to assay the differentiation ability change after induction. The induced dermal
      fibroblasts were frozen in liquid nitrogen and recovery and trypan blue was used
      to detect cell viability. RESULTS: After CTGF induction, PMSCs got obvious
      fibroblasts morphology, the protein level of Vimentin, FSP-1, collagen I,
      collagen III and Laminin increased, PMSCs started to express Desmin, the dermal
      fibroblasts specific proteins, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation
      ability was diminished. PMSCs were successfully induced into dermal fibroblasts,
      and these induced cells could get a high cell viability ( more than 90% ) after
      recovery. CONCLUSIONS: PMSCs could be induced into dermal fibroblasts by CTGF in
      vitro. PMSCs have the potential application in skin wound healing, and can be
      used as seed cells of dermal fibroblasts.

PMID- 24228509
TI  - [The research of fibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar showing a mesenchymal
      stem cell phenotype and multilineage differentiation potentialities].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the CD phenotypic, protein expression and pluripotent
      differentiation of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts cultured in vitro, so as
      to study the mechanisms of scar formation. METHODS: Fibroblasts were isolated and
      cultured from human hypertrophic scar of 3 cases. The cells morphology was
      observed by inverted microscope, and the growing state of the third passage was
      detected by the cell counting meter of Vi-CELL. The cell surface markers CD105,
      CD14, CD73, CD34, CD44, CD45 and CD90 were identified by flow cytometry. The
      expression of CK19, Oct-4, Nanog and vimentin was detected by
      immunocytochemistry, and the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin(alpha-SMA)
      was tested by immunofluorescence. The differentiated potential of fibroblasts of
      the third passage into adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages was
      assayed. RESULTS: The primary passage fibroblasts showed the shape of spindle
      shaped or irregular polygon with a radiated or circinate of growing arrangement.
      The growth curve showed the cells growth was slow on the first and second day,
      and quick during the third to fifth day, which reached platform stage on the
      sixth or seventh day. The fibroblasts highly expressed mesenchymal stem cell
      surface markers-CD73, CD105, CD44, CD90, but not expressed hematopoietic stem
      cell surface markers-CD14, CD34, CD45 by flow cytometry. And positive expression
      of vimentin, Oct-4 and negative expression of CK19 were detected by
      Immunocytochemistry. Positive expression of alpha-SMA was also detected by
      immunofluorescence. Multidirectional differentiation induction indicated that the
      third passage cells could differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic and
      chondrogenic lineages. CONCLUSIONS: Human hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts
      show the biologic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells, which may play an
      important role in wound healing and hypertrophic scar formation.

PMID- 24228510
TI  - [Identification of differently expressed microRNAs in keloid and pilot study on
      biological function of miR-199a-5p].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To screen out related microRNAs in keloid tissue, and identify their
      effect on the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts. METHODS: 8 cases of keloid
      tissue and 8 cases of normal skin tissue were collected as specimens. The
      differently expressed miRNA in keloid tissue from normal skin tissue were
      screened out with gene chip( Exiqon company), which was validated with
      quantitative real-time PCR. Then miRNA mimics was transfected into keloid
      fibroblasts line to stimulate high expression of mature miRNA in cells. The
      effect on the proliferation of fibroblasts in keloid was tested by Edu. RESULTS:
      (1) A total of 17 differently expressed microRNAs were found, including miR-199a
      5p. (2) The expression of miR-199a-5p had been verified by qRT-PCR to be down
      regulated in keloid, which was consistent with the result of array. (3) The
      positive rate of EdU in miR-199a-5p mimics transfected group and negative control
      group was (20.72 +/- 2.50)% and (27.68 +/- 4.92)%, respectively. The
      proliferative rate of keloid fibroblasts turned down in miR-199a-5p-transfected
      group (t = 2.183, P = 0.047). Besides that, the cell cycle changed after
      transfection. The percentage of S and G2/M phase in miR-199a-5p mimics
      transfected group was 33.93 +/- 1.30 and 10.87 +/- 0.80, respectively, while it
      was 31.39 +/- 0.79 and 9.27 +/- 0.46 in negative control group, and the
      difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The miRNA expression
      profile is different between keloid and normal skin; (2) The expression of miR
      199a-5p is down-regulated in keloid and miR-199a-5p can affect the cell cycle and
      suppress proliferation of keloid fibroblasts. It indicateds that miR-199a-5p may
      be involved in regulating fibroblastic proliferation.

PMID- 24228511
TI  - [Effect of the methylation enzyme inhibitors of 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine on the TGF
      beta/smad signal transduction pathway in human keloid fibroblasts].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine on the TGF
      beta/smad signal transduction pathway in human keloid fibroblasts (KFSs).
      METHODS: Firstly, immunohistochemical method was used to detect the positive
      expression rate of phospho-smad2 and phospho-smad3 in the specimens of 15 cases
      of keloid and 15 cases of normal skin. The keloid fibroblasts were cultured in
      vitro with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine(experimental group) or with DMEM (control
      group). The effect of 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine on the cell cycle and apoptosis of
      fibroblasts was analysed with flow cytometry ( FCM). Transforming growth factor
      (TGF)-beta1, Smad7, phospho-smad2 and phospho-smad3 were analyzed by Western
      Blot, and Immunofluorescence. RESULTS: It was found that the positive expression
      of phospho-smad2 and phospho-smad3 in keloid were higher than those in normal
      skin. The FCM showed that the proportion of cells in G0/G1 stage was increased,
      and so does the proportion of apoptosis cells in keloid fibroblasts intervened by
      5-aza-2-deoxycytidine. The expression of TGF-beta1, phospho-smad2 and phospho
      smad3 protein were significantly suppressed while the expression of smad7 protein
      increased in keloid fibroblasts with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine. In addition, 5-aza-2
      deoxycytidine reversed phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of smad2 and
      smad3. CONCLUSIONS: 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, methylase inhibitors, inhibits cell
      proliferation and promotes apoptosis of KFSs, which may be associated with the
      suppression of TGF-beta/smad signal pathway.

PMID- 24228512
TI  - [The significance of beta-receptor expression in infantile hemangiomas].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and significance of beta-receptor ( p-R)
      in infantile hemangioma. METHODS: The expression of beta-R was detected by
      immunohistochemistry in infantile hemangioma (40 cases), venous malformation (20
      cases) and normal skin (10 cases). RESULTS: The positive expression rate of beta2
      R was 70% (28/40) in infantile hemangioma, while no expression of beta2-R in
      venous malformation and normal skin. Among 28 cases with positive expression of
      beta2-R, 24 cases were in proliferative phase. The positive expression of beta2-R
      in infantile hemangioma was significantly higher than that in venous malformation
      and normal skin tissue. The positive expression of beta2-R in the proliferative
      hemangioma and non-proliferative hemangioma was also significantly different (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: beta2-R is specifically expressed in infantile hemangioma,
      especially in proliferative hemangioma.

PMID- 24228513
TI  - [Endoplasmic reticulum-mediated integrated stress response].
AB  - Integrated stress response (ISR) is a high conserved cell adaptive response,
      which is induced by oxidative stress, deprivation of acid aminos, and endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) stress through eukaryotic translation initiator factor 2alpha
      (eIF2alpha) pathway. Recently, it is reported that protein kinase R-like ER
      kinase (PERK) , the upstream of eIF2alpha is the key molecule in ISR. PERK
      regulates protein synthesis, folding, autophagy and apoptosis through cross
      talking with inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1) and activating transcription
      factor 6 (ATF6), another two signaling pathways in ER stress. We reviewed the
      factors induced ISR and its signaling pathways, summarized the physiological and
      pathophysiological role of endoplasmic reticulum-mediated integrated stress
      response.

PMID- 24228514
TI  - [Research progress in pathogenesis of IBD: the role of gut flora].
AB  - Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's
      disease (CD), are chronic inflammatory disorders of the intestine. Both the
      etiology and the pathogenesis of IBD remain unclear. In recent years, the role of
      gut flora in IBD has become one of the most concerned issues. International
      metagenomic projects targeting the gut microbiota greatly promote the exploration
      of the role of gut flora in IBD. What are the characteristics of gut flora in
      IBD? How does it interact with host susceptibility? This review will discuss the
      enteric dysbacteriosis in IBD and show the interaction between gut flora,
      especially the dominant gut flora, and host susceptibility in IBD.

PMID- 24228515
TI  - [Multiple mechanisms of depression].
AB  - Depression is a grievous mental disease with an increasing high morbidity year by
      year and a serious social harm. The pathogenesises of depression is complicated
      and involves with multi-mechanisms and multi-organs. Recent studies demondtrate
      that in the nerval system and endocrine system there are many types of
      neurotransmitters and hormones, as well as their receptors, involved in
      depression. This paper reviews the research progress of depression in recent
      years.

PMID- 24228516
TI  - [Role of toll-like receptor 2 in cardiovascular diseases].
AB  - Toll-like receptors are the important pattern recognition receptors of innate
      immune system, which mediate the immunological defence response against pathogen
      or endogenous damage associated molecules. Recently, more and more researches
      indicated that Toll-like receptor 2 played vital roles in the pathophysiology of
      many cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, coronary diseases,
      cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the current report, we review the
      research progress on the role of Toll-like Receptor 2 in cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 24228517
TI  - [Research advance of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in
      cardiovascular system].
AB  - The large conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channels (BK(Ca) channels), an
      important class of ion channels in cell membrane, are widely expressed in each
      part of the body including cardiovascular system, and play an important role in
      regulating cardiovascular activity. This review introduces the recent progress on
      the structural features, function, and modulation of BK(Ca) channels in
      cardiovascular system briefly.

PMID- 24228518
TI  - [Role of Rho/ROCK in the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells].
AB  - The migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from media to intima is a
      critical step in the formation of atheroma and vascular stenosis as well as in
      the restenosis after vascular intervention. As an important downstream effector
      of RhoA, Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) plays an important role in VSMC migration
      and vascular remodeling by regulating actin filament cytoskeleton and focal
      adhesion. There are many bioactive substances such as aldosterone, sphingosine 1
      phosphate (S1P), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and angiotensin II (Ang
      II) that could induce VSMC migration through Rho/ROCK pathway by binding to their
      specific receptors. Studies on Rho/ROCK pathway could help us to better
      understand how cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension
      develop.

PMID- 24228519
TI  - [Exercise intervention in skeletal muscle endocrine function].
AB  - As a new secretory organ skeletal muscle, which could secrete a variety of
      biological active substances, plays an important role in biological function and
      clinical medicine, and has important research value and application scenarios in
      the field of sports medicine. Different mode and intensity of exercise would give
      different influences on skeletal muscle endocrine function. Exercise intervention
      could improve the chronic disease, such as metabolic disease (obesity, diabetes)
      and muscle atrophy by changing endocrine function of the skeletal muscle. It will
      be great valuable to explore the mechanisms of exercise-induced skeletal muscle
      endocrine, seek for the appropriate biomarker, make exercise prescription, which
      would give improtant theoretical value and application prospect for the exercise
      system function improvement metabolic disease grevention and exercise
      rehabilitation of the systemic diseases.

PMID- 24228520
TI  - [Necroptosis: a programmed cell necrosis].
AB  - Cell death is one of the basic life properties. A new type of cell death named
      necroptosis was discovered and became increasingly noticed attention in recent
      years. Necroptosis has similar morphological characteristics with cell necrosis
      and is controlled by special signal pathways. The interaction of the receptor
      interacting protein 1 (RIP1) and 3 (RIP3) plays a crucial important role in the
      necroptosis signal pathway. The RIP1 determines whether a cell goes survival and
      death, and the RIP3 determines the pathway of cell death apoptosis or necrosis.
      This paper summarizes the knowledge about the necroptosis signal pathways and
      explores its significance in the organ ischemic injury, inflammation and tumor
      pathogenesis briefly.

PMID- 24228521
TI  - [Sumoylation regulates nuclear receptor function].

PMID- 24228522
TI  - [The structure characteristics, biology functions and underlying mechanisms of
      GPR120].

PMID- 24228523
TI  - [Research progress of EETs in cardiovascular disease homeostasis].

PMID- 24228524
TI  - [Interleukin-17 receptor C].

PMID- 24228525
TI  - [The role of sirt1 in kidney diseases].

PMID- 24228526
TI  - [The regulation of hematopoietic stem cells by mononuclear phagocyte system in
      bone marrow].

PMID- 24228527
TI  - [The pioneer in study of nerve impulses--Andrew Fielding Huxley].

PMID- 24228528
TI  - [Study of drug intervention in diversity changes of TCRVbeta gene in AIDS
      patients with incomplete immune reconstitution].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the drug intervention in diversity changes of TCRVbeta gene
      in AIDS patients with incomplete immune reconstitution. METHOD: PBMCs were
      isolated from 37 cases of AIDS patients failure to immune reconstitution before
      and after treatment with immune 2 and 15 cases of HIV negative healthy donors.
      The human gene TCRVbeta CDR3 diversity quantitative detection reagent box were
      used, and mapped the distribution of gene scanning and calculated different CDR3
      fragme of each Vbeta family size. RESULT: Compared with the normal group, there
      appeared some single or oligoclonal amplification of Vbeta CDR3 region in the
      patients, which were improved or recovered after treatment. Among them, D value
      of four families (9, 11, 21, 22 ) decreased after treatment in both groups. The
      decrease in family 21 and 22 was significant (P < 0.05) in treatment group
      compared with the control group. And family 18 was decreased in treatment group
      and increased significantly in control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Study of the
      mechanism showed oligoclonal of TCRVbeta family can get recovery in some degrees
      after treated by Immune 2 plus HAART, suggesting that the medicine may promote T
      cell receptor gene rearrangement, helping immune cells to effectively identify
      the virus to reduce T-cell apoptosis.

PMID- 24228529
TI  - [Correlation study of HIV/AIDS abnormal immune activation and disease
      progression].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To learn the levels of immune function and immune activation of
      HIV/AIDS patients in China and find the correlation between the immune activation
      and CD4+ T lymphocyte and disease progression. And discuss the relevance of
      immune activation with HIV/AIDS pathogenesis. METHOD: Two hundred and eighty
      seven cases of HIV/AIDS patients in different disease stages who never accept
      HAART before and 40 healthy HIV negative donors have been involved in the
      research. Their immune function and abnormal immune activation markers are
      detected by flow cytometry counts, and the immune activation markers include CD8
      CD38+ T cells and CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cell. Compare the difference of abnormal immune
      activation between patients of various disease stages. And by Pearson correlation
      test analysis, the correlation between the immune activation levels and abnormal
      CD4+ T lymphocyte count and disease progression will be found. RESULT: The immune
      abnormal activation levels were significantly different between patients of
      different disease stages (P < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that there was
      a significant negative correlation between peripheral blood CD4+ T cell counts
      and immune activation markers. CONCLUSION: Immune activation induced by HIV
      infection may lead to decreased CD4+ T cell count and disease progression.

PMID- 24228530
TI  - [Spectrum-effect relationship between anti-HIV 1 activities and ultra-performance
      liquid chromatography fingerprints of Rheum species].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between ultra-performance liquid
      chromatography (UPLC) fingerprints of Rheum species and their anti-HIV 1
      activities. METHOD: Twenty two samples of 16 species belonging to genus Rheum
      from various sources were collected and analyzed in this study. Firstly they were
      assayed for the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) associated ribonuclease H (RNase
      H) activity. Secondly the fingerprints were established by an optimized UPLC
      method. Sample was analyzed by UPLC-TOF-MS/MS to identify major peaks. The
      possible relationship between UPLC fingerprints and anti-HIV 1 activities of
      Rheum species were deduced by mathematical statistics method. RESULT: Samples of
      R. austral, R. austral, R. hotaoense exhibited good anti-HIV 1 activities with
      IC50 < or = 0.2 mg x L(-1). The correlation of anti-HIV 1 activities and
      fingerprints showed that three compounds were the main bioactive components, and
      their retention times were 4.74, 7.99, 21.18 min, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Compounds in Rheum species with possible anti-HIV 1 activities were deduced by
      spectrum-effect relationship study. This study supported for study of medicinal
      plants in Rheum.

PMID- 24228531
TI  - [Diversity changes of TCRVbeta gene in AIDS patients with incomplete immune
      reconstitution and influence of drug].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the drug intervention in diversity changes of TCRVbeta gene
      in AIDS patients with incomplete immune reconstitution. METHOD: PBMCs were
      isolated from 37 cases of AIDS patients failure to immune reconstitution before
      and after treatment with Immune 2 and 15 cases of HIV negative healthy donors.
      The human gene TCRVbeta CDR3 diversity quantitative detection reagent box were
      used, and mapped the distribution of gene scanning and calculated different CDR3
      fragme of each Vbeta family size. RESULT: (1) Gaussian distribution of TCRVbeta
      families in patients with incomplete immune reconstitution after one year of
      HAART, had been broken with the occurrence of the offset TCR lineage. After six
      months of treatment of traditional Chinese medicine combined HAART, the TCR
      lineage has been partially restored. (2) Evaluated by the D (distance) value
      calculated by a quantitative analysis software which the kit provides, there were
      no significant difference in D value change between the two groups, but with
      traditional Chinese medicine can reduce the data variability. (3) CD4+ T cell
      counts had a significant correlation (r = -0.772, P = 0.000) with TCRVbeta
      genetic diversity. CONCLUSION: Study of the mechanism showed oligoclonal of
      TCRVbeta family can get recovery in some degrees after treated by Immune 2 plus
      HAART, suggesting that the medicine may promote T-cell receptor gene
      rearrangement, helping immune cells to effectively identify the virus to reduce T
      cell apoptosis.

PMID- 24228532
TI  - [Multi-centered, randomized controlled clinical study on Chinese medicine formula
      particles for hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral
      therapy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and safety of Xiaozhi particles, integrated
      taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang and Xuezhikang capsule in treating
      hyperlipidaemia (HLP) associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy
      (HAART). METHOD: In the multi-centered, randomized controlled clinical study, 180
      hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy cases were
      divided into the treatment group treated by Xiaozhi particles, integrated Taohong
      Siwu tang and Erchen tang, and the control group treated by Xuezhikang capsule.
      The treatment course was 12 weeks. The total cholesterol (Tch), triglyceride
      (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein(HDL) were
      observed. RESULT: After 12 weeks, compared with Xuezhikang capsule, the change
      difference of Tch, LDL, HDL in the Chinese traditional medicine formula groups of
      patients is significant (P < 0.05), the change of the TG has no significant
      difference. The effect of Tch, LDL in Xuezhikang capsule groups is better than in
      traditional Chinese medicine formula group,but the effect of HDL in traditional
      Chinese medicine formula group is better than in Xuezhikang capsule groups.
      CONCLUSION: Integrated Taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang, Xiaozhi particles and
      Xuezhikang capsule can be used to control the hyperlipidaemia associated with
      highly active antiretroviral therapy as one of the main Chinese native medicine
      preparation.

PMID- 24228533
TI  - [Randomized controlled study of integrated treatment of traditional Chinese
      medicine and western medicine on AIDS with pulmonary inflammation patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare effects of integrated treatment traditional Chinese
      medicine and Western medicine (TCM-WM) and simple western medicine on TCM clincal
      symptoms in the patient of AIDS with pulmonary inflammation. METHOD: A
      multicenter randomized controlled trials of 164 subjects evaluated the effects of
      clinical symptoms of AIDS with pulmonary inflammation of TWO regimens: the TCM-WM
      group (n = 111) and western medicine treatment group (n = 53), while incidence of
      TCM symptoms in different time points in two groups were analyzed. RESULT: Twenty
      eight days after treatment, the cured and markedly effective rate of TCM symptoms
      in the TCM-WM group significantly exceeding that in the western medicine
      treatment group (cured and markedly effective rate significant efficiency 44.55%
      vs 20.00%), while the incidence rate for the TCM symptoms of fever and headache
      in the TCM-WM group was significantly lower than that in western medicine group.
      CONCLUSION: The integrated treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and Western
      medicine helps to alleviate the TCM clinical symptoms of AIDS with pulmonary
      inflammation.

PMID- 24228534
TI  - [Intervention of immune 1 combined HAART on immune function in patients with
      HIV/AIDS reconstruction].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of combination of Immune 1 and HAART on the CD4+
      T cell count and its immune reconstitution rate. METHOD: Two hundred and twenty
      eight HIV/AIDS patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control
      group, patients from treatment group received Immune 1 combined HAART therapy,
      patients from control group was given placebo combined HAART and evaluate the
      change of CD4+ T cell count and its immune reconstitution rate. RESULT: In
      patients with CD4+ T cells baseline level (200-350 cell x microL(-1)), Immune
      reconstitution rate of treatment group is significantly higher than the control
      group. CONCLUSION: Immune 1 combined HAART can effectively promote the immune
      reconstitution of patients with high CD4+ T cells baseline level(200-350 cell x
      microL(-1)) and show little side effect and is safe to treat HIV/AIDS disease.

PMID- 24228535
TI  - [Effect of immune 2 with highly active antiretroviral treatment on immune
      function of HIV/AIDS patients with poor immune reconstitution].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effection of immune reconstitution efficiency and the
      immune function on Immune 2 with HAART to HIV/AIDS patients which poor immune
      reconstitution after HAART. METHOD: Two hundred and sixty four patients failure
      to immune reconstitution after HAART were randomly divided into treatment group
      (131 cases) and control group (133 cases), respectively, using Immune 2 plus
      HAART and placebo combined with HAART for 6 months. the CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CD45RO,
      CD4CD28, CD8CD28, CD8CD38, HLA-DR and CD4CD25 were observed in order to evaluate
      the immune reconstitution efficiency. RESULT: After the intervention for 6
      months, the effective rate of treatment group (34.48%) was significantly superior
      to the control group (21.37%) (P = 0.0217). Treated group could significantly
      increased the CD4, CD45RA, CD45RO cell counts compared with control group (P <
      0.05); CD8, CD3, CD4CD28 absolute count comparison between the two groups had no
      significant difference; CD8CD28 relative counting the treatment group group
      significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared to the control; CD4CD28, CD8CD38,
      CD8DR, CD4CD25 relative counting groups showed no significant difference.
      CONCLUSION: Immune 2 can effectively improve the immune reconstitution
      efficiency, CD4 counts, CD45RA counts and CD45RO counts of patients after HAART,
      therefore promoting immune reconstitution.

PMID- 24228536
TI  - [Experimental observation of SIVmac239 Chinese rhesus monkey model at sub-acute
      phase of AIDS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe T lymphocyte subsets and indicators of changes in viral
      load in sub-acute period in Chinese rhesus monkey model of AIDS SIVmac239. To
      explore Virology related index variation in sub-acute period of the Chinese
      rhesus monkey model of AIDS. METHOD: To replicate Chinese rhesus monkey model of
      AIDS, healthy Chinese rhesus monkey was inoculated with SIVmac239 viral strain.
      To observe changes in T lymphocyte subsets indexes and viral load after infection
      with the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in sub-acute period on an animal
      model. The clinical symptoms of the animal model was recorded simultaneously.
      RESULT: During the 10 weeks after SIV acute infection, body weight and BMI index
      were relatively stable, the difference was not significant at all time points.
      Twelve monkeys were tested SIV positive by real-time PCR after three days of
      infection. On the 7th day after infection, 15 monkeys were tested SIV positive.
      Viral load increased rapidly, but reached a peak on the 10th-14th day after
      infection, then showed a level of volatility decline. T lymphocyte subsets showed
      significant changes, among them, CD3% and CD3 counts fluctuated upward trend and
      reached to the highest level in two weeks after infection; of CD4% and CD4 count
      changes were not synchronized, CD4% declined trend while the CD4 count was an
      increasing trend after the infection; of CD8% and CD8 counts fluctuate upward
      trend, and reached to a highest level in two weeks after infection ;the ratio of
      CD4/CD8 and the counts of CD4CD28 T cells decreased significantly in two weeks
      after infection; the former followed by a slow decline, the latter followed by a
      rapid rise. Three mouths after the infection 3 monkeys showed significant
      clinical symptoms. One of the rhesus monkeys had symptoms of diarrhea and two of
      them had reduced food intake. CONCLUSION: This experiments established
      standardization of Chinese Rhesus monkeys used in the research of AIDS and
      provide a detailed contents in the changes of sub-acute phase.

PMID- 24228537
TI  - [Four hundred and eighty five cases of HIV/AIDS patients based on expert
      interpretation of characteristics of syndromes].
AB  - This study aims to explore HIV traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome
      distribution and TCM syndrome evolution. The 485 cases of HIV/AIDS patients from
      10 major regions of the AIDS epidemic in HIV. In this study, the interpretation
      of experts to explore the TCM syndromes in different routes of infection,
      different stage of disease, with syndrome distribution under different
      interventions. The results showed that Yang deficiency of spleen and kidney and
      liver Qi stagnation is the most common type in the patients who with sexually
      transmitted infections. TCM syndrome type most commonly seen in patients infected
      by the blood collection is yang deficiency of spleen and kidney and spleen
      deficiency wet-sheng. Including Yang deficiency of spleen and kidney with the
      highest frequency in patients with AIDS, people who with sexually transmitted
      infections and patients that treated with simple HAART were prone to liver
      stagnation and spleen-deficiency syndrome. In short, such as Yang deficiency of
      spleen and kidney, liver Qi stagnation, deficiency of both Qi and Yin, deficiency
      weakness of spleen-Qi, syndrome of damt-heat ftagnation were the main AIDS
      syndrome types.

PMID- 24228538
TI  - [Research on rules of distribution and development of traditional Chinese
      medicine syndromes of 2,237 HIV/AIDS cases].
AB  - HIV/AIDS patients in high prevalence areas with different routes of infection
      (sexually transmitted 878 cases, 527 cases of intravenous drug user, paid blood
      donor 652 cases) were choosen for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome
      investigation for one-year clinical follow-up. This paper primarily concluded the
      nature, location and pathogenesis of AIDS diseases. Deficiency of Yang and Yin,
      combining deficiency of Qi are the basic deficiency syndromes, while stagnation
      of dampness, toxic fire are the excess syndromes; the disease location of HIV
      infector is spleen, main syndrome is deficiency of spleen Qi; the disease
      location of AIDS patient is kidney, main syndrome is deficiency of spleen and
      kidney Yang. The pathogenic development tendency is from deficiency of Qi to
      combining stagnation of dampness and toxic fire, finally to deficiency of Qi and
      Yin, deficiency of Yang.

PMID- 24228539
TI  - [Study of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome features of AIDS-related chronic
      diarrhea].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the AIDS-related chronic diarrhea in traditional Chinese
      medicine (TCM) clinical manifestations and syndrome factors, explore the
      characteristics of syndrome. METHOD: A multicenter, prospective collection of 311
      cases of AIDS patients with chronic diarrhea, study the characteristics of TCM
      syndrome by using the method of descriptive statistics and exploratory factor
      analysis. RESULT: The common clinical manifestation of TCM: fatigue (229 cases,
      73.63%), bowel (229 cases, 68.81%), diarrhea (194 cases, 62.38%), thin fur (201
      cases, 64.63%), pink tongue (166 cases, 53.38%), greasy fur, thready pulse (126
      cases, 40.51%), sink vein (64 cases, 20.58%), slippery pulse. 17 common factors
      were extracted, common disease syndrome factor as the spleen, stomach, liver,
      gallbladder and colon syndrome factors of disease, Qi, Yang deficiency, Qi
      stagnation, dampness and heat evil. CONCLUSION: AIDS-related chronic diarrhea
      symptoms involving multiple organs, the disease belongs to deficiency and excess.

PMID- 24228540
TI  - [Study on quality of life of asymptomatic HIV infected persons with traditional
      Chinese medicine].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Study on quality of life of asymptomatic HIV infected persons with
      traditional Chinese medical, which can provide the clinical basis for improving
      the quality of life. METHOD: This study applied a randomized, double-blind, and
      placeb-parallel control designed method to select 1 200 persons in the
      asymptomatic period of HIV infection as the subjects. The subjects were randomly
      divided into the treatment group and the control group at the ratio of about 2:1.
      According to the results of monthly differential diagnosis of TCM, the test group
      and the control group were given homologue Chinese drugs preparations and model
      Chinese drugs. The total study period was 18 months. Using PRO scale and the
      world health organization AIDS determination of quality of life short scale form
      (WHOQOL-HIV-BREF) to investigate asymptomatic HIV infected persons, according to
      different times, we calculated the total score and each domain score of quality
      of life of the treatment group and control group, we did statistical analysis.
      RESULT: Form the PRO scale,we can see that the treatment group showed a trend of
      stability, compared with the control group with significant statistical
      difference (P < 0.05) after 6 months; from the WHOQOL-HIV scale analysis, we can
      see that compared with before treatment, the quality of life of the treatment
      group was increased, the difference was significant (P < 0.05), but the quality
      of life of the control quality of life was decreased, the differences was
      significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dialectical therapy of Chinese medicine can
      significantly improve the patient's quality of life, which can provide the basis
      for the prevention and control policy formulation and implementation with
      asymptomatic HIV infected persons.

PMID- 24228541
TI  - [Establish proposal of diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine in
      AIDS patients with recurrent oral ulcerations].
AB  - The pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-associated recurrent oral
      ulcerations (AIDS-ROU) remained obscure and these was no specific treatment for
      it. Syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) focus on
      integral regulation and has an advantage of the disease that etiology and
      pathogenesis remain obscure. A draft of Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment
      standard procedure for AIDS-ROU was established by literature retrieval and peer
      review. Two questionnaires were carried out to investigate the confirmation and
      advice of in-group specialist to key points of the draft including diagnosis,
      treatment and nursing. Then the procedures were revised accordingly. The
      preliminary results showed the recovery rate of complete questionnaires in the
      1st survey was 96%. Specialists confirmed more on outline, case history and
      physical examinations, syndrome differentiation of hyperactivity of fire due to
      Yin deficiency syndrome (HFYDS), treatment of heat accumulated in heart and
      spleen syndrome (HAHSS) and HFYDS, treatment of western medicine and nursing.
      They held different opinions on incidence, treatment of deficiency of spleen-QI
      and stomach-QI syndrome (DSSS) and criterion of therapeutical evaluation.
      Cronbach coefficient alpha (CCA) was 0.998 and split-half reliability R was 0.91.
      Recovery rate of complete questionnaires in 2nd survey was 100%. Specialists
      confirmed more on outline, etiology and pathogenesis, case history and physical
      examination, auxiliary examination, diagnostic criteria, syndrome differentiation
      and treatment of HAHSS and HFYDS. They held different opinions on syndrome
      differentiation and treatment of intermingled cold and heat syndrome and DSSS,
      nursing and the other therapies. CCA was 0.428 and split-half reliability R was
      0.96. Coefficient of variations of the 2nd survey were less than those of the 1st
      survey, which mean coordination was improved. Each single item in two surveys
      contributed less difference in overall results according to weight coefficients.
      A new revision of the procedure was preliminarily established according to
      results of two surveys. Experts'activeness, concentration and coordination were
      good in two surveys. They had reached consensus in key points of the draft
      including diagnosis, treatment and nursing on the whole.

PMID- 24228543
TI  - [Data mining analysis of professor Li Fa-zhi AIDS itchy skin medical record].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Analysis of professor Li Fa-zhi in the treatment of AIDS drug laws of
      itchy skin, provide the corresponding drug reference basis for Chinese medicine
      treatment of AIDS, skin itching. METHOD: By using the method of analyzing the
      complex network of Weishi county, Henan in 2007 October to 2011 July during an
      interview with professor Li Fa-zhi treatment of AIDS patients with skin pruritus,
      etiology and pathogenesis analysis, skin itching AIDS syndrome differentiation of
      old Chinese medicine treatment and medication rule. RESULT: The use of multi
      dimensional query analysis, core drug skin itching AIDS treatment in this study
      as a windbreak, cicada slough, bupleurum, Qufeng solution table drug, licorice
      detoxification efficacy of drugs, Radix Scutellariae, Kochia scoparia, clearing
      away heat and promoting diuresis medicine; core prescription for Jingfang San
      streak virus. CONCLUSION: Professor Li Fa-zhi treatment of AIDS in the skin
      itching Qufeng solution table dehumidification antipruritic treatment.

PMID- 24228542
TI  - [Construction and analysis of questionnaires on AIDS cough in traditional Chinese
      medicine diagnosis and treatment procedures].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To norm the behavior of AIDS cough in traditional Chinese medicine
      diagnosis and treatment and improve the clinical level of cough treatment for
      HIV/AIDS, and build AIDS cough diagnosis and treatment procedures in traditional
      Chinese medicine. METHOD: Combined with clinical practice,to formulate
      questionnaire on AIDS cough in traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and
      treatment by both English and Chinese literature research to expertise
      consultation and verify the results of the questionnaires on the statistics using
      the Delphi method. RESULT: Questionnaire contents consist of overview, pathogeny,
      diagnosis standard, dialectical medication (phlegm heat resistance pulmonary lung
      and kidney Yin deficiency lung spleen-deficiency), treating spleen-deficiency
      (lung), moxibustion treatment and aftercare care and diet and mental, average
      (2.93-3.00), full mark rate (93.10%-100%) ranks average (9.91-10.67) and (287.50
      309.50) of which are the most high value, and the variation coefficient is 0.00,
      the Kendall coefficient (Kendalls W) is 0.049 which is statistical significance,
      the questionnaire reliability value of alpha was 0.788. CONCLUSION: Preliminary
      standarded concept, etiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis and syndrome
      differentiation treatment of AIDS cough, basically recognised by the experts in
      this field, and laid the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and
      treatment on develop the AIDS cough specifications.

PMID- 24228544
TI  - [Data mining analysis of professor Li Fa-zhi AIDS herpes zoster medical record].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Analysis of professor Li Fa-zhi in the treatment of AIDS drug laws of
      herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia, provide reference for the use of
      Chinese medicine treatment of AIDS, herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.
      METHOD: By using the method of analyzing the complex network of Weishi county,
      Henan in 2007 October to 2011 July during an interview with professor Li Fa-zhi
      treatment of AIDS of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia patients, patients
      are input structured clinical information collection system, into the analysis of
      the data, carries on the research analysis theory of traditional Chinese medicine
      compatibility system algorithm and complex network analysis the use of complex
      networks. RESULT: The use of multi-dimensional query analysis of AIDS drugs, the
      core of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia treated in this study are
      Scutellariae Radix, Glucyrrhizae Radix, Carthame Flos, Plantaginis Semen,
      Trichosamthis Fructus, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Gentianae Radix; core
      prescription for Longdan Xiegan decoction and Trichosanthes red liquorice
      decoction. CONCLUSION: Professor Li Fa-zhi treatment of AIDS, herpes zoster and
      postherpetic neuralgia by clearing heat and removing dampness and activating
      blood circulation to.

PMID- 24228545
TI  - [Discussion on AIDS etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of traditional Chinese
      medicine].
AB  - In recent years, Chinese medicine have gotten certain experience and made
      progress on the treatment of AIDS. Focus on AIDS main pathogenic factors of
      epidemic toxin and key pathogenesis of "epidemic toxin invasion, vital-Qi
      deficiency", this paper discuss on Chinese medicine theory of AIDS etiology and
      pathogenesis, and put forward the theory of "preventive treatment of disease" and
      enhanced the importance of "strengthening body resistance and eliminating evil"
      in the treatment of AIDS.

PMID- 24228546
TI  - [Analysis on efficacy action points of HIV/AIDS treatment with traditional
      Chinese medicine and antiretroviral drugs].
AB  - Current international anti-HIV drug efficacy evaluation criteria including CD4
      cell count and viral load. Antiviral therapy has good effect in suppressing viral
      load, although there are many limitations. More and more researchers began to
      focus on Chinese medicine. A large number of clinical practice shows that Chinese
      herbal medicine is good at improving patient immune function, reducing symptoms
      and improving quality of life, but the efficacy of inhibiting viral load was not
      obvious, clinical manifestation, immunological and virological indicators index
      inconsistency how to explain? This article from the perspective of theory and
      literature review, pointing out the similarities and differences of efficacy
      action points of Chinese and Western medicine treatment of AIDS from three
      aspects, including immune function, viral load and symptoms to explore the
      relevance of them. This paper proposed that immune function improvement and viral
      load change is not a direct inverse relationship (ie, improve immunity, the virus
      must fall); immunity improve followed by symptom relief and improved quality of
      life is more common to be seen; long-term improvement of immune function may
      follow by stable virus or gradual decline; the analysis still need to be
      testified in large sample, prolonged clinical observation in the future.

PMID- 24228547
TI  - [Application of cultivating Yuan and clearing blockage method on HIV/AIDS].
AB  - According to HIV/AIDS being infectious and have a very long period of incubation,
      leading to immune system weakened and infected easily, we summarized its
      pathmechanism including Yuan Qi deficiency (vigour deficiency)and constraint (Qi
      depression,blood stagnancy, phlegm coagulation, poison accumulation),
      consequently treatment principle were raised--cultivates the Yuan and clear
      blockage. From viscera and Qi, blood, Yin and Yang perspective, we elaborate
      corresponding clinical application method and train of thought, that cultivating
      the Yuan method means tonify Qi firstly which emphasizes on the spleen and the
      kidney; Clear blockage method contains relieving liver for smooth Qi,
      invigorating spleen to remove phlem, promoting blood circulation and
      detoxification. In addition, cultivating the Yuan and clear blockage should
      cooperate closely based on traditional Chinese medicine diffrentiation, tonify
      deficiency should not used individually and vice verse.

PMID- 24228548
TI  - [Chinese classic formulas for treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome].
AB  - The study of Chinese classic formulas for treating acquired immune deficiency
      syndrome is getting increasing popularity within traditional Chinese medicine
      (TCM) and integrative medicine worldwide. Over the past decades, considerable
      progress has been made in treating acquired immune deficiency syndrome by Chinese
      classic formulas. And it was found that Chinese classic formulas play an
      important role in the treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The paper
      systematically reviewed the current evidence and clinical application of Chinese
      classic formulas for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is worth noting that
      the key issue in applying Chinese classic formulas lies in grasping the objective
      indications of formulas and the rule of formula syndrome of the disease.

PMID- 24228549
TI  - [Discussion on treatment of AIDS by explling evil].
AB  - Fever is the mostly common symptom in HIV/AIDS and is often accompanied by
      aignificant morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Traditional Chinese medicine
      has a long history and rich experience to treat febrile diseases. We consider
      AIDS belongs to the category of warm disease in TCM, and the evil of "ai du" is
      the source of the disease. Explling evil is an important rule in effective
      treatment methods of warm disease, and plays a major role in the treatment of
      fever in HIV/AIDS from beginning to end.

PMID- 24228550
TI  - [Ethical issues and countermeasures in AIDS prevention].
AB  - With the rapid spread of AIDS, the ethical issues of its prevention is intensify
      more and more, it mainly reflected in the four areas such as discrimination of
      disease and moral panic, individual rights and public health, privacy and right
      to know, social responsibility and behavior guidance. To resolve these ethical
      conflicts and safeguard legitimate rights of AIDS patients, we must adhere to
      love and tolerance, favorable and fair, the principles of autonomy and
      coordination, thus promoting AIDS prevention, maintaining social ethics and
      justice, equal and harmonious reconstruction of the ethical relationship.

PMID- 24228551
TI  - [Research progress in immune reconstruction of AIDS induced by modern medical
      intervention].
AB  - Immune reconstruction in the treatment of AIDS has became one of hot topics in
      the field of aids research over the world. In this paper, the interventions of
      immune reconstitution were sumarized, but because of the clinical efficacy of
      these interventions still need to be verified and better solutions of their side
      effects also need to be found, clinical application of these interventions are
      still in process.

PMID- 24228552
TI  - [Research of Chinese herbal compound on promoting HIV immune reconstitution].
AB  - This article reviews the research reports of Chinese herbal compound on AIDS
      immune reconstitution for nearly 20 years, found that Chinese herbal compound has
      exact clinical efficacy for AIDS immune reconstitution. Therefore, we should give
      full play to the unique advantages of Chinese herbal compound in improving
      immunity, thus improving symptoms and improve quality of life, to achieve optimal
      clinical treatment of AIDS.

PMID- 24228553
TI  - [Research progress of Chinese medicine treatment of HAART-related toxic and side
      effect].
AB  - Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have made great progress in rapid
      inhibition of HIV, reduce the morbidity and mortality, etc; while it exists many
      limits, such as viruses rebound after discontinuation of drug, side effects, drug
      resistant. With the emergence of these problems, researchers explored therapies
      by traditional Chinese medicine, so as to achieve target of lower antiviral drug
      side effect, raising antiviral treatment adherence. Through a large number of
      clinical tests, we achieved encouraging effects in treating HAART related side
      effects by Chinese medicine.

PMID- 24228554
TI  - [Research progress of Chinese medicine treatment of HAART-related
      hyperlipidemia].
AB  - Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV infection
      had a revolutionary impact, with the universal application of the anti-retroviral
      drugs, HAART-related adverse reactions have attracted more and more attention.
      HAART-related hyperlipidemia is one of the common adverse reactions with more and
      more scholars study the pathogenesis and therapy of hyperlipidemia in recent
      years. This article elaborated the latest research of Chinese medicine treatment
      of HAART-related hyperlipidemia.

PMID- 24228555
TI  - [Applications of acupuncture in relieving AIDS-related symptoms].
AB  - AIDS is a serious threat to human health and has become a global public health
      problem. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can effectively reduce AIDS
      mortality rate, but has limitations in improving the patient's symptoms and
      improve quality of life. The literatures about the therapeutic effect of
      acupuncture and moxibustion on HIV/AIDS were reviewed. The symptoms of HIV/AIDS
      and the procedures of treatments were analyzed. The acupuncture intervention on
      HIV/AIDS was investigated. It showed that the acupuncture intervention may
      markedly improve the condition of HIV/AIDS. From a clinical point of view, we
      discussed the acupuncture treatment of AIDS-related symptoms, effectiveness and
      safety evaluation. It may contribute to build a comprehensive treatment system in
      which acupuncture is dominated for HIV/AIDS.

PMID- 24228556
TI  - [Research progress of AIDS-related cancer].
AB  - Kaposi's sarcoma, non-hodgkin's lymphoma and invasive cervical was named AIDS
      related cancer. This article introduces the appeal tumor research progress of
      modern medicine, and raises that antivirus, immune reconstitution and antitumor
      are the key factors in the treatment of AIDS-related cancer. Traditional Chinese
      medicine may play a role in the following aspect: relieve antiviral drug adverse
      reaction, have some antiviral effect,adjust the immune function,enhance efficacy
      and decrease toxicity of radiotherapy. According to the patients' immune function
      and the treatment phase, etc. It will contribute to improve the patients'lives
      and prolong the survival period to establish reasonable and comprehensive
      treatment strategies and to combine holistic therapy with individual therapy.

PMID- 24228557
TI  - [Research development of HIV drug resistance].
AB  - Highly active antiretroviral combination therapy significantly reduced the
      mortality, but in the high-speed copying, high genetic variation and drug
      selection pressure under the effect of the increasingly serious problem of drug
      resistance greatly weakened the role of HAART inhibit viral replication and
      reduce antiviral treatment. This paper reports the latest trends in HIV drug
      resistance in order to develop anti-HIV drugs in clinical programs, research and
      development of new guidance anti-HIV-1 strategy to bring guidance.

PMID- 24228558
TI  - [Pharmacological of Polygoni cuspidati rhizoma].
AB  - Through searching some domestic or abroad literatures of rhizoma polygoni
      cuspidati in recent years, the paper summarized its pharmacological effects,
      including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cardiovascular
      system protection, liver protection, anti tumor, improving immunity pharmacology
      and so on. These studies indicated Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma was a kind of drugs
      with exploiting and using value. [Key words]

PMID- 24228559
TI  - [Advances on Cordyceps militaris constituents and pharmacological effect].
AB  - Cordyceps militaris is a parasitic fungus in a variety of lepidopteran pupae and
      larvae. It was reported that Cordyceps militaris has strong activity on the
      immuregulation, tumor, virus, infecction. This review will focus on the advances
      its constituents and pharmacological effect.

PMID- 24228560
TI  - [Strategy and practice on scene application of molecular identification in
      Chinese medicine materials].
AB  - Accurate and fast identification of Chinese medicine materials has been more
      difficult work during production and trade. However the molecular identification
      at present was only used in the laboratory, and difficult to scene application in
      producing area, market and pharmacy that limited its usage greatly. There are two
      important technologic bottlenecks for scene application: DNA rapid extraction and
      fast detection of DNA markers. This study developed a module system for the scene
      application of molecular identification in Chinese medicine materials.

PMID- 24228561
TI  - [Gene cloning and bioinformatics analysis of SABATH methyltransferase in Lonicera
      japonica var. chinensis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To clone SABATH methyltransferase (rLjSABATHMT) gene in Lonicera
      japonica var. chinensis, and compare the gene expression and intron sequence of
      SABATH methyltransferase orthologous in L. japonica with L. japonica var.
      chinensis. It provide a basis for gene regulate the formation of L. japonica
      floral scents. METHOD: The cDNA and genome sequences of LjSABATHMT from L.
      japonica var. chinensis were cloned according to the gene fragments in cDNA
      library. The LjSABATHMT protein was characterized by bioinformatics analysis.
      SABATH family phylogenetic tree were built by MEGA 5.0. The transcripted level of
      SABATHMT orthologous were analyzed in different organs and different flower
      periods of L. japonica and L. japonica var. chinensis using RT-PCR analysis.
      Intron sequences of SABATHMT orthologous were also analyzied. RESULT: The cDNA of
      LjSABATHMT was 1 251 bp, had a complete coding frame with 365 amino acids. The
      protein had the conservative SABATHMT domain, and phylogenetic tree showed that
      it may be a salicylic acid/benzoic acid methyltransferase. Higher expression of
      SABATH methyltransferase orthologous was found in flower. The intron sequence of
      L. japonica and L. japonica var. chinensis had rich polymorphism, and two SNP are
      unique genotype of L. japonica var. chinensis. The motif elements in two
      orthologous genes were significant differences. CONCLUSION: The intron difference
      of SABATH methyltransferase orthologous could be inducing to difference of gene
      expression between L. japonica and L. japonica var. chinensis. These results will
      provide important base on regulating active compounds of L. japonica.

PMID- 24228562
TI  - [Study on molecular identification of water extracts from Gelsemium elegans and
      Lonicera japonica and its close species by specific PCR amplification].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the new method of discriminating Gelsemium elegans from
      Lonicera japonica and its close species by using specific PCR amplification.
      METHOD: Thirteen samples of the different G. elegans materials and 58 samples of
      L. japonica, L. macranthoides and L. dasystyla were collected. The total DNA of
      the samples were extracted, and the DNA of G. elegans, L. japonica and L.
      macranthoides water extracts were extracted. PsbA-rnnH sequence from G. elegans
      was amplified by PCR and sequenced unidirectionally, ClustulW was used to align
      psbA-trnH sequences of the G. elegans and L. japonica and its close species from
      GenBank database. RESULT: All samples were amplified by PCR with specific primer,
      DNA from G. elegans would be amplified 97 bp whereas PCR products from all of
      Lonicera samples had not bands. CONCLUSION: Specific PCR amplification can be
      used to identify G. elegans from L. japonica and its close species successfully
      and is an efficient molecular marker for authentication of G. elegans and L.
      japonica and its close species.

PMID- 24228563
TI  - [Authenticate of Atractylodes macrocephala seed by amplification refractory
      mutation system].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To design specific primers and authenticate Atractylodes macrocephala
      from Atractylodes lancea and A. chinensis. METHOD: SNPs in the psbA-trnH
      sequences of Atractylodes were found by ClustulW program and Bioedit software.
      Primers for authentic A. macrocephala is designed according to the SNP site, and
      ITS sequence universal primers plus to the authentic primer to construct a multi
      PCR reaction system, and then optimized the PCR reaction system. RESULT: 172 bp
      band special for A. macrocephala were found using multi-PCR reaction. CONCLUSION:
      The multi-PCR reaction system could be applied to identify A. macrocephala seed.

PMID- 24228564
TI  - [Effect of PCR enhancer in molecular authenticate of Chinese herbal medicine].
AB  - To evaluate the effect of PCR enhancer on molecular identification of Chinese
      herbal medicine, and select the optimal enhancers suitable for traditional
      Chinese medicine (TCM), genomic DNA from 180 kinds of Chinese herbal medicine was
      extract by CTAB method and alkaline lysis method, respectively. PCR success rate
      of five universal fragments (ITS2, psbA-trnH, rbcL, matK, trnL-trnF) was compared
      in a PCR system with and without enhancer. PCR efficiency of Real-time PCR was
      also compared in a PCR system with and without enhancer. Results showed that PCR
      success rate of ITS2,psbA-trnH, rbcL fragment was increased by using PVP and BSA.
      The PCR efficiency was decreased by PCR enhancer in Real-time PCR system. The
      results indicate that BSA and PVP as PCR enhancer can dramatically increase PCR
      success rate and genotyping accuracy in TCM molecular authentication.

PMID- 24228565
TI  - [Study on sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers of Polygonum
      capitatum].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish sequence characterized amplified region markers of
      Polygonum capitatum. METHOD: The random primer was screened through RAPD to
      obtain the specific RAPD marker band, and the band was separated, extracted,
      cloned and sequenced. The specific primers were designed for conventional PCR
      reaction on the basis of the specific band, and the SCAR marker was acquired.
      RESULT: Screening from 50 RAPD primer, only C29 primer had 2 specific bands could
      distinguish P. capitatum from P. nepalense, then 4 pairs of specific primers were
      designed based on the 2 sequences of RAPD marker bands, and only 1 pair primer
      (Z1-2) was successfully converted into SCAR marker after repeated tests.
      CONCLUSION: The Z1-2 primer, could be used as an effective SCAR mark to identify
      Z300 DNA for P. capitatum. The SCAR mark was established and can be used as a
      molecular marker to distinguish P. capitatum from P. nepalense

PMID- 24228566
TI  - [Study on identification of Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix by PCR
      amplification of specific alleles].
AB  - To explore the new method of discriminating Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix by
      using PCR amplification of specific alleles, 30 samples of the different
      Astragali Radix materials and 28 samples of Hedysari Radix were collected. The
      total DNA of all samples were extracted, trnL-trnF sequence from Astragali Radix
      and Hedysari Radix was amplified by PCR and sequenced unidirectionally. These
      sequences were aligned by using Clustul W. Primer was designed and the PCR
      reaction systems including annealing temperature, dNTP, etc were optimized. All
      samples were amplified by PCR with specific primer, DNA from Astragali Radix
      would be amplified 136 bp, whereas PCR products from all of Hedysari Radix were
      323 bp. This method can detect 10% of intentional Hedysari Radix DNA into
      Astragali Radix. PCR amplification of alleles can be used to identify Astragali
      Radix and Hedysari Radix successfully and is an efficient molecular marker for
      authentication of Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix.

PMID- 24228567
TI  - [Development of a lateral flow dipstick immunoassay for rapid detection of
      ginsenoside Re].
AB  - A sensitive antibody-based lateral flow dipstick was developed for ginsenoside Re
      (GRe) detection. The stick consisted of a sample pad, a conjugate pad, membrane
      and an absorbent pad. The membrane was coated with two capture reagents, GRe-BSA
      conjugate and goat anti-mouse antibodies, forming a test line and a control line,
      respectively. The conjugate pad was saturated with colloidal gold particles
      coated with affinity purified monoclonal anti-GRe antibody. The visual detection
      limit was 200 microg x L(-1) of GRe and the reaction time was 10 min. The Panax
      ginseng roots were identified after these samples (10 mg) were extracted with 5
      mL tap water for 30 min at room temperature, and the extracts were tested by the
      dipsticks and ELISA kit. The true and false P. ginseng could be distinguished
      with dipsticks. The dipstick could be used to detect the quality of the P.
      ginseng samples when the extract was diluted 100-folds. The results were compared
      with those obtained using an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay (icELISA). The dipstick assay proved to be a sensitive and rapid tool for
      quality control of P. ginseng.

PMID- 24228568
TI  - [Optimization of extraction process of prescription of compound Nanxing pain
      relieving cataplasm by combining orthogonal design and pharmacodynamic
      experiment].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the optimum extraction process of compound Nanxing pain
      relieving cataplasm through orthogonal design and pharmacodynamic experiment
      METHOD: The orthogonal experiment method was adopted to optimize the ethanol
      extraction process with Angelica dahurica, Ligusticum chuanxiong and other herbs.
      The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of extracts from volatile oil in such
      herbs as syzygium aromaticum with different extraction processes were compared by
      tail pain tenderness test and food-pad swelling in mice, in order to optimize the
      extraction process of extracts from volatile oil in such herbs as syzygium
      aromaticum. RESULT: The optimum extraction process of A. dahurica, L. chuanxiong
      and other herbs for compound Nanxing pain-relieving cataplasm were as follows:
      adding 8-fold amount of 70% alcohol, extracting for 2 times with 1.5 h each time.
      The 95% ethnol extracts of syzygium aromaticum and other herbs had more effect in
      the increasing the threshold of pain and the inhibition of toe swelling of mice
      than volatile oil obtained from steam distillation as well as volatile oil and
      water decoction obtained from steam distillation. CONCLUSION: The method is
      simple and reliable that it can provide technical reference for the development
      of modern preparations of compound Nanxing pain-relieving cataplasm.

PMID- 24228569
TI  - [Study on drug release performance of compound Nanxing pain pastes with different
      stromata].
AB  - Solvent and emulsion pressure-sensitive patches for compound Nanxing pain paste
      were prepared respectively in this study. Franz diffusion cell method was adopted
      to determine in vitro release of eugenol in compound Nanxing pain paste of the
      two stromata, with microfiltration membranes in place of skins. The results of
      the experiment demonstrated that solvent pressure-sensitive patches were superior
      to emulsion pressure-sensitive patches in terms of the accumulated release
      percentage of eugenol, with both of their release processes in line with Higuchi
      model and non-Fick diffusion mechanism. In conclusion, emulsion pressure
      sensitive stroma was more beneficial to in vitro release of eugenol in compound
      Nanxing pain paste.

PMID- 24228570
TI  - [Effect of ethanol concentration in receiver fluid on in vitro transdermal test].
AB  - The present paper was designed to investigate the effect of varying
      concentrations of ethanol in receiver solution on the in vitro transdermal
      permeation of drug across the rat skin. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was used as the
      model drug on account of its good hydrophility, the excised rat skins were
      treated with different concentration ethanol prepared with normal saline for 12
      h, then replaced by normal saline and added the saturated model drug into the
      donor compartment to determine the transdermal parameters of the drug. Meanwhile,
      scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to monitor the effect of the
      different concentration ethanol on the stratum corneum of the rat skin. The
      ethanol below the concentration of 15% didn't significantly affect the barrier
      profile of the rat skin, while significant difference of in steady-state
      transdermal rate and lag times were observed when the concentration of ethanol
      was 20% or above. The SEM studies indicated that wrinkle of the intact rat skin
      gradually disappeared and a number of flakes were desquamated from the skin when
      the concentration of ethanol was above 20%. The results showed that the low
      concentration of the ethanol (below 15%) didn't obviously affect the excised
      skin, yet the barrier profile of rat skin would significantly disrupted with the
      concentration of ethanol above 20%.

PMID- 24228571
TI  - [Study on transdermal characteristics of compound Nanxing pain-relieving
      cataplasm and effects of gaultherolin in prescriptions].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study transdermal absorption characteristics of eugenol in compound
      Nanxing pain-relieving cataplasm, and discuss the effect of gaultherolin on the
      transdermal absorption of the cataplasm. METHOD: The improved franz diffusing
      cell was adopted with hairless mice skins as transdermal carriers. The content of
      eugenol in receptor liquid, skins and cataplasm were analyzed by HPLC and
      compared with the cataplasm without gaultherolin. RESULT: The penetration rates
      of eugenol of cataplasms with and without gaultherolin were 13.18 and 9.58 microg
      x cm(-2) x h(-1), with the retention amount in skins of (185.02 +/- 19.23) and
      (160.23 +/- 16.54) microg x g(-1) and the retention amount in cataplasms was
      (1.96 +/- 0.12) and (1.71 +/- 0.15) mg, respectively. CONCLUSION: Eugenol in
      compound Nanxing pain-relieving cataplasm has good pereutaoeous permeation.
      Gaultherolin in the cataplasm prescription can promote the absorption of eugenol.

PMID- 24228572
TI  - [Study on in vitro penetration of imperatorin].
AB  - The object of this paper was to study the in vitro percutaneous factors that
      affect permeability of imperatorin. Excised abdominal skin of SD rats was used as
      the permeation model. Modified Franz diffusion cell was used to evaluate
      receiving solution, skin treatment and drug concentration on the effect of
      permeation. HPLC was established to determine drug content in recetpor at
      specified time points. The result showed that 20% ethanol and 0.5% Tween-80 could
      significantly increase the steady-state infiltration rate (Jass) of imperatorin.
      Skin treated of 20% ethanol, 20% ethanol-1% Tween-80 before experiments got an
      increased transdermal rate, whereas, those only accepted the treatment of 1%
      Tween-80 showed a decreased transdermal rate. The steady-state infiltration rate
      of imperatorin had a relationship with drug concentration, with the concentration
      increase, a bigger steady-state infiltration rate was obtained. When the drug
      concentration reached a certain concentration, the value was no longer changed.
      From the above research it could be found that ethanol could change the structure
      of the skin stratum corneum, which resulted in the increase of steady-state
      infiltration rate. The effect of Tween-80 on the steady-state permeation rate had
      nothing to do with skin structure. The concentration of drug in the diffusing
      cell had an effect on the penetration of imperatorin, which was the combined
      action of different diffusion route.

PMID- 24228573
TI  - [Study on transdermal behavior of Zhitong cataplasm].
AB  - The aim of the present research was to study the transdermal absorbability of
      ferulic acid and imperatorin in Zhitong cataplasm. Using methanol to extract the
      effective components, HPLC was established to determine drug content in Zhitong
      cataplasm. The excised abdominal skin of nude rats was used as the permeation
      model Utilizing the modified Franz diffusion cell, the suitable receiving
      solution was elected. The contents of ferulic acid and imperatorin in Zhitong
      cataplasm were 455.10, 371.66 microg x g(-1), respectively. Taken 20% ethanol-
      PBS (pH 8) as receiving solution, ferulic acid and imperatorin could be detected
      maximize, with the steady-state infiltration rates of 1.29, 0.15 microg x h(-1) x
      cm(-2), respectively. After 24 h, their penetration quantities were 30.03, 3.31
      microg x cm(-2), with the penetration rates of 41.45%, 5.60%, respectively. The
      residual quantities of ferulic acid and imperatorin in skin were 0.69, 2.60
      microg x cm(-2), with the retention rates of 0.95%, 4.40%, respectively. The in
      vitro transdermal behavior of ferulic acid in Zhitong cataplasm was close to a
      zero-order process, with the stratum corneum playing a rate-limiting role;
      whereas the percutaneous behavior of imperatorin was closer to Higuchi model,
      where diffusion played an important role in drugs permeation.

PMID- 24228574
TI  - [Effect of microemulsion technology on release of compounds in Zhitong cataplasm
      and content variation].
AB  - To study the varieties of adhesives in gels on the basis of previous studies,
      dosage of adhesives required for forming of gels by using the single factor
      design, as well as the drug loading capacity of gels with the adhesiveness and
      stickiness as the scoring indicators, in order to determine the forming method of
      analgesic micro-emulsion gel. Subsequently, the improved Franz diffusing cell
      method was adopted to study the release of water-soluble components and
      liposoluble components in analgesic gels, with imperatorin and ferulic acid as
      index components. The results showed that analgesic micro-emulsion gel could
      promote the release of imperatorin and ferulic acid. Finally, HPLC was used to
      detect that the loss amount of volatile components in analgesic micro-emulsion
      gel was 23.13% lower than that in the original analgesic gel. In the experiment,
      we finally prepared finished products of micro-emulsion gel, discovered that the
      micro-emulsion technology is helpful to improve the synchronous release of water
      soluble components and liposoluble components in prescriptions and can reduce the
      loss of volatile components.

PMID- 24228575
TI  - [In vitro transdermal behavior of effective constituents in Chonghe gel].
AB  - Chonghe gel originated from the Chinese ancient prescription, can be used for the
      treatment of diabetic foot. This experiment was to study the transdermal
      absorbability of paeoniflorin and osthole in Chonghe gel . Franz diffusing cells
      method was adopted for the in vitro model of rat belly skins. Paeoniflorin and
      osthole in the receiving liquid, skins and gel were determined by HPLC. The
      receiving liquid were screened, and Chonghe gel and Chonghe ointment were
      compared by transdermal absorbability. Result showed that ethanol-normal saline
      (2: 8) solution was the appropriate receiving liquid. The penetration rates of
      paeoniflorin and osthole were 78.07, 7.08 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1). respectively.
      In 24 h, the accumulated penetration rates were (31.51 +/- 1.33)%, (12.38 +/-
      1.28)%, respectively. The retention rates of paeoniflorin and osthole in skin
      were (0.92 +/- 0.45)%, (4.81 +/- 1.03) %, respectively. The retention of osthole
      in skins was a drug reservoir. Transdermal behavior of effective constituents in
      Chonghe gel was more efficient than that in ointment. In vitro, the transdermal
      behavior of paeoniflorin in Chonghe gel was close to a Weibull process, while the
      behavior of osthole was close to Higuchi process.

PMID- 24228576
TI  - [Preparation of Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion gel and transdermal characterization
      in vitro].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To prepare Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion and nanoemuls-ion gel, and
      investigate its content, physical and chemical properties. Their transdermal
      properties in vitro were studied as well. METHOD: IPM acted as oil phase, EL35 as
      surfactant, EtOH as cosurfactant, Pheretima aqueous solution was added dropwise
      to the oil phase to prepare Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion at room temperature using
      magnetic stirring. HPLC was used to determine the content of matrine and
      oxymatrine in the nanoemulsion. Transmission electron microscopy and laser
      particle size analyzer was used to determine the shape and size of the
      nanoemulsion. NP700 was used as substrate to prepare Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion
      gel. Franz diffusion cell was used for the nanoemulsion and gel transdermal
      characteristics in vitro. RESULT: The Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion was O/W
      nanoemulsion, its uniform particle size was 20.6 nm with roundness appearance and
      stable content. The steady-state permeation rate of Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion,
      nanoemulsion gel, saturated aqueous solution, hydro gel were 0.1484, 0.1183,
      0.0306, 0.0321 mg x cm(-2) x h(-1), respectively. CONCLUSION: The 24 h cumulative
      infiltration and infiltration rate of Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion and nanoemulsion
      gel were better than the saturated aqueous solution and hydro gel, which could
      provide a new dosage form for Kushen-Dilong transdermal drug delivery.

PMID- 24228577
TI  - [Physicochemical properties and skin penetration in vitro of total alkaloids of
      Sophora flavescens nanoemulsion].
AB  - The research aimed at investigating the physicochemical properties, stability and
      skin penetration in vitro of total alkaloids of Sophora flavescens nanoemulsion.
      Prepare total alkaloids of S. flavescens nanoemulsion and detect the
      determination of matrine and oxymatrine in the nanoemulsion using HPLC method.
      Transmission electron microscopy and laser particle size analyzer were utilized
      to detect the shape and size of the nanoemulsion respectively. And also the
      stability of nanoemulsion was studied under the conditions of low temperature (4
      degrees C), normal temperature (25 degrees C) and high temperature (60 degrees
      C). Franz diffusion cell was used to research the transdermal absorption of
      nanoemulsion in vitro. The results found that the nanoemulsion we prepared
      presented appearance of rounded, uniform; its average diameter was (15.55 +/-
      2.24) nm, and particle size distribution value was 0. 161; the appearance,
      diameter and percentage determination of total alkaloids of S. flavescens had no
      variations after 15 d under 4, 25, 60 degrees C respectively. The steady-state
      permeation rate was 4.564 1 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1), 24 h cumulative amount of
      penetration was 110.7 microg x cm(-2), which was 1.86 fold of 24 h cumulative
      amount of aqueous solution (59.41 microg x cm(-2)). All the results demonstrated
      total alkaloids of S. flavescens nanoemulsion had good permeability, and could
      provide a new preparation for its clinical application.

PMID- 24228578
TI  - [Research advance in medicinal plants from genus Coreopsis].
AB  - There are about 100 species in the genus Coreopsis which distributed in the
      America, south of Africa and Hawaiian Islands, and 7 species are distributed in
      China. The inflorescences of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. is the Uigur herb 'Snow
      chrysanthemum' which is named 'Shemuju' with the effects of heat-cleaning,
      detoxicating, dampness-dissipating and dysentery-curing in the Xinhua Herbal
      Scheme. The chemical constituents from Coreopsis plants mainly contain
      flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, sesquiterpenes, and sterols, which show anti
      inflammatory activities in modern pharmaceutical research. This article presents
      an overview of the chemical constituents and pharmaceutical activities, prospects
      of development and exploitation of Coreopsis plants, hopefully to provide a basis
      for further research and development of Coreopsis plants.

PMID- 24228579
TI  - [Effect of baicalin on pattern recognition receptor TLR2/4-NOD2 and its
      significance of druggability].
AB  - Activation pattern recognition receptors can cause the startup of downstream
      signaling pathways, the expression of inflammatory factors, and finally
      immunological inflammatory reaction. Either exogenous pathogenic microorganisms
      or endogenous tissue components can activate these pattern recognition receptors
      as ligands at varying degrees, and then cause the immunological inflammatory
      reaction. Therefore, it is of great significance to inhibit relevant receptors,
      as well as the immunological inflammatory reaction, in order to avoid tissue
      injury during the course of disease. Baicalin is able to specifically inhibit the
      expression of TLR2/4-NOD2, inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors IL
      1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and thereby reducing the injury of the tissue cells
      during the course of disease. This effect is non-specific with tissues, which is
      of great theoretical and practical significance in druggability. In addition, the
      drug metabolism and toxicity of baicalin are also discussed for its druggability
      in this article.

PMID- 24228580
TI  - [Advance in studies on antioxidant activity of propolis and its molecular
      mechanism].
AB  - Propolis is an adhesive substance mixed with plant resins collected by honeybees
      (Apis mellifera) and secretions from their mandibular gland and wax gland, with
      wide pharmacological activity and healthcare functions. Its antioxidant activity
      has long been regarded as one of the most important biological activities of
      propolis. This article summarizes studies on the antioxidant activity of propolis
      extracts from different geographic origins and with different extraction methods,
      as well as several important monomer active ingredients in propolis, and
      concludes the potential molecular mechanism of antioxidant activity of propolis
      and its monomer ingredients, with the aim of providing ideas for further studies
      on pharmacological activity of propolis, as well as reference for in-depth
      development of propolis products.

PMID- 24228581
TI  - [Key content and formulation of national Chinese materia medica resources survey
      at county level].
AB  - According to National Census for Water, National Population Census, National Land
      and Resources Survey, and work experience of experimental measures for national
      Chinese materia medica resources(CMMR) survey,the national CMMR survey at the
      county level is the key point of whole survey, that includes organization and
      management, field survey, sorting data three key links. Organization and
      management works of national CMMR survey needs to finish four key contents, there
      are definite goals and tasks, practicable crew, preparation directory, and
      security assurance. Field survey works of the national CMMR survey needs to
      finish five key contents, there are preparation works for field survey, the
      choice of the key survey area (samples), fill in the questionnaire, video data
      collection, specimen and other physical collection. Sorting data works of the
      national CMMR survey needs to finish tree key contents, there are data, specimen
      and census results.

PMID- 24228582
TI  - [Chemical constituents of Paederia pertomentosa].
AB  - Five constituents were extracted from the aerial part of Paederia pertomentosa
      and isolated by column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by
      physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis. The isolated
      compounds were identified as 1,2-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone named as
      paederone (1), paederoside (2), deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester (3),
      paederosidic acid (4) and methylpaederosidate (5). Compound 1 is a new compound
      which exhibits a significant inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and
      Staphylococcus aureus. Compounds 2-5 were isolated from this plant for the first
      time.

PMID- 24228583
TI  - [Chemical constituents of chloroform fraction from leaves of Chimonanthus
      salicifolius].
AB  - To explore anti-tumor active components of Chimonanthus salicifolius, the
      phytochemistry of the chloroform fraction from leaves extract was investigated by
      repeated silica gel column chromatography. Twelve compounds were isolated and
      their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic
      data analysis as 9-epi-blumenol C(1), blumenol C(2), (+)-dehydrovomifoliol (3),
      (+)-vomifoliol (4), robinlin (5), (-)-loliolide (6), isofraxidin (7), scopoletin
      (8), 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin (9), 6, 7, 8-trimethoxycoumarin (10), beta-sitostenone
      (11), and beta-stigmasterol(12). Compounds 1-6 belonging to nor-sesquiterpenoids
      were isolated from the family Calycanthaceae for the first time. Compound 1 was a
      new natural product. Compounds 7, 11 and 12 were obtained from this plant for the
      first time.

PMID- 24228584
TI  - [Chemical constituents from stems of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim
      desert].
AB  - In order to clarify the chemical constituents of Cistanche deserticola cultured
      in Tarim desert, a systematically phytochemical investigation was carried out.
      The chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography, over silica
      gel, Sephadex LH-20, MCI gel, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures
      were determined on the basis of MS, NMR spectroscopic data analysis,
      physicochemical properties and/or comparison with literature data Seventeen
      compounds were isolated from the 85% ethanol extract of the stems of C.
      deserticola cultured in Tarim desert. Their structures were identified as
      salsaside B (1), syringin (2), demethyl syrinyin (3), coniferin (4), (2E,6E)-3,7
      dimethyl-8-hydroxyoctadien-1-O-beta-D-glucoside (5), (+)-syringaresinol (6),
      2S,3S, 4S-trihydroxypentanoic acid (7), panaxytriol (8), beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta
      D-xylopyranoside (9), androsin (10), 3-methyl-but-2-en-1-yl-beta-D
      glucopyranoside (11), benzyl-glucopyranoside (12), 4-hydroxybenzyl-beta-D
      glucoside (13), nicotinamide (14), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (15), 4-hydroxy
      benzeneethanol (16), and galactitol (17). Compounds 3, 6-13 were isolated from
      this genus for the first time, and compounds 1, 4 and 5 were obtained from this
      species for the first time.

PMID- 24228585
TI  - [Chemical constituents from fungus Armillaria mellea].
AB  - Ten compounds were isolated from cultures of the fungus Armillaria mellea by
      silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. Their structures were
      identified by spectroscopic data analysis and compared their spectroscopic data
      with those reported in the literature as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methylbenzoic acid
      (1), orsellinic acid (2), melleolide (3), ergosterol (4), genistein (5), daidzein
      (6), daucosterol (7), genistin (8), uracil (9) and D-mannitol (10). Compounds 1
      10 were isolated from cultures of A. mellea for the first time. Among them, 14, 6
      and 10 had been obtained from mycelia or rhizomorphs of A. mellea. The structure
      of compound 3 was determined by detailed analysis of its 1D and 2D NMR data in
      the solvent of DMSO for the first time.

PMID- 24228586
TI  - [Identification of chemical component from Ixeris sonchifolia and its injection
      by HPLC-ESI-MS(n)].
AB  - A rapid analytical method was developed for the identification of components in
      Ixeris sonchifolia and its injection by HPLC-ESI-MS(n). The characterization of
      various components was analyzed according to the retention time of reference
      standard and mass spectrometry information. A profile of I. sonchifolia and its
      injection constituents was described and a total of three nucleosides, sixteen
      phenolic acids, seven flavonoids and twelve sesquiterpene lactones were
      identified or tentatively characterised. Twelve compounds were accurately
      identified with reference standards. Eleven of them, guanosine, 1-caffeoylquinic
      acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, caffeic anhydride, 3,4
      dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3-p-coumaroylquinic acid, 3
      feruloylquinic acid, 5-p-coumaroylquinic acid and 4-feruloylquinic acid were
      reported for the first time in I. sonchifolia and its preparations. The
      structures of five isomers were deduced by theirs mass information and the
      fragmentation pattern of known compounds. The developed method was useful for the
      quality control and evaluation of this herb and its preparations. The HPLC-ESI
      MS(n) could be a promising tool for the rapid analysis of components from herbal
      medicines.

PMID- 24228587
TI  - [Study on quality control of Houttuynia Cordata, a traditional Chinese medicine
      by fingerprint combined with quantitative analysis of multi-components by single
      marker].
AB  - To establish a new method of quality evaluation of Traditional Chinese medicine
      by fingerprint and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker
      method (QAMS). The quality evaluation method was established and validated with
      Houttuyniae Herba. Chlorogcnic acid was selected as markers of ingredients to
      establish HPLC fingerprint and internal reference standard to determine the
      contents of other 6 components (new chlorogcnic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid,
      rutin, hyperin, isoquercitrin, quercitrin) according to the relative correction
      factor. At the same time, the seven components were determined by external
      standard method. The accuracy and feasibility of QAMS was evaluated by comparison
      of the results between external standard method and QAMS. All tested samples
      contained the 12 common peaks , 7 of which was verified ,and there was no
      significant differences between the quantitative results of 7 ingredients of
      multi-components by single marker method and external standard method in 20
      batches. The method of fingerprint combined with QAMS has been verified in
      Houttuyniae Herba and it is to be a new quality evaluation pattern for
      Traditional Chinese medicine.

PMID- 24228588
TI  - [HPLC fingerprint of flavonoids in Sophora flavescens and determination of five
      components].
AB  - A simple and reliable method of high-performance liquid chromatography with
      photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed to evaluate the quality of a
      traditional Chinese medicine Sophora flavescens through establishing
      chromatographic fingerprint and simultaneous determination of five flavonoids,
      including trifolirhizin, maackiain, kushenol I, kurarinone and sophoraflavanone
      G. The optimal conditions of separation and detection were achieved on an
      ULTIMATE XB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with a gradient of
      acetonitrile and water, detected at 295 nm. In the chromatographic fingerprint,
      13 peaks were selected as the characteristic peaks to assess the similarities of
      different samples collected from different origins in China according to
      similarity evaluation for chromatographic fingerprint of traditional chinese
      medicine (2004AB) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used in data
      analysis. There were significant differences in the fingerprint chromatograms
      between S. flavescens and S. tonkinensis. Principal component analysis showed
      that kurarinone and sophoraflavanone G were the most important component. In
      quantitative analysis, the five components showed good regression (R > 0.999)
      with linear ranges, and their recoveries were in the range of 96.3% - 102.3%.
      This study indicated that the combination of quantitative and chromatographic
      fingerprint analysis can be readily utilized as a quality control method for S.
      flavescens and its related traditional Chinese medicinal preparations.

PMID- 24228589
TI  - [Effect of oxymatrine on JAK2/STAT3 signaling in renal tissues of rats with
      septic shock].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of oxymatrine (OMT) on JAK2/STAT3 signaling in
      renal tissues of rats with septic shock. METHOD: The cecal ligation and puncture
      (CLP) was adopted to establish the rat septic shock model. Fifty-six male SD rats
      were randomly divided into 7 groups: the sham operation group, the model (CLP)
      group, CLP + OMT high, middle, low-dose (52, 26, 13 mg x kg(-1), vena caudalis
      bolus) groups and the positive control (CLP + dexamethasone, 10 mg x kg(-1))
      group. The pathological changes in renal tissues were examined with
      lightmicroscope. BUN content was determined by urine enzymatic method.
      Expressions of tumournecrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL
      1beta) mRNA in renal tissues were determined by RT-PCR. Expression of JAK2 and
      STAT3 in renal tissues determined by Western blot. Changes in tumournecrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) contents in renal
      tissue were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULT: OMT of different doses could
      inhibit the JAK2 and STAT3 activation in renal tissues (P<0.05), and decrease the
      protein expression of JAK2, STAT3, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA (P<0.05). Besides,
      it could reduce TNF-alpha and IL-1beta contents in renal tissue homogenate
      (P<0.05), serum BUN content (P<0.05), and improve such lesions as tissue
      hyperemia, edema and inflammatory cell infiltration, with identical results in
      medium and high-dose OMT groups, and the positive control group. CONCLUSION: OMT
      can inhibit JAK2/STAT3 signaling activity to reduce the expression of proin
      flammatory factors (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta) and treat the renal injury in rats with
      septic shock.

PMID- 24228590
TI  - [Study on molecular target promoting human neural stem cells of ginsenoside Rg1
      by gene chip].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To screen out main molecular target promoting human neural stem cells
      (NSCs) of ginsenoside Rg1 by using the gene chip technology. METHOD: First, MTT
      assay was adopted to screen out the optimal concentration of Rg1-promoted NSC
      proliferation (120 mg x L(-1)). Then, on the 7th day after the Rg1-promoted NSC
      proliferation, the expression of target genes was observed by the gene chip
      technology. The most important target gene and signal transduction pathways were
      screened out through the data calculations. RESULT: On the 7th day after the Rg1
      promoted NSC proliferation, obtained 440 differential genes, 266 significantly
      upregulated genes and 174 significantly down-regulated genes. HES1 gene, CAMP
      (cyclic adenosine monophosphate)-PKA (protein kinase A) and PI3K
      (phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase)-AKT signal transduction pathways were closely
      related to the NSC proliferation. CONCLUSION: The differentially expressed genes
      screened out by gene chip may provide new clues for studies on molecular
      mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1-promoted NSCs proliferation.

PMID- 24228591
TI  - [Valuation on analgesic, expectorant and antitussive effects of compatible use of
      Aconiti radix cocta and Fritillaria cirrhosa or Fritillaria thunbergii].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the analgesic, expectorant and antitussive effects of the
      compatible use of Aconiti Radix Cocta and Fritillaria cirrhosa or F. thunbergii
      with different matching ratio or dose in mice. METHOD: The two-factor, seven
      level uniform design method was adopted to observe the analgesic, expectorant and
      antitussive effects of the oral administration with the two combined decoctions
      in rats, with frequency of body torsions induced by acetum, secretion of phenol
      red in tracheas and frequency of coughs as indexes. Significant matching
      proportions and doses were collected for verification. RESULT: The effect on the
      frequency of body torsions: The combined decoctions could effectively reduce the
      frequency of body torsions. According to a regression analysis, Aconiti Radix
      Cocta and F. cirrhosa had the synergistic effect, which was maximized with a
      ratio of 1: 1. The 1: 1 combined decoction played the least role in reducing the
      frequency of body torsions with a total dose of more than 5 g x kg(-1). The
      effect on the secretion of phenol red in tracheas. The combined decoctions could
      effectively increase the secretion of phenol red in tracheas. According to a
      regression analysis, Aconiti Radix Cocta and F. thunbergii had the antagonism,
      which was maximized at the ratio of 1: 1, and minimized with a total dose of less
      than 10 g x kg(-1) and a ratio of 5: 1 between F. thunbergii and Aconiti Radix
      Cocta. The effect on the frequency of coughs. The combined decoctions could
      effectively reduce the frequency of coughs. According to a regression analysis,
      Aconiti Radix Cocta and F. cirrhosa had the antagonism, which was maximized at
      the ratio of more than 1: 5 and less than 10: 1. There was no interaction between
      Aconiti Radix Cocta and F. thunbergii. F. thunbergii could reduce the frequency
      of coughs, whereas Aconiti Radix Cocta showed no effect. CONCLUSION: The
      compatible application of Aconiti Radix Cocta and F. cirrhosa could enhance the
      analgesic effect of Aconiti Radix Cocta and reduce the expectorant and
      antitussive effects of F. cirrhosa, which vary according to different matching
      ratio and dose. The compatible application of Aconiti Radix Cocta and F.
      thunbergii shows no effect on the antitussive effect of F. thunbergii. This study
      provides experimental basis for in-depth studies on the combined effect of
      Aconiti Radix Cocta and Fritillaria--two of eighteen incompatible pairs.

PMID- 24228592
TI  - [Study on honeysuckle active ingredients and comparative analysis on their
      interactive mechanisms with different proteins].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare molecular mechanisms of active ingredients of
      honeysuckle (chlorogenic acid, CGA) with bovine lactoferrin (BLF) or bovine serum
      albumin (BSA). METHOD: The spectral experiment and the computer analog technology
      were combined to determine the binding parameters, energy transfer parameters and
      thermodynamic functions between CGA and proteins, study the molecular mechanism,
      and compare the differences in interactive mechanism between CGA and BLF or BSA.
      RESULT: The interactive mechanism between CGA and BLF or BSA was a dynamic
      molecular mechanism, whereas the static quenching mechanism existed between the
      interaction of CGA and BSA, with differences in the bonding intensity due to
      difference temperature. The binding distance r between CGA and BLF/BSA was very
      short, indicating the phenomenon of energy transfer. The results of the molecular
      modeling showed that the main interaction force between CGA and BLF or BSA was
      hydrogen bonds, together with Van der Waals' forces and hydrophobic effect.
      CONCLUSION: The computer analog shows consistent results with spectral
      experiment.

PMID- 24228593
TI  - [Action mechanism of drugs for preventing and treating coronary heart disease
      based on biological networks].
AB  - Coronary heart disease (CHD) related genes and targets, as well as drug targets
      for preventing and treating CHD were taken as the study objects to build a CHD
      disease network and a drug action network preventing and treating CHD. Such
      topological characteristic parameters of the networks as degree distribution,
      characteristic path length, connectivity and heterogeneity were analyzed to
      verify the reliability of the networks. On that basis, the intersection
      calculation was conducted for both networks to analyze the drug action mechanism
      of their sub-networks. The disease network are composed of 15,221 nodes and
      31,177 sides, while the drug action network preventing and treating CHD has
      15,073 nodes and 32,376 sides. Both of their topological characteristic
      parameters showed scale-free small world structural characteristics. Two reaction
      pathways in the sub-networks-calcitonin gene-related peptide and IL-6 activated
      JAK/STAT were taken as examples to discuss the indirect action mechanism for
      preventing and treating CHD. The results showed that the biological network
      analysis method combining the disease network and the drug action network is
      helpful to further studies on the action mechanism of the drugs, and significant
      to the prevention and treatment of diseases.

PMID- 24228594
TI  - [Study on bioequivalence of new Wubei fast-release tablet].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To prepare a new Wubei fast-release tablet and study the
      pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of self-prepared Wubei fast-release tablet
      and Wubei powder in Beagle dogs. METHOD: Wubei fast-release tablet was prepared
      with direct powder compression. Six Beagle dogs were randomly devided into two
      groups. They were orally administered with Wubei fast-release tablet and Wubei
      powder, respectively. Peimine concentrations in human plasma were determined by
      HPLC-MS/MS after administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated
      by DAS 2.0 using a non-compartmental analysis. The bioequivalence of fast-release
      tablet and powder was evaluated. RESULT: The main pharmacokinetic parameters of
      peimine in Wubei fast-release tablet as follows: Cmax (7.4 +/- 2.3) microg x L(
      1), AUC(0-t) (59.13 +/- 15.25) microg x L(-1) x h(-1), Tmax (1.5 +/- 0.0) h. The
      main pharmacokinetic parameters of peimine in Wubei powder as follows: Cmax (8.0
      +/- 1.7) microg x L(-1), AUC(0-t) (68.78 +/- 16.27) microg x L(-1) x h(-1), Tmax
      (1.5 +/- 0.0) h. The 90% confidence interval of InAUC(0-t), and lnCmax of peimine
      in Wubei fast-release tablet were 95.4% - 104.6%, 90.9% - 109.1% of corresponding
      parameters of Wubei powder, respectively. CONCLUSION: The self-prepared Wubei
      fast-release tablet and Wubei powder were bioequivalent. And the self-prepared
      Wubei fast-release tablet had simple production process, easy administration.

PMID- 24228595
TI  - Deciphering the role of natural variation in age-related protein homeostasis.
AB  - Understanding the genetic basis of age-related diseases is a critical step toward
      developing therapies that promote healthy aging. Numerous genes have been
      identified that modulate lifespan, but the influence of natural variation in
      aging has not been well studied. A new report utilizing a transgenic protein
      aggregation model in Caenorhabditis elegans has provided important tools and
      insights into the relationship between natural genetic variation, protein
      aggregation, and age-related pathology.See research article:
      http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/11/100. 

PMID- 24228596
TI  - Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis for sustainable cultivation of Chinese medicinal
      plants: a promising research direction.
AB  - Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) are symbiotic systems in nature and have great
      significance in promoting the growth and stress resistance of medicinal plants.
      During our literature search from the Chinese Scientific Information Database
      (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, CNKI) we obtained 65 articles with
      "AM fungi" and "medicinal plant" as the key words, which indicates that in China,
      research efforts on these topics have been increasing. The main purposes of this
      review are to discuss the effects of mycorrhiza on the active ingredients of
      Chinese medicinal plants in comparison with results obtained in other plants in
      studies conducted by the international research community, and to introduce works
      published in Chinese journals to international colleagues. 

PMID- 24228597
TI  - The principle of symmetry in acupuncture and its clinical applications.
AB  - The clinical practice of acupuncture and study of the traditional Chinese
      medicine literature has led to the observation that if the diaphragm is used as
      an axis of symmetry, there are many symmetrical points on the upper and lower
      halves of the body. The symmetrical points share several common properties,
      including physiological functions, mechanisms of pathogenesis and therapeutic
      effects. Employing these corresponding points on the upper and lower parts of the
      body simultaneously can frequently enhance the therapeutic outcome rather
      substantially. This phenomenon may be called the Principle of Symmetry.
      Traditional and modern scientific literature already provides evidence that
      verifies the reliability of this principle. Furthermore, this principle may be
      viewed as the derivative of the Thalamic Neuron Theory. 

PMID- 24228598
TI  - Electroacupuncture at ST36 increases contraction of the gastric antrum and
      improves the SCF/c-kit pathway in diabetic rats.
AB  - Electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 is effective for improving gastric motility.
      However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The aim of this
      study was to investigate the effects of EA on gastric contraction and to
      determine whether interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are involved. Rats were
      randomized into control, diabetic (DM), diabetic with sham EA (DM + SEA),
      diabetic with low frequency EA (DM + LEA) and diabetic with high frequency EA (DM
      + HEA) groups. EA was performed everyday for four and eight weeks. Contractions
      in antrum strips were explored using the organ bath technique. Western blotting
      was employed to determine c-kit and transmembrane stem cell factor (M-SCF)
      expression in the gastric antrum, and levels of soluble stem cell factor (S-SCF)
      in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The
      distribution of ICCs was further assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results
      were as follows: (1) Contractions in the DM group were attenuated at four and
      eight weeks, but LEA and HEA restored the attenuated contraction. (2) ICCs were
      significantly decreased at eight weeks without alteration at four weeks in DM
      group, but were rescued in the LEA and HEA groups. (3) Whereas M-SCF and S-SCF in
      the DM group were slightly decreased at four weeks and were dramatically reduced
      at eight weeks, LEA and HEA markedly enhanced SCF at eight weeks. Collectively,
      the data suggest that in diabetic rats, LEA and HEA at ST36 could facilitate
      contraction of the gastric antrum, possibly by involving the SCF/c-kit pathway. 

PMID- 24228599
TI  - Cardioprotection of vitexin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat via
      regulating inflammatory cytokines and MAPK pathway.
AB  - This study was conducted to demonstrate myocardial protective effects and
      possible underlying mechanisms of vitexin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion
      (I/R) injury in rats. Occluding the anterior descending artery for 30 min and
      restoring blood perfusion for 60 min in rat established a model of myocardial
      I/R. The elevation of the ST segment of Electrocardiograph (ECG) was observed.
      The infarct size of the rat heart was assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride
      staining (TTC). LDH, CK, SOD activities and MDA content were determined. An
      immunohistochemical analysis was applied to measure the expression of myocardial
      NF-kappaBp65 and TNF-alpha. ERK/phospho-ERKand c-Jun/phospho-c-Jun protein
      expression was examined via Western Blot. Vitexin significantly reduced the
      elevation of the ST segment of ECG and myocardial infarct size. LDH and CK
      activities and MDA content were attenuated in serum, while SOD activity was
      markedly enhanced. Vitexin significantly attenuated I/R-induced increases of
      myocardial NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha. Moreover, Western Blot analysis presented
      that vitexin markedly enhanced the expression of phospho-ERK and weakened the
      expression of phospho-c-Jun compared to I/R group. The significant protective
      effect against myocardial ischemical/reperfusion injury in rat, which is
      exhibited by vitexin, may be related to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory
      effects by regulating inflammatory cytokines and the MAPK pathway. 

PMID- 24228600
TI  - Inhibitory effects of BiRyuChe-bang on mast cell-mediated allergic reactions and
      inflammatory cytokines production.
AB  - BiRyuChe-bang (BRC) is a Korean prescription medicine, which has been used to
      treat allergic rhinitis at Kyung Hee Medical Center. In this work, we
      investigated the effects of BRC on mast cell-mediated allergic reactions and
      inflammatory cytokines production, and identified the active component of BRC.
      Histamine release was measured from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). Ear
      swelling and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) were examined in mouse models.
      Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187-induced inflammatory cytokines
      production was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Reverse
      transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used for the expressions of tumor
      necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8. Activation of nuclear
      factor (NF)-kappaB was analyzed by Western blotting. BRC significantly inhibited
      the compound 48/80-induced ear swelling response, histamine release from RPMCs,
      PCA activated by anti-dinitrophenyl IgE, and PMA plus A23187-induced inflammatory
      cytokines production (p < 0.05). In addition, BRC dose-dependently inhibited the
      mRNA expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 as well as the activation of NF
      kappaB in a human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells. BRC inhibited the levels of TNF
      alpha and IL-6 in mice induced with PCA. Several components of BRC, such as 1,8
      Cineole, Linalool, Linalyl acetate, alpha-Pinene, and alpha-Terpineol,
      significantly inhibited the release of histamine from RPMCs (p < 0.05). Among
      these components, Linalyl acetate was the most effective for inhibiting histamine
      release. These results indicate that BRC has a potential regulatory effect on
      allergic and inflammatory reactions mediated by mast cells. 

PMID- 24228601
TI  - Inhibitory effects of Brazilin on the vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation
      and migration induced by PDGF-BB.
AB  - Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration
      contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases including atherosclerosis and
      restenosis. Brazilin isolated from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. has
      been reported to exhibit various biological activities, such as anti-platelet
      aggregation, anti-inflammation, vasorelaxation and pro-apoptosis. However, the
      functional effects of Brazilin on VSMCs remain unexplored. The present study
      investigated the potential effects of Brazilin on platelet-derived growth factor
      (PDGF)-BB induced VSMC proliferation and migration as well as the underlying
      mechanism of action. VSMC proliferation and migration were measured by Crystal
      Violet Staining, wound-healing and Boyden chamber assays, respectively. Cell
      cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Enzymatic action of matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was carried out by gelatin zymography. Expression of
      adhesion molecules, cell cycle regulatory proteins, the phosphorylated levels of
      PDGF receptor beta (PDGF-Rbeta), Src, extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)
      and Akt were tested by immunoblotting. The present study demonstrated that
      pretreatment with Brazilin dose-dependently inhibited PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC
      proliferation and migration, which were associated with a cell-cycle arrest at
      G0/G1 phase, a reduction in the adhesion molecule expression and MMP-9 activation
      in VSMCs. Furthermore, the increase in PDGF-Rbeta, Src, ERK1/2 and Akt
      phosphorylation induced by PDGF-BB were suppressed by Brazilin. These findings
      indicate that Brazilin inhibits PDGF-BB induced VSMC proliferation and migration,
      and the inhibitory effects of Brazilin may be associated with the blockade of
      PDGF-Rbeta - ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways. In conclusion, the present study
      implicates that Brazilin may be useful as an anti-proliferative agent for the
      treatment of vascular diseases. 

PMID- 24228602
TI  - Berberine reduces rat intestinal tight junction injury induced by ischemia
      reperfusion associated with the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthesis.
AB  - Berberine (BBR) has been shown to attenuate the deleterious effects of
      ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the brain. We evaluated the effects of BBR
      on intestinal tight junction (TJ) changes during mesenteric I/R. I/R was induced
      in rats by the occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery and reperfusion. The
      rats were randomized into four groups: control, BBR, I/R, and I/R + BBR.
      Intestinal permeability was determined by the lactulose/mannitol test. The ileum
      and colon were harvested to assess mucosal injury and inducible nitric oxide
      synthase activity. The TJ ultrastructure was studied by transmission electron
      microscopy. The expressions and locations of the TJ proteins, occludin and ZO-1,
      in the epithelium were investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy. We also
      used Western blot analysis to detect the distribution of TJ proteins in lipid
      raft fractions. Our results suggest that I/R-induced intestinal TJ dysfunction
      can be improved by BBR, thereby demonstrating the therapeutic potential of BBR
      for intestinal I/R. 

PMID- 24228603
TI  - Antithrombotic activities of epi-sesamin in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Sesamin (SM) and epi-sesamin (ESM) were isolated from Asarum sieboldii and their
      anticoagulant activities were examined by monitoring activated partial
      thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and the activities of cell
      based thrombin and activated factor X (FXa). In addition, the effects of SM and
      ESM on the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and
      tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were tested in tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha) activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
      Treatment with ESM, but not SM, resulted in significantly prolonged aPTT and PT
      and inhibition of the activities of thrombin and FXa, and ESM inhibited
      production of thrombin and FXa in HUVECs; and ESM inhibited thrombin-catalyzed
      fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation. In accordance with these
      anticoagulant activities, ESM elicited anticoagulant effects in mice. In
      addition, treatment with ESM, but not SM, resulted in the inhibition of TNF-alpha
      induced production of PAI-1, and treatment with ESM resulted in a significant
      reduction of the PAI-1 to t-PA ratio. Of particular interest, inhibition of the
      anticoagulant activity by ESM was more potent than that by SM, likely due to
      differences between their three-dimensional structures. Collectively, ESM
      possesses antithrombotic activities and offers a basis for the development of a
      novel anticoagulant. 

PMID- 24228604
TI  - EGB1212 post-treatment ameliorates hippocampal CA1 neuronal death and memory
      impairment induced by transient global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.
AB  - Extracts of Ginkgo biloba have been used in traditional medicines for centuries,
      and have potential for clinical applications in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion
      injury. However, standardized extracts have proven protective only as pre
      treatments, and the major mechanisms of action remain unclear. We explored the
      potential of the novel extract EGB1212, which meets the United States
      Pharmacopeia (USP) 31 standardization criteria for pharmaceutical use, as a post
      treatment after global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (GCI/R) injury in a rat
      model. The pre-treated group was administered EGB1212 for 7 d prior to common
      carotid artery occlusion (i.e., ischemia, for 20 min). Post-treated rats received
      the same but starting 2 h after ischemia and continuing for 7 d. Seven days after
      GCI/R, brains of each group were processed for H&E staining of hippocampal CA1
      neurons. Remaining rats underwent the Morris water maze and Y-maze tests of
      spatial learning and memory, beginning eight days after reperfusion. To assess
      hippocampal autophagy, light chain (LC)-3-I/LC3-II and Akt/pAkt were determined
      via a Western blot of rat hippocampi harvested 12, 24, or 72 h after reperfusion.
      EGB1212 pre- and post-treatments both improved neuronal survival and spatial
      learning and memory functions. Pre-treatment effectively reduced LC3-II levels
      and post-treatment resulted in significantly elevated pAkt levels. We conclude
      that EGB1212 exerted significant neuroprotection in GCI/R in both preventative
      and post-treatment settings. This extract shows great potential for clinical
      applications. 

PMID- 24228605
TI  - Neuroprotective effects of Lycium chinense Miller against rotenone-induced
      neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.
AB  - Rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, has been widely regarded as a
      neurotoxin because it induces a Parkinson's disease-like syndrome. The fruit and
      root bark of Lycium chinense Miller have been used as traditional medicines in
      Asia to treat neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we examined the
      neuroprotective effects of Lycium chinense Miller extracts in rotenone-treated
      PC12 cells. Treatment with rotenone reduced PC12 cell viability and cellular ATP
      levels. Conversely, caspase 3/7 activity, the ratio of Bax:Bcl-2 expression
      levels, mitochondrial superoxide level, and intracellular calcium (Ca(2+))
      concentration were elevated. Pretreatment with Lycium chinense Miller extracts
      significantly increased cell viability and ATP levels. Additionally, they
      attenuated caspase activation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and
      mitochondrial superoxide production. Moreover, confocal microscopy showed that
      the mitochondrial staining pattern was restored from that of extracts treated
      cells and that the increase in intracellular Ca (2+) level was blunted by
      treatment with the extracts. Our results suggest that Lycium chinense Miller
      extracts may have the possible beneficial effects in Parkinson's disease by
      attenuating rotenone induced toxicity. 

PMID- 24228606
TI  - Effects of tetramethylpyrazine on microglia activation in spinal cord compression
      injury of mice.
AB  - Secondary mechanisms, including inflammation and microglia activation, serve as
      targets for the development and application of pharmacological strategies in the
      management of spinal cord injury (SCI). Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an active
      ingredient of Ligusticum wallichii (chuanxiong), has shown anti-inflammatory and
      neuroprotective effects against SCI. However, it remains uncertain whether the
      inflammation-suppressive effects of TMP play a modulatory role over microglia
      activation in SCI. The present study investigated the effects of TMP on microglia
      activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines in spinal cord compression injury in
      mice. For a real-time PCR measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines, SCI was
      induced in mice by the clip compression method (30 g force, 1 min) and TMP (15 or
      30 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered once, 30 minutes before the SCI induction. For
      immunohistochemistry, TMP (30 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment was given three times during
      the first 48 hours after the SCI. 30 mg/kg of TMP treatment reduced the up
      regulation of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and COX-2 mRNA in the spinal tissue at four
      hours after the SCI induction. TMP also significantly attenuated microglia
      activation and neutrophil infiltration at 48 hours after the SCI induction. In
      addition, iNOS expression in the spinal tissue was attenuated with TMP treatment.
      These results suggest that TMP plays a modulatory role in microglia activation
      and may protect the spinal cord from or potentially delay secondary spinal cord
      injury. 

PMID- 24228607
TI  - Structure-activity relationship of 39 analogs of laetispicine with antidepressant
      properties.
AB  - The natural product Laetispicine ( N -isobutyl-(3,4-methylendioxyphenyl)-2E, 4E,
      9E-undecatrienoamide), was isolated from the Piper laetispicum C. DC and
      screened, for its antidepressant activity and antinociceptive effects. Structure
      functional activities of five natural products indicated that biological activity
      is dependent on double bonds present within the benzene ring and a conjugated
      double bond located at positions 2-3 and 4-5 in the molecular structure. To
      further understand the structural-activity relationship of Laetispicine as a new
      potent and safe antidepressant, the structural-activity relationship of 39
      analogs of Laetispicine were synthetized and tested in forced swimming tests in
      mice whilst also in protective effects against glutamate or H 2 O 2 induced
      apoptosis in PC12 cells. The results show that the compound 30 - N -isobutyl-11
      (4-chlorophenyl) undeca-2E,4E,9E-trienamide exhibited the same activity as the
      parental compound Laetispicine, and furthermore, the effective dose of this
      compound is lower than Laetispicine. Therefore, the compound 30 might be a
      potentially useful therapy in the treatment of depression. For structure, the
      conjugated double bonds located at 2-3, 4-5 and isolated double bonds from
      benzene ring are necessary for the antidepressant activities no matter the
      different length of carbon chain; the isobutyl connected with acylamino also are
      necessary; and the benzodioxole moiety is replaceable, the halogen atom in phenyl
      ring at the para-position could enhance this kind of activity. 

PMID- 24228608
TI  - Protective effect of Calculus Bovis Sativus on intrahepatic cholestasis in rats
      induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate.
AB  - Calculus Bovis Sativus (also referred to as in vitro Cultured Calculus Bovis), an
      artificial substitute of natural Calculus Bovis (Niuhuang in Chinese, a
      traditional Chinese medicine), has been widely used to relieve fever, diminish
      inflammation and normalize gallbladder function in the last decade. This study
      aims to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of Calculus Bovis Sativus
      on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in rats.
      Calculus Bovis Sativus (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg per day) was intragastrically
      (i.g.) given to experimental rats for seven consecutive days. A single dose of
      ANIT (100 mg/kg i.g.) was given to rats on the fifth day to induce intrahepatic
      cholestasis. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST), alkalinephosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were
      determined through biochemical methods. The bile duct was cannulated with a PE 10
      polyethylene tube to collect bile for two hours and bile flow was calculated by
      the weight of each specimen. Moreover, the mechanism of Calculus Bovis Sativus
      was elucidated by determining liver malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide
      dismutase (SOD) activity. The biochemical observations were supplemented by
      histopathological examinations. Our results showed that Calculus Bovis Sativus
      (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly prevented ANIT-induced changes in bile flow
      and serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP and TBIL. Furthermore, Calculus Bovis Sativus
      (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the elevated hepatic MDA content
      induced by ANIT and increased the hepatic SOD activity suppressed by ANIT.
      Accordingly, histopathology of the liver tissue showed that pathological injuries
      were relieved after Calculus Bovis Sativus (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) pretreatment.
      In conclusion, Calculus Bovis Sativus exerted a protective effect on ANIT-induced
      intrahepatic cholestasis in rats, which may result from the attenuated oxidative
      damage in liver tissues. 

PMID- 24228609
TI  - Influence of six medicinal herbs on collagenase-induced osteoarthritis in rats.
AB  - Medicinal herbs have been effectively used for their anti-inflammatory activity,
      but their exact role has not yet been documented in scientific literature for the
      management of Osteoarthritis (OA). Since Sida cordifolia L., Piper longum L.,
      Zingiber officinale Rosc., Ricinus communis L., Vitex negundo L. and Tribulus
      terrestris L. have been widely used in traditional medicine for their anti
      inflammatory activity, to evaluate anti-osteoarthritic activity of these herbs,
      we used a collagenase type II-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) rat model. Arthritis
      was induced in wistar rats by intra-articular injection of collagenase type II.
      Powders of herbs were given orally for 20 days as a suspension in water (270
      mg/kg b. wt.). The effects of the treatment in the rats were monitored by
      physiological parameters like body weight, knee diameter, paw retraction, paw
      volume, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release, radiography and histopathology of knee
      joint. Selected herbs have significantly prevented body weight loss and knee
      swelling compared to arthritic control (CIOA). All test groups, including
      indomethacin (standard drug, 3 mg/kg), significantly reduced paw volume compared
      to CIOA. GAG release in the serum was significantly lowered in herb treated
      groups compared to indomethacin. The anterior posterior radiographs of S.
      cordifolia and P. longum treated groups showed a protective effect against OA.
      Histopathology revealed protection in the structure of the articular cartilage
      and in chondrocyte pathology as well as reduced clefting. Treatment with herbs
      has shown chondroid matrix within normal limits. From the results, we observed
      that S. cordifolia and P. longum possess potent anti-osteoarthritic activity. 

PMID- 24228610
TI  - Interaction of rhubarb and methotrexate in rats: in vivo and ex vivo approaches.
AB  - Rhubarb, the rhizome of Rheum palmatum L. (RP), is a popular herb used in Chinese
      medicine prescriptions. RP contains a variety of polyphenolic anthraquinones,
      such as aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin and chrysophanol. Our previous study found
      that the anthraquinones in RP existed predominantly as glucuronides/sulfates in
      the bloodstream, which were putative substrates of MRPs. Methotrexate (MTX) is a
      widely used immunosuppressant and anticancer agent, but it has a narrow
      therapeutic index. The transcellular transport of MTX is mediated by multidrug
      resistance associated proteins (MRPs). This study investigated the effects of
      coadministration of RP on MTX pharmacokinetics in rats. The possible involvement
      of MRP 2 was verified by using cell models and various typical MRP 2 substrates.
      The results showed that coadministration of 0.5 mg/kg of RP significantly
      increased the AUC 0-t and MRT of MTX by 307% and 364%, and 1.0 g/kg of RP
      significantly increased the AUC 0-t and MRT of MTX by 602% and 419%,
      respectively. Cell line studies indicated that the activity of MRP 2 was
      inhibited by the metabolites of RP and rhein. In conclusion, concomitant
      administration of RP markedly increased the systemic exposure of MTX via
      inhibiting MRP 2-mediated excretion. 

PMID- 24228611
TI  - Hispolon from Phellinus linteus induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in
      NB4 human leukaemia cells.
AB  - Hispolon (a phenolic compound isolated from Phellinus linteus) has been shown to
      possess strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic
      properties. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative effect of
      hispolon on human hepatocellular carcinoma NB4 cells using the MTT assay, DNA
      fragmentation, DAPI (4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride) staining, and
      flow cytometric analysis. Hispolon inhibited the cellular growth of NB4 cells in
      a dose-dependent manner through the induction of cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase
      measured using flow cytometric analysis and apoptotic cell death, as demonstrated
      by DNA laddering. Exposure of NB4 cells to hispolon-induced apoptosis-related
      protein expressions, such as the cleavage form of caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase
      9, poly (ADP ribose) polymerase, and the proapoptotic Bax protein. Western blot
      analysis showed that the protein levels of extrinsic apoptotic proteins (Fas and
      FasL), intrinsic related proteins (cytochrome c), and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were
      increased in NB4 cells after hispolon treatment. Hispolon-induced G0/G1-phase
      arrest was associated with a marked decrease in the protein expression of p53,
      cyclins D1, and cyclins E, and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 2, and 4, with
      concomitant induction of p21waf1/Cip1 and p27Kip1. We conclude that hispolon
      induces both of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in NB4 human leukemia
      cells in vitro. 

PMID- 24228612
TI  - A novel paraboloid intracorporeal lithotripter: computer aided design analysis
      and in vitro comparison with holmium laser for large renal calculi.
AB  - PURPOSE: An intracorporeal lithotripsy probe tip was designed with a paraboloid
      shaped tip and compared with holmium laser for stone pulverization. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The paraboloid tip concept was developed and designed using computer
      aided design (CAD), fabricated, and patented. CAD analysis and in vitro
      comparison (with laser) of pulverization and propulsion dynamics were performed
      in an underwater hands-free bench arrangement using phantom stones. SPSS analysis
      for different energy cohorts was performed. RESULTS: CAD analysis: At "point
      contact" with the tip, the paraboloid lithotripter generated 3590 bars at
      generator settings of 4 bars. During "follow-up impacts," the tip pressure
      exponentially decreased (graduated tip pressure) and the lateral/centrifugal
      forces increased, converting the probe into a side-firing energy source. Bench
      analysis: At point contact, the paraboloid lithotripter at 2, 3, and 4 bars was
      comparable to that of a 6, 10, and 15 W laser, respectively (P<0.005). The
      paraboloid lithotripter showed a statistically significant advantage in breaking
      the phantoms, as against a laser that always bored through the phantom. Stone
      propulsion was comparable within all energy cohorts (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The
      paraboloid lithotripter generates highly focused impact force with low
      propulsion, at point contact. As stone pulverization progresses, the tip forces
      exponentially decrease and the probe converts into a lateral firing energy source
      resulting in pulverization into larger fragments. Thus, the paraboloid
      lithotripter has all the advantages of laser at point contact and advantages of
      pneumatic lithotripter at follow-up hits, akin to being a bimodal energy source.

PMID- 24228613
TI  - Superbases in confined space: control of the basicity and reactivity of the
      proton transfer.
AB  - Endohedral functionalization of the molecular cavity of host molecules is in high
      demand in many areas of supramolecular chemistry. When highly reactive species
      are incarcerated in the confined space of a molecular cavity, deep changes of
      their chemical properties are expected. Here, we show that the superbasic
      properties of proazaphosphatranes can be improved in the confined space of the
      molecular cavity of hemicryptophane hosts. A general and modular procedure is
      described to prepare supramolecular superbases with various cavity sizes. The
      rate of proton transfer is strongly dependent on the shape and size of the inner
      cavity of the designed superbasic structure. Kinetic and thermodynamic data are
      strongly correlated to the space available around the basic center as revealed by
      the X-ray molecular structures analyses. 

PMID- 24228615
TI  - Preterm birth, an unresolved issue.
AB  - Premature birth is the world's leading cause of neonatal mortality with worldwide
      estimates indicating 11.1% of all live births were preterm in 2010. Preterm birth
      rates are increasing in most countries with continual differences in survival
      rates amongst rich and poor countries. Preterm birth is currently an important
      unresolved global issue with research efforts focusing on uterine quiescence and
      activation, the 'omics' approaches and implementation science in order to reduce
      the incidence and increase survival rates of preterm babies. The journal
      Reproductive Health has published a supplement entitled Born Too Soon which
      addresses factors in the preconception and pregnancy period which may increase
      the risk of preterm birth and also outlines potential interventions which may
      reduce preterm birth rates and improve survival of preterm babies by as much as
      84% annually. This is critical in order to achieve the Millennium Development
      Goal (MDG 4) for child survival by 2015 and beyond.

PMID- 24228614
TI  - Metabolic mechanisms of epigenetic regulation.
AB  - Chromatin modifications have been well-established to play a critical role in the
      regulation of genome function. Many of these modifications are introduced and
      removed by enzymes that utilize cofactors derived from primary metabolism.
      Recently, it has been shown that endogenous cofactors and metabolites can
      regulate the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes, providing a direct link
      between the metabolic state of the cell and epigenetics. Here we review metabolic
      mechanisms of epigenetic regulation with an emphasis on their role in cancer.
      Focusing on three core mechanisms, we detail and draw parallels between metabolic
      and chemical strategies to modulate epigenetic signaling, and highlight
      opportunities for chemical biologists to help shape our knowledge of this
      emerging phenomenon. Continuing to integrate our understanding of metabolic and
      genomic regulatory mechanisms may help elucidate the role of nutrition in
      diseases such as cancer, while also providing a basis for new approaches to
      modulate epigenetic signaling for therapeutic benefit. 

PMID- 24228617
TI  - Modes of activation of organometallic iridium complexes for catalytic water and C
      H oxidation.
AB  - Sodium periodate (NaIO4) is added to Cp*Ir(III) (Cp* = C5Me5(-)) or (cod)Ir(I)
      (cod = cyclooctadiene) complexes, which are water and C-H oxidation catalyst
      precursors, and the resulting aqueous reaction is investigated from milliseconds
      to seconds using desorption electrospray ionization, electrosonic spray
      ionization, and cryogenic ion vibrational predissociation spectroscopy. Extensive
      oxidation of the Cp* ligand is observed, likely beginning with electrophilic C-H
      hydroxylation of a Cp* methyl group followed by nonselective pathways of further
      oxidative degradation. Evidence is presented that the supporting chelate ligand
      in Cp*Ir(chelate) precursors influences the course of oxidation and is neither
      eliminated from the coordination sphere nor oxidatively transformed. Isomeric
      products of initial Cp* oxidation are identified and structurally characterized
      by vibrational spectroscopy in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT)
      modeling. Less extensive but more rapid oxidation of the cod ligand is also
      observed in the (cod)Ir(I) complexes. The observations are consistent with the
      proposed role of Cp* and cod as sacrificial placeholder ligands that are
      oxidatively removed from the precursor complexes under catalytic conditions. 

PMID- 24228616
TI  - Chronic fluoxetine treatment reduces parvalbumin expression and perineuronal nets
      in gamma-aminobutyric acidergic interneurons of the frontal cortex in adult mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (FLX) is widely
      used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, but cellular mechanisms
      underlying the antidepressant effect of FLX remain largely unknown. The generally
      accepted effect of chronic FLX treatment is increased adult neurogenesis in the
      hippocampal dentate gyrus. It was recently demonstrated that FLX treatments can
      reverse the established neuronal maturation of granule cells in the hippocampal
      dentate gyrus and of gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) interneurons in the
      basolateral amygdala. However, it is not clear whether this dematuration effect
      of FLX occurs in other brain regions. Thus, in this study, we used
      immunohistological analysis to assess the effect of FLX treatment on GABAergic
      interneurons in the medial frontal cortex (mFC) and reticular thalamic nucleus
      (RTN). RESULTS: Immunofluorescence analysis for perineuronal nets (PNNs), which
      is a marker of neuronal maturation, and for parvalbumin, calretinin, and
      somatostatin, which are markers for specific GABAergic interneuron type, showed
      lower number of parvalbumin-positive (+) cells and PNN+/parvalbumin+ cells in the
      mFC of FLX-treated mice compared to vehicle-treated mice. However, FLX treatment
      had no effect on the number of cells expressing calretinin and somatostatin in
      the mFC. In the RTN, the number of PNN+ cells and parvalbumin+ cells was
      unaltered by FLX treatments. Furthermore, the number of total GABA+ cells and
      apoptotic cells in the mFC was similar between vehicle- and FLX-treated mice,
      suggesting that FLX treatment did not induce cell death in this region. Rather,
      our findings suggest that the decreased number of parvalbumin+ cells in the mFC
      was due to a decreased expression of parvalbumin proteins in the interneurons.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that FLX decreases the levels of parvalbumin, a
      mature marker of fast-spiking interneurons, and PNNs in parvalbumin+ interneurons
      in the mFC, suggesting that FLX treatment induces a dematuration of this type of
      neurons. Induction of a juvenile-like state in fast-spiking inhibitory
      interneurons in these regions might be involved in the therapeutic mechanism of
      this antidepressant drug and/or some of its adverse effects.

PMID- 24228618
TI  - Engineered nanoparticles may induce genotoxicity.

PMID- 24228620
TI  - The serological response of working farm dogs to a vaccine containing Leptospira
      interrogans serovars Copenhageni and Pomona, and L. borgpetersenii serovar
      Hardjo.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate the serological response in dogs to a commercial vaccine for
      use in cattle containing cultured strains of Leptospira interrogans serovars
      Copenhageni and Pomona, and L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo. METHODS: Blood
      samples were obtained from 67 working farm dogs on 12 farms, and the microscopic
      agglutination test (MAT) was used to measure titres to the Leptospira spp.
      serovars Pomona, Hardjo, and Copenhageni. Samples with a titre of <1:25 were
      defined as seronegative. Dogs that were seronegative to both Pomona and Hardjo
      (n=33) were randomised to either the vaccination (n=20) or control (n=13) groups.
      Seven of these dogs were seropositive to Copenhageni. Vaccinated dogs were given
      the three-component vaccine subcutaneously on two occasions, 4 weeks apart. MAT
      titres were measured again in both groups 2 weeks after the second vaccination.
      RESULTS: Of the vaccinated dogs, 20/20 (100%) developed titres to serovar Pomona,
      and 16/20 (80%) had titres >100; for serovar Hardjo, 19/20 (95%) dogs had titres,
      with 18/20 (90%) being >100; and for serovar Copenhageni, 15/17 (88%) dogs that
      were initially seronegative had titres, with 6/17 (35%) being >100. The median
      titres for Pomona and Hardjo (200 (95% CI=179-359) and 200 (95% CI=176-379),
      respectively) were lower than for Copenhageni (50 (95% CI=26-124)) in dogs
      originally seronegative (p<0.001). There was no association between titres to the
      different serovars. Of the 13 unvaccinated dogs, two developed titres to serovar
      Pomona, and three to Hardjo. All titres were <100. CONCLUSIONS: The tested
      vaccine was effective in raising antibodies to the three serovars, although the
      titres do not guarantee protection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There has been a recent
      increase in cases of leptospirosis attributed to the serovar Pomona in dogs in
      New Zealand, but the vaccines licensed for use in dogs in New Zealand for the
      prevention of leptospirosis only protect against Copenhageni/Icterohaemorrhagiae.
      The vaccine tested in this study produced titres to Pomona and Hardjo that
      suggest the vaccine could be useful for reducing disease caused by these serovars
      in working dogs in New Zealand.

PMID- 24228619
TI  - Site-specific orientation of an alpha-helical peptide ovispirin-1 from isotope
      labeled SFG spectroscopy.
AB  - Sum-frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy is often used to probe
      the backbone structures and orientations of polypeptides at surfaces. Using the
      ovispirin-1 polypeptide at the solid/liquid interface of polystyrene, we
      demonstrate for the first time that SFG can probe the polarization response of a
      single-isotope-labeled residue. To interpret the spectral intensities, we
      simulated the spectra using an excitonic Hamiltonian approach. We show that the
      polarization dependence of either the label or the unlabeled amide I band alone
      does not provide sufficient structural constraints to obtain both the tilt and
      the twist of the ovispirin helix at a solid/liquid interface, but that both can
      be determined from the polarization dependence of the complete spectrum. For
      ovispirin, the detailed analysis of the polarized SFG experimental data shows
      that the helix axis is tilted at roughly 138 degrees  from the surface normal,
      and the transition dipole of the isotope-labeled C?O group is tilted at 23
      degrees  from the surface normal, with the hydrophobic region facing the
      polystyrene surface. We further demonstrate that the Hamiltonian approach is able
      to address the coupling effect and the structural disorder. For comparison, we
      also collected the FTIR spectrum of ovispirin under similar conditions, which
      reveals the enhanced sensitivity of SFG for structural studies of single
      monolayer peptide surfaces. Our study provides insight into how structural and
      environmental effects appear in SFG spectra of the amide I band and establishes
      that SFG of isotope-labeled peptides will be a powerful technique for elucidating
      secondary structures with residue-by-residue resolution. 

PMID- 24228621
TI  - Left ventricular post-infraction pseudoaneurysm mimicking mitral valve
      endocarditis.
AB  - In this report we present a patient who was initially diagnosed as suffering from
      mitral valve endocarditis. The proper use of diagnostic modalities revealed a
      pseudo aneurysm of the left ventricle which was mimicking mitral valve
      vegetations. This allowed better planning of the subsequent operation. The
      optimal preoperative diagnostic studies are discussed along with the proper
      surgical treatment. 

PMID- 24228623
TI  - Effects of trans fats on prostacyclin production.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Prostacyclin is a prostanoid derived from arachidonic acid that
      prevents thrombosis and is thereby expected to protect against heart disease,
      while trans fats present in partially hydrogenated oils interfere with
      arachidonic acid metabolism. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to
      investigate how fats with different proportions of linoleic acid and trans-18:1
      affect prostacyclin released by cultured endothelial cells, and to compare these
      proportions with those found in commercially available foods. DESIGN: Soybean oil
      and hydrogenated soybean oil (coating fat) were mixed in different proportions to
      yield seven fat mixtures with proportions of linoleic acid ranging from 54.1% to
      5.7% and trans-18:1 acid ranging from 0.4% to 43.9%. Human endothelial cells were
      cultured in each of the mixtures, and their phospholipid fractions were then
      separated and their fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. The
      prostacyclin released by the cells was measured using RIA kits. Margarines and
      processed foods were purchased from the supermarket for comparison. RESULTS: Our
      work revealed that as the percentage of trans fat was increased, the amount of
      prostacyclin released dose-dependently and significantly (P < 0.0001) decreased,
      the concentration of linoleic and arachidonic acid decreased in the membrane
      phospholipids while the concentration of trans 18:1 acids increased, the
      prostacyclin decreased by 35-98%. Supermarket margarines had levels of trans fats
      similar to those that suppressed prostacyclin by 35-54%. Most processed foods
      labeled as trans-free contained trans fats. CONCLUSIONS: Trans fatty acids
      suppress prostacyclin production at levels found in commercial margarines, and
      processed foods labeled as trans-free could contribute to this effect if consumed
      in multiple servings or in addition to foods containing larger amounts of trans
      fats.

PMID- 24228625
TI  - Molecular methods for serovar determination of Salmonella.
AB  - Salmonella is a diverse foodborne pathogen, which has more than 2600 recognized
      serovars. Classification of Salmonella isolates into serovars is essential for
      surveillance and epidemiological investigations; however, determination of
      Salmonella serovars, by traditional serotyping, has some important limitations
      (e.g. labor intensive, time consuming). To overcome these limitations, multiple
      methods have been investigated to develop molecular serotyping schemes.
      Currently, molecular methods to predict Salmonella serovars include (i) molecular
      subtyping methods (e.g. PFGE, MLST), (ii) classification using serovar-specific
      genomic markers and (iii) direct methods, which identify genes encoding antigens
      or biosynthesis of antigens used for serotyping. Here, we reviewed reported
      methodologies for Salmonella molecular serotyping and determined the "serovar
      prediction accuracy", as the percentage of isolates for which the serovar was
      correctly classified by a given method. Serovar-prediction accuracy ranged from 0
      to 100%, 51 to 100% and 33 to 100% for molecular subtyping, serovar-specific
      genomic markers and direct methods, respectively. Major limitations of available
      schemes are errors in predicting closely related serovars (e.g. Typhimurium and
      4,5,12:i:-), and polyphyletic serovars (e.g. Newport, Saintpaul). The high
      diversity of Salmonella serovars represents a considerable challenge for
      molecular serotyping approaches. With the recent improvement in sequencing
      technologies, full genome sequencing could be developed into a promising
      molecular approach to serotype Salmonella. 

PMID- 24228626
TI  - Then and Now: Examining How Consumer Communication and Attitudes of Direct-to
      Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising Have Changed in the Last Decade.
AB  - This study examines changes over a 10-year period in consumer reports of
      communication with health care providers about direct-to-consumer advertised
      (DTCA) medications. Two rounds of survey data were collected in 2003 and 2012
      using repeated cross-sectional procedures to examine consumer willingness to
      discuss DTCA medications, content and tone of those conversations, and attitudes
      about the advertisements. In total, 472 surveys were analyzed. Generally, we
      found physician-patient conversations, attitudes, and behaviors regarding DTCA
      have changed. Consumers in 2012 reported talking significantly less about the
      names of the advertised drug, comparing the advertised drug with their current
      medication, and sharing general information than consumers in 2003. Attitudes
      toward the advertisements were significantly more negative in 2012 compared to
      2003. Of those who specifically asked for a prescription, the proportion of
      patients who received the prescription was significantly lower in 2012, despite
      research suggesting increased rates of prescriptions. These results are
      interpreted in light of previous research about the lack of research examining
      the actual communication between physicians and patients on this topic.
      Limitations of the study are provided along with directions for future research
      about DTCA and physician-patient communication.

PMID- 24228622
TI  - Venous endothelial injury in central nervous system diseases.
AB  - The role of the venous system in the pathogenesis of inflammatory
      neurological/neurodegenerative diseases remains largely unknown and
      underinvestigated. Aside from cerebral venous infarcts, thromboembolic events,
      and cerebrovascular bleeding, several inflammatory central nervous system (CNS)
      diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
      (ADEM), and optic neuritis, appear to be associated with venous vascular
      dysfunction, and the neuropathologic hallmark of these diseases is a perivenous,
      rather than arterial, lesion. Such findings raise fundamental questions about the
      nature of these diseases, such as the reasons why their pathognomonic lesions do
      not develop around the arteries and what exactly are the roles of cerebral venous
      inflammation in their pathogenesis. Apart from this inflammatory-based view, a
      new hypothesis with more focus on the hemodynamic features of the cerebral and
      extracerebral venous system suggests that MS pathophysiology might be associated
      with the venous system that drains the CNS. Such a hypothesis, if proven correct,
      opens new therapeutic windows in MS and other neuroinflammatory diseases. Here,
      we present a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology of MS, ADEM, pseudotumor
      cerebri, and optic neuritis, with an emphasis on the roles of venous vascular
      system programming and dysfunction in their pathogenesis. We consider the
      fundamental differences between arterial and venous endothelium, their dissimilar
      responses to inflammation, and the potential theoretical contributions of venous
      insufficiency in the pathogenesis of neurovascular diseases. 

PMID- 24228627
TI  - Short and inflamed cervix predicts spontaneous preterm birth (COLIBRI study).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a new strategy of predicting spontaneous preterm birth
      (sPTB) by combination of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) assessment and
      inflammatory proteins detection in vaginal secretions. METHODS: Prospective study
      of 87 women referred for cervical length assessment with a standardized TVUS
      combined to vaginal secretions sampling. Samples were analyzed for presence of 10
      cytokines. Main outcome was sPTB (<37 weeks of gestation). Associations were
      assessed with the chi-square, Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05) and Wald's logistic
      regression. RESULTS: sPTB occurred in 25.3% of women at a median gestational age
      of 35.6 weeks of gestation. Short cervix (<25 mm) (n = 24) was associated with
      sPTB (p < 0.01) as interleukine (IL)-1beta, IL-8 and IL-10 in vaginal secretions
      (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, short cervix and IL-8 in vaginal secretions
      were independently associated with sPTB (OR 3.58 (95%CI 1.02; 12.61) and 14.55
      (95%CI 1.64; 128.83), respectively) as their combination (OR 4.33 (95%CI 1.25;
      14.95)). By categorizing cervical length by presence of IL-8, sPTB occurred in
      55.6% of women with a short inflamed cervix. CONCLUSION: COLIBRI study used a
      novel, single-step method of vaginal secretions sampling during TVUS and
      demonstrated that combination of short cervix and IL-8 in vaginal secretions is a
      promising sPTB predictive test.

PMID- 24228628
TI  - Correction to DNA translocation by human uracil DNA glycosylase: role of DNA
      phosphate charge.

PMID- 24228629
TI  - Experimental evidence and isotopomer analysis of mixotrophic glucose metabolism
      in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heterotrophic fermentation using simple sugars such as glucose is an
      established and cost-effective method for synthesizing bioproducts from bacteria,
      yeast and algae. Organisms incapable of metabolizing glucose have limited
      applications as cell factories, often despite many other advantageous
      characteristics. Therefore, there is a clear need to investigate glucose
      metabolism in potential cell factories. One such organism, with a unique
      metabolic network and a propensity to synthesize highly reduced compounds as a
      large fraction of its biomass, is the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum
      (Pt). Although Pt has been engineered to metabolize glucose, conflicting lines of
      evidence leave it unresolved whether Pt can natively consume glucose. RESULTS:
      Isotope labeling experiments in which Pt was mixotrophically grown under light on
      100% U-(13)C glucose and naturally abundant (~99% (12)C) dissolved inorganic
      carbon resulted in proteinogenic amino acids with an average 13C-enrichment of
      88%, thus providing convincing evidence of glucose uptake and metabolism. The
      dissolved inorganic carbon was largely incorporated through anaplerotic rather
      than photosynthetic fixation. Furthermore, an isotope labeling experiment
      utilizing 1-(13)C glucose and subsequent metabolic pathway analysis indicated
      that (i) the alternative Entner-Doudoroff and Phosphoketolase glycolytic pathways
      are active during glucose metabolism, and (ii) during mixotrophic growth, serine
      and glycine are largely synthesized from glyoxylate through photorespiratory
      reactions rather than from 3-phosphoglycerate. We validated the latter result for
      mixotrophic growth on glycerol by performing a 2-(13)C glycerol isotope labeling
      experiment. Additionally, gene expression assays showed that known, native
      glucose transporters in Pt are largely insensitive to glucose or light, whereas
      the gene encoding cytosolic fructose bisphosphate aldolase 3, an important
      glycolytic enzyme, is overexpressed in light but insensitive to glucose.
      CONCLUSION: We have shown that Pt can use glucose as a primary carbon source when
      grown in light, but cannot use glucose to sustain growth in the dark. We further
      analyzed the metabolic mechanisms underlying the mixotrophic metabolism of
      glucose and found isotopic evidence for unusual pathways active in Pt. These
      insights expand the envelope of Pt cultivation methods using organic substrates.
      We anticipate that they will guide further engineering of Pt towards sustainable
      production of fuels, pharmaceuticals, and platform chemicals.

PMID- 24228630
TI  - Can reduce--the effects of chat-counseling and web-based self-help, web-based
      self-help alone and a waiting list control program on cannabis use in problematic
      cannabis users: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In European countries, including Switzerland, as well as in many
      states worldwide, cannabis is the most widely used psychoactive substance after
      alcohol and tobacco. Although approximately one in ten users develop serious
      problems of dependency, only a minority attends outpatient addiction counseling
      centers. The offer of a combined web-based self-help and chat counseling
      treatment could potentially also reach those users who hesitate to approach such
      treatment centers and help them to reduce their cannabis use. METHODS/DESIGN:
      This paper presents the protocol for a three-armed randomized controlled trial
      that will test the effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention in
      combination with, or independent of, tailored chat counseling compared to a
      waiting list in reducing or enabling the abstention from cannabis use in
      problematic users. The primary outcome will be the weekly quantity of cannabis
      used. Secondary outcome measures will include the number of days per week on
      which cannabis is used, the severity of cannabis use disorder, the severity of
      cannabis dependence, cannabis withdrawal symptoms, cannabis craving, the use of
      alcohol, tobacco, and other non-cannabis illicit drugs, changes in mental health
      symptoms, and treatment retention. The self-help intervention will consist of 8
      modules designed to reduce cannabis use based on the principles of motivational
      interviewing, self-control practices, and methods of cognitive behavioral
      therapy. The two additional individual chat-counseling sessions in the additional
      chat condition will be based on the same therapy approaches and tailored to
      participants' self-help information data and personal problems. The predictive
      validity of participants' baseline characteristics on treatment retention and
      outcomes will be explored. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this will be
      the first randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of online self
      help therapy in combination or without chat counseling in reducing or enabling
      the abstention from cannabis use. It will also investigate predictors of outcome
      and retention for these interventions. This trial is registered at Current
      Controlled Trials and is traceable as ISRCTN59948178.

PMID- 24228631
TI  - Q&A: Evolutionary capacitance.

PMID- 24228632
TI  - Correction: Early dysregulation of the memory CD8+ T cell repertoire leads to
      compromised immune responses to secondary viral infection in the aged.

PMID- 24228633
TI  - Successful management of trachea stenosis with massive substernal goiter via
      thacheobronchial stent.
AB  - A case of 65 year-old Chinese male patient with severe tracheal stenosis due to a
      massive substernal goiter, is presented. MRI and CT scan revealed that the
      massive substernal goiter was 9.3 * 6.1 * 4.7 cm in size, displacing the trachea
      and adjacent large vessels to the patient's right contributing to severe
      intrathoracic trachea compression up to 6 cm in length and the narrowest caliber
      of the trachea only 3.0 mm in diameter. To the best of our knowledge, optimal
      airway management for the massive substernal goiter resection was considered to
      be temporary tracheobronchial stent placement pre-operation.

PMID- 24228635
TI  - Criteria for the use of omics-based predictors in clinical trials: explanation
      and elaboration.
AB  - High-throughput 'omics' technologies that generate molecular profiles for
      biospecimens have been extensively used in preclinical studies to reveal
      molecular subtypes and elucidate the biological mechanisms of disease, and in
      retrospective studies on clinical specimens to develop mathematical models to
      predict clinical endpoints. Nevertheless, the translation of these technologies
      into clinical tests that are useful for guiding management decisions for patients
      has been relatively slow. It can be difficult to determine when the body of
      evidence for an omics-based test is sufficiently comprehensive and reliable to
      support claims that it is ready for clinical use, or even that it is ready for
      definitive evaluation in a clinical trial in which it may be used to direct
      patient therapy. Reasons for this difficulty include the exploratory and
      retrospective nature of many of these studies, the complexity of these assays and
      their application to clinical specimens, and the many potential pitfalls inherent
      in the development of mathematical predictor models from the very high
      dimensional data generated by these omics technologies. Here we present a
      checklist of criteria to consider when evaluating the body of evidence supporting
      the clinical use of a predictor to guide patient therapy. Included are issues
      pertaining to specimen and assay requirements, the soundness of the process for
      developing predictor models, expectations regarding clinical study design and
      conduct, and attention to regulatory, ethical, and legal issues. The proposed
      checklist should serve as a useful guide to investigators preparing proposals for
      studies involving the use of omics-based tests. The US National Cancer Institute
      plans to refer to these guidelines for review of proposals for studies involving
      omics tests, and it is hoped that other sponsors will adopt the checklist as
      well.

PMID- 24228636
TI  - Whole genome resequencing in tomato reveals variation associated with
      introgression and breeding events.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the goals of genomics is to identify the genetic loci
      responsible for variation in phenotypic traits. The completion of the tomato
      genome sequence and recent advances in DNA sequencing technology allow for in
      depth characterization of genetic variation present in the tomato genome. Like
      many self-pollinated crops, cultivated tomato accessions show a low molecular but
      high phenotypic diversity. Here we describe the whole-genome resequencing of
      eight accessions (four cherry-type and four large fruited lines) chosen to
      represent a large range of intra-specific variability and the identification and
      annotation of novel polymorphisms. RESULTS: The eight genomes were sequenced
      using the GAII Illumina platform. Comparison of the sequences with the reference
      genome yielded more than 4 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This
      number varied from 80,000 to 1.5 million according to the accessions. Almost
      128,000 InDels were detected. The distribution of SNPs and InDels across and
      within chromosomes was highly heterogeneous revealing introgressions from wild
      species and the mosaic structure of the genomes of the cherry tomato accessions.
      In-depth annotation of the polymorphisms identified more than 16,000 unique non
      synonymous SNPs. In addition 1,686 putative copy-number variations (CNVs) were
      identified. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first whole genome
      resequencing experiment in cultivated tomato. Substantial genetic differences
      exist between the sequenced tomato accessions and the reference sequence. The
      heterogeneous distribution of the polymorphisms may be related to introgressions
      that occurred during domestication or breeding. The annotated SNPs, InDels and
      CNVs identified in this resequencing study will serve as useful genetic tools,
      and as candidate polymorphisms in the search for phenotype-altering DNA
      variations.

PMID- 24228637
TI  - The relationship between the BRAF(V600E) mutation in papillary thyroid
      microcarcinoma and clinicopathologic factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The BRAF(V600E) mutation, which accounts for about 60-80% papillary
      thyroid carcinoma(PTC), has been identifiedas a prognostic marker for risk
      stratification of PTC patients. However, the BRAF(V600E) mutation as a prognostic
      marker in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is unclear. METHODS: We
      performed a retrospective review of 101 patients who underwent surgery for PTMC.
      We studied the prevalence of the BRAF(V600E) mutation. The associations between
      the BRAF(V600E) mutation and clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed.
      RESULTS: The BRAF(V600E) mutation was observed in 72 patients (71.3%). There was
      no statistically significant correlation in age, gender, multifocality,
      extrathyroidal extension, presence of Hashimoto thyroiditis, and lymph node
      metastasis between the BRAF(V600E) mutant group and wild group. CONCLUSIONS: The
      BRAF(V600E) mutation is not significantly associated with prognostic factors in
      PTMC.

PMID- 24228638
TI  - Factors influencing maternal nutrition in rural Nepal: an exploratory research
      project.
AB  - In this pilot project we examined factors contributing to maternal nutrition
      among women of child-bearing age in the Western Region of Nepal. We found that
      rural women are interested in learning about nutrition regardless of educational
      attainment and that level of education is strongly associated with interest in
      learning about nutrition (p <.001). Although the majority of women with no
      education expressed interest in learning about nutrition (71%), a substantial
      percentage (22%) were not interested. Education and the teaching of basic health
      messages may hold important benefits for improving maternal and child health. 

PMID- 24228639
TI  - Radiopacity and hounsfield attenuation of cystine urolithiasis: case series and
      review of the literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Given the high recurrence rate of cystine urolithiasis, understanding
      of the radiographic stone characteristics is important in following cystine stone
      formers over their lifetime. However, due to their infrequent incidence, in vivo
      radiographic properties of cystine stones have not been well characterized. The
      purpose of our study is to characterize the in vivo radiographic properties of
      cystine urolithiasis. METHODS: Patients with a cystine stone analysis and
      noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) were extracted from our stone clinic
      database. Stone attenuation in Hounsfield units (HU) was measured for each stone
      and plain abdominal films (kidney, ureter, and bladder radiograph [KUB]) within
      30 days of the NCCT prior to any intervention were reviewed by a blinded
      radiologist to assess whether urolithiasis could be visualized. RESULTS: Twenty
      patients met our study inclusion criteria. When plotted by attenuation, two
      distinct groups of stone attenuation were noted for cystine stone formers
      (p<0.001). The largest group (n=16) had an attenuation of <550 HU (424+/-106 HU),
      while a distinct second group (n=4) was >850 HU (972+/-134 HU). Sixteen patients
      had a KUB, with 88% of the stones being visualized by a blinded radiologist.
      Stone size and attenuation were not significantly different between visualized
      and nonvisualized stones via KUB, however, the body mass index was significantly
      higher in the nonvisualized group (34.4 vs 26.9 kg/m(2), p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS:
      Cystine stones were visualized by KUB, which has implications in post-treatment
      follow-up imaging. Though most cystine stones had an attenuation of <550 HU, a
      second distinct group of cystine stones were noted to have a high attenuation of
      >850 HU. HU measurements alone are not sufficient to differentiate cystine stones
      from other stone compositions.

PMID- 24228640
TI  - Message Quality and Standing to Support: A Qualitative Study of Support Messages
      Given to African-American HIV Survivors.
AB  - We interviewed 25 African American HIV survivors who were as much as 25 years
      distant from their original diagnoses. We asked them to tell us about both
      supportive and non-supportive messages they received upon learning of their HIV
      status. Their interviews showed evidence of the importance of what we call
      standing to support. This idea is that particular roles (e.g., medical or family)
      imply a duty to offer constructive support. Anyone without such a standing is
      essentially irrelevant to the provision of support. Successful performance of a
      standing requires ability (to give information, to be empathetic, etc.) but the
      performance must be activated by the person who needs support. We found contrasts
      in the quality of messages originating in each of the standings we studied:
      medical, family, friends, relational partners, churches, and community centers.
      Dual consideration of supportive and non-supportive messages is productive in
      understanding the different standings to support.

PMID- 24228641
TI  - Acute myocardial infarction complicated by shock: outcome analysis based on
      initial electrocardiogram.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the relation between initial ECG findings, presence of risk
      factors, coronary angiography findings, and clinical outcomes in patients with
      acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). DESIGN: Data
      from a total of 5572 acute myocardial infarction patients admitted to the four
      tertiary hospitals during a period of 3 years were analyzed. CS on admission was
      present in 358 patients (6.4%). They were divided into four groups based on the
      admission ECG: ST-segment elevation (STEMI), ST-segment depression (STDMI),
      bundle branch block (BBBMI), and other ECG acute myocardial infarction. RESULTS:
      CS developed most frequently among BBBMI patients (in 12.1% of all BBBMIs, p <
      0.001 vs. STEMI), followed by STEMI (6.7%), STDMI (4.4%), and other ECG acute
      myocardial infarction (2.3%). The risk of CS development was similar in patients
      with left bundle branch block (LBBB) (13.3%) and right bundle branch block (RBBB)
      (11.2%). The one-year mortality was highest among RBBBMI patients (66.7%, p <
      0.001), followed by LBBBMI (48.6%), other ECG (47.1%), STEMI (41.7%), and STDMI
      patients (38.1%). CONCLUSIONS: RBBB on admission ECG is associated with the
      highest risk of CS development, frequent left main coronary artery affection, and
      unsuccessful revascularization. It is also an independent predictor of one-year
      mortality.

PMID- 24228642
TI  - Effect of vaccination coordinators on socioeconomic disparities in immunization
      among the 2006 Connecticut birth cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined socioeconomic status (SES) disparities and the influence
      of state Immunization Action Plan-funded vaccination coordinators located in low
      SES areas of Connecticut on childhood vaccination up-to-date (UTD) status at age
      24 months. METHODS: We examined predictors of underimmunization among the 2006
      birth cohort (n = 34,568) in the state's Immunization Information System,
      including individual demographic and SES data, census tract SES data, and
      residence in an area with a vaccination coordinator. We conducted multilevel
      logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 81% of children were UTD.
      Differences by race/ethnicity and census tract SES were typically under 5%. Not
      being UTD at age 7 months was the strongest predictor of underimmunization at age
      24 months. Among children who were not UTD at age 7 months, only Medicaid
      enrollment (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5,
      0.7) and residence in an area with a vaccination coordinator (AOR = 0.7; 95% CI =
      0.6, 0.9) significantly decreased the odds of subsequent underimmunization.
      CONCLUSIONS: SES disparities associated with underimmunization at age 24 months
      were limited. Efforts focused on vaccinating infants born in low SES
      circumstances can minimize disparities.

PMID- 24228643
TI  - Estimating Wisconsin asthma prevalence using clinical electronic health records
      and public health data.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We compared a statewide telephone health survey with electronic
      health record (EHR) data from a large Wisconsin health system to estimate asthma
      prevalence in Wisconsin. METHODS: We developed frequency tables and logistic
      regression models using Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and
      University of Wisconsin primary care clinic data. We compared adjusted odds
      ratios (AORs) from each model. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2009, the EHR database
      contained 376,000 patients (30,000 with asthma), and 23,000 (1850 with asthma)
      responded to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey.
      AORs for asthma were similar in magnitude and direction for the majority of
      covariates, including gender, age, and race/ethnicity, between survey and EHR
      models. The EHR data had greater statistical power to detect associations than
      did survey data, especially in pediatric and ethnic populations, because of
      larger sample sizes. CONCLUSIONS: EHRs can be used to estimate asthma prevalence
      in Wisconsin adults and children. EHR data may improve public health chronic
      disease surveillance using high-quality data at the local level to better
      identify areas of disparity and risk factors and guide education and health care
      interventions.

PMID- 24228644
TI  - Racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension prevalence: reconsidering the role of
      chronic stress.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between anticipatory stress, also
      known as racism-related vigilance, and hypertension prevalence in Black,
      Hispanic, and White adults. METHODS: We used data from the Chicago Community
      Adult Health Study, a population-representative sample of adults (n = 3105)
      surveyed in 2001 to 2003, to regress hypertension prevalence on the interaction
      between race/ethnicity and vigilance in logit models. RESULTS: Blacks reported
      the highest vigilance levels. For Blacks, each unit increase in vigilance (range
      = 0-12) was associated with a 4% increase in the odds of hypertension (odds ratio
      [OR] = 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00, 1.09). Hispanics showed a
      similar but nonsignificant association (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 0.99, 1.12), and
      Whites showed no association (OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.87, 1.03). CONCLUSIONS:
      Vigilance may represent an important and unique source of chronic stress that
      contributes to the well-documented higher prevalence of hypertension among Blacks
      than Whites; it is a possible contributor to hypertension among Hispanics but not
      Whites.

PMID- 24228645
TI  - Impact of tobacco control on adult per capita cigarette consumption in the United
      States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We assessed the impact of tobacco control on adult per capita
      cigarette consumption in the United States from 1964 to 2011. METHODS: We used
      logit regression to model the diffusion of smoking from 1900 to 2011. We also
      projected hypothetical cigarette consumption after 1963 in the absence of tobacco
      control. Model predictors included historical events such as wars, specific
      tobacco control interventions, and other influences. RESULTS: Per capita
      consumption increased rapidly through 1963, consistent with S-shaped (sigmoid)
      diffusion. The course reversed beginning in 1964, the year of publication of the
      first surgeon general's report on smoking and health. Subsequent tobacco control
      policy interventions significantly reduced consumption. Had the tobacco control
      movement never occurred, per capita consumption would have been nearly 5 times
      higher than it actually was in 2011. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco control has been one of
      the most successful public health endeavors of the past half century. Still, the
      remaining burden of smoking in the United States augurs hundreds of thousands of
      deaths annually for decades to come. Reinvigorating the tobacco control movement
      will require novel interventions as well as stronger application of existing
      evidence-based policies.

PMID- 24228646
TI  - MPH education for the 21st century: motivation, rationale, and key principles for
      the new Columbia public health curriculum.
AB  - Public health is at a watershed moment. The world's health needs are changing,
      and complex problems require interdisciplinary approaches and systems-based
      solutions. Our longer lives and changing environments necessitate life-course and
      structural approaches to prevention. This argues strongly for public health
      graduate education that adequately prepares trainees to tackle emerging
      challenges and to lead now and in the future. Nearly a century of scholarship and
      scientific advances may offer a blueprint for training the next generation of
      public health leaders. We articulate a case for change; discuss some of the
      foundational principles that should guide public health education; and discuss
      what such a change might look like building on prior scholarship, on the examples
      set by other disciplines, and on our own experience. 

PMID- 24228647
TI  - Kumar et al. respond.

PMID- 24228648
TI  - Home renovation, family history of atopy, and respiratory symptoms and asthma
      among children living in China.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of indoor air pollution with the
      respiratory health of children, we evaluated the associations of children's
      respiratory symptoms with asthma and recent home renovation. METHODS: We
      conducted a cross-sectional survey in a school recruitment sample of 31,049
      children aged 2 to 14 years in 25 districts of 7 cities of northeast China in
      2008-2009. The children's parents completed standardized questionnaires
      characterizing the children's histories of respiratory symptoms and illness,
      recent home renovation information, and other associated risk factors. RESULTS:
      The effects of home renovation in the past 2 years were significantly associated
      with cough, phlegm, current wheeze, doctor-diagnosed asthma, and current asthma.
      The associations we computed when combining the status of home renovation and
      family history of atopy were higher than were those predicted from the
      combination of the separate effects. However, the interactions between home
      renovation and family history of atopy on a multiplicative scale were not
      statistically significant (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Home renovation is associated
      with increases in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma in children.
      The effects of different renovation materials on child respiratory health should
      be studied further.

PMID- 24228649
TI  - Associations between macrolevel economic factors and weight distributions in low-
      and middle-income countries: a multilevel analysis of 200,000 adults in 40
      countries.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined associations between macrolevel economic factors
      hypothesized to drive changes in distributions of weight and body mass index
      (BMI) in a representative sample of 200,796 men and women from 40 low- and middle
      income countries. METHODS: We used meta-regressions to describe ecological
      associations between macrolevel factors and mean BMIs across countries.
      Multilevel regression was used to assess the relation between macrolevel economic
      characteristics and individual odds of underweight and overweight relative to
      normal weight. RESULTS: In multilevel analyses adjusting for individual-level
      characteristics, a 1-standard-deviation increase in trade liberalization was
      associated with 13% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76, 0.99), 17% (95% CI =
      0.71, 0.96), 13% (95% CI = 0.76, 1.00), and 14% (95% CI = 0.75, 0.99) lower odds
      of underweight relative to normal weight among rural men, rural women, urban men,
      and urban women, respectively. Economic development was consistently associated
      with higher odds of overweight relative to normal weight. Among rural men, a 1
      standard-deviation increase in foreign direct investment was associated with 17%
      (95% CI = 1.02, 1.35) higher odds of overweight relative to normal weight.
      CONCLUSIONS: Macrolevel economic factors may be implicated in global shifts in
      epidemiological patterns of weight.

PMID- 24228650
TI  - Weight status and sexual orientation: differences by age and within racial and
      ethnic subgroups.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We determined differences in weight at age 18 years and at current
      age and weight change by sexual orientation within different racial/ethnic
      populations, stratifying by gender. METHODS: We used 2001-2007 data from the
      California Health Interview Survey, resulting in an unweighted sample of 120,274
      individuals aged 18 to 74 years. Using regression models, we examined overweight
      status and change in weight by sexual orientation, stratifying by race/ethnicity
      and gender. RESULTS: Compared with heterosexual women of the same race/ethnicity,
      White and African American lesbians and bisexuals had increased likelihood of
      being overweight at age 18 years and maintaining overweight status during
      adulthood. Sexual minority status was unrelated to weight among Latinas and
      inconsistently linked to weight among Asian women compared with heterosexual
      women of the same race/ethnicity. Sexual minority status was protective against
      unhealthy weight among White, African American, Asian, and Latino men compared
      with heterosexual counterparts of the same race/ethnicity. This protective effect
      was seen after age 18 years except among African American bisexual men.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a need for age- and culture-sensitive
      interventions that reduce weight or prevent weight gain in sexual minority women
      and men.

PMID- 24228651
TI  - Effect of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status on pandemic H1N1-related
      outcomes in Massachusetts.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We linked hospital discharge and American Community Survey and US
      Census data to investigate 2009 H1N1 influenza (H1N1)-related outcomes by
      racial/ethnic groups and socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: We examined the
      population discharged from any acute care hospital in Massachusetts and
      calculated rates of intensive care unit (ICU) stay by racial/ethnic and SES
      groups between April 26 and September 30, 2009. We used logistic regression
      models to identify predictors of ICU stay. RESULTS: Of 4874 H1N1-related
      hospitalizations, 526 (11%) were admitted to the ICU. Those in less affluent SES
      groups had lower risk of ICU stay than the most affluent SES group. Compared with
      Whites, Hispanics had significantly lower risk of 2009 H1N1-related ICU stay
      (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval = 0.32, 0.86). Only 13% of Whites
      admitted to the ICU were in the lowest SES group, compared with 63% of Hispanics
      and 43% of Blacks. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first statewide
      description of 2009 H1N1 influenza-related ICU stays according to racial/ethnic
      group and SES in the United States. Future work should investigate evidence
      related to social determinants of health among racial/ethnic groups to reduce
      disparities in relation to pandemic influenza.

PMID- 24228652
TI  - Reaching children never previously vaccinated for influenza through a school
      located vaccination program.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We determined the success of the school-located vaccination (SLV)
      program, implemented in 2009 in New York City to deliver pandemic influenza A
      (H1N1) monovalent vaccine (pH1N1), versus provider offices in reaching children
      who had never previously received influenza vaccine. METHODS: We compared the
      immunization history of children vaccinated in school versus provider offices. We
      included records in the Citywide Immunization Registry with pH1N1 administered
      between October 2009 and March 2010 to elementary school-aged children. RESULTS:
      In total, 96,524 children received pH1N1 vaccine in schools, and 102,933 children
      received pH1N1 vaccine in provider offices. Of children vaccinated in schools,
      34% had never received seasonal influenza vaccination in the past, compared with
      only 10% of children vaccinated at provider offices (P < .001). Children
      vaccinated in schools were more likely to have received a second dose of pH1N1 in
      2009-2010 than those vaccinated in provider offices (80% vs 45%). CONCLUSIONS:
      The SLV program was more successful at reaching children who had never received
      influenza immunization in the past and should be considered as a strategy for
      delivering influenza vaccine in routine and emergency situations.

PMID- 24228653
TI  - Six components necessary for effective public health program implementation.
AB  - Public health programs succeed and survive if organizations and coalitions
      address 6 key areas. (1) Innovation to develop the evidence base for action; (2)
      a technical package of a limited number of high-priority, evidence-based
      interventions that together will have a major impact; (3) effective performance
      management, especially through rigorous, real-time monitoring, evaluation, and
      program improvement; (4) partnerships and coalitions with public- and private
      sector organizations; (5) communication of accurate and timely information to the
      health care community, decision makers, and the public to effect behavior change
      and engage civil society; and (6) political commitment to obtain resources and
      support for effective action. Programs including smallpox eradication,
      tuberculosis control, tobacco control, polio eradication, and others have made
      progress by addressing these 6 areas. 

PMID- 24228654
TI  - 50 years since the first Surgeon General's report on smoking and health: a happy
      anniversary?

PMID- 24228655
TI  - Network exposure and homicide victimization in an African American community.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We estimated the association of an individual's exposure to homicide
      in a social network and the risk of individual homicide victimization across a
      high-crime African American community. METHODS: Combining 5 years of homicide and
      police records, we analyzed a network of 3718 high-risk individuals that was
      created by instances of co-offending. We used logistic regression to model the
      odds of being a gunshot homicide victim by individual characteristics, network
      position, and indirect exposure to homicide. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of all
      gun homicides occurred within a network component containing less than 4% of the
      neighborhood's population. Network-level indicators reduced the association
      between individual risk factors and homicide victimization and improved the
      overall prediction of individual victimization. Network exposure to homicide was
      strongly associated with victimization: the closer one is to a homicide victim,
      the greater the risk of victimization. Regression models show that exposure
      diminished with social distance: each social tie removed from a homicide victim
      decreased one's odds of being a homicide victim by 57%. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of
      homicide in urban areas is even more highly concentrated than previously thought.
      We found that most of the risk of gun violence was concentrated in networks of
      identifiable individuals. Understanding these networks may improve prediction of
      individual homicide victimization within disadvantaged communities.

PMID- 24228656
TI  - The impact of childhood mobility on exposure to neighborhood socioeconomic
      context over time.
AB  - We used the 1998-1999 Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort,
      with data collected in kindergarten, first, third, fifth, and eighth grades, in a
      descriptive analysis of associations between early childhood residential mobility
      frequency and neighborhood context changes. We found that children who move
      frequently appear initially to move into higher-socioeconomic-status
      neighborhoods but eventually move back to lower-socioeconomic-status
      neighborhoods, exposing frequent movers to diverse neighborhood contexts. These
      findings have implications for policy and research that seeks to link
      neighborhood context to health. 

PMID- 24228657
TI  - An increasing socioeconomic gap in childhood overweight and obesity in China.
AB  - We used a new conceptual framework that integrates tenets from health economics,
      social epidemiology, and health behavior to analyze the impact of socioeconomic
      forces on the temporal changes in the socioeconomic status (SES) gap in childhood
      overweight and obesity in China. In data from the China Health and Nutrition
      Survey for 1991 to 2006, we found increased prevalence of childhood overweight
      and obesity across all SES groups, but a greater increase among higher-SES
      children, especially after 1997, when income inequality dramatically increased.
      Our findings suggest that for China, the increasing SES gap in purchasing power
      for obesogenic goods, associated with rising income inequality, played a
      prominent role in the country's increasing SES gap in childhood obesity and
      overweight. 

PMID- 24228658
TI  - McGovern's Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs versus the meat
      industry on the diet-heart question (1976-1977).
AB  - For decades, public health advocates have confronted industry over dietary
      policy, their debates focusing on how to address evidentiary uncertainty. In
      1977, enough consensus existed among epidemiologists that the Senate Select
      Committee on Nutrition and Human Need used the diet-heart association to perform
      an extraordinary act: advocate dietary goals for a healthier diet. During its
      hearings, the meat industry tested that consensus. In one year, the committee
      produced two editions of its Dietary Goals for the United States, the second
      containing a conciliatory statement about coronary heart disease and meat
      consumption. Critics have characterized the revision as a surrender to special
      interests. But the senators faced issues for which they were professionally
      unprepared: conflicts within science over the interpretation of data and notions
      of proof. Ultimately, it was lack of scientific consensus on these factors, not
      simply political acquiescence, that allowed special interests to secure changes
      in the guidelines. 

PMID- 24228659
TI  - Trends in the educational gradient of mortality among US adults aged 45 to 84
      years: bringing regional context into the explanation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated trends in the educational gradient of US adult
      mortality, which has increased at the national level since the mid-1980s, within
      US regions. METHODS: We used data from the 1986-2006 National Health Interview
      Survey Linked Mortality File on non-Hispanic White and Black adults aged 45 to 84
      years (n = 498,517). We examined trends in the gradient within 4 US regions by
      race-gender subgroup by using age-standardized death rates. RESULTS: Trends in
      the gradient exhibited a few subtle regional differences. Among women, the
      gradient was often narrowest in the Northeast. The region's distinction grew over
      time mainly because low-educated women in the Northeast did not experience a
      significant increase in mortality like their counterparts in other regions
      (particularly for White women). Among White men, the gradient narrowed to a small
      degree in the West. CONCLUSIONS: The subtle regional differences indicate that
      geographic context can accentuate or suppress trends in the gradient. Studies of
      smaller areas may provide insights into the specific contextual characteristics
      (e.g., state tax policies) that have shaped the trends, and thus help explain and
      reverse the widening mortality disparities among US adults.

PMID- 24228660
TI  - Disparities in diabetes: the nexus of race, poverty, and place.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the role of neighborhood poverty and racial
      composition on race disparities in diabetes prevalence. METHODS: We used data
      from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and 2000 US
      Census to estimate the impact of individual race and poverty and neighborhood
      racial composition and poverty concentration on the odds of having diabetes.
      RESULTS: We found a race-poverty-place gradient for diabetes prevalence for
      Blacks and poor Whites. The odds of having diabetes were higher for Blacks than
      for Whites. Individual poverty increased the odds of having diabetes for both
      Whites and Blacks. Living in a poor neighborhood increased the odds of having
      diabetes for Blacks and poor Whites. CONCLUSIONS: To address race disparities in
      diabetes, policymakers should address problems created by concentrated poverty
      (e.g., lack of access to reasonably priced fruits and vegetables, recreational
      facilities, and health care services; high crime rates; and greater exposures to
      environmental toxins). Housing and development policies in urban areas should
      avoid creating high-poverty neighborhoods.

PMID- 24228661
TI  - Effect of weatherization combined with community health worker in-home education
      on asthma control.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We assessed the benefits of adding weatherization-plus-health
      interventions to an in-home, community health worker (CHW) education program on
      asthma control. METHODS: We used a quasi-experimental design to compare study
      group homes (n = 34) receiving CHW education and weatherization-plus-health
      structural interventions with historical comparison group homes (n = 68)
      receiving only education. Data were collected in King County, Washington, from
      October 2009 to September 2010. RESULTS: Over the 1-year study period, the
      percentage of study group children with not-well-controlled or very poorly
      controlled asthma decreased more than the comparison group percentage (100% to
      28.8% vs 100% to 51.6%; P = .04). Study group caregiver quality-of-life
      improvements exceeded comparison group improvements (P = .002) by 0.7 units, a
      clinically important difference. The decrease in study home asthma triggers
      (evidence of mold, water damage, pests, smoking) was marginally greater than the
      comparison group decrease (P = .089). Except for mouse allergen, the percentage
      of study group allergen floor dust samples at or above the detection limit
      decreased, although most reductions were not statistically significant.
      CONCLUSIONS: Combining weatherization and healthy home interventions (e.g.,
      improved ventilation, moisture and mold reduction, carpet replacement, and
      plumbing repairs) with CHW asthma education significantly improves childhood
      asthma control.

PMID- 24228662
TI  - Overcoming inertia: increasing public health departments' access to evidence
      based information and promoting usage to inform practice.
AB  - In 2010, the New England Region-National Network of Libraries of Medicine at
      University of Massachusetts Medical School received funding to improve
      information access for public health departments in 6 New England states and
      Colorado. Public health departments were provided with desktop digital access to
      licensed e-resources available through special pricing. In January through mid
      April 2012, we evaluated the effectiveness of providing access to and training
      for using e-resources to public health department staff to motivate usage in
      practice. We found that additional strategies are needed to accomplish this. 

PMID- 24228663
TI  - The adoption and discontinuation of clinical services by local health
      departments.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We identified factors associated with local health department (LHD)
      adoption and discontinuation of clinical services. METHODS: We used multivariate
      regression with 1997 and 2008 LHD survey and area resource data to examine
      factors associated with LHDs maintaining or offering more clinical services
      (adopter) versus offering fewer services (discontinuer) over time and with the
      number of clinical services discontinued among discontinuers. RESULTS: Few LHDs
      (22.2%) were adopters. The LHDs were more likely to be adopters if operating in
      jurisdictions with local boards of health and not in health professional shortage
      areas, and if experiencing larger percentage increase in non-White population and
      Medicaid managed care penetration. Discontinuer LHDs eliminated more clinical
      services in jurisdictions that decreased core public health activities' scope
      over time, increased community partners' involvement in these activities, had
      larger increases in Medicaid managed care penetration, and had lower LHD
      expenditures per capita over time. CONCLUSIONS: Most LHDs are discontinuing
      clinical services over time. Those that cover a wide range of core public health
      functions are less likely to discontinue services when residents lack care
      access. Thus, the impact of discontinuation on population health may be
      mitigated.

PMID- 24228664
TI  - Public health in action.

PMID- 24228665
TI  - Question context, ethnic difference, and self-rated health.

PMID- 24228666
TI  - Tobacco use screening and treatment by outpatient psychiatrists before and after
      release of the American Psychiatric Association treatment guidelines for nicotine
      dependence.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined tobacco use screening and treatment by US psychiatrists
      before and after release of the 1996 American Psychiatric Association (APA)
      nicotine dependence treatment guidelines. METHODS: We used data from the National
      Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to identify rates of tobacco screening and
      treatment by psychiatrists before the release of the guidelines (1993-1996) and
      during 2 postguidelines periods: 2001-2005 and 2006-2010. Multiple logistic
      regression was used to compare preguidelines and postguidelines rates. RESULTS:
      Psychiatrists screened for tobacco use during 77% of visits from 1993 to 1996,
      69% of visits from 2001 to 2005 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.69; 95% confidence interval
      [CI] = 0.64, 0.75), and 60% of visits from 2006 to 2010 (OR = 0.46; 95% CI =
      0.43, 0.50). Psychiatrists provided cessation counseling to 12% of smokers from
      1993 to 1996, 11% from 2001 to 2005 (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.74, 1.26), and 23%
      from 2006 to 2010 (OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.74, 2.86). Psychiatrists prescribed
      nicotine replacement therapy to fewer than 1% of smokers during all 3 time
      periods. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatrists are screening for tobacco use at declining
      rates, and the proportion of smokers provided with treatment remains low.

PMID- 24228667
TI  - Regulating alcohol advertising: content analysis of the adequacy of federal and
      self-regulation of magazine advertisements, 2008-2010.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We analyzed beer, spirits, and alcopop magazine advertisements to
      determine adherence to federal and voluntary advertising standards. We assessed
      the efficacy of these standards in curtailing potentially damaging content and
      protecting public health. METHODS: We obtained data from a content analysis of a
      census of 1795 unique advertising creatives for beer, spirits, and alcopops
      placed in nationally available magazines between 2008 and 2010. We coded
      creatives for manifest content and adherence to federal regulations and industry
      codes. RESULTS: Advertisements largely adhered to existing regulations and codes.
      We assessed only 23 ads as noncompliant with federal regulations and 38 with
      industry codes. Content consistent with the codes was, however, often culturally
      positive in terms of aspirational depictions. In addition, creatives included
      degrading and sexualized images, promoted risky behavior, and made health claims
      associated with low-calorie content. CONCLUSIONS: Existing codes and regulations
      are largely followed regarding content but do not adequately protect against
      content that promotes unhealthy and irresponsible consumption and degrades
      potentially vulnerable populations in its depictions. Our findings suggest
      further limitations and enhanced federal oversight may be necessary to protect
      public health.

PMID- 24228668
TI  - Statewide pandemic influenza vaccination reminders for children with chronic
      conditions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the use of a statewide immunization information system
      (IIS) to target influenza vaccine reminders to high-risk children during a
      pandemic. METHODS: We used Michigan's IIS to identify high-risk children (i.e.,
      those with >= 1 chronic condition) aged 6 months to 18 years with no record of
      pH1N1 vaccination among children currently or previously enrolled in Medicaid (n
      = 202,133). Reminders were mailed on December 7, 2009. We retrospectively
      assessed children's eligibility for evaluation and compared influenza vaccination
      rates across 3 groups on the basis of their high-risk and reminder status.
      RESULTS: Of the children sent reminders, 53,516 were ineligible. Of the remaining
      148,617 children, vaccination rates were higher among the 142,383 high-risk
      children receiving reminders than among the 6234 high-risk children with
      undeliverable reminders and the 142,383 control group children without chronic
      conditions who were not sent reminders. CONCLUSIONS: Midseason reminders to
      parents of unvaccinated high-risk children with current or past Medicaid
      enrollment were associated with increased pH1N1 and seasonal influenza
      vaccination rates. Future initiatives should consider strategies to expand
      targeting of high-risk groups and improve IIS reporting during pandemic events.

PMID- 24228669
TI  - The effects of misclassification biases on veteran suicide rate estimates.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We assessed the impact that possible veteran suicide
      misclassification biases (i.e., inaccuracy in ascertainment of veteran status on
      the death certificate and misclassification of suicide as other manner of death)
      have on veteran suicide rate estimates. METHODS: We obtained suicide mortality
      data from the 2003-2010 National Violent Death Reporting System and the 2003-2010
      Department of Defense Casualty Analysis System. We derived population estimates
      from the 2003-2010 American Community Survey and 2003-2010 Department of Veterans
      Affairs data. We computed veteran and nonveteran suicide rates. RESULTS: The
      results showed that suicide rates were minimally affected by the adjustment for
      the misclassification of current military personnel suicides as veterans.
      Moreover, combining suicides and deaths by injury of undetermined intent did not
      alter the conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: The National Violent Death Reporting System
      is a valid surveillance system for veteran suicide. However, more than half of
      younger (< 25 years) male and female suicides, labeled as veterans, were likely
      to have been current military personnel at the time of their death and
      misclassified on the death certificate.

PMID- 24228670
TI  - Increasing hand washing compliance with a simple visual cue.
AB  - We tested the efficacy of a simple, visual cue to increase hand washing with soap
      and water. Automated towel dispensers in 8 public bathrooms were set to present a
      towel either with or without activation by users. We set the 2 modes to operate
      alternately for 10 weeks. Wireless sensors were used to record entry into
      bathrooms. Towel and soap consumption rates were checked weekly. There were
      97,351 hand-washing opportunities across all restrooms. Towel use was 22.6%
      higher (P=.05) and soap use was 13.3% higher (P=.003) when the dispenser
      presented the towel without user activation than when activation was required.
      Results showed that a visual cue can increase hand-washing compliance in public
      facilities.

PMID- 24228671
TI  - Lee and Schwarz respond.

PMID- 24228672
TI  - Design of implementation studies for quality improvement programs: an
      effectiveness-cost-effectiveness framework.
AB  - Translational research applies basic science discoveries in clinical and
      community settings. Implementation research is often limited by tremendous
      variability among settings; therefore, generalization of findings may be limited.
      Adoption of a novel procedure in a community practice is usually a local decision
      guided by setting-specific knowledge. The conventional statistical framework that
      aims to produce generalizable knowledge is inappropriate for local quality
      improvement investigations. We propose an analytic framework based on cost
      effectiveness of the implementation study design, taking into account prior
      knowledge from local experts. When prior knowledge does not indicate a clear
      preference between the new and standard procedures, local investigation should
      guide the choice. The proposed approach requires substantially smaller sample
      sizes than the conventional approach. Sample size formulae and general guidance
      are provided. 

PMID- 24228673
TI  - Impact of paid sick leave policy: a social planner's perspective.

PMID- 24228674
TI  - Rethinking public health: promoting public engagement through a new discursive
      environment.
AB  - I reexamine the notion of public health after reviewing critiques of the
      prevalent individualistic conception of health. I argue that public health should
      mean not only the health of the public but also health in the public and by the
      public, and I expound on the social contingency of health and highlight the
      importance of the interpersonal dimensions of health conditions and health
      promotion efforts. Promoting public health requires activating health-enhancing
      communicative behaviors (such as interpersonal advocacy and mutual responsibility
      taking) in addition to individual behavioral change. To facilitate such
      communicative behaviors, it is imperative to first construct a new discursive
      environment in which to think and talk about health in a language of
      interdependence and collective efforts. 

PMID- 24228675
TI  - Cigarettes become a dangerous product: tobacco in the rearview mirror, 1952-1965.
AB  - Tobacco control's unparalleled success comes partly from advocates broadening the
      focus of responsibility beyond the smoker to include industry and government. To
      learn how this might apply to other issues, we examined how early tobacco control
      events were framed in news, legislative testimony, and internal tobacco industry
      documents. Early debate about tobacco is stunning for its absence of the personal
      responsibility rhetoric prominent today, focused instead on the health harms from
      cigarettes. The accountability of government, rather than the industry or
      individual smokers, is mentioned often; solutions focused not on whether
      government had a responsibility to act, but on how to act. Tobacco lessons can
      guide advocates fighting the food and beverage industry, but must be
      reinterpreted in current political contexts. 

PMID- 24228676
TI  - Extending public health: the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission and hookworm in the
      American South.
AB  - The Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of Hookworm Disease (1909
      1914) fielded a philanthropic public health project that had three goals: to
      estimate hookworm prevalence in the American South, provide treatment, and
      eradicate the disease. Activities covered 11 Southern states, and Rockefeller
      teams found that about 40% of the population surveyed was infected. However, the
      commission met strong resistance and lacked the time and resources to achieve
      universal county coverage and meet project goals. We explore how these
      constraints triggered project changes that systematically reshaped project
      operations and the characteristics of the counties surveyed and treated. We show
      that county selectivity reduced the project's initial potential to affect
      hookworm prevalence estimates, treatment, and eradication in the American South. 

PMID- 24228677
TI  - Evidence, power, and policy change in community-based participatory research.
AB  - Meaningful improvements in health require modifying the social determinants of
      health. As policies are often underlying causes of the living conditions that
      shape health, policy change becomes a health goal. This focus on policy has led
      to increasing interest in expanding the focus of community-based participatory
      research (CBPR) to change not only communities but also policies. To best realize
      this potential, the relationship between evidence and power in policy change must
      be more fully explored. Effective action to promote policies that improve
      population health requires a deeper understanding of the roles of scientific
      evidence and political power in bringing about policy change; the appropriate
      scales for policy change, from community to global; and the participatory
      processes that best acknowledge the interplay between power and evidence. 

PMID- 24228678
TI  - Big publishing and the economics of competition.

PMID- 24228679
TI  - Important considerations when analyzing health survey data collected using a
      complex sample design.
AB  - Researchers often use survey data to answer important public health policy
      questions. Examples of common data sources used in public health research include
      the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the National Health
      Interview Survey, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and the National
      Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. All these surveys employ a complex sample design
      to recruit participants into the survey. When performing secondary analyses of
      complex sample survey data, it is necessary to remind ourselves of the key
      features of these designs that must be taken into account to produce valid
      statistical estimates. 

PMID- 24228680
TI  - Creating quality improvement culture in public health agencies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We conducted case studies of 10 agencies that participated in early
      quality improvement efforts. METHODS: The agencies participated in a project
      conducted by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (2007
      2008). Case study participants included health directors and quality improvement
      team leaders and members. We implemented multiple qualitative analysis processes,
      including cross-case analysis and logic modeling. We categorized agencies
      according to the extent to which they had developed a quality improvement
      culture. RESULTS: Agencies were conducting informal quality improvement projects
      (n = 4), conducting formal quality improvement projects (n = 3), or creating a
      quality improvement culture (n = 4). Agencies conducting formal quality
      improvement and creating a quality improvement culture had leadership support for
      quality improvement, participated in national quality improvement initiatives,
      had a greater number of staff trained in quality improvement and quality
      improvement teams that met regularly with decision-making authority. Agencies
      conducting informal quality improvement were likely to report that accreditation
      is the major driver for quality improvement work. Agencies creating a quality
      improvement culture were more likely to have a history of evidence-based decision
      making and use quality improvement to address emerging issues. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings support previous research and add the roles of national public health
      accreditation and emerging issues as factors in agencies' ability to create and
      sustain a quality improvement culture.

PMID- 24228681
TI  - Work in multiple jobs and the risk of injury in the US working population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We compared the risk of injury for multiple job holders (MJHs) with
      that for single job holders (SJHs). METHODS: We used information from the
      National Health Interview Survey for the years 1997 through 2011 to estimate the
      rate of multiple job holding in the United States and compared characteristics
      and rates of self-reported injury (work and nonwork) for SJHs versus MJHs.
      RESULTS: Approximately 8.4% of those employed reported working more than 1 job in
      the week before the interview. The rate of work and nonwork injury episodes per
      100 employed workers was higher for MJHs than for SJHs (4.2; 95% confidence
      interval [CI] = 3.5, 4.8; vs 3.3; 95% CI = 3.1, 3.5 work injuries and 9.9; 95% CI
      = 8.9, 10.9; vs 7.4; 95% CI = 7.1, 7.6 nonwork injuries per 100 workers,
      respectively). When calculated per 100 full-time equivalents (P < .05), the rate
      ratio remained higher for MJHs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that working in
      multiple jobs is associated with an increased risk of an injury, both at work and
      not at work, and should be considered in injury surveillance.

PMID- 24228682
TI  - MPH education for the 21st century: design of Columbia University's new public
      health curriculum.
AB  - Because public health challenges are changing rapidly, over the past 3 years, we
      have turned a critical eye to the master of public health program at the Columbia
      University Mailman School of Public Health. Under a process dubbed "curriculum
      renewal," we engaged more than 170 faculty, staff, and students (and hundreds of
      alumni and employers of our graduates) in an initiative to develop a completely
      new design for master of public health education that launched in fall 2012. We
      have described its design and structure and presented some preliminary evaluation
      data. 

PMID- 24228683
TI  - The impact of school water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions on the health
      of younger siblings of pupils: a cluster-randomized trial in Kenya.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined the impact of school water, sanitation, and hygiene
      (WASH) interventions on diarrhea-related outcomes among younger siblings of
      school-going children. METHODS: We conducted a cluster-randomized trial among 185
      schools in Kenya from 2007 to 2009. We assigned schools to 1 of 2 study groups
      according to water availability. Multilevel logistic regression models, adjusted
      for baseline measures, assessed differences between intervention and control arms
      in 1-week period prevalence of diarrhea and 2-week period prevalence of clinic
      visits among children younger than 5 years with at least 1 sibling attending a
      program school. RESULTS: Among water-scarce schools, comprehensive WASH
      improvements were associated with decreased odds of diarrhea (odds ratio [OR] =
      0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.27, 0.73) and visiting a clinic (OR =
      0.36; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.68), relative to control schools. In our separate study
      group of schools with greater water availability, school hygiene promotion and
      water treatment interventions and school sanitation improvements were not
      associated with differences in diarrhea prevalence between intervention and
      control schools. CONCLUSIONS: In water-scarce areas, school WASH interventions
      that include robust water supply improvements can reduce diarrheal diseases among
      young children.

PMID- 24228684
TI  - Description of a school nurse visit syndromic surveillance system and comparison
      to emergency department visits, New York City.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We compared school nurse visit syndromic surveillance system data to
      emergency department (ED) visit data for monitoring illness in New York City
      schoolchildren. METHODS: School nurse visit data recorded in an electronic health
      record system are used to conduct daily surveillance of influenza-like illness,
      fever-flu, allergy, asthma, diarrhea, and vomiting syndromes. We calculated
      correlation coefficients to compare the percentage of syndrome visits to the
      school nurse and ED for children aged 5 to 14 years, from September 2006 to June
      2011. RESULTS: Trends in influenza-like illness correlated significantly
      (correlation coefficient = 0.89; P < .001) and 72% of school signals occurred on
      days that ED signaled. Trends in allergy (correlation coefficient = 0.73; P <
      .001) and asthma (correlation coefficient = 0.56; P < .001) also correlated and
      school signals overlapped with ED signals on 95% and 51% of days, respectively.
      Substantial daily variation in diarrhea and vomiting visits limited our ability
      to make comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ED syndromic surveillance, the
      school nurse system identified similar trends in influenza-like illness, allergy,
      and asthma syndromes. Public health practitioners without school-based
      surveillance may be able to use age-specific analyses of ED syndromic
      surveillance data to monitor illness in schoolchildren.

PMID- 24228685
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of a chipmunk species, Tamias sibiricus (Rodentia:
      Sciuridae) in Korea.
AB  - We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (KF668525) of Tamias sibiricus in
      South Korea. The mitogenome of the Korean chipmunk T. sibiricus was 16,558 bp
      long with base composition of 33.8% A, 31.1% T, 22.9% C and 12.2% G. Total
      nucleotide similarity of T. sibiricus and Marmota himalayana (JX069958) genomes
      was 80.4% ranging from 66.9% (D-loop region) to 97.3% (tRNA(Leu)((CUN))). The
      present study will contribute to understanding taxonomic status and genetic
      divergence of Northeast Asian T. sibiricus populations.

PMID- 24228686
TI  - Significant population genetic structure detected in the small yellow croaker
      Larimichthys polyactis inferred from mitochondrial control region.
AB  - The population genetic structure of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys
      polyactis) between China and Korea was further estimated by broad-scale sampling
      locations (Gulf of Bohai, Yellow Sea including Korea). One hundred and seventeen
      individuals from eight localities from coastal waters of China and Korea were
      analyzed based on mtDNA control region sequences (5' mtDNA CR). A total of 97
      polymorphic sites were checked, which defined 136 haplotypes. A pattern with high
      levels of haplotype diversity (h=0.994 +/- 0.002) and nucleotide diversity
      (l=0.020 +/- 0.010) was detected in the examined range, and the genetic diversity
      of Korea populations was higher than that of China populations. Population
      genetic structure analyses (MDS, AMOVA, Fst, Barrier) showed that significant
      genetic differentiation existed between China and Korea populations. The
      migration analysis indicated asymmetry migration also existed among populations,
      which was consistent with the result of population genetic structure. Using a
      variety of phylogenetic methods, coalescent reasoning, and molecular dating
      interpreted in conjunction with paleoclimateic and physiographic evidence, we
      inferred that the genetic make-up of extant populations of L. polyactis was
      shaped by Pleistocene environmental impacts on the historical demography of this
      species. Coalescent analyses (Neutrality tests, Mismatch distribution analysis,
      Bayesian skyline analyses) showed that the species along coastline of China and
      Korea has experienced population expansions originated in its most recent history
      at about 32-196 kya and 166-662 kya before present, respectively.

PMID- 24228687
TI  - Multivariable analysis of the association between fathers' and youths' physical
      activity in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the benefits of physical activity have been well
      established, a significant number of children and adolescents in the U.S. do not
      meet the recommended levels of daily physical activity. Parental influences such
      as parents' physical activity participation may play an important role in
      affecting youths' physical activity. METHODS: This study used the Child
      Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to examine the
      associations between fathers' vigorous physical activity (VPA) and VPA
      participation (>0 day(s)/week) and frequency (days/week) of 887 youths aged 10
      through 18 based on a nationally representative sample of families in the US.
      Logistic and negative binomial regression analyses were used to examine the
      association between past frequency (times/week) and an indicator of recommended
      (>=3 times/week) frequency of father's VPA and youth's VPA participation and
      youths' VPA frequency, respectively. We examined the sensitivity to the inclusion
      of various youth, family, mother's VPA, and contextual control measures. Analyses
      also were undertaken by gender. RESULTS: Father's past VPA frequency was
      positively associated with both youths' VPA participation and with youths' VPA
      frequency for the full and female samples of youths, even after the inclusion of
      demographic, socio-economic, and local area characteristics. Father's past
      recommended VPA frequency was positively associated with youths' VPA
      participation in the full sample only and with youths' VPA frequency in the
      female sub-sample only. Simulation results showed that an increase in father's
      past weekly VPA frequency from zero to the minimum recommended level (three times
      per week) was associated with an increased predicted probability of youths'
      weekly VPA participation from approximately 67% to 74% for the full sample (61%
      to 73% for females and 74% to 77% for males). CONCLUSION: The results from this
      study suggest that environmental and/or family based interventions that increase
      fathers' VPA may help improve youths' VPA.

PMID- 24228688
TI  - Trait and state anxiety: relations to executive functioning in an at-risk sample.
AB  - Prior research with adults suggests mixed evidence for the relations of state and
      trait anxiety to prefrontal executive functions (EF). Trait anxiety is
      hypothesised to impair the efficiency of prefrontal areas and goal-directed
      attention and has been largely associated with poorer performance on executive
      functioning tasks. Fewer studies have investigated state anxiety, and the
      findings have been mixed. As studies of these processes in children have been
      limited by small sample sizes and a focus on working memory, we examine whether
      state and trait anxiety are associated with performance on two EF tasks in a
      sample of urban, low-income children, ages 9-12. Results indicated that higher
      trait anxiety predicted lower executive functioning on both tasks. In addition,
      higher state anxiety was related to better performance on the Stroop task.
      Results demonstrate that, consistent with the adult literature, higher trait
      anxiety is related to lower executive functioning in children. 

PMID- 24228689
TI  - Systems metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for production of the
      chemical chaperone ectoine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The stabilizing and function-preserving effects of ectoines have
      attracted considerable biotechnological interest up to industrial scale processes
      for their production. These rely on the release of ectoines from high-salinity
      cultivated microbial producer cells upon an osmotic down-shock in rather complex
      processor configurations. There is growing interest in uncoupling the production
      of ectoines from the typical conditions required for their synthesis, and instead
      design strains that naturally release ectoines into the medium without the need
      for osmotic changes, since the use of high-salinity media in the fermentation
      process imposes notable constraints on the costs, design, and durability of
      fermenter systems. RESULTS: Here, we used a Corynebacterium glutamicum strain as
      a cellular chassis to establish a microbial cell factory for the biotechnological
      production of ectoines. The implementation of a mutant aspartokinase enzyme
      ensured efficient supply of L-aspartate-beta-semialdehyde, the precursor for
      ectoine biosynthesis. We further engineered the genome of the basic C. glutamicum
      strain by integrating a codon-optimized synthetic ectABCD gene cluster under
      expressional control of the strong and constitutive C. glutamicum tuf promoter.
      The resulting recombinant strain produced ectoine and excreted it into the
      medium; however, lysine was still found as a by-product. Subsequent inactivation
      of the L-lysine exporter prevented the undesired excretion of lysine while
      ectoine was still exported. Using the streamlined cell factory, a fed-batch
      process was established that allowed the production of ectoine with an overall
      productivity of 6.7 g L(-1) day(-1) under growth conditions that did not rely on
      the use of high-salinity media. CONCLUSIONS: The present study describes the
      construction of a stable microbial cell factory for recombinant production of
      ectoine. We successfully applied metabolic engineering strategies to optimize its
      synthetic production in the industrial workhorse C. glutamicum and thereby paved
      the way for further improvements in ectoine yield and biotechnological process
      optimization.

PMID- 24228690
TI  - Inhibition of microtubule assembly by a complex of actin and antitumor macrolide
      aplyronine A.
AB  - Aplyronine A (ApA) is a marine natural product that shows potent antitumor
      activity. While both ApA and ApC, a derivative of ApA that lacks a
      trimethylserine ester moiety, inhibit actin polymerization in vitro to the same
      extent, only ApA shows potent cytotoxicity. Therefore, the molecular targets and
      mechanisms of action of ApA in cells have remained unclear. We report that ApA
      inhibits tubulin polymerization in a hitherto unprecedented way. ApA forms a
      1:1:1 heterotrimeric complex with actin and tubulin, in association with actin
      synergistically binding to tubulin, and inhibits tubulin polymerization. Tubulin
      targeting agents have been widely used in cancer chemotherapy, but there are no
      previous descriptions of microtubule inhibitors that also bind to actin and
      affect microtubule assembly. ApA inhibits spindle formation and mitosis in HeLa
      S3 cells at 100 pM, a much lower concentration than is needed for the disassembly
      of the actin cytoskeleton. The results of the present study indicate that ApA
      represents a rare type of natural product, which binds to two different
      cytoplasmic proteins to exert highly potent biological activities. 

PMID- 24228691
TI  - Q&A: Cognitive ethology - inside the minds of other species.

PMID- 24228692
TI  - Analysis of Sry duplications on the Rattus norvegicus Y-chromosome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gene copy number variation plays a large role in the evolution of
      genomes. In Rattus norvegicus and other rodent species, the Y-chromosome has
      accumulated multiple copies of Sry loci. These copy number variations have been
      previously linked with changes in phenotype of animal models such as the
      spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). This study characterizes the Y-chromosome
      in the Sry region of Rattus norvegicus, while addressing functional variations
      seen in the Sry protein products. RESULTS: Eleven Sry loci have been identified
      in the SHR with one (nonHMG Sry) containing a frame shift mutation. The nonHMGSry
      is found and conserved in the related WKY and SD rat strains. Three new,
      previously unidentified, Sry loci were identified in this study (Sry3BII, Sry4
      and Sry4A) in both SHR and WKY. Repetitive element analysis revealed numerous
      LINE-L1 elements at regions where conservation is lost among the Sry copies. In
      addition we have identified a retrotransposed copy of Med14 originating from
      spliced mRNA, two autosomal genes (Ccdc110 and HMGB1) and a normal mammalian Y
      chromosome gene (Zfy) in the Sry region of the rat Y-chromosome. Translation of
      the sequences of each Sry gene reveals eight proteins with amino acid differences
      leading to changes in nuclear localization and promoter activation of a Sry
      responsive gene. Sry-beta (coded by the Sry2 locus) has an increased cytoplasmic
      fraction due to alterations at amino acid 21. Sry-gamma has altered gene
      regulation of the Sry1 promoter due to changes at amino acid 76. CONCLUSIONS: The
      duplication of Sry on the Rattus norvegicus Y-chromosome has led to proteins with
      altered functional ability that may have been selected for functions in addition
      to testis determination. Additionally, several other genes not normally found on
      the Y-chromosome have duplicated new copies into the region around the Sry genes.
      These suggest a role of active transposable elements in the evolution of the
      mammalian Y-chromosome in species such as Rattus norvegicus.

PMID- 24228693
TI  - Role of beta/delta101Gln in regulating the effect of temperature and allosteric
      effectors on oxygen affinity in woolly mammoth hemoglobin.
AB  - The oxygen affinity of woolly mammoth hemoglobin (rHb WM) is less affected by
      temperature change than that of Asian elephant hemoglobin (rHb AE) or human
      normal adult hemoglobin (Hb A). We report here a biochemical-biophysical study of
      Hb A, rHb AE, rHb WM, and three rHb WM mutants with amino acid substitutions at
      beta/delta101 (beta/delta101Gln->Glu, Lys, or Asp) plus a double and a triple
      mutant, designed to clarify the role of the beta/delta101 residue. The
      beta/delta101Gln residue is important for responding to allosteric effectors,
      such as phosphate, inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), and chloride. The rHb WM mutants
      studied generally have higher affinity for oxygen under various conditions of pH,
      temperature, and salt concentration, and in the presence or absence of organic
      phosphate, than do rHb WM, rHb AE, and Hb A. Titrations for the O2 affinity of
      these mutant rHbs as a function of chloride concentration indicate a lower
      heterotopic effect of this anion due to the replacement of beta/delta101Gln in
      rHb WM. The alkaline Bohr effect of rHb WM and its mutants is reduced by 20-50%
      compared to that of Hb A and is independent of changes in temperature, in
      contrast to what has been observed in the hemoglobins of most mammalian species,
      including human. The results of our study on the temperature dependence of the O2
      affinity of rHb WM and its mutant rHbs illustrate the important role of
      beta/delta101Gln in regulating the functional properties of these hemoglobins. 

PMID- 24228694
TI  - Phylogeographic analysis of the true lemurs (genus Eulemur) underlines the role
      of river catchments for the evolution of micro-endemism in Madagascar.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Due to its remarkable species diversity and micro-endemism,
      Madagascar has recently been suggested to serve as a biogeographic model region.
      However, hypothesis-based tests of various diversification mechanisms that have
      been proposed for the evolution of the island's micro-endemic lineages are still
      limited. Here, we test the fit of several diversification hypotheses with new
      data on the broadly distributed genus Eulemur using coalescent-based
      phylogeographic analyses. RESULTS: Time-calibrated species tree analyses and
      population genetic clustering resolved the previously polytomic species
      relationships among eulemurs. The most recent common ancestor of eulemurs was
      estimated to have lived about 4.45 million years ago (mya). Divergence date
      estimates furthermore suggested a very recent diversification among the members
      of the "brown lemur complex", i.e. former subspecies of E. fulvus, during the
      Pleistocene (0.33-1.43 mya). Phylogeographic model comparisons of past migration
      rates showed significant levels of gene flow between lineages of neighboring
      river catchments as well as between eastern and western populations of the
      redfronted lemur (E. rufifrons). CONCLUSIONS: Together, our results are
      concordant with the centers of endemism hypothesis (Wilme et al. 2006, Science
      312:1063-1065), highlight the importance of river catchments for the evolution of
      Madagascar's micro-endemic biota, and they underline the usefulness of testing
      diversification mechanisms using coalescent-based phylogeographic methods.

PMID- 24228695
TI  - Off-clamp versus complete hilar control partial nephrectomy for renal cell
      carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and potential advantages of off
      clamp partial nephrectomy (OFF-PN) compared with on-clamp partial nephrectomy (ON
      PN). METHODS: Relevant studies comparing the safety and efficacy of OFF-PN to ON
      PN were identified through a literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the
      Cochrane Library. The outcome measures included baseline characteristics, primary
      outcomes, and secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Ten retrospective studies (728 cases
      and 1267 controls) were included. No significant differences between the two
      groups were detected in any of the baseline variables (age: p=0.19; sex: p=0.49;
      BMI: p=0.29; tumor size: p=0.44, pre-eGFR: p=0.78) except for tumor location
      (p<0.001). The OFF-PN group had a higher blood transfusion rate (odds ratio [OR]
      1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.7-2.21, p=0.02), a lower postoperative
      complication rate (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.44-0.83, p=0.002), and a lower positive
      margin rate (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.90, p=0.02) than ON-PN. OFF-PN offered a
      better preservation of renal function than ON-PN (p=0.005). No significant
      differences were detected between the two groups in other outcomes of interest.
      In sensitivity analysis, there was no change in the significance of any of the
      outcomes except for postoperative complication rate (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.53-1.5,
      p=0.73) and positive margin rate (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.25-1.23, p=0.15).
      CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that with appropriate patient selection,
      OFF-PN offer comparable perioperative safety, equivalent oncologic outcomes, and
      superior long-term renal function preservation when compared with ON-PN for renal
      cell carcinoma. Given the inherent limitations of the included studies, future
      well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to confirm our findings.

PMID- 24228697
TI  - Isostructural nuclear and luminescent probes derived from stabilized [2 + 1]
      rhenium(I)/technetium(I) organometallic complexes.
AB  - A convenient method to prepare (99m)Tc analogues of a class of rhenium(I)
      luminophores was developed, creating isostructural pairs of nuclear and optical
      probes. A two-step procedure and a new one-pot procedure were used to produce a
      series of [2 + 1] complexes of the type [Tc(CO)3(bipy)L](+) in greater than 80%
      yield. The plasma stability of the reported compounds was evaluated, where the
      basicity of the monodentate pyridine type ligand (L) has a significant impact
      with half-lives ranging from 2 to 20 h. The ability to generate the radioactive
      complexes makes it possible to quantitate cell uptake of Re luminophores, which
      was demonstrated in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using (99m)Tc analogues of two
      Re(I)-based mitochondrial targeting dyes. 

PMID- 24228698
TI  - OMICS-based personalized oncology: if it is worth doing, it is worth doing well!
AB  - The era of Personalized Medicine implies getting the right treatment to the right
      patient at the right schedule and dose at the right time. Tumor biomarker tests
      are keys to accomplishing this goal successfully. However, much of the
      translational research regarding tumor biomarker tests has been haphazard, often
      using data and specimen sets of convenience and ignoring many of the principles
      of the scientific method. In papers published simultaneously in BMC Medicine and
      Nature, McShane and colleagues have proposed a checklist of criteria that should
      be followed by investigators planning to conduct prospective clinical trials
      directed towards generating high levels of evidence to demonstrate whether a
      tumor biomarker test has clinical utility for a specific context. These criteria
      were generated in response to a roadmap reported by a committee convened by the
      U.S. Institute of Medicine for generation of omics-based biomarker tests. Taken
      together with several other initiatives to increase the rigor of tumor biomarker
      research, these criteria will increase the perception of value for tumor
      biomarker test research and application in the clinic. Please see related
      article: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/220.

PMID- 24228699
TI  - Survey of the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in Kurdish women.
AB  - This study evaluates the prevalence of female sexual dysfunctions among Kurdish
      women. Participants in the study were 196 women between 15 and 55 years of age
      who attended the gynecological clinic of Be'sat Hospital in Sanandaj Province,
      Iran. The authors collected relevant data using the Female Sexual Function Index.
      The mean score was 22.71 (SD = 5). Using a cutoff score of 26.55, the authors
      found that 151 women (77%) had some sexual dysfunction. Scores declined as
      patients' age increased; further, an older age at marriage was associated with a
      higher score. This study, the first about sexual dysfunctions in Kurdish society,
      shows that sexual dysfunctions are prevalent among women of this ethnicity.
      Clinicians should complete further studies to assess the factors contributing to
      this phenomenon. 

PMID- 24228700
TI  - Deeper Processing Is Associated With Support for Policies to Reduce Obesity.
AB  - Health communication researchers have become increasingly interested in factors
      that predict support for health-related policy. Previous studies have shown that
      judgments about issues that are influenced by political ideology can be modified
      by the depth with which receivers process messages related to that issue. In this
      study, we test whether the same pattern is found for causal attributions about
      obesity and, ultimately, support for policies to reduce obesity. A national,
      random sample of U.S. adults read a story about both individual and societal
      causes of obesity. The longer the time participants spent on the study, and the
      more words they generated in a thought-listing procedure (operationalizations of
      depth of processing), the more likely participants were to support policies to
      reduce obesity, a traditionally liberal position. The same measures of depth of
      processing did not influence causal explanation of obesity overall, but the more
      time political moderates spent on the study, the more likely they were to both
      attribute societal explanations for obesity's causes and to support policies to
      combat obesity. We conclude with a discussion of this study's application to
      health communication campaigns and future research directions.

PMID- 24228701
TI  - Mailed versus frozen transport of nasal swabs for surveillance of respiratory
      bacteria in remote Indigenous communities in Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surveillance programs and research for acute respiratory infections
      in remote Australian communities are complicated by difficulties in the storage
      and transport of frozen samples to urban laboratories for testing. This study
      assessed the sensitivity of a simple method for transporting nasal swabs from a
      remote setting for bacterial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. METHODS: We
      sampled every individual who presented to a remote community clinic over a three
      week period in August at a time of low influenza and no respiratory syncytial
      virus activity. Two anterior nasal swabs were collected from each participant.
      The left nare specimen was mailed to the laboratory via routine postal services.
      The right nare specimen was transported frozen. Testing for six bacterial species
      was undertaken using real-time PCR. RESULTS: One hundred and forty participants
      were enrolled who contributed 150 study visits and paired specimens for testing.
      Respiratory illnesses accounted for 10% of the reasons for presentation. Bacteria
      were identified in 117 (78%) presentations for 110 (79.4%) individuals;
      Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were the most common (each
      identified in 58% of episodes). The overall sensitivity for any bacterium
      detected in mailed specimens was 82.2% (95% CI 73.6, 88.1) compared to 94.8% (95%
      CI 89.4, 98.1) for frozen specimens. The sensitivity of the two methods varied by
      species identified. CONCLUSION: The mailing of unfrozen nasal specimens from
      remote communities appears to influence the utility of the specimen for bacterial
      studies, with a loss in sensitivity for the detection of any species overall.
      Further studies are needed to confirm our finding and to investigate the possible
      mechanisms of effect. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia and New Zealand
      Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12609001006235.

PMID- 24228704
TI  - Response to Satter: make the healthy choice the easy choice.

PMID- 24228707
TI  - Associations between heavy episodic drinking and alcohol related injuries: a case
      control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol is a significant risk factor for injuries. This study
      addresses 1) whether the risk of alcohol related injury increases with frequency
      of heavy episodic drinking (HED) in a linear fashion, and 2) whether a small
      group of high risk drinkers accounts for the majority of alcohol related
      injuries. METHODS: We applied a case - control design. Cases were BAC positive
      injured patients (n = 534) and controls were respondents to a general population
      survey in Norway (n = 1947). Age and gender adjusted association between self
      reported past year HED frequency and alcohol related injury risk was estimated in
      logistic regression models for all alcohol related injuries and for violence
      injuries and accident injuries separately. RESULTS: An increase in HED was
      associated with an increase in risk of alcohol related injury, resembling a
      linear risk function. The small fraction of high risk drinkers (6.6%) accounted
      for 41.6% of all alcohol related injuries, thus lending support to the validity
      of the prevention paradox. CONCLUSION: There is a strong relationship between
      frequency of heavy episodic drinking and risk of alcohol related injuries, yet
      the majority of alcohol related injuries are found among drinkers who are not in
      the high risk group.

PMID- 24228708
TI  - Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing multidrug-resistant
      Escherichia coli among isolates from community-acquired infections and in silico
      structural modeling of an ESBL protein.
AB  - Escherichia coli is a common major cause of bacterial infections in tea tribe
      patients of the northeast region of Assam, India. In this study, we documented
      multidrug resistance (MDR) and the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta
      lactamases (ESBLs) among 148 E. coli strains that were isolated from bacterial
      infections in tea tribe patients who had a history of self-medication. High
      prevalence of resistance to ampicillin (82%), amoxicillin (68%), cefixime (60%),
      norfloxacin (60%), nalidixic acid (60%), and co-trimoxazole (53%) was observed.
      Of 148 E. coli isolates, 38 (26%) were confirmed as ESBL producers. The ESBL
      genes were sequenced from highly resistant ESBL producing E. coli isolates.
      Molecular modeling was performed using MODELLER 9v10 software to determine the
      three-dimensional structure of a protein. This result indicates that the
      prevailing reason for the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in this
      community is prior exposure to low-quality antibiotics, hence MDR in E. coli is
      increasing. ESBLs are enzymes that are produced by resistant bacteria that
      hydrolyze advanced generations of cephalosporin antibiotics and cause resistance,
      even in patients with community-acquired infections. So our results provide a
      framework for understanding the structure and possible binding sites of ESBL
      proteins for drug targeting, and the results were found to be reliable. 

PMID- 24228709
TI  - Parents and children with cerebral palsy discuss communication needs in hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand the communication needs and
      experiences of parents and children with cerebral palsy (CP) and complex
      communication needs (CCN) in hospital. METHODS: Focus groups with 10 parents and
      interviews with seven children with CP and CCN were analysed for content themes.
      RESULTS: Results demonstrated that children often want to communicate directly
      with hospital staff to: gain attention, answer yes/no, convey basic physical
      needs, give and receive information, control their environment and participate in
      preferred activities. Barriers to communication included lack of access to
      augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), staff preferring to communicate
      with parents and lack of time to communicate. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight
      strategies for successful communication, the role of the parents in supporting
      communication and provision of AAC systems for children in hospital. Policy and
      practice implications in the preparation of children with CP and CCN for
      communication in hospital are discussed.

PMID- 24228710
TI  - Loss of salmeterol bronchoprotection against exercise in relation to ADRB2
      Arg16Gly polymorphism and exhaled nitric oxide.
AB  - RATIONALE: beta2-Agonists are the treatment of choice for exercise-induced
      bronchoconstriction (EIB) and act through specific receptors (ADRB2). Arg16Gly
      polymorphisms have been shown to affect responses to regular use of beta2
      agonists. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of the Arg16Gly receptor
      polymorphism on salmeterol bronchoprotection in EIB and assess predictors of
      bronchoprotection. METHODS: A prospective, genotype-blinded, randomized trial was
      performed in 26 subjects (12 Arg16Arg and 14 Gly16Gly) with EIB who were not on
      controller therapy. Subjects were administered salmeterol, 50 MUg twice a day for
      2 weeks, and underwent an exercise challenge 9 hours after the first and last
      drug dose. In addition to genotype, FEV1, response to salmeterol, degree of EIB,
      and exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) at baseline were examined for their association
      with loss of bronchoprotection (LOB). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The maximum
      exercise-induced FEV1 fall was 27.9 +/- 1.4% during the run-in period, 8.1 +/-
      1.2% (70.3 +/- 4.1% bronchoprotection) after the first salmeterol dose, and 22.8
      +/- 3.2% (18.9 +/- 11.5% bronchoprotection) after 2 weeks of salmeterol (P =
      0.0001). The Arg16Gly polymorphisms were not associated with the LOB in response
      to salmeterol. FeNO values at baseline were significantly related to the LOB (r =
      0.47; P = 0.01). Mean change was a 74 +/- 13% LOB in subjects with FE(NO) levels
      greater than 50 ppb and a 7 +/- 16% gain in bronchoprotection in those with
      FE(NO) levels less than 25 ppb (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The LOB that occurs with
      chronic long-acting beta2-agonists use is not affected by ADRB2 Arg16Gly
      polymorphisms. High FE(NO) was associated with marked LOB. Use of long-acting
      beta2-agonists before achieving a reduction in FeNO may need to be avoided.
      Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 00595361).

PMID- 24228711
TI  - Wilms' tumour suppressor gene 1 (WT1) is involved in the carcinogenesis of Lung
      cancer through interaction with PI3K/Akt pathway.
AB  - ABSRACT: Although studies have shown the oncogene WT1 is overexpressed in lung
      cancer, there is no data showing the implication of WT1 in lung cancer biology.
      In the present study, we first demonstrated that isotype C of WT1 was conservely
      overexpressed in 20 lung cancer patient specimens. Knockdown of WT1 by small
      interference RNA (siRNA) transfection resulted in a significant inhibition of
      cell proliferation, induction of cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, and the
      expression change of BCL-2 family genes in WT1+ A549 cells. Furthermore, we found
      that DDP treatment could decrease the WT1 mRNA expression level by 5% and 15% at
      a dose of 1 MUg/ml, by 25% and 40% at a dose of 2 MUg/ml for 24 and 48 h,
      respectively. In the mean time, DDP treatment also reduced the PI3K/AKT pathway
      activity. Further analysis by using siRNA targeting the AKT-1 and the PI3K
      pathway inhibitor Ly294002 revealed that the AKT-1 siRNA reduced the WT1
      expression effectively in A549 cells, and the same result was observed in
      Ly294002 treated cells, indicating that DDP treatment could down regulate WT1
      expression through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Of particular interest, knockdown of WT1
      also inhibited the AKT expression effectively, Chip assay further confirmed that
      WT1 is a transcription factor of AKT-1. We thus concluded that there is a
      positive feedback loop between WT1 and AKT-1. Taken together, DDP treatment
      downregulates the WT1 expression through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and
      there is a feedback between WT1 and AKT-1; WT1 is involved in cellular
      proliferation in A549 cells, WT1 inhibition in combination with DDP will provide
      a new light for lung cancer therapy.

PMID- 24228713
TI  - Open questions: genomics and how far we haven't come.

PMID- 24228712
TI  - Nanosecond time scale motions in proteins revealed by high-resolution NMR
      relaxometry.
AB  - Understanding the molecular determinants underlying protein function requires the
      characterization of both structure and dynamics at atomic resolution. Nuclear
      relaxation rates allow a precise characterization of protein dynamics at the
      Larmor frequencies of spins. This usually limits the sampling of motions to a
      narrow range of frequencies corresponding to high magnetic fields. At lower
      fields one cannot achieve sufficient sensitivity and resolution in NMR. Here, we
      use a fast shuttle device where the polarization builds up and the signals are
      detected at high field, while longitudinal relaxation takes place at low fields
      0.5 < B0 < 14.1 T. The sample is propelled over a distance up to 50 cm by a
      blowgun-like system in about 50 ms. The analysis of nitrogen-15 relaxation in the
      protein ubiquitin over such a wide range of magnetic fields offers unprecedented
      insights into molecular dynamics. Some key regions of the protein feature
      structural fluctuations on nanosecond time scales, which have so far been
      overlooked in high-field relaxation studies. Nanosecond motions in proteins may
      have been underestimated by traditional high-field approaches, and slower supra
      tau(c) motions that have no effect on relaxation may have been overestimated.
      High-resolution relaxometry thus opens the way to a quantitative characterization
      of nanosecond motions in proteins.

PMID- 24228714
TI  - MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors: ligands, models, oligomers, and therapeutic
      potential.
AB  - Numerous physiological functions of the pineal gland hormone melatonin are
      mediated via activation of two G-protein-coupled receptors, MT1 and MT2. The
      melatonergic drugs on the market, ramelteon and agomelatine, as well as the most
      advanced drug candidates under clinical evaluation, tasimelteon and TIK-301, are
      high-affinity nonselective MT1/MT2 agonists. A great number of MT2-selective
      ligands and, more recently, several MT1-selective agents have been reported to
      date. Herein, we review recent advances in the field focusing on high-affinity
      agonists and antagonists and those displaying selectivity toward MT1 and MT2
      receptors. Moreover, the existing models of MT1 and MT2 receptors as well as the
      current status in the emerging field of melatonin receptor oligomerization are
      critically discussed. In addition to the already existing indications, such as
      insomnia, circadian sleep disorders, and depression, new potential therapeutic
      applications of melatonergic ligands including cardiovascular regulation,
      appetite control, tumor growth inhibition, and neurodegenerative diseases are
      presented. 

PMID- 24228715
TI  - Transcriptome sequencing and microarray design for functional genomics in the
      extremophile Arabidopsis relative Thellungiella salsuginea (Eutrema salsugineum).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most molecular studies of plant stress tolerance have been performed
      with Arabidopsis thaliana, although it is not particularly stress tolerant and
      may lack protective mechanisms required to survive extreme environmental
      conditions. Thellungiella salsuginea has attracted interest as an alternative
      plant model species with high tolerance of various abiotic stresses. While the T.
      salsuginea genome has recently been sequenced, its annotation is still incomplete
      and transcriptomic information is scarce. In addition, functional genomics
      investigations in this species are severely hampered by a lack of affordable
      tools for genome-wide gene expression studies. RESULTS: Here, we report the
      results of Thellungiella de novo transcriptome assembly and annotation based on
      454 pyrosequencing and development and validation of a T. salsuginea microarray.
      ESTs were generated from a non-normalized and a normalized library synthesized
      from RNA pooled from samples covering different tissues and abiotic stress
      conditions. Both libraries yielded partially unique sequences, indicating their
      necessity to obtain comprehensive transcriptome coverage. More than 1 million
      sequence reads were assembled into 42,810 unigenes, approximately 50% of which
      could be functionally annotated. These unigenes were compared to all available
      Thellungiella genome sequence information. In addition, the groups of Late
      Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins, Mitogen Activated Protein (MAP) kinases
      and protein phosphatases were annotated in detail. We also predicted the target
      genes for 384 putative miRNAs. From the sequence information, we constructed a 44
      k Agilent oligonucleotide microarray. Comparison of same-species and cross
      species hybridization results showed superior performance of the newly designed
      array for T. salsuginea samples. The developed microarrays were used to
      investigate transcriptional responses of T. salsuginea and Arabidopsis during
      cold acclimation using the MapMan software. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the
      first comprehensive transcriptome information for the extremophile Arabidopsis
      relative T. salsuginea. The data constitute a more than three-fold increase in
      the number of publicly available unigene sequences and will greatly facilitate
      genome annotation. In addition, we have designed and validated the first genome
      wide microarray for T. salsuginea, which will be commercially available. Together
      with the publicly available MapMan software this will become an important tool
      for functional genomics of plant stress tolerance.

PMID- 24228716
TI  - Formal reduction potential of 3,5-difluorotyrosine in a structured protein:
      insight into multistep radical transfer.
AB  - The reversible Y-O*/Y-OH redox properties of the alpha3Y model protein allow
      access to the electrochemical and thermodynamic properties of 3,5
      difluorotyrosine. The unnatural amino acid has been incorporated at position 32,
      the dedicated radical site in alpha3Y, by in vivo nonsense codon suppression.
      Incorporation of 3,5-difluorotyrosine gives rise to very minor structural changes
      in the protein scaffold at pH values below the apparent pK (8.0+/-0.1) of the
      unnatural residue. Square-wave voltammetry on alpha3(3,5)F2Y provides an E
      degrees '(Y-O*/Y-OH) of 1026+/-4 mV versus the normal hydrogen electrode (pH
      5.70+/-0.02) and shows that the fluoro substitutions lower the E degrees ' by 
      30+/-3 mV. These results illustrate the utility of combining the optimized
      alpha3Y tyrosine radical system with in vivo nonsense codon suppression to obtain
      the formal reduction potential of an unnatural aromatic residue residing within a
      well-structured protein. It is further observed that the protein E degrees '
      values differ significantly from peak potentials derived from irreversible
      voltammograms of the corresponding aqueous species. This is notable because
      solution potentials have been the main thermodynamic data available for amino
      acid radicals. The findings in this paper are discussed relative to recent
      mechanistic studies of the multistep radical-transfer process in Escherichia coli
      ribonucleotide reductase site-specifically labeled with unnatural tyrosine
      residues.

PMID- 24228718
TI  - An insect defensin-derived beta-hairpin peptide with enhanced antibacterial
      activity.
AB  - Insect defensins are a class of small, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides
      primarily active on Gram-positive bacteria. Their roles in maggot therapy for
      treating chronic wound infection have been reported recently. However, a
      relatively narrow antibacterial spectrum together with the lack of a cost
      effective means of commercial-scale production has limited their application. To
      further exploit the therapeutic potential of these molecules, we engineered the
      carboxyl-terminal beta-sheet of navidefensin2-2, an insect defensin from Nasonia
      vitripennis, based on its structural similarity to naturally occurring
      microbicidal beta-hairpin peptides. The designed peptide of 14 residues, referred
      to as NvBH, spans the beta-sheet region of the defensin with two amino acids
      substituted for assembly of a disulfide-bonded amphipathic beta-hairpin
      structure. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) combined
      with circular dichroism (CD) analysis shows that the oxidized NvBH (oNvBH),
      produced from the synthetic peptide by air oxidization in an alkaline
      environment, folds into a typical beta-hairpin structure linked by two disulfide
      bridges (Cys1-Cys4; Cys2-Cys3). However, such a structure appears not to be
      functionally necessary as synthetic NvBH with a spontaneously oxidized disulfide
      bridge (Cys2-Cys3) (termed poNvBH) displayed similar antibacterial potency to
      oNvBH. In comparison with oNvBH, poNvBH exhibited higher serum stability and more
      resistance on tryptic digestion. These two forms of peptides are capable of
      killing an array of Gram-positive (including antibiotic-resistant strains of
      Staphylococcus) and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens at low micromolar
      concentrations through a membrane disruptive mode of action. Our work indicates
      that the beta-sheet region of insect defensins is a promising subdomain of
      proteins in anti-infective drug discovery. 

PMID- 24228717
TI  - Effect of amitriptyline on tetrodotoxin-resistant Nav1.9 currents in nociceptive
      trigeminal neurons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Amitriptyline (AMI) is tricyclic antidepressant that has been widely
      used to manage various chronic pains such as migraines. Its efficacy is
      attributed to its blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs). However, the
      effects of AMI on the tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-r) sodium channel Nav1.9
      currents have been unclear to present. RESULTS: Using a whole-cell patch clamp
      technique, this study showed that AMI efficiently inhibited Nav1.9 currents in a
      concentration-dependent manner and had an IC50 of 15.16 MUM in acute isolated
      trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons of the rats. 10 MUM AMI significantly shifted
      the steady-state inactivation of Nav1.9 channels in the hyperpolarizing direction
      without affecting voltage-dependent activation. Surprisingly, neither 10 nor 50
      MUM AMI caused a use-dependent blockade of Nav1.9 currents elicited by 60 pulses
      at 1 Hz. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that AMI is a state-selective blocker of
      Nav1.9 channels in rat nociceptive trigeminal neurons, which likely contributes
      to the efficacy of AMI in treating various pains, including migraines.

PMID- 24228719
TI  - Content and face validation of a curriculum for ultrasonic propulsion of calculi
      in a human renal model.
AB  - PURPOSE: Ultrasonic propulsion to reposition urinary tract calculi requires
      knowledge about ultrasound image capture, device manipulation, and
      interpretation. The purpose of this study was to validate a cognitive and
      technical skills curriculum to teach urologists ultrasonic propulsion to
      reposition kidney stones in tissue phantoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten board
      certified urologists recruited from a single institution underwent a didactic
      session on renal ultrasound imaging. Subjects completed technical skills modules
      in tissue phantoms, including kidney imaging, pushing a stone through a
      translucent maze, and repositioning a lower pole calyceal stone. Objective
      cognitive and technical performance metrics were recorded. Subjects completed a
      questionnaire to ascertain face and content validity on a five-point Likert
      scale. RESULTS: Eight urologists (80%) had never attended a previous ultrasound
      course, and nine (90%) performed renal ultrasounds less frequently than every 6
      months. Mean cognitive skills scores improved from 55% to 91% (p<0.0001) on pre-
      and post-didactic tests. In the kidney phantom, 10 subjects (100%) repositioned
      the lower pole calyceal stone to at least the lower pole infundibulum, while 9
      (90%) successfully repositioned the stone to the renal pelvis. A mean+/-SD
      (15.7+/-13.3) pushes were required to complete the task over an average of 4.6+/
      2.2 minutes. Urologists rated the curriculum's effectiveness and realism as a
      training tool at a mean score of 4.6/5.0 and 4.1/5.0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      The curriculum for ultrasonic propulsion is effective and useful for training
      urologists with limited ultrasound proficiency in stone repositioning technique.
      Further studies in animate and human models will be required to assess predictive
      validity.

PMID- 24228721
TI  - Exchange coupling and its chemical trend studied by high-frequency EPR on
      heterometallic [Ln2Ni] complexes.
AB  - We applied high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance to trinuclear 4f-3d
      heterometallic complexes, [{Ln(hfac)3}2{Ni(dpk)2(py)2}] (Ln = Y, Gd, Tb, and Ho;
      hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate, dpk = di-2-pyridyl ketoximate, and py =
      pyridine), and determined the exchange parameter J(Ln-Ni) as well as nickel(II)
      zero-field splitting parameters. In contrast to the antiferromagnetic Dy
      analogue, ferromagnetic couplings were precisely characterized as J(Gd-Ni)/kB =
      +0.301(4) K, J(Tb-Ni)/kB = +0.216(12) K, and J(Ho-Ni)/kB = +0.110(3) K (defined
      as -J(Ln-Ni)?J(Ln)(z)S(Ni)).

PMID- 24228720
TI  - Protein-C deficiency presenting as pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction
      in the same patient.
AB  - Plasma protein-C exerts anticoagulatory effects by inactivating factors V and
      VIII. Hereditary protein C deficiency is transmitted as an autosomal dominant
      disorder. Homozygous individuals usually develop purpura fulminans as newborns;
      heterozygous protein C-deficient individuals are at increased risk for venous
      thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. However, arterial thrombosis occurring as a
      result of congenital protein-C deficiency is still controversial. We describe a
      young patient with heterozygous protein-C deficiency who experienced both
      pulmonary embolism as well as myocardial infarction due to thrombotic occlusion
      without underlying major risk factors. Acute myocardial infarction in young
      without underlying major risk factors may be evaluated for protein c deficiency. 

PMID- 24228722
TI  - Global health: the importance of evidence-based medicine.
AB  - Global health is a varied field that comprises research, evaluation and policy
      that, by its definition, also occurs in disparate locations across the world.
      This forum article is introduced by our guest editor of the Medicine for Global
      Health article collection, Gretchen Birbeck. Here, experts based across different
      settings describe their personal experiences of global health, discussing how
      evidence-based medicine in resource-limited settings can be translated into
      improved health outcomes. 

PMID- 24228723
TI  - Hospital to home: a geriatric educational program on effective discharge
      planning.
AB  - There has been increased attention on the needs of the burgeoning older adult
      population, with focus on the limited education and training experiences
      available in geriatric care. Older adults transitioning between levels of care
      often require increased attention, and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Task
      Force on the Future of Geriatric Medicine has encouraged greater training
      opportunities be provided to better understand the needs of this population. The
      Hospital to Home Program is one model of geriatric training emphasizing many of
      the AGS recommendations. Through qualitative analyses of 51 internal medicine
      residents' reflections, the authors report how this educational program is
      meeting the above need and share how Hospital to Home is enhancing residents'
      skills in creating a safe discharge for geriatric patients and their families. 

PMID- 24228724
TI  - Prevalence of diabetes complications in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and
      its association with baseline characteristics in the multinational A1chieve
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current International Diabetes Federation guidelines recommend a
      target HbA1c <7.0%, but many people with diabetes worldwide find this difficult
      to achieve, increasing their risk of developing complications. This publication
      examines the prevalence of diabetes complications and its association with
      baseline characteristics in people with type 2 diabetes who participated in the
      A1chieve study. METHODS: A1chieve was a 24-week, multinational, open-label,
      observational study of 66,726 people with type 2 diabetes who had begun using
      biphasic insulin aspart 30, insulin aspart, or insulin detemir in routine
      clinical care. Participants were enrolled from 28 countries across four
      continents (Asia, Africa, Europe and South America). Baseline measurements of
      disease characteristics included: glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting (FPG) and
      post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG), high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
      (H- or LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and body mass index (BMI). Data on
      complications and use of vascular disease preventative drugs were collected.
      RESULTS: Complication rates were high (27.2% had macrovascular complications and
      53.5% had microvascular complications), particularly in Russia, and use of
      vascular disease preventative drugs was lower than expected. Age, BMI, diabetes
      duration, LDL-C, and SBP were positively associated, and HDL-C negatively
      associated, with macro- and microvascular complications (all p < 0.05). HbA1c and
      FPG were negatively associated with macrovascular complications (both p < 0.05),
      which may be linked to the cross-sectional study design. CONCLUSIONS: These
      results suggest a worldwide failure to achieve glycaemic targets. Better diabetes
      management with earlier initiation and optimisation of insulin regimens (e.g.,
      with insulin analogues in the A1chieve population) may reduce the prevalence of
      vascular complications, improve the lives of people with diabetes and reduce the
      burden on healthcare systems.

PMID- 24228725
TI  - Evaluation of NGAL TestTM on Cobas 6000.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) is a promising
      biomarker for acute kidney injury (AKI). Our objectives were to evaluate the NGAL
      Test(TM) from Bioporto for both urine NGAL and plasma NGAL on the Cobas 6000 c501
      (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) with matched measurements run on
      Hitachi 917, the method's linearity on the Cobas 6000 in urine, EDTA and Lithium
      Heparin (Li-Hep), the influence of using EDTA or Li-Hep tubes and, finally, the
      impact of freezing and thawing on the sample. METHODS: Forty matched samples of
      Li-Hep and EDTA plasma and 40 urine samples were analyzed for method,
      anticoagulant, and freeze-thaw comparisons. Linearity was assessed using high
      NGAL samples diluted in urine, EDTA, and Li-Hep plasma. Commercial internal
      controls were used for the imprecision study. RESULTS: The Cobas 6000 measured
      identically with the Hitachi 917, however, not in EDTA plasma (Median Difference
      = 17.50 MUg/L, p < 0.0001). Freeze-thaw process reduced NGAL ((EDTA: Mean
      Difference = = 15.13 MUg/L, p = 0.0014)(Li-Hep: Median Difference = = 6.5 MUg/L,
      p = 0.0129)). NGAL results were higher in Li-Hep plasma than in EDTA plasma ((Non
      thawed: Median Difference = = 14.5 MUg/L, p < 0.0001), (Thawed: Median Difference
      = = 21.5 MUg/L, p = 0.0003)). Linearity agreements were observed in all three
      specimens. Imprecision (CV%) was below 3%. CONCLUSION: The NGAL Test(TM) can be
      applied on the Cobas 6000 with acceptable performance, although the Cobas 6000
      measured higher than the Hitachi 917 in EDTA plasma. Though clinically
      insignificant, we found that the freeze-thaw process had a reduced effect. NGAL
      results were higher in Li-Hep tubes than in EDTA tubes. Thus, for blood samples
      we recommend use of EDTA tubes for NGAL measurements.

PMID- 24228726
TI  - Abnormal centrosome and spindle morphology in a patient with autosomal recessive
      primary microcephaly type 2 due to compound heterozygous WDR62 gene mutation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a rare
      neurodevelopmental disease with severe microcephaly at birth due to a pronounced
      reduction in brain volume and intellectual disability. Biallelic mutations in the
      WD repeat-containing protein 62 gene WDR62 are the genetic cause of MCPH2.
      However, the exact underlying pathomechanism of MCPH2 remains to be clarified.
      METHODS/RESULTS: We characterized the clinical, radiological, and cellular
      features that add to the human MCPH2 phenotype. Exome sequencing followed by
      Sanger sequencing in a German family with two affected daughters with primary
      microcephaly revealed in the index patient the compound heterozygous mutations
      c.1313G>A (p.R438H) / c.2864-2867delACAG (p.D955Afs*112) of WDR62, the second of
      which is novel. Radiological examination displayed small frontal lobes, corpus
      callosum hypoplasia, simplified hippocampal gyration, and cerebellar hypoplasia.
      We investigated the cellular phenotype in patient-derived lymphoblastoid cells
      and compared it with that of healthy female controls. WDR62 expression in the
      patient's immortalized lymphocytes was deranged, and mitotic spindle defects as
      well as abnormal centrosomal protein localization were apparent. CONCLUSION: We
      propose that a disruption of centrosome integrity and/or spindle organization may
      play an important role in the development of microcephaly in MCPH2.

PMID- 24228727
TI  - Is the use of computer navigation in total knee arthroplasty improving implant
      positioning and function? A comparative study of 198 knees operated at a
      Norwegian district hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are few Scandinavian studies on the effect of computer assisted
      orthopedic surgery (CAOS) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), compared to
      conventional technique (CON), and there is little information on effects in pain
      and function scores. This retrospective study has evaluated the effects of CAOS
      on radiological parameters and pain, function and quality of life after primary
      TKA. METHODS: 198 primary TKAs were operated by one surgeon in two district
      hospitals; 103 CAOS and 95 CON. The groups were evaluated based on 3 months post
      operative radiographs and a questionnaire containing the knee osteoarthritis
      outcome score (KOOS), the EQ-5D index score and a visual analogue scale (VAS) two
      years after surgery. Multiple linear regression method was used to investigate
      possible impact from exposure (CON or CAOS). RESULTS: On hip-knee-ankle
      radiographs, 20% of measurements were > +/-3 degrees  of neutral in the CAOS
      group and 25% in the CON group (p = 0.37). For the femoral component, the number
      was 5% for CAOS and 18% for CON (p < 0.01). For the tibial component, the
      difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.58). In the sagittal plane,
      the surgeon tended to apply more femoral flexion and more posterior tibial slope
      with CAOS. We observed no statistically or clinically significant difference in
      KOOS score, VAS or ?EQ-5D (all p values >0.05), but there was a trend towards
      better scores for CAOS. Operation time was 3 minutes longer for CON (p = 0.37).
      CONCLUSIONS: CAOS can improve radiological measurements in primary TKA, and makes
      it possible to adjust component placement to the patient's anatomy. Over-all, the
      two methods are equal in pain, function and quality-of-life scores.

PMID- 24228728
TI  - Comparing implicit and synaesthetic number-space associations: Visuospatial and
      verbal spatial-numerical associations of response codes.
AB  - In the theory of the mental number line, number, and space are implicitly
      associated, giving rise to the spatial-numerical association of response codes
      (SNARC) effect, in which smaller numbers are more readily associated with the
      left side of space and larger numbers with the right, during a parity judgement
      task. Others, however, have argued that the SNARC effect is flexible and better
      explained by verbal rather than spatial associations. A few single-case studies
      on the SNARC effect have tested number-space synaesthetes, who make explicit
      associations between number and space. Here, we present data from experiments
      conducted on groups of synaesthetes and nonsynaesthetes on the classic SNARC
      parity judgement task with lateralized response keys and a modified version in
      which they responded to labels appearing on screen. Synaesthetes' behaviour was
      expected to differ from nonsynaesthetes' behaviour due to the explicit, fixed
      nature of their number-space associations, but both experiments show the two
      groups behaving in the same way, indicating that parity judgement tasks may not
      be tapping the same representation of number that gives rise to synaesthetic
      number-space experiences.

PMID- 24228729
TI  - Autophagy in locomotor muscles of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease.
AB  - RATIONALE: Locomotor muscle atrophy develops in patients with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD) partly because of increased protein degradation by the
      ubiquitin-proteasome system. It is not known if autophagy also contributes to
      protein degradation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether autophagy is enhanced in
      locomotor muscles of stable patients with COPD, to quantify autophagy-related
      gene expression in these muscles, and to identify mechanisms of autophagy
      induction. METHODS: Muscle biopsies were obtained from two cohorts of control
      subjects and patients with COPD and the numbers of autophagosomes in the vastus
      lateralis and tibialis anterior muscles, the levels of LC3B protein lipidation,
      and the expression of autophagy-related genes were measured in the vastus
      lateralis muscle. To investigate potential pathways that might induce the
      activation of autophagy, measures were taken of protein kinase B (AKT), mTORC1,
      and AMPK pathway activation, transcription factor regulation, proteasome
      activation, and oxidative stress. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Autophagy is
      enhanced in the locomotor muscles of patients with COPD as shown by significantly
      higher numbers of autophagosomes in affected muscles as compared with control
      subjects. Autophagosome number inversely correlates with FEV1. In the vastus
      lateralis, LC3B protein lipidation is increased by COPD and the expression of
      autophagy-related gene expressions is up-regulated. LC3B lipidation inversely
      correlates with thigh cross-sectional area, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio. Enhanced
      autophagy is associated with activation of the AMPK pathway and FOXO
      transcription factors, inhibition of the mTORC1 and AKT pathways, and the
      development of oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Autophagy is significantly enhanced
      in locomotor muscles of stable patients with COPD. The degree of autophagy
      correlates with severity of muscle atrophy and lung function impairment.

PMID- 24228730
TI  - Biochemical screening for aneuploidy in patients with donor oocyte pregnancies
      compared with autologous pregnancies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine if the rate of abnormal biochemical
      markers is different in pregnancies conceived by donor oocyte versus those
      conceived by autologous oocytes. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of
      patients who underwent risk assessment for aneuploidy. Pregnancies conceived by
      egg donation were matched with control groups who conceived using their own eggs.
      The primary outcomes were incidence of low PAPP-A or free bHCG in the first
      trimester or elevated MSAFP, free bHCG or Inhibin A, or low uE3 in the second
      trimester. RESULTS: 260 singleton gestations were identified who conceived via
      oocyte donor. There was a significantly higher rate of unexplained elevated MSAFP
      in pregnancies conceived by egg donation (8% versus 2%, p = 0.028) compared to a
      control group matched by maternal age. There was also a significantly higher rate
      of unexplained elevated MSAFP in pregnancies conceived by egg donation (7% versus
      2%, p = 0.01) compared to a control group matched by age of the egg donor.
      CONCLUSION: Pregnancies conceived by egg donation are more likely to have an
      unexplained elevation in MSAFP compared to pregnancies not conceived by egg
      donation regardless of age. Egg donation itself is not associated with other
      biochemical abnormalities.

PMID- 24228731
TI  - Retraction: The stem cell factor antibody enhances the chemotherapeutic effect of
      adriamycin on chemoresistant breast cancer cells.

PMID- 24228732
TI  - Beyond Darwin: evolvability and the generation of novelty.

PMID- 24228733
TI  - Snapshots of Dirac fermions near the Dirac point in topological insulators.
AB  - The recent focus on topological insulators is due to the scientific interest in
      the new state of quantum matter as well as the technology potential for a new
      generation of THz optoelectronics, spintronics and quantum computations. It is
      important to elucidate the dynamics of the Dirac fermions in the topologically
      protected surface state. Hence we utilized a novel ultrafast optical pump mid
      infrared probe to explore the dynamics of Dirac fermions near the Dirac point.
      The femtosecond snapshots of the relaxation process were revealed by the
      ultrafast optics. Specifically, the Dirac fermion-phonon coupling strength in the
      Dirac cone was found to increase from 0.08 to 0.19 while Dirac fermions were away
      from the Dirac point into higher energy states. Further, the energy-resolved
      transient reflectivity spectra disclosed the energy loss rate of Dirac fermions
      at room temperature was about 1 meV/ps. These results are crucial to the design
      of Dirac fermion devices. 

PMID- 24228734
TI  - The Drosophila early ovarian transcriptome provides insight to the molecular
      causes of recombination rate variation across genomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence in yeast indicates that gene expression is correlated with
      recombination activity and double-strand break (DSB) formation in some hotspots.
      Studies of nucleosome occupancy in yeast and mice also suggest that open
      chromatin influences the formation of DSBs. In Drosophila melanogaster, high
      resolution recombination maps show an excess of DSBs within annotated transcripts
      relative to intergenic sequences. The impact of active transcription on
      recombination landscapes, however, remains unexplored in a multicellular
      organism. We then investigated the transcription profile during early meiosis in
      D. melanogaster females to obtain a glimpse at the relevant transcriptional
      dynamics during DSB formation, and test the specific hypothesis that DSBs
      preferentially target transcriptionally active genomic regions. RESULTS: Our
      study of transcript profiles of early- and late-meiosis using mRNA-seq revealed,
      1) significant differences in gene expression, 2) new genes and exons, 3) parent
      of-origin effects on transcription in early-meiosis stages, and 4) a nonrandom
      genomic distribution of transcribed genes. Importantly, genomic regions that are
      more actively transcribed during early meiosis show higher rates of
      recombination, and we ruled out DSB preference for genic regions that are not
      transcribed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence in a multicellular
      organism that transcription during the initial phases of meiosis increases the
      likelihood of DSB and give insight into the molecular determinants of
      recombination rate variation across the D. melanogaster genome. We propose that a
      model where variation in gene expression plays a role altering the recombination
      landscape across the genome could provide a molecular, heritable and plastic
      mechanism to observed patterns of recombination variation, from the high level of
      intra-specific variation to the known influence of environmental factors and
      stress conditions.

PMID- 24228735
TI  - Bacterial proteasome and PafA, the pup ligase, interact to form a modular protein
      tagging and degradation machine.
AB  - Proteasome-containing bacteria possess a tagging system that directs proteins to
      proteasomal degradation by conjugating them to a prokaryotic ubiquitin-like
      protein (Pup). A single ligating enzyme, PafA, is responsible for Pup conjugation
      to lysine side chains of protein substrates. As Pup is recognized by the
      regulatory subunit of the proteasome, Pup functions as a degradation tag. Pup
      presents overlapping regions for binding of the proteasome and PafA. It was,
      therefore, unclear whether Pup binding by the proteasome regulatory subunit, Mpa,
      and by PafA are mutually exclusive events. The work presented here provides
      evidence for the simultaneous interaction of Pup with both Mpa and PafA.
      Surprisingly, we found that PafA and Mpa can form a complex both in vitro and in
      vivo. Our results thus suggest that PafA and the proteasome can function as a
      modular machine for the tagging and degradation of cytoplasmic proteins. 

PMID- 24228736
TI  - Self-assembly properties of semiconducting donor-acceptor-donor bithienyl
      derivatives of tetrazine and thiadiazole-effect of the electron accepting central
      ring.
AB  - Scanning tunneling microscopy was used to study the effect of the electron
      accepting unit and the alkyl substituent's position on the type and extent of 2D
      supramolecular organization of penta-ring donor-acceptor-donor (DAD)
      semiconductors, consisting of either tetrazine or thiadiazole central acceptor
      ring symmetrically attached to two bithienyl groups. Microscopic observations of
      monomolecular layers on HOPG of four alkyl derivatives of the studied adsorbates
      indicate significant differences in their 2D organizations. Ordered monolayers of
      thiadiazole derivatives are relatively loose and, independent of the position of
      alkyl substituents, characterized by large intermolecular separation of acceptor
      units in the adjacent molecules located in the face-to-face configuration. The 2D
      supramolecular architecture in both derivatives of thiadiazole is very sensitive
      to the alkyl substituent's position. Significantly different behavior is observed
      for derivatives of tetrazine (which is a stronger electron acceptor). Stronger
      intermolecular DA interactions in these adsorbates generate an intermolecular
      shift in the monolayer, which is a dominant factor determining the 2D structural
      organization. As a consequence of this molecular arrangement, tetrazine groups (A
      segments) face thiophene rings (D segments) of the neighboring molecules.
      Monolayers of tetrazine derivatives are therefore much more densely packed and
      characterized by similar pi-stacking of molecules independently of the position
      of alkyl substituents. Moreover, a comparative study of 3D supramolecular
      organization, deduced from the X-ray diffraction patterns, is also presented
      clearly confirming the polymorphism of the studied adsorbates. 

PMID- 24228738
TI  - Can RENAL and PADUA nephrometry indices predict complications of laparoscopic
      cryoablation for clinical stage T1 renal tumors?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Assessment of anatomical complexity with the RENAL (radius;
      exophytic/endophytic; nearness; anterior/posterior; location) and preoperative
      aspects and dimensions used for anatomical classification (PADUA) nephrometry
      indices is used to predict complications related to surgical extirpation
      treatment for patients with clinical T1a/b renal mass. This single center study
      aims to investigate the value of these indices to predict complications in a
      cohort of patients treated with laparoscopic cryoablation (LCA) for cT1 renal
      mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single institution data from consecutive LCA
      procedures were prospectively collected from December 2006 to April 2013. Renal
      mass anatomical complexity was categorized according to RENAL and PADUA indices.
      Comorbidity was assessed by the Charlson-index. Intraoperative complications
      (IOCs) were reviewed and categorized: blood loss >100 mL, conversion, tumor
      fracture, and incomplete ablation. Postoperative complications (POCs) were graded
      using the modified Clavien-index. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression
      models addressed the risk for complications. RESULTS: Ninety-nine LCA procedures
      were included. The median RENAL-score was 7.0 (standard deviation [SD] 1.7), and
      the median PADUA-score was 8.0 (SD 1.6). IOC occurred in 19 procedures (19%). The
      risk for IOC was significantly correlated (p<0.05) with tumor diameter (mm),
      surface, volume, the RENAL domains "R-size," "N-nearness to collecting system,"
      "RENAL score," and the PADUA domain "diameter." In multivariate analysis with
      surgical complication as the independent variable, tumor diameter, surface, and
      volume were determining factors. A threshold was set for 35 mm tumor diameter, it
      being predictive for an increased risk for IOC performing LCA. Twenty-three POC
      occurred in 20 patients. On univariate analysis, the RENAL domain "nearness to
      collecting system," and no PADUA domains, had a significant association with POC.
      CONCLUSION: The RENAL score, and not the PADUA score, is associated with a higher
      risk for IOC. A noncategorized method of scoring tumor diameter showed a more
      significant correlation with the risk for IOC than the categorized method of the
      nephrometry indices. As a result a threshold diameter of 35 mm was established.

PMID- 24228737
TI  - N-type voltage gated calcium channels mediate excitatory synaptic transmission in
      the anterior cingulate cortex of adult mice.
AB  - Voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are well known for its importance in
      synaptic transmission in the peripheral and central nervous system. However, the
      role of different VGCCs in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has not been
      studied. Here, we use a multi-electrode array recording system (MED64) to study
      the contribution of different types of calcium channels in glutamatergic
      excitatory synaptic transmission in the ACC. We found that only the N-type
      calcium channel blocker omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-Ctx-GVIA) produced a great
      inhibition of basal synaptic transmission, especially in the superficial layer.
      Other calcium channel blockers that act on L-, P/Q-, R-, and T-type had no
      effect. We also tested the effects of several neuromodulators with or without
      omega-Ctx-GVIA. We found that N-type VGCC contributed partially to (1S,3R)-1
      aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid- and (R)-Baclofen-induced synaptic
      inhibition. By contrast, the inhibitory effects of 2-Chloroadenosine and
      carbamoylcholine chloride did not differ with or without omega-Ctx-GVIA,
      indicating that they may act through other mechanisms. Our results provide strong
      evidence that N-type VGCCs mediate fast synaptic transmission in the ACC. 

PMID- 24228739
TI  - Divergent differentiation of skeletal progenitors into cartilage and tendon:
      lessons from the embryonic limb.
AB  - Repairing damaged cartilage and tendons is a major challenge of regenerative
      medicine. There has been great progress in the past decade toward obtaining stem
      cells for regenerative purposes from a variety of sources. However, the
      development of procedures to direct and maintain the differentiation of
      progenitors into cartilage or tendon is still a hurdle to overcome in
      regenerative medicine of the musculoskeletal system. This is because connective
      tissues often lack stable phenotypes and retain plasticity to return to the
      initial stages of differentiation or to transdifferentiate into another
      connective tissue cell lineage. This makes it necessary to unravel the molecular
      basis that is responsible for the differentiation of connective tissue cell
      lineages. In this review, we summarize the investigations performed in the past
      two decades to unravel the signals that regulate the differentiation of skeletal
      cell progenitors into cartilage and tendons during embryonic limb development.
      The data obtained in those studies demonstrate that Tgfbeta, BMP, FGF, and Wnt
      establish a complex signaling network that directs the differentiation of
      skeletal cell progenitors. Remarkably, in the embryonic digit model, the
      divergent differentiation of progenitors depends on the temporal coordination of
      those signals, rather than being specified by an individual signaling pathway.
      Due to its potential medical relevance, we highlight the importance of the
      coordinate influence of the Tgfbeta and BMP pathways in the differentiation of
      cell progenitors into tendon or cartilage. 

PMID- 24228740
TI  - Isolated pancreatic heamorrhage in association with anticoagulation.
AB  - Haemorrhage is the primary complication of anticoagulation therapy with the
      gastrointestinal, urinary and nasal tracts the most common sites of bleeding.
      Haematoma within solid organs is uncommon especially in the absence of blunt
      trauma. We describe two patients on long term Warfarin therapy who developed
      focal haematomas within the pancreas. To the best of our knowledge these are the
      first isolated unprovoked focal pancreatic hematoma cases reported in the
      literature. The non-specific clinical symptoms and confusing radiological
      features mimicked pancreatic malignancy and this led to misdiagnosis in the one
      patient who underwent unnecessary surgical exploration. The haematoma was
      correctly identified in the second patient who was managed conservatively and had
      an uneventful recovery. 

PMID- 24228741
TI  - The electrode as organolithium reagent: catalyst-free covalent attachment of
      electrochemically active species to an azide-terminated glassy carbon electrode
      surface.
AB  - The reaction of a lithium acetylide-ethylenediamine complex with azide-terminated
      glassy carbon surfaces affords 1,2,3-triazolyllithium surface groups that are
      active toward covalent C-C coupling reactions, including salt metathesis with an
      aliphatic halide and nucleophilic addition at an aldehyde. Surface ferrocenyl
      groups were introduced by reaction with (6-iodohexyl)ferrocene; the voltammetry
      of electrode samples shows narrow, symmetric peaks indicating uniform attachment.
      X-ray photoelectron and reflectance infrared spectroscopic data provide further
      support for the surface-attached products. Formation of the 1,2,3
      triazolyllithium linkage requires neither a catalyst nor a strained alkyne.
      Coverages obtained by this route are similar to those obtained by the more common
      Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide coupling (CuAAC) of ethynylferrocene with surface
      azides. Preconditioning of the glassy carbon disk electrodes at ambient
      temperature under nitrogen affords coverages comparable to those reported with
      preconditioning at 1000  degrees C under hydrogen/nitrogen. 

PMID- 24228742
TI  - Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5: progress and challenges.
AB  - The Millennium Development Goals have galvanized efforts to improve child
      survival (MDG-4) and maternal health (MDG-5). There has been important progress
      on both MDGs at global level, although it now appears that few countries will
      reach them by the target date of 2015. There are known and efficacious
      interventions to address most of the major causes of these deaths, but important
      gaps remain. The biggest challenge is to ensure that all women and children have
      access to life-saving interventions. Current levels of intervention coverage are
      too low, representing missed opportunities. Providing services at the community
      level is an important emerging priority, but preventing maternal and neonatal
      deaths also requires access to health facilities. Readers of the Medicine for
      Global Health collection in BMC Medicine are urged to make maternal and child
      health one of their key concerns, even if they work on other topics.

PMID- 24228743
TI  - Comparative efficacy of glimepiride and metformin in monotherapy of type 2
      diabetes mellitus: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metformin treatment has been the most recommended monotherapy of type
      2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for decades but is challenged by new antidiabetic
      drugs. This study conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT)
      comparing the efficacy of metformin and glimepiride in monotherapy of T2DM.
      METHODS: A literature search for RCTs on glimepiride and metformin was conducted
      on the bibliographic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library and
      ScienceDirect, from their inceptions to 25 Mar 2013. All RCTs were selected
      according to pre-specified eligibility criteria. The quality of articles was
      assessed with the Cochrane's risk of bias tool. Statistical meta-analysis
      evaluated the overall effects and biochemical indices of T2DM. Sensitivity and
      subgroup analyses evaluated the robustness and explained the heterogeneity of the
      results. Begg and Egger's tests quantified possible publication biases. Results
      were represented as "standard mean difference or odds ratio [95% confidence
      internals] P value". RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs with 1681 adult T2DM patients were
      included for meta-analysis. Metformin was not better than glimepiride in overall
      efficacy in controlling the levels of HbA1c, postprandial blood sugar (PPBS),
      fasting plasma insulin (FINS), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and
      DBP), and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Metformin was only more effective than
      glimepiride in controlling the levels of total cholesterol (TC, 0.33 [0.03,
      0.63], P = 0.03), low-density lipoprotein (LDL, 0.35 [0.16, 0.53], P = 0.0002)
      and triglycerides (TG, 0.26 [0.05, 0.46], P = 0.01). Odds ratios of adverse
      events showed that glimepiride was more likely to induce hypoglycemia episodes
      and metformin was with a higher risk of gastrointestinal upset. CONCLUSION:
      Metformin was not significantly better than glimepiride in glycemic control of
      T2DM, suggesting that glimepiride would be a good choice second to metformin in
      the monotherapy of T2DM.

PMID- 24228744
TI  - Formative evaluation of a multi-component, education-based intervention to
      improve processes of end-of-life care.
AB  - A multicomponent, palliative care, education-based intervention was implemented
      in six Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in the southeast United States. The
      intervention comprised onsite staff training plus supporting written materials,
      installation of an electronic order set, and follow-up consultations. Training
      included large-group didactic presentations, small-group clinical demonstrations,
      and one-on-one consultations. The intervention strategy was targeted broadly to
      hundreds of hospital providers, including physician, nursing, and ancillary
      staff. The purpose was to train staff in identifying actively dying patients and
      implementing best practices of home-based hospice care. A formative evaluation
      was conducted utilizing semistructured telephone interviews with key informants
      from each site. Qualitative data analysis revealed processes that facilitated or
      impeded uptake of the intervention. Results will be used to inform ongoing and
      future clinical initiatives and optimize future implementation of education-based
      interventions to improve adoption of best practices for end-of-life care within
      acute care settings. 

PMID- 24228745
TI  - Schoolgirls and soccer moms: a content analysis of free "teen" and "MILF" online
      pornography.
AB  - Viewing free online pornographic videos has increasingly become a common behavior
      among young people, although little is known about the content of these videos.
      The current study analyzed the content of two popular female-age-based types of
      free, online pornography (teen and MILF) and examined nuances in the portrayal of
      gender and access to power in relation to the age of the female actor. A total of
      100 videos were selected from 10 popular Web sites, and their content was coded
      using independent raters. Vaginal intercourse and fellatio were the most
      frequently depicted sexual acts. The use of sex toys, paraphilias, cuddling, and
      condom use were rare, as were depictions of coercion. Control of the pace and
      direction of sexual activity was typically shared by the male and female actors.
      Moreover, there were no gender differences in initiation of sexual activity, use
      of persuasion, portrayals of sexual experience, or in professional status.
      However, female actors in MILF videos were portrayed as more agentic and were
      more likely to initiate sexual activity, control the pace of sexual activity, and
      have a higher professional status. Implications regarding the role of pornography
      in generating or reinforcing sexual norms or scripts are discussed. 

PMID- 24228746
TI  - Lower concentrations of phthalates induce proliferation in human breast cancer
      cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and pathway of phthalates on the growth of MCF-7
      breast cancer cells. METHODS: MCF-7 cells were treated with benzyl butyl
      phthalate (BBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
      (10(-10)-10(-4) mol/l). After incubation for 24, 48, 72, and 92 h, the cells were
      harvested and extracted for 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
      bromide (MTT) assay. The proteins involving proliferative and apoptotic pathways
      were evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: MTT assay revealed cell
      toxicity at more than 10(-5) mol/l for DEHP and at 10(-4) mol/l for both BBP and
      DBP in MCF-7 cells. Cell proliferation was significantly increased at 10(-8)-10(
      5) mol/l of BBP and DBP, and at 10(-8)-10(-6) mol/l of DEHP treatment.
      Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was substantially increased in cultures
      with DEHP (10(-8)-10(-6) mol/l), BBP (10(-8)-10(-5) mol/l), and DBP (10(-7)-10(
      5) mol/l). Obvious increases in PI3K, p-AKT, and PCNA were noted in cultures with
      17beta-estradiol, BBP, DBP, and DEHP. Estrogen receptor alpha expression was also
      notably increased in treatment with estradiol, BBP, DBP, and DEHP. CONCLUSIONS:
      The present study demonstrates that, even at a very low concentration, BBP, DBP,
      and DEHP were not only still capable of inducing a proliferative effect through
      the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway but also displaying estrogenic activity.
      Therefore, the current reference doses for phthalates defined by governments
      should be further evaluated.

PMID- 24228747
TI  - The spinal stenosis pedometer and nutrition lifestyle intervention (SSPANLI)
      randomized controlled trial protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because of symptoms, people with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are
      often inactive, and this sedentary behaviour implies risk for diseases including
      obesity. Research has identified body mass index as the most powerful predictor
      of function in LSS. This suggests that function may be improved by targeting
      weight as a modifiable factor. An e-health lifestyle intervention was developed
      aimed at reducing fat mass and increasing physical activity in people with LSS.
      The main components of this intervention include pedometer-based physical
      activity promotion and nutrition education. METHODS/DESIGN: The Spinal Stenosis
      Pedometer and Nutrition Lifestyle INTERVENTION (SSPANLI) was developed and
      piloted with 10 individuals. The protocol for a randomized controlled trail
      comparing the SSPANLI intervention to usual non-surgical care follows. One
      hundred six (106) overweight or obese individuals with LSS will be recruited.
      Baseline and follow-up testing includes dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, blood
      draw, 3-day food record, 7-day accelerometry, questionnaire, maximal oxygen
      consumption, neurological exam, balance testing and a Self-Paced Walking Test.
      INTERVENTION: During Week 1, the intervention group will receive a pedometer, and
      a personalized consultation with both a Dietitian and an exercise specialist. For
      12 weeks participants will log on to the e-health website to access personal step
      goals, walking maps, nutrition videos, and motivational quotes. Participants will
      also have access to in-person Coffee Talk meetings every 3 weeks, and meet with
      the Dietitian and exercise specialist at week 6. The control group will proceed
      with usual care for the 12-week period. Follow-up testing will occur at Weeks 13
      and 24. DISCUSSION: This lifestyle intervention has the potential to provide a
      unique, non-surgical management option for people with LSS. Through decreased fat
      mass and increased function, we may reduce risk for obesity, chronic diseases of
      inactivity, and pain. The use of e-health interventions provides an opportunity
      for patients to become more involved in managing their own health. Behaviour
      changes including increased physical activity, and improved dietary habits
      promote overall health and quality of life, and may decrease future health care
      needs in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01902979.

PMID- 24228749
TI  - Consensus Review and Definition of Nonallergic Rhinitis With a Focus on Vasomotor
      Rhinitis, Proposed to Be Known henceforth as Nonallergic Rhinopathy: Introduction
      to Part 2.
AB  - "Nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis" (also referred to as nonallergic rhinitis and/or
      idiopathic rhinitis) is a term that has been used to describe a common nasal
      condition of unclear pathophysiology. Clinical options for patients are limited
      by a lack of straight-forward diagnostic criteria and poorly defined and
      heterogeneous populations in clinical trials. A roundtable conference convened in
      December 2008 addressed these challenges. Part 1 of the proceedings of that
      meeting provided a consensus definition of "nonallergic rhinopathy," proposed to
      replace the former terms above based on the clinical characteristics of the
      disease, which were described in individual papers. Part 2 of the proceedings
      uses the revised definition for a consensus discussion on appropriate criteria
      for enrolling subjects in future clinical studies of the efficacy of potential
      treatments for this disease. 

PMID- 24228748
TI  - Acupuncture for infantile colic: a blinding-validated, randomized controlled
      multicentre trial in general practice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Infantile colic is a painful condition in the first months of infancy.
      Acupuncture is used in Scandinavia as a treatment for infantile colic. A
      randomized controlled trial was carried out with the aim of testing the
      hypothesis that acupuncture treatment has a clinically relevant effect for this
      condition. DESIGN: A prospective, blinding-validated, randomized controlled
      multicentre trial in general practice. Research assistants and parents were
      blinded. SETTING: 13 GPs' offices in Southern Norway. INTERVENTION: Three days of
      bilateral needling of the acupuncture point ST36, with no treatment as control.
      SUBJECTS: 113 patients were recruited; 23 patients were excluded, and 90
      randomized; 79 diaries and 84 interviews were analysed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Difference in changes in crying time during the trial period between the
      intervention and control group. RESULTS: The blinding validation questions showed
      a random distribution with p = 0.41 and 0.60, indicating true blinding. We found
      no statistically significant difference in crying time reduction between
      acupuncture and control group at any of the measured intervals, nor in the main
      analysis of differences in changes over time (p = 0.26). There was a tendency in
      favour of the acupuncture group, with a non-significant total baseline-corrected
      mean of 13 minutes (95% CI -24 to + 51) difference in crying time between the
      groups. This was not considered clinically relevant, according to protocol.
      CONCLUSION: This trial of acupuncture treatment for infantile colic showed no
      statistically significant or clinically relevant effect. With the current
      evidence, the authors suggest that acupuncture for infantile colic should be
      restricted to clinical trials.

PMID- 24228750
TI  - Coating-dependent induction of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of iron oxide
      nanoparticles.
AB  - Surface coatings of nanoparticles (NPs) are known to influence advantageous
      features of NPs as well as potential toxicity. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) NPs are applied
      for both medical diagnostics and targeted drug delivery. We investigated the
      potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of uncoated iron oxide (U-Fe3O4) NPs in
      comparison with oleate-coated iron oxide (OC-Fe3O4) NPs. Testing was performed in
      vitro in human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells and in primary human blood cells. For
      cytotoxicity testing, relative growth activity, trypan blue exclusion, (3)H
      thymidine incorporation and cytokinesis-block proliferation index were assessed.
      Genotoxicity was evaluated by the alkaline comet assay for detection of strand
      breaks and oxidized purines. Particle characterization was performed in the
      culture medium. Cellular uptake, morphology and pathology were evaluated by
      electron microscopy. U-Fe3O4 NPs were found not to be cytotoxic (considering
      interference of NPs with proliferation test) or genotoxic under our experimental
      conditions. In contrast, OC-Fe3O4 NPs were cytotoxic in a dose-dependent manner,
      and also induced DNA damage, indicating genotoxic potential. Intrinsic properties
      of sodium oleate were excluded as a cause of the toxic effect. Electron
      microscopy data were consistent with the cytotoxicity results. Coating clearly
      changed the behaviour and cellular uptake of the NPs, inducing pathological
      morphological changes in the cells.

PMID- 24228751
TI  - AA amyloidosis-resistant CE/J mice have Saa1 and Saa2 genes that encode an
      identical SAA isoform.
AB  - The CE/J mouse strain is resistant to amyloid A protein (AA) amyloidosis. In
      contrast to AA amyloidosis-susceptible mouse strains that concomitantly express
      serum amyloid A precursor protein (SAA) types 1 and 2 isoforms encoded by the
      Saa1 and Saa2 genes, respectively, in response to inflammatory stimulation from
      the liver, CE/J mice express only a single SAA isoform named SAA2.2. In addition,
      CE/J mice uniquely possess a Q30L amino acid substitution in SAA2.2 that inhibits
      amyloidogenesis. To elucidate the genetic basis underlying the expression of only
      a single SAA isoform in this strain, we conducted PCR cloning and nucleotide
      sequencing of the Saa1 and Saa2 genes from the CE/J genome. We revealed that CE/J
      mice possess functional Saa1 and Saa2 genes. Intriguingly, the two genes were
      identical with respect to amino acid sequence, each encoding the SAA2.2 isoform.
      RT-PCR analysis of inflamed liver tissue from CE/J mice demonstrated that both
      genes are expressed at equivalent levels. Reporter assays revealed that
      promoter/enhancer sequences of Saa1 and Saa2 genes in CE/J are also functional.
      These results indicate that the SAA2.2 isoform in CE/J is a mixture of Saa1 and
      Saa2 gene products.

PMID- 24228752
TI  - Can contraction patterns predict neonatal outcomes?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between contraction patterns in labor and
      neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A nested case-control study within a consecutive term
      birth cohort included women in labor with intrauterine pressure catheters (IUPCs)
      who reached the second stage. Cases were women delivering neonates with composite
      morbidity: special care or intensive care unit admission, umbilical artery pH <=
      7.1 or 5-min Apgar < 7. The control group delivered without any components of the
      composite morbidity. Contraction frequency, duration, relaxation time, Montevideo
      units (MVUs) and baseline tone in the last 30 min prior to delivery were
      compared. We used logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders and
      receiver operating characteristic curves to evaluate the ability of contraction
      parameters to predict adverse neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: There were 183 cases of
      adverse neonatal outcomes and 2172 controls without the composite outcome.
      Contraction duration, relaxation time, MVUs and baseline tone did not
      significantly differ between the groups. Tachysystole was more common in women
      with the adverse neonatal outcome (21% versus 15%, p = 0.01). A model including
      tachysystole, oxytocin use and nulliparity did not adequately predict the adverse
      outcome (AUC = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Although tachysystole is associated with
      adverse neonatal outcomes, uterine activity cannot be used to predict neonatal
      outcome.

PMID- 24228753
TI  - Purification and characterization of plantaricin 163, a novel bacteriocin
      produced by Lactobacillus plantarum 163 isolated from traditional Chinese
      fermented vegetables.
AB  - Presumptive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from traditional Chinese
      fermented vegetables were screened for bacteriocin production. A novel
      bacteriocin-producing strain, Lactobacillus plantarum 163, was identified on the
      basis of its physiobiochemical characteristics and characterized by 16S rDNA
      sequencing. The novel bacteriocin, plantaricin 163, produced by Lb. plantarum 163
      was purified by salt precipitation, gel filtration, and reverse-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis of
      plantaricin 163 revealed the molecular weight to be 3553.2 Da. The complete amino
      acid sequence showed VFHAYSARGNYYGNCPANWPSCRNNYKSAGGK, and no similarity to known
      bacteriocins was found. Plantaricin 163 was highly thermostable (20 min, 121 
      degrees C), active in the presence of acidic pH (3-5), sensitive to protease, and
      exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against LAB and other tested Gram
      positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results suggest that plantaricin 163 may
      be employed as a biopreservative in the food industry. 

PMID- 24228755
TI  - Open questions: Zombie projects, translational research, and the real secret of
      the inside of the cell.

PMID- 24228754
TI  - Silver-catalyzed vinylogous fluorination of vinyl diazoacetates.
AB  - A silver-catalyzed vinylogous fluorination of vinyl diazoacetates to generate
      gamma-fluoro-alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls is presented. Application of this
      method to the fluorination of farnesol and steroid derivatives was achieved. 

PMID- 24228756
TI  - Large, negative magnetoresistance in an oleic acid-coated Fe(3)O(4) nanocrystal
      self-assembled film.
AB  - An oleic acid-coated Fe3O4 nanocrystal self-assembled film was fabricated via
      drop casting of colloidal particles on a SiO2/Si substrate. The film exhibited
      bifurcation of the zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetizations around 250
      K. The nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) characteristics between the source and
      drain electrodes in both zero and non-zero magnetic fields (H) were observed
      above and below the bifurcation temperature. A large negative magnetoresistance
      (MR ~ -60%) was achieved at 200 K and H = 1 T. Even at 295 K and 0.2 T, the
      negative MR (~ -50%) persisted. A Fowler-Nordheim plot and power-law scaling of
      the I-V characteristics revealed that the current flows through two-dimensional
      (2D) percolated electron tunneling paths. The enlargement of MR can be attributed
      to spin-dependent electron tunneling between magnetically coupled Fe3O4
      nanocrystals self-assembled in 2D ordered arrays. 

PMID- 24228758
TI  - Ordering of poly(3-hexylthiophene) in solution and on substrates induced by
      concentrated sulfuric acid.
AB  - The ordering of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) molecules in dilute P3HT/chloroform
      solutions was accelerated by adding small amounts of concentrated H2SO4. The
      concentrated H2SO4 stimulates the nucleation of crystals, which controls the
      overall rate of P3HT crystallization. Dispersed nuclei spur P3HT solution
      crystallization, and adsorbed nuclei induce P3HT crystallization on substrates.
      By AFM, the morphology of P3HT nanowhiskers prepared in solution differ from
      those prepared on substrates, and nanowhisker structure and growth kinetics was
      further investigated using Raman spectroscopy and UV-vis adsorption spectroscopy.
      All P3HT nanowhiskers are well-ordered. 

PMID- 24228759
TI  - Structure of signal peptide peptidase A with C-termini bound in the active sites:
      insights into specificity, self-processing, and regulation.
AB  - Bacterial signal peptide peptidase A (SppA) is a membrane-bound enzyme that
      utilizes a serine/lysine catalytic dyad mechanism to cleave remnant signal
      peptides within the cellular membrane. Bacillus subtilis SppA (SppABS)
      oligomerizes into a homo-octameric dome-shaped complex with eight active sites,
      located at the interface between each protomer. In this study, we show that
      SppABS self-processes its own C-termini. We have determined the crystal structure
      of a proteolytically stable fragment of SppABSK199A that has its C-terminal
      peptide bound in each of the eight active sites, creating a perfect circle of
      peptides. Substrate specificity pockets S1, S3, and S2' are identified and
      accommodate C-terminal residues Tyr331, Met329, and Tyr333, respectively. Tyr331
      at the P1 position is conserved among most Bacillus species. The structure
      reveals that the C-terminus binds within the substrate-binding grooves in an
      antiparallel beta-sheet fashion. We show, by C-terminal truncations, that the C
      terminus is not essential for oligomeric assembly. Kinetic analysis shows that a
      synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminus of SppABS competes with a
      fluorometric peptide substrate for the SppABS active site. A model is proposed
      for how the C-termini of SppA may function in the regulation of this membrane
      bound self-compartmentalized protease. 

PMID- 24228757
TI  - Designing anti-inflammatory drugs from parasitic worms: a synthetic small
      molecule analogue of the Acanthocheilonema viteae product ES-62 prevents
      development of collagen-induced arthritis.
AB  - In spite of increasing evidence that parasitic worms may protect humans from
      developing allergic and autoimmune diseases and the continuing identification of
      defined helminth-derived immunomodulatory molecules, to date no new anti
      inflammatory drugs have been developed from these organisms. We have approached
      this matter in a novel manner by synthesizing a library of drug-like small
      molecules based upon phosphorylcholine, the active moiety of the anti
      inflammatory Acanthocheilonema viteae product, ES-62, which as an immunogenic
      protein is unsuitable for use as a drug. Following preliminary in vitro screening
      for inhibitory effects on relevant macrophage cytokine responses, a sulfone
      containing phosphorylcholine analogue (11a) was selected for testing in an in
      vivo model of inflammation, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Testing revealed
      that 11a was as effective as ES-62 in protecting DBA/1 mice from developing CIA
      and mirrored its mechanism of action in downregulating the TLR/IL-1R transducer,
      MyD88. 11a is thus a novel prototype for anti-inflammatory drug development. 

PMID- 24228760
TI  - Cognitive performance in older elderly men with late-life depression and
      cardiovascular comorbidities: symptomatological correlation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether depression or cardiovascular disease would have a greater
      effect on worsening cognitive impairment in the burgeoning older elderly
      population is uncertain. Which disorder causes greater cognitive impairment was
      investigated. METHODS: A cross section of 207 cognitively impaired older elderly
      (>=75 years old) men was recruited from outpatient clinics in southern Taiwan
      between 2004 and 2008. Their medical charts were reviewed for their history of
      medical illnesses, and those undergoing a current major depressive episode were
      screened using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Four groups of
      men were enrolled: 33 healthy controls (HC), 101 cognitively impaired patients
      with cardiovascular comorbidities (CVCs), 34 patients with late-life depression
      (LLD), and 49 patients with LLD and cardiovascular comorbidities (LLD + CVC).
      Several neuropsychological tests (e.g., Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE),
      WCST, and Trail Making Test (TMT) parts A and B) were used to assess the
      participants. RESULTS: Cognitive function scores were highest in the HC group and
      lowest in the LLD + CVC group. There were no significant differences between the
      two groups with LLD comorbidity, and LLD was mostly associated with cognitive
      performance. LLD + CVC group members had the lowest recall memory, but their
      overall MMSE score was not significantly different. Moreover, this group had a
      higher but nonsignificantly different perseverative error than did the LLD group.
      Similarly, the LLD + CVC group was nonsignificantly slower at the TMT-A and TMT-B
      tasks than was the LLD group. CONCLUSIONS: LLD worsens neuropsychological
      function more than cardiovascular comorbidities do.

PMID- 24228761
TI  - STaRRRT: a table of short tandem repeats in regulatory regions of the human
      genome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tandem repeats (TRs) are unstable regions commonly found within
      genomes that have consequences for evolution and disease. In humans, polymorphic
      TRs are known to cause neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders as well as
      being associated with complex diseases such as diabetes and cancer. If present in
      upstream regulatory regions, TRs can modify chromatin structure and affect
      transcription; resulting in altered gene expression and protein abundance. The
      most common TRs are short tandem repeats (STRs), or microsatellites. Promoter
      located STRs are considerably more polymorphic than coding region STRs. As such,
      they may be a common driver of phenotypic variation. To study STRs located in
      regulatory regions, we have performed genome-wide analysis to identify all STRs
      present in a region that is 2 kilobases upstream and 1 kilobase downstream of the
      transcription start sites of genes. RESULTS: The Short Tandem Repeats in
      Regulatory Regions Table, STaRRRT, contains the results of the genome-wide
      analysis, outlining the characteristics of 5,264 STRs present in the upstream
      regulatory region of 4,441 human genes. Gene set enrichment analysis has revealed
      significant enrichment for STRs in cellular, transcriptional and neurological
      system gene promoters and genes important in ion and calcium homeostasis. The set
      of enriched terms has broad similarity to that seen in coding regions, suggesting
      that regulatory region STRs are subject to similar evolutionary pressures as STRs
      in coding regions and may, like coding region STRs, have an important role in
      controlling gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: STaRRRT is a readily-searchable
      resource for investigating potentially polymorphic STRs that could influence the
      expression of any gene of interest. The processes and genes enriched for
      regulatory region STRs provide potential novel targets for diagnosing and
      treating disease, and support a role for these STRs in the evolution of the human
      genome.

PMID- 24228766
TI  - Synthesis of (TDAE)(O2SSO2)(s) and discovery of (TDAE)(O2SSSSO2)(s) containing
      the first polythionite, [O2SSSSO2]2-.
AB  - Gaseous SO2 reacts with tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE) in acetonitrile in
      a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio to give analytically pure insoluble purple
      (TDAE)(O2SSO2) (1) in about 80% yield. Crystals of (TDAE)(O2SSSSO2) (2) were
      obtained from orange solution over the purple solid. The Raman spectrum of
      [TDAE](2+) was established using (TDAE)(A) salts [A = 2Br(-), 2Br(-).2H2O (X
      ray), 2[Br3](-) (X-ray)]. Vibrational spectroscopy showed that [O2SSO2](2-) in 1
      has C2h geometry. The X-ray structure of 2 showed that it contained [O2SSSSO2](2
      ), the first example of a new class of sulfur oxyanions, the polythionites. The
      geometry of [O2SSSSO2](2-) consists of S2 with an S-S bond length of 2.003(1) A
      connected to two terminal SO2 moieties by much longer S-S bonds of 2.337(1) A.
      Calculations (B3PW91/6-311+G(3df)) show that the structural units in [O2SSSSO2](2
      ) are joined by the interaction of electrons in two mutually perpendicular pi*
      SOMOs of the triplet-state diradical S2 with unpaired electrons in the pi*
      antibonding orbitals of the two terminal [SO2](*-) and polarized to delocalize
      the negative charge equally onto the three fragments. Thermodynamic estimates
      show 2 to be stable with respect to loss of sulfur and formation of 1, in
      contrast to [O2SSSSO2](2-) salts of small cations that are unstable toward the
      related dissociation. Reaction of TDAE with an excess of liquid SO2 led to
      (TDAE)(O3SOSO3).SO2 (preliminary X-ray, Raman), (TDAE)(O3SSSSO3).2SO2
      (preliminary X-ray, Raman), and (TDAE)(O3SSO2) (Raman). 

PMID- 24228762
TI  - Promoting universal financial protection: evidence from seven low- and middle
      income countries on factors facilitating or hindering progress.
AB  - Although universal health coverage (UHC) is a global health policy priority,
      there remains limited evidence on UHC reforms in low- and middle-income countries
      (LMICs). This paper provides an overview of key insights from case studies in
      this thematic series, undertaken in seven LMICs (Costa Rica, Georgia, India,
      Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Thailand) at very different stages in the
      transition to UHC.These studies highlight the importance of increasing pre
      payment funding through tax funding and sometimes mandatory insurance
      contributions when trying to improve financial protection by reducing out-of
      pocket payments. Increased tax funding is particularly important if efforts are
      being made to extend financial protection to those outside formal-sector
      employment, raising questions about the value of pursuing contributory insurance
      schemes for this group. The prioritisation of insurance scheme coverage for civil
      servants in the first instance in some LMICs also raises questions about the most
      appropriate use of limited government funds.The diverse reforms in these
      countries provide some insights into experiences with policies targeted at the
      poor compared with universalist reform approaches. Countries that have made the
      greatest progress to UHC, such as Costa Rica and Thailand, made an explicit
      commitment to ensuring financial protection and access to needed care for the
      entire population as soon as possible, while this was not necessarily the case in
      countries adopting targeted reforms. There also tends to be less fragmentation in
      funding pools in countries adopting a universalist rather than targeting
      approach. Apart from limiting cross-subsidies, fragmentation of pools has
      contributed to differential benefit packages, leading to inequities in access to
      needed care and financial protection across population groups; once such
      differentials are entrenched, they are difficult to overcome. Capacity
      constraints, particularly in purchasing organisations, are a pervasive problem in
      LMICs. The case studies also highlighted the critical role of high-level
      political leadership in pursuing UHC policies and citizen support in sustaining
      these policies.This series demonstrates the value of promoting greater sharing of
      experiences on UHC reforms across LMICs. It also identifies key areas of future
      research on health care financing in LMICs that would support progress towards
      UHC. 

PMID- 24228767
TI  - Secular trends in new childhood epidemics: insights from evolutionary medicine.
AB  - In the last few decades, pediatric medicine has observed a dramatic increase in
      the prevalence of hitherto rare illnesses, among which obesity, diabetes,
      allergies and other autoimmune diseases stand out. In addition, secular trends
      towards earlier onset of puberty and sexual activity contribute to the
      psychological problems of youth and adolescents. All this has occurred in spite
      of the improved health care provision for children, yet traditional concepts of
      medicine have failed to explain these new "epidemics". A recent conference and
      science school of the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) in
      Acre, Israel, has taken up this challenge. Experts across disciplines including
      medicine, anthropology and developmental psychology discussed potential causes of
      childhood ill-health from an evolutionary point-of-view. Seen from an
      evolutionary vantage point, the "epidemics" of childhood obesity, diabetes and
      psychological dysfunction appear, in part, to be related to a mismatch between
      ancestral adaptations and novel environmental contingencies. These include
      changing exposures to pathogens, which impact on the function of the immune
      system, as well as changing patterns of parenting, which influence the timing of
      puberty and the risk for developing psychopathology.

PMID- 24228768
TI  - Editorial comment for Zumrutbas et al.

PMID- 24228769
TI  - Insulin resistance determined by Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) and
      associations with metabolic syndrome among Chinese children and teenagers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the association between the degree
      of insulin resistance and the different components of the metabolic syndrome
      among Chinese children and adolescents. Moreover, to determine the cut-off values
      for homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at MS risk.
      METHODS: 3203 Chinese children aged 6 to 18 years were recruited. Anthropometric
      and biochemical parameters were measured. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was identified
      by a modified Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) definition. HOMA-IR index was
      calculated and the normal reference ranges were defined from the healthy
      participants. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to find
      the optimal cutoff of HOMA-IR for diagnosis of MS. RESULTS: With the increase of
      insulin resistance (quintile of HOMA-IR value), the ORs of suffering MS or its
      related components were significantly increased. Participants in the highest
      quintile of HOMA-IR were about 60 times more likely to be classified with
      metabolic syndrome than those in the lowest quintile group. Similarly, the mean
      values of insulin and HOMA-IR increased with the number of MS components. The
      present HOMA-IR cutoff point corresponding to the 95th percentile of our healthy
      reference children was 3.0 for whole participants, 2.6 for children in
      prepubertal stage and 3.2 in pubertal period, respectively. The optimal point for
      diagnosis of MS was 2.3 in total participants, 1.7 in prepubertal children and
      2.6 in pubertal adolescents, respectively, by ROC curve, which yielded high
      sensitivity and moderate specificity for a screening test. According to HOMA-IR >
      3.0, the prevalence of insulin resistance in obese or MS children were 44.3% and
      61.6% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates insulin resistance is common
      among Chinese obese children and adolescents, and is strongly related to MS risk,
      therefore requiring consideration early in life. As a reliable measure of insulin
      resistance and assessment of MS risk, the optimal HOMA-IR cut-off points in this
      cohort were developed with variation regarding puberty. HOMA-IR may be useful for
      early evaluating insulin resistance in children and teenagers and could have a
      long-term benefit of preventive and diagnostic therapeutic intervention.

PMID- 24228770
TI  - Betrayal trauma and dimensions of borderline personality organization.
AB  - Borderline personality pathology can be conceptualized as one of many conditions
      within a broader spectrum of borderline personality organization (BPO). This
      spectrum is composed of several specific dimensions of psychological functioning
      (primitive psychological defenses, identity diffusion, and reality testing).
      Although several theories associate trauma with borderline pathology, betrayal
      trauma theory specifies that trauma with a high degree of betrayal has an
      especially pernicious influence on borderline pathology. In addition, betrayal
      trauma theorists propose that constructs related to each BPO dimension are
      influenced by traumatic betrayal, but this has not yet been tested within the
      context of borderline pathology specifically. In this article, we examine the
      relation between trauma with varying levels of betrayal and the specific
      dimensions of BPO using a Bayesian approach to multiple regression. Results
      indicated that trauma with a high degree of betrayal was associated with each
      dimension of BPO, that medium betrayal trauma was associated with problems in
      reality testing, and that low betrayal trauma was associated with primitive
      psychological defenses. These effects differed by gender. Limitations of the
      study and directions for future research are also discussed. 

PMID- 24228771
TI  - Management of acute upside-down stomach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Upside-down stomach (UDS) is characterized by herniation of the
      entire stomach or most gastric portions into the posterior mediastinum. Symptoms
      may vary heavily as they are related to reflux and mechanically impaired gastric
      emptying. UDS is associated with a risk of incarceration and volvulus development
      which both might be complicated by acute gastric outlet obstruction, advanced
      ischemia, gastric bleeding and perforation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old male
      presented with acute intolerant epigastralgia and anterior chest pain associated
      with acute onset of nausea and vomiting. He reported on a previous surgical
      intervention due to a hiatal hernia. Chest radiography and computer tomography
      showed an incarcerated UDS. After immediate esophago-gastroscopy, urgent
      laparoscopic reduction, repair with a 360 degrees  floppy Nissen fundoplication
      and insertion of a gradually absorbable GORE(r) BIO-A(r)-mesh was performed.
      CONCLUSION: Given the high risk of life-threatening complications of an
      incarcerated UDS as ischemia, gastric perforation or severe bleeding, emergent
      surgery is indicated. In stable patients with acute presentation of large
      paraesophageal hernia or UDS exhibiting acute mechanical gastric outlet
      obstruction, after esophago-gastroscopy laparoscopic reduction and hernia repair
      followed by an anti-reflux procedure is suggested. However, in cases of unstable
      patients open repair is the surgical method of choice. Here, we present an
      exceptionally challenging case of a young patient with a giant recurrent hiatal
      hernia becoming clinically manifest in an incarcerated UDS.

PMID- 24228772
TI  - The validity of the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire in women
      with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the validity and reliability of the Menopause-specific
      Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire in a sample of women with diabetes in
      Malaysia, with the secondary aim of determining whether MENQOL domain scores were
      associated with depression and diabetes. METHODS: A total of 337 postmenopausal
      women (241 with diabetes, 96 controls) were evaluated. Construct validity was
      evaluated using principal components analysis (PCA) and comparing scale items
      against the mental component score of the Short Form-12 (SF-12 MCS), and against
      the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale 10 (CES-D 10). Consistency
      assessment was conducted using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The internal
      consistencies for the physical (PHS), psychosocial (PS), sexual (VSS) and
      vasomotor domains were 0.86, 0.79, 0.79 and 0.70, and 0.90 for the full scale of
      MENQOL. PCA revealed a four-factorial model. Diabetes and non-diabetes subjects
      experienced their first period (13.25 vs. 13.10 years, p = 0.680) and achieved
      menopause around the same age (49.35 vs. 48.87 years, p = 0.426). We found
      significant variations in the MENQOL's PHS and PS domain scores that could be
      explained by SF-12 PCS (25%) and SF-12 MCS (20%) sub-scales. The validity of the
      MENQOL domains was demonstrated through significant associations with the
      equivalent SF-12 MCS and PCS subscales. The PS domain of the MENQOL also
      predicted the likelihood of symptoms of depression (1.42, 95% confidence interval
      1.01-2.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the validity and internal
      consistency of the MENQOL questionnaire for measuring quality of life in
      postmenopausal women with diabetes, suggesting that the instrument can be used to
      screen people for menopausal symptoms.

PMID- 24228773
TI  - The association of trefoil factor 3 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with
      unexplained female infertility: molecular insights into TFF3 regulation in
      receptive phase endometrium.
AB  - Abstract This study examined the genetic variation within the gene trefoil factor
      3 (TFF3) in relation to unexplained female infertility in a group of women where
      aberrant endometrial maturation was suspected. The study consisted of 113 women
      with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility and 289 healthy fertile volunteers.
      Five single nucleotide polymorphisms rs225439, rs533093, rs225361, rs11701143,
      and rs77436142 within TFF3 gene were analyzed using real-time PCR. The formed
      haplotype pattern within the TFF3 gene in relation to infertility was also
      assessed. TFF3 protein localization and expression in receptive stage endometrium
      at the time of implantation was measured in a subset of fertile (n = 7) and
      infertile (n = 12) women. Allele and genotype frequencies did not differ
      significantly between fertile and infertile women, nor did the formed haplotypes.
      TFF3 protein was expressed in all cell types in receptive stage endometria in
      fertile and infertile women. No significant association was observed between
      protein expression and analyzed genotypes. A significantly higher TFF3 expression
      in luminal epithelial cells was detected in women with unexplained infertility (p
      = 0.003). 

PMID- 24228774
TI  - Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in diabetic adult out-patients in Tanzania.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The number of adults with diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide,
      particularly in Asia and Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, renal complications of
      diabetes may go unrecognized due to limited diagnostic resources. The prevalence
      of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among adult diabetics in sub-Saharan Africa has
      not been well described. METHODS: This study was conducted at the diabetes
      mellitus clinic of Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania. A total 369
      consecutive adult diabetic patients were enrolled and interviewed. Each patient
      provided a urine sample for microalbuminuria and proteinuria and a blood sample
      for serum creatinine level. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was
      calculated using the Cockroft-Gault equation. CKD was staged according to the
      Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes system. RESULTS: A total of 309 (83.7%)
      study participants had CKD; 295 (80.0%) had significant albuminuria and 91
      (24.7%) had eGFR < 60 ml/min. None of these patients were aware of their renal
      disease, and only 5 (1.3%) had a diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy recorded in
      their file. Older age was significantly associated with CKD in this population
      [OR 1.03, p = 0.03, 95%CI (1.00-1.05)]. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic kidney disease is
      highly prevalent among adult diabetic outpatients attending our clinic in
      Tanzania, but is usually undiagnosed. Nearly 1/4 of patients had an eGFR low
      enough to require dose adjustment of diabetic medications. More diagnostic
      resources are needed for CKD screening among adults in Tanzania in order to slow
      progression and prevent complications.

PMID- 24228775
TI  - An association between autumn birth and clozapine treatment in patients with
      schizophrenia: a population-based analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Numerous studies on seasonality of birth and schizophrenia risk have
      been published but it is uncertain whether, among those with schizophrenia,
      refractory illness exhibits any predilection for birth month. We hypothesized and
      examined whether a season of birth effect was present in patients with
      schizophrenia with a history of clozapine treatment. METHOD: Using record linkage
      with Danish registers, we examined patients with schizophrenia born between 1950
      and 1970, and between 1995 and 2009 and Cox regression analysis was used to
      examine season of birth in relation to history of clozapine treatment. RESULTS:
      In a study population corresponding to 60,062 person-years from 5328 individuals
      with schizophrenia of which 1223 (23%) received at least one clozapine
      prescription, birth in the autumn (September-November) was associated with
      clozapine treatment (HR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.07-1.46) when compared with birth in the
      spring (March-May). CONCLUSION: Although replication studies are needed, this is
      the first evidence from a nationwide study suggesting a possible season
      associated risk of clozapine treatment in schizophrenia. The reasons for this
      relationship remain to be further investigated but might be partially explained
      by early exposures such as winter flu season and low vitamin D levels.

PMID- 24228776
TI  - Health-related quality of life in alcohol dependence: a systematic literature
      review with a specific focus on the role of depression and other psychopathology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is considered a valid measure
      of treatment effectiveness in addictions. However, alcohol research has lagged
      behind other biomedical fields in using HRQOL outcomes as primary or secondary
      endpoints. Previous work has suggested that psychiatric co-morbidity may mediate
      the relationship between alcohol dependence and HRQOL. AIM: The goal was to
      summarize the literature on HRQOL and its domains in the context of alcohol
      dependence. A specific focus was on the impact of depression and other
      psychopathology on these areas of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database search
      of MEDLINE and PsychINFO was performed within the scope of PARADISE (Psychosocial
      fActors Relevant to brAin DISorders in Europe); a European Commission funded
      coordination action. Using pre-defined eligibility criteria, 42 studies were
      identified. A systematic approach to data collection was employed. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol dependence was shown to affect overall HRQOL and its
      domains, including general health, physical and mental health, general and social
      functioning, activities of daily living, pain and sleep. The evidence
      demonstrating that alcohol dependence is a primary cause of impairments in
      overall HRQOL, general health, mental and physical health and social functioning
      was fairly strong. Treatment interventions helped improve HRQOL and its
      aforementioned domains. The reduction or cessation of alcohol use facilitated
      these improvements; however, it was not reported to be predictive of improvement
      in all instances where improvement was reported. Depression was associated with
      further decreases in HRQOL. Personality disorders contributed to the severity of
      social functioning impairment.

PMID- 24228777
TI  - Perfectionism and sense of coherence among patients with eating disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a substantial body of research on eating disorders and
      perfectionism. Also there are several studies on eating disorders and sense of
      coherence (SOC), but studies regarding all three subjects are sparse.
      Perfectionism and the degree of SOC are considered central and aggravating
      aspects of psychiatric conditions, not least in relation to eating disorders.
      AIMS: The present study aimed to describe the relationship between perfectionism
      as operationalized by Garner in the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and SOC as
      defined by Antonovsky in the SOC-29 scale. The hypothesis was that SOC should be
      negatively associated with perfectionism. METHODS: Data from the two self
      measuring instruments collected from 95 consecutively recruited eating disorder
      outpatients were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS:
      The patients in the present study scored consistently with other Swedish eating
      disorder samples on the Perfectionism subscale in the Eating Disorder Inventory-2
      (EDI-P) and on the SOC-29, indicating a higher degree of perfectionism and weaker
      SOC than normal population groups. Perfectionism was significantly correlated to
      SOC. The correlation was negative, confirming the study hypothesis. The
      hypothesis was further confirmed in a subgroup analysis comparing patients with
      different degrees of SOC related to their EDI-P scores. CONCLUSIONS:
      Perfectionism is associated with SOC in patients with eating disorders. CLINICAL
      IMPLICATIONS: The clinical implications derived from the study could be a
      recommendation to focus on the SOC in patients with an eating disorder with the
      hope of lowering the patients' perfectionism as well.

PMID- 24228778
TI  - A 2-year follow-up study of people with severe mental illness involved in
      psychosocial rehabilitation.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS. A focus on psychiatric rehabilitation in order to support recovery
      among persons with severe mental illness (SMI) has been given great attention in
      research and mental health policy, but less impact on clinical practice. Despite
      the potential impact of psychiatric rehabilitation on health and wellbeing, there
      is a lack of research regarding the model called the Psychiatric Rehabilitation
      Approach from Boston University (BPR). AIM: The aim was to investigate the
      outcome of the BPR intervention regarding changes in life situation, use of
      healthcare services, quality of life, health, psychosocial functioning and
      empowerment. METHODS: The study has a prospective longitudinal design and the
      setting was seven mental health services who worked with the BPR in the county of
      Halland in Sweden. In total, 71 clients completed the assessment at baseline and
      of these 49 completed the 2-year follow-up assessments. RESULTS: The most
      significant finding was an improved psychosocial functioning at the follow-up
      assessment. Furthermore, 65% of the clients reported that they had mainly or
      almost completely achieved their self-formulated rehabilitation goals at the 2
      year follow-up. There were significant differences with regard to health,
      empowerment, quality of life and psychosocial functioning for those who reported
      that they had mainly/completely had achieved their self-formulated rehabilitation
      goals compared to those who reported that they only had to a small extent or not
      at all reached their goals. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the BPR
      approach has impact on clients' health, empowerment, quality of life and in
      particular concerning psychosocial functioning.

PMID- 24228779
TI  - Finnish norms for young children on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early recognition of children's mental health problems is crucial.
      Although the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a commonly used
      screening method, further research is needed on its validity and norms for young
      children. AIMS: The aims of the study were to confirm the adjusted lower
      (normal/borderline) and upper (borderline/abnormal) cut-offs for the SDQ in a
      Finnish community sample of 4-9-year-old children, and to explore the SDQ's
      ability to identify the children with mental health problems. METHODS: Parents
      and teachers completed the SDQs (n = 2666). The Development and Well-Being
      Assessment (DAWBA) was administered to parents and teachers of 646 children.
      RESULTS: The overall participation rate was 57%. The suggested cut-offs for the
      SDQ total difficulties scale rated by parents and teachers were 2-5 points lower
      than the corresponding published British norms. The sensitivity for the total
      score normal/borderline cut-off (9/10) was 76% in the parent and 66% in the
      teacher reports and for the borderline/abnormal cut-off (11/12) 90% and 70%
      respectively. The respective specificity values were 69%, 63%, 74% and 66%. The
      area under curve (AUC) values of the higher cut-offs were good for parent (0.87)
      and satisfactory for teacher rated (0.76) total scores. The presence of a DAWBA
      rater assigned diagnosis in the abnormal group compared with the normal group was
      sixfold in the parent and threefold in the teacher reported SDQs. CONCLUSIONS:
      The suggested cut-offs were clearly lower than the British norms. Yet the
      properties of the method's discriminative validity were acceptable. Population
      specific norms, taking into account both the culture and children's age, seem
      necessary for screening and for international comparisons of the method's
      validity properties.

PMID- 24228780
TI  - The specificity of the Stroop interference score of errors to ADHD in boys.
AB  - The Stroop Interference Test is widely used to assess the inhibition function;
      however, divergent results have emerged from meta-analyses in children with ADHD.
      This has led to conflicting results as to whether the Stroop test detects the
      level of inhibition in these children. We hypothesized that the general approach
      to include interference scores depending on response time causes conflicting
      results, whereas recordings of errors may prove a superior measure of the
      inhibition function in children with ADHD. In the present study, 39 children with
      an ADHD diagnosis, two subgroups with and without another comorbid mental health
      disorder, were compared with respect to their interference scores of response
      time and errors with two subgroups of children with no ADHD. The two subgroups
      comprised 33 children with another mental health disorder other than ADHD and 56
      children with no psychiatric disorder. The between-group analyses detected a
      multivariate, marginal main effect of an ADHD diagnosis on the Stroop
      interference scores, and a univariate main effect of an ADHD diagnosis on the
      interference score of errors. Further, only the interference score of errors
      predicted significantly the parent reported scores on the Inhibit scale from the
      Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. These findings support that a
      Stroop interference score of errors is sensitive for inhibition problems in
      children with ADHD and encourages the use of Stroop versions including error
      recordings independent of response time. 

PMID- 24228781
TI  - The role of antihistamines in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of vasomotor rhinitis is not understood. It is
      unlikely that antihistamines, based on their H1 antagonist activity alone, would
      be effective in this disorder. METHODS: Nonetheless, at least one double-blind,
      placebo-controlled multicenter trial has found that intranasal azelastine
      relieves symptoms of this disorder better than placebo. The mechanism responsible
      for its beneficial effect in nonallergic rhinitis is unclear but probably relates
      to "anti-inflammatory/antiallergic" activities. RESULTS: Such mechanisms have
      been demonstrated for a number of different oral antihistamines, but often the
      concentrations required in vitro are higher than those that are normally achieved
      in vivo using recommended dosing. It has been postulated that intranasal
      administration, which can achieve high local levels, might be a factor
      responsible for enhancing the "anti-inflammatory/antiallergic" properties.
      CONCLUSIONS: Interpreting this information allows one to conclude that
      antihistamines may be potentially effective agents in vasomotor rhinitis, and are
      more likely to be so when administered intranasally, despite the fact that data
      documenting this beneficial effect are sparse.

PMID- 24228782
TI  - Learning lessons from cancer centers in low- and middle-income countries.
AB  - Infectious Agents and Cancer is introducing a new section on Cancer Centers in
      Low- and Middle-Income Countries intended to provide the oncology community with
      detailed information about lessons learned in cancer control in resource-limited
      settings. The growing burden of cancer and the high rates of infection-related
      cancers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) argue for exploring the
      successes and challenges of cancer centers in low-resource settings. Detailed
      analyses are needed on how successful cancer centers have developed and managed
      such key components as strategic partnerships, trained cancer professionals,
      sustainable funding, appropriate technology, and research capacity. Many examples
      exist wherein local cancer centers have made significant progress and as such,
      the series will provide a platform to showcase detailed features of cancer
      institutes in LMICs and provide valuable information for those seeking to
      replicate successful models and to help invigorate efforts to build cancer
      capacity. 

PMID- 24228783
TI  - Analysis of medical use of carbon adsorbents in China and additional
      possibilities in this field achieved in Ukraine.
AB  - The review is devoted to analysis of the use of carbon sorbents for medicinal
      purposes in China and description of some innovative technologies in this field
      in Ukraine. The review underlines the presence of common roots of sorption
      therapy development in these two countries determined by pioneer works of Prof.
      T.M.S. Chang, created to the concept of artificial cells. High level of works of
      Chinese scientists on sorption purification of blood and combined extracorporeal
      methods has been mentioned. At the same time, by author's opinion, two other
      methods of sorption therapy, namely enterosorption and sorption therapy of wounds
      and burns, has not been properly developed in China. In the review, there are
      also described the essential results of Ukrainian scientists in the field of
      blood purification from protein-bound toxins and other harmful compounds what is
      important for treatment of many serious human pathologies, and also the important
      data on the use of oral sorbents and dressings from activated carbon materials,
      which could be considered as a useful addition to achievements of Chinese
      scientists in the field of the development and use of sorbents for medicinal
      purposes.

PMID- 24228784
TI  - Relative importance of climatic, geographic and socio-economic determinants of
      malaria in Malawi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria transmission is influenced by variations in meteorological
      conditions, which impact the biology of the parasite and its vector, but also
      socio-economic conditions, such as levels of urbanization, poverty and education,
      which impact human vulnerability and vector habitat. The many potential drivers
      of malaria, both extrinsic, such as climate, and intrinsic, such as population
      immunity are often difficult to disentangle. This presents a challenge for the
      modelling of malaria risk in space and time. METHODS: A statistical mixed model
      framework is proposed to model malaria risk at the district level in Malawi,
      using an age-stratified spatio-temporal dataset of malaria cases from July 2004
      to June 2011. Several climatic, geographic and socio-economic factors thought to
      influence malaria incidence were tested in an exploratory model. In order to
      account for the unobserved confounding factors that influence malaria, which are
      not accounted for using measured covariates, a generalized linear mixed model was
      adopted, which included structured and unstructured spatial and temporal random
      effects. A hierarchical Bayesian framework using Markov chain Monte Carlo
      simulation was used for model fitting and prediction. RESULTS: Using a stepwise
      model selection procedure, several explanatory variables were identified to have
      significant associations with malaria including climatic, cartographic and socio
      economic data. Once intervention variations, unobserved confounding factors and
      spatial correlation were considered in a Bayesian framework, a final model
      emerged with statistically significant predictor variables limited to average
      precipitation (quadratic relation) and average temperature during the three
      months previous to the month of interest. CONCLUSIONS: When modelling malaria
      risk in Malawi it is important to account for spatial and temporal heterogeneity
      and correlation between districts. Once observed and unobserved confounding
      factors are allowed for, precipitation and temperature in the months prior to the
      malaria season of interest are found to significantly determine spatial and
      temporal variations of malaria incidence. Climate information was found to
      improve the estimation of malaria relative risk in 41% of the districts in
      Malawi, particularly at higher altitudes where transmission is irregular. This
      highlights the potential value of climate-driven seasonal malaria forecasts.

PMID- 24228786
TI  - Introduction highlights of the asthma summit 2009: beyond the guidelines.

PMID- 24228785
TI  - Multifractal application on electrocardiogram.
AB  - Multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis is applied to analyse the degree of
      disorders, complexity and irregularity based on scaling behaviour of
      electrocardiogram. Since this method is based on random walk theory, noise level
      due to imperfect measurement in recording is reduced and it can systematically
      eliminate trends of different orders. The essence of this method is to extract
      the fractal features in ECG which can reflect changes in adaptability of
      physiological processes and to classify the pathological conditions and can lead
      to successful diagnosis. Fractal analysis is, therefore, a promising diagnostic
      tool in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and evaluation.

PMID- 24228787
TI  - Sugar cane stillage: a potential source of natural antioxidants.
AB  - Biorefinery of sugar cane is the first economic activity of Reunion Island. Some
      sugar cane manufactured products (juice, syrup, molasses) have antioxidant
      activities and are sources of both phenolic compounds and Maillard Reaction
      Products (MRP). The study aimed to highlight the global antioxidant activity of
      sugar cane stillage and understand its identity. Chromatographic fractionation on
      Sephadex LH-20 resin allowed the recovery of a MRP-rich fraction, responsible for
      58 to 66% of the global antioxidant activity according to the nature of the sugar
      cane stillage (DPPH test), and a phenolic compounds-rich fraction for 37 to 59%
      of the activity. A good correlation was recorded between the antioxidant activity
      of the sugar cane stillage and its content in total reducing compounds amount
      (Folin-Ciocalteu assay), among them 2.8 to 3.9 g/L of phenolic compounds (in 5
      caffeoylquinic acid equivalent). Preliminary experiments by HPLC-DAD-MS allowed
      to identify several free phenolic acids and gave clues to identify esters of
      quinic acids. 

PMID- 24228788
TI  - Metal-free synthesis of aryl ethers in water.
AB  - The first arylation of allylic and benzylic alcohols with diaryliodonium salts is
      reported. The reaction yields alkyl aryl ethers under mild and metal-free
      conditions. Phenols are arylated to diaryl ethers in good to excellent yields.
      The reaction employs diaryliodonium salts and sodium hydroxide in water at low
      temperature, and excess amounts of the coupling partners are avoided. 

PMID- 24228791
TI  - Activation of a unique flavin-dependent tRNA-methylating agent.
AB  - TrmFO is a tRNA methyltransferase that uses methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2THF)
      and flavin adenine dinucleotide hydroquinone as cofactors. We have recently shown
      that TrmFO from Bacillus subtilis stabilizes a TrmFO-CH2-FADH adduct and an ill
      defined neutral flavin radical. The adduct contains a unique N-CH2-S moiety, with
      a methylene group bridging N5 of the isoalloxazine ring and the sulfur of an
      active-site cysteine (Cys53). In the absence of tRNA substrate, this species is
      remarkably stable but becomes catalytically competent for tRNA methylation
      following tRNA addition using the methylene group as the source of methyl. Here,
      we demonstrate that this dormant methylating agent can be activated at low pH,
      and we propose that this process is triggered upon tRNA addition. The reaction
      proceeds via protonation of Cys53, cleavage of the C-S bond, and generation of a
      highly reactive [FADH(N5)?CH2]+ iminium intermediate, which is proposed to be the
      actual tRNA-methylating agent. This mechanism is fully supported by DFT
      calculations. The radical present in TrmFO is characterized here by optical and
      EPR/ENDOR spectroscopy approaches together with DFT calculations and is shown to
      be the one-electron oxidized product of the TrmFO-CH2-FADH adduct. It is also
      relatively stable, and its decomposition is facilitated by high pH. These results
      provide new insights into the structure and reactivity of the unique flavin
      dependent methylating agent used by this class of enzymes.

PMID- 24228790
TI  - N- versus C-domain selectivity of catalytic inactivation of human angiotensin
      converting enzyme by lisinopril-coupled transition metal chelates.
AB  - The N- and C-terminal domains of human somatic angiotensin I converting enzyme
      (sACE-1) demonstrate distinct physiological functions, with resulting interest in
      the development of domain-selective inhibitors for specific therapeutic
      applications. Herein, the activity of lisinopril-coupled transition metal
      chelates was tested for both reversible binding and irreversible catalytic
      inactivation of each domain of sACE-1. C/N domain binding selectivity ratios
      ranged from 1 to 350, while rates of irreversible catalytic inactivation of the N
      and C-domains were found to be significantly greater for the N-domain,
      suggesting a more optimal orientation of M-chelate-lisinopril complexes within
      the active site of the N-domain of sACE-1. Finally, the combined effect of
      binding selectivity and inactivation selectivity was assessed for each catalyst
      (double-filter selectivity factors), and several catalysts were found to cause
      domain-selective catalytic inactivation. The results of this study demonstrate
      the ability to optimize the target selectivity of catalytic metallopeptides
      through both binding and catalytic factors (double-filter effect).

PMID- 24228792
TI  - Rural and urban differences in blood pressure and pregnancy-induced hypertension
      among pregnant women in Ghana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Globally, about 350.000 women die every year from pregnancy related
      causes and more than half of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
      Approximately 12% of the maternal deaths are associated with hypertensive
      disorders in pregnancy such as pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). However,
      very little is known about PIH and associated determinants in many SSA countries
      such as Ghana. We therefore sought to assess rural and urban differences in blood
      pressure (BP) and PIH among pregnant women in Ghana. METHODS: We conducted a
      cross-sectional study among 967 rural (677) and urban (290) pregnant women with a
      gestational age of more than 20 weeks. PIH was defined as a systolic blood
      pressure of >=140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of >=90 mmHg. RESULTS:
      Women in urban Ghana had a higher mean systolic and diastolic BP than women in
      rural Ghana (105/66 mmHg versus 102/61 mmHg, p < 0.001 for both systolic and
      diastolic BP). The prevalence of PIH was also higher in urban Ghana (3.1%) than
      in rural Ghana (0.4%) (p = 0.014). The urban and rural difference in mean
      diastolic blood pressure persisted even after adjustments for the study
      characteristics in a linear regression model. In both rural and urban Ghana, BMI,
      heart rate and a family history of hypertension were independently associated
      with BP. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest higher mean BP levels and PIH in urban
      Ghana than in rural Ghana. BMI was independently related to high BP. Left
      unchecked, the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in Ghana will
      exacerbate PIH levels in Ghana.

PMID- 24228793
TI  - Diversity of methanogens in the hindgut of captive white rhinoceroses,
      Ceratotherium simum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The white rhinoceros is on the verge of extinction with less than
      20,200 animals remaining in the wild. In order to better protect these endangered
      animals, it is necessary to better understand their digestive physiology and
      nutritional requirements. The gut microbiota is nutritionally important for
      herbivorous animals. However, little is known about the microbial diversity in
      the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the white rhinoceros. Methanogen diversity in
      the GIT may be host species-specific and, or, function-dependent. To assess
      methanogen diversity in the hindgut of white rhinoceroses, an archaeal 16S rRNA
      gene clone library was constructed from pooled PCR products obtained from the
      feces of seven adult animals. RESULTS: Sequence analysis of 153 archaeal 16S rRNA
      sequences revealed 47 unique phylotypes, which were assigned to seven operational
      taxonomic units (OTUs 1 to 7). Sequences assigned to OTU-7 (64 out of 153 total
      sequencs - 42%) and OTU-5 (18%, 27/153) had 96.2% and 95.5% identity to
      Methanocorpusculum labreanum, respectively, making Methanocorpusculum labreanum
      the predominant phylotype in these white rhynoceroses. Sequences belonging to OTU
      6 (27%, 42/153) were related (97.6%) to Methanobrevibacter smithii. Only 4% of
      the total sequences (6/153) were assigned to Methanosphaera stadtmanae (OTU-1).
      Sequences belonging to OTU-2 (4%, 6/153), OTU-3 (3%, 5/153) and OTU-4 (2%, 3/153)
      were distantly related (87.5 to 88,4%) to Methanomassiliicoccus luminyensis and
      were considered to be novel species or strains that have yet-to-be cultivated and
      characterized. CONCLUSION: Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the methanogen
      species in the hindgut of white rhinoceroses were more similar to those in the
      hindgut of horses. Our findings may help develop studies on improving the
      digestibility of forage for sustainable management and better health of these
      endangered animals.

PMID- 24228794
TI  - Development of catalysts and ligands for enantioselective gold catalysis.
AB  - During the past decade, the use of Au(I) complexes for the catalytic activation
      of C-C pi-bonds has been investigated intensely. Over this time period, the
      development of homogeneous gold catalysis has been extraordinarily rapid and has
      yielded a host of mild and selective methods for the formation of carbon-carbon
      and carbon-heteroatom bonds. The facile formation of new bonds facilitated by
      gold naturally led to efforts toward rendering these transformations
      enantioselective. In this Account, we survey the development of catalysts and
      ligands for enantioselective gold catalysis by our research group as well as
      related work by others. We also discuss some of our strategies to address the
      challenges of enantioselective gold(I) catalysis. Early on, our work with
      enantioselective gold-catalyzed transformations focused on bis(phosphinegold)
      complexes derived from axially chiral scaffolds. Although these complexes were
      highly successful in some reactions like cyclopropanation, the careful choice of
      the weakly coordinating ligand (or counterion) was necessary to obtain high
      levels of enantioselectivity for the case of allene hydroamination. These
      counterion effects led us to use the anion itself as a source of chirality, which
      was successful in the case of allene hydroalkoxylation. In general, these tactics
      enhance the steric influence around the reactive gold center beyond the two
      coordinate ligand environment. The use of binuclear complexes allowed us to use
      the second gold center and its associated ligand (or counterion) to exert a
      further steric influence. In a similar vein, we employed a chiral anion (in place
      of or in addition to a chiral ligand) to move the chiral information closer to
      the reactive center. In order to expand the scope of reactions amenable to
      enantioselective gold catalysis to cycloadditions and other carbocyclization
      processes, we also developed a new class of mononuclear phosphite and
      phosphoramidite ligands to supplement the previously widely utilized phosphines.
      However, we needed to judiciously design the steric environment to create "walls"
      that enclose the gold center. We also successfully applied these same
      considerations to the development of binuclear carbene ligands for gold. Finally,
      we describe the design of bifunctional urea-monophosphine ligands used in a gold
      catalyzed three-component coupling. 

PMID- 24228795
TI  - Urological research in sub-Saharan Africa: a retrospective cohort study of
      abstracts presented at the Nigerian Association of Urological Surgeons
      conferences.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nigeria is one of the top three countries in Africa in terms of
      science research output and Nigerian urologists' biomedical research output
      contributes to this. Each year, urologists in Nigeria gather to present their
      recent research at the conference of the Nigerian Association of Urological
      Surgeons (NAUS). These abstracts are not thoroughly vetted as are full length
      manuscripts published in peer reviewed journals but the information they
      disseminate may affect clinical practice of attendees. This study aims to
      describe the characteristics of abstracts presented at the annual conferences of
      NAUS, the quality of the abstracts as determined by the subsequent publication of
      full length manuscripts in peer-review indexed journals and the factors that
      influence such successful publication. METHODS: Abstracts presented at the 2007
      to 2010 NAUS conferences were identified through conference abstracts books.
      Using a strict search protocol, publication in peer-reviewed journals was
      determined. The abstracts characteristics were analyzed and their quality judged
      by subsequent successful publishing of full length manuscripts. Statistical
      analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0 software to determine factors predictive
      of successful publication. RESULTS: Only 75 abstracts were presented at the NAUS
      2007 to 2010 conferences; a quarter (24%) of the presented abstracts was
      subsequently published as full length manuscripts. Median time to publication was
      15 months (range 2-40 months). Manuscripts whose result data were analyzed with
      'beyond basic' statistics of frequencies and averages were more likely to be
      published than those with basic or no statistics. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of the
      abstracts and thus subsequent publication success is influenced by the use of
      'beyond basic' statistics in analysis of the result data presented. There is a
      need for improvement in the quality of urological research from Nigeria.

PMID- 24228796
TI  - Promoting universal financial protection: health insurance for the poor in
      Georgia--a case study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The present study focuses on the program "Medical Insurance for the
      Poor (MIP)" in Georgia. Under this program, the government purchased coverage
      from private insurance companies for vulnerable households identified through a
      means testing system, targeting up to 23% of the total population. The benefit
      package included outpatient and inpatient services with no co-payments, but had
      only limited outpatient drug benefits. This paper presents the results of the
      study on the impact of MIP on access to health services and financial protection
      of the MIP-targeted and general population. METHODS: With a holistic case study
      design, the study employed a range of quantitative and qualitative methods. The
      methods included document review and secondary analysis of the data obtained
      through the nationwide household health expenditure and utilisation surveys 2007
      2010 using the difference-in-differences method. RESULTS: The study findings
      showed that MIP had a positive impact in terms of reduced expenditure for
      inpatient services and total household health care costs, and there was a higher
      probability of receiving free outpatient benefits among the MIP-insured. However,
      MIP insurance had almost no effect on health services utilisation and the
      households' expenditure on outpatient drugs, including for those with MIP
      insurance, due to limited drug benefits in the package and a low claims ratio. In
      summary, the extended MIP coverage and increased financial access provided by the
      program, most likely due to the exclusion of outpatient drug coverage from the
      benefit package and possibly due to improper utilisation management by private
      insurance companies, were not able to reverse adverse effects of economic slow
      down and escalating health expenditure. MIP has only cushioned the negative
      impact for the poorest by decreasing the poor/rich gradient in the rates of
      catastrophic health expenditure. CONCLUSIONS: The recent governmental decision on
      major expansion of MIP coverage and inclusion of additional drug benefit will
      most likely significantly enhance the overall MIP impact and its potential as a
      viable policy instrument for achieving universal coverage. The Georgian
      experience presented in this paper may be useful for other low- and middle-income
      countries that are contemplating ways to ensure universal coverage for their
      populations.

PMID- 24228797
TI  - Vitamin D status in diabetic Egyptian children and adolescents: a case-control
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, studies suggesting that vitamin D deficiency correlates
      with the severity and frequency of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus
      (T1DM) and that vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of developing T1DM
      have been reported. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to assess vitamin D status
      in Egyptian children and adolescents with T1DM. METHODS: This was a case-control
      study including 80 T1DM diagnosed cases aged 6 to 16 years and 40 healthy
      children with comparable age and gender as the control group. For all subjects,
      serum 25 (OH) D levels were measured by ELISA, Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH)
      and serum insulin were measured by an electrochemiluminesce immunoassay. Serum
      glucose, Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and homeostasis model assessment
      of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were also assessed. RESULTS: Compared to the
      control group, serum vitamin D levels were not significantly lower in diabetic
      subjects (24.7 +/- 5.6 vs 26.5 +/- 4.8 ng/ml; P > 0.05). Among diabetic cases
      44(55%) were vitamin D deficient; meanwhile 36(45%) cases had normal vitamin D
      level (P < 0.01). In addition, 26(32.5%) diabetic cases had 2ry
      hyperparathyroidism and 54(67.5%) cases had normal parathyroid hormone level;
      meanwhile, none of the control group had 2ry hyperparathyroidism (P < 0.01).
      Furthermore, we found a significant difference between vitamin D deficient
      diabetic cases and those with normal vitamin D level as regards HOMA-IR and
      diabetes duration (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Public health message on the importance
      of vitamin D status; especially in diabetic children and adolescents, should be
      disseminated to the public.

PMID- 24228798
TI  - Dissociative depression among women with fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to inquire about the possible relations of childhood
      trauma, anger, and dissociation to depression among women with fibromyalgia or
      rheumatoid arthritis. Fifty female patients diagnosed as having fibromyalgia (n =
      30) or rheumatoid arthritis (n = 20) participated in the study. The Childhood
      Trauma Questionnaire, Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ), Dissociation
      Questionnaire (DIS-Q), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Spielberger State-Trait
      Anger Expression Inventory, and Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule were
      administered to all participants. Women with a lifetime diagnosis of depressive
      disorder had higher scores for somatoform and psychoform dissociation than the
      nondepressive patients. However, childhood trauma scores did not differ between
      the 2 groups. In regression analysis, current severity of depression (BDI) was
      predicted by psychoform dissociation (DIS-Q) and lower education, and lifetime
      diagnosis of major depression was predicted by somatoform dissociation (SDQ).
      Whereas childhood emotional neglect predicted somatoform dissociation, psychoform
      dissociation was predicted by childhood sexual abuse. Mental processing of anger
      seems to be 1 of the dimensions of psychodynamics in trauma-related depressive
      conditions. In the context of the perceived threat of loss of control due to
      expressed anger and mental disintegration, somatoform dissociation seems to
      contribute to overmodulation of emotions in dissociative depression. Among
      patients suffering from physical illness with possible psychosomatic dimensions,
      assessment of somatoform dissociation in addition to psychoform dissociation may
      be helpful to understand diverse psychopathological trajectories emerging in the
      aftermath of childhood adversities. The recently proposed category of
      "dissociative depression" (Sar, 2011) seems to be a promising concept for future
      research on psychosomatic aspects of traumatic stress. 

PMID- 24228799
TI  - Structure and magnetic properties of the alpha-NaFeO2-type honeycomb compound
      Na3Ni2BiO6.
AB  - We present the structure and magnetic properties of Na3Ni2BiO6, which is an
      ordered variant of the alpha-NaFeO2 structure type. This layered compound has a
      2:1 ordering of (Ni(2+)/Bi(5+))O6 octahedra within the a-b plane and sodium in
      octahedra between the layers. The structure is presented in the space group C2/m,
      determined through a combination of single crystal X-ray, powder neutron, and
      powder X-ray diffraction. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility
      measurements show Na3Ni2BiO6 to display long-range antiferromagnetic ordering
      below 11 K, despite the dominance of ferromagnetic interactions above TN as
      indicated by a positive Weiss constant. Heat capacity measurements and low
      temperature neutron diffraction support the magnetic ordering and are consistent
      with a TN of 10.4 K. A magnetic phase can be refined with (010) antiferromagnetic
      ordering along the b-axis in the honeycomb layer and moments aligned parallel to
      c. The compounds Na3Mg2BiO6 and Na3Zn2BiO6, synthesized as nonmagnetic analogues
      of Na3Ni2BiO6, are briefly described. 

PMID- 24228801
TI  - Memory coding in individuals with Down syndrome.
AB  - Previous research has identified a deficit in phonological short-term memory in
      individuals with Down syndrome. The present work aimed to analyze how a group of
      30 individuals with Down syndrome performed in a picture span task compared with
      30 typically developing children of the same mental age. The task involved four
      conditions (i.e., dissimilar, phonologically similar, visually similar, and long
      name items) chosen to analyze the strategy used by individuals with Down syndrome
      to code visually presented nameable items. Individuals with Down syndrome
      performed less well than typically developing children. Both groups showed the
      visual similarity effect. Taken together, our results confirm that individuals
      with Down syndrome have a verbal working memory deficit, even when nameable items
      are presented visually. Mental age appears to be an important determinant of
      memory coding stage in individuals with Down syndrome. 

PMID- 24228800
TI  - Ancestral dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) exposure promotes epigenetic
      transgenerational inheritance of obesity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ancestral environmental exposures to a variety of environmental
      factors and toxicants have been shown to promote the epigenetic transgenerational
      inheritance of adult onset disease. The present work examined the potential
      transgenerational actions of the insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
      (DDT) on obesity and associated disease. METHODS: Outbred gestating female rats
      were transiently exposed to a vehicle control or DDT and the F1 generation
      offspring bred to generate the F2 generation and F2 generation bred to generate
      the F3 generation. The F1 and F3 generation control and DDT lineage rats were
      aged and various pathologies investigated. The F3 generation male sperm were
      collected to investigate methylation between the control and DDT lineage male
      sperm. RESULTS: The F1 generation offspring (directly exposed as a fetus) derived
      from the F0 generation exposed gestating female rats were not found to develop
      obesity. The F1 generation DDT lineage animals did develop kidney disease,
      prostate disease, ovary disease and tumor development as adults. Interestingly,
      the F3 generation (great grand-offspring) had over 50% of males and females
      develop obesity. Several transgenerational diseases previously shown to be
      associated with metabolic syndrome and obesity were observed in the testis, ovary
      and kidney. The transgenerational transmission of disease was through both female
      (egg) and male (sperm) germlines. F3 generation sperm epimutations, differential
      DNA methylation regions (DMR), induced by DDT were identified. A number of the
      genes associated with the DMR have previously been shown to be associated with
      obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Observations indicate ancestral exposure to DDT can promote
      obesity and associated disease transgenerationally. The etiology of disease such
      as obesity may be in part due to environmentally induced epigenetic
      transgenerational inheritance.

PMID- 24228802
TI  - Editorial comment for Alloussi et al.

PMID- 24228803
TI  - Blood lipids profile in hyperlipidemic children undergoing different dietary long
      chain polyunsaturated supplementations: a preliminary clinical trial.
AB  - The aim of this preliminary study was to explore the effect size of different
      dietary long chain polyunsaturated supplementations on blood lipid profile in
      children with primary hyperlipidemia. Thirty-six children (8-13 years) were
      recruited. After an 8-week stabilization period on the Step I diet, they were
      randomized to additionally receive for a 16-week period one capsule (500 mg)
      daily of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) alone or a DHA plus eicosapentaenoic acid
      (EPA) mixture (45.6% DHA; 41.6% EPA) or wheat germ oil (control). An effect size
      (as percentage change from baseline) of +8%, -12% and -16% for high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio and triglycerides
      was observed in children supplemented with DHA, compared to +2%, -8% and -12%,
      respectively, in children supplemented with DHA plus EPA. This preliminary study
      suggests powered trials appear feasible and are warranted to evaluate efficacy of
      n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid dietary supplementations on the blood
      lipid profile of children with primary hyperlipidemia.

PMID- 24228804
TI  - RETRACTED: Bone mineral density of lumbar spine and femur in patients with
      gynecologic cancer.
AB  - Objective To compare the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femur
      in postmenopausal women with cervical and endometrial cancer without bone
      metastasis with that in normal control postmenopausal women Methods We
      retrospectively analyzed the BMD of the lumbar spine and femur using dual-energy
      X-ray absorptiometry in 130 patients with cervical cancer, 68 patients with
      endometrial cancer, and 225 healthy controls. Results The serum levels of
      calcium, phosphorus, osteocalcin, total alkaline phosphatase and urine
      deoxypyridinoline were measured in all participants. Age, body mass index, parity
      and time since menopause were not significantly different between the three
      groups. The T-scores of basal BMD at the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) were
      significantly lower in patients with cervical cancer (- 0.68 +/- 0.10) compared
      to those in the other two groups. Additionally, the incidence of osteoporosis at
      L4 according to the basal status of bone mass was significantly higher in
      patients with cervical cancer (10.0%) compared to that in controls (0.4%). Urine
      deoxypyridinoline levels were significantly higher in patients with cervical
      cancer compared to those in controls. No differences in basal BMD of the lumbar
      spine and femur were observed between patients with endometrial cancer and
      controls, and no significant differences in biochemical markers were detected
      between patients with endometrial cancer and controls. Conclusion Our results
      suggest that postmenopausal women with cervical cancer have a lower BMD and are
      at increased risk of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine before receiving anticancer
      treatment compared with postmenopausal women with endometrial cancer.

PMID- 24228805
TI  - Prevalence and predictors of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia among HIV
      infected women at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza-Tanzania.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cancer of the cervix rank the second most common cause of cancer
      related deaths among women in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that 529, 409
      new cases are diagnosed annually with a mortality rate approaching 274,883 per
      year. Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) precedes almost all cervical
      cancers. The incidence rate of CIN among HIV infected women is five times higher
      as compared to the rate in HIV negative women. The screening for cervical
      dysplasia and an appropriate management in women with CIN are effective methods
      for preventing cervical cancer. This study was done to determine the prevalence
      and predictors of CIN among a HIV infected women attending Care and Treatment
      centre (CTC) at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC). METHODS: A cross sectional survey
      was undertaken among HIV infected women aged 18 years and above attending at BMC
      CTC clinic between February and March 2013. Visual Inspection with Acetic acid
      (VIA) was used as the screening method for detection of CIN. Socio-demographic,
      reproductive and clinical information was obtained from participants and the
      blood was collected for CD4 lymphocyte count. Cervical punch biopsy for
      histological examination was performed for those who had VIA positive test. Data
      were entered and analyzed using STATA Version 12.0 soft ware. RESULTS: A total
      number of 95 (26.8%) participants had positive VIA test among three hundred and
      fifty-five (355) HIV infected women. Histology results showed; 4(4.2%) were
      normal, 26 (27.4%) had an inflammatory lesion, 58(61.1%) had CIN and 7(7.3%) had
      invasive cervical cancer. CIN was found to be associated with a history of
      multiple sexual partners (P<0.001), a history of genital warts (P<0.001), and a
      history of STI (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: The Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia is
      a problem among HIV infected women. A history of multiple sexual partners, a
      history of genital warts, a history STI and a low baseline CD4 T lymphocyte were
      significant predictors for CIN. Screening for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
      is recommended for all women with HIV.

PMID- 24228806
TI  - Susceptibility to ATP depletion of primary proximal tubular cell cultures derived
      from mice lacking either the alpha1 or the alpha2 isoform of the catalytic domain
      of AMPK.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether AMPK influences
      the survival of primary cultures of mouse proximal tubular (MPT) cells subjected
      to metabolic stress. Previous studies, using an immortalized MPT cell line,
      suggest that AMPK is activated during metabolic stress, and ameliorates stress
      induced apoptosis of these cells. METHODS: Primary MPT cells were cultured from
      AMPK knockout (KO) mice lacking either the alpha1 or the alpha2 isoform of the
      catalytic domain of AMPK. MPT cells were subjected to ATP depletion using
      antimycin A. RESULTS: Surprisingly, there was no difference in the amount of
      death induced by metabolic stress of MPT cells from either type of AMPK KO mice
      compared to its WT control. Moreover, inhibition of the activity of the alpha1
      isoform in primary MPT cells from alpha2-/- mice (pharmacologically, via compound
      C) or inhibition of the alpha2 isoform in primary MPT cells from alpha1-/- mice
      (molecularly, via knockdown) both decreased cell viability equivalently in
      response to metabolic stress. The explanation for this unexpected result appears
      to be an adaptive increase in expression of the non-deleted alpha-isoform. As a
      consequence, total alpha-domain expression (i.e. alpha1 + alpha2), is comparable
      in kidney cortex and in cultured MPT cells derived from either type of KO mouse
      versus its WT control. Importantly, each alpha-isoform appears able to compensate
      fully for the absence of the other, with respect to both the phosphorylation of
      downstream targets of AMPK and the amelioration of stress-induced cell death.
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings not only confirm the importance of AMPK as a pro
      survival kinase in MPT cells during metabolic stress, but also show, for the
      first time, that each of the two alpha-isoforms can substitute for the other in
      MPT cells from AMPK KO mice with regard to amelioration of stress-induced loss of
      cell viability.

PMID- 24228807
TI  - Associations between smoking, components of metabolic syndrome and lipoprotein
      particle size.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clustering of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors is known
      as metabolic syndrome (MetS). The risk of having MetS is strongly associated with
      increased adiposity and can be further modified by smoking behavior.
      Apolipoproteins (apo) associated with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)
      and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) may be altered in MetS. This
      study aimed to examine the association between smoking and the following
      parameters: MetS and its components, levels of apolipoproteins and estimated
      lipoprotein particle size, separately for men and women, and in different body
      mass index (BMI) classes. METHODS: We included 24,389 men and 35,078 women aged
      between 18 and 80 years who participated in the LifeLines Cohort Study between
      December 2006 and January 2012; 5,685 men and 6,989 women were current smokers.
      Participants were categorized into three different body mass index (BMI) classes
      (BMI <25; BMI 25 to 30; BMI >=30 kg/m2). MetS was defined according to the
      National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP:ATPIII)
      criteria. Blood pressure, anthropometric and lipid measurements were rigorously
      standardized, and the large sample size enabled a powerful estimate of
      quantitative changes. The association between smoking and the individual MetS
      components, and apoA1 and apoB, was tested with linear regression. Logistic
      regression was used to examine the effect of smoking and daily tobacco smoked on
      risk of having MetS. All models were age adjusted and stratified by sex and BMI
      class. RESULTS: Prevalence of MetS increased with higher BMI levels. A total of
      64% of obese men and 42% of obese women had MetS. Current smoking was associated
      with a higher risk of MetS in both sexes and all BMI classes (odds ratio 1.7 to
      2.4 for men, 1.8 to 2.3 for women, all P values <0.001). Current smokers had
      lower levels of HDL cholesterol and apoA1, higher levels of triglycerides and
      apoB, and higher waist circumference than non-smokers (all P <0.001). Smoking had
      no consistent association with blood pressure or fasting blood glucose. In all
      BMI classes, we found a dose-dependent association of daily tobacco consumption
      with MetS prevalence as well as with lower levels of HDL cholesterol, higher
      triglyceride levels and lower ratios of HDL cholesterol/apoA1 and, only in those
      with BMI <30, LDL cholesterol/apoB (all P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is
      associated with an increased prevalence of MetS, independent of sex and BMI
      class. This increased risk is mainly related to lower HDL cholesterol, and higher
      triglycerides and waist circumference. In addition, smoking was associated with
      unfavorable changes in apoA1 and apoB, and in lipoprotein particle size. Please
      see related commentary: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/196.

PMID- 24228808
TI  - miR-584 expressed in human gingival epithelial cells is induced by Porphyromonas
      gingivalis stimulation and regulates interleukin-8 production via lactoferrin
      receptor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs that are involved in
      post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Differential miRNA expression
      in innate and acquired immunity has been shown to regulate immune cell
      development and function. miRNA expression has been demonstrated to affect
      pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
      As such, this study explores the role of miRNA in the context of pathophysiology
      of destructive periodontitis. Specifically, this investigation profiles the
      differentially expressed miRNA of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg)-stimulated human
      gingival epithelial cells (HGECs). METHODS: The specific miRNAs differentially
      expressed in Pg-stimulated OBA-9, immortalized HGECs, were analyzed using
      microarray. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting were
      performed to confirm the level of miRNA expression and determine target
      production of miRNA in OBA-9. The production of interleukin (IL)-8 was measured
      to determine the bioactivity of target protein regulated by miRNA. RESULTS: miR
      584, which targets lactoferrin receptor (LfR), was 3.39-fold upregulated by Pg
      stimulation. This upregulation of miR-584 was confirmed by real-time PCR. Pg
      stimulation resulted in the suppression of LfR at mRNA and protein levels. The
      transfection of the miR inhibitor for miR-584 in OBA-9 recovered Pg-induced
      suppression of LfR. The addition of human lactoferrin (hLf) had a suppressive
      effect on IL-8 production in Pg-stimulated OBA-9. However, hLf also decreased IL
      8 production strongly in Pg-stimulated OBA-9 in the presence of the miR inhibitor
      for miR-584. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the upregulation of miR-584
      by Pg in OBA-9 inhibits the anti-inflammatory effects of hLf via the suppression
      of LfR.

PMID- 24228809
TI  - Salivary visfatin concentrations in patients with chronic periodontitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Visfatin, also known as pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor, is
      secreted from a variety of cells and is thought to have some proinflammatory and
      immunomodulating effects. It is indicated that serum/plasma levels of visfatin
      increase in a number of inflammatory disorders. The present study aims to
      evaluate salivary concentrations of visfatin in patients with chronic
      periodontitis (CP). METHODS: Twenty patients with CP and 20 periodontally healthy
      individuals were enrolled in this study. For each patient, the values of clinical
      parameters, such as bleeding index, plaque index, probing depth, and clinical
      attachment level (CAL), were recorded. Whole saliva samples were collected, and
      concentrations of visfatin were evaluated using standard enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical
      software. RESULTS: Visfatin was detectable in all samples. Salivary visfatin
      concentrations were significantly higher in the periodontitis group. In addition,
      there was a positive significant relationship between salivary visfatin
      concentrations and CAL in the periodontitis group. However, no significant
      association was observed between salivary visfatin levels and other periodontal
      parameters or body mass index. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that there is a
      relationship between salivary visfatin and CP; however, further studies are
      needed to confirm this finding.

PMID- 24228810
TI  - An NMR and MD modeling insight into nucleation of 1,2-alkanediols: selective
      crystallization of lipase-catalytically resolved enantiomers from the reaction
      mixtures.
AB  - The work on developing a scalable lipase-catalytic method for the kinetic
      resolution of long-chain 1,2-alkanediols, complemented by crystallization of the
      pure enantiomers from the reaction mixtures, offered the possibility of a more
      detailed study of the aggregation of such diols. MD modeling, mass spectrometry,
      (1)H NMR, and DOSY studies provided a novel insight into the nucleation process.
      An efficient protocol for stereo- and chemoselective crystallization of (S)-1,2
      dodecanediol and related compounds from the crude bioconversion mixtures was
      developed. 

PMID- 24228811
TI  - No asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia found among 108 young children at one health
      facility in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia has been reported in areas with
      high malaria transmission. It may serve as a reservoir for continued
      transmission, and furthermore complicates diagnostics, as not all individuals
      with a positive malaria test are necessarily ill due to malaria, although they
      may present with malaria-like symptoms. Asymptomatic malaria increases with age
      as immunity to malaria gradually develops. As mortality and morbidity of malaria
      is higher among younger children it is important to know the prevalence of
      asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in this population in order to interpret
      laboratory results for malaria correctly. METHODS: A total of 108 children that
      had neither been treated for malaria nor had a fever the previous four weeks were
      recruited consecutively at a maternal and child health clinic (MCHC) in Dar es
      Salaam, Tanzania. A rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria and dried blood spot
      (DBS) on filter paper were taken from each child. Social and clinical data were
      recorded. DNA was extracted from the DBS of study participants by a method using
      InstaGeneTM matrix. PCR targeting the Plasmodium mitochondrial genome was
      performed on all samples. RESULTS: Median age was 4.6 months (range 0.5-38). All
      the RDTs were negative. PCR was negative for all study subjects. CONCLUSION: The
      study suggests that asymptomatic malaria may not be present in apparently healthy
      children up to the age of three years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. However,
      because of the small sample size and low median age of the study population, the
      findings cannot be generalized. Larger studies, including higher age groups, need
      to be done to clarify whether asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia is present in the
      general population in the Dar es Salaam area.

PMID- 24228812
TI  - Dissolvable bridges for manipulating fluid volumes in paper networks.
AB  - A capability that is key to increasing the performance of paper microfluidic
      devices is control of fluid transport in the devices. We present dissolvable
      bridges as a novel method of manipulating fluid volumes within paper-based
      devices. We demonstrate and characterize the operation of the bridges, including
      tunability of the volumes passed from 10 MUL to 80 MUL, using parameters such as
      geometry and composition. We further demonstrate the utility of dissolvable
      bridges in the important context of automated delivery of different volumes of a
      fluid from a common source to multiple locations in a device for simple device
      loading and activation. 

PMID- 24228813
TI  - Anticholinergic drugs in nonallergic rhinitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The parasympathetic nervous system contributes to the pathophysiology
      of multiple forms of allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Stimulation of the
      parasympathetic nervous system leads to glandular activation, which produces
      watery secretions. In excess, these secretions discharge from the anterior Nares
      and produce the symptom of watery anterior rhinorrhea. METHOD: Review of
      literature. RESULTS: Treatment with topical, intranasal anticholinergic drugs
      inhibits activation of the nasal mucosal glands and is effective in reducing the
      watery secretions associated with parasympathetic stimulation of the glands with
      little, if any, effect on the symptoms of congestion and sneezing. In general,
      these drugs have no systemic adverse effects, but can cause crusting and local
      irritation. CONCLUSION: Anticholinergic drugs are useful for the treatment of
      anterior rhinorrhea associated with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis.

PMID- 24228814
TI  - Petromyzonin, a hexahydrophenanthrene sulfate isolated from the larval sea
      lamprey (Petromyzon marinus L.).
AB  - A new hexahydrophenanthrene sulfate was identified from water conditioned with
      sea lamprey larvae ( Petromyzon marinus ) and named petromyzonin. Its structure
      was unequivocally elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including
      comparison with spectra of known compounds. The absolute configuration was
      determined by electronic circular dichroism. Petromyzonin may function as a
      chemical signal, as it elicited responses in electro-olfactogram recording with a
      dynamic concentration-response relationship and a detection threshold of 10(-11)
      M. 

PMID- 24228815
TI  - Section 1. EPR-3 versus GINA 2008 Guidelines - Asthma Control and Step 3 Care:
      Highlights of the Asthma Summit 2009: Beyond the Guidelines.
AB  - Recent updates to asthma guidelines from the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)
      and the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (Expert Panel Report 3,
      EPR-3) share many similarities, reflecting a focus on asthma control based on
      clinical manifestations of disease and responsiveness to therapy. Both documents
      build upon the recommendations of former guidelines utilizing evidence-based
      review of the published literature to revise algorithms for practice. A major
      difference between the 2 reports is the preferred treatment at Step 3. The GINA
      guidelines recommend a combination of low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) plus
      long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), whereas the EPR-3 advises either monotherapy
      with medium-dose ICS or the low-dose ICS + LABA combination. Both approaches are
      supported by clinical experience and Level A evidence. The option of personalized
      therapy is a point of discussion for future guidelines. 

PMID- 24228816
TI  - 'Suspect molecular signature' in blood as the indicator of undiagnosed breast
      cancer, cancer risk and targeted prevention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a multifactorial disease with the highest incidence
      rates amongst all cancer types. Further, high levels of circulating tumour cells
      are a characteristic of breast cancer patients demonstrating a particular
      predisposition to the development of breast cancer metastatic disease. Actual
      diagnostic approaches are frequently unable to recognise early stages of tumour
      development which impairs individual outcomes. In contrast, predictive and
      preventive risk assessment and early diagnosis may lead to full recovery after
      surgical resection. Recently, the authors have reported about the construction of
      diagnostic windows, which could influence the molecular diagnostics of breast
      cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a previous study, diagnostic windows for breast
      cancer risk assessment were analysed. Women with non-malignant breast diseases
      demonstrating molecular profiles similar to those of breast cancer patients were
      enrolled into this follow-up study. In the interviews, for patients identified as
      predisposed to cancer, a specialised questionnaire has been set up to
      characterise individual risk factors and estimate their potential impacts on
      cancer onset and progression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: By utilising the
      technological tool of diagnostic windows, 13 individuals have been identified
      demonstrating molecular profiles typical for patients diagnosed with breast
      cancer. The current paper summarises the analytical results and makes statements
      to the application of the pathology-specific molecular profiles recognised as the
      technological tool for improved diagnostic approach, breast cancer risk
      assessment and preventive health care management. The necessity to create
      individual patient profiles and analyse the evolution of the molecular signature
      is justified for advanced medical services. Expert recommendations are provided
      to promote further developments in the field of advanced breast cancer
      management.

PMID- 24228817
TI  - Experiences of possession and paranormal phenomena among women in the general
      population: are they related to traumatic stress and dissociation?
AB  - This study sought to determine the prevalence of experiences of possession and
      paranormal phenomena (PNP) in the general population and their possible relations
      to each other and to traumatic stress and dissociation. The study was conducted
      on a representative female sample recruited from a town in central eastern
      Turkey. The Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule, the posttraumatic stress
      disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder sections of the Structured
      Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV Axis-I and Personality Disorders, and the
      Childhood Abuse and Neglect Questionnaire were administered to 628 women. Of
      these, 127 (20.2%) women reported at least 1 type of PNP and 13 (2.1%) women
      reported possession. Women with a dissociative disorder reported all types of
      possession and PNP (except telepathy) more frequently than those without. Whereas
      women with a trauma history in childhood and adulthood or PTSD reported
      possession more frequently than those without, PNP were associated with childhood
      trauma only. Factor analysis yielded 4 dimensions: possession by and/or contact
      with nonhuman entities, extrasensory communications, possession by a human
      entity, and precognition. These factors correlated with number of secondary
      features of dissociative identity disorder and Schneiderian symptoms. Latent
      class analysis identified 3 groups. The most traumatized group, with
      predominantly dissociative and trauma-related disorders, had the highest scores
      on all factors. Notwithstanding their presence in healthy individuals, possession
      and PNP were associated with trauma and dissociation in a subgroup of affected
      participants. Both types of experience seem to be normal human capacities of
      experiencing that may be involved in response to traumatic stress. Given the
      small numbers, this study should be considered preliminary. 

PMID- 24228818
TI  - Enzymatic properties of Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum beta
      glucosidase fused to Clostridium cellulovorans cellulose binding domain and its
      application in hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The complete degradation of the cellulose requires the synergistic
      action of endo-beta-glucanase, exo-beta-glucanase, and beta-glucosidase. But endo
      beta-glucanase and exo-beta-glucanase can be recovered by solid-liquid separation
      in cellulose hydrolysis by their cellulose binding domain (CBD), however, the
      beta-glucosidases cannot be recovered because of most beta-glucosidases without
      the CBD, so additional beta-glucosidases are necessary for the next cellulose
      degradation. This will increase the cost of cellulose degradation. RESULTS: The
      glucose-tolerant beta-glucosidase (BGL) from Thermoanaerobacterium
      thermosaccharolyticum DSM 571 was fused with cellulose binding domain (CBD) of
      Clostridium cellulovorans cellulosome anchoring protein by a peptide linker. The
      fusion enzyme (BGL-CBD) gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli with the
      maximum beta-glucosidase activity of 17 U/mL. Recombinant BGL-CBD was purified by
      heat treatment and following by Ni-NTA affinity. The enzymatic characteristics of
      the BGL-CBD showed optimal activities at pH 6.0 and 65 degrees C. The fusion of
      CBD structure enhanced the hydrolytic efficiency of the BGL-CBD against
      cellobiose, which displayed a 6-fold increase in Vmax/Km in comparison with the
      BGL. A gram of cellulose was found to absorb 643 U of the fusion enzyme (BGL-CBD)
      in pH 6.0 at 50 degrees C for 25 min with a high immobilization efficiency of
      90%. Using the BGL-CBD as the catalyst, the yield of glucose reached a maximum of
      90% from 100 g/L cellobiose and the BGL-CBD could retain over 85% activity after
      five batches with the yield of glucose all above 70%. The performance of the BGL
      CBD on microcrystalline cellulose was also studied. The yield of the glucose was
      increased from 47% to 58% by adding the BGL-CBD to the cellulase, instead of
      adding the Novozyme 188. CONCLUSIONS: The hydrolytic activity of BGL-CBD is
      greater than that of the Novozyme 188 in cellulose degradation. The article
      provides a prospect to decrease significantly the operational cost of the
      hydrolysis process.

PMID- 24228820
TI  - Erdheim-Chester disease: a rare cause of recurrent fever of unknown origin
      mimicking lymphoma.
AB  - We report the case of a patient with recurrent fever of unknown origin (FUO) with
      prominent back pain, hepatosplenomegaly, and abdominal/pelvic adenopathy
      suggesting lymphoma. A bone biopsy showed histiocytic infiltration. Studies for
      lymphoma were negative, but immunohistochemical stains were diagnostic of Erdheim
      Chester disease (ECD). ECD should be included as a rare cause of recurrent FUO
      with bone involvement.

PMID- 24228819
TI  - The role of arginine and arginine-metabolizing enzymes during Giardia - host cell
      interactions in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid important in growing
      individuals and under non-homeostatic conditions/disease. Many pathogens
      interfere with arginine-utilization in host cells, especially nitric oxide (NO)
      production, by changing the expression of host enzymes involved in arginine
      metabolism. Here we used human intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and three
      different isolates of the protozoan parasite Giardia intestinalis to investigate
      the role of arginine and arginine-metabolizing enzymes during intestinal
      protozoan infections. RESULTS: RNA expression analyses of major arginine
      metabolizing enzymes revealed the arginine-utilizing pathways in human IECs
      (differentiated Caco-2 cells) grown in vitro. Most genes were constant or down
      regulated (e.g. arginase 1 and 2) upon interaction with Giardia, whereas
      inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) were up-regulated
      within 6 h of infection. Giardia was shown to suppress cytokine-induced iNOS
      expression, thus the parasite has both iNOS inducing and suppressive activities.
      Giardial arginine consumption suppresses NO production and the NO-degrading
      parasite protein flavohemoglobin is up-regulated in response to host NO. In
      addition, the secreted, arginine-consuming giardial enzyme arginine deiminase
      (GiADI) actively reduces T-cell proliferation in vitro. Interestingly, the
      effects on NO production and T cell proliferation could be reversed by addition
      of external arginine or citrulline. CONCLUSIONS: Giardia affects the host's
      arginine metabolism on many different levels. Many of the effects can be reversed
      by addition of arginine or citrulline, which could be a beneficial supplement in
      oral rehydration therapy.

PMID- 24228821
TI  - Cost-effectiveness analysis of varicella vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis in
      Hong Kong.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The varicella vaccine is an effective post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
      for chickenpox. This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of PEP using
      varicella vaccine for pediatric patients from the perspective of the public
      healthcare provider in Hong Kong. METHODS: A decision tree was designed to
      compare cost and clinical outcomes of PEP with varicella vaccine versus no PEP in
      pediatric patients (aged 1-18 y) susceptible to chickenpox with household
      exposure. Two tiers of outcome were simulated: (1) total direct medical cost per
      subject exposed, and (2) the quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) loss associated
      with chickenpox per subject exposed. Model inputs were retrieved from local
      epidemiology and the medical literature. A sensitivity analysis was performed on
      all parameters to test the robustness of model results. RESULTS: The base-case
      analysis showed PEP with varicella vaccine to be less costly (expected cost USD
      320 vs USD 731) with lower QALY loss (0.00423 QALY vs 0.01122 QALY) when compared
      to no PEP. The sensitivity analysis showed that PEP with varicella vaccine was
      less costly if PEP effectiveness was > 6.2% or the chickenpox infection rate
      without PEP was > 8.6%. In 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations, PEP with vaccine was
      cost-effective over 99% of the time, with a mean cost saving of USD 611 per
      patient (95% confidence interval USD 602-620; p < 0.001) and lower mean QALY loss
      of 0.00809 QALY (95% confidence interval 0.00802-0.00816 QALY; p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Using varicella vaccine as PEP appears to be a cost-saving strategy
      to avert QALY loss in susceptible pediatric patients exposed to chickenpox in
      Hong Kong.

PMID- 24228822
TI  - Liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae: risk factors for metastatic
      infection.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Klebsiella pneumoniae-associated liver abscess (KPLA) is often
      accompanied by extrahepatic complications. We investigated the clinical features
      and outcomes of patients with and without metastatic infections and compared the
      2 groups. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 161
      patients with KPLA who were admitted to 2 tertiary referral hospitals in Korea.
      RESULTS: In total, 9.9% had a metastatic infection. The most commonly involved
      distant sites were the eyes (n = 7) and the lungs (n = 6). In multivariate
      analysis, diabetes mellitus as an underlying disease (odds ratio (OR) 2.30, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 1.05-9.51; p = 0.03) and a platelet count < 80,000/mm(3)
      (OR 11.60, 95% CI 2.53-53.26; p = 0.002) were associated with metastatic
      infection. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was not observed in
      K. pneumoniae from patients with metastatic infection, whereas 3.4% of the
      bacteria in patients without metastatic infection had ESBL production. However,
      this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.45). The in-hospital
      mortality rate was not significantly different (0% vs. 2.8%; p = 0.52). By
      multivariate analysis, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II
      (APACHE II) score was independently associated with mortality among patients with
      KPLA (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.12-2.00; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians must be aware
      of potential metastatic infections in patients with KPLA, especially if they have
      diabetes mellitus and thrombocytopenia. The APACHE II score was predictive of
      mortality in patients with KPLA.

PMID- 24228823
TI  - Changes in acute mastoiditis in a single pediatric tertiary medical center: our
      experience during 2008-2009 compared with data for 1983-2007.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess clinical reports and
      bacteriological changes over a 25-y period in children with acute mastoiditis.
      METHODS: The medical files of all children with a discharge diagnosis of
      mastoiditis, hospitalized in a tertiary pediatric medical center over a 2-y
      period (2008-2009), were reviewed and compared to previously published data from
      the same center for the y 1983-1985, 1993-1995, and 2003-2007. RESULTS: One
      hundred and thirty-four children (143 episodes) with acute mastoiditis were
      identified during 2008-2009; 81% had fever, 95% auricular displacement, and 80%
      post-auricular swelling. Forty-nine children were diagnosed with acute otitis
      media and had been treated with antibiotics prior to hospitalization. However,
      22% showed no clinical symptoms preceding ear protrusion. Cultures grew
      Streptococcus pneumoniae in 32%, Streptococcus pyogenes in 20%, Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa in 13%, and Haemophilus influenzae in 10% of cases. From 1990 to 2005,
      the incidence of S. pyogenes isolation increased from approximately 5% to 20%.
      During this period, the number of cases increased from 8-20 to 67 per y.
      CONCLUSIONS: S. pyogenes has emerged as a significant pathogen. We found that
      acute mastoiditis may appear without preceding symptoms in approximately 22% of
      cases.

PMID- 24228825
TI  - Cellulomonas, an emerging pathogen: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Cellulomonas is a rare but emerging human pathogen, causing infection in only 4
      reported cases in the literature. We present the first case of ascending
      cholangitis with Cellulomonas bacteremia and sepsis, as well as a brief review of
      the literature. We summarize every case of Cellulomonas reported in the medical
      literature, including treatments and outcomes.

PMID- 24228824
TI  - Pooled nucleic acid testing to identify antiretroviral treatment failure during
      HIV infection in Seoul, South Korea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There have been various efforts to identify less costly but still
      accurate methods for monitoring the response to HIV treatment. We evaluated a
      pooling method to determine if this could improve screening efficiency and reduce
      costs while maintaining accuracy in Seoul, South Korea. METHODS: We conducted the
      first prospective study of pooled nucleic acid testing (NAT) using a 5 minipool +
      algorithm strategy versus individual viral load testing for patients receiving
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) between November 2011 and August 2012 at an urban
      hospital in Seoul, South Korea. The viral load assay used has a lower level of
      detection of 20 HIV RNA copies/ml, and the cost per assay is US$ 136. The 5
      minipool +algorithm strategy was applied and 43 pooled samples were evaluated.
      The relative efficiency and accuracy of the pooled NAT were compared with those
      of individual testing. RESULTS: Using the individual viral load assay, 15 of 215
      (7%) plasma samples had more than 200 HIV RNA copies/ml. The pooled NAT using the
      5 minipool + algorithm strategy was applied to 43 pooled samples; 111 tests were
      needed to test all samples when virologic failure was defined at HIV RNA >= 200
      copies/ml. Therefore, 104 tests were saved over individual testing, with a
      relative efficiency of 0.48. When evaluating costs, a total of US$ 14,144 was
      saved for 215 individual samples during 10 months. The negative predictive value
      was 99.5% for all samples with HIV RNA >= 200 copies/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The pooled
      NAT with 5 minipool + algorithm strategy seems to be a very promising approach to
      effectively monitor patients receiving ART and to save resources.

PMID- 24228826
TI  - Herpes simplex virus encephalitis during treatment with etanercept.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors are widely used for the
      treatment of various inflammatory conditions. They are associated with an
      increased risk for infections. We report a case of herpes simplex virus type 1
      (HSV-1) encephalitis in a patient receiving etanercept and review the literature
      on TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha inhibitors, and their importance in the
      pathophysiology of herpes simplex encephalitis.

PMID- 24228827
TI  - Empirical impact evaluation of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the
      International Recruitment of Health Personnel in Australia, Canada, UK and USA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The active recruitment of health workers from developing countries to
      developed countries has become a major threat to global health. In an effort to
      manage this migration, the 63rd World Health Assembly adopted the World Health
      Organization (WHO) Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of
      Health Personnel in May 2010. While the Code has been lauded as the first
      globally-applicable regulatory framework for health worker recruitment, its
      impact has yet to be evaluated. We offer the first empirical evaluation of the
      Code's impact on national and sub-national actors in Australia, Canada, United
      Kingdom and United States of America, which are the English-speaking developed
      countries with the greatest number of migrant health workers. METHODS: 42 key
      informants from across government, civil society and private sectors were
      surveyed to measure their awareness of the Code, knowledge of specific changes
      resulting from it, overall opinion on the effectiveness of non-binding codes, and
      suggestions to improve this Code's implementation. RESULTS: 60% of respondents
      believed their colleagues were not aware of the Code, and 93% reported that no
      specific changes had been observed in their work as a result of the Code. 86%
      reported that the Code has not had any meaningful impact on policies, practices
      or regulations in their countries. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests a gap between
      awareness of the Code among stakeholders at global forums and the awareness and
      behaviour of national and sub-national actors. Advocacy and technical guidance
      for implementing the Code are needed to improve its impact on national decision
      makers.

PMID- 24228828
TI  - Transient kinetics and rate-limiting steps for the processive cellobiohydrolase
      Cel7A: effects of substrate structure and carbohydrate binding domain.
AB  - Cellobiohydrolases are exoacting, processive enzymes that effectively hydrolyze
      crystalline cellulose. They have attracted considerable interest because of their
      role in both natural carbon cycling and industrial enzyme cocktails used for the
      deconstruction of cellulosic biomass, but many mechanistic and regulatory aspects
      of their heterogeneous catalysis remain poorly understood. Here, we address this
      by applying a deterministic model to real-time kinetic data with high temporal
      resolution. We used two variants of the cellobiohydrolase Cel7A from Hypocrea
      jecorina , and three types of cellulose as substrate. Analysis of the pre-steady
      state regime allowed delineation rate constants for both fast and slow steps in
      the enzymatic cycle and assessment of how these constants influenced the rate of
      hydrolysis at quasi-steady state. Processive movement on the cellulose strand
      advanced with characteristic times of 0.15-0.7 s per step at 25  degrees C, and
      the rate was highest on amorphous substrate. The cellulose binding module was
      found to raise this rate on crystalline, but not on amorphous, substrate. The
      rapid processive movement signified high intrinsic reactivity, but this parameter
      had marginal influence on the steady-state rate. This was because dissociation
      and association were slower and, hence, rate limiting. Specifically, the
      dissociation from the strand was found to occur with characteristic times of 45
      100 s. This meant that dissociation was the bottleneck, except at very low
      substrate loads (0.5-1 g/L), where association became slower. 

PMID- 24228829
TI  - Prognostic factors and health-related quality of life in ocular Myasthenia Gravis
      (OMG).
AB  - We evaluate the factors predictive of prognosis in 91 Caucasian patients affected
      by ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG), followed at our Institution during an
      observational time, ranging from 12 to 240 months. The Myasthenia Gravis
      Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification was used to grade the
      disease severity. We considered as outcome measures the variation in two
      subscores, ocular (O-QMG) and nonocular (NO-QMG); the last one reflected bulbar,
      neck, extremity functions. None of the independent variables evaluated for
      association with the outcome, as age of onset, type of therapy, length of
      interval between first and last examinations, and presence of antibodies to
      acetylcholine receptors (AChR-Abs) significantly affected the evolution of O-QMG
      and of NO-QMG. Health-related quality of life (HRQol) was assessed in 63
      patients. Variations of diplopia or ptosis did not affect significantly physical
      (PCS) or mental composite subscores (MCS) of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF
      36). Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping was studied to explore whether HLA
      class I and II allelic distribution differed among MG patients and controls. None
      of the studied HLA alleles significantly differed between OMG patients and
      controls. Similarly, none of the alleles with frequencies higher than 15% either
      in OMG patients or in controls was significantly associated, after Bonferroni
      correction, with the presence or absence of anti-AChR-Abs in serum. 

PMID- 24228830
TI  - Characteristics of multiple sclerosis in the Middle East with special reference
      to the applicability of international guidelines to the region.
AB  - We have reviewed the clinical literature with reference to the local
      applicability of guidelines for the diagnosis and management of multiple
      sclerosis (MS) in the Middle East. There is a substantial burden of MS in the
      region: the prevalence of the disease appears to have increased markedly in
      recent decades, with a faster rate of increase in female vs. male patients. The
      aetiology and presentation of MS appears to be broadly similar in the Middle East
      to that in other regions. Interferon-beta is the most commonly used treatment for
      MS in the Middle East, as elsewhere, although it is unclear to what extent
      economic constraints act as a barrier to accessing this treatment. Similarly,
      limited available data suggest that the availability of MRI scanners appears to
      be lower in the Middle East than in more developed nations. Little is known
      concerning other potential barriers to treatment. There is a need for further
      research on aspects of management of MS beyond the pharmacological aspects of
      treatment to assess fully the potential barriers to the adoption of international
      guidelines for the diagnosis and management of the disease in the Middle East. 

PMID- 24228831
TI  - Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on cerebral vasospasm: a vascular
      morphometric study in an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage model.
AB  - This study was undertaken to investigate the preventive or therapeutic effect of
      hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on cerebral vasospasm following experimental
      subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Twenty rabbits were assigned randomly to one of
      four groups. Animals in Group I were not subjected to SAH or sham operation
      (control group, n = 5). Animals in Group II were subjected to sham operation and
      received no treatment after the procedure (sham group, n = 5). Animals in Group
      III were subjected to SAH and received no treatment after SAH induction (SAH
      group, n = 5). Animals in Group IV were subjected to SAH and received five
      sessions of HBOT at 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for 2 h (treatment group, n =
      5). Animals were euthanized by perfusion and fixation 72 h after procedures.
      Basilar artery vasospasm indices, arterial wall thicknesses, and cross-sectional
      luminal areas were evaluated. Statistical comparisons were performed using
      Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Mean basilar artery vasospasm index in
      the treatment group was significantly smaller than in the SAH group. Mean basilar
      artery wall thickness in the treatment group was significantly smaller than in
      the SAH group. Mean basilar artery cross-sectional luminal area in the treatment
      group showed an increase relative to the SAH group, but this difference remained
      statistically insignificant. Our results demonstrated that repeated application
      of HBOT at 2.4 ATA for 2 h attenuated vasospastic changes such as increased
      vasospasm index and arterial wall thickness. HBOT is thus a promising candidate
      for SAH-induced vasospasm. Further studies are needed to evaluate maximal effect
      and optimal application regimen.

PMID- 24228832
TI  - Magnesium deficit ? overlooked cause of low vitamin D status?
AB  - Like vitamin D deficit, magnesium deficit is considered to be a risk factor for
      cardiovascular disease. Several steps in the vitamin D metabolism, such as
      vitamin D binding to its transport protein and the conversion of vitamin D into
      the hormonal form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D by hepatic and renal hydroxylation,
      depend on magnesium as a cofactor. A new analysis of two National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Surveys data sets, published in BMC Medicine, investigated
      potential interactions between magnesium intake, circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D,
      which is the generally accepted indicator of vitamin D status, and mortality.
      Data indicate a reduced risk of insufficient/deficient vitamin D status at high
      magnesium intake and an inverse association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin
      D and mortality, particularly cardiovascular mortality, among those with
      magnesium intake above the median. The study provides important findings
      concerning potential metabolic interactions between magnesium and vitamin D and
      its clinical relevance. However, results should be considered preliminary since
      biochemical data on individual magnesium status were lacking, confounding cannot
      be excluded and questions on the dose?response relationship still remain to be
      answered. Please see related research article: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741
      7015/11/187.

PMID- 24228833
TI  - Social media and health.

PMID- 24228834
TI  - Mortality toll due to avoiding estrogen therapy in hysterectomized women:
      estimates for 2002 - 2011.

PMID- 24228835
TI  - Determinants of the administration of continuous palliative sedation: a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the determining factors related to the
      administration of continuous palliative sedation. Knowledge of these determinants
      may assist physicians in identifying patients who are at high risk of developing
      refractory symptoms, enable physicians to inform patients, and optimize close
      monitoring. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to identify
      determinants of the administration of continuous palliative sedation. DESIGN: A
      systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL was performed to identify
      English, Dutch, and German language papers published from January 1990 through
      April 2011. Inclusion was based on the following criteria: patient-based research
      on continuous palliative sedation, studies investigating determinants of
      palliative sedation and/or comparison between sedated and nonsedated cohorts, and
      studies using multivariate analyses and of fair to good or good methodological
      quality. RESULTS: In total, eight papers were reviewed. The following nine
      factors were found to be associated with the administration of continuous
      palliative sedation: younger age, male sex, having cancer, feelings of
      hopelessness, dying in a hospital, living in a Dutch speaking community setting,
      very nonreligious or extremely nonreligious physicians, physicians working in
      "other hospital" specialties, and physicians in favor of assisted death.
      CONCLUSIONS: Given the variation in study designs and the limitations of the
      included studies, the outcomes should be interpreted carefully. Further research
      is needed, particularly regarding factors that can be influenced and that may
      alter the course of a patient's symptoms and the patient's eventual need for
      palliative sedation.

PMID- 24228837
TI  - Estimated daily intake and hazard quotients and indices of phthtalate diesters
      for young danish men.
AB  - Because of wide exposure to phthalates, we investigated whether simultaneous
      exposure to several phthalates reached levels that might cause adverse
      antiandrogenic effects. Thirty three healthy young Danish men each delivered
      three 24-h urine samples during a three months period. The daily intakes of the
      sum of di-n-butyl and di-iso-butyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, di-iso
      nonyl phthalate, and butylbenzyl phthalate were estimated based on urinary
      excretion of the metabolites. Based on a hazard quotient (HQ) of the individual
      phthalate (i.e., the ratio between the daily intake and an acceptable level of
      exposure), a hazard index (HI) for each man was calculated as the sum of HQs for
      the individual phthalates. All men were exposed to all phthalates during the
      urine collection periods. Median HIs were all below 1 (i.e., below an acceptable
      cumulative threshold) ranging from 0.11 to 0.17 over the three different sample
      collections. Of the 33 men, 2 men had HIs above 1 in one of their three samples,
      indicating that occasionally the combined exposure to the investigated phthalates
      reached a level that may not be considered safe. Besides the phthalates
      investigated here, humans are exposed to numerous other chemicals that also may
      contribute to a cumulative antiandrogenic exposure. 

PMID- 24228838
TI  - Enantiopure cis-2,5-disubstituted 2,5-dihydropyrroles from D-glycal-derived vinyl
      aziridines.
AB  - Upon treatment with the K- and Li-enolates of a methylene active compound, such
      as dimethyl malonate and dibenzoylmethane, D-allal- and D-galactal-derived vinyl
      N-mesyl aziridines are stereoselectively transformed, in a unique step, into
      diastereoisomeric, highly functionalized, enantiopure cis-2,5-disubstituted N
      mesyl-2,5-dihydropyrroles.

PMID- 24228839
TI  - Multianalyte microphysiometry reveals changes in cellular bioenergetics upon
      exposure to fluorescent dyes.
AB  - Fluorescent dyes have been designed for internal cellular component specificity
      and have been used extensively in the scientific community as a means to monitor
      cell growth, location, morphology, and viability. However, it is possible that
      the introduction of these dyes influences the basal function of the cell and, in
      turn, the results of these studies. Electrochemistry provides a noninvasive
      method for probing the unintended cellular affects of these dyes. The
      multianalyte microphysiometer (MAMP) is capable of simultaneous electrochemical
      measurement of extracellular metabolites in real-time. In this study, analytes
      central to cellular metabolism, glucose, lactate, oxygen, as well as
      extracellular acidification were monitored to determine the immediate metabolic
      effects of nuclear stains, including SYTO, DAPI dilactate, Hoechst 33342, and
      FITC dyes upon the pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. The
      experimental results revealed that the SYTO dye 13 significantly decreased
      glucose and oxygen consumption and increased extracellular acidification and
      lactate production in both cell lines, indicating a shift to anaerobic
      respiration. No other dyes caused significantly definitive changes in cellular
      metabolism upon exposure. This study shows that fluorescent dyes can have
      unintended effects on cellular metabolism and care should be taken when using
      these probes to investigate cellular function and morphology. 

PMID- 24228840
TI  - Is fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography useful for the
      thyroid nodules with indeterminate fine needle aspiration biopsy? A meta-analysis
      of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The indeterminate fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results
      present a clinical dilemma for physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the diagnostic accuracy of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography (18F-FDG PET) in the detection of these indeterminate lesions.
      METHODS: Seven studies (involving a total of 267 patients) published before
      November 2012 were reviewed. Systematic methods were used to identify, select,
      and evaluate the methodological quality of the studies as well as to summarize
      the overall findings of sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: A total number of
      70 patients were confirmed to have malignant lesions, with a cancer prevalence of
      26.2% (70/267; ranging from 19.6% to 40.0% in these studies). The pooled
      sensitivity and specificity of PET or PET/CT for the detection of cancer was
      89.0% (95% CI: 79.0% ~ 95.0%) and 55.0% (95% CI: 48.0% ~ 62.0%), respectively.
      There was no evidence of threshold effects or publication bias. The area [+/
      standard error (+/-SE)] under the symmetrical sROC curve was 0.7207 +/- 0.1041.
      Although SUVmax was higher in malignant lesions (P < 0.01), there was still a
      great overlap. The best cut-off value of SUVmax for differentiation was 2.05; but
      with a high sensitivity of 89.8% and low specificity of 42.0%. CONCLUSION: F-FDG
      PET or PET/CT showed a high sensitivity in detecting thyroid cancers in patients
      with indeterminate FNAB results. Further examination was strongly recommended
      when an FDG-avid lesion was detected.

PMID- 24228842
TI  - "Criss-crossed" dinucleating behavior of an N4 Schiff base ligand: formation of a
      MU-OH,MU-O2 dicobalt(III) core via O2 activation.
AB  - We report the synthesis and structural characterization of a dicobalt(III)
      complex with a MU-OH,MU-O2 core, namely MU-OH,MU-O2-[Co(enN4)]2(X)3 [1(ClO4)3 and
      1(BF4)3]. The dinuclear core is cross-linked by two N4 Schiff base ligands that
      span each cobalt center. The formally Co(III)-Co(III) dimer is formed
      spontaneously upon exposure of the mononuclear Co(II) complex to air and exhibits
      a nu(O-O) value at 882 cm(-1) that shifts to 833 cm(-1) upon substitution with
      (18)O2. The CV of 1(BF4)3 exhibits a reversible {Co(III)-Co(III)}<->{Co(III)
      Co(IV)} redox process, and we have investigated the oxidized {Co(III)-Co(IV)}
      species by EPR spectroscopy (g = 2.02, 2.06; S = 1/2 signal) and DFT
      calculations. 

PMID- 24228841
TI  - The treatment of vasomotor rhinitis with intranasal corticosteroids.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Intranasal steroids (INS) are firmly established as the therapy for
      choice for allergic rhinitis, but their role in vasomotor rhinitis (VMR) is not
      fully characterized. This review examines the potential mechanisms of action and
      reported efficacy of INS in patients with VMR. RESULTS: INS, through
      intracellular activation of the glucocorticoid receptor, down-regulate the
      recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells (T-lymphocytes, eosinophils,
      mast cells, basophils, neutrophils, macrophages), increase degradation of
      neuropeptides, and reduce epithelial cell activity, vascular permeability, and
      chemokine secretion. It is likely that more than vasoconstriction is responsible
      for the clinical effects of INS.Eight INS can be prescribed for rhinitis in the
      US; only 4 have been studied for VMR. Seventy-four percent of patients treated
      with beclomethasone dipropionate considered themselves symptom-free or greatly
      improved versus 31% with placebo. Budesonide significantly reduced rhinitis
      symptoms and methacholine-induced nasal secretions compared with placebo.
      Fluticasone propionate compared with placebo provided significantly greater
      relief from nasal obstruction; computed tomographic scans showed significant
      reductions in the mucosal area of the lower turbinates. Mometasone furoate
      produced numerically better rhinitis symptom scores and, when discontinued, lower
      relapse rates than placebo. CONCLUSION: Data supports INS as beneficial
      pharmacotherapy for VMR.

PMID- 24228843
TI  - Acute peritraumatic dissociation: in favor of a phenomenological inquiry.
AB  - Fundamental aspects of trauma--among them dissociation during trauma, which is
      considered one of the strongest predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder-are
      not fully understood. This article argues that the application of the
      phenomenological structure of time and the phenomenological description of the
      self (minimal self, sense of ownership, sense of agency, sense of self) to
      dissociation during trauma can improve our understanding of this phenomenon-at
      its occurrence and during any possible ensuing symptoms. In addition, it is
      argued that the phenomenological approach, as a method that focuses on the bodily
      level of experience, in particular the body as it is experienced from within,
      enables us to penetrate the traumatic experience. Thus, by applying the
      phenomenological approach we may be able to improve our understanding of the
      traumatic experience and enable the development of better treatment.

PMID- 24228844
TI  - Cost of behavior change communication channels of Manoshi -a maternal, neonatal
      and child health (MNCH) program in urban slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cost of behavior change communication (BCC) interventions has not
      been rigorously studied in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to assess the
      implementation costs of a BCC intervention in a maternal, neonatal and child
      health program (Manoshi) run by BRAC, which has been operating in the urban slums
      of Dhaka since 2007. The study estimates the costs of BCC tools per exposure
      among the different types of BCC channels: face-to-face, group counseling, and
      mass media. METHODS: The study was conducted from November 2010 to April 2011 in
      the Dhaka urban slum area. A micro-costing approach was applied using primary and
      secondary data sources to estimate the cost of BCC tools. Primary data were
      collected through interviews with service-providers and managers from the Manoshi
      program, observations of group counseling, and mass media events. RESULTS: Per
      exposure, the cost of face-to-face counseling was found to be 3.08 BDT during
      pregnancy detection, 3.11 BDT during pregnancy confirmation, 12.42 BDT during
      antenatal care, 18.96 BDT during delivery care and 22.65 BDT during post-natal
      care. The cost per exposure of group counseling was 22.71 BDT (95% CI 21.30
      24.87) for Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) meetings, 14.25 BDT (95% CI 12.37
      16.12) for Women Support Group meetings, 17.83 BDT (95% CI 14.90-20.77) for MNCH
      committee meetings and 6.62 BDT (95% CI 5.99-7.26) for spouse forum meetings. We
      found the cost per exposure for mass media interventions was 9.54 BDT (95% CI
      7.30-12.53) for folk songs, 26.39 BDT (95% CI 23.26-32.56) for street dramas,
      0.39 BDT for TV-broadcasting and 7.87 BDT for billboards. Considering all
      components reaching the target audience under each broader type of channel, the
      total cost per exposure was found to be 60.22 BDT (0.82 USD) for face-to-face
      counseling, 61.40 BDT (0.82 USD) for group counseling and 44.19 BDT (0.61 USD)
      for mass media. CONCLUSIONS: The total cost for group counseling was the highest
      per exposure, followed by face-to-face counseling and mass media. The cost per
      exposure varied substantially across BCC channels due to differences in cost
      drivers such as personnel, materials and refreshments. The cost per exposure can
      be valuable for planning and resource allocation related to the implementation of
      BCC interventions in low resource settings.

PMID- 24228845
TI  - Risk factors for Coxiella burnetii antibodies in bulk tank milk from Danish dairy
      herds.
AB  - The aim was to identify risk factors associated with Coxiella burnetii antibody
      positivity in bulk tank milk (BTM) samples from 100 randomly selected Danish
      dairy cattle herds. Antibody levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immuno
      sorbent assay. Before testing the herds, the farm managers were interviewed about
      hired labour, biosecurity, housing and herd health during the 12 months prior to
      the study. Variables considered important for C. burnetii antibody positivity in
      multivariable logistic regression analysis included the sharing of machines
      between farms (OR = 3.6), human contacts (OR = 4.2), artificial insemination by
      other people than artificial insemination technicians (OR = 7.7), routine herd
      health contract with the veterinarian (OR = 4.3) and hygiene precautions taken by
      veterinarians (OR = 5). In addition, herd size, hired labour, trading of cattle
      between farms, quarantine and use of calving and disease pens also showed
      significant association in univariable analysis. This study demonstrates that
      strict biosecurity is important for the prevention of infections with C.
      burnetii. 

PMID- 24228848
TI  - Use of creatine kinase to induce multistep reactions in infrared spectroscopic
      experiments.
AB  - An extension of current approaches to trigger enzymatic reactions in reaction
      induced infrared difference spectroscopy experiments is described. A common
      procedure is to add a compound that induces a reaction in the protein of
      interest. To be able to induce multistep reactions, we explored here the use of
      creatine kinase (CK) for the study of phosphate transfer mechanisms. The
      enzymatic reaction of CK could be followed using bands at 1614 and 979 cm(-1) for
      creatine phosphate consumption, at 944 cm(-1) for ADP consumption, and at 1243,
      992, and 917 cm(-1) for ATP formation. The potential of CK to induce multistep
      reactions in infrared spectroscopic experiments was demonstrated using the
      sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1a) as the protein of interest. ADP
      binding to the ATPase was triggered by photolytic release of ADP from P(3)-1-(2
      nitro)phenylethyl ADP (caged ADP). CK added in small amounts converted the
      released ADP to ATP on the time scale of minutes. This phosphorylated the ATPase
      and led to the formation of the first phosphoenzyme intermediate Ca2E1P. Thus a
      difference spectrum could be obtained that reflected the reaction from the ADP
      ATPase complex to the first phosphoenzyme intermediate. Comparison with a
      phosphorylation spectrum obtained when the initial state was the ATP ATPase
      complex revealed the contribution of ATP's gamma-phosphate to the conformational
      change of the ATPase upon nucleotide binding: gamma-phosphate binding modifies
      the structure of a beta-sheet, likely in the phosphorylation domain, and shifts
      its spectral position from ~1640 to ~1630 cm(-1). Upon phosphorylation of the
      ATPase, the beta-sheet relaxes back to a structure that is intermediate between
      that adopted in the ADP bound state and that in the ATP bound state.

PMID- 24228847
TI  - Cross-over study of influence of oral vitamin C supplementation on inflammatory
      status in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both vitamin C deficiency and inflammation are prevalent in
      maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the
      effect of oral vitamin C supplementation on inflammatory status in MHD patients
      with low vitamin C level and high hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
      level. METHODS: A total of 128 patients were recruited in our present study.
      Patients were divided into two groups. In group 1 (n = 67), patients were orally
      administered with 200 mg/day vitamin C in the first 3 months, and then the
      vitamin C supplementation was withdrawn in the next 3 months. In group 2 (n =
      61), patients were not given vitamin C in the first 3 months, and then they were
      orally administered with 200 mg/day in the next 3 months. Levels of hs-CRP,
      prealbumin, albumin and hemoglobin as well as the EPO resistance index (ERI) were
      determined at the baseline and every 3 months throughout the study. Plasma
      vitamin C level was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV
      detection. RESULTS: Among the 128 patients, 28 of them dropped out of the study
      before completion. Consequently, a total of 100 patients (group 1: n = 48; group
      2: n = 52) were included in the final analysis. At the baseline, the plasma
      vitamin C level of all patients was less than 4 MUg/mL. However, this proportion
      was decreased to 20% after the vitamin C supplementation for 3 months. Compared
      with patients without the vitamin C supplementation, a decreased level of hs-CRP
      and an increased level of prealbumin were induced by the vitamin C
      supplementation for 3 months in both groups. However, levels of these biomarkers
      returned to their original state after the supplementation was withdrawn. Same
      beneficial effects on plasma albumin, hemoglobin and ERI response to vitamin C
      supplementation were observed in the two groups without statistical significance.
      CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory status in MHD patients with plasma vitamin C
      deficiency and high levels of inflammatory markers could be partially improved by
      long-term oral administration of small doses of vitamin C. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      The clinical trial number: NCT01356433.

PMID- 24228846
TI  - Spatial distribution of G6PD deficiency variants across malaria-endemic regions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primaquine is essential for malaria control and elimination since it
      is the only available drug preventing multiple clinical attacks by relapses of
      Plasmodium vivax. It is also the only therapy against the sexual stages of
      Plasmodium falciparum infectious to mosquitoes, and is thus useful in preventing
      malaria transmission. However, the difficulties of diagnosing glucose-6-phosphate
      dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) greatly hinder primaquine's widespread use, as
      this common genetic disorder makes patients susceptible to potentially severe and
      fatal primaquine-induced haemolysis. The risk of such an outcome varies widely
      among G6PD gene variants. METHODS: A literature review was conducted to identify
      surveys of G6PD variant frequencies among representative population groups.
      Informative surveys were assembled into two map series: (1) those showing the
      relative proportions of the different variants among G6PDd individuals; and (2)
      those showing allele frequencies of G6PD variants based on population surveys
      without prior G6PDd screening. RESULTS: Variants showed conspicuous geographic
      patterns. A limited repertoire of variants was tested for across sub-Saharan
      Africa, which nevertheless indicated low genetic heterogeneity predominated by
      the G6PD A(-202A) mutation, though other mutations were common in western Africa.
      The severe G6PD Mediterranean variant was widespread across western Asia. Further
      east, a sharp shift in variants was identified, with high variant heterogeneity
      in the populations of China and the Asia-Pacific where no single variant
      dominated. CONCLUSIONS: G6PD variants exhibited distinctive region-specific
      distributions with important primaquine policy implications. Relative homogeneity
      in the Americas, Africa, and western Asia contrasted sharply with the
      heterogeneity of variants in China, Southeast Asia and Oceania. These findings
      will inform rational risk assessments for primaquine in developing public health
      strategies for malaria control and elimination, and support the future
      development of regionally targeted policies. The major knowledge gaps highlighted
      here strongly advocate for further investigation of G6PD variant diversity and
      their primaquine-sensitivity phenotypes.

PMID- 24228849
TI  - Quasiperiodic moire plasmonic crystals.
AB  - This paper describes the properties of silver plasmonic crystals with
      quasiperiodic rotational symmetries. Compared to periodic plasmonic crystals,
      quasiperiodic moire structures exhibited an increased number of surface plasmon
      polariton modes, especially at high angles of excitation. In addition, plasmonic
      band gaps were often formed at the intersections of these new modes. To identify
      the origin and predict the location of the band gaps, we developed a Bragg-based
      indexing system using the reciprocal lattice vectors of the moire plasmonic
      crystals. We showed that even more complicated quasiperiodic geometries could
      also be described by this indexing model. We anticipate that these quasiperiodic
      lattices will be useful for applications that require the concentration and
      manipulation of light over a broadband spectrum. 

PMID- 24228850
TI  - Biofilm extracellular DNA enhances mixed species biofilms of Staphylococcus
      epidermidis and Candida albicans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polymicrobial infections are responsible for significant mortality
      and morbidity in adults and children. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida
      albicans are the most frequent combination of organisms isolated from
      polymicrobial infections. Vascular indwelling catheters are sites for mixed
      species biofilm formation and pose a significant risk for polymicrobial
      infections. We hypothesized that enhancement of biofilms in a mixed species
      environment increases patient mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: Mixed species
      biofilms of S. epidermidis and C. albicans were evaluated in vitro and in a
      subcutaneous catheter infection model in vivo. Mixed species biofilms were
      enhanced compared to single species biofilms of either S. epidermidis or C.
      albicans. A mixed species environment increased catheter infection and increased
      dissemination of S. epidermidis in mice. Microarrays were used to explore
      differential gene expression of S. epidermidis in the mixed species biofilms. In
      mixed species biofilms, compared to single species S. epidermidis biofilms, 2.7%
      of S. epidermidis genes were upregulated and 6% were down regulated.
      Staphylococcal autolysis repressors lrgA and lrgB were down regulated 36-fold and
      27-fold respectively. The role of biofilm extracellular DNA was investigated by
      quantitation and by evaluating the effects of DNAse in a concentration and time
      dependent manner. S. epidermidis specific eDNA was increased in mixed species
      biofilms and further confirmed by degradation with DNAse. CONCLUSIONS: Mixed
      species biofilms are enhanced and associated with increased S. epidermidis
      specific eDNA in vitro and greater systemic dissemination of S. epidermidis in
      vivo. Down regulation of the lrg operon, a repressor of autolysis, associated
      with increased eDNA suggests a possible role for bacterial autolysis in mixed
      species biofilms. Enhancement and systemic dissemination of S. epidermidis may
      explain adverse outcomes after clinical polymicrobial infections of S.
      epidermidis and C. albicans.

PMID- 24228851
TI  - Large-scale cell production of stem cells for clinical application using the
      automated cell processing machine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cell-based regeneration therapies have great potential for
      application in new areas in clinical medicine, although some obstacles still
      remain to be overcome for a wide range of clinical applications. One major
      impediment is the difficulty in large-scale production of cells of interest with
      reproducibility. Current protocols of cell therapy require a time-consuming and
      laborious manual process. To solve this problem, we focused on the robotics of an
      automated and high-throughput cell culture system. Automated robotic cultivation
      of stem or progenitor cells in clinical trials has not been reported till date.
      The system AutoCulture used in this study can automatically replace the culture
      medium, centrifuge cells, split cells, and take photographs for morphological
      assessment. We examined the feasibility of this system in a clinical setting.
      RESULTS: We observed similar characteristics by both the culture methods in terms
      of the growth rate, gene expression profile, cell surface profile by fluorescence
      activated cell sorting, surface glycan profile, and genomic DNA stability. These
      results indicate that AutoCulture is a feasible method for the cultivation of
      human cells for regenerative medicine. CONCLUSIONS: An automated cell-processing
      machine will play important roles in cell therapy and have widespread use from
      application in multicenter trials to provision of off-the-shelf cell products.

PMID- 24228852
TI  - Section 2. Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm: Albuterol versus Montelukast:
      Highlights of the Asthma Summit 2009: Beyond the Guidelines.
AB  - Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) involves airway obstruction with an onset
      shortly after exercising. It can occur in individuals without a diagnosis of
      asthma, but is most common in asthmatic patients (and in this scenario may be
      referred to as exercise-induced asthma, EIA), correlating with the patient's
      degree of airway hyperreactivity. While albuterol is the most commonly used
      rescue and prophylactic medication for EIB, the leukotriene antagonist,
      monetlukast, may be an appropriate choice for some patients. Clinical data have
      shown that once-daily treatment with montelukast (5 or 10 mg tablet) can offer
      protection against EIB within 3 days for some patients. Such an approach might be
      preferred for patients who have difficulty with inhaled medications and for
      children who cannot access their inhalers during the school day. Montelukast also
      may be an option to reduce side effects associated with albuterol for individuals
      who exercise regularly. 

PMID- 24228853
TI  - Role of vasoactive intestinal peptide in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      with pulmonary hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to define the involvement of some
      biomarkers in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and
      pulmonary hypertension (PH), with particular attention to sub-groups with a PH
      that is "out of proportion" (OP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with COPD
      without PH, with PH and marked airways obstruction, and with PH and mild airways
      obstruction were compared. Assays for human interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukotriene B4
      (LTB4), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were
      performed on the blood samples taken during right heart catheterization (RHC) in
      a pulmonary artery. RESULTS: In all, 83 patients were enrolled and divided into
      three groups: 37 simple COPD (mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP] <25 mmHg) and
      46 COPD with PH (mPAP >=25 mmHg). Among the latter, those who had a mPAP >=35
      mmHg and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec [FEV1] >=50% were classified as OP (7
      patients). Patients with PH were older and had a body mass index (BMI) higher
      than the other groups; moreover, they had lower FEV1 and carbon monoxide
      diffusion (DLCO) values. A lower level of partial pressure of oxygen in arterial
      blood (PaO2) was observed in the group of OP patients. The levels of ET-1, IL-6,
      and LTB4 were similar in each group; VIP was higher in the OP patients than in
      simple COPD and was related to PAP. CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with COPD and PH
      and in particular in the group of OP PH, VIP is significantly increased, probably
      to correct the imbalance between vasoconstrictor and vasodilatator mediators.

PMID- 24228855
TI  - Measuring the isoelectric point of the edges of clay mineral particles: the case
      of montmorillonite.
AB  - The isoelectric point (IEP) of the edge surface of a montmorillonite sample was
      determined by using electrophoretic mobility measurements. This parameter, which
      is fundamental for the understanding of the charging behavior of clay mineral
      surfaces, was never measured so far because of the presence of permanent negative
      charges within the montmorillonite structure, charges that mask the
      electrokinetic behavior of the edges. The strategy was to block or neutralize the
      structural charges with two different cations, methylene blue (MB(+)) and
      tetraethylenepentaminecopper(II) ([Cu(tetren)](2+)), so that the charging
      behavior of the particles becomes that of the edge surfaces. Adsorption isotherms
      of MB(+) and [Cu(tetren)](2+) at different ionic strengths (NaCl) were performed
      to establish the uptakes that neutralize the cation exchange capacity (CEC, 0.96
      meq g(-1)) of the sample. At high adsorptive concentrations, there was a
      superequivalent adsorption of MB(+) (adsorption exceeding the CEC) and an
      equivalent adsorption of [Cu(tetren)](2+) (adsorption reaching the CEC). In both
      cases, structural charges were neutralized at uptakes very close to the CEC. Zeta
      potential (zeta) vs pH data at different ionic strengths of montmorillonite with
      adsorbed MB(+) allowed to estimate an upper limit of the edge's IEP, 5.3 +/- 0.2.
      The same kind of data obtained with adsorbed [Cu(tetren)](2+) provided a lower
      limit of the IEP, 4.0 +/- 0.2. These values are in agreement with previously
      informed IEP and point of zero charge of pyrophyllite, which is structurally
      analogous to montmorillonite but carries no permanent charges. The importance of
      knowing the IEP of the edge surface of clay minerals is discussed. This value
      characterizes the intrinsic reactivity of edges, that is, the protonating
      capacity of edge groups in absence of any electric field generated by structural
      charges. It also allows us to correct relative edge charge vs pH curves obtained
      by potentiometric titrations and to obtain the true edge charge vs pH curves at
      different electrolyte concentrations. 

PMID- 24228854
TI  - Additional Saturday rehabilitation improves functional independence and quality
      of life and reduces length of stay: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many inpatients receive little or no rehabilitation on weekends. Our
      aim was to determine what effect providing additional Saturday rehabilitation
      during inpatient rehabilitation had on functional independence, quality of life
      and length of stay compared to 5 days per week of rehabilitation. METHODS: This
      was a multicenter, single-blind (assessors) randomized controlled trial with
      concealed allocation and 12-month follow-up conducted in two publically funded
      metropolitan inpatient rehabilitation facilities in Melbourne, Australia.
      Patients were eligible if they were adults (aged >=18 years) admitted for
      rehabilitation for any orthopedic, neurological or other disabling conditions
      excluding those admitted for slow stream rehabilitation/geriatric evaluation and
      management. Participants were randomly allocated to usual care Monday to Friday
      rehabilitation (control) or to Monday to Saturday rehabilitation (intervention).
      The additional Saturday rehabilitation comprised physiotherapy and occupational
      therapy. The primary outcomes were functional independence (functional
      independence measure (FIM); measured on an 18 to 126 point scale), health-related
      quality of life (EQ-5D utility index; measured on a 0 to 1 scale, and EQ-5D
      visual analog scale; measured on a 0 to 100 scale), and patient length of stay.
      Outcome measures were assessed on admission, discharge (primary endpoint), and at
      6 and 12 months post discharge. RESULTS: We randomly assigned 996 adults (mean
      (SD) age 74 (13) years) to Monday to Saturday rehabilitation (n = 496) or usual
      care Monday to Friday rehabilitation (n = 500). Relative to admission scores,
      intervention group participants had higher functional independence (mean
      difference (MD) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5 to 4.1, P = 0.01) and
      health-related quality of life (MD 0.04, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.07, P = 0.009) on
      discharge and may have had a shorter length of stay by 2 days (95% CI 0 to 4, P =
      0.1) when compared to control group participants. Intervention group participants
      were 17% more likely to have achieved a clinically significant change in
      functional independence of 22 FIM points or more (risk ratio (RR) 1.17, 95% CI
      1.03 to 1.34) and 18% more likely to have achieved a clinically significant
      change in health-related quality of life (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.34) on
      discharge compared to the control group. There was some maintenance of effect for
      functional independence and health-related quality of life at 6-month follow-up
      but not at 12-month follow-up. There was no difference in the number of adverse
      events between the groups (incidence rate ratio = 0.81, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.08).
      CONCLUSIONS: Providing an additional day of rehabilitation improved functional
      independence and health-related quality of life at discharge and may have reduced
      length of stay for patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry
      ACTRN12609000973213 Please see related commentary:
      http://www.biomedcentral.com/10.1186/1741-7015-11-199.

PMID- 24228856
TI  - Consensus Description of Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria for Clinical Studies of
      Nonallergic Rhinopathy (NAR), Previously Referred to as Vasomotor Rhinitis (VMR),
      Nonallergic Rhinitis, and/or Idiopathic Rhinitis.
AB  - "Nonallergic rhinopathy" was defined by consensus at a Roundtable conference in
      December 2008 as "a chronic nasal condition with symptoms that may be perennial,
      persistent, intermittent or seasonal and/or elicited by recognized triggers." The
      definition includes a well-recognized set of clinical exposures that lead to the
      symptoms, predominantly congestion, rhinorrhea, and postnasal drip. These
      clinical characteristics help to identify patients for participation in clinical
      trials examining the efficacy of treatments for this important disease. The next
      step is to establish inclusion and exclusion criteria that will provide a
      framework for the clinical trials. Agreement on study criteria was obtained at
      the consensus conference by discussion, counterpoint, and compromise. 

PMID- 24228858
TI  - One-pot synthesis of functionalized 2,5-dihydrofurans via an amine-promoted
      Petasis borono-Mannich reaction.
AB  - A series of functionalized 2,5-dihydrofurans were efficiently synthesized via an
      amine-promoted Petasis borono-Mannich reaction of 4-substituted 1,2-oxaborol
      2(5H)-ols with salicylaldehydes in high yields. The process, which combines a
      boronic acid-based Mannich reaction and a highly efficient intramolecular SN2
      cyclization, provides a one-step and efficient route toward 2,5-dihydrofurans
      from simple and stable starting materials. 

PMID- 24228859
TI  - Streptozotocin-induced diabetes increases amyloid plaque deposition in AD
      transgenic mice through modulating AGEs/RAGE/NF-kappaB pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An increasing number of studies have demonstrated of that diabetes
      mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased prevalence of Alzheimer disease
      (AD), the underlying mechanisms are still obscure. METHODS: We developed a
      streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic AD transgenic mouse model and evaluated the
      effect of hyperglycemia on senile plaque formation. RESULTS: Our data showed that
      administration of STZ increased the level of blood glucose and increased the
      advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in brain tissue, and further enhanced the
      expression levels of the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and the nuclear factor-kappa B
      (NF-kappaB) in the brain, and accelerated the senile plaque formation in the
      transgenic mice. Our results showed that STZ-induced insulin-deficient
      hyperglycemia caused the pathophysiology of AD in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by
      modulating the AGEs/RAGE/NF-kappaB pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that
      there is a close linkage of DM and cerebral amyloidosis in the pathogenesis of
      AD.

PMID- 24228860
TI  - Highly ordered silicon pillar arrays as platforms for planar chromatography.
AB  - Unlike HPLC, there has been sparse advancement in the stationary phases used for
      planar chromatography. Nevertheless, modernization of planar chromatography
      platforms can further highlight the technique's ability to separate multiple
      samples simultaneously, utilize orthogonal separation formats, image (detect)
      separations without rigorous temporal demands, and its overall simplicity. This
      paper describes the fabrication and evaluation of ordered pillar arrays that are
      chemically modified for planar chromatography and inspected by fluorescence
      microscopy to detect solvent development and analyte bands (spots).
      Photolithography, in combination with anisotropic deep reactive ion etching, is
      used to produce uniform high aspect ratio silicon pillars. The pillar heights,
      diameters, and pitch variations are approximately 15-20 MUm, 1-3 MUm, and 2-6
      MUm, respectively, with the total pillar array size typically 1 cm * 3 cm. The
      arrays are imaged using scanning electron microscopy in order to measure the
      pillar diameter and pitch as well as analyze the pillar sidewalls after etching
      and stationary phase functionalization. These fluidic arrays will enable
      exploration of the impact on mass transport and chromatographic efficiency caused
      by altering the pillar array morphology. A C18 reverse stationary phase (RP),
      common RP solvents that are transported by traditional but uniquely rapid
      capillary flow, and Rhodamine 6G (R6G) as the preliminary analyte are used for
      this initial evaluation. The research presented in this article is aimed at
      understanding and overcoming the unique challenges in developing and utilizing
      ordered pillar arrays as a new platform for planar chromatography: focusing on
      fabrication of expansive arrays, studies of solvent transport, methods to create
      compatible sample spots, and an initial evaluation of band dispersion. 

PMID- 24228861
TI  - Implications of the licensure of a partially efficacious malaria vaccine on
      evaluating second-generation vaccines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with
      approximately 225 million clinical episodes and >1.2 million deaths annually
      attributed to malaria. Development of a highly efficacious malaria vaccine will
      offer unparalleled possibilities for disease prevention and remains a key
      priority for long-term malaria control and elimination. DISCUSSION: The Malaria
      Vaccine Technology Roadmap's goal is to 'develop and license a first-generation
      malaria vaccine that has protective efficacy of more than 50%'. To date, malaria
      vaccine candidates have only been shown to be partially efficacious
      (approximately 30% to 60%). However, licensure of a partially effective vaccine
      will create a number of challenges for the development and progression of new,
      potentially more efficacious, malaria vaccines in the future. In this opinion
      piece we discuss the methodological, logistical and ethical issues that may
      impact on the feasibility and implementation of superiority, non-inferiority and
      equivalence trials to assess second generation malaria vaccines in the advent of
      the licensure of a partially efficacious malaria vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Selecting
      which new malaria vaccines go forward, and defining appropriate methodology for
      assessment in logistically challenging clinical trials, is crucial. It is
      imperative that the scientific community considers all the issues and starts
      planning how second-generation malaria vaccines will advance in the advent of
      licensure of a partially effective vaccine.

PMID- 24228862
TI  - Long-term efficacy of a printed or a Web-based tailored physical activity
      intervention among older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study provides insight into the long-term efficacy (i.e. 12
      month results) of the Web-based or print-delivered tailored Active Plus
      intervention (with and without environmental approach) to promote physical
      activity (PA) among the over-fifties. Differences in effect among subgroups are
      studied as well. METHODS: Intervention groups (i.e. print-delivered basic (PB; N
      = 439), print-delivered environmental (PE; N = 435), Web-based basic (WB; N =
      423), Web-based environmental (WE; N = 432)) and a waiting list control group (N
      = 411) were studied in a clustered randomized controlled trial. Intervention
      participants received tailored advice three times within 4 months. Long-term
      effects (12 months after the intervention has started, i.e. 8 months after the
      intervention was completed) on PA (i.e. self-reported weekly minutes and days of
      sufficient PA) were tested using multilevel linear regression analyses.
      Participants' age, gender, BMI, educational level, PA intention and the presence
      of a chronic physical limitation were considered to be potential moderators of
      the effect. RESULTS: Overall, the Active Plus intervention was effective in
      increasing weekly days of sufficient PA (B=0.49; p=.005), but ineffective in
      increasing weekly minutes of PA (B=84.59; p=.071). Per intervention condition
      analysis showed that the PB-intervention (B(days)=0.64; p=.002; B(min)=111.36;
      p=.017) and the PE-intervention (B(days)=0.70; p=.001; B(min)=157.41; p=.001)
      were effective in increasing days and minutes of PA. Neither Web-based conditions
      significantly increased PA, while the control group decreased their PA. In
      contrast to the intervention effect on minutes of PA, the effect on weekly days
      of PA was significantly moderated by the participants' baseline intention to be
      sufficiently physically active. CONCLUSIONS: In general, after 12 months the
      print-delivered interventions resulted in stronger effects than the Web-based
      interventions. The participants' baseline intention was the only significant
      moderator of the intervention effect. All other assessed user characteristics did
      not significantly moderate the effect of the intervention, which might indicate
      that the intervention is sufficiently tailored to the different participant
      characteristics. Additional efforts should be taken to increase the
      sustainability of Web-based interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial
      Register: NTR2297.

PMID- 24228863
TI  - Pacific ciguatoxins in food web components of coral reef systems in the Republic
      of Kiribati.
AB  - Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a foodborne illness caused by consumption of
      coral reef fishes contaminated by ciguatoxins (CTXs); of the known CTX congeners,
      the Pacific ciguatoxins (P-CTXs) are the most toxic. Little is known about the
      trophodynamics of P-CTXs in coral reef systems. The present study explores the
      distribution, transfer, and trophic magnification of P-CTX-1, -2, and -3 in coral
      reef systems with high (ciguatoxic) and low (reference) ciguatoxicity in a CFP
      endemic nation by use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC
      MS/MS). In ciguatoxic coral reef systems, P-CTXs were detected in 54% of
      herbivorous fishes [total P-CTXs <0.500-1670 pg/g wet weight (ww)], 72% of
      omnivorous fishes (<0.500-1810 pg/g ww), and 76% of carnivorous fishes (<0.500-69
      500 pg/g ww), as well as a lobster ( Panulirus penicillatus ; 2.36 pg/g ww) and
      an octopus (Octopodidae; 2.56 pg/g ww). The dominant P-CTXs in grazers and
      piscivorous fishes were P-CTX-2 and -1, respectively. No significant correlation
      between P-CTX levels and lipid content in three target predatory fishes indicated
      that accumulation of P-CTXs does not depend on fat content. A weak but
      significant positive relationship was observed between delta(15)N and P-CTX-1
      levels, but further investigation is required to confirm its biomagnification
      potential. 

PMID- 24228864
TI  - Age-related changes of movement patterns in discrete Fitts' task.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inspired by the framework of dynamical system theory, we aimed at
      exploring how the behavioural repertoire of the sensorimotor system can be
      reshaped with aging. Our reasoning was founded on the assumption that, with age,
      some of the existing patterns can be destabilized or even lost. In the present
      paper, this issue was investigated through the study of age-related changes in
      the movement patterns that are used to perform a discrete Fitts' task. We
      analysed the performance of two groups of participants (young and older adults)
      across nine task difficulty levels, obtained via manipulation of target width.
      RESULTS: Two movement patterns were revealed by the fact that increase in the
      index of the difficulty (ID) was accommodated through either the lengthening of
      both acceleration (AT) and deceleration (DT) times (co-variation pattern), or
      only DT (dissociation pattern). Analysis of the discontinuity in ID-AT relation
      showed that young participants switched from the co-variation to the dissociation
      pattern as ID increased. Pattern switching was accompanied by concomitant changes
      in the variability of AT/DT ratio. Older adults, on the other hand, used the
      dissociation pattern regardless of the ID. Consequently, they showed neither an
      abrupt discontinuity in ID-AT relation nor significant changes in the variability
      of AT/DT ratio across difficulty levels. Though the dissociation pattern was
      adaptive in young adults for high accuracy constraints, in older adults, it
      compromised task performance for lower difficulty levels. CONCLUSION: These
      findings support the view that aging may result in a compression of the neuro
      behavioural repertoire. In sensorimotor tasks, it can lead to a loss of multi
      stability in terms of available movement patterns, thereby compromising the
      ability of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system to adapt and face task constraints.

PMID- 24228866
TI  - Simulations of acid dissociation constants of polyprotic acids in near-critical
      and supercritical water.
AB  - This paper reports a molecular dynamics study on the dissociation of sulfuric
      acid and phosphoric acid in near-critical and supercritical water. pK(a) is known
      to vary as the temperature and pressure vary, and this variation has important
      implications for corrosion in supercritical water reaction vessels. This work
      uses the SPC/E water model and solutes based upon DFT calculations to examine
      both structural and thermodynamic properties of the dissociation processes. An
      increase in solute-solvent ordering is observed for larger charges, and this also
      corresponds to a lower rate of diffusion. All dissociation reactions become less
      favored with increasing temperature except pK(a1) for sulfuric acid which becomes
      significantly more favored until 748 K.

PMID- 24228865
TI  - Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum among school-aged children from the
      Man region, western Cote d'Ivoire.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum allows the molecular
      discrimination of otherwise microscopically identical parasites and the
      identification of individual clones in multiple infections. The study reported
      here investigated the P. falciparum multiplicity of infection (MOI) and genetic
      diversity among school-aged children in the Man region, western Cote d'Ivoire.
      METHODS: Blood samples from 292 children aged seven to 15 years were collected in
      four nearby villages located at altitudes ranging from 340 to 883 m above sea
      level. Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films were prepared and examined under
      a microscope for P. falciparum prevalence and parasitaemia. MOI and genetic
      diversity of the parasite populations were investigated using msp2 typing by
      polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
      RESULTS: Plasmodium falciparum prevalence and parasitaemia were both found to be
      significantly lower in the highest altitude village. Genotyping of the isolates
      revealed 25 potentially new msp2 alleles. MOI varied significantly across
      villages but did not correlate with altitude nor children's age, and only to a
      limited extent with parasitaemia. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA)
      indicated that a small, but close to statistical significance (p = 0.07),
      fraction of variance occurs specifically between villages of low and high
      altitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Higher altitude was associated with lower prevalence of
      P. falciparum but not with reduced MOI, suggesting that, in this setting, MOI is
      not a good proxy for transmission. The evidence for partially parted parasite
      populations suggests the existence of local geographical barriers that should be
      taken into account when deploying anti-malarial interventions.

PMID- 24228867
TI  - Increasing the dose of acute rehabilitation: is there a benefit?
AB  - Rehabilitation interventions, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy,
      can improve patient outcomes; however, the optimal duration and frequency of
      inpatient rehabilitation interventions is uncertain. In a recent randomized
      controlled trial published in BMC Medicine, 996 patients in two publicly-funded
      Australian metropolitan rehabilitation facilities were assigned to physiotherapy
      and occupational therapy delivered Monday through Friday (five days/week control
      group) versus Monday through Saturday (six days/week intervention group). This
      increased dose of rehabilitation in the intervention group resulted in greater
      functional independence and quality of life at discharge, with a trend towards
      significant improvement at six-month follow-up. Moreover, the length of stay for
      the intervention group was shorter by two days (95% CI 0 to 4, P = 0.10). Hence,
      in the acute inpatient rehabilitation setting, a larger dose of physiotherapy and
      occupational therapy, via six versus five days/week treatment, improves patient
      outcomes and potentially reduces overall length of stay and costs. Please see
      related research: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/198.

PMID- 24228868
TI  - The synthesis of vinylogous amidine heterocycles.
AB  - We report herein a convenient synthetic methodology for the conversion of meta
      dinitro heterocyclic rings to iminoquinones with vinylogous amidine
      functionality. These structures are found in nature, particularly in marine
      organisms, and may be important for the pigments and biological activity observed
      with such marine secondary metabolites. Using benzimidazole and indole ring
      systems we show the versatility of these vinylogous amidines for organic
      synthesis, including the following: transamination substitution reactions with
      virtually any primary amine, regional control of the substitution with
      substituents between the vinylogous amidine, and hydrolytic properties that can
      be controlled or optimized based on the properties of the chosen ring system.
      Taken together, this versatile chemistry and functionalization of organic
      molecules may be useful in the preparation of a variety of chemical products such
      as drug pharmacophores or assembling macromolecular structures. 

PMID- 24228869
TI  - Vitellogenesis in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster: antagonists demonstrate
      that the PLC, IP3/DAG, PK-C pathway is triggered by calmodulin.
AB  - In Drosophila melanogaster M. (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a phospholipase-C to
      proteininase-C signal cascade leads to the endocytic uptake of yolk precursor
      molecules. The data suggest that D. melanogaster has a phospholipase
      C/proteinkinase-C signaling pathway similar to that previously shown to be
      required for vitellogenesis in the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus Dallas
      (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae). Calmodulin, derived from epithelial cells and transported
      to the oocytes via gap junctions, may trigger this pathway. To investigate this,
      a series of known antagonists to various elements of the pathway were used. W-7
      (which prevents calmodulin binding to phospholipase-C), U-73122 (which prevents
      activation of phospholipase-C), verapamil (which blocks Ca(2+) release by IP3),
      HAG (which blocks diacylglycerol), and staurosporine (which inactivates
      proteinkinase-C) were each shown to inhibit endocytosis, thereby blocking
      formation of nascent yolk spheres.

PMID- 24228870
TI  - Intravitreal bevacizumab effects on VEGF levels in distant organs: an
      experimental study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of single-dose
      intravitreal bevacizumab on the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) in serum and distant organs. METHODS: Adult New Zealand albino rabbits (n
      = 40) were divided into experimental and control groups. Experimental rabbits
      received a single 0.05 ml intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab (Avastin)
      into the right eye, and control rabbits (n = 8) received no injection. Following
      injection, group 1 rabbits (n = 8) were sacrificed on day 1, group 2 rabbits (n =
      8) on day 7, group 3 rabbits (n = 8) on day 14, and group 4 rabbits (n = 8) on
      day 28; control rabbits were sacrificed on day 28. After sacrifice, samples of
      brain, heart, liver, kidney and blood were collected. Levels of VEGF in serum and
      tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The presence of
      bevacizumab was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining in tissues. RESULTS:
      Positive bevacizumab immunoreactivity was observed in brain, heart and kidney.
      Serum VEGF levels significantly decreased in groups 3 and 4 compared with
      controls (p < 0.05). Liver VEGF levels significantly decreased in group 3
      compared with controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab not only
      may escape from the blood-retinal barrier and enter the general circulation, but
      also may be disseminated to distant organs. Our study demonstrates that a single
      dose of intravitreally injected bevacizumab decreases VEGF levels in serum and
      liver.

PMID- 24228871
TI  - Network component analysis provides quantitative insights on an Arabidopsis
      transcription factor-gene regulatory network.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are models of molecule-gene
      interactions instrumental in the coordination of gene expression. Transcription
      factor (TF)-GRNs are an important subset of GRNs that characterize gene
      expression as the effect of TFs acting on their target genes. Although such
      networks can qualitatively summarize TF-gene interactions, it is highly desirable
      to quantitatively determine the strengths of the interactions in a TF-GRN as well
      as the magnitudes of TF activities. To our knowledge, such analysis is rare in
      plant biology. A computational methodology developed for this purpose is network
      component analysis (NCA), which has been used for studying large-scale microbial
      TF-GRNs to obtain nontrivial, mechanistic insights. In this work, we employed NCA
      to quantitatively analyze a plant TF-GRN important in floral development using
      available regulatory information from AGRIS, by processing previously reported
      gene expression data from four shoot apical meristem cell types. RESULTS: The NCA
      model satisfactorily accounted for gene expression measurements in a TF-GRN of
      seven TFs (LFY, AG, SEPALLATA3 [SEP3], AP2, AGL15, HY5 and AP3/PI) and 55 genes.
      NCA found strong interactions between certain TF-gene pairs including LFY ->
      MYB17, AG -> CRC, AP2 -> RD20, AGL15 -> RAV2 and HY5 -> HLH1, and the direction
      of the interaction (activation or repression) for some AGL15 targets for which
      this information was not previously available. The activity trends of four TFs -
      LFY, AG, HY5 and AP3/PI as deduced by NCA correlated well with the changes in
      expression levels of the genes encoding these TFs across all four cell types;
      such a correlation was not observed for SEP3, AP2 and AGL15. CONCLUSIONS: For the
      first time, we have reported the use of NCA to quantitatively analyze a plant TF
      GRN important in floral development for obtaining nontrivial information about
      connectivity strengths between TFs and their target genes as well as TF activity.
      However, since NCA relies on documented connectivity information about the
      underlying TF-GRN, it is currently limited in its application to larger plant
      networks because of the lack of documented connectivities. In the future, the
      identification of interactions between plant TFs and their target genes on a
      genome scale would allow the use of NCA to provide quantitative regulatory
      information about plant TF-GRNs, leading to improved insights on cellular
      regulatory programs.

PMID- 24228872
TI  - The New York stem cell foundation research institute's eighth annual
      translational stem cell research conference.

PMID- 24228874
TI  - Regulation of activity of transcription factor NF-kappaB by synthetic
      oligonucleotides.
AB  - Eukaryotic dimeric nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is one of the main
      transcription factors that activate expression of genes, products of which play
      the key role in development of cardiovascular pathologies, carcinogenesis, and
      inflammatory and viral diseases. In this review, the main attention is given to
      modulation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB activity by antisense
      oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide decoys. Also, current concepts about
      interactions between NF-kappaB dimers and DNA and general problems that arise in
      experimental use of synthetic oligonucleotides in vivo are discussed. 

PMID- 24228873
TI  - Protein biosynthesis in mitochondria.
AB  - Translation, that is biosynthesis of polypeptides in accordance with information
      encoded in the genome, is one of the most important processes in the living cell,
      and it has been in the spotlight of international research for many years. The
      mechanisms of protein biosynthesis in bacteria and in the eukaryotic cytoplasm
      are now understood in great detail. However, significantly less is known about
      translation in eukaryotic mitochondria, which is characterized by a number of
      unusual features. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about
      mitochondrial translation in different organisms while paying special attention
      to the aspects of this process that differ from cytoplasmic protein biosynthesis.

PMID- 24228875
TI  - Expression of chicken CTCF gene in COS-1 cells and partial purification of CTCF
      protein.
AB  - The chicken gene for transcription factor CTCF was expressed in COS-1 mammalian
      cells. The CTCF protein containing polyhistidine tag was partially purified using
      metallo-affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. The expressed protein localized
      in the cell nucleus and was shown to be functionally active in the
      electrophoretic mobility shift assay and specifically interacted with anti-CTCF
      antibodies. 

PMID- 24228876
TI  - Targeted delivery of doxorubicin: drug delivery system based on PAMAM dendrimers.
AB  - Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers of the second generation (G2) are branched
      polymers containing 16 surface amino groups that allow them to be used as
      universal carriers on creating systems for drug delivery. G2 labeled with
      fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) efficiently bound with the surface of tumor
      cells at 4 degrees C and was absorbed by the cells at 37 degrees C. The covalent
      binding to G2-FITC of a vector protein, a recombinant fragment of the human alpha
      fetoprotein receptor-binding domain (rAFP3D), increased the binding and
      endocytosis efficiency more than threefold. Covalent conjugates of G2 with
      doxorubicin (Dox) obtained by acid-labile linking of cis-aconitic anhydride (CAA)
      without the vector protein (G2-Dox) and with the vector protein rAFP3D (rAFP3D-G2
      Dox) were accumulated by the tumor cells with high efficiency. However, a
      selective effect was observed only in rAFP3D-G2-Dox, which also demonstrated high
      cytotoxic activity against the human ovarian adenocarcinoma SKOV3 cells and low
      cytotoxicity against human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Based on these results,
      rAFP3D-G2 conjugate is promising for selective delivery of antitumor drugs. 

PMID- 24228877
TI  - Assay of insulator enhancer-blocking activity with the use of transient
      transfection.
AB  - We used a transient transfection of cultured cells with linearized plasmids to
      analyze the enhancer-blocking activity of potential insulators including the
      standard cHS4 chicken beta-globin insulator and several DNA fragments selected
      from the human genome sequence. About 60-80% of the potential insulators do
      reveal the enhancer-blocking activity when probed by the transient transfection
      assay. The activity of different sequences is characterized by certain tissue
      specificity and by dependence on the orientation of the fragments relative to the
      promoter. Thus, the transfection model may be used for quantitative analysis of
      the enhancer-blocking activity of the potential insulators. 

PMID- 24228878
TI  - Comparison of oxygen consumption rates in minimally transformed BALB/3T3 and
      virus-transformed 3T3B-SV40 cells.
AB  - In the recent years, bioenergetics of tumor cells and particularly cell
      respiration have been attracting great attention because of the involvement of
      mitochondria in apoptosis and growing evidence of the possibility to diagnose and
      treat cancer by affecting the system of oxidative phosphorylation in
      mitochondria. In the present work, a comparative study of oxygen consumption in
      3T3B-SV40 cells transformed with oncovirus SV40 and parental BALB/3T3 cells was
      conducted. Such fractions of oxygen consumption as "phosphorylating" respiration
      coupled to ATP synthesis, "free" respiration not coupled to ATP synthesis, and
      "reserve" or hidden respiration observed in the presence of protonophore were
      determined. Maximal respiration was shown to be only slightly decreased in 3T3B
      SV40 cells as compared to BALB/3T3. However, in the case of certain fractions of
      cellular respiration, the changes were significant. "Phosphorylating" respiration
      was found to be reduced to 54% and "reserve" respiration, on the contrary,
      increased up to 160% in virus-transformed 3T3B-SV40 cells. The low rate of
      "phosphorylating" respiration and high "reserve" respiration indicate that under
      normal incubation conditions the larger part of mitochondrial respiratory chains
      of the virus-transformed cells is in the resting state (i.e. there is no electron
      transfer to oxygen). The high "reserve" respiration is suggested to play an
      important role in preventing apoptosis of 3T3B-SV40 cells. 

PMID- 24228879
TI  - Isolation and properties of flight muscle mitochondria of the bumblebee Bombus
      terrestris (L.).
AB  - This report describes the isolation procedure and properties of tightly coupled
      flight muscle mitochondria of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris (L.). The highest
      respiratory control index was observed upon oxidation of pyruvate, whereas the
      highest respiration rates were registered upon oxidation of a combination of the
      following substrates: pyruvate + malate, pyruvate + proline, or pyruvate +
      glutamate. The respiration rates upon oxidation of malate, glutamate, glutamate +
      malate, or succinate were very low. At variance with flight muscle mitochondria
      of a number of other insects reported earlier, B. terrestris mitochondria did not
      show high rates of respiration supported by oxidation of proline. The maximal
      respiration rates were observed upon oxidation of alpha-glycerophosphate.
      Bumblebee mitochondria are capable of maintaining high membrane potential in the
      absence of added respiratory substrates, which was completely dissipated by the
      addition of rotenone, suggesting high amount of intramitochondrial NAD-linked
      oxidative substrates. Pyruvate and alpha-glycerophosphate appear to be the
      optimal oxidative substrates for maintaining the high rates of oxidative
      metabolism of the bumblebee mitochondria. 

PMID- 24228880
TI  - Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta is involved in C-reactive protein-induced
      endothelial cell activation.
AB  - C-reactive protein (CRP) is a significant contributor to atherosclerosis and a
      powerful predictor of cardiovascular risk. The role of CRP in endothelial cell
      (EC) activation has been extensively investigated, but the underlying mechanisms
      have not been fully elucidated. The effect of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK
      3beta) on CRP-induced EC activation was evaluated in this study. We observed that
      CRP decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity during EC
      activation. CRP also activated GSK-3beta by dephosphorylating its Ser9 level and
      reducing beta-catenin protein expression in a time-dependent manner. We also
      found that the GSK-3beta inhibitors TDZD-8 and SB415286 partially restored eNOS
      activity and suppressed the release of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and
      vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 from ECs. These data provide new evidence for
      the involvement of GSK-3beta in EC activation. 

PMID- 24228881
TI  - A straightforward experimental approach to expression, purification, refolding,
      and enzymatic analysis of recombinant dengue virus NS2B(H)-NS3pro protease.
AB  - Dengue virus threatens around 2.5 billion people worldwide; about 50 million
      become infected every year, and yet no vaccine or drug is available for
      prevention and/or treatment. The flaviviral NS2B-NS3pro complex is indispensable
      for flaviviral replication and is considered to be an important drug target. The
      aim of this study was to develop a simple and generally applicable experimental
      strategy to construct, purify, and assay a highly active recombinant NS2B(H)
      NS3pro complex that would be useful for high-throughput screening of potential
      inhibitors. The sequence of NS2B(H)-NS3pro was generated by overlap extension PCR
      (SOE-PCR) and cloned into the pTrcHisA vector. Hexahistidine-tagged NS2B(H)
      NS3pro complex was expressed in E. coli predominantly as insoluble protein and
      purified to >95% purity by single-step immobilized metal affinity chromatography.
      SDS-PAGE followed by immunoblotting of the purified enzyme demonstrated the
      presence of the NS2B(H)-NS3pro precursor and its autocleavage products, NS3pro
      and NS2B(H), as 37, 21, and 10 kDa bands, respectively. Kinetic parameters, Km,
      kcat, and kcat/Km for the fluorophore-linked protease model substrate Ac-nKRR-amc
      were obtained using inner-filter effect correction. The kinetic parameters Km,
      kcat, and kcat/Km for Ac-nKRR-amc substrate were 100 uM, 0.112 s(-1), and 1120 M(
      1).s(-1), respectively. A simplified procedure for the cloning, overexpression,
      and purification of the NS2B(H)-NS3pro complex was applied, and a highly active
      recombinant NS2B(H)-NS3pro complex was obtained that could be useful for the
      design of high-throughput assays aimed at flaviviral inhibitor discovery. 

PMID- 24228882
TI  - Modulation of enzymatic activity of dengue virus nonstructural protein NS3
      nucleoside triphosphatase/helicase by poly(U).
AB  - The nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) appears to be the most promising target for
      anti-flavivirus therapy because of its multiple enzymatic activities that are
      indispensable for virus replication. NS3 of dengue virus type 2 (DEN2) is
      composed of two domains, a serine protease in the N-terminal domain (NS3pro) and
      RNA-stimulated nucleoside triphosphatase (NTPase)/RNA helicase at the C-terminus
      (NS3h). NS3 plays an important role in viral replication and the coordinated
      regulation of all the catalytic activities in the full-length NS3 protein. In
      this study, a plasmid harboring the NS3 helicase domain (NS3h) was constructed by
      PCR. The 56.5 kDa NS3h protein was purified by metal-chelate affinity
      chromatography followed by renaturation, mediated by artificial chaperone
      assisted refolding, which yielded the active helicase. NTPase activity was
      assayed with Malachite Green. The NTPase activity in the presence of poly(U)
      showed a higher turnover number (kcat) and a lower Km value than without poly(U).
      The activity increased approximately fourfold in the presence of polynucleotides.
      This indicates that NTPase activity of dengue NS3 can be stimulated by
      polynucleotides. A helicase assay based on internal fluorescence quenching was
      conducted using short internally quenched DNA oligonucleotides as substrates.
      Significant fluorescence signaling increase was observed in the absence of
      polynucleotides such as poly(U). No unwinding activity was observed with addition
      of poly(U). The approach we describe here is useful for the further
      characterization of substrate specificity and for the design of high-throughput
      assays aimed at discovery of inhibitors against NS3 NTPase/helicase activities. 

PMID- 24228883
TI  - Coordination in gene expression during atherogenesis.
AB  - General tendencies in the regulation of gene expression during atherogenesis were
      investigated using correlation analysis for 34 mRNA species of several functional
      groups. The contents of mRNA were measured by quantitative PCR in samples of
      human aortal intima containing no lesions or atherosclerotic lesions of types I
      (initial lesions), II (fatty streaks), and Va (fibroatheromas). The coupling
      between mRNA contents in lesions and the same mRNAs in intact tissue was found to
      descend in the course of the disease progression. The data are in accordance with
      the opinion that successive morphologic types of atherosclerotic lesions
      correspond to steps of atherogenesis. In addition, the contents of individual
      mRNA species could correlate with each other within the given sample type, the
      extent of this coupling rising along with the disease progression. The exception
      from this rule was a collapse in coupling for several functional groups of mRNA
      in lesions of type I. This collapse could indicate special position of these
      lesions in pathogenesis. Statistically significant correlations between mRNAs
      found in samples of all four types comprised in total about 50% of all possible
      correlations. 66% of these correlations were conservative, i.e. observed in at
      least two sample types. By coupling-strength, the studied mRNAs could be divided
      into four clusters whose composition significantly varied along with the disease
      progression. The disease progression was also associated with decline in number
      of regulatory factors that determine coordination in expression of the analyzed
      genes. 

PMID- 24228884
TI  - Polyphosphates and exopolyphosphatase activities in the yeast Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae under overexpression of homologous and heterologous PPN1 genes.
AB  - The role of exopolyphosphatase PPN1 in polyphosphate metabolism in fungi has been
      studied in strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae transformed by the yeast PPN1 gene
      and its ortholog of the fungus Acremonium chrysogenum producing cephalosporin C.
      The PPN1 genes were expressed under a strong constitutive promoter of the gene of
      glycerol aldehyde-triphosphate dehydrogenase of S. cerevisiae in the vector pMB1.
      The yeast strain with inactivated PPN1 gene was transformed by the above vectors
      containing the PPN1 genes of S. cerevisiae and A. chrysogenum. Exopolyphosphatase
      activity in the transformant with the yeast PPN1 increased 28- and 11-fold
      compared to the mutant and parent PPN1 strains. The amount of polyphosphate in
      this transformant decreased threefold. Neither the increase in exopolyphosphatase
      activity nor the decrease in polyphosphate content was observed in the
      transformant with the orthologous PPN1 gene of A. chrysogenum, suggesting the
      absence of the active form of PPN1 in this transformant. 

PMID- 24228885
TI  - Expression of duodenase-like protein in epitheliocytes of Brunner's glands in
      human duodenal mucosa.
AB  - A duodenase, a protease structurally related to human cathepsin G, was found
      earlier in bovine duodenal mucosa. It was demonstrated that under the influence
      of duodenase an enteropeptidase zymogen is activated in vitro showing the
      possible participation of duodenase in the cascade of activation of digestive
      enzymes. To identify a duodenase functional analog in human duodenum, an
      immunofluorescence study of duodenal mucosa was conducted by confocal microscopy
      using antibodies to human cathepsin G and to bovine duodenase. The previously
      unknown place of synthesis and secretion of cathepsin G - Paneth cells located at
      the bottom of Lieberkuhn crypts - was revealed. Binding of cathepsin G-specific
      antibodies in a rough endoplasmic reticulum zone and in the cryptal duct was
      observed. Duodenase-specific immunofluorescence but not that of cathepsin G was
      found in the epitheliocytes and secretory ducts of Brunner's glands, which are
      characteristic sites of duodenase biosynthesis in cattle. Binding of CD14
      specific antibodies in the Brunner's glands, where the antibodies co-localized
      with the antibodies to duodenase, was also demonstrated. These data indicate the
      presence of a protein immunologically similar to duodenase in the human duodenal
      mucosa. Our study demonstrated the absence of its co-localization with cathepsin
      G in Brunner's glands. 

PMID- 24228886
TI  - Escherichia coli signal peptidase recognizes and cleaves the signal sequence of
      alpha-amylase originating from Bacillus licheniformis.
AB  - The gene encoding the alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis was cloned, with
      and without the native signal sequence, and expressed in Escherichia coli,
      resulting in the production of the recombinant protein in the cytoplasm as
      insoluble but enzymatically active aggregates. Expression with a low
      concentration of the inducer at low temperature resulted in the production of the
      recombinant protein in soluble form in a significantly higher amount. The protein
      produced with signal sequence was exported to the extracellular medium, whereas
      there was no export of the protein produced from the gene without the signal
      sequence. Similarly, the alpha-amylase activity in the culture medium increased
      with time after induction in case of the protein produced with signal sequence.
      Molecular mass determinations by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and N-terminal amino
      acid sequencing of the purified recombinant alpha-amylase from the extracellular
      medium revealed that the native signal peptide was cleaved by E. coli signal
      peptidase between Ala28 and Ala29. It seems possible that the signal peptide of
      alpha-amylase from B. licheniformis can be used for the secretion of other
      recombinant proteins produced using the E. coli expression system. 

PMID- 24228887
TI  - Spliceosomal introns in the 5' untranslated region of plant BTL RING-H2 ubiquitin
      ligases are evolutionary conserved and required for gene expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Introns located close to the 5' end of a gene or in the 5'
      untranslated region often exert positive effects on gene expression. This effect,
      known as intron-mediated enhancement (IME), has been observed in diverse
      eukaryotic organisms, including plants. The sequences involved in IME seem to be
      spread across the intron and function in an additive manner. The IMEter algorithm
      was developed to predict plant introns that may enhance gene expression. We have
      identified several plant members of the BTL class of E3s, which may have
      orthologs across eukaryotes, that contain a 5'UTR intron. The RING finger E3
      ligases are key enzymes of the ubiquitination system that mediate the transfer of
      ubiquitin to substrates. RESULTS: In this study, we retrieved BTL sequences from
      several angiosperm species and found that 5'UTR introns showing a strong IMEter
      score were predicted, suggesting that they may be conserved by lineage. Promoter
      GUS fusion lines were used to confirm the IME effect of these 5'UTR introns on
      gene expression. IMEter scores of BTLs were compared with the 5'UTR introns of
      two gene families MHX and polyubiquitin genes. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis performed in
      two Arabidopsis BTL E3 ligases genes indicated that the 5'UTR introns were
      essential for gene expression in all the tissues tested. Comparison of the
      average 5'UTR intron size on three gene families in ten angiosperm species
      suggests that a prevalent size for a 5'UTR intron is in the range of 600
      nucleotides, and that the overall IMEter score within a gene family is preserved
      across several angiosperms. Our results indicated that gene expression dependent
      on a 5'UTR intron is an efficient regulatory mechanism in BTL E3 ligases that has
      been preserved throughout plant evolution.

PMID- 24228888
TI  - Revision and extension of Eco-LCA metrics for sustainability assessment of the
      energy and chemical processes.
AB  - Ecologically based life cycle assessment (Eco-LCA) is an appealing approach for
      the evaluation of resources utilization and environmental impacts of the process
      industries from an ecological scale. However, the aggregated metrics of Eco-LCA
      suffer from some drawbacks: the environmental impact metric has limited
      applicability; the resource utilization metric ignores indirect consumption; the
      renewability metric fails to address the quantitative distinction of resources
      availability; the productivity metric seems self-contradictory. In this paper,
      the existing Eco-LCA metrics are revised and extended for sustainability
      assessment of the energy and chemical processes. A new Eco-LCA metrics system is
      proposed, including four independent dimensions: environmental impact, resource
      utilization, resource availability, and economic effectiveness. An illustrative
      example of comparing assessment between a gas boiler and a solar boiler process
      provides insight into the features of the proposed approach. 

PMID- 24228889
TI  - Section 3. A discussion of flexible dosing and patient-centered therapy:
      highlights of the asthma summit 2009: beyond the guidelines.
AB  - Despite positive clinical experience and the published clinical benefits of
      monotherapy with low-or medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids or combination
      therapy with ICS + long-acting beta-agonist to treat asthma, many patients remain
      suboptimally controlled. Alternative approaches are needed, and 3 options that
      have had some success are: 1) using the patient's level of inflammation by
      established biomarkers to set treatment; 2) self-management incorporating
      flexible dosing; and 3) using a single inhaler for rescue and maintenance
      therapy. Which strategy for which patient depends ultimately on the individual
      patient's disease burden, life-style, comorbidities, preferences, and his or her
      ability to self-manage the disease, including assessing symptoms and adhering
      with therapy. 

PMID- 24228890
TI  - A qualitative study of legal and social justice needs for people with aphasia.
AB  - This paper presents an exploratory investigation of situations in which people
      with aphasia may be vulnerable to legal and access to justice issues. The study
      used a qualitative descriptive approach to analyse 167 de-identified
      transcriptions of previously collected interviews, with 50 participants with mild
      to-severe aphasia following stroke, 48 family members, and their treating speech
      language pathologists. Situations experienced by people with aphasia and their
      family members were coded using key-word searches based on the previously
      published framework developed by Ellison and colleagues to describe situations of
      vulnerability to legal and access to justice needs for older people. Health and
      financial and consumer situations were most frequently identified in the data.
      Additionally, there were a number of situations found specifically relating to
      people with aphasia involving their signatures and credit card use. Instances of
      discrimination and abuse were also identified, and, although infrequent, these
      issues point to the profound impact of aphasia on the ability to complain and,
      hence, to ensure rights to care are upheld. The findings of this study are
      consistent with previous research in suggesting that legal and access to justice
      needs are an important issue for people with aphasia and their families.

PMID- 24228891
TI  - Research priorities for child and adolescent physical activity and sedentary
      behaviours: an international perspective using a twin-panel Delphi procedure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quantity and quality of studies in child and adolescent physical
      activity and sedentary behaviour have rapidly increased, but research directions
      are often pursued in a reactive and uncoordinated manner. AIM: To arrive at an
      international consensus on research priorities in the area of child and
      adolescent physical activity and sedentary behaviour. METHODS: Two independent
      panels, each consisting of 12 experts, undertook three rounds of a Delphi
      methodology. The Delphi methodology required experts to anonymously answer
      questions put forward by the researchers with feedback provided between each
      round. RESULTS: The primary outcome of the study was a ranked set of 29 research
      priorities that aimed to be applicable for the next 10 years. The top three
      ranked priorities were: developing effective and sustainable interventions to
      increase children's physical activity long-term; policy and/or environmental
      change and their influence on children's physical activity and sedentary
      behaviour; and prospective, longitudinal studies of the independent effects of
      physical activity and sedentary behaviour on health. CONCLUSIONS: These research
      priorities can help to guide decisions on future research directions.

PMID- 24228892
TI  - Improving global health governance to combat counterfeit medicines: a proposal
      for a UNODC-WHO-Interpol trilateral mechanism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perhaps no greater challenge exists for public health, patient
      safety, and shared global health security, than fake/falsified/fraudulent, poor
      quality unregulated drugs, also commonly known as "counterfeit medicines", now
      endemic in the global drug supply chain. Counterfeit medicines are prevalent
      everywhere, from traditional healthcare settings to unregulated sectors,
      including the Internet. These dangerous medicines are expanding in both
      therapeutic and geographic scope, threatening patient lives, leading to
      antimicrobial resistance, and profiting criminal actors. DISCUSSION: Despite
      clear global public health threats, surveillance for counterfeit medicines
      remains extremely limited, with available data pointing to an increasing global
      criminal trade that has yet to be addressed appropriately. Efforts by a variety
      of public and private sector entities, national governments, and international
      organizations have made inroads in combating this illicit trade, but are stymied
      by ineffectual governance and divergent interests. Specifically, recent efforts
      by the World Health Organization, the primary international public health agency,
      have failed to adequately incorporate the broad array of stakeholders necessary
      to combat the problem. This has left the task of combating counterfeit medicines
      to other organizations such as UN Office of Drugs and Crime and Interpol in order
      to fill this policy gap. SUMMARY: To address the current failure of the
      international community to mobilize against the worldwide counterfeit medicines
      threat, we recommend the establishment of an enhanced global health governance
      trilateral mechanism between WHO, UNODC, and Interpol to leverage the respective
      strengths and resources of these organizations. This would allow these critical
      organizations, already engaged in the fight against counterfeit medicines, to
      focus on and coordinate their respective domains of transnational crime
      prevention, public health, and law enforcement field operations. Specifically, by
      forming a global partnership that focuses on combating the transnational criminal
      and patient safety elements of this pre-eminent global health problem, there can
      be progress against counterfeit drugs and their purveyors.

PMID- 24228895
TI  - Molecular dynamics simulations of the protonated G4 PAMAM dendrimer in an ionic
      liquid system.
AB  - Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out for the ionic liquid system
      constituted by totally protonated PAMAM-EDA cations and Tf2N(-) anions. The
      conformational characteristics of the PMAM dendrimer (particularly the density
      profile around the dendrimer center) are compared with those obtained for the
      same dendrimer in water. We also investigate other features, such as the location
      of anions relative to the dendrimer molecules, and the interpenetration of the
      dendrimer cations in the ionic liquid system. It is shown that a substantial
      amount of anions are present in the outer part of the dendrimer, screening
      repulsive contacts between different cation molecules and favoring ionic
      conductivity. Dendrimer cations in the ionic liquid exhibit a significant degree
      of overlap. 

PMID- 24228896
TI  - The structures of salicylate surfactants with long alkyl chains in non-aqueous
      media.
AB  - The self-assembled structures formed by alkyl salicylate surfactants, as a
      function of metal headgroup counterion, in dodecane and toluene have been
      investigated. Results from optical microscopy are combined with small angle
      neutron scattering to show that moisture in the organic phase can have a dramatic
      effect on the observed structures. A simple acidic cation produces a cluster of
      surfactant chains irrespective of the oil type or presence of water. However,
      systems with an alkali metal counterion (potassium or sodium) result in
      cylindrical micelles in dry dodecane changing to lamellar structures in the wet
      case and fuzzy spheres in dry toluene changing to bidisperse emulsions with the
      presence of water. However, if magnesium or calcium counterions are used, this
      leads to different structures, depending on the oil type and the presence of
      moisture. 

PMID- 24228894
TI  - Effect of oral nitrates on pulse pressure and arterial elasticity in patients
      aged over 65 years with refractory isolated systolic hypertension: study protocol
      for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Isolated systolic hypertension is a highly prevalent disease among
      the elderly. The little available evidence on the efficacy of nitrates for
      treating the disease is based on small experimental studies. METHODS/DESIGN: We
      performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase III, placebo-controlled
      trial in 154 patients aged over 65 years with refractory isolated systolic
      hypertension. Patients were randomized to placebo or 40 mg/day of extended
      release isosorbide mononitrate added to standard therapy and titrated to 60
      mg/day at week 6 if blood pressure exceeded 140/90 mmHg.The primary objective was
      to assess the effect on clinical pulse pressure of extended-release isosorbide
      mononitrate added to standard therapy in patients aged over 65 years with
      refractory isolated systolic hypertension after 3 months of treatment.The
      secondary objectives were as follows: to quantify the effect of adding the study
      drug on central blood pressure and vascular compliance using the augmentation
      index and pulse wave velocity; to evaluate the safety profile by recording
      adverse effects (frequency, type, severity) and the percentage of patients who
      had to withdraw from the trial because of adverse events; to quantify the
      percentage of patients who reach a clinical systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg or
      <130 mmHg measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring; and to quantify the
      change in pulse pressure measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
      DISCUSSION: Few clinical trials have been carried out to test the effect of oral
      nitrates on isolated systolic hypertension, even though these agents seem to be
      effective. Treatment with extended-release isosorbide mononitrate could improve
      control of systolic blood pressure without severe side effects, thus helping to
      reduce the morbidity and mortality of the disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EUDRACT
      Number: 2012-002988-10.

PMID- 24228897
TI  - Improved synthesis of carbon-clad silica stationary phases.
AB  - Previously, we described a novel method for cladding elemental carbon onto the
      surface of catalytically activated silica by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
      method using hexane as the carbon source and its use as a substitute for carbon
      clad zirconia.1,2 In that method, we showed that very close to exactly one
      uniform monolayer of Al (III) was deposited on the silica by a process analogous
      to precipitation from homogeneous solution in order to preclude pore blockage.
      The purpose of the Al(III) monolayer is to activate the surface for subsequent
      CVD of carbon. In this work, we present an improved procedure for preparing the
      carbon-clad silica (denoted CCSi) phases along with a new column packing process.
      The new method yields CCSi phases having better efficiency, peak symmetry, and
      higher retentivity compared to carbon-clad zirconia. The enhancements were
      achieved by modifying the original procedure in three ways: First, the kinetics
      of the deposition of Al(III) were more stringently controlled. Second, the CVD
      chamber was flushed with a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen gas during the carbon
      cladding process to minimize generation of polar sites by oxygen incorporation.
      Third, the fine particles generated during the CVD process were exhaustively
      removed by flotation in an appropriate solvent. 

PMID- 24228898
TI  - Formation of functionalized 2H-azirines through PhIO-mediated
      trifluoroethoxylation and azirination of enamines.
AB  - A variety of enaminones and enamine carboxylic esters were converted to
      trifluoroethoxylated 2H-azirines through reactions with PhIO in trifluoroethanol
      (TFE). The cascade reaction is postulated to proceed via a PhIO-mediated
      oxidative trifluoroethoxylation and a subsequent azirination of the alpha
      trifluoroethoxylated enamine intermediates. 

PMID- 24228899
TI  - Stereoselective tandem cascade furan cycloadditions.
AB  - Oligofurans linked by a rigid tether undergo tandem cycloaddition reactions with
      high stereoselectivity. The reaction of bisfurans with dimethyl
      acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) involves tandem [4 + 2]/[4 + 2] cycloadditions in a
      pincer mode. The reaction of oligofurans with arynes involves stereoselective
      tandem [4 + 2]/[4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions in a domino mode. The
      corresponding aryne adducts have been transformed into extended perylene
      derivatives by deoxygenation and aromatization with HCl/EtOH. 

PMID- 24228902
TI  - Identification and partial characterization of midgut proteases in the lesser
      mulberry pyralid, Glyphodes pyloalis.
AB  - Proteolytic activities in digestive system extracts from the larval midgut of the
      lesser mulberry pyralid, Glyphodes pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), were
      analyzed using different specific peptide substrates and proteinase inhibitors.
      High proteolytic activities were found at pH 10.0 and a temperature of 50 degrees
      C using azocasein as substrate. The trypsin was active in the pH range of 9.5-
      12.0, with its maximum activity at pH 11.5. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid had
      the most inhibitory effect, and 44% inhibition was detected in the presence of
      this inhibitor. Phenyl methane sulfonyl floride and N-tosyl-L-phe chloromethyl
      ketone also showed considerable inhibition of larval azocaseinolytic activity,
      with 40.2 and 35.1% inhibition respectively. These data suggest that the midgut
      of larvae contains mainly metalloproteases and serine proteases, mainly
      chymotrypsin. The effect of several metal ions on the activity of proteases
      showed that NaCl, CaCl2, CoCl2 (5 and 10 mM), and MnCl2 (5mM) reduced the
      protease activity. The kinetic parameters of trypsin-like proteases using N
      benzoyl-L-arg-p-nitroanilide as substrate indicated that the Km and Vmax values
      of trypsin in the alimentary canal were 50.5 +/- 2.0 uM and 116.06 +/- 1.96 nmol
      min(-1) mg(-1) protein, respectively. Inhibition assays showed only small amounts
      of cysteine proteases were present in the G. pyloalis digestive system. The
      midgut digestive protease system of G. pyloalis is as diverse as that of any of
      the other polyphagous lepidopteran insect species, and the midgut of larvae
      contains mainly metalloproteases. Moreover, serine proteases and chymotrypsin
      also play main roles in protein digestion. Characterization of the proteolytic
      properties of the digestive enzymes of G. pyloalis offers an opportunity for
      developing appropriate and effective pest management strategies via
      metalloproteases and chymotrypsin inhibitors.

PMID- 24228901
TI  - A daily glass of red wine associated with lifestyle changes independently
      improves blood lipids in patients with carotid arteriosclerosis: results from a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical exercise and a Mediterranean diet improve serum lipid
      profile. The present work studied whether red wine has an effect on top of a
      lipid-lowering lifestyle in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. METHODS: A
      prospective randomised unblinded trial was performed from 2009 to 2011 in 108
      patients with carotid atherosclerosis, 65% of whom were already on statin therapy
      with a low mean LDL of 104.9 mg/dl. Half of them were advised to follow a
      modified Mediterranean diet and to perform moderate physical exercise during 30
      min/day (lifestyle changes) for 20 weeks. Within these two groups half of the
      patients were randomised either to avoid any alcohol or to drink 100 ml of red
      wine (women) or 200 ml of red wine (men) daily. RESULTS: LDL was significantly
      lowered by 7% in the lifestyle-changes group compared to the no-lifestyle-changes
      group (p = 0.0296) after 20 weeks. Lifestyle changes lowered the LDL/HDL ratio
      after 20 weeks by 8% (p = 0.0242) and red wine independently by 13% (p = 0.0049).
      The effect on LDL/HDL ratio after 20 weeks was, however, more pronounced in the
      non-LC group. Total cholesterol (-6%; p = 0.0238) and triglycerides (-13%; p =
      0.0361) were lowered significantly by lifestyle changes after 20 weeks compared
      to the no-lifestyle-changes group. Lipoprotein (a) was not significantly affected
      by any intervention. The given results are per ITT analysis. CONCLUSIONS:
      Lifestyle changes including a modified Mediterranean diet and physical exercise
      as well as a glass of red wine daily improve independently the LDL/HDL ratio in
      patients with carotid arteriosclerosis even though the vast majority of them was
      already on statin therapy.

PMID- 24228903
TI  - Rates and mechanisms of Zn2+ adsorption on a meat and bonemeal biochar.
AB  - Biochars produced from meat and bonemeal (MBM) waste materials contain large
      amounts of calcium phosphate and are potentially useful sorbents for the
      remediation of metals. Because the reactivity of biochars depends strongly upon
      the conditions used in their production, the objective of this study was to
      evaluate the rates and mechanisms of Zn sorption onto a commercially supplied MBM
      biochar prior to its application in a field-scale revegetation project. Sorption
      experiments varying pH, time, and Zn concentration found that, above pH 6.1, Zn
      adsorbed to MBM biochar quickly (within 5 h) with a maximum adsorption capacity
      of 0.65 mmol Zn g(-1). Synchrotron-based Zn K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine
      structure spectroscopy was consistent with a tetrahedral Zn bound to phosphate
      groups in a monodentate inner-sphere surface complex for all conditions tested.
      With an acidification pretreatment and at more acidic pH, MBM biochar causes
      precipitation of a ZnPO4 phase. On the basis of these results, this MBM biochar
      has a high capacity to rapidly adsorb Zn in adsorption experiments and can be
      considered a promising sorbent for Zn remediation of contaminated soils. 

PMID- 24228904
TI  - Antimicrobial polycarbonates: investigating the impact of balancing charge and
      hydrophobicity using a same-centered polymer approach.
AB  - Biodegradable antimicrobial polymers are a promising solution for combating drug
      resistant microbes. When designing these materials, the balance between charge
      and hydrophobicity significantly affects the antimicrobial activity and
      selectivity toward microbes over mammalian cells. Furthermore, where the charge
      and hydrophobicity is located on the molecules has also proven to be significant.
      A series of antimicrobial homopolymer polycarbonates were synthesized, where the
      hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance was controlled by varying the spacer between the
      charged quaternary ammonium moiety and the polymer backbone (a "same-centered"
      structure where the hydrophobic moiety is directly attached to the charged
      moiety). These homopolymers were active against all microbes tested but depending
      on the spacer length some hemolytic activity was observed. To reduce the polymer
      hemolytic activity we systematically varied the polymer composition by
      copolymerizing the different monomers used in the "same center" homopolymers. By
      maintaining charge on each repeat unit but copolymerizing monomers having varied
      hydrophobic side chain lengths, polymers with high activity and selectivity were
      achieved. In addition, these macromolecules act via a membrane disruption
      mechanism, making them less likely to induce resistance. 

PMID- 24228900
TI  - So depression is an inflammatory disease, but where does the inflammation come
      from?
AB  - BACKGROUND: We now know that depression is associated with a chronic, low-grade
      inflammatory response and activation of cell-mediated immunity, as well as
      activation of the compensatory anti-inflammatory reflex system. It is similarly
      accompanied by increased oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS), which
      contribute to neuroprogression in the disorder. The obvious question this poses
      is 'what is the source of this chronic low-grade inflammation?' DISCUSSION: This
      review explores the role of inflammation and oxidative and nitrosative stress as
      possible mediators of known environmental risk factors in depression, and
      discusses potential implications of these findings. A range of factors appear to
      increase the risk for the development of depression, and seem to be associated
      with systemic inflammation; these include psychosocial stressors, poor diet,
      physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, altered gut permeability, atopy, dental
      cares, sleep and vitamin D deficiency. SUMMARY: The identification of known
      sources of inflammation provides support for inflammation as a mediating pathway
      to both risk and neuroprogression in depression. Critically, most of these
      factors are plastic, and potentially amenable to therapeutic and preventative
      interventions. Most, but not all, of the above mentioned sources of inflammation
      may play a role in other psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder,
      schizophrenia, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder.

PMID- 24228905
TI  - Perioperative blood transfusions and survival in patients with non-small cell
      lung cancer: a retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perioperative blood transfusions have been associated with poor
      clinical outcomes in the context of oncological surgery. Current literature is
      inconclusive whether blood transfusions are linked to shorter recurrence free and
      overall survival after lung cancer surgery. We hypothesize that blood
      transfusions in patients undergoing surgery for non-small cell lung cancer are
      associated with poor oncological survival. METHODS: After IRB approval,
      perioperative data from 636 patients who underwent lung cancer surgery was
      collected. Patients were evaluated for time to tumor recurrence and overall
      survival. RESULTS: 60 patients were transfused and 576 subjects were not.
      Patients who received transfusion were more likely to have more advanced disease
      (p = 0.018), and preoperative low hemoglobin concentrations (p < 0.0001) compared
      to non-transfused patients. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, blood
      transfusion was associated with a significant reduction in recurrence free
      survival (p = 0.025), HR: 1.55 (95% CI: 1.06-2.27) and overall survival (p =
      0.0002) HR: 2.04 (95% CI: 1.41-2.97). However, analysis after propensity score
      matching between the two groups revealed that the effect of blood transfusion was
      significant for reduction in overall survival (p = 0.0356), HR: 1.838 (95% CI:
      1.04-3.22) but not for recurrence free survival (p = 0.1460), HR: 1.493 (95% CI:
      0.87-2.56). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative administration of red blood cells appears
      be associated with a decreased overall survival but not recurrence free survival
      after lung cancer surgery. Our study has the limitations of a retrospective
      review. Hence, our results should be confirmed by a prospective randomized
      control trial.

PMID- 24228906
TI  - The CARE guidelines: consensus-based clinical case reporting guideline
      development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A case report is a narrative that describes, for medical, scientific,
      or educational purposes, a medical problem experienced by one or more patients.
      Case reports written without guidance from reporting standards are insufficiently
      rigorous to guide clinical practice or to inform clinical study design.Primary
      Objective. Develop, disseminate, and implement systematic reporting guidelines
      for case reports. METHODS: We used a three-phase consensus process consisting of
      (1) pre-meeting literature review and interviews to generate items for the
      reporting guidelines, (2) a face-to-face consensus meeting to draft the reporting
      guidelines, and (3) post-meeting feedback, review, and pilot testing, followed by
      finalization of the case report guidelines. RESULTS: This consensus process
      involved 27 participants and resulted in a 13-item checklist-a reporting
      guideline for case reports. The primary items of the checklist are title, key
      words, abstract, introduction, patient information, clinical findings, timeline,
      diagnostic assessment, therapeutic interventions, follow-up and outcomes,
      discussion, patient perspective, and informed consent. CONCLUSIONS: We believe
      the implementation of the CARE (CAse REport) guidelines by medical journals will
      improve the completeness and transparency of published case reports and that the
      systematic aggregation of information from case reports will inform clinical
      study design, provide early signals of effectiveness and harms, and improve
      healthcare delivery.

PMID- 24228907
TI  - Loss and growth: identity processes with distinct and complementary impacts on
      well-being among those living with chronic illness.
AB  - The diagnosis and treatment of any chronic illness are a major source of stress
      for most individuals. Although many individuals living with chronic illness
      report experiencing growth that arises from this experience, studies have
      revealed mixed results regarding the association between reported growth and
      other aspects of psychological well-being. This pilot study examines the
      complementary and buffering influences of self-growth on self-loss in perceptions
      of physical and mental health among individuals living with HIV (N = 60). The
      sample was comprised of a racially/ethnically diverse sample of men and women
      ranging in age from 27 to 62. Measures included impact of illness on Self-Concept
      Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey, the HIV Symptom Index, and
      the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Regression analyses were
      conducted to examine the impact of self-growth and self-loss on self-reported
      bothersome symptoms and depression, controlling for demographic covariates and
      physical health. Self-loss accounted for a significant proportion of variance in
      both bothersome symptom reports and depression, after controlling for physical
      health. In multivariate analysis, self-growth appeared to buffer the negative
      impact of self-loss on bothersome symptoms, but not on depression. These data
      suggest that self-loss is a critical construct in understanding adaptation to
      chronic illness, and that identity processes may influence symptom perception and
      mental health outcomes above and beyond the impact of traditional measures of
      health status.

PMID- 24228908
TI  - Rumen microbes and microbial protein synthesis in Thai native beef cattle fed
      with feed blocks supplemented with a urea-calcium sulphate mixture.
AB  - The influence of slow-release urea ( urea-calcium sulphate mixture; U-CaS) in
      feed blocks on rumen micro-organisms, predominant cellulolytic bacteria,
      microbial protein synthesis and ecology was studied in Thai native beef cattle.
      Four animals with an initial body weight of 100 +/- 3.0 kg were randomly assigned
      to a 4 * 4 Latin square design with four dietary treatments (U-CaS in iso
      nitrogen feed blocks at 0, 120, 150 and 180 g/kg dry matter (DM), respectively; U
      CaS replaced urea). After 21 days of experimental feeding, rumen fluid was
      collected at 0 and 4 h after feeding. The mean intake of feed blocks and other
      feedstuffs offered (rice straw and concentrates) amounted to 0.3, 2.3 and 0.6 kg
      DM/day, respectively. Inclusion of U-CaS did not altered pH and temperature in
      the rumen. However, ruminal NH3-N concentration decreased quadratically (p <
      0.05) in response to U-CaS inclusion, with the lowest value at 180 g U-CaS per kg
      feed block. With inclusion of U-CaS, the populations of rumen bacteria increased
      quadratically (p < 0.05) and counts of fungal zoospores were linearly enhanced (p
      < 0.05), being highest at 180 g U-CaS per kg feed block. Supplementation of U-CaS
      increased the concentration of total bacteria linearly (p < 0.05) and of
      Fibrobacter succinogenes quadratically (p < 0.05), whereas Ruminococcus
      flavefaciens and Ruminococcus albus were not affected by dietary treatments.
      Microbial crude protein yield and efficiency of microbial nitrogen (N) synthesis
      were linearly increased with different levels of U-CaS addition. Furthermore,
      current data clearly indicate that inclusion of U-CaS in feed blocks can affect
      micro-organism diversity and major cellulolytic bacteria.

PMID- 24228909
TI  - Effects of oregano on performance and immunmodulating factors in weaned piglets.
AB  - Many health effects can be attributed to the Mediterranean herb oregano (Origanum
      vulgare L.) and several studies demonstrated the improving effect on performance,
      changes in blood count, antibacterial, antifungal and immunmodulating abilities.
      The majority of these investigations were carried out with processed essential
      oil, while whole plant material was only used in a few studies. Thus, the aim of
      the present experiment was to test the effect of increasing proportions of dried
      oregano in piglet feed on health and performance, with a special focus on immune
      modulation. A total of 80 male castrated weaned piglets (body weight [BW] 7.9 kg
      +/- 1.0 kg) were used in a feeding experiment lasting 5 weeks. They were assigned
      to 4 experimental groups: a control diet, and three diets with an oregano
      supplementation at 2 g, 4 g and 8 g per kg feed, respectively, corresponding to
      23.5 mg, 46.9 mg and 93.9 mg carvacrol/kg DM. After 3 weeks, half of each group
      was challenged with 5 ug lipopolysaccharides (LPS) per kg BW. Blood samples were
      collected 2 h after LPS stimulation and analysed for T-cell phenotypes,
      granulocyte activity, clinical-chemistry as well as white and red blood count.
      The results indicate no effects of oregano on performance. In contrast, oregano
      altered the lymphocyte proportion and the ratio of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells as
      well as the triglyceride concentration in the serum of non-stimulated and in LPS
      stimulated piglets. In conclusion, whole plant supplementation of oregano to
      piglet feed altered immune-related parameters, but did not modulate the acute
      inflammatory response induced by LPS stimulation.

PMID- 24228910
TI  - Influence of dietary amino acid level on chemical body composition and
      performance of growing-finishing boars of two sire lines.
AB  - There is only little information available concerning the chemical body
      composition of growing-finishing boars. For that reason, a total of 26 entire
      male pigs (boars) of two different Pietrain sire lines were fed with different
      levels of dietary essential amino acids (EAA) and the influence of this treatment
      on performance and chemical body composition was evaluated. In addition, an
      initial group of eight boars (n = 4 per sire line) was slaughtered at
      approximately 21 kg live weight (LW). The other 26 boars were fed three different
      diets containing 11.5, 13.2 and 14.9 g lysine/kg during the grower period and
      9.0, 10.4, 11.7 g lysine/kg during the finisher period, respectively. Other EAA
      were added in relation to lysine (Lys: Met + Cys: Thr: Trp: Val = 1: 0.60: 0.65:
      0.18: 0.75). At a LW of approximately 122 kg these 26 boars (six groups with
      three to seven animals each) were also slaughtered. The effects of EAA level and
      sire line on fattening and slaughter performance was recorded, and body and
      weight gain composition were analysed. There were no significant effects of EAA
      level on performance or on chemical body composition. Boars sired with Pietrain
      line 1 demonstrated increased lean meat content and protein body content (p <
      0.05) as compared to Pietrain line 2-sired boars.

PMID- 24228911
TI  - Addition of citrus pulp and apple pomace in diets for dogs: influence on
      fermentation kinetics, digestion, faecal characteristics and bacterial
      populations.
AB  - Fermentation kinetics, digestibility, faecal characteristics and bacterial
      populations (aerobes, anaerobes, lactobacilli, lactic acid bacteria, enterococci,
      coliforms and clostridia) of dog food mixed with citrus pulp and apple pomace
      were evaluated. The in vitro gas production of a pre-digested dog food mixed with
      0, 30, 50 and 70 g/kg dry matter (DM) of citrus pulp or apple pomace was
      measured, and also an experiment with dogs fed the same dog food with or without
      the addition of 70 g/kg of either fresh citrus pulp or apple pomace was
      conducted. Gas production increased linearly (p < 0.001) and quadratically (p <
      0.001) as fibre levels augmented. The inclusion of fibre sources in the diets
      resulted in higher faecal output (p =0.005) and defecation frequency (p < 0.001),
      and lower faecal pH (p < 0.001) and digestibility values (p < 0.01). Faecal
      consistencies and microbial populations did not differ among treatments. The
      addition of fresh citrus and apple was effective to stimulate the hindgut
      fermentation, but slightly depressed the digestion.

PMID- 24228912
TI  - The regulatory effects of resistant starch on glycaemic response in obese dogs.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the inhibitory effects of resistant
      starch on postprandial glycaemic response in obese dogs. The changes in blood
      glucose concentrations and glycaemic index (GI) were chronologically determined
      after the administration of resistant and normal starches by nasal feeding.
      Resistant starch contained indigestible dextrin (IDD) and beta-cyclic dextrin
      (beta-CD). Soluble starch (SS) served as a control starch. Glucose concentrations
      reached their maximum 15 min after the administration of SS solutions, and
      decreased gradually during the experimental period. In contrast, after the
      administration of IDD solutions, increased glucose concentrations rapidly
      decreased to the initial values. After the administration of beta-CD solutions,
      glucose concentrations remained unchanged during this study. GI levels remained
      constant in the following order: beta-CD < IDD < SS. GI levels of dogs receiving
      IDD and beta-CD solutions were significantly lower as compared with those animals
      receiving SS solutions. In this study, nasal tube feeding was an effective method
      for evaluating glycaemic responses to various starches accurately. The present
      data revealed that resistant starches were useful materials in controlling
      nutritionally glucose concentrations in obese dogs. These results raise the
      possibility that resistant starches are valuable for dietetic treatment of
      diabetes and obesity in dogs.

PMID- 24228916
TI  - Contribution of psychological trauma to outcomes after traumatic brain injury:
      assaults versus sporting injuries.
AB  - Clinical research into outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently
      combines injuries that have been sustained through different causes (e.g., car
      accidents, assaults, and falls), the effect of which is not well understood. This
      study examined the contribution of injury-related psychological trauma-which is
      more commonly associated with specific types of injuries-to outcomes after
      nonpenetrating TBI in order to determine whether it may be having a differential
      effect in samples containing mixed injuries. Data from three groups that were
      prospectively recruited for two larger studies were compared: one that sustained
      a TBI as a result of physical assaults (i.e., psychologically traumatizing) and
      another as a result of sporting injuries (i.e., nonpsychologically traumatizing),
      as well as an orthopedic control group (OC). Psychosocial and emotional
      (postconcussion symptoms, injury-related stress, and depression), cognitive
      (memory, abstract reasoning, problem solving, and verbal fluency), and functional
      (general outcome; resumption of home, social, and work roles) outcomes were all
      assessed. The TBI(assault) group reported significantly poorer psychosocial and
      emotional outcomes and higher rates of litigation (criminal rather than civil)
      than both the TBI(sport) and OC groups approximately 6 months postinjury, but
      there were no differences in the cognitive or functional outcomes of the three
      groups. The findings suggest that the cause of a TBI may assist in explaining
      some of the differences in outcomes of people who have seemingly comparable
      injuries. Involvement in litigation and the cause of an injury may also be
      confounded, which may lead to the erroneous conclusion that litigants have poorer
      outcomes.

PMID- 24228917
TI  - Bacteria and phenoptosis.
AB  - Genetically programmed death of an organism, or phenoptosis, can be found not
      only in animals and plants, but also in bacteria. Taking into account
      intrapopulational relations identified in bacteria, it is easy to imagine the
      importance of phenoptosis in the regulation of a multicellular bacterial
      community in the real world of its existence. For example, autolysis of part of
      the population limits the spread of viral infection. Destruction of cells with
      damaged DNA contributes to the maintenance of low level of mutations. Phenoptosis
      can facilitate the exchange of genetic information in a bacterial population as a
      result of release of DNA from lysed cells. Bacteria use a special "language" to
      transmit signals in a population; it is used for coordinated regulation of gene
      expression. This special type of regulation of bacterial gene expression is
      usually active at high densities of bacteria populations, and it was named
      "quorum sensing" (QS). Different molecules can be used for signaling purposes.
      Phenoptosis, which is carried out by toxin-antitoxin systems, was found to depend
      on the density of the population; it requires a QS factor, which is called the
      extracellular death factor. The study of phenoptosis in bacteria is of great
      practical importance. The components that make up the systems ensuring the
      programmed cell death, including QS factor, may be used for the development of
      drugs that will activate mechanisms of phenoptosis and promote the destruction of
      pathogenic bacteria. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the genes
      encoding several key enzymes involved in apoptosis of eukaryotes, such as
      paracaspases and metacaspases, apoptotic ATPases, proteins containing NACHT
      leucine-rich repeat, and proteases similar to mitochondrial HtrA-like protease,
      have homologs in bacteria. Proteomics techniques have allowed for the first time
      to identify the proteins formed during phenoptosis that participate in orderly
      liquidation of Streptomyces coelicolor and Escherichia coli cells. Among these
      proteins enzymes have been found that are involved in the degradation of cellular
      macromolecules, regulatory proteins, and stress-induced proteins. Future studies
      involving methods of biochemistry, genetics, genomics, proteomics,
      transcriptomics, and metabolomics should support a better understanding of the
      "mystery" of bacterial programmed cell death; this knowledge might be used to
      control bacterial populations. 

PMID- 24228918
TI  - Arguments against non-programmed aging theories.
AB  - Until recently, non-programmed theories of biological aging were popular because
      of the widespread perception that the evolution process could not support the
      development and retention of programmed aging in mammals. However, newer
      evolutionary mechanics theories including group selection, kin selection, and
      evolvability theory support mammal programmed aging, and multiple programmed
      aging theories have been published based on the new mechanics. Some proponents of
      non-programmed aging still contend that their non-programmed theories are
      superior despite the new mechanics concepts. However, as summarized here,
      programmed theories provide a vastly better fit to empirical evidence and do not
      suffer from multiple implausible assumptions that are required by non-programmed
      theories. This issue is important because programmed theories suggest very
      different mechanisms for the aging process and therefore different mechanisms
      behind highly age-related diseases and conditions such as cancer, heart disease,
      and stroke. 

PMID- 24228919
TI  - Perspectives of mitochondrial medicine.
AB  - Mitochondrial medicine was established more than 50 years ago after discovery of
      the very first pathology caused by impaired mitochondria. Since then, more than
      100 mitochondrial pathologies have been discovered. However, the number may be
      significantly higher if we interpret the term "mitochondrial medicine" more
      widely and include in these pathologies not only those determined by the genetic
      apparatus of the nucleus and mitochondria, but also acquired mitochondrial
      defects of non-genetic nature. Now the main problems of mitochondriology arise
      from methodology, this being due to studies of mitochondrial activities under
      different models and conditions that are far from the functioning of mitochondria
      in a cell, organ, or organism. Controversial behavior of mitochondria ("friends
      and foes") to some extent might be explained by their bacterial origin with
      possible preservation of "egoistic" features peculiar to bacteria. Apparently,
      for normal mitochondrial functioning it is essential to maintain homeostasis of a
      number of mitochondrial elements such as mitochondrial DNA structure, membrane
      potential, and the system of mitochondrial quality control. Abrogation of these
      elements can cause a number of pathologies that have become subjects of
      mitochondrial medicine. Some approaches to therapy of mitochondrial pathologies
      are discussed. 

PMID- 24228920
TI  - Fatal "triad": lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and phenoptosis.
AB  - Negative factors, such as the "magnificent" five that includes alcoholism,
      smoking, unhealthy food, lack of movement, and negative emotions, accompany a
      person almost from birth and trigger powerful internal biochemical reactions
      leading to disastrous consequences. Those new deleterious reactions force the
      organism to mobilize all of its internal reserves to neutralize, at least
      temporarily, the destructive effects of these negative factors. As a result of
      this continuous struggle for survival, body parts degenerate, starting from
      connective tissue protein molecules to entire newly formed organs (such as
      adipose tissue). Today we can state with certainty that the reason for the
      majority of widespread pathologies causing premature aging and death, such as
      atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension, is exactly those external negative
      factors that a person voluntary introduces into their life. However, the margin
      of safety that Nature enclosed in the human body is really amazing, allowing
      light-minded and self-destructive people to live up to 60 years and longer. It is
      quite possible that the lifespan will increase up to 100 years and more if a
      person stops destroying themself with negative emotions and bad habits, including
      unhealthy food and overeating. This article examines possible interconnection
      between unhealthy overeating and the theory of programmed aging and phenoptosis. 

PMID- 24228921
TI  - Phenoptosis as genetically determined aging influenced by signals from the
      environment.
AB  - Aging is a complex and not well understood process. Two opposite concepts try to
      explain its causes and mechanisms - programmed aging and aging of "wear and tear"
      (stochastic aging). To date, much evidence has been obtained that contradicts the
      theories of aging as being due to accumulation of various damages. For example,
      creation of adequate conditions for the functioning of the organism's components
      (appropriate microenvironment, humoral background, etc.) has been shown to cause
      partial or complete reversibility of signs of its aging. Programmed aging and
      death of an organism can be termed phenoptosis by analogy to the term apoptosis
      for programmed cell death (this term was first suggested by V. P. Skulachev). The
      necessity of this phenomenon, since A. Weismann, has been justified by the need
      for population renewal according to ecological and evolutionary requirements.
      Species-specific lifespan, age-dependent changes in expression pattern of genes,
      etc. are compatible with the concept of phenoptosis. However, the intraspecific
      rate of aging was shown to vary over of a wide range depending on living
      conditions. This means that the "aging program" is not set rigidly; it
      sensitively adjusts an individual to the specific realities of its habitat.
      Moreover, there are indications that in rather severe conditions of natural
      habitat the aging program can be completely cancelled, as the need for it
      disappears because of the raised mortality from external causes (high extrinsic
      mortality), providing fast turnover of the population. 

PMID- 24228922
TI  - Effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 on programmed cell death induced
      by viral proteins in tobacco plants.
AB  - Programmed cell death (PCD) is the main defense mechanism in plants to fight
      various pathogens including viruses. The best-studied example of virus-induced
      PCD in plants is Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-elicited hypersensitive response in
      tobacco plants containing the N resistance gene. It was previously reported that
      the animal mitochondrial protein Bcl-xL, which lacks a homolog in plants,
      effectively suppresses plant PCD induced by TMV p50 - the elicitor of
      hypersensitive response in Nicotiana tabacum carrying the N gene. Our studies
      show that the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 effectively suppresses p50
      induced PCD in tobacco plants. On the other hand, SkQ1 did not affect Poa
      semilatent virus TGB3-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, which is followed by
      PCD, in Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells. These data suggest that
      mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 can be used to study molecular mechanisms
      of PCD suppression in plants. 

PMID- 24228923
TI  - Post-reproductive life span and demographic stability.
AB  - Recent field studies suggest that it is common in nature for animals to outlive
      their reproductive viability. Post-reproductive life span has been observed in a
      broad range of vertebrate and invertebrate species. But post-reproductive life
      span poses a paradox for traditional theories of life history evolution. The
      commonly cited explanation is the "grandmother hypothesis", which applies only to
      higher, social mammals. We propose that post-reproductive life span evolves to
      stabilize predator-prey population dynamics, avoiding local extinctions. In the
      absence of senescence, juveniles would be the most susceptible age class. If
      juveniles are the first to disappear when predation pressure is high, this
      amplifies the population's risk of extinction. A class of older, senescent
      individuals can help shield the juveniles from predation, stabilizing
      demographics and avoiding extinction. If, in addition, the life history is
      arranged so that the older individuals are no longer fertile, the stabilizing
      effect is further enhanced. 

PMID- 24228924
TI  - Evidence for aging theories from the study of a hunter-gatherer people (Ache of
      Paraguay).
AB  - In the late seventies, a small tribal population of Paraguay, the Ache, living
      under natural conditions, was studied. Data from this population turn out to be
      useful for considerations about evolutionary hypotheses on the aging phenomenon.
      1) Ache show an age-related increasing mortality, which strongly limits the mean
      duration of life, as observed in other studies on mammal and bird species. 2)
      According to current theories on aging, in the wild very few or no individual
      reach old age and, so, aging cannot be directly influenced by natural selection.
      However, data from our population show that a significant proportion of the
      population reaches in the wild 60 and 70 years of age. 3) Data from Ache are also
      in agreement with the observation about an inverse correlation between extrinsic
      mortality and deaths due to the age-related increasing mortality. 4) For many
      gerontologists, the age-related decline of vital functions is a consequence of
      the gradual decline of cell turnover, genetically determined and regulated by the
      declining duplication capacities of stem cells. The current interpretation is
      that these restrictions are a general defense against the proliferation of any
      tumoral mass. However, among wild Ache cancer is virtually unknown in non-elderly
      subjects, and only among older individuals are there deaths attributable to
      oncological diseases. Moreover, fitness decline begins long before oncological
      diseases have fatal effects in significant numbers. This completely disproves the
      current hypothesis, because a supposed defense against a deadly disease cannot
      exterminate a population before the disease begins to kill. These data are
      consistent with similar data from other species studied under natural conditions,
      and they bring new arguments against the non-adaptive interpretation of aging and
      in support of the adaptive interpretation. 

PMID- 24228925
TI  - Age fluctuations in mortality of mice with mutation causing growth retardation.
AB  - Lifespan of mice over a number of consecutive generations of descendants of a
      male with a mutation causing growth retardation was studied. The mutant and
      normally developing (normal) mice were obtained by crossbreeding of mutant males
      with normal females from the same brood. The mutant females were infertile.
      Mortality of the mutant and normal mice was shown to fluctuate depending on age.
      The curve of dependence of lifespan on their serial number in a series of
      lifespan increase (mortality rank curve) had the form of evident steps for the
      mutant mice, while in normal mice this feature was less pronounced. These steps
      indicate that in the course of development of mice stages with low mortality are
      alternately replaced by stages with increased mortality. One month after birth,
      the first stage of stable development of mutant males and females is replaced by
      a stage with abnormally high mortality, which coincides with the period of their
      maximal backlog in weight compared to the normal animals. Within two months,
      surviving mutants catch up in weight with normally developing mice and externally
      become indistinguishable from them. The steps are reproduced on mortality rank
      curves in mutant and normal mice, both in groups of mice of different sexes and
      in parallel same-sex groups. The observed phenomenon is interpreted within the
      hypothesis of a genetic aging program in mice that provides periodic changes when
      stages of great viability are followed by stages of increased sensitivity to the
      external risk factors causing death. Less-expressed steps on mortality rank
      curves of normal females were shown to be enhanced by the removal from the sample
      of parous females and animals with tumors. Results of the study indicate the
      possibility of detecting in humans of ontogenesis-programmed stages of high and
      low sensitivity to external influences and the prospect of the development of
      effective measures to prevent risks of premature death. 

PMID- 24228926
TI  - Advanced glycation of cellular proteins as a possible basic component of the
      "master biological clock".
AB  - During the last decade, evidence has been accumulating supporting the hypothesis
      that aging is genetically programmed and, therefore, precisely timed. This
      hypothesis poses a question: what is the mechanism of the biological clock that
      controls aging? Measuring the level of the advanced glycation end products (AGE)
      is one of the possible principles underlying the functioning of the biological
      clock. Protein glycation is an irreversible, non-enzymatic, and relatively slow
      process. Moreover, many types of cells have receptors that can measure AGE level.
      We propose the existence of a protein that has a lifespan comparable to that of
      the whole organism. Interaction of the advanced glycation end product generated
      from this protein with a specific AGE receptor might initiate apoptosis in a
      vitally important non-regenerating tissue that produces a primary juvenile
      hormone. This could result in the age-dependent decrease in the level of this
      hormone leading to aging of the organism. 

PMID- 24228927
TI  - How does the body know how old it is? Introducing the epigenetic clock
      hypothesis.
AB  - Animals and plants have biological clocks that help to regulate circadian cycles,
      seasonal rhythms, growth, development, and sexual maturity. It is reasonable to
      suspect that the timing of senescence is also influenced by one or more
      biological clocks. Evolutionary reasoning first articulated by G. Williams
      suggests that multiple, redundant clocks might influence organismal aging. Some
      aging clocks that have been proposed include the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the
      hypothalamus, involution of the thymus, and cellular senescence. Cellular
      senescence, mediated by telomere attrition, is in a class by itself, having
      recently been validated as a primary regulator of aging. Gene expression is known
      to change in characteristic ways with age, and in particular DNA methylation
      changes in age-related ways. Herein, I propose a new candidate for an aging
      clock, based on epigenetics and the state of chromosome methylation, particularly
      in stem cells. If validated, this mechanism would present a challenging target
      for medical intervention. 

PMID- 24228928
TI  - Telomere biology: cancer firewall or aging clock?
AB  - It has been a decade since the first surprising discovery that longer telomeres
      in humans are statistically associated with longer life expectancies. Since then,
      it has been firmly established that telomere shortening imposes an individual
      fitness cost in a number of mammalian species, including humans. But telomere
      shortening is easily avoided by application of telomerase, an enzyme which is
      coded into nearly every eukaryotic genome, but whose expression is suppressed
      most of the time. This raises the question how the sequestration of telomerase
      might have evolved. The predominant assumption is that in higher organisms,
      shortening telomeres provide a firewall against tumor growth. A more
      straightforward interpretation is that telomere attrition provides an aging
      clock, reliably programming lifespans. The latter hypothesis is routinely
      rejected by most biologists because the benefit of programmed lifespan applies
      only to the community, and in fact the individual pays a substantial fitness
      cost. There is a long-standing skepticism that the concept of fitness can be
      applied on a communal level, and of group selection in general. But the cancer
      hypothesis is problematic as well. Animal studies indicate that there is a net
      fitness cost in sequestration of telomerase, even when cancer risk is lowered.
      The hypothesis of protection against cancer has never been tested in animals that
      actually limit telomerase expression, but only in mice, whose lifespans are not
      telomerase-limited. And human medical evidence suggests a net aggravation of
      cancer risk from the sequestration of telomerase, because cells with short
      telomeres are at high risk of neoplastic transformation, and they also secrete
      cytokines that exacerbate inflammation globally. The aging clock hypothesis fits
      well with what is known about ancestral origins of telomerase sequestration, and
      the prejudices concerning group selection are without merit. If telomeres are an
      aging clock, then telomerase makes an attractive target for medical technologies
      that seek to expand the human life- and health-spans. 

PMID- 24228929
TI  - Studies that shed new light on aging.
AB  - I will first discuss how all aging models that assume that the aged cell has
      irreversibly lost its youthful capabilities through such mechanisms as
      accumulated dysfunction, accumulated damage, and/or accumulation of toxic
      byproducts of metabolism have been shown to be incorrect. I will then briefly
      discuss models of aging and propose an experiment that would distinguish between
      those models and provide a basis for organismic rejuvenation. 

PMID- 24228930
TI  - High spatial and temporal resolution retrospective cine cardiovascular magnetic
      resonance from shortened free breathing real-time acquisitions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is challenging in
      patients who cannot perform repeated breath holds. Real-time, free-breathing
      acquisition is an alternative, but image quality is typically inferior. There is
      a clinical need for techniques that achieve similar image quality to the
      segmented cine using a free breathing acquisition. Previously, high quality
      retrospectively gated cine images have been reconstructed from real-time
      acquisitions using parallel imaging and motion correction. These methods had
      limited clinical applicability due to lengthy acquisitions and volumetric
      measurements obtained with such methods have not previously been evaluated
      systematically. METHODS: This study introduces a new retrospective reconstruction
      scheme for real-time cine imaging which aims to shorten the required acquisition.
      A real-time acquisition of 16-20s per acquired slice was inputted into a
      retrospective cine reconstruction algorithm, which employed non-rigid
      registration to remove respiratory motion and SPIRiT non-linear reconstruction
      with temporal regularization to fill in missing data. The algorithm was used to
      reconstruct cine loops with high spatial (1.3-1.8 * 1.8-2.1 mm2) and temporal
      resolution (retrospectively gated, 30 cardiac phases, temporal resolution 34.3 +/
      9.1 ms). Validation was performed in 15 healthy volunteers using two different
      acquisition resolutions (256 * 144/192 * 128 matrix sizes). For each subject, 9
      to 12 short axis and 3 long axis slices were imaged with both segmented and real
      time acquisitions. The retrospectively reconstructed real-time cine images were
      compared to a traditional segmented breath-held acquisition in terms of image
      quality scores. Image quality scoring was performed by two experts using a scale
      between 1 and 5 (poor to good). For every subject, LAX and three SAX slices were
      selected and reviewed in the random order. The reviewers were blinded to the
      reconstruction approach and acquisition protocols and scores were given to
      segmented and retrospective cine series. Volumetric measurements of cardiac
      function were also compared by manually tracing the myocardium for segmented and
      retrospective cines. RESULTS: Mean image quality scores were similar for short
      axis and long axis views for both tested resolutions. Short axis scores were
      4.52/4.31 (high/low matrix sizes) for breath-hold vs. 4.54/4.56 for real-time
      (paired t-test, P = 0.756/0.011). Long axis scores were 4.09/4.37 vs. 3.99/4.29
      (P = 0.475/0.463). Mean ejection fraction was 60.8/61.4 for breath-held
      acquisitions vs. 60.3/60.3 for real-time acquisitions (P = 0.439/0.093). No
      significant differences were seen in end-diastolic volume (P = 0.460/0.268) but
      there was a trend towards a small overestimation of end-systolic volume of
      2.0/2.5 ml, which did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.052/0.083).
      CONCLUSIONS: Real-time free breathing CMR can be used to obtain high quality
      retrospectively gated cine images in 16-20s per slice. Volumetric measurements
      and image quality scores were similar in images from breath-held segmented and
      free breathing, real-time acquisitions. Further speedup of image reconstruction
      is still needed.

PMID- 24228932
TI  - Section 4. What the guidelines have missed: a general discussion of the faculty:
      highlights of the asthma summit 2009: beyond the guidelines.
AB  - The sessions during the 2 days of the Asthma Summit focused largely on some
      specific aspects of the current European and U.S. guidelines for managing asthma.
      By way of summary, the faculty addressed the question of what they thought the
      guidelines missed, starting with consideration of those aspects of their own
      practice management that they believed are not clearly discussed in current
      guidelines. 

PMID- 24228931
TI  - Planetary imaging in powers of ten: a multiscale, multipurpose astrobiological
      imager.
AB  - Contextual, multiscale astrobiological imaging is necessary to discover, map, and
      image patchy microbial colonization in extreme environments on planetary
      surfaces. The large difference in scale--several orders of magnitude--between
      search environment and microorganisms or microbial communities represents a
      challenge, which to date no single imaging instrument is able to overcome. In
      support of future planetary reconnaissance missions, we introduce an adapter
      based imager, built from an off-the-shelf consumer digital camera, that offers
      scalable imaging ranging from macroscopic (meters per pixel) to microscopic
      (micrometers per pixel) imaging, that is, spanning at least 6 orders of
      magnitude. Magnification in digital cameras is governed by (1) the native
      resolution of the CCD/CMOS chip of the camera, (2) the distance between camera
      and object to be imaged (focal length), and (3) the built-in optical and digital
      zoom. Both telezoom and macro mode alone are usually insufficient for microscopic
      imaging. Therefore, the focal distance has to be shortened, and the native CCD
      resolution of the camera has to be increased to attain a microscopic imaging
      capability. Our adapter-based imager bridges the gap between macroscopic and
      microscopic imaging, thereby enabling for the first time contextual
      astrobiological imaging with the same instrument. Real-world applications for
      astrobiology and planetary geology are discussed, and proof-of-concept imagery
      taken with our prototype is presented.

PMID- 24228933
TI  - Managing HIV/hepatitis C co-infection in the era of direct acting antivirals.
AB  - Morbidity and mortality from co-morbid hepatitis C (HCV) infection in HIV co
      infected patients are increasing; hence, the management of hepatitis co-infection
      in HIV is now one of the most important clinical challenges. Therefore, the
      development of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) for treatment of HCV has been
      eagerly awaited to hopefully improve HCV treatment outcome in co-infected
      individuals. Indeed, the availability of the first HCV protease inhibitors (PI)
      boceprevir and telaprevir for HCV genotype 1 patients has changed the gold
      standard of treating hepatitis C allowing for substantially improved HCV cure
      rates under triple HCV-PI/pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy. Moreover,
      numerous other new DAAs are currently being studied in co-infected patient
      populations, also exploring shorter treatment durations and interferon-free
      treatment approaches promising much easier and better tolerated treatment
      regimens in the near future. Nevertheless, numerous challenges remain, including
      choice of patients to treat, potential for drug-drug interactions and overlapping
      toxicities between HIV and HCV therapy. The dramatically improved rates of HCV
      cure under new triple therapy, however, warrant evaluation of these new treatment
      options for all co-infected patients. 

PMID- 24228934
TI  - Excess weight and abdominal obesity in postmenopausal Brazilian women: a
      population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The menopause is associated with a tendency to gain weight. Several
      alterations in fat deposits occur, leading to changes in the distribution of body
      fat. There are strong indications that, in middle age, obesity is associated with
      increased mortality. This study set out to determine the factors associated with
      the prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity in postmenopausal women in a
      population-based study in Brazil. METHODS: The sample included 456 women, aged 45
      69 years, residing in the urban area of Maringa, Parana. Systematic sampling,
      with a probability proportional to the size of the census sector, was performed.
      Behavioral, economic, and sociodemographic data were collected, and body mass
      index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were determined. RESULTS: According to
      BMI criteria (>=25.0 kg/m2), 72.6% of the women were overweight, and according to
      WC (>=88 cm), 63.6% had abdominal obesity. Based on logistic regression analysis,
      the factors that were most closely associated with overweight were: having three
      or more children (odds ratio (OR): 1.78; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06
      3.00); and not taking hormone replacement therapy (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.06-2.63).
      The prevalence of abdominal obesity was positively associated with greater parity
      (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05-1.72) and age older than 65 years (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.03
      2.19). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the prevalences of overweight and
      abdominal obesity were higher for postmenopausal women who had three or more
      children. Age over 65 years was also a risk factor for abdominal obesity and no
      use of hormonal replacement therapy was a risk factor for overweight.

PMID- 24228935
TI  - Reflecting on the methodological challenges of recruiting to a United Kingdom
      wide, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial in gynaecology outpatient
      settings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Successful recruitment of participants to any trial is central to its
      success. Trial results are routinely published, and recruitment is often cited to
      be slower and more difficult than anticipated. This article reflects on the
      methodological challenges of recruiting women with prolapse attending United
      Kingdom (UK) gynaecology outpatient clinics to a multi-centre randomised
      controlled trial (RCT) of physiotherapy, and the systems put in place in an
      attempt to address them. METHODS: Gynaecology outpatients with symptomatic
      prolapse were to be recruited over a 16-month period from 14 UK hospitals and one
      New Zealand hospital. Eligible women were informed about the trial by their
      gynaecologist and informed consent was obtained by the central trial office.
      Recruitment difficulties were encountered early on, and a number of strategies
      were employed to try to improve recruitment. RESULTS: Some strategies were more
      successful than others and they differed in the resources required. Actions that
      facilitated recruitment included increasing recruiting centres to 23 UK and two
      international hospitals, good centre support, using processes embedded in
      clinical practice, and good communication between the trial office, collaborators
      and participants. Collaborator incentives, whereby staff involved received the
      benefit immediately, were more successful than a nominal monetary payment per
      woman randomised. Barriers to recruitment included fewer eligible women than
      anticipated, patient's preference to receive active treatment rather than
      allocation to the control group, lack of support staff and high staff turnover.
      Geographical variations in Primary Care Trust Research Management and Governance
      approval systems and general practitioner (GP) referral procedures also impacted
      negatively on recruitment. CONCLUSIONS: Our article reflects on the
      methodological challenges of recruiting to a multi-centre RCT in a UK gynaecology
      setting. Effective interventions included increasing the number of recruiting
      centres and providing collaborator incentives. Barriers to recruitment included
      fewer eligible women than anticipated, patient's preference to be allocated to
      the treatment group, lack of support staff, and variations in approval systems
      and GP referral procedures. To improve the evidence base on clinical trial
      recruitment, trialists need to publish their experiences and lessons learned.
      Future RCTs should evaluate, where possible, the effect of strategies designed to
      improve recruitment and retention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials
      ISRCTN35911035.

PMID- 24228936
TI  - Cobalt- and iron-catalyzed redox condensation of o-substituted nitrobenzenes with
      alkylamines: a step- and redox-economical synthesis of diazaheterocycles.
AB  - A wide variety of functionalized 2-aryl benzimidazoles can be prepared by a
      solvent-free cobalt- or iron-catalyzed redox condensation of 2-nitroanilines and
      benzylamines. The cascade including benzylamine oxidation, nitro reduction,
      condensation, and aromatization occurs without any added reducing or oxidizing
      agent. The method can be extended to other alkylamines as reducing components or
      2-nitrobenzamides as oxidizing components when using an iron/sulfur catalyst to
      afford various diazaheterocycles. 

PMID- 24228937
TI  - Single-cell enzyme-free dissociation of neurospheres using a microfluidic chip.
AB  - Obtaining single dissociated cells from neurospheres is difficult using
      nonenzymatic methods. In this paper we report the development of a microfluidic
      chip-based approach that utilizes flow and microstructures to dissociate
      neurospheres. We show that this microfluidic-chip-based neurosphere-dissociation
      method can generate high yields of single cells from dissociated neurospheres of
      mouse KT98 and DC115 cell models (passage number, 3-8; diameter range, 40-250
      MUm): 90% and 95%, respectively. The microfluidic-chip-dissociated cells had high
      viabilities (80-85%) and the ability to regrow into neurospheres, demonstrating
      the applicability of this device to neurosphere assay applications. In addition,
      the dissociated cells retained their normal differentiation potentials, as shown
      by their capabilities to differentiate into three neural lineages (neurons,
      astroglia, and oligodendrocytes) when cultured in differentiation culture
      conditions. Since this microfluidic-chip-based method does not require the use of
      enzymatic reagents, the risk of contamination from exogenous substances could be
      reduced, making it an attractive tool for a wide range of applications where
      neurosphere dissociation is needed. 

PMID- 24228938
TI  - Coupled dissolution and precipitation at the cerussite-phosphate solution
      interface: implications for immobilization of lead in soils.
AB  - In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to study the interaction of
      phosphate-bearing solutions with cerussite, PbCO3, (010) surfaces. During the
      dissolution of cerussite we observed simultaneous growth of needle-shaped or
      spherical pyromorphite phases. This occurred at two different pH values and ionic
      strengths relevant to soil solution conditions. The initial dissolution processes
      occurring at the cerussite solid-phosphate solution interface were clearly
      distinguished, and heterogeneous nucleation and growth rates of pyromorphites at
      phosphate concentrations ranging from 0.1 MUM to 10 mM were quantitatively
      defined. Enhanced cerussite dissolution in the presence of high salt (NaCl or
      NaF) concentrations leads to an increase in pyromorphite nucleation and growth
      rates. The newly formed pyromorphites were found to be stable upon contact with
      water or citrate-bearing solutions under acidic or alkaline conditions in the pH
      range 4-8. These in situ observations may improve the mechanistic understanding
      of processes resulting in lead immobilization in diverse soil systems as well as
      to enhance the effectiveness of phosphate-based treatments for remediation of
      lead-polluted soils. 

PMID- 24228939
TI  - Water dynamics in aqueous solutions of tetra-n-alkylammonium salts: hydrophobic
      and Coulomb interactions disentangled.
AB  - We studied the effects of tetra-n-alkylammonium bromide (N(C(n)H(2n+1))(4)(+)Br(
      )) salts on the dynamics of water using polarization-resolved femtosecond
      infrared spectroscopy. With this technique, we are capable of distinguishing the
      response of water solvating the hydrophobic cations from that of water solvating
      the bromide anion. We observe that both types of ions slow down the orientational
      dynamics of the water molecules in their solvation shells. However, the nature of
      this slowdown is different for both ions. For the hydrophobic cation, we find an
      increasing number of retarded water molecules, scaling with the alkyl chain
      length. Water in the bromide solvation shell experiences a partial decay of its
      orientation by a fast wobbling motion, after which the remaining anisotropy
      decays much slower. The dynamics of the wobbling motion are observed to be
      dependent on the nature of the cation. For Me(4)NBr, the slow reorientation time
      is not concentration-dependent, and no aggregation is observed. This is in
      contrast to the tetra-n-alkylammonium salts with longer alkyl chains, for which
      the slow reorientation time of bromide-bound water molecules increases
      dramatically with concentration, and clusters of cations and anions appear to be
      formed.

PMID- 24228940
TI  - Diagnostic heterogeneity in psychiatry: towards an empirical solution.
AB  - The launch of the 5th version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
      Disorders (DSM-5) has sparked a debate about the current approach to psychiatric
      classification. The most basic and enduring problem of the DSM is that its
      classifications are heterogeneous clinical descriptions rather than valid
      diagnoses, which hampers scientific progress. Therefore, more homogeneous
      evidence-based diagnostic entities should be developed. To this end, data-driven
      techniques, such as latent class- and factor analyses, have already been widely
      applied. However, these techniques are insufficient to account for all relevant
      levels of heterogeneity, among real-life individuals. There is heterogeneity
      across persons (p:for example, subgroups), across symptoms (s:for example,
      symptom dimensions) and over time (t:for example, course-trajectories) and these
      cannot be regarded separately. Psychiatry should upgrade to techniques that can
      analyze multi-mode (p-by-s-by-t) data and can incorporate all of these levels at
      the same time to identify optimal homogeneous subgroups (for example, groups with
      similar profiles/connectivity of symptomatology and similar course). For these
      purposes, Multimode Principal Component Analysis and (Mixture)-Graphical Modeling
      may be promising techniques. 

PMID- 24228942
TI  - Catalytic reactions of acetylene: a feedstock for the chemical industry
      revisited.

PMID- 24228941
TI  - Ethnic and socio-economic disparities in oral health outcomes and quality of life
      among Sri Lankan preschoolers: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The distribution and severity of dental caries among preschool
      children vary according to the socio-economic and ethnic differences within and
      between countries. Understanding socio-economic influences on child oral health
      could inform early interventions to reduce the oral health burden throughout the
      life-cycle. The aim of this study is to examine the socio-economic and ethnic
      influences on oral health among preschoolers in Kegalle, Sri Lanka. METHODS: The
      study involved 784 children aged between 48-72 months recruited from 84 pre
      schools in the Kegalle district in Sri Lanka. Cross-sectional data were collected
      by means of an oral examination of the children and a self-administered
      questionnaire to their parents/caregivers. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact
      Scale (ECOHIS) was used to assess Oral Health related Quality of Life (OHQoL).
      Univariate and multivariate models of Poisson regression were used to investigate
      the associations between the variables. RESULTS: Compared to children whose
      fathers had tertiary education, those whose fathers did not study beyond grade 5,
      had more caries measured in terms of decayed, missing and filled surfaces (dmfs)
      (IRR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.30, 4.06; p < 0.01) and experienced poor OHQoL at child
      (IRR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.20, 5.31; p < 0.05) and family (IRR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.11,
      2.27; p < 0.05) levels. However, lower educational attainment among mothers was
      associated with better OHQoL among children. Compared to the Sinhalese ethnic
      group, Tamils had more gingival bleeding (bleeding surfaces) (IRR = 3.04; 95% CI:
      1.92, 4.81; p < 0.001) and poor OHQoL at child level (IRR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.19,
      3.60; p < 0.01), whereas Muslims had poor OHQoL at family level (IRR = 1.42; 95%
      CI: 1.10, 1.84; p < 0.01). Children of low-income families had more gum bleeding
      (IRR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.00; p < 0.05) compared to children of high-income
      families. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-economic and ethnic differences in oral health
      outcomes exist among this population of preschoolers. Interventions targeting
      children of fathers with low educational levels and ethnic minority groups are
      required to reduce inequalities in oral health in Sri Lanka and other similar
      countries.

PMID- 24228943
TI  - Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of the whitestriped longhorned
      beetle, Batocera lineolata, to the diurnal rhythm of host plant volatiles of
      holly, Viburnum awabuki.
AB  - The adsorption method of Tenax-TA absorbent with GC-MS was used to analyze
      diurnal rhythms of volatiles from undamaged holly plants, Viburnum awabuki Kock
      (Dipsacales: Adoxaceae) holly infested by the white-striped longhorned beetle,
      Batocera lineolata Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Electroantennography and
      a Y-tube olfactometer were used to compare and analyze electroantennogram and
      behavioral responses of unmated male and female adults to the volatiles from V.
      awabuki (both undamaged and infested plants). The results of the GC-MS analysis
      showed that phytosterol and alkane are major volatiles for V. awabuki. The
      relative content of V. awabuki volatiles changed during the day.
      Electroantennogram and behavioral responses of unmated male and female adults to
      the volatiles from both undamaged and infested plants of V. awabuki were stronger
      between 08:00 and 10:00 and 16:00 and 18:00, which is consistent with early
      morning and evening feeding behaviors of adults in the field.

PMID- 24228944
TI  - Molecularly engineered surfaces for cell biology: from static to dynamic
      surfaces.
AB  - Surfaces with a well-defined presentation of ligands for receptors on the cell
      membrane can serve as models of the extracellular matrix for studying cell
      adhesion or as model cell surfaces for exploring cell-cell contacts. Because such
      surfaces can provide exquisite control over, for example, the density of these
      ligands or when the ligands are presented to the cell, they provide a very
      precise strategy for understanding the mechanisms by which cells respond to
      external adhesive cues. In the present feature article, we present an overview of
      the basic biology of cell adhesion before discussing surfaces that have a static
      presentation of immobile ligands. We outline the biological information that such
      surfaces have given us, before progressing to recently developed switchable
      surfaces and surfaces that mimic the lipid bilayer, having adhesive ligands that
      can move around the membrane and be remodeled by the cell. Finally, the feature
      article closes with some of the biological information that these new types of
      surfaces could provide. 

PMID- 24228945
TI  - Pre-hypertension in Uganda: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persons with a systolic blood pressure (BP) of 120 to < 140 or
      diastolic BP of 80 to < 90 mm hg are classified as having pre-hypertension. Pre
      hypertension is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors,
      incident CVD and CVD mortality. Understanding determinants of pre-hypertension
      especially in low income countries is a pre-requisite for improved prevention and
      control. METHODS: Data were analyzed for 4142 persons aged 18 years and older
      with BP measured in a community cross sectional survey in Uganda. The prevalence
      of pre-hypertension was estimated and a number of risk factors e.g. smoking, use
      of alcohol, overweight, obesity, physical activity, sex, age, marital status,
      place of residence, and consumption of vegetables and fruits were compared among
      different groups (normotension, pre-hypertension, and hypertension) using
      bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The age standardized
      prevalence of normal blood pressure was 37.6%, pre-hypertension 33.9%,
      hypertension 28.5% and raised blood pressure 62%. There was no difference between
      the prevalence of hypertension among women compared to men (28.9% versus 27.9%).
      However, the prevalence of pre-hypertension was higher among men (41.6%) compared
      to women (29.4%). Compared to people with normal blood pressure, the risk of pre
      hypertension was increased by being 40 years and above, smoking, consumption of
      alcohol, not being married, being male and being overweight or obese. Compared to
      pre-hypertension, hypertension was more likely if one was more than 40 years, had
      infrequent or no physical activity, resided in an urban area, and was obese or
      overweight. CONCLUSIONS: More than one in three of adults in this population had
      pre-hypertension. Preventive and public health interventions that reduce the
      prevalence of raised blood pressure need to be implemented.

PMID- 24228947
TI  - Editorial introduction: Sexuality, intimacy and counselling: perspectives from
      Africa.

PMID- 24228949
TI  - PREVALENCE OF Pharurus pallasii IN THE BELUGA WHALE ( Delphinapterus leucas ) OF
      CHURCHILL RIVER BASIN, MANITOBA.
AB  - Eight of 9 beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas ) in the Churchill River Basin
      were infected with Pharurus pallasii . The age range of infected whales was from
      under 1 year to 30 years. All adult infected animals had a large number of
      parasites in the accessory sinus, together with variable degrees of pulmonary
      granulomatous response. Histopathologic examination of lung revealed little host
      response to adult P. pallasii , but a strong inflammatory reaction to larval
      structures. Within the head, P. pallasii were found in the accessory sinus, ear
      canal and cerebral spinal fluid. 

PMID- 24228948
TI  - Mirtazapine overdose is unlikely to cause major toxicity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is limited information on mirtazapine overdose, but cases of
      severe effects (seizures, serotonin toxicity and coma) have been reported. We
      aimed to investigate the clinical effects and complications of mirtazapine
      overdose. METHODS: This was an observational case series of mirtazapine overdoses
      (> 120 mg) identified from admissions to a toxicology unit between January 1987
      and August 2013. Demographic information, details of ingestion, clinical effects,
      ECG parameters (HR, QT and QRS), and length of stay were extracted from a
      clinical database. RESULTS: From 267 mirtazapine overdoses, there were 89 single
      agent mirtazapine ingestions and 178 cases where mirtazapine was taken with at
      least one other drug. The median age of the 89 single-agent mirtazapine
      ingestions was 36 years [interquartile range (IQR): 26-49 years; Range: 15-81
      years]; 45 were female (51%). The median ingested dose was 420 mg (IQR: 270-750
      mg; Range: 150-1350 mg) and 41 patients (46%) had a Glasgow coma score (GCS) <
      15, but the minimum GCS was 10. There were no seizures, serotonin toxicity or
      delirium. Tachycardia occurred in 29 patients (33%) and hypertension in 32
      patients (36%). The median QRS was 80 ms (Range: 80-120 ms) and there were no
      cases with QT prolongation. There were no arrhythmias and no deaths. The median
      length of stay was 14 h (IQR: 8.8-18.2 h; Range:2.2-75 h). No single-agent
      mirtazapine patient was admitted to intensive care. The 178 patients taking co
      ingestants had more severe toxicity depending on the co-ingested drug.
      CONCLUSION: Mirtazapine appears to be relatively benign in overdose, associated
      with tachycardia, mild hypertension and mild CNS depression not requiring
      intervention.

PMID- 24228950
TI  - INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE IN A BOTTLENOSED DOLPHIN ( Tursiops truncatus ).
AB  - A neurologic condition closely resembling a common human disease, hypertensive
      intracerebral hemorrhage, is described in a captive dolphin. Motor deficits and
      the possibiltiy that behavioral changes resulted in the animal's being attacked
      and driven off by its herdmates, are discussed in terms of damage resulting from
      the hemorrhagic lesion. 

PMID- 24228952
TI  - Haematozoan parasites of mourning doves in Florida.
AB  - A total of 918 mourning doves ( Zenaida macroura ) collected from six localities
      in Florida over a three year period (1973-1976) was examined for haematozoan
      infections. Three species of haematozoans were encountered: Haemoproteus
      maccallumi (92% prevalence), H. sacharovi (3% prevalence), and Leucocytozoon
      marchouxi (0.1% prevalence). No trypanosome or Plasmodium infections were found.
      Adult doves did not show sexually or seasonally-related differences in infection
      intensity. Immature doves, however, had parasitemias which showed cyclic seasonal
      fluctuations, but since these decreased with age, this seasonal fluctuation was
      interpreted to be due to changes in age composition of the population and not
      season itself. Doves from northern Florida showed significantly lower
      parasitemias than doves from the southern part of the state. 

PMID- 24228951
TI  - Vaginal calculi in the dolphin.
AB  - Examination of the reproductive tract of a mature spotted dolphin, Stenella
      attenuata , revealed 13 vaginal calculi, composed primarily of calcium phosphate
      compounds. Vaginal calculi also were found in two mature Lagenorhynchus
      obliquidens and in six mature Delphinus delphis . 

PMID- 24228953
TI  - SURVEY FOR Sarcocystis IN THE BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD ( Molothrus ater): A
      COMPARISON OF MACROSCOPIC, MICROSCOPIC AND DIGESTION TECHNIQUES.
AB  - Adult cowbirds from the Houston, Texas area were examined for Sarcocystis by
      three methods. Macroscopically, 53 of 253 (20.9%) birds examined were positive.
      Microscopic examination of abdominal muscle from 62 of the 200 negative birds
      showed another 4 (6.4%) to be infected. Pepsin digestion, the most sensitive
      technique for macroscopically negative birds, showed 7 of the 62 (11.2%) to be
      infected. 

PMID- 24228954
TI  - Mandibular lesions of prehistoric aleutian sea mammals.
AB  - Disarticulated mandibles from prehistoric Aleutian sea mammals showed three
      general categories of paleopathology: (1) lesions imposed on the dentition and
      surrounding bone by bacteria and their by-products observed in 13 of 49, (2)
      lesions associated with periodontal disease observed in 14 of 49, and (3) lesions
      associated with mechanical attrition in 6 of 49. The sea mammal bones obtained
      from prehistoric eastern Aleutian village refuse middens suggest that younger and
      possibly weakened or old animals were preferentially captured by the Aleuts,
      although it remains to be determined the actual proportion of young to old, and
      the proportion of sick to healthy, in the natural populations. Radiography may be
      useful to determine the extent of dento-alveolar abscesses and periodontal
      disease in the absence of soft tissues for examination. 

PMID- 24228955
TI  - Naturally occurring rabies virus and neutralizing antibody in two species of
      insectivorous bats of new york state.
AB  - Seven colonies of Eptesicus fuscus , the big brown bat, and five colonies of
      Myotis lucifugus , the little brown bat, in New York State were sampled for
      rabies virus and virus-neutralizing antibody. Eight of 278 E. fuscus were found
      to have virus, while 18 of 187 had antibody titers of >=1:8. One of 333 M.
      lucifugus yielded virus, while three of 127 had antibody. These data demonstrate
      the presence of rabies virus as well as immunity to rabies in some insectivorous
      bats of New York State. Evaluation of these findings in relation to the
      epizootiology of the disease in bats requires further investigation. 

PMID- 24228956
TI  - Renal coccidiosis in wild ducks in Saskatchewan.
AB  - Ten of twelve species of wild ducks examined in central Saskatchewan were
      infected with renal coccidia. Of 261 ducks examined during autumn migration,
      24.5% were infected while only 4% of 74 ducks examined during spring migration
      were infected. The greatest prevalence of infection occurred in female and
      juvenile birds. No gross lesions attributable to coccidia were found, and
      microscopic lesions were focal in nature. Oocysts from mallards were transmitted
      to captive mallards. 

PMID- 24228957
TI  - Large scale mortality of nestling ardeids caused by nematode infection.
AB  - During the summer of 1976, an epornitic of verminous peritonitis caused by
      Eustrongylides ignotus resulted in large scale mortality of young herons and
      egrets on Pea Patch Island, Delaware. Mortality was highest (84%) in snowy egret
      nestlings ( Egretta thula ) and less severe in great egrets ( Casmerodius albus
      ), Louisiana herons ( Hydranassa tricolor ), little blue herons ( Florida
      caerulea ), and black crowned night herons ( Nycticorax nycticorax ). Most deaths
      occured within the first 4 weeks after hatching. Migration of E. ignotus resulted
      in multiple perforations of the visceral organs, escape of intestinal contents
      into the body cavity and subsequent bacterial peritonitis. Killifish ( Fundulus
      heteroclitus ) served as the source of infective larvae. 

PMID- 24228958
TI  - Natural and experimental arboviral infections in a population of blacktail
      jackrabbits along the sacramento river in butte county, california (1971-1974).
AB  - A serologic survey of the blacktail jackrabbit ( Lepus californicus ) for
      infections with 10 arboviruses was conducted from 1971 through 1974 along the
      Sacramento River in Butte County, California. Of 325 animals captured and bled a
      total of 493 times, 40% were found positive for hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI)
      antibody to California encephalitis (CE) virus, 34% to western equine
      encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus, 20% to Buttonwillow virus, 15% to St. Louis
      encephalitis (SLE) virus and 12% to Main Drain virus. Only 5 and 2% of the
      animals had HI antibodies to Lokern and Turlock (TUR) viruses, respectively.
      There was no serologic evidence for infection of animals with Powassan, Modoc and
      Rio Bravo viruses. Differenles in monthly and yearly activities of some viruses
      were found by analyses of lata on antibody prevalence rates and immunologic
      conversions in recaptured animals. Experimental studies revealed that subadult
      jackrabbits were highly susceptible by subcutaneous inoculation to infection with
      CE, WEE and SLE viruses but were refractory to infection with TUR virus. All
      animals infected with CE and WEE viruses developed viremia that persisted for 2
      or 3 days after inoculation and then developed antibodies that were detectable
      from 7 through at least 56 days after infection. In contrast, only 2 of 7 animals
      that developed HI antibodies to SLE virus had viremia, and at barely detectable
      levels; and HI antibodies were undetectable in 3 of the 7 animals at 56 days
      after infection. 

PMID- 24228959
TI  - A survey of tularemia in wild mammals from fennoscandia.
AB  - A total of 2696 wild mammals from Fennoscandia were surveyed for tularemia.
      Francisella tularensis was not detected in livers/spleens or kidneys from any of
      the 1992 small rodents captured in Norway and Denmark as judged by one or more of
      the following methods: cultivation, immunofluorescence microscopy and inoculation
      in laboratory mice. Serologic examination of 704 wild mammals from Norway,
      Finland and Sweden demonstrated 11 cases of antibody titers. Agglutinating
      antibodies were demonstrated in 2 of 565 small rodents (titer 1:160), 2 of 26
      wild rabbits (titer 1:80) and in 7 of 60 red deer (titer 1:20-1:40). The titers
      in red deer were low and could be due to cross reactions. No agglutinating
      antibodies were demonstrated in the sera of 53 domestic reindeer. 

PMID- 24228960
TI  - Prevalence of nasal bots (Diptera: oestridae) in some zambian hartebeest.
AB  - Nine Lichtenstein's hartebeest ( Alcelaphus lichtensteini ) were sampled for
      nasal bots ( Oestrinae ) in a woodland area of central western Zambia. Larvae of
      the genera Gedoelstia , Oestrus and Kirkioestrus were found in mixed infestations
      in the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses. A maximum count of 252 larvae was
      recorded from one head but no obvious pathogenicity was detectable in this or any
      other hartebeest. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to
      the host specificity of the nasal bots and to gedoelstial myiasis of domestic
      livestock in the area where they interact with infected hartebeest. 

PMID- 24228961
TI  - Serologic examination of wild birds for hemorrhagic enteritis of Turkey and
      marble spleen disease of pheasants.
AB  - Precipitin antibody which reacted with the hemorrhagic enteritis (HE) of
      turkeys/marble spleen disease (MSD) of pheasants group of avian adenoviruses, was
      not detected in serum samples of 618 wild birds (42 species) from Florida, Texas
      and Virginia. HE/MSD precipitin antibody was detected in serum samples of pen
      reared ring-necked pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ) which had experienced MSD,
      but not in serum samples of similar MSD unaffected birds. 

PMID- 24228962
TI  - HELMINTHS FROM WILLOW GROUSE ( Lagopus lagopus ) IN TWO LOCALITIES IN NORTH
      NORWAY.
AB  - A total of 77 adult and 123 juvenile willow grouse ( Lagopus lagopus ) from the
      island of Karlsoy, and 75 adult and 63 juvenile willow grouse from Sennaland on
      the mainland of North Norway were examined for helminths. Raillietina urogalli
      and Hymenolepis microps , and Ascaridia compar and Syngamus trachea were found.
      All four species occurred regularly in grouse from Karlsoy between April and
      September-October, but only H. microps was frequently found in birds from
      Sennaland. S. trachea only parasitised juvenile grouse. 

PMID- 24228963
TI  - Hematozoa in sage grouse from colorado.
AB  - Blood films from 361 sage grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ) from North Park,
      Colorado, were examined for hematozoa. Parasites found were: Plasmodium
      pedioecetii , Haemoproteus canachites , Leucocytozoon bonasae , Trypanosoma avium
      , and microfilariae. The sage grouse represents a new host record for Plasmodium
      . Prevalence of parasitism was not age or sex related, with no significant (P >
      0.05) differences between age or sex class. Parasite burdens increased
      significantly (P < 0.05) from January through May. As these burdens rose prior to
      the emergence of potential vectors, probably it was a true relapse associated
      with the resumption of the hosts' sexual activity. 

PMID- 24228964
TI  - ATTEMPTS AT INFECTING RINGED TURTLE DOVES WITH VIRULENT Trichomonas gallinae.
AB  - Twenty Trichomonas -free ringed turtle doves ( Streptopelia risoria ) were
      inoculated per os with the highly virulent Jones' Barn strain of Trichomonas
      gallinae . None became infected. Three F1 females housed together were similarly
      inoculated with this strain and remained Trichomonas -positive for upwards of 182
      days. They showed no disease and eventually lost their infections. These three
      positive females "mated" and laid several six-egg sets in a communal nest. At
      successive nestings they were given: 1) a fertile domestic pigeon ( Columba livia
      ) egg, and 2) two fertile ringed dove eggs, all of which hatched. The pigeon
      squab died of trichomoniasis on day four; the doves survived to maturity. When
      trichomonads from these doves were placed in Trichomonas -free domestic pigeons
      the latter all died of T. gallinae trichomoniasis on postinoculation day 8.1
      (average). 

PMID- 24228965
TI  - EXPERIMENTAL EXPOSURE OF FRANKLINS' GULLS ( Larvus pipixcan ) AND MALLARDS ( Anas
      platyrhynchos ) TO A TURKEY INFLUENZA A VIRUS A/Turkey/Minn/BF/72 (Hav6Neq2).
AB  - Gulls ( Larvus pipixcan ) and mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) were experimentally
      exposed to a turkey influenza A isolant, A/turkey/Minn/BF/72 (Hav6Neq 2). No
      clinical signs of disease were observed in either species. Tracheal shedding of
      virus from the gulls persisted for 24 days post-inoculation but virus later than
      6 days post exposure could not be demonstrated in either tracheal or cloacal
      samples from the mallards. Precipitating antibodies were not detected.
      Hemagglutination-inhibition antibodies were demonstrated in inoculated gulls but
      antibody levels were low and erratic in ducks. 

PMID- 24228966
TI  - NOTES ON POPULATIONS OF Bovicola jellisoni ON DALL'S SHEEP ( Ovis dalli ).
AB  - This paper reports the first record of a mallophagan species on the Dall's sheep
      ( Ovis dalli ). The numbers and distribution of Bovicola jellisoni on two Dall's
      sheep collected on Crescent Mountain, Kenai Peninsula, Alasaka, is described. 

PMID- 24228967
TI  - Survey of colorado's wild ruminants for serologic titers to brucellosis and
      leptospirosis.
AB  - A 10-year survey for serologic titers to brucellosis and leptospirosis in mule
      deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ), elk ( Cervus canadensis ), and antelope (
      Antilocapra americana ) in Colorado is summarized. Over 10,000 blood samples were
      tested against Brucella abortus and 4,747 samples were tested against Leptospira
      pomona . A total of 1,761 blood samples were tested against L. canicola , L.
      grippotyphosa , L. hardjo , L. icterohemorrhagiae . All results were considered
      negative. 

PMID- 24228968
TI  - Helminths of the black bear in quebec.
AB  - Twenty-one complete carcasses of black bears, Ursus americanus , together with 34
      intestinal tracts, 86 diaphragms and 168 faecal droppings collected between June,
      1971 and November, 1972 in the Province of Quebec were examinel for helminths.
      Species found and their prevalence were as follows: Dirofilaria ursi in 57%;
      Uncinaria yukonensis in 6%; Baylisascaris transfuga in 21%; larvae of Trichinella
      spiralis in less than 1%; Diphyllobothrium ursi in 36%; and Taenia krabbei and
      Taenia hydatigena in 4%. These findings are discussed in the light of other
      reports. 

PMID- 24228969
TI  - PARASITES OF WATERFOWL FROM SOUTHWEST TEXAS: II. THE SHOVELER, Anas clypeata.
AB  - Thirty-eight shoveler ducks, Anas clypeata , were collected in the Rio Grande
      Valley, Hudspeth County, Texas. Nineteen species of helminths, six species of
      lice and a sarcosporidian, Sarcocystis rileyi , were recorded. Seventeen of the
      nineteen species of helminths were observed in fall migrants and twelve species
      were recorded from spring migrants. The nematode Alifilaria pochardi Ali, 1969,
      is a new host and American record. 

PMID- 24228970
TI  - Cerebrospinal parelaphostrongylosis in fallow deer.
AB  - Neurologic disease attributed to infection by meningeal worm ( Parela
      phostrongylus tenuis ) was diagnosed in seven fallow deer ( Dama dama ) from the
      Land Between The Lakes region of Kentucky. Afflicted deer had paresis or
      paralysis of the hindquarters which quickly progressed to tetraplegia. Gross and
      microscopic cerebrospinal lesions were similar to those previously reported and
      consisted mainly of nonsuppurative meningitis and radiculitis, focal granulomas
      on the surface of the spinal cord, and nonselective malacia and glial scarring in
      brain and spinal cord. Living P. tenuis were recovered from brain or spinal cord
      in two deer, and degenerating nematodes were found in four. Possible
      epizootiologic relationships between the parasite, fallow deer and white-tailed
      deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) are discussed. 

PMID- 24228971
TI  - EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION OF COLLARED PECCARY ( Dicotyles tajacu angulatus ) WITH
      SWINE KIDNEY WORM ( Stephanurus dentatus ).
AB  - Two captive-born juvenile collared peccaries ( Dicotyles tajacu angulatus ) were
      given 3000 infective larvae of Stephanurus dentatus per os. One peccary harbored
      viable S. dentatus sub-adults in the liver 50 days post-infection. The other
      peccary had no larvae but did have diffuse fibrotic hepatic lesions and bile duct
      hyperplasia 213 days post-infection; however, the lesions may have been partially
      due to a concurrent Ascaris suum infection. A domestic pig ( Sus scrofa
      domesticus ) infected as a control was severely but non-patently parasitized 170
      days postinfection. 

PMID- 24228972
TI  - Calicivirus antibodies in wild fox populations.
AB  - Three populations of wild foxes were sampled for serum neutralizing antibody to
      calicivirus (San Miguel sea lion virus) types 1-5. Neutralizing activity was
      detected in serum from gray foxes resident on Santa Cruz Island, California, but
      not in Arctic foxes from Alaska. The results indicate that foxes may be naturally
      infected with caliciviruses, but their role in the transmission cycle is unknown.

PMID- 24228974
TI  - Public service quality improvements: a case for exemption from IRB review of
      public administration research.
AB  - Should the exemption from Institutional Review Board (IRB) evaluations currently
      in place for quality improvements research be extended to public administration
      research that addresses questions of improving the quality of public service
      delivery? As a means to both reduce the level of disdain held by a group of
      social science researchers for IRBs and to reduce the cost of review for minimal
      risk studies, I argue here that much of the current public administration
      research should also be exempted from normal processes of review by IRBs on the
      basis of their similarity to Quality Improvements (QI) research, a category of
      studies already granted exemption. This argument dovetails provisions currently
      in place for studies of public service and public benefit, but reframes these
      exemptions in the language of "quality improvements," which may be a more
      comfortable language for IRBs concerned to demonstrate compliance for review of
      all fields. To expedite this argument into the practices of IRBs, I included a
      checklist that researchers could use to self-identify their studies as QI, not
      research as such. 

PMID- 24228975
TI  - A core-item reviewer evaluation (CoRE) system for manuscript peer review.
AB  - Manuscript peer review is essential for ensuring accountability to all involved
      in the publication process, including authors, journals, and readers. Lack of
      consensus regarding what constitutes an accountable manuscript peer review
      process has resulted in varying practices from one journal to the next.
      Currently, reviewers are asked to make global judgments about various aspects of
      a paper for review irrespective of whether guided by a review checklist or not,
      and several studies have documented gross disagreement between reviewers of the
      same manuscript. We have previously proposed that the solution may be to direct
      reviewers to concrete items that do not require global judgments but rather
      provide a specific choice, along with referee justification for such choices.
      This study evaluated use of such a system via an international survey of health
      care professionals who had recently reviewed a health care--related manuscript.
      Results suggest that use of such a peer review system by reviewers does indeed
      improve interreviewer agreement, and thus, has the potential to support more
      consistent and effective peer review, if introduced into journal processes for
      peer review. 

PMID- 24228976
TI  - Fostering integrity in postgraduate research: an evidence-based policy and
      support framework.
AB  - Postgraduate research students have a unique position in the debate on integrity
      in research as students and novice researchers. To assess how far policies for
      integrity in postgraduate research meet the needs of students as "research
      trainees," we reviewed online policies for integrity in postgraduate research at
      nine particular Australian universities against the Australian Code for
      Responsible Conduct of Research (the Code) and the five core elements of
      exemplary academic integrity policy identified by Bretag et al. (2011 ), i.e.,
      access, approach, responsibility, detail, and support. We found inconsistency
      with the Code in the definition of research misconduct and a lack of adequate
      detail and support. Based on our analysis, previous research, and the literature,
      we propose a framework for policy and support for postgraduate research that
      encompasses a consistent and educative approach to integrity maintained across
      the university at all levels of scholarship and for all stakeholders. 

PMID- 24228977
TI  - Commentary: peer review and incomplete reference lists.

PMID- 24228978
TI  - Myogenic bladder defects in mouse models of human oculodentodigital dysplasia.
AB  - To date, over 65 mutations in the gene encoding Cx43 (connexin43) have been
      linked to the autosomal-dominant disease ODDD (oculodentodigital dysplasia). A
      subset of these patients experience bladder incontinence which could be due to
      underlying neurogenic deterioration or aberrant myogenic regulation. BSMCs
      (bladder smooth muscle cells) from wild-type and two Cx43 mutant lines
      (Cx43(G60S) and Cx43(I130T)) that mimic ODDD exhibit a significant reduction in
      total Cx43. Dye transfer studies revealed that the G60S mutant was a potent
      dominant-negative inhibitor of co-expressed Cx43, a property not equally shared
      by the I130T mutant. BSMCs from both mutant mouse strains were defective in their
      ability to contract, which is indicative of phenotype changes due to harbouring
      the Cx43 mutants. Upon stretching, Cx43 levels were significantly elevated in
      controls and mutants containing BSMCs, but the non-muscle myosin heavy chain A
      levels were only reduced in cells from control mice. Although the Cx43(G60S)
      mutant mice showed no difference in voided urine volume or frequency, the
      Cx43(I130T) mice voided less frequently. Thus, similar to the diversity of
      morbidities seen in ODDD patients, genetically modified mice also display
      mutation-specific changes in bladder function. Furthermore, although mutant mice
      have compromised smooth muscle contraction and response to stretch, overriding
      bladder defects in Cx43(I130T) mice are likely to be complemented by neurogenic
      changes.

PMID- 24228979
TI  - Cardiac steatosis and left ventricular function in men with metabolic syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ectopic accumulation of fat accompanies visceral obesity with
      detrimental effects. Lipid oversupply to cardiomyocytes leads to cardiac
      steatosis, and in animal studies lipotoxicity has been associated with impaired
      left ventricular (LV) function. In humans, studies have yielded inconclusive
      results. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of epicardial, pericardial
      and myocardial fat depots on LV structure and function in male subjects with
      metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: A study population of 37 men with MetS and 38
      men without MetS underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance and proton magnetic
      spectroscopy at 1.5 T to assess LV function, epicardial and pericardial fat area
      and myocardial triglyceride (TG) content. RESULTS: All three fat deposits were
      greater in the MetS than in the control group (p <0.001). LV diastolic
      dysfunction was associated with MetS as measured by absolute (471 mL/s vs. 667
      mL/s, p = 0.002) and normalized (3.37 s-1 vs. 3.75 s-1, p = 0.02) LV early
      diastolic peak filling rate and the ratio of early diastole (68% vs. 78%, p =
      0.001). The amount of epicardial and pericardial fat correlated inversely with LV
      diastolic function. However, myocardial TG content was not independently
      associated with LV diastolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: In MetS, accumulation of
      epicardial and pericardial fat is linked to the severity of structural and
      functional alterations of the heart. The role of increased intramyocardial TG in
      MetS is more complex and merits further study.

PMID- 24228981
TI  - Magnetic microrheology of block copolymer solutions.
AB  - The viscosity of poly(styrene)-b-poly(lactide) [PS-b-PLA] solutions in a neutral
      solvent was characterized by magnetic microrheology. The effect of polymer
      concentration on the viscosity of the block polymer solutions was compared with
      that of the PS and PLA homopolymers in the same solvent. The viscosity of PS-b
      PLA solution, unlike the homopolymer solutions, showed a steep increase over a
      narrow concentration range. The steep rise was concomitant with microphase
      separation into an ordered cylindrical microstructure as determined by small
      angle X-ray scattering. Hence microrheology proved effective as a means of
      characterizing the order-disorder transition concentration. During an in situ
      drying experiment, changes in local viscosity through the depth of a block
      copolymer solution were characterized as a function of drying time. Early in the
      drying process, the viscosity rose steadily and was uniform through the depth, a
      result consistent with steadily increasing and uniform polymer concentration.
      However, later in the drying process as the overall polymer concentration
      approached that required for microphase separation, the viscosity of the polymer
      solution near the free surface became an order of magnitude higher than that near
      the bottom of the container. The zone of high viscosity moved downward as drying
      proceeded, consistent with a microphase separation front. 

PMID- 24228980
TI  - Definitions of and contributions to cardiovascular disease in systemic lupus
      erythematosus.
AB  - Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a significantly increased
      risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increased prevalence of atherosclerosis may
      explain part of this enhanced risk, but SLE related CVD can also result from
      other mechanisms. Vascular events may be the result of several pathophysiologic
      mechanisms; some can be caused by atherosclerosis, others may be primarily
      thrombotic, and some may be due to ongoing inflammation. The traditional risk
      factors are of importance for the development of CVD in lupus. However, lupus
      related factors, such as endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, renal
      impairment and disease activity, lupus phenotype, autoantibodies and genetic
      predisposition are equally or even more important. Risk factors may also
      contribute separately or in combination to increase the risk of atherosclerosis
      and clinical CVD in SLE. Studies investigating risk factors for CVD in SLE vary
      with respect to definition of outcome, it is, e.g. common that the terms
      atherosclerosis and clinical CVD are used interchangeably. Varying definitions
      and outcomes may thus explain divergent results of different studies and make
      comparisons difficult. This review summarizes some of the current knowledge
      regarding risk factors and mechanisms for atherosclerosis and clinical CVD in
      SLE. Aspects on the importance of CVD definitions and outcomes are briefly
      discussed.

PMID- 24228982
TI  - Characteristics of nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis.
AB  - Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) conditions are currently considered diagnoses by
      exclusion. A diagnosis of NAR requires negative specific IgE responses by skin or
      serologic testing and more recently testing to exclude localized production of
      specific IgE in the nose. Symptoms are classically aggravated by irritant
      triggers such as tobacco smoke, perfumes/fragrances, and temperature or
      barometric pressure changes. A previously developed questionnaire survey designed
      to help physicians recognize differences between allergic rhinitis and
      nonallergic rhinitis subtypes found that patients with symptom onset later in
      life (> 35 years), no family history of allergies, no seasonality or cat-induced
      symptoms, and symptoms induced by perfumes and fragrances had > 95% likelihood of
      having a physician diagnosis of NAR. Of note, clinical symptoms were not
      generally useful for differentiating chronic rhinitis subtypes which has also
      been confirmed in a more recent study investigating the relationship between
      headaches and chronic rhinitis subtypes (Table 1). In subsequent studies it was
      found that a significant percentage of NAR patients did not experience irritant
      induced symptoms, suggesting that these triggers are not a clinical
      characteristic that can be uniformly used for all NAR patients. However, a newly
      developed Irritant Index Scale can be used to reliably differentiate pure
      allergic rhinitis from nonallergic rhinitis with trigger phenotypes. The use of
      standardized and validated questionnaires allows objective characterization of
      chronic rhinitis subtypes that appears to improve the accuracy of clinically
      diagnosing these patients. 

PMID- 24228983
TI  - Pullulan-based nanoparticles: future therapeutic applications in transmucosal
      protein delivery.

PMID- 24228984
TI  - News & analysis.

PMID- 24228985
TI  - Industry Update: The latest developments in therapeutic delivery.
AB  - This article provides a snapshot of the news stories from the world of
      therapeutic delivery in the period 1-31 August 2013. During this month, the
      Boards of Amgen and Onyx Pharmaceuticals gave their approval to the purchase by
      Amgen of Onyx's outstanding shares in a deal worth US$10.4 billion, or $9.7
      billion net of estimated Onyx cash. The deal, said to be the fifth largest
      involving a biotechnology company, is expected to close in Q4 2013 subject to
      customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. August also saw the
      publication of a reflection paper on the coating of nanomedicines by the European
      Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use. This paper
      highlights the key considerations for the development of nanomedicine and
      nanosimilars (nanomedicines that are claimed to be similar to a reference
      nanomedicine) and makes recommendations with regard to the quality control and
      assurance of such products. As ever, the Industry Update is based mainly on
      information from press releases and company websites. 

PMID- 24228986
TI  - Research Spotlight: Functionalized nanoparticles for future cardiovascular
      medicine.
AB  - All research investment has the goal of improving quality of life and health
      status. In recent years, the emerging technologies in nanomedicine research
      provide us a new frontier in the fight against human disease. By taking advantage
      of the unique physicochemical properties of nanoparticles (NPs), nanomedicine
      where drugs are blended into nanomaterials readily offers a wide range of
      applications in the tracing, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Although the
      application of therapeutic NPs is predominantly for cancer treatment, growing
      evidence has demonstrated the feasibility and potency of utilizing NPs for
      cardiovascular disease therapy. However, more consideration is required in this
      aspect due to limitations such as unfavorable particle retention in the
      contractile heart and the lack of cardiomyocyte markers for targeting. 

PMID- 24228987
TI  - Gene therapy in the clinics: shifting into the next gear.

PMID- 24228988
TI  - Assessment of novel iloperidone- and idebenone-loaded nanostructured lipid
      carriers: brain targeting efficiency and neuroprotective potential.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcome of combining iloperidone with idebenone in
      the form of brain-targeted nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) on the expression
      of endogenous antioxidant enzymes present in the brain, and hence establish the
      neuroprotective activity. RESULTS: The combination NLC demonstrated good
      targeting potential (>85%) as compared with pure iloperidone (22.21%). The levels
      of various endogenous antioxidant enzymes present in the brain were reduced
      significantly (p < 0.001) in case of 28 days repeated administration of pure
      iloperidone, while administration of the combination NLC helped to restore the
      levels of these enzymes. CONCLUSION: Combining iloperidone with idebenone and
      converting into NLC has contributed in effectively reducing oxidative stress in
      the brain and helped in reversing the catalepsy induced by repeated iloperidone
      administration.

PMID- 24228989
TI  - Positively charged microemulsions of dexamethasone: comparative effects of two
      cosurfactants on ocular drug delivery and bioavailability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the potential of
      mucoadhesive chitosan-coated positively charged microemulsions (CH-MEs) of
      dexamethasone with respect to the change in nonionic cosurfactants. METHODS: CH
      MEs were prepared with different concentrations of surfactant and cosurfactant
      using the water titration method and coated with low-molecular-weight chitosan.
      RESULTS: All formulations displayed an average globule size between 85 and 187 nm
      and a positive surface charge. The optimized CH-MEs showed greater penetration of
      dexamethasone in the anterior segment of the eye, resulting in twofold and
      fourfold higher dexamethasone concentration than uncoated ME and drug suspension,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The developed CH-MEs shows increases in ocular
      penetration and bioavailability.

PMID- 24228990
TI  - Cellular therapeutics delivery to the spinal cord: technical considerations for
      clinical application.
AB  - Current literature demonstrates the efficacy of cell-based therapeutics in small
      animal models of varied spinal cord diseases. However, logistic challenges remain
      towards development of an optimized delivery approach to the human spinal cord.
      Clinical trials utilize a variety of methods to achieve this aim. In this
      article, the authors review currently employed delivery methods, compare the
      merits of alternate delivery paradigms, introduce their implementation in
      completed and ongoing clinical trials, and discuss promising near-term advances
      in image-guided delivery and in vivo graft tracking. 

PMID- 24228991
TI  - Controlling the actuation of therapeutic nanomaterials: enabling nanoparticle
      mediated drug delivery.
AB  - The implementation of biofunctionalized nanoparticles (NPs) as potential
      therapeutic materials has seen exponential growth in recent years due to their
      unique ability to overcome the constraints of current medicine. This has been
      largely driven by significant advances on a number of basic research fronts
      including high-quality NP synthesis, bioconjugation, cellular delivery and the
      controlled release or 'actuation' of NP-associated cargos. Cumulatively, these
      are the key enabling tools for the full realization of NP-mediated drug delivery.
      In this review, the authors' focus is on recent developments in methodologies for
      the controlled actuation of therapeutic NPs. The authors discuss the critical
      requirements for their integration into biological systems and highlight examples
      from the recent literature where controlled NP actuation has been successfully
      demonstrated. The current state of therapeutic NPs in the clinical setting is
      summarized and the article concludes with a brief perspective of how we can
      expect to see this emerging field develop in the coming years. 

PMID- 24228992
TI  - Block copolymer nanoassemblies for photodynamic therapy and diagnosis.
AB  - Light can be a powerful therapeutic and diagnostic tool. Light-sensitive
      molecules can be used to develop locally targeted cancer therapeutics. This
      approach is known as photodynamic therapy (PDT). Similarly, it is possible to
      diagnose diseases and track the course of treatment in vivo using ligh-sensitive
      molecules. This methodology is referred to as photodynamic diagnosis (PDD).
      Despite the potential, many PDT and PDD agents have imperfect physiochemical
      properties for their successful clinical application. Nanotechnology may solve
      these issues by improving the viability of PDT and PDD. This review summarizes
      the current state of PDT and PDD development, the integration of nanotechnology
      in the field, and the prospective future applications, demonstrating the
      potential of PDT and PDD for improved cancer treatment and diagnosis. 

PMID- 24228995
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24228996
TI  - Two-component, three-molecule reactions between 2,3-dihydroinden-1-ones and aryl
      chlorides catalyzed by an N-heterocyclic carbene-palladium(II)-1-methylimidazole
      complex.
AB  - The two-component, three-molecule reactions between 2,3-dihydroinden-1-ones and
      aryl chlorides were achieved in the presence of an NHC-Pd(II)-Im complex. Under
      the optimal conditions, all reactions performed well to give the corresponding
      products in moderate to high yields. 

PMID- 24228997
TI  - Equity in reproductive and maternal health services in Bangladesh.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
      is now closer than ever. There is lack of sufficient progress in achieving the
      MDG targets in many low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, there has also
      been concerns about wide spread inequity among those that are on track to achieve
      the health-related MDGs. Bangladesh has made a notable progress towards achieving
      the MDG 5 targets. It is, however, important to assess if this is an inclusive
      and equitable progress, as inequitable progress may not lead to sustainable
      health outcomes. The objective of this study is to assess the magnitude of
      inequities in reproductive and maternal health services in Bangladesh and propose
      relevant recommendations for decision making. METHODS: The 2007 Bangladesh
      demographic and health survey data is analyzed for inequities in selected
      maternal and reproductive health interventions using the slope and relative
      indices of inequality. RESULTS: The analysis indicates that there are significant
      wealth-related inequalities favouring the wealthiest of society in many of the
      indicators considered. Antenatal care (at least 4 visits), antenatal care by
      trained providers such as doctors and nurses, content of antenatal care, skilled
      birth attendance, delivery in health facility and delivery by caesarean section
      all manifest inequities against the least wealthy. There are no wealth-related
      inequalities in the use of modern contraception. In contrast, less desired
      interventions such as delivery by untrained providers and home delivery show
      wealth-related inequalities in favour of the poor. CONCLUSIONS: For an inclusive
      and sustainable improvement in maternal and reproductive health outcomes and
      achievement of MDG 5 targets, it essential to address inequities in maternal and
      reproductive health interventions. Under the government's stewardship, all
      stakeholders should accord priority to tackling wealth-related inequalities in
      maternal and reproductive health services by implementing equity-promoting
      measures both within and outside the health sector.

PMID- 24228993
TI  - Basics and recent advances in peptide and protein drug delivery.
AB  - While the peptide and protein therapeutic market has developed significantly in
      the past decades, delivery has limited their use. Although oral delivery is
      preferred, most are currently delivered intravenously or subcutaneously due to
      degradation and limited absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore,
      absorption enhancers, enzyme inhibitors, carrier systems and stability enhancers
      are being studied to facilitate oral peptide delivery. Additionally, transdermal
      peptide delivery avoids the issues of the gastrointestinal tract, but also faces
      absorption limitations. Due to proteases, opsonization and agglutination, free
      peptides are not systemically stable without modifications. This review discusses
      oral and transdermal peptide drug delivery, focusing on barriers and solutions to
      absorption and stability issues. Methods to increase systemic stability and site
      specific delivery are also discussed. 

PMID- 24228998
TI  - Incidence, characteristics and risk factors of adverse drug reactions in
      hospitalized children - a prospective observational cohort study of 6,601
      admissions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are an important cause of harm in
      children. Current data are incomplete due to methodological differences between
      studies: only half of all studies provide drug data, incidence rates vary (0.6%
      to 16.8%) and very few studies provide data on causality, severity and risk
      factors of pediatric ADRs. We aimed to determine the incidence of ADRs in
      hospitalized children, to characterize these ADRs in terms of type, drug
      etiology, causality and severity and to identify risk factors. METHODS: We
      undertook a year-long, prospective observational cohort study of admissions to a
      single UK pediatric medical and surgical secondary and tertiary referral center
      (Alder Hey, Liverpool, UK). Children between 0 and 16 years 11 months old and
      admitted for more than 48 hours were included. Observed outcomes were occurrence
      of ADR and time to first ADR for the risk factor analysis. RESULTS: A total of
      5,118 children (6,601 admissions) were included, 17.7% of whom experienced at
      least one ADR. Opiate analgesics and drugs used in general anesthesia (GA)
      accounted for more than 50% of all drugs implicated in ADRs. Of these ADRs, 0.9%
      caused permanent harm or required admission to a higher level of care. Children
      who underwent GA were at more than six times the risk of developing an ADR than
      children without a GA (hazard ratio (HR) 6.40; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.30
      to 7.70). Other factors increasing the risk of an ADR were increasing age (HR
      1.06 for each year; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.07), increasing number of drugs (HR 1.25 for
      each additional drug; 95% CI 1.22 to 1.28) and oncological treatment (HR 1.90;
      95% CI 1.40 to 2.60). CONCLUSIONS: ADRs are common in hospitalized children and
      children who had undergone a GA had more than six times the risk of developing an
      ADR. GA agents and opiate analgesics are a significant cause of ADRs and have
      been underrepresented in previous studies. This is a concern in view of the
      increasing number of pediatric short-stay surgeries.

PMID- 24228999
TI  - Antistaphylococcal and biofilm inhibitory activities of gallic, caffeic, and
      chlorogenic acids.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen which is able to form biofilms,
      exhibiting a more pronounced resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants. The
      hurdles posed in eradicating biofilms have driven the search for new compounds
      able to fight these structures. Phenolic compounds constitute one of the most
      numerous and ubiquitous group of plant secondary metabolites with many biological
      activities. The aim of the present work was to study the potential antimicrobial
      and antibiofilm properties of gallic, caffeic, and chlorogenic acids against S.
      aureus as well to elucidate its mechanism of action. It was concluded that the
      phenolic acids studied in this work have antistaphylococcal properties. For
      instance, gallic acid is able to influence the adhesion properties of S. aureus.
      The phenolic acids tested were also able to inhibit the production of alpha
      hemolysin by this microorganism, with the exception of chlorogenic acid.
      Regarding its mechanism of action, caffeic acid interferes with the stability of
      the cell membrane and with the metabolic activity of the cells of S. aureus.

PMID- 24229002
TI  - In a disaster, social media has the power to save lives.

PMID- 24229005
TI  - Tailoring porosity in carbon nanospheres for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes.
AB  - Porous hollow carbon spheres with different tailored pore structures have been
      designed as conducting frameworks for lithium-sulfur battery cathode materials
      that exhibit stable cycling capacity. By deliberately creating shell porosity and
      utilizing the interior void volume of the carbon spheres, sufficient space for
      sulfur storage as well as electrolyte pathways is guaranteed. The effect of
      different approaches to develop shell porosity is examined and compared in this
      study. The most highly optimized sulfur-porous carbon nanosphere composite,
      created using pore-formers to tailor shell porosity, exhibits excellent cycling
      performance and rate capability. Sulfur is primarily confined in 4-5 nm mesopores
      in the carbon shell and inner lining of the shells, which is beneficial for
      enhancing charge transfer and accommodating volume expansion of sulfur during
      redox cycling. Little capacity degradation (~0.1% /cycle) is observed over 100
      cycles for the optimized material. 

PMID- 24229006
TI  - Embedded performance validity indicators within the California Verbal Learning
      Test, Children's Version.
AB  - To date, few studies have examined the use of embedded performance validity
      indicators in pediatric populations. The present study examined the utility of
      variables within the California Verbal Learning Test, Children's Version (CVLT-C)
      in detecting noncredible effort among a pediatric mild traumatic brain injury
      sample. The sample consisted of 411 clinically referred patients aged 8-16 years.
      A total of 13% of the participants failed both the Medical Symptom Validity Test
      and at least one other performance validity measure. No demographic or injury
      related variables differentiated the noncredible and adequate effort groups. The
      noncredible group performed significantly worse than the adequate effort group
      across a majority of CVLT-C variables. Logistic regression analysis revealed that
      the Recognition Discriminability (RD) score was the most robust in predicting
      noncredible effort. Among this relatively high-functioning sample, an RD cutoff z
      score of -0.5 resulted in sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 91%. A more
      conservative RD cutoff z-score of -1.0 resulted in sensitivity of 41% and
      specificity of 97%. These findings are comparable to the classification
      statistics found for many embedded indicators in the adult literature. Although
      only moderately sensitive, the RD score on the CVLT-C appears to have good
      utility in identifying noncredible effort in a relatively high-functioning
      pediatric mTBI population. 

PMID- 24229008
TI  - Primary cerebral myxopapillary ependymoma presenting with intratumoral
      hemorrhage.
AB  - Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE), a benign histological variant of ependymoma, is
      found most commonly in the cauda equina region. Primary intracranial MPE is very
      rare, and most cases are a metastatic deposit from a spinal lesion. Primary
      cerebral MPEs are usually well-defined solid or cystic lesions without
      hemorrhage. We report the first case of primary cerebral MPE with intratumoral
      hemorrhage.

PMID- 24229007
TI  - DSM-5: a collection of psychiatrist views on the changes, controversies, and
      future directions.
AB  - The recent release of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
      of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association has led to
      much debate. For this forum article, we asked BMC Medicine Editorial Board
      members who are experts in the field of psychiatry to discuss their personal
      views on how the changes in DSM-5 might affect clinical practice in their
      specific areas of psychiatric medicine. This article discusses the influence the
      DSM-5 may have on the diagnosis and treatment of autism, trauma-related and
      stressor-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, mood
      disorders (including major depression and bipolar disorders), and schizophrenia
      spectrum disorders. 

PMID- 24229009
TI  - New criteria to predict tumor recurrence in invasive ductal carcinoma of the
      breast.
AB  - Incidence of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is cancer without
      expression of ER, PgR, and HER2, and nuclear grade (NG) are closely correlated
      with malignant potential of breast cancer. However, criteria to determine
      aggressiveness of breast cancer based on these factors have not been elucidated.
      The aim of this study was to create criteria using these factors to predict tumor
      recurrence in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. One hundred and
      seventy-nine patients with IDC of the breast, which had been treated by surgical
      resection, were included. One point was added for each factor of the two
      categories of TNBC and NG 3. The sum of the scores (TGS 0, 1, or 2) was
      calculated. Significant difference was observed between TGS and the incidence of
      tumor recurrence (P < 0.0001). Moreover, significant differences were observed
      regarding relapse-free survival (RFS) between patients with TGS 0 and TGS 1 (P <
      0.0001) and patients with TGS 1 and TGS 2 (P = 0.024). TGS might contain a
      clinical advantage as a useful predictor for tumor recurrence of IDC of the
      breast and could classify prognosis of the patients with a preferable
      stratification.

PMID- 24229010
TI  - Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone due to selective
      serotonin reuptake inhibitors after pancreaticoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the
      ampulla of Vater: case report.
AB  - A 68-year-old man underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with lymph nodes dissection
      for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. The patient had anxiety neurosis and had
      been treated with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
      Postoperatively, SSRI was resumed on postoperative day 2. His serum sodium
      concentration gradually decreased, and the patient was given a sodium supplement.
      However, 11 days after the operation, laboratory findings included serum sodium
      concentration of 117 mEq/L, serum vasopressin of 2.0 pg/mL, plasma osmolality of
      238 mOsm/kg, urine osmolality of 645 mOsm/kg, urine sodium concentration of 66
      mEq/L, serum creatinine concentration of 0.54 mg/dL, and serum cortisol
      concentration of 29.1 MUg/dL. With a diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate
      secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), the antianxiety neurosis medication
      was changed from the SSRI to another type of drug. After switching the
      medication, the patient made a satisfactory recovery with normalization of serum
      sodium by postoperative day 20.

PMID- 24229011
TI  - Surgical stress response after colorectal resection.
AB  - The human body's response to surgery is correlated with the extent of tissue
      damage. The aim of the present study was to, over time, map out parameters
      concerning inflammation, metabolism, nutrition, breathing function, muscle
      strength, and well-being in elective colorectal surgery. Eighteen patients were
      prospectively included: colon resection (n = 9) and rectum resection/amputation
      (n = 9). Postoperative interleukin 10 (IL-10) rose more in the rectum surgery
      group on day 0 (P = 0.007) and day 3 (P = 0.025). Furthermore, significant
      differences between groups were detected regarding albumin, prealbumin, and total
      iron-binding capacity (TIBC). For albumin and TIBC, this difference was seen even
      on day 7. C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-8, glucose, cortisol, insulin, pain,
      fatigue, nausea, grip strength, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second did not
      show any differences. No correlation was revealed between measured parameters and
      postoperative complications. Postoperative levels of IL-10, albumin, prealbumin,
      and TIBC may be used as determinants of surgical stress after colorectal surgery.

PMID- 24229012
TI  - Is ostomy still mandatory in rectal injuries?
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of the treatment methods of
      ostomy and primary repair in rectal injuries. A total of 63 patients with rectal
      injury who had been treated at Dicle University Hospital between 2000 and 2011
      were retrospectively reviewed. To determine the outcomes of the treatment
      methods, the patients were divided into 2 groups (ostomy group: patients who
      underwent ostomy plus primary repair; repair group: patients who only underwent
      primary repair) and compared. The patients included 51 men and 12 women. A total
      of 44 patients underwent ostomy, whereas 19 patients underwent primary repair. No
      morbidity was detected in either group with grade II intraperitoneal rectal
      injury. The outcomes of the patients with grade II intraperitoneal and
      extraperitoneal rectal injury were similar. In the treatment of patients with low
      grade rectal injuries, primary repair can be preferred to ostomy.

PMID- 24229013
TI  - A new technique in management of pilonidal sinus, a university teaching hospital
      experience.
AB  - This paper evaluates a new technique that can lead to excision of pilonidal sinus
      with less healing time and low recurrence rate. A prospective randomized double
      blind controlled study on 142 patients with pilonidal sinus conducted during the
      period from September 2008 to March 2012. The patients were prospectively
      randomized to be operated with one of four surgical techniques, excision and
      primary closure, or excision after using hydrogen peroxide (H202) and primary
      closure, or excision without closure, or excision after injection of H202 without
      closure. The main outcome measures were the healing time and the recurrence rate.
      Out of 142 patients, 118 patients were males (83%), and 24 were females (17%).
      The mean age was 24.5 years. The recurrence rate in patients treated with
      excision after injection of H202 without closure was the lowest (1.8%) with P
      value < 0.005, and the mean duration of healing was 30.7 days with P-value <
      0.005. We recommend using excision after injection of H202 without closure in
      management of PNS. Injection of H202 into the pilonidal tracts can give a precise
      delineation of the affected tracts, which can be excised with minimal amount of
      surrounding normal tissues and hence lead to a quicker recovery and low
      recurrence rate.

PMID- 24229014
TI  - Prophylactic and informational abdominal drainage is not necessary after
      colectomy and suprapromontory anastomosis.
AB  - Several randomized prospective studies in western countries regarding the
      usefulness of prophylactic drainage have concluded that prophylactic abdominal
      drainage tubes are unnecessary. In Japan, however, longitudinal and vascular
      margins are rather different from in western countries. Furthermore, body mass
      index and volume of mesentery differed. Thus, although it is a retrospective
      study, it is worth investigating the usefulness of prophylactic drainage in the
      Japanese context. Two hundred sixty patients underwent colectomy and
      suprapromontory anastomosis. Prophylactic drainage tubes were inserted in 124
      cases (47%) and not inserted in 136 cases (53%). In terms of postoperative
      complications, no statistically significant difference was found between the with
      drainage and the without-drainage groups. The incidence of the abscess formation
      was not statistically different in the with-drainage group (4.0%) or the without
      drainage group (0.7%). We concluded that the prophylactic and informational
      drainage tubes are not necessary even in Japanese cases of suprapromontory
      anastomosis, which typically have a wide resection and regional lymphadenectomy
      containing the roots of regional vessels.

PMID- 24229015
TI  - A long-term survival case of rectal cancer with multiple pulmonary metastases
      treated with multidisciplinary chemotherapy.

PMID- 24229016
TI  - A case of benign schwannoma of the ascending colon treated with laparoscopic
      assisted wedge resection.
AB  - Isolated colonic schwannomas are rare gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. Only a
      small number of cases have been reported. Occurrence of these tumors is more
      common in the stomach than in the large intestine. These spindle cell lesions are
      distinct from leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors
      because the tumor cells have a distinct immunophenotype, with strong diffuse
      positivity for S-100 and vimentin, as well as corroborative negative staining of
      CD117 and smooth muscle markers. We present a case of colonic schwannoma in a 70
      year-old woman who had no specific symptoms. The patient was diagnosed with a
      submucosal tumor in the ascending colon on colonoscopy and abdominal computed
      tomography. Laparoscopic-assisted wedge resection of colon was performed. The
      very rare pathologic diagnosis of ascending schwannoma was made postoperatively.
      This case is interesting because schwannomas of the colon and rectum are
      extremely rare and are treated by laparoscopic-assisted wedge resection.

PMID- 24229017
TI  - Recurrent pilonidal sinus: lay open or flap closure, does it differ?
AB  - Treatment options of pilonidal sinus, which has high recurrence rates, is still
      controversial. In this study, we aimed to analyze for possible factors affecting
      recurrence. Forty-one patients with recurrent pilonidal sinus were included in
      this study. Of them, 33 were male and 9 were female (mean age, 24.9 years; age
      range, 16-42). Factors (i.e., risk factors) were detected in 32 patients.
      Excision-secondary healing and lay open was performed on 30 of the patients
      admitted with recurrence. Excision and flap closure was applied on 11 patients.
      Our recurrence rate was 9.7%. The recurrence rate of our study is compatible with
      the literature. Comparative studies are needed to determine the appropriate
      method to decrease recurrence rate.

PMID- 24229018
TI  - Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor with elevated serum CA19-9 level mimicking liver
      metastasis from rectal cancer: report of a case.
AB  - Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the liver is rare, and differential diagnosis
      from malignant tumors is difficult. We herein report a case of IPT of the liver
      with marked elevation of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). A 72-year-old woman,
      who underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer, had low-grade fever and
      epigastric pain. The patient has well-controlled idiopathic thrombocytopenic
      purpura (ITP) with steroid maintenance treatment. Abnormal laboratory findings
      included serum carcinoembryonic antigen of 15.9 ng/mL and CA19-9 up to 14,632
      U/mL. Computed tomography revealed a low-density lesion, and magnetic resonance
      imaging demonstrated a high intensity lesion on T1, T2-weighted, and diffusion
      weighted images (55 * 22 mm in the Couinaud's segment 4 of the liver). However, 1
      month after the appearance of the symptom, serum level of CA19-9 suddenly
      decreased to 37 U/mL. The tumor decreased spontaneously to 20 * 10 mm. Seven
      months later, the tumor had reduced to 18 * 11 mm. With a diagnosis of IPT, the
      patient remains well without regrowth of the tumor at 1 year follow-up after CA19
      9 decrease to normal limits.

PMID- 24229019
TI  - Laparoscopy-assisted resection of ileocecal intussusception caused by ileal
      pedunculated lipoma.
AB  - We report on a case of ileal lipoma that prolapsed into the ascending colon and
      was resected by laparoscopy-assisted surgery. A 31-year-old male Japanese patient
      was admitted to our hospital because of hematochezia and anemia. Colonoscopy
      revealed a pedunculated polyp arising from the ileum. The surface was covered
      with slightly edematous mucosa. Abdominal computed tomography showed a low
      density mass in the ascending colon. A diagnosis of pedunculated ileal lipoma
      with intussusception was made, and laparoscopy-assisted surgery was performed.
      The intussusception was reducted by resection of the lipoma. The surgical
      specimen was a 40 * 30 * 25 mm round tumor with a long stalk 11 cm in length.
      Microscopic examination of the specimen revealed ileal lipoma. Laparoscopic
      surgery is recommended for benign tumors of the small intestine because it is
      minimally invasive.

PMID- 24229020
TI  - Identification of preoperative risk factors associated with the conversion of
      laparoscopic to open appendectomies.
AB  - Our goals were to (1) identify risk factors associated with conversion from
      laparoscopic to open appendectomies and (2) establish criteria that predict the
      possibility of conversion to an open technique. We did a retrospective chart
      review of all patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomies during a 5-year
      period (2004-2008). Preoperative risk factors, intraoperative findings, and
      postoperative complications were compared. We found that of 763 patients who had
      undergone laparoscopic appendectomy, 44 patients were converted to open technique
      (conversion rate of 5.8%). For these 44 patients, the male to female ratio was 2
      to 1, and the men were older (45 versus 37 years of age, P < 0.001). Conversion
      rates decreased with time (8.7% in 2004 versus 3.5% in 2008). Past surgical
      history was insignificant. However, a duration of symptoms of >5 days as well as
      a white blood cell count >20,000 were found to have a direct correlation.
      Incidence of postoperative complications did not increase in converted patients.
      The conversion rate is highest in male patients above 45 years of age, with over
      5 days' duration of symptoms, leukocytosis >20,000, and ruptured appendicitis on
      computed tomography scan. The presence of 3 to 4 of these risk factors should
      lower the threshold for consideration of conversion to open appendectomy.

PMID- 24229021
TI  - Favorable response after gemcitabine-radiotherapy for invasive pancreatic
      intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: a case report.
AB  - The efficacy of chemoradiotherapy for invasive pancreatic ductal carcinoma
      derived from an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) has not been
      established. The subject of the present report was a 53-year-old man admitted for
      the treatment of IPMN. The tumor, located in the pancreatic body, was of the
      mixed type of IPMN, and it involved the branch duct, where it was 38 mm in
      diameter, and the main duct, where it was 6 mm in diameter. Distal pancreatectomy
      was performed and the postoperative course was uneventful; however,
      histopathologic diagnosis revealed invasive ductal carcinoma with a positive
      surgical margin in the pancreatic duct. Although total pancreatectomy was
      recommended, chemoradiotherapy (50.4-Gy irradiation and gemcitabine) was
      preferred by the patient. At 9-month follow up, computed tomography and magnetic
      resonance imaging showed a cystic mass at the surgical margin of the pancreas.
      Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a 44-mm cystic lesion with nodules in the
      remnant pancreas, on the basis of which he underwent total pancreatectomy.
      Pathologic examination of the resected specimen revealed absence of the
      epithelium at the surgical margin of the main pancreatic duct, and malignant
      cells were not detected.

PMID- 24229022
TI  - Surgical approach to splenic hydatid cyst: single center experience.
AB  - The benefits and risks of surgery for splenic hydatid cyst (SHC) remain
      controversial. We aimed to share our experience about a surgical approach for
      SHC. Sixteen consecutive patients with SHC disease who underwent open splenectomy
      at our hospital between January 2006 and July 2012 were retrospectively
      evaluated. Data on the patients' demographic features, clinical findings,
      radiological and serological diagnostic methods, and surgical and medicinal
      treatment options were collected and used to generate descriptive profiles of
      diagnosis, treatment course, and outcome. The patient population was composed of
      6 females and 10 males, with an age range of 18 to 79 years (mean age: 47.0 +/-
      18.0). Radiological examinations detected hydatid cysts in spleen alone (n = 7)
      or both spleen and liver (n = 9). Preoperative serological testing identified 13
      of the patients as IHA positive. All except 1 patient received a 10- to 21-day
      preoperative course of albendazole therapy and all patients received vaccination
      1 week prior to surgery. Seven patients underwent splenectomy. The remaining
      patients underwent splenectomy with partial cystectomy and omentopexy (n = 6),
      partial cystectomy and unroofing (n = 1), pericystectomy (n = 1), or
      pericystectomy with partial nephrectomy (n = 1). All except one patient received
      a 10- to 45-day postoperative course of albendazole. No patients developed
      serious complications or signs of recurrence during the follow-up. The clinical
      profile of SHC disease at our hospital includes diagnosis by radiological
      methods, splenectomy treatment by simple or concomitant procedures according to
      the patient's symptoms, cyst size, number and localization, and compression of
      adjacent organs, and adjunct vaccination to decrease risk of postoperative septic
      complications. This profile is associated with low risk of complications and high
      therapeutic efficacy.

PMID- 24229023
TI  - Routine histopathologic examination of appendectomy specimens: retrospective
      analysis of 1255 patients.
AB  - The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical benefit of
      histopathologic analysis of appendectomy specimens from patients with an initial
      diagnosis of acute appendicitis. We retrospectively analyzed the demographic and
      histopathologic data of 1255 patients (712 males, 543 females; age range, 17-85
      years) who underwent appendectomy to treat an initial diagnosis of acute
      appendicitis. Patients who underwent incidental appendectomy during other
      surgeries were excluded from the study. Histopathologic findings of the
      appendectomy specimens were used to confirm the initial diagnosis. Ninety-four
      percent of the appendectomy specimens were positive for appendicitis. Of those,
      880 were phlegmonous appendicitis, 148 were gangrenous appendicitis with
      perforation, and the remaining 88 showed unusual histopathologic findings. In the
      88 specimens with unusual pathology, fibrous obliteration was observed in 57
      specimens, carcinoid tumor in 11, Encheliophis vermicularis parasite infection in
      8, granulatomous inflammation in 6, appendiceal endometriosis in 2, and 1
      specimen each showed mucocele, eosinophilic infiltration, Taenia saginata
      parasite infection, and appendicular diverticulitis. All carcinoid tumors were
      located in the distal appendix. Six of the 11 carcinoid tumors were defined by
      histopathology as involving tubular cells, and the other 5 as involving
      enterochromaffin cells. Six patients had muscularis propria invasion, 2 patients
      had submucosa invasion, 2 patients had mesoappendix invasion, and 1 patient had
      serosal invasion. All patients with tumors remained disease free during the
      follow-up (range, 1-27 months). We conclude that when the ratio of unusual
      pathologic findings for appendectomy specimens is considered, it is evident that
      all surgical specimens should be subjected to careful histologic examination.

PMID- 24229024
TI  - Port site metastasis after laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG).
AB  - This report describes a case of port site metastasis after laparoscopic
      gastrectomy for gastric cancer. A 57-year-old man with clinical cTNM stage II (T2
      N0 M0) gastric cancer was admitted to our hospital. After administration of an
      oral fluoropyrimidine drug (S-1) for 2 weeks, he underwent laparoscopy-assisted
      distal gastrectomy (LADG). On hematoxylin and eosin staining, the pTNM stage was
      IA (T1b N0 M0). Eighteen months later, the patient developed a subcutaneous
      metastasis at the trocar site. A second operation was performed, and the
      abdominal wall mass was resected. The histological finding confirmed a diagnosis
      of metastatic gastric carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed
      micrometastasis in fat tissue adjacent to the lymph node near the left gastric
      artery. Surgeons should be aware that port site metastasis can occur in patients
      undergoing LADG for gastric cancer with lymphatic micrometastasis, which is
      undetectable on routine hematoxylin and eosin staining.

PMID- 24229025
TI  - Abdominal implantation of testicles in the management of intractable testicular
      pain in Fournier gangrene.
AB  - Fournier gangrene (FG) is a necrotizing soft tissue infection involving the
      superficial and fascial planes of the perineum. In many cases of FG, debridement
      of the scrotum is necessary, leaving definitive management of the exposed
      testicles a significant surgical challenge. Frequent incidental trauma to the
      testicles can cause severe pain, especially in laborers. Practical surgical
      solutions are few and not well detailed. Various options exist, including
      creating a neoscrotum with adjacent thigh tissue, split-thickness skin grafts
      (STSGs), or even creating a subcutaneous thigh pocket. We describe a case of
      abdominal implantation of bilateral testicles for persistent testicular pain in a
      case where STSGs did not provide adequate protection, adjacent thigh skin was not
      available for creation of a neoscrotum, and significant cord contracture
      occurred. We detail the advantages and disadvantages of the commonly described
      techniques, including this approach, and how in select individuals this may be a
      suitable alternative.

PMID- 24229026
TI  - Expression of GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 in xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis induced a
      positive result on 18F-FDG PET: report of a case.
AB  - Although several reports have revealed that fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose
      positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG PET) is useful for differentiating
      between benign and malignant lesions in the gallbladder, the positive results of
      (18)F-FDG PET are not specific for malignancy because (18)F-FDG is also
      accumulated in inflammatory lesions. It is known that the most important pathway
      for (18)F-FDG to enter the cell body is mediated by the facilitative glucose
      transporter-1 (GLUT-1) through GLUT-3. We herein present a case of
      xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) with a positive result on (18)F-FDG PET.
      In this case, GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 were both positively expressed in inflammatory
      cells at the gallbladder wall of XGC and this is the first report to reveal GLUT
      expression in XGC. This report reveals that surgeons should carefully consider
      the appropriate treatment of gallbladder tumor, even with a positive result on
      (18)F-FDG PET.

PMID- 24229027
TI  - Critical analysis of Strattice performance in complex abdominal wall
      reconstruction: intermediate-risk patients and early complications.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance of a porcine-derived
      acellular dermal matrix (Strattice Reconstructive Tissue Matrix) in patients at
      increased risk for perioperative complications. We reviewed medical records for
      patients with complex abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) and Strattice underlay
      from 2007 to 2010. Intermediate-risk patients were defined as having multiple
      comorbidities without abdominal infection. Forty-one patients met the inclusion
      criteria (mean age, 60 years; mean body mass index, 35.5 kg/m(2)). Comorbidities
      included coronary artery disease (63.4%), diabetes mellitus (36.6%), and chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (17.1%). Fascial closure was achieved in 40
      patients (97.6%). Average hospitalization was 6.4 days (range, 1-24 days).
      Complications included seroma (7.3%), wound dehiscence with Strattice exposure
      (4.9%), cellulitis (2.4%), and hematoma (2.4%). All patients achieved abdominal
      wall closure with no recurrent hernias or need for Strattice removal. Patients
      with multiple comorbidities at intermediate risk of postoperative complications
      can achieve successful, safe AWR with Strattice.

PMID- 24229028
TI  - Stapleless laparoscopic splenectomy using harmonic scalpel by 2-step sealing.
AB  - Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has been accepted as a safe and effective procedure
      as compared with open splenectomy. Recently, there have been a few reports on the
      LigaSure vessel sealing system as an alternative hemostasis to clip ligation.
      Here we report the experience of LS using an alternative energy device, Harmonic
      Scalpel laparoscopic coagulating shears (LCS). Preliminary experience of LS with
      LCS for a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is reported.
      Generally, two-step sealing with LCS was used for vessels of the splenic pedicle
      approximately 5 mm in diameter without using the Endo-GIA stapler. Operative time
      was 93 minutes, and blood loss was 40 mL. The patient was discharged on the third
      postoperative day with no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The LS
      with LCS was performed safely using two-step sealing. Further experience is
      necessary to verify the safety of this procedure.

PMID- 24229029
TI  - Tumor compression-induced portal obstruction and selective transarterial
      chemoembolization increase functional liver volume in the unobstructed area,
      facilitating successful resection of a large HCC.
AB  - A 62-year-old man with hepatitis B was admitted for treatment of a large
      hepatocellular carcinoma. The right portal vein was completely obstructed by
      tumor compression. Although we initially planned a right trisectionectomy as
      curative hepatectomy, the percentage of future remnant liver volume (%RLV) and
      the percentage of functional liver volume (%RFLV) were 31.2% and 41.3%,
      respectively. Because %RFLV showed marginal tolerability for curative hepatectomy
      and %RLV was very low, we opted for transarterial chemoembolization of segment IV
      and the right lobe containing the tumor as an approach to selectively reduce
      liver volume and abolish liver function. One month later, %RLV and %RFLV had
      dramatically increased to 46.6% and 67.2%, resulting in curative hepatectomy. Our
      results suggest that tumor compression-induced portal obstruction and selective
      transarterial chemoembolization increase %RFLV much more than %RLV. This may
      represent a useful approach in preoperative management in patients with large
      hepatocellular carcinomas to improve %RFLV for hepatic resection.

PMID- 24229030
TI  - Adult intussusception of appendicular mucinous cystoadenoma.
AB  - Intussusception is a rare cause of adult intestinal obstruction. Clinical
      manifestations are not specific, which makes a preoperative diagnosis difficult
      to establish and often causes delay. We report a case of acute intestinal
      obstruction due to ileocolic intussusception. An emergency laparoscopy was
      performed revealing an obstructive mass at the ileocecal region resulting from an
      appendicular tumor. A right hemicolectomy was conducted. The pathologic
      examination of the resected sample concluded the mass comprised an appendicular
      mucinous cystoadenoma. We discuss the clinical features, preoperative diagnosis,
      and surgical strategies of adult intussusception, as well as the uncommon finding
      of an appendicular mucinous tumor as its causative lesion, with a review of the
      available literature.

PMID- 24229031
TI  - A systematic review of outcomes following repair of complex ventral incisional
      hernias with biologic mesh.
AB  - Repair of contaminated/infected ventral incisional hernias is marked by high
      rates of recurrence, complications, and/or explantation of synthetic mesh.
      Biologic mesh products are recommended for repair to permit reconstruction and
      reduce complications. A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane
      databases identified English-language articles reporting postoperative outcomes
      (e.g., hernia recurrence, infection, mesh explantation) in patients undergoing
      contaminated/infected ventral incisional herniorrhaphy. Eleven studies met
      inclusion criteria and contained quantitative outcome data. All were
      retrospective chart reviews of biologic mesh use (mostly human acellular dermal
      matrix). Hernia recurrence and wound infection rates were highly variable and
      inconsistently reported across studies. Mesh explantation was rarely reported.
      Outcome variability is likely owing to heterogenous patient populations, surgical
      technique variations, and follow-up duration. Biologic mesh use in
      contaminated/infected herniorrhaphy was marked by low reported rates of secondary
      surgeries for infected mesh removal. Data from large, well-controlled,
      prospective trials with biologic mesh products are needed.

PMID- 24229032
TI  - Small intestinal strangulation due to a rare type of primary internal hernia.
AB  - Internal hernias in which the gate is located in the paracolic gutter are rare. A
      75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with severe epigastric pain without
      past history of laparotomy and/or trauma. He was diagnosed with strangulation of
      the ileum by the findings of computed tomography, and the operation was
      performed. During laparotomy, the small intestine was found to be strangulated
      and to enter the retroperitoneum from the right paracolic gutter near the hepatic
      flexure. The patient was diagnosed with an internal hernia, which differed from a
      pericecal hernia in that the hernia gate was located along the paracolic gutter
      near the hepatic flexure far from the cecum. Hence, it was considered to be a
      rare type of internal hernia. We report the clinical presentation and imaging
      findings of this rare internal hernia.

PMID- 24229033
TI  - Incisional intercostal hernia with prolapse of the colon after right partial
      nephrectomy.
AB  - A 75-year-old woman with a history of myocardial infarction, gallstones, and
      right renal cancer was referred to our department because of right flank pain.
      She had a surgical scar on the right abdomen between the 10th and 11th ribs;
      computed tomography demonstrated intercostal herniation of the colon. Recognizing
      the possibility of adhesions of the hernia and colon, we used a median skin
      incision and patched a polyester mesh coated with absorbent collagen. The patient
      had an uneventful postoperative course, with no pain for 6 months
      postoperatively. Transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernias with abdominal contents
      commonly develop after trauma or thoracic surgery. Incisional intercostal hernias
      seldom develop after nephrectomy; the present case is only the fourth report. We
      conjecture that a costochondral incision can induce subluxation of the
      costotransverse joint, intercostal nerve injury, and atrophy of the intercostal
      and abdominal oblique muscles. Surgeons must therefore recognize the potential,
      albeit rare, for intercostal hernia after nephrectomy.

PMID- 24229034
TI  - Assessment of the effectiveness of silver-coated dressing, chlorhexidine acetate
      (0.5%), citric acid (3%), and silver sulfadiazine (1%) for topical antibacterial
      effects against the multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infecting full
      skin thickness burn wounds on rats.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the effects of four different topical
      antimicrobial dressings on a multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      contaminated full-thickness burn wound rat model. A total of 40 adult male Wistar
      albino rats were used. The control group (group 1), silver sulfadiazine (1%)
      group 2, chlorhexidine acetate (0.5%) group 3, citric acid (3%) group 4, and
      silver-coated dressing group 5 were compared to assess the antibacterial effects
      of a daily application to a 30% full-skin thickness burn wound seeded 10 minutes
      earlier with 10(8) CFU (colony forming unit)/0.5 mL of a multi-drug resistant
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain. Five groups (1 control group and 4 treatment
      groups) were compared. The administration of third-degree burns to all rats was
      confirmed based on histopathologic data. The tissue cultures from groups 2 and 5
      exhibited significant differences compared to those of the other 3 groups,
      whereas no significant differences were observed between groups 1, 3, and 4. The
      effectiveness of the treatments was as follows: 1% silver sulfadiazine > silver
      coated dressing > 3% citric acid > 0.5% chlorhexidine acetate > control group.
      Our results supported the efficacy of topical therapy by silver sulfadiazine and
      silver-coated dressing on infections caused by multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas
      spp.

PMID- 24229035
TI  - Repeat liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma complicating primary biliary
      cirrhosis.
AB  - The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicating primary biliary
      cirrhosis (PBC) is between 0.7% and 16%. Repeat liver resection for recurrent HCC
      complicating PBC is not usually performed and not published because this approach
      is not generally applicable due to liver dysfunction. We applied repeat liver
      resection for these diseases. Three patients were diagnosed with PBC. The first
      HCC was noted at a mean of 6 years (4-17 years) after diagnosis of PBC. The
      second HCC occurred at a mean of 2.5 years (0.4-3 years) after the first surgery.
      All patients were treated with curative resection on first and second surgery.
      The mean overall survival time after the first liver resection was 46 months.
      Repeat liver resection for recurrent HCC complicating PBC is an option and may
      improve the outcome.

PMID- 24229036
TI  - A case of living donor liver transplant recipient treated with novel blood
      purification "plasma diafiltration".
AB  - Blood purification therapy is indispensable for liver transplant recipients. The
      case of a living donor liver transplant recipient who represented graft
      insufficiency and was supported by novel blood purification "plasma
      diafiltration" immediately after operation is presented. A 60-year-old woman was
      referred for living donor liver transplant because of liver cirrhosis due to
      hepatitis C. Elective living donor liver transplant was performed, but the graft
      was small for size. Thus, the signs of graft insufficiency appeared immediately
      after the operation, and plasma diafiltration was used as a bridge to graft
      regeneration. After plasma diafiltration was started, the recipient recovered
      promptly, and withdrawal was performed 35 hours after induction without any
      complications. Plasma diafiltration is a useful and safe liver support for liver
      transplant recipients, including immediately after liver transplantation.

PMID- 24229037
TI  - Two rare metachronous metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver
      transplantation.
AB  - A 59-year-old male with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to liver cirrhosis
      caused by the hepatitis C virus underwent cadaveric whole liver transplantation.
      Two years later, he had a metastatic HCC in the superior mediastinum. Over the
      following postoperative year, he underwent transcatheter arterial
      chemoembolization (TACE) for 4 tumors in the implanted liver. In the third post
      TACE month, he was emergently hospitalized due to intracerebral hematoma with a
      tumor invading the bone in the medial frontal segment. He underwent emergency
      intracranial tumorectomy and hemorrhage removal. The histopathologic diagnosis
      was metastatic HCC. He regained consciousness as well as the ability to speak and
      to feed himself, resulting in an improved quality of life. The incidence of HCC
      recurrence after liver transplantation is observed in approximately 8% to 11% of
      selected cases, with frequent relapses observed in the implanted liver, bones,
      adrenal glands, and lungs. Mediastinal and intracranial metastases from HCC post
      liver transplantation are very rare.

PMID- 24229038
TI  - Trigger finger release with stepwise preservation of the A1 pulley: a functional
      pulley-preserving technique.
AB  - The first annular (A1) pulley is an important structure of the hand, providing a
      biomechanical support to the metacarpophalangeal joint and maintaining joint
      stability and flexor tendon alignment. Albeit uncommon, disruption of this pulley
      can result in dislocation or ulnar drift of the digit, particularly pronounced in
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Despite this, the A1 pulley is commonly
      divided without reconstruction in trigger finger. Several annular pulley
      reconstructive techniques have been developed to preserve its function. However,
      development of recurrent triggering has been observed due to fibrosis, largely
      due to inadequate release of the pulley. We have developed a technique to
      increase the volume within the flexor sheath while preserving the A1 pulley by
      way of stepwise lengthening. This has enabled an increase in the diameter of the
      pulley to 4 times its original size. A prospective study was performed comprising
      10 trigger finger releases with stepwise lengthening of the A1 pulley. In all
      patients, there were no complications, and good hand function was achieved with
      no recurrence of triggering at 6 weeks of follow-up. This technique can thus
      safely achieve trigger release without sacrifice of the function of the A1
      pulley.

PMID- 24229039
TI  - Hemoptysis and acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS) as delayed-type hypersensitivity
      after FOLFOX4 plus bevacizumab treatment.
AB  - As there have been many multidrug regimens introduced in colorectal cancer
      treatment, hypersensitivity is more often encountered than in the past. Though
      most allergic adverse events of oxaliplatin are mainly classified as type I
      reaction, a limited number of case reports of type IV reaction (delayed-type
      hypersensitivity) have been reported. A 73-year-old man was hospitalized for
      receiving the third cycle of FOLFOX4 plus bevacizumab. Forty-two hours after
      administration, he had dyspnea and hemoptysis. Acute respiratory distress
      syndrome was suspected, and the patient underwent mechanical ventilation and
      steroid pulse therapy. Delayed-type hypersensitivity is induced by induction of
      inflammation via IL-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6. The serum level of IL-6 in patients
      with advanced colorectal cancers is usually greater than the normal range.
      Therefore, delayed-type hypersensitivity may be easily induced in those patients.
      We should pay special attention to delayed-type hypersensitivity in advanced
      colorectal cancer patients undergoing FOLFOX treatment.

PMID- 24229040
TI  - Clinicopathologic characteristics and clinical outcomes of esophageal basaloid
      squamous carcinoma: experience at a single institution.
AB  - This retrospective study investigated the clinicopathologic characteristics and
      clinical outcomes of esophageal basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSC). Among 190
      patients with esophageal carcinoma treated surgically between 1998 and 2011, we
      identified 9 (4.7%) with BSC. All of the patients were male, with a median age of
      65 years. The frequencies of venous invasion, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node
      metastasis were 56%, 89%, and 67%, respectively. A total of 2 patients were
      pathologic stage 1, 5 were stage 2, and 2 were stage 3. Tumor recurrence was
      observed in 56% of the patients. The 5-year survival rate for patients with
      esophageal BSC was 40%, which was compatible with the figure of 53.8% for control
      patients (n = 18) with typical squamous cell carcinoma matched for sex, age,
      tumor location, and pathologic stage (P = 0.45). Although esophageal BSC shows
      aggressive lymph-vascular invasion and has a high likelihood of recurrence, its
      prognosis seems identical to that of typical squamous cell carcinoma.

PMID- 24229041
TI  - Gastric bronchogenic cyst histologically diagnosed after laparoscopic excision:
      report of a case.
AB  - Abdominal computed tomography of a 71-year-old man revealed a 3-cm mass in
      gastric cardia. Although the mass was widely attached to the gastric wall, no
      clear contrast enhancement was observed. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging
      revealed the mass to have homogenous high intensity on T2W1 images and
      isointensity on T1W1 images. On diffusion-weighted imaging, no high intensity was
      observed. However, the mass had a smooth surface and was widely attached to the
      gastric wall, consistent with computed tomography findings. A gastric submucosal
      tumor was suspected. Laparoscopic tumor resection was performed. Histopathologic
      diagnosis of the mass was a bronchogenic cyst derived from the respiratory
      primordium originating in the foregut of the primitive intestine. Such cysts are
      mostly found in the mediastinum or thoracic cavity; their occurrence on the
      gastric wall is extremely rare. Despite this, we think that bronchogenic cysts
      should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal unilocular cystic
      diseases.

PMID- 24229042
TI  - Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for localized neurofibroma of the esophagus:
      case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Esophageal submucosal tumors are less common than other gastrointestinal tract
      tumors. Leiomyoma is the most common benign esophageal SMT, accounting for more
      than 70% of these tumors. We report on a case of a 56-year-old woman with a 3-cm
      diameter midthoracic esophageal submucosal tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging
      suggested leiomyoma or neurofibroma. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was
      performed to enucleate the tumor from the esophageal wall by splitting the muscle
      layers. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged
      on postoperative day 8. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of
      esophageal neurofibroma. Gastrointestinal tract involvement of neurofibromatous
      lesions is rare and occurs most frequently as a systemic manifestation of von
      Recklinghausen disease. Cases of localized esophageal neurofibroma with prior or
      subsequent evidence of generalized neurofibromatosis have rarely been documented.
      This is a rare case of isolated esophageal neurofibroma without classic systemic
      manifestations of generalized neurofibromatosis, and it is the first reported
      case treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

PMID- 24229043
TI  - Successful treatment by balloon angioplasty under portography for late-onset
      stenosis of portal vein after cadaveric liver transplantation.
AB  - A 69-year-old woman, who underwent cadaveric liver transplantation for non-B, non
      C liver cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma in April 2009, was admitted to
      our hospital because of graft dysfunction. Enhanced computed tomography revealed
      stenosis of the left branch of the portal vein, obstruction of the right branch
      of the portal vein at porta hepatis, and esophagogastric varices. Balloon
      angioplasty of the left branch of the portal vein under transsuperior mesenteric
      venous portography was performed by minilaparotomy. After dilatation of the left
      branch of the portal vein, the narrow segment of the portal vein was dilated,
      which resulted in reduction of collateral circulation. At 7 days after balloon
      angioplasty, esophageal varices were improved. The patient made a satisfactory
      recovery, was discharged 8 days after balloon angioplasty, and remains well.

PMID- 24229044
TI  - The contemporary status of Czech surgery, its successes, and its directions for
      further development.

PMID- 24229046
TI  - No nitrification in lakes below pH 3.
AB  - Lakes affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) or acid rain often contain elevated
      concentrations of ammonium, which threatens water quality. It is commonly assumed
      that this is due to the inhibition of microbial nitrification in acidic water,
      but nitrification was never directly measured in mine pit lakes. For the first
      time, we measured nitrification by (15)NH4Cl isotope tracer addition in acidic as
      well as neutral mine pit lakes in Spain and Germany. Nitrification activity was
      only detected in neutral lakes. In acidic lakes no conversion of (15)NH4(+) to
      (15)NO3(-) was observed. This was true both for the water column as well as for
      biofilms on the surface of macrophytes or dead wood and the oxic surface layer of
      the sediment. Stable isotope analysis of nitrate showed (18)O values typical for
      nitrification only in neutral lakes. In a comparison of NH4(+) concentrations in
      297 surface waters with different pH, ammonium concentrations higher 10 mg NH4-N
      L(-1) were only observed in lakes below pH 3. On the basis of the results from
      stable isotope investigations and the examination of a metadata set we conclude
      that the lower limit for nitrification in lakes is around pH 3. 

PMID- 24229047
TI  - Dynamic Stokes shift of the time-resolved phosphorescence spectrum of Zn(II)
      substituted cytochrome c.
AB  - The dynamic phosphorescence Stokes shift (PSS) response of Zn(II)-substituted
      cytochrome c (ZnCytc) was detected using the time-resolved phosphorescence
      spectrum of the intrinsic Zn(II)-porphyrin chromophore, which senses the motions
      of the surrounding protein and hydration shell. The phosphorescence spectrum of
      ZnCytc exhibits resolved vibronic structure arising from in-plane deformations of
      the porphyrin macrocycle, as is also observed in the absorption and fluorescence
      spectra. As the emission time increases, the phosphorescence spectrum shifts to
      the red without incurring a significant change in vibronic structure or line
      shape, so the shift arises from dynamic solvation, the reorganizational motions
      of the protein and solvent that occur in response to formation of the first
      excited triplet state. A correlation time of 294 +/- 14 MUs was obtained from a
      single-exponential fit to the time dependence of the mean emission frequency of
      the T(0,0) peak in the phosphorescence spectrum. This time scale is consistent
      with a diffusive sampling of the native structure's minimum due to global or
      collective conformational fluctuations. We suggest that studies of the PSS
      response sensed in proteins by an intrinsic probe will be informative of protein
      and hydration-shell dynamics over the microsecond-millisecond time regimes
      associated with biological function. 

PMID- 24229048
TI  - (Co)polymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene: synthesis, properties, and applications.

PMID- 24229049
TI  - Risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage in people admitted to hospital with selected
      immune-mediated diseases: record-linkage studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating cause of stroke,
      occurring in relatively young people. It has been suggested that some immune
      mediated diseases may be associated with an increased risk of SAH. METHODS: We
      analysed a database of linked statistical records of hospital admissions and
      death certificates for the whole of England (1999-2011). Rate ratios for SAH were
      determined, comparing immune-mediated disease cohorts with comparison cohorts.
      RESULTS: There were significantly elevated risks of SAH after hospital admission
      for the following individual immune-mediated diseases: Addison's disease,
      ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, Crohn's disease, diabetes
      mellitus, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, myxoedema, pernicious anaemia,
      primary biliary cirrhosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma,
      Sjogren's syndrome, SLE and thyrotoxicosis. Elevated risks that were greater than
      2-fold were found for Addison's disease (rate ratio (RR) = 2.01, 95% confidence
      interval 1.3-2.97), idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (RR = 2.42, 1.86-3.11),
      primary biliary cirrhosis (RR = 2.21, 1.43-3.16) and SLE (RR = 3.76, 3.08-4.55).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings strongly support the suggestion that patients with some
      immune-mediated diseases have an increased risk of SAH. Further studies of the
      mechanisms behind this association are warranted.

PMID- 24229050
TI  - Chitosan-g-TPGS nanoparticles for anticancer drug delivery and overcoming
      multidrug resistance.
AB  - To overcome the P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-induced multidrug resistance (MDR) of
      cancer cells, a novel copolymer, chitosan-graft-D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene
      glycol 1000 (TPGS) (CT) was synthesized for doxorubicin (DOX) delivery by the P
      gp inhibiting virtue of TPGS. DOX-loaded CT nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated
      by a modified solvent extraction/evaporation method combined with ionic cross
      linking to form a uniform particle size of 140-180 nm with ~40% DOX loading
      efficiency. These drug-loaded CT NPs demonstrated a pH-responsive release
      behavior, and DOX was released more quickly under low pH values. Significant cell
      cytotoxicity was observed on the human hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2 and BEL-7402)
      and human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7). The cell cytotoxicity and
      apoptosis of drug-resistant cells (MCF-7/DOX and BEL-7402/5-Fu), was greatly
      enhanced as compared to Adriamycin. The IC50 value showed that DOX-loaded CT NPs
      could be 1.5-199-fold more effective than Adriamycin. This can be attributed to
      the P-gp blocking and down-regulation of ATP levels by the CT NPs. The potential
      of these NPs to act as an oral delivery system was also investigated. Both the
      pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo antitumor activity of DOX-loaded CT NPs
      were improved compared with Adriamycin.

PMID- 24229051
TI  - The aniline-to-azobenzene oxidation reaction on monolayer graphene or graphene
      oxide surfaces fabricated by benzoic acid.
AB  - The oxidation of aniline to azobenzene was conducted in the presence of either
      monolayer graphene (EG) or graphene-oxide-like surface, such as GOx, under ultra
      high vacuum conditions maintaining a 365-nm UV light exposure to enhance the
      oxidation reaction. The surface-bound products were investigated using micro
      Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy, and work function
      measurements. The oxygen carriers present on the GOx surfaces, but not on the EG
      surfaces, acted as reaction reagents to facilitate the oxidation reaction from
      aniline to azobenzene. Increasing the aniline concentration at 300 K confirmed
      that the exchange ratio from the aniline to the azobenzene was enhanced, as
      determined by the intensity ratio between the aniline- and azobenzene-induced N 1
      s core-level spectra. The work function changed dramatically as the aniline
      concentration increased, indicating that the aniline on the GOx surface conveyed
      n-type doping characteristics at a low coverage level. A higher aniline
      concentration increased the p-type doping character by increasing the azobenzene
      concentration on the GOx surface. A comparison of the oxidation reactivity of
      aniline molecules on the EG or GOx surfaces revealed the role of the oxygen
      carriers on the GOx surfaces in the context of catalytic oxidation. 

PMID- 24229052
TI  - Analyzing protein micro-heterogeneity in chicken ovalbumin by high-resolution
      native mass spectrometry exposes qualitatively and semi-quantitatively 59
      proteoforms.
AB  - Taking chicken Ovalbumin as a prototypical example of a eukaryotic protein we use
      high-resolution native electrospray ionization mass spectrometry on a modified
      Exactive Orbitrap mass analyzer to qualitatively and semiquantitatively dissect
      59 proteoforms in the natural protein. This variety is largely induced by the
      presence of multiple phosphorylation sites and a glycosylation site that we find
      to be occupied by at least 45 different glycan structures. Mass analysis of the
      intact protein in its native state is straightforward and fast, requires very
      little sample preparation, and provides a direct view on the stoichiometry of all
      different coappearing modifications that are distinguishable in mass. As such,
      this proof-of-principal analysis shows that native electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry in combination with an Orbitrap mass analyzer offers a means to
      characterize proteins in a manner highly complementary to standard bottom-up shot
      gun proteome analysis. 

PMID- 24229054
TI  - Summary and recommendations: highlights of the asthma summit 2009: beyond the
      guidelines.

PMID- 24229053
TI  - Markers of breast cancer stromal fibroblasts in the primary tumour site
      associated with lymph node metastasis: a systematic review including our case
      series.
AB  - CAFs (cancer-associated fibroblasts), the most abundant cell type in breast
      cancer stroma, produce a plethora of chemokines, growth factors and ECM
      (extracellular matrix) proteins, that may contribute to dissemination and
      metastasis. Axillary nodes are the first metastatic site in breast cancer;
      however, to the present date, there is no consensus of which specific proteins,
      synthesized by CAFs, might be related with lymph node involvement. The purpose of
      this study was to perform a systematic review of CAF biomarkers associated with
      the presence of regional metastasis. PubMed was searched using the words: 'breast
      cancer' and 'lymph node' and fibroblast or stroma or microenvironment. After
      exclusions, eight studies evaluating biomarkers immunoexpression in CAFs and
      lymph node status were selected. Biomarkers evaluated in these studies may be
      divided in two groups, according to their ontology: extracellular matrix
      components [MMP13 (matrix metalloproteinase 13), TIMP2 (tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinases-2), THBS1 (thrombospondin 1), LGALS1 (lectin, galactoside
      binding, soluble, 1)] and response to wounding [PDPN (podoplanin), PLAU
      (plasminogen activator, urokinase), PLAUR (plasminogen activator, urokinase
      receptor), CAV1 (caveolin 1), THBS1, LGALS1]. A positive expression of MMP13 and
      LGALS1 in CAFs was associated with enhanced OR (odds ratio) for regional
      metastasis. Contrariwise, CAV1 positive staining of fibroblasts was associated
      with decreased OR for nodal involvement. Expression of MMP13, PDPN and CAV1 was
      further tested in a new series of 65 samples of invasive ductal breast carcinomas
      by immunohistochemistry and no association between biomarkers expression in CAFs
      and nodal status was found. It was suggested that breast cancer subtypes may
      differentially affect CAFs behaviour. It would be interesting to evaluate the
      prognostic significance of these biomarkers in CAFs from different tumour types. 

PMID- 24229056
TI  - Free standing reduced graphene oxide film cathodes for lithium ion batteries.
AB  - We report the fabrication and electrochemical activity of free-standing reduced
      graphene oxide (RGO) films as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. The
      conducting additive and binder-free RGO electrodes with different oxygen contents
      were assembled by a simple vacuum filtration process from aqueous RGO colloids
      prepared with the aid of cationic surfactants. The gravimetric capacity of RGO
      film cathodes showed clear dependence on the oxygen contents controlled by the
      thermal reduction process. The capacity increased with the increase of the amount
      of oxygen functional groups, indicating that the main lithium capturing mechanism
      of RGO cathodes is Li(+) ion interaction with the surface oxygen functionalities.
      The hydroxyl groups (C-OH) as well as carbon-oxygen double bonds have been
      identified as the lithiation-active species. The RGO cathodes achieved excellent
      rate capability due to the fast surface Faradaic reaction, suggesting that self
      supported RGO films are promising cathodes for high power application. The
      graphene oxide (GO)/RGO composite films showed inferior performance to those of
      RGO only. The poor electronic conductivity of GO might result in inefficient
      utilization of redox active oxygen functional groups despite the higher oxygen
      content and higher theoretical capacity of GO/RGO composite films. Further
      optimization on the amount of oxygen functional groups for higher capacity and
      better electronic conductivity would lead to the development of RGO based high
      energy-high power cathodes. 

PMID- 24229055
TI  - Are concomitant treatments confounding factors in randomized controlled trials on
      intensive blood-glucose control in type 2 diabetes? a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Open-label, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are subject to
      observer bias. If patient management is conducted without blinding, a difference
      between groups may be explained by other factors than study treatment. One factor
      may come from taking concomitant treatments with an efficacy on the studied
      outcomes. In type 2 diabetes, some antihypertensive or lipid-lowering drugs are
      effective against diabetic complications. We wanted to determine if these
      concomitant treatments were correctly reported in articles of RCTs on type 2
      diabetes and if they might have influenced the outcome. METHODS: We performed a
      systematic review using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library (from January
      1950 to July 2010). Open-label RCTs assessing the effectiveness of intensive
      blood-glucose control in type 2 diabetes were included. We chose five therapeutic
      classes with proven efficacy against diabetes complications: angiotensin
      converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor antagonists
      (AIIRAs), fibrates, statins, and aspirin. Differences between concomitant
      treatments were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. RESULTS: A
      total of eight open-label RCTs were included, but only three (37.5%) of them
      published concomitant treatments. In two studies (ACCORD and ADVANCE), a
      statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups for
      aspirin (p = 0.02) and ACEIs (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Few concomitant treatments
      were published in this sample of open-label RCTs. We cannot completely eliminate
      an observer bias for these studies. This bias probably influenced the results to
      an extent that has yet to be determined.

PMID- 24229057
TI  - Pathogenic mechanisms of idiopathic nonallergic rhinitis.
AB  - : Idiopathic nonallergic rhinitis (iNAR) has been difficult to define because of
      the long differential diagnosis of rhinopathy in the absence of allergic
      rhinitis. iNAR has traditionally been a diagnosis of exclusion with no clear
      unifying pathophysiology. Increased sensitivity to triggers such has climate
      changes, cold air, tobacco smoke, strong odors, and perfumes have been thought to
      be characteristic, but recent studies do not support this hypersensitivity
      hypothesis. New investigations of the local nasal environment and systemic
      "functional" syndromes have offered new insights into this condition. iNAR may be
      a heterogenous disorder that includes (1) anatomic abnormalities requiring nasal
      endoscopy for diagnosis, (2) incipient, local atopy (entopy), (3) dysfunction of
      nociceptive nerve sensor and ion channel proteins, and (4) autonomic dysfunction
      as found in chronic fatigue syndrome and other functional disorders. 

PMID- 24229058
TI  - Decreasing aromaticity in pi-conjugated materials: efficient synthesis and
      electronic structure identification of cyclopentadiene-containing systems.
AB  - An efficient route to cyclopentadiene-containing pi-conjugated molecules is
      reported. A comparative analysis between the aryl/dienyl hybrids and their
      aromatic congeners shows a propensity of the diene moiety to reduce the optical
      band gap of a pi-conjugated system without compromising a planar structural
      topology. Moreover, a novel poly(fluorene) derivative bearing alternating
      cyclopentadiene repeat units was synthesized to demonstrate the applicability of
      this method in polymer synthesis. 

PMID- 24229059
TI  - Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion presenting with head and neck
      fibrosclerosing lesions and orbital pseudotumors: a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion is an idiopathic
      fibrosclerosing disorder occurring in the head and neck region. It is one of a
      broad spectrum of entities named inflammatory pseudotumors and, as the name
      suggests, it mimics a lot of diseases such as malignancies or infections.
      Combined with its rarity, tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion can be a
      tremendous diagnostic challenge. This case report describes a case of tumefactive
      fibroinflammatory lesion, which was initially thought to be peri-orbital and
      mandibular osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus. A lengthy work up ensued and was
      required to reach the final diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old Asian man
      with a history of diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease who was on
      hemodialysis presented with worsening exophthalmos and relapsing trismus. He was
      diagnosed as "mandibular osteomyelitis" about 20 years ago. Since then he had
      suffered chronic relapsing exophthalmos and jaw pain with numerous medical
      treatments. In 2011 he was diagnosed as peri-orbital and intramandibular
      aspergillosis because a serum Aspergillus galactomannan assay was positive. He
      was treated with multiple antifungal medications to no avail. A biopsy of his
      orbital lesions was not revealing. After repeated biopsies, we finally concluded
      that the patient was suffering from tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion.
      Corticosteroid therapy was initiated with prompt response. CONCLUSIONS:
      Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion is a rare inflammatory benign tumor, which
      mimics many inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. Conventional work up including
      biopsy may not lead to the diagnosis without understanding this entity. Awareness
      of this disorder will aid early diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 24229060
TI  - Adverse drug reactions and off-label and unlicensed medicines in children: a
      nested case-control study of inpatients in a pediatric hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Off-label and unlicensed (OLUL) prescribing has been prevalent in
      pediatric practice. Using data from a prospective cohort study of adverse drug
      reactions (ADRs) among pediatric inpatients, we aimed to test the hypothesis that
      OLUL status is a risk factor for ADRs. METHODS: A nested case?control study was
      conducted within a prospective cohort study. Details of all medicines
      administered were recorded, including information about OLUL status. The odds
      ratio for OLUL medicines being implicated in a probable or definite ADR was
      calculated. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was fitted
      to the data to assess the influence that OLUL medicine use had on the hazard of
      an ADR occurring. RESULTS: A total of 10,699 medicine courses were administered
      to 1,388 patients. The odds ratio (OR) of an OLUL medicine being implicated in an
      ADR compared with an authorized medicine was 2.25 (95% confidence interval (CI)
      1.95 to 2.59). Medicines licensed in children but given to a child below the
      minimum age or weight had the greatest odds of being implicated in an ADR (19% of
      courses in this category were implicated, OR 3.54 (95% CI 2.82 to 4.44). Each
      additional OLUL medicine given significantly increased the hazard of an ADR
      (hazard ratio (HR) 1.3 95% CI 1.2 to 1.3, P <0.001). Each additional authorized
      medicine given also significantly increased the hazard (HR 1.2 95% CI 1.2 to 1.3,
      P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: OLUL medicines are more likely to be implicated in an ADR
      than authorized medicines. The number of medicines administered is a risk factor
      for ADRs highlighting the need to use the lowest number of medicines, at the
      lowest dose for the shortest period, with continual vigilance by prescribers, in
      order to reduce the risk of ADRs.

PMID- 24229061
TI  - Type D personality, quality of life and physical symptoms in the general
      population: a dimensional analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Type D personality, the interaction of negative affectivity (NA) and
      social inhibition (SI), has been associated with a range of adverse health
      related outcomes in cardiac patients and healthy participants. However, recent
      studies which have adopted a dimensional approach to Type D found no effect of
      Type D (NA * SI) on mortality or quality of life, after controlling for its
      constituent elements. To date, no study has determined if Type D is associated
      with negative health outcomes in healthy individuals when conceptualised as a
      dimensional variable. DESIGN: A cross-sectional self-report study with 177
      healthy participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical symptoms and quality of
      life. RESULTS: Using the traditional categorical analysis for Type D, it was
      found that Type D's report significantly more symptoms and significantly lower
      quality of life than non-Type D's report. However, when analysed as a dimensional
      construct (NA * SI), using multiple regression analysis, Type D (NA * SI) was not
      a significant predictor of physical symptoms or quality of life, after
      controlling for the main effects of NA and SI separately. CONCLUSION: These
      findings support those of recent studies that have identified null effects of
      Type D on outcome when analysed as a dimensional construct.

PMID- 24229062
TI  - Diagnosis and treatment of resistant hypertension.
AB  - Hypertension resistant to lifestyle interventions and antihypertensive
      medications is a common problem encountered by physicians in everyday practice.
      It is most often defined as a blood pressure remaining >= 140/90 mmHg despite the
      regular intake of at least three drugs lowering blood pressure by different
      mechanisms, one of them being a diuretic. It now appears justified to include,
      unless contraindicated or not tolerated, a blocker of the renin-angiotensin
      system and a calcium channel blocker in this drug regimen, not only to gain
      antihypertensive efficacy, but also to prevent or regress target organ damage and
      delay the development of cardiorenal complications. A non-negligible fraction of
      treatment-resistant hypertension have normal "out of office" blood pressures.
      Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and/or home blood pressure recording should
      therefore be routinely performed to identify patients with true resistant
      hypertension, i.e. patients who are more likely to benefit from treatment
      intensification.

PMID- 24229064
TI  - Nanostructured macroporous bioanode based on polyaniline-modified natural loofah
      sponge for high-performance microbial fuel cells.
AB  - Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology to recover electrical
      energy from different types of waste. However, the power density of MFCs for
      practical applications is limited by the anode performance, mainly resulting from
      low bacterial loading capacity and low extracellular electron transfer (EET)
      efficiency. In this study, an open three-dimensional (3D) structured electrode
      was fabricated using a natural loofah sponge as the precursor material. The
      loofah sponge was directly converted into a continuous 3D macroporous carbon
      material via a simple carbonization procedure. The loofah sponge carbon (LSC) was
      decorated with nitrogen-enriched carbon nanoparticles by cocarbonizing
      polyaniline-hybridized loofah sponges to improve their microscopic structures.
      The macroscale porous structure of the LSCs greatly increased the bacterial
      loading capacity. The microscale coating of carbon nanoparticles favored EET due
      to the enhanced interaction between the bacteria and the anode. By using a single
      chamber MFC equipped with the fabricated anode, a power density of 1090 +/- 72 mW
      m(-2) was achieved, which is much greater than that obtained by similarly sized
      traditional 3D anodes. This study introduces a promising method for the
      fabrication of high-performance anodes from low-cost, sustainable natural
      materials. 

PMID- 24229063
TI  - Evidence of the shifting baseline syndrome in ethnobotanical research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The shifting baseline syndrome is a concept from ecology that can be
      analyzed in the context of ethnobotanical research. Evidence of shifting baseline
      syndrome can be found in studies dealing with intracultural variation of
      knowledge, when knowledge from different generations is compared and combined
      with information about changes in the environment and/or natural resources.
      METHODS: We reviewed 84 studies published between 1993 and 2012 that made
      comparisons of ethnobotanical knowledge according to different age classes. After
      analyzing these studies for evidence of the shifting baseline syndrome (lower
      knowledge levels in younger generations and mention of declining abundance of
      local natural resources), we searched within these studies for the use of the
      expressions "cultural erosion", "loss of knowledge", or "acculturation". RESULTS:
      The studies focused on different groups of plants (e.g. medicinal plants, foods,
      plants used for general purposes, or the uses of specific important species).
      More than half of all 84 studies (57%) mentioned a concern towards cultural
      erosion or knowledge loss; 54% of the studies showed evidence of the shifting
      baseline syndrome; and 37% of the studies did not provide any evidence of
      shifting baselines (intergenerational knowledge differences but no information
      available about the abundance of natural resources). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
      The general perception of knowledge loss among young people when comparing
      ethnobotanical repertoires among different age groups should be analyzed with
      caution. Changes in the landscape or in the abundance of plant resources may be
      associated with changes in ethnobotanical repertoires held by people of different
      age groups. Also, the relationship between the availability of resources and
      current plant use practices rely on a complexity of factors. Fluctuations in
      these variables can cause changes in the reference (baseline) of different
      generations and consequently be responsible for differences in intergenerational
      knowledge. Unraveling the complexity of changes in local knowledge systems in
      relation to environmental changes will allow the identification of more
      meaningful information for resource conservation.

PMID- 24229065
TI  - Characterization of freeze-dried gallic acid/xyloglucan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tamarind seed xyloglucan (TSX) is generally used for drug delivery
      systems. Gallic acid (GA) possesses various pharmacological activities. It has a
      good solubility and bioavailability but short half-life. PURPOSE: To prepare a
      sustained-release of GA to overcome its relatively short half-life. GA was
      blended with TSX and freeze-dried. The physicochemical properties of freeze-dried
      GA and freeze-dried GA/TSX were characterized, and the release profiles of GA
      from these freeze-dried samples were investigated. METHOD: All freeze-dried
      samples were characterized by PXRD, spectroscopic and thermal analyses. The
      dissolution studies were performed according to the United States Pharmacopeia
      (USP) XXX. RESULTS: According to FTIR, FT-Raman and (13)C CP/MAS NMR, the spectra
      of freeze-dried GA were similar to that of the anhydrous form. Nevertheless,
      DRIFTS and DSC were able to differentiate these two forms. The crystallinity of
      GA in the freeze-dried GA/TSX was the same as that of the freeze-dried GA. DSC
      indicates that there were interactions between GA and TSX. It was of interest
      that a freeze-dried sample with low amount of GA, 0.2% GA/1% TSX was mostly in an
      amorphous form. Moreover, all freeze-dried GA/TSX preparations demonstrated a
      sustained-release of GA compared to GA alone. The freeze-dried 1% GA/1% TSX
      provided the best sustained-release of GA of up to 240 min. CONCLUSIONS: TSX
      could change a crystal form of a small molecule to a mostly amorphous form. It
      was of importance that the freeze-dried GA/TSX could effectively retard the
      release of GA. These samples may be able to overcome the limitation for the
      therapeutic use of GA due to its short biological half-life.

PMID- 24229066
TI  - The DSM-5 - an interview with David Kupfer.
AB  - In this podcast we talk to Prof David Kupfer about the challenges, controversies
      and future directions of DSM-5 by considering other research frameworks and
      classification systems of disease, and how this revised psychiatric diagnostic
      manual will impact global mental health classification and the field of medicine.
      The podcast for this interview is available at:
      http://www.biomedcentral.com/sites/2999/download/Kupfer.mp3.

PMID- 24229067
TI  - Thermodynamics of block copolymers with and without salt.
AB  - Ion-containing block copolymers are of interest for applications such as
      electrolytes in rechargeable lithium batteries. The addition of salt to these
      materials is necessary to make them conductive; however, even small amounts of
      salt can have significant effects on the phase behavior of these materials and
      consequently on their ion-transport and mechanical properties. As a result, the
      effect of salt addition on block copolymer thermodynamics has been the subject of
      significant interest over the past decade. This feature article describes a
      comprehensive study of the thermodynamics of block copolymer/salt mixtures over a
      wide range of molecular weights, compositions, salt concentrations, and
      temperatures. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameter was determined by fitting
      small-angle X-ray scattering data of disordered systems to predictions based on
      the random phase approximation. Experiments on neat block copolymers revealed
      that the Flory-Huggins parameter is a strong function of chain length.
      Experiments on block copolymer/salt mixtures revealed a highly nonlinear
      dependence of the Flory-Huggins parameter on salt concentration. These findings
      are a significant departure from previous results and indicate the need for
      improved theories for describing thermodynamic interactions in neat and salt
      containing block copolymers. 

PMID- 24229068
TI  - Birth order and myopia: what are the messages to readers?

PMID- 24229069
TI  - Having children, social characteristics, smoking and the risk of uveal melanoma:
      a case-control study.
AB  - PURPOSE: We analyzed data from the Risk Factors for Uveal Melanoma (RIFA) study
      to evaluate possible associations between uveal melanoma risk and having
      children, socioeconomic level and smoking. METHODS: The RIFA study was a German
      case-control study conducted from September 2002 to March 2005. The study
      population consisted of 455 incident uveal melanoma patients (20-74 years of age)
      and 827 matched (age, sex, region of residence) population controls. Odds ratios
      (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic
      regression. RESULTS: Women with children showed an increased OR (1.59, 95% CI
      0.95-2.66) for uveal melanoma development compared to women without children. We
      estimated decreased ORs for subjects with higher socioeconomic level compared to
      the lowest status (upper secondary school leaving certificate: OR 0.68, 95% CI
      0.49-0.94; higher education: OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38-0.96). Ever smokers showed an
      OR of 1.19 (95% CI 0.92-1.55) compared to never smokers. CONCLUSION: The observed
      association between lower socioeconomic level and increased odds for uveal
      melanoma possibly represents a higher occupational uveal melanoma risk for
      occupational categories that are usually associated with lower socioeconomic
      status. Concerning having children and uveal melanoma development, we hypothesize
      that the observed association is mediated through alpha-melanocyte-stimulating
      hormone, a hormone that increases during pregnancy and is linked to pigmentation
      alterations in pregnant women.

PMID- 24229070
TI  - Variability of measurement of retinal vessel diameters.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the effects of various cardiovascular, ocular, and lifestyle
      factors on retinal vessel diameters over short periods of time. METHODS: Subjects
      were invited to have photographs of their retina taken at each of three study
      visits. The same eye was photographed each time. The photographs were digitized
      and retinal vessel diameters were measured. Measurements from the retinal
      photographs taken consecutively (at visit 2 and visit 3), and 1, 3, and 4 weeks
      apart (between visits 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 1 and 3, respectively) were compared.
      RESULTS: There were 63 persons who participated in all study visits and had
      gradable vessel measurements from all five images used in the analysis.
      Correlations for pairs of study visits were high, and decreased slightly with
      increasing length of the time interval. For consecutive photographs taken, and 1
      week, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks apart, correlations were 0.95, 0.90, 0.91, and 0.86,
      respectively, for central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and 0.95, 0.90,
      0.91, and 0.87, respectively, for central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE). We
      examined the associations of blood pressure levels, smoking habits, time since
      last eating, exercising, consuming caffeine, and taking anti-hypertensive
      medication, and image focus with CRAE and CRVE. We found no consistent pattern of
      association of any of these characteristics with short-term changes in CRAE and
      CRVE. CONCLUSION: Retinal vessel diameters are stable over short intervals of
      time and none of the factors studied were consistently associated with change in
      the diameters of either vessel type.

PMID- 24229073
TI  - Poly(Epsilon-lysine) dendrons tethered with phosphoserine increase mesenchymal
      stem cell differentiation potential of calcium phosphate gels.
AB  - Calcium phosphates (CaP) are considered as biomaterials of choice for the
      treatment of critical-sized bone defects. Novel injectable CaP materials
      integrating poly(epsilon-lysine) generation 3 dendrons tethered with
      phosphoserine were obtained by sol-gel synthesis. This type of dendron was
      integrated to mimic the biochemical structure of noncollagenous proteins present
      in the forming osteoids during bone repair. Sol-gel synthesis was coupled with a
      dialysis process able to equilibrate the materials at a physiological pH value.
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed the successful retention of
      the dendrons after gel dialysis, whereas X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated
      both the pH-tuned formation of a hydroxyapatite crystalline phase within the gel
      and the complete removal of ammonium nitrate deriving from the sol-gel reaction
      solvent. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the presence of
      crystalline domains in gels synthesized at pH 9.0. Injectability tests showed
      that the optimized formulations fulfilled the rheological properties required to
      minimally invasive surgical procedures. Cytotoxicity tests on osteoblast-like MG
      63 cells as well as morphology and viability studies showed that the dendrons
      induced a significantly higher level of cell proliferation at early incubation
      time. Differentiation of the cell was also clearly enhanced at longer incubation
      time as demonstrated by both alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of
      typical markers. Altogether, the data from this work indicate the clinical
      potential of the osteoid-mimicking CaP cements in minimally invasive bone
      surgery. 

PMID- 24229074
TI  - Quantitative mass spectrometry independence from matrix effects and detector
      saturation achieved by flow injection analysis with real-time infinite dilution.
AB  - A high-throughput quantitative analysis method is presented to determine analyte
      concentrations at the infinite dilution limit, where the presence and effects of
      matrix become null, achieving mathematical independence from the detrimental
      phenomenon of matrix effects. Dilution is achieved online, reproducibly and in
      seconds by diffusion/mixing that occurs in flow injection analysis, while analyte
      concentration measurements are made by electrospray ionization tandem mass
      spectrometry. Because of matrix effects, the measured analyte concentration (Am)
      was inaccurate at high matrix concentrations, but accuracy consistently improved
      as matrix concentration was reduced by dilution. The method provides a practical
      solution around the decades-long matrix effects problem in quantitative
      analytical chemistry without separation of analytes from the matrix (e.g.,
      chromatography) or use of corrective procedures, such as matrix-matched standards
      or isotopically labeled internal standards. Broad applications were demonstrated
      for part-per-billion quantitation of bioactive molecules (pesticides) in extracts
      of food, plant tissues, and body fluids by coupling the method to a high
      throughput sample extraction/cleanup based on salting out with ammonium formate.
      The technique provides an assessment of matrix effects with remarkable
      comprehensiveness, simplicity, and speed. A limit of quantitation of 10 ng/g, a
      level appropriate for pesticide residue analysis and bioanalytical applications,
      was demonstrated. The method is also independent of detector saturation; this
      feature increased the applicable concentration range 20-100-fold above that of
      conventional techniques. In the abstract graphic, the measured analyte
      concentration (Am) approaches the accurate value (A0) when matrix effects
      disappear as measurements are conducted while lowering the normalized sample
      concentration (Snorm) by real-time dilution. 

PMID- 24229075
TI  - A comparison and optimization of methods and factors affecting the transformation
      of Escherichia coli.
AB  - DNA manipulation routinely requires competent bacteria that can be made using one
      of numerous methods. To determine the best methods, we compared four commonly
      used chemical methods (DMSO, MgCl2-CaCl2, CaCl2 and Hanahan's methods) on
      frequently used Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains: DH5alpha, XL-1 Blue, SCS110,
      JM109, TOP10 and BL21-(DE3)-PLysS. Hanahan's method was found to be most
      effective for DH5alpha, XL-1 Blue and JM109 strains (P<0.05), whilst the CaCl2
      method was best for SCS110, TOP10 and BL21 strains (P<0.05). The use of SOB
      (super optimal broth) over LB [Luria-Bertani (broth)] growth media was found to
      enhance the competency of XL-1 Blue (P<0.05), dampened JM109's competency
      (P<0.05), and had no effect on the other strains (P>0.05). We found no
      significant differences between using 45 or 90 s heat shock across all the six
      strains (P>0.05). Through further optimization by means of concentrating the
      aliquots, we were able to get further increases in transformation efficiencies.
      Based on the optimized parameters and methods, these common laboratory E. coli
      strains attained high levels of TrE (transformation efficiency), thus
      facilitating the production of highly efficient and cost-effective competent
      bacteria.

PMID- 24229076
TI  - A simple mechanical technique to obtain carbon nanoscrolls from graphite
      nanoplatelets.
AB  - A simple approach for the bulk production of carbon nanoscrolls (CNSs) is
      described. This method is based on the application of shear-friction forces to
      convert graphite nanoplatelets into carbon nanoscrolls using a bi-axially
      oriented polypropylene (BOPP) surface. The combined action of shear and friction
      forces causes the exfoliation of graphite nanoplatelets and the simultaneous roll
      up of graphite layers. Evidence of the CNS formation is given by optical
      microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.
      These investigations reveal that the CNSs have a long tube-like and fusiform
      structure with a hollow core surrounded by few layers of graphene. Micro-Raman
      spectroscopy shows that the produced structures are not defect free, and optical
      spectroscopy reveals distinctive features due to the presence of two weak
      absorption bands at 224 and 324 nm. 

PMID- 24229077
TI  - Silyl migrations in D-xylose derivatives: total synthesis of a marine quinoline
      alkaloid.
AB  - A versatile method for the synthesis of orthogonally protected D-xylose 1
      thioethers is described using unusual silyl group migrations which were pivotal
      in the synthesis of 4,8-dimethyl-6-O-(2',4'-di-O-methyl-beta-D
      xylopyranosyl)hydroxyquinoline confirming the structure and absolute
      configuration of the natural product.

PMID- 24229078
TI  - Epidemiology of vasomotor rhinitis.
AB  - Vasomotor rhinitis is the most common form of nonallergic rhinitis, comprising
      approximately 71% of all nonallergic rhinitis conditions. Although the
      epidemiology of this subtype of nonallergic rhinitis has not been definitively
      studied, it is estimated that 14 million Americans suffer from vasomotor
      rhinitis, with a worldwide prevalence approaching 320 million. 

PMID- 24229079
TI  - A multi-arm multi-stage clinical trial design for binary outcomes with
      application to tuberculosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Randomised controlled trials are becoming increasingly costly and
      time-consuming. In 2011, Royston and colleagues proposed a particular class of
      multi-arm multi-stage (MAMS) designs intended to speed up the evaluation of new
      treatments in phase II and III clinical trials. Their design, which controls the
      type I error rate and power for each pairwise comparison, discontinues
      randomisation to poorly performing arms at interim analyses if they fail to show
      a pre-specified level of benefit over the control arm. Arms in which
      randomisation is continued to the final stage of the trial are compared against
      the control on a definitive time-to-event outcome measure. To increase
      efficiency, interim comparisons can be made on an intermediate time-to-event
      outcome which is on the causal pathway to the definitive outcome. METHODS: We
      adapt Royston's MAMS design to binary outcomes observed at the end of a fixed
      follow-up period and analysed using an absolute difference in proportions. We
      apply the design to tuberculosis (TB), an area where many new drugs are in
      development, and demonstrate how it can greatly accelerate the evaluation of new
      TB regimens. We use simulations to support the extensions to the methodology and
      to investigate the amount of bias in the estimated treatment effects of arms in
      which randomisation is ceased at the first interim analysis and arms which
      continue to the final stage of the trial. RESULTS: The proposed seamless phase
      II/III TB trial designs are shown to greatly reduce sample size requirements and
      trial duration compared to conducting separate phase II and III trials. The bias
      in the estimated treatment effects for the definitive outcome is shown to be
      small, especially when treatment selection is based on an intermediate outcome or
      when a reanalysis is performed at the planned end of the trial after all
      recruited patients have completed follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed designs
      are practical and could be used in a variety of disease areas. They hold
      considerable promise for speeding up the evaluation of new treatments
      particularly in TB where many new regimens will soon be available for testing in
      phase II and phase III trials.

PMID- 24229080
TI  - Evidence and recommendations to support the use of a novel passive water sampler
      to quantify antibiotics in wastewaters.
AB  - A novel passive water sampler (diffusive gradients in thin-films for organics, o
      DGT) was previously developed and successfully tested in the laboratory, but has
      not yet been validated in the field. Here, o-DGT samplers were deployed in the
      influent and effluent of a typical UK wastewater treatment plant (WWTP); the
      influent was also sampled with a conventional automatic sampler (Auto) and by
      grab (Grab) sampling. All the samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS for 40 target
      antibiotics (including 16 sulfonamides (SAs), 12 fluoroquinolones, 6 macrolides,
      2 ionophores, 2 diaminopyimidines, 1 aminocoumarin, and 1 lincosamide). The
      diffusion coefficients (D) of these antibiotics in o-DGT, measured in the
      laboratory, ranged from 0.58 * 10(-06) to 6.24 * 10(-06) cm(2) s(-1). The derived
      surface area normalized sampling rates (RS/A, 0.54-5.74 mL d(-1) cm(-2)) were
      comparable with those for another passive sampler called POCIS. Fourteen
      antibiotics were detected in the actively sampled water samples, with 10 of the
      14 detected in o-DGT devices deployed for more than 7 days. Most of the
      antibiotics detected in o-DGT, except sulfapyridine, were continually accumulated
      by o-DGT for ~10 days. Deployment for 7 days is recommended to integrate ambient
      concentrations over time, without risks of reaching capacity and significant
      biofouling. Diffusive boundary layer (DBL) thickness had less effect on the o-DGT
      measurement than reported for other passive samplers. The comparison between o
      DGT and Auto and Grab samplings showed that o-DGT was more efficient in terms of
      cost, time, and labor. This study demonstrates for the first time in a real
      environment that o-DGT is an effective tool for the routine monitoring of
      antibiotics in wastewaters and provides a powerful approach to studying their
      occurrence, fate, and behavior in the environment.

PMID- 24229083
TI  - DSM-5 and ADHD - an interview with Eric Taylor.
AB  - In this podcast we talk to Prof Eric Taylor about the changes to the diagnosis of
      Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in DSM-5 and how these changes
      will affect clinical practice. The podcast for this interview is available at:
      http://www.biomedcentral.com/sites/2999/download/Taylor.mp3.

PMID- 24229082
TI  - Effects of supplementary butyrate on butanol production and the metabolic switch
      in Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052: genome-wide transcriptional analysis with
      RNA-Seq.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Butanol (n-butanol) has high values as a promising fuel source and
      chemical feedstock. Biobutanol is usually produced by the solventogenic
      clostridia through a typical biphasic (acidogenesis and solventogenesis phases)
      acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation process. It is well known that the
      acids produced in the acidogenic phase are significant and play important roles
      in the switch to solventogenesis. However, the mechanism that triggers the
      metabolic switch is still not clear. RESULTS: Sodium butyrate (40 mM) was
      supplemented into the medium for the ABE fermentation with Clostridium
      beijerinckii NCIMB 8052. With butyrate addition (reactor R1), solvent production
      was triggered early in the mid-exponential phase and completed quickly in < 50 h,
      while in the control (reactor R2), solventogenesis was initiated during the late
      exponential phase and took > 90 h to complete. Butyrate supplementation led to
      31% improvement in final butanol titer, 58% improvement in sugar-based yield, and
      133% improvement in butanol productivity, respectively. The butanol/acetone ratio
      was 2.4 versus 1.8 in the control, indicating a metabolic shift towards butanol
      production due to butyrate addition. Genome-wide transcriptional dynamics was
      investigated with RNA-Seq analysis. In reactor R1, gene expression related to
      solventogenesis was induced about 10 hours earlier when compared to that in
      reactor R2. Although the early sporulation genes were induced after the onset of
      solventogenesis in reactor R1 (mid-exponential phase), the sporulation events
      were delayed and uncoupled from the solventogenesis. In contrast, in reactor R2,
      sporulation genes were induced at the onset of solventogenesis, and highly
      expressed through the solventogenesis phase. The motility genes were generally
      down-regulated to lower levels prior to stationary phase in both reactors.
      However, in reactor R2 this took much longer and gene expression was maintained
      at comparatively higher levels after entering stationary phase. CONCLUSIONS:
      Supplemented butyrate provided feedback inhibition to butyrate formation and may
      be re-assimilated through the reversed butyrate formation pathway, thus resulting
      in an elevated level of intracellular butyryl phosphate, which may act as a
      phosphate donor to Spo0A and then trigger solventogenesis and sporulation events.
      High-resolution genome-wide transcriptional analysis with RNA-Seq revealed
      detailed insights into the biochemical effects of butyrate on solventogenesis
      related-events at the gene regulation level.

PMID- 24229086
TI  - Salicylic acid as a tridentate anchoring group for azo-bridged zinc porphyrin in
      dye-sensitized solar cells.
AB  - Two series dyes of azo-bridged zinc porphyrins have been devised, synthesized,
      and performed in dye-sensitized solar cells, in which salicylic acids and azo
      groups were introduced as a new anchoring group and pi-conjugated bridge via a
      simple synthetic procedure. The representation of the new dyes has been
      investigated by optical, photovoltaic, and electrochemical means. The
      photoelectric conversion efficiency of their DSSC devices has been improved
      compared with other DSSC devices sensitized by symmetrical porphyrin dyes. The
      results revealed that tridentate binding modes between salicylic acid and TiO2
      nanoparticles could enhance the efficiency of electron injection. The binding
      modes between salicylic acid and TiO2 nanoparticles may play a crucial role in
      the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. 

PMID- 24229084
TI  - Cheek cell fatty acids reflect n-3 PUFA in blood fractions during linseed oil
      supplementation: a controlled human intervention study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adequate biomarkers for the dietary supply of fatty acids (FA) are FA
      of adipose tissue and blood fractions. In human studies, invasive sample
      collection is unpleasant for subjects. In contrast, cheek cell sampling can be
      considered as a non-invasive alternative to investigate FA status.The aim of this
      study was to analyze whether cheek cell FA composition reflect the
      supplementation of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) using a linseed oil mixture
      compared to olive oil supplementation. Additionally, it was investigated if cheek
      cell FA composition correlates with the FA composition of plasma, red blood cells
      (RBC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before and during both
      interventions. METHODS: During a 10-week randomized, controlled, double-blind
      human intervention study, 38 subjects provided cheek cell and blood samples.
      After a two-week run-in period, the test group (n = 23) received 17 g/d of an ALA
      rich linseed oil mixture, while the control group (n = 15) received 17 g/d of an
      omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated FA (PUFA)-free olive oil. Cheek cells and blood
      were collected on days 0, 7 and 56 of the 8-week intervention period. RESULTS:
      Compared to olive oil, the linseed oil intervention increased ALA and also the
      endogenously converted long-chain n-3 metabolites eicosatetraenoic-,
      eicosapentaenoic- and docosapentaenoic acid in cheek cells (P <= 0.05).
      Docosahexaenoic acid remained unchanged. Reflecting the treatment, the n-6/n-3
      ratio decreased in the test group. In general, cheek cell FA reflected the
      changes of FA in blood fractions. Independent of treatment, significant
      correlations (P <= 0.05) of n-6 PUFA and n-3 PUFA between cheek cells and plasma,
      RBC and PBMC were found, except for linoleic acid and ALA. CONCLUSIONS: The
      changes in FA composition of cheek cells confirmed that ALA from linseed oil
      increased endogenously derived n-3 PUFA in cheek cell lipids. These changes in
      cheek cells and their correlation to the respective FA in blood fractions
      indicate the cheek cell FA profile as an adequate non-invasive biomarker for
      short-term n-3 PUFA intake and metabolism. Therefore, cheek cell FA can be used
      in human intervention studies or large-scale epidemiological studies, especially
      for assessment of the n-3 PUFA status. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov,
      IDNCT01317290.

PMID- 24229087
TI  - Phenotypic differentiation between wild and domesticated varieties of Crescentia
      cujete L. and culturally relevant uses of their fruits as bowls in the Yucatan
      Peninsula, Mexico.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selection criteria are important for analyzing domestication of
      perennial plant species, which experience a selection pressure throughout several
      human generations. We analyze the preferred morphological characteristics of
      Crescentia cujete fruits, which are used as bowls by the Maya of Yucatan,
      according to the uses they are given and the phenotypic consequences of
      artificial selection between one wild and three domesticated varieties. METHODS:
      We performed 40 semi-structured interviews in seven communities. We calculated
      Sutrop's salience index (S) of five classes of ceremonial and daily life uses,
      and of each item from the two most salient classes. We sampled 238 bowls at homes
      of people interviewed and compared their shape, volume and thickness with 139
      fruits collected in homegardens and 179 from the wild. Morphology of varieties
      was assessed in fruit (n = 114 trees) and vegetative characters (n = 136 trees).
      Differences between varieties were evaluated through linear discriminant analysis
      (LDA). RESULTS: Use of bowls as containers for the Day of the Dead offerings was
      the most salient class (S = 0.489) with chocolate as its most salient beverage (S
      = 0.491), followed by consumption of daily beverages (S = 0.423), especially
      maize-based pozol (S = 0.412). The sacred saka' and balche' are offered in
      different sized bowls during agricultural and domestic rituals. Roundness was the
      most relevant character for these uses, as bowls from households showed a strong
      selection towards round shapes compared with wild and homegarden fruits. Larger
      fruits from domesticated varieties were also preferred over small wild fruits,
      although in the household different sizes of the domesticated varieties are
      useful. LDA separated wild from domesticated trees (p < 0.001) according to both
      fruit and vegetative variables, but domesticated varieties were not different
      among themselves. CONCLUSIONS: The association between C. cujete bowls and
      traditional beverages in ritual and daily life situations has driven for
      centuries the selection of preferred fruit morphology in this tree. Selection of
      fruit roundness and volume has allowed for the differentiation between the wild
      variety and the three domesticated ones, counteracting gene flow among them. By
      choosing the best fruits from domesticated varieties propagated in homegardens,
      the Maya people model the domestication process of this important tree in their
      culture.

PMID- 24229089
TI  - Predictors of response to early basal insulin treatment in patients with type 2
      diabetes--the EARLY experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It was the aim of this study to assess baseline predictors for
      glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction, treatment-to-target, and insulin
      glargine dose in patients with an HbA1c level of >= 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) at
      baseline despite 3 months of maximum tolerated dose of metformin under daily
      conditions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was an open, multicenter, prospective
      observational study with a 6-month follow-up including 1,438 patients with type 2
      diabetes. Baseline variables independently associated with HbA1c (overall
      reduction and achievement of target values) and insulin glargine dose used were
      determined using a stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: In
      a multivariate linear regression analysis (R(2)=0.545) baseline HbA1c (beta=
      0.722; P<0.001) and retinopathy (beta=-0.064; P=0.007) were associated with a
      greater HbA1c reduction at 6 months, whereas duration of diabetes was associated
      with a lesser HbA1c reduction (beta=0.084; P<0.001). In another multivariate
      linear regression analysis, weight (odds ratio [OR] 0.99; 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 0.98 to <1.00), duration of diabetes (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93-0.99), and
      baseline HbA1c (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.56-0.76) were associated with a reduced
      likelihood of achieving an HbA1c level of <7% (53 mmol/mol); baseline HbA1c (OR
      0.66; 95% CI 0.51-0.85) was the only variable associated with a reduced
      likelihood of achieving an HbA1c level of <6.5% (48 mmol/mol). In a further
      analysis (R(2)=0.135) the insulin dose needed was increased in those with a
      higher body weight (beta=0.230; P<0.001), a longer duration of diabetes
      (beta=0.134; P<0.001), a higher baseline HbA1c level (beta=0.205; P<0.001), and
      the presence of microalbuminuria (beta=0.096; P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Identified
      predictors of greater HbA1c reduction, target goal achievement, and insulin dose
      needed may help to optimize the balance of benefits and risks with the use of
      insulin glargine.

PMID- 24229091
TI  - Virus-directed design of a flexible BaTiO3 nanogenerator.
AB  - Biotemplated synthesis of functional nanomaterials has received increasing
      attention for applications in energy, catalysis, bioimaging, and other
      technologies. This approach is justified by the unique abilities of biological
      systems to guide sophisticated assembly and organization of molecules and
      materials into distinctive nanoscale morphologies that exhibit physicochemical
      properties highly desirable for specific purposes. Here, we present a high
      performance, flexible nanogenerator using anisotropic BaTiO3 (BTO) nanocrystals
      synthesized on an M13 viral template through the genetically programmed self
      assembly of metal ion precursors. The filamentous viral template realizes the
      formation of a highly entangled, well-dispersed network of anisotropic BTO
      nanostructures with high crystallinity and piezoelectricity. Even without the use
      of additional structural stabilizers, our virus-enabled flexible nanogenerator
      exhibits a high electrical output up to ~300 nA and ~6 V, indicating the
      importance of nanoscale structures for device performances. This study shows the
      biotemplating approach as a facile method to design and fabricate nanoscale
      materials particularly suitable for flexible energy harvesting applications. 

PMID- 24229092
TI  - The intersection of interfacial forces and electrochemical reactions.
AB  - We review recent developments in experimental techniques that simultaneously
      combine measurements of the interaction forces or energies between two extended
      surfaces immersed in electrolyte solutions-primarily aqueous-with simultaneous
      monitoring of their (electro)chemical reactions and controlling the
      electrochemical surface potential of at least one of the surfaces. Combination of
      these complementary techniques allows for simultaneous real time monitoring of
      angstrom level changes in surface thickness and roughness, surface-surface
      interaction energies, and charge and mass transferred via electrochemical
      reactions, dissolution, and adsorption, and/or charging of electric double
      layers. These techniques employ the surface forces apparatus (SFA) combined with
      various "electrochemical attachments" for in situ measurements of various
      physical and (electro)chemical properties (e.g., cyclic voltammetry), optical
      imaging, and electric potentials and currents generated naturally during an
      interaction, as well as when electric fields (potential differences) are applied
      between the surfaces and/or solution-in some cases allowing for the chemical
      reaction equation to be unambiguously determined. We discuss how the physical
      interactions between two different surfaces when brought close to each other (<10
      nm) can affect their chemistry, and suggest further extensions of these
      techniques to biological systems and simultaneous in situ spectroscopic
      measurements for chemical analysis. 

PMID- 24229093
TI  - Nature versus nurture: predictability in low-temperature Ising dynamics.
AB  - Consider a dynamical many-body system with a random initial state subsequently
      evolving through stochastic dynamics. What is the relative importance of the
      initial state ("nature") versus the realization of the stochastic dynamics
      ("nurture") in predicting the final state? We examined this question for the two
      dimensional Ising ferromagnet following an initial deep quench from T=infinity to
      T=0. We performed Monte Carlo studies on the overlap between "identical twins"
      raised in independent dynamical environments, up to size L=500. Our results
      suggest an overlap decaying with time as t(-theta)(h) with theta(h)=0.22 +/-
      0.02; the same exponent holds for a quench to low but nonzero temperature. This
      "heritability exponent" may equal the persistence exponent for the two
      dimensional Ising ferromagnet, but the two differ more generally.

PMID- 24229090
TI  - The link between chronic periodontitis and COPD: a common role for the
      neutrophil?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The possible relationship between chronic inflammatory diseases and
      their co-morbidities has become an increasing focus of research. Both chronic
      periodontitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are neutrophilic,
      inflammatory conditions characterized by the loss of local connective tissue.
      Evidence suggests an association and perhaps a causal link between the two
      diseases. However, the nature of any relationship between them is unclear, but if
      pathophysiologically established may have wide-reaching implications for targeted
      treatments to improve outcomes and prognosis. DISCUSSION: There have been a
      number of epidemiological studies undertaken demonstrating an independent
      association between chronic periodontitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease. However, many of them have significant limitations, and drawing firm
      conclusions regarding causality may be premature. Although the pathology of both
      these diseases is complex and involves many cell types, such as CD8 positive
      cells and macrophages, both conditions are predominantly characterized by
      neutrophilic inflammation. Increasingly, there is evidence that the two
      conditions are underpinned by similar pathophysiological processes, especially
      centered on the functions of the neutrophil. These include a disturbance in
      protease/anti-protease and redox state balance. The association demonstrated by
      epidemiological studies, as well as emerging similarities in pathogenesis at the
      level of the neutrophil, suggest a basis for testing the effects of treatment for
      one condition upon the severity of the other. SUMMARY: Although the evidence of
      an independent association between chronic periodontitis and chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease grows stronger, there remains a lack of definitive studies
      designed to establish causality and treatment effects. There is a need for future
      research to be focused on answering these questions.

PMID- 24229094
TI  - Intrinsic noise and discrete-time processes.
AB  - A general formalism is developed to construct a Markov chain model that converges
      to a one-dimensional map in the infinite population limit. Stochastic
      fluctuations are therefore internal to the system and not externally specified.
      For finite populations an approximate Gaussian scheme is devised to describe the
      stochastic fluctuations in the nonchaotic regime. More generally, the stochastic
      dynamics can be captured using a stochastic difference equation, derived through
      an approximation to the Markov chain. The scheme is demonstrated using the
      logistic map as a case study. 

PMID- 24229095
TI  - Onset of flow in a confined colloidal glass under an imposed shear stress.
AB  - A confined colloidal glass, under the imposition of a uniform shear stress, is
      investigated using numerical simulations. Both at macro- and microscales, the
      consequent dynamics during the onset of flow is studied. When the imposed stress
      is gradually decreased, the time scale for the onset of steady flow diverges,
      associated with long-lived spatial heterogeneities. Near this yield-stress
      regime, persistent creep in the form of shear-banded structures is observed. 

PMID- 24229096
TI  - Periodic structures in binary mixtures enforced by Janus particles.
AB  - Phase separation in binary mixtures in the presence of Janus particles has been
      studied in terms of a Cahn-Hilliard model coupled to the Langevin equations
      describing the particle dynamics. We demonstrate that the phase separation
      process is arrested leading to unexpected regular stripe patterns in the
      concentration field. The underlying pattern forming mechanism has been
      elucidated: The twofold absorption properties on the surface of Janus particles
      with respect to the two components of a binary mixture trigger in their
      neighborhood spatial concentration variations. They result in an effective
      interaction between the particles mediated by the binary mixture. Our findings
      open a route to design composite materials with nanoscale lamellar morphologies
      where the pattern wavelength can be tuned by changing the wetting properties of
      the Janus particles. 

PMID- 24229097
TI  - Invasion-wave-induced first-order phase transition in systems of active
      particles.
AB  - An instability near the transition to collective motion of self-propelled
      particles is studied numerically by Enskog-like kinetic theory. While
      hydrodynamics breaks down, the kinetic approach leads to steep solitonlike waves.
      These supersonic waves show hysteresis and lead to an abrupt jump of the global
      order parameter if the noise level is changed. Thus they provide a mean-field
      mechanism to change the second-order character of the phase transition to first
      order. The shape of the wave is shown to follow a scaling law and to
      quantitatively agree with agent-based simulations. 

PMID- 24229098
TI  - Optomechanical elastomeric engine.
AB  - Nematic elastomers contract along their director when heated or illuminated (in
      the case of photoelastomers). We present a conceptual design for an elastomer
      based engine to extract mechanical work from heat or light. The material
      parameters and the geometry of such an engine are explored, and it is shown that
      its efficiency can go up to 20%. 

PMID- 24229099
TI  - Giant and universal magnetoelectric coupling in soft materials and concomitant
      ramifications for materials science and biology.
AB  - Magnetoelectric coupling-the ability of a material to magnetize upon application
      of an electric field and, conversely, to polarize under the action of a magnetic
      field-is rare and restricted to a rather small set of exotic hard crystalline
      materials. Intense research activity has recently ensued on materials
      development, fundamental scientific issues, and applications related to this
      phenomenon. This tantalizing property, if present in adequate strength at room
      temperature, can be used to pave the way for next-generation memory devices such
      as miniature magnetic random access memories and multiple state memory bits,
      sensors, energy harvesting, spintronics, among others. In this Rapid
      Communication, we prove the existence of an overlooked strain mediated nonlinear
      mechanism that can be used to universally induce the giant magnetoelectric effect
      in all (sufficiently) soft dielectric materials. For soft polymer foams-which,
      for instance, may be used in stretchable electronics-we predict room-temperature
      magnetoelectric coefficients that are comparable to the best known (hard)
      composite materials created. We also argue, based on a simple quantitative model,
      that magnetoreception in some biological contexts (e.g., birds) most likely
      utilizes this very mechanism. 

PMID- 24229100
TI  - Hydrodynamic and subdiffusive motion of tracers in a viscoelastic medium.
AB  - We investigate the diffusive motion of micron-sized spherical tracers in a
      viscoelastic actin filament network over the time span of 8 orders of magnitude
      using optical-tweezers single-particle tracking. The hydrodynamic interactions of
      a tracer with the surrounding fluid are shown to dominate at microsecond time
      scales, while subdiffusive scaling due to viscoelastic properties of the medium
      emerges at millisecond time scales. The transition between these two regimes is
      analyzed in the frame of a minimal phenomenological model which combines the
      Basset force and the generalized Stokes force. The resulting Langevin equation
      accounts for various dynamical features of the thermal motion of endogenous or
      exogenous tracers in viscoelastic media such as inertial and hydrodynamic effects
      at short times, subdiffusive scaling at intermediate times, and eventual optical
      trapping at long times. Simple analytical formulas for the mean-square
      displacement and velocity autocorrelation function are derived. 

PMID- 24229101
TI  - Energy landscape and dynamics of proteins: an exact analysis of a simplified
      lattice model.
AB  - We present the results of exact numerical studies of the energy landscape and the
      dynamics of a 12-monomer chain with contact interactions encoding the ground
      state on a square lattice. In spite of its simplicity, the model is shown to
      exhibit behavior at odds with the standard picture of proteins. 

PMID- 24229102
TI  - Binding-rebinding dynamics of proteins interacting nonspecifically with a long
      DNA molecule.
AB  - We investigate how nonspecific interactions and unbinding-rebinding events give
      rise to a length- and conformation-dependent enhancement of the "macroscopic"
      dissociation time of proteins from a DNA, or in general for the release of
      ligands initially bound to a long polymer. By numerically simulating the release
      of ligands from polymers of different conformations, we show that the total
      dissociation time increases logarithmically with polymer length for an extended
      conformation, and as a power law for self-avoiding and compact conformations. For
      the latter two cases, the presence of self-avoidance acting between the diffusing
      ligands affects the power-law exponents. Our results are important in relating
      kinetic measurements of protein on- and off-rates for large DNAs to equilibrium
      affinities for a single binding site. 

PMID- 24229103
TI  - Endemic infections are always possible on regular networks.
AB  - We study the dependence of the largest component in regular networks on the
      clustering coefficient, showing that its size changes smoothly without undergoing
      a phase transition. We explain this behavior via an analytical approach based on
      the network structure, and provide an exact equation describing the numerical
      results. Our work indicates that intrinsic structural properties always allow the
      spread of epidemics on regular networks. 

PMID- 24229104
TI  - Supratransmission induced by waves collisions in a discrete electrical lattice.
AB  - We numerically performed a way to produce a supratransmission phenomenon in the
      Salerno equation describing the dynamics of modulated waves in a discrete
      nonlinear transmission lattice. For the natural supratransmission phenomenon,
      there exists a threshold of amplitude for which energy can flow in the line. We
      show that gap transmission is possible with driven amplitude below the threshold
      due to the collision of different plane waves coming from both edges of the line.
      One of the two plane waves has a frequency in the forbidden gap, and another has
      a frequency in the allowed phonon band. During collision, the wave in the allowed
      band is considered as a perturbation of the ones in the forbidden gap. 

PMID- 24229105
TI  - Decomposing the dynamics of heterogeneous delayed networks with applications to
      connected vehicle systems.
AB  - Delay-coupled networks are investigated with nonidentical delay times and the
      effects of such heterogeneity on the emergent dynamics of complex systems are
      characterized. A simple decomposition method is presented that decouples the
      dynamics of the network into node-size modal equations in the vicinity of
      equilibria. The resulting independent components contain distributed delays that
      map the spatiotemporal complexity of the system to the time domain. We
      demonstrate that this approach can be used to reveal physical phenomena in
      heterogenous vehicular traffic when vehicles are linked via vehicle-to-vehicle
      communication. 

PMID- 24229106
TI  - Quorum sensing via static coupling demonstrated by Chua's circuits.
AB  - Dynamical quorum sensing, the population based phenomenon, is believed to occur
      when the elements of a system interact via dynamic coupling. In the present work,
      we demonstrate an alternate scenario, involving static coupling, that could also
      lead to quorum sensing behavior. These static and dynamic coupling terms have
      already been employed by Konishi [Int. J. Bifurcation Chaos Appl. Sci. Eng. 17,
      2781 (2007)]. In our context, the coupling is defined as static or dynamic, on
      the basis of the relative time scales at which the surrounding dynamics and the
      elements' dynamics evolve. According to this, if the variation in the surrounding
      dynamics happens on a much larger (fast) time scale than that at which the
      elements' dynamics are varying (such as seconds and MUs), then the coupling is
      considered to be static, otherwise it is considered to be dynamic. A series of
      experiments have been performed starting from a system of three Chua's circuits
      to a system of 20 Chua's circuits to study two types of quorum transitions: the
      emergence and the extinction of global oscillations (period-1). The numerics
      involving up to 100 Chua's circuits validate the experimental observations. 

PMID- 24229107
TI  - Diffusion approximation in turbulent two-particle dispersion.
AB  - We solve an inverse problem for fluid particle pair statistics: we show that a
      time sequence of probability density functions (PDFs) of separations can be
      exactly reproduced by solving the diffusion equation with a suitable time
      dependent diffusivity. The diffusivity tensor is given by a time integral of a
      conditional Lagrangian velocity structure function, weighted by a ratio of PDFs.
      Physical hypotheses for hydrodynamic turbulence (sweeping, short memory, mean
      field) yield simpler integral formulas, including one of Kraichnan and Lundgren
      (K-L). We evaluate the latter using a space-time database from a numerical Navier
      Stokes solution for driven turbulence. The K-L formula reproduces PDFs well at
      root-mean-square separations, but growth rate of mean-square dispersion is
      overpredicted due to neglect of memory effects. More general applications of our
      approach are sketched. 

PMID- 24229108
TI  - Enhanced diffusion of nonswimmers in a three-dimensional bath of motile bacteria.
AB  - We show, using differential dynamic microscopy, that the diffusivity of nonmotile
      cells in a three-dimensional (3D) population of motile E. coli is enhanced by an
      amount proportional to the active cell flux. While nonmotile mutants without
      flagella and mutants with paralyzed flagella have quite different thermal
      diffusivities and therefore hydrodynamic radii, their diffusivities are enhanced
      to the same extent by swimmers in the regime of cell densities explored here.
      Integrating the advective motion of nonswimmers caused by swimmers with finite
      persistence-length trajectories predicts our observations to within 2%,
      indicating that fluid entrainment is not relevant for diffusion enhancement in
      3D. 

PMID- 24229109
TI  - Scaling laws for ignition at the National Ignition Facility from first
      principles.
AB  - We have developed an analytical physics model from fundamental physics principles
      and used the reduced one-dimensional model to derive a thermonuclear ignition
      criterion and implosion energy scaling laws applicable to inertial confinement
      fusion capsules. The scaling laws relate the fuel pressure and the minimum
      implosion energy required for ignition to the peak implosion velocity and the
      equation of state of the pusher and the hot fuel. When a specific low-entropy
      adiabat path is used for the cold fuel, our scaling laws recover the ignition
      threshold factor dependence on the implosion velocity, but when a high-entropy
      adiabat path is chosen, the model agrees with recent measurements. 

PMID- 24229110
TI  - Wigner distribution functions for complex dynamical systems: the emergence of the
      Wigner-Boltzmann equation.
AB  - The equation of motion for the reduced Wigner function of a system coupled to an
      external quantum system is presented for the specific case when the external
      quantum system can be modeled as a set of harmonic oscillators. The result is
      derived from the Wigner function formulation of the Feynman-Vernon influence
      functional theory. It is shown how the true self-energy for the equation of
      motion is connected with the influence functional for the path integral. Explicit
      expressions are derived in terms of the bare Wigner propagator. Finally, we show
      under which approximations the resulting equation of motion reduces to the Wigner
      Boltzmann equation. 

PMID- 24229111
TI  - High-precision Monte Carlo study of directed percolation in (d+1) dimensions.
AB  - We present a Monte Carlo study of the bond- and site-directed (oriented)
      percolation models in (d+1) dimensions on simple-cubic and body-centered-cubic
      lattices, with 2 <= d <= 7. A dimensionless ratio is defined, and an analysis of
      its finite-size scaling produces improved estimates of percolation thresholds. We
      also report improved estimates for the standard critical exponents. In addition,
      we study the probability distributions of the number of wet sites and radius of
      gyration, for 1 <= d <= 7.

PMID- 24229112
TI  - Effect of short-range order on transport in one-particle tight-binding models.
AB  - We investigate transport properties of topologically disordered three-dimensional
      one-particle tight-binding models, featuring site-distance-dependent hopping
      terms. We start from entirely disordered systems into which we gradually
      introduce some short-range order by numerically performing a pertinent structural
      relaxation using local site-pair interactions. Transport properties of the
      resulting models within the delocalized regime are analyzed numerically using
      linear response theory. We find that even though the generated order is very
      short ranged, transport properties such as conductivity or mean free path scale
      significantly with the degree of order. Mean free paths may exceed the site-pair
      correlation length. It is furthermore demonstrated that while the totally
      disordered model is not in accord with a Drude- or Boltzmann-type description,
      moderate degrees of order suffice to render such a picture valid. 

PMID- 24229113
TI  - Role of network junctions for the totally asymmetric simple exclusion process.
AB  - We study the effect of local regulation mechanisms on stochastic network traffic,
      based on simple examples. Using the totally asymmetric simple exclusion process
      on a multiloop structure in which several segments share a single junction, we
      illustrate several mechanisms: (i) additional segments improve transport but the
      effect saturates due to blockage, (ii) bias reduces the overall transport and
      leads to several regimes, (iii) "pumping" particles out of the junctions, via a
      locally increased hopping rate, allows us to compensate the bottlenecks but
      becomes futile beyond a characteristic rate which we determine. We provide a
      generic discussion of combinations of these effects, including phase diagrams in
      terms of the control parameters. 

PMID- 24229114
TI  - Backbone structure of the Edwards-Anderson spin-glass model.
AB  - We study the ground-state spatial heterogeneities of the Edwards-Anderson spin
      glass model with both bimodal and Gaussian bond distributions. We characterize
      these heterogeneities by using a general definition of bond rigidity, which
      allows us to classify the bonds of the system into two sets, the backbone and its
      complement, with very different properties. This generalizes to continuous
      distributions of bonds the well-known definition of a backbone for discrete bond
      distributions. By extensive numerical simulations we find that the topological
      structure of the backbone for a given lattice dimensionality is very similar for
      both discrete and continuous bond distributions. We then analyze how these
      heterogeneities influence the equilibrium properties at finite temperature and we
      discuss the possibility that a suitable backbone picture can be relevant to
      describe spin-glass phenomena. 

PMID- 24229115
TI  - Phases and fluctuations in a model for asymmetric inhomogeneous fluid membranes.
AB  - We propose and analyze a model for phase transitions in an inhomogeneous fluid
      membrane, that couples local composition with curvature nonlinearly. For
      asymmetric membranes, our model shows generic non-Ising behavior and the ensuing
      phase diagram displays either a first- or a second-order phase transition through
      a critical point (CP) or a tricritical point (TP), depending upon the bending
      modulus. It predicts generic nontrivial enhancement in fluctuations of asymmetric
      membranes that scales with system size in a power-law fashion at the CP and TP in
      two dimensions, not observed in symmetric membranes. It also yields two
      dimensional Ising universality class for symmetric membranes, in agreement with
      experimental results. 

PMID- 24229116
TI  - Heat capacity singularity of binary liquid mixtures at the liquid-liquid critical
      point.
AB  - The critical anomaly of the isobaric molar heat capacity for the liquid-liquid
      phase transition in binary nonionic mixtures is explained through a theory based
      on the general assumption that their partition function can be exactly mapped
      into that of the Ising three-dimensional model. Under this approximation, it is
      found that the heat capacity singularity is directly linked to molar excess
      enthalpy. In order to check this prediction and complete the available data for
      such systems, isobaric molar heat capacity and molar excess enthalpy near the
      liquid-liquid critical point were experimentally determined for a large set of
      binary liquid mixtures. Agreement between theory and experimental results-both
      from literature and from present work-is good for most cases. This fact opens a
      way for explaining and predicting the heat capacity divergence at the liquid
      liquid critical point through basically the same microscopic arguments as for
      molar excess enthalpy, widely used in the frame of solution thermodynamics. 

PMID- 24229117
TI  - Modified Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics if excitations are localized on
      an intermediate length scale: applications to non-Debye specific heat.
AB  - Disordered systems show deviations from the standard Debye theory of specific
      heat at low temperatures. These deviations are often attributed to two-level
      systems of uncertain origin. We find that a source of excess specific heat comes
      from correlations between quanta of energy if excitations are localized on an
      intermediate length scale. We use simulations of a simplified Creutz model for a
      system of Ising-like spins coupled to a thermal bath of Einstein-like
      oscillators. One feature of this model is that energy is quantized in both the
      system and its bath, ensuring conservation of energy at every step. Another
      feature is that the exact entropies of both the system and its bath are known at
      every step, so that their temperatures can be determined independently. We find
      that there is a mismatch in canonical temperature between the system and its
      bath. In addition to the usual finite-size effects in the Bose-Einstein and Fermi
      Dirac distributions, if excitations in the heat bath are localized on an
      intermediate length scale, this mismatch is independent of system size up to at
      least 10(6) particles. We use a model for correlations between quanta of energy
      to adjust the statistical distributions and yield a thermodynamically consistent
      temperature. The model includes a chemical potential for units of energy, as is
      often used for other types of particles that are quantized and conserved.
      Experimental evidence for this model comes from its ability to characterize the
      excess specific heat of imperfect crystals at low temperatures.

PMID- 24229118
TI  - Work distribution and edge singularities for generic time-dependent protocols in
      extended systems.
AB  - We study the statistics of the work done by globally changing in time with a
      generic protocol the mass in a free bosonic field theory with relativistic
      dispersion and the transverse field in the one-dimensional Ising chain both
      globally and locally. In the latter case we make the system start from the
      critical point and we describe it in the scaling limit. We provide exact formulas
      in all these cases for the full statistics of the work and we show that the low
      energy part of the distribution of the work displays an edge singularity whose
      exponent does not depend on the specifics of the protocol that is chosen and may
      only depend on the position of the initial and final values with respect to the
      critical point of the system. We also show that the condensation transition found
      in the bosonic system for sudden quenches [A. Gambassi and A. Silva, Phys. Rev.
      Lett. 109, 250602 (2012)] is robust with respect to the choice of the protocol. 

PMID- 24229119
TI  - Mesoscopic hydrothermodynamics of complex-structured materials.
AB  - Some experimental results in the study of disordered systems, polymeric fluids,
      solutions of micelles and surfactants, ionic-glass conductors, and others show a
      hydrodynamic behavior labeled "anomalous" with properties described by some kind
      of fractional power laws in place of the standard ones. This is a consequence of
      the fractal-like structure that is present in these systems of which we do not
      have a detailed description, thus impairing the application of the conventional
      ensemble formalism of statistical mechanics. In order to obtain a physical
      picture of the phenomenon for making predictions which may help with
      technological and industrial decisions, one may resort to different styles (so
      called nonconventional) in statistical mechanics. In that way can be introduced a
      theory for handling such impaired situations, a nonconventional mesoscopic
      hydrothermodynamics (MHT). We illustrate the question presenting an application
      in a contracted description of such nonconventional MHT, consisting in the use of
      the Renyi approach to derive a set of coupled nonstandard evolution equations,
      one for the density, a nonconventional Maxwell-Cattaneo equation, which in a
      limiting case goes over a non-Fickian diffusion equation, and other for the
      velocity in fluids under forced flow. For illustration the theory is applied to
      the study of the hydrodynamic motion in several soft-matter systems under several
      conditions such as streaming flow appearing in electrophoretic techniques and
      flow generated by harmonic forces arising in optical traps. The equivalence with
      Levy processes is discussed and comparison with experiment is done. 

PMID- 24229120
TI  - Stochastic kinetics of photoinduced phase transitions in spin-crossover solids.
AB  - We study the stochastic macroscopic kinetics of photoinduced phase transitions in
      spin-crossover compounds assisted by white and colored Ornstein-Uhlenbeck noise.
      By using a phenomenological master equation obtained in the mean-field approach,
      the phase diagram is constructed based on the associated Lyapunov function. The
      stochastic behavior is then analyzed in the Langevin framework and the
      corresponding Fokker-Planck equations. Both additive and multiplicative and white
      and colored types of noise are considered and the stationary probability
      densities are found along with the noise-assisted light induced hysteretic loops.
      By using the Kramers formalism, we also focus our attention on the escape time
      problem in these noise perturbed systems. A detailed study of the relative escape
      time dependence on various noise characteristics is performed and the main
      features are compared for different types of noise. 

PMID- 24229121
TI  - Self-organized dynamics in local load-sharing fiber bundle models.
AB  - We study the dynamics of a local load-sharing fiber bundle model in two
      dimensions under an external load (which increases with time at a fixed slow
      rate) applied at a single point. Due to the local load-sharing nature, the
      redistributed load remains localized along the boundary of the broken patch. The
      system then goes to a self-organized state with a stationary average value of
      load per fiber along the (increasing) boundary of the broken patch (damaged
      region) and a scale-free distribution of avalanche sizes and other related
      quantities are observed. In particular, when the load redistribution is only
      among nearest surviving fiber(s), the numerical estimates of the exponent values
      are comparable with those of the Manna model. When the load redistribution is
      uniform along the patch boundary, the model shows a simple mean-field limit of
      this self-organizing critical behavior, for which we give analytical estimates of
      the saturation load per fiber values and avalanche size distribution exponent.
      These are in good agreement with numerical simulation results. 

PMID- 24229122
TI  - Random walks in nonuniform environments with local dynamic interactions.
AB  - We consider a class of lattice random walk models in which the random walker is
      initially confined to a finite connected set of allowed sites but has the
      opportunity to enlarge this set by colliding with its boundaries, each such
      collision having a given probability of breaking through. The model is motivated
      by an analogy to cell motility in tissue, where motile cells have the ability to
      remodel extracellular matrix, but is presented here as a generic model for
      stochastic erosion. For the one-dimensional case, we report some exact analytic
      results, some mean-field type analytic approximate results and simulations. We
      compute exactly the mean and variance of the time taken to enlarge the interval
      from a single site to a given size. The problem of determining the statistics of
      the interval length and the walker's position at a given time is more difficult
      and we report several interesting observations from simulations. Our simulations
      include the case in which the initial interval length is random and the case in
      which the initial state of the lattice is a random mixture of allowed and
      forbidden sites, with the walker placed at random on an allowed site. To
      illustrate the extension of these ideas to higher-dimensional systems, we
      consider the erosion of the simple cubic lattice commencing from a single site
      and report simulations of measures of cluster size and shape and the mean-square
      displacement of the walker. 

PMID- 24229123
TI  - Energy transfer in a molecular motor in the Kramers regime.
AB  - We present a theoretical treatment of energy transfer in a molecular motor
      described in terms of overdamped Brownian motion on a multidimensional tilted
      periodic potential. The tilt represents a thermodynamic force driving the system
      out of equilibrium and, for nonseparable potentials, energy transfer occurs
      between degrees of freedom. For deep potential wells, the continuous theory
      transforms to a discrete master equation that is tractable analytically. We use
      this master equation to derive formal expressions for the hopping rates, drift
      and diffusion, and the efficiency and rate of energy transfer in terms of the
      thermodynamic force. These results span both strong and weak coupling between
      degrees of freedom, describe the near and far from equilibrium regimes, and are
      consistent with generalized detailed balance and the Onsager relations. We
      thereby derive a number of diverse results for molecular motors within a single
      theoretical framework. 

PMID- 24229124
TI  - Entropy-generated power and its efficiency.
AB  - We propose a simple and analytically solvable model for a motor that generates
      mechanical motion by exploiting an entropic force arising from the topology of
      the underlying phase space. We show that the generation of mechanical forces in
      our system is surprisingly robust to local changes in kinetic and topological
      parameters. Furthermore, we find that the efficiency at maximum power of the
      motor may show discontinuities. 

PMID- 24229125
TI  - Localization-delocalization transition of the instantaneous normal modes of
      liquid water.
AB  - Despite the fact that the localization-delocalization transition (LDT) widely
      exists in wave systems, quantitative studies on its critical and multifractal
      properties are mainly focused on solids. In this work, these properties are
      investigated on the vibrational motions of liquid water. Simulations of up to
      18000 molecules on the flexible extended simple point charge water model provide
      nearly 10(6) instantaneous normal modes. They are shown to undergo an LDT close
      to the translational transition and exhibit multifractal fluctuations while
      approaching the LDT. In combination with finite-size scaling, multifractal
      analysis predicts the critical frequency Im(omega(c))~-131.6 cm(-1) for unstable
      modes at room temperature. The estimated critical exponent nu~1.60 is close to
      those of other calculated systems in the same Wigner-Dyson class. At the LDT, the
      fractal spectrum f(alpha) and the most probable local vibrational intensity
      alpha(mc)~4.04 coincide with those of the Anderson model, which might be
      additional universal properties of LDT in more general wave systems. The results
      extend the validity of the multifractal scaling approach beyond Andersonian
      systems to a Hessian system.

PMID- 24229126
TI  - Critical properties of the Hintermann-Merlini model.
AB  - Many critical properties of the Hintermann-Merlini model are known exactly
      through the mapping to the eight-vertex model. Wu [J. Phys. C 8, 2262 (1975)]
      calculated the spontaneous magnetizations of the model on two sublattices by
      relating them to the conjectured spontaneous magnetization and polarization of
      the eight-vertex model, respectively. The latter conjecture remains unproved. In
      this paper we numerically study the critical properties of the model by means of
      a finite-size scaling analysis based on transfer matrix calculations and Monte
      Carlo simulations. All analytic predictions for the model are confirmed by our
      numerical results. The central charge c=1 is found for the critical manifold
      investigated. In addition, some unpredicted geometric properties of the model are
      studied. Fractal dimensions of the largest Ising clusters on two sublattices are
      determined. The fractal dimension of the largest Ising cluster on the sublattice
      A takes a fixed value D(a)=1.888(2), while that for sublattice B varies
      continuously with the parameters of the model.

PMID- 24229127
TI  - Extremal paths, the stochastic heat equation, and the three-dimensional Kardar
      Parisi-Zhang universality class.
AB  - Following our numerical work [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 170602 (2012)] focused upon
      the 2+1 Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation with flat initial condition, we return
      here to study, in depth, the three-dimensional (3D) radial KPZ problem, comparing
      common scaling phenomena exhibited by the pt-pt directed polymer in a random
      medium (DPRM), the stochastic heat equation (SHE) with multiplicative noise in
      three dimensions, and kinetic roughening phenomena associated with 3D Eden
      clusters. Examining variants of the 3D DPRM, as well as numerically integrating,
      via the Ito prescription, the constrained SHE for different values of the KPZ
      coupling, we provide strong evidence for universality within this 3D KPZ class,
      revealing shared values for the limit distribution skewness and kurtosis, along
      with universal first and second moments. Our numerical analysis of the 3D SHE,
      well flanked by the DPRM results, appears without precedent in the literature. We
      consider, too, the 2+1 KPZ equation in the deeply evolved kinetically roughened
      stationary state, extracting the essential limit distribution characterizing
      fluctuations therein, revealing a higher-dimensional relative of the 1+1 KPZ Baik
      Rains distribution. Complementary, corroborative findings are provided via the
      Gaussian DPRM, as well as the restricted-solid-on-solid model of stochastic
      growth, stalwart members of the 2+1 KPZ class. Next, contact is made with a
      recent nonperturbative, field-theoretic renormalization group calculation for the
      key universal amplitude ratio in this context. Finally, in the crossover from
      transient to stationary-state statistics, we observe a higher dimensional
      manifestation of the skewness minimum discovered by Takeuchi [Phys. Rev. Lett.
      110, 210604 (2013)] in 1+1 KPZ class liquid-crystal experiments. 

PMID- 24229128
TI  - Frequency-dependent effective hydraulic conductivity of strongly heterogeneous
      media.
AB  - The determination of the transport properties of heterogeneous porous rocks, such
      as an effective hydraulic conductivity, arises in a range of geoscience problems,
      from groundwater flow analysis to hydrocarbon reservoir modeling. In the presence
      of formation-scale heterogeneities, nonstationary flows, induced by pumping tests
      or propagating elastic waves, entail localized pressure diffusion processes with
      a characteristic frequency depending on the pressure diffusivity and size of the
      heterogeneity. Then, on a macroscale, a homogeneous equivalent medium exists,
      which has a frequency-dependent effective conductivity. The frequency dependence
      of the conductivity can be analyzed with Biot's equations of poroelasticity. In
      the quasistatic frequency regime of this framework, the slow compressional wave
      is a proxy for pressure diffusion processes. This slow compressional wave is
      associated with the out-of-phase motion of the fluid and solid phase, thereby
      creating a relative fluid-solid displacement vector field. Decoupling of the
      poroelasticity equations gives a diffusion equation for the fluid-solid
      displacement field valid in a poroelastic medium with spatial fluctuations in
      hydraulic conductivity. Then, an effective conductivity is found by a Green's
      function approach followed by a strong-contrast perturbation theory suggested
      earlier in the context of random dielectrics. This theory leads to closed-form
      expressions for the frequency-dependent effective conductivity as a function of
      the one- and two-point probability functions of the conductivity fluctuations. In
      one dimension, these expressions are consistent with exact solutions in both low-
      and high-frequency limits for arbitrary conductivity contrast. In 3D, the low
      frequency limit depends on the details of the microstructure. However, the
      derived approximation for the effective conductivity is consistent with the
      Hashin-Shtrikman bounds. 

PMID- 24229129
TI  - Asymmetric exclusion process with global hopping.
AB  - We study a one-dimensional totally asymmetric simple exclusion process with one
      special site from which particles fly to any empty site (not just to the
      neighboring site). The system attains a nontrivial stationary state with a
      density profile varying over the spatial extent of the system. The density
      profile undergoes a nonequilibrium phase transition when the average density
      passes through the critical value 1-[4(1-ln2)](-1)=0.185277..., viz., in addition
      to the discontinuity in the vicinity of the special site, a shock wave is formed
      in the bulk of the system when the density exceeds the critical density.

PMID- 24229130
TI  - Effects of the interplay between initial state and Hamiltonian on the
      thermalization of isolated quantum many-body systems.
AB  - We explore the role of the initial state on the onset of thermalization in
      isolated quantum many-body systems after a quench. The initial state is an
      eigenstate of an initial Hamiltonian H(I) and it evolves according to a different
      final Hamiltonian H(F). If the initial state has a chaotic structure with respect
      to H(F), i.e., if it fills the energy shell ergodically, thermalization is
      certain to occur. This happens when H(I) is a full random matrix, because its
      states projected onto H(F), are fully delocalized. The results for the
      observables then agree with those obtained with thermal states at infinite
      temperature. However, finite real systems with few-body interactions, as the ones
      considered here, are deprived of fully extended eigenstates, even when described
      by a nonintegrable Hamiltonian. We examine how the initial state delocalizes as
      it gets closer to the middle of the spectrum of H(F), causing the observables to
      approach thermal averages, be the models integrable or chaotic. Our numerical
      studies are based on initial states with energies that cover the entire lower
      half of the spectrum of one-dimensional Heisenberg spin-1/2 systems.

PMID- 24229131
TI  - Percolation model with continuously varying exponents.
AB  - This work analyzes a percolation model on the diamond hierarchical lattice (DHL),
      where the percolation transition is retarded by the inclusion of a probability of
      erasing specific connected structures. It has been inspired by the recent
      interest on the existence of other universality classes of percolation models.
      The exact scale invariance and renormalization properties of DHL leads to
      recurrence maps, from which analytical expressions for the critical exponents and
      precise numerical results in the limit of very large lattices can be derived. The
      critical exponents nu and beta of the investigated model vary continuously as the
      erasing probability changes. An adequate choice of the erasing probability leads
      to the result nu=infinity, like in some phase transitions involving vortex
      formation. The percolation transition is continuous, with beta>0, but beta can be
      as small as desired. The modified percolation model turns out to be equivalent to
      the Q->1 limit of a Potts model with specific long range interactions on the same
      lattice. 

PMID- 24229132
TI  - Velocity statistics for interacting edge dislocations in one dimension from
      Dyson's Coulomb gas model.
AB  - The dynamics of edge dislocations with parallel Burgers vectors, moving in the
      same slip plane, is mapped onto Dyson's model of a two-dimensional Coulomb gas
      confined in one dimension. We show that the tail distribution of the velocity of
      dislocations is power law in form, as a consequence of the pair interaction of
      nearest neighbors in one dimension. In two dimensions, we show the presence of a
      pairing phase transition in a system of interacting dislocations with parallel
      Burgers vectors. The scaling exponent of the velocity distribution at effective
      temperatures well below this pairing transition temperature can be derived from
      the nearest-neighbor interaction, while near the transition temperature, the
      distribution deviates from the form predicted by the nearest-neighbor
      interaction, suggesting the presence of collective effects. 

PMID- 24229133
TI  - Log-normal distribution from a process that is not multiplicative but is
      additive.
AB  - The central limit theorem ensures that a sum of random variables tends to a
      Gaussian distribution as their total number tends to infinity. However, for a
      class of positive random variables, we find that the sum tends faster to a log
      normal distribution. Although the sum tends eventually to a Gaussian
      distribution, the distribution of the sum is always close to a log-normal
      distribution rather than to any Gaussian distribution if the summands are
      numerous enough. This is in contrast to the current consensus that any log-normal
      distribution is due to a product of random variables, i.e., a multiplicative
      process, or equivalently to nonlinearity of the system. In fact, the log-normal
      distribution is also observable for a sum, i.e., an additive process that is
      typical of linear systems. We show conditions for such a sum, an analytical
      example, and an application to random scalar fields such as those of turbulence. 

PMID- 24229134
TI  - Third-order phase transition in random tilings.
AB  - We consider the domino tilings of an Aztec diamond with a cut-off corner of
      macroscopic square shape and given size and address the bulk properties of
      tilings as the size is varied. We observe that the free energy exhibits a third
      order phase transition when the cut-off square, increasing in size, reaches the
      arctic ellipse-the phase separation curve of the original (unmodified) Aztec
      diamond. We obtain this result by studying the thermodynamic limit of a certain
      nonlocal correlation function of the underlying six-vertex model with domain wall
      boundary conditions, the so-called emptiness formation probability (EFP). We
      consider EFP in two different representations: as a tau function for Toda chains
      and as a random matrix model integral. The latter has a discrete measure and a
      linear potential with hard walls; the observed phase transition shares properties
      with both Gross-Witten-Wadia and Douglas-Kazakov phase transitions. 

PMID- 24229135
TI  - Tsallis power laws and finite baths with negative heat capacity.
AB  - It is often stated that heat baths with finite degrees of freedom i.e., finite
      baths, are sources of Tsallis distributions for classical Hamiltonian systems. By
      using well-known fundamental statistical mechanics expressions, we rigorously
      show that Tsallis distributions with fat tails are possible only for finite baths
      with constant negative heat capacity, while constant positive heat capacity
      finite baths yield decays with sharp cutoff with no fat tails. However, the
      correspondence between Tsallis distributions and finite baths holds at the
      expense of violating the equipartition theorem for finite classical systems at
      equilibrium. We comment on the implications of the finite bath for the recent
      attempts towards a q-generalized central limit theorem. 

PMID- 24229136
TI  - Interplay between finite resources and a local defect in an asymmetric simple
      exclusion process.
AB  - When particle flux is regulated by multiple factors such as particle supply and
      varying transport rate, it is important to identify the respective dominant
      regimes. We extend the well-studied totally asymmetric simple exclusion model to
      investigate the interplay between a controlled entrance and a local defect site.
      The model mimics cellular transport phenomena where there is typically a finite
      particle pool and nonuniform moving rates due to biochemical kinetics. Our
      simulations reveal regions where, despite an increasing particle supply, the
      current remains constant while particles redistribute in the system. Exploiting a
      domain wall approach with mean-field approximation, we provide a theoretical
      ground for our findings. The results in steady-state current and density profiles
      provide quantitative insights into the regulation of the transcription and
      translation process in bacterial protein synthesis. 

PMID- 24229137
TI  - Effects of adaptive dynamical linking in networked games.
AB  - The role of dynamical topologies in the evolution of cooperation has received
      considerable attention, as some studies have demonstrated that dynamical networks
      are much better than static networks in terms of boosting cooperation. Here we
      study a dynamical model of evolution of cooperation on stochastic dynamical
      networks in which there are no permanent partners to each agent. Whenever a new
      link is created, its duration is randomly assigned without any bias or
      preference. We allow the agent to adaptively adjust the duration of each link
      during the evolution in accordance with the feedback from game interactions. By
      Monte Carlo simulations, we find that cooperation can be remarkably promoted by
      this adaptive dynamical linking mechanism both for the game of pairwise
      interactions, such as the Prisoner's Dilemma game (PDG), and for the game of
      group interactions, illustrated by the public goods game (PGG). And the faster
      the adjusting rate, the more successful the evolution of cooperation. We also
      show that in this context weak selection favors cooperation much more than strong
      selection does. What is particularly meaningful is that the prosperity of
      cooperation in this study indicates that the rationality and selfishness of a
      single agent in adjusting social ties can lead to the progress of altruism of the
      whole population. 

PMID- 24229138
TI  - Scaling in the aging dynamics of the site-diluted Ising model.
AB  - We study numerically the phase-ordering kinetics of the two-dimensional site
      diluted Ising model. The data can be interpreted in a framework motivated by
      renormalization-group concepts. Apart from the usual fixed point of the
      nondiluted system, there exist two disorder fixed points, characterized by
      logarithmic and power-law growth of the ordered domains. This structure gives
      rise to a rich scaling behavior, with an interesting crossover due to the
      competition between fixed points, and violation of superuniversality. 

PMID- 24229139
TI  - Fluids in porous media: the case of neutral walls.
AB  - The bulk phase behavior of a fluid is typically altered when the fluid is brought
      into confinement by the walls of a random porous medium. Inside the porous
      medium, phase-transition points are shifted, or may disappear altogether. A
      crucial determinant is how the walls interact with the fluid particles. In this
      work, we consider the situation whereby the walls are neutral with respect to the
      liquid and vapor phases. In order to realize the condition of strict neutrality,
      we use a symmetric binary mixture inside a porous medium that interacts
      identically with mixture species. Monte Carlo simulations are then used to obtain
      the phase behavior. Our main finding is that, in the presence of the porous
      medium, a liquid-vapor critical point still exists. At the critical point, the
      distribution of the order parameter remains scale invariant, but self-averaging
      is violated. These findings provide further evidence that random confinement by
      neutral walls induces critical behavior of the random Ising model (i.e., Ising
      models with dilution type disorder, where the disorder couples to the energy). 

PMID- 24229140
TI  - Theory of warm ionized gases: equation of state and kinetic Schottky anomaly.
AB  - Based on accurate Lennard-Jones-type interaction potentials, we derive a closed
      set of state equations for the description of warm atomic gases in the presence
      of ionization processes. The specific heat is predicted to exhibit peaks in
      correspondence to single and multiple ionizations. Such kinetic analog in atomic
      gases of the Schottky anomaly in solids is enhanced at intermediate and low
      atomic densities. The case of adiabatic compression of noble gases is analyzed in
      detail and the implications on sonoluminescence are discussed. In particular, the
      predicted plasma electron density in a sonoluminescent bubble turns out to be in
      good agreement with the value measured in recent experiments. 

PMID- 24229141
TI  - Driven flow with exclusion and transport in graphenelike structures.
AB  - We study driven flow with exclusion in graphenelike structures. The totally
      asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP), a well-known model in its strictly
      one-dimensional (chain) version, is generalized to cylinder (nanotube) and ribbon
      (nanoribbon) geometries. A mean-field theoretical description is given for very
      narrow ribbons ("necklaces") and nanotubes. For specific configurations of bond
      transmissivity rates, and for a variety of boundary conditions, theory predicts
      equivalent steady-state behavior between (sublattices on) these structures and
      chains. This is verified by numerical simulations, to excellent accuracy, by
      evaluating steady-state currents. We also numerically treat ribbons of general
      width. We examine the adequacy of this model to the description of electronic
      transport in carbon nanotubes and nanoribbons or specifically designed quantum
      dot arrays. 

PMID- 24229142
TI  - Nonequilibrium thermodynamics of the soft glassy rheology model.
AB  - The soft glassy rheology (SGR) model is a mesoscopic framework which proved to be
      very successful in describing flow and deformation of various amorphous materials
      phenomenologically (e.g., pastes, slurries, foams, etc.). In this paper, we cast
      SGR in a general, model-independent framework for nonequilibrium thermodynamics
      called general equation for the nonequilibrium reversible-irreversible coupling.
      This leads to a formulation of SGR which clarifies how it can properly be coupled
      to hydrodynamic fields, resulting in a thermodynamically consistent, local,
      continuum version of SGR. Additionally, we find that compliance with
      thermodynamics imposes the existence of a modification to the stress tensor as
      predicted by SGR. 

PMID- 24229143
TI  - Local thermodynamics and the generalized Gibbs-Duhem equation in systems with
      long-range interactions.
AB  - The local thermodynamics of a system with long-range interactions in d dimensions
      is studied using the mean-field approximation. Long-range interactions are
      introduced through pair interaction potentials that decay as a power law in the
      interparticle distance. We compute the local entropy, Helmholtz free energy, and
      grand potential per particle in the microcanonical, canonical, and grand
      canonical ensembles, respectively. From the local entropy per particle we obtain
      the local equation of state of the system by using the condition of local
      thermodynamic equilibrium. This local equation of state has the form of the ideal
      gas equation of state, but with the density depending on the potential
      characterizing long-range interactions. By volume integration of the relation
      between the different thermodynamic potentials at the local level, we find the
      corresponding equation satisfied by the potentials at the global level. It is
      shown that the potential energy enters as a thermodynamic variable that modifies
      the global thermodynamic potentials. As a result, we find a generalized Gibbs
      Duhem equation that relates the potential energy to the temperature, pressure,
      and chemical potential. For the marginal case where the power of the decaying
      interaction potential is equal to the dimension of the space, the usual Gibbs
      Duhem equation is recovered. As examples of the application of this equation, we
      consider spatially uniform interaction potentials and the self-gravitating gas.
      We also point out a close relationship with the thermodynamics of small systems. 

PMID- 24229144
TI  - Microcanonical work and fluctuation relations for an open system: An exactly
      solvable model.
AB  - We calculate the probability distribution of work for an exactly solvable model
      of a system interacting with its environment. The system of interest is a
      harmonic oscillator with a time-dependent control parameter, the environment is
      modeled by N-independent harmonic oscillators with arbitrary frequencies, and the
      system-environment coupling is bilinear and not necessarily weak. The initial
      conditions of the combined system and environment are sampled from a
      microcanonical distribution and the system is driven out of equilibrium by
      changing the control parameter according to a prescribed protocol. In the limit
      of infinitely large environment, i.e., N->infinity, we recover the nonequilibrium
      work relation and Crooks's fluctuation relation. Moreover, the microcanonical
      Crooks relation is verified for finite environments. Finally, we show the
      equivalence of multitime correlation functions of the system in the infinite
      environment limit for canonical and microcanonical ensembles. 

PMID- 24229145
TI  - Emergence of fractals in aggregation with stochastic self-replication.
AB  - We propose and investigate a simple model which describes the kinetics of
      aggregation of Brownian particles with stochastic self-replication. An exact
      solution and the scaling theory are presented alongside numerical simulation
      which fully support all theoretical findings. In particular, we show analytically
      that the particle size distribution function exhibits dynamic scaling and we
      verify it numerically using the idea of data collapse. Furthermore, the
      conditions under which the resulting system emerges as a fractal are found, the
      fractal dimension of the system is given, and the relationship between this
      fractal dimension and a conserved quantity is pointed out. 

PMID- 24229146
TI  - Effect of coordination number on the nonequilibrium critical point.
AB  - We study the nonequilibrium critical point of the zero-temperature random-field
      Ising model on a triangular lattice and compare it with known results on
      honeycomb, square, and simple cubic lattices. We suggest that the coordination
      number of the lattice rather than its dimension plays the key role in determining
      the universality class of the nonequilibrium critical behavior. This is discussed
      in the context of numerical evidence that equilibrium and nonequilibrium critical
      points of the zero-temperature random-field Ising model belong to the same
      universality class. The physics of this curious result is not fully understood. 

PMID- 24229147
TI  - Isomorphs, hidden scale invariance, and quasiuniversality.
AB  - This paper first establishes an approximate scaling property of the potential
      energy function of a classical liquid with good isomorphs (a Roskilde-simple
      liquid). This "pseudohomogeneous" property makes explicit that-and in which sense
      such a system has a hidden scale invariance. The second part of the paper gives a
      potential-energy formulation of the quasiuniversality of monatomic Roskilde
      simple liquids, which was recently rationalized in terms of the existence of a
      quasiuniversal single-parameter family of reduced-coordinate constant-potential
      energy hypersurfaces [J. C. Dyre, Phys. Rev. E 87, 022106 (2013)]. The new
      formulation involves a quasiuniversal reduced-coordinate potential-energy
      function. A few consequences of this are discussed. 

PMID- 24229148
TI  - Depletion-interaction effects on the tunneling conductivity of nanorod
      suspensions.
AB  - We study by simulation and theory how the addition of insulating spherical
      particles affects the conductivity of fluids of conducting rods, modeled by
      spherocylinders. The electrical connections are implemented as tunneling
      processes, leading to a more detailed and realistic description than a
      discontinuous percolation approach. We find that the spheres enhance the
      tunneling conductivity for a given concentration of rods and that the enhancement
      increases with rod concentration into the regime where the conducting network is
      well established. By reformulating the network of rods using a critical path
      analysis, we quantify the effect of depletion-induced attraction between the rods
      due to the spheres. Furthermore, we show that our conductivity data are
      quantitatively reproduced by an effective-medium approximation, which explicitly
      relates the system tunneling conductance to the structure of the rod-sphere
      fluid. 

PMID- 24229149
TI  - Multicritical behavior in models with two competing order parameters.
AB  - We employ the nonperturbative functional renormalization group to study models
      with an O(N(1) ?O(N)(2)) symmetry. Here different fixed points exist in three
      dimensions, corresponding to bicritical and tetracritical behavior induced by the
      competition of two order parameters. We discuss the critical behavior of the
      symmetry-enhanced isotropic, the decoupled and the biconical fixed point, and
      analyze their stability in the N(1),N(2) plane. We study the fate of nontrivial
      fixed points during the transition from three to four dimensions, finding
      evidence for a triviality problem for coupled two-scalar models in high-energy
      physics. We also point out the possibility of noncanonical critical exponents at
      semi-Gaussian fixed points and show the emergence of Goldstone modes from
      discrete symmetries.

PMID- 24229150
TI  - Memory effects for a trapped Brownian particle in viscoelastic shear flows.
AB  - The long-time limit behavior of the positional distribution for an underdamped
      Brownian particle in a fluctuating harmonic potential well, which is
      simultaneously exposed to an oscillatory viscoelastic shear flow is investigated
      using the generalized Langevin equation with a power-law-type memory kernel. The
      influence of a fluctuating environment is modeled by a multiplicative white noise
      (fluctuations of the stiffness of the trapping potential) and by an additive
      internal fractional Gaussian noise. The exact expressions of the second-order
      moments of the fluctuating position for the Brownian particle in the shear plane
      have been calculated. Also, shear-induced cross correlation between particle
      fluctuations along orthogonal directions as well as the angular momentum are
      found. It is shown that interplay of shear flow, memory, and multiplicative noise
      can generate a variety of cooperation effects, such as energetic instability,
      multiresonance versus the shear frequency, and memory-induced anomalous diffusion
      in the direction of the shear flow. Particularly, two different critical memory
      exponents have been found, which mark dynamical transitions from a stationary
      regime to a subdiffusive (or superdiffusive) regime of the system. Similarities
      and differences between the behaviors of the models with oscillatory and
      nonoscillatory shear flow are also discussed. 

PMID- 24229151
TI  - Second law of information thermodynamics with entanglement transfer.
AB  - We present an inequality which holds in the thermodynamical processes with
      measurement and feedback controls and uses only the Helmholtz free energy and the
      entanglement of formation: W(ext)<=-DeltaF-k(B)TDeltaE(F). The quantity 
      DeltaE(F), which is positive, expresses the amount of entanglement transfer from
      system S to probe P through the interaction U(SP) during the measurement. It is
      easier to achieve the upper bound in this inequality than in the Sagawa-Ueda
      inequality [Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 080403 (2008)]. Our inequality has clear
      physical meaning: in the above thermodynamical processes, the work which we can
      extract from the thermodynamic system is greater than the upper bound in the
      conventional thermodynamics by the amount of the entanglement extracted by the
      measurement.

PMID- 24229152
TI  - Principle of maximum Fisher information from Hardy's axioms applied to
      statistical systems.
AB  - Consider a finite-sized, multidimensional system in parameter state a. The system
      is either at statistical equilibrium or general nonequilibrium, and may obey
      either classical or quantum physics. L. Hardy's mathematical axioms provide a
      basis for the physics obeyed by any such system. One axiom is that the number N
      of distinguishable states a in the system obeys N=max. This assumes that N is
      known as deterministic prior knowledge. However, most observed systems suffer
      statistical fluctuations, for which N is therefore only known approximately. Then
      what happens if the scope of the axiom N=max is extended to include such observed
      systems? It is found that the state a of the system must obey a principle of
      maximum Fisher information, I=I(max). This is important because many physical
      laws have been derived, assuming as a working hypothesis that I=I(max). These
      derivations include uses of the principle of extreme physical information (EPI).
      Examples of such derivations were of the De Broglie wave hypothesis, quantum wave
      equations, Maxwell's equations, new laws of biology (e.g., of Coulomb force
      directed cell development and of in situ cancer growth), and new laws of economic
      fluctuation and investment. That the principle I=I(max) itself derives from
      suitably extended Hardy axioms thereby eliminates its need to be assumed in these
      derivations. Thus, uses of I=I(max) and EPI express physics at its most
      fundamental level, its axiomatic basis in math.

PMID- 24229153
TI  - Insight into the so-called spatial reciprocity.
AB  - Up to now, there have been a great number of studies that demonstrate the effect
      of spatial topology on the promotion of cooperation dynamics (namely, the so
      called "spatial reciprocity"). However, most researchers probably attribute it to
      the positive assortment of strategies supported by spatial arrangement. In this
      paper, we analyze the time course of cooperation evolution under different
      evolution rules. Interestingly, a typical evolution process can be divided into
      two evident periods: the enduring (END) period and the expanding (EXP) period
      where the former features that cooperators try to endure defectors' invasion and
      the latter shows that perfect C clusters fast expand their area. We find that the
      final cooperation level relies on two key factors: the formation of the perfect C
      cluster at the end of the END period and the expanding fashion of the perfect C
      cluster during the EXP period. For deterministic rule, the smooth expansion of C
      cluster boundaries enables cooperators to reach a dominant state, whereas, the
      rough boundaries for stochastic rule cannot provide a sufficient beneficial
      environment for the evolution of cooperation. Moreover, we show that expansion of
      the perfect C cluster is closely related to the cluster coefficient of
      interaction topology. To some extent, we present a viable method for
      understanding the spatial reciprocity mechanism in nature and hope that it will
      inspire further studies to resolve social dilemmas. 

PMID- 24229154
TI  - Uncovering wind turbine properties through two-dimensional stochastic modeling of
      wind dynamics.
AB  - Using a method for stochastic data analysis borrowed from statistical physics, we
      analyze synthetic data from a Markov chain model that reproduces measurements of
      wind speed and power production in a wind park in Portugal. We show that our
      analysis retrieves indeed the power performance curve, which yields the
      relationship between wind speed and power production, and we discuss how this
      procedure can be extended for extracting unknown functional relationships between
      pairs of physical variables in general. We also show how specific features, such
      as the rated speed of the wind turbine or the descriptive wind speed statistics,
      can be related to the equations describing the evolution of power production and
      wind speed at single wind turbines. 

PMID- 24229155
TI  - Duality of diffusion dynamics in particle motion in soft-mode turbulence.
AB  - Nonthermal Brownian motion is investigated experimentally by injecting a particle
      into soft-mode turbulence (SMT), in the electroconvection of a nematic liquid
      crystal. It is clarified that the particle motion can be classified into two
      phases: fast motion, where particles move with the local convective flow, and
      slow motion, where they are carried by global slow pattern dynamics. We propose a
      simplified model to clarify the mechanism of the short-time and asymptotic
      behavior of diffusion. In our model, the correlation time is estimated as a
      function of a control parameter E. The scaling of the SMT pattern correlation
      time, tau(d)~E(-1), is estimated from the particle dynamics, which is consistent
      with a previous report observed from the Eulerian viewpoint. The origin of the
      non-Gaussian distribution of the displacement in the short-time regime is also
      discussed and an analytical curve is introduced that quantitatively agrees with
      the experimental data. Our results clearly illustrate the characteristics of
      diffusive motion in SMT, which are considerably different from the conventional
      Brownian motion.

PMID- 24229156
TI  - Irreversible bimolecular chemical reactions on directed scale-free networks.
AB  - Kinetics of irreversible bimolecular chemical reactions A+A->0 and A+B->0 on
      directed scale-free networks with the in-degree distribution P(in)(k)~k(
      gamma)(in) and the out-degree distribution P(out)(l)~l(-gamma)(out) are
      investigated. Since the correlation between k and l of each node generally exists
      in directed networks, we control the correlation (kl) with the probability
      r?[0,1] by two different algorithms for the construction of the directed
      networks, i.e., the so-called k and l algorithms. For r=1, the k algorithm gives
      (kl)=(k(2)), whereas the l algorithm gives (kl)=(l(2). For r=0, (kl)=(k)(l) for
      both algorithms. The kinetics of both reactions are analyzed using heterogeneous
      mean-field (HMF) theory and Monte Carlo simulations. The density of particles
      (rho) algebraically decays in time t as rho(t)~t(-alpha). The kinetics of both
      reactions are determined by the same rate equation, drho/dt=arho(2)+brho(theta
      1), apart from coefficients. The exponent theta is determined by the algorithm:
      theta=gamma(in) for the k algorithm (r>=0) and theta=gamma(min) for the l
      algorithm (r>0), where gamma(min) is the smaller exponent between gamma(in) and
      gamma(out). For theta>3, one observes the ordinary mean-field kinetics, rho~1/t
      (alpha=1). In contrast, for theta<3, rho(t) anomalously decays with
      alpha=1/(theta-2). The HMF predictions are confirmed by the simulations on
      quenched directed networks.

PMID- 24229157
TI  - Molecules with an induced dipole moment in a stochastic electric field.
AB  - The mean-field dynamics of a molecule with an induced dipole moment (e.g., a
      homonuclear diatomic molecule) in a deterministic and a stochastic (fluctuating)
      electric field is solved to obtain the decoherence properties of the system. The
      average (over fluctuations) electric dipole moment and average angular momentum
      as a function of time for a Gaussian white noise electric field are determined
      via perturbative and nonperturbative solutions in the fluctuating field. In the
      perturbative solution, the components of the average electric dipole moment and
      the average angular momentum along the deterministic electric field direction do
      not decay to zero, despite fluctuations in all three components of the electric
      field. This is in contrast to the decay of the average over fluctuations of a
      magnetic moment in a Gaussian white noise magnetic field. In the nonperturbative
      solution, the component of the average electric dipole moment and the average
      angular momentum in the deterministic electric field direction also decay to
      zero. 

PMID- 24229158
TI  - Equivalence between fractional exclusion statistics and self-consistent mean
      field theory in interacting-particle systems in any number of dimensions.
AB  - We describe a mean field interacting particle system in any number of dimensions
      and in a generic external potential as an ideal gas with fractional exclusion
      statistics (FES). We define the FES quasiparticle energies, we calculate the FES
      parameters of the system and we deduce the equations for the equilibrium particle
      populations. The FES gas is "ideal," in the sense that the quasiparticle energies
      do not depend on the other quasiparticle levels' populations and the sum of the
      quasiparticle energies is equal to the total energy of the system. We prove that
      the FES formalism is equivalent to the semiclassical or Thomas Fermi limit of the
      self-consistent mean-field theory and the FES quasiparticle populations may be
      calculated from the Landau quasiparticle populations by making the correspondence
      between the FES and the Landau quasiparticle energies. The FES provides a natural
      semiclassical ideal gas description of the interacting particle gas. 

PMID- 24229159
TI  - Coarse graining for the phase-field model of fast phase transitions.
AB  - Fast phase transitions under lack of local thermalization between successive
      elementary steps of the physical process are treated analytically. Non-Markovian
      master equations are derived for fast processes, which do not have enough time to
      reach energy or momentum thermalization during rapid phase change or freezing of
      a highly nonequilibrium system. These master equations provide a further physical
      basis for evolution and transport equations of the phase-field model used
      previously in the analyses of fast phase transitions. 

PMID- 24229160
TI  - Unstable supercritical discontinuous percolation transitions.
AB  - The location and nature of the percolation transition in random networks is a
      subject of intense interest. Recently, a series of graph evolution processes have
      been introduced that lead to discontinuous percolation transitions where the
      addition of a single edge causes the size of the largest component to exhibit a
      significant macroscopic jump in the thermodynamic limit. These processes can have
      additional exotic behaviors, such as displaying a "Devil's staircase" of discrete
      jumps in the supercritical regime. Here we investigate whether the location of
      the largest jump coincides with the percolation threshold for a range of
      processes, such as Erdos-Renyipercolation, percolation via edge competition and
      via growth by overtaking. We find that the largest jump asymptotically occurs at
      the percolation transition for Erdos-Renyiand other processes exhibiting global
      continuity, including models exhibiting an "explosive" transition. However, for
      percolation processes exhibiting genuine discontinuities, the behavior is
      substantially richer. In percolation models where the order parameter exhibits a
      staircase, the largest discontinuity generically does not coincide with the
      percolation transition. For the generalized Bohman-Frieze-Wormald model, it
      depends on the model parameter. Distinct parameter regimes well in the
      supercritical regime feature unstable discontinuous transitions-a novel and
      unexpected phenomenon in percolation. We thus demonstrate that seemingly and
      genuinely discontinuous percolation transitions can involve a rich behavior in
      supercriticality, a regime that has been largely ignored in percolation. 

PMID- 24229161
TI  - Granular transport in a horizontally vibrated sawtooth channel.
AB  - We present a new mode of transport of spherical particles in a horizontally
      vibrated channel with sawtooth-shaped side walls. The underlying driving
      mechanism is based on an interplay of directional energy injection transformed by
      the sidewall collisions and density-dependent interparticle collisions.
      Experiments and matching numerics show that the average particle velocity reaches
      a maximum at 60% of the maximal filling density. Introducing a spatial phase
      shift between the channel boundaries increases the transport velocity by an order
      of magnitude. 

PMID- 24229162
TI  - Shape-induced chiral ordering in two-dimensional packing of snowmanlike dimeric
      particles.
AB  - Understanding the distinctive phase behaviors in random packing due to particle
      shapes is an important issue in condensed matter physics. In this paper, we
      investigate the random packing structure of two-dimensional (2D) snowmen via wax
      snowman packing experiments and Brownian dynamics simulations. Both experiments
      and simulations reveal that neighboring snowmen have a strong short-range
      orientational correlation and consequently locally form particular conformations.
      A chiral conformation is dominant for high area fractions near the jamming
      condition (phi>0.8), and the proportion of the chiral conformation increases with
      gamma. We also found that the attractive interaction does not have a significant
      impact on the results. The geometry of chirally ordered snowmen causes a mismatch
      with 2D crystalline symmetries and thus inhibits the development of long-range
      spatial order, despite the strong orientational correlation between neighbors. 

PMID- 24229163
TI  - Universal features of the jamming phase diagram of wet granular materials.
AB  - We investigate the influence of the shape of a particle on the structure of the
      jamming phase diagram of wet granular materials. We compute the jamming phase
      diagram of wet dimers (two fused disks) and compare it with that of the wet
      disks. Amplitude of the external force at solidification, i.e., the jamming force
      F(s), is computed as a function of the packing fraction phi, the capillary bridge
      energy E, and the aspect ratio of dimers alpha. Based on data collapse, an
      equation for amplitude of the external force at solidification F(s)(phi,E,alpha)
      is derived. F(s) has scaling and logarithmic relations with phi and E,
      respectively, exactly the same type reported for wet disks earlier.
      Interestingly, F(s) does not depend on the aspect ratio of dimers alpha. The only
      difference is that wet dimers are found to be more stiffer than wet disks.
      However, the similarities of the equations describing F(s)(phi,E,alpha) of wet
      dimers and disks imply that there exists, yet unknown, universal aspects of
      mechanical response of wet granular materials to the external forces, independent
      from the particle shape. In addition, we study local orientation of particles and
      its statistical properties.

PMID- 24229164
TI  - Sedimentation of granular columns in the viscous and weakly inertial regimes.
AB  - We investigate the dynamics of granular columns of point particles that interact
      via long-range hydrodynamic interactions and fall under the action of gravity. We
      investigate the influence of inertia using the Green's function for the Oseen
      equation. The initial conditions (density and aspect ratio) are systematically
      varied. Our results suggest that universal self-similar laws may be sufficient to
      characterize the temporal and structural evolution of the granular columns. A
      characteristic time above which an instability is triggered (which may enable the
      formation of clusters) is also retrieved and discussed. 

PMID- 24229166
TI  - Dynamic equivalences in the hard-sphere dynamic universality class.
AB  - We perform systematic simulation experiments on model systems with soft-sphere
      repulsive interactions to test the predicted dynamic equivalence between soft
      sphere liquids with similar static structure. For this we compare the simulated
      dynamics (mean squared displacement, intermediate scattering function, alpha
      relaxation time, etc.) of different soft-sphere systems, between them and with
      the hard-sphere liquid. We then show that the referred dynamic equivalence does
      not depend on the (Newtonian or Brownian) nature of the microscopic laws of
      motion of the constituent particles, and hence, applies independently to
      colloidal and to atomic simple liquids. Finally, we verify another more recently
      proposed dynamic equivalence, this time between the long-time dynamics of an
      atomic liquid and its corresponding Brownian fluid (i.e., the Brownian system
      with the same interaction potential). 

PMID- 24229165
TI  - Small-amplitude acoustics in bulk granular media.
AB  - We propose and validate a three-dimensional continuum modeling approach that
      predicts small-amplitude acoustic behavior of dense-packed granular media. The
      model is obtained through a joint experimental and finite-element study focused
      on the benchmark example of a vibrated container of grains. Using a three
      parameter linear viscoelastic constitutive relation, our continuum model is shown
      to quantitatively predict the effective mass spectra in this geometry, even as
      geometric parameters for the environment are varied. Further, the model's
      predictions for the surface displacement field are validated mode-by-mode against
      experiment. A primary observation is the importance of the boundary condition
      between grains and the quasirigid walls. 

PMID- 24229167
TI  - Applicability of mode-coupling theory to polyisobutylene: a molecular dynamics
      simulation study.
AB  - The applicability of Mode Coupling Theory (MCT) to the glass-forming polymer
      polyisobutylene (PIB) has been explored by using fully atomistic molecular
      dynamics simulations. MCT predictions for the so-called asymptotic regime have
      been successfully tested on the dynamic structure factor and the self-correlation
      function of PIB main-chain carbons calculated from the simulated cell. The
      factorization theorem and the time-temperature superposition principle are
      satisfied. A consistent fitting procedure of the simulation data to the MCT
      asymptotic power-laws predicted for the alpha-relaxation regime has delivered the
      dynamic exponents of the theory-in particular, the exponent parameter lambda-the
      critical non-ergodicity parameters, and the critical temperature T(c). The
      obtained values of lambda and T(c) agree, within the uncertainties involved in
      both studies, with those deduced from depolarized light scattering experiments
      [A. Kisliuk et al., J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 38, 2785 (2000)]. Both,
      lambda and T(c)/T(g) values found for PIB are unusually large with respect to
      those commonly obtained in low molecular weight systems. Moreover, the high
      T(c)/T(g) value is compatible with a certain correlation of this parameter with
      the fragility in Angell's classification. Conversely, the value of lambda is
      close to that reported for real polymers, simulated "realistic" polymers and
      simple polymer models with intramolecular barriers. In the framework of the MCT,
      such finding should be the signature of two different mechanisms for the glass
      transition in real polymers: intermolecular packing and intramolecular barriers
      combined with chain connectivity.

PMID- 24229168
TI  - Normal-stress coefficients and rod climbing in colloidal dispersions.
AB  - We calculate tractable microscopic expressions for the low-shear normal-stress
      coefficients of colloidal dispersions. Although restricted to the low rate
      regime, the presented formulas are valid for all volume fractions below the glass
      transition and for any interaction potential. Numerical results are presented for
      a system of colloids interacting via a hard-core attractive Yukawa potential, for
      which we explore the interplay between attraction strength and volume fraction.
      We show that the normal-stress coefficients exhibit nontrivial features close to
      the critical point and at high volume fractions in the vicinity of the reentrant
      glass transition. Finally, we exploit our formulas to make predictions about rod
      climbing effects in attractive colloidal dispersions. 

PMID- 24229169
TI  - Dynamical correlations in a glass former with randomly pinned particles.
AB  - The effects of randomly pinning particles in a model glass-forming fluid are
      studied, with a focus on the dynamically heterogeneous relaxation in the presence
      of pinning. We show how four-point dynamical correlations can be analyzed in real
      space, allowing direct extraction of a length scale that characterizes dynamical
      heterogeneity. In the presence of pinning, the relaxation time of the glassy
      system increases by up to two decades, but there is almost no increase in either
      the four-point correlation length or the strength of the four-point correlations.
      We discuss the implications of these results for theories of the glass
      transition. 

PMID- 24229170
TI  - Stripe, gossamer, and glassy phases in systems with strong nonpairwise
      interactions.
AB  - We study structure formation in systems of classical particles in two dimensions
      with long-range attractive short-range repulsive two-body interactions and
      repulsive three-body interactions. Stripe, gossamer, and glass phases are found
      as a result of nonpairwise interaction. 

PMID- 24229171
TI  - Dynamics and separation of circularly moving particles in asymmetrically
      patterned arrays.
AB  - There are many examples of driven and active matter systems containing particles
      that exhibit circular motion with different chiralities, such as swimming
      bacteria near surfaces or certain types of self-driven colloidal particles.
      Circular motion of passive particles can also be induced with an external
      rotating drive. Here we examine particles that move in circles and interact with
      a periodic array of asymmetric L-shaped obstacles. We find a series of dynamical
      phases as a function of swimming radius, including regimes where the particle
      motion is rectified, producing a net dc motion. The direction of the
      rectification varies with the swimming radius, permitting the separation of
      particles with different swimming radii. Particles with the same swimming radius
      but different chirality can also move in different directions over the substrate
      and be separated. The rectification occurs for specific windows of swimming radii
      corresponding to periodic orbits in which the particles interact one or more
      times with the barriers per rotation cycle. The rectification effects are robust
      against the addition of thermal or diffusive effects, and are in some cases even
      enhanced by these effects. 

PMID- 24229172
TI  - Characteristics of the Johari-Goldstein process in rigid asymmetric molecules.
AB  - Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out on a Lennard-Jones binary mixture
      of rigid (fixed bond length) diatomic molecules. The translational and rotational
      correlation functions, and the corresponding susceptibilities, exhibit two
      relaxation processes: the slow structural relaxation (alpha dynamics) and a
      higher frequency secondary relaxation. The latter is a Johari-Goldstein (JG)
      process, by its definition of involving all parts of the molecule. It shows
      several properties characteristic of the JG relaxation: (1) merging with the
      alpha relaxation at high temperature; (2) a change in temperature dependence of
      its relaxation strength on vitrification; (3) a separation in frequency from the
      alpha peak that correlates with the breadth of the alpha dispersion; and (4)
      sensitivity to volume, pressure, and physical aging. These properties can be used
      to determine whether a secondary relaxation in a real material is an authentic JG
      process, rather than more trivial motion involving intramolecular degrees of
      freedom. The latter has no connection to the glass transition, whereas the JG
      relaxation is closely related to structural relaxation, and thus can provide new
      insights into the phenomenon. 

PMID- 24229173
TI  - Manifestation of random first-order transition theory in Wigner glasses.
AB  - We use Brownian dynamics simulations of a binary mixture of highly charged
      spherical colloidal particles to test some of the predictions of the random first
      order transition (RFOT) theory [Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 2091 (1987); Phys. Rev. A
      40, 1045 (1989)]. In accord with mode-coupling theory and RFOT, we find that as
      the volume fraction of the colloidal particles phi approaches the dynamical
      transition value phi(A), three measures of dynamics show an effective ergodic to
      nonergodic transition. First, there is a dramatic slowing down of diffusion, with
      the translational diffusion constant decaying as a power law as phi->phi(A)(-).
      Second, the energy metric, a measure of ergodicity breaking in classical many
      body systems, shows that the system becomes effectively nonergodic as phi(A) is
      approached. Finally, the time t(*), at which the four-point dynamical
      susceptibility achieves a maximum, also increases as a power law near phi(A).
      Remarkably, the translational diffusion coefficients, ergodic diffusion
      coefficient, and (t(*))(-) all vanish as (phi(-1)-phi(A)(-1))(gamma) with both
      phi(A)(~0.1) and gamma being the roughly the same for all three quantities. Above
      phi(A), transport involves crossing free energy barriers. In this regime, the
      density-density correlation function decays as a stretched exponential [exp
      (t/tau(alpha))(beta)] with beta~0.45. The phi dependence of the relaxation time
      tau(alpha) could be fit using the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher law with the ideal glass
      transition at phi(K)~0.47. By using a local entropy measure, we show that the law
      of large numbers is not obeyed above phi(A), and gives rise to subsample to
      subsample fluctuations in all physical observables. We propose that dynamical
      heterogeneity is a consequence of violation of law of large numbers.

PMID- 24229174
TI  - Probing the limitations of isotropic pair potentials to produce ground-state
      structural extremes via inverse statistical mechanics.
AB  - Inverse statistical-mechanical methods have recently been employed to design
      optimized short-range radial (isotropic) pair potentials that robustly produce
      novel targeted classical ground-state many-particle configurations. The target
      structures considered in those studies were low-coordinated crystals with a high
      degree of symmetry. In this paper, we further test the fundamental limitations of
      radial pair potentials by targeting crystal structures with appreciably less
      symmetry, including those in which the particles have different local structural
      environments. These challenging target configurations demanded that we modify
      previous inverse optimization techniques. In particular, we first find local
      minima of a candidate enthalpy surface and determine the enthalpy difference
      DeltaH between such inherent structures and the target structure. Then we
      determine the lowest positive eigenvalue lambda(0) of the Hessian matrix of the
      enthalpy surface at the target configuration. Finally, we maximize
      lambda(0)DeltaH so that the target structure is both locally stable and globally
      stable with respect to the inherent structures. Using this modified optimization
      technique, we have designed short-range radial pair potentials that stabilize the
      two-dimensional kagome crystal, the rectangular kagome crystal, and rectangular
      lattices, as well as the three-dimensional structure of the CaF(2) crystal
      inhabited by a single-particle species. We verify our results by cooling liquid
      configurations to absolute zero temperature via simulated annealing and ensuring
      that such states have stable phonon spectra. Except for the rectangular kagome
      structure, all of the target structures can be stabilized with monotonic
      repulsive potentials. Our work demonstrates that single-component systems with
      short-range radial pair potentials can counterintuitively self-assemble into
      crystal ground states with low symmetry and different local structural
      environments. Finally, we present general principles that offer guidance in
      determining whether certain target structures can be achieved as ground states by
      radial pair potentials.

PMID- 24229175
TI  - Thermodynamics of ferrofluids in applied magnetic fields.
AB  - The thermodynamic properties of ferrofluids in applied magnetic fields are
      examined using theory and computer simulation. The dipolar hard sphere model is
      used. The second and third virial coefficients (B(2) and B(3)) are evaluated as
      functions of the dipolar coupling constant lambda, and the Langevin parameter
      alpha. The formula for B(3) for a system in an applied field is different from
      that in the zero-field case, and a derivation is presented. The formulas are
      compared to results from Mayer-sampling calculations, and the trends with
      increasing lambda and alpha are examined. Very good agreement between theory and
      computation is demonstrated for the realistic values lambda<=2. The analytical
      formulas for the virial coefficients are incorporated in to various forms of
      virial expansion, designed to minimize the effects of truncation. The theoretical
      results for the equation of state are compared against results from Monte Carlo
      simulations. In all cases, the so-called logarithmic free energy theory is seen
      to be superior. In this theory, the virial expansion of the Helmholtz free energy
      is re-summed in to a logarithmic function. Its success is due to the approximate
      representation of high-order terms in the virial expansion, while retaining the
      exact low-concentration behavior. The theory also yields the magnetization, and a
      comparison with simulation results and a competing modified mean-field theory
      shows excellent agreement. Finally, the putative field-dependent critical
      parameters for the condensation transition are obtained and compared against
      existing simulation results for the Stockmayer fluid. Dipolar hard spheres do not
      undergo the transition, but the presence of isotropic attractions, as in the
      Stockmayer fluid, gives rise to condensation even in zero field. A comparison of
      the relative changes in critical parameters with increasing field strength shows
      excellent agreement between theory and simulation, showing that the theoretical
      treatment of the dipolar interactions is robust.

PMID- 24229176
TI  - Fluctuations in the time variable and dynamical heterogeneity in glass-forming
      systems.
AB  - We test a hypothesis for the origin of dynamical heterogeneity in slowly relaxing
      systems, namely that it emerges from soft (Goldstone) modes associated with a
      broken continuous symmetry under time reparametrizations. We do this by
      constructing coarse grained observables and decomposing the fluctuations of these
      observables into transverse components, which are associated with the postulated
      time-fluctuation soft modes, and a longitudinal component, which represents the
      rest of the fluctuations. Our test is performed on data obtained in simulations
      of four models of structural glasses. As the hypothesis predicts, we find that
      the time reparametrization fluctuations become increasingly dominant as
      temperature is lowered and timescales are increased. More specifically, the ratio
      between the strengths of the transverse fluctuations and the longitudinal
      fluctuations grows as a function of the dynamical susceptibility, chi(4), which
      represents the strength of the dynamical heterogeneity; and the correlation
      volumes for the transverse fluctuations are approximately proportional to those
      for the dynamical heterogeneity, while the correlation volumes for the
      longitudinal fluctuations remain small and approximately constant.

PMID- 24229177
TI  - Localized measurement of longitudinal and transverse flow velocities in colloidal
      suspensions using optical coherence tomography.
AB  - We report on localized measurement of the longitudinal and transverse flow
      velocities in a colloidal suspension using optical coherence tomography. We
      present a model for the path-length resolved autocorrelation function including
      diffusion and flow, which we experimentally verify. For flow that is not
      perpendicular to the incident beam, the longitudinal velocity gradient over the
      coherence gate causes additional decorrelation, which is described by our model.
      We demonstrate simultaneous imaging of sample morphology and longitudinal and
      transverse flow at micrometer scale in a single measurement. 

PMID- 24229178
TI  - Structural ordering of trapped colloids with competing interactions.
AB  - The structure of colloids with competing interactions which are confined in a
      harmonic external trap potential is analyzed numerically by energy minimization
      in two spatial dimensions. A wealth of different cluster structures is found to
      be stable including clusters with a fringed outer rim (reminiscent to an
      ornamental border), clusters perforated with voids, as well as clusters with a
      crystalline core and a disordered rim. All cluster structures occur in a two
      dimensional parameter space. The structural ordering can therefore be efficiently
      tuned by changing few parameters only providing access to a controlled
      fabrication of colloidal clusters. 

PMID- 24229179
TI  - Scattering approach for fluctuation-induced interactions at fluid interfaces.
AB  - We develop the scattering formalism to calculate the interaction between
      colloidal particles trapped at a fluid interface. Since, in addition to the
      interface, the colloids may also fluctuate in this system, we implement the
      fluctuation of the boundaries into the scattering formalism and investigate how
      the interaction between colloids is modified by their fluctuations. This general
      method can be applied to any number of colloids with various geometries at an
      interface. We apply the formalism derived in this work to a system of spherical
      colloids at the interface between two fluid phases. For two spherical colloids,
      this method very effectively reproduces the previous known results. For three
      particles we find analytical expressions for the large separation asymptotic
      energies and numerically calculate the Casimir interaction at all separations.
      Our results show an interesting three-body effect for fixed and fluctuating
      colloids. While the three-body effect strengthens the attractive interaction
      between fluctuating colloids, it diminishes the attractive force between colloids
      fixed at an interface. 

PMID- 24229180
TI  - Slow relaxation in structure-forming ferrofluids.
AB  - We study the behavior of colloidal magnetic fluids at low density for various
      dipolar interaction strengths by performing extensive Langevin dynamics
      simulations with model parameters that mimic cobalt-based ferrofluids used in
      experiments. Our study mainly focuses on the structural and dynamical properties
      of dipolar fluids and the influence of structural changes on their dynamics.
      Drastic changes from chainlike to networklike structures in the absence of an
      external magnetic field are observed. This crossover plays an important role in
      the slowing down of dynamics that is reflected in various dynamical properties
      including the tracer diffusion and the viscosity and also in the structural
      relaxation. 

PMID- 24229181
TI  - Broadband ultrasonic spectrometry of polystyrene-cyclohexane critical mixtures.
AB  - Mutual diffusion coefficients, shear viscosities, and broadband ultrasonic
      attenuation spectra in the frequency range 100 kHz to 300 MHz have been measured
      for solutions of polystyrene in cyclohexane at two degrees of polymerization N
      and various temperatures near the critical. The exponent y(eta) in the power law
      representation of the critical part in the viscosity deviates substantially from
      the universal value y(eta) = 0.0435: y(eta) = 0.028 (N = 288) and y(eta) = 0.014
      (N = 6242). Also, the adiabatic coupling constant g and the amplitudes xi(0) and
      Gamma(0) in the power laws of the correlation length and the relaxation rate of
      fluctuations, respectively, depend on N. This is especially obvious with the
      relaxation rates, for which Gamma(0) = 5.8*10(9) at N = 288 and Gamma(0) =
      6.1*10(7) with the larger polymer results. A noteworthy feature is the difference
      between the relaxation rates from the diffusion coefficients and shear
      viscosities on the one hand and from the ultrasonic spectra on the other. Near
      the critical temperatures the latter Gamma values deviate from power law
      behavior, indicating a coupling between the concentration fluctuations and
      structural isomerizations of the polymers.

PMID- 24229182
TI  - Formation of double glass in binary mixtures of anisotropic particles: dynamic
      heterogeneities in rotations and displacements.
AB  - We study glass behavior in a mixture of elliptic and circular particles in two
      dimensions at low temperatures using an orientation-dependent Lennard-Jones
      potential. The ellipses have a mild aspect ratio (~1.2) and tend to align at low
      temperatures, while the circular particles play the role of impurities disturbing
      the ellipse orientations at a concentration of 20%. These impurities have a size
      smaller than that of the ellipses and attract them in the homeotropic alignment.
      As a result, the coordination number around each impurity is mostly 5 or 4 in
      glassy states. We realize double glass, where both the orientations and the
      positions are disordered but still hold mesoscopic order. We find a strong
      heterogeneity in the flip motions of the ellipses, which sensitively depends on
      the impurity clustering. In our model, a small fraction of the ellipses still
      undergo flip motions relatively rapidly even at low temperatures. In contrast,
      the nonflip rotations (with angle changes not close to +/-pi) are mainly caused
      by the cooperative configuration changes involving many particles. Then, there
      arises a long-time heterogeneity in the nonflip rotations closely correlated with
      the dynamic heterogeneity in displacements. 

PMID- 24229183
TI  - Spontaneous formation of hierarchical wrinkles in Cr films deposited on silicone
      oil drops with constrained edges.
AB  - We report on the spontaneous formation of hierarchical wrinkling patterns in Cr
      films deposited on silicone oil drops with constrained edges. The appearance of
      the wrinkling patterns is strongly dependent on the film thickness and the size
      of the silicone oil drop. Because the Cr film at the drop edge is constrained due
      to the strong adhesion between the film and the glass surface, the wrinkle
      wavelength merely depends on the distance starting from the drop edge. When the
      distance increases, the wavelength increases quickly first, and then it slows
      down gradually in compliance with a simple power law. The evolution of the
      wrinkle amplitude is similar to that of the wavelength, but it is also closely
      related to the film thickness and the oil drop size. Based on the fact that the
      silicone oil is polymerized to form an elastic layer during deposition, the
      formation and evolution of the hierarchical wrinkling patterns have been analyzed
      in detail. 

PMID- 24229184
TI  - Role of superposition of dislocation avalanches in the statistics of acoustic
      emission during plastic deformation.
AB  - Various dynamical systems with many degrees of freedom display avalanche
      dynamics, which is characterized by scale invariance reflected in power-law
      statistics. The superposition of avalanche processes in real systems driven at a
      finite velocity may influence the experimental determination of the underlying
      power law. The present paper reports results of an investigation of this effect
      using the example of acoustic emission (AE) accompanying plastic deformation of
      crystals. Indeed, recent studies of AE did not only prove that the dynamics of
      crystal defects obeys power-law statistics, but also led to a hypothesis of
      universality of the scaling law. We examine the sensitivity of the apparent
      statistics of AE to the parameters applied to individualize AE events. Two
      different alloys, MgZr and AlMg, both displaying strong AE but characterized by
      different plasticity mechanisms, are investigated. It is shown that the power-law
      indices display a good robustness in wide ranges of parameters even in the
      conditions leading to very strong superposition of AE events, although some
      deviations from the persistent values are also detected. The totality of the
      results confirms the scale-invariant character of deformation processes on the
      scale relevant to AE, but uncovers essential differences between the power-law
      exponents found for two kinds of alloys. 

PMID- 24229185
TI  - Creasing-wrinkling transition in elastomer films under electric fields.
AB  - Creasing and wrinkling are different types of instabilities on material surfaces
      characterized by localized singular folds and continuously smooth undulation,
      respectively. While it is known that electric fields can induce both types of
      instabilities in elastomer films bonded on substrates, the relation and
      transition between the field-induced instabilities have not been analyzed or
      understood. We show that the surface energy, modulus, and thickness of the
      elastomer determine the types, critical fields, and wavelengths of the
      instabilities. By independently varying these parameters of elastomers under
      electric fields, our experiments demonstrate transitions between creases with
      short wavelengths and wrinkles with long wavelengths. We further develop a
      unified theoretical model that accounts for both creasing and wrinkling
      instabilities induced by electric fields and predicts their transitions. The
      experimental data agree well with the theoretical model. 

PMID- 24229186
TI  - Strain-rate and temperature-driven transition in the shear transformation zone
      for two-dimensional amorphous solids.
AB  - We couple the recently developed self-learning metabasin escape algorithm, which
      enables efficient exploration of the potential energy surface (PES), with shear
      deformation to elucidate strain-rate and temperature effects on the shear
      transformation zone (STZ) characteristics in two-dimensional amorphous solids. In
      doing so, we report a transition in the STZ characteristics that can be obtained
      through either increasing the temperature or decreasing the strain rate. The
      transition separates regions having two distinct STZ characteristics.
      Specifically, at high temperatures and high strain rates, we show that the STZs
      have characteristics identical to those that emerge from purely strain-driven,
      athermal quasistatic atomistic calculations. At lower temperatures and
      experimentally relevant strain rates, we use the newly coupled PES + shear
      deformation method to show that the STZs have characteristics identical to those
      that emerge from a purely thermally activated state. The specific changes in STZ
      characteristics that occur in moving from the strain-driven to thermally
      activated STZ regime include a 33% increase in STZ size, faster spatial decay of
      the displacement field, a change in the deformation mechanism inside the STZ from
      shear to tension, a reduction in the stress needed to nucleate the first STZ, and
      finally a notable loss in characteristic quadrupolar symmetry of the surrounding
      elastic matrix that has previously been seen in athermal, quasistatic shear
      studies of STZs. 

PMID- 24229187
TI  - Self-organization and nanostructure formation in chemical vapor deposition.
AB  - When thin films are grown on a substrate by chemical vapor deposition, the
      evolution of the first deposited layers may be described, on mesoscopic scales,
      by dynamical models of the reaction-diffusion type. For monatomic layers, such
      models describe the evolution of atomic coverage due to the combined effect of
      reaction terms representing adsorption-desorption and chemical processes and
      nonlinear diffusion terms that are of the Cahn-Hilliard type. This combination
      may lead, below a critical temperature, to the instability of uniform deposited
      layers. This instability triggers the formation of nanostructures corresponding
      to regular spatial variations of substrate coverage. Patterns wavelengths and
      symmetries are selected by dynamical variables and not by variational arguments.
      According to the balance between reaction- and diffusion-induced nonlinearities,
      a succession of nanostructures including hexagonal arrays of dots, stripes, and
      localized structures of various types may be obtained. These structures may
      initiate different growth mechanisms, including Volmer-Weber and Frank-Van der
      Merwe types of growth. The relevance of this approach to the study of deposited
      layers of different species is discussed. 

PMID- 24229188
TI  - Nonequilibrium kinetic boundary condition at the vapor-liquid interface of argon.
AB  - A boundary condition for the Boltzmann equation (kinetic boundary condition, KBC)
      at the vapor-liquid interface of argon is constructed with the help of molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulations. The KBC is examined at a constant liquid temperature
      of 85 K in a wide range of nonequilibrium states of vapor. The present
      investigation is an extension of a previous one by Ishiyama, Yano, and Fujikawa
      [Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 084504 (2005)] and provides a more complete form of the
      KBC. The present KBC includes a thermal accommodation coefficient in addition to
      evaporation and condensation coefficients, and these coefficients are determined
      in MD simulations uniquely. The thermal accommodation coefficient shows an
      anisotropic behavior at the interface for molecular velocities normal versus
      tangential to the interface. It is also found that the evaporation and
      condensation coefficients are almost constant in a fairly wide range of
      nonequilibrium states. The thermal accommodation coefficient of the normal
      velocity component is almost unity, while that of the tangential component shows
      a decreasing function of the density of vapor incident on the interface,
      indicating that the tangential velocity distribution of molecules leaving the
      interface into the vapor phase may deviate from the tangential parts of the
      Maxwell velocity distribution at the liquid temperature. A mechanism for the
      deviation of the KBC from the isotropic Maxwell KBC at the liquid temperature is
      discussed in terms of anisotropic energy relaxation at the interface. The liquid
      temperature dependence of the present KBC is also discussed. 

PMID- 24229189
TI  - Crystal growth in a channel: pulsating fingers, merry-go-round patterns, and
      seesaw dynamics.
AB  - We perform phase-field simulations of unsteady crystal growth in a three
      dimensional capillary. Motivated by the appearance of chirality-symmetry breaking
      periodic states in our preceding study, we here focus on more general dynamic
      states. Most of these are obtained in the limit of isotropic surface tension, but
      we test genericity by looking at a few cases with weak anisotropy. Whereas steady
      states are similar for all channel shapes studied so far, including channels with
      circular, hexagonal, quadratic, and triangular cross sections, there is a
      stronger dependence on the cross section for time-dependent states. Various
      oscillatory modes are identified and discussed, including rotating and swinging
      patterns as well as pulsating modes containing one, two, and four fingers,
      respectively. 

PMID- 24229190
TI  - Force and flux relations for flows of ionic solutions between parallel plates
      with porous and charged layers.
AB  - We derive coefficients of the electrokinetic coupling matrix (chi(11), chi(12),
      and chi(21)) for the flow of an ionic solution through a parallel-plate geometry
      having porous and charged layers grafted onto a solid surface with a known
      potential and demonstrate Onsager reciprocity for the cross terms (i.e.,
      chi(12)=chi(21)). Our results enable the prediction of system outputs in the
      solid-porous-fluid system from parameters that are either known or may be
      measured and inferred. These electrokinetic coupling coefficients are in terms of
      the potential, phi, and fixed charge, rho(f), only, removing dependence on field
      gradients and fluid velocity. Additionally, we present simplified expressions of
      these coupling coefficients in limiting regions of the parameter space. Away from
      these limits, we present numerical results demonstrating the facility of our
      functional form for facile numerical approximation and report the utility and
      accuracy of our analytical approximations.

PMID- 24229191
TI  - Quasi-one-dimensional thermal breakage.
AB  - Breakage is generally understood in mechanical terms, yet nanostructures can
      rupture not only under external loads but also via thermal activation. Here we
      treat in a general framework the statistical mechanics of thermally induced
      breakage at the nanoscale for one-dimensional systems. We test it on a simple
      approximation and find that the probability of breakage controls distinct
      regimes, characterized by sharp crossovers and narrow peaks in the thermal
      fluctuations and specific heat. Our work provides predictions on clustering of
      new phases, of relevance in nanofabrication. 

PMID- 24229192
TI  - Capillary fracture of soft gels.
AB  - A liquid droplet resting on a soft gel substrate can deform that substrate to the
      point of material failure, whereby fractures develop on the gel surface that
      propagate outwards from the contact line in a starburst pattern. In this paper,
      we characterize (i) the initiation process, in which the number of arms in the
      starburst is controlled by the ratio of the surface tension contrast to the gel's
      elastic modulus, and (ii) the propagation dynamics showing that once fractures
      are initiated they propagate with a universal power law L[proportional]t(3/4). We
      develop a model for crack initiation by treating the gel as a linear elastic
      solid and computing the deformations within the substrate from the liquid-solid
      wetting forces. The elastic solution shows that both the location and the
      magnitude of the wetting forces are critical in providing a quantitative
      prediction for the number of fractures and, hence, an interpretation of the
      initiation of capillary fractures. This solution also reveals that the depth of
      the gel is an important factor in the fracture process, as it can help mitigate
      large surface tractions; this finding is confirmed with experiments. We then
      develop a model for crack propagation by considering the transport of an inviscid
      fluid into the fracture tip of an incompressible material and find that a simple
      energy-conservation argument can explain the observed material-independent power
      law. We compare predictions for both linear elastic and neo-Hookean solids,
      finding that the latter better explains the observed exponent.

PMID- 24229193
TI  - Role of the sample thickness in planar crack propagation.
AB  - We study the effect of the sample thickness in planar crack front propagation in
      a disordered elastic medium using the random fuse model. We employ different
      loading conditions and we test their stability with respect to crack growth. We
      show that the thickness induces characteristic lengths in the stress enhancement
      factor in front of the crack and in the stress transfer function parallel to the
      crack. This is reflected by a thickness-dependent crossover scale in the crack
      front morphology that goes from from multiscaling to self-affine with exponents,
      in agreement with line depinning models and experiments. Finally, we compute the
      distribution of crack avalanches, which is shown to depend on the thickness and
      the loading mode. 

PMID- 24229194
TI  - Stochastic resonance and dynamic first-order pseudo-phase-transitions in the
      irreversible growth of thin films under spatially periodic magnetic fields.
AB  - We study the irreversible growth of magnetic thin films under the influence of
      spatially periodic fields by means of extensive Monte Carlo simulations. We find
      first-order pseudo-phase-transitions that separate a dynamically disordered phase
      from a dynamically ordered phase. By analogy with time-dependent oscillating
      fields applied to Ising-type models, we qualitatively associate this dynamic
      transition with the localization-delocalization transition of spatial hysteresis
      loops. Depending on the relative width of the magnetic film L compared to the
      wavelength of the external field lambda, different transition regimes are
      observed. For small systems (L < lambda), the transition is associated with the
      standard stochastic resonance regime, while for large systems (L > lambda), the
      transition is driven by anomalous stochastic resonance. The origin of the latter
      is identified as due to the emergence of an additional relevant length scale,
      namely, the roughness of the spin domain switching interface. The distinction
      between different stochastic resonance regimes is discussed at length both
      qualitatively by means of snapshot configurations and quantitatively via
      residence-length and order-parameter probability distributions.

PMID- 24229195
TI  - Nematic molecular core flexibility and chiral induction.
AB  - Electroclinic measurements, in which an applied electric field E induces a
      rotation Deltatheta ([proportional]E) of the liquid crystal director about the
      electric field axis in a chiral environment, were performed on several
      configurationally achiral liquid crystals in the presence of an imposed helical
      director profile. This imposed twist establishes a chiral symmetry environment
      for the liquid crystal. It was observed that a conformationally racemic mesogen
      possessing a flexible phenyl benzoate core exhibits a measurable electroclinic
      response in the nematic phase. On the other hand, when the phenyl benzoate
      mesogen is mixed with a mesogen containing a rigid, conformationally achiral core
      (fluorenone), or with a racemic dopant with an axially chiral core that mimics a
      mesogen having rigid right- and left-handed conformations (2,2'-spirobiindan-1,1'
      dione), the magnitudes of the electroclinic responses were found to decrease
      sharply, apparently going to zero when extrapolated to the pure 2,2'-spirobiindan
      1,1'-dione or fluorenone limit. (Note that neither of these additives possesses a
      nematic phase.). The results suggest that the flexibility of the core and its
      ability to deracemize conformationally in order to compensate the elastic energy
      cost of the imposed twist is the primary mechanism behind the observed
      electroclinic response.

PMID- 24229196
TI  - High-resolution birefringence investigation of octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB): an upper
      bound on the discontinuity at the smectic-A to nematic phase transition.
AB  - We report optical birefringence data by two different methods with high
      temperature resolution for octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) near the smectic-A to nematic
      (Sm-A-N) phase transition temperature T(AN). Within the resolution of our
      experiments, we find that the Sm-A-N phase transition is continuous. For a
      possible discontinuity in the orientational order parameter S(T) at T(AN), we
      arrive at an upper limit of 0.0002, which is substantially smaller than other
      estimates in literature, but consistent with the value of 0.00008 derived from
      the upper limit of the latent heat from high-resolution adiabatic scanning
      calorimetry (ASC), which is itself consistent with the Halperin-Lubensky-Ma
      theory. The temperature derivative of the order parameter exhibits a power law
      divergence with a critical exponent that is consistent with the value alpha =
      0.31 +/- 0.03 for the specific heat capacity obtained by ASC.

PMID- 24229197
TI  - Phases and properties of nanocomposites of hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals and
      carbon nanotubes.
AB  - We investigated a series of nanocomposites, built of the hydrogen-bonded liquid
      crystal (LC) p-n-heptyloxybenzoic acid (7OBA) and single-walled carbon nanotubes
      (SWCNTs) by optical microtexture analysis and other complementary methods. The
      surface orientation strength of the LC cell and the bulk interaction of the
      dimeric LC molecules with the SWCNTs turn out to mainly govern the type
      (symmetry), thermal stability, and chirality of the LC states induced in these
      nanocomposites. As a result, a cascade of phase transitions and phases not
      typical for pristine 7OBA were observed and additionally confirmed by temperature
      dependent Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The most
      effective SWCNT concentrations in the LC matrix, ensuring both the necessary
      conformability between these materials and induction of liquid crystal phases
      with unique optical and electro-optical properties, were found to be in the range
      of 0.01-0.007 wt%. Reversal of smectic phases into reentrant nematic states as
      well as induction of chirality in all LC phases were observed in the SWCNT-7OBA
      nanocomposite, even though pure 7OBA is typically achiral. However, our most
      intriguing result is the detection below the reentrant nematic of a triclinic
      smectic-C(G) phase, which is chiral and biaxial, and exhibits bulk
      ferroelectricity.

PMID- 24229198
TI  - Twisted quasiperiodic textures of biaxial nematic liquid crystals.
AB  - Textures (i.e., smooth space nonuniform distributions of the order parameter) in
      biaxial nematics turned out to be much more complex and interesting than
      expected. Scanning the literature we find only a very few publications on this
      topic. Thus, the immediate motivation of the present paper is to develop a
      systematic procedure to study, classify, and visualize possible textures in
      biaxial nematics. Based on the elastic energy of a biaxial nematic (written in
      the most simple form that involves the least number of phenomenological
      parameters) we derive and solve numerically the Lagrange equations of the first
      kind. It allows one to visualize the solutions and offers a deep insight into
      their geometrical and topological features. Performing Fourier analysis we find
      some particular textures possessing two or more characteristic space periods (we
      term such solutions quasiperiodic ones because the periods are not necessarily
      commensurate). The problem is not only of intellectual interest but also of
      relevance to optical characteristics of the liquid-crystalline textures. 

PMID- 24229199
TI  - Dynamic arrest of nematic liquid-crystal colloid networks.
AB  - We report interesting self-assembly structures of nematic liquid-crystal colloid
      (NLCC) networks, which are arrested during cooling from the isotropic temperature
      to room temperature. The NLCC is composed of sterically stabilized colloidal
      particles and a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) with nematic-isotropic transition
      temperature (T_{NI}) that is much higher than those of previously studied 4-Cyano
      4'-pentylbiphenyl and N-(4-Methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline. We find that the
      structure of NLCCs depends on T(NI), cooling rates, and boundary conditions,
      varying from cellular network to hierarchical fern structures in different length
      scales. Our time-lapse study shows that the transition from the cellular network
      to the fern structure directly corresponds to the transition from a spinodal
      demixing to a nucleation-and-growth mechanism.

PMID- 24229200
TI  - Bundling in brushes of directed and semiflexible polymers.
AB  - We explore the effect of an attractive interaction between parallel-aligned
      polymers which are perpendicularly grafted on a substrate. Such an attractive
      interaction could be due to, e.g., reversible cross-links. The competition
      between permanent grafting favoring a homogeneous state of the polymer brush and
      the attraction, which tends to induce in-plane collapse of the aligned polymers,
      gives rise to an instability of the homogeneous phase to a bundled state. In this
      latter state the in-plane translational symmetry is spontaneously broken and the
      density is modulated with a finite wavelength, which is set by the length scale
      of transverse fluctuations of the grafted polymers. We analyze the instability
      for two models of aligned polymers: directed polymers with line tension epsilon
      and weakly bending chains with bending stiffness kappa. 

PMID- 24229201
TI  - Microphase separation in comblike liquid-crystalline diblock copolymers.
AB  - The interplay between liquid crystallinity and microphase separation in comblike
      liquid-crystalline diblock copolymers is examined via a Brazovskii-type
      phenomenological model using both analytical and numerical calculations. For
      symmetric diblock copolymers we determine a critical electric field that is
      required to tilt the orientation of the constituent liquid crystals of the
      polymer side chains in the microphase-separated lamellar state. Such electrically
      induced reorientation of the liquid-crystal molecules can lead to substantially
      large changes of lamellar periodicity. Our numerical results show that highly
      aligned polymer lamellar domains can self-assemble when the liquid-crystal
      ordering precedes microphase separation, and that weak electric fields can be
      used to direct the self-assembly process due to the dielectric anisotropy of the
      liquid-crystal side chains. We also find that phase separation of asymmetric
      diblock copolymers can coexist with a network of liquid-crystal nematic
      orientations, with domain morphology depending on the details of copolymer and
      liquid-crystal coupling. 

PMID- 24229202
TI  - Self-consistent field theory and numerical scheme for calculating the phase
      diagram of wormlike diblock copolymers.
AB  - This paper concerns establishing a theoretical basis and numerical scheme for
      studying the phase behavior of AB diblock copolymers made of wormlike chains. The
      general idea of a self-consistent field theory is the combination of the mean
      field approach together with a statistical weight that describes the
      configurational properties of a polymer chain. In recent years, this approach has
      been extensively used for structural prediction of block copolymers, based on the
      Gaussian-model description of a polymer chain. The wormlike-chain model has
      played an important role in the description of polymer systems, covering the
      semiflexible-to-rod crossover of the polymer properties and the highly stretching
      regime, which the Gaussian-chain model has difficulties to describe. Although the
      idea of developing a self-consistent field theory for wormlike chains could be
      traced back to early development in polymer physics, the solution of such a
      theory has been limited due to technical difficulties. In particular, a challenge
      has been to develop a numerical algorithm enabling the calculation of the phase
      diagram containing three-dimensional structures for wormlike AB diblock
      copolymers. This paper describes a computational algorithm that combines a number
      of numerical tricks, which can be used for such a calculation. A phase diagram
      covering major parameter areas was constructed for the wormlike-chain system and
      reported by us, where the ratio between the total length and the persistence
      length of a constituent polymer is suggested as another tuning parameter for the
      microphase-separated structures; all detailed technical issues are carefully
      addressed in the current paper. 

PMID- 24229203
TI  - Crossover to surface flow in supercooled unentangled polymer films.
AB  - We study the driven flow of an unentangled glassy polymer film with a free upper
      surface and supported below by a substrate using nonequilibrium molecular
      dynamics simulations based on a bead-spring model. Above the glass transition
      temperature T(g), simple Poiseuille laminar flow is observed with the film
      mobility defined as the flow current density per unit pressure gradient scaling
      as h(3) with the film thickness h. Below T(g), the film mobility becomes
      independent of h, signifying surface transport. This is in full agreement with
      recent experiments on the time evolution of capillary waves in polystyrene films
      supported by silica. A mobile layer is found responsible for the surface
      transport, as previously conjectured. Our result also shows that it has a
      velocity profile decaying exponentially into the bulk.

PMID- 24229204
TI  - Cooperativity length scale in nanocomposites: interfacial and confinement
      effects.
AB  - Interfacial and confinement effects on the evolution of cooperativity on
      approaching the glass transition have been studied in poly(propylenecoethylene)
      functionalized with diethylmaleate, polyethylene 1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene
      terephthalate glycol and their nanocomposites with montmorillonite. A small
      increase of the structural dynamic cooperativity, a weak alteration of the
      temperature dependence of the characteristic relaxation frequency, and no changes
      in the glass transition temperature observed in poly(propylenecoethylene)-based
      samples can be rationalized in terms of interfacial interactions between polymer
      and exfoliated clay. On the other hand, confinement of polymer chains in the
      galleries of clay (intercalated nanocomposite) produces a strong reduction of
      cooperativity, of the temperature dependence of the characteristic relaxation
      frequency, and of the glass transition temperature in polyethylene 1,4
      cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate glycol samples. Finally, by investigating
      the temperature dependence of a generalized fragility and of cooperativity, we
      evidenced that fragility of glass formers is determined not only by
      cooperativity. 

PMID- 24229205
TI  - Cis-trans dynamical asymmetry in driven polymer translocation.
AB  - During polymer translocation driven by, e.g., voltage drop across a nanopore, the
      segments in the cis side are incessantly pulled into the pore, which are then
      pushed out of it into the trans side. This pulling and pushing of polymer
      segments are described in the continuum level by nonlinear transport processes
      known, respectively, as fast and slow diffusions. By matching solutions of both
      sides through the mass conservation across the pore, we provide a physical basis
      for the cis and trans dynamical asymmetry, a feature repeatedly reported in
      recent numerical simulations. We then predict how the total driving force is
      dynamically allocated between cis (pulling) and trans (pushing) sides,
      demonstrating that the trans-side event adds a weak finite-chain length effect to
      the dynamical scaling. 

PMID- 24229206
TI  - Nonlinear mechanics of thermoreversibly associating dendrimer glasses.
AB  - We model the mechanics of associating trivalent dendrimer network glasses with a
      focus on their energy dissipation properties. Various combinations of sticky bond
      (SB) strength and kinetics are employed. The toughness (work to fracture) of
      these systems displays a surprising deformation-protocol dependence; different
      association parameters optimize different properties. In particular, "strong,
      slow" SBs optimize strength, while "weak, fast" SBs optimize ductility via self
      healing during deformation. We relate these observations to breaking,
      reformation, and partner switching of SBs during deformation. These studies point
      the way to creating associating-polymer network glasses with tailorable
      mechanical properties. 

PMID- 24229207
TI  - Simulation of electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of spin-labeled molecules
      from replica-exchange molecular dynamics.
AB  - We report a general approach for the simulation of the electron paramagnetic
      resonance (EPR) spectra of spin labels attached to peptides and proteins directly
      from replica-exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) trajectories. Conventional MD
      trajectories are generally inadequate for the prediction of EPR line shapes since
      the label can become trapped in one or more of a set of rotameric states, thus
      preventing both conformational sampling and accurate estimates of the exchange
      rates between different rotamers. The advantage of using REMD is its ability to
      provide both efficient conformational sampling and kinetic information for spin
      label dynamics. Our approach is illustrated with spin-labeled peptide. This
      approach to REMD-EPR simulation paves the way for the wider application of MD
      modeling to the simulation and interpretation of EPR spectra of spin-labeled
      molecules. 

PMID- 24229208
TI  - Memory, bias, and correlations in bidirectional transport of molecular-motor
      driven cargoes.
AB  - Molecular motors are specialized proteins that perform active, directed transport
      of cellular cargoes on cytoskeletal filaments. In many cases, cargo motion
      powered by motor proteins is found to be bidirectional, and may be viewed as a
      biased random walk with fast unidirectional runs interspersed with slow tug-of
      war states. The statistical properties of this walk are not known in detail, and
      here, we study memory and bias, as well as directional correlations between
      successive runs in bidirectional transport. We show, based on a study of the
      direction-reversal probabilities of the cargo using a purely stochastic (tug-of
      war) model, that bidirectional motion of cellular cargoes is, in general, a
      correlated random walk. In particular, while the motion of a cargo driven by two
      oppositely pulling motors is a Markovian random walk, memory of direction appears
      when multiple motors haul the cargo in one or both directions. In the latter
      case, the Markovian nature of the underlying single-motor processes is hidden by
      internal transitions between degenerate run and pause states of the cargo.
      Interestingly, memory is found to be a nonmonotonic function of the number of
      motors. Stochastic numerical simulations of the tug-of-war model support our
      mathematical results and extend them to biologically relevant situations. 

PMID- 24229209
TI  - Quantitative analysis of the flexibility effect of cisplatin on circular DNA.
AB  - We study the effects of cisplatin on the circular configuration of DNA using
      atomic force microscopy (AFM) and observe that the DNA gradually transforms to a
      complex configuration with an intersection and interwound structures from a
      circlelike structure. An algorithm is developed to extract the configuration
      profiles of circular DNA from AFM images and the radius of gyration is used to
      describe the flexibility of circular DNA. The quantitative analysis of the
      circular DNA demonstrates that the radius of gyration gradually decreases and two
      processes on the change of flexibility of circular DNA are found as the cisplatin
      concentration increases. Furthermore, a model is proposed and discussed to
      explain the mechanism for understanding the complicated interaction between DNA
      and cisplatin. 

PMID- 24229210
TI  - Interaction function of oscillating coupled neurons.
AB  - Large scale simulations of electrically coupled neuronal oscillators often employ
      the phase coupled oscillator paradigm to understand and predict network behavior.
      We study the nature of the interaction between such coupled oscillators using
      weakly coupled oscillator theory. By employing piecewise linear approximations
      for phase response curves and voltage time courses and parametrizing their
      shapes, we compute the interaction function for all such possible shapes and
      express it in terms of discrete Fourier modes. We find that reasonably good
      approximation is achieved with four Fourier modes that comprise of both sine and
      cosine terms. 

PMID- 24229211
TI  - Theoretical study of a molecular turbine.
AB  - We present an analytic and stochastic simulation study of a molecular engine
      working with a flux of particles as a turbine. We focus on the physical
      observables of velocity, flux, power, and efficiency. The control parameters are
      the external conservative force and the particle densities. We revise a simpler
      previous study by using a more realistic model containing multiple equidistant
      vanes complemented by stochastic simulations of the particles and the turbine.
      Here we show that the effect of the thermal fluctuations into the flux and the
      efficiency of these nanometric devices are relevant to the working scale of the
      system. The stochastic simulations of the Brownian motion of the particles and
      turbine support the simplified analytical calculations performed. 

PMID- 24229212
TI  - Moderate stem-cell telomere shortening rate postpones cancer onset in a
      stochastic model.
AB  - Mammalian cells are restricted from proliferating indefinitely. Telomeres at the
      end of each chromosome are shortened at cell division and when they reach a
      critical length, the cell will enter permanent cell cycle arrest-a state known as
      senescence. This mechanism is thought to be tumor suppressing, as it helps
      prevent precancerous cells from dividing uncontrollably. Stem cells express the
      enzyme telomerase, which elongates the telomeres, thereby postponing senescence.
      However, unlike germ cells and most types of cancer cells, stem cells only
      express telomerase at levels insufficient to fully maintain the length of their
      telomeres, leading to a slow decline in proliferation potential. It is not yet
      fully understood how this decline influences the risk of cancer and the longevity
      of the organism. We here develop a stochastic model to explore the role of
      telomere dynamics in relation to both senescence and cancer. The model describes
      the accumulation of cancerous mutations in a multicellular organism and creates a
      coherent theoretical framework for interpreting the results of several recent
      experiments on telomerase regulation. We demonstrate that the longest average
      cancer-free lifespan before cancer onset is obtained when stem cells start with
      relatively long telomeres that are shortened at a steady rate at cell division.
      Furthermore, the risk of cancer early in life can be reduced by having a short
      initial telomere length. Finally, our model suggests that evolution will favor a
      shorter than optimal average cancer-free lifespan in order to postpone cancer
      onset until late in life. 

PMID- 24229213
TI  - Neuronal growth as diffusion in an effective potential.
AB  - Current understanding of neuronal growth is mostly qualitative, as the staggering
      number of physical and chemical guidance cues involved prohibit a fully
      quantitative description of axonal dynamics. We report on a general approach that
      describes axonal growth in vitro, on poly-D-lysine-coated glass substrates, as
      diffusion in an effective external potential, representing the collective
      contribution of all causal influences on the growth cone. We use this approach to
      obtain effective growth rules that reveal an emergent regulatory mechanism for
      axonal pathfinding on these substrates. 

PMID- 24229214
TI  - Closing the loop: lamellipodia dynamics from the perspective of front
      propagation.
AB  - We develop a simple physical model that captures the large-scale lamellipodia
      dynamics in crawling cells and explains the observed spectrum of fish keratocytes
      behavior. The main ingredients in this description are the geometrical evolution
      of the lamellipodium leading edge, the dynamic remodeling of the actin network,
      and the interconnection between them. We deviate from existing theoretical works
      and consider the lamellipodium leading edge as a propagating front. The agreement
      of our model with experimental works suggests that the large-scale morphological
      and migration features exhibited by keratocyte cells are a direct consequence of
      the closed feedback loop between the shape of the leading edge and the density of
      the actin network. 

PMID- 24229215
TI  - Topology and structural self-organization in folded proteins.
AB  - Topological methods are indispensable in theoretical studies of particle physics,
      condensed matter physics, and gravity. These powerful techniques have also been
      applied to biological physics. For example, knowledge of DNA topology is pivotal
      to the understanding as to how living cells function. Here, the biophysical
      repertoire of topological methods is extended, with the aim to understand and
      characterize the global structure of a folded protein. For this, the elementary
      concept of winding number of a vector field on a plane is utilized to introduce a
      topological quantity called the folding index of a crystallographic protein. It
      is observed that in the case of high resolution protein crystals, the folding
      index, when evaluated over the entire length of the crystallized protein
      backbone, has a very clear and strong propensity towards integer values. The
      observation proposes that the way how a protein folds into its biologically
      active conformation is a structural self-organization process with a topological
      facet that relates to the concept of solitons. It is proposed that the folding
      index has a potential to become a useful tool for the global, topological
      characterization of the folding pathways. 

PMID- 24229216
TI  - Optimal mapping of x-ray laser diffraction patterns into three dimensions using
      routing algorithms.
AB  - Coherent diffractive imaging with x-ray free-electron lasers (XFEL) promises high
      resolution structure determination of noncrystalline objects. Randomly oriented
      particles are exposed to XFEL pulses for acquisition of two-dimensional (2D)
      diffraction snapshots. The knowledge of their orientations enables 3D imaging by
      multiview reconstruction, combining 2D diffraction snapshots in different
      orientations. Here we introduce a globally optimal algorithm that can infer these
      orientations. We apply it to experimental XFEL data of nanoparticles and so
      determine their 3D electron density. 

PMID- 24229217
TI  - Erythrocyte hemodynamics in stenotic microvessels: a numerical investigation.
AB  - This paper presents a two-dimensional numerical investigation of deformation and
      motion of erythrocytes in stenotic microvessels using the immersed boundary
      fictitious domain method. The erythrocytes were modeled as biconcave-shaped
      closed membranes filled with cytoplasm. We studied the biophysical
      characteristics of human erythrocytes traversing constricted microchannels with
      the narrowest cross-sectional diameter as small as 3 MUm. The effects of
      essential parameters, namely, stenosis severity, shape of the erythrocytes, and
      erythrocyte membrane stiffness, were simulated and analyzed in this study.
      Moreover, simulations were performed to discuss conditions associated with the
      shape transitions of the cells along with the relative effects of radial position
      and initial orientation of erythrocytes, membrane stiffness, and plasma
      environments. The simulation results were compared with existing experiment
      findings whenever possible, and the physical insights obtained were discussed.
      The proposed model successfully simulated rheological behaviors of erythrocytes
      in microscale flow and thus is applicable to a large class of problems involving
      fluid flow with complex geometry and fluid-cell interactions. Our study would be
      helpful for further understanding of pathology of malaria and some other blood
      disorders. 

PMID- 24229218
TI  - Dynamical structure underlying inverse stochastic resonance and its implications.
AB  - We investigate inverse stochastic resonance (ISR), a recently reported phenomenon
      in which the spiking activity of a Hodgkin-Huxley model neuron subject to
      external noise exhibits a pronounced minimum as the noise intensity increases. We
      clarify the mechanism that underlies ISR and show that its most surprising
      features are a consequence of the dynamical structure of the model. Furthermore,
      we show that the ISR effect depends strongly on the procedures used to measure
      it. Our results are important for the experimentalist who seeks to observe the
      ISR phenomenon. 

PMID- 24229219
TI  - Adaptation controls synchrony and cluster states of coupled threshold-model
      neurons.
AB  - We analyze zero-lag and cluster synchrony of delay-coupled nonsmooth dynamical
      systems by extending the master stability approach, and apply this to networks of
      adaptive threshold-model neurons. For a homogeneous population of excitatory and
      inhibitory neurons we find (i) that subthreshold adaptation stabilizes or
      destabilizes synchrony depending on whether the recurrent synaptic excitatory or
      inhibitory couplings dominate, and (ii) that synchrony is always unstable for
      networks with balanced recurrent synaptic inputs. If couplings are not too
      strong, synchronization properties are similar for very different coupling
      topologies, i.e., random connections or spatial networks with localized
      connectivity. We generalize our approach for two subpopulations of neurons with
      nonidentical local dynamics, including bursting, for which activity-based
      adaptation controls the stability of cluster states, independent of a specific
      coupling topology. 

PMID- 24229220
TI  - Efficient local behavioral-change strategies to reduce the spread of epidemics in
      networks.
AB  - It has recently become established that the spread of infectious diseases between
      humans is affected not only by the pathogen itself but also by changes in
      behavior as the population becomes aware of the epidemic, for example, social
      distancing. It is also well known that community structure (the existence of
      relatively densely connected groups of vertices) in contact networks influences
      the spread of disease. We propose a set of local strategies for social
      distancing, based on community structure, that can be employed in the event of an
      epidemic to reduce the epidemic size. Unlike most social distancing methods, ours
      do not require individuals to know the disease state (infected or susceptible,
      etc.) of others, and we do not make the unrealistic assumption that the structure
      of the entire contact network is known. Instead, the recommended behavior change
      is based only on an individual's local view of the network. Each individual
      avoids contact with a fraction of his/her contacts, using knowledge of his/her
      local network to decide which contacts should be avoided. If the behavior change
      occurs only when an individual becomes ill or aware of the disease, these
      strategies can substantially reduce epidemic size with a relatively small cost,
      measured by the number of contacts avoided. 

PMID- 24229221
TI  - Epidemic threshold and topological structure of susceptible-infectious
      susceptible epidemics in adaptive networks.
AB  - The interplay between disease dynamics on a network and the dynamics of the
      structure of that network characterizes many real-world systems of contacts. A
      continuous-time adaptive susceptible-infectious-susceptible (ASIS) model is
      introduced in order to investigate this interaction, where a susceptible node
      avoids infections by breaking its links to its infected neighbors while it
      enhances the connections with other susceptible nodes by creating links to them.
      When the initial topology of the network is a complete graph, an exact solution
      to the average metastable-state fraction of infected nodes is derived without
      resorting to any mean-field approximation. A linear scaling law of the epidemic
      threshold tau(c) as a function of the effective link-breaking rate omega is
      found. Furthermore, the bifurcation nature of the metastable fraction of infected
      nodes of the ASIS model is explained. The metastable-state topology shows high
      connectivity and low modularity in two regions of the tau,omega plane for any
      effective infection rate tau>tau(c): (i) a "strongly adaptive" region with very
      high omega and (ii) a "weakly adaptive" region with very low omega. These two
      regions are separated from the other half-open elliptical-like regions of low
      connectivity and high modularity in a contour-line-like way. Our results indicate
      that the adaptation of the topology in response to disease dynamics suppresses
      the infection, while it promotes the network evolution towards a topology that
      exhibits assortative mixing, modularity, and a binomial-like degree distribution.

PMID- 24229222
TI  - Controlling traffic jams by time modulating the safety distance.
AB  - The possibility of controlling traffic dynamics by applying high-frequency time
      modulation of traffic flow parameters is studied. It is shown that the region of
      the car density where the uniform (free) flow is unstable changes in the presence
      of time modulation compared with the unmodulated case. This region shrinks when
      the speed-up of cars does not exceed some critical value and expands in the
      opposite case. The flux of the time-modulated flow is an increasing function of
      the amplitude of the modulation for traffic flows whose density is larger than
      1/h where h is the safety distance in the nonmodulated case, while it is a
      decreasing function in the opposite case. In other words, the safety distance
      time modulation facilitates car propagation in the case when the mean distance
      between cars in the congestive traffic is less than h and hinders it when the
      neighboring cars in the flow are well separated. A link between a microscopic
      description and the macroscopic fundamental diagram is established. 

PMID- 24229223
TI  - Mutual selection in time-varying networks.
AB  - Time-varying networks play an important role in the investigation of the
      stochastic processes that occur on complex networks. The ability to formulate the
      development of the network topology on the same time scale as the evolution of
      the random process is important for a variety of applications, including the
      spreading of diseases. Past contributions have investigated random processes on
      time-varying networks with a purely random attachment mechanism. The possibility
      of extending these findings towards a time-varying network that is driven by
      mutual attractiveness is explored in this paper. Mutual attractiveness models are
      characterized by a linking function that describes the probability of the
      existence of an edge, which depends mutually on the attractiveness of the nodes
      on both ends of that edge. This class of attachment mechanisms has been
      considered before in the fitness-based complex networks literature but not on
      time-varying networks. Also, the impact of mutual selection is investigated
      alongside opinion formation and epidemic outbreaks. We find closed-form solutions
      for the quantities of interest using a factorizable linking function. The voter
      model exhibits an unanticipated behavior as the network never reaches consensus
      in the case of mutual selection but stays forever in its initial macroscopic
      configuration, which is a further piece of evidence that time-varying networks
      differ markedly from their static counterpart with respect to random processes
      that take place on them. We also find that epidemic outbreaks are accelerated by
      uncorrelated mutual selection compared to previously considered random
      attachment. 

PMID- 24229224
TI  - Observability and coarse graining of consensus dynamics through the external
      equitable partition.
AB  - Using the intrinsic relationship between the external equitable partition (EEP)
      and the spectral properties of the graph Laplacian, we characterize convergence
      and observability properties of consensus dynamics on networks. In particular, we
      establish the relationship between the original consensus dynamics and the
      associated consensus of the quotient graph under varied initial conditions, and
      characterize the asymptotic convergence to the synchronization manifold under
      nonuniform input signals. We also show that the EEP with respect to a node can
      reveal nodes in the graph with an increased rate of asymptotic convergence to the
      consensus value, as characterized by the second smallest eigenvalue of the
      quotient Laplacian. Finally, we show that the quotient graph preserves the
      observability properties of the full graph and how the inheritance by the
      quotient graph of particular aspects of the eigenstructure of the full Laplacian
      underpins the observability and convergence properties of the system. 

PMID- 24229225
TI  - Opportunistic migration in spatial evolutionary games.
AB  - We study evolutionary games in a spatial diluted grid environment in which agents
      strategically interact locally but can also opportunistically move to other
      positions within a given migration radius. Using the imitation of the best rule
      for strategy revision, it is shown that cooperation may evolve and be stable in
      the Prisoner's Dilemma game space for several migration distances but only for
      small game interaction radius while the Stag Hunt class of games become fully
      cooperative. We also show that only a few trials are needed for cooperation to
      evolve, i.e., searching costs are not an issue. When the stochastic Fermi
      strategy update protocol is used cooperation cannot evolve in the Prisoner's
      Dilemma if the selection intensity is high in spite of opportunistic migration.
      However, when imitation becomes more random, fully or partially cooperative
      states are reached in all games for all migration distances tested and for short
      to intermediate interaction radii. 

PMID- 24229226
TI  - Explosive synchronization in weighted complex networks.
AB  - The emergence of dynamical abrupt transitions in the macroscopic state of a
      system is currently a subject of the utmost interest. Given a set of phase
      oscillators networking with a generic wiring of connections and displaying a
      generic frequency distribution, we show how combining dynamical local information
      on frequency mismatches and global information on the graph topology suggests a
      judicious and yet practical weighting procedure which is able to induce and
      enhance explosive, irreversible, transitions to synchronization. We report
      extensive numerical and analytical evidence of the validity and scalability of
      such a procedure for different initial frequency distributions, for both
      homogeneous and heterogeneous networks, as well as for both linear and nonlinear
      weighting functions. We furthermore report on the possibility of parametrically
      controlling the width and extent of the hysteretic region of coexistence of the
      unsynchronized and synchronized states. 

PMID- 24229227
TI  - Observability transitions in correlated networks.
AB  - Yang, Wang, and Motter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 258701 (2012)] analyzed a model for
      network observability transitions in which a sensor placed on a node makes the
      node and the adjacent nodes observable. The size of the connected components
      comprising the observable nodes is a major concern of the model. We analyze this
      model in random heterogeneous networks with degree correlation. With numerical
      simulations and analytical arguments based on generating functions, we find that
      negative degree correlation makes networks more observable. This result holds
      true both when the sensors are placed on nodes one by one in a random order and
      when hubs preferentially receive the sensors. Finally, we numerically optimize
      networks with a fixed degree sequence with respect to the size of the largest
      observable component. Optimized networks have negative degree correlation induced
      by the resulting hub-repulsive structure; the largest hubs are rarely connected
      to each other, in contrast to the rich-club phenomenon of networks. 

PMID- 24229228
TI  - Community core detection in transportation networks.
AB  - This work analyzes methods for the identification and the stability under
      perturbation of a territorial community structure with specific reference to
      transportation networks. We considered networks of commuters for a city and an
      insular region. In both cases, we have studied the distribution of commuters'
      trips (i.e., home-to-work trips and vice versa). The identification and stability
      of the communities' cores are linked to the land-use distribution within the zone
      system, and therefore their proper definition may be useful to transport
      planners. 

PMID- 24229229
TI  - Communicability in temporal networks.
AB  - A first-principles approach to quantify the communicability between pairs of
      nodes in temporal networks is proposed. It corresponds to the imaginary-time
      propagator of a quantum random walk in the temporal network, which accounts for
      unique structural and temporal characteristics of both streaming and nonstreaming
      temporal networks. The influence of the system's temperature on the perdurability
      of information and how the communicability identifies patterns of communication
      hidden in the temporal and topological structure of the networks are also studied
      for synthetic and real-world systems. 

PMID- 24229230
TI  - Structural and functional discovery in dynamic networks with non-negative matrix
      factorization.
AB  - Time series of graphs are increasingly prevalent in modern data and pose unique
      challenges to visual exploration and pattern extraction. This paper describes the
      development and application of matrix factorizations for exploration and time
      varying community detection in time-evolving graph sequences. The matrix
      factorization model allows the user to home in on and display interesting,
      underlying structure and its evolution over time. The methods are scalable to
      weighted networks with a large number of time points or nodes and can accommodate
      sudden changes to graph topology. Our techniques are demonstrated with several
      dynamic graph series from both synthetic and real-world data, including citation
      and trade networks. These examples illustrate how users can steer the techniques
      and combine them with existing methods to discover and display meaningful
      patterns in sizable graphs over many time points. 

PMID- 24229231
TI  - Spectral clustering with epidemic diffusion.
AB  - Spectral clustering is widely used to partition graphs into distinct modules or
      communities. Existing methods for spectral clustering use the eigenvalues and
      eigenvectors of the graph Laplacian, an operator that is closely associated with
      random walks on graphs. We propose a spectral partitioning method that exploits
      the properties of epidemic diffusion. An epidemic is a dynamic process that,
      unlike the random walk, simultaneously transitions to all the neighbors of a
      given node. We show that the replicator, an operator describing epidemic
      diffusion, is equivalent to the symmetric normalized Laplacian of a reweighted
      graph with edges reweighted by the eigenvector centralities of their incident
      nodes. Thus, more weight is given to edges connecting more central nodes. We
      describe a method that partitions the nodes based on the componentwise ratio of
      the replicator's second eigenvector to the first and compare its performance to
      traditional spectral clustering techniques on synthetic graphs with known
      community structure. We demonstrate that the replicator gives preference to
      dense, clique-like structures, enabling it to more effectively discover
      communities that may be obscured by dense intercommunity linking. 

PMID- 24229232
TI  - Origin of complexity and conditional predictability in cellular automata.
AB  - A simple mechanism for the emergence of complexity in cellular automata out of
      predictable dynamics is described. This leads to introduce the concept of
      conditional predictability for systems whose trajectory can only be piecewise
      known. The mechanism is used to construct a cellular automaton model for discrete
      chimeralike states, where synchrony and incoherence in an ensemble of identical
      oscillators coexist. The incoherent region is shown to have a periodicity that is
      three orders of magnitude longer than the period of the synchronous oscillation. 

PMID- 24229233
TI  - Edge removal balances preferential attachment and triad closing.
AB  - Most network formation analysis studies are centered on edge addition. However,
      edges in real world networks often have a rapid turnover with a large number of
      edges added and removed between each node addition or removal steps. In such a
      case, quasiequilibrium is obtained between edge addition and deletion. Edges have
      been shown to be added to nodes with a high degree and between pairs of nodes
      with a high number of common neighbors. If not balanced by a degree dependent
      edge removal, the preference for high degree nodes and node pairs with many
      common neighbors is expected to increase the average degree of high degree nodes
      and their clustering coefficient until very large cliques will be formed. Since
      such large cliques are not formed in real world networks, we conclude that the
      edge removal probability around high degree nodes and between node pairs with
      many common neighbors should be higher than around other nodes. We here show the
      existence of such a balancing mechanism through the relation between the future
      edge removal probability around nodes and their degree and a similar relation
      between the edge removal probability and the number of common neighbors of node
      pairs. In some networks, this preferential detachment process represents an
      explicit saturation process, and in others, it represents a random deletion
      process accompanied by a sublinear edge preferential attachment process. A more
      complex mechanism emerges in directed networks where the preferential detachment
      can be proportional to the in and out degrees of the nodes involved. In such
      networks, preferential detachment is stronger for the incoming edges than for the
      outgoing edges. We hypothesize multiple possible mechanisms that could explain
      this phenomenon. 

PMID- 24229234
TI  - Extraction of self-diffusivity in systems with nondiffusive short-time behavior.
AB  - We consider a toy model that captures the short-time nondiffusive behavior seen
      in many physical systems, to study the extraction of self-diffusivity from
      particle trajectories. We propose and evaluate a simple method to automatically
      detect the transition to diffusive behavior. We simulate the toy model to
      generate data sets of varying quality and test different methods of extracting
      the self-diffusion coefficient and characterizing its uncertainty. We find that
      weighted least-squares with statistical bootstrap is the most accurate and
      efficient means for analyzing the trajectory data. The analysis suggests an
      iterative recipe for designing simulations to conform to a specified level of
      accuracy. 

PMID- 24229235
TI  - Extracting connectivity from dynamics of networks with uniform bidirectional
      coupling.
AB  - In the study of networked systems, a method that can extract information about
      how the individual nodes are connected with one another would be valuable. In
      this paper, we present a method that can yield such information of network
      connectivity using measurements of the dynamics of the nodes as the only input
      data. Our method is built upon a noise-induced relation between the Laplacian
      matrix of the network and the dynamical covariance matrix of the nodes, and
      applies to networked dynamical systems in which the coupling between nodes is
      uniform and bidirectional. Using examples of different networks and dynamics, we
      demonstrate that the method can give accurate connectivity information for a wide
      range of noise amplitude and coupling strength. Moreover, we can calculate a
      parameter Delta using again only the input of time-series data, and assess the
      accuracy of the extracted connectivity information based on the value of Delta. 

PMID- 24229236
TI  - Emergence and scaling of synchronization in moving-agent networks with
      restrictive interactions.
AB  - In fields such as robotics and sensor networks, synchronization among mobile and
      dynamic agents is a basic task. We articulate an effective strategy to achieve
      synchronization in dynamic networks of moving chaotic agents. Our
      counterintuitive idea is to restrict agents' ability to interact with each other,
      which can be implemented by designating a finite number of fixed zones in the
      space, in which agents are allowed to interact with each other but agents outside
      the zones are deprived of the ability of mutual interaction. Our setting is thus
      different from the one used in existing works on synchronization of mobile agents
      where each agent is associated with an interacting zone that moves with the
      agent. We find, through a mathematical analysis, that an optimal interval exists
      in the interaction probability, where stable synchronization emerges. An inverse
      square-root scaling law is uncovered which relates the interval with the system
      size, i.e., the total number of moving agents. Extensive numerical support for
      physical spaces of one, two, and three dimensions is provided. 

PMID- 24229237
TI  - Optimal rates for electron transfer in Marcus theory.
AB  - We examine electron transfer between two quantum states in the presence of a
      dissipative environment represented as a set of independent harmonic oscillators.
      For this simple model, the Marcus transfer rates can be derived from the
      equations of motion for electronic operators and we show that these rates are
      associated to an explicit expression for the environment correlation time. We
      demonstrate that as a manifestation of the Goldilocks principle, the optimal
      transfer is governed by a single parameter which is equal to just the inverse
      square root of 2. 

PMID- 24229238
TI  - Effects of local population structure in a reaction-diffusion model of a contact
      process on metapopulation networks.
AB  - We investigate the effects of local population structure in reaction-diffusion
      processes representing a contact process (CP) on metapopulations represented as
      complex networks. Considering a model in which the nodes of a large scale network
      represent local populations defined in terms of a homogeneous graph, we show by
      means of extensive numerical simulations that the critical properties of the
      reaction-diffusion system are independent of the local population structure, even
      when this one is given by a ordered linear chain. This independence is confirmed
      by the perfect matching between numerical critical exponents and the results from
      a heterogeneous mean-field theory suited, in principle, to describe situations of
      local homogeneous mixing. The analysis of several variations of the reaction
      diffusion process allows us to conclude the independence from population
      structure of the critical properties of CP-like models on metapopulations, and
      thus of the universality of the reaction-diffusion description of this kind of
      models. 

PMID- 24229239
TI  - Dynamic patterns and their interactions in networks of excitable elements.
AB  - Formation of localized propagating patterns is a fascinating self-organizing
      phenomenon that happens in a wide range of spatially extended, excitable systems
      in which individual elements have resting, activated, and refractory states. Here
      we study a type of stochastic three-state excitable network model that has been
      recently developed; this model is able to generate a rich range of pattern
      dynamics, including localized wandering patterns and localized propagating
      patterns with crescent shapes and long-range propagation. The collective dynamics
      of these localized patterns have anomalous subdiffusive dynamics before symmetry
      breaking and anomalous superdiffusive dynamics after that, showing long-range
      spatiotemporal coherence in the system. In this study, the stability of the
      localized wandering patterns is analyzed by treating an individual localized
      pattern as a subpopulation to develop its average response function. This
      stability analysis indicates that when the average refractory period is greater
      than a certain value, there are too many elements in the refractory state after
      being activated to allow the subpopulation to support a self-sustained pattern;
      this is consistent with symmetry breaking identified by using an order parameter.
      Furthermore, in a broad parameter space, the simple network model is able to
      generate a range of interactions between different localized propagating patterns
      including repulsive collisions and partial and full annihilations, and
      interactions between localized propagating patterns and the refractory wake
      behind others; in this study, these interaction dynamics are systematically
      quantified based on their relative propagation directions and the resultant
      angles between them before and after their collisions. These results suggest that
      the model potentially provides a modeling framework to understand the formation
      of localized propagating patterns in a broad class of systems with excitable
      properties. 

PMID- 24229240
TI  - Spectral methods for community detection and graph partitioning.
AB  - We consider three distinct and well-studied problems concerning network
      structure: community detection by modularity maximization, community detection by
      statistical inference, and normalized-cut graph partitioning. Each of these
      problems can be tackled using spectral algorithms that make use of the
      eigenvectors of matrix representations of the network. We show that with certain
      choices of the free parameters appearing in these spectral algorithms the
      algorithms for all three problems are, in fact, identical, and hence that, at
      least within the spectral approximations used here, there is no difference
      between the modularity- and inference-based community detection methods, or
      between either and graph partitioning. 

PMID- 24229241
TI  - Ising models on the regularized Apollonian network.
AB  - We investigate the critical properties of Ising models on a regularized
      Apollonian network (RAN), here defined as a kind of Apollonian network in which
      the connectivity asymmetry associated with its corners is removed. Different
      choices for the coupling constants between nearest neighbors are considered and
      two different order parameters are used to detect the critical behavior. While
      ordinary ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic models on a RAN do not undergo a
      phase transition, some antiferrimagnetic models show an interesting infinite
      order transition. All results are obtained by an exact analytical approach based
      on iterative partial tracing of the Boltzmann factor as an intermediate step for
      the calculation of the partition function and the order parameters. 

PMID- 24229242
TI  - Synchronization in random balanced networks.
AB  - Characterizing the influence of network properties on the global emerging
      behavior of interacting elements constitutes a central question in many areas,
      from physical to social sciences. In this article we study a primary model of
      disordered neuronal networks with excitatory-inhibitory structure and balance
      constraints. We show how the interplay between structure and disorder in the
      connectivity leads to a universal transition from trivial to synchronized
      stationary or periodic states. This transition cannot be explained only through
      the analysis of the spectral density of the connectivity matrix. We provide a low
      dimensional approximation that shows the role of both the structure and disorder
      in the dynamics. 

PMID- 24229243
TI  - Loss of stability of a solitary wave through exciting a cnoidal wave on a Fermi
      Pasta-Ulam ring.
AB  - The spatiotemporal propagation behavior of a solitary wave is investigated on a
      Fermi-Pasta-Ulam ring. We observe the emergence of a cnoidal wave excited by the
      solitary wave. The cnoidal wave may coexist with the solitary wave for a long
      time associated with the periodic exchange of energy between these two nonlinear
      waves. The module of the cnoidal wave, which is considered as an indicator of the
      nonlinearity, is found to oscillate with the same period of the energy exchange.
      After the stage of coexistence, the interaction between these two nonlinear waves
      leads to the destruction of the cnoidal wave by the radiation of phonons.
      Finally, the interaction of the solitary wave with phonons leads to the loss of
      stability of the solitary wave. 

PMID- 24229244
TI  - Multipulse phase resetting curves.
AB  - In this paper, we introduce and study systematically, in terms of phase response
      curves, the effect of dual-pulse excitation on the dynamics of an autonomous
      oscillator. Specifically, we test the deviations from linear summation of phase
      advances resulting from two small perturbations. We analytically derive a
      correction term, which generally appears for oscillators whose intrinsic
      dimensionality is >1. The nonlinear correction term is found to be proportional
      to the square of the perturbation. We demonstrate this effect in the Stuart
      Landau model and in various higher dimensional neuronal models. This deviation
      from the superposition principle needs to be taken into account in studies of
      networks of pulse-coupled oscillators. Further, this deviation could be used in
      the verification of oscillator models via a dual-pulse excitation. 

PMID- 24229245
TI  - Deformations of third-order Peregrine breather solutions of the nonlinear
      Schrodinger equation with four parameters.
AB  - We present a new representation of solutions of the one-dimensional nonlinear
      focusing Schrodinger equation (NLS) as a quotient of two determinants. This
      formulation gives in the case of the order 3, new solutions with four parameters.
      This gives a very efficient procedure to construct families of quasirational
      solutions of the NLS equation and to describe the apparition of multirogue waves.
      With this method, we construct analytical expressions of four-parameters
      solutions; when all these parameters are equal to 0, we recover the Peregrine
      breather of order 3. It makes possible with this four-parameters representation,
      to generate all the types of patterns for the solutions, like the triangular
      configurations or the ring structures. 

PMID- 24229246
TI  - Nonlinear vibrational resonance.
AB  - We examine the nonlinear response of a bistable system driven by a high-frequency
      force to a low-frequency weak field. It is shown that the rapidly varying
      temporal oscillation breaks the spatial symmetry of the centrosymmetric
      potential. This gives rise to a finite nonzero response at the second harmonic of
      the low-frequency field, which can be optimized by an appropriate choice of
      vibrational amplitude of the high-frequency field close to that for the linear
      response. The potential implications of the nonlinear vibrational resonance are
      analyzed. 

PMID- 24229247
TI  - Parameter estimation and control for a neural mass model based on the unscented
      Kalman filter.
AB  - Recent progress in Kalman filters to estimate states and parameters in nonlinear
      systems has provided the possibility of applying such approaches to neural
      systems. We here apply the nonlinear method of unscented Kalman filters (UKFs) to
      observe states and estimate parameters in a neural mass model that can simulate
      distinct rhythms in electroencephalography (EEG) including dynamical evolution
      during epilepsy seizures. We demonstrate the efficiency of the UKF in estimating
      states and parameters. We also develop an UKF-based control strategy to modulate
      the dynamics of the neural mass model. In this strategy the UKF plays the role of
      observing states, and the control law is constructed via the estimated states. We
      demonstrate the feasibility of using such a strategy to suppress epileptiform
      spikes in the neural mass model. 

PMID- 24229248
TI  - Taming rogue waves in vector Bose-Einstein condensates.
AB  - Using gauge transformation method, we generate rogue waves for the two-component
      Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) governed by the symmetric coupled Gross
      Pitaevskii (GP) equations and study their dynamics. We also suggest a mechanism
      to tame the rogue waves either by manipulating the scattering length through
      Feshbach resonance or the trapping frequency, a phenomenon not witnessed in the
      domain of BECs, and we believe that these results may have wider ramifications in
      the management of rogons. 

PMID- 24229249
TI  - Emergence of antiphase bursting in two populations of randomly spiking elements.
AB  - Animal locomotion activity relies on the generation and control of coordinated
      periodic actions in a central pattern generator (CPG). A core element of many
      CPGs responsible for the rhythm generation is a pair of reciprocally coupled
      neuron populations. Recent interest in the development of highly reduced models
      of CPG networks is motivated by utilization of CPG models in applications for
      biomimetic robotics. This paper considers the use of a reduced model in the form
      of a discrete time system to study the emergence of antiphase bursting activity
      in two reciprocally coupled populations evoked by the postinhibitory rebound
      effect. 

PMID- 24229250
TI  - Onset of chaotic dynamics in neural networks.
AB  - A neural-network model is proposed as a test bed for the characterization of the
      chaotic dynamics emerging in a context where the coupling is, on the average,
      neither excitatory nor inhibitory. The proposed discrete-time model generalizes
      within a single framework two different setups previously studied in the
      literature. With the help of theoretical mean field arguments and numerical
      simulations on GPUs, we characterize the transition and show that the chaotic
      dynamics is extensive (i.e., that the number of active degrees of freedom is
      proportional to the network size) from the very beginning. Besides the coupling
      strength, two parameters play a crucial role: (1) one controls the local
      dissipation and determines the shape of the initial part of the Lyapunov spectrum
      as well as the shape of the correlation function; (2) the other, which
      corresponds to the amplitude of an effective random field, determines the nature
      of the transition. 

PMID- 24229251
TI  - Influence of the history force on inertial particle advection: gravitational
      effects and horizontal diffusion.
AB  - We analyze the effect of the Basset history force on the sedimentation or rising
      of inertial particles in a two-dimensional convection flow. When memory effects
      are neglected, the system exhibits rich dynamics, including periodic,
      quasiperiodic, and chaotic attractors. Here we show that when the full advection
      dynamics is considered, including the history force, both the nature and the
      number of attractors change, and a fractalization of their basins of attraction
      appears. In particular, we show that the history force significantly weakens the
      horizontal diffusion and changes the speed of sedimentation or rising. The
      influence of the history force is dependent on the size of the advected
      particles, being stronger for larger particles. 

PMID- 24229252
TI  - Stabilization of standing waves through time-delay feedback.
AB  - Standing waves are studied as solutions of a complex Ginzburg-Landau equation
      subjected to local and global time-delay feedback terms. The onset is described
      as an instability of the uniform oscillations with respect to spatially periodic
      perturbations. The solution of the standing wave pattern is given analytically
      and studied through simulations. 

PMID- 24229253
TI  - Exploding dissipative solitons in reaction-diffusion systems.
AB  - We show that exploding dissipative solitons can arise in a reaction-diffusion
      system for a range of parameters. As a function of a vorticity parameter, we
      observe a sequence of transitions from oscillatory localized states via
      meandering dissipative solitons to exploding dissipative solitons propagating in
      one direction for long times followed by the reverse cascade back to oscillatory
      localized states. While exploding dissipative solitons are known from the cubic
      quintic complex Ginzburg-Landau (CGL) equation, propagating exploding dissipative
      solitons appear to require for their existence a system of lower symmetry such as
      the reaction-diffusion model studied here. 

PMID- 24229254
TI  - Accessible solitons in complex Ginzburg-Landau media.
AB  - We construct dissipative spatial solitons in one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D)
      complex Ginzburg-Landau (CGL) equations with spatially uniform linear gain; fully
      nonlocal complex nonlinearity, which is proportional to the integral power of the
      field times the harmonic-oscillator (HO) potential, similar to the model of
      "accessible solitons;" and a diffusion term. This CGL equation is a truly
      nonlinear one, unlike its actually linear counterpart for the accessible
      solitons. It supports dissipative spatial solitons, which are found in a
      semiexplicit analytical form, and their stability is studied semianalytically,
      too, by means of the Routh-Hurwitz criterion. The stability requires the presence
      of both the nonlocal nonlinear loss and diffusion. The results are verified by
      direct simulations of the nonlocal CGL equation. Unstable solitons spontaneously
      spread out into fuzzy modes, which remain loosely localized in the effective
      complex HO potential. In a narrow zone close to the instability boundary, both 1D
      and 2D solitons may split into robust fragmented structures, which correspond to
      excited modes of the 1D and 2D HOs in the complex potentials. The 1D solitons, if
      shifted off the center or kicked, feature persistent swinging motion. 

PMID- 24229255
TI  - Onset patterns in a simple model of localized parametric forcing.
AB  - We investigate pattern selection at onset in a parametrically and inhomogeneously
      forced partial differential equation obtained by generalizing Mathieu's equation
      to include spatial interactions. No separation of scales is assumed. The proposed
      model is directly relevant to the case of parametrically forced surface waves,
      such as cross-waves, excited by the horizontal vibration of a fluid, where the
      forcing is localized to a finite region near the endwall or wavemaker. The
      availability of analytical solutions in the limit of piecewise constant forcing
      allows us investigate in detail the dependence of selected eigenfunctions on
      spatial detuning, forcing width, damping, boundary conditions, and container
      size. A wide range of onset patterns are located and described, many of which are
      rotated, modulated, or both, and deviate far from simple crosswise oriented
      standing waves. The linear selection mechanisms governing this multiplicity of
      potential onset patterns are discussed. 

PMID- 24229256
TI  - Exploring rigidly rotating vortex configurations and their bifurcations in atomic
      Bose-Einstein condensates.
AB  - In the present work, we consider the problem of a system of few vortices N <= 5
      as it emerges from its experimental realization in the field of atomic Bose
      Einstein condensates. Starting from the corresponding equations of motion for an
      axially symmetric trapped condensate, we use a two-pronged approach in order to
      reveal the configuration space of the system's preferred dynamical states. We use
      a Monte Carlo method parametrizing the vortex particles by means of
      hyperspherical coordinates and identifying the minimal energy ground states
      thereof for N=2,...,5 and different vortex particle angular momenta. We then
      complement this picture with a dynamical system analysis of the possible rigidly
      rotating states. The latter reveals a supercritical and subcritical pitchfork, as
      well as saddle-center bifurcations that arise, exposing the full wealth of the
      problem even for such low-dimensional cases. By corroborating the results of the
      two methods, it becomes fairly transparent which branch the Monte Carlo approach
      selects for different values of the angular momentum that is used as a
      bifurcation parameter.

PMID- 24229257
TI  - One cannot hear the density of a drum (and further aspects of isospectrality).
AB  - It is well known that certain pairs of planar domains have the same spectra of
      the Laplacian operator. We prove that these domains are still isospectral for a
      wider class of physical problems, including the cases of heterogeneous drums and
      quantum billiards in an external field. In particular we show that the
      isospectrality is preserved when the density or the potential is symmetric under
      reflections along the folding lines of the domain. These results are also
      confirmed numerically using the finite-difference method: We find that the pairs
      of numerical matrices obtained in the discretization are exactly isospectral up
      to machine precision. 

PMID- 24229258
TI  - Effective equations for matter-wave gap solitons in higher-order transversal
      states.
AB  - We demonstrate that an important class of nonlinear stationary solutions of the
      three-dimensional (3D) Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE) exhibiting nontrivial
      transversal configurations can be found and characterized in terms of an
      effective one-dimensional (1D) model. Using a variational approach we derive
      effective equations of lower dimensionality for BECs in (m,n(r)) transversal
      states (states featuring a central vortex of charge m as well as n(r) concentric
      zero-density rings at every z plane) which provides us with a good approximate
      solution of the original 3D problem. Since the specifics of the transversal
      dynamics can be absorbed in the renormalization of a couple of parameters, the
      functional form of the equations obtained is universal. The model proposed finds
      its principal application in the study of the existence and classification of 3D
      gap solitons supported by 1D optical lattices, where in addition to providing a
      good estimate for the 3D wave functions it is able to make very good predictions
      for the MU(N) curves characterizing the different fundamental families. We have
      corroborated the validity of our model by comparing its predictions with those
      from the exact numerical solution of the full 3D GPE.

PMID- 24229259
TI  - Amplitude-mediated chimera states.
AB  - We investigate the possibility of obtaining chimera state solutions of the
      nonlocal complex Ginzburg-Landau equation (NLCGLE) in the strong coupling limit
      when it is important to retain amplitude variations. Our numerical studies reveal
      the existence of a variety of amplitude-mediated chimera states (including
      stationary and nonstationary two-cluster chimera states) that display
      intermittent emergence and decay of amplitude dips in their phase incoherent
      regions. The existence regions of the single-cluster chimera state and both types
      of two-cluster chimera states are mapped numerically in the parameter space of
      C(1) and C(2), the linear and nonlinear dispersion coefficients, respectively, of
      the NLCGLE. They represent a new domain of dynamical behavior in the well
      explored rich phase diagram of this system. The amplitude-mediated chimera states
      may find useful applications in understanding spatiotemporal patterns found in
      fluid flow experiments and other strongly coupled systems.

PMID- 24229260
TI  - Back-and-forth micromotion of aqueous droplets in a dc electric field.
AB  - Recently, it was reported that an aqueous droplet in an oil phase exhibited
      rhythmic back-and-forth motion under stationary dc voltage on the order of 100 V.
      Here, we demonstrate that the threshold voltage for inducing such oscillation is
      successfully decreased to the order of 10 V through downsizing of the
      experimental system. Notably, the threshold electric field tends to decrease with
      a nonlinear scaling relationship accompanied by the downsizing. We derive a
      simple theoretical model to interpret the system size dependence of the threshold
      voltage. This model equation suggests the unique effect of additional noise,
      which is qualitatively characterized as a coherent resonance by an actual
      experiment as a kind of coherent resonance. Our result would provide insight into
      the construction of micrometer-sized self-commutating motors and actuators in
      microfluidic and micromechanical devices. 

PMID- 24229261
TI  - Experimental evidence of using a circularly polarized electric field to control
      spiral turbulence.
AB  - Experimental evidence of the use of a circularly polarized electric field to
      control the spiral turbulence in a reaction-diffusion system is presented. The
      spiral turbulence obtained in the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction is shown to be
      forced into ordered stable spiral waves or "targetlike" waves by a circularly
      polarized electric field with appropriate frequency and intensity. An Arnold's
      tongue-shaped control phase diagram is obtained, illustrating the resonance
      essence of the control. 

PMID- 24229262
TI  - Global interactions, information flow, and chaos synchronization.
AB  - We investigate the relationship between the emergence of chaos synchronization
      and the information flow in dynamical systems possessing homogeneous or
      heterogeneous global interactions whose origin can be external (driven systems)
      or internal (autonomous systems). By employing general models of coupled chaotic
      maps for such systems, we show that the presence of a homogeneous global field,
      either external or internal, for all times is not indispensable for achieving
      complete or generalized synchronization in a system of chaotic elements. Complete
      synchronization can also appear with heterogeneous global fields; it does not
      requires the simultaneous sharing of the field by all the elements in a system.
      We use the normalized mutual information and the information transfer between
      global and local variables to characterize complete and generalized
      synchronization. We show that these information measures can characterize both
      types of synchronized states and also allow us to discern the origin of a global
      interaction field. A synchronization state emerges when a sufficient amount of
      information provided by a field is shared by all the elements in the system, on
      the average over long times. Thus, the maximum value of the top-down information
      transfer can be used as a predictor of synchronization in a system, as a
      parameter is varied. 

PMID- 24229263
TI  - Criterion for the emergence of explosive synchronization transitions in networks
      of phase oscillators.
AB  - The emergence of explosive synchronization transitions in networks of phase
      oscillators recently has become one of the most interesting topics. It is widely
      believed that the large frequency mismatch of a pair of oscillators (also known
      as disassortativity in frequency) is a direct cause of an explosive
      synchronization. It is found that, besides the disassortativity in frequency, the
      disassortativity in node degree also shows up in connection with the first-order
      synchronization transition. In this paper, we simulate the Kuramoto model on top
      of a family of networks with different degree-degree and frequency-frequency
      correlation patterns. Results show that only when the degrees and natural
      frequencies of the network's nodes are both disassortative can an explosive
      synchronization occur. 

PMID- 24229264
TI  - Multifractality, stickiness, and recurrence-time statistics.
AB  - We identify the fine structure of resonance islands and the stickiness in chaos
      through recurrence time statistics (RTS), which is based on the concept of
      Poincare recurrences. The projection of recurrence time statistics onto the phase
      space does give relevant information on the hierarchical and microstructures of
      the chaotic beach around the islands of a near-integrable system, the annular
      billiard. These microstructures interfere in the effective transport of a
      particle in the phase space, which can be observed through RTS. This technique
      proves also to be a powerful tool to describe the homoclinic tangle of the
      manifolds within the chaotic sea. 

PMID- 24229265
TI  - Reactivity boundaries for chemical reactions associated with higher-index and
      multiple saddles.
AB  - Reactivity boundaries that divide the origin and destination of trajectories are
      of crucial importance to reveal the mechanism of reactions, which was recently
      found to exist robustly even at high energies for index 1 saddles [Phys. Rev.
      Lett. 105, 048304 (2010)]. Here we revisit the concept of the reactivity boundary
      and propose a more general definition that can involve a single reaction
      associated with a bottleneck composed of higher-index saddles and/or several
      saddle points with different indices, where the normal form theory, based on
      expansion around a single stationary point, does not work. We numerically
      demonstrate the reactivity boundary by using a reduced model system of the
      H(5)(+) cation where the proton exchange reaction takes place through a
      bottleneck composed of two index 2 saddle points and two index 1 saddle points.
      The cross section of the reactivity boundary in the reactant region of the phase
      space reveals which initial conditions are effective in making the reaction
      happen and thus sheds light on the reaction mechanism.

PMID- 24229266
TI  - Stability and dynamics of nonautonomous systems with pulsed nonlinearity.
AB  - We study the dynamics of a class of nonautonomous systems with pulsed
      nonlinearity that consist of a periodic sequence of linear and nonlinear
      autonomous systems, each one acting alone in a different time or space interval.
      We focus on the investigation of control capabilities of such systems in terms of
      altering their fundamental dynamical properties by appropriate parameter
      selections. For the case of single oscillators, the stability of the zero
      solution as well as the phase space topology is shown to drastically depend on
      parameters such as the frequency of the linear oscillations and the durations of
      the linear and nonlinear intervals. In cases of chain of coupled oscillators with
      pulsed onsite nonlinearity, it is shown that appropriate parameter selections can
      stabilize an otherwise unstable zero background allowing for the existence of
      dynamically robust localized excitations, whose evolution properties can now be
      explicitly determined and controlled. 

PMID- 24229267
TI  - Turing pattern formation in the Brusselator system with nonlinear diffusion.
AB  - In this work we investigate the effect of density-dependent nonlinear diffusion
      on pattern formation in the Brusselator system. Through linear stability analysis
      of the basic solution we determine the Turing and the oscillatory instability
      boundaries. A comparison with the classical linear diffusion shows how nonlinear
      diffusion favors the occurrence of Turing pattern formation. We study the process
      of pattern formation both in one-dimensional and two-dimensional spatial domains.
      Through a weakly nonlinear multiple scales analysis we derive the equations for
      the amplitude of the stationary patterns. The analysis of the amplitude equations
      shows the occurrence of a number of different phenomena, including stable
      supercritical and subcritical Turing patterns with multiple branches of stable
      solutions leading to hysteresis. Moreover, we consider traveling patterning
      waves: When the domain size is large, the pattern forms sequentially and
      traveling wave fronts are the precursors to patterning. We derive the Ginzburg
      Landau equation and describe the traveling front enveloping a pattern which
      invades the domain. We show the emergence of radially symmetric target patterns,
      and, through a matching procedure, we construct the outer amplitude equation and
      the inner core solution. 

PMID- 24229268
TI  - Composite bound states and broken U(1) symmetry in the chemical-master-equation
      derivation of the Gray-Scott model.
AB  - We give a first principles derivation of the stochastic partial differential
      equations that describe the chemical reactions of the Gray-Scott model (GS): U+2V
      ->[lambda]3V and V -> [MU]P, U -> [nu]Q, with a constant feed rate for U. We find
      that the conservation of probability ensured by the chemical master equation
      leads to a modification of the usual differential equations for the GS model,
      which now involves two composite fields and also intrinsic noise terms. One of
      the composites is psi(1) = phi(v)(2), where {phi(v)}(eta) =v is the concentration
      of the species V and the averaging is over the internal noise eta(u,v,psi(1)).
      The second composite field is the product of three fields chi =
      lambdaphi(u)phi(v)(2) and requires a noise source to ensure probability
      conservation. A third composite psi(2) = phi(u)phi(v) can also be identified from
      the noise-induced reactions. The Hamiltonian that governs the time evolution of
      the many-body wave function, associated with the master equation, has a broken
      U(1) symmetry related to particle number conservation. By expanding around the
      (broken symmetry) zero-energy solution of the Hamiltonian (by performing a Doi
      shift) one obtains from our path integral formulation the usual reaction
      diffusion equation, at the classical level. The Langevin equations that are
      derived from the chemical master equation have multiplicative noise sources for
      the density fields phi(u), phi(v),chi that induce higher-order processes such as
      n -> n scattering for n>3. The amplitude of the noise acting on phi(v) is itself
      stochastic in nature.

PMID- 24229269
TI  - Semiclassical description of resonance-assisted tunneling in one-dimensional
      integrable models.
AB  - Resonance-assisted tunneling is investigated within the framework of one
      dimensional integrable systems. We present a systematic recipe, based on
      Hamiltonian normal forms, to construct one-dimensional integrable models that
      exhibit resonance island chain structures with accurately controlled sizes and
      positions of the islands. Using complex classical trajectories that evolve along
      suitably defined paths in the complex time domain, we construct a semiclassical
      theory of the resonance-assisted tunneling process. This semiclassical approach
      yields a compact analytical expression for tunnelling-induced level splittings
      which is found to be in very good agreement with the exact splittings obtained
      through numerical diagonalization. 

PMID- 24229270
TI  - Lagrangian statistics across the turbulent-nonturbulent interface in a turbulent
      plane jet.
AB  - Lagrangian statistics from millions of particles are used to study the turbulent
      entrainment mechanism in a direct numerical simulation of a turbulent plane jet
      at Re(lambda) ~ 110. The particles (tracers) are initially seeded at the
      irrotational region of the jet near the turbulent shear layer and are followed as
      they are drawn into the turbulent region across the turbulent-nonturbulent
      interface (TNTI), allowing the study of the enstrophy buildup and thereby
      characterizing the turbulent entrainment mechanism in the jet. The use of
      Lagrangian statistics following fluid particles gives a more correct description
      of the entrainment mechanism than in previous works since the statistics in
      relation to the TNTI position involve data from the trajectories of the
      entraining fluid particles. The Lagrangian statistics for the particles show the
      existence of a velocity jump and a characteristic vorticity jump (with a
      thickness which is one order of magnitude greater than the Kolmogorov
      microscale), in agreement with previous results using Eulerian statistics. The
      particles initially acquire enstrophy by viscous diffusion and later by enstrophy
      production, which becomes "active" only deep inside the turbulent region. Both
      enstrophy diffusion and production near the TNTI differ substantially from inside
      the turbulent region. Only about 1% of all particles find their way into pockets
      of irrotational flow engulfed into the turbulent shear layer region, indicating
      that "engulfment" is not significant for the present flow, indirectly suggesting
      that the entrainment is largely due to "nibbling" small-scale mechanisms acting
      along the entire TNTI surface. Probability density functions of particle
      positions suggests that the particles spend more time crossing the region near
      the TNTI than traveling inside the turbulent region, consistent with the
      particles moving tangent to the interface around the time they cross it.

PMID- 24229271
TI  - Determining the number of fingers in the lifting Hele-Shaw problem.
AB  - The lifting Hele-Shaw cell flow is a variation of the celebrated radial viscous
      fingering problem for which the upper cell plate is lifted uniformly at a
      specified rate. This procedure causes the formation of intricate interfacial
      patterns. Most theoretical studies determine the total number of emerging fingers
      by maximizing the linear growth rate, but this generates discrepancies between
      theory and experiments. In this work, we tackle the number of fingers selection
      problem in the lifting Hele-Shaw cell by employing the recently proposed maximum
      amplitude criterion [Dias and Miranda, Phys. Rev. E 88, 013016 (2013)]. Our
      linear stability analysis accounts for the action of capillary, viscous normal
      stresses, and wetting effects, as well as the cell confinement. The comparison of
      our results with very precise laboratory measurements for the total number of
      fingers shows a significantly improved agreement between theoretical predictions
      and experimental data. 

PMID- 24229272
TI  - Electrohydrodynamic rotations of a viscous droplet.
AB  - We report a fluid system which exhibits chaotic dynamics under creeping flow
      conditions. A droplet in a uniform dc electric field deforms into an ellipsoid
      that can undergo irregular rotational motions. The nonlinear drop
      electrohydrodynamics is explained by a theoretical model which includes
      anisotropy in the polarization relaxation due to drop asphericity and charge
      convection due to rotational drop flow. 

PMID- 24229273
TI  - Stability of two-layer shear-thinning film flows.
AB  - The stability of a two-layer film flow of non-Newtonian fluids is studied with a
      linear temporal approach. Shear-thinning fluids are considered, which follow the
      four-parameter inelastic Carreau model. A modified Orr-Sommerfeld equation system
      is obtained, which is solved by using a spectral Tau collocation method based on
      Chebyshev polynomials. The effects of density and viscosity stratification are
      considered, as well as the influence of the shear-thinning properties of the
      fluid. It is found that, when the viscosity is stronger in the upper layer, the
      base flow and the stability properties are almost not influenced by the change of
      the shear-thinning properties in this upper layer. In the other situations, the
      shear-thinning properties have an influence on the different instabilities, the
      long-wave surface instability and the short- and long-wave interface
      instabilities. 

PMID- 24229274
TI  - Bifurcations and dynamics in convection with temperature-dependent viscosity in
      the presence of the O(2) symmetry.
AB  - We focus on the study of a convection problem in a two-dimensional setup in the
      presence of the O(2) symmetry. The viscosity in the fluid depends on the
      temperature as it changes its value abruptly in an interval around a temperature
      of transition. The influence of the viscosity law on the morphology of the plumes
      is examined for several parameter settings, and a variety of shapes ranging from
      spout- to mushroom-shaped are found. We explore the impact of the symmetry on the
      time evolution of this type of fluid, and we find solutions which are greatly
      influenced by its presence: at a large aspect ratio and high Rayleigh numbers,
      traveling waves, heteroclinic connections, and chaotic regimes are found. These
      solutions, which are due to the presence of symmetry, have not been previously
      described in the context of temperature-dependent viscosities. However,
      similarities are found with solutions described in other contexts such as flame
      propagation problems or convection problems with constant viscosity also in the
      presence of the O(2) symmetry, thus confirming the determining role of the
      symmetry in the dynamics. 

PMID- 24229275
TI  - Dynamics of an oscillating bubble in a narrow gap.
AB  - The complex dynamics of a single bubble of a few millimeters in size oscillating
      inside a narrow fluid-filled gap between two parallel plates is studied using
      high-speed videography. Two synchronized high-speed cameras were used to observe
      both the side and front views of the bubble. The front-view images show bubble
      expansion and collapse with the formation of concentric dark and bright rings.
      The simultaneous recordings reveal the mechanism behind these rings. The side
      view images reveal two different types of collapse behavior of the bubble
      including a previously unreported collapse phenomenon that is observed as the gap
      width is changed. At narrow widths, the bubble collapses towards the center of
      the gap; when the width is increased, the bubble splits before collapsing towards
      the walls. The bubble dynamics is also observed to be unaffected by the
      hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the plate surface due to the presence of a
      thin film of liquid between each of the plates and the bubble throughout the
      bubble lifetime. It is revealed that such systems do not behave as quasi-two
      dimensional systems; three-dimensional effects are important. 

PMID- 24229276
TI  - Influence of hydrophobic effects on streaming potential.
AB  - We study the influence of hydrophobic effects on streaming potential mediated
      flow through a narrow confinement. In a clear departure from the approach used in
      prior works, we use a phase-field model to capture the hydrophobicity-induced
      depletion in the near wall region, and express the variation of viscosity and
      permittivity across the interfacial layer in terms of the phase-field variable.
      We then use these in the determination of the flow velocity, and highlight the
      sensitive interplay between the intrinsic length scale of the electrical double
      layer and that of the depletion in terms of the variations of an effective
      normalized viscosity that captures the electroviscous effect. We expect that this
      work will be an important step forward in the realistic continuum modeling of
      interfacial physics in the particular context of streaming potential mediated
      flows. 

PMID- 24229277
TI  - Coarse-grained forms for equations describing the microscopic motion of particles
      in a fluid.
AB  - Exact equations of motion for the microscopically defined collective density
      rho(x,t) and the momentum density g(x,t) of a fluid have been obtained in the
      past starting from the corresponding Langevin equations representing the dynamics
      of the fluid particles. In the present work we average these exact equations of
      microscopic dynamics over the local equilibrium distribution to obtain stochastic
      partial differential equations for the coarse-grained densities with smooth
      spatial and temporal dependence. In particular, we consider Dean's exact balance
      equation for the microscopic density of a system of interacting Brownian
      particles to obtain the basic equation of the dynamic density functional theory
      with noise. Our analysis demonstrates that on thermal averaging the dependence of
      the exact equations on the bare interaction potential is converted to dependence
      on the corresponding thermodynamic direct correlation functions in the coarse
      grained equations.

PMID- 24229278
TI  - Generic path for droplet relaxation in microfluidic channels.
AB  - In two-phase microfluidics, droplets often undergo deformations that drive them
      away from their circular equilibrium shape. Herein we concentrate on the
      relaxation of symmetrical deformations to a circle driven by surface tension
      effects, which are predominant at the micrometer scales. Working in a Hele-Shaw
      cell, we report a generic pathway for these types of relaxations. We simulate
      numerically the interface shape evolution and investigate it using linear
      stability analysis. Finally, we characterize this universal aspect of relaxation
      using a purely geometrical model that is tested in experiments. 

PMID- 24229279
TI  - Interfacial velocities and capillary pressure gradients during Haines jumps.
AB  - Drainage is typically understood as a process where the pore space is invaded by
      a nonwetting phase pore-by-pore, the controlling parameters of which are
      represented by capillary number and mobility ratio. However, what is less
      understood and where experimental data are lacking is direct knowledge of the
      dynamics of pore drainage and the associated intrinsic time scales since the rate
      dependencies often observed with displacement processes are potentially dependent
      on these time scales. Herein, we study pore drainage events with a high speed
      camera in a micromodel system and analyze the dependency of interfacial velocity
      on bulk flow rate and spatial fluid configurations. We find that pore drainage
      events are cooperative, meaning that capillary pressure differences which extend
      over multiple pores directly affect fluid topology and menisci dynamics. Results
      suggest that not only viscous forces but also capillarity acts in a nonlocal way.
      Lastly, the existence of a pore morphological parameter where pore drainage
      transitions from capillary to inertial and/or viscous dominated is discussed
      followed by a discussion on capillary dispersion and time scale dependencies. We
      show that the displacement front is disperse when volumetric flow rate is less
      than the intrinsic time scale for a pore drainage event and becomes sharp when
      the flow rate is greater than the intrinsic time scale (i.e., overruns the pore
      drainage event), which clearly shows how pore-scale parameters influence
      macroscale flow behavior. 

PMID- 24229280
TI  - Rayleigh wave scattering from sessile droplets.
AB  - Radiation of energy by large-amplitude leaky Rayleigh waves is regarded as one of
      the key physical mechanisms regulating the actuation and manipulation of droplets
      in surface acoustic wave (SAW) microfluidic devices. The interaction between a
      SAW and a droplet is highly complex and is presently the subject of extensive
      research. This paper investigates the existence of an additional interaction
      mechanism based on the propagation of quasi-Stoneley waves inside sessile
      droplets deposited on a solid substrate. In contrast with the leaky Rayleigh
      wave, the energy of the Stoneley wave is confined within a thin fluid layer in
      contact with the substrate. The hypothesis is confirmed by three-dimensional
      finite element simulations and ultrasonic scattering experiments measuring the
      reflection of Rayleigh waves from droplets of different diameters. Moreover, real
      time monitoring of the droplet evaporation process reveals a clear correlation
      between the droplet contact angle and the spectral information of the reflected
      Rayleigh signal, thus paving the way for ultrasonic measurements of surface
      tension.

PMID- 24229281
TI  - Coupled motion of microscale and nanoscale elastic objects in a viscous fluid.
AB  - We study the coupled dynamics of two closely spaced micron or nanoscale elastic
      objects immersed in a viscous fluid. The dynamics of the elastic objects are
      coupled through the motion of the surrounding viscous fluid. We consider two
      cases: (i) one object is driven externally by an imposed harmonic actuation force
      and the second object is passive and (ii) both objects are driven by a Brownian
      force to yield stochastic dynamics. Using a harmonic oscillator approximation for
      the elastic objects and the unsteady Stokes equations to describe the fluid
      dynamics, we develop analytical expressions for the amplitude and phase of the
      displacement of the oscillating objects. For the case of an imposed actuation we
      use an impulse in force to determine the resulting dynamics over all frequencies.
      For the Brownian-driven objects the stochastic dynamics are found using the
      fluctuation-dissipation theorem. We validate our theoretical expressions by
      comparison with results from finite-element numerical simulations of the complete
      fluid-solid interaction problem. Our results yield interesting features in the
      amplitude and phase of the displacement of the elastic objects due to the fluid
      motion. We find that the dynamics depend on the separation of the objects, a
      measure of the mass loading due to the fluid, and the frequency parameter which
      acts as a frequency-based Reynolds number. Our results are valid over the range
      of parameters typical of micron and nanoscale elastic objects in fluid. The range
      of dynamics found can be understood in terms of the interplay between the viscous
      and potential components of the fluid flow field described by the unsteady Stokes
      equation for an oscillating cylinder. For small values of the frequency
      parameter, typical of nanoscale elastic objects, the dynamics are overdamped due
      to the dominance of viscous forces over inertial forces. For moderate and large
      values of the frequency parameter, typical of micron-scale elastic objects, we
      find that the dynamics of the fluid-coupled objects exhibits an interesting mode
      splitting to yield a bimodal signature in the amplitude-frequency plots. We find
      that the mode splitting can be described using a normal mode analysis containing
      only potential fluid interactions between the cylinders. 

PMID- 24229282
TI  - Swimming dynamics of bidirectional artificial flagella.
AB  - We study magnetic artificial flagella whose swimming speed and direction can be
      controlled using light and magnetic field as external triggers. The dependence of
      the swimming velocity on the system parameters (e.g., length, stiffness, fluid
      viscosity, and magnetic field) is explored using a computational framework in
      which the magnetostatic, fluid dynamic, and solid mechanics equations are solved
      simultaneously. A dimensionless analysis is carried out to obtain an optimal
      combination of system parameters for which the swimming velocity is maximal. The
      swimming direction reversal is addressed by incorporating photoresponsive
      materials, which in the photoactuated state can mimic natural mastigonemes.

PMID- 24229283
TI  - Capillary-gravity waves on a liquid film of arbitrary depth: analysis of the wave
      resistance.
AB  - We discuss the wave resistance in the case of an externally perturbed viscous
      liquid film of arbitrary thickness. Emphasis is placed on the dependence of the
      wave resistance on the film thickness H, the length scale b characterizing the
      external perturbation, and its velocity V. In particular, the effectiveness of
      the mechanisms of capillary-gravity waves and the viscous dissipation localized
      in the vicinity of the perturbation are compared and discussed as functions of H
      and V. We show that, in general, the wave resistance is a nonmonotonous function
      of H with a maximum whose amplitude and position depend on b and V. In the case
      of small H the wave resistance depends on a parameter S proportional V/H(3). We
      find three different regimes of this parameter in which the wave resistance
      behaves like S(r) with the exponent r equal to 1, 1/3, and -1. These results are
      also obtained independently within the thin liquid film approximation. This
      allows us to assess the range of validity of the thin liquid film approximation
      in various cases, in particular its dependence on the perturbation length scale
      b.

PMID- 24229284
TI  - Three-dimensional continuation study of convection in a tilted rectangular
      enclosure.
AB  - A continuation method developed from a three-dimensional spectral finite element
      code is used to study natural convection in a tilted rectangular cavity. The
      cavity has its length equal to two times the side of its square cross section and
      it contains a fluid with a Prandtl number Pr = 1. A detailed bifurcation diagram
      is first obtained in the case without inclination in order to get the sequence of
      the different branches of solutions and determine the stable solutions. The focus
      is then put on the stable solutions in the inclined cavity, when the tilt occurs
      around its longest axis. The subtle changes induced by the tilt on the convective
      system are clarified. Three different stable solutions are obtained: the
      longitudinal roll L- solution (with the same sense of rotation as the inclination
      angle), which develops smoothly from zero Rayleigh number on the leading branch;
      the longitudinal roll L+ solution (with a sense of rotation opposite to the
      inclination angle), which is on a disconnected branch and is stabilized beyond a
      secondary bifurcation point; the oblique roll O +/- solutions (corresponding to
      transverse roll solutions perturbed by the longitudinal flow induced by the
      tilt), which quickly appear beyond saddle-node points on new disconnected
      branches. The domain of existence of these stable solutions is eventually
      obtained and described in the Rayleigh number-inclination parameter space.
      Finally, the Nusselt number is determined as a function of the inclination at a
      constant Rayleigh number for the different stable solutions. The Nusselt number
      is maximum at an inclination of 49.55 degrees  for the leading longitudinal roll
      L- solution.

PMID- 24229286
TI  - Multifractal structure of fully developed turbulence.
AB  - The appearance of vortex filaments, the power-law dependence of velocity and
      vorticity correlations and their multiscaling behavior are derived from the
      Navier-Stokes equation. This is possible due to interpretation of the Navier
      Stokes equation as an equation with multiplicative noise and remarkable
      properties of random matrix products. 

PMID- 24229285
TI  - Experimental evidence of temperature gradients in cavitating microflows seeded
      with thermosensitive nanoprobes.
AB  - Thermosensitive fluorescent nanoparticles seeded in deionized water combined with
      confocal microscopy enables thermal mapping over three dimensions of the liquid
      phase flowing through a microchannel interrupted by a microdiaphragm. This
      experiment reveals the presence of a strong thermal gradient up to ~10(5) K/m
      only when hydrodynamic cavitation is present. Here hydrodynamic cavitation is the
      consequence of high shear rates downstream in the diaphragm. This temperature
      gradient is located in vortical structures associated with eddies in the shear
      layers. We attribute such overheating to the dissipation involved by the
      cavitating flow regime. Accordingly, we demonstrate that the microsizes of the
      device enhance the intensity of the thermal gap.

PMID- 24229287
TI  - Self-collimated axial jet seeds from thin accretion disks.
AB  - We show how an appropriate stationary crystalline structure of the magnetic field
      can induce a partial fragmentation of the accretion disk, generating an axial jet
      seed composed of hot plasma twisted in a funnel-like structure due to the
      rotation of the system. The most important feature we outline is the high degree
      of collimation, naturally following from the basic assumptions underlying the
      crystalline structure. The presence of nonzero dissipative effects allows the
      plasma ejection throughout the axial jet seed and the predicted values of the
      accretion rate are in agreement with observations. 

PMID- 24229288
TI  - Polarization effect on the relativistic nonlinear dynamics of an intense laser
      beam propagating in a hot magnetoactive plasma.
AB  - Nonlinear dynamics of an intense circularly polarized laser beam interacting with
      a hot magnetized plasma is investigated. Using a relativistic fluid model, a
      modified nonlinear Schrodinger equation is derived based on a quasineutral
      approximation, which is valid for hot plasma. Using a three-dimensional model,
      spatial-temporal development of the laser pulse is investigated. The occurrence
      of some nonlinear phenomena such as self-focusing, self-modulation, light
      trapping, and filamentation of the laser pulse is discussed. Also the effect of
      polarization and external magnetic field on the nonlinear evolution of these
      phenomena is studied. 

PMID- 24229289
TI  - Mode couplings and resonance instabilities in dust clusters.
AB  - The normal modes for three to seven particle two-dimensional (2D) dust clusters
      in a complex plasma are investigated using an N-body simulation. The ion
      wakefield downstream of each particle is shown to induce coupling between
      horizontal and vertical modes. The rules of mode coupling are investigated by
      classifying the mode eigenvectors employing the Bessel and trigonometric
      functions indexed by order integers (m, n). It is shown that coupling only occurs
      between two modes with the same m and that horizontal modes having a higher shear
      contribution exhibit weaker coupling. Three types of resonances are shown to
      occur when two coupled modes have the same frequency. Discrete instabilities
      caused by both the first and third type of resonances are verified and
      instabilities caused by the third type of resonance are found to induce melting.
      The melting procedure is observed to go through a two-step process with the solid
      liquid transition closely obeying the Lindemann criterion. 

PMID- 24229290
TI  - Ion collision cross sections and transport coefficients extended to intermediate
      energies and reduced electric fields for He(2)(+) ions colliding with He.
AB  - This work is devoted to the calculation of transport coefficients for He(2)(+)
      ions in gaseous He at intermediate reduced electric fields. These swarm data are
      of great interest for a better understanding of the mechanisms of formation and
      propagation of the fast plasma bullets or ionization waves observed in dielectric
      barrier plasma jet devices. For transport data, the collision cross sections
      required are determined from several theoretical methods based on quantum,
      semiclassical, and hybrid approaches and a diatomics-in-molecules model for the
      potential energy surfaces of He(2)(+). The corresponding collision cross sections
      are then used in an optimized Monte Carlo code to calculate the ion transport
      coefficients over a wide range of reduced electric fields extending over the
      experimental range. Calculated transport coefficients are compared with available
      experimental data at low electric fields. Moreover, an extrapolation method is
      used in order to determine the reduced mobility for stronger fields. A critical
      discussion has been performed on the pertinence and the reliability of these
      different methods of determination of collision cross sections needed for the
      calculation of ion transport data. Such ion data will be used in
      electrohydrodynamic and chemical kinetic models of the low-temperature plasma jet
      to quantify and to tune the active species production for a better use in
      biomedical applications.

PMID- 24229291
TI  - Relativistically induced transparency acceleration of light ions by an ultrashort
      laser pulse interacting with a heavy-ion-plasma density gradient.
AB  - The relativistically induced transparency acceleration (RITA) scheme of proton
      and ion acceleration using laser-plasma interactions is introduced, modeled, and
      compared to the existing schemes. Protons are accelerated with femtosecond
      relativistic pulses to produce quasimonoenergetic bunches with controllable peak
      energy. The RITA scheme works by a relativistic laser inducing transparency
      [Akhiezer and Polovin, Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz 30, 915 (1956); Kaw and Dawson, Phys.
      Fluids 13, 472 (1970); Max and Perkins, Phys. Rev. Lett. 27, 1342 (1971)] to
      densities higher than the cold-electron critical density, while the background
      heavy ions are stationary. The rising laser pulse creates a traveling
      acceleration structure at the relativistic critical density by ponderomotively
      [Lindl and Kaw, Phys. Fluids 14, 371 (1971); Silva et al., Phys. Rev. E 59, 2273
      (1999)] driving a local electron density inflation, creating an electron snowplow
      and a co-propagating electrostatic potential. The snowplow advances with a
      velocity determined by the rate of the rise of the laser's intensity envelope and
      the heavy-ion-plasma density gradient scale length. The rising laser is
      incrementally rendered transparent to higher densities such that the relativistic
      electron plasma frequency is resonant with the laser frequency. In the snowplow
      frame, trace density protons reflect off the electrostatic potential and get
      snowplowed, while the heavier background ions are relatively unperturbed.
      Quasimonoenergetic bunches of velocity equal to twice the snowplow velocity can
      be obtained and tuned by controlling the snowplow velocity using laser-plasma
      parameters. An analytical model for the proton energy as a function of laser
      intensity, rise time, and plasma density gradient is developed and compared to 1D
      and 2D PIC OSIRIS [Fonseca et al., Lect. Note Comput. Sci. 2331, 342 (2002)]
      simulations. We model the acceleration of protons to GeV energies with tens-of
      femtoseconds laser pulses of a few petawatts. The scaling of proton energy with
      laser power compares favorably to other mechanisms for ultrashort pulses
      [Schreiber et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 045005 (2006); Esirkepov et al., Phys.
      Rev. Lett. 92, 175003 (2004); Silva et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 015002 (2004);
      Fiuza et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 215001 (2012)]. 

PMID- 24229292
TI  - Ion-wake-induced anomaly of dust lattice mode in the presence of an external
      magnetic field.
AB  - We report a theoretical investigation of the dust lattice (DL) mode in two
      dimensional Yukawa crystals in the presence of asymmetric ion flow and an
      external magnetic field perpendicular to the crystal plane. Two mutually
      perpendicular modes are found to be coupled due to Lorentz force. Interaction
      among the dust grains along the vertical direction of ion flow is strongly
      affected due to the formation of an ion wake. This causes anisotropy in
      interaction strength along two mutually perpendicular directions. Both hybrid
      modes are studied as characteristics of different ion flow speeds and magnetic
      field strengths. The study shows a fluctuation in DL mode frequency driven by the
      strength of the particle-wake interaction. The effect of ion flow on polarization
      of the hybrid wave amplitudes is discussed in detail. Results show a possible
      mechanism of anomalous phase transition in dusty plasma. 

PMID- 24229293
TI  - Heavy ion charge-state distribution effects on energy loss in plasmas.
AB  - According to dielectric formalism, the energy loss of the heavy ion depends on
      its velocity and its charge density. Also, it depends on the target through its
      dielectric function; here the random phase approximation is used because it
      correctly describes fully ionized plasmas at any degeneracy. On the other hand,
      the Brandt-Kitagawa (BK) model is employed to depict the projectile charge space
      distribution, and the stripping criterion of Kreussler et al. is used to
      determine its mean charge state [Q]. This latter criterion implies that the mean
      charge state depends on the electron density and temperature of the plasma. Also,
      the initial charge state of the heavy ion is crucial for calculating [Q] inside
      the plasma. Comparing our models and estimations with experimental data, a very
      good agreement is found. It is noticed that the energy loss in plasmas is higher
      than that in the same cold gas cases, confirming the well-known enhanced plasma
      stopping (EPS). In this case, EPS is only due to the increase in projectile
      effective charge Q(eff), which is obtained as the ratio between the energy loss
      of each heavy ion and that of the proton in the same plasma conditions. The ratio
      between the effective charges in plasmas and in cold gases is higher than 1, but
      it is not as high as thought in the past. Finally, another significant issue is
      that the calculated effective charge in plasmas Q(eff) is greater than the mean
      charge state [Q], which is due to the incorporation of the BK charge
      distribution. When estimations are performed without this distribution, they do
      not fit well with experimental data.

PMID- 24229294
TI  - Simple determinant representation for rogue waves of the nonlinear Schrodinger
      equation.
AB  - We present a simple representation for arbitrary-order rogue wave solution and a
      study on the trajectories of them explicitly. We find that the trajectories of
      two valleys on whole temporal-spatial distribution all look "X" -shaped for rogue
      waves. Additionally, we present different types of high-order rogue wave
      structures, which could be helpful towards realizing the complex dynamics of
      rogue waves. 

PMID- 24229295
TI  - Classical scattering of charged particles confined on an inhomogeneous helix.
AB  - We explore the effects arising due to the coupling of the center of mass and
      relative motion of two charged particles confined on an inhomogeneous helix with
      a locally modified radius. It is first proven that a separation of the center of
      mass and the relative motion is provided if and only if the confining manifold
      represents a homogeneous helix. In this case, bound states of repulsively Coulomb
      interacting particles occur. For an inhomogeneous helix, the coupling of the
      center of mass and relative motion induces an energy transfer between the
      collective and relative motion, leading to dissociation of initially bound states
      in a scattering process. Due to the time reversal symmetry, a binding of the
      particles out of the scattering continuum is thus equally possible. We identify
      the regimes of dissociation for different initial conditions and provide an
      analysis of the underlying phase space via Poincare surfaces of section. Bound
      states inside the inhomogeneity as well as resonant states are identified. 

PMID- 24229296
TI  - Second-harmonic generation for dispersive elastic waves in a discrete granular
      chain.
AB  - The propagation of nonlinear compressional waves in a one-dimensional granular
      chain driven at one end by a harmonic excitation is studied. The chain is
      described by a Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) lattice model with quadratic nonlinearity
      (alpha-FPU model), valid for strong initial compression of the chain by an
      external static force. A successive approximations method is used to obtain the
      analytical expressions for the amplitudes of the static displacement field and of
      the fundamental and second harmonics propagating through the lattice. Both
      propagating and evanescent second harmonics are shown to influence the nonlinear
      propagation characteristics of the fundamental frequency. The propagating regime
      is characterized by a periodic energy transfer between first and second
      harmonics, resulting from dispersion, which disappears when the second harmonic
      becomes evanescent. 

PMID- 24229297
TI  - Bright and peaklike pulse solitary waves and analogy with modulational
      instability in an extended nonlinear Schrodinger equation.
AB  - The modulational instability (MI) phenomenon in the nonlinear Schrodinger
      equation (NLSE) extended by two different nonlinear dispersion terms and the
      gradient term is investigated. We find that the possibility of instability of
      plane waves depends on the sign of the nonlinear dispersion parameters with
      regard to the linear dispersion coefficient. In contrast to the basic NLSE, the
      system may exhibit instability in the defocusing media for amplitude exceeding a
      critical value depending on the magnitude of the nonlinear dispersion. An
      additional feature, namely the higher order or the infinite gain band, absent in
      the NLSE case, may appear and in which MI induces the birth of the nonlinear
      localized wave (NLW) of different carrier wave numbers. The result of the
      qualitative investigations of the system's dynamics indicates the existence of
      the NLW, such as peak, bright, dark, and compact dark solitary waves which can be
      well predicted by the MI criteria. In addition the nonlinear dispersion induces
      the existence of a pair of bright-dark solitary waves which is usually exhibited
      by the coupled NLSEs only, and the pairs of peak-dark and compact dark-bright
      solitary waves. 

PMID- 24229298
TI  - Rare-event sampling for driven inertial systems via the nonequilibrium
      distribution function.
AB  - Recently substantial generalizations have been made to the Yamada-Kawasaki type
      nonlinear response theory formalism for deterministic dynamics. These provide
      opportunities to develop new importance sampling techniques against known
      distribution functions. We exploit this to develop a method of calculating
      nonequilibrium rate constants across a large free energy barrier, allowing
      molecular simulations to access far greater time scales. In contrast to existing
      stochastic methods, we do not merely follow the dynamics forward in time,
      allowing systems governed by inertial equations of motion to be usefully
      addressed. We further generalize the Yamada-Kawasaki type formalism to the case
      of stochastic equations of motion and the resulting nonequilibrium importance
      sampling method follows straight forwardly. We quantitatively test the method on
      stochastic and deterministic models, specifically chosen to allow a comparison
      with reliable, independently obtained data. To do this we consider oscillators in
      a one-dimensional double well potential. Either side of the well is separated by
      an energy barrier and the oscillator is driven away from equilibrium by a
      position dependent temperature profile. The energy barrier is chosen to be low
      enough that we can still solve the system computationally by brute force. We
      demonstrate that the results of our method are consistent with those from the
      brute force simulations to very high accuracy. We also show how our method is
      more than two orders of magnitude more efficient for the given example than
      forward flux sampling. 

PMID- 24229299
TI  - Flat histogram diagrammatic Monte Carlo method: calculation of the Green's
      function in imaginary time.
AB  - The diagrammatic Monte Carlo (DiagMC) method is a numerical technique which
      samples the entire diagrammatic series of the Green's function in quantum many
      body systems. In this work, we incorporate the flat histogram principle in the
      diagrammatic Monte Carlo method, and we term the improved version the "flat
      histogram diagrammatic Monte Carlo" method. We demonstrate the superiority of
      this method over the standard DiagMC in extracting the long-imaginary-time
      behavior of the Green's function, without incorporating any a priori knowledge
      about this function, by applying the technique to the polaron problem. 

PMID- 24229300
TI  - Modeling steady-state dynamics of macromolecules in exponential-stretching flow
      using multiscale molecular-dynamics-multiparticle-collision simulations.
AB  - We introduce a method to obtain steady-state uniaxial exponential-stretching flow
      of a fluid (akin to extensional flow) in the incompressible limit, which enables
      us to study the response of suspended macromolecules to the flow by computer
      simulations. The flow field in this flow is defined by v(x) = epsilonx, where
      v(x) is the velocity of the fluid and epsilon is the stretch flow gradient. To
      eliminate the effect of confining boundaries, we produce the flow in a channel of
      uniform square cross section with periodic boundary conditions in directions
      perpendicular to the flow, but simultaneously maintain uniform density of fluid
      along the length of the tube. In experiments a perfect elongational flow is
      obtained only along the axis of symmetry in a four-roll geometry or a filament
      stretching rheometer. We can reproduce flow conditions very similar to
      extensional flow near the axis of symmetry by exponential-stretching flow; we do
      this by adding the right amounts of fluid along the length of the flow in our
      simulations. The fluid particles added along the length of the tube are the same
      fluid particles which exit the channel due to the flow; thus mass conservation is
      maintained in our model by default. We also suggest a scheme for possible
      realization of exponential-stretching flow in experiments. To establish our
      method as a useful tool to study various soft matter systems in extensional flow,
      we embed (i) spherical colloids with excluded volume interactions (modeled by the
      Weeks-Chandler potential) as well as (ii) a bead-spring model of star polymers in
      the fluid to study their responses to the exponential-stretched flow and show
      that the responses of macromolecules in the two flows are very similar. We
      demonstrate that the variation of number density of the suspended colloids along
      the direction of flow is in tune with our expectations. We also conclude from our
      study of the deformation of star polymers with different numbers of arms f that
      the critical flow gradient epsilon(c) at which the star undergoes the coil-to
      stretch transition is independent of f for f = 2,5,10, and 20.

PMID- 24229301
TI  - Dynamics of solutes with hydrodynamic interactions: comparison between Brownian
      dynamics and stochastic rotation dynamics simulations.
AB  - The dynamics of particles in solution or suspension is influenced by thermal
      fluctuations and hydrodynamic interactions. Several mesoscale methods exist to
      account for these solvent-induced effects such as Brownian dynamics with
      hydrodynamic interactions and hybrid molecular dynamics-stochastic rotation
      dynamics methods. Here we compare two ways of coupling solutes to the solvent
      with stochastic rotation dynamics (SRD) to Brownian dynamics with and without
      explicit hydrodynamic interactions. In the first SRD scheme [SRD with collisional
      coupling (CC)] the solutes participate in the collisional step with the solvent
      and in the second scheme [SRD with central force coupling (CFC)] the solutes
      interact through direct forces with the solvent, generating slip boundary
      conditions. We compare the transport coefficients of neutral and charged solutes
      in a model system obtained by these simulation schemes. Brownian dynamics without
      hydrodynamic interactions is used as a reference to quantify the influence of
      hydrodynamics on the transport coefficients as modeled by the different methods.
      We show that, in the dilute range, the SRD CFC method provides results similar to
      those of Brownian dynamics with hydrodynamic interactions for the diffusion
      coefficients and for the electrical conductivity. The SRD CC scheme predicts
      diffusion coefficients close to those obtained by Brownian dynamic simulations
      without hydrodynamic interactions, but accounts for part of the influence of
      hydrodynamics on the electrical conductivity. 

PMID- 24229302
TI  - Bottom-up construction of interaction models of non-Markovian dissipative
      particle dynamics.
AB  - We derive the equation of motion for non-Markovian dissipative particle dynamics
      (NMDPD) by introducing the history effects on the time evolution of the system.
      Our formulation is based on the generalized Langevin equation, which describes
      the motions of the centers of mass of clusters comprising microscopic particles.
      The mean, friction, and fluctuating forces in the NMDPD model are directly
      constructed from an underlying molecular dynamics (MD) system without any scaling
      procedure. For the validation of our formulation, we construct NMDPD models from
      high-density Lennard-Jones systems, in which the typical time scales of the
      coarse-grained particle motions and the fluctuating forces are not fully
      separable. The NMDPD models reproduce the temperatures, diffusion coefficients,
      and viscosities of the corresponding MD systems more accurately than the
      dissipative particle dynamics models based on a Markovian approximation. Our
      results suggest that the NMDPD method is a promising alternative for simulating
      mesoscale flows where a Markovian approximation is not valid. 

PMID- 24229303
TI  - Color-gradient lattice Boltzmann model for simulating droplet motion with contact
      angle hysteresis.
AB  - Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is an effective tool for simulating the contact
      line motion due to the nature of its microscopic dynamics. In contact-line
      motion, contact-angle hysteresis is an inherent phenomenon, but it is neglected
      in most existing color-gradient based LBMs. In this paper, a color-gradient based
      multiphase LBM is developed to simulate the contact-line motion, particularly
      with the hysteresis of contact angle involved. In this model, the perturbation
      operator based on the continuum surface force concept is introduced to model the
      interfacial tension, and the recoloring operator proposed by Latva-Kokko and
      Rothman is used to produce phase segregation and resolve the lattice pinning
      problem. At the solid surface, the color-conserving wetting boundary condition
      [Hollis et al., IMA J. Appl. Math. 76, 726 (2011)] is applied to improve the
      accuracy of simulations and suppress spurious currents at the contact line. In
      particular, we present a numerical algorithm to allow for the effect of the
      contact-angle hysteresis, in which an iterative procedure is used to determine
      the dynamic contact angle. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify the
      developed model, including the droplet partial wetting process and droplet
      dynamical behavior in a simple shear flow. The obtained results are compared with
      theoretical solutions and experimental data, indicating that the model is able to
      predict the equilibrium droplet shape as well as the dynamic process of partial
      wetting and thus permits accurate prediction of contact-line motion with the
      consideration of contact-angle hysteresis. 

PMID- 24229304
TI  - Monte Carlo renormalization-group analysis of percolation.
AB  - We describe a Monte Carlo renormalization group approach to the calculation of
      critical behavior for percolation models. This approach can be utilized to
      determine the renormalized bond probabilities and the values of the critical
      exponents. We illustrate the method for two-dimensional bond percolation, but the
      method is also applicable to other percolation models and other dimensions. 

PMID- 24229305
TI  - Ionization cross section data of nitrogen, methane, and propane for light ions
      and electrons and their suitability for use in track structure simulations.
AB  - Track structure Monte Carlo simulations are frequently applied in micro- and
      nanodosimetry to calculate the radiation transport in detail. The use of a well
      validated set of cross section data in such simulation codes ensures accurate
      calculations of transport parameters, such as ionization yields. These cross
      section data are, however, scarce and often discrepant when measured by different
      groups. This work surveys literature data on ionization and charge-transfer cross
      sections of nitrogen, methane, and propane for electrons, protons, and helium
      particles, focusing on the energy range between 100 keV and 20 MeV. Based on the
      evaluated data, different models for the parametrization of the cross section
      data are implemented in the code ptra, developed for simulating proton and alpha
      particle transport in an ion-counting nanodosimeter. The suitability of the cross
      section data is investigated by comparing the calculated mean ionization cluster
      size and energy loss with experimental results in either nitrogen or propane. For
      protons, generally good agreement between measured and simulated data is found
      when the Rudd model is used in ptra. For alpha particles, however, a considerable
      influence of different parametrizations of cross sections for ionization and
      charge transfer is observed. The ptra code using the charge-transfer data is,
      nevertheless, successfully benchmarked by the experimental data for the
      calculation of nanodosimetric quantities, but remaining discrepancies still have
      to be further investigated (up to 13% lower energy loss and 19% lower mean
      ionization cluster size than in the experiment). A continuation of this work
      should investigate data for the energy loss per interaction as well as
      differential cross section data of nitrogen and propane. Interpolation models for
      ionization and charge-transfer data are proposed. The Barkas model, frequently
      used for a determination of the effective charge in the ionization cross section,
      significantly underestimates both the energy loss (by up to 19%) and the mean
      ionization cluster size (up to 65%) for alpha particles. It is, therefore, not
      recommended for particle-track simulations. 

PMID- 24229306
TI  - Lorentz transformation of blackbody radiation.
AB  - We present a simple calculation of the Lorentz transformation of the spectral
      distribution of blackbody radiation at temperature T. Here we emphasize that T is
      the temperature in the blackbody rest frame and does not change. We thus avoid
      the confused and confusing question of how temperature transforms. We show by
      explicit calculation that at zero temperature the spectral distribution is
      invariant. At finite temperature we find the well-known result familiar in
      discussions of the 2.7 K cosmic radiation. 

PMID- 24229307
TI  - X-ray cross-correlation analysis of liquid crystal membranes in the vicinity of
      the hexatic-smectic phase transition.
AB  - We present an x-ray study of liquid crystal membranes in the vicinity of the
      hexatic-smectic phase transition by means of angular x-ray cross-correlation
      analysis. By applying two-point angular-intensity cross-correlation functions to
      the measured series of diffraction patterns the parameters of bond-orientational
      (BO) order in hexatic phase were directly determined. The temperature dependence
      of the positional correlation lengths was analyzed as well. The obtained
      correlation lengths show larger values for the higher-order Fourier components of
      BO order. These findings indicate a strong coupling between BO and positional
      order. 

PMID- 24229308
TI  - Fluorescent beads disintegrate actin networks.
AB  - We studied the influence of fluorescent polystyrene beads on both entangled and
      cross-linked actin networks. Thermal bead fluctuations were observed via video
      particle tracking and analyzed with one-point microrheology. Illumination of
      fluorescent beads with their appropriate excitation wavelength leads to a drastic
      softening of actin gels. Other wavelengths and bright field microscopy do not
      increase thermal bead fluctuations. This effect cannot be significantly reduced
      by adding common oxygen scavengers. We conclude that the usage of fluorescent
      beads impairs results when studying the microrheology of actin networks. 

PMID- 24229309
TI  - Spatial ranges of driving forces are a key determinant of protein folding
      cooperativity and rate diversity.
AB  - The physical basis of two-state-like folding transitions and the tremendous
      diversity in folding rates is elucidated by directly simulating the folding
      kinetics of 52 representative proteins. Relative to the results from a common
      modeling approach, the diversity of the simulated folding rates can be increased
      from ~10(2.1) to the experimental ~10(6.0) by a modest decrease in the spatial
      range of the attractive potential. The required theoretical range is consistent
      with desolvation physics and is notably much more permissive than that needed for
      two-state-like homopolymer collapse.

PMID- 24229310
TI  - Self-propulsion in a low-Reynolds-number fluid confined by two walls of a
      microchannel.
AB  - The problem of hydrodynamic interactions with confining walls is examined for a
      model of a microswimmer composed of three connected beads. Two parallel walls of
      a narrow microfluidic channel confine the fluid flow. We show that different
      trajectories for this linear swimmer emerge because of long-range hydrodynamic
      interactions with the walls of the channel. The possibility of space-spanning
      trajectories for this swimmer can potentially introduce it as a candidate for
      constructing a mixing device for working at the laminar flow conditions in
      microfluidic channels. 

PMID- 24229311
TI  - Quantum ion-acoustic solitary waves: the effect of exchange correlation.
AB  - Quantum ion-acoustic solitary waves are studied by considering the effects of
      exchange and correlation for the electrons. Starting from one-dimensional quantum
      hydrodynamic equations, including the term of exchange correlation for electrons,
      we obtain a model in which two dimensionless parameters appear (in addition to
      the parameter measuring the quantum diffraction) measuring the exchange and the
      correlation. A new deformed Korteweg-de Vries equation is derived. The effect of
      exchange and correlation is reflected in the phase speed as well as in the
      nonlinear and dispersion terms. Its solution shows that the exchange-correlation
      effects modify the amplitude as well as the width of the weak solitary waves. In
      the arbitrary amplitude regime, and as may be expected, a pseudopotential
      analysis shows that the exchange-correlation effects may change the nature
      (compressive or rarefactive) of the quantum ion-acoustic solitary waves. Our
      results complement and give new insight into the previously published work on
      this problem. 

PMID- 24229312
TI  - Comment on "Stochastic dynamics of the prisoner's dilemma with cooperation
      facilitators".
AB  - In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. E 86, 011134 (2012)], Mobilia introduces
      cooperation facilitators in the standard prisoner's dilemma game. He claims that
      natural selection favors the replacement of defection by cooperation in the weak
      selection case if and only if their frequency satisfies a certain inequality. We
      show that this is not true, and we point out an error in the author's proof which
      follows from the improper handling of the large-population limit. In addition, we
      prove a stronger result that cooperation is favored for any selection strength if
      and only if the average payoff of cooperation is bigger than the average payoff
      of defection (which is a weaker condition than the author's inequality). We also
      show that, if we include self-interaction, then the presence of a fixed number of
      facilitators causes a rescaling of the payoff matrix, and for their certain
      frequency, cooperation becomes a dominant strategy, and the prisoner's dilemma
      simply disappears. 

PMID- 24229313
TI  - Reply to "Comment on 'Stochastic dynamics of the prisoner's dilemma with
      cooperation facilitators' ".
AB  - The fixation properties of a simple prisoner's dilemma game in the presence of
      "cooperation facilitators" have recently been investigated in finite and well
      mixed populations for various dynamics [Mobilia, Phys. Rev. E 86, 011134 (2012)].
      In a Comment, Miekisz claims that, for cooperation to be favored by selection in
      the standard prisoner's dilemma games with facilitators, it suffices that
      f(C)>f(D) (where f(C/D) are the respective fitnesses of cooperators and
      defectors). In this Reply, we show that, in generic prisoner's dilemma games with
      l cooperation facilitators, it is generally not sufficient that a single
      cooperator has a higher fitness than defectors to ensure that selection favors
      cooperation. In fact, it is also necessary that selection promotes the
      replacement of defection by cooperation in a population of size N, which requires
      that the fixation probability of a single cooperator exceeds (N-l)(-1). This
      replacement condition is independent of f(C)>f(D) and, when the payoff for mutual
      defection is negative, it is shown to be more stringent than the invasion
      condition. Our results, illustrated by a series of examples, considerably
      generalize those reported in the paper [Phys. Rev. E 86, 011134 (2012)] and in
      the aforementioned Comment whose claims are demonstrated to be relevant only for
      a special subclass of prisoner's dilemma games.

PMID- 24229314
TI  - Facile and sensitive method for detecting cardiac markers using ubiquitous pH
      meters.
AB  - A sensitive and easy method was developed for the detection of the cardiac marker
      troponin I using magnetic immunoassay and ubiquitous pH meters. Monoclonal
      antibody-functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle clusters (MNCs) were
      synthesized to capture troponin in human serum, and MNC-troponin complexes were
      magnetically isolated using a permanent magnet. These complexes were subsequently
      conjugated to polyclonal antibody-functionalized acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and
      dispersed in acetylcholine (Ach) solution. As the Ach was hydrolyzed to choline
      and acetic acid, the pH of the solution decreased, and the resulting pH change
      was measured in real time using a pH meter. The sensitivity of detection of this
      assay was found to be 10 pg/mL of troponin in human serum after 10 min of the
      hydrolysis reaction. Further, the pH change could be determined with the naked
      eye from the color change of a pH indicator strip. 

PMID- 24229316
TI  - Decreasing frequency of office visits on fridays.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine if the frequency of physician visits on Fridays varied
      over the course of 1997 to 2010, and if it varied by geographical region.
      METHODS: Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) of the
      National Center for Health Statistics were analyzed to examine the frequency of
      office visits with physicians on Friday from 1997 to 2010, and the same data were
      also stratified by geographical location. RESULTS: Fewer office visits occurred
      on Fridays compared to other weekdays, and the percentage of total visits that
      occurred on Fridays decreased over time (p = 0.04). Comparing between the
      different geographical regions, the South had the lowest rate of Friday visits
      and the West had the highest rate. The Northeast (p = 0.003) and South (p <
      0.0001) had significantly lower rates than the West. CONCLUSION: Although
      patients and physicians alike are disappointed in the amount of time physicians
      and patients spend face to face, physicians are currently not utilizing every day
      of the common workweek to see patients.

PMID- 24229315
TI  - How experiences become data: the process of eliciting adverse event, medical
      history and concomitant medication reports in antimalarial and antiretroviral
      interaction trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurately characterizing a drug's safety profile is essential. Trial
      harm and tolerability assessments rely, in part, on participants' reports of
      medical histories, adverse events (AEs), and concomitant medications. Optimal
      methods for questioning participants are unclear, but different methods giving
      different results can undermine meta-analyses. This study compared methods for
      eliciting such data and explored reasons for dissimilar participant responses.
      METHODS: Participants from open-label antimalarial and antiretroviral interaction
      trials in two distinct sites (South Africa, n = 18 [all HIV positive]; Tanzania,
      n = 80 [86% HIV positive]) were asked about ill health and treatment use by
      sequential use of (1) general enquiries without reference to particular
      conditions, body systems or treatments, (2) checklists of potential health issues
      and treatments, (3) in-depth interviews. Participants' experiences of illness and
      treatment and their reporting behaviour were explored qualitatively, as were
      trial clinicians' experiences with obtaining participant reports. Outcomes were
      the number and nature of data by questioning method, themes from qualitative
      analyses and a theoretical interpretation of participants' experiences. RESULTS:
      There was an overall cumulative increase in the number of reports from general
      enquiry through checklists to in-depth interview; in South Africa, an additional
      12 medical histories, 21 AEs and 27 medications; in Tanzania an additional 260
      medical histories, 1 AE and 11 medications. Checklists and interviews facilitated
      recognition of health issues and treatments, and consideration of what to report.
      Information was sometimes not reported because participants forgot, it was
      considered irrelevant or insignificant, or they feared reporting. Some medicine
      names were not known and answers to questions were considered inferior to blood
      tests for detecting ill health. South African inpatient volunteers exhibited a
      "trial citizenship", working to achieve researchers' goals, while Tanzanian
      outpatients sometimes deferred responsibility for identifying items to report to
      trial clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: Questioning methods and trial contexts influence
      the detection of adverse events, medical histories and concomitant medications.
      There should be further methodological work to investigate these influences and
      find appropriate questioning methods.

PMID- 24229317
TI  - Predicting physical activity in adolescents: the role of compensatory health
      beliefs within the Health Action Process Approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Compensatory health beliefs (CHBs), defined as beliefs that healthy
      behaviours can compensate for unhealthy behaviours, may be one possible factor
      hindering people in adopting a healthier lifestyle. This study examined the
      contribution of CHBs to the prediction of adolescents' physical activity within
      the theoretical framework of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). DESIGN:
      The study followed a prospective survey design with assessments at baseline (T1)
      and two weeks later (T2). METHOD: Questionnaire data on physical activity, HAPA
      variables and CHBs were obtained twice from 430 adolescents of four different
      Swiss schools. Multilevel modelling was applied. RESULTS: CHBs added
      significantly to the prediction of intentions and change in intentions, in that
      higher CHBs were associated with lower intentions to be physically active at T2
      and a reduction in intentions from T1 to T2. No effect of CHBs emerged for the
      prediction of self-reported levels of physical activity at T2 and change in
      physical activity from T1 to T2. CONCLUSION: Findings emphasise the relevance of
      examining CHBs in the context of an established health behaviour change model and
      suggest that CHBs are of particular importance in the process of intention
      formation.

PMID- 24229318
TI  - Japanese trends in breastfeeding rate in baby-friendly hospitals between 2007 and
      2010: a retrospective hospital-based surveillance study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The goal of Japan's national "Healthy and Happy Family 21" campaign
      is to increase the nationwide breastfeeding rate for babies in the first month of
      life, which is currently below 50%, to a level of 60%. In this article, we
      summarize the breastfeeding rate for all of Japan's baby-friendly hospitals
      (BFHs) and extract their strengths in conjunction with the structural and
      legislative support that they have in place and finally draw up a policy for
      dispersing BFH activities to non-BFH delivery facilities, which could be useful
      for increasing the breastfeeding rate. METHODS: This study included all of the 61
      BFHs that are registered in Japan. These hospitals account for approximately 2%
      of nearly 3,000 Japanese delivery facilities. The surveillance data, which were
      collected anonymously by the Japan Breastfeeding Association in 2007-2010, were
      summarized. The numbers of babies who were breastfed after delivery, at discharge
      from BFHs and at one month of age, were collated. The length of hospital/clinic
      stay was also collected. RESULTS: The collection rate was 100% in each year
      (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010). The breastfeeding rates during hospital stay, at
      discharge, and one month were >70%, ~90%, and >75%, respectively. The median
      length of stay was 5 days (minimum/maximum: 5/8) for primipara. CONCLUSIONS: The
      breastfeeding rate at BFHs at one month of age was more than 75%. This surpassed
      the current national average (<50%). The median length of hospital/clinic stay
      was 5 days. In this 5-day period, BFH activities can play an important role in
      increasing the breastfeeding rate. Since hospitalization for the reported
      national median length of stay of 6 days, is legally guaranteed, the disbursement
      of BFH activities to non-BFH delivery facilities, with special support to mothers
      who delivered by cesarean delivery, would be a useful strategy for achieving a
      60% breastfeeding rate at one month of age.

PMID- 24229320
TI  - Consensus Definition of Nonallergic Rhinopathy, Previously Referred to as
      Vasomotor Rhinitis, Nonallergic Rhinitis, and/or Idiopathic Rhinitis.
AB  - "Nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis" (also referred to as nonallergic rhinitis and/or
      idiopathic rhinitis) is a term that has been used to describe a common nasal
      condition of unclear pathophysiology. The lack of straightforward diagnostic
      criteria is limiting; research for better treatment options requires the
      definition of homogeneous populations characterized by well-defined inclusion and
      exclusion criteria. Following considerable discussion and counterpoints at a
      roundtable conference convened in December 2008, we proposed to change the
      terminology to reference this condition as "nonallergic rhinopathy." Nonallergic
      rhinopathy is a chronic nasal condition with symptoms that may be perennial,
      persistent, intermittent, or seasonal and/or elicited by recognized triggers.
      There is a well-recognized set of clinical exposures that lead to the symptoms,
      predominantly congestion and rhinorrhea. The clinical characteristics as outlined
      provide well-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria that should permit precise
      identification of patients for participation in clinical trials. 

PMID- 24229319
TI  - Isolation and characterization of a dihydroxo-bridged iron(III,III)(MU-OH)2
      diamond core derived from dioxygen.
AB  - Dioxygen addition to coordinatively unsaturated [Fe(II)(O(Me2)N4(6-Me
      DPEN))](PF6) (1) is shown to afford a complex containing a dihydroxo-bridged
      Fe(III)2(MU-OH)2 diamond core, [Fe(III)(O(Me2)N4(6-Me-DPEN))]2(MU
      OH)2(PF6)2.(CH3CH2CN)2 (2). The diamond core of 2 resembles the oxidized methane
      monooxygenase (MMOox) resting state, as well as the active site product formed
      following H-atom abstraction from Tyr-OH by ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). The
      Fe-OH bond lengths of 2 are comparable with those of the MMOHox suggesting that
      MMOHox contains a Fe(III)2(MU-OH)2 as opposed to Fe(III)2(MU-OH)(MU-OH2) diamond
      core as had been suggested. Isotopic labeling experiments with (18)O2 and CD3CN
      indicate that the oxygen and proton of the MU-OH bridges of 2 are derived from
      dioxygen and acetonitrile. Deuterium incorporation (from CD3CN) suggests that an
      unobserved intermediate capable of abstracting a H-atom from CH3CN forms en route
      to 2. Given the high C-H bond dissociation energy (BDE = 97 kcal/mol) of
      acetonitrile, this indicates that this intermediate is a potent oxidant, possibly
      a high-valent iron oxo. Consistent with this, iodosylbenzene (PhIO) also reacts
      with 1 in CD3CN to afford the deuterated Fe(III)2(MU-OD)2 derivative of 2.
      Intermediates are not spectroscopically observed in either reaction (O2 and PhIO)
      even at low-temperatures (-80  degrees C), indicating that this intermediate has
      a very short lifetime, likely due to its highly reactive nature. Hydroxo-bridged
      2 was found to stoichiometrically abstract hydrogen atoms from 9,10
      dihydroanthracene (C-H BDE = 76 kcal/mol) at ambient temperatures. 

PMID- 24229321
TI  - A laboratory-scale pretreatment and hydrolysis assay for determination of
      reactivity in cellulosic biomass feedstocks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rapid determination of the release of structural sugars from
      biomass feedstocks is an important enabling technology for the development of
      cellulosic biofuels. An assay that is used to determine sugar release for large
      numbers of samples must be robust, rapid, and easy to perform, and must use
      modest amounts of the samples to be tested.In this work we present a laboratory
      scale combined pretreatment and saccharification assay that can be used as a
      biomass feedstock screening tool. The assay uses a commercially available
      automated solvent extraction system for pretreatment followed by a small-scale
      enzymatic hydrolysis step. The assay allows multiple samples to be screened
      simultaneously, and uses only ~3 g of biomass per sample. If the composition of
      the biomass sample is known, the results of the assay can be expressed as
      reactivity (fraction of structural carbohydrate present in the biomass sample
      released as monomeric sugars). RESULTS: We first present pretreatment and
      enzymatic hydrolysis experiments on a set of representative biomass feedstock
      samples (corn stover, poplar, sorghum, switchgrass) in order to put the assay in
      context, and then show the results of the assay applied to approximately 150
      different feedstock samples covering 5 different materials. From the
      compositional analysis data we identify a positive correlation between lignin and
      structural carbohydrates, and from the reactivity data we identify a negative
      correlation between both carbohydrate and lignin content and total reactivity.
      The negative correlation between lignin content and total reactivity suggests
      that lignin may interfere with sugar release, or that more mature samples (with
      higher structural sugars) may have more recalcitrant lignin. CONCLUSIONS: The
      assay presented in this work provides a robust and straightforward method to
      measure the sugar release after pretreatment and saccharification that can be
      used as a biomass feedstock screening tool. We demonstrated the utility of the
      assay by identifying correlations between feedstock composition and reactivity in
      a population of 150 samples.

PMID- 24229322
TI  - Adhesion G-protein-coupled receptors: elusive hybrids come of age.
AB  - Adhesion G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most recently identified and
      least understood subfamily of GPCRs. Adhesion GPCRs are characterized by
      unusually long ectodomains with adhesion-related repeats that facilitate cell-
      cell and cell-cell matrix contact, as well as a proteolytic cleavage site
      containing domain that is a structural hallmark of the family. Their unusual
      chimeric structure of adhesion-related ectodomain with a seven-pass transmembrane
      domain and cytoplasmic signaling makes these proteins highly versatile in
      mediating cellular signaling in response to extracellular adhesion or cell
      motility events. The ligand binding and cytoplasmic signaling modes for members
      of this family are beginning to be elucidated, and recent studies have
      demonstrated critical roles for Adhesion GPCRs in planar polarity and other
      important cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions during development and
      morphogenesis, as well as heritable diseases and cancer.

PMID- 24229323
TI  - Speckle tracking derived strain in infants with severe perinatal asphyxia: a
      comparative case control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Speckle tracking echocardiography is increasingly being used to
      assess cardiac function in neonates. The objective was to compare speckle
      tracking strain indices between asphyxiated infants and healthy controls and to
      ascertain correlations between strain and 2D Doppler derived indices and cardiac
      troponin (biochemical marker of myocardial injury). METHODS: Clinical and
      echocardiographic data from severely asphyxiated infants undergoing therapeutic
      hypothermia was evaluated retrospectively. This was compared with prospective
      data from healthy infants. Correlations between variables were assessed using
      Pearson's coefficient of correlation. RESULTS: Twenty four infants with severe
      perinatal asphyxia were admitted during the study period of which 3 were not
      cooled and were excluded. The gestational age and birth weights of cases and
      controls were comparable. The mean left ventricular global longitudinal strain
      (GLS) from apical 4 chamber view was noted to be significantly impaired in the
      asphyxiated infants (- 11.01% +/- 2.48 vs - 21.45% +/- 2.74, p <0.001). Cardiac
      output was significantly lower in the asphyxiated infants (97 +/- 26 vs 230 +/-
      60 ml/kg/min). In asphyxiated infants, GLS correlated positively with cardiac
      output (r2 = 0.86, p< 0.001) and negatively with serum troponin levels (r2 =
      0.64, p< 0.001). GLS was less impaired in infants on inotropes compared to those
      not on inotropic support, -12.55% (1.9) vs -10.2% (1.3), p= 0.018. Infants who
      died had a lower global strain value compared to survivors, - 9.7% (1.6) vs -
      12.8% (2.6), p = 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: 2D Speckle derived strain was impaired in
      asphyxiated infants. Significant correlations between GLS and cardiac output and
      troponin were noted.

PMID- 24229325
TI  - Modification and functional inhibition of regulator of G-protein signaling 4
      (RGS4) by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal.
AB  - Oxidative stress has been implicated as a component of various pathologies
      including ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) and neurodegenerative diseases such
      as Parkinson's disease (PD) and schizophrenia. Similarly, regulator of G-protein
      signaling 4 (RGS4) has been implicated as an important player in each of these
      pathologies. RGS4, like other RGS proteins, is responsible for temporally
      regulating G-protein coupled receptor signaling by increasing the intrinsic
      GTPase activity of Galpha subunit of the heterotrimeric signaling complex. In
      this study we evaluated whether modification by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE), a
      common lipid peroxidation product, inhibits RGS4. Using immunoprecipitation, we
      first determined RGS4 modification was occurring in cells at concentrations of
      4HNE within reported physiological conditions. Following this determination, we
      evaluated modification of RGS4 by 4HNE by both Western blot and mass spectrometry
      (MS). Once it was established that covalent modification occurred only on
      cysteine containing constructs, tryptic digest followed by mass spectrometry
      analysis revealed modification occurs at cysteine residues 71, 148, and 183. In
      order to determine the effect 4HNE had on RGS4 activity, a steady-state
      colorimetric assay was used to analyze the GAP activity of Delta51-RGS4 as well
      as the cysteine null mutant. From the data, we determined that RGS4 activity can
      be modulated by 4HNE through modification at cysteine residues similar to
      previously reported small molecule inhibition of RGS4. 

PMID- 24229327
TI  - Retraction: Enhanced resistive switching memory characteristics and mechanism
      using a Ti nanolayer at the W/TaOx interface.

PMID- 24229329
TI  - Preparation of silicon@silicon oxide core-shell nanowires from a silica precursor
      toward a high energy density Li-ion battery anode.
AB  - Bulk-quantity silicon@silicon oxide nanowires have been successfully synthesized
      via a facile high-temperature approach using environment-friendly silica mixed
      with titanium powders. It is confirmed that the obtained nanowires process a
      crystalline core and amorphous oxide sheath. The obtained nanowires grow along
      the [111] direction which catalyzed by spherical silicon@siilcon oxide
      nanoparticles. The unique one-dimensional structure and thin oxide sheath result
      in the favorable electrochemical performances, which may be beneficial to the
      high energy density silicon anode for lithium ion batteries. 

PMID- 24229334
TI  - Putting people first: re-thinking the role of technology in augmentative and
      alternative communication intervention.
AB  - Current technologies provide individuals with complex communication needs with a
      powerful array of communication, information, organization, and social networking
      options. However, there is the danger that the excitement over these new devices
      will result in a misplaced focus on the technology, to the neglect of what must
      be the central focus - the people with complex communication needs who require
      augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). In order to truly harness the
      power of technology, rehabilitation and educational professionals must ensure
      that AAC intervention is driven, not by the devices, but rather by the
      communication needs of the individual. Furthermore, those involved in AAC
      research and development activities must ensure that the design of AAC
      technologies is driven by an understanding of motor, sensory, cognitive, and
      linguistic processing, in order to minimize learning demands and maximize
      communication power for individuals with complex communication needs across the
      life span.

PMID- 24229333
TI  - The Academic Backbone: longitudinal continuities in educational achievement from
      secondary school and medical school to MRCP(UK) and the specialist register in UK
      medical students and doctors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selection of medical students in the UK is still largely based on
      prior academic achievement, although doubts have been expressed as to whether
      performance in earlier life is predictive of outcomes later in medical school or
      post-graduate education. This study analyses data from five longitudinal studies
      of UK medical students and doctors from the early 1970s until the early 2000s.
      Two of the studies used the AH5, a group test of general intelligence (that is,
      intellectual aptitude). Sex and ethnic differences were also analyzed in light of
      the changing demographics of medical students over the past decades. METHODS:
      Data from five cohort studies were available: the Westminster Study (began
      clinical studies from 1975 to 1982), the 1980, 1985, and 1990 cohort studies
      (entered medical school in 1981, 1986, and 1991), and the University College
      London Medical School (UCLMS) Cohort Study (entered clinical studies in 2005 and
      2006). Different studies had different outcome measures, but most had performance
      on basic medical sciences and clinical examinations at medical school,
      performance in Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP(UK))
      examinations, and being on the General Medical Council Specialist Register.
      RESULTS: Correlation matrices and path analyses are presented. There were robust
      correlations across different years at medical school, and medical school
      performance also predicted MRCP(UK) performance and being on the GMC Specialist
      Register. A-levels correlated somewhat less with undergraduate and post-graduate
      performance, but there was restriction of range in entrants. General Certificate
      of Secondary Education (GCSE)/O-level results also predicted undergraduate and
      post-graduate outcomes, but less so than did A-level results, but there may be
      incremental validity for clinical and post-graduate performance. The AH5 had some
      significant correlations with outcome, but they were inconsistent. Sex and
      ethnicity also had predictive effects on measures of educational attainment,
      undergraduate, and post-graduate performance. Women performed better in
      assessments but were less likely to be on the Specialist Register. Non-white
      participants generally underperformed in undergraduate and post-graduate
      assessments, but were equally likely to be on the Specialist Register. There was
      a suggestion of smaller ethnicity effects in earlier studies. CONCLUSIONS: The
      existence of the Academic Backbone concept is strongly supported, with attainment
      at secondary school predicting performance in undergraduate and post-graduate
      medical assessments, and the effects spanning many years. The Academic Backbone
      is conceptualized in terms of the development of more sophisticated underlying
      structures of knowledge ('cognitive capital' and 'medical capital'). The Academic
      Backbone provides strong support for using measures of educational attainment,
      particularly A-levels, in student selection.

PMID- 24229335
TI  - Communication support through multimodal supplementation: a scoping review.
AB  - Speech supplementation strategies improve spoken communication for people with
      motor speech disorders who experience reduced speech intelligibility. The purpose
      of this review was to summarize the literature on traditional supplementation
      strategies (e.g., alphabet supplementation, topic supplementation, and gestural
      supplementation) and to expand the definition of speech supplementation to
      include additional modalities, such as augmenting speech with pictures via mobile
      technology, and conversation management strategies. Results showed that studies
      of traditional supplementation consistently reported positive outcomes, including
      increased intelligibility, decreased speech rate, and positive attitudes toward
      speakers. New modalities, such as supplementing speech through digital photos,
      may come to be integrated with traditional approaches, given the proliferation of
      digital photography and mobile tablet technologies. In addition, new research is
      exploring the role of communication partners in dyads where one speaker has
      dysarthria, as well as strategies that communication partners employ to
      understand dysarthric speech.

PMID- 24229336
TI  - Teaching conceptually referenced core vocabulary for initial augmentative and
      alternative communication.
AB  - Individuals with significant intellectual disabilities who use augmentative and
      alternative communication (AAC) often fail to acquire large vocabularies. To
      maximize the functionality of a small vocabulary, AAC users' initial vocabulary
      typically consists of words that can be used frequently across contexts and
      functions (i.e., core vocabulary). For many AAC users, core vocabulary often
      references concepts rather than concrete items. For individuals with severe
      intellectual disabilities, however, initial AAC vocabulary often consists of
      concretely referenced words instead. There is little evidence that these
      individuals can learn to use conceptually referenced words in initial AAC. A
      variation of a single subject multiple baseline design across four stimuli was
      used to demonstrate that an individual with severe intellectual disabilities
      could learn to use conceptually referenced words as an initial AAC vocabulary. As
      a result of the intervention (a modified PECS procedure), a 9-year-old boy with
      multiple disabilities, including intellectual disability and deaf-blindness,
      learned to make appropriate use of three conceptually referenced tactile symbols
      for the concepts of more, done, and new as an initial communication vocabulary.

PMID- 24229326
TI  - Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and encephalomyelitis
      disseminata/multiple sclerosis show remarkable levels of similarity in
      phenomenology and neuroimmune characteristics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 'Encephalomyelitis disseminata' (multiple sclerosis) and myalgic
      encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are both classified as
      diseases of the central nervous system by the World Health Organization. This
      review aims to compare the phenomenological and neuroimmune characteristics of MS
      with those of ME/CFS. DISCUSSION: There are remarkable phenomenological and
      neuroimmune overlaps between both disorders. Patients with ME/CFS and MS both
      experience severe levels of disabling fatigue and a worsening of symptoms
      following exercise and resort to energy conservation strategies in an attempt to
      meet the energy demands of day-to-day living. Debilitating autonomic symptoms,
      diminished cardiac responses to exercise, orthostatic intolerance and postural
      hypotension are experienced by patients with both illnesses. Both disorders show
      a relapsing-remitting or progressive course, while infections and psychosocial
      stress play a large part in worsening of fatigue symptoms. Activated
      immunoinflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative (O+NS) pathways and autoimmunity
      occur in both illnesses. The consequences of O+NS damage to self-epitopes is
      evidenced by the almost bewildering and almost identical array of autoantibodies
      formed against damaged epitopes seen in both illnesses. Mitochondrial
      dysfunctions, including lowered levels of ATP, decreased phosphocreatine
      synthesis and impaired oxidative phosphorylation, are heavily involved in the
      pathophysiology of both MS and ME/CFS. The findings produced by neuroimaging
      techniques are quite similar in both illnesses and show decreased cerebral blood
      flow, atrophy, gray matter reduction, white matter hyperintensities, increased
      cerebral lactate and choline signaling and lowered acetyl-aspartate levels.
      SUMMARY: This review shows that there are neuroimmune similarities between MS and
      ME/CFS. This further substantiates the view that ME/CFS is a neuroimmune illness
      and that patients with MS are immunologically primed to develop symptoms of
      ME/CFS.

PMID- 24229338
TI  - Exploring the impact of cognition on young children's ability to navigate a
      speech-generating device.
AB  - This study examined the impact of cognition on young children's ability to
      navigate a speech-generating device (SGD) with dynamic paging. Knowledge of which
      cognitive factors impact navigational skills could help clinicians select the
      most appropriate SGD for children who have complex communication needs. A total
      of 65 typically developing children aged 48-77 months were assessed using the
      Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised (Leiter-R) and the Automated
      Working Memory Assessment (AWMA). Although significant correlations were found
      between the ability to navigate an SGD (using a taxonomic organization) and all
      cognitive factors except for cognitive flexibility, a stepwise linear regression
      revealed that sustained attention, categorization, and fluid reasoning were the
      most pragmatic set of factors to predict navigational skills. Future studies are
      needed to further understand the factors that impact children's navigational
      skills.

PMID- 24229337
TI  - Support for AAC use in preschool, and growth in language skills, for young
      children with developmental disabilities.
AB  - Little is known about how AAC use in preschool may impact language development
      for children with complex communication needs (e.g., children with autism,
      cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities). We
      developed two surveys (a) to describe children's use of AAC in preschool
      classrooms, as well as the use of prompts and question asking, and augmented
      input by their communication partners; and (b) to describe teachers' experience,
      training, and perceived support in providing AAC. We then examined the
      relationship between children's experience of AAC, including the use of prompts,
      question asking, and augmented input by their partners, and the growth of
      receptive and expressive language for 71 children with developmental disabilities
      over a two-year period. The use of AAC by peers to provide augmented input was
      associated with stronger language growth; the use of prompting and question
      asking by teachers was associated with weaker language growth. Teachers reported
      that they received little training regarding ways to support a child's use of
      AAC. Results suggest the need for further research on promoting AAC use at the
      preschool level, including research to promote peer interactions for AAC users.

PMID- 24229339
TI  - The iconicity of picture communication symbols for children with English
      additional language and mild intellectual disability.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the iconicity of 16 Picture
      Communication Symbols (PCS) presented on a themed bed-making communication
      overlay for South African children with English as an additional language and
      mild intellectual disability. The survey involved 30 participants. The results
      indicated that, overall, the 16 symbols were relatively iconic to the
      participants. The authors suggest that the iconicity of picture symbols could be
      manipulated, enhanced, and influenced by contextual effects (other PCS used
      simultaneously on the communication overlay). In addition, selection of non
      target PCS for target PCS were discussed in terms of postulated differences in
      terms of distinctiveness. Potential clinical implications and limitations of the
      study, as well as recommendations for future research, are discussed.

PMID- 24229340
TI  - Consensus Review and Definition of Nonallergic Rhinitis With a Focus on Vasomotor
      Rhinitis, Proposed to be Known henceforth as Nonallergic Rhinopathy Part 1.
      Introduction.
AB  - "Nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis" (also referred to as nonallergic rhinitis and/or
      idiopathic rhinitis) is a term that has been used to describe a common nasal
      condition of unclear pathophysiology. Clinical options for patients are limited
      by a lack of straightforward diagnostic criteria and poorly defined and
      heterogeneous populations in clinical trials. A roundtable conference convened in
      December 2008 addressed these challenges. The outcomes were (1) a revised
      clinical definition and (2) appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria (based
      on the revised definition) to be used for the enrollment of subjects in future
      clinical studies. 

PMID- 24229341
TI  - Improving physical activity in COPD: towards a new paradigm.
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating disease affecting
      patients in daily life, both physically and emotionally. Symptoms such as dyspnea
      and muscle fatigue, lead to exercise intolerance, which, together with behavioral
      issues, trigger physical inactivity, a key feature of COPD. Physical inactivity
      is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including hospitalization and all
      cause mortality. Increasing activity levels is crucial for effective management
      strategies and could lead to improved long-term outcomes. In this review we
      summarize objective and subjective instruments for evaluating physical activity
      and focus on interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation or bronchodilators
      aimed at increasing activity levels. To date, only limited evidence exists to
      support the effectiveness of these interventions. We suggest that a multimodal
      approach comprising pulmonary rehabilitation, pharmacotherapy, and counselling
      programs aimed at addressing emotional and behavioural aspects of COPD may be an
      effective way to increase physical activity and improve health status in the long
      term. 

PMID- 24229342
TI  - Differences in the perceived role of the healthcare provider in delivering
      vascular health checks: a Q methodology study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The UK Department of Health introduced the National Health Service
      (NHS) Health Check Programme in April 2009 in an attempt to improve primary and
      secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in the UK population and to reduce
      health inequalities. Healthcare professionals' attitudes towards giving lifestyle
      advice will influence how they interact with patients during consultations. We
      therefore sought to identify the attitudes of primary care healthcare
      professionals towards the delivery of lifestyle advice in the context of the NHS
      Health Check Programme. METHODS: Fifty-two primary care healthcare professionals
      undertook a Q sort with 36 statements that represented a range of viewpoints
      about the importance of lifestyle change, medication, giving lifestyle advice in
      the primary care setting, and the individual, social and material factors that
      might impact on lifestyle related behaviour change. Sorts were analysed by-person
      using principal components analysis and varimax rotation. RESULTS: Five
      statistically independent factors (accounts) reflected distinct views on the
      topic. Account 1 was supportive of initiatives like the NHS Health Check, and
      emphasised the importance of professionals working collaboratively with patients
      to facilitate lifestyle change. Account 2 expressed views on the potential
      overuse of statin medication and placed responsibility for lifestyle change with
      the patient. Account 3 viewed the healthcare professional role to be one of
      educator, emphasising the provision of information. Account 4 perceived lifestyle
      change to be difficult for patients and emphasised the need for healthcare
      professionals to be role models. Account 5 was inconsistent about the value of
      lifestyle change, or the role of healthcare professionals in promoting it, a
      finding that may be due to ambivalence about the health check or to lack of
      engagement with the Q sort task. We found no strong associations between any of
      the factors and, gender, role, age or ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      suggest that healthcare professionals hold viewpoints that may influence how they
      interact with patients during health checks. When implementing programmes like
      the NHS Health Check, it would be useful to take healthcare professionals' views
      into account. Attitudes and beliefs could be explored during training sessions,
      for example.

PMID- 24229343
TI  - The challenges of implementing a telestroke network: a systematic review and case
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of telemedicine in acute stroke care can facilitate rapid
      access to treatment, but the work required to embed any new technology into
      routine practice is often hidden, and can be challenging. We aimed to collate
      recommendations and resources to support telestroke implementation. METHODS:
      Systematic search of healthcare databases and the Internet to identify
      descriptions of the implementation of telestroke projects; interviews with key
      stakeholders during the development of one UK telestroke network. Supporting
      documentation from existing projects was analysed to construct a framework of
      implementation stages and tasks, and a toolkit of documents. Interviews and
      literature were analysed with other data sources using Normalisation Process
      Theory as described in the e-Health Implementation Toolkit. RESULTS: 61
      telestroke projects were identified and contacted. Twenty projects provided
      documents, 13 with published research detailing four stages of telestroke system
      development, implementation, use, and evaluation. Interviewees identified four
      main challenges: engaging and maintaining the commitment of a wide range of
      stakeholders across multiple organisations; addressing clinicians perceptions of
      evidence, workload, and payback; managing clinical and technical workability
      across diverse settings; and monitoring how the system is used and reconfigured
      by users. CONCLUSIONS: Information to guide telestroke implementation is sparse,
      but available. By using multiple sources of data, sufficient information was
      collated to construct a web-based toolkit detailing implementation tasks,
      resources and challenges in the development of a telestroke system for assessment
      and thrombolysis delivery in acute care. The toolkit is freely available online.

PMID- 24229344
TI  - Differences of left ventricular systolic deformation in hypertensive patients
      with and without apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We tested the hypothesis that the apical myocardial mechanics differ
      from those of other ventricular segments in hypertensive patients with and
      without apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM). METHODS: We retrospectively
      studied hypertensive patients with and without ApHCM. Left ventricular
      longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strains were examined by two
      dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography at the basal, middle, and apical
      walls of the parasternal short-axis and apical 2-, 3- and 4-chamber views.
      RESULTS: Fourteen consecutive patients with hypertension and ApHCM and 14
      patients with hypertension without ApHCM were studied. Lower mitral annular peak
      systolic velocity and greater diastolic dysfunction were present in hypertensive
      patients with ApHCM than in hypertensive patients without ApHCM. Compared with
      hypertensive patients without ApHCM, hypertensive patients with ApHCM had
      significantly lower apical longitudinal (-13.9% vs -21.9%, p = 0.010) and radial
      strains (4.4% vs 11.5%, p = 0.017) without the base-to-apex gradient. The global
      longitudinal (-15.6% vs -18.8%, p = 0.027) and circumferential strains (-16.1% vs
      -19.2%, p = 0.019) were significantly lower in hypertensive patients with ApHCM
      than in hypertensive patients without ApHCM. Among systolic parameters, the
      global longitudinal strain was independently associated with hypertension with
      ApHCM (odds ratio, 1.457; 95% confidence interval, 1.002-2.119; p = 0.049).
      CONCLUSIONS: Reduced apical longitudinal and radial strains without a base-to
      apex gradient were present in hypertensive patients with ApHCM. The global
      longitudinal strain was independently associated with ApHCM in hypertensive
      patients.

PMID- 24229345
TI  - Study of long-acting reversible contraceptive use in a UK primary care database:
      validation of methodology.
AB  - OBJECTIVES To develop and validate algorithms to identify new users of long
      acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in a primary care database, The Health
      Improvement Network (THIN). METHODS Women in THIN aged 12 to 49 years in 2005
      were studied. THIN was searched using Read and MULTILEX codes to identify new
      users of copper intrauterine devices (Cu-IUDs), the levonorgestrel-releasing
      intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and progestogen-only implants. Validation was
      undertaken for a randomly selected sample of 398 LARC users, in which their
      primary care physicians were asked to complete a questionnaire detailing LARC
      use. RESULTS Questionnaires were received for 379 patients (95%), confirming 316
      (83%) as new LARC users. Confirmation rates for Cu-IUDs, the LNG-IUS and
      progestogen-only implants were 64%, 94% and 89%, respectively. The use of Read
      codes alone had the lowest confirmation rate, particularly for Cu-IUD users.
      Confirmation rates increased by using MULTILEX codes when available, or by
      examination of computerised medical records. CONCLUSIONS Computer algorithms were
      used to identify new LARC users. While THIN is a useful resource for studying
      LARC uptake, steps to gather additional information are necessary to ensure the
      validity of LARC classification.

PMID- 24229346
TI  - A program of positive intervention in the elderly: memories, gratitude and
      forgiveness.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this study has been to increase the quality of life
      in people of over 60 years through a positive psychology intervention. METHOD: We
      employed a program which consists of training based on autobiographical memory,
      forgiveness and gratitude. The sample consisted of 46 participants aged 60-93
      years. State and trait anxiety, depression, general memory, specific memories,
      life satisfaction and subjective happiness were measured. RESULTS: The results
      revealed that participants who followed the program (experimental group) showed a
      significant decrease in state anxiety and depression as well as an increase in
      specific memories, life satisfaction and subjective happiness, compared with the
      placebo group. CONCLUSION: Our program offers promising results and provides new
      evidence for the effectiveness of positive interventions in the field of
      psychogerontology, helping increase subjective well-being and quality of life in
      older adults by focusing interventions on the enhancement of personal and social
      resources for being happy.

PMID- 24229348
TI  - Orbital localization criterion as a complementary tool in the bonding analysis by
      means of electron localization function: study of the Si(n)(BH)(5-n)(2-) (n = 0
      5) clusters.
AB  - A recently proposed molecular orbital localization procedure, based on the
      electron localization function (ELF) technique, has been used to describe
      chemical bonding in the cluster series Sin(BH)(5-n)(2-) (n = 0-5). The method
      combines the chemically intuitive information obtained from the traditional ELF
      analysis with the flexibility and generality of canonical molecular orbital
      theory. This procedure attempts to localize the molecular orbitals in regions
      that have the highest probability for finding a pair of electrons, providing a
      chemical bonding description according to the classical Lewis theory. The results
      confirm that conservation of the structures upon isoelectronic replacement of a B
      H group by a Si atom, allowing evolution from B5H5(2-) to Si5(2-), is in total
      agreement with the preservation of the chemical bonding pattern.

PMID- 24229347
TI  - NeuroGeM, a knowledgebase of genetic modifiers in neurodegenerative diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by the progressive
      loss of neurons in the human brain. Although the majority of NDs are sporadic,
      evidence is accumulating that they have a strong genetic component. Therefore,
      significant efforts have been made in recent years to not only identify disease
      causing genes but also genes that modify the severity of NDs, so-called genetic
      modifiers. To date there exists no compendium that lists and cross-links genetic
      modifiers of different NDs. DESCRIPTION: In order to address this need, we
      present NeuroGeM, the first comprehensive knowledgebase providing integrated
      information on genetic modifiers of nine different NDs in the model organisms D.
      melanogaster, C. elegans, and S. cerevisiae. NeuroGeM cross-links curated genetic
      modifier information from the different NDs and provides details on experimental
      conditions used for modifier identification, functional annotations, links to
      homologous proteins and color-coded protein-protein interaction networks to
      visualize modifier interactions. We demonstrate how this database can be used to
      generate new understanding through meta-analysis. For instance, we reveal that
      the Drosophila genes DnaJ-1, thread, Atx2, and mub are generic modifiers that
      affect multiple if not all NDs. CONCLUSION: As the first compendium of genetic
      modifiers, NeuroGeM will assist experimental and computational scientists in
      their search for the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying NDs.
      http://chibi.ubc.ca/neurogem.

PMID- 24229350
TI  - Area selective molecular layer deposition of polyurea films.
AB  - Patterned organic thin films with submicrometer features are of great importance
      in applications such as nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. We present here a
      new approach for creating patterned organic films using area selective molecular
      layer deposition (MLD). MLD is a technique that allows for conformal deposition
      of nanoscale organic thin films with exceptional control over vertical thickness
      and composition. By expanding the technique to allow for area selective MLD,
      lateral patterning of the film can be achieved. In this work, polyurea thin films
      were deposited by alternating pulses of 1,4-phenylenediisocyanate (PDIC) and
      ethylenediamine (ED) in a layer-by-layer fashion with a linear growth rate of 5.3
      A/cycle. Studies were carried out to determine whether self-assembled monolayer
      (SAM) formed from octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS) could block MLD on silicon
      substrates. Results show that the MLD process is impeded by the SAM. To test
      lateral patterning in MLD, SAMs were patterned onto silicon substrates using two
      different approaches. In one approach, SiO2-coated Si(100) substrates were
      patterned with an ODTS SAM by soft lithography in a well-controlled environment.
      In the second approach, patterned ODTS SAM was formed on H-Si/SiO2 patterned
      wafers by employing the chemically selective adsorption of ODTS on SiO2 over H
      Si. Auger electron spectroscopy results revealed that the polyurea film is
      deposited predominantly on the ODTS-free regions of both patterned substrates,
      indicating sufficient blocking of MLD by the ODTS SAM layer to replicate the
      pattern. The method we describe here offers a novel approach for fabricating high
      quality, three-dimensional organic structures. 

PMID- 24229349
TI  - Mediterranean dietary pattern and depression: the PREDIMED randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A few observational studies have found an inverse association between
      adherence to a Mediterranean diet and the risk of depression. Randomized trials
      with an intervention based on this dietary pattern could provide the most
      definitive answer to the findings reported by observational studies. The aim of
      this study was to compare in a randomized trial the effects of two Mediterranean
      diets versus a low-fat diet on depression risk after at least 3 years of
      intervention. METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized, primary prevention
      field trial of cardiovascular disease (Prevencion con Dieta Mediterranea
      (PREDIMED Study)) based on community-dwelling men aged 55 to 80 years and women
      aged 60 to 80 years at high risk of cardiovascular disease (51% of them had type
      2 diabetes; DM2) attending primary care centers affiliated with 11 Spanish
      teaching hospitals. Primary analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat
      basis. Cox regression models were used to assess the relationship between the
      nutritional intervention groups and the incidence of depression. RESULTS: We
      identified 224 new cases of depression during follow-up. There was an inverse
      association with depression for participants assigned to a Mediterranean diet
      supplemented with nuts (multivariate hazard ratio (HR) 0.78; 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 0.55 to 1.10) compared with participants assigned to the control
      group, although this was not significant. However, when the analysis was
      restricted to participants with DM2, the magnitude of the effect of the
      intervention with the Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts did reach
      statistical significance (multivariate HR = 0.59; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.98).
      CONCLUSIONS: The result suggest that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts
      could exert a beneficial effect on the risk of depression in patients with DM2.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered in the Current Controlled
      Trials with the number ISRCTN 35739639.

PMID- 24229351
TI  - Effects of cobalt precursor on pyrolyzed carbon-supported cobalt-polypyrrole as
      electrocatalyst toward oxygen reduction reaction.
AB  - A series of non-precious metal electrocatalysts, namely pyrolyzed carbon
      supported cobalt-polypyrrole, Co-PPy-TsOH/C, are synthesized with various cobalt
      precursors, including cobalt acetate, cobalt nitrate, cobalt oxalate, and cobalt
      chloride. The catalytic performance towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is
      comparatively investigated with electrochemical techniques of cyclic
      voltammogram, rotating disk electrode and rotating ring-disk electrode. The
      results are analyzed and discussed employing physiochemical techniques of X-ray
      diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma, elemental analysis, and
      extended X-ray absorption fine structure. It shows that the cobalt precursor
      plays an essential role on the synthesis process as well as microstructure and
      performance of the Co-PPy-TsOH/C catalysts towards ORR. Among the studied Co-PPy
      TsOH/C catalysts, that prepared with cobalt acetate exhibits the best ORR
      performance. The crystallite/particle size of cobalt and its distribution as well
      as the graphitization degree of carbon in the catalyst greatly affects the
      catalytic performance of Co-PPy-TsOH/C towards ORR. Metallic cobalt is the main
      component in the active site in Co-PPy-TsOH/C for catalyzing ORR, but some other
      elements such as nitrogen are probably involved, too. 

PMID- 24229353
TI  - Construct-level predictive validity of educational attainment and intellectual
      aptitude tests in medical student selection: meta-regression of six UK
      longitudinal studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measures used for medical student selection should predict future
      performance during training. A problem for any selection study is that predictor
      outcome correlations are known only in those who have been selected, whereas
      selectors need to know how measures would predict in the entire pool of
      applicants. That problem of interpretation can be solved by calculating construct
      level predictive validity, an estimate of true predictor-outcome correlation
      across the range of applicant abilities. METHODS: Construct-level predictive
      validities were calculated in six cohort studies of medical student selection and
      training (student entry, 1972 to 2009) for a range of predictors, including A
      levels, General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs)/O-levels, and
      aptitude tests (AH5 and UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT)). Outcomes included
      undergraduate basic medical science and finals assessments, as well as
      postgraduate measures of Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the
      United Kingdom (MRCP(UK)) performance and entry in the Specialist Register.
      Construct-level predictive validity was calculated with the method of Hunter,
      Schmidt and Le (2006), adapted to correct for right-censorship of examination
      results due to grade inflation. RESULTS: Meta-regression analyzed 57 separate
      predictor-outcome correlations (POCs) and construct-level predictive validities
      (CLPVs). Mean CLPVs are substantially higher (.450) than mean POCs (.171). Mean
      CLPVs for first-year examinations, were high for A-levels (.809; CI: .501 to
      .935), and lower for GCSEs/O-levels (.332; CI: .024 to .583) and UKCAT (mean =
      .245; CI: .207 to .276). A-levels had higher CLPVs for all undergraduate and
      postgraduate assessments than did GCSEs/O-levels and intellectual aptitude tests.
      CLPVs of educational attainment measures decline somewhat during training, but
      continue to predict postgraduate performance. Intellectual aptitude tests have
      lower CLPVs than A-levels or GCSEs/O-levels. CONCLUSIONS: Educational attainment
      has strong CLPVs for undergraduate and postgraduate performance, accounting for
      perhaps 65% of true variance in first year performance. Such CLPVs justify the
      use of educational attainment measure in selection, but also raise a key
      theoretical question concerning the remaining 35% of variance (and measurement
      error, range restriction and right-censorship have been taken into account). Just
      as in astrophysics, 'dark matter' and 'dark energy' are posited to balance
      various theoretical equations, so medical student selection must also have its
      'dark variance', whose nature is not yet properly characterized, but explains a
      third of the variation in performance during training. Some variance probably
      relates to factors which are unpredictable at selection, such as illness or other
      life events, but some is probably also associated with factors such as
      personality, motivation or study skills.

PMID- 24229355
TI  - Construct validity and temporal stability of the abridged 31-item Illness
      Behaviour Questionnaire.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Key psychometric information was sought for three newly derived
      dimensions from an abridged Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ-31): Affirmation
      of Illness (AI), Concern for Health (CH) and General Affective State (GAS). The
      construct validity of these scales was examined along with their test-retest
      reliability and long-term stability. DESIGN: A longitudinal, observational study
      was conducted with 675 participants (general community members and those with
      either asthma, diabetes and chronic pain or chronic fatigue syndrome) providing
      self-report questionnaire data at baseline, with additional information sought at
      three (n = 483; 71.6%) and 12 months (n = 517, 76.6%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Construct validity of the IBQ-31 was explored using well-validated psychological
      measures of Symptom Attributions and Symptom Experience, Cognitive Distortion of
      Somatic Information and Illness Likelihood. RESULTS: In general, AI, CH and GAS
      shared predictable empirical overlap with related psychological indices across
      the five samples. Adequate three-month test-retest reliability was evident, with
      greater score variability over 12 months. CONCLUSION: The IBQ-31 comprises three
      theoretically relevant dimensions which demonstrate relative short- and long-term
      stability for individuals with diverse illness experiences. Future investigations
      should explore the predictive validity of AI, CH and GAS, along with the
      potential value of 'cut-off' scores for clinical use.

PMID- 24229356
TI  - High-content assays for hepatotoxicity using induced pluripotent stem cell
      derived cells.
AB  - Development of predictive in vitro assays for early toxicity evaluation is
      extremely important for improving the drug development process and reducing drug
      attrition rates during clinical development. High-content imaging-based in vitro
      toxicity assays are emerging as efficient tools for safety and efficacy testing
      to improve drug development efficiency. In this report we have used an induced
      pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocyte cell model having a primary
      tissue-like phenotype, unlimited availability, and the potential to compare cells
      from different individuals. We examined a number of assays and phenotypic markers
      and developed automated screening methods for assessing multiparameter readouts
      of general and mechanism-specific hepatotoxicity. Endpoints assessed were cell
      viability, nuclear shape, average and integrated cell area, mitochondrial
      membrane potential, phospholipid accumulation, cytoskeleton integrity, and
      apoptosis. We assayed compounds with known mechanisms of toxicity and also
      evaluated a diverse hepatotoxicity library of 240 compounds. We conclude that
      high-content automated screening assays using iPSC-derived hepatocytes are
      feasible, provide information about mechanisms of toxicity, and can facilitate
      the safety assessment of drugs and chemicals.

PMID- 24229358
TI  - German database on the occurrence of food additives: application for intake
      estimation of five food colours for toddlers and children.
AB  - To get a more realistic estimation of food additive intake for toddlers and
      children, a German database on the occurrence of food additives was created. It
      uses consumption data of two recent national nutrition surveys for toddlers and
      children in combination with qualitative information of food additive occurrence
      in the consumed food. The information on food additive occurrence is based on
      food labelling. A categorisation system was developed according to regulations to
      classify the foods consumed and to identify possible food additive use in the
      food groups. Two natural (E120, E160b) and three artificial food colours (E110,
      E124, E129) were chosen for an assessment of food additive intake. The percentage
      of food items containing one of the chosen food colours was calculated for every
      food group and the food groups with most items containing the additive were
      identified. Intake estimations were performed based on maximum permitted-use
      levels (MPLs). Firstly, additive use was assumed in all foods consumed (tier 2);
      and secondly, food additive use was assumed only for those items where labelling
      confirmed the use and for all foods with no labelling available (tier 2b). Intake
      estimations were then compared with the ADI. Most food items with at least one of
      the food colours were found in the food groups confectionary, desserts, fermented
      milk products, flavoured drinks and breakfast cereals. The tier 2b approach
      provided more realistic estimations, which were always below those of the tier 2
      approach and below the ADI for mean exposure. Exposure for high-level consumers
      exceeded the ADI for two of the food additives in tier 2b. Keeping in mind that
      the database is only mirroring the current situation, it provides a good
      possibility to refine the estimation of food additive intake for toddlers and
      children in Germany. 

PMID- 24229357
TI  - A fluorescence anisotropy-based Myt1 kinase binding assay.
AB  - Abstract The human Myt1 kinase is a regulator of Cdk1/CycB and, hence, important
      for the G2/M transition in the cell cycle. It may act as a target for drug
      development, but suitable assay systems for assessing potential inhibitors are
      lacking so far. Herein, we describe the rational development of a fluorescence
      anisotropy-based kinase binding assay. A suitable fluoroprobe based on the
      tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib was synthesized and tested with Myt1 and
      several other kinases for control purposes. The probe acted as expected in terms
      of specificity and reversibility, and a Myt1 assay was set up. Notwithstanding
      the moderate Kd of the starting compound dasatinib before chemical modification,
      satisfying Z' factors >0.5 were achieved. A validation with known kinase
      inhibitors demonstrated the applicability of the assay and led to a reliable
      ranking of the tested active compounds. 

PMID- 24229359
TI  - Essential roles of nucleotide-switch and metal-coordinating residues for
      chaperone function of diol dehydratase-reactivase.
AB  - Diol dehydratase-reactivase (DD-R) is a molecular chaperone that reactivates
      inactivated holodiol dehydratase (DD) by cofactor exchange. Its ADP-bound and ATP
      bound forms are high-affinity and low-affinity forms for DD, respectively. Among
      DD-Rs mutated at the nucleotide-binding site, neither the Dalpha8N nor Dalpha413N
      mutant was effective as a reactivase. Although Dalpha413N showed ATPase activity,
      it did not mediate cyanocobalamin (CN-Cbl) release from the DD.CN-Cbl complex in
      the presence of ATP or ADP and formed a tight complex with apoDD even in the
      presence of ATP, suggesting the involvement of Aspalpha413 in the nucleotide
      switch. In contrast, Dalpha8N showed very low ATPase activity and did not mediate
      CN-Cbl release from the complex in the presence of ATP, but it did cause about
      50% release in the presence of ADP. The complex formation of this mutant with DD
      was partially reversed by ATP, suggesting that Aspalpha8 is involved in the
      ATPase activity but only partially in the nucleotide switch. Among DD-Rs mutated
      at the Mg(2+)-binding site, only Ebeta31Q was about 30% as active as wild-type DD
      R and formed a tight complex with apoDD, indicating that the DD-R beta subunit is
      not absolutely required for reactivation. If subunit swapping occurs between the
      DD-R beta and DD beta subunits, Glubeta97 of DD would coordinate to Mg(2+). The
      complex of Ebeta97Q DD with CN-Cbl was not activated by wild-type DD-R. No
      complex was formed between this mutant and wild-type DD-R, indicating that the
      coordination of Glubeta97 to Mg(2+) is essential for subunit swapping and
      therefore for (re)activation. 

PMID- 24229360
TI  - Azithromycin and cough-specific health status in patients with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic cough: a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Macrolides reduce exacerbations in patients with COPD. Their effects
      on health status has not been assessed as primary outcome and is less clear. This
      study assessed the effects of prophylactic azithromycin on cough-specific health
      status in COPD-patients with chronic productive cough. METHODS: In this
      randomised controlled trial 84 patients met the eligibility criteria: age of >=40
      years, COPD GOLD stage >=2 and chronic productive cough. The intervention-group
      (n = 42) received azithromycin 250 mg 3 times a week and the control-group (n =
      42) received a placebo. Primary outcome was cough-specific health status at 12
      weeks, measured with the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Secondary outcomes
      included generic and COPD-specific health status and exacerbations. Changes in
      adverse events and microbiology were monitored. RESULTS: Mean age of participants
      was 68 +/- 10 years and mean FEV1 was 1.36 +/- 0.47 L. The improvement in LCQ
      total score at 12 weeks was significantly greater with azithromycin (difference
      1.3 +/- 0.5, 95% CI 0.3;2.3, p = 0.01) and met the minimal clinically important
      difference. Similar results were found for the domain scores, and COPD-specific
      and generic health status questionnaires. Other secondary endpoints were non
      significant. No imbalances in adverse events were found. CONCLUSIONS:
      Prophylactic azithromycin improved cough-specific health status in COPD-patients
      with chronic productive cough to a clinically relevant degree. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01071161.

PMID- 24229361
TI  - Item selection, reliability and validity of the Shortness of Breath with Daily
      Activities (SOBDA) questionnaire: a new outcome measure for evaluating dyspnea in
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by
      irreversible, progressive obstruction of lung airflow. Dyspnea (shortness of
      breath [SOB]) is the COPD symptom which most negatively impacts patients' daily
      activities. To assess how SOB affects daily activities, 37 items were drafted
      through focus group discussions and cognitive interviews with COPD patients to
      develop a patient-reported outcome instrument: the Shortness of Breath with Daily
      Activities questionnaire (SOBDA). Psychometric analysis was conducted to reduce
      the number of items and evaluate the measurement properties of the final SOBDA.
      METHODS: Prospective, observational study of 334 COPD patients, recruited from 24
      pulmonology and internal medicine clinics in the United States. The 37-item SOBDA
      was administered to patients each evening for 28 days using an electronic diary.
      Patients answered every item and rated their level of SOB experienced that day
      during specific activities. Item selection was conducted by examining item
      characteristics, dimensionality, and Rasch model analysis results. The decision
      to delete an item was based on psychometric evidence, content validity, and
      expert clinical input. The final SOBDA instrument was evaluated for internal
      consistency, reproducibility, convergent validity, known-groups validity, and
      responsiveness. RESULTS: Twenty-four items from the 37-item pool were removed
      following the item selection process: nine items were removed due to high item-to
      item correlations; five due to floor effects; three due to infrequent activity;
      one due to gender bias; two due to low factor loadings; three due to unordered
      response options; and one due to expert's discretion. Internal consistency and
      reproducibility of the final SOBDA were demonstrated by Cronbach Alpha = 0.87,
      and intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.91. Convergent validity was
      demonstrated by high correlation with the CRQ-SAS (0.60) and SGRQ-C (0.61). Known
      groups validity was demonstrated by significant difference between ratings of the
      mMRC and clinical global rating of severity. Evaluation of the ability to detect
      change was not performed owing to too few responders at the end of the study.
      CONCLUSIONS: Through the empirical item reduction process, 13 items were selected
      from the 37-item pool generated during qualitative development. The final 13-item
      SOBDA is a reliable and valid instrument for use in clinical trials.

PMID- 24229363
TI  - Highly stable alkaline polymer electrolyte based on a poly(ether ether ketone)
      backbone.
AB  - Alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (APEFCs) promise the use of nonprecious
      metal catalysts and thus have attracted much research attention in the recent
      decade. Among the challenges of developing practical APEFC technology, the
      chemical stability of alkaline polymer electrolytes (APEs) seems to be rather
      difficult. Research found that, upon attachment of a cationic functional group,
      an originally stable polymer backbone, such as polysulfone (PSF), would degrade
      in an alkaline environment. In the present work, we try to employ poly(ether
      ether ketone) (PEEK), a very inert engineering plastic, as the backbone of APEs.
      The PEEK is functionalized with both a sulfonic acid (SA) group and a quaternary
      ammonia (QA) group, with the latter as the majority amount. Ionic cross-linking
      between SA and QA has rendered the thus-obtained membrane (xQAPEEK) with high
      mechanical strength and low swelling degree. More importantly, the xQAPEEK
      membrane exhibits outstanding stability in a 1 mol/L KOH solution at 80  degrees
      C for a test period of 30 days: the total weight loss of xQAPEEK is only 6 wt %,
      in comparison to a large degradation of quaternary ammonia PSF (more than 40 wt
      %) under the same conditions. Our findings not only have demonstrated an
      effective approach to preparing PEEK-based APE but also cast a new light on the
      development of highly stable APEs for fuel-cell application. 

PMID- 24229362
TI  - Study protocol: Rehabilitation including Social and Physical activity and
      Education in Children and Teenagers with Cancer (RESPECT).
AB  - BACKGROUND: During cancer treatment children have reduced contact with their
      social network of friends, and have limited participation in education, sports,
      and leisure activities. During and following cancer treatment, children describe
      school related problems, reduced physical fitness, and problems related to
      interaction with peers. METHODS/DESIGN: The RESPECT study is a nationwide
      population-based prospective, controlled, mixed-methods intervention study
      looking at children aged 6-18 years newly diagnosed with cancer in eastern
      Denmark (n=120) and a matched control group in western Denmark (n=120). RESPECT
      includes Danish-speaking children diagnosed with cancer and treated at pediatric
      oncology units in Denmark. Primary endpoints are the level of educational
      achievement one year after the cessation of first-line cancer therapy, and the
      value of VO2max one year after the cessation of first-line cancer therapy.
      Secondary endpoints are quality of life measured by validated questionnaires and
      interviews, and physical performance. RESPECT includes a multimodal intervention
      program, including ambassador-facilitated educational, physical, and social
      interventions. The educational intervention includes an educational program aimed
      at the child with cancer, the child's schoolteachers and classmates, and the
      child's parents. Children with cancer will each have two ambassadors assigned
      from their class. The ambassadors visit the child with cancer at the hospital at
      alternating 2-week intervals and participate in the intervention program. The
      physical and social intervention examines the effect of early, structured,
      individualized, and continuous physical activity from diagnosis throughout the
      treatment period. The patients are tested at diagnosis, at 3 and 6 months after
      diagnosis, and one year after the cessation of treatment. The study is powered to
      quantify the impact of the combined educational, physical, and social
      intervention programs. DISCUSSION: RESPECT is the first population-based study to
      examine the effect of early rehabilitation for children with cancer, and to use
      healthy classmates as ambassadors to facilitate the normalization of social life
      in the hospital. For children with cancer, RESPECT contributes to expanding
      knowledge on rehabilitation that can also facilitate rehabilitation of other
      children undergoing hospitalization for long-term illness. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      Clinical Trials.gov: file. NCT01772849 and NCT01772862.

PMID- 24229364
TI  - Water-compatible molecularly imprinted microspheres in pipette tip solid-phase
      extraction for simultaneous determination of five fluoroquinolones in eggs.
AB  - New water-compatible molecularly imprinted microspheres were synthesized by
      reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using 3-(2
      carboxyethylsulfanylthiocarbonyl-sulfanyl) propionic acid as a hydrophilic chain
      transfer agent, and employed as the sorbent of pipet tip molecularly imprinted
      solid-phase extraction (PT-MISPE) for rapid extraction and screening of
      ofloxacin, pefloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin in eggs. In
      comparison to conventional SPE methods, the presented PT-MISPE showed special
      selectivity, easy operation, and accessible device without expensive SPE
      apparatus. The presented PT-MISPE method combined advantages of dummy molecularly
      imprinted polymers and pipet tip solid-phase extraction. The presented method was
      linear over a calibration range of 25-2500 MUg/kg with the limits of detections
      of 0.53-1.07 MUg/kg. Good recoveries (89.1-102.5%) were achieved with relative
      standard deviations of 2.6-4.8%. 

PMID- 24229365
TI  - Sexual reproductive health service provision to young people in Kenya; health
      service providers' experiences.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Addressing the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of young
      people remains a challenge for most developing countries. This study explored the
      perceptions and experiences of Health Service Providers (HSP) in providing SRH
      services to young people in Kenya. METHODS: Qualitative study conducted in eight
      health facilities; five from Nairobi and three rural district hospitals in
      Laikipia, Meru Central, and Kirinyaga. Nineteen in-depth interviews (IDI) and two
      focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with HSPs. Interviews were tape
      recorded and transcribed. Data was coded and analysed using the thematic
      framework approach. RESULTS: The majority of HSPs were aware of the youth
      friendly service (YFS) concept but not of the supporting national policies and
      guidelines. HSP felt they lacked competency in providing SRH services to young
      people especially regarding counselling and interpersonal communication. HSPs
      were conservative with regards to providing SRH services to young people
      particularly contraception. HSP reported being torn between personal feelings,
      cultural and religious values and beliefs and their wish to respect young
      people's rights to accessing and obtaining SRH services. CONCLUSION: Supporting
      youth friendly policies and competency based training of HSP are two common
      approaches used to improve SRH services for adolescents. However, these may not
      be sufficient to change HSPs' attitude to adolescents seeking help. There is need
      to address the cultural, religious and traditional value systems that prevent
      HSPs from providing good quality and comprehensive SRH services to young people.
      Training updates should include sessions that enable HSPs to evaluate how their
      personal and cultural values and beliefs influence practice.

PMID- 24229366
TI  - SrGe2B2O8 and Sr3Ge2B6O16: novel strontium borogermanates with three-dimensional
      and layered anionic architectures.
AB  - Two new alkaline-earth strontium borogermanates, namely, SrGe2B2O8 and
      Sr3Ge2B6O16, have been successfully synthesized through high-temperature solid
      state reactions. They represent the first examples of strontium borogermanates.
      SrGe2B2O8 crystallized in space group Pnma, and its structure features a novel
      three-dimensional [Ge2B2O8](2-) framework composed of alternative linkages of the
      B2O7 and Ge2O7 dimeric units with one-dimensional (1D) tunnels of eight-membered
      rings (MRs) along the b axis that are filled by the Sr(2+) cations. Sr3Ge2B6O16
      is isostructural with Ba3Ge2B6O16 and crystallizes in centrosymmetric space group
      P1. Its structure features a two-dimensional layer that is composed of circular
      B6O16 clusters and GeO4 tetrahedra that are interconnected via corner sharing,
      forming 1D four- and six-MR tunnels along a axis. Sr(1) cations are located in
      the six-MR tunnels, whereas Sr(2) cations are located in the interlayer space.
      Studies of their optical properties and thermal stability as well as band
      structure calculations based on density functional theory methods have been also
      performed.

PMID- 24229367
TI  - A three-year comparative study of continuation rates, bleeding patterns and
      satisfaction in Australian women using a subdermal contraceptive implant or
      progestogen releasing-intrauterine system.
AB  - BACKGROUND Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARCs) are safe, highly
      effective, readily reversible, and require no action on the part of the user
      following insertion. Early discontinuation may put women at increased risk of
      unintended pregnancy. METHODS Following insertion of a progestogen-only subdermal
      implant or intrauterine system (IUS) at Family Planning NSW, women 18 years and
      older completed a questionnaire about their choice. At 6 weeks, 6, 12, 24 and 36
      months by telephone or online they completed a questionnaire about bleeding
      patterns, side effects, satisfaction, and reasons for discontinuation. RESULTS
      Two hundred IUS users and 149 implant users were enrolled. The former were
      generally older, married or in a de-facto relationship, and had children. Forty
      seven percent of implant users discontinued within three years compared to 27% of
      IUS users (p = 0.002). In the first two years amenorrhoea was more frequent in
      implant users. Frequent bleeding/spotting was more prevalent in the first year of
      IUS use but over time was twice as prevalent in implant users. Infrequent
      bleeding/spotting was more common in IUS users. CONCLUSION Both devices are
      highly effective and acceptable cost-effective methods. While LARCs should be
      promoted to women of all ages seeking contraception, early discontinuation due to
      unacceptable bleeding highlights the need for pre-insertion counselling.

PMID- 24229368
TI  - Molecular recognition of aromatic rings by flavin: electrostatics and dispersion
      determine ring positioning above isoalloxazine.
AB  - Aromatic stacking interactions between isoalloxazine (ISA) of flavin and three
      prototypical aromatics (benzene, pyridine, chlorobenzene) were investigated using
      electronic structure calculations with Monte Carlo simulated annealing. The
      Effective Fragment Potential (EFP) method was used to locate the low-energy
      equilibrium configurations for the three dimer systems. These structures were
      further characterized through DFT (M06-2X) and MP2 calculations. One equilibrium
      configuration exists for ISA-benzene; characterizing the stacked dimer surface
      revealed a steep, single-welled potential that funnels benzene directly between
      rings II and III, positioning a substituent hydrogen adjacent to the redox-active
      N5. ISA-pyridine and ISA-chlorobenzene minimum-energy structures contain the
      aromatic ring in very similar position to that in ISA-benzene. However, the added
      rotational degree of freedom leads to two distinct binding motifs, having
      approximately antiparallel or parallel dipole moment alignment with ISA. The
      existence of the latter binding configuration was unexpected but is explained by
      the shape of the ISA electrostatic potential. Dispersion is the primary
      noncovalent interaction driving the positioning of aromatic rings above ISA,
      while electrostatics determine the orientation in dipole-containing substituted
      benzenes. The interplay of these interactions can be used to tune molecular
      recognition properties of synthetic redox cofactors, including positioning
      desired functional groups adjacent to the redox-active N5. 

PMID- 24229369
TI  - Factors associated with anger and anger expression in caregivers of elderly
      relatives.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Anger is a common feeling among family caregivers of elderly
      dependents. However, this feeling has received less attention than other
      emotional effects of caring. This study measures anger in caregivers and analyzes
      its predictors. METHOD: Trait anger and anger expression (expression-in,
      expression-out and expression index), caregiver and care recipient features,
      stressors (e.g. care demands and support), appraisal (e.g. burden) and resources
      (e.g. coping, self-efficacy) were assessed in 111 caregivers of elderly dependent
      relatives. Staged stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were carried out
      for each of the four anger scores. RESULTS: Caregivers presented mild anger
      levels and showed expression-in rather than expression-out of anger. Stepwise
      multiple linear regression analyses showed that a bad relationship between
      caregiver and care recipient, the presence of disruptive behaviors and
      caregivers' low efficacy to handle them, and mostly the use of emotion-focused
      coping were the significant predictors of trait anger, anger expression index and
      anger expression-out. Explained variance for each of these regression models was
      38%, 33% and 27%, respectively. Burden was the only significant predictor for
      internal anger expression (8% explained variance). CONCLUSION: Results highlight
      that interventions aimed to improve caregivers' strategies to address memory and
      behavior problems and to promote the use of effective coping strategies could be
      helpful to prevent anger and expression-out of anger. Reducing burden in
      caregivers might result in reductions of anger expression-in. Data underscore the
      need to consider anger feeling and both in-expression and out-expression of anger
      separately in order to understand anger experience in caregivers.

PMID- 24229370
TI  - Bisphenol a and its chlorinated derivatives in human colostrum.
AB  - The health effects related to bisphenol A (BPA) and its exposure sources have
      undergone extensive investigation, but no consensus has been reached. Hitherto,
      the major source of human BPA exposure considered in the literature remains food
      contact material. However, the chlorine present in drinking water may react with
      BPA to form chlorinated derivatives (ClxBPA), which have indeed been shown to
      have a heightened level of estrogenic activity. In this study, we have evaluated
      colostrum concentrations of BPA and ClxBPA in order to confirm our hypothesis
      according to which BPA water contamination leads to ClxBPA human exposure. BPA
      and its ClxBPA were assessed through online solid-phase extraction coupled to
      ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-UPLC
      MS/MS) using the isotope dilution method in the colostrums of 21 women who had
      completed a water exposure questionnaire. BPA was detected in 19 colostrums and
      its ClxBPA in 21 colostrums. Mean concentrations were 1.87 +/- 1.38 ng mL(-1) (n
      = 19) for BPA, 1.87 +/- 1.23 ng mL(-1) (n = 7) and 1.56 +/- 0.74 (n = 18) ng mL(
      1) for 2,2'-Cl2BPA and 2,6-Cl2BPA, respectively, and 0.68 ng mL(-1) (n = 1) for
      trichloro-BPA. These findings confirm our hypothesis that ClxBPA should be taken
      into account in human health risk assessment. 

PMID- 24229371
TI  - Pre-hypertension: another 'pseudodisease'?
AB  - Hypertension is one of the most important and common cardiovascular risk factors.
      Defining the level at which blood pressure starts causing end-organ damage is
      challenging, and is not easily answered. The threshold of blood pressure defining
      hypertension has progressively been reduced over time, from systolic >160 mmHg to
      >150 mmHg, then to >140 mmHg; and now even blood pressures above 130 to 120 mmHg
      are labeled as 'pre-hypertension' by some expert committees. Are interest groups
      creating another 'pseudodisease' or is this trend scientifically justified? A
      recent meta-analysis published in BMC Medicine by Huang et al. clearly indicates
      that pre-hypertension (120 to 140/80 to 90 mmHg) is a significant marker of
      increased cardiovascular risk. This raises the question as to whether we now need
      to lower the threshold of 'hypertension' (as opposed to 'pre-hypertension') to
      >120/80 mmHg, redefining a significant proportion of currently healthy people as
      'patients' with an established disease. These data need to be interpreted with
      some caution. It is controversial whether pre-hypertension is an independent risk
      factor or just a risk marker and even more controversial whether treatment of pre
      hypertension will lower cardiovascular risk. Please see related research:
      http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/177.

PMID- 24229372
TI  - Classification of Nonallergic Rhinitis Syndromes With a Focus on Vasomotor
      Rhinitis, Proposed to be Known henceforth as Nonallergic Rhinopathy.
AB  - Many patients have nasal syndromes that are nonallergic and noninfectious and not
      caused by mechanical or anatomic abnormalities. There are at least 8 recognized
      nonallergic rhinitis syndromes: drug-induced rhinitis including rhinitis
      medicamentosa, gustatory rhinitis, hormonally induced rhinitis including the
      rhinitis of pregnancy, nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome, senile
      rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, cerebral spinal fluid leak, and vasomotor rhinitis.
      Few studies have explored etiologic causes. These syndromes are distinguished by
      clinical characteristics, recognized triggering conditions, and concomitant
      observations such as nasal eosinophilia or cerebral spinal fluid leak. Until more
      specific subjective clinical characteristics and/or objective measures can better
      define and differentiate underlying causes for these disparate diseases, they
      will remain a murky group of overlapping syndromes. 

PMID- 24229373
TI  - Influence network linkages across implementation strategy conditions in a
      randomized controlled trial of two strategies for scaling up evidence-based
      practices in public youth-serving systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the importance of influence networks in the implementation of
      evidence-based practices and interventions, it is unclear whether such networks
      continue to operate as sources of information and advice when they are segmented
      and disrupted by randomization to different implementation strategy conditions.
      The present study examines the linkages across implementation strategy conditions
      of social influence networks of leaders of youth-serving systems in 12 California
      counties participating in a randomized controlled trial of community development
      teams (CDTs) to scale up use of an evidence-based practice. METHODS: Semi
      structured interviews were conducted with 38 directors, assistant directors, and
      program managers of county probation, mental health, and child welfare
      departments. A web-based survey collected additional quantitative data on
      information and advice networks of study participants. A mixed-methods approach
      to data analysis was used to create a sociometric data set (n = 176) to examine
      linkages between treatment and standard conditions. RESULTS: Of those network
      members who were affiliated with a county (n = 137), only 6 (4.4%) were directly
      connected to a member of the opposite implementation strategy condition; 19
      (13.9%) were connected by two steps or fewer to a member of the opposite
      implementation strategy condition; 64 (46.7%) were connected by three or fewer
      steps to a member of the opposite implementation strategy condition. Most of the
      indirect steps between individuals who were in different implementation strategy
      conditions were connections involving a third non-county organizational entity
      that had an important role in the trial in keeping the implementation strategy
      conditions separate. When these entities were excluded, the CDT network exhibited
      fewer components and significantly higher betweenness centralization than did the
      standard condition network. CONCLUSION: Although the integrity of the RCT in this
      instance was not compromised by study participant influence networks, RCT designs
      should consider how influence networks may extend beyond boundaries established
      by the randomization process in implementation studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      NCT00880126.

PMID- 24229374
TI  - Influence of NADPH oxidase on inflammatory response in primary intestinal
      epithelial cells in patients with ulcerative colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of NADPH oxidase in
      primary intestinal epithelial cells during the active phase of UC. METHODS: The
      primary human colonic epithelial cells were isolated from 19 patients with mild
      to moderate inflammatory activity of UC and 14 controls using chelation method.
      The cells were cultivated under the effect of mediators. Viability of cells was
      assessed by fluorescent microscopy. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      by the cells was measured fluorimetrically using Amplex Red. Production of TNF
      alpha cytokine by the colonic epithelial cells was analysed by ELISA. RESULTS:
      The results of our study showed that unstimulated cells of UC patients had a
      decreased viability, increased ROS production, but similar TNF-alpha level when
      compared to the controls. Stimulation with LPS increased hydrogen peroxide and
      TNF-alpha level in the UC group. Treatment of colonic epithelial cells with NADPH
      oxidase inhibitor increased cell viability decreased the levels of ROS and TNF
      alpha in the LPS-treated cells isolated from UC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      showed that bacterial endotoxins induced NADPH oxidase activation in the colonic
      epithelial cells. Moreover, we revealed that treatment with NADPH oxidase
      inhibitors had a protective effect against pro-inflammatory action of LPS in
      human colonic epithelium cells during inflammation.

PMID- 24229375
TI  - The effect of uniaxial strain on graphene nanoribbon carrier statistic.
AB  - : Armchair graphene nanoribbon (AGNR) for n=3m and n=3m+1 family carrier
      statistic under uniaxial strain is studied by means of an analytical model based
      on tight binding approximation. The uniaxial strain of AGNR carrier statistic
      models includes the density of state, carrier concentration, and carrier
      velocity. From the simulation, it is found that AGNR carrier concentration has
      not been influenced by the uniaxial strain at low normalized Fermi energy for
      n=3m and n=3m+1. In addition, the carrier velocity of AGNR is mostly affected by
      strain at high concentration of n~3.0*107 and 1.0 * 107 m-1 for n=3m and n=3m+1,
      respectively. The result obtained gives physical insight into the understanding
      of uniaxial strain in AGNR. 

PMID- 24229376
TI  - Seroprevalence and trend of Helicobacter pylori infection in Gondar University
      Hospital among dyspeptic patients, Gondar, North West Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The growing attention given to H. pylori is not surprising since this
      pathogen colonizes more than at least half of the world's inhabitants. In
      Ethiopia particularly in Gondar, there is no current study conducted about
      seroprevalence and trend of the prevalence of H. pylori. Therefore the aim of
      this study was to determine the seroprevalence and its trend of the H. pylori in
      three consecutive years in North Gondar, North West Ethiopia. FINDINGS:
      Retrospective study was conducted using data collected from log book of serology
      laboratory of Gondar University Hospital. We collected data from January 2009 to
      December 2011 and 1388 subjects were included whose data were registered
      completely.Among all of the study subjects, 912 (65.7%) were found to be
      seropositive. The prevalence in male was 449/679 (66.1%) and in females it was
      463/709 (65.3%). The prevalence of H.pylori infection was significantly higher
      (77.0%) in patients whose age is greater than 60 years and the lowest positive
      age group was between 0-20 in which only 59.1% were positive (X2
      =14.15,p=0.0146). The seroprevalence was 86.5% in 2009 and it decreased to 51.8%
      in 2010. But the seroprevalence increased to 61.3% in 2011. CONCLUSION: This
      study showed high seroprevalence of H. pylori among the dyspeptic patients in
      GUH. The trend of the seroprevalence was varied from year to year in the three
      consecutive years. In general it showed that the seroprevalence has started
      increasing.

PMID- 24229378
TI  - Inhibition of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase attenuates lung
      kidney crosstalk induced by intratracheal lipopolysaccharide instillation in
      rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe form of lung
      injury that frequently occurs during pneumonia and sepsis. Lung inflammation in
      ARDS patients may have deleterious effects on remote organs such as the kidney.
      The nuclear enzyme poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enhances
      the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-dependent transcription of inflammatory cytokines.
      This study was conducted to elucidate two questions: first, whether the
      activation of PARP and NF-kappaB mediates the renal inflammation secondary to the
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung inflammation; second, whether a PARP
      inhibitor, 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB), attenuates lung and kidney inflammation by
      inhibiting NF-kappaB-dependent proinflammatory cytokines. METHODS: Male Sprague
      Dawley rats were anesthetized, ventilated, and divided into three groups; a
      control group (n = 8); an LPS group (n = 12) intratracheally instilled with LPS
      (16 mg/kg), and an LPS + 3-AB group (n = 12) given the same dose of LPS by the
      same method followed by an intravenous injection of 3-AB (20 mg/kg).
      Hemodynamics, arterial blood gas, and the plasma levels of lactate, creatinine
      and potassium were measured at 0,1,2,3, and 4 h after treatment. The lung wet/dry
      ratio was measured at 4 h. The mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
      alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 in the lung and kidney were measured by
      TaqMan real-time PCR. PARP and NF-kappaB in the lung and kidney were
      histologically examined by immunostaining and assigned expression scores.
      RESULTS: LPS induced metabolic acidosis, hypotension, hypoxemia, increased the
      lung wet/dry ratio, increased the plasma levels of creatinine and potassium, and
      increased the cytokine mRNA expressions in the lung and kidney. All of these
      effects were associated with strong expression of PARP and NF-kappaB. Treatment
      with 3-AB prevented the LPS-induced metabolic acidosis and hypotension, reduced
      the plasma levels of lactate, creatinine and potassium, reduced the cytokine mRNA
      expressions, reduced the expression of PARP and NF-kappaB, improved pulmonary
      edema and oxygenation and preserved renal function. CONCLUSIONS: The PARP
      inhibition attenuated lung-kidney crosstalk induced by intratracheal LPS
      instillation, partly via an inhibition of NF-kappaB dependent proinflammatory
      cytokines.

PMID- 24229379
TI  - PIK3R1 underexpression is an independent prognostic marker in breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The present study focused on the prognostic roles of PIK3CA and
      PIK3R1 genes and additional PI3K pathway-associated genes in breast cancer.
      METHODS: The mutational and mRNA expression status of PIK3CA, PIK3R1 and AKT1,
      and expression status of other genes involved in the PI3K pathway (EGFR, PDK1,
      PTEN, AKT2, AKT3, GOLPH3, WEE1, P70S6K) were assessed in a series of 458 breast
      cancer samples. RESULTS: PIK3CA mutations were identified in 151 samples (33.0%)
      in exons 1, 2, 9 and 20. PIK3R1 mutations were found in 10 samples (2.2%) and
      underexpression in 283 samples (61.8%). AKT1 mutations were found in 15 samples
      (3.3%) and overexpression in 116 samples (25.3%). PIK3R1 underexpression tended
      to mutual exclusivity with PIK3CA mutations (p = 0.00097). PIK3CA mutations were
      associated with better metastasis-free survival and PIK3R1 underexpression was
      associated with poorer metastasis-free survival (p = 0.014 and p = 0.00028,
      respectively). By combining PIK3CA mutation and PIK3R1 expression status, four
      prognostic groups were identified with significantly different metastasis-free
      survival (p = 0.00046). On Cox multivariate regression analysis, the prognostic
      significance of PIK3R1 underexpression was confirmed in the total population (p =
      0.0013) and in breast cancer subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: PIK3CA mutations and PIK3R1
      underexpression show opposite effects on patient outcome and could become useful
      prognostic and predictive factors in breast cancer.

PMID- 24229380
TI  - The UKCAT-12 study: educational attainment, aptitude test performance,
      demographic and socio-economic contextual factors as predictors of first year
      outcome in a cross-sectional collaborative study of 12 UK medical schools.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most UK medical schools use aptitude tests during student selection,
      but large-scale studies of predictive validity are rare. This study assesses the
      United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), and its four sub-scales, along
      with measures of educational attainment, individual and contextual socio-economic
      background factors, as predictors of performance in the first year of medical
      school training. METHODS: A prospective study of 4,811 students in 12 UK medical
      schools taking the UKCAT from 2006 to 2008 as a part of the medical school
      application, for whom first year medical school examination results were
      available in 2008 to 2010. RESULTS: UKCAT scores and educational attainment
      measures (General Certificate of Education (GCE): A-levels, and so on; or
      Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA): Scottish Highers, and so on) were
      significant predictors of outcome. UKCAT predicted outcome better in female
      students than male students, and better in mature than non-mature students.
      Incremental validity of UKCAT taking educational attainment into account was
      significant, but small. Medical school performance was also affected by sex (male
      students performing less well), ethnicity (non-White students performing less
      well), and a contextual measure of secondary schooling, students from secondary
      schools with greater average attainment at A-level (irrespective of public or
      private sector) performing less well. Multilevel modeling showed no differences
      between medical schools in predictive ability of the various measures. UKCAT sub
      scales predicted similarly, except that Verbal Reasoning correlated positively
      with performance on Theory examinations, but negatively with Skills assessments.
      CONCLUSIONS: This collaborative study in 12 medical schools shows the power of
      large-scale studies of medical education for answering previously unanswerable
      but important questions about medical student selection, education and training.
      UKCAT has predictive validity as a predictor of medical school outcome,
      particularly in mature applicants to medical school. UKCAT offers small but
      significant incremental validity which is operationally valuable where medical
      schools are making selection decisions based on incomplete measures of
      educational attainment. The study confirms the validity of using all the existing
      measures of educational attainment in full at the time of selection decision
      making. Contextual measures provide little additional predictive value, except
      that students from high attaining secondary schools perform less well, an effect
      previously shown for UK universities in general.

PMID- 24229382
TI  - Exciton-free, nonsensitized degradation of 2-naphthol by facet-dependent BiOCl
      under visible light: novel evidence of surface-state photocatalysis.
AB  - Photoreactivity for photodegradation of 2-NAP on BiOCl nanosheets with dominant
      exposed (010) and (001) facets is studied under visible light via an exciton-free
      and nonsensitized mechanism. This phenomenon cannot be explained by semiconductor
      theory or self-sensitized (as those involve dyes) mechanisms. The photocatalytic
      activities are mainly owing to the formation of the surface state, which is
      confirmed to be the surface complex Bi-O-C10H7. This surface complex is
      characterized with ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectra, Fourier
      transformed infrared spectroscopy, Raman scattering, X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemical measurement. The optical absorptivity of
      BiOCl is shifted from the ultraviolet light toward the visible light via a charge
      transfer-complex pathway. Charge transfer after the excitation of visible light
      induces efficient visible photocatalytic activities. The results show that single
      crystalline BiOCl nanosheets exposing (010) facets exhibit higher photoactivity
      due to more surface complex and more terminal bismuth atoms on the surface of
      BiOCl (010). Our current work is expected to offer new insight into
      photocatalytic theory for better understandings to photocatalytic reactions and
      for rational design and synthesis of photocatalyst with high activity. 

PMID- 24229381
TI  - The impact of implant treatment on oral health related quality of life in a
      private dental practice: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Very few studies on the impact of implant therapy on Oral Health
      Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in partially edentulous patients have been
      published. AIM: This study aimed at analysing the improvement of OHRQoL of
      patients who underwent dental implant treatment using the "functional",
      "psychosocial" and "pain and discomfort" categories of the Geriatric Oral Health
      Assessment Index (GOHAI). METHODS: Within a prospective cohort of patients
      rehabilitated with Straumann dental implants, the OHRQoL of 176 patients (104
      women and 72 men) was assessed using the GOHAI questionnaire, at two different
      times, before and after implant placement. The degree of oral treatment was
      categorised into three classes: "Single Tooth Implant" (n = 77), "Fixed Partial
      Denture" (n = 75), "Fixed or Retained Full Prostheses" (n = 24). The
      participants' characteristics (gender, age, tobacco habits, periodontal
      treatment, time between both evaluations) were assessed. RESULTS: Before
      treatment, the GOHAI score was lower for participants with fewer teeth (F = 19, P
      < 0.001). After treatment, no difference was observed between participants;
      significant improvements were observed in the GOHAI scores obtained (repeated
      measures, analysis, (F = 177, P < 0.001)) for each of the GOHAI fields studied
      (functional, psychosocial and pain & discomfort), regardless of the degree of
      treatment. The best improvement was observed in patients who needed complete
      treatment (P < 0.001). The presence of preliminary periodontal treatment, tobacco
      habits, age and gender of the participants did not have a significant impact on
      OHRQoL. Changing the time between the two evaluations (before and after
      treatment) had no impact on the changes in the GOHAI score. CONCLUSIONS: Implants
      enhanced the OHRQoL of participants that needed oral treatment.

PMID- 24229383
TI  - Home-based behavioral sleep training for shift workers: a pilot study.
AB  - This pilot study evaluated a home-based cognitive-behavioral intervention-the
      Sleep Enhancement Training System for Shift Workers (SETS-SW)-in a sample of 21
      nurses working night shifts. Participants (20 women and 1 man) received 2 home
      based cognitive-behavioral interventions: a 4-week active control intervention,
      followed by the 4-week SETS-SW intervention. Sleep and circadian rhythms were
      assessed at baseline and after each intervention using questionnaires and 1 week
      of wrist actigraphy. After the SETS-SW intervention, participants reported better
      sleep quality, although no change in actigraphy outcomes was observed. Over the
      course of the study, participants also reported improved wellbeing and less
      appetite disturbance. A home-based cognitive-behavioral intervention may be
      useful for managing effects of shift work, but needs further evaluation in larger
      samples. 

PMID- 24229384
TI  - Minimum light intensity threshold to prevent negative effects on broiler
      production and welfare.
AB  - 1. Research focused on lower light intensity levels is required to set minimum
      standards appropriate for production and welfare of intensively housed broilers.
      The objective of this research was to study light intensity (0.1 to 10 lx)
      effects on Ross * Ross 308 and 708 genotypes. 2. Three experiments (35 d each)
      using 18 720 broilers were conducted with the initial experiment using two
      replicates of 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 lx. The second and third experiments examined 0.5,
      1, 5 and 10 lx with treatments replicated twice in each experiment in a
      randomised complete block design with experiment acting as a block. In each
      experiment, mixed sex broilers from each genotype were housed in 6 equally sized
      pens per room. 3. In Experiment 1, the introduction of 0.1 lx at d 7 caused high
      levels of mortality and poor growth rate from d 7 to 14 and was discontinued. 4.
      In Experiments 2 and 3, increasing light intensity increased body weight gain (0
      35 d) and feed intake (0-35 d) in a quadratic and linear fashion, respectively.
      Similarly, mortality corrected gain to feed ratio (FCR, 0-35 d) demonstrated a
      quadratic response with a maximum at 5 lx. Carcass, breast meat and skin,
      abdominal fat and drum skin, as a percentage of live weight, increased while drum
      bone and wing yield decreased in a linear fashion with increasing light
      intensity. Total carcass composition was unaffected by light intensity. 5.
      Genotype effects were numerous. No interactions were found between genotype and
      light intensity. 6. Ocular dimensions and the incidence of foot pad lesions
      decreased in a quadratic and linear fashion, respectively, with increasing light
      intensity. In contrast, welfare-associated gait score and mortality levels were
      not affected by light intensity. 7. It was concluded that performance, breast
      meat yield and bird welfare improved with increasing light intensity. The data
      support 5 lx as a minimum light intensity in broiler production.

PMID- 24229385
TI  - High-throughput quantitative biochemical characterization of algal biomass by NIR
      spectroscopy; multiple linear regression and multivariate linear regression
      analysis.
AB  - One of the challenges associated with microalgal biomass characterization and the
      comparison of microalgal strains and conversion processes is the rapid
      determination of the composition of algae. We have developed and applied a high
      throughput screening technology based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the
      rapid and accurate determination of algal biomass composition. We show that NIR
      spectroscopy can accurately predict the full composition using multivariate
      linear regression analysis of varying lipid, protein, and carbohydrate content of
      algal biomass samples from three strains. We also demonstrate a high quality of
      predictions of an independent validation set. A high-throughput 96-well
      configuration for spectroscopy gives equally good prediction relative to a ring
      cup configuration, and thus, spectra can be obtained from as little as 10-20 mg
      of material. We found that lipids exhibit a dominant, distinct, and unique
      fingerprint in the NIR spectrum that allows for the use of single and multiple
      linear regression of respective wavelengths for the prediction of the biomass
      lipid content. This is not the case for carbohydrate and protein content, and
      thus, the use of multivariate statistical modeling approaches remains necessary. 

PMID- 24229386
TI  - Synthesis and selective topochemical fluorination of the cation and anion-vacancy
      ordered phases Ba2YCoO5 and Ba3YCo2O7.5.
AB  - The synthesis and characterization of two cation-ordered, anion-vacancy ordered
      phases, Ba2YCoO5 and Ba3YCo2O7.5, is described. Neutron powder diffraction data
      reveal both phases adopt structures in which octahedral Y(3+) and tetrahedral
      Co(3+) centers are ordered within a "cubic" perovskite lattice. The unusual
      ordered pattern adopted by the cations can be attributed to the large
      concentration of anion vacancies within each phase. Reaction of Ba2YCoO5 with
      CuF2 under flowing oxygen topochemically inserts fluorine into the host material
      to form Ba2YCoO5F0.42(1). In contrast Ba2YCoO5 does not intercalate oxygen, even
      under high oxygen pressure. The selective insertion of fluorine, but not oxygen,
      into Ba2YCoO5 is discussed and rationalized on the basis of the lattice strain of
      the resulting oxidized materials. Magnetization and neutron diffraction data
      reveal Ba3YCo2O7.5 and Ba2YCoO5F0.42 adopt antiferromagnetically ordered states
      at low-temperature, while in contrast Ba2YCoO5 shows no sign of long-range
      magnetic order. 

PMID- 24229388
TI  - Activation of microglial neuregulin1 signaling in the corticospinal tracts of ALS
      patients with upper motor neuron signs.
AB  - We recently found neuregulin1 (NRG1) receptors are activated on microglia in the
      ventral horn of both ALS patients and SOD1 mice, suggesting a common pathological
      mechanism. However, it is not clear whether this signaling system also plays a
      role in patients with upper motor neuron (UMN) features, where patients show
      significant pathological changes in the corticospinal tracts (CSTs). Since the
      connection between upper and lower motor neuron (LMN) systems in ALS patients is
      not readily seen in the SOD1 mouse, we examined the lateral and ventral CSTs for
      NRG1 receptor activation and NRG1 expression in ALS patients with UMN symptoms
      compared to control patients with no evidence of neurodegenerative disease. We
      found that ALS patients with UMN symptoms showed increased microglial activation
      that colocalized with NRG1 receptor activation in the lateral and ventral CSTs.
      These same regions also showed increased NRG1 protein expression locally but no
      change in NRG1 mRNA. In conclusion, these data suggest that increased NRG1
      protein accumulation could contribute to UMN disease through microglial
      activation in the CSTs.

PMID- 24229389
TI  - Gender differences in the association of perceived social support and social
      network with self-rated health status among older adults: a population-based
      study in Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Older adults are more likely to live alone, because they may have
      been predeceased by their spouse and friends. Social interaction could also be
      reduced in this age group due by limited mobility caused by chronic conditions.
      Therefore, aging is frequently accompanied by reduced social support, which might
      affect health status. Little is known about the role of gender in the
      relationship between social support and health in older adults. Hence, the
      present study tests the hypothesis that gender differences exist in the
      relationship between perceived social support, social network, and self-rated
      health (SRH) among older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using two-stage
      probabilistic sampling recruited 3,649 individuals aged 60 years and above. Data
      were collected during the national influenza vaccination campaign in Rio de
      Janeiro, Brazil, in 2006. Individual interviews collected information on SRH,
      perceived social support, social network, and other covariates. Multivariate
      logistic regression analyses using nested models were conducted separately for
      males and females. Independent variables were organised into six blocks: (1)
      perceived social support and social network, (2) age group, (3) socioeconomic
      characteristics, (4) health-related behaviours, (5) use of health care services,
      (6) functional status measures and somatic health problems. RESULTS: Older men
      who did not participate in group activities were more likely to report poor SRH
      compared to those who did, (OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.16-2.30). Low perceived social
      support predicted the probability of poor SRH in women (OR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.16
      2.34). Poor SRH was associated with low age, low income, not working, poor
      functional capacity, and depression in both men and women. More somatic health
      problems were associated with poor SRH in women. CONCLUSIONS: The association
      between social interactions and SRH varies between genders. Low social network
      involvement is associated with poor SRH in older men, whereas low perceived
      social support is associated with poor SRH in older women. The hypothesis that
      the relationship of perceived social support and social networks to SRH differs
      according to gender has been confirmed.

PMID- 24229390
TI  - Pregnancy planning and lifestyle prior to conception and during early pregnancy
      among Danish women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To investigate the extent to which Danish women attending antenatal
      care plan their pregnancies and to determine the association between pregnancy
      planning and the intake of folic acid, alcohol consumption and smoking habits
      prior to conception and before the 16th week of gestation. METHODS A cross
      sectional survey of 258 women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: intake of folic acid,
      alcohol consumption and smoking. Pregnancy planning was assessed by the London
      Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP) and the five graded Swedish Pregnancy
      Planning Scale. RESULTS Most (77%) of the participants reported that their
      pregnancies were very or fairly well planned. Higher median LMUP scores were
      observed in women taking folic acid (p < 0.001), in those consuming less alcohol,
      and in women who stopped smoking prior to pregnancy (p = 0.043). However, 43% of
      the respondents with a high degree of pregnancy planning and 98% of those with a
      low degree of planning had not taken folic acid prior to pregnancy. Binge
      drinking during early pregnancy was reported by 20% of women with a high degree
      of planned pregnancy and 31% of those with a low degree (p = 0.1). CONCLUSION
      Pregnancy planning was associated with a healthier lifestyle but still many women
      could improve their lifestyle in connection to pregnancy. Their level of alcohol
      consumption is higher than that recommended for best pregnancy outcome.

PMID- 24229393
TI  - Solution-processed nanocomposites containing molybdenum oxide and gold
      nanoparticles as anode buffer layers in plasmonic-enhanced organic photovoltaic
      devices.
AB  - Solution-processed nanocomposites containing molybdenum oxide (MoO3) and gold
      nanoparticles (Au NPs) have been used as anode buffer layers in organic
      photovoltaic devices (OPVs). The resulting devices exhibit a remarkable
      enhancement in power conversion efficiency after Au NPs were incorporated into
      the device. Such enhancements can be attributed to the localized surface plasmon
      resonance induced by the metallic nanostructures. We have also found that the
      rate of exciton generation and the probability of exciton dissociation were
      increased. Furthermore, the devices made of the MoO3 buffer layer containing Au
      NPs exhibited superior stability. This work opens up the possibility of
      fabricating OPVs with both high efficiency and a prolonged lifetime. 

PMID- 24229392
TI  - Characterization of a chemostable serine alkaline protease from Periplaneta
      americana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Proteases are important enzymes involved in numerous essential
      physiological processes and hold a strong potential for industrial applications.
      The proteolytic activity of insects' gut is endowed by many isoforms with diverse
      properties and specificities. Thus, insect proteases can act as a tool in
      industrial processes. RESULTS: In the present study, purification and properties
      of a serine alkaline protease from Periplaneta americana and its potential
      application as an additive in various bio-formulations are reported. The enzyme
      was purified near to homogeneity by using acetone precipitation and Sephadex G
      100 gel filtration chromatography. Enzyme activity was increased up to 4.2 fold
      after gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme appeared as single
      protein-band with a molecular mass of ~ 27.8 kDa in SDS-PAGE. The optimum pH and
      temperature for the proteolytic activity for purified protein were found around
      pH 8.0 and 60 degrees C respectively. Complete inhibition of the purified enzyme
      by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride confirmed that the protease was of serine-type.
      The purified enzyme revealed high stability and compatibility towards detergents,
      oxidizing, reducing, and bleaching agents. In addition, enzyme also showed
      stability towards organic solvents and commercial detergents. CONCLUSION: Several
      important properties of a serine protease from P. Americana were revealed.
      Moreover, insects can serve as excellent and alternative source of industrially
      important proteases with unique properties, which can be utilized as additives in
      detergents, stain removers and other bio-formulations. Properties of the P.
      americana protease accounted in the present investigation can be exploited
      further in various industrial processes. As an industrial prospective,
      identification of enzymes with varying essential properties from different insect
      species might be good approach and bioresource.

PMID- 24229394
TI  - Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and associated factors among HIV infected
      children in Ethiopia: unannounced home-based pill count versus caregivers'
      report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has brought a
      remarkable reduction in HIV-related mortality and morbidity both in adults and
      children living with HIV/AIDS. Adherence to ART is the key to the successful
      treatment of patients as well as containment of drug resistance. Studies based on
      caregivers' report have shown that adherence to ART among children is generally
      good. However, subjective methods such as caregivers' report are known to
      overestimate the level of adherence. This study determined the rate of adherence
      and its predictors using unannounced home-based pill count and compared the
      result with caregivers' report in a tertiary referral hospital in Ethiopia.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 1, 2011 and
      January 30, 2012. The study participants were 210 children on ART and their
      caregivers attending pediatric ART clinic of Tikur Anbessa Hospital (TAH), Addis
      Ababa University. Caregivers were interviewed at the ART clinic using a
      structured questionnaire. Then, unannounced home-based pill count was done 7 days
      after the interview. RESULTS: Caregiver-reported adherence in the past 7 days
      prior to interview was 93.3%. Estimated adherence using unannounced home-based
      pill count was found, however, to be 34.8%. On multivariate logistic regression
      model, children with married [aOR = 7.85 (95% CI: 2.11,29.13)] and
      widowed/divorced [aOR = 7.14 (95% CI: 2.00,25.46)] caregivers, those who were not
      aware of their HIV sero-status [aOR = 2.35 (95% CI:1.09, 5.06)], and those with
      baseline WHO clinical stage III/IV [OR = 3.18 (95% CI: 1.21, 8.40] were more
      likely to adhere to their ART treatment. On the other hand, children on
      d4T/3Tc/EFV combination [OR = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.53)] were less likely to
      adhere to their treatment. Caregivers' forgetfulness and child refusal to take
      medication were reported as the major reasons for missing doses. CONCLUSION: The
      level of adherence based on unannounced home-based pill count was unacceptably
      low. Interventions are urgently needed to improve adherence to ART among children
      at TAH. Besides, a longitudinal study measuring adherence combined with clinical
      parameters (viral load and CD4 count) is needed to identify a simple and reliable
      measure of adherence in the study area.

PMID- 24229395
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and imaging of 212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab after intraperitoneal
      administration in ovarian cancer patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Study distribution, pharmacokinetics, and safety of intraperitoneal (IP)
      212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab in patients with HER-2-expressing malignancy. EXPERIMENTAL
      DESIGN: IP 212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab was delivered, after 4 mg/kg intravenous (IV)
      trastuzumab, to 3 patients with HER-2-expressing cancer who had failed standard
      therapies. Patients were monitored for toxicity and pharmacokinetics/dosimetry
      parameters. RESULTS: Imaging studies after 0.2 mCi/m2 (7.4 MBq/m2) show little
      redistribution out of the peritoneal cavity and no significant uptake in major
      organs. Peak blood level of the radiolabeled antibody, determined by decay
      corrected counts, was <23% injected dose at 63 hours; maximum blood radioactivity
      concentration was 6.3nCi/mL at 18 hours. Cumulative urinary excretion was <=6% in
      2.3 half-lives. The maximum external exposure rate immediately post-infusion at
      skin contact over the abdomen averaged 7.67 mR/h and dropped to 0.67 mR/h by 24
      hours. The exposure rates at the other positions monitored (axilla, chest, and
      femur) decreased as a function of distance from the abdomen. The data points
      correlate closely with 212Pb physical decay (T1/2=10.6 hours). Follow-up >6
      months showed no evidence of agent-related toxicity. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pharmacokinetics and imaging after 0.2 mCi/m2 IP 212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab in
      patients with HER-2-expressing malignancy showed minimal distribution outside the
      peritoneal cavity, <=6% urinary excretion, and good tolerance.

PMID- 24229396
TI  - The lactic acid bacteria metabolite phenyllactic acid inhibits both radial growth
      and sporulation of filamentous fungi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Food spoilage caused by molds is a severe problem. In food and feed,
      e.g. dairy products, sourdough bread and silage, lactic acid bacteria are used as
      starter cultures. Besides lactic and acetic acid, some strains produce other low
      molecular weight compounds with antifungal activities. One of these metabolites
      is phenyllactic acid (PLA), well known for its antifungal effect. The inhibitory
      effect of PLA has only partially been investigated, and the objective of this
      study was to elucidate in detail the antifungal properties of PLA. RESULTS: We
      investigated the outgrowth of individual conidia from Aspergillus niger,
      Cladosporium cladosporioides and Penicillium roqueforti, and observed the
      morphologies of resulting colonies on solid media using different acid
      concentrations. We found that PLA inhibits molds similar to weak acid
      preservatives. Furthermore, it has an additional activity: at sub-inhibitory
      concentrations, fungal colonies displayed slower radial growth and inhibited
      sporulation. The L isoform of PLA is a more potent inhibitor than the D form.
      Increased expression of phiA was observed during PLA treatment. This gene was
      initially identified as being induced by Streptomyces-produced macrolide
      antibiotics, and is shown to be a structural protein in developed cells. This
      suggests that PhiA may act as a general stress protectant in fungi. CONCLUSION:
      From a food protection perspective, the results of this study support the usage
      of lactic acid bacteria strains synthesizing PLA as starter cultures in food and
      feed. Such starter cultures could inhibit spore synthesis, which would be
      beneficial as many food borne fungi are spread by airborne spores.

PMID- 24229399
TI  - "Sleep well, our tough heroes!"--in adolescence, greater mental toughness is
      related to better sleep schedules.
AB  - Mental toughness (MT) is understood as the display of confidence, commitment,
      challenge, and control. The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which
      greater MT is associated with subjectively assessed sleep among adolescents. A
      total of 284 adolescents (M = 18.26 years) completed a series of questionnaires
      assessing MT, psychological functioning, and sleep. Greater MT was significantly
      associated with better sleep quality, shorter sleep onset latency, fewer
      awakenings after sleep onset, and longer sleep duration. Greater MT was also
      associated with less perceived stress and less depressive symptoms. MT was
      directly and indirectly associated with sleep quality. Mentally tough adolescents
      report good sleep quality and sleep schedules, along with psychological
      wellbeing.

PMID- 24229397
TI  - Selecting the right medical student.
AB  - Medical student selection is an important but difficult task. Three recent papers
      by McManus et al. in BMC Medicine have re-examined the role of tests of
      attainment of learning (A' levels, GCSEs, SQA) and of aptitude (AH5, UKCAT), but
      on a much larger scale than previously attempted. They conclude that A' levels
      are still the best predictor of future success at medical school and beyond.
      However, A' levels account for only 65% of the variance in performance that is
      found. Therefore, more work is needed to establish relevant assessment of the
      other 35%. Please see related research articles http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741
      7015/11/242, http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/243 and
      http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/244.

PMID- 24229401
TI  - Remote patient monitoring based on ZigBee: lessons from a real-world deployment.
AB  - AIM: This work presents detailed experimental performance results from tests
      executed in the hospital environment for Health Monitoring for All (HM4All), a
      remote vital signs monitoring system based on a ZigBee(r) (ZigBee Alliance, San
      Ramon, CA) body sensor network (BSN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tests involved the
      use of six electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors operating in two different modes: the
      ECG mode involved the transmission of ECG waveform data and heart rate (HR)
      values to the ZigBee coordinator, whereas the HR mode included only the
      transmission of HR values. In the absence of hidden nodes, a non-beacon-enabled
      star network composed of sensing devices working on ECG mode kept the delivery
      ratio (DR) at 100%. RESULTS: When the network topology was changed to a 2-hop
      tree, the performance degraded slightly, resulting in an average DR of 98.56%.
      Although these performance outcomes may seem satisfactory, further investigation
      demonstrated that individual sensing devices went through transitory periods with
      low DR. Other tests have shown that ZigBee BSNs are highly susceptible to
      collisions owing to hidden nodes. Nevertheless, these tests have also shown that
      these networks can achieve high reliability if the amount of traffic is kept low.
      Contrary to what is typically shown in scientific articles and in manufacturers'
      documentation, the test outcomes presented in this article include temporal
      graphs of the DR achieved by each wireless sensor device. CONCLUSIONS: The test
      procedure and the approach used to represent its outcomes, which allow the
      identification of undesirable transitory periods of low reliability due to
      contention between devices, constitute the main contribution of this work.

PMID- 24229402
TI  - Influence of cation substitution and activator site exchange on the
      photoluminescence properties of Eu3+-doped quaternary pyrochlore oxides.
AB  - Stannate-based pyrochlore-type red phosphors CaGd(1-x)SnNbO7:xEu(3+), Ca(1
      y)Sr(y)Gd(1-x)SnNbO7:xEu(3+), and Ca(0.8-x)Sr0.2GdSnNbO(7+delta): xEu(3+) were
      prepared via conventional solid-state method. Influence of cation substitution
      and activator site control on the photoluminescence properties of these phosphors
      are elucidated using powder X-ray diffraction, Rietveld analysis, Raman spectrum
      analysis, and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra. The Eu(3+)
      luminescence in quaternary pyrochlore lattice exemplifies as a very good
      structural probe for the detection of short-range disorder in the lattice, which
      otherwise is not detected by normal powder X-ray diffraction technique. The
      Eu(3+) emission due to magnetic dipole transition ((5)D0-(7)F1 MD) is modified
      with the increase in europium concentration in the quaternary pyrochlore red
      phosphors. (5)D0-(7)F1 MD transition splitting is not observable for low Eu(3+)
      doping because of the short-range disorder in the pyrochlore lattice. Appearance
      of narrow peaks in Raman spectra confirms that short-range disorder in the
      crystal lattice disappears with progressive europium doping. By using Sr as a
      network modifier ion in place of Ca we were able to increase the f-f transition
      intensities and europium quenching concentration. The influence of effective
      positive charge of the central Eu(3+) ions when it replaces a metal ion having
      lower oxidation state such as Ca(2+) was also investigated. The relative
      intensities of A1g (~500 cm(-1)) and F2g (~330 cm(-1)) Raman vibrational modes
      get inverted when Eu(3+) ions replaces Ca(2+) ions instead of Gd(3+) as trivalent
      europium ions can attract the electron cloud of oxygen ions strongly in
      comparison with divalent calcium ions. The influence of positive charge effect of
      Eu(3+) in Ca0.7Sr0.2GdSnNbO7+delta:0.1Eu(3+) phosphor is greatly strengthened the
      charge transfer band and (7)F0-(5)L6 transition intensities than that of the
      Ca0.8Sr0.2Gd0.9SnNbO7:0.1Eu(3+) phosphor. Our results suggest that the
      photoluminescence properties can be enhanced by simple compositional adjustments
      in the quaternary pyrochlore-type red phosphors.

PMID- 24229403
TI  - Tracking of aerobic fitness from adolescence to mid-adulthood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although adults' aerobic fitness is known to be correlated with
      cardiovascular disease risk, the longitudinal relationship with adolescent
      aerobic fitness is poorly described. AIM: To longitudinally investigate the
      relationship between aerobic fitness during adolescence and adulthood. SUBJECTS
      AND METHODS: Participants (207 boys, 149 girls) aged 7-17 years performed annual
      measures of VO2peak. In adulthood (40 and 50 years), 78 individuals (59 males and
      18 females) were reassessed. Serial height measurements were used to estimate age
      at peak height velocity (APHV). During adolescence, VO2peak was measured via a
      treadmill test to voluntary exhaustion; adult VO2peak was assessed using
      submaximal predictive tests. Correlations were tested using Spearman's rho.
      ANCOVA was used to assess adult VO2peak group differences based off APHV VO2peak
      groupings (low, average or high). RESULTS: When sexes were pooled, moderate
      tracking existed from 2 years prior to APHV to APHV and APHV to 2 years after
      APHV (0.46, p < 0.001 and 0.35, p < 0.01, respectively). Correlations between
      APHV and adult values were low when sexes were pooled (p < 0.05). Comparisons of
      aggregated sexes revealed the low adolescent VO2peak group had lower values in
      adulthood relative to other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Aerobic fitness has a
      low tracking between APHV and adulthood.

PMID- 24229404
TI  - Prevalence and determinants of adherence to HAART amongst PLHIV in a tertiary
      health facility in south-south Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adherence to Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a major
      predictor of the success of HIV/AIDS treatment. Good adherence to HAART is
      necessary to achieve the best virologic response, lower the risk of drug
      resistance and reduce morbidity and mortality. This study therefore aimed to
      determine the prevalence and determinants of adherence to HAART amongst PLHIV
      accessing treatment in a tertiary location in Cross River State, Nigeria.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients on HAART attending
      the Presidential Emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR) clinic of the University
      of Calabar Teaching Hospital between October-December 2011. A total of 411 PLHIV
      visiting the study site during the study period were interviewed. PLHIV who met
      the inclusion criteria were consecutively recruited into the study till the
      desired sample size was attained. Information was obtained from participants
      using a semi-structured, pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire.
      Adherence was measured via patients self report and were termed adherent if they
      took at least 95% of prescribed medication in the previous week prior to the
      study. Data were summarized using proportions, and chi2 test was used to explore
      associations between categorical variables. Predictors of adherence to HAART were
      determined by binary logistic regression. Level of significance was set at p <
      0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of PLHIV who accessed treatment was 35.7 +/- 9.32
      years. Females constituted 68.6% of all participants. The self reported adherence
      rate based on a one week recall prior to the study was 59.9%. The major reasons
      cited by respondents for skipping doses were operating a busy schedule, simply
      forgot medications, felt depressed, and travelling out of town. On logistic
      regression analysis, perceived improved health status [OR 3.11; CI: 1.58-6.11],
      reduced pill load [OR 1.25; 95% CI: 0.46-2.72] and non-use of herbal remedies [OR
      1.83; 95% CI: 1.22-2.72] were the major predictors for adherence to HAART.
      However, payment for ART services significantly decreased the likelihood of
      adherence to HAART. [OR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.25-0.87.]. CONCLUSIONS: The adherence
      rate reported in this study was quite low. Appropriate adherence enhancing
      intervention strategies targeted at reducing pill load and ensuring an
      uninterrupted access to free services regimen is strongly recommended.

PMID- 24229405
TI  - Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of suspended monolayer graphene.
AB  - The interactions between phonons and electrons induced by the dopants or the
      substrate of graphene in spectroscopic investigation reveal a rich source of
      interesting physics. Raman spectra and surface-enhanced Raman spectra of
      supported and suspended monolayer graphenes were measured and analyzed
      systemically with different approaches. The weak Raman signals are greatly
      enhanced by the ability of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy which has
      attracted considerable interests. The technique is regarded as wonderful and
      useful tool, but the dopants that are produced by depositing metallic
      nanoparticles may affect the electron scattering processes of graphene.
      Therefore, the doping and substrate influences on graphene are also important
      issues to be investigated. In this work, the peak positions of G peak and 2D
      peak, the I2D/IG ratios, and enhancements of G and 2D bands with suspended and
      supported graphene flakes were measured and analyzed. The peak shifts of G and 2D
      bands between the Raman and SERS signals demonstrate the doping effect induced by
      silver nanoparticles by n-doping. The I2D/IG ratio can provide a more sensitive
      method to carry out the doping effect on the graphene surface than the peak
      shifts of G and 2D bands. The enhancements of 2D band of suspended and supported
      graphenes reached 138, and those of G band reached at least 169. Their good
      enhancements are helpful to measure the optical properties of graphene. The
      different substrates that covered the graphene surface with doping effect are
      more sensitive to the enhancements of G band with respect to 2D band. It provides
      us a new method to distinguish the substrate and doping effect on graphene. PACS:
      78.67.Wj (optical properties of graphene); 74.25.nd (Raman and optical
      spectroscopy); 63.22.Rc (phonons in graphene). 

PMID- 24229406
TI  - Inducement of cytokine release by GFPBW2, a novel polysaccharide from fruit
      bodies of Grifola frondosa , through dectin-1 in macrophages.
AB  - Polysaccharides, especially beta-glucans isolated from various species of
      mushrooms, are considered as biological response modifiers (BRMs) to be widely
      used in the treatment of cancer, especially due to their immunostimulatory
      activity. We herein characterized the structure of a novel water-soluble
      homogeneous polysaccharide (GFPBW2) from the fruit bodies of mushroom Grifola
      frondosa and investigated its immunomodulatory activity in vitro. GFPBW2 was
      purified from the alkali-extracted fractions by stepwise elution with a molecular
      weight of 26.2 kDa. On the basis of infrared and NMR spectroscopy, methylation
      and monosaccharide composition analysis, partial acid hydrolysis, and Smith
      degradation, its structure was elucidated to possess a backbone consisting of
      beta-d-1,3- and beta-d-1,4-linked glucopyranosyl residues, with branches attached
      to O-6 of beta-d-1,3-linked glucopyranosyl residues. Functionally, it is an
      effective inducer of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6
      (IL-6) secretion in murine resident peritoneal macrophages. Using quartz crystal
      microbalance (QCM) analysis, we found that GFPBW2 could bind dendritic cell
      associated C-type lectin-1 (Dectin-1) with an affinity constant (Kd) value of
      1.08 * 10 (-7) M, while it could activate Syk and enhance TNF-alpha production in
      RAW264.7 cells overexpressing wild type but not mutant Dectin-1. Furthermore,
      Syk, NF-kappaB signaling, and cytokine release in resident peritoneal macrophages
      induced by GFPBW2 could be significantly inhibited by a specific Dectin-1
      blocking reagent, Laminarin. These data suggested that GFPBW2 might be a
      potential ligand of Dectin-1, and the potential of GFPBW2 to activate macrophage
      through triggering cytokine secretion might be attributed, at least in part, to
      the involvement of Dectin-1. 

PMID- 24229407
TI  - PECA: a novel statistical tool for deconvoluting time-dependent gene expression
      regulation.
AB  - Protein expression varies as a result of intricate regulation of synthesis and
      degradation of messenger RNAs (mRNA) and proteins. Studies of dynamic regulation
      typically rely on time-course data sets of mRNA and protein expression, yet there
      are no statistical methods that integrate these multiomics data and deconvolute
      individual regulatory processes of gene expression control underlying the
      observed concentration changes. To address this challenge, we developed Protein
      Expression Control Analysis (PECA), a method to quantitatively dissect protein
      expression variation into the contributions of mRNA synthesis/degradation and
      protein synthesis/degradation, termed RNA-level and protein-level regulation
      respectively. PECA computes the rate ratios of synthesis versus degradation as
      the statistical summary of expression control during a given time interval at
      each molecular level and computes the probability that the rate ratio changed
      between adjacent time intervals, indicating regulation change at the time point.
      Along with the associated false-discovery rates, PECA gives the complete
      description of dynamic expression control, that is, which proteins were up- or
      down-regulated at each molecular level and each time point. Using PECA, we
      analyzed two yeast data sets monitoring the cellular response to hyperosmotic and
      oxidative stress. The rate ratio profiles reported by PECA highlighted a large
      magnitude of RNA-level up-regulation of stress response genes in the early
      response and concordant protein-level regulation with time delay. However, the
      contributions of RNA- and protein-level regulation and their temporal patterns
      were different between the two data sets. We also observed several cases where
      protein-level regulation counterbalanced transcriptomic changes in the early
      stress response to maintain the stability of protein concentrations, suggesting
      that proteostasis is a proteome-wide phenomenon mediated by post-transcriptional
      regulation. 

PMID- 24229408
TI  - SUNPLIN: simulation with uncertainty for phylogenetic investigations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phylogenetic comparative analyses usually rely on a single consensus
      phylogenetic tree in order to study evolutionary processes. However, most
      phylogenetic trees are incomplete with regard to species sampling, which may
      critically compromise analyses. Some approaches have been proposed to integrate
      non-molecular phylogenetic information into incomplete molecular phylogenies. An
      expanded tree approach consists of adding missing species to random locations
      within their clade. The information contained in the topology of the resulting
      expanded trees can be captured by the pairwise phylogenetic distance between
      species and stored in a matrix for further statistical analysis. Thus, the random
      expansion and processing of multiple phylogenetic trees can be used to estimate
      the phylogenetic uncertainty through a simulation procedure. Because of the
      computational burden required, unless this procedure is efficiently implemented,
      the analyses are of limited applicability. RESULTS: In this paper, we present
      efficient algorithms and implementations for randomly expanding and processing
      phylogenetic trees so that simulations involved in comparative phylogenetic
      analysis with uncertainty can be conducted in a reasonable time. We propose
      algorithms for both randomly expanding trees and calculating distance matrices.
      We made available the source code, which was written in the C++ language. The
      code may be used as a standalone program or as a shared object in the R system.
      The software can also be used as a web service through the link:
      http://purl.oclc.org/NET/sunplin/. CONCLUSION: We compare our implementations to
      similar solutions and show that significant performance gains can be obtained.
      Our results open up the possibility of accounting for phylogenetic uncertainty in
      evolutionary and ecological analyses of large datasets.

PMID- 24229409
TI  - Vermiculite's strong buffer capacity renders it unsuitable for studies of acidity
      on soybean (Glycine max L.) nodulation and growth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vermiculite is the most common soil-free growing substrate used for
      plants in horticultural and scientific studies due to its high water holding
      capacity. However, some studies are not suitable to be conducted in it. The
      described experiments aimed to test the suitability of vermiculite to study the
      effect of acidity on nodulation and growth of soybean (Glycine max L.). METHODS:
      Two different nutrient solutions (Broughton & Dilworth, and modified Herridge
      nutrient solutions) with or without MES buffer addition were used to irrigate
      soybean grown on vermiculite growth substrates. The pH of nutrient solutions was
      adjusted to either pH 4.0 or 7.0 prior its use. The nodulation and vegetative
      growth of soybean plants were assessed at 3 and 4 weeks after inoculation.
      RESULTS: The unsuitability of presumably inert vermiculite as a physical plant
      growth substrate for studying the effects of acidity on soybean nodulation and
      plant growth was illustrated. Nodulation and growth of soybean grown in
      vermiculite were not affected by irrigation with pH-adjusted nutrient solution
      either at pH 4.0 or 7.0. This was reasonably caused by the ability of vermiculite
      to neutralise (buffer) the pH of the supplied nutrient solution (pH 2.0-7.0).
      CONCLUSIONS: Due to its buffering capacity, vermiculite cannot be used as growth
      support to study the effect of acidity on nodulation and plant growth.

PMID- 24229410
TI  - Newborn screening for Hb H disease by determination of Hb Bart's using the Sebia
      capillary electrophoresis system in southern China.
AB  - Hb H (beta4) disease is an inherited hemoglobin (Hb) defect in which three of the
      four alpha-globin genes are deleted or dysfunctional. The clinical manifestations
      vary widely from mild asymptomatic anemia to a severely anemic state. Recent
      literature suggests that Hb H disease is not as benign a disorder as previously
      thought. Newborn screening for Hb H disease is especially appealing because the
      screening test is based on the detection of Hb Bart's (gamma4) that is only
      possible within the newborn period. In a 2-year period of newborn screening, 18
      babies were found to have Hb H disease in a total of 9490 newborns. The overall
      prevalence for Hb H disease among all newborns in southern China is approximately
      1 in 500. The correct diagnosis would allow affected infants to be properly cared
      for and reduce mortality rate.

PMID- 24229411
TI  - World AIDS Day: together we will stop HIV transmission and conquer AIDS.

PMID- 24229413
TI  - Odor naming and interpretation performance in 881 schizophrenia subjects:
      association with clinical parameters.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Olfactory function tests are sensitive tools for assessing sensory
      cognitive processing in schizophrenia. However, associations of central olfactory
      measures with clinical outcome parameters have not been simultaneously studied in
      large samples of schizophrenia patients. METHODS: In the framework of the
      comprehensive phenotyping of the GRAS (Gottingen Research Association for
      Schizophrenia) cohort, we modified and extended existing odor naming (active
      memory retrieval) and interpretation (attribute assignment) tasks to evaluate
      them in 881 schizophrenia patients and 102 healthy controls matched for age,
      gender and smoking behavior. Associations with emotional processing,
      neuropsychological test performance and disease outcome were studied. RESULTS:
      Schizophrenia patients underperformed controls in both olfactory tasks. Odor
      naming deficits were primarily associated with compromised cognition,
      interpretation deficits with positive symptom severity and general alertness.
      Contrasting schizophrenia extreme performers of odor interpretation (best versus
      worst percentile; N=88 each) and healthy individuals (N=102) underscores the
      obvious relationship between impaired odor interpretation and psychopathology,
      cognitive dysfunctioning, and emotional processing (all p<0.004). CONCLUSIONS:
      The strong association of performance in higher olfactory measures, odor naming
      and interpretation, with lead symptoms of schizophrenia and determinants of
      disease severity highlights their clinical and scientific significance. Based on
      the results obtained here in an exploratory fashion in a large patient sample,
      the development of an easy-to-use clinical test with improved psychometric
      properties may be encouraged.

PMID- 24229414
TI  - High admission glucose levels increase Fas apoptosis and mortality in patients
      with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The presence of diabetes and plasma glucose concentration on
      admission are associated with adverse outcomes after an acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI), as high glucose can induce vascular endothelial cell apoptosis.
      This study explored the relative associations among admission plasma glucose
      level, soluble Fas (sFas) concentration, and long-term survival in patients with
      acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: This prospective
      cohort study include 83 patients with acute STEMI. Based on their admission
      plasma glucose levels (7.8 and 11.1 mmol/L as the limits for low and high levels,
      respectively), patients were allocated into one of three groups: normal glucose
      (n = 33), median glucose (n = 24), and high glucose (n = 26). The admission
      plasma level of sFas was measured with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA). Patients were followed up for an average of 89 +/- 20 months for
      all causes of death and cardiovascular death. RESULTS: sFas levels were
      significantly higher in the high glucose group compared to the normal glucose
      group (5.87 +/- 1.70 mmol/L vs. 3.07 +/- 0.93 mmol/L, respectively, P < 0.05).
      The sFas level was positively associated with the admission plasma glucose level.
      The correlation coefficient (R) was 0.747, and R2 was 0.559. Mortality was
      significantly higher in the high glucose group compared to the normal glucose
      group (19.2% vs. 3.0%, respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with
      acute STEMI, plasma glucose level was high on admission, and sFas apoptosis
      levels were increased. Long-term follow-up revealed that a high admission plasma
      glucose level was associated with higher mortality compared to a normal admission
      glucose level.

PMID- 24229415
TI  - Multistep DNA-templated synthesis using a universal template.
AB  - We report a DNA-templated synthesis method that allows construction of the entire
      DNA-encoded library with a single DNA template. Taking advantage of
      deoxyinosine's indiscriminate base-pairing property, we designed a "universal
      template" that is capable of directing chemical reactions with multiple reactant
      DNAs with different sequences. In combination with other design features
      including photocleavable linkers and direct encoding by the reactant DNA, we
      demonstrated the capabilities of the universal template in library synthesis,
      target selection, and hit decoding. Our method can be generally and
      straightforwardly applied to prepare a variety of chemically diverse DNA-encoded
      libraries. 

PMID- 24229416
TI  - Development and evaluation of a crosswalk between the SF-36 physical functioning
      scale and Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index in rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The SF-36 physical functioning scale (PF-10) and the Health
      Assessment Questionnaire disability index (HAQ-DI) are the most frequently used
      instruments for measuring self-reported physical function in rheumatoid arthritis
      (RA). The objective of this study was to develop a crosswalk between scores on
      the PF-10 and HAQ-DI in RA. METHODS: Item response theory (IRT) methods were used
      to co-calibrate both scales using data from 1791 RA patients. The appropriateness
      of a Rasch-based crosswalk was evaluated by comparing it with crosswalks based on
      a two-parameter and a multi-dimensional IRT model. The accuracy of the final
      crosswalk was cross-validated using baseline (n = 532) and 6-month follow-up (n =
      276) data from an independent cohort of early RA patients. RESULTS: The PF-10 and
      HAQ-DI adequately fit a unidimensional Rasch model. Both scales measured a wide
      range of functioning, although the HAQ-DI tended to better target lower levels of
      functioning. The Rasch-based crosswalk performed similarly to crosswalks based on
      the two-parameter and multidimensional IRT models. Agreement between predicted
      and observed scale scores in the cross-validation sample was acceptable for group
      level comparisons. The longitudinal validity in discriminating between disease
      response states was similar between observed and predicted scores. CONCLUSION:
      The crosswalk developed in this study allows for converting scores from one scale
      to the other and can be used for group-level analyses in patients with RA.

PMID- 24229417
TI  - Modulation of HIV-1-induced activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells by 6
      desfluoroquinolones.
AB  - Chronic activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) is an important
      contributor to the immunopathogenesis of HIV infection. The quinolone derivative
      chloroquine (CQ) prevents endosomal acidification, required for toll-like
      receptor sensing of HIV by pDCs, and is currently under clinical trial as an
      immunotherapeutic approach. We tested three different 6-desfluoroquinolones (6
      DFQs), structurally related to CQ and endowed with antiretroviral activity, for
      their ability to inhibit HIV-induced pDC activation and interferon (IFN)-alpha
      production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro. PBMCs from six
      healthy donors were cultured overnight with aldrithiol-2 (AT-2)-inactivated HIV
      1MN in the presence or absence of 6-DFQs or CQ. IFN-alpha production was measured
      by ELISA; pDC and monocyte activation was analyzed by flow cytometry. Incubation
      with HIV labeled with the fluorescent dye DyLight-488 (DL488) was used to test
      virus uptake by flow cytometry. We found that the 6-DFQs effectively inhibited
      HIV-induced IFN-alpha similar to CQ, but only 6-DFQs also inhibited the
      upregulation of the pDC activation marker CD83. Interestingly, HIV-induced
      expression of the costimulatory molecule CD80 and, to a lesser extent CD86, was
      further enhanced on pDCs by 6-DFQs, but not CQ. Conversely, 6-DFQs and CQ had
      similar inhibitory effects on HIV-induced monocyte activation, consistent with
      the primary mechanism being associated with IFN-alpha signaling. Finally, 6-DFQs
      interfered with HIV interaction with pDCs and monocytes, but not myeloid DCs. Our
      data indicate that 6-DFQs may interfere with pDC-mediated and IFN-alpha-dependent
      immunopathogenesis while supporting pDC differentiation into mature antigen
      presenting cells by favoring expression of costimulatory molecules.

PMID- 24229418
TI  - Meta-analysis of incidence of early lung toxicity in 3-dimensional conformal
      irradiation of breast carcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aims to ascertain the significance of early lung
      toxicity with 3-Dimensional (3D) conformal irradiation for breast carcinomas and
      identify the sub-groups of patients with increased risk. METHODS: Electronic
      databases, reference sections of major oncological textbooks and identified
      studies were searched for synonyms of breast radiotherapy and radiation
      pneumonitis (RP). Major studies in thoracic irradiation were reviewed to identify
      factors frequently associated with RP. Meta-analysis for RP incidence estimation
      and odds ratio calculation were carried out. RESULTS: The overall incidence of
      Clinical and Radiological RP is 14% and 42% respectively. Ten studies were
      identified. Dose-volume Histogram (DVH) related dosimetric factors (Volume of
      lung receiving certain dose, Vdose and Mean lung Dose, MLD), supraclavicular
      fossa (SCF) irradiation and age are significantly associated with RP, but not
      sequential chemotherapy and concomitant use of Tamoxifen. A poorly powered study
      in IMN group contributed to the negative finding. Smoking has a trend towards
      protective effect against RP. CONCLUSION: Use of other modalities may be
      considered when Ipsilateral lung V20Gy > 30% or MLD > 15 Gy. Extra caution is
      needed in SCF and IMN irradiation as they are likely to influence these
      dosimetric parameters.

PMID- 24229419
TI  - Anticancer C,N-cycloplatinated(II) complexes containing fluorinated phosphine
      ligands: synthesis, structural characterization, and biological activity.
AB  - A series of potent C,N-cycloplatinated(II) phosphine antitumor complexes
      containing fluorous substituents in the cyclometalated or the ancillary phosphine
      ligands [Pt(C-N)(PR3)Cl] or both have been synthesized and characterized. The
      crystal structure of [Pt(dmba){P(C6H4CF3-p)3}Cl].2CH2Cl2 (dmba =
      dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl) has been established by X-ray diffraction. Values of
      IC50 of the new platinum complexes were calculated toward a panel of human tumor
      cell lines representative of ovarian (A2780 and A2780cisR) and breast cancers
      (T47D). Complexes containing P(C6H4CF3-p)3 as ancillary ligand (with a bulky and
      electronegative CF3 substituent in para position) were the most cytotoxic
      compounds in all the tested cancer cell lines. In some cases, the IC50 values
      were 16-fold smaller than that of cisplatin and 11-fold smaller than the non
      fluorous analogue [Pt(dmba)(PPh3)Cl]. On the other hand, very low resistance
      factors (RF) in A2780cisR (cisplatin-resistant ovarian carcinoma) at 48 h were
      observed (RF ~ 1) for most of the new compounds. Analysis of cell cycle was done
      for the three more active compounds in A2780. They arrest cell growth in G0/G1
      phase in contrast to cisplatin (S phase) with a high incidence of late-stage
      apoptosis. They are also good cathepsin B inhibitors (an enzyme implicated in a
      number of cancer related events). 

PMID- 24229421
TI  - Composition of clusters and building blocks in amylopectins from maize mutants
      deficient in starch synthase III.
AB  - Branches in amylopectin are distributed along the backbone. Units of the branches
      are building blocks (smaller) and clusters (larger) based on the distance between
      branches. In this study, composition of clusters and building blocks of
      amylopectins from dull1 maize mutants deficient in starch synthase III (SSIII)
      with a common genetic background (W64A) were characterized and compared with the
      wild type. Clusters were produced from amylopectins by partial hydrolysis using
      alpha-amylase of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and were subsequently treated with
      phosphorylase a and beta-amylase to produce phi,beta-limit dextrins. Clusters
      were further extensively hydrolyzed with the alpha-amylase to produce building
      blocks. Structures of clusters and building blocks were analyzed by diverse
      chromatographic techniques. The results showed that the dull1 mutation resulted
      in larger clusters with more singly branched building blocks. The average cluster
      contained ~5.4 blocks in dull1 mutants and ~4.2 blocks in the wild type. The
      results are compared with previous results from SSIII-deficient amo1 barley and
      suggest fundamental differences in the cluster structures.

PMID- 24229422
TI  - Single-port vasoview sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: a clinical update.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Thoracic sympathectomy remains an effective method for treatment of
      palmar hyperhidrosis refractory to other conservative forms of management. The
      procedure has become more acceptable following the introduction of the minimally
      invasive technique using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). More recently,
      single-port VATS has gained popularity as an alternative approach to performing
      sympathectomy. We report on our experience and early results of single-port
      bilateral VATS sympathectomy using the Vasoview((r)) (Maquet Inc., Rastatt,
      Germany) device at our institute. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All patients who
      underwent VATS sympathectomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis between June 2011
      and March 2012 were recruited into this prospective study. Patients' demographics
      and intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were collected. Effectiveness of
      the procedure, postoperative pain, duration of hospital stay, and complications
      were also measured. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent Vasoview bilateral VATS
      sympathectomy for severe palmar hyperhidrosis. Mean age was 23.8 years (range, 17
      36 years), and mean operative time to complete the bilateral procedure was 56
      minutes (range, 42-81 minutes). The procedure was successfully completed in all
      patients without the need to enlarge the incision or convert. Postoperatively,
      there was no mortality and no residual palmar hyperhidrosis. Mean postoperative
      stay was 0.9 days (range, 0.7-1.9 days). The mean visual analog pain score at
      discharge was 1.8 (range, 1.2-3.4). CONCLUSIONS: Single-port Vasoview
      sympathectomy for treatment of severe palmar hyperhidrosis is technically
      feasible and safe with satisfactory immediate and early results. Intermediate and
      long-term follow-up is required to monitor recurrence or late complications.
      Future studies are warranted to compare Vasoview single-port and other minimal
      invasive VATS approaches.

PMID- 24229420
TI  - Discovery of a diaminoquinoxaline benzenesulfonamide antagonist of HIV-1 Nef
      function using a yeast-based phenotypic screen.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV-1 Nef is a viral accessory protein critical for AIDS progression.
      Nef lacks intrinsic catalytic activity and binds multiple host cell signaling
      proteins, including Hck and other Src-family tyrosine kinases. Nef binding
      induces constitutive Hck activation that may contribute to HIV pathogenesis by
      promoting viral infectivity, replication and downregulation of cell-surface MHC-I
      molecules. In this study, we developed a yeast-based phenotypic screen to
      identify small molecules that inhibit the Nef-Hck complex. RESULTS: Nef-Hck
      interaction was faithfully reconstituted in yeast cells, resulting in kinase
      activation and growth arrest. Yeast cells expressing the Nef-Hck complex were
      used to screen a library of small heterocyclic compounds for their ability to
      rescue growth inhibition. The screen identified a dihydrobenzo-1,4-dioxin
      substituted analog of 2-quinoxalinyl-3-aminobenzene-sulfonamide (DQBS) as a
      potent inhibitor of Nef-dependent HIV-1 replication and MHC-I downregulation in T
      cells. Docking studies predicted direct binding of DQBS to Nef which was
      confirmed in differential scanning fluorimetry assays with recombinant purified
      Nef protein. DQBS also potently inhibited the replication of HIV-1 NL4-3 chimeras
      expressing Nef alleles representative of all M-group HIV-1 clades. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our findings demonstrate the utility of a yeast-based growth reversion assay for
      the identification of small molecule Nef antagonists. Inhibitors of Nef function
      discovered with this assay, such as DQBS, may complement the activity of current
      antiretroviral therapies by enabling immune recognition of HIV-infected cells
      through the rescue of cell surface MHC-I.

PMID- 24229423
TI  - Rendezvous technique for cholecystocholedochal lithiasis in octogenarians: is it
      as effective as in younger patients, or should endoscopic sphincterotomy followed
      by laparoscopic cholecystectomy be preferred?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of cholecystocholedochal lithiasis (CCL) requires
      cholecystectomy and common bile duct (CBD) clearance, which can be achieved
      surgically or with a combination of surgery and endoscopy. The latter includes a
      two-stage-approach-preoperative retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and
      sphincterotomy (ST) followed by delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), or
      vice versa-or a one-stage-approach-the rendezvous technique (RVT), where ERC, ST,
      and LC are performed during the same procedure. No data on the use of RVT in
      octogenarians have been reported in the literature so far. The study aims to show
      whether the RVT is as effective in elderly as in younger patients. Moreover,
      results of RVT are compared with those of a two-stage sequential treatment (TSST)
      in octogenarians, to identify the best approach to such a population. SUBJECTS
      AND METHODS: Prospectively collected data of 131 consecutive patients undergoing
      RVT for biliary tract stone disease were retrospectively analyzed. Two analyses
      were performed: (1) results of RVT (operative time, conversion rate, CBD
      clearance, morbidity/mortality, hospital stay, costs, and need for further
      endoscopy) were compared between octogenarians and younger patients, and (2)
      results of RVT in the elderly were compared with those of 27 octogenarians
      undergoing TSST for CCL. RESULTS: Octogenarians undergoing RVT were in poorer
      general condition (P<.0001) and had a higher conversion rate (P<.0001) and a
      longer hospital stay (P<.007) than younger patients. No differences in the rates
      of CBD clearance, surgery-related morbidity, mortality, and costs were recorded.
      Although octogenarians undergoing RVT were in poorer general condition than those
      undergoing TSST, the results of the two approaches were similar. CONCLUSIONS: RVT
      in the elderly seems to be as cost-effective as in younger patients;
      nevertheless, it may lead to a higher conversion rate and longer hospital stay.
      In octogenarians, RVT is not inferior to TSST in the treatment of CCL even for
      patients in poor condition.

PMID- 24229424
TI  - Temperature dependence of electrical characteristics of Pt/GaN Schottky diode
      fabricated by UHV e-beam evaporation.
AB  - Temperature-dependent electrical characterization of Pt/n-GaN Schottky barrier
      diodes prepared by ultra high vacuum evaporation has been done. Analysis has been
      made to determine the origin of the anomalous temperature dependence of the
      Schottky barrier height, the ideality factor, and the Richardson constant
      calculated from the I-V-T characteristics. Variable-temperature Hall effect
      measurements have been carried out to understand charge transport at low
      temperature. The modified activation energy plot from the barrier inhomogeneity
      model has given the value of 32.2 A/(cm2 K2) for the Richardson constant A** in
      the temperature range 200 to 380 K which is close to the known value of
      26.4A/(cm2 K2) for n-type GaN. 

PMID- 24229425
TI  - Investigation of serum protein profiles in scrapie infected sheep by means of
      SELDI-TOF-MS and multivariate data analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Classical scrapie in sheep is a fatal neurodegenerative disease
      associated with the conversion PrPC to PrPSc. Much is known about genetic
      susceptibility, uptake and dissemination of PrPSc in the body, but many aspects
      of prion diseases are still unknown. Different proteomic techniques have been
      used during the last decade to investigate differences in protein profiles
      between affected animals and healthy controls. We have investigated the protein
      profiles in serum of sheep with scrapie and healthy controls by SELDI-TOF-MS and
      LC-MS/MS. Latent Variable methods such as Principal Component Analysis, Partial
      Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis and Target Projection methods were used to
      describe the MS data. RESULTS: The serum proteomic profiles showed variable
      differences between the groups both throughout the incubation period and at the
      clinical end stage of scrapie. At the end stage, the target projection model
      separated the two groups with a sensitivity of 97.8%, and serum amyloid A was
      identified as one of the protein peaks that differed significantly between the
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: At the clinical end stage of classical scrapie, ten SELDI
      peaks significantly discriminated the scrapie group from the healthy controls.
      During the non-clinical incubation period, individual SELDI peaks were
      differently expressed between the groups at different time points. Investigations
      of differences in -omic profiles can contribute to new insights into the
      underlying disease processes and pathways, and advance our understanding of prion
      diseases, but comparison and validation across laboratories is difficult and
      challenging.

PMID- 24229426
TI  - Resistance to treatment in eating disorders: a critical challenge.
AB  - The Special Issue "Treatment resistance in Eating Disorders" gathers together the
      contributions provided by several experienced groups of researchers in the field
      of Eating Disorders (EDs). The main topic is addressed from multiple perspectives
      ranging from pathogenesis (including developmental and maintaining factors) to
      treatment. An explicative model of resistance in EDs is also proposed. 

PMID- 24229427
TI  - Discussion of First-Degree Relatives' Colorectal Cancer Risk: Survivors'
      Perspectives.
AB  - Although screening reduces colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality,
      screening rates are low, particularly among CRC patients' first-degree relatives
      (FDRs). Little is known about discussion of family members' risk of CRC among
      patients and their health care providers or with their FDRs. The purpose of this
      research, guided by the Protection Motivation Theory, was to assess patients'
      patterns of disclosure of CRC diagnosis to adult siblings and/or children and
      discussion of familial risk by healthcare providers. A cross-sectional sample of
      patients who received care at a comprehensive cancer center was recruited to
      complete telephone-based interviews related to disclosure of CRC diagnosis to
      FDRs, recall of physician counseling about familial risk, and patients'
      perception of CRC risk to FDRs. Sixty-nine patients completed the interview. Most
      participants (n = 67, 97%) had informed their adult children or siblings of their
      CRC diagnosis to keep their family informed of their health status (n = 15, 22%)
      and to encourage FDRs to screen for CRC (n = 14, 20%). More than half of the
      participants' physicians (n = 38, 55%) discussed FDRs' risk of developing CRC
      with the patient. However, a substantial proportion of patients reported no
      physician discussion of this risk (n = 28, 41%). Data from this study may guide
      the development of interventions to facilitate physician discussion and
      counseling of CRC patients about their FDRs' risk for CRC. However, future
      studies should explore whether FDRs are likely to be screened after becoming
      aware of their family member's diagnosis of CRC.

PMID- 24229428
TI  - Pavane for a pulse pressure variation defunct.
AB  - Hemodynamic management of critically ill patients in the ICU or high-risk
      patients in the operating room has paradoxically shown progress in terms of
      outcome after the systematic application of volume responsiveness/flow
      optimization based on pulse pressure variation and/or stroke volume variation
      during controlled, positive-pressure ventilation in patients without spontaneous
      respiratory efforts. This assessment of circulatory optimization should ideally
      be based on an exhaustive, predictive and coherent physiological understanding of
      the cardiovascular system model. This paper sketches the extremely complex
      physiological background of the concept of volume responsiveness, concluding that
      it is not a reliable means of guiding hemodynamic optimization because it is
      based on a nonexhaustive, nonpredictive and incoherent physiological model. 

PMID- 24229429
TI  - A self-expanding thermolabile nitinol stent as a minimally invasive treatment
      alternative for ureteral strictures in renal transplant patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ureteral obstruction in renal transplant allografts
      secondary to strictures can pose a challenging problem. Its incidence is reported
      between 0.5% and 4.7%. Usually, open surgical repair is performed. We present a
      series of patients in whom a metal MemokathTM 051 stent has been used as a
      minimally invasive treatment alternative. METHODS: We analyzed our data on the
      use of thermo-expandable metallic Memokath 051 stents for ureteral strictures in
      renal transplant patients. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2010, eight male kidney
      recipients with a mean age of 49 years and obstructed ureters after kidney
      transplantation were treated with ureteral Memokath insertion. In six patients,
      the obstruction was at the level of the anastomosis, and in two, at the
      pelviureteral junction. After a mean follow-up of 4 years, half of the stents are
      in situ providing a good graft function. The average indwelling time is 4 years.
      Spontaneous resolution of the stricture without the need for further stent
      insertion was seen in three patients after a mean indwelling time of 7.3 months.
      There was one treatment failure in a patient with an obstructed, dilated, and
      convoluted ureter that was unable to withhold the stent in situ. No perioperative
      complications were recorded in this series. The overall success rate was 87%.
      CONCLUSION: Ureteral stent placement with the Memokath 051 is a safe minimally
      invasive treatment alternative for ureteral strictures in renal transplant
      recipients.

PMID- 24229430
TI  - Successful nasal intubation with a laryngeal nerve monitoring tube using
      bronchoscopy in a patient with plunging goiter: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The appropriate positioning of nerve integrity monitoring during
      thyroid surgery is of relevance. In this case report we describe our experience
      with accurate placement of a nerve integrity monitoring endotracheal tube,
      obtained by fiberoptic control, in a patient with expected difficult airway
      management. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 70-year-old obese woman
      scheduled for elective total thyroidectomy due to plunging intrathoracic goiter.
      The preoperative indirect laryngoscopy pointed out a massive bombe of the
      hypopharyngeal wall to the right and right vocal cord paralysis. The epiglottis
      was oedematous and the glottis could not be identified. On physical examination,
      the tongue was large and a Mallampati's score of 3 was determined. Hence, due to
      an expected difficult airway management, a nasal intubation with an
      electromyographic nerve integrity monitoring endotracheal tube trough fiberoptic
      bronchoscopy was successfully performed. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that
      nasal intubation can be safely performed by using a nerve integrity monitoring
      tube with the help of fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

PMID- 24229431
TI  - Gene expression profiling analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common
      malignancies in the world. However, the molecular pathogenesis of HCC is not well
      understood, and the prognosis for patients with HCC remains very poor. METHODS:
      To disclose detailed genetic mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a
      view toward development of novel therapeutic targets, we analyzed expression
      profiles HCCs and their corresponding noncancerous tissues by using
      bioinformatics method. RESULTS: In this paper, we report the identification of
      genes whose expression has been altered and the changed bio-pathways during
      hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatoma cells infect intracellular and intercellular
      signal transduction through Focal adhesion and cause abnormal expression of
      important intracellular signaling pathway. In addition, it is worth mentioning
      that some small molecules still restored to the state similar to normal cells,
      such as bambuterol and lovastatin. This member gene set would serve as a pool of
      lead gene targets for the identification and development of novel diagnostic and
      therapeutic biomarkers to greatly improve the clinical management of HCC patients
      with different risks of recurrence after curative partial hepatectomy.
      CONCLUSIONS: The study has great significance for gene therapy and
      pharmacotherapy and provides a new treatment entry point and a potential new
      clinical drug for HCC patients.

PMID- 24229434
TI  - Extraperitoneal laparoscopic adenomectomy (Madigan) versus bipolar transurethral
      resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia greater than 80 ml:
      complications and functional outcomes after 3-year follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the performance of voluminous benign prostatic hyperplasia
      patients who have received laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) with the
      patients who have received bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B
      TURP) in their perioperative and 3-year follow-up period. METHODS: Ninety
      patients with prostate volumes >80 mL (range 80-130 mL) were randomly assigned to
      either LSP or B-TURP surgery type. The patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12,
      24, and 36 months postoperatively. Perioperative and follow-up characteristics
      were then recorded and compared. RESULTS: More blood loss, greater resected
      adenoma volume, and shorter catheterization duration were recorded in LSP group
      than that of B-TURP group (140.1+/-81.5 vs 93.1+/-54.0 mL; 65.3+/-13.8 vs 49.0+/
      12.7 mL; 3.3+/-1.2 vs 3.8+/-1.0 days; p<0.05). None of the patients in LSP group
      reported complications out of 30 days, while 1 case of urethral stricture, 36
      cases of retrograde ejaculation, 1 case of bladder neck contracture, and 2 cases
      of recurrence were recorded in B-TURP group. At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months
      postoperatively, there were no significant differences in terms of postvoid
      residual urine volume, maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and International
      Prostate Symptom Score between the two groups (p>0.05). In contrast, the
      differences became significant at 24 and 36 months (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Compared with B-TURP, LSP with Madigan technique is accompanied by less residual
      adenoma, shorter catheterization time, and more blood loss. Further, the risk of
      late complications is lower with LSP and, in terms of functional outcomes, LSP
      appears to be better than B-TURP beyond 2 years.

PMID- 24229432
TI  - Pathophysiology of endotoxin tolerance: mechanisms and clinical consequences.
AB  - Endotoxin tolerance was first described in a study that exposed animals to a
      sublethal dose of bacterial endotoxin. The animals subsequently survived a lethal
      injection of endotoxin. This refractory state is associated with the innate
      immune system and, in particular, with monocytes and macrophages, which act as
      the main participants. Several mechanisms are involved in the control of
      endotoxin tolerance; however, a full understanding of this phenomenon remains
      elusive. A number of recent reports indicate that clinical examples of endotoxin
      tolerance include not only sepsis but also diseases such as cystic fibrosis and
      acute coronary syndrome. In these pathologies, the risk of new infections
      correlates with a refractory state. This review integrates the molecular basis
      and clinical implications of endotoxin tolerance in various pathologies. 

PMID- 24229435
TI  - Total knee arthroplasty treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with severe versus
      moderate flexion contracture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore the technique of soft tissue balance and
      joint tension maintenance in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA) patients with flexion contracture of the knee. METHODS: This
      retrospective study reviewed flexion contracture deformity of RA patients who
      underwent primary TKA and ligament and soft tissue balancing. Based on the
      flexion contracture deformity, the remaining 76 patients available for analysis
      were divided into two groups, i.e., severe flexion group (SF) and moderate
      flexion group (MF). RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications in this
      study. All patients had improved Knee Society Rating System scores and range of
      motion. The flexion contracture was completely corrected in MF and SF patients.
      There were no cases of patellar dislocation, but three cases had mild
      mediolateral instability in severe flexion group. Four knees (two knees in SF
      versus two knees in MF) had transient peroneal nerve palsy but recovered after
      conservative therapy. CONCLUSIONS: TKA can be performed successfully in the RA
      knees with severe flexion contracture. It is very important in TKA to maintain
      the joint stability in the condition of severe flexion contracture deformity of
      the RA knee.

PMID- 24229436
TI  - Amino acid digestibility of heat damaged distillers dried grains with solubles
      fed to pigs.
AB  - The primary objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of heat
      treatment on the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in
      corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) fed to growing pigs. The second
      objective was to develop regression equations that may be used to predict the
      concentration of SID AA in corn DDGS. A source of corn DDGS was divided into 4
      batches that were either not autoclaved or autoclaved at 130 degrees C for 10,
      20, or 30 min. Four diets containing DDGS from each of the 4 batches were
      formulated with DDGS being the only source of AA and CP in the diets. A N-free
      diet also was formulated and used to determine the basal endogenous losses of CP
      and AA. Ten growing pigs (initial BW: 53.5 +/- 3.9 kg) were surgically equipped
      with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a replicated 5 * 4 Youden
      square design with 5 diets and 4 periods in each square. The SID of CP decreased
      linearly (P < 0.05) from 77.9% in non-autoclaved DDGS to 72.1, 66.1, and 68.5% in
      the DDGS samples that were autoclaved for 10, 20, or 30 min, respectively. The
      SID of lysine was quadratically reduced (P < 0.05) from 66.8% in the non
      autoclaved DDGS to 54.9, 55.3, and 51.9% in the DDGS autoclaved for 10, 20, or 30
      min, respectively. The concentrations of SID Arginine, Histidine, Leucine,
      Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, or Threonine may be best predicted by
      equations that include the concentration of acid detergent insoluble N in the
      model (r2 = 0.76, 0.68, 0.67, 0.84, 0.76, 0.73, or 0.54, respectively). The
      concentrations of SID Isoleucine and Valine were predicted (r2 = 0.58 and 0.54,
      respectively) by the Lysine:CP ratio, whereas the concentration of SID Tryptophan
      was predicted (r2 = 0.70) by the analyzed concentration of Tryptophan in DDGS. In
      conclusion, the SID of AA is decreased as a result of heat damage and the
      concentration of SID AA in heat-damaged DDGS may be predicted by regression
      equations developed in this experiment. 

PMID- 24229437
TI  - Existing trial data do not support that hydroxyethyl starch is less harmful when
      given on more 'correct' indications.

PMID- 24229438
TI  - Urine biochemistry in acute kidney injury: are we moving in the right direction?

PMID- 24229439
TI  - Patient related outcomes in a real life prospective follow up study: Allergen
      immunotherapy increase quality of life and reduce sick days.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One fourth of the adult population in Europe suffer from respiratory
      allergy. Subcutaneous-allergen-specific-immunotherapy (SCIT) has long-term
      disease modifying effect on disease specific Health-Related Quality of Life
      (HRQoL). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of SCIT on
      alternative disease outcomes in patients with grass-pollen and/or house dust mite
      induced allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and/or an asthma diagnosis. Focus was on
      expressing outcomes in terms of generic quality of life (Quality-Adjusted-Life
      Years (QALY)) and reductions in sick days. METHODS: The study was a multi-centre
      study with prospective follow-up. 248 patients were initiated on SCIT. The
      disease specific Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and
      two generic (HRQoL) instruments 15D and EQ-5D were used at baseline and at follow
      up. The outcome measures included change in; disease severity, RQLQ-scores,
      number of days with symptoms- and number of sick days per year and finally
      changes in generic HRQoL and thus, QALY. Disease severity was assessed by
      specialist doctors; severity of rhino-conjunctivitis was classified according to
      the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) and asthma severity
      according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA guideline). The remaining
      outcome measures were assessed by the patients in questionnaires at baseline and
      at follow-up. An intension to treat approach was applied. For missing items
      imputation of sample mean base-line values or follow-up values were used after
      specified criteria. The effect of SCIT on rhino-conjunctivitis and/or asthma
      diagnoses was analysed at follow-up using three logistic regression models.
      RESULTS: The disease severity showed significantly improved disease control. Mean
      RQLQ-score was reduced from 3.02 at baseline to 2.00 at follow-up. Average annual
      days with symptoms were reduced from 189 to 145 days whilst annual sick days were
      reduced from 3.7 to 1.2 days. The 15D-score increased from 0.83 to 0.86 and the
      EQ-5D-score from 0.70 to 0.77, which indicated an annual gain per patient of 0.03
      0.06 QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic patients suffering from rhino-conjunctivitis
      alone or rhino-conjunctivitis and asthma experience significantly increased HRQoL
      and they gain 0.03-0.06 QALY, when treated with SCIT for one year. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier:
      NCT01486498.

PMID- 24229440
TI  - Making the GRADE: how useful are the new Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines?

PMID- 24229441
TI  - High prevalence of human cytomegalovirus in carotid atherosclerotic plaques
      obtained from Russian patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is associated with
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) but the role of this virus in CVD progression
      remains unclear. We aimed to examine the HCMV serostatus in Russian patients (n =
      90) who had undergone carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and controls (n = 82) as well
      as to determine the prevalence of HCMV immediate early (IE) and late (LA)
      antigens in carotid atherosclerotic plaques obtained from 89 patients. In
      addition, we sought to determine whether HCMV infection was associated with
      inflammatory activity in the plaque by quantifying infiltrating CD3 and CD68
      positive cells and 5-LO immunoreactivity. METHODS: HCMV serology was assessed
      with ELISA and immunohistochemistry staining was performed to detect HCMV
      antigens, CD3, CD68 and 5-LO reactivity. The Fisher's exact test was used to
      compare i) seroprevalence of HCMV IgG between patients and controls and ii) HCMV
      positive or -negative to that of CD3, CD68 and 5-LO immunoreactive cells in
      plaque samples. The student-t test was performed to connote the significance
      level of mean optical density between patients and controls. RESULTS: The
      seroprevalence for HCMV IgG was high in both patients and controls (99% and 98%,
      respectively). Controls had significantly higher IgG titers for HCMV compared
      with patients (p = 0.0148). Strikingly, we found a high prevalence of HCMV
      antigens in atherosclerotic plaques; 57/89 (64%) and 47/87 (54%) were HCMV IE and
      LA positive, respectively. Most plaques had rather low HCMV reactivity with
      distinct areas of HCMV-positive cells mainly detected in shoulder regions of the
      plaques, but also in the area adjacent to the necrotic core and fibrous cap. In
      plaques, the cellular targets for HCMV infection appeared to be mainly
      macrophages/foam cells and smooth muscle cells. HCMV-positive plaques trended to
      be associated with increased numbers of CD68 positive macrophages and CD3
      positive T cells, while 5-LO reactivity was high in both HCMV-positive and HCMV
      negative plaques. CONCLUSIONS: In Russian patients undergoing CEA, HCMV proteins
      are abundantly expressed in carotid plaques and may contribute to the
      inflammatory response in plaques via enhanced infiltration of CD68 and CD3 cells.

PMID- 24229442
TI  - Review of economic evidence in the prevention and early detection of colorectal
      cancer.
AB  - This paper aims to systematically review the cost-effectiveness evidence, and to
      provide a critical appraisal of the methods used in the model-based economic
      evaluation of CRC screening and subsequent surveillance. A search strategy was
      developed to capture relevant evidence published 1999-November 2012. Databases
      searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE, National Health Service Economic Evaluation (NHS
      EED), EconLit, and HTA. Full economic evaluations that considered costs and
      health outcomes of relevant intervention were included. Sixty-eight studies which
      used either cohort simulation or individual-level simulation were included.
      Follow-up strategies were mostly embedded in the screening model. Approximately
      195 comparisons were made across different modalities; however, strategies
      modelled were often simplified due to insufficient evidence and comparators
      chosen insufficiently reflected current practice/recommendations. Studies used up
      to-date evidence on the diagnostic test performance combined with outdated
      information on CRC treatments. Quality of life relating to follow-up surveillance
      is rare. Quality of life relating to CRC disease states was largely taken from a
      single study. Some studies omitted to say how identified adenomas or CRC were
      managed. Besides deterministic sensitivity analysis, probabilistic sensitivity
      analysis (PSA) was undertaken in some studies, but the distributions used for PSA
      were rarely reported or justified. The cost-effectiveness of follow-up strategies
      among people with confirmed adenomas are warranted in aiding evidence-informed
      decision making in response to the rapidly evolving technologies and rising
      expectations. 

PMID- 24229443
TI  - Implementing a successful data-management framework: the UK10K managed access
      model.
AB  - This paper outlines the history behind open access principles and describes the
      development of a managed access data-sharing process for the UK10K Project,
      currently Britain's largest genomic sequencing consortium (2010 to 2013). Funded
      by the Wellcome Trust, the purpose of UK10K was two-fold: to investigate how low
      frequency and rare genetic variants contribute to human disease, and to provide
      an enduring data resource for future research into human genetics. In this paper,
      we discuss the challenge of reconciling data-sharing principles with the
      practicalities of delivering a sequencing project of UK10K's scope and magnitude.
      We describe the development of a sustainable, easy-to-use managed access system
      that allowed rapid access to UK10K data, while protecting the interests of
      participants and data generators alike. Specifically, we focus in depth on the
      three key issues that emerge in the data pipeline: study recruitment, data
      release and data access. 

PMID- 24229444
TI  - Contextual modulation of medial prefrontal cortex to neutral faces in anxious
      adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although interpretation biases are well documented among youth with
      anxiety disorders, understanding of their neural correlates is limited. In
      particular, there has been little study of how anxious youth neurobiologically
      represent changing contextual cues that may trigger anxiety. This study examined
      neural responses during a task in which participants viewed neutral faces paired
      with experimentally manipulated contextual stimuli. METHODS: Participants (16
      youth with a primary anxiety disorder diagnosis and 15 age- and gender-matched
      controls) passively viewed neutral faces that were paired with either neutral
      descriptive vignettes or with vignettes that were potentially anxiety provoking
      (for example, those that involved performance/social evaluation). RESULTS: The
      two groups were differentiated by their medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)
      responses, such that context modulated mPFC activation in anxious youth while non
      anxious youth demonstrated no such differentiation. Counter to expectations, the
      performance/evaluation frames were not associated with amygdala reactivity for
      either group. CONCLUSIONS: The present investigation is among the first to
      identify how context modulates mPFC responding to neutral stimuli among anxious
      youth. It takes an important step toward understanding the neurobiological
      correlates underlying interpretation biases of neutral stimuli in this
      population.

PMID- 24229445
TI  - Do health economic evaluations using observational data provide reliable
      assessment of treatment effects?
AB  - Economic evaluation in modern health care systems is seen as a transparent
      scientific framework that can be used to advance progress towards improvements in
      population health at the best possible value. Despite the perceived superiority
      that trial-based studies have in terms of internal validity, economic evaluations
      often employ observational data. In this review, the interface between
      econometrics and economic evaluation is explored, with emphasis placed on
      highlighting methodological issues relating to the evaluation of cost
      effectiveness within a bivariate framework. Studies that satisfied the
      eligibility criteria exemplified the use of matching, regression analysis,
      propensity scores, instrumental variables, as well as difference-in-differences
      approaches. All studies were reviewed and critically appraised using a structured
      template. The findings suggest that although state-of-the-art econometric methods
      have the potential to provide evidence on the causal effects of clinical and
      policy interventions, their application in economic evaluation is subject to a
      number of limitations. These range from no credible assessment of key assumptions
      and scarce evidence regarding the relative performance of different methods, to
      lack of reporting of important study elements, such as a summary outcome measure
      and its associated sampling uncertainty. Further research is required to better
      understand the ways in which observational data should be analysed in the context
      of the economic evaluation framework. 

PMID- 24229446
TI  - Is quality costly? Patient and hospital cost drivers in vascular surgery.
AB  - An increasing focus on hospital productivity has rendered a need for more
      thorough knowledge of cost drivers in hospitals, including a need for
      quantification of the impact of age, case-mix and other characteristics of
      patients, as well as establishment of the cost-quality relationship.The aim of
      this study is to identify cost drivers for vascular surgery in Danish hospitals
      with a specific view to quality of the treatment: Is higher quality associated
      with increased costs, when all other cost drivers are accounted for?We analyse
      cost drivers in a register-based study, using patient level data from three
      sources: The Vascular Register, the hospital cost database, and the National
      Patient Register with added DRG-information. The analysis follows a multilevel
      set-up, where cost drivers at patient level are analysed in a set of general
      linear regression models including complications and mortality as quality
      measures. At the hospital level of the analysis, we analyse deviations of
      observed costs from risk-adjusted costs and compare these to deviations of
      observed quality from risk-adjusted quality.We find, not surprisingly, that a
      number of patient characteristics, including case-mix and severity, have a major
      impact on treatment costs. At patient level, both complications and mortality are
      associated with increased costs. At hospital department level, results are not
      straightforward, but could indicate a U-shaped association.We conclude that the
      relation between costs and quality is not straightforward, at least not at
      department level. Our results indicate, albeit vaguely, a U-shaped relation
      between quality, in terms of fewer surgical complications than expected, and
      costs at department level, since our results suggest that increasing costs for
      vascular departments are associated with increased quality when costs are high
      and decreased quality when costs are low. For mortality however, we have not been
      able to establish a clear relation to costs. 

PMID- 24229447
TI  - What is the clinical course of transient synovitis in children: a systematic
      review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transient synovitis of the hip (TS) is considered to be a self
      limiting disease in childhood. However, because the etiology is unclear and some
      cases precede Legg-Perthes' disease, data on follow-up are important. Our aim was
      to summarize the knowledge on the clinical course of TS in children. METHODS: The
      study design was a systematic review and a literature search was conducted in
      Medline and Embase. Studies describing short and/or long-term follow-up of TS in
      children were included. Case reports, reviews and studies describing traumatic
      hip pain were excluded. Study quality was scored and data extraction was
      performed. The main outcome measures were short-term and long-term clinical
      course, and recurrence of symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 25 studies were included
      of which 14 were of high quality. At two-week follow-up, almost all children with
      TS were symptom free. Those with symptoms persisting for over one month were more
      prone to develop other hip pathology, such as Legg-Perthes' disease. The
      recurrence rate of TS ranged from 0-26.3%. At long-term follow-up, 0-10% of the
      children diagnosed with TS developed Legg-Perthes' disease. Hip pain after
      intensive physical effort and limited range of motion of the hip at long-term
      follow-up was reported in 12-28% and in 0-18% of the children, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the studies indicate that children with TS recover
      within two weeks; recurrence was seen in 0-26% of the cases. Children with TS
      should be followed at least six months to increase the likelihood of not missing
      Legg-Perthes' disease.

PMID- 24229448
TI  - The high cost of celiac disease in an Israeli Health Maintenance Organization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify costs in patients diagnosed
      with Celiac disease. METHODS: This retrospective case control study covered the
      period 2003-2006 and was conducted in a large Israeli Health Maintenance
      Organization insuring over two million members. Our cohort comprised 1,754
      patients with Celiac disease with a control group of 15,040. Costs were
      aggregated according to main cost-branches and computed individually for each
      member. A linear step wise regression was performed with costs being the
      dependent variable and the independent variables; age, gender and the presence of
      celiac disease. Costs were compared with patients suffering from other chronic
      diseases. RESULTS: The total costs of the patients with celiac disease were
      significantly higher than that of the control group for hospital admission,
      medications, laboratory and imaging. Hospital admission rate was 7.98% as opposed
      to 7.1% for the control group (p = 0.06). When compared with other chronic
      illnesses, the costs of patients with celiac disease were similar to those of
      patients with diabetes and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Celiac
      disease utilize medical services more than the general population. This research
      suggests that the use of medical resources by patients with Celiac disease may be
      higher than previously thought.

PMID- 24229449
TI  - Ciliogenesis and cerebrospinal fluid flow in the developing Xenopus brain are
      regulated by foxj1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the ventricular
      system is driven by motile cilia on ependymal cells of the brain. Disturbed
      ciliary motility induces the formation of hydrocephalus, a pathological
      accumulation of CSF resulting in ventricle dilatation and increased intracranial
      pressure. The mechanism by which loss of motile cilia causes hydrocephalus has
      not been elucidated. The aim of this study was: (1) to provide a detailed account
      of the development of ciliation in the brain of the African clawed frog Xenopus
      laevis; and (2) to analyze the relevance of ependymal cilia motility for CSF
      circulation and brain ventricle morphogenesis in Xenopus. METHODS: Gene
      expression analysis of foxj1, the bona fide marker for motile cilia, was used to
      identify potentially ciliated regions in the developing central nervous system
      (CNS) of the tadpole. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to reveal the
      distribution of mono- and multiciliated cells during successive stages of brain
      morphogenesis, which was functionally assessed by bead injection and video
      microscopy of ventricular CSF flow. An antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO)
      mediated gene knock-down that targeted foxj1 in the CNS was applied to assess the
      role of motile cilia in the ventricles. RESULTS: RNA transcripts of foxj1 in the
      CNS were found from neurula stages onwards. Following neural tube closure, foxj1
      expression was seen in distinct ventricular regions such as the zona limitans
      intrathalamica (ZLI), subcommissural organ (SCO), floor plate, choroid plexus
      (CP), and rhombomere boundaries. In all areas, expression of foxj1 preceded the
      outgrowth of monocilia and the subsequent switch to multiciliated ependymal
      cells. Cilia were absent in foxj1 morphants, causing impaired CSF flow and fourth
      ventricle hydrocephalus in tadpole-stage embryos. CONCLUSIONS: Motile ependymal
      cilia are important organelles in the Xenopus CNS, as they are essential for the
      circulation of CSF and maintenance of homeostatic fluid pressure. The Xenopus CNS
      ventricles might serve as a novel model system for the analysis of human ciliary
      genes whose deficiency cause hydrocephalus.

PMID- 24229450
TI  - Cost of illness studies on reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health: a
      systematic literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The term ?reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH)?
      describes an integrated continuum of health states which is central to Millennium
      Development Goals 4 and 5. While the burden of mortality and morbidity associated
      with RMNCH is well known, knowledge is still limited about the economic burden of
      RMNCH. Concrete evidence of cost of illness (COI) of RMNCH may help policy makers
      in supporting investment in RMNCH. METHODS: A systematic literature search of COI
      studies was performed in electronic databases. The time frame for the analysis
      was January 1990 ? April 2011. The databases checked were Medline (Pubmed),
      Embase and ECONbase, EconLit, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
      (CINAHL), the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Latin American and
      Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences Database (LILACS), and Popline.
      Furthermore, we searched working papers and reference lists of selected articles.
      RESULTS: All the studies investigated address particular complications and issues
      of RMNCH, e.g., preterm birth, non-exclusive breastfeeding, and sexually
      transmitted diseases (STDs), but not RMNCH as an entire continuum. Most of the
      studies were conducted in high income countries, with limited data on low and
      middle income countries. The burden of disease is very high even for single
      complications. For example, the disease burden related to non-exclusive
      breastfeeding was given as 14.39 billion international dollars (ID) (2012,
      purchasing power parity) per year in the USA. Methodological differences in study
      design, costing approach, perspective of analysis, and time frame make it
      difficult to compare different studies. CONCLUSION: The continuum of RMNCH covers
      a large portion of the lifespan from birth through the reproductive age. From a
      methodological perspective, an ideal COI study would clearly describe the
      perspective of analysis and, hence, the cost items (direct or indirect), cost
      collection procedure, discounting, quality of data, time frame of analysis,
      related comorbidities, and robust sensitivity analysis for all the assumptions.
      Further research is needed to measure the economic impact of RMNCH, including
      identification of the most cost-effective policy and interventions for
      prevention, reduction, and elimination of the complications of RMNCH.

PMID- 24229451
TI  - Does overcrowding and health insurance type impact patient outcomes in emergency
      departments?
AB  - : We examine the impact of Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding on wait times
      and patient outcomes using a unique cross section of about 32,000 patients for an
      ED located in the Southwestern United States. We construct a measure of a
      patient's outcome and estimate the extent to which it is worsened by long waits
      in the ED. We find that waiting at an ED due to overcrowding tends to generate a
      negative outcome for all patients. We also find that this negative outcome is
      larger for those on Medicaid or who have no insurance and smaller for those with
      private insurance or Medicare. JEL CLASSIFICATION CODES: I12; I13.

PMID- 24229453
TI  - Simulation model for cost estimation of integrated care concepts of heart failure
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As a direct result of the population growing older the total number
      of chronic illnesses increases. The future expenditure for care of chronically
      ill patients is an ever-present challenge for the health care system. New
      solutions based on integrated care or the inclusion of telemedical systems in the
      treatment procedure can be essential for reducing the future financial burden.
      Therefore a detailed economic model was developed, which enables the comparison
      of health and cost outcomes for conventional medical care and different
      integrated care concepts in heart failure treatment. METHODS: F0r modelling, the
      discrete event technique was used. The model takes outpatient care as well as
      inpatient care into account to estimate the total occurring costs. It enables the
      treatment of patients by a physician, a specialist or a clinical ambulance for
      the simulation of the outpatient care. For inpatient care the model considers the
      total-costs of the hospitalization and rate of re-admission and furthermore the
      costs which occur because of special medical treatments or necessary stay at
      intensive care units. To rate the severity of symptoms patients can be classified
      using NYHA groups. To outline some of the potential model results, two scenarios
      have been simulated to compare both methods of care regarding overall costs.
      RESULTS: The developed simulation model allows comparing health and cost outcomes
      of different integrated care concepts for the treatment of heart failure
      patients. Additionally to the simulation of standard outpatient and inpatient
      care procedures in Austria the approach of a telemedical monitoring system for
      heart failure patients was implemented in this economic model. With the simulated
      scenarios it could be shown that under the given simulation parameters the
      telemedical system can lead to cost savings of up to 8% within the first three
      years. CONCLUSIONS: The developed model represents a comprehensive tool, which
      opens a wide field of possible simulation scenarios for the treatment of heart
      failure patients with special focus on overall cost estimations and reimbursement
      strategies. The simulated scenarios show that telemedical care has the potential
      of improved health outcomes and economic benefits.

PMID- 24229452
TI  - New mutations in flagellar motors identified by whole genome sequencing in
      Chlamydomonas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The building of a cilium or flagellum requires molecular motors and
      associated proteins that allow the relocation of proteins from the cell body to
      the distal end and the return of proteins to the cell body in a process termed
      intraflagellar transport (IFT). IFT trains are carried out by kinesin and back to
      the cell body by dynein. METHODS: We used whole genome sequencing to identify the
      causative mutations for two temperature-sensitive flagellar assembly mutants in
      Chlamydomonas and validated the changes using reversion analysis. We examined the
      effect of these mutations on the localization of IFT81, an IFT complex B protein,
      the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain (DHC1b), and the dynein light intermediate
      chain (D1bLIC). RESULTS: The strains, fla18 and fla24, have mutations in kinesin
      2 and cytoplasmic dynein, respectively. The fla18 mutation alters the same
      glutamic acid (E24G) mutated in the fla10-14 allele (E24K). The fla18 strain
      loses flagella at 32?C more rapidly than the E24K allele but less rapidly than
      the fla10-1 allele. The fla18 mutant loses its flagella by detachment rather than
      by shortening. The fla24 mutation falls in cytoplasmic dynein and changes a
      completely conserved amino acid (L3243P) in an alpha helix in the AAA5 domain.
      The fla24 mutant loses its flagella by shortening within 6 hours at 32?C. DHC1b
      protein is reduced by 18-fold and D1bLIC is reduced by 16-fold at 21?C compared
      to wild-type cells. We identified two pseudorevertants (L3243S and L3243R), which
      remain flagellated at 32?C. Although fla24 cells assemble full-length flagella at
      21?C, IFT81 protein localization is dramatically altered. Instead of localizing
      at the basal body and along the flagella, IFT81 is concentrated at the proximal
      end of the flagella. The pseudorevertants show wild-type IFT81 localization at
      21?C, but proximal end localization of IFT81 at 32?C. CONCLUSIONS: The change in
      the AAA5 domain of the cytoplasmic dynein in fla24 may block the recycling of IFT
      trains after retrograde transport. It is clear that different alleles in the
      flagellar motors reveal different functions and roles. Multiple alleles will be
      important for understanding structure-function relationships.

PMID- 24229454
TI  - Accelerometry and salivary cortisol response during Air Force Special Tactics
      Officer selection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Special Tactics Officer (STO) selection is conducted to select
      officers to enter the combat controller training pipeline. The aims were to
      determine physical activity patterns, estimate energy expenditure, and identify
      whether return and/or unsuccessful candidates demonstrated differences in
      cortisol responses compared to non-selected and/or first-time attendees. METHODS:
      Participants completed the STO selection, consisting of 5 days of physical and
      mental challenges. Participants were equipped with ActiCals(r), and saliva
      samples were collected throughout the STO selection. RESULTS: Average activity
      counts were 684 +/- 200 counts?min-1, with no group differences. Estimated energy
      expenditure was 4,105 +/- 451 kcal?day-1. Cortisol was elevated following
      extended physical training but returned to baseline during rest. Return
      candidates had significantly lower cortisol responses compared to first-timers,
      0.43 +/- 0.06 MUg?dl-1 versus 0.76 +/- 0.18 MUg?dl-1, respectively, p < 0.05.
      CONCLUSIONS: An individual's salivary cortisol response to the stresses incurred
      during the STO selection has the potential to be incorporated into the entire
      picture of a candidate's performance and ability to handle stress.

PMID- 24229456
TI  - When the dust settles: what did we learn from the bexarotene discussion?
AB  - With 27 million people affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD), any proposal of a
      novel avenue for drug development is hot news. When Cramer and colleagues
      proposed last year that they could tackle AD pathology in an AD mouse model with
      bexarotene, a drug already in use in the clinic for other diseases, the news was
      covered worldwide by the popular press. Apolipoprotein E4 is the strongest
      genetic risk factor for AD and bexarotene appeared to exert spectacular effects
      on AD pathology when tested in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. One year later the
      slumbering discussion on the use of bexarotene in AD exploded in a flurry of
      papers. Four papers question the initial optimistic claims, while two others can
      only partially support the original work. We summarize here the available data
      and try to make sense out of the controversy. The major question is what we can
      learn from the experiments and what these studies imply for the further
      development of bexarotene in the clinic. 

PMID- 24229455
TI  - Assessing the pharmacokinetic profile of the CamMedNP natural products database:
      an in silico approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) assessment has come to
      occupy a place of interest during the early stages of drug discovery today.
      Computer-based methods are slowly gaining ground in this area and are often used
      as initial tools to eliminate compounds likely to present uninteresting
      pharmacokinetic profiles and unacceptable levels of toxicity from the list of
      potential drug candidates, hence cutting down the cost of the discovery of a
      drug. RESULTS: In the present study, we present an in silico assessment of the
      DMPK profile of our recently published natural products database of 1,859 unique
      compounds derived from 224 species of medicinal plants from the Cameroonian
      forest. In this analysis, we have used 46 computed physico-chemical properties or
      molecular descriptors to predict the absorption, distribution, metabolism and
      elimination (ADME) of the compounds. This survey demonstrated that about 50% of
      the compounds within the Cameroonian medicinal plant and natural products
      (CamMedNP) database are compliant, having properties which fall within the range
      of ADME properties of >95% of currently known drugs, while >73% of the compounds
      have <=2 violations. Moreover, about 72% of the compounds within the
      corresponding 'drug-like' subset showed compliance. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to
      the previously verified levels of 'drug-likeness' and the diversity and the wide
      range of measured biological activities, the compounds in the CamMedNP database
      show interesting DMPK profiles and, hence, could represent an important starting
      point for hit/lead discovery from medicinal plants in Africa.

PMID- 24229457
TI  - Xtreme Everest 2: unlocking the secrets of the Sherpa phenotype?
AB  - Xtreme Everest 2 (XE2) was part of an ongoing programme of field, laboratory and
      clinical research focused on human responses to hypoxaemia that was conducted by
      the Caudwell Xtreme Everest Hypoxia Research Consortium. The aim of XE2 was to
      characterise acclimatisation to environmental hypoxia during a standardised
      ascent to high altitude in order to identify biomarkers of adaptation and
      maladaptation. Ultimately, this may lead to novel diagnostic and treatment
      strategies for the pathophysiological hypoxaemia and cellular hypoxia observed in
      critically ill patients. XE2 was unique in comparing participants drawn from two
      distinct populations: native ancestral high-altitude dwellers (Sherpas) and
      native lowlanders. Experiments to study the microcirculation, mitochondrial
      function and the effect that nitric oxide metabolism may exert upon them were
      focal to the scientific profile. In addition, the genetic and epigenetic
      (methylation and histone modification) basis of observed differences in phenotype
      was explored. The biological samples and phenotypic metadata already collected
      during XE2 will be analysed as an independent study. Data generated will also
      contribute to (and be compared with) the bioresource obtained from our previous
      observational high-altitude study, Caudwell Xtreme Everest (2007). 

PMID- 24229458
TI  - Periodontal disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and rheumatoid arthritis: what
      triggers autoimmunity and clinical disease?
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis, currently regarded as a complex multifactorial disease, was
      initially characterized as such at the turn of the 19th century. Ever since,
      multiple lines of investigation have attempted to elucidate the etiological
      factor(s) involved in disease incidence. Genes--including those risk alleles
      within HLA-DR4--have been implicated but are insufficient to explain the vast
      majority of cases. Several environmental factors, therefore, are being studied.
      Among them, the role of periodontal disease and Porphyromonas gingivalis in the
      pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis has attracted both clinical and bench
      interest given supportive epidemiologic and mechanistic data.

PMID- 24229459
TI  - The potential role of 'non-rheumatic' therapies in rheumatic disease.
AB  - The relationship between inflammation and insulin resistance is complex and not
      fully understood. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of
      mortality from cardiovascular disease, which is known to be associated with
      insulin resistance. In the previous issue of Arthritis Research & Therapy,
      Ormseth and colleagues report the results of an 8-week trial of pioglitazone, an
      agent commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, upon the DAS-28 (disease
      activity score using 28 joint counts). Modest improvements in the DAS-28 CRP (DAS
      28 C-reactive protein) were shown, with no effect on DAS-28 ESR (DAS-28
      erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Other variables that improved with pioglitazone
      were the CRP, IL-6, and patient-reported assessment of global health. The authors
      discuss the contribution of insulin resistance to the inflammation noted in
      rheumatoid arthritis.

PMID- 24229460
TI  - Career perspective: Peter D Wagner.
AB  - This perspective focuses on key career decisions, explaining the basis of those
      decisions. In so doing, it exemplifies the unexpected influences of serendipity
      and the interaction between serendipity and planned events in shaping the career
      of one individual. 

PMID- 24229461
TI  - International hypoxia symposium XVIII: 26 February-02 March 2013.
AB  - The 18th International Hypoxia Symposia, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, February
      26-March 02, 2013, covered molecular basis of hypoxic responses (e.g., hypoxia
      inducible factor, nitrite, nitrate, and hemoglobin) and integrative physiology
      (e.g., exercise physiology, cerebral blood flow responses, live-high train-low,
      and population genetics). Free communications and poster sessions covered
      scientific areas from controlled lab settings to field settings of high altitudes
      (Andes to Himalayas). 

PMID- 24229462
TI  - Genome-wide expression profiles of subchondral bone in osteoarthritis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the
      differences in gene expression profiles of normal and osteoarthritic (OA)
      subchondral bone in human subjects. METHODS: Following histological assessment of
      the integrity of overlying cartilage and the severity of bone abnormality by
      micro-computed tomography, we isolated total RNA from regions of interest from
      human OA (n = 20) and non-OA (n = 5) knee lateral tibial (LT) and medial tibial
      (MT) plateaus. A whole-genome profiling study was performed on an Agilent
      microarray platform and analyzed using Agilent GeneSpring GX11.5. Confirmatory
      quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis
      was performed on samples from 9 OA individuals to confirm differential expression
      of 85 genes identified by microarray. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was used
      to investigate canonical pathways and immunohistochemical staining was performed
      to validate protein expression levels in samples. RESULTS: A total of 972
      differentially expressed genes were identified (fold change >= +/- 2, P <=0.05)
      between LT (minimal degeneration) and MT (significant degeneration) regions from
      OA samples; these data implicated 279 canonical pathways in IPA. The qRT-PCR data
      strongly confirmed the accuracy of microarray results (R2 = 0.58, P <0.0001).
      Novel pathways were identified in this study including Periostin (POSTN) and
      Leptin (LEP), which are implicated in bone remodeling by osteoblasts.
      CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the most
      comprehensive direct assessment to date of gene expression profiling in OA
      subchondral bone. This study provides insights that could contribute to the
      development of new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for OA.

PMID- 24229463
TI  - Biodiversity research in the "big data" era: GigaScience and Pensoft work
      together to publish the most data-rich species description.
AB  - With the publication of the first eukaryotic species description, combining
      transcriptomic, DNA barcoding, and micro-CT imaging data, GigaScience and Pensoft
      demonstrate how classical taxonomic description of a new species can be enhanced
      by applying new generation molecular methods, and novel computing and imaging
      technologies. This 'holistic' approach in taxonomic description of a new species
      of cave-dwelling centipede is published in the Biodiversity Data Journal (BDJ),
      with coordinated data release in the GigaScience GigaDB database. 

PMID- 24229465
TI  - Extravascular lung water in acute respiratory distress syndrome and the Berlin
      definition: time for real change.

PMID- 24229464
TI  - A mammosphere formation RNAi screen reveals that ATG4A promotes a breast cancer
      stem-like phenotype.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer stem cells are suspected to be responsible for tumour
      recurrence, metastasis formation as well as chemoresistance. Consequently, great
      efforts have been made to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer
      stem cell maintenance. In order to study these rare cells in-vitro, they are
      typically enriched via mammosphere culture. Here we developed a mammosphere-based
      negative selection shRNAi screening system suitable to analyse the involvement of
      thousands of genes in the survival of cells with cancer stem cell properties.
      METHODS: We describe a sub-population expressing the stem-like marker
      CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) in SUM149 that were enriched in mammospheres. To identify
      genes functionally involved in the maintenance of the sub-population with cancer
      stem cell properties, we targeted over 5000 genes by RNAi and tested their
      ability to grow as mammospheres. The identified candidate ATG4A was validated in
      mammosphere and soft agar colony formation assays. Further, we evaluated the
      influence of ATG4A expression on the sub-population expressing the stem-like
      marker CD44(+)/CD24(low). Next, the tumorigenic potential of SUM149 after up- or
      down-regulation of ATG4A was examined by xenograft experiments. RESULTS: Using
      this method, Jak-STAT as well as cytokine signalling were identified to be
      involved in mammosphere formation. Furthermore, the autophagy regulator ATG4A was
      found to be essential for the maintenance of a sub-population with cancer stem
      cell properties and to regulate breast cancer cell tumourigenicity in vivo.
      CONCLUSION: In summary, we present a high-throughput screening system to identify
      genes involved in cancer stem cell maintenance and demonstrate its utility by
      means of ATG4A.

PMID- 24229466
TI  - A protocol guided by transpulmonary thermodilution and lactate levels for
      resuscitation of patients with severe burns.
AB  - Over-resuscitation is deleterious in many critically ill conditions, including
      major burns. For more than 15 years, several strategies to reduce fluid
      administration in burns during the initial resuscitation phase have been
      proposed, but no single or simple parameter has shown superiority. Fluid
      administration guided by invasive hemodynamic parameters usually resulted in over
      resuscitation. As reported in the previous issue of Critical Care, Sanchez
      Sanchez and colleagues analyzed the performance of a 'permissive hypovolemia'
      protocol guided by invasive hemodynamic parameters (PiCCO, Pulsion Medical
      Systems, Munich, Germany) and vital signs in a prospective cohort over a 3-year
      period. The authors' results confirm that resuscitation can be achieved with
      below-normal levels of preload but at the price of a fluid administration greater
      than predicted by the Parkland formula (2 to 4 mL/kg per% burn). The classic
      approach based on an adapted Parkland equation may still be the simplest until
      further studies identify the optimal bundle of resuscitation goals.

PMID- 24229467
TI  - Comparison of the metabolic responses to ingestion of hydrothermally processed
      high-amylopectin content maize, uncooked maize starch or dextrose in healthy
      individuals.
AB  - Optimal carbohydrate ingestion strategies as nutritional therapy for glycogen
      storage diseases have not been fully realised, in part, due to difficulties in
      accessing patient cohorts, alongside limited details on metabolic effects and
      insight into working mechanisms. The present pilot study compared glycaemic and
      fuel oxidation responses following the ingestion of a hydrothermally processed
      maize starch (HPMS), an uncooked maize starch (UCMS) and maize-derived dextrose
      (DEX) at rest and during and after exercise in healthy individuals. A total of
      eight participants (seven males and one female; body mass (BM) 76.9 (SEM 5.2) kg)
      visited the laboratory on three occasions. During each visit, the participants
      ingested 1 g/kg BM of HPMS (GlycosadeTM), UCMS (ArgoTM) or DEX as a 10% solution.
      Blood samples were collected over a 2 h rest period and for 2 h after a 60 min
      treadmill run at 65 (SEM 1) % VO(2max). Mean values with their standard errors
      were analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Blood glucose concentrations under
      the HPMS condition were significantly elevated from resting values at 90 min
      (P=0.02) after ingestion compared with those under the UCMS (60 min; P=0.02) and
      DEX (30 min; P=0.001) conditions. The rate of carbohydrate use during exercise
      after the ingestion of HPMS was 7-9% lower compared with that after the ingestion
      of either DEX or UCMS (P<0.05). The total amount of lipids oxidised during
      exercise was greater under the HPMS condition (26.2 (SEM 2.8) g) compared with
      that oxidised under the UCMS (19.6 (SEM 2.7) g; P=0.04) or DEX (20.6 (SEM 3.6) g;
      P=0.07) condition. The results demonstrated a glycaemic advantage to the
      ingestion of HPMS over that of UCMS or DEX. Carbohydrate oxidation was reduced
      after the ingestion of HPMS compared with that after the ingestion of UCMS or
      DEX, with a corresponding higher rate of endogenous lipid use during exercise.

PMID- 24229469
TI  - Physical activity in Alzheimer's disease: research in its infancy or why we need
      more randomized controlled trials.

PMID- 24229468
TI  - Biomechanical regulation of in vitro cardiogenesis for tissue-engineered heart
      repair.
AB  - The heart is a continuously pumping organ with an average lifespan of eight
      decades. It develops from the onset of embryonic cardiogenesis under
      biomechanical load, performs optimally within a defined range of hemodynamic
      load, and fails if acutely or chronically overloaded. Unloading of the heart
      leads to defective cardiogenesis in utero, but can also lead to a desired
      therapeutic outcome (for example, in patients with heart failure under left
      ventricular assist device therapy). In light of the well-documented relevance of
      mechanical loading for cardiac physiology and pathology, it is plausible that
      tissue engineers have integrated mechanical stimulation regimens into protocols
      for heart muscle construction. To achieve optimal results, physiological
      principles of beat-to-beat myocardial loading and unloading should be simulated.
      In addition, heart muscle engineering, in particular if based on pluripotent stem
      cell-derived cardiomyocytes, may benefit from staggered tonic loading protocols
      to simulate viscoelastic properties of the prenatal and postnatal myocardial
      stroma. This review will provide an overview of heart muscle mechanics, summarize
      observations on the role of mechanical loading for heart development and
      postnatal performance, and discuss how physiological loading regimens can be
      exploited to advance myocardial tissue engineering towards a therapeutic
      application.

PMID- 24229470
TI  - Letter to the editor: low birth weight and adult depression: eliciting their
      association.

PMID- 24229471
TI  - Heterogeneity in development of adolescent anxiety disorder symptoms in an 8-year
      longitudinal community study.
AB  - In this study, we prospectively examined developmental trajectories of five
      anxiety disorder symptom dimensions (generalized anxiety disorder, panic
      disorder, school anxiety, separation anxiety disorder, and social anxiety
      disorder) from early to late adolescence in a community sample of 239
      adolescents, assessed annually over 8 years. Latent growth modeling indicated
      different developmental trajectories from early into late adolescence for the
      different anxiety disorder symptoms, with some symptoms decreasing and other
      symptoms increasing over time. Sex differences in developmental trajectories were
      found for some symptoms, but not all. Furthermore, latent class growth analysis
      identified a normal developmental profile (including a majority of adolescents
      reporting persistent low anxiety disorder symptoms over 8 years) and an at-risk
      developmental profile (including a minority of adolescents reporting persistent
      high anxiety disorder symptoms over 8 years) for all of the anxiety disorder
      symptom dimensions except panic disorder. Additional analyses longitudinally
      supported the validity of these normal and at-risk developmental profiles and
      suggested differential associations between different anxiety disorder symptom
      dimensions and developmental trajectories of substance use, parenting, and
      identity development. Taken together, our results emphasize the importance of
      examining separate dimensions of anxiety disorder symptoms in contrast to a using
      a global, one-dimensional approach to anxiety. 

PMID- 24229472
TI  - FIB plan and side view cross-sectional TEM sample preparation of nanostructures.
AB  - Focused ion beam is a powerful method for cross-sectional transmission electron
      microscope sample preparation due to being site specific and not limited to
      certain materials. It has, however, been difficult to apply to many
      nanostructured materials as they are prone to damage due to extending from the
      surface. Here we show methods for focused ion beam sample preparation for
      transmission electron microscopy analysis of such materials, demonstrated on GaAs
      GaInP core shell nanowires. We use polymer resin as support and protection and
      are able to produce cross-sections both perpendicular to and parallel with the
      substrate surface with minimal damage. Consequently, nanowires grown
      perpendicular to the substrates could be imaged both in plan and side view,
      including the nanowire-substrate interface in the latter case. Using the methods
      presented here we could analyze the faceting and homogeneity of hundreds of
      adjacent nanowires in a single lamella.

PMID- 24229473
TI  - Association between energy-dense food consumption at 2 years of age and diet
      quality at 4 years of age.
AB  - The present study aimed to evaluate the association between the consumption of
      energy-dense foods at 2 years of age and the consumption of foods and diet
      quality at 4 years of age. The sample included 705 children evaluated at 2 and 4
      years of age, as part of the population-based birth cohort Generation XXI (Porto,
      Portugal). Data on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors of both children and
      mothers were collected by face-to-face interviews. The weight and height of
      children were measured by trained professionals. Based on FFQ, four energy-dense
      food groups were defined: soft drinks; sweets; cakes; salty snacks. A healthy
      eating index was developed using the WHO dietary recommendations for children
      (2006) aged 4 years. The associations were evaluated through Poisson regression
      models. After adjustment for maternal age and education, child's carer, child's
      siblings and child's BMI, higher consumption of energy-dense foods at 2 years of
      age was found to be associated with higher consumption of the same foods 2 years
      later. An inverse association was found between the intake (>= median) of soft
      drinks (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.74, 95% CI 0.58, 0.95), salty snacks (IRR
      = 0.80, 95% CI 0.65, 1.00) and sweets (IRR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.58, 0.91) at 2 years
      of age and the consumption of fruit and vegetables at 4 years of age (>= 5
      times/d). Weekly and daily consumption of energy-dense foods at 2 years of age
      was associated with a lower healthy eating score at 4 years of age (IRR = 0.75,
      95% CI 0.58, 0.96; IRR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.41, 0.77, respectively). The consumption
      of energy-dense foods at young ages is negatively associated with the diet
      quality of children a few years later.

PMID- 24229474
TI  - Predicting response to cognitive behavioral therapy in contamination-based
      obsessive-compulsive disorder from functional magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment
      for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), few reliable predictors of treatment
      outcome have been identified. The present study examined the neural correlates of
      symptom improvement with CBT among OCD patients with predominantly contamination
      obsessions and washing compulsions, the most common OCD symptom dimension.
      METHOD: Participants consisted of 12 OCD patients who underwent symptom
      provocation with contamination-related images during functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning prior to 12 weeks of CBT. RESULTS: Patterns of
      brain activity during symptom provocation were correlated with a decrease on the
      Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) after treatment, even when
      controlling for baseline scores on the YBOCS and the Beck Depression Inventory
      (BDI) and improvement on the BDI during treatment. Specifically, activation in
      brain regions involved in emotional processing, such as the anterior temporal
      pole and amygdala, was most strongly associated with better treatment response.
      By contrast, activity in areas involved in emotion regulation, such as the
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, correlated negatively with treatment response
      mainly in the later stages within each block of exposure during symptom
      provocation. CONCLUSIONS: Successful recruitment of limbic regions during
      exposure to threat cues in patients with contamination-based OCD may facilitate a
      better response to CBT, whereas excessive activation of dorsolateral prefrontal
      regions involved in cognitive control may hinder response to treatment. The
      theoretical implications of the findings and their potential relevance to
      personalized care approaches are discussed.

PMID- 24229476
TI  - The relationship between MAOA gene polymorphism and test anxiety.
AB  - In a sample of 569 Chinese high school students, the present findings indicated
      that students with the 4-repeat genotype showed a higher level of test anxiety.
      Furthermore, the prediction of academic performance on test anxiety was stronger
      among students with the 3-repeat genotype than those with the 4-repeat genotype.
      The present findings suggest that mono-amine-oxidase type A gene polymorphism is
      significantly related to test anxiety. 

PMID- 24229475
TI  - Dietary and lifestyle characteristics associated with normal-weight obesity: the
      National FINRISK 2007 Study.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to compare the lifestyle (leisure-time physical
      activity, smoking habits and alcohol consumption) and dietary (energy-yielding
      nutrients, dietary fibre and foods) factors of Finns with a new syndrome called
      normal-weight obesity (NWO) with those of lean and overweight Finns. The
      representative population-based study included 4786 participants (25-74 years)
      from the National FINRISK 2007 Study with a health examination and
      questionnaires. Food intake was assessed using a validated FFQ. NWO was defined
      to include those with a normal BMI (<25 kg/m2) but excessive body fat (for men
      >=20 % and for women >=30 %) according to WHO definitions. The proportion of
      participants with a normal BMI was 28 % in men and 42 % in women. Of these, 34 %
      of the men and 45 % of the women had the NWO syndrome (among all the
      participants, 10 and 19 %, respectively). The waist circumference of the NWO
      participants was between that of the lean and overweight participants. Some
      potential risk factors, such as physical inactivity, (ex)-smoking and alcohol
      consumption, were related to NWO. In general, the intakes of energy-yielding
      nutrients were not associated with NWO. Instead, some healthy dietary factors
      (e.g. low intakes of meat and soft drinks) as well as unhealthy factors (e.g. low
      intakes of root vegetables, cereals and fish and high intake of confectionery)
      were related to NWO. The findings might explain why the NWO participants were of
      normal weight, but had an excessive body fat percentage. In conclusion, the
      proportion of normal-weight participants with an excessive body fat percentage
      was surprisingly high. The identification of NWO people may be of importance
      because although they appear lean, they have some unhealthy lifestyle and dietary
      habits related to obesity and overall health.

PMID- 24229477
TI  - The effect of magnesium ions on chromosome structure as observed by helium ion
      microscopy.
AB  - One of the few conclusions known about chromosome structure is that Mg2+ is
      required for the organization of chromosomes. Scanning electron microscopy is a
      powerful tool for studying chromosome morphology, but being nonconductive,
      chromosomes require metal/carbon coating that may conceal information about the
      detailed surface structure of the sample. Helium ion microscopy (HIM), which has
      recently been developed, does not require sample coating due to its charge
      compensation system. Here we investigated the structure of isolated human
      chromosomes under different Mg2+ concentrations by HIM. High-contrast and
      resolution images from uncoated samples obtained by HIM enabled investigation on
      the effects of Mg2+ on chromosome structure. Chromatin fiber information was
      obtained more clearly with uncoated than coated chromosomes. Our results suggest
      that both overall features and detailed structure of chromatin are significantly
      affected by different Mg2+ concentrations. Chromosomes were more condensed and a
      globular structure of chromatin with 30 nm diameter was visualized with 5 mM Mg2+
      treatment, while 0 mM Mg2+ resulted in a less compact and more fibrous structure
      11 nm in diameter. We conclude that HIM is a powerful tool for investigating
      chromosomes and other biological samples without requiring metal/carbon coating. 

PMID- 24229478
TI  - There can be no moral obligation to eradicate all disability.

PMID- 24229479
TI  - Pre-operative renal volume predicts peak creatinine after congenital heart
      surgery in neonates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Acute kidney injury is common in neonates following surgery for
      congenital heart disease. We conducted a retrospective analysis to determine
      whether neonates with smaller pre-operative renal volume were more likely to
      develop post-operative acute kidney injury. DESIGN/SETTING: We conducted a
      retrospective review of 72 neonates who underwent congenital heart surgery for
      any lesion other than patent ductus arteriosus at our institution from January
      2007 to December 2011. Renal volume was calculated by ultrasound using the
      prolate ellipsoid formula. The presence and severity of post-operative acute
      kidney injury was determined both by measuring the peak serum creatinine in the
      first 7 days post-operatively and by using the Acute Kidney Injury Network
      scoring system. RESULTS: Using a linear change point model, a threshold renal
      volume of 17 cm3 was identified. Below this threshold, there was an inverse
      linear relationship between renal volume and peak post-operative creatinine for
      all patients (p = 0.036) and the subgroup with a single morphologic right
      ventricle (p = 0.046). There was a non-significant trend towards more acute
      kidney injury using Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria in all neonates with
      renal volume <=17 cm3 (p = 0.11) and in the subgroup with a single morphologic
      right ventricle (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative renal volume <=17 cm3 is
      associated with a higher peak post-operative creatinine and potentially greater
      risk for post-operative acute kidney injury for neonates undergoing congenital
      heart surgery. Neonates with a single right ventricle may be at higher risk.

PMID- 24229480
TI  - Anti-inflammatory effect of elemental diets with different fat composition in
      experimental colitis.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two
      isoenergetic elemental formulae with different fat content in the rat model of
      trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) colitis that mimics human inflammatory
      bowel disease. A total of forty-five male Wistar rats were assigned to five
      groups: (1) control group; (2) TNBS-induced colitis group; (3) TNBS-induced
      colitis group fed a long-chain TAG (LCT)-rich diet; (4) TNBS-induced colitis
      group fed a medium-chain TAG (MCT)-rich diet; (5) TNBS-induced colitis group fed
      a baseline diet and administered infliximab. Nutritional management lasted 12 d
      before and 4 d after rectal administration of TNBS. Subsequently, the rats were
      killed, and colonic tissue samples were collected for the assessment of
      histology, inflammation and oxidative stress. The MCT-rich diet decreased IL-6,
      IL-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) levels and glutathione S
      transferase (GST) activity, while the LCT-rich diet reduced only ICAM-1 levels
      and GST activity (P<0.05). Neither elemental formula affected IL-10 levels.
      Infliximab reduced IL-8 and ICAM-1 levels and GST activity and increased IL-10
      levels (P<0.05). No significant differences were detected in oxidative stress.
      Histological damage scores differed significantly only between the control and
      the TNBS-induced colitis group. A MCT-rich formula seems to exert stronger anti
      inflammatory effects than a LCT-rich formula in TNBS colitis.

PMID- 24229481
TI  - Psychodynamic therapy for adolescents suffering from co-morbid disorders of
      conduct and emotions in an in-patient setting: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Co-morbid disorders of conduct and emotions can be regarded as
      childhood antecedents of further negative developments (e.g. manifestation of
      personality disorders in adulthood). We evaluated a manualized psychodynamic
      therapy (PDT) for adolescents with these co-morbid disorders. METHOD: In a
      randomized controlled trial (RCT), 66 adolescents diagnosed with mixed disorders
      of conduct and emotions (F92 in ICD-10) were randomly assigned to a manualized in
      patient PDT group or a waiting list/treatment-as-usual (WL/TAU) control
      condition. Diagnoses according to DSM-IV were also documented. Patients were
      compared using rates of remission as the primary outcome. The Global Severity
      Index (GSI) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used as
      secondary measures. Assessments were performed at baseline, post-treatment and at
      the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The sample consisted of severely impaired
      adolescents with high rates of further co-morbid disorders and academic failure.
      Patients in the treatment group had a significantly higher rate of remission
      [odds ratio (OR) 26.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.42-108.55, p < 0.001].
      Compared with the control group, the PDT group resulted in significantly better
      outcomes on the SDQ (p = 0.04) but not the GSI (p = 0.18), with small between
      group effect sizes (SDQ: d = 0.38, GSI: d = 0.18). However, the scores of
      patients treated with PDT were post-treatment no longer significantly different
      from normative data on the GSI and within the normal range on the SDQ. The
      effects in the treatment group were stable at follow-up. Furthermore, most
      patients were reintegrated into educational processes. CONCLUSION: PDT led to
      remarkable improvement and furthered necessary preconditions for long-term
      stabilization. In future, PDT should be compared to other strong active
      treatments.

PMID- 24229482
TI  - Reading trust between the lines. "Housekeeping work" and inequality in human
      subjects review.

PMID- 24229483
TI  - Methamphetamine addiction and medical futility.

PMID- 24229484
TI  - Commentary: In the interest of fairness.

PMID- 24229485
TI  - Commentary: Withholding treatment from a drug addict: poor prognosis or just
      deserts?

PMID- 24229486
TI  - Commentary: Ethics and medical judgment: whose values? What process?

PMID- 24229487
TI  - What actually happened.

PMID- 24229489
TI  - Teaching about twins: college courses and public lectures.
AB  - The present article describes teaching experiences and observations in college
      courses and public lectures on twins. It is concluded that much more information
      about twins, at both research and practical levels, requires general
      dissemination. This discussion is followed by reviews of recent twin research on
      the topics of obesity control, post-zygotic mutation, in vitro fertilization, and
      schisis-associated defects. Media reports of twins accused of rape, infant
      Chinese twins sold separately for profit, a twin CEO, and twins pursuing the same
      career are presented. 

PMID- 24229490
TI  - The need for a comprehensive molecular characterization of autism spectrum
      disorders.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders which have
      complex behavioural phenotypes. Although ASD is a highly heritable
      neuropsychiatric disorder, genetic research alone has not provided a profound
      understanding of the underlying causes. Recent developments using biochemical
      tools such as transcriptomics, proteomics and cellular models, will pave the way
      to gain new insights into the underlying pathological pathways. This review
      addresses the state-of-the-art in the search for molecular biomarkers for ASD. In
      particular, the most important findings in the biochemical field are highlighted
      and the need for establishing streamlined interaction between behavioural
      studies, genetics and proteomics is stressed. Eventually, these approaches will
      lead to suitable translational ASD models and, therefore, a better disease
      understanding which may facilitate novel drug discovery efforts in this
      challenging field. 

PMID- 24229491
TI  - Screening of congenital heart disease in the second trimester of pregnancy:
      current knowledge and new perspectives to the clinical practice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Congenital heart diseases are common in foetuses, with an incidence
      greater than six times that of chromosomal abnormalities; however, experts in
      cardiac anatomy have evaluated only the foetuses of pregnant women with increased
      risk for congenital heart disease. Over the years, it has become clear that
      congenital heart disease occur in foetuses of low-risk women. In the mid-1980s, a
      proposal to expand the assessment of cardiac anatomy was presented to
      obstetricians in order to improve prenatal screening. With the aim to systematise
      and improve the diagnosis of congenital heart disease in foetuses, the
      International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology established an
      ultrasound heart examination guideline. In this review, we have described the
      important features of this guideline and discussed the applications of this tool
      in clinical practice. METHODS: We performed a literature search of the National
      Library of Medicine for publications released between 2000 and 2012; we used
      search terms pertinent to congenital heart disease, such as foetal
      echocardiography, foetal heart and cardiac screening examination. RESULTS: The
      guidelines serve as a standard and help to systematise the screening for
      congenital heart diseases, but we think that some topics may be added to design
      the most appropriate screening method. However, we cannot expand the topics to be
      evaluated in this examination without good training of sonographers who undergo
      this screening. CONCLUSION: Although the screening standardisation is a good tool
      to be used in day-to-day practice, the increment of aortic and ductal archs and
      colour Doppler to heart screening could be useful to detect further cardiac
      defects.

PMID- 24229492
TI  - The case: a son's request to forego treatment.

PMID- 24229493
TI  - The acquisition of newly emerging sociophonetic variation: /str-/ in American
      English.
AB  - Eight children aged 4;1-8;1 and their primary caregivers participated in a study
      designed to evaluate their use of the onset cluster /str-/ in both read and
      conversational speech. The cluster is currently undergoing a reported sound
      change in many varieties of English, with the initial /s/ being retracted to [?].
      The study compared the initial fricative of the cluster in both the children and
      their mothers. Acoustic analysis was carried out in order to categorize tokens as
      either [s] or [?] using spectral peak analysis. Results found that children as
      young as 5;1 were starting to exhibit the usage patterns of their mothers. The
      distribution of the novel variant suggests that the children may be learning this
      form via a process of lexical diffusion rather than by rule. Implications for the
      study of dialect acquisition and phonological acquisition in general are
      discussed.

PMID- 24229494
TI  - Reduced risk of dyslipidaemia with oolong tea consumption: a population-based
      study in southern China.
AB  - Experimental studies have suggested that tea consumption could lower the risk of
      dyslipidaemia. However, epidemiological evidence is limited, especially in
      southern China, where oolong tea is the most widely consumed beverage. We
      conducted a population-based case-control study to evaluate the association
      between consumption of tea, especially oolong tea, and risk of dyslipidaemia in
      Shantou, southern China, from 2010 to 2011. Information on tea consumption,
      lifestyle characteristics and food consumption frequency of 1651 patients with
      newly diagnosed dyslipidaemia and 1390 controls was obtained using a semi
      quantitative questionnaire. Anthropometric variables and serum biochemical
      indices were determined. Drinking more than 600 ml (2 paos) of green, oolong or
      black tea daily was found to be associated with the lowest odds of dyslipidaemia
      risk (P< 0.001) when compared with non-consumption, but only oolong tea
      consumption was found to be associated with low HDL-cholesterol levels. A dose
      response relationship between duration of tea consumption and risk of
      dyslipidaemia (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.06, 0.16), as well as that between amount of
      dried tea leaves brewed and risk of dyslipidaemia (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.24, 0.48),
      was found. Moreover, consumption of oolong tea for the longest duration was found
      to be associated with 3.22, 11.99 and 6.69% lower blood total cholesterol, TAG
      and LDL-cholesterol levels, respectively. In conclusion, the present study
      indicates that long-term oolong tea consumption may be associated with a lower
      risk of dyslipidaemia in the population of Shantou in southern China.

PMID- 24229495
TI  - Gender-specific association of the SLC6A4 and DRD2 gene variants in bipolar
      disorder.
AB  - Findings on the association between the risk for developing bipolar disorder and
      the functions of the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region gene (5
      HTTLPR) and dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) variants are contradictory. One
      explanation for this is that a gender difference may exist for genetic
      contributions. We compared the gender-related main effects and the gene-to-gene
      interaction between serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and DRD2 in adult male
      and female patients with bipolar I (BP-I) and bipolar II (BP-II) disorder.
      Patients with BP-I (n = 400) and BP-II (n = 493), and healthy controls (n = 442)
      were recruited from Taiwan's Han Chinese population. The genotypes of the 5
      HTTLPR and DRD2 Taq-IA polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain
      reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Logistic regression
      analysis showed a significant gender-specific association of the DRD2 A1/A1 and
      the 5-HTTLPR S/S, S/LG , and LG/LG (S+) (p = 0.01) genotypes in men with BP-I (p
      = 0.002 and 0.01, respectively) and BP-II (p = 0.001 and 0.007, respectively),
      but not in women. A significant interaction for the DRD2 A1/A1 and 5-HTTLPR S+
      polymorphisms was also found only in men with BP-I and BP-II (p = 0.003 and
      0.001, respectively). We provide preliminary evidence for a gender-specific
      effect of the SLC6A4 and DRD2 gene variants for the risk of BP-I and of BP-II. We
      also found gender-specific interaction between 5-HTTLPR and DRD2 Taq-IA
      polymorphisms in patients with bipolar disorder.

PMID- 24229496
TI  - Effects of potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate in the diet on urinary pH
      and mineral excretion of adult cats.
AB  - Low dietary K levels have been associated with increasing renal Ca excretion in
      humans, indicating a higher risk of calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolith formation.
      Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether dietary K also affects
      the urine composition of cats. A total of eight adult cats were fed diets
      containing 0.31 % native K and 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 % K from KCl or KHCO3 and were
      evaluated for the effects of dietary K. High dietary K levels were found to
      elevate urinary K concentrations (P<0.001). Renal Ca excretion was higher in cats
      fed the KCl diets than in those fed the KHCO3 diets (P=0.026), while urinary
      oxalate concentrations were generally lower in cats fed the KCl diets and only
      dependent on dietary K levels in cats fed the KHCO3 diets (P<0.05). Fasting urine
      pH increased with higher dietary K levels (P=0.022), reaching values of 6.38
      (1.00 % KCl) and 7.65 (1.00 % KHCO3). K retention was markedly negative after
      feeding the cats with the basal diet (-197 mg/d) and the 0.50 % KCl diet (-131
      mg/d), while the cats tended to maintain their balance on being fed the highest
      KCl diet (-23.3 mg/d). In contrast, K from KHCO3 was more efficiently retained
      (P=0.018), with K retention being between -82.5 and 52.5 mg/d. In conclusion, the
      dietary inclusion of KHCO3 instead of KCl as K source could be beneficial for the
      prevention of CaOx urolith formation in cats, since there is an association
      between a lower renal Ca excretion and a generally higher urine pH. The
      utilisation of K is distinctly influenced by the K salt, which may be especially
      practically relevant when using diets with low K levels.

PMID- 24229497
TI  - The outcome of twin pregnancies discordant for trisomy 21.
AB  - The management of twin pregnancies discordant for trisomy 21 is dependent on the
      gestation at diagnosis, chorionicity, and parental preference. Our experience
      with the management of 15 cases in 1,839 twin pregnancies over a 12-year period
      is described. Selective termination is not always associated with a successful
      outcome for the normal co-twin. Two of the three monochorionic twin pregnancies
      affected by trisomy 21 were discordant. Amniocentesis should be strongly
      considered rather than chorionic villus sampling in monochorionic twin
      pregnancies. Pregnancies that continue with a trisomy 21 affected fetus are at
      risk of polyhydramnios and premature labor. 

PMID- 24229498
TI  - Word order, referential expression, and case cues to the acquisition of
      transitive sentences in Italian.
AB  - In Study 1 we analyzed Italian child-directed-speech (CDS) and selected the three
      most frequent active transitive sentence frames used with overt subjects. In
      Study 2 we experimentally investigated how Italian-speaking children aged 2;6,
      3;6, and 4;6 comprehended these orders with novel verbs when the cues of animacy,
      gender, and subject-verb agreement were neutralized. For each trial, children
      chose between two videos (e.g., horse acting on cat versus cat acting on horse),
      both involving the same action. The children aged 2;6 comprehended S + object
      pronoun + V (soprov) significantly better than S + V + object-noun (svonoun ). We
      explain this in terms of cue collaboration between a low cost cue (case) and the
      first argument = agent cue which we found to be reliable 76% of the time. The
      most difficult word order for all age groups was the object-pronoun + V + S
      (oprovs). We ascribe this difficulty to cue conflict between the two most
      frequent transitive frames found in CDS, namely V + object-noun and object
      pronoun + V.

PMID- 24229499
TI  - Protective effect of pranlukast on Abeta1-42-induced cognitive deficits
      associated with downregulation of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1.
AB  - Deposition of extracellular amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide is one of the
      pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Accumulation of Abeta is
      thought to associate with cognition deficits, neuroinflammation and apoptosis
      observed in AD. However, effective neuroprotective approaches against Abeta
      neurotoxicity are unavailable. In the present study, we analysed the effects of
      pranlukast, a selective cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1R) antagonist, on
      the impairment of learning and memory formation induced by Abeta and the probable
      underlying electrophysiological and molecular mechanisms. We found that bilateral
      intrahippocampal injection of Abeta1-42 resulted in a significant decline of
      spatial learning and memory of mice in the Morris water maze (MWM) and Y-maze
      tests, together with a serious depression of in vivo hippocampal long-term
      potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the mice. Importantly, this treatment
      caused significant increases in CysLT1R expression and subsequent NF-kappaB
      signaling, caspase-3 activation and Bcl-2 downregulation in the hippocampus or
      prefrontal cortex. Oral administration of pranlukast at 0.4 or 0.8 mg/kg for 4 wk
      significantly reversed Abeta1-42-induced impairments of cognitive function and
      hippocampal LTP in mice. Furthermore, pranlukast reversed Abeta1-42-induced
      CysLT1R upregulation, and markedly suppressed the Abeta1-42-triggered NF-kappaB
      pathway, caspase-3 activation and Bcl-2 downregulation in the hippocampus and
      prefrontal cortex in mice. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC
      MS/MS) assay confirmed its presence in the brain after oral administration of
      pranlukast in mice. These data disclose novel findings about the therapeutic
      potential of pranlukast, revealing a previously unknown therapeutic possibility
      to treat memory deficits associated with AD.

PMID- 24229500
TI  - Ants affect the infestation levels but not the parasitism of honeydew and non
      honeydew producing pests in citrus.
AB  - Ants act simultaneously as predators and as hemipteran mutualists, and thereby
      may affect the composition and population dynamics of a wide arthropod community.
      We conducted ant-exclusion experiments in order to determine the impact of ants
      on the infestation levels and parasitism of three of the most important citrus
      pests of western Mediterranean citrus: the honeydew producer Aleurothrixus
      floccosus Maskell (woolly whitefly) and the non-honeydew producers Aonidiella
      aurantii Maskell (California red scale; CRS) and Phyllocnistis citrella (Staiton)
      (citrus leafminer). The study was conducted in three commercial citrus orchards,
      each one dominated by one ant species (Pheidole pallidula, Lasius grandis or
      Linepithema humile) during two consecutive growing seasons (2011 and 2012). We
      registered a significant reduction of the CRS densities on fruits in the ant
      excluded treatment in the three orchards and in the two seasons, ranging from as
      high as 41% to as low as 21%. Similarly, the percentage of shoots occupied by A.
      floccosus was significantly lower in the ant-excluded plots in the orchards
      dominated by P. pallidula and L. humile. No significant differences were
      registered in the percentage of leaf surface loss caused by P. citrella between
      ant-allowed and ant-excluded treatments in any case. We found no significant
      differences in the percent parasitism between ant-allowed and ant-excluded
      treatments for honeydew and non-honeydew producing herbivores. These results
      suggest that: (i) ant management should be considered in order to reduce
      herbivore populations in citrus and (ii) mechanisms other than parasitism (e.g.,
      predation) might explain the differences in herbivore infestation levels between
      treatments. 

PMID- 24229501
TI  - Left atrial extension of hepatoblastoma via left superior pulmonary vein.
AB  - Hepatoblastoma is the most common malignant liver tumour in early childhood. The
      metastatic extension of hepatoblastoma into the left atrium via the pulmonary
      vein is rare. Reported lesions almost always involve a right-sided approach. Here
      we report the case of a 3-year-old girl with a recurrent hepatoblastoma at
      multiple sites, including the left atrium, brain, and lung. The patient was
      treated surgically for the prevention of further embolic complications and
      cardiac failure. 

PMID- 24229502
TI  - Commentary: interpreting patient wishes.

PMID- 24229504
TI  - Mitral valve replacement in heavily calcified posterior annulus.

PMID- 24229503
TI  - Synthetic prostacyclin agonist, ONO1301, enhances endogenous myocardial repair in
      a hamster model of dilated cardiomyopathy: a promising regenerative therapy for
      the failing heart.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) in idiopathic dilated
      cardiomyopathy (IDCM) is known to be associated with multiple pathologic changes
      that endogenous factors, such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF), protect against. Although a clinically relevant
      delivery method of these factors has not been established, ONO1301, a synthetic
      prostacyclin agonist, has been shown to upregulate multiple cardioprotective
      factors, including HGF and VEGF, in vivo. We thus hypothesized that ONO1301 may
      reverse LV remodeling in the DCM heart. METHODS: ONO1301 dose-dependently added
      to the normal human dermal fibroblasts and human coronary artery smooth muscle
      cells in vitro, to measure the expression of HGF, VEGF, stromal cell-derived
      factor (SDF)-1, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), assessed by
      real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
      delta-Sarcoglycan-deficient J2N-k hamsters, which is an established DCM model,
      were treated by epicardial implantation of an atelocollagen sheet with or without
      ONO1301 immersion or sham operation. RESULTS: ONO1301 dose-dependently
      upregulated expression of these 4 factors in vitro. ONO1301 treatment, which
      induced dominant elevation of ONO1301 levels for 2 weeks, significantly preserved
      cardiac performance and prolonged survival compared with the other groups. This
      treatment significantly upregulated expressions of cardioprotective factors and
      was associated with increased capillaries, attenuated fibrosis, and upregulation
      of alpha-sarcoglycan in the DCM heart. CONCLUSIONS: ONO1301 atelocollagen-sheet
      implantation reorganized cytoskeletal proteins, such as alpha-sarcoglycan,
      increased capillaries, reduced fibrosis, and was associated with upregulated
      expression of multiple cardioprotective factors, leading to preservation of
      cardiac performance and prolongation of survival in the delta-sarcoglycan
      deficient DCM hamster.

PMID- 24229505
TI  - Reply to the editor.

PMID- 24229506
TI  - Breast-fed infants and their later cardiovascular health: a prospective study
      from birth to age 32 years.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of infant breast-feeding
      on cardiovascular risk in young adults. This unique study group involved 158
      subjects (eighty-two females) originally collected prospectively at birth in 1975
      and followed up to the age of 32 years. Frequent visits during the first year
      guaranteed the knowledge of the precise duration of breast-feeding. All infants
      received at least some breast milk. Participants were assessed for both
      individual cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, plasma lipids,
      homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and waist circumference) and
      the general clinical risk of cardiovascular events by calculating the Framingham
      risk score (FRS) and the metabolic syndrome criteria score (NCEP-ATPIII; National
      Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III). Data on lifestyle
      factors were carefully collected. Linear regression analyses revealed that the
      effect of the duration of breast-feeding was not relevant (0.02 decrease in the
      FRS per one additional breast-feeding month; 95 % CI - 0.19, 0.09). Similarly,
      the effect of breast-feeding was minor on all of the individual cardiovascular
      risk factors. We used sex, physical activity, dietary fat and vitamin C, smoking
      and alcohol consumption as covariates. Again, logistic regression analyses
      detected no significant impact of the duration of breast-feeding on the risk of
      the metabolic syndrome according to the NCEP-ATPIII (OR 0.95, 95 % CI 0.8, 1.1).
      The strongest independent predictor for later CVD risk was male sex. In
      conclusion, in this prospectively followed cohort of young adults born at term
      and at weight appropriate for gestational age, the duration of breast-feeding did
      not have an impact on the accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors. 

PMID- 24229507
TI  - Fitness costs associated with field-evolved resistance to chlorantraniliprole in
      Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).
AB  - Plutella xylostella (L.) is the most important pest of Brassicaceae worldwide,
      with a recent estimate of US$ 4-5 billion expenditure for the control of this
      insect. A case of very high resistance of this pest to chlorantraniliprole was
      recently associated with reduced efficacy in a Brazilian field of Brassica spp.
      Although diamide resistance has been characterized, the fitness of insects due to
      such resistance has yet to be examined. Therefore, in this study, biological
      parameters were assessed in both susceptible and resistant strains of P.
      xylostella subjected to sublethal chlorantraniliprole concentrations. The field
      strain showed high resistance to chlorantraniliprole (RR50=27,793-fold), although
      resistance rapidly decreased in the first generations, showing instability. The
      exposure of susceptible and resistant larvae to their respective LC1, LC10, and
      LC25 values led to an increased duration of the larval and pupae phases and
      reduced weight in both strains; however, no significant differences in pupal
      viability across the treatments were observed. The resistant insects presented
      significantly lower larval weight and fecundity and higher larval and pupal
      periods, hatchability, and male longevity when not exposed to
      chlorantraniliprole, suggesting a fitness cost associated with resistance. In
      addition, resistant females showed a significantly higher egg-laying period and
      longevity at LC25, whereas the males lived longer at LC1. Chlorantraniliprole
      negatively impacted the biological parameters of both strains tested, although
      these effects were more relevant to the resistant insects. Resistant P.
      xylostella showed negative and positive biological trade-offs when compared with
      the susceptible individuals in both the absence and presence of
      chlorantraniliprole. Despite the important role that these trade-offs may play in
      the evolution of resistance to chlorantraniliprole, practical applications still
      depend on such information as the dominance of fitness costs and resistance. 

PMID- 24229508
TI  - Onset and temporal sequencing of lifetime anxiety, mood and substance use
      disorders in the general population.
AB  - Aims. To date, very few studies have examined the bi-directional associations
      between mood disorders (MDs), anxiety disorders (ADs) and substance use disorders
      (SUDs), simultaneously. The aims of the current study were to determine the rates
      and patterns of comorbidity of the common MDs, ADs and SUDs and describe the
      onset and temporal sequencing of these classes of disorder, by sex. Methods. Data
      came from the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, a
      nationally representative household survey with 8841 (60% response rate)
      community residents aged 16-85. Results. Pre-existing mental disorders increase
      the risk of subsequent mental disorders in males and females regardless of the
      class of disorder. Pre-existing SUDs increase the risk of subsequent MDs and ADs
      differentially for males and females. Pre-existing MDs increase the risk of
      subsequent ADs differentially for males and females. Conclusions. Comorbidity
      remains a significant public health issue and current findings point to the
      potential need for sex-specific prevention and treatment responses. 

PMID- 24229509
TI  - Commentary: the need for more questions.

PMID- 24229510
TI  - Regular exercise prevents non-cognitive disturbances in a rat model of
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Previously, we reported that in a rat model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      generated by exogenous administration of Abeta1-42 (250 pmol/d for 2 wk) via mini
      osmotic pump, the animals exhibited learning and memory impairment, which could
      be attributed to the deleterious alterations in the levels of cognition-related
      signalling molecules. We showed that 4 wk of treadmill exercise totally prevented
      these impairments. Here, we evaluated the effect of exercise on non-cognitive
      function and basal synaptic transmission in the Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA1) area using
      the same AD model. Our results indicated that the anxiety behaviour of Abeta
      treated rats was prevented by 4 wk of treadmill exercise. Exercised/Abeta-infused
      rats spent a longer time in the centre area of the open field (OF), elevated plus
      maze (EPM) paradigms and the light area of the light-dark (LD) box, which were
      similar to those of control and exercise rats. Furthermore, under basal
      conditions the aberrant up-regulation of calcineurin (PP2B) and reduction of
      phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (p-CaMKII) levels
      induced by AD-like pathology were normalised by the exercise regimen. We conclude
      that regular exercise may exert beneficial effects on both cognitive and non
      cognitive functions in this AD model.

PMID- 24229511
TI  - Talking theory of mind talk: young school-aged children's everyday conversation
      and understanding of mind and emotion.
AB  - Links between young children's everyday use of mindful conversational skills and
      their success on laboratory tests of theory of mind understanding (ToM) were
      evaluated. Using published scales, teachers rated the conversational behavior and
      shyness of 129 children aged 60 to 101 months (M = 78.8 months) who were in their
      first years of primary school. The children also took batteries of first- and
      second-order false-belief tests along with tests of emotion understanding and
      general language ability. Correlational and regression analyses showed that
      performance on false-belief tests of ToM significantly predicted children's
      competence at reading others' minds in their everyday conversational
      interactions. Furthermore, these links transcended individual differences in
      language ability, shy personality, emotion understanding, and age. These findings
      augment and extend a growing body of evidence linking performance on laboratory
      ToM tests to socially competent real-world behavior.

PMID- 24229512
TI  - The Prehospital Sepsis Project: out-of-hospital physiologic predictors of sepsis
      outcomes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Severe sepsis and septic shock are common, expensive and often
      fatal medical problems. The care of the critically sick and injured often begins
      in the prehospital setting; there is limited data available related to predictors
      and interventions specific to sepsis in the prehospital arena. The objective of
      this study was to assess the predictive effect of physiologic elements commonly
      reported in the out-of-hospital setting in the outcomes of patients transported
      with sepsis. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data from the
      years 2004-2006 were collected. Adult cases (>=18 years of age) transported by
      Emergency Medical Services to a major academic center with the diagnosis of
      sepsis as defined by ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes were included. Descriptive
      statistics and standard deviations were used to present group characteristics.
      Chi-square was used for statistical significance and odds ratio (OR) to assess
      strength of association. Statistical significance was set at the .05 level.
      Physiologic variables studied included mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate
      (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and shock index (SI). RESULTS: Sixty-three (63)
      patients were included. Outcome variables included a mean hospital length of stay
      (HLOS) of 13.75 days (SD = 9.97), mean ventilator days of 4.93 (SD = 7.87), in
      hospital mortality of 22 out of 63 (34.9%), and mean intensive care unit length
      of-stay (ICU-LOS) of 7.02 days (SD = 7.98). Although SI and RR were found to
      predict intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, [OR 5.96 (CI, 1.49-25.78; P = .003)
      and OR 4.81 (CI, 1.16-21.01; P = .0116), respectively] none of the studied
      variables were found to predict mortality (MAP <65 mmHg: P = .39; HR >90: P =
      .60; RR >20 P = .11; SI >0.7 P = .35). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that
      the out-of-hospital shock index and respiratory rate have high predictability for
      ICU admission. Further studies should include the development of an out-of
      hospital sepsis score.

PMID- 24229513
TI  - A time to act.

PMID- 24229514
TI  - Public health consensus and point-of-care multiplex diagnostics for shipboard
      outbreak control.

PMID- 24229515
TI  - Emergent communication networks during disaster: an app for that.

PMID- 24229516
TI  - Nongovernmental resources to support disaster preparedness, response, and
      recovery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although recent emergencies or disasters have underscored the vital
      role of nongovernmental (NGO) resources, they remain not well understood or
      leveraged. We intended to develop an assets framework that identifies relevant
      NGO resources for disaster preparedness and response that can be used to assess
      their availability at state and local levels. METHODS: We conducted a search of
      peer-reviewed publications to identify existing asset frameworks, and reviewed
      policy documents and gray literature to identify roles of NGOs in emergency
      preparedness, response, and recovery. A standardized data abstraction form was
      used to organize the results by NGO sector. RESULTS: We organized NGO assets into
      5 categories: competencies, money, infrastructure or equipment, services,
      relationships, and data for each of the 11 sectors designated by the Centers for
      Disease Control and Prevention in the 2011 preparedness capabilities.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that the capacity of each sector to capture data
      on each asset type needs strengthening so that data can be merged for just-in
      time analysis to indicate where additional relief is needed.

PMID- 24229517
TI  - Disaster documentation for the clinician.
AB  - Documentation of the patient encounter is a traditional component of health care
      practice, a requirement of various regulatory agencies and hospital oversight
      committees, and a necessity for reimbursement. A disaster may create unexpected
      challenges to documentation. If patient volume and acuity overwhelm health care
      providers, what is the acceptable appropriate documentation? If alterations in
      scope of practice and environmental or resource limitations occur, to what degree
      should this be documented? The conflicts arising from allocation of limited
      resources create unfamiliar situations in which patient competition becomes a
      component of the medical decision making; should that be documented, and, if so,
      how? In addition to these challenges, ever-present liability worries are
      compounded by controversies over the standards to which health care providers
      will be held. Little guidance is available on how or what to document. We
      conducted a search of the literature and found no appropriate references for
      disaster documentation, and no guidelines from professional organizations. We
      review here the challenges affecting documentation during disasters and provide a
      rationale for specific patient care documentation that avoids regulatory and
      legal pitfalls.

PMID- 24229518
TI  - Harnessing a community for sustainable disaster response and recovery: an
      operational model for integrating nongovernmental organizations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are important to a community
      during times of disaster and routine operations. However, their effectiveness is
      reduced without an operational framework that integrates response and recovery
      efforts. Without integration, coordination among NGOs is challenging and use of
      government resources is inefficient. We developed an operational model to specify
      NGO roles and responsibilities before, during, and after a disaster. METHODS: We
      conducted an analysis of peer-reviewed literature, relevant policy, and federal
      guidance to characterize the capabilities of NGOs, contextual factors that
      determine their involvement in disaster operations, and key services they provide
      during disaster response and recovery. We also identified research questions that
      should be prioritized to improve coordination and communication between NGOs and
      government. RESULTS: Our review showed that federal policy stresses the
      importance of partnerships between NGOs and government agencies and among other
      NGOs. Such partnerships can build deep local networks and broad systems that
      reach from local communities to the federal government. Understanding what
      capacities NGOs need and what factors influence their ability to perform during a
      disaster informs an operational model that could optimize NGO performance.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although the operational model needs to be applied and tested in
      community planning and disaster response, it holds promise as a unifying
      framework across new national preparedness and recovery policy, and provides
      structure to community planning, resource allocation, and metrics on which to
      evaluate NGO disaster involvement.

PMID- 24229519
TI  - Competency-based standardized training for humanitarian providers: making
      humanitarian assistance a professional discipline.
AB  - The number of people employed in international humanitarian care is growing at a
      yearly rate of 6%. The demand for better coordination, accountability, and
      training has led to a need for standardized humanitarian training programs for
      providers. Training should be based on comprehensive core competencies that
      providers must demonstrate in addition to their skill-specific competencies. This
      report explores the competencies specific to humanitarian training that are
      practice- and application-oriented, teachable, and measurable. Competency-based,
      standardized programs will be used to select humanitarian workers deployed in
      future crises and to guide the professionalization of this discipline. 

PMID- 24229520
TI  - Building performance-based accountability with limited empirical evidence:
      performance measurement for public health preparedness.
AB  - Efforts to respond to performance-based accountability mandates for public health
      emergency preparedness have been hindered by a weak evidence base linking
      preparedness activities with response outcomes. We describe an approach to
      measure development that was successfully implemented in the Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative
      Agreement. The approach leverages insights from process mapping and experts to
      guide measure selection, and provides mechanisms for reducing performance
      irrelevant variation in measurement data. Also, issues are identified that need
      to be addressed to advance the science of measurement in public health emergency
      preparedness. 

PMID- 24229521
TI  - Assessment of the health impacts of the 2011 summer floods in Brisbane.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of the 2011 floods in Brisbane, Australia, on
      residents' physical and mental health. METHODS: Residents who had been affected
      by the floods completed a community-based survey that examined the direct impact
      of flooding on households and their perceived physical and mental health. Outcome
      variables included overall and respiratory health and mental health outcomes
      related to psychological distress, sleep quality, and posttraumatic stress
      disorder (PTSD). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the
      association between flooding and perceived health outcome variables, adjusted for
      current health status and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Residents whose
      households were directly affected by flooding were more likely to report poor
      overall (Odds Ratio [OR] 5.3; 95% CI, 2.8-10.1) and respiratory (OR 2.3; 95% CI,
      1.1-4.6) health, psychological distress (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.5), poor sleep
      quality (OR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.4), and probable PTSD (OR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.5).
      CONCLUSIONS: The 2011 Brisbane floods had significant impact on the physical and
      psychosocial health of residents. Improved support strategies may need to be
      integrated into existing disaster management programs to reduce flood-related
      health impacts, particularly those related to mental health.

PMID- 24229522
TI  - Resilience of Vietnamese refugees: resources to cope with natural disasters in
      their resettled country.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Study findings suggest that refugees are more vulnerable than the
      general population to mental disorders from disasters. This pilot study explored
      the nature of Vietnamese refugees' resilience to a potential natural disaster as
      a first step toward improving their disaster mental health. METHODS: Interviews
      were conducted with 20 ethnic Vietnamese and Montagnard adult refugees using a
      semistructured interview guide. Factors in resilience at both individual and
      family levels were examined. RESULTS: Our results indicated that these refugees
      had positive personalities and strong family cohesion. However, although a
      majority of the participants had experienced natural disasters, they lacked
      knowledge and specific strategies to cope with these events. The individual
      participants and their families lacked sufficient information, financial
      resources, emergency supplies, or social support for a natural disaster.
      CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing refugees' current strengths in responding to disasters,
      delivering them tailored emergency training, strengthening relationships between
      refugee service providers and refugee communities, and advocating for refugees'
      socioeconomic capacity building should be considered.

PMID- 24229523
TI  - Nonclinical core competencies and effects of interprofessional teamwork in
      disaster and emergency response training and practice: a pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To define and delineate the nontechnical core competencies required
      for disaster response, Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) members were
      interviewed regarding their perspectives and experiences in disaster management.
      Also explored was the relationship between nontechnical competencies and
      interprofessional collaboration. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with
      10 Canadian DMAT members to explore how they viewed nontechnical core
      competencies and how their experiences influenced their perceptions toward
      interprofessonalism in disaster response. Data were examined using thematic
      analysis. RESULTS: Nontechnical core competencies were categorized under austere
      skills, interpersonal skills, and cognitive skills. Research participants defined
      interprofessionalism and discussed the importance of specific nontechnical core
      competencies to interprofessional collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of
      this study established a connection between nontechnical core competencies and
      interprofessional collaboration in DMAT activities. It also provided preliminary
      insights into the importance of context in developing an evidence base for
      competency training in disaster response and management. (Disaster Med Public
      Health Preparedness. 2013;0:1-8).

PMID- 24229524
TI  - Using health insurance claim information for evacuee medical support and
      reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Loss of patient information can hinder medical care for evacuees and
      the reconstruction of medical facilities damaged by major incidents. In Japan,
      health insurance coverage is universal, and information about diagnoses and
      health care services provided is shared by the medical facilities, Health
      Insurance Claims Review and Reimbursement Services or the National Health
      Insurance Organization (NHIO), and the insurers. After the Great East Japan
      Earthquake on March 11, 2011, we interviewed officers in charge of NHIO in the 3
      prefectures that were damaged by the earthquake and elicited how they assisted
      with medical care for evacuees and reconstruction of the damaged medical
      facilities. METHODS: Comprehensive interviews were conducted with officers in
      charge of the NHIO in the 3 prefectures to obtain information about the use and
      provision of health insurance claims data 3 to 4 months after the event. We then
      analyzed the official data concerning use of the information from the claims in
      chronological order. RESULTS: The NHIO headquarters in the 3 prefectures were not
      physically affected by the disaster, and their information on the health
      insurance claims was intact. Patient information acquired before the disaster was
      obtained from the health insurance claims and applied to the medical care of the
      evacuees. The information also was used to reconstruct patient records lost in
      the disaster. CONCLUSION: The information that was obtained from health insurance
      claims was used to improve medical care after the large-scale disaster.

PMID- 24229525
TI  - Preparedness of anesthesiologists working in humanitarian disasters.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Many skills needed to provide patients with safe, timely, and adequate
      anesthesia care during humanitarian crisis and disaster relief operations are not
      part of the daily routine before deployment. An exploratory study was conducted
      to identify preparedness, knowledge, and skills needed for deployment to complex
      emergencies. METHODS: Anesthesiologists who had been deployed during humanitarian
      crisis and disaster relief operations completed an online questionnaire assessing
      their preparedness, skills, and knowledge needed during deployment. Qualitative
      data were sorted by frequencies and similarities and clustered accordingly.
      RESULTS: Of 121 invitations sent out, 55 (46%) were completed and returned. Of
      these respondents, 24% did not feel sufficiently prepared for the deployment, and
      69% did not undertake additional education for their missions. Insufficient
      preparedness involved equipment, drugs, regional anesthesia, and related
      management. CONCLUSIONS: As the lack of preparation and relevant training can
      create precarious situations, anesthesiologists and deploying agencies should
      improve preparedness for anesthesia personnel. (Disaster Med Public Health
      Preparedness. 2013;0;1-5).

PMID- 24229526
TI  - Testing the efficacy of homemade masks: would they protect in an influenza
      pandemic?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined homemade masks as an alternative to commercial
      face masks. METHODS: Several household materials were evaluated for the capacity
      to block bacterial and viral aerosols. Twenty-one healthy volunteers made their
      own face masks from cotton t-shirts; the masks were then tested for fit. The
      number of microorganisms isolated from coughs of healthy volunteers wearing their
      homemade mask, a surgical mask, or no mask was compared using several air
      sampling techniques. RESULTS: The median-fit factor of the homemade masks was one
      half that of the surgical masks. Both masks significantly reduced the number of
      microorganisms expelled by volunteers, although the surgical mask was 3 times
      more effective in blocking transmission than the homemade mask. CONCLUSION: Our
      findings suggest that a homemade mask should only be considered as a last resort
      to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but it would be better
      than no protection.

PMID- 24229527
TI  - Impacts of the emergency mass evacuation of the elderly from residential care
      facilities after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The 2011 earthquake that devastated Christchurch, New Zealand, led to
      the closure and evacuation of 7 residential care facilities and the partial
      evacuation of 2 more. Altogether, 516 elderly persons were evacuated. The
      emergent nature of the disaster was unexpected and largely unplanned for. This
      study explored the evacuees' experiences and identified lessons learned for
      future disaster planning. METHODS: This qualitative study used a general
      inductive method. Semistructured interviews with evacuees were held in 4 centers
      throughout New Zealand. Their informal caregivers were also identified and
      interviewed. Answers were coded and grouped for key themes to provide lessons
      learned for future disaster planning. RESULTS: We conducted 50 interviews with
      older people and 34 with informal caregivers. Key themes that emerged were
      resilience and factors that promoted resilience, including personal attitudes,
      life experiences, enhanced family support, and social supports. Areas of concern
      were (1) the mental health of evacuees: 36% reported some symptoms of anxiety,
      while 32.4% of caregivers reported some cognitive decline; and (2) communication
      difficulties during the evacuations. CONCLUSIONS: Older people were remarkably
      resilient to the difficult events, and resilience was promoted by family and
      community support. Anxiety was reported by older people, while informal
      caregivers reported cognitive issues. Communication difficulties were a major
      concern.

PMID- 24229528
TI  - Using participatory action research to identify strategies to improve pandemic
      vaccination.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Developing and implementing effective strategies to increase influenza
      vaccination rates among health care personnel is an ongoing challenge, especially
      during a pandemic. We used participatory action research (PAR) methodology to
      identify targeted vaccination interventions that could potentially improve
      vaccine uptake in a medical center. METHODS: Front-line medical center personnel
      were recruited to participate in 2 PAR teams (clinical and nonclinical staff).
      Data from a recent medical center survey on barriers and facilitators to
      influenza (seasonal, pandemic, and combination) vaccine uptake were reviewed, and
      strategies to increase vaccination rates among medical center personnel were
      identified. RESULTS: Feasible, creative, and low-cost interventions were
      identified, including organizational strategies that differed from investigator
      identified interventions. The recommended strategies also differed by team. The
      nonclinical team suggested programs focused on dispelling vaccination-related
      myths, and the clinical team suggested campaigns emphasizing the importance of
      vaccination to protect patients. CONCLUSIONS: PAR methodology was useful to
      identify innovative and targeted recommendations for increasing vaccine uptake.
      By involving representative front-line workers, PAR may help medical centers
      improve influenza vaccination rates across all work groups.

PMID- 24229529
TI  - Comparing acquisition of radiation health knowledge and preventive behavior of
      working adults during and after the Fukushima disaster.

PMID- 24229530
TI  - Emergency response to mass casualty incidents in Lebanon.
AB  - The emergency response to mass casualty incidents in Lebanon lacks uniformity.
      Three recent large-scale incidents have challenged the existing emergency
      response process and have raised the need to improve and develop incident
      management for better resilience in times of crisis. We describe some simple
      emergency management principles that are currently applied in the United States.
      These principles can be easily adopted by Lebanon and other developing countries
      to standardize and improve their emergency response systems using existing
      infrastructure.

PMID- 24229531
TI  - Maternal fatty acids and offspring development: extending beyond the
      cardiovascular and endocrine systems.

PMID- 24229532
TI  - Seoul virus in rats (Rattus norvegicus), Hyesan, North Korea, 2009-2011.

PMID- 24229533
TI  - Social support and health among elderly Kuwaitis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine differences in several aspects of health
      between Kuwaiti men and women aged 60 years and over across three age categories
      (60-69, 70-79, 80+ years). The relationships between several social support
      variables, somatic symptoms and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were
      examined. A total of 1427 adult men (472) and women (955) aged 60 years and over
      representing all six governorates were selected. Data were collected during 2008
      2009 by interview and completion of a questionnaire by participants in their own
      homes, after obtaining their informed consent. The Social Support Scale (SSS),
      Frequency of Contact Scale (FOC), Strength of Relations (SOR), Somatic Symptoms
      Inventory (SSI) and self-rated scales of general health were included. Systolic
      and diastolic blood pressures were measured. The data show that self-rated health
      and health in the last year differ significantly across age groups. Glycaemia
      differed significantly across the three age groups for the total sample. Systolic
      and diastolic blood pressure were higher in older respondents than younger ones,
      but no significant differences were observed between men and women. No
      significant differences in somatic symptoms were observed across the three age
      groups. Strength of relationship, frequency of contact, social support and
      children living with an elderly adult were all associated with fewer somatic
      symptoms, and all, except social support, were associated with lower systolic and
      diastolic blood pressure. Having children, the perception of social support,
      frequency of contact with, and strength of, relationships with kin are important
      modulators of somatic symptoms and blood pressure among elderly Kuwaitis.

PMID- 24229534
TI  - Segmental distributions and consonant-vowel association patterns in Japanese
      infant- and adult-directed speech.
AB  - Japanese infant-directed speech (IDS) and adult-directed speech (ADS) were
      compared on their segmental distributions and consonant-vowel association
      patterns. Consistent with findings in other languages, a higher ratio of segments
      that are generally produced early was found in IDS compared to ADS: more labial
      consonants and low-central vowels, but fewer fricatives. Consonant-vowel
      associations also favored the early produced labial-central, coronal-front,
      coronal-central, and dorsal-back patterns. On the other hand, clear language
      specific patterns included a higher frequency of dorsals, affricates, geminates,
      and moraic nasals in IDS. These segments are frequent in adult Japanese, but not
      in the early productions or the IDS of other studied languages. In combination
      with previous results, the current study suggests that both fine-tuning (an
      increased use of early produced segments) and highlighting (an increased use of
      language-specifically relevant segments) might modify IDS on the segmental level.

PMID- 24229535
TI  - Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C/T polymorphism is associated
      with antipsychotic-induced weight gain in first-episode schizophrenia.
AB  - Genetic variants of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene involved
      in homocysteine metabolism may be important predictors of antipsychotic drug
      induced weight gain (AIWG). We tested whether two functional MTHFR polymorphisms
      are related to AIWG. Weight gain was studied in two cohorts of first-episode,
      initially drug-naive schizophrenia patients; Chinese Han (n = 182) and Spanish
      Caucasians (n = 72) receiving antipsychotics for 10 wk and 3 months respectively.
      Blood DNA was genotyped for 677C/T and 1298A/C MTHFR polymorphisms. Patients with
      the 677 CC genotype had a significantly greater increase in BMI compared to T
      allele carriers in both Chinese (p = 0.012) and Spanish (p = 0.017) samples. The
      677C/T MTHFR polymorphism showed an additive effect, but no significant
      interaction, with the -759C/T HTR2C polymorphism previously associated with AIWG.
      These results suggest that the 677C/T MTHFR polymorphism might, along with the 
      759C/T HTR2C polymorphism and other genetic factors, provide a useful marker for
      the important and limiting side effect of AIWG.

PMID- 24229536
TI  - Stress and the healthy adolescent brain: evidence for the neural embedding of
      life events.
AB  - Little is known about the long-term neural consequences of adverse life events
      for healthy adolescents, and this is particularly the case for events that occur
      after a putative stress-sensitive period in early childhood. In this functional
      magnetic resonance imaging study of healthy adolescents, we found that prior
      exposure to severe adverse life events was associated with current anxiety and
      with increased amygdala reactivity to standardized emotional stimuli (viewing of
      fearful faces relative to calm ones). Conjunction analyses identified multiple
      regions, including the amygdala, insula, and prefrontal cortex, in which
      reactivity to emotional faces covaried with life events as well as with current
      anxiety. Our morphometric analyses suggest systemic alterations in structural
      brain development with an association between anxiety symptoms and global gray
      matter volume. No life events were reported for the period before 4 years of age,
      suggesting that these results were not driven by exposure to stress during an
      early sensitive period in development. Overall, these data suggest systemic
      effects of traumatic events on the dynamically developing brain that are present
      even in a nonclinical sample of adolescents. 

PMID- 24229537
TI  - Origins of children's externalizing behavior problems in low-income families:
      toddlers' willing stance toward their mothers as the missing link.
AB  - Although children's active role in socialization has been long acknowledged,
      relevant research has typically focused on children's difficult temperament or
      negative behaviors that elicit coercive and adversarial processes, largely
      overlooking their capacity to act as positive, willing, even enthusiastic, active
      socialization agents. We studied the willing, receptive stance toward their
      mothers in a low-income sample of 186 children who were 24 to 44 months old.
      Confirmatory factor analysis supported a latent construct of willing stance,
      manifested as children's responsiveness to mothers in naturalistic interactions,
      responsive imitation in teaching contexts, and committed compliance with maternal
      prohibitions, all observed in the laboratory. Structural equation modeling
      analyses confirmed that ecological adversity undermined maternal responsiveness,
      and responsiveness, in turn, was linked to children's willing stance. A
      compromised willing stance predicted externalizing behavior problems, assessed 10
      months later, and fully mediated the links between maternal responsiveness and
      those outcomes. Ecological adversity had a direct, unmediated effect on
      internalizing behavior problems. Considering children's active role as willing,
      receptive agents capable of embracing parental influence can lead to a more
      complete understanding of detrimental mechanisms that link ecological adversity
      with antisocial developmental pathways. It can also inform research on the
      normative socialization process, consistent with the objectives of developmental
      psychopathology. 

PMID- 24229538
TI  - Observed parenting behaviors interact with a polymorphism of the brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor gene to predict the emergence of oppositional defiant and
      callous-unemotional behaviors at age 3 years.
AB  - Using the Durham Child Health and Development Study, this study (N = 171) tested
      whether observed parenting behaviors in infancy (6 and 12 months) and
      toddlerhood/preschool (24 and 36 months) interacted with a child polymorphism of
      the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene to predict oppositional defiant
      disorder (ODD) and callous-unemotional (CU) behaviors at age 3 years. Child
      genotype interacted with observed harsh and intrusive (but not sensitive)
      parenting to predict ODD and CU behaviors. Harsh-intrusive parenting was more
      strongly associated with ODD and CU for children with a methionine allele of the
      brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene. CU behaviors were uniquely predicted by
      harsh-intrusive parenting in infancy, whereas ODD behaviors were predicted by
      harsh-intrusive parenting in both infancy and toddlerhood/preschool. The results
      are discussed from the perspective of the contributions of caregiving behaviors
      as contributing to distinct aspects of early onset disruptive behavior. 

PMID- 24229539
TI  - Preventive interventions and sustained attachment security in maltreated
      children.
AB  - Thirteen-month-old maltreated infants (n = 137) and their mothers were randomly
      assigned to one of three conditions: child-parent psychotherapy (CPP),
      psychoeducational parenting intervention (PPI), or community standard (CS). A
      fourth group of nonmaltreated infants (n = 52) and their mothers served as a
      nonmaltreated comparison (NC) group. A prior investigation found that the CPP and
      the PPI groups demonstrated substantial increases in secure attachment at
      postintervention, whereas this change was not found in the CS and the NC groups.
      The current investigation involved the analysis of data obtained at a follow-up
      assessment that occurred 12 months after the completion of treatment. At follow
      up, children in the CPP group had higher rates of secure and lower rates of
      disorganized attachment than did children in the PPI or the CS group. Rates of
      disorganized attachment did not differ between the CPP and the NC groups.
      Intention to treat analyses also showed higher rates of secure attachment at
      follow-up in the CPP group relative to the PPI and the CS groups. However, groups
      did not differ on disorganized attachment. Both primary and intention to treat
      analyses demonstrated that maternal-reported child behavior problems did not
      differ among the four groups at the follow-up assessment. This is the first
      investigation to demonstrate sustained attachment security in maltreated children
      12 months after the completion of an attachment theory informed intervention. The
      findings also suggest that, although effective in the short term, parenting
      interventions alone may not be effective in maintaining secure attachment in
      children over time. 

PMID- 24229540
TI  - Patterns of brain activation in foster children and nonmaltreated children during
      an inhibitory control task.
AB  - Children in foster care have often encountered a range of adverse experiences,
      including neglectful and/or abusive care and multiple caregiver transitions.
      Prior research findings suggest that such experiences negatively affect
      inhibitory control and the underlying neural circuitry. In the current study,
      event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging was employed during a go/no
      go task that assesses inhibitory control to compare the behavioral performance
      and brain activation of foster children and nonmaltreated children. The sample
      included two groups of 9- to 12-year-old children: 11 maltreated foster children
      and 11 nonmaltreated children living with their biological parents. There were no
      significant group differences on behavioral performance on the task. In contrast,
      patterns of brain activation differed by group. The nonmaltreated children
      demonstrated stronger activation than did the foster children across several
      regions, including the right anterior cingulate cortex, the middle frontal gyrus,
      and the right lingual gyrus, during correct no go trials, whereas the foster
      children displayed stronger activation than the nonmaltreated children in the
      left inferior parietal lobule and the right superior occipital cortex, including
      the lingual gyrus and cuneus, during incorrect no go trials. These results
      provide preliminary evidence that the early adversity experienced by foster
      children impacts the neural substrates of inhibitory control. 

PMID- 24229541
TI  - Stress reactivity in war-exposed young children with and without posttraumatic
      stress disorder: relations to maternal stress hormones, parenting, and child
      emotionality and regulation.
AB  - The current study examined biomarkers of stress in war-exposed young children and
      addressed maternal and child factors that may correlate with children's stress
      response. Participants were 232 Israeli children aged 1.5-5 years, including 148
      children exposed to continuous war. Similarly, 56 were diagnosed with
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 92 were defined as exposed-no-PTSD.
      Child cortisol (CT) and salivary alpha amylase (sAA), biomarkers of the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary arms of the
      stress response, were measured at baseline, following challenge, and at recovery.
      Maternal CT and sAA, PTSD symptoms, and reciprocal parenting, and child negative
      emotionality and regulatory strategies were assessed. Differences between war
      exposed children and controls emerged, but these were related to child PTSD
      status. Children with PTSD exhibited consistently low CT and sAA, exposed-no-PTSD
      displayed consistently high CT and sAA, and controls showed increase in CT
      following challenge and decrease at recovery and low sAA. Exposed children showed
      higher negative emotionality; however, whereas exposed-no-PTSD children employed
      comfort-seeking strategies, children with PTSD used withdrawal. Predictors of
      child CT included maternal CT, PTSD symptoms, low reciprocity, and negative
      emotionality. Findings suggest that high physiological arousal combined with
      approach strategies may be associated with greater resilience in the context of
      early trauma. 

PMID- 24229542
TI  - Maternal responsiveness and sensitivity reconsidered: some is more.
AB  - Is it always or necessarily the case that common and important parenting
      practices are better, insofar as they occur more often, or worse, because they
      occur less often? Perhaps, less is more, or some is more. To address this
      question, we studied mothers' microcoded contingent responsiveness to their
      infants (M = 5.4 months, SD = 0.2) in relation to independent global judgments of
      the same mothers' parenting sensitivity. In a community sample of 335 European
      American dyads, videorecorded infant and maternal behaviors were timed
      microanalytically throughout an extended home observation; separately and
      independently, global maternal sensitivity was rated macroanalytically.
      Sequential analysis and spline regression showed that, as maternal contingent
      responsiveness increased, judged maternal sensitivity increased to significance
      on the contingency continuum, after which mothers who were even more contingent
      were judged less sensitive. Just significant levels of maternal responsiveness
      are deemed optimally sensitive. Implications of these findings for typical and
      atypical parenting, child development, and intervention science are discussed. 

PMID- 24229544
TI  - Differential susceptibility in longitudinal models of gene-environment
      interaction for adolescent depression.
AB  - Although family support reliably predicts the development of adolescent
      depression and suicidal behaviors, relatively little is known about the interplay
      of family support with potential genetic factors. We tested the association of
      the 44 base pair polymorphism in the serotonin transporter linked promoter region
      gene (5-HTTLPR), family support (i.e., cohesion, communication, and warmth), and
      their interaction with self-reported depression symptoms and risk for suicide in
      1,030 Caucasian adolescents and young adults from the National Longitudinal Study
      of Adolescent Health. High-quality family support predicted fewer symptoms of
      depression and reduced risk for suicidality. There was also a significant
      interaction between 5-HTTLPR and family support for boys and a marginally
      significant interaction for girls. Among boys with poor family support, youth
      with at least one short allele had more symptoms of depression and a higher risk
      for suicide attempts relative to boys homozygous for the long allele. However, in
      the presence of high family support, boys with the short allele had the fewest
      depression symptoms (but not suicide attempts). Results suggest that the short
      allele may increase reactivity to both negative and positive family influences in
      the development of depression. We discuss the potential role of interactive
      exchanges between family support and offspring genotype in the development of
      adolescent depression and suicidal behaviors. 

PMID- 24229543
TI  - Developmental timing and continuity of exposure to interparental violence and
      externalizing behavior as prospective predictors of dating violence.
AB  - This study investigated the prospective pathways of children's exposure to
      interparental violence (EIPV) in early and middle childhood and externalizing
      behavior in middle childhood and adolescence as developmental predictors of
      dating violence perpetration and victimization at ages 23 and 26 years.
      Participants (N = 168) were drawn from a longitudinal study of low-income
      families. Path analyses examined whether timing or continuity of EIPV predicted
      dating violence and whether timing or continuity of externalizing behavior
      mediated these pathways. Results indicated that EIPV in early childhood directly
      predicted perpetration and victimization at age 23. There were significant
      indirect effects from EIPV to dating violence through externalizing behavior in
      adolescence and life stress at age 23. Independent of EIPV, externalizing
      behavior in middle childhood also predicted dating violence through externalizing
      behavior in adolescence and life stress at age 23, but this pathway stemmed from
      maltreatment. These results highlight that the timing of EIPV and both the timing
      and the continuity of externalizing behavior are critical risks for the
      intergenerational transmission of dating violence. The findings support a
      developmental perspective that negative early experiences and children's
      externalizing behavior are powerful influences for dating violence in early
      adulthood. 

PMID- 24229545
TI  - Symptom differentiation of anxiety and depression across youth development and
      clinic-referred/nonreferred samples: An examination of competing factor
      structures of the Child Behavior Checklist DSM-oriented scales.
AB  - This study examined the psychometric properties of the DSM-oriented scales of the
      Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach, Dumenci, & Rescorla, 2003) using
      confirmatory factor analysis to compare the six-factor structure of the DSM
      oriented scales to competing models consistent with developmental theories of
      symptom differentiation. We tested these models on both clinic-referred (N = 757)
      and school-based, nonreferred (N = 713) samples of youths in order to assess the
      generalizability of the factorial structures. Although previous research has
      supported the fit of the six-factor DSM-oriented structure in a normative sample
      of youths ages 7 to 18 (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001), tripartite model research
      indicates that anxiety and depressive symptomology are less differentiated among
      children compared to adolescents (Jacques & Mash, 2004). We thus examined the
      relative fit of a six- and a five-factor model (collapsing anxiety and
      depression) with younger (ages 7-10) and older (ages 11-18) youth subsamples. The
      results revealed that the six-factor model fit the best in all samples except
      among younger nonclinical children. The results extended the generalizability of
      the rationally derived six-factor structure of the DSM-oriented scales to clinic
      referred youths and provided further support to the notion that younger children
      in nonclinical samples exhibit less differentiated symptoms of anxiety and
      depression. 

PMID- 24229546
TI  - Early menarche predicts increased depressive symptoms and cortisol levels in
      Quebec girls ages 11 to 13.
AB  - Earlier age of menarche is believed to confer greater vulnerability to depressive
      symptoms via increased reactivity to stressors associated with adolescence. In
      this longitudinal study, we measured depressive symptoms and salivary cortisol
      levels in 198 boys and 142 girls between the ages of 11 and 13 tested four times
      during Grade 7 as they transitioned from elementary school to secondary school as
      per Quebec's education system. Results showed that girls who had already reached
      menarche before starting secondary school had significantly higher depressive
      symptoms and salivary cortisol levels across the school year in comparison to
      girls who had not reached menarche, who in turn presented higher depressive
      scores than boys. When we divided menarcheal girls as a function of menarcheal
      timing in subanalyses, we found that girls with early menarche presented
      consistently elevated depressive symptoms across the school year while girls with
      on-time menarche presented transient depressive symptoms but no differences in
      salivary cortisol levels. Collectively, these results show that early menarche is
      associated with high depressive symptoms and cortisol levels in adolescent girls.
      This developmental milestone may render girls more vulnerable to environmental
      stressors and therefore represents a critical period to intervene to promote
      mental health. 

PMID- 24229547
TI  - Interaction matters: quantifying conduct problem * depressive symptoms
      interaction and its association with adolescent alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana
      use in a national sample.
AB  - Substance use is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among American
      adolescents. Conduct problems and depressive symptoms have each been found to be
      associated with adolescent substance use. Although they are highly comorbid, the
      role of the interaction of conduct problems and depressive symptoms in substance
      use is not clear. In national samples of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students
      from the Monitoring the Future study, latent moderated structural equation
      modeling was used to estimate the association of conduct problems, depressive
      symptoms, and their interaction to the use of alcohol (including binge drinking),
      cigarettes, and marijuana. Moderation by age and sex was tested. The interaction
      of conduct problems with depressive symptoms was a strong predictor of substance
      use, particularly among younger adolescents. With few exceptions, adolescents
      with high levels of both conduct problems and depressive symptoms used substances
      most frequently. Conduct problems were a strong positive predictor of substance
      use, and depressive symptoms were a weak positive predictor. Whereas conduct
      problems are often thought to be a primary predictor of substance use, this study
      revealed that depressive symptoms potentiate the relation of conduct problems to
      substance use. Therefore, substance use prevention efforts should target both
      depressive symptoms and conduct problems. 

PMID- 24229548
TI  - Exposure to maternal pre- and postnatal depression and anxiety symptoms: risk for
      major depression, anxiety disorders, and conduct disorder in adolescent
      offspring.
AB  - This study evaluated whether exposure to maternal pre- or postnatal depression or
      anxiety symptoms predicted psychopathology in adolescent offspring. Growth
      mixture modeling was used to identify trajectories of pre- and postnatal
      depression and anxiety symptoms in 577 women of low socioeconomic status selected
      from a prenatal clinic. Logistic regression models indicated that maternal pre-
      and postnatal depression trajectory exposure was not associated with offspring
      major depression, anxiety, or conduct disorder, but exposure to the high
      depression trajectory was associated with lower anxiety symptoms in males.
      Exposure to medium and high pre- and postnatal anxiety was associated with the
      risk of conduct disorder among offspring. Male offspring exposed to medium and
      high pre- and postnatal anxiety had higher odds of conduct disorder than did
      males with low exposure levels. Females exposed to medium or high pre- and
      postnatal anxiety were less likely to meet conduct disorder criteria than were
      females with lower exposure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
      study to examine the effect of pre- and postnatal anxiety trajectories on the
      risk of conduct disorder in offspring. These results suggest new directions for
      investigating the etiology of conduct disorder with a novel target for
      intervention. 

PMID- 24229550
TI  - The development of thought problems: a longitudinal family risk study of
      offspring of bipolar, unipolar, and well parents.
AB  - There is growing evidence that many offspring of parents with bipolar disorder
      (BD) will develop moderate to severe forms of psychopathology during childhood
      and adolescence, including thought problems. The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate the developmental progression of thought problems within the context of
      a family risk study. Repeated assessments of thought problems, spanning
      approximately 15 years, were conducted in offspring (N = 192 from 98 families) of
      parents diagnosed with BD (O-BD), unipolar depression (O-UNI), or no significant
      psychiatric or medical problems (O-WELL). Survival analysis showed that the O-BD
      group had the greatest estimated probability of developing thought problems over
      time, followed by O-UNI, and then O-WELL and O-BD exhibiting higher levels of
      persistence than O-WELL. Parent-reported thought problems in childhood and
      adolescence predicted a range of problems in young adulthood. Disturbances in
      reality testing and other atypical behaviors are likely to disrupt progression
      through important developmental periods and to associate with poor outcomes.
      These findings are likely relevant to preventing the occurrence or progression of
      problems in offspring of bipolar parents. The study of thought problems across
      development represents an important area of continued research in children at
      risk for development of affective disorders. 

PMID- 24229549
TI  - The efficacy of interpersonal psychotherapy for depression among economically
      disadvantaged mothers.
AB  - A randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of
      interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for ethnically and racially diverse,
      economically disadvantaged women with major depressive disorder. Non-treatment
      seeking urban women (N = 128; M age = 25.40, SD = 4.98) with infants were
      recruited from the community. Participants were at or below the poverty level:
      59.4% were Black and 21.1% were Hispanic. Women were screened for depressive
      symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; the
      Diagnostic Interview Schedule was used to confirm major depressive disorder
      diagnosis. Participants were randomized to individual IPT or enhanced community
      standard. Depressive symptoms were assessed before, after, and 8 months
      posttreatment with the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Revised Hamilton
      Rating Scale for Depression. The Social Support Behaviors Scale, the Social
      Adjustment Scale-Self-Report, and the Perceived Stress Scale were administered to
      examine mediators of outcome at follow-up. Treatment effects were evaluated with
      a growth mixture model for randomized trials using complier-average causal effect
      estimation. Depressive symptoms trajectories from baseline through
      postintervention to follow-up showed significant decreases among the IPT group
      compared to the enhanced community standard group. Changes on the Perceived
      Stress Scale and the Social Support Behaviors Scale mediated sustained treatment
      outcome. 

PMID- 24229551
TI  - Psychosocial (im)maturity from adolescence to early adulthood: distinguishing
      between adolescence-limited and persisting antisocial behavior.
AB  - In the psychological tradition, desistance from antisocial behavior is viewed as
      the product of psychosocial maturation, including increases in the ability to
      control impulses, consider the implications of one's actions on others, delay
      gratification in the service of longer term goals, and resist the influences of
      peers. The present study investigates how individual variability in the
      development of psychosocial maturity is associated with desistance from
      antisocial behavior in a sample of 1,088 serious juvenile offenders followed from
      adolescence to early adulthood (ages 14-25). We find that psychosocial maturity
      continues to develop to the midtwenties and that different developmental patterns
      of maturation are found among those who desist and those who persist in
      antisocial behavior. Compared to individuals who desisted from antisocial
      behavior, youths who persisted exhibited diminished development of psychosocial
      maturity. Moreover, earlier desistance compared to later desistance is linked to
      greater psychosocial maturity, suggesting that there is an association between
      desistance from antisocial behavior and normative increases in psychosocial
      maturity. 

PMID- 24229552
TI  - Dopamine receptor D4 gene moderates the effect of positive and negative peer
      experiences on later delinquency: the Tracking Adolescents' Individual Lives
      Survey study.
AB  - The quality of adolescents' relationships with peers can have a lasting impact on
      later psychosocial adjustment, mental health, and behavior. However, the effect
      of peer relations on later problem behavior is not uniformly strong, and genetic
      factors might influence this association. This study used four-wave longitudinal
      (11-19 years) data (n = 1,151) from the Tracking Adolescents' Individual Lives
      Survey, a Dutch cohort study into adolescent development to test whether the
      dopamine receptor D4 polymorphism moderates the impact of negative (i.e.,
      victimization) and positive peer experiences (i.e., social well-being) on later
      delinquency. Contrary to our expectations, results showed that carriers of the
      dopamine receptor D4 gene 4-repeat homozygous variant instead of those carrying
      the 7-repeat allele were more susceptible to the effects of both peer
      victimization and social well-being on delinquency later in adolescence. Findings
      of our study are discussed in light of other studies into genetic moderation of
      peer effects on adolescent development and the possibility that developmental
      specifics in adolescence, such as maturation processes in brain structure and
      functioning, may affect the interplay of environmental and genetic factors in
      this period in life. 

PMID- 24229553
TI  - Blunted feedback processing during risky decision making in adolescents with a
      parental history of substance use disorders.
AB  - Risky decision making, a hallmark phenotype of substance use disorders (SUD), is
      thought to be associated with deficient feedback processing. Whether these
      aberrations are present prior to SUD onset or reflect merely a consequence of
      chronic substance use on the brain remains unclear. The present study
      investigated whether blunted feedback processing during risky decision making
      reflects a biological predisposition to SUD. We assessed event-related potentials
      elicited by positive and negative feedback during performance of a modified
      version of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) among high-risk adolescents with
      a parental history of SUD (HR; n = 61) and normal-risk controls (NR; n = 91). HR
      males made significantly more risky and faster decisions during the BART than did
      NR controls. Moreover, HR adolescents showed significantly reduced P300
      amplitudes in response to both positive and negative feedback as compared to NR
      controls. These differences were not secondary to prolonged substance use
      exposure. Results are discussed in terms of feedback-specific processes. Reduced
      P300 amplitudes in the BART may reflect poor processing of feedback at the level
      of overall salience, which may keep people from effectively predicting the
      probability of future gains and losses. Though conclusions are tentative, blunted
      feedback processing during risky decision making may represent a promising
      endophenotypic vulnerability marker for SUD. 

PMID- 24229554
TI  - Maturing out of alcohol involvement: transitions in latent drinking statuses from
      late adolescence to adulthood.
AB  - Research has shown a developmental process of "maturing out" of alcohol
      involvement beginning in young adulthood, but the precise nature of changes
      characterizing maturing out is unclear. We used latent transition analysis to
      investigate these changes in a high-risk sample from a longitudinal study of
      familial alcoholism (N = 844; 51% children of alcoholics; 53% male, 71% non
      Hispanic Caucasian, 27% Hispanic). Analyses classified participants into latent
      drinking statuses during late adolescence (ages 17-22), young adulthood (ages 23
      28), and adulthood (ages 29-40), and characterized transitions among these
      statuses over time. The resulting four statuses were abstainers, low-risk
      drinkers who typically drank less than weekly and rarely binged or showed
      drinking problems, moderate-risk drinkers who typically binged less than weekly
      and showed moderate risk for drinking problems, and high-risk drinkers who
      typically binged at least weekly and showed high risk for drinking problems.
      Maturing out between late adolescence and young adulthood was most common among
      initial high-risk drinkers, but they typically declined to moderate-risk drinking
      rather than to nonrisky drinking statuses. This suggests that the developmental
      phenomenon of maturing out pertains primarily to relatively high-risk initial
      drinkers and that many high-risk drinkers who mature out merely reduce rather
      than eliminate their risky drinking. 

PMID- 24229555
TI  - Trajectories of multiple adolescent health risk behaviors in a low-income African
      American population.
AB  - This study examined interdependent trajectories of sexual risk, substance use,
      and conduct problems among 12- to 18-year-old African American youths who were
      followed annually as part of the Mobile Youth Study. We used growth mixture
      modeling to model the development of these three outcomes in the 1,406
      participants who met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that there were
      four distinct classes: normative, low risk (74.3% of sample); increasing high
      risk takers (11.9%); adolescent-limited conduct problems and drug risk with high
      risky sex (8.0%); and early experimenters (5.8%) The higher risk classes had
      higher rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections diagnoses than the
      normative sample at each of the ages we examined. Differing somewhat from our
      hypothesis, all of the nonnormative classes exhibited high sexual risk behavior.
      Although prevention efforts should be focused on addressing all three risk
      behaviors, the high rate of risky sexual behavior in the 25% of the sample that
      fall into the three nonnormative classes underscores an urgent need for improved
      sex education, including teen pregnancy and HIV/sexually transmitted infections
      prevention, in this community. 

PMID- 24229558
TI  - A comparative study of the effect of triage training by role-playing and
      educational video on the knowledge and performance of emergency medical service
      staffs in Iran.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Educating emergency medical staffs in triage skills is an important
      aspect of disaster preparedness. The aim of the study was to compare the effect
      of role-playing and educational video presentation on the learning and
      performance of the emergency medical service staffs in Khozestan, Iran METHODS: A
      total of 144 emergency technicians were randomly classified into two groups. A
      researcher trained the first group using an educational video method and the
      second group with a role-playing method. Data were collected before, immediately,
      and 15 days after training using a questionnaire covering the three domains of
      demographic information, triage knowledge, and triage performance. The data were
      analyzed using defined knowledge and performance parameters. RESULTS: There was
      no significant difference between the two training methods on performance and
      immediate knowledge (P = .2), lasting knowledge (P=.05) and immediate performance
      (P = .35), but there was a statistical advantage for the role-playing method on
      lasting performance (P = .02). CONCLUSION: The two educational methods equally
      increase knowledge and performance, but the role-playing method may have a more
      desirable and lasting effect on performance.

PMID- 24229556
TI  - Premorbid functional development and conversion to psychosis in clinical high
      risk youths.
AB  - Deterioration in premorbid functioning is a common feature of schizophrenia, but
      sensitivity to psychosis conversion among clinical high-risk samples has not been
      examined. This study evaluates premorbid functioning as a predictor of psychosis
      conversion among a clinical high-risk sample, controlling for effects of prior
      developmental periods. Participants were 270 clinical high-risk individuals in
      the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study-I, 78 of whom converted to
      psychosis over the next 2.5 years. Social, academic, and total maladjustment in
      childhood, early adolescence, and late adolescence were rated using the Cannon
      Spoor Premorbid Adjustment Scale. Early adolescent social dysfunction
      significantly predicted conversion to psychosis (hazard ratio = 1.30, p = .014),
      independently of childhood social maladjustment and independently of severity of
      most baseline positive and negative prodromal symptoms. Baseline prodromal
      symptoms of disorganized communication, social anhedonia, suspiciousness, and
      diminished ideational richness mediated this association. Early adolescent social
      maladjustment and baseline suspiciousness together demonstrated moderate positive
      predictive power (59%) and high specificity (92.1%) in predicting conversion.
      Deterioration of academic and total functioning, although observed, did not
      predict conversion to psychosis. Results indicate early adolescent social
      dysfunction to be an important early predictor of conversion. As such, it may be
      a good candidate for inclusion in prediction algorithms and could represent an
      advantageous target for early intervention. 

PMID- 24229557
TI  - Reciprocal social behavior in youths with psychotic illness and those at clinical
      high risk.
AB  - Youths at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis typically exhibit significant
      social dysfunction. However, the specific social behaviors associated with
      psychosis risk have not been well characterized. We administer the Social
      Responsiveness Scale (SRS), a measure of autistic traits that examines reciprocal
      social behavior, to the parents of 117 adolescents (61 CHR individuals, 20 age
      matched adolescents with a psychotic disorder [AOP], and 36 healthy controls)
      participating in a longitudinal study of psychosis risk. AOP and CHR individuals
      have significantly elevated SRS scores relative to healthy controls, indicating
      more severe social deficits. Mean scores for AOP and CHR youths are typical of
      scores obtained in individuals with high functioning autism (Constantino &
      Gruber, 2005). SRS scores are significantly associated with concurrent real-world
      social functioning in both clinical groups. Finally, baseline SRS scores
      significantly predict social functioning at follow-up (an average of 7.2 months
      later) in CHR individuals, over and above baseline social functioning measures (p
      < .009). These findings provide novel information regarding impairments in
      domains critical for adolescent social development, because CHR individuals and
      those with overt psychosis show marked deficits in reciprocal social behavior.
      Further, the SRS predicts subsequent real-world social functioning in CHR youth,
      suggesting that this measure may be useful for identifying targets of treatment
      in psychosocial interventions. 

PMID- 24229559
TI  - Is the use of accurate psychiatric labels associated with intentions and beliefs
      about responses to mental illness in a friend? Findings from two national surveys
      of Australian youth.
AB  - Aims. An inherent prerequisite to mental health first-aid (MHFA) is the ability
      to identify that there is a mental health problem, but little is known about the
      association between psychiatric labelling and MHFA. This study examined this
      association using data from two national surveys of Australian young people.
      Methods. This study involved a national telephonic survey of 3746 Australian
      youth aged 12-25 years in 2006, and a similar survey in 2011 with 3021 youth aged
      15-25 years. In both surveys, respondents were presented with a vignette
      portraying depression, psychosis or social phobia in a young person. The 2011
      survey also included depression with suicidal thoughts and post-traumatic stress
      disorder. Respondents were asked what they thought was wrong with the person, and
      reported on their first-aid intentions and beliefs, which were scored for quality
      of the responses. Results. Accurate labelling of the mental disorder was
      associated with more helpful first-aid intentions and beliefs across vignettes,
      except for the intention to listen non-judgementally in the psychosis vignette.
      Conclusions. Findings suggest that community education programmes that improve
      accurate psychiatric label use may have the potential to improve the first-aid
      responses young people provide to their peers, although caution is required in
      the case of psychosis. 

PMID- 24229560
TI  - Interactions between plasma concentrations of folate and markers of vitamin B(12)
      status with cognitive performance in elderly people not exposed to folic acid
      fortification: the Hordaland Health Study.
AB  - A combination of high folate with low vitamin B12 plasma status has been
      associated with cognitive impairment in a population exposed to mandatory folic
      acid fortification. The objective of the present study was to examine the
      interactions between plasma concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 markers in
      relation to cognitive performance in Norwegian elderly who were unexposed to
      mandatory or voluntary folic acid fortification. Cognitive performance was
      assessed by six cognitive tests in 2203 individuals aged 72-74 years. A combined
      score was calculated using principal component analysis. The associations of
      folate concentrations, vitamin B12 markers (total vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin
      (holoTC) and methylmalonic acid (MMA)) and their interactions in relation to
      cognitive performance were evaluated by quantile regression and least-squares
      regression, adjusted for sex, education, apo-E4 genotype, history of
      CVD/hypertension and creatinine. Cross-sectional analyses revealed an interaction
      (P= 0.009) between plasma concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 in relation to
      cognitive performance. Plasma vitamin B12 concentrations in the lowest quartile (
      < 274 pmol/l) combined with plasma folate concentrations in the highest quartile
      (>18.5 nmol/l) were associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment
      compared with plasma concentrations in the middle quartiles of both vitamins (OR
      0.22, 95 % CI 0.05, 0.92). The interaction between folate and holoTC or MMA in
      relation to cognitive performance was not significant. In conclusion, this large
      study population unexposed to mandatory folic acid fortification showed that
      plasma folate, but not plasma vitamin B12, was associated with cognitive
      performance. Among the elderly participants with vitamin B12 concentrations in
      the lower range, the association between plasma folate and cognitive performance
      was strongest. 

PMID- 24229561
TI  - Changing age patterns of morbidity vis-a-vis mortality in India.
AB  - The combined effects of decreased fertility and mortality coupled with increasing
      survivorship across most ages have been upsetting the levels and age patterns of
      morbidity and mortality in India. This study examined data from the National
      Sample Survey (NSS) and Sample Registration System (SRS) of India. The results
      reveal marked structural changes in the age patterns of morbidity and mortality.
      The analysis also tested whether morbidity contours are being compressed or
      expanded, connecting it with the ongoing processes of demographic and
      epidemiological transition. The Sullivan (1971) method was used to estimate the
      health ratio over three time periods to ascertain the expansion of morbidity. The
      results reveal an exceptional rise in the prevalence rate of chronic non
      communicable diseases in ages 60 and above. The proportion of unhealthy years of
      the total life expectancy has increased more than before for all older age
      groups. Overall, the results confirm that an expansion of morbidity is in
      progress, with a heavier and cumulated concentration of morbidity in older ages.
      The expansion of morbidity hypothesis is validated for major categories of
      population: rural, urban, male and female. Older females bear a much heavier
      burden of chronic non-communicable diseases and are vulnerable to a higher
      proportion of unhealthy years. The age-structural shifts in morbidity and
      mortality signal the steady progress of epidemiological transition in India.

PMID- 24229562
TI  - Learning a generative syntax from transparent syntactic atoms in the linguistic
      input.
AB  - We examined parents' two-word utterances expressing core syntactic relations in
      order to test the hypothesis that they may enable children to derive the atoms of
      hierarchical syntax, namely, the asymmetrical Merge/Dependency relation between
      pairs of words, and, in addition, to identify variables serving generative
      syntactic rules. Using a large English-language parental corpus, we located all
      two-word utterances containing a verb and its subject, object, or indirect
      object. Analysis showed that parental two-word sentences contain transparent
      information on the binary dependency/merge relation responsible for syntactic
      connectivity. The syntactic atoms modelled in the two-word input contain natural
      variables for dependents, making generalization to other contexts an immediate
      possibility. In a second study, a large sample of children were found to use the
      same verbs in the great majority of their early sentences expressing the same
      core grammatical relations. The results support a learning model according to
      which children learn the basics of syntax from parental two-word sentences.

PMID- 24229563
TI  - Three outbreak-causing Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C clones, Brazil(1.).
AB  - During 2003-2012, 8 clusters of meningococcal disease were identified in Rio de
      Janeiro State, Brazil, all caused by serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis. The
      isolates were assigned to 3 clonal complexes (cc): cc11, cc32, and cc103. These
      hyperinvasive disease lineages were associated with endemic disease, outbreaks,
      and high case-fatality rates. 

PMID- 24229565
TI  - Entacapone augmentation of antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenic patients with
      negative symptoms; a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
AB  - Negative symptoms in schizophrenia are associated with decreased dopaminergic
      activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). It is hypothesized that increasing
      dopamine levels would alleviate negative symptoms. Termination of dopamine
      activity in the PFC is mainly via catechol-O-methyl tranferase (COMT) activity.
      Hence, inhibition of COMT activity with entacapone should reverse PFC
      dopaminergic transmission. To assess the efficacy of entacapone addition to
      antipsychotic treatment in patients with residual schizophrenia, we conducted a
      double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study for 12 wk of treatment with
      entacapone or placebo. Clinical measures (PANSS, CGI and QLS) were obtained at
      baseline and at weeks 4, 8 and 12 and cognitive functions were assessed by the
      RBANSS. Significant improvement over time in PANSS and QLS scores was observed in
      both groups. However, entacapone did not demonstrate a beneficial effect compared
      to placebo. Therefore, this study does not support a therapeutic role for
      entacapone in residual schizophrenia. 

PMID- 24229566
TI  - State, territorial, and local health departments' reporting of partnership
      strength before and after the H1N1 response.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Research has shown that partnerships between public health
      agencies, service providers, and other key stakeholders can expand resources and
      facilitate focus on community health issues more effectively than can any agency
      or organization acting alone. There is, however, little empirical evidence drawn
      from actual public health emergency responses to support this claim. The US
      response to novel influenza A (H1N1) virus provided the Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention (CDC) the opportunity to explore whether, and the extent
      to which, state, local and territorial health departments strengthened
      partnerships with key partner agencies and sectors. METHODS: Participants
      included the CDC Public Health Emergency Response (PHER) grantees comprised of 62
      state, territorial and local health departments. PHER grantees completed an
      assessment instrument in May 2011, including questions asking them to rate their
      partnership strength (on a four-point ordinal scale) with six types of partners
      before and after the H1N1 response. Grantees additionally reported if and how
      PHER funding contributed to enhancing the strength of these partnerships.
      RESULTS: Sixty-one PHER grantees (61/62, 98%) completed the assessment
      instrument's partnerships section. PHER grantees reported that their partnerships
      with retail pharmacies were most strengthened (mean increase = 1.11 (on a four
      point ordinal scale), SD = .82). This was followed by schools (K-12) (mean
      increase = .90, SD = .58); private medical providers (mean increase = .81, SD =
      .68); immunization authorities (mean increase = .80, SD = .61); main education
      authorities (mean increase = .75, SD = .68); and businesses (mean increase = .74,
      SD = .61). Mean PHER grantee increases in the strength of each partner type were
      statistically significant for all partner types (P < .01). Grantees reported that
      PHER funding contributed to enhancing the strength of their partnerships with
      schools most frequently (46/46, 100%), and businesses least frequently (31/37,
      83.8%). CONCLUSIONS: This inquiry provides evidence that state, territorial, and
      local health department partnerships with key sectors, agencies, and programs
      were strengthened after the H1N1 response. It further demonstrates that the CDC's
      PHER funding contributed to the health departments' reports of increased
      partnership strength.

PMID- 24229567
TI  - Assessment of tissue distribution and concentration of beta-cryptoxanthin in
      response to varying amounts of dietary beta-cryptoxanthin in the Mongolian
      gerbil.
AB  - There is a general lack of knowledge regarding the absorption and tissue storage
      of the provitamin A carotenoid beta-cryptoxanthin. The present study investigated
      the whole-body tissue distribution of beta-cryptoxanthin in an appropriate small
      animal model, the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), for human provitamin
      A carotenoid metabolism. After 5 d of carotenoid depletion, five gerbils were
      euthanised for baseline measurements. The remaining gerbils were placed in three
      weight-matched treatment groups (n 8). All the groups received 20 MUg/d of beta
      cryptoxanthin from tangerine concentrate, while the second and third groups
      received an additional 20 and 40 MUg/d of pure beta-cryptoxanthin (CX40 and
      CX60), respectively, for 21 d. During the last 2 d of the study, urine and faecal
      samples of two gerbils from each treatment group were collected. beta
      Cryptoxanthin was detected in the whole blood, and in twelve of the fourteen
      tissues analysed. Most tissues resembled the liver, in which the concentrations
      of beta-cryptoxanthin were significantly higher in the CX60 (17.8 (sem 0.7)
      MUg/organ; P= 0.004) and CX40 (16.2 (sem 0.9) MUg/organ; P= 0.006) groups than in
      the CX20 group (13.3 (sem 0.4) MUg/organ). However, in intestinal tissues, the
      concentrations of beta-cryptoxanthin increased only in the CX60 group. Despite
      elevated vitamin A concentrations in tissues at baseline due to pre-study diets
      containing high levels of vitamin A, beta-cryptoxanthin maintained those vitamin
      A stores. These results indicate that beta-cryptoxanthin is stored in many
      tissues, potentially suggesting that its functions are widespread. 

PMID- 24229568
TI  - Community psychiatry in the United States 50 years after the Community Mental
      Health Centers Act.

PMID- 24229569
TI  - Obesity, mortality, and life years lost associated with breast cancer in
      nonsmoking US Women, National Health Interview Survey, 1997-2000.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The relationship between obesity and breast cancer has been
      extensively investigated. However, how obesity and breast cancer interplay to
      affect mortality and life expectancy of women in the United States has not been
      well studied. METHODS: We used data from the National Health Interview Survey,
      1997-2000. Our sample included nonsmoking, nonpregnant women who reported a body
      mass index of at least 18.5 kg/m(2) and no cancer other than breast cancer at the
      time of the survey. A survival model with Gamma frailty and Gompertz baseline was
      used to estimate relative risks of total mortality and project life years lost
      associated with breast cancer by obesity status and age. RESULTS: Breast cancer
      increased risk of mortality depending on degree of obesity and decreased life
      years by 1 to 12 years depending on race, age, and obesity status. Relative risks
      for death increased with degree of obesity. Obese women under age 50 across all
      racial groups were predicted to lose the most life years; racial groups other
      than whites and blacks lost the most life years (11.9 y), followed by whites (9.8
      y) and blacks (9.2 y). CONCLUSION: The number of life years lost associated with
      breast cancer was more marked for more obese than for less obese women and for
      women under age 50 and women aged 70 or older than for women aged 50 through 69.
      Public health initiatives should put more emphasis on the prevention and control
      of obesity for these target populations.

PMID- 24229570
TI  - Strategies to prevent and reduce diabetes and obesity in Sacramento, California:
      the African American Leadership Coalition and University of California, Davis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of illness and death for
      African Americans and people of African descent throughout the United States and
      in the city and county of Sacramento, California. The involvement of families and
      communities in developing prevention strategies can increase the likelihood that
      behavioral changes will be sustained. CONTEXT: Three member organizations of the
      African American Leadership Coalition (AALC) entered into a partnership with the
      University of California, Davis (UC Davis) to engage families in developing a
      process to identify barriers to diabetes and obesity prevention and reduction,
      exchange strategies, and create action plans for prevention. METHODS: The
      intervention comprised 3 phases: 1) coalition formation and training; 2) data
      collection, analysis, and dissemination of results; and 3) development of family
      and community action plans. Academic and community partners planned and
      implemented all project phases together. OUTCOMES: Sources of information about
      diabetes and obesity were primarily doctors and the Internet; barriers were
      related to lack of time needed to prepare healthy meals, high food costs,
      transportation to fresh markets, motivation around healthy habits, and unsafe
      environments. Action plans addressed behavioral change and family cohesion. The
      group discussion format encouraged mutual support and suggestions for better
      eating and physical exercise habits. INTERPRETATION: This collaborative
      partnership model can strengthen existing group relationships or promote new
      affiliations that form the basis for future action coalitions. Participants
      worked both within and across groups to exchange information, stories of success
      and challenges, and specific health improvement strategies.

PMID- 24229571
TI  - Monetary matched incentives to encourage the purchase of fresh fruits and
      vegetables at farmers markets in underserved communities.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Farmers market programs may increase access to more healthful foods
      and reduce the high prevalence of obesity in low-income communities. The
      objective of this study was to examine outcomes of the Fresh Fund farmers market
      program serving low-income neighborhoods in San Diego, California. METHODS:
      Through its Farmers Market Fresh Fund Incentive Program, the County of San Diego
      Health and Human Services Agency offered monetary incentives to government
      nutrition assistance recipients to purchase fresh produce at 5 farmers markets.
      Participants enrolled at participating markets from June 1, 2010, through
      December 31, 2011; they completed baseline and follow-up surveys of daily
      consumption and weekly spending on fruits and vegetables. We examined enrollment,
      participation, participant health perceptions, and vendor revenue. RESULTS:
      During the study period, 7,298 eligible participants enrolled in Fresh Fund; most
      (82%) had previously never been to a farmers market. Among 252 participants with
      matched surveys at baseline and 12-month follow-up, the proportion who reported
      their diet to be "healthy" or "very healthy" increased from 4% to 63% (P < .001);
      nearly all (93%) stated that Fresh Fund was "important" or "very important" in
      their decision to shop at the farmers market. Vendors reported that 48% of all
      market revenue they received was received through the Fresh Fund program. At 2
      markets, revenue from June 1, 2011, through January 31, 2012, increased by 74%
      and 68% compared with revenue from June 1, 2010, through January 31, 2011.
      CONCLUSION: Participants in the Fresh Fund program self-reported increases in
      daily consumption and weekly spending on fruits and vegetables, and vendors at
      participating farmers markets also increased their revenue.

PMID- 24229572
TI  - Supporting healthful eating through retail environmental change: communities
      putting prevention to work.

PMID- 24229573
TI  - Evaluating public health resources: what happens when funding disappears?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although various factors affect the sustainability of public health
      programs, funding levels can influence many aspects of program continuity.
      Program evaluation in public health typically does not assess the progress of
      initiatives after discontinuation of funding. The objective of this study was to
      describe the effect of funding loss following expiration of a 5-year federal
      grant awarded to state health departments for development of statewide obesity
      prevention partnerships. METHODS: The study used qualitative methods involving
      semistructured key informant interviews with state health departments. Data were
      analyzed using thematic analysis for effect of funding loss on staffing,
      programs, partnerships, and implementation of state plans. RESULTS: Many of the
      programs that continued to run after the grant expired operated at reduced
      capacity, either reaching fewer people or conducting fewer program activities for
      the same population. Although many states were able to leverage funding from
      other sources, this shift in funding source often resulted in priorities changing
      to meet new funding requirements. Evaluation capacity suffered in all states.
      Nearly all states reported losing infrastructure and capacity to communicate
      widely with partners. All states reported a severe or complete loss of their
      ability to provide training and technical assistance to partners. Despite these
      reduced capacities, states reported several key resources that facilitated
      continued work on the state plan. CONCLUSIONS: Decisions regarding continuation
      of funding are often dependent on budget constraints, evidence of success, and
      perceived ability to succeed in the future. Evaluating public health funding
      decisions may help guide development of best practice strategies for supporting
      long-term program success.

PMID- 24229574
TI  - Metacercarial polymorphism and genetic variation of Paragonimus heterotremus
      (Digenea: Paragonimidae), and a re-appraisal of the taxonomic status of
      Paragonimus pseudoheterotremus.
AB  - Paragonimus heterotremus, which is an important pathogen for human paragonimiasis
      in Asia, is recognized as having the smallest metacercariae (maximum diameter <
      300 MUm) of any previously reported Paragonimus species. Recently, P.
      pseudoheterotremus has been described from Thailand as a new species having
      metacercariae (about 200 MUm) slightly smaller than those of Thai P.
      heterotremus. In fact, the small size of P. pseudoheterotremus metacercariae is
      compatible with those of P. heterotremus from India and China. In this study in
      Vietnam, we found variably sized small metacercariae which are expected to
      consist of both P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus. Contrary to
      expectation, the adult flukes obtained by separate infection of experimental cats
      with different sized metacercariae were all identified as P. heterotremus, using
      both morphological and molecular characteristics. The molecular analyses of an
      extensive collection of P. heterotremus/P. pseudoheterotremus isolates from Asian
      countries also indicated that genetic distances between different populations of
      P. heterotremus are even larger than that between P. pseudoheterotremus and P.
      heterotremus. The haplotype network showed that all P. heterotremus and P.
      pseudoheterotremus isolates formed a P. heterotremus complex consisting of three
      groups with strong geographical origins. In addition, the Indian P. heterotremus
      group is the root of the other P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus
      populations. Based on the observed metacercarial polymorphisms and genetic
      variation in P. heterotremus, P. pseudoheterotremus should be considered a
      geographically isolated population of the P. heterotremus complex. 

PMID- 24229575
TI  - Production and perception of listener-oriented clear speech in child language.
AB  - In this paper, we ask whether children are sensitive to the needs of their
      interlocutor, and, if so, whether they - like adults - modify acoustic
      characteristics of their speech as part of a communicative goal. In a production
      task, preschoolers participated in a word learning task that favored the use of
      clear speech. Children produced vowels that were longer, more intense, more
      dispersed in the vowel space, and had a more expanded F0 range than normal
      speech. Two perception studies with adults showed that these acoustic differences
      were perceptible and were used to distinguish normal and clear speech styles. We
      conclude that preschoolers are sensitive to aspects of the speaker-hearer
      relationship calling upon them to modify their speech in ways that benefit their
      listener.

PMID- 24229576
TI  - The effect of chronic pain intensity on the stability limits in patients with low
      back pain.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the intensity of
      recurrent chronic pain would modify postural performance in reaching the
      functional limits of stability (LOS) in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients.
      METHODS: Three groups of subjects were investigated. Healthy persons comprised
      the asymptomatic group (n = 32) while CLBP patients (n = 36) were divided into 2
      subgroups, according to the reported intensity of resting pain on a numerical
      rating scale: patients with low (LP) and high pain (HP) levels. The maximal
      displacement of the center of pressure (COP) indexing the LOS magnitude and the
      COP mean velocity indexing the performance in reaching LOS were calculated on a
      Kistler force plate during forward and backward voluntary body lean with eyes
      open (EO) or closed (EC). RESULTS: The forward LOS was lower in both the LP (P <
      .01) and HP (P < .01) subgroups than in the asymptomatic under EO and EC
      conditions, while no differences between the LP and HP groups were found. The
      backward LOS was lower in the HP group than in asymptomatic but only with EC (P =
      .01). Eye closure caused an increase in forward (P = .02) and backward (P = .001)
      COP velocity in the LP group and forward COP velocity in the asymptomatic (P =
      .04) only. With EC, the only intergroup difference was lower forward COP velocity
      in the HP than LP group (P = .04). CONCLUSION: Subjects with CLBP had reduced
      forward LOS regardless the pain level. However, the higher level of pain was
      associated with slower execution of voluntary leaning tasks, with EC only.

PMID- 24229577
TI  - Fifty years of progress in community mental health in US: the growth of evidence
      based practices.
AB  - Fifty years have elapsed since the passage of the Community Mental Health Centers
      (CMHC) Act in 1963 that reflected the legislative peak of the community mental
      healthcare movement in the US Progress of the last 10 years is represented both
      by expansions of evidence-based practices (EBPs) and the development of emerging
      practices and fundamental shifts in the orientation of the system stimulated by
      the consumer-driven recovery movement. Established EBPs have accumulated expanded
      evidence, new EBPs have been developed and emerging EBPs are gaining increased
      acceptance. While the lack of widespread implementation of EBPs as well as the
      limitations of these technologies produces unnecessary suffering and disability,
      we believe that the growth of evidence for treatments and services justifies
      optimism for the future. 

PMID- 24229578
TI  - Induced reproduction and early development histology of Oscar Astronotus
      ocellatus (Agassiz, 1831).
AB  - Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is an important fish from the Amazon Basin that has
      great potential for fish farming, human consumption, sport fishing and fish
      keeping. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two hormonal treatments on
      the induction of artificial reproduction in broodstock and to describe the
      histological development of embryos and larvae. Broodstocks were selected and
      induced using two different hormones: (i) extract of carp pituitary (ECP); and
      (ii) synthetic human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Spawnings were transferred to
      hatcheries, collected at pre-established times, processed and analysed by
      histology. Astronotus ocellatus did not respond well to induced reproduction.
      From 16 couples of breeding fish, only five out of the eight females released
      oocytes after the hormonal action time, three with hCG and two with ECP; just one
      male responded positively to hCG. Oscar eggs were oval, and semi-adhesive, the
      yolk contained granules, and egg diameter was approximately 1.65 +/- 0.057 to
      1.98 +/- 0.038 mm. Development from the initial collection (IC) point until the
      total absorption of the yolk lasted 315 h, at an average temperature of 27.45 +/-
      2.13 degrees C. Several events marked embryonic and larval development, including
      the formation of the optic cup, forebrain, otic vesicle and cephalic divisions.
      The newly hatched larvae had non-pigmented eyes, and a closed mouth and anus, as
      well as the presence of adhesive glands on the head. Larval development was
      characterized by formation of the heart, liver, gaseous bladder, gills,
      pronephros, brain, fins and also the digestive tract. These results provide
      important information for the rearing and reproduction of A. ocellatus. 

PMID- 24229579
TI  - Maternal intake of vitamins A, E and K in pregnancy and child allergic disease: a
      longitudinal study from the Danish National Birth Cohort.
AB  - Fat-soluble vitamins A, E and K have been shown to play roles in immunity and
      inflammation, but studies on child allergic disease have been few and
      inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship
      between maternal intake of vitamins A, E and K in mid-pregnancy and child asthma
      and allergic rhinitis. We used data on 44 594 mother-child pairs from the Danish
      National Birth Cohort. Maternal intake of fat-soluble vitamins was calculated
      based on the information from a validated FFQ completed in mid-pregnancy. At 18
      months, interviews with the mothers were conducted to evaluate doctor-diagnosed
      child asthma. At age 7 years, we assessed child asthma and allergic rhinitis
      using questions from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood
      questionnaire and by national registries on hospital contacts and medication use.
      Current asthma was defined as asthma diagnosis and wheeze in the past 12 months
      by maternal report. We calculated multivariable risk ratios and 95 % CI by
      comparing the highest v. lowest quintile (Q) of maternal vitamin A, E and K
      intake in relation to child allergic disease outcomes. Maternal total vitamin K
      intake was directly associated with ever admitted asthma (Q5 v. Q1: 1.23, 95 % CI
      1.01, 1.50) and current asthma at 7 years (Q5 v. Q1: 1.30, 95 % CI 0.99, 1.70).
      Weak inverse associations were present for maternal vitamin A and E intake during
      pregnancy with child allergic rhinitis. Maternal vitamin K intake during
      pregnancy may increase the risk of child asthma, and should be explored further
      on a mechanistic level. Conversely, maternal vitamin A and E intake may protect
      against child allergic rhinitis. 

PMID- 24229580
TI  - Medical ethics versus governmental objectives.

PMID- 24229581
TI  - [Rickets-like genetic diseases].
AB  - This paper summarizes the clinical features, causative genes and treatment
      progress of patients with rickets-like genetic diseases, including X-linked
      hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), hypophosphatasia, achondroplasia, vitamin D
      dependent rickets, pycnodysostosis and ectodermal dysplasia, who visited the
      pediatric or child health clinic due to the symptoms of rickets, including bow
      legs, delayed closure of the anterior fontanelle, and sparse hair. Children with
      XLH usually go to hospital for bow legs and short stature, and biochemical
      evaluation reveals significantly low serum phosphorus so it is easily diagnosed.
      This disease is treated using phosphate mixture and 1,25(OH)2D3, which is
      different from the treatment of nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets.
      Hypophosphatasia is characterized by a significant decrease in serum alkaline
      phosphatase, as well as normal serum calcium and phosphorus. The disease is
      caused by mutations in TNSALP gene. Patients with achondroplasia show short
      limbed dwarfism and special face in addition to bow legs, but with normal serum
      calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. Bone X-ray and FGFR3 gene test
      contribute to the diagnosis. Vitamin D-dependent rickets is an autosomal
      recessive disease, and active vitamin D supplement is effective in treatment of
      the disease. Patients with pycnodysostosis may be first seen at hospital because
      of large anterior fontanelle; in addition, they also show obtuse mandibular
      angle, dental abnormalities and dysplastic nails, which are caused by mutations
      in TSK gene. Children with ectodermal dysplasia may see a doctor for sparse hair,
      and they are easily misdiagnosed with nutritional vitamin D deficiency rickets.
      Ectodermal dysplasia is related to EDA, EDAR, EDARADD and WNT 10A genes. 

PMID- 24229582
TI  - [Gene mutation analysis of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency and type of PHEX gene mutations in
      children with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), the possible presence of
      mutational hot spots, and the relationship between genotype and clinical
      phenotype. METHODS: Clinical data of 10 children with XLH was retrospectively
      reviewed. The relationship between gene mutation type and severity of XLH was
      evaluated. RESULTS: PHEX gene mutations were detected in all 10 children with
      XLH, including 6 cases of missense mutation, 2 cases of splice site mutation, 1
      case of frameshift mutation, and 1 case of nonsense mutation. Two new mutations,
      c.2048T>C and IVS14+1delAG, were found. The type of PHEX gene mutation was not
      associated with the degree of short stature and leg deformity (P=0.571 and
      0.467), and the mutation site was also not associated with the degree of short
      stature and leg deformity (P=0.400 and 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Missense mutation is
      the most common type of PHEX gene mutation in children with XLH, and c.2048T>C
      and IVS14+1delAG are two new PHEX gene mutations. The type and site of PHEX gene
      mutation are not associated with the severity of XLH.

PMID- 24229583
TI  - [Clinical analysis and genetic diagnosis of short-limb inherited short stature
      diseases in children].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical manifestations, bone X-ray findings and
      genetic analysis results of three short-limb inherited short stature diseases:
      achondroplasia (ACH), hypochondroplasia (HCH) and pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH).
      METHODS: The clinical manifestations, bone X-ray findings, and genetic analysis
      results of 10 children with genetically confirmed short-limb inherited short
      stature diseases, including 4 cases of ACH 3 cases of HCH, and 3 cases of PSACH,
      were analyzed. RESULTS: The 10 patients had a mean body height of -3.69+/-1.79
      SD, a mean sitting height/standing height ratio of 0.65+/-0.03, and a mean finger
      spacing/body height ratio of 0.93+/-0.04. Four ACH cases and 3 PSACH cases showed
      typical bone X-ray findings; one HCH case showed a smaller sciatic notch, and
      another HCH case showed no widening of interpedicular distance. G380R mutation in
      FGFR3 gene was detected in 3 of 4 ACH cases, and Y278C mutation in the other ACH
      case, N540K mutation in FGFR3 gene was detected in 3 HCH cases, and heterozygous
      mutations in COMP gene were detected in 3 PSACH cases. CONCLUSIONS: Children with
      ACH and PSACH have severer short stature and skeletal deformities than children
      with HCH, who have mild, atypical clinical manifestations. Bone X-ray and genetic
      analysis are helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the three
      diseases. The mutational hotspots in two genes are involved in the three
      diseases, which is conducive to clinical genetic diagnosis.

PMID- 24229584
TI  - [Clinical features and COMP gene mutation in a family with a pseudoachondroplasia
      child].
AB  - This study aimed to report the clinical characteristics and COMP gene mutation of
      a family with pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH), a relatively rare spinal and
      epiphyseal dysplasia that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Clinical
      information on a 5-year-2-month-old PSACH child and his parents was collected and
      analyzed. Diagnosis was confirmed by PCR amplification and direct sequencing of
      all the 19 exons and their flanking sequences of COMP gene, and the mutation was
      further ascertained by cloning analysis of exon 10. The child presented with
      short and stubby fingers, bow leg, short limb dwarfism and metaphysic broadening
      in long bone as well as lumbar lordosis. A mutation c.1048_1116del
      (p.Asn350_Asp372del) in exon 10, inherited from his father who did not
      demonstrate any phenotypic feature of PSACH, was detected in the child. PSACH was
      diagnosed definitively by means of COMP mutation analysis, on the basis of the
      child's clinical and imaging features. The non-penetrance phenomenon of COMP
      mutation was described for the first time in PSACH. 

PMID- 24229585
TI  - [Analysis of CYP21A2 gene mutation in one case of congenital adrenal
      hyperplasia].
AB  - CYP21A2 gene mutations in a child with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and
      the child's parents, were detected in the study. The clinical features, treatment
      monitoring and molecular genetic mechanism of CAH are reviewed. In the study, DNA
      was extracted from peripheral blood samples using the QIAGEN Blood DNA Mini Kit;
      a highly specific PCR primer for CYP21A2 gene was designed according to the
      sequence difference between CYP2lA2 gene and its pseudogene; the whole CYP2lA2
      gene was amplified with PrimeSTAR DNA polymerase (Takara), and the amplification
      product was directly sequenced to detect and analyze CYP2lA2 gene mutation. The
      child was clinically diagnosed with CAH (21-hydroxylase deficiency, 21-OHD) at
      the age of 36 days, and the case was confirmed by genetic diagnosis at the age of
      1.5 years. The proband had a homozygous mutation at c.293-13C in the second
      intron of CYP21 gene, while the parents had heterozygous mutations. Early
      diagnosis and standard treatment of CAH (21-OHD) should be performed to prevent
      salt-wasting crisis and reduce mortality; bone aging should be avoided to
      increase final adult height (FAH), and reproductive dysfunction due to
      oligospermia in adulthood should be avoided. These factors are helpful for
      improving prognosis and increasing FAH. Investigating the molecular genetic
      mechanism of CAH can improve recognition and optimize diagnosis of this disease.
      In addition, carrier diagnosis and genetic counseling for the proband family are
      of great significance. 

PMID- 24229586
TI  - [Clinical effect of stem cell transplantation via hepatic artery in the treatment
      of type II hyperammonemia: a report on 6 cases].
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the clinical effect of transplantation of CD133+
      peripheral blood stem cells or umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells via the
      hepatic artery in children with type II hyperammonemia and its possible action
      mechanism. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were obtained by collecting cord
      blood (100-150 mL) from healthy fetuses and separating stem cell suspension (5
      mL) from the cord blood by hydroxyethyl starch sedimentation. CD133+ peripheral
      blood stem cells were obtained by mobilizing peripheral blood from the fathers of
      sick children using recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for 5
      days, collecting mononuclear cells (120 mL), and separating out CD133+ cells by
      sorting. With catheterization and percutaneous puncture, the obtained stem cells
      were slowly injected into the liver of sick children via the hepatic artery. The
      changes in clinical symptoms and laboratory indices such as blood ammonia, liver
      function, and arginine and citrulline concentrations were observed. After stem
      cell transplantation via the hepatic artery, the 6 children showed significantly
      decreased blood ammonia levels, and their blood ammonia levels slowly increased 1
      to 2 weeks later, but remained below 100 MUmol/L, and changes in glutamic-pyruvic
      transaminase levels were similar to blood ammonia. Plasma citrulline and arginine
      concentrations increased significantly after transplantation and the increase in
      citrulline level exceeded the increase in arginine level. An 8 months follow-up
      visit for one typical patient showed that the weight and height increased after
      transplantation and sleep was improved without night crying. The child could
      actively gaze at interesting objects instead of responding indifferently and
      started to say simple words. With regard to fine motor skills, the child could
      pinch things with the thumb and middle finger instead of displaying a lack of
      hand-eye coordination and progress was also made in gross motor skills. Gesell
      test showed that the child made progress for an average of 3.82 months in all
      areas. It was concluded that after stem cell transplantation, children with type
      II hyperammonemia have decreased blood ammonia levels, stable and improved liver
      function and steadily increased plasma citrulline and arginine concentrations.
      They display a progressive trend in such aspects as movement, language and
      environmental adaptability. It is hypothesized that stem cell transplantation via
      the hepatic artery partially or totally activates, or provides supplementary
      ornithine carbamoyl transferase, so that plasma citrulline and arginine
      concentrations increase and urea cycle disorder can be corrected to some extent.

PMID- 24229587
TI  - [Advances in clinical and molecular genetics studies on argininemia].
AB  - Argininemia is a rare, autosomal recessive, metabolic disorder caused by an
      hereditary deficiency of hepatocytes arginase due to ARG1 gene defect. Arginase
      is the final enzyme in the urea cycle, catalyzing the hydrolysis of arginine to
      ornithine and urea. Research advances in the clinical manifestations, diagnosis,
      treatment, prenatal diagnosis and genetics of argininemia were reviewed in this
      paper. The clinical manifestations of patients with argininemia are complicated
      and nonspecific so that clinical diagnosis is usually difficult and delayed.
      Progressive spastic tetraplegia, seizures and cerebella atrophy are common
      clinical features of the disease. Blood amino acids analysis, arginase assay and
      ARG1 gene analysis are important to the diagnosis of argininemia. Early diagnosis
      and a protein-restricted diet with citrulline and benzoate supplements can
      contribute a lot to improve patient prognosis. With the application of liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in selective screening and newborn
      screening for inborn errors of metabolism, an ever-increasing number of patients
      with argininemia are detected at the asymptomatic or early stages. 

PMID- 24229588
TI  - [Advanced molecular technologies for the diagnosis of congenital malformation in
      neonates].
AB  - Congenital malformation is one of the most frequent causes of infant death in
      western countries and major cities in China. Though genetic screening of newborns
      remains a hot issue and concern, the mortality rate associated with birth defects
      has not been significantly reduced over the past 20 years. Many genetic diseases
      manifest symptoms during the first 28 days of life, but full clinical symptoms
      might not be evident in newborns. Moreover, genetic aberrations is highly
      heterogeneous. These complicated factors lead to the establishment of diagnosis
      based on nonspecific or obscure symptoms. Recently developed array comparative
      genomic hybridization (CGH) and next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques with
      efficient high-resolution allow to screening of the entire genome for DNA copy
      number variants and sequencing respectively. These new and powerful tools can
      shorten the differential diagnosis process and quicken to movement towards
      targeted treatment and genetic and prognostic counseling. 

PMID- 24229589
TI  - [Research advances in molecular genetics and treatment of familial hemophagocytic
      lymphohistiocytosis].
AB  - Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome
      characterized by pancytopenia and multiple organ infiltrations of lymphocytes and
      histiocytes with proliferation and hemohpagocytic activity. HLH is classified as
      primary (or familial) and secondary. Familial HLH is common in infants and young
      children, and is related to genetic defects. This article aims to review research
      advances on PRF1, UNC13D, STX11 and STXBP2, as well as the other 5 genes
      associated with familial HLH based on molecular genetics, and to summarize
      diagnosis and treatment methods for this disease. 

PMID- 24229590
TI  - [Pediatric Shwachman-diamond syndrome: report on 5 cases and literature review].

PMID- 24229591
TI  - [A case report of rare bardet-biedl syndrome].

PMID- 24229592
TI  - [A case report of Crouzon syndrome with short status].

PMID- 24229593
TI  - [Epidemiological analysis of childhood asthma in Yichang City, China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence, epidemiological characteristics, and risk
      factors for childhood asthma in Yichang City, China and to collect evidence for
      the early diagnosis and preventive treatment of asthma. METHODS: Preliminary
      screening questionnaires were distributed to more than 90% of children in 5
      kindergartens, 10 primary and secondary schools, and 5 communities in Yichang
      City to detect children with suspected asthma. These surveyed children were
      selected by cluster random sampling. A further questionnaire survey was conducted
      for suspected cases. Meanwhile, a similar number of sex- and age-matched non
      asthmatic children were selected for the case-control study. Information from
      returned questionnaires was entered into a database for statistical analysis.
      RESULTS: A total of 11 000 questionnaires were distributed, and 10 456 (95.1%)
      questionnaires were returned. The prevalence rate of asthma among children in
      Yichang was 3.47%, significantly higher in boys than in girls (P<0.05). A total
      of 107 out of 363 children with asthma had a history of drug allergy, and 152
      cases had a family history of allergy. The majority of asthmatic children had
      irregular onset-prone seasons and hours. Respiratory tract infections were the
      most common trigger of asthma attacks, accounting for 93.1% of all onsets; family
      history of allergy, history of early use of antibiotics, history of housing
      renovation, and history of passive smoking were the major risk factors for
      asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of respiratory tract infections may reduce the
      frequency of asthma attacks; reducing the use of antibiotics during early
      childhood, decreasing the frequency of housing renovation, and advocating for
      smoking cessation among parents have preventive effects on asthma.

PMID- 24229594
TI  - [Association between body mass index and lung function in children with asthma
      after corticosteroids inhalation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the association between body mass index (BMI) and lung
      function of asthmatic children after inhaling corticosteroids (ICS). METHODS: One
      hundred and fifty-seven children with asthma were classified into obese (46
      cases), over-weight (50 cases) and normal-weight groups (61 cases) based on BMI.
      All of the children received ICS for one year. Pulmonary functions were evaluated
      before and after treatment. Large airway function includes forced expiratory
      volume in one second (FEV1%) and forced vital capacity (FVC%). Small airway
      function includes maximal expiratory flow 25 (MEF25%) and maximal expiratory flow
      50 (MEF50%). RESULTS: The bronchial provocation test before treatment showed that
      the decline rate of pulmonary function (FVC%, FEV1%, MEF25% and MEF50%) in the
      obese group was higher than the normal-weight group after methacholine
      inhalation. After salbutamol inhalation, the improvement rate of the large airway
      (FVC%) and small airway (MEF25% and MEF50%) functions in the obese group was
      lower than the normal-weight group, and the improvement rate of small airway
      (MEF25% and MEF50%) function in the over-weight group was lower than in the
      normal-weight group. After treatment with ICS for one year, large airway function
      (FVC% and FEV1%) in the normal-weight group was higher than pre-treatment,
      however only FVC% in the normal-weight and obese groups was higher than pre
      treatment. There was no significant difference in small airway function before
      and after treatment in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity can increase the
      sensitivity to methacholine and restrain the sensitivity to tosalbutamol in
      children with asthma. ICS can improve the large airway function in asthmatic
      children with normal body weight, but has no effect on small airway function.
      Obesity can restrain the effect of ICS on asthmatic children.

PMID- 24229595
TI  - [Determination and clinical significance of serum surfactant proteins A and D in
      children with bronchiolitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the variation and clinical significance of serum levels of
      surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) among children with different degrees
      of bronchiolitis. METHODS: Seventy children with bronchiolitis were divided into
      acute (n=42) and recovery phase groups (n=28). According to the severity of
      symptoms, the acute phase group was further divided into severe (n=12) and mild
      subgroups (n=30). Another 26 children who were hospitalized in the same period
      due to non-infectious diseases and had not undergone surgery were used as the
      control group. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to
      measure serum levels of SP-A and SP-D in each group. RESULTS: The acute phase
      group had significantly higher serum levels of SP-A and SP-D compared with the
      recovery phase (P<0.01) and control groups (P<0.01). Compared with the control
      group, the recovery phase group had elevated levels of SP-A and SP-D (P<0.01).
      Within the acute phase group, serum levels of SP-A and SP-D in the severe
      subgroup were significantly higher than in the mild subgroup (P<0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of SP-A and SP-D are significantly elevated in children
      with acute bronchiolitis, and severe cases have higher serum levels of SP-A and
      SP-D than mild cases. Even after the relief of clinical symptoms, serum levels of
      SP-A and SP-D remain high. These findings suggest that serum levels of SP-A and
      SP-D might be useful biomarkers for evaluating the severity of bronchiolitis
      among children.

PMID- 24229596
TI  - [Comparison of clinical features and co-infection between pneumonia caused by
      influenza virus A and pneumonia caused by influenza virus B among children].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical features and co-infection between pneumonia
      caused by influenza virus A (IVA) and pneumonia caused by influenza virus B (IVB)
      among children. METHODS: A total of 165 children with pneumonia caused by
      influenza virus (IV) were included in the study. These subjects were divided into
      IVA(n=71) and IVB pneumonia groups (n=94) according to the subtypes of IV. The
      IVA pneumonia group was further divided into simple infection (n=14) and co
      infection subgroups (n=57), and the IVB pneumonia group was also further divided
      into simple infection (n=27) and co-infection subgroups (n=67). Co-infection rate
      and pathogen spectrum were analysed in children with IV pneumonia. RESULTS: The
      IVB pneumonia group had significantly increased mean age of onset and
      significantly prolonged mean duration of fever compared with the IVA pneumonia
      group (P<0.05). Co-infection rate among children with IV pneumonia was 75.2%, who
      were co-infected with bacteria (44.2%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP, 21.8%) and
      other viruses (45.5%). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was most common in
      children co-infected viruses (89% ). The rate of co-infection with RSV was
      significantly higher in the IVA pneumonia group than in the IVB pneumonia group.
      There were no significant differences in age, length of hospital stay, duration
      of fever, percentage of neutrophils, prealbumin, C-reactive protein, alanine
      aminotransferase, and creatine kinase-MB between the simple infection and co
      infection subgroups of each group. CONCLUSIONS: Children with IVB pneumonia have
      prolonged duration of fever and increased age of onset compared with those with
      IVA pneumonia. Co-infection rate is high among children with IV pneumonia, who
      may be co-infected with bacteria, viruses and MP. Co-infection with RSV is more
      common in children with IVA pneumonia. It is difficult to identify the presense
      of co-infection using clinical indices.

PMID- 24229597
TI  - [Clinical characteristics of children with Streptococcus pneumoniae septicemia
      and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of children who suffered from
      Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) septicemia and the drug sensitivity of SP strains.
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 25
      children with SP septicemia between January 2009 and December 2012. RESULTS: Of
      the 25 cases, 16 (64%) were aged under 2 years, 5 (20%) were aged 2-5 years, and
      4 (16%) were aged over 5 years. Fourteen cases (56%) were complicated by
      infection of other organs, and 5 cases (20%) had underlying chronic diseases.
      Fever was the most common clinical manifestation, and the majority presented with
      remittent fever. Eight patients with pneumonia or pyothorax had pulmonary
      symptoms. Five patients with purulent meningitis had neurological symptoms, five
      cases had hepatosplenomegaly and two cases had septic shock. Nineteen cases (76%,
      19/25) had significantly elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts, twenty-one cases
      (84%, 21/25) had significantly elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels,
      and eight cases (50%, 8/16) had significantly elevated serum procalcitonin (PCT)
      levels. The drug sensitivity analysis showed that invasive SP had high resistance
      rates to penicillin (96%), clindamycin hydrochloride (88%) and erythromycin
      (84%), and it was completely sensitive to imipenem, vancomycin, levofloxacin and
      linezolid. The multi-drug resistance rate of invasive SP was up to 88%. Twenty
      three cases (92%) were cured or improved after active treatment. CONCLUSIONS: SP
      septicemia is commonly seen in children aged under 2 years. The most common
      clinical manifestation is fever, accompanied by elevated WBC count, CRP level and
      PCT level, and it is usually complicated by pulmonary or brain infection.
      Resistance to multiple antibiotics is very common in SP strains, so it is
      important to properly use antibiotics according to drug sensitivity test results.
      Patients who receive active treatment have a good clinical outcome.

PMID- 24229598
TI  - [Therapeutic effect of probiotics and oral IgY as supplementary drugs in the
      treatment of pediatric rotavirus enteritis: a comparative study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of probiotics and oral
      immunoglobulin on pediatric rotavirus enteritis. METHODS: A randomized,
      controlled trial was conducted in 150 children with rotavirus enteritis who were
      randomly divided into control, probiotic and immunoglobulin groups (n=50 each).
      In addition to basic treatment, the control group was given placebo, the
      probiotic group was given live combined bifidobacterium and lactobacillus
      tablets, and the immunoglobulin group was orally given anti-rotavirus egg yolk
      immunoglobulin (IgY). Clinical symptoms such as stool frequency and stool
      properties were recorded every day. Fresh stool samples were collected on days 1,
      3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 of treatment. Intestinal flora imbalance was detected and
      divided into three degrees by microscopic examination of stool. Fecal SIgA level
      and fecal rotavirus shedding were measured by radioimmunoassay and double
      antibody sandwich ELISA respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the control group,
      the probiotic group had reduced intestinal flora imbalance, decreased stool
      frequency, and reduced incidence of secondary intestinal bacterial infection
      after 3 days of treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in
      disease course between the probiotic and control groups. Compared with the
      control group, the immunoglobulin group had a significantly increased fecal SIgA
      level after 1 day of treatment (P<0.05), significantly decreased frequency of
      diarrhea and fecal rotavirus shedding after 3 days of treatment (P<0.05), and a
      significantly shorter disease course (4.5+/-1.0 vs 5.8+/-1.7 days; P<0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: For children with rotavirus enteritis, probiotics can reduce
      intestinal flora imbalance and prevent secondary intestinal bacterial infection,
      but probiotics take a long time to relieve clinical symptoms and cannot shorten
      the course of disease. Oral immunoglobulin takes effect quickly and can rapidly
      eliminate rotavirus, promote the production of SIgA, and shorten the course of
      disease.

PMID- 24229599
TI  - [Association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and pediatric Crohn's
      disease in China: a study based on gene sequencing].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between TaqI, BsmI, and ApaI
      polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and pediatric Crohn's disease (CD)
      in China. METHODS: Nineteen children with CD were selected as a case group, and
      122 healthy children who underwent physical examination were selected as a
      control group. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] levels were measured using
      ELISA. The TaqI, BsmI, and ApaI polymorphisms of VDR gene were determined by gene
      sequencing, and the two groups were compared in terms of genotype and allele
      frequencies. RESULTS: The case group had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D3
      levels than the control group (17.3+/-2.4 ng/mL vs 26.9+/-2.1 ng/mL; P<0.05).
      There were no significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles
      of TaqI, BsmI, and ApaI polymorphisms between the case and control groups
      (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children with CD have low serum 25(OH)D3 levels. TaqI,
      BsmI, and ApaI polymorphisms of VDR gene may not be associated with
      susceptibility to CD among the Chinese population.

PMID- 24229600
TI  - [Clinical significance of serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in children with
      Henoch-Schonlein purpura or Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical significance of serum levels of insulin-like
      growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP
      3) in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) or Henoch-Schonlein purpura
      nephritis (HSPN). METHODS: Thirty-one children with HSP were selected as the HSP
      group, and 28 children with HSPN were selected as the HSPN group. Another 31
      healthy children were selected as the control group. ELISA was used to measure
      serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in each group. Measurement of 24-hour urinary
      protein excretion was performed using an automatic biochemical analyzer in the
      HSPN group. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, complement C3 level and complete
      blood counts in each group were determined, and urine analysis was also
      performed. RESULTS: Serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in the HSP group were
      significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05), and serum levels of IGF
      1 and IGFBP-3 in the HSPN group were significantly higher than in the HSP and
      control groups (P<0.05). Among 12 children who underwent renal puncture biopsy,
      patients with higher pathological grades had higher serum levels of IGF-1 and
      IGFBP-3. In children with HSPN, those with proteinuria had significantly higher
      serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 than those without proteinuria (P<0.05). Levels
      of white cells, red cells, platelet count, complement C3, IgG, and IgA and IgA/C3
      ratio were significantly higher in the HSP and HSPN groups than in the control
      group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are
      observed in the acute onset period of HSP, which may be related to the degree of
      proteinuria and renal damage. Serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 may be indicators
      of renal involvement.

PMID- 24229601
TI  - [Significance of Tp-Te interval for risk stratification of ventricular premature
      contractions in children].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of Tp-Te interval for risk
      stratification of ventricular premature contractions (VPC) in children. METHODS:
      A total of 120 children with VPC were divided into benign VPC (n=40), organic
      disease (n=40) and ventricular parasystole groups (n=40) according to the
      etiology of VPC; another 40 children who underwent physical examination were
      selected as the normal control group. The four groups were compared in terms of
      Tp-Te intervals and Tp-Te/QT ratios in leads V3, V4 and V5. RESULTS: The Tp-Te
      interval in lead V3 was significantly longer in the organic disease group than in
      the other groups (P<0.05), the benign VPC group had a significantly shorter Tp-Te
      interval in lead V4 than the normal control and organic disease groups (P<0.05),
      and the organic disease group had a significantly longer Tp-Te interval in lead
      V5 than the benign VPC group (P<0.05). The Tp-Te/QT ratios in leads V3-V5 were
      significantly higher in the organic disease group than in the other groups
      (P<0.05). The Tp-Te/QT ratios in leads V4 and V5 showed significant differences
      between the ventricular parasystole and benign VPC groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Tp-Te interval is susceptible to changes in heart rate, and it is of little value
      for the risk stratification of VPC in children. Tp-Te/QT ratio, however, may be
      used as an important non-invasive index for clinical risk stratification of VPC
      in children and is worthy of further study.

PMID- 24229602
TI  - [Effect of Mycobacterium phlei F.U.36 on balance of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells
      and Th17 cells in asthmatic mice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of early intervention with Mycobacterium phlei
      F.U.36 injection on the balance of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and Th17 cells in
      asthmatic mice, and to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of Mycobacterium
      phlei F.U.36. METHODS: Thirty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three
      groups: normal control (n=10), asthma model (n=10) and Mycobacterium phlei F.U.36
      treatment groups (n=10). A mouse model of asthma was prepared by injection and
      aerosol inhalation of chicken ovalbumin in the asthma model and Mycobacterium
      phlei F.U.36 treatment groups, while mice in the normal control group were given
      normal saline instead. The treatment group was intraperitoneally injected with
      Mycobacterium phlei F.U.36 (0.57 MUg, once every other day) three times in the
      first two weeks after the first sensitization. All mice were sacrificed at 24
      hours after the last challenge. Left lung tissues of these mice were obtained and
      made into sections for observation of inflammatory changes. The percentages of
      CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and Th17 cells in CD4+ T cells among splenic
      mononuclear cells were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin
      (IL)-10 and IL-17 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured using
      ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the asthma model group
      had significantly decreased percentages of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and IL-10
      levels (P<0.05) and significantly increased percentages of Th17 cells and IL-17
      levels (P<0.05). Compared with the asthma model group, the Mycobacterium phlei
      F.U.36 treatment group had significantly increased percentages of CD4+CD25+
      regulatory T cells and IL-10 levels (P<0.05) and significantly decreased
      percentage of Th17 cells and IL-17 levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early
      intervention with Mycobacterium phlei F.U.36 can promote development of CD4+CD25+
      regulatory T cells and production of IL-10 and inhibit generation of Th17 cells
      and production of IL-17 in asthmatic mice.

PMID- 24229603
TI  - [Role of the FOXO3a transcription factor in neuronal apoptosis in neonatal rats
      with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the role and mechanisms of FOXO3a nuclear translocation in
      neuronal apoptosis after hypoxia-ischemia (HI). METHODS: One hundred and sixty 10
      day-old Sprague-Dawly rats were randomly divided into two groups: HI and sham
      operated. The right common carotid artery was ligated followed by hypoxia
      exposure for 2.5 hours in the HI group. The sham-operated group rats were not
      subjected to carotid artery ligation or hypoxia treatment. Rat cerebral cortex
      was collected at 0.5, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours after hypoxia. Western blot was used
      to detect expression of total FOXO3a protein, pnuclear and cytoplasmic FOXO3a and
      Bim. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptotic cells. RESULTS: The nuclear
      protein of FOXO3a obviously increased from 0.5 to 24 hours after HI in a time
      dependent manner compared with the sham-operated group (P<0.01). On the contrary,
      cytoplasmic protein evidently decreased from 0.5 to 24 hours in the HI group
      compared with the sham-operated group (P<0.01). Bim protein increased from 0.5
      hour, peaked at 2 hours, started to decline at 4 hours (P<0.01), and returned to
      baseline level at 8 and 24 hours after HI in the HI group compared with the sham
      operated group. TUNEL positive cells started to express at 4 hours, and peaked at
      24 hours after HI (P<0.01). However, TUNEL positive cells were rarely found in
      the sham-operated group. CONCLUSIONS: HI induces FOXO3a translocation from
      cytoplasm to nucleus, and enhances protein expression of its target gene Bim in
      the neonatal rat brain. The upregulation of Bim expression might be related to
      neuronal apoptosis.

PMID- 24229604
TI  - [Gastrointestinal symptoms in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura].

PMID- 24229605
TI  - [Intractable pulmonary edema and bulbar paralysis caused by severe hand-foot
      mouth disease: a case report].

PMID- 24229606
TI  - [Research advances on CIDEC in insulin resistance].
AB  - Childhood obesity has been rising dramatically in recent years and most patients
      are insulin resistant. Recent studies have indicated that cell death-inducing
      DFF45-like effector C (CIDEC) is responsible for the development of insulin
      resistance. CIDEC regulates adipogenesis, lipid storage and lipolysis, thus
      protecting insulin target tissues from lipotoxity. This paper reviews current
      findings on the structure and function of CIDEC, its transcriptional and post
      translational regulations, and the underlying mechanism of CIDEC causing insulin
      resistance. As a novel lipid droplet protein, CIDEC may be a drug target for
      treatment of insulin resistance and relevant metabolic disorders. 

PMID- 24229607
TI  - Glutamine modulates acute dextran sulphate sodium-induced changes in small
      intestinal intraepithelial gammadelta-T-lymphocyte expression in mice.
AB  - The present study investigated the effect of glutamine (Gln) on dextran sulphate
      sodium (DSS)-induced changes in the expression of small-intestinal
      intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) gammadelta-T cells in mice. Mice were randomly
      assigned to a normal control (NC) group and two DSS-treated groups. The NC group
      and one of the DSS-treated groups (DSS-C) were fed a common semi-purified diet,
      while the other DSS-treated group (DSS-G) was fed an identical diet, except that
      part of casein was replaced by Gln, which provided 25 % of total amino acid
      nitrogen. After being fed the diets for 10 d, mice in the NC group were given
      distilled water, while the DSS-treated groups were given distilled water
      containing 2.5 % DSS for 5 d. At the end of the experiment, the mice were killed.
      The small-intestinal IEL gammadelta-T-cell subset was isolated for further
      analysis. The results indicated that DSS treatment resulted in a lower percentage
      of small-intestinal IEL gammadelta-T cells and higher mRNA expressions of
      interferon-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-17, complement 5a receptor and keratinocyte
      growth factor in IEL gammadelta-T cells. Gln administration increased the
      proportion of small-intestinal IEL gammadelta-T cells, and the expression levels
      of immunomodulatory mediator genes in IEL gammadelta-T cells were lower in the
      DSS-treated mice. The histological findings indicated that the immunoreactive
      intensity of the tight junction protein ZO-1 in the small-intestinal mucosa was
      higher in the DSS-G group than in the DSS-C group. These results indicate that
      pretreatment with Gln increases the proportion of small-intestinal IEL gammadelta
      T cells and down-regulates gammadelta-T-cell-expressed inflammatory mediators,
      which may consequently ameliorate the severity of DSS-induced small-intestinal
      epithelial injury. 

PMID- 24229608
TI  - Mental health reform under policy mainstreaming: needed, but uncertain.
AB  - October 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's message to
      the US Congress on the need to reform mental healthcare. Much has changed in that
      time. In 2006, Frank and Glied summarized these changes and the forces behind
      them, finding that the well-being of people with mental illness was 'better but
      not well.' They also conclude that most improvements have been due to
      'mainstreaming,' the inclusion of those with mental illness in broad reforms such
      as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. With the gradual assimilation of
      mental health concerns, leadership and resources into mainstream programmes and
      agencies, future improvements will require that these programmes are accessible
      and oriented to people with mental illness. The passage of broad health reform
      legislation in 2010 (the Affordable Care Act) reinforces this change; several of
      its provisions attempt to make healthcare more relevant to the population with
      mental illness. In this editorial, I discuss a set of challenges which remain for
      the population with mental illness in the healthcare system, and the prospects
      for change. These challenges include: (1) improving basic mental healthcare in
      primary care, (2) improving mental healthcare for children, (3) earlier detection
      and treatment of psychotic illness, (4) disability and unemployment and (5) the
      challenge of sustaining an adequate, speciality public mental healthcare system
      under conditions of mainstreaming. In general, I conclude that the prospects for
      successful reform are uncertain. Establishing mental healthcare specialization in
      mainstream systems has not been notably successful to date. 

PMID- 24229609
TI  - An audit of 'dead ear' after ear surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: 'Dead ear' is a rare and serious complication of ear surgery. This
      paper presents an audit of this complication. METHOD: Over 6 years, data for all
      617 middle-ear operations performed under the care of a single consultant were
      recorded for the International Otology Audit. All cases of dead ear were
      identified and assessed. RESULTS: A post-operative dead ear occurred in 6 cases
      (approximately 1 per cent). No cases of post-operative dead ear occurred
      following the 83 otosclerosis operations and the 62 children's procedures.
      Amongst 187 adult patients undergoing mastoid surgery for cholesteatoma, there
      were 5 cases of post-operative dead ear (2.7 per cent of cases). CONCLUSION: The
      occurrence of dead ear after cholesteatoma surgery in adults is less rare than
      previously thought. This has implications for the surgical consenting process.
      The current series suggests that, whilst dead ear is often avoidable, it is
      sometimes inevitable.

PMID- 24229610
TI  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa dose response and bathing water infection.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the opportunistic pathogen mostly implicated in
      folliculitis and acute otitis externa in pools and hot tubs. Nevertheless,
      infection risks remain poorly quantified. This paper reviews disease aetiologies
      and bacterial skin colonization science to advance dose-response theory
      development. Three model forms are identified for predicting disease likelihood
      from pathogen density. Two are based on Furumoto & Mickey's exponential 'single
      hit' model and predict infection likelihood and severity (lesions/m2),
      respectively. 'Third-generation', mechanistic, dose-response algorithm
      development is additionally scoped. The proposed formulation integrates
      dispersion, epidermal interaction, and follicle invasion. The review also details
      uncertainties needing consideration which pertain to water quality, outbreaks,
      exposure time, infection sites, biofilms, cerumen, environmental factors (e.g.
      skin saturation, hydrodynamics), and whether P. aeruginosa is endogenous or
      exogenous. The review's findings are used to propose a conceptual infection model
      and identify research priorities including pool dose-response modelling,
      epidermis ecology and infection likelihood-based hygiene management.

PMID- 24229611
TI  - Early development of Betta splendens under stereomicroscopy and scanning electron
      microscopy.
AB  - Betta splendens is a very important ornamental species. The current paper
      describes the embryonic and larval development of B. splendens under
      stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Eggs and larvae from natural
      spawning were collected at different developmental stages at previously
      established intervals and analysed. The eggs of B. splendens are yellowish,
      clear, spherical, demersal, translucent and telolecithal with a large amount of
      yolk. Between 0-2 h post-initial collection (hpIC), the eggs were at the egg
      cell, first cleavage and morula stages. The blastula stage was identified at 2-3
      hpIC and the early gastrula phase was observed at 3-4 hpIC with 20% epiboly,
      which was finalized after 13-18 hpIC. When the pre-larvae were ready to hatch,
      the appearance of somites and the free tail were observed, at 23-25 hpIC. At 29
      hpIC, the majority of larvae had already hatched at an average temperature of
      28.4 +/- 0.2 degrees C. The newly hatched larvae measured 2.47 +/- 0.044 mm total
      length. The mouth opened at 23 h post-hatching (hPH) and the yolk sac was totally
      absorbed at 73 hPH. After 156 hPH, the heart was pumping blood throughout the
      entire larval body. The caudal fin, operculum and eyes were well developed at 264
      hPH. When metamorphosis was complete at 768 hPH, the larvae became juveniles. The
      current study presents the first results about early development of B. splendens
      and provides relevant information for its reproduction, rearing and biology. 

PMID- 24229612
TI  - A rally for traumatic brain injury research.

PMID- 24229613
TI  - INMiND: getting to the bottom of neuroinflammation.

PMID- 24229615
TI  - Electrographic seizures and status epilepticus in critically ill children and
      neonates with encephalopathy.
AB  - Electrographic seizures are seizures that are evident on EEG monitoring. They are
      common in critically ill children and neonates with acute encephalopathy. Most
      electrographic seizures have no associated clinical changes, and continuous EEG
      monitoring is necessary for identification. The effect of electrographic seizures
      on outcome is the focus of active investigation. Studies have shown that a high
      burden of electrographic seizures is associated with worsened clinical outcome
      after adjustment for cause and severity of brain injury, suggesting that a high
      burden of such seizures might independently contribute to secondary brain injury.
      Further research is needed to determine whether identification and management of
      electrographic seizures reduces secondary brain injury and improves outcome in
      critically ill children and neonates. 

PMID- 24229616
TI  - Axonal Guillain-Barre syndrome: concepts and controversies.
AB  - Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) is a pure motor axonal subtype of Guillain
      Barre syndrome (GBS) that was identified in the late 1990s. In Asia and Central
      and South America, it is the major subtype of GBS, seen in 30-65% of patients.
      AMAN progresses more rapidly and has an earlier peak than demyelinating GBS;
      tendon reflexes are relatively preserved or even exaggerated, and autonomic
      dysfunction is rare. One of the main causes is molecular mimicry of human
      gangliosides by Campylobacter jejuni lipo-oligosaccharides. In addition to axonal
      degeneration, electrophysiology shows rapidly reversible nerve conduction
      blockade or slowing, presumably due to pathological changes at the nodes or
      paranodes. Autoantibodies that bind to GM1 or GD1a gangliosides at the nodes of
      Ranvier activate complement and disrupt sodium-channel clusters and axoglial
      junctions, which leads to nerve conduction failure and muscle weakness. Improved
      understanding of the disease mechanism and pathophysiology might lead to new
      treatment options and improve the outlook for patients with AMAN. 

PMID- 24229617
TI  - Long-term effects of cariprazine exposure on dopamine receptor subtypes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: All clinically effective antipsychotics are known to act on the
      dopaminergic system, and previous studies have demonstrated that repeated
      treatment with antipsychotics produced region-specific changes in dopamine
      receptor levels. Cariprazine is a dopamine D3 and D2 receptor partial agonist
      with preferential binding to D3 receptors. We examined the effects of chronic
      cariprazine administration on dopamine receptor levels. METHODS: Rats were
      administered either vehicle or cariprazine (0.06, 0.2, or 0.6 mg/kg) for 28 days.
      Dopamine receptor levels were quantitated using autoradiographic assays on brain
      tissue sections from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens
      (NAc), caudate putamen (CPu), hippocampus (HIPP), olfactory tubercle (OT), and
      islands of Calleja (ICj). RESULTS: Chronic treatment with cariprazine did not
      alter D1 receptor levels in any brain region tested. Cariprazine increased D2
      receptor levels in mPFC (27%-43%), NAc (40%-45%), medial (41%-53%) and lateral
      (52%-63%) CPu, and HIPP (38%). Cariprazine dose-dependently upregulated D3
      receptor levels in ICj (32%-57%), OT (27%-67%), and NAc shell (31%-48%). Repeated
      cariprazine treatment increased D4 receptor in NAc (53%-82%), medial (54%-98%)
      and lateral (58%-74%) CPu, and HIPP (38%-98%). CONCLUSION: Similar to other
      antipsychotics, cariprazine upregulated D2 and D4 receptor levels in various
      brain regions. Cariprazine was unique among antipsychotics in increasing D3
      receptor levels, which may support its unique psychopharmacologic properties.

PMID- 24229618
TI  - Influenza in hospitalized children in Ireland in the pandemic period and the
      2010/2011 season: risk factors for paediatric intensive-care-unit admission.
AB  - Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in children. This study's
      objectives were to describe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 during the pandemic, to
      compare it with circulating influenza in 2010/2011, and to identify risk factors
      for severe influenza defined as requiring admission to a paediatric intensive
      care unit (PICU). Children hospitalized with influenza during the pandemic were
      older, and more likely to have received antiviral therapy than children
      hospitalized during the 2010/2011 season. In 2010/2011, only one child admitted
      to a PICU with underlying medical conditions had been vaccinated. The risk of
      severe illness in the pandemic was higher in females and those with underlying
      conditions. In 2010/2011, infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 compared to other
      influenza viruses was a significant risk factor for severe disease. An
      incremental relationship was found between the number of underlying conditions
      and PICU admission. These findings highlight the importance of improving low
      vaccination uptake and increasing the use of antivirals in vulnerable children.

PMID- 24229619
TI  - Oral squamous cell carcinoma and serum paraoxonase 1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serum paraoxonase 1 is involved in mechanisms that protect cells from
      oxidative stress damage. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between
      serum paraoxonase 1 activity and polymorphisms in patients with oral squamous
      cell carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty-seven patients with oral squamous
      cell carcinoma and 59 matched healthy controls participated in the study. Serum
      paraoxonase 1 activity and polymorphisms in blood samples were compared with
      results for polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length
      polymorphism tests. RESULTS: Mean serum paraoxonase 1 activity levels were lower
      in patients than controls (mean +/- standard deviation, 21.9 +/- 5 units/l and
      120.4 +/- 2 units/l, respectively) (p = 0.001). The serum paraoxonase 1 192
      glutamine polymorphism was more common in patients than controls. CONCLUSION:
      Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma had significantly lower serum
      paraoxonase 1 activity levels and a greater prevalence of the serum paraoxonase 1
      192 glutamine allele, compared with controls. Serum paraoxonase 1 may play a role
      in the aetiology of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

PMID- 24229620
TI  - Long-chain n-3 DHA reduces the extent of skeletal muscle fatigue in the rat in
      vivo hindlimb model.
AB  - Dietary fish oil modifies skeletal muscle membrane fatty acid composition and
      oxygen efficiency similar to changes in the myocardium. Oxygen efficiency is a
      key determinant of sustained force in mammalian skeletal muscle. Therefore, in
      the present study, we tested the effects of a fish-oil diet on skeletal muscle
      fatigue under the stress of contraction using the rat in vivo autologous perfused
      hindlimb model. For 8 weeks, male Wistar rats were fed a diet rich in saturated
      fat (SF), a diet rich in n-6 PUFA or a diet rich in long-chain (LC) n-3 PUFA DHA
      derived from fish oil. In anaesthetised, mechanically ventilated rats, with their
      hindlimbs perfused with arterial blood at a constant flow, the gastrocnemius
      plantaris-soleus muscle bundle was stimulated via sciatic nerve (2 Hz, 6-12 V,
      0.05 ms) to contract repetitively for 30 min. Rats fed the n-3 PUFA diet
      developed higher maximum twitch tension than those fed the SF and n-6 PUFA diets
      (P< 0.05) and sustained twitch tension through more repetitions before the
      tension declined to 50 % of the maximum twitch tension (P< 0.05). The n-3 PUFA
      group used less oxygen for tension developed and produced higher venous lactate
      concentrations with no difference in glycogen utilisation compared with the SF
      and n-6 PUFA groups. These results further support that incorporation of DHA into
      skeletal muscle membranes increases the efficiency of oxygen use over a range of
      contractile force and this is expressed as a higher sustained force and prolonged
      time to fatigue. 

PMID- 24229621
TI  - [Effects of artesunate on the invasion of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and
      expression of ICAM-1 and MMP-9].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Artesunate, an anti-malarial drug, elicits an
      inhibitory effect on pulmonary carcinoma. However, the mechanisms of artesunate
      activity on pulmonary carcinoma have not been completely elucidated. The aim of
      this study is to investigate the effect of artesunate on the invasion of human
      lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of artesunate on
      the proliferation and invasion of A549 cells was determined in vitro by MTT assay
      and transwell chamber invasion assay, respectively. A nude mouse model of human
      lung A549 cell xenograft tumor was established. The inhibitory effect of
      artesunate on the tumor of the mouse model as well as ICAM-1 and MMP-9 protein
      expressions were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: A low dose of artesunate
      ranging between 1.25 MUg/L and 5 MUg/L did not significantly inhibit the
      proliferation of A549 cells in vitro. By contrast, 1.25 MUg/L artesunate
      inhibited the invasion of A549 cells in vitro as determined by transwell chamber
      invasion assay (96.33 +/- 6.41 vs 75.43 +/- 4.37, P<0.05). Although 10 mg/kg
      artesunate did not significantly inhibit A549 xenograft tumor proliferation
      (P>0.05), artesunate decreased the ICAM-1 and MMP-9 protein levels in the mouse
      model (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Artesunate could inhibit the invasion of human lung
      adenocarcinoma A549 cells by possibly downregulating ICAM-1 and MMP-9
      expressions.

PMID- 24229622
TI  - [Second-line chemotherapy and its survival analysis of 181 patients with
      extensive-stage small cell lung cancer in a single institute].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most malignant
      neuroendocrine tumor and sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However,
      most patients who receive first-line chemotherapy will relapse within one to two
      years. Once recurrent, it indicates poor prognosis. Currently, the standard first
      line chemotherapy regimen of extensive-stage SCLC is platinum combined etoposide
      regimen while the standard second-line chemotherapy regimen is open to debate.
      The aim of this study is to analysis the prognostic factors of second-line
      chemotherapy in extensive-stage SCLC and to compare the differences of objective
      response rate, side effects and survival among different second-line chemotherapy
      regimens. METHODS: 181 patients who were diagnosed as extensive-stage SCLC and
      received second-line chemotherapy were collected. chi(2) test was used to
      analysis the differences of enumeration data and between different groups. Kaplan
      Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free
      survival (PFS). Univariate analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to
      detect the prognostic factors. Objective response rate was evaluated by RECIST
      criteria and side effects were evaluated by WHO criteria. RESULTS: The patients
      who received second-line chemotherapy can be divided into 6 groups, namly group A
      (CE/EP regimen) 27 cases, group B (regimens containing TPT) 44 cases, group C
      (regimens containing CPT-11) 33 cases, group D (regimens containing TAX/DXL) 20
      cases, group E (regimens containing IFO) 28 cases and group F (other regimens) 29
      cases. The median OS in second-line chemotherapy as 7.0 months and was relevant
      with smoking history (P=0.004), ECOG PS (P<0.001), liver metastasis (P=0.019) and
      bone metastasis (P=0.028) independently. The median PFS in second-line
      chemotherapy as 3.0 months and was relevant with smoking history (P=0.034), ECOG
      PS (P=0.011) and bone metastasis (P=0.005). The response rate among six regimens
      was significantly different (P=0.017); There was not statistical significance
      between each group. As to side effects, the incidence of gastrointestinal
      reaction in group C was higher than any other group. The differences of OS and
      PFS between six regimens in second-line therapy were not statistically different
      (P=0.914, P=0.293). CONCLUSIONS: The most significant prognostic factor of
      extensive-stage small cell lung cancer patients who received second-line
      chemotherapy was ECOG PS. The most optimal second-line chemotherapy regimen with
      definite curatice effect was controversial.

PMID- 24229623
TI  - The value of CT attenuation in distinguishing atypical adenomatous hyperplasia
      from adenocarcinoma in situ.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Advances in high-resolution computed tomography (CT)
      scanning have increased the detection of small ground-glass opacity (GGO) nodules
      and also allowed such images to be investigated in detail. However, it is
      difficult to differentiate atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) from
      adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) with CT, even at follow-up, because they share many
      similar CT manifestations. While AAH is thought to be a precursor or even an
      early-stage lesion of lung adenocarcinoma, and the stepwise progression from AAH
      to AIS is thought to be reasonable. Therefore, the hypothesis that the
      attenuation of GGO is increased gradually from AAH to AIS is proposed. The aim of
      this study was to distinguish AAH from AIS with CT attenuation in patients with
      pure GGO nodules. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2012, the CT
      findings in terms of the greatest diameter and mean CT attenuation (HU) were
      reviewed and correlated with pathology in 56 patients with AAH (n=21) and non
      mucinous AIS (n=38) by two independent observers. All the 59 lesions were pure
      GGO nodules with size of 2 cm or smaller. To determine variability of measuring
      CT attenuation, we calculated the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the limits of
      agreement by using Bland-Altman analysis. Student t test was used to compare AAH
      and AIS in terms of diameter and CT attenuation. And receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of
      mean CT attenuation for differentiating AAH from AIS and obtain the diagnostic
      value. Two-tailed P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant.
      RESULTS: For the manually measured CT attenuation, the 95%CI for the limits of
      agreement was -40 HU, 50 HU for inter-observer variability. Although there was
      significant difference in nodule diameter between AAH and AIS (P=0.046), the
      overlap was considerable. The mean CT attenuation was (-718 +/- 53) HU (95%CI: 
      822, -604) for AAH, which was significantly smaller than (-600 +/- 35) HU (95%CI:
      -669, -531) for AIS (P=0.013). The area under curve (AUC) from ROC was 0.903 for
      differentiating AAH from AIS, and the cut-off value of -632 HU was optimal for
      differentiation between AAH and AIS, with sensitivity of 0.79, specificity of
      0.95, and accuracy of 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: The mean CT attenuation can help the
      radiological differentiation between AAH and AIS.

PMID- 24229624
TI  - [Research for mediastinal lymph node desection style of stage Ib upper lobe non
      small cell lung cancer].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lymphatic metastasis is the most important way for the
      spread of lung cancer and is one of the important factors affecting the
      prognosis. Existing studies showed that compared to middle or lower lobe NSCLC,
      upper lobe non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a higher probability of
      occurring regional mediastinal lymph node metastasis. The purpose of this study
      is to research the prognostic factors and lymphadenectomy of stage Ib upper lobe
      NSCLC. METHODS: A retrospective study of 147 consecutive subjects (76 and 71 for
      right and left upper lobe NSCLC respectively) who had undergone curative
      resection for stage Ib upper lobe NSCLC was performed. A total of 925 lymph nodes
      were removed during the surgery in all enrolled patients and a total of 491
      mediastinal lymph nodes (266 and 225 for superior and inferior mediastinal lymph
      nodes respectively) were removed. Kaplan-Meier product method and Log-rank test
      were used for univariate survival analysis and Cox regression model was used for
      multivariate survival analysis. RESULTS: 1Both univariate and multivariate
      analysis showed that age, tumor size and number of removed superior mediastinal
      lymph node stations were the important prognostic factors of stage Ib upper lobe
      NSCLC; 2For stage Ib right upper lobe NSCLC, station 4 lymph node was of
      statistical significance to the prognosis (P=0.021); while for stage Ib left
      upper lobe NSCLC, station 5 lymph node was of statistical significance to the
      prognosis (P=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: In surgically treated stage Ib upper lobe NSCLC
      patients, age, tumor size and number of removed superior mediastinal lymph node
      stations are the important prognostic factors. And in this kind of patients, lobe
      specific systematic lymph node dissection may be a more efficient procedure
      during the surgery.

PMID- 24229625
TI  - [The expression and significance of stem cell transcription factor Sox2 in lung
      carcinoma].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Transcription factor Sox2 remains the pluripotency of
      stem cell, participates in self-renew of cancer stem cell and plays important
      role during the initiation and development of various cancers. This study intends
      to investigate the expression and significance of Sox2 and Sox2 autoantibodies
      (Sox2-Ab) in tissue and serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC). METHODS: Expression of Sox2 gene and protein was tested in 58 cases of
      NSCLC, 16 patients with other tumors and 20 cases of normal lung tissue specimens
      by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical assay, respectively. Serum Sox2-Ab
      level was detected in 30 cases of NSCLC patients and 30 healthy controls by ELISA
      method. Clinical and pathological data from patients were collected and analyzed
      retrospectively. RESULTS: Expression levels of Sox2 mRNA and protein were higher
      in patient with NSCLC than other groups, with statistically significant
      differences (P<0.01), respectively. Meanwhile, Sox2 mRNA expression increased in
      NSCLC patients associated with histological type and tumor size. No significant
      differences in Sox2-Ab serum levels were found between NSCLC patients and normal
      subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Sox2 in NSCLC have a higher expression, which is closely
      related to histological type and tumor size. Sox2 might use as a potential
      biomarker and therapeutic target for lung cancer.

PMID- 24229626
TI  - [Postoperative survival of patients with stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: At present, surgery is advocated for stage IIIa non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the survival of them is determined by many
      factors. The aim of this study is to analyze the influencing factors of prognosis
      for stage IIIa surgical patients. METHODS: Between March 2002 and October 2012,
      151 surgical cases that have postoperative pathological finding of stage IIIa
      NSCLC with completed followed-up data were received in the Peking Union Medical
      College Hospital. According to different N stages, 151 patients were divided into
      T4N0/T3-4N1M0 and T1-3N2M0 stages. Kaplan-Meier survival method was used to
      calculate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and to
      proceed univariate analysis of survival. Cox regression analysis was used to
      conduct multivariate analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 was evaluated as
      statistically significant. RESULTS: 151 stage IIIa NSCLC patients had 43 stage
      T4N0/T3-4N1M0 cases and 108 stage T1-3N2M0 cases. The median OS and PFS of the
      whole group were 38.9 and 12.9 months respectively. The median OS of stage
      T4N0/T3-4N1M0 and T1-3N2M0 were 48.7 and 38.9 months. The median PFS of them were
      14.9 and 19.8 months respectively. There were no significant differences of OS
      and PFS between two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that
      postoperative chemotherapy had a significant influence on OS of the surgical
      patients with stage IIIa NSCLC (P=0.001), and family history of tumor had a
      significant influence on PFS (P<0.05). The maximum diameter of tumor had a
      significant influence on PFS only in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: For stage
      IIIa NSCLC, postoperative chemotherapy can increase OS and PFS, but postoperative
      radiotherapy have no benefit on them.

PMID- 24229627
TI  - [Summary of "Expert consensus for treatment of bone metastases in lung cancer"
      reviewers meeting].

PMID- 24229628
TI  - [The function and molecular mechnism of cyclin Y protein].
AB  - A novel cyclin, cyclin Y, is one of the most highly conserved members of the
      cyclin superfamily, which is famous for their important roles in regulating the
      cell cycle and transcription. Recently, it was found that cyclin Y was up
      regulated in many cancers. Cyclin Y may play a crucial role in tumor progression.
      The function and molecular mechanism of cyclin Y protein will be discussed in
      this paper. 

PMID- 24229629
TI  - [Advanced research of fibroblast growth factor receptor in non-small cell lung
      cancer].
AB  - Lung cancer is severely threatening human health. In recent years, the treatment
      for lung adenocarcinoma has made a great progress, targeted therapy has been
      widely applied in clinic, and benefits amount of patients. However, in squamous
      cell lung cancer, the incidence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene
      mutant and ALK fusion gene are low,and targeted therapy like Tarceva and
      crizotinib, can hardly work. Since the fibroblast growth factors (fibroblast
      growth factor, FGF) pathway is considered to be related to tumor cell
      proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis, more and more researches proved the
      amplification of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) in squamous cell lung
      cancer. Experiments in vivo and in vitro found that blocking FGF pathway could
      reduce the proliferation of tumor cells and inhibit metastasis. The FGF pathway
      might be a new target for treatment of squamous cell lung cancer. This article
      reviews the effect of FGFR in tumorigenesis,as well as the prospect as a
      therapeutic target in non-small cell lung cancer.

PMID- 24229630
TI  - [Significances of RET fusion gene in non-small cell lung cancer].
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, molecular
      target therapy has become a hot research direction of non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) treatment. RET fusion gene with an identifiable clinical pathological
      features, is present in some subsets of lung cancer, and its treatment is
      effective by RET inhibitor, suggesting that RET fusion gene may be a new target
      for individualized treatment to the subgroup of NSCLC. This article reviews the
      structural characteristics of RET fusion gene and expression model in clinical
      samples, and treatment of NSCLC. 

PMID- 24229631
TI  - The evolving view of rosacea.

PMID- 24229632
TI  - New insights into rosacea pathophysiology: a review of recent findings.
AB  - Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease of poorly understood
      origin. Based on its clinical features (flushing, chronic inflammation, fibrosis)
      and trigger factors, a complex pathobiology involving different regulatory
      systems can be anticipated. Although a wealth of research has shed new light over
      recent years on its pathophysiology, the precise interplay of the various
      dysregulated systems (immune, vascular, nervous) is still poorly understood. Most
      authors agree on 4 major clinical subtypes of rosacea: erythematotelangiectatic
      rosacea, papulopustular rosacea, phymatous rosacea, and ocular rosacea. Still, it
      needs to be elucidated whether these subtypes develop in a consecutive serial
      fashion or if any subtypes may occur individually as part of a syndrome. Because
      rosacea often affects multiple family members, a genetic component is also
      suspected, but the genetic basis of rosacea remains unclear. During disease
      manifestation and early stage, the innate immune system and neurovascular
      dysregulation seem to be driving forces in rosacea pathophysiology. Dissection of
      major players for disease progression and in advanced stages is severely hampered
      by the complex activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems, enhanced
      neuroimmune communication, profound blood vessel and possibly lymphatic vessel
      changes, and activation of almost every resident cell in the skin. This review
      discusses some of the recent findings and aims to build unifying hypotheses for a
      modern understanding of rosacea pathophysiology. 

PMID- 24229633
TI  - Medical history of the representation of rosacea in the 19th century.
AB  - Throughout the 1800s, clinical illustrations helped to formalize what was then
      the recently developed field of dermatology. Knowledge of skin diseases was given
      new dimension as artists and clinicians alike strove to accurately document the
      physical characteristics of numerous dermatoses. Introduction of novel processes
      and refined techniques advanced the clinical use of disease images. The
      increasingly superior quality of these images aided in the early distinction
      between rosacea and acne. This article highlights these illustrative
      contributions in dermatology, and includes key images that serve as a road map to
      early clinical understanding of skin diseases. 

PMID- 24229634
TI  - Rosacea: current state of epidemiology.
AB  - Case definitions are critical in epidemiologic research. However, modern disease
      indicators must now consider complex data from gene-based research along with
      traditional clinical parameters. Rosacea is a skin disorder with multiple signs
      and symptoms. In individuals, these features may be multiple or one may
      predominate. While studies on the epidemiology of rosacea have previously been
      sparse, there has been a recent increase in research activity. A broader body of
      epidemiological information that includes a greater variety of countries beyond
      Northern Europe and general population-based demographics is needed. As there are
      operational issues in current case definitions of rosacea subtypes-
      rationalization and standardization--universal consistent applications in future
      research is also imperative. Further improvement in disease definition combining
      new research information along with clinical pragmatism should increase the
      accuracy of rosacea case ascertainment and facilitate further epidemiological
      research.

PMID- 24229635
TI  - Ocular rosacea: common and commonly missed.
AB  - Rosacea is a prevalent disorder that may be disfiguring and cause significant
      ocular morbidity, if not diagnosed and managed appropriately. Ocular rosacea, in
      particular, is often left undiagnosed as no specific test is available to confirm
      the diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis is further complicated because symptoms of
      ocular rosacea are not always specific to the disorder alone. Other ophthalmic
      disorders may present with similar findings. Further challenges exist because the
      severity of ocular symptoms is often not related to the severity of cutaneous
      findings in rosacea. Isolating a disease marker may facilitate earlier diagnosis
      and treatment, and could also contribute to better understanding of disease
      pathogenesis. The glycomics of tear fluid and saliva in patients with rosacea
      shows promise as an initial step in the search for a biomarker specific to the
      disease. We have previously found potentially important disease biomarkers in
      roseatic tear and saliva samples. Further investigation should prove important in
      the early stages of developing a set of markers for accurate disease
      identification.

PMID- 24229636
TI  - Ocular rosacea: a dermatologic perspective.
AB  - As many as 50% of patients given the diagnosis of cutaneous rosacea also have
      ocular rosacea. Conservative figures indicate that approximately 10 million
      patients are affected by ocular rosacea in the United States alone. Despite this
      prevalence, ocular symptoms of rosacea are often improperly diagnosed,
      particularly when they occur in the absence of skin involvement.

PMID- 24229637
TI  - Management of facial erythema of rosacea: what is the role of topical alpha
      adrenergic receptor agonist therapy?
AB  - Several more recent advances have led to a better understanding of the
      pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in rosacea and therapeutic modalities used
      for treatment. Although the clinical features may vary among patients, there are
      some unifying mechanisms that appear to relate to the more common presentations
      of rosacea. Both neurovascular dysregulation and augmented immune detection and
      response appear to play central roles that lead to many of the signs and symptoms
      of rosacea. Diffuse central facial erythema is a very common finding that
      intensifies during flares and persists to varying degrees between flares. This
      background of facial redness occurs secondary to vasodilation and fixed vascular
      changes that develop over time. Physical modalities are commonly used to treat
      the erythema that persists as a result of fixed changes in superficial cutaneous
      vasculature that do not remit after treatment with agents whose mechanisms are
      active primarily against some of the inflammatory processes operative in rosacea
      (ie metronidazole, azelaic acid, tetracyclines). As enlarged superficial
      cutaneous vessels that contribute to the fixed background facial redness of
      rosacea remain vasoactive to sympathetic nervous system innervation, topical
      alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists, namely brimonidine and oxymetazoline, are
      currently under evaluation for the treatment of facial erythema of rosacea. This
      article focuses on the clinical differentiation of facial erythema of rosacea and
      its management. 

PMID- 24229638
TI  - Emerging therapies in rosacea.
AB  - Rosacea is a common skin disorder with multiple symptoms. The emergence of
      research that furthers understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms has created
      new targets for disease treatment. Specifically, there is a need for new
      treatments that address the various erythematic symptoms associated with rosacea.
      Systemic and topical therapies have both yielded positive results in treating
      rosacea with various medications. Subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline is one such
      promising treatment. Development of novel products in the near future should help
      achieve more satisfactory outcomes for patients. 

PMID- 24229640
TI  - Tugging organs into place.
AB  - In this issue of Developmental Cell, Weavers and Skaer (2013) show that interplay
      between two opposing forces generated by tip cell attachment to muscles and
      migration of kink cells allows for the formation of the looped shape and
      positioning of renal tubules within the body of a fly larva. 

PMID- 24229639
TI  - Test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change of the dimensional anxiety
      scales for DSM-5.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This article reports on the test-retest reliability and sensitivity to
      change of a set of brief dimensional self-rating questionnaires for social
      anxiety disorder (SAD-D), specific phobia (SP-D), agoraphobia (AG-D), panic
      disorder (PD-D), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-D), as well as a general
      cross-cutting anxiety scale (Cross-D), which were developed to supplement
      categorical diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
      Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). METHODS: The German versions of the dimensional
      anxiety scales were administered to 218 students followed up approximately 2
      weeks later (Study 1) and 55 outpatients (23 with anxiety diagnoses) followed-up
      1 year later (Study 2). Probable diagnostic status in students was determined by
      the DIA-X/M-CIDI stem screening-questionnaire (SSQ). In the clinical sample,
      Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV)
      diagnoses were assessed at Time 1 using the DIA-X/M-CIDI. At Time 2, the patient
      version of the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale (CGI-I) was applied
      to assess change. RESULTS: Good psychometric properties, including high test
      retest reliability, were found for the dimensional scales except for SP-D. In
      outpatients, improvement at Time 2 was associated with significant decrease in PD
      D, GAD-D, and Cross-D scores. Discussion Major advantages of the scales include
      that they are brief, concise, and based on a consistent template to measure the
      cognitive, physiological, and behavioral symptoms of fear and anxiety. Further
      replication in larger samples is needed. Given its modest psychometric
      properties, SP-D needs refinement. CONCLUSION: Increasing evidence from diverse
      samples suggests clinical utility of the dimensional anxiety scales.

PMID- 24229641
TI  - Disinherited daughters travel by tube.
AB  - Reporting in Developmental Cell, Packard et al. (2013) identify a peculiar
      mitotic behavior in ureteric bud tips whereby dividing cells leave the epithelium
      for the lumen, retaining only a slender connection with basement membrane. One
      daughter inherits its mother's location, whereas the other moves along the lumen
      and reintegrates there.

PMID- 24229642
TI  - Response: the "tail" of the twin adaptors.

PMID- 24229643
TI  - The Purkinje neuron acts as a central regulator of spatially and functionally
      distinct cerebellar precursors.
AB  - The prospective white matter (PWM) in the nascent cerebellum contains a transient
      germinal compartment that produces all postnatally born GABAergic inhibitory
      interneurons and astrocytes. However, little is known about the molecular
      identity and developmental potential of resident progenitors or key regulatory
      niche signals. Here, we show that neural stem-cell-like primary progenitors
      (Tnc(YFP-low) CD133(+)) generate intermediate astrocyte (Tnc(YFP-low) CD15(+))
      precursors and GABAergic transient amplifying (Ptf1a(+)) cells. Interestingly,
      these lineally related but functionally divergent progenitors commonly respond to
      Sonic hedgehog (Shh), and blockade of reception in TNC(YFP-low) cells attenuates
      proliferation in the PWM, reducing both intermediate progenitor classes.
      Furthermore, we show that Shh produced from distant Purkinje neurons maintains
      the PWM niche independently of its classical role in regulating granule cell
      precursor proliferation. Our results indicate that Purkinje neurons maintain a
      bidirectional signaling axis, driving the production of spatially and
      functionally opposed inhibitory and excitatory interneurons important for motor
      learning and cognition. 

PMID- 24229644
TI  - A common set of DNA regulatory elements shapes Drosophila appendages.
AB  - Animals have body parts made of similar cell types located at different axial
      positions, such as limbs. The identity and distinct morphology of each structure
      is often specified by the activity of different "master regulator" transcription
      factors. Although similarities in gene expression have been observed between body
      parts made of similar cell types, how regulatory information in the genome is
      differentially utilized to create morphologically diverse structures in
      development is not known. Here, we use genome-wide open chromatin profiling to
      show that among the Drosophila appendages, the same DNA regulatory modules are
      accessible throughout the genome at a given stage of development, except at the
      loci encoding the master regulators themselves. In addition, open chromatin
      profiles change over developmental time, and these changes are coordinated
      between different appendages. We propose that master regulators create
      morphologically distinct structures by differentially influencing the function of
      the same set of DNA regulatory modules.

PMID- 24229645
TI  - Tip cells act as dynamic cellular anchors in the morphogenesis of looped renal
      tubules in Drosophila.
AB  - Tissue morphogenesis involves both the sculpting of tissue shape and the
      positioning of tissues relative to one another in the body. Using the renal
      tubules of Drosophila, we show that a specific distal tubule cell regulates both
      tissue architecture and position in the body cavity. Focusing on the anterior
      tubules, we demonstrate that tip cells make transient contacts with alary muscles
      at abdominal segment boundaries, moving progressively forward as convergent
      extension movements lengthen the tubule. Tip cell anchorage antagonizes forward
      directed, TGF-beta-guided tubule elongation, thereby ensuring the looped
      morphology characteristic of renal tubules from worms to humans. Distinctive tip
      cell exploratory behavior, adhesion, and basement membrane clearing underlie
      target recognition and dynamic interactions. Defects in these features obliterate
      tip cell anchorage, producing misshapen and misplaced tubules with impaired
      physiological function.

PMID- 24229646
TI  - Cytoplasmic streaming velocity as a plant size determinant.
AB  - Cytoplasmic streaming is active transport widely occurring in plant cells ranging
      from algae to angiosperms. Although it has been revealed that cytoplasmic
      streaming is generated by organelle-associated myosin XI moving along actin
      bundles, the fundamental function in plants remains unclear. We generated high-
      and low-speed chimeric myosin XI by replacing the motor domains of Arabidopsis
      thaliana myosin XI-2 with those of Chara corallina myosin XI and Homo sapiens
      myosin Vb, respectively. Surprisingly, the plant sizes of the transgenic
      Arabidopsis expressing high- and low-speed chimeric myosin XI-2 were larger and
      smaller, respectively, than that of the wild-type plant. This size change
      correlated with acceleration and deceleration, respectively, of cytoplasmic
      streaming. Our results strongly suggest that cytoplasmic streaming is a key
      determinant of plant size. Furthermore, because cytoplasmic streaming is a common
      system for intracellular transport in plants, our system could have applications
      in artificial size control in plants.

PMID- 24229648
TI  - Comparative expression analysis of embryonic development-related genes at
      different stages of parthenogenetic and in vitro fertilized embryos in caprine.
AB  - Aberrant gene expression occurs in parthenogenetic embryos due to abnormal
      epigenetic modifications in the genome that probably diminish viability and
      enhance developmental abnormalities in these embryos. In the present study, five
      developmentally important genes (HPRT1, Cx43, Sox2, Mest and IGF2R) were analysed
      at different stages in parthenotes (haploid and diploid) and compared with
      similar stages in in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos. The results indicated that
      in haploid parthenotes expression of HPRT1 was upregulated (P < 0.05) only at the
      2-4-cell stage whereas Cx43 expression was significantly (P < 0.05) downregulated
      in all stages as compared with the control. However, expression of this gene was
      upregulated (P < 0.05) in 2-4-cell and morula stages of diploid parthenotes.
      Expression of Sox2 was significantly (P < 0.05) downregulated in morula stage
      haploid parthenotes, whereas it was upregulated (P < 0.05) in 8-16-cell stage
      diploid embryos. The expression of Mest was upregulated (P < 0.05) at the 2-4
      cell stage of both haploid and diploid parthenotes, whereas it was downregulated
      in 8-16-cell stage diploid embryos as compared with control. IGF2R expression was
      upregulated (P < 0.05) only in morula stage haploid and diploid parthenote as
      compared with control. These results indicate that parthenogenetic embryos showed
      aberrant gene expression of developmentally important genes such as HPRT1, Cx43,
      Sox2, Mest and IGF2R in comparison with IVF embryos, this finding may be one of
      the major reasons for the poor developmental competence of parthenogenetic
      embryos. 

PMID- 24229647
TI  - The adaptor protein-1 MU1B subunit expands the repertoire of basolateral sorting
      signal recognition in epithelial cells.
AB  - An outstanding question in protein sorting is why polarized epithelial cells
      express two isoforms of the MU1 subunit of the AP-1 clathrin adaptor complex: the
      ubiquitous MU1A and the epithelial-specific MU1B. Previous studies led to the
      notion that MU1A and MU1B mediate basolateral sorting predominantly from the
      trans-Golgi network (TGN) and recycling endosomes, respectively. Using improved
      analytical tools, however, we find that MU1A and MU1B largely colocalize with
      each other. They also colocalize to similar extents with TGN and recycling
      endosome markers, as well as with basolateral cargoes transiting biosynthetic and
      endocytic-recycling routes. Instead, the two isoforms differ in their signal
      recognition specificity. In particular, MU1B preferentially binds a subset of
      signals from cargoes that are sorted basolaterally in a MU1B-dependent manner. We
      conclude that expression of distinct MU1 isoforms in epithelial cells expands the
      repertoire of signals recognized by AP-1 for sorting of a broader range of
      cargoes to the basolateral surface. 

PMID- 24229649
TI  - Parameter identifiability and Extended Multiple Studies Analysis of a
      compartmental model for human vitamin A kinetics: fixing fractional transfer
      coefficients for the initial steps in the absorptive process.
AB  - In the existing compartmental models of human vitamin A metabolism, parameters
      related to the absorption of the isotopic oral dose have not been well
      identified. We hypothesised that fixing some poorly identified parameters related
      to vitamin A absorption would improve parameter identifiability and add
      statistical certainty to such models. In the present study, data for serum
      vitamin A kinetics in nine subjects given [2H8]retinyl acetate orally and a model
      with absorption fixed at 75 % were used to test this hypothesis. In addition to
      absorption efficiency, we fixed two other fractional transfer coefficients: one
      representing the initial processing of the ingested dose and the other
      representing the direct secretion of retinol bound to retinol-binding protein
      (RBP) from enterocytes into the plasma. The Windows version of Simulation,
      Analysis and Modeling software (WinSAAM) was used to fit serum tracer data v.
      time for each subject. Then, a population model was generated by WinSAAM's
      Extended Multiple Studies Analysis. All the parameters had fractional standard
      deviations < 0.5, and none of the pairs of parameters had a correlation
      coefficient >0.8 (accepted criteria for well-identified parameters). Similar to
      the values predicted by the original model, total traced mass for retinol was
      1160 (sd 468) MUmol, and the time for retinol to appear in the plasma bound to
      RBP was 31.3 (sd 4.4) h. In conclusion, we suggest that this approach holds
      promise for advancing compartmental modelling of vitamin A kinetics in humans
      when the dose must be administered orally. 

PMID- 24229650
TI  - Nutritional influences on age-related skeletal muscle loss.
AB  - Age-related muscle loss impacts on whole-body metabolism and leads to frailty and
      sarcopenia, which are risk factors for fractures and mortality. Although
      nutrients are integral to muscle metabolism the relationship between nutrition
      and muscle loss has only been extensively investigated for protein and amino
      acids. The objective of the present paper is to describe other aspects of
      nutrition and their association with skeletal muscle mass. Mechanisms for muscle
      loss relate to imbalance in protein turnover with a number of anabolic pathways
      of which the mechanistic TOR pathway and the IGF-1-Akt-FoxO pathways are the most
      characterised. In terms of catabolism the ubiquitin proteasome system, apoptosis,
      autophagy, inflammation, oxidation and insulin resistance are among the major
      mechanisms proposed. The limited research associating vitamin D, alcohol, dietary
      acid-base load, dietary fat and anti-oxidant nutrients with age-related muscle
      loss is described. Vitamin D may be protective for muscle loss; a more
      alkalinogenic diet and diets higher in the anti-oxidant nutrients vitamin C and
      vitamin E may also prevent muscle loss. Although present recommendations for
      prevention of sarcopenia focus on protein, and to some extent on vitamin D, other
      aspects of the diet including fruits and vegetables should be considered.
      Clearly, more research into other aspects of nutrition and their role in
      prevention of muscle loss is required. 

PMID- 24229651
TI  - Late life depression: a global problem with few resources.
AB  - Mental health disorders in terms of an aging population are discussed in this
      review. Statistics on depression in later life are presented with a discussion of
      physical health comorbidities. This presentation postulates that the health care
      infrastructure currently in place is inadequate to meet the present, much less
      the future, needs of this population. The care of the depressed elder will
      require the coordinated effort of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers,
      nurse practitioners and advanced practice psychiatric nurses, internal medicine
      gerontologists, internal medicine and family medicine general physicians,
      community agencies, and volunteers. 

PMID- 24229652
TI  - What characterizes late-life depression?
AB  - This article analyzes late-life depression, looking carefully at what defines a
      person as elderly, the incidence of late-life depression, complications and
      differences in symptoms between young and old patients with depression,
      subsyndromal depression, bipolar depression in the elderly, the relationship
      between grief and depression, along with sleep disturbances and suicidal
      ideation. 

PMID- 24229655
TI  - The two-way relationship between medical illness and late-life depression.
AB  - This article reviews some common medical conditions and the interaction between
      those illnesses and depression in the geriatric population. The authors aim to
      help clarify the 2-way interaction between depression and these medical
      conditions, especially in older individuals, and impart some important diagnostic
      and treatment considerations to the practicing physician. The presence of
      multiple conditions further complicates treatment, as does associated medication
      use, substance abuse problems (often underappreciated in the elderly), age
      related changes in sleep architecture, and an array of other psychosocial and
      environmental factors that can contribute to the development of depression. 

PMID- 24229653
TI  - What are the causes of late-life depression?
AB  - Although depression in old age is less common than depression in younger
      populations, it still affects more than 1 million community-living older adults.
      Depression in late life has been associated with reduced quality of life and
      increased mortality from both suicide and illness. Its causes are multifactorial
      but are prominently related to both biologic and social factors. Psychological
      factors, although less studied in elders, are also important in understanding its
      cause. In this article, multiple facets of late-life depression are reviewed,
      including its clinical presentation, epidemiology, and biopsychosocial causes. 

PMID- 24229656
TI  - Assessment of the person with late-life depression.
AB  - This article discusses characteristic factors in the presentation of depressive
      disorders in persons older than age 65 years. Clinical presentation is discussed
      along with risk and protective factors. Detailed descriptions of tests useful for
      screening and diagnosis of depression in the elderly are presented. Each test is
      reviewed according to time to administer, sensitivity and specificity, outcomes,
      advantages, and disadvantages. The importance of clinical history and the
      diagnostic interview, as well as the role of laboratory studies and neuroimaging
      in the clinical evaluation are discussed. 

PMID- 24229654
TI  - Cognitive deficits in geriatric depression: clinical correlates and implications
      for current and future treatment.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to identify the cognitive deficits commonly
      associated with geriatric depression and describe their clinical significance.
      The complex relationship between geriatric depression and dementia is summarized
      and possible shared mechanisms discussed. Evidence regarding whether the
      cognitive deficits in depression may be mitigated with medication or with
      computerized cognitive remediation is presented. 

PMID- 24229657
TI  - Psychological treatment of late-life depression.
AB  - This article summarizes the following psychological interventions for late-life
      depression: cognitive and behavioral therapy, problem-solving therapy,
      reminiscence and life review therapy, brief psychodynamic therapy, and
      interpersonal therapy. Results indicate that all psychological interventions
      reviewed were effective in reducing depressive symptoms in older adults. Future
      research should include larger sample sizes and focus on moderators of treatment
      such as age, depression severity, medical illness, and cognitive impairment. 

PMID- 24229658
TI  - What is the role of alternative treatments in late-life depression?
AB  - Late-life depression remains challenging to treat. One major limitation to
      treatment is the concern over medication-related side effects to which the
      elderly are especially vulnerable. Also, because many elderly people are already
      taking multiple medications for medical conditions, there is the concern over
      drug-drug interactions. This article reviews various complementary and
      alternative medicine interventions for late-life depression, including natural
      remedies, exercise, yoga, tai chi, massage therapy, music therapy, and religion
      and spirituality. 

PMID- 24229659
TI  - What is the role of medications in late life depression?
AB  - In this article, the efficacy and side effects of antidepressants in the elderly
      are discussed. In addition, whether the elderly in general should be treated with
      lower doses of antidepressants, and whether the elderly have a slower response to
      antidepressant treatment, are also discussed. 

PMID- 24229660
TI  - The role of electroconvulsive and neuromodulation therapies in the treatment of
      geriatric depression.
AB  - Geriatric depression is associated with increased mortality because of suicide
      and decreases in functional and physical health. Many elders' depression is
      resistant to psychotherapy and medication and can become chronic.
      Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is increasingly used in the treatment of
      medication-resistant or life-threatening geriatric depression. Neuromodulation
      therapies (subconvulsive, focal, or subconvulsive and focal) are alternatives for
      the management of treatment-resistant depression in the elderly. Therapies that
      combine both strategies could be safer but may not be as effective as ECT. This
      review covers the evidence on the safety and efficacy of ECT and the
      neuromodulation therapies in geriatric depression. 

PMID- 24229662
TI  - A team-based approach to the care of depression in later life: where are we now?
AB  - This article reviews briefly the historical genesis of collaborative and team
      based models of care, including the results of projects that have been reported
      through the mid 2000s. A more comprehensive review of research and project
      outcomes published during the last 5 years on this model of care addressing
      either depression or depression with comorbid conditions follows. 

PMID- 24229663
TI  - Late life depression.

PMID- 24229661
TI  - The economic, public health, and caregiver burden of late-life depression.
AB  - This article reviews the burden of late-life depression (LLD) from several
      perspectives, including costs of depression treatment and treatment of other
      comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions; the impact of LLD on job
      functioning, disability, and retirement; and how LLD influences others, such as
      family members and caregivers. 

PMID- 24229664
TI  - Biologic therapies in type 1 diabetes: how far are they from us?

PMID- 24229665
TI  - Change of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody and protein tyrosine phosphatase
      antibody in Chinese patients with acute-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA) and protein tyrosine
      phosphatase antibody (IA-2A) are two major autoantibodies, which exert important
      roles in the process of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Our study aimed to
      investigate the changes in positivity and titers of GADA and IA-2A during the
      course of Chinese acute-onset T1D patients and their relationships with clinical
      features. METHODS: Two hundreds and forty-seven Chinese newly diagnosed acute
      onset T1D patients were consecutively recruited. GADA and IA-2A were detected at
      the time of diagnosis, one year later, 3-5 years later after diagnosis during the
      follow-up; all the clinical data were recorded and analyzed as well. RESULTS:
      During the course of acute-onset T1D, the majority of patients remained stable
      for GADA or IA-2A, however, a few patients changed from positivity to negativity
      and fewer patients converted from negativity to positivity. The prevalence of
      GADA was 56.3% at diagnosis, decreasing to 50.5% one year later, and 43.3% 3-5
      years later while the corresponding prevalence of IA-2A were 32.8%, 31.0% and
      23.3%, respectively. The median GADA titers were 0.0825 at diagnosis, declining
      to 0.0585 one year later and 0.0383 3-5 years later (P < 0.001), while the
      corresponding median titers were 0.0016, 0.0010, 0.0014 for IA-2A, respectively.
      Fasting C-peptide (FCP) and postprandial C-peptide 2 hours (PCP2h) levels of GADA
      or IA-2A negativity persistence patients were higher than those of positivity
      persistence and negativity conversion patients (P < 0.05) which indicated GADA or
      IA-2A negativity persistence T1D patients had a less loss of beta cell function.
      CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that repeated detection of GADA and IA-2A are
      necessary for differential diagnosis of autoimmune diabetes and the indirect
      prediction of the beta cell function in Chinese patients.

PMID- 24229666
TI  - Replication of association study between type 2 diabetes mellitus and IGF2BP2 in
      Han Chinese population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association between IGF2BP2 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
      has been repeatedly confirmed among different ethnic populations. However, in
      several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from the Chinese Han population,
      the gene IGF2BP2 has not been replicated. The results of relevant studies for the
      association between IGF2BP2 and T2DM showed controversy in Chinese Han
      population. It is necessary to systematically evaluate the contribution of common
      variants in IGF2BP2 to T2DM in Chinese Han population. METHODS: Two single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs4402960 and rs1470579) in IGF2BP2 were
      genotyped in Chinese Han population (3807 controls/4531 T2DM cases) by Illumina
      GoldenGate Indexing assay. The association between SNPs and T2DM was evaluated by
      multiple Logistic Regression analysis. A meta-analysis was used to estimate the
      effects of IGF2BP2 in 20854 Chinese Han individuals. RESULTS: rs1470579 and
      rs4402960 were confirmed to have strong association with T2DM in the Chinese Han
      population (rs1470579 P = 1.80*10(-7), OR (95% CI) = 1.22 (1.14-1.32), rs4402960
      P = 7.46*10(-9), OR (95% CI) = 1.26 (1.17-1.37), respectively). Moreover, 11
      studies for rs4402960 were included in the meta-analysis and 7 studies for
      rs1470579. The meta-analysis also showed the association between T2DM and IGF2BP2
      (rs1470579 OR of 1.15 (95% CI = 1.10-1.19), P < 0.0001 under an additive model
      and rs4402960 OR of 1.14 (95% CI = 1.10-1.18), P < 0.0001 under an additive
      model). CONCLUSION: IGF2BP2 was strongly associated with the risk of T2DM in
      Chinese Han population.

PMID- 24229667
TI  - Correlation between blood glucose fluctuations and activation of oxidative stress
      in type 1 diabetic children during the acute metabolic disturbance period.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus
      (T1DM) in children are mainly due to oxidative stress (OS). Lipid peroxidation is
      the main marker of OS and iso-prostaglandin is a reliable biomarker of lipid
      peroxidation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there have been few
      studies on OS in T1DM children with hyperglycemia and glucose fluctuations.
      METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 23 newly diagnosed T1DM patients and 23 age
      and sex matched healthy controls in Beijing Children's Hospital from May 2010 to
      January 2011. They were treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin injection
      (CSII) and monitored by continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). Twenty-four
      hour urine samples were collected to measure the concentration of 8-iso
      prostaglandin F2a (8-isoPGF2alpha). Samples taken from diabetic children were
      collected at days 8 to 10 after insulin treatment. Intraday glucose fluctuations
      were assessed by mean amplitude of glucose excursions (MAGE), largest amplitude
      of glycemic excursions (LAGE), standard deviation of blood glucose (SDBG) and
      number of glycemic excursions (NGE). The correlations between glucose parameters
      and the index of oxidative stress were analyzed. RESULTS: Urine 8-isoPGF2alpha in
      the T1DM group was higher than that in the control group ((967.70+/-412.68) ng
      vs. (675.23+/-354.59) ng, P = 0.019). There was a correlation between urine 8
      isoPGF2a level and MAGE (r = 0.321, P = 0.039), a significant correlation between
      low-density lipoprotein and urine 8-isoPGF2a level (r = 0.419, P = 0.03). There
      was no significant correlation between urine 8-isoPGF2alpha level and blood
      pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting C-peptide or other lipid
      indices. CONCLUSION: A correlation between urine 8-isoPGF2a levels and MAGE and
      low-density lipoprotein was found in children newly diagnosed with T1DM.

PMID- 24229668
TI  - Cross-sectional association of serum C-reactive protein and uric acid with
      albuminuria in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidences show that subclinical chronic inflammation is involved in
      the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to examine
      the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum uric acid, and
      albuminuria in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 1162 type 2
      diabetic patients were recruited. All participants had relevant clinical and
      laboratory measurements. CRP was measured using a particle enhanced
      immunoturbidimetric assay. RESULTS: In the multiple linear regression model,
      natural log-transformed CRP (lnCRP) and uric acid were independent predictors of
      natural log-transformed urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (lnACR) (beta = 0.18,
      95% CI 0.10-0.27, P < 0.001 and beta = 0.18, 95% CI 0.09-0.27, P < 0.001). The
      interaction of lnCRP with uric acid was also associated with lnACR (beta = 0.04,
      95% CI 0.02-0.06, P < 0.001). In the full-adjusted logistic regression model, the
      OR for albuminuria of the patients in the third tertile levels of CRP and uric
      acid was 3.94 compared with patients in the first tertile levels of CRP and uric
      acid (95% CI 1.73-8.94, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum CRP and increased
      serum uric acid level were associated with albuminuria in Chinese type 2 diabetic
      patients. Moreover, CRP and uric acid had an interactive effect on albuminuria.

PMID- 24229669
TI  - Basal insulin therapy strategy is superior to premixed insulin therapy in the
      perioperative period blood glucose management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The probability and risk of operations increase in patients with type
      2 diabetes mellitus. For diabetic patients, blood glucose control is a key factor
      to improving the prognosis of surgery. During perioperative period, insulin
      therapy is usually advised to be used for surgical patients with type 2 diabetes.
      However, the insulin regimen which one is better remains controversial. In this
      study, we estimated the efficacy, safety and advantage of different insulin
      therapy strategy during perioperative period. METHODS: A total of 1086 cases of
      surgical patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus enrolled in the present study.
      According to the glucose level at admission, all patients were divided into
      relatively high glucose group (group A, fasting blood glucose (FBG) <=13.9
      mmol/L) and higher glucose group (group B, FBG >13.9 mmol/L). Patients in group A
      randomly accepted premixed insulin twice a day, or basal insulin plus oral
      medications, and were divided into group A1 and A2 respectively. Patients in
      group B randomly received premixed insulin twice daily, basal insulin plus oral
      hypoglycemic agents, or basal insulin plus preprandial insulin, and were divided
      into group B1, B2 and B3 respectively. The data of the preoperative preparation
      time, the daily doses of insulin used in different periods, postoperative
      incision healed installments, hypoglycemic events, the total hospitalization
      time, postoperative complications were all collected and statistically analyzed.
      RESULTS: Compared the main outcome measures in groups treated by premixed insulin
      therapy, both in preoperative preparation and postoperative period, the daily
      insulin dosage and the frequency of hypoglycemic events were decreased in groups
      treated by basal insulin therapy (P < 0.05). The preoperative preparation time
      and the total hospitalization time in groups with basal insulin therapy were
      shorter than that in groups with premixed insulin therapy (P < 0.05). The
      incision healing rate of stage I, II and III among different therapy protocols
      were significantly different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Basal insulin therapy could
      be used in diabetic patients undergoing elective major and medium surgery during
      whole perioperative period. Basal insulin therapy strategy, including a single
      injection of basal insulin and basal insulin plus preprandial insulin injection
      subcutaneously, is superior to premixed insulin therapy in the perioperative
      blood glucose management, and it could be viewed as the best choice in glucose
      control during perioperative period.

PMID- 24229670
TI  - Effects of glucose and insulin on the H9c2 (2-1) cell proliferation may be
      mediated through regulating glucose transporter 4 expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The change of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expression could
      influence glucose uptake in the myocardial cells and then effect myocardial
      metabolism, which maybe one of the factor for the diabetes cardiovascular
      disease. This study aimed to explore the influence of glucose and insulin at
      different concentrations on H9c2 (2-1) cell proliferation and its GLUT4
      expression in vitro, and evaluate the correlation between myocardial cells
      proliferation and GLUT4 expression. This might be helpful for understanding the
      relationship between glucose metabolism and cardiovascular disease. METHODS:
      According to glucose concentrations in culture medium, cultured H9c2 rat
      myocardial cells were divided into five groups: control group (NC, glucose
      concentration 5.0 mmol/L), low glucose group (LG, glucose concentration 0.1
      mmol/L), high glucose group 1 (HG1, glucose concentration 10 mmol/L), high
      glucose group 2 (HG2, glucose concentration 15 mmol/L), high glucose group 3
      (HG3, glucose concentration 20 mmol/L). Then according to different insulin
      concentrations in culture medium, each group was further divided into two
      subgroups: normal insulin subgroup (INSc, insulin concentration 3.8 mU/L), high
      insulin subgroup (INSh, insulin concentration 7.6 mU/L). H9c2 (2-1) cells were
      cultured for 1, 2, 3 days, the proliferation of cells were assayed by cell
      counting Kit-8 assay, the expressions of GLUT4 mRNA and protein were detected
      with RT-PCR and Western Blotting technique, and the relation between myocardial
      cells proliferation and GLUT4 expression was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with NC
      group, cell proliferation (OD value) was lower in LG, HG2, HG3 group but higher
      in HG1 group on the second and the third day (P < 0.05). There was a negative
      correlation between OD value and the glucose level in HG1, HG2, HG3 groups (P <
      0.05). OD value in INSc subgroups was lower than that in INSh subgroups (P <
      0.05). GLUT4 mRNA was lower in LG, HG2, HG3 groups than that in NC group (P <
      0.05). Compared with NC group, GLUT4 mRNA level in HG1 group was higher on the
      first day but lower on the second and third day (P < 0.05). In HG1, HG2 and HG3
      groups, GLUT4 mRNA level had a negative correlation with the level of glucose (P
      < 0.05). GLUT4 mRNA in INSc subgroups was lower than that in INSh subgroups (P <
      0.05). The expression of GLUT4 protein was similar to that of GLUT4 mRNA. There
      was a positive correlation between H9c2 cell proliferation and GLUT4 expression
      (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Glucose levels could regulate glucose uptake in
      myocardial cells through influencing GLUT4 expression, and thus affected the cell
      proliferation and cell function. Insulin levels could affect the myocardial cell
      function by regulating GLUT4 expression. Effects of glucose and insulin on the
      myocardial cells proliferation might be mediated through regulating GLUT4
      expression. There may be a mechanism of hyperglycemia pre-accommodation (HGPA) in
      myocardial cells mediated through regulation of GLUT4 expression.

PMID- 24229671
TI  - Effect of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on bone mineral density in adolescent
      women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) as a hormonal contraceptive
      is highly effective and widely used, but it may reduce bone mineral density (BMD)
      and increase the risk of osteoporosis. We compared BMD between users of
      intramuscular DMPA and nonhormonal subjects. METHODS: The study included 102
      women aged between 16 and 18 years using DMPA for 24 months and 97 women aged
      between 16 and 18 years using nonhormonal contraception as nonusers control
      group. BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured every 12 months for
      24 months using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, comparing mean BMD changes in
      DMPA users and nonusers. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between
      groups at baseline in age, gynecologic age, body mass index (BMI), lumbar spine
      BMD and femoral neck BMD, etc. At 24 months of DMPA treatment, the mean
      percentage change from baseline in lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD values had
      decreased by 1.88% and 2.32%, respectively. The mean lumbar spine and femoral
      neck BMD in DMPA group at 24 months were not significantly different compared to
      baseline (P = 0.212 and P = 0.106, respectively). In comparison, in nonhormonal
      control group, there was a trend toward increasing BMD. At 24 months of
      observation, the mean percentage change from baseline in lumbar spine and femoral
      neck BMD had increased by 2.08% and 1.46%, respectively. There were no
      significant difference compared to baseline (P = 0.160 and P = 0.288,
      respectively). Mean BMD at the spine and femoral neck did not differ
      significantly between DMPA users and nonusers over 12-month, but the BMD values
      at both anatomical sites were significantly lower in DMPA users compared with
      nonusers after 24-month treatment (P = 0.009 and P = 0.009, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: The evidence of our study suggested that the use of DMPA for short
      term (<=12-month) has no significant effects on BMD at spine and femoral neck,
      but long-term exposure to DMPA may prevent the bone mass accrual in adolescents.

PMID- 24229672
TI  - Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 protects rat pancreatic islets from cytokine
      induced apoptosis through Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of
      transcription pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are inhibitors of
      cytokine signaling pathway involved in negative feedback loops. Although SOCS1 is
      an important intracellular suppressor of apoptosis in a variety of cell types,
      its role in cytokine-induced pancreatic beta-cell apoptosis remains unclear. The
      present study investigated potential effects of SOCS1 on the cytokine-induced
      pancreatic beta-cell apoptosis. METHODS: After successfully transfected with
      SOCS1/pEGFP-C1 or pEGFP-C1 plasmids to overexpress SOCS1, RINm5F (rat insulinoma
      cell line) cells were exposed to cytokines, interferon (IFN)-gamma alone, IFN
      gamma+interleukin (IL)-1beta, IFN-beta+IL-1beta+tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha
      respectively. Pancreatic beta-cell apoptosis was assessed by using MTT, FACS, and
      caspase-3 activity assays. Protein phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and
      signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) were verified by
      Western blotting and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),
      NF-kappaB and Fas were analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Overexpression of SOCS1 in
      RINm5F cells was shown to attenuate IFN-gamma alone, IFN-gamma+IL-1beta and IFN
      gamma+TNF-alpha+IL-1beta mediated apoptosis. Phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT1
      significantly decreased in RINm5F cells which overexpressed SOCS1 protein.
      Overexpression of SOCS1 significantly suppressed cytokine-induced iNOS mRNA
      levels. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of SOCS1 protects pancreatic islets from
      cytokine-induced cell apoptosis via the JAK2/STAT1 pathway.

PMID- 24229673
TI  - Pioglitazone inhibits the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
      phosphate oxidase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in rat mesangial
      cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oxidative Stress and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)
      play a vital role in renal fibrosis. Pioglitazone can protect kidney but the
      underlying mechanisms are less clear. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate the effect of pioglitazone on oxidative stress and whether the
      severity of oxidative stress was associated with the phosphorylation level of
      p38MAPK. METHODS: Rat mesangial cells were cultured and randomly assigned to
      control group, high glucose group and pioglitazone group. After 48-hour exposure,
      the supernatants and cells were collected. The protein levels of p22(phox),
      p47(phox), phosphorylated p38MAPK, total p38MAPK were measured by Western
      blotting. The gene expressions of p22(phox), p47(phox) were detected by RT-PCR.
      The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by flow
      cytometry. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and maleic dialdehyde (MDA)
      in the supernatant were determined respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the
      control group, the expression levels of p22(phox), p47(phox), phospho-p38 and ROS
      significantly increased, activity of SOD decreased in high glucose group, while
      the level of MDA greatly increased (P < 0.01). Pioglitazone significantly
      suppressed p22(phox), p47(phox) expressions and oxidative stress induced by high
      glucose. The expressions of p22(phox), p47(phox), phospho-p38MAPK and ROS
      generation were markedly reduced after pioglitazone treatment (P < 0.05). The
      activity of SOD in the the supernatant increased (P < 0.05), while the level of
      MDA decreased greatly by pioglitazone (P < 0.05). The level of oxidative stress
      was associated with the phosphorylation level of p38MAPK (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION:
      Pioglitazone can inhibit oxidative stress through suppressing NADPH oxidase
      expression and p38MAPK phosphorylation.

PMID- 24229674
TI  - Oral fibrinogen-depleting agent lumbrokinase for secondary ischemic stroke
      prevention: results from a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group and controlled
      clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated fibrinogen (Fg) level is a known risk factor for ischemic
      stroke. There are few clinical trials on oral fibrinogen-depleting therapies for
      secondary ischemic stroke prevention. We aimed to assess the effects of one-year
      therapy with oral lumbrokinase enteric-coated capsules on secondary ischemic
      stroke prevention. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, parallel group and
      controlled study that began treatment in hospitalized patients with ischemic
      stroke and continued for 12 months. Patients were randomized to either the
      control group that received the standard stroke treatment or the fibrinogen
      depleting group that received the standard stroke treatment plus enteric-coated
      lumbrokinase capsules. The NIH Stroke Scale scores (NIHSSs) and plasma Fg level
      were recorded. The carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and status of
      plaques were examined through carotid ultrasound examination. Primary outcomes
      included all-cause mortality, any event of recurrent ischemic stroke/transient
      ischemic attack (TIA), hemorrhagic stroke, myocardial infarction and angina, and
      other noncerebral ischemia or hemorrhage. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the
      Long-rank test were used to compare total vascular end point incidence between
      the two groups. Comparison of median values between two groups was done by the
      Student t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), or non-parametric rank sum
      test. RESULTS: A total of 310 patients were enrolled, 192 patients in the
      treatment group and 118 patients in the control group. Compared to the control
      group, the treatment group showed favorable outcomes in the Fg level, carotid
      IMT, the detection rate of vulnerable plaques, the volume of carotid plaques,
      NIHSS scores, and incidence of total vascular (6.78% and 2.08%, respectively) and
      cerebral vascular events (5.93% and 1.04%, respectively) (P < 0.05). In the
      treatment group, the volume of carotid plaques was significantly related to the
      carotid IMT, the plaque diameter, width and number (P = 0.000, 0.000, 0.000,
      0.022; F = 13.51, 2.52, 11.33, -3.29, but there was a weak correlation with the
      Fg level (P = 0.056). After 1-year therapy, the incidence of overall vascular end
      points was reduced by 4.7%. CONCLUSION: Long-term oral fibrinogen-depleting
      therapy may be beneficial for secondary ischemic stroke prevention.

PMID- 24229675
TI  - Differences in the population of genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis between
      urban migrants and local residents in Beijing, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Currently, migration has become one of the risk factors of high
      burden of tuberculosis in China. This study was to explore the influence of mass
      migration on the dynamics of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis in Beijing, the
      capital and an urban area of China. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty-six M.
      tuberculosis strains from the Changping district, where the problem of urban
      migrants was more pronounced than in other Beijing regions, were genotyped by
      Spoligotyping, large sequence polymorphisms (LSPs 105 and 181), and variable
      number tandem repeat (VNTR) typing. Based on the genotype data, the phylogeny of
      the isolates was studied. RESULTS: In Changping district, the proportion of
      Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis isolates amounted to 89.0% (299/336), among which
      86.6 % (252) belonged to the modern lineage. The frequency of modern Beijing
      lineage strains is so high (around 75% (252/336)) that associated risk factors
      affecting the tuberculosis epidemic cannot be determined. The time to the most
      recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of the Beijing lineage strains was estimated to be
      5073 (95% CI: 4000-6200) years. There was no significant difference in the
      genetic variation of Beijing isolates from urban migrants and local residents.
      CONCLUSIONS: The clone of modern Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis, which is
      dominant in the Beijing area, most likely started to expand with the five
      thousand-year-old Chinese civilization. In the future, with the urbanization in
      the whole of China, modern Beijing lineage M. tuberculosis may gain the larger
      geographical spread.

PMID- 24229676
TI  - Efficacy and tolerability of a single-pill combination of
      telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg in Chinese and Korean patients with
      moderate to severe hypertension: a subgroup analysis of a randomized, double
      blind, active-controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertension is an important issue in Asia, responsible for up to 66%
      of cardiovascular disease cases. This randomized controlled trial subgroup
      analysis compared telmisartan 80 mg (T80)/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (H25)
      singlepill combination with T80 monotherapy, specifically in Chinese and Korean
      patients. METHODS: Patients with grade 2/3 hypertension were randomized to
      receive telmisartan 40 mg (T40)/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg (H12.5) combination
      or T40 monotherapy for one week, before uptitrating the dose to T80/H25 or T80,
      respectively, for the remaining 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was systolic blood
      pressure (SBP) mean change from baseline. Secondary endpoints included mean
      diastolic blood pressure (DBP) change from baseline, and blood pressure (BP) goal
      achievement. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Of a total 888 patients who
      were treated, efficacy analyses for Chinese and Korean patients included 127
      patients treated with T80/H25 and 54 patients treated with T80. At week 7, mean
      SBP reductions from baseline were -37.5 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) and -26.9 mmHg
      in the T80/H25 and T80 groups (adjusted mean difference, -10.6 mmHg; 95%
      confidence interval (CI), -15.6 to -5.7). Mean DBP reductions were -19.0 and 
      14.1 mmHg in the T80/H25 and T80 groups (adjusted mean difference, -4.9 mmHg; 95%
      CI, -8.0 to -1.8). In total, 56.7% of patients receiving T80/H25 achieved BP goal
      (<140/90 mmHg) compared with 35.2% receiving T80. SBP goal attainment (<140 mmHg)
      and DBP goal attainment (<90 mmHg) were also higher in the T80/H25 group compared
      with the T80 group (SBP: 69.3% vs. 48.1%; DBP: 62.2% vs. 46.3%). A small number
      of treatment-related adverse events were observed in both T80/H25 (nine patients,
      6.9%) and T80 monotherapy (two patients, 3.6%) groups. CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese
      and Korean patients with moderate-to-severe hypertension, treatment with T80/H25
      provided large reductions in mean SBP and DBP, and high BP goal attainment rates.
      This once-daily combination is effective and well tolerated in this patient
      group.

PMID- 24229677
TI  - Changes of cerebrospinal fluid pressure after thoracic endovascular aortic
      repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decreasing the intracranial pressure has been advocated as one of the
      major protective strategies to prevent spinal cord ischemia after endovascular
      aortic repair. However, the actual changes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure
      and its relation with spinal cord ischemia have been poorly understood. We
      performed CSF pressure measurements and provisional CSF withdrawal after thoracic
      endovascular aortic repair, and compared the changes of CSF pressure in high risk
      patients and in patients with new onset paraplegia and paraparesis. METHODS: Four
      hundred and nineteen patients were evaluated for the risk of spinal cord ischemia
      after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Patients with identified risk factors
      before the procedure constituted group H and received prophylactic sequential CSF
      pressure measurement and CSF withdrawal. Patients who actually developed spinal
      cord ischemia constituted group P and received rescue CSF pressure measurements
      and CSF withdrawal. RESULTS: Among the 419 patients evaluated, 17 were graded as
      high risk. Four patients actually developed spinal cord ischemia after
      endovascular repair. The incidence of spinal cord ischemia in this investigation
      was 0.9%. The patients who actually developed spinal cord ischemia had no
      identified risk factors and had elevated CSF pressure, ranging from 15.4 to 30.0
      mmHg. Six of the 17 patients graded as high risk had elevated CSF pressure: >20
      mmHg in two patients and >15 mmHg in four patients. Sequential CSF pressure
      measurements and provisional withdrawal successfully decrease CSF pressure and
      prevented symptomatic spinal cord ischemia in high-risk patients. However, these
      measurements could only successfully reverse the neurologic deficit in two of the
      patients who actually developed spinal cord ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrospinal
      fluid pressure was elevated in patients with spinal cord ischemia after thoracic
      endovascular aortic repair. Sequential measurements of CSF pressure and
      provisional withdrawal of CSF decreased CSF pressure effectively in high risk
      patients and provided effective prevention of spinal cord ischemia. Risk factor
      identification and prophylactic measurements play the key role in prevention of
      spinal cord ischemia after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

PMID- 24229678
TI  - Postoperative diaphragmatic paralysis after cardiac surgery in children:
      incidence, diagnosis and surgical management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease covers a wide spectrum
      from simple to complex cardiac and extracardiac malformations. Innovations in
      pediatric cardiac surgery and perioperative care over the past decades have
      allowed surgical correction or at least palliation in almost all complex
      congenital heart defects in the first years of life. Diaphragmatic paralysis (DP)
      due to phrenic nerve injury after congenital cardiac surgery is an important
      respiratory complication resulting with respiratory insufficiency, lung
      infections, prolonged hospital stay time and even death. METHODS: Between April
      2001 and December 2010, among patients undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital
      heart disease, postoperative DP was diagnosed in 47/10 200 (0.46%) patients.
      Diaphragmatic placation was performed in 37/47 patients. DP was suspected in
      children who failed to wean from mechanical ventilation or in those with
      persistent respiratory distress when there is no cardiac cause. Decreased
      respiratory sounds in auscultation, paradoxical breathing during spontaneous
      ventilation and elevated hemidiaphragm on chest X-ray led us to use fluoroscopy,
      ultrasound and/or electromyogram (EMG). When chest X-rays did not have a
      diagnostic value in patients with persistent respiratory distress, bilateral DP
      was suspected and immediate fluoroscopy of EMG was performed for diagnosis. In
      all patients, diaphragmatic placation was performed using a thoracic approach,
      through the sixth or seventh intercostals space with lateral thoracotomy.
      RESULTS: A total of 47 patients (21 females and 26 males) with a median age of
      7.21 months (range 0.27-71 months) were diagnosed DP after cardiac surgery. The
      incidence of DP was 0.46% after cardiac surgery. The paralysed hemidiaphragm was
      left side in 26/47 (55.3%), right side in 17/47 (36.2%) and bilateral in 4/47
      (8.5%) cases. The assisted ventilation time after cardiac surgery was (450+/-216)
      (116-856) hours. The median time from cardiac surgery to surgical placation was
      (24+/-14) (5-56) days. No patient died in this study. The follow-up period was
      (26.2+/-16.8) months. The position of the plicated diaphragm was normal on chest
      X-ray, in all plicated survivors within the 1st, 6th and 12th months after
      discharge. CONCLUSIONS: DP caused by phrenic nerve injury during surgical
      intervention for congenital heart disease is an important risk factor in terms of
      morbidity during the postoperative period. Diaphragmatic placation appears a good
      option, especially in newborns and small children, to wean patients from
      mechanical ventilation and to prevent long-term side effects of mechanical
      ventilation.

PMID- 24229679
TI  - Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor regulates JNK pathway to alleviate damage
      after cerebral ischemia reperfusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a potent
      hematopoietic growth factor that both enhances the survival and drives the
      differentiation and proliferation of myeloid lineage cells. Recent studies have
      suggested that GM-CSF has a neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia
      injury, but the molecular mechanisms have been unclear. This study aimed to
      investigate the influences of a short-acting (half-life 3.5 hours) G-CSF and a
      long-acting (half-life 40 hours) pegylated G-CSF on the JNK signaling pathway
      after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. METHODS: A total of 52 Sprague-Dawley rats
      were randomly divided into four groups: a sham group (n = 4), a vehicle with
      saline (n = 16), a short-acting G-CSF treatment group (n = 16) and a long-acting
      G-CSF treatment group (n = 16). The cerebral ischemia reperfusion model was
      established for the sham group and G-CSF treatment groups by middle cerebral
      artery occlusion (MCAO). Five days post reperfusion, rats were sacrificed and the
      brains were removed. Changes in neurological function after cerebral ischemia
      reperfusion was evaluated according to Neurological Severity Score (NSS) and the
      lesion volume and infarct size were measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium
      chloride staining. The numbers of apoptotic neurons in these ischemic areas: left
      cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus were calculated by TUNEL assay, and
      expression of JNK/P-JNK, c-jun/P-c-jun in these areas was detected by Western
      blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the saline vehicle group ((249.68+/-23.36)
      mm(3), (19.27+/-3.37)%), G-CSF-treated rats revealed a significant reduction in
      lesion volume (long-acting: (10.89+/-1.90)%, P < 0.01; short-acting G-CSF:
      (11.69+/-1.41)%, P < 0.01) and infarct size (long-acting: (170.53+/-18.47) mm3, P
      < 0.01; short-acting G-CSF: (180.74+/-16.93) mm3, P < 0.01) as well as less
      neuron functional damage (P < 0.01) and a smaller number of apoptotic neurons in
      ischemic areas (P < 0.01). The activity of P-JNK and P-c-jun in the cerebral
      ischemia reperfusion-damaged cortex and hippocampus was significantly decreased
      in all G-CSF-treated rats (P < 0.05). However, between the long-acting and short
      acting G-CSF sets, there were no significant differences found in the activity of
      P-JNK and P-c-jun in the cortex, hippocampus and striate body (P > 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Hypodermic injection of 50 ug/kg G-CSF attenuated the damage caused
      by cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats, which might be associated with down
      regulated activation of the P-JNK and P-c-jun pathway after cerebral ischemia
      reperfusion. Long-acting G-CSF may be a novel choice for both clinical and basic
      research in treating cerebral ischemia.

PMID- 24229680
TI  - Persistent asthma increases the risk of chronic kidney disease: a retrospective
      cohort study of 2354 patients with asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health problem with
      well-established risk factors. Other contributing factors, however, remain to be
      identified. Systemic inflammation in asthma plays a significant role in the
      development of other diseases. We therefore initiated a study to assess whether
      the growing prevalence of asthma is associated with an increase in the risk of
      CKD. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from 3015
      patients with asthma aged 14 years and older who were registered and followed up
      in Asthma Control Study at the Department of Respiratory Medicine of three
      medical centers from 2005 to 2011. History, asthma control test (ACT), and asthma
      stage were used to assess the traits of asthma. CKD was defined as proteinuria
      and/or reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (<60 ml*min(-1)*1.73
      m(-2)) in two consecutive follow-up surveys. We used logistic regression models,
      adjusting for age, sex, and other confounding factor to determine associations
      between the traits of asthma and CKD. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze
      patient outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 2354 subjects with complete data were
      recruited for this study with mean age (45.4+/-10.4) years. After 6 years of
      follow-up, 9.6% (n = 227) of the analytic cohort developed proteinuria and 3.1%
      (n = 72) progressed to eGFR <60 ml*min(-1)*1.73 m(-2). The patients with >20
      years asthma history, not well-controlled or persistent asthma patients had
      higher incidence of proteinuria and reduced eGFR compared with patients with <=20
      years asthma history, at least well-controlled or remission asthma, respectively.
      The multivariable adjusted OR for proteinuria and reduced eGFR in participants
      with persistent asthma was 1.49; (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-1.91) and
      2.07 (95% CI 1.34-4.42). Compared to patients with no asthma traits, there was a
      significant risk (OR, 3.39; 95% CI 1.36-8.73) for those who met all three traits,
      including asthma history >20 years, not well-controlled and persistent stage,
      after adjusting for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this
      retrospective cohort study, we found that persistent asthma was associated with
      an increased risk of CKD, which was independent of obesity, diabetes,
      hypertension, and other well-established risk factors. Future studies should be
      directed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the association between asthma
      and CKD.

PMID- 24229681
TI  - Suppressing SNAP-25 and reversing glial glutamate transporters relieves
      neuropathic pain in rats by ameliorating imbalanced neurotransmission.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain results from a lesion or disease affecting the
      somatosensory system at either the peripheral or central level. The transmission
      of nociception within the central nervous system is subject to modulation by
      release and reuptake of neurotransmitters, which maintain a dynamic balance
      through the assembly and disassembly of the SNARE complex as well as a series of
      neurotransmitter transporters (inhibitory GABA transporters GAT and excitatory
      glutamate transporters GT). Neuronal hyper-excitability or defected inhibition
      involved in neuropathic pain is one of the outcomes caused by imbalanced
      neurotransmission. SNAP-25, which is one of the SNARE complexes, can modulate the
      release of neurotransmitters. Glia glutamate transporter (GLT) is one of the two
      glutamate transporters which account for most synaptic glutamate uptake in the
      CNS. The role of SNAP-25 and GLT as well as GAT is not clearly understood.
      METHODS: We used the rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model for research,
      and degraded SNAP-25 by a single intrathecal administration of BoNT/A. The
      mechanical (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were tested. The level of
      SNAP-25, GLT, and GAT-1 were assayed using RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS:
      SNAP-25 was suppressed by a single intrathecal administration of 0.01U BoNT/A and
      the reduction of SNAP- 25 was correlated with the relief of nociceptive responses
      in CCI rats. MWT and TWL returned to normal from the 5th to 14th day (P < 0.05)
      after the administration. On the 14th day after surgery, compared to the sham
      group, the upregulation of SNAP-25 in CCI rats was reversed after BoNT/A
      treatment (P < 0.05). The decreased GLT was reversed after BoNT/A treatment but
      increased GAT-1 was not influenced by BoNT/A treatment. CONCLUSIONS: SNAP-25 and
      GLT play important roles in the development of neuropathic pain, and the
      mechanism may involve the imbalance of neurotransmission after peripheral nerve
      injury. Intrathecal administration of BoNT/A reversed the upregulation of SNAP-25
      and downregulation of GLT after CCI, but had no significant effect on the
      expression of GAT-1.

PMID- 24229682
TI  - Clinical analysis and risk stratification of ventricular septal rupture following
      acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) remains an infrequent but
      devastating complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The best time to
      undergo surgical repair is controversial and there is currently no risk
      stratification for patients with VSR to guide treatment. The purpose of this
      study was to review the clinical outcomes of 70 patients with VSR, to analyze the
      short-term prognosis factors of VSR following AMI, and to make a risk
      stratification for patients with VSR. METHODS: A total of 70 consecutive VSR
      patients following AMI treated in our hospital from January 2002 to October 2010
      were enrolled in this study retrospectively. The difference of clinical
      characteristics were observed between patients with VSR who survived <=30 days
      and survived >30 days. We analyzed the short-term prognosis factors of VSR and
      established the short-term prognosis index of VSR (SPIV) based on the Logistic
      regression analysis to stratify patients with VSR. RESULTS: Among 12 354 patients
      with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 70 (0.57%) patients (33
      males and 37 females) were found to have VSR. The average age was (68.1+/-8.5)
      years. Fifty-four (77.1%) patients were diagnosed with an acute anterior
      infarction. Patients with VSR selected for surgical repair had better outcomes
      than patients treated conservatively; 1-year mortality 9.5% versus 87.8%, P <
      0.005. Logistic regression analysis revealed that female (P = 0.013), anterior
      AMI (P = 0.023), non-ventricular aneurysm (P = 0.023), non-diabetes (P = 0.009),
      Killip class 3 or 4 (P = 0.022) and time from AMI to VSR less than 4 days (P =
      0.027) were independent risk determinants for shortterm mortality. SPIV >=9
      indicates a high risk as the 30-day mortality is 77.4%; SPIV <8 indicates a low
      risk as the 30-day mortality is 28.6%; SPIV between 8 and 9 indicates a moderate
      risk. CONCLUSIONS: VSR remains a rare but devastating complication of AMI. The
      independent risk determinants for short-term mortality of VSR were female gender,
      anterior AMI, non-ventricular aneurysm, non-diabetes, Killip class 3 or 4, and
      the time from AMI to VSR less than 4 days. It is reasonable to take more active
      treatments for the patients at high risk to save more lives.

PMID- 24229683
TI  - A preliminary study of genes related to concomitant chemoradiotherapy resistance
      in advanced uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumor intrinsic chemoradiotherapy resistance is the primary factor in
      concomitant chemoradiotherapy failure in advanced uterine cervical squamous cell
      carcinoma. This study aims to identify a set of genes and molecular pathways
      related to this condition. METHODS: Forty patients with uterine cervical squamous
      cell carcinoma in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIb
      or IIIb, treated with platinum-based concomitant chemoradiotherapy between May
      2007 and December 2012, were enrolled in this trial. Patients included
      chemoradiotherapy resistant (n = 20) and sensitive (n = 20) groups. Total RNA was
      extracted from fresh tumor tissues obtained by biopsy before treatment and
      microarray analysis was performed to identify genes differentially expressed
      between the two groups. RESULTS: Microarray analysis identified 108 genes
      differentially expressed between concomitant chemoradiotherapy resistant and
      sensitive patients. Functional pathway cluster analysis of these genes revealed
      that DNA damage repair, apoptosis, cell cycle, Map kinase signal transduction,
      anaerobic glycolysis and glutathione metabolism were the most relevant pathways.
      Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) and protein kinase A type
      1A (PRKAR1A) were significantly upregulated in the chemoradiosensitive group,
      while lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), bcl2 antagonist/killer 1 (BAK1),
      bcl2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3), single-strand-selective
      monofunctional uracil-DNA glycosylase 1 (SMUG1), and cyclin-dependent kinase 7
      (CDK7) were upregulated in the chemoradiotherapy resistant group. CONCLUSION: We
      have identified seven genes that are differentially expressed in concomitant
      chemoradiotherapy resistant and sensitive uterine cervical squamous cell
      carcinomas, which may represent primary predictors for this condition.

PMID- 24229685
TI  - Patients after colostomy: relationship between quality of life and acceptance of
      disability and social support.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to explore quality of life (QOL) and
      acceptance of disability and social support of colostomy patients as well as the
      relationship between these factors. METHODS: A descriptive, correlational study
      was conducted using four scales: the European Organization for Research and
      Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and European
      Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Colorectal Cancer-Specific
      Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-CR38) scales, the Acceptance of
      Disability Scale (ADS), and the Social Relational Quality Scale (SRQS). A
      convenience sample of 111 colostomy patients from four hospitals in Guangzhou who
      underwent colostomy operation at least one month prior to the study and who
      visited the stoma clinic or association from August 2011 to February 2012 was
      evaluated for inclusion in the study. All statistical analyses were performed
      using SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The patients'
      general health status was better than the reference level recommended by European
      Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, and the overall ADS score was
      average. The SRQS score was similar to that found in a Hong Kong study. The
      general health status and dimensions of QOL were significantly correlated with
      ADS and all of its dimensions (P < 0.05). The general health status and
      dimensions of QOL were also significantly correlated with SRQS and all of its
      dimensions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: QOL, acceptance of disability, and social
      relational quality of colostomy patients were closely related. Our results
      emphasize that patients should work to form rational values and close bonds with
      families and friends to achieve a better QOL.

PMID- 24229684
TI  - Reversion effects of curcumin on multidrug resistance of MNNG/HOS human
      osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo through regulation of P-glycoprotein.
AB  - BACKGROUND: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by ATP-binding cassette sub-family B
      member 1 (ABCB1) gene is a kind of ATP-dependent drug transporter, which plays
      important roles in multidrug resistance (MDR) of human cancers, such as
      osteosarcoma. Curcumin is a natural phenolic coloring compound originating from
      the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, which is proved to possess antitumor biological
      activities including reversion of MDR. However, the effect and molecular
      mechanisms of curcumin to osteosarcoma MDR remain unclear. METHODS: We
      established a human osteosarcoma drug-resistant cell line MNNG/HOS/MTX by pulse
      exposure to methotrexate (MTX) and verified that the new cell lines were cross
      resistant to other anticancer agents. Then, according to the cytotoxicity assay,
      we reversed MDR of MNNG/HOS/MTX by 30 umol/L curcumin, and detected the
      mechanisms of curcumin reversing MDR through Real-time PCR, Western blotting
      assay, and Rhodamine123 (Rh123) transport test. Finally, we evaluated the effect
      of curcumin reversing MDR in vivo by MNNG/HOS/MTX cells xenograft-nude mice
      model. RESULTS: MNNG/HOS/MTX was proved to be a human osteosarcoma MDR cell line.
      MTT tumor chemosensitivity test indicates that 30 umol/L curcumin attenuates the
      half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and resistance index (RI) to MTX,
      diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP), adriamycin (ADM), ifosfamide (IFO), and
      epirubicin (EPI) in MNNG/HOS/MTX cells (P < 0.05). Real-time PCR and Western
      blotting assays demonstrated that curcumin down-regulated P-gp expression of
      MNNG/HOS/MTX cells. Rh123 transport test showed that curcumin inhibited the
      transport function of P-gp in vitro. In vivo studies showed that curcumin
      displayed the features of sensitizing antitumor drugs and inhibiting the
      proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of osteosarcoma MDR cells. CONCLUSION:
      Down-regulation of P-gp and inhibition of the function of P-gp efflux pump may
      contribute to MDR reversion induced by curcumin in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 24229686
TI  - Cbl-b and PI3K/Akt pathway are differently involved in oxygen-glucose deprivation
      preconditioning in PC12 cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transient sublethal ischemia is known as ischemic preconditioning,
      which enables cells and tissues to survive subsequent prolonged lethal ischemic
      injury. Ischemic preconditioning exerts neuroprotection through
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Cbl-b belongs to the Casitas B
      lineage lymphoma (Cbl) family, and it can regulate the cell signal
      transduction.The roles of ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b and PI3K/Akt pathway and the
      relationship between them in oxygen-glucose deprivation preconditioning (OGDPC)
      in PC12 cells were investigated in the present study. METHODS: Oxygen and glucose
      deprivation (OGD) model in PC12 cells was used in the present study. The 3-(4, 5
      Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, nuclear
      staining with Hoechst 33258, and Western blotting were applied to explore the
      roles of Cbl-b and PI3K/Akt pathway and the relationship between them in OGDPC in
      PC12 cells. RESULTS: Cell viability was significantly changed by OGD and OGDPC.
      OGD significantly decreased cell viability compared with the control group (P <
      0.05), and preconditioning could rescue this damage was demonstrated by the
      increase of cell viability (P < 0.05). The expression of Cbl-b was significantly
      increased after OGD treatment. However, the activation of Akt and GSK3beta was
      greatly inhibited. Preconditioning could inhibit the increase of Cbl-b caused by
      OGD and increase the activation of Akt and GSK3beta. LY294002, a specific
      inhibitor of PI3K, could effectively inhibit the increase of Akt and GSK3beta
      after preconditioning treatment. It partly inhibited the decrease of Cbl-b
      expression after preconditioning treatment. CONCLUSION: Ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b
      and PI3K/Akt pathway are differently involved in OGDPC in PC12 cells.

PMID- 24229687
TI  - Prognostic value of lymph node ratio in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
      after chemoradiotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymph node ratio (LNR) has recently been reported as a potential
      prognostic marker in many malignant diseases. We aimed to analyze the potential
      prognostic effect of LNR on hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) after
      neoadjuvant therapy in our institution. METHODS: We performed a retrospective
      study of 279 patients with HPSCC who underwent radiotherapy with or without
      chemotherapy followed by neck dissection between November 1965 and December 2008.
      Patients were divided into four groups according to quartiles based on LNR.
      RESULTS: The mean LNR was 10.4% (range 0-100%, median 4.3%). Males and advanced
      clinical N classification significantly increased the LNR (P = 0.014 and P <
      0.001, respectively). Compared with those with LNR <0.14, LNR >=0.14 was
      associated with reduced overall, disease-specific and disease-free survival (all
      at P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that LNR is an independent
      predictor of prognosis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that LNR is a strong
      predictor of HPSCC after chemoradiotherapy.

PMID- 24229688
TI  - Recombinant human thrombopoietin in combination with cyclosporin A as a novel
      therapy in corticosteroid-resistant primary immune thrombocytopenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The management of patients with refractory immune thrombocytopenia
      (ITP) is challenging, as there is no standard treatment option. The aim of this
      study was to investigate the efficacy of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO)
      in combination with cyclosporin A (CsA) for the management of patients with
      corticosteroid-resistant primary ITP. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with
      corticosteroid-resistant ITP were randomly divided into an observation group and
      control group. In the observation group, 19 patients received subcutaneous
      injection of rhTPO at a dose of 1 ug/kg (300 U/kg) once daily up to day 14.
      Simultaneously they also received oral CsA at a dose of 1.5-2.0 mg/kg twice daily
      for three months. In the control group, rhTPO alone was administered
      subcutaneously at 1 ug/kg once daily in the other 17 ITP patients for 14
      consecutive days and then the treatment was withdrawn. RESULTS: There was no
      significant difference in the response rate at the end of the first week after
      treatment initiation between the observation group and the control group (63.2%
      vs. 58.8%, P > 0.05), neither was there at the end of the second week (89.5% vs.
      94.1%, P > 0.05). However, the relapse rate in the observation group was
      significantly lower than that in control group at the end of the first (17.7% vs.
      50.0%, P < 0.05), second (29.4% vs. 68.8%, P < 0.05) and the third month (29.4%
      vs. 87.5%, P < 0.01). In addition, rhTPO plus CsA were well tolerated and adverse
      events recorded were mild. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with rhTPO and CsA
      was effective in the management of patients with corticosteroidresistant ITP,
      with a relatively short time to response and low recurrence rate. It might be
      considered as a potential secondline treatment regimen for ITP.

PMID- 24229689
TI  - Difference of dilation resistance to coronary stenting between fibrous plaques
      and lipid-rich plaques.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dilation resistance to stenting in non-calcified coronary plaques was
      compared in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in order to
      confirm the clinical usefulness of multislice computed tomography in examining
      coronary plaque type and to provide information pertaining to the effects of
      plaque type on dilatation resistance. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 64
      slice computed tomography coronary imaging data collected in the month prior to
      coronary stenting in 93 patients (65 male and 28 female, mean age of (57.22+/
      7.22) years) was conducted. Non-calcified coronary plaques were divided into
      lipid-rich (lipid content >25% of plaque volume) and fibrous plaques according to
      the Hammer-Hansen S method: where lipids, fiber, and intraluminal components were
      indicated by contrast using Hu values of -100-49, 50-129, and >130, respectively.
      Clinical features, pre-dilatation balloon specifications and filling pressure,
      and stent size and release pressure were compared. RESULTS: High-sensitivity C
      reactive protein levels were higher in the lipid-rich plaque group. In patients
      with typical symptoms, unstable angina was more commonly observed in the lipid
      rich plaque group. No significant differences in low density lipoprotein, pre
      dilatation balloon specifications, pre-dilatation pressure, or stent
      specifications were observed. Stent release pressure in the lipid-rich plaque
      group ((1130.16+/-202.04) kPa), was significantly lower than that observed in the
      fibrous plaque group ((1240.61+/-193.29) kPa, P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Softer,
      lipid-rich plaques exhibit lower dilation resistance during stenting in PCI
      patients.

PMID- 24229690
TI  - Role of Lactobacillus in the prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated
      diarrhea: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is a major public
      health problem because of significant morbidity and mortality, and many
      clinicians pay attention to Lactobacillus as a potentially effective treatment.
      The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus
      in the prevention of CDAD. METHODS: The databases MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials, metaRegister of Controlled Trials, National
      Institutes of Health, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang data were searched to locate all
      reported randomized controlled trials (RCT) from 1990 to December 2012. Only RCT
      in English and Chinese using Lactobacillus for the prevention of documented CDAD
      were considered for study inclusion. The data was analyzed by Review Manager and
      SPSS software. RESULTS: Seven placebo-controlled RCTs that evaluated the
      prevention of CDAD, which included 1486 subjects, accorded with inclusion and
      exclusion criteria. The mean age of the subjects ranged from 4.15 to 64.75 years
      and the proportion of male subjects ranged from 42.0% to 59.1%. The total daily
      dose of Lactobacillus ranged from 1.2*10(9)-1.2*10(12) colonyforming units (CFU).
      A low risk of bias was attributed to two studies and four studies evaluated a
      medium-level risk of bias. The combined risk ratio (RR) of developing CDAD was
      significantly lower in subjects who received Lactobacillus compared with subjects
      who received placebo (RR 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22-0.67). A
      combination regimen of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) and
      Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) (RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.36) showed significant
      effect sizes for the prevention of CDAD, while single regimens of Lactobacillus
      plantarum (L. plantarum) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) did not.
      Across all trials, positive significant effects of Lactobacillus were observed in
      the elderly subgroup (RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.36). Whether the 1*10(12)-9*10(12)
      CFU/d Lactobacillus could prevent CDAD significantly or not was unclear.
      CONCLUSION: There is a sufficient evidence to recommend Lactobacillus (L.
      acidophilus and L. casei) as a prevention therapy for CDAD.

PMID- 24229691
TI  - Glycation of high-density lipoprotein in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether glycation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
      increases cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by
      altering its anti-atherogenic property. DATA SOURCES: Data cited in this review
      were obtained mainly from Pubmed and Medline in English from 2000 to 2013, with
      keywords "glycation", "HDL", and "atherosclerosis". Study selection Articles
      regarding glycation of HDL and its role in atherogenesis in both humans and
      experimental animal models were identified, retrieved and reviewed. RESULTS:
      Glycation alters the structure of HDL and its associated enzymes, resulting in an
      impairment of atheroprotective functionality and increased risks for
      cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: Glycation of HDL
      exerts a deleterious effect on the development of cardiovascular complications in
      diabetes.

PMID- 24229692
TI  - Efficacy and safety of insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes using a new index
      called glucose safety control index.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To recommend an index named glucose safety control index (GSCI) to
      evaluate the efficacy and safety for insulin regimens. DATA SOURCES: We searched
      databases for primary studies published in English. The main search concepts were
      type 2 diabetes, insulin treatment, premixed insulin, premixed insulin analogs,
      basal inuslin, basal inuslin analogs, bolus insulin, bolus insulin analogs,
      safety and efficacy. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were eligible for inclusion if they
      met all of the following criteria: (1) type 2 diabetic patients aged >18 years
      were included; (2) random control studies with at least 12 weeks of follow-up;
      (3) different insulin regimens were evaluated. RESULTS: When long-acting basal
      insulin therapy compared with neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin therapy,
      the proportion of GSCI%A1c ratio more than 1 was 100%, the proportion of
      GSCIDeltaA1c ratio more than 1 was 94.44%. When premixed insulin therapy compared
      with oral hypoglycemic agents plus basal insulin therapy, the proportion of
      GSCI%A1c ratio more than 1 was 45.5%, the proportion of GSCIDeltaA1c ratio more
      than 1 was 38.9%. When premixed insulin therapy compared with oral hypoglycemic
      agents, the proportion of GSCI%A1c ratio less than 1 was 100%, the proportion of
      GSCIDeltaA1c ratio more than 1 was 50%. When premixed insulin therapy compared
      with basal-bolus insulin therapy, the proportion of GSCI%A1c ratio more than 1
      was 37.5%, the proportion of GSCIDeltaA1c ratio more than 1 was 50%. CONCLUSION:
      According to the GSCI ratio, long-acting basal insulin therapy tended to be
      superior to NPH therapy, oral hypoglycemic agents plus basal insulin therapy
      tended to be superior to premixed insulin therapy, noninsulin antidiabetic agents
      and premixed insulin therapy was comparable, and basal-bolus insulin therapy
      tended to be superior to premixed insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 24229693
TI  - Role of signaling pathways and miRNAs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To summarize the recent findings of dysregulation of signaling
      pathways and miRNAs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). DATA SOURCES: We
      searched PubMed database with the keywords "chronic lymphocytic leukemia",
      "signal pathway", or "miRNA" for relevant articles in recent years. STUDY
      SELECTION: Research articles and reviews about signaling pathways and miRNAs in
      CLL were chosen for review. RESULTS: Dysregulation of signaling pathways, such as
      B cell receptor , toll-like receptor, PI3K, nuclear factor kappaB, notch
      signaling pathway, Wnt/Fzd signaling pathway, and Hedgehog and Janus
      kinases/signal transducers and activators of transcription signaling pathway, as
      the terminal events of the aberrant gene expression and the pro-survival effects
      of microenvironment, plays a crucial role in the process of CLL. miRNAs, a novel
      found noncoding RNA, which regulate gene expression at transcription or post
      transcription level and correlate with pathogenesis of CLL provide us new avenues
      to better evaluating prognosis and therapy of it. CONCLUSION: Further
      investigation of the dysregulation of signaling pathways and miRNAs and their
      relationship may provide us a new prospective to understand the pathogenesis of
      CLL and may provide us new strategies to resolve the clinical nodi in treatment
      of CLL.

PMID- 24229694
TI  - Coronary bypass grafting in Chinese patients dependent on maintenance dialysis.

PMID- 24229695
TI  - Propofol inhibits neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells in
      vitro.

PMID- 24229696
TI  - Efficiency analysis of stenting for acute colorectal obstruction.

PMID- 24229697
TI  - A novel arg616Cys mutation in the DNA-binding domain of complete androgen
      insensitivity syndrome in a Chinese family.

PMID- 24229698
TI  - Clinical variability in onset of influenza A (H7N9) infection.

PMID- 24229699
TI  - A case of metastatic scalp angiosarcoma presenting as multiple thin-walled lung
      cysts and pneumothorax.

PMID- 24229700
TI  - Severe mitral valve stenosis with left atrial thrombus in the puerperium: to
      treat or to observe?

PMID- 24229701
TI  - Renal denervation for "resistant ventricular tachycardia": a potential treatment
      option?

PMID- 24229702
TI  - Compulsivity, impulsivity, and the DSM-5 process.
AB  - Compulsivity and impulsivity are cross-cutting, dimensional symptom domains that
      span traditional diagnostic boundaries. We examine compulsivity and impulsivity
      from several perspectives and present implications for these symptom domains as
      they relate to classification. We describe compulsivity and impulsivity as
      general concepts, from the perspectives of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
      of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) Research Planning Agenda, and from the
      DSM-5 workgroups, literature reviews, and field trials. Finally, we detail
      alternative modes of classification for compulsivity and impulsivity in line with
      the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) and International Classification of Diseases
      (ICD-11). 

PMID- 24229703
TI  - Sox4you: a new player in C/EBPalpha leukemia.
AB  - Although CEBPA mutations are among the most common genetic abnormalities in acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML), the transformation mechanism remains largely obscure. In
      this issue of Cancer Cell, Zhang and colleagues report that SOX4 is a direct
      target and crucial mediator of C/EBPalpha mutants in AML, revealing a potential
      therapeutic avenue. 

PMID- 24229704
TI  - A new twist on radiation oncology: low-dose irradiation elicits immunostimulatory
      macrophages that unlock barriers to tumor immunotherapy.
AB  - Tumor-infiltrating macrophages typically promote angiogenesis while suppressing
      antitumoral T cell responses. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Klug and colleagues
      report that clinically-feasible, low-dose irradiation redirects macrophage
      differentiation from a tumor-promoting/immunosuppressive state to one that
      enables cytotoxic T cells to infiltrate tumors and kill cancer cells, rendering
      immunotherapy successful in mice.

PMID- 24229705
TI  - Killing tumors by keeping ras and PI3' kinase apart.
AB  - Ras proteins mediate PI3K activation through direct binding to p110 catalytic
      subunits. However, it is unclear when and where this interaction occurs. In this
      issue of Cancer Cell, Castellano and colleagues report that KRAS-driven lung
      cancers require the Ras-p110alpha interaction for full activation of PI3K and
      tumor maintenance. 

PMID- 24229706
TI  - To die or not to die: Sema3E rules the game.
AB  - Sema3E, a ligand for PlexinD1, controls angiogenesis and promotes cancer invasion
      and metastasis. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Luchino and colleagues report that
      Sema3E also ensures breast cancer cell viability by blocking a previously unknown
      proapoptotic signaling cascade elicited by unliganded PlexinD1, thus behaving as
      a "dependence receptor." 

PMID- 24229708
TI  - Runx3 inactivation is a crucial early event in the development of lung
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Targeted inactivation of Runx3 in mouse lung induced mucinous and nonmucinous
      adenomas and markedly shortened latency of adenocarcinoma formation induced by
      oncogenic K-Ras. RUNX3 was frequently inactivated in K-RAS mutated human lung
      adenocarcinomas. A functional genetic screen of a fly mutant library and
      molecular analysis in cultured cell lines revealed that Runx3 forms a complex
      with BRD2 in a K-Ras-dependent manner in the early phase of the cell cycle; this
      complex induces expression of p14(ARF)/p19(Arf) and p21(WAF/CIP). When K-Ras was
      constitutively activated, the Runx3-BRD2 complex was stably maintained and
      expression of both p14(ARF) and p21(WAF/CIP) was prolonged. These results provide
      a missing link between oncogenic K-Ras and the p14(ARF)-p53 pathway, and may
      explain how cells defend against oncogenic K-Ras. 

PMID- 24229707
TI  - Histone H3.3 mutations: a variant path to cancer.
AB  - A host of cancer types exhibit aberrant histone modifications. Recently, distinct
      and recurrent mutations in a specific histone variant, histone H3.3, have been
      implicated in a high proportion of malignant pediatric brain cancers. The
      presence of mutant H3.3 histone disrupts epigenetic posttranslational
      modifications near genes involved in cancer processes and in brain function.
      Here, we review possible mechanisms by which mutant H3.3 histones may act to
      promote tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we discuss how perturbations in normal H3.3
      chromatin-related and epigenetic functions may more broadly contribute to the
      formation of human cancers. 

PMID- 24229709
TI  - Requirement for interaction of PI3-kinase p110alpha with RAS in lung tumor
      maintenance.
AB  - RAS proteins directly activate PI3-kinases. Mice bearing a germline mutation in
      the RAS binding domain of the p110alpha subunit of PI3-kinse are resistant to the
      development of RAS-driven tumors. However, it is unknown whether interaction of
      RAS with PI3-kinase is required in established tumors. The need for RAS
      interaction with p110alpha in the maintenance of mutant Kras-driven lung tumors
      was explored using an inducible mouse model. In established tumors, removal of
      the ability of p110alpha to interact with RAS causes long-term tumor stasis and
      partial regression. This is a tumor cell-autonomous effect, which is improved
      significantly by combination with MEK inhibition. Total removal of p110alpha
      expression or activity has comparable effects, albeit with greater toxicities. 

PMID- 24229710
TI  - CXCR2-expressing myeloid-derived suppressor cells are essential to promote
      colitis-associated tumorigenesis.
AB  - A large body of evidence indicates that chronic inflammation is one of several
      key risk factors for cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. However, the
      underlying mechanisms responsible for the contribution of inflammation and
      inflammatory mediators to cancer remain elusive. Here, we present genetic
      evidence that loss of CXCR2 dramatically suppresses chronic colonic inflammation
      and colitis-associated tumorigenesis through inhibiting infiltration of myeloid
      derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) into colonic mucosa and tumors in a mouse model
      of colitis-associated cancer. CXCR2 ligands were elevated in inflamed colonic
      mucosa and tumors and induced MDSC chemotaxis. Adoptive transfer of wild-type
      MDSCs into Cxcr2(-/-) mice restored AOM/DSS-induced tumor progression. MDSCs
      accelerated tumor growth by inhibiting CD8(+) T cell cytotoxic activity. 

PMID- 24229712
TI  - Incidence and prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women in France, 1980
      2020: model-based estimation.
AB  - Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis due to Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous
      protozoan parasite of warm-blooded animals including humans. In pregnant women,
      primary infection can cause congenital toxoplasmosis resulting in severe
      malformations in the newborn. Since 1978, public health authorities in France
      have implemented a congenital toxoplasmosis prevention programme, including
      monthly serological screening of all seronegative pregnant women, and treatment
      in case of seroconversion. However, this programme does not produce systematic
      surveillance data on incidence and prevalence. Our objective was to estimate the
      incidence and prevalence of T. gondii infection, and the incidence of
      seroconversion during pregnancy in women in France. We used a catalytic model to
      estimate incidence and prevalence of Toxoplasma infection between 1980 and 2020
      in women of childbearing age. We used age- and time-specific seroprevalence data
      obtained from the National Perinatal Surveys (NPS) conducted in 1995, 2003 and
      2010. We assumed that incidence depends both on age and calendar time, and can be
      expressed as the product of two unknown functions. We also estimated incidence of
      seroconversion during pregnancy in 2010 from the NPS and the National
      Surveillance of Congenital Toxoplasmosis (ToxoSurv). We combined data of 42208
      women aged 15-45 years with serology available from the three NPS. For women aged
      30 years the modelled incidence decreased from 7.5/1000 susceptible women in 1980
      to 3.5/1000 in 2000. In 2010 the incidence was 2.4/1000. The predicted incidence
      and prevalence for 2020 was 1.6/1000 and 27%, respectively. The incidence of
      seroconversion during pregnancy in 2010 was estimated at 2.1/1000 susceptible
      pregnant women (95% CI 1.3-3.1) from the NPS and 1.9 (95% CI 1.8-2.1) from
      ToxoSurv. Incidence and prevalence of Toxoplasma infection has decreased markedly
      during the last 30 years. This decrease may be explained by a lower exposure to
      the parasite by changes in food habits and by improved hygiene practices in meat
      production. Modelled estimations were consistent with estimates observed in other
      studies conducted previously in France. The catalytic modelling provides reliable
      estimates of incidence and prevalence of Toxoplasma infection over time. This
      approach might be useful for evaluating preventive programme for toxoplasmosis.

PMID- 24229711
TI  - Skp2 deletion unmasks a p27 safeguard that blocks tumorigenesis in the absence of
      pRb and p53 tumor suppressors.
AB  - pRb and p53 are two major tumor suppressors. Here, we found that p53 activates
      expression of Pirh2 and KPC1, two of the three ubiquitin ligases for p27. Loss of
      p53 in the absence of Skp2, the third ubiquitin ligase for p27, shrinks the
      cellular pool of p27 ubiquitin ligases to accumulate p27 protein. In the absence
      of pRb and p53, p27 was unable to inhibit DNA synthesis in spite of its
      abundance, but could inhibit division of cells that maintain DNA replication with
      rereplication. This mechanism blocked pRb/p53 doubly deficient pituitary and
      prostate tumorigenesis lastingly coexistent with bromodeoxyuridine-labeling
      neoplastic lesions, revealing an unconventional cancer cell vulnerability when
      pRb and p53 are inactivated. 

PMID- 24229713
TI  - Effects of repeated consumption on sensory-enhanced satiety.
AB  - Previous research has suggested that sensory characteristics of a drink modify
      the acute satiating effects of its nutrients, with enhanced satiety being evident
      when a high-energy drink was thicker and tasted creamier. The present study
      tested whether this modulation of satiety by sensory context was altered by
      repeated consumption. Participants (n 48) consumed one of four drinks mid-morning
      on seven non-consecutive days, with satiety responses being measured pre-exposure
      (day 1), post-exposure (day 6) and at a 1-month follow-up. The drinks combined
      two levels of energy (lower energy (LE), 326 kJ and higher energy, 1163 kJ) with
      two levels of satiety-predictive sensory characteristics (low sensory (LS) or
      enhanced sensory). Test lunch intake 90 min after drink consumption depended on
      both the energy content and sensory characteristics of the drink before exposure,
      but on the energy content alone after exposure and at the follow-up. The largest
      change was an increase in test meal intake over time in the LE/LS condition. The
      effects on intake were reflected in appetite ratings, with rated hunger and
      expected filling affected by sensory characteristics and energy content pre
      exposure, but were largely determined by energy content post-exposure and at the
      follow-up. In contrast, a measure of expected satiety reflected sensory
      characteristics regardless of energy content on all the three test days. Overall,
      these data suggest that some aspects of the sensory modulation of satiety are
      changed by repeated consumption, with covert energy becoming more effective in
      suppressing appetite over time, but also suggest that these behavioural changes
      are not readily translated into expectations of satiety. 

PMID- 24229714
TI  - Gamete quality in fish: evaluation parameters and determining factors.
AB  - The quality of fish gametes, both male and female, are determined by several
      factors (age, management, feeding, chemical and physical factors, water quality,
      etc.) that have an impact on the survivability of embryos, larvae and/or fry in
      the short or long term. One of the most important factors is gamete ageing,
      especially for those species that are unable to spawn naturally in hatcheries.
      The chemical and physical factors in hatcheries and the nutrition that they
      provide can significantly alter harvest quality, especially from females; as a
      rule, males are more tolerant of stress conditions produced by inadequate
      feeding, management and/or poor water conditions. The stress produced on
      broodstock by inadequate conditions in hatcheries can produce adverse effects on
      gamete quality, survival rates, and the embryonic eggs after hatching. 

PMID- 24229715
TI  - Influence of energy and nutrient supply pre and post partum on performance of
      multiparous Simmental, Brown Swiss and Holstein cows in early lactation.
AB  - A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pre partum (PRE) and post partum
      (POST) dietary energy and nutrient supply (E) and their interactions on feed
      intake, performance and energy status in dairy cows of three breeds. In this
      experiment, the effects of three energy and nutrient supply levels (low (L),
      medium (M), high (H)), both pre-calving and post-calving, were investigated,
      using a 3*3 factorial arrangement of treatments. In both phases (84 days pre- and
      105 days post-calving) E levels applied to a total of 81 multiparous cows of
      breeds Simmental (SI), Brown Swiss (BS) and Holstein-Friesian (HF; n=27 for each
      breed), were 75%, 100% and 125% of recommendations of the German Society of
      Nutrition Physiology (GfE). Dry matter intake (DMI) was restricted, if energy
      intake exceeded target values. Pre partum DMI and energy intake were different as
      designed, liveweight and body condition score (BCS) of SI cows were higher, but
      EB was lower, compared to BS and HF cows. Milk yield and composition were
      influenced by all three main experimental factors (EPRE, EPOST, breed). Energy
      corrected milk yield was 25.6, 28.6 and 30.1 kg/day for LPRE, MPRE and HPRE as
      well as 21.5, 30.1 and 32.6 kg/day for LPOST, MPOST and HPOST, respectively.
      Numerically, only for milk protein content the interactions EPRE*EPOST and
      EPRE*breed reached significance. Impact of energy supply pre-calving was more
      pronounced when cows had lower energy supply post-calving and vice versa. On the
      other hand, milk yield response of cows to energy supply above requirements was
      greater for cows that were fed on a low energy level pre partum. Impact of energy
      level pre partum was higher for HF cows, showing that their milk production
      relies to a greater extent on mobilization of body reserves. Increasing energy
      supply pre partum led to a more negative energy balance post partum, mainly by
      increasing milk yield and content, whereas feed intake was slightly reduced.
      Increasing energy supply post partum enhanced milk yield as well as milk protein
      and lactose content. Calculated energy balance corresponded well with liveweight
      and BCS change. Response of milk yield to increasing energy supply followed the
      principle of diminishing returns, since energy was increasingly partitioned to
      body retention. Increasing energy supply pre partum enhances milk yield and
      content post partum, but exacerbates negative energy balance and its
      consequences. 

PMID- 24229717
TI  - Burden of human papillomavirus infection and related diseases in Israel.
AB  - This manuscript provides the available data on the burden of human papillomavirus
      (HPV) infections and HPV-related diseases in Israel. The incidence of cervical
      intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) among Jewish women was 17.4 per 100,000
      in 2007, showing an increase since 1997. The incidence of cervical cancer was 5.3
      per 100,000 Israeli Jewish women and 2.3 per 100,000 Israeli non-Jewish women in
      2007. This rate is relatively low compared to other developed countries, and
      could be explained by cultural and religious factors such as male circumcision or
      sexual behavior. Mortality rates were around 1.5 per 100,000 Israeli women in
      2007. Incidences of other anogenital, oral cavity, and pharynx cancers are very
      low, below 1.0 per 100.000 Israeli women and men. Information is scarce on HPV
      prevalence and HPV type distribution among women with cervical cancer. HPV types
      16 and 18 were the two most common types in both preneoplastic lesions and
      cervical cancer, representing 60% of total invasive cases. Data on genital warts
      show an incidence rate of 239 per 100,000 men and 185 per 100,000 women, similar
      to that found in other Western countries. Despite these low incidences, it is
      important to improve the information on the overall burden of HPV-related
      morbidity and on the HPV prevalence to evaluate an organized cervical cancer
      screening program and the introduction of the HPV vaccine in the national school
      based vaccine program. This article forms part of a regional report entitled
      "Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and Related Diseases in Israel" Vaccine
      Volume 31, Supplement 8, 2013. Updates of the progress in the field are presented
      in a separate monograph entitled "Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and
      Related Diseases" Vaccine Volume 30, Supplement 5, 2012. 

PMID- 24229718
TI  - Cervical cancer screening, human papillomavirus vaccination practices and current
      infrastructure in Israel.
AB  - The incidence rates for premalignant lesions in Jewish women in Israel are
      similar to those observed in Western countries, but the incidence of cervical
      cancer in Israel is low; this discrepancy is not yet clearly understood. Because
      of the low incidence of cervical cancer in Israel, it was decided to base
      cervical cancer prevention on opportunistic screening: every woman from the ages
      of 35-54 years can have a Pap test smear free of charge every 3 years. Over the
      last decade 12.2% of the women population had an annual Pap test. From 36 to 50%
      of women who attended the Clalit Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and the
      Maccabi HMO, the two largest HMOs in Israel, did so. There were also
      discrepancies between women of different socio-economic status (SES): <10% in the
      lowest SES level were screened compared to almost 55% in the higher level. HPV
      vaccination was opportunistic but it will be introduced to the school-based
      vaccine program at age of 13 years old as of September 2013. The Israel Society
      of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends continuing cytologic screening in
      vaccinated women as recommended for the general population. This article forms
      part of a regional report entitled "Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and
      Related Diseases in Israel" Vaccine Volume 31, Supplement 8, 2013. Updates of the
      progress in the field are presented in a separate monograph entitled
      "Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and Related Diseases" Vaccine Volume 30,
      Supplement 5, 2012. 

PMID- 24229719
TI  - Cost-utility analysis of interventions to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in
      Israel.
AB  - Using World health Organization, CHOosing Interventions that are Cost Effective
      (WHO-CHOICE) methodology, cost-utility ratios were calculated for various
      interventions (Papanicolaou [Pap] smear, human papillomavirus [HPV]-DNA testing,
      visual inspection with acetic acid [VIA] and vaccination against HPV) at various
      frequencies to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and condyloma (in the case of
      the HPV vaccination) in Israel, which has a low prevalence of cervical cancer.
      All of the screening and/or vaccine interventions were very cost-effective.
      Attempts should be made to raise compliancy with Pap smears from the current
      opportunistic 12.1% per annum to screen everyone aged 20-64 once every 5 years in
      combination with HPV-DNA testing for persons aged 30-64 both before and/or after
      HPV vaccination is introduced. This article forms part of a regional report
      entitled "Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and Related Diseases in Israel"
      Vaccine Volume 31, Supplement 8, 2013. Updates of the progress in the field are
      presented in a separate monograph entitled "Comprehensive Control of HPV
      Infections and Related Diseases" Vaccine Volume 30, Supplement 5, 2012. 

PMID- 24229716
TI  - Comprehensive control of human papillomavirus infections and related diseases.
AB  - Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as one of the major
      causes of infection-related cancer worldwide, as well as the causal factor in
      other diseases. Strong evidence for a causal etiology with HPV has been stated by
      the International Agency for Research on Cancer for cancers of the cervix uteri,
      penis, vulva, vagina, anus and oropharynx (including base of the tongue and
      tonsils). Of the estimated 12.7 million new cancers occurring in 2008 worldwide,
      4.8% were attributable to HPV infection, with substantially higher incidence and
      mortality rates seen in developing versus developed countries. In recent years,
      we have gained tremendous knowledge about HPVs and their interactions with host
      cells, tissues and the immune system; have validated and implemented strategies
      for safe and efficacious prophylactic vaccination against HPV infections; have
      developed increasingly sensitive and specific molecular diagnostic tools for HPV
      detection for use in cervical cancer screening; and have substantially increased
      global awareness of HPV and its many associated diseases in women, men, and
      children. While these achievements exemplify the success of biomedical research
      in generating important public health interventions, they also generate new and
      daunting challenges: costs of HPV prevention and medical care, the implementation
      of what is technically possible, socio-political resistance to prevention
      opportunities, and the very wide ranges of national economic capabilities and
      health care systems. Gains and challenges faced in the quest for comprehensive
      control of HPV infection and HPV-related cancers and other disease are summarized
      in this review. The information presented may be viewed in terms of a reframed
      paradigm of prevention of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases that
      will include strategic combinations of at least four major components: 1) routine
      introduction of HPV vaccines to women in all countries, 2) extension and
      simplification of existing screening programs using HPV-based technology, 3)
      extension of adapted screening programs to developing populations, and 4)
      consideration of the broader spectrum of cancers and other diseases preventable
      by HPV vaccination in women, as well as in men. Despite the huge advances already
      achieved, there must be ongoing efforts including international advocacy to
      achieve widespread-optimally universal-implementation of HPV prevention
      strategies in both developed and developing countries. This article summarizes
      information from the chapters presented in a special ICO Monograph 'Comprehensive
      Control of HPV Infections and Related Diseases' Vaccine Volume 30, Supplement 5,
      2012. Additional details on each subtopic and full information regarding the
      supporting literature references may be found in the original chapters. 

PMID- 24229720
TI  - Barriers to human papillomavirus vaccine acceptability in Israel.
AB  - Barriers to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptability in Israel include
      Israel's relatively low incidence of cervical cancer; the religiously-based 80%
      circumcision rate in Israel, which is regarded as contributing to the lower
      incidence of HPV infection in the country; the fact that HPV vaccine provides
      immunity against only few virus types; the vaccine's high cost; and the
      perception that HPV transmission is associated with unacceptable sexual
      relations. A recent survey has demonstrated that, following media two campaigns,
      Israeli's level of awareness of the vaccine increased but the actual vaccination
      rate remained low, at approximately 10%. Survey findings also indicated that an
      enduring barrier to HPV vaccination is the vaccine's high cost. Recent research
      on a convenience sample of Israeli undergraduate women 21 to 24 years of age
      showed that intentions to receive HPV vaccination in the coming year were a
      function of women's attitudes towards getting vaccinated and their perceptions of
      social support for doing so. Undergraduate women who intended to be vaccinated
      perceived the prevention of cervical cancer, avoidance of personal health threat,
      and avoidance of HPV infection per se to be the advantages of undergoing HPV
      vaccination. Disadvantages of getting vaccinated included fear of vaccine side
      effects, cost of the vaccine, and newness of the vaccine, doubts about vaccines,
      time required to undergo multiple vaccinations, and dislike of injections.
      Friends', mothers' and physicians' recommendations influenced women's intentions
      to be vaccinated in the coming year as well. This article forms part of a
      regional report entitled "Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and Related
      Diseases in Israel" Vaccine Volume 31, Supplement 8, 2013. Updates of the
      progress in the field are presented in a separate monograph entitled
      "Comprehensive Control of HPV Infections and Related Diseases" Vaccine Volume 30,
      Supplement 5, 2012. 

PMID- 24229721
TI  - Screening for cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccination in Israel:
      recommendations.

PMID- 24229722
TI  - Human papillomavirus-associated diseases in Israel--the controversy continues.
      Foreword.

PMID- 24229723
TI  - The path to eliminate cervical cancer in the world and the challenges of
      professional education. Preface.

PMID- 24229724
TI  - Blood parasites in noddies and boobies from Brazilian offshore islands -
      differences between species and influence of nesting habitat.
AB  - Seabirds are often free from blood parasites, and a recent review suggested that
      phylogenetic, ecological and life-history parameters can determine the prevalence
      of blood parasites in seabirds. However, there is a lack of data available from
      many seabird groups, and a larger database is needed to understand prevalence
      patterns of blood parasites. We used a molecular screening approach to detect
      parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Babesia in
      five species of two genera of seabirds that breed on Atlantic Ocean islands off
      Brazil. The observed patterns differed between the two bird genera. Like other
      Laridae, brown noddy, Anous stolidus adults were infected with Haemoproteus with
      low prevalence. Masked boobies, Sula dactylatra and brown boobies, Sula
      leucogaster were infected with Babesia. Of the latter, mainly juveniles were
      infected. In all species, intensity of infection (i.e. number of infected
      erythrocytes) was so low that parasites remained undetected in blood smears. This
      may explain the absence of major effects on the body condition of birds, although
      infected juvenile masked boobies were lighter than juveniles that were not
      infected with Babesia. Two tree-nesting species; black noddy, Anous minutus and
      red-footed booby, Sula sula did not have blood parasites, suggesting that tree
      nesting may reduce the exposure to arthropod vectors compared with ground nesting
      in these species.

PMID- 24229725
TI  - Pharmacotherapy of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
AB  - While second-generation antipsychotics treat negative as well as positive
      symptoms, recovery for persons with schizophrenia remains elusive, in part
      because there are no FDA-approved medications that treat the cognitive deficits
      of schizophrenia (CDS). Recent work has identified agents that, when added to
      antipsychotics, improve cognition in schizophrenia. This work and hypothesized
      mechanisms of action will be reviewed. 

PMID- 24229726
TI  - Rice and noodle consumption is associated with insulin resistance and
      hyperglycaemia in an Asian population.
AB  - High consumption of refined grains, particularly white rice, has been reported to
      be associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, in the present
      study, we evaluated the association between rice and noodle consumption and
      markers of glucose homeostasis, inflammation and dyslipidaemia in an Asian
      population. We carried out a population-based cross-sectional study in 2728
      Singaporean Chinese men and women aged between 24 and 92 years. Rice and noodle
      intake was assessed using a validated FFQ and studied in relation to glycaemic
      (fasting glucose, glycated Hb, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index for
      insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA index for beta-cell function (HOMA-beta)),
      inflammatory (plasma adiponectin and C-reactive protein (CRP)) and lipid (fasting
      TAG and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C)) markers. We used multiple linear regression
      analyses with adjustment for total energy intake and sociodemographic,
      anthropometric (BMI and waist:hip ratio) and lifestyle factors. Higher rice
      consumption was found to be associated with higher fasting glucose concentrations
      (0.81 % higher values per portion increment; 95 % CI 0.09, 1.54) and HOMA-IR
      (4.62 %; 95 % CI 1.29, 8.07). Higher noodle consumption was also found to be
      significantly associated with higher fasting glucose concentrations (1.67 %; 95 %
      CI 0.44, 2.92), HOMA-IR (6.17 %; 95 % CI 0.49, 12.16) and fasting TAG
      concentrations (9.17 %; 95 % CI 3.44, 15.22). No significant association was
      observed between rice and noodle consumption and adiponectin, CRP and HDL-C
      concentrations or HOMA-beta in the fully adjusted model. These results suggest
      that high consumption of rice and noodles may contribute to hyperglycaemia
      through greater insulin resistance and that this relationship is independent of
      adiposity and systemic inflammation. 

PMID- 24229727
TI  - Comparison of air samples, nasal swabs, ear-skin swabs and environmental dust
      samples for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in
      pig herds.
AB  - To identify a cost-effective and practical method for detection of methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pig herds, the relative sensitivity of
      four sample types: nasal swabs, ear-skin (skin behind the ears) swabs,
      environmental dust swabs and air was compared. Moreover, dependency of
      sensitivity on within-herd prevalence was estimated. spa-typing was applied in
      order to study strain diversity. The sensitivity of one air sample was equal to
      the sensitivity of ten pools of five nasal swabs and relatively independent of
      within-herd prevalence [predicted to be nearly perfect (99%) for within-herd
      prevalence ?25%]. The results indicate that taking swabs of skin behind the ears
      (ten pools of five) was even more sensitive than taking nasal swabs (ten pools of
      five) at the herd level and detected significantly more positive samples. spa
      types t011, t034 and t4208 were observed. In conclusion, MRSA detection by air
      sampling is easy to perform, reduces costs and analytical time compared to
      existing methods, and is recommended for initial testing of herds. Ear-skin swab
      sampling may be more sensitive for MRSA detection than air sampling or nasal swab
      sampling.

PMID- 24229728
TI  - Management factors affecting mortality, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of
      grow-finishing pigs.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the effect of animal management and farm
      facilities on total feed intake (TFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality
      rate (MORT) of grower-finishing pigs. In total, 310 batches from 244 grower
      finishing farms, consisting of 454 855 Pietrain sired pigs in six Spanish pig
      companies were used. Data collection consisted of a survey on management
      practices (season of placement, split-sex by pens, number of pig origins, water
      source in the farm, initial or final BW) and facilities (floor, feeder,
      ventilation or number of animals placed) during 2008 and 2009. Results indicated
      that batches of pigs placed between January and March had higher TFI (P=0.006),
      FCR (P=0.005) and MORT (P=0.03) than those placed between July and September.
      Moreover, batches of pigs placed between April and June had lower MORT (P=0.003)
      than those placed between January and March. Batches which had split-sex pens had
      lower TFI (P=0.001) and better FCR (P<0.001) than those with mixed-sex in pens;
      pigs fed with a single-space feeder with incorporated drinker also had the lowest
      TFI (P<0.001) and best FCR (P<0.001) in comparison to single and multi-space
      feeders without a drinker. Pigs placed in pens with <50% slatted floors presented
      an improvement in FCR (P<0.05) than pens with 50% or more slatted floors. Batches
      filled with pigs from multiple origins had higher MORT (P<0.001) than those from
      a single origin. Pigs housed in barns that performed manual ventilation control
      presented higher MORT (P<0.001) in comparison to automatic ventilation. The
      regression analysis also indicated that pigs which entered to grower-finisher
      facilities with higher initial BW had lower MORT (P<0.05) and finally pigs which
      were sent to slaughterhouse with a higher final BW presented higher TFI
      (P<0.001). The variables selected for each dependent variable explained 61.9%,
      24.8% and 20.4% of the total variability for TFI, FCR and MORT, respectively.
      This study indicates that farms can increase growth performance and reduce
      mortality by improving farm facilities and/or modifying management practices. 

PMID- 24229729
TI  - Does peer learning or higher levels of e-learning improve learning abilities? A
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The fast development of e-learning and social forums demands
      us to update our understanding of e-learning and peer learning. We aimed to
      investigate if higher, pre-defined levels of e-learning or social interaction in
      web forums improved students' learning ability. METHODS: One hundred and twenty
      Danish medical students were randomized to six groups all with 20 students
      (eCases level 1, eCases level 2, eCases level 2+, eTextbook level 1, eTextbook
      level 2, and eTextbook level 2+). All students participated in a pre-test, Group
      1 participated in an interactive case-based e-learning program, while Group 2 was
      presented with textbook material electronically. The 2+ groups were able to
      discuss the material between themselves in a web forum. The subject was head
      injury and associated treatment and observation guidelines in the emergency room.
      Following the e-learning, all students completed a post-test. Pre- and post-tests
      both consisted of 25 questions randomly chosen from a pool of 50 different
      questions. RESULTS: All students concluded the study with comparable pre-test
      results. Students at Level 2 (in both groups) improved statistically significant
      compared to students at level 1 (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant
      difference between level 2 and level 2+. However, level 2+ was associated with
      statistically significant greater student's satisfaction than the rest of the
      students (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study applies a new way of comparing
      different types of e-learning using a pre-defined level division and the
      possibility of peer learning. Our findings show that higher levels of e-learning
      does in fact provide better results when compared with the same type of e
      learning at lower levels. While social interaction in web forums increase student
      satisfaction, learning ability does not seem to change. Both findings are
      relevant when designing new e-learning materials.

PMID- 24229730
TI  - Are medical schools hesitant to teach undergraduate students teaching skills? A
      medical student's critical view.
AB  - Junior medical staff provides a large proportion of undergraduate student
      education. However, despite increasing numbers of resident-as-teacher training
      programs, junior doctors may still not be sufficiently prepared to teach medical
      students. Hence, medical schools should consider implementing formal teaching
      skills training into undergraduate curricula. 

PMID- 24229731
TI  - Expression of phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic enzymes during early embryogenesis
      in the amphibian Bufo arenarum.
AB  - In the principal route of phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis the regulatory steps
      are catalysed by CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT) and choline kinase
      (CK). Knock-out mice in Pcyt1a (CCT gene) and Chka1 (CK gene) resulted in
      preimplantation embryonic lethality, demonstrating the essential role of this
      pathway. However, there is still a lack of detailed CCT and CK expression
      analysis during development. The aim of the current work was to study the
      expression during early development of both enzymes in the external-fertilization
      vertebrate Bufo arenarum. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT
      PCR) and western blot confirmed their presence in unfertilized eggs. Analysis
      performed in total extracts from staged embryos showed constant protein levels of
      both enzymes until the 32-cell stage: then they decreased, reaching a minimum in
      the gastrula before starting to recover. CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase
      is an amphitropic enzyme that inter-converts between cytosolic inactive and
      membrane-bound active forms. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the
      cytosolic:total CCT protein ratio does not change throughout embryogenesis,
      suggesting a progressive decline of CCT activity in early development. However,
      PC (and phosphatidylethanolamine) content per egg/embryo remained constant
      throughout the stages analysed. In conclusion, the current data for B. arenarum
      suggest that net synthesis of PC mediated by CCT and CK is not required in early
      development and that supplies for membrane biosynthesis are fulfilled by lipids
      already present in the egg/embryo reservoirs. 

PMID- 24229732
TI  - Motivational interviewing and decisional balance: contrasting responses to client
      ambivalence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A recommendation in original descriptions of motivational
      interviewing (MI) was to "explore ambivalence". Contrasting procedures for doing
      so have been clarified through the evolution of MI. AIMS: This article describes
      two conceptually distinct methods for responding to ambivalence: decisional
      balance (DB) and MI's evocation of change talk, and reviews empirical evidence to
      recommend when each procedure is appropriate (and inappropriate) in clinical
      practice. METHOD: The authors summarize findings of clinical outcome research to
      examine how these two interventions impact the resolution of client ambivalence.
      RESULTS: With ambivalent people, a DB intervention tends to decrease commitment
      to change, whereas evocation (a key element of MI) promotes change. When a person
      has already made the decision to change, evocation is unnecessary and may deter
      change, whereas DB may further strengthen commitment. CONCLUSIONS: DB is an
      appropriate procedure when the clinician wishes to maintain neutrality and not
      favor the resolution of ambivalence in any particular direction. Evocation is
      appropriate when the clinician intends to help clients resolve ambivalence in the
      direction of change.

PMID- 24229733
TI  - Vertical transmission of Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (Myxozoa), the causative
      agent of salmonid proliferative kidney disease.
AB  - The freshwater bryozoan, Fredericella sultana, is the main primary host of the
      myxozoan endoparasite, Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae which causes proliferative
      kidney disease (PKD) of salmonid fish. Because spores that develop in bryozoan
      colonies are infectious to fish, bryozoans represent the ultimate source of PKD.
      Bryozoans produce numerous seed-like dormant stages called statoblasts that
      enable persistence during unfavourable conditions and achieve long-distance
      dispersal. The possibility that T. bryosalmonae may undergo vertical transmission
      via infection of statoblasts has been the subject of much speculation since this
      is observed in close relatives. This study provides the first evidence that such
      vertical transmission of T. bryosalmonae is extensive by examining the
      proportions of infected statoblasts in populations of F. sultana on two different
      rivers systems and confirms its effectiveness by demonstrating transmission from
      material derived from infected statoblasts to fish hosts. Vertical transmission
      in statoblasts is likely to play an important role in the infection dynamics of
      both bryozoan and fish hosts and may substantially contribute to the widespread
      distribution of PKD.

PMID- 24229734
TI  - Profiling of the yak skeletal muscle tissue gene expression and comparison with
      the domestic cattle by genome array.
AB  - Of all the mammals of the world, the yak lives at the highest altitude area of
      more than 3000 m. Comparison between yak and cattle of the low-altitude areas
      will be informative in studying animal adaptation to higher altitudes. To
      investigate the molecular mechanism involved in meat quality differences between
      the two Chinese special varieties Qinghai yak and Qinchuan cattle, 12 chemical
      physical characteristics of the longissimus dorsi muscle related to meat quality
      were compared at the age of 36 months, and the gene expression profiles were
      constructed by utilizing the bovine genome array. Significant analysis of
      microarrays was used to identify the differentially expressed genes. Gene
      ontology and pathway analysis were performed by a free Web-based Molecular
      Annotation System 2.0. The results reveal ~11 000 probes representing about 10
      000 genes that were detected in both the Qinghai yak and Qinchuan cattle. A total
      of 1922 genes were shown to be differentially expressed, 633 probes were
      upregulated and 1259 probes were downregulated in the muscle tissue of Qinghai
      yak that were mainly involved in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, muscle growth
      regulation, glucose metabolism, immune response and so on. Quantitative real-time
      PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate some differentially expressed genes
      identified by microarray. Further analysis implied that animals living at a high
      altitude may supply energy by more active protein catabolism and glycolysis
      compared with those living in the plain areas. Our results establish the
      groundwork for further studies on yaks' meat quality and will be beneficial in
      improving the yaks' breeding by molecular biotechnology. 

PMID- 24229735
TI  - Diets high in fermentable protein and fibre alter tight junction protein
      composition with minor effects on barrier function in piglet colon.
AB  - Protein fermentation end products may damage the colonic mucosa, which could be
      counteracted by dietary inclusion of fermentable carbohydrates (fCHO). Although
      fermentable crude protein (fCP) and fCHO are known to affect microbial ecology,
      their interactive effects on epithelial barrier function are unknown. In the
      present study, in a 2 * 2 factorial experiment, thirty-two weaned piglets were
      fed low-fCP/low-fCHO (14.5 % crude protein (CP)/14.5 % total dietary fibre
      (TDF)), low-fCP/high-fCHO (14.8 % CP/16.6 % TDF), high-fCP/low-fCHO (19.8 %
      CP/14.5 % TDF) and high-fCP/high-fCHO (20.1 % CP/18.0 % TDF) diets. After 21-23
      d, samples of proximal and distal colonic mucosae were investigated in Ussing
      chambers with respect to the paracellular and transcytotic passages of
      macromolecules and epithelial ion transport. The high-fCHO diets were found to
      reduce the permeability of the distal colon to the transcytotic marker
      horseradish peroxidase (HRP, 44 kDa; P <0.05) and also reduce the paracellular
      permeation of N-hydroxysuccinimide-biotin into the submucosa (443 Da; P <0.05),
      whereas that of HRP was decreased by the high-fCP diets (P <0.01). Short-circuit
      current (active ion transport), transepithelial resistance (barrier function) and
      charge selectivity were largely unaffected in both the segments. However, the
      high-fCP diets were found to suppress the aldosterone-induced epithelial Na
      channel activity (P <0.01) irrespective of fCHO inclusion. The high-fCP diets
      generally reduced the expression of colonic claudin-1, claudin-2 and claudin-3 (P
      <0.01), while that of claudin-4 was increased by the high-fCHO diets (P <0.01).
      The high-fCHO diets also altered the ratio between occludin forms (P <0.05) and
      increased the expression of tricellulin in the proximal colon, which was not
      observed with high-fCP diets. In conclusion, dietary fCHO and fCP exerted few and
      largely independent effects on functional measurements, but altered tight
      junction protein composition in a compensatory way, so that colonic transport and
      barrier properties were only marginally affected. 

PMID- 24229736
TI  - Generalized pure cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease: a link between inflammation and
      cancer not associated with mitochondrial DNA and SLC29A3 gene mutation?
AB  - Recently, we described a case of generalized pure cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease
      in a 43-year-old Asian man in JAMA. The lesions distributed on nearly all of the
      skin of the whole body, except for mucous sites. Molecular, immunophenotypic, and
      sequencing analyses seem to define it as a histiocytic-mesenchymal transition and
      intermediate proliferative histiocytosis not associated with mtDNA large deletion
      and pathogenic mutation, as well as the SLC29A3 gene mutation. 

PMID- 24229737
TI  - A feedback regulatory pathway between LDL and alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor in
      chronic inflammation and infection.
AB  - Dietary lipids are transported via lymph to the liver and transformed to
      lipoproteins which bind to members of the low density lipoprotein receptor family
      (LDL-RFMs). Certain LDL-RFMs, e.g., very low density lipoprotein receptor
      (VLDLR), are also bound by inactivated proteinase inhibitors, the most abundant
      being alpha1proteinase inhibitor (alpha1PI, alpha1antitrypsin).
      Inflammation/infection, including HIV-1 infection, is accompanied by low levels
      of CD4+ T cells and active alpha1PI and high levels of inactivated alpha1PI. By
      inducing LDL-RFMs-mediated cellular locomotion, active alpha1PI regulates the
      number of CD4+ T cells. We sought to investigate whether CD4+ T cells and
      alpha1PI directly impact lipoprotein levels. At the cellular level, we show that
      active alpha1PI is required for VLDLR-mediated uptake of receptor-associated
      cargo, specifically CD4-bound HIV-1. We show that active alpha1PI levels linearly
      correlate with LDL levels in HIV-1 infected individuals (P<0.001) and that
      therapeutic, weekly infusions of active alpha1PI elevate the number of CD4+ T
      cells and HDL levels while lowering LDL levels in patients on antiretroviral
      therapy with controlled HIV-1. Based on the unusual combination of lipodystrophy
      and low levels of alpha1PI and CD4+ T cells in HIV-1 disease, we reveal that LDL
      and alpha1PI participate in a feedback regulatory pathway. We demonstrate
      integral roles for sequentially acting active and inactive alpha1PI in the uptake
      and recycling of receptors and cargo aggregated with VLDLR including CD4 and
      chemokine receptors. Evidence supports a role for alpha1PI as a primary sentinel
      to deploy the immune system as a consequence of its role in lipoprotein
      transport. 

PMID- 24229738
TI  - A prospective, randomized, double-blind study assessing the clinical impact of
      integrated pharmacogenomic testing for major depressive disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A prospective double-blind randomized control trial (RCT) to evaluate
      the benefit of a combinatorial, five gene pharmacogenomic test and interpretive
      report (GeneSight) for the management of psychotropic medications used in the
      treatment of major depression in an outpatient psychiatric practice. METHODS:
      Depressed adult outpatients were randomized to a treatment as usual (TAU, n=25)
      arm or a pharmacogenomic-informed GeneSight (n=26) arm. Subjects were blinded to
      their treatment group and depression severity was assessed by blinded study
      raters. Within two days of enrollment, clinicians of subjects in the guided group
      received the GeneSight report that categorized each of 26 psychotropic
      medications within a green, yellow, or red "bin" based on the relationship of
      each medication to a subject's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic combinatorial
      gene variant profile. Antidepressant medication changes began within 2 weeks
      after baseline assessments. Depression severity was assessed by blinded study
      raters using the HAMD-17, PHQ-9, QIDS-SR, and QIDS-CR administered 4, 6, and 10
      weeks after baseline assessment. RESULTS: Between-group trends were observed with
      greater than double the likelihood of response and remission in the GeneSight
      group measured by HAMD-17 at week 10. Mean percent improvement in depressive
      symptoms on HAMD-17 was higher for the GeneSight group over TAU (30.8% vs 20.7%;
      p=0.28). TAU subjects who had been prescribed medications at baseline that were
      contraindicated based on the individual subject's genotype (i.e., red bin) had
      almost no improvement (0.8%) in depressive symptoms measured by HAMD-17 at week
      10, which was far less than the 33.1% improvement (p=0.06) in the pharmacogenomic
      guided subjects who started on a red bin medication and the 26.4% improvement in
      GeneSight subjects overall (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmaco-genomic-guided
      treatment with GeneSight doubles the likelihood of response in all patients with
      treatment resistant depression and identifies 30% of patients with severe gene
      drug interactions who have the greatest improvement in depressive symptoms when
      switched to genetically suitable medication regimens.

PMID- 24229739
TI  - Mechanisms and efficacy of vismodegib in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.
AB  - Historically patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma have been subjected to
      large surgical resections for the treatment of their disease. However, with the
      development of vismodegib, a first in class molecule that acts to inhibit the
      hedgehog pathway, patients with advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma may
      have renewed hope in limiting the morbidity involved with surgery. Preliminary
      data shows a relatively good safety profile and promising results, although
      further research remains to be conducted. Current progress on utilization of
      vismodegib for the treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma is reviewed in this
      article. Only literature with objective clinical evidence was included in this
      review. 

PMID- 24229740
TI  - Orphan drug development in muscular dystrophy: update on two large clinical
      trials of dystrophin rescue therapies.
AB  - Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a relatively common 'rare disorder,' with an
      incidence of about 1/5,000 males worldwide. The responsible gene and deficient
      protein (dystrophin) were identified in 1987, an early success of human molecular
      genetics and emerging genome projects. A rational approach to therapeutics is to
      replace dystrophin in patient muscle, thus addressing the primary biochemical
      defect. Fast forward 25 years, and two phase 2b/3 trials have been carried out
      with agents designed to induce de novo dystrophin production in DMD patient's
      muscle; ataluren (stop codon read through) with 174 patients, and drisapersen
      (exon skipping) with 186 patients. Both used a six minute walk test as the
      primary outcome measure. Neither drisapersen nor high dose ataluren showed any
      significant improvement in this outcome, whereas low dose ataluren is reported to
      show some possible improvement. Experience with ataluren and drisapersen has been
      disappointing and this is a good time to ask: What can we learn from these
      programs and how can this inform further drug development in DMD? At the times
      these two trials were started, there was a lack of existing data and
      infrastructure regarding both clinical and biochemical outcome measures. The
      recent publications of more extensive natural history data in multiple DMD
      cohorts, and ongoing efforts to define reliable and sensitive dystrophin assays
      are important. If the drisapersen and ataluren programs were instead begun today,
      new progress in biochemical and clinical endpoints may have triggered a re
      design, with better de-risking in phase 2 studies prior to resource-intensive
      phase 3 trials. 

PMID- 24229741
TI  - Integration of genomics into medical practice.
AB  - Although some have wondered whether the sequencing of the human genome has led to
      major advances in medicine, in fact there are multiple examples where genomics
      has been integrated into medical practice. In the area of prevention, genomic
      approaches are now used for non-invasive prenatal testing of fetal DNA in the
      maternal circulation, for expanded preconceptional screening for carrier status,
      for autosomal recessive disorders, and for assessment of risk of common disease.
      In the area of diagnosis, major advances have been made in cytogenomics and in
      use of whole exome or whole genome sequencing. In therapeutics, pharmacogenetic
      testing is now feasible, tumor genome sequencing is being used to guide cancer
      therapy, and genomic discoveries are enabling development of new targeted
      therapies. Ultimately it is possible that genome sequencing may be done for all
      individuals on a routine basis, though there remain significant technical,
      ethical, and medical systems challenges to be overcome. It is likely that
      integration of genomics into medical practice will occur gradually over a long
      period of time, but the process is now well underway. 

PMID- 24229742
TI  - Morphological changes and germ layer formation in the porcine embryos from days 7
      13 of development.
AB  - Morphogenesis and identification of embryonic differentiation in porcine embryos
      are crucial issues for developmental biology and laboratory animal science. The
      current paper presents a study on the asynchronous development of hatched porcine
      embryos from days 7 to 13 post-insemination. Examination of semi-thin sections of
      the hypoblast showed that it had characteristics similar to those of the mouse
      anterior visceral endoderm during embryonic disc formation. Also, a cavity
      appeared in the epiblast, which was similar to a mouse proamniotic cavity. With
      the gradual disappearance of Rauber's layer, the cavity opened and contacted the
      external environment directly, all of which formed the embryonic disc. To confirm
      the differentiation characteristics, we performed immunohistochemical analyses
      and showed that GATA6 was detected clearly in parietal endoderm cells during
      embryonic disc establishment. OCT4 was expressed in the inner cell mass (ICM) and
      trophoblast of hatched blastocysts and in the epiblast during formation of the
      embryonic disc. However, OCT4 showed comparatively decreased expression in the
      posterior embryonic disc, primitive streak and migrating cells. SOX2 was present
      in the ICM and epiblast. Therefore, both SOX2 and OCT4 can be used as markers of
      pluripotent cells in the porcine embryonic disc. At the start of gastrulation,
      staining revealed VIMENTIN in the posterior of the embryonic disc, primitive
      streak and in migrating cells that underlay the embryonic disc and was also
      expressed in epiblast cells located in the anterior primitive streak. Together
      with serial sections of embryos stained by whole mount immunohistochemistry, the
      mesoderm differentiation pattern was shown as an ingression movement that took
      place at the posterior of the embryonic disc and with bilateral migration along
      the embryonic disc borders. 

PMID- 24229743
TI  - Outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by norovirus GII.4 Sydney variant after a
      wedding reception at a resort/activity centre, Finland, August 2012.
AB  - In August 2012, an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred among 88 persons
      attending a wedding reception at a resort/activity centre in Ylojarvi, Finland.
      Of 39 interviewed guests, 23 met the case definition. Two persons were
      hospitalized. Epidemiological, laboratory and environmental investigations were
      conducted to characterize the outbreak and to recommend control measures.
      Investigation confirmed the presence of a new strain of norovirus GII.4 Sydney
      variant in stool specimens obtained from two wedding guests and on several
      environmental surfaces in the centre. In the questionnaire study, none of the
      foods or beverages served during the reception were significantly associated with
      the illness. Additional cases of gastroenteritis that occurred at the centre
      before and after the wedding reception supported the hypothesis of environmental
      transmission of norovirus. After thorough cleansing and disinfection and 1 week's
      quarantine, no new cases with symptoms typical for norovirus infection were
      identified at the centre.

PMID- 24229744
TI  - Effects of supplemental zinc amino acid complex on gut integrity in heat-stressed
      growing pigs.
AB  - Heat stress (HS) jeopardizes livestock health and productivity and both may in
      part be mediated by reduced intestinal integrity. Dietary zinc improves a variety
      of bowel diseases, which are characterized by increased intestinal permeability.
      Study objectives were to evaluate the effects of supplemental zinc amino acid
      complex (ZnAA) on intestinal integrity in heat-stressed growing pigs. Crossbred
      gilts (43+/-6 kg BW) were ad libitum fed one of three diets: (1) control (ZnC;
      120 ppm Zn as ZnSO4; n=13), (2) control+100 ppm Zn as ZnAA (Zn220; containing a
      total of 220 ppm Zn; n=14), and (3) control+200 ppm Zn as ZnAA (Zn320; containing
      a total of 320 ppm Zn; n=16). After 25 days on their respective diets, all pigs
      were exposed to constant HS conditions (36 degrees C, ~50% humidity) for either 1
      or 7 days. At the end of the environmental exposure, pigs were euthanized and
      blood and intestinal tissues were harvested immediately after sacrifice. As
      expected, HS increased rectal temperature (P?0.01; 40.23 degrees C v. 38.93
      degrees C) and respiratory rate (P?0.01; 113 v. 36 bpm). Pigs receiving ZnAA
      tended to have increased rectal temperature (P=0.07; +0.27 degrees C) compared
      with ZnC-fed pigs. HS markedly reduced feed intake (FI; P?0.01; 59%) and caused
      BW loss (2.10 kg), but neither variable was affected by dietary treatment. Fresh
      intestinal segments were assessed ex vivo for intestinal integrity. As HS
      progressed from days 1 to 7, both ileal and colonic transepithelial electrical
      resistance (TER) decreased (P?0.05; 34% and 22%, respectively). This was mirrored
      by an increase in ileal and colonic permeability to the macromolecule dextran
      (P?0.01; 13- and 56-fold, respectively), and increased colonic lipopolysaccharide
      permeability (P?0.05; threefold) with time. There was a quadratic response
      (P?0.05) to increasing ZnAA on ileal TER, as it was improved (P?0.05; 56%) in
      Zn220-fed pigs compared with ZnC. This study demonstrates that HS progressively
      compromises the intestinal barrier and supplementing ZnAA at the appropriate dose
      can improve aspects of small intestinal integrity during severe HS. 

PMID- 24229745
TI  - Long-acting injectable versus oral antipsychotics in schizophrenia: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis of mirror-image studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recent, large, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed no benefit
      of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics over oral antipsychotics in
      preventing relapse in schizophrenia, nor did a recent meta-analysis incorporating
      these studies. However, RCTs might enroll a disproportionate number of patients
      with better treatment adherence and lower illness severity. Mirror-image studies,
      which compare periods of oral antipsychotic versus LAI treatment in the same
      patients, might therefore better reflect the real-world impact of LAIs. DATA
      SOURCES: A systematic literature search without language restriction was
      conducted using MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and
      CINAHL until May 31, 2012. Search terms included synonyms of (1) antipsychotic(s)
      AND (2) schizophrenia and related disorders AND (3) depot, (long-acting)
      injection(s), microsphere, decanoate, palmitate, enanthate. STUDY SELECTION: Of
      5,483 identified citations, 607 articles were fully inspected, and 582 were
      ineligible. Finally, 25 mirror-image studies from 28 countries that followed
      5,940 patients with schizophrenia for >= 12 months (>= 6 months each on oral
      antipsychotic and LAI treatment) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed.
      DATA EXTRACTION: Coprimary outcomes were hospitalization risk and number of
      hospitalizations. Secondary outcomes included hospitalization days and length of
      stay. DATA SYNTHESIS: LAIs showed strong superiority over oral antipsychotics in
      preventing hospitalization (16 studies, N = 4,066; risk ratio = 0.43; 95% CI,
      0.35-0.53; P < .001) and in decreasing the number of hospitalizations (15
      studies, 6,342 person-years; rate ratio = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.28-0.51; P < .001).
      This strong advantage was also observed for secondary outcomes and in multiple
      clinically relevant subpopulations and treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results
      from mirror-image studies in patients eligible for clinical use of LAIs showed
      strong superiority of LAIs compared to oral antipsychotics in preventing
      hospitalization. The results were in contrast to the recent meta-analysis of
      RCTs, which showed no superiority of LAIs. Given the possible biases in mirror
      image studies, such as expectation bias, natural illness course, and time effect,
      a cautious interpretation is required. Nevertheless, the population in mirror
      image studies better reflects the population receiving LAIs in clinical practice.

PMID- 24229747
TI  - Preventing domestic violence in families of veterans.

PMID- 24229746
TI  - Antidepressant augmentation using the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist memantine:
      a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Intravenous N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists have shown
      promising results in rapidly ameliorating depression symptoms, but placebo
      controlled trials of oral NMDA antagonists as monotherapy have not observed
      efficacy. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of
      the NMDA antagonist memantine as an augmentation treatment for patients with DSM
      IV major depressive disorder. METHOD: Adult outpatients with major depressive
      disorder and partial response or nonresponse to their current antidepressant (as
      indicated by a 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of >= 16 at
      baseline) were randomized (from July 2006-December 2011) to add memantine
      (flexible dose 5-20 mg/d, with all memantine group participants reaching the dose
      of 20 mg/d) (n = 15) or placebo (n = 16) to their existing treatment for 8 weeks.
      The primary outcome, change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Score (MADRS),
      was evaluated with repeated-measures mixed effects models using last-observation
      carried-forward methods. Secondary outcomes included other depression and anxiety
      rating scales, suicidal and delusional ideation, and other adverse effects.
      RESULTS: 84% of participants completed the trial, including 93% of participants
      receiving memantine. Participants receiving memantine did not show a
      statistically or clinically significant change in MADRS scores compared to
      placebo, either over the entire study (beta = 0.133, favoring placebo, P = .74)
      or at study completion (week 8 mean [SD] MADRS score change = -7.13 [6.61]
      [memantine]; -7.25 [11.14] [placebo]; P = .97). A minimal to small effect size
      (comparing change to baseline variability) favoring placebo was observed (Cohen d
      = 0.19). Similarly, no substantial effect sizes favoring memantine nor
      statistically significant between-group differences were observed on secondary
      efficacy outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This trial did not detect significant statistical
      or effect size differences between memantine and placebo augmentation among
      nonresponders or poor responders to conventional antidepressants. While the small
      number of participants is a limitation, this study suggests memantine lacks
      substantial efficacy as an augmentation treatment for major depressive disorder.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00344682.

PMID- 24229748
TI  - Lyme neuroborreliosis presenting with alexithymia and suicide attempts.

PMID- 24229750
TI  - Childhood trauma is associated with severe clinical characteristics of bipolar
      disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Beyond genetic risk variants, the pathophysiology of bipolar disorders
      is likely to be partly determined by environmental susceptibility factors. Our
      study is one of the first to investigate, in a large sample of well-characterized
      bipolar patients, associations between clinical presentations and childhood
      trauma subtypes, including neglect and abuse items. METHOD: 587 patients with DSM
      IV-defined bipolar disorder were recruited from France and Norway between 1996
      2008 and 2007-2012, respectively. History of childhood trauma was obtained using
      the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Clinical variables were assessed with the
      Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (Norwegian sample) or
      the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies (French sample). RESULTS: Earlier
      age at onset of bipolar illness, suicide attempts, rapid cycling, and an
      increased number of depressive episodes each had significant associations (P <=
      .001) with at least 1 subtype of childhood trauma (emotional abuse, sexual abuse,
      and emotional neglect). Multivariate analyses investigating trauma variables
      together showed that both emotional and sexual abuse were independent predictors
      of lower age at onset (P = .002 for each) and history of suicide attempts (OR =
      1.60 [95% CI, 1.07 to 2.39], P = .023; OR = 1.80 [95% CI, 1.14 to 2.86], P =
      .012, respectively), while sexual abuse was the strongest predictor of rapid
      cycling (OR = 2.04 [95% CI, 1.21 to 3.42], P = .007). Females reported overall
      higher childhood trauma frequency and greater associations to clinical
      expressions than males (P values < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate
      consistent associations between childhood trauma and more severe clinical
      characteristics in bipolar disorder. Further, they show the importance of
      including emotional abuse as well as the more frequently investigated sexual
      abuse when targeting clinical characteristics of bipolar disorder.

PMID- 24229749
TI  - Treating nicotine dependence by targeting attention-deficit/ hyperactivity
      disorder (ADHD) with OROS methylphenidate: the role of baseline ADHD severity and
      treatment response.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity
      disorder (ADHD) with osmotic-release oral system (OROS) methylphenidate promotes
      abstinence from smoking among smokers with ADHD who have greater severity of ADHD
      symptoms at baseline or greater improvement in ADHD during treatment. METHOD:
      This is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized, double-blind, 11-week
      trial conducted between December 2005 and January 2008 at 6 clinical sites; the
      original trial was sponsored by the National Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network.
      Adult cigarette smokers (aged 18-55 years) who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD were
      randomly assigned to OROS methylphenidate (72 mg/d) (n = 127) or matching placebo
      (n = 128). All participants received nicotine patches (21 mg/d) and weekly
      individual smoking cessation counseling. Logistic regression was used to model
      prolonged abstinence from smoking (ascertained by self-report and breath carbon
      monoxide testing) as a function of treatment, baseline ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD
      RS) score, change in ADHD-RS score during treatment, and their interactions.
      RESULTS: Treatment interacted with both ADHD-RS score at baseline (P = .01) and
      change in ADHD-RS score during treatment (P = .008). Among patients with higher
      ADHD-RS scores (> 36) at baseline and the most improvement in ADHD during
      treatment (ADHD-RS change score >= 24), 70.0% of those who took OROS
      methylphenidate achieved abstinence from smoking compared to 36.8% of those who
      took placebo (P = .02). In contrast, among patients with the lowest ADHD-RS
      baseline scores (<= 30), 30.3% of those who took OROS methylphenidate achieved
      abstinence from smoking compared to 60.7% of those who took placebo (P = .02).
      CONCLUSIONS: OROS methylphenidate, in combination with nicotine patch, may be an
      effective treatment for nicotine dependence among smokers with more severe ADHD
      and more robust response of ADHD symptoms to medication. OROS methylphenidate may
      be counterproductive among smokers with lower severity of ADHD. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00253747.

PMID- 24229751
TI  - The pervasive and persistent neurobiological and clinical aftermath of child
      abuse and neglect.

PMID- 24229752
TI  - Depression in women: new findings.

PMID- 24229754
TI  - Efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine 50 mg/d in a randomized, placebo-controlled
      study of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with major depressive disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the 8-week efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine at the
      recommended dose of 50 mg/d in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with major
      depressive disorder (MDD) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
      Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. METHOD: This phase 4,
      multicenter, parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
      was conducted from June 30, 2010, to June 8, 2011. Patients received placebo or
      desvenlafaxine 50 mg/d (1:1 ratio; n = 217 in each group). The primary outcome
      measure was the change at week 8 in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
      (HDRS17) total score. Secondary outcome measures included change in the Sheehan
      Disability Scale (SDS), the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI
      I), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Visual Analog
      Scale-Pain Intensity (VAS-PI). RESULTS: At end point, compared to placebo,
      desvenlafaxine was associated with a significantly greater decrease in HDRS17
      total scores (last-observation-carried-forward analysis; adjusted mean change
      from baseline -9.9 vs -8.1, respectively; P = .004) and significant improvements
      on the CGI-I (P < .001), MADRS (P = .002), SDS (P = .038), and VAS-PI (P < .001).
      Improvements on the SDS and VAS-PI reached significance by week 2. Desvenlafaxine
      was generally safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term treatment with
      desvenlafaxine 50 mg/d was effective for the treatment of MDD in perimenopausal
      and postmenopausal women, with significant benefits on pain and functional
      outcomes evident as early as week 2. The safety and tolerability of
      desvenlafaxine were consistent with data in other populations. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01121484.

PMID- 24229755
TI  - Female reproductive life cycle and hormones: methodology to improve clinical
      trials.

PMID- 24229753
TI  - A gender analysis of the study of pharmacotherapy of psychotic depression (STOP
      PD): gender and age as predictors of response and treatment-associated changes in
      body mass index and metabolic measures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gender differences exist in psychiatric disorders; however, gender
      has not been well studied in psychotic depression. This analysis of the largest
      clinical trial in psychotic depression examined the effects of age and gender on
      clinical characteristics and predictors of treatment outcome and treatment
      associated changes in body mass index (BMI) and metabolic measures. METHOD:
      Secondary analyses were performed on data from 259 subjects with major depressive
      disorder with psychotic features (DSM-IV-TR) aged 18-93 years in the double-blind
      randomized controlled trial of olanzapine plus sertraline versus olanzapine plus
      placebo for psychotic depression (Study of Pharmacotherapy of Psychotic
      Depression). Sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics, treatment
      outcome, and treatment-associated changes in BMI and metabolic measures were
      analyzed by gender and age. Subjects were enrolled from December 2002 to June
      2007. RESULTS: Female gender was associated with divorced (chi(2)(1) = 5.3, P =
      .03) or widowed (chi(2)(1) = 8.1, P <= .01) marital status. Comorbid anxiety
      disorders were more common in women than in men (chi(2)(1) = 4.9, P = .03).
      Hallucinations (chi(2)(1) = 7.8, P = .005) and delusions with disorganization
      (t(257) = -2.10, P = .04) were significantly associated with female gender, as
      were higher cholesterol measures (chi(2)(1) = 7.15, P = .008). There were no
      significant interactions between treatment and gender in terms of change in BMI.
      Gender was not associated with treatment response. DISCUSSION: This study is the
      first analysis of gender and age as predictors of treatment outcome and treatment
      associated changes in BMI and metabolic adverse effects in psychotic depression.
      Gender differences exist in patients with psychotic depression, most notably with
      regard to the presence of hallucinations. Female gender was associated with
      metabolic measures. Future studies with larger sample sizes may detect small
      gender differences in treatment outcome and treatment-associated changes in BMI
      and metabolic measures in psychotic depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00056472.

PMID- 24229756
TI  - Decision making and antipsychotic medication treatment for youth with autism
      spectrum disorders: applying guidelines in the real world.

PMID- 24229757
TI  - Phenoconversion of cytochrome P450 2D6: the need for identifying the intermediate
      metabolizer genotype.

PMID- 24229758
TI  - Dr Preskorn replies.

PMID- 24229759
TI  - Borderline personality disorder symptoms and treatment seeking over the past 12
      months: an investigation using the national comorbidity survey-replication (NCS
      R).

PMID- 24229760
TI  - Mental health needs of returning veterans.
AB  - As more service members return from war zones around the world, clinicians must
      be prepared to treat them. Veterans with PTSD and other mental disorders must
      overcome the stigma associated with seeking treatment, and clinicians must equip
      these patients and their family members to deal with challenging symptoms.
      Clinicians should learn about military culture and jargon to better understand
      these patients and should become familiar with veteran resources to direct
      veterans and their families to the appropriate services. Clinicians may also need
      to communicate with their patients' employers to help both parties deal with
      illnesses such as PTSD. A coordinated effort is needed to meet the needs of
      veterans and their families, and clinicians play an integral role in recognizing
      and meeting those needs. 

PMID- 24229761
TI  - Monitoring treatment and managing adherence in schizophrenia.
AB  - The majority of patients with schizophrenia will be nonadherent at some point
      during their treatment, which is why clinicians must assess adherence at each
      visit and promptly address any barriers. Treatment adherence can be negatively
      impacted by substance use, cognitive impairment, complex treatment regimens, and
      antipsychotic-induced adverse effects. Clinicians must monitor these risk
      factors, particularly metabolic, neurologic, and other side effects, not only to
      improve adherence but also to protect patients from dangerous health conditions.
      Interventions that can address some barriers to treatment adherence include
      adjusting medications as necessary, implementing lifestyle changes, using long
      acting injectable antipsychotics, educating patients and their families, and
      implementing psychosocial therapy. With the appropriate interventions and
      support, patients with schizophrenia can maintain their treatment regimens and
      avoid relapse. 

PMID- 24229762
TI  - Learning from history: how to swallow a pill.

PMID- 24229763
TI  - Antecedent trauma exposure and risk of depression in the perinatal period.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of antecedent trauma on the risk of antenatal and
      postpartum depression in a prospective, longitudinal cohort of pregnant women.
      METHOD: 374 participants (pregnant women aged 20-34 years) were recruited from a
      hospital-based obstetrics practice serving a predominantly low-income, inner-city
      population between May 2007 and May 2012. Clinical diagnostic interviews and
      psychosocial questionnaires were administered at 18 and 32 weeks of gestation and
      at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Lifetime exposure to and details of traumatic
      events were recorded. Depression during pregnancy or the postpartum period was
      diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR. RESULTS: 39% of the sample reported at least 1
      traumatic event; trauma history (odds ratio [OR] = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.31-3.54) and,
      particularly, experiencing childhood sexual abuse (OR = 2.47; 95% CI, 1.27-4.78),
      someone close experiencing violence (OR = 2.19; 95% CI, 1.11-4.32), and the
      unexpected death or illness of someone close (OR = 2.15; 95% CI, 1.14-4.05)
      predicted antenatal but not postpartum depression. A clear dose-response effect
      of trauma on antenatal depression was observed; women who experienced 3 or more
      traumas had a 4-fold risk (OR = 4.34; 95% CI, 2.16-8.70) of antenatal depression
      compared to women with no trauma history. CONCLUSIONS: Antecedent trauma
      significantly increases the risk of antenatal depression, but antenatal
      depression alone does not appear to predict postpartum depression. Routine
      screening for trauma exposure and depression is warranted during pregnancy to aid
      in the early detection and treatment of depression. Future studies need to
      examine mechanisms that may trigger affective episodes in trauma-exposed women,
      who may be especially vulnerable to depressive episodes during pregnancy.

PMID- 24229764
TI  - Recent advances in the diagnosis, impact on production and prediction of Fasciola
      hepatica in cattle.
AB  - Fasciola hepatica is a pathogenic trematode parasite of ruminants with a global
      distribution. Here, we briefly review the current epidemiology of bovine
      fasciolosis in Europe and discuss the progress made over the last decade in the
      diagnosis, impact on production and prediction of F. hepatica in cattle. Advances
      in diagnosis have led to significantly improved coprological and serological
      methods to detect presence of infection. Diagnostic test results have been
      correlated with intensity of infection and associated production losses,
      unravelling the impact on carcass weight and milk yield in modern cattle
      production systems. The economic impact of fasciolosis may, however, go beyond
      the direct impacts on production as evidence shows that F. hepatica can modulate
      the immune response to some co-infections. Control of bovine fasciolosis remains
      hampered by the limitations of the currently available flukicidal drugs: few
      drugs are available to treat dairy cows, many have low efficacies against
      juvenile stages of F. hepatica and there is evidence for the development of drug
      resistance. This makes research into the prediction of risk periods, and thus the
      optimum application of available drugs more pertinent. In this field, the recent
      research focus has been on understanding spatial risk and delivering region
      specific spatial distribution maps. Further advances in epidemiological and
      economic research on bovine fasciolosis are expected to deliver farm-specific
      economic assessments of disease impact, to leverage non-chemotherapeutic
      management options and to enhance a more targeted use of anthelmintics.

PMID- 24229765
TI  - How do the features of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy contribute to positive
      therapeutic change? A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The exploration of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy through
      qualitative investigation is a growing area of interest within current
      literature, providing valuable understanding of the process of change experienced
      by those engaging in this therapeutic approach. AIMS: This meta-synthesis aims to
      gain a deeper understanding of how the features of Mindfulness-based Cognitive
      Therapy contribute to positive therapeutic change. METHOD: Noblit and Hare's
      (1988) 7-step meta-ethnography method was conducted in order to synthesize the
      findings of seven qualitative studies. RESULTS: The process of reciprocal
      translation identified the following five major themes: i) Taking control through
      understanding, awareness and acceptance; ii) The impact of the group; (iii)
      Taking skills into everyday life; (iv) Feelings towards the self; (v) The role of
      expectations. CONCLUSION: The synthesis of translation identified the higher
      order concept of "The Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Journey to Change",
      which depicts the complex interaction between the five themes in relation to how
      they contribute to positive therapeutic change. The findings are discussed in
      relation to previous research, theory and their implications for clinical
      practice.

PMID- 24229766
TI  - Developmental potential and kinetics of pig embryos with different cytoplasmic
      volume.
AB  - The effects of cytoplasmic volumes on development and developmental kinetics of
      in vitro produced porcine embryos were investigated. During hand-made cloning
      (HMC), selected cytoplasts were separated into two groups according to their size
      in relation to the initial oocyte: ~75% or ~50%. Following two fusion steps and
      activation (day 0), reconstructed embryos were cultured in vitro for 6 days.
      Cleavage rates on day 2 as well as blastocyst rates and cell numbers on day 6
      were recorded. Results showed that embryo development was no different for ~50%
      versus ~75% cytoplasm at first fusion. This result was used in the following
      experiments, where the effect of varying cytoplasm volume in second fusion to
      obtain a final cytoplasm volume of ~75% to ~200% was tested. The results showed
      that the lowest quality was obtained when the final cytoplasm volume was ~75% and
      the highest quality at ~200% of the original oocyte. Similar results were
      observed in parthenogenetic (PA) embryos activated with different cytoplasmic
      volumes. A common pattern for the developmental kinetics of HMC and PA embryos
      was observed: the smaller group tended to have a longer time for the first two
      cell cycles, but subsequently a shorter time to form morula and blastocyst. In
      conclusion, the developmental kinetics of in vitro produced embryos was affected
      by the cytoplasm volume of the initial oocyte, and this further accounted for the
      developmental ability of the reconstructed embryos. 

PMID- 24229767
TI  - Conductive channels identified with contrast-enhanced MR imaging predict
      ventricular tachycardia in systolic heart failure.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated whether the conductive channel (CC) identified
      by late gadolinium enhanced-cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) is associated
      with ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with systolic heart failure (HF).
      BACKGROUND: One recent study demonstrated that the CC formed by heterogeneous
      tissue within the core scar could be detected by LGE-CMR and that the CC is
      responsible for clinical VT. We hypothesized that the CC could help identify HF
      patients at risk for VT. METHODS: A total of 63 patients from a CMR database with
      left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 50% and with hyperenhancement on
      LGE-CMR were included. The cine and LGE images were analyzed to derive the LV
      function and scar characteristics, and to identify the CC. The outcomes,
      including VT, ventricular fibrillation (VF), and total mortality, were obtained
      by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: After a median 1,379 (interquartile range:
      271 to 1,896) days of follow-up, 8 patients had VT/VF attacks and 14 patients
      died. Among the CMR-measured parameters, only the probability of identifying the
      CC by LGE-CMR was higher in patients with VT/VF than those without VT/VF (75.0%
      vs. 16.4%, p < 0.001). The probability of identifying the CC was also higher in
      the total mortality group than the survival group (50.0% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.004).
      The other LGE-CMR variables were not significantly different between the 2
      groups. A univariate Cox regression model showed that CC identification was
      positively associated with VT/VF attacks (hazard ratio [HR]: 27.032, 95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 3.291 to 222.054, p = 0.002) and excess total mortality
      (HR: 4.766, 95% CI: 1.643 to 13.824, p = 0.004). The LVEF was inversely
      associated with VT/VF attacks (HR: 0.119, 95% CI: 0.015 to 0.977, p = 0.048) and
      excess total mortality (HR: 0.491, 95% CI: 0.261 to 0.925, p = 0.028) during
      follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that CC identification using LGE-CMR can
      help identify HF patients at risk for VT/VF.

PMID- 24229768
TI  - Relationship between carotid disease on ultrasound and coronary disease on CT
      angiography.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between
      carotid artery disease by ultrasound and coronary artery disease by coronary
      computed tomography angiography (CTA) and to identify carotid ultrasound
      parameters predictive of coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: Carotid ultrasound
      and CTA are noninvasive modalities used to image atherosclerosis. Studies
      examining the relationship between the 2 tests, however, are lacking. METHODS: We
      performed carotid ultrasound on predominantly nondiabetic subjects referred for
      CTA. Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque were assessed and compared
      with coronary artery calcification and the number of coronary arteries with any
      evidence of atherosclerosis on CTA. RESULTS: A total of 150 subjects underwent
      both CTA and carotid ultrasound on the same day. Carotid plaque was present in
      71.3% (n = 107), whereas the presence of at least 1 coronary artery with disease
      on CTA was present in 57.1% (n = 84). Carotid plaque was present in 47.6% (30 of
      63) of subjects with a calcium score of 0 and 88.5% (77 of 87) of subjects with a
      calcium score >0 (p = 0.0001). Similarly carotid plaque was present in 52.4% (33
      of 63) of subjects with no CTA evidence of atherosclerosis versus 85.7% (72 of
      84) of subjects with any CTA evidence of atherosclerosis (p < 0.0001). Carotid
      plaque, IMT >= 1.5 mm, or averaged mean IMT >0.75 mm were associated with a
      calcium score >0 (odds ratio: 5.4, p < 0.0001, 2.7, p < 0.001; 2.9, p = 0.011,
      respectively) and disease in at least 1 vessel on CTA (odds ratio: 2.8, p = 0.03,
      2.19, p = 0.073; 2.22, p = 0.058, respectively) independent of age and sex.
      CONCLUSIONS: Carotid plaque and increased carotid IMT are associated with the
      presence and severity of coronary calcification and disease on CTA in ambulatory
      subjects.

PMID- 24229769
TI  - Can carotid plaque predict coronary plaque?

PMID- 24229770
TI  - Pioglitazone decreases coronary artery inflammation in impaired glucose tolerance
      and diabetes mellitus: evaluation by FDG-PET/CT imaging.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of pioglitazone with
      glimepiride on coronary arterial inflammation with serial (18)F
      fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) combined with
      computed tomography (CT) angiography. BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that
      FDG-PET combined with CT is a reliable tool to visualize and quantify vascular
      inflammation. Although pioglitazone significantly prevented the progression of
      coronary atherosclerosis and reduced the recurrence of myocardial infarction in
      patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), it remains unclear whether
      pioglitazone could attenuate coronary artery inflammation. METHODS: Fifty
      atherosclerotic patients with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 DM underwent
      determination of blood chemistries, anthropometric and inflammatory variables,
      and FDG-PET/CT angiography, and then were randomized to receive either
      pioglitazone or glimepiride for 16 weeks. Effects of the treatments on vascular
      inflammation of the left main trunk were evaluated by FDG-PET/CT angiography at
      baseline and end of the study. Vascular inflammation of the left main trunk was
      measured by blood-normalized standardized uptake value, known as a target-to
      background ratio. RESULTS: Three patients dropped out of the study during the
      assessment or treatment. Finally, 25 pioglitazone-treated patients and 22
      glimepiride-treated patients (37 men; mean age: 68.1 +/- 8.3 years; glycosylated
      hemoglobin: 6.72 +/- 0.70%) completed the study. After 16-week treatments,
      fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin values were comparably reduced
      in both groups. Changes in target-to-background ratio values from baseline were
      significantly greater in the pioglitazone group than in the glimepiride group (
      0.12 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.09 +/- 0.07, p = 0.032), as well as changes in high
      sensitivity C-reactive protein (pioglitazone vs. glimepiride group: median: -0.24
      [interquartile range (IQR): -1.58 to -0.04] mg/l vs. 0.08 [IQR: -0.07 to 0.79]
      mg/l, p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that pioglitazone attenuated
      left main trunk inflammation in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or DM in
      a glucose-lowering independent manner, suggesting that pioglitazone may protect
      against cardiac events in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or DM by
      suppressing coronary inflammation. (Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Pioglitazone;
      NCT00722631).

PMID- 24229771
TI  - Predictors for functionally significant in-stent restenosis: an integrated
      analysis using coronary angiography, IVUS, and myocardial perfusion imaging.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and morphological
      predictors for functionally significant in-stent restenosis (ISR). BACKGROUND:
      Although they have been studied de novo in native coronary artery lesions, the
      relationships between clinical and morphological characteristics and the
      hemodynamic significance of ISR are not well understood. METHODS: In 175 patients
      with ISR of a single coronary artery (angiographic stenosis >50%), we compared
      quantitative coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) with stress
      myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). A positive SPECT
      was a reversible perfusion defect in the territory of the ISR artery. RESULTS:
      Overall, 103 (59%) patients had a positive SPECT. In-segment IVUS minimal lumen
      area (MLA) was significantly smaller in lesions with positive SPECT compared with
      negative SPECT (1.7 +/- 0.5 mm(2) vs. 2.4 +/- 0.8 mm(2), p < 0.001). Stent
      underexpansion (minimal stent area <5.0 mm(2)) was more common in the positive
      SPECT group than in the negative SPECT group (52% vs. 32%, p = 0.010). A positive
      SPECT was seen in 54% (65 of 121) of focal ISR lesions compared with 70% (38 of
      54) of multifocal or diffuse ISR lesions as assessed by IVUS (p = 0.039).
      Independent determinants for a positive SPECT were diabetes (odds ratio [OR]:
      2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 5.68; p = 0.046), in-segment
      angiographic diameter stenosis (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.09; p < 0.001), in
      segment IVUS-MLA (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.63; p = 0.001), stent
      underexpansion (minimal stent area <5.0 mm(2)), (OR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.19 to 7.07;
      p = 0.019), proximal location of the IVUS-MLA (OR: 4.62; 95% CI: 1.75 to 12.18; p
      = 0.002), and a multifocal or diffuse ISR pattern (OR: 2.50; 95% CI: 0.99 to
      6.28; p = 0.050). An in-segment angiographic diameter stenosis >=69.5% (72%
      sensitivity, 74% specificity, area under the curve = 0.793) and an IVUS-MLA <=1.9
      mm(2) (67% sensitivity, 75% specificity, area under the curve = 0.756) best
      predicted a positive SPECT; however, the overall diagnostic accuracies were only
      73% and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In lesions with ISR, neither angiography
      nor IVUS accurately predicted an abnormal SPECT.

PMID- 24229772
TI  - Management of mitral stenosis using 2D and 3D echo-Doppler imaging.
AB  - Although the prevalence of rheumatic fever is decreasing in developed countries,
      it still affects numerous areas in the nonindustrialized world. Untreated mitral
      stenosis (MS) contributes to a significant global morbidity and mortality.
      Echocardiography is the main diagnostic imaging modality with which to evaluate
      mitral valve (MV) obstruction and assess the severity and hemodynamic
      consequences of MS as well as valve morphology. According to current guidelines
      and recommendations for clinical practice, the severity of MS should not be
      defined by a single value but assessed by valve areas, mean Doppler gradients,
      and pulmonary pressures. Transthoracic echocardiography is usually sufficient to
      grade MS severity and to define the morphology of the valve. Transesophageal
      echocardiography is used when the valve cannot be adequately assessed with
      transthoracic echocardiography and to exclude intracardiac thrombi before a
      percutaneous or surgical intervention. Three-dimensional transthoracic and
      transesophageal echocardiographic assessment provide more detailed physiological
      and morphological information. Current definitive treatment for severe MS
      involves percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) or surgery. The
      effectiveness of PMBV is related to the etiology of MS, and certain anatomic
      characteristics tend to predict a more successful outcome for PMBV, whereas other
      MV structural findings might suggest balloon valvuloplasty to be less likely
      successful or even contraindicated.

PMID- 24229773
TI  - Intelligent platforms for disease assessment: novel approaches in functional
      echocardiography.
AB  - Accelerating trends in the dynamic digital era (from 2004 onward) has resulted in
      the emergence of novel parametric imaging tools that allow easy and accurate
      extraction of quantitative information from cardiac images. This review
      principally attempts to heighten the awareness of newer emerging paradigms that
      may advance acquisition, visualization and interpretation of the large functional
      data sets obtained during cardiac ultrasound imaging. Incorporation of innovative
      cognitive software that allow advanced pattern recognition and disease
      forecasting will likely transform the human-machine interface and interpretation
      process to achieve a more efficient and effective work environment. Novel
      technologies for automation and big data analytics that are already active in
      other fields need to be rapidly adapted to the health care environment with new
      academic-industry collaborations to enrich and accelerate the delivery of newer
      decision making tools for enhancing patient care. 

PMID- 24229774
TI  - Mitral paravalvular leak: description and assessment of a novel anatomical method
      of localization.

PMID- 24229775
TI  - Carotid artery OCT in cerebral infarction.

PMID- 24229776
TI  - Myocardial mechanics in noncontiguous HCM.

PMID- 24229777
TI  - De-novo thrombus formation and latent ligation failure following LAA exclusion.

PMID- 24229778
TI  - Vini, vidi, vici... restructured format for condensed abstracts.

PMID- 24229779
TI  - Are we up to speed?: from big data to rich insights in CV imaging for a
      hyperconnected world.

PMID- 24229780
TI  - CV imaging for fellows in training: challenges and opportunities.

PMID- 24229781
TI  - Gestational methyl donor deficiency alters key proteins involved in
      neurosteroidogenesis in the olfactory bulbs of newborn female rats and is
      associated with impaired olfactory performance.
AB  - Gestational methyl donor deficiency (MDD) leads to growth retardation as well as
      to cognitive and motor disorders in 21-d-old rat pups. These disorders are
      related to impaired neurogenesis in the cerebral neurogenic areas. Olfactory
      bulbs (OB), the main target of neuronal progenitors originating from the
      subventricular zone, play a critical role during the postnatal period by allowing
      the pups to identify maternal odour. We hypothesised that growth retardation
      could result from impaired suckling due to impaired olfactory discrimination
      through imbalanced apoptosis/neurogenesis in the OB. Since neurosteroidogenesis
      modulates neurogenesis in OB, in the present study, we investigated whether
      altered neurosteroidogenesis could explain some these effects. Pups born to dams
      fed a normal diet (n 24) and a MDD diet (n 27) were subjected to olfactory tests
      during the lactation and weaning periods (n 24 and 20, respectively). We studied
      the markers of apoptosis/neurogenesis and the expression levels of the key
      neurosteroidogenic enzyme aromatase, the cholesterol-transfer protein StAR
      (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) and the ERalpha oestrogen receptor and
      the content of oestradiol in OB. The 21-d-old MDD female pups displayed lower
      body weight and impaired olfactory discrimination when compared with the control
      pups. MDD led to greater homocysteine accumulation and more pronounced apoptosis,
      along with impaired cell proliferation in the OB of female pups. The expression
      levels of aromatase, StAR and ERalpha as well as the content of oestradiol were
      lower in the OB of the MDD female pups than in those of the control female pups.
      In conclusion, gestational MDD may alter olfactory discrimination performances by
      affecting neurogenesis, apoptosis and neurosteroidogenesis in OB in a sex
      dependent manner. It may be involved in growth retardation through impaired
      suckling. 

PMID- 24229782
TI  - Geo-Chip analysis reveals reduced functional diversity of the bacterial community
      at a dumping site for dredged Elbe sediment.
AB  - The dumping of dredged sediments represents a major stressor for coastal
      ecosystems. The impact on the ecosystem function is determined by its complexity
      not easy to assess. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of bacterial
      community analyses to act as ecological indicators in environmental monitoring
      programmes. We investigated the functional structure of bacterial communities,
      applying functional gene arrays (GeoChip4.2). The relationship between functional
      genes and environmental factors was analysed using distance-based multivariate
      multiple regression. Apparently, both the function and structure of the bacterial
      communities are impacted by dumping activities. The bacterial community at the
      dumping centre displayed a significant reduction of its entire functional
      diversity compared with that found at a reference site. DDX compounds separated
      bacterial communities of the dumping site from those of un-impacted sites. Thus,
      bacterial community analyses show great potential as ecological indicators in
      environmental monitoring. 

PMID- 24229783
TI  - Human impact on a small barrier reef meadow of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile on
      the north Tyrrhenian coast (Italy).
AB  - The health status of an emerging Posidonia oceanica meadow, subject to high human
      impact, was studied. Biometric variables, heavy metals, PAHs and C, N, P contents
      were determined in sediment and seagrass samples. The meadow was found to grow
      under oligotrophic conditions and an increase in nutrient content was only
      recorded in autumn. In sediment, Hg exceeded its ERL (effects range low) and
      sometimes also its ERM (effects range medium), and Cu was close to its ERL. In
      leaves, Hg and Cu were relatively high but below their respective ERLs. Sediments
      close to the meadow were heavily contaminated with pyrolytic PAHs, some of which
      exceeded their ERLs. P. oceanica did not show major accumulation of PAHs, lighter
      molecules predominating. Despite 40 years of intense human activity, meadow
      growth dynamics and contaminant accumulation did not suggest that the meadow was
      regressing.

PMID- 24229784
TI  - Tolerance of Brazilian brain coral Mussismilia braziliensis to sediment and
      organic matter inputs.
AB  - In Brazil, where reefs occur in markedly turbid environments, the relationship
      between sedimentation/organic matter and corals is poorly known. Thus, the ex
      situ effects of sediment with and without organic matter over the DeltaF/Fm and
      physical state of Mussismilia braziliensis were analyzed. The DeltaF/Fm and coral
      physical state, evaluated through the susceptibility index to sedimentation (SI),
      were measured in seven colonies exposed to sedimentation (0-450 mg cm(-2) day(
      1)) free of organic matter after 45 days of exposure, and in 12 colonies exposed
      to sedimentation (0-500 mg cm(-2) day(-1)) with organic matter content (10%), in
      which case DeltaF/Fm was measured after 72 h and SI after 120 h. In both cases
      there were effects of increasing sedimentation on the SI with no effect on
      DeltaF/Fm. Despite the tolerance to high sedimentation rates shown by this coral,
      we noted that the presence of organic matter might reduce its tolerance to
      sedimentation stress.

PMID- 24229785
TI  - Enhanced ex situ bioremediation of crude oil contaminated beach sand by
      supplementation with nutrients and rhamnolipids.
AB  - Mediterranean coastal regions are particularly exposed to oil pollution due to
      extensive industrialization, urbanization and transport of crude and refined oil
      to and from refineries. Bioremediation of contaminated beach sand through
      landfarming is both simple and cost-effective to implement compared to other
      treatment technologies. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the
      effect of alternative nutrients on biodegradation of crude oil contaminated beach
      sand in an effort to reduce the time required for bioremediation employing only
      indigenous hydrocarbon degraders. A natural sandy soil was collected from Agios
      Onoufrios beach (Chania, Greece) and was contaminated with weathered crude oil.
      The indigenous microbial population in the contaminated sand was tested alone
      (control treatment) or in combination with inorganic nutrients (KNO3 and K2HPO4)
      to investigate their effects on oil biodegradation rates. In addition, the
      ability of biosurfactants (rhamnolipids), in the presence of organic nutrients
      (uric acid and lecithin), to further stimulate biodegradation was investigated in
      laboratory microcosms over a 45-day period. Biodegradation was tracked by GC/MS
      analysis of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons components and the
      measured concentrations were corrected for abiotic removal by hopane
      normalizations. It was found that the saturated fraction of the residual oil is
      degraded more extensively than the aromatic fraction and the bacterial growth
      after an incubation period of approximately 3 weeks was much greater from the
      bacterial growth in the control. The results show that the treatments with
      inorganic or organic nutrients are equally effective over almost 30 days where
      C12-C35n-alkanes were degraded more than 97% and polyaromatic hydrocarbons with
      two or three rings were degraded more than 95% within 45 days. The results
      clearly show that the addition of nutrients to contaminated beach sand
      significantly enhanced the activity of indigenous microorganisms, as well as the
      removal of total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons (TRPH) over a 45-day study
      period.

PMID- 24229786
TI  - Accurate analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylated PAHs
      homologs in crude oil for improving the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
      performance.
AB  - The common gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) approaches such as
      selective ion monitoring (SIM) or single ion extraction (SIE) from full scan data
      produce the error (over- or underestimation) estimates for the high level
      alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In order to rectify the error,
      the alkylated PAHs in the crude oil samples are quantified by deeply
      investigating the existing full scan data of 1D GC/MS, instead of resuming with
      the complex and inaccessible equipments (multidimensional gas chromatography or
      mass spectrometry). The aim of this study is to provide the detailed qualitative
      and quantitative basis data (confirming ions, relative abundance, retention
      indices, and area counts) of the high level alkylated PAHs by a comprehensive
      three-step method: (1) the potential confirming ions per isomer are selected by
      exploring the multiple fragment patterns formation mechanism; (2) the reasonable
      confirming ions are estimated by comparing extracted ion chromatography (EIC) of
      the potential confirming ions; (3) after deconvolution, composite chromatograms
      of the reasonable confirming ions illustrate the basis data by assigning peaks
      for target PAHs definitively. The validation data, resulting concentrations and
      diagnostic ratios for each homolog are compared with those obtained from SIM. The
      experimental data demonstrate that significant inaccurate identifications and
      concentration estimates are obtained when SIM mode is used for C4 Naphthalene (C4
      N), C3 Phenanthrene (C3 P), C4 Phenanthrene (C4 P), C3 Dibenzothiophene (C3 D),
      C3 Fluorene (C3 F), C2-4 Chrysene (C2-4 C) and C1 Fluoranthene (C1 Flt). This
      study evaluates the usefulness of the previous fragmentation patterns, and
      confirms compound presence by GC/MS using the different spectral deconvolution
      software. This approach is developed as a broad screen for environmental samples
      (including petrol, diesel fuel and coal tar), with only the crude oil results
      being presented here. 

PMID- 24229787
TI  - Effect of pre-grazing herbage mass on dairy cow performance, grass dry matter
      production and output from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pastures.
AB  - A grazing study was undertaken to examine the effect of maintaining three levels
      of pre-grazing herbage mass (HM) on dairy cow performance, grass dry matter (DM)
      production and output from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pastures. Cows
      were randomly assigned to one of three pre-grazing HM treatments: 1150 - Low HM
      (L), 1400 - Medium HM (M) or 2000 kg DM/ha - High HM (H). Herbage accumulation
      under grazing was lowest (P<0.01) on the L treatment and cows grazing the L
      pastures required more grass silage supplementation during the grazing season
      (+73 kg DM/cow) to overcome pasture deficits due to lower pasture growth rates
      (P<0.05). Treatment did not affect daily milk production or pasture intake,
      although cows grazing the L pastures had to graze a greater daily area (P<0.01)
      and increase grazing time (P<0.05) to compensate for a lower pre-grazing HM
      (P<0.01). The results indicate that, while pre-grazing HM did not influence daily
      milk yield per cow, adapting the practise of grazing low HM (1150 kg DM/ha)
      pasture reduces pasture DM production and at a system level may increase the
      requirement for imported feed. 

PMID- 24229788
TI  - Outbreak of wound botulism in people who inject drugs, Norway, October to
      November 2013.
AB  - In October and November 2013, four cases of wound botulism were confirmed in
      people who inject drugs (PWID) in Norway. Two additional cases are suspected.
      Because of the international distribution pathways for heroin - the likely source
      of the outbreak - healthcare workers and public health authorities in other
      countries should remain vigilant for wound botulism in PWID. This outbreak serves
      as a reminder that countries should ensure access to botulinum antitoxin in case
      of outbreak situations.

PMID- 24229789
TI  - Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the Czech Republic in 2011.
AB  - Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp. are increasingly
      reported in many countries all over the world. Due to the resistance of those
      bacteria to almost all antibiotics (e.g.beta-lactams, aminoglycosides,
      fluoroquinolones),treatment options are seriously limited. In the Czech Republic,
      the incidence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae seems to be low,
      restricted to only three cases detected between 2009 and 2010.Here, we describe
      molecular typing of 15 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates
      identified in the Czech Republic during 2011. Five VIM-1-producing isolates
      belonging to sequence type (ST)11 and one VIM-4-producing isolate of ST1029 have
      been detected. blaVIM-1 and blaVIM-4 as a part of class 1 integrons were
      chromosomally located or carried by a plasmid belonging to A/C replicon type
      (blaVIM-4). KPC-3-producing isolates of ST512, recovered from six patients,
      caused an outbreak. Three more isolates producing KPC-2 enzyme belonged to ST258.
      Both blaKPCgenes were part of the Tn4401a transposon carried on plasmids of the
      pKpQIL type. The isolates were resistant to all antibiotics tested except
      colistin and/or gentamicin.Four of these 15 strains were recovered from patients
      repatriated to the Czech Republic from Greece and Italy. This is the first report
      of outbreaks caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the Czech
      Republic.

PMID- 24229790
TI  - Trends in influenza vaccination behaviours--results from the CoPanFlu cohort,
      France, 2006 to 2011.
AB  - Controversies over the effectiveness and safety of the pandemic influenza
      A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine in 2009/10 may have altered the influenza vaccination
      coverage in France after the pandemic season. The purpose of this study was to
      determine whether the pandemic affected seasonal influenza vaccination behaviours
      in the general population by analysing vaccination behaviours from 2006/07 to
      2011/12 among the 1,451 subjects of the Cohort for Pandemic Influenza (CoPanFlu)
      France.We found that vaccination behaviours in 2010/11 and 2011/12 significantly
      differed from behaviours before the pandemic, with the notable exception of the
      targeted risk groups for seasonal influenza-related complications. Among the
      population with no risk factors,the post-pandemic influenza vaccine coverage
      decreased, with people aged 15 to 24 years and 45to 64 years being most likely to
      abandon vaccination.Therefore, this study documents a moderate negative effect of
      the 2009/10 pandemic episode on vaccination behaviours in the French metropolitan
      population that was apparent also in the following two seasons.Moreover, it does
      not exclude that the general trend of reduced vaccination has also affected
      certain targeted groups at high risk for complications.

PMID- 24229791
TI  - Ethics of mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers.
AB  - Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of contracting infections at work
      and further transmitting them to colleagues and patients. Immune HCWs would be
      protected themselves and act as a barrier against the spread of infections and
      maintain healthcare delivery during outbreaks, but vaccine uptake rates in HCWs
      have often been low. In order to achieve adequate immunisation rates in HCWs,
      mandatory vaccination policies are occasionally implemented by healthcare
      authorities, but such policies have raised considerable controversy. Here we
      review the background of this debate, analyse arguments for and against mandatory
      vaccination policies, and consider the principles and virtues of clinical,
      professional, institutional and public health ethics. We conclude that there is a
      moral imperative for HCWs to be immune and for healthcare institutions to ensure
      HCW vaccination, in particular for those working in settings with high-risk
      groups of patients. If voluntary uptake of vaccination by HCWs is not optimal,
      patients' welfare, public health and also the HCW's own health interests should
      outweigh concerns about individual autonomy: fair mandatory vaccination policies
      for HCWs might be acceptable. Differences in diseases, patient and HCW groups at
      risk and available vaccines should be taken into consideration when adopting the
      optimal policy.

PMID- 24229795
TI  - A four-session acceptance and commitment therapy based intervention for
      depressive symptoms delivered by masters degree level psychology students: a
      preliminary study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are one of the main reasons for seeking
      psychological help. Shorter interventions using briefly trained therapists could
      offer a solution to the ever-rising need for early and easily applicable
      psychological treatments. AIMS: The current study examines the effectiveness of a
      four-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based treatment for self
      reported depressive symptoms administered by Masters level psychology students.
      METHOD: This paper reports the effectiveness of a brief intervention compared to
      a waiting list control (WLC) group. Participants were randomized into two groups:
      ACT (n = 28) and waiting list (n = 29). Long-term effects were examined using a 6
      month follow-up. RESULTS: The treatment group's level of depressive symptoms
      (Beck Depression Inventory) decreased by an average of 47%, compared to an
      average decrease of 4% in the WLC group. Changes in psychological well-being in
      the ACT group were better throughout, and treatment outcomes were maintained
      after 6 months. The posttreatment "between-group" and follow-up "with-in group"
      effect sizes (Cohen's d) were large to medium for depressive symptoms and
      psychological flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the brief ACT-based
      intervention for sub-clinical depressive symptoms when treatment was conducted by
      briefly trained psychology students. It also contributes to the growing body of
      evidence on brief ACT-based treatments and inexperienced therapists.

PMID- 24229796
TI  - Resembling breast milk: influence of polyamine-supplemented formula on neonatal
      BALB/cOlaHsd mouse microbiota.
AB  - Infant microbiota is influenced by numerous factors, such as delivery mode,
      environment, prematurity and diet (breast milk or formula). In addition to its
      nutritional value, breast milk contains bioactive substances that drive microbial
      colonisation and support immune system development, which are usually not present
      in infant formulas. Among these substances, polyamines have been described to be
      essential for intestinal and immune functions in newborns. However, their effect
      on the establishment of microbiota remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the
      present study was to ascertain whether an infant formula supplemented with
      polyamines has an impact on microbial colonisation by modifying it to resemble
      that in breast-fed neonatal BALB/c mice. In a 4 d intervention, a total of sixty
      pups (14 d old) were randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) breast-fed
      group; (2) non-enriched infant formula-fed group; (3) three different groups fed
      an infant formula enriched with increasing concentrations of polyamines (mixture
      of putrescine, spermidine and spermine), following the proportions found in human
      milk. Microbial composition in the contents of the oral cavity, stomach and small
      and large intestines was analysed by quantitative PCR targeted at fourteen
      bacterial genera and species. Significantly different (P< 0.05) microbial
      colonisation patterns were observed in the entire gastrointestinal tract of the
      breast-fed and formula-fed mice. In addition, our findings demonstrate that
      supplementation of polyamines regulates the amounts of total bacteria,
      Akkermansia muciniphila, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides-Prevotella
      and Clostridium groups to levels found in the breast-fed group. Such an effect
      requires further investigation in human infants, as supplementation of an infant
      formula with polyamines might contribute to healthy gastrointestinal tract
      development. 

PMID- 24229797
TI  - Thermoregulation of nutrient-restricted hair ewes subjected to heat stress during
      late pregnancy.
AB  - In summers with severe hot environmental temperatures, thermoregulation is
      expected to be critical during the last third of gestation of hair ewes, and this
      effect can be overstated by suboptimal feeding conditions. Twenty-four
      multiparous hair sheep ewes with approximately 100d of pregnancy were randomly
      assigned to two treatments to evaluate the effects of nutritional restriction
      (NR) during late gestation on some serum metabolites, physiological variables,
      and thyroid hormone concentrations under intense heat load (maximum temperature
      42-45 degrees C). Treatments were as follows: (1) control, ewes fed free choice
      wheat straw plus a concentrate at a rate of 500g/d, and (2) nutritionally
      restricted (NR) ewes, which were offered wheat straw only ad libitum. Body weight
      of NR ewes dropped 5.1kg (P<0.05), while control ewes gained 4.7kg during the
      study period. Rectal temperature was not affected (P>0.05) by feeding regime
      either in the morning or afternoon hours. Respiration rate was greater (P<0.05)
      in control ewes (20 and 40breaths/min higher in the day and night, respectively)
      on d 130 and 145 of pregnancy compared to NR ewes. Skin temperatures during the
      morning and afternoon were affected (P<0.05) by feeding regime at d 130 and 145
      of pregnancy. In the morning, NR ewes presented greater (P<0.05) head and rump
      temperature at day 145 of gestation, and lower (P<0.05) udder temperatures at d
      130 and 145 than control ewes. In the afternoon, skin temperatures of NR ewes
      were higher (P<0.05) in head and right flank on d 130 and 145 of pregnancy, and
      in udder at day 145 compared to control ewes. Serum glucose was higher (P<0.05)
      in NR ewes than control animals at day 145 of pregnancy. Serum cholesterol,
      triglyceride and thyroid hormones were not affected by nutritional restriction.
      Overall, it was found that nutritionally restricted ewes were less affected by
      intense heat loads than well-fed ewes, apparently due to the lower metabolic heat
      produced by this underfed animals. Also, it was apparent that the lower
      respiration rate of NR ewes was compensated by a greater body surface
      temperature. 

PMID- 24229798
TI  - Beneath the surface: profiling blubber depth in pinnipeds with infrared imaging.
AB  - Infrared thermography (IRT) was assessed as a non-invasive tool to evaluate body
      condition in juvenile female harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), (n=6) and adult
      female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), (n=2). Surface temperature
      determined by IRT and blubber depth assessed with portable imaging ultrasound
      were monitored concurrently at eight body sites over the course of a year in long
      term captive individuals under controlled conditions. Site-specific differences
      in surface temperature were noted between winter and summer in both species.
      Overall, surface temperature was slightly higher and more variable in harbor
      seals (9.8+/-0.6 degrees C) than Steller sea lions (9.1+/-0.5 degrees C). Limited
      site-specific relationships were found between surface temperature and blubber
      thickness, however, insulation level alone explained a very small portion of the
      variance. Therefore, while validated IRT data collection can potentially provide
      valuable information on the health, condition and metabolic state of an animal,
      it cannot provide a generalized proxy for blubber depth. 

PMID- 24229799
TI  - Thermopreference, tolerance and metabolic rate of early stages juvenile Octopus
      maya acclimated to different temperatures.
AB  - Thermopreference, tolerance and oxygen consumption rates of early juveniles
      Octopus maya (O. maya; weight range 0.38-0.78g) were determined after acclimating
      the octopuses to temperatures (18, 22, 26, and 30 degrees C) for 20 days. The
      results indicated a direct relationship between preferred temperature (PT) and
      acclimated temperature, the PT was 23.4 degrees C. Critical Thermal Maxima,
      (CTMax; 31.8+/-1.2, 32.7+/-0.9, 34.8+/-1.4 and 36.5+/-1.0) and Critical Thermal
      Minima, (CTMin; 11.6+/-0.2, 12.8+/-0.6, 13.7+/-1.0, 19.00+/-0.9) increased
      significantly (P<0.05) with increasing acclimation temperatures. The endpoint for
      CTMax was ink release and for CTMin was tentacles curled, respectively. A thermal
      tolerance polygon over the range of 18-30 degrees C resulted in a calculated area
      of 210.0 degrees C(2). The oxygen consumption rate increased significantly
      alpha=0.05 with increasing acclimation temperatures between 18 and 30 degrees C.
      Maximum and minimum temperature quotients (Q10) were observed between 26-30
      degrees C and 22-26 degrees C as 3.03 and 1.71, respectively. These results
      suggest that O. maya has an increased capability for adapting to moderate
      temperatures, and suggest increased culture potential in subtropical regions
      southeast of Mexico. 

PMID- 24229800
TI  - Thermal relations of dwarf caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus, in a hillside stream:
      evidence for an unusual thermal niche among crocodilians.
AB  - Body temperatures of 13 Paleosuchus palpebrosus, 7 males and 6 females, were
      monitored by radio-telemetry during cold periods (dry season) and warm periods
      (wet and dry seasons) in a stream draining into the Brazilian Pantanal. The mass
      of the caimans varied from 2.5 to 20.0kg, and snout-vent length from 47.5 to
      95.0cm. Mean monthly body temperature was 21.6 degrees C, and varied from 20.1 to
      25.6 degrees C throughout the year. Body temperature was correlated with air and
      water temperature but did not differ between males and females. Unlike all other
      crocodilians investigated in detail to date, the caimans did not show evidence of
      attempts to obtain higher body temperatures when ambient temperatures were low,
      and had low and generally constant temperatures in relation to the surrounding
      air and water throughout the year. The caimans remained in burrows during cold
      periods in the dry season, which may explain why they did not seek higher
      temperatures. Tolerance of relatively low and constant body temperatures may be a
      key adaptation of species of Paleosuchus, allowing them to occupy environments
      inhospitable to other crocodilians. 

PMID- 24229801
TI  - Habituation of the metabolic and ventilatory responses to cold-water immersion in
      humans.
AB  - An experiment was undertaken to answer long-standing questions concerning the
      nature of metabolic habituation in repeatedly cooled humans. It was hypothesised
      that repeated skin and deep-body cooling would produce such a habituation that
      would be specific to the magnitude of the cooling experienced, and that skin
      cooling alone would dampen the cold-shock but not the metabolic response to cold
      water immersion. Twenty-one male participants were divided into three groups,
      each of which completed two experimental immersions in 12 degrees C water,
      lasting until either rectal temperature fell to 35 degrees C or 90min had
      elapsed. Between these two immersions, the control group avoided cold exposures,
      whilst two experimental groups completed five additional immersions (12 degrees
      C). One experimental group repeatedly immersed for 45min in average, resulting in
      deep-body (1.18 degrees C) and skin temperature reductions. The immersions in the
      second experimental group were designed to result only in skin temperature
      reductions, and lasted only 5min. Only the deep-body cooling group displayed a
      significantly blunted metabolic response during the second experimental immersion
      until rectal temperature decreased by 1.18 degrees C, but no habituation was
      observed when they were cooled further. The skin cooling group showed a
      significant habituation in the ventilatory response during the initial 5min of
      the second experimental immersion, but no alteration in the metabolic response.
      It is concluded that repeated falls of skin and deep-body temperature can
      habituate the metabolic response, which shows tissue temperature specificity.
      However, skin temperature cooling only will lower the cold-shock response, but
      appears not to elicit an alteration in the metabolic response. 

PMID- 24229802
TI  - Numerical analysis for determination of the presence of a tumor and estimation of
      its size and location in a tissue.
AB  - This article deals with the numerical analysis to ascertain the presence of a
      tumor and to estimate its size and location in a tissue. Heat transfer in the
      tissue is modeled using the Pennes bioheat transfer equation, and is solved using
      the finite volume method. Consideration is given to 1-D brain and breast tissues.
      Temperature distributions in the tissues are specific to the tumor grades, its
      locations and sizes, and these are different than that of a normal tissue. With
      temperature distribution known a priori, estimations of the position and the size
      of a tumor are done using the inverse analysis. The proposed approach gives a
      correct estimation of the presence of a tumor and its location and size. 

PMID- 24229803
TI  - Influences of sex, ontogeny and body size on the thermal ecology of Liolaemus
      lutzae (Squamata, Liolaemidae) in a restinga remnant in Southeastern Brazil.
AB  - Variations in body temperature (Tb) of lizards can be partially explained by
      intrinsic factors such as sex, ontogeny and body size. Liolaemus lutzae is a
      lizard species restricted to restingas in the Brazilian coast in the state of Rio
      de Janeiro. Herein, we studied sexual dimorphism and influences of sex, ontogeny,
      and body size to the Tb of L. lutzae. Adult males were larger than adult females,
      probably due to both intersexual selection and intra-sexual selection. There was
      intersexual difference in lizards' Tb (males hotter than females), but Tb did not
      differ after factored out for the effects of body size. The mean Tb of juvenile
      lizards was higher than that of adults after factored out for the effect of body
      mass. It is possible that adults may have excluded juveniles from microhabitats
      with better thermal regimes. Also, this might have occurred due to requirements
      of juveniles to maintain high growth rates. Forage searching for prey by
      juveniles also exposes them to high environmental temperatures. Juveniles also
      may have higher Tb than co-specific adults (relative to body mass) to favor prey
      capture. In absolute values, adult lizards tended to use microhabitats with lower
      temperatures than that used by juveniles, possibly to avoid risks of overheating
      and death. Body temperature and snout-vent length were positively related, as
      well as body temperature and body mass, presumably caused by the thermal inertia
      of the bodies (trend of a body to resist to changes in its temperature).
      Intrinsic factors such as sex, ontogeny and body size can affect the thermal
      ecology of L. lutzae, despite coastal habitat features to which they are exposed
      also influences the body temperature of active lizards in restinga habitats. 

PMID- 24229804
TI  - Seasonal thermoregulation in the burrowing parrot (Cyanoliseus patagonus).
AB  - Birds exposed to seasonal environments are faced with the problem of maintaining
      thermogenic homoeostasis. Previous studies have established that birds native to
      the Holarctic increase their Resting Metabolic Rate at different ambient
      temperatures (RMRTa) and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) in winter as an adaptation to
      cold temperature since winters are more severe, while their non-Holarctic
      counterparts generally decrease their winter BMR as an energy saving mechanism
      during unproductive and dry winter months. In this study, we examined seasonal
      thermoregulation in the burrowing parrot (Cyanoliseus patagonus), a colonial
      psittacine native to the Patagonian region of Argentina, a region with an
      unpredictable environment. We found significantly higher mass specific RMRTa and
      BMR in summer than in winter. Both summer and winter BMR of the species fell
      within the predicted 95% confident interval for a parrot of its size. Body mass
      was significantly higher in winter than in summer. The burrowing parrot had broad
      thermo-neutral zones in winter and summer. The circadian rhythm of core body
      temperature (Tb) of burrowing parrots was not affected by season, showing that
      this species regulated its Tb irrespective of season. These results suggest that
      the burrowing parrots' seasonal thermoregulatory responses represent that of
      energy conservation which is important in an unpredictable environment. 

PMID- 24229805
TI  - Healthcare workers and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) status: how worried should we
      be about further outbreaks?
AB  - Recently, a number of outbreaks of measles and mumps have occurred within the UK
      and Europe. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of contracting and transmitting
      disease to patients and staff. To examine this risk at the point of entry to
      healthcare, we assessed the serological results of new HCWs presenting for pre
      placement clearance without evidence of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunity
      between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2012. Overall rates of serological positivity
      to MMR across all age groups were 88.2%, 68.8% and 93.9%, respectively. With
      regard to measles and mumps, there were statistically significant decreases in
      the percentage of HCWs born after 1980 that had positive serology (P < 0.05). No
      such differences were seen between healthcare groups. Most seronegative HCWs
      accepted MMR vaccination. Despite our entry-level findings, the ongoing risk of a
      MMR outbreak within this cohort of HCWs appears low.

PMID- 24229806
TI  - Financial and testamentary capacity evaluations: procedures and assessment
      instruments underneath a functional approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mental health professionals are frequently involved in mental
      capacity determinations. However, there is a lack of specific measures and well
      defined procedures for these evaluations. The main purpose of this paper is to
      provide a review of financial and testamentary capacity evaluation procedures,
      including not only the traditional neuropsychological and functional assessment
      but also the more recently developed forensic assessment instruments (FAIs),
      which have been developed to provide a specialized answer to legal systems
      regarding civil competencies. METHODS: Here the main guidelines, papers, and
      other references are reviewed in order to achieve a complete and comprehensive
      selection of instruments used in the assessment of financial and testamentary
      capacity. RESULTS: Although some specific measures for financial abilities have
      been developed recently, the same is not true for testamentary capacity. Here are
      presented several instruments or methodologies for assessing financial and
      testamentary capacity, including neuropsychological assessment, functional
      assessment scales, performance based functional assessment instruments, and
      specific FAIs. CONCLUSIONS: FAIs are the only specific instruments intended to
      provide a specific and direct answer to the assessment of financial capacity
      based on legal systems. Considering the need to move from a diagnostic to a
      functional approach in financial and testamentary capacity evaluations, it is
      essential to consider both general functional examination as well as cognitive
      functioning.

PMID- 24229808
TI  - [Nephrotic proteinuria in hypertensive nephrosclerosis: clinical and evolution
      characteristics].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nephrotic range proteinuria can occur in patients with
      biopsy proven hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HN). We analysed the differential
      clinical and evolution characteristics of these patients compared with other
      glomerular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a case-control descriptive
      analysis obtained from the renal pathology registry of our hospital. Clinical
      features, treatment and evolution of these patients (cases) were compared with
      nephrotic patients with other glomerular diseases (controls). RESULTS: Five point
      one percent of biopsies with HN diagnosis. Case/control characteristics were:
      proteinuria 4.7 [3-11.4] versus 5.5 [3-28.1] g/24h/1.73m(2) (P=NS). Normal
      albumin compared with controls (39.5 [6.4] versus 29.4 [10] g/dL; P=.001),
      significant oedemas only in 10 versus 63% of controls. HN were older (58.8 [12.6]
      versus 45.5 [19.6] years), had longer hypertension duration before renal biopsy
      and more previous cardiovascular events (39 versus 16%). Mean blood pressure was
      higher (166/90 versus 133/75mmHg; P=.01) and had worse renal outcome.
      CONCLUSIONS: HN must be included in the differential diagnosis of nephrotic range
      proteinuria in hypertensive patients. The absence of oedema and normal serum
      albumin are distinctive clinical characteristics that can help in decision-making
      before performing a renal biopsy.

PMID- 24229807
TI  - Evolution of parasitism along convergent lines: from ecology to genomics.
AB  - SUMMARY From hundreds of independent transitions from a free-living existence to
      a parasitic mode of life, separate parasite lineages have converged over
      evolutionary time to share traits and exploit their hosts in similar ways. Here,
      we first summarize the evidence that, at a phenotypic level, eukaryotic parasite
      lineages have all converged toward only six general parasitic strategies:
      parasitoid, parasitic castrator, directly transmitted parasite, trophically
      transmitted parasite, vector-transmitted parasite or micropredator. We argue that
      these strategies represent adaptive peaks, with the similarities among unrelated
      taxa within any strategy extending to all basic aspects of host exploitation and
      transmission among hosts and transcending phylogenetic boundaries. Then, we
      extend our examination of convergent patterns by looking at the evolution of
      parasite genomes. Despite the limited taxonomic coverage of sequenced parasite
      genomes currently available, we find some evidence of parallel evolution among
      unrelated parasite taxa with respect to genome reduction or compaction, and gene
      losses or gains. Matching such changes in parasite genomes with the broad
      phenotypic traits that define the convergence of parasites toward only six
      strategies of host exploitation is not possible at present. Nevertheless, as more
      parasite genomes become available, we may be able to detect clear trends in the
      evolution of parasitic genome architectures representing true convergent adaptive
      peaks, the genomic equivalents of the phenotypic strategies used by all
      parasites. 

PMID- 24229809
TI  - Persistent cognitive changes in breast cancer patients 1 year following
      completion of chemotherapy.
AB  - Numerous studies have shown that there are acute cognitive side-effects of
      chemotherapy for breast cancer. Presumably, patients are more concerned about
      chronic treatment effects. This report from a prospective longitudinal study
      compares cognitive functioning in 56 breast cancer patients 1 year after
      chemotherapy to that of 56 healthy individuals. Neuropsychological test scores
      were combined into verbal memory, visual memory, working memory, and processing
      speed scores, as well as an overall summary score, and analyzed using multi-level
      growth modeling. Frequency of cognitive decline was assessed using regression
      based change scores. There was significant rebound in the overall summary score
      from end of treatment to 1-year follow-up as well as a substantial reduction in
      the frequency of cognitive decline. However, more than one-third of the breast
      cancer patients who showed cognitive decline immediately following completion of
      chemotherapy showed persistent cognitive decline 1 year later. Furthermore,
      recovery was not seen in all cognitive domains. In fact, the rebound was
      significant only for working memory. Longer multi-site studies are recommended to
      explore the risk factors for and the permanence of these longer-term cognitive
      effects.

PMID- 24229810
TI  - Dietary carbohydrate composition modifies the milk N efficiency in late lactation
      cows fed low crude protein diets.
AB  - Nitrogen emissions from dairy cows can be readily decreased by lowering the
      dietary CP concentration. The main objective of this work was to test whether the
      milk protein yield reduction associated with low N intakes could be partially
      compensated for by modifying the dietary carbohydrate composition (CHO). The
      effects of CHO on digestion, milk N efficiency (milk N/N intake; MNE) and animal
      performance were studied in four Jersey cows fed 100% or 80% of the recommended
      protein requirements using a 4*4 Latin square design. Four iso-energetic diets
      were formulated to two different CHO sources (starch diets with starch content of
      34.3% and NDF at 32.5%, and fiber diets with starch content of 5.5% and NDF at
      49.1%) and two CP levels (Low=12.0% and Normal=16.5%). The apparent digestible
      organic matter intake (DOMI) and the protein supply (protein digestible in the
      small intestine; PDIE) were similar between starch and fiber diets. As planned,
      microbial N flow (MNF) to the duodenum, estimated from the urinary purine
      derivatives (PD) excretion, was similar between Low and Normal CP diets. However,
      the MNF and the efficiency of microbial synthesis (g of microbial N/kg apparently
      DOMI) were higher for starch v. fiber diets. Milk and milk N fractions (CP, true
      protein, non-protein N (NPN)) yield were higher for starch compared with fiber
      diets and for Normal v. Low CP diets. Fecal N excretion was similar across
      dietary treatments. Despite a higher milk N ouput with starch v. fiber diets, the
      CHO modified neither the urinary N excretion nor the milk urea-N (MUN)
      concentration. The milk protein yield relative to both N and PDIE intakes was
      improved with starch compared with fiber diets. Concentrations of beta
      hydroxybutyrate, urea and Glu increased and those of glucose and Ala decreased in
      plasma of cows fed starch v. fiber diets. On the other hand, plasma concentration
      of albumin, urea, insulin and His increased in cows fed Normal compared with Low
      CP diets. This study showed that decreasing the dietary CP proportion from 16.5%
      to 12.0% increases and decreases considerably the MNE and the urinary N
      excretion, respectively. Moreover, present results show that at similar
      digestible OM and PDIE intakes, diets rich in starch improves the MNE and could
      partially compensate for the negative effects of Low CP diets on milk protein
      yield. 

PMID- 24229811
TI  - Role of the General Surgeon in the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Charcot Foot.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Charcot foot (CF) consists of a progressive deterioration of
      the bones and joints, most common in diabetic patients with advanced neuropathy.
      The great problem is that can be confused with other processes, delaying the
      diagnosis and specific treatment. The aim is to analyze the cases of CF diagnosed
      in our hospital and especially to highlight the role of the general surgeon.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of all registered cases diagnosed of CF
      between the diabetic population of our Department of Health. A review of the
      literature was performed. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2012, there 7 cases of CF were
      diagnosed (prevalence 1:710). Two of the patients were diagnosed erroneously of
      cellulitis. The average time of delay in the diagnosis was 10 weeks (minimum 1,
      maximum 24). The initial treatment was immobilization of the extremity. Once the
      edema was eliminated, an offload orthesis was placed according to Sanders's
      anatomical classification. Evolution was favorable in 5 patients, 1 patient
      needed amputation, and other one died of acute cardiac pathology. CONCLUSIONS:
      The CF is a more frequent pathology than we believe. The general surgeon is the
      fundamental prop in the diagnosis and initial treatment. Before the presence of
      inflammation and edema of the foot in a patient with diabetes and severe
      neuropathy, once cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and TVP are ruled out, Charcot
      neuroarthropathy should be considered.

PMID- 24229812
TI  - [Obstructive jaundice caused by a mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix in a
      patient with intestinal malrotation].

PMID- 24229813
TI  - mRNA Expression of lipogenic enzymes in mammary tissue and fatty acid profile in
      milk of dairy cows fed flax hulls and infused with flax oil in the abomasum.
AB  - In the present study, the effect of flax hulls with or without flax oil bypassing
      the rumen on the expression of lipogenic genes in the mammary tissue of dairy
      cows was investigated. A total of eight dairy cows were used in a replicated 4 *
      4 Latin square design. There were four periods of 21 d each and four treatments:
      control diet with no flax hulls (CONT); diet with 9.88 % flax hulls in the DM
      (HULL); control diet with 500 g flax oil/d infused in the abomasum (COFO); diet
      with 9.88 % flax hulls in the DM and 500 g flax oil/d infused in the abomasum
      (HUFO). A higher mRNA abundance of sterol regulatory element binding
      transcription factor, fatty acid (FA) synthase, lipoprotein lipase (LPL),
      PPARgamma1, stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase-alpha
      was observed in cows fed HULL than in those fed CONT, and HUFO had the opposite
      effect. Compared with CONT, COFO and HUFO lowered the mRNA abundance of SCD,
      which may explain the lower proportions of MUFA in milk fat with flax oil
      infusion. The mRNA abundance of LPL in mammary tissue and proportions of long
      chain FA in milk fat were higher in cows fed COFO than in those fed CONT. The
      highest proportions of trans FA were observed when cows were fed HULL. The
      present study demonstrates that flax hulls with or without flax oil infusion in
      the abomasum can affect the expression of lipogenic genes in the mammary tissue
      of dairy cows, which may contribute to the improvement of milk FA profile. 

PMID- 24229814
TI  - The reality of China.

PMID- 24229815
TI  - A review of JACC articles on the topic of heart rhythm disorders: 2011-2012.

PMID- 24229816
TI  - Advances in diagnosing peanut allergy.
AB  - Peanut allergy is often severe, potentially fatal, usually persistent, and
      appears to have increased in prevalence. An accurate diagnosis is essential
      because there is a significant burden on quality of life. The tools available for
      diagnosis include the medical history, skin prick test (SPT), determination of
      serum peanut-specific IgE antibodies (PN-IgE), and medically supervised oral food
      challenges. Numerous studies, almost exclusively in children, have correlated
      clinical outcomes against SPTs and PN-IgE with informative results. The
      diagnostic utility of SPT and PN-IgE is maximized by considering the degree of
      positive result and consideration of the medical history (a priori estimation of
      risk). Emerging tests that evaluate IgE binding to specific proteins in peanut
      (component testing) add important additional diagnostic information in specific
      settings. Studies are increasingly focused on how the results of tests considered
      in combination (or performed serially) may increase diagnostic accuracy. Here, we
      review the utility of currently available tests and provide suggestions on how to
      best use them to accurately predict peanut allergy. Still, the physician
      supervised oral food challenge remains the most definitive test available. 

PMID- 24229817
TI  - Peanut oral immunotherapy: is it ready for clinical practice?
AB  - The prevalence of peanut allergy in the United States and other Westernized
      countries has tripled in the past 15 years, now affecting more than 1% of the
      population. Strict peanut avoidance is the current standard of care. In the past
      decade, a number of small, largely uncontrolled clinical trials have suggested
      that oral immunotherapy (OIT) can effectively desensitize most children with
      peanut allergy. Some in the allergy community now feel that OIT is ready for
      clinical practice. In this review, the evidence base in the medical literature is
      examined. Although peanut OIT shows promise, the evidence currently available on
      its effectiveness, risk benefit, and potential long-term consequences is
      insufficient to support its use in clinical practice. Appropriately designed,
      prospective clinical trials are urgently needed to determine whether OIT is a
      safe, effective form of therapy for food allergy. 

PMID- 24229818
TI  - Evaluation of food allergy in patients with atopic dermatitis.
AB  - Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease characterized by inflammatory,
      chronically relapsing and pruritic eczematous flares. Its estimated incidence is
      10% to 30% in children. Food allergy has been well documented in approximately
      one-third of children with a moderate-to-severe AD. Cow's milk, hen's egg,
      peanut, wheat, soy, nuts, and fish are responsible for >90% of food allergy in
      children with AD. The incidence and type of food can vary with age. In infants,
      cow's milk, hen's egg, peanut, and soy and, in older children, wheat, fish, tree
      nuts, and shellfish are the most common food allergens. Birch-associated foods
      have also been described as potential triggers of AD in children as well as in
      adults. The diagnosis of food allergy in AD is currently based on the clinical
      history, skin prick tests, or blood test screening, followed by an elimination
      diet and/or standardized oral food challenge. Once an underlying food allergy is
      confirmed, the avoidance of the incriminated food is generally recommended and
      usually leads to an improvement of the AD. Follow-up clinical evaluation with a
      detailed history and tracking of the level of specific IgE to implicated foods
      are typically used to evaluate the development of clinical tolerance, further
      confirmed by an oral food challenge. 

PMID- 24229819
TI  - Primary prevention of allergic disease through nutritional interventions.
AB  - With the rising prevalence of atopic disease, primary prevention may play a role
      in reducing its burden, especially in high-risk infants. With this in mind, the
      Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &
      Immunology was charged with the task of developing recommendations for primary
      care physicians and specialists about the primary prevention of allergic disease
      through nutritional interventions according to current available literature and
      expert opinion. Recommendations that are supported by data are as follows.
      Avoidance diets during pregnancy and lactation are not recommended at this time,
      but more research is necessary for peanut. Exclusive breast-feeding for at least
      4 and up to 6 months is endorsed. For high-risk infants who cannot be exclusively
      breast-fed, hydrolyzed formula appears to offer advantages to prevent allergic
      disease and cow's milk allergy. Complementary foods can be introduced between 4
      and 6 months of age. Because no formal recommendations have been previously
      provided about how and when to introduce the main allergenic foods (cow's milk,
      egg, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish), these are now provided, and
      reasons to consider allergy consultation for development of a personalized plan
      for food introduction are also presented.

PMID- 24229820
TI  - What the world needs now: JACI: In Practice.

PMID- 24229821
TI  - Vocal cord dysfunction related to water-damaged buildings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is the intermittent paradoxical
      adduction of the vocal cords during respiration, resulting in variable upper
      airway obstruction. Exposure to damp indoor environments is associated with
      adverse respiratory health outcomes, including asthma, but its role in the
      development of VCD is not well described. OBJECTIVE: We describe the spectrum of
      respiratory illness in occupants of 2 water-damaged office buildings. METHODS:
      The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a health
      hazard evaluation that included interviews with managers, a maintenance officer,
      a remediation specialist who had evaluated the 2 buildings, employees, and
      consulting physicians. In addition, medical records and reports of building
      evaluations were reviewed. Diagnostic evaluations for VCD had been conducted at
      the Asthma and Allergy Center of the Medical College of Wisconsin. RESULTS: Two
      cases of VCD were temporally related to occupancy of water-damaged buildings. The
      patients experienced cough, chest tightness, dyspnea, wheezing, and hoarseness
      when in the buildings. Spirometry was normal. Methacholine challenge did not show
      bronchial hyperreactivity but did elicit symptoms of VCD and inspiratory flow
      volume loop truncation. Direct laryngoscopy revealed vocal cord adduction during
      inspiration. Coworkers developed upper and lower respiratory symptoms; their
      diagnoses included sinusitis and asthma, consistent with recognized effects of
      exposure to indoor dampness. Building evaluations provided evidence of water
      damage and mold growth. CONCLUSION: VCD can occur with exposure to water-damaged
      buildings and should be considered in exposed patients with asthma-like symptoms.

PMID- 24229822
TI  - Association between consistent omalizumab treatment and asthma control.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Omalizumab is indicated for patients with moderate-to-severe allergic
      asthma with inadequately controlled symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the
      association between consistent omalizumab treatment and asthma control. METHODS:
      Health insurance claims from the MarketScan database (2002Q1-2011Q2) were
      analyzed. Asthmatic patients with >=12 months of continuous insurance coverage
      after the first omalizumab claim (index date) after 6 months of continuous
      omalizumab use were included. A 12-month landmark period was used to assess
      treatment consistency, defined as uninterrupted treatment without a gap of >=28
      days in omalizumab use. The effect of consistent omalizumab treatment on asthma
      control between months 13 and 24 was evaluated. Multivariate time-varying Cox
      regressions were also conducted to assess the adjusted effect of treatment
      interruption on asthma control from month 1 to month 24. RESULTS: A total of 3044
      patients (mean age, 48.5 years; female, 62%) formed the study population.
      Patients consistent with omalizumab treatment at 12 months (39% of patients) were
      less likely to have an uncontrolled asthma event during months 13 to 24 with only
      49% of patients experiencing one event compared with 54% in the non consistent
      subgroup (P = .02). In addition, consistent omalizumab treatment at 12 months was
      associated with a 51% reduction in the mean number of asthma-related emergency
      department (ED) visits per patient and a 28% reduction in asthma-related
      hospitalizations. Multivariate analyses corroborated these findings (hazard ratio
      for consistent vs non-consistent: risk of short-acting beta2-agonists
      prescription, oral corticosteroids prescription, ED visit, or hospitalization,
      0.76; 95% CI, 0.69-0.83]). CONCLUSION: This analysis showed that consistent
      omalizumab treatment was associated with significant reductions in ED visits and
      hospitalizations.

PMID- 24229823
TI  - Budesonide inhalation suspension versus montelukast in children aged 2 to 4 years
      with mild persistent asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) and montelukast provide
      acceptable asthma control, whereas overall measures favored BIS in children aged
      2 to 8 years with mild persistent asthma. OBJECTIVE: We compared BIS and
      montelukast over a 1-year period in children aged 2 to 4 years with asthma.
      METHODS: Data were derived from a 52-week, open-label, randomized, active
      controlled, multicenter study (NCT00641472). Children with mild asthma received
      either BIS 0.5 mg or montelukast 4 to 5 mg once daily. Patients were stepped up
      to twice-daily BIS or oral corticosteroids for mild or severe asthma worsening,
      respectively. Primary efficacy assessment was time to first additional asthma
      medication for exacerbation over 52 weeks. RESULTS: Two hundred two patients, age
      2 to 4 years, received BIS (n = 105) or montelukast (n = 97). No difference was
      observed between the BIS and montelukast groups in median time to first
      additional asthma medication over 52 weeks (183 vs 86 days). Statistically
      significant differences were observed in favor of BIS over montelukast in the
      percentage of patients requiring oral steroids at 52 weeks (21.9% vs 37.1%; P =
      .022), the rate (number/patient/year) of additional courses of medication (1.35
      vs 2.30; P = .003), the rate of additional oral steroid therapy (0.44 vs 0.88; P
      = .008), and caregivers' ability to manage the patient's symptoms (P = .026).
      Both treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: BIS and montelukast provided
      acceptable asthma control in children aged 2 to 4 years with mild persistent
      asthma with no significant difference between treatments in the primary end
      point; however, several secondary outcomes showed statistically significant
      differences (and many had numerical differences) in favor of BIS over
      montelukast.

PMID- 24229824
TI  - Leukotriene receptor antagonists in allergic eye disease: a systematic review and
      meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allergic eye diseases are common and cause significant morbidity.
      Leukotrienes are implicated in the pathogenesis of seasonal and perennial
      allergic conjunctivitis (AC), commonly seen in conjunction with allergic
      rhinitis, and in vernal keratoconjunctivitis and atopic keratoconjunctivitis.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the available evidence for an effect of leukotriene
      receptor antagonists (LTRAs) on the ocular symptoms of allergic eye diseases.
      METHODS: Selected studies, identified with systematic review search methods, were
      single/double-blind, randomized, controlled trials that compared LTRAs with other
      common treatments. RESULTS: Eighteen trials, using the LTRA montelukast (in AC
      only), were identified. Six studies were suitable for meta-analysis, in patients
      with seasonal AC [treated over a 2-week period, symptoms scored 0 (mild) to 3
      (severe)]. These trials were at low risk of bias without significant
      heterogeneity. Six trials were analyzed and showed that montelukast improved
      patients' ocular symptoms to a greater extent than placebo, with a difference in
      mean change-from-baseline score of -0.10 (95% CI, -0.14 to -0.07; P < .00001).
      Three trials compared montelukast with oral antihistamine. The difference in mean
      change-from-baseline score was 0.08 (95% CI, 0.02 to 0.14; P = .007), in favor of
      antihistamines. Two trials compared montelukast and oral antihistamine with
      placebo. The difference in mean change-from-baseline score was -0.30 (95% CI, 
      0.38 to -0.21; P < .00001), in favor of combination treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In
      seasonal AC LTRAs are more efficacious than placebo but less efficacious than
      oral antihistamines in adult patients. Clinical trials should be conducted to
      determine whether combination treatment with LTRA and oral antihistamine has a
      synergistic effect. Further research is required to clarify the role of LTRAs in
      other allergic eye diseases.

PMID- 24229825
TI  - The utility of peanut components in the diagnosis of IgE-mediated peanut allergy
      among distinct populations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing data suggest that analysis of IgE to peanut components can
      be clinically helpful and possibly more accurate than IgE to whole peanut. Not
      all studies examining this topic, however, have used prospective samples,
      multiple components, and peanut challenges. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the
      utility of peanut component testing, using a standardized, commercially available
      test done before oral peanut challenge in various populations of patients with
      suspected peanut allergy from 2 different countries. METHODS: IgE to whole peanut
      and the recombinant allergen components Ara h 1, 2, 3, and 8 were analyzed from
      serum samples drawn before double-blind peanut challenge from 4 distinct cohorts
      of patients with suspected peanut allergy from 2 nations (United States and
      Sweden). RESULTS: Patients (n = 167; median age, 11.7 years; interquartile range,
      7.0-15.0 years) had serum analyzed for peanut components and completed an oral
      food challenge to peanut. Although IgE to peanut was the most sensitive test
      (0.93), Ara h 2 was the most specific (0.92) and provided the best positive
      predictive value (0.94) of all the tests. Ara h 2 was also the best overall
      diagnostic test by receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the
      curve, 0.84; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with suspected peanut allergy,
      IgE to peanut is a sensitive test but is not specific. IgE to Ara h 2 is a more
      specific and more accurate diagnostic test in this sampling of patients with
      suspected peanut allergy. Given each tests attributes, a stepwise approach to
      testing may provide clinicians with a way to minimize the need for peanut
      challenges.

PMID- 24229827
TI  - Advancing the science of adherence measurement: implications for the clinician.

PMID- 24229826
TI  - Use of metered-dose inhaler electronic monitoring in a real-world asthma
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Electronic monitoring of inhaled asthma medications is one method to
      measure medication adherence and patterns of use. Information on the performance
      of monitors in a randomized controlled trial allows researchers and clinicians to
      understand their utility and limitations. The Smartinhaler Tracker is an
      electronic monitor for metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) that records the date, time,
      and number of actuations. OBJECTIVE: To determine the performance of the
      Smartinhaler monitors used in a 24-week randomized controlled trial of 303
      patients with asthma in a real-world setting. METHODS: Prestudy use checks
      involved 2 actuations of the MDI, with a further 2 performed 2 hours later.
      Within-study monitor checks, performed before dispensing at clinic visits 2 to 4,
      included a computerized check of monitor clock function, actuation accuracy, and
      battery life. Within-study data checks involved computerized checks of monitor
      clock function before data upload. RESULTS: Two thousand six hundred seventy
      eight of 2728 monitors (98.2%) passed prestudy use checks. Seventy-six of 2642
      monitors (2.9%) dispensed to participants failed within-study monitor checks.
      Fifty-one of 2642 monitors (1.9%) malfunctioned before data upload, mostly as a
      result of fluid immersion. Ninety-three of 2642 monitors (3.5%) were lost or
      thrown away by participants. Complete data was available from 2498 of 2642
      dispensed monitors (94.5%) and 2498 of 2549 returned monitors (98.0%).
      CONCLUSIONS: The Smartinhaler Tracker is a reliable monitor for measuring MDI use
      in a real-world setting. Use of extensive monitor and data-checking protocols
      reduces data loss. In a research or clinical setting, the use of a validated and
      reliable electronic monitor represents the reference standard for assessing
      patterns of medication use.

PMID- 24229828
TI  - Generalized bullous eruption after routine vaccination in a child with diffuse
      cutaneous mastocytosis.

PMID- 24229829
TI  - Perplexing cases of allergy to salami.

PMID- 24229830
TI  - Near fatal anaphylaxis from orally administered gelatin capsule.

PMID- 24229831
TI  - Evaluation of Ara h2 IgE thresholds in the diagnosis of peanut allergy in a
      clinical population.

PMID- 24229832
TI  - Addition of mycophenolate mofetil to tacrolimus is associated with decreases in
      food-specific IgE levels in a pediatric patient with liver transplantation
      associated food allergy.

PMID- 24229833
TI  - A patient experiencing anaphylaxis and urticaria, in some cases preceded by
      ingestion of red meat.

PMID- 24229836
TI  - Changing of the guard, 2014.

PMID- 24229841
TI  - Geographic distribution of Theileria sp. (buffalo) and Theileria sp. (bougasvlei)
      in Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in southern Africa: implications for
      speciation.
AB  - Strict control measures apply to movement of buffalo in South Africa including
      testing for Theileria parva, the causative agent of Corridor disease in cattle.
      The official test is a real-time hybridization PCR assay that amplifies the 18S
      rRNA V4 hyper-variable region of T. parva, T. sp. (buffalo) and T. sp.
      (bougasvlei). Mixed infections with the latter organisms affect diagnostic
      sensitivity due to PCR suppression. While the incidence of mixed infections in
      the Corridor disease endemic region of South Africa is significant, little
      information is available on the specific distribution and prevalence of T. sp.
      (buffalo) and T. sp. (bougasvlei). Specific real-time PCR assays were developed
      and a total of 1211 samples known to harbour these parasites were screened. Both
      parasites are widely distributed in southern Africa and the incidence of mixed
      infections with T. parva within the endemic region is similar (~25-50%). However,
      a significant discrepancy exists in regard to mixed infections of T. sp.
      (buffalo) and T. sp. (bougasvlei) (~10%). Evidence for speciation between T. sp.
      (buffalo) and T. sp. (bougasvlei) is supported by phylogenetic analysis of the
      COI gene, and their designation as different species. This suggests mutual
      exclusion of parasites and the possibility of hybrid sterility in cases of mixed
      infections.

PMID- 24229842
TI  - A cross-lagged panel model examining protective behavioral strategies: are types
      of strategies differentially related to alcohol use and consequences?
AB  - Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are skills that can be used to reduce the
      risk of alcohol-related negative consequences. Studies have shown that, in
      general, PBS are related to less alcohol consumption and fewer negative
      consequences; however, other studies have suggested that not all types of PBS
      (e.g., stopping/limiting drinking [SLD], manner of drinking [MOD] and serious
      harm reduction [SHR]) are equally effective at reducing alcohol risk. In
      addition, few studies have explored the longitudinal relationships among PBS,
      alcohol use and consequences. Using a sample of heavy drinking college students
      (N=338), the current study examined PBS use, alcohol consumption and consequences
      across two time points three months apart. Cross-lagged panel models revealed
      that MOD predicted a reduction in alcohol use and negative consequences. SHR was
      longitudinally related to fewer negative consequences, but unrelated to alcohol
      use. SLD was not associated with drinking or consequences at follow-up. These
      results highlight the need for future research to examine the effects of
      different types of PBS and have implications for alcohol intervention programs
      that incorporate PBS skills training. 

PMID- 24229843
TI  - A longitudinal study of electronic cigarette users.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess behavior change over 12 months in users of e-cigarettes
      ("vapers"). METHODS: Longitudinal Internet survey, 2011 to 2013. Participants
      were enrolled on websites dedicated to e-cigarettes and smoking cessation. We
      assessed use of e-cigarettes and tobacco among the same cohort at baseline, after
      one month (n=477) and one year (n=367). RESULTS: Most participants (72%) were
      former smokers, and 76% were using e-cigarettes daily. At baseline, current users
      had been using e-cigarettes for 3 months, took 150 puffs/day on their e-cigarette
      and used refill liquids containing 16 mg/ml of nicotine, on average. Almost all
      the daily vapers at baseline were still vaping daily after one month (98%) and
      one year (89%). Of those who had been vaping daily for less than one month at
      baseline, 93% were still vaping daily after one month, and 81% after one year. In
      daily vapers, the number of puffs/day on e-cigarettes remained unchanged between
      baseline and one year. Among former smokers who were vaping daily at baseline, 6%
      had relapsed to smoking after one month and also 6% after one year. Among dual
      users (smokers who were vaping daily at baseline), 22% had stopped smoking after
      one month and 46% after one year. In dual users who were still smoking at follow
      up, cigarette consumption decreased by 5.3 cig/day after one month (from 11.3 to
      6.0 cig./day, p=0.006), but remained unchanged between baseline and 1-year follow
      up. CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarettes may contribute to relapse prevention in former
      smokers and smoking cessation in current smokers.

PMID- 24229844
TI  - Protective behavioral strategy use and motivations for drinking: exploring
      Alternatives to Drinking strategies.
AB  - Protective behavioral strategy (PBS) use is associated with less alcohol
      consumption and fewer alcohol-related problems. Further, greater endorsement of
      social or enhancement drinking motives (i.e., positive motives) is associated
      with less frequent PBS use. Limited research has, however, explored coping or
      conformity motives (i.e., negative motives) in relation to PBS. Consequently, the
      present study aimed to (1) identify the types of PBS most strongly associated
      with negative and positive motives and (2) examine different types of PBS as
      mediators of the relationship between each drinking motive and alcohol outcomes.
      Participants were college students (n=303; 70% women) who completed measures of
      drinking motives, PBS, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems. Results
      indicated that greater endorsement of positive drinking motives were more
      strongly associated with less frequent use of PBS while drinking whereas negative
      motives were more strongly related to less frequent Alternatives to Drinking
      strategy use. Further, strategies used while drinking were more relevant in a
      model of positive drinking motives and Alternatives to Drinking strategies were
      more relevant in a model of negative motives. These findings may suggest that
      whereas individuals with stronger positive motives have difficulty using
      strategies while drinking, individuals who drink to cope or conform have greater
      difficulty utilizing Alternatives to Drinking strategies. Based on our results
      demonstrating that different types of PBS are more relevant for various types of
      drinkers, it may be important for future interventions to discuss not only the
      participant's PBS use but also their motivations for consuming alcohol. 

PMID- 24229845
TI  - Increased incidence of serotype-1 invasive pneumococcal disease in young female
      adults in The Netherlands.
AB  - Analysis of the Dutch national invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) surveillance
      data by sex reveals an increase in the incidence of serotype-1 disease in young
      female adults in The Netherlands after the introduction of the 7-valent
      pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in the national immunization schedule. This
      has led to an overall increase in IPD in women aged 20-45 years, which was not
      observed in men of the same age. No other differences in serotype shifts possibly
      induced by the introduction of PCV7 were observed between the sexes in this age
      group. Serotype 1 is a naturally fluctuating serotype in Europe and it has been
      associated with disease in young healthy adults before. It remains uncertain
      whether or not there is an association between the observed increase in serotype
      1 disease in young female adults and the implementation of PCV7 in The
      Netherlands.

PMID- 24229846
TI  - Poor marital support associate with anxiety and worries during pregnancy in Greek
      pregnant women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: a wide range of psychosocial variables may influence pregnant women's
      psychological status. However the association between marital and social support,
      anxiety and worries during pregnancy is a relatively neglected area of research.
      Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between marital
      support, social support, antenatal anxiety and pregnancy worries after
      controlling for the effects of background variables. SETTING: public hospital in
      Athens, Greece. DESIGN: a cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: 165 pregnant women
      attending an antenatal clinic for antenatal screening between January 2011 and
      March 2011. METHODS: anxiety was measured using the State scale of the State
      Trait Anxiety Inventory, pregnancy worries were measured with the Cambridge Worry
      Scale, social support with the Social Support Questionnaire-6 and marital
      satisfaction with the Quality of Marriage Index. Pearson's correlation
      coefficients were calculated among all study variables, followed by hierarchical
      multiple linear regression. FINDINGS: a STAI score of >=43 was taken as
      indicative of anxiety and 44.4% of participants responded with a score of 43 or
      above. Linear regression analysis showed that conception after IVF treatment and
      low marital satisfaction were both significantly related to anxiety and pregnancy
      worries. In addition, low income level was significantly related to pregnancy
      worry whereas low educational level was related to anxiety. CONCLUSION: the risk
      factors found in this study could help clinicians target anxiety screening to
      high-risk populations of pregnant women. Health care professionals and midwives
      in particular should be trained in the detection and management of anxiety and
      worries during pregnancy.

PMID- 24229847
TI  - Efficiency of selection for body weight in a cooperative village breeding program
      of Menz sheep under smallholder farming system.
AB  - We evaluated the efficiency of selection for body weight in a cooperative village
      breeding program for Menz sheep of Ethiopia under smallholder farming system. The
      design of the program involved organizing villagers in a cooperative breeding
      group to implement selective breeding of their sheep. The program was jump
      started through a one-time provision of elite rams from a central nucleus flock,
      but subsequent replacement rams were selected from within the village flocks. We
      also evaluated body weight trends in a village where cooperative breeding was not
      implemented and individual farmers managed their flocks under traditional
      breeding practices. Under traditional breeding practices, genetic progress over 8
      years either stagnated or declined in all the weights recorded. In the
      cooperative villages, selection differentials of 2.44 and 2.45 kg were achieved
      in 2010 and 2011 selection seasons, respectively. Birth weight, 3-month weight
      and 6-month weight increased, respectively, by 0.49, 2.29 and 2.46 kg in the
      third-generation lambs over the base generation. Improved rams supplied from the
      central nucleus flock gave an initial genetic lift of 14.4% in the 6-month
      weight. This was higher than the gain achieved from selection in the village
      flocks, which was 5.2%. Our results showed that village-based genetic improvement
      in body weights under smallholder conditions could be feasible if appropriate
      designs are adopted and that commencing with elite central nucleus rams help jump
      start village-based programs. 

PMID- 24229848
TI  - Examination of the relationship between theory-driven policies and allowed lost
      time back claims in workers' compensation: a system dynamics model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a model that evaluates the
      impact of policy changes on the number of workers' compensation lost-time back
      claims in Ontario, Canada, over a 30-year timeframe. The model was used to test
      the hypothesis that a theory- and policy-driven model would be sufficient in
      reproducing historical claims data in a robust manner and that policy changes
      would have a major impact on modeled data. METHODS: The model was developed using
      system dynamics methods in the Vensim simulation program. The theoretical effects
      of policies for compensation benefit levels and experience rating fees were
      modeled. The model was built and validated using historical claims data from 1980
      to 2009. Sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the modeled data at extreme
      end points of variable input and timeframes. The degree of predictive value of
      the modeled data was measured by the coefficient of determination, root mean
      square error, and Theil's inequality coefficients. RESULTS: Correlation between
      modeled data and actual data was found to be meaningful (R(2) = 0.934), and the
      modeled data were stable at extreme end points. Among the effects explored,
      policy changes were found to be relatively minor drivers of back claims data,
      accounting for a 13% improvement in error. Simulation results suggested that
      unemployment, number of no-lost-time claims, number of injuries per worker, and
      recovery rate from back injuries outside of claims management to be sensitive
      drivers of back claims data. CONCLUSION: A robust systems-based model was
      developed and tested for use in future policy research in Ontario's workers'
      compensation. The study findings suggest that certain areas within and outside
      the workers' compensation system need to be considered when evaluating and
      changing policies around back claims.

PMID- 24229849
TI  - Neural responses of posterior to anterior movement on lumbar vertebrae: a
      functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a clinically
      relevant method to mechanically stimulate lumbar functional spinal units while
      recording brain activity by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
      METHODS: Subjects were investigated in the prone position with their face lying
      on a modified stabilization pillow. To minimize head motion, the pillow was fixed
      to the MRI headrest, and supporting straps were attached around the shoulders. An
      experienced manual therapist applied controlled, nonpainful pressure stimuli to
      10 healthy subjects at 3 different lumbar vertebrae (L1, L3, and L5). Pressure
      applied to the thumb was used as a control. The stimulation consisted of
      posterior to anterior (PA) pressure movement. The therapist followed a randomized
      stimulation protocol projected onto a screen in the MRI room. Blood oxygenation
      level-dependent responses were analyzed in relation to the lumbar and the thumb
      stimulations. The study was conducted by the Chiropractic Department, Faculty of
      Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland. RESULTS: No participant reported any
      discomfort due to the prone-lying position or use of the pillow. Importantly, PA
      induced pressure produced only minimal head movements. Stimulation of the lumbar
      spinous processes revealed bilateral neural responses in medial parts of the
      postcentral gyrus (S1). Additional activity was observed in the secondary
      somatosensory cortex (S2), posterior parts of the insular cortex, different parts
      of the cingulate cortex, and the cerebellum. Thumb stimulations revealed
      activation only in lateral parts of the contralateral S1. CONCLUSION: The current
      study demonstrates the feasibility of the application of PA pressure on lumbar
      spinous processes in an MRI environment. This approach may serve as a promising
      tool for further investigations regarding neuroplastic changes in chronic low
      back pain subjects.

PMID- 24229850
TI  - Translation and validation of Chinese version of the problems in everyday living
      (PEDL) test in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment places older adults at increased risk of
      functional decline, injuries, and hospitalization. Assessments to determine
      whether older persons are still capable of meeting the cognitive challenges of
      everyday living are crucial to ensure their safe and independent living in the
      community. The present study aims to translate and validate the Chinese version
      of the Problems in Everyday Living (PEDL) test for use in Chinese population with
      mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: The cultural relevancy and content
      validity of the Chinese version of PEDL (C-PEDL) was evaluated by a seven-member
      expert panel. Forty patients with MCI and 40 cognitively healthy participants
      were recruited to examine the psychometric properties of C-PEDL. RESULTS:
      Significant differences in the C-PEDL scores were found between the patients with
      MCI and the cognitively healthy controls in both educated (F = 9.96, p = 0.003)
      and illiterate (F = 10.43, p = 0.004) populations. The C-PEDL had excellent test
      retest and inter-rater reliabilities, with intraclass correlation coefficient at
      0.95 and 0.99 respectively. The internal consistency of C-PEDL was acceptable
      with Chronbach's alpha at 0.69. The C-PEDL had moderate correlation with the Mini
      Mental State Examination (r = 0.45, p = 0.004) and the Category Verbal Fluency
      Test (r = 0.40, p = 0.012), and a moderate negative Spearman's correlation with
      the Global Deteriorating Scale (r = -0.42, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The C-PEDL is
      a valid and reliable test for assessing the everyday problem-solving ability in
      Chinese older population with MCI.

PMID- 24229851
TI  - Cognitive and psychosocial phenotype of young children with neurofibromatosis-1.
AB  - Children with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1), a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting
      from a mutation of the NF1 gene (17q11.2), often have difficulties with learning
      and attention, but there is little research in the early childhood years. In this
      study, the cognitive and psychosocial functioning of 40 young children with NF1
      (ages 3 through 6) was examined and compared both to normative data and to a
      contrast group comprised of unaffected siblings and community members matched for
      age and socio-economic status (n = 37). Children with NF1 showed significantly
      weaker cognitive abilities across all domains and for the vast majority of
      subtests. Consistent with research in older children, a variety of patterns of
      intra-individual strength and weakness were present for young children with NF1.
      Few significant group differences in psychosocial functioning were observed, but
      the children with NF1 showed significantly greater functional communication
      problems than did the unaffected group. Overall, the results indicate that in
      participant groups matched for age and socioeconomic status, cognitive
      vulnerabilities are evident for close to half of young children with NF1, with
      some relations to psychosocial functioning, particularly functional
      communication, attention problems and social skills.

PMID- 24229852
TI  - Validation of bovine glycomacropeptide as an intestinal anti-inflammatory
      nutraceutical in the lymphocyte-transfer model of colitis.
AB  - Milk kappa-casein-derived bovine glycomacropeptide (GMP) exerts immunomodulatory
      effects. It exhibits intestinal anti-inflammatory activity in chemically induced
      models of colitis. However, to validate its clinical usefulness as a
      nutraceutical, it is important to assess its effects in a model with a closer
      pathophysiological connection with human inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore,
      in the present study, we used the lymphocyte-transfer model of colitis in mice
      and compared the effects of GMP in this model with those obtained in the dextran
      sulphate sodium (DSS) model. GMP (15 mg/d) resulted in higher body-weight gain
      and a reduction of the colonic damage score and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in
      Rag1(-/-) mice with colitis induced by the transfer of naive T cells. The colonic
      and ileal weight:length ratio was decreased by approximately 25%, albeit non
      significantly. GMP treatment reduced the percentage of CD4+ interferon (IFN)
      gamma+ cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). The basal production of IL-6 by MLN
      obtained from the GMP-treated mice ex vivo was augmented. However, concanavalin A
      evoked production was similar. The colonic expression of regenerating islet
      derived protein 3gamma, S100A8, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 and IL-1beta was
      unaffected by GMP, while that of TNF-alpha and especially IFN-gamma was
      paradoxically increased. In the DSS model, GMP also reduced the activity of
      colonic MPO, but it failed to alter weight gain or intestinal weight:length
      ratio. GMP augmented the production of IL-10 by MLN cells and was neutral towards
      other cytokines, except exhibiting a trend towards increasing the production of
      IL-6. The lower effect was attributed to the lack of the effect of GMP on
      epithelial cells. In conclusion, GMP exerts intestinal anti-inflammatory effects
      in lymphocyte-driven colitis.

PMID- 24229853
TI  - Official Proceedings of the 13th Congress of the World Federation for Ultrasound
      in Medicine and Biology, August 26-29, 2011, Vienna, Austria.

PMID- 24230458
TI  - Molecular mechanisms of ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning as putative
      therapeutic targets to reduce tumor survival and malignancy.
AB  - In tumors intermittent hypoxia has been reported to be more representative than
      normoxia or continuous exposure to low oxygen concentrations. Intermittent
      hypoxia is thought to increase tumor resistance against both anti-cancer therapy
      and the sustained ischemia that randomly occurs because of the dynamic nature of
      tumor vasculature. Here, we hypothesize that the molecular mechanisms underlying
      intermittent hypoxia in tumor cells share some triggers, modulators, and end
      effectors of the intermittent episodes of ischemia and reperfusion that
      characterize ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning. These are among the
      most effective maneuvers protecting cells from ischemia-reperfusion injury. If
      this hypothesis were confirmed, several well-investigated molecular mediators of
      pre/post-conditioning could be explored as therapeutic targets against tumor
      malignancy. For examples, drugs that completely block the cardioprotection
      induced by ischemic preconditioning, such as mitochondrial potassium ATP channel
      inhibitors or mitochondrial permeability transition pore openers, could be
      extraordinarily efficient in counteracting the adaptations of tumor cells and
      cancer stem cells to intermittent hypoxia. As a consequence, this strategy should
      be effective in blunting tumor capacity to progress toward malignancy and survive
      in ischemic conditions. 

PMID- 24230459
TI  - Modulation of leukocytic populations of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) by the
      intestinal parasite Enteromyxum leei (Myxozoa: Myxosporea).
AB  - SUMMARY The cellular mucosal and systemic effectors of gilthead sea bream (GSB)
      (Sparus aurata) involved in the acute immune response to the intestinal parasite
      Enteromyxum leei were studied in fish experimentally infected by the anal route.
      In the intestinal inflammatory infiltrates and in lymphohaematopoietic organs
      (head kidney and spleen) of parasitized fish, the number of plasma cells, B cells
      (IgM immunoreactive) and mast cells (histamine immunoreactive) were significantly
      higher, whereas the number of acidophilic granulocytes (G7 immunoreactive)
      decreased, compared with non-parasitized and unexposed fish. These differences
      were stronger at the posterior intestine, the main target of the parasite, and no
      differences were found in the thymus. In non-parasitized GSB, the percentage of
      splenic surface occupied by melanomacrophage centres was significantly higher.
      These results suggest that the cellular response of GSB to E. leei includes
      proliferation of leukocytes in lymphohaematopoietic organs and recruitment into
      intestines via blood circulation involving elements of innate and adaptive
      immunity. Acidophilic granulocytes and mast cells presented opposite patterns of
      response to the parasite infection, with an overall depletion of the former and
      an increased amount of the latter. Some differences between both cell types were
      also detected in regard to their granule density and cell morphology. 

PMID- 24230460
TI  - Genetic analysis of kinematic traits at the trot in Lusitano horse subpopulations
      with different types of training.
AB  - The possibility of using quantitative kinematic traits as indirect selection
      criteria for sport performance could be beneficial to perform an early genetic
      evaluation of the animals. The genetic parameters for objectively measured
      kinematic traits under field conditions have been estimated for the first time,
      in order to potentially use these traits as indicators of gait quality in future
      selection of the Lusitano breed. The repeatability within three different types
      of training (dressage, bullfighting and untrained) was also discussed. A total of
      176 males (4 to 14 years old) were recorded at trot in hand using a 3D
      videographic system. The speed and 10 kinematic traits were studied (one
      temporal, two linear and seven angular variables). The genetic parameters of the
      kinematic variables were estimated using VCE software. The heritability estimates
      were moderate to high (0.18 to 0.53). The stride length and the forelimb angular
      variables presented the highest heritabilities (0.49 to 0.53), whereas the
      hindlimb angular variables revealed the lowest values (0.18 to 0.40). More than
      half of the genetic correlations were moderately to highly positive (mostly 0.20
      to 0.70; up to 0.88 between hindlimb traits). The dressage and bullfighting
      groups presented the highest repeatabilities (over 0.6) in the majority of the
      traits, maybe because of the acquired gait regularity expected in animals
      subjected to specific training, and suggesting a greater influence of the
      individuals over the kinematic traits studied in these two subpopulations than in
      the untrained subpopulation. The longer swing phase duration and the larger range
      of motion of the elbow, hock and pelvis joints observed in the dressage group may
      indicate a better gait quality of this group, according to FEI (International
      Equestrian Federation) standards. The bullfighting and untrained groups were more
      similar to each other in terms of kinematic traits. Selection of young horses for
      characteristics such as stride length and the hindlimbs traits can apparently
      contribute to further genetic improvement of the performance of Lusitano breed. 

PMID- 24230461
TI  - Feasibility and utility of positive psychology exercises for suicidal inpatients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of nine
      positive psychology exercises delivered to patients hospitalized for suicidal
      thoughts or behaviors, and to secondarily explore the relative impact of the
      exercises. METHOD: Participants admitted to a psychiatric unit for suicidal
      ideation or behavior completed daily positive psychology exercises while
      hospitalized. Likert-scale ratings of efficacy (optimism, hopelessness, perceived
      utility) and ease of completion were consolidated and compared across exercises
      using mixed models accounting for age, missing data and exercise order. Overall
      effects of exercise on efficacy and ease were also examined using mixed models.
      RESULTS: Fifty-two (85.3%) of 61 participants completed at least one exercise,
      and 189/213 (88.7%) assigned exercises were completed. There were overall effects
      of exercise on efficacy (chi(2)=19.39; P=.013) but not ease of completion
      (chi(2)=11.64; P=.17), accounting for age, order and skipped exercises. Effect
      (Cohen's d) of exercise on both optimism and hopelessness was moderate for the
      majority of exercises. Exercises related to gratitude and personal strengths
      ranked highest. Both gratitude exercises had efficacy scores that were
      significantly (P=.001) greater than the lowest-ranked exercise (forgiveness).
      CONCLUSION: In this exploratory project, positive psychology exercises delivered
      to suicidal inpatients were feasible and associated with short-term gains in
      clinically relevant outcomes.

PMID- 24230462
TI  - Exploitation of deep-sea resources: the urgent need to understand the role of
      high pressure in the toxicity of chemical pollutants to deep-sea organisms.
AB  - The advent of industrial activities in the deep sea will inevitably expose deep
      sea organisms to potentially toxic compounds. Although international regulations
      require environmental risk assessment prior to exploitation activities, toxicity
      tests remain focused on shallow-water model species. Moreover, current tests
      overlook potential synergies that may arise from the interaction of chemicals
      with natural stressors, such as the high pressures prevailing in the deep sea. As
      pressure affects chemical reactions and the physiology of marine organisms, it
      will certainly affect the toxicity of pollutants arising from the exploitation of
      deep-sea resources. We emphasize the need for environmental risk assessments
      based on information generated from ecotoxicological trials that mimic, as close
      as possible, the deep-sea environment, with emphasis to a key environmental
      factor - high hydrostatic pressure. 

PMID- 24230463
TI  - Role of epicardial adipose tissue in coronary artery disease in non-obese
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) surrounding the heart may contribute
      to the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) through its local secretion
      of adipocytokines. Although the quantity of EAT is associated with obesity and
      metabolic syndrome, the role of EAT in the development of CAD in non-obese
      patients remains to be determined. METHODS: This study included 41 patients with
      CAD who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery and 28 patients without
      CAD who underwent other cardiac surgery. EAT volume was measured by 64-slice
      multi-detector computed tomography before the surgery. We obtained pericardial
      fluid and epicardial and subcutaneous adipose tissue samples at the surgery. We
      investigated the relationship between EAT volume and adiponectin levels in
      pericardial fluid and incident CAD in patients with and without obesity (body
      mass index>25 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in EAT
      volume between obese patients with and without CAD (55.5 +/- 40.2 mL vs. 40.1 +/-
      19.7 mL, p=0.323). However, EAT volume was significantly greater in non-obese
      patients with CAD compared to those without CAD (35.0 +/- 18.8 mL vs. 15.7 +/-
      11.0 mL, p<0.001). Adiponectin concentrations in pericardial fluid were
      significantly lower in non-obese patients with CAD compared to those without CAD
      (2.7 +/- 2.0 MUg/mL vs. 4.3 +/- 3.7 MUg/mL, p=0.049), whereas the adiponectin
      levels were decreased in obese patients regardless of the presence of CAD. Non
      obese patients with CAD had significantly larger size adipocytes in EAT but not
      subcutaneous adipose tissue compared to those without CAD. Multiple logistic
      regression analysis showed that increased EAT volume was independently associated
      with incident CAD in non-obese patients. CONCLUSION: Increased EAT may play a
      crucial role in development of CAD through impairment of adiponectin secretion in
      non-obese patients.

PMID- 24230464
TI  - Platelet activation and thrombus formation relates to the presence of myocardial
      inflammation in patients with cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiomyopathy show a significantly increased risk for
      thromboembolic events due to a hypercoagulable state and platelet dysfunction.
      The pathophysiologic mechanism underlying the increasing platelet activity in
      patients with cardiomyopathy remains unclear. We performed a clinical study to
      elucidate the link between myocardial tissue alterations and platelet activation
      in patients with cardiomyopathy. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with suspected
      cardiomyopathy and 10 healthy control patients were included in our study.
      Hemodynamic parameters were measured by catheterization and echocardiography.
      Endomyocardial biopsies were taken to determine myocardial inflammation. Flow
      cytometry was performed to examine the platelet activation by quantification of p
      selectin and thrombospondin expression on platelets. RESULTS: The p-selectin
      (8.46 +/- 3.67 AU) and thrombospondin (26.56 +/- 23.21 AU) expression was
      significantly correlated with the amount of CD3+ T cells (p-selectin: r=0.573,
      p<0.05; thrombospondin: r=0.488, p<0.05) and the endothelial/interstitial
      activation (p-selectin: r=0.521, p<0.05; thrombospondin: r=0.39, p<0.05). This
      was found to be independent of hemodynamic parameters, age, and gender. The
      platelet activation of patients (n=3) with echocardiographically documented
      ventricular thrombi was significantly increased (p-selectin: 12.57 +/- 5.5 AU vs.
      8.1 +/- 3.2 AU, p<0.05) and this was associated with elevated myocardial
      inflammation scores. CONCLUSION: Myocardial inflammation is associated with a
      significant increase in platelet activation and ventricular thrombus formation
      independently of the hemodynamic conditions.

PMID- 24230465
TI  - Molecular epidemiology of Staphyloccocus aureus colonization in the Old Order of
      Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA.
AB  - Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus colonization in community-based populations
      is not well understood. We sought to describe the molecular epidemiology of S.
      aureus colonization in the Old Order Amish. The study was a prospective,
      observational study of healthy adults and their same-sex siblings who were
      cultured from the anterior nares twice. S. aureus isolates were characterized
      using spa typing. Overall, 40% (159/398) of the study population was colonized
      with S. aureus. There were 84 spa types with the most abundant spa types being
      t012 (13%) and t021 (7%). There was no clustering of spa types within sibling
      groups; however, there was clustering within households. There were 111 S. aureus
      colonized participant pairs living within the same household. Of these, 47% had
      concordant spa types. The diversity of spa types across a relatively isolated,
      genetically homogenous population with a similar lifestyle is striking. Taken
      together this suggests that S. aureus transmission is a local phenomenon limited
      to very close contact.

PMID- 24230466
TI  - Special aspects of interleukin-33 and the IL-33 receptor complex.
AB  - Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is an unconventional member of the IL-1 family: it is a
      dual function cytokine. Many different cell types, tissue cells and leukocytes,
      produce IL-33 either constitutively or after stimulation and release it by a
      poorly defined molecular mechanism. Free IL-33 acts as a classical cytokine by
      binding to target cells expressing receptors for IL-33 minimally consisting of
      ST2 and IL-1RAcP. Depending on the target cell type IL-33 will stimulate cell
      type specific signal transduction mechanisms and thereby change the biosynthetic
      profile of the respective cell. In addition, it is stored in the nucleus of cells
      and may be released after cell stress, death by injury or necrosis, acting as an
      alarmin by orchestrating a sterile inflammation. Furthermore, IL-33 has
      intracrine functions in the cell producing it, which are independent of IL-33
      receptors. Intracellular IL-33 is predominantly found in the nucleus associated
      to the chromatin and may exert gene regulatory function by yet poorly defined
      mechanisms. It is the aim of this review to address two basic biological aspects
      of the IL-33/IL-33 receptor system. First, to summarize the current understanding
      of the fate and function of intracellular IL-33, and second, to discuss recent
      advances in the knowledge of the molecular composition, function and regulation
      of the IL-33 receptor complex, including initial signaling mechanisms. 

PMID- 24230467
TI  - Preface: Sourdough--multifunctional process technology for future food
      challenges.

PMID- 24230468
TI  - Enzymatic and bacterial conversions during sourdough fermentation.
AB  - Enzymatic and microbial conversion of flour components during bread making
      determines bread quality. Metabolism of sourdough microbiota and the activity of
      cereal enzymes are interdependent. Acidification, oxygen consumption, and thiols
      accumulation by microbial metabolism modulate the activity of cereal enzymes. In
      turn, cereal enzymes provide substrates for bacterial growth. This review
      highlights the role of cereal enzymes and the metabolism of lactic acid bacteria
      in conversion of carbohydrates, proteins, phenolic compounds and lipids.
      Heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria prevailing in wheat and rye sourdoughs
      preferentially metabolise sucrose and maltose; the latter is released by cereal
      enzymes during fermentation. Sucrose supports formation of acetate by
      heterofermentative lactobacilli, and the formation of exopolysaccharides. The
      release of maltose and glucose by cereal enzymes during fermentation determines
      the exopolysaccharide yield in sourdough fermentations. Proteolysis is dependent
      on cereal proteases. Peptidase activities of sourdough lactic acid bacteria
      determine the accumulation of (bioactive) peptides, amino acids, and amino acid
      metabolites in dough and bread. Enzymatic conversion and microbial metabolism of
      phenolic compounds is relevant in sorghum and millet containing high levels of
      phenolic compounds. The presence of phenolic compounds with antimicrobial
      activity in sorghum selects for fermentation microbiota that are resistant to the
      phenolic compounds. 

PMID- 24230469
TI  - Microbial ecology of sourdough fermentations: diverse or uniform?
AB  - Sourdough is a specific and stressful ecosystem inhabited by yeasts and lactic
      acid bacteria (LAB), mainly heterofermentative lactobacilli. On the basis of
      their inocula, three types of sourdough fermentation processes can be
      distinguished, namely backslopped ones, those initiated with starter cultures,
      and those initiated with a starter culture followed by backslopping. Typical
      sourdough LAB species are Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus paralimentarius,
      Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis. Typical sourdough
      yeast species are Candida humilis, Kazachstania exigua, and Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae. Whereas region specificity is claimed in the case of artisan
      backslopped sourdoughs, no clear-cut relationship between a typical sourdough and
      its associated microbiota can be found, as this is dependent on the sampling,
      isolation, and identification procedures. Both simple and very complex consortia
      may occur. Moreover, a series of intrinsic and extrinsic factors may influence
      the composition of the sourdough microbiota. For instance, an influence of the
      flour (type, quality status, etc.) and the process parameters (temperature, pH,
      dough yield, backslopping practices, etc.) occurs. In this way, the presence of
      Lb. sanfranciscensis during sourdough fermentation depends on specific
      environmental and technological factors. Also, Triticum durum seems to select for
      obligately heterofermentative LAB species. Finally, there are indications that
      the sourdough LAB are of intestinal origin. 

PMID- 24230470
TI  - How the sourdough may affect the functional features of leavened baked goods.
AB  - Sourdough fermentation is one of the oldest food biotechnologies, which has been
      studied and recently rediscovered for its effect on the sensory, structural,
      nutritional and shelf life properties of leavened baked goods. Acidification,
      proteolysis and activation of a number of enzymes as well as the synthesis of
      microbial metabolites cause several changes during sourdough fermentation, which
      affect the dough and baked good matrix, and influence the nutritional/functional
      quality. Currently, the literature is particularly rich of results, which show
      how the sourdough fermentation may affect the functional features of leavened
      baked goods. In the form of pre-treating raw materials, fermentation through
      sourdough may stabilize or to increase the functional value of bran fractions and
      wheat germ. Sourdough fermentation may decrease the glycaemic response of baked
      goods, improve the properties and bioavailability of dietary fibre complex and
      phytochemicals, and may increase the uptake of minerals. Microbial metabolism
      during sourdough fermentation may also produce new nutritionally active
      compounds, such as peptides and amino acid derivatives (e.g., gamma-amino butyric
      acid) with various functionalities, and potentially prebiotic exo
      polysaccharides. The wheat flour digested via fungal proteases and selected
      sourdough lactobacilli has been demonstrated to be probably safe for celiac
      patients. 

PMID- 24230471
TI  - Starter cultures for cereal based foods.
AB  - Fermented cereals play a significant role in human nutrition in all parts of the
      world where cereals grow. These fermentations are started spontaneously or there
      have been traditional techniques developed in order to keep starter cultures for
      these processes alive. With the growing impact of industrial microbiology during
      20th century this traditional starter culture propagation was replaced often,
      especially in the dairy industry, by the use of pure, frozen or freeze-dried
      cultures grown on microbial media. In contrast to the production of ethanol from
      cereals, in sourdough a pasteurization step before inoculation is avoided due to
      gelatinization of starch and inactivation of endogenous enzymes. Therefore
      cultures must be competitive to the relatively high microbial load of the cereal
      raw materials and well adapted to the specific ecology determined by the kind of
      cereal and the process conditions. Less adapted cultures could be used, but then
      the process of back-slopping of cultures is limited. Although cereal
      fermentations take the biggest volume among fermented foods, only for sourdoughs
      commercial cultures are available. 

PMID- 24230472
TI  - Evaluation of exopolysaccharide producing Weissella cibaria MG1 strain for the
      production of sourdough from various flours.
AB  - This study determined exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by Weissella cibaria MG1
      in sourdoughs prepared from gluten-free flours (buckwheat, oat, quinoa and teff),
      as well as wheat flour. Sourdoughs (SD) were fermented without sucrose, or by
      replacing 10% flour with sucrose to support EPS production. The amount of EPS
      depended on the substrate: high amounts of EPS corresponding to low amounts of
      oligosaccharides were found in buckwheat (4.2 g EPS/kg SD) and quinoa sourdoughs
      (3.2 g EPS/kg SD); in contrast, no EPS but panose-series oligosaccharides (PSO)
      were detected in wheat sourdoughs. Organic acid production, carbohydrates and
      rheological changes during fermentation were compared to the EPS negative control
      without added sucrose. Corresponding to the higher mineral content of the flours,
      sourdoughs from quinoa, teff and buckwheat had higher buffering capacity than
      wheat. Fermentable carbohydrates in buckwheat, teff and quinoa flours promoted W.
      cibaria growth; indicating why W. cibaria failed to grow in oat sourdoughs.
      Endogenous proteolytic activity was highest in quinoa flour; alpha-amylase
      activity was highest in wheat and teff flours. Protein degradation during
      fermentation was most extensive in quinoa and teff SD reducing protein peaks 18
      29, 30-41 and 43-55 kDa extensively. Rheological analyses revealed decreased
      dough strength (AF) after fermentation, especially in sucrose-supplemented
      buckwheat sourdoughs correlating with amounts of EPS. High EPS production
      correlated with high protein, fermentable sugars (glucose, maltose, fructose),
      and mineral contents in quinoa flour. In conclusion, W. cibaria MG1 is a suitable
      starter culture for sourdough fermentation of buckwheat, quinoa and teff flour. 

PMID- 24230473
TI  - Sourdough lactic acid bacteria: exploration of non-wheat cereal-based
      fermentation.
AB  - Cereal-based foods represent a very important source of biological as well as of
      cultural diversity, as testified by the wide range of derived fermented products.
      A trend that is increasingly attracting bakery industries as well as consumers is
      the use of non-conventional flours for the production of novel products,
      characterised by peculiar flavour and better nutritional value. Lactic acid
      bacteria microbiota of several non-wheat cereals and pseudo-cereals has been
      recently deeply investigated with the aim of studying the biodiversity and
      finding starter cultures for sourdough fermentation. Currently, the use of
      ancient or ethnic grains is mainly limited to traditional typical foods and the
      bread making process is not well standardised with consequent negative effects on
      the final properties. The challenge in fermenting such grains is represented by
      the necessity to combine good technology and sensory properties with
      nutritional/health benefits. The choice of the starter cultures has a critical
      impact on the final quality of cereal-based products, and strains that dominate
      and outcompete contaminants should be applied for specific sourdough
      fermentations. In this sense, screening and characterisation of the lactic acid
      bacteria microbiota is very useful in the improvement of a peculiar flour, from
      both a nutritional and technological point of view. 

PMID- 24230474
TI  - Use of fungal proteases and selected sourdough lactic acid bacteria for making
      wheat bread with an intermediate content of gluten.
AB  - This study was aimed at combining the highest degradation of gluten during wheat
      flour fermentation with good structural and sensory features of the related
      bread. As estimated by R5-ELISA, the degree of degradation of immune reactive
      gluten was ca. 28%. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and RP-FPLC analyses showed
      marked variations of the protein fractions compared to the untreated flour. The
      comparison was also extended to in vitro effect of the peptic/tryptic-digests
      towards K562 and T84 cells. The flour with the intermediate content of gluten
      (ICG) was used for bread making, and compared to whole gluten (WG) bread. The
      chemical, structural and sensory features of the ICG bread approached those of
      the bread made with WG flour. The protein digestibility of the ICG bread was
      higher than that from WG flour. Also the nutritional quality, as estimated by
      different indexes, was the highest for ICG bread. 

PMID- 24230475
TI  - Influence of particle size on bioprocess induced changes on technological
      functionality of wheat bran.
AB  - Wheat bran is nutritionally an important source of dietary fibre, vitamins and
      minerals, but its negative influence on dough rheology, texture and sensory
      quality of bread limits its use in bread baking. The current study aimed at
      improving the technological functionality of bran by bioprocessing Wheat bran of
      different particle size (750, 400, 160, 50 MUm) was fermented 8 h or 24 h with
      Lactobacillus brevis E95612 and Kazachstania exigua C81116 with or without
      addition of enzyme mixture with various carbohydrase activities. Kinetics of
      growth and acidification showed that the growth of the starters was enhanced in
      the presence of enzymes in bran having particle size of 160 and 50 MUm.
      Fermentation was critical to improve dough stability and volume of bran enriched
      breads, whereas addition of enzymes had the most significant effect in improving
      bread shelf-life. Wheat bread containing 160 MUm bran fermented 8 h with enzymes
      had mild flavour, the highest volume and shelf-life. Reduction of particle size
      increased perceived smoothness of mouthfeel but provided darker colour in bran
      containing breads. The short 8 h bioprocessing, with or without enzymes did not
      increase pungent flavour or bitter aftertaste in comparison with the native bran.

PMID- 24230476
TI  - Cereal fungal infection, mycotoxins, and lactic acid bacteria mediated
      bioprotection: from crop farming to cereal products.
AB  - Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) metabolites are a reliable alternative for reducing
      fungal infections pre-/post-harvest with additional advantages for cereal-base
      products which convene the food market's trend. Grain industrial use is in
      expansion owing to its applicability in generating functional food. The food
      market is directed towards functional natural food with clear health benefits for
      the consumer in detriment to chemical additives. The food market chain is
      becoming broader and more complex, which presents an ever-growing fungal threat.
      Toxigenic and spoilage fungi are responsible for numerous diseases and economic
      losses. Cereal infections may occur in the field or post-processing, along the
      food chain. Consequently, the investigation of LAB metabolites with antifungal
      activity has gained prominence in the scientific research community. LAB
      bioprotection retards the development of fungal diseases in the field and inhibit
      pathogens and spoilage fungi in food products. In addition to the health safety
      improvement, LAB metabolites also enhance shelf-life, organoleptic and texture
      qualities of cereal-base foods. This review presents an overview of the fungal
      impact through the cereal food chain leading to investigation on LAB antifungal
      compounds. Applicability of LAB in plant protection and cereal industry is
      discussed. Specific case studies include Fusarium head blight, malting and
      baking. 

PMID- 24230477
TI  - [Current issues in hereditary neuropathies].
AB  - This short review highlights five studies published in 2012 in the field of
      Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and transthyretin familial amyloid neuropathies
      (TTR-FAN). Regarding CMT, an Australian pediatric study shows the high prevalence
      of impaired speech perception and hearing disability in children with CMT1 or
      CMT2 with normal or near normal audiometry (Rance et al., 2012). In a second
      study, the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of 14 patients with
      CMT4C due to mutations in SH3TC2 gene are described (Yger et al., 2012). The 3
      clinical hallmarks of CMT4C patients in this French cohort are the high
      prevalence of scoliosis, the proximal motor weakness and the cranial nerves
      involvement. Concerning TTR-FAN, the first data from French and international
      registries are reported (Adams et al., 2012; Coelho et al., 2013) and a phase II
      trial describes the results of taurourodeoxycholic acid and doxycycline treatment
      (Obici et al., 2012). 

PMID- 24230478
TI  - High ultrasound variability in chronic immune-mediated neuropathies. Review of
      the literature and personal observations.
AB  - Chronic immune-mediated neuropathies show high clinical variability. Diagnosis is
      based on clinical and neurophysiological studies, but recently ultrasound (US) of
      peripheral nerves has been shown to provide useful morphological information. US
      has already been shown to crucially influence diagnosis and clinical care in
      entrapment neuropathies, in traumatic nerve lesions and in tumors. The role of US
      in the evaluation of polyneuropathies is still not clearly defined, but
      increasing attention has recently been focused on the immune-mediated
      neuropathies and specific US measures (namely the intra- and inter-nerve cross
      sectional area variability) have been developed. The aim of the current paper is
      to make a review of the available nerve US studies and provide data from personal
      observations in the most common chronic immune-mediated neuropathies. 

PMID- 24230479
TI  - Is critical illness polyneuropathy associated with decreased heart rate
      variability?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This pilot study assessed the association between critical illness
      polyneuropathy (CIP) and decreased heart rate variability (HRV) in intensive care
      patients. METHODS: All patients admitted to the intensive care unit and expected
      to be ventilated for at least 72 hours were included and underwent weekly
      electromyograms and HRV analyses for three weeks. HRV was assessed by time domain
      analysis of 24h recording electrocardiograms, and alterations in HRV were
      assessed as the square root of the mean squared differences of successive RR
      intervals (RMSSD) <= 15. RESULTS: We evaluated 26 patients, 12 men and 14 women,
      median age 64 years. During follow-up, 12 patients died and 9 developed CIP. CIP
      was not associated with age, sex, simplified acute physiology score II and
      treatment agents. Altered RMSSD tended to be associated with onset of CIP
      (P=0.06). Altered RMSSD occurred earlier or at the same time as electromyogram
      abnormalities in all CIP patients, but the difference was not significant.
      CONCLUSION: Altered HRV, may be associated with the onset of CIP in ICU patients.
      Although not statistically significant (P=0.06), altered RMSSD may be a surrogate
      marker of CIP in ICU patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. The
      physiological pathway linking HRV and CIP remains uncertain.

PMID- 24230480
TI  - The experiences and needs of children living with a parent with young onset
      dementia: results from the NeedYD study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children of patients with young onset dementia (YOD) who are
      confronted with a parent who has a progressive disease, often assist in
      caregiving tasks, which may have a great impact on their lives. The objective of
      the present study is to explore the experiences of children living with a young
      parent with dementia with a specific focus on the children's needs. METHODS: Semi
      structured interviews with 14 adolescent children between the ages of 15 and 27
      years of patients with YOD were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Themes
      were identified based on the established codes. RESULTS: The emerging categories
      were divided into three themes that demonstrated the impact of dementia on daily
      life, different ways of coping with the disease, and children's need for care and
      support. The children had difficulties managing all of the responsibilities and
      showed concerns about their future. To deal with these problems, they
      demonstrated various coping styles, such as avoidant or adaptive coping. Although
      most children were initially reluctant to seek professional care, several of them
      expressed the need for practical guidance to address the changing behavior of
      their parent. The children felt more comfortable talking to someone who was
      familiar with their situation and who had specific knowledge of YOD and the
      available services. CONCLUSION: In addition to practical information, more
      accessible and specific information about the diagnosis and the course of YOD is
      needed to provide a better understanding of the disease for the children. These
      findings underline the need for a personal, family-centered approach.

PMID- 24230481
TI  - Leaf anatomy and histochemistry of three species of Ficus sect. Americanae
      supported by light and electron microscopy.
AB  - In this work the leaf anatomy of three species of Ficus section Americanae (Miq.)
      Miq. from Brazil, whose leaves and latex are used in folk medicine is reported.
      The work was carried out using light and scanning electron microscopy in order to
      characterize these species and to evaluate their taxonomic significance, and also
      contribute to the quality control of their ethnodrugs. The three species (Ficus
      cyclophylla, Ficus elliotiana, and Ficus caatingae) showed hypostomatic leaves,
      anomocytic stomata, straight epidermal cell outlines, and a dorsiventral
      mesophyll. Some micro-morphological characters such as density and distribution
      of epicuticular waxes, glandular trichomes, the length and width of stomata, as
      well as the palisade of mesophyll and petiole outlines proved to be the most
      useful and distinctive characters for the separation of species. These may
      contribute as additional support for the taxonomy of the section and for the
      quality control of their ethnodrugs.

PMID- 24230482
TI  - [Immunotherapy in epithelial ovarian carcinoma: hope and reality].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) has a worst prognosis with
      little progress in terms of survival for the last two decades. Immunology
      received little interest in EOC in the past, but now appears very important in
      the natural history of this cancer. This review is an EOC immunology state of art
      and focuses on the place of immunotherapy in future. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A
      systematic review of published studies was performed. Medline baseline
      interrogation was performed with the following keywords: "Ovarian carinoma,
      immunotherapy, T-lymphocyte, regulator T-lymphocyte, dendritic cells, macrophage,
      antigen, chemotherapy, surgery, clinical trials". Identified publications
      (English or French) were assessed for the understanding of EOC immunology and the
      place of conventional treatment and immunotherapy strategy. RESULTS: Intratumoral
      infiltration by immune cells is a strong prognotic factor in EOC. Surgery and
      chemotherapy in EOC decrease imunosuppression in patients. The antitumoral
      immunity is a part of the therapeutic action of surgery and chemotherapy. Until
      now, immunotherapy gave some disappointing results, but the new drugs that target
      the tolerogenic tumoral microenvironnement rise and give a new hope in the
      treatment of cancer. CONCLUSION: Immunology controls the EOC natural history. The
      modulation of immunosuppressive microenvironment associated with the stimulation
      of antitumoral immunity could be the next revolution in the treatment of cancer.

PMID- 24230483
TI  - Winter is associated with failure in the alarm treatment of nocturnal enuresis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the winter season in Japan is associated with
      failure in the alarm treatment of nocturnal enuresis (NE). PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Consecutive patients with NE referred to our center between June 2009 and May
      2010 were treated with the enuresis alarm (EA). The EA was used for 16 weeks with
      each child. Patients were divided into a success group and a treatment failure
      group. Pretreatment variables were collected, including age, sex, night-time
      urine volume, severity of enuresis, presence of nocturnal polyuria, presence of
      daytime incontinence, and treatment initiation season. These variables and
      initial success rates were retrospectively compared between the two groups. Chi
      square, Student t tests, and multivariate regression analysis were used for
      statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 67 children with NE were evaluated, 37
      (55%) in the success group and 30 (45%) in the failure group. None of the
      pretreatment variables differed significantly between groups except for season;
      winter season initiation was an independent risk factor for failure in
      multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Winter was associated with failure
      in the EA treatment. We recommend that EA be introduced in the summer season in
      Japan to achieve an optimal success rate.

PMID- 24230484
TI  - Cloacal exstrophy: a single center experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cloacal exstrophy is an exceedingly rare and complex anomaly. The
      records of 23 patients treated in a tertiary care center with limited
      infrastructure were analyzed for anatomic types, associated anomalies, surgical
      procedures adopted, and the outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 14 males.
      Seventeen babies were preterm with an average weight of 1.92 kg. The time of
      presentation, gestational age, birth weight, position of the hemibladders and
      associated malformations were noted. Reconstruction procedures involved
      dismantling of the hemibladders and primary turn in, tubularization of the bowel
      with an end colostomy, and reconstruction of the abdominal wall. Results of the
      primary surgical repair, bowel function, and outcome of secondary procedures were
      analyzed. RESULTS: The position of hemibladders was lateral in 11, upper
      confluent in 4 and lower confluent in 8. Associated anomalies were noted in 19
      patients. Four patients presented late (>5 days). Five died preoperatively, all
      had major associated anomalies. Four of them were preterm with average weight of
      1.4 kg. Two patients refused surgery. Single-stage surgical reconstruction was
      done in 15 patients. Five patients died postoperatively because of associated
      anomalies, prematurity, and sepsis. One patient is waiting for surgery. Six
      patients had follow-up at 3-42 months and are awaiting further reconstruction.
      Four patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Prematurity, late
      presentation, and sepsis are the major causes of high mortality noted in this
      series. In our experience, single-stage reconstruction without osteotomy gives
      satisfactory results.

PMID- 24230485
TI  - Genetic correlations between production and disease traits during first lactation
      in Holstein cows.
AB  - The aim of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between milk yield,
      somatic cell score (SCS), mastitis, and claw and leg disorders (CLDs) during
      first lactation in Holstein cows by using a threshold-linear random regression
      test-day model. We used daily records of milk, fat and protein yields; somatic
      cell count (SCC); and mastitis and CLD incidences from 46 771 first-lactation
      Holstein cows in Hokkaido, Japan, that calved between 2000 and 2009. A threshold
      animal model for binary records (mastitis and CLDs) and linear animal model for
      yield traits were applied in our multiple trait analysis. For both liabilities
      and yield traits, additive genetic effects were used as random regression on
      cubic Legendre polynomials of days on milk. The highest positive genetic
      correlations between yields and disease incidences (0.36 for milk and mastitis,
      0.56 for fat and mastitis, 0.24 for protein and mastitis, 0.32 for milk and CLD,
      0.44 for fat and CLD and 0.31 for protein and CLD) were estimated at about the
      time of peak milk yield (36 to 65 days in milk). Selection focused on early
      lactation yield may therefore increase the risk of mastitis and CLDs. The
      positive genetic correlations of SCS with mastitis or CLD incidence imply that
      selection to reduce SCS in the early stages of lactation would decrease the
      incidence of both mastitis and CLD. 

PMID- 24230486
TI  - Psychometric properties and validation of the Reasons for Living Inventory in an
      outpatient clinical population in Malaysia.
AB  - The Reasons For Living Inventory has been shown to have good psychometric
      properties in Western populations for the past three decades. The present study
      examined the psychometric properties and factor structure of English and Malay
      version of the Reasons For Living (RFL) Inventory in a sample of clinical
      outpatients in Malaysia. The RFL is designed to assess an individual's various
      reasons for not committing suicide. A total of 483 participants (283 with
      psychiatric illnesses and 200 with non-psychiatric medical illnesses) completed
      the RFL and other self-report instruments. Results of the EFA (exploratory factor
      analysis) and CFA (confirmatory factor analysis) supported the fit for the six
      factor oblique model as the best-fitting model. The internal consistency of the
      RFL was alpha=.94 and it was found to be high with good concurrent, criterion and
      discriminative validities. Thus, the RFL is a reliable and valid instrument to
      measure the various reasons for not committing suicide among psychiatry and
      medical outpatients in Malaysia. 

PMID- 24230487
TI  - Improving the accuracy of intraoperative perforator location in DIEP flaps.

PMID- 24230488
TI  - Metabolic benefits of dietary prebiotics in human subjects: a systematic review
      of randomised controlled trials.
AB  - Complex relationships exist between the gut microflora and their human hosts.
      Emerging evidence suggests that bacterial dysbiosis within the colon may be
      involved in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and CVD.
      The use of dietary prebiotic supplements to restore an optimal balance of
      intestinal flora may positively affect host metabolism, representing a potential
      treatment strategy for individuals with cardiometabolic disorders. The present
      review aimed to examine the current evidence supporting that dietary prebiotic
      supplementation in adults has beneficial effects on biochemical parameters
      associated with the development of metabolic abnormalities including obesity,
      glucose intolerance, dyslipidaemia, hepatic steatosis and low-grade chronic
      inflammation. Between January 2000 and September 2013, eight computer databases
      were searched for randomised controlled trials published in English. Human trials
      were included if at least one group received a dietary prebiotic intervention. In
      the present review, twenty-six randomised controlled trials involving 831
      participants were included. Evidence indicated that dietary prebiotic
      supplementation increased self-reported feelings of satiety in healthy adults
      (standardised mean difference -0.57, 95% CI -1.13, -0.01). Prebiotic
      supplementation also significantly reduced postprandial glucose (-0.76, 95% CI 
      1.41, -0.12) and insulin (-0.77, 95% CI -1.50, -0.04) concentrations. The effects
      of dietary prebiotics on total energy intake, body weight, peptide YY and
      glucagon-like peptide-1 concentrations, gastric emptying times, insulin
      sensitivity, lipids, inflammatory markers and immune function were contradictory.
      Dietary prebiotic consumption was found to be associated with subjective
      improvements in satiety and reductions in postprandial glucose and insulin
      concentrations. Additional evidence is required before recommending prebiotic
      supplements to individuals with metabolic abnormalities. Large-scale trials of
      longer duration evaluating gut microbial growth and activity are required.

PMID- 24230489
TI  - [Assessment of the appropriateness of STOPP/START criteria in primary health care
      in Spain by the RAND method].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A new screenings tool called STOPP/START has been formulated to
      identify potentially inappropriate prescribing in older people. This study aimed
      to assess the appropriateness of STOPP/START criteria in primary health care
      (PHC) in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The RAND Appropriateness Method was used to
      obtain agreement on STOPP/START criteria with two rounds in Vigo PHC with 582.968
      inhabitants (24% >= 65 years). The pharmacotherapy committee of Vigo PHC area was
      identified as expert panel, with 12 members from different specialties. In the
      first round, the committee was provided with relevant literature and a
      questionnaire with STOPP/START criteria to rate their applicability in PHC with a
      9-point Likert scale. Then, each of the criteria was classified according to the
      median scores and the degree of agreement. In the second round, the experts
      discussed the undecided criteria and suggestions. RESULTS: Most of the criteria
      were appropriate. We present a new version with the following differences: to
      remove START E2 "Biphosphonates in patients taking maintenance oral
      corticosteroid therapy"; to remove START F3 "Antiplatelet therapy in diabetes
      mellitus with coexisting major cardiovascular risk factors"; to modify STOPP A9,
      A15, A16, A17 and E5; and START A1 and A2, adding acenocoumarol to all of them
      because acenocoumarol is the most used anticoagulant in our country and they only
      refer to warfarin, and to introduce STOPP C6: "Use of proton pump inhibitors
      without authorized indication". CONCLUSIONS: Criteria STOPP/START are suitable
      for use PHC but it is necessary to adapt and update them periodically.

PMID- 24230490
TI  - Structural and functional reorganization of working memory system during the
      first decade in schizophrenia. A cross-sectional study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Progressive atrophy occurs in brain regions involved in the working
      memory network along the schizophrenia's course, but without parallel evolution
      of working memory impairment. We investigated the functional organization inside
      this network at different stages of the disease. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients
      with schizophrenia (16 with long disease duration (>60 months) and 12 with short
      disease duration (<60 months)) and eleven healthy controls underwent structural
      and functional MRI during an n-back task to determine atrophy and activation
      patterns. RESULTS: At similar n-back performances and relative to short disease
      duration patients, long disease duration patients activated more frontal temporal
      parietal and frontal network during 0-back and 1-back tasks respectively. n-back
      scores were correlated to atrophy in the frontal-temporal areas. DISCUSSION:
      Functional reorganization in the working memory network may play a compensatory
      role during the first ten years of schizophrenia.

PMID- 24230915
TI  - Sarcocystis species in red deer revisited: with a re-description of two known
      species as Sarcocystis elongata n. sp. and Sarcocystis truncata n. sp. based on
      mitochondrial cox1 sequences.
AB  - In a previous investigation, five Sarcocystis species were described from
      Norwegian red deer and believed to be conspecific with species occurring in
      either reindeer or moose based on sarcocyst morphology and nucleotide sequences
      of the nuclear ribosomal DNA unit. The aim of the present study was to
      characterize numerous isolates of these sarcocyst types at the mitochondrial
      cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (cox1) in order to corroborate or refute
      previous species designations of Sarcocystis in red deer. The Sarcocystis tarandi
      and Sarcocystis rangiferi-like taxa in red deer and reindeer, respectively, were
      thoroughly compared by sequencing 14-27 isolates of each type. Sequence
      comparisons revealed four distinct sequence types, which by phylogenetic analyses
      were placed in four monophyletic groups according to host origin, and they were
      therefore considered to represent four separate species. The two taxa of this
      type in red deer were named Sarcocystis elongata and Sarcocystis truncata,
      respectively. Sequencing of many isolates of Sarcocystis hjorti and Sarcocystis
      ovalis from red deer and moose confirmed that these species occur in both hosts.
      A revised description of the two new species is given and the current knowledge
      concerning all six Sarcocystis species in red deer is reviewed.

PMID- 24230916
TI  - The CBCL dysregulated profile: an indicator of pediatric bipolar disorder or of
      psychopathology severity?
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate whether the Child Behavior Checklist Dysregulated Profile
      (CBCL-DP) can be used as an effective predictor of psychopathological severity as
      indicated by suicidality and comorbidities, as well as a predictor of pediatric
      bipolar disorder (PBD). METHOD: CBCL-DP scores for 397 youths seeking treatment
      for mood disorders were calculated by summing the t-scores of the
      Anxious/Depressed, Aggressive Behaviors, and Attention Problems subscales such
      that a clinical cut-off of 210 was used to indicate the presence of a
      dysregulated profile. Suicidality and an increased number of diagnoses were used
      as markers of illness severity. RESULTS: Those with a dysregulated profile
      presented more severe suicidal ideation when compared to those without the
      profile. They also had a significantly larger number of Axis I diagnoses. Groups
      did not differ in the amount of individuals diagnosed with PBD. LIMITATIONS:
      Suicidal ideation was assessed by a third-party informant and not from the youths
      themselves. No other forms of suicidal behavior such as self-harm or suicide
      attempt were measured. Also there may not be complete convergence between
      parental reports on behavior and youth reports, which might have affected the
      results. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the CBCL-DP is an effective
      indicator of psychopathological severity through its association with more
      comorbidities and more severe suicidality. Earlier detection of
      psychopathological severity through an initial screening tool could aid
      clinicians in planning treatment and providing quicker and more structured care
      based on the client's needs.

PMID- 24230917
TI  - Validation of the Russian version of the Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32) for the
      detection of Bipolar II disorder in patients with a current diagnosis of
      recurrent depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are no validated screening tools for Bipolar Disorder (BD) in
      Russia. OBJECTIVE: To validate the Russian version of the HCL-32 for the
      detection of Bipolar II disorder (BD II) in patients with Recurrent Depressive
      Disorder (RDD). METHODS: 409 patients with a current diagnosis of RDD were
      recruited. The diagnosis was confirmed by the validated Russian version of the
      Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Another investigator
      interviewed the patients using the NSL-32 questions. RESULTS: The total HCL-32
      score in patients with BD II was significantly higher than in patients with RDD:
      18.2 (4.22) versus 10.85 (5.81) (p<0.001, d=1447). At the cut-off 14 points the
      sensitivity was 83.7%, specificity 71.9% (p<0.001). The Cronbach's alpha was
      0.887 that means good internal consistency. The best discrimination was achieved
      with 8 items: decreased need for sleep, less shyness or inhibition,
      talkativeness, more jokes and puns, jumping thoughts distractibility, exhausting
      or irritating others and high and more optimistic mood. We proposed the reduced
      variant of the scale, that includes only these 8 variables, with sensitivity
      90.5%, specificity 69.8% (AUC=0.88). CONCLUSIONS: The Russian version of the HCL
      32 displayed a good ratio of sensitivity to specificity and can be recommended as
      a validated screening instrument. An 8-item version of HCL needs further
      research. LIMITATIONS: Limitations include the specific nature of the sample, the
      HCL-32 assessment carried out by a psychiatrist, no comparison with other BD
      screening scales. The results of the 8-item version may be sample and culture
      dependent.

PMID- 24230918
TI  - Get in the spirit with SPIRIT 2013: protocol content guideline for clinical
      trials.

PMID- 24230919
TI  - Perceived self-efficacy during an emergency situation reduces posttraumatic
      stress symptoms.
AB  - This study investigates if perceived self-efficacy during an emergency situation
      has a protective role in the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms among
      Italian and Spanish survivors of several emergency situations. We explored the
      impact of self-efficacy in a multiple regression model including other predictors
      of posttraumatic stress symptoms, such as emergency prevention knowledge; trust
      in emergency services; risk perception of becoming a victim of an emergency
      situation; and conscious and active behaviors in comparison with no conscious and
      no active behavior during the emergency. We carried out a retrospective study
      recruiting 214 participants who reported their experience as victims of one
      specific emergency event. Results showed that survivors who perceived themselves
      as more self-efficacious during the traumatic event had less posttraumatic stress
      symptoms. In contrast, female gender, more self-threat perception and higher
      trauma severity were associated with more symptoms. Findings contribute to better
      understand human behavior in emergency situations and evidence the protective
      role of perceived self-efficacy beliefs among survivors of emergency situations. 

PMID- 24230920
TI  - Family relations, stressful events and internalizing symptoms in adolescence: a
      longitudinal study.
AB  - This study aimed to examine how emotional and behavioral problems of parents and
      children and the characteristics of family relationships can be predictors of
      internalizing symptoms manifested by children after one year. This was a
      quantitative research study, of the longitudinal type, with a one year interval
      between the first and second evaluation. Participants were 139 adolescents, and
      their parents, with ages ranged from 11 to 16 years (M age = 12.90, SD = 1.07).
      The instruments used were: a Socio-Demographic Data Sheet, Youth Self-Report of
      11 to 18 years old (YSR), Adult Self-Report of 18 to 59 years old (ASR),
      Familiogram (FG), the Family Climate Inventory (FCI) and Inventory of Stressful
      Events in Adolescence (ISEA). Results indicated that family relationships did not
      have a significant explanatory power in relation to internalizing symptoms of the
      adolescent after a year. Based on this study, it is possible to think that during
      adolescence, the power of the family to influence becomes more restricted in
      comparison with social and peer influence. 

PMID- 24230921
TI  - Positive and negative affect schedule: psychometric properties for the Brazilian
      Portuguese version.
AB  - This study is about the validity and item analysis for the Positive and Negative
      Affect Schedule (PANAS), respectively through the Exploratory Factor Analysis
      (principal components method) and the Partial Credit Model (PCM). The scale has
      been largely used in areas ranging from clinical to social psychology since its
      release in 1988 by Watson, Clark, and Tellegen. In order to assess validity and
      item properties (Item Response Theory paradigm), this is study administered PANAS
      to 354 respondents, 115 male and 239 female subjects, with an average age of 29.5
      (SD = 10,18). The results show PANAS's excellent psychometric properties, with
      consistent dimensions and reliable item functioning, considering the Rasch
      measurement paradigm expressed in the PCM as an Item Response Theory model for
      polytomous data. The study considers important cultural issues and the results
      support more cautious translations for scales as well as further studies
      concerned with cross-cultural differences on the perception of affect states. 

PMID- 24230922
TI  - Spanish version of the eating attitudes test 40: dimensionality, reliability,
      convergent and criterion validity.
AB  - The Eating Attitudes Test-40 (EAT-40; Garner & Garfinkel, 1979) is one of the
      most widely used measures in the field of eating disorders (ED). The factor
      structure of the EAT-40, as well as the optimal cut-off score to identify
      subjects with ED, are subjects of debate. Both controversial issues are addressed
      in the present study. Participants were 95 clinical females meeting DSM-IV-R
      criteria for ED and 89 females without ED. The results supported a unidimensional
      structure of the EAT-40 items scores. The general factor accounted for a high
      percentage (50.63%) of the variance in EAT-40 total scores. The questionnaire
      proved to have good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Clinical
      participants displayed higher mean scores than normal subjects in the EAT-40.
      Further, participants meeting DSM-IV-R criteria for ED differed significantly
      from "symptomatic" and "asymptomatic" participants. Correlations with the BULIT-R
      and the EDI-II scores supported the convergent validity of the questionnaire. The
      EAT-40 also demonstrated good specificity (94.38%) and sensitivity (93.68%) to
      detect ED when a cut-off score of 27 was used to discriminate between subjects
      with and without ED. The implications of these findings for the conceptualization
      and the assessment of ED are discussed. 

PMID- 24230923
TI  - Normative data for a Spanish version of the Rey auditory-verbal learning test in
      older people.
AB  - The Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test is an easy to administer test that assesses
      many memory domains and is, therefore, widely used in the area of clinical
      neuropsychology. The purpose of this study was to provide normative data for an
      elderly population living in Spain. The sample of this study was comprised of 156
      volunteers over 60 years of age, which were grouped into six different age
      groups. These groups comprised of 10 participants between the ages of 61 and 65
      in the first group, 23 participants (66-70) in the second, 28 participants (71
      75) in the third, 35 participants (76-80) in the fourth, 32 participants (81
      85)in the fifth and 28 participants (86-95) in the sixth group. Demographic data
      were collected and means, deviations, and ranges of all the measures were
      evaluated. Normative data were calculated from the percentiles, and then
      converted into age-corrected scaled scores with a mean of 10 and a standard
      deviation of 3.

PMID- 24230924
TI  - Romantic attachment in Chilean adults: development of a short-form version of the
      experiences in close relationships.
AB  - Though the study of romantic attachment has expanded into all areas of
      psychology, it remains the case that there is no valid, reliable test available
      to measure it in Latin America. The present research objective was to adapt a
      Chilean version of the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR; Brennan, Clark, &
      Shaver 1998) questionnaire, developing a short-form version, and to determine its
      factor structure in two samples of Chilean adults of different ages. A pool of 25
      items was chosen to capture the two dimensions (Anxiety and Avoidance), which
      were obtained through principal components analysis in a sample of 477 adults.
      Subsequently, the short-form ECR's two-dimensional structure was confirmed using
      confirmatory factor analysis in a new sample (N = 296). All sub-dimensions'
      internal consistencies were found to be satisfactory. Evidence for the test's
      concurrent validity with the variables age, gender, and socioeconomic status was
      also obtained. The dimensions of romantic attachment showed no differences
      according to age or gender. However, participants of high socioeconomic status
      exhibited lower levels of anxious attachment than those with low socioeconomic
      status. It was concluded that the Chilean short-form version of the ECR has good
      psychometric properties and is a suitable assessment of adult attachment. 

PMID- 24230925
TI  - The influence of leadership style on subordinates' attachment to the leader.
AB  - The aim of this research is to explore the extent to which employees establish
      attachment bonds with their leaders and the effects these bonds have on
      organizational outcomes. A sample of 225 participants reported on their
      supervisor's leadership style (transformational, transactional, or passive
      avoidant), their attachment bonds to this supervisor (anxious or avoidant), and
      four organizational variables (subordinate's satisfaction, identification with
      the organization, extra effort, and perceived leadership effectiveness). Results,
      analyzed using a Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach, indicated that (a)
      transformational leadership was negatively associated with employees' insecure
      (anxious or avoidant) attachment to their leader; (b) passive/avoidant leadership
      was positively associated with subordinates' insecure attachment to their leader;
      (c) transactional leadership was positively associated with employee's anxious
      attachment but not with their avoidant attachment; (d) avoidant, but not anxious,
      attachment to the leader was negatively associated with employee satisfaction,
      perceived leader effectiveness, employee's extra effort, and organizational
      identification. 

PMID- 24230926
TI  - Prevalence of oppositional defiant disorder in a sample of Spanish
      schoolchildren.
AB  - The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence rate of ODD in school age
      children, and analyze the variability of the prevalence rates per informant,
      according to the sources of information, sex, age, and level of agreement between
      teachers and parents. This is an epidemiological study conducted using a
      community sample extracted by means of multi-stage stratified sampling. The
      sample consisted of 1,295 children of both sexes from 6 to 8 years old. For
      diagnostic evaluation, the Oppositional Defiant Disorder Rating Scale (ODDRS-IV)
      was used. The estimated global prevalence of ODD, detected by all sources is
      16.1%. But if we consider the percentage of subjects detected by only one
      informant, the prevalence rate is 9.5%. The prevalence according to teachers is
      5.1% (95% CI = 3.88-6.31), according to fathers is 9% (95% CI = 7.38-10.54), and
      according to mothers is 9.7% (95% CI = 8.02-11.29). Teachers report more boys
      with ODD than girls. Results support the idea of high variability in ODD
      prevalence rates. Our findings suggest that parents are more prone to detect the
      disorder than teachers, and that boys present ODD more frequently than girls,
      only when they are evaluated by their teachers. 

PMID- 24230927
TI  - Depression and neighborhood violence among children and early adolescents in
      Medellin, Colombia.
AB  - Violence is considered one of the most important public health problems among
      Latino countries. In Colombia, approximately 41% of Medellin's inhabitants have
      witnessed a homicide, 75% have witnessed an aggressive incident, and 40% have
      been victims of other types of violent incidents. Despite increased
      national/international attention paid to the effects of neighborhood violence
      exposure on childhood depression, little is still known about this phenomenon in
      non-clinical samples. This study examined neighborhood violence exposure and
      depression (negative mood, interpersonal problems, ineffectiveness, anhedonia,
      and negative self-esteem) among N = 320 8-12 years old youth. Data were collected
      from public schools in Medellin during 2009. Kovacs' Children's Depression
      Inventory was used to assess depression; neighborhood violence exposure was
      measured using Medellin's Human Rights report on high-low violence rates
      neighborhoods where participants lived and/or attended school. Results show that
      26 children reported depressive symptoms (a prevalence of 8.9 % in the total
      sample). Among early adolescents (boys and girls), exposure to higher levels of
      violence was associated with greater ineffectiveness. Gender did not moderate the
      relationship between violence exposure and depression subscales. Results raise
      awareness about the importance to further exploring other factors related to
      neighborhood violence exposure and depression (e.g., developmental stage,
      gender). 

PMID- 24230928
TI  - Incidental encoding of the serial order of visual-spatial events in working
      memory.
AB  - We investigated the incidental encoding in working memory of event serial order
      in tasks in which the relevant dimension was visual appearance, spatial location,
      or visual-spatial conjunction. The participants (n = 60) were asked whether two
      sequences were identical based on the relevant dimension, and to ignore changes
      in the irrelevant dimension, that is the order of events. Changes in serial order
      impaired the performance when sequences were identical; this effect was more
      pronounced in spatial sequences. It is suggested that the order was incidentally
      encoded with the relevant information to the task in an earlier stage in the
      information processing, which explains a different pattern of serial order effect
      according to the relevant dimension. Although encoded, the serial order may not
      have affected the visual storage in working memory because it might have been
      kept in a distinct subcomponent rather than the one that stores the visual
      characteristic. Moreover, the order may have affected spatial storage because the
      maintenance of this dimension might be related to a rehearsal mechanism based on
      serial order of sequence. This conclusion qualifies models that admit the
      architecture of working memory based on the specificity of encoding and
      functional interaction between subcomponents of storage. 

PMID- 24230929
TI  - Adaptation of the questionnaire of Hahn, Cella, Bode, and Hanrahan in Spanish
      patients affected by asbestos poisoning.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not the questionnaire
      developed by Hahn, Cella, Bode, and Hanharan (2010) for use with cancer patients
      accurately measures the social well-being of individuals suffering from chronic
      illnesses associated with asbestos poisoning. One hundred ten male patients with
      asbestos poisoning were age-matched in blocks to a comparison group of 70
      "healthy" controls, all of whom were current or retired employees of the largest
      naval company in Spain. The results indicate very high reliability of the Hahn et
      al. (2010) test to assess social well-being in these chronically ill patients,
      and a high concurrent validity of the measured outcomes with regard to results of
      the SCL-90 Derogatis questionnaire, especially on the social well-being
      dimensions of negative emotional support, negative social companionship, and
      satisfaction. Limitations of the study and possible future directions are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24230930
TI  - Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Composite Scale of
      Morningness.
AB  - The Composite Scale of Morningness is widely used and translated into several
      languages. The aim of the study was to present psychometric properties of Turkish
      version of CSM based on a sample of high school and university students. A total
      of 543 high school and 650 university students have participated in to the study.
      The internal consistency coefficient was found to be .73 (high school) and .80
      (university). The test-retest reliability of the scale was .89 in high school
      sample and .84 in university sample. The mean CMS scores did not differ by gender
      in both samples. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the
      scale is valid. As an external validation, morningness was associated with MEQ
      scores, sleep length, mid-point of sleep, rising and retiring time. The data
      obtained in the study suggested that the Turkish version of the CSM is a reliable
      and valid instrument to assess circadian preference in both high school and
      university samples. 

PMID- 24230931
TI  - Using learning potential to evaluate children with specific language impairment.
AB  - This article presents research on a learning potential assessment that was
      administered to 32 preschool children with typical development, and 32 with
      specific language impairment receiving treatment at CADIT: the Children's Center
      for Early Intervention and Development. The study's main objective was to examine
      whether the language-impaired group's cognitive profile could improve by applying
      learning potential methodology. Its second aim was to demonstrate the
      effectiveness of mediation in both groups. The results revealed significant
      differences between the two groups at pretest on most subscales. As for the
      second objective, we observed differences between pretest and posttest scores in
      both groups. In the second group, all differences were significant except in the
      case of classification and auditory memory, while in the first group, the
      differences between pretest and posttest scores were significant on all sub
      scales but visual memory. 

PMID- 24230932
TI  - Perceptions of the self and most people's reactions towards innocent and
      noninnocent victims.
AB  - Research has shown that: individuals positively distinguish themselves from most
      other people; being consistent is positively valued; injunctive and descriptive
      norms are perceived to protect victims. Joining these findings, we argue that
      individuals present themselves as following injunctive and descriptive norms
      towards victims to a higher extent and more consistently than most people. In an
      experimental study 273 university students of both sexes indicated what they and
      most other people would approve of (injunctive norm) or typically do (descriptive
      norm) regarding various reactions towards either an innocent or a noninnocent
      victim. The reactions involved secondary victimization (devaluation/derogation,
      avoidance, suffering minimization, blaming the victim) and non secondary
      victimization (valuation, contact, suffering acknowledgment, not blaming the
      victim). Participants perceived themselves and most people as approving of more
      non secondary than secondary victimization reactions, except for blaming the
      noninnocent victim. Participants indicated they approved of most of the normative
      reactions to a higher extent than most people, which is interpreted as a new
      instance of the Primus Inter Pares effect. Participants also indicated they would
      show more consistency between their injunctive and descriptive norms, especially
      towards the innocent victim. Results suggest that individuals perceive themselves
      as more immune to perverse norms than most people. 

PMID- 24230933
TI  - Representations and antinomies: rural and city social objects in a Brazilian
      peasant community.
AB  - The present work is part of a series of studies that primarily focus on social
      representations of rural and city objects in the process of constructing a social
      identity of the countryside. Using social representation theory, this study aimed
      to investigate the representational field linked to the rural and city objects
      for the members of a peasant community. A total of 200 members of a Brazilian
      rural community from four generational groups, of both sexes and aged between 7
      and 81 years, participated in this study. We conducted individual interviews with
      semi-structured scripts. The data corpora, processed using EVOC software,
      consisted of free associations of the rural and city inductor terms. In
      constitutive terms, the results allow for the identification of antinomies
      between the objects discussed; in functional terms, they indicate that the
      process of constructing social identity is based on the symbolic field, which
      acts as a reference system for the preparation of the rural identity shared by
      the participants. 

PMID- 24230934
TI  - Loneliness of homosexual male students: parental bonding attitude as a moderating
      factor.
AB  - The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationships of homosexual male
      students at the senior high school level and their loneliness using parental
      bonding attitude as a moderating factor. An amount of 127 homosexual male senior
      high school students in Taiwan is studied. The Pearson correlation analysis and
      the hierarchical regression analysis are adapted to examine two proposed
      hypotheses. Based on the results, homosexual male senior high school students in
      both hyper-masculine and feminine gender roles are found to feel loneliness, but
      levels of loneliness of those who possess hyper-masculine gender role are
      relatively lower than those in a feminine role. In addition, the levels of
      loneliness of homosexual male senior high school students could be negatively
      affected by parental bonding attitudes (Care). Recommendations and suggestions
      for parents as well as teachers of homosexual senior high school male students
      and future studies are underscored at the end of this article. 

PMID- 24230935
TI  - Zung scale factor invariance in male coronary patients and healthy people.
AB  - The objective of this study was, firstly, to determine the factor structure and
      factor invariance of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) and, secondly,
      to justify its use in coronary patients (CPs) and healthy people (HP). Two
      comparable samples of males were studied: 217 CPs and 191 HP. Exploratory and
      confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) for ordinal data were carried out with
      Mplus. Two models obtained from all participants in this study and another two,
      the model of Shafer (2006) from a meta-analysis and that of Barefoot et al.
      (2000) with CPs, were analyzed in CFA. A two-factor structure was supported by
      EFA in both samples, but none of the models showed adequate goodness-of-fit for
      the CPs and the HP in CFA. Only the two and three-factor models obtained from the
      combined sample of CPs and HP showed adequate goodness-of-fit for HP. The ZSDS
      showed good reliability, replicated the prevalence of depressive symptoms found
      in other studies and was able to distinguish between CPs and HP. We conclude that
      the best fit is obtained from the two-factor solution in HP, that the factor
      structure of the ZSDS is not invariant and is linked to positively and negatively
      worded items. 

PMID- 24230936
TI  - Explaining social discrimination: racism in Brazil and xenophobia in Spain.
AB  - The present study investigates the arguments used by university students in order
      to explain social differences between social minorities and majorities. In
      Brazil, the issues investigated refer to White and Black people. In Spain, the
      reference is to native Spaniards and Moroccan immigrants. The participants were
      144 Brazilians and 93 Spaniards, who answered a questionnaire composed of socio
      demographic variables and one open question about the causes of social
      inequalities between Black and White people in Brazil and between autochthonous
      Spaniards and Moroccan Immigrants. A model is proposed to integrate the four
      discursive classes found using ALCESTE software. In Brazil, the strongest
      argument is based on the historical roots of the exploitation of Black people. In
      Spain, cultural differences are the main explanation for social inequalities. 

PMID- 24230937
TI  - Verification of ingroup identity as a longitudinal mediator between intergroup
      contact and outgroup evaluation.
AB  - Almost six decades of research have consistently demonstrated that intergroup
      contact is one of the most powerful ways of improving intergroup attitudes. At
      least two important limitations, however, still compel researchers to continue
      work in this area: the issue of long-term effects of contact, and the processes
      underlying such effects. This report makes a theoretical and empirical
      contribution with regard to these two aspects introducing a new mediator of the
      effects of contact: verification of qualities of typical ingroup members that may
      or may not characterize individual group members (e.g. verification of ingroup
      identities). One hundred and forty-two high school students participated in a two
      wave longitudinal study with 12 weeks' lag in Spain. Cross-sectional and
      longitudinal mediational analyses using multiple imputation data showed that
      intergroup contact improves general outgroup evaluation through increasing
      verification of ingroup identities. This research demonstrates the relevance of
      considering verification of ingroup identity as a mediator for the positive
      effects of intergroup contact. 

PMID- 24230938
TI  - Autonomy, coping strategies and psychological well-being in young professional
      tennis players.
AB  - This research aimed to analyze the role of Psychological Well-being factors in
      young professional tennis players, assigning special attention to their preferred
      coping strategies and perceived autonomy that specifically contribute to
      Psychological Well-being. The conceptual framework utilized for this study was
      Ryff's Psychological Well-being multidimensional model in order to focus our
      understanding towards how environment demands of professional sport affect
      athletes Psychological Well-being. Participants were 155 male professional tennis
      players with a mean age of 14.61 (SD = 1.86) engaged in South American Tennis
      Federation tournaments. Instruments utilized were Psychological Well Being Scale
      EBP, Diaz et al., 2006, Sport Coping Approach Questionnary Spanish version, ACSQ
      1 (Kim, Duda, Tomas, & Balaguer, 2003) and Sport Perceived Autonomy Scale,
      Spanish version (Balaguer, Castillo, & Duda, 2008). Our research revealed that
      the greater autonomy young athletes perceive while being engaged in professional
      sport was because of the coping strategies they utilized such as active planning,
      cognitive restructuring, emotional calmness and seeking of social support.
      Results confirmed also that the greater perceived autonomy was explaining
      athletes high levels of Psychological Well-being. 

PMID- 24230939
TI  - Protective factors for adolescent violence against authority.
AB  - Both the family and school environments influence adolescents' violence, but
      there is little research focusing simultaneously on the two contexts. This study
      analyzed the role of positive family and classroom environments as protective
      factors for adolescents' violence against authority (parent abuse and teacher
      abuse) and the relations between antisocial behavior and child-to-parent violence
      or student-to-teacher violence. The sample comprised 687 Spanish students aged 12
      16 years, who responded to the Family Environment Scale (FES) and the Classroom
      Environment Scale (CES). Structural Equation Modeling was used to test our model
      of violent behavior towards authority based on Catalano and Hawkins' Social
      Developmental Model (1996). Perceived family cohesion and organization showed an
      inverse association with parent abuse, suggesting that a positive family
      environment was a protective factor for the development of violence against
      parents. Family and classroom environments had direct effects on adolescents'
      violence against authority, and antisocial behavior showed a mediating effect in
      this relationship. The model accounted for 81% of the variance in violence
      against authority. As family environment was a better predictor of violence
      against authority than school environment, intervention efforts to reduce rates
      of adolescent violence should focus on helping parents to increase family
      cohesion and to manage conflictive relationships with their children. 

PMID- 24230940
TI  - Less time, better quality. Shortening questionnaires to assess team environment
      and goal orientation.
AB  - When assessing team environments in youth sport, participants often spend
      substantial time responding to lots of items in questionnaires, causing a lack of
      efficiency (i.e. time and effort) and a decrease of data quality. The purpose of
      this work was to create short-forms of the questionnaires PeerMCYSQ, SCQPeer,
      TEOSQ, and also to analyse the existing short-form of the SCQCoach. In Study 1 we
      developed the short-forms of the instruments. We shortened the questionnaires by
      using both theory driven and data-driven criteria. In Study 2, we used also
      qualitative and quantitative data with the aim of validating the short-forms.
      Finally, in Study 3 we tested the last version of the short-forms and sought
      evidences concerning their criterion validity. The results showed evidence that
      supports the psychometric merit of these short-forms: (a) significantly less
      missing values were obtained; (b) all the factors obtained alpha values above
      .70; (c) confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that the short-forms fitted
      the hypothesized models well; (d) correlations between variables were coherent
      with expectations, and (e) structural equation modeling results showed
      significant paths consistent with previous literature. On average, our
      participants only spent a third of the time used to complete the original
      questionnaires. 

PMID- 24230941
TI  - Associations between psychosocial problems and personality disorders among
      Egyptian adolescents.
AB  - The study investigated the relationship between psychosocial problems and
      personality disorders among a sample of 817 Egyptian adolescents (408 males and
      409 females). Using 15 subscales from the Adolescent Psychopathology Scale (APS
      long form) we assessed prevalence rates of a number of internalizing and
      externalizing psychosocial disorders. Additionally, we investigated whether there
      are gender differences in psychopathology among Egyptian adolescents and to what
      extent can psychosocial problems predict specific personality disorders. Stepwise
      multiple regression analyses showed that the participants experienced higher
      levels of PD, AV, and BD. Gender differences were found in certain personality
      disorders as well as in externalizing and internalizing psychosocial problems. A
      number of externalizing and internalizing psychosocial problems were highly
      predictive of specific personality disorders. 

PMID- 24230942
TI  - Mindful attention and awareness: relationships with psychopathology and emotion
      regulation.
AB  - The growing interest in mindfulness from the scientific community has originated
      several self-report measures of this psychological construct. The Mindful
      Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS) is a self-report measure of mindfulness at a
      trait-level. This paper aims at exploring MAAS psychometric characteristics and
      validating it for the Portuguese population. The first two studies replicate some
      of the original author's statistical procedures in two different samples from the
      Portuguese general community population, in particular confirmatory factor
      analyses. Results from both analyses confirmed the scale single-factor structure
      and indicated a very good reliability. Moreover, cross-validation statistics
      showed that this single-factor structure is valid for different respondents from
      the general community population. In the third study the Portuguese version of
      the MAAS was found to have good convergent and discriminant validities. Overall
      the findings support the psychometric validity of the Portuguese version of MAAS
      and suggest this is a reliable self-report measure of trait-mindfulness, a
      central construct in Clinical Psychology research and intervention fields. 

PMID- 24230943
TI  - Memory for radio advertisements: the effect of program and typicality.
AB  - We examined the influence of the type of radio program on the memory for radio
      advertisements. We also investigated the role in memory of the typicality (high
      or low) of the elements of the products advertised. Participants listened to
      three types of programs (interesting, boring, enjoyable) with two advertisements
      embedded in each. After completing a filler task, the participants performed a
      true/false recognition test. Hits and false alarm rates were higher for the
      interesting and enjoyable programs than for the boring one. There were also more
      hits and false alarms for the high-typicality elements. The response criterion
      for the advertisements embedded in the boring program was stricter than for the
      advertisements in other types of programs. We conclude that the type of program
      in which an advertisement is inserted and the nature of the elements of the
      advertisement affect both the number of hits and false alarms and the response
      criterion, but not the accuracy of the memory. 

PMID- 24230944
TI  - The importance of supporting adolescents' autonomy in promoting physical-sport
      exercise.
AB  - This study was conducted toward the objective of analyzing certain factors that
      influence physical activity in Spanish adolescent students using self
      determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985; 2000) as a framework. Participants
      included 698 physical education students whose perception of the autonomy support
      provided by their teachers was assessed in and out of the class context. Also
      assessed were social goals of responsibility and relationship with others, basic
      psychological needs, and intrinsic motivation, which is part of self
      determination theory (SDT). Finally, the "intention" factor posited by the theory
      of planned behavior (TPB) and students' rate of exercise in the last twelve
      months were considered. The results of structural equations modeling suggest
      autonomy education, autonomy support, and social goals positively predicted
      certain psychological mediators, which in turn positively predicted students'
      intrinsic motivation, which was a positive predictor of intention, and that of
      rate of exercise. The results also highlight the benefit of promoting autonomy to
      enhance students' physical exercise practice. 

PMID- 24230945
TI  - Satisfaction with life scale in a representative sample of Spanish adults:
      validation and normative data.
AB  - The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is a measure widely used to assess life
      satisfaction. This paper aims to test its psychometric properties, factor
      structure, and distribution scores across age, gender, education, and employment
      status. For this purpose, a representative sample of the Spanish population (N =
      2,964) was used. Although analyses showed no significant differences across age
      or gender, participants with higher education level and those who held an
      occupation were more satisfied with their lives. Confirmatory factor analysis
      revealed a unifactorial structure with significant correlations between the SWLS,
      and subjective happiness and social support. The internal consistency of the
      scale was .88. Thus, our results indicate that the Spanish version of the SWLS is
      a valid and reliable measure of life satisfaction within the Spanish context. 

PMID- 24230946
TI  - Leader-member exchange (LMX) and innovation climate: the role of LMX
      differentiation.
AB  - Leader-member Exchange (LMX) theory has been shown to be one of the most
      compelling theories for understanding the effects of leadership on organizational
      behavior. This theory proposes that leaders establish differentiated
      relationships with each of their subordinates according to the exchanges produced
      between them. Recently, the concept of LMX differentiation has been introduced
      into the theory to extend research from the dyadic to the group level. The
      present paper uses a longitudinal design to analyze the moderator role of LMX
      differentiation in the relationship between mean LMX and innovation climate in a
      sample of 24 healthcare teams. The results showed no direct effects of mean LMX
      on changes in innovation climate over time. However, they provide support for the
      moderator effect of LMX differentiation in this relationship, as it was stronger
      when LMX differentiation was low than when it was high. 

PMID- 24230947
TI  - Reappraisal of threat value: loss of blocking in human aversive conditioning.
AB  - Non-specificity of fear is a core aspect of what makes anxiety disorders so
      impairing: Fear does not remain specific to a single stimulus paired with danger,
      but generalizes to a broad set of stimuli, resulting in a snowballing of threat
      signals. The blocking procedure can provide a valuable laboratory model for
      gaining insight into such threat appraisal and generalization processes. We
      report two experiments in which we induced selective threat appraisal by using a
      blocking procedure in human aversive conditioning. We subsequently assessed to
      what extent such selective threat appraisal is sensitive to different kinds of
      interference. Results illustrate that the maintenance of selective threat
      appraisal is not guaranteed: Stimuli present during an aversive conditioning
      event that are initially tagged with a low threat value, can come to be tagged
      with a higher threat value later on, without additional experience with these
      stimuli. We argue that such interference in selective threat appraisal might be
      one of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of non-specific fear. 

PMID- 24230948
TI  - Millon clinical multiaxial inventory III (MCMI-III) and communication styles in a
      sample of university students.
AB  - Despite the controversy generated by the conceptualization of personality
      disorders, it is well established that the inflexibility of coping styles and
      dysfunctional behaviors associated with them can lead to a considerable
      impairment in interpersonal relationships. Although communication is one of the
      most important processes in relating to others, few empirical studies have been
      undertaken on the influence of dysfunctional personality patterns on
      communication styles, which is the main objective of the present cross-sectional
      study. A total of 529 Spanish university students were assessed using the Millon
      Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III (MCMI-III), Millon, Davis, and Millon, 1997,
      and the Communicator Style Measure (Norton, 1978). Results show statistically
      significant relationships between different personality patterns and styles of
      communication and suggest that narcissistic, histrionic and compulsive patterns
      are related to positive communication styles in a non-clinical sample. The
      implications of this study are discussed. 

PMID- 24230949
TI  - Psychometric properties of the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS-7) in Spanish
      adolescents.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to validate the Spanish version of Motl and
      Conroy's model of the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS-7). To achieve this
      goal, a sample of 398 secondary school students was used, and the psychometric
      properties of the SPAS-7 were examined through different analyses. The results
      supported the seven-item model, although the item 5 did not show any significant
      correlation with two items from this model and had a lower factor loading than
      the rest of items. The structure of the model was invariant across gender and
      Body Mass Index (BMI). Alpha value over .70 and suitable levels of temporal
      stability were obtained. Girls and students classified according to the BMI as
      overweight and obese had higher scores in social physique anxiety than boys and
      the group classified as underweight and normal range. The findings of this study
      provided reliability and validity for the SPAS-7 in a Spanish adolescent sample. 

PMID- 24230950
TI  - Academic performance and social competence of adolescents: predictions based on
      effortful control and empathy.
AB  - This study explored the predictive power of effortful control (EC) on empathy,
      academic performance, and social competence in adolescents. We obtained self
      report measures of EC and dispositional empathy in 359 students (197 girls and
      162 boys) aged between 12 and 14 years. Each student provided information about
      the prosocial behavior of the rest of his/her classmates and completed a
      sociogram. At the end of the school year, we calculated the mean grade of each
      student and the teacher responsible for each class completed a questionnaire on
      the academic skills of his/her students. The study confirmed the existence of a
      structural equation model (SEM) in which EC directly predicted academic
      performance and social competence. Additionally, empathic concern partially
      mediated the effect of EC on social competence. Finally, social competence
      significantly predicted academic performance. The article discusses the practical
      applications of the model proposed. 

PMID- 24230951
TI  - Think manager--think male in adolescents and its relation to sexism and emotions
      in leadership.
AB  - From the perspective of the Think manager--think male, this study was conducted
      to examine the type of leadership role depending on gender in a sample of 158
      Spanish adolescents -according to three types of leaders: "male middle leader",
      "female middle leader" and "middle leader in general". The kind of emotional
      expression (positive and negative) evoked by their leadership behaviors (task-
      and relationship- oriented) was also analyzed. Lastly, whether adolescents'
      sexist beliefs affected the attribution of traits and the emotional expression
      towards these leaders was examined. Results showed that task-oriented traits were
      more characteristic of the leadership role than relationship-oriented traits.
      Adolescents expressed more positive emotions towards a task-oriented leader and
      towards a leader behaving in ways associated with both task- and relationship-
      oriented styles, but only for men. Finally, hostile sexism predicted fewer task
      oriented traits to female leaders, more negative affect towards task-oriented
      male leaders and towards counter-stereotypic leaders. These results were
      moderated by the sex of adolescents.

PMID- 24230952
TI  - High trait anger Mexican youth: characteristics, parental anger, and counseling
      needs.
AB  - This study compared three groups of Mexican youth: (1) high trait anger
      adolescents recognizing anger problems (HR); (2) high trait anger youth not
      reporting anger problems (HNR); and (3) low trait anger adolescents not reporting
      anger problems (LNR). The HR group was sizable, representing 21% of all students
      and 72% of high anger youth. Compared to LNR, high anger groups (HR and HNR)
      experienced more angry feelings, engaged in anger suppression (e.g., holding
      anger in and harboring grudges) and aggressive anger expression (e.g., urges to
      aggression, physical aggressive anger expression toward others and toward self
      and objects), and reported lower internal and external anger control (e.g.,
      relaxing and controlling one's behavior when angry). High anger groups also
      reported greater trait anger in both parents than LNR, suggesting parent's anger
      is a risk factor for anger in adolescents. HR and HNR groups, however, did not
      differ on any variable. Findings for high anger groups supported the intensity,
      aggression, and reduced positive coping hypotheses of State-Trait Anger Theory.
      Findings were also discussed in terms of the counseling needs of high anger
      Mexican youth and State-Trait Theory. 

PMID- 24230953
TI  - Sense of coherence and biopsychosocial health in Spanish adolescents.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of the SOC on the main components
      of biopsychosocial health separately, thereby contributing to a better
      understanding of the relationship between the SOC and health in adolescence. The
      sample consisted of 7,580 Spanish adolescents aged 13 to 18 who had participated
      in the 2009/10 edition of the WHO international survey Health Behaviour in School
      aged Children. Using multivariate analysis of variance, the effects of the SOC
      and demographic variables (including interaction effects between them) on
      different health components were analysed. A higher SOC was associated with
      better self-rated health, lower frequency of somatic and psychological complaints
      and higher quality of life and life satisfaction. Thus, results support the
      association between SOC and positive health outcomes, especially for the
      psychological components of health. In addition, the effect of SOC on the various
      health components was homogeneous among all of the adolescents, regardless of
      gender and age. 

PMID- 24230954
TI  - Relapse situations according to Marlatt's taxonomy in smokers.
AB  - Relapse is common during the process of giving up smoking. The aim of the present
      study is to explore the relapse situations, according to Marlatt's relapse
      taxonomy, in a sample of 428 smokers (43.9% men and 56.1% women) who participated
      in a cognitive-behavior psychological treatment for quitting smoking. At the end
      of the treatment, 221 participants were abstinent, of whom 119 (41.2% men and
      58.8% women) relapsed in the course of the 12-month follow-up, the majority in
      the first 3 months (69.74%). Most of the relapses were attributed to
      intrapersonal and environmental determinants (61.33%), the most common of which
      were "coping with negative emotional states" (38.65%), followed by "giving in to
      temptations or urges" (9.24%) and "testing personal control" (8.40%).
      Interpersonal determinants occurred in 38.66% of relapses, this percentage being
      made up mostly of "social pressure", which was the relapse situation in 34.46% of
      all relapses. These results, similar to those of Marlatt's original studies and
      others, contribute to improving our knowledge of the relapse situations process,
      with a view to interventions that may help to avoid it. 

PMID- 24230955
TI  - A meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of the SCOFF.
AB  - A meta-analysis was conducted to reach a pooled estimate of the diagnostic
      accuracy of the SCOFF. The 15 selected studies represented a total of 882 cases
      and 4350 controls. The main criterion for inclusion was that the primary study
      had provided diagnostic classification with both a diagnostic reference and with
      the SCOFF (with five items and a cut-off point of two). The pooled estimates were
      .80 (sensitivity) and .93 (specificity). The moderator variables gender and type
      of measure for the diagnostic reference (interview versus psychometric tests)
      account for part of the observed variability. For diagnostic references based on
      interviews the estimate of the efficacy improves significantly. For the studies
      that match this criterion the sensitivity is .882 and the specificity .925
      (diagnostic odds ratio, 92.19). The main conclusion was that the five questions
      of the SCOFF constitute a very useful screening tool, in several languages; it is
      highly recommended for screening purposes. 

PMID- 24230956
TI  - Confirmatory factor analysis of the generalized self-efficacy scale in Brazil and
      Portugal.
AB  - This study aims to evaluate the construct validity, internal consistency and
      cross-cultural invariance of the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale-Portuguese
      version (GSE) in a Brazilian and Portuguese sample. The GSE is composed of 10
      items, designed to parsimoniously and comprehensively assess self-efficacy
      beliefs to deal with a wide range of stress-inducing situations. The construct
      validity (factorial, convergent and discriminant) and internal consistency of the
      instrument were established within a sample of 304 Portuguese adolescents (study
      1) and a sample of 477 Brazilian adolescents (study 2). Then, the invariance of
      the GSE was tested in a sample of Brazilian adolescents (study 3), using
      Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA). In the first two studies, the
      construct validity of the GSE was demonstrated in its three components and the
      reliability of the scales was confirmed based on satisfactory levels of internal
      consistency. In the third study, the cross-cultural invariance of the instrument
      was established. This work adds to previous research on generalized self-efficacy
      instruments, with good psychometric qualities. Moreover, comparisons can now be
      made with confidence using this instrument among adolescent samples from Portugal
      and Brazil. 

PMID- 24230957
TI  - Psychometric evaluation of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance
      Questionnaire-3 among Brazilian young adults.
AB  - The objective was evaluating the psychometric properties of the Sociocultural
      Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3) among Brazilian young
      adults of both genders. The sample was composed by 506 undergraduate students
      (295 females and 211 males), aged between 17 and 29 years old. Exploratory and
      confirmatory factor analyses were used for construct validity (N = 506).
      Correlations between the SATAQ-3 scores and those of the Tripartite Influence
      Scale (TIS) and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) were used for convergent validity.
      Reliability was assessed through internal consistency (alpha) and reproducibility
      (test-retest) through comparison of the means obtained at two different time
      points and through intra-class correlation. The scale presented a factor
      structure composed of five factors, replicated in the confirmatory factor
      analysis with satisfactory values for the measurements of adjustment to the
      model. Correlations with the BSQ and TIS scores were rho = .52 and rho = -.35,
      respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were satisfactory, and their
      stability was demonstrated. Brazilian SATAQ-3 had good validity and
      reproducibility, being indicated for use in samples of Brazilian youths. 

PMID- 24230958
TI  - Spanish version of the Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30).
AB  - The Meta-cognitions Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30; Wells & Cartwright-Hatton, 2004)
      has been used to assess individual differences in metacognitive beliefs
      considered to be central in the metacognitive theory of generalized anxiety
      disorder (Wells, 2005). In the present study, the psychometric properties,
      reliability, and validity of a Spanish adaptation of the MCQ-30 were tested in a
      broad sample of participants (N = 768) of Spanish nationality aged 16-81 years
      (31.1% males, 68.9% females). Confirmatory factor analysis showed the expected
      five-factor structure, which was found to be invariant across gender. Internal
      consistency and test-retest reliability of the subscales were adequate, and the
      expected relationships to theoretically related variables such as pathological
      worry, meta-worry, thought suppression and trait anxiety were obtained.
      Convergent validity with other measures of beliefs about worry was also found.
      Taken together, these findings suggest that the Spanish version of the MCQ-30 is
      a valid instrument for evaluating metacognitive beliefs in the Spanish-speaking
      population. 

PMID- 24230959
TI  - When interdependence shapes social perception: cooperation and competition
      moderate implicit gender stereotyping.
AB  - We examined the influence of interdependence goals on the accessibility of
      implicit gender stereotypical associations. Participants were asked to cooperate
      with or compete against a woman on a mathematical abilities task and subsequently
      the relative activation of positive and negative warmth and competence traits was
      measured using a primed categorization task. Results showed that female primes
      (vs. male primes) facilitated the activation of low warmth and high competence in
      the competition condition, whereas high warmth was activated in the cooperation
      condition and no differences were found for competence traits. These results are
      discussed referring to the stereotype content model and the compensation effect
      in person perception. The goal dependent nature of implicit gender stereotypes is
      emphasized. 

PMID- 24230960
TI  - Human embryonic stem cell science and policy: the case of Iran.
AB  - The paper is based on a large qualitative study of ethics, policy and regulation
      of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) science in Iran. This case study in five
      academic research centres used semi-structured interviews to examine in depth the
      views of stem cell scientists, embryologists and ethics committee members on hESC
      research policy in this Shia Muslim country. Although Iran's policy approach has
      been considered 'intermediate', what is described here seems to be a 'more
      flexible' policy on hESC science. This article describes three arguments to
      explain why Iran has shaped such a policy. These are: (1) a flexibility of the
      Shia tradition has allowed for hESC science; (2) permissive policy related to
      other fields of biomedicine, such as new assisted reproductive technologies,
      facilitated approval of hESC research; and (3) a lack of public debate of
      bioscience in Iran influences how its hESC research policy is perceived. Based on
      the empirical data, this paper then expands and refines the conceptual bioethical
      basis for the co-production of science, policy, and society in Iran. The notion
      of co-production implies that scientists, policy-makers, and sometimes other
      societal actors cooperate in the exchange, production, and application of
      knowledge to make science policy. 

PMID- 24230961
TI  - The influence of school holiday timing on epidemic impact.
AB  - The impact of reactive school closure on an epidemic is uncertain, since it is
      not clear how an unplanned closure will affect social mixing patterns. The effect
      of school holidays on social mixing patterns is better understood. Here, we use
      mathematical models to explore the influence of the timing of school holidays on
      the final size and peak incidence of an influenza-like epidemic. A well-timed
      holiday can reduce the impact of an epidemic, in particular substantially
      reducing an epidemic's peak. Final size and peak incidence cannot both be
      minimized: a later holiday is optimal for minimizing the final size, while an
      earlier holiday minimizes peak incidence. Using social mixing data from the UK,
      we estimated that, had the 2009 influenza epidemic not been interrupted by the
      school summer holidays, the final size would have been about 20% larger and the
      peak about 170% higher.

PMID- 24230962
TI  - A systematic review and meta-analysis of total thyroidectomy versus bilateral
      subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim was to perform a meta-analysis of high-quality published
      trials, randomized and observational, comparing total thyroidectomy (TT) and
      bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy (ST) for Graves' disease. METHODS: All studies
      published from 1970 to August 2012 were identified. All randomized controlled
      trials (RCTs) were included. Selection of high-quality, nonrandomized comparative
      studies (NRCTs) was based on a validated tool (Methodological Index for
      Nonrandomized Studies). Recurrent hyperthyroidism during follow-up, progression
      of ophthalmopathy, postoperative temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism, and
      permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy were compared using odds ratios
      (ORs). RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included (4 RCTs and 19 NRCTs)
      compromising 3,242 patients (1,665 TT, 1,577 ST). TT was associated with a
      decrease in recurrent hyperthyroidism (P < .00001; OR, 0.10; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.06-0.18), but with an increase in both temporary (P < .00001;
      OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 2.04-3.56) and permanent hypoparathyroidism (P = .005; OR,
      2.91; 95% CI, 1.59-5.32). Progression of ophthalmopathy (P = .76; OR, 0.90; 95%
      CI, 0.48-1.71) and permanent RLN palsy (P = .82; OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.41-2.02)
      were similar. CONCLUSION: TT offers a better chance of cure of hyperthyroidism
      than bilateral ST and can be accomplished safely with only a small increase in
      temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism.

PMID- 24230963
TI  - Prevalence of dysmenorrhea in university students in Turkey: effect on daily
      activities and evaluation of different pain management methods.
AB  - This study was conducted to determine the following among a group of female
      university students: the prevalence of dysmenorrhea; pain severity ratings;
      methods used to manage dysmenorrhea; and the effect of dysmenorrhea on daily
      activities, school attendance, and ability to communicate with friends. This
      cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2009 and February 2010 at a
      public university located in Istanbul, in the northwest area of Turkey. The study
      group included 1515 female students. Data were collected from the female students
      in the study group using a self-report questionnaire; the severity of
      dysmenorrhea was determined with the visual analog scale. The data were examined
      with mean, percentages, chi-square analysis, and logistic regression. The
      prevalence of dysmenorrhea in the study group was 85.7%. Of this group of
      subjects with dysmenorrhea, 30.4% described their menstrual pain as severe, 49.8%
      as moderate, and 19.8% as mild. The mean severity of pain among the students was
      6.33 +/- 2.32 on the VAS. The majority of participants who experienced moderate
      or severe pain regularly used analgesics for pain management, and participants
      who experienced severe pain used analgesics before the beginning of menstruation.
      Participants who experienced moderate pain used herbal tea, massage, heat
      application, rest, and distraction for pain management. Participants who
      experienced severe pain consulted a physician and that a significant difference
      existed between the dysmenorrhea rating groups in this regard (p < .001). Severe
      pain was significantly associated with school absenteeism and limitations in
      social activities/functioning (p < .001). Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among
      university students and is related to school absenteeism, ability to participate
      in and enjoy daily activities, and limitations in social activities/functioning. 

PMID- 24230964
TI  - The impact of neuropsychiatric symptoms on caregiver distress and quality of life
      in persons with dementia in an Asian tertiary hospital memory clinic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the prevalence, profile, and severity of
      neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) across the dementia continuum and their relative
      impact on caregiver distress and quality of life (QoL) in persons with dementia
      (PWD). METHOD: Six hundred and sixty-seven PWD and their family caregivers
      presented to a memory clinic in a tertiary hospital across a 60-month period.
      Clinicians determined the dementia diagnosis and severity using the Diagnostic
      and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition and the Clinical Dementia
      Rating scale, respectively. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire was
      administered to assess NPS in PWD and the corresponding distress experienced by
      the caregiver. QoL for PWD (PWD-QoL) was assessed by the Quality of Life
      Alzheimer's Disease scale. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of PWD presented with at
      least one NPS, 18% experiencing mild, 31% moderate, and 47% severe symptoms,
      respectively. While agitation (63.1%), apathy (61.8%), depression (55.5%), and
      irritability (55.5%) were the most common NPS; disinhibition (35.2%),
      hallucination (25.5%), and elation (14.2%) were the least common. NPS increased
      generally but differentially as dementia progressed and significantly predicted
      caregiver distress (etap 2 = 0.732, p < 0.0001) and PWD-QoL (etap 2 = 0.066, p <
      0.0001). Factor analysis revealed two NPS clusters, disruptive and affective; the
      former exerting greater impact on caregiver distress and the latter on PWD-QoL.
      CONCLUSION: The results show a high prevalence of NPS which increase caregiver
      distress and negatively impact PWD-QoL. The differential profile of NPS across
      the dementia stages warrants stage-specific interventions and due consideration
      in resource planning and service design for PWD and their caregivers.

PMID- 24230965
TI  - The impact of cataract surgery on depressive symptoms for bilateral cataract
      patients in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is common among older populations with cataract. However,
      the impact of cataract surgery on depression in both developed and developing
      countries remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of
      cataract surgery on depressive symptoms and to examine the association between
      objective visual measures and change in depressive symptoms after surgery among a
      Vietnamese population in Ho Chi Minh City. METHODS: A cohort of older patients
      with bilateral cataract were assessed the week before and one to three months
      after first eye surgery only or first- and second-eye cataract surgeries. Visual
      measures including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and stereopsis were
      obtained. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 20-item Center for
      Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Descriptive analyses and a
      generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis were undertaken to determine the
      impact of cataract surgery on depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Four hundred and
      thirteen participants were recruited into the study before cataract surgery. Two
      hundred and forty-seven completed the follow-up assessment after surgery. There
      was a significant decrease (improvement) of one point in the depressive symptoms
      score (p = 0.04) after cataract surgery, after accounting for potential
      confounding factors. In addition, females reported a significantly greater
      decrease (improvement) of two points in depressive symptom scores (p = 0.01),
      compared to males. However, contrast sensitivity, visual acuity, and stereopsis
      were not significantly associated with change in depressive symptoms scores.
      First-eye cataract surgery or both-eye cataract surgery did not modify the change
      in depressive symptoms score. CONCLUSION: There was a small but significant
      improvement in depressive symptoms score after cataract surgery for an older
      population in Vietnam.

PMID- 24230966
TI  - Coincident electron channeling and cathodoluminescence studies of threading
      dislocations in GaN.
AB  - We combine two scanning electron microscopy techniques to investigate the
      influence of dislocations on the light emission from nitride semiconductors.
      Combining electron channeling contrast imaging and cathodoluminescence imaging
      enables both the structural and luminescence properties of a sample to be
      investigated without structural damage to the sample. The electron channeling
      contrast image is very sensitive to distortions of the crystal lattice, resulting
      in individual threading dislocations appearing as spots with black-white
      contrast. Dislocations giving rise to nonradiative recombination are observed as
      black spots in the cathodoluminescence image. Comparison of the images from
      exactly the same micron-scale region of a sample demonstrates a one-to-one
      correlation between the presence of single threading dislocations and resolved
      dark spots in the cathodoluminescence image. In addition, we have also obtained
      an atomic force microscopy image from the same region of the sample, which
      confirms that both pure edge dislocations and those with a screw component (i.e.,
      screw and mixed dislocations) act as nonradiative recombination centers for the
      Si-doped c-plane GaN thin film investigated. 

PMID- 24230967
TI  - The influence of air content in water on ultrasonic cavitation field.
AB  - Cavitation is a complex physical phenomenon affected by many factors, one of
      which is the gas dissolved in the medium. Researchers have given some efforts to
      the influence of gas content on sonoluminescence or some specific chemical
      reactions in and around the bubble, but limited work has been reported about the
      influence on the ultrasonic cavitation field distribution. In this work, the
      intensity distribution of the ultrasound field in a cleaning tank has been
      measured with the hydrophone. After analysed and visualised by MATLAB software,
      it was found that the cavitation intensity distribution in degassed water was
      much better than that in tap water. And further study proved that degassing
      process can improve the cavitation effect dramatically both in intensity and
      scope. Finally, the cavitation fields in mediums with different gas content were
      measured and the specific influence of air content on cavitation field was
      discussed. 

PMID- 24230968
TI  - The relationship between coping, health competence and patient participation
      among patients with inactive inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coping is an integral part of adjustment for patients with
      Inflammatory Bowel Disease but has not been well described in the literature.
      This study explored the relationship between coping, perceived health competence,
      patient preference for involvement in their treatment, depression and quality of
      life, particularly among patients with inactive disease (in remission). METHODS:
      Subjects (n=70) with active and inactive IBD completed questionnaires, including
      the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire, Beck Depression
      Inventory, Perceived Health Competence Scale and the Coping Inventory for
      Stressful Situations. The Harvey Bradshaw Index measured disease activity.
      RESULTS: Patients with inactive IBD demonstrated significantly more interest in
      participating in their treatment (p<.05), more perceived health competence
      (p=.001), less depressive symptoms (p<.001), more task oriented coping (p=.02),
      and better quality of life than those with active disease. Only Task Oriented
      Coping was significantly negatively associated with the number of flares among
      inactive patients (p<.001). Patient preference for participation in treatment was
      inversely associated with Avoidance (p=.005), Distraction (p=.008), and Social
      Diversion (p=.008) coping among inactive patients. CONCLUSION: Among patients in
      remission, those who expressed a greater interest in treatment participation were
      also less likely to practice maladaptive coping. Our data demonstrate that a more
      active coping style may be associated with improved health outcome. Compared to
      patients with active disease, patients in remission are more likely to employ
      task oriented coping, demonstrate a higher interest in treatment participation,
      report greater perceived control of their health, and exhibit less depression
      symptoms. Our findings may increase awareness of the importance of identifying
      coping strategies for IBD patients, including those in remission.

PMID- 24230969
TI  - Differences in the management of pediatric and adult onset ulcerative colitis-
      lessons from the joint ECCO and ESPGHAN consensus guidelines for the management
      of pediatric ulcerative colitis.
AB  - An expert panel of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) and
      European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
      (ESPGHAN) initiated a consensus process to produce the first pediatric specific
      ulcerative colitis (UC) guidelines based on a systematic literature review.
      Treatment strategies must reflect that pediatric-onset UC has a slightly
      different phenotype than adult-onset disease with more often extensive
      (pancolitis) and more aggressive disease course. Other pediatric-specific aspects
      include growth, puberty, bone density accrual and emotional development and body
      image acquisition. These differences and others influenced the development of
      pediatric treatment algorithms. It is recommended that virtually all children
      with UC must be treated with some maintenance therapy and 5-ASA requirement and
      dosing are often higher in children. A larger number of children are at risk for
      steroid-dependency, and this should not be tolerated; steroid sparing strategies
      with early use of immunosuppressors are recommended in high-risk patients. On the
      other hand, the safety profile of immunosuppressive therapy in children includes
      the rare forms of lymphomas and many future treatment years. Colectomy and pouch
      formation should be balanced in the treatment algorithms against the higher rate
      of future infertility in girls. The acute and on-going management of pediatric UC
      should be guided by evidence- and consensus-based balanced decisions, reflecting
      a vision of long-term treatment goals. 

PMID- 24230970
TI  - Coping is excellent in Swiss Children with inflammatory bowel disease: results
      from the Swiss IBD cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) starting during childhood has been
      assumed to impair quality of life (QoL) of affected children. As this aspect is
      crucial for further personality development, the health-related quality of life
      (HRQOL) was assessed in a Swiss nationwide cohort to obtain detailed information
      on the fields of impairment. METHODS: Data were prospectively acquired from
      pediatric patients included in the Swiss IBD Cohort Study. IBD activity was
      evaluated by PCDAI and PUCAI. The age adapted KIDSCREEN questionnaire was
      evaluated for 110 children with IBD (64 with Crohn's disease 46 with ulcerative
      colitis). Data were analyzed with respect to established reference values of
      healthy controls. RESULTS: In the KIDSCREEN index a moderate impairment was only
      found for physical wellbeing due to disease activity. In contrast, mental well
      being and social support were even better as compared to control values. A
      subgroup analysis revealed that this observation was restricted to the children
      in the German speaking part of Switzerland, whereas there was no difference
      compared to controls in the French part of Switzerland. Furthermore, autonomy and
      school variables were significantly higher in the IBD patients as compared to
      controls. CONCLUSIONS: The social support for children with IBD is excellent in
      this cohort. Only physical well-being was impaired due to disease activity,
      whereas all other KIDSCREEN parameters were better as compared to controls. This
      indicates that effective coping and support strategies may be able to compensate
      the burden of disease in pediatric IBD patients.

PMID- 24230971
TI  - Particle self-assembly at ionic liquid-based interfaces.
AB  - This review presents an overview of the nature of ionic liquid (IL)-based
      interfaces and self-assembled particle morphologies of IL-in-water, oil- and
      water-in-IL, and novel IL-in-IL Pickering emulsions with emphasis on their unique
      phenomena, by means of experimental and computational studies. In IL-in-water
      Pickering emulsions, particles formed monolayers at ionic liquid-water interfaces
      and were close-packed on fully covered emulsion droplets or aggregated on
      partially covered droplets. Interestingly, other than equilibrating at the ionic
      liquid-water interfaces, microparticles with certain surface chemistries were
      extracted into the ionic liquid phase with a high efficiency. These experimental
      findings were supported by potential of mean force calculations, which showed
      large energy drops as hydrophobic particles crossed the interface into the IL
      phase. In the oil- and water-in-IL Pickering emulsions, microparticles with
      acidic surface chemistries formed monolayer bridges between the internal phase
      droplets rather than residing at the oil/water-ionic liquid interfaces, a
      significant deviation from traditional Pickering emulsion morphology. Molecular
      dynamics simulations revealed aspects of the mechanism behind this bridging
      phenomenon, including the role of the droplet phase, surface chemistry, and inter
      particle film. Novel IL-in-IL Pickering emulsions exhibited an array of self
      assembled morphologies including the previously observed particle absorption and
      bridging phenomena. The appearance of these morphologies depended on the particle
      surface chemistry as well as the ILs used. The incorporation of particle self
      assembly with ionic liquid science allows for new applications at the
      intersection of these two fields, and have the potential to be numerous due to
      the tunability of the ionic liquids and particles incorporated, as well as the
      particle morphology by combining certain groups of particle surface chemistry, IL
      type (protic or aprotic), and whether oil or water is incorporated. 

PMID- 24230972
TI  - Genome-wide identification and analysis of FK506-binding protein family gene
      family in strawberry (Fragaria * ananassa).
AB  - The FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs) are abundant and ubiquitous proteins belonging
      to the large peptidyl-prolylcis-trans isomerase superfamily. FKBPs are known to
      be involved in many biological processes including hormone signaling, plant
      growth, and stress responses through a chaperone or an isomerization of proline
      residues during protein folding. The availability of complete strawberry genome
      sequences allowed the identification of 23 FKBP genes by HMMER and blast
      analysis. Chromosome scaffold locations of these FKBP genes in the strawberry
      genome were determined and the protein domain and motif organization of FaFKBPs
      analyzed. The phylogenetic relationships between strawberry FKBPs were also
      assessed. The expression profiles of FaFKBPs genes results revealed that most
      FaFKBPs were expressed in all tissues, while a few FaFKBPs were specifically
      expressed in some of the tissues. These data not only contribute to some better
      understanding of the complex regulation of the strawberry FKBP gene family, but
      also provide valuable information for further research in strawberry functional
      genomics. 

PMID- 24230973
TI  - Analyzing methods for path mining with applications in metabolomics.
AB  - Metabolomics is one of the key approaches of systems biology that consists of
      studying biochemical networks having a set of metabolites, enzymes, reactions and
      their interactions. As biological networks are very complex in nature, proper
      techniques and models need to be chosen for their better understanding and
      interpretation. One of the useful strategies in this regard is using path mining
      strategies and graph-theoretical approaches that help in building hypothetical
      models and perform quantitative analysis. Furthermore, they also contribute to
      analyzing topological parameters in metabolome networks. Path mining techniques
      can be based on grammars, keys, patterns and indexing. Moreover, they can also be
      used for modeling metabolome networks, finding structural similarities between
      metabolites, in-silico metabolic engineering, shortest path estimation and for
      various graph-based analysis. In this manuscript, we have highlighted some core
      and applied areas of path-mining for modeling and analysis of metabolic networks.

PMID- 24230974
TI  - [Major chest wall resection for the treatment of invasive breast carcinoma: A
      series of 33 patients].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer can spread to the chest wall. It is an aggressive
      stage of poor prognosis. We have developed a technique of major chest wall
      resection extended beyond the breast area in order to reduce the recurrence.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective single-center series of 33 patients
      with breast cancer spread to the chest wall without metastasis (13 patients
      present with primary breast cancer and 20 patients present with recurrent breast
      cancer) treated by major chest wall resection between January 1993 and January
      2013, by the same surgeon. Analysis of the results was made by another surgeon.
      RESULTS: Patients aged between 27-83years with an average of 55years. The removed
      parts measured 350cm(2) to 1200cm(2), and the average duration of complete
      healing was 7.9months. The mean follow-up time was 122months (6months-240months).
      The 1 year survival was 84.4%, at 2years 72.6%, at 3years 69.5% and at 5 years of
      66.4%. CONCLUSION: The technique of major chest wall resection is simple and
      reproducible. Breast cancer with chest wall extension has a poor prognosis. At
      the end of the study, 20 of 33 patients who benefit from this technique are still
      alive.

PMID- 24230975
TI  - Long-term exposure investigating the estrogenic potency of estriol in Japanese
      medaka (Oryzias latipes).
AB  - The growth, development, and ERalpha and Vtg-I gene expressions of Japanese
      ricefish (Oryzias latipes; medaka) exposed to different concentrations of estriol
      (E3), including one environmentally relevant concentration, during embryo-adult
      life stages were evaluated. At the early life stage, fertilized eggs were exposed
      to 5, 50, 500, 5000ng/L E3 for 15days, and the hatched fry were exposed
      continuously to the same concentrations for an additional 15days. Exposure to 500
      and 5000ng/L E3 resulted in adverse effects on hatchability and time to hatching.
      At 5000ng/L, the gross abnormality rate was increased and the number of females
      that hatched was twice that of males. When the fish were exposed to 5-5000ng/L E3
      for further 60days, the male hepatosomatic index (HSI) was increased at 5000ng/L.
      The female gonadosomatic index (GSI) was decreased at 500 and 5000ng/L E3, while
      the male GSI at 5000ng/L E3 was increased and sex reversal was also found at this
      concentration. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that the hepatic vitellogenin-I (Vtg-I)
      genes were up-regulated in females at 500 and 5000ng/L E3 and in males at all E3
      concentrations, whereas E3 did not affect estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) mRNA
      transcription. These results showed that E3 at environmental concentration of
      5ng/L has no adverse effects on growth and development of the Japanese medaka.
      However, in this study, if we only focused on Vtg gene change in males, E3 had
      strong estrogenic effects on male medaka under the conditions of these
      experiments. 

PMID- 24230976
TI  - Cadmium-induced changes of gypsy moth larval mass and protease activity.
AB  - Cadmium uptake takes place mainly through food. Lymantria dispar larvae were
      exposed to dietary cadmium in concentrations of 10 and 30MUg Cd/g dry food (NOEC,
      no-observed-effect and LOEC, lowest-observed-effect concentration, respectively)
      for acute and chronic treatment and recovery. We established that metal
      contamination decreased mass only during the chronic treatment at 30MUg Cd/dry
      food with no recovery on removal of cadmium for 3days. Significant reduction of
      protease activity was detected at LOEC after the acute and chronic treatments.
      Protease showed enhanced plasticity with regard to the fitness trait (mass)
      during environmental stress and the higher cadmium load, when it changed. The
      statistically significant higher index of phenotypic plasticity for protease
      correlated with lower variability. Protease isoforms at the same cadmium
      treatments differed between genotypes, while some protease isoforms from one egg
      mass differed between cadmium treatments. Owing to the low sensitivity and
      plasticity of mass change during exposure to cadmium, as well as its small
      influence, we concluded that larval mass is not a good indicator of cadmium
      presence in food. We suggest that proteases, with further research, might be a
      suitable indicator of dietary cadmium contamination, as well as nutriment
      utilization during heavy metal stress. 

PMID- 24230977
TI  - Occurrence of weak mutators among avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC)
      isolates causing salpingitis and peritonitis in broiler breeders.
AB  - A collection of 46 avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates was examined
      for the presence of mutators by determining the rate of mutation to rifampicin
      resistance. The collection included 34 E. coli isolates obtained in pure culture
      from chronic lesions of salpingitis and peritonitis in 34 broiler breeders, of
      which 12 were associated with the development of secondary septicemia. Twelve
      additional isolates were obtained from a clonal outbreak (ST95) of E. coli
      peritonitis syndrome (EPS), the lesions of which changed gradually over time into
      a subacute/chronic form. The hypothesis of the present study was that mutation
      rates would be higher for chronic infection isolates than for isolates from acute
      infections/exacerbations. The distribution of mutation rates followed a pattern
      similar to that found for other clinical isolates of E. coli, with a modal/median
      value of 1.47 * 10(-8). Of the 46 isolates, 24% (n=11) were weakly hypermutable
      (2.00 * 10(-8) <= MU<2.00 * 10(-7)), however, no strong mutators were detected
      (MU >= 2.00 * 10(-7)). Chronic salpingitis isolates had the highest proportion
      (45%, P=0.001) of weak mutators and also, significantly higher mutation rates
      (P=0.003) compared to isolates that caused septicemia (4%). In addition, mutation
      rates were significantly lower among ST95 isolates (P<0.0005), and among isolates
      from the same clonal group as ST95 (P=0.027), when compared to isolates from
      other groups. Although a clear association with the time phase of infection (as
      lesions of EPS became more chronic) could not be observed (rho=0.523, P=0.081), a
      higher frequency of weak mutators among chronic infection isolates suggests that
      increased mutation rates play a role in adaptation of APEC to long-term
      persistence in an infected host environment.

PMID- 24230979
TI  - A meta-analysis of randomized head-to-head trials for effects of rosuvastatin
      versus atorvastatin on apolipoprotein profiles.
AB  - To determine which statin will better improve the apolipoprotein (Apo) profiles
      (ApoA-I levels, ApoB levels, and ApoB/A-I ratios), we performed a meta-analysis
      of randomized head-to-head trials of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin therapy.
      MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were
      searched through December 2012 using Web-based search engines (PubMed and OVID).
      The search terms included "apolipoprotein," "rosuvastatin," "atorvastatin,"
      "randomized," "randomly," and "randomization." Of 42 potentially relevant studies
      initially screened, 25 reports of randomized trials enrolling 14,283 patients
      were included. A pooled analysis for the percentage of changes in ApoA-I
      demonstrated a benefit of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin in the comparison of
      all rosuvastatin/atorvastatin dose ratios (mean difference 2.97%, 3.39%, 5.77%,
      and 6.25%). For the percentage of changes in ApoB, a benefit was seen for
      rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin in the 1/1 (-6.06%) and 1/2 dose ratio (-1.80%).
      However, a benefit was seen for atorvastatin versus rosuvastatin in the 1/4
      (2.38%) and 1/8 dose ratio (6.59%). The pooled analysis for the percentage of
      changes in the Apo B/A-I ratios demonstrated a benefit for rosuvastatin versus
      atorvastatin in the 1/1 (-7.22%) and 1/2 dose ratio (-3.51%), with no difference
      in the 1/4 dose ratio. In contrast, a benefit was seen for atorvastatin versus
      rosuvastatin in the 1/8 dose ratio (4.03%). In conclusion, rosuvastatin might
      increase Apo A-I levels at all dose ratios and decrease ApoB levels and ApoB/A-I
      ratios in the 1/1 and 1/2 dose ratio versus atorvastatin. Only higher dose
      atorvastatin appeared to be more effective for the reduction in ApoB levels (1/4
      and 1/8 dose ratio) and Apo B/A-I ratios (1/8 dose ratio).

PMID- 24230980
TI  - Prevalence and clinical correlates of right ventricular dysfunction in patients
      with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) is a disease that mainly affects the left
      ventricle (LV), however recent studies have suggested that it can also be
      associated with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. The objective of this study
      was to determine the prevalence of RV dysfunction in patients with HC and its
      relation with LV function and outcome. A total of 324 consecutive patients with
      HC who received care at Stanford Hospital from 1999 to 2012 were included in the
      study. A group of 99 prospectively recruited age- and gender-matched healthy
      volunteers were used as controls. RV function was quantified using the RV
      fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and
      RV myocardial performance index (RVMPI). Compared with the controls, the patients
      with HC had a higher RVMPI (0.51 +/- 0.18 vs 0.25 +/- 0.06, p <0.001) and lower
      TAPSE (20 +/- 3 vs 24 +/- 4, p <0.001). RV dysfunction based on an RVMPI >0.4 and
      TAPSE <16 mm was found in 71% and 11% of the HC and control groups, respectively.
      Worst LV function and greater pulmonary pressures were independent correlates of
      RV dysfunction. At an average follow-up of 3.7 +/- 2.3 years, 17 patients had
      died and 4 had undergone heart transplantation. LV ejection fraction <50% and
      TAPSE <16 mm were independent correlates of outcome (hazard ratio 3.98, 95%
      confidence interval 1.22 to 13.04, p = 0.02; and hazard ratio 3.66, 95%
      confidence interval 1.38 to 9.69, p = 0.009, respectively). In conclusion, RV
      dysfunction based on the RVMPI is common in patients with HC and more frequently
      observed in patients with LV dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. RV
      dysfunction based on the TAPSE was independently associated with an increased
      likelihood of death or transplantation. 

PMID- 24230981
TI  - ISO 16840-2:2007 load deflection and hysteresis measurements for a sample of
      wheelchair seating cushions.
AB  - Load deflection and hysteresis measurements were made on 37 wheelchair seating
      cushions according to ISO 16840-2:2007. Load deflection plots for all 37 cushions
      are reported and fundamental aspects of graph interpretation discussed. ISO
      hysteresis data are also reported and interpretation discussed. 

PMID- 24230982
TI  - Automatic distinction of upper body motions in the main anatomical planes.
AB  - The assessment of spinal mobility and function is gaining clinical importance for
      the diagnosis and monitoring of low back pain, but its measurement and evaluation
      remains difficult. As a critical step towards non-supervised assessment of spinal
      functional, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of symmetrical
      sensors fixed to the sides of the spinal column to distinguish between different
      upper body movements in the main anatomical planes. 429 healthy volunteers
      underwent a defined choreography including repeated upper body flexion,
      extension, lateral bending and axial rotation exercises. The movements were
      assessed using the Epionics SPINE sensor system. Two pattern recognition models
      were developed and applied to distinguish between the different movements in a
      frame-by-frame manner, as well as for whole motion sequences. On average, it was
      possible to differentiate between different upper body movements with a
      sensitivity of over 96% for both modelling approaches. The largest type II error
      was the incorrect identification of extension, possibly due to deviations from
      the reference standing posture during measurements and small changes in the
      lordotic angle during extension. The use of two sagittal sensors attached
      symmetrically to the back therefore seems to allow the distinction of upper body
      movements in a robust manner, and therefore opens perspectives for the
      unsupervised recognition of movements and functional activity over extended
      periods. 

PMID- 24230983
TI  - [The ankle-brachial index as a screening technique: a promese or a reality?].

PMID- 24230984
TI  - The development of Web-based surveillance provides new insights into the burden
      of norovirus outbreaks in hospitals in England.
AB  - A new surveillance system for outbreaks of norovirus in English hospitals, the
      hospital norovirus outbreak reporting system (HNORS), was launched in January
      2009. On site investigators were enabled to enter data on outbreaks of norovirus
      directly onto a tailored system via an Internet-based front end. A standard
      dataset was designed to collect information describing the key epidemiological
      characteristics of each outbreak. In the period 1992-2008, 1817 suspected and
      confirmed outbreaks of norovirus in English hospitals were reported to national
      surveillance. After introduction of the new system there were 3980 reports of
      outbreaks of suspected and confirmed norovirus received in the years 2009-2011.
      Data from the new reporting system demonstrates that transmission of norovirus
      levies a heavy burden on English hospitals. On average, reported outbreaks are
      associated with 13,000 patients and 3400 staff becoming ill, 8900 days of ward
      closure and the loss of over 15,500 bed-days annually.

PMID- 24230985
TI  - Observer-independent quantification of insulin granule exocytosis and pre
      exocytotic mobility by TIRF microscopy.
AB  - Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy of fluorescently labeled
      secretory granules permits monitoring of exocytosis and the preceding granule
      behavior in one experiment. While observer-dependent evaluation may be sufficient
      to quantify exocytosis, most of the other information contained in the video
      files cannot be accessed this way. The present program performs observer
      independent detection of exocytosis and tracking of the entire submembrane
      population of insulin granules. A precondition is the exact localization of the
      peak of the granule fluorescence. Tracking is based on the peak base radius, peak
      intensity, and the precrossing itineraries. Robustness of the tracking was shown
      by simulated tracks of original granule patterns. Mobility in the X-Y dimension
      is described by the caging diameter which in contrast to the widely used mean
      square displacement has an inherent time resolution. Observer-independent
      detection of exocytosis in MIN6 cells labeled with insulin-EGFP is based on the
      maximal decrease in fluorescence intensity and position of the centroid of the
      dissipating cloud of released material. Combining the quantification of KCl
      induced insulin exocytosis with the analysis of prefusion mobility showed that
      during the last 3 s pre-exocytotic granules had a smaller caging diameter than
      control granules and that it increased significantly immediately before fusion. 

PMID- 24230986
TI  - Effects of overweight and obese body mass on motor planning and motor skills
      during obstacle crossing in children.
AB  - Little is known about how obesity relates to motor planning and skills during
      functional tasks. We collected 3-D kinematics and kinetics as normal weight
      (n=10) and overweight/obese (n=12) children walked on flat ground and as they
      crossed low, medium, and high obstacles. We investigated if motor planning and
      motor skill impairments were evident during obstacle crossing. Baseline
      conditions showed no group differences (all ps>.05). Increased toe clearance was
      found on low obstacles (p=.01) for the overweight/obese group and on high
      obstacles (p=.01) for the normal weight group. With the crossing leg, the
      overweight/obese group had larger hip abduction angles (p=.01) and medial ground
      reaction forces (p=.006) on high obstacles and high anterior ground reaction
      forces on low obstacles (p=.001). With the trailing leg, overweight/obese
      children had higher vertical ground reaction forces on high obstacles (p=.005)
      and higher knee angles (p=.01) and anterior acceleration in the center of mass
      (p=.01) on low obstacles. These findings suggest that differences in motor
      planning and skills in overweight/obese children may be more apparent during
      functional activities. 

PMID- 24230987
TI  - How do we measure psychiatric diagnoses? Implications of the choice of
      instruments in epilepsy.
AB  - We evaluated several commonly used screening instruments for the detection of
      mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
      (ADHD). These were compared to a criterion-based standardized questionnaire, the
      Diagnostic Interview Survey (DIS)-IV, designed to make DSM-IV-TR diagnoses in the
      community-based study of childhood-onset epilepsy. The DIS-IV was administered to
      young adult cases with epilepsy at a 15-year follow-up assessment and compared to
      symptom screens administered at the same visit, and at a previous 9-year
      assessment. Among cases, the specificity of the DIS-IV ranged from 0.77 to 0.99
      and the predictive value of a negative psychiatric diagnosis was similarly high.
      Sensitivity was lower, ranging from 0 to 0.77, with correspondingly low
      predictive value of a positive diagnosis. Symptom-based instruments assess
      current symptom burden and are useful for determining associations with ongoing
      seizures or quality of life. Criterion-based standardized interviews, such as the
      DIS-IV, provide psychiatric diagnoses over the lifetime, which is most useful in
      studies of epilepsy genetics and studies of comorbidities and prognosis of
      epilepsy. 

PMID- 24230988
TI  - Effect of lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus on ultrasonic
      vocalizations in the infant rat pup.
AB  - Evidence shows that febrile convulsions induced in rat pups increase ultrasonic
      vocalizations (USVs); however, the effect of status epilepticus (SE) induced in
      developing rats on USVs has not been fully investigated. The goal of this study
      was to analyze USVs following lithium-pilocarpine-induced SE in fourteen-day-old
      (P14) rat pups. The rat pups were given 3-mEq/kg lithium chloride i.p. on the day
      before the induction of SE, which was carried out at P14 by subcutaneous
      injection of 100-mg/kg pilocarpine hydrochloride; control animals were given an
      equal volume of lithium chloride and saline on P13 and P14, respectively.
      Ultrasonic vocalizations were monitored at P15, P16, and P21 with a Mini 3 Bat
      Detector Ultra Sound Advice (15kHz-160kHz) set at 40+/-4kHz and digitally
      recorded in WAV format using the Audacity 1.3 beta software. A clear box
      (60*40*30cm) split down the middle with a holed wall was used; each pup was
      placed alone in one compartment, whereas its dam was placed on the other cage
      side at room temperature. Vocalizations were recorded over a 5-minute period,
      converted to sonograms and spectrograms, and analyzed using the Raven software.
      Parameters evaluated were as follows: USV frequency, latency to the first USV,
      and mean USV duration. There was a significant decrease in the latency (35.5+/
      6.9s) and duration (50.8+/-8.6s) of USVs after SE compared with the control group
      (81.9+/-10.8s and 78.1+/-9.9s, respectively). Status epilepticus affected male
      and female rats differentially. 

PMID- 24230989
TI  - The optimal acupoint for acupuncture stimulation as a complementary therapy in
      pediatric epilepsy.

PMID- 24230990
TI  - Transient epileptic amnesia: a concise review.
AB  - Transient epileptic amnesia (TEA) is a distinctive syndrome and comprises
      episodic transient amnesia with an epileptic basis, without impairment of other
      aspects of cognitive function. Additional interictal memory deficits are common
      in TEA. An epileptic origin, after other etiologies have been excluded, should be
      considered and carefully investigated in patients complaining of isolated memory
      disturbances, particularly with recurrent short-lasting amnesic attacks. In all
      suspected cases of epilepsy, a detailed clinical history is of paramount
      importance, but ancillary tests including EEG and MRI could be very helpful.
      Transient epileptic amnesia is typically a benign and treatable condition. Future
      studies should investigate the exact mechanism(s) of this unique syndrome. 

PMID- 24230991
TI  - L-DOPA-treatment in primates disrupts the expression of A(2A) adenosine-CB(1)
      cannabinoid-D(2) dopamine receptor heteromers in the caudate nucleus.
AB  - The molecular basis of priming for L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson's
      disease (PD), which depends on the indirect pathway of motor control, is not
      known. In rodents, the indirect pathway contains striatopallidal GABAergic
      neurons that express heterotrimers composed of A(2A) adenosine, CB(1) cannabinoid
      and D(2) dopamine receptors that regulate dopaminergic neurotransmission. The
      present study was designed to investigate the expression of these heteromers in
      the striatum of a primate model of Parkinson's disease and to determine whether
      their expression and pharmacological properties are altered upon L-DOPA
      treatment. By using the recently developed in situ proximity ligation assay and
      by identification of a biochemical fingerprint, we discovered a regional
      distribution of A(2A)/CB(1) /D(2) receptor heteromers that predicts differential
      D(2)-mediated neurotransmission in the caudate-putamen of Macaca fascicularis.
      Whereas heteromers were abundant in the caudate nucleus of both naive and MPTP
      treated monkeys, L-DOPA treatment blunted the biochemical fingerprint and led to
      weak heteromer expression. These findings constitute the first evidence of
      altered receptor heteromer expression in pathological conditions and suggest that
      drugs targeting A(2A)-CB(1) -D(2) receptor heteromers may be successful to either
      normalize basal ganglia output or prevent L-DOPA-induced side effects.

PMID- 24230992
TI  - Reward sensitivity and anger in euthymic bipolar disorder.
AB  - According to the hypersensitive behavioral approach system (BAS) model of bipolar
      disorder (BP), hypersensitivity of the BAS is a trait that should be present even
      in the euthymic state. This would be expected to result in increased anger and
      reward sensitivity, both of which are related to the approach system. This study
      examined these predictions through the use of tasks that assess different aspects
      of the BAS: reward sensitivity, anger and impulsivity. These characteristics were
      assessed using the probabilistic classification task (PCT), ultimatum game (UG)
      and single key impulsivity paradigm (SKIP), respectively. Participants were
      euthymic adult bipolar disorder patients (BP; N=40) and healthy controls (HC;
      N=41). In the UG, all participants showed the standard pattern of rejecting
      overtly unfair offers and accepting clearly fair offers; however, BPs rejected
      more of the moderately unfair offers than did HCs. BP and HC participants did not
      differ on their ability to learn, but did show different patterns of learning
      from reward and punishment. Learning for reward and punishment were negatively
      correlated in the BP group, suggesting that individuals could learn well either
      from reward or punishment, but not both. No correlation was found between these
      forms of learning in the HC group. BP patients show signs of their disorder even
      in the euthymic state, as seen by the dysbalance between reward and punishment
      learning and their residual anger in the UG. 

PMID- 24230993
TI  - Predictors of response to second generation antipsychotics in drug naive patients
      with schizophrenia: a 1 year follow-up study in Shanghai.
AB  - Response and remission are of great importance to patients with first-episode
      schizophrenia. Although previous researches have revealed characteristics related
      to medication response, there is rarely data over remission-related factors. We
      presume that factors correlated to response may also influence remission in 1
      year treatment for first-episode schizophrenia. 398 drug-naive patients met the
      criteria of schizophrenia using ICD-10 criteria were recruited from Shanghai
      Mental Health Center and treated with one of three second generation
      antipsychotics (risperidone, olanzapine or quetiapine). Patients were followed up
      for 1 year and assessed at 2 weeks, and then 2, 3, 6, 8 and 12 months. Severity
      of symptom was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Positive and Negative
      Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Response was defined as a reduction of 50% or more PANSS
      scores. The 8-item criteria of remission (proposed by the Remission of
      Schizophrenia Working Group) were used. Logistic regression analysis revealed
      that shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), longer treatment time, higher
      baseline PANSS positive score and higher PANSS general pathological scores
      predicted response, and acute prodromal phase was the independent factor for
      remission. These results indicate baseline characters that related to response
      and those related to remission may be different for patients with schizophrenia. 

PMID- 24230994
TI  - DSM-5 PTSD's symptom dimensions and relations with major depression's symptom
      dimensions in a primary care sample.
AB  - Existing literature indicates significant comorbidity between posttraumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression. We examined whether PTSD's dysphoria
      and mood/cognitions factors, conceptualized by the empirically supported four
      factor DSM-5 PTSD models, account for PTSD's inherent relationship with
      depression. We hypothesized that depression's somatic and non-somatic factors
      would be more related to PTSD's dysphoria and mood/cognitions factors than other
      PTSD model factors. Further, we hypothesized that PTSD's arousal would
      significantly mediate relations between PTSD's dysphoria and somatic/non-somatic
      depression. Using 181 trauma-exposed primary care patients, confirmatory factor
      analyses (CFA) indicated a well-fitting DSM-5 PTSD dysphoria model, DSM-5 numbing
      model and two-factor depression model. Both somatic and non-somatic depression
      factors were more related to PTSD's dysphoria and mood/cognitions factors than to
      re-experiencing and avoidance factors; non-somatic depression was more related to
      PTSD's dysphoria than PTSD's arousal factor. PTSD's arousal did not mediate the
      relationship between PTSD's dysphoria and somatic/non-somatic depression.
      Implications are discussed. 

PMID- 24230995
TI  - Pre-morbid alexithymia in panic disorder: a cohort study.
AB  - Whether alexithymia is a personality trait which increases the risk of Panic
      Disorder (PD) is still debated. In this prospective study, alexithymic levels
      were evaluated before, during and after an anxious episode. Therefore, the
      alexithymic levels, the presence of PD and the severity of anxious-depressive
      symptoms were evaluated, at intervals of about 1 month, in pregnant women,
      attending the Centers for Prenatal Care, using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS
      20), the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders and the Hospital Anxiety and
      Depression Scale (HADS). Twenty-one women affected by PD and 256 healthy women
      (controls) were included in the study. Women who developed PD, compared to
      controls, showed similar TAS-20 and HADS scores during the pre-morbid phase, a
      significant increase of them during PD and a significant decrease after symptoms
      improvement, whereas no change was observed in controls. Our data suggest that in
      pregnant women alexithymia does not represent a personality trait that increases
      the risk of developing PD, and they support the hypothesis that alexithymia is a
      state dependent phenomenon in PD pregnant women. 

PMID- 24230996
TI  - Characteristics of patients frequently subjected to pharmacological and
      mechanical restraint--a register study in three Norwegian acute psychiatric
      wards.
AB  - This retrospective study from three catchment-area-based acute psychiatric wards
      showed that of all the pharmacologically and mechanically restrained patients
      (n=373) 34 (9.1%) had been frequently restrained (6 or more times). These
      patients accounted for 39.2% of all restraint episodes during the two-year study
      period. Adjusted binary logistic regression analyses showed that the odds for
      being frequently restrained were 91% lower among patients above 50 years compared
      to those aged 18-29 years; a threefold increase (OR=3.1) for those admitted 3
      times or more compared to patients with only one stay; and, finally, a threefold
      increase (OR=3.1) if the length of stay was 16 days or more compared to those
      admitted for 0-4 days. Among frequently restrained patients, males (n=15) had
      significantly longer stays than women (n=19), and 8 of the females had a
      diagnosis of personality disorder, compared to none among males. Our study showed
      that being frequently restrained was associated with long inpatient stay, many
      admissions and young age. Teasing out patient characteristics associated with the
      risk of being frequently restraint may contribute to reduce use of restraint by
      developing alternative interventions for these patients. 

PMID- 24230997
TI  - ALDH5A1 variability in opioid dependent patients could influence response to
      methadone treatment.
AB  - Methadone maintenance treatment is the most widely-used therapy in opioid
      dependence, but some patients relapse or drop out from treatment. We genotyped a
      genetic variant in the succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase enzyme gene, ALDH5A1,
      and found that subjects carrying the T variant allele have a higher risk to be
      nonresponders to methadone treatment (OR=3.16; 95% CI [1.48-6.73], P=0.0024).
      This could be due to a reduction in the ALDH5A1 enzyme activity, that would
      increase endogenous gamma-hydroxbutyric acid (GHB) and gamma-aminobutyric acid
      (GABA) levels and therefore, inducing symptoms such as sedation and impaired
      pschomotor performance. These neuropsychological effects related with the
      reduction in enzyme activity could be responsible for a higher propensity to
      relapse in these genetically predisposed patients. 

PMID- 24230998
TI  - Alcohol consumption and cognitive impairment among Korean older adults: does
      gender matter?
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study investigated gender differences in the relationship
      between alcohol consumption and cognitive impairment among older adults in South
      Korea. METHODS: Using data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing, 2,471
      females and 1,657 males were analyzed separately. Cognitive impairment was
      measured based on the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Exam score.
      Logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between alcohol
      consumption and cognitive impairment among Korean older adults. RESULTS:
      Multivariate analysis showed that compared to moderate drinkers, past drinkers
      were more likely to be cognitively impaired for women, while heavy drinkers were
      more likely to be cognitively impaired for men. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest
      that the relationship between alcohol consumption and cognition varies with
      gender. Clinicians and service providers should consider gender differences when
      developing strategies for the prevention and treatment of alcohol-related
      cognitive decline among older adults.

PMID- 24230999
TI  - The many faces of Artemis-deficient combined immunodeficiency - Two patients with
      DCLRE1C mutations and a systematic literature review of genotype-phenotype
      correlation.
AB  - Defective V(D)J recombination and DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair severely
      impair the development of T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. Most patients manifest
      a severe combined immunodeficiency during infancy. We report 2 siblings with
      combined immunodeficiency (CID) and immunodysregulation caused by compound
      heterozygous Artemis mutations, including an exon 1-3 deletion generating a null
      allele, and a missense change (p.T71P). Skin fibroblasts demonstrated normal DSB
      repair by gamma-H2AX analysis, supporting the predicted hypomorphic nature of the
      p.T71P allele. In addition to these two patients, 12 patients with Artemis
      deficient CID were previously reported. All had significant morbidities including
      recurrent infections, autoimmunity, EBV-associated lymphoma, and carcinoma
      despite having hypomorphic mutants with residual Artemis expression, V(D)J
      recombination or DSB repair capacity. Nine patients underwent stem cell
      transplant and six survived, while four patients who did not receive transplant
      died. The progressive nature of immunodeficiency and genomic instability accounts
      for poor survival, and early HSCT should be considered. 

PMID- 24231000
TI  - 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin stimulates proliferation of HAPI microglia by
      affecting the Akt/GSK-3beta/cyclin D1 signaling pathway.
AB  - 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an environmental toxin that induces
      apoptosis of neurons and a pro-inflammatory response in microglial cells. First,
      we found that TCDD induced proliferation of HAPI microglial cells in a dose- and
      time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that this proliferation by
      TCDD was due to mainly enhancing the G1 to S phase transition. Next, it was found
      that TCDD treatment led to up-regulation of cyclin D1, which induces cell cycle
      progression from G1 to S phase, in a time-dependent manner. As for molecular
      mechanism, we revealed that TCDD was capable of inducing Akt phosphorylation and
      activation, resulting in phosphorylation and inactivation of glycogen synthase
      kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta). Inactivated GSK-3beta attenuated proteasomal
      degradation of cyclin D1 by reducing Thr(286)-phosphorylated cyclin D1 levels.
      Moreover, inactivated GSK-3beta increased cyclin D1 gene transcription by
      increasing its transcription factor beta-catenin in the nucleus. Further,
      blockage of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt kinase with their specific inhibitors,
      LY294002 and Akt 1/2 kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced TCDD-enhanced
      proliferation of HAPI microglial cells. In conclusion, TCDD stimulates
      proliferation of HAPI microglial cells by affecting the Akt/GSK-3beta/cyclin D1
      signaling pathway. 

PMID- 24231001
TI  - The role of the IRE1 pathway in excessive iodide- and/or fluoride-induced
      apoptosis in Nthy-ori 3-1 cells in vitro.
AB  - Excessive iodide and fluoride coexist in the groundwater in many regions, causing
      a potential risk to the human thyroid. To investigate the mechanism of iodide-
      and fluoride-induced thyroid cytotoxicity, human thyroid follicular epithelial
      cells (Nthy-ori 3-1) were treated with different concentrations of potassium
      iodide (KI), with or without sodium fluoride (NaF). Cell morphology, viability,
      lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, apoptosis, and expression of inositol
      requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) pathway-related molecules were assessed. Results showed
      50 mM of KI, 1 mM of NaF, and 50 mM of KI +1 mM of NaF changed cellular
      morphology, decreased viability, and increased LDH leakage and apoptosis.
      Elevated expression of binding protein (BiP), IRE1, and C/EBP homologous protein
      (CHOP) mRNA and protein, as well as spliced X-box-binding protein-1 (sXBP-1)
      mRNA, were observed in the 1 mM NaF and 50 mM KI +1 mM NaF groups. Collectively,
      excessive iodide and/or fluoride is cytotoxic to the human thyroid. Although
      these data do not manifest iodide could induce the IRE1 pathway, the cytotoxicity
      followed by exposure to fluoride alone or in combination with iodide may be
      related to IRE1 pathway-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, exposure to the
      combination of excessive iodide and fluoride may cause interactive effects on
      thyroid cytotoxicity.

PMID- 24231002
TI  - General movements in healthy full term infants during the first week after birth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quality of general movements (GMs) is a widely used criterion to
      assess neurological dysfunction in young infants. It is unknown, however, whether
      the birth process influences the motor repertoire of healthy full term infants
      during the first week after birth. AIMS: To assess the quality of GMs and to
      determine the motor optimality score (OS) in healthy full term infants during the
      first week after birth and to evaluate the influence of the mode of delivery on
      GM quality. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-three healthy full term infants born either
      vaginally or after caesarean section (CS) under spinal anaesthesia were video
      recorded in the first week after birth in order to assess GM quality and to
      determine OS with Prechtl's method. RESULTS: Abnormal GMs were observed mainly on
      the early recordings: 86% on the day of birth (day 0), 94% on day 1, and 68% on
      day 2. On days 5 to 7 (day 5-7) all GMs were normal (P<.001). The OSs increased
      significantly from median 12 on day 0 to 18 on day 5-7 (P<.001). Monotonously
      slow movements were frequently seen during the first days but not on day 5-7
      (P<.001). GM quality and OS did not differ between infants born by vaginal
      delivery or after CS under spinal anaesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy full term
      infants often showed abnormal GM quality and lower OSs during the first week
      after birth, irrespective of the mode of delivery. GM quality normalised during
      subsequent days and was normal on day 5-7.

PMID- 24231005
TI  - Abdominal wall reconstruction.

PMID- 24231006
TI  - Case studies and evidence based nutrition.
AB  - The clinical nutrition case study is a neglected area of activity and
      publication. This may be in part because it is not regarded as a serious
      contributor to evidence-based nutrition (EBN). Yet it can play a valuable part in
      hypothesis formulation and in the cross-checking of evidence. Most of all, it is
      usually a point at which the operationalisation of nutrition evidence is granted
      best current practice status. 

PMID- 24231007
TI  - Systematic classification of evidence for dietary refer-ence intakes for Japanese
      2010 (DRIs-J 2010) in adults and future prospects of DRIs in Asian countries.
AB  - In Asia, the concept of dietary reference values is shifting from recommended
      dietary allowances (RDAs) to dietary reference intakes (DRIs). To assist Asian
      countries that are planning to develop or revise their own DRIs, this study
      summarizes the scientific literature used in the development of the latest DRIs
      for the Japanese (DRIs-J 2010): it aims to clarify critical issues on- and
      discuss future prospects for DRIs in Asia. The criteria and studies used to
      determine reference values in DRIs-J 2010 in adults were extracted from the DRIs
      J 2010 report, systematically classified, and summarized for each nutrient in
      tables according to the type of DRIs. The classification categories were as
      follows: criteria, subject ethnicity, year of publication, type of study and
      study design, number of subjects, and study content. In all, 184 studies were
      extracted and some issues in DRIs-J 2010 were clarified: 1) some nutrients were
      lacking in studies based on native populations; 2) only a few and relatively old
      studies determined tolerable upper intake levels for some nutrients; 3) with the
      same DRIs, there were inconsistencies among the nutrients in the study criteria.
      These were considered common issues when determining DRIs in other Asian
      countries. When establishing DRIs, these issues should be considered, in addition
      to population health status and country-specific needs. 

PMID- 24231008
TI  - Salt intakes and salt reduction initiatives in Southeast Asia: a review.
AB  - Increased dietary sodium intake is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular
      disease. The monitoring of population sodium intake is a key part of any salt
      reduction intervention. However, the extent and methods used for as-sessment of
      sodium intake in Southeast Asia is currently unclear. This paper provides a
      narrative synthesis of the best available evidence regarding levels of sodium
      intake in six Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines,
      Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and describes salt reduction measures being
      undertaken in these countries. Electronic databases were screened to identify
      relevant articles for inclusion up to 29 February 2012. Reference lists of
      included studies and conference proceedings were also examined. Local experts and
      researchers in nutrition and public health were consulted. Quality of studies was
      assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black Checklist. Twenty-five
      studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Full
      texts of 19 studies including government reports were retrieved, with most
      studies being of good quality. In-sufficient evidence exists regarding salt
      intakes in Southeast Asia. Dietary data suggest that sodium intake in most SEA
      countries exceeded the WHO recommendation of 2 g/day. Studies are needed that
      estimate sodium intake using the gold standard 24-hour urinary sodium excretion.
      The greatest proportion of dietary sodium came from added salt and sauces. Data
      on children were limited. The six countries had salt reduction initiatives that
      differed in specificity and extent, with greater emphasis on consumer education. 

PMID- 24231009
TI  - Shiftworking, nutrition and obesity: implications for workforce health- a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shiftworking has long been unrecognised as an occupational health
      hazard up until now. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched using OVID host
      as the main search engine for Medline, PUBMED and CINHAL during the years 1990
      December 2010. Combinations of the keywords yielded 35 full papers and ab
      stracts, of which 16 articles were relevant. One paper was not in English,
      leaving 15 included in this review after final reconsideration. Studies were
      categorised into two main titles: studies assessing the association between shift
      working and obesity and/or BMI (n=8) and studies assessing the association
      between shift working and nu-tritional/dietary patterns (n=7). Type of study was
      also considered as a part of the search strategy. RESULTS: In total, one
      interventional, nine cross-sectional and five cohort studies were retrieved.
      Seven cross-sectional studies and one cohort study showed a higher BMI/obesity
      prevalence in shiftworks. Interventional, one cross-sectional and three cohort
      studies showed higher frequency of meal intake or poor nutrition quality/habits
      in the shift workers compared with the day-shift workers. Another cross-sectional
      study showed no difference between workers. CONCLUSION: In terms of obesity or
      high BMI, majority of cross-sectional studies indicate that shiftwork increases
      weight gain and the prevalence of obesity. On the other hand, half of cohort
      studies show higher frequency of meal intake and/or poor nutrition quality in the
      shift workers. Generally, it is indicated that shift working negatively impacts
      on health and nutritional status of workforces.

PMID- 24231010
TI  - Simplified malnutrition tool for Thai patients.
AB  - Malnutrition in hospitals often goes unrecognized. At present, no nutrition
      screening tool provides satisfactory re-sults in identifying nutritional risk.
      Most tools depend on weight and height as criteria for diagnosing malnutrition.
      Weight is not recorded in many patients and some tools are time-consuming. An
      inclusive nutrition screening form (Nutrition Alert Form, NAF) was developed and
      validated. NAF was modified from the original version of Subjective Global
      Assessment (SGA) by adding in two standard laboratory tests. The severity of the
      symptom and laboratory changes were scored. NAF was validated in 210 hospitalized
      Thai patients at Ramathibodi hospital by an experienced clinical nutritionist
      (physician) at Ramathibodi hospital. Cross validation was carried out between the
      dietitian and nurse in another 90 patients. Most of the time nurses could
      complete the nutrition screening in a patient within 5 minutes. One out of four
      patients could not be weighed on admission. The scores of 5 and 11 were selected
      as the cut-off scores of different malnutrition levels due to their high
      sensitivity, specificity and accuracy and scores of 6 to 10 were defined as
      moderate malnutrition. The diagnostic agreement between the dietitian and nurse
      for "normal to mild malnutrition", "moderate malnutrition", and "severe
      malnutrition" were 85%, 70% and 72%, respectively. NAF for screening of
      malnutrition in hospitalized Thai patients is easy to use, concise, does not
      require nutrition expertise and can be used whether or not body weight is taken. 

PMID- 24231011
TI  - Development and validation of anthropometric prediction equations for estimation
      of body fat in Indonesian men.
AB  - Body composition of 292 males aged between 18 and 65 years was measured using the
      deuterium oxide dilution technique. Participants were divided into development
      (n=146) and cross-validation (n=146) groups. Stature, body weight, skinfold
      thickness at eight sites, girth at five sites, and bone breadth at four sites
      were measured and body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to
      stature ratio (WSR) calculated. Equations were developed using multiple
      regression analyses with skinfolds, breadth and girth measures, BMI, and other
      indices as independent variables and percentage body fat (%BF) determined from
      deuterium dilution technique as the reference. All equations were then tested in
      the cross-validation group. Results from the reference method were also compared
      with existing prediction equations by Durnin and Womersley (1974), Davidson et al
      (2011), and Gurrici et al (1998). The proposed prediction equations were valid in
      our cross-validation samples with r=0.77- 0.86, bias 0.2-0.5%, and pure error 2.8
      3.6%. The strongest was generated from skinfolds with r=0.83, SEE 3.7%, and AIC
      377.2. The Durnin and Womersley (1974) and Davidson et al (2011) equations
      significantly (p<0.001) underestimated %BF by 1.0 and 6.9% respectively, whereas
      the Gurrici et al (1998) equation significantly (p<0.001) overestimated %BF by
      3.3% in our cross-validation samples compared to the reference. Results suggest
      that the proposed prediction equations are useful in the estimation of %BF in
      Indonesian men. 

PMID- 24231012
TI  - Glutamine supplementation in preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition leads
      to an early improvement in liver function.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to confirm the protective effects of parenteral
      glutamine supplementation on liver injury in premature infants and determine how
      quickly effects became evident. METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized,
      controlled clinical study to assess the effect of parenteral nutrition (PN)
      supplemented with glutamine in premature infants. Thirty infants from two
      children's centers, were randomly assigned to either a control group (Standard
      PN; n=15) or a glutamine-supplemented group (GlnPN; n=15). The primary endpoint
      was hepatic function. The secondary endpoints were total duration of PN, weight
      and head circumference gain, length of hospitalization, and days on a ventilator.
      RESULTS: The serum level of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) after parenteral nutrition
      for 14 days was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the control group. But in the
      glutamine-supplemented group, the serum concentration of aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) significantly
      decreased after PN for 7 days and 14 days (p<0.05), and the level of alkaline
      phosphatase (AKP) showed no increase. The levels of AKP and GGT were
      significantly different with time by group interaction. Levels of AKP was higher
      in control group than glutamine-supplemented group, and GGT level was lower in
      glutamine-supplemented group compared with controls. There were no significant
      differences between the groups in terms of total duration of PN, weight gain
      (g/d), increase in head circumference (cm/w), length of hospitalization, and
      duration of mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION: The longer the duration of
      parenteral nutrition, the more severe hepatic dysfunction became. Parenteral
      glutamine supplementation suggested a hepatoprotective effect.

PMID- 24231013
TI  - Influence of early enteral nutrition (EEN) on insulin resistance in gastric
      cancer patients after surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefits of reducing insulin resistance by early
      enteral nutrition (EEN) in gastric cancer patients after surgery. METHODS:
      Gastric cancer patients were managed to randomly accept traditional total
      parenteral nutrition (group A) or EEN (group B) after surgical treatment. The
      patients in group B were fed by tubes with 250-500 mL 5% sodium chloride and
      glucose injection at 24 h post-surgery, and were fed enteral nutritional emulsion
      with constant infusion by pump slowly increasing from 20 mL/h to 100 mL/h from 48
      h, and then transiting to total enteral nutrition. Insulin sensitivity of
      patients was detected by Quicki method before operation and at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h,
      120 h and 168 h post-surgery. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were enrolled, with
      42 patients in group A, and 35 patients in group B. Baseline characteristics,
      biochemical indexes and operational characteristics were well balanced between
      two groups. The time-insulin sensitivity curves of the two groups indicated that
      IR was present early (day 1 to day 7) in gastric cancer patients and was
      significantly different between patients who had undergone surgical treatment and
      those who had not. Insulin sensitivity (SI) of patients in group B were higher
      than patients in group A with adjusting BMI, age and SI preoperative at 72 h, 120
      h and 168 h post-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The management of EEN can alleviate
      insulin resistance in gastric cancer patients with surgical treatment.

PMID- 24231014
TI  - Early initiation of enteral nutrition improves outcomes in burn disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Burned patients have increased level of mortality, possibly due to
      late introduction of enteral feeding. The aim of this study was to compare the
      benefits and safety of very early enteral nutrition introduction compared to the
      normal diet among burns patients in an intensive care unit. PARTICIPANTS AND
      METHODS: Participants consisted of 101 patients, aged 20-76 years (mean age 48
      years), 49 men and 52 women, with burns that covered more than 20% of the body.
      The intervention group consisted of 52 subjects fed via introduced nasojejunal
      probe that started within four hours after admission to the hospital. The control
      group consisted of fifty patients fed in standard manner per os (three standard
      hospital meals) immediately after the first wound dressing. RESULTS: The average
      decline BMI in control group was 2.27+/-0.56 kg/m2, while the average reduction
      in BMI in the intervention group was 1.77+/-0.38 kg/m2 (p<0.001). The largest
      drop of albumin concentration in the control group was 28.5%, whereas in the
      intervention group was 23.8%. (p<0.001). The greatest decrease of transferrin
      concentration in the control group was 31.1%, while the average reduction in the
      intervention group was 18.3%. (p<0.001). C-reactive protein values were
      statistically higher in control group (p<0.001). Intervention group had lower
      rate of complications and infection rates. CONCLUSION: Enteral nutrition in
      burned patients should begin within few hours of burn onset. Such approach leads
      to better outcomes, reduces complications, and improves nutritional profile.

PMID- 24231015
TI  - Effects of a nutrition support team on clinical outcomes, metabolic complications
      and electrolyte abnormalities in patients receiving parenteral nutrition.
AB  - The effectiveness of the Nutrition Support Team (NST) at Hospital Sungai Buloh, a
      large public hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in optimising parenteral
      nutrition (PN) has not been evaluated. To evaluate the effects of this NST in
      optimising patient outcomes, treatment outcomes, and adherence to biochemical
      monitoring guidelines, two groups of patients, those given PN before (n = 106)
      NST intervention and those given PN after (n=106) NST intervention, were
      retrospectively compared. Intervention by the NST significantly reduced metabolic
      abnormalities, reducing sodium abnormalities from 67% to 44% (p<0.01); potassium
      abnormalities from 42% to 15% (p<0.01); magnesium abnormalities from 13% to 3%
      (p<0.05) and phosphate abnormalities from 21% to 9% (p=0.01). Intervention by the
      NST also significantly reduced the incidence of hypertriglyceridemia from 68% to
      45% (p=0.002) and significantly improved adherence to biochemical monitoring
      guidelines from 46% to 72% (p<0.01). However, the length of hospital stay,
      patient mortality, and duration of PN were similar in both groups. This study
      failed to demonstrate that the establishment of a NST gave better outcomes in
      terms of the common measures of effectiveness. In conclusion, although management
      by an NST significantly reduced metabolic abnormalities and improved adherence to
      biochemical monitoring guidelines, the NST did not improve patient mortality
      rates and length of hospital stay. 

PMID- 24231016
TI  - Reducing effect of calcium in combination with magnesium and lactulose on body
      fat mass in middle-aged Japanese women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been reported that adequate calcium intake decreases body fat
      and appropriate intakes of magnesium suppress the development of the metabolic
      syndrome. Furthermore, lactulose increases the absorption of calcium and
      magnesium. An optimal combination of calcium, magnesium and lactulose may
      therefore reduce body fat mass. METHODS: An open-label randomized controlled
      trial was conducted to investigate the body fat-reducing effects of a test food
      containing 300 mg calcium, 150 mg magnesium, and 4.0 g lactulose. Body
      composition parameters and blood hormone and urine mineral concentrations were
      measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 months thereafter. Whole-body fat mass was
      measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Seventy-six middle-aged
      Japanese women (47.5+/-4.7 years) were randomized to the intake group (n=48) or
      the non-intake control group (n=28). At 12 months the difference in body fat mass
      change between the two groups (intake group - control group) was -0.8 kg (95% CI:
      -1.5 - 0.0 kg, p=0.046), although there were no differences in anthropometric
      data between the two groups. Body fat percentage at 12 months tended to be lower
      in the intake group, but the difference was not significant (p=0.09).
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings may suggest that calcium in combination with
      magnesium and lactulose can reduce body fat mass in middle-aged Japanese women.
      However, the contribution of magnesium and lactulose are unclear in this study.
      Further studies are needed to clarify these contributions.

PMID- 24231017
TI  - Effect of traditional Arabic coffee consumption on the glycemic index of Khalas
      dates tested in healthy and diabetic subjects.
AB  - The consumption of dates with coffee is common among Arabs and may affect
      postprandial hyperglycemia ex-cursion. The study aimed to determine the effect of
      coffee on the glycemic index of a common variety of dates (Khalas) tested in
      healthy and type 2 diabetes mellitus individuals. Study subjects were thirteen
      healthy volunteers (mean age: 40.2+/-6.7 years) and ten diabetic participants
      with a mean HbA1c of 6.6+/-(0.7%) and a mean age of 40.8+/-5.7 years. Each
      subject participated in five days of tests with 50 g of glucose and 50 g
      equivalent of available carbohydrates from the dates (with/without coffee).
      Capillary glucose was measured in the healthy subjects at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90
      and 120 min, and for the diabetics at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min.
      Glycemic indices were determined as ratios of the incremental areas under the
      response curves for the interventions. Statistical analyses were performed using
      the independent samples and paired t-tests. Mean+/-SE glycemic indices of the
      Khalas dates for the healthy individuals were 55.1+/-7.7 and 52.7+/-6.2 without
      and with coffee consumption, respectively. Similar values were observed for those
      with diabetes (53.0+/-6.0 and 41.5+/-5.4). Differences between glycemic indices
      of Khalas with or without coffee were not significant (p=0.124). There were no
      significant differences in glycemic index between the diabetic and healthy
      subjects (p=0.834 and p=0.202 without and with coffee respectively). In
      conclusion, at least in the short term, coffee does not adversely affect
      capillary glucose levels following Khalas dates consumption in healthy and
      diabetic volunteers. 

PMID- 24231018
TI  - Impact of diet and weight loss on iron and zinc status in overweight and obese
      young women.
AB  - Young overweight women are at risk of iron and zinc deficiency. This study
      assessed iron, zinc and inflammatory status during a 12-month weight loss trial
      in young women (18-25 y; BMI >=27.5 kg/m2) randomised to a higher-protein (HP:
      32% protein; 12.2 mg/day iron; 11.7 mg/day zinc) or lower-protein (LP: 20%; 9.9
      mg/day; 7.6 mg/day respectively) diet with contrasting haem iron and zinc
      content. In completers (HP: n=21; LP: n=15), HP participants showed higher median
      ferritin (52.0 vs 39.0 MUg/L; p=0.021) and lower median soluble transferrin
      receptor-ferritin index (sTfR-F; 0.89 vs 1.05; p=0.024) although concentrations
      remained within normal range for both diets. Median C-reactive protein (CRP; HP:
      3.54; LP: 4.63 mg/L) and hepcidin (HP: 5.70; LP: 8.25 ng/mL) were not elevated at
      baseline, and no longitudinal between-diet differences were observed for zinc and
      CRP. Compared to those with <5% weight loss, HP participants losing >=10% weight
      showed lower median sTfR-F (0.76 vs 1.03; p=0.019) at six months. Impact of >=10%
      weight loss on iron was more apparent in LP participants who exhibited greater
      mean serum iron (20.0 vs 13.5 MUmol/L; p=0.002), transferrin saturation (29.8% vs
      19.4%; p=0.001) and lower sTfR (1.24 vs 1.92 mg/L; p=0.034) at 12 months. Results
      show normal iron and zinc status can be maintained during 12 months of energy
      restriction. In the absence of elevated baseline inflammation and hepcidin, a
      more favourable iron profile in those with >=10% weight loss may reflect stronger
      compliance or the potential influence of iron regulatory mechanisms unrelated to
      inflammatory hepcidin reduction. 

PMID- 24231019
TI  - Relationship between skipping breakfast and bone mineral density in young
      Japanese women.
AB  - BACK GROUND AND AIMS: It is well known that insufficient nutrient intake leads to
      poor bone status. To find a simple evaluation method for prevention of nutrition
      intake disorder, a cross-sectional study with 275 healthy Japanese female
      students aged 19-25 was conducted. METHODS: Anthropometric parameters, bone
      mineral density (BMD) at lumbar and total hip, bone metabolic markers and
      physical activity were measured in study participants and the frequency of
      skipping meals (breakfast, lunch, supper), and absolute values for nutrient
      intakes were assessed using a Diet History Questionnaire. RESULTS: The frequency
      of skipping breakfast significantly correlate to total energy intake (rho= 
      0.276, p<0.001). BMI, total intake of energy, intake of protein, intake of
      phosphate, and energy expenditure positively correlated significantly to BMD at
      lumbar and total hip (p<0.05) using simple linear regression. BMI (regression
      coefficient (b))=0.088, p<0.001), bone alkaline phosphatase (b= -0.050, p=0.012),
      total energy expenditure (b=0.019, p<0.001), and frequency of skipping breakfast
      (b= -0.018, p=0.048) were independent risk factors for lower total hip BMD by
      multiple regression analysis. The total hip BMD in participants who skipped
      breakfast three or more times was significantly lower than in those who did not
      skip breakfast (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, managing the frequency of
      skipping breakfast and reducing it to <3 times per week may be beneficial for the
      maintenance of bone health in younger women.

PMID- 24231020
TI  - Prevalence and determinants of hyperuricemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
      with central obesity in Guangdong Province in China.
AB  - This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of hyperuricemia in
      Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with central obesity. A
      multicentric hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Guangdong
      Province between August 2011 and March 2012. At each hospital, Chinese T2DM
      patients with central obesity who were aged over 20 years, whose serum uric acid
      levels were measured, and who had lived in Guangdong Province for >=1 year, were
      recruited. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid >420 MUmol/L in men and
      >360 MUmol/L in women. Binary logistic regression was used to assess associated
      risk factors for hyperu-ricemia. A total of 2,917 T2DM patients with central
      obesity took part. The overall prevalence of hyperuricemia was 32.6% (36.1% for
      women, 28.4% for men). Binary logistic regression analyses demonstrated that
      women (OR: 1.576; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.231, 2.018), high BMI (OR:
      1.228; 95% CI: 1.094, 1.379), waist cir-cumference (OR: 1.135; 95% CI: 1.009,
      1.276), hypertension (OR: 1.603; 95% CI: 1.263, 2.035), high total cho-lesterol
      (OR: 1.133; 95% CI: 1.002, 1.281), triglycerides (OR: 1.134; 95% CI: 1.069,
      1.203), low HDL-cholesterol (OR: 0.820; 95% CI: 0.677, 0.995) and low estimated
      glomerular filtration rate (OR: 0.840; 95% CI: 0.815, 0.866) were risk factors
      associated with hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is prevalent in Chinese T2DM
      patients with central obesity and is significantly positively associated with
      women, cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and
      dyslipidemia, and low eGFR. 

PMID- 24231021
TI  - Leisure time physical activities and dietary quality of the general and
      indigenous Taiwanese populations are associated with fat distribution and
      sarcopenia.
AB  - Indigenous peoples are at greater risk of obesity-related health problems for
      various reasons. These have been explored in the adulthood (>=19 yrs) section of
      the nationally-representative Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) for
      2005-2008 in Indigenous mountain-dwelling (IndT) (n=226) and general (mainly Han
      Chinese) (GenT) (n=1486) Taiwanese. Physical activity, BMI, fat distribution
      (waist circum-ference (WC) and triceps skinfold (TSF)) and mid arm muscle
      circumference (MAMC) have been com-pared. Leisure-time physical activities (LTPA)
      were assigned metabolic equivalents (METs). Comparisons were made by ethnicity
      locality. Indigenous men and women were 3.81 and 5.47 times more obese (WHO
      criteria BMI>=30 kg/m2) than the GenT, respectively. Some 55% of the IndT and 34%
      of the GenT reported no LTPA. All LTPA types were less evident in the IndT.
      Multivaiable adjusted ORs (95% CIs) against inactivity as referent were, for
      sarcopenic MAMC, in Indigenes with MVI-LTPA 0.13 (0.03-0.67) and in the GenT 0.61
      (0.37-1.01); in the GenT with LTPA for BMI >=30 kg/m2 and obese TSF, they were
      0.53 (0.31-0.91) and 0.77 (0.60-0.98), respectively. Without dietary quality
      adjustment, the sarcopenia risk in GenT with LTPA was significant (OR=0.60, 95%
      CI: 0.37-0.97). Having adjusted for dietary quality, the significance
      disappeared. Less sarcopenia was found with ambulation in the GenT (OR=2.07, 95%
      CI: 1.26-3.43). More over-fatness in an IndT than GenT is associated with less
      LTPA. LTPA reduces sarcope-nic risk irrespective of ethnicity, is partly
      dependent on diet, and reduces obesity indices in the GenT. 

PMID- 24231022
TI  - Prevalence and correlates of zinc deficiency in pregnant Vietnamese women in Ho
      Chi Minh City.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although Vietnam is a region with a plant-based diet that has a high
      zinc deficiency, epidemiological data showing how this affects pregnant women are
      limited. This study explores the prevalence of zinc deficiency and possible
      correlates in pregnant Vietnamese women in Ho Chi Minh City. METHODS: This was a
      cross-sectional study conducted at a general hospital in Ho Chi Minh City,
      Vietnam. All pregnant women who came to their first antenatal care visit from
      November 2011 to June 2012 were recruited. Those taking a vitamin and/or mineral
      supplement were excluded. Serum zinc concentrations, determined by a standard
      colorimetric method, of 10.7 MUmol/L-17.5 MUmol/L (70.0 g/dL-114 g/dL) were
      classified as normal and under 10.7 MUmol/L (70.0 g/dL) as zinc deficient.
      RESULTS: In total, 254 pregnant women were invited and 107 (42%) participated.
      The mean age of participants was 29 years, and mean gestational age was 10 weeks.
      Median zinc concentration in serum was 13.6 MUmol/L, and the prevalence of zinc
      deficiency was 29% (95% CI=21%-39%). The daily intake of a milk product
      supplement was the only significant correlate of zinc deficiency of the items
      investigated (adjusted OR=0.40, 95% CI=0.16-0.99, p=0.049). DISCUSSION: This is
      the first study reporting that more than 25% of pregnant Vietnamese women in Ho
      Chi Minh City are zinc deficient. Further academic and clinical input is needed
      to confirm the scale of this neglected issue and to investigate the potential of
      milk product supplementation in this population.

PMID- 24231023
TI  - Evaluating dietary quality in diabetes by the Healthy Eating Index.
AB  - Diabetes and diabetes-induced complications is a rising health concern in
      Northern Cyprus. Of the adult population in Northern Cyprus, 12.2% has diabetes
      and 90% of all individuals suffering from cardiovascular disease are people with
      diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional habits of people with
      diabetes in Northern Cyprus in order to make the necessary recommendations to
      improve their eating habits to prevent diabetes-induced complications. We used
      the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) to evaluate dietary quality of people with
      diabetes in Northern Cyprus based on their 24-hour food intake. A total of 200
      participants with diabetes were selected randomly from the out-patient clinic of
      Dr. Burhan Nalbantoglu central hospital in Nicosia. Individuals were asked to
      complete a questionnaire to determine their 24-hour food intake and frequency of
      intake of various food substances. The mean HEI score for the subjects with
      diabetes was 58.8. The HEI component scores for saturated fat, vegetables, dairy
      products and meat consumption were less than 5, whereas average scores for fat,
      cholesterol, fruits, grains, and sodium consumption were more than 5. The meat
      component of the HEI had the lowest mean score (3.3). There was statistical
      significance between male and female subjects regarding the HEI scores for meat
      and nutrient variety intake. In conclusion, the results of the present study
      suggest that subjects with diabetes in Northern Cyprus should improve their diet
      by decreasing their intake of saturated fat and by increasing their intake of
      vegetables, meat and milk. 

PMID- 24231025
TI  - Cognitive impairment and limited dietary diversity or physical inactivity are
      conjoint precursors of incident diabetes more so in elderly women than men.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To establish whether elderly people with impaired cognition are at
      greater risk for the de-velopment of type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Prospective
      population-based cohort study. SETTING: The El-derly Nutrition and Health Survey
      in Taiwan (NAHSIT Elderly). PARTICIPANTS: One thousand and four hundred ninety
      three diabetes-free people >=65 years were followed for incident diabetes in
      relation to cognitive status for up to 8 years. MEASUREMENTS: The association
      between cognitive impairment and diabetes incidence was analyzed with Cox
      proportional hazards models with exclusion of people who had diabetes within one
      year of cognitive function assessments. RESULTS: Cognitively-impaired women, but
      not men, had increased diabetes incidence density (DID). Age, gender, ethnicity
      and personal behavior adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals
      (CI) for type 2 diabetes with normal cognition as referent were 2.43 (95% CI:
      1.27-4.63) for women and 1.55 (95% CI: 0.48-5.07) for men. These gender
      differences and the HR significances remained with adjustments for age,
      ethnicity, financial status, dietary quality as a dietary diversity score,
      physical function, physical activity, fasting glucose, indices of body
      composition, body mass index, waist circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference,
      perceived and mental health status. There were extensive significant interactions
      with the covariates in women. CONCLUSION: Cognitive impairment in later life is
      associated with greater risk of type 2 diabetes in women and considerable
      potential risk enhancement.

PMID- 24231024
TI  - Associations of body mass index with incident hypertension in American white,
      American black and Chinese Asian adults in early and middle adulthood: the
      Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, the
      Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and the People's Republic of
      China (PRC) study.
AB  - The association of body mass index (BMI) with blood pressure may be stronger in
      Asian than non-Asian populations, however, longitudinal studies with direct
      comparisons between ethnicities are lacking. We compared the relationship of BMI
      with incident hypertension over approximately 9.5 years of follow-up in young (24
      39 years) and middle-aged (45-64 years) Chinese Asians (n=5354), American Blacks
      (n=6076) and American Whites (n=13451). We estimated risk differences using
      logistic regression models and calculated adjusted incidences and incidence
      differences. To facilitate comparisons across ethnicities, standardized estimates
      were calculated using mean covariate values for age, sex, smoking, education and
      field center, and included the quadratic terms for BMI and age. Weighted least
      squares regression models with were constructed to summarize ethnic-specific
      incidence differences across BMI. Wald statistics and p-values were calculated
      based on chi-square distributions. The association of BMI with the incidence
      difference for hypertension was steeper in Chinese (p<0.05) than in American
      populations during young and middle-adulthood. For example, at a BMI of 25 vs 21
      kg/m2 the adjusted incidence differences per 1000 persons (95% CI) in young
      adults with a BMI of 25 vs those with a BMI of 21 was 83 (36- 130) for Chinese,
      50 (26-74) for Blacks and 30 (12-48) for Whites; among middle-aged adults it was
      137 (77-198) for Chinese, 49 (9-88) for Blacks and 54 (38-69) for Whites. Whether
      hypertension carries the same level of risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease
      across national or ethnic groups remains uncertain. 

PMID- 24231026
TI  - Effects of gamma-glutamyl carboxylase gene polymorphism (R325Q) on the
      association between dietary vitamin K intake and gamma-carboxylation of
      osteocalcin in young adults.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It has been demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
      (R325Q, 974G>A) in the gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX) gene is associated with
      the bone mineral density (BMD). In the present study, we investigated the effect
      of GGCX polymorphism (974G>A) on the correlations among the vitamin K in-take,
      level of serum vitamin K, and ratio of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) to
      intact osteocalcin (OC) in healthy young Japanese subjects. METHODS: Healthy
      young adult subjects (n=189) were genotyped for the poly-morphism, and we
      measured the levels of serum vitamin K, intact OC, ucOC, and dietary nutrient
      intakes. RESULTS: Dietary vitamin K intake from vegetables was significantly
      correlated with the level of serum phylloquinone (PK), and vitamin K intake from
      fermented beans, natto, was also significantly correlated with the level of serum
      menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Moreover, the total dietary vitamin K intake showed a
      significant negative correlation with the ratio of ucOC to intact OC.
      Interestingly, on grouping by the GGCX genotype, there was a significant
      interaction between the ratio of ucOC to intact OC with vitamin K intake in
      homozygotes (GG-type) and heterozygotes (GA-type) (p<0.001). These results
      suggest that an adequate nutritional strategy is necessary for people with high
      risk genotypes (GG- or GA-type). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the effects of SNP
      (974G>A) in the GGCX gene on the correlation between dietary vitamin K intake and
      gamma-carboxylation of serum OC. Our data may be useful for planning strategies
      to prevent osteoporosis.

PMID- 24231027
TI  - CSPEN guidelines for nutrition support in neonates.
AB  - In the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in survival rate
      of preterm infants, especially very low birth weight infants. The nutrition
      problems have become particularly relevant in neonates, and nutrition support is
      usually required for preterm infants and most sick term infants. The actual
      amount of nutrition must be calculated (not estimated) in neonates. The goals of
      nutrition support are to maintain development and growth while avoiding nutrition
      related complications. Nutrition requirements (enteral nutrition and parenteral
      nutrition) should be adjusted according to different weights and gestational age.
      Parenteral nutrition (PN), which allows the infant's requirements for growth and
      development to be met, is indicated in infants for whom feeding via the enteral
      route is impossible, inadequate, or hazardous. Enteral nutrition (EN) should be
      gradually introduced and should replace PN as quickly as possible in order to
      minimize any side-effects from exposure to PN. Inadequate substrate intake in
      early infancy can cause long-term detrimental effects in terms of metabolic
      programming of the risk of illness in later life. Optimal nutrition care of the
      preterm infant offers the opportunity to improve outcomes for children. This
      guideline aims to provide proposed advisable ranges for nutrient intakes in
      neonates. These recommendations are based on a considered review of available
      scientific reports on the subject, and on expert consensus for which the
      available scientific data are considered inadequate. 

PMID- 24231028
TI  - Implausible results in human nutrition research.

PMID- 24231029
TI  - Human exposure to endotoxins and fecal indicators originating from water
      features.
AB  - Exposure to contaminated aerosols and water originating from water features may
      pose public health risks. Endotoxins in air and water and fecal bacteria in water
      of water features were measured as markers for exposure to microbial cell debris
      and enteric pathogens, respectively. Information was collected about wind
      direction, wind force, distance to the water feature, the height of the water
      feature and the tangibility of water spray. The mean concentration of endotoxins
      in air nearby and in water of 31 water features was 10 endotoxin units (EU)/m(3)
      (Geometric Mean (GM), range 0-85.5 EU/m(3) air) and 773 EU/mL (GM, range 9-18,170
      EU/mL water), respectively. Such mean concentrations may be associated with
      respiratory health effects. The water quality of 26 of 88 water features was poor
      when compared to requirements for recreational water in the Bathing Water
      Directive 2006/7/EC. Concentrations greater than 1000 colony forming units (cfu)
      Escherichia coli per 100 mL and greater than 400 cfu intestinal enterococci per
      100 mL increase the probability of acquiring gastrointestinal health complaints.
      Regression analyses showed that the endotoxin concentration in air was
      significantly influenced by the concentration of endotoxin in water, the distance
      to the water feature and the tangibility of water spray. Exposure to air and
      water near water features was shown to lead to exposure to endotoxins and fecal
      bacteria. The potential health risks resulting from such exposure to water
      features may be estimated by a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA),
      however, such QMRA would require quantitative data on pathogen concentrations,
      exposure volumes and dose-response relationships. The present study provides
      estimates for aerosolisation ratios that can be used as input for QMRA to
      quantify exposure and to determine infection risks from exposure to water
      features. 

PMID- 24231030
TI  - Biofouling of reverse-osmosis membranes during tertiary wastewater desalination:
      microbial community composition.
AB  - Reverse-osmosis (RO) desalination is frequently used for the production of high
      quality water from tertiary treated wastewater (TTWW). However, the RO
      desalination process is often hampered by biofouling, including membrane
      conditioning, microbial adhesion, and biofilm growth. The vast majority of
      biofilm exploration concentrated on the role of bacteria in biofouling neglecting
      additional microbial contributors, i.e., fungi and archaea. To better understand
      the RO biofouling process, bacterial, archaeal and fungal diversity was
      characterized in a laboratory-scale RO desalination plant exploring the TTWW (RO
      feed), the RO membrane and the RO feed tube biofilms. We sequenced 77,400
      fragments of the ribosome small subunit-encoding gene (16S and 18S rRNA) to
      identify the microbial community members in these matrices. Our results suggest
      that the bacterial, archaeal but not fungal community significantly differ from
      the RO membrane biofouling layer to the feedwater and tube biofilm (P < 0.01).
      Moreover, the RO membrane supported a more diverse community compared to the
      communities monitored in the feedwater and the biofilm attached to the RO
      feedwater tube. The tube biofilm was dominated by Actinobacteria (91.2 +/- 4.6%),
      while the Proteobacteria phylum dominated the feedwater and RO membrane (at
      relative abundance of 92.3 +/- 4.4% and 71.5 +/- 8.3%, respectively), albeit
      comprising different members. The archaea communities were dominated by
      Crenarchaeota (53.0 +/- 6.9%, 32.5 +/- 7.2% and 69%, respectively) and
      Euryarchaeota (43.3 +/- 6.3%, 23.2 +/- 4.8% and 24%, respectively) in all three
      matrices, though the communities' composition differed. But the fungal
      communities composition was similar in all matrices, dominated by Ascomycota
      (97.6 +/- 2.7%). Our results suggest that the RO membrane is a selective surface,
      supporting unique bacterial, and to a lesser extent archaeal communities, yet it
      does not select for a fungal community. 

PMID- 24231031
TI  - Modeling Escherichia coli removal in constructed wetlands under pulse loading.
AB  - Manure-borne pathogens are a threat to water quality and have resulted in disease
      outbreaks globally. Land application of livestock manure to croplands may result
      in pathogen transport through surface runoff and tile drains, eventually entering
      water bodies such as rivers and wetlands. The goal of this study was to develop a
      robust model for estimating the pathogen removal in surface flow wetlands under
      pulse loading conditions. A new modeling approach was used to describe
      Escherichia coli removal in pulse-loaded constructed wetlands using adaptive
      neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS). Several ANFIS models were developed and
      validated using experimental data under pulse loading over two seasons (winter
      and summer). In addition to ANFIS, a mechanistic fecal coliform removal model was
      validated using the same sets of experimental data. The results showed that the
      ANFIS model significantly improved the ability to describe the dynamics of E.
      coli removal under pulse loading. The mechanistic model performed poorly as
      demonstrated by lower coefficient of determination and higher root mean squared
      error compared to the ANFIS models. The E. coli concentrations corresponding to
      the inflection points on the tracer study were keys to improving the
      predictability of the E. coli removal model. 

PMID- 24231032
TI  - Towards integrating positron emission tomography for work-up of patients with
      Sjogren's syndrome and associated lymphomas.

PMID- 24231033
TI  - Food-derived bioactive peptides--a new paradigm.
AB  - Food-derived bioactive peptides are regarded as important modulators of several
      physiological processes occurring both systemically and locally within the
      gastrointestinal tract (GIT). However, the concentrations of food-derived
      bioactive peptides in the GIT, and therefore attendant physiological effects, are
      likely to be highly variable given the wide variation in the type and amount of
      dietary protein consumed either during the day or on a day-to-day basis. In
      contrast, gut endogenous proteins (e.g. cell proteins, mucin, serum albumin and
      digestive enzymes) are a consistent and significant potential source of peptides
      for the GIT. With up to 80% of gut endogenous proteins being digested in the GIT,
      it is possible that a wide range of peptides is generated, but until now the
      significance of the gut endogenous proteins as a source of bioactive peptides has
      not been considered. A hypothesis is promulgated that the gut endogenous proteins
      may have a hidden role as a consistent and quantitatively important source of
      bioactive peptides in the GIT.

PMID- 24231034
TI  - Evaluation of the safety and usability of touch gestures in operating in-vehicle
      information systems with visual occlusion.
AB  - Nowadays, many automobile manufacturers are interested in applying the touch
      gestures that are used in smart phones to operate their in-vehicle information
      systems (IVISs). In this study, an experiment was performed to verify the
      applicability of touch gestures in the operation of IVISs from the viewpoints of
      both driving safety and usability. In the experiment, two devices were used: one
      was the Apple iPad, with which various touch gestures such as flicking, panning,
      and pinching were enabled; the other was the SK EnNavi, which only allowed
      tapping touch gestures. The participants performed the touch operations using the
      two devices under visually occluded situations, which is a well-known technique
      for estimating load of visual attention while driving. In scrolling through a
      list, the flicking gestures required more time than the tapping gestures.
      Interestingly, both the flicking and simple tapping gestures required slightly
      higher visual attention. In moving a map, the average time taken per operation
      and the visual attention load required for the panning gestures did not differ
      from those of the simple tapping gestures that are used in existing car
      navigation systems. In zooming in/out of a map, the average time taken per
      pinching gesture was similar to that of the tapping gesture but required higher
      visual attention. Moreover, pinching gestures at a display angle of 75 degrees 
      required that the participants severely bend their wrists. Because the display
      angles of many car navigation systems tends to be more than 75 degrees , pinching
      gestures can cause severe fatigue on users' wrists. Furthermore, contrary to
      participants' evaluation of other gestures, several participants answered that
      the pinching gesture was not necessary when operating IVISs. It was found that
      the panning gesture is the only touch gesture that can be used without negative
      consequences when operating IVISs while driving. The flicking gesture is likely
      to be used if the screen moving speed is slower or if the car is in heavy
      traffic. However, the pinching gesture is not an appropriate method of operating
      IVISs while driving in the various scenarios examined in this study. 

PMID- 24231035
TI  - Nitrogen regulation of transpiration controls mass-flow acquisition of nutrients.
AB  - Transpiration may enhance mass-flow of nutrients to roots, especially in low
      nutrient soils or where the root system is not extensively developed. Previous
      work suggested that nitrogen (N) may regulate mass-flow of nutrients. Experiments
      were conducted to determine whether N regulates water fluxes, and whether this
      regulation has a functional role in controlling the mass-flow of nutrients to
      roots. Phaseolus vulgaris were grown in troughs designed to create an N
      availability gradient by restricting roots from intercepting a slow-release N
      source, which was placed at one of six distances behind a 25 MUm mesh from which
      nutrients could move by diffusion or mass-flow (termed 'mass-flow' treatment).
      Control plants had the N source supplied directly to their root zone so that N
      was available through interception, mass-flow, and diffusion (termed
      'interception' treatment). 'Mass-flow' plants closest to the N source exhibited
      2.9-fold higher transpiration (E), 2.6-fold higher stomatal conductance (gs), 1.2
      fold higher intercellular [CO2] (Ci), and 3.4-fold lower water use efficiency
      than 'interception' plants, despite comparable values of photosynthetic rate (A).
      E, gs, and Ci first increased and then decreased with increasing distance from
      the N source to values even lower than those of 'interception' plants. 'Mass
      flow' plants accumulated phosphorus and potassium, and had maximum concentrations
      at 10mm from the N source. Overall, N availability regulated transpiration-driven
      mass-flow of nutrients from substrate zones that were inaccessible to roots. Thus
      when water is available, mass-flow may partially substitute for root density in
      providing access to nutrients without incurring the costs of root extension,
      although the efficacy of mass-flow also depends on soil nutrient retention and
      hydraulic properties.

PMID- 24231036
TI  - Rapid maxillary expansion in growing patients: correspondence between 3
      dimensional airway changes and polysomnography.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present prospective study was to investigate the
      effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the airway correlating airway volumes
      computed on cone beam computed tomography and polysomnography evaluation of
      oxygen saturation and apnea/hypopnea index. METHODS: The study group comprised 14
      caucasian patients (mean age 7.1 +/- 0.6 years) undergone to rapid maxillary
      expansion with Haas type expander banded on second deciduous upper molars. Cone
      beam computed tomography scans and polysomnography exams were collected before
      placing the appliance (T0) and after 12 months (T1). Landmarks localization and
      airway semiautomatic segmentation on cone beam computed tomography scans allowed
      airway volume computing and measurements. RESULTS: Increases of total airway
      volume, oxygen saturation and apnea/hypopnea index were statistically
      significant. No correlation was found among total airway volume, oxygen
      saturation and apnea/hypopnea index changes between the examined timepoints.
      CONCLUSIONS: Computing airway volume on cone beam computed tomography allow to
      measure the amount of air that flows through nasal cavity, nasopharynx and
      oropharynx while oxygen saturation and apnea/hypopnea index could give
      information about functional parameters. In the present study all three variables
      investigated showed statistically significant differences between T0 and T1 but
      no correlation was found between increases of the different variables tested.

PMID- 24231037
TI  - Synchronization stability and firing transitions in two types of class I neuronal
      networks with short-term plasticity.
AB  - This paper investigates synchronization stability and firing transition in two
      types of the modified canonical class I neuronal networks, where the short-term
      plasticity of synapse is introduced. We mainly consider both unidirectional chain
      and global coupling configurations. Previous studies have shown that the coupled
      class I neurons can spontaneously de-synchronize. Presently, the short-term
      plasticity of synapse is considered to check the universality of this phenomenon.
      Based on the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, it is shown that
      unidirectionally chain coupled class I neurons can realize synchronization,
      whereas bidirectionally coupled chain neurons cannot synchronize, and globally
      coupled class I neurons de-synchronize. Furthermore, the dynamics of coupled
      neurons with different firing modes are also studied in numerical simulations,
      and interesting transitions of different firing modes can be induced by the short
      term plasticity. The obtained results can be helpful to further understand
      important effects of the short-term synaptic plasticity on realistic neuronal
      systems. 

PMID- 24231038
TI  - Scene construction in developmental amnesia: an fMRI study.
AB  - Amnesic patients with bilateral hippocampal damage sustained in adulthood are
      generally unable to construct scenes in their imagination. By contrast, patients
      with developmental amnesia (DA), where hippocampal damage was acquired early in
      life, have preserved performance on this task, although the reason for this
      sparing is unclear. One possibility is that residual function in remnant
      hippocampal tissue is sufficient to support basic scene construction in DA. Such
      a situation was found in the one amnesic patient with adult-acquired hippocampal
      damage (P01) who could also construct scenes. Alternatively, DA patients' scene
      construction might not depend on the hippocampus, perhaps being instead reliant
      on non-hippocampal regions and mediated by semantic knowledge. To adjudicate
      between these two possibilities, we examined scene construction during functional
      MRI (fMRI) in Jon, a well-characterised patient with DA who has previously been
      shown to have preserved scene construction. We found that when Jon constructed
      scenes he activated many of the regions known to be associated with imagining
      scenes in control participants including ventromedial prefrontal cortex,
      posterior cingulate, retrosplenial and posterior parietal cortices. Critically,
      however, activity was not increased in Jon's remnant hippocampal tissue. Direct
      comparisons with a group of control participants and patient P01, confirmed that
      they activated their right hippocampus more than Jon. Our results show that a
      type of non-hippocampal dependent scene construction is possible and occurs in
      DA, perhaps mediated by semantic memory, which does not appear to involve the
      vivid visualisation of imagined scenes. 

PMID- 24231039
TI  - Electromyographic latency of postural evoked responses from the leg muscles
      during EquiTest Computerised Dynamic Posturography: Reference data on healthy
      subjects.
AB  - No normative data are available for the latencies of the EMG signals from the
      ankle muscles in response to sudden sagittal tilt (toes-UP or toes-DOWN) or shift
      (shift-FOR or shift-BACK) of the support surface during standing. In this study
      the postural evoked response (PER) paradigm on the EquiTestTM force platform was
      applied to 31 healthy adults (18 women and 13 men; mean age 29 years). The EMG
      latencies (PEREMG) were computed both through the standard manual procedure and
      through a specially designed automated algorithm. The manually computed PEREMG
      onset yielded a 95% tolerance interval between 82ms and 148ms after toes-UP
      perturbation, between 93ms and 182ms after toes-DOWN perturbation, between 67ms
      and 107ms after shift-BACK perturbation, and between 73ms and 113ms after shift
      FOR perturbation. When comparing the two methods, paired t-tests showed no
      significant mean difference (Bonferroni-adjusted p-values ranged from 0.440 to
      1.000) and all Bland-Altman plots included zero difference within the limits of
      agreement. Therefore, the manual and the automated methods appear to be
      sufficiently consistent. These results foster the clinical application of PEREMG
      testing on the EquiTest platform.

PMID- 24231040
TI  - The good, bad, and ugly of online recruitment of parents for health-related focus
      groups: lessons learned.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We describe our experiences with identifying and recruiting Ontario
      parents through the Internet, primarily, as well as other modes, for
      participation in focus groups about adding the influenza vaccine to school-based
      immunization programs. OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to assess participation
      rates with and without incentives and software restrictions. We also plan to
      examine study response patterns of unique and multiple submissions and assess
      efficiency of each online advertising mode. METHODS: We used social media, deal
      forum websites, online classified ads, conventional mass media, and email lists
      to invite parents of school-aged children from Ontario, Canada to complete an
      online questionnaire to determine eligibility for focus groups. We compared
      responses and paradata when an incentive was provided and there were no software
      restrictions to the questionnaire (Period 1) to a period when only a single
      submission per Internet protocol (IP) address (ie, software restrictions invoked)
      was permitted and no incentive was provided (Period 2). We also compared the
      median time to complete a questionnaire, response patterns, and percentage of
      missing data between questionnaires classified as multiple submissions from the
      same Internet protocol (IP) address or email versus unique submissions.
      Efficiency was calculated as the total number of hours study personnel devoted to
      an advertising mode divided by the resultant number of unique eligible completed
      questionnaires . RESULTS: Of 1346 submitted questionnaires, 223 (16.6%) were
      incomplete and 34 (2.52%) did not meet the initial eligibility criteria. Of the
      remaining 1089 questionnaires, 246 (22.6%) were not from Ontario based on IP
      address and postal code, and 469 (43.1%) were submitted from the same IP address
      or email address (multiple submissions). In Period 2 vs Period 1, a larger
      proportion of questionnaires were submitted from Ontario (92.8%, 141/152 vs
      75.1%, 702/937, P<.001), and a smaller proportion of same IP addresses (7.9%,
      12/152 vs 47.1%, 441/937, P<.001) were received. Compared to those who made
      unique submissions, those who made multiple submissions spent less time per
      questionnaire (166 vs 215 seconds, P<.001), and had a higher percentage of
      missing data among their responses (15.0% vs 7.6%, P=.004). Advertisements posted
      on RedFlagDeals were the most efficient for recruitment (0.03 hours of staff time
      per questionnaire), whereas those placed on Twitter were the least efficient
      (3.64 hours of staff time per questionnaire). CONCLUSIONS: Using multiple online
      advertising strategies was effective for recruiting a large sample of
      participants in a relatively short period time with minimal resources. However,
      risks such as multiple submissions and potentially fraudulent information need to
      be considered. In our study, these problems were associated with providing an
      incentive for responding, and could have been partially avoided by activating
      restrictive software features for online questionnaires.

PMID- 24231041
TI  - The presence of polychlorinated biphenyls in yellow pigment products in China
      with emphasis on 3,3'-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB 11).
AB  - A non-Aroclor PCB congener, 3,3'-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB 11) has recently attracted
      wide concerns because of its environmental ubiquity and specific sources
      potentially associated with yellow pigment production. In order to investigate
      PCB 11 and other PCBs in the yellow pigment products, 24 yellow pigment samples
      were collected from three different manufacturing plants in China. ?20PCBs and
      PCB 11 were in the range of 50.7-9.19*10(5) ng g(-1) and 41.7-9.18*10(5) ng g(
      1), respectively, which was much higher than those reported in previous study.
      The corresponding TEQ values ranged between 0.16 and 4.21*10(3) ng WHO2005-TEQ
      kg(-1). The contribution of PCB 11 to ?20PCBs reached up to 85.5% (median value)
      followed by PCB 28, PCB 77, and PCB 52 with contributions of 10.5%, 6.70%, and
      5.40%, respectively. Significant differences were observed for PCB 11
      concentrations among the different types of yellow pigment from the same plant
      and among the same sample types from different plants. The PCB 11 concentrations
      in diarylide yellow pigments produced from 3,3'-dichlorbenzidine were the highest
      in all the samples. It demonstrates that yellow pigment is a significant source
      not only for the widespread pollution of PCB 11 but also for other PCBs,
      especially for the lower chlorinated congeners.

PMID- 24231042
TI  - A comprehensive substance flow analysis of a municipal wastewater and sludge
      treatment plant.
AB  - The fate of total organic carbon, 32 elements (Al, Ag, As, Ba, Be, Br, Ca, Cd,
      Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr,
      Ti, V, and Zn) and 4 groups of organic pollutants (linear alkylbenzene
      sulfonates, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, polychlorinated biphenyl and polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons) in a conventional wastewater treatment plant were
      assessed. Mass balances showed reasonable closures for most of the elements.
      However, gaseous emissions were accompanied by large uncertainties and show the
      limitation of mass balance based substance flow analysis. Based on the
      assessment, it is evident that both inorganic and organic elements accumulated in
      the sewage sludge, with the exception of elements that are highly soluble or
      degradable by wastewater and sludge treatment processes. The majority of metals
      and metalloids were further accumulated in the incineration ash, while the
      organic pollutants were effectively destroyed by both biological and thermal
      processes. Side streams from the sludge treatment process (dewatering and
      incineration) back to the wastewater treatment represented less than 1% of the
      total volume entering the wastewater treatment processes, but represented
      significant substance flows. In contrast, the contribution by spent water from
      the flue gas treatment process was almost negligible. Screening of human and eco
      toxicity by applying the consensus-based environmental impact assessment method
      USEtox addressing 15 inorganic constituents showed that removal of inorganic
      constituents by the wastewater treatment plant reduced the toxic impact potential
      by 87-92%. 

PMID- 24231043
TI  - Bisphenol A promotes dendritic morphogenesis of hippocampal neurons through
      estrogen receptor-mediated ERK1/2 signal pathway.
AB  - Bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental endocrine disruptor, has attracted increasing
      attention to its adverse effects on brain developmental process. The previous
      study indicated that BPA rapidly increased motility and density of dendritic
      filopodia and enhanced the phosphorylation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)
      receptor subunit NR2B in cultured hippocampal neurons within 30min. The purpose
      of the present study was further to investigate the effects of BPA for 24h on
      dendritic morphogenesis and the underlying mechanisms. After cultured for 5d in
      vitro, the hippocampal neurons from 24h-old rat were infected by AdV-EGFP to
      indicate time-lapse imaging of living neurons. The results demonstrated that the
      exposure of the cultured hippocampal neurons to BPA (10, 100nM) or 17beta
      estradiol (17beta-E2, 10nM) for 24h significantly promoted dendritic development,
      as evidenced by the increased total length of dendrite and the enhanced motility
      and density of dendritic filopodia. However, these changes were suppressed by an
      ERs antagonist, ICI182,780, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801,
      and a mitogen-activated ERK1/2-activating kinase (MEK1/2) inhibitor, U0126.
      Meanwhile, the increased F-actin (filamentous actin) induced by BPA (100nM) was
      also completely eliminated by these blockers. Furthermore, the result of western
      blot analyses showed that, the exposure of the cultures to BPA or 17beta-E2 for
      24h promoted the expression of Rac1/Cdc42 but inhibited that of RhoA, suggesting
      Rac1 (Ras related C3 botulinum toxinsubstrate 1)/Cdc42 (cell divisioncycle 42)
      and RhoA (Ras homologous A), the Rho family of small GTPases, were involved in
      BPA- or 17beta-E2-induced changes in the dendritic morphogenesis of neurons.
      These BPA- or 17beta-E2-induced effects were completely blocked by ICI182,780,
      and were partially suppressed by U0126. These results reveal that, similar to
      17beta-E2, BPA exerts its effects on dendritic morphogenesis by eliciting both
      nuclear actions and extranuclear-initiated actions that are integrated to
      influence the development of dendrite in hippocampal neurons. 

PMID- 24231044
TI  - Coupling of solar photoelectro-Fenton with a BDD anode and solar heterogeneous
      photocatalysis for the mineralization of the herbicide atrazine.
AB  - Here, the synergetic effect of coupling solar photoelectro-Fenton (SPEF) and
      solar heterogeneous photocatalysis (SPC) on the mineralization of 200mL of a 20mg
      L(-1) atrazine solution, prepared from the commercial herbicide Gesaprim, at pH
      3.0 was studied. Uniform, homogeneous and adherent anatase-TiO2 films onto glass
      spheres of 5mm diameter were prepared by the sol-gel dip-coating method and used
      as catalyst for SPC. However, this procedure yielded a poor removal of the
      substrate because of the low oxidation ability of positive holes and OH formed at
      the catalyst surface to destroy it. Atrazine decay was improved using anodic
      oxidation (AO), electro-Fenton (EF), SPEF and coupled SPEF-SPC at 100mA. The
      electrolytic cell contained a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and H2O2 was
      generated at a BDD cathode fed with an air flow. The removal and mineralization
      of atrazine increased when more oxidizing agents were generated in the sequence
      AO<EF<SPEF<coupled SPEF-SPC. Organics were destroyed by OH formed from water
      oxidation at the BDD anode in AO, along with OH formed from Fenton's reaction
      between added Fe(2+) and generated H2O2 in EF. In SPEF, solar radiation produced
      higher amounts of OH induced from the photolysis of Fe(III) species and
      photodecomposed intermediates like Fe(III)-carboxylate complexes. The synergistic
      action of sunlight in the most potent coupled SPEF-SPC was ascribed to the
      additional quick removal of several intermediates with the oxidizing agents
      formed at the TiO2 surface. After 300min of this treatment, 80% mineralization,
      9% mineralization current efficiency and 1.93kWhg(-1) TOC energy cost were
      obtained. The mineralization of atrazine was inhibited by the production of
      cyanuric acid, which was the main byproduct detected at the end of the coupled
      SPEF-SPC process. 

PMID- 24231046
TI  - Classification models for identification of at-risk groups for incident memory
      complaints.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Memory complaints in older adults may be a precursor of measurable
      cognitive decline. Causes for these complaints may vary across age groups. The
      goal of this study was to develop classification models for the early
      identification of persons at risk for memory complaints using a broad range of
      characteristics. METHODS: Two age groups were studied, 55-65 years old (N =
      1,416.8) and 65-75 years old (N = 471) using data from the Longitudinal Aging
      Study Amsterdam. Participants reporting memory complaints at baseline were
      excluded. Data on predictors of memory complaints were collected at baseline and
      analyzed using logistic regression analyses. Multiple imputation was applied to
      handle the missing data; missing data due to mortality were not imputed. RESULTS:
      In persons aged 55-65 years, 14.4% reported memory complaints after three years
      of follow-up. Persons using medication, who were former smokers and had
      insufficient/poor hearing, were at the highest risk of developing memory
      complaints, i.e., a predictive value of 33.3%. In persons 65-75 years old, the
      incidence of memory complaints was 22.5%. Persons with a low sense of mastery,
      who reported having pain, were at the highest risk of memory complaints resulting
      in a final predictive value of 56.9%. In the subsample of persons without a low
      sense of mastery who (almost) never visited organizations and had a low level of
      memory performance, 46.8% reported memory complaints at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:
      The classification models led to the identification of specific target groups at
      risk for memory complaints. Suggestions for person-tailored interventions may be
      based on these risk profiles.

PMID- 24231047
TI  - Calcium phosphate cements for bone substitution: chemistry, handling and
      mechanical properties.
AB  - Since their initial formulation in the 1980s, calcium phosphate cements (CPCs)
      have been increasingly used as bone substitutes. This article provides an
      overview on the chemistry, kinetics of setting and handling properties (setting
      time, cohesion and injectability) of CPCs for bone substitution, with a focus on
      their mechanical properties. Many processing parameters, such as particle size,
      composition of cement reactants and additives, can be adjusted to control the
      setting process of CPCs, concomitantly influencing their handling and mechanical
      performance. Moreover, this review shows that, although the mechanical strength
      of CPCs is generally low, it is not a critical issue for their application for
      bone repair--an observation not often realized by researchers and clinicians.
      CPCs with compressive strengths comparable to those of cortical bones can be
      produced through densification and/or homogenization of the cement matrix. The
      real limitation for CPCs appears to be their low fracture toughness and poor
      mechanical reliability (Weibull modulus), which have so far been only rarely
      studied.

PMID- 24231048
TI  - Stemness of T cells and the hematopoietic stem cells: fate, memory, niche,
      cytokines.
AB  - Stem cells are able to generate both cells that differentiate and cells that
      remain undifferentiated but potentially have the same developmental program. The
      prolonged duration of the protective immune memory for infectious diseases such
      as polio, small pox, and measles, suggested that memory T cells may have stem
      cell properties. Understanding the molecular basis for the life-long persistence
      of memory T cells may be useful to project targeted therapies for immune
      deficiencies and infectious diseases and to formulate vaccines. In the last
      decade evidence from different laboratories shows that memory T cells may share
      self-renewal pathways with bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. In stem cells
      the intrinsic self-renewal activity, which depends on gene expression, is known
      to be modulated by extrinsic signals from the environment that may be tissue
      specific. These extrinsic signals for stemness of memory T cells include
      cytokines such as IL-7 and IL-15 and there are other cytokine signals for
      maintaining the cytokine signature (TH1, TH2, etc.) of memory T cells. Intrinsic
      and extrinsic pathways that might be common to bone marrow hematopoietic stem
      cells and memory T lymphocytes are discussed and related to self-renewal
      functions. 

PMID- 24231049
TI  - Vitrification of in vitro mature alpaca oocyte: effect of ethylene glycol
      concentration and time of exposure in the equilibration and vitrification
      solutions.
AB  - The effect of different ethylene glycol concentrations, times of exposure and
      vitrification procedure on viability, cleavage and blastocyst rate of in vitro
      matured alpaca oocytes chemically activated after vitrification was analyzed. In
      Experiment 1, oocytes were incubated for 12-15 min with different concentrations
      of ethylene glycol (EG) in the equilibration solution (ES) followed by chemical
      activation and in vitro cultured for 8 days to determine oocyte viability,
      cleavage and blastocyst rates. In Experiment 2, oocytes were incubated in the
      equilibration solution containing 4% of EG for 12-15 min and then randomly
      assigned to vitrification solutions containing 25, 35 or 45% of EG for 30s,
      vitrified and stored at -196 degrees C. In Experiment 3, oocytes were incubated
      in the equilibration solution containing 4% of EG for 12-15 min and then randomly
      assigned to the vitrification solution containing 35% of EG for 15, 30 or 45s,
      vitrified and stored at -196 degrees C. For Experiments 2 and 3, non-vitrified
      and vitrified oocytes were activated and cultured in vitro. In Experiment 1,
      oocyte viability was lowest at concentrations of 6 or 8%, intermediate at 2 or 4%
      and highest at 0% of EG. Oocyte viability and cleavage rate were affected by EG
      concentration, time of exposure in the vitrification solution or vitrification
      procedure in Experiment 2 and 3. Alpaca oocytes were viable after vitrification,
      given that oocyte viability, cleavage and blastocyst rate were affected by the
      vitrification procedure, EG concentration and time of exposure in the
      equilibration and vitrification solutions.

PMID- 24231050
TI  - Design and physicochemical stability studies of paediatric oral formulations of
      sildenafil.
AB  - Personalized medicine is a challenging research area in paediatric treatments.
      Elaborating new paediatric formulations when no commercial forms are available is
      a common practice in pharmacy laboratories; among these, oral liquid formulations
      are the most common. But due to the lack of specialized equipment, frequently
      studies to assure the efficiency and safety of the final medicine cannot be
      carried out. Thus the purpose of this work was the development, characterization
      and stability evaluation of two oral formulations of sildenafil for the treatment
      of neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension. After the establishment of a
      standard operating procedure (SOP) and elaboration, the physicochemical stability
      parameters appearance, pH, particle size, rheological behaviour and drug content
      of formulations were evaluated at three different temperatures for 90 days.
      Equally, prediction of long term stability, as well as, microbiological stability
      was performed. Formulations resulted in a suspension and a solution slightly
      coloured exhibiting fruity odour. Formulation I (suspension) exhibited the best
      physicochemical properties including Newtonian behaviour and uniformity of API
      content above 90% to assure an exact dosification process. 

PMID- 24231051
TI  - Synthesis of hydrophilic intra-articular microspheres conjugated to ibuprofen and
      evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity on articular explants.
AB  - The main limitation of current microspheres for intra-articular delivery of non
      steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a significant initial burst
      release, which prevents a long-term drug delivery. In order to get a sustained
      delivery of NSAIDs without burst, hydrogel degradable microspheres were prepared
      by co-polymerization of a methacrylic derivative of ibuprofen with oligo(ethylene
      glycol) methacrylate and poly(PLGA-PEG) dimethacrylate as degradable crosslinker.
      Microspheres (40-100 MUm) gave a low yield of ibuprofen release in saline buffer
      (~2% after 3 months). Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that intact ibuprofen
      was regenerated indicating that ester hydrolysis occurred at the carboxylic acid
      position of ibuprofen. Dialysis of release medium followed by alkaline hydrolysis
      show that in saline buffer ester hydrolysis occurred at other positions in the
      polymer matrix leading to the release of water-soluble polymers (>6-8000 Da)
      conjugated with ibuprofen showing that degradation and drug release are
      simultaneous. By considering the free and conjugated ibuprofen, 13% of the drug
      is released in 3 months. In vitro, ibuprofen-loaded MS inhibited the synthesis of
      prostaglandin E2 in articular cartilage and capsule explants challenged with
      lipopolysaccharides. Covalent attachment of ibuprofen to PEG-hydrogel MS
      suppresses the burst release and allows a slow drug delivery for months and the
      cyclooxygenase-inhibition property of regenerated ibuprofen is preserved.

PMID- 24231052
TI  - Safety and effectiveness of drug-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents in
      elderly patients with small coronary vessel disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents (DES) are more effective than bare-metal stents
      (BMS) in small coronary vessel disease. Whether this is true in elderly patients,
      it is unclear, as frailty and a high rate of comorbidities could increase the
      rate of DES-related complications. AIMS: To assess procedural and long-term
      clinical outcomes of elderly patients with small vessel disease treated with DES
      or BMS. METHODS: Consecutive elderly patients (>= 75 years old) treated with
      stenting of native small coronary arteries (reference vessel diameter and
      implanted stent<3mm) were recruited during 2004-2008. Procedural and long-term
      clinical outcomes were compared between patients treated with BMS and DES.
      Propensity score-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to account
      for potential selection bias. RESULTS: Among 293 patients (175 BMS, 118 DES),
      peri-procedural myocardial infarction (12 [7%] vs. 5 [4%]; P=0.35) and blood
      transfusions (3 [2%] vs. 0; P=0.08) were not significantly different between the
      BMS and DES groups. Clinical follow-up (96% of patients, median [interquartile
      range] follow-up 3.5 [2.4] years) showed significantly lower adjusted major
      adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24
      0.72; P=0.002) and target vessel revascularization (TVR) (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14
      0.76; P=0.009) in the DES group. No significant differences were observed between
      the groups in terms of death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis or
      bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective, non-randomized analysis of the
      treatment of small vessel disease in elderly patients, DES were as safe and more
      effective than BMS with a significant reduction in TVR.

PMID- 24231053
TI  - Simple bedside clinical evaluation versus established scores in the estimation of
      operative risk in valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The operative risk of cardiac surgery is ascertained preoperatively
      on the basis of scores validated in multinational studies. However, the value
      they add to a simple bedside clinical evaluation (CE) remains controversial.
      AIMS: To compare operative mortality (defined as death from all causes before the
      31st postoperative day) predicted by CE with that predicted by additive and
      logistic EuroSCOREs, EuroSCORE II and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), Ambler
      and age-creatinine-ejection fraction (ACEF) scores in patients undergoing aortic
      valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: Overall, 314
      consecutive patients were included who underwent AVR between October 2009 and
      November 2011 (22% with coronary artery bypass graft); mean age 73.4 +/- 9.7
      years (29% aged>80 years). Based on CE, patients were divided into four
      predefined groups of increasing estimated mortality risk: I <= 3.9%; II 4-6.9%;
      III 7-9.9%; IV >= 10%. The positive and negative predictive values of the six
      scores and CE were compared. RESULTS: The observed overall operative mortality
      was 5.7%. The distribution of the four predicted mortality groups by each score
      was highly variable. The positive predictive value, calculated for the 64
      patients classified at highest risk by CE (groups III or IV) or each score, was
      17.2% for EuroSCORE II, 14.1% for CE and STS scores, 10.9% for additive and
      logistic EuroSCOREs, 10.6% for ACEF and 10.2% for Ambler. The positive predictive
      value of each score in the low-risk groups (I and II) ranged from 2.8% to 4.4%.
      CONCLUSION: A simple bedside CE appears as reliable as the various established
      scores for predicting operative risk in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve
      replacement. The development and validation of more comprehensive risk
      stratification tools, including risk factors thus far neglected, seems warranted.

PMID- 24231054
TI  - Biomechanics of an integrated interbody device versus ACDF anterior locking plate
      in a single-level cervical spine fusion construct.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: No profile, integrated interbody cages are designed to act as
      implants for cervical spine fusion, which obviates the need for additional
      internal fixation, combining the functionality of an interbody device and the
      stabilizing benefits of an anterior cervical plate. Biomechanical data are needed
      to determine if integrated interbody constructs afford similar stability to
      anterior plating in single-level cervical spine fusion constructs. PURPOSE: The
      purpose of this study was to biomechanically quantify the acute stabilizing
      effect conferred by a single low-profile device design with three integrated
      screws ("anchored cage"), and compare the range of motion reductions to those
      conferred by a standard four-hole rigid anterior plate following instrumentation
      at the C5-C6 level. We hypothesized that the anchored cage would confer
      comparable postoperative segmental rigidity to the cage and anterior plate
      construct. STUDY DESIGN: Biomechanical laboratory study of human cadaveric
      spines. METHODS: Seven human cadaveric cervical spines (C3-C7) were
      biomechanically evaluated using a nondestructive, nonconstraining, pure-moment
      loading protocol with loads applied in flexion, extension, lateral bending
      (right+left), and axial rotation (left+right) for the intact and instrumented
      conditions. Range of motion (ROM) at the instrumented level was the primary
      biomechanical outcome. Spines were loaded quasi-statically up to 1.5 N-m in 0.5 N
      m increments and ROM at the C5-C6 index level was recorded. Each specimen was
      tested in the following conditions: 1. Intact 2. Discectomy+anchored cage (STA)
      3. Anchored cage (screws removed)+anterior locking plate (ALP) 4. Anchored cage
      only, without screws or plates (CO) RESULTS: ROM at the C5-C6 level was not
      statistically different in any motion plane between the STA and ALP treatment
      conditions (p>.407). STA demonstrated significant reductions in
      flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation ROM when compared with the
      CO condition (p<.022). CONCLUSIONS: In this in vitro biomechanical study, the
      anchored cage with three integrated screws afforded biomechanical stability
      comparable to that of the standard interbody cage+anterior plate cervical spine
      fusion approach. Due to its low profile design, this anchored cage device may
      avoid morbidities associated with standard anterior plating, such as dysphagia.

PMID- 24231055
TI  - Three-dimensional finite element analysis of occipitocervical fixation using an
      anterior occiput-to-axis locking plate system: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Although there are many techniques for occipitocervical
      fixation, there have been no reports regarding occipitocervical fixation via the
      use of an anterior anatomical locking plate system. PURPOSE: The biomechanics of
      this new system were analyzed by a three-dimensional finite element to provide a
      theoretical basis for clinical application. STUDY DESIGN: This was a modeling
      study. PATIENT SAMPLE: We studied a 27-year-old healthy male volunteer in whom
      cervical disease was excluded via X-ray examination. OUTCOME MEASURES: The states
      of stress and strain of these two internal fixation devices were analyzed.
      METHODS: A three-dimensional finite element model of normal occiput-C2 was
      established based on the anatomical data from a Chinese population. An unstable
      model of occipital-cervical region was established by subtracting several unit
      structures from the normal model. An anterior occiput-to-axis locking titanium
      plate system was then applied and an anterior occiput-to-axis screw fixation was
      performed on the unstable model. Limitation of motion was performed on the
      surface of the fixed model, and physiological loads were imposed on the surface
      of the skull base. RESULTS: Under various loads from different directions, the
      peak values of displacement of the anterior occiput-to-axis locking titanium
      plate system decreased 15.5%, 12.5%, 14.4%, and 23.7%, respectively, under the
      loads of flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Compared with
      the anterior occiput-to-axis screw fixation, the peak values of stress of the
      anterior occiput-to-axis locking titanium plate system also decreased 3.9%, 2.9%,
      9.7%, and 7.2%, respectively, under the loads of flexion, extension, lateral
      bending, and axial rotation. CONCLUSION: The anterior occiput-to-axis locking
      titanium plate system proved superior to the anterior occiput-to-axis screw
      system both in the stress distribution and fixation stability based on finite
      element analysis. It provides a new clinical option for anterior occipitocervical
      fixation.

PMID- 24231056
TI  - Abnormal cingulum bundle development in autism: a probabilistic tractography
      study.
AB  - There is now considerable evidence that white matter abnormalities play a role in
      the neurobiology of autism. Little research has been directed, however, at
      understanding (a) typical white matter development in autism and how this relates
      to neurocognitive impairments observed in the disorder. In this study we used
      probabilistic tractography to identify the cingulum bundle in 21 adolescents and
      young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and 21 age- and sex-matched
      healthy volunteers. We investigated group differences in the relationships
      between age and fractional anisotropy, a putative measure of white matter
      integrity, within the cingulum bundle. Moreover, in a preliminary investigation,
      we examined the relationship between cingulum fractional anisotropy and executive
      functioning using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF).
      The ASD participants demonstrated significantly lower fractional anisotropy
      within the cingulum bundle compared to the typically developing volunteers. There
      was a significant group-by-age interaction such that the ASD group did not show
      the typical age-associated increases in fractional anisotropy observed among
      healthy individuals. Moreover, lower fractional anisotropy within the cingulum
      bundle was associated with worse BRIEF behavioral regulation index scores in the
      ASD group. The current findings implicate a dysregulation in cingulum bundle
      white matter development occurring in late adolescence and early adulthood in
      ASD, and suggest that greater disturbances in this trajectory are associated with
      executive dysfunction in ASD. 

PMID- 24231057
TI  - Bidirectional regulation of bakuchiol, an estrogenic-like compound, on
      catecholamine secretion.
AB  - Excess or deficiency of catecholamine (CA) secretion was related with several
      diseases. Recently, estrogen and phytoestrogens were reported to regulate the
      activity of CA system. Bakuchiol is a phytoestrogen isolated from the seeds of
      Psoralea corylifolia L. (Leguminosae) which has been used in Traditional Chinese
      medicine as a tonic or aphrodisiac. In the present study, bovine adrenal
      medullary cells were employed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of
      bakuchiol on the regulation of CA secretion. Further, its anti-depressant like
      and anti-stress effects were evaluated by using behavioral despair and chronic
      immobilization stress models. Our results indicated that bakuchiol showed
      bidirectional regulation on CA secretion. It stimulated basal CA secretion in a
      concentration dependent manner (p<0.01), while it reduced 300MUM acetylcholine
      (ACh) (p<0.01), 100MUM veratridine (Ver) (p<0.01) and 56mM K(+) (p<0.05) induced
      CA secretion, respectively. We also found that the stimulation of basal CA
      secretion by bakuchiol may act through estrogen-like effect and the JNK pathway
      in an extra-cellular calcium independent manner. Further, bakuchiol elevated
      tyrosine hydroxylase Ser40 and Ser31 phosphorylation (p<0.01) through the PKA and
      ERK1/2 pathways, respectively. Bakuchiol inhibited ACh, Ver and 56mM K(+) induced
      CA secretion was related with reduction of intracellular calcium rise. In vivo
      experiments, we found that bakuchiol significantly reduced immobilization time in
      behavioral despair mouse (p<0.05 or 0.01), and plasma epinephrine (E) and
      norepinephrine (NE) levels in chronic immobilization stress (p<0.05). Overall,
      these results present a bidirectional regulation of bakuchiol on CA secretion
      which indicated that bakuchiol may exert anti-stress and the potential anti
      depressant-like effects. 

PMID- 24231058
TI  - Stroke induced Sarcopenia: muscle wasting and disability after stroke.
AB  - Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability
      in Western countries. More than 60% of patients remain disabled, 50% of patients
      suffer from hemiparesis and 30% remain unable to walk without assistance. The
      skeletal muscle is the main effector organ accountable for disability in stroke.
      This disability is primarily attributed to the brain lesion; however less
      attention is paid to structural, metabolic and functional alterations of muscle
      tissue after stroke. Hemiparetic stroke leads to various muscle abnormalities: A
      combination of denervation, disuse, inflammation, remodelling and spasticity
      accounts for a complex pattern of muscle tissue phenotype change and atrophy. The
      molecular mechanisms of muscle degradation after stroke are only incompletely
      understood. Reinnervation, fibre-type shift, disuse atrophy, and local
      inflammatory activation are only some of the key features yet to be explained.
      Only limited data is available today on clinical muscle changes after stroke that
      results from few studies in a mere 500 patients. Despite its importance for
      optimum post stroke recovery, stroke-related sarcopenia is not considered in
      current guidelines for stroke therapy or rehabilitation and measurement tools to
      address sarcopenia are infrequently used. This lack of robust evidence on muscle
      pathology after stroke and on treatment strategies needs to be addressed in an
      interdisciplinary integrated approach. This review provides an overview on
      current pathophysiologic insights and on clinical relevance of sarcopenia in
      stroke patients and on measurement tools to address the problem in the clinical
      setting. 

PMID- 24231059
TI  - Prasugrel versus ticagrelor in acute coronary syndrome: a randomized comparison.

PMID- 24231060
TI  - Impact of reported sexual dysfunction on outcome in patients with chronic heart
      failure.

PMID- 24231061
TI  - Impact of aortic or mitral valve sclerosis and calcification on cardiovascular
      events and mortality: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 24231062
TI  - Effects of physical, technical, and tactical factors on final ladder position in
      semiprofessional rugby league.
AB  - PURPOSE: A limitation of most rugby league time-motion studies is that
      researchers have examined the demands of single teams, with no investigations of
      all teams in an entire competition. This study investigated the activity profiles
      and technical and tactical performances of successful and less-successful teams
      throughout an entire rugby league competition. METHODS: In total, 185 rugby
      league players representing 11 teams from a semiprofessional competition
      participated in this study. Global positioning system analysis was completed
      across the entire season. Video footage from individual matches was also coded
      via notational analysis for technical and tactical performance of teams. RESULTS:
      Trivial to small differences were found among Top 4, Middle 4, and Bottom 4 teams
      for absolute and relative total distances covered and distances covered at low
      speeds. Small, nonsignificant differences (P = .054, ES = 0.31) were found
      between groups for the distance covered sprinting, with Top 4 teams covering
      greater sprinting distances than Bottom 4 teams. Top 4 teams made more meters in
      attack and conceded fewer meters in defense than Bottom 4 teams. Bottom 4 teams
      had a greater percentage of slow play-the-balls in defense than Top 4 teams
      (74.8% +/- 7.3% vs 67.2% +/- 8.3%). Middle 4 teams showed the greatest reduction
      in high-speed running from the first to the second half (-20.4%), while Bottom 4
      teams completed 14.3% more high-speed running in the second half than in the
      first half. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that a combination of activity
      profiles and technical and tactical performance are associated with playing
      success in semiprofessional rugby league players.

PMID- 24231063
TI  - Obesity in kidney transplantation.
AB  - Kidney transplantation is the preferred modality of renal replacement therapy.
      Long-term patient and graft survival have only improved marginally over the
      recent decade, mainly because of the development of cardiovascular disease after
      transplantation. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is
      common before and after transplantation. This article reviews the literature
      assessing the role of pre- and post-transplant obesity on patient and graft
      survival, discusses the underlying obesity-related mechanisms leading to inferior
      kidney transplant outcomes, and explores the role of nutritional intervention on
      improving long-term outcomes of transplantation. Although the role of
      pretransplant obesity remains uncertain, post-transplant obesity increases the
      risk of graft failure and mortality. Nutritional intervention is effective in
      achieving post-transplant weight loss, but the effect on long-term outcomes has
      not been established. Future research should focus on conducting nutritional
      intervention studies aiming to improve long-term outcomes of kidney
      transplantation. 

PMID- 24231064
TI  - International Psychogeriatrics and the International Psychogeriatric Association:
      a successful marriage turns silver.

PMID- 24231065
TI  - Interstitial lung diseases induced or exacerbated by DMARDS and biologic agents
      in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic literature review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review published cases of induced or exacerbated interstitial lung
      disease (ILD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated with non-biologic disease
      modifying antirheumatic drugs (nbDMARDs) and biologics and to discuss clinical
      implications in daily practice. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature
      review from 1975 to July 2013 using Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and abstracts from
      the ACR 2010-2012 and EULAR 2010-2013 annual meetings. Case reports and series
      that suggest a causative role of nbDMARDs (methotrexate [MTX], leflunomide [LEF],
      gold, azathioprine [AZA], sulfasalazine [SSZ], and hydroxychloroquine [HCQ]) and
      biologic agents (TNF inhibitors [TNFi], rituximab [RTX], tocilizumab [TCZ],
      abatacept [ABA], and anakinra) in causing ILD or worsening a pre-existing ILD in
      RA patients were included. Results from observational and postmarketing studies
      as well as reviews on this topic were excluded from the qualitative analysis but
      still considered to discuss the implication of such drugs in generating or
      worsening ILD in RA patients. Comparisons were made between MTX-induced ILD in RA
      and the cases reported with other agents, in terms of clinical presentation,
      radiological features, and therapeutic management and outcomes. RESULTS: The
      literature search identified 32 articles for MTX, 12 for LEF (resulting in 34
      case reports), 3 for gold, 1 for AZA, 4 for SSZ, 27 for TNFi (resulting in 31
      case reports), 3 for RTX, 5 for TCZ (resulting in 8 case reports), and 1 for ABA.
      No case was found for HCQ or anakinra. Common points are noted between LEF- and
      TNFi-related ILD in RA: ILD is a rare severe adverse event, mostly occurs within
      the first 20 weeks after initiation of therapy, causes dyspnea mostly in older
      patients, and can be fatal. Although no definitive causative relationship can be
      drawn from case reports and observational studies, these data argue for a
      pulmonary follow-up in RA patients with pre-existing ILD, while receiving
      biologic therapy or nbDMARDs. CONCLUSION: As previously described for MTX,
      growing evidence highlights that LEF, TNFi, RTX, and TCZ may induce pneumonitis
      or worsen RA-related pre-existing ILD. Nonetheless, identifying a causal
      relationship between RA therapy and ILD-induced toxicity clearly appears
      difficult, partly because it is a rare condition.

PMID- 24231066
TI  - Epigenetics and methylation in the rheumatic diseases.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Rheumatic diseases encompass a wide range of conditions of poorly
      characterized etiopathology, many having both genetic and environmental
      susceptibility factors. Epigenetic studies are providing new insights into
      disease pathogenesis. Recent rheumatology literature related to DNA methylation
      studies-both epigenome-wide and candidate gene-are discussed, as well as
      methodological issues. METHOD: A PubMed search for articles published until April
      2013 was conducted using the following keywords: ("methylation" OR "epigenetics")
      AND ("rheumatoid arthritis" OR "lupus" OR "autoimmune disease" OR "osteoporosis"
      OR "osteoarthritis" OR "musculoskeletal disorder") and EWAS. The reference lists
      of identified articles were searched for further articles. RESULTS: Several
      genome-wide methylation studies have been reported recently, mostly in autoimmune
      rheumatic diseases. Overall, these studies have identified methylation signatures
      in disease, clustering of subgroups as well as new and known epigenetic
      associations. Methodological issues, small sample sizes and reduced coverage of
      methylation assays render many results preliminary. CONCLUSIONS: There have been
      a number of epigenetic advances in rheumatic diseases recently. The new
      technologies and emerging field of epigenome-wide association will provide novel
      perspectives in disease etiology, diagnosis, classification, and therapy.

PMID- 24231067
TI  - Towards revealing the functions of all genes in plants.
AB  - The great recent progress made in identifying the molecular parts lists of
      organisms revealed the paucity of our understanding of what most of the parts do.
      In this review, we introduce computational and statistical approaches and omics
      data used for inferring gene function in plants, with an emphasis on network
      based inference. We also discuss caveats associated with network-based function
      predictions such as performance assessment, annotation propagation, the guilt-by
      association concept, and the meaning of hubs. Finally, we note the current
      limitations and possible future directions such as the need for gold standard
      data from several species, unified access to data and tools, quantitative
      comparison of data and tool quality, and high-throughput experimental validation
      platforms for systematic gene function elucidation in plants. 

PMID- 24231068
TI  - Plastids with or without galactoglycerolipids.
AB  - In structural, functional, and evolutionary terms, galactoglycerolipids are
      signature lipids of chloroplasts. Their presence in nongreen plastids has been
      demonstrated in angiosperms and diatoms. Thus, galactoglycerolipids are
      considered as a landmark of green and nongreen plastids, deriving from either a
      primary or secondary endosymbiosis. The discovery of a plastid in Plasmodium
      falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, fueled the search for
      galactoglycerolipids as possible targets for treatments. However, recent data
      have provided evidence that the Plasmodium plastid does not contain any
      galactoglycerolipids. In this opinion article, we discuss questions raised by the
      loss of galactoglycerolipids during evolution: how have galactoglycerolipids been
      lost? How does the Plasmodium plastid maintain four membranes without these
      lipids? What are the main constituents instead of galactoglycerolipids? 

PMID- 24231069
TI  - Antioxidant, antimicrobial and toxicological properties of Schinus molle L.
      essential oils.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Schinus molle L. has been used in folk medicine
      as antibacterial, antiviral, topical antiseptic, antifungal, antioxidant, anti
      inflammatory, anti-tumoural as well as antispasmodic and analgesic; however,
      there are few studies of pharmacological and toxicological properties of Schinus
      molle essential oils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and
      antimicrobial activities of Schinus molle leaf and fruit essential oils,
      correlated with their chemical composition and evaluate their acute toxicity.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical composition of Schinus molle leaf and fruit
      essential oils were evaluated by GC-FID and GC-MS. Antioxidant properties were
      determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and beta
      carotene/linoleic acid methods. Antimicrobial properties were evaluated by the
      agar disc diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration assay. Toxicity
      in Artemia salina and acute toxicity with behavioural screening in mice were
      evaluated. RESULTS: The dominant compounds found in leaf and fruit essential oils
      (EOs) were monoterpene hydrocarbons, namely alpha-phellandrene, beta
      phellandrene, beta-myrcene, limonene and alpha-pinene. EOs showed low scavenging
      antioxidant activity by the DPPH free radical method and a higher activity by the
      beta-carotene/linoleic acid method. Antimicrobial activity of EOs was observed
      for Gram+, Gram- pathogenic bacteria and food spoilage fungi. EOs showed
      totoxicity for Artemia salina and lower toxicity in Swiss mice. CONCLUSIONS: The
      result showed that EOs of leaves and fruits of Schinus molle demonstrated
      antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, suggesting their potential use in food
      or pharmaceutical industries.

PMID- 24231070
TI  - Ethnomedicinal application of native remedies used against diabetes and related
      complications in Mauritius.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Notoriously, the tropical island of Mauritius has
      one of the highest prevalence of diabetes worldwide and the economic burden
      associated with it is alarming. The use of native remedies (NRs) is well anchored
      in the local culture and it continues to be the cornerstone of therapy for
      diabetic patients. However, there is currently a dearth of updated primary data
      on NRs used by Mauritians against diabetes and diabetes related complications
      (DRCs). This study was therefore designed to record, analyze and document orally
      transmitted ethnopharmacological knowledge from diabetic patients and traditional
      medicine practitioners (TMPs) in Mauritius concerning NRs commonly used against
      diabetes and DRCs which might open new avenues to initiate novel antidiabetic
      drugs discovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected following interviews
      from diabetic patients (n=328) and TMPs (n=20). Eleven quantitative indexes,
      namely informant consensus factor (FIC), fidelity level (FL), use value (UV),
      relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance (RI), cultural
      importance index (CII), index of agreement on remedies (IAR), cultural agreement
      index (CAI), quality use value (QUV), quality use agreement value (QUAV) and
      ethnobotanicity index (EI) were calculated. Statistical analysis such as Pearson
      correlation and Chi-squared test were performed to determine any association.
      RESULTS: A total of 111 plant species distributed over 56 families, 30 polyherbal
      formulations and 16 animal species were documented to be traditionally used
      against diabetes and DRCs. For the first time 8 endemic plants have been recorded
      to be used against diabetes and DRCs from Mauritius. The most encountered
      medicinal plant family was Asteraceae. According to the EI, 16.2% of the native
      plants in Mauritius were used against diabetes and DRCs. As far as we know,
      Vangueria madagascariensis, Apium graveolens, Petroselinum crispum and Rubus
      alceifolius with high RFC values are recorded against diabetes and DRCs for the
      first time. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, income, religious
      belief, education and residence) were found to significantly (p<0.05) influence
      the use of NRs. The average FIC for all ailments for plant and animal products
      were 0.94 and 0.87 respectively. Bryophyllum pinnatum, a native plant to
      Mauritius scored a high FL value (100%) used against diabetic neuropathy, Allium
      sativum had the highest RI value (2.00) due to its versatility, Aloe vera had the
      highest RFC (0.61), the CII (0.640) and the highest CAI value (0.635), Psidium
      guajava had the highest QUAV (0.961) which indicates its high bioactivity and
      Allium cepa was reported as the most effective plant species (QUV=0.965).
      According to UV, the most important species was Morinda citrifolia (1.21).
      Panoply of animal products were reported whereby fish (39.7%) was recorded as the
      most utilised zootherapy and Salmo salar scored the highest FL (100%) for
      diabetes. Some animal species (n=14) not previously documented against diabetes
      and DRCs are reported in the present study. CONCLUSION: Our present investigation
      revealed that the use of NRs constitutes the common legacy of Mauritians and
      despite the penetration of allopathic medicine; NRs continue to play a crucial
      role in the primary health care system of Mauritius. To this effect, it is of
      uttermost importance to record this knowledge before it disappears. In addition,
      further experimental investigations are required to elucidate the pharmacological
      properties of the reported medicinal flora and fauna of Mauritius.

PMID- 24231071
TI  - 4-Methylthio-butanyl derivatives from the seeds of Raphanus sativus and their
      biological evaluation on anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Raphanus sativus seeds (Brassicaceae) known as
      Raphani Semen have long been used as anti-cancer and/or anti-inflammatory agents
      in Korean traditional medicine. This study was designed to isolate the bioactive
      constituents from the seed extracts of Raphanus sativus and evaluate their anti
      inflammatory and antitumor activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bioassay-guided
      fractionation and chemical investigation of a methanolic extract of the seeds of
      Raphanus sativus led to the isolation and identification of seven 4-methylthio
      butanyl derivatives. Structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was carried
      out using 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy techniques
      ((1)H, (13)C, COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments) and mass spectrometry. RESULTS:
      The isolated compounds were characterized as in the following: three new 4
      methylthio-butanyl derivatives, sinapoyl desulfoglucoraphenin (1), (E)-5
      (methylsulfinyl)pent-4-enoxylimidic acid methyl ester (2), and (S)-5
      ((methylsulfinyl)methyl)pyrrolidine-2-thione (3), together with four known
      compounds, 5-(methylsulfinyl)-4-pentenenitrile (4), 5-(methylsulfinyl)
      pentanenitrile (5), sulforaphene (6), and sulforaphane (7). Full NMR data
      assignments of the three known compounds 4-6 were also reported for the first
      time. We evaluated the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of 1-7 in lipopolysaccharide
      stimulated murine microglia BV2 cells. Compound 1 significantly inhibited nitrite
      oxide production with IC50 values of 45.36 MUM. Moreover, it also reduced the
      protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. All isolates were also
      evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against four human tumor cell
      lines (A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, and HCT-15), and all of them showed
      antiproliferative activity against the HCT-15 cell, with IC50 values of 8.49
      23.97 MUM. CONCLUSIONS: 4-Methylthio-butanyl derivatives were one of the main
      compositions of Raphanus sativus seeds, and activities demonstrated by the
      isolated compounds support the ethnopharmacological use of Raphanus sativus seeds
      (Brassicaceae) as anti-cancer and/or anti-inflammatory agents.

PMID- 24231072
TI  - Matrine attenuates allergic airway inflammation and eosinophil infiltration by
      suppressing eotaxin and Th2 cytokine production in asthmatic mice.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Matrine has been isolated from Sophora
      flavescens, and found to show anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages and anti
      cachectic effects in hepatomas. The present study investigated whether matrine
      suppressed eosinophil infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in mice,
      and decreased the inflammatory response of tracheal epithelial cells. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin to induce
      allergic asthma in mice. These asthmatic mice were given various doses of matrine
      by intraperitoneal injection. Additionally, activated human tracheal epithelial
      cells (BEAS-2B cells) were treated with matrine, and evaluated for levels of
      proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. RESULTS: We found that matrine
      significantly decreased AHR, and suppressed goblet cell hyperplasia, eosinophil
      infiltration, and inflammatory response in the lung tissue of asthmatic mice.
      Matrine also reduced the levels of Th2 cytokines and chemokines in
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and suppressed OVA-IgE production in serum.
      Furthermore, matrine treatment of activated BEAS-2B cells decreased production of
      proinflammatory cytokines and eotaxins, as well as suppressed ICAM-1 expression
      and thus adhesion of eosinophils to inflammatory BEAS-2B cells in vitro.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that matrine can improve allergic asthma in
      mice, and therefore has potential therapeutic potential in humans.

PMID- 24231073
TI  - Effect of Cordyceps militaris extract and active constituents on metabolic
      parameters of obesity induced by high-fat diet in C58BL/6J mice.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cordyceps species which is well-known as 'winter
      worm summer grass' has long been used as tonics and stimulants to enhance energy,
      exhibiting a potential for energy metabolism. Clinical trials have suggested
      their beneficial effect on lipid metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of Cordyceps militaris on metabolic parameters
      was investigated using C58BL/6J mice induced by high-fat diet (HFD). The effect
      was first determined by assessing the body and organ weight. For further
      investigation, sections of epididymal adipose tissue were stained with
      hematoxylin and eosin and the size of epididymal adipocyte was measured by Image
      analysis system. Fat accumulation in frozen liver sections was assessed by the
      Oil Red O staining and the plasma biochemical parameters were also assessed.
      Active constituents were characterized using chromatographic and spectroscopic
      analysis. RESULTS: The administration of Cordyceps militaris extract (CE) at the
      dose of 100mg/kg and 300 mg/kg reduced body weight gain and food efficiency ratio
      induced by HFD. The amount of epididymal fat and size of adipocytes were also
      decreased by CE treatment. In addition, liver weight and fat deposition in liver
      were dramatically reduced in CE-treated group. The treatment of CE also showed
      beneficial effects on plasma parameters related to lipid profiles. Further study
      for the characterization of active constituents of Cordyceps resulted in the
      isolation of two new compounds such as cordyrroles A (1) and B (7) together with
      12 known compounds including pyrrole alkaloids and nucleotide derivatives. Among
      the isolated compounds, cordyrrole A significantly inhibited adipocyte
      differentiation and pancreatic lipase activity, whereas cordyrrole B was more
      effective at inhibiting pancreatic lipase. Cordycepin, a characteristic compound
      of Cordyceps militaris, decreased the rate of adipocyte differentiation.
      CONCLUSION: Treatment of CE inhibited HFD-induced metabolic disorders, mainly by
      improvement in metabolic parameters. As active constituents, pyrrole alkaloids
      and nucleotide derivatives were characterized. These results suggested that
      Cordyceps militaris might be beneficial for the treatment of metabolic disorders
      obesity through the combined actions of diverse constituents.

PMID- 24231074
TI  - Assessment of the impact of a workplace intervention to reduce prolonged
      occupational sitting time.
AB  - We aim to provide a better picture of the outcomes associated with implementing a
      nonpurposeful, physical activity, e-health intervention in a professional
      workplace. There is a need for health professionals to evaluate physical-activity
      based workplace health interventions with a full range of measures. Using a
      social ecological model as a basis, we identify a range of subjective outcomes
      from 15 interviews of a cross section of participants. We document that not only
      did participants report a range of positive outcomes across multiple systems of
      influence, but they experienced some negative outcomes because of disruption to
      work flow and a changing of work habit. We conclude that using subjective
      evaluations provides a comprehensive picture of the factors that influence
      judgments of the efficacy of a workplace health intervention. 

PMID- 24231075
TI  - Abbreviated injury scale: Not a reliable basis for summation of injury severity
      in trauma facilities [Ringdal et al., Int. J. Care Injured 44 (2013) 691-699].

PMID- 24231076
TI  - The "obesity-mortality paradox" in severely traumatic patients in intensive care
      unit.

PMID- 24231077
TI  - Fabrication pentablock copolymer/silica hybrids as self-assembly coatings.
AB  - Novel organic/inorganic hybrid for coating material is prepared by the pentablock
      copolymer PDMS-b-(PMMA-b-PMPS)2 (PMMDMM) and SiO2 nanoparticles. PMMDMM is
      obtained via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) by using
      polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as bifunctional macroinitiator. Poly 3
      (trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (PMPS) is designed as the end block for
      facilitating the chemical bond of triethoxysilane (Si(OCH3)3) groups with SiO2
      nanoparticles produced by tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and poly (methyl
      methacrylate) (PMMA) is designed as the middle block for improving the solubility
      and the film-forming ability of copolymer. The homogeneous dispersion of SiO2
      nanoparticles in the pentablock copolymer matrix enables PMMDMM/SiO2 to self
      assemble into 210 nm SiO2 core/PMMDMM shell elliptic or spherical micelles in
      tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution. This self-assembled aggregate could provide the
      film surface with uniform distribution of SiO2 nanoparticles, obvious
      hydrophobicity (101-102 degrees  water contact angles), lower surface free energy
      (22.3-21.8 nN/m) and lower viscoelasticity. SiO2 involved into the copolymer
      matrix could increase the nanostructures roughness. When TEOS is controlled as 20
      wt.%, the hybrid performs higher glass transition temperature (Tg = 113  degrees
      C) and excellent thermostability (520  degrees C) than PMMDMM (Tg = 87  degrees
      C, 295  degrees C) due to the introduction of SiO2 nanoparticles. These excellent
      properties promise PMMDMM/SiO2 hybrid as the candidate for coating material.

PMID- 24231078
TI  - Slip flow of diverse liquids on robust superomniphobic surfaces.
AB  - Water slips exist over superhydrophobic solid surfaces, but the slip flow of
      diverse liquids on a single surface has not been deliberately studied to date.
      Here, we report the slip flow behavior of a variety of liquids with different
      surface tensions and viscosities on a robust omniphobic surface. This surface
      displayed a dramatic slippage effect and thus a high drag reduction efficiency of
      approximately 10-20% for all liquids, depending on both liquid viscosity and
      surface energy. The observed liquid slip was attributed to the surface dual
      micro/nanostructure and the low-surface-energy coating. 

PMID- 24231079
TI  - Preparation and characterization of mesoporous silicas modified with chiral
      selectors as stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - New hybrid materials were prepared as novel chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for
      high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Pure mesoporous silica (SM) and
      ethylene-bridged periodic mesostructured organosilica (PMO) were functionalized,
      by a post-synthesis method, with derivates of erythromycin and vancomycin. N2
      adsorption-desorption measurements, XRD, FT-IR, MAS NMR, SEM, TEM and elemental
      analysis were used to characterize the physico-chemical properties of these
      mesostructured materials, before and after the modification process. The
      synthesized particles had non-symmetrical 3-D wormhole-like mesostructure,
      spherical morphology, and a mean pore diameter between 53 and 59 A. CSPs prepared
      were tested for the separation of four chiral beta-blockers (atenolol,
      metoprolol, pindolol and propranolol) in normal phase (NP) and polar organic
      phase (PO) elution modes. Much stronger chiral interaction was observed in
      vancomycin-modified silicas. Results obtained in these preliminary studies will
      permit in future works to improve the synthesis route in order to design
      mesoporous materials with better performance as a chiral stationary phase for
      HPLC.

PMID- 24231080
TI  - From nanospheres to microribbons: Self-assembled Eosin Y doped PMMA nanoparticles
      as photonic crystals.
AB  - A modified emulsion synthesis of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) with the Eosin Y
      (EY), commercial chromophore, yields dye doped polymeric nanoparticles (PMMA@EY).
      A systematic investigation on the experimental parameters (monomer and initiator
      concentration, reaction time and MMA/EY molar ratio) has been explored to
      modulate physico-chemical properties of the dye doped polymeric colloids.
      Spherical shaped particles, doped with EY (0.5-3.0 wt%; loading efficiency eta =
      11-15%), with controlled diameters in the range 240-510 nm, low dispersity and
      zeta-potential values in the range between -42 mV and -59 mV, have been
      synthesized and characterized by means of UV-Vis spectrometry, Dynamic Light
      Scattering (DLS), laser Doppler electrophoresis and Scanning Electron Microscopy
      (SEM). Microribbons based on PMMA@EY nanoparticles have been fabricated by room
      temperature self-assembly of aqueous colloidal suspension on highly wettable
      glass substrates. Surface chemical treatment assisted the formation of long (up
      to few centimeters) regular ribbons with rectangular section. Lateral size and
      height of the structures have been controlled by changing the suspension
      concentration and/or the deposition volume: the higher suspension concentration
      produces larger and thicker ribbons and the higher deposited volume produces
      thicker ribbons (up to 23 MUm with 198 MUL of a 3 wt% suspension). Moreover, a
      transition from a film-like to a ribbon-like growth has been observed with
      increasing nanoparticles concentration. Short range ordering and photonic crystal
      features have been maintained in the fluorescent ribbon microarchitecture,
      resulting in a self-assembled material with excellent potential for the
      development of mirror-less and random lasers.

PMID- 24231081
TI  - Evaporation induced self assembled microstructures of silica nanoparticles and
      Streptococcus lactis cells as sorbent for uranium (VI).
AB  - An assembled microstructure of silica nanoparticles and Streptococcus lactis (S.
      lactis) cells has been synthesized by evaporation induced self assembly, with the
      objective of its application in bioremediation. Different morphologies have been
      realized by tuning the physico-chemical conditions of the assembly process. The
      potential of these microstructures in removal of uranium (VI) has been evaluated.
      Morphology dependent uptake has been demonstrated and maximum uptake was seen for
      the spray dried doughnut shaped microstructure (SDSM). For a fixed morphology,
      the variation in uptake varies with solution pH, contact time, temperature and
      initial uranium (VI) concentration. The U (VI) removal was significantly rapid,
      with more than 85 +/- 2% of total uptake in 10 min. The maximum sorption capacity
      (qmax) of U (VI) at pH 5.0 and temperature 298 K was 169.5 mg/g using SDSM as
      sorbent. The kinetic data of adsorption of U (VI) are best described by a pseudo
      second-order kinetic model. Calculated thermodynamic parameters reveal an
      endothermic and a spontaneous adsorption process. The present work opens up the
      possibility of a means for the functionalization of silica microstructures
      through the incorporation of micro-organism and the potential for the use of
      these functionalized materials for bioremediation.

PMID- 24231082
TI  - Metal nanoparticles inside microgel/clay nanohybrids: Synthesis, characterization
      and catalytic efficiency in cross-coupling reactions.
AB  - HYPOTHESIS: Laponite nanoclay embedded inside soluble crosslinked copolymers
      (microgels) may act as cation exchanger allowing loading of the microgels with
      cationic metal precursors, which upon reduction yield tailored ternary colloidal
      nanocomposites comprising both nanoclay and metal nanoparticles. EXPERIMENTS:
      Microgel nanohybrids with variable Laponite nanoclay content were loaded with
      cationic precursors of different noble metals (Pd, Pt, Au); subsequent reduction
      by several methods yielded ternary nanocomposites which were extensively
      characterized. Nanocomposites based on Pd were also tested as catalysts in
      standard Suzuki and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions. FINDINGS: The proposed
      method for the production of ternary nanocomposite microgels has been validated.
      The factors influencing the final metal nanoparticle size (nature of the reducing
      agent, clay content in the microgel) have been determined and rationalized. The
      resulting Pd-containing ternary nanocomposite microgels are viable catalysts of
      standard cross coupling reactions in water-rich medium.

PMID- 24231083
TI  - SDBS-assisted preparation of novel polyaniline planar-structure: morphology,
      mechanism and hydrophobicity.
AB  - Leaf-like hierarchical polyaniline (PANI) structure with interlaced nanofibers on
      the surface was prepared by chemical oxidation polymerization of aniline assisted
      by sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). The chemical structure and the
      composition of the leaf-like PANI obtained were characterized by FTIR, UV-vis,
      XRD and XPS. In order to investigate the formation mechanism of such
      micro/nanostructures, some micro/nanostructures of PANI polymerized at different
      polymerization times were synthesized and observed for comparison. The results
      show that the PANI micro/nanostructures originate from PANI microleaves due to
      SDBS as soft template, which then covered with interlaced nanofibers on the
      surface. The leaf-like PANI micro/nanostructures exhibit good hydrophobic
      property with a water contact angle of 134.3 degrees  resulted from the
      hydrophobic long dodecyl groups of SDBS dopant. 

PMID- 24231084
TI  - An investigation of bubble coalescence and post-rupture oscillation in non-ionic
      surfactant solutions using high-speed cinematography.
AB  - Most processes involving bubbling in a liquid require small bubbles to maximise
      mass/energy transfer. A common method to prevent bubbles from coalescing is by
      the addition of surfactants. In order to get an insight into the coalescence
      process, capillary bubbles were observed using a high speed cinematography.
      Experiments were performed in solutions of 1-pentanol, 4-methyl-2-pentanol,
      tri(propylene glycol) methyl ether, and poly(propylene glycol) for which
      information such as the coalescence time and the deformation of the resultant
      bubble upon coalescence was extracted. It is shown in this study that the
      coalescence time increases with surfactant concentration until the appearance of
      a plateau. The increase in coalescence time with surfactant concentration could
      not be attributed only to surface elasticity. The oscillation of the resultant
      bubble was characterised by the damping of the oscillation. The results suggested
      that a minimum elasticity is required to achieve an increased damping and
      considerable diffusion has a detrimental effect on the dynamic response of the
      bubble, thereby reducing the damping.

PMID- 24231085
TI  - Hierarchical co-assembly avenue to uniform rhombododecahedral magnetic mesoporous
      graphitic composites.
AB  - Magnetic nanoparticles have been widely investigated due to their environmental
      and biomedical applications. However, the unavoidable problems associated with
      them are their intrinsic instability and the trend of the agglomeration.
      Mesoporous carbon is considered as an ideal matrix for the protection of magnetic
      nanoparticles owing to its high surface area, excellent chemical and thermal
      stability. The preparation of morphology defined composites of magnetic
      nanoparticles and mesoporous carbon is of great importance for their practical
      applications. In this work, magnetic mesoporous graphitic composites (MMGCs) with
      defined rhombododecahedral morphology are fabricated by the pyrolysis of the
      composites from the hierarchical co-assembly of amphiphilic triblock copolymer,
      resol oligomers and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. MMGCs exhibit narrow bimodal pore size
      distribution, high surface area and highly stable magnetic properties, which
      provide them excellent adsorption ability for the removal of organic contaminants
      in aqueous solution.

PMID- 24231086
TI  - The interaction of long chain sodium carboxylates and sodium dodecylsulfate with
      lead(II) ions in aqueous solutions.
AB  - The interaction of sodium octanoate, decanoate or dodecanoate with lead(II) has
      been studied in aqueous solutions using potentiometry, electrical conductivity,
      turbidity and ICP-OES measurements. These show an alkyl chain length dependence
      on the behavior. At the lead(II) concentration used (1.0 mM), relatively strong
      interactions are observed with the decanoate and dodecanaote, leading to
      formation of the lead carboxylates (soaps) as insoluble complexes. All techniques
      show 1:2 (metal:carboxylate) stoichiometry corresponding to charge
      neutralization. With sodium octanoate and lead(II), a rather weaker interaction
      is seen, and complexation is only observed at metal:carboxylate ratios > 0.5.
      However, in contrast to our previous work on octanoate and calcium(II) in aqueous
      solutions [1], precipitation does occur at higher concentrations. This difference
      between the behavior of the metal ions is probably due to the more covalent
      nature of the bonds of the carboxylate with Pb(2+) than with Ca(2+). Association
      constants of the complexes have been determined from potentiometric measurements
      and are consistent with data on solubility products. A comparison is made of the
      effect of surfactant head group on the interactions with lead(II) using two
      surfactants with the same chain length: dodecanoate and dodecylsulfate.
      Differences in their interactions with this metal ion in aqueous solutions are
      interpreted in terms of greater covalency of the bond between the metal and the
      carboxylate than with the sulfate group.

PMID- 24231087
TI  - Effect of architecture on the activity of glucose oxidase/horseradish
      peroxidase/carbon nanoparticle conjugates.
AB  - We investigate the activity of glucose oxidase (GOx) together with horseradish
      peroxidase (HRP) on carbon nanoparticles (CNPs). Because GOx activity relies on
      HRP, we probe how the arrangement of the enzymes on the CNPs affects enzymatic
      behavior. Colorimetric assays to probe activity found that the coupling strategy
      affects activity of the bienzyme-nanoparticle complex. GOx is more prone than HRP
      to denaturation on the CNP surface, where its activity is compromised, while HRP
      activity is enhanced when interfaced to the CNP. Thus, arrangements where HRP is
      directly on the surface of the CNP and GOx is not are more favorable for overall
      activity. Coverage also influenced activity of the bienzyme complex, but
      performing the conjugation in the presence of glucose did not improve GOx
      activity. These results show that the architecture of the assembly is an
      important factor in optimization of nanoparticle-protein interfaces.

PMID- 24231088
TI  - Interaction of normal and reverse pluronics (L44 and 10R5) and their mixtures
      with anionic surfactant sodium N-dodecanoylsarcosinate.
AB  - Interaction of monomeric normal L44 [(PEO)10(PPO)23(PEO)10]) and reverse 10R5
      [(PPO)8(PEO)22(PPO)8] pluronics designated as L and R, respectively, and their
      mixtures with the anionic surfactant sodium N-dodecanoylsarcosinate (SDDS) in
      aqueous medium has been studied by tensiometry, conductometry, calorimetry and
      dynamic light scattering methods. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC),
      concentration of maximum binding (CS), and the extended critical micelle
      concentration (CMCe) of SDDS resulted from the interaction have been presented. L
      has shown the formation of CAC, CS and CMCe, whereas R has shown the absence of
      CAC but the presence of both CS and CMCe. Micellization of SDDS is an endothermic
      process whereas the formation of CAC and CMCe is exothermic events, the formation
      of CS is endothermic. The hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) and zeta potential of L and
      R, and their SDDS interacted species have been determined. Dh decreased with
      increasing SDDS concentration for L whereas it was invariant for R. Mixed L and R
      in varied proportions have been also examined in the solution state to probe into
      their mutual interaction, and interaction with SDDS. The formation of CAC of
      their mixtures was absent; CMCe formation was exothermic while that of CS was
      endothermic like their individuals.

PMID- 24231089
TI  - An electrochemical biosensor with nanointerface for lactate detection based on
      lactate dehydrogenase immobilized on zinc oxide nanorods.
AB  - Hepatic immaturity is observed particularly in children whose age is under three,
      when the lactate concentration is greater than the normal level in blood. An
      electrochemical lactate biosensor was developed by immobilizing lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH) on to ZnO nanorods at pH 7.4 via chitosan. Growth of
      polycrystalline ZnO nanorods towards (101) plane was confirmed using XRD. The FE
      SEM study revealed the formation of ZnO nanorods with an aspect ratio of 3.24.
      Immobilization of LDH on ZnO nanorods was confirmed using FTIR spectra and
      surface coverage. Electrochemical studies were carried out through cyclic
      voltammetry and amperometry using three electrode system with Au/NanoZnO/LDH as
      working electrode, Ag/AgCl in 0.1 M KCl as reference electrode and Pt wire as
      counter electrode. The sensitivity of the biosensor was found to be 1.832 MUA
      MUmol(-1) L exhibiting linearity 0.2-0.8 MUmol L(-1) with the detection and
      quantification limits of 4.73 and 15.75 nmol L(-1) respectively. The response
      time of Au/NanoZnO/LDH bioelectrode was found to be <1 s. Prediction band for net
      current was framed to enhance specificity. Michaelis-Menten constant (KM(app))
      and maximum rate (Imax) values for immobilized LDH were found to be 0.38 MUmol L(
      1) and 2.798 MUA respectively. Repeatability and reproducibility of LDH biosensor
      were also reported.

PMID- 24231090
TI  - Human serum albumin and other proteins as templating agents for the synthesis of
      nanosized dopamine-eumelanin.
AB  - Eumelanin like materials are known to be heterogeneous and highly insoluble
      materials and hence it was difficult to use them for applications even if they
      display fascinating properties as photoprotection and photoconductivity. Owing to
      the known reactivity of quinones available on the surface of dopamine-eumelanin
      particles with nucleophiles, we propose and demonstrate that proteins (among them
      human serum albumin, hen egg white lysozyme and alpha-lactalbumine from bovine
      milk) are able to control the size of dopamine-eumelanin aggregates formed in
      dopamine solutions upon oxidation. The particles obtained in the presence of
      human serum albumin can be as small as 30 nm in diameter and the viability of
      human gingival fibroblasts is not significantly affected (with respect to pure
      dopamine-eumelanin) in the presence of such particles provided they are diluted
      enough.

PMID- 24231091
TI  - Effect of ethylene glycol on the special counterion binding and microstructures
      of sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate micelles.
AB  - Sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (AOT) micelle has a special counterion binding
      behavior (SCB), which refers to the abrupt twofold increase in the counterion
      binding constant (beta) at a critical concentration (c*) of added NaCl (in water
      c* ~ 0.015 mol kg(-1)). In this paper, the SCB of AOT has been studied in a
      mixture of water and ethylene glycol (EG) by applying surface tension,
      fluorescence, and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) methods. The SCB exists
      in water + 10% (w/w) EG as well, but disappears when the EG% is >=20. It has been
      found out that the SCB of AOT occurs in media having cohesive energy density
      values in the range of 2.3-2.75 J m(-3). SANS data indicate co-existence of
      vesicles and cylindrical micelles of AOT in water + 10% EG when the added NaCl
      concentration is greater than c* thereby revealing that change in the morphology
      of aggregated species is the probable cause for the SCB of AOT. From this study
      it has become clear that the Corrin-Harkins (CH) equation, commonly used for
      determining beta, can be applied only above a limiting concentration (ce(#)) of
      added electrolyte. In aqueous organic or pure organic polar solvents below ce(#)
      sharp deviation from the CH equation occurs with reversal of slope rendering this
      equation inapplicable for the determination of beta.

PMID- 24231092
TI  - Peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for hemophilic patients with chronic
      hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of
      morbidity and mortality in patients with hemophilia. However, the efficacy and
      safety of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) for hemophilic
      patients with chronic HCV infection in Taiwan are still unknown. The aim of this
      study is to report the efficacy and safety of PEG-IFN plus RBV in a single center
      in Taiwan. METHODS: In an open-label single-treatment one-arm cohort study, 12
      hemophilic patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase level more than two
      times the upper limit of normal for more than 3 months received 180 MUg/week of
      PEG-IFN-alpha-2a plus RBV 1000-1200 mg/day at a cut-off value of 75 kg. The
      duration of treatment was 48 weeks for patients with HCV Genotype 1/4 infection
      and 24 weeks for patients with HCV Genotype 2/3 infection. Efficacy of therapy
      was expressed as sustained virological response (SVR). RESULTS: Eight patients
      achieved SVR (66.7%). The SVR rates were 57%, 100%, 100%, and 0% for patients
      with HCV Genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 infection, respectively. Adverse events (AEs)
      developed in 10 patients (83.3%). Severe thrombocytopenia developed in one
      patient. However, the patient did not suffer from severe bleeding. CONCLUSION:
      Our study shows that the SVR rates are similar in hemophilic and nonhemophilic
      patients with chronic HCV infection who receive PEG-IFN-alpha-2a plus RBV in
      Taiwan. The rate of AEs also resembled other studies in nonhemophilic patients in
      Taiwan. No patient suffered from severe bleeding. However, large-scale, well
      conducted studies are still needed to verify the treatment efficacy and safety.

PMID- 24231093
TI  - Lessons we learn from hematopathology consultation in Taiwan.
AB  - The appropriate management of hematology patients depends first on correct
      diagnoses. Expert review is important in reaching accurate diagnoses. To improve
      diagnostic accuracy, the Taiwan Society of Pathology and the Taiwan Division of
      the International Academy of Pathology has been conducting an expert consultation
      program for general pathologists since 2001. As per this program, we have
      received a total of 395 cases (406 samples) for review. We found that meaningful
      diagnostic discrepancies occurred frequently in hematopathology reviews.
      Ambiguous or nondiagnostic original reports were the major causative factor for
      the major discrepancy cases, which demonstrates that diagnostic uncertainty is a
      big problem for referring pathologists. However, the World Health Organization
      lymphoma classification may be poorly reproducible in countries where extensive
      use of an ancillary technique is not used by general pathologists. This review is
      intended to report the misdiagnoses most commonly seen in the hematopathology
      practice in Taiwan. Awareness of the easily misinterpreted entities helps to
      achieve the right diagnosis and improve patient care. 

PMID- 24231094
TI  - Are statins really wonder drugs?
AB  - Statins [3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase], are wonder
      drugs that have reshaped the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and associated
      cardiovascular diseases. However, evidence from various studies indicates
      existence of many statin-induced side effects such as myopathies, rhabdomyolysis,
      hepatotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, impaired myocardial contractility,
      diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and erectile dysfunction (ED). Physician awareness
      of these side effects is reported to be very low even for the adverse effects
      (AEs) most widely reported by patients. This can lead to incorrect treatment
      decisions, compromised patient care, and an increase in patient morbidity.
      Therefore, the aim of this article is to highlight the AEs of statin therapy as
      well as rational management of these complications to further improve safety of
      these excellent drugs. 

PMID- 24231095
TI  - In vivo confocal microscopy of bulbar conjunctiva in patients with Graves'
      ophthalmopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To investigate the bulbar conjunctival changes in patients
      with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) using in vivo confocal microscopy. METHODS: A
      total of 15 GO patients and 15 control patients were recruited. Images of the
      superior site and temporal bulbar conjunctivas were taken by the Heidelberg
      Retina Tomograph/Rostock Corneal Module. The conjunctival thickness and cell
      density of superior epithelium, basal epithelium, Langerhans cells, and goblet
      cells were analyzed. Conjunctival impression cytology was performed to assess the
      grading of squamous metaplasia of the conjunctival epithelium. RESULTS: The
      superficial epithelial cell density in the superior bulbar conjunctiva of the GO
      group was 856.93 +/- 461.68 cells/mm(2), which was significantly lower than that
      in the control group (1581.13 +/- 556.34 cells/mm(2); p = 0.002). However, the
      difference in superficial epithelial cell density in the temporal bulbar
      conjunctiva between the two groups was not statistically significant. No
      significant differences in conjunctival thickness and the basal epithelial cell
      density were noted between the two groups. Increased Langerhans cell density and
      reduced goblet cell density were noted in the GO group. Impression cytology of
      the conjunctival epithelium revealed significantly higher degree of squamous
      metaplasia in the GO group. The superficial epithelial cell density in the upper
      bulbar conjunctiva showed negative correlation with marginal reflex distance in
      the GO group. CONCLUSION: GO patients suffered from more severe bulbar
      conjunctival damage and inflammation with the superior site than the temporal
      site. In vivo confocal microscopy can be a rapid and noninvasive tool for the
      quantitative evaluation of ocular surface changes in patients with GO.

PMID- 24231096
TI  - The effects of dietary fatty acids on the postprandial triglyceride-rich
      lipoprotein/apoB48 receptor axis in human monocyte/macrophage cells.
AB  - Intestinally produced triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) play an important role
      in the progression of atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the
      relevance of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) in
      postprandial TRL in affecting the transcriptional activity of the apolipoprotein
      B48 receptor (ApoB48R) and its functionality in human monocyte/macrophage cells.
      Healthy male volunteers were administered four standardized high-fat meals
      containing butter, high-palmitic sunflower oil, olive oil (ROO) or a mixture of
      vegetable and fish oils (50 g/m(2) body surface area) to obtain a panel of
      postprandial TRL with gradual MUFA oleic acid-to-SFA palmitic acid ratios. The
      increase in this ratio was linearly associated with a decrease of ApoB48R up
      regulation and lipid accumulation in THP-1 and primary monocytes. ApoB48R mRNA
      levels and intracellular triglycerides were also lower in the monocytes from
      volunteers after the ingestion of the ROO meal when compared to the ingestion of
      the butter meal. In THP-1 macrophages, the increase in the MUFA oleic acid-to-SFA
      palmitic acid ratio in the postprandial TRL was linearly correlated with an
      increase in ApoB48R down-regulation and a decrease in lipid accumulation. We also
      revealed that the nuclear receptor transcription factors PPARalpha,
      PPARbeta/delta, and PPARgamma and the PPAR-RXR transcriptional complex were
      involved in sensing the proportion of MUFA oleic acid and SFA palmitic acid, and
      these were also involved in adjusting the transcriptional activity of ApoB48R.
      The results of this study support the notion that MUFA-rich dietary fats may
      prevent excessive lipid accumulation in monocyte/macrophage cells by targeting
      the postprandial TRL/ApoB48R axis. 

PMID- 24231097
TI  - Pomegranate reverses methotrexate-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in
      hepatocytes by modulating Nrf2-NF-kappaB pathways.
AB  - The clinical efficacy of the widely used chemotherapeutic drug methotrexate (MTX)
      is limited due to its associated hepatotoxicity. Pomegranate polyphenols are of
      huge health benefits and known to possess remarkable antioxidant properties
      capable of protecting normal cells from various stimuli-induced oxidative stress
      and cell death. In this study, we explored the protective role of pomegranate
      fruit extract (PFE) in ameliorating MTX-induced hepatic damage. Male Swiss albino
      mice exposed to MTX (20 mg/kg body weight) exhibited distinct markers of toxicity
      such as increased activities of enzymes alanine transaminase, aspartate
      transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase and also increased
      oxidative stress in liver evidenced by increased ROS generation and lipid
      peroxidation. Decrease in reduced glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase,
      catalase, hepatic heme oxygenase 1 and NQO-1 activities were also observed.
      Tracing the signal transduction pathways, it was seen that MTX exposure
      significantly increased nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB coupled with increase
      in phosphorylated Ikappa-B and down-regulation of NF-kappaB-dependent
      antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Treatment with MTX increased the expression of the
      apoptotic enhancer Rho/Cdc42 as well as the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK. A shift
      in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio towards apoptosis and increase in the caspase 3 level was
      also evident. Administration of PFE for 7 consecutive days before and after MTX
      challenge suppressed MTX-induced cell death, mitigated the injurious effects of
      MTX and offered protection against apoptosis. PFE was shown to reduce ROS
      generation in hepatocytes by activating the Nrf2-ARE pathway and inhibiting NF
      kappaB as a consequence of which the antioxidant defense mechanism in the liver
      was up-regulated, thereby conferring protection against MTX-induced
      hepatotoxicity and apoptosis. 

PMID- 24231099
TI  - Dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) alters indicators of inflammation and
      mitochondrial-related metabolism in human subjects.
AB  - Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) influences energy-related metabolism and
      neurologic functions in animals. The mechanism of action involves interactions
      with cell signaling pathways and mitochondrial function. However, little is known
      about the response to PQQ in humans. Using a crossover study design, 10 subjects
      (5 females, 5 males) ingested PQQ added to a fruit-flavored drink in two separate
      studies. In study 1, PQQ was given in a single dose (0.2 mg PQQ/kg). Multiple
      measurements of plasma and urine PQQ levels and changes in antioxidant potential
      [based on total peroxyl radical-trapping potential and thiobarbituric acid
      reactive product (TBAR) assays] were made throughout the period of 48 h. In study
      2, PQQ was administered as a daily dose (0.3 mg PQQ/kg). After 76 h, measurements
      included indices of inflammation [plasma C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6
      levels], standard clinical indices (e.g., cholesterol, glucose, high-density
      lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, etc.) and (1)H-nuclear
      magnetic resonance estimates of urinary metabolites related in part to oxidative
      metabolism. The standard clinical indices were normal and not altered by PQQ
      supplementation. However, dietary PQQ exposure (Study 1) resulted in apparent
      changes in antioxidant potential based on malonaldehyde-related TBAR assessments.
      In Study 2, PQQ supplementation resulted in significant decreases in the levels
      of plasma C-reactive protein, IL-6 and urinary methylated amines such as
      trimethylamine N-oxide, and changes in urinary metabolites consistent with
      enhanced mitochondria-related functions. The data are among the first to link
      systemic effects of PQQ in animals to corresponding effects in humans. 

PMID- 24231098
TI  - Influence of dietary fat type on benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] biotransformation in a
      B(a)P-induced mouse model of colon cancer.
AB  - In the US alone, around 60,000 lives/year are lost due to colon cancer. Diet and
      environment have been implicated in the development of sporadic colon tumors. The
      objective of this study was to determine how dietary fat potentiates the
      development of colon tumors through altered B(a)P biotransformation, using the
      Adenomatous polyposis coli with Multiple intestinal neoplasia mouse model.
      Benzo(a)pyrene was administered to mice through tricaprylin, and unsaturated
      (USF; peanut oil) and saturated (SF; coconut oil) fats at doses of 50 and 100
      MUg/kg via oral gavage over a 60-day period. Blood, colon, and liver were
      collected at the end of exposure period. The expression of B(a)P
      biotransformation enzymes [cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1, CYP1B1 and glutathione-S
      transferase] in liver and colon were assayed at the level of protein, mRNA and
      activities. Plasma and tissue samples were analyzed by reverse phase high
      performance liquid chromatography for B(a)P metabolites. Additionally, DNA
      isolated from colon and liver tissues was analyzed for B(a)P-induced DNA adducts
      by the (32)P-postlabeling method using a thin-layer chromatography system.
      Benzo(a)pyrene exposure through dietary fat altered its metabolic fate in a dose
      dependent manner, with 100 MUg/kg dose group registering an elevated expression
      of B(a)P biotransformation enzymes, and greater concentration of B(a)P
      metabolites, compared to the 50 MUg/kg dose group (P<.05). This effect was more
      pronounced for SF group compared to USF group (P<.05). These findings establish
      that SF causes sustained induction of B(a)P biotransformation enzymes and
      extensive metabolism of this toxicant. As a consequence, B(a)P metabolites were
      generated to a greater extent in colon and liver, whose concentrations also
      registered a dose-dependent increase. These metabolites were found to bind with
      DNA and form B(a)P-DNA adducts, which may have contributed to colon tumors in a
      subchronic exposure regimen.

PMID- 24231100
TI  - DSS-induced acute colitis in C57BL/6 mice is mitigated by sulforaphane pre
      treatment.
AB  - The Brassica-derived isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN) is known to induce factor
      erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor centrally involved in
      chemoprevention. Furthermore, SFN exhibits anti-inflammatory properties in vitro
      and in vivo. However, little is known regarding the anti-inflammatory properties
      of SFN in severe inflammatory phenotypes. In the present study, we tested if pre
      treatment with SFN protects mice from dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced
      colitis. C57BL/6 mice received either phosphate-buffered saline (control) or 25
      mg/kg body weight (BW) SFN per os for 7 days. Subsequently, acute colitis was
      induced by administering 4% DSS via drinking water for 5 days and BWs, stool
      consistency and faecal blood loss were recorded. Following endoscopic
      colonoscopy, mice were sacrificed, the organs excised and spleen weights and
      colon lengths measured. For histopathological analysis, distal colon samples were
      fixed in 4% para-formaldehyde, sectioned and stained with hematoxylin/eosin.
      Inflammatory biomarkers were also measured in distal colon. Treatment with SFN
      prior to colitis induction significantly minimised both BW loss and the disease
      activity index compared to control mice. Furthermore, colon lengths in SFN pre
      treated mice were significantly longer than in control mice. Both macroscopic and
      microscopic analysis of the colon revealed attenuated inflammation in SFN pre
      treated animals. mRNA analysis of distal colon samples confirmed reduced
      expression of inflammatory markers and increased expression of Nrf2-dependent
      genes in SFN pre-treated mice. Our results indicate that pre-treating mice with
      SFN confers protection from DSS-induced colitis. These protective effects were
      corroborated macroscopically, microscopically and at the molecular level. 

PMID- 24231101
TI  - Serum metabolites of proanthocyanidin-administered rats decrease lipid synthesis
      in HepG2 cells.
AB  - The regular consumption of flavonoids has been associated with reduced mortality
      and a decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The proanthocyanidins found in
      plasma are very different from the original flavonoids in food sources. The use
      of physiologically appropriate conjugates of proanthocyanidins is essential for
      the in vitro analysis of flavonoid bioactivity. In this study, the effect of
      different proanthocyanidin-rich extracts, which were obtained from cocoa (CCX),
      French maritime pine bark (Pycnogenol extract, PYC) and grape seed (GSPE), on
      lipid homeostasis was evaluated. Hepatic human cells (HepG2 cells) were treated
      with 25 mg/L of CCX, PYC or GSPE. We also performed in vitro experiments to
      assess the effect on lipid synthesis that is induced by the bioactive GSPE
      proanthocyanidins using the physiological metabolites that are present in the
      serum of GSPE-administered rats. For this, Wistar rats were administered 1 g/kg
      of GSPE, and serum was collected after 2 h. The semipurified serum of GSPE
      administered rats was fully characterized by liquid chromatography tandem triple
      quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ/MS(2)). The lipids studied in the analyses
      were free cholesterol (FC), cholesterol ester (CE) and triglycerides (TG). All
      three proanthocyanidin-rich extracts induced a remarkable decrease in the de novo
      lipid synthesis in HepG2 cells. Moreover, GSPE rat serum metabolites reduced the
      total percentage of CE, FC and particularly TG; this reduction was significantly
      higher than that observed in the cells directly treated with GSPE. In conclusion,
      the bioactivity of the physiological metabolites that are present in the serum of
      rats after their ingestion of a proanthocyanidin-rich extract was demonstrated in
      Hep G2 cells. 

PMID- 24231102
TI  - Dietary oleanolic acid mediates circadian clock gene expression in liver
      independently of diet and animal model but requires apolipoprotein A1.
AB  - Oleanolic acid is a triterpene widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom
      and present in virgin olive oil at a concentration of 57 mg/kg. To test the
      hypotheses that its long-term administration could modify hepatic gene expression
      in several animal models and that this could be influenced by the presence of
      APOA1-containing high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), diets including 0.01%
      oleanolic acid were provided to Apoe- and Apoa1-deficient mice and F344 rats.
      Hepatic transcriptome was analyzed in Apoe-deficient mice fed long-term
      semipurified Western diets differing in the oleanolic acid content. Gene
      expression changes, confirmed by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction, were sought for their implication in hepatic steatosis. To
      establish the effect of oleanolic acid independently of diet and animal model,
      male rats were fed chow diet with or without oleanolic acid, and to test the
      influence of HDL, Apoa1-deficient mice consuming the latter diet were used. In
      Apoe-deficient mice, oleanolic acid intake increased hepatic area occupied by
      lipid droplets with no change in oxidative stress. Bmal1 and the other core
      component of the circadian clock, Clock, together with Elovl3, Tubb2a and Cldn1
      expressions, were significantly increased, while Amy2a5, Usp2, Per3 and Thrsp
      were significantly decreased in mice receiving the compound. Bmal1 and Cldn1
      expressions were positively associated with lipid droplets. Increased Clock and
      Bmal1 expressions were also observed in rats, but not in Apoa1-deficient mice.
      The core liver clock components Clock-Bmal1 are a target of oleanolic acid in two
      animal models independently of the diets provided, and this compound requires
      APOA1-HDL for its hepatic action. 

PMID- 24231103
TI  - Intake of butter naturally enriched with cis9,trans11 conjugated linoleic acid
      reduces systemic inflammatory mediators in healthy young adults.
AB  - A conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) depletion-repletion study was carried out to
      investigate the effects of dietary c9,t11 CLA on C-reactive protein,
      transcription factor NFkappaB, metalloproteinases 2 and 9, inflammatory mediators
      (adiponectin, TNFalpha, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10), body composition, and
      erythrocyte membrane composition in healthy normal-weight human adults. CLA
      depletion was achieved through an 8-week period of restricted dairy fat intake
      (depletion phase; CLA intake was 5.2+/-5.8 mg/day), followed by an 8-week period
      in which individuals consumed 20 g/day of butter naturally enriched with c9,t11
      CLA (repletion phase; CLA intake of 1020+/-167 mg/day). The participants were 29
      healthy adult volunteers (19 women and 10 men, aged 22 to 36 years), with body
      mass index between 18.0 and 29.9 kg m(-2). Blood samples were collected at
      baseline and at the end of both depletion and repletion phases. The content of
      CLA in erythrocytes decreased during CLA-depletion and increased during CLA
      repletion. Intake of CLA-enriched butter increased the serum levels of anti
      inflammatory IL-10 but reduced transcription factor NFkappaB in blood and serum
      levels of TNFalpha, IL-2, IL-8 and inactive metalloproteinase-9. Moreover,
      reduced activity of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in serum was observed during the
      CLA-repletion period. In contrast, intake of CLA-enriched butter had no effects
      on body composition (DXA analysis) as well as on serum levels of adiponectin, C
      reactive protein, and IL-4. Taken together, our results indicate that the intake
      of a c9,t11 CLA-enriched butter by normal-weight subjects induces beneficial
      changes in immune modulators associated with sub-clinical inflammation in
      overweight individuals. 

PMID- 24231104
TI  - Role of the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in the
      neuroprotective effects of hydroxytyrosol in rat brain slices subjected to
      hypoxia reoxygenation.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze the mechanism of the neuroprotective effect
      of hydroxytyrosol (HT) in an experimental model of hypoxia-reoxygenation in rat
      brain slices. After reoxygenation the increase in lactate dehydrogenase efflux
      was inhibited by HT in a concentration-dependent manner and dose-dependent
      inhibition after oral administration to rats for 7 days (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg per
      day). Maximum inhibition was 57.4% in vitro and 38.7% ex vivo. Hydroxytyrosol
      reduced oxidative stress parameters: it inhibited lipid peroxidation and
      increased enzymatic activities related with the glutathione system both in vitro
      and after oral administration to rats. The increase in prostaglandin E2 and
      interleukin 1beta after reoxygenation were inhibited after incubation of brain
      slices with HT and after oral administration. The accumulation of nitric oxide in
      brain slices was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, HT
      exerts a neuroprotective effect in a model of hypoxia-reoxygenation in rat brain
      slices, both in vitro and after 7 days of oral administration to rats. HT exerts
      an antioxidant activity and lowered some inflammatory markers in this model. 

PMID- 24231105
TI  - Liver X receptor up-regulates alpha-tocopherol transfer protein expression and
      alpha-tocopherol status.
AB  - Fat-soluble vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) has antioxidant activity. alpha
      Tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP), a hepatic cytosolic protein, selectively
      binds alpha-tocopherol and has an important role regulating circulatory alpha
      tocopherol levels. However, only a few studies have shown the transcriptional
      regulation of the alpha-TTP gene. Here, we demonstrate that liver X receptor
      (LXR) regulates alpha-TTP expression through direct interaction with the alpha
      TTP gene promoter, and it modulates circulating alpha-tocopherol levels. LXR
      belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily, acts as a ligand-dependent
      transcription factor for oxysterols and plays an important role in cholesterol
      metabolism and lipogenesis. We identified an LXR response element (LXRE; DR4, a
      direct repeat with four-nucleotides spacing) of the human alpha-TTP gene promoter
      by using luciferase and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Mutations in this
      element abolished activation of this promoter. Moreover, treatment of vitamin E
      deficient rats with T0901317, a synthetic LXR ligand, increased alpha-TTP
      expression in the liver and cerebrum and increased the plasma alpha-tocopherol
      levels. These results indicate that the LXR signaling pathway modulates alpha-TTP
      gene expression and plasma alpha-tocopherol levels. Our observations imply that
      the LXR signaling pathway might be a useful target for antioxidant properties by
      controlling the vitamin E status. 

PMID- 24231107
TI  - Linking the transcriptome and proteome to characterize the venom of the eastern
      diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus).
AB  - Understanding the molecular basis of the phenotype is key to understanding
      adaptation, and the relationship between genes and specific traits is represented
      by the genotype-phenotype map. The specialization of the venom-gland towards
      toxin production enables the use of transcriptomics to identify a large number of
      loci that contribute to a complex phenotype (i.e., venom), while proteomic
      techniques allow verification of the secretion of the proteins produced by these
      loci, creating a genotype-phenotype map. We used the extensive database of mRNA
      transcripts generated by the venom-gland transcriptome of Crotalus adamanteus
      along with proteomic techniques to complete the genotype-phenotype map for the C.
      adamanteus venom system. Nanospray LC/MS(E) analysis of a whole venom sample
      identified evidence for 52 of the 78 unique putative toxin transcript clusters,
      including 44 of the 50 most highly expressed transcripts. Tandem mass
      spectrometry and SDS-PAGE of reversed-phase high-performance liquid
      chromatography fractions identified 40 toxins which clustered into 20 groups and
      represented 10 toxin families, creating a genotype-phenotype map. By using the
      transcriptome to understand the proteome we were able to achieve locus-specific
      resolution and provide a detailed characterization of the C. adamanteus venom
      system. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Identifying the mechanisms by which genetic
      variation presents itself to the sieve of selection at the phenotypic level is
      key to understanding the molecular basis of adaptation, and the first step in
      understanding this relationship is to identify the genetic basis of the phenotype
      through the construction of a genotype-phenotype map. We used the high-throughput
      venom-gland transcriptomic characterization of the eastern diamondback
      rattlesnake (C. adamanteus) and proteomic techniques to complete and confirm the
      genotype-phenotype map, providing a detailed characterization of the C.
      adamanteus venom system.

PMID- 24231106
TI  - Resveratrol protects against polychlorinated biphenyl-mediated impairment of
      glucose homeostasis in adipocytes.
AB  - Resveratrol (RSV) is a plant polyphenol that exhibits several favorable effects
      on glucose homeostasis in adipocytes. Recent studies from our laboratory
      demonstrated that coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that are ligands of
      the aryl hydrocarbon receptor impair glucose homeostasis in mice. PCB-induced
      impairment of glucose homeostasis was associated with augmented expression of
      inflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue, a site for accumulation of lipophilic
      PCBs. This study determined if RSV protects against PCB-77 induced impairment of
      glucose disposal in vitro and in vivo and if these beneficial effects are
      associated with enhanced nuclear factor erythoid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)
      signaling in adipose tissue. PCB-77 increased oxidative stress and abolished
      insulin stimulated 2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake in 3 T3-L1 adipocytes. These effects
      were restored by RSV, which resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in
      NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), the downstream target of Nrf2 signaling.
      We quantified glucose and insulin tolerance and components of Nrf2 and insulin
      signaling cascades in adipose tissue of male C57BL/6 mice administered vehicle or
      PCB-77 (50 mg/kg) and fed a diet with or without resVida (0.1%, or 160 mg/kg per
      day). PCB-77 impaired glucose and insulin tolerance, and these effects were
      reversed by RSV. PCB-77 induced reductions in insulin signaling in adipose tissue
      were also abolished by RSV, which increased NQO1 expression. These results
      demonstrate that coplanar PCB-induced impairment of glucose homeostasis in mice
      can be prevented by RSV, potentially through stimulation of Nrf2 signaling and
      enhanced insulin stimulated glucose disposal in adipose tissue. 

PMID- 24231108
TI  - Isotope dilution mass spectrometry for absolute quantification in proteomics:
      concepts and strategies.
AB  - Isotope dilution mass spectrometry is a reference technique for quantitative
      analysis, given that it combines the sensitivity and selectivity of MS
      instruments with the precision and accuracy associated with the use of internal
      standards. Isotope-labeled proteins are the optimal internal standards for
      quantitative proteomics as they closely mimic the behavior of their natural
      counterparts during the analytical process. A major complication of isotope
      dilution mass spectrometry proteomics is the technical difficulty of obtaining
      these internal standards, especially in studies where a high number of proteins
      have to be quantified simultaneously. In this paper, we review some of the
      characteristics of the isotope dilution mass spectrometry approach, its benefits
      in terms of reliability and quality control in targeted proteomic analysis and
      the different strategies developed for its application in proteomics. 

PMID- 24231109
TI  - Proteomic and functional profiling of the venom of Bothrops ayerbei from Cauca,
      Colombia, reveals striking interspecific variation with Bothrops asper venom.
AB  - Bothrops ayerbei, a pitviper inhabiting the Patia River's basin (Valle Alto del
      Rio Patia) in the Southwestern Department of Cauca, Colombia, was considered as a
      variant form of Bothrops asper prior to being proposed as a new species in 2010,
      on the basis of subtle morphological differences. This study reports the
      proteomic and functional profiling of B. ayerbei venom. Its most striking feature
      is an almost complete absence (0.7%) of phospholipases A2 (PLA2), which is in
      contrast to the high proportion of these enzymes (25.3%) in the venom of B. asper
      from Cauca, as well as in other species of Bothrops. The predominant proteins in
      B. ayerbei venom are metalloproteinases (53.7%), in agreement with its higher
      hemorrhagic and lethal activities compared to B. asper venom. Moreover, the
      negligible content of PLA2s in B. ayerbei venom correlates with its weaker
      myotoxic effect, in contrast to B. asper venom, here shown to contain abundant
      Asp49- and Lys49-type PLA2s responsible for its strong myotoxic activity. Other
      components identified in B. ayerbei venom include bradykinin-potentiating-like
      peptides and proteins belonging to the C-type lectin/lectin-like, serine
      proteinase, l-amino acid oxidase, disintegrin, cysteine-rich secretory protein,
      nerve growth factor, and phosphodiesterase families. The venom composition of B.
      ayerbei resembles that of neonate specimens of B. asper, which shows a
      predominance of metalloproteinases, with only low amounts of PLA2s. Therefore,
      the present findings suggest that the expression of venom proteins in B. ayerbei,
      in contrast to B. asper, might retain a marked 'paedomorphic' condition.
      Altogether, the proteomic and toxicological characterization of the venom of B.
      ayerbei here reported argues in favor of its taxonomical separation from B. asper
      in Cauca, Colombia. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: B. ayerbei, a pitviper found in
      Cauca, Colombia, had been considered as a variant form of B. asper, but was
      recently described as a new species on the basis of subtle morphological
      differences. Our study provides the first detailed proteomic and functional
      analysis of the venom of B. ayerbei, revealing striking interspecific variation
      from B. asper, thus arguing in favor of their taxonomical separation. In
      addition, the observed composition of the venom of B. ayerbei correlates well
      with its functional and toxicological properties, helping to predict the main
      clinical manifestations in envenomings by this species, which inflicts a
      considerable number of snakebites in the Southwestern regions of Colombia.

PMID- 24231111
TI  - An interesting cause of neonatal feed intolerance.

PMID- 24231110
TI  - Fermentation and proteome profiles of Lactobacillus plantarum strains during
      growth under food-like conditions.
AB  - This study aimed at investigating the proteomic adaptation of Lactobacillus
      plantarum strains. Cultivation of L. plantarum strains under food-like conditions
      (wheat flour hydrolyzed, whey milk, tomato juice) affected some metabolic traits
      (e.g., consumption of carbohydrates and synthesis of organic acids) compared to
      de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) broth. The analysis of the fermentation profile
      showed that the highest number of carbon sources metabolized by L. plantarum
      strains was found using cells cultivated in media containing low concentration of
      glucose or no glucose at all. The proteomic maps of the strains were
      comparatively determined after growth on MRS broth and under food-like
      conditions. The amount of proteins depended on strain and, especially, on culture
      conditions. Proteins showing decreased or increased amounts under food-like
      conditions were identified using MALDI-TOF-MS/MS or LC-nano-ESI-MS/MS. Changes of
      the proteome concerned proteins that are involved in carbohydrate transport and
      metabolism, energy metabolism, Sec-dependent secretion system, stress response,
      nucleotide metabolism, regulation of nitrogen metabolism, and protein
      biosynthesis. A catabolic repression by glucose on carbohydrate transport and
      metabolism was also found. The characterization of the proteomes in response to
      changing environmental conditions could be useful to get L. plantarum strains
      adapted for specific applications. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Microbial cell
      performance during food biotechnological processes has become one of the greatest
      concerns all over the world. L. plantarum is a lactic acid bacterium with a large
      industrial application for fermented foods or functional foods (e.g.,
      probiotics). The present study compared the fermentation and proteomic profiling
      of L. plantarum strains during growth under food-like conditions and under
      optimal laboratory conditions (MRS broth). This study provides specific
      mechanisms of proteomic adaptation involved in the microbial performances
      (carbohydrates utilization, energy metabolism, stress resistance, etc.) affecting
      the main biotechnological tracts of L. plantarum strains. The finding of this
      study provides evidences that may be exploited to get strains adapted for
      specific applications in food biotechnology.

PMID- 24231112
TI  - Fifteen-minute consultation: structured approach to management of a child with
      recurrent croup.
AB  - Recurrent croup is a distinct clinical entity from viral croup. It is not a
      specific diagnosis and its presence should alert the clinician to explore the
      underlying cause. We discuss an evidence-based structured approach to management
      of a child with recurrent croup.

PMID- 24231113
TI  - Neonatal Sigmoid Colon Perforation: A Rare Occurrence in Low Anorectal
      Malformation and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Gastrointestinal perforation in neonates with anorectal malformation (ARM) is
      extremely uncommon. Delayed patient presentation is an important causative
      factor. A 2.5-kg neonate presented 72 hours after birth with abdominal distention
      and absent anal opening with meconium pearls. An abdominal X-ray revealed the
      presence of free gas. After adequate resuscitation patient underwent surgery.
      Closure of the sigmoid colon perforation with a proximal diverting loop colostomy
      with anoplasty was done. The literature reveals only two cases of sigmoid colon
      perforation with low ARM. Ours is the third case, in whom repair of the
      perforation and correction of the ARM was managed successfully at the same time.

PMID- 24231114
TI  - Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and aluminium concentrations in human milk at early
      stages of lactation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human milk is considered to be the best nutrition for all infants
      because it provides the optimal source of nutritional, immunological,
      developmental, psychological, economic, practical, and environmental benefits in
      both the short and long terms. To the best of our knowledge, few studies in
      Taiwan have examined the toxicant levels in breast milk and associated factors.
      METHODS: The research was carried out over a 6-month period. Forty-five healthy
      lactating women, who delivered full-term newborns at our maternity ward, were
      recruited, and all participants had been living in coastal urban areas of mid
      Taiwan for at least 3 years. One hundred and eighty human milk samples were
      collected on four occasions, which were classified into four lactation stages as
      follows: colostrums, transitional milk, early mature milk, and mature milk.
      RESULTS: We found that lead, cadmium, aluminium, and arsenic concentrations were
      the highest in colostrums: 13.22 +/- 3.58 ng/mL, 1.37 +/- 0.94 ng/mL, 56.45 +/-
      22.77 ng/mL, and 1.50 +/- 1.50 ng/mL, respectively. The results of lead, cadmium,
      aluminium, and arsenic determination in human milk samples demonstrated a trend
      of decline of microelement concentrations with advancing stages of lactation. We
      found that the infants of smoking mothers were exposed to more cadmium than
      infants of nonsmoking mothers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to our findings,
      frequent routine sampling of breast milk is worthwhile. Prevention strategies
      including behavior modification and education on proper nutrition should be
      provided to women who are at high risk of toxicant exposure. In summary,
      breastfeeding is still generally encouraged and recommended.

PMID- 24231115
TI  - Learning to predict: exposure to temporal sequences facilitates prediction of
      future events.
AB  - Previous experience is thought to facilitate our ability to extract spatial and
      temporal regularities from cluttered scenes. However, little is known about how
      we may use this knowledge to predict future events. Here we test whether exposure
      to temporal sequences facilitates the visual recognition of upcoming stimuli. We
      presented observers with a sequence of leftwards and rightwards oriented gratings
      that was interrupted by a test stimulus. Observers were asked to indicate whether
      the orientation of the test stimulus matched their expectation based on the
      preceding sequence. Our results demonstrate that exposure to temporal sequences
      without feedback facilitates our ability to predict an upcoming stimulus. In
      particular, observers' performance improved following exposure to structured but
      not random sequences. Improved performance lasted for a prolonged period and
      generalized to untrained stimulus orientations rather than sequences of different
      global structure, suggesting that observers acquire knowledge of the sequence
      structure rather than its items. Further, this learning was compromised when
      observers performed a dual task resulting in increased attentional load. These
      findings suggest that exposure to temporal regularities in a scene allows us to
      accumulate knowledge about its global structure and predict future events. 

PMID- 24231116
TI  - Bayesian evaluation of budgets for endemic disease control: An example using
      management changes to reduce milk somatic cell count early in the first lactation
      of Irish dairy cows.
AB  - The aim of this research was to determine budgets for specific management
      interventions to control heifer mastitis in Irish dairy herds as an example of
      evidence synthesis and 1-step Bayesian micro-simulation in a veterinary context.
      Budgets were determined for different decision makers based on their willingness
      to pay. Reducing the prevalence of heifers with a high milk somatic cell count
      (SCC) early in the first lactation could be achieved through herd level
      management interventions for pre- and peri-partum heifers, however the cost
      effectiveness of these interventions is unknown. A synthesis of multiple sources
      of evidence, accounting for variability and uncertainty in the available data is
      invaluable to inform decision makers around likely economic outcomes of investing
      in disease control measures. One analytical approach to this is Bayesian micro
      simulation, where the trajectory of different individuals undergoing specific
      interventions is simulated. The classic micro-simulation framework was extended
      to encompass synthesis of evidence from 2 separate statistical models and
      previous research, with the outcome for an individual cow or herd assessed in
      terms of changes in lifetime milk yield, disposal risk, and likely financial
      returns conditional on the interventions being simultaneously applied. The 3
      interventions tested were storage of bedding inside, decreasing transition yard
      stocking density, and spreading of bedding evenly in the calving area. Budgets
      for the interventions were determined based on the minimum expected return on
      investment, and the probability of the desired outcome. Budgets for interventions
      to control heifer mastitis were highly dependent on the decision maker's
      willingness to pay, and hence minimum expected return on investment.
      Understanding the requirements of decision makers and their rational spending
      limits would be useful for the development of specific interventions for
      particular farms to control heifer mastitis, and other endemic diseases.

PMID- 24231117
TI  - Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic
      surgery for cancer--a real-world, prospective, observational French study:
      PReOBS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Data on the epidemiology and prevention of venous thromboembolism
      in patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic cancer surgery in real practice are
      limited. The primary objective of this observational study was to describe the
      thromboprophylactic strategy implemented in routine practice. The main secondary
      objective was to assess the incidence of outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Patients admitted to public or private hospitals for abdominal or pelvic cancer
      surgery were included between November 2009 and November 2010; endoscopic route
      for surgery was the only exclusion criterion. Study outcomes were recorded at
      hospital discharge and at routine follow-up (generally 9+/-3weeks). RESULTS: 2380
      patients (mean+/-SD age: 66.4+/-11.6years, women: 36.8%) admitted to hospital for
      abdominal (47.8%), urological (41%), or gynaecological (11.2%) cancer surgery
      were included in the analysis. Of these, 2179 had data available at study end.
      Perioperative antithrombotic prophylaxis, consisting mainly of low-molecular
      weight heparin, was given to 99.5% of patients. At hospital discharge,
      thromboprophylaxis was continued in 91.7% of patients, 57.4% receiving a 4-6week
      prophylaxis. This management strategy was associated with an overall venous
      thromboembolic event rate of 1.9%, 34.7% of events occurring after discharge.
      Incidences of fatal bleeding, bleeding in a critical organ and bleeding
      necessitating re-intervention were 0.1%, 0.3% and 1.7%, respectively. Overall
      mortality was 1.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Thromboprophylaxis is routinely used in French
      patients undergoing major cancer surgery. For more than a third of patients,
      however, treatment duration did not comply with best-practice recommendations,
      which might explain the non-negligible rate of thromboembolic complications still
      observed in this patient population.

PMID- 24231118
TI  - Decreased Tim-3 and its correlation with Th1 cells in patients with immune
      thrombocytopenia.
AB  - Here we evaluate the expression of Tim-3 in CD4+ T cells from patients with
      immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). We also counted platelets and evaluated plasma IFN
      gamma, IL-18 and IL-4 levels in patients with active ITP (n=26), patients with
      ITP in remission (n=23) and in healthy subjects (n=34) by enzyme linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-PCR), the mRNA expression of IL-18, IFN-gamma, IL-4, T-box (T-bet)
      and Tim-3 was studied in the blood. The CD4+ Tim-3+ cells in blood were evaluated
      by flow cytometry and are expressed as a percentage of the total number of CD4+
      cells. The Tim-3 positive cells within the circulating CD4+ population of newly
      diagnosed patients were significantly decreased compared to controls. However, T
      bet, IL-18 and IFN-gamma levels were significantly elevated in patients. Tim-3
      mRNA expression was significantly lower in the peripheral mononuclear cells
      (PBMCs) of ITP patients compared to controls. The decreased levels of Tim-3
      during active stages of disease suggest a possible role in the pathogenesis and
      course of ITP and restoration of Tim-3 may be a reasonable therapeutic strategy
      for ITP. 

PMID- 24231119
TI  - Review of machine learning and signal processing techniques for automated
      electrode selection in high-density microelectrode arrays.
AB  - Recently developed CMOS-based microprobes contain hundreds of electrodes on a
      single shaft with interelectrode distances as small as 30 um. So far,
      neuroscientists manually select a subset of those electrodes depending on their
      appraisal of the "usefulness" of the recorded signals, which makes the process
      subjective but more importantly too time consuming to be useable in practice. The
      ever-increasing number of recording electrodes on microelectrode probes calls for
      an automated selection of electrodes containing "good quality signals" or
      "signals of interest." This article reviews the different criteria for electrode
      selection as well as the basic signal processing steps to prepare the data to
      compute those criteria. We discuss three of them. The first two select the
      electrodes based on "signal quality." The first criterion computes the penalized
      signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); the second criterion models the neuroscientist's
      appraisal of signal quality. Last, our most recent work allows the selection of
      electrodes that capture particular anatomical cell types. The discussed
      algorithms perform what is called in the literature "electronic depth control" in
      contrast to the mechanical repositioning of the electrode shafts in search of
      "good quality signals" or "signals of interest."

PMID- 24231120
TI  - Challenges to free will: transgenerational epigenetic information, unconscious
      processes, and vanishing twin syndrome.
AB  - Here, we present various research results and thoughts with the intention of
      challenging notions about free choice. Namely, we describe the concept of
      transgenerational transmission of epigenetic information and discuss its non
      conscious effects on cognitive abilities, behavioral and emotional patterns, and
      responses with regard to one's life and decisions, and the impact these have on
      the concept of free will. In addition, we discuss the essential role of
      unconscious mechanisms in human decision processes. We also show that twin loss
      in the womb can have a powerful lifelong impact on the surviving twin through non
      conscious context-dependent epigenetic changes. Finally, we hypothesize that
      human explicit self-consciousness may be an active executer that intermediates
      between unconsciousness and the external environment by means of feedback and
      feed-forward interactions. This executive function makes it possible for self
      consciousness to continuously develop in self-organized evolution.

PMID- 24231121
TI  - Interaction of vitamin K antagonists and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole: ignore at
      your patient's risk.
AB  - The aim of the study was to summarize available literature regarding the
      interaction between vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and trimethoprim
      sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole, TMP-SMX), and to provide recommendations for
      managing patient risk from this interaction. Data sources were English-language
      publications in the medical literature and Internet databases. Relevant
      publications that directly or indirectly addressed the VKA-TMP-SMX interaction
      were selected and reviewed. The mechanism of the VKA-TMP-SMX interaction,
      frequency of concurrent use, effect on international normalized ratio (INR),
      increased risk of bleeding, and strategies for risk reduction are summarized. The
      concurrent use of VKA and TMP/SMX rapidly and consistently raises INR and is
      associated with a two- to five-fold increase in bleeding. Concurrent use of VKA
      and TMP-SMX should be avoided when possible. When VKA and TMP-SMX are co
      prescribed, VKA dose reduction is usually required. Patient education as well as
      early and frequent INR monitoring is recommended to reduce risk from this
      interaction.

PMID- 24231122
TI  - Characterization of a type D1A EUL-related lectin from rice expressed in Pichia
      pastoris.
AB  - OrysaEULD1A is one of the five EUL genes in rice (Oryza sativa) encoding a
      putative carbohydrate-binding protein belonging to the family of Euonymus related
      lectins (EUL). The OrysaEULD1A sequence comprises two highly similar EUL domains
      (91% sequence similarity and 72% sequence identity) separated by a 23 amino acid
      linker sequence and preceded by a 19 amino acid N-terminal sequence. In the
      present study, the full-length protein OrysaEULD1A as well as its individual
      domains OrysaEULD1A domain 1 and 2 were expressed in Pichia pastoris. After
      purification of the recombinant proteins, their carbohydrate-binding specificity
      was analyzed and compared. Interestingly, all recombinant lectins showed clear
      specificity towards galactosylated structures. Furthermore, all recombinant
      proteins agglutinated red blood cells, indicating that the full-length protein
      OrysaEULD1A and its domains are true lectins. These results taken together with
      data previously reported for single-domain EUL proteins indicate that although
      the amino acids--responsible for the formation of the carbohydrate-binding site-
      are identical for all EUL proteins in rice, these lectins show different
      carbohydrate specificities. This promiscuity of the carbohydrate-binding site can
      be attributed to gene divergence.

PMID- 24231124
TI  - Undetected creatinine levels.

PMID- 24231123
TI  - The obsessive-compulsory clinical pathologist.

PMID- 24231125
TI  - Hepcidin levels in chronic hemodialysis patients: a critical evaluation.
AB  - Altered systemic iron metabolism is a key element of uremia, and functional iron
      deficiency mainly related to subclinical inflammation makes it difficult to
      maintain proper control of anemia in chronic hemodialysis patients (CHD). In the
      last decade, the hepatic hormone hepcidin has been progressively recognized as
      the master regulator of circulating iron levels through the modulation of
      cellular iron fluxes in response to iron stores, as well as to erythroid and
      inflammatory stimuli. Hepcidin is cleared by the kidney and progression of renal
      disease has been associated to increased serum hepcidin levels. This, in turn,
      reduces iron availability for erythropoiesis, suggesting anti-hepcidin strategies
      for improving anemia control. Moreover, hepcidin has been recently implicated in
      the pathogenesis of long-term complications of dialysis, like accelerated
      atherosclerosis. Initial studies almost invariably reported a sustained increase
      of serum hepcidin in chronic hemodialysis patients. Noteworthy, such studies
      included relatively few patients and controls that were poorly matched for major
      determinants of serum hepcidin at population level, i.e., age and gender. More
      recent data based on accurately matched larger series challenge the view that
      hepcidin is intrinsically increased in hemodialysis patients, showing a marked
      inter- and intra-individual variability of hormone levels. Here we take a
      critical look to the data published so far on hepcidin levels in CHD, analyze the
      reasons underlying the discrepancies in available studies and the hepcidin
      variability in CHD, and point out the need for further studies in large series of
      well-characterized CHD patients and controls.

PMID- 24231126
TI  - A simple and precise method for direct measurement of fractional esterification
      rate of high density lipoprotein cholesterol by high performance liquid
      chromatography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between fractional cholesterol esterification rate
      in plasma or serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (FER(HDL)) and lipoprotein
      subfractions and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has been
      demonstrated. However, the current method for measuring FER(HDL) requires fresh
      serum samples and radioactive labeling of the samples, making it impractical for
      use in clinical laboratories. In this study, we developed a simple and precise
      HPLC method for the measurement of FER(HDL). Correlations between FER(HDL) and
      CVD risk factors were evaluated in 119 healthy volunteers. METHODS: Fasting blood
      samples were collected and serum was isolated within 2 h. Serum HDL was prepared
      by precipitation of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins with dextran
      sulfate and magnesium chloride. HDL fractions were divided into two aliquots and
      incubated at 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C, respectively, for 1 h. Free
      cholesterol in the HDL fractions was analyzed by HPLC. FER(HDL) was calculated as
      the percent decrease of free cholesterol during incubation. RESULTS: The
      esterification reaction of HDL free cholesterol was not linear, but the measured
      FER(HDL) was stable when serum samples were stored at room temperature for <4 h,
      or at 4 degrees C for <24 h. The intra-assay and total CVs for FER(HDL)
      measurements were 1.0%-2.1% and 1.6%-3.8%, respectively. Results of 119 healthy
      volunteers showed that FER(HDL) was positively correlated with age, BMI, blood
      pressure, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and small dense low-density
      lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLb-C), and negatively correlated with HDL-C and HDL2
      C. FER(HDL) has shown to be a predictor of HDL and LDL subfraction distributions.
      CONCLUSIONS: This method is simple, non-radioactive and precise and will be
      useful in prediction of lipoprotein subfraction distributions and in clinical
      assessment of CVD risks.

PMID- 24231127
TI  - Crohn's disease specific pancreatic antibodies: clinical and pathophysiological
      challenges.
AB  - Crohn's disease (CrD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the main inflammatory bowel
      diseases (IBD). IBD-specific humoral markers of autoimmunity in the form of
      autoantibodies have been reported first in the late 1950s by demonstrating the
      occurrence of autoimmunity in UC, while humoral autoimmunity in CrD can be traced
      back to the 1970s. Ever since, the pathophysiological role of autoimmune
      responses in IBDs has remained poorly understood. Notwithstanding, autoreactive
      responses play a major role in inflammation leading to overt IBD. In CrD,
      approximately 40% of patients and <20% of patients with UC demonstrate loss of
      tolerance to antigens of the exocrine pancreas. Glycoprotein 2 (GP2) has been
      identified as a major autoantigenic target of the so-called pancreatic
      antibodies. The previously unsolved contradiction of pancreatic autoreactivity
      and intestinal inflammation in IBD was elucidated by demonstrating the expression
      of GP2 at the site thereof. Intriguingly, GP2 has been reported to be a receptor
      on microfold cells of intestinal Peyer's patches, which are believed to represent
      the origin of CrD inflammation. The development of immunoassays for the detection
      of antibodies to GP2 has paved the way to investigate the association of such
      antibodies with the clinical phenotype in CrD. Given the recently discovered
      immunomodulating role of GP2 in innate and adaptive intestinal immunity, this
      association can shed further light on the pathophysiology of IBD. In this
      context, the association of anti-GP2 autoantibodies as novel CrD-specific markers
      with the clinical phenotype in CrD will be discussed in this review.

PMID- 24231128
TI  - Differentiation and identification of filamentous fungi by high-throughput FTIR
      spectroscopic analysis of mycelia.
AB  - Routine identification of fungi based on phenotypic and genotypic methods can be
      fastidious and time-consuming. In this context, there is a constant need for new
      approaches allowing the rapid identification of molds. Fourier-transform infrared
      (FTIR) spectroscopy appears as such an indicated method. The objective of this
      work was to evaluate the potential of FTIR spectroscopy for an early
      differentiation and identification of filamentous fungi. One hundred and thirty
      one strains identified using DNA sequencing, were analyzed using FTIR
      spectroscopy of the mycelia obtained after a reduced culture time of 48 h
      compared to current conventional methods. Partial least square discriminant
      analysis was used as a chemometric method to analyze the spectral data and for
      identification of the fungal strains from the phylum to the species level.
      Calibration models were constructed using 106 strains pertaining to 14 different
      genera and 32 species and were used to identify 25 fungal strains in a blind
      manner. Identification levels of 98.97% and 98.77% achieved were correctly
      assigned to the genus and species levels respectively. FTIR spectroscopy with its
      high discriminating power and rapidity therefore shows strong promise for routine
      fungal identification. Upgrading of our database is ongoing to test the
      technique's robustness.

PMID- 24231129
TI  - Planned and reactive agility performance in semiprofessional and amateur
      basketball players.
AB  - CONTEXT: Research indicates that planned and reactive agility are different
      athletic skills. These skills have not been adequately assessed in male
      basketball players. PURPOSE: To define whether 10-m-sprint performance and
      planned and reactive agility measured by the Y-shaped agility test can
      discriminate between semiprofessional and amateur basketball players. METHODS:
      Ten semiprofessional and 10 amateur basketball players completed 10-m sprints and
      planned- and reactive-agility tests. The Y-shaped agility test involved subjects
      sprinting 5 m through a trigger timing gate, followed by a 45 degrees  cut and 5
      m sprint to the left or right through a target gate. In the planned condition,
      subjects knew the cut direction. For reactive trials, subjects visually scanned
      to find the illuminated gate. A 1-way analysis of variance (P < .05) determined
      between-groups differences. Data were pooled (N = 20) for a correlation analysis
      (P < .05). RESULTS: The reactive tests differentiated between the groups;
      semiprofessional players were 6% faster for the reactive left (P = .036) and
      right (P = .029) cuts. The strongest correlations were between the 10-m sprints
      and planned-agility tests (r = .590-.860). The reactive left cut did not
      correlate with the planned tests. The reactive right cut moderately correlated
      with the 10-m sprint and planned right cut (r = .487-.485). CONCLUSIONS: The
      results reemphasized that planned and reactive agility are separate physical
      qualities. Reactive agility discriminated between the semiprofessional and
      amateur basketball players; planned agility did not. To distinguish between male
      basketball players of different ability levels, agility tests should include a
      perceptual and decision-making component.

PMID- 24231130
TI  - Mechanical and non-mechanical functions of Dystrophin can prevent cardiac
      abnormalities in Drosophila.
AB  - Dystrophin-deficiency causes cardiomyopathies and shortens the life expectancy of
      Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients. Restoring Dystrophin expression
      in the heart by gene transfer is a promising avenue to explore as a therapy.
      Truncated Dystrophin gene constructs have been engineered and shown to alleviate
      dystrophic skeletal muscle disease, but their potential in preventing the
      development of cardiomyopathy is not fully understood. In the present study, we
      found that either the mechanical or the signaling functions of Dystrophin were
      able to reduce the dilated heart phenotype of Dystrophin mutants in a Drosophila
      model. Our data suggest that Dystrophin retains some function in fly
      cardiomyocytes in the absence of a predicted mechanical link to the cytoskeleton.
      Interestingly, cardiac-specific manipulation of nitric oxide synthase expression
      also modulates cardiac function, which can in part be reversed by loss of
      Dystrophin function, further implying a signaling role of Dystrophin in the
      heart. These findings suggest that the signaling functions of Dystrophin protein
      are able to ameliorate the dilated cardiomyopathy, and thus might help to improve
      heart muscle function in micro-Dystrophin-based gene therapy approaches.

PMID- 24231131
TI  - Denosumab: a cost-effective alternative for older men with osteoporosis from a
      Swedish payer perspective.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of denosumab versus other treatments
      in men with osteoporosis who are >=75years old from a payer perspective in
      Sweden. METHODS: A lifetime cohort Markov model was developed with seven health
      states: well, hip fracture, vertebral fracture, other osteoporotic fracture, post
      hip fracture, post-vertebral fracture, and dead. During each cycle, patients
      could have a fracture, remain healthy, remain in a post-fracture state or die.
      Background fracture risks, mortality rates, persistence rates, utilities, medical
      and drug costs were derived using published sources. Estimates of fracture
      efficacy were drawn from available studies in post-menopausal osteoporotic (PMO)
      women as BMD improvements have been shown to be similar across male osteoporosis
      (MOP) and PMO populations, and a recent clinical trial suggested that the
      fracture risk reduction from bisphosphonate therapy in men is similar to that
      seen in women in comparable studies. Lifetime expected costs and quality-adjusted
      life-years (QALYs) were estimated for denosumab, generic alendronate, generic
      risedronate, ibandronate, zoledronate, strontium ranelate and teriparatide. On
      average, patients in the model were 78years old, with bone mineral density T
      score at the femoral neck of -2.12. Prevalent vertebral fractures were present in
      23% of patients. In the base-case, the model assumed that patients would
      experience treatment-related effects up to 2years after discontinuation. Costs
      and QALYs were discounted at 3% annually. Extensive sensitivity analyses were
      conducted. RESULTS: Total lifetime costs for denosumab, alendronate, strontium
      ranelate, zoledronate, risedronate, ibandronate and teriparatide were ?31,004,
      ?33,731, ?34,788, ?34,796, ?34,826, ?35,983 and ?37,461, respectively. Total
      QALYs were 5.23, 5.15, 5.15, 5.17, 5.13, 5.12 and 5.22, respectively. Compared to
      other treatments, denosumab had the lowest costs and highest QALYs. In the one
      way sensitivity analyses, when compared to alendronate (next least expensive
      strategy), the ICER for denosumab was most sensitive to the relative risk of hip
      fracture on denosumab. The probability of denosumab being cost-effective compared
      to the other treatments at a threshold of ?66,000/QALY was 96.1%. CONCLUSION:
      Denosumab dominated all comparators, including generic bisphosphonates, in the
      treatment of osteoporosis in men who were >=75years old in Sweden.

PMID- 24231132
TI  - Density functional theory study on the interactions of L-cysteine with graphene:
      adsorption stability and magnetism.
AB  - Understanding the interactions between graphene and biomolecules is of
      fundamental relevance to the area of nanobiotechnology. Herein, we take l
      cysteine as the probe biomolecule and investigate its adsorption on pristine
      graphene and B-, N-, Al-, Ni-, Ga-, Pd-doped graphene using density functional
      theory calculations. Three kinds of upright adsorption configurations, via
      unprotonated functional groups (-SH, -NH2, -COOH), are considered. The
      calculations reveal pristine graphene physically adsorbs l-cysteine. N-doped
      graphene shows physisorption towards the S-end and N-end l-cysteine, and
      chemisorption towards the O-end radical. Strong chemisorption, with site-specific
      preference, occurs on Al-, Ni-, Ga- and Pd-doped graphene, accompanied by severe
      structural changes. Spin polarization with an unusual mirror symmetry on Ni- and
      Pd-doped graphene is induced by chemisorption of unprotonated l-cysteine, except
      for O-end adsorption on Pd-doped graphene. The magnetization arises mainly from
      spin polarization of the C 2pz orbital, with a minor magnetism located on Ni or
      Pd. The influence of van der Waals forces is also evaluated. A thorough analysis
      of the adsorption stability and magnetism of these systems would be beneficial to
      facilitate applications in graphene-based biosensing, biomolecule immobilization,
      magnetic bio-separation and other fields in bionanotechnology. 

PMID- 24231133
TI  - Regulation of human mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into chondrocytes in
      extracellular matrix-based hydrogel scaffolds.
AB  - To induce human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to differentiate into chondrocytes
      in three-dimensional (3D) microenvironments, we developed porous hydrogel
      scaffolds using the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) components of
      chondroitin sulfate (CS) and collagen (COL). The turbidity and viscosity
      experiments indicated hydrogel could form through pH-triggered co-precipitation
      when pH=2-3. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed the hydrogel
      scaffolds could controllably release growth factors as envisaged. Transforming
      growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) was released to stimulate hMSCs differentiation
      into chondrocytes; and then collagen binding domain-basic fibroblast growth
      factor (CBD-bFGF) was released to improve the differentiation and preserve the
      chondrocyte phenotype. In in vitro cell culture experiments, the differentiation
      processes were compared in different microenvironments: 2D culture in culture
      plate as control, 3D culture in the fabricated scaffolds without growth factors
      (CC), the samples with CBD-bFGF (CC-C), the samples with TGF-beta (CC-T), the
      samples with CBD-bFGF/TGF-beta (CC-CT). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT
      PCR) revealed the hMSC marker genes of CD44 and CD105 decreased; at the same time
      the chondrocyte marker genes of collagen type II and aggrecan increased,
      especially in the CC-CT sample. Immunostaining results further confirmed the hMSC
      marker protein of CD 44 disappeared and the chondrocyte marker protein of
      collagen type II emerged over time in the CC-CT sample. These results imply the
      ECM-based hydrogel scaffolds with growth factors can supply suitable 3D cell
      niches for hMSCs differentiation into chondrocytes and the differentiation
      process can be regulated by the controllably released growth factors. 

PMID- 24231134
TI  - Comparison of robotic-assisted vs conventional laparoscopy for extraperitoneal
      paraaortic lymphadenectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted
      extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy for locally advanced cervical cancer
      and to compare to a previous series of patients from our institution undergoing
      the same procedure by conventional laparoscopy. METHODS: 17 patients with locally
      advanced cervical cancer (FIGO stages IB2, IIA2 and IIB-IVA) underwent
      pretherapeutic extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy by robotic-assisted
      laparoscopy. Perioperative outcomes including age, BMI, FIGO stage, operating
      time, blood loss, complications and length of hospital stay were compared to a
      series of 83 patients from our institution undergoing the same procedure by
      conventional laparoscopy. RESULTS: The median values for operating time and
      hospital days for the robotic-assisted and conventional laparoscopy groups were
      150 vs. 150 min and 2 vs 2 days, respectively. In the robotic group, blood loss
      was lower (90 vs 20 ml, p<0.05) and more aortic nodes were removed (14 vs 17
      nodes, p<0.05). Docking time was 7 min (range 3-15). There were no intraoperative
      complications. There were no differences for postoperative complications (17.6%
      vs 8.4%). CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted and conventional laparoscopy provide
      similar perioperative outcomes other than lower blood loss and higher number of
      aortic nodes removed (both without clinical impact) in robotic patients for the
      performance of extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy in patients with
      locally advanced cervical cancer. We believe that robotic surgery is an
      additional tool to perform the same surgical procedure. HIGHLIGHTS: Robotic
      assisted and conventional laparoscopic extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy
      provide similar perioperative outcomes.

PMID- 24231135
TI  - Effect of low-intensity ergometer aerobic training on glucose tolerance in
      severely impaired nondiabetic stroke patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether low-intensity ergometer aerobic training has
      beneficial effect on glucose tolerance in nondiabetic patients with severely
      impaired stroke. METHODS: Fifty-four severely impaired stroke survivors were
      recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental group and control group. They
      have no diabetes history with fasting plasma glucose less than 7 mmol/L. Both
      groups participated in a 6-week rehabilitation training program with low
      intensity ergometer aerobic training added only in the experimental group 3 times
      per week. Primary outcome variables were fasting glucose, fasting insulin, 2-hour
      glucose, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in oral
      glucose tolerance test before and after intervention. RESULTS: Before
      intervention, 36 of 54 (66.7%) were diagnosed with impaired glucose status or
      diabetic glucose tolerance totally. The average 2-hour plasma glucose level was
      9.14 +/- 1.39 mmol/L. After intervention, aerobic training significantly improved
      fasting insulin (from 8.51 +/- 2.01 MUU/mL to 7.11 +/- 2.02 MUU/mL), 2-hour
      glucose level (from 9.13 +/- 1.14 mmol/L to 7.22 +/- 1.23 mmol/L), and HOMA-IR
      (from 1.62 +/- 1.01 to 1.29 +/- .79) in the intervention group compared with the
      control group (P < .05). Aerobic training also significantly improved their
      glucose tolerance state (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings suggest that
      abnormal glucose tolerance may be highly present among severely impaired
      nondiabetic stroke patients and low-intensity ergometer aerobic training may have
      beneficial role in improving glucose tolerance.

PMID- 24231136
TI  - Outcome of cervicocranial artery dissection with different treatments: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare clinical outcomes
      between endovascular treatment and conservative treatment for cervicocranial
      artery dissection. METHODS: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were
      searched for studies comparing endovascular treatment versus conservative
      treatment for cervicocranial artery dissection patients. The period searched was
      from November 1994 to March 2013. Fifteen observational studies involving 442
      cervicocranial artery dissection patients were found. Evaluated outcomes included
      rate of mortality, disability, and good recovery. The rebleeding rate in
      subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients was also recorded and compared. RESULTS:
      In general, patients who received endovascular treatment enjoyed a lower
      mortality rate than those who received conservative treatment (P = .02, odds
      ratio [OR]: .5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .27-.90), especially patients
      having ruptured cervicocranial artery dissection (P = .002, OR: .32, 95% CI .15
      .66) and dissecting aneurysms (P = .006, OR: .31, 95% CI .14-.71). Among SAH
      patients with a Hunt-Hess score of 3 or more, endovascular treatment decreased
      mortality significantly (P = .006, OR: .22, 95% CI .08-.65), whereas no
      significant differences between these 2 treatments occurred in patients having a
      Hunt-Hess score less than 3. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment yields a better
      outcome, with greater benefit in patients with ruptured cervicocranial artery
      dissection, dissecting aneurysms, and a Hunt-Hess score of 3 or more. Randomized
      controlled trials comparing these 2 therapeutic strategies are needed.

PMID- 24231137
TI  - Profile of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with cerebellar
      involvement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare form stroke with diverse
      manifestations. There is very little information available regarding profile of
      patients with cerebellar involvement in CVT. We describe the clinical profile,
      investigations, and outcome of patients with cerebellar involvement with CVT.
      METHODS: We prospectively studied 6 (male:female: 5:1, mean age 29.3 +/- 10.3
      years) patients of CVT with cerebellar involvement (2 isolated cerebellar and 4
      associated deep or supratentorial structures) among 330 CVT patients (1.8%)
      admitted in our stroke unit during a period of 3 years. RESULTS: The presenting
      features (mean duration 7.0 +/- 4.7 days) were headache, vomiting,
      encephalopathy, ataxia, and papilledema. Initial diagnosis considered were
      neuroinfection in 2 patients, raised intracranial pressure in 2, subarachnoid
      hemorrhage in 1, and subacute ataxia in 1 patient. Computed tomography (CT) was
      diagnostic in 3 of 5 patients, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and
      magnetic resonance venography were diagnostic in all; in addition, MRI was
      superior in detecting new lesions not visualized on CT, in better delineating
      hemorrhages and in predicting the age of thrombus. Patients were managed
      medically with anticoagulation, anti-edema, and anti-epileptics and supportive
      treatment. Two patients underwent posterior fossa decompression. Four patients
      made complete recovery at the time of discharge and 2 patients died (1 because of
      brain stem dysfunction and another because of postoperative pneumonia and
      septicemia). CONCLUSIONS: Cerebellar involvement in CVT is very rare, and high
      index of suspicion is required for diagnosis. Imaging with CT and MRI will help
      in confirming the diagnosis. Conventional anticoagulation is effective in
      treatment. Mortality was 33%, and there was no disability in survivors.

PMID- 24231138
TI  - Favorable functional recovery in overweight ischemic stroke survivors: findings
      from the China National Stroke Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity paradox has been reported because of the inverse relationship
      between the body mass index (BMI) and mortality in stroke patients. The
      relationship between BMI and functional recovery in stroke survivors is less well
      established. We explored the impact of BMI on functional recovery and mortality
      in stroke patients in the China National Stroke Registry (CNSR). METHODS:
      Patients were consecutively recruited based on a standard protocol and
      prospectively followed up for outcomes at 3 months after disease onset. Patients
      were divided into 5 groups according to their BMI: underweight (<18.5 kg/m(2)),
      normal weight (18.5-22.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (23-27.4 kg/m(2)), obese (27.5-32.4
      kg/m(2)), or severely obese (>=32.5 kg/m(2)). Multivariate logistic regression
      was performed to analyze the association between BMI and functional recovery or
      mortality. RESULTS: CNSR enrolled 22,216 patients hospitalized for acute
      cerebrovascular events, and 10,905 eligible acute ischemic stroke patients were
      analyzed in our study. Favorable functional recovery (modified Rankin Scale score
      0-1) was seen in 52.4% of underweight, 55.0% of normal weight, 61.0% of
      overweight, 59.2% of obese, and 60.3% of severely obese stroke survivors (P <
      .001). Overweight was independently associated with favorable 3-month functional
      recovery (odds ratio [OR] 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.38).
      Mortality rate was 14.9% in underweight, 7.8% in normal weight, 7.1% in
      overweight, 7.2% in obese, and 11.5% in severely obese patients (P < .001).
      Severe obesity was independently associated with higher 3-month mortality (OR
      2.01; 95% CI 1.10-3.69). CONCLUSIONS: The stroke obesity paradox can be extended
      to include functional recovery but should not be interpreted as the fatter the
      better.

PMID- 24231139
TI  - Ischemic stroke as the first manifestation of hepatic epithelioid
      hemangioendothelioma.
AB  - A 38-year-old obese woman, with a past medical history of cholecystectomy and
      dyslipidaemia, presented with acute occipital headache, vomiting and rotational
      vertigo which lasted 8 hours. On admission neurological examination was
      unremarkable, however general physical examination revealed hepatomegaly. Routine
      blood tests showed abnormal liver function tests. MRI scan indicated an acute
      ischemic infarct in the right cerebellum. Extensive investigation was negative.
      However, liver MRI revealed multiple lesions in both liver lobes. Ultrasound
      guided liver biopsy and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of
      hepatic hemangioendothelioma. In conclusion, hypercoaguable state related to
      hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma can lead to an ischemic stroke, as a
      rare first manifestation of the disease. 

PMID- 24231140
TI  - Network hubs in the human brain.
AB  - Virtually all domains of cognitive function require the integration of
      distributed neural activity. Network analysis of human brain connectivity has
      consistently identified sets of regions that are critically important for
      enabling efficient neuronal signaling and communication. The central embedding of
      these candidate 'brain hubs' in anatomical networks supports their diverse
      functional roles across a broad range of cognitive tasks and widespread dynamic
      coupling within and across functional networks. The high level of centrality of
      brain hubs also renders them points of vulnerability that are susceptible to
      disconnection and dysfunction in brain disorders. Combining data from numerous
      empirical and computational studies, network approaches strongly suggest that
      brain hubs play important roles in information integration underpinning numerous
      aspects of complex cognitive function. 

PMID- 24231141
TI  - Determination of trichothecenes A (T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and diacetoxyscirpenol)
      in the tissues of broilers using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - A stable and sensitive method has been developed for use in food and livestock
      product safety for the detection of mycotoxins. This newly developed method
      allows for the determination of T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol
      (DAS) in heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, Glandular stomach, muscular stomach,
      small intestine, muscle, bone and brain samples from broilers using liquid
      chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were
      initially extracted with ethyl acetate before being filtered through a 0.22MUm
      nylon syringe filter and subjected to chromatographic separation on a reversed
      phase C18 (50*2.1mm, 3MUm) column. A mobile phase composed of 0.1% acetic acid
      and 10mM ammonium acetate in methanol and water was used in an assay of the
      levels of T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin and DAS. For the analysis of the target
      compounds, the mass spectrometer was operated under positive electrospray
      ionization conditions in the selected reaction monitoring mode. The limit of
      detection was in the range of 0.02-0.05ng/g, whereas the limit of quantification
      was in the range of 0.08-0.15ng/g. The extraction recoveries of spiked samples
      from the high, intermediate and low levels ranged from 58.5% to 110.5%, and the
      relative standard deviation (RSD (%)) values were less than 17.0%. The results of
      inter- and intra-day precision (RSD (%)) were within 14.7%. The results revealed
      that the present method could be successfully applied to the analysis of T-2
      toxin, HT-2 toxin and DAS in the real samples. 

PMID- 24231142
TI  - On comparison of SimTandem with state-of-the-art peptide identification tools,
      efficiency of precursor mass filter and dealing with variable modifications.
AB  - The similarity search in theoretical mass spectra generated from protein sequence
      databases is a widely accepted approach for identification of peptides from query
      mass spectra produced by shotgun proteomics. Growing protein sequence databases
      and noisy query spectra demand database indexing techniques and better similarity
      measures for the comparison of theoretical spectra against query spectra. We
      employ a modification of previously proposed parameterized Hausdorff distance for
      comparisons of mass spectra. The new distance outperforms the original distance,
      the angle distance and state-of-the-art peptide identification tools OMSSA and
      X!Tandem in the number of identified peptides even though the q-value is only
      0.001. When a precursor mass filter is used as a database indexing technique, our
      method outperforms OMSSA in the speed of search. When variable modifications are
      not searched, the search time is similar to X!Tandem. We show that the precursor
      mass filter is an efficient database indexing technique for high-accuracy data
      even though many variable modifications are being searched. We demonstrate that
      the number of identified peptides is bigger when variable modifications are
      searched separately by more search runs of a peptide identification engine.
      Otherwise, the false discovery rates are affected by mixing unmodified and
      modified spectra together resulting in a lower number of identified peptides. Our
      method is implemented in the freely available application SimTandem which can be
      used in the framework TOPP based on OpenMS. 

PMID- 24231143
TI  - Model checking software for phylogenetic trees using distribution and database
      methods.
AB  - Model checking, a generic and formal paradigm stemming from computer science
      based on temporal logics, has been proposed for the study of biological
      properties that emerge from the labeling of the states defined over the
      phylogenetic tree. This strategy allows us to use generic software tools already
      present in the industry. However, the performance of traditional model checking
      is penalized when scaling the system for large phylogenies. To this end, two
      strategies are presented here. The first one consists of partitioning the
      phylogenetic tree into a set of subgraphs each one representing a subproblem to
      be verified so as to speed up the computation time and distribute the memory
      consumption. The second strategy is based on uncoupling the information
      associated to each state of the phylogenetic tree (mainly, the DNA sequence) and
      exporting it to an external tool for the management of large information systems.
      The integration of all these approaches outperforms the results of monolithic
      model checking and helps us to execute the verification of properties in a real
      phylogenetic tree. 

PMID- 24231144
TI  - Inter-STOP symbol distances for the identification of coding regions.
AB  - In this study we explore the potential of inter-STOP symbol distances for finding
      coding regions in DNA sequences. We use the distance between STOP symbols in the
      DNA sequence and a chi-square statistic to evaluate the nonhomogeneity of the
      three possible reading frames and the occurrence of one long distance in one of
      the frames. The results of this exploratory study suggest that inter-STOP symbol
      distances have strong ability to discriminate coding regions in prokaryotes and
      simple eukaryotes. 

PMID- 24231145
TI  - Improving the performance of Transposable Elements detection tools.
AB  - Transposable Elements (TE) are sequences of DNA that move and transpose within a
      genome. TEs, as mutation agents, are quite important for their role in both
      genome alteration diseases and on species evolution. Several tools have been
      developed to discover and annotate TEs but no single tool achieves good results
      on all different types of TEs. In this paper we evaluate the performance of
      several TEs detection and annotation tools and investigate if Machine Learning
      techniques can be used to improve their overall detection accuracy. The results
      of an in silico evaluation of TEs detection and annotation tools indicate that
      their performance can be improved by using machine learning constructed
      classifiers. 

PMID- 24231146
TI  - An evolutionary and visual framework for clustering of DNA microarray data.
AB  - This paper presents a case study to show the competence of our evolutionary and
      visual framework for cluster analysis of DNA microarray data. The proposed
      framework joins a genetic algorithm for hierarchical clustering with a set of
      visual components of cluster tasks given by a tool. The cluster visualization
      tool allows us to display different views of clustering results as a means of
      cluster visual validation. The results of the genetic algorithm for clustering
      have shown that it can find better solutions than the other methods for the
      selected data set. Thus, this shows the reliability of the proposed framework. 

PMID- 24231147
TI  - Re-annotation of the genome sequence of Helicobacter pylori 26695.
AB  - Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium that colonizes the human epithelia,
      causing duodenal and gastric ulcers, and gastric cancer. The genome of H. pylori
      26695 has been previously sequenced and annotated. In addition, two genome-scale
      metabolic models have been developed. In order to maintain accurate and relevant
      information on coding sequences (CDS) and to retrieve new information, the
      assignment of new functions to Helicobacter pylori 26695s genes was performed in
      this work. The use of software tools, on-line databases and an annotation
      pipeline for inspecting each gene allowed the attribution of validated EC numbers
      and TC numbers to metabolic genes encoding enzymes and transport proteins,
      respectively. 1212 genes encoding proteins were identified in this annotation,
      being 712 metabolic genes and 500 non-metabolic, while 191 new functions were
      assignment to the CDS of this bacterium. This information provides relevant
      biological information for the scientific community dealing with this organism
      and can be used as the basis for a new metabolic model reconstruction. 

PMID- 24231149
TI  - Coconut anaphylaxis: Case report and review.

PMID- 24231148
TI  - Reirradiation of the eye with plaque brachytherapy: a single institution
      experience report of eight consecutive patients submitted to retreatment after
      local relapse of malignant disease of the eye.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of reirradiation of the eye with plaque
      brachytherapy (REPBT) for local recurrence (LR) of malignant disease of the eye
      as an alternative to enucleation or other local salvage treatments. METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: It was performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who
      underwent REPBT for LR. The main parameters evaluated were local control and
      progression-free survival, besides the toxicity profile. RESULTS: There were
      eight patients who underwent REPBT, seven due to uveal melanoma and one due to
      retinoblastoma. The median time between the first plaque brachytherapy and the
      salvage plaque brachytherapy was 24 months (8-49 months). After a median followup
      of 30 months (8-70 months), the actuarial 2-year local control and progression
      free survival was 87.5% and 60%, respectively. All patients evolved with
      worsening of the visual acuity and cataract. Other complications observed were
      maculopathy (two patients) and glaucoma (one patient). CONCLUSIONS: REPBT should
      be considered as an option for salvage therapy of LR of malignant disease of the
      eyes as it provides a high probability of tumor control and eye preservation
      without compromising disease-free survival.

PMID- 24231150
TI  - Perioperative anaphylactic reactions: Review and procedure protocol in
      paediatrics.
AB  - Perioperative anaphylactic reactions are immediate, hypersensitive reactions that
      are potentially life-threatening resulting from a sudden release of mediators
      from mast cells and basophiles, due to either immune (IgE or non-IgE mediated) or
      non-immune mechanisms. The most frequent causing agents are neuromuscular
      blocking agents (NMBAs), latex and antibiotics, with latex being the first cause
      in paediatrics. With regard to perioperative anaphylactic reactions, the usual
      early signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction could be overlooked or
      erroneously interpreted and non-severe anaphylaxis could go undetected, with a
      risk of more severe reactions in the future. Using the data registered on the
      anaesthesia sheet, it is essential to establish a chronological relationship
      between drugs and/or substances administered and the reaction observed. An
      elevated level of tryptase confirms an anaphylactic reaction, but this does not
      usually increase in the absence of compromised circulation. An allergy study
      should be carried out preferably between 4 and 6 weeks after the reaction, using
      a combination of specific IgE, skin and controlled exposure tests (if indicated).
      Test sensitivity is good for NMBAs, latex, antibiotics, chlorhexidine, gelatine
      and povidone, and poor for barbiturates, opiates (these can give false positives
      since they are histamine releasers) and benzodiazepines. Special preventive
      measures should be taken, especially in the case of latex. We present the maximum
      concentrations recommended for skin tests, the recommended dosage to treat
      anaphylactic reactions in paediatrics and a procedure algorithm for the
      allergological study of these reactions.

PMID- 24231151
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus infection triggering a haemophagocytic syndrome.

PMID- 24231152
TI  - Regulation of human skin mast cell histamine release by PDE inhibitors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mast cell and basophiles are thought to be central to inflammation
      that has an allergic basis as allergens activate these cells in an IgE-dependent
      manner to generate mediators such as histamine, eicosanoids and cytokines.
      Phosphodiesterase (PDE) is known to exist as multiple molecular forms of enzyme
      that metabolise the second messengers. Studies of our own have shown that, of a
      variety of isoform-selective drugs, the PDE4-selective inhibitors, such as
      rolipram, attenuate the IgE-mediated release of histamine from human basophiles
      but not from human lung mast cells (HLMC). The main aim of the present study was
      to characterise the type and role of PDEs regulating human skin mast cells by
      using selective and non-selective PDE inhibitors. METHODS: Cells were pre-treated
      for 15 min with these agents and then challenged with an optimal releasing
      concentration of anti IgE (1:300) for a further 25 min for the release of
      histamine. RESULTS: The data show that all the selective PDE-inhibitor compounds
      (10(-5)M) were ineffective whereas the non-selective PDE inhibitor, theophylline
      (10(-3)M), inhibited histamine release from HSMC (74 +/- 4% inhibition; p<0.05).
      None of the selective PDE inhibitors had any effect on histamine release from
      HLMC whereas, in basophiles, compounds with activity at PDE 4 (rolipram,
      denbufylline, Ro-2017, Org 30029) were effective inhibitors of histamine release.
      CONCLUSION: The data suggest that unlike most inflammatory cells, PDE-selective
      inhibitors are ineffective stabilisers of HSMC activity which is similar to HLMC.

PMID- 24231153
TI  - Is palivizumab effective as a prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus
      infections in cystic fibrosis patients? A meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infections by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are more severe in
      patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), and many CF units use palivizumab as
      prophylaxis; however, information about palivizumab efficacy in CF patients is
      almost lacking. METHODS: A literature search up to December 2012 on the morbidity
      of RSV bronchiolitis in CF patients and on the safety and efficacy of palivizumab
      in those patients was performed. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted for
      those studies meeting pre-specified search criteria. Historical controls were
      allowed. RESULTS: The number of patients who received palivizumab was 354 and the
      hospital admission rate was 0.018 (95% CI 0.0077-0.048). The corresponding number
      in the non-treated groups was 463 patients with an admission rate of 0.126 (95%
      CI 0.086-0.182) (Q=13.9; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Palivizumab may have a role in the
      prevention of severe lower airway infection by RSV in CF patients.

PMID- 24231154
TI  - Latent Toxoplasma gondii infection leads to improved action control.
AB  - The parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been found to manipulate the behavior of its
      secondary hosts to increase its own dissemination which is commonly believed to
      be to the detriment of the host (manipulation hypothesis). The manipulation
      correlates with an up-regulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission. In humans,
      different pathologies have been associated with T. gondii infections but most
      latently infected humans do not seem to display overt impairments. Since a
      dopamine plus does not necessarily bear exclusively negative consequences in
      humans, we investigated potential positive consequences of latent toxoplasmosis
      (and the presumed boosting of dopaminergic neurotransmission) on human cognition
      and behavior. For this purpose, we focused on action cascading which has been
      shown to be modulated by dopamine. Based on behavioral and neurophysiological
      (EEG) data obtained by means of a stop-change paradigm, we were able to
      demonstrate that healthy young humans can actually benefit from latent T. gondii
      infection as regards their performance in this task (as indicated by faster
      response times and a smaller P3 component). The data shows that a latent
      infection which is assumed to affect the dopaminergic system can lead to
      paradoxical improvements of cognitive control processes in humans. 

PMID- 24231155
TI  - Lignocellulosic ethanol production at high-gravity: challenges and perspectives.
AB  - In brewing and ethanol-based biofuel industries, high-gravity fermentation
      produces 10-15% (v/v) ethanol, resulting in improved overall productivity,
      reduced capital cost, and reduced energy input compared to processing at normal
      gravity. High-gravity technology ensures a successful implementation of cellulose
      to ethanol conversion as a cost-competitive process. Implementation of such
      technologies is possible if all process steps can be performed at high biomass
      concentrations. This review focuses on challenges and technological efforts in
      processing at high-gravity conditions and how these conditions influence the
      physiology and metabolism of fermenting microorganisms, the action of enzymes,
      and other process-related factors. Lignocellulosic materials add challenges
      compared to implemented processes due to high inhibitors content and the physical
      properties of these materials at high gravity. 

PMID- 24231156
TI  - Fiber type characterization of striated muscles related to micturition in female
      rabbits.
AB  - Pelvic and perineal striated muscles are relevant for reproduction and
      micturition in female mammals. Damage to these muscles is associated with pelvic
      organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. The fiber type composition of
      skeletal muscle influences the susceptibility for damage and/or regeneration. The
      aim of the present study was to determine the fiber type composition of a
      perineal muscle, the bulbospongiosus, and a pelvic muscle, the pubococcygeus.
      Both muscles were harvested from adult female rabbits (8-10 months old). NADH-TR
      (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase) histochemistry was
      undertaken to identify oxidative and glycolytic muscle fibers. Alkaline (pH 9.4)
      ATP-ase (actomyosin adenosine triphosphatase) histochemistry was used to classify
      type I, type IIb or type IIa/IId muscle fibers. Results showed that the content
      of glycolytic fibers in the bulbospongiosus muscle was higher than that of
      oxidative fibers. Meanwhile, the opposite was true for the pubococcygeus. In the
      bulbospongiosus muscle, the content of type IIb muscle fibers was higher than
      that of type I, but was similar to that of type IIa/IId. In contrast, the content
      of each fiber type was similar in the pubococcygeus muscle. The relative
      proportion of fibers in bulbospongiosus and pubococcygeus muscles is consistent
      with their function during voiding and storage phases of micturition. 

PMID- 24231157
TI  - All-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with infectious diarrhea:
      Clostridium difficile versus other enteric pathogens in Austria from 2008 to
      2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection is the leading cause of
      gastroenteritis-associated deaths in the industrialized world, followed by
      infection with norovirus. METHODS: Using a cohort study design, we compared 90
      inpatients with diarrhea due to C. difficile infection (CDI) with 180 inpatients
      with diarrhea due to other infectious agents (including 55% with norovirus
      infection) with respect to complications and all-cause mortality. The effects of
      age, severity of underlying diseases and additional infections were assessed by
      stratified analyses. RESULTS: Diarrhea recurrence occurred 8.9 (95%CI: 2.9-27.3)
      times more often in CDI independent of age and severity of comorbidities. The all
      cause mortality in CDI patients pre-discharge and at 30 and 180 days,
      respectively, was 20.0%, 17.0% and 42.3% versus 7.2%, 6.7% and 22.5% in non-CDI
      diarrhea patients. Among those patients with low comorbidities, who were younger
      than 65 years and without additional infections, the all-cause pre-discharge, 30
      day and 180-day mortality risks were significantly higher for the CDI diarrhea
      patients than the non-CDI diarrhea patients. This association was not observed
      among patients with an older age, more severe comorbidities or additional
      infections. CONCLUSION: CDI results in higher all-cause mortality than diarrhea
      due to other infectious agents in younger patients with low comorbidities.

PMID- 24231158
TI  - Idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia associated with neuroinvasive West Nile disease: case
      report and review of the literature.
AB  - Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia is a very rare condition resulting in an
      immunodeficiency disorder that may or may not result in opportunistic infections.
      Since its description in the early 1990s, the reason for this immune deficiency
      has remained unclear. Its association with viral illnesses, such as West Nile
      virus infection, has yet to be described. We report a 26-year-old patient who
      presented with fever, ascending paralysis, and progressive weakness of the upper
      extremities. To our knowledge, this is the first case of neuroinvasive West Nile
      virus occurring in the context of a diagnosis of idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia. 

PMID- 24231159
TI  - Use of ATP bioluminescence for assessing the cleanliness of hospital surfaces: a
      review of the published literature (1990-2012).
AB  - Hospital cleanliness tends to be considered by patients and the public as an
      important indicator of the general quality of healthcare. Tests for detecting the
      presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a proxy of microbial contamination
      are increasing in popularity, and several studies have been conducted on this
      topic in the last few decades. The aim of the present study was to review the
      published literature on this topic and summarize and discuss the available
      results. The review focused on relevant English-language articles that were
      identified through searches of two databases [PubMed and Scopus (1990-2012)] by
      using the keywords "ATP", "bioluminescence", "hospital", and "surfaces". Twelve
      articles were included and analyzed. ATP measurements showed a wide variation,
      with values ranging from 0 to >500,000 relative light units (RLU)/s before
      cleaning and from 3 to 500,000RLU/s after cleaning. ATP benchmarks used by
      authors ranged from 100 to 500RLU/s. The percentage of surfaces exceeding the
      chosen cut-off limit showed a failure rate varying from 21.2% to 93.1% before
      cleaning and from 5.3% to 96.5% after cleaning. Although the use of ATP
      bioluminescence can be considered a quick and objective method for assessing
      hospital cleanliness, it appears to be still poorly standardized at both the
      national and international level. 

PMID- 24231160
TI  - Bacterial community structure and its regulating factors in the intertidal
      sediment along the Liaodong Bay of Bohai Sea, China.
AB  - Investigating the entire species composition of the microorganisms is crucial to
      understand their roles in the biogeochemical cycles. Metagenomic DNA was
      extracted from six intertidal sediment samples along the Liaodong Bay of Bohai
      Sea, China, and was sequenced which yielded a total of 64,496 high-quality
      sequences from 83,485 reads, with an average read length of 463 bp. The sequences
      were assigned to 20,718 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) which belong to 42
      phyla, 90 classes and 376 genera. At the different taxonomic levels, both the
      dominants and their abundances varied significantly among the six sites. Phylum
      Proteobacteria predominated in all the six samples, however, not only the
      abundance of this phylum varied significantly but also the proportions of Alpha-,
      Beta-, Gamma-, and delta- and epsilon-Proteobacteria varied greatly. The site
      sediment median grain size and dissolved oxygen (DO) revealed to be key factors
      regulating the observed significant differences in the bacterial community
      between sampling sites. In addition, the bacterial composition might be more
      sensitive than the richness and diversity to the studied environmental
      conditions.

PMID- 24231161
TI  - Genomic analysis of three sponge-associated Arthrobacter Antarctic strains,
      inhibiting the growth of Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria by synthesizing
      volatile organic compounds.
AB  - In this work we analyzed the ability of three Arthrobacter strains (namely TB23,
      TB26 and CAL618), which were isolated from the Antarctic sponges Haliclonissa
      verrucosa and Lyssodendrix nobilis, to specifically inhibit the growth of a panel
      of 40 Burkholderia cepacia complex strains, representing a major cause of
      infections in patients that are affected by Cystic Fibrosis. The inhibitory
      activity was due to the synthesis of antimicrobial compounds, very likely
      volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and was partially dependent on the growth
      media that were used for Antarctic strains growth. The phylogenetic analysis
      revealed that two of them (i.e. CAL 618 and TB23) were very close and very likely
      belonged to the same Arthrobacter species, whereas the strain TB26 was placed in
      a distant branch. The genome of the strains TB26 and CAL618 was also sequenced
      and compared with that of the strain TB23. The analysis revealed that TB23 and
      CAL618 shared more genomic properties (GC content, genome size, number of genes)
      than with TB26. Since the three strains exhibited very similar inhibition pattern
      vs Bcc strains, it is quite possible that genes involved in the biosynthesis of
      antimicrobial compounds very likely belong to the core genome. 

PMID- 24231162
TI  - Enhancement of nystatin production by redirecting precursor fluxes after
      disruption of the tetramycin gene from Streptomyces ahygroscopicus.
AB  - Complete and independent tetramycin and nystatin gene clusters containing varying
      lengths of type I polyketide synthase (PKS) genes were isolated from Streptomyces
      ahygroscopicus, a producer of tetramycin (a tetraene) in large amounts and
      nystatin A1 (a heptaene) in small amounts. Tetramycin was similar to pimaricin,
      and nystatin A1 was similar to amphotericin. All these polyene macrolide
      antibiotics possessed the same macrolactone ring biosynthesized from coenzyme A
      precursors by PKSs but had different number of atoms in the macrolactone ring and
      side groups. Because tetramycin and nystatin shared limited coenzyme A precursors
      in the same producer organism, blocking the consumption of precursors in
      tetramycin pathway may increase the coenzyme A pool. Thus, we genetically
      manipulated the tetramycin PKS to enhance nystatin production. The type I PKS
      ttmS1 gene mutant abolished production of tetramycin and had a beneficial effect
      on the production of nystatin A1. For the mutant, the yield of nystatin A1 was
      increased by 10-fold compared to that of the wild-type. Thus, deletion of the
      tetramycin pathway redirected precursor metabolic fluxes and provided an easy
      genetic approach to manipulate organisms and to increase production levels of a
      precise target. 

PMID- 24231163
TI  - Psychiatric assessment of severe presentations in autism spectrum disorders and
      intellectual disability.
AB  - Children with autism spectrum and related disorders and intellectual disability
      are not protected from the experience of psychiatric illnesses. Many factors can
      contribute to exacerbation of existing behavioral symptoms or to the emergence of
      new psychiatric problems. The psychiatric assessment must thus take into account
      a range of possible etiologic or contributory factors. The approach outlined in
      this article highlights the value of assessing 4 broad domains, including
      diagnostic (genetic) factors, medical considerations, developmental influences,
      and environmental factors. Examples of how the consideration of each of these
      domains may inform the diagnostic formulation are highlighted. 

PMID- 24231164
TI  - Emotion regulation: concepts & practice in autism spectrum disorder.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to describe emotion regulation, and how emotion
      regulation may be compromised in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
      This information may be useful for clinicians working with children with ASD who
      exhibit behavioral problems. Suggestions for practice are provided. 

PMID- 24231165
TI  - Behavioral approaches to managing severe problem behaviors in children with
      autism spectrum and related developmental disorders: a descriptive analysis.
AB  - Severe problem behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, and property
      destruction can result in injury, and require specialized and expensive
      treatment. This article reviews outcome research published since 1995 that used
      behavioral techniques to decrease severe problem behaviors among children and
      adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability. Many
      relatively simple interventions were reported to significantly reduce severe
      problem behavior, which offers hope for practitioners. Nonetheless, these studies
      also reveal a risk for injury and a need for specialized assessment and
      placement, careful tracking, and high-quality treatment that few agencies could
      likely replicate without increases in training and support. 

PMID- 24231166
TI  - Using communication to reduce challenging behaviors in individuals with autism
      spectrum disorders and intellectual disability.
AB  - This article describes the relationship between expressive communication
      impairments and common challenging behaviors in individuals with Autism Spectrum
      Disorder and Intellectual Disability. The communication challenges of individuals
      with Autism Spectrum Disorder/Intellectual Disability are described and several
      evidence-based intervention strategies are proposed to support communication so
      as to decrease challenging behaviors. Recommendations for practice are offered. 

PMID- 24231168
TI  - Psychopharmacologic management of serious behavioral disturbance in ASD.
AB  - Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit serious
      behavioral disturbance (irritability) including severe tantrums, aggression, and
      self-injury that requires pharmacologic management. Research focused on the
      treatment of severe irritability has primarily involved the atypical
      antipsychotics, including risperidone and aripiprazole. Anticonvulsants have also
      been investigated for targeting serious behavioral disturbance; however findings
      have been mixed. Advances in the pharmacotherapy of irritability in ASD continue
      to inform practice. Research is needed to develop safer and more effective drug
      treatments for serious behavioral disturbance in this population. 

PMID- 24231167
TI  - Examination of aggression and self-injury in children with autism spectrum
      disorders and serious behavioral problems.
AB  - This study identified subtypes of aggression in a sample of 206 children with
      autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who participated in 2 risperidone trials. The
      narratives were derived from a parent interview about each child's 2 most
      pressing problems. Five subtypes of aggression emerged: hot aggression only, cold
      aggression only, self-injurious behavior (SIB) only, aggression and SIB, and
      nonaggressive. All groups showed a high rate of positive response to risperidone
      with no differences across subtypes. These study findings extend understanding of
      aggression in ASD and may be useful to guide further study on biological
      mechanisms and individualized treatment in ASD. 

PMID- 24231169
TI  - Management of agitation in individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the
      emergency department.
AB  - Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presenting with acute agitation
      in emergency departments (ED) during a crisis situation present both diagnostic
      and treatment challenges for ED personnel, families, caregivers, and patients
      seeking treatment. This article describes the challenges that individuals with
      ASD face when receiving treatment in crisis and emergency settings. Additionally,
      this article provides information for emergency physicians, ED personnel, and
      crisis response teams on a systematic, minimally restrictive approach when
      assessing and providing treatment to patients with ASD presenting with acute
      agitation in ED settings. 

PMID- 24231170
TI  - Systems of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and serious
      behavioral disturbance through the lifespan.
AB  - Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder present with unique characteristics,
      and the interventions designed to address associated challenging behaviors must
      be highly individualized to best meet their needs and those of their families.
      This article reviews systems of care to support the child, adolescent, or adult
      with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability. The review
      describes mental health/behavioral health services, Intellectual Disability and
      other support systems, and the systems involved in a child and adolescent's life
      and transition to adulthood. The types of systems and services, as well as
      barriers, are delineated with a brief listing of Web sites and references. 

PMID- 24231171
TI  - Residential treatment of serious behavioral disturbance in autism spectrum
      disorder and intellectual disability.
AB  - For children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual
      disability, the co-occurrence of serious behavioral disturbance can pose
      significant health and safety risks, impede normal learning and development, and
      put great stress on family systems. The complexity and seriousness of the
      clinical concerns often tax the existing service and funding systems. Although
      residential treatment has been criticized as an outdated and ineffective mode of
      treatment, newer models of residential treatment that combine specialized
      comprehensive services, evidence-based interventions, intensive family support
      and training, and treatment overlap with community providers can offer an
      effective and efficient treatment option. 

PMID- 24231172
TI  - Psychiatric hospital treatment of children with autism and serious behavioral
      disturbance.
AB  - Children with autism spectrum disorder are psychiatrically hospitalized much more
      frequently than children in the general population. Hospitalization occurs
      primarily because of externalizing behaviors and is associated with behavioral
      disturbance, impaired emotion regulation, and psychiatric comorbidity.
      Additionally, a lack of practitioner and/or administrator training and experience
      with this population poses risks for denial of care by third-party payers or
      treatment facilities, inadequate treatment, extended lengths of stay, and poor
      outcomes. Evidence and best practices for the inpatient psychiatric care of this
      population are presented. Specialized treatment programs universally rely on
      multidisciplinary approaches, including behaviorally informed interventions. 

PMID- 24231173
TI  - The family context of autism spectrum disorders: influence on the behavioral
      phenotype and quality of life.
AB  - This article reports the findings from a longitudinal program of research
      examining the bidirectional influences of the family environment on the
      behavioral phenotype of autism, and describes a newly developed family
      psychoeducation program, titled Transitioning Together, designed to reduce family
      stress, address behavior problems, and improve the overall quality of life of
      adolescents with autism and their families. A case study is presented that
      illustrates how Transitioning Together helps reduce family stress and improve the
      overall quality of the family environment. The article concludes with a
      discussion of directions for future research on best practices in working with
      families of children, adolescents, and adults with autism. 

PMID- 24231174
TI  - Autism and developmental disorders: management of serious behavioral disturbance.

PMID- 24231175
TI  - Culture related to road traffic safety: a comparison of eight countries using two
      conceptualizations of culture.
AB  - The majority of previous cross-country studies of human factors relevant to
      traffic safety have not operationalized and measured culture. Also studies in
      this vein have mostly been carried out in Europe and the United States. The aim
      of the study was to examine country cluster differences, based on the Culture's
      Consequences framework, in road traffic risk perception, attitudes towards
      traffic safety and driver behaviour in samples from Norway, Russia, India, Ghana,
      Tanzania, Uganda, Turkey and Iran. An additional aim was to examine cluster
      differences in road traffic culture as symbol use and to investigate whether this
      theoretical cultural framework predicts risk perception, attitudes towards
      traffic safety and driver behaviour in the country clusters. The sample consisted
      of a total of 2418 individuals who were obtained by convenience sampling in the
      different countries. The countries segmented into four Culture's Consequences
      clusters; Norway, Russia and India, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Near East countries.
      The findings showed that Norwegians reported overall safer attitudes towards
      traffic safety and driver behaviour than the remaining country clusters.
      Individuals in Africa reported the highest risk perception. The countries also
      differed substantially in road traffic culture as symbol use. Contrary to
      established cultural theory, prediction models revealed that cultural factors
      were stronger predictors of driver behaviour than of risk perception. Also, the
      social cognitive risk constructs (i.e. risk perception and attitudes) solely
      explained variance in driver behaviour in the Norwegian and Russia/India
      clusters. Previous empirical efforts, which aimed to demonstrate that culture is
      important for the risk perception criterion, may have focused on a criterion
      variable that is not strongly related to driver behaviour. Furthermore,
      countermeasures aimed to influence social cognition may have stronger
      applicability in countries with a more individualistic western cultural
      orientation. 

PMID- 24231176
TI  - The validity of the session-RPE method for quantifying training load in water
      polo.
AB  - CONTEXT: The assessment of internal training load (ITL) using the session rating
      of perceived exertion (session RPE) has been demonstrated to provide valuable
      information, also in team sports. Nevertheless, no studies have investigated the
      use of this method during youth water polo training. PURPOSE: To evaluate youth
      water polo training, showing the corresponding level of reliability of the
      session-RPE method. METHODS: Thirteen male youth water polo players (age 15.6 +/-
      0.5 y, height 1.80 +/- 0.06 m, body mass 72.7 +/- 7.8 kg) were monitored during 8
      training sessions (80 individual training sessions) over 10 d. The Edwards
      summated heart-rate-zone method was used as a reference measure of ITL; the
      session-RPE rating was obtained using CR-10 scale modified by Foster. The Pearson
      product-moment was applied to regress the Edwards heart-rate-zone method against
      CR-10 session RPE for each training session and individual data. RESULTS:
      Analyses reported overall high (r = .88, R(2) = .78) and significant (P < .001)
      correlations between the Edwards heart-rate and session-RPE methods. Significant
      correlations were also shown for each training session (r range .69-.92, R(2)
      range .48-.85, P < .05) and individual data (r range .76-.98, R(2) range .58-.97,
      P < .05). DISCUSSION: The results confirmed that the session-RPE method as an
      easy and reliable tool to evaluate ITL in youth water polo, allowing coaches to
      efficiently monitor their training plans.

PMID- 24231177
TI  - Controlled co-deposition of FePt nanoparticles embedded in MgO: a detailed
      investigation of structure and electronic and magnetic properties.
AB  - Films of FePt nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in MgO were obtained by controlled co
      deposition of FePt NPs pre-formed by a gas aggregation source and of Mg
      evaporated in an oxygen atmosphere. Assemblies of core-shell FePt@MgO NPs and
      films of FePt NPs embedded in MgO matrix could be obtained by varying FePt and Mg
      deposition rates. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution-TEM
      revealed the core-shell structure of the NPs, with an FePt core (of average
      diameter (d) = 4.75 nm) presenting a multitwinned icosahedral structure, and MgO
      partially in crystalline form. The functional effect of the MgO shell in
      shielding the FePt core from external oxidation was shown with XPS. Upon
      controlled annealing, a transition from A1 to L10 ordering could be obtained,
      with structural and morphological re-arrangement. The magnetic hysteresis loops
      obtained from alternating gradient field magnetometry at room temperature show a
      'wasp-waist' shape, with small values of coercive field (Hc = 300-1400 Oe),
      decreasing at increasing amounts of co-deposited MgO.

PMID- 24231179
TI  - Should women with HIV, or at high risk of contracting HIV, use progestogen
      containing contraception?

PMID- 24231178
TI  - Physical activity and risk of inflammatory bowel disease: prospective study from
      the Nurses' Health Study cohorts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between physical activity and risk of
      ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.
      SETTING: Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II. PARTICIPANTS: 194,711
      women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II who
      provided data on physical activity and other risk factors every two to four years
      since 1984 in the Nurses' Health Study and 1989 in the Nurses' Health Study II
      and followed up through 2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incident ulcerative colitis
      and Crohn's disease. RESULTS: During 3,421,972 person years of follow-up, we
      documented 284 cases of Crohn's disease and 363 cases of ulcerative colitis. The
      risk of Crohn's disease was inversely associated with physical activity (P for
      trend 0.02). Compared with women in the lowest fifth of physical activity, the
      multivariate adjusted hazard ratio of Crohn's disease among women in the highest
      fifth of physical activity was 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.44 to 0.94).
      Active women with at least 27 metabolic equivalent task (MET) hours per week of
      physical activity had a 44% reduction (hazard ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval
      0.37 to 0.84) in risk of developing Crohn's disease compared with sedentary women
      with <3 MET h/wk. Physical activity was not associated with risk of ulcerative
      colitis (P for trend 0.46). The absolute risk of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's
      disease among women in the highest fifth of physical activity was 8 and 6 events
      per 100,000 person years compared with 11 and 16 events per 100,000 person years
      among women in the lowest fifth of physical activity, respectively. Age, smoking,
      body mass index, and cohort did not significantly modify the association between
      physical activity and risk of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease (all P for
      interaction >0.35). CONCLUSION: In two large prospective cohorts of US women,
      physical activity was inversely associated with risk of Crohn's disease but not
      of ulcerative colitis.

PMID- 24231180
TI  - Longitudinal ultrasound through the testicle.

PMID- 24231181
TI  - Surgeons say they lack institutional support when things go wrong.

PMID- 24231182
TI  - WHO warns world over health needs in Philippines.

PMID- 24231184
TI  - On the causal efficacy of natural selection: A response to Richards' critique of
      the standard interpretation.
AB  - Given the amount of literature devoted to the reasoning used in Darwin's Origin
      of Species, an interpretation seeking to revise the standard take on Darwin's
      methodology is unexpected. Yet, Richards (1997, 1998, 2005) challenges the view
      that Darwin drew an analogy in the Origin on the grounds that such a strategy
      could not support the possibility of a new species emerging. I suggest, however,
      that how one interprets causal efficacy is intimately connected with Darwin's use
      of analogy. A more robust conception of natural selection, as found in the
      Origin, supports the standard interpretation, significantly weakening Richards'
      charge of a paradox. 

PMID- 24231183
TI  - Expressed IgH MU and tau transcripts share diversity segment in ranched Thunnus
      orientalis.
AB  - It is now appreciated that in addition to the immunoglobulin (Ig)M and D isotypes
      fish also make the mucosal IgT. In this study we sequenced the full length of Ig
      tau as well as MU in the commercially important Thunnus orientalis (Pacific
      bluefin tuna), the first molecular analysis of these two Ig isotypes in a member
      of the order Perciformes. Tuna IgM and IgT are each composed of four constant
      (CH) domains. We cloned and sequenced 48 different variable (VH) domain gene
      rearrangements of tuna immunoglobulins and grouped the VH gene sequences to four
      VH gene segment families based on 70% nucleotide identity. Three VH gene families
      were used by both IgM and IgT but one group was only found to be used by IgM.
      Most interestingly, both MU and tau clones appear to use the same diversity (DH)
      segment, unlike what has been described in other species, although they have
      dedicated IgT and IgM joining (JH) gene segments. We complemented this repertoire
      study with phylogenetic and tissue expression analysis. In addition to supporting
      the development of humoral vaccines in this important aquaculture species, these
      data suggest that the DH-JH recombination rather than the VH-DH recombination may
      be instructive for IgT versus IgM/D bearing lymphocyte lineages in some fish. 

PMID- 24231185
TI  - Disciplining and popularizing: evolution and its publics from the modern
      synthesis to the present.
AB  - This paper serves as an introduction to a special collection of papers exploring
      the centrifugal and centripetal forces in the process of disciplining and
      popularizing the science of evolution in the period preceding and after the
      modern synthesis of evolution. 

PMID- 24231187
TI  - Retrospective studies: excellent tools to complement surveillance.

PMID- 24231186
TI  - The first identification and retrospective study of Severe Fever with
      Thrombocytopenia Syndrome in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is caused by SFTS
      virus (SFTSV), a novel bunyavirus reported to be endemic in central and
      northeastern China. This article describes the first identified patient with SFTS
      and a retrospective study on SFTS in Japan. METHODS:  Virologic and pathologic
      examinations were performed on the patient's samples. Laboratory diagnosis of
      SFTS was made by isolation/genome amplification and/or the detection of anti
      SFTSV immunoglobulin G antibody in sera. Physicians were alerted to the initial
      diagnosis and asked whether they had previously treated patients with symptoms
      similar to those of SFTS. RESULTS: A female patient who died in 2012 received a
      diagnosis of SFTS. Ten additional patients with SFTS were then retrospectively
      identified. All patients were aged >=50 years and lived in western Japan. Six
      cases were fatal. The ratio of males to females was 8:3. SFTSV was isolated from
      8 patients. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that all of the Japanese SFTSV
      isolates formed a genotype independent to those from China. Most patients showed
      symptoms due to hemorrhage, possibly because of disseminated intravascular
      coagulation and/or hemophagocytosis. CONCLUSIONS: SFTS has been endemic to Japan,
      and SFTSV has been circulating naturally within the country.

PMID- 24231188
TI  - Evaluating temperature and duration in arterial tissue fusion to maximize bond
      strength.
AB  - Tissue fusion is a growing area of medical research that enables mechanical
      closure of tissues without the need of foreign bodies such as sutures or staples.
      Utilizing heat and pressure applied for a specified time, a bond can be formed
      between adjacent tissues. The success or failure of tissue fusion is contingent
      upon the strength of the bond it creates between opposing tissues, yet little
      characterization has been done to measure the strength of this interface as a
      function of the input parameters, such as heat and pressure. Previous studies
      have examined the strength of tissue fusion using clinically relevant outcomes
      such as bursting pressure or tearing strength, but none have explored metrics
      more appropriate for determining the mechanics of the actual bond such as peel or
      shear strengths. The goal of this study is to establish methodology for T-peel
      and lap shear testing of fused tissues and measure the fusion bonding strength as
      a function of temperature and time using the ConMed Altrus((r)) laparoscopic
      thermal fusion device. Across five temperatures (120, 140, 150, 160, 170 degrees
      C) and four time durations (500, 1000, 1800, 3000ms) the mean peeling strength,
      ultimate shear strength, and bursting pressure of fused porcine splenic arteries
      were measured. The shear strength increased with increasing temperature and time
      with an ultimate shear strength at 160 degrees C and 3000ms equal to 290 +/-
      99Pa. No trend was observed between the input parameters of time and applied
      temperature and the mean peeling force, although there were significant
      differences between groups. The bursting pressure increased significantly with
      increasing durations, but no trend was noted between temperature and bursting
      pressure. The shear strength data suggest there is some physical or chemical
      reaction which occurs in the tissue between 120 degrees C and 150 degrees C which
      provides a stronger bond. The shear and peel results also reveal that the fusion
      bond undergoes brittle failure. This study suggests that the tissue fusion bond
      is maximized at temperatures over 150 degrees C and at a time of 3000ms using the
      ConMed Altrus((r)) and that input parameters can be tuned to optimize the
      strength of the bonded region. 

PMID- 24231189
TI  - Highly resolved strain imaging during needle insertion: Results with a novel
      biologically inspired device.
AB  - Percutaneous needle insertions are a common part of minimally invasive surgery.
      However, the insertion process is necessarily disruptive to the substrate.
      Negative side effects are migration of deep-seated targets and trauma to the
      surrounding material. Mitigation of these effects is highly desirable, but relies
      on a detailed understanding of the needle-tissue interactions, which are
      difficult to capture at a sufficiently high resolution. Here, an adapted Digital
      Image Correlation (DIC) technique is used to quantify mechanical behaviour at the
      sliding interface, with resolution of measurement points which is better than
      0.5mm, representing a marked improvement over the state of the art. A method for
      converting the Eulerian description of DIC output to Lagrangian displacements and
      strains is presented and the method is validated during the simple insertion of a
      symmetrical needle into a gelatine tissue phantom. The needle is comprised of
      four axially interlocked quadrants, each with a bevel tip. Tests are performed
      where the segments are inserted into the phantom simultaneously, or in a cyclic
      sequence taking inspiration from the unique insertion strategy associated to the
      ovipositor of certain wasps. Data from around the needle-tissue interface
      includes local strain variations, material dragged along the needle surface and
      relaxation of the phantom, which show that the cyclic actuation of individual
      needle segments is potentially able to mitigate tissue strain and could be used
      to reduce target migration. 

PMID- 24231190
TI  - Uncertainty analysis of multi-rate kinetics of uranium desorption from sediments.
AB  - Multi-rate surface complexation models have been proposed to describe the
      kinetics of uranyl (U(VI)) surface complexation reactions (SCR) rate-limited by
      diffusive mass transfer to and from intragranular sorption sites in subsurface
      sediments. In this study, a Bayesian-based, Differential Evolution Markov Chain
      method was used to assess the uncertainty and to identify factors controlling the
      uncertainties of the multi-rate SCR model. The rate constants in the multi-rate
      SCR were estimated with and without assumption of a specified lognormal
      distribution to test the lognormal assumption typically used to minimize the
      number of the rate constants in the multi-rate model. U(VI) desorption under
      variable chemical conditions from a contaminated sediment at US Hanford 300 Area,
      Washington was used as an example. The results indicated that the estimated rate
      constants without a specified lognormal assumption approximately followed a
      lognormal distribution, indicating that the lognormal is an effective assumption
      for the rate constants in the multi-rate SCR model. However, those rate constants
      with their corresponding half-lives longer than the experimental durations for
      model characterization had larger uncertainties and could not be reliably
      estimated. The uncertainty analysis revealed that the time-scale of the
      experiments for calibrating the multi-rate SCR model, the assumption for the rate
      constant distribution, the geochemical conditions involved in predicting U(VI)
      desorption, and equilibrium U(VI) speciation reaction constants were the major
      factors contributing to the extrapolation uncertainties of the multi-rate SCR
      model. Overall, the results from this study demonstrated that the multi-rate SCR
      model with a lognormal distribution of its rate constants is an effective
      approach for describing rate-limited U(VI) desorption; however, the model
      contains uncertainties, especially for those smaller rate constants, that require
      careful consideration for predicting U(VI) sorption and desorption. 

PMID- 24231191
TI  - Increased expression and copy number amplification of LINE-1 and SINE B1
      retrotransposable elements in murine mammary carcinoma progression.
AB  - In higher eukaryotic genomes, Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 (LINE-1)
      retrotransposons and endogenous retroviruses represent large families of repeated
      elements encoding reverse transcriptase (RT) proteins. Short Interspersed Nuclear
      Element B1 (SINE B1) retrotrasposons do not encode RT, but use LINE-1-derived RT
      for their retrotransposition. We previously showed that many cancer types have an
      abundant endogenous RT activity. Inhibition of that activity, by either RNA
      interference-dependent silencing of active LINE-1 elements or by RT inhibitory
      drugs, reduced proliferation and promoted differentiation in cancer cells,
      indicating that LINE-1-encoded RT is required for tumor progression. Using MMTV
      PyVT transgenic mice as a well-defined model of breast cancer progression, we now
      report that both LINE-1 and SINE B1 retrotransposons are up-regulated at a very
      early stage of tumorigenesis; LINE-1-encoded RT product and enzymatic activity
      were detected in tumor tissues as early as stage 1, preceding the widespread
      appearance of histological alterations and specific cancer markers, and further
      increased in later progression stages, while neither was present in non
      pathological breast tissues. Importantly, both LINE-1 and SINE B1 retrotransposon
      families undergo copy number amplification during tumor progression. These
      findings therefore indicate that RT activity is distinctive of breast cancer
      cells and that, furthermore, LINE-1 and SINE B1 undergo copy number amplification
      during cancer progression. 

PMID- 24231192
TI  - Ferritin heavy chain as main mediator of preventive effect of metformin against
      mitochondrial damage induced by doxorubicin in cardiomyocytes.
AB  - The efficacy of doxorubicin (DOX) as an antitumor agent is greatly limited by the
      induction of cardiomyopathy, which results from mitochondrial dysfunction and
      iron-catalyzed oxidative stress in the cardiomyocyte. Metformin (MET) has been
      seen to have a protective effect against the oxidative stress induced by DOX in
      cardiomyocytes through its modulation of ferritin heavy chain (FHC), the main
      iron-storage protein. This study aimed to assess the involvement of FHC as a
      pivotal molecule in the mitochondrial protection offered by MET against DOX
      cardiotoxicity. The addition of DOX to adult mouse cardiomyocytes (HL-1 cell
      line) increased the cytosolic and mitochondrial free iron pools in a time
      dependent manner. Simultaneously, DOX inhibited complex I activity and ATP
      generation and induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The
      mitochondrial dysfunction induced by DOX was associated with the release of
      cytochrome c to the cytosol, the activation of caspase 3, and DNA fragmentation.
      The loss of iron homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis induced by
      DOX were prevented by treatment with MET 24h before the addition of DOX. The
      involvement of FHC and NF-kappaB was determined through siRNA-mediated knockdown.
      Interestingly, the presilencing of FHC or NF-kappaB with specific siRNAs blocked
      the protective effect induced by MET against DOX cardiotoxicity. These findings
      were confirmed in isolated primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. In conclusion,
      these results deepen our knowledge of the protective action of MET against DOX
      induced cardiotoxicity and suggest that therapeutic strategies based on FHC
      modulation could protect cardiomyocytes from the mitochondrial damage induced by
      DOX by restoring iron homeostasis. 

PMID- 24231193
TI  - Black box warning: is ketorolac safe for use after cardiac surgery?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In 2005, after the identification of cardiovascular safety concerns
      with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the FDA issued a
      black box warning recommending against the use of NSAIDs following cardiac
      surgery. The goal of this study was to assess the postoperative safety of
      ketorolac, an intravenously administered NSAID, after cardiac surgery. DESIGN:
      Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Single center, regional hospital.
      PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,309 cardiac surgical patients (78.1% coronary bypass,
      28.0% valve) treated between 2006 and 2012. INTERVENTIONS: A total of 488 of
      these patients received ketorolac for postoperative analgesia within 72 hours of
      surgery. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Ketorolac-treated patients were younger,
      had better preoperative renal function, and underwent less complex operations
      compared with non-ketorolac patients. Ketorolac was administered, on average, 8.7
      hours after surgery (mean doses: 3.1). Postoperative outcomes for ketorolac
      treated patients were similar to those expected using Society of Thoracic Surgery
      database risk-adjusted outcomes. In unadjusted analysis, patients who received
      ketorolac had similar or better postoperative outcomes compared with patients who
      did not receive ketorolac, including gastrointestinal bleeding (1.2% v 1.3%; p =
      1.0), renal failure requiring dialysis (0.4% v 3.0%; p = 0.001), perioperative
      myocardial infarction (1.0% v 0.6%; p = 0.51), stroke or transient ischemic
      attack (1.0% v 1.7%; p = 0.47), and death (0.4% v 5.8%; p<0.0001). With
      adjustment in a multivariate model, treatment with ketorolac was not a predictor
      for adverse outcome in this cohort (odds ratio: 0.72; p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS:
      Ketorolac appears to be well-tolerated for use when administered selectively
      after cardiac surgery. Although a black box warning exists, the data highlights
      the need for further research regarding its perioperative administration.

PMID- 24231194
TI  - Perioperative applications of deformation (myocardial strain) imaging with
      speckle-tracking echocardiography.

PMID- 24231195
TI  - Tricuspid valve: an intraoperative echocardiographic perspective.

PMID- 24231196
TI  - High-fidelity simulation of lung isolation with double-lumen endotracheal tubes
      and bronchial blockers in anesthesiology resident training.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Demonstrate the feasibility of using the AirSim Bronchi airway
      simulator to teach residents how to manage lung isolation with double-lumen
      endotracheal tubes and bronchial blockers and evaluate their performance with a
      detailed checklist. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University
      anesthesiology residency training program. PARTICIPANTS: Anesthesiology residents
      taking a cardiothoracic anesthesiology rotation. INTERVENTIONS: Residents were
      instructed in 7 tasks using the AirSim Bronchi: The use of the fiberoptic
      bronchoscope, methods for placing left and right double-lumen endotracheal tubes
      and 3 bronchial blockers (Univent, Arndt, and Cohen), and application of
      continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to the unventilated lung. Two to 3
      weeks later, checklists and a detailed scoring system were used to assess
      performance. Residents rated the curriculum and their own confidence in
      performing the tasks using a 5-point Likert scale. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
      Thirteen residents completed the curriculum. Their median Likert scale ratings of
      the curriculum based on a questionnaire with 6 items ranged from 4 to 5 of 5.
      Resident confidence scores for each lung isolation technique improved after the
      simulation training, with the median gain ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 Likert levels
      depending on the task. The largest improvement occurred with the bronchial
      blockers (p<0.05). The median performance score for the 7 tasks combined was 88%
      of the maximum possible points. CONCLUSIONS: The authors used the AirSim Bronchi
      simulator in a novel simulation curriculum to teach lung-isolation techniques to
      anesthesiology residents and evaluated performance using a detailed checklist
      scoring system. This curriculum is a promising educational tool.

PMID- 24231197
TI  - Disconnection technique with a bronchial blocker for improving lung deflation: a
      comparison with a double-lumen tube and bronchial blocker without disconnection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: One-lung ventilation (OLV) is accomplished with a double-lumen tube
      (DLT) or a bronchial blocker (BB). The authors compared the effectiveness of lung
      collapse using DLT, BB, and BB with the disconnection technique. DESIGN:
      Prospective, randomized, blind trial. SETTING: A university hospital.
      PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two patients undergoing elective pneumothorax surgery.
      INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 groups: The DLT group
      (group 1), the BB group (group 2), and the BB with the disconnection technique
      group (group 3). The authors modified the disconnection technique in group 3 as
      follows: (1) turned off the ventilator and opened the adjustable pressure
      limiting valve, allowing both lungs to collapse and (2) after loss of the CO2
      trace on the capnograph, inflated the blocker cuff and turned on the ventilator,
      allowing only dependent-lung ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Five and
      ten minutes after OLV, the degree of lung collapse was assessed by the surgeon,
      who was blinded to the isolation technique. The quality of lung collapse at 5 and
      10 minutes was significantly better in groups 1 and 3 than in group 2. No
      significant differences were observed for the degree of lung collapse at any time
      point between groups 1 and 3. The average time for loss of the CO2 trace on the
      capnograph was 32.3+/-7.0 seconds in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: A BB with spontaneous
      collapse took longer to deflate and did not provide equivalent surgical exposure
      to the DLT. The disconnection technique could be helpful to accelerate lung
      collapse with a BB.

PMID- 24231198
TI  - Development and validation of a motor function classification in patients with
      neuromuscular disease: the NM-score.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a classification for neuromuscular disease patients in each
      of the three motor function domains (D1: standing and transfers; D2: axial and
      proximal function; D3: distal function). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A draft
      classification was developed by a study group and then improved by qualitative
      validation studies (according to the Delphi method) and quantitative validation
      studies (content validity, criterion validity and inter-rater reliability). A
      total of 448 patients with genetic neuromuscular diseases participated in the
      studies. RESULTS: On average, it took 6.3minutes to rate a patient. The inter
      rater agreement was good when the classification was based on patient observation
      or an interview with the patient (Cohen's kappa=0.770, 0.690 and 0.642 for NM
      Score D1, D2 and D3 domains, respectively). Stronger correlations (according to
      Spearman's coefficient) with the respective "gold standard" classifications were
      found for NM-Score D1 (0.86 vs. the Vignos Scale and -0.88 vs. the Motor Function
      Measure [MFM]-D1) and NM-Score D2 (-0.7 vs. the Brooke Scale and 0.64 vs. MFM D2)
      than for NM-Score D3 (0.49 vs. the Brooke scale and -0.49 vs. MFM D3).
      DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: The NM-Score is a reliable, reproducible outcome measure
      with value in clinical practice and in clinical research for the description of
      patients and the constitution of uniform patient groups (in terms of motor
      function).

PMID- 24231199
TI  - Long-term reproductive performance after surgery for ovarian endometrioma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term impact of different types of endometrioma
      surgery on reproductive performance and on age of menopause. STUDY DESIGN: This
      was a longitudinal observational cohort study of 68 women with previous
      endometrioma surgery and 68 age- and weight-matched healthy controls. All
      participants' hospital records were reviewed and each woman completed a
      questionnaire and attended an interview. Pregnancy rates were compared between
      the study and control groups. In the study group, pregnancy rates were compared
      before and after surgery. RESULTS: Amongst the 38 women desiring pregnancy after
      endometrioma surgery, 19 (50%) achieved a spontaneous pregnancy during the follow
      up period. This was not significantly different from a pre-operative pregnancy
      rate of 48% (22/46). Of these 19 patients, four achieved another pregnancy with
      fertility treatment. An additional eight patients conceived only with the help of
      fertility treatment, giving an overall long-term post-operative pregnancy rate of
      71% (27/38). These results were significantly lower (p=0.0001) than the 98%
      (57/58) long-term natural pregnancy rate in the control group. Pregnancy rates in
      patients receiving fertility treatment significantly (p=0.001) increased from 7%
      (1/15) before surgery to 63% (12/19) post-operatively. In post-menopausal women,
      the median (quartile) age at menopause was similar in the study (n=9) and control
      groups (n=6) [48 (45-52) versus 49 (44-52) years, respectively]. CONCLUSION:
      Endometriomas per se appear to be the main cause of the reduced long-term
      reproductive performance of the affected patients, with little or no contribution
      from surgery. Furthermore, endometrioma surgery seems to improve the success
      rates of fertility treatment.

PMID- 24231201
TI  - Effects of methylphenidate on cognitive functions in children and adolescents
      with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: evidence from a systematic review
      and a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with a
      broad range of neuropsychological impairments. The relationship between these
      neuropsychological deficits and the defining symptoms of ADHD seems more complex
      than originally thought. Methylphenidate (MPH) is an effective treatment for ADHD
      symptoms, but its impact on cognition is less clearly understood. METHODS: With a
      common systematic search strategy and a rigorous coding and data extraction
      strategy across domains, we searched electronic databases to identify published
      placebo controlled trials that compared MPH and placebo on executive and
      nonexecutive memory, reaction time, reaction time variability and response
      inhibition in children and adolescents (5-18 years) with a formal diagnosis of
      ADHD. RESULTS: Sixty studies were included in the review, of which 36 contained
      sufficient data for meta-analysis. Methylphenidate was superior to placebo in all
      five meta-analyses: executive memory, standardized mean difference (SMD) .26, 95%
      confidence interval (CI): -.39 to -.13; non-executive memory, SMD .60, 95% CI: 
      .79 to -.41; reaction time, SMD .24, 95% CI: -.33 to -.15; reaction time
      variability, SMD .62, 95% CI: -.90 to -.34; response inhibition, SMD .41, 95% CI:
      -.55 to -.27. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the potentially important effects
      of MPH on various aspects of cognition known to be associated with ADHD.
      Consideration should be given to adding cognitive outcomes to the assessment of
      treatment outcome in ADHD, considering the complexity of the relationship between
      ADHD symptoms and cognition.

PMID- 24231200
TI  - Amnesia for early life stress does not preclude the adult development of
      posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traumatic experience can result in life-long changes in the ability
      to cope with future stressors and emotionally salient events. These experiences,
      particularly during early development, are a significant risk factor for later
      life anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However,
      because traumatic experience typically results in strong episodic memories, it is
      not known whether such long-term memories are necessary for particular features
      of PTSD, such as enhanced fear and anxiety. Here, we used a fear conditioning
      procedure in juvenile rats before maturation of the neural systems supporting
      declarative memory to assess the necessity of early memory to the later life
      development of PTSD-related symptoms. METHODS: Nineteen-day old rats were exposed
      to unpredictable and inescapable footshocks, and fear memory for the shock
      context was assessed during adulthood. Thereafter, adult animals were either
      exposed to single-trial fear conditioning or elevated plus maze or sacrificed for
      basal diurnal corticosterone and quantification of neuronal glucocorticoid and
      neuropeptide Y receptors. RESULTS: Early trauma exposed rats displayed
      stereotypic footshock reactivity, yet by adulthood, hippocampus-dependent
      contextual fear-related memory was absent. However, adult rats showed sensitized
      fear learning, aberrant basal circadian fluctuations of corticosterone, increased
      amygdalar glucocorticoid receptors, decreased time spent in the open arm of an
      elevated plus maze, and an odor aversion associated with early-life footshocks.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that traumatic experience during developmental
      periods of hippocampal immaturity can promote lifelong changes in symptoms and
      neuropathology associated with human PTSD, even if there is no explicit memory of
      the early trauma.

PMID- 24231202
TI  - OnabotulinumtoxinA office treatment for neurogenic bladder incontinence in
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and effectiveness of low-dose (100 U)
      onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA) bladder injections as an office procedure with
      topical anesthesia only for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and
      incontinence. METHODS: Qualified patients who failed oral antimuscarinic agents
      participated in an open-label study. They discontinued antimuscarinics, provided
      a King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), voiding symptom score, and 3-day voiding
      diary. Free uroflowmetry with post-void ultrasounds and cystometrogram
      pressure/flow studies were performed. Patients underwent flexible cystoscopy and
      injections of onabotA 100 U (10 U/mL) dispersed into 10-20 submucosal/detrusor
      sites of the bladder, including the trigone. Voiding diaries, questionnaires, and
      free uroflowmetry with post-void ultrasound residual urine measurements were
      repeated after 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Twelve men and 8 women were treated:
      mean age, 70.4 years; duration of disease, 10.6 years; median bladder contraction
      volume, 115 mL; maximum bladder pressure, 62 cm; and post-void volume, 9 mL.
      Moderate to marked symptom relief at 3 months and a 50% incontinence decrease
      over 6 months relative to pretreatment was reported in 59% patients (P <=.02); 5
      patients failed to complete the 6-month endpoint. No urinary retention required
      catheterization. CONCLUSION: Office cystoscopy with low-dose onabotA injection
      treatment is a potential long-term management strategy for patients with PD and
      urinary incontinence who fail oral antimuscarinic agents. The treatment seems to
      be safely utilized for older men with BPH as well as women with potential
      hypoactive detrusor function.

PMID- 24231203
TI  - SIU/ICUD Consultation on Urethral Strictures: Urethral strictures in children.
AB  - A literature search was made through PubMed from 1990 to the present for articles
      on strictures in children. There were 32 articles that provided the data for this
      review. The studies were rated according to the level of evidence and the grade
      of recommendation using the International Consultations in Urologic Disease
      standards. 

PMID- 24231204
TI  - BAY 41-2272, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, relaxes isolated human
      ureter in a standardized in vitro model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize the relaxation induced by BAY 41-2272 in human
      ureteral segments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ureter specimens (n = 17) from multiple
      organ human deceased donors (mean age 40 +/- 3.2 years, male/female ratio 2:1)
      were used to characterize the relaxing response of BAY 41-2272.
      Immunohistochemical analysis for endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase,
      guanylate cyclase stimulator (sGC) and type 5 phosphodiesterase was also
      performed. The potency values were determined as the negative log of the molar to
      produce 50% of the maximal relaxation in potassium chloride-precontracted
      specimens. The unpaired Student t test was used for the comparisons. RESULTS:
      Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase
      in vessel endothelia and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in urothelium and nerve
      structures. sGC was expressed in the smooth muscle and urothelium layer, and type
      5 phosphodiesterase was present in the smooth muscle only. BAY 41-2272 (0.001-100
      MUM) relaxed the isolated ureter in a concentration dependent manner, with a
      potency and maximal relaxation value of 5.82 +/- 0.14 and 84% +/- 5%,
      respectively. The addition of nitric oxide synthase and sGC inhibitors reduced
      the maximal relaxation values by 21% and 45%, respectively. However, the presence
      of sildenafil (100 nM) significantly potentiated (6.47 +/- 0.10, P <.05) this
      response. Neither glibenclamide or tetraethylammonium nor ureteral urothelium
      removal influenced the relaxation response by BAY 41-2272. CONCLUSION: BAY 41
      2272 relaxes the human isolated ureter in a concentration-dependent manner,
      mainly by activating the sGC enzyme in smooth muscle cells rather than in the
      urothelium, although a cyclic guanosine monophosphate-independent mechanism might
      have a role. The potassium channels do not seem to be involved.

PMID- 24231205
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24231206
TI  - The difficult ureter: stent and come back or balloon dilate and proceed with
      ureteroscopy? What does the evidence say?

PMID- 24231207
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24231209
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24231210
TI  - Trends in the utilization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder
      cancer: results from the National Cancer Database.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate variation in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) use among
      patients with >= clinical T2 (cT2) bladder cancer and determine changes in
      staging at radical cystectomy (RC) associated with therapy. METHODS: Using the
      National Cancer Database (NCDB), we identified all patients diagnosed with organ
      confined, muscle-invasive (cT2+) urothelial carcinoma of the bladder between 2006
      and 2010 who underwent RC. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed
      examining demographic, clinical, and hospital factors influencing the delivery of
      NAC. These included age, gender, race, income, geographic location, type of
      treating hospital, clinical stage, and patient comorbidities. RESULTS: A total of
      5692 patients met our inclusion criteria, 962 (16.9%) of whom received NAC. A
      multivariable logistic regression model revealed several factors that negatively
      influenced receipt of NAC: increasing age, lower patient income, and treatment at
      a nonacademic institution (P <.01). Higher clinical stage and fewer comorbid
      conditions were associated with higher likelihood of receiving NAC (P <.01). The
      overall use of NAC increased from 7.6% in 2006 to 20.9% in 2010 (P <.01). Those
      receiving NAC were significantly more likely to be downstaged at RC (31.2% vs
      7.6%, P <.01), with 10.6% achieving complete pathologic downstaging. CONCLUSION:
      Although the use of NAC for organ-confined muscle invasive bladder cancer remains
      low, it is increasing over time. Patients receiving NAC are more likely to be
      downstaged and achieve complete pathologic downstaging. However, there is
      considerable variation in treatment patterns based on both clinical and
      nonclinical factors.

PMID- 24231211
TI  - Prolonged urinary leakage after partial nephrectomy: a novel management pathway.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To describe an original method for managing prolonged urinary
      leakage after partial nephrectomy. We placed a Malecot catheter in the ureter to
      improve the urinary drainage and therefore avoid the renal percutaneous treatment
      of the fistula or potential open surgery. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: We performed
      ureteral stenting using a 16 F Malecot catheter in 3 patients who had a prolonged
      urinary fistula after partial nephrectomy in which the placement of a ureteral
      stent could not resolve the urine leak. Drainage using 2 ureteral catheters was
      performed, which proved to be insufficient for the urinary fistula to resolve. We
      subsequently placed in the dilated ureter a 16 F Malecot catheter into the renal
      pelvis using a cystoscopic approach and a bladder catheter to complete the
      drainage. In all cases, the urine leak stopped after stenting with the Malecot
      catheter. At 1 month after the stenting, computed tomography and magnetic
      resonance imaging showed complete healing of the fistula. No infection or
      secondary ureteral stricture was reported. CONCLUSION: This technique with a low
      complication profile can be used as an additional endoscopic step, before more
      invasive procedures.

PMID- 24231212
TI  - Possible function of urinary pH and citrate on the ceftriaxone-induced
      nephrolithiasis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test whether urinary pH and citrate is associated with ceftriaxone
      induced kidney stone formation and if acidified urine could dissolve this kind of
      stone using an in vitro crystallization model. METHODS: Crystallization was
      induced by mixing ceftriaxone at the standard therapeutic urinary concentration
      to artificial urine. The response of different physiological pH and citrate on
      ceftriaxone-induced crystallization was measured by the depletion ratio of
      ceftriaxone in the process. Compositions of formed crystals were qualitatively
      and quantitatively analyzed. The effect of acidifying urine on dissolving of
      ceftriaxone-induced crystal was determined by the surplus ratio of ceftriaxone in
      the process. RESULTS: Compositional analysis showed that ceftriaxone-induced
      crystals were composed of calcium and ceftriaxone with a ratio of 1:1. Compared
      to the response to pH 6.0, ceftriaxone-induced crystallizations in artificial
      urine at pH 4.5 and 5.0 for 4 hours were significantly decreased, and more acid
      urine resulted in less crystallization. However, it made no significant change
      when pH increased to 6.5 and 7.0. In addition, ceftriaxone-induced crystals
      formed at pH 6.0 for 4 hours could be dissolved significantly when artificial
      urine was acidified to pH 5.0 and 4.5 for 1, 2, and 4 hours; and more time of
      dissolution and more degree of acidifying resulted in more dissolution.
      CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that urinary pH and citrate are probable factors
      associated with ceftriaxone-induced nephrolithiasis. On one hand, alkaline urine
      and hypocitraturia predispose ceftriaxone nephrolithiasis, and vice versa. On the
      other hand, acidifying urine could dissolve ceftriaxone-induced stones.

PMID- 24231214
TI  - Flexible ureteroscopy with a ureteral access sheath: when to stent?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare intra- and postoperative data of patients who underwent
      ureterorenoscopy (URS) with an access sheath, with and without postoperative
      stenting. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients who underwent flexible
      URS with a ureteral access sheath between January 2102 and January 2013. Two
      surgeons performed all cases; one who routinely stents after flexible
      ureteroscopy and a second who selectively stents. Fifty-one patients who were
      stented and 51 patients not stented after URS were enrolled in this study.
      Patients were matched by operative time as a surrogate measure of complexity of
      the procedure. Intra- and postoperative data were compared. We also analyzed if
      preoperative stenting or sheath diameter had any effect on postoperative pain
      score for each group. RESULTS: Patients in the stented group were older (P
      <.001), had larger ureteral access sheaths (P <.001), and greater stone burden (P
      <.001). Despite this, the stented group had lower pain scores (4.5 +/- 3.2 vs 8.9
      +/- 3.2; P = .025) and were less likely to seek medical assistance for pain than
      the unstented patients (26.3% vs 3.9%; P = .007). Patients who were prestented
      before ureteroscopy had lower pain scores than those who were not prestented in
      the group that did not receive a postoperative stent (4.2 +/- 3.4 vs 6.6 +/- 2.8;
      P = .047). CONCLUSION: Postoperative stenting after flexible URS with a ureteral
      access sheath seems to decrease postoperative pain. Patients might be selected
      for no ureteral stent if they were prestented before the procedure, and the URS
      was uneventful.

PMID- 24231215
TI  - Translabial ultrasonography for evaluation of synthetic mesh in the vagina.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical and surgical findings using translabial
      ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of symptoms after transvaginal synthetic
      mesh placement. METHODS: From 2009 through 2010, a retrospective observational
      study was conducted to evaluate patients presenting with complaints after
      transvaginal mesh implantation for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence
      or pelvic organ prolapse repair. The clinical and translabial US findings were
      compared with the intraoperative findings, with a focus on mesh location,
      erosion, and extrusion. RESULTS: A total of 51 consecutive patients (mean age 59
      years) were evaluated by history and physical examination, translabial US, and
      intraoperative findings. Using intraoperative findings as the reference standard,
      translabial US was able to predict the location of the sling in relationship to
      the urethra (6 distal, 25 mid-urethral, and 20 at the bladder neck), to
      differentiate between transobturator (n = 21) and retropubic (n = 30) slings, and
      to detect all anterior (n = 21) and posterior (n = 15) placed mesh. Translabial
      US was superior to physical examination in identifying mesh erosion into the
      periurethral fascia or sphincteric unit. US was inferior to physical examination
      in diagnosing vaginal extrusion but was superior for locating the mesh.
      CONCLUSION: Translabial US can identify the mesh material used to treat stress
      urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. It provides additional
      information on sling type, mesh location, and morphology compared with the
      clinical findings and could help in surgical planning and counseling. Prospective
      clinical studies evaluating the reliability of this technique in larger patient
      populations are warranted.

PMID- 24231216
TI  - The efficacy and safety of duloxetine in a multidrug regimen for chronic
      prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of duloxetine hydrochloride in the
      treatment of patients affected by chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain
      syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS: Thirty-eight CP/CPPS patients completed the National
      Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and
      International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5)
      questionnaires, uroflowmetry, and evaluation of psychologic status using Hamilton
      Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D). Patients were
      randomly assigned to 2 treatments groups. Treatment in group 1 consisted of a
      simultaneous oral administration of tamsulosin (0.4 mg/d, 60 mg/d), saw palmetto
      (320 mg/d), and duloxetine (60 mg/d). Treatment in group 2 consisted of
      tamsulosin (0.4 mg/d) and saw palmetto (320 mg/d). NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5
      questionnaires, uroflowmetry, and evaluation of the psychological status were
      repeated at 16 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: At 16 weeks, a significant
      improvement in NIH-CPSI pain subscore, NIH-CPSI quality of life subscore, and NIH
      CPSI total score were observed in group 1 patients compared with those in group 2
      (P <.01, respectively), together with a significant improvement in HAM-A and HAM
      D scores (P <.01, respectively). Patients in group 2 showed a significant
      improvement in NIH-CPSI total score, in the urinary symptoms subscore, and in the
      HAM-A total score. No significant differences were observed in IIEF-5 scores in
      the 2 groups. Maximum flow rate significantly increased in both groups. In group
      1, 20% of patients stopped the study due to adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The use
      of duloxetine in a multimodal treatment with an alpha-blocker medication and a
      saw palmetto extract allowed better results in controlling clinical symptoms,
      psychologic status and quality of life patients affected by CP/CPPS.

PMID- 24231217
TI  - Efficacy of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in patients with non
      neurogenic impaired bladder contractility: results of a prospective trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcomes of men with detrusor underactivity or
      acontractility undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).
      METHODS: A prospective case series between 2009 and 2012 was performed to examine
      short-term outcomes of men with urodynamic evidence of detrusor hypocontractility
      or acontractility because of a non-neurogenic etiology and concurrent benign
      prostatic obstruction (BPO), undergoing HoLEP. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with
      detrusor hypocontractility and 19 patients with acontractility and evidence of
      BPO underwent HoLEP during the study period. Median age was 71.5 and 75 years,
      respectively. Preoperatively, 5 (35.7%) men with hypocontractility and 19 (100%)
      men with acontractility had catheter-dependent urinary retention for a median of
      3 and 9 months, respectively. At a median follow-up of 24.7 months, all 5 (100%)
      men with hypocontractility and 18 of 19 (94.7%) men with acontractility were
      voiding spontaneously without the need for intermittent catheterization.
      Individuals with hypocontratile bladders had statistically significant
      improvements in American Urological Association Symptom Index (21.5 vs 3; P =
      .014), maximum urine flow (Qmax, 10 vs 21 mL/s; P = .001), and postvoid residual
      (250 vs 53 mL; P = .007) from baseline to postoperative assessments. In patients
      with an acontractile bladder, 15 of 19 (78.9%) displayed significant return of
      detrusor contractility, whereas 4 of 19 (21.1%) were voiding exclusively by
      Valsalva effort on follow-up urodynamic study. Postoperatively, patient
      satisfaction, as ascertained by American Urological Association Symptom Index,
      was high for both groups. CONCLUSION: Intermediate follow-up results indicate
      that HoLEP is a viable management option for men with BPO and detrusor
      hypocontractility. Furthermore, detrusor acontractility does not appear to
      adversely affect postoperative results, with return of spontaneous urination and
      demonstration of detrusor contractility allowing for efficient voiding, in over
      95% of patients.

PMID- 24231218
TI  - A 60-year-old man with gross hematuria and flank pain.

PMID- 24231219
TI  - Mucinous neoplasm arising in a urachal cyst: a first in the pediatric population.
AB  - Urachal anomalies are relatively uncommon and result because of incomplete
      obliteration of the urachus prenatally. In children, urachal cysts and sinuses
      constitute the common presentations, and these can sometimes become secondarily
      infected. Malignant involvement of the urachus in the pediatric population is
      rare, and primary urachal adenocarcinoma is reported exclusively in adults.
      Herein, we present the case of an adolescent girl with a low-grade mucinous
      neoplasm arising in a urachal cyst and discuss its significance. 

PMID- 24231220
TI  - Modified abdominoplasty for patients with the Prune Belly syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present the results of a new technique for abdominoplasty in
      patients with the Prune Belly syndrome (PBS). METHODS: Since 1985, 46 children
      with PBS underwent surgical treatment that included urinary tract reconstruction
      (UTR), orchidopexy, and abdominoplasty. In 41 patients, we performed the
      abdominoplasty as follows: (1) fusiform longitudinal resection of the mid
      abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue, with preservation of the musculo
      aponeurotic fascia (MAF) and umbilicus, (2) ellipsoid unilateral longitudinal
      incision of the MAF in the most weakened side of the abdomen, producing 2 flaps,
      with the umbilicus being kept intact in the widest flap, (3) after UTR and
      bilateral orchiopexy, suture fixation of the widest MAF layer to the inner side
      of the contralateral abdominal wall, creating an inner MAF layer, (4) lateral
      suture fixation of the other flap over the inner layer, creating an outer MAF
      layer with a buttonhole exposing the umbilicus, that is sutured to the outer
      layer, and (5) approximation of the skin edges with incorporation of the
      umbilicus in the suture. RESULTS: Skin coaptation was excellent in all patients,
      and no trimming was necessary in incision extremities. There was no dehiscence or
      skin necrosis and all patients presented immediate improvement of the abdominal
      tonus and appearance. Further improvement with growth was observed in all except
      4 patients, 2 requiring secondary abdominoplasties. CONCLUSION: We conclude that
      this technique is applicable in all forms of weakened abdomen typical of PBS,
      even in asymmetrical cases, requiring only 1 MAF incision, with good cosmetic and
      functional results.

PMID- 24231221
TI  - Adenovirus-induced obstructive uropathy with acute renal failure in an
      immunodeficient child.
AB  - Viral infections represent severe complications in immunodeficient patients,
      associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a bone
      marrow-transplanted adolescent with hemorrhagic cystitis 4 weeks after
      transplant, associated with renal failure because of obstructive pyelonephritis.
      Diagnostic workup finally revealed adenovirus infection. A double-J stent was
      inserted with spontaneous favorable evolution thereafter. Adenovirus infection in
      an immunocompromised patient can cause hemorrhagic cystitis without specific
      symptoms and might evolve toward obstructive pyelonephritis because of tubular
      necrosis. Diagnosis is made by urine culture and/or blood polymerase chain
      reaction. In case of fatal dissemination, diagnosis might only be revealed on
      autopsy. 

PMID- 24231222
TI  - Prospective evaluation of a new visual prostate symptom score, the international
      prostate symptom score, and uroflowmetry in men with urethral stricture disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between the visual prostate symptom score
      (VPSS) and the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry
      parameters in men with urethral stricture disease. The VPSS offers a nonverbal,
      pictographic assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms. METHODS: A total of 100
      men followed up with a diagnosis of urethral stricture were evaluated from March
      2011 to November 2012 with IPSS, VPSS, uroflowmetry, urethral calibration, and
      urethrography. Follow-up every 3 months for 3-18 months was available in 78 men
      for a total of 289 visits. Procedures performed were urethral dilation in 105,
      internal urethrotomy in 54, and urethroplasty in 8 patients. Statistical analysis
      was performed with Spearman's rank correlation, Fisher's exact, and Student t
      tests. RESULTS: The time taken to complete the VPSS vs IPSS was significantly
      shorter (118 vs 215 seconds at the first and 80 vs 156 seconds at follow-up
      visits; P <.001). There were significant correlations between the VPSS and IPSS
      (r = 0.845; P <.001), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax; r = 0.681; P <.001) and
      urethral diameter (r = -0.552; P <.001). A combination of VPSS >8 and Qmax <15
      mL/s had positive and negative predictive values of 87% and 89%, respectively,
      for the presence of urethral stricture. CONCLUSION: The VPSS correlates
      significantly with the IPSS, Qmax, and urethral diameter in men with urethral
      stricture disease and takes significantly less time to complete. A combination of
      VPSS >8 and Qmax <15 mL/s can be used to avoid further invasive evaluation during
      follow-up in men with urethral strictures.

PMID- 24231223
TI  - Metal enhanced fluorescence in rare earth doped plasmonic core-shell
      nanoparticles.
AB  - We theoretically and numerically investigate metal enhanced fluorescence of
      plasmonic core-shell nanoparticles doped with rare earth (RE) ions. Particle
      shape and size are engineered to maximize the average enhancement factor (AEF) of
      the overall doped shell. We show that the highest enhancement (11 in the visible
      and 7 in the near-infrared) is achieved by tuning either the dipolar or the
      quadrupolar particle resonance to the rare earth ion's excitation wavelength.
      Additionally, the calculated AEFs are compared to experimental data reported in
      the literature, obtained in similar conditions (plasmon mediated enhancement) or
      when a metal-RE energy transfer mechanism is involved. 

PMID- 24231224
TI  - Association between physical activity and sleep in adults with chronic pain: a
      momentary, within-person perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Individuals with chronic pain consider improved sleep to be one of
      the most important outcomes of treatment. Physical activity has been shown to
      have beneficial effects on sleep in the general population. Despite these
      findings, the physical activity-sleep relationship has not been directly examined
      in a sample of people with chronic pain. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine
      the association between objective daytime physical activity and subsequent
      objective sleep for individuals with chronic pain while controlling for pain and
      psychosocial variables. DESIGN: An observational, prospective, within-person
      study design was used. METHODS: A clinical sample of 50 adults with chronic pain
      was recruited. Participation involved completing a demographic questionnaire
      followed by 5 days of data collection. Over this period, participants wore a
      triaxial accelerometer to monitor their daytime activity and sleep. Participants
      also carried a handheld computer that administered a questionnaire measuring
      pain, mood, catastrophizing, and stress 6 times throughout the day. RESULTS: The
      results demonstrated that higher fluctuations in daytime activity significantly
      predicted shorter sleep duration. Furthermore, higher mean daytime activity
      levels and a greater number of pain sites contributed significantly to the
      prediction of longer periods of wakefulness at night. LIMITATIONS: The small
      sample size used in this study limits the generalizability of the findings.
      Missing data may have led to overestimations or underestimations of effect sizes,
      and additional factors that may be associated with sleep (eg, medication usage,
      environmental factors) were not measured. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study
      suggest that engagement in high-intensity activity and high fluctuations in
      activity are associated with poorer sleep at night; hence, activity modulation
      may be a key treatment strategy to address sleep complaints in individuals with
      chronic pain.

PMID- 24231225
TI  - Psychometric properties of 3 functional mobility tests for people with Parkinson
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Standardized outcome measures with high clinical utility are of
      paramount importance for clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study
      was to examine interrater and intrarater reliability, construct validity,
      discriminant ability, and smallest detectable differences of the sit-to-stand
      test (STS), Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG), and bed mobility test for people with
      Parkinson disease (PD). DESIGN: A cross-sectional, psychometric evaluation study
      was conducted. METHODS: A group of individuals with PD (PD group) and a group of
      individuals who were healthy (control group) were recruited through local PD
      groups and assessed in a movement laboratory in their "on" phase. Measurements of
      time to perform one STS, TUG, and bed mobility test were collected based on video
      recordings of that single performance. RESULTS: Thirty-eight individuals with PD
      (Hoehn and Yahr stages I-IV) and 19 age-matched control participants were
      recruited. Intraclass correlation coefficients for interrater and intrarater
      reliability for the PD group ranged from .95 to .99. Bland-Altman plots showed
      mean differences close to zero and narrow confidence intervals. Construct
      validity was established by means of moderate to good Spearman rho correlation
      coefficients with part III of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and
      the Hoehn and Yahr stage (range=.51-.63). Timings of all tests discriminated
      participants in the PD group from those in the control group and participants in
      the PD group in Hoehn and Yahr stages I and II from those in Hoehn and Yahr
      stages III and IV but did not discriminate "nonfallers" or those with single
      falls from repeat "fallers" or "nonfreezers" from "freezers." Applicable smallest
      detectable differences were established. LIMITATIONS: The results are not
      generalizable to people in the late stage of PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage IV: n=3).
      CONCLUSIONS: Timings of video recordings of 3 functional mobility tests with high
      clinical utility showed good psychometric properties for community-dwelling,
      ambulatory people with PD.

PMID- 24231227
TI  - Patient global ratings of change did not adequately reflect change over time: a
      clinical cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Global ratings of change (GROCs) are commonly used in research and
      clinical practice to determine which patients respond to therapy, but their
      validity as a criterion for change has not been firmly established. One factor
      related to their validity is the length of the recall period. OBJECTIVE: The
      study objective was to examine the influence of the length of the recall period
      on the validity of a GROC for determining true change over time in the clinical
      setting. DESIGN: This was a longitudinal, single-cohort observational study.
      METHODS: Data from the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes clinical database were
      collected for 8,955 patients reporting for physical therapy treatment of a knee
      disorder. Computerized adaptive testing was used to assess knee functional status
      (FS) at the initial and final (discharge) physical therapy visits. Each patient's
      GROC was obtained at discharge. Correlation and linear regression analyses of
      knee FS and GROC, stratified by length of time between intake and discharge, were
      conducted. RESULTS: Correlations of GROC with knee FS change scores were modest
      even for the shortest period of recall (0-30 days) and were slightly lower for
      longer recall periods. Regression analyses using knee FS to predict GROC scores
      revealed similar findings. Correlations of GROC with intake and discharge scores
      indicated a strong bias toward discharge status, with little or no influence of
      baseline status. Standardized regression coefficients fitted the pattern expected
      for a valid measure of change but confirmed the strong bias toward discharge
      status. LIMITATIONS: One version of the GROC administered serially in a cohort of
      patients seen in clinical practice was examined. CONCLUSIONS: These results call
      into question the validity of GROCs for measuring change over time in routine
      clinical practice.

PMID- 24231226
TI  - Declining cognition and falls: role of risky performance of everyday mobility
      activities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Declining cognition is a risk factor for falls among older adults.
      The extent to which impaired judgment in performance of daily activities
      increases fall risk is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine
      whether engagement in mobility activities in a risky manner explains the
      association between declining cognition and rate of falls. DESIGN: This study was
      a secondary analysis of baseline and prospective data from older adults enrolled
      in the intervention arm of a randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Two hundred
      forty-five community-dwelling older adults (79% female; mean age=79 years,
      SD=8.0) who were at risk for falls received physical, cognitive, and functional
      evaluations. Cognition was assessed with the Short Portable Mental Status
      Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Using interview and in-home assessment data, physical
      therapists determined whether participants were at risk for falls when performing
      mobility-related activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL).
      Falls were measured prospectively for 1 year using monthly falls diaries.
      RESULTS: Declining cognition was associated with increased number of mobility
      activities designated as risky (1.5% of mobility activities performed in a risky
      manner per SPMSQ point) and with increased rate of falls (rate ratio=1.16 for
      each unit change in SPMSQ score). Risky performance of mobility activities
      mediated the relationship between cognition and rate of falls. LIMITATIONS: Risk
      assessment was based on the clinical judgment of experienced physical therapists.
      Cognition was measured with a relatively insensitive instrument, and only
      selected mobility activities were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Engagement in mobility
      ADL and IADL tasks in a risky manner emerged as a link between declining
      cognition and increased number of falls, suggesting a mechanism through which the
      rate of falls may increase. Specifically, declining cognition is associated with
      performance of mobility activities in an unsafe manner, thereby increasing the
      risk for falls.

PMID- 24231228
TI  - Conservative treatment of a proximal full-thickness biceps brachii muscle tear in
      a special operations soldier.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A transection of the short head of the biceps brachii muscle is an
      uncommon injury seen among outpatient sports physical therapy clinics. The
      highest rate of occurrence and the majority of literature that discusses this
      specific injury are related to US military parachuting. The purpose of this case
      report is to outline the episode of care from 2 days after the injury through 6
      months of conservative treatment, which consisted of therapeutic exercise, manual
      therapy, and cryotherapy, within an outpatient sports physical therapy clinic in
      a military setting. CASE DESCRIPTION: This case report outlines the initial
      evaluation, diagnostic imaging, treatment, and 6-month follow-up measures for a
      23-year-old male patient who sustained a static line injury resulting in a full
      thickness tear of his biceps brachii muscle and a partial tear of the
      coracobrachialis muscle. OUTCOMES: The individual described in this case report
      reported having no functional limitations in regard to his job and leisure
      activities or any pain at his 6-month follow-up, with a score of 0% noted on his
      Shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH).
      Isokinetic testing revealed a 39.1% decrease in elbow flexion peak torque and a
      60.8% decrease in elbow flexion total work output at this same follow-up
      interval. DISCUSSION: In determining the appropriate course of treatment for this
      injury type, conservative physical therapy intervention should be considered as a
      viable treatment option, as there have been no decisive studies to suggest
      superior outcomes with other methods such as surgical correction. It is further
      recommended that research be conducted in an effort to prevent such injuries from
      occurring, as this mechanism of injury has proven to be much higher among the US
      military population compared with other military populations.

PMID- 24231229
TI  - Validity of the AM-PAC "6-Clicks" inpatient daily activity and basic mobility
      short forms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Standardized assessment of patients' activity limitations in acute
      care settings can provide valuable information. Existing measures have not been
      widely implemented. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide evidence for
      validity of scores on Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) "6-Clicks"
      measures of basic mobility and daily activity in acute care. DESIGN: A
      retrospective measurement study was conducted. METHODS: The study used a database
      from one health system containing "6-Clicks" scores from first and last physical
      therapist and occupational therapist visits for 84,446 patients. Validity was
      analyzed by examining differences in "6-Clicks" scores across categories of
      patient characteristics; the ability of "6-Clicks" scores to predict patients'
      having more than one therapy visit; correlation of "6-Clicks" scores with
      Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores; and internal responsiveness over
      the episode of care. Internal consistency reliability also was determined.
      RESULTS: The "6-Clicks" scores differed across patients' age, preadmission living
      situation, and number of therapy visits. The areas under receiver operating
      characteristic curves derived using "6-Clicks" scores at the first visit to
      predict patients receiving more than one visit were 0.703 and 0.652 using basic
      mobility and daily activity scores, respectively. The "6-Clicks" scores at the
      final visit were correlated with scores on subscales of the FIM completed on
      admission to inpatient rehabilitation facilities (r=.65 and .69). Standardized
      response means were 1.06 and 0.95 and minimal detectable changes with 90%
      confidence level (MDC90) were 4.72 and 5.49 for basic mobility and daily activity
      scores, respectively. Internal consistency reliability of basic mobility and
      daily activity scores was .96 and .91, respectively. LIMITATIONS: Using clinical
      databases for research purposes has limitations, including missing data,
      misclassifications, and selection bias. Rater reliability is not known.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for the validity of "6-Clicks" scores
      for assessing patients' activity limitations in acute care settings.

PMID- 24231230
TI  - Knee pain during daily tasks, knee osteoarthritis severity, and widespread pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The presence of widespread pain is easily determined and is known to
      increase the risk for persistent symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The study hypothesis was
      that people with no or minimal knee osteoarthritis (OA) and high Western Ontario
      and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Pain Scale scores would be more likely than
      other subgroups to report widespread pain. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was
      used. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study,
      which includes people with or at high risk for knee OA. The inclusion criteria
      were met by 755 people with unilateral knee pain and 851 people with bilateral
      knee pain. Widespread pain was assessed with body diagrams, and radiographic
      Kellgren-Lawrence grades were recorded for each knee. Knee pain during daily
      tasks was quantified with WOMAC Pain Scale scores. RESULTS: Compared with people
      who had high levels of pain and knee OA, people with a low level of pain and a
      high level of knee OA, and people with low levels of pain and knee OA, a higher
      proportion of people with a high level of knee pain and a low level of knee OA
      had widespread pain. This result was particularly true for people with bilateral
      knee pain, for whom relative risk estimates ranged from 1.7 (95% confidence
      interval=1.2-2.4) to 2.3 (95% confidence interval=1.6-3.3). LIMITATIONS: The
      cross-sectional design was a limitation. CONCLUSIONS: People with either no or
      minimal knee OA and a high level of knee pain during daily tasks are particularly
      likely to report widespread pain. This subgroup is likely to be at risk for not
      responding to knee OA treatment that focuses only on physical impairments.
      Assessment of widespread pain along with knee pain intensity and OA status may
      assist physical therapists in identifying people who may require additional
      treatment.

PMID- 24231232
TI  - Innate lymphoid cells: new paradigm in immunology of inflammation.
AB  - Immune system is well characterized by immunologists into two major arms called
      innate immunity and adaptive immunity. However, recent advances in the field of
      immunology has led to the identification of specific immune cells, which lack
      signature signs of mature lymphocytes (i.e. antigen receptors), yet produce major
      cytokines (i.e. IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-9, etc.) of helper T (Th) cell
      mediated immune response. Therefore, these cells can be represented as the innate
      counterpart of helper T cells of adaptive immunity and are known as innate
      lymphoid cells (ILCs). These ILCs comprise of three different groups having
      different kinds of cells, i.e. group 1 (NK cells and ILC1 cells), group 2 and
      group 3 ILCs. However, they are also emerging as novel regulators of both chronic
      as well as acute inflammation induced by infection or caused by sterile
      inflammation. Therefore, an attempt has been made to highlight the regulatory
      role of ILCs during inflammation and modulation of these cells as novel tissue
      protective mechanism. 

PMID- 24231231
TI  - A path model for evaluating dosing parameters for children with cerebral palsy.
AB  - Dosing of pediatric rehabilitation services for children with cerebral palsy (CP)
      has been identified as a national priority. Establishing dosing parameters for
      pediatric physical therapy interventions is critical for informing clinical
      decision making, health policy, and guidelines for reimbursement. The purpose of
      this perspective article is to describe a path model for evaluating dosing
      parameters of interventions for children with CP. The model is intended for dose
      related and effectiveness studies of pediatric physical therapy interventions.
      The premise of the model is: Intervention type (focus on body structures,
      activity, or the environment) acts on a child first through the family, then
      through the dose (frequency, intensity, time), to yield structural and behavioral
      changes. As a result, these changes are linked to improvements in functional
      independence. Community factors affect dose as well as functional independence
      (performance and capacity), influencing the relationships between type of
      intervention and intervention responses. The constructs of family
      characteristics; child characteristics (eg, age, level of severity,
      comorbidities, readiness to change, preferences); plastic changes in bone,
      muscle, and brain; motor skill acquisition; and community access warrant
      consideration from researchers who are designing intervention studies. Multiple
      knowledge gaps are identified, and a framework is provided for conceptualizing
      dosing parameters for children with CP. 

PMID- 24231233
TI  - Tuberculosis vaccine: time to look into future.
AB  - Global burden of tuberculosis is nearly 12 million. As per the WHO Global TB
      Report 2013, there were an estimated 8.6 million incident cases of TB globally in
      2012. Tuberculosis is an issue that affects development through its effect on the
      health of individuals and families. In humans, neither prior latent infection nor
      recovery from active TB confers reliable protection against reinfection or
      reactivation disease. The power of vaccines as a public health intervention lies
      in their ability to reduce onward transmission of disease as much as in their
      ability to protect vaccinated individuals; a feature generally referred to as
      "herd immunity." MVA85A is a booster vaccine, used in con-junction with BCG as
      part of a prime-boost strategy. BCG serves as the prime vaccination and MVA85A as
      the boost, operating under the theory that the addition of MVA85A will produce a
      better immune response and more protection against TB than BCG vaccination alone.
      There is a critical need to raise the profile of TB vaccine research at the
      community, national, regional, and global levels in order to generate support and
      political will, increase investment, create an enabling and supportive
      environment for clinical trials, and lay the groundwork for acceptance and
      adoption of new TB vaccines once licensed. 

PMID- 24231234
TI  - Redefining the target early during treatment. Can we visualize regional
      differences within the target volume using sequential diffusion weighted MRI?
AB  - PURPOSE: In head and neck cancer, diffusion weighted MRI (DWI) can predict
      response early during treatment. Treatment-induced changes and DWI-specific
      artifacts hinder an accurate registration between apparent diffusion coefficient
      (ADC) maps. The aim of the study was to develop a registration tool which
      calculates and visualizes regional changes in ADC. METHODS: Twenty patients with
      stage IV HNC treated with primary radiotherapy received an MRI including DWI
      before and early during treatment. Markers were manually placed at anatomical
      landmarks on the different modalities at both time points. A registration method,
      consisting of a fully automatic rigid and nonrigid registration and two semi
      automatic thin-plate spline (TPS) warps was developed and applied to the image
      sets. After each registration step the mean registration errors were calculated
      and DeltaADC was compared between good and poor responders. RESULTS: Adding the
      TPS warps significantly reduced the registration error (in mm, 6.3 +/- 6.2 vs 3.2
      +/- 3.3 mm, p<0.001). After the marker based registration the median DeltaADC in
      poor responders was significantly lower than in good responders (7% vs. 21%;
      p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This registration method allowed for a significant
      reduction of the mean registration error. Furthermore the voxel-wise calculation
      of the DeltaADC early during radiotherapy allowed for a visualization of the
      regional differences of DeltaADC within the tumor.

PMID- 24231235
TI  - Atherosclerotic lesions in lymphoma survivors treated with radiotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Radiotherapy causes premature atherosclerosis in
      Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors (HLSs). We determined whether atherosclerosis within
      the radiation field was predicted by traditional risk factors independent of
      radiation and compared the extent of atherosclerosis in HLSs treated with mantle
      field radiotherapy with non-irradiated patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty
      three HLSs (median age 50 years, range 38-63) treated with mantle field
      radiotherapy were included. Cardiovascular risk factors were registered at first
      follow-up (FU-1) 5-13 years after treatment. A second follow-up (FU-2) occurred
      18-27 years after treatment. At FU-2, in-field atherosclerosis was assessed by
      computed tomography with calculation of coronary artery calcium volume score
      (CACS) and pre-cranial artery atherosclerosis score (PAS). Peripheral endothelial
      dysfunction was assessed by ante-brachial strain-gauge plethysmography. CT
      angiography of pre-cranial vessels was also performed in 43 non-irradiated
      patients. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analyses showed that cholesterol at
      FU-1 was a predictor of CACS (beta 308 (95% CI 213-403), p < 0.001), PAS (beta
      3.67 (95% CI 2.29-5.04), p < 0.001) and peripheral endothelial dysfunction (beta
      2.74 (95% CI 0.47-5.01), p = 0.02). There were more atherosclerotic lesions in
      HLSs (n = 141) than in non-irradiated patients (n = 73, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION:
      Irradiated arteries are characterized by widespread atherosclerotic lesions
      aggravated by elevated levels of cholesterol.

PMID- 24231236
TI  - Dose/volume-response relations for rectal morbidity using planned and simulated
      motion-inclusive dose distributions.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Many dose-limiting normal tissues in radiotherapy (RT)
      display considerable internal motion between fractions over a course of
      treatment, potentially reducing the appropriateness of using planned dose
      distributions to predict morbidity. Accounting explicitly for rectal motion could
      improve the predictive power of modelling rectal morbidity. To test this, we
      simulated the effect of motion in two cohorts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      included patients (232 and 159 cases) received RT for prostate cancer to 70 and
      74 Gy. Motion-inclusive dose distributions were introduced as simulations of
      random or systematic motion to the planned dose distributions. Six rectal
      morbidity endpoints were analysed. A probit model using the QUANTEC recommended
      parameters was also applied to the cohorts. RESULTS: The differences in
      associations using the planned over the motion-inclusive dose distributions were
      modest. Statistically significant associations were obtained with four of the
      endpoints, mainly at high doses (55-70 Gy), using both the planned and the motion
      inclusive dose distributions, primarily when simulating random motion. The
      strongest associations were observed for GI toxicity and rectal bleeding (Rs=0.12
      0.21; Rs=0.11-0.20). Applying the probit model, significant associations were
      found for tenesmus and rectal bleeding (Rs=0.13, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Equally
      strong associations with rectal morbidity were observed at high doses (>55 Gy),
      for the planned and the simulated dose distributions including in particular
      random rectal motion. Future studies should explore patient-specific descriptions
      of rectal motion to achieve improved predictive power.

PMID- 24231237
TI  - Correlation of dose computed using different algorithms with local control
      following stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR)-based treatment of non-small
      cell lung cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To retrospectively compute dose distributions for lung cancer patients
      treated with SABR, and to correlate dose distributions with outcome using a tumor
      control probability (TCP) model. METHODS: Treatment plans for 133 NSCLC patients
      treated using 12 Gy/fxn * 4 (BED=106 Gy), and planned using a pencil-beam (1D
      equivalent-path-length, EPL-1D) algorithm were retrospectively re-calculated
      using model-based algorithms (including convolution/superposition, Monte Carlo).
      4D imaging was performed to manage motion. TCP was computed using the Marsden
      model and associations between dose and outcome were inferred. RESULTS: Mean D95
      reductions of 20% (max.=33%) were noted with model-based algorithms (relative to
      EPL-1D) for the smallest tumors (PTV<20 cm(3)), corresponding to actual delivered
      D95 BEDs of ~ 60-85 Gy. For larger tumors (PTV>100 cm(3)), D95 reductions were ~
      10% (BED>100 Gy). Mean lung doses (MLDs) were 15% lower for model-based
      algorithms for PTVs<20 cm(3). No correlation between tumor size and 2-year local
      control rate was observed clinically, consistent with TCP calculations, both of
      which were ~ 90% across all PTV bins. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that similar
      control rates might be achieved for smaller tumors using lower BEDs relative to
      larger tumors. However, more studies with larger patient cohorts are necessary to
      confirm this possible finding.

PMID- 24231238
TI  - Cold spot mapping inferred from MRI at time of failure predicts biopsy-proven
      local failure after permanent seed brachytherapy in prostate cancer patients:
      implications for focal salvage brachytherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: (1) To establish a method to evaluate dosimetry at the
      time of primary prostate permanent implant (pPPI) using MRI of the shrunken
      prostate at the time of failure (tf). (2) To compare cold spot mapping with
      sextant-biopsy mapping at tf. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients were
      referred for biopsy-proven local failure (LF) after pPPI. Multiparametric MRI and
      combined-sextant biopsy with a central review of the pathology at tf were
      systematically performed. A model of the shrinking pattern was defined as a
      Volumetric Change Factor (VCF) as a function of time from time of pPPI (t0). An
      isotropic expansion to both prostate volume (PV) and seed position (SP)
      coordinates determined at tf was performed using a validated algorithm using the
      VCF. RESULTS: pPPI CT-based evaluation (at 4weeks) vs. MR-based evaluation: Mean
      D90% was 145.23+/-19.16Gy [100.0-167.5] vs. 85.28+/-27.36Gy [39-139] (p=0.001),
      respectively. Mean V100% was 91.6+/-7.9% [70-100%] vs. 73.1+/-13.8% [55-98%]
      (p=0.0006), respectively. Seventy-seven per cent of the pathologically positive
      sextants were classified as cold. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with biopsy-proven LF had
      poorer implantation quality when evaluated by MRI several years after
      implantation. There is a strong relationship between microscopic involvement at
      tf and cold spots.

PMID- 24231240
TI  - Trajectory modulated prone breast irradiation: a LINAC-based technique combining
      intensity modulated delivery and motion of the couch.
AB  - PURPOSE: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) provides a non-invasive treatment
      alternative for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), however,
      limitations in achievable dose conformity of current EBRT techniques have been
      correlated to reported toxicity. To enhance the conformity of EBRT APBI, a
      technique for conventional LINACs is developed, which through combined motion of
      the couch, intensity modulated delivery, and a prone breast setup, enables wide
      angular coronal arc irradiation of the ipsilateral breast without irradiating
      through the thorax and contralateral breast. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A couch
      trajectory optimization technique was developed to determine the trajectories
      that concurrently avoid collision with the LINAC and maintain the target within
      the MLC apertures. Inverse treatment planning was performed along the derived
      trajectory. The technique was experimentally implemented by programming the
      Varian TrueBeamTM STx in Developer Mode. The dosimetric accuracy of the delivery
      was evaluated by ion chamber and film measurements in phantom. RESULTS: The
      resulting optimized trajectory was shown to be necessarily non-isocentric, and
      contain both translation and rotations of the couch. Film measurements resulted
      in 93% of the points in the measured two-dimensional dose maps passing the 3%/3mm
      Gamma criterion. Preliminary treatment plan comparison to 5-field 3D-conformal,
      IMRT, and VMAT demonstrated enhancement in conformity, and reduction of the
      normal tissue V50% and V100% parameters that have been correlated with EBRT
      toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of wide-angular intensity modulated
      partial breast irradiation using motion of the couch has been demonstrated
      experimentally on a standard LINAC for the first time. For patients eligible for
      a prone setup, the technique may enable improvement of dose conformity and
      associated dose-volume parameters correlated with toxicity.

PMID- 24231239
TI  - The prostate cancer risk stratification (ProCaRS) project: recursive partitioning
      risk stratification analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Genitourinary Radiation Oncologists of Canada (GUROC) published a
      three-group risk stratification (RS) system to assist prostate cancer decision
      making in 2001. The objective of this project is to use the ProCaRS database to
      statistically model the predictive accuracy and clinical utility of a proposed
      new multi-group RS schema. METHODS: The RS analyses utilized the ProCaRS database
      that consists of 7974 patients from four Canadian institutions. Recursive
      partitioning analysis (RPA) was utilized to explore the sub-stratification of
      groups defined by the existing three-group GUROC scheme. 10-fold cross-validated
      C-indices and the Net Reclassification Index were both used to assess
      multivariable models and compare the predictive accuracy of existing and proposed
      RS systems, respectively. RESULTS: The recursive partitioning analysis has
      suggested that the existing GUROC classification system could be altered to
      accommodate as many as six separate and statistical unique groups based on
      differences in BFFS (C-index 0.67 and AUC 0.70). GUROC low-risk patients would be
      divided into new favorable-low and low-risk groups based on PSA ?6 and PSA >6.
      GUROC intermediate-risk patients can be subclassified into low-intermediate and
      high-intermediate groups. GUROC high-intermediate-risk is defined as existing
      GUROC intermediate-risk with PSA >=10 AND either T2b/c disease or T1T2a disease
      with Gleason 7. GUROC high-risk patients would be subclassified into an
      additional extreme-risk group (GUROC high-risk AND (positive cores ?87.5% OR PSA
      >30). CONCLUSIONS: Proposed RS subcategories have been identified by a RPA of the
      ProCaRS database.

PMID- 24231241
TI  - Phase I study of neoadjuvant accelerated short course radiation therapy with
      photons and capecitabine for resectable pancreatic cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this phase I study, we sought to determine the feasibility and
      tolerability of neoadjuvant short course radiotherapy (SC-CRT) delivered with
      photon RT with concurrent capecitabine for resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with localized, resectable pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma were enrolled from December 2009 to August 2011. In dose level I,
      patients received 3 Gy * 10. In dose level 2, patients received 5 Gy * 5 (every
      other day). In dose level 3, patients received 5 Gy * 5 (consecutive days).
      Capecitabine was given during weeks 1 and 2. Surgery was performed 1-3 weeks
      after completion of chemotherapy. RESULTS: With an intended accrual of 12
      patients, the study was closed early due to unexpected intraoperative
      complications. Compared to the companion phase I proton study, patients treated
      with photons had increased intraoperative RT fibrosis reported by surgeons (27%
      vs. 63%). Among those undergoing a Whipple resection, increased RT fibrosis
      translated to an increased mean OR time of 69 min. Dosimetric comparison revealed
      significantly increased low dose exposure to organs at risk for patients treated
      with photon RT. CONCLUSIONS: This phase I experience evaluating the tolerability
      of neoadjuvant SC-CRT with photon RT closed early due to unexpected
      intraoperative complications.

PMID- 24231242
TI  - High-dose-rate brachytherapy alone given as two or one fraction to patients for
      locally advanced prostate cancer: acute toxicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate early urinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) adverse
      events (AEs) after two or one fraction of high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT)
      in advanced prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 165 patients were treated with
      2 * 13 Gy (n=115), or a single dose of 19 Gy (n=24) or 20 Gy (n=26) HDR-BT. Early
      AEs were assessed using the RTOG scoring system and the International Prostate
      Symptom Score (IPSS). RESULTS: Week-2 prevalence of severe IPSS symptoms was
      higher after 20 Gy than after 26 or 19 Gy but by 12 weeks all groups were at pre
      treatment levels or less. Grade-3 GU toxicity was observed <=9% of patients. No
      Grade 4 GU and no Grade 3 or 4 GI complications were observed. However, there was
      a significant increase in catheter use in the first 12 weeks after implant after
      19 and 20 Gy compared with 2 * 13 Gy. CONCLUSION: Single dose HDR-BT is feasible
      with acceptable levels of acute complications; tolerance may have been reached
      with the single 19 Gy schedule.

PMID- 24231243
TI  - Intensity modulated radiosurgery of brain metastases with flattening filter-free
      beams.
AB  - PURPOSE: Flattening filter free (FFF) irradiation potentially reduces treatment
      delivery time in radiosurgery thus eliminating intrafraction motion and
      increasing patient comfort. We compared plan quality and efficiency of VMAT and
      IMRT plans for FFF- and standard delivery for brain metastases with single
      fraction doses of 20 Gy and validated the dosimetric accuracy of the FFF
      delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CT data of 15 patients with brain metastases were
      included in this study. For every patient, 2 IMRT- and 2 VMAT-plans were created
      using a high-resolution MLC with two different delivery modes (6MV standard vs.
      6MV FFF). Plan quality and efficiency was assessed by analysis of conformity,
      homogeneity, dose gradients, treatment delivery time and number of monitor units
      (MU). Dosimetric evaluation was performed for 10 FFF plans with radiochromic film
      and ion chamber. RESULTS: Plan quality was similar for both approaches. FFF
      provided a mean treatment time reduction of 51.5% with similar MU for VMAT and
      IMRT for this low-modulation paradigm. The dosimetric validations showed an
      absolute dose deviation of +0.93 +/- 0.99% and gamma-index analysis (3%/3mm and
      3%/1mm) resulted in agreement of 99.08 +/- 1.58% respectively 93.46 +/- 2.41%.
      CONCLUSION: FFF radiosurgery is an efficient technique for intensity modulated
      hypofractionated or single fraction treatments with similar plan quality when
      compared to flattened beams at reduced treatment time.

PMID- 24231244
TI  - DCE-MRI of the hypoxic fraction, radioresponsiveness, and metastatic propensity
      of cervical carcinoma xenografts.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Locoregional treatment failure and poor survival rates
      are associated with extensive hypoxia in the primary tumor in advanced cervical
      carcinoma. The potential of gadolinium diethylene-triamine penta-acetic acid (Gd
      DTPA)-based dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in
      assessing the hypoxic fraction, radioresponsiveness, and metastatic propensity of
      cervical carcinomas was investigated in this preclinical study. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: CK-160 and TS-415 cervical carcinoma xenografts were used as tumor
      models. DCE-MRI was carried out at 1.5 T, and parametric images of K(trans) and
      v(e) were produced by pharmacokinetic analysis of the DCE-MRI series.
      Pimonidazole was used as a hypoxia marker. Tumor radioresponsiveness was
      determined by irradiating tumors with five fractions of 4 Gy in 48 h and
      measuring cell survival in vitro. Metastatic propensity was determined by
      examining host mice for tumor growth in lymph nodes. RESULTS: Low values of
      K(trans) were associated with extensive hypoxia and radiation resistance in
      tumors of both lines and with high incidence of metastases in CK-160 tumors.
      Associations between ve and hypoxia, radioresponsiveness, or metastatic
      propensity were not found in any of the tumor lines. CONCLUSION: K(trans) is a
      potentially useful biomarker of tumor hypoxia, radiation resistance, and
      metastatic growth in advanced cervical carcinoma.

PMID- 24231245
TI  - Long-term outcomes of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for 868 patients with
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an analysis of survival and treatment toxicities.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term survival outcomes and toxicity
      of NPC patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: From May 2001 to October 2008, 868 non-metastatic NPC patients
      treated by IMRT were analyzed retrospectively. The Radiation Therapy Oncology
      Group (RTOG) criteria were used to assess toxicity. RESULTS: With a median follow
      up of 50 months (range, 5-115 months), the 5-year estimated disease specific
      survival (DSS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), regional recurrence-free
      survival (RRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were 84.7%, 91.8%,
      96.4% and 84.6%, respectively. Of the 868 patients, 186 (21.3%) developed failure
      after treatment. Distant metastasis was the major failure pattern after
      treatment. The 5-year OS rate in patients with stage I, II, III, and IVa-b were
      100.0%, 94.3%, 83.6%, and 70.5%, respectively. The 5-year LRFS rate in patients
      with stage T1, T2, T3, and T4 disease were 100.0%, 96.0%, 90.4%, and 83.3%,
      respectively (chi(2) = 26.32, P<0.001). The 5-year DMFS for N0, N1, N2, and N3
      patients were 96.1%, 85.6%, 73.7%, and 62.1%, respectively (chi(2) = 65.54,
      P<0.001). Concurrent chemotherapy failed to improve survival rates for patients
      with advanced locoregional disease. The most common acute toxicities were mainly
      in grade 1 or 2. Compared with IMRT alone, IMRT plus concurrent chemotherapy
      increased the severity of acute toxicities. The incidence of brain radiation
      damage was relatively high (5.5%, 48/868 cases), and was not observed in patients
      with stage T1-2. CONCLUSION: IMRT for NPC yielded excellent survival outcomes,
      and distant metastasis was the most commonly seen failure pattern after
      treatment. The role of concurrent chemotherapy for advanced locoregional stage
      NPC patients needs to be further investigated. Treatment-related toxicities were
      well tolerable. However, the incidence of brain radiation damage was relatively
      high, especially for patients with advanced T-stage.

PMID- 24231246
TI  - The characteristics of physical activity and gait in patients receiving
      radiotherapy in cancer induced bone pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An objective measure of pain relief may add important
      information to patients' self assessment, particularly after a treatment. The
      study aims were to determine whether measures of physical activity and/or gait
      can be used in characterizing cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) and whether these
      biomarkers are sensitive to treatment response, in patients receiving
      radiotherapy (XRT) for CIBP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were assessed before
      (baseline) and 6-8weeks after XRT (follow up). The following assessments were
      done: Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), activPALTM activity meter, and GAITRite(r)
      electronic walkway (measure of gait). Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and Pearson
      statistical analyses were done. RESULTS: Sixty patients were assessed at
      baseline; median worst pain was 7 and walking interference was 5. At follow up 42
      patients were assessed. BPI worst pain, average pain, walking interference and
      total functional interference all improved (p<0.001). An improvement in
      functional interference correlated with aspects of physical activity (daily hours
      standing r=0.469, p=0.002) and gait (cadence r=0.341, p=0.03). The activPAL and
      GAITRite parameters did not change following XRT (p>0.05). In responder analyses
      there were no differences in activPAL and GAITRite parameters (p>0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Assessment of physical activity and gait allow a characterization of
      the functional aspects of CIBP, but not in the evaluation of XRT.

PMID- 24231247
TI  - Damage accumulation location under cyclic loading in the lumbar disc shifts from
      inner annulus lamellae to peripheral annulus with increasing disc degeneration.
AB  - It is difficult to study the breakdown of lumbar disc tissue over several years
      of exposure to bending and lifting by experimental methods. In our earlier
      published study we have shown how a finite element model of a healthy lumbar
      motion segment was used to predict the damage accumulation location and number of
      cyclic to failure under different loading conditions. The aim of the current
      study was to extend the continuum damage mechanics formulation to the degenerated
      discs and investigate the initiation and progression of mechanical damage.
      Healthy disc model was modified to represent degenerative discs (Thompson grade
      III and IV) by incorporating both geometrical and biochemical changes due to
      degeneration. Analyses predicted decrease in the number of cycles to failure with
      increasing severity of disc degeneration. The study showed that the damage
      initiated at the posterior inner annulus adjacent to the endplates and propagated
      outwards towards its periphery in healthy and grade III degenerated discs. The
      damage accumulated preferentially in the posterior region of the annulus. However
      in grade IV degenerated disc damage initiated at the posterior outer periphery of
      the annulus and propagated circumferentially. The finite element model
      predictions were consistent with the infrequent occurrence of rim lesions at
      early age but a much higher incidence in severely degenerated discs. 

PMID- 24231248
TI  - Embryonic mechanical and soluble cues regulate tendon progenitor cell gene
      expression as a function of developmental stage and anatomical origin.
AB  - Stem cell-based engineering strategies for tendons have yet to yield a normal
      functional tissue, due in part to a need for tenogenic factors. Additionally, the
      ability to evaluate differentiation has been challenged by a lack of markers for
      differentiation. We propose to inform tendon regeneration with developmental cues
      involved in normal tissue formation and with phenotypic markers that are
      characteristic of differentiating tendon progenitor cells (TPCs). Mechanical
      forces, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-4 and transforming growth factor (TGF)
      beta2 are implicated in embryonic tendon development, yet the isolated effects of
      these factors on differentiating TPCs are unknown. Additionally, developmental
      mechanisms vary between limb and axial tendons, suggesting the respective cell
      types are programmed to respond uniquely to exogenous factors. To characterize
      developmental cues and benchmarks for differentiation toward limb vs. axial
      phenotypes, we dynamically loaded and treated TPCs with growth factors and
      assessed gene expression profiles as a function of developmental stage and
      anatomical origin. Based on scleraxis expression, TGFbeta2 was tenogenic for TPCs
      at all stages, while loading was for late-stage cells only, and FGF4 had no
      effect despite regulation of other genes. When factors were combined, TGFbeta2
      continued to be tenogenic, while FGF4 appeared anti-tenogenic. Various treatments
      elicited distinct responses by axial vs. limb TPCs of specific stages. These
      results identified tenogenic factors, suggest tendon engineering strategies
      should be customized for tissues by anatomical origin, and provide stage-specific
      gene expression profiles of limb and axial TPCs as benchmarks with which to
      monitor tenogenic differentiation of stem cells. 

PMID- 24231249
TI  - Cooperative effects in FH/Li?HCCX?OH2 complexes (X=F, Cl, Br, H).
AB  - The dimers with general formula FH/FLi?HCCX and HCCX?OH2, and the trimers
      FH?HCCX?OH2 (X=F, Cl, Br, H), were optimized computationally to stable
      structures. These model systems derive their strength from a combination of H?pi
      (or Li?pi) electrostatic interactions in the T-shaped FH/FLi?HCCX dimers and
      halogen bonding between the X and the O atom of H2O (or CH?O hydrogen-bonding in
      HCCH complexes). These cooperative interactions in the trimer clusters yield a
      non-additive energy which enhances the stability by between 7% and 10%. The
      variation in the interaction energies, as well as other selected properties, for
      different X is rationalized and discussed. 

PMID- 24231250
TI  - False-positive pneumococcal antigen test in a case of Enterococcus faecalis
      meningitis.

PMID- 24231251
TI  - Telomere length and risk of glioma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Telomere length in blood or buccal cell DNA has been associated with
      risk of various cancers. Glioma can be a highly malignant brain tumor and has few
      known risk factors. Genetic variants in or near RTEL1 and TERT, key components of
      telomere biology, are associated with glioma risk. Therefore, we evaluated the
      association between relative telomere length (RTL) and glioma in a prospective
      study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a nested case-control study within the
      Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. RTL was
      determined by quantitative PCR on blood or buccal cell DNA obtained at least 2
      years prior to diagnosis from 101 individuals with glioma cases. Healthy controls
      (n=198) were matched to cases (2:1) on age, gender, smoking status, calendar
      year, and DNA source. Conditional logistic regression was used to investigate the
      association between RTL and glioma. RESULTS: As expected, RTL declined with
      increasing age in both cases and controls. There was no statistically significant
      association between RTL and glioma overall. An analysis stratified by gender
      suggested that short RTL (1st tertile) in males was associated with glioma (odds
      ratio, [OR]=2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-5.11); this association was
      not observed for females (OR=0.41, 95% CI 0.14-1.17). CONCLUSIONS: This
      prospective study did not identify significant associations between RTL and
      glioma risk, but there may be gender-specific differences. Larger, prospective
      studies are needed to evaluate these findings.

PMID- 24231253
TI  - 6p22.3 amplification as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target of advanced
      stage bladder cancer.
AB  - Genetic and epigenetic alterations have been identified as to contribute directly
      or indirectly to the generation of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary
      bladder (TCC-UB). In a comparative fashion much less is known about copy number
      alterations in TCC-UB, but it appears that amplification of chromosome 6p22 is
      one of the most frequent changes. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
      analyses, we evaluated chromosomal 6p22 amplification in a large cohort of
      bladder cancer patients with complete surgical staging and outcome data. We have
      also used shRNA knockdown candidate oncogenes in the cell based study. We found
      that amplification of chromosome 6p22.3 is significantly associated with the
      muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCC-UB) (22%)
      in contrast to superficial TCC-UB (9%) (p=7.2-04). The rate of 6p22.3
      amplification in pN>1 patients (32%) is more than twice that in pN0 (16%)
      patients (p=0.05). Interestingly, we found that 6p22.3 amplification is as twice
      as high (p=0.0201) in African American (AA) than European American (EA) TCC-UB
      patients. Moreover, we showed that the expression of some candidate genes (E2F3,
      CDKAL1 and Sox4) in the 6p22.3 region is highly correlated with the chromosomal
      amplification. In particular, knockdown of E2F3 inhibits cell proliferation in a
      6p22.3-dependent manner, whereas knockdown of CDKAL1 and Sox4 has no effect on
      cell proliferation. Using gene expression profiling, we further identified some
      common as well as distinctive subset targets of the E2F3 family members. In
      summary, our data indicate that E2F3 is a key regulator of cell proliferation in
      a subset of bladder cancer and the 6p22.3 amplicon is a biomarker of aggressive
      phenotype in this tumor type. 

PMID- 24231252
TI  - DNA sequence-dependent mechanics and protein-assisted bending in repressor
      mediated loop formation.
AB  - As the chief informational molecule of life, DNA is subject to extensive physical
      manipulations. The energy required to deform double-helical DNA depends on
      sequence, and this mechanical code of DNA influences gene regulation, such as
      through nucleosome positioning. Here we examine the sequence-dependent
      flexibility of DNA in bacterial transcription factor-mediated looping, a context
      for which the role of sequence remains poorly understood. Using a suite of
      synthetic constructs repressed by the Lac repressor and two well-known sequences
      that show large flexibility differences in vitro, we make precise statistical
      mechanical predictions as to how DNA sequence influences loop formation and test
      these predictions using in vivo transcription and in vitro single-molecule
      assays. Surprisingly, sequence-dependent flexibility does not affect in vivo gene
      regulation. By theoretically and experimentally quantifying the relative
      contributions of sequence and the DNA-bending protein HU to DNA mechanical
      properties, we reveal that bending by HU dominates DNA mechanics and masks
      intrinsic sequence-dependent flexibility. Such a quantitative understanding of
      how mechanical regulatory information is encoded in the genome will be a key step
      towards a predictive understanding of gene regulation at single-base pair
      resolution. 

PMID- 24231254
TI  - The influence of upper-body strength on flat-water sprint kayak performance in
      elite athletes.
AB  - Dry-land strength training is a fundamental component for elite kayak
      performance. The aims of this research were 3-fold: 1st, to determine the
      relationship between performance time and strength scores for elite kayakers;
      2nd, to identify how strength changes (gains or losses) over 3 training y relate
      with changes in performance time for elite kayakers; and 3rd, to compare the
      progression in performance times for elite athletes with the top 3 performers
      from the national championships. The performance data for 15 elite male and 10
      elite female kayakers were collected over 2 y. This group was reduced to 9 men
      and 8 women in the 3rd and final year. There were direct and significant
      correlations between strength scores and performance times across the 3 y. Bench
      press 1RM increased by 34.8% for men and 42.3% for women. Over the 3 seasons,
      mean 1000-m time decreased by approximately 4.8%, 500-m times decreased by 7.3%
      (women), and 200-m times decreased by 9.1%. The women's 500-m changed from 11.9%
      difference from medalists to within 1.1% during the 3 y. During the 3 y of this
      study a change in 1-repetitionmaximum (1RM) bench press of 13% for men and 6.5%
      in women coincided with a change in performance times of 1%. For 1RM pull-up a
      change of 10% in men and 2.3% in women coincided with a change in performance
      times of 1%. 

PMID- 24231255
TI  - Response to the letter by Dubey et al. (2013).

PMID- 24231256
TI  - Results of the European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills examination.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2011, the European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (E-BLUS)
      examination was introduced as a pilot for the examination of final-year urologic
      residents. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to answer the following research
      questions: What level of laparoscopic skills do final-year residents in urology
      have in Europe, and do the participants of the E-BLUS pass the examination
      according to the validated criteria? DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
      Participants of the examination were final-year urology residents from different
      European countries taking part in the European Urology Residents Education
      Program in 2011 and 2012. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: The E-BLUS exam consists of five
      tasks validated for the training of basic urologic laparoscopic skills. OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Performances of the tasks were recorded on
      DVD and analysed by an objective rater. Time and number of errors made in tasks 1
      4 were noted. Furthermore, all expert laparoscopic urologists were asked to score
      participants on a global rating scale (1-5) based on three items: depth
      perception, bimanual dexterity, and efficiency. Participants were asked to
      complete a questionnaire on prior training and laparoscopic experience. RESULTS
      AND LIMITATIONS: Seventy DVD recordings were analysed. Most participants did not
      pass the time criteria on task 4 (90%), task 2 (85.7%), task 1 (74.3%), and task
      5 (71.4%). Task 3 was passed by 84.3%. The overall quality score was passed by
      64%. When combining time and quality, only three participants (4.2%) passed the
      examination according to the validated criteria. According to the questionnaire,
      61% did not have the opportunity to train in laparoscopic skills. CONCLUSIONS:
      The results of the E-BLUS examination show that the level of basic laparoscopic
      skills among European residents is low. Although quality of performance is good,
      most residents do not pass the validated time criteria. Regular laparoscopic
      training or a dedicated fellowship should improve the laparoscopic level of
      residents in urology.

PMID- 24231257
TI  - Understanding community pharmacy intervention practice: lessons from intervention
      researchers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Community pharmacy (CP) is a setting with health promotion and public
      health potential which could include strategies with a nutrition promotion focus.
      Research embedded in this setting has explored and produced evidence to inform
      practice change to develop this potential. The experience of undertaking research
      in this setting may provide insight into the challenges and key features of
      intervention research practice. Exploring experienced-based knowledge presents as
      a productive area of research, extending what can be known beyond the bounds of
      what is measurable. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to understand the experience of
      intervention research in CP with a focus on nutrition and to develop guidance for
      future research practice (intervention design and implementation) in CP based on
      interventionists' reflections and practice wisdom. METHODS: Semi-structured
      interviews were conducted with 9 researchers with experience in undertaking
      intervention research in CP with a nutrition component. Content analysis,
      constant comparison and interpretive description were used in the analysis and
      interpretation of interview data. RESULTS: Five key lessons were identified - 1)
      utilize existing capacity; 2) navigate and utilize social power and interests; 3)
      personalize engagement and recruitment; 4) consider the logistics and 5)
      intervention type considerations. Key challenges for translating research into
      practice and sustaining change included financial sustainability, physical
      constraints, logistics, collaboration, and practice change enablers. Personal
      reflections on research practice identified qualities, such as determination and
      skills in networking, as key for researching in CP. CONCLUSIONS: CP-embedded
      research is challenging given the complexity of the practice environment. The
      social context of CP appears central to intervention research and a nuanced
      understanding of the social context needs to be the basis for intervention design
      to inform successful implementation. Experience-based and insider knowledge is
      useful and needed for nuanced design and development of intervention research in
      CP.

PMID- 24231258
TI  - IgA+ plasma cells in murine intestinal lamina propria as a positive regulator of
      Treg differentiation.
AB  - Continuous exposure to commensal bacteria gives rise to a complex intestinal
      immune system that maintains local tolerance, which requires Foxp3-expressing
      Treg. Recently, the regulation of TFH function by plasma cells has been reported,
      but effects of intestinal LP-PCs, one of the richest plasma cells in the body, on
      T cell differentiation have not been studied. Here, we investigated whether
      IgA(+) LP-PCs from murine small intestines had effects on T cell differentiation.
      Surprisingly, when IgA(+) LP-PCs were cocultured with CD4(+) T cells, Foxp3
      expression was increased significantly in CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells. Results using
      the Transwell coculture system revealed that soluble factors from LP-PCs, TGF
      beta, and RA were involved in the induction of Foxp3 expression. Furthermore,
      Foxp3(+)CD25(-) T cells were decreased in PP after intestinal depletion of plasma
      cells. In addition, intestinal colony transfer from SPF to germ-free mice was
      demonstrated to generate IgA(+) LP-PCs and Foxp3(+) T cells with meaningful
      correlation in LP. We report for the first time that IgA(+) LP-PCs induce Foxp3
      expression in T cells through TGF-beta and RA. LP-PCs generated by commensal
      bacteria may play a crucial role in intestinal immunity through the induction of
      Treg, as well as IgA production. 

PMID- 24231259
TI  - Virus-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses in the absence of Th1-associated
      transcription factors.
AB  - Effector and memory CD4 and CD8 T cell responses are critical for the control of
      many intracellular pathogens. The development of these populations is governed by
      transcription factors that molecularly control their differentiation, function,
      and maintenance. Two transcription factors known to be involved in these
      processes are Tbet and STAT4. Although Tbet has been shown to regulate CD8 T cell
      fate decisions and effector CD4 T cell choices, the contribution of STAT4 is less
      well understood. To address this, we examined the impact of STAT4 on T cell
      responses in the presence or absence of Tbet, following LCMV infection by using
      mice lacking Tbet, STAT4, or both transcription factors. STAT4 was not required
      for Tbet or Eomes expression; however, virus-specific effector CD8 T cells are
      skewed toward a memory-precursor phenotype in the absence of STAT4. This altered
      proportion of memory precursors did not result in an increase in memory CD8 T
      cells after the resolution of the infection. We also demonstrate that virus
      specific effector and memory CD4 T cells formed independently of Tbet and STAT4,
      although a slight reduction in the number of antigen-specific CD4 T cells was
      apparent in mice lacking both transcription factors. Collectively, we have
      discovered distinct roles for Tbet and STAT4 in shaping the phenotype and
      function of virus-specific T cell responses.

PMID- 24231260
TI  - Population heterogeneity in the salience of multiple risk factors for adolescent
      delinquency.
AB  - PURPOSE: To present mixture regression analysis as an alternative to more
      standard regression analysis for predicting adolescent delinquency. We
      demonstrate how mixture regression analysis allows for the identification of
      population subgroups defined by the salience of multiple risk factors. METHODS:
      We identified population subgroups (i.e., latent classes) of individuals based on
      their coefficients in a regression model predicting adolescent delinquency from
      eight previously established risk indices drawn from the community, school,
      family, peer, and individual levels. The study included N = 37,763 10th-grade
      adolescents who participated in the Communities That Care Youth Survey. Standard,
      zero-inflated, and mixture Poisson and negative binomial regression models were
      considered. RESULTS: Standard and mixture negative binomial regression models
      were selected as optimal. The five-class regression model was interpreted based
      on the class-specific regression coefficients, indicating that risk factors had
      varying salience across classes of adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Standard regression
      showed that all risk factors were significantly associated with delinquency.
      Mixture regression provided more nuanced information, suggesting a unique set of
      risk factors that were salient for different subgroups of adolescents.
      Implications for the design of subgroup-specific interventions are discussed.

PMID- 24231261
TI  - Mean girls: sex differences in the effects of mild traumatic brain injury on the
      social dynamics of juvenile rat play behaviour.
AB  - Clinical studies indicate that children who experience a traumatic brain injury
      (TBI) are often the victim of peer rejection, have very few mutual friends, and
      are at risk for long-term behavioural and social impairments. Owing to the fact
      that peer play is critical for healthy development, it is possible that the long
      term impairments are associated not only with the TBI, but also altered play
      during this critical period of brain development. This study was designed to
      determine if social dynamics and juvenile play are altered in rats that
      experience a mild TBI (mTBI) early in life. Play-fighting behaviours were
      recorded and analyzed for young male and female Sprague Dawley rats that were
      given either an mTBI or a sham injury. The study found that the presence of an
      mTBI altered the play fighting relationship, and the nature of the alterations
      were dependent upon the sex of the pairing and the injury status of their peers.
      Sham rats were significantly less likely to initiate play with an mTBI rat, and
      were more likely to respond to a play initiation from an mTBI rat with an
      avoidant strategy. This effect was significantly more pronounced in female rats,
      whereby it appeared that female rats with an mTBI were particularly rejected and
      most often excluded from play experiences. Male rats with an mTBI learned normal
      play strategies from their sham peers (when housed in mixed cages), whereas
      female rats with an mTBI show heightened impairment in these conditions. Play
      therapy may need to be incorporated into treatment strategies for children with
      TBI. 

PMID- 24231262
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of cellulose 3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate silica
      hybrid spheres for enantioseparation of chiral beta-blockers.
AB  - A cellulose derivative-based chiral stationary phase (CSP) is considered one of
      the most widely applied CSPs due to its powerful enantioseparation ability. The
      high loading capacity and mechanical strength of CSPs are crucial for their
      application in preparative chromatography, such as a simulated moving bed.
      Compared to traditional cellulose-based CSPs that have been adsorbed onto
      chromatographic supports, organic-inorganic hybrid CSPs exhibit a potentially
      higher loading capacity and mechanical strength by increasing the density of
      chiral recognition groups. A hybrid cellulose 3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate chiral
      stationary phase (organic/inorganic: 70/30, w/w) was prepared via a sol-gel
      method and characterized with several analytical techniques, including Fourier
      transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA),
      scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and (29)Si cross polarization/magic angle
      spinning nuclear magnetic resonance ((29)Si CP/MAS NMR). In addition, the as
      synthesized hybrid chiral silica spheres were treated with an end-capping process
      to mask the residual silica hydroxyl groups. Compared to a commercial Chiralpak
      IB column, better separation of beta-blocker drugs, including pindolol
      (selectivity of 5.55), metoprolol (2.30), propranolol (1.96), bisoprolol (1.74)
      and atenolol (1.46), on the end-capped CSP was achieved using liquid
      chromatography, which suggests that the packing material synthesized in this work
      has sufficient chiral discriminating ability for the effective separation of beta
      blocker drugs. 

PMID- 24231263
TI  - Separation of iron-free and iron-saturated forms of transferrin and lactoferrin
      via capillary electrophoresis performed in fused-silica and neutral capillaries.
AB  - A capillary electrophoresis-based method for the cost-effective and high
      efficient separation of iron-free and iron-saturated forms of two members of
      transferrin family: transferrin and lactoferrin has been developed. The proposed
      qualitative method relying on the SDS application allowed us to separate iron
      free and iron-saturated forms of these proteins, as well as human serum albumin,
      used as an internal standard. Owing to the distinct migration times under
      established conditions, the combination of transferrin and lactoferrin assays
      within a single analytical procedure was feasible. The performance of the method
      using a fused-silica capillary has been compared with the results obtained using
      the same method but performed with the use of a neutral capillary of the same
      dimensions. Neutral capillary has been used as an alternative, since the
      comparable resolution has been achieved with a concomitant reduction of the
      electroosmotic flow. Despite of this fact, the migration of analytes occurred
      with similar velocity but in opposite order, due to the reverse polarity
      application. A quantitative method employing fused-silica capillary for iron
      saturation study has been also developed, to evaluate the iron saturation in
      commercial preparations of lactoferrin. 

PMID- 24231264
TI  - Chemical profiling and quantification of Chinese medicinal formula Huang-Lian-Jie
      Du decoction, a systematic quality control strategy using ultra high performance
      liquid chromatography combined with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap and triple
      quadrupole mass spectrometers.
AB  - To clarify and quantify the chemical profiling of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction
      (HLJDD) rapidly, a feasible and accurate strategy was developed by applying high
      speed LC combined with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer (Q-Exactive)
      and UHPLC-triple quadruple mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QqQ MS). 69 compounds,
      including iridoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoid, monoterpene and phenolic
      acids, were identified by their characteristic high resolution mass data. Among
      them, 18 major compounds were unambiguously detected by comparing with reference
      standards. In the subsequent quantitative analysis, 17 representative compounds,
      selected as quality control markers, were simultaneously detected in 10 batches
      of HLJDD samples by UHPLC-QqQ MS. These samples were collected from four
      different countries (regions). Icariin, swertiamarin and corynoline were employed
      as internal standards for flavonoids, iridoids and alkaloids respectively. All
      the analytes were detected within 12min. Polarity switching mode was used in the
      optimization of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) conditions. Satisfactory
      linearity was achieved with wide linear range and fine determination coefficient
      (r(2)>0.9990). The relative standard deviations (RSD) of inter- and intra-day
      precisions were less than 5.0%. This method was also validated by repeatability,
      stability (8h) and recovery, with respective RSDs less than 4.6%, 5.0% and 6.3%.
      This research established a high sensitive and efficient method for the
      integrating quality control, including identification and quantification of
      Chinese medicinal formulas. 

PMID- 24231265
TI  - Fermentation pre-treatment of landfill leachate for enhanced electron recovery in
      a microbial electrolysis cell.
AB  - Pre-fermentation of poorly biodegradable landfill leachate (BOD5/COD ratio of
      0.32) was evaluated for enhanced current density (j), Coulombic efficiency (CE),
      Coulombic recovery (CR), and removal of organics (BOD5 and COD) in a microbial
      electrolysis cell (MEC). During fermentation, the complex organic matter in the
      leachate was transformed to simple volatile fatty acids, particularly succinate
      and acetate in batch tests, but mostly acetate in semi-continuous fermentation.
      Carbohydrate had the highest degree of fermentation, followed by protein and
      lipids. j, CE, CR, and BOD5 removal were much greater for an MEC fed with
      fermented leachate (23 A/m(3) or 16 mA/m(2), 68%, 17.3%, and 83%, respectively)
      compared to raw leachate (2.5 A/m(3) or 1.7 mA/m(2), 56%, 2.1%, and 5.6%,
      respectively). All differences support the value of pre-fermentation before an
      MEC for stabilization of BOD5 and enhanced electron recovery as current when
      treating a recalcitrant wastewater like landfill leachate.

PMID- 24231266
TI  - Study on kinetic model of microwave thermocatalytic treatment of biomass tar
      model compound.
AB  - Kinetic model parameters for toluene conversion under microwave thermocatalytic
      treatment were evaluated. The kinetic rate constants were determined using
      integral method based on experimental data and coupled with Arrhenius equation
      for obtaining the activation energies and pre-exponential factors. The model
      provides a good agreement with the experimental data. The kinetic model was also
      validated with standard error of 3% on average. The extrapolation of the model
      showed a reasonable trend to predict toluene conversion and product yield both in
      thermal and catalytic treatments. Under microwave irradiation, activation energy
      of toluene conversion was lower in the range of 3-27 kJ mol(-1) compared to those
      of conventional heating reported in the literatures. The overall reaction rate
      was six times higher compared to conventional heating. As a whole, the kinetic
      model works better for tar model removal in the absence of gas reforming within a
      level of reliability demonstrated in this study.

PMID- 24231267
TI  - Blood blister-like aneurysms: single center experience and systematic literature
      review.
AB  - Blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) are a controversial entity. They arise from
      non-branching sites on the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) and are
      suspected to originate from a dissection. Our aim is to describe the BBA cases
      seen in our center and to present a systematic review of the literature on BBAs.
      We analyzed the eleven cases of BBA admitted to our center from 2003 to 2012. We
      assessed the medical history, treatment modality (endovascular and/or surgery),
      complications and clinical outcome. The cohort included 8 women and 4 men with a
      mean age of 53.16 years. Treatment of the BBA consisted of stenting and coiling
      in 5 patients, stenting only in 4 patients, coiling and clipping in 1 patient,
      clipping only in 1 patient, and conservative treatment in 1 patient. A good
      outcome was found in 10 patients, as defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS)
      less than or equal to two at three months. A systematic review of the literature
      was performed, and 314 reported patients were found: 221 patients were treated
      with a primarily surgical approach, and 87 patients were treated with a primarily
      endovascular approach. A rescue or second treatment was required in 46 patients
      (21%). The overall estimated treatment morbidity rate was 17%, and the mortality
      rate was 15%. BBAs exhibit more aggressive behavior compared to saccular
      aneurysms, and more intra-operative complications occur with BBAs, independent of
      the treatment type offered. They are also significantly more likely to relapse
      and rebleed after treatment. Endovascular treatment offers a lower morbidity
      mortality compared with surgical approaches. Multilayer flow-diverting stents
      appear to be a promising strategy. 

PMID- 24231269
TI  - Which functionalities are available in the electronic health record systems used
      by French general practitioners? An assessment study of 15 systems.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Whereas an unprecedented effort is currently under way worldwide for
      the implementation of electronic health record (EHR) systems, their capabilities
      are poorly understood, especially in primary care. The objective of this study
      was to assess the main functionalities of the EHR systems used in French general
      practices. METHODS: Among the 20 EHR systems marketed in France, we assessed the
      15 systems used by more than 1500 general practitioners in the Provence-Alpes
      Cote d'Azur region in the southeast part of France. Each EHR system was assessed
      in a general practice office, using two clinical vignettes describing virtual
      patient consultations. The evaluation criteria were derived from the EuroRec
      requirements for EHR system quality. The assessment scale included 37 criteria
      grouped into three sets: background data, consultation data, and exchange
      functionalities. The scoring system used, totalling 64 points, was based on the
      validation of the criteria and was adjusted based on the possibility of
      standardising the data. A high score indicated a good EHR system quality.
      RESULTS: The median global score was 32 points out of a possible 64 (range: 20
      39). The median score was 12 points out of 22 (range: 6-15) for the background
      data set, 16 points out of 32 (range: 9-22) for the consultation data set, and
      four points out of 10 (range: 0-6) for the exchange functionalities. No
      association was found between the number of users and the assessment score of the
      EHR systems (p=0.79). One third of the EHR systems lacked a problem list and only
      one of them supported the episode of care. CONCLUSION: Functionalities noticeably
      vary among the EHR systems currently used in French primary care. Whereas these
      systems are globally very focused on drug prescriptions, several core
      functionalities are frequently lacking. They are also poorly interoperable for
      healthcare professionals and patients. Further research is necessary to assess
      their actual use.

PMID- 24231268
TI  - BET bromodomain protein inhibition is a therapeutic option for medulloblastoma.
AB  - Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood, and
      represents a significant clinical challenge in pediatric oncology, since overall
      survival currently remains under 70%. Patients with tumors overexpressing MYC or
      harboring a MYC oncogene amplification have an extremely poor prognosis.
      Pharmacologically inhibiting MYC expression may, thus, have clinical utility
      given its pathogenetic role in medulloblastoma. Recent studies using the
      selective small molecule BET inhibitor, JQ1, have identified BET bromodomain
      proteins, especially BRD4, as epigenetic regulatory factors for MYC and its
      targets. Targeting MYC expression by BET inhibition resulted in antitumoral
      effects in various cancers. Our aim here was to evaluate the efficacy of JQ1
      against preclinical models for high-risk MYC-driven medulloblastoma. Treatment of
      medulloblastoma cell lines with JQ1 significantly reduced cell proliferation and
      preferentially induced apoptosis in cells expressing high levels of MYC. JQ1
      treatment of medulloblastoma cell lines downregulated MYC expression and resulted
      in a transcriptional deregulation of MYC targets, and also significantly altered
      expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression and p53 signalling. JQ1
      treatment prolonged the survival of mice harboring medulloblastoma xenografts and
      reduced the tumor burden in these mice. Our preclinical data provide evidence to
      pursue testing BET inhibitors, such as JQ1, as molecular targeted therapeutic
      options for patients with high-risk medulloblastomas overexpressing MYC or
      harboring MYC amplifications. 

PMID- 24231270
TI  - Rickettsial infections in ticks from wild birds in Paraguay.
AB  - Ticks were collected from wild birds at 3 locations in Paraguay during the South
      American winter in August and September 2012. In total, 480 birds belonging to
      106 species were examined. Overall, 31 (6.5%) birds representing 21 species were
      found parasitized by ticks which were identified as Amblyomma calcaratum Neumann
      (2 larvae, 20 nymphs), Amblyomma longirostre (Koch) (17 larvae, 3 nymphs),
      Amblyomma parvum Aragao (7 nymphs), Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas) (1 nymph),
      Amblyomma ovale Koch (1 nymph), Amblyomma tigrinum Koch (1 larva), and Amblyomma
      spp. (4 larvae). Ticks collected accidentally on humans at the study locations
      during field work included 1 nymph of Amblyomma coelebs Neumann and 54 nymphs of
      Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius). Most ticks were individually tested for the
      presence of Rickettsia species by polymerase chain reaction targeting rickettsial
      genes gltA and ompA and by amplicon sequencing. Two (12%) out of 17 A.
      longirostre larvae were found infected with Candidatus 'Rickettsia amblyommii',
      and 2 (33%) out of 6 A. parvum nymphs were infected with Candidatus 'Rickettsia
      andeanae'. This study provides the first report of rickettsial infections in
      Paraguayan ticks. 

PMID- 24231271
TI  - Lipid core peptide targeting the cathepsin D hemoglobinase of Schistosoma mansoni
      as a component of a schistosomiasis vaccine.
AB  - The self-adjuvanting lipid core peptide (LCP) system offers a safe alternative
      vaccine delivery strategy, eliminating the need for additional adjuvants such as
      CpG Alum. In this study, we adopted the LCP as a scaffold for an epitope located
      on the surface of the cathepsin D hemoglobinase (Sm-CatD) of the human blood
      fluke Schistosoma mansoni. Sm-CatD plays a pivotal role in digestion of the
      fluke's bloodmeal and has been shown to be efficacious as a subunit vaccine in a
      murine model of human schistosomiasis. Using molecular modeling we showed that S.
      mansoni cathepsin D possesses a predicted surface exposed alpha-helix (A263K)
      that corresponds to an immunodominant helix and target of enzyme-neutralizing
      antibodies against Necator americanus APR-1 (Na-APR-1), the orthologous protease
      and vaccine antigen from blood-feeding hookworms. The A263K epitope was
      engineered as two peptide variants, one of which was flanked at both termini with
      a coil maintaining sequence, thereby promoting the helical characteristics of the
      native A263K epitope. Some of the peptides were fused to a self-adjuvanting lipid
      core scaffold to generate LCPs. Mice were vaccinated with unadjuvanted peptides,
      peptides formulated with Freund's adjuvants, or LCPs. Antibodies generated to
      LCPs recognized native Sm-CatD within a soluble adult schistosome extract, and
      almost completely abolished its enzymatic activity in vitro. Using
      immunohistochemistry we showed that anti-LCP antibodies bound to the native Sm
      CatD protein in the esophagus and anterior regions of the gastrodermis of adult
      flukes. Vaccines offer an alternative control strategy in the fight against
      schistosomiasis, and further development of LCPs containing multiple epitopes
      from this and other vaccine antigens should become a research priority.

PMID- 24231272
TI  - Effect of age, anthropometry, and distance in stroke parameters of young
      swimmers.
AB  - This study aimed to determine the influence of age, anthropometry, and distance
      on stroke parameters of 10- to 17-y-old swimmers. Forty-six male swimmers were
      divided into 4 chronological age groups. Anthropometry and sexual maturity were
      assessed, and maximal efforts of 100, 200, and 400 m using front-crawl style were
      performed to determine stroke rate (SR), length (SL), and index (SI). Multiple
      linear regression, 1-way, and mixed ANOVA for repeated measures were used for
      statistical analyses. There was significant effect of distance for all stroke
      parameters (P < .001) and an age effect only for SL and SI (P < .001). Post hoc
      showed that the 10- to 17-year-old group significantly reduced SR with increasing
      distance (effect size -0.8 to -1.5 comparing 100, 200, and 400 m) but were not
      effective in offsetting this adaptation with increased SL, especially from 200-
      to 400-m distance, at which no group made both adjustments, highlighting the
      decreased efficiency with significant SI reduction (effect size -0.2 to -0.4
      comparing 100, 200, and 400 m). Considering all stroke parameters, the
      performances were almost 100% explained, but SI itself could explain around 90%
      of the performance; furthermore, limb length contributed to explain all stroke
      parameter, and SI was the variable best predicted (around 75%) by
      anthropometrical (upper limbs and height) and descriptive variables (age and y of
      systematic training).Thus, distinct effects of distance and advancing age were
      found during childhood and adolescence on stroke parameters, and SI was
      highlighted as the best predictor of 100-, 200-, and 400-m maximal performances.

PMID- 24231274
TI  - New US prevention guidelines focus on overall risk of cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 24231275
TI  - First case of human infection with new bird flu virus is confirmed.

PMID- 24231273
TI  - Interspinous process device versus standard conventional surgical decompression
      for lumbar spinal stenosis: randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether interspinous process device implantation is more
      effective in the short term than conventional surgical decompression for patients
      with intermittent neurogenic claudication due to lumbar spinal stenosis. DESIGN:
      Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Five neurosurgical centers (including one
      academic and four secondary level care centers) in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS:
      203 participants were referred to the Leiden-The Hague Spine Prognostic Study
      Group between October 2008 and September 2011; 159 participants with intermittent
      neurogenic claudication due to lumbar spinal stenosis at one or two levels with
      an indication for surgery were randomized. INTERVENTIONS: 80 participants
      received an interspinous process device and 79 participants underwent spinal bony
      decompression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome at short term (eight
      weeks) and long term (one year) follow-up was the Zurich Claudication
      Questionnaire score. Repeated measurements were made to compare outcomes over
      time. RESULTS: At eight weeks, the success rate according to the Zurich
      Claudication Questionnaire for the interspinous process device group (63%, 95%
      confidence interval 51% to 73%) was not superior to that for standard bony
      decompression (72%, 60% to 81%). No differences in disability (Zurich
      Claudication Questionnaire; P=0.44) or other outcomes were observed between
      groups during the first year. The repeat surgery rate in the interspinous implant
      group was substantially higher (n=21; 29%) than that in the conventional group
      (n=6; 8%) in the early post-surgical period (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This double
      blinded study could not confirm the hypothesized short term advantage of
      interspinous process device over conventional "simple" decompression and even
      showed a fairly high reoperation rate after interspinous process device
      implantation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register NTR1307.

PMID- 24231276
TI  - Essex hospital is put into special measures over breach of licence.

PMID- 24231277
TI  - Focus on fruits and vegetables to reduce cardiovascular disease and all-cause
      mortality.

PMID- 24231278
TI  - The control of lipid-induced inflammation by macrophages.

PMID- 24231279
TI  - Lipid metabolism and cancer.

PMID- 24231280
TI  - Choice of medical therapy to lower triglycerides in those at risk of
      pancreatitis.

PMID- 24231282
TI  - Male-specific splicing of the silkworm Imp gene is maintained by an
      autoregulatory mechanism.
AB  - Sexual differentiation in the silkworm Bombyx mori is controlled by sex-specific
      splicing of Bmdsx, in which exons 3 and 4 are skipped in males. B. mori insulin
      like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein (Imp) is a factor involved in the male
      specific splicing of Bmdsx. In this study, we found that the male-specific Imp
      mRNA is formed as a result of the inclusion of exon 8 and the promoter-distal
      poly(A) site choice, whereas non-sex-specific polyadenylation occurs at the
      promoter-proximal poly(A) site downstream of exon 7. Recent studies revealed that
      Drosophila Sxl, tra in several dipteran and hymenopteran insects, and fem in Apis
      mellifera, play a central role in sex determination and maintain their productive
      mode of expression via an autoregulatory function. To determine whether Imp
      protein is required for the maintenance of the male-specific splicing of its own
      pre-mRNA, we knocked down endogenous Imp in male cells and assessed the male
      specific splicing of an exogenous Imp minigene. Knockdown of endogenous Imp
      inhibited the male-specific splicing of the Imp minigene transcript. In contrast,
      overexpression of Imp in female cells induced the male-specific splicing of the
      Imp minigene transcript. Moreover, deletion of adenine-rich (A-rich) sequences
      located downstream of the proximal poly(A) site repressed the male-specific
      splicing of the Imp minigene transcript. Finally, gel shift analysis demonstrated
      that Imp binds to the A-rich sequences. These data suggest that Imp binds to the
      A-rich sequences in its own pre-mRNA to induce the male-specific splicing of its
      pre-mRNA. 

PMID- 24231283
TI  - The recent multi-ethnic global lung initiative 2012 (GLI2012) reference values
      don't reflect contemporary adult's North African spirometry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The applicability of the recent multi-ethnic reference equations
      derived by the ERS Global Lung Initiative (ERS/GLI) in interpreting spirometry
      data in North African adult subjects has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To
      ascertain how well the recent ERS/GLI reference equations fit contemporary adult
      Tunisian spirometric data. POPULATION AND METHODS: Spirometric data were recorded
      from 1192 consecutive spirometry procedures in adults aged 18-60 years. Reference
      values and lower limits of normality (LLN) were calculated using the local and
      the ERS/GLI reference equations. Applied definitions: large airway obstructive
      ventilatory defect (LAOVD): FEV1/FVC < LLN. Tendency to a restrictive ventilatory
      defect (TRVD): FEV1 and FVC < LLN and FEV1/FVC >= LLN. The spirometric profile,
      according to the two reference equations, was determined. Z-scores for spirometry
      from North African healthy subjects (n = 489) were calculated. If the average Z
      score deviated by <+/- 0.5 from the overall mean, the ERS/GLI reference equations
      would be considered as reflective of contemporary Tunisian spirometry. RESULTS:
      Using Tunisian reference equations, 71.31%, 6.71% and 19.04% of spirometry
      records were interpreted as normal, and as having, LAOVD and TRVD, respectively.
      Using the ERS/GLI reference equations, these figures were respectively, 85.82%,
      4.19% and 8.39%. The mean +/- SD Z-scores for the contemporary healthy North
      African subject's data were -0.55 +/- 0.87 for FEV1, -0.62 +/- 0.86 for FVC and
      0.10 +/- 0.73 for FEV1/FVC. CONCLUSION: The present study don't recommend the use
      of the recent ERS/GLI reference equations to interpret spirometry in North
      African adult population.

PMID- 24231284
TI  - CARD9 mutations linked to subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis and TH17 cell
      deficiencies.

PMID- 24231285
TI  - Low-affinity allergen-specific IgE in cord blood and affinity maturation after
      birth.

PMID- 24231286
TI  - Board walk - December 2013.

PMID- 24231287
TI  - Compressing movement information via principal components analysis (PCA):
      contrasting outcomes from the time and frequency domains.
AB  - PCA has become an increasingly used analysis technique in the movement domain to
      reveal patterns in data of various kinds (e.g., kinematics, kinetics, EEG, EMG)
      and to compress the dimension of the multivariate data set recorded. It appears
      that virtually all movement related PCA analyses have, however, been conducted in
      the time domain (PCAt). This standard approach can be biased when there are lead
      lag (phase-related) properties to the multivariate time series data. Here we show
      through theoretical derivation and analysis of simulated and experimental
      postural kinematics data sets that PCAt and, PCA in the frequency domain (PCAf),
      can lead to contrasting determinations of the dimension of a data set, with the
      tendency of PCAt to overestimate the number of components. PCAf also provides the
      possibility of obtaining amplitude and phase-difference spectra for each
      principal component that are uniquely suitable to reveal control mechanisms of
      the system. The bias in the PCAt estimate of the number of components can have
      significant implications for the veracity of the interpretations drawn in regard
      to the dynamical degrees of freedom of the perceptual-motor system. 

PMID- 24231288
TI  - Motor palsies of cranial nerves (excluding VII) after vaccination: reports to the
      US Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.
AB  - We reviewed cranial nerve palsies, other than VII, that have been reported to the
      US Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). We examined patterns for
      differences in vaccine types, seriousness, age, and clinical characteristics. We
      identified 68 reports of cranial nerve palsies, most commonly involving the
      oculomotor (III), trochlear (IV), and abducens (VI) nerves. Isolated cranial
      nerve palsies, as well as palsies occurring as part of a broader clinical entity,
      were reported. Forty reports (59%) were classified as serious, suggesting that a
      cranial nerve palsy may sometimes be the harbinger of a broader and more ominous
      clinical entity, such as a stroke or encephalomyelitis. There was no conspicuous
      clustering of live vs. inactivated vaccines. The patient age range spanned the
      spectrum from infants to the elderly. Independent data may help to clarify
      whether, when, and to what extent the rates of cranial nerve palsies following
      particular vaccines may exceed background levels. 

PMID- 24231290
TI  - Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus antibodies in pigs and residents of swine farms,
      southern China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since 1997, the H5 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) circulating in
      China have become an international concern. Clade 2.3.2 of H5N1 AIVs is
      genetically distinct from the viruses isolated before 2007 and antigenically
      different from the vaccine strains widely used in China. Swine farms in rural
      China are thought to play an important role in AIVs ecology. OBJECTIVES: A
      seroepidemiological study was undertaken among swine farm residents and pigs to
      understand the prevalence of antibodies against H5N1 AIVs in southern China.
      STUDY DESIGN: During the period March 24, 2008 to December 25, 2012,serum samples
      were collected from 1606 swine farm residents on 40 swine farms in southern
      China. A total of 1980 pigs' serum samples were collected in the same swine farms
      where swine workers' serum samples were collected from March 2009 to March 2013.
      For a control group, 104 serum samples were collected from healthy city residents
      in Nanchang. All the serum samples were collected to perform hemagglutination
      inhibition (HI) and (neutralization) NT assays to investigate the prevalence of
      H5N1 AIV infections in southern China. RESULTS: Sixteen human samples were
      positive by HI assay and 10 of these were also positive by NT assay against H5N1.
      No serum samples from human control and pigs were HI positive for H5N1 AIV.
      DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate minimal transmission H5N1 AIV from birds to
      pigs in the swine farms studied and the risk of poultry-to-human and poultry-to
      pig transmission for at least clades 2.3.2 seemed very low. This study provides
      the first data regarding antibodies against H5N1 AIV in humans and pigs on swine
      farms in China. The findings of this study can serve as a baseline for additional
      serologic studies to assess transmission of H5N1 viruses between avian species,
      pigs and swine workers.

PMID- 24231289
TI  - Longitudinal change of liver stiffness by transient elestography in chronic
      hepatitis B patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogue.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography is a non
      invasive method to assess liver fibrosis. Decline in LSM value has been reported
      after antiviral treatment (AVT) using nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) in chronic
      hepatitis B (CHB) patients, however, factors associated with changes in LSM
      during AVT remains unclear. METHODS: A total of 76 CHB patients who received AVT
      with NUCs and had serial LSM (median duration: 16 months, range: 12 to 35 months)
      during AVT were analyzed. Complete virological response (CVR) was defined when
      hepatitis B virus DNA level was undetectable by real-time PCR assay (< 50
      copies/mL). RESULTS: LSM value had significantly decreased after AVT with NUCs
      [median (quartile): 6.5 (4.7-9.2) to 5.3 (3.9-6.7), P<0.001]. The median change
      of LSM value/year was -0.8 (range: -9.5~4.9). The annual change of LSM value was
      associated with baseline total bilirubin levels, HBeAg status and achievement of
      CVR during follow-up in univariable analysis, and achievement of CVR during
      follow-up was an only independent factor associated with the annual change of LSM
      value [beta coefficients (95% confidence interval)=-0.29 (-2.81~-0.26), P=0.02].
      The annual LSM change was significantly different between those who achieved and
      did not achieve CVR (median change: -1.08/year vs. 0.26/year, P<0.01), and more
      patients with CVR had decrease in LSM value (89% (47/53) vs. 35% (8/23), P<0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: A significant decrease in LSM value was observed in CHB patients
      after AVT with NUCs. Achievement of CVR was significant factor associated with
      change in LSM value. Achieving CVR might be a key to decrease LSM value during
      AVT with NUCs.

PMID- 24231291
TI  - "Candidatus Sonnebornia yantaiensis", a member of candidate division OD1, as
      intracellular bacteria of the ciliated protist Paramecium bursaria (Ciliophora,
      Oligohymenophorea).
AB  - An intracellular bacterium was discovered in an isolate of Paramecium bursaria
      from a freshwater pond in Yantai, China. The bacteria were abundant and
      exclusively found in the cytoplasm of the host which, along with the green alga
      Chlorella, formed a three-partner consortium that could survive in pure water for
      at least one week. Cloning, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the bacterial
      16S rRNA gene showed that the bacterium belonged to the uncultured candidate
      division OD1, which usually forms part of the rare biosphere. Transmission
      electron microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with specific
      probes showed that the bacteria were usually located close to the perialgal
      membranes of endosymbiotic Chlorella cells, and occasionally irregularly
      distributed throughout the host cytoplasm. The name "Candidatus Sonnebornia
      yantaiensis" gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed for the new bacterium. A strongly
      supported monophyletic subclade, OD1-p, which included the new species, was
      recognized and this study highlights that protists can be important hosts for
      rare bacterial taxa. 

PMID- 24231292
TI  - Genomic insights into the taxonomic status of the three subspecies of Bacillus
      subtilis.
AB  - Bacillus subtilis contains three subspecies, i.e., subspecies subtilis,
      spizizenii, and inaquosorum. As these subspecies are phenotypically
      indistinguishable, their differentiation has relied on phylogenetic analysis of
      multiple protein-coding gene sequences. B. subtilis subsp. inaquosorum is a
      recently proposed taxon that encompasses strain KCTC 13429(T) and related
      strains, which were previously classified as members of subspecies spizizenii.
      However, DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values among the three subspecies raised a
      question as to their independence. Thus, we evaluated the taxonomic status of
      subspecies inaquosorum using genome-based comparative analysis. In contrast to
      the previous experimental values of DDH, the inter-genomic relatedness inferred
      by average nucleotide identity (ANI) values indicated that subspecies inaquosorum
      and spizizenii were sufficiently different from subspecies subtilis and hence
      raised the possibility that the former two could be classified as separate
      species from B. subtilis. The genome-based tree also supported the separation of
      the two subspecies from B. subtilis. The exclusive presence of a subtilin
      synthesis system in subspecies spizizenii was a remarkable genetic characteristic
      that could even distinguish subspecies spizizenii from subspecies inaquosorum in
      addition to the low ANI values (<95%). Conclusively, the genome-based data
      obtained in this study demonstrated that subspecies inaquosorum and spizizenii
      are clearly distinguished from subspecies subtilis, and raises the possibility
      that these two subspecies could be classified as separate species from B.
      subtilis. In addition, the low ANI values between subspecies inaquosorum and
      spizizenii and the exclusive presence of subtilin synthesis genes in subspecies
      spizizenii also suggest circumscription of these two subspecies at the species
      level. 

PMID- 24231293
TI  - Treatment of bacillus Calmette-Guerin refractory non-muscle invasive bladder
      cancer.
AB  - Treatment options for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)
      refractory to intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy is reviewed in
      this article based on the recent published literature. Although intravesical BCG
      is the best bladder sparing treatment option for NMIBC to prevent recurrence and
      progression, about 1/3 of cases are refractory to this treatment. At this point
      radical cystectomy is the standard treatment of choice. If this option is not
      feasible, intravesical chemotherapy with docetaxel or gemcitabine, the
      combination of BCG and interferon (INF)-a or device-assisted intravesical
      strategies, such as mitomycin-EMDA or chemohyperthermia are some of the
      candidates for further treatment. 

PMID- 24231294
TI  - Outpatient urologic surgery office conducted by nursing staff. A process
      integrated in a total quality strategy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To create an innovative process to care for urological outpatient
      surgery patients in an outpatient clinic basis conducted by nursing staff.
      METHODS: Our centre covers a population of 153,266 inhabitants. A differentiated
      process for urological outpatient surgery patients has been implemented,
      conducted by nursing staff trained for the attendance of urologic patients
      ("phimosis","short penile frenulum",and "vasectomy request" sent from Primary
      Care units). Planning and implementation phases have been carried out. In the
      control phase, a questionnaire was given after surgical procedures with 9
      different items, in order to assess different issues of the process. RESULTS: A
      total of 224 patients were attended during the study period, and 175 valid
      questionnaires were collected (78.1%). The procedures performed were circumcision
      (11.7%), frenuloplasty (14.6%), and vasectomy (73.7%), with a median patient age
      of 36 years. Satisfaction level was high for all items of the questionnaire, with
      98.2% of patients" very satisfied" or "rather satisfied" when asked for the
      overall quality of attention of the whole process. The lowest scores were
      obtained in items that assessed delay from the appointment to attendance date
      (5.1% of patients "little satisfaction or not satisfied"), and the perception of
      information supplied (2.3% "little satisfaction or not satisfied"). A lower
      satisfaction score was observed (in the delay from appointment to attendance) in
      younger patients (p=0.001) and in patients who underwent circumcision (p=0.004).
      No complaints with regard to this process were collected. No incorrect
      indications for interventions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The attendance of
      urological outpatient surgery patients can be safely and effectively performed by
      nursing staff trained for the care of urologic patients, without observing a
      decrease of the level of user satisfaction. Focusing on a process strategy allows
      the identification of areas for improvement and makes possible total quality
      management.

PMID- 24231295
TI  - Perioperative complications and surgical oncology outcomes in an initial study
      from 84 patients submitted to laparoscopic radical cystectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Gold Standard treatment for a non-metastatic, invasive bladder
      cancer is an open radical cystoprostatectomy (ORCP). Laparoscopic radical
      cystoprostatectomy (LRCP) is still an experimental technique in evaluation. We
      describe our perioperative results defined as surgical and safety oncology
      variables. METHODS: Every patient who underwent a LRCP between January 2007 and
      July 2011 in the urology department of the University Public Hospital was
      evaluated. We perform a descriptive retrospective analysis. RESULTS: We evaluated
      84 patients, 72 males and 12 females, with a mean age of 68 (44-79). A Bricker
      diversion was performed in 80 patients, a Camey II bladder replacement was
      performed in 3 patients, and a Studer bladder replacement was performed in 1
      patient. Seventeen patients (20.23%) presented with previous abdominal surgery,
      and 6 patients (7.14%) presented a medical history of urological surgery. The
      mean surgery time was 257.57 minutes (180-420). The mean hospital stay was 11.875
      days (standard deviation (SD): 6.28). The onset of tolerance to surgery occurred
      after 3.7 days (SD: 2.21).The transfusion rate after surgical intervention was
      20.2%. The mean number of nodes removed, by means of ilio-obturator
      lymphadenectomy, was 17 (13-19). There were no intraoperative complications.
      Early complications (less than 1 month after the intervention) occurred in 28
      patients (33.3% ).There were no post-operative deaths. There were late
      complications (starting one month after the intervention) in 7 patients (8.3% ).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that LRCP is safe and reproducible and
      represents a minimally invasive option for patients with infiltrative bladder
      cancer.

PMID- 24231296
TI  - Usefulness of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram in the
      prognosis of patients treated with radical cystectomy for invasive bladder
      cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
      Center (MSKCC) nomogram for prediction of recurrence probability in our series of
      patients who have undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. METHODS: 397
      patients underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 1986 and 2005.
      165 patients were excluded:21 due to exitus in the immediate postoperative
      period, 32 due to previous radiation therapy, 6 due to neoadjuvant chemotherapy,
      5 due to inability to complete follow-up, 15 that did not undergo lymphadenectomy
      and 86 who were alive at the time of review with less than 5 years of follow-up.
      Patients were classified into recurrence risk groups: organ-confined tumors (pT0
      2 pN0 ), extra-bladder involvement (pT3-4 pN0) and lymph node involvement (pN+).
      Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Five-year
      recurrence-free survival by risk groups in our series was compared with the one
      estimated using the MSKCC nomogram using a ROC curve. RESULTS: We analyzed 232
      patients. Follow-up in patients who died of cancer was 25 +/- 25 months. For
      alive patients and those who died of other causes, follow-up was 120 +/- 39
      months. Pathology studies revealed 42.7% organ-confined tumors , 33.2% with extra
      bladder involvement and 24.1% with lymph node involvement. The five-year
      recurrence free survival analysis according to the Kaplan-Meier method stratified
      by risk groups was: pT0-2 76%, pT3-4 51%, pN+ 31%. The probability of recurrence
      free survival according to the MSKCC nomogram in the same risk groups was: 85% +/
      5%, 62% +/- 10% and 25% +/- 13%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was
      0.795 (95% CI 0.739-0.852) CONCLUSION: In our series, the MSKCC nomogram
      constitutes a useful tool for predicting 5-year cancer free survival in patients
      who undergo radical cystectomy.

PMID- 24231297
TI  - Predictors of success and hospitalization in semi-rigid ureteroscopy for
      lithiasis as an outpatient procedure.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To analyze the outcomes, predictors of success and predictors of need
      for hospital admission in our series of patients who underwent ureteroscopy (URS)
      as a major outpatient surgery (MOS) procedure. METHODS: We carried out a
      retrospective analysis of 402 patients who had undergone semi-rigid URS for
      ureteral calculi as a MOS procedure in our center between 2004 and 2012. Patients
      with previous DJ catheter were excluded. We classified the calculi according to
      their location (lumbar, pelvic, iliac), size (< or> 1cm) and number (single or
      multiple). Follow-up was done by plain X-ray of the abdomen and ultrasound one
      month after surgery. The procedure was considered successful when patients were
      free from the treated calculi or had ureteral fragments < 3 mm one month after
      surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify the
      factors involved in success and hospitalization not being required. RESULTS: A
      total of 269 patients were included. The majority of the stones were single
      (92.2%), <1 cm in size (76.6%), pelvic (62.1%), and left-sided (57.2%). 89.6% of
      the procedures were performed as MOS and 82.2% were considered to be successful.
      In the multivariate analysis, left-sided (p<0.001) and pelvic location of the
      calculi (p=0,01) were found to be independent predictors for the success of the
      procedure In terms of hospital admission, the only independent predictor was the
      presence of intraoperative complications ( p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Left-sided and
      pelvic locations were the independent predictors for the success of the URS. A
      lack of intraoperative complications was the independent predictor for not
      requiring hospitalisation.

PMID- 24231298
TI  - Fibrous pseudotumor affecting the tunica vaginalis, epididymis and seminal duct.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report one case of advanced fibrous pseudotumour. METHODS: A 34
      year-old patient presented with a painless lump on the right side of the scrotum.
      Examination revealed a hard tissue thickening attached to the tail and body of
      the right epididymis. The results of the ultrasound study were not clear and
      multiple differential diagnosis were considered. The lesion was surgically
      removed by partial right epididymectomy and resection of the affected tunica
      vaginalis and ductus deferens for anatomopathological study. RESULTS: The
      histopathological study revealed an evolved fibrous pseudotumour with bone
      metaplasia. CONCLUSION: Fibrous pseudotumour is a benign paratesticular lesion
      that grows slowly and painlessly. It is usually diagnosed by chance or in
      associated processes such as hydrocele. Differential diagnosis with malignant
      tumors avoids unnecessary radical treatment.

PMID- 24231299
TI  - Hematocele secondary to rupture of an abdominoscrotal hydrocele.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe one case of hematocele secondary to rupture of an
      abdominoscrotal hydrocele in an adult patient. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a
      huge hematocele in a patient with this unusual type of hydrocele that suffered a
      minimal scrotal trauma. It was a hydrocele that extended through the inguinal
      canal to the retroperitoneal space. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominoscrotal hydrocele is a
      rare condition in children and even rarer in adults. The presence of a hematocele
      requires early surgical treatment.

PMID- 24231300
TI  - Urinoma secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the neonate.
      Presentation of a case and bibliographic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the management of prenatal urinoma and ureteropelvic
      junction obstruction (UPJO) postnatally by a case report and literature review.
      METHODS: We report a case of an UPJO and urinoma in a newborn. After birth, renal
      function was absent, and nephrectomy was performed. The literature from 1985 to
      date has been reviewed. DISCUSSION: By the analysis of the literature, we can
      observe mainly, that prenatally diagnosed urinoma and UPJO are managed
      conservatively. After birth, different attitudes have been carried out,
      independently of residual renal function, such as radical or reconstructive
      surgery, or conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine management is not
      indicated. Urinary diversion is indicated in symptomatic cases secondary to renal
      trauma or endoscopic procedure. In non-functional kidney, nephrectomy is
      indicated.

PMID- 24231301
TI  - Metastasis of gastric carcinoma simulating a urothelial tumor. Case report and
      review of the literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review two cases with the diagnostic suspicion of urinary tract
      tumor by clinical picture and imaging tests in which pathology of the surgical
      specimen revealed metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: 82 and 68 year
      old patients with past history of gastric adenocarcinoma that had undergone
      surgical treatment 6 months and 6 years before urology consultation,respectively.
      They were diagnosed upper urinary tract tumors by CT scan. RESULTS: Definitive
      pathologic diagnosis of urinary tract metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma was
      obtained after radical surgery in both cases. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and
      radiologic presentation of urothelial metastases of gastric adenocarcinoma may
      simulate de novo urothelial tumors. Evolution in these patients is usually bad
      although we currently don't have enough information to issue a therapeutic guide
      to follow.

PMID- 24231302
TI  - Genital self-mutilation. Case report and bibliographic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report a very uncommon case of penile open wound made by self
      mutilation in a 51-year-old man, and to perform a bibliographic review. METHODS:
      51-year-old man presenting at the Emergency Department under Police guard after
      self-cutting his penis while he was urinating, presenting an almost complete
      circular section that required immediate surgical repair. RESULTS: Early surgical
      management showed the section of almost the whole penile circumference, from
      ventral to dorsal, including urethra and both cavernous bodies, respecting only
      the dorsal vascular penile complex. We performed a primary anastomosis of the
      damaged structures and careful haemostasis of the penis. CONCLUSIONS: Open
      traumas to the penis usually require an urgent surgical examination, being
      mandatory to try a primary reconstruction if the global clinical situation allows
      it. Cosmetic and functional postoperative results advise this attitude.

PMID- 24231303
TI  - Polycystic testicle. Case report.
AB  - Sixty year-old patient without past medical history referring a 6-month history
      of right testicle pain and simultaneous volume increase. Neither history of
      sexually transmitted disease nor genital trauma nor obstructive lower urinary
      tract symptoms were referred during the medical interview. 

PMID- 24231304
TI  - Left renal hypoplasia with ureteral ectopia to the seminal vesicle.

PMID- 24231305
TI  - Testing which is the fitter position sensor for a cyclotron liquid target.
AB  - The [(18)F]FDG has 109.7 min half-life, there is a period about 6 h between the
      beginning of [(18)O]H2O irradiation until the PET-CT exam. Any fail in production
      chain will result in delay to the PET-CT exam. The absence of the position signs
      from [(18)O]H2O target valve may result in (18)F production loss. Three types of
      position sensors were tested. After finding the fitter sensor it was possible to
      reduce the incidence of fails, increasing the reliability in [(18)F]FDG
      production chain.

PMID- 24231306
TI  - Angiogenesis in canine mammary tumours: a morphometric and prognostic study.
AB  - Angiogenesis in canine mammary tumours (CMTs) has been described previously;
      however, only the intratumoural (IT) region has been studied and information on
      peritumoural (PT) angiogenesis is lacking. In this study, the blood vessel
      density (BVD), blood vessel perimeter (BVP) and blood vessel area (BVA) in IT and
      PT regions of 56 benign CMTs, 55 malignant CMTs and 13 samples of normal mammary
      gland tissue were analyzed. In addition, the blood endothelial cell proliferation
      (BECP) as an indicator of ongoing angiogenesis was investigated. The prognostic
      value of each parameter was also examined. Blood vessels and proliferating blood
      endothelial cells were present in IT and PT regions of both benign and malignant
      tumours. The vessels in the PT region had a significantly higher area and
      perimeter compared with those in the IT region. Malignant tumours showed
      significantly more vessels with a smaller total BVA and a higher BECP compared
      with benign tumours and control tissue. In the PT regions there was a
      significantly higher BVD, BVA and BVP compared with the vessels in control
      tissue. Only the IT and PT BVD and PT BECP in benign tumours allowed prediction
      of survival. The morphology of blood vessels in CMTs shows similarities with
      those in human breast cancer, which strengthens the case for the use of dogs with
      CMTs in comparative oncology trials. 

PMID- 24231307
TI  - Second ventilatory threshold from heart-rate variability: valid when the upper
      body is involved?
AB  - To determine the most accurate method based on spectral analysis of heart-rate
      variability (SA-HRV) during an incremental and continuous maximal test involving
      the upper body, the authors tested 4 different methods to obtain the heart rate
      (HR) at the second ventilatory threshold (VT(2)). Sixteen ski mountaineers (mean
      +/- SD; age 25 +/- 3 y, height 177 +/- 8 cm, mass 69 +/- 10 kg) performed a
      roller-ski test on a treadmill. Respiratory variables and HR were continuously
      recorded, and the 4 SA-HRV methods were compared with the gas-exchange method
      through Bland and Altman analyses. The best method was the one based on a time
      varying spectral analysis with high frequency ranging from 0.15 Hz to a cutoff
      point relative to the individual's respiratory sinus arrhythmia. The HR values
      were significantly correlated (r(2) = .903), with a mean HR difference with the
      respiratory method of 0.1 +/- 3.0 beats/min and low limits of agreements (around 
      6 /+6 beats/min). The 3 other methods led to larger errors and lower agreements
      (up to 5 beats/min and around -23/+20 beats/min). It is possible to accurately
      determine VT(2) with an HR monitor during an incremental test involving the upper
      body if the appropriate HRV method is used.

PMID- 24231308
TI  - Fine molecular tuning at position 4 of 2H-chromen-2-one derivatives in the search
      of potent and selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitors.
AB  - The effects on the inhibition potencies of monoamine oxidase isoforms A (MAO-A)
      and B (MAO-B) depending upon changes in the physicochemical properties (size,
      shape, H-bonding, lipophilicity, etc.) of substituents at the C4 position of 2H
      chromen-2-one derivatives were extensively investigated, and the results
      significantly added to our knowledge on this class of MAO inhibitors. All the 67
      examined compounds showed high MAO-B selectivity, some of them achieving potency
      in the low nanomolar range. In particular, the 7-metachlorobenzyloxy-4
      oxyacetamido-2H-chromen-2-one (entry 62) showed single digit nanomolar MAO-B
      potency (IC50 = 3.1 nM) and high selectivity over the MAO-A isoform (selectivity
      ratio = 7244). The great variety of the investigated substituents at C4 of the 2H
      chromen-2-one nucleus, combined with binding models generated from docking
      studies carried out on selected compounds, allowed us to shed light on the main
      molecular requirements for potent and selective MAO-B inhibition, highlighting
      the dominant role of the steric effects. Interestingly, many of the designed
      substituents could be metabolically related to each other (e.g.,
      CH3/CH2OH/CHO/COOH; NH2/NHCH3, NHAc), and therefore the results obtained may help
      in predicting the in vivo activity of some putative metabolites of lead MAO-B
      inhibitors.

PMID- 24231309
TI  - Synthesis of some new pyrazole-based 1,3-thiazoles and 1,3,4-thiadiazoles as
      anticancer agents.
AB  - N-(4-(Pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-yl)-N'-phenylthiourea derivative 2 was synthesized
      and then treated with variety of hydrazonoyl chlorides under basic condition at
      reflux to afford the corresponding 2-(4-(pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-ylimino)-1,3,4
      thiadiazole derivatives 6, 10a-e and 17a-e. Reaction of 2 with ethyl
      chloroacetate and with 3-chloro-2,4-pentanedione gave the thiazolidin-4-one 22
      and 1,3-thiazole 25 derivatives, respectively. Condensation of thiazolidin-4-one
      22 with aldehydes gave their 5-arylidene derivatives 23a-f. Most of the
      synthesized compounds were tested for anticancer activity against human
      hepatocelluar carcinoma HepG2, human breast cancer MCF-7 and human lung cancer
      A549. Their SAR was studied and variously affected by the electronic factor of
      electron donating and withdrawing groups. Many of the tested compounds showed
      moderate to high anticancer activity. 

PMID- 24231310
TI  - Strategies to understand and overcome brain/spinal cord injury.

PMID- 24231311
TI  - Kidney injury, stem cells and regeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The review summarizes the most recent advances in stem cell
      and regenerative approaches to treat kidney injury, and highlights areas of
      active controversy. Over the past year, a number of findings have been reported
      that have brought this field much closer to clinical translation. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Recent progress in regenerative nephrology includes the directed
      differentiation of embryonic stem cells to kidney fates, understanding the
      proliferative capacity of tubules after injury, the use of mesenchymal stem cells
      for kidney disease and tissue engineering approaches to renal replacement.
      Controversies persist, however, including whether adult epithelial stem cells
      exist at all, the best therapeutic strategy for the treatment of kidney injury
      and how to use mesenchymal stem cells optimally for the prevention of acute
      kidney injury. SUMMARY: Although recent progress in kidney regeneration is very
      encouraging, current controversies must be resolved before clinical breakthroughs
      can occur.

PMID- 24231313
TI  - Lethal and sublethal toxicity of the industrial chemical epichlorohydrin on
      Rhinella arenarum (Anura, Bufonidae) embryos and larvae.
AB  - Lethal and sublethal toxicity of the major chemical used in epoxide compounds,
      epichlorohydrin (ECH) was evaluated on the early life cycle of the common South
      American toad, Rhinella arenarum (Anura, Bufonidae). The stages evaluated were
      (according to Del Conte and Sirlin): early blastula (S.3-S.4), gastrula (S.10
      S.12), rotation (S.15), tail bud (S.17), muscular response (S.18), gill
      circulation (S.20), open mouth (S.21), opercular folds (S.23) and complete
      operculum (S.25). The LC50 and EC50 values for lethal and sublethal effects were
      calculated. The early blastula was the most sensitive stage to ECH both for
      continuously and pulse-exposures (LC50-24h=50.9 mg L(-1)), while S.20 was the
      most resistant (LC50-24h=104.9 mg L(-1)). Among sublethal effects, early blastula
      was also the most sensitive stage (LOEC-48 h=20 mg L(-1)) and it has a
      Teratogenic Index of 2.5, which indicates the teratogenic potential of the
      substance. The main abnormalities were persistent yolk plugs, cell dissociation,
      tumors, hydropsy, oral malformations, axial/tail flexures, delayed development
      and reduced body size. ECH also caused neurotoxicity including scarce response to
      stimuli, reduction in the food intake, general weakness, spasms and shortening,
      erratic or circular swimming. Industrial contamination is considered an important
      factor on the decline of amphibian populations. Considering the available
      information about ECH's toxicity and its potential hazard to the environment,
      this work shows the first results of its developmental toxicity on a native
      amphibian species, Rhinella arenarum.

PMID- 24231312
TI  - Expanding role of T cells in acute kidney injury.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent advances in T cell biology have shed light on the role
      of T cell subsets in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). The purpose
      of this review is to harness our understanding of recent advances in T cell
      biology in tissue injury and repair and provide a mechanistic insight into the
      role of T cells in the inflammation of AKI. RECENT FINDINGS: New specific
      reagents and genetic animal models have led to advances in our understanding of
      the role of T cell subsets involved in renal injury. Whereas some T cells promote
      innate renal inflammation and injury, other T cells promote protection and
      repair. Recent studies illuminated the pathogenic mechanisms of invariant natural
      killer T (NKT) cells and T helper1-type responses, and the beneficial functions
      of regulatory T cells and NKT cells are just beginning to be explored.
      Pharmacologic and cell-based therapies that influence T cell responses to
      experimental AKI suggest that this is a promising approach to preserve renal
      function. SUMMARY: The recent insights gained into how T cells modulate renal
      injury suggest that strategies targeting specific types of T cells, to either
      inhibit or enhance their activity, may ameliorate renal injury in patients.

PMID- 24231314
TI  - Removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol using cyclodextrin-ionic liquid polymer as a
      macroporous material: characterization, adsorption isotherm, kinetic study,
      thermodynamics.
AB  - Cyclodextrin-ionic liquid polymer (betaCD-BIMOTs-TDI) was firstly synthesized
      using functionalized beta-Cyclodextrin (CD) with 1-benzylimidazole (BIM) to form
      monofunctionalized CD (betaCD-BIMOTs) and was further polymerized using toluene
      diisocyanate (TDI) linker to form insoluble betaCD-BIMOTs-TDI. SEM
      characterization result shows that betaCD-BIMOTs-TDI exhibits macropore size
      while the BET result shows low surface area (1.254 m(2)g(-1)). The unique
      properties of the ILs allow us to produce materials with different morphologies.
      The adsorption isotherm and kinetics of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) onto betaCD
      BIMOTs-TDI is studied. Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetics are
      found to be the best to represent the data for 2,4-DCP adsorption on the betaCD
      BIMOTs-TDI. The presence of macropores decreases the mass transfer resistance and
      increases the adsorption process by reducing the diffusion distance. The change
      in entropy (DeltaS degrees ) and heat of adsorption (DeltaH degrees ) for 2,4-DCP
      on betaCD-BIMOTs-TDI were estimated as -55.99 J/Kmol and -18.10 J/mol,
      respectively. The negative value of Gibbs free energy (DeltaG degrees ) indicates
      that the adsorption process is thermodynamically feasible, spontaneous and
      chemically controlled. Finally, the interactions between the cavity of betaCD
      BIMOTs and 2,4-DCP are investigated and the results shows that the inclusion of
      the complex formation and pi-pi interaction are the main processes involved in
      the adsorption process.

PMID- 24231315
TI  - The comparison of naturally weathered oil and artificially photo-degraded oil at
      the molecular level by a combination of SARA fractionation and FT-ICR MS.
AB  - Two sets of oil samples, one obtained from different weathering stages of the M/V
      Hebei Spirit oil spill site and the other prepared by an in vitro photo
      degradation experiment, were analyzed and compared at the molecular level by
      atmospheric pressure photo-ionization coupled with Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). For a more detailed comparison
      at the molecular level, the oil samples were separated into saturate, aromatic,
      resin, and asphaltene (SARA) fractions before MS analysis. Gravimetric analysis
      of the SARA fractions revealed a decreased weight percentage of the aromatic
      fraction and an increased resin fraction in both sets of samples. Molecular-level
      investigations of the SARA fractions showed a significant reduction in the S1
      class in the saturate fraction and increase of S1O1 class compounds with high DBE
      values in resin fraction. Levels of N1 and N1O1 class compounds resulting in
      protonated ions (presumably basic nitrogen compounds) increased after degradation
      compared to compounds generating molecular ions (presumably non-basic nitrogen
      compounds). This study revealed changes occurring in heteroatom polar species of
      crude oils such as sulfur and nitrogen containing compounds that have not been
      easily detected with conventional GC based techniques. 

PMID- 24231316
TI  - Rapid detection of soils contaminated with heavy metals and oils by laser induced
      breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).
AB  - A laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with the chemometric method
      was applied to rapidly discriminate between soils contaminated with heavy metals
      or oils and clean soils. The effects of the water contents and grain sizes of
      soil samples on LIBS emissions were also investigated. The LIBS emission lines
      decreased by 59-75% when the water content increased from 1.2% to 7.8%, and soil
      samples with a grain size of 75 MUm displayed higher LIBS emission lines with
      lower relative standard deviations than those with a 2mm grain size. The water
      content was found to have a more pronounced effect on the LIBS emission lines
      than the grain size. Pelletizing and sieving were conducted for all samples
      collected from abandoned mining areas and military camp to have similar water
      contents and grain sizes before being analyzed by the LIBS with the chemometric
      analysis. The data show that three types of soil samples were clearly discerned
      by using the first three principal components from the spectral data of soil
      samples. A blind test was conducted with a 100% correction rate for soil samples
      contaminated with heavy metals and oil residues.

PMID- 24231317
TI  - Technological process and optimum design of organic materials vacuum pyrolysis
      and indium chlorinated separation from waste liquid crystal display panels.
AB  - In this study, a technology process including vacuum pyrolysis and vacuum
      chlorinated separation was proposed to convert waste liquid crystal display (LCD)
      panels into useful resources using self-design apparatuses. The suitable
      pyrolysis temperature and pressure are determined as 300 degrees C and 50 Pa at
      first. The organic parts of the panels were converted to oil (79.10 wt%) and gas
      (2.93 wt%). Then the technology of separating indium was optimized by central
      composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). The results
      indicated the indium recovery ratio was 99.97% when the particle size is less
      than 0.16 mm, the weight percentage of NH4Cl to glass powder is 50 wt% and
      temperature is 450 degrees C. The research results show that the organic
      materials, indium and glass of LCD panel can be recovered during the recovery
      process efficiently and eco-friendly.

PMID- 24231318
TI  - Combination of solid phase extraction and dispersive liquid-liquid
      microextraction for separation/preconcentration of ultra trace amounts of uranium
      prior to its fiber optic-linear array spectrophotometry determination.
AB  - A simple and sensitive method for the separation and preconcentration of the
      ultra trace amounts of uranium and its determination by spectrophotometry was
      developed. The method is based on the combination of solid phase extraction and
      dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. Thus, by passing the sample through the
      basic alumina column, the uranyl ion and some cations are separated from the
      sample matrix. The retained uranyl ion along with the cations are eluted with 5
      mL of nitric acid (2 mol L(-1)) and after neutralization of the eluent, the
      extracted uranyl ion is converted to its anionic benzoate complex and is
      separated from other cations by extraction of its ion pair with malachite green
      into small volume of chloroform using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction.
      The amount of uranium is then determined by the absorption measurement of the
      extracted ion pair at 621 nm using flow injection spectrophotometry. Under the
      optimum conditions, with 500 mL of the sample, a preconcentration factor of 1980,
      a detection limit of 40 ng L(-1), and a relative standard deviation of 4.1% (n=6)
      at 400 ng L(-1) were obtained. The method was successfully applied to the
      determination of uranium in mineral water, river water, well water, spring water
      and sea water samples.

PMID- 24231320
TI  - Survival of introduced phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and their impact on
      microbial community structure during the phytoextraction of Cd-contaminated soil.
AB  - This study was conducted to investigate whether or not phosphate-solubilizing
      bacteria (PSB) as a kind of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria enhance the
      uptake of Cd by plants. In addition, the effect of PSB augmentation during
      phytoextraction on the microbial community of indigenous soil bacteria was also
      studied. In the initial Cd-contaminated soil, the major phyla were Proteobacteria
      (35%), Actinobacteria (38%) and Firmicutes (8%). While Proteobacteria were
      dominant at the second and sixth week (41 and 54%, respectively) in inoculated
      soil, Firmicutes (mainly belonging to the Bacilli class-61%), dramatically
      increased in the eight-week soil. For the uninoculated soil, the proportion of
      alpha-Proteobacteria increased after eight weeks (32%). Interestingly,
      Actinobacteria class, which was originally present in the soil (37%), seemed to
      disappear during phytoremediation, irrespective of whether PSB was inoculated or
      not. Cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis revealed that the
      microbial community of eight-week inoculated soil was completely separated from
      the other soil samples, due to the dramatic increase of Bacillus aryabhattai.
      These findings revealed that it took at least eight weeks for the inoculated
      Bacillus sp. to functionally adapt to the introduced soil, against competition
      with indigenous microorganisms in soil. An ecological understanding of
      interaction among augmented bacteria, plant and indigenous soil bacteria is
      needed, for proper management of phytoextraction. 

PMID- 24231319
TI  - Adsorption of selected endocrine disrupting compounds and pharmaceuticals on
      activated biochars.
AB  - Chemically activated biochar produced under oxygenated (O-biochar) and oxygen
      free (N-biochar) conditions were characterized and the adsorption of endocrine
      disrupting compounds (EDCs): bisphenol A (BPA), atrazine (ATR), 17 alpha
      ethinylestradiol (EE2), and pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs);
      sulfamethoxazole (SMX), carbamazepine (CBM), diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBP) on
      both biochars and commercialized powdered activated carbon (PAC) were
      investigated. Characteristic analysis of adsorbents by solid-state nuclear
      magnetic resonance (NMR) was conducted to determine better understanding about
      the EDCs/PhACs adsorption. N-biochar consisted of higher polarity moieties with
      more alkyl (0-45 ppm), methoxyl (45-63 ppm), O-alkyl (63-108 ppm), and carboxyl
      carbon (165-187 ppm) content than other adsorbents, while aromaticity of O
      biochar was higher than that of N-biochar. O-biochar was composed mostly of
      aromatic moieties, with low H/C and O/C ratios compared to the highly polarized N
      biochar that contained diverse polar functional groups. The higher surface area
      and pore volume of N-biochar resulted in higher adsorption capacity toward
      EDCs/PhACs along with atomic-level molecular structural property than O-biochar
      and PAC. N-biochar had a highest adsorption capacity of all chemicals, suggesting
      that N-biochar derived from loblolly pine chip is a promising sorbent for
      agricultural and environmental applications. The adsorption of pH-sensitive
      dissociable SMX, DCF, IBP, and BPA varied and the order of adsorption capacity
      was correlated with the hydrophobicity (Kow) of adsorbates throughout the all
      adsorbents, whereas adsorption of non-ionizable CBM, ATR, and EE2 in varied pH
      allowed adsorbents to interact with hydrophobic property of adsorbates steadily
      throughout the study.

PMID- 24231321
TI  - Use of a Monte Carlo technique to complete a fragmented set of H2S emission rates
      from a wastewater treatment plant.
AB  - The impact of ambient concentrations in the vicinity of a plant can only be
      assessed if the emission rate is known. In this study, based on measurements of
      ambient H2S concentrations and meteorological parameters, the a priori unknown
      emission rates of a tannery wastewater treatment plant are calculated by an
      inverse dispersion technique. The calculations are determined using the Gaussian
      Austrian regulatory dispersion model. Following this method, emission data can be
      obtained, though only for a measurement station that is positioned such that the
      wind direction at the measurement station is leeward of the plant. Using the
      inverse transform sampling, which is a Monte Carlo technique, the dataset can
      also be completed for those wind directions for which no ambient concentration
      measurements are available. For the model validation, the measured ambient
      concentrations are compared with the calculated ambient concentrations obtained
      from the synthetic emission data of the Monte Carlo model. The cumulative
      frequency distribution of this new dataset agrees well with the empirical data.
      This inverse transform sampling method is thus a useful supplement for
      calculating emission rates using the inverse dispersion technique. 

PMID- 24231322
TI  - Uptake of zwitterionic antibiotics by rice (Oryza sativa L.) in contaminated
      soil.
AB  - Antibiotics, including members of the tetracycline and fluoroquinolone families,
      are emerging organic environmental contaminants. Uptake from soil by plants is a
      means for antibiotics to enter terrestrial food chains. Chemical exchange between
      plant and the soil/water matrix occurs simultaneously with degradation in the
      soil/water matrix. In this study, the comparative temporal behaviour of rice
      (Oryza sativa L.) towards the zwitterionic antibiotics oxytetracycline,
      chlortetracycline and norfloxacin at initial soil/water concentrations of 10, 20
      and 30 MUg g(-1) (dry weight) is investigated. This is accomplished within the
      framework of an activity-based mass-conserving dynamic model. Plant antibiotic
      concentrations are observed to increase to a maximum then decline. Maximum
      concentrations in rice are compound-dependent linear functions of initial
      soil/water concentrations, but the relationships are not related to the compound
      octan-1-ol/water distribution ratio (DOW). The times required to attain maximal
      concentrations are independent of initial soil/water levels for a given
      antibiotic, but again vary between antibiotics and are not related to DOW values.
      Translocation from root to other tissues is not observed. The magnitudes of Root
      Concentration Factors (RCFs), the ratio of root and soil/water concentrations,
      are consistent with significant sorption to soil and consequent relatively low
      concentrations in interstitial water.

PMID- 24231323
TI  - Scoping candidate minerals for stabilization of arsenic-bearing solid residuals.
AB  - Arsenic Crystallization Technology (ACT) is a potentially eco-friendly, effective
      technology for stabilization of arsenic-bearing solid residuals (ABSRs). The
      strategy is to convert ABSRs generated by water treatment facilities into
      minerals with a high arsenic capacity and long-term stability in mature,
      municipal solid waste landfills. Candidate minerals considered in this study
      include scorodite, arsenate hydroxyapatites, ferrous arsenates (symplesite-type
      minerals), tooeleite, and arsenated-schwertmannite. These minerals were evaluated
      as to ease of synthesis, applicability to use of iron-based ABSRs as a starting
      material, and arsenic leachability. The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching
      Procedure (TCLP) was used for preliminary assessment of candidate mineral
      leaching. Minerals that passed the TCLP and whose synthesis route was promising
      were subjected to a more aggressive leaching test using a simulated landfill
      leachate (SLL) solution. Scorodite and arsenate hydroxyapatites were not
      considered further because their synthesis conditions were not found to be
      favorable for general application. Tooeleite and silica-amended tooeleite showed
      high TCLP arsenic leaching and were also not investigated further. The synthesis
      process and leaching of ferrous arsenate and arsenated-schwertmannite were
      promising and of these, arsenated-schwertmannite was most stable during SLL
      testing. The latter two candidate minerals warrant synthesis optimization and
      more extensive testing.

PMID- 24231324
TI  - Citric acid modifies surface properties of commercial CeO2 nanoparticles reducing
      their toxicity and cerium uptake in radish (Raphanus sativus) seedlings.
AB  - Little is known about the mobility, reactivity, and toxicity to plants of coated
      engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). Surface modification may change the interaction
      of ENPs with living organisms. This report describes surface changes in
      commercial CeO2 NPs coated with citric acid (CA) at molar ratios of 1:2, 1:3,
      1:7, and 1:10 CeO2:CA, and their effects on radish (Raphanus sativus) seed
      germination, cerium and nutrients uptake. All CeO2 NPs and their absorption by
      radish plants were characterized by TEM, DLS, and ICP-OES. Radish seeds were
      germinated in pristine and CA coated CeO2 NPs suspensions at 50mg/L, 100mg/L, and
      200mg/L. Deionized water and CA at 100mg/L were used as controls. Results showed
      zeta potential values of 21.6 mV and -56 mV for the pristine and CA coated CeO2
      NPs, respectively. TEM images showed denser layers surrounding the CeO2 NPs at
      higher CA concentrations, as well as better distribution and smaller particle
      sizes. None of the treatments affected seed germination. However, at 200mg/L the
      CA coated NPs at 1:7 ratio produced significantly (p <= 0.05) more root biomass,
      increased water content and reduced by 94% the Ce uptake, compared to bare NPs.
      This suggests that CA coating decrease CeO2 NPs toxicity to plants.

PMID- 24231325
TI  - High surface area Ag-TiO2 nanotubes for solar/visible-light photocatalytic
      degradation of ceftiofur sodium.
AB  - Titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2 NTs) with very high surface area (469 m(2)/g)
      have been synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method and their surface has
      been modified using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The Ag NPs deposited TiO2 NTs
      (Ag-TiO2 NTs) show an extended optical response from UV to visible region coupled
      with a surface plasmon resonance band and thus can be utilized as a plasmonic
      photocatalyst. The photoluminescence intensity of TiO2 NTs is lower than that of
      TiO2 nanoparticles due to the delocalization of photogenerated electrons along
      the one dimensional nanotubes which reduces the rate of charge recombination. The
      Langmuir adsorption constant of Ag-TiO2 NTs (for ceftiofur sodium adsorption) is
      twice that of P25 TiO2. The Ag-TiO2 NTs exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity
      toward the degradation of ceftiofur sodium (CFS) due to high surface area and
      mesoporosity of TiO2 NTs. The addition of peroxomonosulfate in the photocatalytic
      system greatly amplifies the CFS degradation owing to the simultaneous generation
      of both OH and SO4(-). The catalyst retains its photocatalytic activity at least
      up to four consecutive cycles.

PMID- 24231326
TI  - A new insight on the core-shell structure of zerovalent iron nanoparticles and
      its application for Pb(II) sequestration.
AB  - Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) has shown a high efficacy for removing heavy
      metals from liquid solution. However, its removal capacity has not been fully
      explored due to its common shell composition (FeOOH). In this study, a much
      higher removal capacity of Pb(II) is observed (1667 mg Pb(II)/gFe), which is over
      100% higher than the highest removal capacity of nZVI reported before. High
      resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR-XPS) reveals that through
      restricting the dehydration process of Fe(OH)3, nZVI can acquire a unique shell,
      which is composed of 45.5% Fe(OH)3 and 54.5% FeOOH. The presence of Fe(OH)3
      suppresses the reduction of Pb(II), but greatly promotes the co-precipitation and
      adsorption of Pb(II). Combining the ratio of Fe-released to Pb-immobilized and
      the result of HR-XPS, a reaction between Fe(0) core, Fe(OH)3, and Pb(II) is
      proposed. The Fe released from the Fe(0) core leads to the core depletion,
      observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) under high Pb(II) loading.
      While temperature has little influence on the removal capacity, pH affects the
      removal capacity greatly. pH<4.5 favors Fe dissolution, while pH>4.5 promotes
      Pb(II) adsorption. Given the high Pb removal capacity via the Fe(OH)3 shell, nZVI
      can be used to remedy Pb(II) contamination.

PMID- 24231327
TI  - Risk assessments of PAHs and Hg exposure via settled house dust and street dust,
      linking with their correlations in human hair.
AB  - Domestic energy, chemicals bioaccessibility and particle size were found as three
      critical factors for risk assessment of PAHs exposure via settled house dust
      (SHD) and street dust. ?PAHs and Hg contained in SHD were significantly (p<0.01)
      higher in coal-burning households of Qingyang (8.45-121; 0.48-16.4 MUg g(-1))
      than households in Guangzhou (1.23-22.2; 0.004-10.6 MUg g(-1)) and 90% coal
      burning houses were estimated with unacceptable cancer risks (>10(-4)) via SHD
      exposure. The highest accumulation trend of PAHs and Hg were found in <63 MUm
      particles, and different particle sizes resulted in large variations of the
      obtained risks (up to 10 fold). Bioaccessibility corrected PAHs led to a
      significant decrease on related cancer risks and decreased in the order of 1.9,
      1.1, 0.6 and 0.4 MUg g(-1) with the increase of particle sizes (<63, 63-100, 100
      280, 280-2000 MUm). Scalp hair was tested as an indicator of body burdens of PAHs
      (0.05-0.9 MUg g(-1)) and Hg (0.04-1.6 MUg g(-1)). Different PAHs profiles were
      found between PAHs in SHD and those of hair, indicating that exogenous exposure
      to PAHs adsorbed on dust was not the major source of hair PAHs.

PMID- 24231328
TI  - Targeting ribonucleic acids by toxic small molecules: structural perturbation and
      energetics of interaction of phenothiazinium dyes thionine and toluidine blue O
      to tRNA phe.
AB  - This study was designed to examine the toxic interaction of two phenothiazinium
      dyes thionine (TO) and toluidine blue O (TBO) with tRNA(phe) by spectroscopic and
      calorimetric techniques. While phenothiazinium dye complexation with DNA is
      known, their bindings to RNA are not fully investigated. The non cooperative
      binding of both the dyes to tRNA was revealed from absorbance and fluorescence
      studies. From absorption, steady-state emission, the effect of ferrocyanide ion
      induced steady-state fluorescence quenching, circular dichroism, the mode of
      binding of these dyes into the tRNA helix has been substantiated to be
      principally by intercalative in nature. Both dyes enhanced the thermal stability
      of tRNA. Circular dichroism studies provided evidence for the structural
      perturbations associated with the tRNA structure with induction of optical
      activity in the CD inactive dye molecules. Results from isothermal titration
      calorimetry experiments suggested that the binding of both dyes was predominantly
      entropy driven with a smaller but favorable enthalpy term that increased with
      temperature. The binding was dependent on the Na(+) concentration, but had a
      larger non-electrostatic contribution to the Gibbs energy. A small heat capacity
      value and the enthalpy-entropy compensation in the energetics of the interaction
      characterized the binding of the dyes to tRNA. This study confirms that the
      tRNA(phe) binding affinity is greater for TO compared to TBO. The utility of the
      present work lies in understanding the potential binding and consequent damage to
      tRNA by these toxic dyes in their development as therapeutic agents.

PMID- 24231329
TI  - Influence of Fenton's reagent doses on the degradation and mineralization of H
      acid.
AB  - The recalcitrant H-acid (1-amino-8-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid) in aqueous
      solution was oxidized by Fenton process, focusing on the relation of Fenton's
      reagent doses and degradation products. The experimental results showed that COD
      and TOC removals and biodegradability (BOD/COD ratio) of the solution increased
      with increasing Fenton's reagent doses. Over 80% COD can be removed and the
      biodegradability was improved significantly. It was found that major SO3H and NH2
      groups in H-acid molecules were mineralized to SO4(2-) and NH4(+) ions during
      Fenton oxidation processes. H-acid degradation intermediates with benzene
      structures substituted by hydroxyl and/or carboxyl groups were identified by GC
      MS. It was also found that short-chain fatty acids primarily oxalic acid were
      degradation products of H-acid by Fenton oxidation. Oxalic acid accumulated could
      account for approximately 60% of the residual TOC. The degradation pathway of H
      acid was proposed based on above analyses in this work. 

PMID- 24231330
TI  - Degradation of simazine from aqueous solutions by diatomite-supported nanosized
      zero-valent iron composite materials.
AB  - A novel composite material based on deposition of nanosized zero-valent iron
      (nZVI) particles on acid-leached diatomite was synthesised for the removal of a
      chlorinated contaminant in water. The nZVI/diatomite composites were
      characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, elemental
      analysis, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
      Compared with the pure nZVI particles, better dispersion of nZVI particles on the
      surface or inside the pores of diatom shells was observed. The herbicide simazine
      was selected as the model chlorinated contaminant and the removal efficiency by
      nZVI/diatomite composite was compared with that of the pristine nZVI and
      commercial iron powder. It was found that the diatomite supported nZVI composite
      material prepared by centrifugation exhibits relatively better efficient activity
      in decomposition of simazine than commercial Fe, lab synthesised nZVI and
      composite material prepared via rotary evaporation, and the optimum experimental
      conditions were obtained based on a series of batch experiments. This study on
      immobilising nZVI particles onto diatomite opens a new avenue for the practical
      application of nZVI and the diatomite-supported nanosized zero-valent iron
      composite materials have potential applications in environmental remediation. 

PMID- 24231331
TI  - Evaluating the interactions of organic compounds with multi-walled carbon
      nanotubes by self-packed HPLC column and linear solvation energy relationship.
AB  - Understanding the interactions between organic pollutants and carbon nanotubes
      (CNTs) is critical for fate assessment of both CNTs and organic pollutants. In
      this study, the chromatographic approach was introduced based on CNTs as
      stationary phase for the evaluation of such interactions. The pristine multi
      walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were packed into columns of high-pressure liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) and the retention factors (k') were determined to
      characterize the adsorption affinity of organic compounds onto MWCNTs. Nine
      compounds were tested. The results showed that their lnk' values followed the
      order: benzene < toluene < phenol < chlorobenzene < bromobenzene < aniline <
      sulfamethoxazole < sulfadiazine ~ sulfadimidine. The linear solvation energy
      relationship (LSER) theory was adopted to correlate lnk' with the molecular
      solvatochromic parameters. We found that lnk' of the studied compounds correlate
      positively with molecular polarizability (E) significantly, suggesting that the
      pi-/n-electrons-dependent polarizable interactions play a major role for the
      adsorption. Moreover, the thermodynamic parameters calculated from van't Hoff
      equations revealed that the interactions between the compounds and MWCNTs were
      spontaneous and exothermic processes.

PMID- 24231332
TI  - Efficient removal of endosulfan from aqueous solution by UV-C/peroxides: a
      comparative study.
AB  - This study explored the efficiency of UV-C-based advanced oxidation processes
      (AOPs), i.e., UV/S2O8(2-), UV/HSO5(-), and UV/H2O2 for the degradation of
      endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide and an emerging water pollutant. A
      significant removal, 91%, 86%, and 64%, of endosulfan, at an initial
      concentration of 2.45 MUM and UV fluence of 480 mJ/cm(2), was achieved by
      UV/S2O8(2-), UV/HSO5(-), and UV/H2O2 processes, respectively, at a
      [peroxide]0/[endosulfan]0 molar ratio of 20. The efficiency of these processes
      was, however, inhibited in the presence of radical scavengers, such as alcohols
      (e.g., tertiary butyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol) and natural organic matter
      (NOM). The inhibition was also influenced by common inorganic anions in the order
      of nitrite > bicarbonate > chloride > nitrate ~ sulfate. The observed pseudo
      first-order rate constant decreased while the degradation rate increased with
      increasing initial concentration of the target contaminant. The degradation
      mechanism of endosulfan by the AOPs was evaluated revealing the main by-product
      as endosulfan ether. Results of this study suggest that UV-C-based AOPs are
      potential methods for the removal of pesticides, such as endosulfan and its by
      products, from contaminated water.

PMID- 24231333
TI  - Removal of chromium ions from wastewater by duckweed, Lemna minor L. by using a
      pilot system with continuous flow.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the ability of Lemna minor to remove Cr
      (VI) ions from wastewater in a continuous flow pond system. This system was used
      to simulate a wastewater treatment pond and a natural wetland as habitat of
      plants. In order to find optimal conditions for chromium removal, ponds were
      operated with aqueous solutions having different pH (4.0-7.0) and chromium
      concentration of 0.25 mgCr(+6)/L, then plants were exposed to different chromium
      concentrations (0.25-5.0 mgCr(+6)/L) at pH 4.0. Chromium concentrations, both in
      biomass and wastewater, were measured and removal efficiency was determined
      throughout water flow. Growth factors such as growth rates, chlorophyll contents
      and dry/fresh weight ratios of plants were also determined to measure toxic
      effects of chromium. The percentages of chromium uptake (PMU) and
      bioconcentration factors (BCF) were calculated for each run. The highest
      accumulated chromium concentration (4.423 mgCr/g) was found in plants grown in
      the first chamber of pond operated at pH 4.0 and 5.0 mgCr/L, while the minimum
      accumulated chromium concentration (0.122 mgCr/g) was in plants grown in the last
      chamber of pond operated at pH 4.0 and 0.25 mgCr(+6)/L.

PMID- 24231334
TI  - Molecular interactions of benzophenone UV filters with human serum albumin
      revealed by spectroscopic techniques and molecular modeling.
AB  - Benzophenone (BP)-type UV filters have been widely used in many personal care
      products to protect human from UV exposure. Their dermal applications can cause
      direct human health risk following accumulation in bloodstream. Few studies have
      addressed whether BP-type UV filters could bind and alter the structure and
      function of human serum albumin (HSA), the major carrier protein in plasma. Four
      benzophenones, BP-1, BP-2, BP-3 and BP-8 were selected to investigate their
      potentially toxic interactions with HSA and the intrinsic binding mechanism using
      combined spectroscopies and molecular docking techniques. Four benzophenones
      significantly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA via static mode. The
      competitive binding fluorescence assay and molecular docking both revealed that
      the benzophenones bind at site II of HSA. Their binding constants range from 1.91
      * 10(4)M(-1) to 12.96 * 10(4)M(-1) at 296 K. BP-8 interacts with HSA mainly
      through hydrogen bonding interactions and van der Waals interactions, while
      hydrophobic interactions and electrostatic interactions are dominant for
      interactions between BP-1, BP-2, BP-3 and HSA. Molecular docking revealed that
      the changes in structural moiety and hydrophobicity of four benzophenones account
      for their different binding affinities. As further revealed by circular dichroism
      and time-resolved fluorescence decay, these benzophenones cause global and local
      structural changes of HSA, which illustrates their potential toxicity to cause
      structural damage of HSA. Two degradation products of BP-3 have higher binding
      affinities to HSA, suggesting higher potencies in causing adverse effects on
      human health.

PMID- 24231335
TI  - Toxicity of binary mixtures of oil fractions to sea urchin embryos.
AB  - The assumption of additive toxicity for oil compounds is related to a narcotic
      mode of action. However, the joint toxicity of oil fractions has not been fully
      investigated. A fractionation of Maya crude oil into aliphatics, aromatics and
      polars was performed, fractions were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and
      subsequently toxicity of single fractions and binary mixtures was assessed using
      the sea urchin embryo test. The descriptive ability of Concentration Addition
      (CA), Independent Action (IA) and modifications of both models for describing the
      joint toxicity of mixtures has also been evaluated. The hydrocarbon content
      extractable with dichloromethane of the fractions dissolved in DMSO was: 12.0 +/-
      1.8 mg mL(-1), 39.0 +/- 0.5 mg mL(-1) and 20.5 +/- 2.5 mg mL(-1) for aliphatics,
      aromatics and polars, respectively. The toxicity of the extracts in DMSO of the
      fractions as EC50 (MULL(-1)) was: aliphatics (165.8-242.3)<polars (87.1
      115.7)<aromatics (20.5-34.6). The goodness of fit of the CA model was in most
      binary mixtures (aliphatics-aromatics, aromatics-polars) greater than the IA
      (aliphatics-polars) according to the Akaike Information Criterion, so CA was
      considered a better option than IA to explain the joint toxicity of oil
      fractions. In addition, synergistic or antagonistic effects were not observed.

PMID- 24231336
TI  - Microvesicles as mediators of tissue regeneration.
AB  - The use of stem cells in the treatment of various diseases and injuries has
      received increasing interest during the past decade. Injected stem cells, such as
      mesenchymal stem cells, stimulate tissue repair largely through the secretion of
      soluble factors that regulate various processes of tissue regeneration, including
      inflammatory responses, apoptosis, host cell proliferation, and angiogenesis.
      Recently, it has become apparent that stem cells also use membranous small
      vesicles, collectively called microvesicles, to repair damaged tissues.
      Microvesicles are released by many types of cells and exist in almost all types
      of body fluids. They serve as a vehicle to transfer protein, messenger RNA, and
      micro RNA to distant cells, altering the gene expression, proliferation, and
      differentiation of the recipient cells. Although animal models and in vitro
      studies have suggested promising applications for microvesicles-based
      regeneration therapy, its effectiveness and feasibility in clinical medicine
      remain to be established. Further studies of the basic mechanisms responsible for
      microvesicle-mediated tissue regeneration could lead to novel approaches in
      regenerative medicine.

PMID- 24231337
TI  - Complying with the European Clinical Trials directive while surviving the
      administrative pressure - an alternative approach to toxicity registration in a
      cancer trial.
AB  - The European Clinical Trials Directive of 2004 has increased the amount of paper
      work and reduced the number of initiated clinical trials. Particularly
      multinational trials have been delayed. To meet this challenge we developed a
      novel, simplified, fast and easy strategy for on-line toxicity registration for
      patients treated according to the Nordic/Baltic acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
      protocol, NOPHO ALL 2008, for children and young adults, including three
      randomisations. We used a risk-assessment based approach, avoiding reporting of
      expected adverse events and instead concentrating on 20 well-known serious, but
      rarer events with focus on changes in therapy introduced in the treatment
      protocol. This toxicity registration strategy was approved by the relevant
      regulatory authorities in all seven countries involved, as compliant within the
      EU directive of 2004. The centre compliance to registration was excellent with
      98.9% of all patients being registered within 5weeks from the requested quarterly
      registration. Currently, four toxicities (thrombosis, fungal infections,
      pancreatitis and allergic reactions) have been chosen for further detailed
      exploration due to the cumulative fraction of patients with positive
      registrations exceeding 5%. This toxicity registration offers real-time toxicity
      profiles of the total study cohort and provides early warnings of specific
      toxicities that require further investigation. 

PMID- 24231338
TI  - In vitro and in silico antimalarial activity of 2-(2-hydrazinyl)thiazole
      derivatives.
AB  - A series of 2-(2-hydrazinyl)thiazole derivatives with a wide range of
      substitutions at 2-, 4- and 5-positions were synthesized, characterized and
      evaluated their inhibitory potentials against plasmodium falciparum, NF54, by in
      vitro blood stage assay. The compounds, ethyl-4-methyl-2-[(E)-2-[1-(pyridin-2
      yl)ethylidene]hydrazin-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxylate, 4d, and 1-{4-methyl-2
      [(E)-2-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazin-1-yl]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl}ethan-1-one,
      5d showed significant antimalarial activity with IC50 values of 0.725 MUM and
      0.648 MUM respectively. To understand the mechanism, the binding interactions
      between 2-(2-hydrazinyl)thiazole derivatives and trans-2-enoyl acyl carrier
      protein reductase of P. falciparum were studied through docking studies. The half
      maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) through docking studies for the
      compounds, 4d and 5d were found to be 22.88 MUM and 631.84 MUM respectively.

PMID- 24231339
TI  - Tissue distribution and safety evaluation of a claudin-targeting molecule, the C
      terminal fragment of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin.
AB  - We previously found that claudin (CL) is a potent target for cancer therapy using
      a CL-3 and -4-targeting molecule, namely the C-terminal fragment of Clostridium
      perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE). Although CL-3 and -4 are expressed in various
      normal tissues, the safety of this CL-targeting strategy has never been
      investigated. Here, we evaluated the tissue distribution of C-CPE in mice. Ten
      minutes after intravenous injection into mice, C-CPE was distributed to the liver
      and kidney (24.0% and 9.5% of the injected dose, respectively). The hepatic level
      gradually fell to 3.2% of the injected dose by 3 h post-injection, whereas the
      renal C-CPE level gradually rose to 46.5% of the injected dose by 6 h post
      injection and then decreased. A C-CPE mutant protein lacking the ability to bind
      CL accumulated in the liver to a much lesser extent (2.0% of the dose at 10 min
      post-injection) than did C-CPE, but its renal profile was similar to that of C
      CPE. To investigate the acute toxicity of CL-targeted toxin, we intravenously
      administered C-CPE-fused protein synthesis inhibitory factor to mice. The CL
      targeted toxin dose-dependently increased the levels of serum biomarkers of liver
      injury, but not of kidney injury. Histological examination confirmed that
      injection of CL-targeted toxin injured the liver but not the kidney. These
      results indicate that potential adverse hepatic effects should be considered in C
      CPE-based cancer therapy.

PMID- 24231340
TI  - gamma-Tocotrienol-induced autophagy in malignant mammary cancer cells.
AB  - gamma-Tocotrienol, a member of the vitamin E family of compounds, displays potent
      antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in a variety of cancer cell types at
      treatment doses that have little or no effect on normal cell viability or growth.
      Autophagy is a tightly regulated lysosomal self-digested process that can either
      promote cell survival or programmed cell death, but the role of autophagy in
      mediating gamma-tocotrienol-induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer is not
      presently completely understood. Mouse (+SA) and human (MCF-7 and MDA-MD-231)
      mammary tumor cells lines were exposed to 0-40 umol/L gamma-tocotrienol for a 24
      h treatment period. gamma-Tocotrienol treatment caused a relatively large
      increase in the accumulation of monodansylcadaverine (MDC)-labeled vacuoles, a
      marker of autophagosome formation, in all tumor cell lines. Results also showed
      that gamma-tocotrienol treatment induced an increased conversion of microtubule
      associated protein, 1A/1B-light chain 3, from its cytosolic form (LC3B-I) to its
      lipidated form (LC3B-II), increased Beclin-1 levels, and increased acridine
      orange staining as determined by flow cytometry analysis, providing further
      evidence of gamma-tocotrienol-induced autophagy in these mammary cancer cell
      lines. In contrast, similar treatment with gamma-tocotrienol was not found to
      increase autophagy marker expression in immortalized mouse (CL-S1) and human (MCF
      10 A) normal mammary epithelial cell lines. Treatment with gamma-tocotrienol also
      caused a reduction in PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and a corresponding increase in the
      Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase
      (PARP) levels in these cancer cell lines, suggesting that gamma-tocotrienol
      induced autophagy may be involved in the initiation of apoptosis. In summary,
      these findings demonstrate that the cytotoxic effects of gamma-tocotrienol are
      associated with the induction of autophagy in a mouse and human mammary cancer
      cells. 

PMID- 24231341
TI  - Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia provokes dysfunction of cardiovascular autonomic
      system and liver oxidative stress in rats.
AB  - Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is associated with cardiovascular disease,
      atherosclerosis and reactive oxygen species generation. Thus, our aim was to
      investigate whether there was an association between HHcy, blood pressure,
      autonomic control and liver oxidative stress. Male Wistar rats were divided into
      2 groups and treated for 8weeks: one group (control, CO) received tap water,
      while the other group (methionine, ME) was given a 100mg/kg of methionine in
      water by gavage. Two catheters were implanted into the femoral artery and vein to
      record arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) and drug administration.
      Signals were recorded by a data acquisition system. Baroreflex sensitivity was
      evaluated by HR responses to AP changes induced by vasoactive drugs. HR
      variability and AP variability were performed by spectral analysis in time and
      frequency domains to evaluate the contribution of the sympathetic and
      parasympathetic modulation. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities
      were evaluated by measuring superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione
      peroxidase in liver homogenates. The ME group presented a significant increase in
      systolic arterial pressure (118+/-9 vs 135+/-6mmHg), diastolic arterial pressure
      (81+/-6 vs. 92+/-4) and mean arterial pressure (95+/-7 vs. 106+/-6). In addition,
      pulse interval variability presented a significant decrease (41%), while the low
      frequency component of AP was significantly increased (delta P=6.24mmHg(2)) in
      the ME group. We also found a positive association between lipid peroxidation and
      cardiac sympathetic modulation, sympathetic and vagal modulation ratio and
      systolic pressure variability. Collectively, these findings showed that HHcy
      induced dysfunction of cardiovascular autonomic system and liver oxidative
      stress. 

PMID- 24231342
TI  - Primary synovial osteochondromatosis of the first interphalangeal joint of the
      foot: A case report.

PMID- 24231343
TI  - Sigmoid diverticulitis with inferior mesenteric vein fistula.

PMID- 24231344
TI  - Factors influencing the occurrence of a T2-STIR hypersignal in the lumbosacral
      adipose tissue.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to determine whether there is a relation
      between overweight, age, sex, "hospitalised/outpatient" status and a non
      inflammatory hypersignal of the subcutaneous lumbosacral adipose tissue in T2
      Short-Tau Inversion-Recovery (T2-STIR) MR imaging sequences. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: One hundred and six lumbar MRI, including a T2-STIR and T1 Fluid
      Attenuated Inversion-Recovery (FLAIR) weighted sagittal sequences, were
      retrospectively taken from the picture archiving and communication system (PACS)
      of our hospital and then made anonymous and analysed. The presence or absence of
      a T2-STIR hypersignal within subcutaneous adipose tissue behind the paraspinal
      muscle aponeurosis was determined. In addition, the weight, thickness of the fat
      tissue, the administrative status of the patient, the age, sex, time of the
      examination and, when present, the height of this hypersignal were noted. A uni-
      and multivariate analysis by logistic regression was carried out in order to
      examine the relationship between the data gathered. RESULTS: In the examinations
      selected, 25.5% (n=27) demonstrated a T2-STIR hypersignal in the subcutaneous
      tissue. We identified the weight (P<0.023), thickness of the fat tissue
      (P<0.001), the age of the patient (P<0.017) and the "hospitalised" status
      (P<0.009) as significant variables associated with this T2-STIR hypersignal. The
      mean height of the hypersignal was 109.5mm. Five of the 27 patients had an
      injection of gadolinium chelate and no enhancement was found at this level.
      CONCLUSION: We found a significant link between overweight, age and
      "hospitalised" status and the non-inflammatory infiltration of lumbar adipose
      tissue. This phenomenon seems to correspond with an interstitial oedema, related
      to subcutaneous stasis. This anomaly should not be confused with a local
      inflammation.

PMID- 24231345
TI  - Perfusion in ENT imaging.
AB  - Perfusion MRI is an essential part of characterizing salivary gland tumors. The
      shape of the curves can provide a guide as to the type of lesion: benign
      (ascending plateau) or malignant (descending plateau), and can also occasionally
      strongly suggest a histological type such as a Warthin tumor (intense, rapid
      contrast enhancement with washout>30%). Perfusion imaging (CT or MRI) for other
      head and neck tumors is currently being developed and is being assessed. It
      should be a tool to assist in choosing the most appropriate initial treatment
      (chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery) and should also allow poor responders to
      conservative treatment to be identified and recurrences to be detected in post
      treatment damaged tissues. AIMS: (a) to determine when to perform perfusion MRI;
      (b) to determine the type of perfusion to carry out: CT, T1-weighted MRI; (c) to
      determine how to position the region of interest to plot the perfusion curve; (d)
      to know how to interpret MRI curves for salivary gland tumors; (e) to know how to
      interpret the information obtained from perfusion CT or MRI for the upper
      aerodigestive tract.

PMID- 24231346
TI  - Medico-economic study of the management of hepatocellular carcinoma by chemo
      embolization.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study has two aims. The first is to compare conventional lipiodol
      chemo-embolization (Trans Arterial Chemo-Embolization - TACE) to one using pre
      loaded particles (Trans Arterial Chemo-Embolisation-Drug Eluted Bead - TACE-DEB)
      using a cost minimization study. The second is to define the fundable nature of
      TACE-DEB and the conditions under which it is cost-effective. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Retrospective study of patients treated by chemo-embolization (n=31:
      TACE; n=32: TACE-DEB) during the year 2010. The cost minimization study was
      conducted from the hospital perspective. Direct medical costs were calculated and
      compared using the readjusted ENCC (National Studies of Costs by Common
      Methodology) method. The affordability of the two techniques and definition of a
      cost-effective hypothesis (break-even point) were also established. RESULTS: All
      DRGs combined, lengths of stay (TACE: 4.90 +/- 3.36; TACE-DEB: 5.03 +/- 3.36)
      does not change significantly. An average upper mean cost for TACE-DEB is
      described (TACE: 2869.05 ?; TACE-DEB: 3960.10 ?). The affordability calculations
      in the study show that, overall, TACE-DEB can be funded regardless of DRG. A
      ratio of 1.3 procedures using the conventional (TACE) method would enable TACE
      DEB procedures to be funded. CONCLUSION: This medico-economic analysis
      demonstrates that the TACE-DEB procedure is fundable.

PMID- 24231347
TI  - ArhGEF18 regulated Rho signaling in vertebrate retina development.
AB  - Epithelia consisting of highly polarized columnar cells contribute to many organs
      during development, including the central nervous system. Epithelial organization
      is essential for proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells and
      subsequent organ morphology and function. Small GTPases of the Rho family are
      important regulators of cellular morphology and polarity. We recently identified
      ArhGEF18 as a key regulator of RhoA-Rock2 signaling that is crucial for
      maintenance of polarity in the vertebrate retinal epithelium. ArhGEF18 is
      required to maintain apico-basal polarity, localization of tight junctions and
      cortical actin, thus shaping cellular morphology. Loss of ArhGEF18 activity
      results in increased proliferation and reduced cell cycle exit. Together, these
      perturbations result in a severely misshaped embryonic eye, where the stereotype
      arrangement of retinal cell types is randomized. Our findings reveal an important
      role for RhoA-Rock2 signaling to maintain apico-basal polarity in retinal
      progenitor cells, which is essential for subsequent cellular differentiation,
      morphology and eventually organ function. 

PMID- 24231348
TI  - High resolution diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas
      using reduced field of view single-shot echo-planar imaging at 3 T.
AB  - Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) has been mostly acquired
      using single-shot echo-planar imaging (ss EPI) to minimize motion induced
      artifacts. The spatial resolution, however, is inherently limited in ss EPI
      especially for abdominal imaging, even with the advances in parallel imaging. A
      novel method of reduced Field of View ss EPI (rFOV ss EPI) has achieved high
      resolution DWI in human carotid artery, spinal cord with reduced blurring and
      higher spatial resolution than conventional ss EPI, but it has not been used to
      pancreas imaging. In the work, comparisons between the full FOV ss-DW EPI and
      rFOV ss-DW EPI in image qualities and ADC values of pancreatic tumors and normal
      pancreatic tissues were performed to demonstrate the feasibility of pancreatic
      high resolution rFOV DWI. There were no significant differences in the mean ADC
      values between full FOV DWI and rFOV DWI for the 17 subjects using b=600s/mm(2)
      (P=0.962). However, subjective scores of image quality was significantly higher
      at rFOV ss DWI (P=0.008 and 0.000 for b-value=0s/mm(2) and 600s/mm(2)
      respectively). The spatial resolution of DWI for pancreas was increased by a
      factor of over 2.0 (from almost 3.0mm/pixel to 1.25mm/pixel) using rFOV ss EPI
      technique. Reduced FOV ss EPI can provide good DW images and is promising to
      benefit applications for pancreatic diseases. 

PMID- 24231349
TI  - Balancing GRK2 and EPAC1 levels prevents and relieves chronic pain.
AB  - Chronic pain is a major clinical problem, yet the mechanisms underlying the
      transition from acute to chronic pain remain poorly understood. In mice, reduced
      expression of GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) in nociceptors promotes cAMP signaling to the
      guanine nucleotide exchange factor EPAC1 and prolongs the PGE2-induced increase
      in pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia). Here we hypothesized that reduction of GRK2
      or increased EPAC1 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons would promote the
      transition to chronic pain. We used 2 mouse models of hyperalgesic priming in
      which the transition from acute to chronic PGE2-induced hyperalgesia occurs.
      Hyperalgesic priming with carrageenan induced a sustained decrease in nociceptor
      GRK2, whereas priming with the PKCepsilon agonist PsiepsilonRACK increased DRG
      EPAC1. When either GRK2 was increased in vivo by viral-based gene transfer or
      EPAC1 was decreased in vivo, as was the case for mice heterozygous for Epac1 or
      mice treated with Epac1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, chronic PGE2-induced
      hyperalgesia development was prevented in the 2 priming models. Using the CFA
      model of chronic inflammatory pain, we found that increasing GRK2 or decreasing
      EPAC1 inhibited chronic hyperalgesia. Our data suggest that therapies targeted at
      balancing nociceptor GRK2 and EPAC1 levels have promise for the prevention and
      treatment of chronic pain. 

PMID- 24231350
TI  - Systems pharmacology identifies drug targets for Stargardt disease-associated
      retinal degeneration.
AB  - A systems pharmacological approach that capitalizes on the characterization of
      intracellular signaling networks can transform our understanding of human
      diseases and lead to therapy development. Here, we applied this strategy to
      identify pharmacological targets for the treatment of Stargardt disease, a severe
      juvenile form of macular degeneration. Diverse GPCRs have previously been
      implicated in neuronal cell survival, and crosstalk between GPCR signaling
      pathways represents an unexplored avenue for pharmacological intervention. We
      focused on this receptor family for potential therapeutic interventions in
      macular disease. Complete transcriptomes of mouse and human samples were analyzed
      to assess the expression of GPCRs in the retina. Focusing on adrenergic (AR) and
      serotonin (5-HT) receptors, we found that adrenoceptor alpha 2C (Adra2c) and
      serotonin receptor 2a (Htr2a) were the most highly expressed. Using a mouse model
      of Stargardt disease, we found that pharmacological interventions that targeted
      both GPCR signaling pathways and adenylate cyclases (ACs) improved photoreceptor
      cell survival, preserved photoreceptor function, and attenuated the accumulation
      of pathological fluorescent deposits in the retina. These findings demonstrate a
      strategy for the identification of new drug candidates and FDA-approved drugs for
      the treatment of monogenic and complex diseases. 

PMID- 24231351
TI  - Human Treg responses allow sustained recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated
      transgene expression.
AB  - Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have shown promise for the
      treatment of several diseases; however, immune-mediated elimination of transduced
      cells has been suggested to limit and account for a loss of efficacy. To
      determine whether rAAV vector expression can persist long term, we administered
      rAAV vectors expressing normal, M-type alpha-1 antitrypsin (M-AAT) to AAT
      deficient subjects at various doses by multiple i.m. injections. M-specific AAT
      expression was observed in all subjects in a dose-dependent manner and was
      sustained for more than 1 year in the absence of immune suppression. Muscle
      biopsies at 1 year had sustained AAT expression and a reduction of inflammatory
      cells compared with 3 month biopsies. Deep sequencing of the TCR Vbeta region
      from muscle biopsies demonstrated a limited number of T cell clones that emerged
      at 3 months after vector administration and persisted for 1 year. In situ
      immunophenotyping revealed a substantial Treg population in muscle biopsy samples
      containing AAT-expressing myofibers. Approximately 10% of all T cells in muscle
      were natural Tregs, which were activated in response to AAV capsid. These results
      suggest that i.m. delivery of rAAV type 1-AAT (rAAV1-AAT) induces a T regulatory
      response that allows ongoing transgene expression and indicates that
      immunomodulatory treatments may not be necessary for rAAV-mediated gene therapy. 

PMID- 24231352
TI  - p53 isoforms regulate aging- and tumor-associated replicative senescence in T
      lymphocytes.
AB  - Cellular senescence contributes to aging and decline in tissue function. p53
      isoform switching regulates replicative senescence in cultured fibroblasts and is
      associated with tumor progression. Here, we found that the endogenous p53
      isoforms Delta133p53 and p53beta are physiological regulators of proliferation
      and senescence in human T lymphocytes in vivo. Peripheral blood CD8+ T
      lymphocytes collected from healthy donors displayed an age-dependent accumulation
      of senescent cells (CD28-CD57+) with decreased Delta133p53 and increased p53beta
      expression. Human lung tumor-associated CD8+ T lymphocytes also harbored
      senescent cells. Cultured CD8+ blood T lymphocytes underwent replicative
      senescence that was associated with loss of CD28 and Delta133p53 protein. In
      poorly proliferative, Delta133p53-low CD8+CD28- cells, reconstituted expression
      of either Delta133p53 or CD28 upregulated endogenous expression of each other,
      which restored cell proliferation, extended replicative lifespan and rescued
      senescence phenotypes. Conversely, Delta133p53 knockdown or p53beta
      overexpression in CD8+CD28+ cells inhibited cell proliferation and induced
      senescence. This study establishes a role for Delta133p53 and p53beta in
      regulation of cellular proliferation and senescence in vivo. Furthermore,
      Delta133p53-induced restoration of cellular replicative potential may lead to a
      new therapeutic paradigm for treating immunosenescence disorders, including those
      associated with aging, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and HIV infection. 

PMID- 24231353
TI  - Impaired periamygdaloid-cortex prodynorphin is characteristic of opiate addiction
      and depression.
AB  - Negative affect is critical for conferring vulnerability to opiate addiction as
      reflected by the high comorbidity of opiate abuse with major depressive disorder
      (MDD). Rodent models implicate amygdala prodynorphin (Pdyn) as a mediator of
      negative affect; however, evidence of PDYN involvement in human negative affect
      is limited. Here, we found reduced PDYN mRNA expression in the postmortem human
      amygdala nucleus of the periamygdaloid cortex (PAC) in both heroin abusers and
      MDD subjects. Similar to humans, rats that chronically self-administered heroin
      had reduced Pdyn mRNA expression in the PAC at a time point associated with a
      negative affective state. Using the in vivo functional imaging technology DREAMM
      (DREADD-assisted metabolic mapping, where DREADD indicates designer receptors
      exclusively activated by designer drugs), we found that selective inhibition of
      Pdyn-expressing neurons in the rat PAC increased metabolic activity in the
      extended amygdala, which is a key substrate of the extrahypothalamic brain stress
      system. In parallel, PAC-specific Pdyn inhibition provoked negative affect
      related physiological and behavioral changes. Altogether, our translational study
      supports a functional role for impaired Pdyn in the PAC in opiate abuse through
      activation of the stress and negative affect neurocircuitry implicated in
      addiction vulnerability. 

PMID- 24231354
TI  - Immune response to RB1-regulated senescence limits radiation-induced osteosarcoma
      formation.
AB  - Ionizing radiation (IR) and germline mutations in the retinoblastoma tumor
      suppressor gene (RB1) are the strongest risk factors for developing osteosarcoma.
      Recapitulating the human predisposition, we found that Rb1+/- mice exhibited
      accelerated development of IR-induced osteosarcoma, with a latency of 39 weeks.
      Initial exposure of osteoblasts to carcinogenic doses of IR in vitro and in vivo
      induced RB1-dependent senescence and the expression of a panel of proteins known
      as senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), dominated by IL-6. RB1
      expression closely correlated with that of the SASP cassette in human
      osteosarcomas, and low expression of both RB1 and the SASP genes was associated
      with poor prognosis. In vivo, IL-6 was required for IR-induced senescence, which
      elicited NKT cell infiltration and a host inflammatory response. Mice lacking IL
      6 or NKT cells had accelerated development of IR-induced osteosarcomas. These
      data elucidate an important link between senescence, which is a cell-autonomous
      tumor suppressor response, and the activation of host-dependent cancer
      immunosurveillance. Our findings indicate that overcoming the immune response to
      senescence is a rate-limiting step in the formation of IR-induced osteosarcoma. 

PMID- 24231355
TI  - Topical hypochlorite ameliorates NF-kappaB-mediated skin diseases in mice.
AB  - Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) regulates cellular responses to inflammation
      and aging, and alterations in NF-kappaB signaling underlie the pathogenesis of
      multiple human diseases. Effective clinical therapeutics targeting this pathway
      remain unavailable. In primary human keratinocytes, we found that hypochlorite
      (HOCl) reversibly inhibited the expression of CCL2 and SOD2, two NF-kappaB
      dependent genes. In cultured cells, HOCl inhibited the activity of inhibitor of
      NF-kappaB kinase (IKK), a key regulator of NF-kappaB activation, by oxidizing
      cysteine residues Cys114 and Cys115. In NF-kappaB reporter mice, topical HOCl
      reduced LPS-induced NF-kappaB signaling in skin. We further evaluated topical
      HOCl use in two mouse models of NF-kappaB-driven epidermal disease. For mice with
      acute radiation dermatitis, topical HOCl inhibited the expression of NF-kappaB
      dependent genes, decreased disease severity, and prevented skin ulceration. In
      aged mice, topical HOCl attenuated age-dependent production of p16INK4a and
      expression of the DNA repair gene Rad50. Additionally, skin of aged HOCl-treated
      mice acquired enhanced epidermal thickness and proliferation, comparable to skin
      in juvenile animals. These data suggest that topical HOCl reduces NF-kappaB
      mediated epidermal pathology in radiation dermatitis and skin aging through IKK
      modulation and motivate the exploration of HOCl use for clinical aims. 

PMID- 24231356
TI  - Inhibition of mitochondrial fragmentation diminishes Huntington's disease
      associated neurodegeneration.
AB  - Huntington's disease (HD) is the result of expression of a mutated Huntingtin
      protein (mtHtt), and is associated with a variety of cellular dysfunctions
      including excessive mitochondrial fission. Here, we tested whether inhibition of
      excessive mitochondrial fission prevents mtHtt-induced pathology. We developed a
      selective inhibitor (P110-TAT) of the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin
      related protein 1 (DRP1). We found that P110-TAT inhibited mtHtt-induced
      excessive mitochondrial fragmentation, improved mitochondrial function, and
      increased cell viability in HD cell culture models. P110-TAT treatment of
      fibroblasts from patients with HD and patients with HD with iPS cell-derived
      neurons reduced mitochondrial fragmentation and corrected mitochondrial
      dysfunction. P110-TAT treatment also reduced the extent of neurite shortening and
      cell death in iPS cell-derived neurons in patients with HD. Moreover, treatment
      of HD transgenic mice with P110-TAT reduced mitochondrial dysfunction, motor
      deficits, neuropathology, and mortality. We found that p53, a stress gene
      involved in HD pathogenesis, binds to DRP1 and mediates DRP1-induced
      mitochondrial and neuronal damage. Furthermore, P110-TAT treatment suppressed
      mtHtt-induced association of p53 with mitochondria in multiple HD models. These
      data indicate that inhibition of DRP1-dependent excessive mitochondrial fission
      with a P110-TAT-like inhibitor may prevent or slow the progression of HD. 

PMID- 24231357
TI  - Inhibition of the TRPC5 ion channel protects the kidney filter.
AB  - An intact kidney filter is vital to retention of essential proteins in the blood
      and removal of waste from the body. Damage to the filtration barrier results in
      albumin loss in the urine, a hallmark of cardiovascular disease and kidney
      failure. Here we found that the ion channel TRPC5 mediates filtration barrier
      injury. Using Trpc5-KO mice, a small-molecule inhibitor of TRPC5, Ca2+ imaging in
      isolated kidney glomeruli, and live imagining of podocyte actin dynamics, we
      determined that loss of TRPC5 or its inhibition abrogates podocyte cytoskeletal
      remodeling. Inhibition or loss of TRPC5 prevented activation of the small GTP
      binding protein Rac1 and stabilized synaptopodin. Importantly, genetic deletion
      or pharmacologic inhibition of TRPC5 protected mice from albuminuria. These data
      reveal that the Ca2+-permeable channel TRPC5 is an important determinant of
      albuminuria and identify TRPC5 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for the
      prevention or treatment of proteinuric kidney disease. 

PMID- 24231359
TI  - Marked genomic heterogeneity of rat hepatitis E virus strains in Indonesia
      demonstrated on a full-length genome analysis.
AB  - Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains have recently been isolated in several areas
      of Germany, Vietnam, the United States, Indonesia and China. However, genetic
      information regarding these rat HEV strains is limited. A total of 369 wild rats
      (Rattus rattus) captured in Central Java (Solo) and on Lombok Island, Indonesia
      were tested for the presence of rat HEV-specific antibodies and RNA. Overall, 137
      rats (37.1%) tested positive for rat anti-HEV antibodies, while 97 (26.3%) had
      rat HEV RNA detectable on reverse transcription-PCR with primers targeting the
      ORF1-ORF2 junctional region. The 97 HEV strains recovered from these viremic rats
      were 76.3-100% identical to each other in an 840-nucleotide sequence and 75.4
      88.4% identical to the rat HEV strains reported in Germany and Vietnam. Five
      representative Indonesian strains, one from each of five phylogenetic clusters,
      whose entire genomic sequence was determined, were segregated into three genetic
      groups (a German type, Vietnamese type and novel type), which differed from each
      other by 19.5-23.5 (22.0 +/- 1.7)% over the entire genome. These results suggest
      the presence of at least three genetic groups of rat HEV and indicate the
      circulation of polyphyletic strains of rat HEV belonging to three distinct
      genetic groups in Indonesia.

PMID- 24231358
TI  - Whole-brain circuit dissection in free-moving animals reveals cell-specific
      mesocorticolimbic networks.
AB  - The ability to map the functional connectivity of discrete cell types in the
      intact mammalian brain during behavior is crucial for advancing our understanding
      of brain function in normal and disease states. We combined designer receptor
      exclusively activated by designer drug (DREADD) technology and behavioral imaging
      with MUPET and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to generate whole-brain metabolic
      maps of cell-specific functional circuits during the awake, freely moving state.
      We have termed this approach DREADD-assisted metabolic mapping (DREAMM) and
      documented its ability in rats to map whole-brain functional anatomy. We applied
      this strategy to evaluating changes in the brain associated with inhibition of
      prodynorphin-expressing (Pdyn-expressing) and of proenkephalin-expressing (Penk
      expressing) medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh),
      which have been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. DREAMM revealed
      discrete behavioral manifestations and concurrent engagement of distinct
      corticolimbic networks associated with dysregulation of Pdyn and Penk in MSNs of
      the NAcSh. Furthermore, distinct neuronal networks were recruited in awake versus
      anesthetized conditions. These data demonstrate that DREAMM is a highly
      sensitive, molecular, high-resolution quantitative imaging approach. 

PMID- 24231360
TI  - Comparison of athlete-coach perceptions of internal and external load markers for
      elite junior tennis training.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the discrepancy between coach and athlete perceptions of
      internal load and notational analysis of external load in elite junior tennis.
      METHODS: Fourteen elite junior tennis players and 6 international coaches were
      recruited. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs) were recorded for individual
      drills and whole sessions, along with a rating of mental exertion, coach rating
      of intended session exertion, and athlete heart rate (HR). Furthermore, total
      stroke count and unforced-error count were notated using video coding after each
      session, alongside coach and athlete estimations of shots and errors made.
      Finally, regression analyses explained the variance in the criterion variables of
      athlete and coach RPE. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analyses of variance and
      interclass correlation coefficients revealed that coaches significantly (P < .01)
      underestimated athlete session RPE, with only moderate correlation (r = .59)
      demonstrated between coach and athlete. However, athlete drill RPE (P = .14; r =
      .71) and mental exertion (P = .44; r = .68) were comparable and substantially
      correlated. No significant differences in estimated stroke count were evident
      between athlete and coach (P = .21), athlete notational analysis (P = .06), or
      coach notational analysis (P = .49). Coaches estimated significantly greater
      unforced errors than either athletes or notational analysis (P < .01). Regression
      analyses found that 54.5% of variance in coach RPE was explained by intended
      session exertion and coach drill RPE, while drill RPE and peak HR explained 45.3%
      of the variance in athlete session RPE. CONCLUSION: Coaches misinterpreted
      session RPE but not drill RPE, while inaccurately monitoring error counts.
      Improved understanding of external- and internal-load monitoring may help coach
      athlete relationships in individual sports like tennis avoid maladaptive
      training.

PMID- 24231361
TI  - Detection of hepatitis C virus by single-step hairpin primer RT-PCR.
AB  - We developed a novel single-step virus detection system using the fluorescent
      molecule with a hairpin primer on the reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR). Primers that are specific to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) having a
      hairpin tag at the 5'-end were used for RT and PCR. The HCV-RNA template was
      reverse transcribed by reverse transcriptase with the hairpin primer (HP), and
      the resulting cDNA was amplified directly by HP-PCR (RT-HP-PCR). Using the RT-HP
      PCR, we succeeded in demonstrating the detection of HCV-RNA in single-step. The
      RT-HP-PCR selectively detected HCV-RNA extracted from patients' sera containing
      contaminant materials. The method could be applicable to the quantitative
      detection of HCV. 

PMID- 24231362
TI  - Discovery of benzo[d]imidazo[5,1-b]thiazole as a new class of phosphodiesterase
      10A inhibitors.
AB  - The design, synthesis and structure activity relationship studies of a series of
      compounds from benzo[d]imidazo[5,1-b]thiazole scaffold as phosphodiesterase 10A
      (PDE10A) inhibitors are discussed. Several potent analogs with heteroaromatic
      substitutions (9a-d) were identified. The anticipated binding mode of these
      analogs was confirmed by performing the in silico docking experiments. Later, the
      heteroaromatics were substituted with saturated heteroalkyl groups which provided
      a tool compound 9e with excellent PDE10A activity, PDE selectivity, CNS
      penetrability and with favorable pharmacokinetic profile in rats. Furthermore,
      the compound 9e was shown to be efficacious in the MK-801 induced psychosis model
      and in the CAR model of psychosis. 

PMID- 24231363
TI  - DPMA, a deoxypodophyllotoxin derivative, induces apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis
      in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells.
AB  - We found that the deoxypodophyllotoxin derivative, 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(6-oxo
      (5R,5aR,6,8,8aR,9-hexahydrofuro[3',4':6,7]naphtho[2,3-d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)phenyl
      ((R)-1-amino-4-(methylthio)-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (DPMA), exhibited superior
      cytotoxicity compared with etoposide. In this study, we investigated the
      mechanism of action of DPMA. DPMA exhibited anti-proliferative activity and
      induced apoptosis in A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependant manner. DPMA
      inhibited microtubule formation and induced expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3,
      p53 and ROS, and inhibited Bcl-2 expression. DPMA also affected cyclinB1, cdc2
      and p-cdc2 expression, inducing cell cycle arrest. DPMA also inhibited tube
      formation of VEGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These studies
      demonstrate that DPMA inhibits p53/cdc2/Bax signaling, thereby inhibiting cell
      growth/angiogenesis and inducing apoptosis. 

PMID- 24231364
TI  - Examining the utility of a bite-count-based measure of eating activity in free
      living human beings.
AB  - The obesity epidemic has triggered a need for novel methods for measuring eating
      activity in free-living settings. Here, we introduce a bite-count method that has
      the potential to be used in long-term investigations of eating activity. The
      purpose of our observational study was to describe the relationship between bite
      count and energy intake and determine whether there are sex and body mass index
      group differences in kilocalories per bite in free-living human beings. From
      October 2011 to February 2012, 77 participants used a wrist-worn device for 2
      weeks to measure bite count during 2,975 eating activities. An automated self
      administered 24-hour recall was completed daily to provide kilocalorie estimates
      for each eating activity. Pearson's correlation indicated a moderate, positive
      correlation between bite count and kilocalories (r=0.44; P<0.001) across all
      2,975 eating activities. The average per-individual correlation was 0.53. A 2
      (sex)*3 (body mass index group: normal, overweight, obese) analysis of variance
      indicated that men consumed 6 kcal more per bite than women on average. However,
      there were no body mass index group differences in kilocalories per bite. This
      was the longest study of a body-worn sensor for monitoring eating activity of
      free-living human beings to date, which highlights the strong potential for this
      method to be used in future, long-term investigations. 

PMID- 24231365
TI  - Getting a taste for food waste: a mixed methods ethnographic study into hospital
      food waste before patient consumption conducted at three New Zealand foodservice
      facilities.
AB  - Foodservice organizations, particularly those in hospitals, are large producers
      of food waste. To date, research on waste in hospitals has focused primarily on
      plate waste and the affect of food waste on patient nutrition outcomes. Less
      focus has been placed on waste generation at the kitchen end of the hospital food
      system. We used a novel approach to understand reasons for hospital food waste
      before consumption and offer recommendations on waste minimization within
      foodservices. A mixed methods ethnographic research approach was adopted. Three
      New Zealand hospital foodservices were selected as research sites, all of which
      were contracted to an external foodservice provider. Data collection techniques
      included document analyses, observations, focus groups with kitchen staff, and
      one-on-one interviews with managers. Thematic analysis was conducted to generate
      common themes. Most food waste occurred during service and as a result of
      overproduction. Attitudes and habits of foodservice personnel were considered
      influential factors of waste generation. Implications of food waste were
      perceived differently by different levels of staff. Whereas managers raised
      discussion from a financial perspective, kitchen staff drew upon social
      implications. Organizational plans, controls, and use of pre-prepared ingredients
      assisted in waste minimization. An array of factors influenced waste generation
      in hospital foodservices. Exploring attitudes and practices of foodservice
      personnel allowed an understanding of reasons behind hospital food waste and ways
      in which it could be minimized. This study provides a foundation for further
      research on sustainable behavior within the wider foodservice sector and
      dietetics practice. 

PMID- 24231366
TI  - Validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess macronutrient and
      micronutrient intake among Jordanians.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a food
      frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among a convenience sample of healthy adults in
      Jordan. A modified version of the questionnaire known as Diet History
      Questionnaire I, which measures dietary intakes over a 1-year period, was
      administrated to 101 apparently healthy men and women recruited from three large
      medical centers in Jordan. Fifty-five participants completed the modified FFQ and
      three 24-hour recalls. Participants (N=101) completed the FFQ two times separated
      by a 1-month period. Reliability of the FFQ was assessed using test-retest
      method. Mean age of participants was 33.4+/-18.5 years. Energy, carbohydrate,
      fiber, fat, saturated fat, calcium, and iron had deattenuated correlations of
      .732, .563, .544, .487, .484, .451, and .459, respectively. The FFQ and 24-hour
      recalls produced similar agreement percentages ranging between 25.5% and 43.6%.
      Mean energy-adjusted reliability coefficients ranged from .695 to .943. A
      Cronbach's alpha for the total FFQ items of .857 was found. The modified FFQ has
      reasonable relative validity and reliability for energy, carbohydrate, fiber,
      fat, saturated fat, calcium, and iron intakes in Jordanian adults over a 1-year
      period. However, its application may require additional modifications and
      validation efforts. Future research is warranted to further modify and test the
      FFQ in a larger and more diverse sample of Jordanians as well as to develop FFQ
      for the use among other age groups.

PMID- 24231368
TI  - Bisphenol A modulates the metabolic regulator oestrogen-related receptor-alpha in
      T-cells.
AB  - Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used plastics constituent that has been associated
      with endocrine, immune and metabolic effects. Evidence for how BPA exerts
      significant biological effects at chronic low levels of exposure has remained
      elusive. In adult men, exposure to BPA has been associated with higher expression
      of two nuclear receptors, oestrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) and oestrogen-related
      receptor-alpha (ERRalpha), in peripheral white blood cells in vivo. In this
      study, we explore the expression of ESR2 (ERbeta) and ESRRA (ERRalpha) in human
      leukaemic T-cell lymphoblasts (Jurkat cells) exposed to BPA in vitro. We show
      that exposure to BPA led to enhanced expression of ESRRA within 6 h of exposure
      (mean+/-s.e.m.: 1.43+/-0.08-fold increase compared with the control, P<0.05).
      After 72 h, expression of ESRRA remained significantly enhanced at concentrations
      of BPA >=1 nM. Oxidative metabolism of BPA by rat liver S9 fractions yields the
      potent oestrogenic metabolite, 4-methyl-2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)pent-1-ene (MBP).
      Exposure of cells to 1-100 nM MBP increased the expression of both ESRRA
      (significantly induced, P<0.05, at 1, 10, 100 nM) and ESR2 (1.32+/-0.07-fold
      increase at 100 nM exposure, P<0.01). ERRalpha is a major control point for
      oxidative metabolism in many cell types, including T-cells. Following exposure to
      both BPA and MBP, we found that cells showed a decrease in cell proliferation
      rate. Taken together, these results confirm the bioactivity of BPA against
      putative T-cell targets in vitro at concentrations relevant to general human
      exposure. 

PMID- 24231369
TI  - Quantification of healthy and atretic germ cells and follicles in the developing
      and post-natal ovary of the South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus:
      evidence of continuous rise of the germinal reserve.
AB  - The female germ line in mammals is subjected to massive cell death that
      eliminates 60-85% of the germinal reserve by birth and continues from birth to
      adulthood until the exhaustion of the germinal pool. Germ cell demise occurs
      mainly through apoptosis by means of a biased expression in favour of pro
      apoptotic members of the BCL2 gene family. By contrast, the South American plains
      vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, exhibits sustained expression of the anti-apoptotic
      BCL2 gene throughout gestation and a low incidence of germ cell apoptosis. This
      led to the proposal that, in the absence of death mechanisms other than
      apoptosis, the female germ line should increase continuously from foetal life
      until after birth. In this study, we quantified all healthy germ cells and
      follicles in the ovaries of L. maximus from early foetal life to day 60 after
      birth using unbiased stereological methods and detected apoptosis by labelling
      with TUNEL assay. The healthy germ cell population increased continuously from
      early-developing ovary reaching a 50 times higher population number by the end of
      gestation. TUNEL-positive germ cells were <0.5% of the germ cell number, except
      at mid-gestation (3.62%). Mitotic proliferation, entrance into prophase I stage
      and primordial follicle formation occurred as overlapping processes from early
      pregnancy to birth. Germ cell number remained constant in early post-natal life,
      but a remnant population of non-follicular VASA- and PCNA-positive germ cells
      still persisted at post-natal day 60. L. maximus is the first mammal so far
      described in which female germ line develops in the absence of constitutive
      massive germ cell elimination. 

PMID- 24231371
TI  - Ranking of the scientific production in Brazilian universities in the health
      science area - 1996 to 2011.

PMID- 24231367
TI  - Imaging of transplanted islets by positron emission tomography, magnetic
      resonance imaging, and ultrasonography.
AB  - While islet transplantation is considered a useful therapeutic option for severe
      diabetes mellitus (DM), the outcome of this treatment remains unsatisfactory.
      This is largely due to the damage and loss of islets in the early transplant
      stage. Thus, it is important to monitor the condition of the transplanted islets,
      so that a treatment can be selected to rescue the islets from damage if needed.
      Recently, numerous trials have been performed to investigate the efficacy of
      different imaging modalities for visualizing transplanted islets. Positron
      emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the most
      commonly used imaging modalities for this purpose. Some groups, including ours,
      have also tried to visualize transplanted islets by ultrasonography (US). In this
      review article, we discuss the recent progress in islet imaging. 

PMID- 24231372
TI  - The antimicrobial effect of silicon nanowires decorated with silver and copper
      nanoparticles.
AB  - The paper reports on the preparation and antibacterial activity of silicon
      nanowire (SiNW) substrates coated with Ag or Cu nanoparticles (NPs) against
      Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The substrates are easily prepared using the
      metal-assisted chemical etching of crystalline silicon in hydrofluoric
      acid/silver nitrate (HF/AgNO3) aqueous solution. Decoration of the SiNWs with
      metal NPs is achieved by simple immersion in HF aqueous solutions containing
      silver or copper salts. The SiNWs coated with Ag NPs are biocompatible with human
      lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line A549 while possessing strong
      antibacterial properties to E. coli. In contrast, the SiNWs decorated with Cu NPs
      showed higher cytotoxicity and slightly lower antibacterial activity. Moreover,
      it was also observed that leakage of sugars and proteins from the cell wall of E.
      coli in interaction with SiNWs decorated with Ag NPs is higher compared to SiNWs
      modified with Cu NPs. 

PMID- 24231373
TI  - Geographical distribution of the annual mean radon concentrations in primary
      schools of Southern Serbia - application of geostatistical methods.
AB  - Between 2008 and 2011 a survey of radon ((222)Rn) was performed in schools of
      several districts of Southern Serbia. Some results have been published previously
      (Zunic et al., 2010; Carpentieri et al., 2011; Zunic et al., 2013). This article
      concentrates on the geographical distribution of the measured Rn concentrations.
      Applying geostatistical methods we generate "school radon maps" of expected
      concentrations and of estimated probabilities that a concentration threshold is
      exceeded. The resulting maps show a clearly structured spatial pattern which
      appears related to the geological background. In particular in areas with
      vulcanite and granitoid rocks, elevated radon (Rn) concentrations can be
      expected. The "school radon map" can therefore be considered as proxy to a map of
      the geogenic radon potential, and allows identification of radon-prone areas,
      i.e. areas in which higher Rn radon concentrations can be expected for natural
      reasons. It must be stressed that the "radon hazard", or potential risk,
      estimated this way, has to be distinguished from the actual radon risk, which is
      a function of exposure. This in turn may require (depending on the target
      variable which is supposed to measure risk) considering demographic and
      sociological reality, i.e. population density, distribution of building styles
      and living habits. 

PMID- 24231374
TI  - Cloning, expression of Aspergillus niger JL-15 endo-polygalacturonase A gene in
      Pichia pastoris and oligo-galacturonates production.
AB  - The endo-galacturonase A gene (pgaA) was cloned using the cDNAs synthesized from
      total RNA of Aspergillus niger JL-15 by reverse transcription as template. The
      open reading frame (ORF) of pgaA was 1113bp, encoding a peptide of 370 amino
      acids with the predicted molecular mass of 38.8kDa. The pgaA was successfully
      expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115 under the control of AOX1 promoter. After
      induction by methanol for 96h, the activity of the recombinant endo-galacturonase
      A (rePgaA) in culture supernatant was 2091.0U/mg. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that
      the molecular mass of rePgaA was about 40.0kDa. Enzymatic properties assays
      showed that the optimum temperature and pH for rePgaA were 50 degrees C and pH
      5.0, respectively. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and maximal velocity (Vmax)
      of rePgaA for citrus pectin were 3.20mgml(-1) and 40.97MUmolmin(-1)ml(-1),
      respectively. The rePgaA mediated a rapid decrease in viscosity of pectin
      solution with release of small amount of reducing sugar. High performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that digalacturonate (G2) and
      trigalalcturonate (G3) were the main hydrolysis products released from pectin by
      rePgaA. The rePgaA showed very low activity on G2 and G3, which suggested it was
      a typical endo-acting enzyme. 

PMID- 24231375
TI  - Microfluidic positioning of pollen grains in lab-on-a-chip for single cell
      analysis.
AB  - A lab-on-a-chip device with a knot shaped microfluidic network is presented to
      enable trapping of single pollen grains at the entrances of a series of
      microchannels. This set-up serves to create identical growth conditions for
      serially arranged tip growing plant cells such as pollen tubes. The design
      consists of an inlet to introduce the pollen suspension into the chip, three
      outlets to evacuate excess medium or cells, a distribution chamber to guide the
      pollen grains toward the growth microchannels and a serial arrangement of
      microchannels with different geometries connected to the distribution chamber.
      These microchannels are to harbor the individual pollen tubes. Two different
      criteria were established to assess the efficiency and optimize the device:
      trapping probability and uniformity of fluid flow conditions within the
      microchannels. The performance of different geometries of the microfluidic
      network was numerically analyzed and experimentally tested.

PMID- 24231376
TI  - Identification and characterization of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in
      cyanobacteria Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.
AB  - Exopolysaccharides produced by photosynthetic cyanobacteria have received
      considerable attention in recent years for their potential applications in the
      production of renewable biofuels. Particularly, cyanobacterial cellulose is one
      of the most promising products because it is extracellularly secreted as a non
      crystalline form, which can be easily harvested from the media and converted into
      glucose units. In cyanobacteria, the production of UDP-glucose, the cellulose
      precursor, is a key step in the cellulose synthesis pathway. UDP-glucose is
      synthesized from UTP and glucose-1-phosphate (Glc-1P) by UDP-glucose
      pyrophosphorylase (UGPase), but this pathway in cyanobacteria has not been well
      characterized. Therefore, to elucidate the overall cellulose biosynthesis pathway
      in cyanobacteria, we studied the putative UGPase All3274 and seven other putative
      NDP-sugar pyrophosphorylases (NSPases), All4645, Alr2825, Alr4491, Alr0188,
      Alr3400, Alr2361, and Alr3921 of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Assays using the purified
      recombinant proteins revealed that All3274 exhibited UGPase activity, All4645,
      Alr2825, Alr4491, Alr0188, and Alr3921 exhibited pyrophosphorylase activities on
      ADP-glucose, CDP-glucose, dTDP-glucose, GDP-mannose, and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine,
      respectively. Further characterization of All3274 revealed that the kcat for UDP
      glucose formation was one or two orders lower than those of other known UGPases.
      The activity and dimerization tendency of All3274 increased at higher enzyme
      concentrations, implying catalytic activation by dimerization. However, most
      interestingly, All3274 dimerization was inhibited by UTP and Glc-1P, but not by
      UDP-glucose. This study presents the first in vitro characterization of a
      cyanobacterial UGPase, and provides insights into biotechnological attempts to
      utilize the photosynthetic production of cellulose from cyanobacteria.

PMID- 24231377
TI  - New fluorogenic dyes for analysis of cellular processes by flow cytometry and
      confocal microscopy.
AB  - Fluorescent microscopy and fluorescent imaging by flow cytometry are two of the
      fastest growing areas in the medical and biological research. Innovations in
      fluorescent chemistry and synthesis of new dye probes are closely related to the
      development of service equipment such as light sources, and detection techniques.
      Among compounds known as fluorescent labels, the cyanine-based dyes have become
      widely used since they have high excitation coefficients, narrow emission bands
      and high fluorescence upon binding to nucleic acids. The key methods for
      evaluation of apoptosis and cell cycle allow measuring DNA content by several
      flow cytometric techniques. We have synthesized new monomethine cyanine dyes and
      have characterized their applicability for staining of live and/or apoptotic
      cells. Imaging experiments by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning
      microscopy (CLSM) have been also performed. Two of the dyes have shown high
      affinity binding to the nuclei at high dilutions, up to 10(-9)M. Flow cytometry
      and CLSM have confirmed that these dyes labeled selectively non-living, e.g.
      ethanol-fixed cells that makes them appropriate for estimations of cell viability
      and apoptosis. The novel structures proved to be appropriate also for analysis of
      the cell cycle. 

PMID- 24231378
TI  - Evaluation of anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of low-level laser
      therapy on temporomandibular joint inflammation in rodents.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory
      activity of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the nociceptive behavioral as well
      as histomorphological aspects induced by injection of formalin and carrageenan
      into the rat temporomandibular joint. The 2.5% formalin injection (FRG group)
      induced behavioral responses characterized by rubbing the orofacial region and
      flinching the head quickly, which were quantified for 45 min. The pretreatment
      with systemic administration of diclofenac sodium-DFN group (10 mg/kg i.p.) as
      well as the irradiation with LLLT infrared (LST group, 780 nm, 70 mW, 30 s, 2.1
      J, 52.5 J/cm(2), GaAlAs) significantly reduced the formalin-induced nociceptive
      responses. The 1% carrageenan injection (CRG group) induced inflammatory
      responses over the time-course of the study (24 h, and 3 and 7 days)
      characterized by the presence of intense inflammatory infiltrate rich in
      neutrophils, scanty areas of liquefactive necrosis and intense interstitial
      edema, extensive hemorrhagic areas, and enlargement of the joint space on the
      region. The DFN and LST groups showed an intensity of inflammatory response that
      was significantly lower than in CRG group over the time-course of the study,
      especially in the LST group, which showed exuberant granulation tissue with
      intense vascularization, and deposition of newly formed collagen fibers (3 and 7
      days). It was concluded that the LLLT presented an anti-nociceptive and anti
      inflammatory response on the inflammation induced in the temporomandibular joint
      of rodents.

PMID- 24231379
TI  - UVC inhibits collagen biosynthesis through up-regulation of NF-kappaB p65
      signaling in cultured fibroblasts.
AB  - The effects of UVC on collagen biosynthesis, prolidase activity, expression of
      alpha2beta1 integrin, IGF-I receptor, FAK, MAP-kinases (ERK1 and ERK2) and the
      transcription factor NF-kappaB p65 were evaluated in human dermal fibroblasts.
      Confluent fibroblasts were treated with UVC light at a rates of 30 and 60 J/m(2).
      It was found that UVC-dependent decrease in collagen biosynthesis was not
      accompanied by parallel decrease in prolidase activity and expression. Since
      insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) and alpha2beta1 integrin signaling
      are the most potent regulators of collagen biosynthesis, the effect of UVC on IGF
      IR and alpha2beta1 integrin receptor expressions were evaluated. It was found
      that the exposure of the cells to UVC contributed to decrease in alpha2beta1
      integrin receptor and FAK expression and to an increase in IGF-IR and pERK1,
      pERK2 expressions. It was accompanied by an increase in the expression of NF
      kappaB p65, the known inhibitor of collagen gene expression. The data suggest
      that UVC-dependent decrease of collagen biosynthesis in cultured human skin
      fibroblasts results from decrease in alpha2beta1 integrin receptor signaling and
      activation of NF-kappaB p65, that is responsible for down-regulation of collagen
      gene expression.

PMID- 24231380
TI  - Elution kinetics, antimicrobial activity, and mechanical properties of 11
      different antibiotic loaded acrylic bone cement.
AB  - Antibiotic-loaded acrylic bone cements (ALABC) spacers are routinely used in the
      treatment of prosthetic joint infections. The objectives of our study were to
      evaluate different ALABC for elution kinetics, thermal stability, and mechanical
      properties. A 10 or 20% mixture (w/w) beads of medium viscosity bone cement
      (DePuy, Inc) and vancomycin (VAN), gentamycin (GM), daptomycin (DAP),
      moxifloxacin (MOX), rifampicin (RIF), cefotaxime (CTX), cefepime (FEP),
      amoxicillin clavulanate (AmC), ampicillin (AMP), meropenem (MER), and ertapenem
      (ERT) were formed and placed into wells filled with phosphate-buffered saline.
      Antibiotic concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid
      chromatography. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Micrococcus luteus ATCC
      9341 or Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. AmC, AMP, and FEP concentration rapidly
      decreased after day 2, being almost undetectable at day 4. Sustained and high
      elution rates were observed with VAN, GM, MOX, and RIF for the 30-day duration of
      the experiment. DAP, MER, ERT, and CTX elution rates constantly decreased from
      day 4. All antibiotics tested retained antimicrobial activity proving thermal
      stability. Mechanical properties of ALABC were maintained except when RIF was
      used. 

PMID- 24231381
TI  - Increased prevalence of aminoglycoside resistance in clinical isolates of
      Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. in Norway is associated with the acquisition
      of AAC(3)-II and AAC(6')-Ib.
AB  - In this study, we show that the increasing prevalence of aminoglycoside
      resistance observed in Norway among clinical Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp.
      isolates is mainly due to the presence of the aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes
      AAC(3)-II and AAC(6')-Ib. A frequent co-association of aminoglycoside resistance
      with Cefotaximase-Munchen group 1 extended-spectrum beta-lactamases was also
      observed. 

PMID- 24231382
TI  - PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using groEL gene to
      differentiate pathogenic Vibrio species.
AB  - Important pathogenic Vibrio species were differentiated by PCR-restriction
      fragment length polymorphism analysis. A 1117-bp groEL gene product was amplified
      using universal primers and digested using the restriction enzymes NruI or XbaI,
      revealing unique digestion patterns for each of the 10 Vibrio species, of which 7
      were pathogenic in humans, along with 2 other species pathogenic in fish. 

PMID- 24231383
TI  - Development and validation of a multiplex PCR assay for identification of the
      epidemic ST-258/512 KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clone.
AB  - The Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-KP)
      sequence type (ST)-258/512 clone is the dominant clone by which KPC has
      disseminated worldwide. Standard typing methods are time-consuming and are
      therefore impractical for identification of this clone in the course of an
      outbreak. Through comparative genomic study, we have previously identified
      several presumably unique genes of this clone: 1) PILV-like protein (pilv-l), 2)
      transposase, IS66-family (is-66), and a 3) phage-related protein (prp). Our aims
      were to 1) test for the presence of these genes using a multiplex PCR in a large,
      multinational collection of KPC-KP isolates and to 2) validate this assay as a
      typing method for the identification of the ST-258/512 clone. KPC-KP isolates
      (n=160) that included both ST-258/512 (group A, n=114) and non-ST-258 (group B,
      n=46) strains were collected from the following countries: Greece, 20; Israel,
      93; Italy, 19; USA, 25; and Colombia, 3. Group B included 30 different STs from
      various lineages. The pilv-l gene was present in 111/114 of ST-258 isolates,
      including all of the KPC-negative isolates resulting in a sensitivity of 97%.
      Using primers for a unique ST-258 pilv-l allele resulted in a specificity of
      100%. The sensitivity values of is-66 and prp genes for detecting KPC-KP ST-258
      were 83 and 89%, respectively, and the specificity values were 67 and 93%,
      respectively. PCR for the unique pilv-l ST-258 allele provides a reliable tool
      for rapid detection of the ST-258 clone. This method can be helpful both in the
      setting of an outbreak and in a large-scale survey of KPC-KP strains. 

PMID- 24231384
TI  - Usefulness of a direct 16S rRNA gene PCR assay of percutaneous biopsies or
      aspirates for etiological diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis.
AB  - We performed a prospective study to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a direct
      16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) PCR assay of percutaneous biopsies or aspirates for the
      etiological diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis. During May 2009 to December
      2010 and November 2011 to August 2012, consecutive patients with suspected
      vertebral osteomyelitis who underwent a percutaneous biopsy or aspiration were
      enrolled. Of 45 patients with vertebral osteomyelitis, 16S rDNA PCR was positive
      in 24 (53.3%), whereas culture was positive in 13 (28.9%) (P = 0.027). Three of
      PCR-positive cases (12.5%, 3/24) and 1 of culture-positive case (7.7%, 1/13) were
      considered to be false-positives. Of 16 patients without prior antimicrobial
      exposure, 75% of cases (12/16) were positive by either culture (7/16, 43.8%) or
      PCR (9/16, 56.3%). A 16S rDNA PCR assay with sequencing was more sensitive than
      routine culture for the etiological diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis. 

PMID- 24231386
TI  - Grand total EEG as a predictive biomarker for cognitive impairment severity in
      cerebral infarcts of Chinese.
AB  - Cerebral infarct (CI) is a common disease of older adults, which increases the
      risk for cognitive impairment or dementia. CI-associated mild cognitive
      impairment is a potential prodromal stage of serious cognitive impairment. The
      grand total EEG (GTE) score is a rating scale for clinical electroencephalography
      (EEG) analyses, which is useful in the evaluation of different types of cognitive
      impairment. Sixty-five patients with CI underwent neuropsychological testing and
      resting state EEG. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the
      relationship between a short version of the GTE score and severity of cognitive
      impairment in CI. Significant correlations with deteriorating cognition (combined
      Montreal Cognitive Assessment/clock drawing test) were found for the overall
      short GTE score (Spearman rank correlation, p = -0.61, r = -0.88491, P = 0.009)
      and for the subscore "Frequency of Rhythmic Background Activity" (p = -0.63, r = 
      0.92559, P = 0.007). In conclusion, the GTE short score and Frequency of Rhythmic
      Background Activity were increased with the deteriorating cognitive impairment in
      patients with CI.

PMID- 24231385
TI  - Surface modification of graphene nanopores for protein translocation.
AB  - Studies of DNA translocation through graphene nanopores have revealed their
      potential for DNA sequencing. Here we report a study of protein translocation
      through chemically modified graphene nanopores. A transmission electron
      microscope (TEM) was used to cut nanopores with diameters between 5 and 20 nm in
      multilayer graphene prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). After oxygen
      plasma treatment, the dependence of the measured ionic current on salt
      concentration and pH was consistent with a small surface charge induced by the
      formation of carboxyl groups. While translocation of gold nanoparticles (10 nm)
      was readily detected through such treated pores of a larger diameter,
      translocation of the protein ferritin was not observed either for oxygen plasma
      treated pores, or for pores modified with mercaptohexadecanoic acid. Ferritin
      translocation events were reliably observed after the pores were modified with
      the phospholipid-PEG (DPPE-PEG750) amphiphile. The ion current signature of
      translocation events was complex, suggesting that a series of interactions
      between the protein and pores occurs during the process. 

PMID- 24231387
TI  - The AGE-RAGE pathway and its relation to cardiovascular disease in patients with
      chronic kidney disease.
AB  - Chronic kidney disease (CKD) carries an unequivocal high risk for cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) contributing to high morbimortality; however, the underlying
      reasons are not fully known. Among mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of
      CVD, chronic overstimulation of the advanced glycation end-products (AGE)
      receptor for AGE (RAGE) pathway is likely a major contributor in patients with
      CKD. This review describes briefly some of the components of this pathway,
      highlighting especially differences between circulating AGE and tissue AGE and
      how activation of the AGE-RAGE pathway may promote CVD in CKD.

PMID- 24231388
TI  - Scaling up of family planning in low-income countries: lessons from Ethiopia.

PMID- 24231390
TI  - Genotypic diversity in Babesia bovis field isolates and vaccine strains from
      South Africa.
AB  - Genotypic diversity in Babesia bovis (cause of Asiatic redwater in cattle)
      vaccine strains and field isolates from South Africa were investigated using the
      Bv80 gene as well as microsatellites. The S11 vaccine strain possessed both A and
      B alleles of the Bv80 gene, as well as genotypic diversity within each allele
      type as defined by repeat variation resulting in different amplicon sizes. Rapid
      serial passage of vaccine strain from passage S10 to S24 resulted in loss of
      genotypic diversity that yielded a single allele A genotype with an amplicon size
      of 558 bp. This suggested that clonal selection occurred during rapid passaging.
      Extensive genotypic diversity exists in 44 field isolates characterized with both
      Bv80 A and B alleles, but can be readily distinguished from the S24 vaccine
      strain using either the Bv80 allele specific PCR assays or using multi-locus
      micro-satellite typing. This indicated that no recent documented clinical cases
      of Asiatic redwater were caused by the reversion to virulence of the current
      vaccine strain.

PMID- 24231389
TI  - Inhibition of homologous recombination with vorinostat synergistically enhances
      ganciclovir cytotoxicity.
AB  - The nucleoside analog ganciclovir (GCV) elicits cytotoxicity in tumor cells via a
      novel mechanism in which drug incorporation into DNA produces minimal disruption
      of replication, but numerous DNA double strand breaks occur during the second S
      phase after drug exposure. We propose that homologous recombination (HR), a major
      repair pathway for DNA double strand breaks, can prevent GCV-induced DNA damage,
      and that inhibition of HR will enhance cytotoxicity with GCV. Survival after GCV
      treatment in cells expressing a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase was
      strongly dependent on HR (>14-fold decrease in IC50 in HR-deficient vs. HR
      proficient CHO cells). In a homologous recombination reporter assay, the histone
      deacetylase inhibitor, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; vorinostat),
      decreased HR repair events up to 85%. SAHA plus GCV produced synergistic
      cytotoxicity in U251tk human glioblastoma cells. Elucidation of the synergistic
      mechanism demonstrated that SAHA produced a concentration-dependent decrease in
      the HR proteins Rad51 and CtIP. GCV alone produced numerous Rad51 foci,
      demonstrating activation of HR. However, the addition of SAHA blocked GCV-induced
      Rad51 foci formation completely and increased gammaH2AX, a marker of DNA double
      strand breaks. SAHA plus GCV also produced synergistic cytotoxicity in HR
      proficient CHO cells, but the combination was antagonistic or additive in HR
      deficient CHO cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that HR promotes
      survival with GCV and compromise of HR by SAHA results in synergistic
      cytotoxicity, revealing a new mechanism for enhancing anticancer activity with
      GCV. 

PMID- 24231391
TI  - Silicified structures affect leaf optical properties in grasses and sedge.
AB  - Silicon (Si) is an important structural element that can accumulate at high
      concentrations in grasses and sedges, and therefore Si structures might affect
      the optical properties of the leaves. To better understand the role of Si in
      light/leaf interactions in species rich in Si, we examined the total Si and
      silica phytoliths, the biochemical and morphological leaf properties, and the
      reflectance and transmittance spectra in grasses (Phragmites australis, Phalaris
      arundinacea, Molinia caerulea, Deschampsia cespitosa) and sedge (Carex elata). We
      show that these grasses contain >1% phytoliths per dry mass, while the sedge
      contains only 0.4%. The data reveal the variable leaf structures of these species
      and significant differences in the amount of Si and phytoliths between developing
      and mature leaves within each species and between grasses and sedge, with little
      difference seen among the grass species. Redundancy analysis shows the
      significant roles of the different near-surface silicified leaf structures (e.g.,
      prickle hairs, cuticle, epidermis), phytoliths and Si contents, which explain the
      majority of the reflectance and transmittance spectra variability. The amount of
      explained variance differs between mature and developing leaves. The
      transmittance spectra are also significantly affected by chlorophyll a content
      and calcium levels in the leaf tissue. 

PMID- 24231392
TI  - Highly active lanthanum doped ZnO nanorods for photodegradation of metasystox.
AB  - La-doped ZnO nanorods with different La contents were synthesized by microwave
      assisted method and characterized by various sophisticated techniques such as
      XRD, UV-Vis., EDS, XPS, SEM and TEM. The XRD patterns of the La-doped ZnO
      indicate hexagonal crystal structure with an average crystallite size of 30nm. It
      was found that the crystallite size of La-doped ZnO is much smaller as compared
      to pure ZnO and decreases with increasing La content. The photocatalytic activity
      of 0.5mol% La-doped ZnO in the degradation of metasystox was studied. It was
      observed that degradation efficiency of metasystox over La-doped ZnO increases up
      to 0.5mol% doping then decreases for higher doping levels. Among the catalyst
      studied, the 0.5mol% La-doped ZnO was the most active, showing high
      photocatalytic activity for the degradation of metasystox. The maximum reduction
      of concentration of metasystox was observed under static condition at pH 8.
      Reduction in the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of metasystox was observed after
      150min. The cytotoxicological studies of meristematic root tip cells of Allium
      cepa were studied. The results obtained indicate that photocatalytically degraded
      products of metasystox were less toxic as compared to metasystox. 

PMID- 24231393
TI  - Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Ipomoea aquatica.
AB  - Ipomoea aquatica (I. aquatica) (Convolvulaceae) is commonly grown green leafy
      vegetable found throughout India, Ceylon, Tropical Asia, Africa, and Australia.
      Traditionally, I. aquatica used as carminative agent and lessens inflammation,
      and is useful in fever, jaundice, biliousness, bronchitis, liver complaints,
      etc., I. aquatica is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fibers,
      carotenes, and flavanoids with many health benefits. The objective of this review
      is to highlight the pharmacognostical, phytochemical, and pharmacological
      information of this plant. 

PMID- 24231394
TI  - Responses to glycemic control therapy according to age, gender, level of
      adiposity, and duration of diabetes in type 2 diabetic patients.
AB  - CONTEXT: It is established that glycemic control measures involving diet and oral
      medication reduces glycated hemoglobin concentration (HbA1c) in type 2 diabetic
      patients. AIMS: To determine whether glycemic levels after diabetic treatment is
      affected by age, gender, obesity, and diabetic duration in type 2 diabetic
      patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 52 type 2 diabetic patients
      participated in a 12-week diabetic management therapy involving oral medication
      (metformin) and lifestyle intervention (diet). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared
      the glycated hemoglobin reduction after treatment between the elderly and non
      elderly; males and females; obese and non-obese; and newly diagnosed and long
      standing diabetics. RESULTS: After the diabetic treatment, participants' mean
      HbA1c level indicated a reduction of 1.1 +/- 1.31%, weight loss of 2.46 +/- 1.79
      kg, and BMI reduction of 0.94 +/- 0.69 kg/m 2 . A total of 23 (44.2%) patients
      had an acceptable HbA1c level of <6.5%. Significantly greater HbA1c reduction was
      observed in non-elderly, non-overweight/obese, and newly diagnosed diabetic
      patients compared to the elderly, overweight/obese, and long-standing diabetic
      patients respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). HbA1c reduction did not indicate
      sex differences. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest lower responses to
      glycemic control therapy in elderly, overweight/obese, and long-standing diabetic
      patients when compared to the non-elderly, non-overweight/obese, and newly
      diagnosed diabetic patients. It is recommended that treatment criteria for type 2
      diabetes should account for the age, level of adiposity, and diabetic duration of
      the patient in order to make optimal therapeutic decisions for the treatment of
      diabetes mellitus in adults.

PMID- 24231395
TI  - The effect of a healthy lifestyle program on the elderly's health in Arak.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing life-expectancy and decreasing birth rate have led to an
      increase in the elderly population worldwide so that the aging population is
      considered one of the biggest public health concerns in the present century which
      demands more attention to this vulnerable group. Therefore, the present study was
      done to determine the effect of a healthy lifestyle program on elderly's health
      in Arak. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental intervention study was
      carried out on 60 elderly citizens of Arak. The participants attended four
      instructional classes on nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, life skills, and
      personal hygiene over one month and they were followed for three months after the
      intervention. Data were collected through standard quality of life questionnaire
      (SF-36) and Katz standard ADLs in the elderly questionnaire before and three
      months after the completion of the study. RESULTS: The average age of the
      participants was 67.61 +/- 5.02 years. In terms of gender, the majority of the
      participants (60%) were male. In terms of quality of life before the
      instructional intervention, 13.3% of the participants were in low level, 30% in
      average level, 41.7% in good level, and 15% in the high level of quality of life.
      However, after the intervention, the majority of the participants were in good
      (38.3%) and high (45%) levels of quality of life which showed significant
      differences before and after the instructional intervention (P < 0.001).
      Moreover, there was a significant difference between Katz ADLs in the elderly
      before and after the intervention (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The comparison between
      the quality of life and ADLs in the elderly before and after the intervention
      showed that continuing instruction for the elderly based on a regular healthy
      lifestyle program is effective and holding different instructional classes for
      this population, that is often ignored, seems necessary. The findings of this
      study can help design proper instructional guidelines on healthy lifestyle in the
      elderly.

PMID- 24231396
TI  - Effect of inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol on tracheal responsiveness and lung
      inflammation: influence of administration time and allergen-free period.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effect of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) and salmeterol (SM)
      on tracheal responsiveness (TR) to methacholine and lung pathology of sensitized
      guinea pig was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six groups of guinea pigs (n = 7)
      were sensitized to ovalbumin (OA). Three groups were subjected to inhaled FP and
      SM, one group during (A), one group after sensitization (for 18 days, B) and
      other group during sensitization but with 18-days delay before measurements (C).
      Other three groups were treated with placebo. RESULTS: The TR to methacholine and
      tracheal muscle contractility were significantly higher than those of control
      group (P < 0.001 for all cases). The lungs of placebo groups showed variable
      pathological changes (nonsignificant to P < 0.001) compared to control group. TR,
      intra-alveolar and interabronchoal hemorrhagie (P < 0.001 in only group A) in
      treated groups with FP and SM were significantly decreased compared to placebo
      groups. The improvement in all variables in treatment groups A and C were more
      pronounced than group B. CONCLUSION: These results showed a protective effect of
      FP and SM on tracheal responsiveness and lung pathology during sensitization
      which was more effective than after sensitization.

PMID- 24231397
TI  - Qualitative research: a brief description.
AB  - Qualitative research refers to, a range of methodological approaches which aim to
      generate an in-depth and interpreted understanding of the social world, by
      learning about people's social and material circumstances, their experiences,
      perspectives, and histories. Requires researchers to become intensely involved,
      often remaining in field for lengthy periods of time. The greatest value of
      qualitative research is its ability to address questions of relevance to public
      health knowledge and practice which are difficult to answer satisfactorily using
      quantitative methods. 

PMID- 24231399
TI  - Self-regulation of the anterior insula: Reinforcement learning using real-time
      fMRI neurofeedback.
AB  - The anterior insula (AI) plays a key role in affective processing, and insular
      dysfunction has been noted in several clinical conditions. Real-time functional
      MRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-NF) provides a means of helping people learn to self
      regulate activation in this brain region. Using the Blood Oxygenated Level
      Dependant (BOLD) signal from the right AI (RAI) as neurofeedback, we trained
      participants to increase RAI activation. In contrast, another group of
      participants was shown 'control' feedback from another brain area. Pre- and post
      training affective probes were shown, with subjective ratings and skin
      conductance response (SCR) measured. We also investigated a reward-related
      reinforcement learning model of rtfMRI-NF. In contrast to the controls, we
      hypothesised a positive linear increase in RAI activation in participants shown
      feedback from this region, alongside increases in valence ratings and SCR to
      affective probes. Hypothesis-driven analyses showed a significant interaction
      between the RAI/control neurofeedback groups and the effect of self-regulation.
      Whole-brain analyses revealed a significant linear increase in RAI activation
      across four training runs in the group who received feedback from RAI. Increased
      activation was also observed in the caudate body and thalamus, likely
      representing feedback-related learning. No positive linear trend was observed in
      the RAI in the group receiving control feedback, suggesting that these data are
      not a general effect of cognitive strategy or control feedback. The control group
      did, however, show diffuse activation across the putamen, caudate and posterior
      insula which may indicate the representation of false feedback. No significant
      training-related behavioural differences were observed for valence ratings, or
      SCR. In addition, correlational analyses based on a reinforcement learning model
      showed that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex underpinned learning in both
      groups. In summary, these data demonstrate that it is possible to regulate the
      RAI using rtfMRI-NF within one scanning session, and that such reward-related
      learning is mediated by the dorsal anterior cingulate.

PMID- 24231398
TI  - Guest list or black list: heritable small RNAs as immunogenic memories.
AB  - Small RNA-mediated gene silencing plays a pivotal role in genome immunity by
      recognizing and eliminating viruses and transposons that may otherwise colonize
      the genome. However, individual genomic parasites are highly diverse and employ
      multiple immune-evasion techniques, making this silencing challenging. Here I
      review a new theory proposing that the integrity of the germline is maintained by
      transgenerationally transmitted RNA 'memories' that record ancestral gene
      expression patterns and delineate 'self' from 'foreign' sequences. To maintain
      such recollection, two tactics are employed in parallel: 'black listing' of
      invading nucleic acids and 'guest listing' of endogenous genes. Studies in
      several organisms have shown that this memorization is used by the next
      generation of small RNAs to act as 'inherited vaccines' that attack invading
      elements or as 'inherited licenses' that permit the transcription of autogenous
      sequences. 

PMID- 24231400
TI  - Impact of physical exercise on reaction time in patients with Parkinson's disease
      data from the Berlin BIG Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether physical activity may affect cognitive
      performance in patients with Parkinson's disease by measuring reaction times in
      patients participating in the Berlin BIG study. DESIGN: Randomized controlled
      trial, rater-blinded. SETTING: Ambulatory care. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with mild
      to moderate Parkinson's disease (N=60) were randomly allocated to 3 treatment
      arms. Outcome was measured at the termination of training and at follow-up 16
      weeks after baseline in 58 patients (completers). INTERVENTIONS: Patients
      received 16 hours of individual Lee Silverman Voice Treatment-BIG training (BIG;
      duration of treatment, 4wk), 16 hours of group training with Nordic Walking
      (WALK; duration of treatment, 8wk), or nonsupervised domestic exercise (HOME;
      duration of instruction, 1hr). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cued reaction time (cRT)
      and noncued reaction time (nRT). RESULTS: Differences between treatment groups in
      improvement in reaction times from baseline to intermediate and baseline to
      follow-up assessments were observed for cRT but not for nRT. Pairwise t test
      comparisons revealed differences in change in cRT at both measurements between
      BIG and HOME groups (intermediate: -52ms; 95% confidence interval [CI], -84/-20;
      P=.002; follow-up: 55ms; CI, -105/-6; P=.030) and between WALK and HOME groups
      (intermediate: -61ms; CI, -120/-2; P=.042; follow-up: -78ms; CI, -136/-20;
      P=.010). There was no difference between BIG and WALK groups (intermediate: 9ms;
      CI, -49/67; P=.742; follow-up: 23ms; CI, -27/72; P=.361). CONCLUSION: Supervised
      physical exercise with Lee Silverman Voice Treatment-BIG or Nordic Walking is
      associated with improvement in cognitive aspects of movement preparation.

PMID- 24231401
TI  - Retrieval practice improves memory in survivors of severe traumatic brain injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether retrieval practice (RP) improves delayed recall
      after short and long delays in survivors of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI)
      relative to massed restudy (MR) and spaced restudy (SR). DESIGN: 3(learning
      condition: MR, SR, RP)*2(delayed recall: 30min, 1wk) within-subject experiment.
      SETTING: Nonprofit medical rehabilitation research center. PARTICIPANTS: Memory
      impaired (<5th percentile) survivors of severe TBI (N=10). INTERVENTION: During
      RP, patients are quizzed on to-be-learned information shortly after it is
      presented, such that patients practice retrieval. MR consists of repeated restudy
      (ie, cramming). SR consists of restudy trials separated in time (ie, distributed
      learning). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Forty-eight verbal paired associates (VPAs)
      were equally divided across 3 learning conditions (16 per condition). Delayed
      recall for one half of the VPAs was assessed after 30 minutes (8 per condition)
      and for the other half after 1 week (8 per condition). RESULTS: There was a large
      effect of learning condition after the short delay (P<.001, eta(2)=.72), with
      much better recall of VPAs studied through RP (46.3%) relative to MR (12.5%) and
      SR (15.0%). This large effect of learning condition remained after the long delay
      (P=.001, eta(2)=.56), as patients recalled 11.3% of the VPAs studied through RP,
      but nothing through MR (0.0%) and only 1.3% through SR. That is, RP was
      essentially the only learning condition to result in successful recall after 1
      week, with most patients recalling at least 1 VPA. CONCLUSIONS: The robust effect
      of RP among TBI survivors with severe memory impairment engenders confidence that
      this strategy would work outside the laboratory to improve memory in real-life
      settings. Future randomized controlled trials of RP training are needed.

PMID- 24231403
TI  - Assessing arsenic intake from groundwater and rice by residents in Prey Veng
      province, Cambodia.
AB  - We investigated total daily intake of As by residents in Prey Veng province in
      the Mekong River basin of Cambodia. Groundwater (n = 11), rice (n = 11) and
      fingernail (n = 23) samples were randomly collected from the households and
      analyzed for total As by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
      Calculation indicated that daily dose of inorganic As was greater than the lower
      limits on the benchmark dose for a 0.5% increased incidence of lung cancer
      (BMDL0.5 equals to 3.0 MUg d(-1) kg(-1)body wt.). Moreover, positive correlation
      between As in fingernail and daily dose of As from groundwater and rice and total
      daily dose of As were found. These results suggest that the Prey Veng residents
      are exposed to As in groundwater. As in rice is an additional source which is
      attributable to high As accumulation in human bodies in the Mekong River basin of
      Cambodia. 

PMID- 24231402
TI  - Relation of stride activity and participation in mobility-based life habits among
      children with cerebral palsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between walking performance and participation
      in mobility-related habits of daily life in children with cerebral palsy (CP). To
      date, walking outcomes in CP have been capacity-based (what a child does in
      structured setting). Physical activity performance (what a child really does in
      daily life) has been documented to affect the relation of capacity-based gross
      motor measures and participation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional prospective cohort
      study. SETTING: Regional pediatric specialty care centers. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort
      of ambulatory children with CP (N=128; age, 2 to 9y; 41% girls; 49% having
      hemiplegia) participated. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Walking performance was quantified from a 5-day sample of accelerometry data.
      Stride activity was summarized through the outcomes of the average number of
      total strides per day (independent of intensity) and the average number of total
      strides per day at >30 strides/min (marker of intensity). Mobility-based
      participation was assessed by using the Assessment of Life Habits for Children
      questionnaire categories of personal care, housing, mobility, and recreation.
      Regression models were developed controlling for sex, age, cognition,
      communication, pain, and body composition. RESULTS: The average number of total
      strides per day was positively associated with the personal care, housing,
      mobility, and recreation Assessment of Life Habits for Children questionnaire
      categories (beta=.34-.41, P<.001). The average number of total strides per day at
      >30 strides/min was associated with all categories (beta=.54-.60, P<.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Accelerometry-based walking activity performance is significantly
      associated with levels of participation in mobility-based life habits for
      ambulatory children with CP. Evaluation of other factors and the direction of the
      relation within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
      Health is warranted to inform rehabilitation strategies.

PMID- 24231404
TI  - A dangerous Cushing response in a child: neurogenic heart damage.
AB  - Cushing response, which acts to preserve cerebral blood flow by inducing arterial
      hypertension, could induce neurogenic heart damage through hyperactivation of
      autonomic nervous system. Most of clinical reports describe neurogenic heart
      damage as a self-limiting condition clinically characterized by
      electrocardiographic abnormalities in the setting of an acute neurologic insult.
      Here we describe a case of life-threatening cardiac dysfunction immediately after
      a massive intracerebral hemorrhage in a healthy 7-year-old child. The low
      probability of ischemic heart disease, the poor increase of cardiac necrosis
      markers, the localization of regional wall motion abnormalities that are not
      typical for coronary artery disease, and reversibility after brain surgical
      decompression are consistent all with neurogenic heart damage. Acute decrease of
      brain oxygen delivery caused by cardiac dysfunction worsens secondary brain
      injury in the setting of an acute neurologic insult. Thus, Cushing response,
      which is a physiological mechanism of cerebral protection, could become a double
      edged sword when massive sympathetic activation makes the myocardium stunned.

PMID- 24231405
TI  - Evaluation of drug delivery to intact and porated skin by coherent Raman
      scattering and fluorescence microscopies.
AB  - Stimulated Raman scattering microscopy was used to assess the permeation of
      topically applied drugs and formulation excipients into porcine skin. This
      chemically selective technique generates high-resolution 3D images, from which
      semi-quantitative information may be elucidated. Ibuprofen, applied as a close-to
      saturated solution in propylene glycol, was directly observed to crystallise
      in/on the skin, as the co-solvent permeated more rapidly, resulting in
      precipitation of the drug. Coherent Raman scattering microscopy is also an
      excellent tool, in conjunction with more conventional confocal fluorescence
      microscopy, with which to image micro/nanoparticle-based formulations.
      Specifically, the uptake of particles into thermal ablation transport pathways in
      the skin has been examined. 

PMID- 24231406
TI  - The role of pH and ring-opening hydrolysis kinetics on liposomal release of
      topotecan.
AB  - The use of liposomal delivery systems for the treatment of cancer has been
      extensively researched because of their passive targeting to the vasculature of
      solid tumors. While their potential to provide prolonged retention and high drug
      encapsulation is desirable for anticancer agents, a mechanistic understanding is
      required to optimize and design liposomal drug delivery systems capable of
      controllable release tailored to tumor type and patient. Topotecan (TPT) is a
      topoisomerase I inhibitor that undergoes reversible, pH-sensitive ring-opening
      hydrolysis. TPT may benefit from liposomal formulation using active loading
      strategies to generate low intravesicular pH to prolong drug retention and
      increase drug encapsulation. This paper develops a mathematical model to describe
      TPT's permeability as a function of pH by accounting for the drug's ionization
      state, membrane binding, and ring-opening interconversion kinetics. Studies were
      conducted to determine the acid dissociation constant of TPT's phenolic -OH and
      interconversion kinetics between TPT's lactone and carboxylate forms. Using the
      constants determined from these studies and release studies conducted at varying
      pH, permeability coefficients and membrane binding constants for each species of
      TPT were determined. Based on this model, three permeable species were observed.
      Interestingly, the two most permeable species were zwitterionic forms of TPT, and
      the permeability of the lactone zwitterion was comparable to that of the neutral
      form of another camptothecin analogue. Furthermore, release was affected by based
      catalyzed interconversion kinetics between TPT's lactone and carboxylate forms.
      At neutral pH, release was rate-limited by formation of the TPT lactone from the
      ring-opened carboxylate form. Based on these findings, the developed model
      describing liposomal release of TPT may be used in the future to evaluate and
      optimize loading and subsequent release of liposomal TPT formulations utilizing
      active loading strategies. 

PMID- 24231408
TI  - Reliability and stability of performances in 400-m swimming and 1500-m running.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the reliability and stability of 400-m swimming and 1500-m
      running competitions to establish the number of samples needed to obtain a stable
      pacing profile. Coaches, athletes, and researchers can use these methods to
      ensure that sufficient data are collected before training and race strategies are
      constructed or research conclusions are drawn. METHOD: Lap times were collected
      from 5 world and European championship finals between 2005 and 2011, resulting in
      the capture of data from 40 swimmers and 55 runners. A cumulative mean for each
      lap was calculated, starting with the most recent data, and the number of races
      needed for this to stabilize to within 1% was reported. Typical error for each
      lap was calculated for athletes who had competed in more than 1 final. RESULTS:
      International swimmers demonstrated more reproducible performances than runners
      in 3 of the 4 laps of the race (P < .01). Variance in runners' lap times
      significantly decreased by 1.7-2.7% after lap 1, whereas variance in swimmers'
      lap times tended to increase by 0.1-0.5% after lap 1. To establish a stable
      profile, at least ten 400-m swimmers and forty-four 1500-m runners must be
      included. CONCLUSIONS: A stable race profile was observed from the analysis of 5
      events for 1500-m running and 3 events for 400-m swimming. Researchers and
      athletes can be more certain about the pacing information collected from 400-m
      swimming than 1500-m running races, as the swimming data are less variable,
      despite both events being of similar duration.

PMID- 24231407
TI  - A novel cationic niosome formulation for gene delivery to the retina.
AB  - Niosomes represent a recent promising approach for gene delivery purposes. We
      elaborated on a novel niosome formulation based on the 2,3
      di(tetradecyloxy)propan-1-amine cationic lipid, combined with squalene and
      polysorbate 80 to evaluate the transfection efficiency in rat retinas. Niosomes
      prepared by the solvent emulsification-evaporation technique were mixed with the
      pCMSEGFP plasmid to form lipoplexes which were characterized in terms of
      morphology, size, surface charge, and DNA condensation, protection and release.
      In vitro studies were conducted to evaluate transfection efficiency, viability
      and internalization mechanism in HEK-293 and ARPE-19 cells. The efficacy of the
      most promising formulation was evaluated in rat eyes by monitoring the expression
      of the EGFP after intravitreal and subretinal injections. Lipoplexes at 15/1
      ratio were 200nm in size, 25mV in zeta potential and exhibited spherical
      morphology. At this ratio, niosomes condensed and protected the DNA from
      enzymatic digestion. Lipoplexes successfully transfected HEK-293 and specially
      ARPE-19 cells, without affecting the viability. Whereas lipoplexes entered mainly
      retinal cells by clathrin-mediated endocytosis, HEK-293 cells showed a higher
      caveolae-dependent entry. After ocular administration, the expression of EGFP was
      detected in different cells of the retina depending on the administration route.
      This novel niosome formulation represents a promising approach to deliver genetic
      material into the retina to treat inherited retinal diseases. 

PMID- 24231409
TI  - Mycobacterium genavense specific mesenteritic syndrome in HIV-infected patients:
      a new entity of retractile mesenteritis?
AB  - Abdominal mesenteritis is a rare and poorly understood gastroenterological
      disease. Here, we report on two identical cases of Mycobacterium genavense
      associated retractile mesenteritis in HIV-positive patients. A literature search
      retrieved only few small retrospective studies, which characterize the clinical
      course of this seldom infection. We propose a pathogen-specific syndrome of
      retractile mesenteritis in HIV-positive patients linked to Mycobacterium
      genavense infection on the basis of our clinical observation and literature meta
      analysis with duodenal wall thickening, central mesenterial mass and vascular
      complications. 

PMID- 24231410
TI  - Vesicular gold assemblies based on host-guest inclusion and its controllable
      release of doxorubicin.
AB  - We have developed a kind of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) in which polyethylene glycol
      (PEG) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) are attached on the surface of a
      gold nanocrystal through the host-guest inclusion between adamantane groups (ADA)
      and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). The resulting AuNPs become amphiphilic in water
      above body temperature and self-assemble into vesicles. It is found that these
      vesicles can load doxorubicin (Dox) effectively. With a decrease in temperature,
      the PNIPAM shifted from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, causing Au vesicles to
      disassemble into stable small AuNPs, triggering the release of Dox. These hybrid
      vesicles, combining polymer functionality with the intriguing properties of
      AuNPs, can first release free Dox and AuNP/Dox at a site of a tumor through the
      application of either simple ice packs or deeply penetrating cryoprobes, then the
      AuNP/Dox can be taken in by tumor cells and destroy them like miniature
      munitions. Furthermore, these vesicles showed other therapeutic possibilities due
      to the presence of gold. We believe that the development of such multi-functional
      vesicles will provide new and therapeutically useful means for medical
      applications. 

PMID- 24231412
TI  - The new European Society of Cardiology e-learning platform.

PMID- 24231411
TI  - Impact of personally measured pollutants on cardiac function.
AB  - Epidemiological studies have shown associations between ambient air pollution and
      changes in heart rate variability (HRV). However, studies using personal air
      pollution measurements, especially with exposure averages <24h, are still rare.
      Between February and March 2008 HRV data as well as personal exposure to
      particulate matter <2.5MUm (PM2.5), and particle number concentrations (PNC) were
      collected in five volunteers for up to 8.3h on a 5min resolution. Information
      about the participant's whereabouts was also collected. Mixed models were used to
      analyze concurrent and up to 30min delayed effects of air pollutants as well as
      being in traffic on 5min-averages of heart rate (HR), high and low frequency
      power (HF and LF), standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN),
      and the root mean square of successive interval differences (RMSSD). Results are
      presented as %-change from the mean per increase in interquartile range of air
      pollutant. In total, 474 5-min segments were available for analysis. We observed
      concurrent and delayed reductions in SDNN of about 0.8-1.0% in association with a
      5.4MUg/m(3) increase in PM2.5. However, being in traffic by car led to an
      increase of about 20% 10-14min and 15-19min later. An increase in PM2.5 or PNC
      was associated with lagged decreases for RMSSD and HF. We detected concurrent
      reductions in RMSSD (-17.6% [95%-confidence interval: 29.1; -4.3]) when being in
      traffic by bike/foot. Being in traffic by car was associated with an immediate
      reduction in LF while more delayed increases in LF were observed when being in
      traffic by bike/foot. Air pollution and traffic effects on HR were less
      consistent. These rapid changes in HRV within 30min might be mediated by the
      autonomic nervous system in response to direct reflexes from receptors in the
      lungs. 

PMID- 24231413
TI  - Medial maxillectomy in recalcitrant sinusitis: when, why and how?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We reviewed all journal articles relevant to endoscopic medial
      maxillectomy in patients with recalcitrant chronic maxillary sinusitis in order
      to present all indications, the underlying pathophysiology and the developed
      surgical techniques. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite the high success rate of middle
      meatal antrostomy, cases with persistent maxillary sinus disease exist and often
      need a more extended endoscopic procedure for the better control of the disease.
      Such surgical option uses gravity for better sinus drainage and offers better
      saline irrigation, local application of medications and follow-up inspection. An
      endoscopic medial maxillectomy and its modified forms offer a wider surgical
      field and access to all 'difficult' areas of the maxillary sinus. SUMMARY:
      Patients with previous limited endoscopic sinus surgery or extended open surgery,
      cystic fibrosis, extensive mucoceles, allergic fungal sinusitis, odontogenic
      infections, foreign bodies and so on may suffer from recurrent disease requiring
      an endoscopic medial maxillectomy. Depending on the disease, various
      modifications of the procedure can be performed preserving the anterior buttress,
      nasolacrimal duct and inferior turbinate if possible.

PMID- 24231414
TI  - Suppression of colorectal cancer subcutaneous xenograft and experimental lung
      metastasis using nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to tumor neovasculature.
AB  - Antiangiogenic therapy is a validated approach for colorectal cancer (CRC)
      treatment. However, diverse adverse effects inevitably appear due to the off
      target effect of the approved antiangiogenic inhibitors on the physiological
      functions and homeostasis. This study was to investigate a new tumor vessel
      targeting nanoparticulate drug delivery system, F56 peptide conjugated
      nanoparticles loading vincristine (F56-VCR-NP), for the effective treatment of
      CRC subcutaneous xenograft and experimental lung metastasis model. The controlled
      release behavior and in vivo pharmacokinetic profile of F56-VCR-NP were
      characterized. The tumor vessel targeting and antiangiogenic activity of F56-VCR
      NP was evaluated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC, a classical
      cell model mimicking tumor vascular EC), subcutaneous human HCT-15 xenograft in
      immunodeficient nude mice, and experimental CT-26 lung metastasis model in
      immunocompetent mice. The therapeutic efficacy (animal survival and toxicity) was
      further investigated in the model of CT-26 lung metastasis in mice. F56-VCR-NP
      could achieve 30-day controlled drug release in PBS (pH 7.4) and exhibited
      favorable long-circulating feature in vivo. F56-VCR-NP could accurately target
      the CRC neovasculature and elicit nanoparticle internalization in the tumor
      vascular EC, where the antiangiogenic VCR-induced dramatic EC apoptosis and
      necrosis of CRC tissue. F56-VCR-NP significantly prolonged the mouse survival
      with no obvious toxicity (weight loss and anepithymia) in the CT-26 lung
      metastasis mice model, and this pronounced antitumor effect was closely related
      with the decreased microvessel density in the metastases. The present
      nanoparticle-based targeted antiangiogenic therapy may provide a new promising
      approach for the therapy of CRC and lung metastasis, which deserves further
      translational research. 

PMID- 24231415
TI  - The correlation between serum leptin and blood pressure after exposure to noise
      at work.
AB  - Several epidemiologic studies have reported that exposure to noise is associated
      with cardiovascular disease. The increased body weight is often associated with
      metabolic as well as increased blood pressure. The aim of this study is to
      investigate the correlation between the elevation of blood pressure and serum
      leptin hormones due to the effects of noise in the work place. A total of 80
      volunteer males where included in this study with an age range between of 20 and
      45 years, they were divided in two groups equally, the 1 st group were exposed to
      noise in the workplace while the 2 nd group were not. The individual noise
      exposure was determined by using a sound level meter. The range of noise was 80
      100 dBA. Body Mass Index was also taken for each individual by a standard
      measure, blood pressure was measured by OMRON sphygmomanometer and serum leptin
      was measured through venous blood sample analysis enzyme linked immunosorbent
      assay. Spearman rank order correlation was used to examine the correlations
      between Blood pressure value (Systolic, Diastolic) and Leptin. All the
      relationships between parameters showed a positive correlation. Systolic and
      diastolic blood pressure values had a significant correlation to leptin hormone
      level in comparison to the control. There was a significant relation between
      leptin and blood pressure. leptin effects on the sympathetic nervous system may
      provide a partial explanation. Therefore, Leptin might have diverse
      cardiovascular actions. 

PMID- 24231416
TI  - Evaluation of the effects of exposure to organic solvents and hazardous noise
      among US Air Force Reserve personnel.
AB  - Hearing loss affects many workers including those in the military and may be
      caused by noise, medications, and chemicals. Exposures to some chemicals may lead
      to an increase in the incidence of hearing loss when combined with hazardous
      noise. This retrospective study evaluated the risk for hearing loss among Air
      Force Reserve personnel exposed to occupational noise with and without exposures
      to toluene, styrene, xylene, benzene, and JP-8 (jet fuel). Risk factors
      associated with hearing loss were determined using logistic and linear
      regression. Stratified analysis was used to evaluate potential interaction
      between solvent and noise exposure. The majority of the subjects were male
      (94.6%) and 35 years or older on the date of their first study audiogram (66%).
      Followed for an average of 3.2 years, 9.2% of the study subjects had hearing loss
      in at least one ear. Increasing age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.03 per year of age) and
      each year of follow-up time (OR = 1.23) were significantly associated with
      hearing loss. Low and moderate solvent exposures were not associated with hearing
      loss. Linear regression demonstrated that hearing loss was significantly
      associated with age at first study audiogram, length of follow-up time, and
      exposure to noise. Hearing decreased by 0.04 decibels for every decibel increase
      in noise level or by almost half a decibel (0.4 dB) for every 10 decibel increase
      in noise level. 

PMID- 24231417
TI  - Road traffic noise, air pollution components and cardiovascular events.
AB  - Traffic noise and air pollution have been associated with cardiovascular health
      effects. Until date, only a limited amount of prospective epidemiological studies
      is available on long-term effects of road traffic noise and combustion related
      air pollution. This study investigates the relationship between road traffic
      noise and air pollution and hospital admissions for ischemic heart disease (IHD:
      International Classification of Diseases (ICD9) 410-414) or cerebrovascular
      disease (cerebrovascular event [CVE]: ICD9 430-438). We linked baseline
      questionnaire data to 13 years of follow-up on hospital admissions and road
      traffic noise and air pollution exposure, for a large random sample (N = 18,213)
      of inhabitants of the Eindhoven region, Netherlands. Subjects with cardiovascular
      event during follow-up on average had higher road traffic noise day, evening,
      night level (L den) and air pollution exposure at the home. After adjustment for
      confounders (age, sex, body mass index, smoking, education, exercise, marital
      status, alcohol use, work situation, financial difficulties), increased exposure
      did not exert a significant increased risk of hospital admission for IHD or
      cerebrovascular disease. Relative risks (RRs) for a 5 (th) to 95 (th) percentile
      interval increase were 1.03 (0.88-1.20) for L den; 1.04 (0.90-1.21) for
      particulate matter (PM 10 ); 1.05 (0.91-1.20) for elemental carbon (EC); and 1.12
      (096-1.32) for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) in the full model. While the risk
      estimate seemed highest for NO 2 , for a 5 (th) to 95 (th) percentile interval
      increase, expressed as RRs per 1 MUg/m 3 increases, hazard ratios seemed highest
      for EC (RR 1.04 [0.92-1.18]). In the subgroup of study participants with a
      history of cardiovascular disease, RR estimates seemed highest for noise exposure
      (1.19 [0.87-1.64] for L den); in the subgroup of elderly RR seemed highest for
      air pollution exposure (RR 1.24 [0.93-1.66] for NO 2 ).

PMID- 24231419
TI  - Qualitative and quantitative assessment of noise at moderate intensities on extra
      auditory system in adult rats.
AB  - Noise has long been realized as an environmental stress causing physiological,
      psychological and behavioral changes in humans. The aim of the present study was
      to determinate the effect of chronic noise at moderate intensities on both
      glandular and cardiac function and oxidative status. Our problem comes from
      working conditions in call centers where operators are responsible for making
      simple and repetitive tasks. One wishes to ascertain the effects of moderate
      sound levels on rats exposed to the same noise levels during similar periods to
      those experienced by call center operators. Male Wistar rats were exposed to 70
      and 85 dB(A) to an octave-band noise (8-16 kHz) 6 h/day for 3 month.
      Corticosterone levels, oxidative status and functional exploration of adrenal and
      thyroid glands and cardiac tissue were determined. Exposure to long-term noise
      for different intensities (70 and 85 dB(A)) resulted in increased corticosterone
      levels, affected various parameters of the endocrine glands and cardiac function.
      Markers of oxidative stress (catalase, superoxide dismutase and lipid
      peroxidation) were increased. These results imply that long-term exposure to
      noise even at moderate levels may enhance physiological function related to
      neuroendocrine modulation and oxidative imbalance. In these data, the
      physiological changes occur during the different sounds suggests the concept of
      allostatic load or homeostatic response of the body. 

PMID- 24231418
TI  - Does tinnitus "fill in" the silent gaps?
AB  - In the basic sciences, many researchers now use gap pre-pulse inhibition of the
      acoustic startle reflex (GPIAS) to determine if an animal has tinnitus after
      exposure to an ototoxic drug or intense noise. Tinnitus is assumed to be present
      if the silent gap in an ongoing narrow band noise (NBN) fails to suppress the
      startle reflex response evoked by an intense noise burst. The lack of gap pre
      pulse inhibition presumably occurs because tinnitus fills in the silent intervals
      in the background noise. To test the perceptual aspects of this hypothesis, we
      asked hearing impaired subjects with tinnitus if they could perceive 50 ms silent
      intervals presented in a NBN, which was located above, below or at the subject's
      tinnitus pitch. The same tests were performed on normal hearing subjects without
      tinnitus. All subjects, with and without tinnitus, could detect the 50 ms gaps.
      Thus, using the stimulus parameters similar to those employed in animal and human
      GPIAS studies, we found that the tinnitus percept does not fill in the silent
      interval in a perceptual gap detection task; however, these finding do not rule
      out the possibility that tinnitus interferes with pre-attentive filtering of
      sensory stimuli in the GPIAS sensorimotor gating paradigm. 

PMID- 24231420
TI  - The prevalence of audiometric notches in adolescents in Germany: The Ohrkan
      study.
AB  - Although there is concern about increasing hearing loss in adolescents caused by
      leisure noise exposure, prevalence data are scarce. In an US study, about 16-17%
      of adolescents were affected by audiometric notches. To estimate the prevalence
      of audiometric notches in adolescents in Germany, baseline data of the cohort
      study Ohrkan, recruitment during the school years 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 were
      analyzed. All students in grade 9 visiting any school in the city of Regensburg
      were eligible for participation. Data was collected via standardized
      questionnaires from students and their parents. In addition, students were asked
      to visit the University Clinics of Regensburg for ear examination including a
      tympanogram and the determination of hearing thresholds in air conduction
      audiometry. The prevalence of audiometric notches was determined in students with
      normal tympanogram in both ears and complete audiometry data. Audiometric notches
      were defined according to criteria used to analyse US data. Overall, 2149
      students (1158 girls, 991 boys mainly aged 15-16 years) of the 3846 eligible
      adolescents (56%) participated. Among the 1843 adolescents with complete
      audiometry and tympanometry data, the prevalence of audiometric notches was 2.4%
      (95% confidence interval 1.7-3.1%). We could not confirm the high prevalence of
      audiometric notches as reported in National Health and Nutrition Examination
      Surveys for adolescents in the US. Differences in prevalence might be at least
      partly due to methodical differences in audiometry. Even if empirical evidence is
      presently ambiguous, it is reasonable to educate young people about the potential
      risks of high leisure noise exposure. 

PMID- 24231421
TI  - Comparison of sound propagation and perception of three types of backup alarms
      with regards to worker safety.
AB  - A technology of backup alarms based on the use of a broadband signal has recently
      gained popularity in many countries. In this study, the performance of this
      broadband technology is compared to that of a conventional tonal alarm and a
      multi-tone alarm from a worker-safety standpoint. Field measurements of sound
      pressure level patterns behind heavy vehicles were performed in real work
      environments and psychoacoustic measurements (sound detection thresholds, equal
      loudness, perceived urgency and sound localization) were carried out in the
      laboratory with human subjects. Compared with the conventional tonal alarm, the
      broadband alarm generates a much more uniform sound field behind vehicles, is
      easier to localize in space and is judged slighter louder at representative alarm
      levels. Slight advantages were found with the tonal alarm for sound detection and
      for perceived urgency at low levels, but these benefits observed in laboratory
      conditions would not overcome the detrimental effects associated with the large
      and abrupt variations in sound pressure levels (up to 15-20 dB within short
      distances) observed in the field behind vehicles for this alarm, which are
      significantly higher than those obtained with the broadband alarm. Performance
      with the multi-tone alarm generally fell between that of the tonal and broadband
      alarms on most measures. 

PMID- 24231422
TI  - The cost of hypertension-related ill-health attributable to environmental noise.
AB  - Hypertension (HT) is associated with environmental noise exposure and is a risk
      factor for a range of health outcomes. The study aims were to identify key HT
      related health outcomes and to quantify and monetize the impact on health
      outcomes attributable to environmental noise-related HT. A reiterative literature
      review identified key HT related health outcomes and their quantitative links
      with HT. The health impact of increases in environmental noise above recommended
      daytime noise levels (55 dB[A]) were quantified in terms of quality adjusted life
      years and then monetized. A case study evaluated the cost of environmental noise,
      using published data on health risks and the number of people exposed to various
      bands of environmental noise levels in the United Kingdom (UK). Three health
      outcomes were selected based on the strength of evidence linking them with HT and
      their current impact on society: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke and
      dementia. In the UK population, an additional 542 cases of HT-related AMI, 788
      cases of stroke and 1169 cases of dementia were expected per year due to daytime
      noise levels >=55 dB(A). The cost of these additional cases was valued at around
      L1.09 billion, with dementia accounting for 44%. The methodology is dependent on
      the availability and quality of published data and the resulting valuations
      reflect these limitations. The estimated intangible cost provides an insight into
      the scale of the health impacts and conversely the benefits that the
      implementation of policies to manage environmental noise may confer. 

PMID- 24231423
TI  - Classroom acoustics and hearing ability as determinants for perceived social
      climate and intentions to stay at work.
AB  - Background noise and room acoustics may impede social interactions by interfering
      with oral communication and other cognitive processes. Accordingly, recent
      research in school environments has showed that social relationships with peers
      and teachers are described more negatively in rooms with long reverberation times
      (RT). The purpose of this study was to investigate how RT and hearing ability
      (i.e., hearing thresholds [HT] and distortion product oto-acoustic emissions)
      were associated with school teachers' perceptions of the social climate at work
      and their intentions to stay on the job. School teachers (n = 107) from 10
      schools that worked in classrooms classified by acoustical experts as "short RT"
      (3 schools, mean RT 0.41-0.47 s), "medium RT" (3 schools, mean RT 0.50-0.53 s),
      and "long RT" (4 schools, mean RT 0.59-0.73 s) were examined. Teachers who worked
      in classrooms with long RT perceived their social climate to be more competitive,
      conflict laden, and less relaxed and comfortable. They were more doubtful about
      staying on the job. Even if the teachers were generally satisfied with their work
      the results suggest that the comfort at work may have been further improved by
      acoustical interventions that focus on reducing sound reflections in the
      classrooms. Yet, due the study design and the novelty of the findings the
      potential practical significance of our observations remains to be evaluated.

PMID- 24231426
TI  - Social, dietary and lifestyle factors associated with obesity among Bahraini
      adolescents.
AB  - The main purpose of this study was to explore some of the social, dietary and
      lifestyle factors that could be related to the risk of obesity among adolescents
      in Bahrain. A multistage stratified method was used to select secondary school
      students (15-18years old) from governmental schools in Bahrain. The total sample
      selected was 735 (339 males and 396 females). A pre-validated self-report
      questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographics, food and the
      lifestyle habits of adolescents. Weight and height were taken and percentiles of
      Body Mass Index for age and gender were used to classify the adolescents as non
      obese and obese (overweight and obese), using NHANES-1 growth standard. In
      general, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29.5% and 36.8% among males
      and females, respectively. The risk of obesity was not consistent among male and
      female adolescents. Mothers' education was found to be a risk factor for obesity
      among both males and females (p=0.0167 and p=0.007, respectively). Bringing food
      from home to school (odds ratio (OR)=0.54, confidence interval (CI) 0.35-0.81)
      was protective factor for obesity among females but not among males. Fathers'
      education (p=0.0167), rank among siblings (p=0.009), place where breakfast is
      eaten (p=0.0398), eating between lunch and dinner (p=0.0152), fruit intake
      (p=0.042), sweet intake (p=0.0192), size of burger (p=0.002) and hours of
      watching television per day (p=0.004) were significantly associated with the risk
      of obesity among males, but not among females. Various social, dietary and
      lifestyle factors were found to contribute to obesity among adolescents in
      Bahrain. These factors should be considered in school health policy in the
      country. 

PMID- 24231424
TI  - Dorsal and ventral streams: the distinct role of striatal subregions in the
      acquisition and performance of goal-directed actions.
AB  - Considerable evidence suggests that distinct neural processes mediate the
      acquisition and performance of goal-directed instrumental actions. Whereas a
      cortical-dorsomedial striatal circuit appears critical for the acquisition of
      goal-directed actions, a cortical-ventral striatal circuit appears to mediate
      instrumental performance, particularly the motivational control of performance.
      Here we review evidence that these distinct mechanisms of learning and
      performance constitute two distinct 'streams' controlling instrumental
      conditioning. From this perspective, the regulation of the interaction between
      these 'streams' becomes a matter of considerable importance. We describe evidence
      that the basolateral amygdala, which is heavily interconnected with both the
      dorsal and ventral subregions of the striatum, coordinates this interaction
      providing input to the final common path to action as a critical component of the
      limbic-motor interface. 

PMID- 24231425
TI  - Prefrontal single-unit firing associated with deficient extinction in mice.
AB  - The neural circuitry mediating fear extinction has been increasingly well studied
      and delineated. The rodent infralimbic subregion (IL) of the ventromedial
      prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) has been found to promote extinction, whereas the
      prelimbic cortex (PL) demonstrates an opposing, pro-fear, function. Studies
      employing in vivo electrophysiological recordings have observed that while
      increased IL single-unit firing and bursting predicts robust extinction
      retrieval, increased PL firing can correlate with sustained fear and poor
      extinction. These relationships between single-unit firing and extinction do not
      hold under all experimental conditions, however. In the current study, we further
      investigated the relationship between vmPFC and PL single-unit firing and
      extinction using inbred mouse models of intact (C57BL/6J, B6) and deficient
      (129S1/SvImJ, S1) extinction strains. Simultaneous single-unit recordings were
      made in the PL and vmPFC (encompassing IL) as B6 and S1 mice performed extinction
      training and retrieval. Impaired extinction retrieval in S1 mice was associated
      with elevated PL single-unit firing, as compared to firing in extinguishing B6
      mice, consistent with the hypothesized pro-fear contribution of PL. Analysis of
      local field potentials also revealed significantly higher gamma power in the PL
      of S1 than B6 mice during extinction training and retrieval. In the vmPFC,
      impaired extinction in S1 mice was also associated with exaggerated single-unit
      firing, relative to B6 mice. This is in apparent contradiction to evidence that
      IL activity promotes extinction, but could reflect a (failed) compensatory effort
      by the vmPFC to mitigate fear-promoting activity in other regions, such as the PL
      or amygdala. In support of this hypothesis, augmenting IL activity via direct
      infusion of the GABAA receptor antagonist picrotoxin rescued impaired extinction
      retrieval in S1 mice. Chronic fluoxetine treatment produced modest reductions in
      fear during extinction retrieval and increased the number of Zif268-labeled cells
      in layer II of IL, but failed to increase vmPFC single-unit firing. Collectively,
      these findings further support the important contribution these cortical regions
      play in determining the balance between robust extinction on the one hand, and
      sustained fear on the other. Elucidating the precise nature of these roles could
      help inform understanding of the pathophysiology of fear-related anxiety
      disorders. 

PMID- 24231427
TI  - Consumer fears and familiarity of processed food. The value of information
      provided by the FTNS.
AB  - Food choice and consumption behaviour are influenced by many interacting factors.
      In this paper we present an empirical effort to enhance understanding of the
      neophobia-neophilia forces affecting food choice. Starting from the analysis of
      consumer preferences for some of the most familiar highly processed foods, namely
      fat-reduced, functional (enriched drinks and yogurt) and ready-to-eat frozen
      food, our study investigates the role of traditional demographic variables vs
      attitudes to new food technologies in predicting the consumption behaviour of a
      sample of Italians buying such products. Consumer attitudes toward food
      technologies were collected by means of the Food Technology Neophobia Scale
      (FTNS). Moreover, this paper explicitly analyses the value of the information
      provided by the FTNS. Underlying the research is the hypothesis that the FTNS may
      contribute to provide a comprehensive picture of the driving forces behind
      consumers' behavioural responses towards processed foods which are the end-result
      of mature technologies. The four FTNS components, once measured and used
      independently, help clarify the influence on food choices of each neophobia
      neophilia force (risk perception and novelty seeking, media influence, own health
      and environmental concerns) into a single, comprehensive framework. 

PMID- 24231428
TI  - The role of personal values in Chinese consumers' food consumption decisions. A
      case study of healthy drinks.
AB  - Differences in culture, language, and behavior between Chinese and Western
      consumers make entering the Chinese market a challenge. Chinese consumers may
      desire similar product features (e.g. brand name, quality, and flavor) to Western
      consumers but the value that consumers attach to the same product may differ
      cross-nationally. Besides values, an understanding of desired product attributes
      and the consequences linking to these values is also important. To the authors'
      knowledge, there is no published scientific research that investigates how
      personal values influence Chinese consumers' food consumption decisions. The aim
      of this research was to identify the links among product attributes, consequences
      of these attributes, and personal values associated with healthy drink
      consumption decisions within the Chinese market. Specifically, this research
      employed means-end chain theory and used association pattern technique (APT) as
      the main data collection technique to identify these links. Focus groups (n=6)
      were held in Hangzhou, China to identify the important attributes and
      consequences involved in the consumption decisions of healthy drinks. These
      attributes and consequences along with Schwartz's 10 basic values were used to
      construct the matrices included in the APT survey. A total of 600 APT surveys
      were administered in six different companies in Hangzhou, with 570 returned.
      Construction of the hierarchical value map (HVM) identified four of Schwartz's
      personal values influencing Chinese consumers' healthy drink consumption
      decisions: security, hedonism, benevolence, and self-direction. Food safety was
      the foremost concern for Chinese consumers when choosing healthy drinks. Chinese
      consumers also sought a good tasting and nutritious drink that was good value for
      money. Results from this study provide food marketers with an in-depth
      understanding of Chinese consumers' healthy drink consumption decisions.
      Implications and recommendations are provided that will assist food marketers to
      effectively enact marketing strategies in China. 

PMID- 24231429
TI  - Rationale and prospects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for liver
      transplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite their potential to supplement the donor organ pool,
      expanded donor criteria grafts are associated with an elevated risk of graft
      failure and increased early mortality. Likewise, attempts to promote operational
      graft tolerance through conventional immunosuppressive therapy have demonstrated
      significant safety-related drawbacks. Because of their potent regenerative and
      immunomodulative potential, adjunct mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy
      represents an innovative approach to both of these clinical problems. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Recent studies have begun to delineate the benefit and mechanisms of
      short-term therapy combining MSCs and low-dose immunosuppressive drugs in
      promoting graft acceptance and potentially regeneration. SUMMARY: The current
      review presents our rationale for the first-in-man clinical trial in liver
      transplantation utilizing a mesenchymal cell product (MultiStem, Athersys,
      Cleveland, Ohio, USA). The long-term objective of this program is to safely
      minimize the dose of complementary immunosuppressive drugs while achieving long
      term allograft survival and operational tolerance. The use of adjunct cellular
      therapy as a means of reducing long-term pharmacotherapy would represent a major
      advancement in the field of liver transplantation.

PMID- 24231430
TI  - Differential functional rescue of Lys(513) and Lys(516) processing mutants of
      MRP1 (ABCC1) by chemical chaperones reveals different domain-domain interactions
      of the transporter.
AB  - Multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) extrudes drugs as well as pharmacologically
      and physiologically important organic anions across the plasma membrane in an ATP
      dependent manner. We previously showed that Ala substitutions of Lys(513) and
      Lys(516) in the cytoplasmic loop (CL5) connecting transmembrane helix 9 (TM9) to
      TM10 cause misfolding of MRP1, abrogating its expression at the plasma membrane
      in transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. Exposure of HEK cells to the
      chemical chaperones glycerol, DMSO, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 4-aminobutyric
      acid (4-PBA) improved levels of K513A to wild-type MRP1 levels but transport
      activity was only fully restored by 4-PBA or DMSO treatments. Tryptic
      fragmentation patterns and conformation-dependent antibody immunoreactivity of
      the transport-deficient PEG- and glycerol-rescued K513A proteins indicated that
      the second nucleotide binding domain (NBD2) had adopted a more open conformation
      than in wild-type MRP1. This structural change was accompanied by differences in
      ATP binding and hydrolysis but no changes in substrate Km. In contrast to K513A,
      K516A levels in HEK cells were not significantly enhanced by chemical chaperones.
      In more permissive insect cells, however, K516A levels were comparable to wild
      type MRP1. Nevertheless, organic anion transport by K516A in insect cell
      membranes was reduced by >80% due to reduced substrate Km. Tryptic fragmentation
      patterns indicated a more open conformation of the third membrane spanning domain
      of MRP1. Thus, despite their close proximity to one another in CL5, Lys(513) and
      Lys(516) participate in different interdomain interactions crucial for the proper
      folding and assembly of MRP1. 

PMID- 24231431
TI  - Cell growth in aggregates determines gene expression, proliferation, survival,
      chemoresistance, and sensitivity to immune effectors in follicular lymphoma.
AB  - Lymphomas grow as dense aggregates in patients, but whether this spatial
      organization affects lymphoma cell biology is unknown. We grew follicular
      lymphoma (FL) cells in vitro as multicellular aggregates of lymphoma cells to
      investigate this question. Gene expression analysis revealed that 612 genes were
      differentially expressed when cells grew in multicellular aggregates of lymphoma
      cells rather than in suspension. These genes correspond to several GO biological
      processes, such as hypoxia, activation of NF-kappaB pathway, and negative
      regulation of cell cycle, a gene signature also found in the transcriptomes from
      FL biopsies. Pimonidazole staining, HIF-1A accumulation, and VEGFA release
      confirmed that cells in multicellular aggregates of lymphoma cells actually
      respond to hypoxia. In adaptation to such conditions, they also displayed an
      activated NF-kappaB pathway and a quiescent status far more frequently than in
      suspension. When cultured in three dimensions, FL cells display resistance to
      doxorubicin and bendamustine, two drugs largely used in FL therapy, compared to
      FL cultured in suspension. Finally, multicellular aggregates of lymphoma cells
      were also found to be less sensitive to purified natural killer cells. To
      conclude, our study shows that in FL, spatial organization results in dramatic
      changes in FL biology, including gene expression, proliferation, drug resistance,
      and immune escape. 

PMID- 24231432
TI  - Developing stem cell therapeutics for the heart also requires targeting non
      myocytes.

PMID- 24231433
TI  - Improving the value of fitness testing for football.
AB  - One of the challenges for sports scientists working in football is to balance the
      needs for routine fitness testing with daily fatigue and well-being monitoring to
      best manage the physical preparation of players. In this commentary, the authors
      examine contemporary issues of fitness testing in football to identify ways of
      improving the value of routine testing and monitoring. A testing program must be
      well planned and organized to ensure that the results are useful. Different tests
      can be employed for younger and older players. A rigorous approach to analysis
      and interpretation of results is desirable, and database management must address
      both short- and long-term requirements of players, staff, and programs. 

PMID- 24231434
TI  - Changes in the cutting efficiency of different types of dental diamond rotary
      instrument with repeated cuts and disinfection.
AB  - STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Cutting efficiency is one of the most important factors to
      consider when a specific dental diamond rotary instrument is selected. However,
      the selection of a dental diamond rotary instrument is based on clinical
      experience rather than any scientific evidence. PURPOSE: The purpose of this
      study was to identify how the cutting efficiency of different types of dental
      diamond rotary instrument changed with repeated cuts and disinfection. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Four types of diamond rotary instrument from 2 dental manufacturers
      (Shofu, Jin Dental) were investigated with a high-speed air-turbine handpiece.
      The groups were as follows: S cham group (n=10): chamfer design from Shofu; J
      cham group (n=10): chamfer design from Jin Dental; S thin group (n=10): thin
      tapered design from Shofu; J thin group (n=10): thin tapered design from Jin
      Dental. Changes in the cutting efficiency of diamond rotary instruments on glass
      ceramic blocks were measured after repeated cuts. Changes in cutting efficiency
      also were measured for 30 diamond rotary instruments, the same type as those used
      in group J cham after disinfection with ethylene oxide gas, immersion in
      solution, or autoclaving. One-way ANOVA, 2-way ANOVA, and repeated-measures ANOVA
      were used to identify differences in cutting efficiency, in total cutting
      efficiency, and change trend in cutting efficiency (alpha=.05). The Tukey
      honestly significant difference method was used for the post hoc tests. The
      principal metal components of the diamond rotary instruments were detected with x
      ray spectrometry. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) total cutting
      efficiency after 10 cuts in the 4 groups was in the following order: J cham group
      (0.210 +/- 0.064 g/min) > S cham group (0.170 +/- 0.064 g/min) > J thin group
      (0.130 +/- 0.042 g/min) > S thin group (0.010 +/- 0.040 g/min) (P<.05).The
      decrease in the cutting efficiency was greatest after the first cut. The cutting
      efficiency was not influenced by repeated disinfection. CONCLUSION: The cutting
      efficiencies of diamond rotary instruments with different designs and particle
      sizes showed a decreasing trend after repeated cuts but did not show any change
      after various disinfecting procedures.

PMID- 24231435
TI  - Conversion of an existing metal ceramic crown to an interim restoration and
      nonfunctional loading of a single implant in the maxillary esthetic zone: A
      clinical report.
AB  - Implant placement and immediate placement of an interim restoration can be a safe
      therapeutic approach with high survival rates. The technique is often used in the
      anterior esthetic area because of the better preservation of the periimplant soft
      tissue contours. Traditionally this procedure involves the fabrication of an
      acrylic resin implant-supported interim restoration. This clinical report
      describes the modification of an existing metal ceramic crown to be used as an
      implant-supported interim restoration for immediate nonfunctional loading to
      achieve an improved esthetic result and optimal support of the adjacent soft
      tissues. 

PMID- 24231436
TI  - Higher revision and complication rates following total hip arthroplasty in
      patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of total hip
      arthroplasty in patients with and without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
      Between 2001 and 2010, all total hip arthroplasties performed at a single
      institution were reviewed to identify patients who had IBD. There were 23 total
      hip arthroplasties in the study group, which were matched in a 1:3 ratio to 69
      additional hips. At a mean follow-up of 49 months (range, 24-96 months), patients
      with IBD had an overall significantly lower survivorship of 87% (n = 3
      revisions), compared to 98.5% (n = 1 revision) in the matched group who had a
      mean follow-up of 47 months (range, 24-94 months). In addition, there were
      significantly higher major complications in the study group (5 patients) compared
      to the matched group (2 patients). These results indicate that patients with IBD
      had an overall higher revision and complication rate.

PMID- 24231437
TI  - Comparison of acetabular shell position using patient specific instruments vs.
      standard surgical instruments: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - Total hip arthroplasty (THA) survivorship relies largely upon appropriate
      acetabular cup placement. The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled
      trial was to determine whether the use of a preoperative 3D planning software in
      combination with patient specific instrumentation (PSI) results in improved cup
      placement compared with traditional techniques. Thirty-six THA patients were
      randomized into standard (STD) or PSI technique. Standard approach was completed
      using traditional techniques, while PSI cases were planned and customized
      surgical instruments were manufactured. Postoperative CT scans were used to
      compare planned to actual results. Differences found between planned and actual
      anteversion were -0.2 degrees  +/- 6.9 degrees  (PSI) and -6.9 degrees +/-8.9
      degrees  (STD) (P = 0.018). Use of 3D preoperative planning along with PSIs
      resulted in significantly greater anteversion accuracy than traditional planning
      and instrumentation.

PMID- 24231438
TI  - Treatment of failed allograft prosthesis composites used for hip arthroplasty in
      the setting of severe proximal femoral bone defects.
AB  - This study assessed failures of allograft prosthesis composites (APC) and
      revisions with a new APC. Twenty-one patients with failed APC's after revision
      hip arthroplasty with severe proximal femoral bone loss underwent revision with a
      new APC. Causes of failure were aseptic loosening (18 patients), infection (3
      patients). Of these 21 APC revisions, two patients failed (after 60, 156 months).
      The 5 and 10 year survival rates were 83.5% (95% CI, 79-100%, number at risk 12
      and 6 accordingly). In addition, two patients had non-union at the host-allograft
      bone junction and were augmented with bone autograft and plate. These results
      suggest that failed APCs may be revised to a new APC with a predictable outcome.

PMID- 24231439
TI  - Update on immunizations for healthcare personnel in the United States.
AB  - Healthcare personnel (HCP) play a pivotal role in the transmission of contagious
      pathogens in the healthcare setting, and HCP are themselves at risk for infection
      with such pathogens due to the nature of their occupation. Many practices are
      important in order to reduce infection transmission, including HCP immunization.
      Unfortunately, HCP immunization rates in the United States (U.S.) have not
      reached recommended levels, so new strategies are being used to improve HCP
      coverage, including mandatory immunization and the use of immunization rates as
      measures of quality and safety. This article will review current practices,
      policies, and issues surrounding HCP immunization in the U.S. 

PMID- 24231441
TI  - Dynamic stability and steering control following a sport-induced concussion.
AB  - Loss of balance control is one of the cardinal symptoms following a concussion;
      however, the ability to detect the duration of these balance impairments seems to
      largely depend on task type and complexity. Typical balance assessment tools are
      simplistic and do not challenge dynamic balance control. Changing direction
      represents an internal perturbation that challenges the balance control system.
      The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a concussion on dynamic
      stability and steering control. Nine male intercollegiate North American football
      players who experienced a concussion (CONC) were tested during the symptomatic
      phase (acute) and again once they had been cleared to return to play (RTP) while
      the controls (age- and position-matched teammates) were tested at a single time
      point coinciding with the acute phase testing of their matched injured player.
      All participants performed a steering task, requiring them to walk straight or
      turn in the direction of a visual cue located either 60 degrees  or 45 degrees 
      to the left or right of the centre line. CONC demonstrated increased swing time
      variability, segmental re-orientation variability, and the amount of time it took
      the centre of mass to reach the minimum lateral dynamic stability margin. These
      results suggest that CONC were more unstable and adopted a conservative gait
      strategy. Differences in the variability measures persisted even after the
      athlete was cleared to RTP. Overall, the findings reveal that intercollegiate
      football players with concussions have difficulty controlling temporal
      characteristics of gait, which cause dynamic instability to persist even at RTP. 

PMID- 24231440
TI  - Comparison of prophylactic and therapeutic immunisation with an ErbB-2 (HER2)
      fusion protein and immunoglobulin V-gene repertoire analysis in a transgenic
      mouse model of spontaneous breast cancer.
AB  - ErbB-2 is associated with several solid tumours of which breast cancer is the
      commonest cancer in women worldwide. Though anti-ErbB-2 antibody appears to play
      a significant role in prevention and therapy, naturally occurring anti-ErbB-2
      antibody associated with the cleaved ectodomain of overexpressed ErbB-2 self
      antigen is detectable in patients. It is therefore essential to understand the
      course of antibody mediated protection during disease progression. 100% of
      FVB/N(neu) mice expressing mutated, constitutively active ErbB-2 develop mammary
      carcinoma. It has been shown that vaccination with ErbB-2 associated with a T
      helper cell epitope P30 can offer protection against transplantable tumour but it
      is unclear whether the same vaccine protects against naturally developing tumour.
      We have analysed the course of the disease following prophylactic, and
      therapeutic vaccination in this spontaneous, eutopic mammary carcinoma model that
      more closely resembles the human disease. 100% protection against tumour
      development was observed subsequent to prophylactic immunisation but disease
      progression was unaffected by therapeutic vaccination. The antibody response
      exhibited restricted expansion of the Immunoglobulin (Ig) variable (V)-gene
      repertoire by ErbB-2 specific B cells compared with the non-antigen specific B
      cell pool and control mice. The serum antibody profile was similar in
      therapeutically injected mice without any effect on tumour burden. 

PMID- 24231442
TI  - Electronic transport in patterned graphene nanoroads.
AB  - Graphane, hydrogenated graphene, can be patterned into electronic devices by
      selectively removing hydrogen atoms. The most simple of such devices is the so
      called nanoroad, analogous to the graphene nanoribbon, where confinement-and the
      opening of a gap-is obtained without the need for breaking the carbon bonds. In
      this work we address the electronic transport properties of such systems
      considering different hydrogen impurities within the conduction channel. We show,
      using a combination of density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's
      functions, that hydrogen leads to significant changes in the transport properties
      and in some cases to current polarization. 

PMID- 24231443
TI  - TLR4 endogenous ligand MRP8/14 level in enthesitis-related arthritis and its
      association with disease activity and TLR4 expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) is an inflammatory disease of
      childhood that lacks autoantibodies. Overexpression of surface-expressed Toll
      like receptors (TLRs) has been found in ERA. Myeloid-related proteins (MRPs) 8
      and 14 are calcium binding proteins that act as an endogenous ligand of TLR4.
      MRP8/14 levels are elevated in patients with systemic-onset arthritis. Thus we
      studied the role of MRP8/14 in ERA. METHODS: The study enrolled patients with
      ERA. Plasma and SF levels of MRP8/14 were measured by ELISA and TLR4 expression
      on peripheral blood and SF monocytes was measured by two-colour flow cytometry.
      Control plasma samples were collected from 48 blood bank donors. RESULTS: Of the
      69 patients, 67 were male, with a mean age of 15.2 (s.d. 2.7) years and a disease
      duration of 5 (s.d. 3) years. Median plasma levels of MRP8/14 were higher in
      patients (10 862.3 ng/ml) than controls (4426.1 ng/ml, P < 0.0001). Patients with
      active disease (11 669.5 ng/ml) had higher levels as compared with inactive
      disease (4421.8 ng/ml, P < 0.0001). Plasma MRP8/14 levels decreased on follow-up
      after 3 months only in patients who responded to treatment (P = 0.012). MRP8/14
      levels were negatively correlated with the frequency of CD14(+)TLR4(+) cells (r =
      -0.372, P = 0.02). MRP8/14 levels were higher in SF as compared with plasma (15
      858.45 ng/ml, P = 0.024). The frequency of CD14(+)TLR4(+) cells was higher in SF
      as compared with peripheral blood. CONCLUSION: MRP8/14 levels are increased in
      the plasma of ERA patients and are higher in those with active disease and the
      levels decrease in patients who respond to treatment, suggesting that it may be a
      good biomarker during follow-up.

PMID- 24231444
TI  - Ultrasound evaluation of hand, wrist and foot joint synovitis in systemic lupus
      erythematosus.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and severity of inflammatory abnormalities
      of the hand, wrist and foot joints in SLE patients by US and to correlate them
      with clinical, laboratory and disease activity score parameters. METHODS: Sixty
      two consecutive SLE patients were enrolled in the present study and underwent
      clinical evaluation, laboratory tests and bilateral high-resolution US of the
      hand, wrist and foot joints. Joint effusion (JE), synovial hypertrophy (SH) and
      local pathological vascularization [power Doppler (PD)] were evaluated according
      to both a dichotomous score and a semi-quantitative (0-3) grading system. In
      addition, a global US score was calculated by summing the values given to each
      elementary lesion for every single joint and every joint group. US findings were
      correlated with physical examination, serological parameters (CRP, ANA, anti
      dsDNA, ENA, aPL, C3 and C4 serum levels) and disease activity indexes (SLEDAI-2K,
      ECLAM). RESULTS: US detected inflammatory joint abnormalities in 54/62 patients
      (87.1%); 72.6% presented involvement of the MTP joints, 46.7% the MCP joints,
      19.3% the PIP joints and 53% the wrists. A total of 1984 joints were examined
      highlighting JE in 19.1% of cases, SH in 6.9% and positive PD in 1.1%. The global
      US inflammatory score had a mean value of 10.9 (s.d. 15.2). No correlations were
      found between US findings and SLE disease activity parameters. CONCLUSION: US
      demonstrated a high prevalence of inflammatory joint abnormalities in SLE that
      were also present in asymptomatic patients. Interestingly, the foot joints were
      the most frequently involved. US is a valuable tool for detecting subclinical
      synovitis in SLE.

PMID- 24231445
TI  - Review: the ADAM metalloproteinases - novel regulators of trophoblast invasion?
AB  - During pregnancy, the extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invades the maternal decidua
      and remodels spiral arteries reaching as far as the inner third of the
      myometrium. This process is mandatory to a successful pregnancy since EVTs
      regulate spiral artery remodeling to achieve maximal vasodilation and thus an
      adequate nutrient supply to the embryo or communicate with maternal leukocyte
      populations to guarantee acceptance of the allogeneic conceptus. To achieve this,
      EVTs undergo a remarkable and unique differentiation process, which yields
      different phenotypes such as proliferative cell column trophoblasts or growth
      arrested, invasive interstitial or endovascular cytotrophoblasts. Matrix
      metalloproteinases have long been seen as imperative to trophoblast invasion
      because of their ability to degrade extracellular matrix and therefore allow
      cellular movement in foreign tissues. However, global gene expression analysis
      reveals that EVTs also express various members of distintegrin and
      metalloproteinases (ADAMs). These proteases are associated with the process of
      proteolytic shedding and activation of surface proteins including growth factors,
      cytokines, receptors and their ligands rather than extracellular matrix
      breakdown. While ADAM12 has been associated with chromosomal abnormalities as
      well as preeclampsia or intrauterine fetal growth restriction, the function of
      ADAMs in trophoblasts remains elusive. In this article, we review the diverse
      invasive trophoblast phenotypes, EVT-associated protease systems and related open
      questions. In addition, we examine recent information about relevant ADAM members
      and their putative implications for EVT biology. 

PMID- 24231446
TI  - Editorial. Trophoblast Research.

PMID- 24231447
TI  - Effects of sFlt-1 and alpha 2-macroglobulin on vascular endothelial growth factor
      induced endothelin-1 upregulation in human microvascular endothelial cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) is a vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) binding protein and potent antagonist of VEGF.
      Alpha 2 macroglobulin (alpha2M) is another major binding protein for circulating
      VEGF, which is present in human plasma at higher concentration (2-4 mg/mL) than
      sFlt-1. This study investigated the effects of sFlt-1 and alpha2M on VEGF-induced
      endothelin-1 (ET-1) upregulation in human microvascular endothelial cell-1 (HMEC
      1). METHODS: HMEC-1 was cultured and incubated with varying concentrations of
      sFlt-1 and alpha2M in combination with VEGF. ET-1 mRNA expression in the cells
      was measured by real time RT-PCR and ET-1 protein by western blot analysis.
      RESULTS: ET-1 expression in HMEC-1 incubated with VEGF significantly increased in
      time- and dose-dependent manners. Next, HMEC-1 was treated with the sFlt-1 (10
      1000 ng/mL) or alpha2M (10-10000 ng/mL) in the presence of VEGF (10 ng/mL). We
      found that sFlt-1 induced a significant decrease of ET-1 expression upregulated
      by VEGF, while alpha2M did not affect the VEGF-induced ET-1 expression.
      CONCLUSIONS: sFLT-1 suppressed the VEGF-induced the ET-1 expression of HMEC-1.
      However, alpha2M did not show a significant effect on the ET-1 expression that
      was induced by VEGF. The results suggest that a certain proportion of the bound
      form alpha2M-VEGF have a biological action involved in the pathophysiology of
      preeclampsia.

PMID- 24231448
TI  - Prediction and clinical relevance of pathologic patterns of injury associated
      with chorioamnionitis.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to evaluate both prediction and clinical
      relevance of different patterns of injury associated with chorioamnionitis.
      Pathologic examination of placentas and umbilical cords were performed in 45
      pregnant women who had had diagnostic amniocentesis for suspected intraamniotic
      infection. A positive correlation was noted between leukocyte account in amniotic
      fluid and the level of maternal injury (r = 0.46, p = 0.04). The levels of
      amniotic fluid glucose were significantly reduced in cases of fetal infection (2
      mg/dL (1-16 mg/dL)) vs. (20.50 mg/dL (11-29 mg/dL)) (p = 0.03). 

PMID- 24231449
TI  - Neobavaisoflavone sensitizes apoptosis via the inhibition of metastasis in TRAIL
      resistant human glioma U373MG cells.
AB  - AIMS: Neobavaisoflavone (NBIF), an isoflavone isolated from Psoralea corylifolia
      (Leguminosae), has striking anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. NBIF
      inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo. MAIN METHODS:
      Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a key
      endogenous molecule that selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells with
      little or no toxicity in normal cells. However, some cancer cells, including
      U373MG cells, are resistant to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. We demonstrated that the
      cell viability, migration and invasion assay were used in U373MG glioma cells.
      KEY FINDINGS: In this study, we found that NBIF sensitizes human U373MG glioma
      cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Co-treatment of TRAIL and NBIF effectively
      induced Bid cleavage and activated caspases 3, 8, and 9. Importantly, DR5
      expression was upregulated by NBIF. We also observed that the combination NBIF
      and TRAIL increased expression of BAX. We further demonstrate that NBIF induced
      TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in human glioma cells by suppressing migration and
      invasion, and by inhibiting anoikis resistance. SIGNIFICANCE: Taken together, our
      results suggest that NBIF reduces the resistance of cancer cells to TRAIL and
      that the combination of NBIF and TRAIL may be a new therapeutic strategy for
      treating TRAIL-resistant glioma cells.

PMID- 24231451
TI  - A small cog in a big wheel: PIK3CA mutations in colorectal cancer.

PMID- 24231450
TI  - Behavioral pharmacology of designer cathinones: a review of the preclinical
      literature.
AB  - "Bath salts" is one street name for a family of synthetic cathinones that display
      pharmacological effects resembling cocaine and commonly abused amphetamines.
      Despite extensive legislation aimed at the criminalization of bath salts, several
      designer cathinones are gaining a foothold in the illicit drug scene; for
      example, in the United Kingdom, mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone, MEPH) is
      highly popular among drug abusers whereas, in the United States, MDPV
      (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and methylone are highly prevalent. To date,
      knowledge about the hazards of designer cathinones is based mostly on hospital
      reports and anecdotal evidence derived from online surveys. Despite the paucity
      of preclinical studies directed toward designer cathinones, a number of
      invaluable findings arising from those studies are enabling scientists to develop
      their neuropharmacological profiles. Despite their commonalities in chemical
      structures, synthetic cathinones possess distinct neuropharmacological profiles
      and produce different behavioral effects, including unique effects on locomotor
      activity, learning, anxiety, thermoregulation, and abuse liability. The present
      review will discuss the behavioral effects of MEPH, MDPV, and methylone and
      compare those effects to established psychostimulant drugs. The rise in the use
      of designer cathinones in the United States and abroad justifies further
      investigations into these compounds, both for a greater understanding of the
      danger that "bath salts" pose to the public, and to provide insight into
      replacement cathinones as they emerge onto the market. 

PMID- 24231452
TI  - Breast cancer risk in opposite-sexed twins: influence of birth weight and co-twin
      birth weight.
AB  - Most, but not all, studies report a positive association between birth weight, as
      an indirect marker of prenatal hormone exposure, and offspring breast cancer
      risk, particularly premenopausal breast cancer. Females from opposite-sexed twin
      pairs may also be prenatally exposed to androgens from their twin brothers. A
      Swedish study of opposite-sexed twins with a small sample size found a very
      strong positive association between female birth weight and breast cancer risk.
      In this case-control study, nested within a cohort of female opposite-sexed
      twins, we included 543 breast cancer case subjects diagnosed in the period from
      1972 to 2008 and 2715 matched control subjects. Conditional logistic regression
      estimated the breast cancer risk associated with birth weight and other birth
      characteristics, including gestational age and co-twin birth weight. All
      statistical tests were two-sided. There was no association between birth weight
      (odds ratio = 1.01; 95% confidence interval = 0.70 to 1.46) or twin brother's
      birth weight and risk of breast cancer, which suggests the previously reported
      strong positive association may have been a chance finding. 

PMID- 24231453
TI  - Racial disparity in consultation, treatment, and the impact on survival in
      metastatic colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Black patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have inferior
      survival compared to white patients. The purpose of this study was to examine
      disparity in specialist consultation and multimodality treatment and the impact
      that treatment inequality has on survival. METHODS: We identified 9935 non
      Hispanic white and 1281 black patients with stage IV colorectal cancer aged 66
      years and older from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)
      Medicare linked database. Logistic regression models identified race-based
      differences in consultation rates and subsequent treatment with surgery,
      chemotherapy, or radiation. Multivariable Cox regression models identified
      potential factors that explain race-based survival differences. All statistical
      tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Black patients had lower rates of consultation
      with surgery, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. Among patients seen in
      consultation, black patients received less surgery directed at the primary tumor,
      liver- or lung-directed surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Unadjusted
      survival analysis found a 15% higher chance of dying for black patients compared
      with white patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) =
      1.08 to 1.22; P < .001). Adjustment for patient, tumor, and demographic variables
      marginally reduced the risk of death (HR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.15; P = .03).
      After adjustment for differences in treatment, the increased risk of death for
      black patients disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows racial disparity in
      specialist consultation as well as subsequent treatment with multimodality
      therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer, and it suggests that inferior survival
      for black patients may stem from this treatment disparity. Further research into
      the underlying causes of this inequality will improve access to treatment and
      survival in metastatic colorectal cancer.

PMID- 24231455
TI  - Poor long-term stability of the Corvita abdominal stentgraft.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms was
      introduced in the early 1990s, with different generations of devices using
      various options for either the stent skeleton or the membrane. REPORT: Corvita
      generated one of these devices using braided stainless steel and a porous spun
      polycarbonate urethane membrane. DISCUSSION: In this report, we describe a case
      involving Corvita stentgraft explantation for complete aneurysm reperfusion after
      13 years, demonstrating major degradation of the polyurethane membrane.

PMID- 24231456
TI  - Validation and diagnostic utility of the dementia rating scale in a mixed
      dementia population.
AB  - The Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS), a previously validated caregiver-based
      measure assessing dementia severity, was recently revised to improve clarity. Our
      study aims included: (1) identifying the DSRS factor structure, (2) examining the
      relation between neuropsychological measures, the Mini-Mental State Examination,
      and clinical diagnoses with the DSRS, and (3) determining the clinical utility of
      the DSRS in a mixed clinical sample. A total of 270 veterans were referred to a
      cognitive disorders clinic at a VA medical center and completed
      neuropsychological, affective, and cognitive screening measures. Caregivers
      completed the DSRS. Principal components analysis identified a 2-factor solution.
      After controlling for age and education, memory and language were related to the
      Cognitive factor, whereas attention, processing speed, visuospatial processing,
      and executive functioning were related to both Cognitive and Self-Care factors.
      Neither factors correlated with depression. The total DSRS score was able to
      differentiate patients by the Mini-Mental State Examination scores and diagnoses
      of mild cognitive impairment and dementia (mixed vascular Alzheimer, vascular
      dementia, and Alzheimer disease). A cut-score >15 was optimal for detecting
      dementia in a mixed clinical sample (sensitivity=0.41, specificity=0.79), with a
      posttest probability of 74%. This study suggests that the DSRS improves detection
      of dementia and requires minimal effort to implement. 

PMID- 24231457
TI  - Impact of the urgent care telephone service NHS 111 pilot sites: a controlled
      before and after study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To measure the impact of the urgent care telephone service NHS 111 on
      the emergency and urgent care system. DESIGN: Controlled before and after study
      using routine data. SETTING: Four pilot sites and three control sites covering a
      total population of 3.6 million in England, UK. PARTICIPANTS AND DATA: Routine
      data on 36 months of use of emergency ambulance service calls and incidents,
      emergency department attendances, urgent care contacts (general practice (GP) out
      of hours, walk in and urgent care centres) and calls to the telephone triage
      service NHS direct. INTERVENTION: NHS 111, a new 24 h 7 day a week telephone
      service for non-emergency health problems, operated by trained non-clinical call
      handlers with clinical support from nurse advisors, using NHS Pathways software
      to triage calls to different services and home care. MAIN OUTCOMES: Changes in
      use of emergency and urgent care services. RESULTS: NHS 111 triaged 277 163 calls
      in the first year of operation for a population of 1.8 million. There was no
      change overall in emergency ambulance calls, emergency department attendances or
      urgent care use. There was a 19.3% reduction in calls to NHS Direct (95% CI 
      24.6% to -14.0%) and a 2.9% increase in emergency ambulance incidents (95% CI
      1.0% to 4.8%). There was an increase in activity overall in the emergency and
      urgent care system in each site ranging 4.7-12%/month and this remained when
      assuming that NHS 111 will eventually take all NHS Direct and GP out of hours
      calls. CONCLUSIONS: In its first year of operation in four pilot sites NHS 111
      did not deliver the expected system benefits of reducing calls to the 999
      ambulance service or shifting patients to urgent rather than emergency care.
      There is potential that this type of service increases overall demand for urgent
      care.

PMID- 24231454
TI  - Predictive and prognostic analysis of PIK3CA mutation in stage III colon cancer
      intergroup trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Somatic mutations in PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphonate
      3-kinase [PI3K], catalytic subunit alpha gene) activate the PI3K-AKT signaling
      pathway and contribute to pathogenesis of various malignancies, including
      colorectal cancer. METHODS: We examined associations of PIK3CA oncogene mutation
      with relapse, survival, and treatment efficacy in 627 stage III colon carcinoma
      case subjects within a randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial (5-fluorouracil and
      leucovorin [FU/LV] vs irinotecan [CPT11], fluorouracil and leucovorin [IFL];
      Cancer and Leukemia Group B 89803 [Alliance]). We detected PIK3CA mutation in
      exons 9 and 20 by polymerase chain reaction and pyrosequencing. Cox proportional
      hazards model was used to assess prognostic and predictive role of PIK3CA
      mutation, adjusting for clinical features and status of routine standard
      molecular pathology features, including KRAS and BRAF mutations and
      microsatellite instability (mismatch repair deficiency). All statistical tests
      were two-sided. RESULTS: Compared with PIK3CA wild-type cases, overall status of
      PIK3CA mutation positivity or the presence of PIK3CA mutation in either exon 9 or
      20 alone was not statistically significantly associated with recurrence-free,
      disease-free, or overall survival (log-rank P > .70; P > .40 in multivariable
      regression models). There was no statistically significant interaction between
      PIK3CA and KRAS (or BRAF) mutation status in survival analysis (P(interaction) >
      .18). PIK3CA mutation status did not appear to predict better or worse response
      to IFL therapy compared with FU/LV therapy (P(interaction) > .16). CONCLUSIONS:
      Overall tumor PIK3CA mutation status is not associated with stage III colon
      cancer prognosis. PIK3CA mutation does not appear to serve as a predictive tumor
      molecular biomarker for response to irinotecan-based adjuvant chemotherapy.

PMID- 24231458
TI  - Pain management for chronic musculoskeletal conditions: the development of an
      evidence-based and theory-informed pain self-management course.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To devise and test a self-management course for chronic pain patients
      based on evidence and underpinned by theory using the Medical Research Council
      (MRC) framework for developing complex interventions. DESIGN: We used a mixed
      method approach. We conducted a systematic review of the effectiveness of
      components and characteristics of pain management courses. We then interviewed
      chronic pain patients who had attended pain and self-management courses.
      Behavioural change theories were mapped onto our findings and used to design the
      intervention. We then conducted a feasibility study to test the intervention.
      SETTING: Primary care in the inner city of London, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (18
      years or older) with chronic musculoskeletal pain. OUTCOMES: Related disability,
      quality of life, coping, depression, anxiety, social integration and healthcare
      resource use. RESULTS: The systematic reviews indicated that group-based courses
      with joint lay and healthcare professional leadership and that included a
      psychological component of short duration (<8 weeks) showed considerable promise.
      The qualitative research indicated that participants liked relaxation, valued
      social interaction and course location, and that timing and good tutoring were
      important determinants of attendance. We used behavioural change theories (social
      learning theory and cognitive behaviour approaches (CBA)) to inform course
      content. The course addressed: understanding and accepting pain, mood and pain,
      unhelpful thoughts and behaviour, problem solving, goal setting, action planning,
      movement, relaxation and social integration/reactivation. Attendance was 85%; we
      modified the recruitment of patients, the course and the training of facilitators
      as a result of testing. CONCLUSIONS: The MRC guidelines were helpful in
      developing this intervention. It was possible to train both lay and non
      psychologists to facilitate the courses and deliver CBA. The course was feasible
      and well received.

PMID- 24231459
TI  - What happens when patients know more than their doctors? Experiences of health
      interactions after diabetes patient education: a qualitative patient-led study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of patient education on the lives of people with
      diabetes, including the effect on interactions with doctors and other healthcare
      professionals. DESIGN: Qualitative user-led study using longitudinal interviews
      and 146 h of participant observation. Data were analysed using a narrative
      approach. PARTICIPANTS: 21 patients with type 1 diabetes, those either about to
      attend a patient education course or those who had completed the course in the
      previous 10 years. SETTING: Established patient education centres in three UK
      teaching hospitals teaching the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) course.
      RESULTS: Both postcourse and several years later, most participants spoke of the
      experience of taking part in education as life-changingly positive. It helped
      them understand how to gain control over a very complex disease and freed them
      from dependence on medical advice and restrictive regimes. However, interactions
      within the health system following patient education could be fraught.
      Participants emerged from the course with greater condition-specific knowledge
      than many of the healthcare professionals they encountered. When these
      professionals did not understand what their patients were trying to do and were
      uncomfortable trusting their expertise, there could be serious consequences for
      these patients' ability to continue effective self-management. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients who have in-depth knowledge of their condition encounter problems when
      their expertise is seen as inappropriate in standard healthcare interactions, and
      expertise taught to patients in one branch of medicine can be considered non
      compliant by those who are not specialists in that field. Although patient
      education can give people confidence in their own self-management skills, it
      cannot solve the power imbalance that remains when a generalist healthcare
      professional, however well meaning, blocks access to medication and supplies
      needed to manage chronic diseases successfully. There is a role for those
      involved in primary and hospital care, including those supporting and training
      healthcare professionals, to recognise these problems and find ways to
      acknowledge and respect chronic patients' biomedical and practical expertise.

PMID- 24231460
TI  - Predictive role of C reactive protein in stroke recurrence after cardioembolic
      stroke: the Fukuoka Stroke Registry.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with stroke
      recurrence in the first year after cardioembolic stroke, and determined the
      predictors associated with recurrence. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study.
      SETTING: Multicentre study at the Fukuoka prefecture in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: We
      enroled 2084 consecutive patients who were hospitalised in stroke centres within
      7 days of onset from June 2007 to October 2009. The clinical characteristics of
      patients were assessed on admission, and the clinical course of all patients was
      followed for 1 year. RESULTS: Of all patients, 425 (234 men, 76+/-11 years of
      age) had cardioembolic stroke and were included in this study. Fifty-one patients
      (12%) suffered a recurrence during the follow-up period. Age (HR 1.04, 95% CI
      1.01 to 1.06, p=0.014), and level of C reactive protein (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00 to
      1.02, p=0.018) on admission were significantly associated with recurrence in the
      univariate analyses. Male gender (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.05, p=0.076), body
      mass index (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.01, p=0.093), hypertension (HR 0.59, 95% CI
      0.33 to 1.06, p=0.079), diastolic blood pressure (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.00,
      p=0.087) and haematocrit (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.00, p=0.052) were marginally
      significant in the univariate Cox analyses. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards
      analysis showed that age (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.06, p=0.031, per 1-year
      increase), and C reactive protein (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.02, p=0.022, per 1
      mg/L increase) were independent predictors of a recurrence in the first year
      after cardioembolic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cardioembolic ischaemic
      stroke, age and C reactive protein are independent risk factors for recurrence in
      the first year after onset.

PMID- 24231461
TI  - Type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor as a common risk factor for cancer and
      ischaemic vascular disease: the EPICOR study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined the association of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI
      1) levels with colorectal cancer, breast cancer, acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
      and ischaemic stroke. DESIGN: Nested case-cohort study. SETTING: The European
      Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Italy cohort. PARTICIPANTS: A
      centre-stratified random sample of 850 participants (286 men, 564 women) was
      selected as subcohort and compared with 303 colorectal cancers, 617 breast
      cancers, 688 ACS and 158 ischaemic strokes, in a mean follow-up of 9.11 years.
      MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary incident cases of colon cancer, breast
      cancer, ACS and ischaemic stroke. PAI-1 levels were measured in citrated plasma
      by ELISA. HR and 95% CI, adjusted by relevant confounders and stratified by
      centre, were estimated by a Cox regression model using Prentice method. RESULTS:
      Individuals in the highest compared with the lowest quartile of PAI-1 had
      significantly increased risk of colorectal cancer (RR=2.28; 95% CI 1.46 to 3.55;
      P for trend<0.0012), breast cancer (HR=1.70; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.39; p<0.0055), ACS
      (HR=2.57; 95% CI 1.75 to 3.77; p<0.001) and ischaemic stroke (HR=2.27; 95% CI
      1.28 to 4.03; p<0.0017), after adjustment for sex and age. Additional adjustment
      for disease-specific confounders, insulin or other metabolic variables did not
      modify the associations. Risk of colon cancer was stronger for men and for whole
      and distal colon localisation. Risk for breast cancer was stronger in
      postmenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide the first evidence that
      elevated levels of PAI-1 are potential risk factors for colorectal and breast
      cancer and a common pathway for cancer and cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 24231462
TI  - The association of cycling with all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality:
      findings from the population-based EPIC-Norfolk cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate associations between modest levels of total and domain
      specific (commuting, other utility, recreational) cycling and mortality from all
      causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study
      (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study-Norfolk).
      SETTING: Participants were recruited from general practices in the east of
      England and attended health examinations between 1993 and 1997 and again between
      1998 and 2000. At the first health assessment, participants reported their
      average weekly duration of cycling for all purposes using a simple measure of
      physical activity. At the second health assessment, participants reported a more
      detailed breakdown of their weekly cycling behaviour using the EPAQ2 physical
      activity questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 40-79 years at the first health
      assessment. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: All participants were followed for mortality
      (all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer) until March 2011. RESULTS: There were 22
      450 participants with complete data at the first health assessment, of whom 4398
      died during follow-up; and 13 346 participants with complete data at the second
      health assessment, of whom 1670 died during follow-up. Preliminary analyses using
      exposure data from the first health assessment showed that cycling for at least
      60 min/week in total was associated with a 9% reduced risk of all-cause mortality
      (adjusted HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.99). Using the more precise measures of
      cycling available from the second health assessment, all types of cycling were
      associated with greater total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; however,
      there was little evidence of an association between overall or domain-specific
      cycling and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Cycling, in particular for utility purposes,
      was associated with greater moderate-to-vigorous and total physical activity.
      While this study provides tentative evidence that modest levels of cycling may
      reduce the risk of mortality, further research is required to confirm how much
      cycling is sufficient to induce health benefits.

PMID- 24231463
TI  - Response to: tea and coffee scalds in children: a British epidemic requiring a
      solution.

PMID- 24231464
TI  - Indocyanine green dye angiography accurately predicts survival in the zone of
      ischemia in a burn comb model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Surgical evaluation of burn depth is performed via clinical
      observation, with only moderate reliability. While perfusion analysis has been
      proposed to enhance accuracy, no perfusion study has attempted to predict burn
      extension into the area of ischemia surrounding the original insult. We examined
      whether laser Doppler imaging (LDI) and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography
      predicted survival in the zone of ischemia in a porcine hot comb burn model.
      METHODOLOGY: Six full-thickness wounds were created on 5 female Yorkshire swine
      using a validated porcine hot comb burn model. 4 full-thickness burns were
      created separated by 3 unburned interspaces that represent the zone of ischemia.
      The interspaces between each comb burn were monitored using LDI and ICG
      Angiography at 1, 4, 24, and 48 h after burn. Interspace survival was assessed
      via gross observation and blinded histological readings 7 days after injury.
      RESULTS: ICG Angiographic assessments of burn perfusion were significantly
      different in viable vs. non-viable interspace perfusion at 1 h, 4 h, and 48 h.
      Temporal plotting of a trend-line derived from quantitative perfusion
      measurements rendered two distinct graphs, allowing for the derivation of a
      predictive algorithm to separate viable and non-viable interspaces. LDI revealed
      no such prognostic trend. CONCLUSION: Results from a validated porcine burn comb
      model suggest that ICG angiography has significant potential in the prediction of
      burn progression early after burn. However, the full potential of this technology
      cannot be determined until completion of clinical trials.

PMID- 24231465
TI  - Disease models of chronic inflammatory airway disease: applications and
      requirements for clinical trials.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will discuss methodologies and applicability of
      key inflammatory models of respiratory disease in proof of concept or proof of
      efficacy clinical studies. In close relationship with these models, induced
      sputum and inflammatory cell counts will be addressed for phenotype-directed drug
      development. Additionally, important regulatory aspects regarding
      noninvestigational medicinal products used in bronchial challenges or clinical
      inflammatory models of respiratory disease will be highlighted. RECENT FINDINGS:
      The recognition of an ever increasing number of phenotypes and endotypes within
      conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease urges
      phenotyping of study populations already in early clinical phases of drug
      development. Apart from the choice of a relevant disease model, recent studies
      show that especially targeted therapies need to be tested in well defined disease
      subsets for adequate efficacy assessment. Noninvasive biomarkers, especially
      sputum inflammatory cell counts, aid phenotyping and are useful outcome measures
      for novel, targeted therapies. SUMMARY: Disease phenotyping becomes increasingly
      important for efficient and cost-effective drug development and subsequent
      disease management. Inflammatory models of respiratory disease combined with
      sputum biomarkers are important tools in this approach.

PMID- 24231466
TI  - Effect of water deprivation on baseline and stress-induced corticosterone levels
      in the Children's python (Antaresia childreni).
AB  - Corticosterone (CORT) secretion is influenced by endogenous factors (e.g.,
      physiological status) and environmental stressors (e.g., ambient temperature).
      Heretofore, the impact of water deprivation on CORT plasma levels has not been
      thoroughly investigated. However, both baseline CORT and stress-induced CORT are
      expected to respond to water deprivation not only because of hydric stress per
      se, but also because CORT is an important mineralocorticoid in vertebrates. We
      assessed the effects of water deprivation on baseline CORT and stress-induced
      CORT, in Children's pythons (Antaresia childreni), a species that experiences
      seasonal droughts in natural conditions. We imposed a 52-day water deprivation on
      a group of unfed Children's pythons (i.e., water-deprived treatment) and provided
      water ad libitum to another group (i.e., control treatment). We examined body
      mass variations throughout the experiment, and baseline CORT and stress-induced
      CORT at the end of the treatments. Relative body mass loss averaged ~10% in
      pythons without water, a value 2 to 4 times higher compared to control snakes.
      Following re-exposition to water, pythons from the water-deprived treatment drank
      readily and abundantly and attained a body mass similar to pythons from the
      control treatment. Together, these results suggest a substantial dehydration as a
      consequence of water deprivation. Interestingly, stress-induced but not baseline
      CORT level was significantly higher in water-deprived snakes, suggesting that
      baseline CORT might not respond to this degree of dehydration. Therefore,
      possible mineralocorticoid role of CORT needs to be clarified in snakes. Because
      dehydration usually induces adjustments (reduced movements, lowered body
      temperature) to limit water loss, and decreases locomotor performances, elevated
      stress-induced CORT in water-deprived snakes might therefore compensate for
      altered locomotor performances. Future studies should test this hypothesis. 

PMID- 24231467
TI  - Blood oxygen- and carbon dioxide-carrying properties in captive penguins: effects
      of moulting and inter-specific comparison.
AB  - Venous blood gas-carrying properties were compared in the three captive species
      of penguins (king, gentoo and rockhopper) at Oceanopolis (France). Captivity
      permitted to control environmental influences. Given their different ecology and
      diving behaviour in the wild, it was wondered whether milder conditions and dive
      privation have repercussions on parameters determining oxygen storage and acid
      base status of these birds. In addition, this work provided the opportunity to
      study the effects of moulting in king penguins. This annual event that imposes
      deep metabolic adjustments is liable to affect blood gas levels. Because of the
      regular food supply and probably also of the blood sampling conditions, the blood
      pH of captive penguins was low. This effect was increased in moulting penguins
      and supposedly due to both the decreased energetic metabolism and the production
      of uric acid resulting from new feather synthesis. The decrease in the anion gap
      also revealed the use of plasmatic albumin for this synthesis. The elevated
      venous PO2 in all birds is not likely due to stress caused by sampling
      conditions. The other data, in accordance with those in the literature, show
      neither major influence of captivity nor fundamental interspecific differences,
      despite potential diving aptitude. 

PMID- 24231468
TI  - Distinct patterns of HSP30 and HSP70 degradation in Xenopus laevis A6 cells
      recovering from thermal stress.
AB  - Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that assist in protein
      synthesis, folding and degradation and prevent stress-induced protein
      aggregation. In this study, we examined the pattern of accumulation of HSP30 and
      HSP70 in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells recovering from heat shock.
      Immunoblot analysis revealed the presence of elevated levels of HSP30 after 72h
      of recovery. However, the relative levels of HSP70 declined to near control
      levels after 24h. The relative levels of both hsp30 and hsp70 mRNA were reduced
      to low levels after 24h of recovery from heat shock. Pretreatment of cells with
      cycloheximide, a translational inhibitor, produced a rapid decline in HSP70 but
      not HSP30. The cycloheximide-associated decline of HSP70 was blocked by the
      proteasomal inhibitor, MG132, but had little effect on the relative level of
      HSP30. Also, treatment of cells with the phosphorylation inhibitor, SB203580, in
      addition to cycloheximide treatment enhanced the stability of HSP30 compared to
      cycloheximide alone. Immunocytochemical studies detected the presence of HSP30
      accumulation in a granular pattern in the cytoplasm of recovering cells and its
      association with aggresome-like structures, which was enhanced in the presence of
      SB203580. This study has shown that the relative levels of heat shock-induced
      HSP30 persist during recovery in contrast to HSP70. While HSP70 is degraded by
      the ubiquitin-proteasome system, it is likely that the presence of HSP30
      multimeric complexes that are known to associate with unfolded protein as well as
      its association with aggresome-like structures may delay its degradation. 

PMID- 24231469
TI  - Rapid and sustained GluA1 S845 phosphorylation in synaptic and extrasynaptic
      locations in the rat forebrain following amphetamine administration.
AB  - The alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor is a
      major ionotropic glutamate receptor subtype in the mammalian brain. Like other
      glutamate receptors, the AMPA receptor is regulated by phosphorylation. By
      phosphorylating specific serine resides in AMPA receptor subunits (GluA1 and
      GluA2), various protein kinases regulate subcellular/subsynaptic expression and
      function of the receptor. In this study, we conducted a time course study to
      evaluate the temporal property of responses of phosphorylation at those sites to
      dopamine stimulation with the psychostimulant amphetamine in the adult rat
      striatum and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in vivo. We focused on biochemically
      enriched AMPA receptors from synaptic and extrasynaptic compartments. We found
      that acute injection of amphetamine induced a rapid and relatively sustained
      increase in GluA1 S845 phosphorylation at both synaptic and extrasynaptic sites
      in the striatum. Similar results were observed in the mPFC. In contrast to S845,
      amphetamine did not induce a significant change in GluA1 S831 phosphorylation in
      synaptic and extrasynaptic pools in the striatum and mPFC. GluA2 S880
      phosphorylation in synaptic and extrasynaptic fractions in the two brain regions
      also remained stable in response to amphetamine. These results support S845 to be
      a principal site on AMPA receptors sensitive to acute stimulant exposure. Its
      phosphorylation levels are rapidly upregulated by amphetamine in the two defined
      subsynaptic microdomains (synaptic versus extrasynaptic locations) in striatal
      and cortical neurons. 

PMID- 24231470
TI  - The protective effect of eicosapentaenoic acid-enriched phospholipids from sea
      cucumber Cucumaria frondosa on oxidative stress in PC12 cells and SAMP8 mice.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorders, in which
      oxidative stress plays an important role. The present study investigated the
      effect of eicosapentaenoic acid-enriched phospholipids (EPA-enriched PL) from the
      sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa on oxidative injury in PC12 cells induced by
      hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP). We also studied the
      effect of EPA-enriched PL on learning and memory functions in senescence
      accelerated prone mouse strain 8 (SAMP8) in vivo. Pretreatment with EPA-enriched
      PL resulted in an enhancement of survival in a dose-dependent manner in H2O2 or t
      BHP damaged PC12 cells. EPA-enriched PL pretreatment could also reduce the
      leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and increase the intracellular total
      antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared
      with the H2O2 or t-BHP group. The down-regulated Bcl-2 mRNA level and up
      regulated Bax, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 mRNA expression induced by H2O2 or t-BHP
      could be restored by EPA-enriched PL pretreatment. These results demonstrated
      that EPA-enriched PL exhibited its neuroprotective effects by virtue of its
      antioxidant activity, which might be achieved by inhibiting the mitochondria
      dependent apoptotic pathway. The neuroprotective effect of EPA-enriched PL was
      also verified in vivo test: the EPA-enriched PL administration prevented the
      development of learning and memory impairments in SAMP8 mice. Our results
      indicated that EPA-enriched PL could offer an efficient and novel strategy to
      explore novel drugs or functional food for neuronprotection and cognitive
      improvement. 

PMID- 24231471
TI  - Good riddance to dopamine: roles for the dopamine transporter in synaptic
      function and dopamine-associated brain disorders.
AB  - The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) plays a critical role in CNS circuits that
      provide for attention, executive function, reward responses, motivation and
      movement. DA is inactivated by the cocaine- and amphetamine-sensitive DA
      transporter (DAT), a protein that also provides a pathway for non-vesicular DA
      release. After a brief review of DAT function and psychostimulant actions, we
      consider the importance DAT in relation to the distinct firing patterns of DA
      neurons that permit awareness of novelty and reward. Finally, we review recent
      efforts to gather direct support for DAT-linked disorders, with a specific focus
      on DAT mutations recently identified in subjects with ADHD. 

PMID- 24231472
TI  - Novel troponin-like biomarkers of acute kidney injury.
AB  - Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious condition in both the inpatient
      and outpatient settings, and its diagnosis depends on serum creatinine
      measurements. Unfortunately, creatinine is a delayed and unreliable indicator of
      AKI. The lack of early biomarkers has limited our ability to translate promising
      experimental therapies to human AKI. Fortunately, understanding the early stress
      response of the kidney to acute injuries has realized a number of potential
      biomarkers. For example, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is emerging
      as an excellent stand alone troponin-like biomarker in the plasma and urine for
      predicting and monitoring clinical trials and in the prognosis of AKI. In recent
      years, a number of new biomarkers of AKI with more favorable test characteristics
      than creatinine have been identified and studied in a variety of experimental and
      clinical settings. This review will consider the most well-established biomarkers
      of AKI. 

PMID- 24231473
TI  - The impact of CYP3A5 and MDR1 polymorphisms on tacrolimus dosage requirements and
      trough concentrations in pediatric renal transplant recipients.
AB  - Previous international studies demonstrated significant heterogeneity in the
      tacrolimus (TAC) dose required to attain target blood concentrations, attributed
      to both genetic and ethnic factors. While the majority of previous reports on
      adult recipients of renal, heart and liver transplants have shown a significant
      effect of CYP3A5FNx013 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on TAC
      pharmacokinetics (PKs), the impact of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and
      SNPs remains controversial. Yet, similar data of TAC in pediatric populations, in
      whom the intra- and inter-subject variations are likely to be even greater, is
      currently limited. We aimed to examine the influence of various CYP3A5 and MDR1
      genotypes on TAC dose requirements and PKs in the Jordanian pediatric renal
      transplant population. Thirty-eight patients were genotyped for CYP3A5FNx011 and
      FNx013 and MDR1 C3435T. Dose-adjusted trough concentrations (C 0 /D) and daily
      doses (D) were compared among different CYP3A5 and MDR1 genotypes in the early
      and maintenance phases post-transplant. Surprisingly, there were no significant
      differences in D, C 0 or C 0 /D among the genotypes of CYP3A5 or MDR1
      polymorphisms in either the early or the maintenance phase after transplantation,
      whereas after combining the C 0 /D levels of MDR1 C allele expressers, noticeably
      lower TAC levels were observed as compared with the TT genotype. However, the
      difference became not significant beyond 3 months. Based on a pharmacogenetic
      evaluation, the independent impact of CYP3A5 SNPs on TAC PKs was not evident,
      demonstrating the need for further large-scale studies. 

PMID- 24231474
TI  - Mismatched related hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in primary
      immunodeficiency.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the definitive therapy for a
      variety of primary immunodeficiency syndromes (PIDs). However, no more than 30%
      of the patients will have a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling. We
      retrospectively analyzed our results of ten patients with PID; severe combined
      immunodeficiency (SCID) (n = 7), hyper IgM (HIgM) (n = 1) and combined
      immunodeficiency (CID) (n = 2), who lacked a fully matched donor and underwent
      mismatched related HSCT during the period from 2008 to 2010. The median age at
      the time of transplantation ranged between 3 and 84 months (median 6.5 months).
      Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were used in all HSCTs. The mean value of the
      peripheral CD34+ cells infused was 9.19 * 10 (6) /kg recipient weight. Patients
      received different conditioning protocols. All patients received anti graft
      versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis and all were engrafted. Mixed chimerism (5
      55%) was noticed. GVHD was observed in 50% of the patients. Post-transplant
      follow-up ranged from 3 weeks to 36 months (median 15 months). Five patients are
      still alive while one patient developed engraftment syndrome followed by graft
      slippage for which a second transplant with CD34+ stem cells 5.8 * 10 (6) /kg
      recipient's weight was infused. The others died from sepsis and transplant
      related complications. Immune reconstitution was noticed in four patients. In
      conclusion, HLA-haploidentical stem cell transplantation may be feasible, with
      appropriate GVHD prophylaxis, for patients with PID who lack a fully matched
      donor. 

PMID- 24231475
TI  - Ultra-early onset post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease.
AB  - Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) can present as early as days
      to as late as several decades after transplantation. This study, however, tries
      to research PTLD characteristics including histopathological and clinical
      features, predictors and prognosis of the disease when occurring within the first
      month post-transplantation. We conducted a comprehensive search for the available
      data using the Pubmed and Google scholar search engines for reports indicating
      presentation time in PTLD patients. Data from 25 previously published studies
      were included in the analysis. Finally, we found 355 recipients of organs
      presenting with "ultra-early onset PTLD." Transplant recipients with ultra-early
      onset PTLD were significantly more likely to have kidney allografts (P = 0.032).
      Transplant recipients with ultra-early onset PTLD were comparable to their
      counterparts in the control group in their demographics, histopathological
      findings and survival. Patients with ultra-early onset PTLD were significantly
      more likely to receive induction therapy (100% vs. 49%, respectively; P = 0.013).
      Pancreas transplant recipients were at a significantly higher risk for
      development of ultra-early onset PTLD (20% vs. 1%, respectively; P <0.001). Our
      findings emphasize the importance of immunosuppression potency as well as the
      type of allograft transplanted on the incidence of PTLD in the early stages after
      transplantation. However, we found no histopathological or outcome disparities
      for patients with ultra-early PTLD compared with controls. Further prospective
      studies with more comparable approaches to the patients are needed to confirm our
      findings. 

PMID- 24231476
TI  - The role of erythrocyte enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
      deficiency in the pathogenesis of anemia in patients on hemodialysis.
AB  - Anemia is a common feature among patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Low
      activity of the erythrocyte enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD),
      which plays a major role in protecting red blood cells against oxidative agents,
      has been described as one of the contributing factors to anemia in patients with
      CRF treated with hemodialysis (HD). In this study, blood samples were randomly
      collected from 65 patients on HD and investigated for G6PD deficiency using the
      methemoglobin reduction test. The hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell
      volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBCs) count and reticulocyte count were determined
      in all the samples. Our results showed that 39 of 65 patients (60%) on HD had low
      G6PD activity and 26 (40%) patients had normal activity; 59% of the patients with
      low G6PD activity were males. The mean Hb, PCV and RBCs counts were lower in
      patients with low G6PD activity than in those with normal G6PD activity, but the
      difference was not statistically significant. Likewise, no statistically
      significant difference was found in the reticulocyte count in patients with low
      G6PD activity and in those with normal G6PD activity. The low G6PD activity that
      was found in a large proportion of patients on HD seems to be the result of
      enzyme inhibition rather than deficiency. No statistically significant difference
      was found in anemia parameters between patients with and without G6PD deficiency.

PMID- 24231477
TI  - The relationship between the antioxidant system, oxidative stress and dialysis
      related amyloidosis in hemodialysis patients.
AB  - End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with several complications that are
      partly due to excess amounts of reactive oxygen species and/or decreased
      antioxidant activity. Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) has also been linked to
      increased oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      relationships between the antioxidant system, including superoxide dismutase
      (SOD), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), various biochemical parameters and shoulder
      amyloidosis, in hemodialysis patients. We studied 107 non-diabetic chronic
      dialysis patients. The SOD levels correlated with right and left biceps tendon
      thickness (r = -0.219, P = 0.048 and r = -0.236, P = 0.031, respectively), MDA (r
      = -0.429, P = 0.000) and albumin levels (r = -0.319, P = 0.001). MDA levels
      correlated with right and left biceps thickness (r = 0.291, P = 0.006 and r =
      0.337, P = 0.001, respectively) and beta2 microglobulin levels (r = 0.455, P =
      0.000). We also identified the statistically significant relationships between
      MDA levels and supraspinatus tendon thickening (greater than 7 mm) and right and
      left biceps tendon thickness (P = 0.022, P = 0.040 and P = 0.005, respectively).
      Our data suggest the complex relationship between antioxidants and oxidative
      stress and further support the roles of oxidative stress and antioxidants in DRA.

PMID- 24231478
TI  - Predictors of early post-operative hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy for
      secondary hyperparathyroidism.
AB  - We sought to identify predictors of development of early post-operative
      hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism. The
      patients were divided into two groups according to their serum calcium (Ca)
      levels within 24 hours of undergoing para-thyroidectomy: the hypocalcemia group
      (22 patients) with post-operative serum Ca levels of 2 mmol/L or less, and the
      normocalcemia group (48 patients), with post-operative serum Ca levels higher
      than 2 mmol/L. By using multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, high
      pre-operative serum Ca level had the strongest predictive value of development of
      early hypocalcemia with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 3.01, followed by hypo
      albuminemia (aOR = 2.72), younger age (aOR = 2.56), and high pre-operative
      alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (aOR = 2.28). We conclude that among patients
      with secondary hyperparathyroidism, age, levels of pre-operative serum Ca, ALP
      and albumin correlate positively with the development of early post-operative
      hypocalcemia. Patients with one of these factors should be monitored more closely
      in the early post-parathyroidectomy period. 

PMID- 24231479
TI  - Effects of oral enalapril and verapamil on dialysis adequacy and solute clearance
      in chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
AB  - Peritoneal dialysis offers several advantages such as better clearance of
      intermediate/large molecules and better preservation of renal residual function
      when compared with hemodialysis. However, dialysis adequacy is one of the
      subjects of concern of this modality. There are some drugs that are capable of
      influencing solute transport in the peritoneum, such as acetyle co-enzyme
      inhibitors (ACE-I) medications and calcium channel blockers. Captopril and
      Verapamil are often mentioned, but their use has shown varying conclusions and
      initial studies were performed with the intra-peritoneal administration of these
      drugs and there are only a few studies on the effect of the oral administration
      of these drugs. This study was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the effects of
      oral administration of Verapamil and Enalapril among continuous ambulatory
      peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. The results of this study showed that
      Verapamil and Enalapril do not have any effects on glucose, creatinine, sodium,
      potassium and urea clearance (during the 4-h peritoneal equilibration test (PET)
      test). However, it was shown that Enalapril significantly increased the
      peritoneal urea Kt/V and caused a meaningful decrease in the diastolic and mean
      blood pressures. Therefore, we feel that Enalapril may be administered as an anti
      hypertensive medication of choice in CAPD patients, which can also result in
      better dialysis adequacy. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are
      needed in the future. 

PMID- 24231480
TI  - The renal recovery of critically ill patients with acute renal failure requiring
      dialysis.
AB  - The incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) is increasing and will nearly double
      over the next decades as the population ages. As a result of ARF, patients will
      have longer hospital stays and may require dialysis as outpatients. The aim of
      this cohort study was to examine the renal recovery after the hospital discharge
      of surviving critically ill patients who developed ARF that required dialysis.
      During the 3-year study, there were 2574 patients admitted to the intensive care
      unit; 308 (12%) patients developed ARF and needed dialysis, 86 (28%) patients
      survived to hospital discharge and 40 (47%) patients continued to require
      dialysis after discharge. There were no differences of age or gender in the
      dialysis group from the non-dialysis group. In addition, there were no
      differences between the groups in terms of the severity of illness, use of
      mechanical ventilation, history of hypertension, creatinine levels, urine output
      or use of inotropes. It was not uncommon for surviving patients with ARF that
      required dialysis to be dialysis dependent upon hospital discharge, which
      represents an important cause of chronic kidney disease. 

PMID- 24231481
TI  - Occurrence of microalbuminuria among children and adolescents with insulin
      dependent diabetes mellitus.
AB  - Microalbuminuria precedes the onset of diabetic nephropathy in insulin-dependent
      diabetes mellitus (IDDM) pediatric patients. Its prevention is among the most
      important challenges in managing IDDM. We attempted to determine the occurrence
      of microalbuminuria among IDDM Saudi children and adolescents and its associated
      risk factors. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted on 409 IDDM
      children and adolescents attending the pediatric clinic at King Abdul-Aziz
      University Hospital from 2006 to 2010. Their ages ranged from 1 to 18 years and
      the mean +/- standard deviation (mean +/- SD) was 12.3 +/- 4.1 years. Twenty-four
      hour urinary albumin excretion (on two separate occasions or more, 3 - 6 months
      apart each), HbA1c, duration of IDDM, Tanner staging and body mass index (BMI)
      were reviewed. Prevalence of microalbuminuria in our cohort was 11.3%. IDDM
      duration was >=2 years in 55.8% of our patients; of them, 15.6% had
      microalbuminuria while 45.2% had IDDM duration <2 years (6% had microalbuminuria)
      (P <0.01). The prevalence of microalbuminuria was higher among the post-pubertal
      subjects (50%) than that among the pre-pubertal (8.7%) and pubertal (41.5%)
      subjects. Furthermore, microalbuminuria was present in 16.7% of those with
      elevated blood pressure, but only in 8.5% among those with normal blood pressure
      (P <0.05). The enrolled overweight and obese subjects showed a higher prevalence
      of microalbuminuria (14%) when compared with that among those with a normal BMI
      (6.6%) (P <0.05). In our cohort, duration of IDDM, pubertal status, hypertension
      and BMI affected the prevalence of microalbuminuria. Annual screening for
      microalbuminuria in IDDM children and adolescents is imperative. 

PMID- 24231482
TI  - Risk factors of chronic kidney disease influencing cardiac calcification.
AB  - We sought to determine the influence of risk factors of chronic kidney disease
      (CKD) on cardiac calcification. We studied the correlation between coronary
      artery calcium score (CACS) and the type and duration of dialysis as well as the
      presence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The relation between calcium
      score and mortality was also analyzed. Patients with CKD attending the outpatient
      department or admitted in our hospital were included. They were subjected to high
      resolution computerized tomography of the thorax to determine their CACS. Serum
      levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), highly sensitive C-reactive protein
      (hCRP), homocysteine, calcium, phosphorus, and calcium * phosphorus product were
      measured. Out of the 50 patients studied, 39 were hypertensive (78%), 32 were
      diabetic (64.4%), 20 were on hemodialysis, and 13 were on continuous ambulatory
      peritoneal dialysis. The mean CACS was 388.6. Twenty-nine patients had high iPTH
      levels and 92.9% of them had calcium score >400 (P = 0.013). Twenty-eight
      patients had high hCRP and 85.7% of these patients had calcium score >400 (P =
      0.048). Patients on dialysis for more than two years had higher calcium score
      >400 (P = 0.035). 43% of diabetics had calcium score >400 (P = 0.008). All the
      six patients who died had calcium score >400 (P = 0). There was statistically no
      significant association noted between hypertension, high calcium x phosphorus
      product, and high homocysteine levels, and high calcium score. Our study suggests
      that higher values of iPTH, hCRP, and longer duration on dialysis are associated
      with accelerated cardiac calcification. Calcification scores >400 are associated
      with increased mortality. 

PMID- 24231483
TI  - Pre-emptive treatment of hepatitis B infection by lamivudine in two Tunisian
      renal transplant recipients.
AB  - Infection with hepatitis B virus has a major implication for transplant
      recipients due to the risk of reactivation under immunosuppression, progression
      to chronic liver disease, development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular
      carcinoma. We report two cases of renal transplantation patients who were
      hepatitis B surface antigen positive before transplantation and were treated by
      Lamivudine. 

PMID- 24231484
TI  - Kaposi's sarcoma with HHV8 infection and ANCA-associated vasculitis in a
      hemodialysis patient.
AB  - The association between Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and human herpes virus eight (HHV
      8) infection is rarely reported in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We report here the
      rare association of KS, HHV-8 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as well as
      syphilis in a HD patient. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman who presented
      with microscopic polyangiitis with alveolar hemorrhage and pauci-immune necrosing
      and crescentic glomerulonephritis as well as renal failure requiring HD.
      Biological tests showed positive HCV and syphilis tests. The patient was treated
      by HD and intravenous pulse, followed by oral corticosteroids and six
      cyclophosphamide monthly pulses with remission of the alveolar hemorrhage, but
      without renal functional recovery as the patient remained HD dependent. Five
      months after the first treatment administration, she developed extensive purpuric
      lesions on her lower limbs, abdomen face and neck. A skin biopsy showed KS. The
      HHV-8 test was positive, with positive polymerase chain reaction-HHV8 in the
      serum and skin. After immunosuppression withdrawal, the KS skin lesions regressed
      rapidly without relapse after 12 months of follow-up, but alveolar hemorrhage
      relapsed after 16 months of follow-up. Our case showed that the immunosuppressed
      state related to multiple factors such as aging, vasculitis, HHV-8, HCV,
      syphilis, immunosuppressive therapy and HD may all have contributed to the
      development of KS in our patient. 

PMID- 24231485
TI  - Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.
AB  - Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare but potentially lethal
      complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Peritoneal tuberculosis is considered
      an etiologic factor. We report a case of EPS in a 40-year-old man who was
      switched to hemodialysis because of peritoneal tuberculosis after 2 years of PD.
      Because of the persistence of gastrointestinal symptoms and cachexia,
      laparoscopic exploration was performed, which revealed an important thickening of
      the peritoneal membrane sheathing the intestinal loops. Accordingly, a diagnosis
      of EPS was made. Anti-tuberculosis treatment associated with a low dose of
      corticosteroids stabilized the disease. 

PMID- 24231486
TI  - Non-hemorrhagic dengue fever with rhabdomyolysis.
AB  - Acute kidney injury occurs in 33-50% of patients with rhabdomyolysis and
      infections remain one of the major contributing factors. The incidence of
      rhabdomyolysis in non-hemorrhagic dengue virus infection is quite low and may go
      unnoticed, especially if the presentation is not florid. We report a case of a
      young male patient, sero-positive for dengue, with no hemorrhagic manifestations
      or hypotension, who developed rhabdomyolysis complicated by renal failure. The
      patient eventually needed dialysis support and later recovered fully. Clinicians
      need to be aware of the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis even in patients without the
      hemorrhagic manifestations of dengue viral infection and should employ early
      preventive strategies in such cases. 

PMID- 24231487
TI  - Does NPHS1 polymorphism modulate P118l mutation in NPHS2?
AB  - Nephrotic syndrome (NS) in the first year of life is uncommon and makes up a
      heterogeneous group of disorders. Subsequent studies have further defined the
      phenotype associated with mutations in the NPHS2 gene, revealing that patients
      usually develop NS from birth to 6 years of age. We report a child aged 4 months
      with steroid-resistant NS who had polymorphism of NPHS1 (E117K) and mutation of
      NPHS2 (P118L). Our patient was carrying a polymorphic NPHS1 mutation, while
      phenotypically she had a poor prognostic NPHS2 mutation. However, it must be
      questioned whether this polymorphic change (E117K) alters the signaling pathways
      of the podocytes and leads to P118L mutation, thus making it behave differently.
      Perhaps, this would be called a genetic modifier in future. 

PMID- 24231488
TI  - Renal failure in Hay-Wells syndrome.
AB  - Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a group of disorders involving developmental defects
      of the ectodermal structures, with abnormalities in the skin, hair, nails and
      sweat glands. Ankyloblepharon - ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate (AEC)
      syndrome, also known as Hay-Wells syndrome, is characterized by eyelid fusion, ED
      and cleft lip/palate. We report a 15-year-old Omani boy with AEC syndrome who
      presented with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement
      therapy. Genitourinary anomalies including hypospadiasis, posterior urethral
      stricture and bilateral vesicoureteric reflux were noted. These led to secondary
      focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and ESRD. Screening for genitourinary
      anomalies and renal function tests must be performed in all patients with ED to
      facilitate early detection of renal disease and appropriate management. 

PMID- 24231489
TI  - Refeeding syndrome in a patient with advanced kidney failure due to
      nephronophthisis.
AB  - Refeeding syndrome (RS) is a serious and potentially fatal disorder. It is caused
      by a shift of fluids, sodium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus as well changes
      in the metabolism of glucose, protein, fat and vitamins following the refeeding
      of malnourished patients, whether enterally or parenterally. RS has rarely been
      reported in patients with advanced kidney disease probably due to the pre
      existing hyperphosphatemia, hypermagnesemia and hyperkalemia in these patients.
      In the following report, we present a patient with nephronophthisis type 1
      deletion syndrome in whom her main previous nutrition was limited to simply
      rehydration to avoid renal replacement therapy. On presentation, she was
      cachectic and dehydrated with advanced kidney failure. She was treated with
      medical nephrectomy using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and then placed
      on maintenance hemodialysis. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was used for her
      initial feeding. Care was exercised during her early refeeding with regard to
      correction of fluids and essential electrolytes, viz. potassium, phosphorus and
      magnesium, as well as multivitamins to avoid the cardiovascular and neurological
      complications of RS. However, the changes in the gut, pancreas and liver as well
      as her hyperlipidemia were a clear obstacle. Fortunately, the ileus and
      pancreatitis she developed on refeeding improved dramatically with a decrease of
      the feeding dose to half; however, the liver abnormalities and hyperlipidemia
      were severe and slow to recover. These improved after addition of ursodeoxycholic
      acid and permitted successful increase of the dose of feeding subsequently. 

PMID- 24231490
TI  - Pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis in the Down's syndrome.
AB  - Kidney disease is a rare complication in patients with the Down's syndrome.
      However, with increased survival, it appears that a growing number of these
      patients present with glomerulonephritis. Most cases have been reported as case
      reports and include lesions such as mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis with
      hypo-complementemia, crescentic glomerulonephritis with anti-neutrophil
      cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), amyloidosis and immunotactoid glomerulopathy. We
      report the observation of a 38-year-old man with the Down's syndrome who
      presented with severe renal failure, proteinuria and microscopic hematuria
      evolving over two months. There was no history of congenital heart disease or
      urinary symptoms. Percutaneous renal biopsy revealed fibrous crescents, rupture
      of Bowman's capsule and peri-glomerular granuloma; there were no deposits on
      immunofluorescence study. Thoracic computerized tomography scan showed alveolar
      congestion. The patient tested negative for ANCA. At the time of reporting, the
      patient is on regular chronic hemodialysis. Our case illustrates a distinct
      entity that further expands the spectrum of renal disease known to occur in the
      Down's syndrome. Early detection of the renal disorders may prevent or slow down
      the progression.

PMID- 24231491
TI  - Successful elimination of hemodialysis-related bacteremia and vascular access
      infection.
AB  - Hemodialysis (HD) related bacteremia and dialysis induced infection constitute
      major risk factors for mortality and morbidity among patients with end stage
      renal disease. In this retrospective study, we attempted to assess the impact of
      the infection control protocol introduced in our center on the prevalence of HD
      related bacteremia and vascular access infection. All the HD sessions performed
      over 8 years, from January 2004 till the end of December 2011, were included in
      this study. Over 108 months of the study period, 6161 HD sessions were performed
      on 118 patients. Demographic data of all the study patients were collected. The
      type of vascular access as well as the presence of diabetes and hypertension were
      recorded. During the study period, 15 episodes of dialysis related bacteremia
      were noted in nine patients. Three of them required hospitalization for
      administration of parenteral antibiotics. Blood cultures in 93% of the infection
      episodes (14/15) grew Sphingomonas paucilomobilis. One patient had methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus grown on blood culture. The prevalence of HD
      related bacteremia and vascular access infection in our unit were lower than
      international published data. The infection control protocol used seems to have
      been successful in reducing HD related bacteremia and eliminating vascular access
      infection. 

PMID- 24231492
TI  - Nocturnal enuresis among primary school children.
AB  - To determine the prevalence and personal and family risk factors for nocturnal
      enuresis (NE) among primary school children in Al-Mukalla City, Yemen, we
      conducted a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered, three-part
      structured questionnaire involving 832 school children aged 6 - 15 years between
      2007 and 2008. We assessed participants' socio-demographic factors, family
      characteristics and factors related to the presence of NE. The mean age of the
      children was 11.5 (+/-2.7) years. The overall prevalence of NE was 28.6%, with a
      predominance of girls, and the prevalence decreased with increasing age (P
      <0.001). Factors likely to be associated with NE were pattern of sleeping (P
      <0.001), stressful social and psychological events (P <0.01), positive family
      history of enuresis (P <0.001), large family size (P >0.002) and a higher number
      of siblings (P = 0.01). Our findings reveal a high prevalence of NE among
      children in Al-Mukalla City, Yemen, with a higher prevalence in girls than in
      boys compared with the other studies. Sleep pattern, stressful life events,
      family history of NE, large family size and more children in the household may
      act as a risk factor for NE. 

PMID- 24231493
TI  - Risk factors and management of diabetic nephropathy.
AB  - To determine the risk factors for nephropathy in diabetic patients and to study
      the management of diabetic nephropathy (DN), we conducted a hospital-based
      prospective study in the Internal Medicine department of our hospital on 60
      patients with DN and 60 diabetic patients without DN. An odds ratio (OR)
      disclosed the following risk factors: Hypertension (OR = 2.06), family history of
      diabetes (OR = 1.23), family history of DN (OR = 2.86), uncontrolled
      hyperglycemia (OR = 11.80), obesity (OR = 1.07), duration of diabetes between 11
      and 20 years (OR = 4.69), smoking (OR = 2.79), alcohol consumption (OR = 3.75),
      other complications (OR = 2.03), lack of physical activity (OR = 1.51) and anemia
      (OR = 2.29). According to these risk factors, we suggest that improving patient's
      knowledge on diabetes and its treatment, life style modifications and aggressive
      management of the disease may delay the progression of disease to advanced
      stages. 

PMID- 24231494
TI  - Cytomegalovirus infection following renal transplantation: an analysis of 21
      cases in an endemic area.

PMID- 24231495
TI  - Dialysis access technology, the next generation.

PMID- 24231496
TI  - Ultrasound findings in urinary schistosomiasis infection in school children in
      Gezira State, Central Sudan.

PMID- 24231497
TI  - Acute renal failure associated with malaria in children.

PMID- 24231498
TI  - Symptoms of anxiety among patients with chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka.

PMID- 24231499
TI  - Major flooding in central Thailand: the problem related to availability of
      dialysis fluid.

PMID- 24231500
TI  - Fathoming uric acid nephropathy.

PMID- 24231501
TI  - Celiac disease a rare cause of nephrogenic ascites.

PMID- 24231502
TI  - Pattern of glomerular disease in the Saudi population: a single-center, five-year
      retrospective study.
AB  - Glomerular diseases continue to be the leading cause of end-stage renal disease
      (ESRD) globally. Hence, it is important to recognize the pattern of glomerular
      diseases in different geographical areas in order to understand the patho
      biology, incidence and progression of the disorder. Published studies from
      different centers in Saudi Arabia have reported contradicting results. In this
      retrospective study, we report our experience at the Armed Forces Hospital,
      Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 348 native renal biopsies performed at our
      center on patients with proteinuria >1 g, hematuria and/or renal impairment
      during a period of 5 years (between January 2005 and December 2009) were studied
      by a histopathologist using light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron
      microscopy, and were categorized. Results showed that primary glomerular disease
      accounted for 55.1% of all renal biopsies. The most common histological lesion
      was focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (27.6%), followed by minimal
      change disease (MCD) (17.7%) and membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN)
      (13.0%). Secondary glomerular disease accounted for 37.9% of the glomerular
      diseases, with lupus nephritis (LN) being the most common lesion (54.5%),
      followed by hypertensive nephrosclerosis (22%), post-infectious
      glomerulonephritis (7.5%), diabetic nephropathy (DN) (6.8%) and vasculitides
      (4.5%). Four percent of all biopsies turned out to be ESRD while biopsy was
      inadequate in 2.8% of the cases. In conclusion, our study showed that FSGS was
      the most common primary GN encountered, while LN was the most common secondary
      GN. We encountered 14 cases of crescentic glomerulonephritis. Also, the
      prevalence of MPGN, MCD, IgA nephropathy and membranous GN was many folds higher
      in males when compared with the Western data. We believe that it is mandatory to
      maintain a Saudi Arabian Renal Biopsy Registry to understand better the pattern
      of glomerular disease in the Saudi population and to follow any change in trend. 

PMID- 24231503
TI  - Immunological aspects of biopsy-proven lupus nephritis in Bahraini patients with
      systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Lupus nephritis (LN) is a frequent and potentially serious complication of
      systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that may influence morbidity and mortality.
      Immunological investigations are aiding tools to the kidney biopsy findings in
      early diagnosis, in addition to monitoring the effect of therapy. The aim of the
      present study is to highlight the role of these investigations in a group of
      Bahraini patients and to determine whether there is any positive association
      between these findings and the outcome of LN. The current study is a
      retrospective case-control study of randomly selected 88 SLE patients, 44 with
      biopsy-proven LN and 44 without, acting as controls. All renal biopsies performed
      during the period from 1996 to 2012 were classified according to the World Health
      Organization classification. Immunological investigations analyzed are:
      Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-ds DNA, anti-ENA, anti-cardiolipin antibodies
      (abs) and complement components C3, C4. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing
      class II was performed on selected cases. All patients had positive ANA (100%). A
      significantly high frequency of anti-Smith abs among the non-LN group (43.18%)
      compared with the LN group (18.18%) was found (P <0.001). On the other hand, the
      anti-Ro/SSA abs in the non-LN group was also found at a statistically higher
      frequency (20.45%) compared with that in the LN group (4.54%) (P <0.01). Anti-ds
      DNA abs were found to be higher in the LN group (84.09%) compared with the non-LN
      group (70.45%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.082).
      There was a positive association of ANA positivity and low C3 and or C4 in the
      studied group. In our study, 88.2% of the HLA typed patients had HLADR2, DR3 or
      both. In conclusion, in our Arabic Bahraini SLE patients, the presence of anti
      Smith, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-RNP antibodies and the absence of anti-dsDNA
      antibodies are independent predictive markers for renal involvement. However,
      more prospective studies with a larger number of patients are essential to
      ascertain those findings.

PMID- 24231504
TI  - Intercity deceased donor renal transplantation: a single-center experience from a
      developing country.
AB  - In a developing country such as India, deceased donor renal transplantation
      (DDRTx) accounts for only about 1% of all renal transplants (RTx). Our institute
      initiated an intercity DDRTx in the year 2006, which significantly increased the
      number of RTx. We retrieved 74 kidneys from 37 deceased donors from various
      cities of Gujarat from January 2006 to December 2009. We transplanted the
      allografts in 66 recipients and a retrospective analysis of the donor profile and
      management and recipient outcome was performed. The mean age of the donors was
      43.3 +/- 18.8 years. The causes of death included road traffic accident in 51.35%
      of the donors and cerebrovascular stroke in 48.65% of the donors; 83.78% of the
      donors required ionotropes for hemodynamic stability in addition to vigorous
      intravenous fluid replacement. The average urine output of the donors was 350 +/-
      150 mL. The organs were perfused and stored in HTK solution. The mean cold
      ischemia time (CIT) was 9.12 +/- 5.25 h. The mean anastomosis time in the
      recipient was 30.8 +/- 8.7 min. 57.6% of the recipients established urine output
      on the operating table and 42.4% developed delayed graft function. At the end of
      1 month after transplantation, the mean serum creatinine was comparable to the
      Ahmadabad city DDRTx, although the CIT was significantly longer in the intercity
      patients. Intercity organ harvesting is a viable option to increase the donor
      pool. Distance may not be an impediment, and good recipient outcome is possible
      in spite of prolonged CIT in case of proper harvesting and preservation. 

PMID- 24231505
TI  - Kidney disease in the elderly: a Sri Lankan perspective.
AB  - Renal disease in the elderly in Sri Lanka is a largely neglected area in the
      literature with hardly any publications. We carried out a hospital-based survey
      of elderly patients (elderly is defined in this article as patients aged 65 years
      or above) with renal disease. This prospective study included all patients aged
      65 years or above admitted to the University Medical Unit, National Hospital of
      Sri Lanka, over a period of 1 year with a primary renal-related illness as the
      reason for hospitalization. This hospital-based survey is the first of its kind
      to look into the nephrological disease profile of elderly patients in Sri Lanka.
      Based on our findings, we have made several pertinent recommendations regarding
      the care of the elderly with renal disease in Sri Lanka that may be relevant to
      other developing nations as well. 

PMID- 24231506
TI  - Renal function, urinalysis abnormalities and correlates among HIV-infected
      Cameroonians naive to antiretroviral therapy.
AB  - As per guidelines and recommendations, screening for renal diseases should be
      performed at the time of diagnosis of human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV)
      infection; however, this remains largely unimplemented in many settings across
      Sub-Saharan Africa. We evaluated the renal function, urinalysis abnormalities and
      their correlates in HIV-infected individuals who were naive to highly active
      antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This was a cross-sectional study of 2 months'
      duration involving 104 HIV-infected outpatients naive to HAART (71 women, 68%)
      attending the HIV clinic of the Yaounde General Hospital in Cameroon. Renal and
      urinalysis parameters were measured and the Student t-test and Fischer exact test
      were used to compare the groups of participants. The mean age and CD4 count were,
      respectively, 35 +/- 10.7 years and 305 +/- 202/mL. Fifty-six (54%) patients
      presented with stages 3 and 4 of HIV infection. Forty-three (41%) patients had
      urinalysis abnormalities, including proteinuria (36%), leukocyturia (13%) and
      hematuria (12%). Proteinuria was associated with increased age, advanced stage of
      HIV infection, decreased CD4 count, hematuria and renal failure (P <0.04).
      Hematuria and leukocyturia were associated with decreased CD4 count and advanced
      stage of HIV infection, respectively (P = 0.04). The mean estimated glomerular
      filtration (eGFR) rate was 100.2 +/- 32.7 mL/min; three (3%) patients had renal
      failure (eGFR <60 mL/min) and 45 (43%) patients had reduced kidney function 60
      <=eGFR <=90 mL/min. There was a high prevalence of decreased kidney function and
      proteinuria among Cameroonian HIV-infected patients naive to HAART. Indicators of
      the severity of HIV infection, including advanced stage and low CD4 count, were
      associated with urinalysis abnormalities.

PMID- 24231507
TI  - Pharmacogenomics of cantharidin in tumor cells.
AB  - Cantharis vesicatoria (blister beetle) is used in Chinese medicine and has been
      categorized as highly toxic in the Chinese pharmacopeia. In Europe, Cantharis
      patches have been used since ages to treat various skin-related diseases. We
      investigated the cytotoxicity of the Cantharis ingredient, cantharidin, in 41
      tumor cell lines (Oncotest panel) and compared the results with those of 60 cell
      lines of the National Cancer Institute, USA. We found profound activity at low
      micromolar concentrations (log 10IC50 values between -6.980 and 5.009 M).
      Cantharidin bound to protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) with higher affinity (-8.12
      kcal/mol) than to PP1 (-6.25 kcal/mol) in molecular docking analyses. Using a PCR
      array for 84 apoptosis genes, cantharidin treatment upregulated gene expression
      of caspase-1 and nerve growth factor receptor, but downregulated mRNA expression
      of Bcl-2 like protein 10, Fas ligand, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. By using
      COMPARE analysis of microarray-based transcriptome-wide mRNA expressions, 21
      genes were found to significantly correlate with response of 60 tumor cell lines
      to cantharidin. As shown by hierarchical cluster analysis and chi-squared test,
      the distribution of cell lines in the dendrogram according to their gene
      expression profiles predicted sensitivity or resistance to cantharidin (P=6.482 *
      10(-5)). The compassionate use of Cantharis patches in two patients suffering
      from basalioma and Mycosis fungoides, respectively, considerably improved the
      diseases without signs of toxicity. In conclusion, these results indicate that
      cantharidin may be a useful candidate to develop novel strategies for cancer
      therapy.

PMID- 24231508
TI  - Monosaccharide digitoxin derivative sensitize human non-small cell lung cancer
      cells to anoikis through Mcl-1 proteasomal degradation.
AB  - Advanced stage cancers acquire anoikis resistance which provides metastatic
      potential to invade and form tumors at distant sites. Suppression of anoikis
      resistance by novel molecular therapies would greatly benefit treatment
      strategies for metastatic cancers. Recently, digitoxin and several of its novel
      synthetic derivatives, such as alpha-l-rhamnose monosaccharide derivative (D6
      MA), have been synthesized and studied for their profound anticancer activity in
      various cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated the anoikis sensitizing
      effect of D6-MA compared with digitoxin to identify their anti-metastatic
      mechanism of action. D6-MA sensitized NSCLC H460 cells to detachment-induced
      apoptosis with significantly greater cytotoxicity (IC50=11.9 nM) than digitoxin
      (IC50=90.7 nM) by activating caspase-9. Screening of the Bcl-2 protein family
      revealed that degradation of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 protein is a favorable target.
      Mcl-1 over-expression and knockdown studies in D6-MA and digitoxin exposed cells
      resulted in rescue and enhancement, respectively, indicating a facilitative role
      for decreased Mcl-1 expression in NSCLC anoikis. Transfection with mutant Mcl
      1S159 attenuated detachment-induced cell death and correlated with a remaining of
      Mcl-1 level. Furthermore, D6-MA suppressed Mcl-1 expression via ubiquitin
      proteasomal degradation that is dependent on activation of glycogen synthase
      kinase (GSK)-3beta signaling. In addition, D6-MA also targeted Mcl-1 degradation
      causing an increased anoikis in A549 lung cancer cells. Anoikis sensitizing
      effect on normal small airway epithelial cells was not observed indicating the
      specificity of D6-MA and digitoxin for NSCLC. These results identify a novel
      cardiac glycoside (CG) sensitizing anoikis mechanism and provide a promising anti
      metastatic target for lung cancer therapy.

PMID- 24231509
TI  - Atypical protein kinase Ciota as a human oncogene and therapeutic target.
AB  - Protein kinase inhibitors represent a major class of targeted therapeutics that
      has made a positive impact on treatment of cancer and other disease indications.
      Among the promising kinase targets for further therapeutic development are
      members of the Protein Kinase C (PKC) family. The PKCs are central components of
      many signaling pathways that regulate diverse cellular functions including
      proliferation, cell cycle, differentiation, survival, cell migration, and
      polarity. Genetic manipulation of individual PKC isozymes has demonstrated that
      they often fulfill distinct, nonredundant cellular functions. Participation of
      PKC members in different intracellular signaling pathways reflects responses to
      varying extracellular stimuli, intracellular localization, tissue distribution,
      phosphorylation status, and intermolecular interactions. PKC activity,
      localization, phosphorylation, and/or expression are often altered in human
      tumors, and PKC isozymes have been implicated in various aspects of
      transformation, including uncontrolled proliferation, migration, invasion,
      metastasis, angiogenesis, and resistance to apoptosis. Despite the strong
      relationship between PKC isozymes and cancer, to date only atypical PKCiota has
      been shown to function as a bona fide oncogene, and as such is a particularly
      attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss
      the role of PKCiota in transformation and describe mechanism-based approaches to
      therapeutically target oncogenic PKCiota signaling in cancer. 

PMID- 24231512
TI  - Development and evaluation of brain targeted intranasal alginate nanoparticles
      for treatment of depression.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential of Venlafaxine
      loaded alginate nanoparticles (VLF AG-NPs) for treatment of depression via
      intranasal (i.n.) nose to brain delivery route. The VLF AG-NPs were prepared and
      optimized on the basis of various physio-chemical characteristics.
      Pharmacodynamic studies of the VLF AG-NPs for antidepressant activity were
      carried in-vivo by forced swimming test and locomotor activity test on albino
      Wistar rats. VLF AG-NPsi.n. treatment significantly improved the behavioural
      analysis parameters i.e. swimming, climbing, and immobility in comparison to the
      VLF solutioni.n. and VLF tabletoral. The intranasal VLF AG-NPs also improved
      locomotor activity when compared with VLF solutioni.n. and VLF tabletoral.
      Confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy studies were performed on
      isolated organs of rats after intravenous and intranasal administrations of
      Rodamine-123 loaded alginate nanoparticles to determine its efficacy for nose to
      brain delivery and also for its qualitative distribution to other organs. Brain
      uptake and pharmacokinetic studies were performed by determination of VLF
      concentration in blood and brain respectively for VLF AG-NPsi.n., VLF
      solutioni.n. and VLF solutioni.v. The greater brain/blood ratios for VLF AG
      NPsi.n. in comparison to VLF solutioni.n. and VLF solutioni.v. respectively at 30
      min are indicative of superiority of alginate nanoparticles for direct nose to
      brain transport of VLF. Thus, VLF AG-NPsi.n. delivered greater VLF to the brain
      in comparison to VLF solution which indicates that VLF AG-NPs could be a
      promising approach for the treatment of depression.

PMID- 24231511
TI  - Angiotensin (1-7) protects against stress-induced gastric lesions in rats.
AB  - Stress ulcers can develop with severe physiological stress, and have been
      proposed as being brain-driven events. New findings continue to suggest that
      stress ulcers can be more effectively managed through central manipulation rather
      than by simply altering local gastric factors. Angiotensin (1-7) (Ang (1-7)) is
      present as an endogenous constituent of the brain and stomach. The beneficial
      effects of Ang (1-7) have been confirmed in the vessels, brain, heart, kidney,
      liver and lungs, but not in the stomach. Given the accumulating evidence
      suggesting the anti-stress activities of Ang (1-7), its potential
      gastroprotective effect in the context of stress requires further investigation.
      In the present study, rat gastric mucosal lesions were induced by 2h of cold
      restraint stress. We observed that these lesions were significantly attenuated
      after 1 week of intracerebroventricular treatment with Ang (1-7). This
      gastroprotective effect was associated with attenuated oxidative stress and
      suppressed acid secretion. Brain Ang (1-7) administration profoundly modified
      responses to stress, indicated by altered levels of several stress hormones,
      including Ang II, glucocorticoid, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, in
      blood or stress-related brain regions. These findings indicate that Ang (1-7)
      exerts anti-stress activities by restoring the gastric microenvironment and
      modulating the stress pathways. Ang (1-7) may be a promising agent for stress
      ulcer prophylaxis and therapy, administered through brain-permeable mimics or
      carriers. 

PMID- 24231510
TI  - Statins more than cholesterol lowering agents in Alzheimer disease: their
      pleiotropic functions as potential therapeutic targets.
AB  - Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized
      by severe cognitive impairment, inability to perform activities of daily living
      and mood changes. Statins, long known to be beneficial in conditions where
      dyslipidemia occurs by lowering serum cholesterol levels, also have been proposed
      for use in neurodegenerative conditions, including AD. However, it is not clear
      that the purported effectiveness of statins in neurodegenerative disorders is
      directly related to cholesterol-lowering effects of these agents; rather, the
      pleiotropic functions of statins likely play critical roles. The aim of this
      review is to provide an overview on the new discoveries about the effects of
      statin therapy on the oxidative and nitrosative stress levels as well as on the
      modulation of the heme oxygenase/biliverdin reductase (HO/BVR) system in the
      brain. We propose a novel mechanism of action for atorvastatin which, through the
      activation of HO/BVR-A system, may contribute to the neuroprotective effects thus
      suggesting a potential therapeutic role in AD and potentially accounting for the
      observation of decreased AD incidence with persons on statin. 

PMID- 24231513
TI  - Modified ventilatory response characteristics to exercise in breath-hold divers.
AB  - Specific adjustments to repeated extreme apnea are not fully known and
      understood. While a blunted ventilatory chemosensitivity to CO2 is described for
      elite breath-hold divers (BHDs) at rest, it is unclear whether specific
      adaptations affect their response to dynamic exercise. Eight elite BHDs with a
      previously validated decrease in CO2 chemosensitivity, 8 scuba divers (SCDs), and
      8 matched control subjects were included in a study where markers of ventilatory
      response, Fowler's dead space, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), and
      blood lactate concentrations during cycle exercise were measured. Maximal power
      output did not differ between the groups, but lactate threshold (thetaL) appeared
      at a significantly lowered respiratory compensation point (RCP) and at a higher
      VO2 for the BHDs. End-tidal (petCO2) and estimated arterial pCO2 (paCO2) were
      significantly higher in BHDs at thetaL, the RCP, and maximum exhaustion. BHDs
      showed a significantly (P < .01) slower breathing pattern in relation to a given
      tidal volume at a specific work rate. In summary, BHDs presented signs of a
      metabolic shift from aerobic to anaerobic energy supply, decreased
      chemosensitivity during exercise, and a distinct ventilatory-response pattern
      during cycle exercise that differs from SCDs and controls. 

PMID- 24231514
TI  - Evaluation of optimal concentration and exposure duration of valproic acid alone
      or in combination with ViraDuctin to augment adenovirus transduction in human
      adipose stem cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Recombinant adenoviruses have tremendous potential in both gene
      therapy research and therapeutic applications. Mesenchymal stromal cells have a
      set of several properties that make them ideally suited for both regenerative
      medicine and gene and drug delivery. A limitation of adenoviral-mediated gene
      transfer is indeed the poor transduction rate of cells with low or no levels of
      the specific adenoviral cell surface receptor coxsackie virus and adenovirus
      receptor (CAR), such as human mesenchymal stromal cells. In the present work, we
      tried to increase the adenovirus transduction level and mediated gene delivery of
      human adipose stem cells with the use of valproic acid (VPA) and determined the
      proper concentration and duration of treatment alone or in combination with
      ViraDuctin adenovirus transduction reagent. METHODS: Green fluorescent protein
      expressing recombinant adenovirus was propagated. The effects of various doses
      and exposure periods of VPA on CAR expression in human adipose stem cells were
      speculated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and adenoviral
      transduction rate by flow cytometry in different doses and time intervals of VPA
      and in combination with ViraDuctin transduction reagent. RESULTS: CAR messenger
      RNA upregulation through VPA was observed in human adipose stem cells; it was a
      dependent factor of dose and exposure time. Consequently, adenoviral transduction
      level of human adipose stem cells treated with VPA was increased, and co
      administration of VPA and ViraDuctin further enhanced the transduction rate.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that addition of VPA to hASCs alone or in
      combination with ViraDuctin has enhancing effects on adenoviral transduction
      rate, which can be auspicious in adenoviral-mediated gene therapy.

PMID- 24231515
TI  - Enrichment isolation of adipose-derived stem/stromal cells from the liquid
      portion of liposuction aspirates with the use of an adherent column.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Adipose-derived stem/progenitor cells (ASCs) are typically
      obtained from the lipoaspirates; however, a smaller number of ASCs can be
      isolated without enzymatic digestion from the infranatant liposuction aspirate
      fluid (LAF). We evaluated the effectiveness of an adherent column, currently used
      to isolate mesenchymal stromal cells from bone marrow, to isolate LAF cells.
      METHODS: We applied peripheral blood (PB), PB mixed with cultured ASCs (PB-ASC),
      and LAF solution to the column and divided it into two fractions, the adherent
      (positive) and the non-adherent (negative) fractions. We compared this method
      with hypotonic hemolysis (lysis) for the red blood cell count, nucleated cells
      count and cell compositions as well as functional properties of isolated
      mesenchymal cells. RESULTS: The column effectively removed red blood cells,
      though the removal efficiency was slightly inferior to hemolysis. After column
      processing of PB-ASC, 60.5% of ASCs (53.2% by lysis) were selectively collected
      in the positive fraction, and the negative fraction contained almost no ASCs.
      After processing of LAF solution, nucleated cell yields were comparable between
      the column and hemolysis; however, subsequent adherent culture indicated that a
      higher average ASC yield was obtained from the column-positive samples than from
      the lysis samples, suggesting that the column method may be superior to hemolysis
      for obtaining viable ASCs. Mesenchymal differentiation and network formation
      assays showed no statistical differences in ASC functions between the lysis and
      column-positive samples. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a column with non
      woven rayon and polyethylene fabrics is useful for isolating stromal vascular
      fraction cells from LAF solutions for clinical applications.

PMID- 24231516
TI  - Commentary on a paper by Verbeni et al.

PMID- 24231518
TI  - Heritability of brain volumes in older adults: the Older Australian Twins Study.
AB  - The relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to brain
      structure change throughout the lifespan. Brain structures have been reported to
      be highly heritable in middle-aged individuals and younger; however, the
      influence of genes on brain structure is less studied in older adults. We
      performed a magnetic resonance imaging study of 236 older twins, with a mean age
      of 71.4 +/- 5.7 years, to examine the heritability of 53 brain global and lobar
      volumetric measures. Total brain volume (63%) and other volumetric measures were
      moderately to highly heritable in late life, and these genetic influences tended
      to decrease with age, suggesting a greater influence of environmental factors as
      age advanced. Genetic influences were higher in men and on the left hemisphere
      compared with the right. In multivariate models, common genetic factors were
      observed for global and lobar total and gray matter volumes. This study examined
      the genetic contribution to 53 brain global and lobar volumetric measures in
      older twins for the first time, and the influence of age, sex, and laterality on
      these genetic contributions, which are useful information for a better
      understanding of the process of brain aging and helping individuals to have a
      healthy aging. 

PMID- 24231517
TI  - Cell targeting by the Staphylococcus aureus pore-forming toxins: it's not just
      about lipids.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus employs numerous pore-forming cytotoxins to injure host
      immune cells and promote infection. Until recently, it was unclear how these
      cytotoxins targeted specific cell types for lysis. Membrane lipids were initially
      postulated to be cytotoxin receptor candidates. However, the cell-type
      specificity and species-dependent targeting of these toxins did not support
      lipids as sole receptors. The recent identification of proteinaceous receptors
      for several S. aureus cytotoxins now provides an explanation for the observed
      tropism. These findings also have important implications for the implementation
      of animal models to study S. aureus pathogenesis, and for the development of
      novel therapeutics. 

PMID- 24231519
TI  - Cardiovascular disease contributes to Alzheimer's disease: evidence from large
      scale genome-wide association studies.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common and complex neurodegenerative disease
      in the elderly individuals. Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have
      been used to investigate AD pathogenesis. These GWAS have yielded important new
      insights into the genetic mechanisms of AD. However, these newly identified AD
      susceptibility loci exert only very small risk effects and cannot fully explain
      the underlying AD genetic risk. We hypothesize that combining the findings from
      different AD GWAS may have greater power than genetic analysis alone. To identify
      new AD risk factors, we integrated findings from 3 previous large-scale AD GWAS
      (n = 14,138) using a gene-based meta-analysis and subsequently conducted a
      pathway analysis using the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes and gene
      ontology databases. Interestingly, we not only confirmed previous findings, but
      also highlighted, for the first time, the involvement of cardiovascular disease
      related pathways in AD. Our results provided the clues as to the link between
      these diseases using pathway analysis methods. We believe that these findings
      will be very useful for future genetic studies of AD.

PMID- 24231521
TI  - Side-to-side nerve bridges reduce muscle atrophy after peripheral nerve injury in
      a rodent model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injury can result in muscle atrophy and long-term
      disability. We hypothesize that creating a side-to-side bridge to link an injured
      nerve with a healthy nerve will reduce muscle atrophy and improve muscle
      function. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 7 per
      group). Group 1: transection only--a 10-mm gap was created in the proximal tibial
      nerve; group 2: transected plus repaired--the transected tibial nerve was
      repaired; group 3: transected plus repaired plus nerve bridge--transected nerve
      repaired with a distal nerve bridge between the tibial and peroneal nerves via
      epineurial windows; and group 4: transected plus nerve bridge--transected tibial
      nerve left unrepaired and distal bridge added. Gait was assessed every 2 wk. At
      90 d the following measures were determined: gastrocnemius mass, muscle and nerve
      nuclear density, and axonal infiltration into the nerve bridge. RESULTS: Groups 3
      and 4 had greater improvements in walking track recovery than groups 1 and 2.
      Group 3's gastrocnemius muscles exhibited the least amount of atrophy. Groups 1,
      2, and 4 exhibited greater histologic appearance of muscle breakdown compared
      with group 3 and control muscle. Finally, most bridges in groups 3 and 4 had
      neuronal sprouting via the epineurial windows. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      demonstrated reduced muscle atrophy with a side-to-side nerve bridge in the
      setting of peripheral nerve injury. These results support the application of
      novel side-to-side bridges in combination with traditional end-to-end
      neurorrhaphy to preserve muscle viability after peripheral nerve injuries.

PMID- 24231520
TI  - An unanticipated early function of DEAD-box ATPase Prp28 during commitment to
      splicing is modulated by U5 snRNP protein Prp8.
AB  - The stepwise assembly of the highly dynamic spliceosome is guided by RNA
      dependent ATPases of the DEAD-box family, whose regulation is poorly understood.
      In the canonical assembly model, the U4/U6.U5 triple snRNP binds only after
      joining of the U1 and, subsequently, U2 snRNPs to the intron-containing pre-mRNA.
      Catalytic activation requires the exchange of U6 for U1 snRNA at the 5' splice
      site, which is promoted by the DEAD-box protein Prp28. Because Prp8, an integral
      U5 snRNP protein, is thought to be a central regulator of DEAD-box proteins, we
      conducted a targeted search in Prp8 for cold-insensitive suppressors of a cold
      sensitive Prp28 mutant, prp28-1. We identified a cluster of suppressor mutations
      in an N-terminal bromodomain-like sequence of Prp8. To identify the precise
      defect in prp28-1 strains that is suppressed by the Prp8 alleles, we analyzed
      spliceosome assembly in vivo and in vitro. Surprisingly, in the prp28-1 strain,
      we observed a block not only to spliceosome activation but also to one of the
      earliest steps of assembly, formation of the ATP-independent commitment complex 2
      (CC2). The Prp8 suppressor partially corrected both the early assembly and later
      activation defects of prp28-1, supporting a role for this U5 snRNP protein in
      both the ATP-independent and ATP-dependent functions of Prp28. We conclude that
      the U5 snRNP has a role in the earliest events of assembly, prior to its stable
      incorporation into the spliceosome. 

PMID- 24231522
TI  - Fish-oil emulsion (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) attenuates acute lung
      injury induced by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion through Adenosine 5'
      monophosphate-activated protein kinase-sirtuin1 pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Activated macrophage infiltration into the lungs is paramount in the
      pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by intestinal ischemia
      reperfusion (I/R). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 PUFA) is a potent
      activator of the Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase-sirtuin1
      (AMPK/SIRT1) pathway against macrophage inflammation. We aimed to evaluate
      whether omega-3 PUFAs may protect against ALI induced by intestinal I/R via the
      AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. METHODS: Ischemia in male Wistar rats was induced by superior
      mesenteric artery occlusion for 60 min and reperfusion for 240 min. One
      milliliter per day of fish-oil emulsion (FO emulsion, containing major
      ingredients as omega-3 PUFAs) or normal saline (control) was administered by
      intraperitoneal injection for three consecutive days to each animal. All animals
      were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion. Blood and tissue samples were
      collected for analysis. RESULTS: Intestinal I/R caused intestinal and lung
      injury, evidenced by severe lung tissue edema and macrophage infiltration.
      Pretreatment with FO emulsion improved the integrity of microscopic structures in
      the intestine and lungs. Intestinal I/R induced the expression of macrophage
      derived mediators (macrophage migration inhibitory factor and macrophage
      chemoattractant protein-1), inflammatory factors (nuclear factor kappaB, tumor
      necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, and interleukin 1beta), and proapoptosis
      factor p66shc. There was a decrease in the expression of AMPK, SIRT1, and claudin
      5. FO emulsion significantly inhibited macrophage infiltration into the lungs,
      inflammatory factor expression, and p66shc phosphorylation. Importantly, FO
      emulsion restored AMPK, SIRT1, and claudin 5 in the lungs. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pretreatment with omega-3 PUFAs effectively protects intestinal and lung injury
      induced by intestinal I/R, reduces macrophage infiltration, suppresses
      inflammation, inhibits lung apoptosis, and improves the lung endothelial barrier
      after intestinal I/R in a manner dependent on AMPK/SIRT1. Thus, there is a
      potential for developing AMPK/SIRT1 as a novel target for patients with
      intestinal I/R-induced ALI.

PMID- 24231523
TI  - Temperature-dependent thermal conductivities of 1D semiconducting nanowires via
      four-point-probe 3-omega method.
AB  - We report on a systematic study of the thermal transport characteristics of both
      as-grown zinc oxide and gallium nitride nanowires (NWs) via the four-point-probe
      3-omega method in the temperature range 130-300 K. Both as-grown NWs were
      synthesized by a vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism, and show clear n-type
      semiconducting behavior without any defects, which enables both the NWs to be
      promising candidates for thermoelectric materials. To measure the thermal
      conductivities of both NWs with lower heat loss and measurement errors, the
      suspended structures were formed by a combination of an e-beam lithography
      process and a random dispersion method. The measured thermal conductivities of
      both NWs are greatly reduced compared to their bulk materials due to the enhanced
      phonon scattering via the size effect and dopants (impurities). Furthermore, we
      observed that the Umklapp peaks of both NWs are shifted to a higher temperature
      than those of their bulk counterparts, indicating that phonon-boundary scattering
      dominates over other phonon scattering due to the size effect. 

PMID- 24231524
TI  - Evaluation of the California Safer Consumer Products Regulation and the impact on
      consumers and product manufacturers.
AB  - Chemistry enables more than 95% of products in the marketplace. Over the past 20
      years, various entities began to generate inventories of chemicals ("chemical
      watch lists") potentially associated with human or environmental health risks.
      Some lists included thousands of chemicals, while others listed only a few
      chemistries with limited properties or toxicological endpoints (e.g.,
      neurotoxicants). Enacted on October 1, 2013, the California Safer Consumer
      Products Regulation (SCP) utilized data from chemical inventory lists to create
      one master list. This paper aims to discuss the background and requirements of
      this regulation. Additionally, we wanted to understand the universe of Candidate
      Chemicals identified by the Regulation. Data from all 23 chemical lists
      identified in the SCP Regulation were entered into a database. The most prevalent
      chemicals among the ~2900 chemicals are identified, including the most prevalent
      chemical, lead, appearing on 65% of lists, followed by DEHP (52%),
      perchloroethylene (48%), and benzene (48%). Our results indicated that the most
      prevalent Candidate Chemicals were either persistent, bioaccumulative,
      carcinogenic, or reprotoxic. This regulation will have wide-ranging impact in
      California and throughout the global supply chain, which is highlighted through
      selected examples and case studies.

PMID- 24231525
TI  - Oral toxicity of silver ions, silver nanoparticles and colloidal silver--a
      review.
AB  - Orally administered silver has been described to be absorbed in a range of 0.4
      18% in mammals with a human value of 18%. Based on findings in animals, silver
      seems to be distributed to all of the organs investigated, with the highest
      levels being observed in the intestine and stomach. In the skin, silver induces a
      blue-grey discoloration termed argyria. Excretion occurs via the bile and urine.
      The following dose-dependent animal toxicity findings have been reported: death,
      weight loss, hypoactivity, altered neurotransmitter levels, altered liver
      enzymes, altered blood values, enlarged hearts and immunological effects.
      Substantial evidence exists suggesting that the effects induced by particulate
      silver are mediated via silver ions that are released from the particle surface.
      With the current data regarding toxicity and average human dietary exposure, a
      Margin of Safety calculation indicates at least a factor of five before a level
      of concern to the general population is reached. 

PMID- 24231526
TI  - Oxymatrine induces apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells through guanine
      nucleotide depletion.
AB  - Oxymatrine is an alkaloid obtained primarily from Sophora roots and has been
      shown to show anticancer effects in various cancers. However, the cellular and
      molecular effects of this agent on cervical cancer have been poorly
      characterized. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of oxymatrine on a
      human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). Our results showed that application of
      oxymatrine significantly inhibited the cell growth and tumorigenesis in a dose
      dependent manner and induced apoptosis through caspase-dependent pathways as
      determined using flow cytometry and TUNEL staining analysis. To define the
      proteins potentially related to the mechanisms of action, proteomic analysis was
      utilized to detect proteins altered by oxymatrine. As the downregulated gene,
      inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase type II (IMPDH2) was responsible for
      oxymatrine-induced mitochondrial-related apoptosis. Moreover, oxymatrine depleted
      intracellular guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) levels by effective IMPDH
      inhibition. Functional analyses further showed that oxymatrine and tiazofurin, an
      inhibitor of IMPDH2, sensitized resistant HeLa/DDP cells to cisplatin. In
      addition, the expression of IMPDH2 in cervical cancer was significantly higher
      than that in the normal cervical epithelium. Taken together, these findings
      suggest that targeting of IMPDH2 by potential pharmacological inhibitors,
      oxymatrine in combination with chemotherapy, might be a promising means of
      overcoming chemoresistance in cervical cancer with high IMPDH2 expression, and
      may thus provide new insights into the mechanism of oxyamtrine-induced anticancer
      effects. 

PMID- 24231527
TI  - Jadomycins are cytotoxic to ABCB1-, ABCC1-, and ABCG2-overexpressing MCF7 breast
      cancer cells.
AB  - Multidrug resistance remains a major obstacle in the effective treatment of
      metastatic breast cancer. One mechanism by which multidrug resistance is
      conferred is the decreased intracellular drug accumulation due to the
      upregulation of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. We have previously
      demonstrated that jadomycins, polyketide-derived natural products produced by
      Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230, inhibit the growth of the human breast ductal
      carcinoma cell lines T47D and MDA-MB-435. To expand our understanding of
      jadomycin pharmacology, the goal of the present study was to determine whether
      the function of ABC efflux transporters affects the anticancer activity of
      jadomycins to MCF7 breast cancer cells. Seven jadomycin analogs (DNV, B, L, SPhG,
      F, S, and T) effectively reduced the viability of MCF7 control and ABCB1-, ABCC1
      , or ABCG2-overexpressing drug-resistant MCF7 breast cancer cells as measured by
      methyltetrazolium cell viability assays and lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity
      assays. The inhibition of ABCB1, ABCC1, or ABCG2 with verapamil, MK-571, or Ko
      143, respectively, did not augment the cytotoxicity of jadomycins DNV, B, L,
      SPhG, F, S, or T in drug-resistant MCF7 cells. Furthermore, jadomycins B, L,
      SPhG, F, S, and T did not increase the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1,
      ABCC1, or ABCG2 fluorescent substrates in HEK-293 cells stably transfected with
      ABCB1, ABCC1, or ABCG2. We conclude that jadomycins B, L, SPhG, F, S, and T are
      effective agents in the eradication of MCF7 breast cancer cells grown in culture,
      and that their cytotoxicities are minimally affected by ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2
      efflux transporter function. 

PMID- 24231529
TI  - Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases: Past, present, and future.

PMID- 24231528
TI  - Significance of CD66c expression in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Upon analyzing 696 childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP
      ALL) cases, we identified the characteristics of CD66c expression. In addition to
      the confirmation of strong correlation with BCR-ABL positivity and hyperdiploid,
      we further observed that CD66c is frequently expressed in CRLF2-positive (11/15,
      p<0.01 against chimeric gene-negative) as well as hypodiploid cases (3/4),
      whereas it is never expressed in ETV6-RUNX1, MLL-AF4, MLL-AF9, MLL-ENL, and E2A
      PBX1-positive cases. Although the expression of CD66c itself is not directly
      linked to the prognosis, the accompanying genetic abnormalities are important
      prognostic factors for BCP-ALL, indicating the importance of CD66c expression in
      the initial diagnosis of BCP-ALL. 

PMID- 24231530
TI  - Development and translation of histotripsy: current status and future directions.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to outline the initial development
      of histotripsy, a noninvasive image-guided focused ultrasound technology that
      mechanically homogenizes targeted tissues and to describe the results of
      preclinical translational research directed toward urologic applications. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Histotripsy tissue ablation is based on initiation and control of
      acoustic cavitation at a target point within the body. This unique mechanical
      mechanism of action is distinct when compared with conventional thermal ablative
      modalities. Features of histotripsy (nonthermal, noninvasive, high precision,
      real-time monitoring/feedback, and tissue liquefaction) have prompted assessment
      of this technology as a potential ablative therapy for a number of organs and
      disease processes. SUMMARY: Ongoing research efforts to apply histotripsy to
      preclinical models of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, renal
      masses, and renal calculi have resulted in enhanced understanding of cavitation
      bioeffects, refinement of treatment systems, strategies to enhance treatment
      efficiency, and initiation of a pilot human clinical trial to assess the safety
      of histotripsy for benign prostatic hyperplasia therapy.

PMID- 24231531
TI  - Current medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms/BPH: do we have a
      standard?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The pharmacological treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms
      (LUTS) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is based on alpha
      blockers and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors isolated or in combination. Silodosin,
      an alpha-1A specific alpha-blocker is the only innovation in these groups of
      agents. This classical paradigm is being challenged by antimuscarinics, 5
      phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5i) and beta3-adrenoreceptor agonists. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Silodosin is effective in reducing BPH/LUTS, including nocturia and
      shows little cardiovascular adverse events. Antimuscarinic drugs isolated or in
      combination with alpha-blockers improve storage symptoms without any harmful
      effect to the voiding function. PDE5i alone improve BPH/LUTS. Combination of
      PDE5i with alpha-blockers provides better symptomatic control than alpha-blockers
      alone. A recent head-to-head comparison of tadalafil 5 mg/day with tamsulosin 0.4
      mg/day showed that these agents provided the same improvement in BPH/LUTS and,
      surprisingly, the same improvement in the urinary flow. In fact, previous studies
      with tadalafil had not shown any effect of tadalafil on flow. In addition,
      tadalafil but not tamsulosin improved sexual function. Mirabegron, the first
      beta3-adrenoreceptor agonist, while improving BPH/LUTS in men with bladder outlet
      obstruction, do not decrease urinary flow or detrusor pressure. SUMMARY: The
      standard medical treatment for BPH/LUTS is still based on alpha-blockers, 5ARIs
      or its combination. In the future, it is expected that BPH/LUTS treatment will
      become individualized, according to the type of symptoms, presence of sexual
      dysfunction and risk of BPH progression. This will challenge our concept of
      standard treatment for BPH/LUTS.

PMID- 24231532
TI  - Effects of the emotion system on adaptive behavior.
AB  - A central simplifying assumption in evolutionary behavioral ecology has been that
      optimal behavior is unaffected by genetic or proximate constraints. Observations
      and experiments show otherwise, so that attention to decision architecture and
      mechanisms is needed. In psychology, the proximate constraints on decision making
      and the processes from perception to behavior are collectively described as the
      emotion system. We specify a model of the emotion system in fish that includes
      sensory input, neuronal computation, developmental modulation, and a global
      organismic state and restricts attention during decision making for behavioral
      outcomes. The model further includes food competition, safety in numbers, and a
      fluctuating environment. We find that emergent strategies in evolved populations
      include common emotional appraisal of sensory input related to fear and hunger
      and also include frequency-dependent rules for behavioral responses. Focused
      attention is at times more important than spatial behavior for growth and
      survival. Spatial segregation of the population is driven by personality
      differences. By coupling proximate and immediate influences on behavior with
      ultimate fitness consequences through the emotion system, this approach
      contributes to a unified perspective on the phenotype, by integrating effects of
      the environment, genetics, development, physiology, behavior, life history, and
      evolution.

PMID- 24231533
TI  - Reciprocal behavioral plasticity and behavioral types during predator-prey
      interactions.
AB  - How predators and prey interact has important consequences for population
      dynamics and community stability. Here we explored how predator-prey interactions
      are simultaneously affected by reciprocal behavioral plasticity (i.e., plasticity
      in prey defenses countered by plasticity in predator offenses and vice versa) and
      consistent individual behavioral variation (i.e., behavioral types) within both
      predator and prey populations. We assessed the behavior of a predator species
      (northern pike) and a prey species (three-spined stickleback) during one-on-one
      encounters. We also measured additional behavioral and morphological traits in
      each species. Using structural equation modeling, we found that reciprocal
      behavioral plasticity as well as predator and prey behavioral types influenced
      how individuals behaved during an interaction. Thus, the progression and ultimate
      outcome of predator-prey interactions depend on both the dynamic behavioral
      feedback occurring during the encounter and the underlying behavioral type of
      each participant. We also examined whether predator behavioral type is underlain
      by differences in metabolism and organ size. We provide some of the first
      evidence that behavioral type is related to resting metabolic rate and size of a
      sensory organ (the eyes). Understanding the extent to which reciprocal behavioral
      plasticity and intraspecific behavioral variation influence the outcome of
      species interactions could provide insight into the maintenance of behavioral
      variation as well as community dynamics.

PMID- 24231534
TI  - Is sex advantageous in adverse environments? A test of the abandon-ship
      hypothesis.
AB  - Understanding the evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction remains a long
      standing challenge in evolutionary biology. Stress often induces sexual
      reproduction in facultatively sexual species (those species capable of both
      sexual and asexual reproduction). The abandon-ship hypothesis predicts higher
      allocation to sex under stress to allow low-fitness individuals to recombine
      their genotype, potentially increasing offspring fitness. However, effective
      tests of the abandon-ship hypothesis, particularly in multicellular organisms,
      are lacking. Here we test the abandon-ship hypothesis, using cyanogenic and
      acyanogenic defense phenotypes of the short-lived perennial herb Trifolium
      repens. Cyanogenesis provides an effective defense against herbivores and is
      under relatively simple genetic control (plants dominant for cyanogenesis at two
      alleles express the defended phenotype). Thus, maladapted individuals can acquire
      adaptive defense alleles for their offspring in a single episode of sexual
      reproduction. Plants were grown under high- and low-herbivory treatments (plants
      were exposed to herbivorous snails) and a control treatment (no herbivory).
      Herbivores reduced growth and fitness in all treated plants, but herbivory
      induced higher sexual allocation only in maladapted (acyanogenic) individuals.
      Overall, our results support the abandon-ship hypothesis.

PMID- 24231535
TI  - Behavioral and morphological traits interact to promote the evolution of
      alternative reproductive tactics in a lizard.
AB  - Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) are predicted to be the result of
      disruptive correlational selection on suites of morphological, physiological, and
      behavioral traits. ARTs are most obvious when they occur in discrete morphs with
      concomitant behavioral tactics. However, ARTs driven by behavior in species
      lacking obvious phenotypic differences are rarely documented and poorly
      understood. We quantified selection acting on phenotypic traits predicted to
      characterize ARTs by observing marked lizards in six seminatural populations. We
      quantified reproductive fitness for each male using six microsatellite DNA loci
      from 226 offspring born to 56 females. Candidate models containing directional
      and correlational selection gradients were equally supported. As predicted, large
      males with large home ranges and large males that were observed frequently had
      the highest reproductive success. We also found evidence that large males that
      moved little but that were observed frequently and large males that moved
      frequently but that were observed little were predicted to have high fitness.
      Model predictions support our verbal hypothesis regarding the phenotypes
      characterizing ARTs and suggest that large males may be adopting subtly different
      tactics to acquire paternity. Our results suggest that disruptive correlational
      selection between behavioral traits may drive the evolution of ARTs in "cryptic"
      systems that lack overt polymorphisms.

PMID- 24231536
TI  - How life history influences population dynamics in fluctuating environments.
AB  - A major question in ecology is how age-specific variation in demographic
      parameters influences population dynamics. Based on long-term studies of growing
      populations of birds and mammals, we analyze population dynamics by using
      fluctuations in the total reproductive value of the population. This enables us
      to account for random fluctuations in age distribution. The influence of
      demographic and environmental stochasticity on the population dynamics of a
      species decreased with generation time. Variation in age-specific contributions
      to total reproductive value and to stochastic components of population dynamics
      was correlated with the position of the species along the slow-fast continuum of
      life-history variation. Younger age classes relative to the generation time
      accounted for larger contributions to the total reproductive value and to
      demographic stochasticity in "slow" than in "fast" species, in which many age
      classes contributed more equally. In contrast, fluctuations in population growth
      rate attributable to stochastic environmental variation involved a larger
      proportion of all age classes independent of life history. Thus, changes in
      population growth rates can be surprisingly well explained by basic species
      specific life-history characteristics.

PMID- 24231537
TI  - Linking life-history traits, ecology, and niche breadth evolution in North
      American eriogonoids (Polygonaceae).
AB  - Macroevolutionary and microevolutionary studies provide complementary
      explanations of the processes shaping the evolution of niche breadth.
      Macroevolutionary approaches scrutinize factors such as the temporal and spatial
      environmental heterogeneities that drive differentiation among species.
      Microevolutionary studies, in contrast, focus on the processes that affect
      intraspecific variability. We combine these perspectives by using
      macroevolutionary models in a comparative study of intraspecific variability. We
      address potential differences in rates of evolution of niche breadth and position
      in annual and perennial plants of the Eriogonoideae subfamily of the
      Polygonaceae. We anticipated higher rates of evolution in annuals than in
      perennials owing to differences in generation time that are paralleled by rates
      of molecular evolution. Instead, we found that perennial eriogonoid species
      present greater environmental tolerance (wider climate niche) than annual
      species. Niche breadth of perennial species has evolved two to four times faster
      than in annuals, while niche optimum has diversified more rapidly among annual
      species than among perennials. Niche breadth and average elevation of species are
      correlated. Moreover, niche breadth increases more rapidly with mean species
      elevation in perennials than in annuals. Our results suggest that both
      environmental gradients and life-history strategy influence rates and patterns of
      niche breadth evolution.

PMID- 24231538
TI  - Despite catch-up, prolonged growth has detrimental fitness consequences in a long
      lived vertebrate.
AB  - Individuals experiencing poor growth early in life may later make up their size
      deficit. Compensatory growth or growth prolongation may lead to such catch-up,
      involving different life-history trade-offs under natural conditions. Frequent
      recaptures and detailed monitoring of animals surviving to asymptotic size are
      required to compare growth tactics and their fitness consequences. No study to
      date has obtained such detailed information for wild animals. We used repeated
      mass measurements (mean 11.6/animal) spanning the lifetime of 104 bighorn ewes
      (Ovis canadensis) to quantify growth tactics and identify the determinants and
      life-history costs of these tactics. Growth prolongation, not compensatory
      growth, led to partial catch-up: mass difference at age 7 was reduced to 4%, for
      two groups that differed by nearly 20% as yearlings. Ewes that had been light as
      yearlings prolonged their growth regardless of density or age of primiparity.
      Growth prolongation did not affect fecundity or longevity. Ewes that experienced
      poor early growth prolonged growth at the expense of reproductive fitness,
      weaning a smaller proportion of their lambs. By tracking multiyear growth
      patterns and comparing events at different life-history stages, we quantified a
      trade-off between growth and reproduction that would be overlooked if only the
      adult phenotype was considered. Compensatory growth in long-lived animals appears
      unlikely when early growth restrictions are mostly density dependent.

PMID- 24231539
TI  - A three-way trade-off maintains functional diversity under variable resource
      supply.
AB  - The resources that organisms depend on often fluctuate over time, and a variety
      of common traits are thought to be adaptations to variable resource supply. To
      understand the trait structure of communities, it is necessary to understand the
      functional trade-offs that determine what trait combinations are possible and
      which species can persist and coexist in a given environment. We compare traits
      across phytoplankton species in order to test for proposed trade-offs between
      maximum growth rate, equilibrium competitive ability for phosphorus (P), and
      ability to store P. We find evidence for a three-way trade-off between these
      traits, and we use empirical trait covariation to parameterize a mechanistic
      model of competition under pulsed P supply. The model shows that different
      strategies are favored under different conditions of nutrient supply regime,
      productivity, and mortality. Furthermore, multiple strategies typically coexist,
      and the range of traits that persist in the model is similar to the range of
      traits found in real species. These results suggest that mechanistic models
      informed by empirical trait variation, in combination with data on the trait
      structure of natural communities, will play an important role in uncovering the
      mechanisms that underlie the diversity and structure of ecological communities.

PMID- 24231540
TI  - An insect-feeding guild of carnivorous plants and spiders: does optimal foraging
      lead to competition or facilitation?
AB  - Carnivorous plants and spiders, along with their prey, are main players in an
      insect-feeding guild found on acidic, poorly drained soils in disturbed habitat.
      Darwin's notion that these plants must actively attract the insects they capture
      raises the possibility that spiders could benefit from proximity to prey hotspots
      created by the plants. Alternatively, carnivorous plants and spiders may deplete
      prey locally or (through insect redistribution) more widely, reducing each
      other's gain rates from predation. Here, we formulate and analyze a model of this
      guild, parameterized for carnivorous sundews and lycosid spiders, under
      assumptions of random movement by insects and optimal foraging by predators.
      Optimal foraging here involves gain maximization via trap investment (optimal web
      sizes and sundew trichome densities) and an ideal free distribution of spiders
      between areas with and without sundews. We find no facilitation: spiders and
      sundews engage in intense exploitation competition. Insect attraction by plants
      modestly increases sundew gain rates but slightly decreases spider gain rates. In
      the absence of population size structure, optimal spider redistribution between
      areas with and without sundews yields web sizes that are identical for all
      spiders, regardless of proximity to sundews. Web-building spiders have higher
      gain rates than wandering spiders in this system at high insect densities, but
      wandering spiders have the advantage at low insect densities. Results are
      complex, indicating that predictions to be tested empirically must be based on
      careful quantitative assessment.

PMID- 24231541
TI  - Timing and number of colonizations but not diversification rates affect diversity
      patterns in hemosporidian lineages on a remote oceanic archipelago.
AB  - Parasite diversity on remote oceanic archipelagos is determined by the number and
      timing of colonizations and by in situ diversification rate. In this study, we
      compare intra-archipelago diversity of two hemosporidian parasite genera,
      Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon, infecting birds of the Mascarene archipelago.
      Despite the generally higher vagility of Plasmodium parasites, we report a
      diversity of Plasmodium cytochrome b haplotypes in the archipelago much lower
      than that of Leucocytozoon. Using phylogenetic data, we find that this difference
      in diversity is consistent with differences in the timing and number of
      colonizations, while rates of diversification do not vary significantly between
      the two genera. The prominence of immigration history in explaining current
      diversity patterns highlights the importance of historical contingencies in
      driving disparate biogeographic patterns in potentially harmful blood parasites
      infecting island birds.

PMID- 24231542
TI  - Density of antennal sensilla influences efficacy of communication in a social
      insect.
AB  - Effective communication requires reliable signals and competent receptors.
      Theoretical and empirical accounts of animal signaling focus overwhelmingly on
      the capacity of the signaler to convey the message. Nevertheless, the intended
      receiver's ability to detect a signal depends on the condition of its receptor
      organs, as documented for humans. The impact of receptor organ condition on
      signal reception and its consequences for functional behavior are poorly
      understood. Social insects use antennae to detect chemical odors that distinguish
      between nestmates and enemies, reacting aggressively to the latter. We
      investigated the impact of antennal condition, determined by the density of
      sensilla, on the behavior of the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina. Worker
      aggression depended upon the condition of their antennae: workers with fewer
      sensilla on their antennae reacted less aggressively to nonnestmate enemies.
      These novel data highlight the largely unappreciated significance of receptor
      organ condition for animal communication and may have implications for
      coevolutionary processes in animal communication.

PMID- 24231545
TI  - Body size and extinction risk in terrestrial mammals above the species level.
AB  - Mammalian body mass strongly correlates with life history and population
      properties at the scale of mouse to elephant. Large body size is thus often
      associated with elevated extinction risk. I examined the North American fossil
      record (28-1 million years ago) of 276 terrestrial genera to uncover the
      relationship between body size and extinction probability above the species
      level. Phylogenetic comparative analysis revealed no correlation between sampling
      adjusted durations and body masses ranging 7 orders of magnitude, an observation
      that was corroborated by survival analysis. Most of the ecological and temporal
      groups within the data set showed the same lack of relationship. Size-biased
      generic extinctions do not constitute a general feature of the Holarctic
      mammalian faunas in the Neogene. Rather, accelerated loss of large mammals
      occurred during intervals that experienced combinations of regional aridification
      and increased biomic heterogeneity within continents. The latter phenomenon is
      consistent with the macroecological prediction that large geographic ranges are
      critical to the survival of large mammals in evolutionary time. The frequent lack
      of size selectivity in generic extinctions can be reconciled with size-biased
      species loss if extinctions of large and small mammals at the species level are
      often driven by ecological perturbations of different spatial and temporal
      scales, while those at the genus level are more synchronized in time as a result
      of fundamental, multiscale environmental shifts.

PMID- 24231546
TI  - Three modes of adaptive speciation in spatially structured populations.
AB  - Adaptive speciation with gene flow via the evolution of assortative mating has
      classically been studied in one of two different scenarios. First, speciation can
      occur if frequency-dependent competition in sympatry induces disruptive
      selection, leading to indirect selection for mating with similar phenotypes.
      Second, if a subpopulation is locally adapted to a specific environment, then
      there is indirect selection against hybridizing with maladapted immigrants. While
      both of these mechanisms have been modeled many times, the literature lacks
      models that allow direct comparisons between them. Here we incorporate both
      frequency-dependent competition and local adaptation into a single model and
      investigate whether and how they interact in driving speciation. We report two
      main results. First, we show that individually, the two mechanisms operate under
      separate conditions, hardly influencing each other when one of them alone is
      sufficient to drive speciation. Second, we also find that the two mechanisms can
      operate together, leading to a third speciation mode in which speciation is
      initiated by selection against maladapted migrants but completed by within-deme
      competition in a distinct second phase. While this third mode bears some
      similarity to classical reinforcement, it is considerably faster, and both newly
      formed species go on to coexist in sympatry.

PMID- 24231547
TI  - Patterns of host-parasite adaptation in three populations of monarch butterflies
      infected with a naturally occurring protozoan disease: virulence, resistance, and
      tolerance.
AB  - Many studies have used host-parasite systems to study local adaptation, but few
      of these studies have found unequivocal evidence for adaptation. One potential
      reason is that most studies have focused on limited measures of host and parasite
      fitness that are generally assumed to be under negative frequency-dependent
      selection. We have used reciprocal cross-infection experiments to test for local
      adaptation in Hawaiian, south Floridian, and eastern North American populations
      of monarch butterflies and their protozoan parasites. Sympatric host-parasite
      combinations did not result in greater host or parasite fitness, as would be
      expected under coevolutionary dynamics driven by negative frequency-dependent
      selection. Instead, we found that Hawaiian hosts were more resistant and carried
      more infective and virulent parasites, which is consistent with theoretical
      predictions for virulence evolution and coevolutionary arms race dynamics. We
      also found that Hawaiian hosts were more tolerant, particularly of Hawaiian
      parasites, indicating that increased resistance does not preclude increased
      tolerance within a population and that hosts may be more tolerant of local
      parasites. We did not find a similar pattern in the south Floridian or eastern
      populations, possibly because host-parasite adaptation occurs within the context
      of a greater ecological community.

PMID- 24231548
TI  - High dose rate brachytherapy boost for prostate cancer: a systematic review.
AB  - Studies of dose-escalated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and low dose
      rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) have shown excellent rates of tumor control and
      cancer specific survival. Moreover, LDR-BT combined with EBRT (i.e. "LDR-BT
      boost") is hypothesized to improve local control. While phase II trials with LDR
      BT boost have produced mature data of outcomes and toxicities, high dose rate
      (HDR)-BT has been growing in popularity as an alternative boost therapy. Boost
      from HDR-BT has theoretical advantages over LDR-BT, including improved cancer
      cell death and better dose distribution from customization of catheter dwell
      times, locations, and inverse dose optimization. Freedom from biochemical failure
      rates at five years for low-, intermediate-, high-risk, and locally advanced
      patients have generally been 85-100%, 80-98%, 59-96%, and 34-85%, respectively.
      Late Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 3-4 toxicities have also been
      encouraging with <6% of patients experiencing any toxicity. Limitations of
      current HDR-BT boost studies include reports of only single-institution
      experiences, and unrefined reports of toxicity or patient quality of life.
      Comparative effectiveness research will help guide clinicians in selecting the
      most appropriate treatment option for individual patients based on risk
      stratification, expected outcomes, toxicities, quality of life, and cost. 

PMID- 24231549
TI  - Hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure is caused by mutations in the
      titin FN3 119 domain.

PMID- 24231550
TI  - Time-frequency characteristics and dynamics of sleep spindles in WAG/Rij rats
      with absence epilepsy.
AB  - In rat models of absence epilepsy, epileptic spike-wave discharges appeared in
      EEG spontaneously, and the incidence of epileptic activity increases with age.
      Spike-wave discharges and sleep spindles are known to share common thalamo
      cortical mechanism, suggesting that absence seizures might affect some intrinsic
      properties of sleep spindles. This paper examines time-frequency EEG
      characteristics of anterior sleep spindles in non-epileptic Wistar and epileptic
      WAG/Rij rats at the age of 7 and 9 months. Considering non-stationary features of
      sleep spindles, EEG analysis was performed using Morlet-based continuous wavelet
      transform. It was found, first, that the average frequency of sleep spindles in
      non-epileptic Wistar rats was higher than in WAG/Rij (13.2 vs 11.2 Hz). Second,
      the instantaneous frequency ascended during a spindle event in Wistar rats, but
      it was constant in WAG/Rij. Third, in WAG/Rij rats, the number and duration of
      epileptic discharges increased in a period between 7 and 9 months of age, but
      duration and mean value of intra-spindle frequency did not change. In general,
      age-dependent aggravation of absence seizures in WAG/Rij rats did not affect EEG
      properties of sleep spindles; it was suggested that pro-epileptic changes in
      thalamo-cortical network in WAG/Rij rats might prevent dynamic changes of sleep
      spindles that were detected in Wistar.

PMID- 24231552
TI  - Spinal distribution of c-Fos activated neurons expressing enkephalin in acute and
      chronic pain models.
AB  - The endogenous opioid enkephalin is known to inhibit spinal nociceptive
      transmission. Here we investigated activation of spinal enkephalinergic neurons
      by determining the proportions of c-Fos expressing (activated) spinal neurons
      that were enkephalinergic after different acute and chronic peripheral
      nociceptive stimuli. The number of c-Fos-activated neurons in the dorsal horn was
      increased after hind paw injection of capsaicin, formalin or complete Freund's
      adjuvant (CFA, 1.5 hrs - 4 days). The numbers of these neurons that were
      enkephalinergic increased after paraformaldehyde, and at 20 hrs, but not 1.5 hrs
      or 4 days post-CFA as compared to saline. In the spared nerve injury (SNI) model
      of neuropathic pain, c-Fos expression was increased acutely (2 hrs) and
      chronically (2 weeks), and a greater number of these were enkephalinergic in the
      nerve-injured animals acutely compared to controls (sham-SNI). Combining all
      acute (=2 hrs) versus chronic (>=20 hrs) treatment groups, there was a
      significant decrease in the percentage of activated neurons that were
      enkephalinergic in superficial layers, but a significant increase in the deeper
      layers of the dorsal horn in the chronic treatment group. It is concluded that
      the overall percentage of c-Fos activated neurons that contained enkephalin was
      not significantly different between acute and chronic pain phases. However, the
      shift in localization of these neurons within the spinal dorsal horn indicates a
      noxious stimulus directed activation pattern.

PMID- 24231551
TI  - Oxytocin and social cognition in rhesus macaques: implications for understanding
      and treating human psychopathology.
AB  - Converging evidence from humans and non-human animals indicates that the
      neurohypophysial hormone oxytocin (OT) evolved to serve a specialized function in
      social behavior in mammals. Although OT-based therapies are currently being
      evaluated as remedies for social deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders,
      precisely how OT regulates complex social processes remains largely unknown. Here
      we describe how a non-human primate model can be used to understand the
      mechanisms by which OT regulates social cognition and thereby inform its clinical
      application in humans. We focus primarily on recent advances in our understanding
      of OT-mediated social cognition in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), supplemented
      by discussion of recent work in humans, other primates, and rodents. Together,
      these studies endorse the hypothesis that OT promotes social exploration both by
      amplifying social motivation and by attenuating social vigilance. This article is
      part of a Special Issue entitled Oxytocin and Social Behav. 

PMID- 24231553
TI  - Impaired hippocampal acetylcholine release parallels spatial memory deficits in
      Tg2576 mice subjected to basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration.
AB  - The Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model Tg2576 overexpresses an AD associated
      mutant variant of human APP and accumulates amyloid beta (Abeta) in an age
      dependent manner. Using the selective cholinergic immunotoxin mu p75-saporin
      (SAP), we induced a partial basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration (BFCD) in 3
      months old male Tg2576 mice to co-express cholinergic degeneration with Abeta
      overexpression as these characteristics constitutes key hallmarks of AD. At 9
      months, SAP lesioned Tg2576 mice were cognitively impaired in two spatial
      paradigms addressing working memory and mid to long-term memory. Conversely,
      there was no deterioration of cognitive functioning in sham lesioned Tg2576 mice
      or wild type littermates (wt) receiving the immunotoxin. At 10 months of age,
      release of acetylcholine (ACh) was addressed by microdialysis in conscious mice.
      Scopolamine-induced increases in hippocampal ACh efflux was significantly reduced
      in SAP lesioned Tg2576 mice compared to sham lesioned Tg2576 mice. Intriguingly,
      there was no significant difference in ACh efflux between wt treatment groups.
      Following SAP treatment, choline acetyltransferase activity was reduced in the
      hippocampus and frontal cortex and the reduction was comparable between groups.
      Our results suggest that partial BFCD acts collectively with increased levels of
      Abeta to induce cognitive decline and to compromise cholinergic release. Tg2576
      mice with BFCD may constitute a new and suitable AD mouse model to study the
      interrelations between cholinergic deficits and amsyloid deposition. 

PMID- 24231554
TI  - Hormonal contraceptives masculinize brain activation patterns in the absence of
      behavioral changes in two numerical tasks.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to identify, whether and how oral hormonal
      contraceptives (OCs) alter women's number processing. Behavioral performance and
      brain activation patterns (BOLD-response) of 14 OC-users were evaluated during
      two distinct numerical tasks (number comparison, number bisection) and compared
      to 16 men (high testosterone), and 16 naturally cycling women, once during their
      follicular (low hormone levels) and once during their luteal cycle phase (high
      progesterone). For both tasks, reliable sex differences and menstrual cycle
      dependent modulation have previously been described. If progestogenic effects of
      the synthetic progestins contained in OC play a predominant role, OC-users should
      be comparable to luteal women. If androgenic effects of the synthetic steroids
      exert the progestogenic actions, OC-users should be comparable to men. Likewise,
      if neither of the above are the case, the reduction of endogenous steroids by OCs
      should make OC-users comparable to follicular women. Our findings suggest that OC
      users resemble follicular women in their behavioral performance, but show male
      like brain activation patterns during both tasks. Analysis of brain-behavior
      relationships suggests that OC-users differ from naturally cycling women in the
      way they recruit their neural resources to deal with challenges of the tasks. We
      conclude that OCs, which are used by 100 million women worldwide, may have
      profound effects on cognition that have not been recognized so far. 

PMID- 24231555
TI  - Concurrent repeated-sprint and resistance training with superimposed vibrations
      in rugby players.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the effect of repeated-sprint training (RST) vs combined RST
      and resistance training with superimposed vibrations on repeated-sprint ability
      (RSA) and lower-body power output in male rugby players. METHODS: Players were
      divided into 2 training groups. One group performed RST (n = 10) 2 d/wk and the
      other performed RST 1 d/wk and squat resistance training with superimposed
      vibrations on the second day (RS+ST; n = 10). The squat training was carried out
      with a volume similar (ie, number of sets and repetitions) to that of the RST.
      The training period lasted 6 wk, and it was carried out as a supplement to the
      regular rugby training sessions. RESULTS: Substantial improvements in RSA mean
      time (RSA(mean); +2.3%/ES: 0.77 vs +4.1%/ES: 0.91), RSA percent decrement (%Dec; 
      25.6%/ES: 1.70 vs -23.2%/ES: 0.99), and squat absolute power output
      (+5.0%/ES:0.36 vs +17.2%/ES: 0.93) were obtained in RST and RS+ST, respectively.
      Substantial improvements in RSA best time (RSA(best); +2.6%/ES: 0.61) and squat
      power output normalized to body mass (+18.6%/ES: 0.76) only occurred in RS+ST.
      Both pretest and posttest RSA(mean) were largely correlated with the RSA(best).
      However, there were only unclear, small to moderate correlations between
      individual changes in squat power output and either RSA(mean) or RSA(best).
      CONCLUSION: Combined RST and resistance training induced improvements of greater
      magnitude in both repeated-sprint performance and muscle power output than the
      RST alone. The lack of substantial correlations between individual changes in
      repeated-sprint and muscle-power performance suggests that the same subjects were
      not systematically low or high responders to both RST and strength training.

PMID- 24231556
TI  - Biomarkers of lymphoma in Sjogren's syndrome and evaluation of the lymphoma risk
      in prelymphomatous conditions: results of a multicenter study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To define the biomarkers associated with lymphoproliferation in
      primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) by distinguishing in separate groups the two
      best-recognized non-malignant prelymphomatous conditions in pSS, i.e., salivary
      gland swelling and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV). METHODS: A multicenter study
      was conducted in 5 centres. Patients fulfilled the following criteria: (1)
      positive AECG criteria for pSS, (2) serum cryoglobulins evaluated, and (3) lack
      of hepatitis C virus infection. Four groups were distinguished and analysed by
      multinomial analyses: (1) B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), (2) CV without
      lymphoma, (3) salivary swelling without NHL (SW), and (4) pSS patients without
      NHL or prelymphomatous conditions. RESULTS: Six hundred and sixty-one patients
      were studied. Group 1/NHL comprised 40/661 (6.1%) patients, Group 2/CV 17/661
      (2.6%), Group 3/SW 180/661 (27.2%), and Group 4/pSS controls 424/661 (64.1%). Low
      C4 [relative-risk ratio (RRR) 8.3], cryoglobulins (RRR 6.8), anti-La antibodies
      (RRR 5.2), and leukopenia (RRR 3.3) were the variables distinguishing Group 1/NHL
      from Group 4/Controls. As concerns the subset of patients with prelymphomatous
      conditions, the absence of these biomarkers provided a negative predictive value
      for lymphoma of 98% in patients with salivary swelling (Group 3/SW). Additional
      follow-up studies in patients with SW confirmed the high risk of lymphoma when at
      least 2/4 biomarkers were positive. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoma-associated biomarkers
      were defined in a multicentre series of well-characterized patients with pSS, by
      dissecting the cohort in the pSS-associated prelymphomatous conditions. Notably,
      it was demonstrated for the first time that among the pSS patients with salivary
      swelling, only those with positive biomarkers present an increased risk of
      lymphoma evolution.

PMID- 24231557
TI  - Cognitive predictors of cognitive change following bilateral subthalamic nucleus
      deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - The beneficial effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus
      (STN) for the motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) are well
      established. Early in PD, mild cognitive impairment is present in a proportion of
      patients. Hence, it can also be present in PD patients considered for DBS. The
      potential impact of even a modest decline post-surgically is a concern because it
      could result in impaired cognitive function. Therefore, attempts to determine
      which pre-operative cognitive measures predict post-operative cognitive change
      warrant further attention. We report our findings in a cohort of 30 routinely
      operated non-demented patients who underwent detailed neuropsychological
      assessments on average 7.1 months before and 9.4 months after STN DBS. We report
      the individual and group differences pre- and post-DBS. Stepwise regression
      analysis was used to analyse the best cognitive predictors of post-operative
      cognitive changes. We describe our data in relation to published normative data.
      Post-STN DBS, the immediate story recall component of verbal memory was the most
      affected cognitive function showing a significant decline in its group mean with
      a large effect size. The best predictors for this change were pre-surgical list
      learning and Full Scale Intelligence Quotient. These results suggest that non
      demented patients, with even mild impairments in both general intellectual
      functions and list learning, may be at greater risk of decline in other aspects
      of verbal memory after STN DBS. Pre-existing mild executive dysfunction was not
      influenced post-operatively. These findings may help selection and consent for
      STN DBS.

PMID- 24231558
TI  - Contralateral hearing loss after acoustic neuroma surgery.
AB  - A 74-year-old man suffered contralateral hearing loss after left acoustic neuroma
      surgery. Steroid therapy was administered, but no improvement was observed.
      Contralateral hearing loss is an extremely rare and distressing complication that
      can occur following acoustic neuroma surgery. Although the mechanism of this rare
      phenomenon remains unclear, we speculate that in this patient the loss of
      cerebrospinal fluid or internal auditory artery thrombosis may be involved.

PMID- 24231559
TI  - Randomized-controlled trials of levetiracetam as an adjunctive therapy in
      epilepsy of multiple seizure types.
AB  - This meta-analysis aimed to systematically collect and synthesize the current
      evidence regarding the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) as an
      adjunctive therapy for adults and children suffering from idiopathic and
      secondary epilepsy of multiple seizure types. We selected randomized-controlled
      trials (RCT) of LEV as an adjunctive therapy in epilepsy according to predefined
      criteria. Outcome measures included a > or =50% reduction in seizure frequency,
      seizure freedom, and adverse events. Thirteen RCT were analyzed. Results showed
      that the efficacy of adjunctive LEV was superior to placebo both in achieving >
      or =50% reduction in seizure frequency (pooled odds ratio [OR] 3.36, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 2.78-4.07, Z=12.46; p<0.00001) and seizure freedom
      (pooled OR 4.72, 95% CI 2.96-7.54, Z=6.50; p<0.00001). The heterogeneity was mild
      (chi-squared=12.28, I2=2% in > or =50% reduction in seizure frequency, and chi
      squared=0.49, I2=0% in seizure freedom). Subgroup analysis suggested similar
      effects across different dosages in adults. The incidence of adverse reactions
      was not significantly different between the LEV group and the placebo group. The
      adverse events of relatively high incidence in the LEV group included somnolence,
      agitation, dizziness, asthenia, and infection. Incidence of serious adverse
      reaction such as rash and white blood cells and platelets decreasing was quite
      low. Adjunctive therapy with LEV was superior to placebo in reducing the
      frequency of seizures in patients with partial and idiopathic generalized
      epilepsy with effect in both adults and children, and demonstrated good tolerance
      in patients with epilepsy.

PMID- 24231560
TI  - High dose versus low dose steroids in children with tuberculous meningitis.
AB  - Guidelines for the best steroid dose in children with tuberculous meningitis
      (TBM) have not been established. We enrolled 63 children with TBM and divided
      them into three steroid dose groups: Group 1 (prednisolone 2mg/kg/day over 4
      weeks), Group 2 (prednisolone 4 mg/kg/day over 1 week and 2mg/kg/day for the next
      3 weeks) and Group 3 (prednisolone 4 mg/kg/day over 4 weeks). All patients
      received standard antituberculous therapy. Optic atrophy, tuberculoma,
      hydrocephalus, mental retardation, spasticity, hearing impairment, vasculitis and
      mortality outcomes were compared. Optic atrophy was higher in Group 3 compared to
      Group 1 (odds ratio [OR]=2.8) and Group 2 (OR=2.8), although Group 3 had a high
      incidence of optic atrophy at diagnosis. Tuberculomas were more frequent in Group
      1 (OR=2.4) and Group 3 (OR=3.0) as compared to Group 2. Infarcts were more common
      in Group 3 than in Group 1 (OR=1.9) and in Group 2 (OR=3.5). Hearing loss was
      higher in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 (OR=2.88) and Group 3 (OR=4.8). Evolving
      hydrocephalus was higher in Group 3 as compared to Group 2 (OR=2.8) and Group 1
      (OR=3.1). Mental retardation was higher in children in Group 3 (OR=1.6) and in
      Group 2 (OR=1.9) as compared to Group 1. Spasticity was higher in Group 3
      (OR=2.0) and in Group 2 (OR=1.4) as compared to Group 1. There was no difference
      in mortality between the groups. We conclude that prednisolone at a dose of 4
      mg/kg/day for 1 week followed by 2mg/kg/day for 3 weeks is associated with fewer
      tuberculomas and infarcts but a higher incidence of hearing loss. A prolonged
      period of high dose steroids increases the risk of optic atrophy and
      hydrocephalus. Prednisolone at a dose of 2mg/kg/day is associated with lower risk
      of mental retardation and spasticity.

PMID- 24231561
TI  - From above or below: the controversy and historical evolution of tuberculum
      sellae meningioma resection from open to endoscopic skull base approaches.
AB  - In the early 20th century, the first successful surgical removal of a tuberculum
      sellae meningioma (TSM) was performed and described by Harvey Cushing. It soon
      became recognized that TSM pose a formidable challenge for skull base surgeons
      because of their deep and sensitive location, proximity to critical neurovascular
      elements, and often dense and fibrous nature. Because of this, over the next
      several decades controversy transpired regarding their optimal method of
      resection. Early attempts involved utilization of open transcranial routes. This
      included classic bilateral and unilateral frontal approaches, followed by
      pterional or frontotemporal approaches, which have evolved to incorporate skull
      base modifications, such as the supraorbital, orbitozygomatic, and
      orbitopterional approaches. Minimally invasive supraorbital keyhole approaches
      through eyebrow incisions have also been adopted. Over the past 25 years, the
      microsurgical transsphenoidal approach, classically used for pituitary and
      parasellar tumors, was modified to resect suprasesllar TSM via the extended
      transsphenoidal approach. More recently, with the evolution of endoscopic
      techniques, resection of TSM has been achieved using purely endoscopic endonasal
      transplanum transtuberculum approaches. Although each of these techniques has
      been successfully described for the treatment of TSM, the question still remains:
      is it better to access and operate on these lesions via a traditional,
      transcranial avenue, or are they better treated via endoscopic endonasal
      techniques? We outline the surgical management of TSM through history, from early
      transcranial and transsphenoidal approaches to modern extended endoscopic
      endonasal procedures. We briefly explore the arguments favoring each of the
      methods and the advancements which have emerged to further optimize surgical
      resection.

PMID- 24231562
TI  - Hemangiopericytoma: Radical resection remains the cornerstone of therapy.
AB  - Hemangiopericytomas (HPC) are mesenchymal tumors with a propensity towards
      chronicity and metastasis. This study aimed to reflect a single institution
      experience with both World Health Organization (WHO) grade II and III HPC.
      Pathology records from the years 1990-2013 at the University of Washington were
      searched to identify tumors unequivocally classified as HPC. Electronic chart
      review was then utilized to collect pertinent patient data. Of the WHO grade II
      HPC, there were four men and two women (average age 52 years) while the grade III
      HPC group had eight men and two women (average age 51 years). Sixty-six percent
      of WHO grade II tumors were located in the middle or posterior fossa as compared
      to none of the grade III tumors. Survival analysis revealed a significant
      survival benefit for patients who underwent complete resection (223 months)
      versus those with subtotal resection (138 months, p<0.05). Factors such as age,
      sex, the use of up-front radiation, and whether the patient had a recurrence did
      not show statistical significance related to overall survival or progression free
      survival. Radiation in the form of external beam radiotherapy given at the time
      of the first recurrence did trend towards improved progression free survival (56
      months) compared to those patients who were not radiated (22 months, p=0.09) All
      patients with radical resection went on to never have a recurrence. Our results
      indicate that HPC are tumors with limited response to radiation and best treated
      with aggressive resection. Future studies will determine whether molecular-based
      therapies may provide added adjuvant benefit.

PMID- 24231563
TI  - Risk of multiple sclerosis after optic neuritis in patients with normal baseline
      brain MRI.
AB  - When assessing and managing a patient with optic neuritis (ON), the risk of
      future development of multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important issue, as this can
      be the first presentation of the disease. Although the presence of lesions on
      baseline brain MRI is the strongest predictor of MS conversion, some patients
      with normal imaging also develop MS. We aimed to estimate MS risk in patients
      with ON and a normal baseline MRI and identify individuals with higher risk of
      conversion. We performed a retrospective study including patients with idiopathic
      ON and normal baseline brain MRI who presented to our hospital over an 8 year
      period. Of a total of 42 patients, 10 converted to MS: five during the first
      follow-up year, seven during the first 2 years and all of the patients within the
      first 5 years, with a 5 year MS conversion rate of 23.8%. MS conversion rates
      were significantly higher in patients with history of previous symptoms
      suggestive of demyelination (p=0.002), cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands
      unmatched in serum (p=0.004) and incomplete visual acuity recovery (<=6/12) after
      1 year (p=0.002). Lower conversion rates were found in patients with optic disc
      edema (p=0.022). According to these results, a significant proportion of patients
      with idiopathic ON and a normal baseline brain MRI will develop MS, with a higher
      risk during the first 5 years. Therefore, in the presence of factors in favor of
      MS conversion, close follow-up, including semestral medical consultations and
      yearly brain MRI, can be recommended. Early immunomodulatory treatment may be
      individually considered as it can delay conversion and reduce new lesion
      development rate.

PMID- 24231564
TI  - Association between CRP gene polymorphism 717A/G, C-reactive protein and
      neurological deficit in ischemic stroke.
AB  - Inflammatory components play an important role in the pathogenesis of
      arteriosclerosis, one of the main causes of stroke. Blood C-reactive protein
      (CRP) level is connected with the severity of neurological deficit and disability
      after stroke. Production of CRP depends on CRP gene polymorphism. This study
      enrolled 125 patients with ischemic stroke. CRP 717A/G polymorphism was tested in
      all patients along with an assay of CRP levels measured on the first and tenth
      day after stroke onset. Neurological deficit on admission and before discharge
      from hospital was evaluated according to National Institutes of Health Stroke
      Scale (NIHSS), and then associated with CRP levels and the CRP polymorphism. The
      CRP 717AA genotype was the most frequent, observed in 53.6% of patients; AG
      genotype in 40%, and GG genotype in 6.4%. Carriers of the 717GG genotype had a
      significantly higher CRP level on the first day after stroke versus heterozygotes
      (p=0.023). The improvement in neurological state evaluated with the NIHSS was
      significantly better in CRP 717AA patients in comparison with other CRP 717
      genotypes (p=0.035). A higher level of CRP on the first day after ischemic stroke
      was slightly associated with the CRP 717AG genotype. The CRP 717AA genotype
      promotes improvement of neurological state in patients with ischemic stroke. 

PMID- 24231565
TI  - Finding the missing link in neuromyelitis optica presenting with recurrent
      transverse myelitis flares.
AB  - Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a distinct clinical entity from multiple sclerosis
      with its own clinical, laboratory and pathological characteristics. Definitive
      diagnosis of NMO is challenging at times as there can be a long interval between
      the occurrence of the index event and other neurological deficits which would
      fulfill the diagnostic criteria. Detection of NMO antibody could serve as an
      early marker in the disease progression. We present a young woman previously
      identified to have NMO antibody with recurring episodes of transverse myelitis
      for 3 years before manifesting with optic neuritis.

PMID- 24231566
TI  - An audit of immunohistochemical marker patterns in meningioma.
AB  - Meningiomas may express a number of potentially growth-promoting receptors
      including receptors for progesterone, growth hormone and vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF). These and other receptors are potential targets for
      chemotherapy. We have prospectively studied a panel of markers as a routine in
      order to obtain data of individual expression of markers that may provide targets
      for anti-receptor treatment. One hundred and seventy-five consecutive patients
      operated on for meningiomas between 2005 and 2008 were prospectively analysed
      with antibodies against receptors for growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor
      1 (IGF-1), androgen receptors, progesterone receptors (PR) and antibodies against
      CD34, VEGF, Ki-67 and caspase-3. Expression of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1r), epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) E30 and growth hormone receptor (GHr) was conserved
      across histological grades and found in 88% to 94% of meningiomas. PR were
      detected in 87%, but expression decreased in aggressive tumours. Angio-markers
      such as VEGF and CD34 were detected in 69% and 17% of meningiomas, respectively.
      Androgen receptors and caspase-3 were uncommon. The analyses of a panel were
      undertaken as a clinical routine in order to assess its feasibility and to
      provide data that can be utilised in a clinical setting. Three putative
      therapeutic receptor targets, IGF-1r, GHr and EGFR E30 were expressed in a large
      majority of tumours and in contrast to PR maintained expression despite
      increasing pathological grade of meningioma. Our data also suggest that anti
      progesterone therapies and anti-angiogenic therapies could be targeted to subsets
      of meningioma patients who express PR or have CD34-positive tumours. 

PMID- 24231567
TI  - Patterns of organ donation among resuscitated patients at a regional cardiac
      arrest center.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: As organ demand outpaces supply in the United States, donation
      after cardiac death (DCD) is increasing, and the leading cause of death among
      donors is now cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease. Selected patients
      resuscitated from cardiac arrest may be an under-recognized donor pool. Regional
      cardiac arrest centers are expected to address organ donation, but there are few
      guidelines available and the yield from this population is not fully known.
      METHODS: We characterized the progression of resuscitated cardiac arrest patients
      at a regional cardiac arrest center and transplant center from organ procurement
      organization (OPO) referral through procurement. We determined characteristics
      associated with donation, assessed temporal trends in referral and donation, and
      calculated the yield of organs from this cohort. RESULTS: Of 991 patients
      admitted between 2005 and 2011, 560 did not survive to hospital discharge. Of
      these, 530 (94.6%) were referred to the OPO and 75 (13.4%) had organs procured.
      Family refusal of otherwise suitable candidates precluded 71 procurements. Age,
      sex, arrest location, designated donor status, and family consent were associated
      with donation. The absolute number of admissions, referrals, and donors increased
      over the study period. The probability of OPO referral did not change, but the
      probability of donation increased. The overall yield was 1.8 solid organs and 1.3
      eyes per donor, with the majority being transplanted. CONCLUSIONS: Post-cardiac
      arrest patients represent a potential donor pool to help fill the widening gap
      between organ supply and demand in the United States. Formal multi-modal
      neurologic assessment may expedite referral to an organ procurement organization.
      These components should be considered as cardiac arrest center designation
      criteria.

PMID- 24231568
TI  - Quality of evidence in studies evaluating neuroimaging for neurologic
      prognostication in adult patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest.
AB  - AIM: Neuroimaging has been proposed as a predictor of neurologic outcome in
      comatose survivors of cardiac arrest. We reviewed the quality and level of
      evidence of the current neuroimaging literature for predicting neurologic outcome
      in cardiac arrest patients treated with or without therapeutic hypothermia (TH).
      DATA SOURCES: Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Databases were searched using the
      terms "cardiac arrest," "cardiopulmonary resuscitation," "brain hypoxia," "brain
      anoxia," "brain hypoxia-ischaemia," "neuroimaging," and "prognosis." Eligible
      studies were reviewed and classified by level of evidence and methodological
      quality as defined by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation
      (ILCOR). RESULTS: 928 studies were identified, 84 of which met inclusion
      criteria: 74 were supportive of neuroimaging to predict outcome, eight
      unsupportive, and two equivocal. Several studies investigated more than one
      imaging modality: 27 investigated computed tomography (CT), 46 magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI), and 18 alternate imaging modalities, including positron emission
      tomography and single photon emission computed tomography. No randomized
      controlled trials were identified. Seven cohort and case control studies were
      identified, only one of which was graded "good" quality, two were "fair" and four
      were "poor." CONCLUSION: Neuroimaging is an evolving modality as a prognostic
      parameter in cardiac arrest survivors. However, the quality of the available
      literature is not robust, highlighting the need for higher quality studies before
      neuroimaging can be supported as a standard tool for prognostication in the
      patient population.

PMID- 24231569
TI  - Awakening after cardiac arrest and post resuscitation hypothermia: are we pulling
      the plug too early?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Time to awakening after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and
      post-resuscitation therapeutic hypothermia (TH) varies widely. We examined the
      time interval from when comatose OHCA patients were rewarmed to 37 degrees C to
      when they showed definitive signs of neurological recovery and tried to identify
      potential predictors of awakening. METHODS: With IRB approval, a retrospective
      case study was performed in OHCA patients who were comatose upon presentation to
      a community hospital during 2006-2010. They were treated with TH (target of 33
      degrees C) for 24h, rewarmed, and discharged alive. Comatose patients were
      generally treated medically after TH for at least 48h before any decision to
      withdraw supportive care was made. Pre-hospital TH was not used. Data are
      expressed as medians and interquartile range. RESULTS: The 89 patients treated
      with TH in this analysis were divided into three groups based upon the time
      between rewarming to 37 degrees C and regaining consciousness. The 69 patients
      that regained consciousness in <=48h after rewarming were termed "early
      awakeners". Ten patients regained consciousness 48-72h after rewarming and were
      termed "intermediate-awakeners". Ten patients remained comatose and apneic >72h
      after rewarming but eventually regained consciousness; they were termed "late
      awakeners". The ages for the early, intermediate and late awakeners were 56
      [49,65], 62 [48,74], and 58 [55,65] years, respectively. Nearly 67% were male.
      Following rewarming, the time required to regain consciousness for the early,
      intermediate and late awakeners was 9 [2,18] (range 0-47), 60.5 [56,64.5] (range
      49-71), and 126 [104,151]h (range 73-259), respectively. Within 90 days of
      hospital admission, favorable neurological function based on a Cerebral
      Performance Category (CPC) score of 1 or 2 was reported in 67/69 early, 10/10
      intermediate, and 8/10 late awakeners. CONCLUSION: Following OHCA and TH,
      arbitrary withdrawal of life support <48h after rewarming may prematurely
      terminate life in many patients with the potential for full neurological
      recovery. Additional clinical markers that correlate with late awakening are
      needed to better determine when withdrawal of support is appropriate in OHCA
      patients who remain comatose >48h after rewarming.

PMID- 24231570
TI  - Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in cardiac arrest survivors.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of various cerebrospinal
      fluid (CSF) biomarkers related to neuronal damage, inflammation and amyloid beta
      (Abeta) metabolism in patients resuscitated after an out-of-hospital cardiac
      arrest (CA). METHODS: CSF levels of neurofilament light protein (NFL), total tau
      (T-tau), hyperphosphorylated tau (P-tau), YKL-40, Abeta38, Abeta40, Abeta42,
      soluble amyloid precursor protein alpha and beta (sAPPalpha and sAPPbeta) were
      measured in 21 patients approximately two weeks after CA and in 21 age-matched
      neurologically healthy controls. The biomarker levels were also compared between
      patients with good and poor long-term clinical outcome according to Glasgow
      Outcome Scale (GOS), activities of daily living (ADL) and mini-mental state
      examination (MMSE), measuring neurologic function, daily functioning and
      cognitive function, respectively. RESULTS: Patients with CA had a very marked
      increase in the CSF levels of NFL, T-tau and YKL-40 as compared with controls.
      The levels were increased at about 1200, 700 and 100%, respectively. NFL and T
      tau were significantly higher in patients with poor outcome according to all
      three outcome measures. Patients with poor outcome according to GOS and ADL had
      higher levels of YKL-40. Levels of Abeta38, Abeta40, Abeta42, sAPPalpha and
      sAPPbeta were lower in patients with a low MMSE score. P-tau was not
      significantly altered. CONCLUSIONS: Biomarkers reflecting neuronal damage and
      inflammation, but not so much Abeta metabolism, were significantly altered in
      patients after a CA, and the changes were more pronounced in the groups with poor
      outcome. This calls for future larger studies to determine the prognostic
      potential of these biomarkers.

PMID- 24231571
TI  - The association of body mass index with time to target temperature and outcomes
      following post-arrest targeted temperature management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that more rapid attainment of target temperature
      (32-34 degrees C) improves neurologic outcome following cardiac arrest and
      targeted temperature management (TTM). It is unclear to what extent body mass
      index (BMI) is associated with the time to reach target temperature and
      subsequent clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether the time
      to target temperature was affected by BMI. In addition, we wished to determine
      whether the incidence of skin breakdown, survival to discharge and neurologic
      outcomes were associated with BMI. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective cohort
      study of cardiac arrest patients who underwent TTM between July 2007 and December
      2012. We examined the association between BMI and the time from initiation of
      cooling to attainment of target temperature (32-34 degrees C). RESULTS: Of 236
      patients treated with TTM, 184 were included in the study. Mean age was 57.8+/
      17.0 years; 78/184 (42%) were female and 48/184 (26%) had VF/VT as the initial
      rhythm. Median time to reach target temperature from ROSC was 6.4 (4.1, 9.8)h and
      median time from initiation of TTM to target temperature was 3.4 (2.1, 5.8)h.
      Cooling duration was a median of 24.0 (23.0, 24.0)h and median rewarming time was
      12.0 (9.5, 18.0)h. Overall, 104/184 (56.5%) achieved target temperature within 4h
      and 128/184 (69.6%) within 6h. Increased BMI was associated with a longer time to
      achieve target temperature from initiation of TTM (p=0.01). There was no
      significant difference across BMI groups in time to achieve target temperature
      from ROSC (0.07), skin breakdown (p=0.35), survival (p=0.21), nor rate of good
      neurologic outcome (p=0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Target temperature was frequently
      achieved within 4-6h; as BMI increased, the time to reach target temperature from
      initiation of TTM was prolonged. There was no significant difference across BMI
      groups for survival or good neurologic outcome.

PMID- 24231573
TI  - Annals of Plastic Surgery Adopts and Recommends the SAMPL Guidelines for
      Statistical Analyses.

PMID- 24231572
TI  - A novel heterozygous mutation in steroidogenic factor-1 in pubertal virilization
      of a 46,XY female adolescent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) gene (NR5A1) mutations cause disorders
      of sexual development due to gonadal dysgenesis, particularly in 46,XY
      individuals. In cases exhibiting this mutation, the phenotype is heterogeneous,
      and it may vary within a spectrum ranging from complete female appearance to an
      infertile male. Virilization observed in some cases in the pubertal age group may
      lead to diagnostic difficulties. CASE: The present case report describes the
      clinical, histopathologic, and genetic characteristics of a 46,XY case, who was
      born with a female phenotype and raised as a girl, presented with findings of
      virilization in the pubertal period. She had no germ cells and very few Leydig
      cells with atrophic testis on biopsy and in whom a novel heterozygous mutation in
      the SF-1 gene (a heterozygous 7-bp deletion mutation in exon 7 [c.1308
      1314del7bp] causing frameshift) was identified. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Although
      the gonads are very dysgentic in patient with SF-1 mutations, sufficient androgen
      synthesis can cause severe virilization during puberty.

PMID- 24231574
TI  - Amniotic fluid for ex vivo skin preservation: a comparative study of tissue
      preservation solutions.
AB  - Ex vivo skin preservation is important for skin banks, burn centers, and in
      research; however, the optimal preservation solution is not known. Human amniotic
      fluid (HAF), in addition to its role in fetal wound healing, has promise as an
      effective and readily available preservation solution. The purpose of this study
      was to compare the efficacy of several solutions, including HAF, in full
      thickness skin preservation. Human amniotic fluid was obtained from patients
      undergoing amniocentesis. Full-thickness skin obtained during abdominoplasty was
      divided into 1-cm(2) samples. These specimens were preserved in either saline,
      HAF from a single patient, pooled HAF, University of Wisconsin solution, or
      custodial histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution at 4 degrees C. There were
      5 samples in each group. Specimens were examined for keratinocyte survival at 7,
      14, 21, 28, and 35 days using the trypan blue assay. The first 200 cells
      identified were counted to calculate the degree of cell death. Comparisons were
      made between the groups, and a multivariable repeated-measures analysis was
      performed to determine statistical significance, which was defined as P < 0.05.
      The individual and pooled HAF showed greater keratinocyte survival than the other
      solutions, at each time point. The difference was statistically significant (P <
      0.05) when compared to saline and custodial solution but not statistically
      significant when compared to University of Wisconsin solution. When used as a
      tissue preservation solution, HAF produces superior keratinocyte survival than
      several commercially available solutions. Amniotic fluid, nature's tissue
      preservation solution, may be an inexpensive, readily available alternative for
      use in skin banks, burn centers, and research.

PMID- 24231575
TI  - Comparison of hatchet-shaped tensor fascia lata flap and pedicle anterior lateral
      thigh flap for treatment of trochanteric sores: a retrospective analysis of 48
      patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Surgical reconstruction of trochanteric sores remains a formidable task
      for plastic surgeons. Diverse types of flaps have been proposed for use in this
      situation, each with particular advantages and limitations. This study aimed to
      compare the surgical outcomes between the hatchet-shaped tensor fascia lata (TFL)
      flap and the pedicle anterior lateral thigh (ALT) flap in treatment of
      trochanteric sores. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with trochanteric sores were
      operated on under spinal or general anesthesia using TFL or ALT flaps between
      August 2007 and November 2010. In the TFL group, 26 hatchet-shaped TFL
      musculocutaneous flaps were performed on 24 patients. In the ALT group, 25
      pedicle ALT musculocutaneous flaps were performed on 24 patients. Surgical
      outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: No significant difference was
      detected between the TFL and ALT groups in terms of age, preoperative disease
      period, obesity (body mass index), American Society of Anesthesiologists score,
      comorbidity, the defect size, follow-up time, and complication rate. The
      recurrence rate and the flap size were significantly higher in the TFL group than
      in the ALT group (P = 0.022; P < 0.001). The operation time was longer in the ALT
      group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The pedicle ALT flap is a more effective
      treatment than the TFL flap for the surgical management of trochanteric sores.
      The hatchet-shaped TFL flap should be reserved for the reconstruction of
      recurrent trochanteric sores or for use in the critically ill patient who cannot
      tolerate longer anesthesia and operation time.

PMID- 24231576
TI  - A new vascularized cervical lymph node transplantation model: an anatomic study
      in rats.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vascularized lymph node transfer is of high interest for the
      treatment of lymphedema. Currently, there are few experimental small animal
      models of vascularized lymph node transplantation. In this article, our aim was
      to describe a new vascularized cervical lymph node transplantation model in rats.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 to 250 g were
      used in this study. The anatomic features of the neck lymph nodes in rats were
      explored. Anatomic neck dissections were performed, and lymph node flaps were
      harvested. The common carotid artery and the jugular vein were used as the
      vascular pedicles of the lymph node flap. Methylene blue dye was injected into
      the arterial pedicle. Lymph nodes were identified, and their structure was
      confirmed by histological evaluation. Laser-assisted indocyanine green
      angiography was used to confirm perfusion of the lymph node flap. RESULTS: An
      adequate perfusion was observed in the lymph node flap. The dye disseminated
      evenly within the lymph nodes, indicating that the flap had a well-established
      vascular network and an adequate blood supply. Macroscopically, perfusion of 5 to
      6 lymph nodes was observed. Histological examination of tissue samples confirmed
      well-defined lymph nodes. After indocyanine green administration, fluorescence
      was observed throughout the lymph node flap and within the venous pedicle of the
      flap. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report
      describing vascularized lymph node flap in the head and neck region of a rat. Our
      lymph node flap preparation technique confirmed the presence of 5 to 6 lymph
      nodes within the flap. The presented vascularized lymph node flap can be applied
      to transplantation studies, lymphedema studies, and to studies on immunological
      mechanism of tolerance and rejection.

PMID- 24231577
TI  - Modelling and engineering of stress based controlled oxidation effects for
      silicon nanostructure patterning.
AB  - Silicon nanostructure patterning with tight geometry control is an important
      challenge at the bottom level. In that context, stress based controlled oxidation
      appears to be an efficient tool for precise nanofabrication. Here, we investigate
      the stress-retarded oxidation phenomenon in various silicon nanostructures
      (nanobeams, nanorings and nanowires) at both the experimental and the theoretical
      levels. Different silicon nanostructures have been fabricated by a top-down
      approach. Complex dependence of the stress build-up on the nano-object's
      dimension, shape and size has been demonstrated experimentally and physically
      explained by modelling. For the oxidation of a two-dimensional nanostructure
      (nanobeam), relative independence to size effects has been observed. On the other
      hand, radial stress increase with geometry downscaling of a one-dimensional
      nanostructure (nanowire) has been carefully emphasized. The study of shape
      engineering by retarded oxidation effects for vertical silicon nanowires is
      finally discussed. 

PMID- 24231578
TI  - Scale model on performance prediction in recreational and elite endurance
      runners.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify the effect of allometric scaling on the relationship between
      running efficiency (R(Eff)) and middle-distance-running performance according to
      performance level. METHODS: Thirteen male recreational middle-distance runners
      (mean +/- SD age 33.3 +/- 8.4 y, body mass 76.4 +/- 8.6 kg, maximal oxygen uptake
      [VO(2max)] 52.8 +/- 4.6 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1); G1) and 13 male high-level middle
      distance runners (age 25.5 +/- 4.2 y, body mass 62.8 +/- 2.7 kg, VO(2max) 70.4 +/
      1.9 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1); G2) performed a continuous incremental test to
      volitional exhaustion to determine VO(2max) and a 6-min submaximal running test
      at 70% of VO(2max) to assess R(Eff). RESULTS: Significant correlation between
      R(Eff) and performance were found for both groups; however, the strongest
      correlations were observed in recreational runners, especially when using the
      allometric exponent (respectively for G1, nonallometric vs allometric scaling: r
      = .80 vs r = .86; and for G2, nonallometric vs allometric scaling: r = .55 vs r =
      .50). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that an allometric normalization may
      improve endurance-performance prediction from R(Eff) values in recreational, but
      not in elite, runners.

PMID- 24231580
TI  - Short versus long cephalomedullary nails for the treatment of intertrochanteric
      hip fractures in patients older than 65 years.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare failure rates between short and long cephalomedullary
      nails used for the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures in patients over
      65 years of age. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from
      medical records and radiographs. SETTING: Three level 1 trauma centers.
      PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 65 years or older who underwent treatment of
      an intertrochanteric hip fracture with a cephalomedullary nail between January
      2004 and December 2010. INTERVENTION: Open reduction and internal fixation of
      intertrochanteric hip fracture with either short or long cephalomedullary nail.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Postoperative treatment failure rate, defined as
      periprosthetic fracture or reoperation requiring removal or revision of nail,
      including conversion to arthroplasty. RESULTS: Incidence of treatment failure
      (periprosthetic fracture and reoperation requiring removal of nail) was 30 of 559
      (5.4%) for the entire cohort; 13 of 219 (5.9%) occurred after placement of a
      short nail compared with 17 of 340 (5.0%) after placement of a long nail (P =
      0.70). There were 11 of 559 (2.0%) patients who sustained a periprosthetic
      fracture after nailing, 6 of 219 (2.7%) after short nails and 5 of 340 (1.5%)
      after long nails (P = 0.35). The remaining 19 treatment failures were major
      reoperations requiring removal of nail, 7 of 219 (3.2%) after short nails and 12
      of 340 (3.5%) after long nails (P = 0.81). The reasons for these 19 revision
      procedures were: screw/helical blade cutout (16), progressive arthritis with
      conversion to arthroplasty (1), avascular necrosis of femoral head with
      conversion to arthroplasty (1), and symptomatic leg length discrepancy with
      conversion to arthroplasty (1). Median follow-up period for patients living at
      least 1 year postoperatively was 30 months (range, 12-85 months). Overall, 175 of
      698 (25%) patients died within 1 year after index surgery. CONCLUSIONS: When
      using contemporary cephalomedullary implants, short and long nails exhibit
      similar treatment failure rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See
      Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 24231584
TI  - Shorter telomere length is linked to brain atrophy and white matter
      hyperintensities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: leukocyte telomere length (TL) is considered a marker of biological
      aging. Several studies have investigated the link between leukocyte TL and aging
      associated functional attributes of the brain, but no prior study has
      investigated whether TL can be linked to brain atrophy and white matter
      hyperintensities (WMHs); two prominent structural manifestations of brain aging.
      METHODS: we investigated whether leukocyte TL was related to brain atrophy and
      WMHs in a sample of 102 non-demented individuals aged 64-75 years. RESULTS:
      shorter TL was related to greater degree of subcortical atrophy (beta = -0.217, P
      = 0.034), but not to cortical atrophy. Furthermore, TL was 371 bp shorter (P =
      0.041) in participants exhibiting subcortical WMHs, and 552 bp shorter (P =
      0.009) in older participants exhibiting periventricular WMHs. CONCLUSION: this
      study provides the first evidence of leukocyte TL being associated with cerebral
      subcortical atrophy and WMHs, lending further support to the concept of TL as a
      marker of biological aging, and in particular that of the aging brain.

PMID- 24231583
TI  - Dynamic fixation of distal femur fractures using far cortical locking screws: a
      prospective observational study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Document fixation and healing of distal femur fractures stabilized by
      plate osteosynthesis using far cortical locking (FCL) screws. DESIGN: Prospective
      and observational. SETTING: Two level 1 and 1 level 2 trauma centers. PATIENTS:
      Thirty-two consecutive patients with 33 distal femur fractures (AO/OTA types 33A,
      33C). INTERVENTION: Fractures were stabilized by plate osteosynthesis with
      MotionLoc FCL screws without supplemental bone graft or bone morphogenic
      proteins. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year with functional and
      radiographic assessments obtained at postoperative weeks 6, 12, and 24 and
      computed tomography scans at week 12. If union was not confirmed within 1 year,
      follow-up was continued until union or revision surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      The primary end point was fracture union in the absence of complications and
      secondary interventions. Fracture healing was defined by resolution of pain at
      the fracture site and cortical bridging on biplanar radiographs. Complications
      were defined by fixation failure, loss of reduction, implant breakage, infection,
      nonunion, and need for revision. RESULTS: Thirty-one fractures were available for
      follow-up. None of the 125 FCL screws used for diaphyseal fixation broke or lost
      fixation. One of the 31 fractures displaced into varus (DeltaVarus = 5.8
      degrees). Thirty of the 31 fractures healed within 15.6 +/- 6.2 weeks. At an
      average follow-up of 17 +/- 4 months, there were 2 revisions: one to correct a
      malrotation at day 5 and one to treat a nonunion at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS:
      Absence of implant and fixation failure suggests that dynamic plating of distal
      femur fractures with FCL screws provides safe and effective fixation.

PMID- 24231585
TI  - Epidemiology of lifetime fracture prevalence in England: a population study of
      adults aged 55 years and over.
AB  - BACKGROUND: fractures remain a substantial public health problem but
      epidemiological studies using survey data are sparse. This study explores the
      association between lifetime fracture prevalence and socio-demographic factors,
      health behaviours and health conditions. METHODS: fracture prevalence was
      calculated using a combined dataset of annual, nationally representative health
      surveys in England (2002-07) containing 24,725 adults aged 55 years and over.
      Odds of reporting any fracture was estimated separately for each gender using
      logistic regression. RESULTS: fracture prevalence was higher in men than women
      (49 and 40%, respectively). In men, factors having a significant independent
      association with fracture included being a former regular smoker [odds ratios,
      OR: 1.18 (1.06-1.31)], having a limiting long-standing illness [OR: 1.47 (1.31
      1.66)] and consuming >8 units of alcohol on the heaviest drinking day in the past
      week [OR: 1.65 (1.37-1.98)]. In women, significant factors included being
      separated/divorced [OR: 1.30 (1.10-1.55)], having a 12-item General Health
      Questionnaire (GHQ-12) score of 4+ [OR: 1.59 (1.27-2.00)], consuming >6 units of
      alcohol in the past week [OR: 2.07 (1.28-3.35)] and being obese [OR: 1.25 (1.03
      1.51)]. CONCLUSION: a range of socio-demographic, health behaviour and health
      conditions, known to increase the risk of chronic disease and premature death,
      are also associated with fracture occurrence, probably involving the aetiological
      pathways of poor bone health and fall-related trauma.

PMID- 24231586
TI  - Proprioception: where are we now? A commentary on clinical assessment, changes
      across the life course, functional implications and future interventions.
AB  - Proprioception, the sense of where one is in space, is essential for effective
      interaction with the environment. A lack of or reduction in proprioceptive acuity
      has been directly correlated with falls and with reduced functional independence
      in older people. Proprioceptive losses have also been shown to negatively
      correlate with functional recovery post stroke and play a significant role in
      other conditions such as Parkinson's disease. However, despite its central
      importance to many geriatric syndromes, the clinical assessment of proprioception
      has remained remarkably static. We look at approaches to the clinical assessment
      of proprioception, changes in proprioception across the life course, functional
      implications of proprioception in health and disease and the potential for
      targeted interventions in the future such as joint taping, and proprioception
      specific rehabilitation and footwear.

PMID- 24231587
TI  - Isolated tuberculous liver abscess in an immunocompetent adult patient: A case
      report and literature review.
AB  - Tuberculous liver abscess is a rare disease entity even in endemic areas of
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is usually accompanied by pulmonary tuberculosis
      or enteric tuberculosis. Further, an isolated tuberculous liver abscess is
      extremely rare. The disease is diagnosed by laparotomy or postmortem autopsy in
      most cases, and some authors adopted a 9-month antituberculosis regimen. We
      herein report a case of an isolated tuberculous liver abscess that initially
      manifested as persistent fever and general malaise, which was diagnosed by liver
      biopsy and treated successfully with a 6-month antituberculosis regimen and
      percutaneous abscess drainage. 

PMID- 24231588
TI  - Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is a preventive factor in mortality of childhood
      tuberculous meningitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Studies have been done that have focused on the efficacy of bacillus
      Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination in the prevention of cases of childhood
      tuberculous meningitis (TBM). However the efficacy of the vaccination in the
      prevention of mortality has not been sufficiently evaluated. This study aimed to
      determine the main features of TBM cases in childhood and to evaluate the factors
      related to mortality, proving the protective effect of BCG vaccination in
      childhood TBM. METHODS: In a retrospective approach, all consecutive cases of TBM
      in children that occurred between 1997 and 2005, at Dicle University Hospital,
      were studied. The following data were evaluated: demographic aspects, admission
      symptoms, radiology and laboratory findings, BCG vaccination status, tuberculin
      skin test (TST) positivity, and mortality rates. RESULTS: In total, 172 cases of
      childhood TBM were evaluated (mean age 53.3+/-55.7 months; 109 boys (63.4%)). The
      majority of these cases (70.4%) had typical TBM symptoms on admission. BCG
      vaccination data were available for 152 (88.4%) cases and 29 of them (19.1%) were
      positive. The TST was performed for 143 patients (83.1%) and 28 (19.6%) were
      found positive. Hydrocephalus was identified in 118 patients (68.6%) on computed
      tomography examination. A shunt was placed in 79 cases (45.9%). In total, 24
      patients (14.0%) died in the hospital. TST negativity was a significant factor
      for mortality (p=0.012). BCG positivity was found to be a preventive factor from
      mortality (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BCG vaccination is effective in the prevention
      of TBM-associated mortality in childhood. TST negativity may be a sign of a poor
      prognosis in TBM cases.

PMID- 24231589
TI  - [Infective endocarditis in two Spanish university hospitals in different
      geographical locations with and without a cardiac surgery department].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess possible differences in clinical presentation,
      microbiology, morbidity and mortality of infective endocarditis between two
      Spanish hospitals, one on the mainland that has cardiac surgery and one in the
      Canary Islands without this service. METHOD: A total of 229patients consecutively
      diagnosed of endocarditis between 2005 and 2012, including pediatric population,
      were studied in the Reina Sofia Hospital (Cordoba, n=119) and Nuestra Senora de
      Candelaria Hospital (Tenerife, n=110). We compared the clinical, microbiological
      and echocardiographic data and analyzed mortality differences by binary logistic
      regression analysis. RESULTS: There were no differences in underlying heart
      disease, proportion of surgery, or the microbiological profile. The proportion of
      infections attributable to catheter was higher in the Canary Islands hospital
      (13.6% vs 3.4%). Mortality was also higher (31.8% vs 18.5%, P=.020), although
      this difference was no longer significant in the multivariate analysis (OR=1.85;
      95%CI, 0.70-4.87; P=.213). Age (OR=1.04/year; 95%CI, 1.01-1.07; P=.006), cardiac
      complications (OR=5.05; 95%CI, 1.78-14.34; P=.002), persistent sepsis (OR=4.89;
      95%CI, 2.09-11.46; P<.001), and emergent surgery (OR=4.43, 95%CI, 1.75-11.19;
      P=.002) were independent predictors of death. Time to surgery, length of stay in
      the hospital without a surgical service (20 [13-30.5] vs 13 [6-25] days; P=.019)
      was not associated with outcome. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in the
      presentation of endocarditis between two distant hospitals in Spain. The
      different hospital mortality can not be directly related to the presence of a
      surgery service.

PMID- 24231590
TI  - [Influence of Pneumonia Severity Index in the decision-making process in the
      emergency department].

PMID- 24231591
TI  - [Intermediate uveitis in an immunocompetent patient].

PMID- 24231592
TI  - Indomethacin submicron particle capsules provide effective pain relief in
      patients with acute pain: a phase 3 study.
AB  - Although frequently prescribed to relieve acute pain in patients, non-steroidal
      anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with dose-related
      gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal complications. Investigational,
      submicron particle NSAIDs are being developed that could provide effective pain
      relief at lower doses than currently available oral NSAIDs. This is the first
      phase 3 study evaluating the analgesic efficacy and safety of lower-dose
      indomethacin submicron particle capsules in patients following elective surgery.
      This multicenter, double-blind study enrolled patients aged 18 to 68 years who
      underwent bunionectomy under regional anesthesia. Patients with a pain intensity
      rating of >=40 mm on a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale were randomized to receive
      indomethacin submicron particle capsules (40 mg 3 times daily [TID], 40 mg twice
      daily [BID], or 20 mg TID), celecoxib (400 mg loading dose, then 200 mg BID), or
      placebo. The primary efficacy parameter was the overall (summed) pain intensity
      difference measured by a Visual Analog Scale during a period of 48 hours.
      Scheduled assessments measured secondary efficacy parameters such as patient pain
      intensity differences. Indomethacin submicron particle capsules 40 mg 3 times
      daily (509.6 +/- 91.9 overall [summed] pain intensity difference), 40 mg twice
      daily (328.0 +/- 92.9 overall [summed] pain intensity difference), and 20 mg 3
      times daily (380.5 +/- 92.9 overall [summed] pain intensity difference) reduced
      pain intensity from 0 to 48 hours (P <= 0.046 for all 3 groups) compared with
      placebo (67.8 +/- 91.4 overall [summed] pain intensity difference). There was
      some evidence of patient analgesia for celecoxib (279.4 +/- 91.9 overall [summed]
      pain intensity difference; P = 0.103). Some evidence of pain control was observed
      in patients as early as 2 hours following administration of indomethacin
      submicron particle capsules and was sustained throughout the treatment period.
      Indomethacin submicron particle capsules were generally well tolerated by
      patients. These results suggest that lower-dose indomethacin submicron particle
      capsules are a potentially promising treatment option for patients with acute
      pain. 

PMID- 24231593
TI  - Using viscosupplementation to treat knee osteoarthritis.
AB  - This article provides physicians specializing in nonsurgical sports medicine with
      an overview of viscosupplementation as a treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) pain.
      Osteoarthritis is a painful, disabling condition that is becoming more prevalent
      in patients and is generally treated using conservative nonpharmacologic
      measures. If conservative measures are unsuccessful at alleviating pain, current
      recommendations include prescribing acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs to patients. However, long-term use of these agents increases
      the risk for liver, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and/or renal complications
      in patients. Viscosupplementation is the term used for intra-articular injection
      of hyaluronic acid/hylans. Intra-articular injections of these agents have good
      safety profiles and have shown efficacy for treating knee OA pain.
      Viscosupplementation injections relieve pain for <= 26 weeks, which is longer
      than the short-term pain relief derived from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
      and corticosteroid injections. Additionally, viscosupplementation administered to
      patients in earlier stages of OA may be more beneficial than when given later in
      the treatment of OA. As part of a multimodal algorithm, viscosupplementation
      combined with conventional therapy or other pharmacologic agents has been shown
      to be more effective at managing OA than conventional care alone. This article
      reviews the evidence for using viscosupplementation as part of a comprehensive
      program for managing OA in patients. 

PMID- 24231594
TI  - Intra- and interdisciplinary agreement in the rating of acromioclavicular joint
      dislocations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is a common injury observed
      and treated by physicians from several disciplines; proper classification and
      communication of the diagnosis between physicians is essential to manage injuries
      properly. This study assessed inter- and intradepartmental agreement in the
      rating of AC joint dislocations and compared departments of orthopedic surgery,
      musculoskeletal (MSK) radiology, and emergency medicine (EM). METHODS: Fifty
      radiographs indicating a random distribution of AC dislocations (Rockwood types
      I, II, III, and V) were sent to 25 resident, fellow, and attending physicians;
      the study group consisted of orthopedic surgeons (n = 9), MSK radiologists (n =
      7), and EM physicians (n = 9). Dislocations were rated by physicians using the
      Rockwood classification (excluding type IV) and rating agreement was derived
      using the multirater kappa statistic. RESULTS: Moderate rating agreement was
      found among orthopedic surgeons (kappa = 0.5147), which was higher than among
      radiologists (kappa = 0.3628) or EM physicians (kappa = 0.1894).
      Interdisciplinary rating agreement was highest between orthopedic surgeons and
      MSK radiologists and lowest between MSK radiologists and EM physicians. Attending
      orthopedic surgeons showed the highest rating agreement (kappa = 0.5167) compared
      with attending MSK radiologists (kappa = 0.3585) and attending EM physicians
      (kappa = 0.2612). In-training orthopedic surgeons had higher rating agreement
      (kappa = 0.4918) than in-training MSK radiologists (kappa = 0.4218) and in
      training EM physicians (kappa = 0.1410). DISCUSSION: Orthopedic surgeons
      exhibited the highest intradepartmental rating agreement in assessing AC joint
      injuries, but interdepartmental rating agreement was low. It is unclear if low
      interdepartmental rating agreement reflects classification or training
      weaknesses; recognition of these differences may help develop a more standardized
      education for physicians to improve the management of AC joint injuries.
      CONCLUSIONS: Interdisciplinary rating agreement of AC joint injuries is low.
      Further study may help improve education and communication about AC joint
      injuries among physicians.

PMID- 24231595
TI  - Operative and nonoperative treatment options for ACL tears in the adult patient:
      a conceptual review.
AB  - Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is common among athletic
      individuals. Both nonoperative and operative treatment options exist. The optimal
      treatment of an adult with an ACL tear depends on several patient-specific
      factors, including age, occupation, and desired activity level. In less active
      patients with sedentary jobs, nonoperative management, consisting of physical
      therapy, bracing, and activity modification can yield successful results. In
      active patients who want to resume participation in jumping, cutting, or pivoting
      sports, patients who have physically demanding occupations, or patients who fail
      a trial of nonoperative management, ACL reconstruction is recommended.
      Reconstruction utilizing autograft tissue is preferred over allograft, especially
      in the younger athlete, but allograft tissue is a reasonable option in the older
      (aged > 40 years) and less active adult, as well. Successful results have been
      achieved with both patellar tendon and hamstring grafts. The optimal treatment in
      adult patients with ACL tears should be based on careful consideration of the
      patient's goals for return to activity, knee-specific comorbidities, such as
      coexistent meniscal pathology or osteoarthritis, and his or her willingness to
      follow a detailed rehabilitation regimen. Our article provides an overview of
      current nonoperative and operative treatment options for adults with ACL tears,
      considers the outcomes of both nonoperative and operative strategies, and
      provides general recommendations as to the ideal management for a given patient. 

PMID- 24231596
TI  - Complex cartilage cases in the athletic patient: advances in malalignment,
      instability, articular defects, and meniscal insufficiency.
AB  - For sports medicine specialists, patients presenting with multiple coexisting
      knee pathologies can be some of the most difficult to treat patients, especially
      those with cartilage pathology. In particular, articular cartilage lesions are
      often incidental findings, and the decision to treat patients must be based on
      the lesions' confirmed contribution to patient symptomatology. The combination of
      malalignment, ligamentous instability, and chondral/meniscal damage in patients
      is challenging to treat because of the difficulty in determining both the
      relative contribution of each of the pathologies to patient clinical condition
      and the timing of performing specific corrective procedures. Corrective
      operations performed in isolation to treat each of the pathologies have
      historically produced reasonable results in patients; however, combined
      procedures for treatment of combined pathologies may prove essential for the
      success of any single procedure. This review describes the clinical evaluation of
      patients with multiple coexisting knee pathologies and highlights current
      evidence-based treatment strategies for the management of these combined
      disorders. 

PMID- 24231597
TI  - Continuous passive motion following cartilage surgery: does a common protocol
      exist?
AB  - Continuous passive motion (CPM) devices have the potential to improve the
      histological content as well as the rate and volume of chondrogenesis in repair
      tissue following chondral injury. However, clinical evidence is lacking to
      support broad implementation of CPM following cartilage restoration procedures.
      We searched PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane for such terms as knee,
      continuous passive motion, CPM, ACI, ACT, autologous chondrocyte implantation,
      autologous chondrocyte transplantation, microfracture, marrow-stimulation
      technique, mosaicplasty, osteochondral autograft, and osteochondral allograft.
      Inclusion criteria were all English-language studies of human subjects, evidence
      levels I to IV, reporting the use of CPM following cartilage repair or
      restoration surgery in the knee. One hundred and seven studies met inclusion
      criteria. Sixty-three studies reported the use of CPM following autologous
      chondrocyte implantation; 28 reported the use of CPM following microfracture; 13
      reported the use of CPM following osteochondral autograft; and 15 reported the
      use of CPM following osteochondral allograft (several studies reported > 1 type
      of cartilage procedure, which explains why the sum of all studies reporting a
      particular procedure [119] is greater than the number of studies included in the
      review [107]). Of the 5723 patients included, 60.8% were treated with autologous
      chondrocyte implantation, 23.1% were treated with microfracture, 6.4% were
      treated with osteochondral autograft, and 9.7% were treated with osteochondral
      allograft. Of the 6612 total defects, 5043 (76.3%) were tibiofemoral and 1569
      (23.7%) were patellofemoral. Most reports of CPM use after cartilage restoration
      procedures did not include specific information on how it was implemented.
      Overall, the description of CPM protocols in published knee articular cartilage
      surgery studies was disappointing. The majority of studies did not describe
      common variables such as the duration of CPM therapy, the initiation of CPM
      therapy, and the initial range of motion used. The most commonly prescribed
      parameters within a CPM regimen are initiated on the first postoperative day,
      with an initial range-of-motion of 0 to 30 degrees and a frequency of 1 cycle per
      minute, and for 6 to 8 hours daily over 6 weeks. The lack of consistent
      standardized reporting of postoperative CPM protocols provides an impetus to
      researchers and clinicians to more clearly define and describe their use
      following knee articular surgery. 

PMID- 24231598
TI  - Impact of diabetes mellitus on surgical outcomes in sports medicine.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects a significant proportion of the patients evaluated
      and treated by orthopedic surgeons who specialize in sports medicine. Sports
      medicine-related conditions associated with DM include tendinopathy, adhesive
      capsulitis of the shoulder, and articular cartilage disease. This article reviews
      the current literature adressing the effect of DM on surgical outcomes in sports
      medicine. In general, patients with DM undergo operations more frequently and
      experience inferior surgical outcomes compared with patients without DM. Diabetes
      mellitus is associated with increased rates of complications from sports medicine
      procedures, such as infection, delayed healing, and failure of the operation.
      However, additional research is needed to determine the full impact of DM on
      patient outcomes in sports medicine. Surgeons should be cognizant of special
      considerations in the population of patients with DM and aim to tailor the
      surgical management of this growing patient population. 

PMID- 24231599
TI  - Patients with type 1 diabetes oxidize fat at a greater rate than age- and sex
      matched controls.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Elevated patient blood glucose and exogenous insulin administration
      may affect substrate oxidation in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM);
      however, this has not been demonstrated with conviction. We examined substrate
      oxidation during incremental exercise in a group of subjects with T1DM and
      compared the results to those of an age- and sex-matched control group of
      subjects. METHODS: A group of subjects with T1DM (n = 29; 10 men, 19 women) was
      recruited for metabolic testing from a weeklong fitness camp. An age- and sex
      matched control group of subjects (n = 29; 10 men, 19 women) was recruited from
      the local community. Subjects were required to avoid strenuous exercise for 48
      hours and fast for 2 hours prior to metabolic testing. An incremental test to
      exhaustion on either a stationary cycle or treadmill was administered to all
      subjects. Maximum oxygen consumption of subjects was measured (T1DM subjects:
      41.4 +/- 1.9 mL/kg/min; control subjects: 48.4 +/- 1.3 mL/kg/min). Blood glucose
      was recorded at 20 and 5 minutes before the exercise test, and at 5 and 20
      minutes after the exercise test. RESULTS: The T1DM and control subjects were
      matched for age, height, weight, and body composition. Subject blood glucose
      levels were higher in the group of subjects with T1DM than the control group at
      all times measured (P < 0.001). At all relative intensities of exercise (50%-80%
      maximum oxygen consumption; P < 0.050), absolute fat oxidation was higher in the
      group of subjects with T1DM (P < 0.050) and absolute carbohydrate oxidation was
      higher in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that subjects with
      T1DM oxidize fat at a higher rate and carbohydrates at a lower rate when compared
      with age- and sex-matched controls at the same relative intensity of exercise,
      despite the elevated pre-exercise blood glucose of subjects with T1DM.

PMID- 24231600
TI  - Comparison of physical activity levels in physicians and medical students with
      the general adult population of the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Physicians who are physically fit have a higher likelihood of
      counseling their patients about physical activity. We sought to determine if the
      amount of physical activity in physicians and medical students differs from the
      general adult population of the United States and if geographic differences in
      physical activity levels exist. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed
      to physicians and medical students throughout the United States to determine
      their level of physical activity according to US Department of Health and Human
      Services (DHHS) 2008 guidelines; data were collected from participants from June
      2009 through January 2010. Our data set was compared with physical activity data
      from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and we used geographic
      regions defined by the US Census Bureau. RESULTS: Our survey respondents
      contained 631 attending physicians, 159 fellow physicians, 897 resident
      physicians, and 262 medical students. Only 64.5% of the general US adult
      population meets DHHS guidelines for physical activity, but 78% of the survey
      participants fulfilled the guidelines. The percentage of US adults who do not
      engage in leisure-time physical activity is 25.4% compared with 5.8% of survey
      participants. Survey respondents in the southern region had the lowest physical
      activity levels and participants in the western region had the highest levels.
      CONCLUSION: Physicians and medical students engage in more physical activity than
      the general US adult population. Regional differences in the general population's
      physical activity also persisted in physicians and medical students. Therefore,
      physicians who complete less physical activity may be less likely to encourage
      patients to engage in physical activity in geographic areas where the adult
      population is less active.

PMID- 24231601
TI  - Helpful or harmful? Potential effects of exercise on select inflammatory
      conditions.
AB  - Inflammation has been characterized as a double-edged sword, requiring a balance
      between health as maintained by regular exercise and activities that would
      exacerbate inflammatory diseases. The influence of exercise on inflammation is
      complex and has been widely studied in both healthy patient populations as well
      as populations of patients with many inflammatory and/or autoimmune rheumatic
      diseases. Inflammatory markers can be affected by the type of exercise and muscle
      contraction, as well as the intensity, duration, and consistency of the exercise
      sessions. Because of these potentially important effects, many members of the
      general public, as well as some clinicians, believe that exercise could
      exacerbate symptoms and accelerate the progression of such conditions. The
      effects of different types of exercise have been studied among patients with
      inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus
      erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and idiopathic
      inflammatory myopathies, as well as congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes
      mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, which are considered low-grade systemic
      inflammatory diseases. This review will help exercise professionals and
      clinicians understand the effects of exercise on inflammatory markers, as well as
      offer effective treatment options and recommendations for patients exercising
      with rheumatic or inflammatory conditions. 

PMID- 24231602
TI  - Replication of elite music performance enhancement following alpha/theta
      neurofeedback and application to novice performance and improvisation with SMR
      benefits.
AB  - Alpha/theta (A/T) and sensory-motor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback were compared in
      university instrumentalists who were novice singers with regard to prepared and
      improvised instrumental and vocal performance in three music domains:
      creativity/musicality, technique and communication/presentation. Only A/T
      training enhanced advanced playing seen in all three domains by expert assessors
      and validated by correlations with learning indices, strongest with
      Creativity/Musicality as shown by Egner and Gruzelier (2003). Here A/T gains
      extended to novice performance - prepared vocal, improvised vocal and
      instrumental - and were recognised by a lay audience who judged the prepared folk
      songs. SMR learning correlated positively with Technical Competence and
      Communication in novice performance, in keeping with SMR neurofeedback's known
      impact on lower-order processes such as attention, working memory and psychomotor
      skills. The importance of validation through learning indices was emphasised in
      the interpretation of neurofeedback outcome. 

PMID- 24231603
TI  - Self-assembling of large ordered DNA arrays using superhydrophobic patterned
      surfaces.
AB  - In this paper we present a simple and robust method to realize highly ordered
      arrays of stretched and suspended DNA molecules over the millimeter length scale.
      To this end we used an ad hoc designed superhydrophobic surface made of high
      aspect-ratio silicon pillars, where we deposited a droplet containing genomic
      DNA. A precise positioning of DNA strands was achieved by shaping the silicon
      pillars so that sharpened features resembling tips were included. Such features
      allowed us to accurately control the droplet de-wetting dynamics, pinning DNA
      strands in a well-defined position above pillars. The proposed technique has the
      potential to positively impact on the development of novel DNA chips for genetic
      analysis. 

PMID- 24231604
TI  - Comparison of measured and Monte Carlo simulated track structure parameters in
      nanometric volumes.
AB  - The track structure of ionising particles in biological matter can only be
      assessed by simulations, since neither the type of interaction and its products
      nor the interaction positions in biological matter can be detected with nanometer
      resolution. Hence, there is a need to benchmark the deployed computer codes using
      suitable experimental data. For this purpose, the frequency distributions of
      ionisation clusters produced in the sensitive volume of the PTB ion counting
      nanodosemeter by monoenergetic protons and alpha particles (with energies between
      0.1 and 20 MeV) were measured. C3H8 and N2 were alternately used as the working
      gas. The measured data were compared with the results of simulations obtained
      with the PTB Monte Carlo code PTra. Measured and simulated characteristics of the
      particle track structure are in good agreement for protons over the entire energy
      range investigated. For alpha particles with energies above the Bragg peak a good
      agreement can also be seen, whereas for energies below the Bragg peak differences
      of as much as 25 % occur. 

PMID- 24231605
TI  - Mobilizing peptides in immunity.

PMID- 24231606
TI  - Designing immunogenic peptides.
AB  - Peptides fulfill many roles in immunology, yet none are more important than their
      role as immunogenic epitopes driving the adaptive immune response, our ultimate
      bulwark against infectious disease. Peptide epitopes are mediated primarily by
      their interaction with major histocompatibility complexes (T-cell epitopes) and
      antibodies (B-cell epitopes). As pathogen genomes continue to be revealed, both
      experimental and computational epitope mapping are becoming crucial tools in
      vaccine discovery. Immunoinformatics offers many tools, techniques and approaches
      for in silico epitope characterization, which is capable of greatly accelerating
      epitope design.

PMID- 24231615
TI  - Immunology: Allergy's Achilles' heel?

PMID- 24231616
TI  - Antigenic peptides: Reviving nuclear translation.

PMID- 24231617
TI  - Immune modulation by multifaceted cationic host defense (antimicrobial) peptides.
AB  - Cationic host defense (antimicrobial) peptides were originally studied for their
      direct antimicrobial activities. They have since been found to exhibit
      multifaceted immunomodulatory activities, including profound anti-infective and
      selective anti-inflammatory properties, as well as adjuvant and wound-healing
      activities in animal models. These biological properties suggest that host
      defense peptides, and synthetic derivatives thereof, possess clinical potential
      beyond the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections. In this Review, we
      provide an overview of the biological activities of host defense and synthetic
      peptides, their mechanism(s) of action and new therapeutic applications and
      challenges that are associated with their clinical use. 

PMID- 24231618
TI  - A peptide's perspective on antigen presentation to the immune system.
AB  - Specific immune responses are critically dependent on protein degradation
      products in the form of peptides. These peptides are presented by major
      histocompatibility complexes (MHCs), and recognition of MHC-peptide complexes by
      the immune system determines successful pathogen elimination, transplant
      rejection, autoimmunity or death. Here we review the immune response from the
      peptide's perspective and discuss the fate of peptides in cells before
      presentation by MHC complexes. We then discuss how peptides are altered post
      translationally to yield immune responses and how peptides can be engineered to
      achieve strong immune responses following vaccination. Although peptides are
      simple from a chemical perspective, they are complex in their immunological
      consequences. 

PMID- 24231620
TI  - Effect of local bleomycin sulfate application on seroma formation in a rat
      mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection model.
AB  - Seroma formation is one of the most common complications following breast cancer
      surgery. It may lead to delay of adjuvant therapies and increasement of therapy
      costs. Bleomycin sulfate is a sclerosing antibiotic with antineoplastic efficacy.
      It is locally used in the treatment of pleural effusion. The present study aimed
      to investigate seroma-reducing effect of local bleomycin application after
      mastectomy. Sixteen female Wistar Albino rats were used in this study. The rats
      were divided into two equal groups. Under general anesthesia all rats underwent
      unilateral mastectomy as definition by Harada. Serum physiologic was applied to
      animals in Group 1 (control group) and bleomycin to Group 2. Mastectomized
      localization was explored on the 10th day postoperatively. Seroma and tissue
      samples were obtained from axilla and thoracic wall for histopathological
      examination. The amount of seroma was significantly lower in the bleomycin group
      as compared to the control group (P=0.002). Fibrosis, PNL infiltration and the
      number of fibroblasts were significantly higher in the bleomycin group. No
      difference was identified between the groups in terms of angiogenesis, edema,
      congestion, and monocyte, lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration. Local bleomycin
      sulfate application might be a therapeutic option in patients with seroma
      formation, as well as in the patients with malignant pleural effusion.
      Nonetheless, further studies that compare the efficacy and adverse effects
      (benefit-to-harm ratio) of bleomycin sulfate are needed. 

PMID- 24231619
TI  - Adaptive immune activation: glycosylation does matter.
AB  - Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II are glycoproteins that can
      present antigenic peptides at the cell surface for recognition and activation of
      circulating T lymphocytes. Here, the importance of the modification of protein
      antigens by glycans on cellular uptake, proteolytic processing, presentation by
      MHC and subsequent T-cell priming is reviewed. Antigen glycosylation is important
      for a number of diseases and vaccine design. All of the key proteins involved in
      antigen recognition and the orchestration of downstream effector functions are
      glycosylated. The influence of protein glycosylation on immune function and
      disease is covered. 

PMID- 24231621
TI  - Causes of death and the impact of histiocytic sarcoma on the life expectancy of
      the Dutch population of Bernese mountain dogs and Flat-coated retrievers.
AB  - Bernese mountain dogs and Flat-coated retrievers are predisposed to hereditary
      oncological diseases. Since 1986 several authors have reported a high prevalence
      of tumours in both breeds, especially malignant histiocytosis/histiocytic
      sarcoma, which has a negative influence on life expectancy. However, many earlier
      reports included relatively low numbers of dogs, distributed over a small number
      of broad categories, often using outdated disease criteria. The aim of this study
      was to provide new data on causes of death, and the relative role of tumours,
      especially histiocytic sarcoma, collected and verified in a large number of dogs
      of both breeds in co-operation with dog owners and veterinarians. The study
      demonstrates that the death of at least 55.1% of Bernese mountain dogs and 63.8%
      of Flat-coated retrievers is associated with malignant tumours. In addition, it
      appears that over 1/7 of all Bernese mountain dogs and Flat-coated retrievers die
      because of histiocytic sarcoma. This emphasises the need for further research on
      tumours, especially histiocytic sarcoma. 

PMID- 24231622
TI  - Recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty caused by the impingement of
      a remnant lateral meniscus: a case report.
AB  - A case of recurrent hemarthrosis initially presenting after the fifth
      postoperative month is described. Because of recurrent pain and swelling, the
      patient underwent an arthroscopy 14 months after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A
      remnant posterior lateral meniscus was found to be impinged between the femoral
      component and the tibial liner, and there was oozing from the hypertrophied
      synovium around the remnant meniscus. The remnant meniscus and the synovium were
      carefully cauterized and completely excised. Following the arthroscopy,
      hemarthrosis has not recurred. A remnant lateral meniscus may be a cause of
      recurrent hemarthrosis after TKA. Accordingly, in cases of recurrent hemarthrosis
      after TKA, exploration by arthroscopy should be considered.

PMID- 24231623
TI  - Treatment of patella infera by patellar tendon lengthening and augmentation with
      tibialis anterior tendon allograft.
AB  - Management of patella infera remains a difficult therapeutic endeavor. We report
      a case of a 21-year-old man, who had development of patella infera and knee
      flexion contracture after a patella fracture. Patella infera was treated by
      patellar tendon lengthening and augmentation with a tibialis anterior tendon
      allograft fixed with bioabsorbable cross-pins. The patient regained an anatomic
      patellar position and full range of motion at two years after surgery. 

PMID- 24231624
TI  - Diagnostic significance of periesophageal fat pad in ultrasonography for sliding
      hiatal hernias: sonographic fat pad sign.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic significance of
      visualization of periesophageal fat pad in ultrasonography or computed tomography
      for sliding hiatal hernias. Forty-six controls and 21 esophageal hiatal hernia
      patients were compared in terms of sonographic and tomographic esophageal
      diameters. We suggest that absence of periesophageal fat pad sign in
      ultrasonography or computerized tomography is a noteworthy finding that calls for
      further investigation for the diagnosis of sliding hiatal hernias. 

PMID- 24231625
TI  - Acute physiological response to aerobic short-interval training in trained
      runners.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the acute physiological response to aerobic short-interval
      training (AESIT) at various high-intensity running speeds. A minor anaerobic
      glycolytic energy supply was aimed to mimic the characteristics of slow
      continuous runs. METHODS: Eight trained male runners (maximal oxygen uptake
      [VO(2max)] 55.5 +/- 3.3 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1)) performed an incremental treadmill
      exercise test (increments: 0.75 km . h(-1). min(-1)). Two lactate turn points
      (LTP1, LTP2) were determined. Subsequently, 3 randomly assigned AESIT sessions
      with high-intensity running-speed intervals were performed at speeds close to the
      speed (v) at VO(2max) (vVO(2max)) to create mean intensities of 50%, 55%, and 60%
      of vLTP1. AESIT sessions lasted 30 min and consisted of 10-s work phases,
      alternated by 20-s passive recovery phases. RESULTS: To produce mean velocities
      of 50%, 55%, and 60% of vLTP1, running speeds were calculated as 18.6 +/- 0.7
      km/h (93.4% vVO(2max)), 20.2 +/- 0.6 km/h (101.9% vVO(2max)), and 22.3 +/- 0.7
      km/h (111.0% vVO(2max)), which gave a mean blood lactate concentration (La) of
      1.09 +/- 0.31 mmol/L, 1.57 +/- 0.52 mmol/L, and 2.09 +/- 0.99 mmol/L,
      respectively. La at 50% of vLTP1 was not significantly different from La at vLTP1
      (P = .8894). Mean VO(2) was found at 54.0%, 58.5%, and 64.0% of VO(2max), while
      at the end of the sessions VO(2) rose to 71.1%, 80.4%, and 85.6% of VO(2max),
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The results showed that AESIT with 10-s work phases
      alternating with 20 s of passive rest and a running speed close to vVO(2max) gave
      a systemic aerobic metabolic profile similar to slow continuous runs.

PMID- 24231626
TI  - Cetuximab and non-small-cell lung cancer: end of the story?

PMID- 24231627
TI  - Docetaxel or pemetrexed with or without cetuximab in recurrent or progressive non
      small-cell lung cancer after platinum-based therapy: a phase 3, open-label,
      randomised trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Available preclinical and phase 2 clinical data suggest that the
      addition of cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR), to chemotherapy might improve outcome in patients
      with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to assess whether the
      addition of cetuximab to chemotherapy improved progression-free survival in
      patients with recurrent or progressive NSCLC after platinum-based therapy.
      METHODS: In this unmasked, open-label randomised phase 3 trial we enrolled
      patients with metastatic, unresectable, or locally advanced NSCLC from 121 sites
      in Canada and the USA. Eligible patients were those aged 18 years or older who
      had experienced progressive disease during or after one previous platinum-based
      regimen. Initially, patients were randomly assigned to receive either pemetrexed
      (500 mg/m(2)) or docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)) and then randomly assigned within each
      group to receive their chemotherapy with or without cetuximab (400 mg/m(2) at
      first dose and 250 mg/m(2) weekly thereafter) until disease progression or
      unacceptable toxicity. However, after a change in the standard of care,
      investigators chose whether to treat with pemetrexed or docetaxel on a patient-by
      patient basis. The primary analysis was changed to compare progression-free
      survival with cetuximab plus pemetrexed versus pemetrexed, on an intention-to
      treat basis. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number
      NCT00095199. FINDINGS: Between Jan 10, 2005, and Feb 10, 2010, we enrolled 939
      patients; data for one patient was accidentally discarded. Of the remaining 938
      patients, 605 received pemetrexed (301 patients with cetuximab and 304 alone) and
      333 received docetaxel (167 in combination with cetuximab and 166 alone). Median
      progression-free survival with cetuximab plus pemetrexed was 2.9 months (95% CI
      2.7-3.2) versus 2.8 months (2.5-3.3) with pemetrexed (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.87-1.21;
      p=0.76). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events with cetuximab plus pemetrexed
      were fatigue (33 [11%] of 292 patients), acneiform rash (31 [11%]), dyspnoea (29
      [10%]), and decreased neutrophil count (28 [10%]), and with pemetrexed alone were
      dyspnoea (35 [12%] of 289 patients), decreased neutrophil count (26 [9%]), and
      fatigue (23 [8%]). A significantly higher proportion of patients in the cetuximab
      plus pemetrexed group (119 [41%] of 292 patients) experienced at least one
      serious adverse event than those patients in the pemetrexed group (85 [29%] of
      289 patients; p=0.0054). Nine (3%) of 292 treated patients in the cetuximab and
      pemetrexed group died of adverse events compared with five (2%) of 289 treated
      patients in the pemetrexed alone group. INTERPRETATION: The use of cetuximab is
      not recommended in combination with chemotherapy in patients previously treated
      with platinum-based therapy. FUNDING: Eli Lilly and Company and ImClone Systems
      LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company.

PMID- 24231628
TI  - Longitudinal speech perception and language performance in pediatric cochlear
      implant users: the effect of age at implantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Few studies have examined the long-term effect of age at implantation
      on outcomes using multiple data points in children with cochlear implants. The
      goal of this study was to determine whether age at implantation has a
      significant, lasting impact on speech perception, language, and reading
      performance for children with prelingual hearing loss. DESIGN: A linear mixed
      model framework was used to determine the effect of age at implantation on speech
      perception, language, and reading abilities in 83 children with prelingual
      hearing loss who received cochlear implants by the age of 4 years. The children
      were divided into two groups based on their age at implantation: (1) under 2
      years of age and (2) between 2 and 3.9 years of age. Differences in model
      specified mean scores between groups were compared at annual intervals from 5 to
      13 years of age for speech perception, and 7 to 11 years of age for language and
      reading. RESULTS: After controlling for communication mode, device configuration,
      and preoperative pure-tone average, there was no significant effect of age at
      implantation for receptive language by 8 years of age, expressive language by 10
      years of age, reading by 7 years of age. In terms of speech-perception outcomes,
      significance varied between 7 and 13 years of age, with no significant difference
      in speech-perception scores between groups at ages 7, 11, and 13 years. Children
      who used oral communication (OC) demonstrated significantly higher speech
      perception scores than children who used total communication (TC). OC users
      tended to have higher expressive language scores than TC users, although this did
      not reach significance. There was no significant difference between OC and TC
      users for receptive language or reading scores. CONCLUSIONS: Speech perception,
      language, and reading performance continue to improve over time for children
      implanted before 4 years of age. The present results indicate that the effect of
      age at implantation diminishes with time, particularly for higher-order skills
      such as language and reading. Some children who receive cochlear implants after
      the age of 2 years have the capacity to approximate the language and reading
      skills of their earlier-implanted peers, suggesting that additional factors may
      moderate the influence of age at implantation on outcomes over time.

PMID- 24231629
TI  - Objective measures of electrode discrimination with electrically evoked auditory
      change complex and speech-perception abilities in children with auditory
      neuropathy spectrum disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) determine the sensitivity of the electrically
      evoked auditory change complex (eACC) to changes in stimulating electrode
      position; and (2) investigate the association between results of eACC measures
      and behavioral electrode discrimination and their association with speech
      perception performance in pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users who have auditory
      neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). DESIGN: Fifteen children with ANSD ranging
      in age between 5.4 and 18.6 years participated in this study. All subjects used
      Cochlear Nucleus devices. For each subject, open-set speech-perception ability
      was assessed using the Phonetically Balanced Kindergarten word lists presented at
      60 dB SPL, using monitored live voice in a sound booth. Behavioral and objective
      measures of electrode discrimination were assessed in a nonclinical test
      environment. The stimuli used to elicit these measures were 800 msec biphasic
      pulse trains delivered by a direct interface to the CI. Data were collected from
      two basic stimulation conditions. In the standard condition, the entire pulse
      train was delivered to a mid-array electrode (electrode 11 or 12) at the maximum
      comfortable level (C level). In the change condition, the stimulus was split into
      two 400 msec pulse train segments presented sequentially on two different
      electrodes. The stimulation level of the second 400 msec pulse train was loudness
      balanced to the C level of the mid-array electrode used in the standard
      condition. The separation between the pair of stimulating electrodes was
      systematically varied. For behavioral electrode-discrimination measures, each
      subject was required to determine whether he or she heard one or two sounds for
      stimuli presented in different stimulation conditions. For the eACC measures, two
      replicates of 100 artifact-free sweeps were recorded for each stimulation
      condition. RESULTS: The eACC in response to changes in stimulating electrode
      position was recorded from all subjects with ANSD using direct electrical
      stimulation. Electrode-discrimination thresholds determined with the eACC and
      behavioral measures were consistent. Children with ANSD using CIs who showed
      poorer speech performance also required larger separations between the
      stimulating electrode pair to reliably elicit the eACC than subjects with better
      speech-perception performance. There was a robust correlation between electrode
      discrimination capacities and speech-perception performances in subjects tested
      in this study. The effect of electrode separation on eACC amplitudes was not
      monotonic. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the feasibility of using eACC
      to evaluate electrode-discrimination capacities in children with ANSD. These
      results suggest that the eACC elicited by changes in stimulating electrode
      position holds great promise as an objective tool for evaluating spectral-pattern
      detection in such subjects, which may be predictive of their potential speech
      perception performance.

PMID- 24231630
TI  - Surface induced collapse of Abeta1-42 with the F19A replacement following
      adsorption on a single walled carbon nanotube.
AB  - Spontaneous adsorption of the Abeta peptide on the surface of a single-walled
      carbon nanotube, resulting in the prevention of its intrinsic propensity to form
      collapsed states, could be a plausible means to hinder the peptide's initial
      nucleation and self-assembly. We report here the effects of sharply reducing both
      aromatic and hydrophobic character within the peptide's central hydrophobic core
      on its free and surface behavior. In such an altered peptide, complete surface
      adsorption is found to induce, rather than prevent, the adsorbed peptide's
      collapse. The weakened surface interactions of the central hydrophobic core allow
      its greater translational mobility on the surface, thereby facilitating
      interactions that lead to compaction. Both the adsorption and the subsequent
      collapse are accompanied by a loss of surface hydration in the modified peptide.
      We further find that such a two-step dewetting leads to hydration levels
      comparable to that obtained after compaction of the free peptide. These insights
      may be leveraged for designing molecular surfaces for disrupting intrinsic Abeta
      behavior. 

PMID- 24231631
TI  - Comparison of an intensive pharmacist-managed telephone clinic with standard of
      care for tobacco cessation in a veteran population.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Pharmacist-Managed Telephone
      Tobacco Cessation Clinic (PMTTCC) compared to the standard of care (SOC) at the
      Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System. METHOD: A retrospective cohort
      study was performed investigating the proportion of veterans who quit smoking at
      6 months while enrolled in the PMTTCC. Chart review was performed using the
      Veterans Affairs Computerized Patient Record System. The PMTTCC group included
      patients who had received medication and counseling from the tobacco cessation
      pharmacists. The cohort was compared to a matched SOC group who did not receive
      counseling, only tobacco cessation medication therapy through a primary care
      provider. The primary outcome for this study was patient-reported tobacco
      cessation at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were abstinence at 1 and 3 months.
      RESULTS: A total of 1,006 patients were included in the analysis, 503 patients
      from the PMTTCC and 503 patients from SOC. The overall study population was 54
      years old on average, 92.5% male, 70.0% Caucasian, 45.5% with history of
      psychiatric conditions, and had an average smoking history of 33-pack years.
      Patients in the PMTTCC group had statistically significant improvements in
      abstinence at 6 months versus the SOC group (81/503, 16.1% vs. 48/503, 9.5%; p <
      .0001). Quitters were older on average versus non-quitters (56.03 vs. 53.65
      years; p = .01). CONCLUSION: Patients enrolled in the PMTTCC had improved tobacco
      abstinence rates at 6 months compared to SOC. Although the study was not designed
      to test for causality, the results lend support for using intensive tobacco
      cessation management in veteran population.

PMID- 24231632
TI  - Worksite health promotion program participation: a study to examine the
      determinants of participation.
AB  - This study explores the relationship between organizational health climate and
      worksite health promotion program participation, specifically engaging
      individuals who are unlikely to make positive health behavior choices on their
      own. Participants consisted of employees at three separate furniture
      manufacturing facilities completing a voluntary survey. Using responses (n = 349)
      from the health climate instrument, which is a measure of the collective
      attitudes, beliefs, and readiness to change a health behavior, this study
      identified two factors that were significant contributors to worksite health
      promotion program participation. Health norms, the collective attitudes regarding
      healthy lifestyle, as measured by the subscales-health scale and intention to
      make a behavior change-and "optimistic bias," the overassessment of one's
      personal health, were found to be predictors of participation. Additionally,
      significant (p < .05) predictors of self-assessed health, included perceived
      control to initiate, competence to carry out, and the organizational support of
      the health behavior change. The findings suggest that the organization's health
      norms and self-assessed health are associated with the worker's motivation to
      become involved with health promotion interventions. Offering worksite health
      screenings and advanced programming and creating a culture of health at work can
      help address program participation. 

PMID- 24231633
TI  - An examination of stress in college students over the course of a semester.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine whether differing stress reduction
      interventions could alter stress levels experienced by male and female college
      students from the beginning to the end of a semester. Components of stress
      examined included overall perceived stress, test anxiety, and personal burnout.
      Participants (N = 531) were part of courses that during the course of a 16-week
      semester focused specifically on cognitive-behavioral stress management,
      cardiovascular fitness, generalized physical activity, or a control with no
      intervention. In addition to gender differences, both the stress management and
      physical activity groups had significantly lower levels of perceived stress, test
      anxiety, and personal burnout at the end of the semester. The fitness group
      scored significantly lower on perceived stress and personal burnout, but there
      was no difference in scores for test anxiety. The important ramifications of
      reducing stress in college students are discussed, including the pros and cons of
      implementing differing physical and psychological intervention modalities. 

PMID- 24231634
TI  - Is the baby drowning in the bathwater? Exploring the fate of nurse educators in
      the modern university.

PMID- 24231635
TI  - Work values and intention to become a registered nurse among healthcare
      assistants.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the work values of Swiss healthcare assistant students, who,
      at the end of their vocational education in hospitals and nursing homes, choose
      to pursue a registered nurse degree. DESIGN: A prospective, cross-sectional
      survey was administered to a full cohort of healthcare assistant students in
      their last year of study in the canton of Bern (n=272). METHOD: Multivariate
      methods (logistic regression) were applied to estimate the joint effect of work
      experience and work values in choosing to pursue a registered nurse education.
      FINDINGS: Among work values, extrinsic values (regarding wage, career und
      educational perspectives) had a strong effect on the decisions of healthcare
      assistant students to pursue further education as registered nurses. Grades,
      socio-economic background and satisfaction during education also had an effect.
      CONCLUSIONS: Higher valuation of income, career and further education affect the
      career intentions of nursing assistants who have already obtained a recognized
      healthcare education and nursing experience. Teachers and trainers should
      actively identify the work values and expectations of these students. Provision
      of adequate advice and suggestions for the career development of these students
      may be an important route by which to address the nursing shortage and
      recruitment problems.

PMID- 24231636
TI  - The influence of personal qualities on performance and progression in a pre
      registration nursing programme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research conducted primarily with psychology and medical students has
      highlighted that personal qualities play an important role in students' academic
      performance. In nursing there has been limited investigation of the relationship
      between personal qualities and performance. Yet, reports of student incivility
      and a lack of compassion have prompted appeals to integrate the assessment of
      personal qualities into pre-registration nursing student selection. Before this
      can be done research is needed to explore the influence of students' personal
      qualities on programme performance and progression. AIM: This study explores the
      relationships between students' personal qualities and their academic and
      clinical performance, behaviours and progression through a pre-registration
      nursing programme in Australia. METHOD: This longitudinal descriptive
      correlational study was undertaken with a sample of Australian pre-registration
      nursing students (n=138). Students' personal qualities were assessed using three
      personal qualities assessment (PQA) instruments. Outcome measures included grades
      in nursing theory and clinical courses, yearly grade point average, final
      clinical competency, progression (completion), class attendance and levels of
      life event stress. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between academic
      performance and PQA scores for self-control, resilience and traits of aloofness,
      confidence and involvement. Final clinical competence was predicted by confidence
      and self-control scores. Students with higher empathy had higher levels of life
      event stress in their first year and class attendance had a positive correlation
      with self-control. Completing the programme in three years was weakly predicted
      by the measure of resilience. No difference was noted between extreme or non
      extreme scorers on the PQA scales with respect to performance or progression.
      CONCLUSION: This sample of students' personal qualities was found to influence
      their academic and clinical performance and their ability to complete a pre
      registration programme in three years. However, further research is required with
      larger cohorts to confirm the use of personal qualities assessment during
      selection.

PMID- 24231637
TI  - Use of virtual clinical simulation to improve communication skills of
      baccalaureate nursing students: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: According to The Joint Commission (2012), the leading cause of
      sentinel events in the United States was miscommunication. Lack of thorough and
      accurate communication remains a serious challenge in healthcare and an
      educational priority in schools of nursing. Virtual clinical simulation is an
      online educational approach where students use avatars to practice various
      skills. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the
      educational innovation of using virtual clinical simulation to improve
      communication skills of BSN students. The objectives of the simulations were to
      1) recognize significant patient data and 2) accurately perform the ISBAR
      communication technique. DESIGN: The study used a within-group, time-series
      design with eight students. Students participated in two synchronous virtual
      simulations in an online virtual clinical environment called CliniSpace. Students
      performed in groups of four to five students. METHODS: Students performed in two
      virtual simulations in groups of four to five students. Student performances were
      scored by two raters using the CliniSpace ISBAR Rating Sheet. Field notes from
      debriefing sessions were analyzed for content. RESULTS: Mean group student
      performance scores more than doubled from performance one to performance two.
      This change was found to be statistically significant, p<.001. Field notes
      revealed that students listened to how their peers communicated and learned from
      them. Students expressed having less anxiety, knowing what to expect, and having
      "better flow" with communication. Students verbalized learning to assess the
      patient prior to calling the physician and to give a recommendation to the
      physician.

PMID- 24231638
TI  - [Research in paediatric emergencies].

PMID- 24231639
TI  - Higher protein intake improves length, not weight, z scores in preterm infants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between nutritional
      intake (kilocalories, protein) and weight and length growth in preterm infants,
      and to describe their metabolic tolerance with a focus on those with high protein
      intake (>= 4.6 g . kg(-1) . day(-1)). METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from
      appropriate-for-gestational age preterm infants in a 28-day randomized clinical
      trial that evaluated growth, tolerance, and safety of a new ultraconcentrated
      liquid human milk fortifier (original study n = 150). This subset of 56 infants
      had complete growth and nutrition data and met criteria for the original study's
      "efficacy analysis" (eg, >80% of kilocalorie intake from study diet). Nutritional
      intake was estimated, not actual. Regressions were used to test cumulative
      kilocalories and protein as the predictors of 28-day change in weight and length
      z scores (growth status), and to evaluate protein tolerance. RESULTS: Average
      intake was 118 +/- 8 kcal . kg(-1) . day(-1) and 4.3 +/- 0.4 g protein . kg(-1) .
      day(-1), with 16 +/- 3 g . kg(-1) . day(-1) and 1.1 +/- 0.2 cm/week growth for 28
      days. Cumulative total kilocalories and protein were significant predictors of
      improved length z score (P = 0.0054, 0.0005) but not weight z score change.
      Regression models indicated that protein not kilocalories explained the
      improvement in length z score, with protein explaining 19% of the variability.
      The high protein group averaged 4.6 to 5.5 g . kg(-1) . day(-1) (n = 16). Protein
      tolerance was adequate for all of the study infants based on metabolic measures
      (blood urea nitrogen, serum carbon dioxide, pH). CONCLUSIONS: Higher cumulative
      protein intake was tolerated and overall lessened the commonly occurring decline
      in the length but not weight growth status in a 28-day study of preterm infants.

PMID- 24231640
TI  - Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Functional Bile Salt Export Pump
      Deficiency After Liver Transplantation.

PMID- 24231641
TI  - Authors' reply.

PMID- 24231642
TI  - Atopic eczema could be a cause and not an effect of cow's milk protein allergy.

PMID- 24231643
TI  - Long-term outcome of home parenteral nutrition in patients with ultra-short bowel
      syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The patients with ultra-short bowel syndrome (U-SBS) have been
      considered potential candidates for a preemptive/rehabilitative intestinal
      transplantation owing to the high risk of death from the underlying disease. We
      hypothesized that children with U-SBS, in the absence of intestinal failure
      associated liver disease (IFALD), could also have a good rate of survival on home
      parenteral nutrition (HPN). METHODS: A prospective database from the "Bambino
      Gesu" Artificial Nutrition and Intestinal Failure Program was used to evaluate
      outcomes and morbidities of consecutive patients with <= 10 cm of small bowel
      enrolled since 2000. RESULTS: Eleven patients were identified with a median bowel
      length of 7.5 (3-9) cm. Eight patients developed IFALD, which reversed in 7 of
      them; the IFALD progressively worsened in 1 patient until death. One patient
      underwent isolated intestinal transplantation and 1 patient is no longer
      receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) and both are fully enterally fed. The other
      patients remained at least partially dependent on HPN. The number of days of
      inpatient care decreased in all of the patients except for the 1 who had repeated
      episodes of central line infections. CONCLUSIONS: The survival of patients with U
      SBS receiving HPN was good. Although IFALD was frequent, it had been manageable
      in most of the patients, but in a single complex case, it led to death. The
      multidisciplinary management warranted to these patients to approach the school
      age, to grow, and to maintain the oral intake. Patients with U-SBS are rare, and
      to better understand their long-term survival, further studies, including more
      large patient populations, are required.

PMID- 24231644
TI  - ESPGHAN revised porto criteria for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in
      children and adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD)
      can be challenging in choosing the most informative diagnostic tests and
      correctly classifying PIBD into its different subtypes. Recent advances in our
      understanding of the natural history and phenotype of PIBD, increasing
      availability of serological and fecal biomarkers, and the emergence of novel
      endoscopic and imaging technologies taken together have made the previous Porto
      criteria for the diagnosis of PIBD obsolete. METHODS: We aimed to revise the
      original Porto criteria using an evidence-based approach and consensus process to
      yield specific practice recommendations for the diagnosis of PIBD. These revised
      criteria are based on the Paris classification of PIBD and the original Porto
      criteria while incorporating novel data, such as for serum and fecal biomarkers.
      A consensus of at least 80% of participants was achieved for all recommendations
      and the summary algorithm. RESULTS: The revised criteria depart from existing
      criteria by defining 2 categories of ulcerative colitis (UC, typical and
      atypical); atypical phenotypes of UC should be treated as UC. A novel approach
      based on multiple criteria for diagnosing IBD-unclassified (IBD-U) is proposed.
      Specifically, these revised criteria recommend upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
      and ileocolonscopy for all suspected patients with PIBD, with small bowel imaging
      (unless typical UC after endoscopy and histology) by magnetic resonance
      enterography or wireless capsule endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: These revised Porto
      criteria for the diagnosis of PIBD have been developed to meet present challenges
      and developments in PIBD and provide up-to-date guidelines for the definition and
      diagnosis of the IBD spectrum.

PMID- 24231645
TI  - Autoantibody and human leukocyte antigen profiles in children with autoimmune
      liver disease and their first-degree relatives.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Familial clustering of juvenile autoimmune liver disease (AILD),
      including autoimmune hepatitis and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC), is
      rare, despite a high prevalence of autoimmune disorders in AILD families.
      METHODS: To investigate this discrepancy, we measured autoantibodies diagnostic
      for AILD, anti-nuclear, anti-smooth muscle, anti-liver kidney microsomal type 1,
      anti-liver cytosol type 1, and anti-soluble liver antigen antibodies, and human
      leukocyte antigen profiles in 31 patients and 65 of their first-degree relatives
      (FDR). The autoantibody profile was compared with that of 42 healthy subjects
      (HS). RESULTS: Autoantibodies were detected in 71% (22/31) patients. Anti-nuclear
      antibody or anti-smooth muscle antibody were present in 4/65 FDR (6.2%). HS were
      negative for all autoantibodies. The frequencies of homozygous HLA DRB1*0301
      (DR3) genes and haplotype A1-B8-DR3 were higher in the patients (25% and 43%)
      than in FDR (9% and 27%) and HS (0% and 16%). The frequencies of disease
      protective genes DR4 and/or DR15 were lower in the patients (25%) than in FDR
      (42%) and HS (42%). Only 1 family contained 2 patients with AILD, 1 with ASC and
      1 with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Both patients possessed A1-B8-DR3 genes,
      the ASC being homozygous and the primary sclerosing cholangitis heterozygous. Six
      FDR had nonhepatic autoimmune disorders, none being autoantibody positive.
      CONCLUSIONS: Homozygosity for DR3 plays a major role in the predisposition to
      juvenile AILD. Diagnostic autoantibodies for AILD are rare among patients' FDR
      and not linked to clinical manifestation of AILD.

PMID- 24231646
TI  - Humoral immunity after kidney transplantation: impact of two randomized
      immunosuppressive protocols.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Controlling alloimmune humoral response is a challenge in
      transplantation. Few studies have evaluated the impact of maintenance
      immunosuppression on blood humoral parameters. MATERIAL/METHODS: We performed a
      post-hoc analysis on 307 kidney transplant recipients included in a prospective
      randomized trial comparing tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil (Tac/MMF) vs.
      cyclosporine/azathioprine (CsA/AZA), both used with antithymocyte globulin
      induction and steroids. Humoral parameters were analyzed at D0, D15, and M12.
      RESULTS: IgG, IgA, and IgM levels decreased significantly as soon as D15 in both
      groups (-35%, -26%, and -35% respectively, vs. D0). At M12, although peripheral B
      cell counts did not differ between the groups, Tac/MMF regimen was associated
      with lower IgG, IgA, and IgM levels than CsA/AZA (-5.9%, -14.6%, and -34%,
      respectively). Hypogammaglobulinemia at D15 was not associated with an increased
      risk of infections during the first year. The proportion of HLA-sensitized
      patients decreased in the Tac/MMF group (15.9% at D0 and 6.7% at M12, p=0.02) and
      remained stable in the CsA/AZA group (10.3% at D0 and 8.9% at M12, p=0.5). More
      patients sensitized at baseline became non-sensitized at M12 with Tac/MMF than
      with CsA/AZA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest humoral immunosuppression is
      better with Tac/MMF than with CsA/AZA during the first year of kidney
      transplantation.

PMID- 24231647
TI  - WITHDRAWN: Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells recruits trophic macrophages
      to induce pancreatic beta cell regeneration in diabetic mice.
AB  - This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor.
      The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier
      Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at
      http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

PMID- 24231648
TI  - Monte Carlo simulations of nanoscale focused neon ion beam sputtering.
AB  - A Monte Carlo simulation is developed to model the physical sputtering of
      aluminum and tungsten emulating nanoscale focused helium and neon ion beam
      etching from the gas field ion microscope. Neon beams with different beam
      energies (0.5-30 keV) and a constant beam diameter (Gaussian with full-width-at
      half-maximum of 1 nm) were simulated to elucidate the nanostructure evolution
      during the physical sputtering of nanoscale high aspect ratio features. The
      aspect ratio and sputter yield vary with the ion species and beam energy for a
      constant beam diameter and are related to the distribution of the nuclear energy
      loss. Neon ions have a larger sputter yield than the helium ions due to their
      larger mass and consequently larger nuclear energy loss relative to helium.
      Quantitative information such as the sputtering yields, the energy-dependent
      aspect ratios and resolution-limiting effects are discussed. 

PMID- 24231649
TI  - Ongoing activation of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors mediates maturation of
      exosomal multivesicular endosomes.
AB  - During late endosome maturation, cargo molecules are sorted into intralumenal
      vesicles (ILVs) of multivesicular endosomes (MVEs), and are either delivered to
      lysosomes for degradation or fused with the plasma membranes for exosome release.
      The mechanism underlying formation of exosomal ILVs and cargo sorting into ILVs
      destined for exosome release is still unclear. Here we show that inhibitory G
      protein (Gi)-coupled sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors regulate exosomal
      MVE maturation. Gi-coupled S1P receptors on MVEs are constitutively activated
      through a constant supply of S1P via autocrine activation within organelles. We
      also found that the continuous activation of Gi-coupled S1P receptors on MVEs is
      essential for cargo sorting into ILVs destined for exosome release. Our results
      reveal a mechanism underlying ESCRT-independent maturation of exosomal MVEs. 

PMID- 24231651
TI  - The Swedish Developmental Biology Organization (SWEDBO): a new beginning.

PMID- 24231650
TI  - Discovery of a novel activator of 5-lipoxygenase from an anacardic acid derived
      compound collection.
AB  - Lipoxygenases (LOXs) and cyclooxygenases (COXs) metabolize poly-unsaturated fatty
      acids into inflammatory signaling molecules. Modulation of the activity of these
      enzymes may provide new approaches for therapy of inflammatory diseases. In this
      study, we screened novel anacardic acid derivatives as modulators of human 5-LOX
      and COX-2 activity. Interestingly, a novel salicylate derivative 23a was
      identified as a surprisingly potent activator of human 5-LOX. This compound
      showed both non-competitive activation towards the human 5-LOX activator
      adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and non-essential mixed type activation against the
      substrate linoleic acid, while having no effect on the conversion of the
      substrate arachidonic acid. The kinetic analysis demonstrated a non-essential
      activation of the linoleic acid conversion with a KA of 8.65 MUM, alphaKA of
      0.38MUM and a beta value of 1.76. It is also of interest that a comparable
      derivative 23d showed a mixed type inhibition for linoleic acid conversion. These
      observations indicate the presence of an allosteric binding site in human 5-LOX
      distinct from the ATP binding site. The activatory and inhibitory behavior of 23a
      and 23d on the conversion of linoleic compared to arachidonic acid are
      rationalized by docking studies, which suggest that the activator 23a stabilizes
      linoleic acid binding, whereas the larger inhibitor 23d blocks the enzyme active
      site.

PMID- 24231652
TI  - Higher pain perception and lack of recovery from neuropathic pain in females: a
      behavioural, immunohistochemical, and proteomic investigation on sex-related
      differences in mice.
AB  - In experimental and clinical pain studies, the sex of subjects was rarely taken
      into account, even if nociceptive inputs appear to be processed and modulated by
      partially distinct neural mechanisms in each sex. In this study we analysed, in
      male and female mice, behavioural and neuronal responses in developing,
      maintaining, and recovering from neuropathic pain. Experiments were carried out
      in adult CD1 mice by using Chronic Constriction Injury (CCI) as neuropathic pain
      model. We investigated the temporal trend of mechanical nociceptive threshold
      together with functional recovery of the injured paw, and the immunofluorescence
      staining of proteins associated with nerve injury and repair and with spinal
      gliosis, 7 and 121days after CCI. A proteomic analysis on proteins extracted from
      sciatic nerves was also performed. Male mice showed a gradual decrease of CCI
      induced allodynia, the complete recovery occurring 81days after the sciatic nerve
      ligation. On the contrary, in female mice, allodynia was still present 121days
      after CCI. Sex-dependent differences also resulted from immunofluorescence
      experiments: in sciatic nerve, the expression of P0 and Neu200 is greater in
      neuropathic males than in neuropathic females, suggesting faster nerve
      regeneration. Proteomic analysis confirmed sex-related differences of proteins
      associated with nerve regenerative processes. In addition, the reactive gliosis
      induced by CCI at day 7, as revealed by colocalization of glial fibrillary acidic
      protein (astrocytes) and CD11b (microglia) with phosphorylated p38, disappeared
      121 days after CCI in male but not in female mice. These results may have
      important therapeutic implications for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

PMID- 24231653
TI  - The role of executive functioning in children's attentional pain control: an
      experimental analysis.
AB  - Directing attention away from pain is often used in children's pain treatment
      programs to control pain. However, empirical evidence concerning its
      effectiveness is inconclusive. We therefore sought to understand other
      influencing factors, including executive function and its role in the pain
      experience. This study investigates the role of executive functioning in the
      effectiveness of distraction. School children (n=164) completed executive
      functioning tasks (inhibition, switching, and working memory) and performed a
      cold-pressor task. One half of the children simultaneously performed a
      distracting tone-detection task; the other half did not. Results showed that
      participants in the distraction group were engaged in the distraction task and
      were reported to pay significantly less attention to pain than controls.
      Executive functioning influenced distraction task engagement. More specifically,
      participants with good inhibition and working memory abilities performed the
      distraction task better; participants with good switching abilities reported
      having paid more attention to the distraction task. Furthermore, distraction was
      found to be ineffective in reducing pain intensity and affect. Executive
      functioning did not influence the effectiveness of distraction. However, a
      relationship was found between executive functioning and pain affect, indicating
      that participants with good inhibition and working memory abilities experienced
      the cold-pressor task as less stressful and unpleasant. Our findings suggest that
      distraction as a process for managing pain is complex. While it appears that
      executive function may play a role in adult distraction, in this study it did not
      direct attention away from pain. It may instead be involved in the overall pain
      experience. 

PMID- 24231654
TI  - Onset of action of a lozenge containing flurbiprofen 8.75 mg: a randomized,
      double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a new method for measuring onset of
      analgesic activity.
AB  - A new onset-of-action model was utilized to distinguish the pharmacologic
      activity of flurbiprofen 8.75mg delivered in a lozenge from the demulcent effect
      of the lozenge base. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,
      patients with sore throat rated pain on a Sore Throat Pain Intensity Scale before
      taking one flurbiprofen or placebo lozenge and at frequent (2-minute) intervals
      over the first hour after treatment. Further ratings of the Sore Throat Pain
      Intensity Scale and other patient-reported outcomes (difficulty swallowing,
      swollen throat, pain relief) were obtained at varying intervals over 6 hours.
      Onset of pharmacologic activity was defined as the median time of first perceived
      pain reduction if a patient reported clinically meaningful (at least moderate)
      relief. The conventional method of comparing mean treatment responses at each
      time point was also implemented. Demulcent action was detected at the first 2
      minute assessment. By the new method, 102 flurbiprofen-treated patients were
      identified as first perceiving pain relief at 12 minutes, compared with >120
      minutes by 102 patients using placebo (P<0.001). By the conventional method, mean
      percentage pain reduction for flurbiprofen 8.75 mg was first significantly
      differentiated from placebo at 26 minutes (P<0.05). Efficacy of flurbiprofen
      lozenge was demonstrated for 3.5-4hours on the 4 patient-reported outcomes (all
      P<0.05 compared with placebo). There were no serious adverse events. This patient
      centered onset-of-action model identifies the initiation of pain relief in
      patients who are definite drug responders, here demonstrating that a flurbiprofen
      8.75-mg lozenge provides early relief of sore throat.

PMID- 24231655
TI  - The braking force in walking: age-related differences and improvement in older
      adults with exergame training.
AB  - The purposes of this present research were, in the first study, to determine
      whether age impacts a measure of postural control (the braking force in walking)
      and, in a second study, to determine whether exergame training in physically
      simulated sport activity would show transfer, increasing the braking force in
      walking and also improving balance assessed by clinical measures, functional
      fitness, and health-related quality of life in older adults. For the second
      study, the authors developed an active video game training program (using the Wii
      system) with a pretest-training-posttest design comparing an experimental group
      (24 1-hr sessions of training) with a control group. Participants completed a
      battery comprising balance (braking force in short and normal step conditions),
      functional fitness (Senior Fitness Test), and health-related quality of life (SF
      36). Results show that 12 weeks of video game-based exercise program training
      improved the braking force in the normal step condition, along with the
      functional fitness of lower limb strength, cardiovascular endurance, and motor
      agility, as measured by the Senior Fitness Test. Only the global mental dimension
      of the SF-36 was sensitive to exergame practice. Exergames appear to be an
      effective way to train postural control in older adults. Because of the
      multimodal nature of the activity, exergames provide an effective tool for
      remediation of age-related problems. 

PMID- 24231656
TI  - Taking the STING out of cytosolic DNA sensing.
AB  - Detection of cytosolic DNA activates a downstream signaling molecule called
      STimulator of INterferon Genes (STING). Inappropriate or excessive activation of
      STING can lead to autoimmune disease. A new paper in Cell addresses the important
      question of how STING-dependent signaling is normally constrained. 

PMID- 24231657
TI  - Preliminary biomarkers for identification of human ascending thoracic aortic
      aneurysm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs) are life
      threatening and constitute a leading cause of mortality in the United States.
      Previously, we demonstrated that collagens alpha2(V) and alpha1(XI) mRNA and
      protein expression levels are significantly increased in ATAAs. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: In this report, the authors extended these preliminary studies using
      high-throughput proteomic analysis to identify additional biomarkers for use in
      whole blood real-time RT-PCR analysis to allow for the identification of ATAAs
      before dissection or rupture. Human ATAA samples were obtained from male and
      female patients aged 65 +/- 14 years. Both bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve
      patients were included and compared with nonaneurysmal aortas (mean diameter 2.3
      cm). Five biomarkers were identified as being suitable for detection and
      identification of ATAAs using qRT-PCR analysis of whole blood. Analysis of 41
      samples (19 small, 13 medium-sized, and 9 large ATAAs) demonstrated the
      overexpression of 3 of these transcript biomarkers correctly identified 79.4% of
      patients with ATAA of >=4.0 cm (P<0.001, sensitivity 0.79, CI=0.62 to 0.91;
      specificity 1.00, 95% CI=0.42 to 1.00). CONCLUSION: A preliminary transcript
      biomarker panel for the identification of ATAAs using whole blood qRT-PCR
      analysis in men and women is presented.

PMID- 24231658
TI  - Incidence and risk factors of cerebrovascular events following cardiac
      catheterization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the most daunting complications of cardiac catheterization is
      a cerebrovascular event (CVE). We aimed to assess the real-life incidence,
      etiology, and risk factors of cardiac catheterization-related acute CVEs in a
      large cohort of patients treated in a single center. METHODS AND RESULTS: We
      undertook a retrospective analysis of 43,350 coronary procedures performed on
      30,907 procedure days over the period 1992-2011 and compared patient and
      procedural characteristics of procedures complicated by CVEs with the remaining
      cohort. CVEs occurred in 47 cases: 43 were ischemic, 3 intracerebral hemorrhages,
      and 1 undetermined. The overall CVE rate was 0.15%, with percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) and diagnostic coronary angiography rates 0.23% and 0.09%,
      respectively. Using a forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression model
      including patient demographic and procedural characteristics, a total of 5
      significant predictors were defined: prior stroke (OR=15.09, 95% CI [8.11 to
      28.08], P<0.0001), presence of coronary arterial thrombus (OR=2.79, 95% CI [1.25
      to 6.22], P=0.012), age >75 years (OR=3.33, 95% CI [1.79 to 6.19], P<0.0001),
      triple vessel disease (OR=2.24, 95% CI [1.20 to 4.18], P=0.011), and performance
      of intervention (OR=2.21, 95% CI [1.12 to 4.33], P=0.021). An additional analysis
      excluded any temporal change of CVE rates but demonstrated a significant increase
      of all high-risk patient features. CONCLUSION: In a single-center, retrospective
      assessment over nearly 20 years, cardiac catheterization-related CVEs were very
      rare and nearly exclusively ischemic. The independent predictors for these events
      were found to be the performance of an intervention and those associated with
      increased atherosclerotic burden, specifically older age, triple vessel disease,
      and prior stroke. The presence of intracoronary thrombus appears also to raise
      the risk of procedure-related CVE.

PMID- 24231659
TI  - Protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor-1 deficiency reduces phosphorylation of renal
      NaCl cotransporter and causes arterial hypotension.
AB  - The thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCC) of the renal distal convoluted
      tubule (DCT) controls ion homeostasis and arterial BP. Loss-of-function mutations
      of NCC cause renal salt wasting with arterial hypotension (Gitelman syndrome).
      Conversely, mutations in the NCC-regulating WNK kinases or kelch-like 3 protein
      cause familial hyperkalemic hypertension. Here, we performed automated sorting of
      mouse DCTs and microarray analysis for comprehensive identification of novel DCT
      enriched gene products, which may potentially regulate DCT and NCC function. This
      approach identified protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor-1 (I-1) as a DCT-enriched
      transcript, and immunohistochemistry revealed I-1 expression in mouse and human
      DCTs and thick ascending limbs. In heterologous expression systems, coexpression
      of NCC with I-1 increased thiazide-dependent Na(+) uptake, whereas RNAi-mediated
      knockdown of endogenous I-1 reduced NCC phosphorylation. Likewise, levels of
      phosphorylated NCC decreased by approximately 50% in I-1 (I-1(-/-)) knockout mice
      without changes in total NCC expression. The abundance and phosphorylation of
      other renal sodium-transporting proteins, including NaPi-IIa, NKCC2, and ENaC,
      did not change, although the abundance of pendrin increased in these mice. The
      abundance, phosphorylation, and subcellular localization of SPAK were similar in
      wild-type (WT) and I-1(-/-) mice. Compared with WT mice, I-1(-/-) mice exhibited
      significantly lower arterial BP but did not display other metabolic features of
      NCC dysregulation. Thus, I-1 is a DCT-enriched gene product that controls
      arterial BP, possibly through regulation of NCC activity.

PMID- 24231660
TI  - A within-patient analysis for time-varying risk factors of CKD progression.
AB  - Recent data suggest that nonlinear GFR trajectories are common among patients
      with CKD, but the modifiable risk factors underlying these changes in CKD
      progression rate are unknown. Analyses relating baseline risk factors to
      subsequent GFR decline are suboptimal because these relationships often attenuate
      as follow-up time increases and these analyses do not account for temporal
      changes in risk factors. We identified 74 participants in the African American
      Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension who had both a period of rapid GFR
      decline and an extended period of stability during a follow-up period of >=12
      years. We performed a within-patient comparison of time-varying risk factors
      measured during the periods of GFR decline and stability and identified several
      risk factors associated with faster GFR decline: more hospitalization episodes
      and hospitalization days per year; higher BP, serum phosphorus, and urine protein
      to-creatinine ratio; lower serum albumin and urine sodium-to-potassium ratio;
      slower rate of decline of serum urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum uric acid,
      and serum phosphorus; and faster rate of decline of serum hematocrit and serum
      bicarbonate. By allowing each patient to serve as his or her own control, this
      novel, within-patient analytic approach holds considerable promise as a means to
      identify time-varying risk factors associated with stabilization of GFR or
      acceleration of GFR decline.

PMID- 24231661
TI  - Functional cardiopulmonary exercise testing in potential renal transplant
      recipients.

PMID- 24231663
TI  - Plasma apolipoprotein L1 levels do not correlate with CKD.
AB  - Polymorphisms in APOL1 are associated with CKD, including HIV-related CKD, in
      individuals of African ancestry. The apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) protein circulates
      and is localized in kidney cells, but the contribution of APOL1 location to CKD
      pathogenesis is unclear. We examined associations of plasma APOL1 levels with
      plasma cytokine levels, dyslipidemia, and APOL1 genotype in a nested case-control
      study (n=270) of HIV-infected African Americans enrolled in a multicenter
      prospective observational study. Patients were designated as having CKD when
      estimated GFR (eGFR) decreased to <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) (eGFR<60 cohort) or
      protein-to-creatinine ratios became >3.5 g/g (nephrotic proteinuria cohort).
      Circulating APOL1 levels did not associate with APOL1 genotype, CKD status, or
      levels of proinflammatory cytokines, but did correlate with fasting cholesterol,
      LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. At ascertainment, CKD-associated
      polymorphisms (risk variants) in APOL1 associated with the eGFR<60 cohort, but
      not the nephrotic-range proteinuria cohort. Of note, in both the eGFR<60 and
      nephrotic proteinuria cohorts, CKD cases with two APOL1 risk variants had
      significant declines in eGFR over a median of 4 years compared with individuals
      with one or no risk variants. APOL1 risk genotype was not associated with changes
      in proteinuria. Higher circulating proinflammatory cytokine levels were
      independently associated with CKD but not APOL1 genotype. In conclusion, the
      function of variant APOL1 proteins derived from circulation or synthesized in the
      kidney, but not the level of circulating APOL1, probably mediates APOL1
      associated kidney disease in HIV-infected African Americans.

PMID- 24231662
TI  - The gut microbiome, kidney disease, and targeted interventions.
AB  - The human gut harbors >100 trillion microbial cells, which influence the
      nutrition, metabolism, physiology, and immune function of the host. Here, we
      review the quantitative and qualitative changes in gut microbiota of patients
      with CKD that lead to disturbance of this symbiotic relationship, how this may
      contribute to the progression of CKD, and targeted interventions to re-establish
      symbiosis. Endotoxin derived from gut bacteria incites a powerful inflammatory
      response in the host organism. Furthermore, protein fermentation by gut
      microbiota generates myriad toxic metabolites, including p-cresol and indoxyl
      sulfate. Disruption of gut barrier function in CKD allows translocation of
      endotoxin and bacterial metabolites to the systemic circulation, which
      contributes to uremic toxicity, inflammation, progression of CKD, and associated
      cardiovascular disease. Several targeted interventions that aim to re-establish
      intestinal symbiosis, neutralize bacterial endotoxins, or adsorb gut-derived
      uremic toxins have been developed. Indeed, animal and human studies suggest that
      prebiotics and probiotics may have therapeutic roles in maintaining a
      metabolically-balanced gut microbiota and reducing progression of CKD and uremia
      associated complications. We propose that further research should focus on using
      this highly efficient metabolic machinery to alleviate uremic symptoms. 

PMID- 24231664
TI  - Prominent accumulation in hemodialysis patients of solutes normally cleared by
      tubular secretion.
AB  - Dialytic clearance of urea is efficient, but other small solutes normally
      secreted by the kidney may be cleared less efficiently. This study tested whether
      the high concentrations of these solutes in hemodialysis patients reflect a
      failure of passive diffusion methods to duplicate the efficacy of clearance by
      tubular secretion. We compared the plasma concentrations and clearance rates of
      four solutes normally cleared by tubular secretion with the plasma concentrations
      and clearance rates of urea and creatinine in patients receiving maintenance
      hemodialysis and normal subjects. The predialysis concentrations (relative to
      normal subjects) of unbound phenylacetylglutamine (122-fold), hippurate (108
      fold), indoxyl sulfate (116-fold), and p-cresol sulfate (41-fold) were much
      greater than the concentrations of urea (5-fold) and creatinine (13-fold). The
      dialytic clearance rates (relative to normal subjects) of unbound
      phenylacetylglutamine (0.37-fold), hippurate (0.16-fold), indoxyl sulfate (0.21
      fold), and p-cresol sulfate (0.39-fold) were much lower than the rates of urea
      (4.2-fold) and creatinine (1.3-fold). Mathematical modeling showed that prominent
      accumulation of the normally secreted solutes in hemodialysis patients could be
      accounted for by lower dialytic clearance relative to physiologic clearance
      combined with the intermittency of treatment. Whether or not more efficient
      removal of normally secreted solutes improves outcomes in dialysis patients
      remains to be tested.

PMID- 24231665
TI  - Economic evaluation of frequent home nocturnal hemodialysis based on a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - Provider and patient enthusiasm for frequent home nocturnal hemodialysis (FHNHD)
      has been renewed; however, the cost-effectiveness of this technique is unknown.
      We performed a cost-utility analysis of FHNHD compared with conventional
      hemodialysis (CvHD; 4 hours three times per week) from a health payer perspective
      over a lifetime horizon using patient information from the Alberta NHD randomized
      controlled trial. Costs, including training costs, were obtained using
      microcosting and administrative data (CAN$2012). We determined the incremental
      cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Robustness was assessed using
      scenario, sensitivity, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Compared with CvHD
      (61% in-center, 14% satellite, and 25% home dialysis), FHNHD led to incremental
      cost savings (-$6700) and an additional 0.38 QALYs. In sensitivity analyses, when
      the annual probability of technique failure with FHNHD increased from 7.6%
      (reference case) to >=19%, FHNHD became unattractive (>$75,000/QALY). The
      cost/QALY gained became $13,000 if average training time for FHNHD increased from
      3.7 to 6 weeks. In scenarios with alternate comparator modalities, FHNHD remained
      dominant compared with in-center CvHD; cost/QALYs gained were $18,500, $198,000,
      and $423,000 compared with satellite CvHD, home CvHD, and peritoneal dialysis,
      respectively. In summary, FHNHD is attractive compared with in-center CvHD in
      this cohort. However, the attractiveness of FHNHD varies by technique failure
      rate, training time, and dialysis modalities from which patients are drawn, and
      these variables should be considered when establishing FHNHD programs.

PMID- 24231666
TI  - Functional cardiovascular reserve predicts survival pre-kidney and post-kidney
      transplantation.
AB  - Exercise intolerance is an important comorbidity in patients with CKD. Anaerobic
      threshold (AT) determines the upper limits of aerobic exercise and is a measure
      of cardiovascular reserve. This study investigated the prognostic capacity of AT
      on survival in patients with advanced CKD and the effect of kidney
      transplantation on survival in those with reduced cardiovascular reserve. Using
      cardiopulmonary exercise testing, cardiovascular reserve was evaluated in 240
      patients who were waitlisted for kidney transplantation between 2008 and 2010,
      and patients were followed for <=5 years. Survival time was the primary endpoint.
      Cumulative survival for the entire cohort was 72.6% (24 deaths), with
      cardiovascular events being the most common cause of death (54.2%). According to
      Kaplan-Meier estimates, patients with AT <40% of predicted peak VO2 had a
      significantly reduced 5-year cumulative overall survival rate compared with those
      with AT >=40% (P<0.001). Regarding the cohort with AT <40%, patients who
      underwent kidney transplantation (6 deaths) had significantly better survival
      compared with nontransplanted patients (17 deaths) (hazard ratio, 4.48; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.78 to 11.38; P=0.002). Survival did not differ
      significantly among patients with AT >=40%, with one death in the nontransplanted
      group and no deaths in the transplanted group. In summary, this is the first
      prospective study to demonstrate a significant association of AT, as the
      objective index of cardiovascular reserve, with survival in patients with
      advanced CKD. High-risk patients with reduced cardiovascular reserve had a better
      survival rate after receiving a kidney transplant. 

PMID- 24231667
TI  - Three-dimensional solid texture analysis in biomedical imaging: review and
      opportunities.
AB  - Three-dimensional computerized characterization of biomedical solid textures is
      key to large-scale and high-throughput screening of imaging data. Such data
      increasingly become available in the clinical and research environments with an
      ever increasing spatial resolution. In this text we exhaustively analyze the
      state-of-the-art in 3-D biomedical texture analysis to identify the specific
      needs of the application domains and extract promising trends in image processing
      algorithms. The geometrical properties of biomedical textures are studied both in
      their natural space and on digitized lattices. It is found that most of the
      tissue types have strong multi-scale directional properties, that are well
      captured by imaging protocols with high resolutions and spherical spatial
      transfer functions. The information modeled by the various image processing
      techniques is analyzed and visualized by displaying their 3-D texture primitives.
      We demonstrate that non-convolutional approaches are expected to provide best
      results when the size of structures are inferior to five voxels. For larger
      structures, it is shown that only multi-scale directional convolutional
      approaches that are non-separable allow for an unbiased modeling of 3-D
      biomedical textures. With the increase of high-resolution isotropic imaging
      protocols in clinical routine and research, these models are expected to best
      leverage the wealth of 3-D biomedical texture analysis in the future. Future
      research directions and opportunities are proposed to efficiently model
      personalized image-based phenotypes of normal biomedical tissue and its
      alterations. The integration of the clinical and genomic context is expected to
      better explain the intra class variation of healthy biomedical textures. Using
      texture synthesis, this provides the exciting opportunity to simulate and
      visualize texture atlases of normal ageing process and disease progression for
      enhanced treatment planning and clinical care management. 

PMID- 24231668
TI  - End-tidal concentrations of sevoflurane and desflurane for ProSeal laryngeal mask
      airway removal in anaesthetised adults: a randomised double-blind study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal end-tidal sevoflurane and desflurane concentration for
      successful ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) removal in unpremedicated
      anaesthetised adults has not been determined. OBJECTIVES: We determined end-tidal
      sevoflurane and desflurane concentration in 50% of anaesthetised adults (EC50:
      concentration at which there is 50% chance of patients showing 'no movement'
      response) for smooth PLMA removal. DESIGN: Randomised controlled double blind
      study. SETTING: Operating theatre of a government tertiary care institute. The
      study period was December 2011 to January 2013. PATIENTS: Thirty nine
      unpremedicated American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and
      II women with cervical carcinoma (aged 30 to 60 years) scheduled for implantation
      of intracavity caesium under general anaesthesia with PLMA as an airway device
      were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: The participants were randomised to
      one of the two groups receiving either desflurane or sevoflurane for anaesthesia
      maintenance. Anaesthesia induction was performed with intravenous propofol.
      Predetermined end-tidal sevoflurane concentration (initiating at 2%) or
      desflurane (initiating at 4%) was sustained for 10 min before PLMA removal was
      attempted. End-tidal concentrations were increased/decreased (step-size 0.2% for
      sevoflurane and 0.5% for desflurane) using Dixon and Massey up and down method in
      the next patient depending upon previous patient's response. Patient responses to
      PLMA removal were classified as 'movement' or 'no movement'. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: EC50 was calculated as the mean of the crossover pairs' midpoints in
      each group and further confirmed by probit regression analysis. RESULTS: EC50
      (95% confidence interval) of sevoflurane and desflurane for PLMA removal were
      1.58% (0.669 to 2.060) and 2.79% (2.733 to 2.841), respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Predicted EC50 and EC95 of sevoflurane and desflurane for smooth removal for the
      PLMA were 1.58 (0.669 to 2.060), 2.27 (1.859 to 21.16), 2.79 (2.733.2.841) and
      3.27% (3.173 to 3.395), respectively. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered with
      Clinical Trial Registry of India (URL: http://www.ctri.in), Registry ref no:
      CTRI/2012/12/004285.

PMID- 24231669
TI  - Enhanced trion emission from colloidal quantum dots with photonic crystals by two
      photon excitation.
AB  - For colloidal quantum dots, the ongoing biggest problem is their fluorescence
      blinking. Until now, there is no generally accepted model for this fluorescence
      blinking. Here, two-photon excited fluorescence from CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals on
      silicon nitride photonic crystals is studied using a femtosecond laser. From
      analysis of the spectra and decay processes, most of the relative trion
      efficiency is larger than 10%, and the largest relative trion efficiency reaches
      46.7%. The photonic crystals enhance the trion emission of CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals,
      where the enhancement is due to the coupling of the trion emission to the leaky
      mode of the photonic crystal slab. Moreover, the photonic crystals enhance the
      Auger-assisted trapping efficiency of electrons/holes to surface states, and then
      enhance the efficiency of the generations of charge separation and DC electric
      field, which modifies the trion spectrum. Therefore, a model is present for
      explaining the mechanism of fluorescence blinking including the effect of the
      environment. 

PMID- 24231670
TI  - Adoption of sun safe workplace practices by local governments.
AB  - CONTEXT: Outdoor workers are especially susceptible to skin cancer--the most
      common, but also one of the most preventable, forms of cancer. Colorado, the
      location of the study, has the second highest rate of skin cancer deaths in the
      nation. OBJECTIVE: Local government managers in Colorado-in municipalities,
      counties, and special districts-were surveyed to ascertain the extent to which
      they engage in formal (written) and informal practices to protect their outdoor
      workers against excessive exposure to sun. DESIGN: The survey consisted of 51
      questions assessing awareness of formal or informal practices for sun protection
      of outdoor workers. An index of practices--the study's dependent variable--was
      created that was composed or practices such as providing employees free or
      reduced-cost sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, long-sleeved work shirts,
      long work pants, and temporary or permanent outdoor shade shelters. Proscriptive
      policies, such as restricting the use of broad brimmed hats, were subtracted from
      the index. Surveys were completed by 825 administrators representing 98
      jurisdictions. Responses from administrators in the same jurisdiction were
      averaged. RESULTS: More than 40% of responding jurisdictions indicated that they
      engaged in informal sun safety practices. Tests conducted to determine what
      variables might account for the adoption of these sun protection practices found
      that the degree to which a community could be regarded as cosmopolite and as
      having an individualistic political culture were significant predictors. Type of
      government was also significant. Although, higher community income was a
      significant predictor, neither local government budget nor size was significant.
      CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of sun safe practices bears low costs with potentially
      high returns. Findings from this study suggest that awareness campaigns might
      most effectively target cosmopolite communities, but that the greatest impact
      might be achieved by targeting localite communities. Government size and budget
      do not appear to be constraints in the adoption of sun safe practices.

PMID- 24231671
TI  - Results of arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff tear with the resection of
      symptomatic acromioclavicular joint with degenerative changes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff (RC) tear is one of the most common disorders affecting
      the shoulder. Acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis is an equally common
      pathology of the shoulder. The coexistence of both disorders is common, although
      RC tear is more frequently the cause of shoulder pain than AC joint arthritis.
      The purpose of this study was to compare the results of arthroscopic treatment of
      RC tear and simultaneous resection of symptomatic AC joint with arthritis.
      MATERIAL/METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 40 patients who underwent
      arthroscopic RC repair between January 2008 and December 2009. Patients were
      divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 20 patients with
      symptomatic arthritis of AC joint, specifically painful joint palpation test and
      painful cross-body adduction test. The control group included 20 patients with
      asymptomatic degenerative changes of AC joint. The first group of patients
      underwent RC resection and AC joint repair; the second group had an isolated RC
      repair. Follow-up period lasted from 44 to 68 months, an average of 54.4 months.
      RESULTS: Analysis using chi-squared test for independence has shown no
      statistically significant difference in terms of subjects' gender or age in both
      groups. No significant difference in terms of pain intensity (VAS) was observed
      before and after surgery in either group. Significant reduction in pain intensity
      after surgery was observed in both groups, the AC joint resection group (p<0.001)
      and the without joint resection group (p<0.001). An increase in Constant's scale
      score was recorded in both groups after the surgery. Analysis has shown that
      patients who had undergone AC joint resection, had lower scores on a Constant's
      scale (p<0.022) before the surgery than those who were not resected. There were
      no statistically significant differences between the two groups after the
      surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementary resection of a painful AC joint with
      arthritis during RC tear repair provides good, long-term outcomes. In contrast to
      patients with asymptomatic AC joint arthritis, the coexistence of a torn RC and
      symptomatic AC joint with arthritis, can worsen shoulder function in the
      preoperative period.

PMID- 24231672
TI  - The antennal sensilla of the praying mantis Tenodera aridifolia: a new flagellar
      partition based on the antennal macro-, micro- and ultrastructures.
AB  - In insects, the antenna consists of a scapus, a pedicellus, and a flagellum
      comprising many segments (flagellomeres). These segments possess many
      morphological types of sensory organs (sensilla) to process multimodal sensory
      information. We observed the sensilla on flagellomeres in praying mantis
      (Tenodera aridifolia) with both scanning and transmission electron microscopes.
      We classified the sensilla into six types: chaetic, campaniform, coelocapitular,
      basiconic, trichoid and grooved peg sensilla, and inferred their presumptive
      functions on the basis of their external and internal structures. In addition,
      based on their distribution, we newly divided the flagellum into 6 distinct
      parts. This new division leads to a better understanding about the sexual
      dimorphism and the antennal development in the mantises. The sexual difference in
      distribution of the grooved peg sensilla suggests that this type of sensilla may
      play a role in sex-pheromone detection in mantis, which is a rare case of double
      walled sensilla mediating this function. 

PMID- 24231673
TI  - Optimization of purification processes to remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) in polluted raw fish oils.
AB  - Fish oils are one of the main sources of health promoting nutrients such as n-3
      fatty acids in animal and human diet. Nevertheless, they could be an important
      source of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Different strategies of
      decontamination processes to reduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels
      in fish oils, such as solvent extraction (ethanol) and adsorbent extraction using
      commercially available (activated carbon) and sustainable adsorbents (mussel
      shell and wood ashes), were compared. Adsorption conditions were evaluated and
      optimized by an experimental design and the experimental results were adjusted to
      response surfaces. In this way, PAH removals increased with increasing of
      individual PAH molecular weight and they range from 80% to 100% using activated
      carbon and from 10% to 100% using wood ashes. Pine wood ashes showed similar
      removal rates to activated carbon (87%-100%) excluding F (51%) and P (42%). No
      PAH removal was observed using mussel shell ashes. Ethanol extraction was also
      optimized and showed a good performance in the extraction of PAHs. However, it
      does affect their omega-3 fatty acid contents. Finally, real oil samples from
      different fishing areas: Spain, South America, and North Europe were selected for
      the decontamination experiments under experimental conditions previously
      optimized. 

PMID- 24231674
TI  - Biophysical characteristics of cells cultured on cholesteryl ester liquid
      crystals.
AB  - This study aimed at examining the biophysical characteristics of human derived
      keratinocytes (HaCaT) cultured on cholesteryl ester liquid crystals (CELC). CELC
      was previously shown to improve sensitivity in sensing cell contractions.
      Characteristics of the cell integrin expressions and presence of extracellular
      matrix (ECM) proteins on the liquid crystals were interrogated using various
      immunocytochemical techniques. The investigation was followed by characterization
      of the chemical properties of the liquid crystals (LC) after immersion in cell
      culture media using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The surface
      morphology of cells adhered to the LC was studied using atomic force microscopy
      (AFM). Consistent with the expressions of the integrins alpha2, alpha3 and beta1,
      extracellular matrix proteins (laminin, collagen type IV and fibronectin) were
      found secreted by the HaCaT onto CELC and these proteins were also secreted by
      cells cultured on the glass substrates. FTIR analysis of the LC revealed the
      existence of spectrum assigned to cholesterol and ester moieties that are
      essential compounds for the metabolizing activities of keratinocytes. The
      immunostainings indicated that cell adhesion on the LC is mediated by self
      secreted ECM proteins. As revealed by the AFM imaging, the constraint in cell
      membrane spread on the LC leads to the increase in cell surface roughness and
      thickness of cell membrane. The biophysical expressions of cells on biocompatible
      CELC suggested that CELC could be a new class of biological relevant material.

PMID- 24231675
TI  - Qualitative characteristics of meat from young bulls fed different levels of
      crude glycerin.
AB  - The objective was to evaluate the fatty acid profile and qualitative
      characteristics of meat from young bulls fed crude glycerin. Forty-four animals
      with an initial live weight of 368 +/- 4 kg were used in a completely randomized
      design, with four treatments: no glycerin or addition of 6, 12 or 18% glycerin.
      The animals were slaughtered with 519.5 +/- 14.9 kg of live weight. The meat
      characteristics assessed were chemical composition, shear force, fatty acid
      concentration, color and lipid oxidation. The addition of glycerin increased the
      content of ether extract (P<0.05) in the muscle. A linear increase was observed
      (P<0.05) in the oleic acid contents (C18:1 cis 9). The saturated fatty acid (SFA)
      contents linearly decreased in the muscle as a function of glycerin addition. The
      lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) indices increased with the use of crude
      glycerin (P<0.05). The crude glycerin increased the intramuscular fat and oleic
      acid content in the longissimus dorsi muscle.

PMID- 24231676
TI  - Lipid oxidation-induced oxidation in emu and ostrich myoglobins.
AB  - Emu and ostrich are ratites gaining increasing popularity as sources of low-fat
      meats. Secondary products of lipid oxidation, such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE),
      compromise myoglobin redox stability in a species-specific manner. However, the
      molecular basis of lipid oxidation-induced oxidation in ratite myoglobins has not
      been investigated. Therefore, our objective was to characterize lipid oxidation
      induced oxidation in ratite myoglobins, in comparison with beef myoglobin. At
      physiological condition (pH7.4, 37  degrees C) HNE accelerated (P<0.05) oxidation
      of emu, ostrich, and beef oxymyoglobins. Autoxidation and HNE-induced oxidation
      were greater (P<0.05) in ostrich oxymyoglobin than in emu and beef oxymyoglobins.
      Mass spectrometric analyses revealed that HNE formed mono-adduct with both emu
      and ostrich myoglobins after 6h of incubation. Tandem mass spectrometry
      demonstrated that HNE adducted histidine 36 in ostrich myoglobin, whereas
      histidines 34 and 36 were adducted in emu myoglobin. The results indicate that
      primary structure of ratite myoglobins influences their redox stability in the
      presence of prooxidants.

PMID- 24231677
TI  - Characterization and classification of Japanese consumer perceptions for beef
      tenderness using descriptive texture characteristics assessed by a trained
      sensory panel.
AB  - Meat tenderness is an important characteristic in terms of consumer preference
      and satisfaction. However, each consumer may have his/her own criteria to judge
      meat tenderness, because consumers are neither selected nor trained like an
      expert sensory panel. This study aimed to characterize consumer tenderness using
      descriptive texture profiles such as chewiness and hardness assessed by a trained
      panel. Longissimus muscles cooked at four different end-point temperatures were
      subjected to a trained sensory panel (n=18) and consumer (n=107) tenderness
      tests. Multiple regression analysis showed that consumer tenderness was
      characterized as 'low-chewiness and low hardness texture.' Subsequently,
      consumers were divided into two groups by cluster analysis according to
      tenderness perceptions in each participant, and the two groups were characterized
      as 'tenderness is mainly low-chewiness' and 'tenderness is mainly low-hardness'
      for tenderness perception, respectively. These results demonstrate objective
      characteristics and variability of consumer meat tenderness, and provide new
      information regarding the evaluation and management of meat tenderness for meat
      manufacturers. 

PMID- 24231679
TI  - Roles of YB-1 under arsenite-induced stress: translational activation of HSP70
      mRNA and control of the number of stress granules.
AB  - BACKGROUND: When cells become stressed, they form stress granules (SGs) and show
      an increase of the molecular chaperone HSP70. The translational regulator YB-1 is
      a component of SGs, but it is unclear whether it contributes to the translational
      induction of HSP70 mRNA. Here we examined the roles of YB-1 in SG assembly and
      translational regulation of HSP70 mRNA under arsenite-induced stress. METHOD:
      Using arsenite-treated NG108-15 cells, we examined whether YB-1 was included in
      SGs with GluR2 mRNA, a target of YB-1, and investigated the interaction of YB-1
      with HSP70 mRNA and its effect on translation of the mRNA. We also investigated
      the distribution of these mRNAs to SGs or polysomes, and evaluated the role of YB
      1 in SG assembly. RESULTS: Arsenite treatment reduced the translation level of
      GluR2 mRNA; concomitantly, YB-1-bound HSP70 mRNA was increased and its
      translation was induced. Sucrose gradient analysis revealed that the distribution
      of GluR2 mRNA was shifted from heavy-sedimenting to much lighter fractions, and
      also to SG-containing non-polysomal fractions. Conversely, HSP70 mRNA was shifted
      from the non-polysomal to polysome fractions. YB-1 depletion abrogated the
      arsenite-responsive activation of HSP70 synthesis, but SGs harboring both mRNAs
      were still assembled. The number of SGs was increased by YB-1 depletion and
      decreased by its overexpression. CONCLUSION: In arsenite-treated cells, YB-1
      mediates the translational activation of HSP70 mRNA and also controls the number
      of SGs through inhibition of their assembly. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Under stress
      conditions, YB-1 exerts simultaneous but opposing actions on the regulation of
      translation via SGs and polysomes.

PMID- 24231678
TI  - Transition fibre protein FBF1 is required for the ciliary entry of assembled
      intraflagellar transport complexes.
AB  - Sensory organelle cilia have critical roles in mammalian embryonic development
      and tissue homeostasis. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery is required for
      the assembly and maintenance of cilia. Yet, how this large complex passes through
      the size-dependent barrier at the ciliary base remains enigmatic. Here we report
      that FBF1, a highly conserved transition fibre protein, is required for the
      ciliary import of assembled IFT particles at the ciliary base. We cloned dyf-19,
      the Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of human FBF1, in a whole-genome screen for
      ciliogenesis mutants. DYF-19 localizes specifically to transition fibres and
      interacts directly with the IFT-B component DYF-11/IFT54. Although not a
      structural component of transition fibres, DYF-19 is required for the transit of
      assembled IFT particles through the ciliary base. Furthermore, we found that
      human FBF1 shares conserved localization and function with its worm counterpart.
      We conclude that FBF1 is a key functional transition fibre component that
      actively facilitates the ciliary entry of assembled IFT machinery. 

PMID- 24231681
TI  - Acute and chronic effects of an aromatase inhibitor on pair-maintenance behavior
      of water-restricted zebra finch pairs.
AB  - Zebra finches are highly social songbirds that maintain life-long monogamous pair
      bonds. They rely heavily upon these pair-bonds to survive their ever-changing and
      unpredictable habitat in the Australian desert. These pair-bonds are maintained
      via a large repertoire of affiliative behaviors that for most of an individual's
      life are predominately associated with pair maintenance. Water restriction
      reduces circulating testosterone levels in male zebra finches and the size of the
      ovary and oviduct in female zebra finches, but water restriction has little or no
      effects on pair-maintenance behaviors and local levels of testosterone and
      estradiol in behaviorally-relevant brain regions. These data suggest that in
      water-restricted zebra finches, local synthesis of testosterone and estradiol in
      the brain may support the expression of pair-maintenance behaviors. Here, we
      directly test whether pair-maintenance behaviors are regulated by estradiol,
      acting via non-genomic or genomic mechanisms, in water-restricted (i.e., non
      breeding) zebra finches. In two experiments, subjects were treated with an
      aromatase inhibitor (fadrozole) either acutely or chronically, and a variety of
      pair-maintenance behaviors were quantified. Additionally, we quantified the
      effect of acute fadrozole treatment on brain and circulating estradiol and
      testosterone levels. Acute fadrozole administration rapidly decreased estradiol
      levels in the circulation and brain of males and also rapidly increased
      testosterone levels in the circulation and brain of both males and females.
      However, neither the acute nor chronic fadrozole treatment decreased pair
      maintenance behaviors. In one case, acute fadrozole treatment promoted
      affiliation. These data suggest that pair-maintenance behavior in non-breeding
      zebra finches is not promoted by estradiol acting via either non-genomic or
      genomic mechanisms. 

PMID- 24231680
TI  - Canonical Wnt signaling differently modulates osteogenic differentiation of
      mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and from periodontal ligament
      under inflammatory conditions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cellular plasticity and complex functional requirements of the
      periodontal ligament (PDL) assume a local stem cell (SC) niche to maintain tissue
      homeostasis and repair. Here, pathological alterations caused by inflammatory
      insults might impact the regenerative capacities of these cells. As bone
      homeostasis is fundamentally controlled by Wnt-mediated signals, it was the aim
      of this study to characterize the SC-like capacities of cells derived from PDL
      and to investigate their involvement in bone pathophysiology especially regarding
      the canonical Wnt pathway. METHODS: PDLSCs were investigated for their SC
      characteristics via analysis of cell surface marker expression, colony forming
      unit efficiency, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and adipogenic
      differentiation, and compared to bone marrow derived mesenchymal SCs (BMMSCs). To
      determine the impact of both inflammation and the canonical Wnt pathway on
      osteogenic differentiation, cells were challenged with TNF-alpha, maintained with
      or without Wnt3a or DKK-1 under osteogenic induction conditions and investigated
      for p-IkappaBalpha, p-NF-kappaB, p-Akt, beta-catenin, p-GSK-3beta, ALP and Runx2.
      RESULTS: PDLSCs exhibit weaker adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation
      capacities compared to BMMSCs. TNF-alpha inhibited osteogenic differentiation of
      PDLSCs more than BMMSCs mainly through regulating canonical Wnt pathway. Blocking
      the canonical Wnt pathway by DKK-1 reconstituted osteogenic differentiation of
      PDLSCs under inflammatory conditions, whereas activation by Wnt3a increased
      osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a diverse
      regulation of the inhibitory effect of TNF-alpha in BMMSCs and PDLSCs via
      canonical Wnt pathway modulation. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: These findings provide
      novel insights on PDLSC SC-like capacities and their involvement in bone
      pathophysiology under the impact of the canonical Wnt pathway.

PMID- 24231682
TI  - Evolution of the gastrin-cholecystokinin gene family revealed by synteny
      analysis.
AB  - Gastrin (GAST) and cholecystokinin (CCK) are two structurally and functionally
      related peptide hormones that exert many functions, including regulation of
      gastric and pancreatic secretion, feeding behaviour and energy homeostasis. GAST
      and CCK genes are assumed to have diverged from a common ancestral gene, over 500
      million years ago in the vertebrate lineage. However, although a large number of
      GAST and CCK-related sequences have been identified both in vertebrate and non
      vertebrate species, the evolutionary history of the GAST/CCK family remains
      little understood. To address this issue, we used extensive genome synteny
      comparisons of vertebrate chromosomes, in particular to evaluate the impact of
      whole-genome duplications. In the present study, we confirm that the GAST/CCK
      family in vertebrates is composed of two paralogous genes, namely GAST and CCK,
      and even three in teleosts, namely GAST, CCK1 and CCK2. We also show that the
      GAST and CCK genes arose by duplications of a single ancestral gene through the
      2R and that the two copies of the CCK gene found in teleosts have probably been
      generated through the 3R. Finally, our results suggest that the vertebrate
      ancestor possessed four members of the GAST/CCK family, of which two have likely
      been lost during evolution. 

PMID- 24231683
TI  - Easy hydrothermal preparation of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanoparticles for solar cell
      application.
AB  - CZTS nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method at 230 
      degrees C for 24 h. The CZTS powder was synthesized with different concentration
      ratios of sulfur and copper, and the thin film was obtained by spin coating. A
      copper-rich concentration ratio of CZTS nanoparticles showed better results. The
      nanoparticles exhibited large absorption spectra, a fact linked to the quality of
      their optical properties. In addition, crystal structures, surface morphology,
      band gap, current-voltage, and Mott-Schottky diagram characterization of CZTS
      nanoparticles were also carried out by x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy,
      scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, transmission
      electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectroscopy and
      photoelectrochemical measurements, respectively.

PMID- 24231684
TI  - The Uyo Trauma Registry-developed for sustainable audit of trauma care and cause
      in Nigeria.
AB  - The Cape Town Trauma Registry (CTTR) was developed as a minimum data set for low
      resource settings and was applied in a southern Nigerian tertiary hospital. Based
      on the outcome of the study, the CTTR was modified to produce the Uyo Trauma
      Registry. Using the CTTR, data was obtained prospectively from injured patients
      who presented to the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Uyo
      Teaching Hospital over a 7 week period in June and July 2012. The final data set
      was determined based on the ease of capture of each item and its relative
      importance to injury surveillance. The goal for satisfactory data capture was
      chosen as >= 80%. The Uyo Trauma Registry has 19 patient-variable items and may
      be the first locally relevant hospital based injury surveillance tool in Nigeria.
      The Uyo Trauma Registry has provided the resource constrained setting in Nigeria
      with a simplified tool in order to sustainably obtain trauma data and thus engage
      in objective locally relevant efforts at injury prevention and improved care of
      the injured patient.

PMID- 24231685
TI  - Comments on 'novel multidrug therapy for disseminated rhinosporidiosis,
      refractory to dapsone - case report'.
AB  - Disseminated rhinosporidiosis can be successfully treated with multidrug therapy.
      Orally administered drugs can take longer to reach the affected areas in the
      presence of haemorrhage, oedema and inflammation. Wherever possible, surgical
      excision followed by drug therapy would be more effective. 

PMID- 24231686
TI  - From the toe to the head: metastatic endophalmitis following staphylococcal
      purpura fulminans.
AB  - Staphylococcal infections may present in variable ways. Staphylococcal sepsis can
      cause significant morbidity and mortality. We report on the case of a 42-year-old
      man without any co-morbidities who presented with fever and purpura fulminans and
      later developed metastatic endophthalmitis. He was treated with intravenous and
      intravitreal vancomycin. The case is reported because of the rare co-occurrence
      of purpura fulminans and endophthalmitis. 

PMID- 24231687
TI  - Brucellosis as an aetiology of septic arthritis.
AB  - Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a Gram-negative coccobacillus from
      the Brucella genus. The disease has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations.
      The musculoskeletal system involvement is frequent and, rarely, arthritis can be
      the only clinical feature of the disease. We report a case of monoarthritis
      caused by Brucella melitensis. 

PMID- 24231688
TI  - Relationships of individual, social, and physical environmental factors with
      older adults' television viewing time.
AB  - Sedentary behaviors (involving prolonged sitting) can be associated detrimentally
      with health outcomes. Older adults, the most sedentary age group, are especially
      at risk due to their high levels of television viewing time. This study examined
      individual, social, and physical environmental correlates of older adults'
      television viewing. Data on daily television viewing time, plus individual,
      social, and physical environmental factors were collected from 50,986
      noninstitutionalized older adults (>= 65 years) in Flanders (Belgium). The
      results showed significant relationships between television viewing time and
      individual, social, and physical environmental factors. Subgroups at risk for
      high levels of television viewing were those who were functionally limited, less
      educated, widowed, and (semi)urban-dwelling older adults. Our findings illustrate
      a cross-sectional link between older adults' television viewing time and social
      composition of their neighborhood, formal participation, access to alternative
      activities, and safety from crime. 

PMID- 24231689
TI  - Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd and Diego blood group system polymorphism in Brazilian
      Japanese descendants.
AB  - Polymorphisms of Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd and Diego blood group systems were studied
      in 209 unrelated Brazilian Japanese descendants from South of Brazil. The methods
      used were multiplex-PCR, AS-PCR and RFLP-PCR. The differences in frequencies
      among the populations were evaluated using chi-square test. The frequencies for
      Rh, Kell, Kidd and Diego system were similar to those of the Japanese. RHCE(*)CC,
      RHCE(*)EE genotypes and FY(*)01 allele were lower and FY(*)01N.01 was higher than
      Japanese. These differences in the frequencies between Brazilian Japanese
      descendants and Japanese could indicate a gene flow in Brazilian population and
      reinforce the importance of this knowledge to achieve safe red blood cells. 

PMID- 24231690
TI  - Undifferentiated uterine sarcoma metastatic to the brain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (UUS) is a rare tumor with an
      aggressive growth pattern. They occur in women from 40 to 60 years and are
      generally characterized by poor prognosis, a high rate of local recurrence, and
      distant metastases. UUS accounts for 0.2% of all gynecological malignancies.
      Possible treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. CASE
      DESCRIPTION: A 65-year-old female with postmenopausal bleeding was found to have
      a uterine mass for which she underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral
      salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy. The pathologic evaluation was consistent
      with undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma. She began experiencing headaches with
      associated visual disturbances. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
      showed a homogenous enhancing occipital dural-based mass measuring 1.6 * 1.8 *
      1.7 cm. Due to the rarity of metastatic uterine sarcoma to the brain, this was
      believed to represent a meningioma and subsequently observed. Interval MRI scan
      revealed a significant increase in size of the right occipital mass to 2.3 cm
      with increased edema and mass effect. She underwent right occipital image guided
      craniotomy for resection of the mass. Histopathology confirmed UUS metastases.
      CONCLUSION: Randomized trials analyzing these treatment options are limited due
      to the rarity of this disease; therefore, a standard therapy is not established.
      Based on a review of the literature, this is only the fourth case reported of UUS
      metastatic to the brain.

PMID- 24231691
TI  - Genotoxicity and antileishmanial activity evaluation of Physalis angulata
      concentrated ethanolic extract.
AB  - Antileishmanial in vitro tests, as well as Ames and micronucleus assays were
      performed with a concentrated ethanolic extract of Physalis angulata (EEPA)
      RESULTS: EEPA did not present mutagenic effect in Salmonella typhimurium strains
      at concentration reaching 3000 MUg/plate and did not induce mutagenic effects
      after two oral administrations with a 24h interval at a dose level of 2000 mg/kg.
      EEPA presented antileishmanial activity and presented an IC50 value of 5.35 +/-
      2.50 MUg/mL and 4.50 +/- 1.17 MUg/mL against Leishmania amazonensis and
      Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes, respectively. In the cytotoxicity test
      against macrophages, the EEPA had a LC50 of 6.14 +/- 0.59 MUg/mL. Importantly,
      the IC50 against L. amazonensis intracellular amastigotes was 1.23 +/- 0.11
      MUg/mL. CONCLUSION: EEPA extract is non-mutagenic and presented a promising
      pharmacological effect against Leishmania parasites.

PMID- 24231692
TI  - Atomic configurations at InAs partial dislocation cores associated with Z-shape
      faulted dipoles.
AB  - The atomic arrangements of two types of InAs dislocation cores associated by a Z
      shape faulted dipole are observed directly by aberration-corrected high-angle
      annular-dark-field imaging. Single unpaired columns of different atoms in a
      matrix of dumbbells are clearly resolved, with observable variations of bonding
      lengths due to excess Coulomb force from bare ions at the dislocation core. The
      corresponding geometric phase analysis provides confirmation that the dislocation
      cores serve as origins of strain field inversion while stacking faults maintain
      the existing strain status. 

PMID- 24231693
TI  - Life-threatening epistaxis and red blood cell polyagglutination under dabigatran.
AB  - Dabigatran is an oral thrombin inhibitor which has been approved for prevention
      of stroke or embolism in atrial fibrillation patients as an alternative to
      vitamin K antagonists. Dabigatran has been introduced into clinical practice,
      although issues like laboratory monitoring, its use in elderly patients, drug and
      food interactions, and an antidote have not been completely clarified. Severe
      epistaxis leading to haemorrhagic shock occurred in an 89-year-old woman with
      atrial fibrillation and moderate renal insufficiency after 10 months of
      dabigatran 110 mg/b.i.d. Correction of the anaemia with blood transfusions became
      difficult because it was impossible to assess her blood group due to
      polyagglutination. The indirect Coombs test was very highly +++ positive for IgG.
      Investigations about previous hospital admissions disclosed that in 2011, her
      blood group was 0 positive. The course was complicated by an erysipela of the
      right upper extremity, most probably induced by an infection through a venous
      catheter. An increase in the knowledge about potential side effects of dabigatran
      concerning infections and polyagglutination is urgently needed. 

PMID- 24231694
TI  - Successful immune tolerance induction with a plasma-derived FVIII concentrate and
      intravenous immunoglobulins in a pediatric patient with congenital severe
      hemophilia A and poor prognostic factors.
AB  - We present the case of a pediatric patient born in July 1991, diagnosed with
      severe hemophilia A at 8 months of life after a hemarthrosis. He was treated with
      regular factor replacement therapy on-demand until an inhibitor was detected
      (1.75-2.5 BU) at the age of 6. The patient started an immunotolerance induction
      (ITI) program, which was discontinued 3 months later because of parental decision
      based on inhibitor persistence (3.75-6.75 BU). On-demand treatment with
      recombinant activated FVII in bleeding episodes was applied. Titer peaked 13
      months later (37 BU). On May 2003 (age 11), rescue ITI with plasma-derived FVIII
      (Fanhdi, 100 IU/kg per 24 h daily) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg)
      (Flebogamma, 1 g/kg per 24 h for 2 days every 3 weeks) was started. Inhibitor
      eradication was achieved after 16 months of ITI. The patient continued with
      FVIII+IVIg treatment for 3 additional months when he was switched to FVIII
      prophylaxis (40 IU/kg 3 times a week). At present, the patient is inhibitor-free.

PMID- 24231695
TI  - [Epigenetics as a novel therapeutic target of cancer].
AB  - Epigenetic therapy is highly anticipated as a next player to molecular target
      drugs. Epigenetic abnormalities are maintained even after a somatic cell
      division, and can be causally involved in carcinogenesis. Recent cancer genome
      analysis revealed that a significant fraction of cancers cannot be accounted for
      only by mutations of known protein-coding genes, and that mutations of epigenetic
      genes are unexpectedly frequent. DNA demethylating drugs and histone deacetylase
      inhibitors are already approved, and many next-generation epigenetic drugs are
      under development. Application of epigenetic therapies to solid tumors is being
      attempted, and a promising result is available for non-small cell lung cancers.
      Right patients, right doses, and right combinations are key to further success,
      and can be done based on recent progresses in mechanistic analyses. 

PMID- 24231696
TI  - [Environmental carcinogenic agents and cancer prevention: risk assessment and
      management].
AB  - Many agents in our environment have been established as being carcinogenic, and
      in most cases, the carcinogenic properties of these agents were identified
      because of high-dose occupational or accidental exposure. Risk characterization,
      taking into account the dose-response relationship, and exposure assessment are
      essential for risk assessment and subsequent cancer prevention. Based on
      scientific risk assessment, risk management should be conducted practically by
      considering the economic, social, political, and other technical issues and by
      balancing the risks and benefits. Asbestos and environmental tobacco smoke are
      typical examples of established carcinogenic agents in the general environment,
      contributing to low-dose exposure. Further epidemiological studies are required
      to investigate the carcinogenicity of low-dose exposure to known carcinogenic
      agents such as arsenic and cadmium through dietary intake, radiation via medical
      and natural exposure, and air pollution due to diesel exhaust. In contrast,
      occupational chemical exposure to 1,2-dichloropropane and/or dichloromethane,
      whose carcinogenicity had not been established, was suggested to cause
      cholangiocarcinoma among workers involved in offset color proof-printing only
      after a rare situation of high-dose exposure was unveiled. Continuous monitoring
      of unusual cancer occurrences in target populations such as workers in
      occupational and regional settings as well as exposure reduction to suspected
      carcinogenic agents to levels as low as reasonably achievable is essential for
      reducing the risk of cancer due to environmental carcinogens. 

PMID- 24231697
TI  - [Environmental air pollutants and the risk of cancer].
AB  - The increased combustion of fossil fuels is one of the main reasons for the
      hazardous changes in the atmospheric composition. The sources of air pollution in
      urban areas include diesel motor vehicles, residential wood burning, and certain
      industrial processes. The types of air pollution include gases(eg, carbon
      monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone)and suspended particulate
      matter(PM)such as PM2.5 and PM10 in diesel exhaust particles. PM2.5 refers to
      particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can
      increase the cardiovascular disease risk and lung cancer mortality. Although the
      role of PM2.5 in the etiology of lung cancer is not very clear, some researchers
      have shown evidence of increases in lung cancer mortality associated with
      exposure to PM2.5. Asbestos is also an important cause of cancer of the
      respiratory tract, particularly lung cancer and mesothelioma. The oncogenic
      hazards of asbestos fiber have been noted in cases of lowdose environmental
      exposure, as well in cases of high-dose occupational exposure. The use of
      asbestos has been strictly prohibited in Japan since 2006. However, large-scale
      natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons can destroy many
      buildings and houses that were constructed before the ban on asbestos was
      initiated, thus resulting in the exposure of human beings to asbestos fibers. In
      the Cappadocian villages of Tuzkoy, Karain, and Sarihidir in Turkey, 50% of all
      deaths among villagers are caused by mesothelioma. This condition has been
      attributed to exposure to erionite, which is a type of fibrous zeolite mineral
      commonly found in this area of Turkey. However, pedigree studies of these
      villages showed that mesothelioma was prevalent in certain families but not in
      others, and that erionite exposure typically causes mesothelioma in those with a
      genetic predisposition to this disease. Recently, the germline BAP1 mutation was
      demonstrated in 2 different familial clusters of mesothelioma in the US. 

PMID- 24231698
TI  - [Radiation carcinogenesis].
AB  - Misrepair of DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation is a potential cause of
      carcinogenesis following exposure to radiation. Radiation exposure increases the
      incidence of the same types of mutations that occur spontaneously in a given
      population. A high incidence of DNA double-strand breaks is characteristic of
      damage by ionizing radiation compared with those induced by other environmental
      mutagens. In China, residents living in areas with high level background
      radiation(6mSv/y) had a significantly higher frequency of dicentric and ring
      chromosomes compared to that for the residents living in the control
      areas(2mSv/y). Radiation-associated increases in risk were seen for most sites.
      Gender-averaged excess absolute risk rates estimated at age 70, after exposure at
      age 30, differ in the sites, and the risks of gastric cancer, breast cancer,
      colon cancer, and lung cancer were highly increased, in that order. Latent
      periods for the development of leukemia and thyroid cancer after radiation
      exposure at ages younger than 18 were shorter compared to those for other solid
      cancers. 

PMID- 24231699
TI  - [Cholangiocarcinoma developing in printing company workers: a new type of
      occupational cancer].
AB  - The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma among the past or present workers in the
      department of offset color proof-printing at a printing company in Osaka was
      extremely high. The workers were relatively young and were exposed to several
      chemicals including organic solvents such as dichloromethane and 1,2
      dichloropropane. Although the exact cause of cholangiocarcinoma in the patients
      remain unknown, it is likely that the development of cholangiocarcinoma was
      triggered during exposure to these chemicals. Some chemicals can act as
      environmental factors that lead to the development of cholangiocarcinoma.
      Therefore, we believe that cholangiocarcinoma is a new type of occupational
      cancer. 

PMID- 24231700
TI  - [Studies on cases of spontaneous regression of cancer in Japan in 2011, and of
      hepatic carcinoma, lung cancer and pulmonary metastases in the world between 2006
      and 2011].
AB  - The PubMed and Ichushi databases were searched to identify cases of spontaneous
      regression of cancer that were featured in original papers and abstracts
      presented at conferences and these cases were examined. First,6 3 cases of
      spontaneous regression reported from Japan in 2011 were examined in detail. The
      most common types of cancer were lymphoma,hepatic carcinoma,and pulmonary cancer.
      The incidence of spontaneous regression was estimated at 1 per 12,000 patients
      with cancer and was calculated on the basis of the estimated number of patients
      who were newly diagnosed as having cancer during 1 year in Japan. Next, 83,
      40,and 37 cases of spontaneous regression of hepatic carcinoma,pulmonary
      cancer,and lung metastases from primary malignant tumors,respectively,reported
      worldwide between 2006 and 2011, were analyzed. The cause of spontaneous
      regression in all 3 pathologies often involved an immunological mechanism. Other
      common factors that contributed to spontaneous regression were impaired tumor
      blood flow in patients with hepatic carcinoma,paraneoplastic syndrome in those
      with pulmonary cancer,and removal of the primary tumor in patients with lung
      metastasis. 

PMID- 24231701
TI  - [Chemotherapy using gemcitabine hydrochloride for malignant lymphoma].
AB  - This report summarizes the use of gemcitabine for the treatment of malignant
      lymphoma. Gemcitabine is a deoxycytidine antagonist that has characteristics
      different from those of the deoxycytidine antagonist cytarabine(Ara-C).
      International guidelines based on the results of recent clinical studies
      recommend the use of gemcitabine as monotherapy and in combination therapy,
      particularly for relapsed and refractory malignant lymphomas. Clinical studies on
      gemcitabine monotherapy up to 2012 reported response rates of 51-75% for
      peripheral T -cell lymphoma and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Regarding combination
      therapy, the GDP regimen consisting of gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin
      was associated with response rates of 62-70% for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin
      lymphoma and 45-53% for relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, thereby
      displaying comparable efficacy to existing salvage chemotherapy regimens. The GDP
      regimen has a favorable safety profile and is also associated with favorable
      autologous transplantation rates, which suggests its potential as induction
      chemotherapy before autologous transplantation. Concerning adverse reactions
      requiring clinical caution, lung disorder was reported in 8 of 27
      patients(30%)who received a regimen of gemcitabine in combination with bleomycin.

PMID- 24231702
TI  - [Effect of radiotherapy and bisphosphonate on bone metastases from renal cell
      carcinoma].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma(RCC)are almost osteolytic
      and often cause pathological fractures. The objective of this study was to assess
      the efficacy of radiotherapy and zoledronic acid in patients with bone metastases
      from RCC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients with bone metastases
      from RCC. Of these patients, 5 were treated with radiotherapy(RT group)and 7 were
      treated with a combination of radiotherapy and zoledronic acid(RT+Z group). We
      analyzed the radiological changes in the bone metastases and evaluated the
      response rate, survival rate, and skeletal-related event(SRE)rate. RESULTS:
      Radiologically, 2 patients showed progressive disease(PD), 3 showed stable
      disease( SD), 1 showed partial response(PR), and 1 showed complete response(CR)in
      the RT group(response rate: 28.6%). In the RT+Z group, 1 patient showed PD, 3
      showed PR, and 1 showed CR(response rate: 80.0%). CONCLUSIONS: With regard to
      radiological changes, the response rate was higher in the RT group than in the
      RT+Z group, but the survival rate did not differ significantly between the 2
      groups. SREs were less frequent in the RT+Z group than in the RT group.

PMID- 24231703
TI  - [A case of unresectable gastric cancer with poor ingestion].
AB  - We encountered cases of unresectable gastric cancer in which patients had
      difficulty with ingestion because of pyloric stenosis and diffuse invasion. We
      examined the improvement in the quality of life(QOL)of patients and the effect
      and usefulness of S-1 treatment in such cases. The median survival time(MST; 310
      days)of patients who received S-1 as primary treatment was significantly longer
      than that(105 days)of patients who did not receive S-1 treatment(p=0.0001). Of
      the 25 patients who underwent gastrojejunostomy, S-1 was administered to 10
      patients(MST: 384 days). The MST of patients who received drugs other than S-1
      was 121 days. Thus, the MST of patients who did receive S-1 was significantly
      longer than that of patients who did not receive S-1. In univariate analysis,
      oral ingestion, performance status(PS), best supportive care(BSC), and S-1
      administration were prognostic factors. Of these factors, oral
      ingestion(p=0.0278, hazard ratio[HR]: 2.992)and S- 1 administration(p=0.0002, HR:
      14.956)were prognostic factors in multivariate analysis. Gastrojejunostomy is
      desirable for the treatment of cases of unresectable gastric cancer with poor
      ingestion. In addition, the use of postoperative chemotherapy with S-1 alone or
      with S-1 as combination therapy may help improve prognosis. 

PMID- 24231704
TI  - [Local injection of BRM-activated killer cells into an abdominal wall tumor].
AB  - Based on the concept of living with cancer, wherein the goal is to help patients
      with highly advanced solid cancers maintain a high quality of life(QOL)without
      adverse events and drug resistance, we developed a new immunocyte therapy based
      on BRM-activated killer(BAK)cells, which are primarily CD56 positive lymphocytes.
      In a previous report, we documented the disappearance of liver metastases, as
      assessed by positron emission tomography-computed tomography(PET-CT), in patients
      with metastatic liver cancers into which BAK immunocytes had been administered
      via injection into the hepatic artery. Herein, upon the patient's request, we
      locally injected BAK lymphocytes into an abdominal tumor. In BAK therapy, 20 mL
      of peripheral blood are collected from a patient. Lymphocytes from this blood
      sample are subsequently activated and multiplied with immobilized anti-CD3
      antibodies and IL-2 and are cultured for 2 weeks with E(bina)and serum-free ALys
      media to yield approximately 10 billion autologous lymphocytes. On the final day
      of incubation, the lymphocytes are treated with 1,000 units/mL of interferon(IFN)
      a for 15 minutes to enhance their therapeutic killing effects. During the second
      week, approximately 10 billion isolated autologous lymphocytes are suspended in
      200 mL of Ringer's solution and are then drip-infused into the patient over a
      period of 1 hour. We injected approximately 10 billion BAK lymphocytes suspended
      in 50 mL of Ringer's solution into a 2-cm abdominal tumor in a single 60-year-old
      woman under ultrasonography guidance. This procedure was repeated every 3 weeks.
      After the third administration, we collected a biopsy specimen and examined it
      using PAS staining and microscopy. The 3 separate local injections of
      approximately 10 billion activated autologous lymphocytes each, primarily CD56
      positive cells, into the tumor led to tumor fragmentation, leaving approximately
      10 lymphocytes surrounding each cancer cell. These results suggest that BAK
      therapy is efficacious and show that locally administered BAK lymphocytes can
      reach cancer tissues and effectively kill cancer cells. 

PMID- 24231705
TI  - [Effectiveness of intervention by the infection control team for cancer patients
      with a positive blood culture].
AB  - Cancer patients at a high risk of acquiring infectious diseases should be
      maintained in a facility where good infection control practices are followed. At
      our hospital, the infection control team(ICT)provides expertise, education, and
      support to the staff, helping them maintain proper standards, thereby minimizing
      the risks of infection. The ICT(established in 2004)has implemented infection
      control programs by employing an appropriate number of staff members after the
      revision of medical treatment fees in 2011. Our intervention program includes 2
      general policies, namely, ordering and collection of blood cultures and
      intervention for the medical care of patients with positive blood cultures. In
      this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of our intervention for cancer
      patients with a positive blood culture. During the surveillance period(April 2011
      to July 2012), 42 positive cases were determined to be infectious. ICT
      intervention was required in 37 cases. Our suggestions were accepted in
      92%(34/37)of the cases, and improved outcome was estimated in 65%(22/34)of the
      cases. The results of our study contribute to the scientific bases on which
      routine clinical practices could be promoted in the future. 

PMID- 24231706
TI  - [The attempts and current status of cancer rehabilitation at Osaka Medical
      College Hospital].
AB  - We introduced an attempt at cancer rehabilitation at Osaka Medical College
      Hospital. We also reported trends in the clinical department that ordered the
      cancer rehabilitation, and the days needed to consult the rehabilitation
      department after hospitalization for 1,028 patients who needed rehabilitation
      from January to June 2012. The number of rehabilitation orders for cancer
      patients has increased in comparison with the same period during 2009, and the
      percentage of cancer rehabilitation orders has also increased, both in total and
      in each clinical department consulted. In addition, clinical departments that
      introduced a rehabilitation schedule along with their treatments ordered cancer
      rehabilitations much earlier than those departments without such a schedule. In
      future, to start cancer rehabilitation at an earlier stage, we should endeavor to
      create awareness of the importance of cancer rehabilitation and the introduction
      of a rehabilitation schedule along with cancer treatments. 

PMID- 24231707
TI  - [Two cases of recurrent invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung showing
      marked responses to platinum-based chemotherapyregimens with pemetrexed and
      bevacizumab].
AB  - Here, we report 2 cases of recurrent invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung
      after surgery, which showed marked responses to platinum-based regimens with
      pemetrexed(PEM)and bevacizumab(BEV). The first patient was diagnosed with stage I
      B(p-T2N0M0)invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma, and new nodules were detected on
      computed tomography (CT)after 24 months of adjuvant chemotherapy with
      uracil/tegafur(UFT). Therefore, the patient was administered carboplatin(CBDCA;
      AUC 5.0), PEM(500mg/m2), and BEV(15mg/kg)for 6 courses followed by
      BEV(15mg/kg)for 3 courses, resulting in a complete response. The second patient
      was diagnosed with stage IV(p-T3N0M1)invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma, and
      metastases appeared after the surgery. The patient was treated with S-1 for 18
      weeks, but the tumor recurred 18weeks after surgery. Therefore, the patient was
      administered 4 courses of cisplatin(CDDP 60mg/m2), PEM(500mg/m2), and
      BEV(15mg/kg)followed by 5 courses of PEM(15mg/kg)as maintenance therapy. This
      resulted in a good response. The first patient had grade 3 toxicities at the
      sixth course of combined CBDCA-PEM-BEV therapy, while the second patient did not
      have any adverse events throughout chemotherapy. These 2 cases showed that
      platinum-based regimens with PEM and BEV may be a good choice for patients with
      invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung. 

PMID- 24231708
TI  - [Gemcitabine-induced tumor lysis syndrome caused by recurrent breast cancer in a
      patient without hemodialysis].
AB  - Tumor lysis syndrome(TLS)induced by chemotherapy for solid tumors is rare. We
      report a case of a 59-year-old woman with breast cancer who developed TLS. She
      underwent surgery to treat breast cancer in 1992. 19 years after surgery,
      however, she was diagnosed with multiple bone metastases(disease free interval,
      13 years and 3 months). In March 2011, gemcitabine regimen was
      initiated(1,250mg/m2, 14 days followed by a 7-day rest period)because of
      worsening of multiple bone metastases. The patient was immediately admitted and
      treated for suspected TLS when she presented at our hospital with symptoms such
      as depressed level of consciousness, serious anemia, hypercalcemia,
      hyperuricemia, and liver/renal dysfunction on day 16 of the first line of
      regimen. Rasburicase was found to be effective for hyperuricemia. 

PMID- 24231709
TI  - [A case of locally advanced gastric cancer in which the patient underwent
      curative gastrectomy after treatment with systemic chemotherapy with bi-weekly s
      1/docetaxel].
AB  - Here, we report the case of a patient with advanced gastric cancer complicated by
      pyloric stenosis and direct invasion into the pancreas who underwent curative
      resection after bi-weekly S-1/docetaxel(DS)therapy after gastrojejunostomy. A 73
      year-old man consulted a general practitioner because of indigestibility, and
      upper gastrointestinal endoscopy indicated gastric cancer. He was referred to our
      hospital. Gastric cancer, whole stomach tumor(LMU), 150*80 mm, Type 3, T4a(SE),
      N2, M0, stage III B was diagnosed, and surgery was performed. The tumor was seen
      to directly invade the pancreas and the middle colic artery intraoperatively, so
      only a gastrojejunostomy was performed. After the operation, the patient was
      treated with DS therapy for 13 courses, and the response was defined as non
      complete response(CR)and non-progressive disease (PD). During the second
      laparotomy, a curative operation was performed via distal gastrectomy because
      frozen-section diagnosis revealed that no cancer cells were present at the oral
      margin. Postoperatively, the tumor was diagnosed as LM, 10* 7 mm, 10*2.5 mm,
      pType 4, pT2(MP), pN0, pM0, CY0, stage I B. The patient is now receiving S-1
      adjuvant chemotherapy and is still alive 2 years and 4 months after the first
      operation. 

PMID- 24231710
TI  - [A case of advanced gastric cancer with regional lymph node metastasis showing
      pathological complete response after preoperative chemotherapy with docetaxel,
      cisplatin, and S-1].
AB  - A 64-year-old man was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer type 3 and regional
      celiac trunk lymph node metastases. We performed preoperative chemotherapy with
      docetaxel, cisplatin, and S-1(DCS therapy). Total gastrectomy with lymph node
      dissection was performed after 2 courses of DCS. Pathologically, no viable cells
      were found in the primary lesion or in the dissected lymph nodes. The
      pathological response to preoperative DCS therapy was classified as grade 3. The
      postoperative course was uneventful; the patient is currently healthy and
      receives periodic medical examinations. 

PMID- 24231711
TI  - [A case of liver metastasis of primary duodenal cancer effectively treated with
      docetaxel therapy].
AB  - A 75-year-old man who complained of upper abdominal discomfort was diagnosed with
      primary duodenal cancer. The patient was treated with a pancreaticoduodenectomy,
      ascending colectomy and postoperative chemotherapy of S-1 and irinotecan[IRIS; S
      1, 80mg/m2(days 1-14); irinotecan, 100 mg/m2(days 1 and 15, every 4 weeks)].
      However, after 4 IRIS cycles, computed tomography revealed a liver metastasis and
      massive ascites. The patient received second-line chemotherapy of tri-weekly
      docetaxel[60mg/m2,(day 1, every 3 weeks)]. After 2 cycles of docetaxel therapy,
      the liver tumor and ascites became undetectable. The patient was doing well 13
      months after the operation. 

PMID- 24231712
TI  - [A case wherein bevacizumab/XELOX combination therapy was remarkably effective
      for the treatment of extensive dissemination in advanced colon cancer, and the
      primary lesion could be resected].
AB  - Here, we report a case wherein bevacizumab/XELOX combination therapy was
      remarkably effective for the treatment of a patient with unresectable advanced
      cecum cancer and carcinomatous peritonitis. A 52-year-old man was diagnosed with
      cecum cancer with extensive carcinomatous dissemination. He underwent open
      laparotomy, and the findings indicated a unresectable cecal tumor attached to the
      retroperitoneum; therefore, ileo-transverse colostomy was performed. After 6
      courses of bevacizumab and XELOX therapy, the primary tumor as well as ascites
      and carcinomatous dissemination had disappeared, and a marked decrease in the
      serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)level was noted. However, subsequently,
      positive emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)indicated a recurrence of
      the primary tumor. Therefore, ileocecalectomy and D2 lymph node dissection were
      performed. Thus, we believe that bevacizumab/XELOX therapy may be useful as
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced colon cancer with
      peritonitis carcinomatosa. 

PMID- 24231714
TI  - [A case of unresectable multiple liver metastases of colorectal cancer in which
      ALTA(ZION), used to control internal hemorrhoidal bleeding, enabled
      administration of bevacizumab].
AB  - Our patient was a 58-year-old woman with internal bleeding hemorrhoids who was
      undergoing FOLFOX6 treatment for unresectable multiple hepatic metastases of
      colorectal cancer. Response evaluation after 6 courses showed stable disease
      (SD), but side effects necessitated a change in regimen. Hemorrhoidal bleeding
      had also increased, and hemorrhoid-sclerosing therapy with ALTA(ZION)injections
      was administered. Because no bleeding was evident after treatment and the
      clinical course was uneventful, chemotherapy with bevacizumab was restarted. No
      hemorrhoidal bleeding occurred after bevacizumab administration, and the patient
      is currently continuing chemotherapy. In patients with advanced cancer who have
      bleeding internal hemorrhoids that cannot be controlled with conservative
      treatment, hemorrhoid-sclerosing therapy using ALTA appears to offer an effective
      treatment variation that enables the use of bevacizumab in cases with limited
      available therapeutic regimen options. 

PMID- 24231713
TI  - [A case in which dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency was strongly
      suspected during adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine for colon cancer].
AB  - Severe toxicity in patients with a deficiency of dihydropyrimidine
      dehydrogenase(DPD), an enzyme that reduces fluoropyrimidine, is very rare, and
      reports on this condition are few. Accordingly, diagnosis is very difficult. The
      patient was 70-year-old man who was admitted for adjuvant chemotherapy with
      capecitabine(3,600mg/day)for rectal cancer. He was admitted to our hospital
      because of severe oral mucositis(grade 3)and hand-foot syndrome(grade 3). After
      hospitalization, he experienced complications with neutropenia(grade 4)and
      thrombocytopenia(grade 4). The patient died 25 days after the onset of
      chemotherapy. Despite the measurement of the DPD value in mononuclear cells of
      peripheral blood and urophanic uracil and dihydrouracil, we were unable to
      diagnose DPD deficiency. However, we suspected a partial deficiency of DPD on the
      basis of the clinical course. 

PMID- 24231715
TI  - [Three cases of fatal thrombocytopenia after oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy].
AB  - Oxaliplatin is a platinum salt that is particularly effective for treating
      gastrointestinal tumors. However, some reports state that oxaliplatin-based
      chemotherapy triggers fatal thrombocytopenia. Myelosuppression is recognized as
      the main cause of oxaliplatin-related thrombocytopenia, and other mechanisms for
      this side effect have been suggested, including splenic sequestration of
      platelets related to oxaliplatin-induced liver damage and immune
      thrombocytopenia. Other causes of thrombocytopenia such as thrombotic
      thrombocytopenic purpura, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, heparin-induced
      thrombocytopenia, and pseudothrombocytopenia should also be considered. We
      encountered 3 patients who developed fatal thrombocytopenia after oxaliplatin
      based chemotherapy and describe the differential diagnosis of fatal
      thrombocytopenia here. 

PMID- 24231716
TI  - [A case of hepatitis B virus reactivation in a patient with prior resolved
      hepatitis B infection during bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI treatment].
AB  - Hepatitis Bvirus (HBV)reactivation induced by cancer chemotherapy is increasingly
      being observed. However, most reports of resolved HBV[hepatitis Bsurface
      antigen(HBs-Ag)negative and hepatitis Bsurface antibody(HBs-Ab)positive and/or
      hepatitis Bcore antibody(HBc-Ab)positive]infection involve patients with
      hematological malignancies, whereas few describe patients with solid cancers. In
      this study, we report our experience with a patient with resolved HBV infection
      who was undergoing bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI treatment for rectal cancer when HBV
      reactivation was noted. This 74-year-old man was HBs-Ag negative, HBs-Ab
      negative, HBcAb positive, hepatitis B e antigen(HBe-Ag)negative, and hepatitis Be
      antibody(HBe-Ab)negative and had HBV-DNA levels below the detection limit. Forty
      two days after the 21st cycle of bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI treatment, his
      aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels increased. At
      followup examination, he was HBs-Ag positive, HBs-Ab negative, HBc-Ab positive,
      HBe-Ag positive, and HBe-Ab positive, while his HBV-DNA levels had increased
      to>9.0 log copies/mL, confirming HBV reactivation. His treatment included
      entecavir(0.5mg/ day)administration and plasmapheresis, but he succumbed to liver
      failure 82 days after his final dose of bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI. Thus, HBV
      reactivation can occur during bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI treatment in rectal cancer
      patients with a resolved prior HBV infection. No similar report has been
      published to date, and we believe that this study will be important when
      discussing HBV reactivation in patients with resolved HBV infection. Future
      studies will require detailed investigations in a larger number of institutions. 

PMID- 24231717
TI  - How is the increased risk of colorectal cancer in first-degree relatives of
      patients communicated?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Compared with the general population, first-degree relatives (FDRs)
      of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients have a two-fold to four-fold higher risk of
      developing CRC. Little data is available regarding communication between doctors
      and CRC patients about risk to FDRs. We aimed to evaluate CRC patients' knowledge
      of FDRs' increased CRC risk, and FDRs' knowledge of this risk and adherence to
      CRC screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective, single-center,
      population-based observational study, patients aged 18-80 years who underwent
      surgery for CRC between January 2005 and May 2010 were asked to complete a
      questionnaire. A questionnaire sent to the patients' FDRs (siblings and children)
      asked whether they had been advised to undergo any CRC screening examination,
      whether they had done so, and if so, when initiated and by whom. Main outcome
      measurements were: CRC patients' and their FDRs' information status regarding the
      FDRs' increased CRC risk and screening status. RESULTS: Of 343 index patients
      (390 contacted, 47 deceased/moved), 134 replied to the survey (39.1% response
      rate). Among index patients, 82.1% (110/134) were informed about FDRs' increased
      CRC risk. This information was provided mainly by gastroenterologists and general
      practitioners (65.7 and 28.4%, respectively). Among FDRs, 85.1% (143/168) were
      informed about their increased CRC risk, but 69% did not undergo a screening
      colonoscopy. Among the FDRs more than 50 years of age, 40.8% did not undergo a
      screening colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: In Switzerland, CRC patients and their FDRs
      are well informed about FDRs' increased CRC risk. However, the majority of FDRs
      do not undergo the recommended CRC screening.

PMID- 24231718
TI  - Spectrum of mutations associated with methionine adenosyltransferase I/III
      deficiency among individuals identified during newborn screening in Japan.
AB  - Methionine adenosyltransferase I/III deficiency (MAT I/III deficiency) is an
      inborn error of metabolism that results in isolated persistent
      hypermethioninemia. Definitive diagnosis is now possible by molecular analyses of
      the MAT1A gene. Based on newborn screening (NBS) data collected between 2001 and
      2012 in Hokkaido, Japan, the estimated incidence of MAT I/III deficiency was 1 in
      107,850. 24 patients (13 males, 11 females) from 11 prefectures in Japan were
      referred to our laboratory for genetic diagnosis of MAT I/III deficiency. They
      were all found between 1992 and 2012 by the NBS program in each region. In these
      24 individuals, we identified 12 distinct mutations; 14 patients were
      heterozygous for an R264H mutation; R264H caused an autosomal dominant and
      clinically benign phenotype in each case. The mutations in the other 10 patients
      showed autosomal recessive inheritance and included eight novel MAT1A mutations.
      Putative amino acid substitutions at R356 were observed with six alleles (three
      R356P, two R356Q, and one R356L). MAT I/III deficiency is not always benign
      because three of our cases involved brain demyelination or neurological
      complications. DNA testing early in life is recommended to prevent potential
      detrimental neurological manifestations. 

PMID- 24231719
TI  - Elevated red blood cell distribution width and inflammation in printing workers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of exposure to
      chemical compounds on systemic biochemical inflammatory markers in printing
      industry workers. MATERIAL/METHODS: Fifty-eight printing workers from 19
      different small- and medium-sized enterprises in the printing sector were
      investigated. For comparison, 80 healthy workers not subjected to workplace
      chemicals served as control subjects. RESULTS: No significant differences were
      observed between the printing workers and control subjects with respect to age,
      BMI, waist circumference/hip circumference ratio, smoking, and alcohol
      consumption. Printing workers had significantly higher serum TNF-alpha levels
      (11.02 +/- 5.34 vs. 9.26 +/- 3.87 pg/ml, p=0.039), plasma fibrinogen levels (1.74
      +/- 0.49 vs. 1.38 +/- 0.5 mg/dl, p=0.012), and red blood cell distribution width
      (RDW-SD) (49.77 +/- 3.09 vs. 47.3 +/- 2.88 p<0.01) compared to control subjects.
      CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of RDW, serum TNF-alpha, and plasma fibrinogen levels in
      printing workers may be due to systemic toxic effects of chemical compounds used
      in this sector. TNF-alpha is an inflammatory cytokine that has a wide spectrum of
      biological activities, and fibrinogen plays an important role in pathological
      processes. Some compounds may be carcinogenic or mutagenic. Better designed
      workplaces and working conditions will help to reduce the hazardous effects of
      chemical compounds.

PMID- 24231721
TI  - The two faces of generalism.

PMID- 24231720
TI  - Vagal afferents mediate antinociception of estrogen in a rat model of visceral
      pain: the involvement of intestinal mucosal mast cells and 5-hydroxytryptamine 3
      signaling.
AB  - Estrogen reportedly facilitates visceral nociception at the spinal or supraspinal
      level. The present study was aimed to investigate whether estrogen modulates
      visceral pain through the vagal pathway. Ovariectomized rats received estradiol,
      which was administered subcutaneously (to act through both the vagal and spinal
      pathways) or intraduodenally (to preferentially act through the vagal pathway).
      Luminally applied estradiol induced a rapid and significant decrease in the
      visceromotor response to colorectal distension, with increased c-Fos expression
      in nodose ganglion neurons. Systemically injected estradiol increased
      visceromotor response and c-Fos expression in both nodose and dorsal root
      ganglion (T6-12) neurons. The antinociceptive effect of estrogen was abolished by
      surgical vagotomy or chemical denervation of vagal afferents. Both luminally and
      systemically administered estradiol elicited selective 5-hydroxytryptamine
      secretion from the duodenum. Granisetron, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor
      antagonist, reversed the antinociceptive effect of estrogen. Intestinal mucosal
      mast cell stabilizers prevented estradiol-induced antinociception and 5
      hydroxytryptamine secretion. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that estradiol
      caused piecemeal degranulation of intestinal mucosal mast cells. The actions of
      estradiol were inhibited by an estrogen receptor beta antagonist and mimicked by
      an estrogen receptor beta agonist. These results suggest that estrogen can
      trigger vagus-mediated antinociception, which is masked by its spinally mediated
      pronociception. PERSPECTIVE: This study is the first to show a vagus-mediated
      estrogenic antinociception, in which the nongenomic estrogen receptor beta
      mediated, intestinal mucosal mast cell-derived 5-hydroxytryptamine/5
      hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor pathway is involved. This work may provide new
      insights into the sex hormone modulation of visceral sensitivity related to
      irritable bowel syndrome and indicate potential therapeutic targets to manage
      this disease.

PMID- 24231722
TI  - Opportunities outside the traditional role of individuals with an educational
      background in Nuclear Medicine Technology and a bachelor's degree.

PMID- 24231723
TI  - Intraoperative injection of radiocolloid for sentinel node biopsy in breast
      cancer.
AB  - Preoperative injection of radiocolloid for axillary sentinel node biopsy in
      breast cancer is uncomfortable for patients. This study evaluated the reliability
      of radiocolloid injection as determined by sentinel node identification rate and
      positive sentinel node biopsy rate, after the patient has been anesthetized in
      the operating room as compared with preoperative injection. METHODS: After
      institutional review board approval, a retrospective cohort of patients with
      breast cancer who underwent sentinel node biopsy from January 2005 through
      December 2010 was evaluated for analysis. Patients who received intraoperative
      injection of radiocolloid were compared with those who received their injection
      preoperatively. Patients with incomplete pathologic staging or having received
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. All patients received radiocolloid
      injections into the retroareolar tissue; some also received intradermal injection
      directly over the tumor. All injections contained 37 MBq (1 mCi) in 0.5 mL of
      filtered (0.22-MUm) (99m)Tc-sulfur colloid. RESULTS: Over the 6-y study period
      there were 904 sentinel node biopsy procedures, and 165 patients were excluded
      from analysis. Of the 739 sentinel node biopsies that were analyzed, 647 had
      preoperative injection of radiocolloid and 92 had intraoperative injection. The
      overall sentinel lymph node identification rates were similar for the 2 groups:
      93.5% for the preoperative injection group and 94.6% for the intraoperative
      injection group (not statistically significant). The identification rates
      remained comparable for both groups when analyzed by T stage of the tumor. The
      average number of sentinel lymph nodes removed was similar between preoperative
      and intraoperative injection: 2.60 and 2.70 nodes, respectively. The overall
      rates of positive sentinel nodes were comparable for the 2 groups: 25.6% for the
      preoperative injection group and 26.4% for the intraoperative injection group
      (not statistically significant). When analyzed by T stage, the positive sentinel
      node rates remained similar between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The sentinel lymph
      node identification rate of 94.6% for the intraoperative injection group was
      similar to other published sentinel lymph node identification rates (96%-100%).
      The positive sentinel lymph node rate was also comparable to that of published
      series. Intraoperative injection of radiocolloid for axillary sentinel node
      biopsy appears equivalent to preoperative injection and is a less painful
      experience for breast cancer patients.

PMID- 24231724
TI  - Role of hypothalamic neurogenesis in feeding regulation.
AB  - The recently described generation of new neurons in the adult hypothalamus, the
      center for energy regulation, suggests that hypothalamic neurogenesis is a
      crucial part of the mechanisms that regulate food intake. Accordingly,
      neurogenesis in both the adult and embryonic hypothalamus is affected by
      nutritional cues and metabolic disorders such as obesity, with consequent effects
      on energy-balance. This review critically discusses recent findings on the
      contribution of adult hypothalamic neurogenesis to feeding regulation, the impact
      of energy-balance disorders on adult hypothalamic neurogenesis, and the influence
      of embryonic hypothalamic neurogenesis upon feeding regulation in the adult.
      Understanding how hypothalamic neurogenesis contributes to food intake control
      will change the paradigm on how we perceive energy-balance regulation. 

PMID- 24231726
TI  - A coordinated comprehensive professional development training's effect on summer
      day camp staff healthy eating and physical activity promoting behaviors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The YMCA of USA recently adopted Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
      (HEPA) Standards for their summer-day- camps (SDCs). Standards call for staff to
      exhibit HEPA promoting behaviors while eliminating HEPA discouraging behaviors.
      No studies have evaluated training programs to influence policy specified staff
      behaviors and related changes in child activity in SDCs. METHOD: Four YMCA SDCs
      serving approximately 800 children/week participated in this no control group
      pre/post pilot study. Professional development training founded in the 5 Ms
      (Mission, Model, Manage, Monitor, Maximize) and LET US Play principles (lines;
      elimination; team size; uninvolved staff/kids; and space, equipment, and rules)
      was delivered to staff. Outcomes were staff promotion behaviors and child
      activity assessed via systematic observation instruments. RESULTS: Twelve of 17
      HEPA staff behaviors changed in the appropriate direction from baseline to
      postassessment with 5 behaviors reaching statistically significant changes. The
      percentage of girls and boys observed in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
      increased from 15.3% to 18.3% (P > .05) and 17.9% to 21.2%, whereas sedentary
      behavior decreased from 66.8% to 59.8% and 62.3% to 53.6%, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that the professional development training designed
      to assist SDCs to meet the HEPA Standards can lead to important changes in staff
      behaviors and children's physical activity.

PMID- 24231725
TI  - Cyclic AMP sensor EPAC proteins and energy homeostasis.
AB  - The pleiotropic second-messenger cAMP plays a crucial role in mediating the
      effects of various hormones on metabolism. The major intracellular functions of
      cAMP are transduced by protein kinase A (PKA) and by exchange proteins directly
      activated by cAMP (EPACs). The latter act as guanine-nucleotide exchange factors
      for the RAS-like small G proteins Rap1 and Rap2. Although the role of PKA in
      regulating energy balance has been extensively studied, the impact of EPACs
      remains relatively enigmatic. This review summarizes recent genetic and
      pharmacological studies concerning EPAC involvement in glucose homeostasis and
      energy balance via the regulation of leptin and insulin signaling pathways. In
      addition, the development of small-molecule EPAC-specific modulators and their
      therapeutic potential for the treatment of diabetes and obesity are discussed. 

PMID- 24231727
TI  - A nonspecific defensive compound evolves into a competition avoidance cue and a
      female sex pheromone.
AB  - The evolution of chemical communication and the origin of pheromones are among
      the most challenging issues in chemical ecology. Current theory predicts that
      chemical communication can arise from compounds primarily evolved for non
      communicative purposes but experimental evidence showing a gradual evolution of
      non-informative compounds into cues and true signals is scarce. Here we report
      that females of the parasitic wasp Leptopilina heterotoma use the defensive
      compound (-)-iridomyrmecin as a semiochemical cue to avoid interference with con-
      and heterospecific competitors and as the main component of a species-specific
      sex pheromone. Although competition avoidance is mediated by (-)-iridomyrmecin
      alone, several structurally related minor compounds are necessary for reliable
      mate attraction and recognition. Our findings provide insights into the evolution
      of insect pheromones by demonstrating that the increasing specificity of chemical
      information is accompanied by an increasing complexity of the chemical messengers
      involved and the evolution of the chemosensory adaptations for their
      exploitation. 

PMID- 24231728
TI  - The use of local concentrated heat versus topical acyclovir for a herpes labialis
      outbreak: results of a pilot study under real life conditions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frequent outbreak of herpes labialis can affect quality of life by
      prodromes like burning, itching, and swelling. Topical applied preparations aim
      to shorten the duration of symptoms, inhibit the virus replication and/or
      accelerate the healing process. Local concentrated heat (LCH) can reduce burning,
      itching, or swelling of the skin by influence of mechano-heat sensitive afferent
      neurons. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To examine the effectiveness of two different
      topical applications (LCH versus topical acyclovir [TACV]) under real life
      conditions, we conducted a prospective, observational, reference-controlled
      cohort pilot study with 103 patients. Occurrence of prodromal burning, itching,
      swelling, and quality of life were assessed. RESULTS: The LCH observation group
      (OG) showed a significantly faster improvement in all symptoms after 1-day of
      application than the TACV OG. The burden and duration of disease was lower and
      shorter in the LCH OG than in the TACV OG. CONCLUSIONS: The prodromal symptoms in
      recurrent herpes labialis were attenuated more effectively by LCH than by TACV.

PMID- 24231730
TI  - Autophagy as a mechanism of antiviral defense at the maternal-fetal interface.
AB  - Mechanisms to protect against viral infections are crucial during pregnancy as
      maternal-fetal transmission can have serious pathological outcomes, including
      fetal infection and its sequelae, such as growth restriction, birth defects,
      and/or fetal death. The trophoblast forms the interface between the feto
      placental unit and the maternal blood, and is therefore a critical physical and
      immunological barrier to restrict the spread of pathogens into the fetal
      microenvironment. Recently, we found that primary human placental trophoblast
      (PHT) cells are highly resistant to infection by diverse viruses. In this study,
      we also found that conditioned medium from PHT cell cultures transferred viral
      resistance to nonplacental recipient cells, suggesting that a component secreted
      by trophoblasts and present within the conditioned medium is responsible for this
      antiviral effect. We found that specific miRNAs from a unique primate- and
      placental-specific locus?the C19MC (chromosome 19 miRNA cluster)?are packaged
      within exosomes produced by PHT cells and confer viral resistance in nonplacental
      recipient cells. In addition to conveying viral resistance, we found that PHT
      derived exosomes and select miRNA members of the C19MC family strongly induce
      autophagy, which is involved in recipient cell viral resistance. Our findings
      establish an exciting and novel mechanism by which placental trophoblasts exploit
      exosome-dependent transfer of placental-specific miRNAs to influence autophagic
      induction and antiviral immunity at the maternal?fetal interface. 

PMID- 24231729
TI  - mTOR plays critical roles in pancreatic cancer stem cells through specific and
      stemness-related functions.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is characterized by near-universal mutations in KRAS. The
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which functions downstream of RAS, has
      divergent effects on stem cells. In the present study, we investigated the
      significance of the mTOR pathway in maintaining the properties of pancreatic
      cancer stem cells. The mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, reduced the viability of
      CD133(+) pancreatic cancer cells and sphere formation which is an index of self
      renewal of stem-like cells, indicating that the mTOR pathway functions to
      maintain cancer stem-like cells. Further, rapamycin had different effects on
      CD133(+) cells compared to cyclopamine which is an inhibitor of the Hedgehog
      pathway. Thus, the mTOR pathway has a distinct role although both pathways
      maintain pancreatic cancer stem cells. Therefore, mTOR might be a promising
      target to eliminate pancreatic cancer stem cells. 

PMID- 24231731
TI  - Thermoelectric power factor of ternary single-crystalline Sb2Te3- and Bi2Te3
      based nanowires.
AB  - Nanowires of bismuth antimony telluride and bismuth telluride selenide
      (Bi15Sb29Te56 and Bi38Te55Se7) were grown by template-based pulsed
      electrodeposition. The composition and the crystallinity of the nanowires were
      determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The
      thermoelectric properties (Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity) of
      single p- and n-type nanowires, with diameter 80 nm and 200 nm, respectively,
      were determined as a function of temperature before and during heating in a
      helium atmosphere up to 300 K along the growth direction of the nanowires. After
      additional annealing in a tellurium atmosphere at 525 K, significantly enhanced
      transport properties are observed. Bulk-like power factors are achieved. In
      Bi38Te55Se7 nanowires, the Seebeck coefficients increase to -115 MUV K(-1) and
      the thermoelectric power factors increase to 2820 MUW K(-2) m(-1) at room
      temperature. In Bi15Sb29Te56 nanowires, Seebeck coefficients of up to S = +156
      MUV K(-1) and power factors of up to 1750 MUW K(-2) m(-1) are obtained at room
      temperature.

PMID- 24231732
TI  - Neuroprotective effect of geraniol and curcumin in an acrylamide model of
      neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster: relevance to neuropathy.
AB  - Chronic exposure of acrylamide (ACR) leads to neuronal damage in both
      experimental animals and humans. The primary focus of this study was to assess
      the ameliorative effect of geraniol, (a natural monoterpene) against ACR-induced
      oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and neurotoxicity in a Drosophila
      model and compare its efficacy to that of curcumin, a spice active principle with
      pleiotropic biological activity. Adult male flies (8-10 days) were exposed (7
      days) to ACR (5 mM) with or without geraniol and curcumin (5-10 MUM) in the
      medium. Both phytoconstituents significantly reduced the incidence of ACR-induced
      mortality, rescued the locomotor phenotype and alleviated the enhanced levels of
      oxidative stress markers in head/body regions. The levels of reduced glutathione
      (GSH) and total thiols (TSH) resulting from ACR exposure was also restored with
      concomitant elevation in the activities of detoxifying enzymes. Interestingly,
      ACR induced mitochondrial dysfunctions (MTT reduction, activities of SDH and
      citrate synthase enzymes) were alleviated by both phytoconstituents. While ACR
      elevated the activity of acetylcholinesterase in head/body regions, marked
      diminution in enzyme activity ensued with co-exposure to phytoconstituents
      suggesting their potency to mitigate cholinergic function. Furthermore,
      phytoconstituents also restored the dopamine levels in head/body regions. The
      neuroprotective effect of geraniol was comparable to curcumin in terms of
      phenotypic and biochemical markers. Based on our evidences in fly model we
      hypothesise that geraniol possess significant neuromodulatory propensity and may
      be exploited for therapeutic application in human pathophysiology associated with
      neuropathy. However, the precise mechanism/s by which geraniol offers
      neuroprotection needs to be investigated in appropriate neuronal cell models.

PMID- 24231733
TI  - Saline-assisted aspirations for collecting synovial fluid from noneffused knees:
      technique and validation.
AB  - CONTEXT: To better understand why a knee develops osteoarthritis after joint
      trauma we need to assess the local biochemical changes. Unfortunately, it is
      challenging to obtain synovial fluid from a knee with no effusion. OBJECTIVE: To
      describe the authors' protocol for aspirating synovial fluid from noneffused
      knees. Second, they demonstrate the validity of this method by evaluating the
      relationships between normalized and raw biomarker concentrations among knees
      with effusion (undergoing a traditional aspiration) and without effusion
      (requiring a saline-assisted aspiration). DESIGN: Validation study based on
      secondary analyses from 2 cohort studies. SETTING: Outpatient orthopedic clinic
      and basic-science laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Participants had moderate to severe
      radiographic knee osteoarthritis (n = 15 with and 11 without effusion) and no
      osteoarthritis or effusion (n = 4). INTERVENTIONS: The same orthopedic surgeon
      performed all synovial-fluid joint aspirations, including saline-assisted
      aspirations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The authors used multiplex enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assays to determine 7 synovial-fluid biomarker concentrations. They
      then calculated correlations between raw and normalized (to total synovial-fluid
      protein content) biomarker concentrations. RESULTS: The authors excluded 1 sample
      collected with a saline-assisted aspiration because it contained blood.
      Normalized biomarker concentrations had positive associations with raw biomarker
      concentrations (r = .77-.99), with the exception of interleukin-13 and
      interleukin-1beta among knees that underwent a saline-assisted aspiration.
      Excluding interleukin-1beta, associations between normalized and raw biomarker
      concentrations were consistent between knees that had a saline-assisted or
      traditional aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: Saline-assisted aspiration is a valid
      technique for assessing the local biochemical changes in knees without effusion.

PMID- 24231734
TI  - Adolescent social isolation enhances the plasmalemmal density of NMDA NR1
      subunits in dendritic spines of principal neurons in the basolateral amygdala of
      adult mice.
AB  - Social isolation during the vulnerable period of adolescence produces emotional
      dysregulation manifested by abnormalities in adult behaviors that require
      emotional processing. The affected brain regions may include the basolateral
      amygdala (BLA), where plasticity of glutamatergic synapses in principal neurons
      plays a role in conditioned emotional responses. This plasticity is dependent on
      NMDA receptor trafficking denoted by intracellular mobilization of the obligatory
      NR1 NMDA subunit. We tested the hypothesis that the psychosocial stress of
      adolescent social isolation (ASI) produces a lasting change in NMDA receptor
      distribution in principal neurons in the BLA of adults that express maladaptive
      emotional responses to sensory cues. For this, we used behavioral testing and
      dual electron microscopic immunolabeling of NR1 and calcium calmodulin-dependent
      protein kinase II (CaMKII), a protein predominantly expressed in principal
      neurons of the BLA in adult C57Bl/6 mice housed in isolation or in social groups
      from post-weaning day 22 until adulthood (~3 months of age). The isolates showed
      persistent deficits in sensorimotor gating evidenced by altered prepulse
      inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle and hyperlocomotor activity in a novel
      environment. Immunogold-silver labeling for NR1 alone or together with CaMKII was
      seen in many somatodendritic profiles in the BLA of all mice irrespective of
      rearing conditions. However, isolates compared with group-reared mice had a
      significantly lower cytoplasmic (4.72 +/- 0.517 vs 6.31 +/- 0.517) and higher
      plasmalemmal (0.397 +/- 0.0779 vs 0.216 +/- 0.026) density of NR1 immunogold
      particles in CaMKII-containing dendritic spines. There was no rearing-dependent
      difference in the size or number of these spines or those of other dendritic
      profiles within the neuropil, which also failed to show an impact of ASI on NR1
      immunogold labeling. These results provide the first evidence that ASI enhances
      the surface trafficking of NMDA receptors in dendritic spines of principal
      neurons in the BLA of adult mice showing maladaptive behaviors that are
      consistent with emotional dysregulation.

PMID- 24231736
TI  - Chordin expression in the adult rat brain.
AB  - Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) exert its biological functions by interacting
      with membrane bound receptors. However, functions of BMPs are also regulated in
      the extracellular space by secreted antagonistic regulators. Chordin is an
      extracellular BMP antagonist that binds BMP-2, 4, and 7 with high affinity and
      thus interferes with binding to BMP receptors. Although chordin expression has
      been well described in the early development of the CNS, little information is
      available for its expression in the adult CNS. We, thus, investigated chordin
      expression in the adult rat CNS using immunohistochemistry. Chordin was intensely
      expressed in most neurons, and their dendrites and axons. In addition, abundant
      chordin expression was also observed in the neuropil of the gray matters where
      high plasticity is reported, such as the molecular layer of the cerebellum and
      the superficial layer of the superior colliculus. Furthermore, we found that
      astrocytes and ependymal cells also express chordin protein. These data indicate
      that chordin is more widely expressed throughout the adult CNS than previously
      reported, and its continued abundant expression in the adult brain strongly
      supports the idea that chordin plays pivotal roles also in the adult brain. 

PMID- 24231735
TI  - White matter astrocytes in health and disease.
AB  - Myelination by oligodendrocytes is a highly specialized process that relies on
      intimate interactions between the axon and the oligodendrocytes. Astrocytes have
      an important part in facilitating myelination in the CNS, however, comparatively
      less is known about how they affect myelination. This review therefore summarizes
      the literature and explores lingering questions surrounding differences between
      white matter and gray matter astrocytes, how astrocytes support myelination, how
      their dysfunction in pathological states contributes to myelin pathologies and
      how astrocytes may facilitate remyelination. We discuss how astrocytes in the
      white matter are specialized to promote myelination and myelin maintenance by
      clearance of extracellular ions and neurotransmitters and by secretion of pro
      myelinating factors. Additionally, astrocyte-oligodendrocyte coupling via gap
      junctions is crucial for both myelin formation and maintenance, due to K(+)
      buffering and possibly metabolic support for oligodendrocytes via the panglial
      syncytium. Dysfunctional astrocytes aberrantly affect oligodendrocytes, as
      exemplified by a number of leukodystrophies in which astrocytic pathology is
      known as the direct cause of myelin pathology. Conversely, in primary
      demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, astrocytes may facilitate
      remyelination. We suggest that specific manipulation of astrocytes could help
      prevent myelin pathologies and successfully restore myelin sheaths after
      demyelination. 

PMID- 24231737
TI  - The cholinergic agonist carbachol increases the frequency of spontaneous
      GABAergic synaptic currents in dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons in the mouse.
AB  - Dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5-HT) neurons play an important role in
      feeding, mood control and stress responses. One important feature of their
      activity across the sleep-wake cycle is their reduced firing during rapid-eye
      movement (REM) sleep which stands in stark contrast to the wake/REM-on discharge
      pattern of brainstem cholinergic neurons. A prominent model of REM sleep control
      posits a reciprocal interaction between these cell groups. 5-HT inhibits
      cholinergic neurons, and activation of nicotinic receptors can excite DRN 5-HT
      neurons but the cholinergic effect on inhibitory inputs is incompletely
      understood. Here, in vitro, in DRN brain slices prepared from GAD67-GFP knock-in
      mice, a brief (3 min) bath application of carbachol (50 MUM) increased the
      frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in GFP
      negative, putative 5-HT neurons but did not affect miniature (tetrodotoxin
      insensitive) IPSCs. Carbachol had no direct postsynaptic effect. Thus, carbachol
      likely increases the activity of local GABAergic neurons which synapse on 5-HT
      neurons. Removal of dorsal regions of the slice including the ventrolateral
      periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region where GABAergic neurons projecting to the DRN
      have been identified, abolished the effect of carbachol on sIPSCs whereas the
      removal of ventral regions containing the oral region of the pontine reticular
      nucleus (PnO) did not. In addition, carbachol directly excited GFP-positive,
      GABAergic vlPAG neurons. Antagonism of both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors
      completely abolished the effects of carbachol. We suggest cholinergic neurons
      inhibit DRN 5-HT neurons when acetylcholine levels are lower i.e. during quiet
      wakefulness and the beginning of REM sleep periods, in part via excitation of
      muscarinic and nicotinic receptors located on local vlPAG and DRN GABAergic
      neurons. Higher firing rates or burst firing of cholinergic neurons associated
      with attentive wakefulness or phasic REM sleep periods leads to excitation of 5
      HT neurons via the activation of nicotinic receptors located postsynaptically and
      presynaptically on excitatory afferents.

PMID- 24231738
TI  - D1-dopamine and alpha1-adrenergic receptors co-localize in dendrites of the rat
      prefrontal cortex.
AB  - Functional interactions between dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems occur in
      many brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Biochemical,
      electrophysiological and behavioral data indicate crosstalk between D1 dopamine
      receptor (D1R) and alpha1-adrenergic receptor (alpha1AR) signaling in the PFC.
      However, it is unknown whether these interactions occur within the same neurons,
      or between neurons expressing either receptor. In this study, we used electron
      microscopy immunocytochemistry to demonstrate that D1Rs and alpha1ARs co-localize
      in rat PFC neuronal elements, most prominently in dendrites (60-70%), but also
      significantly in axon terminals, unmyelinated axons and spines (~20-30%). Our
      data also showed that the ratio of plasma membrane-bound to intracellular
      alpha1ARs is significantly reduced in D1R-expressing dendrites. Similar results
      were obtained using either a pan-alpha1AR or a selective alpha1bAR antibody to
      label noradrenergic receptors. Thus, these results demonstrate that D1Rs and
      alpha1ARs co-localize in PFC dendrites, thereby suggesting that the
      catecholaminergic effects on PFC function may be driven, at least in part, by
      cell-autonomous D1R-alpha1AR interactions. 

PMID- 24231739
TI  - NAC1, A POZ/BTB protein interacts with Parkin and may contribute to Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - Loss-of-function in the Parkin protein is thought to play a part in causing
      neuronal cell death in patients with Parkinson's disease. This study explores the
      effect of Parkin degradation, via the overexpression of nucleus accumbens 1
      (NAC1), on cell viability. It was found that NAC1 and Parkin are co-localized
      within the cell and interact with one another, leading to a decrease in Parkin
      levels. Moreover, NAC1 down-regulates Parkin by presenting it for ubiquitin
      dependent proteasome degradation, which causes a decrease in proteasomal activity
      in neuronal cells. Consequently, this decrease in proteasomal activity leads to
      an increase in the cells' susceptibility to proteasome inhibition-induced
      toxicity. It was also found that Parkin and NAC1 are key proteins found to be
      present mainly in the cytoplasm and are co-localized in neurons of Parkinson's
      disease patients. Interestingly, mutation in the POZ/BTB domain (Q23L) of NAC1
      disrupts the co-localization and interaction of NAC1 with Parkin and it further
      abrogates the proteasome inhibition-induced toxicity. We further observed that co
      transfection of the mutant form of NAC1 with Parkin reversed the proteasome
      activity and 20S proteasome protein levels. These results indicate a novel
      interaction between NAC1 and Parkin that leads to neuronal cell death, a main
      characteristic in Parkinson's disease. 

PMID- 24231741
TI  - Lysozyme-stabilized gold nanoclusters as a novel fluorescence probe for cyanide
      recognition.
AB  - Lysozyme-stabilized gold nanoclusters (Lys-AuNCs) have been synthesized and
      utilized as a fluorescent probe for selective detection of cyanide (CN(-)). Lys
      AuNCs had an average size of 4 nm and showed a red emission at 650 nm
      (lambdaex=370 nm). The fluorescence of Lys-AuNCs could be quenched by CN(-). An
      excellent sensitivity and selectivity toward the detection of CN(-) in aqueous
      solution was observed. The fluorescence intensity was linear with the CN(-)
      concentration in the range of 5.00*10(-6)M-1.20*10(-4) M with a detection limit
      as low as 1.9*10(-7) M. Also, the addition of CN(-) to Lys-AuNCs could induce an
      obvious color change from light yellow to colorless. Correspondingly, a bright
      red fluorescence disappeared and a blue fluorescence appeared. The results
      indicated that Lys-AuNCs could be applied in detection of cyanide on
      environmental aspects.

PMID- 24231740
TI  - Caspase inhibition augments Dichlorvos-induced dopaminergic neuronal cell death
      by increasing ROS production and PARP1 activation.
AB  - Numerous epidemiological studies have shown an association between pesticide
      exposure and the increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Previously we
      have reported that Dichlorvos exposure can induce oxidative stress, resulting in
      over-expression of pro-apoptotic genes and finally caspase-dependent
      nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal cell death in rat brain. Here, we examined
      the effect of caspase inhibition on PC12 cell death induced by Dichlorvos (30
      MUM). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation followed by protein carbonylation,
      lipid peroxidation, decreased antioxidant defenses (decreased Mn-superoxide
      dismutase (MnSOD) activity and decreased glutathione levels) and subsequent
      caspase activation mediated the apoptosis. Inhibition of caspase cascade with Boc
      aspartyl(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (BAF) enhanced the Dichlorvos-induced PC12 cell
      death, as assessed by the increased cellular efflux of lactate dehydrogenase
      (LDH). This increase in cell death was accompanied by a marked increase in
      poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) activity, increased oxidative stress, a
      reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced cellular NAD and
      ATP levels. Pretreatment of cells with PJ34, a PARP1 inhibitor prevented the
      cells from undergoing cell death and preserved intracellular NAD and ATP levels.
      Subsequent release of the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria and
      its translocation into the nucleus was also prevented by PJ34 pretreatment. In
      conclusion, the results of the present study show that caspase inhibition without
      concurrent inhibition of PARP1 is unlikely to be effective in preventing cell
      death because in the presence of the caspase inhibitor, caspase-independent cell
      death predominates due to PARP activation. These results suggest that combined
      therapeutic strategies directed at multiple cell death pathways may provide
      superior neuroprotection than those directed at a single mechanism.

PMID- 24231742
TI  - Effect of bovine serum albumin and single walled carbon nanotube on the
      photophysical properties of zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine.
AB  - This work reports on the photophysical parameters of the conjugate between zinc
      octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnOCPc) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) represented as
      ZnOCPc-BSA (1) which was further adsorbed onto single walled carbon nanotubes
      (SWCNT) represented as (ZnOCPc-BSA-SWCNT 2). ZnOCPc (without BSA) was also
      adsorbed on SWCNT represented as ZnOCPc-SWCNT (3). The presence of BSA resulted
      in the increase in singlet oxygen quantum yield (PhiDelta) for 1 (at
      PhiDelta=0.44) and 2 (at PhiDelta=0.41) compared to PhiDelta=0.21 for ZnOCPc
      alone. For complex 3 which did not contain BSA singlet oxygen quantum yield
      decreased. 

PMID- 24231743
TI  - Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of silver nanoparticles using
      Tribulus terrestris leaf extract.
AB  - Biomediated silver nanoparticles were synthesized with the aid of an eco-friendly
      biomaterial, namely, aqueous Tribulus terrestris extract. Silver nanoparticles
      were synthesized using a rapid, single step, and completely green biosynthetic
      method employing aqueous T. terrestris leaf extracts as both the reducing and
      capping agent. Silver ions were rapidly reduced by aqueous T. terrestris leaf
      extracts, leading to the formation of highly crystalline silver nanoparticles. An
      attempt has been made and formation of the silver nanoparticles was verified by
      surface plasmon spectra using an UV-vis (Ultra violet), spectrophotometer.
      Morphology and crystalline structure of the prepared silver nanoparticles were
      characterized by TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and XRD (X-ray
      Diffraction), techniques, respectively. FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared),
      analysis suggests that the obtained silver nanoparticles might be stabilized
      through the interactions of carboxylic groups, carbonyl groups and the flavonoids
      present in the T. terrestris extract. 

PMID- 24231744
TI  - Highly stable water dispersible calix[4]pyrrole octa-hydrazide protected gold
      nanoparticles as colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensors for selective
      signaling of Co(II) ions.
AB  - Water dispersible stable gold nanoparticles (AuNps) have been synthesized by
      using calix[4]pyrrole octa-hydrazide (CPOH) as a reducing as well as stabilizing
      agent. CPOH-AuNps have been characterized by surface plasmon resonance, particle
      size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. CPOH-AuNps are water
      dispersible, highly stable for more than 150 days at neutral pH with a size of
      less than 10nm and zeta potential of 15+/-2 MeV. Ion sensing property of CPOH
      AuNps has been investigated for various metal ions Pb(II), Cd(II), Mn(II),
      Fe(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Hg(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) by colorimetry and
      spectrofluorimetry. Among all the metal ions investigated, only Co(II) ions gives
      sharp colour change from ruby red to blue and is easily detectable by naked-eye.
      CPOH-AuNps being fluorescent in nature also shows great sensitivity and
      selectivity for Co(II) ions. Co(II) ions can be selectively detected at very low
      concentration level of 1 nM in a facile way of fluorescence quenching.

PMID- 24231745
TI  - Zinc (II) complex with a cationic Schiff base ligand: synthesis,
      characterization, and biological studies.
AB  - A cationic Schiff base ligand, TSB (L) and its Zn (II) complex (1) were
      synthesized and characterized by using CHN, (1)H-NMR, FT-IR, UV, LC-MS, and X-ray
      methods. Their ability to inhibit topoisomerase I, DNA cleavage activities, and
      cytotoxicity were studied. X-ray diffraction study shows that the mononuclear
      complex 1 is four coordinated with distorted tetrahedral geometry. The singly
      deprotonated Schiff base ligand L acts as a bidentate ON-donor ligand.
      Complexation of L increases the inhibitory strength on topoisomerase I activity.
      Complex 1 could fully inhibit topoisomerase I activity at 250 MUM, while L did
      not show any inhibitory effect on topoisomerase I activity. In addition, L and
      complex 1 could cleave pBR322 DNA in a concentration and time dependent profile.
      Surprisingly, L has better DNA cleavage activity than complex 1. The cleavage of
      DNA by complex 1 is altered in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, L
      and complex 1 are mildly cytotoxic towards human ovarian cancer A2780 and
      hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2.

PMID- 24231746
TI  - Spectroscopic studies on the interaction of Ga3+-hypocrellin A with myoglobin.
AB  - In this article, the interaction mechanism of Ga(3+)-hypocrellin A (Ga(3+)-HA)
      with myoglobin (Mb) is studied in detail through various spectroscopic
      technologies. UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra demonstrate the
      interaction process. The Stern-Volmer plot and the time-resolved fluorescence
      study suggest the fluorescence quenching mechanism of Mb by Ga(3+)-HA is a static
      quenching procedure, and the electronic transfer forces play a major role in
      binding Ga(3+)-HA to Mb. Furthermore, synchronous fluorescence studies and
      circular dichroism (CD) spectra reveal that the conformation of Mb is changed
      after its conjugation with Ga(3+)-HA. 

PMID- 24231747
TI  - Selective recognition of dysprosium(III) ions by enhanced chemiluminescence CdSe
      quantum dots.
AB  - The intensity of emitted light from CdSe quantum dots (QDs)-H2O2 is described as
      a novel chemiluminescence (CL) reaction for determination of dysprosium. This
      reaction is based on the catalytic effect of Dy(3+) ions, causing a significant
      increase in the light emission, as a result of the reaction of quantum dots (QDs)
      with hydrogen peroxide. In the optimum conditions, this method was satisfactorily
      described by linear calibration curve in the range of 8.3*10(-7)-5.0*10(-6)M, the
      detection limit of 6.0*10(-8)M, and the relative standard deviation for five
      determinations of 2.5*10(-6)M Dy(3+) 3.2%. The main experimental advantage of the
      proposed method is its selective to Dy(3+) ions compared with common coexisting
      cations, therefore, it was successfully applied for the determination of
      dysprosium ions in water samples. 

PMID- 24231748
TI  - Vibrational characterization and adsorption mode on SERS-active surfaces of
      guanidino-(bromophenyl)methylphosphonic acid.
AB  - This work presents adsorption geometry of [N-butyl-guanidino-(4
      bromophenyl)methyl] phosphonic acid (4-BrPhG(n-But)P) on different SERS-active
      substrates (colloidal and specifically prepared Ag and Au roughened substrates).
      The adsorption mode is deduced from the SERS selection rules and several
      characteristic bands of the 4-BrPhG(n-But)P molecular fragments. The SERS spectra
      are compared to the experimental FT-Raman spectrum. In addition, the vibrational
      wavenumbers and PED's obtained for 4-BrPhG(n-But)P by using density functional
      theory methods with B3LYP/6-311++G(**) level of theory and PCM model is briefly
      presented. 

PMID- 24231749
TI  - Vibrational spectra, optical properties, NBO and HOMO-LUMO analysis of L
      Phenylalanine L-Phenylalaninium Perchlorate: DFT calculations.
AB  - In this work, we report a combined experimental and theoretical study of a
      nonlinear optical material, L-Phenylalanine L-Phenylalaninium Perchlorate. Single
      crystals of the title compound have been grown by slow evaporation of an aqueous
      solution at room temperature. Theoretical calculations were preceded by
      redetermination of the crystal X-ray structure. The compound crystallizes in the
      non-centro symmetric space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) of the orthorhombic system. The FT
      IR and Raman spectra of the crystal were recorded and analyzed. The density
      functional theory (DFT) computations have been performed at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level
      to derive equilibrium geometry, vibrational wavenumbers, intensity and NLO
      properties. All observed vibrational bands have been discussed and assigned to
      normal mode or to combinations on the basis of our DFT calculations as a primary
      source of attribution and also by comparison with the previous results for
      similar compounds. Natural bond orbital analysis was carried out to demonstrate
      the various inter-and intramolecular interaction that are responsible of the
      stabilization of the compound. The lowering of highest occupied molecular orbital
      (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap appears to be
      the cause of its enhanced charge transfer interaction leading to high NLO
      activity.

PMID- 24231750
TI  - Dithizone as novel and efficient chromogenic probe for cyanide detection in
      aqueous media through nucleophilic addition into diazenylthione moiety.
AB  - A new selective chemodosimeter probe was developed by the introduction of
      dithizone (DTZ) as a simple and available dye for detection of cyanide in aqueous
      media which enables recognition of cyanide over other competing anions such as
      acetate, dihydrogen phosphate, fluoride and benzoate through covalent bonding.
      The sensing properties of DTZ were investigated in DMSO/H2O (1:9) and have
      demonstrated a very high selectivity toward the cyanide anions. A reasonable
      recognition mechanism was suggested using UV-Vis, (1)H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy
      techniques. Time dependent density function theory (TDDFT) computations of UV-Vis
      excitation for DTZ2-CN adduct agreed well with our experimental findings. The
      detection limit of the new chromogenic probe was measured to be 0.48 MUmol L(-1)
      which is much lower than most recently reported chromogenic probes for cyanide
      determination. The analytical utility of the method for the analysis of cyanide
      ions in electroplating wastewater (EPWW), human serum, tap and mineral water
      samples was demonstrated and the results were compared successfully with the
      conventional reference method. The short time response and the detection by the
      naked eye make the method available for the detection and quantitative
      determination of cyanide in a variety of real samples.

PMID- 24231751
TI  - Coxsackievirus A16: epidemiology, diagnosis, and vaccine.
AB  - Coxsackievirus 16 (CA16) is one of the major pathogens associated with hand,
      foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in infants and young children. In recent years,
      CA16 and human enterovirus 71 (EV71) have often circulated alternatively or
      together in the Western Pacific region, which has become an important public
      health problem in this region. HFMD caused by CA16 infection is generally thought
      to be mild and self-limiting. However, recently several severe and fatal cases
      involving CA16 have been reported. Studies have shown that co-infection with CA16
      and EV71 can cause serious complications in the central nervous system (CNS) and
      increase the chance of genetic recombination, which may be responsible for the
      large HFMD outbreak in Mainland China in 2008. For these reasons, recent studies
      have focused on the virological characteristics of CA16 and the development of
      CA16-related diagnostic reagents and vaccines. 

PMID- 24231752
TI  - The effects of assisted ergometer training with a functional electrical
      stimulation on exercise capacity and functional ability in subacute stroke
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if assistive ergometer training can improve the
      functional ability and aerobic capacity of subacute stroke patients and if
      functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the paretic leg during ergometer
      cycling has additional effects. METHODS: Sixteen subacute stroke patents were
      randomly assigned to the FES group (n=8) or the control group (n=8). All patients
      underwent assistive ergometer training for 30 minutes (five times per week for 4
      weeks). The electrical stimulation group received FES of the paretic lower limb
      muscles during assistive ergometer training. The six-minute walk test (6MWT),
      Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K
      MBI) were evaluated at the beginning and end of treatment. Peak oxygen
      consumption (Vo2peak), metabolic equivalent (MET), resting and maximal heart
      rate, resting and maximal blood pressure, maximal rate pressure product,
      submaximal rate pressure product, submaximal rate of perceived exertion, exercise
      duration, respiratory exchange ratio, and estimated anaerobic threshold (AT) were
      determined with the exercise tolerance test before and after treatment. RESULTS:
      At 4 weeks after treatment, the FES assistive ergometer training group showed
      significant improvements in 6MWT (p=0.01), BBS (p=0.01), K-MBI (p=0.01), Vo2peak
      (p=0.02), MET (p=0.02), and estimated AT (p=0.02). The control group showed
      improvements in only BBS (p=0.01) and K-MBI (p=0.02). However, there was no
      significant difference in exercise capacity and functional ability between the
      two groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that ergometer training for 4
      weeks improved the functional ability of subacute stroke patients. In addition,
      aerobic capacity was improved after assisted ergometer training with a FES only.

PMID- 24231753
TI  - Comparative analysis of several detectors for the measurement of radiation
      transmission and leakage from a multileaf collimator.
AB  - The multileaf collimator (MLC) is the standard device used to shape radiation
      beams for 3-d conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Due to
      the inherent properties of MLC, there is a small amount of radiation transmitted
      through the leaves, called radiation transmission (RT). Accurate measurements of
      this radiation are required to commission and validate IMRT-capable treatment
      planning systems because this radiation may impact the dosimetry of IMRT
      calculated dose distributions. This work compares several detectors in the
      measurement of RT for a micro-multileaf collimation system. The results show that
      there are statistically significant differences in the measured RT values between
      detectors from 3.5 to 12.5% for the same MLC model and less than 0.2% relative to
      the isocentre dose for an open reference field. However, although small in
      magnitude, these differences may impact the dosimetry of IMRT treatment planning
      by up to 1.78 Gy to the healthy tissue surrounding the target for a treatment of
      60 Gy in 30 fractions. By the later, these differences must be included as a
      source of uncertainty in IMRT dose delivery. Also, it must be established which
      detector offers the most reliable results in the measurement of the RT by using
      Monte Carlo simulation methods.

PMID- 24231754
TI  - Endoglin (CD105) is a more appropriate marker than CD31 for detecting
      microvessels in carotid artery plaques.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microvascular proliferation is a major risk factor for plaque
      vulnerability in patients with carotid stenosis. There are several vascular
      endothelial markers such as CD31 and CD105, but it is unclear which marker is
      most sensitive for microvessels. This study sought to examine the correlations
      between CD31 and CD105 expression in microvessels on carotid plaques and clinical
      manifestations. METHODS: We studied 13 lesions in 12 patients. The patients
      underwent carotid endarterectomy and samples were stained for CD31 and CD105. The
      numbers of microvessels positive for these markers within a field of view were
      counted. RESULTS: The average numbers of microvessels were 5.8 +/- 5.4 for CD31
      and 9.2 +/- 9.3 for CD105 (P = 0.04). More microvessels were positive for CD105
      than there were for CD31 in patients with diabetes mellitus (P = 0.04).
      CONCLUSION: In patients with carotid artery stenosis, CD105 is more appropriate
      than CD31 for detecting microvessels in carotid plaques. In patients with
      diabetes mellitus, CD105 is significantly more highly expressed in microvessels
      than CD31.

PMID- 24231755
TI  - Hydrothermally formed functional niobium oxide doped tungsten nanorods.
AB  - Nanorod forms of metal oxides are recognized as one of the most remarkable
      morphologies. Their structure and functionality have driven important
      advancements in a vast range of electronic devices and applications. In this
      work, we postulate a novel concept to explain how numerous localized surface
      states can be engineered into the bandgap of niobium oxide nanorods using
      tungsten. We discuss their contributions as local state surface charges for the
      modulation of a Schottky barrier height, the relative dielectric constant and
      their respective conduction mechanisms. Their effects on hydrogen gas molecule
      interaction mechanisms are also examined herein. We synthesized niobium tungsten
      oxide (Nb17W2O25) nanorods via a hydrothermal growth method and evaluated the
      Schottky barrier height, ideality factor, dielectric constant and trap energy
      level from the measured I-V versus temperature characteristics in the presence of
      air and hydrogen to show the validity of our postulations. 

PMID- 24231756
TI  - Quadrivalent influenza vaccine in the United States.
AB  - New strategies to improve influenza vaccines are ongoing. With the recent
      development of new vaccine formulations, such improvement are have begun to
      materialize in formulations available to providers and their patients. One of the
      newest strategies developed has been to broaden the composition of the current
      influenza vaccine formulations from trivalent products to quadrivalent products.
      To date, three manufacturers have developed and tested four vaccine formulations
      for safety and immunogenicity. The growing availability of quadrivalent influenza
      vaccines is now a well-recognized advance among the growing opportunities to
      improve influenza prevention. 

PMID- 24231757
TI  - The role of leptin in the development of pulmonary neutrophilia in infection and
      acute lung injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: One of the hallmarks of severe pneumonia and associated acute lung
      injury is neutrophil recruitment to the lung. Leptin is thought to be up
      regulated in the lung following injury and to exert diverse effects on
      leukocytes, influencing both chemotaxis and survival. We hypothesized that
      pulmonary leptin contributes directly to the development of pulmonary
      neutrophilia during pneumonia and acute lung injury. DESIGN: Controlled human and
      murine in vivo and ex vivo experimental studies. SETTING: Research laboratory of
      a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Healthy human volunteers and subjects
      hospitalized with bacterial and H1N1 pneumonia. C57Bl/6 and db/db mice were also
      used. INTERVENTIONS: Lung samples from patients and mice with either bacterial or
      H1N1 pneumonia and associated acute lung injury were immunostained for leptin.
      Human bronchoalveolar lavage samples obtained after lipopolysaccharide-induced
      lung injury were assayed for leptin. C57Bl/6 mice were examined after
      oropharyngeal aspiration of recombinant leptin alone or in combination with
      Escherichia coli- or Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced pneumonia. Leptin-resistant
      (db/db) mice were also examined using the E. coli model. Bronchoalveolar lavage
      neutrophilia and cytokine levels were measured. Leptin-induced chemotaxis was
      examined in human blood- and murine marrow-derived neutrophils in vitro.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Injured human and murine lung tissue showed leptin
      induction compared to normal lung, as did human bronchoalveolar lavage following
      lipopolysaccharide instillation. Bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophilia in uninjured
      and infected mice was increased and lung bacterial load decreased by airway
      leptin administration, whereas bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophilia in infected
      leptin-resistant mice was decreased. In sterile lung injury by
      lipopolysaccharide, leptin also appeared to decrease airspace neutrophil
      apoptosis. Both human and murine neutrophils migrated toward leptin in vitro, and
      this required intact signaling through the Janus Kinase 2/phosphatidylinositol
      4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase pathway. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that pulmonary
      leptin is induced in injured human and murine lungs and that this cytokine is
      effective in driving alveolar airspace neutrophilia. This action appears to be
      caused by direct effects of leptin on neutrophils.

PMID- 24231758
TI  - Timing of continuous renal replacement therapy and mortality in critically ill
      children*.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury and fluid overload frequently necessitate
      initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients
      admitted to the ICU. In this study, our primary objective was to determine the
      effect of timing of initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy on ICU
      mortality in children requiring renal support for management of acute kidney
      injury and/or fluid overload. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING:
      Tertiary level, multidisciplinary PICU. PATIENTS: Children who received
      continuous renal replacement therapy for management of acute kidney injury and/or
      fluid overload from January 2000 through July 2009 were included in the study.
      Patients requiring extracorporeal life support and patients initiated on
      continuous renal replacement therapy for indications other than acute kidney
      injury and/or fluid overload were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND
      MAIN RESULTS: Timing of initiation was defined chronologically as time from ICU
      admission to continuous renal replacement therapy initiation. Three hundred
      eighty treatments were performed during the study period, of which 190 were
      eligible and included in the study. Overall ICU mortality was 47% among the study
      population. Median timing of initiation was higher among nonsurvivors compared
      with survivors (3.4 vs 2.0 d, p = 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression
      analysis identified timing of initiation as an independent predictor of mortality
      with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.05 (95% CI, 1.01, 1.11). Fluid overload,
      indication for continuous renal replacement therapy initiation, severity of
      illness at ICU admission, and active oncologic diagnosis were the other
      independent predictors of mortality that were identified in the final regression
      model. In the survival analysis, late initiators (> 5 d) had higher mortality
      than early initiators (<= 5 d) with a hazard ratio of 1.56 (95% CI, 1.02, 2.37).
      CONCLUSIONS: Earlier initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy was
      associated with lower mortality in this cohort of critically ill children. Future
      studies should focus on early identification of such children who may benefit
      from early continuous renal replacement therapy initiation.

PMID- 24231759
TI  - A randomized, controlled trial of in situ pediatric advanced life support
      recertification ("pediatric advanced life support reconstructed") compared with
      standard pediatric advanced life support recertification for ICU frontline
      providers*.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence shows poor retention of Pediatric Advanced Life
      Support provider skills. Frequent refresher training and in situ simulation are
      promising interventions. We developed a "Pediatric Advanced Life Support
      reconstructed" recertification course by deconstructing the training into six 30
      minute in situ simulation scenario sessions delivered over 6 months. We
      hypothesized that in situ Pediatric Advanced Life Support-reconstructed
      implementation is feasible and as effective as standard Pediatric Advanced Life
      Support recertification. DESIGN: A prospective randomized, single-blinded trial.
      SETTING: Single-center, large, tertiary PICU in a university-affiliated
      children's hospital. SUBJECTS: Nurses and respiratory therapists in PICU.
      INTERVENTIONS: Simulation-based modular Pediatric Advanced Life Support
      recertification training. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Simulation-based pre-
      and postassessment sessions were conducted to evaluate participants' performance.
      Video-recorded sessions were rated by trained raters blinded to allocation. The
      primary outcome was skill performance measured by a validated Clinical
      Performance Tool, and secondary outcome was behavioral performance measured by a
      Behavioral Assessment Tool. A mixed-effect model was used to account for baseline
      differences. Forty participants were prospectively randomized to Pediatric
      Advanced Life Support reconstructed versus standard Pediatric Advanced Life
      Support with no significant difference in demographics. Clinical Performance Tool
      score was similar at baseline in both groups and improved after Pediatric
      Advanced Life Support reconstructed (pre, 16.3 +/- 4.1 vs post, 22.4 +/- 3.9; p <
      0.001), but not after standard Pediatric Advanced Life Support (pre, 14.3 +/- 4.7
      vs post, 14.9 +/- 4.4; p =0.59). Improvement of Clinical Performance Tool was
      significantly higher in Pediatric Advanced Life Support reconstructed compared
      with standard Pediatric Advanced Life Support (p = 0.006). Behavioral Assessment
      Tool improved in both groups: Pediatric Advanced Life Support reconstructed (pre,
      33.3 +/- 4.5 vs post, 35.9 +/- 5.0; p = 0.008) and standard Pediatric Advanced
      Life Support (pre, 30.5 +/- 4.7 vs post, 33.6 +/- 4.9; p = 0.02), with no
      significant difference of improvement between both groups (p = 0.49).
      CONCLUSIONS: For PICU-based nurses and respiratory therapists, simulation-based
      "Pediatric Advanced Life Support-reconstructed" in situ training is feasible and
      more effective than standard Pediatric Advanced Life Support recertification
      training for skill performance. Both Pediatric Advanced Life Support
      recertification training courses improved behavioral performance.

PMID- 24231760
TI  - B-type natriuretic peptide and risk of acute kidney injury in patients
      hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes*.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether admission B-type natriuretic peptide levels
      predict the development of acute kidney injury in acute coronary syndromes.
      DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Single-center study, 13-bed intensive cardiac
      care unit at a University Cardiological Center. PATIENTS: Six-hundred thirty-nine
      acute coronary syndromes patients undergoing emergency and urgent percutaneous
      coronary intervention. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We
      measured B-type natriuretic peptide at hospital admission in acute coronary
      syndromes patients (55% ST-elevation myocardial infarction and 45% non-ST
      elevation myocardial infarction). Acute kidney injury was classified according to
      the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria: stage 1 was defined as a serum
      creatinine increase greater than or equal to 0.3 mg/dL from baseline; stage 2 as
      a serum creatinine increase greater than two- to three-fold from baseline; stage
      3 as a serum creatinine increase greater than three-fold from baseline, or
      greater than or equal to 4.0 mg/dL with an acute increase greater than 0.5 mg/dL,
      or need for renal replacement therapy. Acute kidney injury was developed in 85
      patients (13%) and had a higher in-hospital mortality than patients without acute
      kidney injury (14% vs 1%; p < 0.001). B-type natriuretic peptide levels were
      higher in acute kidney injury patients than in those without acute kidney injury
      (264 [112-957] vs 98 [44-271] pg/mL; p < 0.001) and showed a significant gradient
      according to acute kidney injury severity (224 [96-660] pg/mL in stage 1 and 939
      [124-1,650] pg/mL in stage 2-3 acute kidney injury; p < 0.001). The risk of
      developing acute kidney injury increased in parallel with B-type natriuretic
      peptide quartiles (5%, 9%, 15%, and 24%, respectively; p < 0.001). When B-type
      natriuretic peptide was evaluated, in terms of capacity to predict acute kidney
      injury, the area under the curve was 0.702 (95% CI, 0.642-0.762). CONCLUSIONS: In
      patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes, B-type natriuretic peptide
      levels measured at admission are associated with acute kidney injury as well as
      its severity.

PMID- 24231761
TI  - Do physicians have lower risk of severe sepsis and associated mortality? A
      matched cohort study*.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Physicians generally have higher disease awareness and easier access
      to medical care, which may help them reduce risk of developing severe sepsis and
      associated mortality when they suffer from acute infection. However, the opposite
      situation may occur due to the presence of potential barriers to healthcare in
      physicians. We aim to examine the risk of severe sepsis and associated mortality
      in physicians. DESIGN: A matched cohort study. SETTING: Registry of medical
      professionals and inpatient and outpatient claims data from Taiwan's National
      Health Insurance Research Database. SUBJECTS: Physicians (n = 29,697) in Taiwan
      and a group of persons who were demographically and socioeconomically matched
      (1:1 ratio) and without any medical education and background. All subjects were
      followed from the index date (January 1, 2000) to the occurrence of endpoint,
      withdrawal, or December 31, 2008, whichever date came first. INTERVENTIONS: None.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Primary outcome was development of severe sepsis.
      Secondary outcome was 90-day mortality following severe sepsis. The overall
      incidence density of severe sepsis was lower in physicians than in controls (3.25
      vs 3.90 per 1,000 person-years, p < 0.001). According to the Cox regression
      model, severe sepsis develops in physicians 24% less likely than controls after
      baseline covariates were adjusted (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.68
      0.85). The 90-day mortality rates were similar between physicians and controls
      with severe sepsis (46.5% vs 45.7%, p = 0.72). However, after controlling for the
      baseline and additional covariates, the risk of death was significantly lower in
      physicians than in controls (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.95).
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the hypothesis that physicians are less
      likely than controls to develop or die of severe sepsis, implying that medical
      knowledge, higher disease awareness, and easier healthcare access in physicians
      may help reduce their risk of severe sepsis and associated mortality.

PMID- 24231762
TI  - Monitoring of spinal cord perfusion pressure in acute spinal cord injury: initial
      findings of the injured spinal cord pressure evaluation study*.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop a technique for continuously monitoring intraspinal
      pressure at the injury site (intraspinal pressure) after traumatic spinal cord
      injury. DESIGN: A pressure probe was placed subdurally at the injury site in 18
      patients who had isolated severe traumatic spinal cord injury (American Spinal
      Injuries Association grades A-C). Intraspinal pressure monitoring started within
      72 hours of the injury and continued for up to a week. In four patients,
      additional probes were inserted to simultaneously monitor subdural pressure below
      the injury and extradural pressure. Blood pressure was recorded from a radial
      artery catheter kept at the same horizontal level as the injured segment of the
      spinal cord. We determined the effect of various maneuvers on spinal cord
      perfusion pressure and spinal cord function and assessed using a limb motor score
      and motor-evoked potentials. SETTING: Neurosurgery and neuro-ICU covering a 3
      million population in London. SUBJECTS: Patients with severe traumatic spinal
      cord injury. Control subjects without spinal cord injury (to monitor spinal
      cerebrospinal fluid signal and motor evoked potentials). INTERVENTIONS: Insertion
      of subdural spinal pressure probe. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were no
      procedure-related complications. Intraspinal pressure at the injury site was
      higher than subdural pressure below the injury or extradural pressure. Average
      intraspinal pressure from the 18 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury was
      significantly higher than average intraspinal pressure from 12 subjects without
      traumatic spinal cord injury. Change in arterial PCO2, change in sevoflurane
      dose, and mannitol administration had no significant effect on intraspinal
      pressure or spinal cord perfusion pressure. Increase in inotrope dose
      significantly increased spinal cord perfusion pressure. Bony realignment and
      laminectomy did not effectively lower intraspinal pressure. Laminectomy was
      potentially detrimental by exposing the swollen spinal cord to compression forces
      applied to the skin. By intervening to increase spinal cord perfusion pressure,
      we could increase the amplitude of motor-evoked potentials recorded from below or
      just above the injury level in nine of nine patients with traumatic spinal cord
      injury. In two of two patients with American Spinal Injuries Association grade C
      traumatic spinal cord injury, higher spinal cord perfusion pressure correlated
      with increased limb motor score. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide proof-of
      principle that subdural intraspinal pressure at the injury site can be measured
      safely after traumatic spinal cord injury.

PMID- 24231763
TI  - Inhibiting the toll-like receptor 4 Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain protects
      against hepatic warm ischemia and reperfusion injury in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: During Toll-like receptor 4 signaling, the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor
      domain is essential for interactions with downstream Toll/interleukin-1 receptor
      domain-containing adaptor proteins. The aim of this study is to investigate the
      role of the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain in the Toll-like receptor 4
      signaling pathway during hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury. DESIGN: We
      genetically blocked the function of Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain in mice
      and examined the effect on Toll-like receptor 4 signaling and the response to
      hepatic ischemia and reperfusion. SETTING: University research laboratory.
      SUBJECTS: Male BALB/c mice. INTERVENTIONS: Male BALB/c mice were hydrodynamically
      administrated the target gene plasmid pTIR-IRES2-EGFP, empty vector containing
      enhanced green fluorescent protein, or normal saline. Animals underwent 90
      minutes of partial hepatic ischemia, followed by 6 or 24 hours of reperfusion.
      Hepatic injury was assessed by measuring serum alanine transaminase, hepatic
      histology, and malondialdehyde. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and
      nuclear factor-kappaB phosphorylation was examined in liver tissues. Hepatic
      apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3 assays, terminal deoxynucleotidyl
      transferase-mediated deoxyuridinetriphosphate nick-end labeling staining, and the
      activation of Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blocking the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain
      resulted in markedly lower serum alanine transaminase levels, reduced histologic
      injury, and lower malondialdehyde levels following 6 or 24 hours of hepatic
      reperfusion than mice receiving the vector alone or normal saline. Anti
      Toll/interleukin-1 receptor treatment also reduced Toll-like receptor 4
      expression and disrupted Toll/interleukin-1 receptor-Toll/interleukin-1 receptor
      interactions in Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathways. Blocking the
      Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain also prevented Toll-like receptor 4-mediated
      mitogen-activated protein kinase activation (via Jun N-terminal kinase and p38
      mitogen-activated protein kinase), an activation that mediated liver ischemia and
      reperfusion injury via caspase-3 activation, resulting in increased
      hepatocellular apoptosis. Lastly, blocking the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain
      decreased inflammatory cytokine production by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB
      activation. CONCLUSIONS: Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain inhibition disrupts
      the interaction of Toll-like receptor 4 with its adaptor proteins, which
      abrogates downstream signaling pathways and prevents the activation of nuclear
      factor-kappaB and Jun N-terminal kinase/p38. This reduction in signaling
      consequently reduces hepatic inflammation, cell apoptosis, and hepatic damage.
      Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-targeted therapy thus represents a new
      approach to inhibit the intracellular Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway and
      reveals novel therapeutic target sites, which will facilitate the development of
      specific therapeutic agents.

PMID- 24231764
TI  - Synthesis of nitrogen-doped hollow carbon nanospheres for CO2 capture.
AB  - Here, we report the synthesis of nitrogen-doped hollow carbon nanospheres (N
      HCSs) via a two-step Stober method. The resultant N-HCSs possess a uniform size
      of ~220 nm, a high nitrogen loading content of 14.8 wt% and a high surface area
      of 767 m(2) g(-1), as well as exhibit a considerable performance for CO2 capture
      with a capacity of 2.67 mmol g(-1) and a high selectivity in a mixture gas (N2 or
      O2). 

PMID- 24231765
TI  - Microfluidic serial dilution ladder.
AB  - Serial dilution is a fundamental procedure that is common to a large number of
      laboratory protocols. Automation of serial dilution is thus a valuable component
      for lab-on-a-chip systems. While a handful of different microfluidic strategies
      for serial dilution have been reported, approaches based on continuous flow
      mixing inherently consume larger amounts of sample volume and chip real estate.
      We employ valve-driven circulatory mixing to address these issues and also
      introduce a novel device structure to store each stage of the dilution process.
      The dilution strategy is based on sequentially mixing the rungs of a ladder
      structure. We demonstrate a 7-stage series of 1 : 1 dilutions with R(2) equal to
      0.995 in an active device area of 1 cm(2). 

PMID- 24231766
TI  - Immunological role of C4 CC chemokine-1 from snakehead murrel Channa striatus.
AB  - In this study, we have reported a cDNA sequence of C4 CC chemokine identified
      from snakehead murrel (also known as striped murrel) Channa striatus (named as
      CsCC-Chem-1) normalized cDNA library constructed by Genome Sequencing FLXTM
      Technology (GS-FLXTM). CsCC-Chem-1 is 641 base pairs (bp) long that contain 438
      bp open reading frame (ORF). The ORF encodes a polypeptide of 146 amino acids
      with a molecular mass of 15 kDa. The polypeptide contains a small cytokine domain
      at 30-88. The domain carries the CC motif at Cys(33)-Cys(34). In addition, CsCC
      Chem-1 consists of another two cysteine residues at C(59) and C(73), which,
      together with C(33) and C(34), make CsCC-Chem-1 as a C4-CC chemokine. CsCC-Chem-1
      also contains a 'TCCT' motif at 32-35 as CC signature motif; this new motif may
      represent new characteristic features, which may lead to some unknown function
      that needs to be further focused on. Phylogenitically, CsCC-Chem-1 clustered
      together with CC-Chem-1 from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus and European sea
      bass Dicentrarchus labrax. Significantly (P<0.05) highest gene expression was
      noticed in spleen and is up-regulated upon fungus (Aphanomyces invadans),
      bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila) and virus (poly I:C) infection at various time
      points. The gene expression results indicate the influence of CsCC-Chem-1 in the
      immune system of murrel. Overall, the gene expression study showed that the CsCC
      Chem-1 is a capable gene to increase the cellular response against various
      microbial infections. Further, we cloned the coding sequence of CsCC-Chem-1 in
      pMAL vector and purified the recombinant protein to study the functional
      properties. The cell proliferation activity of recombinant CsCC-Chem-1 protein
      showed a significant metabolic activity in a concentration dependent manner.
      Moreover, the chemotaxis assay showed the capability of recombinant CsCC-Chem-1
      protein which can induce the migration of spleen leukocytes in C. striatus.
      However, this remains to be verified further at molecular and proteomic level.

PMID- 24231767
TI  - GM1 controlled lateral segregation of tyrosine kinase Lck predispose T-cells to
      cell-derived galectin-1-induced apoptosis.
AB  - One prominent immunoregulatory function of galectin-1 (Gal-1), a beta-galactoside
      binding mammalian lectin, is induction of apoptosis in activated T-cells by a
      process depending on the activity of Src family tyrosine kinase, Lck. Although
      the requirement for Lck in Gal-1 induced T-cell death and the ability of Gal-1 to
      affect the membrane localization of extracellular Gal-1-binding proteins have
      been well documented, the consequence of the complex and related reorganization
      of extra- and intracellular signaling components upon Gal-1 treatment of T-cells
      has not yet been revealed. Therefore, we have analyzed the plasma membrane
      movement of Lck upon Gal-1 triggered signaling, and the significance of this
      event in Gal-1 induced T-cell death. Non-receptor tyrosine kinase, Lck primarily
      localized in the synapse of tumor cell-T-cell during 15 min of the established
      direct cell contact. Later, after 30 min, a lateral segregation of Lck from the
      cell synapse was observed. The migration of Lck to the opposite of the cell
      contact apparently depended on the expression and cell surface presentation of
      Gal-1 on the effector (tumor) cells and was accompanied by phosphorylation on the
      negative regulatory tyrosine residue, Tyr505. Receptor tyrosine phosphatase, CD45
      played crucial role in this event since CD45 deficiency or inhibition of its
      phosphatase activity resulted in the failure of Lck membrane movement. Level of
      the Gal-1-binding glycolipid GM1 ganglioside also essentially regulated Lck
      localization. Segregation of Lck and Gal-1 induced apoptosis was diminished in T
      cells with low GM1 expression compared to T-cells with high GM1. Our results show
      that spatial regulation of Lck by CD45 and GM1 ganglioside determines the outcome
      of apoptotic response to Gal-1 and this local regulation may occur only upon
      intimate effector (Gal-1 expressing) cell-T-cell attachment.

PMID- 24231768
TI  - miR-22 in tumorigenesis.

PMID- 24231769
TI  - Selecting for fitness in mammalian development.

PMID- 24231770
TI  - Intercellular transfer of Ras: implications for immunity.

PMID- 24231771
TI  - Regulation of protein trafficking: JNK3 at the Golgi complex.

PMID- 24231772
TI  - RNA secondary structure-dependent termination of transcription.

PMID- 24231773
TI  - Chromatin looping is needed for iPSC induction.

PMID- 24231774
TI  - Vertical distraction injury of the C4-C5 cervical spine.

PMID- 24231775
TI  - Facilitating surgical decisions for patients who are uncertain: a pilot surgical
      option process within an interdisciplinary functional restoration program.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: For chronic pain patients, recovery may be slowed by
      indecisiveness over optional surgery. These patients may be delayed from
      participating in interdisciplinary functional restoration (FR), pending
      resolution of the surgical decision. Uncertainty about surgery or rehabilitation
      leads to delayed recovery. A surgical option process (SOP) was developed to
      permit patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders to
      enter FR, make a final determination halfway through treatment, and return to
      complete rehabilitation after surgery, if surgery was elected. PURPOSE: This
      study assessed the frequency with which an FR program can resolve an uncertain
      surgical option. It also assessed program completion rate and 1-year post-program
      outcomes for subgroups that decline surgery, request and receive surgery, or
      request surgery but are denied by surgeon or insurance carrier. STUDY DESIGN:
      Retrospective study of a consecutive cohort. PATIENT SAMPLE: A cohort of 44
      consecutively treated chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorder
      patients were admitted to an FR program and identified as candidates for a
      surgical procedure but were either ambivalent about undergoing surgery, had a
      difference of opinion by two or more surgeons, or were denied a surgical request
      by an insurance carrier. Patients attended half (10 full day visits) of an FR
      program before making their own final determination to pursue a request or
      decline surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were assessed on surgical requests
      and whether surgery was ultimately performed, program completion status after the
      surgical determination, demographic variables, and 1-year outcomes on work
      status, additional surgery, and other health utilization measures. METHODS:
      Patients became part of the SOP on program entry and were included in the study
      if they participated in a surgical-decision interview halfway through the
      program. Those who elected to decline surgery (DS) completed the program without
      delay, but those requesting surgery were placed on hold from the program while
      consultation and preauthorization steps took place. Those requesting surgery, but
      denied (RSD), and those undergoing surgery (US) were given the opportunity to
      complete FR following postoperative physical therapy or resolution of the
      surgical re-evaluation process. RESULTS: There were 32 DS patients (73%),
      indicating that a large majority of patients declined the surgery that was still
      being considered when offered participation in the SOP. Of the 12 patients
      wanting a surgery, there were four US patients who received surgery previously
      denied (9% of cohort), and eight RSD patients (18% of cohort). Patients from the
      DS group completed the FR program at an 88% rate, as did 75% of US patients.
      However, despite an opportunity to re-enter and complete rehab, only 50% of RSD
      patients completed the FR option. Overall, patients who persistently sought
      surgery, contrary to the recommendations of a surgeon, had poorer outcomes. These
      1-year post-FR outcomes included lower return-to-work and work retention rates,
      with higher rates of treatment seeking from new providers (resulting in higher
      rates of post-discharge surgery) and higher rates of recurrent injury claims
      after work return. CONCLUSIONS: A SOP tied to participation in an
      interdisciplinary FR program resolves uncertainty regarding surgical options in a
      high proportion of cases, resulting in a large majority declining surgery and
      completing the FR program. Timely surgery is also promoted decisively when
      needed. Findings suggest that patients who persistently seek surgery, contrary to
      the recommendations of a surgeon, frequently fail to complete FR and have poorer
      outcomes overall.

PMID- 24231776
TI  - Does source of funding and conflict of interest influence the outcome and quality
      of spinal research?
AB  - BACKGROUND/CONTEXT: There has been longstanding controversy surrounding the
      influence of funding source on the conduct and outcome of medical research. In
      2011, a systematic review of the use of recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2
      revealed underreporting of unfavorable outcomes in some industry-sponsored
      trials. We hypothesize that Industrial funding and the presence of potential
      conflict of interest will be associated with low levels of evidence (LOE) and
      greater proportions of favorable outcomes in spinal research. PURPOSE: The aim of
      this study is to investigate the association between funding source and potential
      conflict of interest on the LOE and study outcome in the current spinal research.
      STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Systematic review of all the spinal publications in five
      leading spinal, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and general medical journals during
      2010 (print and online). Supplements were included. OUTCOME MEASURE: Outcome and
      the LOE of research papers. METHODS: Two reviewers independently assessed all
      publications. Commentaries, editorials, letters, open operating theatres, case
      reports, narrative reviews, and study protocols were excluded. The self-reported
      potential conflict of interest and type of funding was extracted from each paper.
      Funding type was classified as foundation, industry, public, intramural, multiple
      (including industry), multiple (without industry), and unfunded. The outcome of
      each study was classified as favorable, unfavorable, equivocal, or not
      applicable. Clinical publications were ranked using the LOE guidelines produced
      by the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine. RESULTS: Overall, 1356 papers
      were analyzed, out of which 864 were suitable for LOE grading. There was good
      interobserver reliability for assignment of LOE grade, kappa=0.897 (p<.01) and
      study outcome kappa=0.804 (p<.01). A significant association was found between
      LOE and source of funding (p<.01). Industry-funded studies had the greatest
      proportion of level IV evidence (65%). There was a significant association
      between the funding source and study outcome (p=.01). The proportion of industry
      funded studies with favorable outcomes (88%) was higher than that of publicly and
      foundation-funded studies (73% and 74%, respectively). The associated odds ratio
      for reporting favorable outcomes in industry-funded studies compared with studies
      with public and foundation funding was 2.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4
      5.3), and 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3-5.2), respectively. A significant association between
      LOE and study outcome (p<.01) was also identified. Level I studies had the
      highest proportions of unfavorable (14%) and equivocal (23%) outcomes. Level IV
      studies had the highest proportion of favorable outcome (85%). There was no
      association between self-reported conflict of interest and LOE (p=.83) or study
      outcome (p=.25). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a significant association between
      source of funding, study outcome, and LOE in spinal research. A large proportion
      of industry funded research was shown to provide level IV evidence and report
      favorable outcome.

PMID- 24231777
TI  - Rapid sensitive molecular diagnosis of pyogenic spinal infections using
      methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus-specific polymerase chain reaction and 16S
      ribosomal RNA gene-based universal polymerase chain reaction.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Rapid diagnosis and accurate detection of etiological agents
      in pyogenic spinal infection (PSI) patients are important. PURPOSE: The purpose
      of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus-specific polymerase chain reaction (MRS-PCR) and broad-range
      universal PCR (U-PCR) for diagnosing PSI. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective diagnostic
      study. PATIENTS: Thirty-two clinically suspect PSI patients and six control
      patients who underwent computerized tomography-guided biopsy and/or surgical
      treatment were enrolled. METHODS: Tissue samples were examined by microbiological
      culture, histopathology, and real-time PCR (MRS-PCR and U-PCR). The diagnostic
      accuracy of real-time PCR was analyzed based on the definitive diagnosis of
      infection, defined as a positive result from microbiological culture or
      histopathology. RESULTS: All six control subjects were negative for PSI for all
      analyses. Twelve clinically suspect PSI subjects received definitive diagnoses
      (PSI group). The non-PSI group consisted of six control subjects plus the
      remaining 20 patients from the PSI clinically suspect group. MRS-PCR results were
      positive for all MRS-cultured PSI subjects. U-PCR was positive for all subjects
      in the PSI group with one discrepancy between real-time PCR and microbiological
      culture results in differentiation between gram-positive and gram-negative
      bacteria. In the non-PSI group, MRS-PCR and U-PCR were positive in three and
      seven cases, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive
      value, and negative predictive value of MRS-PCR for diagnosing MRS infection were
      1.00, 0.91, 0.57, and 1.00, respectively; those for the diagnosis of bacterial
      infection with U-PCR were 1.00, 0.73, 0.63, and 1.00, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Identification of MRS infection and ability to differentiate between gram
      positive and gram-negative bacteria is rapidly achieved using MRS-PCR and U-PCR.
      Real-time PCR provides a sensitive molecular diagnosis of PSI and may contribute
      to antibiotic selection.

PMID- 24231778
TI  - Spinal epidural abscesses: risk factors, medical versus surgical management, a
      retrospective review of 128 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare, serious and
      increasingly frequent diagnosis. Ideal management (medical vs. surgical) remains
      controversial. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of risk
      factors, organisms, location and extent of SEA on neurologic outcome after
      medical management or surgery in combination with medical management. STUDY
      DESIGN: Retrospective electronic medical record (EMR) review. PATIENT SAMPLE: We
      included 128 consecutive, spontaneous SEA from a single tertiary medical center,
      from January 2005 to September 11. There were 79 male and 49 female with a mean
      age of 52.9 years (range, 22-83). OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics,
      presenting complaints, radiographic features, pre/post-treatment neurologic
      status (ASIA motor score [MS] 0-100), treatment (medical vs. surgical) and
      clinical follow-up were recorded. Neurologic status was determined before
      treatment and at last available clinical encounter. Imaging studies reviewed
      location/extent of pathology. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of a
      bacterial SEA based on radiographs and/or intraoperative findings, age greater
      than 18 years, and adequate EMR. Exclusion criteria were postinterventional
      infections, Pott's disease, isolated discitis/osteomyelitis, treatment initiated
      at an outside facility, and imaging suggestive of a SEA but negative
      intraoperative findings/cultures. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 241 days. The
      presenting chief complaint was site-specific pain (100%), subjective fevers
      (50%), and weakness (47%). In this cohort, 54.7% had lumbar, 39.1% thoracic,
      35.9% cervical, and 23.4% sacral involvement spanning an average of 3.85 disc
      levels. There were 36% ventral, 41% dorsal, and 23% circumferential infections.
      Risk factors included a history of IV drug abuse (39.1%), diabetes mellitus
      (21.9%), and no risk factors (22.7%). Pathogens were methicillin-sensitive
      Staphylococcus aureus (40%) and methicillin-resistance S aureus (30%). Location,
      SEA extent, and pathogen did not impact MS recovery. Fifty-one patients were
      treated with antibiotics alone (group 1), 77 with surgery and antibiotics (group
      2). Within group 1, 21 patients (41%) failed medical management (progressive MS
      loss or worsening pain) requiring delayed surgery (group 3). Irrespective of
      treatment, MS improved by 3.37 points. Thirty patients had successful medical
      management (MS: pretreatment, 96.5; post-treatment, 96.8). Twenty-one patients
      failed medical therapy (41%; MS: pretreatment, 99.86, decreasing to 76.2 [mean
      change, -23.67 points], postoperative improvement to 85.0; net deterioration, 
      14.86 points). This is significantly worse than the mean improvement of immediate
      surgery (group 2; MS: pretreatment, 80.32; post-treatment, 89.84; recovery, 9.52
      points). Diabetes mellitus, C-reactive protein greater than 115, white blood
      count greater than 12.5, and positive blood cultures predict medical failure:
      None of four parameters, 8.3% failure; one parameter, 35.4% failure; two
      parameters, 40.2% failure; and three or more parameters, 76.9% failure.
      CONCLUSION: Early surgery improves neurologic outcomes compared with surgical
      treatment delayed by a trial of medical management. More than 41% of patients
      treated medically failed management and required surgical decompression.
      Diabetes, C-reactive protein greater than 115, white blood count greater than
      12.5, and bacteremia predict failure of medical management. If a SEA is to be
      treated medically, great caution and vigilance must be maintained. Otherwise,
      early surgical decompression, irrigation, and debridement should be the mainstay
      of treatment.

PMID- 24231779
TI  - Patterns of lumbar disc degeneration are different in degenerative disc disease
      and disc prolapse magnetic resonance imaging analysis of 224 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Existing research on lumbar disc degeneration has remained
      inconclusive regarding its etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, prevention,
      and management. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) and disc prolapse (DP) are common
      diseases affecting the lumbar discs. Although they manifest clinically
      differently, existing studies on disc degeneration have included patients with
      both these features, leading to wide variations in observations. The possible
      relationship or disaffect between DDD and DP is not fully evaluated. PURPOSE: To
      analyze the patterns of lumbar disc degeneration in patients with chronic back
      pain and DDD and those with acute DP. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, magnetic
      resonance imaging-based radiological study. METHODS: Two groups of patients (aged
      20-50 years) were prospectively studied. Group 1 included patients requiring a
      single level microdiscectomy for acute DP. Group 2 included patients with chronic
      low back pain and DDD. Discs were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging through
      Pfirmann grading, Schmorl nodes, Modic changes, and the total end-plate damage
      score for all the five lumbar discs. RESULTS: Group 1 (DP) had 91 patients and
      group 2 (DDD) had 133 patients. DP and DDD patients differed significantly in the
      number, extent, and severity of degeneration. DDD patients had a significantly
      higher number of degenerated discs than DP patients (p<.000). The incidence of
      multilevel and pan-lumbar degeneration was also significantly higher in DDD
      group. The pattern of degeneration also differed in both the groups. DDD patients
      had predominant upper lumbar involvement, whereas DP patients had mainly lower
      lumbar degeneration. Modic changes were more common in DP patients, especially at
      the prolapsed level. Modic changes were present in 37% of prolapsed levels
      compared with 9.9% of normal discs (p<.00). The total end-plate damage score had
      a positive correlation with disc degeneration in both the groups. Further the
      mean total end-plate damage score at prolapsed level was also significantly
      higher. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that patients with disc prolapse, and
      those with back pain with DDD are clinically and radiologically different groups
      of patients with varying patterns, severity, and extent of disc degeneration.
      This is the first study in literature to compare and identify significant
      differences in these two commonly encountered patient groups. In patients with
      single-level DP, the majority of the other discs are nondegenerate, the lower
      lumbar spine is predominantly involved and the end-plate damage is higher.
      Patients with back pain and DDD have larger number of degenerate discs, early
      multilevel degeneration, and predominant upper lumbar degeneration. The knowledge
      that these two groups of patients are different clinically and radiologically is
      critical for our improved understanding of the disease and for future studies on
      disc degeneration and disc prolapse.

PMID- 24231780
TI  - Positional change of hyoid bone after anesthesia in anterior surgery of upper
      cervical spine.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The hyoid bone is used as a landmark in anterior upper
      cervical spine operations and is supposed to represent the level of C3 body.
      However, this correspondence between hyoid bone position and cervical level is
      not static and changes during surgery (extension after anesthesia). PURPOSE: To
      find the cervical level corresponding to the position of hyoid bone before and
      after anesthesia and to evaluate the adequacy of its usage as a surgical
      landmark. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PATIENT SAMPLE: One hundred twenty
      eight patients with degenerative cervical diseases who had undergone anterior
      cervical discectomy and fusion. OUTCOME MEASURE: Radiologic measure. METHODS: For
      each patient, preanesthesia neutral, preanesthesia extension, and postanesthesia
      induction extension C-spine lateral image were obtained. The level of cervical
      vertebra that midline of hyoid bone indicated was measured by radiological
      method. A cervical vertebra was divided into three segments, consisting of upper
      half, lower half, and disc space, and each of these segments was considered as
      one level. The differences between pre- and postanesthesia induction hyoid
      positions were classified as minimal change (one level or less) and significant
      change (two levels or greater). Relationship between positional change of hyoid
      bone to gender, obesity, and age were respectively investigated. RESULTS: There
      were 20 cases of one-level distal displacement of the hyoid bone, 40 cases of two
      level distal displacement, 34 cases of three-level distal displacement, 16 cases
      of 4-level distal displacement, and two cases of five-level distal displacement.
      In eight cases, there was no level change, and in the remaining 8 cases, the
      hyoid bone had been displaced proximally. There were 34 cases of minimal change.
      The remaining 94 cases (73.4%) had significant changes. No respective
      relationship was found between sex, obesity, age and pre-and postanesthesia
      induction positional change of hyoid bone. CONCLUSIONS: Among the 128 cases
      studied, 73.4% hyoid bone positions had changed by more than one cervical
      vertebra body between the pre- to postanesthesia induction X-ray images. Sex,
      age, and body mass index were not associated with statistically significant
      differences in these positions. The hyoid bone should not be trusted as a
      landmark for upper cervical operations, and the cervical level to be operated
      should be confirmed by a radiological method before a skin incision is made.

PMID- 24231781
TI  - Differences in early sagittal plane alignment between thoracic and lumbar
      adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: It has previously been shown that rotational stability of
      spinal segments is reduced by posteriorly directed shear loads that are the
      result of gravity and muscle tone. Posterior shear loads act on those segments of
      the spine that are posteriorly inclined, as determined by each individual's
      inherited sagittal spinal profile. Accordingly, it can be inferred that certain
      sagittal spinal profiles are more prone to develop a rotational deformity that
      may lead to idiopathic scoliosis; and lumbar scoliosis, on one end of the
      spectrum, develops from a different sagittal spinal profile than thoracic
      scoliosis on the other end. PURPOSE: To examine the role of sagittal spinopelvic
      alignment in the etiopathogenesis of different types of idiopathic scoliosis.
      STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Multicenter retrospective analysis of lateral radiographs
      of patients with small thoracic and lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliotic
      curves. PATIENTS SAMPLE: We included 192 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients
      with either a thoracic (n=128) or lumbar (n=64) structural curve with a Cobb
      angle of less than 20 degrees  were studied. Children with other spinal pathology
      or with more severe idiopathic scoliosis were excluded, because this disturbs
      their original sagittal profile. Subjects who underwent scoliosis screening and
      had a normal spine were included in the control cohort (n=95). OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, T9 sagittal offset, C7 and T4 sagittal plumb
      lines, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, and sacral slope, as well as parameters
      describing orientation in space of each individual vertebra between C7 and L5 and
      length of the posteriorly inclined segment. METHODS: On standardized lateral
      radiographs of the spine, a systematic, semi-automatic measurement of the
      different sagittal spinopelvic parameters was performed for each subject using in
      house developed computer software. RESULTS: Early thoracic scoliosis showed a
      significantly different sagittal plane from lumbar scoliosis. Furthermore, both
      scoliotic curve patterns were different from controls, but in a different sense.
      Thoracic kyphosis was significantly decreased in thoracic scoliosis compared with
      both lumbar scoliosis patients and controls. For thoracic scoliosis, a
      significantly longer posteriorly inclined segment, and steeper posterior
      inclination of C7-T8 was observed compared with both lumbar scoliosis and
      controls. In lumbar scoliosis, the posteriorly inclined segment was shorter and
      located lower in the spine, and T12-L4 was more posteriorly inclined than in the
      thoracic group. The lumbar scoliosis cohort had a posteriorly inclined segment of
      the same length as controls, but T12-L2 showed steeper posterior inclination.
      Lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, and sacral slope, however, were
      similar for the two scoliotic subgroups as well as the controls. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study demonstrates that even at an early stage in the condition, the
      sagittal profile of thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis differs
      significantly from lumbar scoliosis, and both types of scoliosis differ from
      controls, but in different aspects. This supports the theory that differences in
      underlying sagittal profile play a role in the development of different types of
      idiopathic scoliosis.

PMID- 24231782
TI  - Lumbar surgery in work-related chronic low back pain: can a continuum of care
      enhance outcomes?
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Systematic reviews of lumbar fusion outcomes in purely
      workers' compensation (WC) patient populations have indicated mixed results for
      efficacy. Recent studies on lumbar fusions in the WC setting have reported return
      to-work rates of 26% to 36%, reoperation rates of 22% to 27%, and high rates of
      persistent opioid use 2 years after surgery. Other types of lumbar surgery in WC
      populations are also acknowledged to have poorer outcomes than in non-WC. The
      possibility of improving outcomes by employing a biopsychosocial model with a
      continuum of care, including postoperative functional restoration in this "at
      risk" population, has been suggested as a possible solution. PURPOSE: To compare
      objective socioeconomic and patient-reported outcomes for WC patients with
      different lumbar surgeries followed by functional restoration, relative to
      matched comparison patients without surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A prospective
      cohort study of chronic disabling occupational lumbar disorder (CDOLD) patients
      with WC claims treated in an interdisciplinary functional restoration program.
      PATIENT SAMPLE: A consecutive cohort of 564 patients with prerehabilitation
      surgery completed a functional restoration and was divided into groups based on
      surgery type: lumbar fusion (F group, N=331) and nonfusion lumbar spine surgery
      (NF group, N=233). An unoperated comparison group was matched for length of
      disability (U group, N=349). OUTCOME MEASURES: Validated patient-reported
      measures of pain, disability, and depression were administered pre- and
      postrehabilitation. Socioeconomic outcomes were collected via a structured 1-year
      "after" interview. METHODS: All patients completed an intensive, medically
      supervised functional restoration program combining quantitatively directed
      exercise progression with a multimodal disability management approach. The
      writing of this article was supported in part by National Institutes of Health
      Grant 1K05-MH-71892; no conflicts of interest are noted among the authors.
      RESULTS: The F group had a longer length of disability compared with the NF and U
      groups (M=31.6, 21.7, and 25.9 months, respectively, p<.001). There were
      relatively few statistically significant differences for any socioeconomically
      relevant outcome among groups, with virtually identical postrehabilitation return
      to-work (F=81%, NF=84%, U=85%, p=.409). The groups differed significantly after
      surgery on diagnosis of major depressive disorder and opioid dependence disorder
      as well as patient-reported depressive symptoms and pain intensity
      prerehabilitation. However, no significant differences in patient-reported
      outcomes were found postrehabilitation. Prerehabilitation opioid dependence
      disorder significantly predicted lower rates of work return and work retention as
      well as higher rates of treatment-seeking behavior. Higher levels of
      prerehabilitation perceived disability and depressive symptoms were significant
      risk factors for poorer work return and retention outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar
      surgery in the WC system (particularly lumbar fusion) have the potential achieve
      positive outcomes that are comparable to CDOLD patients treated nonoperatively.
      This study suggests that surgeons have the opportunity to improve lumbar surgery
      outcomes in the WC system, even for complex fusion CDOLD patients with multiple
      prior operations, if they control postoperative opioid dependence and prevent an
      excessive length of disability. Through early referral of patients (who fail to
      respond to usual postoperative care) to interdisciplinary rehabilitation, the
      surgeon determining this continuum of care may accelerate recovery and achieve
      socioeconomic outcomes of relevance to the patient and WC jurisdiction through
      the combination of surgery and postoperative rehabilitation.

PMID- 24231783
TI  - Characteristics of the pelvic axial rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis:
      a comparison between major thoracic curve and major thoracolumbar/lumbar curve.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: As the biomechanical foundation of the spine, the pelvis was
      found to display rotation in the transverse plane in adolescent idiopathic
      scoliosis (AIS). However, the possible factors influencing the pelvic axial
      rotation (PAR) and its mechanism in patients with AIS remain unclear. PURPOSE: To
      characterize the PAR in AIS patients with right major thoracic (MT) or major left
      thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curve and to explore the associated influencing
      factors and probable mechanism of compensation by analyzing the association
      between PAR and other spinal radiographic parameters. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective
      study. PATIENT SAMPLE: All patients with the primary diagnosis of AIS from
      January 2008 to November 2009 were retrieved from our scoliosis database. OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Age, Cobb angle, and apex rotation of the main curve and the
      compensatory curve, curve flexibility, and PAR. METHODS: One-hundred thirty-two
      patients with right MT (14.7+/-1.8 years, 48+/-6.9 degrees ) and 83 patients with
      left major TL/L (14.7+/-1.5 years, 46+/-6.6 degrees ) were retrospectively
      reviewed. On standing full-spine posteroanterior radiographs, the PAR was
      quantified by the left/right hemi-pelvis width ratio (L/R ratio); then the
      subjects in both MT and major TL/L groups were divided into two subgroups: L/R
      ratio <=1 (pelvis rotated to the right, R-PAR group); and L/R ratio >1 (pelvis
      rotated to the left, L-PAR group). Comparisons of all variables were performed
      between the L- and R-PAR subgroups; correlation and regression analysis were
      carried out to identify the influencing factors of PAR. RESULTS: The majority of
      the MT and major TL/L patients (75.8% vs. 60.2%) displayed right pelvic rotation,
      which was in the same direction as the thoracic curve. The incidence of R-PAR was
      greater in the MT patients than the major TL/L ones (p=.016). Lumbar flexibility
      in MT patients with R-PAR was greater than in MT patients with L-PAR (0.96+/-0.27
      vs. 0.81+/-0.33, p=.038), which was contrary to the findings in the major TL/L
      patients (L-PAR>R-PAR, 0.79+/-0.15 vs. 0.70+/-0.22, p=.024). In the MT patients
      with R-PAR, the L/R ratio showed significant positive correlations with the
      lumbar Cobb angle (r=0.424) as well as with the apex rotation (r=0.488), which
      was further identified as an influencing factor (R=0.418) of the PAR. Significant
      positive correlations between L/R ratio and thoracic apex rotation (r=0.361) also
      were detected. CONCLUSION: The majority of AIS patients with right MT or left
      major TL/L curves were found to have PAR to the right, in the same direction as
      the thoracic curve. The lumbar flexibility and apex rotation significantly
      influenced the PAR direction and magnitude. Moreover, the pelvis might be
      involved in compensation for the MT deformity through its connection with the
      lumbar spine.

PMID- 24231784
TI  - Temporal variation in surgical mortality within French hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgical mortality varies widely across hospitals, but the degree of
      temporal variation within individual hospitals remains unexplored and may reflect
      unsafe care. OBJECTIVES: To add a longitudinal dimension to large-scale profiling
      efforts for interpreting surgical mortality variations over time within
      individual hospitals. DESIGN: Longitudinal analysis of the French nationwide
      hospital database using statistical process control methodology. SUBJECTS: A
      total of 9,474,879 inpatient stays linked with open surgery from 2006 through
      2010 in 699 hospitals. MEASURES: For each hospital, a control chart was designed
      to monitor inpatient mortality within 30 days of admission and mortality trend
      was determined. Aggregated funnel plots were also used for comparisons across
      hospitals. RESULTS: Over 20 successive quarters, 52 hospitals (7.4%) experienced
      the detection of at least 1 potential safety issue reflected by a substantial
      increase in mortality momentarily. Mortality variation was higher among these
      institutions compared with other hospitals (7.4 vs. 5.0 small variation signals,
      P<0.001). Also, over the 5-year period, 119 (17.0%) hospitals reduced and 36
      (5.2%) increased their mortality rate. Hospitals with improved outcomes had
      better control of mortality variation over time than those with deteriorating
      trends (5.2 vs. 6.3 signals, P=0.04). Funnel plots did not match with hospitals
      experiencing mortality variations over time. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic monitoring of
      outcomes within every hospital may detect safety issues earlier than traditional
      benchmarking and guide efforts to improve the value of surgical care nationwide.

PMID- 24231785
TI  - Baseline clinical HIV genotypes are a valid measure of transmitted drug
      resistance within the treatment-naive population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine whether baseline clinical genotypes are equivalent to
      diagnostic serum genotypes for surveillance of HIV transmitted drug resistance
      (TDR). DESIGN: Current HIV TDR surveillance in Canada is conducted through
      genotyping remnant diagnostic sera from new HIV diagnoses. As part of routine
      care, baseline genotyping is now conducted on all newly diagnosed HIV infections,
      with TDR data being generated a second time on the same patients. METHODS:
      Surveillance genotyping, on HIV diagnostic serum, was performed on newly
      diagnosed HIV cases from 2007 to 2010 in Alberta, Canada. All subjects with a
      baseline clinical genotype result on file, and no evidence of antiretroviral
      therapy, were studied further. The HIV sequences from diagnosis and from the
      first clinical genotype were compared according to elapsed time between testing
      and by evaluating timing of infection based on BED capture enzyme immunoassay
      (BED-CEIA, abbreviated as BED in this article). RESULTS: Eighty-seven genotype
      pairs were available for analysis, most of which were subtype B. The time between
      genotypes ranged from 0 to 755 days, with a median of 36 days and an
      interquartile range of 155.25 days. Genetic distance between genotypes varied
      between 0 and 0.03389 substitutions per site and did not correlate with sampling
      times. There was a tendency for the genotypes of infections classified as recent
      by BED to be more similar to their clinical genotypes but this effect was lost
      when adjusted for elapsed time between tests. There was no difference in the
      identified drug resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline clinical genotypes from
      treatment-naive patients may be used for HIV TDR surveillance.

PMID- 24231786
TI  - Prevalence and risk factors for neutralizing antibodies to human papillomavirus
      types 16 and 18 in HIV-positive men who have sex with men.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is routinely recommended in HIV
      positive men who have sex with men (MSM) aged <= 26 years. Levels of previous HPV
      exposure in older HIV-positive MSM are assumed to be too high to warrant routine
      HPV vaccination. However, little is known about the prevalence of and risk
      factors for neutralizing antibody seropositivity to HPV-16 or HPV-18, a key
      measure of previous exposure to these types. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of
      baseline visit for 296 HIV-positive MSM participating in a prospective cohort
      study of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions at a university-based research
      clinic. Participants completed a questionnaire detailing behaviors and medical
      history. Phlebotomy, anal cytology, HPV DNA testing with quantitation, and high
      resolution anoscopy with biopsy were performed. A pseudovirion-based neutralizing
      antibody assay was used to measure HPV-16 and HPV-18 neutralizing antibodies.
      RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two of 296 (45%) men were HPV-16 seropositive and 141
      of 296 (48%) were HPV-18 seropositive. One hundred seventy-five of 296 (59%) of
      the men were positive for HPV-16 antibodies or DNA and 167 of 296 (56%) were
      positive for HPV-18 antibodies or DNA. In multivariable analysis, HPV-16
      seropositivity did not correlate with age, years of HIV positivity, CD4 level, or
      HIV viral load. Significant risk factors included HPV-16 DNA positivity with
      higher DNA levels (ptrend < 0.001) and higher number of receptive sexual partners
      in the last year (ptrend = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of HIV-positive
      MSM aged >26 years are DNA negative and seronegative to HPV-16 and HPV-18 even
      when using a sensitive pseudovirion-based neutralizing antibody assay.
      Prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical- and cost-effectiveness
      of HPV vaccination in HIV-positive MSM aged >26 years.

PMID- 24231787
TI  - Neuroprotective effect of ebselen against intracerebroventricular streptozotocin
      induced neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress in rats.
AB  - The goal of this study was to examine the neuroprotective effect of ebselen
      against intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV-STZ)-induced oxidative stress
      and neuronal apoptosis in rat brain. A total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats
      were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each: control, ICV-STZ, and ICV
      STZ treated with ebselen. The ICV-STZ group rats were injected bilaterally with
      ICV-STZ (3 mg/kg) on days 1 and 3, and ebselen (10 mg/kg/day) was administered
      for 14 days starting from 1st day of ICV-STZ injection to day 14. Rats were
      killed at the end of the study and brain tissues were removed for biochemical and
      histopathological investigation. Our results demonstrated, for the first time,
      the neuroprotective effect of ebselen on Alzheimer's disease (AD) model in rats.
      Our present study, in ICV-STZ group, showed significant increase in tissue
      malondialdehyde levels and significant decrease in enzymatic antioxidants
      superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the frontal cortex tissue. The
      histopathological studies in the brain of rats also supported that ebselen
      markedly reduced the ICV-STZ-induced histopathological changes and well preserved
      the normal histological architecture of the frontal cortex tissue. The number of
      apoptotic neurons was increased in frontal cortex tissue after ICV-STZ
      administration. Treatment of ebselen markedly reduced the number of degenerating
      apoptotic neurons. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of ebselen, as a
      powerful antioxidant, in preventing the oxidative damage and morphological
      changes caused by ICV-STZ in rats. Thus, ebselen may have a therapeutic value for
      the treatment of AD. 

PMID- 24231788
TI  - Scutellaria Barbata D Don Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth via Suppression of
      Multiple Signaling Pathways.
AB  - The pathogenic mechanisms underlying cancer development are complex and
      heterogeneous, involving multiple cellular signaling transduction pathways that
      usually function redundantly. In addition, crosstalk between these pathways
      generates a complicated and robust signaling network that is regulated by
      compensatory mechanisms. Given the complexity of cancer pathogenesis and
      progression, many of the currently used antitumor agents, which typically target
      a single intracellular pathway, might not always be effective on complex tumor
      systems. Moreover, long-term use of these agents often generates drug resistance
      and toxicity against normal cells. Therefore, the development of novel anticancer
      chemotherapies is urgently needed.Scutellaria barbataD Don (SB) is a medicinal
      herb that has long been used in China to treat various types of cancer. We
      previously reported that the ethanol extract of SB (EESB) is able to induce colon
      cancer cell apoptosis, inhibit cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis via
      modulation of several pathways, including Hedgehog, Akt, and p53. To further
      elucidate the precise mechanisms of SB's antitumor activity, using a colorectal
      cancer (CRC) mouse xenograft model in the present study, we evaluated the
      therapeutic efficacy and molecular mechanisms of EESB against tumor growth. We
      found that EESB reduced tumor volume and tumor weight but had no effect on body
      weight gain in CRC mice, demonstrating that EESB could inhibit colon cancer
      growth in vivo without apparent adverse effect. In addition, EESB treatment could
      significantly suppress the activation of several CRC-related pathways, including
      STAT3, Erk, and p38 signalings in tumor tissues, and alter the expression of
      multiple critical target genes such as Bcl-2, Bax, Cyclin D1, CDK4, and p21.
      These molecular effects lead to the induction of cancer cell apoptosis and
      inhibition of cell proliferation. Our findings demonstrate that SB possesses a
      broad range of antitumor activities because of its ability to affect multiple
      intracellular targets. 

PMID- 24231789
TI  - Four new sesquiterpene lactones from the stem bark of Illicium burmanicum.
AB  - Four new sesquiterpene lactones (1), (2), (3), and (4), along with three known
      sesquiterene, namely, 6,7,10-trihydoxyisodaucane (5), 4beta,10beta
      dihydroxyaromadendrane (6), and sescrassidiol (7) were isolated from the stem
      bark of Illicium burmanicum. The structures of the new compounds were determined
      using 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS. The anti-inflammatory activities of these
      compounds were evaluated by measuring the enzymatic activity of luciferase in NF
      kappaB reporters in a (Luc)-HEK 293 cell line treated with lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS). 

PMID- 24231790
TI  - Anatomical configuration of the Sylvian fissure and its influence on outcome
      after pterional approach for microsurgical aneurysm clipping.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The sylvian fissure (SF) is the anatomical pathway used in a
      pterional approach, which leads to most aneurysms. There are four different
      anatomical variants of the SF described. In the present retrospective study the
      four different categories of the SF were studied in order to evaluate any
      correlation of these variants to surgical outcome. METHODS: Patients treated for
      intracranial aneurysms by a pterional transsylvian approach during 2003-2012 (N =
      237) were included in the study. The SF category was determined by analysis of
      preoperative computed tomography (CT) scanning. Patients were grouped into
      unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) and ruptured intracranial aneurysms with
      subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) according to the Hunt and Hess grades. Brain edema,
      vasospasms, ischemic lesion rate, and outcome were evaluated for possible
      correlation with SF anatomical variants. RESULTS: Postsurgically brain edema
      formation correlated significantly with more complex anatomical variants of the
      SF in patients with UIAs and in patients with Hunt and Hess 1 and 2. Ischemia
      rate, vasospasms, or clinical outcome was not negatively affected though.
      CONCLUSION: The classification of the SF as proposed by Yasargil is more than a
      pure anatomical observation. In this retrospective study, we show that the
      anatomical variants of the SF can be associated to postoperative complications
      like formation of brain edema or ischemic lesions Preoperative knowledge of the
      SF anatomy and possibly consecutive adapted extend of the surgical approach can
      decrease procedure-related morbidity.

PMID- 24231791
TI  - Chronic posttraumatic cartilage lesion of the knee treated with an acellular
      osteochondral-regenerating implant: case history with rehabilitation guidelines.
AB  - Osteochondral defects are often symptomatic and lead to deranged joint function.
      The spontaneous healing capacity of osteochondral defects is limited. In this
      case study, use of an acellular scaffold capable of induction of mesenchymal stem
      cell migration is described. This scaffold was used on an Outerbridge grade IV
      medical condylar defect measuring ~2 cm2. At 24 mo follow-up, the articular
      surface appeared restored by MRI, and the patient returned to sports. 

PMID- 24231792
TI  - Traumatization and chronic pain: a further model of interaction.
AB  - Up to 80% of patients with severe posttraumatic stress disorder are suffering
      from "unexplained" chronic pain. Theories about the links between traumatization
      and chronic pain have become the subject of increased interest over the last
      several years. We will give a short summary about the existing interaction models
      that emphasize particularly psychological and behavioral aspects of this
      interaction. After a synopsis of the most important psychoneurobiological
      mechanisms of pain in the context of traumatization, we introduce the hypermnesia
      hyperarousal model, which focuses on two psychoneurobiological aspects of the
      physiology of learning. This hypothesis provides an answer to the hitherto open
      question about the origin of pain persistence and pain sensitization following a
      traumatic event and also provides a straightforward explanatory model for
      educational purposes. 

PMID- 24231793
TI  - Multi-matrix assay of cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone using a combined
      MEPS-HPLC procedure.
AB  - The development and validation of a bioanalytical assay for the simultaneous
      determination of cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone levels in several
      matrices, such as saliva, plasma, blood and urine samples have been described.
      The method is based on a rapid test which combines a microextraction by packed
      sorbent procedure and liquid chromatography-diode array technique.
      Chromatographic separation of the analytes (cortisol, cortisone and
      corticosterone) and the internal standard (methylprednisolone) was achieved in
      less than 10min on a reversed-phase pentafluorophenyl column using a mobile phase
      composed of phosphate buffer and acetonitrile. The assay was performed after an
      innovative microextraction procedure by means of C8 sorbent which guaranteed good
      clean-up of the matrices and satisfactory extraction yield of the analytes.
      Moreover, the method gave linear results over a range of 5-100ngmL(-1) and showed
      good selectivity and precision. This method was successfully applied for
      quantifying corticosteroids in specific matrices derived from some healthy
      volunteers in comparison to two socially diversified groups, namely former heroin
      addicts undergoing opioid replacement therapy and poly-drug abusers. 

PMID- 24231794
TI  - N-aromatic heterocycle adducts of bulky [1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2Sm: synthesis,
      structure and solution analysis.
AB  - The reactions of the bulky samarocene [1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2Sm (1) with several N
      aromatic heterocycles, namely, pyridine (3), picoline (4), 4-tert-butyl-pyridine
      (5), isoquinoline (6) and quinoline (7), are reported. All reactions proceed
      smoothly in pentane in good yield and crystals of all adducts have been obtained
      in moderate to good yield and analyzed by X-ray crystallography. The X-ray
      crystal structures are in agreement with Sm(II) coordination adducts in which no
      electrons are transferred to the N-aromatic heterocycle. Magnetic data were
      recorded for 1 and for all adducts, 3-7, and reinforce the electronic structure
      of Sm(II), f(6) simple coordination adducts. (1)H NMR at different temperatures
      and visible spectroscopy in toluene show that fast exchange of the N-aromatic
      heterocyclic ligand (L) occurs in solution according to a ML = M + L equilibrium
      in which the equilibrium constant is dependent on the bulkiness of L. This fast
      exchange is stopped below a coalescence temperature T(c), at which the three tert
      butyl groups of the cyclopentadienyl are differentiated. The associated
      rotational barriers have been calculated. Cyclic voltammetry of 1 in THF showed a
      quasi-reversible wave at a reducing potential of -2.10 V versus the
      ferricinium/ferrocene couple for the Sm(III)-Sm(II) couple and leads to the
      conclusion that the non-reduction of L lies in the sterics of 1.

PMID- 24231795
TI  - Common diagnostic flowcharts in infective endocarditis.
AB  - The presentation of infective endocarditis (IE) has changed over time and its
      diagnosis remains difficult since it relies on the conjunction of a number of
      criteria which have their own limitations. The Duke classification allows for a
      standardized approach and is now recognized as the reference method for the
      diagnosis of IE. The diagnostic value of the different criteria of the Duke
      classification can be improved by the use of transoesophageal echocardiography
      for the detection of endocardial involvement and the use of non-cardiac imaging
      for the detection of embolic events. The number of cases of IE without identified
      causative microorganism can be reduced due to serological analyses and broad
      range polymerase chain reaction on explanted valves. Radionuclide imaging
      techniques are useful when the diagnosis of IE remains uncertain. [18F]FDG PET/CT
      can be used for the diagnosis of cardiac infection and for the detection of
      embolic events or metastatic infection, keeping in mind the possibility of false
      positive diagnosis due to its high sensitivity. Radiolabelled-leukocytes
      scintigraphy is more specific than [18F]FDG PET/CT and can differentiate between
      septic and sterile vegetations. Diagnostic flowcharts are proposed to combine the
      Duke classification and recent imaging techniques for the diagnostic workup of
      IE. 

PMID- 24231796
TI  - Common diagnostic flowcharts in vascular and endovascular surgery.
AB  - Vascular and endovascular procedures are typically very "clean" procedures, with
      a very low infection rate. However, these complications, although rare, are
      unfortunately associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The first
      rule to effectively treat the infection is always prevention, but when the
      infection has been established the only solution is given by an early diagnosis
      and proper medical care and often surgical treatment. The hardest thing is to
      obtain is an early and correct diagnosis, especially for low-grade infections.
      The purpose of our work was to strengthen the conviction that only an integrated
      work as a team will enable effective and quick management of this serious
      complication. 

PMID- 24231797
TI  - Diagnosing diabetic foot infection: the role of imaging and a proposed flow chart
      for assessment.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus, a major current epidemic, is frequently complicated by foot
      infections that are associated with high morbidity. Diagnosing these infections,
      especially whether or not underlying bone is involved, poses clinical challenges,
      but is crucial to making proper decisions regarding therapeutic strategies. The
      most effective means of managing patients with a diabetic foot infection is
      within the framework of a multidisciplinary team. Present diagnostic efforts are
      aimed at developing better methods to differentiate uninfected from infected soft
      tissue wounds, to determine when bone infection is present, and to more clearly
      define when infection has resolved with treatment. Imaging studies play a major
      role in diagnosis. This usually begins with plain radiographs, but when advanced
      imaging is needed, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the modality of
      choice. Newer techniques, such as molecular hybrid imaging, positron emission
      tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission (SPECT)/CT
      using various radiotracers, play an increasing role. These tests may redefine the
      non-invasive diagnostic work-up of diabetic foot wounds, potentially leading to
      substantial improvements in patient management. As experts in infectious
      diseases, radiology and nuclear medicine, we reviewed the available literature on
      diagnosing diabetic foot infections, especially the currently available imaging
      techniques, and developed a proposed diagnostic flow chart, for evaluating
      patients with a diabetic foot wound. 

PMID- 24231798
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of 177Lu-DOTA-porphyrin conjugate: a
      potential agent for targeted tumor radiotherapy detection.
AB  - A novel unsymmetrically substituted water soluble porphyrin derivative namely, 5
      (p-amino-propylene--oxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(p-carboxy-methyl-ene
      oxyphenyl)porphyrin was synthesized and coupled with a bifunctional chelating
      agent, viz. p-NCS-benzyl-DOTA (p-isothiocyanatobenzyl-1,4,7,10-tetra-aza-cyclodo
      decane-1,4,7,10-tetra-acetic acid) for developing a suitable conjugate for use in
      targeted tumor therapy. The porphyrin-p-NCS-benzyl-DOTA conjugate was
      radiolabeled with 177Lu in good radiolabeling yield. Biodistribution studies
      performed in Swiss mice bearing fibrosarcoma tumors revealed high tumor uptake
      (5.33+/-1.11% injected activity per gm of tumor) within 30 min post-injection.
      The complex exhibited favorable tumor to blood and tumor to muscle ratios at
      various post-administration time points. Fast clearance of the non-accumulated
      activity was observed mostly through the renal pathway. Scintigraphic imaging
      studies performed in Swiss mice bearing fibrosarcoma tumors also exhibited
      selective accumulation of activity in the tumor. 

PMID- 24231800
TI  - Development of a novel water-soluble magnetic fluorescent nanoparticle for the
      selective detection and removal of Cu2+.
AB  - Recently, much attention has been paid to the selective detection and removal of
      Cu2+ because an excess of Cu2+ can harm the environment and living systems.
      Herein, we developed a novel water-soluble di-2-picolylamine/proline co-modified
      Fe3O4@ZnS magnetic fluorescent nanoparticle (MFNP-Cu) for the selective detection
      and removal of Cu2+ through a dithiocarbamate linkage strategy. The
      characterization of MFNP-Cu was confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD),
      transmission electron microscope (TEM), magnetization hysteresis loops, infrared
      (IR) and emission spectra. The results showed that MFNP-Cu could quantifiably
      detect Cu2+ with high sensitivity and selectivity over a broad pH range (pH 4.1
      9). The maximum adsorption capacity of MFNP-Cu was calculated to be about 517.9
      mg g(-1), which is higher than previously reported. This excellent property was
      investigated by kinetics equilibrium and thermodynamic studies. Moreover, the
      removal properties of MFNP-Cu toward Cu2+ from contaminated water samples was
      achieved by an external magnetic field.

PMID- 24231801
TI  - Factors associated with compliance with viscosity-modified diet among dysphagic
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate compliance with a viscosity-modified diet among Korean
      dysphagic patients and to determine which factors are associated with compliance.
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who had been
      recommended to use thickeners in the previous videofluoroscopic swallowing study
      (VFSS). Among 68 patients, 6 were excluded because tube feeding was required due
      to deterioration in their medical condition. Finally, 62 patients were included
      in the study. Patient compliance was assessed using their medical records by
      checking whether he or she had maintained thickener use until the next VFSS. To
      determine which factors affect compliance, the relationship between thickener use
      and patient characteristics, such as sex, age, inpatient/outpatient status,
      severity of dysphagia, aspiration symptoms, follow-up interval of VFSS, and
      current swallowing therapy status were assessed. For noncompliers, reasons for
      not using thickeners were investigated by telephone interview. RESULTS: Among 62
      patients, 35 (56.5%) were compliers, and 27 (43.5%) were noncompliers. Eighteen
      (90%) of 20 inpatients had followed previous recommendations; however, only 17
      (40.5%) of 42 outpatients had been using thickeners. Of patient characteristics,
      only admission status was significantly correlated with compliance. When asked
      about the reason why they had not used thickeners, noncompliers complained about
      dissatisfaction with texture and taste, greater difficulty in swallowing, and
      inconvenience of preparing meals. CONCLUSION: Among Korean dysphagic patients,
      compliance with a viscosity-modified liquid diet was only about 50%. Betterments
      of texture and taste along with patient education might be necessary to improve
      compliance with thickener use.

PMID- 24231799
TI  - Origin, development, and differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts.
AB  - Cardiac fibroblasts are the most abundant cell in the mammalian heart. While they
      have been historically underappreciated in terms of their functional
      contributions to cardiac development and physiology, they and their activated
      form, myofibroblasts, are now known to play key roles in both development and
      disease through structural, paracrine, and electrical interactions with
      cardiomyocytes. The lack of specific markers for fibroblasts currently convolutes
      the study of this dynamic cell lineage, but advances in marker analysis and
      lineage mapping technologies are continuously being made. Understanding how to
      best utilize these tools, both individually and in combination, will help to
      elucidate the functional significance of fibroblast-cardiomyocyte interactions in
      vivo. Here we review what is currently known about the diverse roles played by
      cardiac fibroblasts and myofibroblasts throughout development and periods of
      injury with the intent of emphasizing the duality of their nature. This article
      is part of a Special Issue entitled "Myocyte-Fibroblast Signalling in Myocardium
      ". 

PMID- 24231802
TI  - Giant cell angiofibroma of the scalp: A benign rare neoplasm with bone
      destruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of extraorbital giant cell angiofibroma (GCA) is rare,
      with only one case located in the scalp reported in the literature. The
      morphological hallmark is histopathological examination showing richly
      vascularized pattern-less spindle cell proliferation containing pseudovascular
      spaces and floret-like multinucleate giant cells. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a
      case of a 30-year-old female with a primary complaint of a painless solitary
      nodule arising on the left parietal region of the scalp. Complete tumor removal
      through surgical intervention was achieved, and the postoperative period was
      uneventful. CONCLUSION: Diagnosing a highly vascularized tumor in the head and
      neck is challenging. Our case is unique in that it is presented as a GCA of the
      scalp, which is an extremely rare clinical entity, and also demonstrated bone
      destruction.

PMID- 24231803
TI  - Automatic protein structure solution from weak X-ray data.
AB  - Determining new protein structures from X-ray diffraction data at low resolution
      or with a weak anomalous signal is a difficult and often an impossible task. Here
      we propose a multivariate algorithm that simultaneously combines the structure
      determination steps. In tests on over 140 real data sets from the protein data
      bank, we show that this combined approach can automatically build models where
      current algorithms fail, including an anisotropically diffracting 3.88 A RNA
      polymerase II data set. The method seamlessly automates the process, is ideal for
      non-specialists and provides a mathematical framework for successfully combining
      various sources of information in image processing.

PMID- 24231804
TI  - Crosstalk between microtubule attachment complexes ensures accurate chromosome
      segregation.
AB  - The microtubule-based mitotic spindle segregates chromosomes during cell
      division. During chromosome segregation, the centromeric regions of chromosomes
      build kinetochores that establish end-coupled attachments to spindle
      microtubules. Here, we used the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo as a model system
      to examine the crosstalk between two kinetochore protein complexes implicated in
      temporally distinct stages of attachment formation. The kinetochore dynein
      module, which mediates initial lateral microtubule capture, inhibited microtubule
      binding by the Ndc80 complex, which ultimately forms the end-coupled attachments
      that segregate chromosomes. The kinetochore dynein module directly regulated
      Ndc80, independently of phosphorylation by Aurora B kinase, and this regulation
      was required for accurate segregation. Thus, the conversion from initial dynein
      mediated, lateral attachments to correctly oriented, Ndc80-mediated end-coupled
      attachments is actively controlled. 

PMID- 24231805
TI  - Photon-mediated interactions between distant artificial atoms.
AB  - Photon-mediated interactions between atoms are of fundamental importance in
      quantum optics, quantum simulations, and quantum information processing. The
      exchange of real and virtual photons between atoms gives rise to nontrivial
      interactions, the strength of which decreases rapidly with distance in three
      dimensions. Here, we use two superconducting qubits in an open one-dimensional
      transmission line to study much stronger photon-mediated interactions. Making use
      of the possibility to tune these qubits by more than a quarter of their
      transition frequency, we observe both coherent exchange interactions at an
      effective separation of 3lambda/4 and the creation of super- and subradiant
      states at a separation of one photon wavelength lambda. In this system,
      collective atom-photon interactions and applications in quantum communication may
      be explored. 

PMID- 24231806
TI  - mTOR inhibition alleviates mitochondrial disease in a mouse model of Leigh
      syndrome.
AB  - Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to numerous health problems, including
      neurological and muscular degeneration, cardiomyopathies, cancer, diabetes, and
      pathologies of aging. Severe mitochondrial defects can result in childhood
      disorders such as Leigh syndrome, for which there are no effective therapies. We
      found that rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of the mechanistic target of rapamycin
      (mTOR) signaling pathway, robustly enhances survival and attenuates disease
      progression in a mouse model of Leigh syndrome. Administration of rapamycin to
      these mice, which are deficient in the mitochondrial respiratory chain subunit
      Ndufs4 [NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) Fe-S protein 4], delays onset of
      neurological symptoms, reduces neuroinflammation, and prevents brain lesions.
      Although the precise mechanism of rescue remains to be determined, rapamycin
      induces a metabolic shift toward amino acid catabolism and away from glycolysis,
      alleviating the buildup of glycolytic intermediates. This therapeutic strategy
      may prove relevant for a broad range of mitochondrial diseases. 

PMID- 24231808
TI  - Long-term dynamics of adaptation in asexual populations.
AB  - Experimental studies of evolution have increased greatly in number in recent
      years, stimulated by the growing power of genomic tools. However, organismal
      fitness remains the ultimate metric for interpreting these experiments, and the
      dynamics of fitness remain poorly understood over long time scales. Here, we
      examine fitness trajectories for 12 Escherichia coli populations during 50,000
      generations. Mean fitness appears to increase without bound, consistent with a
      power law. We also derive this power-law relation theoretically by incorporating
      clonal interference and diminishing-returns epistasis into a dynamical model of
      changes in mean fitness over time. 

PMID- 24231807
TI  - EMRE is an essential component of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex.
AB  - The mitochondrial uniporter is a highly selective calcium channel in the
      organelle's inner membrane. Its molecular components include the EF-hand
      containing calcium-binding proteins mitochondrial calcium uptake 1 (MICU1) and
      MICU2 and the pore-forming subunit mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). We
      sought to achieve a full molecular characterization of the uniporter holocomplex
      (uniplex). Quantitative mass spectrometry of affinity-purified uniplex recovered
      MICU1 and MICU2, MCU and its paralog MCUb, and essential MCU regulator (EMRE), a
      previously uncharacterized protein. EMRE is a 10-kilodalton, metazoan-specific
      protein with a single transmembrane domain. In its absence, uniporter channel
      activity was lost despite intact MCU expression and oligomerization. EMRE was
      required for the interaction of MCU with MICU1 and MICU2. Hence, EMRE is
      essential for in vivo uniporter current and additionally bridges the calcium
      sensing role of MICU1 and MICU2 with the calcium-conducting role of MCU. 

PMID- 24231809
TI  - Nondestructive detection of an optical photon.
AB  - All optical detectors to date annihilate photons upon detection, thus excluding
      repeated measurements. Here, we demonstrate a robust photon detection scheme that
      does not rely on absorption. Instead, an incoming photon is reflected from an
      optical resonator containing a single atom prepared in a superposition of two
      states. The reflection toggles the superposition phase, which is then measured to
      trace the photon. Characterizing the device with faint laser pulses, a single
      photon detection efficiency of 74% and a survival probability of 66% are
      achieved. The efficiency can be further increased by observing the photon
      repeatedly. The large single-photon nonlinearity of the experiment should enable
      the development of photonic quantum gates and the preparation of exotic quantum
      states of light. 

PMID- 24231811
TI  - Effects of examiner strength on reliability of hip-strength testing using a
      handheld dynamometer.
AB  - CONTEXT: Hip-muscle impairments are associated with a variety of lower-extremity
      dysfunctions. Accurate assessment in the clinical setting can be challenging due
      to the strength of hip muscles relative to examiner strength. OBJECTIVE: To
      examine the influence of examiner strength and technique on manual hip-strength
      testing using a handheld dynamometer. DESIGN: Repeated measures. SETTING:
      Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 30 active adults (age 24 +/- 1.4 y).
      INTERVENTIONS: Three examiners of different strength performed manual muscle
      tests (MMT) in 2 different positions for hip extension, abduction, and external
      rotation using a MicroFet handheld dynamometer. Examiner strength was quantified
      via a 1-repetition-maximum leg press and chest press with a Keiser A420 pneumatic
      resistance machine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intrarater reliability (ICC3,1),
      interrater reliability (ICC2,1), and measured torque values. RESULTS: Intrarater
      reliability for all measurements ranged from .82 to .97. Interrater reliability
      ranged from .81 to .98. Main effects for hip extension revealed a significant
      difference in torque values between examiners and between techniques. For the
      short-lever hipabduction and seated hip-external-rotation tests, there was a
      significant difference between examiners. There was no significant difference in
      measured torque values between examiners with the long-lever hip-abduction or the
      prone hip-external-rotation tests. CONCLUSIONS: MMT of the hip may be performed
      with high reliability by examiners of different strength. To obtain valid MMT
      measurements of hip muscles, examiners must consider their own strength and
      testing techniques employed. The authors recommend a long-lever technique for hip
      abduction and a prone position for testing hip external rotation to minimize the
      influence of examiner strength. Both positions appear to provide mechanical
      advantages to the examiner compared with the alternative techniques. The authors
      are unable to recommend a preferred hip-extension-testing technique to minimize
      the influence of examiner strength.

PMID- 24231810
TI  - Predicting pulmonary fibrosis disease course from past trends in pulmonary
      function.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is
      characterized by progressive decline in lung function and eventual mortality. We
      sought to determine if future declines in pulmonary function, mortality, or both
      can be predicted from prior trends in pulmonary function tests (PFTs). METHODS:
      Data from 1981 to 2008 on 4,431 PFTs and mortality were analyzed from 734
      subjects with IPF. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for mortality analyses. Mixed
      models were used to describe longitudinal pulmonary function dynamics, since PFTs
      were observed at varying time points from baseline. RESULTS: During the first
      year of follow-up, 135 subjects (73%) had stable FVC while 50 subjects (37%)
      showed a decline in FVC. During months 12 to 24 (1-2 years after diagnosis), a
      stable FVC occurred with the same frequency among both subjects whose FVC had
      declined during year 1 and whose FVC had remained stable (84.0% and 80.7%,
      respectively; P=.59). Among subjects alive at the end of year 1, those with a
      stable FVC were more likely to be alive at the end of year 2 than those whose FVC
      declined (hazard ratio [HR], 0.91 [95% CI, 0.87-0.94] and HR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.62
      0.78], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PFT decline predicts early mortality, but not
      future declines in physiology, regardless of time since diagnosis.

PMID- 24231812
TI  - A feature-based morphing methodology for computationally modeled biological
      structures applied to left atrial fiber directions.
AB  - To properly simulate the behavior of biological structures through computer
      modeling, there exists a need to describe parameters that vary locally. These
      parameters can be obtained either from literature or from experimental data and
      they are often assigned to regions in the model as lumped values. Furthermore,
      parameter values may be obtained on a representative case and may not be
      available for each specific modeled organ. We describe a semiautomated technique
      to assign detailed maps of local tissue properties to a computational model of a
      biological structure. We applied the method to the left atrium of the heart. The
      orientation of myocytes in the tissue as obtained from histologic analysis was
      transferred to the 3D model of a porcine left atrium. Finite element method (FEM)
      dynamic simulations were performed by using an isotropic, neo-Hookean,
      constitutive model first, then adding an anisotropic, cardiomyocyte oriented,
      Fung-type component. Results showed higher stresses for the anisotropic material
      model corresponding to lower stretches in the cardiomyocyte directions. The same
      methodology can be applied to transfer any map of parameters onto a discretized
      finite element model. 

PMID- 24231813
TI  - Localization of viscous behavior and shear energy dissipation in articular
      cartilage under dynamic shear loading.
AB  - Though remarkably robust, articular cartilage becomes susceptible to damage at
      high loading rates, particularly under shear. While several studies have measured
      the local static and steady-state shear properties of cartilage, it is the local
      viscoelastic properties that determine the tissue's ability to withstand
      physiological loading regimens. However, measuring local viscoelastic properties
      requires overcoming technical challenges that include resolving strain fields in
      both space and time and accurately calculating their phase offsets. This study
      combined recently developed high-speed confocal imaging techniques with three
      approaches for analyzing time- and location-dependent mechanical data to measure
      the depth-dependent dynamic modulus and phase angles of articular cartilage. For
      sinusoidal shear at frequencies f = 0.01 to 1 Hz with no strain offset, the
      dynamic shear modulus |G*| and phase angle delta reached their minimum and
      maximum values (respectively) approximately 100 MUm below the articular surface,
      resulting in a profound focusing of energy dissipation in this narrow band of
      tissue that increased with frequency. This region, known as the transitional
      zone, was previously thought to simply connect surface and deeper tissue regions.
      Within 250 MUm of the articular surface, |G*| increased from 0.32 +/- 0.08 to
      0.42 +/- 0.08 MPa across the five frequencies tested, while delta decreased from
      12 deg +/- 1 deg to 9.1 deg +/- 0.5 deg. Deeper into the tissue, |G*| increased
      from 1.5 +/- 0.4 MPa to 2.1 +/- 0.6 MPa and delta decreased from 13 deg +/- 1 deg
      to 5.5 deg +/- 0.2 deg. Viscoelastic properties were also strain-dependent, with
      localized energy dissipation suppressed at higher shear strain offsets. These
      results suggest a critical role for the transitional zone in dissipating energy,
      representing a possible shift in our understanding of cartilage mechanical
      function. Further, they give insight into how focal degeneration and mechanical
      trauma could lead to sustained damage in this tissue.

PMID- 24231814
TI  - Optimized design of an instrumented spatial linkage that minimizes errors in
      locating the rotational axes of the tibiofemoral joint: a computational analysis.
AB  - An accurate method to locate of the flexion-extension (F-E) axis and longitudinal
      rotation (LR) axis of the tibiofemoral joint is required to accurately
      characterize tibiofemoral kinematics. A method was recently developed to locate
      these axes using an instrumented spatial linkage (ISL) (2012, "On the Estimate of
      the Two Dominant Axes of the Knee Using an Instrumented Spatial Linkage," J.
      Appl. Biomech., 28(2), pp. 200-209). However, a more comprehensive error analysis
      is needed to optimize the design and characterize the limitations of the device
      before using it experimentally. To better understand the errors in the use of an
      ISL in finding the F-E and LR axes, our objectives were to (1) develop a method
      to computationally determine the orientation and position errors in locating the
      F-E and LR axes due to transducer nonlinearity and hysteresis, ISL size and
      attachment position, and the pattern of applied tibiofemoral motion, (2)
      determine the optimal size and attachment position of an ISL to minimize these
      errors, (3) determine the best pattern of pattern of applied motion to minimize
      these errors, and (4) examine the sensitivity of the errors to range of flexion
      and internal-external (I-E) rotation. A mathematical model was created that
      consisted of a virtual "elbow-type" ISL that measured motion across a virtual
      tibiofemoral joint. Two orientation and two position errors were computed for
      each axis by simulating the axis-finding method for 200 iterations while adding
      transducer errors to the revolute joints of the virtual ISL. The ISL size and
      position that minimized these errors were determined from 1080 different
      combinations. The errors in locating the axes using the optimal ISL were
      calculated for each of three patterns of motion applied to the tibiofemoral
      joint, consisting of a sequential pattern of discrete tibiofemoral positions, a
      random pattern of discrete tibiofemoral positions, and a sequential pattern of
      continuous tibiofemoral positions. Finally, errors as a function of range of
      flexion and I-E rotation were determined using the optimal pattern of applied
      motion. An ISL that was attached to the anterior aspect of the knee with 300-mm
      link lengths had the lowest maximum error without colliding with the anatomy of
      the joint. A sequential pattern of discrete tibiofemoral positions limited the
      largest orientation or position error without displaying large bias error.
      Finally, the minimum range of applied motion that ensured all errors were below 1
      deg or 1 mm was 30 deg flexion with +/-15 deg I-E rotation. Thus a method for
      comprehensive analysis of error when using this axis-finding method has been
      established, and was used to determine the optimal ISL and range of applied
      motion; this method of analysis could be used to determine the errors for any ISL
      size and position, any applied motion, and potentially any anatomical joint.

PMID- 24231815
TI  - Determination and modeling of the inelasticity over the length of the porcine
      carotid artery.
AB  - The study of the mechanical properties of swine carotids has clinical relevance
      because it is important for the appropriate design of intravascular devices in
      the animal trial phases. The inelastic properties of porcine carotid tissue were
      investigated. Experimental uniaxial cyclic tests were performed along the
      longitudinal and circumferential directions of vessels. The work focused on the
      determination, comparison, and constitutive modeling of the softening properties
      and residual stretch set of the swine carotid artery over long stretches and
      stress levels in both proximal and distal regions. It was observed that the
      residual strain depends on the maximum stretch in the previous load cycle. The
      strain was higher for distal than for proximal samples and for circumferential
      than for longitudinal samples. In addition, a pseudoelastic model was used to
      reproduce the residual stretch and softening behavior of the carotid artery. The
      model presented a good approximation of the experimental data. The results
      demonstrate that the final results in animal trial studies could be affected by
      the location studied along the length of the porcine carotid. 

PMID- 24231816
TI  - Comparative study on tube-load modeling of arterial hemodynamics in humans.
AB  - In this paper, we assess the validity of two alternative tube-load models for
      describing the relationship between central aortic and peripheral arterial blood
      pressure (BP) waveforms in humans. In particular, a single-tube (1-TL) model and
      a serially connected two-tube (2-TL) model, both terminated with a Windkessel
      load, are considered as candidate representations of central aortic-peripheral
      arterial path. Using the central aortic, radial and femoral BP waveform data
      collected from eight human subjects undergoing coronary artery bypass graft with
      cardiopulmonary bypass procedure, the fidelity of the tube-load models was
      quantified and compared with each other. Both models could fit the central aortic
      radial and central aortic-femoral BP waveform pairs effectively. Specifically,
      the models could estimate pulse travel time (PTT) accurately, and the model
      derived frequency response was also close to the empirical transfer function
      estimate obtained directly from the central aortic and peripheral BP waveform
      data. However, 2-TL model was consistently superior to 1-TL model with
      statistical significance as far as the accuracy of the central aortic BP waveform
      was concerned. Indeed, the average waveform RMSE was 2.52 mmHg versus 3.24 mmHg
      for 2-TL and 1-TL models, respectively (p < 0.05); the r2 value between measured
      and estimated central aortic BP waveforms was 0.96 and 0.93 for 2-TL and 1-TL
      models, respectively (p < 0.05). We concluded that the tube-load models
      considered in this paper are valid representations that can accurately reproduce
      central aortic-radial/femoral BP waveform relationships in humans, although the 2
      TL model is preferred if an accurate central aortic BP waveform is highly
      desired.

PMID- 24231817
TI  - Tendon fascicles exhibit a linear correlation between Poisson's ratio and force
      during uniaxial stress relaxation.
AB  - The underlying mechanisms for the viscoelastic behavior of tendon and ligament
      tissue are poorly understood. It has been suggested that both a flow-dependent
      and flow-independent mechanism may contribute at different structural levels. We
      hypothesized that the stress relaxation response of a single tendon fascicle is
      consistent with the flow-dependent mechanism described by the biphasic theory
      (Armstrong et al., 1984, "An Analysis of the Unconfined Compression of Articular
      Cartilage," ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 106, pp. 165-173). To test this hypothesis,
      force, lateral strain, and Poisson's ratio were measured as a function of time
      during stress relaxation testing of six rat tail tendon fascicles from a Sprague
      Dawley rat. As predicted by biphasic theory, the lateral strain and Poisson's
      ratio were time dependent, a large estimated volume loss was seen at equilibrium
      and there was a linear correlation between the force and Poisson's ratio during
      stress relaxation. These results suggest that the fluid dependent mechanism
      described by biphasic theory may explain some or all of the apparent viscoelastic
      behavior of single tendon fascicles. 

PMID- 24231818
TI  - Left ventricular pressure gating in ovine cardiac studies: a software-based
      method.
AB  - Cardiac imaging using magnetic resonance requires a gating signal in order to
      compensate for motion. Human patients are routinely scanned using an
      electrocardiogram (ECG) as a gating signal during imaging. However, we found that
      in sheep the ECG is not a reliable method for gating. We developed a software
      based method that allowed us to use the left ventricular pressure (LVP) as a
      reliable gating signal. By taking the time derivative of the LVP (dP/dt), we were
      able to start imaging at both end-diastole for systolic phase images, and end
      systole for diastolic phase images. We also used MR tissue tagging to calculate
      3D strain information during diastole. Using the LVP in combination with our
      digital circuit provided a reliable and time efficient method for ovine cardiac
      imaging. Unlike the ECG signal the left ventricular pressure was a clean signal
      and allowed for accurate, nondelay based triggering during systole and diastole. 

PMID- 24231819
TI  - A model of the recruitment-derecruitment and volume of lung units in an excised
      lung as it is inflated-deflated between minimum and maximum lung volume.
AB  - The role of the recruitment-derecruitment of small structures in the lung (lung
      units) as the lung increases and decreases in volume has been debated. The
      objective of this study was to develop a model to estimate the change in the
      number and volume of open lung units as an excised lung is inflated-deflated
      between minimum and maximum lung volume. The model was formulated based on the
      observation that the compliance of the slowly changing quasi-static pressure
      volume (P-V) curve of an excised rat lung can differ from the compliance of a
      faster changing small sinusoidal pressure volume perturbations superimposed on
      the curve. In those regions of the curve where differences in compliance occur,
      the lung tissue properties exhibit nonlinear characteristics, which cannot be
      linearized using "incremental" or "small signal" analysis. The model attributes
      the differences between the perturbation and quasi-static compliance to an
      additional nonlinear compliance term that results from the sequential opening and
      closing of lung units. Using this approach, it was possible to calculate the
      normalized average volume and the normalized number of open units as the lung is
      slowly inflated-deflated. Results indicate that the normalized average volume and
      the normalized number of open units are not linearly related to normalized lung
      volume, and at equal lung volumes the normalized number of open units is greater
      and the normalized average lung unit volume is smaller during lung deflation when
      compared to lung inflation. In summary, a model was developed to describe the
      recruitment-derecruitment process in excised lungs based on the differences
      between small signal perturbation compliance and quasi-static compliance. Values
      of normalized lung unit volume and the normalized number of open lung units were
      shown to be nonlinear functions of both transpulmonary pressure and normalized
      lung volume. 

PMID- 24231820
TI  - Hydrodynamic modeling of targeted magnetic-particle delivery in a blood vessel.
AB  - Since the flow of a magnetic fluid could easily be influenced by an external
      magnetic field, its hydrodynamic modeling promises to be useful for magnetically
      controllable delivery systems. It is desirable to understand the flow fields and
      characteristics before targeted magnetic particles arrive at their destination.
      In this study, we perform an analysis for the effects of particles and a magnetic
      field on biomedical magnetic fluid flow to study the targeted magnetic-particle
      delivery in a blood vessel. The fully developed solutions of velocity, flow rate,
      and flow drag are derived analytically and presented for blood with magnetite
      nanoparticles at body temperature. Results reveal that in the presence of
      magnetic nanoparticles, a minimum magnetic field gradient (yield gradient) is
      required to initiate the delivery. A magnetic driving force leads to the increase
      in velocity and has enhancing effects on flow rate and flow drag. Such a magnetic
      driving effect can be magnified by increasing the particle volume fraction. 

PMID- 24231821
TI  - In vitro pulsatility analysis of axial-flow and centrifugal-flow left ventricular
      assist devices.
AB  - Recently, continuous-flow ventricular assist devices (CF-VADs) have supplanted
      older, pulsatile-flow pumps, for treating patients with advanced heart failure.
      Despite the excellent results of the newer generation devices, the effects of
      long-term loss of pulsatility remain unknown. The aim of this study is to compare
      the ability of both axial and centrifugal continuous-flow pumps to intrinsically
      modify pulsatility when placed under physiologically diverse conditions. Four
      VADs, two axial- and two centrifugal-flow, were evaluated on a mock circulatory
      flow system. Each VAD was operated at a constant impeller speed over three
      hypothetical cardiac conditions: normo-tensive, hypertensive, and hypotensive.
      Pulsatility index (PI) was compared for each device under each condition.
      Centrifugal-flow devices had a higher PI than that of axial-flow pumps. Under
      normo-tension, flow PI was 0.98 +/- 0.03 and 1.50 +/- 0.02 for the axial and
      centrifugal groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Under hypertension, flow PI was 1.90
      +/- 0.16 and 4.21 +/- 0.29 for the axial and centrifugal pumps, respectively (p =
      0.01). Under hypotension, PI was 0.73 +/- 0.02 and 0.78 +/- 0.02 for the axial
      and centrifugal groups, respectively (p = 0.13). All tested CF-VADs were capable
      of maintaining some pulsatile-flow when connected in parallel with our mock
      ventricle. We conclude that centrifugal-flow devices outperform the axial pumps
      from the basis of PI under tested conditions.

PMID- 24231822
TI  - Combined in vivo/in vitro method to study anteriomedial bundle strain in the
      anterior cruciate ligament using a dynamic knee simulator.
AB  - The mechanism of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is not well
      understood. It is partly because previous studies have been unable to relate
      dynamic knee muscle forces during sports activities such as landing from a jump
      to the strain in the ACL. We present a combined in vivo/in vitro method to relate
      the muscle group forces to ACL strain during jump-landing using a newly developed
      dynamic knee simulator. A dynamic knee simulator system was designed and
      developed to study the sagittal plane biomechanics of the knee. The simulator is
      computer controlled and uses six powerful electromechanical actuators to move a
      cadaver knee in the sagittal plane and to apply dynamic muscle forces at the
      insertion sites of the quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius muscle groups and
      the net moment at the hip joint. In order to demonstrate the capability of the
      simulator to simulate dynamic sports activities on cadaver knees, motion capture
      of a live subject landing from a jump on a force plate was performed. The
      kinematics and ground reaction force data obtained from the motion capture were
      input into a computer based musculoskeletal lower extremity model. From the
      model, the force-time profile of each muscle group across the knee during the
      movement was extracted, along with the motion profiles of the hip and ankle
      joints. This data was then programmed into the dynamic knee simulator system.
      Jump-landing was simulated on a cadaver knee successfully. Resulting strain in
      the ACL was measured using a differential variable reluctance transducer (DVRT).
      Our results show that the simulator has the capability to accurately simulate the
      dynamic sagittal plane motion and the dynamic muscle forces during jump-landing.
      The simulator has high repeatability. The ACL strain values agreed with the
      values reported in the literature. This combined in vivo/in vitro approach using
      this dynamic knee simulator system can be effectively used to study the
      relationship between sagittal plane muscle forces and ACL strain during dynamic
      activities. 

PMID- 24231823
TI  - [Computed tomography guidance: fluoroscopy and more].
AB  - Although ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are competitive imaging
      modalities for the guidance of needle-based interventions, computed tomography
      (CT) is the only modality suitable for image-guided interventions in all regions
      of the body, including the lungs and bone. The ongoing technical development of
      CT involves accelerated image acquisition, significantly improved spatial
      resolution, CT scanners with an extended gantry diameter, acceleration of the
      procedure through joystick control of relevant functions of interventional CT by
      the interventional radiologist and tube current modulation to protect the hands
      of the examiner and radiosensitive organs of the patient. CT fluoroscopy can be
      used as a real-time method (the intervention is monitored under continuous CT
      fluoroscopy) or as a quick check method (repeated acquisitions of individual CT
      fluoroscopic images after each change of needle or table position). For the two
      approaches, multislice CT fluoroscopy (MSCTF) technique with wide detectors is
      particularly useful because even in the case of needle deviation from the center
      slice the needle tip is simultaneously visualised in the neighboring slices. With
      the aid of this technique a precise placement of interventional devices is
      possible even in angled access routes and in the presence of pronounced
      respiratory organ movements. As the reduction of CT fluoroscopy time
      significantly reduces radiation exposure for the patient and staff, the
      combination of a quick check technique and a low milliampere technique with
      multislice CT fluoroscopy devices is advantageous.

PMID- 24231824
TI  - [The museum of the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine].

PMID- 24231828
TI  - Bringing neurosurgical and neurological care to the world.

PMID- 24231826
TI  - [Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: from imaging to diagnosis].
AB  - Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has evolved over the past 20 years from
      a research-based imaging modality to an indispensable routine procedure in
      cardiac diagnostics. In addition to the morphological representation of cardiac
      anatomy, whereby only noninvasive multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is
      superior, another strength of CMR is the assessment of cardiac function and
      tissue differentiation. This requires that the radiologist performing the
      examination and analyzing the results has good knowledge of cardiac and thoracic
      anatomy and a detailed knowledge of the various cardiovascular diseases,
      hemodynamics, and pathophysiology. CMR reliably allows determination of a range
      of easy to determine quantitative parameters such as ventricular ejection
      fraction and also the valvular regurgitation fraction, which allows objective
      assessment of cardiac function. Especially the possibility to differentiate
      inflamed, viable, and ischemic tissue using adenosine stress MRI in the last 10
      years has led to routine use of CMR. Even compared to competing nuclear medicine
      procedures, CMR is important for treatment decision-making and for prognosis
      estimation, thus, making it an indispensable component of cardiovascular
      diagnostics.

PMID- 24231829
TI  - Murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): challenges of modeling human
      disease.
AB  - Animal models of human disease are a critical tool in both basic research and
      drug development. The results of preclinical efficacy studies often inform
      progression of therapeutic candidates through the drug development pipeline;
      however, the extent to which results in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) models
      predict human drug response is an ongoing concern. This review discusses how
      murine models are currently being used in IBD research. We focus on the
      considerations and caveats for commonly used models in preclinical efficacy
      studies and discuss the value of models that utilize specific pathogenic pathways
      of interest rather than model all aspects of human disease. 

PMID- 24231830
TI  - Water influx into cerebrospinal fluid is primarily controlled by aquaporin-4, not
      by aquaporin-1: 17O JJVCPE MRI study in knockout mice.
AB  - Recent studies on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homeostasis emphasize the importance
      of water flux through the pericapillary (Virchow-Robin) space for both CSF
      production and reabsorption (Oreskovic and Klarica hypothesis), and challenge the
      classic CSF circulation theory, which proposes that CSF is primarily produced by
      the choroid plexus and reabsorbed by the arachnoid villi. Active suppression of
      aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) expression within brain capillaries and preservation of AQP-1
      within the choroid plexus together with pericapillary water regulation by AQP-4
      provide a unique opportunity for testing this recent hypothesis. We investigated
      water flux into three representative regions of the brain, namely, the cortex,
      basal ganglia, and third ventricle using a newly developed water molecular MRI
      technique based on JJ vicinal coupling between O and adjacent protons and water
      molecule proton exchanges (JJVCPE imaging) in AQP-1 and AQP-4 knockout mice in
      vivo. The results clearly indicate that water influx into the CSF is regulated by
      AQP-4, and not by AQP-1, strongly supporting the Oreskovic and Klarica
      hypothesis. 

PMID- 24231831
TI  - Endogenous auditory frequency-based attention modulates electroencephalogram
      based measures of obligatory sensory activity in humans.
AB  - Auditory selective attention is the ability to enhance the processing of a single
      sound source, while simultaneously suppressing the processing of other competing
      sound sources. Recent research has addressed a long-running debate by showing
      that endogenous attention produces effects on obligatory sensory responses to
      continuous and competing auditory stimuli. However, until now, this result has
      only been shown under conditions where the competing stimuli differed in both
      their frequency characteristics and, importantly, their spatial location. Thus,
      it is unknown whether endogenous selective attention based only on nonspatial
      features modulates obligatory sensory processing. Here, we investigate this issue
      using a diotic paradigm, such that competing auditory stimuli differ in
      frequency, but had no separation in space. We find a significant effect of
      attention on electroencephalogram-based measures of obligatory sensory processing
      at several poststimulus latencies. We discuss these results in terms of previous
      research on feature-based attention and by comparing our findings with the
      previous work using stimuli that differed both in terms of spatial and frequency
      based characteristics. 

PMID- 24231832
TI  - Bioaccumulation and histopathological alteration of total lead in selected fishes
      from Manila Bay, Philippines.
AB  - This study aims to assess the bioaccumulation of total lead and the effect of
      heavy metal on the muscles of fish obtained in the coastal lagoon of the Manila
      Bay. Fish species muscles were assessed for lead concentrations and were examined
      for histological alterations. Results showed that lead bioaccumulation in the
      muscles, and a degree of disintegration in the muscle fibers of all the fish
      examined were found. 

PMID- 24231833
TI  - Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) and high-dose immunoglobulin treatment in patient
      with familiar prostatic adenocarcinoma.
AB  - A 52-y old man was admitted to our Department because of abdominal pains and
      diarrhea with fresh blood, with concomitant purpura over the whole body and edema
      of the both tarsal joints. The medical history of the patient included skin
      changes of similar character identified once 10-12 y before. The family history
      revealed prostate cancer (brother and father) and pulmonary carcinoma (mother and
      mother's sister). An administration of immunoglobulins in the course of HSP is a
      non-standard clinical procedure and in case of our patient--clinically effective.
      In the literature, we have found only few articles about intravenous
      immunoglobulin treatment for acute, adult-onset HSP and only one article about GI
      bleeding from colonic ecchymoses in HSP. In these cases HSP wasn't associated
      with prostate cancer. In the first article, authors had seen dramatic responses
      to intravenous immunoglobulin, like in the case presented by us. IV-IG acts as an
      immunomodulator by suppression of antibody production, Fc-receptor blockade and
      anti-idiotypic reaction. In our case, the last two mechanisms could be perceived
      as favorable effects of IV-IG.

PMID- 24231834
TI  - Improved management of primary chronic fatigue syndrome with the supplement
      French oak wood extract (Robuvit(r)): a pilot, registry evaluation.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this supplement study was to evaluate French oak wood extract
      (Robuvit(r), Horphag Research Ltd) used as a supplement in association with a
      defined management plan for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in healthy subjects
      with CFS, a condition that has, so far, no specific treatment or management
      standards. METHODS: Robuvit(r) is a new proprietary and exclusive extract of oak
      wood with important antoxidant actions. The dosage of the supplementation was 200
      mg/day for at least 6 months. The CFS questionnaire and the Brief Mood
      Introspection Scale (BMIS) questionnaire were used to evaluate mood variations
      associated with CFS patients. The CFS form includes an analogue scale to record
      the variations of single symptoms with a score range of 0-10. At inclusion into
      the registry study, at least 5 symptoms were present. All subjects (age range 35
      44; BMI range 24-26) with CFS were tested for oxidative stress: 61 out of 91
      subjects had an increased value of oxidative stress. The BMIS scale evaluating
      mood changes in time was also used. The evaluation was repeated at 3 and 6
      months. RESULTS: Out of 91 eligible subjects with CFS, 48 subjects (31 with
      increased oxidative stress) were accepted as part of the supplement registry
      study using Robuvit; 43 (30 with increased oxidative stress) were accepted as
      controls using only the management plan. In the Robuvit(r) group there were 3
      drop outs; also 3 controls were lost. Oxidative stress was increased in 64.58% of
      subjects that used Robuvit and in 69.7% of controls. The average values of
      oxidative stress were expressed for the whole group. The average follow up was
      199.3;9.2 days in the Robuvit group and 202.2;5.5 in the control group with a
      minimum of 6 months. Considering variations in oxidative stress, there was no
      significant average change in controls, but a significant decrease from the
      initial values was observed in Robuvit subjects after 3 and 6 months. The CFS
      questionnaire variations in score indicated that there was a significant
      improvement for most symptoms after 3 and 6 months in the Robuvit group. Positive
      variations were also present in controls, indicating the positive effect of an
      increased attention to CFS. The improvement in signs/symptoms was significantly
      more valuable in subjects using the oak wood extract considering the main 8
      symptoms and the accessory symptoms. Considering the BMIS variations, the totals
      for positive and negative items were significantly more favourable for Robuvit
      subjects. Overall mood evaluation in the oak wood extract group improved from an
      inclusion average of -6.93;2.1 to +4.32;2.6 at 6 months; in contrast it changed
      from -6.5;2.5 to -3.4;1.5 in controls. No side effects were observed during the
      supplementation with Robuvit. The compliance was optimal with 93% of the capsules
      correctly used. CONCLUSION: This promising pilot supplement registry study
      indicates a new opportunity of management for these difficult and often neglected
      patients. Correlation between oxidative stress and CFS have to be better
      explored.

PMID- 24231835
TI  - Active surveillance of the adolescent with varicocele: predicting semen outcomes
      from ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: We hypothesized that active surveillance of the adolescent varicocele is
      not associated with a high prevalence of suboptimal semen analysis and that
      patients with abnormal semen analysis have smaller testicular volumes and larger
      volume differentials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an institutional review
      board approved retrospective cohort study of adolescents with a clinically
      detected varicocele. Patients were initially observed by serial scrotal
      ultrasound evaluating testicular size and differential. Semen analysis was
      routinely collected in Tanner V cases, around age 18 years. Prevalence of normal
      semen analysis parameters was calculated, and logistic regression was used to
      model the ability of age at presentation and testicular volume parameters to
      predict a normal semen analysis. RESULTS: A cohort of 73 patients underwent
      surveillance with a mean +/- SD age at presentation of 15.5 +/- 2.3 years. Median
      followup was 2.7 years, during which time subjects underwent a median of 3
      scrotal ultrasounds. A low total motile count was found in 48 patients (66%).
      Neither age at presentation nor testicular volume differential could predict
      normal semen volume, density, sperm motility or total motile count. Total
      testicular volume from the final ultrasound predicted total motile count (p =
      0.008). However, the collective observations of volume during the entire period
      of surveillance could not predict total motile count (p = 0.847). CONCLUSIONS:
      There is a high prevalence of suboptimal semen analysis in adolescents with a
      varicocele who are followed with active surveillance. Total testicular volume can
      predict total motile count at the end of adolescence but not throughout.

PMID- 24231836
TI  - Lower urinary tract symptoms in the elderly male: choosing wisely.

PMID- 24231837
TI  - A phase 2, randomized, double-blind, efficacy and safety study of oxybutynin
      vaginal ring for alleviation of overactive bladder symptoms in women.
AB  - PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a once monthly oxybutynin
      vaginal ring in women with overactive bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      randomized, multicenter, double-blind, 12-week phase 2 study compared oxybutynin
      vaginal ring (4 or 6 mg daily) to a placebo vaginal ring in women with well
      defined overactive bladder symptoms. The primary efficacy variable was the change
      from baseline to week 12 in the total weekly number of incontinence episodes
      (stress and urge). Safety was measured in terms of treatment emergent adverse
      events, laboratory, physical, gynecologic examinations, electrocardiogram and
      vital signs. RESULTS: After a 3-week post-randomization placebo run-in phase
      (sample size 720) 445 women entered the treatment phase (safety population). Of
      these women 323 met all 3 overactive bladder specific baseline characteristics of
      10 or more urinary urge incontinence episodes weekly, urinary frequency 8 or more
      voids per 24 hours and voided volume 3 L or less per 24 hours) (analysis
      population). Women treated with 4 and 6 mg daily oxybutynin vaginal ring had
      significantly fewer incontinence episodes weekly (p = 0.036 and p = 0.018,
      respectively), lower daily urinary frequency (p = 0.014, p = 0.002) and a higher
      proportion had no incontinence episodes at week 12 (p = 0.026, p = 0.027)
      compared with placebo. The change in severity of urgency and voided volume was
      similar for all groups (p >0.05). Except for a higher incidence of dry mouth and
      urinary tract infections that were not always culture confirmed, the oxybutynin
      vaginal ring was well tolerated and had a safety profile similar to that of the
      placebo vaginal ring. CONCLUSIONS: The oxybutynin vaginal ring appears to be an
      effective and safe once monthly treatment option for women with overactive
      bladder characterized primarily by urinary urge incontinence that merits further
      evaluation in a phase 3 study.

PMID- 24231838
TI  - Pediatric urethral catheter consultations: understanding driving factors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pediatric urethral catheterization is often straightforward. However, it
      can be challenging and may require urological consultation. Possible critical
      factors are patient anatomy and comorbidities, and insertion technique. To better
      understand pediatric catheter consultations, we reviewed our experience.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: All pediatric catheter consultations between July 2009 and
      June 2012 were identified. A retrospective review was then performed, focusing on
      demographics, reasons for consultation and difficulty of catheter placement. The
      4 categories of difficulty noted were easy, challenging, extremely difficult and
      could not be placed. Patients were excluded from analysis if catheter placement
      was not needed, the consultation was for a catheterizable stoma or they were
      status post urological surgery. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate
      associations between patient factors and difficulty of placement. RESULTS: A
      total of 93 consultations were identified, of which 57% were inpatient, 28%
      intraoperative and 15% other source. Of the inpatient consultations 75% were from
      an intensive care unit, the majority (80%) of which were for catheter placement,
      with the remainder for removal, nondraining catheter, trauma or other. After
      exclusions 65 patients remained, of whom 80% were male and 32% had a urological
      comorbidity. By difficulty level 69.2% of cases were easy, 15.4% were
      challenging, 9.2% were extremely difficult and 6.2% could not be placed. Location
      of consult, gender, urological comorbidity and history of prematurity were not
      significantly associated with difficult catheter placement. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pediatric catheter consultations are largely straightforward. Comorbidities do
      not significantly impact catheter placement. Correct catheter technique may be
      more important than patient comorbidities, giving us a basis to shape catheter
      insertion training within pediatric hospitals.

PMID- 24231840
TI  - New renal cell carcinomas in the International Society of Urological Pathology
      Vancouver classification of renal neoplasia.

PMID- 24231841
TI  - Crossed fused renal ectopia.

PMID- 24231842
TI  - New contralateral vesicoureteral reflux-is it double trouble?

PMID- 24231843
TI  - 5-Year outcome of a randomized prospective study comparing bacillus Calmette
      Guerin with epirubicin and interferon-alpha2b in patients with T1 bladder cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: In a multicenter, prospectively randomized study we evaluated the 5-year
      outcomes of bacillus Calmette-Guerin alone compared to a combination of
      epirubicin and interferon-alpha2b in the treatment of patients with T1 bladder
      cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transurethral resection was followed by a second
      resection and bladder mapping. Stratification was for grade and carcinoma in
      situ. Followup entailed regular cystoscopy and cytology during the first 5 years.
      The end points assessed in this analysis were recurrence-free survival, time to
      treatment failure and progression, cancer specific survival and prognostic
      factors. RESULTS: The study recruited 250 eligible patients. The 5-year
      recurrence-free survival rate was 38% in the combination arm and 59% in the
      bacillus Calmette-Guerin arm (p = 0.001). The corresponding rates for the other
      end points were not significantly different, as free of progression 78% and 77%,
      treatment failure 75% and 75%, and cancer specific survival 90% and 92%,
      respectively. The type of treatment, tumor size and tumor status at second
      resection were independent variables associated with recurrence. Concomitant
      carcinoma in situ was not predictive of failure of bacillus Calmette-Guerin
      therapy. An independent factor for treatment failure was remaining T1 stage at
      second resection. CONCLUSIONS: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin was more effective than
      the tested combination therapy. The currently recommended management with second
      resection and 3-week maintenance bacillus Calmette-Guerin entails a low risk of
      cancer specific death. More aggressive treatment in patients with infiltrative
      tumors at second resection might improve these results. In particular,
      concomitant carcinoma in situ was not a predictive factor for poor outcome after
      bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy.

PMID- 24231844
TI  - Differentiating between symptomatic and asymptomatic urinary tract infections
      using genetic tools.

PMID- 24231845
TI  - Systematic review and meta-analysis of perioperative and oncologic outcomes of
      laparoscopic cryoablation versus laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for the
      treatment of small renal tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: For the minimally invasive treatment of small renal tumors, laparoscopic
      cryoablation has emerged as an alternative procedure to minimally invasive
      partial nephrectomy (laparoscopic, robot-assisted laparoscopic) for selected
      patients, but there are still limited data regarding its safety and oncologic
      efficacy. We compare perioperative and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic
      cryoablation and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy/robot-assisted laparoscopic
      partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the literature published
      until September 2013 from MEDLINE(r), Web of Science(r) and major conference
      proceedings. We included studies comparing laparoscopic cryoablation and
      laparoscopic partial nephrectomy/robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
      if they reported oncologic or perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: Overall 13
      retrospective, nonrandomized, observational studies met our inclusion criteria.
      According to the modified NOS (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) 7 studies (53%) were
      considered to be of higher quality. Compared with laparoscopic partial
      nephrectomy/robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic
      cryoablation was associated with significantly shorter operative times (weighted
      mean difference [WMD] 35.45 minutes), lower estimated blood loss (WMD 130.11 ml),
      shorter length of stay (WMD 1.22 days), and a lower risk of total (RR 1.82),
      urological (RR 1.99) and nonurological complications (RR 2.33). Patients
      undergoing laparoscopic cryoablation had a significantly increased risk of local
      (RR 9.39) and metastatic tumor progression (RR 4.68). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis
      provides fair evidence that oncologic outcomes are substantially worse for
      laparoscopic cryoablation than for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy/robot
      assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, but laparoscopic cryoablation may be
      associated with improved perioperative outcomes. Therefore, surgical resection
      may be encouraged in the majority of cases. Balancing cancer control with the
      risk of perioperative complications is crucial for patient counseling and
      selection of the appropriate procedure. Prospective, randomized controlled
      studies with long-term followup are needed to confirm our findings.

PMID- 24231847
TI  - Endovascular treatment of 300 consecutive middle cerebral artery aneurysms:
      clinical and radiologic outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is controversy as to the best mode of treating MCA
      aneurysms. We report the results of a large endovascular series of patients
      treated at our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective
      analysis of a prospectively acquired data base. All patients with saccular MCA
      aneurysms treated between November 1996 and June 2012 were included. World
      Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade, aneurysm site, size, and aneurysm
      neck size were recorded, along with clinical outcome assessed with the Glasgow
      Outcome Scale and radiographic occlusion assessed with the Raymond classification
      at 6 months and 2.5 years. RESULTS: A total of 295 patients with 300 MCA
      aneurysms were treated including 244 ruptured aneurysms (80.7%). The technical
      failure rate was 4.3% (13 patients). Complete occlusion or neck remnant was
      achieved in 264 (91.4%). Complications included rupture in 15 patients (5%),
      thromboembolism in 17 patients (5.7%), and early rebleeding in 3 patients (1%).
      Overall permanent procedural-related morbidity and mortality were seen in 12
      patients (7.8%). Of the ruptured aneurysms, 189 (79.4%) had a favorable clinical
      outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 4-5). A total of 33 patients (13.6%) died.
      On initial angiographic follow-up, aneurysm remnant was seen in 18 aneurysms
      (8.1%). A total of 13 patients (4.3%) were re-treated. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      experience demonstrates that endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms has an
      acceptable safety profile with low rates of technical failure and re-treatment.
      Therefore, coiling is acceptable as the primary treatment of MCA aneurysms.

PMID- 24231848
TI  - Diffusional kurtosis imaging of the developing brain.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusional kurtosis imaging is an extension of DTI but
      includes non-Gaussian diffusion effects, allowing more comprehensive
      characterization of microstructural changes during brain development. Our purpose
      was to use diffusional kurtosis imaging to measure age-related microstructural
      changes in both the WM and GM of the developing human brain. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Diffusional kurtosis imaging was performed in 59 subjects ranging from
      birth to 4 years 7 months of age. Diffusion metrics, fractional anisotropy, and
      mean kurtosis were collected from VOIs within multiple WM and GM structures and
      subsequently analyzed with respect to age. Diffusional kurtosis tractography
      images at various stages of development were also generated. RESULTS: Fractional
      anisotropy and mean kurtosis both showed age-related increases in all WM regions,
      reflecting progression of diffusional anisotropy throughout development,
      predominantly in the first 2 years of life (eg, 70% and 157% increase in
      fractional anisotropy and mean kurtosis, respectively, from birth to 2 years for
      the splenium). However, mean kurtosis detected continued microstructural changes
      in WM past the fractional anisotropy plateau, accounting for more delayed
      isotropic changes (eg, 90% of maximum fractional anisotropy was reached at 5
      months, whereas 90% of maximum mean kurtosis occurred at 18 months for the
      external capsule). Mean kurtosis may also provide greater characterization of GM
      maturation (eg, the putamen showed no change in fractional anisotropy but an 81%
      change in mean kurtosis from birth to 4 years 7 months). CONCLUSIONS: Mean
      kurtosis detects significant microstructural changes consistent with known
      patterns of brain maturation. In comparison with fractional anisotropy, mean
      kurtosis may offer a more comprehensive evaluation of age-related microstructural
      changes in both WM and GM and is potentially a valuable technique for studying
      brain development.

PMID- 24231849
TI  - Imaging findings in auto-atticotomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An acquired attic cholesteatoma may spontaneously drain
      externally into the external auditory canal, leaving a cavity in the attic with
      the shape of the original cholesteatoma but now filled with air, a phenomenon
      referred to as "nature's atticotomy" or auto-atticotomy. We describe and quantify
      the CT appearance of the auto-atticotomy cavity as it pertains to the appearance
      of the scutum and the lateral attic wall. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one
      patients with erosion of the scutum and loss of the lower attic wall on MDCT were
      identified during a 5-year span. Images were assessed for measureable widening of
      the space between the ossicles and the lower lateral attic wall in the axial and
      coronal planes. Three measurements of the lateral attic were made on the axial
      images. Findings were compared with the same measurements in 20 control subjects.
      RESULTS: The 21 patients had a characteristic blunting of the scutum with loss of
      the lower lateral attic wall and widening of the lateral attic, consistent with
      an auto-atticotomy. There was a statistically significant (P < .001) widening of
      the lateral attic dimensions in the axial plane in the patients with auto
      atticotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneously evacuated cholesteatoma may mimic a
      surgical atticotomy on MDCT. Scutal erosion and attic enlargement with a smoothly
      contoured bony remodeling of the lower lateral attic wall in a patient with no
      history of surgery suggest that a cholesteatoma was previously present and
      spontaneously drained.

PMID- 24231850
TI  - Accountable care organizations: what radiologists should know.

PMID- 24231851
TI  - Genetics of Huntington disease.

PMID- 24231852
TI  - Validation and initial application of a semiautomatic aneurysm measurement
      software: a tool for assessing volumetric packing attenuation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Precise aneurysm measurements and volume embolization
      ratios are essential for long-term durability of endovascular coil embolization.
      We evaluated the accuracy of newly developed semiautomatic cerebral aneurysm
      measurement software, NeuroVision, and explored the value of volume embolization
      ratio in the prediction of re-treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared
      software-derived volume measurements of 4 silicone aneurysm models with those
      calculated with an approximation formula and ground truth values (validation
      study). We used NeuroVision to retrospectively evaluate outcomes of 100
      unruptured aneurysms (97 patients) treated with embolization (clinical study).
      Aneurysm size (height, width, and neck), volume, and volume embolization ratios
      were calculated for 3 groups (stable, recanalization, and re-treatment) and were
      compared. RESULTS: This validation study illustrated higher accuracy of
      NeuroVision in computing aneurysm volume compared with an approximation formula:
      percentage absolute errors were 4.50% +/- 3.18% and 23.07% +/- 17.60%, with
      maximal percentage absolute errors of 8.99% and 45.63%, respectively. Of 100
      unruptured aneurysms, 20 recanalized and 12 were re-treated. Average volume
      embolization ratios of stable and re-treated aneurysms were 24.88% +/- 5.91% and
      20.50% +/- 4.06%, respectively (P <= .01). The optimal volume embolization ratio
      cutoff point for re-treatment was < 19.15%, at which the Youden index was 0.50
      (sensitivity, 58.33%; specificity, 87.50%; area under the receiver operating
      characteristic curve, 0.74). CONCLUSIONS: The NeuroVision software provided
      accurate aneurysm volume measurements and may be a useful standardized tool to
      measure aneurysm size and volume, especially for multicenter clinical studies.
      Volume embolization ratio may be a valuable predictor of aneurysm occlusion
      changes.

PMID- 24231853
TI  - Temporal correlation between wall shear stress and in-stent stenosis after
      Wingspan stent in swine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A recent randomized clinical trial on intracranial
      atherosclerosis was discontinued because of the higher frequency of stroke and
      death in the angioplasty and stent placement group than in the medical treatment
      group. An in-depth understanding of the relationship between biologic responses
      and flow dynamics is still required to identify the current limitations of
      intracranial stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five Wingspan stents were
      deployed in tapered swine ascending pharyngeal arteries. Temporal wall shear
      stress distributions and in-stent stenosis were evaluated at days 0, 7, 14, and
      28 after stent placement. The physiologic role of wall shear stress was analyzed
      regarding its correlation with in-stent stenosis. RESULTS: In-stent stenosis
      reached a peak of nearly 40% at day 14 and decreased mainly at the distal stent
      segment until day 28. The wall shear stress demonstrated a characteristic pattern
      with time on the basis of the in-stent stenosis change. The wall shear stress
      gradient increased from the proximal to distal segment until day 14. At day 28,
      the trend was reversed dramatically, decreasing from the proximal to the distal
      segment. A significant correlation between the in-stent stenosis growth until day
      14 and low wall shear stress values just after stent placement was detected. In
      stent stenosis regression between days 14 and 28 was also associated with the
      high wall shear stress values at day 14. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the
      physiologic wall shear stress can control the biphasic in-stent stenosis change
      in tapered arteries.

PMID- 24231854
TI  - Mind the gap: impact of computational fluid dynamics solution strategy on
      prediction of intracranial aneurysm hemodynamics and rupture status indicators.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Computational fluid dynamics has become a popular tool
      for studying intracranial aneurysm hemodynamics, demonstrating success for
      retrospectively discriminating rupture status; however, recent highly refined
      simulations suggest potential deficiencies in solution strategies normally used
      in the aneurysm computational fluid dynamics literature. The purpose of the
      present study was to determine the impact of this gap. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Pulsatile flow in 12 realistic MCA aneurysms was simulated by using both high
      resolution and normal-resolution strategies. Velocity fields were compared at
      selected instants via domain-averaged error. We also compared wall shear stress
      fields and various reduced hemodynamic indices: cycle-averaged mean and maximum
      wall shear stress, oscillatory shear index, low shear area, viscous dissipation
      ratio, and kinetic energy ratio. RESULTS: Instantaneous differences in flow and
      wall shear stress patterns were appreciable, especially for bifurcation
      aneurysms. Linear regressions revealed strong correlations (R(2) > 0.9) between
      high-resolution and normal-resolution solutions for all indices except kinetic
      energy ratio (R(2) = 0.25) and oscillatory shear index (R(2) = 0.23); however,
      for most indices, the slopes were significantly <1, reflecting a pronounced
      underestimation by the normal-resolution simulations. Some high-resolution
      simulations were highly unstable, with fluctuating wall shear stresses reflected
      by the poor oscillatory shear index correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Typical
      computational fluid dynamics solution strategies may ultimately be adequate for
      augmenting rupture risk assessment on the basis of certain highly reduced
      indices; however, they cannot be relied on for predicting the magnitude and
      character of the complex biomechanical stimuli to which the aneurysm wall may be
      exposed. This impact of the computational fluid dynamics solution strategy is
      likely greater than that for other modeling assumptions or uncertainties.

PMID- 24231855
TI  - Comparison of swallowing functions between brain tumor and stroke patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the swallowing functions according to the lesion locations
      between brain tumor and stroke patients. METHODS: Forty brain tumor patients and
      the same number of age-, lesion-, and functional status-matching stroke patients
      were enrolled in this study. Before beginning the swallowing therapy, swallowing
      function was evaluated in all subjects by videofluoroscopic swallowing study.
      Brain lesions were classified as either supratentorial or in-fratentorial. We
      evaluated the following: the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
      National Outcome Measurement System (NOMS) swallowing scale, clinical dysphagia
      scale, functional dysphagia scale (FDS), penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), oral
      transit time, pharyngeal transit time, the presence of vallecular pouch residue,
      pyriform sinus residue, laryngopharyngeal incoordination, premature spillage, a
      decreased swal-lowing reflex, pneumonia, and the feeding method at discharge.
      RESULTS: The incidence of dysphagia was similar in brain tumor and stroke
      patients. There were no differences in the results of the various swallowing
      scales and other parameters between the two groups. When compared brain tumor
      patients with supratentorial lesions, brain tumor patients with infratentorial
      lesions showed higher propor-tion of dysphagia (p=0.01), residue (p<0.01), FDS
      (p<0.01), PAS (p<0.01), and lower ASHA NOMS (p=0.02) at initial evaluation.
      However, there was no significant difference for the swallowing functions between
      benign and malig-nant brain tumor patients. CONCLUSION: Swallowing function of
      brain tumor patients was not different from that of stroke patients according to
      matching age, location of lesion, and functional status. Similar to the stroke
      patients, brain tumor patients with infratentorial lesions present poor
      swallowing functions. However, the type of brain tumor as malignancy does not
      influence swallowing functions.

PMID- 24231856
TI  - One-step aqueous synthesis of fluorescent copper nanoclusters by direct metal
      reduction.
AB  - A one-step aqueous synthesis of highly fluorescent water-soluble copper
      nanoclusters (CuNCs) is here described, based on direct reduction of the metal
      precursor with NaBH4 in the presence of bidentate ligands (made of lipoic acid
      anchoring groups, appended with a poly(ethylene glycol) short chain). A complete
      optical and structural characterization was carried out: the optical emission was
      centred at 416 nm, with a luminescence quantum yield in water of 3.6% (the
      highest one reported so far in water for this kind of nanocluster). The
      structural characterization reveals a homogeneous size distribution (of 2.5 nm
      diameter) with spherical shape. The CuNCs obtained offer long-term stability (the
      luminescence emission remained unaltered after more than two months) under a
      broad range of chemical conditions (e.g., stored at pH 3-12 or even in a high
      ionic strength medium such as 1 M NaCl) and high photostability, keeping their
      fluorescence emission intact after more than 2 h of daylight and UV-light
      exposition. All those advantageous features warrant synthesized CuNCs being
      promising fluorescent nanoprobes for further developments including
      (bio)applications.

PMID- 24231858
TI  - Superconductivity at the border of electron localization and itinerancy.
AB  - The superconducting state of iron pnictides and chalcogenides exists at the
      border of anti-ferromagnetic order. Consequently, these materials could provide
      clues about the relationship between magnetism and unconventional
      superconductivity. One explanation, motivated by the so-called bad metal
      behaviour of these materials proposes that magnetism and superconductivity
      develop out of quasi-localized magnetic moments that are generated by strong
      electron-electron correlations. Another suggests that these phenomena are the
      result of weakly interacting electron states that lie on nested Fermi surfaces.
      Here we address the issue by comparing the newly discovered alkaline iron
      selenide superconductors, which exhibit no Fermi-surface nesting, to their iron
      pnictide counterparts. We show that the strong-coupling approach leads to similar
      pairing amplitudes in these materials, despite their different Fermi surfaces. We
      also find that the pairing amplitudes are largest at the boundary between
      electronic localization and itinerancy, suggesting that new superconductors might
      be found in materials with similar characteristics. 

PMID- 24231857
TI  - De-escalation of antimicrobial treatment in neutropenic patients with severe
      sepsis: results from an observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In severe sepsis, guidelines recommend de-escalating the empirical
      antimicrobial treatment as soon as the microbiological results are available. We
      aimed to determine the rate of de-escalation of the empirical antimicrobial
      treatment in neutropenic patients with severe sepsis. The characteristics of
      antimicrobial treatment associated with de-escalation and its impact on short-
      and long-term survival were also determined. METHODS: In the intensive care unit
      (ICU) of a cancer referral center, we prospectively collected observational data
      related to the antimicrobial management in neutropenic patients who developed
      severe sepsis and were admitted to ICU for at least 48 h. De-escalation of
      antimicrobial therapy consisted either of deleting one of the empirical
      antibiotics of a combined treatment, or, whenever possible, to use a betalactam
      antibiotic with a narrower spectrum of activity. Multivariate logistic regression
      was conducted to determine the factors associated with de-escalation, while a Cox
      proportional hazards model with a time-dependent covariate was fitted to assess
      the effect of de-escalation on 30-day survival. Finally 1-year survival after ICU
      discharge was compared across de-escalation groups. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence
      of de-escalation of the empirical antimicrobial treatment among the 101 patients
      of the cohort was 44%, [95% confidence interval (CI) 38-53%], including 30 (68%)
      patients with ongoing neutropenia. A microbiological documentation was available
      in 63 (63%) patients. Factors associated with de-escalation were the adequation
      of the empirical antimicrobial treatment in ICU [OR = 10.8 (95% CI 1.20-96)] for
      adequate documented treatment versus appropriate empirical treatment, the
      compliance with guidelines regarding the empirical choice of the anti-pseudomonal
      betalactam [OR = 10.8 (95% CI 1.3-89.5)]. De-escalation did not significantly
      modify the hazard of death within the first 30 days [HR = 0.51 (95% CI 0.20
      1.33)], nor within 1 year after ICU discharge [HR = 1.06 (95% CI 0.54-2.08)].
      CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that, in ICU, de-escalation of the empirical
      antimicrobial treatment is frequently applied in neutropenic cancer patients with
      severe sepsis. No evidence of any prognostic impact of this de-escalation was
      found.

PMID- 24231859
TI  - An integrative approach to apprehend desistance.
AB  - The process underlying desistance is still a strong subject of debate. This
      article seeks to introduce several core concepts of Archer's morphogenic approach
      to study how people desist from crime. At first, it discusses the primary
      existing theories of desistance. Then, this article demonstrates the usefulness
      of this approach by presenting empirical evidence drawn from semistructured
      interviews collected with 29 men who desisted from crime in an eastern province
      of Canada. The study demonstrates how this alternative approach allows for the
      consolidation of existing knowledge on desistance. Then implication of these
      findings for both theory and practice are discussed. 

PMID- 24231860
TI  - An outcome evaluation of a prison-based life-skills program: the power of people.
AB  - The Power of People (PoP) is a personal leadership development course that was
      originally developed in a non-correctional setting and now serves as a prison
      based life skills course. This study examined PoP's effect on four different
      types of recidivism: rearrest, reconviction, reincarceration, and technical
      violation revocation. The results of the analyses revealed that PoP does not have
      a significant effect on any of the four measures of recidivism. Following
      established principles of effective correctional treatment, we make several
      recommendations that could improve PoP's effectiveness on recidivism outcomes.
      Overall, this study provides guidance on how to make programs not originally
      designed for correctional systems into effective recidivism-reducing tools. 

PMID- 24231861
TI  - Easily available nickel complexes as catalysts for the intermolecular
      hydroamination of alkenes and alkynes.
AB  - A series of nickel complexes of the type [(P-P)NiX2] ((P-P) = bisphospines or
      bisphosphites, X = chloride, triflate) were used as catalysts for the
      hydroamination of both activated and unactivated alkenes and alkynes with
      pyrrolidine. In general, the use of activated unsaturations, such as
      acrylonitrile, required mild reaction conditions (e.g. 100  degrees C and 4 h) in
      comparison with other non-activated alkenes. Particularly with a series of
      alkynes, the use of nickel(II) centers diminished or even inhibited the formation
      of otherwise undesired homocoupling and/or transfer hydrogenation by-products,
      such as the ones obtained in the presence of zerovalent nickel. When using less
      activated substrates, better selectivity was obtained, although harsher reaction
      conditions were needed. From a general perspective, the results of this report
      strongly support the potential use of nickel as a good candidate for further
      application in the hydroamination of organic unsaturations by means of screening
      of several pi acceptor ligands.

PMID- 24231862
TI  - A morphological approach to curvature-based evolution of curves and surfaces.
AB  - We introduce new results connecting differential and morphological operators that
      provide a formal and theoretically grounded approach for stable and fast contour
      evolution. Contour evolution algorithms have been extensively used for boundary
      detection and tracking in computer vision. The standard solution based on partial
      differential equations and level-sets requires the use of numerical methods of
      integration that are costly computationally and may have stability issues. We
      present a morphological approach to contour evolution based on a new curvature
      morphological operator valid for surfaces of any dimension. We approximate the
      numerical solution of the curve evolution PDE by the successive application of a
      set of morphological operators defined on a binary level-set and with equivalent
      infinitesimal behavior. These operators are very fast, do not suffer numerical
      stability issues, and do not degrade the level set function, so there is no need
      to reinitialize it. Moreover, their implementation is much easier since they do
      not require the use of sophisticated numerical algorithms. We validate the
      approach providing a morphological implementation of the geodesic active
      contours, the active contours without borders, and turbopixels. In the
      experiments conducted, the morphological implementations converge to solutions
      equivalent to those achieved by traditional numerical solutions, but with
      significant gains in simplicity, speed, and stability. 

PMID- 24231863
TI  - Anomaly detection and localization in crowded scenes.
AB  - The detection and localization of anomalous behaviors in crowded scenes is
      considered, and a joint detector of temporal and spatial anomalies is proposed.
      The proposed detector is based on a video representation that accounts for both
      appearance and dynamics, using a set of mixture of dynamic textures models. These
      models are used to implement 1) a center-surround discriminant saliency detector
      that produces spatial saliency scores, and 2) a model of normal behavior that is
      learned from training data and produces temporal saliency scores. Spatial and
      temporal anomaly maps are then defined at multiple spatial scales, by considering
      the scores of these operators at progressively larger regions of support. The
      multiscale scores act as potentials of a conditional random field that guarantees
      global consistency of the anomaly judgments. A data set of densely crowded
      pedestrian walkways is introduced and used to evaluate the proposed anomaly
      detector. Experiments on this and other data sets show that the latter achieves
      state-of-the-art anomaly detection results. 

PMID- 24231864
TI  - Asymmetric distances for binary embeddings.
AB  - In large-scale query-by-example retrieval, embedding image signatures in a binary
      space offers two benefits: data compression and search efficiency. While most
      embedding algorithms binarize both query and database signatures, it has been
      noted that this is not strictly a requirement. Indeed, asymmetric schemes that
      binarize the database signatures but not the query still enjoy the same two
      benefits but may provide superior accuracy. In this work, we propose two general
      asymmetric distances that are applicable to a wide variety of embedding
      techniques including locality sensitive hashing (LSH), locality sensitive binary
      codes (LSBC), spectral hashing (SH), PCA embedding (PCAE), PCAE with random
      rotations (PCAE-RR), and PCAE with iterative quantization (PCAE-ITQ). We
      experiment on four public benchmarks containing up to 1M images and show that the
      proposed asymmetric distances consistently lead to large improvements over the
      symmetric Hamming distance for all binary embedding techniques. 

PMID- 24231865
TI  - Consistent latent position estimation and vertex classification for random dot
      product graphs.
AB  - In this work, we show that using the eigen-decomposition of the adjacency matrix,
      we can consistently estimate latent positions for random dot product graphs
      provided the latent positions are i.i.d. from some distribution. If class labels
      are observed for a number of vertices tending to infinity, then we show that the
      remaining vertices can be classified with error converging to Bayes optimal using
      the $(k)$-nearest-neighbors classification rule. We evaluate the proposed methods
      on simulated data and a graph derived from Wikipedia. 

PMID- 24231866
TI  - Continuous energy minimization for multitarget tracking.
AB  - Many recent advances in multiple target tracking aim at finding a (nearly)
      optimal set of trajectories within a temporal window. To handle the large space
      of possible trajectory hypotheses, it is typically reduced to a finite set by
      some form of data-driven or regular discretization. In this work, we propose an
      alternative formulation of multitarget tracking as minimization of a continuous
      energy. Contrary to recent approaches, we focus on designing an energy that
      corresponds to a more complete representation of the problem, rather than one
      that is amenable to global optimization. Besides the image evidence, the energy
      function takes into account physical constraints, such as target dynamics, mutual
      exclusion, and track persistence. In addition, partial image evidence is handled
      with explicit occlusion reasoning, and different targets are disambiguated with
      an appearance model. To nevertheless find strong local minima of the proposed
      nonconvex energy, we construct a suitable optimization scheme that alternates
      between continuous conjugate gradient descent and discrete transdimensional jump
      moves. These moves, which are executed such that they always reduce the energy,
      allow the search to escape weak minima and explore a much larger portion of the
      search space of varying dimensionality. We demonstrate the validity of our
      approach with an extensive quantitative evaluation on several public data sets. 

PMID- 24231867
TI  - Cross-sensor iris recognition through kernel learning.
AB  - Due to the increasing popularity of iris biometrics, new sensors are being
      developed for acquiring iris images and existing ones are being continuously
      upgraded. Re-enrolling users every time a new sensor is deployed is expensive and
      time-consuming, especially in applications with a large number of enrolled users.
      However, recent studies show that cross-sensor matching, where the test samples
      are verified using data enrolled with a different sensor, often lead to reduced
      performance. In this paper, we propose a machine learning technique to mitigate
      the cross-sensor performance degradation by adapting the iris samples from one
      sensor to another. We first present a novel optimization framework for learning
      transformations on iris biometrics. We then utilize this framework for sensor
      adaptation, by reducing the distance between samples of the same class, and
      increasing it between samples of different classes, irrespective of the sensors
      acquiring them. Extensive evaluations on iris data from multiple sensors
      demonstrate that the proposed method leads to improvement in cross-sensor
      recognition accuracy. Furthermore, since the proposed technique requires minimal
      changes to the iris recognition pipeline, it can easily be incorporated into
      existing iris recognition systems. 

PMID- 24231868
TI  - Discriminative illumination: per-pixel classification of raw materials based on
      optimal projections of spectral BRDF.
AB  - Classifying raw, unpainted materials--metal, plastic, ceramic, fabric, and so on-
      is an important yet challenging task for computer vision. Previous works measure
      subsets of surface spectral reflectance as features for classification. However,
      acquiring the full spectral reflectance is time consuming and error-prone. In
      this paper, we propose to use coded illumination to directly measure
      discriminative features for material classification. Optimal illumination
      patterns--which we call "discriminative illumination"--are learned from training
      samples, after projecting to which the spectral reflectance of different
      materials are maximally separated. This projection is automatically realized by
      the integration of incident light for surface reflection. While a single
      discriminative illumination is capable of linear, two-class classification, we
      show that multiple discriminative illuminations can be used for nonlinear and
      multiclass classification. We also show theoretically that the proposed method
      has higher signal-to-noise ratio than previous methods due to light multiplexing.
      Finally, we construct an LED-based multispectral dome and use the discriminative
      illumination method for classifying a variety of raw materials, including metal
      (aluminum, alloy, steel, stainless steel, brass, and copper), plastic, ceramic,
      fabric, and wood. Experimental results demonstrate its effectiveness.

PMID- 24231869
TI  - Entropy-rate clustering: cluster analysis via maximizing a submodular function
      subject to a matroid constraint.
AB  - We propose a new objective function for clustering. This objective function
      consists of two components: the entropy rate of a random walk on a graph and a
      balancing term. The entropy rate favors formation of compact and homogeneous
      clusters, while the balancing function encourages clusters with similar sizes and
      penalizes larger clusters that aggressively group samples. We present a novel
      graph construction for the graph associated with the data and show that this
      construction induces a matroid--a combinatorial structure that generalizes the
      concept of linear independence in vector spaces. The clustering result is given
      by the graph topology that maximizes the objective function under the matroid
      constraint. By exploiting the submodular and monotonic properties of the
      objective function, we develop an efficient greedy algorithm. Furthermore, we
      prove an approximation bound of (1/2) for the optimality of the greedy solution.
      We validate the proposed algorithm on various benchmarks and show its competitive
      performances with respect to popular clustering algorithms. We further apply it
      for the task of superpixel segmentation. Experiments on the Berkeley segmentation
      data set reveal its superior performances over the state-of-the-art superpixel
      segmentation algorithms in all the standard evaluation metrics.

PMID- 24231871
TI  - Likelihood-ratio-based verification in high-dimensional spaces.
AB  - The increase of the dimensionality of data sets often leads to problems during
      estimation, which are denoted as the curse of dimensionality. One of the problems
      of second-order statistics (SOS) estimation in high-dimensional data is that the
      resulting covariance matrices are not full rank, so their inversion, for example,
      needed in verification systems based on the likelihood ratio, is an ill-posed
      problem, known as the singularity problem. A classical solution to this problem
      is the projection of the data onto a lower dimensional subspace using principle
      component analysis (PCA) and it is assumed that any further estimation on this
      dimension-reduced data is free from the effects of the high dimensionality. Using
      theory on SOS estimation in high-dimensional spaces, we show that the solution
      with PCA is far from optimal in verification systems if the high dimensionality
      is the sole source of error. For moderate dimensionality, it is already
      outperformed by solutions based on euclidean distances and it breaks down
      completely if the dimensionality becomes very high. We propose a new method, the
      fixed-point eigenwise correction, which does not have these disadvantages and
      performs close to optimal. 

PMID- 24231870
TI  - Joint sparse representation for robust multimodal biometrics recognition.
AB  - Traditional biometric recognition systems rely on a single biometric signature
      for authentication. While the advantage of using multiple sources of information
      for establishing the identity has been widely recognized, computational models
      for multimodal biometrics recognition have only recently received attention. We
      propose a multimodal sparse representation method, which represents the test data
      by a sparse linear combination of training data, while constraining the
      observations from different modalities of the test subject to share their sparse
      representations. Thus, we simultaneously take into account correlations as well
      as coupling information among biometric modalities. A multimodal quality measure
      is also proposed to weigh each modality as it gets fused. Furthermore, we also
      kernelize the algorithm to handle nonlinearity in data. The optimization problem
      is solved using an efficient alternative direction method. Various experiments
      show that the proposed method compares favorably with competing fusion-based
      methods. 

PMID- 24231872
TI  - Temporal analysis of motif mixtures using Dirichlet processes.
AB  - In this paper, we present a new model for unsupervised discovery of recurrent
      temporal patterns (or motifs) in time series (or documents). The model is
      designed to handle the difficult case of multivariate time series obtained from a
      mixture of activities, that is, our observations are caused by the superposition
      of multiple phenomena occurring concurrently and with no synchronization. The
      model uses nonparametric Bayesian methods to describe both the motifs and their
      occurrences in documents. We derive an inference scheme to automatically and
      simultaneously recover the recurrent motifs (both their characteristics and
      number) and their occurrence instants in each document. The model is widely
      applicable and is illustrated on datasets coming from multiple modalities, mainly
      videos from static cameras and audio localization data. The rich semantic
      interpretation that the model offers can be leveraged in tasks such as event
      counting or for scene analysis. The approach is also used as a mean of doing soft
      camera calibration in a camera network. A thorough study of the model parameters
      is provided and a cross-platform implementation of the inference algorithm will
      be made publicly available. 

PMID- 24231873
TI  - What is optimized in convex relaxations for multilabel problems: connecting
      discrete and continuously inspired MAP inference.
AB  - In this work, we present a unified view on Markov random fields (MRFs) and
      recently proposed continuous tight convex relaxations for multilabel assignment
      in the image plane. These relaxations are far less biased toward the grid
      geometry than Markov random fields on grids. It turns out that the continuous
      methods are nonlinear extensions of the well-established local polytope MRF
      relaxation. In view of this result, a better understanding of these tight convex
      relaxations in the discrete setting is obtained. Further, a wider range of
      optimization methods is now applicable to find a minimizer of the tight
      formulation. We propose two methods to improve the efficiency of minimization.
      One uses a weaker, but more efficient continuously inspired approach as
      initialization and gradually refines the energy where it is necessary. The other
      one reformulates the dual energy enabling smooth approximations to be used for
      efficient optimization. We demonstrate the utility of our proposed minimization
      schemes in numerical experiments. Finally, we generalize the underlying energy
      formulation from isotropic metric smoothness costs to arbitrary nonmetric and
      orientation dependent smoothness terms. 

PMID- 24231874
TI  - Learning spectral descriptors for deformable shape correspondence.
AB  - Informative and discriminative feature descriptors play a fundamental role in
      deformable shape analysis. For example, they have been successfully employed in
      correspondence, registration, and retrieval tasks. In recent years, significant
      attention has been devoted to descriptors obtained from the spectral
      decomposition of the Laplace-Beltrami operator associated with the shape. Notable
      examples in this family are the heat kernel signature (HKS) and the recently
      introduced wave kernel signature (WKS). The Laplacian-based descriptors achieve
      state-of-the-art performance in numerous shape analysis tasks; they are
      computationally efficient, isometry-invariant by construction, and can gracefully
      cope with a variety of transformations. In this paper, we formulate a generic
      family of parametric spectral descriptors. We argue that to be optimized for a
      specific task, the descriptor should take into account the statistics of the
      corpus of shapes to which it is applied (the "signal") and those of the class of
      transformations to which it is made insensitive (the "noise"). While such
      statistics are hard to model axiomatically, they can be learned from examples.
      Following the spirit of the Wiener filter in signal processing, we show a
      learning scheme for the construction of optimized spectral descriptors and relate
      it to Mahalanobis metric learning. The superiority of the proposed approach in
      generating correspondences is demonstrated on synthetic and scanned human
      figures. We also show that the learned descriptors are robust enough to be
      learned on synthetic data and transferred successfully to scanned shapes. 

PMID- 24231875
TI  - A compact representation of visual speech data using latent variables.
AB  - The problem of visual speech recognition involves the decoding of the video
      dynamics of a talking mouth in a high-dimensional visual space. In this paper, we
      propose a generative latent variable model to provide a compact representation of
      visual speech data. The model uses latent variables to separately represent the
      interspeaker variations of visual appearances and those caused by uttering within
      images, and incorporates the structural information of the visual data through
      placing priors of the latent variables along a curve embedded within a path
      graph. 

PMID- 24231876
TI  - Local difference binary for ultrafast and distinctive feature description.
AB  - The efficiency and quality of a feature descriptor are critical to the user
      experience of many computer vision applications. However, the existing
      descriptors are either too computationally expensive to achieve real-time
      performance, or not sufficiently distinctive to identify correct matches from a
      large database with various transformations. In this paper, we propose a highly
      efficient and distinctive binary descriptor, called local difference binary
      (LDB). LDB directly computes a binary string for an image patch using simple
      intensity and gradient difference tests on pairwise grid cells within the patch.
      A multiple-gridding strategy and a salient bit-selection method are applied to
      capture the distinct patterns of the patch at different spatial granularities.
      Experimental results demonstrate that compared to the existing state-of-the-art
      binary descriptors, primarily designed for speed, LDB has similar construction
      efficiency, while achieving a greater accuracy and faster speed for mobile object
      recognition and tracking tasks. 

PMID- 24231877
TI  - Robust and efficient saliency modeling from image co-occurrence histograms.
AB  - This paper presents a visual saliency modeling technique that is efficient and
      tolerant to the image scale variation. Different from existing approaches that
      rely on a large number of filters or complicated learning processes, the proposed
      technique computes saliency from image histograms. Several two-dimensional image
      co-occurrence histograms are used, which encode not only "how many" (occurrence)
      but also "where and how" (co-occurrence) image pixels are composed into a visual
      image, hence capturing the "unusualness" of an object or image region that is
      often perceived by either global "uncommonness" (i.e., low occurrence frequency)
      or local "discontinuity" with respect to the surrounding (i.e., low co-occurrence
      frequency). The proposed technique has a number of advantageous characteristics.
      It is fast and very easy to implement. At the same time, it involves minimal
      parameter tuning, requires no training, and is robust to image scale variation.
      Experiments on the AIM dataset show that a superior shuffled AUC (sAUC) of 0.7221
      is obtained, which is higher than the state-of-the-art sAUC of 0.7187. 

PMID- 24231878
TI  - Indications for valve-pressure adjustments of gravitational assisted valves in
      patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modern ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) are programmable, which
      enables clinicians to adjust valve-pressure according to their patients'
      individual needs. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate
      indications for valve-pressure adjustments in idiopathic normal pressure
      hydrocephalus (iNPH). METHODS: Patients operated between 2004 and 2011 diagnosed
      with iNPH were included. Kiefer-Scale was used to classify each patient. Follow
      up exams were conducted 3, 6, and 12 months after shunt implantation and yearly
      thereafter. Initial valve-pressure was 100 or 70 mmH2O. Planned reductions of the
      valve-pressure to 70 and 50 mmH2O, respectively, were carried out and reactive
      adjustment of the valve-pressure to avoid over- and under-drainage were
      indicated. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were provided with a Medos-Hakim
      valve(Codman(r)) with a Miethke shunt-assistant(Aesculap(r)) and 111 patients
      with a Miethke-proGAV(Aesculap(r)). 180 reductions of the valve-pressure took
      place (65% reactive, 35% planned). Most patients (89%) needed one or two
      adjustments of their valve-pressures for optimal results. In 41%, an improvement
      of the symptoms was observed. Gait disorder was improved most often after valve
      pressure adjustments (32%). 18 times an elevation of valve-pressure was necessary
      because of headaches, vertigo, or the development of subdural hygroma. Optimal
      valve-pressure for most patients was around 50 mmH2O (36%). CONCLUSION: The goal
      of shunt therapy in iNPH should usually be valve-pressure settings between 30 and
      70 mmH2O. Reactive adjustments of the valve-pressure are useful for therapy of
      over- and underdrainage symptoms. Planned reductions of the valve opening
      pressure are effective even if postoperative results are already satisfactory.

PMID- 24231881
TI  - (14)C-labeling of the compounds excreted by phytoplankton for employment as a
      realistic tracer in secondary productivity measurements.
AB  - Preparations of the dissolved organic compounds released by photosynthesizing
      marine phytoplankton have been obtained with(14)carbon activities as high as 1.5
      * 10(5) dpm/ml. The radioisotope content of the preparations resides wholly in
      dissolved organic compounds of low molecular weight (MW<3500), which are
      uncontaminated by residual(14)C-labeled inorganic carbon. The labeled compunds
      arise through photosynthetic fixation and do not appear to be products of cell
      lysis during the incubation or to originate from cell damage during the
      filtration step employed. 

PMID- 24231880
TI  - Tubular Enhanced Geodesic Active Contours for Continuum Robot Detection using 3D
      Ultrasound.
AB  - Three dimensional ultrasound is a promising imaging modality for minimally
      invasive robotic surgery. As the robots are typically metallic, they interact
      strongly with the sound waves in ways that are not modeled by the ultrasound
      system's signal processing algorithms. Consequently, they produce substantial
      imaging artifacts that can make image guidance difficult, even for experienced
      surgeons. This paper introduces a new approach for detecting curved continuum
      robots in 3D ultrasound images. The proposed approach combines geodesic active
      contours with a speed function that is based on enhancing the "tubularity" of the
      continuum robot. In particular, it takes advantage of the known robot diameter
      along its length. It also takes advantage of the fact that the robot surface
      facing the ultrasound probe provides the most accurate image. This method, termed
      Tubular Enhanced Geodesic Active Contours (TEGAC), is demonstrated through ex
      vivo intracardiac experiments to offer superior performance compared to
      conventional active contours.

PMID- 24231879
TI  - Long-term drug treatment for obesity: a systematic and clinical review.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Thirty-six percent of US adults are obese, and many cannot lose
      sufficient weight to improve health with lifestyle interventions alone.
      OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of medications currently approved in
      the United States for obesity treatment in adults. We also discuss off-label use
      of medications studied for obesity and provide considerations for obesity
      medication use in clinical practice. EVIDENCE REVIEW: A PubMed search from
      inception through September 2013 was performed to find meta-analyses, systematic
      reviews, and randomized, placebo-controlled trials for currently approved obesity
      medications lasting at least 1 year that had a primary or secondary outcome of
      body weight change, included at least 50 participants per group, reported at
      least 50% retention, and reported results on an intention-to-treat basis. Studies
      of medications approved for other purposes but tested for obesity treatment were
      also reviewed. FINDINGS: Obesity medications approved for long-term use, when
      prescribed with lifestyle interventions, produce additional weight loss relative
      to placebo ranging from approximately 3% of initial weight for orlistat and
      lorcaserin to 9% for top-dose (15/92 mg) phentermine plus topiramate-extended
      release at 1 year. The proportion of patients achieving clinically meaningful (at
      least 5%) weight loss ranges from 37% to 47% for lorcaserin, 35% to 73% for
      orlistat, and 67% to 70% for top-dose phentermine plus topiramate-extended
      release. All 3 medications produce greater improvements in many cardiometabolic
      risk factors than placebo, but no obesity medication has been shown to reduce
      cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. Most prescriptions are for noradrenergic
      medications, despite their approval only for short-term use and limited data for
      their long-term safety and efficacy. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Medications
      approved for long-term obesity treatment, when used as an adjunct to lifestyle
      intervention, lead to greater mean weight loss and an increased likelihood of
      achieving clinically meaningful 1-year weight loss relative to placebo. By
      discontinuing medication in patients who do not respond with weight loss of at
      least 5%, clinicians can decrease their patients' exposure to the risks and costs
      of drug treatment when there is little prospect of long-term benefit.

PMID- 24231882
TI  - Thiosulfate stimulation of microbial dark assimilation of carbon dioxide in
      shallow marine waters.
AB  - The effect of thiosulfate on dark assimilation of carbon dioxide in shallow
      marine environments was investigated in order to explain the recent discovery of
      bacterial thiosulfate oxidation in aerobic, open ocean seawater. The results
      demonstrate that the potential exists for microbial thiosulfate oxidation to
      increase both dark assimilation of carbon dioxide and the utilization of organic
      compounds in the sea. Thiosulfate-stimulated microbial activity may be caused not
      only by chemoautotrophic sulfur bacteria, but also by heterotrophic species which
      oxidize thiosulfate to tetrathionate. Measurements of dark assimilation of carbon
      dioxide made at different incubation times indicate that great care must be taken
      both in experimental procedure and in interpretation of results obtained with the
      dark assimilation technique. 

PMID- 24231883
TI  - Ciliates as a food source for marine planktonic copepods.
AB  - Copepods of the genusEurytemora, isolated from the Patuxent River, a tributary of
      Chesapeake Bay, were fed suspensions of the ciliateUronema isolated from the
      Rhode River, a subestuary of Chesapeake Bay. Grazing by copepods was determined
      by the decrease in numbers of ciliates, which were monitored by both direct
      counting and particle size analysis. Results from both methods of analysis showed
      significant reduction in the numbers ofUronema in the suspension whenEurytemora
      was present. Survival of copepods with ciliates added as food source was
      significantly longer than without ciliates. Analysis of field samples collected
      in the fall showed that ciliates comprised approximately 20% of the total
      plankton biomass at selected sampling sites. The results of the laboratory and
      field studies indicate that copepods can feed on ciliates and suggest that, in
      nature, ciliates may comprise an important source of food for copepods. 

PMID- 24231884
TI  - Microbial populations on Douglas fir needle surfaces.
AB  - The surface microflora on Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco.)
      foliage from old-growth trees in western Oregon has been examined by
      epifluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Colonies of microorganisms on
      both upper and lower surfaces of 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year-old needles from three
      heights in the canopy of a single tree have been counted in belt transects, and
      the relative abundance of various categories of microorganisms has been computed.
      Aggregations of microbial cells are prevalent in the midrib depression along the
      upper surface and in stomatal cavities and gutters between rows of epidermal
      cells on the lower surface. Darkly pigmented hyphae and clumps of cells occur, in
      general, more frequently on the upper needle surface, a habitat more subject to
      desiccation and UV exposure.Protococcus colonies become abundant on both upper
      and lower surfaces of older needles. Microbial cover was found to be
      significantly higher on the bottom of the needle than on the top. The factors
      involved in this effect are considered and discussed. 

PMID- 24231885
TI  - A computer study of the evolution of aerobic heterotrophic bacterial populations
      in sewage and river waters.
AB  - The biodegradation of six surface active agents tested. The biochemical
      characteristics of the aerobic heterotrophic bacteria present in Montpellier
      waste waters and in Rhone water, before and after degradation, were studied by a
      standardized microbiological method. Four hundred strains isolated from these
      populations were compared to 29 reference strains by computer analysis. The
      reference strains were first grouped in classes (single linkage). Then the
      strains were compared first to these classes, and then to each reference strain.
      Whereas the bacterial populations were widely distributed before biodegradation,
      after degradation they were restricted to a few prevailing genera:Pseudomonas,
      Alcaligenes, andKlebsiella. 

PMID- 24231886
TI  - Estimation of downwind viable airborne microbes from a wet cooling tower
      Including settling.
AB  - In recent years, reuse of municipal waste water as the coolant in drift-producing
      cooling towers at electrical generating plants has become increasingly common. A
      hueristic model is presented that can be used to estimate the concentrations of
      viable airborne microbes in the drift from a wet cooling tower given the
      concentration of microbes in the cooling tower. The purpose of this presentation
      is to allow the nonmeteorologist to understand the factors affecting airborne
      concentration and to make crude estimates of ground-level concentrations of
      airborne microorganisms. Concentrations are calculated using a standard
      meterological method, the Gaussian dispersion model, in which terms have been
      included for droplet settling and microbial death rate. 

PMID- 24231887
TI  - Microbial populations associated with the surface of the brown algaAscophyllum
      nodosum.
AB  - The microorganisms on the surface of the brown algaAscophyllum nodosum, collected
      from an intertidal area in Nahant, Massachusetts, were examined using scanning
      electron microscopy. Differences in the microbial populations on the holdfast,
      internodal regions of the stipe, and the apical tips were apparent. The
      populations ranged from a lawn of end-attached bacteria above the holdfast to
      microcolonies of yeast cells near the apical tips. The greatest diversity of
      microorganisms was noted in the internodal region representing the fourth year of
      growth where a dense lawn of end-attached bacteria was overlaid by filamentous
      bacteria, pennate diatoms, and filamentous blue-green algae. A simple procedure
      was developed to estimate the number of bacteria on the surface of the seaweed
      using the scanning electron microscope. The observed distribution of epiphytes
      may be explained in terms of the age of the algal surface, differences in light
      intensity, and the differential secretion of tannin by various parts
      ofAscophyllum. 

PMID- 24231888
TI  - Cultural differences in clinical leadership: a qualitative study comparing the
      attitudes of general dental practitioners from Greater Manchester and Tokyo.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Leadership has been argued to be a key component in the
      transformation of services in the United Kingdom and in Japan. In the UK, local
      professional networks have developed to provide clinician led care in dentistry;
      working to develop local plans to deliver improvements in the quality of care for
      patients. In Japan, the remuneration model for dental care has been revised with
      the aim to improve the service and tackle the current challenges of population
      health there. The aim of this study was to use semi-structured interviews and
      thematic analysis to explore general dental practitioners' (GDPs) understanding
      of the term 'leadership' and determine whether its meaning is culturally bound.
      METHODS: Twelve participants were sampled purposively by the research team;
      identifying GDPs involved in leadership roles from across Greater Manchester and
      Tokyo. A set of open-ended questions was developed for semi-structured interviews
      a priori and the interviews continued until saturation. Interviews were recorded,
      transcribed verbatim and codes were developed into a coding frame for thematic
      analysis. Representative quotations are provided in the results. RESULTS:
      Fourteen codes were identified according to the aims of the study and organised
      into five overarching themes. 'Leadership as the relationship' was more
      pronounced among Japanese GDPs, while 'leadership as the individual' was common
      in GDPs from Greater Manchester. Differences were also found in respect of
      education and training in leadership. Training was also considered to be
      important by the GDPs from Japan, while UK GDPs felt leaders were more likely to
      be influenced by innate qualities. The interdependence of leadership and
      entrepreneurship was raised by both sets of GDPs. CONCLUSION: The concept of
      leadership was considered to be important by GDPs from both Greater Manchester
      and Tokyo; leadership was seen as providing strategy and direction for a clinical
      team. However, cultural influences were evident in how this was conceptualised.

PMID- 24231889
TI  - Knowledge of removable partial denture wearers on denture hygiene.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Regular good denture hygiene by individuals with removable partial
      dentures (RPDs) is an important component of oral health and in the prevention of
      further dental problems. These individuals should be provided with advice on the
      importance of denture care and be aware of this information. AIM: To establish
      deficiencies in patient knowledge surrounding denture hygiene by RPD wearers.
      METHODOLOGY: The study was undertaken as an audit. Data was collected from April
      2012 to October 2012 via a questionnaire completed by 196 RPD wearers attending
      as patients at the University Dental Hospital Wales and the dental units at St
      David's Hospital and Cynon Valley Hospital. The audit criterion was patients with
      RPDs should have knowledge of denture hygiene, with the standard set at 100%.
      RESULTS: While 91.8% of participants stated they were provided with instructions
      on denture hygiene when provided with their current prosthesis, 60.2% were shown
      to have less than an appropriate level of denture cleanliness, with 9.2%
      reporting that they slept wearing their prosthesis. CONCLUSION: The audit
      criterion and standard set were not achieved. A lack of knowledge surrounding
      denture hygiene was demonstrated among participants. As a part of the audit
      process the health education of RPD wearers' hygiene needs to be improved and
      awareness levels of the whole dental team needs to be raised. All partial
      dentures should receive information and regular reinforcement of key dental
      hygiene messages.

PMID- 24231891
TI  - Adapting heart failure guidelines for nursing care in home health settings:
      challenges and solutions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nurses provide most of home health services for patients with heart
      failure, and yet there are no evidence-based practice guidelines developed for
      home health nurses. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to review the
      challenges and solutions for adapting generally available HF clinical practice
      guidelines to home health nursing. METHODS: Appropriate HF guidelines were
      identified and home health nursing-relevant guidelines were extracted by the
      research team. In addition, a team of nursing academic and practice experts
      evaluated the extracted guidelines and reached consensus through Delphi rounds.
      RESULTS: We identified 172 recommendations relevant to home health nursing from
      the American Heart Association and Heart Failure Society of America guidelines.
      The recommendations were divided into 5 groups (generic, minority populations,
      normal ejection fraction, reduced ejection fraction, and comorbidities) and
      further subgroups. Experts agreed that 87% of the recommendations selected by the
      research team were relevant to home health nursing and rejected 6% of the
      selected recommendations. Experts' opinions were split on 7% of guideline
      recommendations. Experts mostly disagreed on recommendations related to HF
      medication and laboratory prescription as well as HF patient assessment. These
      disagreements were due to lack of patient information available to home health
      nurses as well as unclear understanding of scope of practice regulations for home
      health nursing. After 2 Delphi rounds over 8 months, we achieved 100% agreement
      on the recommendations. The finalized guideline included 153 recommendations.
      CONCLUSIONS: Guideline adaptation projects should include a broad scope of
      nursing practice recommendations from which home health agencies can customize
      relevant recommendations in accordance with available information and state and
      agency regulations.

PMID- 24231890
TI  - Using brief motivational interviewing to address the complex needs of a
      challenging patient with heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospitals and healthcare providers are looking for methods to reduce
      hospitalization rates and improve patient outcomes for patients with heart
      failure (HF). Using behavioral approaches to increase patients' confidence in
      their abilities to perform self-care is 1 such approach. Motivational
      interviewing is an empirically validated modality that has shown promise in
      improving motivation to change and confidence in the ability to do so. OBJECTIVE:
      This case represents a number of themes common in the management of care for a HF
      patient and explores a 4-session brief motivational interviewing approach to
      address these themes. The manner in which patient frustration is linked to
      hospitalization is discussed along with possible ways to address problems in self
      care behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of this brief motivational interviewing
      approach, the patient reported an increase in her motivation and ability to
      change and developed a postdischarge plan for incorporating self-care behaviors
      in her daily routine. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Motivational interviewing may be an
      effective method of increasing the self-care behaviors of patients with HF.

PMID- 24231892
TI  - A phenomenological study of day-to-day experiences of living with heart failure:
      do cultural differences matter?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although there is a significant body of literature addressing heart
      failure (HF) epidemiology, physiology, and treatment, little is known about the
      experiences of Thai patients living with this chronic condition. The primary goal
      of this study was to gain a better understanding of how Thai patients with HF
      live with chronic and debilitating illness. METHODS: A phenomenological approach
      was chosen to investigate the experience of living with HF. Fifteen Thai men and
      women with HF in New York Heart Association classes I to III, aged between 47 and
      75 years, were interviewed with open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using
      qualitative inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the
      data analysis: identifying losses or changes in their lives, accepting the
      losses, and regaining some control. Unlike their western counterparts, the Thai
      patients with HF incorporated their karma, a Buddhist belief system, as a tool to
      rationalize the occurrence of their HF experience. The participants of this study
      used kreng jai as a cultural desire not to disrupt the happiness of others, even
      at the expense of efficiency, or to burden others, which might affect their own
      quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The Thai patients with HF faced many limitations.
      The Thai patients with HF use religion and traditional culture to overcome their
      life situations. To support Thai patients with HF, healthcare providers must have
      an understanding of cultural differences.

PMID- 24231893
TI  - Left ventricular noncompaction: a cardiomyopathy with distinct characteristics
      and risks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) cardiomyopathy is a
      heterogeneous condition that is gaining recognition as a distinct clinical
      entity. It is characterized by numerous, excessively prominent ventricular
      trabeculations with deep trabecular recesses and the formation of 2 distinct
      layers of myocardium. It is often unrecognized clinically for decades and poses
      distinct life-threatening complications. Accurate diagnosis is key to minimizing
      risks associated with LVNC. PURPOSE: This article will introduce clinicians to
      the defining criteria and diagnostic process for recognition of LVNC. Left
      ventricular noncompaction is an important clinical entity not easily recognized
      at first glance but has important clinical ramifications for treatment requiring
      an accurate diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular noncompaction is present at
      birth but can remain clinically silent for decades. It is found both in isolation
      and as a part of other congenital cardiac, extracardiac, neuromuscular, and
      genetic syndromes. Left ventricular noncompaction is associated with the major
      complications of heart failure, tachyarrhythmias, and systemic thromboembolism.
      CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Transthoracic echocardiography will likely remain the
      initial screening modality, but modality limitations, questionable findings, and
      clinical presentations suspicious for noncompaction should be followed up
      promptly with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for definitive diagnosis and
      treatment.

PMID- 24231894
TI  - Lomitapide and mipomersen: novel lipid-lowering agents for the management of
      familial hypercholesterolemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder
      caused primarily by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene.
      Familial hypercholesterolemia is characterized by exceedingly high levels of low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and subsequent premature coronary heart
      disease. Homozygous FH (HoFH) is less prevalent, but more severe, than
      heterozygous FH. Current treatment options include dietary therapy, lipid
      lowering agents (eg, statins), and/or LDL-C apheresis. PURPOSE: Despite the
      available treatment options, patients with FH rarely attain treatment goals. This
      review will focus on 2 novel agents, lomitapide and mipomersen, with recently
      approved US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling for use in patients with
      HoFH. CONCLUSIONS: Lomitapide and mipomersen are 2 agents with novel mechanisms
      of action and the ability to significantly lower LDL-C, apolipoprotein B, and non
      high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. A black box warning exists for
      lomitapide and mipomersen regarding the risk for transaminase elevations and
      hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, these agents are currently restricted for use
      only in patients with HoFH and have been required by the FDA to participate in a
      Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These new agents
      offer additional treatment options for clinicians managing patients with HoFH,
      but it remains uncertain whether lomitapide and mipomersen will gain FDA approval
      for use in patients with heterozygous FH or in the general population. Cost and
      concern for the risk for hepatotoxicity will remain limiting factors to these
      agents being more widely used.

PMID- 24231896
TI  - Specimen-specific computational models of ankle sprains produced in a laboratory
      setting.
AB  - The use of computational modeling to predict injury mechanisms and severity has
      recently been investigated, but few models report failure level ligament strains.
      The hypothesis of the study was that models built off neutral ankle experimental
      studies would generate the highest ligament strain at failure in the anterior
      deltoid ligament, comprised of the anterior tibiotalar ligament (ATiTL) and
      tibionavicular ligament (TiNL). For models built off everted ankle experimental
      studies the highest strain at failure would be developed in the anterior
      tibiofibular ligament (ATiFL). An additional objective of the study was to show
      that in these computational models ligament strain would be lower when modeling a
      partial versus complete ligament rupture experiment. To simulate a prior cadaver
      study in which six pairs of cadaver ankles underwent external rotation until
      gross failure, six specimen-specific models were built based on computed
      tomography (CT) scans from each specimen. The models were initially positioned
      with 20 deg dorsiflexion and either everted 20 deg or maintained at neutral to
      simulate the cadaver experiments. Then each model underwent dynamic external
      rotation up to the maximum angle at failure in the experiments, at which point
      the peak strains in the ligaments were calculated. Neutral ankle models predicted
      the average of highest strain in the ATiTL (29.1 +/- 5.3%), correlating with the
      medial ankle sprains in the neutral cadaver experiments. Everted ankle models
      predicted the average of highest strain in the ATiFL (31.2 +/- 4.3%) correlating
      with the high ankle sprains documented in everted experiments. Strains predicted
      for ligaments that suffered gross injuries were significantly higher than the
      strains in ligaments suffering only a partial tear. The correlation between
      strain and ligament damage demonstrates the potential for modeling to provide
      important information for the study of injury mechanisms and for aiding in
      treatment procedure.

PMID- 24231895
TI  - Predicting coronary heart disease events in women: a longitudinal cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than 240 000 women in the United States die of coronary heart
      disease annually. Identifying women's symptoms that predict a coronary heart
      disease event such as myocardial infarction (MI) could decrease mortality.
      OBJECTIVE: For this longitudinal observational study, we recruited 1097 women,
      who were either clinician referred or self-referred to a cardiologist and
      undergoing initial evaluation by a cardiologist, to assess the utility of the
      prodromal symptoms (PS) section of the McSweeney Acute and Prodromal Myocardial
      Infarction Symptom Survey (MAPMISS) in predicting the occurrence of cardiac
      events in women. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-seven women experienced events
      (angioplasty, stent placement, coronary artery bypass, MI, death) during the 2
      year follow up. The most common events were stents alone (38.9%) or in
      combination with angioplasty (18.2%). Ten women had MIs; 4 experienced cardiac
      death. Cox proportional hazards was used to model time to event. The prodromal
      score was significantly associated with risk of an event (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.06-1.13), as was the number of PSs endorsed by each woman
      per visit. After covariate adjustment, 5 symptoms were significantly associated
      with increased risk: discomfort in jaws/teeth, unusual fatigue, arm discomfort,
      shortness of breath, and general chest discomfort (hazard ratio, 3.97; 95%
      confidence interval, 2.32-6.78). Women reporting 1 or more of these symptoms were
      4 times as likely to experience a cardiac event as women with none. CONCLUSIONS:
      Both the MAPMISS PS scores and number of PS were significantly associated with
      cardiac events, independent of risk factors, suggesting that there are specific
      PSs that can be easily assessed using the MAPMISS. This instrument could be an
      important component of a predictive screen to assist clinicians in deciding the
      course of management for women.

PMID- 24231897
TI  - The effect of the variation in ACL constitutive model on joint kinematics and
      biomechanics under different loads: a finite element study.
AB  - The biomechanics and function of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) have been
      widely studied using both experimental and simulation methods. It is known that a
      constitutive model of joint tissue is a critical factor in the numerical
      simulation. Some different ligament constitutive models have been presented to
      describe the ACL material behavior. However, the effect of the variation in the
      ligament constitutive model on joint kinematics and biomechanics has still not
      been studied. In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element model of an
      intact tibiofemoral joint was reconstructed. Three ACL constitutive models were
      compared under different joint loads (such as anterior tibial force, varus tibial
      torque, and valgus tibial torque) to investigate the effect of the change of the
      ACL constitutive model. The three constitutive models corresponded to an
      isotropic hyperelasticity model, a transversely isotropic hyperelasticity model
      with neo-Hookean ground substance description, and a transversely isotropic
      hyperelastic model with nonlinear ground substance description. Although the
      material properties of these constitutive equations were fitted on the same
      uniaxial tension stress-strain curve, the change of the ACL material constitutive
      model was found to induce altered joint kinematics and biomechanics. The effect
      of different ACL constitutive equations on joint kinematics depended on both
      deformation direction and load type. The variation in the ACL constitutive models
      would influence the joint kinematic results greatly in both the anterior and
      internal directions under anterior tibial force as well as some other
      deformations such as the anterior and medial tibial translations under valgus
      tibial torque, and the medial tibial translation and internal rotation under
      varus torque. It was revealed that the transversely isotropic hyperelastic model
      with nonlinear ground substance description (FE model III) was the best
      representation of the realistic ACL property by a linear regression between the
      simulated and the experiment deformation results. But the comparison of the
      predicted and experiment force of ligaments showed that all the three ACL
      constitutive models represented similar force results. The stress value and
      distribution of ACL were also altered by the change in the constitutive equation.
      In brief, although different ACL constitutive models have been fitted using the
      same uniaxial tension curve and have the similar longitudinal material property,
      the ACL constitutive equation should still be carefully chosen to investigate
      joint kinematics and biomechanics due to the different transverse material
      behavior. 

PMID- 24231898
TI  - Theoretical analysis of the state of balance in bipedal walking.
AB  - This paper presents a theoretical analysis based on classic mechanical principles
      of balance of forces in bipedal walking. Theories on the state of balance have
      been proposed in the area of humanoid robotics and although the laws of classical
      mechanics are equivalent to both humans and humanoid robots, the resulting motion
      obtained with these theories is unnatural when compared to normal human gait.
      Humanoid robots are commonly controlled using the zero moment point (ZMP) with
      the condition that the ZMP cannot exit the foot-support area. This condition is
      derived from a physical model in which the biped must always walk under
      dynamically balanced conditions, making the centre of pressure (CoP) and the ZMP
      always coincident. On the contrary, humans follow a different strategy
      characterized by a 'controlled fall' at the end of the swing phase. In this
      paper, we present a thorough theoretical analysis of the state of balance and
      show that the ZMP can exit the support area, and its location is representative
      of the imbalance state characterized by the separation between the ZMP and the
      CoP. Since humans exhibit this behavior, we also present proof-of-concept results
      of a single subject walking on an instrumented treadmill at different speeds
      (from slow 0.7 m/s to fast 2.0 m/s walking with increments of 0.1 m/s) with the
      motion recorded using an optical motion tracking system. In order to evaluate the
      experimental results of this model, the coefficient of determination (R2) is used
      to correlate the measured ground reaction forces and the resultant of inertial
      and gravitational forces (anteroposterior R2 = 0.93, mediolateral R2 = 0.89, and
      vertical R2 = 0.86) indicating that there is a high correlation between the
      measurements. The results suggest that the subject exhibits a complete
      dynamically balanced gait during slow speeds while experiencing a controlled fall
      (end of swing phase) with faster speeds. This is quantified with the root-mean
      square deviation (RMSD) between the CoP and the ZMP, a relationship that grows
      exponentially, suggesting that the ZMP exits the support area earlier with faster
      walking speeds (relative to the stride duration). We conclude that the ZMP is a
      significant concept that can be exploited for the analysis of bipedal balance,
      but we also challenge the control strategy adopted in humanoid robotics that
      forces the ZMP to be contained within the support area causing the robot to
      follow unnatural patterns.

PMID- 24231899
TI  - An analytical approach to study the intraoperative fractures of femoral shaft
      during total hip arthroplasty.
AB  - An analytical approach which is popular in micromechanical studies has been
      extended to the solution for the interference fit problem of the femoral stem in
      cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA). The multiple inhomogeneity problem of
      THA in transverse plane, including an elliptical stem, a cortical wall, and a
      cancellous layer interface, was formulated using the equivalent inclusion method
      (EIM) to obtain the induced interference elastic fields. Results indicated a
      maximum interference fit of about 210 MUm before bone fracture, predicted based
      on the Drucker-Prager criterion for a partially reamed section. The cancellous
      layer had a significant effect on reducing the hoop stresses in the cortical
      wall; the maximum press fit increased to as high as 480 MUm for a 2 mm thick
      cancellous. The increase of the thickness and the mechanical quality, i.e.,
      stiffness and strength, of the cortical wall also increased the maximum
      interference fit before fracture significantly. No considerable effect was found
      for the implant material on the maximum allowable interference fit. It was
      concluded that while larger interference fits could be adapted for younger
      patients, care must be taken when dealing with the elderly and those suffering
      from osteoporosis. A conservative reaming procedure is beneficial for such
      patients; however, in order to ensure sufficient primary stability without
      risking bone fracture, a preoperative analysis might be necessary.

PMID- 24231900
TI  - Validation of an empirical damage model for aging and in vivo injury of the
      murine patellar tendon.
AB  - While useful models have been proposed to predict the mechanical impact of damage
      in tendon and other soft tissues, the applicability of these models for
      describing in vivo injury and age-related degeneration has not been investigated.
      Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop and validate a simple
      damage model to predict mechanical alterations in mouse patellar tendons after
      aging, injury, or healing. To characterize baseline properties, uninjured
      controls at age 150 days were cyclically loaded across three strain levels and
      five frequencies. For comparison, damage was induced in mature (120 day-old) mice
      through either injury or aging. Injured mice were sacrificed at three or six
      weeks after surgery, while aged mice were sacrificed at either 300 or 570 days
      old. Changes in mechanical properties (relative to baseline) in the three week
      post-injury group were assessed and used to develop an empirical damage model
      based on a simple damage parameter related to the equilibrium stress at a
      prescribed strain (6%). From the derived model, the viscoelastic properties of
      the 300 day-old, 570 day-old, and six week post-injury groups were accurately
      predicted. Across testing conditions, nearly all correlations between predicted
      and measured parameters were statistically significant and coefficients of
      determination ranged from R2 = 0.25 to 0.97. Results suggest that the proposed
      damage model could exploit simple in vivo mechanical measurements to predict how
      an injured or aged tendon will respond to complex physiological loading regimens.

PMID- 24231901
TI  - Quantifying function in the early embryonic heart.
AB  - Congenital heart defects arise during the early stages of development, and
      studies have linked abnormal blood flow and irregular cardiac function to
      improper cardiac morphogenesis. The embryonic zebrafish offers superb optical
      access for live imaging of heart development. Here, we build upon previously used
      techniques to develop a methodology for quantifying cardiac function in the
      embryonic zebrafish model. Imaging was performed using bright field microscopy at
      1500 frames/s at 0.76 MUm/pixel. Heart function was manipulated in a wild-type
      zebrafish at ~55 h post fertilization (hpf). Blood velocity and luminal diameter
      were measured at the atrial inlet and atrioventricular junction (AVJ) by
      analyzing spatiotemporal plots. Control volume analysis was used to estimate the
      flow rate waveform, retrograde fractions, stroke volume, and cardiac output. The
      diameter and flow waveforms at the inlet and AVJ are highly repeatable between
      heart beats. We have developed a methodology for quantifying overall heart
      function, which can be applied to early stages of zebrafish development.

PMID- 24231902
TI  - Multibody muscle driven model of an instrumented prosthetic knee during squat and
      toe rise motions.
AB  - Detailed knowledge of knee joint kinematics and dynamic loading is essential for
      improving the design and outcomes of surgical procedures, tissue engineering
      applications, prosthetics design, and rehabilitation. The need for dynamic
      computational models that link kinematics, muscle and ligament forces, and joint
      contacts has long been recognized but such body-level forward dynamic models do
      not exist in recent literature. A main barrier in using computational models in
      the clinic is the validation of the in vivo contact, muscle, and ligament loads.
      The purpose of this study was to develop a full body, muscle driven dynamic model
      with subject specific leg geometries and validate it during squat and toe-rise
      motions. The model predicted loads were compared to in vivo measurements acquired
      with an instrumented knee implant. Data for this study were provided by the
      "Grand Challenge Competition to Predict In-Vivo Knee Loads" for the 2012 American
      Society of Mechanical Engineers Summer Bioengineering Conference. Data included
      implant and bone geometries, ground reaction forces, EMG, and the instrumented
      knee implant measurements. The subject specific model was developed in the
      multibody framework. The knee model included three ligament bundles for the
      lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL), and
      one bundle for the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The implanted tibia tray
      was segmented into 326 hexahedral elements and deformable contacts were defined
      between the elements and the femoral component. The model also included 45
      muscles on each leg. Muscle forces were computed for the muscle driven simulation
      by a feedback controller that used the error between the current muscle length in
      the forward simulation and the muscle length recorded during a kinematics driven
      inverse simulation. The predicted tibia forces and torques, ground reaction
      forces, electromyography (EMG) patterns, and kinematics were compared to the
      experimentally measured values to validate the model. Comparisons were done
      graphically and by calculating the mean average deviation (MAD) and root mean
      squared deviation (RMSD) for all outcomes. The MAD value for the tibia vertical
      force was 279 N for the squat motion and 325 N for the toe-rise motion, 45 N and
      53 N for left and right foot ground reaction forces during the squat and 94 N and
      82 N for toe-rise motion. The maximum MAD value for any of the kinematic outcomes
      was 7.5 deg for knee flexion-extension during the toe-rise motion.

PMID- 24231903
TI  - Rectus femoris knee muscle moment arms measured in vivo during dynamic motion
      with real-time magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - Moment arms represent a muscle's ability to generate a moment about a joint for a
      given muscle force. The goal of this study was to develop a method to measure
      muscle moment arms in vivo over a large range of motion using real-time magnetic
      resonance (MR) imaging. Rectus femoris muscle-tendon lengths and knee joint
      angles of healthy subjects (N = 4) were measured during dynamic knee joint
      flexion and extension in a large-bore magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.
      Muscle-tendon moment arms were determined at the knee using the tendon-excursion
      method by differentiating measured muscle-tendon length with respect to joint
      angle. Rectus femoris moment arms were averaged across a group of healthy
      subjects and were found to vary similarly during knee joint flexion (mean: 3.0
      (SD 0.5) cm, maximum: 3.5 cm) and extension (mean: 2.8 (SD 0.4) cm, maximum: 3.6
      cm). These moment arms compare favorably with previously published dynamic tendon
      excursion measurements in cadaveric specimens but were relatively smaller than
      moment arms from center-of-rotation studies. The method presented here provides a
      new approach to measure muscle-tendon moment arms in vivo and has the potential
      to be a powerful resource for characterizing musculoskeletal geometry during
      dynamic joint motion.

PMID- 24231904
TI  - Accuracy of individual trabecula segmentation based plate and rod finite element
      models in idealized trabecular bone microstructure.
AB  - Currently, specimen-specific micro finite element (MUFE) analysis based micro
      computed tomography (MUCT) images have become a major computational tool for the
      assessment of the mechanical properties of human trabecular bone. Despite the
      fine characterization of the three-dimensional (3D) trabecular microstructure
      based on high-resolution MUCT images, conventional MUFE models with each voxel
      converted to an element are not efficient in predicting the nonlinear failure
      behavior of bone due to a prohibitive computational cost. Recently, a highly
      efficient individual trabecula segmentation (ITS)-based plate and rod (PR)
      modeling technique has been developed by substituting individual plates and rods
      with shell and beam elements, respectively. In this technical brief, the accuracy
      of novel PR MUFE models was examined in idealized microstructure models over a
      broad range of trabecular thicknesses. The Young's modulus and yield strength
      predicted by simplified PR models strongly correlated with those of voxel models
      at various voxel sizes. The conversion from voxel models to PR models resulted in
      an ~762-fold reduction in the largest model size and significantly accelerated
      the nonlinear FE analysis. The excellent predictive power of the PR MUFE models,
      demonstrated in an idealized trabecular microstructure, provided a quantitative
      mechanical basis for this promising tool for an accurate and efficient assessment
      of trabecular bone mechanics and fracture risk. 

PMID- 24231906
TI  - The World - Socio-economically and politically: What you need to know.
AB  - The gravest challenge facing the USA and the nations of the world is the coming
      economic crisis of the world economies, if present policies are pursued. Few are
      aware or believe that this event could happen. The spread of centralized
      government control of the economies, the growth of the welfare state worldwide,
      the expenditures on entitlements beyond what any nation or even most states can
      afford, the cost of wars, the rapidly climbing debt of the USA and other
      countries and their inability to pay for these excessive expenses, the actions of
      many countries to print "fiat" (false) money to pay for their debts, the raising
      of taxes to pay for these debts, the rise in immigration to developed countries
      from the undeveloped world, the associated costs to their societies of this
      immigration, the promises made by politicians to get elected that cannot be
      fulfilled, and the desire of the public to have what they want, now, paid for by
      credit cards (debt), are all contributing to the coming economic crisis. The
      unfunded promised benefits to the citizens of the USA in Medicare, Medicaid,
      Social Security, and pensions plus the USA debt amount to about $140 trillion.
      The total value of all the assets of all the people in the USA is $99 trillion
      dollars. So, one can see that the people of the USA do not have the resources to
      pay their expenses. Besides, these entitlements, the rest of the expenses are
      paid for with borrowed or printed (fiat) money that has little chance of being
      repaid unless perhaps by subsequent generations or by increases in taxes. Efforts
      to correct this coming economic crisis by austerity and sacrifice have been
      rejected by the public and the politicians worldwide. The Governments and the
      Press have participated in deception of the public about these issues in order to
      maintain their positions of power, for the truth would destroy them. No solution
      is in sight except more spending and valueless money printing. This unchecked
      desire for more of everything without the responsibility to work or pay for these
      entitlements, has touched many countries and people with a few exceptions. This
      problem is the result of a worldwide breakdown of ethics and morality in society
      and a desire of the few for centralized control and power over the people. No
      country has instituted a solution to these problems that results in reducing
      expenditures or the growing debts. As many have stated in this paper, this policy
      cannot be sustained. The result of this scenario will be a worldwide economic
      crisis. Fundamental to this impending economic crisis is the failure of centrally
      controlled economies and socialistic programs. Those selected groups, who benefit
      from having control, are the politicians, bankers, some selected industry
      leaders, and socialist planners, who will stop at nothing to maintain power and
      control over the people. Liberty of the people is in jeopardy worldwide. Read the
      evidence presented and decide if this summary is correct. The troubling question
      is, "What will happen if the world economy collapses?" Will this crisis be a time
      for the few to take more control of the people through fear, crisis decisions,
      misinformation, prevention of the public from protecting themselves with guns,
      and pervasive spying technology on each citizen or will more democratic
      governments arise from the failure of centralized control, the welfare state, and
      the loss of liberty? Such crises have been repeated throughout 4000 years of
      recorded history. What happened in those past times? Read the quotations of
      Vladimir Lenin, developer of Marxism-Leninism, the foundation of Communism and
      judge what you have read from his statements. An alternative to this dismal
      scenario is little discussed also in the Press. Why not? In the past 150 years,
      the alternative has happened with a rapid growth in democracy, communications
      technology, and life expectancy from advances in science and medicine. To unleash
      this huge human potential, at this time, will require individual freedom to
      create and innovate with the opportunity for risk and reward in an environment
      aided by unrestrictive governments even at the community and organizational
      levels. History records the success of the alternatives in the great leadership
      and creativity of humankind. The USA and the world are at the critical choice for
      their futures. We are experiencing the results of centrally controlling
      governments worldwide that are not working. Is it time for an alternative option?
      Read the evidence in this paper and decide for yourself. Reading this paper will
      take you time, but you will not read all of this information elsewhere. It is key
      to your future. Decide for yourself what you should do after reading it. The URLs
      of many of the references are included so that you can read further about the
      many subjects presented yourself. 

PMID- 24231907
TI  - Prophylactic level II neck dissection guided by frozen section for clinically
      node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma: is it useful?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prophylactic lateral neck dissection (PLND) is generally not
      performed for papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC). When performed, occult metastases
      are found in upto 50 % of patients, although the incidence of occult level II
      nodes seems low. Our aim was to evaluate frozen section analysis-oriented
      elective level II PLND in patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) PTC.
      METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with cN0 PTC treated with
      total thyroidectomy and prophylactic bilateral central and lateral neck
      dissection of ipsilateral levels III and IV. Frozen section analysis of PLND III
      and IV was performed. If positive, the PLND was extended to level II. We measured
      the accuracy of frozen section analysis, the incidence of occult level II
      metastasis, and oncologic outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 295 patients were
      included. For frozen section analysis, the sensitivity was 71.0 %, specificity
      99.6 %, positive predictive value 97.8 %, negative predictive value 92.4 %,
      overall accuracy 93.2 %. Definitive analysis found lateral node metastases in 63
      of the 295(21 %) patients. Extension to level II was performed in 27 of 46 cases
      (59 %). Level II contained metastatic nodes in 12 of 27 (44 %) patients. There
      was no difference in total doses of 131I administered to patients with or without
      level II disease. Even when extension of PLND to level II was not performed, no
      cases of recurrent or persistent disease in level II occurred. CONCLUSIONS:
      Frozen section analysis was highly accurate.The rate of occult metastases in
      level II was low. Detection of additional metastases in level II did not modify
      subsequent treatment or the rate of recurrence and is not useful for routine
      application.

PMID- 24231908
TI  - [Glaucoma].

PMID- 24231909
TI  - [Functional morphology of the outflow pathways of aqueous humor and their changes
      in open angle glaucoma].
AB  - Aqueous humor exits the eye through the trabecular and uveoscleral outflow
      pathways. Under normal conditions intraocular pressure is maintained in the
      trabecular outflow pathways in which aqueous humor passes through the trabecular
      meshwork into Schlemm's canal. Intraocular pressure is generated through an
      outflow resistance in the juxtacanalicular region which consists of
      juxtacanalicular tissue and the inner wall endothelium of Schlemm's canal. The
      resistance of this region is under the influence of two contractile systems, the
      anterior longitudinal portion of the ciliary muscle and the contractile
      myofibroblast-like cells in the trabecular outflow pathways. Resistance is
      lowered through contraction of the ciliary muscle or relaxation of the
      contractile cells in the trabecular outflow pathways. In primary open angle
      glaucoma, resistance in the juxtacanalicular region is abnormally high. The cause
      of the increase is related to an increased activity in transforming growth factor
      beta and connective tissue growth factor signaling. The cells of the trabecular
      meshwork outflow pathways are stimulated to form a stronger contractile phenotype
      involving both an increase in the actin cytoskeleton and the surrounding
      fibrillar extracellular matrix. As a result there is an increase in cellular tone
      in the trabecular outflow pathways leading to an increase in rigidity and outflow
      resistance. 

PMID- 24231910
TI  - [Structural diagnostics of course observation for glaucoma].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Imaging of the structural progression of glaucoma enables measurement
      of the neuroretinal rim of the optic disc, retinal nerve fibre layer and
      thickness of the ganglion layer. METHODS: High resolution disc photography, laser
      scanning tomography, scanning laser polarimetry and optical coherence tomography
      (OCT) are the current methods of choice to document and measure progression of
      this chronic degenerative disease. RESULTS: Loss of the neuroretinal rim is only
      a few mm(2) or mm(3) per year and has to be differentiated from age-related loss
      which shows less change over the years. The most pronounced loss is temporal both
      superior and inferior. Thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer follows the same
      pattern with significant annual changes of only 6-7 um. Modern OCT devices
      deliver measurements of the macula ganglion cell complex which can be even more
      sensitive than the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer. Qualitative
      criteria for structural progression are papillary hemorrhage, rarification of
      papillary vessels and specific changes of the retinal pigment epithelium.
      CONCLUSIONS: Structural loss due to glaucoma can be imaged and measured with
      different methods in different tissues. The evaluation of significant changes is
      still the responsibility of the ophthalmologist by taking all findings into
      account.

PMID- 24231911
TI  - [Practical aspects of glaucoma perimetry].
AB  - Automatic static white-on-white perimetry is state of the art for the visual
      field examination of glaucoma patients. Full threshold measurements require at
      least 5 min. Careful instruction and supervision of the patient help to achieve
      high quality results. Alternative methods, such as the various types of flicker
      perimetry have a higher sensitivity and complement the early diagnosis. Attention
      must be paid to the specificity of these methods. Diagnosis may be difficult
      because the first changes do not have a typical topography. The typical
      examination interval for follow-up is 1 year but should be shorter in the
      beginning and in cases with deterioration. The evaluation of visual field
      development is highly important for glaucoma therapy control. Modern analysis
      programs offer excellent tools for this purpose. Some programs automatically
      detect learning effects and unreliable examinations. The change in global
      indices, e.g. median defect depth (MD), functional defect (FD) and visual field
      index (VFI) is plotted and statistically analyzed. Local trends are shown in
      symbol maps. Some programs calculate a prognosis of the future development of the
      visual field.

PMID- 24231912
TI  - [The Julius Springer prize for ophthalmology 2013: Dr. Corinne Huss honoured for
      exceptional ophthalmological work].

PMID- 24231913
TI  - [Suspected tumor of the upper eyelid].

PMID- 24231914
TI  - [Clarithromycin for monotherapy of B-cell MALT lymphoma?].

PMID- 24231915
TI  - [Update on endocrine orbitopathy].
AB  - Graves' orbitopathy is an autoimmune disease of the ocular adnex connective
      tissue and most commonly occurs together with Grave's hyperthyroidism. Anti-TSH
      receptor antibodies are specific for Graves' disease and are related to both the
      course of thyroid and orbital diseases. An active inflammatory disease stage is
      followed by an inactive stage of incomplete remission in most patients.
      Periorbital swelling, proptosis, diplopia and lid retraction severely impair the
      patients' quality of life. In the active state anti-inflammatory treatment
      consists of i.v. steroids, off-label use of immunomodulatory medication, selenium
      and in emergency cases orbital decompression. Fortunately, defects in inactive
      stable Graves' orbitopathy can be successfully treated by surgery and involve
      decompression for proptosis reduction, muscle recession to correct diplopia and
      (finally) lid surgery. 

PMID- 24231916
TI  - [Communications of the DOG].

PMID- 24231918
TI  - Mapping and validation of quantitative trait loci associated with concentrations
      of 16 elements in unmilled rice grain.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: QTLs controlling the concentrations elements in rice grain were
      identified in two mapping populations. The QTLs were clustered such that most
      genomic regions were associated with more than one element. In this study,
      quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the concentrations of 16 elements in
      whole, unmilled rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain were identified. Two rice mapping
      populations, the 'Lemont' * 'TeQing' recombinant inbred lines (LT-RILs), and the
      TeQing-into-Lemont backcross introgression lines (TILs) were used. To increase
      opportunity to detect and characterize QTLs, the TILs were grown under two
      contrasting field conditions, flooded and irrigated-but-unflooded. Correlations
      between the individual elements and between each element with grain shape, plant
      height, and time of heading were also studied. Transgressive segregation was
      observed among the LT-RILs for all elements. The 134 QTLs identified as
      associated with the grain concentrations of individual elements were found
      clustered into 39 genomic regions, 34 of which were found associated with grain
      element concentration in more than one population and/or flooding treatment. More
      QTLs were found significant among flooded TILs (92) than among unflooded TILs
      (47) or among flooded LT-RILs (40). Twenty-seven of the 40 QTLs identified among
      the LT-RILs were associated with the same element among the TILs. At least one
      QTL per element was validated in two or more population/environments. Nearly all
      of the grain element loci were linked to QTLs affecting additional elements,
      supporting the concept of element networks within plants. Several of the grain
      element QTLs co-located with QTLs for grain shape, plant height, and days to
      heading; but did not always differ for grain elemental concentration as predicted
      by those traits alone. A number of interesting patterns were found, including a
      strong Mg-P-K complex.

PMID- 24231919
TI  - Determination of heterotic groups for tropical Indica hybrid rice germplasm.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Two heterotic groups and four heterotic patterns were identified for
      IRRI hybrid rice germplasm to develop hybrid rice in the tropics based on SSR
      molecular data and field trials. Information on heterotic groups and patterns is
      a fundamental prerequisite for hybrid crop breeding; however, no such clear
      information is available for tropical hybrid rice breeding after more than 30
      years of hybrid rice commercialization. Based on a study of genetic diversity
      using molecular markers, 18 parents representing hybrid rice populations
      historically developed at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) were
      selected to form diallel crosses of hybrids and were evaluated in tropical
      environments. Yield, yield heterosis and combining ability were investigated with
      the main objectives of (1) evaluating the magnitude of yield heterosis among
      marker-based parental groups, (2) examining the consistency between marker-based
      group and heterotic performance of hybrids, and (3) identifying foundational
      hybrid parents in discrete germplasm pools to provide a reference for tropical
      indica hybrid rice breeding. Significant differences in yield, yield heterosis
      and combining ability were detected among parents and among hybrids. On average,
      the hybrids yielded 14.8 % higher than the parents. Results revealed that inter
      group hybrids yielded higher, with higher yield heterosis than intra-group
      hybrids. Four heterotic patterns within two heterotic groups based on current
      IRRI B- and R-line germplasm were identified. Parents in two marker-based groups
      were identified with limited breeding value among current IRRI hybrid rice
      germplasm because of their lowest contribution to heterotic hybrids. Heterotic
      hybrids are significantly correlated with high-yielding parents. The efficiency
      of breeding heterotic hybrids could be enhanced using selected parents within
      identified marker-based heterotic groups. This information is useful for
      exploiting those widely distributed IRRI hybrid rice parents.

PMID- 24231917
TI  - Management of patients with resistant hypertension: current treatment options.
AB  - Resistant hypertension (RHTN) is an increasingly common clinical problem that is
      often heterogeneous in etiology, risk factors, and comorbidities. It is defined
      as uncontrolled blood pressure on optimal doses of three antihypertensive agents,
      ideally one being a diuretic. The definition also includes controlled
      hypertension with use of four or more antihypertensive agents. Recent
      observational studies have advanced the characterization of patients with RHTN.
      Patients with RHTN have higher rates of cardiovascular events and mortality
      compared with patients with more easily controlled hypertension. Secondary causes
      of hypertension, including obstructive sleep apnea, primary aldosteronism,
      renovascular disease, are common in patients with RHTN and often coexist in the
      same patient. In addition, RHTN is often complicated by metabolic abnormalities.
      Patients with RHTN require a thorough evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and
      optimize treatment, which typically includes a combination of lifestyle
      adjustments, and pharmacologic and interventional treatment. Combination therapy
      including a diuretic, a long-acting calcium channel blocker, an angiotensin
      converting enzyme inhibitor, a beta blocker, and a mineralocorticoid receptor
      antagonist where warranted is the classic regimen for patients with treatment
      resistant hypertension. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists like
      spironolactone or eplerenone have been shown to be efficacious in patients with
      RHTN, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and primary aldosteronism. Novel
      interventional therapies, including baroreflex activation and renal denervation,
      have shown that both of these methods may be used to lower blood pressure safely,
      thereby providing exciting and promising new options to treat RHTN. 

PMID- 24231920
TI  - Identification of putative quantitative trait loci associated with a flavonoid
      related to resistance to cabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus) in
      canola derived from an intergeneric cross, Sinapis alba * Brassica napus.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Kaempferol 3- O -sinapoyl-sophoroside 7- O -glucoside was putatively
      identified as the major component of a characteristic HPLC peak previously
      correlated with the reduction of cabbage seedpod weevil larval infestation in a
      novel canola genotype. The cabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus
      [Marsham]) (CSPW) is a serious pest of brassicaceous oilseed crops such as canola
      in both Europe and more recently in North America. At present, the only control
      strategy against CSPW is the application of insecticides. As an alternative more
      environmentally-friendly control strategy, we developed novel canola germplasm
      resistant to weevil attack through introgression of Sinapis alba DNA into
      Brassica napus by making the wide cross followed by embryo rescue and
      backcrossing to the B. napus parent. We have previously characterized resistant
      canola lines by metabolic profiling and were able to correlate reduction of
      larval infestation to the presence of a characteristic HPLC peak. In this study,
      we have putatively identified the major component in the peak using mass
      spectrometry as kaempferol 3-O-sinapoyl-sophoroside 7-O-glucoside (KSSG). We have
      also identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with this HPLC peak in a
      mapping population consisting of more than 200 individual doubled haploid (DH)
      lines derived from a cross between CSW428 (the resistant parent) and SC030686
      (the susceptible parent). This QTL accounted for approximately 9.5 % of the
      phenotypic variation in KSSG content. The observation that only one QTL was
      identified as surpassing the LOD threshold of 3.0 suggests that both parents may
      possess the positive alleles for other QTL that have not been detected in our
      study. This finding also indicates a complex regulatory mechanism for KSSG levels
      and provides an appropriate explanation for the large transgressive segregation
      observed in the DH lines of the QTL mapping population.

PMID- 24231921
TI  - Identification of genome regions controlling cotyledon, pod wall/seed coat and
      pod wall resistance to pea weevil through QTL mapping.
AB  - Pea weevil, Bruchus pisorum, is one of the limiting factors for field pea (Pisum
      sativum) cultivation in the world with pesticide application the only available
      method for its control. Resistance to pea weevil has been found in an accession
      of Pisum fulvum but transfer of this resistance to cultivated pea (P. sativum) is
      limited due to a lack of easy-to-use techniques for screening interspecific
      breeding populations. To address this problem, an interspecific population was
      created from a cross between cultivated field pea and P. fulvum (resistance
      source). Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was performed to discover the
      regions associated with resistance to cotyledon, pod wall/seed coat and pod wall
      resistance. Three major QTLs, located on linkage groups LG2, LG4 and LG5 were
      found for cotyledon resistance explaining approximately 80 % of the phenotypic
      variation. Two major QTLs were found for pod wall/seed coat resistance on LG2 and
      LG5 explaining approximately 70 % of the phenotypic variation. Co-linearity of
      QTLs for cotyledon and pod wall/seed coat resistance suggested that the mechanism
      of resistance for these two traits might act through the same pathways. Only one
      QTL was found for pod wall resistance on LG7 explaining approximately 9 % of the
      phenotypic variation. This is the first report on the development of QTL markers
      to probe Pisum germplasm for pea weevil resistance genes. These flanking markers
      will be useful in accelerating the process of screening when breeding for pea
      weevil resistance.

PMID- 24231922
TI  - Generation and reactivity of o-carborynes.
AB  - o-Carboryne (1,2-dehydro-o-carborane) is a very reactive intermediate that can be
      generated in situ from 1-Br-2-Li-1,2-C2B10H10, 1-I-2-Li-1,2-C2B10H10 or 1-Me3Si-2
      [IPh(OAc)]-1,2-C2B10H10. It exists in two resonance forms, a bonding form vs. a
      biradical form. Each form demonstrates unique reactivity patterns. o-Carboryne
      can undergo various types of reactions such as [4 + 2]/[2 + 2] cycloaddition, ene
      reaction, hydrogen abstraction, and sp(2)/sp(3) C-H bond insertion reaction with
      a broad spectrum of substrates including alkenes, alkynes, (hetero)aromatics,
      ethers, and ferrocenes. It is a very useful synthon for generating a variety of
      functionalized carboranes that have potential applications in medicine, materials
      science and organometallic/coordination chemistry. This perspective offers an
      overview of recent advances in this interesting research field. 

PMID- 24231923
TI  - Synthetic cathinones: chemical phylogeny, physiology, and neuropharmacology.
AB  - This mini-review summarizes the history of cathinone and its synthesized
      derivatives from early records to the present day, including the appearance of
      synthetic cathinones in the drug combination known as bath salts. Bath salts may
      consist of one compound (MDPV) or combinations of MDPV and one or more other
      synthetic cathinones, which may also appear alone without MDPV. We briefly review
      recent in vitro studies of bath salts components alone or in combination,
      focusing on pharmacological and biophysical studies. Finally we summarize new
      data from in vivo procedures that characterize the abuse-related neurochemical
      and behavioral effects of synthetic cathinones in rats. 

PMID- 24231924
TI  - High-detectivity nanowire photodetectors governed by bulk photocurrent dynamics
      with thermally stable carbide contacts.
AB  - Photodetectors fabricated from one-dimensional semiconductors are always
      dominated by the surface states due to their large surface-to-volume ratio.
      Therefore, the basic 5S requirements (high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise
      ratio, high spectral selectivity, high speed, and high stability) for practical
      photodetectors are difficult to satisfy. We report on high-temperature and high
      detectivity solar-blind deep-ultraviolet (DUV) photodetectors based on beta-Ga2O3
      nanowires, in which the photoresponse behavior is dominated by the bulk instead
      of the surface states. Ohmic contact to the beta-Ga2O3 nanowires was achieved by
      using a thermally stable tungsten carbide electrode. As a result, the DUV
      responsivity at 250 nm shows the highest values--4492 A W(-1) at room temperature
      (RT) and 3000 A W(-1) at 553 K (280  degrees C)--among the DUV photodetectors.
      The detectivity is as high as 1.26*10(16) cm Hz(1/2) W(-1) at RT, and still
      remains 4.1*10(14) cm Hz(1/2) W(-1) at as high a temperature as 553 K. The
      photocurrent dynamics from the beta-Ga2O3 nanowire is discussed in terms of the
      bulk dominated photoresponse behavior. Other wide bandgap DUV detectors based on
      nanostructures could also be developed for high-temperature applications based on
      this work.

PMID- 24231925
TI  - Protocol-based treatment of hypertension: a critical step on the pathway to
      progress.

PMID- 24231926
TI  - A study on gingival enlargement and folic acid levels in phenytoin-treated
      epileptic patients: Testing hypotheses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There have been studies that report clinical benefits of the use of
      folic acid as an adjuvant to the antiepileptic therapy in the prevention of
      antiepileptic drug-induced gingival enlargement. However, studies in the past
      have also reported precipitation of epileptic attacks in patients on folic acid
      adjuvant therapy due to fall in sera levels of phenytoin due to drug
      interactions. The study was planned to investigate the association of phenytoin
      induced gingival enlargement and sera levels of folic acid in epileptic patients
      on phenytoin therapy. The statistical analysis was done using t-test and the
      baseline serum folate levels and the serum folate levels obtained after 6 months
      of phenytoin therapy were correlated with the respective grades of gingival
      enlargement using Pearson's coefficient formula. METHODS: A total of 25 patients
      aged between 18 and 50 years, clinically diagnosed with epilepsy prior to the
      start of phenytoin therapy were included based on selection criteria and written
      informed consents were obtained. Assessment of serum folic acid levels and
      gingival enlargement was done prior to the start of and after 6 months of
      phenytoin therapy. RESULTS: The results of the study confirmed a significant
      association between low serum folate levels with increasing severity as well as
      an early onset of phenytoin-induced gingival enlargement. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results of the study suggest a higher incidence of gingival enlargement in
      phenytoin treated epileptic patients with a positive correlation with falling
      serum folic acid levels as the duration of the therapy increases.

PMID- 24231927
TI  - Ankle kinematics and muscle activity in functional ankle instability.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Following an ankle injury, many patients have functional ankle
      instability (FAI) with an increased predisposition to reinjury. The purpose of
      this study was to assess the effects of FAI on ankle kinematics and muscle
      activity during a lateral hop movement. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and observational
      study; all data collection for each subject was performed on 1 day. SETTING:
      Clinical biomechanics laboratory. PATIENTS: Two groups were studied: (1) Control
      group-no ankle injury (n = 12), and (2) FAI group (n = 12). INTERVENTIONS: The
      lateral hop movement consisted of multiple lateral and medial 1-legged hops over
      an obstacle (width, 72.5 cm; depth, 25.5 cm; height, 14.3 cm) onto adjacent force
      platforms. Each subject was instructed to perform as many lateral hops as
      possible during the 6-second trial. Means, SDs, 95% confidence intervals of the
      differences, and P-values were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ankle
      kinematics and muscle activity throughout the lateral hop movement. RESULTS:
      Significant differences existed between groups for mean (SD) dorsiflexion ankle
      positions--FAI 82.4 degrees (6.4) versus normal 75.2 degrees (10.1) and tibialis
      anterior normalized muscle activity--FAI 0.27 (0.21) versus normal 0.16 (0.13) at
      ground contact. CONCLUSIONS: The FAI group revealed greater tibialis anterior
      muscle activity and dorsiflexion ankle position at contact moving in the lateral
      direction. These differences between groups may have been related to an inherent
      predisposition to ankle injuries, a preexisting difference in task performance, a
      consequence of injuries, or a compensatory adaptation to previous injuries.

PMID- 24231928
TI  - The preparticipation physical evaluation: an analysis of clinical practice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate current preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE)
      clinical practice behaviors. DESIGN: Telephone and Web-based survey study with
      attention to utilization of the Fourth Edition PPE Monograph. SETTING: We
      contacted the Washington State American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American
      Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) chapters, all Washington State high school
      athletic directors (ADs), and every state high school athletic association.
      INTERVENTIONS: Data collection and analysis regarding clinical practice. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Awareness and utilization of the Fourth Edition PPE Monograph.
      RESULTS: The response rate was 72% (559/776) from the AAP, 56% (554/990) from the
      AAFP, 75% (317/424) from the ADs, and 100% (50/50) from the state athletic
      associations. Few physicians (37%) and ADs (6%) reported an awareness of the PPE
      Monograph. Knowledge of the Monograph did not vary by physician type,
      practice/school location, or experience (P > 0.05). Reported obstacles to the
      delivery of the PPE included time with patient (56%) and the lack of a standard
      form (52%). Physician awareness of the Monograph reduced the perception of
      obstacles (P < 0.01). Athletic directors reported financial limitations of the
      family as the primary obstacle (62%). Adoption of a single statewide PPE form was
      well supported (96% of physicians and 67% of ADs). Nationally, only 46% of state
      athletic associations mandate a single form, and only 16% use a form consistent
      with the Fourth Edition PPE Monograph. CONCLUSIONS: The medical community is
      largely unaware of national screening guidelines. New directions for education
      and policy are necessary to improve this implementation gap.

PMID- 24231929
TI  - Soccer boots elevate plantar pressures in elite male soccer professionals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study measured the difference in peak plantar pressure
      between running shoes and soccer shoes in male soccer professionals [mean (SD):
      age, 23 (4) years; height, 184 (7) cm; weight, 81 (6) kg]. DESIGN: Case series.
      SETTING: Institutional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 17 elite male soccer
      professionals [mean (SD): age, 23 (4) years; height, 184 (7) cm; weight 81 (6)
      kg]. INTERVENTIONS: Fifteen right and left steps with sensor-loaded insoles (99
      sensors, 50 Hz) while running (3.3 m/s) in running shoes and then chosen soccer
      shoes (12-stud profile). The players were equipped with running shoes from the
      supplier without any medical supervision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes of peak
      plantar pressure for 9 defined foot portions between soccer boots and running
      shoes. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase of peak plantar pressure was
      found for the lateral midfoot (P < 0.001 for preferred and nonpreferred foot),
      the first metatarsal head (preferred foot: P < 0.001, nonpreferred foot: P =
      0.002), the metatarsal heads 4/5 (preferred foot: P = 0.001, nonpreferred foot: P
      = 0.002), and the big toe (preferred foot: P = 0.001, nonpreferred foot: P <
      0.001), but not for the lateral and medial hindfoot, the medial midfoot, and
      lesser toes. CONCLUSIONS: In running, soccer boots generate excessive foot
      loadings predominantly under the lateral midfoot, as compared with running shoes.
      Players should be trained with a thoughtfully designed workout regimen that
      allows performing as many straight running exercises as possible in running shoes
      instead of soccer boots. This may help to prevent fifth metatarsal stress
      fractures in elite male soccer players.

PMID- 24231930
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma in the management of articular cartilage pathology: a
      systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Using systematic review methodology, we endeavored to answer the
      following questions concerning the treatment of osteochondral pathology: (1) what
      pathologies have been treated in vivo with the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP);
      (2) what methods of PRP preparation and delivery have been reported; (3) what
      assessment tools and comparison group have been used to assess its effectiveness;
      and (4) what are the clinical outcomes of its use. DATA SOURCES: A systematic
      literature search was performed of the OVID, EMBASE, and Evidence Based Medicine
      Reviews databases to identify all studies published up to October 2012 that
      assessed clinical outcomes of the use of PRP for the treatment of chondral and
      osteochondral pathology, excluding those including concomitant management of
      acute fractures or ligament reconstruction. DATA EXTRACTION: The included studies
      were reviewed and the following data were extracted and tabulated: study authors'
      year and journal, study design and level of evidence, pathology treated, methods
      of PRP preparation and delivery, and clinical outcome scores. DATA SYNTHESIS: Ten
      studies were included in the final analysis. The majority of studies assessed the
      use of PRP in the treatment of degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee or hip
      (representing 570 of a total of 662 joints). The majority of patients were
      treated with intra-articular injections, whereas 2 studies used PRP as an adjunct
      to surgical treatment. Significant improvements in joint-specific clinical scores
      (7 of 8 studies), general health scores (4 of 4 studies), and pain scores (4 of 6
      studies) compared with baseline were reported up to 6-month follow-up, but few
      studies provided longer-term data. No studies reported worse scores compared with
      baseline at final follow-up. Three of 4 comparative studies reported
      significantly better clinical and/or pain scores when compared with hyaluronic
      acid injections at similar follow-up times. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, there is a
      paucity of data supporting the use of PRP for the management of focal traumatic
      osteochondral defects. There is limited evidence suggesting short-term clinical
      benefits with the use of PRP for symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee, but the
      studies published to date are of poor quality and at high risk for bias. Further
      high-quality comparative studies with longer follow-up are needed to ascertain
      whether PRP is beneficial, either alone or as an adjunct to surgical procedures,
      in the management of articular cartilage pathology.

PMID- 24231931
TI  - Bilateral knee and intermittent elbow pain in a competitive archer/hunter:
      phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor-statin interaction?
AB  - A 59-year-old white hunter and archer presented to the sports medicine clinic
      with bilateral knee and left elbow pain. Various treatments for presumed
      musculoskeletal diagnoses did not help. When reviewing his medications, the
      patient concluded that the only new one before the appearance of his symptoms was
      tadalafil. He stopped taking it, and his pain resolved immediately thereafter. On
      review, it was noted that the patient was also on pravastatin. There have been a
      few previous reports of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis with the concomitant use of a
      phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5I), such as tadalafil and a statin. We report
      a case where such processes may have been occurring and may have resolved shortly
      after discontinuing concomitant use, in turn resulting in decreased pain.
      Clinicians may need to be aware of the possibility of such symptoms and processes
      occurring in patients taking both a statin and a PDE5I.

PMID- 24231932
TI  - Clinical usefulness with the combination of color Doppler and contrast-enhanced
      harmonic EUS for the assessment of visceral vascular diseases.
AB  - GOALS: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of the color Doppler and contrast
      enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CEH-EUS) in diagnosing visceral
      vascular diseases and in assessing morphologic and hemodynamic characteristics
      required for optimized patient management. BACKGROUND: Mesenteric arteries are
      easily accessible with EUS because of its proximities to the gastrointestinal
      tract. STUDY: EUS was performed in 12 patients with clinically suspected visceral
      vascular disease, as determined by computed tomography (CT) scan between February
      2012 and March 2013. Conventional B-mode, color Doppler, and CEH-EUS was
      performed to evaluate vascular status of the celiac artery and superior
      mesenteric artery (SMA). RESULTS: CT scan imaging suggested arterial dissection
      in 9 patients; arterial stenosis or occlusion in 2 patients, and periarterial
      soft tissue cuffing in 1 patient. EUS accurately identified all the visceral
      vascular lesions of 11 patients and 1 patient with suspected SMA dissection on CT
      imaging was proven to be normal by EUS. EUS also identified one undefined
      dissection not detected on abdominal CT. EUS examination revealed vascular
      intimal flap in 5 patients and blood flow within the true lumen and thrombi
      within the false lumen in 8 patients. In addition, the stenotic area could be
      calculated using color Doppler EUS. Two patients underwent surgical thrombectomy
      and angioplasty because of total occlusion of SMA on color Doppler and CEH-EUS.
      CONCLUSIONS: The combination of color Doppler and CEH-EUS may be a promising
      diagnostic modality to assess the splanchnic artery without exposure to
      radiation. Moreover, EUS is a useful tool to determine the appropriate treatment
      options for patients with isolated mesenteric artery dissection.

PMID- 24231933
TI  - Savary dilation is a safe and effective long-term means of treatment of
      symptomatic cricopharyngeal bar: a single-center experience.
AB  - GOALS: Dilation of a cricopharyngeal (CP) bar can be a safe and effective means
      of nonsurgical treatment as elderly patient population has high morbidity and is
      at a higher risk of surgical complications. BACKGROUND: CP bar is a relatively
      uncommon radiologic finding, which is an infrequent cause of oropharyngeal
      dysphagia in the elderly population. METHODS: Patients were included in study
      from January 2007 to January 2012, if their dysphagia was solely attributed to CP
      bar on predilation radiologic imaging by either modified barium swallow or barium
      esophagogram. A functional outcome swallowing score (FOSS) was calculated at 1,
      4, and 6 months from initial and last dilation performed. RESULTS: A total of 31
      patients with a mean age of 71.65 (54 to 88) years and mean body mass index 27.81
      (15 to 41) were included in the study. Over the time period of 5 years, a total
      of 53 dilations were performed. The median predilation FOSS was 3. The median
      postdilation FOSS was 1 at the end of 6 months from last dilation performed.
      There were no immediate or remote complications. CONCLUSIONS: On follow-up from
      first dilation, 65% patients had statistically significant improvement in FOSS
      lasting for at least 6 months. Savary dilation seems to be a safe and effective
      treatment for symptomatic CP bar patients.

PMID- 24231934
TI  - Incidence and risk factors of delayed postpolypectomy bleeding: a retrospective
      cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Delayed bleeding is a serious complication that occurs after
      polypectomy. Many risk factors for delayed bleeding have been suggested, but
      there is little analysis of procedure-related risk factors. The purpose of this
      study is to identify a wide range of risk factors for delayed postpolypectomy
      bleeding (DPPB) and analyze the correlations of those potential DPPB risk
      factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 5981
      polypectomies in 3788 patients were evaluated between January 2010 and February
      2012. Patient-related, polyp-related, and procedure-related factors were
      evaluated as potential DPPB risk factors. RESULTS: Delayed bleeding occurred in
      42 patients (1.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed that polyp size >10 mm [odds
      ratio (OR), 2.785; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.406-5.513; P=0.003], location
      in the right hemi-colon (OR, 2.289; 95% CI, 1.117-4.693; P=0.024), and
      endoscopist's experience (<300 total cases of colonoscopy performed; OR, 4.803;
      95% CI, 2.631-8.766; P=0.001) were significant risk factors for DPPB. Especially
      protruded type polyps (Ip, Isp) larger than 1 cm in the right-side colon were
      associated with increased risk. Right-side polypectomy by a nonexpert endoscopist
      was a significant risk factor for DPPB, especially with procedures in the cecum
      area. Taking the 1.5% DPPB incidence as cutoff value, the learning curve of
      colonoscopic polypectomy may be estimated as 400 cases of polypectomy.
      CONCLUSIONS: Polyp size, endoscopist's experience, and right hemi-colon location
      were identified as potential risk factors for DPPB development.

PMID- 24231935
TI  - Metabolic syndrome associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterized by a long natural
      history and a low incidence of cardiovascular events despite high serum
      cholesterol levels. The role of any metabolic conditions (obesity, hypertension,
      diabetes) in association with PBC has not been analyzed, however. AIM: : To
      assess the influence of metabolic syndrome (MS) on response to ursodeoxycholic
      acid (UDCA) and the survival in PBC patients. METHODS: The historical database
      (1975 to 2011) comprising consecutively enrolled PBC patients with a mean follow
      up of 123 months (range, 12 to 425 mo) was used. All patients were treated with
      UDCA (15 mg/kg/d). Responders to UDCA were defined as patients achieving at least
      a 40% drop in their alkaline phosphatase levels after 1 year. MS was defined
      according to the American Heart Association criteria. Survival was analyzed by
      means of Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: A total of 171 PBC patients were eligible
      for the study; 55 of them (32.1%) fulfilled the criteria for MS at presentation.
      Liver function tests and Mayo score were found comparable in PBC patients with
      and without MS. Histologic stages were similar in the 2 groups at the baseline.
      Significantly more cardiovascular events occurred in patients with MS during the
      follow-up (P<0.0001). Response to UDCA was greater in the group without MS, but
      the difference was not statistically significant. The Kaplan-Meier curves were
      similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: When associated with MS, PBC should be
      monitored carefully due to the risk of cardiovascular events.

PMID- 24231936
TI  - When and how was the new round of increase in inflammatory bowel disease in the
      United States started?

PMID- 24231937
TI  - Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy or distal pancreatectomy with
      splenectomy?: Perioperative and patient-reported outcome analysis.
AB  - GOALS: We designed this study to evaluate the efficacy of spleen salvage during
      distal pancreatectomy for patients with benign and borderline malignant tumors.
      BACKGROUND: Despite the emphasis on its role, the spleen has commonly been
      removed in distal pancreatectomy. STUDY: From January 2005 to July 2009, 82
      patients underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (DPS) and 78 patients
      underwent spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP). Medical records were
      retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in
      demographics, final diagnoses, estimated blood loss, intraoperative transfusion,
      and operative time between the 2 groups. More perioperative complications
      occurred in the DPS group than in the SPDP group (P=0.0344). Consequently,
      postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the SPDP group than in
      the DPS group (P=0.0273). In the follow-up survey, episodes of common cold or flu
      were apparently more frequent in the DPS group (P=0.047). More patients in the
      DPS group felt fatigue (P=0.0481) and poor health condition (P=0.0371). Less
      newly developed (P=0.0193) and aggravated diabetes mellitus (P=0.0361) were also
      observed in the SPDP group. Platelet counts on postoperative day (POD) 5,
      hemoglobin on POD 3, WBC counts, and CRP level on POD 2 were significantly higher
      in the DPS group than in the SPDP group and these differences continued to be
      significant for months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to frequent higher
      grade complications, prolonged hospital stays, and severe hematological
      abnormalities, DPS seemed to result in poor health condition based on the follow
      up survey. Even an effort to preserve an adult spleen in distal pancreatectomy is
      worthwhile.

PMID- 24231940
TI  - Reproductive toxicity evaluation of the dental resin monomer bisphenol a glycidyl
      methacrylate (CAS 1565-94-2) in mice.
AB  - The reproductive toxicity potential of the dental resin monomer bisphenol A
      glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA; CASRN 1565-94-2) was investigated in male and
      female Crl: CD1(ICR) mice, 4 dosage groups, and 25 mice/sex/group. Formulations
      of BisGMA (0, 0.008, 0.08, or 0.8 mg/kg/d) in 0.8% ethanol in deionized water
      were intubated once daily beginning 28 days before cohabitation and continuing
      through mating (males) or through gestation day 17. The following parameters were
      evaluated: viability, clinical signs, body weights, estrous cyclicity, necropsy
      observations, organ weights, sperm concentration/motility/morphology, cesarean
      sectioning and litter observations, and histopathological evaluation of select
      tissues. No deaths or clinical signs related to BisGMA occurred. No significant
      changes in male and female body weights and body weight gains were recorded at
      any of the administered dosages of BisGMA. All mating and fertility parameters,
      and all litter and fetal data, were considered to be unaffected by dosages of
      BisGMA as high as 0.8 mg/kg/d. Gross or histopathologic tissue changes
      attributable to the test article were not observed. Reproductive and
      developmental no observed effect levels (NOAELs) for BisGMA were 0.8 mg/kg/d, the
      highest dose tested. Comparison of this NOAEL value to published probabilistic
      estimates of human BisGMA exposure from dental products suggests a margin of
      safety of at least 280- to nearly 2000-fold. Under the conditions of this study,
      BisGMA is not a reproductive toxicant. 

PMID- 24231941
TI  - Unseen battles: the recognition, assessment, and treatment issues of men with
      military sexual trauma (MST).
AB  - While there is increasing attention on sexual violence in the military, the focus
      has been primarily on women. There is very little information regarding the
      effects of and treatment for men who experience military sexual trauma (MST). The
      aim of this article is to consolidate the known information about men with MST
      including prevalence rates, factors that affect those rates, gender differences,
      medical and psychiatric sequelae, and finally a review of two experimental
      studies. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are also
      discussed. 

PMID- 24231942
TI  - Should child obesity be an issue for child protective services? A call for more
      research on this critical public health issue.
AB  - Given the lasting effects on adolescent and adult health, childhood obesity is a
      major public health issue. The relatively slow progress toward the prevention and
      treatment of childhood obesity, however, has prompted leaders in both academic
      and practice sectors to advocate for what may be considered a radical
      intervention approach, to conceptualize extreme child obesity as an issue of
      child maltreatment. Advocates of this approach suggest that this
      conceptualization affords a new angle for intervention-the involvement of child
      protective services (CPS) in mandating family-focused lifestyle changes aimed at
      reducing child overweight and, in the most extreme cases, the removal of the
      obese child from the home. However, surprisingly little research has been
      conducted to inform policies or practices consistent with this recommendation,
      which is already being implemented in some states. This article aims to provide
      an overview of the challenges to the prevention and treatment of childhood
      obesity that have motivated the call for CPS involvement in extreme cases and to
      review the existing research related to this approach. Given that relatively
      little data are currently available to support or refute the merits of CPS
      involvement, recommendations for future research that would better inform public
      policy and decision making regarding this and other intervention strategies are
      also highlighted. 

PMID- 24231943
TI  - Cystic Fibrosis Patents: A Case Study of Successful Licensing.
AB  - From 2006-2010, Duke University's Center for Public Genomics prepared eight case
      studies examining the effects of gene patent licensing practices on clinical
      access to genetic testing for ten clinical conditions. One of these case studies
      focused on the successful licensing practices employed by the University of
      Michigan and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for patents covering the
      CFTR gene and its DeltaF508 mutation that causes a majority of cystic fibrosis
      cases. Since the licensing of these patents has not impeded clinical access to
      genetic testing, we sought to understand how this successful licensing model was
      developed and whether it might be applicable to other gene patents. We
      interviewed four key players who either were involved in the initial discussions
      regarding the structure of licensing or who have recently managed the licenses
      and collected related documents. Important features of the licensing planning
      process included thoughtful consideration of potential uses of the patent;
      anticipation of future scientific discoveries and technological advances;
      engagement of relevant stakeholders, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation;
      and using separate licenses for in-house diagnostics versus kit manufacture.
      These features led to the development of a licensing model that has not only
      allowed the patent holders to avoid the controversy that has plagued other gene
      patents, but has also allowed research, development of new therapeutics, and wide
      spread dissemination of genetic testing for cystic fibrosis. Although this
      licensing model may not be applicable to all gene patents, it serves as a model
      in which gene patent licensing can successfully enable innovation, investment in
      therapeutics research, and protect intellectual property while respecting the
      needs of patients, scientists, and public health.

PMID- 24231945
TI  - Large cerebellar mass lesion: A rare intracranial manifestation of blastomycosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Blastomyces dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungus found endemically in
      the Mississippi and Ohio River basins and in the Midwestern and Canadian
      provinces that border the Great Lakes. Unlike other fungal infections, it most
      commonly affects immunocompetent hosts. Blastomycosis typically manifests as
      pulmonary infection, but may affect nearly any organ, including the skin, bone,
      and genitourinary system. Central nervous system (CNS) blastomycosis is rare, but
      potentially fatal manifestation of this disease. When it does occur, it most
      commonly presents as acute or chronic meningitis. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a
      case of a patient who suffered intractable nausea and vomiting for several months
      before discovery of a large cerebellar blastomycoma causing mass effect and
      obstructive hydrocephalus. The enhancing lesion with unusual peripheral cystic
      structures is a unique radiographic appearance of CNS blastomycosis. CONCLUSION:
      We review this patient's purely intraparenchymal manifestation of CNS
      blastomycosis and describe the unique imaging characteristics encountered.

PMID- 24231946
TI  - A reanalysis of cancer mortality in Canadian nuclear workers (1956-1994) based on
      revised exposure and cohort data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A 15-country study of nuclear workers reported significantly
      increased radiation-related risks of all cancers excluding leukaemia, with
      Canadian data a major factor behind the pooled results. We analysed mortality
      (1956-1994) in the updated Canadian cohort and provided revised risk estimates.
      METHODS: Employment records were searched to verify and revise exposure data and
      to restore missing socioeconomic status. Excess relative risks per sievert
      (ERR/Sv) of recorded radiation dose and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were
      estimated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: A significant heterogeneity of the
      dose-response for solid cancer was identified (P=0.02), with 3088 early (1956
      1964) Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) workers having a significant
      increase (ERR/Sv=7.87, 95% CI: 1.88, 19.5), and no evidence of radiation risk for
      42,228 workers employed by three nuclear power plant companies and post-1964 AECL
      (ERR/Sv=-1.20, 95% CI: <-1.47, 2.39). Radiation risks of leukaemia were negative
      in early AECL workers and non-significantly increased in other workers. In
      analyses with separate terms for tritium and gamma doses, there was no evidence
      of increased risk from tritium exposure. All workers had mortality lower than the
      general population. CONCLUSION: Significantly increased risks for early AECL
      workers are most likely due to incomplete transfer of AECL dose records to the
      National Dose Registry. Analyses of the remainder of the Canadian nuclear workers
      (93.2%) provided no evidence of increased risk, but the risk estimate was
      compatible with estimates that form the basis of radiation protection standards.
      Study findings suggest that the revised Canadian cohort, with the exclusion of
      early AECL workers, would likely have an important effect on the 15-country
      pooled risk estimate of radiation-related risks of all cancer excluding leukaemia
      by substantially reducing the size of the point estimate and its significance.

PMID- 24231947
TI  - Analysis of plasma cytokines and angiogenic factors in patients with pretreated
      urothelial cancer receiving Pazopanib: the role of circulating interleukin-8 to
      enhance the prognostic accuracy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pazopanib achieved the end point of clinical activity in pretreated
      patients with urothelial cancer in a single-group, phase 2 trial. The objective
      was to identify biological predictors of clinical benefit to pazopanib in these
      patients. METHODS: EDTA blood samples were collected at baseline (T0) and after 4
      weeks (T1) of treatment, together with radiological imaging in all 41 patients to
      analyse plasma circulating angiogenic factor levels by multiplex ELISA plates.
      Changes from T0 to T1 in marker levels were matched with response with the
      covariance analysis. Univariable and multivariable analyses evaluated the
      association with overall survival (OS), adjusted for prespecified clinical
      variables. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) tested the performance of the
      recognised Cox model. RESULTS: Increasing IL8(T1) level associated with lower
      response probability at covariance analysis (P=0.010). Both IL8(T0) (P=0.019) and
      IL8(T1) (P=0.004) associated with OS and the prognostic model, including clinical
      variables and IL8(T1) best-predicted OS after backward selection. The NRI for
      this model was 39%.When analysed as a time-varying covariate, IL8(T1) level<80 pg
      ml(-1) portended significantly greater response (~80%) and 6-month OS (~60%)
      probability than level >= 80. CONCLUSION: IL8-level changes during pazopanib
      allowed for a prognostic improvement and were associated with response
      probability.

PMID- 24231948
TI  - The correlation between cell-free DNA and tumour burden was estimated by PET/CT
      in patients with advanced NSCLC.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) circulating in the blood holds a possible
      prognostic value in malignant diseases. Under malignant conditions, the level of
      cfDNA increases but the biological mechanism remains to be fully understood. We
      aimed to examine the correlation between cfDNA and total tumour burden defined by
      positron emission tomography (PET) parameters. METHODS: Patients with advanced
      non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were enrolled into a prospective biomarker
      trial. Before treatment, plasma was extracted and the level of cfDNA was
      determined by qPCR. An (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) PET/computed
      tomography (CT) scan was performed and evaluated in terms of metabolic tumour
      volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Tumour contours were delineated
      semi-automatically by a threshold standardised uptake value (SUV) of 2.5. The
      primary end point was correlation among cfDNA, MTV and TLG. The secondary end
      point was overall survival (OS) according to cfDNA, MTV and TLG. RESULTS: Fifty
      three patients were included. There were no correlations between cfDNA and MTV
      (r=0.1) or TLG (r=0.1). cfDNA >75th percentile was correlated with shorter OS
      (P=0.02), confirmed in a multivariate analysis. MTV>the median was associated
      with a significantly shorter OS (P=0.02). There was no significant difference in
      OS according to TLG (P=0.08). CONCLUSION: Cell-free DNA may not be a simple
      measure of tumour burden, but seems to reflect more complex mechanisms of tumour
      biology, making it attractive as an independent prognostic marker.

PMID- 24231949
TI  - p53-Based cyclotherapy: exploiting the 'guardian of the genome' to protect normal
      cells from cytotoxic therapy.
AB  - Side effects of chemotherapy are a major impediment in the treatment of cancer.
      Cyclotherapy is an emerging therapeutic strategy for protecting normal cells from
      the side effects of chemotherapy. Low, non-genotoxic doses of known p53
      activators can be used to induce p53-dependent cell cycle arrest in normal cells
      bearing wild-type p53. This cytostatic effect of p53 can protect normal cells
      from the toxicity of S- or M-phase poisons. Here, we have reviewed existing
      cyclotherapy regimens using two well-known p53 activators, nutlin-3 and
      actinomycin D. We have highlighted an exemplar clinical perspective for
      cyclotherapy in breast cancer. The recent development of novel stapled peptides
      as activators of p53 without the corresponding cytotoxicity holds great promise
      for cyclotherapy to enhance the therapeutic window of existing chemotherapy
      drugs. 

PMID- 24231950
TI  - Nuclear worker studies: promise and pitfalls.

PMID- 24231951
TI  - Role of multifunctional transcription factor TFII-I and putative tumour
      suppressor DBC1 in cell cycle and DNA double strand damage repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In multicellular organisms, precise control of cell cycle and the
      maintenance of genomic stability are crucial to prevent chromosomal alterations.
      The accurate function of the DNA damage pathway is maintained by DNA repair
      mechanisms including homologous recombination (HR). Herein, we show that both
      TFII-I and DBC1 mediate cellular mechanisms of cell-cycle regulation and DNA
      double strand damage repair. METHODS: Regulation of cell cycle by TFII-I and DBC1
      was investigated using Trypan blue dye exclusion test, luciferase assay, and flow
      cytometry analysis. We also analysed the role of TFII-I and DBC1 in DNA double
      strand damage repair after irradiation by immunofluorescence study, clonogenicity
      assay, and HR assay. RESULTS: Flow cytometry analysis revealed a novel function
      that siRNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous DBC1 resulted in G2/M phase arrest.
      We also have shown that both endogenous TFII-I and DBC1 activate DNA repair
      mechanisms after irradiation because irradiation-induced foci formation of TFII-I
      gammaH2AX was observed, and the depletion of endogenous TFII-I or DBC1 resulted
      in the inhibition of normal HR efficiency. CONCLUSION: These results reveal novel
      mechanisms by which TFII-I and DBC1 can modulate cellular fate by affecting cell
      cycle control as well as HR pathway.

PMID- 24231952
TI  - An expression signature of the angiogenic response in gastrointestinal
      neuroendocrine tumours: correlation with tumour phenotype and survival outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) are
      heterogeneous with respect to biological behaviour and prognosis. As angiogenesis
      is a renowned pathogenic hallmark as well as a therapeutic target, we aimed to
      investigate the prognostic and clinico-pathological role of tissue markers of
      hypoxia and angiogenesis in GEP-NETs. METHODS: Tissue microarray (TMA) blocks
      were constructed with 86 tumours diagnosed from 1988 to 2010. Tissue microarray
      sections were immunostained for hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (Hif-1alpha),
      vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), carbonic anhydrase IX (Ca-IX) and
      somatostatin receptors (SSTR) 1-5, Ki-67 and CD31. Biomarker expression was
      correlated with clinico-pathological variables and tested for survival prediction
      using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. RESULTS: Eighty-six consecutive
      cases were included: 51% male, median age 51 (range 16-82), 68% presenting with a
      pancreatic primary, 95% well differentiated, 51% metastatic. Higher grading
      (P=0.03), advanced stage (P<0.001), high Hif-1alpha and low SSTR-2 expression
      (P=0.03) predicted for shorter overall survival (OS) on univariate analyses.
      Stage, SSTR-2 and Hif-1alpha expression were confirmed as multivariate predictors
      of OS. Median OS for patients with SSTR-2+/Hif-1alpha-tumours was not reached
      after median follow up of 8.8 years, whereas SSTR-2-/Hif-1alpha+ GEP-NETs had a
      median survival of only 4.2 years (P=0.006). CONCLUSION: We have identified a
      coherent expression signature by immunohistochemistry that can be used for
      patient stratification and to optimise treatment decisions in GEP-NETs
      independently from stage and grading. Tumours with preserved SSTR-2 and low Hif
      1alpha expression have an indolent phenotype and may be offered less aggressive
      management and less stringent follow up.

PMID- 24231953
TI  - Collagen type XI alpha1 facilitates head and neck squamous cell cancer growth and
      invasion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although it is well established that the extracellular matrix affects
      tumour progression, not much is known about the various components and their
      effect on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression. Levels of
      collagen type XI alpha1 (colXIalpha1), a minor fibrillar collagen, have been
      shown to be increased in tumour compared with normal tissue in several cancers,
      including colorectal, breast, and non-small cell lung cancer. Currently, the
      functional significance of colXIalpha1 is not understood. METHODS: We examined
      the expression levels of colXIalpha1 mRNA and elucidated the functional role of
      colXIalpha1 in HNSCC. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were examined
      with and without colXIalpha1 knockdown with siRNA in HNSCC cells. RESULTS: Our
      data demonstrate that colXIalpha1 expression is increased in tumour samples
      compared with levels in normal adjacent tissue in 16/23 HNSCC patients. In
      addition, colalpha11 is increased in HNSCC cell lines compared with normal
      immortalised epithelial cells and is increased in tumour-derived fibroblasts
      compared with normal fibroblasts. Using an siRNA approach, we demonstrate that
      colXIalpha1 contributes to proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC.
      CONCLUSION: Our cumulative findings suggest that colXIalpha1 contributes to HNSCC
      tumorigenesis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target.

PMID- 24231954
TI  - Preoperative nomogram for the identification of lymph node metastasis in early
      cervical cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to construct a preoperative nomogram
      predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early-cervical cancer patients.
      METHODS: Between 2009 and 2012, 493 early-cervical cancer patients received
      hysterectomy and pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Patients who were diagnosed
      during 2009-2010 were assigned to a model-development cohort (n=304) and the
      others were assigned to a validation cohort (n=189). A multivariate logistic
      model was created from preoperative clinicopathologic data, from which a nomogram
      was developed and validated. A predicted probability of LNM<5% was defined as low
      risk. RESULTS: Age, tumour size assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, and LNM
      assessed by positron emission tomography/computed tomography were independent
      predictors of nodal metastasis. The nomogram incorporating these three predictors
      demonstrated good discrimination and calibration (concordance index=0.878; 95%
      confidence interval (CI), 0.833-0.917). In the validation cohort, the
      discrimination accuracy was 0.825 (95% CI, 0.736-0.895). In the model-development
      cohort, 34% of them were classified as low risk and negative predictive value
      (NPV) was 99.0%. In the validation cohort, 38% were identified as low risk and
      NPV was 95.8%. Integrating the model-development and validation cohorts, negative
      likelihood ratio was 0.094 (95% CI, 0.036-0.248). CONCLUSION: A robust nomogram
      predicting LNM in early cervical cancer was developed. This model may improve
      clinical trial design and help physicians to decide whether lymphadenectomy
      should be performed.

PMID- 24231955
TI  - Breast lesions in reduction mammaplasty specimens: a histopathological pattern in
      534 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of breast lesions (benign, precancerous and cancer
      lesions) in reduction mammaplasty (RM) specimens has rarely been reported in
      Europe and never in the Swiss population. METHODS: Personal and histopathological
      data from 534 female patients who underwent RM were reviewed. RESULTS: Benign
      and/or malignant lesions were detected in 76.2% of all patients. Benign breast
      lesions associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer represented
      2.8% of all lesions. Breast cancer in situ was identified in 5 (0.9%) patients.
      Patient age and previous history of breast cancer were risk factors for
      incidental breast cancer. CONCLUSION: The rate of incidental carcinoma in situ
      was higher for patients with breast cancer history. Probably due to preoperative
      breast cancer investigation, no occult invasive breast cancer was found in
      reduction mammary specimens. Therefore before RM, breast cancer evaluation should
      be considered for all patients, especially for those with breast cancer risk
      factors (e.g., patient age, personal history of breast cancer).

PMID- 24231957
TI  - Comparison of models of post-hyperthermia cell survival.
AB  - Several existing mathematical models of the survival of mammalian cells in
      culture following heating are compared. These models describe the fraction of
      cells that survive in a normal culture environment following a relatively brief
      period of heating between approximately 43  degrees C and 60  degrees C. The
      models have been developed either from rate process or mechanistic arguments.
      Little quantitative comparison between such models has been made using the same
      sets of data. The models are compared using the Akaike Information Criterion
      (AICc) after the model parameters have been estimated for two sets of existing
      data: human prostate cancer cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells. Most of the
      models capture the cell survival response. Scaled sensitivity coefficients show
      that some of the models have parameters that are difficult to estimate reliably.
      Relatively small variations in the AICc suggest that more measurements are needed
      before ranking the models.

PMID- 24231956
TI  - An anti-leishmanial thiadiazine agent induces multiple myeloma cell apoptosis by
      suppressing the nuclear factor kappaB signalling pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) has a critical role in the
      pathophysiology of multiple myeloma. Targeting NFkappaB is an important strategy
      for anti-myeloma drug discovery. METHODS: Luciferase assay was used to evaluate
      the effects of DETT on NFkappaB activity. Annexin V-PI double staining and
      immunoblotting were used to evaluate DETT-induced cell apoptosis and suppression
      of NFkappaB signalling. Anti-myeloma activity was studied in nude mice. RESULTS:
      DETT downregulated IKKalpha, beta, p65, and p50 expression and inhibited
      phosphorylation of p65 (Ser536) and IkappaBalpha. Simultaneously, DETT increased
      IkappaBalpha, an inhibitor of the p65/p50 heterodimer, even in the presence of
      stimulants lipopolysaccharide, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, or interleukin-6.
      DETT inhibited NFkappaB transcription activity and downregulated NFkappaB
      targeted genes, including Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and XIAP as measured by their protein
      expression. Deregulation of NFkappaB signalling by DETT resulted in MM cell
      apoptosis characterised by cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-8, and PARP. Notably,
      this apoptosis was partly blocked by the activation of NFkappaB signalling in the
      presence of TNFalpha and IL-6. Moreover, DETT delayed myeloma tumour growth in
      nude mice without overt toxicity. CONCLUSION: DETT displays a promising potential
      for MM therapy as an inhibitor of the NFkappaB signalling pathway.

PMID- 24231958
TI  - Hydrodynamic interaction between a platelet and an erythrocyte: effect of
      erythrocyte deformability, dynamics, and wall proximity.
AB  - We present three-dimensional numerical simulations of hydrodynamic interaction
      between a red blood cell (RBC) and a platelet in a wall-bounded shear flow. The
      dynamics and large deformation of the RBC are fully resolved in the simulations
      using a front-tracking method. The objective is to quantify the influence of tank
      treading and tumbling dynamics of the RBC, and the presence of a bounding wall on
      the deflection of platelet trajectories. We observe two types of interaction: A
      crossing event in which the platelet comes in close proximity to the RBC, rolls
      over it, and continues to move in the same direction; and a turning event in
      which the platelet turns away before coming close to the RBC. The crossing events
      occur when the initial lateral separation between the cells is above a critical
      separation, and the turning events occur when it is below the critical
      separation. The critical lateral separation is found to be higher during the
      tumbling motion than that during the tank treading. When the RBC is flowing
      closer to the wall than the platelet, the critical separation increases by
      several fold, implying the turning events have higher probability to occur than
      the crossing events. On the contrary, if the platelet is flowing closer to the
      wall than the RBC, the critical separation decreases by several folds, implying
      the crossing events are likely to occur. Based on the numerical results, we
      propose a mechanism of continual platelet drift from the RBC-rich region of the
      vessel towards the wall by a succession of turning and crossing events. The
      trajectory deflection in the crossing events is found to depend nonmonotonically
      on the initial lateral separation, unlike the monotonic trend observed in tracer
      particle deflection and in deformable sphere-sphere collision. This nonmonotonic
      trend is shown to be a consequence of the deformation of the RBC caused by the
      platelet upon collision. An estimation of the platelet diffusion coefficient
      yields values that are similar to those reported in experiments and computer
      simulations with multicellular suspension. 

PMID- 24231959
TI  - On the modeling of an intervertebral disc using a novel large deformation multi
      shell approach.
AB  - The objective of this study is to develop an analytical model to predict the
      stresses and displacements in the lamellae of the intervertebral disc subjected
      to a compressive force. This is achieved by developing a model based on membrane
      theory combined to large deformation multishell structural behavior. Equations
      for longitudinal and circumferential stresses are formulated for each lamella of
      the anulus fibrosus. Multilamellae interaction is a statically indeterminate
      problem, which requires equations of compatibility of the displacements of
      adjacent lamellae to be resolved. The large deformation inherent to soft tissue
      is considered and the solution is obtained using an iterative process. Elastic
      interactions with a large deformation is a novelty in analytical modeling of soft
      tissues. This provides model realism and offers the possibility for new and in
      depth investigations. Results are given for longitudinal and circumferential
      stresses and displacements as well as contact pressures for every lamella of the
      anulus fibrosus. The analytical results are compared to those of two finite
      element models. The results suggest that the most highly stressed zone is located
      on the innermost lamella. Stresses decrease through disc thickness and are at a
      maximum at the innermost lamella. Circumferential stress is predominant and the
      difference is less than 5% at any point of the anulus fibrosus when the
      analytical model is compared to the finite element model using coupled degrees of
      freedom at the lamellae interface. When compared to the finite element model
      using contact elements, the difference is below 11%. Contact pressures from the
      inside to the outside of the anulus fibrosus are shown to decrease nonlinearly.
      The model presented in this study has demonstrated that it is possible to
      analytically simulate the complex mechanical behavior of a multishell
      intervertebral disc subjected to compression, provided some simplifications.
      Further improvements are suggested to increase model realism and recommendations
      are given for future experimentation necessary to support both the analytical and
      numerical models. 

PMID- 24231960
TI  - Mechanical response of the herniated human abdomen to the placement of different
      prostheses.
AB  - This paper describes a method designed to model the repaired herniated human
      abdomen just after surgery and examine its static mechanical response to the
      maximum intra-abdominal pressure provoked by a physiological movement (standing
      cough). The model is based on the real geometry of the human abdomen bearing a
      large incisional hernia with several anatomical structures differentiated by MRI.
      To analyze the outcome of hernia repair, the surgical procedure was simulated by
      modeling a prosthesis placed over the hernia. Three surgical meshes with
      different mechanical properties were considered: an isotropic heavy-weight mesh
      (Surgipro(r)), a slightly anisotropic light-weight mesh (Optilene(r)), and a
      highly anisotropic medium-weight mesh (Infinit(r)). Our findings confirm that
      anisotropic implants need to be positioned such that the most compliant axis of
      the mesh coincides with the craneo-caudal direction of the body. 

PMID- 24231961
TI  - Confocal image-based computational modeling of nitric oxide transport in a rat
      mesenteric lymphatic vessel.
AB  - The lymphatic system plays important roles in protein and solute transport as
      well as in the immune system. Its functionality is vital to proper homeostasis
      and fluid balance. Lymph may be propelled by intrinsic (active) vessel pumping or
      passive compression from external tissue movement. With regard to the former,
      nitric oxide (NO) is known to play an important role modulating lymphatic vessel
      contraction and vasodilation. Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) are sensitive to
      shear, and increases in flow have been shown to cause enhanced production of NO
      by LECs. Additionally, high concentrations of NO have been experimentally
      observed in the sinus region of mesenteric lymphatic vessels. A computational
      flow and mass transfer model using physiologic geometries obtained from confocal
      images of a rat mesenteric lymphatic vessel was developed to determine the
      characteristics of NO transport in the lymphatic flow regime. Both steady and
      unsteady analyses were performed. Production of NO was shear-dependent; basal
      cases using constant production were also generated. Simulations revealed areas
      of flow stagnation adjacent to the valve leaflets, suggesting the high
      concentrations observed here experimentally are due to minimal convection in this
      region. LEC sensitivity to shear was found to alter the concentration of NO in
      the vessel, and the convective forces were found to profoundly affect the
      concentration of NO at a Peclet value greater than approximately 61. The
      quasisteady analysis was able to resolve wall shear stress within 0.15% of the
      unsteady case. However, the percent difference between unsteady and quasisteady
      conditions was higher for NO concentration (6.7%). We have shown high NO
      concentrations adjacent to the valve leaflets are most likely due to flow
      mediated processes rather than differential production by shear-sensitive LECs.
      Additionally, this model supports experimental findings of shear-dependent
      production, since removing shear dependence resulted in concentrations that are
      physiologically counterintuitive. Understanding the transport mechanisms and flow
      regimes in the lymphatic vasculature could help in the development of
      therapeutics to treat lymphatic disorders. 

PMID- 24231962
TI  - An experimental and modeling study of the viscoelastic behavior of collagen gel.
AB  - The macroscopic viscoelastic behavior of collagen gel was studied through
      relaxation time distribution spectrum obtained from stress relaxation tests and
      viscoelastic constitutive modeling. Biaxial stress relaxation tests were
      performed to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of collagen gel crosslinked
      with Genipin solution. Relaxation time distribution spectrum was obtained from
      the stress relaxation data by inverse Laplace transform. Peaks at the short (0.3
      s-1 s), medium (3 s-90 s), and long relaxation time (>200 s) were observed in the
      continuous spectrum, which likely correspond to relaxation mechanisms involve
      fiber, inter-fibril, and fibril sliding. The intensity of the long-term peaks
      increases with higher initial stress levels indicating the engagement of collagen
      fibrils at higher levels of tissue strain. We have shown that the stress
      relaxation behavior can be well simulated using a viscoelastic model with viscous
      material parameters obtained directly from the relaxation time spectrum. Results
      from the current study suggest that the relaxation time distribution spectrum is
      useful in connecting the macro-level viscoelastic behavior of collagen matrices
      with micro-level structure changes.

PMID- 24231963
TI  - Left ventricular finite element model bounded by a systemic circulation model.
AB  - A series of models were developed in which a circulatory system model was coupled
      to an existing series of finite element (FE) models of the left ventricle (LV).
      The circulatory models were used to provide realistic boundary conditions for the
      LV models. This was developed for the JSim analysis package and was composed of a
      systemic arterial, capillary, and venous system in a closed loop with a varying
      elastance LV and left atria to provide the driving pressures and flows matching
      those of the FE model. Three coupled models were developed, a normal LV under
      normotensive aortic loading (116/80 mm Hg), a mild hypertension (137/89 mm Hg)
      model, and a moderate hypertension model (165/100 mm Hg). The initial step in the
      modeling analysis was that the circulation was optimized to the end-diastolic
      pressure and volume values of the LV model. The cardiac FE models were then
      optimized to the systolic pressure/volume characteristics of the steady-state
      JSim circulatory model solution. Comparison of the stress predictions for the
      three models indicated that the mild hypertensive case produced a 21% increase in
      the average fiber stress levels, and the moderate hypertension case had a 36%
      increase in average stress. The circulatory work increased by 18% and 43% over
      that of the control for the mild and moderate hypertensive cases, respectively.

PMID- 24231964
TI  - One versus two implant-retained dentures: comparing biomechanics under oblique
      mastication forces.
AB  - The results from clinical tests of single implant-retained dentures (SIDs) are
      quite promising. However, the biomechanics of SIDs are still insufficiently
      determined. The aim of the study was to compare the implant loads and pressures
      beneath one and two implant-retained dentures (TIDs) under oblique mastication
      forces. The finite element method was used to conduct a model analysis in order
      to compare loading of the denture attachment onto the implant that accompanies
      oblique mastication forces in the cases of SIDs and TIDs. The possibility of a
      denture detaching and sliding on the mucous membrane surface was simulated. The
      SID solution faced a more remarkable tilt in the direction of the mastication
      forces, a higher pressures on the mucous membrane surface, and higher implant
      loadings. The hingelike restraints in the TID favored utilization of the support
      in the posterior area. The higher pressure values for the SID can be confusing
      and could lead to inaccurate conclusions about the acceptability of the SID. In
      the TID, the same areas of the mucous membrane were persistently loaded,
      independent of the occlusal force direction. In contrast, in the SID the full
      freedom of rotational movement enhances alternating use of the mucous membrane.
      This finding explains the more frequent sores in the mucous membrane beneath the
      TID than beneath the SID. 

PMID- 24231965
TI  - Comparison of approaches to quantify arterial damping capacity from
      pressurization tests on mouse conduit arteries.
AB  - Large conduit arteries are not purely elastic, but viscoelastic, which affects
      not only the mechanical behavior but also the ventricular afterload. Different
      hysteresis loops such as pressure-diameter, pressure-luminal cross-sectional area
      (LCSA), and stress-strain have been used to estimate damping capacity, which is
      associated with the ratio of the dissipated energy to the stored energy.
      Typically, linearized methods are used to calculate the damping capacity of
      arteries despite the fact that arteries are nonlinearly viscoelastic. The
      differences in the calculated damping capacity between these hysteresis loops and
      the most common linear and correct nonlinear methods have not been fully
      examined. The purpose of this study was thus to examine these differences and to
      determine a preferred approach for arterial damping capacity estimation.
      Pressurization tests were performed on mouse extralobar pulmonary and carotid
      arteries in their physiological pressure ranges with pressure (P) and outer
      diameter (OD) measured. The P-inner diameter (ID), P-stretch, P-Almansi strain, P
      Green strain, P-LCSA, and stress-strain loops (including the Cauchy and Piola
      Kirchhoff stresses and Almansi and Green strains) were calculated using the P-OD
      data and arterial geometry. Then, the damping capacity was calculated from these
      loops with both linear and nonlinear methods. Our results demonstrate that the
      linear approach provides a reasonable approximation of damping capacity for all
      of the loops except the Cauchy stress-Almansi strain, for which the estimate of
      damping capacity was significantly smaller (22 +/- 8% with the nonlinear method
      and 31 +/- 10% with the linear method). Between healthy and diseased extralobar
      pulmonary arteries, both methods detected significant differences. However, the
      estimate of damping capacity provided by the linear method was significantly
      smaller (27 +/- 11%) than that of the nonlinear method. We conclude that all
      loops except the Cauchy stress-Almansi strain loop can be used to estimate artery
      wall damping capacity in the physiological pressure range and the nonlinear
      method is recommended over the linear method.

PMID- 24231966
TI  - Mechanical loading causes detectable changes in morphometric measures of
      trabecular structure in human cancellous bone.
AB  - The relationships between mechanical loads and bone microstructure are of
      interest to those who seek to predict bone mechanical properties from
      microstructure or to predict how organization of bone microstructure is driven by
      mechanical loads. While strains and displacements in the material are inherently
      responsible for mechanically caused changes in the appearance of the
      microstructure, it is the morphometric measures of microstructural organization
      that are often available for assessment of bone quality. Therefore, an
      understanding of how strain history is reflected in morphometric measures of bone
      microstructure has practical implications in that it may provide clinically
      measurable indices of mechanical history in bone and improve interpretation of
      bone mechanical properties from microstructural information. The objective of the
      current study was to examine changes in morphometric measures of cancellous bone
      microstructure in response to varying levels of continuum level strains. The
      experimental approach included stereologic analysis of microcomputed tomography
      (MUCT) images of human cancellous bone samples obtained at sequentially
      increasing levels of strain in a custom-made loading apparatus mounted in a MUCT
      scanner. We found that the degree of anisotropy (DA) decreased from baseline to
      failure and from failure to postfailure. DA partially recovered from postfailure
      levels upon unloading; however, the final DA was less than at failure and less
      than at baseline. We also found that average trabecular thickness (Tb.Th.Av)
      increased with displacements at postfailure and did not recover when unloaded.
      Average trabecular number decreased when the specimens were unloaded. In
      addition, the heterogeneity of Tb.Th as measured by intra-specimen standard
      deviation (Tb.Th.SD) increased and that of trabecular number (Tb.N.SD) decreased
      with displacements at postfailure. Furthermore, the intraspecimen coefficient of
      variation of trabecular number decreased at postfailure displacements but did not
      recover upon unloading. Finally, the coefficient of variation of trabecular
      separation at unload was less than that at baseline. These measures can be
      developed into image-based indices to estimate strain history, damage, and
      residual mechanical properties where direct analysis of stresses and strains,
      such as through finite element modeling, may not be feasible. It remains to be
      determined how wide a time interval can be used to estimate strain history before
      remodeling becomes an overriding effect on the trabecular architecture. 

PMID- 24231967
TI  - Addressing some misperceptions of the joint coordinate system.
AB  - The joint coordinate system convention proposed by Grood and Suntay has been
      widely adopted, but often misrepresented. Previous work has argued by logical
      explanation of the approach that the joint coordinate system is a set of Euler or
      Cardan angles. The current work offers both an explanation and mathematical proof
      that the joint coordinate system convention is equivalent to a Cardan angle
      sequence, thereby demonstrating the joint coordinate system angles are both
      sequence dependent and orthogonal. 

PMID- 24231968
TI  - Filamentous microbes indigenous to the murine small bowel: A scanning electron
      microscopic study of their morphology and attachment to the epithelium.
AB  - Segmented, filamentous prokaryotic microorganisms colonize and attach to the
      cells in the epithelium of the mucosa of the small bowels of mice and rats.
      Scanning electron micrographs, derived from specimens of mouse small intestine,
      reveal microbial filaments of at least two types. One type is thin (0.8MUm) with
      only faint lines suggesting septa; the other is thicker (1.4MUm) and has distinct
      segments with pronounced septa. Most of the segments are rounded; a few are thin
      and elongated. Immediately surrounding the attachment site of these organisms,
      the surface of the epithelial cells appears roughened and occasionally stringy.
      The filaments may differ morphologically because they represent different phases
      in the life cycle of a single microbial type. Alternatively, however, they may
      differ because they are the cells of different microbial types colonizing the
      same epithelial habitat. 

PMID- 24231969
TI  - Naturally occurring apatite as a source of orthophosphate for growth of bacteria
      and algae.
AB  - Several naturally occurring calcium-phosphate apatites which varied in
      crystalline structure and ionic composition were added as crystals of different
      particle size to P-free (<1MUg/liter total P) nutrient media. Sufficient ortho-PO
      4 (3-) was released by the partial dissolution of apatite crystals at limnetic pH
      levels (pH 7.8) to support growth of several unialgal-mixed bacterial cultures.
      The biomass produced by mixed populations increased as the amount of available
      apatite was increased and as the pH of the media and the particle size of the
      apatite crystals were decreased. These findings suggest that although apatite
      characteristically displays reduced solubility under alkaline conditions, the
      tons of apatite which are continuously entering aquatic environments as erosion
      material may be contributing to the P loading of those ecosystems. 

PMID- 24231970
TI  - Influence of extracellular polysaccharides on the toxicity of copper and cadmium
      towardKlebsiella aerogenes.

PMID- 24231971
TI  - A case for bacterial dormancy in aquatic systems.

PMID- 24231972
TI  - The annual cycle ofVibrio Parahaemolyticus in chesapeake bay.
AB  - An ecological study ofVibrio parahaemolyticus was carried out from December 1970
      to December 1971 in the Rhode River of Chesapeake Bay. The annual cycle of the
      organism was elucidated and factors restricting its distribution in the estuary
      were described, including the association of the organism with zooplankton.
      Numerical taxonomy was employed for identification and classification ofV.
      parahaemolyticus and related organisms on the basis of substrate utilization
      tests. From characteristics recorded forV. parahaemolyticus, it is concluded to
      be an estuarine organism. 

PMID- 24231973
TI  - Nematophagous fungi: Endoparasites ofRhabditis terricola.
AB  - Three techniques were compared for the recovery of endoparasitic nematophagous
      fungi from soil. The Baermann funnel technique (32 species) was superior to
      differential centrifugation (19 species) or soil sprinkling (21 species) in terms
      of number of species found. The main advantage of the Baermann funnel was in the
      recovery of lower fungi, especially those with flagellate states. In all, 40
      species of endoparasites (70% of the known flora) were recorded. Thirty-two of
      those were found capable of attacking the soil nematodeRhabditis terricola
      Dujardin. 

PMID- 24231974
TI  - Bacterial chemotactic responses in flowing water.
AB  - Chemotaxis in marine bacteria is shown to be the basis for instream location in
      flowing water. The response is of importance in the location of prey by motile
      bacterial predators. 

PMID- 24231975
TI  - Predictive and postdictive success of statistical analyses of yield trials.
AB  - The accuracy of a yield trial can be increased by improved experimental
      techniques, more replicates, or more efficient statistical analyses. The third
      option involves nominal fixed costs, and is therefore very attractive. The
      statistical analysis recommended here combines the Additive main effects and
      multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model with a predictive assessment of accuracy.
      AMMI begins with the usual analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compute genotype and
      environment additive effects. It then applies principal components analysis (PCA)
      to analyze non-additive interaction effects. Tests with a New York soybean yield
      trial show that the predictive accuracy of AMMI with only two replicates is equal
      to the predictive accuracy of means based on five replicates. The effectiveness
      of AMMI increases with the size of the yield trial and with the noisiness of the
      data. Statistical analysis of yield trials with the AMMI model has a number of
      promising implications for agronomy and plant breeding research programs. 

PMID- 24231976
TI  - Mutants for rice storage proteins : 1. Screening of mutants for rice storage
      proteins of protein bodies in the starchy endosperm.
AB  - To obtain genetic materials to breed qualitatively improved rice storage
      proteins, we screened about 3,000 mutant lines induced by the treatment of rice
      fertilized egg cell with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). The screening was
      performed by comparing the profiles of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with that of the original variety, Kinmaze, especially
      focussing on the changes in polypeptides present in two kinds of protein bodies,
      PB-I and PB-II. We selected 17 mutant lines and classified them into 4 types on
      the basis of variations of the relative contents of the polypeptides.
      Determination of extracted protein in the starchy endosperm of the mutants
      revealed changes in the content of prolamin and glutelin but not globulin. In
      some mutants there was marked accumulation of 57 kDa polypeptide concomitant with
      the remarkable reduction of glutelin subunits. Treatment of the fertilized egg
      cell with MNU was found to be an effective method to induce mutations for storage
      proteins in protein bodies of rice. 

PMID- 24231977
TI  - The emergence of new centres of diversity: evidence from barley.
AB  - Statistical analyses of data from a large barley germplasm collection of
      worldwide origins revealed that material from the USA now contains more
      variability in toto than material from any other country. In addition trends of
      overall diversity for other countries suggest that there is little association
      between high overall variability and what are considered as traditional "centres
      of origin" or "centres of diversity" for this crop. The five countries of highest
      overall diversity worldwide were found to be (in descending order): USA, Turkey,
      Japan, USSR and China. Cluster analyses revealed that relatedness of germplasm
      was by far strongest between certain European countries, which were also in
      general of a more intermediate diversity level. The data presented here suggests
      that the variability present in gene pools still varies substantially by country
      but according to patterns which appear different from those described previously.

PMID- 24231978
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA variation in pearl millet and related species.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction endonuclease fragment patterns and patterns
      of mtDNA hybridized by mitochondrial gene probes were used to study phylogenetic
      relationships of seven Pennisetum species, including five P. americanum (pearl
      millet) ecotypes and a reference species from the distantly related genus,
      Panicum. The restriction patterns of the pearl millet ecotypes were uniform with
      the exception of the ecotype collected in Ethiopia. The probe hybridization
      method revealed more variability, with both the Rhodesian and Ethiopian ecotypes
      differing from the others and from each other. Considerable restriction pattern
      polymorphism was noted among different species of Pennisetum, and Panicum.
      Significant relationships were noted of Pennisetum polystachyon to P.
      pedicellatum and of P. purpureum to P. squamulatum using the restriction pattern
      method. In addition to those relationships, the hybridization method showed
      relationships of pearl millet to P. purpureum and to P. squamulatum. The
      relationships noted between species by the hybridization method agreed more
      closely to the cytological data than those indicated by the restriction pattern
      method. Therefore, the hybridization method appeared to be the preferred method
      for studying species relationships. The mitochondrial genome size of pearl millet
      was calculated to be 407 kb and the mitochondrial genome sizes of other
      Pennisetum species ranged from 341 to 486 kb. 

PMID- 24231979
TI  - The use of cross prediction methods in a practical potato breeding programme.
AB  - Most previous studies on cross prediction methods have examined relatively few
      crosses, particularly in relation to the numbers involved in most breeding
      programmes. In this paper the feasibility of using cross prediction methods was
      examined in a practical potato (Solanum tuberosum) breeding scheme by the
      analyses of progeny from 52 crosses. The variate considered was breeder's
      preference, a visual assessment made of the harvested tubers to estimate their
      commercial potential. The results showed that it was possible to identify the
      superior crosses. Cross prediction based simply on the mean preference scores,
      averaged over scorers and clones within progenies, estimated on seedlings or
      first clonal year plants, provided the best estimate of a progeny's performance
      in the third clonal generation. Predictions based on the expected proportion of
      clones that would transgress a given target value also provided a good indication
      of a progeny's potential. The poorest prediction was obtained by using the
      observed frequency of desirable clones in a progeny sample. The implications for
      potato breeding are discussed. 

PMID- 24231980
TI  - Associations among inbred lines of maize using electrophoretic, chromatographic,
      and pedigree data : 2. Multivariate and cluster analysis of data from Iowa stiff
      stalk synthetic derived lines.
AB  - Associations among 17 "Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic" derived inbred lines of maize
      (Zea mays L.) were determined using multivariate and cluster analysis. Objectives
      were to assess the level of unique characterization among lines afforded by
      reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) of zeins and
      starch gel electrophoresis of isozymes and to compare associations among lines
      revealed by biochemical and pedigree data. Isozymic data for 33 loci provided
      unique discrimination among 88% of the lines; 2 closely related lines were
      indistinguishable. Seventy-one percent of the lines could be uniquely and
      unambiguously identified by RP-HPLC. Biochemical data showed associations between
      lines that would be expected on the basis of pedigree. Nevertheless, different
      associations were revealed by allozymic and chromatographic data. Although these
      data permitted a high degree of unique identification, additional markers,
      covering a larger proportion of the genome, are needed to more adequately monitor
      similarities among genes that respond to selection during plant breeding. 

PMID- 24231981
TI  - Heterochromatins and band karyotypes in three species of salmonids.
AB  - The heterochromatins of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri R.), brown trout (Salmo
      trutta fario L.) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis M.) were characterized by
      sequential chromomycin A3/distamycin A/DAPI (CDD) and DAPI/actinomycin D
      (DAPI/AmD) fluorescence. On most biarmed chromosomes, an equilocal localization
      of prominent DAPI/AmD positive, chromomycin A3 negative, AT-rich blocks at the
      centromeres were observed in all three species. Band karyotypes of the three
      species were established. In rainbow trout, several DAPI/AmD positive
      heterochromatin blocks behaved positive in a silver-staining method. Mitotic and
      interphase studies proved the presence of inter-individual NOR variation in brown
      trout. The NORs of brook trout were localized on chromosomes 5, 10, 14, 15 and
      29. 

PMID- 24231982
TI  - Inheritance of supernodulation in soybean and estimation of the genetically
      effective cell number.
AB  - Provided the nature of inheritance is known, the frequency of homozygous mutant
      plants in individual M2 families (derived from M1 seed) can be used to estimate
      the genetically effective cell number (GECN). Segregation ratios in M3 families
      derived from M2 wild-type plants indicated that the supernodulation characters
      nts382, nts1007 and nts183 are inherited as Mendelian recessives. The nature of
      inheritance was also known or confirmed to be recessive by crossing the wild type
      to these and several other mutants derived from the same population of M2
      families. Subsequently, using the frequency of mutant plants in individual M2
      families, the GECN for soybean was calculated to be approximately two. 

PMID- 24231983
TI  - Large double-stranded RNA molecules in Phaseolus vulgaris L. are not associated
      with cytoplasmic male sterility.
AB  - Two large double-stranded RNA molecules, 15 and 16 kilobases, were detected in
      cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) Phaseolus vulgaris by agarose gel electrophoresis.
      A number of smaller RNA molecules were observed in 'Sprite', a maintainer line,
      and recurrent backcrossing of CMS P. vulgarisx'Sprite' resulted in a combined
      electrophoretic pattern of the two large and numerous small RNA molecules. The
      large RNA molecules were seed and pollen-transmissible, but were not transmitted
      by grafting. The RNAs were present in revertant and restored lines derived from
      CMS-Sprite and therefore were not associated with the cytoplasmic male sterile
      trait. 

PMID- 24231984
TI  - On the toleration of duplications and deletions by the Vicia faba genome.
AB  - From eight pairs of crosses between differently reconstructed diploid karyotypes
      of Vicia faba, the progeny after selfing of plants heterozygous for both parental
      chromosome reconstructions were inspected for occurrence and transmission of
      duplications and deletions of defined chromosome segments, comprising together
      about one third of the metaphase genome length. The duplications and deletions
      studied involved either one or more chromosome segments of the respective
      karyotype (0.8%-9.1% of the metaphase length). They arose during meiosis in
      double heterozygotes by crossing over between partially homologous chromosomes or
      by mis-segregation from multivalents. While most duplications, provided they were
      not accompanied by deletions and in dependence on the segment involved, were
      viable and transmissible, even in homozygous state, deletions had lethal effects
      on gametes of both sexes. 

PMID- 24231985
TI  - A mutant of Nicotiana sylvestris deficient in serine glyoxylate aminotransferase
      activity : Callus induction and photorespiratory toxicity in regenerated plants.
AB  - A photorespiration mutant of Nicotiana sylvestris lacking serine: glyoxylate
      aminotransferase activity was isolated in the M2 generation following EMS
      mutagenesis. Mutants showing chlorosis in air and normal growth in 1% CO2 were
      fed [(14)C]-2-glycolate to examine the distribution of (14)C among
      photorespiratory intermediates. Mutant strain NS 349 displayed a 9-fold increase
      in serine accumulation relative to wild-type controls. Enzyme assays revealed an
      absence of serine: glyoxylate aminotransferase (SGAT) activity in NS 349, whereas
      other peroxisomal enzymes were recovered at normal levels. Heterozygous siblings
      of NS 349 segregating air-sensitive M3 progeny in a 3?1 ratio were shown to
      contain one half the normal level of SGAT activity, indicating that air
      sensitivity in NS 349 results from a single nuclear recessive mutation
      eliminating SGAT activity. Since toxicity of the mutation depends on
      photorespiratory activity, callus cultures of the mutant were initiated and
      maintained under conditions suppressing the formation of functional plastids.
      Plantlets regenerated from mutant callus were shown to retain the SGAT deficiency
      and conditional lethality in air. The utility of photorespiration mutants of
      tobacco as vehicles for genetic manipulation of ribulose bisphosphate
      carboxylase/oxygenase at the somatic cell level is discussed. 

PMID- 24231986
TI  - An alternative approach to multivariate selection in plant breeding where
      genotypes are evaluated at many locations.
AB  - A new approach to genotypic selection in a plant breeding programme where the
      genotypes under assessment are grown in a number of environments is examined. It
      is assumed that these environments are a random sub-set of all possible
      environments where the genotypes are likely to be grown. It involves estimating
      the probability that each genotype will, if grown at any location, exceed
      predefined target values for one or more characters. The multi-normal
      probabilities are estimated from the genotype means and environmental variance of
      each variate. Where more than a single variate is to be considered, the
      correlation coefficients between variates are also used in the estimation. It was
      found that the coefficient obtain by correlating the predicted proportion of
      locations that genotypes would exceed the set target values, with the observed
      proportion of locations in a different year, were consistently higher than
      similar coefficients between observed proportions in different seasons. The
      latter were high enough to conclude that the approach would be of use in
      practise. Such a method may therefore be used to identify genotypes which have a
      high probability of being suitable over a range of locations. 

PMID- 24231987
TI  - Genetic evaluation with data presenting evidence of mixed major gene and
      polygenic inheritance.
AB  - A procedure for genetic evaluation with field data is proposed for situations in
      which there is mixed major gene and polygenic inheritance and the major genotype
      membership of some or of all individuals is unknown. Location parameters (fixed
      environmental, major genotype and polygenic effects), major genotype frequencies
      and variance components are estimated by the modal values of joint and marginal
      posterior distributions. The method is described for continuous and discontinuous
      data as well as for univariate and multivariate evaluations. Results from a
      simulation study are presented. 

PMID- 24231988
TI  - The cytogenetics of a triploid Hordeum bulbosum and of some of its hybrid and
      trisomic derivatives.
AB  - The progeny from a cross between diploid H. vulgare and triploid H. bulbosum were
      mostly triploid (VBB) hybrids, the other progeny were haploid (V) barley (H.
      vulgare). From a cross between diploid and triploid H. bulbosum, four of the
      seven possible trisomic lines were isolated. The Giemsa banded karyotype of H.
      bulbosum was produced, and two of the lines were identified as trisomic for
      chromosomes 6 and 7. The cytology and transmission rates of the trisomics were
      examined. 

PMID- 24231989
TI  - Variation in kafirin and alcohol-soluble glutelin chromatograms of sorghum inbred
      lines revealed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - Separations of kafirin and alcohol soluble glutelin proteins by reversed-phase
      high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) from 7 inbreds and one hybrid of
      sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and one source of Johnsongrass [Sorghum
      halapense (L.) Pers.] were compared. Objectives were to assess the stability of
      protein profiles for seed sources produced at different locations and in
      different environments to examine the potential of RP-HPLC to provide genotypic
      profiles for sorghum. Analyses of variance data showed that levels of variation
      due to environments and locations were small; the majority of variation (93%) was
      among genotypes. Associations among inbreds revealed by multivariate and cluster
      analysis showed similarity with those that would be expected on the basis of
      pedigree. A chi-square analysis showed no deviation in the hybrid profile from
      the expected 2?1 ratio of peaks from the female and male inbred parents,
      respectively. Improvements in the ability to correctly assign common peaks are
      necessary before associations among numerous sorghum genotypes can be reliably
      demonstrated by analysis of data from reversed-phase high-performance liquid
      chromatography (RP-HPLC). 

PMID- 24231990
TI  - Novel class of rDNA repeat units in somatic hybrids between Nicotiana and Atropa.
AB  - Behavior of ribosomal RNA genes in the process of somatic hybridization was
      analyzed using hybrids Nicotiana tabacum + Atropa belladonna. Blothybridization
      of parental species DNAs to (32)P-rDNA specific probes revealed two classes of
      ribosomal repeats in both tobacco and nightshade; their length was 11.2 kb, 10.4
      kb (tobacco) and 9.4 kb, 10.2 kb (night-shade). For analysis of hybrids, labelled
      (32)P rDNA specific probes were hybridized to DNA of parental species and somatic
      hybrids digested with restriction endonucleases EcoR1, EcoRV and BamH1. A new
      class of ribosomal DNA repeat, absent in parental species, was found in hybrid
      line NtAb-1. Possible mechanisms of appearence of a new rDNA class in the process
      of somatic cell fusion are discussed. 

PMID- 24231991
TI  - Resistance to potato leaf roll virus and potato virus Y in somatic hybrids
      between dihaploid Solanum tuberosum and S. brevidens.
AB  - Many somatic fusion hybrids have been produced between a dihaploid potato Solanum
      tuberosum and the sexually-incompatible wild species S. brevidens using both
      chemical and electrical fusion techniques. S. brevidens was resistant to both
      potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) and potato virus Y (PVY), the viruses being either
      at low (PLRV) or undetectable (PVY) concentrations as determined by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The S. tuberosum parent was susceptible to both
      viruses. A wide range of resistance, expressed as a decrease in virus
      concentration to both viruses was found amongst fusion hybrids, four of which
      were especially resistant. The practicality of introducing virus resistance from
      S. brevidens into cultivated potatoes by somatic hybridisation is discussed. 

PMID- 24231992
TI  - Chromosome elimination and chromosome pairing in tetraploid hybrids of Hordeum
      vulgare * H. bulbosum.
AB  - The C0 tetraploid counterparts of diploid hybrids of Hordeum vulgare * H.
      bulbosum were meiotically analysed, and were found to be chromosomally less
      stable than the same genotypes had been as diploids. The 14 bulbosum chromosomes
      present in the tetraploid cytotypes were probably eliminated as pairs rather than
      randomly or one genome at the time. Development of the vulgare and bulbosum
      genomes was asynchronous in some hybrids, the bulbosum chromosomes appearing less
      advanced than the vulgare chromosomes in the same cell. This appeared to reduce
      pairing between bulbosum homologues and also suppressed homoeologous pairing. 

PMID- 24231993
TI  - The detection and estimation of linkage using doubled haploid or single seed
      descent populations.
AB  - In many plant species, particularly those of agricultural importance, there is
      now much effort being devoted to developing comprehensive genetic maps using
      biochemical and molecular markers. Because these techniques often involve
      destructive sampling of individual plants the use is increasingly made of
      homozygous or near-homozygous recombinant lines for linkage studies in preference
      to F2 or backcross generations. The present paper describes methods for the
      detection and estimation of linkage using such generations for commonly
      encountered genetic situations. 

PMID- 24231994
TI  - Transfer of resistance to PLRV titer buildup from Solanum etuberosum to a tuber
      bearing Solanum gene pool.
AB  - Hybrids between Solanum etuberosum and S. pinnatisectum harboring resistance to
      titer buildup of potato leafroll virus (PLRV) were reciprocally crossed with
      tuber-bearing wild species S. acaule and S. verrucosum. A total of 47 hybrids
      with acaule were obtained with the aid of embryo rescue and sterile culturing of
      embryos from imbibing seeds. All but two hybrids with acaule had low pollen
      stainabilities or were pollen sterile. Hybrid seeds from crosses with verrucosum
      were easily obtained, and the triploid progenies were sterile. Hybrid progeny
      were screened for resistance to PLRV infection by viruliferous green peach aphid
      and for resistance to titer buildup. Although hybrids did not exhibit resistance
      to infection, PLRV was not detectable using ELISA. Virus was detected, however,
      by graft transmission to Datura stramonium. Crosses of fertile acaule-etuberosum
      pinnatisectum hybrids with S. phureja, a cultivated diploid, using the latter as
      pollen parent, produced berries but seed did not complete development and was
      aborted. Rescue of immature embryos 25 days after pollination by excision from
      berries and sterile culture produced vigorous, pot-cultured plants. Segregation
      of susceptible (virus detected) and resistant (virus undetected) progenies
      suggests simple inheritance. 

PMID- 24231995
TI  - Heterosis * nutrition interaction in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - The relationship between heterozygosity and the expression of heterosis at two
      different nutrition levels was investigated using Drosophila melanogaster.
      Average daily egg production and egg hatchability were measured in two parental
      strains and in F1, F2 and reciprocal backcross generations. Heterosis was more
      pronounced in the poor nutritional conditions. Two electrophoretic markers used
      to estimate the level of heterozygosity in F2 and backcrosses revealed an excess
      of heterozygous genotypes. Quantitative genetic effects (an additive line effect
      and individual and maternal heterosis) were estimated for both traits in the two
      environments. Although this model gave a reasonable fit in most cases, some
      epistatic interaction would have to be invoked in order to explain fully the
      results. 

PMID- 24231996
TI  - Soybean 11S globulin polypeptides have an antigenic homology with 11S globulins
      from various plants.
AB  - Rabbit serum antibodies (AB) against glycinin acidic polypeptides were separated
      by cross exhausting, and the antibody fractions for each of the two subfamilies
      of glycinin subunits (A1 and A3) were obtained. The antibodies were used in the
      immuno blot assay with seed protein of various plant classes. Polypeptides
      homologous to soybean glycinin were detected. Homology with A1 polypeptide was
      revealed in more cases than with A3. Total seed protein preparations were
      subjected to centrifugation in sucrose density gradient, and the polypeptides,
      imunochemically related to glycinin, occurred only in fractions with
      sedimentation constant about 11S. The nativity of conservative antigenic
      determinants of 11S globulins is discussed. 

PMID- 24231997
TI  - Phenotypic and genetic variability of estimated growth curve parameters in mice.
AB  - Data from 1,919 outbred ICR mice were used to examine the potential usefulness of
      growth curve parameters as selection criteria for altering the relationship
      between body weight and age. A logistic growth function was used to model growth
      through 12 weeks of age. Estimates of asymptotic weight (A), maximum growth rate
      (r) and age at point of inflection (t(*)) were obtained by nonlinear least
      squares. A log transformation was also used to stabilize residual variance.
      Phenotypic and genetic parameters were estimated for the estimated growth curve
      parameters and for body weights at 2, 3, 4.5, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age.
      Heritabilities of estimated growth curve parameters (obtained with and without a
      log transformation, respectively) were: A (0.28+/-0.07, 0.28+/-0.07), r (0.35+/
      0.07, 0.53+/-0.09) and t(*) (0.41+/-0.08, 0.44+/-0.08). Estimated genetic
      correlations suggest that t(*) may be useful in selecting for rapid early growth
      without increasing mature weight. 

PMID- 24231998
TI  - Selection for increased anther culture response in maize.
AB  - Anther culture of a three-way cross, (H99 * FR16) * Pa91, resulted in the
      regeneration of two anther-derived plants which were crossed to produce an F1
      progeny. Fourteen S1 families derived from this cross were evaluated for their
      anther culturability. Dramatic increases in the level of androgenesis, expressed
      as the percentage of cultured anthers which produced embryo-like structures, were
      observed. An overall mean response frequency of 23.4% was observed for the S1
      families. This was compared to a 3.5% response in the original three-way cross.
      These results demonstrate that genetic improvement of in vitro androgenesis in
      maize is possible and that anther culture per se constitutes a procedure for
      selecting genes which favor increased levels of response. 

PMID- 24231999
TI  - Release of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 from alginate microcapsule
      encapsulating genetically engineered cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, 293T cells were genetically engineered to secrete
      tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP2) and encapsulated into alginate
      microcapsules to continuously release TIMP2 protein. METHODS: The anti-invasive
      potential of the microcapsules was studied in vitro using brain tumor cells. The
      TIMP2 gene was transfected to 293T cells, and genetically engineered 293TIMP2
      cells were encapsulated into alginate microcapsules. Release of TIMP2 protein was
      detected with Western blot analysis and the anti-invasive potential against U87MG
      cells was tested using gelatin zymography and a Matrigel assay. RESULTS: Cell
      viability within the alginate microcapsules was maintained at a cell density of 5
      * 10(6). Because polycationic polymers are helpful for maintaining the mechanical
      strength of microcapsules with good cell viability, the alginate microcapsules
      were reinforced with chitosan (0.1% w/v). Expression of TIMP2 protein in cell
      lysates and secretion of TIMP2 into the conditioned medium was confirmed by
      Western blot analysis. Alginate microcapsules encapsulating 293TIMP2 cells
      released TIMP2 protein into the medium efficiently, where the TIMP2 protein
      participated in degradation of the matrix metalloproteinase-2 enzyme and
      inhibited invasion of U87MG cells. CONCLUSION: Alginate microcapsules
      encapsulating 293TIMP2 cells are promising candidates for anti-invasive treatment
      of glioma.

PMID- 24232000
TI  - Protective effects of Notoginsenoside R1 on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion
      injury in rats.
AB  - Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is a clinical problem occurred for
      diverse causes with high mortality. Prophylaxis and treatment of intestinal I/R
      remains a challenge for clinicians. The purpose of the present study was to
      explore the role of Notoginsenoside R1 (R1), a major component form of Panax
      notoginseng, in management of intestinal I/R injury. Intestinal I/R was induced
      in male Sprague-Dawley rats by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 90 min
      followed by reperfusion for 60 min or 3 days. R1 (10 mg.kg(-1).h(-1)) was
      administered either 20 min before ischemia or 20 min after reperfusion.
      Intestinal microcirculation was evaluated by intravital microscopy over 60 min
      reperfusion. Sixty minutes or 3 days after reperfusion, rats were killed for
      histological examination of the jejunum tissue and immunohistochemical
      localization of myeloperoxidase and CD68. ATP, ADP, and AMP content in jejunum
      tissue was assessed by ELISA. Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and
      expression of ATP5D and tight junction proteins were determined by Western
      blotting. The results demonstrated that R1 is capable of attenuating intestinal
      I/R-induced microvascular hyperpermeability, inflammatory cytokine production, NF
      kappaB activation, and loss of tight junction proteins, as well as improving
      energy metabolism during I/R. The results of the present study suggest R1 as an
      option in protecting against intestinal I/R injury. 

PMID- 24232001
TI  - Paeoniflorin abrogates DSS-induced colitis via a TLR4-dependent pathway.
AB  - Paeonia lactiflora Pall is one of the most well-known herbs in China, Korea, and
      Japan for more than 1,200 years. Paeoniflorin, the major bioactive component of
      peony root, has recently been reported to have anticolitic activity. However, the
      underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. The present study was to explore the
      possible mechanism of paeoniflorin in attenuating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)
      induced colitis. Pre- and coadministration of paeoniflorin significantly reduced
      the severity of colitis and resulted in downregulation of several inflammatory
      parameters in the colon, including the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), the
      levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, and the mRNA expression of proinflammatory
      mediators (MCP-1, Cox2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-17). The decline in
      the activation of NF-kappaB p65, ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK correlated with a
      decrease in mucosal Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) but not TLR2 or TLR5 expression.
      In accordance with the in vivo results, paeoniflorin downregulated TLR4
      expression, blocked nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65, and reduced the
      production of IL-6 in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Transient
      transfection assay performed in LPS-stimulated human colon cancer HT-29 cells
      indicated that paeoniflorin inhibits NF-kappaB transcriptional activity in a dose
      dependent manner. TLR4 knockdown and overexpression experiments demonstrated a
      requirement for TLR4 in paeoniflorin-mediated downregulation of inflammatory
      cytokines. Thus, for the first time, the present study indicates that
      paeoniflorin abrogates DSS-induced colitis via decreasing the expression of TLR4
      and suppressing the activation of NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways. 

PMID- 24232002
TI  - Endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling and microvascular dysfunction in the
      mesentery of mice deficient in alpha-galactosidase A.
AB  - A defect in the gene for the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (Gla) results
      in globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) accumulation in Fabry disease and leads to
      premature death from cardiac and cerebrovascular events. However,
      gastrointestinal symptoms are often first observed during childhood in these
      patients and are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate an age
      dependent microvasculopathy of the mesenteric artery (MA) in a murine model of
      Fabry disease (Gla-knockout mice) resulting from dysregulation of the vascular
      homeostatic enzyme endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The progressive
      accumulation of Gb3 in the MA was confirmed by thin-layer chromatographic
      analysis. A total absence of endothelium-dependent dilation was observed in MAs
      from mice at 8 mo of age, while suppression of ACh-mediated vasodilation was
      evident from 2 mo of age. Endothelium-independent dilation with sodium
      nitroprusside was normal compared with age-matched wild-type mice. The
      microvascular defect in MAs from Fabry mice was endothelium-dependent and
      associated with suppression of the active homodimer of eNOS. Phosphorylation of
      eNOS at the major activation site (Ser(1179)) was significantly downregulated,
      while phosphorylation at the major inhibitory site (Thr(495)) was remarkably
      enhanced in MAs from aged Fabry mice. These profound alterations in eNOS
      bioavailability at 8 mo of age were observed in parallel with high levels of 3
      nitrotyrosine, suggesting increased reactive oxygen species along with eNOS
      uncoupling in this vascular bed. Overall, the mesenteric microvessels in the
      setting of Fabry disease were observed to have an early and profound endothelial
      dysfunction associated with elevated reactive nitrogen species and decreased
      nitric oxide bioavailability. 

PMID- 24232004
TI  - No name--no blame.

PMID- 24232003
TI  - Functional recovery after facial nerve cable grafting in a rodent model.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Cable grafting is widely considered to be the preferred alternative
      to primary repair of the injured facial nerve; however, quantitative comparison
      of the 2 techniques has not been previously undertaken in a rodent model.
      OBJECTIVE: To establish functional recovery parameters after interposition
      autografting in a rodent facial nerve model. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
      Prospective randomized animal study at a tertiary care facial nerve center using
      16 female Wistar Hannover rats. INTERVENTION: The experimental group received
      reversed autograft reconstruction of a 20-mm neural gap, and the control group
      received facial nerve transection and primary repair. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE:
      Whisker excursion was measured weekly for 70 postoperative days using laser
      micrometers. RESULTS: The control group exhibited the most rapid recovery, with
      substantial return of whisker movement occurring during the third postoperative
      week. The experimental group demonstrated return of function beginning in the
      fourth postoperative week, eventually achieving a degree of function comparable
      to that of the control group by the sixth postoperative week (P = .68).
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Recovery of facial function after cable grafting seems
      to be slower than, but eventually similar to, recovery after primary neurorrhaphy
      in a rodent model. In the present study we have established a benchmark for
      recovery of whisker movement across a 20-mm rodent facial nerve gap, which will
      be used for comparison of different facial nerve gap bridging materials in future
      studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

PMID- 24232005
TI  - Neck pain and swelling in a young man.

PMID- 24232006
TI  - BET 1: Levosimendan in cardiogenic shock secondary to acute myocardial
      infarction.
AB  - A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether levosimendan improves
      outcome in cases of cardiogenic shock. Five studies were directly relevant to the
      question. One very general systematic review and meta-analysis is also included.
      The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type,
      relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are shown in
      table 1. The clinical bottom line is that there is no evidence that levosimendan
      improves outcome in cardiogenic shock. 

PMID- 24232008
TI  - BET 2: leeches (hirudotherapy) or steroids for traumatic obstructive tongue
      swelling?
AB  - A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether leeches or steroids are
      more effective at reducing the size of a tongue haematoma. No studies were
      directly relevant to the question. Several reviews and case reports were found to
      suggest that leeches might be effective. The clinical bottom line is that leeches
      should be considered in the management of obstructive traumatic tongue swelling. 

PMID- 24232009
TI  - BET 3: evaluation of intra-aortic balloon support in cardiogenic shock.
AB  - A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether intra-aortic balloon
      pumps (IABP) improve mortality in cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI). Two studies and one systematic review were directly relevant to
      the question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied,
      study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are
      shown in table 3. The clinical bottom line is that the IABP does not improve
      mortality in cardiogenic shock after AMI when percutaneous coronary intervention
      is available. When only thrombolysis is possible then it may improve mortality. 

PMID- 24232010
TI  - Minimal patient handling: a faculty of prehospital care consensus statement.
AB  - This paper outlines the emerging best practice when packaging a prehospital
      trauma patient while providing spinal immobilisation. The best practice described
      is based on the recommendations of a consensus meeting held by the Faculty of Pre
      Hospital Care, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, in the West Midlands in
      April 2012, where the opinion of experienced practitioners from across the
      prehospital and emergency care community considered the currently available
      evidence and reviewed current clinical practice. Initial consensus points were
      then subject to further review and dialogue with stakeholders from the initial
      meeting. The recommendations drawn from the meeting and subsequent dialogue
      represent a 'general agreement' to the principles and practices described in the
      paper. The recommendations will provide guidance for clinical practice and
      governance alongside other consensus statements from the Faculty of Pre-Hospital
      Care that seek to address prehospital spinal immobilisation and pelvic
      immobilisation. 

PMID- 24232011
TI  - Pre-hospital spinal immobilisation: an initial consensus statement.
AB  - This paper reviews the current evidence available on the practice of spinal
      immobilisation in the prehospital environment. Following this, initial
      conclusions from a consensus meeting held by the Faculty of Pre-hospital Care,
      Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in March 2012 are presented. 

PMID- 24232012
TI  - The prehospital management of pelvic fractures: initial consensus statement.

PMID- 24232013
TI  - Pharmacologically assisted laryngeal mask insertion: a consensus statement.

PMID- 24232015
TI  - Neutral polyfluoroalkyl substances in the global atmosphere.
AB  - Concentrations of neutral per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (nPFAS) in the
      atmosphere are of interest because nPFAS are highly mobile percursors for
      perfluoroalkyl acids. Two calibration studies in Ontario, Canada and Costa Rica
      established the feasibility of using XAD 2-resin based passive air samplers (XAD
      PAS) to reliably determine long term average air concentrations of nPFAS under
      temperate and tropical climatic conditions. The temporal and spatial distribution
      of nPFAS was investigated by analyzing XAD-PAS deployed for one year at between
      17 and 46 sites on six continents between 2006 and 2011 as part of the Global
      Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) study. Higher levels of fluorotelomer
      alcohols (FTOHs) compared to fluorinated sulfonamides (FOSAs), and fluorinated
      sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs) were observed at all sites. Urban sites had the
      highest levels of nPFAS compared to rural and remote sites, which is also
      apparent in a positive correlation of nPFAS levels with the proximity of a
      sampling site to areas of high population density. Levels of FOSAs and FOSEs
      tended to decrease during the six years of measurements, whereas an initial
      decline in the concentrations of FTOHs from 2006 to 2008 did not continue in 2009
      to 2011. A comparison of nPFAS levels measured in national XAD-PAS networks in
      Costa Rica and Botswana revealed that the GAPS sites in Tapanti and the Kalahari
      are representative of the more remote regions in those countries. XAD-PAS derived
      absolute nPFAS levels at GAPS sites are lower than those measured using another
      PAS, but are within the range of levels measured with active air samplers.
      Agreement of relative nPFAS composition is better between samplers, suggesting
      that the discrepancy is due to uncertain sampling rates. 

PMID- 24232016
TI  - Identification of tonoplast and plasma membrane in membrane fractions from garden
      cress (Lepidium sativum L.) with and without filipin treatment.
AB  - Membranes from roots of Lepidium sativum L. were investigated in situ and after
      fractionation by applying morphological and biochemical methods. After freeze
      fracture combined with filipin labelling the tonoplast and the plasma membrane
      could be easily characterized by the frequency of intramembranous particles and
      the arrangement of filipin-induced lesions. On tonoplast vesicles, the filipin
      induced lesions were arranged in clusters of different size whereas they were
      evenly distributed on plasma membrane vesicles. Enrichment of tonoplast and
      plasma membrane in different fractions was documented by filipin labelling,
      phosphotungstic acid staining and by the profiles of marker enzyme activities and
      ATP-dependent H(+)-transport. Additionally, the presence of rightside-out and
      inside-out vesicles of both tonoplast and plasma membrane could be demonstrated.
      It was found that filipin labelling used in combination with freeze-fracturing is
      suitable for quantitative determinations of the percentages of tonoplast and
      plasma membrane in membrane fractions, which have been found to be more than 40%
      for the tonoplast and about 40% for plasma membrane in the respective enriched
      fractions. 

PMID- 24232017
TI  - Purification of plastids from higher-plant roots.
AB  - A procedure is described for the purification of plastids from the roots of Pisum
      sativum L. The preparations obtained are appreciably free of contamination by
      other particles as judged by the distribution of organelle-specific marker
      enzymes and by electron microscopy. Latency of glutamate synthase (EC 2.6.1.53)
      within these preparations indicates that the plastids obtained are 90-95% intact,
      whilst the resistance of this enzyme, and glucose-6-phosphogluconate
      dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.43) to tryptic digestion in unlysed organelles indicates
      that they are at least 70-85% intact and may be suitable for studies of
      metabolite transport. 

PMID- 24232018
TI  - Chromoplasts of Palisota barteri, and the molecular structure of chromoplast
      tubules.
AB  - Ripe, deep-red fruits of Palisota barteri contain tubulous chromoplasts which
      develop from unpigmented leucoplasts. These plastids contain, besides large
      spherical inclusion bodies, numerous osmiophilic globules which, in the course of
      ripening, frequently show transition states to tubular structures. The tubules
      contain, in all stages of their development, acylated beta-citraurin, which is
      also the main pigment of Citrus fruits. The tubular structures have been
      isolated, fragmented by French-pressure treatment, and separated into three
      fractions on sucrose gradients. The lightest fraction (1.044 g.cm(-3)) contained
      thick fragments ('saccules') with diameters of 50-60 nm, whereas the heaviest
      (1.083 g.cm(-3)) consisted of tubules 20-25 nm in diameter. The relative amounts
      of polar lipids, proteins, and carotenoids of the different fractions are
      consistent with a molecular structure model of tubules and saccules, according to
      which a wick of longitudinally oriented carotenoid molecules of variable
      thickness is coated by a monolayer of polar lipids and proteins. High-resolution
      'negative-stainings' showed the surface of the tubules to be covered with
      globular particles of about 6 nm diameter. The main protein of all fractions is a
      30-kDa polypeptide; it is assumed that the particles are oligomers of this
      specific protein. 

PMID- 24232019
TI  - Chloroplast and extrachloroplastic starch-degrading enzymes in Pisum sativum L.
AB  - Starch-degrading enzymes in isolated pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Laxton's Progress
      No. 9) chloroplasts were investigated and compared with those in crude pea leaf
      and stipule preparations. End-product analysis of amylopectin degradation by
      chloroplast and crude extracts indicates that maltose is the major product of
      both. Two multiforms of beta-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) were detected in pea
      chloroplasts using an electrophoretic transfer technique. A starch-debranching
      enzyme (EC 3.2.1.10) was detected in chloroplasts by electrophoretic transfer and
      the degradation of pullulan. A different multiform of debranching enzyme was
      found in crude preparations. alpha-Amylases (EC 3.2.1.1) were detected by
      electrophoretic transfer through gels containing starch and starch azure, and by
      change in viscosity of a starch solution, but were only found in crude
      preparations indicating an extrachloroplastic location. Incubation of maltotriose
      with chloroplast extracts gave high levels of glucose production and formation of
      oligosaccharides with degrees of polymerization larger than that of maltotriose
      indicating transglycosylase (EC 2.4.1.25) activity. Neither alpha-glucosidase (EC
      3.2.1.20) nor maltose-phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1) activity were found in either
      chloroplast or crude preparations, whereas starch-phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1)
      activity was in both. The possible role of these enzymes in starch degradation by
      pea chloroplasts is discussed. 

PMID- 24232020
TI  - Analysis of growth components in Allium roots.
AB  - Root growth was analyzed in Allium cepa L. grown under steady-state conditions at
      10, 15 and 25 degrees C by measuring cell sizes along the meristem and mature
      zones at these three temperatures and in the elongation zone at 15 degrees C. The
      absolute rate of growth, v(x), was determined as a function of the mean cell
      number of cells entering a point x of the root axis and their mean length.
      Likewise, the relative elemental rate of root growth, g(x), and its components,
      namely, the relative elemental rate of cell formation, r(x), and the relative
      elemental rate of cell elongation, e(x), were determined, where g(x)=r(x)+e(x). A
      fine analysis of quantitative and topographical features of cell division and
      cell enlargement was carried out along the root axis. Finally, a simple
      hypothesis is proposed for the control of cell growth and cell division by the
      interaction with the cell mass of two regulatory, signal factors (proliferative
      and growth), distributed in opposite gradients along the root axis, between the
      quiescent centre and the mature zone. 

PMID- 24232021
TI  - Metabolism of gibberellins in a cell-free system from immature seeds of Phaseolus
      vulgaris L.
AB  - The biosynthetic steps from gibberellin A12-aldehyde (GA12-aldehyde) to C19-GAs
      were studied by means of a cell-free system from the embryos of immature
      Phaseolus vulgaris seeds. Stable-isotope-labeled GAs were used as substrates and
      the products were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Gibberellin
      A12-aldehyde was converted to GA4 via non-hydroxylated intermediates and to GA1
      via 13-hydroxylated intermediates. 13-Hydroxylation took place at the beginning
      of the pathway by the conversion of GA12-aldehyde to GA53-aldehyde. The
      conversion of GA20 to GA5 and GA6 was also shown but no 2beta-hydroxylating
      activity was found. Endogenous GAs from embryos and testas of 17-dold seeds were
      re-examined by gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring using stable
      isotopelabeled GAs as internal standards. Gibberellins A9, A12, A15, A19, A23,
      A24, and A53 were identified for the first time in P. vulgaris, in addition to
      GA1, GA4, GA5, GA6, GA8, GA17, GA20, GA29, GA37, GA38 and GA44, which were
      previously known to occur in this species. The levels of all GAs, except the
      2beta-hydroxylated ones, were greater in the embryos than in the testas.
      Conversely, the contents of GA8 and GA29, both 2beta-hydroxylated, were much
      higher in the testas than in the embryos. 

PMID- 24232022
TI  - Regulation of mesophyll photosynthesis in intact wheat leaves by cytoplasmic
      phosphate concentrations.
AB  - The effect of D-(+)-mannose, inorganic phosphate (Pi) and mannose-6-phosphate on
      net mesophyll CO2 assimilation rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) of wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves was studied. The compounds were supplied through
      the transpiration stream of detached leaves from plants grown in sand in growth
      cabinets or glasshouses, with different concentrations of Pi (0.25, 1.0 and 4.0
      mM) supplied during growth. In all cases, 10 mM D-(+)mannose caused 40-60%
      reduction of A within 30 min, though the time courses differed for flag leaves
      and the sixth leaf on the mainstem of glasshouse- and cabinet-grown plants. D
      (+)Mannose had a similar effect on A in leaves having a fourfold range in total
      phosphate content. Effects of D-(+)mannose in reducing gs were always slower than
      on A. When the CO2 concentration in the leaf chamber was adjusted to maintain
      intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) constant as A declined after mannose supply,
      gs still declined indicating that stomatal closure was not caused by changing Ci.
      Supplying mannose-6-phosphate at 10 and 1 mM and Pi at 5 and 10 mM concentrations
      caused rapid reductions in gs and also direct reductions in A. The observed
      effects of mannose and Pi on assimilation are consistent with the proposed
      regulatory role of cytoplasmic Pi in determining mesophyll carbon assimilation
      that has been derived previously using leaf discs, protoplasts and chloroplasts. 

PMID- 24232023
TI  - An unusually high number of direct repeats detected by sequence analysis of the
      dispersed EcoRI-family fragments in Lupinus luteus L.
AB  - The Lupinus luteus genome contains a highly repetitive fraction of sequences
      named the EcoRI family. Two EcoRI molecules, 1071 and 1079 base pairs in length,
      were cloned, sequenced and compared. Analysis of the internal-sequence
      organization revealed a number of short direct repeats. Their involvement in the
      formation of the EcoRI-family fragments is postulated. Evidence is presented for
      the dispersed type of genomic organization of the EcoRI-family fragments. 

PMID- 24232024
TI  - Anthranilate synthase forms in plants and cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum L.
AB  - Tobacco (N. tabacum cv. Xanthi) cell lines contained two forms of anthranilate
      synthase (AS; EC 4.1.3.27) which could be partially separated by gel-filtration
      chromatography. One form was resistant to feedback inihibition by 10 MUM
      tryptophan (trp) while the other form was almost completely inhibited by trp at
      the same concentration. Cell lines selected as resistant to 5-methyltryptophan
      (5MT) had more of the trp-resistant AS form. Only the trp-sensitive form was
      detected in plants regenerated from both normal and 5MT-resistant cell lines.
      Overexpression of the trp-resistant form in 5MT-resistant tobacco cells
      disappeared during plant regeneration but reappeared when callus was initiated
      from the leaves of these plants. The trp-sensitive form was localized in the
      particulate fraction and the trp-resistant form in the cytosol of tobacco
      cultured cell protoplasts. The trp-resistant form of AS from tobacco had an
      estimated MW of 200 000, determined by Sephacryl S-200 chromatography, compared
      to an estimated MW of 150 000 for the trp-sensitive form. The estimated molecular
      weights of AS from carrot and corn were 160 000 and 150 000, respectively.
      Analysis of AS activity from the diploid Nicotiana species Nicotiana otophora
      (chromosome number 2n=24) by high-performance liquid chromatography showed two
      activity peaks identical in elution time and trp inhibition characteristics to
      the activity from N. tabacum (chromosome No. 48). Thus the two enzyme forms found
      in tobacco did not appear to have originated individually from the progenitor
      species genomes which combined to make up the tobacco genome. 

PMID- 24232025
TI  - alpha-1,4-glucan phosphorylase forms from leaves of spinach (Spinacia oleracea
      L.) : II. Peptide patterns and immunological properties. A comparison with other
      phosphorylase forms.
AB  - Peptide patterns and immunological properties of the cytoplasmic and
      chloroplastic alpha-1,4-glucan phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1) from spinach leaves
      have been studied and were compared with those of phosphorylases from other
      sources. The two spinach leaf phosphorylases were immunologically different; a
      limited cross-reactivity was observed only at high antigen or antibody
      concentrations. Peptide mapping of the two enzymes resulted in complex patterns
      composed of more than 20 fragments; but no peptide was electrophoretically
      identical in both proteins. Approximately 13 to 15 of the fragments exhibited
      antigeneity but no cross-reactivity of any peptide was observed. Therefore, the
      two compartment-specific phosphorylase forms from spinach leaves represent
      isoenzymes possessing different primary structures. Peptide patterns of potato
      tuber and rabbit muscle phosphorylase were different from those of the two
      spinach leaf enzymes. Although the potato tuber phosphorylase resides in the
      plastidic compartment and is kinetically closely related to the chloroplastic
      spinach enzyme, it reacted more strongly with the anti-cytoplasmic-phosphorylase
      immunoglobulin G. Similar results were obtained with rabbit muscle phosphorylase.
      These observations support the assumption that the chloroplast-specific
      phosphorylase isoenzyme has a higher structural diversity than does the
      cytoplasmic counterpart. 

PMID- 24232026
TI  - Ammonium uptake by Chlorella.
AB  - The preincubation of Chlorella cells with glucose caused a tenfold increase of
      the maximal uptake rate of ammonium without change in the K m (2 MUM). A similar
      stimulation of ammonium uptake was found when the cells were transferred to
      nitrogen-free growth medium. The time-course of uptake stimulation by glucose
      revealed a lag period of 10-20 min. The turnover of the ammonium transport system
      is characterized by a half-life time of 5-10 h, but in the presence of light 30%
      of uptake activity stayed even after 50 h. 6-Deoxyglucose was not able to
      increase the ammonium uptake rate. These data together were interpreted as
      evidence for induction of an ammonium transport system by a metabolite of
      glucose. Mechanistic studies of the ammonium transport system provided evidence
      for the electrogenic uptake of the ammonium ion. The charge compensation for NH 4
      (+) entry was achieved by immediate K(+) efflux from the cells, and this was
      followed after 1 min by H(+) extrusion. Ammonium accumulated in the cells; the
      rate of uptake was sensitive to p-trifluoromethoxy-carbonylcyanide-phenylhydrazon
      and insensitive to methionine-sulfoxime. Uptake studies with methylamine revealed
      that methylamine transport is obviously catalyzed by the ammonium transport
      system and, therefore, also increased in glucose-treated Chlorella cells. 

PMID- 24232027
TI  - Purification and molecular and kinetic properties of phosphoenolpyruvate
      carboxylase from Amaranthus viridis L. leaves.
AB  - Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) was purified 43-fold from
      Amaranthus viridis leaves by using a combination of ammonium-sulphate
      fractionation, chromatography on O-(diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose and
      hydroxylapatite, and filtration through Sepharose 6B. The purified enzyme had a
      specific activity of 17.1 MUmol.(mg protein)(-1).min(-1) and migrated as a single
      band of relative molecular weight 100000 on sodium dodecyl sulphate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A homotetrameric structure was determined for
      the native enzyme. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from Zea mays L. and A.
      viridis showed partial identity in Ouchterlony two-dimensional diffusion.
      Isoelectric focusing showed a band at pI 6.2. Km values for phosphoenolpyruvate
      and bicarbonate were 0.29 and 0.17 mM, respectively, at pH 8.0. The activation
      constant (Ka) for Mg(2+) was 0.87 mM at the same pH. The carboxylase was
      activated by glucose-6-phosphate and inhibited by several organic acids of three
      to five carbon atoms. The kinetic and structural properties of
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from A. viridis leaves are similar to those of
      the enzyme from Zea mays leaves. 

PMID- 24232028
TI  - Corn phosphoglycolate phosphatase: purification and properties.
AB  - Phosphoglycolate phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.18), isolated from maize leaf bundle
      sheath, was purified 200-fold to a specific activity of about 99 MUmol mg(-1)
      protein . min(-1). The purification procedure included Sephadex G-75 filtration,
      and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and Phospho-Ultrogel A6R chromatography. This
      partially purified enzyme exhibited optimum activity over a broad pH range, from
      pH 6.3 to pH 8.0. It displayed a very high degree of specificity for
      phosphoglycolate and required a divalent cation to be active; Mg(2+) was the most
      effective activator. Saturation curves of the Michaelis-Menten type were observed
      both with phosphoglycolate (Km=0.57 mmol.l(-1)) and with Mg(2+) (Km=0.015 mmol.l(
      1)). The activation constant for Mg(2+) was unchanged when the pH was raised from
      7.0 to 8.0. These results indicate that variations of stromal pH and Mg(2+)
      during the darklight transition could not directly modifity the activity of the
      phosphoglycolate phosphatase in maize bundle-sheath chloroplasts. The
      undissociated protein showed a pI of 4.95, as determined by isoelectric focusing.
      For the native phosphatase a molecular mass of about 61 500 Da was estimated by
      polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. The subunit was found to have a
      relative molecular mass of 31 500 Da by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis. It is concluded that maize phosphoglycolate phosphatase is a
      dimer. 

PMID- 24232029
TI  - Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in intact bean leaves: role of light and
      temperature, and requirement for chloroplast-protein synthesis during recovery.
AB  - Photoinhibition of photosynthesis was induced in intact leaves of Phaseolus
      vulgaris L. grown at a photon flux density (PFD; photon fluence rate) of 300
      MUmol.m(-2).s(-1), by exposure to a PFD of 1400 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1). Subsequent
      recovery from photoinhibition was followed at temperatures ranging from 5 to 35
      degrees C and at a PFD of either 20 or 140 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1) or in complete
      darkness. Photoinhibition and recovery were monitored mainly by chlorophyll
      fluorescence emission at 77K but also by photosynthetic O2 evolution. The effects
      of the protein-synthesis inhibitors, cycloheximide and chloramphenicol, on
      photoinhibition and recovery were also determined. The results demonstrate that
      recovery was temperature-dependent with rates slow below 15 degrees C and optimal
      at 30 degrees C. Light was required for maximum recovery but the process was
      light-saturated at a PFD of 20 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1). Chloramphenicol, but not
      cycloheximide, inactivated the repair process, indicating that recovery involved
      the synthesis of one or more chloroplast-encoded proteins. With chloramphenicol,
      it was shown that photoinhibition and recovery occurred concomitantly. The
      temperature-dependency of the photoinhibition process was, therefore, in part
      determined by the effect of temperature on the recovery process. Consequently,
      photoinhibition is the net difference between the rate of damage and the rate of
      repair. The susceptibility of chilling-sensitive plant species to photoinhibition
      at low temperatures is proposed to result from the low rates of recovery in this
      temperature range. 

PMID- 24232030
TI  - The two beta-oxidation sites in pea cotyledons : Carnitine palmitoyltransferase:
      location and function in pea mitochondria.
AB  - Two sites for beta-oxidation of fatty acids in pea (Pisum sativum L.) cotyledons
      exist. One site is the microbody, the other the mitochondrion. Mitochondrial beta
      oxidation of fatty acids is carnitine-dependent. The fatty acid permeates the
      membrane as palmitoylcarnitine which is formed from cytosolic-side palmitoyl-CoA
      by a carnitine palmitoyltransferase located on the exterior face of the inner
      mitochondrial membrane as a peripheral protein. A single-gated pore integral
      membrane translocator is proposed to exchange the palmitoylcarnitine for
      carnitine or acetylcarnitine across the membrane. An internal (matrix side)
      carnitine palmitoyltransferase then reforms palmitoyl-CoA which enters beta
      oxidation and subsequently the tricarboxylic-acid cycle. 

PMID- 24232031
TI  - Dark respiration in the marine macroalga Chondrus crispus (Rhodophyceae).
AB  - Dark respiration in the red macroalga Chondrus crispus was studied under a
      variety of conditions. The components of respiration were examined using
      selective inhibitors in order to characterise pathways of respiration and examine
      regulation of respiration in marine macroalgae.In comparison to respiration rates
      generally reported for higher-plant leaves and roots, the steady-state rate of O2
      consumption by this alga, after 30 min dark pretreatment, was found to be quite
      low (three- to sixfold lower than in higher plants). The addition of uncoupler
      had only a slight effect on the basal respiration rate, indicating that in these
      conditions, substrate supply could be limiting respiration. The addition of KCN
      inhibited respiration by approx. 60%, indicating the presence of alternative
      oxidase activity. The coefficient of engagement of the alternative pathway
      (calculated from the data herein) showed that under normal conditions there was
      little participation of the alternative pathway in O2 consumption. The response
      of respiration to O2 tension was examined with and without inhibitors and the
      apparent K m was 17 to 21 MUM. The addition of KCN plus salicylhydroxamic acid
      almost completely blocked respiration in C. crispus. The hypothesis that
      respiratory substrate limits respiration in this alga was investigated by
      measuring respiration rates immediately after periods of photosynthetic activity.
      It was found that the respiration rate was dependent on the duration of the light
      period and could increase up to twofold. This stimulated rate of respiration
      declined in a first-order fashion during the next 20 to 30 min, finally reaching
      the basal, zero-order rate measured before illumination. These results strongly
      indicate a change in the nature of the respiratory substrates during this period.
      No change in the contribution of the alternative pathway of respiration could be
      detected following light pretreatment. 

PMID- 24232032
TI  - Synchronization of protoplasts from Glycine max (L.) Merr. and Brassica napus
      (L.).
AB  - Cells of Glycine max originating in a suspension culture and cells of Brassica
      napus prepared from hypocotyls were synchronized. Synchronization was achieved by
      preparing protoplasts in the usual way and subsequently letting the protoplasts
      regenerate into cells by removing the cell-wall-digesting enzymes. More than 70%
      of the cells had divided synchronously at the end of the first cycle as
      determined by the mitotic index. The high frequency of mitosis critically
      depended on the osmolality of the medium. The duration of the S-phase was
      estimated by measuring the activity of thymidylate kinase as well as
      incorporation of [(3)H]deoxythymidine into acid-insoluble material. The data
      indicate that synchronization is induced by resetting the cell cycle. 

PMID- 24232033
TI  - Freezing of isolated thylakoid membranes in complex media : III. Differences in
      the pattern of inactivation of photosynthetic reactions.
AB  - Chloroplast thylakoid membranes isolated from spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea
      L. cv. Monatol) were subjected to a freeze-thaw treatment in a buffered medium
      containing 70 mM KCl, 30 mM NaNO3 and 20 mM K2SO4 in different combinations. In
      the presence of the three predominant inorganic electrolytes, inactivation of
      photophosphorylation was mainly caused by a decrease in the capacity of the
      photosynthetic electron transport; release of proteins from the membranes was not
      manifest and light-induced H(+) gradient and proton permeability were largely
      unaffected. Omission of nitrate from the medium had little effect. When either
      sulfate or chloride or both were omitted prior to freezing, inactivation of
      photophosphorylation was correlated with stimulation of the phosphorylating
      electron flow, marked increase in H(+) permeability and loss of the ability of
      the thylakoids to accumulate protons in the light. In the absence of sulfate,
      uncoupling was mainly a consequence of the dissociation of chloroplast coupling
      factor (CF1). Partial restoration of proton impermeability and pH gradient
      occurred upon the addition of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD). When sulfate
      was present but chloride omitted, CF1 remained attached to the membranes and the
      addition of DCCD had no effect, indicating that the increase in proton efflux was
      caused by a different mechanism. It is concluded that sulfate stabilizes the CF1
      and prevents its release from the membranes, but KCl is also necessary for
      maintaining the low permeability of the membranes to protons. The importance of
      complex media for investigations on isolated biomembrane systems is stressed. 

PMID- 24232034
TI  - Nocturnal water storage in plants having Crassulacean acid metabolism.
AB  - Measurements of water uptake and transpiration, during the dark period of plants
      having Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) allow calculation of leaf-volume
      changes (DeltaV). Nocturnal leaf-volume changes of CAM plants have also been
      reported in the literature on the basis of waterdisplacement measurements. A
      third way of estimation is from measurements of turgor changes and cellular water
      storage capacity using the pressure probe, cytomorphometry and the Scholander
      pressure chamber. An extension of the interpretation of results reported in the
      literature shows that for leaf succulent CAM plants the three different
      approaches give similar values of DeltaV ranging between 2.3 and 10.7% (v/v). It
      is evident that nocturnal malic-acid accumulation osmotically drives significant
      water storage in CAM leaf tissue. 

PMID- 24232035
TI  - Radiological diagnosis and management of epistaxis.
AB  - The majority of episodes of spontaneous posterior epistaxis treated with
      embolisation are idiopathic in nature. The angiographic findings are typically
      normal. Specific angiographic signs are rare and may include the following: a
      tumour blush, telangiectasia, aneurysm, and/or extravasation. Selective internal
      carotid artery (ICA) angiography may show rare causes of epistaxis, such as
      traumatic or mycotic aneurysms, which require different treatment approaches.
      Complete bilateral selective external and internal carotid angiograms are
      essential to evaluation. The images should be analysed for detection of central
      retinal blush in the external carotid artery (ECA) and anastomoses between the
      branches of the ECA and ICA. Monocular blindness and stroke are two of the most
      severe complications. Embolisation aims to decrease flow to the bleeding nasal
      mucosa while avoiding necrosis of the nasal skin and palate mucosa. Embolisation
      is routinely performed with a microcatheter positioned in the internal maxillary
      artery distal to the origin of the meningeal arteries. A guiding catheter should
      be placed in the proximal portion of the ECA to avoid vasospasm. Embolisation
      with microparticles is halted when the peripheral branches of the sphenopalatine
      artery are occluded. The use of coils is not recommended because recurrent
      epistaxis may occur due to proximal embolization; moreover, the option of repeat
      distal embolisation is lost. The success rate of embolisation therapy (accounting
      for late recurrence of bleeding) varies between 71 and 94 %. Results from
      endoscopic surgery are quite comparable. When epistaxis is refractory to nasal
      packing or endoscopic surgery, embolisation is the treatment of choice in some
      centres.

PMID- 24232036
TI  - Endovascular embolization of an aberrant bronchial artery originating from the
      vertebral artery in a patient with massive hemoptysis.
AB  - Endovascular embolization has become an established procedure for the management
      of massive or recurrent hemoptysis. The bronchial, nonbronchial systemic and
      pulmonary arteries are possible sources of bleeding, and the major sources of
      bleeding are the bronchial arteries (BAs). However, the locations of ostia of the
      BAs have numerous anatomical variations, which can make it technically
      challenging to identify a bleeding artery. We herein present a rare case of a
      left BA that originated from the ipsilateral vertebral artery in a patient with
      massive hemoptysis caused by active tuberculosis. Transarterial embolization was
      successfully performed, and the hemoptysis has been controlled for 2 months.

PMID- 24232037
TI  - Radiofrequency ablation after arterial injection of miriplatin-iodized oil
      suspension into swine liver: ablative zone size and tissue platinum
      concentration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate whether arterial injection of miriplatin-iodized oil
      suspension facilitates ablative zone expansion by radiofrequency (RF) ablation
      using a Cool-Tip electrode and to provide effective tissue platinum concentration
      in the normal swine liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RF ablation was performed at
      three sites of each liver. RF ablation alone was performed in two animals
      (control). Ablation was performed after arterial injection of iodized oil
      (iodized-oil group) or a miriplatin-iodized oil suspension (miriplatin group) in
      two animals each. Long- and short-axis diameters of the ablative zone were
      measured. In the miriplatin group, tissue platinum concentrations were measured
      in the ablative, surrounding hyperemic rim, and nonablative zones. RESULTS: The
      mean long- and short-axis diameters of ablative zones were 27.0 +/- 3.1 and 18.0
      +/- 0.6 mm in the control. Although the long-axis diameter (30.2 +/- 2.8 mm, p =
      0.07) showed no significant expansion, the short-axis diameter (20.8 +/- 2.6 mm,
      p = 0.04) was significantly expanded more in the iodized-oil group than in the
      control. Ablative zone sizes were largest in the miriplatin group. The long-axis
      diameter (33.5 +/- 2.4 mm, p = 0.01) was significantly larger than that in the
      control. The short-axis diameter (27.2 +/- 1.9 mm, p = 0.004) was significantly
      larger than that of the iodized-oil group. Tissue platinum concentrations showed
      an effective antitumor effect (>=9 MUg/g) in ablative (16.5 +/- 5.7 MUg/g),
      surrounding hyperemic rim (18.0 +/- 5.1 MUg/g), and nonablative zones (mean 22.2
      +/- 5.7 MUg/g) (p = 0.21). CONCLUSION: Arterial injection of miriplatin-iodized
      oil suspension can expand the ablative zone size and provide effective tissue
      platinum concentration on tumor control in the ablative zones and their
      surrounding hyperemic rim.

PMID- 24232038
TI  - Evaluation of split renal function before and after renal arterial embolization
      for angiomyolipoma using absolute ethanol.
AB  - PURPOSE: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with absolute ethanol is
      widely accepted as a therapeutic procedure for renal angiomyolipoma (AML). We aim
      to evaluate the split renal function before and after AE for renal AML by using
      99m-technetium (99mTc)-mercaptoacetyltriglycine 3 (MAG3) renography. METHODS:
      This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. The study population
      comprised 11 renal AML patients (three males, eight females, age 55.1 +/- 13.8
      years, AML in eight right and three left kidneys) who received unilateral renal
      TAE with absolute ethanol from April 2002 to January 2013. Blood renal function
      (i.e. serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] and split
      effective renal plasma flow [ERPF]) calculated on 99mTc-MAG3 renography was
      compared before and within 1 week after renal AE. Statistical analysis was
      calculated using Wilcoxon signed-ranked test. RESULTS: TAE for renal AML was
      technically successful in all patients. Serum creatinine and eGFR did not change
      before and after TAE. ERPF on the embolized kidney did not change before (127.3
      +/- 60.8 ml/min) and after (127.6 +/- 47.4 ml/min) TAE (p = 0.9726). ERPF on the
      nonembolized kidney showed a statistically significant increase before (152.5 +/-
      46.8 ml/min) and within 1 week after (169.1 +/- 41.5 ml/min) TAE (p = 0.0093 and
      p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: TAE for renal AML may not induce renal
      dysfunction on the embolized kidney and may immediately increase the renal blood
      flow of the nonembolized kidney.

PMID- 24232039
TI  - Endovascular treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: is now EVAR the
      first choice of treatment?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of endovascular
      treatment (EVAR) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs). METHODS:
      Between September 2005 and December 2012, 44 patients with rAAA suitable for
      endovascular repair underwent emergency EVAR. We did not consider hemodynamic
      instability to be a contraindication for EVAR. RESULTS: Successful stent-graft
      deployment was achieved in 42 patients, whereas 2 required open surgical
      conversion. The overall 30-day mortality was 10 of 44 patients (5/34 in stable
      patients, 5/10 in unstable patients). Postoperative complications were observed
      in 7 of 44 patients (16 %): 5 patients developed abdominal compartment syndrome
      requiring decompressive laparotomy; 1 patient developed bowel ischemia; 1 patient
      had limb ischemia, and 1 had hemodynamic shock. Mean length of intensive care
      unit stay was 2.9 (range 2-8) days, and mean length of hospital stay was 8.6
      (range 0-18) days. At a mean follow-up of 22.2 (range 1-84) months, the overall
      incidence of endoleak was 23.5 %: 1 type I and 7 type II endoleaks. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our study demonstrates that EVAR of rAAA is associated with acceptable mortality
      and morbidity rates in dedicated centers.

PMID- 24232040
TI  - General theory of predictive dosimetry for yttrium-90 radioembolization to sites
      other than the liver.
AB  - Modern advances in interventional radiology and nuclear medicine may now allow
      for safe and effective 90Y radioembolization to sites other than the liver. A
      general theory of predictive dosimetry based on the MIRD schema is proposed,
      adapted from the original partition model for liver 90Y radioembolization.

PMID- 24232041
TI  - Symptomatic perforation of a Gunther Tulip inferior vena cava filter with
      subsequent strut fracture and pulmonary embolization.

PMID- 24232042
TI  - General theory of predictive dosimetry for yttrium-90 radioembolization to sites
      other than the liver: reply.

PMID- 24232043
TI  - Endovascular Repair of a Complex Splenic Artery Aneurysm Using a Multilayer
      Stent.

PMID- 24232044
TI  - Guidelines for laparoscopic treatment of ventral and incisional abdominal wall
      hernias (International Endohernia Society [IEHS])-Part 2.

PMID- 24232045
TI  - Initial experience with a new articulating energy device for laparoscopic liver
      resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although significant advances have been made in laparoscopic liver
      resection (LLR), most techniques still rely on multiple energy devices and
      staplers, which increase operative costs. The aim of this study was to report the
      initial results of a new multifunctional energy device for hepatic parenchymal
      transection. METHODS: Fourteen patients who underwent LLR using this new device
      were compared to 20 patients who had LLR using current laparoscopic techniques
      (CL). Data were collected prospectively. RESULTS: The groups were similar
      demographics and tumor type and size. Although the type of resection was similar
      between the groups, the parenchymal transection time was less in the Caiman group
      (32 +/- 5 vs. 63 +/- 4 min, respectively, p = 0.0001). The operative time was
      similar (194 +/- 21 vs. 233 +/- 16 min, respectively, p = 0.158). There was
      reduction of the number of advanced instrumentation used in the Caiman group,
      including the staplers. Estimated blood loss, size of surgical margin, and
      hospital stay were similar. There was no mortality, and morbidity was 7 % in the
      Caiman and 20 % in the CL group. CONCLUSIONS: This initial study shows that the
      new device is safe and efficient for LLR. Its main advantage is shortening of
      hepatic parenchymal transection time. This has implications for increasing
      efficiency and cost saving in LLR.

PMID- 24232046
TI  - Outcomes of endoscopic resection for high-grade dysplasia  and esophageal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoscopic resection (ER) is an important advance in the management
      of esophageal tumors. It has been used successfully for superficial esophageal
      cancer and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) arising out of Barrett epithelium. METHODS:
      From a single institution within the Department of Surgery, patients who
      underwent ER for esophageal tumors between December 2001 and January 2012 were
      evaluated. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic variables were collected and
      reviewed. RESULTS: We identified 81 patients who underwent ER for esophageal
      lesions. Median patient age was 69 years, and the median follow-up was 3.25
      years. In patients with HGD, at the time of last endoscopy, the complete
      eradication rate of HGD was 84 % and cancer-specific survival was 100 %. During
      surveillance, one patient developed an invasive carcinoma that required
      endoscopic therapy. Patients with T1a and negative deep margins on ER had a
      recurrence-free and cancer-specific survival of 100 %. There were seven patients
      with T1b and negative margins on ER. Three patients underwent esophagectomy;
      final pathology revealed no residual malignancy or lymph node metastasis. Two
      patients had definitive chemoradiation, and two patients were observed. To date,
      there has been no cancer recurrence. In all patients who underwent ER, there was
      one episode of bleeding that required endoscopic treatment and admission for
      observation. CONCLUSIONS: ER can be performed safely and can adequately stage and
      often treat patients with HGD and superficial cancers. Patients with HGD and T1a
      disease with negative margins are cured with ER alone. Observation and
      surveillance may be an option for select patients with low-risk, early submucosal
      disease (T1b) and negative margins.

PMID- 24232047
TI  - The ergonomics of women in surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Among surgeons who regularly perform minimally invasive surgery, as
      many as 87 % report injuries or symptoms related to job performance. Operating
      room and instrument design have traditionally favored surgeons who are taller and
      who possess hands that are, in general, large and strong. We hypothesize that
      women may be experiencing more ergonomic difficulties than men for whom the
      operating room and surgical instruments, although uniformly perilous, more
      traditionally have accommodated. METHODS: A 23-item web-based survey was offered
      via email to 2,000 laparoscopic surgeons and fellows currently practicing. The
      survey addressed four categories: demographics, physical symptoms, ergonomics,
      and environment/equipment. Key questions allowed us to identify which body part
      experienced which symptoms. RESULTS: There was a 15.7 % overall response rate.
      Among respondents, 17 % (54/314) were female. Women were significantly younger,
      shorter, had smaller glove size, and fewer years in practice than men surveyed
      (all p values < 0.0001). Of women reporting, 86.5 %-comparable to men-attribute
      physical discomfort to laparoscopic operating. Female surgeons are more likely to
      receive treatment for their hands, which includes the wrist, thumb, and fingers
      (odds ratio 3.5, p = 0.028). When men and women of the same glove size were
      compared, women with a larger glove size (7-8.5) reported more cases of treatment
      for their hands than men of the same glove size. (21 vs. 3 %, p = 0.016). Women
      who wore a size 5.5-6.5 surgical glove reported significantly more cases of
      discomfort in their shoulder area (neck, shoulder, upper back) than men who wore
      the same size surgical glove (77 vs. 27 %, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Women
      surgeons are experiencing more discomfort and treatment in their hands than male
      surgeons. Redesign of laparoscopic instrument handles and improvements to table
      height comprise the most promising solutions to these ergonomic challenges.

PMID- 24232048
TI  - A proposed classification for uniform endoscopic description  of surgical
      fundoplication.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Objective assessment of postfundoplication anatomy is of utmost
      importance especially if reoperative intervention is being planned. There is a
      lack of uniformity in the description of endoscopic findings in these
      patients.The purpose of this study was to propose a classification for
      standardized endoscopic reporting of postfundoplication anatomy. METHODS: After
      institutional review board approval, preoperative endoscopic findings of patients
      who underwent reoperative intervention from 1992 to 2011 were reviewed a nd
      classified. The classification included four factors:E (distance of GEJ to crus),
      S (amount of gastric tissue between the GEJ and fundoplication), F
      (fundoplication configuration), and P (paraesophageal hernia). RESULTS: The
      endoscopic findings of 310 patients who underwent reoperative antireflux surgery
      were classified using the newly proposed classification model. A significant
      increase in the number of procedures was noted over the years.There was no change
      in presenting symptoms and patterns of failure over the years. The classification
      model was easily applicable to previous endoscopy reports. There was good symptom
      association with our classification model. DISCUSSION: An endoscopic anatomical
      classification is proposed for description of failed fundoplication. With this
      classification, we hope to fill the gap in developing a uniform classification of
      failed fundoplications. Further studies addressing widespread applicability and
      outcome analysis are needed.

PMID- 24232049
TI  - Nationwide outcomes of nontrauma splenectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Due to the impact of LeapFrog and many scientific publications,
      regionalization for solid-organ operations gained momentum in the early 2000s.
      This study examines the effects of regionalization for medically indicated,
      nontrauma splenectomies (NTSs) in the USA. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient
      Sample (NIS) data were analyzed for NTS based on International Classification of
      Disease Ninth Revision Clinical Modification codes for 1998-1999 (the 1990s) and
      2008-2009 (the 2000s). The hospitals in the NIS were stratified by volume and
      divided into high volume (HV), medium volume, and low-volume (LV) terciles based
      on the annual volume of splenectomies performed (<5, 5-10, and 11+,
      respectively). Demographics, comorbidities, complications, admission status, and
      in-patient mortality were recorded. Univariate and multivariate statistical
      analyses were utilized. RESULTS: NIS recorded 4,293 NTS performed in the 1990s
      and 3,384 in the 2000s. Despite the decrease in operative volume, regionalization
      did not occur: in the first decade 30, 37, and 33 % of cases occurred in LV
      center (LVC), medium volume center, and HV center (HVC), respectively, compared
      with 34, 30, and 36 % in the second decade (p < 0.001). Patients were older in
      low-volume hospitals (LVC) than in high-volume hospitals (HVC) in both decades
      (in the 1990s: 45.3 vs. 52.7 years, p < 0.001; in the 2000s: 49.1 vs. 54.5 years,
      p < 0.001). The Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were not different in LVC
      compared with HVC in both decades (the 1990s: 1.31 vs. 1.23, p = 0.73; the 2000s:
      1.54 vs. 1.41, p = 0.72). In both decades, LVC had more emergent admissions than
      HVC (20.3 vs. 16.8 %, p = 0.03; 28.8 vs. 19.5 %, p < 0.001). Complication rates
      were higher in LVC in both decades (the 1990s: 16.9 vs. 13.6 %, p = 0.02; the
      2000s: 19.8 vs. 15.5 %, p = 0.006). Mortality was not different for HVC and LVC
      in both decades (the 1990s: 3.75 vs. 4.27, p = 0.49; the 2000s: 2.94 vs. 4.03, p
      = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: NTS has not been affected by regionalization, which is
      dissimilar to other solid-organ abdominal procedures. Indeed, the benefit of
      regionalization for splenectomy has not been established.

PMID- 24232050
TI  - Comparison of immediate postoperative pain after transvaginal  versus traditional
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transvaginal cholecystectomy (TVC) is the most common natural orifice
      transluminal surgery (NOTES) performed in women, yet there is a paucity of data
      on intraoperative and immediate postoperative pain management. Previous studies
      have demonstrated that NOTES procedures are associated with less postoperative
      pain and faster recovery times. This study analyzes intraoperative and
      postoperative opioid use for TVC compared with traditional four-port laparoscopic
      cholecystectomies (LCs). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive
      TVC and LC female patients between August 2009 and August 2012 in an academic
      institution. We compared demographics, intraoperative and postoperative opioid
      use and times in the operating room (OR) and in the post anesthesia care unit
      (PACU). RESULTS: A total of 68 TVC and 67 LC patients were included in this
      study. The TVC and LC groups were similar in terms of age (both 41 years) and
      body mass index (29 and 31 kg/m2, respectively). The intraoperative preparation,
      surgical, and emergence times were significantly longer for the TVC than for the
      LC (p <= 0.01). Compared with the LC group, the intraoperative opioid requirement
      was significantly greater (TVC 27 mg vs. LC 25 mg; p = 0.003), but after
      adjusting for anesthesia time, the difference in OR opioid consumption became non
      significant (p = 0.08). The PACU opioid requirement (TVC 2.5 vs. LC 5 mg; p =
      0.04) was significantly lower for the TVC group, and a greater proportion of
      patients did not need any pain medications (TVC 38 % vs. LC 21 %; p = 0.04),
      compared with the LC group. The average PACU pain scores were not significantly
      different between the groups (p = 0.45). CONCLUSION: TVC patients did not
      experience more pain than LC patients. Although the average pain scores of TVC
      patients did not differ from those of the LC patients, TVC patients did require
      less pain medication in the PACU.

PMID- 24232051
TI  - Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection of colorectal neoplasia is easily
      learned, efficacious, and safe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) without submucosal
      injection is a novel endoscopic procedure. It is not known if UEMR can be easily
      taught and learned, and the efficacy and safety of UEMR has not been demonstrated
      at multiple medical centers. Our aims were to demonstrate that (1) UEMR is a
      technique that can be easily learned by an endoscopist trained in traditional
      EMR, (2) endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) may not be required before UEMR, and (3)
      UEMR is an efficacious and safe method for resection of large or flat neoplastic
      colorectal lesions. METHODS: An experienced interventional endoscopist began
      performing UEMR after observing UEMR procedures. Colorectal UEMR was performed
      using a pediatric colonoscope with a cap, a waterjet, and a 'duck-bill' snare
      using blended current. Submucosal injection was not used. Patient data were
      collected prospectively. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients (17 men, mean age 64.9
      years, range 51-83) referred for polypectomy of large colorectal lesions
      underwent UEMR. A total of 43 colorectal lesions with a mean size of 20 mm (range
      8-50) were resected by UEMR. Lesions were found in the right colon (N = 16),
      transverse colon (N = 5), left colon (N = 19), and rectum (N = 3). Pathology
      demonstrated tubular adenoma (N = 29), tubulovillous adenoma (N = 5), high-grade
      dysplasia (N = 3), serrated sessile adenoma without dysplasia (N = 3), and non
      neoplastic tissue (N = 3). EUS was used in only two cases of rectal neoplasia
      (4.7 %). Of the UEMRs, 97.7 % were successful with complete resection of
      colorectal polyps. The only adverse event was one case (2.3 %) of delayed post
      UEMR bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: UEMR was easily learned by an endoscopist already
      skilled in conventional EMR. EUS may not be required prior to most UEMR
      procedures. UEMR appears to be an efficacious and safe alternative to traditional
      EMR or ESD for large or flat colorectal neoplasms.

PMID- 24232052
TI  - Peroral endoscopic myotomy for idiopathic achalasia: randomized comparison of
      water-jet assisted versus conventional dissection technique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has recently been introduced as a
      promising alternative to laparoscopic Heller myotomy for idiopathic achalasia.
      Several proposed technical modifications are yet to be tested in randomized
      trials. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate efficacy and safety
      of water-jet (WJ) assisted POEM versus the conventional (C) technique. The
      clinical trial registration number is NCT01742494. METHODS: A prospective
      randomized trial was carried out in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
      (Shanghai, China), in 100 consenting achalasia patients between August 2011 and
      April 2012. Patients eligible for POEM were randomized to use of either the
      HybridKnife (WJ group) or the conventional technique using injection and triangle
      tip knife interchangeably (C group). RESULTS: A total of 100 patients with
      comparable characteristics between groups were included. Procedure time was
      significantly shorter for the WJ group (22.9 +/- 6.7 vs. 35.9 +/- 11.7 min; p <
      0.0001), mostly due to less replacement of accessories (2.0 +/- 2.4 vs. 19.2 +/-
      7.6; p < 0.0001). Injection volume was larger in the WJ group (45.3 +/- 10.2 vs.
      35.2 +/- 9.5 ml; p < 0.0001) and was associated with fewer minor bleeding
      episodes (3.6 +/- 1.8 vs. 6.8 +/- 5.2; p < 0.0001). No severe complications
      occurred; one case of cutaneous emphysema occurred in the WJ group, and four
      cases occurred in the C group (p = 0.17), three cases of pneumonia were
      encountered in the C group and none in the WJ group (p = 0.24). Treatment success
      (Eckardt score <=3) was achieved in 96.5 % of patients, with no significant
      differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the HybridKnife leads to a
      significant decrease in POEM procedure time and facilitates reinjection, possibly
      contributing to a lower rate of minor intra-procedural bleeding.

PMID- 24232053
TI  - Endoscopic submucosal dissection versus transanal endoscopic  microsurgery for
      the treatment of early rectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and transanal endoscopic
      microsurgery (TEM) are minimally invasive procedures that can be used to treat
      early rectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare clinical
      efficacy between ESD and TEM for the treatment of early rectal cancer. METHODS:
      Between July 2008 and August 2011, 24 patients with early rectal cancers were
      treated by ESD (11) or TEM (13) at the Cancer Institute of Sao Paulo University
      Medical School (Sao Paulo, Brazil). Data were analyzed retrospectively according
      to database and pathological reports, with respect to en bloc resection rate,
      local recurrence, complications, histological diagnosis, procedure time and
      length of hospital stay. RESULTS: En bloc resection rates with free margins were
      achieved in 81.8 % of patients in the ESD group and 84.6 % of patients in the TEM
      group (p = 0.40). Mean tumor size was 64.6 +/- 57.9 mm in the ESD group and 43.9
      +/- 30.7 mm in the TEM group (p = 0.13). Two patients in the TEM group and one
      patient in the ESD group had a local recurrence. The mean procedure time was 133
      +/- 94.8 min in the ESD group and 150 +/- 66.3 min in the TEM group (p = 0.69).
      Mean hospital stay was 3.8 +/- 3.3 days in the ESD group and 4.08 +/- 1.7 days in
      the TEM group (p = 0.81). LIMITATIONS: This was a non-randomized clinical trial
      with a small sample size and selection bias in treatment options. CONCLUSION: ESD
      and TEM are both safe and effective for the treatment of early rectal cancer.

PMID- 24232054
TI  - Optimization of near-infrared fluorescence cholangiography  for open and
      laparoscopic surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, common bile duct (CBD) injury is
      a rare but severe complication. To reduce the risk of injury, near-infrared (NIR)
      fluorescent cholangiography using indocyanine green (ICG) has recently been
      introduced as a novel method of visualizing the biliary system during surgery. To
      date, several studies have shown feasibility of this technique; however, liver
      background fluorescence remains a major problem during fluorescent
      cholangiography. The aim of the current study was to optimize ICG dose and timing
      for NIR cholangiography using a quantitative intraoperative camera system during
      open hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery. Subsequently, these results were
      validated during laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a laparoscopic fluorescence
      imaging system. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients who underwent NIR imaging using
      the Mini-FLARE image-guided surgery system during open HPB surgery were analyzed
      to assess optimal dosage and timing of ICG administration. ICG was intravenously
      injected preoperatively at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg, and imaged at either 30 min
      (early) or 24 h (delayed) post-injection. Next, the optimal doses found for early
      and delayed imaging were applied to two groups of seven patients (n = 14)
      undergoing laparoscopic NIR fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Median liver-to-background contrast was 23.5 (range
      22.1-35.0), 16.8 (range 11.3-25.1), 1.3 (range 0.7-7.8), and 2.5 (range 1.3-3.6)
      for 5 mg/30 min, 10 mg/30 min, 10 mg/24 h, and 20 mg/24 h, respectively.
      Fluorescence intensity of the liver was significantly lower in the 10 mg delayed
      imaging dose group compared with the early imaging 5 and 10 mg dose groups (p =
      0.001), which resulted in a significant increase in CBD-to-liver contrast ratio
      compared with the early administration groups (p < 0.002). These findings were
      qualitatively confirmed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: This
      study shows that a prolonged interval between ICG administration and surgery
      permits optimal NIR cholangiography with minimal liver background fluorescence.

PMID- 24232056
TI  - Factors associated with 30-day readmission and long-term efficacy of enteral
      stent placement for malignancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Readmissions to the hospital within 30 days of discharge (30-day
      readmission rate) may impact stent use in palliative treatment of cancer.
      OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate the incidence of readmission and
      factors predicting readmissions and long-term outcomes in patients with self
      expanding metal stents (SEMS) placed for malignant obstruction. METHODS:
      Retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent placement of SEMS from 2007
      to 2012 for malignant esophageal, gastroduodenal, and colonic obstruction.
      Incidence and variables associated with 30-day readmission and long-term outcomes
      were determined. RESULTS: A total of 191 patients underwent stent placement. The
      30-day readmission rate was 17.3 % (N = 33). Readmissions were for stent-related
      complications in 7.3 % (N = 14) and non-stent-related complications in 9.9 % (N =
      19). Stent placement was technically successful in 185 of 191 (96.9 %) and
      clinically successful in 170 of 191 (89.0 %) patients. On long-term follow-up, 32
      (16.8 %) patients needed re-intervention. The mean stent patency was 142 days.
      Readmission within 30 days was independently associated with development of early
      complications (<7 days) following stent placement (odds ratio [OR] 5.90; 95 %
      confidence interval [CI] 2.04-17.1), while the stent location did not impact
      readmission risk. On Cox regression analysis, American Society of
      Anesthesiologists physical classification (OR 1.36; 95 % CI 1.02-1.87) and stent
      location in the esophagus (OR 1.82; 95 % CI 1.10-3.02) were independently
      associated with long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Early complications following
      stent placement increase the risk of 30-day readmission. SEMS is efficacious long
      term for palliation of malignant gastrointestinal obstruction.

PMID- 24232057
TI  - Middle ear myoclonus cured by selective tenotomy of the tensor tympani:
      strategies for targeted intervention for middle ear muscles.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of middle ear myoclonus that was successfully cured
      by selective transection of the tensor tympani (TT) without sectioning the
      stapedius tendon (ST) and to review previously reported cases, elucidating
      precipitating factors for interventions targeting middle ear muscles. DATA
      SOURCES: One case we encountered and a recent systematic review published in
      2012. STUDY SELECTIONS: In addition to our case, 23 cases identified by the
      previous systematic review regarding middle ear myoclonus in which surgical
      interventions were conducted. DATA SYNTHESIS: Outcomes for selective tenotomy of
      TT or ST were analyzed focusing on the following 6 preoperative factors: 1)
      history of facial palsy, 2) provoking factors for tinnitus, 3) auscultation of
      the ear, 4) movement of the ear drum, 5) complication with palatal myoclonus, and
      6) confirmation of myoclonus during surgery. Among these, the first 2 factors
      represented significant factors for selective tenotomy of ST (p < 0.05 and p <
      0.01, respectively). Furthermore, no auscultation of the ear was significant for
      selective tenotomy (p < 0.01), specifically for ST. Confirmation of muscle
      contraction during surgery contributed significantly (p < 0.01) to targeted
      intervention, but selective tenotomy of TT was successfully performed in 3 cases
      without such confirmation by confirming variations in compliance with
      tympanometry CONCLUSION: Assessment of the history of facial palsy, provoking
      factor of tinnitus, auscultation of the ear, and confirmation of myoclonus during
      surgery appear helpful in predicting which middle ear muscle is undergoing
      myoclonus. Furthermore, long-time-based tympanometry offers objective information
      for planning targeted intervention for middle ear muscles and clarifying clinical
      outcomes.

PMID- 24232055
TI  - The end of robot-assisted laparoscopy? A critical appraisal of scientific
      evidence on the use of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted laparoscopy has been used in a wide variety of
      surgical fields; however, the financial costs involved are high and convincing
      proof of superiority in terms of quality of life, cost effectiveness and survival
      is often lacking. Possibly, there might be small benefits for the patient or for
      the surgeon's health that might warrant the use of robotics in limited fields of
      surgery. METHODS: We performed a critical appraisal of the literature, searching
      for scientific evidence supporting the use of robotics in daily laparoscopic
      surgery. RESULTS: Convincing evidence supporting the use of robotics is lacking.
      CONCLUSION: In an era of worldwide economic crisis, it is about time to start a
      critical discussion as to whether we should drastically limit, or even abandon,
      the use of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery and focus on more cost-effective
      strategies of healthcare improvement. We suggest the use of robotics should be
      limited to well-powered, randomized clinical trials in a limited field of
      research.

PMID- 24232058
TI  - Promising clinical results of an innovative self-crimping stapes prosthesis in
      otosclerosis surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This clinical study was performed to retrospectively analyze the
      hearing improvement of patients with otosclerosis who underwent stapesplasty with
      a novel nitinol prosthesis in comparison with the use of already established
      prostheses (titanium and clip prostheses) and to evaluate the suitability of the
      nitinol prosthesis for ear surgeons with limited experience in otosclerosis
      surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis. SETTING: Tertiary referral
      center. PATIENTS: Sixty patients who underwent otosclerosis surgery between July
      1, 2010, and June 30, 2012, in the ENT department of the University of Munich.
      Two patients were operated on both sides. For four patients, the stapesplasty was
      a revision surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Sixty-two procedures of otosclerosis surgery
      were performed by 6 ear surgeons, one of whom with profound experience in
      stapesplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) Postoperative air-bone gap, determined
      for all surgeons together as well as itemized for the experienced and the
      nonexperienced stapes surgeons; 2) closure of the air-bone gap in 10 dB bins; and
      3) change of high-tone bone-conduction level. RESULTS: Pure-tone audiometry
      documented less postoperative air-bone gap and a higher percentage of air-bone
      gap closure when using the nitinol prosthesis, especially in comparison with the
      clip prosthesis. Also, nonexperienced stapes surgeons received better audiometric
      results when using the novel nitinol prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical evaluation
      suggests the novel nitinol prosthesis to be a promising tool in otosclerosis
      surgery for experienced stapes surgeons as well as for ear surgeons with limited
      experience in stapes surgery.

PMID- 24232059
TI  - First experience with the fiber-enabled CO2 laser in stapes surgery and a
      comparison with the "one-shot" technique.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare bone conduction after fiber-enabled CO2 laser perforation
      of the stapes footplate with conduction after the "one-shot" technique during
      stapedotomy in patients with otosclerosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical
      study. SETTING: Tertiary reference center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated
      data from 178 patients who had undergone primary stapedotomy for suspected
      stapedial ankylosis. The stapes footplate was perforated using a fiber-enabled
      CO2 laser in 89 patients and the "one-shot" technique in the other 89. Only
      consecutive surgery was considered. Bone conduction thresholds were determined at
      0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz on the first and third postoperative days in all patients;
      172 patients were followed up after 1 month. Audiograms were compared with
      preoperative bone conduction. RESULTS: The postoperative bone conduction
      threshold on Day 1 was significantly worse at almost all frequencies. At 0.5 and
      2 kHz, it improved within a month and was significantly different from the
      preoperative value. Bone conduction threshold at 4 kHz showed the greatest
      deterioration immediately after surgery, improving considerably in 1 month but
      remaining worse than at baseline. Only at 1 kHz was there no significant
      immediate hearing loss. Direct comparison of the fiber-enabled CO2 laser and the
      "one-shot" technique showed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION:
      Compared with the "one-shot" technique, the fiber-enabled CO2 laser can be used
      safely in stapes surgery, without great risk to the patient. In our opinion, it
      has practical advantages, especially in difficult anatomic conditions.

PMID- 24232060
TI  - Incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recent data regarding the incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing
      loss (SSNHL) in the United States is lacking. The objective of this study was to
      assess the current day incidence of SSNHL in the United States using data from a
      medical and pharmaceutical claims database containing information for more than
      60 million unique patients. STUDY DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional
      analysis. SETTING: Inpatient and outpatient. PATIENTS: Patients in the database
      are reported to be representative of the national, commercially insured
      population on a variety of demographic measures including age, sex, health plan
      type, and geographic location. RESULTS: During 2006 and 2007, the annual
      incidence of SSNHL was 27 per 100,000 in the United States. The incidence
      increased with increasing age, ranging from 11 per 100,000 for patients younger
      than 18 years to 77 per 100,000 for patients 65 years and older. There was an
      overall slight male preponderance with a male-to-female ratio of 1.07:1. This was
      more pronounced in patients 65 years and older, with a ratio of 1.30:1.
      CONCLUSION: More than 66,000 new cases of SSNHL are seen annually in the United
      States. The disorder is more common in men and the elderly.

PMID- 24232061
TI  - Discovery of a large deletion of KAL1 in 2 deaf brothers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Kallmann syndrome (KS) usually combines an anosmia and a
      hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Hearing impairment was described in a few cases
      of KS. Our objective is to describe an unusual presentation of KS in 2 cases and
      to explore the pattern of inheritance in this family. PATIENTS: Two brothers
      presented with a sensorineural hearing impairment associated with cryptorchidism
      and abnormal movements. RESULTS: Genome-wide array analysis identified a large
      deletion of KAL1 in both patients confirming the diagnosis of Kallmann syndrome.
      The absence of familial history has been explained by a somatic mosaicism
      identified in their mother. CONCLUSION: The description of a hearing defect in 2
      brothers with Kallmann syndrome allows asserting that deafness is part of the
      clinical features of this disease and must lead the physician to monitor the
      hearing function of Kallmann patients.

PMID- 24232062
TI  - Speech and language outcomes of cochlear implantation in children with isolated
      auditory neuropathy versus cochlear hearing loss.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Children with auditory neuropathy (AN) have variable hearing on pure
      tone testing, and the presence of speech and language delays often play a major
      role in the decision to offer cochlear implantation (CI) in this population.
      Despite this fact, the speech and language outcomes in this group after CI are
      not well described. This study compares speech and language outcomes after CI in
      a subset of the pediatric AN population that does not have a confounding
      cognitive disorder with those of their peers with cochlear hearing loss (CoHL).
      STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center.
      PATIENTS: Seventeen pediatric patients with AN who received a CI and a group of
      children with CoHL who received a CI were the subjects of this study. The 2
      groups demonstrated similar ages at implant. Children with cognitive delays were
      excluded from each group. INTERVENTION: Cochlear implantation. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: All subjects were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with
      standardized age appropriate speech and language measures, including the
      Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT), Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), and
      Preschool Language Scale (PLS). RESULTS: There was no significant difference
      between the groups on age of activation of the CI. Children with a diagnosis of
      AN had a significantly lower unaided pure tone average preoperatively as compared
      with children with cochlear hearing loss; however, there was no significant
      difference between the groups on either their preimplantation or postimplantation
      speech and language scores. CONCLUSION: Children with a diagnosis of AN without
      associated cognitive or developmental disorders have speech and language outcomes
      comparable to other children who received a CI.

PMID- 24232063
TI  - Enlarged cochlear aqueducts: a potential route for CSF gushers in patients with
      enlarged vestibular aqueducts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether the size of the cochlear aqueduct (CA) is
      increased in patients with enlarged vestibular aqueducts (EVAs) compared with
      individuals with normal inner ear anatomy. Furthermore, we assessed whether the
      size of the CA is related to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gusher during cochlear
      implantation (CI) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary
      referral center. PATIENTS: The medical records for 35 patients with a biallelic
      SLC26A4 mutation were reviewed. All of the patients were confirmed to have EVA by
      temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) and biallelic SLC26A4 mutation by
      genetic analysis. Thirty-six age- and sex-matched patients without a mutation in
      the SLC26A4 gene were selected as comparison group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The
      diameters of the CA and vestibular aqueduct (VA) were measured, and the type of
      CA was evaluated using TBCT. RESULTS: The CA was larger in patients with EVA
      (2.39 +/- 0.99 mm) as compared with controls (1.76 +/- 0.87 mm; p < 0.001). The
      types that could be most easily visualized from the subarachnoid space to the
      cochlea were more common in patients with EVA. Furthermore, mean CA size was
      significantly larger in EVA patients with CSF gushers (3.65 +/- 1.12 mm) as
      compared with those without CSF gushers (2.03 +/- 0.66 mm; p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: The CA is a potential pathway for CSF gushers between the
      subarachnoid space and the inner ear. Therefore, we suggest that evaluation of
      the CA by TBCT may be helpful in predicting intraoperative CSF gushers in
      patients with EVA.

PMID- 24232064
TI  - Cochlear implant failure, revision, and reimplantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term adverse cochlear implant (CI) outcomes
      resulting in revision surgery including CI reimplantation (CIR). PATIENTS:
      Pediatric and adult patients requiring revision procedures after CI placement.
      INTERVENTION(S): Revision surgery on cochlear implant patients. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Device type, length of total device follow-up, time to device failure,
      cause for failure, peak pre-CIR and post-CIR audiometric performance, rate of
      surgical site complications, and operative findings. RESULTS: A total of 317
      patients, receiving 439 CIs between January 2000 and April 2012, met inclusion
      criteria for this series. For the patients implanted at our institution, the
      revision surgery rate was 4.1%, with a CIR rate of 3.0%. The CIR rates among the
      pediatric and adult populations were 5.0% and 1.3%, respectively (p = 0.0336).
      The rate of revision procedures because of failed fixation or device extrusion
      was 0.9%. Device failure was experienced in 8 patients in our series, with 75%
      occurring with the CI24R (CS) device. CONCLUSION: All reimplanted patients with
      available data had good audiometric outcomes, with the exception of those
      reimplanted for soft failure who had poor immediate auditory function. Using the
      manufacturers' recommended surgical technique, including drilling a bony recess
      with suture fixation, very low surgical revision rates were achieved. Pediatric
      patients experienced significantly higher complications requiring CIR. All hard
      failures in this series occurred in the pediatric group and in a single device.
      Continued follow-up will be needed to determine if additional devices will
      succumb to this mode of failure.

PMID- 24232065
TI  - Analysis of intersubject variations in intracochlear and middle ear surface
      anatomy for cochlear implantation.
AB  - HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that surface landmarks surrounding the round window
      typically used to guide electrode placement during cochlear implantation (CI)
      exhibit substantial variability with respect to intracochlear anatomy.
      BACKGROUND: Recent publications suggest that both atraumatic electrode insertion
      and electrode location within the scala tympani can affect auditory performance
      after CI. However, current techniques for electrode insertion rely on surface
      landmarks alone for navigation, without actual visualization of intracochlear
      structures other than what can be seen through a surgically created cochleostomy.
      In this study, we quantify how well the position of intracochlear anatomy is
      predicted by surface landmarks surrounding the round window. METHODS: Structures
      representing middle ear surface and intracochlear anatomy were reconstructed in
      MUCT scans of 10 temporal bone specimens. These structures were then reoriented
      into a normalized coordinate system to facilitate measurement of inter-subject
      anatomical shape variations. RESULTS: Only minor intersubject variations were
      detected for intracochlear anatomy (maximum deviation, 0.71 mm; standard
      deviation, 0.21 mm), with greatest differences existing near the hook and apex.
      Larger intersubject variations in intracochlear structures were detected when
      considered relative to surface landmarks surrounding the round window (maximum
      deviation, 0.83 mm; standard deviation, 0.54 mm). CONCLUSION: The cochlea and its
      scala exhibit considerable variability in relation to middle ear surface
      landmarks. While support for more precise, atraumatic CI electrode insertion
      techniques is growing in the otologic community, landmark guided insertion
      techniques have limited precision. Refining the CI insertion process may require
      the development of image-guidance systems for use in otologic surgery.

PMID- 24232066
TI  - Outcomes after cochlear implantation for patients with single-sided deafness,
      including those with recalcitrant Meniere's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Compare preoperative and postoperative performance in patients
      undergoing cochlear implantation (CI) for unilateral severe-to-profound
      sensorineural hearing loss (single-sided deafness, SSD). STUDY DESIGN: IRB
      approved, prospective SETTING: Tertiary center PATIENTS: Twenty-nine patients
      have undergone CI for SSD. SSD was due to Meniere's disease (MD) in 10 subjects;
      these also suffered from recalcitrant vertigo spells and in these 10 patients
      along with 2 others the CI was placed simultaneous with a labyrinthectomy.
      INTERVENTION(S): CI with or without labyrinthectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): CNC
      word and AzBio sentences in quiet were administered to the implanted ear. A
      multiple-loudspeaker sound localization test was administered in the bilateral
      listening condition. All data were collected preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12
      months postoperatively with postoperative data available for 19 subjects.
      Additionally, a tinnitus handicap questionnaire is administered pre- and 12
      months post-operatively. RESULTS: CNC word and AzBio sentence scores showed
      improvement in the implanted ear. Sound localization appeared to improve in an
      experience-dependent fashion in some patients. Most patients reported diminished
      tinnitus after cochlear implantation. All patients undergoing labyrinthectomy
      experienced resolution of vertigo attacks. CONCLUSION: CI restores auditory
      function to the deafened ear. Additionally, the binaural input appears to improve
      sound localization for most patients. In patients with severe hearing loss and
      recalcitrant vertigo attacks because of MD, simultaneous labyrinthectomy and CI
      effectively relieves vertigo attacks and improves auditory function.

PMID- 24232067
TI  - Do audiologic characteristics predict outcomes in children with unilateral
      hearing loss?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether audiologic characteristics of unilateral hearing
      loss in children were associated with language, cognitive, or achievement scores.
      STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study SETTING: Pediatric otolaryngology ambulatory
      practice PATIENTS: Cases (n = 109) were children aged 6 to 12 years with
      permanent unilateral hearing loss; controls (n = 95) were siblings with normal
      bilateral hearing. INTERVENTIONS: Audiologic characteristics measured included
      side and severity of hearing loss and word recognition scores in quiet and in
      noise. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cognitive abilities were measured using the
      Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence; reading, math, and writing
      achievement was measured with the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Second
      Edition - Abbreviated; and oral language skills were measured with the Oral
      Written and Language Scales. RESULTS: Children with unilateral hearing loss had
      worse verbal cognitive and oral language scores than children with normal
      hearing, but there were no differences in achievement scores. Children with
      profound unilateral hearing loss tended to have worse cognitive scores and had
      significantly lower oral language scores. Higher word recognition scores of the
      normal hearing ear in quiet were associated with higher cognitive, oral language,
      and reading achievement scores. Higher word recognition scores in noise were
      slightly correlated with higher oral language scores. CONCLUSION: As expected,
      children with unilateral hearing loss had worse language scores than their
      siblings with normal hearing, with trends toward worse cognitive scores. Children
      with profound unilateral hearing loss tended to have worse outcomes than children
      with normal hearing or less severe unilateral loss. However, there were no
      differences in outcomes between children with right or left unilateral hearing
      loss.

PMID- 24232068
TI  - First clinical experiences with a direct acoustic cochlear stimulator in
      comparison to preoperative fitted conventional hearing aids.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patients with moderate-to-severe mixed hearing losses (MHLs) are hard
      to provide sufficient benefit with currently available conventional hearing aids.
      Here, the long-term safety of a direct acoustic cochlear stimulator (DACS) and
      the effectiveness compared with conventional "high-performance" hearing aids were
      investigated. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, within patient reference, nonrandomized,
      interventional multicenter clinical study performed at these 3 centers: Medical
      University Hannover, University of Heidelberg, and Helios Hospital Krefeld.
      PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: Ten otosclerosis patients with severe-to-profound MHL
      were preoperatively fitted with state-of-the-art conventional hearing aids (HA).
      After 2 months of testing conventional HA, 9 of the patients decided to be
      implanted with a DACS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Air conduction (AC) and bone
      conduction (BC) aided and unaided thresholds, speech discrimination before and
      after implantation and at 3, 6, and 12 months after activation. The subjective
      benefit was assessed by the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB).
      RESULTS: Preoperative hearing thresholds were preserved over the 12 month
      observation time after activation. Average functional gain (0.5-4 kHz) achieved
      with conventional HA was 47 dB compared with 56 dB with the DACS. Speech-in-noise
      tests revealed a lower SNR for DACS (3.1 dB) than for the HA (6.6 dB) and
      patients were more satisfied with the DACS. CONCLUSION: The DACS significantly
      improved hearing, speech intelligibility, and satisfaction in patients with a
      severe-to-profound mixed hearing loss and can be considered a safe and useful
      alternative to conventional hearing aids.

PMID- 24232069
TI  - Neurotologic skull base access for primary tumors of the temporomandibular joint.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To familiarize the physician with the clinical and radiographic
      features associated with primary tumors of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and
      to demonstrate the use of the neurotologic skull base techniques in the surgical
      extirpation of TMJ tumors. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective chart review
      spanning the years 1988 to 2012. SETTING: Tertiary care academic medical center.
      PATIENTS: Any patient with diagnosis of a primary TMJ tumor who received surgical
      management at our institution. INTERVENTION: The surgical approaches used
      included preauricular infratemporal fossa, postauricular infratemporal fossa, and
      pterional infratemporal fossa. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The most critical
      assessment measures were postoperative patient morbidity and evidence of disease
      at follow-up visits. RESULTS: The surgical approach was tailored according to the
      radiographic mapping of the size and location of the tumor. Trismus and jaw
      discomfort were the most common postoperative complications. Conductive hearing
      loss occurred only in patients who underwent oversewing of the cartilaginous ear
      canal. CONCLUSION: The presenting signs and symptoms of extremely rare primary
      TMJ tumors are those often seen by otolaryngologists. Contemporary neurotologic
      skull base surgical techniques can optimize the successful extirpation of these
      lesions.

PMID- 24232070
TI  - Cerebellopontine angle lymphoma.

PMID- 24232071
TI  - Important drug-drug interactions for treatments that target  overactive bladder
      syndrome.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Overactive bladder (OAB) is the term used to
      describe the symptom complex of urinary urgency,usually accompanied by frequency
      and nocturia, with or without urgency urinary incontinence, in the absence of
      urinary tract infection or other obvious pathology. It is a common distressing
      condition that significantly impairs quality of life(QoL). After lifestyle advice
      and bladder retraining,antimuscarinic drugs are most commonly used to treat OAB.
      METHODS: The antimuscarinics in common use are all metabolised through differing
      mechanisms. Therefore, the risk of an enhanced drug effect is increased when the
      potentially interacting substrates compete for the same metabolic pathways. The
      aim of this review is to provide an overview on potential drug-drug interactions
      with special emphasis on high-risk groups and clinically important consequences
      of these interactions RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Knowledge of current important drug
      interactions is vital whilst prescribing antimuscarinics, particularly in high
      risk groups. Novel therapies, such as beta 3 agonists or alternative drug
      delivery systems, such as the oxybutynin vaginal ring, might provide alternative
      options where these interactions are unavoidable.

PMID- 24232072
TI  - Intracranial bleeding following induction of anesthesia in a patient undergoing
      elective surgery for refractory epilepsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A patient with refractory epilepsy due to underlying mesial temporal
      sclerosis underwent general anesthesia for an elective anterior temporal
      lobectomy and amgydalo-hippocampectomy. He was a known hypertensive and his blood
      pressure was well controlled on medication. CASE DESCRIPTION: Following induction
      of general anesthesia and subsequent opening of the craniotomy flap it was noted
      that the patient had a very swollen brain that herniated out of the dural defect.
      There was an underlying spontaneous intraparenchymal bleed encountered in the
      region of the left temporal lobe with associated subarachnoid hemorrhage within
      the sylvian fissure. The clot was evacuated and subsequently brain swelling
      reduced allowing us to proceed with the intended surgery. Despite the
      intracranial findings there was no overt abnormality in the hemodynamic status
      from the time of induction of anesthesia to the craniotomy opening excepting a
      mild nonsustained elevation of blood pressure at the outset. CONCLUSION: This
      case is of interest due to the fact that spontaneous intraparenchymal bleeding
      after induction of anesthesia has not been reported before in literature and
      should be considered in any patient in which brain swelling occurs in a setting
      of elective neurosurgery in which the primary lesion does not cause elevated
      intracranial pressure.

PMID- 24232074
TI  - The use of handheld near-infrared device (Infrascanner) for detecting
      intracranial haemorrhages in children with minor head injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A handheld device using near-infrared technology (Infrascanner) has
      shown good accuracy for detection of traumatic intracranial haemorrhages in
      adults. This study aims to determine the feasibility of use of Infrascanner in
      children with minor head injury (MHI) in the Emergency Department (ED). Secondary
      aim was to assess its potential usefulness to reduce CT scan rate. METHODS:
      Prospective pilot study conducted in two paediatric EDs, including children at
      high or intermediate risk for clinically important traumatic brain injury (ciTBI)
      according to the adapted PECARN rule in use. Completion of Infrascanner
      measurements and time to completion were recorded. Decision on CT scan and CT
      scan reporting were performed independently and blinded to Infrascanner results.
      RESULTS: Completion of the Infrascanner measurement was successfully achieved in
      103 (94 %) of 110 patients enrolled, after a mean of 4.4 +/- 2.9 min. A CT scan
      was performed in 18 (17.5 %) children. Only one had an intracranial haemorrhage
      that was correctly identified by the Infrascanner. The exploratory analysis
      showed a specificity of 93 % (95 % CI, 86.5-96.6) and a negative predictive value
      of 100 % (95 % CI, 81.6-100) for ciTBI. The use of Infrascanner would have led to
      avoid ten CT scan, reducing the CT scan rate by 58.8 %. CONCLUSIONS: Infrascanner
      seems an easy-to-use tool for children presenting to the ED following a MHI,
      given the high completion rate and short time to completion. Our preliminary
      results suggest that Infrascanner is worthy of further investigation as a
      potential tool to decrease the CT scan rate in children with MHI.

PMID- 24232075
TI  - Navigation lymphatic supermicrosurgery for the treatment of cancer-related
      peripheral lymphedema.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymphatic supermicrosurgery is becoming the treatment of choice for
      refractory lymphedema. Detection and anastomosis of functional lymphatic vessels
      are important for lymphatic supermicrosurgery. METHODS: Navigation lymphatic
      supermicrosurgery was performed using an operating microscope equipped with an
      integrated near-infrared illumination system (OPMI Pentero Infrared 800; Carl
      Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany). Eight patients with extremity lymphedema who
      underwent navigation lymphatic supermicrosurgery were evaluated. RESULTS: A total
      of 21 lymphaticovenular anastomoses were performed on 8 limbs through 14 skin
      incisions. Lymphatic vessels were enhanced by intraoperative microscopic
      indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography in 12 of the 14 skin incisions, which
      resulted in early dissection of lymphatic vessels. All anastomoses showed good
      anastomosis patency after completion of anastomoses. Postoperative extremity
      lymphedema index decreased in all limbs. CONCLUSIONS: Navigation lymphatic
      supermicrosurgery, in which lymphatic vessels are visualized with intraoperative
      microscopic ICG lymphography, allows a lymphatic supermicrosurgeon to find and
      dissect lymphatic vessels earlier and facilitates successful performance of
      lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

PMID- 24232076
TI  - Metal MEMS Tools for Beating-heart Tissue Removal.
AB  - A novel robotic tool is proposed to enable the surgical removal of tissue from
      inside the beating heart. The tool is manufactured using a unique metal MEMS
      process that provides the means to fabricate fully assembled devices that
      incorporate micron-scale features in a millimeter scale tool. The tool is
      integrated with a steerable curved concentric tube robot that can enter the heart
      through the vasculature. Incorporating both irrigation and aspiration, the tissue
      removal system is capable of extracting substantial amounts of tissue under
      teleoperated control by first morselizing it and then transporting the debris out
      of the heart through the lumen of the robot. Tool design and robotic integration
      are described and ex vivo experimental results are presented.

PMID- 24232077
TI  - Formulation and evaluation of liquisolid compacts for olmesartan medoxomil.
AB  - Olmesartan medoxomil is an angiotensin type II receptor blocker, antihypertensive
      agent, administered orally. It is highly lipophilic (log P 5.5) and a poorly
      water-soluble drug with absolute bioavailability of 26%. The poor dissolution
      rate of water-insoluble drugs is still a major problem confronting the
      pharmaceutical industry. The objective of the present investigation was to
      develop liquisolid compacts for olmesartan medoxomil to improve the dissolution
      rate. Liquisolid compacts were prepared using Acrysol El 135 as a solvent, Avicel
      PH 102, Fujicalin and Neusilin as carrier materials, and Aerosil as coating
      material in different ratios. The interaction between drug and excipients was
      characterized by DSC and FT-IR studies, which showed that there is no interaction
      between drug and excipients. The powder characteristics were evaluated by
      different flow parameters to comply with pharmacopoeial limits. The dissolution
      studies for liquisolid compacts and conventional formulations were carried out,
      and it was found that liquisolid compacts with 80% w/w of Acrysol EL 135 to the
      drug showed significant higher drug release rates than conventional tablets.
      Amongst carriers used Fujicalin and Neusilin were found to be more effective
      carrier materials for liquid adsorption. 

PMID- 24232078
TI  - Treatment of severe porcine tracheomalacia with a 3-dimensionally printed,
      bioresorbable, external airway splint.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The study demonstrates use of a novel intervention for severe
      tracheobronchomalacia (TBM). OBJECTIVE: To test a novel, 3-dimensionally (3D)
      printed, bioresorbable airway splint for efficacy in extending survival in a
      porcine model of severe, life-threatening TBM. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A
      randomized, prospective animal trial was used to evaluate an external airway
      splint as treatment of severe, life-threatening TBM in a multi-institutional,
      multidisciplinary collaboration between a biomedical engineering department and
      an academic animal surgery center. Six 2-month-old Yorkshire pigs underwent
      tracheal cartilage division and inner tracheal lumen dissociation and were
      randomly assigned to splint treatment (n = 3) or control groups (n = 3). Two
      additional pigs had the splint placed over their normal trachea. INTERVENTIONS: A
      3D-printed, bioresorbable airway splint was assessed in a porcine animal model of
      life-threatening TBM. The open-cylindrical, bellow-shaped, porous
      polycaprolactone splint was placed externally and designed to suspend the
      underlying collapsed airway. Two additional animals were splinted without model
      creation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The observer-based Westley Clinical Croup
      Scale was used to assess the clinical condition of animals postoperatively.
      Animal survival time was noted. RESULTS: Complete or nearly complete tracheal
      lumen collapse was observed in each animal, with resolution of symptoms in all of
      the experimental animals after splint placement. Using our severe TBM animal
      model, survival was significantly longer in the experimental group receiving the
      airway splint after model creation than in the control group (P = .0495).
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A multidisciplinary effort producing a computer-aided
      designed, computer-aided manufactured bioresorbable tracheobronchial splint was
      tested in a porcine model of severe TBM and was found to extend survival time.
      Mortality in the splinted group was ascribed to the TBM model based on the lack
      of respiratory distress in splinted pigs, long-term survival in animals implanted
      with the splint without TBM, and necropsy findings.

PMID- 24232081
TI  - Multiple pigmented basal cell carcinomas of the eyelids.

PMID- 24232082
TI  - Dehisced corneal button with no evidence of a ruptured globe.

PMID- 24232083
TI  - Stromal duplication of the iris.

PMID- 24232084
TI  - Surgery, pathology, and art in Pietro Gradenigo's ophthalmologic waxworks.
AB  - Pietro Gradenigo (1831-1904) represents one of the greatest eras of cultural and
      scientific activity in Italian ophthalmology. Padua's Vincenzo Pinali Medico
      historical Library preserves 2 series of ophthalmologic wax models. Made by
      Pietro Gradenigo in 1884-1889, the first consists of 18 waxes and shows different
      eyes diseases, such as neoplasm and tenonitis, and ophthalmologic surgical
      operations, such as some interesting cases of blepharoplasty. The second series
      from Vienna Medical School was created by Johann Hofmayer, ophthalmologist of the
      Josephinum in Vienna. The ideas at the foundation of wax modeling and operations
      represented in these series have some original and significant implications
      related to the role of medical imaging in didactic and research. 

PMID- 24232085
TI  - More than just optic disc swelling.

PMID- 24232086
TI  - Fundus autofluorescence is not the best early screen for hydroxychloroquine
      toxicity.

PMID- 24232087
TI  - Amyloid deposits in temporal artery mimicking temporal arteritis in a patient
      with multiple myeloma.

PMID- 24232088
TI  - Fundus autofluorescence is not the best early screen for hydroxychloroquine
      toxicity--reply.

PMID- 24232090
TI  - Delayed-onset inferior rectus muscle hematoma after orbital floor fracture.

PMID- 24232092
TI  - CD40-directed scFv-TRAIL fusion proteins induce CD40-restricted tumor cell death
      and activate dendritic cells.
AB  - Targeted cancer therapy concepts often aim at the induction of adjuvant antitumor
      immunity or stimulation of tumor cell apoptosis. There is further evidence that
      combined application of immune stimulating and tumor apoptosis-inducing compounds
      elicits a synergistic antitumor effect. Here, we describe the development and
      characterization of bifunctional fusion proteins consisting of a single-chain
      variable fragment (scFv) domain derived from the CD40-specific monoclonal
      antibody G28-5 that is fused to the N-terminus of stabilized trimeric soluble
      variants of the death ligand TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). As
      shown before by us and others for other cell surface antigen-targeted scFv-TRAIL
      fusion proteins, scFv:G28-TRAIL displayed an enhanced capacity to induce
      apoptosis upon CD40 binding. Studies with scFv:G28 fusion proteins of TRAIL
      mutants that discriminate between the two TRAIL death receptors, TRAILR1 and
      TRAILR2, further revealed that the CD40 binding-dependent mode of apoptosis
      induction of scFv:G28-TRAIL is operable with each of the two TRAIL death
      receptors. Binding of scFv:G28-TRAIL fusion proteins to CD40 not only result in
      enhanced TRAIL death receptor signaling but also in activation of the targeted
      CD40 molecule. In accordance with the latter, the scFv:G28-TRAIL fusion proteins
      triggered strong CD40-mediated maturation of dendritic cells. The CD40-targeted
      TRAIL fusion proteins described in this study therefore represent a novel type of
      bifunctional fusion proteins that couple stimulation of antigen presenting cells
      and apoptosis induction. 

PMID- 24232093
TI  - Measurement of autophagy flux in the nervous system in vivo.
AB  - Accurate methods to measure autophagic activity in vivo in neurons are not
      available, and most of the studies are based on correlative and static
      measurements of autophagy markers, leading to conflicting interpretations.
      Autophagy is an essential homeostatic process involved in the degradation of
      diverse cellular components including organelles and protein aggregates.
      Autophagy impairment is emerging as a relevant factor driving neurodegeneration
      in many diseases. Moreover, strategies to modulate autophagy have been shown to
      provide protection against neurodegeneration. Here we describe a novel and simple
      strategy to express an autophagy flux reporter in the nervous system of adult
      animals by the intraventricular delivery of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) into
      newborn mice. Using this approach we efficiently expressed a monomeric tandem
      mCherry-GFP-LC3 construct in neurons of the peripheral and central nervous
      system, allowing the measurement of autophagy activity in pharmacological and
      disease settings. 

PMID- 24232094
TI  - A set of microRNAs mediate direct conversion of human umbilical cord lining
      derived mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocytes.
AB  - In a previous study, we elucidated the specific microRNA (miRNA) profile of
      hepatic differentiation. In this study, we aimed to clarify the instructive role
      of six overexpressed miRNAs (miR-1246, miR-1290, miR-148a, miR-30a, miR-424 and
      miR-542-5p) during hepatic differentiation of human umbilical cord lining-derived
      mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and to test whether overexpression of any of these
      miRNAs is sufficient to induce differentiation of the hMSCs into hepatocyte-like
      cells. Before hepatic differentiation, hMSCs were infected with a lentivirus
      containing a miRNA inhibitor sequence. We found that downregulation of any one of
      the six hepatic differentiation-specific miRNAs can inhibit HGF-induced hepatic
      differentiation including albumin expression and LDL uptake. Although
      overexpression of any one of the six miRNAs alone or liver-enriched miR-122
      cannot initiate hepatic differentiation, ectopic overexpression of seven miRNAs
      (miR-1246, miR-1290, miR-148a, miR-30a, miR-424, miR-542-5p and miR-122) together
      can stimulate hMSC conversion into functionally mature induced hepatocytes
      (iHep). Additionally, after transplantation of the iHep cells into mice with CCL4
      induced liver injury, we found that iHep not only can improve liver function but
      it also can restore injured livers. The findings from this study indicate that
      miRNAs have the capability of directly converting hMSCs to a hepatocyte phenotype
      in vitro. 

PMID- 24232095
TI  - (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 and AMP-activated protein kinase mediate progressive
      dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Genetic and epidemiologic evidence suggests that cellular energy homeostasis is
      critically associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Here we
      demonstrated that genetic deletion of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 completely
      blocked 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration and related PD
      like symptoms. Hyperactivation of PARP-1 depleted ATP pools in dopaminergic (DA)
      neurons, thereby activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Further,
      blockade of AMPK activation by viral infection with dominant-negative AMPK
      strongly inhibited DA neuronal atrophy with moderate suppression of nuclear
      translocation of apoptosis-inhibiting factor (AIF), whereas overactivation of
      AMPK conversely strengthened the 6-OHDA-induced DA neuronal degeneration.
      Collectively, these results suggest that manipulation of PARP-1 and AMPK
      signaling is an effective therapeutic approach to prevent PD-related DA
      neurodegeneration. 

PMID- 24232096
TI  - Smac mimetics induce inflammation and necrotic tumour cell death by modulating
      macrophage activity.
AB  - Smac mimetics (SMs) comprise a class of small molecules that target members of
      the inhibitor of apoptosis family of pro-survival proteins, whose expression in
      cancer cells hinders the action of conventional chemotherapeutics. Herein, we
      describe the activity of SM83, a newly synthesised dimeric SM, in two cancer
      ascites models: athymic nude mice injected intraperitoneally with IGROV-1 human
      ovarian carcinoma cells and immunocompetent BALB/c mice injected with murine Meth
      A sarcoma cells. SM83 rapidly killed ascitic IGROV-1 and Meth A cells in vivo
      (prolonging mouse survival), but was ineffective against the same cells in vitro.
      IGROV-1 cells in nude mice were killed within the ascites by a non-apoptotic,
      tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-dependent mechanism. SM83 administration triggered a
      rapid inflammatory event characterised by host secretion of TNF, interleukin
      1beta and interferon-gamma. This inflammatory response was associated with the
      reversion of the phenotype of tumour-associated macrophages from a pro-tumoural
      M2- to a pro-inflammatory M1-like state. SM83 treatment was also associated with
      a massive recruitment of neutrophils that, however, was not essential for the
      antitumoural activity of this compound. In BALB/c mice bearing Meth A ascites,
      SM83 treatment was in some cases curative, and these mice became resistant to a
      second injection of cancer cells, suggesting that they had developed an adaptive
      immune response. Altogether, these results indicate that, in vivo, SM83 modulates
      the immune system within the tumour microenvironment and, through its pro
      inflammatory action, leads cancer cells to die by necrosis with the release of
      high-mobility group box-1. In conclusion, our work provides evidence that SMs
      could be more therapeutically active than expected by stimulating the immune
      system. 

PMID- 24232097
TI  - Jun dimerization protein 2 is a critical component of the Nrf2/MafK complex
      regulating the response to ROS homeostasis.
AB  - Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with diseases
      such as cancer, cardiovascular complications, inflammation and neurodegeneration.
      Cellular defense systems must work constantly to control ROS levels and to
      prevent their accumulation. We report here that the Jun dimerization protein 2
      (JDP2) has a critical role as a cofactor for transcription factors nuclear factor
      erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and small Maf protein family K (MafK) in the
      regulation of the antioxidant-responsive element (ARE) and production of ROS.
      Chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR (qPCR), electrophoresis mobility
      shift and ARE-driven reporter assays were carried out to examine the role of JDP2
      in ROS production. JDP2 bound directly to the ARE core sequence, associated with
      Nrf2 and MafK (Nrf2-MafK) via basic leucine zipper domains, and increased DNA
      binding activity of the Nrf2-MafK complex to the ARE and the transcription of ARE
      dependent genes. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts from Jdp2-knockout (Jdp2 KO)
      mice, the coordinate transcriptional activation of several ARE-containing genes
      and the ability of Nrf2 to activate expression of target genes were impaired.
      Moreover, intracellular accumulation of ROS and increased thickness of the
      epidermis were detected in Jdp2 KO mice in response to oxidative stress-inducing
      reagents. These data suggest that JDP2 is required to protect against
      intracellular oxidation, ROS activation and DNA oxidation. qPCR demonstrated that
      several Nrf2 target genes such as heme oxygenase-1, glutamate-cysteine ligase
      catalytic and modifier subunits, the notch receptor ligand jagged 1 and NAD(P)H
      dehydrogenase quinone 1 are also dependent on JDP2 for full expression. Taken
      together, these results suggest that JDP2 is an integral component of the Nrf2
      MafK complex and that it modulates antioxidant and detoxification programs by
      acting via the ARE. 

PMID- 24232098
TI  - miR-24 affects hair follicle morphogenesis targeting Tcf-3.
AB  - During embryonic development, hair follicles (HFs) develop from an epidermal
      mesenchymal cross talk between the ectoderm progenitor layer and the underlying
      dermis. Epidermal stem cell activation represents a crucial point both for HF
      morphogenesis and for hair regeneration. miR-24 is an anti-proliferative microRNA
      (miRNA), which is induced during differentiation of several cellular systems
      including the epidermis. Here, we show that miR-24 is expressed in the HF and has
      a role in hair morphogenesis. We generated transgenic mice ectopically expressing
      miR-24 under the K5 promoter. The K5::miR-24 animals display a marked defect in
      HF morphogenesis, with thinning of hair coat and altered HF structure. Expression
      of miR-24 alters the normal process of hair keratinocyte differentiation, leading
      to altered expression of differentiation markers. MiR-24 directly represses the
      hair keratinocyte stemness regulator Tcf-3. These results support the notion that
      microRNAs, and among them miR-24, have an important role in postnatal epidermal
      homeostasis. 

PMID- 24232100
TI  - Inheritance and structure of foreign DNA in progenies of transgenic tobacco
      obtained by direct gene transfer.
AB  - One of the transformed tobacco plants obtained by direct DNA transformation
      possessed two marker genes, a chimeric aminoglycoside phosphotransferase and
      nopaline synthase genes. Selfed progenies of this plant (T3-d) showed stable
      inheritance of these two genes. The minimum size of foreign DNA integrated into
      tobacco genome was estimated to be 5.4 kbp. A deleted nopaline synthase gene co
      existed with an intact gene. The linkage analysis indicated that two
      transformants, T1-b and T3-c, possessed foreign DNA inserted in different
      chromosomes or in different sites of the same chromosome that recombine freely. 

PMID- 24232099
TI  - FUT family mediates the multidrug resistance of human hepatocellular carcinoma
      via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
AB  - The fucosyltransferase (FUT) family is the key enzymes in cell-surface antigen
      synthesis during various biological processes such as tumor multidrug resistance
      (MDR). The aim of this work was to analyze the alteration of FUTs involved in MDR
      in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Using mass spectrometry (MS)
      analysis, the composition profiling of fucosylated N-glycans differed between
      drug-resistant BEL7402/5-FU (BEL/FU) cells and the sensitive line BEL7402.
      Further analysis of the expressional profiles of the FUT family in three pairs of
      parental and chemoresistant human HCC cell lines showed that FUT4, FUT6 and FUT8
      were predominant expressed in MDR cell lines. The altered levels of FUT4, FUT6
      and FUT8 were responsible for changed drug-resistant phenotypes of BEL7402 and
      BEL/FU cells both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, regulating FUT4, FUT6 or
      FUT8 expression markedly modulated the activity of the phosphoinositide 3 kinase
      (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway and MDR-related protein 1 (MRP1) expression.
      Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway by its specific inhibitor wortmannin, or by
      Akt small interfering RNA (siRNA), resulted in decreased MDR of BEL/FU cells,
      partly through the downregulation of MRP1. Taken together, our results suggest
      that FUT4-, FUT6- or FUT8-mediated MDR in human HCC is associated with the
      activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and the expression of MRP1, but not of P-gp,
      indicating a possible novel mechanism by which the FUT family regulates MDR in
      human HCC. 

PMID- 24232101
TI  - Transfer and segregation of triazine tolerant chloroplasts in Brassica napus L.
AB  - Hypocotyl protoplasts of 45 different genotypes of German winter oilseed rape
      Brassica napus L. (double zero quality: high in yield, seeds low in erucic acid
      and glucosinolate content) were regenerated to plants. Triazine/triazinone (tri)
      tolerant chloroplasts of the Canadian spring oilseed rape variety OAC Triton were
      introduced into some winter oilseed rapes by means of protoplast fusion. X-ray
      irradiation was used to limit the transfer of nuclear DNA of Triton protoplasts
      and to promote the selective transfer of tri-tolerant chloroplasts. Regenerated
      "cybrid" plants survived a treatment rate of 1000 g/ha metribuzin. The presence
      and segregation of the tri-tolerant chloroplasts in winter oilseed rape plants,
      regenerated from fusion products and their progeny, was investigated by
      restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Our results indicate that
      chloroplast segregation was not completed in plants regnerated from fusion
      products derived from X-irradiated OAC Triton mesophyll protoplasts and German
      winter oilseed rape hypocotyl protoplasts. In regenerants and their progeny both
      chloroplast types can still be present. Chloroplasts derived from wintertype
      protoplasts can outcompete tritolerant chloroplasts during plant development. In
      some instances, even progeny plants not kept under selective conditions
      (metribuzin) lost tri-tolerant chloroplasts. A homogenous population of tri
      tolerant chloroplasts was necessary to obtain stable tri-tolerant winter oilseed
      rape plants. 

PMID- 24232102
TI  - The origin of the cultivated tetraploid potato based on chloroplast DNA.
AB  - By using restriction enzyme analysis of chloroplast DNA, a geographical cline
      from the Andean region to coastal Chile was found for the tetraploid potato
      (Solanum tuberosum). This supports the Andean origin of Chilean ssp. tuberosum.
      One of the relic cultivars of the early introduction of potato to Europe had ssp.
      andigena type chloroplast DNA. Its derivatives were largely lost in the mid-19th
      century due to the late blight epidemic and were replaced by ssp. tuberosum
      originally introduced from Chile. Therefore, the present common potato has the
      same type chloroplast DNA as Chilean ssp. tuberosum. 

PMID- 24232103
TI  - A second mutation enhances resistance of a tobacco mutant to sulfonylurea
      herbicides.
AB  - Cultures of Nicotiana tabacum cells homozgous for a mutation (S4) at the SuRB
      locus that confers resistance to the sulfonylurea herbicides chlorsulfuron and
      sulfometuron methyl (Chaleff and Ray 1984; Chaleff and Bascomb 1987) were used to
      isolate a doubly mutant cell line (S4 Hra/S4+) resistant to even higher herbicide
      concentrations. Growth of cells homozygous for both the S4 and Hra mutations (S4
      Hra/S4 Hra) was uninhibited by a herbicide concentration 500-fold higher than a
      concentration by which growth of S4+/S4+ callus was inhibited by 75%. Plants
      homozygous for both mutations were at least five-fold more resistant to foliar
      applications of chlorsulfuron than were singly mutant S4+/S4+ plants. This
      enhanced resistance was inherited as a single, semidominant, nuclear trait that
      is genetically linked to the S4 mutation. Acetolactate synthase (ALS) activity in
      extracts of leaves of doubly mutant (S4 Hra/S4 Hra) plants was approximately 20
      fold more resistant to inhibition by chlorsulfuron and sulfometuron methyl than
      was ALS activity in singly mutant (S4+/ S4+) leaf extracts, which was in turn
      more resistant to inhibition by these compounds than was the normal enzyme.
      Extracts prepared from plants of these three genotypes possessed the same ALS
      specific activities. Therefore, Hra represents a second independent mutation at
      or near the SuRB locus that reduces the sensitivity of tobacco ALS activity to
      inhibition by sulfonylurea herbicides. 

PMID- 24232104
TI  - Chromosomal location of genes conditioning low amylose content of endosperm
      starches in rice, Oryza sativa L.
AB  - Eight dull mutants that lower the amylose content of rice endosperm as well as
      waxy mutant and a cultivar with common grains were crossed in a diallele manner.
      The amylose content of F1 and F2 seeds was determined on the basis of single
      grain analysis. It was concluded that the low amylose content of dull mutants is
      under monogenic recessive control. Alleles for low amylose content are located at
      five loci designated as du-1, du-2, du-3, du-4 and du-5. These loci are
      independent of wx locus located on chromosome 6. The five du loci have an
      additive effect in lowering the amylose content. Two loci, du-1 and du-4, were
      found to be located on chromosomes 7 and 4, respectively. 

PMID- 24232105
TI  - Outcrossing rates and male sterility in natural populations of Plantago
      coronopus.
AB  - Outcrossing rates were estimated in three populations of the gynodioecious
      species Plantago coronopus by means of electrophoresis of adult plants and their
      natural progenies. A multilocus estimation procedure was used. Heterogeneity
      among the pollen-pool allele frequencies did not exist either in space of in
      time. Differences between populations in mean outcrossing rates were large
      (range: 0.34-0.93), probably caused by differences in densities of flowering
      plants. In addition, there was considerable variability between individuals,
      which was at least partly caused by the presence of male sterility. Population
      density may, via its influence on outcrossing rates, be a factor influencing the
      maintenance of male sterile plants in the population. The level of outcrossing in
      hermaphrodites was not low enough to explain the maintenance of male steriles.
      Outcrossing rates in two populations, established via progeny analysis, were much
      lower than calculated with the fixation index, possibly indicating heterozygote
      advantage in these natural populations. 

PMID- 24232106
TI  - Diploid Brassica napus somatic hybrids: characterization of nuclear and
      organellar DNA.
AB  - Five somatic hybrids between Brassica campestris and B. oleracea were obtained.
      Molecular, morphological and cytological information all suggest that the
      resynthesized B. napus plants were hybrids. All five plants were diploid (2n=38)
      and had mainly bivalents at meiosis. Seedset was low after selfing but normal
      after crossing with B. napus. Molecular proof of the hybrid nature of these
      plants was obtained by hybridization of a rDNA repeat to total DNA. Analysis of
      chloroplast DNA restriction patterns revealed that all hybrids had chloroplasts
      identical to the B. oleracea parent. The analysis of mitochondrial DNA indicated
      that three hybrids had restriction patterns identical to those of B. campestris,
      and the other two had restriction patterns similar to those of B. oleracea. The
      11.3 kb plasmid present in mitochondria of the B. campestris parent was also
      found in mitochondria of all five hybrids. This suggests that the plasmid from a
      B. campestris type of mitochondria was transferred into mitochondria of a B.
      oleracea type. 

PMID- 24232107
TI  - Effects of Alternaria alternata f.sp. lycopersici toxins on pollen.
AB  - Effects of the phytotoxic compounds (AAL-toxins) isolated from cell-free culture
      filtrates of Alternaria alternata f.sp. lycopersici on in vitro pollen
      development were studied. AAL-toxins inhibited both germination and tube growth
      of pollen from several Lycopersicon genotypes. Pollen from susceptible genotypes,
      however, was more sensitive for AAL-toxins than pollen from resistant plants,
      while pollen of species not belonging to the host range of the fungus was not
      significantly affected by the tested toxin concentrations. AAL-toxins elicit
      symptoms in detached leaf bioassays indistinguishable from those observed on
      leaves of fungal infected tomato plants, and toxins play a major role in the
      pathogenesis. Apparently, pathogenesis-related processes and mechanisms involved
      in disease resistance are expressed in both vegetative and generative tissues.
      This overlap in gene expression between the sporophytic and gametophytic level of
      a plant may be advantageously utilized in plant breeding programmes. Pollen may
      be used to distinguish susceptible and resistant plants and to select for
      resistances and tolerances against phytotoxins and other selective agents. 

PMID- 24232108
TI  - Choice of method for identifying germplasm with superior alleles : 1. Theoretical
      results.
AB  - Elite, adapted germplasm is not likely to contain all the favorable alleles
      available in a species. Three statistics were evaluated for screening populations
      for their ability to contribute favorable dominant alleles not available in an
      elite single cross: (1) a statistic proposed by Dudley (SD)=[(P x I1-I1)(I1 x I2
      I2)-(P x I2-I2) (I1 x I2-I1)]/[2(I1-I2)]; (2) the upper bound minimum (P x I1-I1,
      P x I2-I2) ; and (3) the testcross to the single cross [TC(SC)]=P x (I1 x I2),
      where P is the population to be evaluated and I1 and I2 are homozygous parents of
      the elite single cross I1*I2. A superiority measure for a population was defined
      as the product of frequencies of favorable alleles and effects summed over loci
      where I1*I2 is homozygous unfavorable. Of the statistics considered, TC (SC)
      should have the highest genetic correlation with the superiority measure under
      the assumptions made, require the fewest testing resources and have the smallest
      standard error. Methods considered for screening inbreds were: (1) SDI proposed
      by Dudley=[(I1 x IW)+(I2 x IW)-I1-I2-IW-(I1 x I2)]/4 ; (2) TC(SC)=IW x (I1 xI2);
      and (3) UBND=minimum where Iw is the inbred to be evaluated. The superiority
      measure of an inbred Iw was defined as the relative number of loci where I1 and
      I2 are unfavorable and Iw is favorable. The genetic correlation with the
      superiority measure should be highest for SDI. The larger number of measurements
      used in calculation, the necessity of evaluating potentially unadapted inbreds
      and larger testing resources required for SDI suggest further research should be
      done to evaluate these statistics. 

PMID- 24232109
TI  - Choice of method for identifying germplasm with superior alleles : 2. Computer
      simulation results.
AB  - An accurate and efficient method of screening the many germplasm sources
      available for their ability to improve elite, adapted germplasm is needed. The
      superiority measure (SX) of a population (P) was defined as the product of the
      frequency and relative superiority of the alleles in P that are more favorable
      than the best in an elite, adapted reference single cross I1*I2. A computer
      simulation was done to determine the correlations between various screening
      methods and the SX. The genetic model used included multiple alleles, no linkage,
      two types of non-epistatic gene action (additive and complete dominance) and two
      types of epistatic gene action (complementary and duplicate). Genetic variances
      in the populations and a statistic proposed by Dudley (SD={[P x I1-I1] [I1 xI2
      I2]- [P x I2-I2]-[P x I2-I2] [I1 x I2-I1]}/{2[I1-I2]{) were inconsistently
      correlated with the SX over all types of gene action on the basis of rank
      correlations. The testcross to the single cross (TC[SC]=P x [I1 x I2]) and the
      upper bound on the SX (UBND=minimum [P x I1-I1, P x I2-I2]) were both
      consistently highly genetically correlated with the SX. In the set of populations
      simulated, there were positive correlations between products of allelic
      frequencies and effects at different classes of loci. The UBND usually had a
      higher rank correlation coefficient with the SX than did the TC(SC). The
      differences between their correlation coefficients were often insignificant.
      Although the TC(SC) gives no indication as to which inbred the population is more
      closely related, its ease of use and expected lowers standard error compared with
      the UBND indicate that it would be an appropriate choice of screening method for
      identifying superior populations in the sense defined. 

PMID- 24232110
TI  - Detection of linkage between marker loci and loci affecting quantitative traits
      in crosses between segregating populations.
AB  - By making use of pedigree information and information on marker-genotypes of the
      parent and F-1 individuals crossed to form an F-2 population, it is possible to
      carry out a linkage analysis between marker loci and loci affecting quantitative
      traits in a cross between segregating parent populations that are at fixation for
      alternative alleles at the QTL, but share the same alleles at the marker loci.
      For two-allele systems, depending on marker allele frequencies in the parent
      populations, 2-4 times as many F-2 offspring will have to be raised and scored
      for markers and quantitative traits in order to provide power equivalent to that
      obtained in a cross between fully inbred lines. Major savings in number of F-2
      offspring raised can be achieved by scoring each parent pair for a large number
      of markers in each chromosomal region and scoring F-1 and F-2 offspring only for
      those markers for which the parents were homozygous for alternative alleles. For
      multiple allele systems, particularly when dealing with hypervariable loci, only
      10%-20% additional F-2 offspring will have to be raised and scored to provide
      power equivalent to that obtained in a cross between inbred lines. When a
      resource population contains novel favorable alleles at quantitative trait loci
      that are not present (or rare) in a commercial population, analyses of this sort
      will enable the loci of interest to be identified, mapped and manipulated
      effectively in breeding programs. 

PMID- 24232111
TI  - A selection method for the synthesis of triploid hybrids by fusion of microspore
      protoplasts (n) with somatic cell protoplasts (2n).
AB  - Microspore protoplasts (n) isolated at the tetrad stage from plants of Nicotiana
      tabacum Km(+) (2n=4x=48) were fused with somatic cell protoplasts (2n) of WT N.
      rustica (2n=4x=48) to produce triploid plants. A total of 21.2*10(6) microspore
      protoplasts were fused with 11.2*10(6) somatic cell protoplasts using the high
      pH/Ca(+ +) method. Microspore protoplasts did not divide and WT N. rustica
      protoplasts stopped dividing when the protoplast-derived colonies were
      transferred to a selection medium containing kanamycin. A total of 104 actively
      growing green colonies were recovered on the selection medium. Ninety-six of
      these colonies were tested for their hybrid nature by PAGE of peroxidases and
      were found to contain bands characteristic of both parents. Hybrid nature of the
      plants regenerated from some of the selected colonies was confirmed by IEF of
      leaf esterases, by NPT II activity assay and by hybridizing total DNAs restricted
      with EcoR I to a cloned 18s rDNA fragment. Root tip squashes of six of the hybrid
      plants revealed chromosome numbers ranging from 58-72. From chromosomal and
      biochemical analysis, it can be concluded that the procedure of fusing microspore
      protoplasts (n) of species A carrying a dominant selection marker with WT somatic
      cell protoplasts (2n) of species B can be a convenient selection method for the
      synthesis of triploid plants. The significance of triploids lies in their
      subsequent use for transferring alien chromosomes and genes of species A to
      species B. 

PMID- 24232112
TI  - Comparisons of zein profiles from inbred, F1, and F 2 generations of maize as
      revealed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - Chi-square analyses were performed on zein Chromatographic profiles of inbred
      lines, F1, F2, and reciprocal F1 seed for 10 hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.). The
      objective was to test the goodness of fit of observed profiles with those
      expected on the basis that the F1 and F2 generations represent a 2?1 and 1?1
      addition of Female?male parents of the F1, respectively. From 40 available
      comparisons, 39 showed no difference between the observed chromatograms and those
      that were expected on the basis of four models that were tested. The one
      exception was due to closely eluting peaks that were revealed as shoulders and
      not recorded as separate entities. chromatographic profiles of inbreds, F1, and
      bulk F2 seed sources can be accurately simulated. Even though the chromatographic
      profile of the F1 closely resembled that of the female parent, profiles of
      hybrids with common female but different male parents were distinguishable. The
      lack of novel peaks in both F1 and F2 generations compared with the inbred line
      thereby revealed no unpredictable interaction among zein loci. Zein protein data
      can be useful in registration, certification, and in the checking of hybrid
      pedigree especially when used in concert with isozymic data. 

PMID- 24232113
TI  - Production of F1 and F 2 diploid gynogenetic tilapias and analysis of the
      "Hertwig curve" obtained using ultraviolet irradiated sperm.
AB  - In this study, a Hertwig effect with a non-typical biphasic curve was obtained
      using sperm irradiated with increasing intensities of UV. The first phase of the
      UV curve appeared to be quite different from that normally demonstrated using
      gamma or x-ray irradiation. This difference is characterised throughout the
      length of the first phase by (1) low and stable embryo hatching rates of about
      3.5%, and (2) exclusive formation of haploid embryos at any irradiation
      intensity. Additionally, at both phases, the ability of the sperm to induce
      morula formation was not affected at all, and no aneuploidy nor chromosomal
      fragments could be seen. Therefore, it was suggested that in this fish the lethal
      effect of UV irradition on sperm is mainly expressed on early differentiative
      events during embryogenesis, which lead to a degeneration of the embryos during
      early stages of their development. The possible mechanism by which haploidy is
      achieved during the first phase is discussed. Two generations of diploid
      gynogenetic tilapias were induced by activating Oreochromis aureus eggs with UV
      irradiated O. niloticus sperm and by using the heat-shock technique, at optimized
      conditions, for the prevention of the second polar body extrusion. Species
      specific dominant genetic markers (serum esterases and tail striation) were used
      to confirm the exclusive content of the maternal genome in gynogenetic offspring.
      Very low survival rates (0.36%) were shown in F1 gynogenetic fish as well as a
      high incidence of malformations among survivors. In the second gynogenetic
      generation, both significantly higher survival rates (3.6%) and a considerably
      reduced incidence of malformations were obtained. We suggest that low frequencies
      of recombination occur in this species and cause a rapid increase in the
      inbreeding level. This is followed by the expression of lethal and defective
      genes that are considerably reduced after second generation selection. 

PMID- 24232114
TI  - Production of somatic hybrids by electrofusion in Solanum.
AB  - Conditions are described for large scale electrofusion of mesophyll protoplasts
      of dihaploid S. tuberosum with those of diploid S. brevidens. Overall fusion
      frequencies of 20%-30% were achieved, and following fusion, large numbers of
      protoplast-derived calli were obtained. Putative somatic hybrid plants were
      selected from the regenerated shoots by examining their morphological
      characteristics. Twenty-one somatic hybrids were confirmed by isoenzyme analysis
      and six somatic hybrids were further confirmed by Southern hybridization.
      Tetraploid hybrids were obtained, but cytogenetic studies indicated that more of
      the regenerated hybrids were hexaploid than had previously been found following
      chemical fusion of the same partners. Some advantages of electrofusion over
      chemical fusion are discussed. 

PMID- 24232115
TI  - Evaluation of hypotheses concerning the origin of Lotus corniculatus (Fabaceae)
      using isoenzyme data.
AB  - An isoenzyme survey was conducted for several geographically dispersed accessions
      of four diploid Lotus species, L. alpinus Schleich., L. japonicus (Regel) Larsen,
      L. tenuis Waldst. et Kit and L. uliginosus Schkuhr, and for the tetraploid L.
      corniculatus L., in order to ascertain whether isoenzyme data could offer
      additional evidence concerning the origin of L. corniculatus. Seven enzyme
      systems were examined using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. These were
      PGI, TPI, MDH, IDH, PGM, 6-PGDH, and ME. Lotus uliginosus had monomorphic unique
      alleles, that were not found within L. corniculatus, at 7 loci. These loci and
      alleles are: Tpi1-112, Pgm1,2-110, Pgm3-82, Mdh3-68, 6-Pgdh1-110, 6-Pgdh2-98,95,
      and Me2-100. Other diploid taxa contained alleles found in L. corniculatus for
      these and other loci. The implications of the isoenzyme data to theories on the
      origin of L. corniculatus are discussed. 

PMID- 24232116
TI  - The genomic relationship between cultivated sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]
      and Johnsongrass [S. halepense (L.) Pers.]: a re-evaluation.
AB  - The genomic relationship between cultivated sorghum [Sorghum bicolar (L.) Moench,
      race bicolor, De Wet, 2n=20] and Johnsongrass [S. halepense (L.) Pers., 2n=40]
      has been a subject of extensive studies. Nevertheless, there is no general
      consensus concerning the ploidy level and the number of genomes present in the
      two species. This research tested the validity of four major genomic models that
      have been proposed previously for the two species by studying chromosome
      behaviors in the parental species, 30-chromosome hybrids [sorghum, (2n=20) x
      Johnsongrass, (2n=40)], 40-chromosome hybrids [sorghum, (2n=40) x Johnsongrass,
      (2n=40)] and 60-chromosome amphiploids. Chromosome pairings of amphiploids are
      reported for the first time. Chromosomes of cultivated sorghums paired
      exclusively as 10 bivalents, whereas Johnsongrass had a maximum configuration of
      5 ring quadrivalents with occasional hexavalents and octovalents. In contrast, 40
      chromosome cultivated sorghum had up to 9 ring quadrivalents and 1 hexavalent.
      Pairing in the 30-chromosome hybrids showed a maximum of 10 trivalents, and that
      in the 40-chromosome hybrids exhibited 8 quadrivalents, 5 of which were rings,
      together with a few hexavalents. Amphiploid plants showed up to 3 ring
      hexavalents, 1 chain hexavalent and a chain of 12 chromosomes. The data suggest
      that cultivated sorghum is a tetraploid species with the genomic formula AAB1B1,
      and Johnsongrass is a segmental auto-allo-octoploid, AAAA B1B1B2B2. The model is
      further substantiated by chromosome pairing in amphiploid plants whose proposed
      genomic formula is AAAAAA B1B1B1B1 B2B2. 

PMID- 24232117
TI  - Changes in ripening-related processes in tomato conditioned by the alc mutant.
AB  - The alc mutation affects the ripening and storability of tomato fruit. The
      alteration of fruit color in alc lines is due to a reduction in total pigment and
      a reduction in lycopene relative to total carotinoids. Polygalacturonase (PG)
      activity is reduced to less than 5% of normal, and the isozymes PG2a and PG2b are
      absent in alc fruit. The level of anti-PG precipitable proteins is also reduced
      to less than 5% of normal. Total polyA + mRNA is not significantly reduced in
      ripening alc fruit, but hybridization of polyA + mRNA to different ripening
      related cDNA clones showed that specific mRNAs are present at reduced levels in
      the mutant. Specific mRNA levels were reduced to 10%-80% of normal levels,
      depending on the cDNA clone used as the probe. PG mRNA was present at 5%-10% of
      the normal level.All effects of alc on fruit ripening are relived in the line
      Alcobaca-red, which arose spontaneously from the original alc line, Alcobaca. The
      Alcobaca-red trait segregates as a single dominant trait at or very near the alc
      locus, and it is probably the result of a reverse mutation at the alc locus.The
      chromosomal locations of regions homologous to 5 ripening-related cDNA probes
      were determined. Regions homologous to 4 of these probes map to chromosomes other
      than chromosome 10, indicating that the effects of alc are transactive. A cDNA
      clone for PG was homologous to only one chromosomal region. This region is
      located on chromosome 10, which is also the chromosome on which alc and nor are
      located. 

PMID- 24232118
TI  - Interspecific hybridization between Nicotiana repanda Willd. and N. tabacum L.
      through the pollen irradiation technique and the egg cell irradiation technique.
AB  - Two techniques were useful in overcoming hybrid inviability between N. repanda
      and N. tabacum. These techniques combine gamma-ray irradiation to pollen or to
      egg cells (in ovules) with in vitro culture of fertilized ovules. When in vitro
      culture of fertilized ovules from in situ hybridization of N. repanda x N.
      tabacum was combined without gamma-ray irradiation to pollen or to egg cells (in
      ovules), all of the resulting seedlings developed chlorosis and died.
      Furthermore, in the case of in situ hybridization of N. repanda x N. tabacum with
      gamma-ray irradiated N. tabacum pollen, no viable seeds were obtained. By using
      both techniques, combining gamma-ray irradiation to N. tabacum pollen or to egg
      cells in (N. repanda ovules) with in vitro culture of fertilized ovules, we were
      successful in obtaining flowering hybrid plants. Thus, it appears that it may be
      possible to overcome hybrid inviability to a certain extent using both the pollen
      irradiation technique and the egg cell irradiation technique, i.e., gamma-ray
      irradiation to pollen or to egg cells (in ovules) before pollination and in vitro
      culture of fertilized ovules. 

PMID- 24232119
TI  - The use of a triploid hybrid for introgression in Lolium species.
AB  - Triploid hybrids of Lolium multiflorum (4x) x L. perenne (2x) behaved
      cytologically as autotriploids but the segregation of isozyme variants did not
      always agree with the expected trisomic ratios. The overall effect of these
      deviations from expectation was a greater proportion than expected of diploid
      progeny from the cross L. multiflorum (2x) x triploid hybrid which did not
      include any of the L. perenne alleles at the three marker isozyme loci. The
      possible mechanisms for these aberrant segregation ratios are discussed together
      with the advantages of the crossing scheme to accelerate the recovery of the
      genotype of the recurrent parent in a backcrossing programme to transfer
      characters from one species to another. 

PMID- 24232120
TI  - Cytoplasmic male sterility in Petunia hybrida: factors affecting mitochondrial
      ATP export in normal and cytoplasmically male sterile plants.
AB  - In view of accumulating evidence that cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in some
      species results from an inability to generate the high ATP/ADP ratios required
      for specific stages of differentiation in the reproductive cycle, a number of
      aspects of ATP metabolism are being examined in CMS and male fertile plants.In
      experiments designed to test mitochondrial efficiency in ATP export, organelles
      from CMS plants performed very poorly when compared with normal lines. It is
      proposed that although most of the molecules involved in mitochondrial ATP
      production are nuclear encoded, the lesions in mitochondrial (mt)DNA known to
      accompany the CMS phenotype may be expressed as small modifications within the
      architecture of the mitochondrial membrane. To detect whether such changes could
      affect the ADP-ATP translocator in the membrane, two sets of experiments were
      carried out to determine a 'Km' for the translocator. The two methods employed
      were based on different precepts, but nevertheless indicated a 'Km' for the
      mitochondrial translocator in CMS lines which differed dramatically from that of
      male fertile plants. The view that CMS in Petunia hybrida thus might result from
      small differences in mtDNA encoded membrane proteins is considered in the light
      of the cytological changes seen to accompany CMS in these plants, as well as in
      the context of current theories advanced to explain CMS in other species. 

PMID- 24232121
TI  - Statistical techniques for detection of major genes in animal breeding data.
AB  - Statistical techniques for detection of major loci and for making inferences
      about major locus parameters such as genotypic frequencies, effects and gene
      action from field-collected data are presented. In field data, major genotypic
      effects are likely to be masked by a large number of environmental differences in
      addition to additive and nonadditive polygenic effects. A graphical technique and
      a procedure for discriminating among genetic hypotheses based on a mixed model
      accounting for all these factors are proposed. The methods are illustrated by
      using simulated data. 

PMID- 24232122
TI  - Vincristine sulfate liposomal injection for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Vincristine (VCR) is one of the most extensively used cytotoxic compounds in
      hemato-oncology. VCR is particularly important for the treatment of acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a disease that accounts for approximately one-third
      of all childhood cancer diagnoses. VCR's full therapeutic potential has been
      limited by dose-limiting neurotoxicity, classically resulting in autonomic and
      peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy. In the last decade, however, the discovery
      that liposomal encapsulation of chemotherapeutics can modulate the
      pharmacokinetic characteristics of a compound has stimulated much interest in
      liposomal VCR (vincristine sulfate liposomal injection [VSLI]) formulations for
      the treatment of ALL and other hematological malignancies. Promising data from
      recent clinical trials investigating VSLI in adults with ALL resulted in US Food
      and Drug Administration approval for use in patients with Philadelphia chromosome
      (t[9;22]/BCR-ABL1) (Ph)-negative (Ph-) disease. Additional clinical trials of
      VSLI in adults and children with both Ph-positive (Ph+) and Ph- ALL are ongoing.
      Here we review the preclinical and clinical experience to date with VSLI for ALL.

PMID- 24232123
TI  - In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities of a flavonoid isolated from celery
      (Apium graveolens L. var. dulce).
AB  - In the present article, a flavonoid was separated and purified from celery leaf
      through ethanol extraction, column chromatography and crystallization. The
      product was identified as apiin by LC/ESI-MS, and its antioxidant activities were
      evaluated in vitro, including by 1,1-diphenl-2-picrylhyrazyl free radical (DPPH),
      superoxide radical (O2(-)) and hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenging assays. IC50
      values were 68.0 MUg ml(-1) in the DPPH assay, 0.39 mg ml(-1) in the O2(-) assay
      and 48.0 MUg ml(-1) in the OH assay. The antioxidant activities were investigated
      in vivo with the use of mice models. All data were measured including the
      contents of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) and lipofuscin (LPF), the activities of
      superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT),
      and the total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), in the serum, brain, heart, liver and
      kidney. Results showed that apiin had a remarkable scavenging activity on MDA and
      LPF, promoted TAOC and significantly enhanced the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and
      CAT.

PMID- 24232124
TI  - Application of a UHPLC MS/MS-based multianalyte approach for screening and
      validated quantification of drugs in human blood plasma often requested in the
      context of brain death diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A multianalyte procedure (MAP) for the screening and quantification
      of drugs of different classes using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography
      with tandem-mass spectrometric detection (UHPLC-MS/MS) was established. The aim
      was to elucidate whether this general approach could be transferred to the
      determination of drugs relevant for brain death diagnosis (BDD). This part of the
      MAP should cover alfentanil, etomidate, fentanyl, ketamine, morphine,
      piritramide, and sufentanil as an addition to the established gas chromatographic
      mass spectrometric approach for the determination of propofol, barbiturates, and
      some benzodiazepines. METHODS: This UHPLC-MS/MS approach based on liquid-liquid
      extraction was validated with respect to selectivity, recovery, matrix effects,
      process efficiency, ion suppression/enhancement, accuracy and precision,
      stabilities, and limits of quantification. RESULTS: The approach was selective
      for the tested analytes. Accurate and precise quantification was achieved for all
      analytes with the exception of alfentanil and morphine. Validation data for
      fentanyl, piritramide, and sufentanil were acceptable, but the lowest calibrator
      concentration had to be set higher than half of the lower therapeutic range as
      recommended for BDD. CONCLUSIONS: Only etomidate and ketamine fulfill both
      validation and BDD criteria. Nevertheless, the MAP allowed the simultaneous
      screening and quantification of >90 other central nervous system-suppressing
      drugs with the same extract in the same run. For the screening and accurate and
      precise quantification of low concentrations of alfentanil, fentanyl, morphine,
      piritramide, and sufentanil, methods with alternative sample preparation and
      analysis techniques must be developed.

PMID- 24232125
TI  - Analytical performance of QMS everolimus assay on ortho Vitros 5,1 FS fusion
      analyzer: measuring everolimus trough levels for solid organ transplant
      recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Everolimus has recently been approved by Food and Drug Administration
      for graft maintenance in liver transplant recipients. This drug has a narrow
      therapeutic index and benefits from close blood level monitoring. Currently, in
      the United States, the Thermo Fisher Scientific Quantitative Microsphere System
      (QMS) Everolimus Immunoassay is the only Food and Drug Administration-cleared
      immunoassay for monitoring everolimus in renal transplant recipients. However,
      studies on this assay adapted to the Ortho Vitros 5,1 FS chemistry analyzer have
      not been published, and data of this assay applied to monitoring drug levels in
      liver transplant recipients are limited. Here, the authors evaluated and
      validated the QMS everolimus assay on the Vitros analyzer and its application to
      supporting the immunosuppressant management of mainly liver transplant
      recipients. METHODS: The analysis was performed according to the QMS assay
      package insert. The method was compared with a liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry method from a reference laboratory using a total of 34 samples from
      1 double lung and liver, 8 liver, and 3 kidney recipients. The method comparison
      was assessed by Deming regression. Proficiency test materials issued by
      Everolimus TDM Proficiency Support Program were tested and compared with the peer
      group results of using the QMS kits. RESULTS: The assay was linear in the range
      of 0.75-20.0 ng/mL. Limit of detection was 0.70 ng/mL and lower limit of
      quantitation was 0.75 ng/mL. Within-day and between-day (20 days) coefficients of
      variation were between 3.1% and 16.5% at mean levels of 5.3, 12.0, and 17.2
      ng/mL, respectively. We obtained a Deming regression of y = 1.271 - 0.666 (r =
      0.880) when comparing with the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
      method. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that the analytical performance of the
      QMS everolimus immunoassay by the Vitros 5,1 FS analyzer was satisfactory for
      monitoring drug levels of solid organ transplant patients.

PMID- 24232126
TI  - Dapsone and body mass index in subjects with multibacillary leprosy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The physiological changes in obese subjects can modify the
      pharmacokinetic profiles of drugs influencing the therapeutic efficacy. METHODS:
      In this study, the authors compare plasma dapsone trough levels of multibacillary
      leprosy subjects stratified by body mass index (BMI) to evaluate if obesity plays
      a significant role on drug levels. The relationship between drug levels and BMI
      was also determined. Dapsone was measured by high-performance liquid
      chromatography and BMI based on World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS: At
      steady state, the median plasma dapsone trough level was significantly lower in
      obesity class 2 group, when compared with other groups, but they were similar
      between normal weight and preobesity groups. A weak association between drug
      levels and BMI was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity promotes a significant
      reduction in plasma dapsone trough levels of subjects with multibacillary leprosy
      with a weak association between drug levels and BMI.

PMID- 24232127
TI  - Mycophenolic acid pharmacokinetics in lung transplant recipients with cystic
      fibrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation is an established treatment for cystic fibrosis
      (CF) patients with end-stage lung disease. Current immunosuppression includes the
      prodrug mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which has led to improved transplant
      outcomes. Given the pancreatic insufficiency and malabsorption in CF patients,
      some transplant centers give higher doses of MMF to these patients based on lower
      predose levels (C(0)), even though C(0) values correlate poorly with mycophenolic
      acid (MPA) exposure. The focus of this pilot study was to determine the
      pharmacokinetics (PK) of MPA in CF when compared with noncystic fibrosis (NCF)
      lung transplant recipients. METHODS: Five CF and 5 NCF patients had 3 separate PK
      analyses performed through our clinical research center. In addition to MMF, all
      patients were on tacrolimus and prednisone and were diabetic on insulin. Twelve
      hour total serum concentration-time profiles of MPA and MPA glucuronide (MPAG)
      were obtained after oral administration of MMF. Concentrations of total MPA and
      MPAG were determined by a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry method. PK parameters of MPA were calculated by the noncompartmental
      method. Student t test or Mann-Whitney test was used to assess the differences in
      the PK parameters between the 2 cohorts. RESULTS: CF patients were significantly
      younger (30.6 versus 59.4 years; P < 0.001) and had significantly lower serum
      albumin (3.8 versus 4.1 g/dL; P = 0.0018) than NCF patients. CF patients had
      significantly lower MPA area under the curve (47.7 versus 83.1 mg.h.L(-1); P =
      0.016) and MPAG area under the curve (569 versus 911 mg.h.L(-1); P = 0.047) when
      compared with NCF patients. In addition, C(0) (2.6 versus 4.6 mg/L; P = 0.026)
      and maximum serum concentration (9.2 versus 20.3 mg/L; P = 0.016) were
      significantly lower, and apparent oral clearance (0.26 versus 0.13 L.h.kg(-1); P
      = 0.009) was significantly higher in CF patients. T(max) was delayed in CF
      patients but not significantly. No difference between CF and NCF patients was
      observed for intra- and interindividual variability. CONCLUSIONS: Given these
      results, the lower MPA exposure in CF patients may impact transplant outcome in
      this lung transplant population.

PMID- 24232128
TI  - Genotype and allele frequencies of drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporter
      genes affecting immunosuppressants in the Spanish white population.
AB  - Interpatient variability in drug response can be widely explained by genetically
      determined differences in metabolizing enzymes, drug transporters, and drug
      targets, leading to different pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic behaviors of
      drugs. Genetic variations affect or do not affect drug responses depending on
      their influence on protein activity and the relevance of such proteins in the
      pathway of the drug. Also, the frequency of such genetic variations differs among
      populations, so the clinical relevance of a specific variation is not the same in
      all of them. In this study, a panel of 33 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 14
      different genes (ABCB1, ABCC2, ABCG2, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP3A5,
      MTHFR, NOD2/CARD15, SLCO1A2, SLCO1B1, TPMT, and UGT1A9), encoding for the most
      relevant metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters relating to immunosuppressant
      agents, was analyzed to determine the genotype profile and allele frequencies in
      comparison with HapMap data. A total of 570 Spanish white recipients and donors
      of solid organ transplants were included. In 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms,
      statistically significant differences in allele frequency were observed. The
      largest differences (>100%) occurred in ABCB1 rs2229109, ABCG2 rs2231137, CYP3A5
      rs776746, NOD2/CARD15 rs2066844, TPMT rs1800462, and UGT1A9 rs72551330. In
      conclusion, differences were recorded between the Spanish and other white
      populations in terms of allele frequency and genotypic distribution. Such
      differences may have implications in relation to dose requirements and drug
      induced toxicity. These data are important for further research to help explain
      interindividual pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability in response to
      drug therapy.

PMID- 24232129
TI  - Serum concentrations of risperidone and aripiprazole in subgroups encoding CYP2D6
      intermediate metabolizer phenotype.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P450 2D6 intermediate metabolizer phenotype (CYP2D6 IM)
      comprises various genotype subgroups. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum
      concentrations of the CYP2D6 substrates risperidone and aripiprazole in
      psychiatric patients with various CYP2D6 genotypes encoding IM phenotype.
      METHODS: The study was based on therapeutic drug monitoring data from CYP2D6
      genotyped patients (mainly of white origin) treated with orally administered
      risperidone (n = 190) or aripiprazole (n = 266). Patients were divided into 3
      genotype subgroups encoding IM phenotype: (1) heterozygous carriers of fully
      functional and nonfunctional variant alleles (*1/def), (2) homozygous carriers of
      reduced-function variant alleles (red/red), and (3) heterozygous carriers of
      reduced-function and nonfunctional variant alleles (def/red). Dose-adjusted serum
      concentrations of risperidone and aripiprazole were compared between the genotype
      subgroups using *1/def, the most frequent CYP2D6 genotype among these subgroups,
      as the reference group. RESULTS: Median serum concentrations were 4.5- and 1.6
      fold higher in the def/red genotype than the *1/def genotype for risperidone and
      aripiprazole, respectively (P < 0.01 for both). Correspondingly, the serum
      concentrations were 3.4- and 1.8-fold higher in the red/red subgroup compared
      with the reference group (P < 0.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this
      study revealed substantial variability in serum concentrations of risperidone and
      aripiprazole between CYP2D6 genotypes associated with IM phenotype. A
      considerable phenotypical difference was observed between patients carrying 1 and
      2 variant alleles.

PMID- 24232131
TI  - Microstructural and mechanical characterization of contemporary lingual
      orthodontic brackets.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the composition and the microstructural and mechanical
      characterization of three different types of lingual brackets. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: IncognitoTM (3M Unitek), In-Ovation L (DENTSPLY GAC) and STbTM (Light
      Lingual System, ORMCO) lingual brackets were studied under the scanning electron
      microscope employing backscattered electron imaging and their elemental
      composition was analysed by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Additionally,
      Vickers hardness was assessed using a universal hardness-testing machine, and the
      indentation modulus was measured according to instrumented indentation test. Two
      way analysis of variance was conducted employing bracket type and location (base
      and wing) as discriminating variable. Significant differences among groups were
      allocated by post hoc Student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparison analysis at 95%
      level of significance. RESULTS: Three different phases were identified for
      Incognito and In-Ovation L bracket based on mean atomic number contrast. On the
      contrary, STb did not show mean atomic contrast areas and thus it is recognized
      as a single phase. Incognito is a one-piece bracket with the same structure in
      wing and base regions. Incognito consists mainly of noble metals while In-Ovation
      L and STb show similar formulations of ferrous alloys in wing and base regions.
      No significant differences were found between ferrous brackets in hardness and
      modulus values, but there were significant differences between wing and base
      regions. Incognito illustrated intermediate values with significant differences
      from base and wing values of ferrous brackets. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS:
      Significant differences exist in microstructure, elemental composition, and
      mechanical properties among the brackets tested; these might have a series of
      clinical implications during mechanotherapy.

PMID- 24232132
TI  - The prepped vaginal canal may be a sterile conduit for ventral hernia mesh
      insertion: a prospective comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although still experimental, natural orifice translumenal endoscopic
      surgery (NOTES) aims to use the natural orifices for intraabdominal surgery. Pure
      transvaginal umbilical hernia repair has been reported. However, mesh protection
      devices were used to minimize mesh contamination during mesh insertion. The
      authors believe that before widespread implementation of this technique, more
      foundational research is indicated to establish the sterility of hernia mesh
      insertion through this route. This prospective study aimed to compare
      transvaginal ventral hernia mesh insertion sterility with laparoscopic trocar
      site insertion sterility to establish baseline data to help promote the safety of
      NOTES tranvaginal hernia repair. METHODS: This was a prospective descriptive
      study (Canadian Task Force classification 2A). With institutional review board
      approval, 10 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic
      disease were enrolled in the study. Atrium Prolite mesh (polypropylene
      monofilament) was inserted into the vagina before and after standard surgical
      preparation with 10 % povidone-iodine. As a control, mesh also was inserted
      through a prepped laparoscopic port site. The mesh was cultured for bacterial,
      fungal, and viral contamination. All patients received standard infection
      prophylaxis that included preoperative intravenous cefazolin and metronidazole.
      RESULTS: The unprepped vaginal canal was cultured and demonstrated normal
      multiorganism vaginal flora in all 10 cases. Of the 10 skin incision mesh
      samples, 3 (30 %) grew bacteria, including Staphylococcus lugdunensis, a
      potentially pathogenic organism. In contrast, none of the prepped vaginal mesh
      specimens yielded any growth of microorganisms or potential pathogens.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a surgically prepped vaginal canal can be a
      sterile conduit for insertion of polypropylene mesh for transvaginal ventral
      hernia repair without the use of additional mesh protection. Surprisingly, the
      prepped vaginal conduit in our patients was more sterile than a prepped skin
      incision.

PMID- 24232133
TI  - Minimally invasive surgery training using multiple port sites to improve
      performance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Structural learning theory suggests that experiencing motor task
      variation enables the central nervous system to extract general rules regarding
      tasks with a similar structure - rules that can subsequently be applied to novel
      situations. Complex minimally invasive surgery (MIS) requires different port
      sites, but switching ports alters the limb movements required to produce the same
      endpoint control of the surgical instrument. The purpose of the present study was
      to determine if structural learning theory can be applied to MIS to inform
      training methods. METHODS: A tablet laptop running bespoke software was placed
      within a laparoscopic box trainer and connected to a monitor situated at eye
      level. Participants (right-handed, non-surgeons, mean age = 23.2 years) used a
      standard laparoscopic grasper to move between locations on the screen. There were
      two training groups: the M group (n = 10) who trained using multiple port sites,
      and the S group (n = 10) who trained using a single port site. A novel port site
      was used as a test of generalization. Performance metrics were a composite of
      speed and accuracy (SACF) and normalized jerk (NJ; a measure of movement
      'smoothness'). RESULTS: The M group showed a statistically significant
      performance advantage over the S group at test, as indexed by improved SACF (p <
      0.05) and NJ (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the potential
      benefits of incorporating a structural learning approach within MIS training.
      This may have practical applications when training junior surgeons and developing
      surgical simulation devices.

PMID- 24232134
TI  - 8 years' experience with robotic thymectomy for thymomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accuracy of a three-dimensional robotic-assisted
      videothoracoscopic approach may favor a radical resection of thymomas. The aim of
      this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of the robotic approach by
      reporting 8 years experience in a single referral center of surgical treatment of
      thymomas. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive patients who
      underwent a thymectomy from April 2004 to April 2012. We analyzed the procedure
      time, morbidity, mortality, conversions, hospitalization, freedom from
      recurrence, time to progression, and overall survival. RESULTS: From 2004 until
      2012, a total of 138 robotic procedures for mediastinal tumors were performed in
      our center, of which 37 patients with a mean age of 57.3 years underwent a
      thymectomy for a thymoma. Histological analysis revealed four type A thymomas
      (10.8 %), seven type AB thymomas (18.9 %), seven type B1 thymomas (18.9 %),
      fourteen type B2 thymomas (37.8 %), four type B3 thymomas (10.8 %), and one
      thymus carcinoma (2.7 %). The Masaoka-Koga stages were as follows: stage I in
      twenty patients (54 %), stage IIA in five patients (13.5 %), stage IIB in eight
      patients (21.6 %), stage III in three patients (8.1 %), and stage IVa in one
      patient (2.7 %). The mean overall procedure time was 149 min (range 88-353). No
      surgical mortality was reported, and there were no peri-operative complications.
      No conversions were needed for surgical complications. In three cases, a
      conversion to sternotomy was preferred by the surgeon because tumor invasion in
      greater vessels was suspected. Two patients (5.4 %) suffered from a myasthenic
      crisis postoperatively and required prolonged mechanical ventilation. One patient
      (2.7 %) underwent a procedure for a thoracic herniation 6 months following
      thymectomy. The median hospitalization was 3 days. The follow-up analysis showed
      an overall survival of 100 % and tumor recurrence in one patient (2.7 %).
      CONCLUSIONS: Robotic thymectomies are safe in patients with early-stage thymomas.
      Robotic surgery may also be feasible for some selected advanced thymomas.

PMID- 24232135
TI  - Surgical outcomes in the newly introduced phase of intracorporeal anastomosis
      following laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is safe and feasible compared with
      established procedures of extracorporeal anastomosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) with intracorporeal
      anastomosis has been introduced to achieve safer anastomosis with good vision,
      and a small wound. However, little is known about the surgical outcomes of newly
      introduced TLDG compared with established procedures of laparoscopy-assisted
      gastrectomy (LADG) with extracorporeal anastomosis. METHODS: This retrospective
      study included 114 patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG)
      between January 2010 and September 2012. The patients were classified into two
      groups according to the approach of reconstruction (LADG group: n = 74; TLDG
      group: n = 40). The parameters analyzed included patients, operation details, and
      operative outcomes. RESULTS: No complication was observed in the TLDG group.
      Surgical outcomes of the TLDG group, such as mean operation time, estimated blood
      loss, and rate of conversion to laparotomy were not inferior to the LADG group.
      Furthermore, postoperative hospital stay of the TLDG group was significantly
      shorter than the LADG group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgical outcomes in the
      newly introduced phase of TLDG were safe as well as feasible compared with
      established LADG. TLDG has several advantages over LADG, such as shorter post
      hospital stay, no incidence of operative complication, adequate working space,
      and small wound size. Although prospective, randomized control studies are
      warranted, we submit that TLDG can be used as a standard procedure for LDG.

PMID- 24232136
TI  - Freeze-fracture observations on membranes of dry and hydrated pollen from
      Collomia, Phoenix and Zea.
AB  - Pollen from Collomia grandiflora Dougl. ex Lindl., Phoenix dactylifera L. and Zea
      mays L. was examined by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Particular attention
      was paid to the organization of the cell membranes in the naturally dehydrated,
      as compared to the fully hydrated, state. All membranes examined had a normal
      bilayer organization similar to that seen in the hydrated cells of these and
      other plants. This organization of dry pollen membranes is discussed as it
      relates to physiological studies (e.g., leakage of ions during hydration), and to
      biophysical properties of biological and model membranes under various conditions
      of hydration and dehydration. 

PMID- 24232137
TI  - Intracellular localisation of phytochrome in oat coleoptiles by electron
      microscopy.
AB  - We have analysed the intracellular localisation of phytochrome in oat coleoptile
      cells by electron microscopy and confirm and extend light-microscopical findings
      of previous authors. We used indirect immuno-labeling with polyclonal antibodies
      against 60-KDa phytochrome from etiolated oat seedlings, and a gold-coupled
      second antibody, on ultrathin sections of LR-white-embedded material. In dark
      grown seedlings, phytochrome-labeling is distributed diffusely throughout the
      cytoplasm. Organelles and membranes are not labeled. After photoconversion of the
      red-absorbing form of phytochrome to the far-red absorbing form (Pfr) (5-min red
      light; 660 nm), the label is sequestered uniquely in electron-dense areas within
      the cytoplasm. These areas are irregularly shaped, are often located in the
      vicinity of the vacuole, are not surrounded by a membrane, exclude cellular
      organelles and ribosomes and are not found in dark-grown material; an immediate 5
      min farred light pulse after the red light does not cause these structures to
      disappear. After a dark period of 3-4 h following red-light irradiation, these
      electron-dense structures disappear together with any specific labeling. We
      suggest a Pfr-induced aggregation of an unknown, phytochrome-binding protein or
      proteins. 

PMID- 24232138
TI  - A single positive phototropic response induced with pulsed light in hypocotyls of
      Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings.
AB  - The fluence-response curves were measured for phototropic curvature in response
      to unilateral 450-nm light in hypocotyls of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.
      These show the classical "first positive" (peak curvature of 9-10 degrees ),
      "indifferent" and "second positive" phototropic response. Reciprocity is valid
      only for the "first positive" response; the fluence requirements for its
      induction are similar to those for induction of the "first positive" phototropic
      response of coleoptiles. Large angles of curvature also may be induced by
      multiple pulses if the individual pulses are separated by an optimum dark period
      of about 15 min. The curvature induced by a given fluence, whether applied in
      continuous irradiation or a sequence of pulses, is a linear function of the
      duration of continuous irradiation or the duration between first and last pulse,
      respectively. For a given fluence applied in a sequence of pulses, reciprocity
      remains valid provided the duration between first and last exposure is kept
      constant. When the duration between first and last pulse is sufficiently long,
      the fluence required for high phototropic curvature falls in the "first positive"
      fluence range. These results are interpreted to indicate the existence of a
      kinetic limitation in the transduction sequence, and a relatively short lifetime
      of an initial physiologically active photoproduct. The apparent existence of more
      than one positive response may have resulted from these characteristics of the
      transduction sequence. 

PMID- 24232139
TI  - Carbon and nitrogen metabolism in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mutants lacking
      ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase.
AB  - Five mutant lines of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), which are only able to grow at
      elevated levels of CO2, contain less than 5% of the wild-type activity of
      ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.7.1). Two of these lines (RPr
      82/1 and RPr 82/9) have been studied in detail. Leaves and roots of both lines
      contain normal activities of NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.1.14) and
      the other enzymes of ammonia assimilation. Under conditions that minimise
      photorespiration, both mutants fix CO2 at normal rates; on transfer to air, the
      rates drop rapidly to 15% of the wild-type. Incorporation of (14)CO2 into sugar
      phosphates and glycollate is increased under such conditions, whilst
      incorporation of radioactivity into serine, glycine, glycerate and sucrose is
      decreased; continuous exposure to air leads to an accumulation of (14)C in
      malate. The concentrations of malate, glutamine, asparagine and ammonia are all
      high in air, whilst aspartate, alanine, glutamate, glycine and serine are low, by
      comparison with the wild-type parent line (cv. Maris Mink), under the same
      conditions. The metabolism of [(14)C]glutamate and [(14)C]glutamine by leaves of
      the mutants indicates a very much reduced ability to convert glutamine to
      glutamate. Genetic analysis has shown that the mutation in RPr 82/9 segregates as
      a single recessive nuclear gene. 

PMID- 24232140
TI  - Carbon and nitrogen metabolism in a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mutant with
      impaired chloroplast dicarboxylate transport.
AB  - A mutant line, RPr79/2, of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Maris Mink) has been
      isolated that has an apparent defect in photorespiratory nitrogen metabolism. The
      metabolism of (14)C-labelled glutamine, glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate indicates
      that the mutant has a greatly reduced ability to synthesise glutamate, especially
      in air, although in-vitro enzyme analysis indicates the presence of wild-type
      activities of glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.7.1
      and EC 1.4.1.14) and glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2). Several
      characteristics of RPr79/2 are very similar to those described for glutamate
      synthase-deficient barley and Arabidopsis thaliana mutants, including the pattern
      of labelling following fixation of (14)CO2, and the rapid rise in glutamine
      content and fall in glutamate in leaves on transfer to air. The CO2-fixation rate
      in RPr79/2 declines much more slowly on transfer from 1% O2 to air than do the
      rates in glutamate-synthase-deficient plants, and RPr79/2 plants do not die in
      air unless the temperature and irradiance are high. Analysis of (glutamine+NH3+2
      oxoglutarate)-dependent O2 evolution by isolated chloroplasts shows that
      chloroplasts from RPr79/2 require a fivefold greater concentration of 2
      oxoglutarate than does the wild-type for maximum activity. The levels of 2
      oxoglutarate in illuminated leaves of RPr79/2 in air are sevenfold higher than in
      Maris Mink. It is suggested that RPr79/2 is defective in chloroplast
      dicarboxylate transport. 

PMID- 24232141
TI  - Changes in topography and function of thylakoid membranes following membrane
      protein phosphorylation.
AB  - Changes in topography and function of pea (Pisum sativum L.) thylakoid membrane
      fractions following membrane protein phosphorylation have been studied. After
      protein phosphorylation the stromal membrane fraction had a higher chlorophyll
      a/b ratio, an increased content of light-harvesting chlorophyll protein and a
      higher ratio of chlorophyll to cytochrome f. This indicates that a pool of light
      harvesting chlorophyll protein migrates from the photosystem II-enriched grana
      regions to the photosystem I-enriched stroma lamellae, in agreement with Kyle et
      al. (1984, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 765, 89-96) and Larsson et al. (1983, Eur. J.
      Biochem. 136, 25-29). Phosphorylation caused a stimulation in the rate of light
      limited photosystem-I electron transfer in the unappressed membrane fraction,
      indicating that the translocated LHC-II becomes functionally associated with
      photosystem I. 

PMID- 24232142
TI  - Effects of light and temperature on sporangiophore initiation in Pilobolus
      crystallinus (Wiggers) Tode.
AB  - Sporangiophore initiation in Pilobolus crystallinus grown in white light was
      induced by either a dark or a low-temperature treatment. The period of darkness
      necessary to induce sporangiophore initiation was shortened by lowering the
      temperature. Arrhenius plots for the sporangiophore-suppressing reaction in both
      light and darkness consisted of two straight lines with a Q10 of about 2 at lower
      temperatures and 8-11 at higher temperatures. The temperature at which the Q10
      changed was the lower, the higher the fluence rate: 14 degrees  C at 8 W/m(2),
      19.5 degrees  C at 0.24 W/m(2) and 24.5 degrees  C in darkness. Possible
      interpretations of these results are briefly presented. 

PMID- 24232143
TI  - Benzyladenine modulation of the expression of two genes for nuclear-encoded
      chloroplast proteins in Lemna gibba: Apparent post-transcriptional regulation.
AB  - Cytokinins and phytochrome have both been reported to promote chloroplast
      development, and possible interactions between the two have been suggested. We
      have examined the effects of red light (R) and a cytokinin, benzyladenine (N(6)
      benzylaminopurine; BA), on the levels of four mRNAs coding for chloroplast
      proteins in Lemna gibba L. The amounts of hybridizable RNA coding for both the
      major chlorophyll a/b-binding protein and for the small subunit of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase decrease to a low level when white-light-grown L.
      gibba plants are placed in the dark. We have previously shown that a subsequent R
      treatment causes a several-fold increase in the levels of these two messages, and
      this increase is phytochrome-mediated. We have now found that addition of
      submicromolar concentrations of BA to plants kept in total darkness also results
      in an increase in levels of these two mRNAs. Furthermore, BA treatment magnifies
      the extent of the response to R treatment. However, the levels of mRNAs encoding
      the large subunit of RuBP carboxylase and the 32-kDa herbicide-binding protein,
      which are both chloroplastsynthesized messages, are not significantly altered by
      either R or BA treatment during the same time period. The relative amount of beta
      actin mRNA, a nuclear-encoded message for a cytoplasmic protein, is also not
      altered either by R or BA treatment. Thus, BA treatment does not simply alter the
      proportion of mRNA to total RNA. This conclusion is also supported by the
      observation that levels of mRNA hybridizing to a sequence abundant in dark
      treated plants are not altered by BA treatment. The amplification by BA of the R
      induced increase in the level of chlorophyll a/b-binding protein mRNA,
      consistently seen in total RNA, is not observed in RNA isolated from nuclei from
      plants receiving the same treatments. We therefore suggest that cytokinin is
      regulating expression of this message at a post-transcriptional level, possibly
      by affecting the stability of the RNA. 

PMID- 24232144
TI  - Correlation between infection by Rhizobium leguminosarum and lectin on the
      surface of Pisum sativum L. roots.
AB  - The lectin on the surface of 4- and 5-dold pea roots was located by the use of
      indirect immunofluorescence. Specific antibodies raised in rabbits against pea
      seed isolectin 2, which crossreact with root lectins, were used as primary
      immunoglobulins and were visualized with fluorescein- or tetramethylrhodamine
      isothiocyanate-labeled goat antirabbit immunoglobulin G. Lectin was observed on
      the tips of newly formed, growing root hairs and on epidermal cells located just
      below the young hairs. On both types of cells, lectin was concentrated in dense
      small patches rather than uniformly distributed. Lectin-positive young hairs were
      grouped opposite the (proto)xylematic poles. Older but still-elongating root
      hairs presented only traces of lectin or none at all. A similar pattern of
      distribution was found in different pea cultivars, as well as in a
      supernodulating and a non-nodulating pea mutant. Growth in a nitrate
      concentration which inhibits nodulation did not affect lectin distribution on the
      surface of pea roots of this age. We tested whether or not the root zones where
      lectin was observed were susceptible to infection by Rhizobium leguminosarum.
      When low inoculum doses (consisting of less than 10(6) bacteria.ml(-1)) were
      placed next to lectin-positive epidermal cells and on newly formed root hairs,
      nodules on the primary roots were formed in 73% and 90% of the plants,
      respectively. Only a few plants showed primary root nodulation when the inoculum
      was placed on the root zone where lectin was scarce or absent. These results show
      that lectin is present at those sites on the pea root that are susceptible to
      infection by the bacterial symbiont. 

PMID- 24232145
TI  - Movement and compartmentation of abscisic acid in guard cells of Valerianella
      locusta: Effects of osmotic stress, external H(+)-concentration and fusicoccin.
AB  - Epidermal peels of Valerianella locusta were acid-treated for 1 h at pH 3.9 to
      kill all cells other than guard cells. These guard-cell preparations were used to
      explore the steady-state one-way fluxes and the cytoplasmic and vacuolar contents
      of abscisic acid (ABA). The method of compartmental analysis has been applied.
      The intracellular ABA concentrations were surprisingly high. At an external pH of
      5.8 the cytoplasm contained 1.28 mmol.dm(-3) of ABA, twice of the amount which
      accumulated in the vacuoles (0.57 mmol.dm(-3)). The fluxes of ABA at the
      plasmalemma (phioc=phioc=0.43 fmol . cell (-1) . h (-1)) were higher than those
      at the tonoplast (phicv=phivc=0.12 fmol . cell (-1) . h (-1)). Moderate stress
      (0.1 and 0.3 mol.dm(-3) sorbitol in the medium) caused a change in the kinetics
      of ABA movement. The rate constants of the fluxes from the cytoplasm into the
      vacuole (phicv) and into the apoplast (phico) were increased while the rate
      constant of the flux from the vacuoles into the cytoplasm (phivc) was decreased.
      As a consequence the amount of ABA sequestered in the vacuole remained unchanged;
      the cytoplasmic ABA content, however, was reduced to only 20% of that found in
      the control treatments (no sorbitol in the medium). Under moderate stress, one
      Valerianella guard cell released rapidly about 0.36 fmol.cell(-1) to its direct
      cell-wall space. This surprising result is discussed in regard to rapid stomatal
      closure under reduced water supply. 

PMID- 24232146
TI  - Appearance of nitrite reductase in cotyledons of the mustard (Sinapis alba L.)
      seedling as affected by nitrate, phytochrome and photooxidative damage of
      plastids.
AB  - Nitrite reductase (NIR; EC 1.7.7.1) is a central enzyme in nitrate assimilation
      and is localized in plastids. The present study concerns the regulation of the
      appearance of NIR in cotyledons of the mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedling. It was
      shown that light exerts its positive control over the nitrate-mediated induction
      of NIR via the farred-absorbing form of phytochrome. Without nitrate the light
      effect cannot express itself; even though the light signal is accumulated in the
      cotyledons it remains totally cryptic in the absence of nitrate. Moreover, it was
      recognised that 'intact plastids' are important in the control of the appearance
      of NIR. If the plastids are damaged by photooxidation the action of nitrate and
      phytochrome on NIR appearance is abolished. The appearance of nitrate reductase
      (NR; EC 1.6.6.1) responds similarly to photooxidative damage even though this
      enzyme is cytosolic. While the data strongly indicate that some 'plastidic
      signal' is a prerequisite for the nitrate-induced and phytochrome-modulated
      appearance of NIR and NR, the possibility could not be ruled out that
      photooxidative damage affects the accumulation of NIR in the organelle. 

PMID- 24232147
TI  - Plasmodesmatal frequency and radial translocation rates in ray cells of poplar
      (Populus x canadensis Moench 'robusta').
AB  - The minimum radial translocation rate of sugars has been determined from the
      starchaccumulation rate for the wood rays of Populus x canadensis Moench
      'robusta', and related to ultrastructural peculiarities of the cell walls to be
      passed. The minimum radial flux or flow of sugars through the tangential walls,
      the pit fields, and per plasmodesma was 80.7 pmol . cm(-2) . s(-1), 400 to 800
      pmol . cm(-2) . s(-1), and 1.0 to 1.7 . 10(-7) pmol . plasmodesma(-1) . s(-1),
      respectively. These values exclude a transmembrane flux mechanism and indicate
      that the radial translocation in this tissue must proceed via plasmodesmata. In
      the isolation cells of the ray center we found 39 plasmodesmata per MUm(2) of pit
      field, 8.0 per MUm(2) of tangential wall, and 1.98% of the wall occupied by
      plasmodesmata. Cells of the ray margins show plasmodesmata on only 1.16% of their
      tangential wall area and thus appear to be slightly inferior for radial
      translocation. As judged from both the observed plasmodesmatal frequencies and
      the translocation rates, the ray parenchyma cells are comparable to cells
      specialized in short-distance translocation. 

PMID- 24232148
TI  - Characterization of the glutamate/aspartate-transport system in a symbiotic
      Nostoc sp.
AB  - The permeability properties of the cell membrane of a symbiotic Nostoc sp. for
      glutamate and aspartate were investigated. These compounds were translocated
      across the plasmalemma by a transport system which showed a very high affinity
      for glutamate and a lower one for aspartate. Since a concomitant release of
      glutamate was observed during the uptake of these two amino acids it is concluded
      that the transport proceeds via a counterexchange mechanism. In addition to this
      counterexchange a net release of glutamate occurred in the dark. Some aspects
      concerning the possible function of this transport system in the symbiotic
      association Geosiphon pyriforme are discussed. 

PMID- 24232149
TI  - Patatin, a major soluble protein of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber is
      synthesized as a larger precursor.
AB  - Antibodies were raised against the highly purified glycoprotein patatin. They
      were used to characterize the product synthesized in a wheatgerm cell-free
      translation system, programmed with polyadenylated RNA from potato tubers. Sodium
      dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the
      immunoprecipitated protein had a molecular mass of 43 kDa compared to 40 for the
      authentic patatin. It is assumed that patatin is synthesized in vivo as a larger
      precursor which is processed to the mature protein by cleavage of a signal
      peptide. Our results are in agreement with sequence-analysis data of patatin
      complementary DNA which indicate a signal peptide of about 23 amino acids
      (Mignery et al., 1984; Nucleic Acids Res. 12, 7987-8000). 

PMID- 24232150
TI  - Enzyme activities in mitochondria isolated from ripening tomato fruit.
AB  - Mitochondria were isolated from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) fruit at the
      mature green, orange-green and red stages and from fruit artificially suspended
      in their ripening stage. The specific activities of citrate synthase (EC
      4.1.3.7), malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37), NAD-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase
      (EC 1.1.1.41) and NAD-linked malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.38) were determined. The
      specific activities of all these enzymes fell during ipening, although the
      mitochondria were fully functional as demonstrated by the uptake of oxygen. The
      fall in activity of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase was accompanied by a
      similar fall in the activity of the cytosolic isoenzyme. Percoll-purified
      mitochondria isolated from mature green fruit remained intact for more than one
      week and at least one enzyme, citrate synthase, did not exhibit the fall in
      specific activity found in normal ripening fruit. 

PMID- 24232151
TI  - Microcallus formation from maize protoplasts prepared from embryogenic callus.
AB  - Conditions have been developed that induce maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts to re
      synthesize cell walls and to initiate cell divisions. Two types of embryogenic
      maize callus were used as a source of protoplasts: a heterogeneous callus (Type
      I) derived from immature embryos after three weeks in culture, and a friable,
      rapidly growing callus (Type II) selected from portions of the Type I callus.
      Many variables in the growth conditions of the donor tissue (type of medium,
      transfer schedule, age of callus), protoplast isolation solutions (pH,
      osmolarity, type and concentration of cell wall hydrolyzing enzymes, addition of
      polyamines) and conditions (amount of time in enzyme, amount of tissue per volume
      of enzyme incubation medium, agitation, preplasmolysis of source tissue, type of
      callus), and purification procedures (filtration and-or flotation), were found to
      affect both yield and viability of protoplasts (based upon fluorescein-diacetate
      staining). Our isolation procedure yielded high numbers of viable, uninucleated
      maize callus protoplasts which were densely cytoplasmic and varied in size from
      20 to 50 MUm in diameter. Protoplasts plated in solid medium formed walls and
      divided several times. Of several gelling agents tested for protoplast
      propagation, only agarose resulted in protoplasts capable of sustained divisions
      leading to the formation of microcalli. Plating efficiency was established over a
      wide range of protoplast densities (10(3)-10(7) protoplasts/ml). Highest plating
      efficiency (25%) was obtained at 1.10(6) protoplasts/ml). The resulting
      microcalli grew to be dense clusters of about 0.1-0.5 mm in diameter and then
      stopped growing. Nurse cultures of maize and carrot (Daucus carota L.), were used
      to establish that individual protoplasts (not contaminating cells or cell
      clusters) formed walls and divided. Nurse cultures also increased the efficiency
      of microcallus formation from protoplasts. 

PMID- 24232152
TI  - Regulation in tobacco callus of enzyme activities of the nicotine pathway : I.
      The route ornithine to methylpyrroline.
AB  - Nicotine synthesis was stimulated by reduction of the medium auxin concentration
      (induction medium) in callus tissue originating from Nicotiana tabacum cv.
      Samsun. The enzyme activities of the route ornithine to methylpyrroline, which
      are those of ornithine decarboxylase, putrescine methyltransferase and
      methylputrescine oxidase, were determined during callus growth in the induction
      medium and as a control under non-nicotine-stimulating conditions (growth
      medium). The enzymes were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography.
      Whereas the activities of ornithine decarboxylase were very similar under
      nicotine-stimulating and non-stimulating conditions, those of putrescine
      methyltransferase and methyl-putrescine oxidase increased strongly in the
      induction medium. In addition, the pools of putrescine and methylputrescine were
      determined throughout the callus growth cycle. Both sets of data strongly confirm
      the supposition that putrescine methyl-transferase is the enzyme under stringent
      control for nicotine biosynthesis, whereas the subsequent methylputrescine
      oxidase is co-regulated, although less stringently. 

PMID- 24232153
TI  - Regulation in tobacco callus of enzyme activities of the nicotine pathway : II.
      The pyridine-nucleotide cycle.
AB  - In tobacco callus, the induction of nicotine synthesis, which stimulates enzyme
      activities of the ornithine-methylpyrroline route (see the preceding paper), also
      leads to marked changes in the enzyme activities of the pyridine-nucleotide
      cycle. This cycle provides the metabolite (probably nicotinic acid) for
      condensation with methylpyrroline to produce nicotine. The activities of eight
      enzymes of the pyridine-nucleotide cycle and of quinolinic-acid
      phosphoribosyltransferase, the anaplerotic enzyme, were determined by high
      performance liquid chromatography assays. The distinct changes of their
      activities upon induction of nicotine synthesis lead to the following
      conclusions: i) nicotinic acid is the relevant metabolite which is provided by
      the pyridine-nucleotide cycle and consumed for nicotine synthesis. ii) The
      enhancement of the nicotinic-acid pool arises in two ways, by synthesis of NAD
      and degradation via nicotinamide mononucleotide and by a direct route from
      nicotinic-acid mononucleotide (NaMN) which is degraded by a glycohydrolase with a
      rather high K m value. Such a K m value prevents the complete depletion of the
      NaMN pool. 

PMID- 24232154
TI  - The quantitative relationship between gibberellin A1 and internode growth in
      Pisum sativum L.
AB  - The metabolism and growth-promoting activity of gibberellin A20 (GA20) were
      compared in the internode-length genotypes of pea, na le and na Le. Gibberellin
      A29 and GA29-catabolite were the major metabolites of GA20 in the genotype na le.
      However, low levels of GA1, GA8 and GA8-catabolite were also identified as
      metabolites in this genotype, confirming that the le allele is a 'leaky'
      mutation. Gibberellin A20 was approximately 20 to 30 times as active in promoting
      internode growth of genotype na Le as of genotype na le. However, the levels of
      the 3beta-hydroxylated metabolite of GA20, GA8 (2beta-hydroxy GA1), were similar
      for a given growth response in both genotypes. In each case a close linear
      relationship was observed between internode growth and the logarithm of GA8
      levels. A similar relationship was found on comparing GA20 metabolism in the
      three genotypes le (d), le and Le. The former mutation results in a more severe
      dwarf phenotype than the le allele (which has previously been shown to reduce the
      3beta-hydroxylation of GA20 to GA1). These results indicate that GA20 has
      negligible intrinsic activity and support the contention that GA1 is the only GA
      active per se in promoting stem growth in pea. 

PMID- 24232156
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24232155
TI  - Sodium, potassium, chloride and proline concentrations of chloroplasts isolated
      from a halophyte, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.
AB  - Concentrations of four major solutes (Na(+), K(+), Cl(-), proline) were
      determined in isolated, intact chloroplasts from the halophyte Mesembryanthemum
      crystallinum L. following long-term exposure of plants to three levels of NaCl
      salinity in the rooting medium. Chloroplasts were obtained by gentle rupture of
      leaf protoplasts. There was either no or only small leakage of inorganic ions
      from the chloroplasts to the medium during three rapidly performed washing steps
      involving precipitation and re-suspension of chloroplast pellets. Increasing NaCl
      salinity of the rooting medium resulted in a rise of Na(+) und Cl(-) in the total
      leaf sap, up to approximately 500 and 400 mM, respectively, for plants grown at
      400 mM NaCl. However, chloroplast levels of Na(+) und Cl(-) did not exceed 160
      230 and 40-60 mM, respectively, based upon a chloroplast osmotic volume of 20-30
      MUl per mg chlorophyll. At 20 mM NaCl in the rooting medium, the Na(+)/K(+) ratio
      of the chloroplasts was about 1; at 400 mM NaCl the ratio was about 5. Growth at
      400 mM NaCl led to markedly increased concentrations of proline in the leaf sap
      (8 mM) compared with the leaf sap of plants grown in culture solution without
      added NaCl (proline 0.25 mM). Although proline was fivefold more concentrated in
      the chloroplasts than in the total leaf sap of plants treated with 400 mM NaCl,
      the overall contribution of proline to the osmotic adjustment of chloroplasts was
      small. The capacity to limit chloroplast Cl(-) concentrations under conditions of
      high external salinity was in contrast to an apparent affinity of chloroplasts
      for Cl(-) under conditions of low Cl(-) availability. 

PMID- 24232157
TI  - Clarification on the legal status of human remains in university collections of
      human anatomy in France.

PMID- 24232158
TI  - Scanning electron microscopy and epifluorescence investigation of bacterial
      colonization of marine sand sediments.
AB  - Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed for the investigation of
      microorganisms living in marine sand sediments. Epifluorescence, as well as
      sediment analyses, gave further data on the parameters of the sediment
      samples.SEM revealed a correlation between the site and density of bacterial
      colonization and the microtopography of the individual sand grains.Sand grains
      with a medium roundness showed the greatest density of bacterial colonization.
      Protected surface sites were favored in the colonization process. The mode of
      bacterial attachment varied; mostly the barren sand grain surface was colonized.
      However, bacteria were also observed close to or within detritus or attached to
      diatoms. Many of the attaching bacteria observed were found to produce polymer
      strands.In some cases special structures were discovered which could serve
      bacterial attachment. Entire colonies attached by means of polymer nets, and disc
      shaped bacteria were observed. 

PMID- 24232159
TI  - Behavior, activities, and effects of bacteria on synthetic quartz monocrystal
      surfaces.
AB  - Two strains ofBacillus sp. and a strain ofBrevibacterium sp., originally isolated
      from a natural quartzite surface, were characterized and employed as test strains
      with several methods: acridine orange fluorochromation and epifluorescence
      microscopy were used for detection of individual cells; scanning and transmission
      microscopy for studying attachment behavior; replica techniques in combination
      with electron microscopy for following surface interaction effects; and chemical
      analysis of SiO2 for detecting possible silica leaching activities. The
      experimental results clearly showed that the three test strains were able to
      attach to and grow on the precleaned quartz surfaces. Attachment modes were
      either by direct sorption mechanisms (Brevibacterium sp. S) or the production of
      adhesive polymers (Bacillus sp. U andBacillus sp. W). In short-term contact
      incubation experiments with rich media, neither quartz crystal surface structures
      nor bacterial cell surfaces appeared to be changed. Likewise, significant
      biochemical dissolution and mechanical dislocation of SiO2 (which would have
      indicated rapid bacterial weathering activities) could not be detected. The
      importance of quartz purity and crystalline structure for the initiation of
      weathering processes is discussed. 

PMID- 24232160
TI  - Growth responses of ciliate protozoa to the abundance of their bacterial prey.
AB  - The growth rate or numerical response of five species of bactivorous ciliates to
      the abundance ofEnterobacter aerogenes was examined in monoxenic culture. The
      ciliatesColpidium campylum, C. colpoda, Glaucoma scintillons, G. frontata,
      andCyclidium glaucoma were isolated from a small pond. Four were grown in shaken
      cultures, while three were grown in cultures in which the bacteria were allowed
      to settle on the bottom of the culture vessel. Of the seven response curves
      generated, four had distinct thresholds, so that the Michaelis-Menten model
      usually fitted to ciliate numerical response curves was not appropriate. In
      shaken cultures, half-saturation prey densities ranged from 5.5 * 10(6) to 42.9 *
      10(6) bacteria/ml. In unshaken cultures, half-saturation densities ranged from
      0.057 * 10(6) to 14.6 * 10(6) bacteria/cm(2). Two species grown on both suspended
      and settled bacteria attained higher growth rates and had lower half-saturation
      prey densities feeding on settled bacteria. 

PMID- 24232161
TI  - Role of heterotrophic bacteria in promoting N2 fixation byAnabaena in aquatic
      habitats.
AB  - Anabaena species are commonly colonized by bacteria, especially during N2-fixing
      blooms. Generally these associations do not represent bacterial attack on algal
      hosts. Instead, the algal N2-fixing capabilities are increased in the presence of
      the bacteria. Possible mechanisms promoting the mutual growth of algae and
      attached bacteria were investigated by observing specific sites of bacterial
      attachment, by noting reduced microzones created by the bacteria, and by locating
      sites of bacterial uptake of organics representative of algal excretion
      products.Attached bacteria show preference for typical algal excretion products
      and their growth is enhanced by such products. In return, enhancement of algal
      nitrogenase activity occurs when bacteria create O2-consuming microzones around
      the nitrogenase-bearing heterocysts. 

PMID- 24232162
TI  - Nitrifying populations and the destruction of nitrogen dioxide in soil.
AB  - The nitrite formed from nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was oxidized more readily in soil
      that had been treated previously with the gas than in soil not so pre-exposed.
      The reaction was inhibited by 1.0 but not by 0.01 mM chlorate. The population of
      nitrite-oxidizing autotrophs estimated by the most-probable-number procedure was
      too small and often grew too late to account for oxidation of the nitrite
      generated from NO2. The reaction also proceeded in soil heated to 42 degrees  to
      45 degrees C or treated with 0.16 mM chlorate, although the countable autotrophs
      did not increase during the transformation or grew only late in the active period
      of nitrite oxidation. The data suggest that unknown populations are responsible
      for metabolism of the nitrite produced from NO2 entering soil. 

PMID- 24232163
TI  - Product inhibition in sludge digestion.
AB  - Hydrogen and acetate inhibit the microbial degradation of propionate and ethanol
      in digesting sludge. Propionate oxidation is more sensitive than ethanol
      oxidation to product activities. This difference can be explained on
      thermodynamic grounds. It is concluded that the limiting factors for complete
      anaerobic mineralization of biodegradable organic matter in digesting sludge are
      to be sought in the boundary conditions for the exergonic oxidation of
      propionate. The different ecological significances of hydrogen and acetate as
      inhibitory agents of fatty acid degradation in sludge digestion are discussed.
      Hydrogen partial pressure and alkalinity are recommended as parameters in
      monitoring sludge digestion. 

PMID- 24232164
TI  - Methanogenic fermentation of benzoate in an enrichment culture.
AB  - Enrichment cultures inoculated with black mud fermented benzoate according to the
      stoichiometric equation: 4 C6H5CO2H+18 H2O -> 15 CH4+13 CO2.Trans-2
      hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate, 2-oxo-cyclohexanecarboxylate, pimelate, caproate,
      butyrate, acetate, and molecular hydrogen were shown to be regular components of
      the culture fluid occurring in low concentrations. Inhibition of methanogenesis
      by chloroform, 4-chlorobutyrate, or 2-bromooctanoate resulted in a cessation of
      the benzoate breakdown after all intermediates had accumulated. It is proposed
      that benzoate is fermented via a direct reductive pathway to butyrate, acetate,
      H2, and CO2, whereafter butyrate is converted to acetate and H2, and the latter
      substrates are fermented to CH4 and CO2 by methane producers. 

PMID- 24232165
TI  - Most-probable-number technique for the enumeration of aromatic degraders in
      natural environments.
AB  - A most-probable-number (MPN) method is described for the enumeration of
      heterotrophic populations capable of utilizing chlorinated and nonchlorinated
      benzoates and phenols as sole carbon sources. A correlation coefficient of 0.91
      was obtained between the numbers determined by the MPN technique and the standard
      plate count. The MPN method gave realistic cell counts when population densities
      were low, and the presence of oligocarbophiles did not give spurious results. 

PMID- 24232166
TI  - Bacterioneuston examined with critical point drying and transmission electron
      microscopy.
AB  - Morphological details of bacteria collected at the air/seawater interface are
      greatly enhanced when transmission electron microscopy is coupled with critical
      point dried preparations. Few artifacts and minimal distortion permit a more
      accurate appraisal of an organism's cell characteristics and its relationship to
      its microenvironment. Cell surface and extracellular polymer materials are
      clearly distinguished in a manner not feasible with other preparations. 

PMID- 24232167
TI  - May autonomic indices from cardiovascular variability help identify hypertension?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Altered profile of RR variability and reduced baroreflex gain, as
      autonomic proxies, are observed in hypertensive individuals. AIM: To assess
      whether using logistic models and cross-validation techniques autonomic proxies
      can be used to identify clinical hypertensive and normotensive groups. METHODS:
      An observational study on 405 individuals (155 mild hypertensive and 250
      controls). We used four steps for statistical analysis: preliminary descriptive
      statistics; logistic regression modelling; detection of best parsimonious set of
      variables; and concordance analysis between clinical and autonomic hypertension
      profile. RESULTS: Accuracy index (rate of correct identifications of normotensive
      and hypertensive states), computed on each of the four gradually more complex
      logistic models (from A to D), reached its highest value (82.7%), in the most
      complete model D, including autonomic nervous system indices (RR variability and
      baroreflex gain), age and sex. Measures of predictive performance increased from
      the simplest model to the most complex one [model D, positive predictive value
      (PPV) = 0.767, negative predictive value (NPV) = 0.866], with higher specificity
      than sensitivity. A parsimonious set of autonomic proxies (Mean RR, DeltaRRLFnu -
      i.e. change from rest to standing up - baroreflex gain combined with age and sex)
      led to an accuracy index of 80.5%, thus proving to have discriminant and
      predictive powers in detecting hypertension very similar to the whole set of the
      explicative variables comprised in the complete model D. CONCLUSION: The clinical
      value of the observation that the information collectively carried by a small
      subset of indirect autonomic proxies may identify either hypertensive or
      normotensive groups needs to be further investigated.

PMID- 24232169
TI  - Do 5-Year-Old Children Perform Dual-Task Coordination Better Than AD Patients?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the pattern of
      changes in the capacity to coordinate attention between two simultaneously
      performed tasks in a group of 570 volunteers, from 5 to 17 years old. METHOD: The
      results revealed that the ability to coordinate attention increases with age,
      reaching adult values by age 15 years. Also, these results were compared with the
      performance in the same dual task of healthy elderly and Alzheimer disease (AD)
      patients found in a previous study. RESULTS: The analysis indicated that AD
      patients showed a lower dual-tasking capacity than 5-year-old children, whereas
      the elderly presented a significantly higher ability than 5-year-old children and
      no significant differences with respect to young adults. CONCLUSION: These
      findings may suggest the presence of a working memory system's mechanism that
      enables the division of attention, which is strengthened by the maturation of
      prefrontal cortex, and impaired in AD.

PMID- 24232168
TI  - Oxidative Stress and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity in
      ADHD. METHOD: We examined the association of ADHD and oxidative stress by
      applying random effects meta-analysis to studies of oxidative stress and
      antioxidant status in medication naive patients with ADHD and controls. RESULTS:
      Six studies of a total of 231 ADHD patients and 207 controls met our selection
      criteria. The association between ADHD and antioxidant status was not
      significant. We found a significant association between ADHD and oxidative stress
      that could not be accounted for by publication bias. The significant association
      lost significance after correcting for intrastudy clustering. No one observation
      accounted for the positive result. CONCLUSION: These results are preliminary
      given the small number of studies. They suggest that patients with ADHD have
      normal levels of antioxidant production, but that their response to oxidative
      stress is insufficient, leading to oxidative damage.

PMID- 24232170
TI  - Long-Term Memory Performance in Adult ADHD.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Memory problems are a frequently reported symptom in adult ADHD, and
      it is well-documented that adults with ADHD perform poorly on long-term memory
      tests. However, the cause of this effect is still controversial. The present meta
      analysis examined underlying mechanisms that may lead to long-term memory
      impairments in adult ADHD. METHOD: We performed separate meta-analyses of
      measures of memory acquisition and long-term memory using both verbal and visual
      memory tests. In addition, the influence of potential moderator variables was
      examined. RESULTS: Adults with ADHD performed significantly worse than controls
      on verbal but not on visual long-term memory and memory acquisition subtests. The
      long-term memory deficit was strongly statistically related to the memory
      acquisition deficit. In contrast, no retrieval problems were observable.
      CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that memory deficits in adult ADHD reflect a
      learning deficit induced at the stage of encoding. Implications for clinical and
      research settings are presented.

PMID- 24232171
TI  - Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with a Chiari I
      malformation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The authors describe a unique case of a patient who developed
      posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) following postoperative
      treatment of a Chiari I malformation. CASE DECSRIPTION: A 25-year-old female
      presented with complaints of left upper and lower extremity paresthesias and gait
      disturbances. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and cervical spine
      showed a Chiari I malformation with tonsillar descent beyond the level of the C1
      lamina. She underwent a suboccipital craniectomy and C1 laminectomy with
      cerebellar tonsillar cauterization and duraplasty. Postoperatively, an MRI showed
      bilateral acute infarcts of the cerebellar vermis. She was initially treated for
      cerebellar ischemia with hypertensive therapy with a subsequent decline in her
      neurologic status and generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Further workup showed
      evidence of PRES. After weaning pressors, the patient had a significant
      progressive improvement in her mental status. CONCLUSION: Although the mechanism
      of PRES remains controversial given its diverse clinical presentation, several
      theories implicate hypertension and steroid use as causative agents.

PMID- 24232172
TI  - Prelimbic cortex and ventral tegmental area modulate synaptic plasticity
      differentially in nucleus accumbens during cocaine-reinstated drug seeking.
AB  - Addictive drug use causes long-lasting changes in synaptic strength and dendritic
      spine morphology in the nucleus accumbens that might underlie the vulnerability
      to relapse. Although activity in mesocorticolimbic circuitry is required for
      reinstating cocaine seeking, its role in reinstatement-associated synaptic
      plasticity is not well characterized. Using rats extinguished from cocaine self
      administration, we found potentiated synaptic strength (assessed as the AMPA/NMDA
      current amplitude ratio) and increased spine head diameter in medium spiny
      neurons in the accumbens core (NAcore). The basal changes in synaptic strength
      and morphology in cocaine-extinguished animals were further augmented during
      cocaine-induced reinstatement. Two NAcore afferents contributing to cocaine
      reinstatement are glutamatergic inputs from the prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PL)
      and dopamine from the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Pharmacological inhibition of
      either PL or VTA prevented cocaine-primed reinstatement. However, inhibiting the
      PL further potentiated AMPA/NMDA and spine head diameter, while inactivating the
      VTA or the combined systemic administration of dopamine D1 and D2 antagonists
      prevented the increase in AMPA/NMDA and spine diameter induced by cocaine
      priming. These data indicate that neuronal activity in the VTA and associated
      dopamine receptor stimulation is necessary for the synaptic potentiation in the
      NAcore during cocaine-induced reinstatement. Although activity in the PL was
      necessary for reinstatement, it inhibited synaptic potentiation initiated by an
      acute cocaine injection. Thus, although the PL and VTA differentially regulate
      the direction of synaptic plasticity induced by a cocaine-priming injection,
      coordinated synaptic potentiation by both NAcore afferents is necessary for
      cocaine-induced relapse. 

PMID- 24232173
TI  - Long-term outcomes and quality of life after subtotal colectomy combined with
      modified Duhamel procedure for adult Hirschsprung's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Subtotal colectomy combined with modified Duhamel procedure (Jinling
      procedure) was used in patients with adult Hirschsprung's disease (AHD) at
      Jinling Hospital in the last decade. The aim of this study is to evaluate the
      safety, effectiveness and quality of life of Jinling procedure for AHD. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: All the data are from the database of the Jinling Hospital
      Constipation Registry System. Primary outcomes, including safety (morbidity and
      adverse events), effectiveness (satisfaction rate, Wexner constipation scale
      (WCS) and bowel function score (BFS)) and gastrointestinal quality of life index
      (GIQLI), were all evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were available for this
      study and the mean postoperative period was 44 months. Seventeen major
      complications were found in 11 patients and most of the complications could be
      managed conservatively. A significant improvement in WCS, BFS and GIQLI at 6
      months postoperatively was obtained. CONCLUSION: Jinling procedure is safe and
      effective for AHD.

PMID- 24232175
TI  - Metabolism and elimination of N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP) in human males after
      oral dosage.
AB  - N-Ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP) is an industrial solvent that has been increasingly
      used to substitute N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. NEP is under scrutiny in scientific
      and regulatory committees because of developmental toxic and teratogenic effects
      in rodents. The two postulated NEP metabolites 5-hydroxy-N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (5
      HNEP) and 2-hydroxy-N-ethylsuccinimide (2-HESI) have recently been detected in
      urine samples from the general population. Thus, the toxicokinetic
      characterization of these biomarkers of NEP exposure in humans is of relevance
      both in the occupational as well as the environmental field. We orally dosed 20.9
      mg NEP to three male volunteers. These volunteers collected all their urine
      samples over a period of 4 days post dose. In these samples we identified and
      quantified the above postulated NEP metabolites 5-HNEP and 2-HESI and determined
      their urinary elimination kinetics and their metabolic conversion factors. After
      4 days we recovered 50.7 % of the dose as these two metabolites in urine, 29.1 %
      as 5-HNEP and 21.6 % as 2-HESI. The largest share of 5-HNEP was excreted within
      24 h post dose, while the major share of 2-HESI was excreted on day 2 post dose.
      We estimated an elimination half-time for 5-HNEP of approx. 7 h and for 2-HESI of
      approx. 22-27 h. While the elimination of 5-HNEP was basically finished 72 h post
      dose, significant amounts of 2-HESI were still eliminated after 96 h. Both
      biomarkers can now be used in human biomonitoring studies to extrapolate from
      urinary measurements to the NEP dose taken up and thus to evaluate the risk
      caused by exposure to this chemical.

PMID- 24232174
TI  - Ideal timing of orchiopexy: a systematic review.
AB  - The ideal management of cryptorchidism is a highly debated topic within the field
      of pediatric surgery. The optimal timing of orchiopexy is particularly unclear,
      as existing literature reports mixed recommendations. The aim of this study was
      to determine, based on a systematic review, the most favorable age at which
      orchiopexy should be performed. We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE,
      Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library to find relevant articles. Two
      researchers quality assessed each study using the following tools: AMSTAR
      (systematic reviews), Jadad (RCTs), and MINORS (non-RCTs). We developed a
      conclusion based on the highest quality studies. We found one relevant systematic
      review, one RCT, and 30 non-RCTs. Fertility potential was greatest when
      orchiopexy was performed before 1 year of age. Additionally, orchiopexy before 10
      11 years may protect against the increased risk of testicular cancer associated
      with cryptorchidism. Orchiopexy should not be performed before 6 months of age,
      as testes may descend spontaneously during the first few months of life. The
      highest quality evidence recommends orchiopexy between 6 and 12 months of age.
      Surgery during this timeframe may optimize fertility potential and protect
      against testicular malignancy in children with cryptorchidism.

PMID- 24232176
TI  - The cytoprotective and the dark side of Nrf2.

PMID- 24232177
TI  - The impact of brief alcohol interventions in primary healthcare: a systematic
      review of reviews.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the cumulative evidence on the
      effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions in primary healthcare in order to
      highlight key knowledge gaps for further research. METHODS: An overview of
      systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the effectiveness of brief alcohol
      intervention in primary healthcare published between 2002 and 2012. FINDINGS:
      Twenty-four systematic reviews met the eligibility criteria (covering a total of
      56 randomized controlled trials reported across 80 papers). Across the included
      studies, it was consistently reported that brief intervention was effective for
      addressing hazardous and harmful drinking in primary healthcare, particularly in
      middle-aged, male drinkers. Evidence gaps included: brief intervention
      effectiveness in key groups (women, older and younger drinkers, minority ethnic
      groups, dependent/co-morbid drinkers and those living in transitional and
      developing countries); and the optimum brief intervention length and frequency to
      maintain longer-term effectiveness. CONCLUSION: This overview highlights the
      large volume of primarily positive evidence supporting brief alcohol intervention
      effects as well as some unanswered questions with regards to the effectiveness of
      brief alcohol intervention across different cultural settings and in specific
      population groups, and in respect of the optimum content of brief interventions
      that might benefit from further research.

PMID- 24232178
TI  - Alcohol screening and brief intervention for adolescents: the how, what and where
      of reducing alcohol consumption and related harm among young people.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to explore the evidence base on alcohol screening
      and brief intervention for adolescents to determine age appropriate screening
      tools, effective brief interventions and appropriate locations to undertake these
      activities. METHODS: A review of existing reviews (2003-2013) and a systematic
      review of recent research not included in earlier reviews. RESULTS: The CRAFFT
      and AUDIT tools are recommended for identification of 'at risk' adolescents.
      Motivational interventions delivered over one or more sessions and based in
      health care or educational settings are effective at reducing levels of
      consumption and alcohol-related harm. CONCLUSION: Further research to develop age
      appropriate screening tools needs to be undertaken. Screening and brief
      intervention activity should be undertaken in settings where young people are
      likely to present; further assessment at such venues as paediatric emergency
      departments, sexual health clinics and youth offending teams should be evaluated.
      The use of electronic (web/smart-phone based) screening and intervention shows
      promise and should also be the focus of future research.

PMID- 24232180
TI  - Infarction of papillary thyroid carcinoma after fine-needle aspiration: case
      series and review of literature.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Although infarction after fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a rare
      occurrence, it is a known phenomenon that may lead to difficulties in
      interpretation for pathologists and in decision-making for head and neck
      surgeons. OBJECTIVE: To characterize our experience with infarction in papillary
      thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) after FNA and review existing cases of infarcted PTCs
      in the literature to better understand this phenomenon. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: This was a retrospective case series and review of literature at a
      tertiary medical center (University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], Medical
      Center). All patients who had a surgical pathologic diagnosis of infarcted PTC
      and who underwent FNA prior to surgery at UCLA from June 2006 to June 2012 were
      identified. There were 620 cases of PTC and 12 cases of infarcted PTC. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURE: Demographic data, FNA cytologic findings, and surgical
      pathologic data were gathered for each patient. A comprehensive literature search
      for infarcted PTC was performed. RESULTS: Twelve cases of infarcted PTC were
      found in a total of 620 cases of PTC (1.9%). The mean (SD) time interval between
      the last FNA and surgery was 52 (35) days (range, 13-133 days). All patients
      received a diagnosis of infarcted PTC after thyroidectomy was performed. Focal
      infarction was found in 4 patients (33%), and near-total infarction was found in
      8 patients (67%). Five patients (47%) had the follicular variant of PTC, making
      it the most common subtype in our series. A thorough literature search yielded 11
      articles reporting a total of 26 cases of infarcted PTC after FNA. To our
      knowledge, our case series on infarcted PTC is the largest reported series in the
      literature. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Although infarction of PTC after FNA
      occurs infrequently, it may lead to difficulties in histologic diagnosis.
      Awareness of this phenomenon and its histologic associations, along with careful
      reevaluation of the FNA and surgical specimens, is important for appropriate
      diagnosis and subsequent treatment. At this point, infarction in PTC should not
      alarm a head and neck surgeon to change management, but future prospective
      studies with a large population of patients with infarcted PTCs are needed to
      establish the impact of infarction on differences in treatment outcomes for
      therapies that may be used in PTCs.

PMID- 24232179
TI  - Parvovirus b19 associated hepatitis.
AB  - Parvovirus B19 infection can present with myriads of clinical diseases and
      syndromes; liver manifestations and hepatitis are examples of them. Parvovirus
      B19 hepatitis associated aplastic anemia and its coinfection with other
      hepatotropic viruses are relatively underrecognized, and there is sufficient
      evidence in the literature suggesting that B19 infections can cause a spectrum of
      liver diseases from elevation of transaminases to acute hepatitis to fulminant
      liver failure and even chronic hepatitis. It can also cause fatal macrophage
      activation syndrome and fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. Parvovirus B19 is an
      erythrovirus that can only be replicate in pronormoblasts and hepatocytes, and
      other cells which have globosides and glycosphingolipids in their membrane can
      also be affected by direct virus injury due to nonstructural protein 1
      persistence and indirectly by immune mediated injury. The virus infection is
      suspected in bone marrow aspiration in cases with sudden drop of hemoglobin and
      onset of transient aplastic anemia in immunosuppressed or immunocompetent
      patients and is confirmed either by IgM and IgG positive serology, PCR analysis,
      and in situ hybridization in biopsy specimens or by application of both. There is
      no specific treatment for parvovirus B19 related liver diseases, but triple
      therapy regimen may be effective consisting of immunoglobulin,
      dehydrohydrocortisone, and cyclosporine. 

PMID- 24232181
TI  - Chemically doped perylene diimide lamellae based field effect transistor with low
      operating voltage and high charge carrier mobility.
AB  - Chemical doping of an electron transporter results in the formation of a radical
      anion containing semiconductor which showed high electron mobility (13 cm(2) V(
      1) s(-1)) at low operating voltage (1 V). 

PMID- 24232183
TI  - EU-LIFE revives funding debate. A group of mid-level life science research
      institutes is reopening the debate on how to fund research at the EU level
      calling for a stronger emphasis on excellence.

PMID- 24232182
TI  - Cellular dynamics in the muscle satellite cell niche.
AB  - Satellite cells, the quintessential skeletal muscle stem cells, reside in a
      specialized local environment whose anatomy changes dynamically during tissue
      regeneration. The plasticity of this niche is attributable to regulation by the
      stem cells themselves and to a multitude of functionally diverse cell types. In
      particular, immune cells, fibrogenic cells, vessel-associated cells and committed
      and differentiated cells of the myogenic lineage have emerged as important
      constituents of the satellite cell niche. Here, we discuss the cellular dynamics
      during muscle regeneration and how disease can lead to perturbation of these
      mechanisms. To define the role of cellular components in the muscle stem cell
      niche is imperative for the development of cell-based therapies, as well as to
      better understand the pathobiology of degenerative conditions of the skeletal
      musculature. 

PMID- 24232184
TI  - Complex diseases require complex therapies.

PMID- 24232187
TI  - Detection and significance of cytotoxic cell subsets in biopsies of HCV-infected
      human livers.
AB  - Chronic viral hepatitis C still remains the clinical challenge. Attempts of the
      immune system to cope with this infection are unsatisfactory. There is a
      conviction that the main site of interaction between virus (Hepatitis C virus,
      HCV) and immune system is in situ, i.e., in liver. Natural killer (NK) cells
      appeared relevant in the acute hepatitis. Less is known about the immune response
      in the chronic HCV infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
      prevalence of various cytotoxic cell subsets in chronic HCV+ liver tissue and to
      seek links between them and laboratory data of patients. Sections from paraffin
      blocks of liver biopsy tissues of HCV+ untreated patients were subjected to the
      reaction with antibodies vs. cytotoxic cell subsets and immunohistochemistry.
      Positive cells were searched in cellular infiltrates in portal areas and in liver
      parenchyma. They were classified on the "Yes" or "No" basis. Majority of liver
      biopsies exhibited cellular infiltrates in portal spaces and as single cells in
      liver parenchyma. Infiltrates consisted of CD8+ T cells, CD56+ NK ones, including
      CD158i+ and CD158b+. The latter were rarely seen. There were also granzyme B+
      cells. The most abundant were NKG2D+ cells, much more common than NK CD56+ ones.
      It implied that NKG2D was also expressed on T cells. Prevalence of NKG2D+ cells
      correlated with high activity of liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase,
      aspartate aminotransferase and a greater histological severity of liver injury.
      NKG2D+ cells form the bulk of cells infiltrating HCV-infected human liver.
      Correlation of NKG2D+ cells with some laboratory parameters of patients suggests
      their role in hepatitis C pathogenesis.

PMID- 24232186
TI  - Building and remodelling Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases.
AB  - Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) control a plethora of biological pathways
      through targeted ubiquitylation of signalling proteins. These modular assemblies
      use substrate receptor modules to recruit specific targets. Recent efforts have
      focused on understanding the mechanisms that control the activity state of CRLs
      through dynamic alterations in CRL architecture. Central to these processes are
      cycles of cullin neddylation and deneddylation, as well as exchange of substrate
      receptor modules to re-sculpt the CRL landscape, thereby responding to the
      cellular requirements to turn over distinct proteins in different contexts. This
      review is focused on how CRLs are dynamically controlled with an emphasis on how
      cullin neddylation cycles are integrated with receptor exchange. 

PMID- 24232189
TI  - Polymeric nanoparticles enhance the sonodynamic activity of meso-tetrakis (4
      sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin in an in vitro neuroblastoma model.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sonodynamic therapy is a developing noninvasive modality for cancer
      treatment, based on the selective activation of a sonosensitizer agent by
      acoustic cavitation. The activated sonosensitizer agent might generate reactive
      oxygen species leading to cancer cell death. We investigated the potential poly
      methyl methacrylate core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with meso-tetrakis (4
      sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) have to function as an innovative
      sonosensitizing system, ie, TPPS-NPs. METHODS: Shockwaves (SWs) generated by a
      piezoelectric device were used to induce acoustic cavitation. The cytotoxic
      effect of the sonodynamic treatment with TPPS-NPs and SWs was investigated on the
      human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y. Cells were exposed for 12 hours to TPPS
      NPs (100 MUg/mL) and then to SWs (0.43 mJ/mm(2) for 500 impulses, 4
      impulses/second). Treatment with SWs, TPPS, and NPs alone or in combination was
      carried out as control. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease
      in SH-SY5Y cell proliferation after the sonodynamic treatment with TPPS-NPs and
      SWs. Indeed, there was a significant increase in necrotic (16.91% +/- 3.89%) and
      apoptotic (27.45% +/- 3.03%) cells at 48 hours. Moreover, a 15-fold increase in
      reactive oxygen species production for cells exposed to TPPS-NPs and SWs was
      observed at 1 hour compared with untreated cells. A statistically significant
      enhanced mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) expression of NRF2 (P<0.001) and a
      significant downregulation of TIGAR (P<0.05) and MAP3K5 (P<0.05) genes was
      observed in cells exposed to TPPS-NPs and SWs at 24 hours, along with a
      statistically significant release of cytochrome c (P<0.01) at 48 hours. Lastly,
      the sonosensitizing system was also investigated in an in vitro three-dimensional
      model, and the sonodynamic treatment significantly decreased the neuroblastoma
      spheroid growth. CONCLUSION: The sonosensitizing properties of TPPS were
      significantly enhanced once loaded onto NPs, thus enhancing the sonodynamic
      treatment's efficacy in an in vitro neuroblastoma model.

PMID- 24232185
TI  - Three wise centromere functions: see no error, hear no break, speak no delay.
AB  - The main function of the centromere is to promote kinetochore assembly for
      spindle microtubule attachment. Two additional functions of the centromere,
      however, are becoming increasingly clear: facilitation of robust sister-chromatid
      cohesion at pericentromeres and advancement of replication of centromeric
      regions. The combination of these three centromere functions ensures correct
      chromosome segregation during mitosis. Here, we review the mechanisms of the
      kinetochore-microtubule interaction, focusing on sister-kinetochore bi
      orientation (or chromosome bi-orientation). We also discuss the biological
      importance of robust pericentromeric cohesion and early centromere replication,
      as well as the mechanisms orchestrating these two functions at the microtubule
      attachment site. 

PMID- 24232190
TI  - Applications of pathology-assisted image analysis of immunohistochemistry-based
      biomarkers in oncology.
AB  - Immunohistochemistry-based biomarkers are commonly used to understand target
      inhibition in key cancer pathways in preclinical models and clinical studies.
      Automated slide-scanning and advanced high-throughput image analysis software
      technologies have evolved into a routine methodology for quantitative analysis of
      immunohistochemistry-based biomarkers. Alongside the traditional pathology H
      score based on physical slides, the pathology world is welcoming digital
      pathology and advanced quantitative image analysis, which have enabled tissue-
      and cellular-level analysis. An automated workflow was implemented that includes
      automated staining, slide-scanning, and image analysis methodologies to explore
      biomarkers involved in 2 cancer targets: Aurora A and NEDD8-activating enzyme
      (NAE). The 2 workflows highlight the evolution of our immunohistochemistry
      laboratory and the different needs and requirements of each biological assay.
      Skin biopsies obtained from MLN8237 (Aurora A inhibitor) phase 1 clinical trials
      were evaluated for mitotic and apoptotic index, while mitotic index and defects
      in chromosome alignment and spindles were assessed in tumor biopsies to
      demonstrate Aurora A inhibition. Additionally, in both preclinical xenograft
      models and an acute myeloid leukemia phase 1 trial of the NAE inhibitor MLN4924,
      development of a novel image algorithm enabled measurement of downstream pathway
      modulation upon NAE inhibition. In the highlighted studies, developing a
      biomarker strategy based on automated image analysis solutions enabled project
      teams to confirm target and pathway inhibition and understand downstream outcomes
      of target inhibition with increased throughput and quantitative accuracy. These
      case studies demonstrate a strategy that combines a pathologist's expertise with
      automated image analysis to support oncology drug discovery and development
      programs. 

PMID- 24232191
TI  - New and emerging pathogens in canine infectious respiratory disease.
AB  - Canine infectious respiratory disease is a common, worldwide disease syndrome of
      multifactorial etiology. This review presents a summary of 6 viruses (canine
      respiratory coronavirus, canine pneumovirus, canine influenza virus, pantropic
      canine coronavirus, canine bocavirus, and canine hepacivirus) and 2 bacteria
      (Streptococcus zooepidemicus and Mycoplasma cynos) that have been associated with
      respiratory disease in dogs. For some pathogens a causal role is clear, whereas
      for others, ongoing research aims to uncover their pathogenesis and contribution
      to this complex syndrome. Etiology, clinical disease, pathogenesis, and
      epidemiology are described for each pathogen, with an emphasis on recent
      discoveries or novel findings. 

PMID- 24232192
TI  - Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of adding behavioral counseling to
      supervised physical activity in kidney cancer survivors: a randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Supervised physical activity (PA) improves short-term health outcomes
      in cancer survivors, but longer-term adherence is rarely achieved. OBJECTIVE: The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of
      adding behavioral counseling to supervised PA in kidney cancer survivors (KCSs).
      METHODS: Thirty-two KCSs were randomized to a 4-week supervised PA program plus
      standard exercise counseling (SPA + EC group; n = 16) or a 4-week supervised PA
      plus behavioral counseling based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (SPA + BC
      group; n = 16). The primary outcome was self-reported PA at 12 weeks. Secondary
      outcomes were quality of life, anthropometric measures, cardiorespiratory
      fitness, and physical function. RESULTS: Follow-up rates for outcomes at 12 weeks
      were 88% and 94% for fitness testing and questionnaires, respectively. Adherence
      to the interventions was 94% in both groups with a 6% attrition rate. Analyses of
      covariance revealed that PA minutes at 12 weeks favored the SPA + BC group by +34
      minutes (95% confidence interval, -62 to 129), which was a small effect size (d =
      0.21) not reaching statistical significance (P = .47). Moreover, the SPA + BC
      group increased their 6-minute walk by 48 m more than the SPA + EC group (95%
      confidence interval, 1-95; d = +0.64; P = .046). There were no significant
      changes in quality of life measures. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study provides
      preliminary evidence that adding behavioral counseling to supervised PA in KCSs
      is feasible and may improve PA and fitness in the short-term. Larger and longer
      term trials are needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Oncology nurses may consider
      adopting behavioral counseling strategies in addition to supervised PA to
      motivate KCSs to maintain PA.

PMID- 24232193
TI  - Robotic Neuro-Endoscope with Concentric Tube Augmentation.
AB  - Surgical robots are gaining favor in part due to their capacity to reach remote
      locations within the body. Continuum robots are especially well suited for
      accessing deep spaces such as cerebral ventricles within the brain. Due to the
      entry point constraints and complicated structure, current techniques do not
      allow surgeons to access the full volume of the ventricles. The ability to access
      the ventricles with a dexterous robot would have significant clinical
      implications. This paper presents a concentric tube manipulator mated to a
      robotically controlled flexible endoscope. The device adds three degrees of
      freedom to the standard neuroendoscope and roboticizes the entire package
      allowing the operator to conveniently manipulate the device. To demonstrate the
      improved functionality, we use an in-silica virtual model as well as an ex-vivo
      anatomic model of a patient with a treatable form of hydrocephalus. In these
      experiments we demonstrate that the augmented and roboticized endoscope can
      efficiently reach critical regions that a manual scope cannot.

PMID- 24232195
TI  - Diversity and evolution of chloroplast DNA in Triticum and Aegilops as revealed
      by restriction fragment analysis.
AB  - Restriction fragment analysis of chloroplast (cp) DNAs from 35 wheat (Triticum)
      and Aegilops species, including their 42 accessions, was carried out with the use
      of 13 restriction enzymes to clarify variation in their cpDNAs. Fourteen fragment
      size mutations (deletions/insertions) and 33 recognition site changes were
      detected among 209 restriction sites sampled. Based on these results, the 42
      accessions of wheat-Aegilops could be classified into 16 chloroplast genome
      types. Most polyploids and their related diploids showed identical restriction
      fragment patterns, indicating the conservatism of the chloroplast genome during
      speciation, and maternal lineages of most polyploids were disclosed. This
      classification of cpDNAs was principally in agreement with that of the plasma
      types assigned according to phenotypes arising from nucleus-cytoplasm
      interactions. These mutations detected by restriction fragment analysis were
      mapped on the physical map of common wheat cpDNA, which was constructed with 13
      restriction endonucleases. Length mutations were more frequently observed in some
      regions than in others: in a 16.0 kilo base pairs (kbp) of DNA region, including
      rbcL and petA genes, 6 of 14 length mutations were concentrated. This indicates
      that hot spot regions exist for deletions/insertions in chloroplast genome. On
      the other hand, 33 recognition site mutations seemed to be distributed equally
      throughout the genome, except in the inverted repeat region where only one
      recognition site change was observed. Base substitution rate (p) of cpDNA was
      similar to that of other plants, such as Brassica, pea and Lycopersicon, showing
      constant base substitution rates among related taxa and slow evolution of cpDNA
      compared with animal mitochondrial DNA. Phylogenetic relationships among Triticum
      and Aegilops species were discussed, based on the present data. 

PMID- 24232194
TI  - Likelihood of children with end-stage kidney disease in Europe to live with a
      functioning kidney transplant is mainly explained by nonmedical factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Registry data can be used to assess associations between medical and
      health-policy factors and the likelihood of children on renal replacement therapy
      (RRT) to live with a functioning kidney transplant in Europe. METHODS: A survey
      questionnaire was distributed among renal registry representatives in 38 European
      countries, and additional data was obtained from the European Society for
      Pediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant
      Association (ESPN/ERA-EDTA) registry. RESULTS: Thirty-two countries with a
      pediatric RRT program responded. The median percentage of children by country on
      RRT with a functioning transplant was 62 % (interquartile range 39-77). One per
      million population increase in donation rate from deceased donors was associated
      with a 5 % increase in the percentage of functioning transplants; the existence
      of an intermediate and high pediatric priority policy doubled and tripled this
      percentage, respectively, compared with no priority, whereas an increase in
      living donor pediatric kidney transplant rate of one per million children was
      associated with a 14 % higher percentage of functioning transplants. The
      percentage of functioning transplants was also strongly associated with the gross
      domestic product (GDP). CONCLUSION: Considerable variations exist in the
      percentages of prevalent pediatric RRT populations with functioning renal
      transplants across Europe. A macroeconomic indicator such as GDP is the most
      important determinant of these international differences. Efforts should be made
      for living donation programs and pediatric allocation priority to increase access
      to kidney transplantation for children.

PMID- 24232196
TI  - Origin of chloroplast DNA diversity in the Andean potatoes.
AB  - Wide chloroplast DNA (ctDNA) diversity has been reported in the Andean cultivated
      tetraploid potato, Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena. Andean diploid potatoes were
      analyzed in this study to elucidate the origin of the diverse ctDNA variation of
      the cultivated tetraploids. The ctDNA types of 58 cultivated diploid potatoes (S.
      stenotomum, S. goniocalyx and S. phureja), 35 accessions of S. sparsipilum, a
      diploid weed species, and 40 accessions of the wild or weed species, S.
      chacoense, were determined based on ctDNA restriction fragment patterns of BamHI,
      HindIII and PvuII. Several different ctDNA types were found in the cultivated
      potatoes as well as in weed and wild potato species; thus, intraspecific ctDNA
      variation may be common in both wild and cultivated potato species and perhaps in
      the higher plant kingdom as a whole. The ctDNA variation range of cultivated
      diploid potatoes was similar to that of the tetraploid potatoes, suggesting that
      the ctDNA diversity of the tetraploid potato could have been introduced from
      cultivated diploid potatoes. This provided further evidence that the Andean
      cultivated tetraploid potato, ssp. andigena, could have arisen many times from
      the cultivated diploid populations. The diverse but conserved ctDNA variation
      noted in the Andean potatoes may have occurred in the early stage of species
      differentiation of South American tuber-bearing Solanums. 

PMID- 24232197
TI  - Gene differences in heading date, height, seed weight and seed yield between two
      pure line varieties of Triticum aestivum L.
AB  - Reciprocal sets of homozygous inbred backcross lines were developed by crossing
      two pure line varieties (Baart 46 and Ramona) of Triticum aestivum L., followed
      by two backcrosses to each of the two parent varieties, and six to eight
      generations of selfing. Data on each inbred backcross line was obtained from
      twelve plots (from replications in three years). Five genes were responsible for
      over 95% of the genetic variation for heading date. These genes had pleiotropic
      effects on plant height that were proportional to their effects on heading date.
      Two additional genes had detectable effects on plant height. The genes with a
      measurable effect on height accounted for 90% of the genetic variation in the
      Baart 46 genetic background. One gene affected seed weight. In the Ramona
      background, this gene accounted for 80% of the genetic variation in seed weight
      and 16% of the genetic variation in seed yield. Two genes, responsible for the
      earliest and latest heading date classes, had large pleiotropic effects on seed
      yield. They accounted for 60% of the genetic variation in yield. One gene, with
      no effect on heading date, caused a detectable reduction in yield of 23% in the
      Baart 46 inbred backcross lines. This gene had no apparent effect in the Ramona
      genetic background. Quantitative trait genes are sparsely distributed in the
      genome: fewer than one in four chromosome arms carries a gene with a detectable
      effect. Gene effects on quantitative traits are not small and similar. The
      distribution of 22 gene effects for heading date and height is slightly skewed to
      the right: as the magnitude of effect increases, the frequency of genes having
      the effect decreases. 

PMID- 24232198
TI  - Factor and principal component analyses as alternatives to index selection.
AB  - Selections from factor and principal component analyses were compared with those
      from the Smith-Hazel index when selecting for several switchgrass (Panicum
      virgatum L.) traits. The objective of this study was to examine several
      alternatives to index selection. Such procedures would potentially eliminate
      problems of selection associated with Smith-Hazel indices, including errors in
      genetic parameter estimates and difficulty in assigning relative economic weights
      to traits. Selection was performed on 1,280 plants that were evaluated over 2
      years at 1 location, in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. The
      plants were evaluated for forage yield and several forage quality traits. The
      comparisons of index selection with principal factor analysis, maximum-likelihood
      factor analysis and principal component analysis were made for three sets of
      traits (five traits per set) to estimate repeatability for the comparisons.
      Multivariate analyses were performed on both simple and genotypic correlation
      matrices. Comparisons were made by computing Spearman's rank correlations between
      selection index plant scores and scores computed from multivariate analysis and
      by determining the number of plants selected in common for the selection methods.
      Among the three multivariate analysis methods evaluated in this study, principal
      component analysis had the highest correlation with index selection. The high
      correlation for principal component analysis of simple correlation matrices
      indicates the potential for using this statistical method for selection purposes.
      This would permit the breeder to reduce field costs (e.g., time, labor,
      equipment) required to obtain the genetic parameter estimates necessary to
      construct selection indices. 

PMID- 24232199
TI  - The measurement and analysis of competitive ability among populations of white
      clover and perennial ryegrass.
AB  - Analysis of the competitive interactions among a set of white clover and
      perennial ryegrass populations indicated that the intra-specific pressures
      exerted by the white clover plants upon themselves were significantly greater
      than the inter-specific pressures they exerted upon the perennial ryegrass. This
      partitioning of competitive effects could not be carried out on the ryegrass
      populations, however, because the data required the fitting of separate models to
      monocultures and duocultures. Although not significant at this stage of the
      experiment, trends were detected among some of the clover-ryegrass duocultures
      that could be related to their previous coexistence. The results are briefly
      discussed in relation to the problems surrounding the measurement of competitive
      effects among species that ideally require very different managements. 

PMID- 24232200
TI  - Fractional paternity assignment: theoretical development and comparison to other
      methods.
AB  - There has recently been a burgeoning interest in the analysis of paternity
      patterns for natural populations because of its relevance to population genetic
      phenomena such as the distance between successful mates, relative male
      reproductive success and gene flow. In this paper we develop a method of
      analyzing populational patterns of paternity, the fractional paternity method,
      and compare its performance to two other commonly used methods of paternity
      analysis (simple exclusion and the most-likely methods). We show that the
      fractional method is the most accurate method for determining populational
      patterns of paternity because it assigns paternity to all progeny examined, and
      because it avoids biases inherent in the other paternity analysis methods when
      model assumptions are met. In particular, it avoids a systematic bias of the most
      likely paternity assignment method, which has a tendency to over-assign paternity
      of progeny to certain male parents with a greater than average number of
      homozygous marker loci. We also demonstrate the effect of linkage of some of the
      marker loci on paternity assignment, showing how the knowledge of the linkage
      phase of male and female parents in the population can significantly improve the
      accuracy of the estimates of populational patterns of paternity. Knowledge of the
      linkage phase of individuals in a population is usually unknown and difficult to
      assess without progeny testing, which involves considerable labor. However, we
      show how the linkage phase of hermaphroditic individuals in a population can be
      obtained in conjunction with the paternity analysis if progeny can be obtained
      from each hermaphroditic individual in the population, thereby avoiding the
      problem of traditional progeny testing. Applications of the fractional paternity
      approach developed herein should contribute significantly to our understanding of
      the mating patterns in, and hence the evolution of, natural populations. 

PMID- 24232201
TI  - The effect of the etched (et) mutation on the amylolytic enzyme activities in
      germinating kernels and seedlings of Zea mays.
AB  - The etched (et) mutation in maize causes distinct depressions and structural gaps
      in the endosperm and also gives rise to virescent seedlings, alpha- and beta
      Amylase activities were observed to be higher in et (+) et (+) kernels and
      seedlings as compared to that of the et et mutant. The total amylase and beta
      amylase trends during germination also differed between normal and mutant kernels
      and seedlings (it increases in the wildtype and decreases in et et). On the
      contrary, the overall alpha-amylase trend was found to be similar in both
      genotypes (slight decrease during germination). The native gel electrophoresis of
      crude enzyme extracts did not reveal any qualitative differences in alpha and
      beta amylases during germination. The germinating et et kernels initially showed
      lower levels of starch compared with the wild type kernels, whereas no such
      difference was found at later stages of germination. It is concluded that et gene
      associated endosperm lesions lead to an impairment of starch degradation in
      germinating kernels resulting in virescent seedlings. 

PMID- 24232202
TI  - Parametric and jackknife confidence interval estimators for two-factor mating
      design genetic variance ratios.
AB  - Confidence interval estimators have not been defined for dominance to additive
      genetic variance (theta) and average degree of dominance (delta) for the nested,
      factorial, and backcross mating designs. The objective of this paper was to
      describe interval estimators for these parameters. Approximate F random variables
      were defined for expected mean square (EMS) ratios for linear models with one
      environmental effect. Approximate 1-alpha parametric interval estimators were
      defined for theta and delta using these random variables. Random variables
      defined for linear models with no environmental effects are not approximately
      distributed as F random variables because common EMS are involved in the
      numerators and denominators of the EMS ratios. Delete-one jackknife (jackknife)
      interval estimators were defined for theta and delta for linear models with zero
      or one environmental effect(s); In transformed analysis of variance point
      estimates were used in pseudovalue estimators. 

PMID- 24232203
TI  - The production of haploid wheat plants from wheat x maize crosses.
AB  - Hybrid embryos from hexaploid wheat x maize crosses rapidly lose the maize
      chromosomes to produce haploid wheat embryos. Such embryos almost always aborted
      when left to develop on the plant, and only 1 was recovered from 2440 florets
      (0.17% of the expected number). Embryos had greater viability in spikelet
      culture, 47 (26.5% of the expected number) being recovered from 706 ovaries.
      Thirty-two of these embryos germinated to give green plants, 31 of which were
      haploid (21 wheat chromosomes) and 1 of which was euploid (42 wheat chromosomes).
      Spikelet culture enabled 17.1% of the expected number of embryos to be recovered
      as haploid plants, a 100-fold improvement on allowing embryos to develop in vivo.
      Ten haploid plants of 'Chinese Spring' (kr1, kr2), 13 plants of 'Chinese Spring
      (Hope 5A)' (kr1, Kr2), and 8 of 'Hope' (Kr1, Kr2) were recovered. The potential
      of wheat x maize crosses for wheat haploid production and for gene transfer from
      maize to wheat is discussed. 

PMID- 24232204
TI  - Isozyme marker loci associated with cold tolerance and maturity in maize.
AB  - Two maize (Zea mays L.) populations, AS1(S) and ECR-A, were evaluated for
      allozyme frequency changes associated with selection for improved seedling
      emergence, early season vigor and early maturity. Eleven marker loci were
      examined and four loci were used for indirect selection in an attempt to modify
      cold tolerance and maturity. Allozyme-selected divergent subpopulations were
      produced by compositing selected S1 progeny from cycle one (C1) of AS1(S) and
      from C2 of ECR-A. These subpopulations and S1 generations from all cycles
      resulting from phenotypic selection, ECR-A C1 through C7 and AS1(S) CO through
      C6, were tested in cold tolerance and agronomic performance trials over five
      environments in 1986. Seedling emergence and seedling dry weight did not improve
      with phenotypic selection in ECR-A, while plant height, ear height, grain yield,
      grain moisture, days to mid-silk and days to mid-pollen were reduced
      significantly. Contrasts between divergent allozyme-selected subpopulations from
      ECR-A were significant for grain moisture and mid-pollen date. For AS1(S),
      seeding emergence increased, while plant and ear height decreased with phenotypic
      selection. Contrasts between allozyme-selected subpopulations were significant
      for plant and ear height. Changes associated with marker-based selection for
      AS1(S) were not in the same direction as with phenotypic selection. Selection for
      favorable allozyme genotypes may be effective in changing certain traits in
      populations that have been modified by direct selection, however results may not
      be predictable. 

PMID- 24232205
TI  - Genetic control of maternal haploidy in maize (Zea mays L.) and selection of
      haploid inducing lines.
AB  - The effect of genotype on maternal haploid plant production in maize was studied.
      The frequency of gynogenetic plants when "Stock 6" was used as pollinator varied
      according to the female parent genotype. No simple relation was observed between
      genotypic aptitudes for gynogenetic and androgenetic development, which occured
      after pollination of "W23" plant carrying the "indeterminate gametophyte" gene.
      Furthermore, the population NS, a favorably responsive genotype to anther
      culture, does not exhibit exceptional ability for in vivo gynogenesis. The effect
      of inbreeding and the influence of maternal haploid origin suggest that specific
      genes control maternal haploid initiation and development. However, gynogenetic
      development is not limited to a particular genotype. The frequency of maternal
      haploids may be increased by using specific pollen parents. Attempts were made to
      select for a high haploidyinducing trait and the present study reports the
      successful development of lines that can be utilized as pollen parents to induce
      haploids for experimental purposes and breeding programmes. When an inbred line
      "WS14", derived from the cross W23 x Stock 6, was used as pollen parent, 2%-5%
      maternal haploids were obtained according to the female parent genotype. A high
      haploidy-inducing potential is a heritable trait and may be controlled by a
      limited number of genes. Genetic determination of the haploidy-inducing character
      was examined in relation to the efficiency of the selecting method and the
      mechanisms involved in the origin of maternal haploids. 

PMID- 24232206
TI  - Correlations between gametophytic (pollen) and sporophytic (seed) generations for
      polyunsaturated fatty acids in oilseed rape Brassica napus L.
AB  - Lipids were extracted from the diploid seed and haploid pollen of Brassica napus
      L. Two fractions of pollen lipids, namely the diploid-specified pollen-coat and
      the haploid-specified internal cytoplasmic lipids were obtained. Significant
      correlations exist between pollen and seed generations for linoleic (18?2) and
      linolenic (18?3) acids. In pollen internal storage lipids, the level of 18?3 is
      positively correlated and the level of 18?2 is negatively correlated with the
      level of 18?3 in seed lipids. Evidence is presented that strongly supports the
      hypothesis that lipid biosynthesis occurs within the pollen and that synthesis is
      specified by haploid genes. These data support the concept of pollen selection,
      so that selecting among living pollen grains for superior individuals has
      potential as a new plant breeding tool for improving seed oil quality. 

PMID- 24232207
TI  - In situ hybridization to somatic metaphase chromosomes of potato.
AB  - An in situ hybridization procedure was developed for mitotic potato chromosomes
      by using a potato 24S rDNA probe. This repetitive sequence hybridized to the
      nucleolar organizer region (NOR) of chromosome 2 in 95%-100% of the metaphase
      plates. Another repetitive sequence (P5), isolated from the interdihaploid potato
      HH578, gave a "ladderpattern" in genomic Southern's of Solanum tuberosum and
      Solanum phureja, but not in those of Solanum brevidens and two Nicotiana species.
      This sequence hybridized predominantly on telomeric and centromeric regions of
      all chromosomes, although chromosomes 7, 8, 10 and 11 were not always labeled
      clearly. 

PMID- 24232208
TI  - A method of analyzing cultivar x location x year experiments: a new stability
      parameter.
AB  - Assessment of cultivar performance in a cultivar x location x year experiment is
      often difficult because of the presence of a location x year interaction. Our
      objective is to demonstrate a method on separation of environment effects
      (location x year) into predictable and unpredictabel components. The analysis
      consists of two parts: (1) a regression analysis based on location effects
      (averaged over years), assuming that the location means represent predictable
      environmental variation; and (2) the estimation of stability (denoted type 4)
      based on the years within location mean squares, assuming that years within
      location represent unpredictable environmental variation. From the regression
      analysis in (1), a breeder can determine the optimum range of locations in which
      a cultivar is well suited, and from (2) he can choose the most stable cultivars.
      The advantage of type 4 stability is that it is independent of the other
      cultivars included in the test and of the regression coefficient estimated for
      predictable variation. Three sets of published data are used to illustrate the
      analysis. Type 4 stability is compared with type 3 stability (deviation mean
      square from regression on environmental index) for genetic consistency. The
      analyses suggest that type 4 stability is consistent and is therefore a potential
      genetic parameter, but type 3 stability is not. 

PMID- 24232209
TI  - Variant mitochondrial protein and DNA patterns associated with cytoplasmic male
      sterile lines of Nicotiana.
AB  - Variation in mitochondrial protein synthesis and genome organization was
      investigated. Three different alloplasmic cytoplasmic male-sterile Nicotiana
      tabacum cultivars, carrying N. repanda, N. suaveolens or N. debneyi cytoplasm,
      were analysed together with corresponding male-fertile parental and restored
      material. Although several differences were detected in the proteins synthesized
      by isolated mitochondria from the male-sterile and male-fertile plants, most of
      these were related to the origin of the mitochondria. However, a 23 kD protein
      was synthesized in the male-sterile cultivar carrying N. debneyi mitochondria,
      but not in other lines containing this cytoplasm. This protein was also present
      in the male-fertile parent containing N. tabacum mitochondria. Only the enhanced
      production of a 30 kD protein in the lines carrying mitochondria from N. repanda
      or N. debneyi was exclusively correlated with CMS. This protein was not present
      in any of the corresponding male-fertile parental and restored lines. Restriction
      enzyme analysis of mitochondrial DNA revealed a difference in abundance of a 5.6
      kb XhoI fragment between lines containing N. debneyi mitochondria. No
      rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA was found between male-fertile and male
      sterile lines carrying N. repanda or N. suaveolens cytoplasm. These results might
      indicate that CMS in alloplasmic Nicotiana cultivars is caused by alterations in
      the expression of mitochondrial genes, rather than by induced changes in the
      genome. 

PMID- 24232210
TI  - Stability parameters and performance of interregional crosses in durum wheat
      (Triticum durum Desf.).
AB  - Twelve durum wheat varieties originating from 3 ecologically diverse regions and
      their 48 intergroup crosses were evaluated for stability of performance with
      respect to grain yield and certain component traits. The linear component of the
      genotype-environment interaction was revealed for grain yield, 100-grain weight
      and plant height, non-linear for tiller number whereas for grains per spike both
      components were equally important. However, except for tiller number, the linear
      component appeared to be contributing to a large extent towards the prevalent
      interactions. NP 404, Bijaga Yellow and Giorgio VZ 331 depicted stable
      performance for grain yield. However, considering all the attributes, the parents
      NP 404, Bijaga Yellow, Anhinga 's' and Mexicali 75 and hybrids NP 401 x Mexicali
      75, NP 404 x Anhinga 's', NP 412 x Mexicali 75, NP 404 x Gerardo VZ 466 and
      Anhinga 's' x Capeiti appeared promising. The Mexican group as a whole exhibited
      a more stable performance than the other two evaluated groups. Compensating shift
      among the component characters was evident in the case of parents as well as
      hybrids and stability of performance appeared to be under genetic control.
      Effective utilization of these two aspects through introduction in otherwise
      desirable varieties has been advocated. 

PMID- 24232211
TI  - Primary structure and sequence organization of the 16S-23S spacer in the
      ribosomal operon of soybean (Glycine max L.) chloroplast DNA.
AB  - The nucleotide sequence of a spacer region between 16S and 23S rRNA genes from
      soybean chloroplasts has been determined. The spacer region is over 3000 bp long
      and contains two tRNA genes, coding for rRNA(Ile) and tRNA(Ala) which contain
      intervening sequences of 953 and 811 base pairs respectively. There is a strong
      homology between the two introns suggesting that they have a common origin. These
      spacer tRNAs are synthesized as part of a kb precursor molecule containing 16S
      and 23S rRNA sequences. 

PMID- 24232212
TI  - Inheritance and linkage relationships of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase
      isoenzymes in apple : 2. The genes GOT-2 and GOT-4.
AB  - Independent dimeric genes GOT-2 and GOT-4 determining activity for glutamate
      oxaloacetate transaminase (E.C.2.6.1.1; GOT) in zones GOT-II and GOT-IV
      respectively were identified. Three alleles were found for GOT-2 and two for GOT
      4, including a null allele for GOT-2 which produced detectable heterodimeric
      bands but not homodimeric bands. Linkage studies with leucine aminopeptidase
      (E.C.3.4.11.1; LAP) genes suggested linkage of GOT-2 with LAP-2 (r=0.13+/-0.23)
      and GOT-4 with LAP-1 (r=0.10+/-0.40). 

PMID- 24232213
TI  - Attempts to detect extra genomial factors in cytoplasmic male-sterile petunia
      lines.
AB  - In the present study we examined the possibility that viruses, viroids or dsRNA
      are associated with cytoplasmic male sterile (cms) petunia. The assumption was
      made that if viruses or viroids were present, the treatments for elimination of
      viruses and viroids would produce "healthy" fertile plants. Male sterile plants
      were subjected to heat and cold treatments for 10 weeks and/ or for 5 months,
      after which apical meristems were isolated and cultured with the addition of
      antiviral factors. The mother plants, the regenerated plants and their progeny
      were sterile. These treatments did not affect sterility in sterile plants or the
      fertility of fertile plants. No dsRNA was found in cms petunia by gel
      electrophoresis. Thus, our data suggest that there are no viruses, viroids or
      dsRNA associated with cms petunia. Our data are in agreement with recent data,
      which suggests that the mitochondrial DNA is the site of the cytoplasmic male
      sterile gene in petunia. 

PMID- 24232214
TI  - Inheritance of emergence time at low temperatures in segregating generations of
      maize.
AB  - North Carolina Design III and generation means analyses were used to study the
      inheritance of seedling emergence time and a related seedling growth parameter in
      crosses between 5-154, a line from CIMMYT Pool 5 with rapid seedling emergence
      under cool conditions, and two Corn Belt Dent lines of maize (Zea mays L.). The
      crosses were evaluated at low temperatures in controlled environment rooms.
      Additive genetic variances were larger than dominance variances in both crosses
      and estimates of the average levels of dominance were in the partial dominance
      range. Dominance was in the direction of rapid seedling emergence and rapid
      utilization of seed reserve. Estimates of minimum numbers of effective factors
      provided evidence for polygenic inheritance. 

PMID- 24232215
TI  - Further approximations for selection intensity.
AB  - Three new approximations are suggested for the standardized selection intensity,
      i. Two are simple functions of powers of b, the fraction selected. These improve
      on previous approximations by covering a broader range of selection intensities.
      A third approximation is developed using a rational polynomial. This gave
      accurate approximation, but simplicity was lost. 

PMID- 24232216
TI  - Divergent selection for in vitro developmental capacity of preimplantation mouse
      embryos.
AB  - Replicated divergent selection was conducted for two generations in ICR mice for
      in vitro developmental capacity (IVDC; percentage of fertilized one-cell zygotes
      developing to blastocysts in vitro per female donor). Realized heritabilities
      based on high and low selection were 0.03+/-0.08 and -0.11+/-0.09 in replicate 1,
      and 0.10+/-0.11 and 0.08+/-0.10 in replicate 2. No differences were detected
      between selection lines (P>0.2) or replicates (P>0.1). Estimate of heritability
      in the base population based on 332 daughter-dam pairs was 0.14+/-0.18. These
      results indicate that additive genetic variance contributes little to the
      phenotypic variance in this trait. Considerable phenotypic variation in IVDC was
      observed (mean=49.3; SD=31.0), with a range of IVDC from 0%-100%. Utilization of
      donor female as a blocking factor is suggested for designs of experiments with
      preimplantation embryos to increase precision and power of statistical analyses. 

PMID- 24232217
TI  - Identification of a complete set of isogenic wheat/rye D-genome substitution
      lines by means of Giemsa C-banding.
AB  - A complete set of isogenic wheat/rye D-genome substitutions were produced by
      crossing an inbred line of spring rye Secale cereale L. cv. "Prolific" to a
      tetraploid wheat, the A-and B-genomes of which had previously been extracted from
      hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum L. em Thell. cv. "Thatcher". After chromosome
      doubling, the derived hexaploid triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) was
      backcrossed to 6x "Thatcher" and selection for wheat/rye substitution lines was
      carried out in BCF3 to BCF6 families by using Giemsa C-banding. Five fertile
      disomic wheat/rye D-genome substitution lines were obtained and their chromosomal
      constitution was determined to be 1D/1R, 2D/2R, 7D/4R, 6D/6R, 7D/7R. The two
      remaining 3R and 5R substitutions are at the moment in a monosomic condition.
      Another 1D/7R substitution was detected but this plant was very weak and sterile,
      indicating that only substitutions between homoeologous chromosomes result in
      fertile, vigorous plants. Furthermore, many rye telocentrics as well as rye-rye
      and rye-wheat translocations were selected. Since all lines selected in this
      program share the same genetic background of "Thatcher" wheat, genetic
      heterogeneity is excluded. The material is very useful, therefore, for analyzing
      the effects of different rye chromosomes or chromosome segments in an otherwise
      homozygous background. 

PMID- 24232218
TI  - Interferon alpha with or without rituximab achieves a high response rate and
      durable responses in relapsed FL: 17 years' experience in a single centre.
AB  - Maintenance interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) immunotherapy after induction
      chemotherapy prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) in untreated follicular
      lymphoma (FL). Little information is available about IFN-alpha use in relapsed
      FL. This study aims to evaluate the benefit of IFN-alpha as a treatment of low
      burden FL relapse. This single-centre retrospective study identified 20 patients
      treated in 27 cases with IFN-alpha. We analysed all cases of IFN-alpha treatment
      in patients with low-burden FL in clinical relapse (11), partial response (5) or
      only with molecular minimal residual disease (MRD; 5). The treatment schedule was
      3MIU IFN-alpha three times a week alone (16) or combined with four weekly
      rituximab (R; 11), according to the institution's policy. Except for the
      molecular relapses, responses were evaluated according to the IWG 1999 criteria.
      MRD was defined as a repeatedly detectable BCL2-IgH rearrangement in peripheral
      blood or bone marrow. In 22 cases of clinical relapses or partial responders,
      overall response rate was 68 %, with 55 % complete responses. Median PFS was 20.9
      months (95 % confidence interval (95 % CI), 0-64.9) with 20.9 and 48.7 months in
      the IFN and R-IFN groups, respectively (p = 0.4). The median PFS of the five MRD
      cases was 133 months (95 % CI, 103-165). The Follicular Lymphoma International
      Prognostic Index score calculated at initiation of IFN-alpha treatment was
      predictive of time to relapse (p = 0.036). These results compare favourably with
      previous reports of the efficacy of R alone, and of R with IFN-alpha in relapse.
      Further research is required to explore the role of IFN-alpha in the management
      of FL.

PMID- 24232219
TI  - Label-free study of the function of ion channel protein on a microfluidic optical
      sensor integrated with artificial cell membrane.
AB  - A label-free optical sensor was constructed by integrating pH sensing material
      and supported phospholipid bilayers (SPBs) in a microfluidic chip. The pH sensing
      material was composed of a double layer structure consisting of chitosan hydrogel
      and electrochemically etched porous silicon. The pH change in the microchip could
      induce a reversible swelling of the chitosan hydrogel layer and consequently
      caused a shift in effective optical thickness (EOT) of the double layer, which
      could be observed by Fourier transformed reflectometric interference spectroscopy
      (FT-RIS). After phospholipid bilayers (PLBs) were self-assembled on the sensing
      layer, the EOT almost remained constant during the cycling of pH from 7.4 to 6.2,
      indicating the blockage of H(+) translocation by the PLBs. For studying the
      behavior of ion channel protein, gramicidin A, a typical ion channel protein, was
      inserted in the SPBs for mimicking the ion transportation function of cell
      membrane. Due to the H(+) transportation capability of gramicidin A, the optical
      response to pH change could partially recover. In the presence of Ca(2+), the
      pore of the ion channel protein was blocked, causing a significant decrease in
      the EOT response upon pH change. The bio-functionalized microfluidic sensor
      fabricated in this work will provide a reliable platform for studying the
      function of ion channel protein, which is an important class of drug targets. 

PMID- 24232220
TI  - Effects of a clay mineral on microbial predation and parasitism ofEscherichia
      coli.
AB  - Montmorillonitic clay influences the biological control ofEscherichia coli in
      aquatic systems, the magnitude of the effects being dependent on the state of the
      clay and the type of host-antagonist interaction. The interaction ofBdellovibrio
      andE. coli was partially inhibited by the presence of montmorillonite. Because it
      is highly motile,Bdellovibrio apparently could penetrate any colloidal clay
      barrier aroundE. coli if the clay envelope was thin enough. Colloidal clay had
      little effect on predation ofE. coli by the myxobacteriumPolyangium, and had no
      effect on the activity of the amoebaVexillifera. Crude clay, on the other hand,
      resulted in a physical separation of predator and prey, and this completely
      inhibited theE. coli-Polyangium interaction and slowed the rate of engulfment
      ofE. coli byVexillifera.The interference of natural biological control by clays
      may alter the microbial balance favoring survival of fecal microorganisms and
      resulting in their accumulation in saline sediments. This could constitute a
      health hazard if these organisms were released by upwelling of bottom waters or
      were desorbed in estuarine systems by dilution during heavy rains. 

PMID- 24232221
TI  - Comparison ofin Situ andin Vitro survival ofCandida albicans in seawater.
AB  - The survival in seawater of several laboratory and field isolates ofCandida
      albicans was investigated. Initial studies were madein vitro (flasks) to confirm
      previous reports. Frequent sampling of viable cells showed that flask
      experiments, even repeated, produced varied patterns of survival in this closed
      system. As an alternative, multiple experiments were run in untreated seawater in
      dialysis bags and plexiglas chambers at ambient temperature (17? to 22?C) in
      flowing seawater. Die-off rates of all cultures tested in dialysis bags were very
      rapid in the first day and may have been related to high levels of dissolved
      organic carbon in the tubing. Distilled water-or acid-washed bags did not yield
      significantly higher survival rates in all cases. When plexiglas chambers closed
      with Nuclepore membranes were used, survival rates decreased to 5% to 15% of the
      original population after 6 days. Chamber data were more uniform and represented
      approximately a twofold increase in survival over that shown previously inin
      vitro (flask) studies. Some evidence was obtained in all three test systems for
      the greater survival rate of a field isolate ofC. albicans compared with that
      noted for a laboratory (ATCC) strain. The results are considered to more
      accurately depict the survival ofC. albicans in summer temperate recreational
      waters. 

PMID- 24232222
TI  - Microorganisms and heavy metal toxicity.
AB  - The environmental and microbiological factors that can influence heavy metal
      toxicity are discussed with a view to understanding the mechanisms of microbial
      metal tolerance. It is apparent that metal toxicity can be heavily influenced by
      environmental conditions. Binding of metals to organic materials, precipitation,
      complexation, and ionic interactions are all important phenomena that must be
      considered carefully in laboratory and field studies. It is also obvious that
      microbes possess a range of tolerance mechanisms, most featuring some kind of
      detoxification. Many of these detoxification mechanisms occur widely in the
      microbial world and are not only specific to microbes growing in metal
      contaminated environments. 

PMID- 24232223
TI  - Effects of ingesting mercury-containing bacteria on mercury tolerance and growth
      rates of ciliates.
AB  - The ciliateUronema nigricans was found to acquire tolerance to mercury after
      being fed mercury-laden bacteria followed by exposure of washed suspensions of
      these ciliates to various concentrations of mercury in solution. Significant
      differences in percent mortality were observed for ciliates fed mercury-laden
      bacteria compared with control suspensions fed mercury-free bacteria. The
      phenomenon of acquired mercury tolerance was demonstrated within a single
      generation time. Ciliates fed mercury-free bacteria and subsequently exposed to
      increasing levels of mercury in solution showed an elevated tolerance to
      concentrations which, on initial testing, resulted in mortality of 83% of the
      ciliate population. The effect of ingesting mercury-laden bacteria on growth rate
      ofUronema was examined, and results showed no significant differences in growth
      rates of both 3- and 14-day-old cultures of protozoa that had been fed mercury
      laden and mercury-free bacteria under controlled conditions. 

PMID- 24232224
TI  - Interactions between freshwater bacteria andAnkistrodesmus braunii in batch and
      continuous culture.
AB  - Batch and continuous cultures ofAnkistrodesmus braunii were established in an
      inorganic medium with growth rate limited by P. In batch culture, inoculation of
      lake water bacterial isolates ofPseudomonas sp. andFlavobacterium sp. showed that
      thePseudomonas isolate was capable of more rapid growth on algal exudates of
      lytic products than was theFlavobacterium isolate. When inoculated singly into a
      continuous culture (D=0.267 day(-1); P level, 2MUM), theFlavobacterium isolate
      initially caused a decrease in the population density of the alga, but then
      steady states for both organisms were obtained. ThePseudomonas isolate under the
      same conditions caused a rapid washout of the algal culture, and steady-state
      conditions were never obtained. When thePseudomonas isolate was added to the two
      member, steady-state system ofA. braunii andFlavobacterium, the algal population
      again washed out of the vessel, followed by theFlavobacterium and then
      thePseudomonas isolate. A transient increase in the P concentration to 200MUM in
      the culture vessel caused the low algal population level to increase, followed by
      increases in the bacterial isolates when the algal population was high enough to
      supply the required organic carbon source. The system demonstrated that
      competition for P between the alga and the bacteria can occur, and the results
      were dependent on the algal and bacterial relative growth rates. The bacterial
      growth rates were limited initially by organic substrates produced by the alga,
      and the different bacterial isolates competed for these substrates. 

PMID- 24232225
TI  - Trophic interactions in soils as they affect energy and nutrient dynamics. I.
      Introduction.
AB  - The dynamics of nutrient transformations at the soil-root interface are complex
      but amenable to controlled experimental study. Using a conceptual model we
      introduce a series of papers which ascertain the role of microfloral-faunal
      trophic interactions in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transformations in soil
      microcosms. 

PMID- 24232226
TI  - Trophic interactions in soils as they affect energy and nutrient dynamics. II.
      Physiological responses of selected rhizosphere bacteria.
AB  - Comparative microbial functions in the plant root zone were studied by evaluating
      rhizosphere-derivedPseudomonas andArthrobacter growth in chemostat culture and
      responses to root-exudate-related nutrients after varied starvation periods.
      These organisms were chosen to represent zymogenous and autochthonous microbes,
      respectively. In chemostat culture, thePseudomonas isolate showed increased
      energy charge and decreased populations with higher growth rates, whereas
      theArthrobacter had lower energy charge and cell population values which did not
      change appreciably with growth rate. The responses of these two types of
      organisms also differed with starvation. ThePseudomonas lost its ability to
      respire efficiently in the presence of several known root exudate components,
      whereas theArthrobacter isolate, in comparison, maintained a lower but more
      consistent ability to utilize these nutrients with increased starvation.
      TheArthrobacter also showed increased utilization of several substrates after
      starvation, suggesting its potential ability to function under restricted
      nutrient availability conditions. These results suggest thatPseudomonas-type
      organisms in the rhizosphere may best function in periods of more intense exudate
      release, whereas organisms of theArthrobacter- type may be more efficient at
      nutrient utilization during periods of lesser nutrient flux. Based on these data
      the rhizosphere-derivedPseudomonas isolate was considered to be an appropriate
      bacterium to use in more complex rhizosphere microcosm experiments where nutrient
      flux dynamics would be emphasized. 

PMID- 24232227
TI  - Trophic interactions in soils as they affect energy and nutrient dynamics. III.
      Biotic interactions of bacteria, amoebae, and nematodes.
AB  - Bacteria (Pseudomonas), amoebae (Acanthamoeba), and nematodes (Mesodiplogaster)
      were raised in soil microcosms with and without glucose additions. Nematode and
      amoebal grazing on bacteria significantly reduced bacterial populations by the
      end of a 24-day incubation period. Amoebal numbers decreased in the presence of
      nematodes with a corresponding increase in nematode numbers which reached a
      maximum of 230 nematodes/g of soil in the treatment with amoebae and glucose
      additions. After 24 days the nematode populations in the treatments without
      carbon additions were dominated by resistant dauer larvae indicating the
      unavailability of food. Although larval numbers were high in the treatments with
      glucose additions, the adult component of the population was still increasing at
      the end of the 24-day experiment. The effect of the presence of amoebae on
      nematode abundance was of the same magnitude as addition of 600MUg glucose-C. 

PMID- 24232228
TI  - Trophic interactions in soils as they affect energy and nutrient dynamics. IV.
      Flows of metabolic and biomass carbon.
AB  - Flows of biomass and respiratory carbon were studied in a series of propylene
      oxide sterilized soil microcosms. One-half of the microcosms received three
      pulsed additions of 200 ppm glucose-carbon to mimic rhizosphere carbon inputs.
      Biotic variables were: bacteria (Pseudomonas) alone, or amoebae (Acanthamoeba)
      and nematodes (Mesodiplogaster) singly, or both combined in the presence of
      bacteria.Over the 24-day experiment, respiration was significantly higher in the
      microcosms containing the bacterial grazers. Biomass accumulation by amoebae was
      significantly higher than that by nematodes. The nematodes respired up to 30-fold
      more CO2 per unit biomass than did amoebae. Similar amounts of carbon flowed into
      both respiratory and biomass carbon in microcosms with fauna, compared with the
      bacteria-alone microcosms. However, partitioning of available carbon by the
      microfauna varied considerably, with little biomass production and relatively
      more CO2-C produced in the nematode-containing microcosms. The amoebae, in
      contrast, allocated more carbon to tissue production (about 40% assimilation
      efficiency) and correspondingly less to CO2. 

PMID- 24232229
TI  - Trophic interactions in soils as they affect energy and nutrient dynamics. V.
      Phosphorus transformations.
AB  - Regeneration of nutrients from relatively nutrient-poor organic residues is
      essential for overall operation of an ecosystem. Nutrients thus released are,
      however, inadequate for the needs of the decomposer populations, and a much
      faster nutrient turnover involving bacterial immobilization and release occurs
      concurrently. Evidence from aquatic ecosystems indicates that bacteria release
      little phosphorus, for which they have high demand, whereas bacterial grazers
      play an important role in regeneration of bacterial phosphorus. Our studies
      extend these relationships to terrestrial ecosystems. We studied phosphorus
      immobilization and mineralization in soil incubations, simulating rhizospheres
      with combinations of bacterial, amoebal, and nematode populations. Bacteria
      quickly assimilated and retained much of the labile inorganic phosphorus as
      carbon substrates were metabolized. Most of this bacterial phosphorus was
      mineralized and returned to the inorganic phosphorus pool by the amoebae.
      Nematode effects on phosphorus mineralization were small, except for indirect
      effects on amoebal activity. The observed remineralization may reflect direct
      excretion by the amoebae, physiological effects on the bacterial populations, or
      both. These results suggest a major role of microfauna in nutrient cycling. 

PMID- 24232231
TI  - An aqueous red emitting fluorescent fluoride sensing probe exhibiting a large
      Stokes shift and its application in cell imaging.
AB  - A novel red emitting fluorescent probe exhibiting a 143 nm Stokes shift for the
      detection of fluoride ions in an aqueous solution was developed. The probe
      displays a rapid response, high selectivity and good sensitivity towards F(-).
      Application of the probe for the selective detection of intracellular F(-) has
      been successfully demonstrated in living cells. 

PMID- 24232232
TI  - Magnet(r) designation in Saudi Arabia: bridging cultures for nursing excellence.

PMID- 24232233
TI  - Healthcare reform: unprecedented opportunity, unparalleled risk.
AB  - This department column is devoted to posing insights about transitions through,
      to and from, administrative roles in nursing. The unprecedented challenges posed
      by healthcare reform present new and complex challenges for nurse executives. The
      author discusses transitions in thinking and approach that will be needed to
      respond to the challenges and keep the focus on nursing practice excellence and
      patient outcomes. 

PMID- 24232234
TI  - Criteria for clinical information technology device selection: what do nurse
      executives need to know?
AB  - Hospital and healthcare's "most wired" organizations were surveyed to determine
      the evaluative criteria in the selection of bedside devices for clinical
      documentation. Ranked results of the characteristics are presented. Results can
      be used to inform nurse executives about selection criteria to consider. 

PMID- 24232235
TI  - Crossing our quality chasm: continuing the case for graduate preparation of nurse
      managers and leaders.
AB  - The previous CGEAN Perspectives column compared the Baccalaureate Essentials
      document with American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American
      Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) certification examination content for
      nurse managers and concluded that the baccalaureate curriculum lacks the depth of
      content needed for today's frontline nurse leaders. This article continues the
      discussion by comparing the Master's Essentials document with ANCC and AONE nurse
      manager-level certification content to evaluate if a master's graduate education
      prepares nurses for the competencies of these management roles. 

PMID- 24232236
TI  - Turnover, staffing, skill mix, and resident outcomes in a national sample of US
      nursing homes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The authors examined the relationship of staff turnover to selected
      nursing home quality outcomes, in the context of staffing and skill mix.
      BACKGROUND: Staff turnover is a serious concern in nursing homes as it has been
      found to adversely affect care. When employee turnover is minimized, better care
      quality is more likely in nursing homes. METHODS: Data from the National Nursing
      Home Survey, a nationally representative sample of US nursing homes, were linked
      to Nursing Home Compare quality outcomes and analyzed using logistic regression.
      RESULTS: Nursing homes with high certified nursing assistant turnover had
      significantly higher odds of pressure ulcers, pain, and urinary tract infections
      even after controlling for staffing, skill mix, bed size, and ownership. Nurse
      turnover was associated with twice the odds of pressure ulcers, although this was
      attenuated when staffing was controlled. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests
      turnover may be more important in explaining nursing home (NH) outcomes than
      staffing and skill mix and should therefore be given greater emphasis.

PMID- 24232237
TI  - The effect of critical care nursing and organizational characteristics on
      pediatric cardiac surgery mortality in the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study explored pediatric critical care nursing and organizational
      factors that impact in-hospital mortality for cardiac surgery patients across
      children's hospitals in the United States. BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease
      is the most common birth defect and the no. 1 cause of death for infants with a
      congenital defect. Little is known about the impact of pediatric critical care
      nursing and organizational factors on pediatric mortality. METHODS: Nursing
      leaders from 38 children's hospitals that contribute data to the Pediatric Health
      Information System data set completed an organizational assessment for years 2009
      and 2010. These data were linked with patient-level data. The Risk Adjustment for
      Congenital Heart Surgery method was used to adjust for baseline patient
      differences in patients younger than 18 years. RESULTS: The odds of death
      increased as the institutional percentage of pediatric critical care unit nurses
      with 2 years' clinical experience or less increased. The odds of mortality were
      highest when the percentage of RNs with 2 years' clinical experience or less was
      20% or greater. The odds of death decreased as the institutional percentage of
      critical care nurses with 11 years' clinical experience or more increased and for
      hospitals participating in national quality metric benchmarking. Clinical
      experience was independently associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS:
      These data are the 1st to link clinical nursing experience with pediatric patient
      outcomes. A cut point of 20% RNs or greater with 2 years' clinical experience or
      less was determined to significantly affect inpatient mortality. Participation in
      national quality metric benchmarking programs was significantly associated with
      improved mortality.

PMID- 24232239
TI  - Nurse-physician leadership: insights into interprofessional collaboration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this qualitative research study was to identify
      themes characterizing collaboration from the perspectives of nurses and
      physicians serving in complementary leadership roles in intensive and progressive
      care hospital units. BACKGROUND: Failures of communication are reported as a
      major cause of sentinel events. Most frequently, communication breakdown occurs
      between physicians and nurses. METHODS: In this qualitative research study, taped
      interviews with nursing and medical unit directors (physicians) were analyzed for
      themes regarding factors influencing collaboration. RESULTS: Themes identified
      included the impact of organizational support, shared expectations,
      relationships, and communication. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study support the
      need for organizations and professionals to facilitate deliberate, structured
      interprofessional communication to advance collaboration between nurses and
      physicians.

PMID- 24232238
TI  - Identification of potential barriers to nurse-sensitive outcome demonstration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine differences in chief
      nursing officer, Magnet((r)) program director, nurse leader, and direct care RN
      perspectives of potential barriers to demonstration of nurse-sensitive outcomes.
      BACKGROUND: The Magnet Recognition Program((r)) and other designations are
      focusing on patient outcomes. No evidence is available addressing barriers to
      demonstration of nursing outcomes at multiple levels of practice. METHODS: A
      Likert scale tool was developed and administered to 526 attendees at the 2012
      national Magnet conference. Questions related to available resources, benchmarks,
      outcome demonstration process understanding, perception of value, and competing
      priorities. RESULTS: Significant perception differences by role were demonstrated
      related to available resources, competing priorities, and process understanding
      supporting demonstration of nurse-sensitive outcomes. No significant differences
      were identified related to benchmarks or perception of process value to the
      organization. CONCLUSION: This study provides new information demonstrating
      potential barriers to demonstration of nurse-sensitive outcomes differing by
      role. Opportunity exists to develop systems and processes to reduce perceived
      barriers among the nursing workforce.

PMID- 24232240
TI  - Participating in a multihospital study to promote adoption of heart failure
      guidelines: lessons for nurse leaders.
AB  - Many multisite studies in practice settings focus on improving processes of care,
      adopting evidence-based practices, and improving patient outcomes. While specific
      research questions may be the focus, it is the implementation issues and
      strategies that reveal how individuals and organizations are profoundly
      transformed. Utilizing voluntary testimonies and conversations with participating
      nurses, the benefits of involvement in a multisite study extend beyond meeting
      Magnet((r)) research requirements.

PMID- 24232241
TI  - Work engagement in Magnet((r))-designated hospitals: Exploring social and
      institutional demographics of RNs to optimize improvement efforts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed and evaluated relationships between work
      engagement (WE) and social/institutional demographic variables of RNs in
      Magnet((r))-designated hospitals. BACKGROUND: Organizational structures of Magnet
      designated hospitals are recognized to promote engagement of RNs. Because little
      is known about relationships between WE and the social/institutional demographics
      of nurses, this study focused on age (generation), gender, education, shift,
      hours worked per week, percentage of time in direct patient care, and nursing
      unit. METHODS: A convenience sample of hospital RNs (n = 220) completed 2 surveys
      to measure WE and demographic variables in this descriptive correlational study.
      RESULTS: Shift was significantly related to RN engagement; however, age, gender,
      education, hours worked per week, percentage of time in direct patient care, and
      nursing unit were not. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical evidence about
      the relationships between WE and social/institutional characteristics of RNs. The
      findings are relevant to patients, nurses, nurse leaders, and organizations.

PMID- 24232242
TI  - Measuring first-line nurse manager work: instrument: development and testing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop and test a 1st-line nurse
      manager (FLNM) work instrument to measure categories of work and frequency of
      activities. BACKGROUND: First-line nurse managers have been demonstrated to be
      key contributors in meeting organizational outcomes and patient and nurse
      satisfaction. Identifying the work of FLNMs is essential to help in the
      development of prioritization and sequence. The need for an instrument that can
      measure and categorize the work of FLNMs is indicated. METHODS: The author
      developed instrument was administered as a pilot study to 173 FLNMs in New
      Jersey. Descriptive statistics were analyzed, and validity and reliability were
      measured. RESULTS: Content validity was established through 2 focus groups using
      10 FLNMs and conducting a survey of 5 chief nursing officers. Reliability was
      assessed by 13 of 16 FLNM participants using the test/retest method and
      quantified using percent agreement within a 10-day period. Those items with 70%
      agreement or more were identified as reliable and retained on the instrument.
      CONCLUSIONS: The content validity of the instrument is strong; further refinement
      and testing of the tool are indicated to improve the reliability and
      generalizability across multiple populations of leaders and settings.

PMID- 24232244
TI  - Pediatric traumatic brain injuries treated with decompressive craniectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in an estimated 80% of all
      pediatric trauma patients and is the leading cause of death and disability in the
      pediatric population. Decompressive craniectomy is a procedure used to decrease
      intracranial pressure by allowing the brain room to swell and therefore increase
      cerebral perfusion to the brain. METHODS: This is a retrospective study done at
      St. Mary's Medical Center/Palm Beach Children's Hospital encompassing a 3 year 7
      month period. All the pediatric patients who sustained a TBI and who were treated
      with a decompressive craniectomy were included. The patients' outcomes were
      monitored and scored according to the Rancho Los Amigos Score at the time of
      discharge from the hospital and 6 months postdischarge. RESULTS: A total of 379
      pediatric patients with a diagnosis of TBI were admitted during this time. All
      these patients were treated according to the severity of their injury. A total of
      49 pediatric patients required neurosurgical intervention and 7 of these patients
      met the criteria for a decompressive craniectomy. All seven patients returned
      home with favorable outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study supports the current
      literature that decompressive craniectomy is no longer an intervention used as a
      last resort but an effective first line treatment to be considered.

PMID- 24232245
TI  - Spectral asymmetry and Higuchi's fractal dimension measures of depression
      electroencephalogram.
AB  - This study was aimed to compare two electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis methods,
      spectral asymmetry index (SASI) and Higuchi's fractal dimension (HFD), for
      detection of depression. Linear SASI method is based on evaluation of the balance
      of powers in two EEG frequency bands in one channel selected higher and lower
      than the alpha band spectrum maximum. Nonlinear HFD method calculates fractal
      dimension directly in the time domain. The resting EEG signals of 17 depressive
      patients and 17 control subjects were used as a database for calculations. SASI
      values were positive for depressive and negative for control group (P < 0.05).
      SASI provided the true detection rate of 88% in the depressive and 82% in the
      control group. The calculated HFD values detected a small (3%) increase with
      depression (P < 0.05). HFD provided the true detection rate of 94% in the
      depressive group and 76% in the control group. The rate of correct indication in
      the both groups was 85% using SASI or HFD. Statistically significant variations
      were not revealed between hemispheres (P > 0.05). The results indicated that the
      linear EEG analysis method SASI and the nonlinear HFD method both demonstrated a
      good sensitivity for detection of characteristic features of depression in a
      single-channel EEG. 

PMID- 24232246
TI  - Effects of an iodine-restricted food on client-owned cats with hyperthyroidism.
AB  - The objective of this prospective, multicentre, non-controlled, open-label study
      was to evaluate the effects of an iodine-restricted food on circulating total
      thyroxine (TT4) concentrations and clinical parameters in client-owned cats with
      hyperthyroidism. Two hundred and twenty-five cats were enrolled in the study and
      adapted to the iodine-restricted food. Data from physical examinations,
      questionnaires completed by veterinarians and owners, and circulating
      concentrations of TT4, urea and creatinine were recorded at weeks 0, 4 and 8. The
      study group included 136 female and 89 male cats (median age 15 years, range 4-21
      years). Group 1 (n = 113) had been on previous anti-thyroid medication, while
      group 2 (n = 112) consisted of newly diagnosed cats. No differences were found
      between the two groups at any time point. Circulating TT4 concentrations had
      decreased (P <0.0001) at week 4 and did not change significantly from week 4 to
      week 8. Circulating TT4 concentration was within the reference range in 56/88
      cats at week 4 and in 51/68 cats at week 8. Clinical parameters (vomiting,
      polyuria, polydipsia, hyperactivity, polyphagia, weight loss, hair coat quality,
      and quality of life) had improved (P <0.0001) by week 4. Circulating creatinine
      concentration decreased (P = 0.001) from week 0 to week 4. Side effects
      associated with feeding the iodine-restricted food were not observed. In
      conclusion, in client-owned cats with hyperthyroidism an iodine-restricted food
      is a valuable management option to normalise circulating TT4 concentrations, and
      improve clinical signs of hyperthyroidism within 4 weeks. This applies to newly
      diagnosed cats, as well as to previously diagnosed cats receiving anti-thyroid
      drugs. 

PMID- 24232248
TI  - Genome-wide chromatin analysis in mature mouse and human spermatozoa.
AB  - At the end of mammalian spermatogenesis, chromatin in differentiating germ cells
      is extensively remodeled, with the majority of nucleosomes being removed and
      ultimately exchanged by highly basic proteins named protamines. Residual
      nucleosomes are, to various degrees, retained at regulatory sequences in human
      and mouse sperm. Moreover, certain histone variants and modifications remain
      present in regulatory sequences of subsets of genes in spermatozoa, providing
      opportunities for paternal inheritance of chromatin states and epigenetic control
      of gene expression in the subsequent generation. Here we describe in detail a
      method that enables the generation of soluble chromatin samples from mouse and
      human spermatozoa within 1 d. These samples are amendable to chromatin
      immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing of nucleosome-associated
      genomic DNA, which require several additional days. We also provide computational
      scripts that allow straightforward analysis of large genome-wide data sets by
      biologists with limited computational experience. This protocol will facilitate
      studies of mechanisms of chromatin remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming during
      spermatogenesis and of paternal epigenetic inheritance. Similarly, it will help
      in the study of the causes of human male infertility. 

PMID- 24232249
TI  - In vitro expansion and genetic modification of gastrointestinal stem cells in
      spheroid culture.
AB  - It is useful to be able to grow enriched populations of stem cells in vitro.
      Growth of stem cells as tissue spheroids is a key methodology permitting
      sustainable culture of adult epithelial cells. Gastrointestinal stem cells can be
      propagated by using conditioned medium from a supportive cell line (L-WRN). This
      protocol describes how to prepare conditioned medium and how to culture stem cell
      enriched epithelial spheroids from the mouse gastrointestine. These spheroids are
      also amenable to genetic modification with recombinant lentiviruses. This system
      enables many types of cell biological assays that have been performed with
      immortalized cell lines to be applied to spheroids. Isolation of epithelial cell
      units from mice takes up to 2 h, and stem cell-enriched gastrointestinal
      spheroids are obtained within 3 d. Genetically modified spheroids with
      lentiviruses can be obtained in 2 weeks. 

PMID- 24232250
TI  - Chemical synthesis of proteins using peptide hydrazides as thioester surrogates.
AB  - This protocol provides a detailed procedure for the chemical synthesis of
      proteins through native chemical ligation of peptide hydrazides. The two crucial
      stages of this protocol are (i) the solid-phase synthesis of peptide hydrazides
      via Fmoc chemistry and (ii) the native chemical ligation of peptide hydrazides
      through in situ NaNO2 activation and thiolysis. This protocol may be of help in
      the synthesis of proteins that are not easily produced by recombinant technology
      and that include acid-sensitive modifications; it also does not involve the use
      of hazardous HF. The utility of the protocol is shown for the total synthesis of
      140-aa-long alpha-synuclein, a protein that has an important role in the
      development of Parkinson's disease. The whole synthesis of the target protein
      alpha-synuclein in milligram scale takes ~30 working days.

PMID- 24232251
TI  - Whole-mount immunostaining of Drosophila skeletal muscle.
AB  - Skeletal muscle undergoes marked functional decay during aging in humans, but the
      cell biological mechanisms responsible for this process are only partly known.
      Age-related muscle dysfunction is also a feature of aging in the fruit fly
      Drosophila melanogaster. Here we describe a detailed step-by-step protocol, which
      takes place over 3 d, for whole-mount immunostaining of Drosophila flight muscle.
      The skeletal muscle is fixed and permeabilized without any tissue freezing and
      dehydration so that antigens are accessible for staining with appropriate
      antibodies and the overall tissue ultrastructure is well preserved. This
      technique can be used to identify age-related cellular changes driving skeletal
      muscle aging and for characterizing models of human muscle disease in Drosophila.

PMID- 24232252
TI  - Contralaterally transplanted human embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursor
      cells (ENStem-A) migrate and improve brain functions in stroke-damaged rats.
AB  - The transplantation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) is known to be a promising
      approach to ameliorating behavioral deficits after stroke in a rodent model of
      middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Previous studies have shown that
      transplanted NPCs migrate toward the infarct region, survive and differentiate
      into mature neurons to some extent. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of NPC
      migration following transplantation into stroke animals have yet to be
      elucidated. In this study, we investigated the fates of human embryonic stem cell
      (hESC)-derived NPCs (ENStem-A) for 8 weeks following transplantation into the
      side contralateral to the infarct region using 7.0T animal magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI). T2- and T2*-weighted MRI analyses indicated that the migrating
      cells were clearly detectable at the infarct boundary zone by 1 week, and the
      intensity of the MRI signals robustly increased within 4 weeks after
      transplantation. Afterwards, the signals were slightly increased or unchanged. At
      8 weeks, we performed Prussian blue staining and immunohistochemical staining
      using human-specific markers, and found that high percentages of transplanted
      cells migrated to the infarct boundary. Most of these cells were CXCR4-positive.
      We also observed that the migrating cells expressed markers for various stages of
      neural differentiation, including Nestin, Tuj1, NeuN, TH, DARPP-32 and SV38,
      indicating that the transplanted cells may partially contribute to the
      reconstruction of the damaged neural tissues after stroke. Interestingly, we
      found that the extent of gliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells)
      and apoptosis (TUNEL-positive cells) were significantly decreased in the cell
      transplanted group, suggesting that hESC-NPCs have a positive role in reducing
      glia scar formation and cell death after stroke. No tumors formed in our study.
      We also performed various behavioral tests, including rotarod, stepping and
      modified neurological severity score tests, and found that the transplanted
      animals exhibited significant improvements in sensorimotor functions during the 8
      weeks after transplantation. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that
      hESC-NPCs have the capacity to migrate to the infarct region, form neural tissues
      efficiently and contribute to behavioral recovery in a rodent model of ischemic
      stroke. 

PMID- 24232253
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cells: environmentally responsive therapeutics for regenerative
      medicine.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are partially defined by their ability to
      differentiate into tissues including bone, cartilage and adipose in vitro, but it
      is their trophic, paracrine and immunomodulatory functions that may have the
      greatest therapeutic impact in vivo. Unlike pharmaceutical treatments that
      deliver a single agent at a specific dose, MSCs are site regulated and secrete
      bioactive factors and signals at variable concentrations in response to local
      microenvironmental cues. Significant progress has been made in understanding the
      biochemical and metabolic mechanisms and feedback associated with MSC response.
      The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capacity of MSC may be paramount in
      the restoration of localized or systemic conditions for normal healing and tissue
      regeneration. Allogeneic MSC treatments, categorized as a drug by regulatory
      agencies, have been widely pursued, but new studies demonstrate the efficacy of
      autologous MSC therapies, even for individuals affected by a disease state.
      Safety and regulatory concerns surrounding allogeneic cell preparations make
      autologous and minimally manipulated cell therapies an attractive option for many
      regenerative, anti-inflammatory and autoimmune applications. 

PMID- 24232254
TI  - Developmental changes in hematopoietic stem cell properties.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) comprise a rare population of cells that can
      regenerate and maintain lifelong blood cell production. This functionality is
      achieved through their ability to undergo many divisions without activating a
      poised, but latent, capacity for differentiation into multiple blood cell types.
      Throughout life, HSCs undergo sequential changes in several key properties. These
      affect mechanisms that regulate the self-renewal, turnover and differentiation of
      HSCs as well as the properties of the committed progenitors and terminally
      differentiated cells derived from them. Recent findings point to the Lin28b-let-7
      pathway as a master regulator of many of these changes with important
      implications for the clinical use of HSCs for marrow rescue and gene therapy, as
      well as furthering our understanding of the different pathogenesis of childhood
      and adult-onset leukemia. 

PMID- 24232255
TI  - Very small embryonic-like stem-cell optimization of isolation protocols: an
      update of molecular signatures and a review of current in vivo applications.
AB  - As the theory of stem cell plasticity was first proposed, we have explored an
      alternative hypothesis for this phenomenon: namely that adult bone marrow (BM)
      and umbilical cord blood (UCB) contain more developmentally primitive cells than
      hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). In support of this notion, using multiparameter
      sorting we were able to isolate small Sca1(+)Lin(-)CD45(-) cells and CD133(+)Lin(
      )CD45(-) cells from murine BM and human UCB, respectively, which were further
      enriched for the detection of various early developmental markers such as the
      SSEA antigen on the surface and the Oct4 and Nanog transcription factors in the
      nucleus. Similar populations of cells have been found in various organs by our
      team and others, including the heart, brain and gonads. Owing to their primitive
      cellular features, such as the high nuclear/cytoplasm ratio and the presence of
      euchromatin, they are called very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs). In the
      appropriate in vivo models, VSELs differentiate into long-term repopulating HSCs,
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), lung epithelial cells, cardiomyocytes and gametes.
      In this review, we discuss the most recent data from our laboratory and other
      groups regarding the optimal isolation procedures and describe the updated
      molecular characteristics of VSELs. 

PMID- 24232256
TI  - In situ tissue regeneration through host stem cell recruitment.
AB  - The field of tissue engineering has made steady progress in translating various
      tissue applications. Although the classical tissue engineering strategy, which
      involves the use of culture-expanded cells and scaffolds to produce a tissue
      construct for implantation, has been validated, this approach involves extensive
      cell expansion steps, requiring a lot of time and laborious effort before
      implantation. To bypass this ex vivo process, a new approach has been introduced.
      In situ tissue regeneration utilizes the body's own regenerating capacity by
      mobilizing host endogenous stem cells or tissue-specific progenitor cells to the
      site of injury. This approach relies on development of a target-specific
      biomaterial scaffolding system that can effectively control the host
      microenvironment and mobilize host stem/progenitor cells to target tissues. An
      appropriate microenvironment provided by implanted scaffolds would facilitate
      recruitment of host cells that can be guided to regenerating structural and
      functional tissues. 

PMID- 24232257
TI  - Human salivary gland stem cells ameliorate hyposalivation of radiation-damaged
      rat salivary glands.
AB  - Salivary function in mammals may be defective for various reasons, such as aging,
      Sjogren's syndrome or radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients.
      Recently, tissue-specific stem cell therapy has attracted public attention as a
      next-generation therapeutic reagent. In the present study, we isolated tissue
      specific stem cells from the human submandibular salivary gland (hSGSCs). To
      efficiently isolate and amplify hSGSCs in large amounts, we developed a culture
      system (lasting 4-5 weeks) without any selection. After five passages, we
      obtained adherent cells that expressed mesenchymal stem cell surface antigen
      markers, such as CD44, CD49f, CD90 and CD105, but not the hematopoietic stem cell
      markers, CD34 and CD45, and that were able to undergo adipogenic, osteogenic and
      chondrogenic differentiation. In addition, hSGSCs were differentiated into
      amylase-expressing cells by using a two-step differentiation method.
      Transplantation of hSGSCs to radiation-damaged rat salivary glands rescued
      hyposalivation and body weight loss, restored acinar and duct cell structure, and
      decreased the amount of apoptotic cells. These data suggest that the isolated
      hSGSCs, which may have characteristics of mesenchymal-like stem cells, could be
      used as a cell therapy agent for the damaged salivary gland. 

PMID- 24232258
TI  - Implications and limitations of cellular reprogramming for psychiatric drug
      development.
AB  - Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from somatic cells of
      patients have opened possibilities for in vitro modeling of the physiology of
      neural (and other) cells in psychiatric disease states. Issues in early stages of
      technology development include (1) establishing a library of cells from
      adequately phenotyped patients, (2) streamlining laborious, costly hiPSC
      derivation and characterization, (3) assessing whether mutations or other
      alterations introduced by reprogramming confound interpretation, (4) developing
      efficient differentiation strategies to relevant cell types, (5) identifying
      discernible cellular phenotypes meaningful for cyclic, stress induced or
      relapsing-remitting diseases, (6) converting phenotypes to screening assays
      suitable for genome-wide mechanistic studies or large collection compound testing
      and (7) controlling for variability in relation to disease specificity amidst low
      sample numbers. Coordination of material for reprogramming from patients well
      characterized clinically, genetically and with neuroimaging are beginning, and
      initial studies have begun to identify cellular phenotypes. Finally, several
      psychiatric drugs have been found to alter reprogramming efficiency in vitro,
      suggesting further complexity in applying hiPSCs to psychiatric diseases or that
      some drugs influence neural differentiation moreso than generally recognized.
      Despite these challenges, studies utilizing hiPSCs may eventually serve to fill
      essential niches in the translational pipeline for the discovery of new
      therapeutics. 

PMID- 24232260
TI  - Stem cell implantation for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
AB  - What is the most effective treatment for the early stages of osteonecrosis of the
      femoral head? We assessed multiple drilling and stem cell implantation to treat
      the early stages of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. We report the clinical and
      radiological results of stem cell implantation and core decompression. In total,
      128 patients (190 hips) who had undergone surgery were divided into two groups
      based on which treatment they had received: (1) multiple drilling and stem cell
      implantation or (2) core decompression, curettage and a bone graft. The clinical
      and radiographic results of the two groups were compared. At 5-year follow-up, in
      the stem cell implantation group, 64.3% (27/42) of the patients with Stage IIa
      disease, 56.7% (21/37) of the patients with Stage IIb disease and 42.9% (21/49)
      of the patients with Stage III disease had undergone no additional surgery. In
      the conventional core decompression group, 64.3% (9/14) of the patients with
      Stage IIa disease, 55.6% (5/9) of the patients with Stage IIb disease and 37.5%
      (3/8) of the patients with Stage III disease had undergone no additional surgery.
      Success rates were higher in patients with Ficat Stage I or II lesions than in
      those with Stage III lesions. There were no statistically significant differences
      between the groups in terms of success rate or in the clinical and radiographic
      results of the two methods. Essentially the same results were found with stem
      cell implantation as with the conventional method of core decompression. 

PMID- 24232259
TI  - Amyloid-beta oligomers regulate the properties of human neural stem cells through
      GSK-3beta signaling.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of age-related dementia. The
      neuropathological hallmarks of AD include extracellular deposition of amyloid
      beta peptides and neurofibrillary tangles that lead to intracellular
      hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain. Soluble amyloid-beta oligomers are the
      primary pathogenic factor leading to cognitive impairment in AD. Neural stem
      cells (NSCs) are able to self-renew and give rise to multiple neural cell
      lineages in both developing and adult central nervous systems. To explore the
      relationship between AD-related pathology and the behaviors of NSCs that enable
      neuroregeneration, a number of studies have used animal and in vitro models to
      investigate the role of amyloid-beta on NSCs derived from various brain regions
      at different developmental stages. However, the Abeta effects on NSCs remain
      poorly understood because of conflicting results. To investigate the effects of
      amyloid-beta oligomers on human NSCs, we established amyloid precursor protein
      Swedish mutant-expressing cells and identified cell-derived amyloid-beta
      oligomers in the culture media. Human NSCs were isolated from an aborted fetal
      telencephalon at 13 weeks of gestation and expanded in culture as neurospheres.
      Human NSCs exposure to cell-derived amyloid-beta oligomers decreased dividing
      potential resulting from senescence through telomere attrition, impaired
      neurogenesis and promoted gliogenesis, and attenuated mobility. These amyloid
      beta oligomers modulated the proliferation, differentiation and migration
      patterns of human NSCs via a glycogen synthase kinase-3beta-mediated signaling
      pathway. These findings contribute to the development of human NSC-based therapy
      for AD by elucidating the effects of Abeta oligomers on human NSCs. 

PMID- 24232261
TI  - Negative-pressure wound therapy induces endothelial progenitor cell mobilization
      in diabetic patients with foot infection or skin defects.
AB  - Non healing chronic wounds are difficult to treat in patients with diabetes and
      can result in severe medical problems for these patients and for society.
      Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been adopted to treat intractable
      chronic wounds and has been reported to be effective. However, the mechanisms
      underlying the effects of this treatment have not been elucidated. To assess the
      vasculogenic effect of NPWT, we evaluated the systemic mobilization of
      endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) during NPWT. Twenty-two of 29 consecutive
      patients who presented at the clinic of Seoul National Universty Hospital between
      December 2009 and November 2010 who underwent NPWT for diabetic foot infections
      or skin ulcers were included in this study. Peripheral blood samples were taken
      before NPWT (pre-NPWT) and 7-14 days after the initiation of NPWT (during-NPWT).
      Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis showed that the number of
      cells in EPC-enriched fractions increased after NPWT, and the numbers of EPC
      colony forming units (CFUs) significantly increased during NPWT. We believe that
      NPWT is useful for treating patients with diabetic foot infections and skin
      ulcers, especially when these conditions are accompanied by peripheral arterial
      insufficiency. The systemic mobilization of EPCs during NPWT may be a mechanism
      for healing intractable wounds in diabetic patients with foot infections or skin
      defects via the formation of increased granulation tissue with numerous small
      blood vessels. 

PMID- 24232262
TI  - Special feature on stem cells: current research and future prospects.

PMID- 24232263
TI  - Interleukin-4 and acetaminophen hepatotoxicity: a story of conflicting results
      and conclusions.

PMID- 24232264
TI  - Structure and variability of nuclear ribosomal genes in the genus Helianthus.
AB  - The restriction map of the rDNA unit of Helianthus annuus was constructed using
      EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII, KpnI and SacI restriction enzymes. Variations in this map
      among 61 ecotypes representing 39 species of the genus Helianthus were analyzed.
      The sizes of the rDNA unit ranged from 9.8 to 11.0 kbp, due to a length-repeat
      heterogeneity of the external non-transcribed spacer by increments of 200 base
      pair segments. Lengthrepeat heterogeneity and restriction polymorphism were found
      to be characteristic of populations or species of Helianthus. Restriction
      patterns and thermal melting with probes of a cloned H. annuus ENTS segment
      allowed us to differentiate species from each other. However, most lines of the
      cultivated sunflower were found to be identical on the basis of the physical
      properties of their ribosomal DNA. 

PMID- 24232265
TI  - Interspecific somatic hybrid plants between eggplant (Solanum melongena) and
      Solanum torvum.
AB  - Mesophyll protoplasts of eggplant (cv Black Beauty) and of Solanum torvum (both
      2n=2x=24) were fused using a modification of the Menczel and Wolfe PEG/DMSO
      procedure. Protoplasts post-fusion were plated at 1 * 10(5)/ml in modified KM
      medium, which inhibited division of S. torvum protoplasts. One week prior to
      shoot regeneration, ten individual calluses had a unique light-green background
      and were verified as cell hybrids by the presence of the dimer isozyme patterns
      for phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT).
      Hybridity was also confirmed at the plant stage by DNA-DNA hybridization to a pea
      45S ribosomal RNA gene probe. The ten somatic hybrid plants were established in
      the greenhouse and exhibited intermediate morphological characteristics such as
      leaf size and shape, flower size, shape, color and plant stature. Their
      chromosome number ranged from 46-48 (expected 2n=4x=48) and pollen viability was
      5%-70%. In vitro shoots taken from the ten hybrid plants exhibited resistance to
      a verticillium wilt extract. Total DNA from the ten hybrids was restricted and
      hybridized with a 5.9 kb Oenothera chloroplast cytochrome f gene probe, a 2.4 kb
      EcoRI clone encoding mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II from maize and a
      22.1 kb Sal I mitochondrial clone from Nicotiana sylvestris. Southern blot
      hybridization patterns showed that eight of ten somatic hybrids contained the
      eggplant cpDNA, while two plants contained the cpDNA hybridization patterns of
      both parents. The mtDNA analysis revealed the presence of novel bands, loss of
      some specific parental bands and mixture of specific bands from both parents in
      the restriction hybridization profiles of the hybrids. 

PMID- 24232266
TI  - Application of interspecific sesquiploidy to introgression of PLRV resistance
      from non-tuber-bearing Solanum etuberosum to cultivated potato germplasm.
AB  - Hybridization of synthetic allotetraploids of S. pinnatisectum with S. etuberosum
      (4x-EP) with S. acaule (2n = 4x = 48) resulted in two individuals that were
      highly fertile, in contrast to all other progenies. The unique individuals are
      hexaploids, 2n = 72, while the other progenies are tetraploids, 2n = 48. They are
      thought to be the products of a union between 2n eggs of S. acaule and normal 1n
      microspores of 4x-EP. The fertile hexaploids (designated 6x-AEP) produced
      abundant selfed seed and viable hybrids with cultivated diploid potato, S.
      phureja, when developing embryos were rescued from berries and cultured before
      transplanting to pot culture. The extreme variability in chromosome constitution
      of the hybrids with S. phureja and selfed progenies indicates that addition and
      substitution lines of etb chromosomes bearing genes of interest to breeders could
      easily be produced from this material. The production of sesquiploids, as the 6x
      AEP hybrids are called, is discussed as a useful bridging step in the
      introduction of alien genes from genomes that share little homology with the
      cultivated genome. 

PMID- 24232267
TI  - Enhancement of somatic embryogenesis in Norway spruce (Picea abies L.).
AB  - Embryogenic callus developed in 55% of the mature embryo explants of Norway
      spruce (Picea abies L.) growing on a LP medium minus the amino acids and sugars
      (except sucrose). This is the highest reported yield of embryogenic callus from
      mature embryos of P. abies that has ever been reported. Callus induction from
      either the middle or the end of the hypocotyl of the embryos began after 2-3
      weeks. Three types of calli were recovered: (a) globular, (b) light green
      compact, (c) white mucilaginous. Only the white mucilaginous calli were
      embryogenic. The globular and light green-compact calli never become embryogenic,
      even after several subcultures. The development of somatic embryos was
      accomplished on half-strength macro-elements of NSIII medium containing 1 MUM
      alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid, 1 MUM abscisic acid, and 3% sucrose. The addition
      of 10(-7) M buthionine sulfoximine to the medium increased the development of
      somatic embryos by three fold. These results suggest that there is a great
      potential for increasing the frequency and development of somatic embryos in P.
      abies. Careful selection of the genotype and modification of the culture medium
      is required. 

PMID- 24232268
TI  - Analysis of plants regenerated from protoplast fusions between Brassica napus and
      Eruca sativa.
AB  - Protoplasts from etiolated hypocotyls of Brassica napus stained with
      carboxyfluorescein were fused with mesophyll protoplasts from Eruca sativa.
      Hybrid cells could be identified under the light microscope by (1) fully
      developed chloroplasts derived from E. sativa and (2) the cytoplasmic strands of
      the B. napus hypocotyl protoplasts, or (3) by the presence of both red and green
      fluorescence when investigated under UV light. The heterokaryons were selected
      using either a micro-manipulator or a flow sorter. On average, 5.4% of the calli
      obtained after selection differentiated into shoots. Regenerated shoots were
      subjected to isozyme analysis for verification of their hybrid character. Of the
      23 hybrids successfully transferred to the greenhouse, 11 were asymmetric
      according to isozyme analysis. The nuclear DNA content of the hybrids was
      determined by flow cytometry, which gives an estimate of chromosome number. Most
      of the hybrids had a DNA content, and thus a chromosome number, that deviated
      from the expected sum of the parents. Almost all of the hybrids had some degree
      of fertility and produced seeds. Seed set, expressed as seeds per pollinated
      flower, was on average 7% of that of B. napus in the case of self-pollination and
      26% of that of B. napus when backcrossed to B. napus. The chloroplast genotype
      was investigated in 13 hybrids. Of these, 11 had chloroplasts derived from B.
      napus, while only 2 had chloroplasts of E. sativa origin. 

PMID- 24232269
TI  - Biochemical versatility of amphiploids derived from crossing Dasypyrum villosum
      Candargy and wheat: genetic control and phenotypical aspects.
AB  - The biochemical complexity and its consequence has been investigated in the
      amphiploids M x v and CS x v derived from crossing the tetraploid wheat Triticum
      turgidum var durum cv 'Modoc' and the hexaploid wheat T. aestivum cv 'Chinese
      Spring', respectively, with Dasypyrum villosum. Electrophoretic analysis of
      variation in six enzyme systems (GOT, ADH, GPI, SOD, EST, and LPX) and in high
      molecular weight glutenin seed storage proteins indicated that in the amphiploids
      these proteins were specified by a minimum of seven sets of homologous genes on
      wheat and D. villosum chromosomes and that in each set there were allelic
      differences. The enzymes detected in each amphiploid were fully accounted for by
      simple additivity of protomers specified by the homologous genes inherited from
      their parents. The amphiploids also expressed novel oligomeric enzymes not
      produced in either one of their parents. The ascertained expression for all the
      alleles inherited by both parents and the resulting biochemical complexity
      suggested that some peculiar feature of the amphiploids such as high nitrogen
      content in the plant and in the kernels and their immunity to the powdery mildew
      disease caused by both Erysiphe graminis f.sp. tritici and E. graminis f. sp.
      haynaldiae may be the consequence of the indicated complexity but specified by
      other sets of genes. The biochemical complexity of the M x v amphiploid may be
      the basis for its versatility as new crop species. 

PMID- 24232270
TI  - A new method for hybrid seed production based on cytoplasmic male sterility
      combined with a lethal gene and a female sterile pollenizer in Capsicum annuum L.
AB  - A new improved method for hybrid seed production was successfully tested. This
      method is based on using a cytoplasmic male sterile line possessing a lethal gene
      with action that can be easily inhibited and a female sterile pollenizer. The
      lethal gene ensures 100% purity of the F1 crop. The female sterile pollenizer
      provides a permanent abundant flowering with excess of pollen grains that leads
      to increased hybrid seed production without additional labour expenses. The
      described scheme is applicable for other crops as well. 

PMID- 24232271
TI  - Molecular analysis of organelle DNA of different subspecies of rice and the
      genomic stability of mtDNA in tissue cultured cells of rice.
AB  - Chloroplast (ct) and mitochondrial (mt) DNAs were isolated from two subspecies of
      rice (Oryza sativa), japonica (Calrose 76) and indica (PI353705) and compared by
      restriction endonuclease fragment pattern analysis. Similarly, PI353705 (A5)
      mtDNA was also compared with the mtDNA of its long term tissue cultured line,
      BL2. Variation in the ctDNA of the 2 subspecies was detected with two (AvaI and
      BglI) of the 11 restriction endonucleases tested, whereas their mtDNAs showed
      considerable variation when restricted by PstI, BamHI, HindIII and XhoI
      endonucleases. Thus, the chloroplast DNA was more highly conserved than the mtDNA
      in the subspecies comparisons. Only minor variation was observed between the
      restriction endonuclease patterns of the mtDNAs of BL2 and A5. Southern blots of
      mtDNA were hybridized with heterologous probes from maize and spinach organelle
      genes. Differences were found in the hybridization patterns of the two subspecies
      for six of the eight (mitochondrial and chloroplast) probes tested. Two of the
      seven (mitochondrial) probes (coxII and 26S rRNA) detected tissue culture
      generated variation in mtDNA. The relative values of restriction endonuclease and
      hybridization patterns for studying phylogenetic and genetic relationships in
      rice are discussed. 

PMID- 24232272
TI  - Organ growth of selected lines of chickens and their F1 crosses to a common body
      weight or age.
AB  - Organ growth of male chickens selected for high and low 56-day body weight and
      their reciprocal F1 crosses was compared at a common age (56 days) or at a common
      body weight (180 g). Organs that differed at a common body weight included
      weights of proventriculus, small intestine, lungs, feathers and abdominal fat and
      length of esophagus. Organ weights that differed at a common age included
      esophagus, gizzard, heart, liver, lungs, breast, legs, feathers and abdominal
      fat, and lengths of shank, esophagus and small intestine. Heterosis for most
      organs was less than 15%. Those exhibiting heterosis greater than 30% included
      weights of fat depots and feathers, plus lengths of the esophagus, small
      intestine and shank. Heterosis for these traits, however, varied depending on
      whether comparisons were made at common body weight or age. These results imply
      that biological functions of organs at specific ages may not reflect the
      situations at common body weights and suggest differences in resource allocations
      among populations. 

PMID- 24232273
TI  - Biparental inheritance of chloroplast DNA and the existence of heteroplasmic
      cells in alfalfa.
AB  - Mapping of chloroplast DNA (ctDNA) restriction fragment patterns from a
      chlorophyll deficient mutant and two phenotypically normal alfalfa genotypes
      (Medicago sativa L.) has demonstrated the existence of a distinct ctDNA genotype
      from each source. These unique restriction fragment patterns were utilized to
      identify maternal or paternal origin of ctDNA in hybrid plants from crosses
      involving the normal alfalfa genotypes as females and the yellow-green
      chlorophyll deficient sectors as males. Progeny from these crosses expressing the
      yellow-green sectored phenotypes contained paternal ctDNA in the chlorophyll
      deficient sectors and maternal ctDNA in the normal sectors, confirming biparental
      plastid inheritance. The existence of mixed cells containing both mutant and
      normal plastids at various stages of sorting-out was observed by transmission
      electron microscopy of mesophyll cells in mosaic tissue from hybrid plants. This
      observation verified the biparental transmission of plastids in alfalfa. 

PMID- 24232274
TI  - Genetic basis of resistance to zonate leaf spot disease in forage sorghum.
AB  - Generation mean analysis was carried out for ten crosses between two resistant
      and two susceptible parents to find the genetic basic of resistance to zonate
      leaf spot disease in forage sorghum. In all crosses except one, at least one type
      of non-allelic interaction was present. Both additive and dominance gene effects
      were significant for most crosses. Duplicate type epistasis was present for the
      inheritance of this disease. Resistance to this disease revealed overdominance.
      Appropriate breeding plans were suggested to exploit the disease resistance. 

PMID- 24232275
TI  - Production and viability of unreduced gametes in triploid interspecific blueberry
      hybrids.
AB  - Three triploid (2n=3x=36) blueberry hybrids were obtained by hand-pollinating
      approximately 7,000 flowers of tetraploid highbush blueberry cultivars (based on
      Vaccinium corymbosum L.) with pollen from the diploid species V. elliottii Chapm.
      Meiotic analysis of these triploids revealed trivalents, bivalents and univalents
      in all metaphase I cells, with lagging chromosomes evident at anaphase I. Pollen
      of the three triploids was mostly aborted and did not stain with acetocarmine.
      However, the three triploids did produce from 0.9%-1.3% giant pollen grains that
      stained with acetocarmine and were present as monads, dyads or triads, rather
      than the normal tetrads. Pollination of 10,853 flowers of hexaploid V. ashei
      Reade cultivars with pollen from the triploids produced 266 berries, which
      averaged fewer than two fully-developed seeds per berry. One triploid clone
      showed partial female fertility when crossed to hexaploids, self-pollinated, or
      intercrossed with other triploids. Ploidy levels of the resulting hybrids were
      determined. 

PMID- 24232276
TI  - Half sib selection for resistance to powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis DC. f.sp.
      secalis Marchal) in rye populations.
AB  - Three rye populations originating from different cultivars were subjected to half
      sib progeny selection for three cycles to improve their resistance to powdery
      mildew (Erysiphe graminis DC. f.sp. secalis Marchal). Selection was carried out
      in the greenhouse (measurement of spore production at the three-leaf stage), in
      the field (scoring of mildew infections at ear emergence) or at both locations.
      All selections resulted in significant responses, the level of which varied
      depending on the genetic base of mildew resistance in the populations. Greenhouse
      selection was most effective when the frequency of dominant genes could be
      increased, whereas field selection was less effective. Estimates for heritability
      in the narrow sense ranged from 0.42-0.94 indicating that mildew resistance can
      be increased effectively. Inbred lines should be selected in base populations
      with a high level of quantitative resistance and/or a high frequency of dominant
      genes. For an effective resistance strategy in hybrid breeding such dominant
      genes are most valuable, and can be selected in young growth stages. In 'Strain
      CG' the increase of dominant resistance genes by early selection resulted in a
      significant improvement of kernel yield. 

PMID- 24232277
TI  - Dwarfism and male sterility in interspecific hybrids of Epilobium : 2. Expression
      of mitochondrial genes and structure of the mitochondrial DNA.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and transcriptional patterns of mitochondrial genes
      have been examined in dwarf, normal, fertile and male sterile Epilobium hybrids.
      No alterations or rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA could be detected in the
      developmentally disturbed hybrids. They exhibit restriction patterns of mtDNA
      that correspond exactly to those of their female parents. However, the
      transcription of at least one mitochondrial gene is significantly altered in the
      male sterile hybrid E. hirsutum x montanum. In normal plants, one mRNA of 1.6 kb
      hybridizes to the cytochrome c oxidase subunit II gene, while in male sterile
      plants a transcript of this size is lacking and instead a major transcript of 2.0
      kb and two smaller ones occur. The transcript pattern of the F1 ATPase alpha
      subunit (atpA) gene exhibits slight alterations in sterile plants also. Since
      these hybrids have the same cytoplasm as normal plants, an incompatibility
      between the nuclear and the mitochondrial genotype may be responsible for the
      altered mitochondrial gene expression. No alteration of the transcripts of the
      mitochondrial genes tested could be detected in dwarf hybrids. The coincidence of
      male sterility with an altered transcription pattern of mitochondrial genes
      suggests that the mitochondria are involved in the occurrence of this phenotype. 

PMID- 24232278
TI  - Gynogenetic haploid plants analysis for agronomic and enzymatic markers in maize
      (Zea mays L.).
AB  - Experiments were conducted to investigate whether selection occurs during the
      processes involved in the production of doubled haploids. Haploid plants produced
      from two hybrids, each heterozygous for isozyme markers, were subjected to
      genetic analysis. The distributions of doubled haploid lines and pedigree lines
      derived from the hybrid C123 x Oh7 were compared with regard to agronomic
      character. The results suggest that the populations of haploid plants obtained by
      in vivo gynogenesis represent a random gametic array. Thus, in order to introduce
      haploid plants into breeding programmes in maize, maternal haploidy seems to be a
      very attractive method. 

PMID- 24232279
TI  - Eyespot resistance gene Pch-1 from Aegilops ventricosa is associated with a
      different chromosome in wheat line H-93-70 than the resistance factor in "Roazon"
      wheat.
AB  - The hexaploid wheat line H-93-70 carries a gene (Pch-1) that has been transferred
      from the wild grass Aegilops ventricosa and confers a high degree of resistance
      to eyespot diesease, caused by the fungus Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides.
      Crosses of the resistant line H-93-70 with the susceptible wheat Pane 247 and
      with a 7D/7Ag wheat/Agropyron substitution line were carried out and F2 kernels
      were obtained. The kernels were cut transversally and the halves carrying the
      embryos were used for the resistance test, while the distal halves were used for
      genetic typing. Biochemical markers were used to discriminate whether the
      transferred Pch-1 gene was located in chromosome 7D, as is the case for a
      resistance factor present in "Roazon" wheat. In the crosses involving Pane 247,
      resistance was not associated with the 7D locus Pln, which determines sterol
      ester pattern (dominant allele in H-93-70). In the crosses with the 7D/7Ag
      substitution line, resistance was neither associated with protein NGE-11 (7D
      marker), nor alternatively inherited with respect to protein C-7 (7Ag marker). It
      is concluded that gene Pch-1 represents a different locus and is not an allele of
      the resistance factor in "Roazon" wheat. 

PMID- 24232280
TI  - Monosomic additions in beet (Beta vulgaris) carrying extra chromosomes of Beta
      procumbens : 1. Identification of the alien chromosomes with the help of isozyme
      markers.
AB  - Eleven isozyme systems were used to identify the extra chromosomes, originating
      from Beta procumbens, in progenies of 33 monosomic additions in beet (B.
      vulgaris). Nine groups of monosomic additions could be distinguished,
      representing the nine different chromosome types of B. procumbens. 

PMID- 24232281
TI  - Structural variations in Vicia faba mitochondrial genome.
AB  - A comparative analysis of the presence of minicircular DNA CCCIB in 16 different
      lines and cultivars of fertile Vicia faba L. plants was conducted. It was found
      that copy number of CCCIB ranged from several copies per mitochondrial genome to 
      probably - zero, depending on cultivar or line. Fertility of plants in these
      cases was not altered. We chose 10 cultivars and lines among 16 analysed.
      Mitochondria of five cultivars and lines contained about two CCCIB molecules per
      one CCCIA. The sixth cultivar contained CCCIB at copy number several times lower.
      In the last four cultivars CCCIB could not be identified. Copy number analysis of
      CCC2 in ten chosen cultivars and lines revealed that in eight cases the quantitiy
      of CCC2 was equal to CCCIA. However, two other cultivars contained about two
      times lower quantity of CCC2. Parallel to that we observed an increase in
      quantity of one sequence homologous to CCC2, which in the first eight cultivars
      and lines could be found only in minor quantities. Comparative restriction
      analysis revealed notable rearrangement events in mitochondrial DNAs of ten
      cultivars and lines being investigated. We did not find any correlations between
      patterns of restriction fragments and copy number of CCCIB. In some cases,
      rearrangements in Vicia faba mitochondrial genomes caused a duplication of
      sequences homologous to the Zea mays coxII gene. 

PMID- 24232282
TI  - Brassica taxonomy based on nuclear restriction fragment length polymorphisms
      (RFLPs) : 2. Preliminary analysis of subspecies within B. rapa (syn. campestris)
      and B. oleracea.
AB  - Preliminary analysis using nuclear RFLPs provided evidence that subspecies within
      Brassica rapa originated from two different centers. One center is in Europe,
      represented by turnip and turnip rape from which the oilseed sarson was derived.
      A second center is in South China containing a variety of Chinese vegetables of
      which pak choi and narinosa seem to be the most ancient forms. Based on RFLP
      data, the accessions of B. oleracea examined could be divided into three distinct
      groups, represented by thousand head kale, broccoli and cabbage. Thousand head
      kale and Chinese kale appear to be the primitive types. Observations of parallel
      variation among subspecies of both species are discussed. 

PMID- 24232283
TI  - Pollen competitive ability in maize: within population variability and response
      to selection.
AB  - Male gametophytic selection can play a special role in the evolution of higher
      plant populations. The main assumption - gametophytic-sporophytic gene expression
      of a large portion of a plant's genes - has been proven by a number of studies.
      Population analyses have revealed a large amount of variability for male
      gametophytic fitness. However, the data available do not prove that at least a
      portion of this variability is due to postmeiotic gene expression. This paper
      reports the analysis of a synthetic population of maize based on a gametophytic
      selection experiment, carried out according to a recurrent scheme. After two
      cycles of selection, the response was evaluated for gametophytic and sporophytic
      traits. A parameter representing pollen viability and time to germination,
      although showing a large amount of genetic variability, was not affected by
      gametophytic selection, indicating that this variability is largely
      sporophytically controlled. Pollen tube growth rate was significantly affected by
      gametophytic selection: 21.6% of the genetical variability was released by
      selection. Correlated response for sporophytic traits was observed for mean
      kernel weight: 15.67% of the variability was released. The results are a direct
      demonstration that pollen competitive ability due to pollen tube growth rate and
      kernel development are controlled, to a considerable extent, by genes expressed
      in both tissues. They also indicate that gametophytic selection in higher plants
      can produce a higher evolution rate than sporophytic selection; it can thus serve
      to regulate the amount of genetic variability in the populations by removing a
      large amount of the genetic load produced by recombination. 

PMID- 24232284
TI  - A comparison of cytoplasmic revertants to fertility from different CMS-S maize
      sources.
AB  - The mitochondrial genome organizations of a number of independent culture-derived
      fertile CMS-S revertants with the nuclear genotype W182BN were compared to
      spontaneous field revertants with the genotypes WF9, M825/Oh07 and 38-11. Regions
      of the genome around sequences homologous to the terminal repeats of the linear
      S1 and S2 episomes characteristic of CMS-S mitochondria were used as
      hybridization probes on Southern blots of BamHI and SalI digested mitochondrial
      DNA. The results obtained suggest that the nuclear, not the cytoplasmic, genotype
      of the parent plant affects the type of novel mitochondrial DNA organization
      found in the revertant. The DNA reorganization during reversion from CMS-S in
      tissue culture appears to be similar to that observed in spontaneous revertants
      obtained during the normal plant life-cycle. Unlike the situation for reversion
      from CMS-T, no common DNA sequence or reading frame appeared to be lost or
      disrupted in revertants. 

PMID- 24232285
TI  - Inheritance of large mitochondrial RNA's in alfalfa.
AB  - Several large RNA molecules that migrated to electrophoretic positions ranging
      from 1.7-10 kb were observed in preparation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
      mitochondria. F1 progenies inherited the RNA's from both maternal and paternal
      parents (Fig. 1). Treatment of intact mitochondria with RNase A failed to remove
      the RNA's, indicating that they were contained within an RNase impermeable
      compartment. Further purification of mitochondria in linear sucrose gradients
      failed to separate the RNA's from mitochondria. Transmission electron microscopic
      examination of sucrose gradient purified mitochondria revealed that mitochondria
      were free of contamination by virus-like particles, indicating that the RNA's
      were contained within the mitochondrion. Biparental inheritance of large
      mitochondrial RNA's in alfalfa provides evidence that mitochondria are inherited
      biparentally in this species. 

PMID- 24232286
TI  - Detection of linkage between restriction fragment length polymorphism markers and
      quantitative traits.
AB  - Methodologies commonly used to detect linkage of marker loci to loci affecting
      quantitative traits are discussed. It is shown that variances for the
      quantitative trait differ among marker genotypes when using F2 or pooled
      backcross data if linkage exists. Hence, to analyze this type of data by single
      factor ANOVA or other statistical techniques that assume a common variance is
      inadequate. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers are a
      powerful tool in plant breeding but cost is an important drawback; hence, a
      methodology is suggested to obtain the minimum number of plants in F2 populations
      to detect such linkage. 

PMID- 24232287
TI  - A Drosophila model of improving the fitness of translocations for genetic control
      : 1. Autosomal translocations with euchromatic breakpoints.
AB  - Translocations with euchromatic breakpoints were generated in lethal-free
      autosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. Pairs of initially homozygous-lethal
      translocations, matched for one breakpoint, were allowed to recombine for ten
      generations. At the end of the experiment, 10/47=21% of crosses (representing
      8/26=31% of the intial translocations) had at least one line with at least one
      homokaryotypic third-instar larva, detected among a small sample of salivary
      gland preparations from each cross. Among these ten crosses, chromosome
      extractions were performed; 5/10 of the crosses (probably representing 4/8 of the
      translocations) had at least one chromosome set with relative viability greater
      than 15%-25%. To a first (and conservative) approximation, 5/47=11% of crosses
      showed improvement of viability of 1 of the translocations in the cross during
      the controlled recombination regime; overall, 4 of the 26 translocations (15%)
      showed improvement of viability. Partly because of the conservative criterion of
      viability used, this figure is less than the 20% of translocations that
      theoretically should be improvable. Pseudohomokaryotypes (pairs of translocations
      with both breakpoints nearly matching) did not behave as very fit homokaryotypes.
      However, some of them generated viable hyperploid assortment products that might
      be of practical interest to mask deleterious effects at breakpoints of
      translocations. The improvement of fitness of at least a proportion of low
      fitness translocation stocks by the use of a controlled recombination procedure
      should be feasible for many pest species. 

PMID- 24232288
TI  - Threonine metabolism and embryonic stem cell self-renewal.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) undergo unlimited self-renewal
      while maintaining a pluripotency, which is defined as the ability to develop into
      cells of all three embryonic germ layers. ESC self-renewal is characterized by
      special proliferative and epigenetic properties and a unique metabolic profile.
      One of the key features of this specialized nutritional metabolism is a stringent
      requirement for the amino acid threonine. Until recently, little was known about
      amino acid metabolism in stem cells beyond their general role in protein
      synthesis. Recent findings demonstrating a central role for threonine metabolism
      in multiple aspects of stem cell biology will be presented in this review. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Amino acid catabolism supplies essential building blocks for
      biosynthetic pathways and for chemical modification of chromatin. In a series of
      recent studies employing combinative approaches of metabolomics, nutrition and
      genetics, the amino acid threonine was identified as an essential nutrient for
      mouse ESC (mESC). An unexpected finding from these studies was that in addition
      to its well known importance as protein precursor, threonine dehydrogenase
      mediated threonine catabolism provides essential metabolic building blocks for
      use in multiple biosynthetic pathways and epigenetic modifications required for
      self-renewal and maintenance of pluripotency. SUMMARY: Recent studies on
      threonine catabolism in mESCs suggest that amino acids can play both powerful
      biosynthetic and signaling roles in stem cells. These results described in mESCs
      should stimulate a new research area on the effect of amino acid metabolism in
      stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.

PMID- 24232289
TI  - ?

PMID- 24232291
TI  - A case of bismuth intoxication with irreversible renal damage.
AB  - Bismuth is a chemical element symbolized as Bi and is a trivalent poor metal,
      which chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Colloidal bismuth subcitrate
      (CBS) and bismuth subsalicylate are the bismuth salts widely used in the
      treatment of peptic ulcers, functional dyspepsia, and chronic gastritis.
      Intoxications with CBS are rare. In a few case reports, acute renal failure was
      described, but the literature review revealed no chronic renal failure related to
      CBS intoxication. In this case report we present a 21-year old female with
      chronic renal failure after a one year follow-up of CBS intoxication. 

PMID- 24232290
TI  - Mobile, cloud, and big data computing: contributions, challenges, and new
      directions in telecardiology.
AB  - Many studies have indicated that computing technology can enable off-site
      cardiologists to read patients' electrocardiograph (ECG), echocardiography
      (ECHO), and relevant images via smart phones during pre-hospital, in-hospital,
      and post-hospital teleconsultation, which not only identifies emergency cases in
      need of immediate treatment, but also prevents the unnecessary re
      hospitalizations. Meanwhile, several studies have combined cloud computing and
      mobile computing to facilitate better storage, delivery, retrieval, and
      management of medical files for telecardiology. In the future, the aggregated ECG
      and images from hospitals worldwide will become big data, which should be used to
      develop an e-consultation program helping on-site practitioners deliver
      appropriate treatment. With information technology, real-time tele-consultation
      and tele-diagnosis of ECG and images can be practiced via an e-platform for
      clinical, research, and educational purposes. While being devoted to promote the
      application of information technology onto telecardiology, we need to resolve
      several issues: (1) data confidentiality in the cloud, (2) data interoperability
      among hospitals, and (3) network latency and accessibility. If these challenges
      are overcome, tele-consultation will be ubiquitous, easy to perform, inexpensive,
      and beneficial. Most importantly, these services will increase global
      collaboration and advance clinical practice, education, and scientific research
      in cardiology. 

PMID- 24232292
TI  - Scaled-up production of plasmonic nanoparticles using microfluidics: from metal
      precursors to functionalized and sterilized nanoparticles.
AB  - An exquisite control of synthesis parameters is generally required in
      nanomaterial synthesis to guarantee consistency in the essential characteristics
      such as size and shape. On the other hand, reliable scaled-up production of
      nanomaterials is required in order to achieve the production rates required for
      emerging nanotechnology applications while delivering a consistent product with
      the intended characteristics, avoiding the traditional batch-to-batch deviations.
      The continuous production of nanomaterials is challenging because of the
      difficulties involved in translating the complexity of nanomaterial synthesis
      into on-line operations. In this regard, microfluidic platforms stand out over
      conventional batch reactors due to their superior performance, easy scalability
      and reliability. Here, a continuous, scaled-up synthesis of high quality
      plasmonic hollow gold nanoparticles is reported for the first time. Not only was
      the throughput significantly higher than in a batch reactor, but also the
      microfluidic system allowed the on-line implementation of two new stages in
      nanomaterial production: surface functionalization and sterilization. 

PMID- 24232294
TI  - Photolithotrophy, photoheterotrophy, and chemoheterotrophy: Patterns of resource
      utilization on an annual and a diurnal basis within a pelagic microbial
      community.
AB  - An annual investigation of rates of photolithotrophy, photoheterotrophy, and
      chemoheterotrophy utilizing glucose and bicarbonate was made within the pelagic
      zone of a small, hardwater, southwestern Michigan lake. Sampling proceeded on a
      monthly, diurnal, and depth-wise basis. Annual mean photoheterotrophic uptake was
      estimated at 2.6MUg C m(-3)h(-1). Two periods of relatively high activity were
      observed: one during spring overturn and the second during the late summer
      period. In general, greatest contributions to overall carbon cycling occurred
      during morning to midday incubation periods and at intermediate depths within the
      water column. Rates of chemoheterotrophy averaged 6.9MUg C m(-3)h(-1) and were
      relatively uniform throughout the annual period. Greatest overall
      chemoheterotrophic activity was associated with periods of overturn. In general,
      this activity increased throughout the day and with increasing depth within the
      water column. The annual mean for photolithotrophic fixation was 1.33 mg C m(
      3)h(-1). Greatest contributions to rates of photosynthesis were associated with
      epilimnetic waters during early morning and midday incubations. Relatively minor
      contributions to inorganic fixation were made by waters below the 6-meter
      contour. Spring overturn and late summer represented periods of particularly
      great photolithotrophic activity. Quantitative comparisons among carbon pathways
      indicate that rates of pelagic heterotrophy, both photo- and chemoheterotrophy
      combined, contribute small quantities of carbon to overall carbon metabolism in
      this oligotrophic system. Qualitative comparisons among pathways indicate strong
      spatial and temporal separation. The late summer period showed greatest seasonal
      separation of the three pathways. Spring values represented a period of
      relatively high activity for all three pathways. On a depth-wise basis,
      photolithotrophic activity was greatest near the surface and chemolithotrophic
      activity greatest near the bottom. Photoheterotrophy took an intermediate
      position between the two. Diurnally, photoheterotrophy and photolithotrophy
      showed greatest activity during midday and early morning periods, whereas
      chemoheterotrophy increased throughout the daylight period and reached maximal
      values in sunset incubations. 

PMID- 24232293
TI  - Defining the critical-sized defect in a rat segmental mandibulectomy model.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Advances in tissue engineering offer potential alternatives to
      current mandibular reconstructive techniques; however, before clinical
      translation of this technology, a relevant animal model must be used to validate
      possible interventions. OBJECTIVE: To establish the critical-sized segmental
      mandibular defect that does not heal spontaneously in the rat mandible. DESIGN
      AND SETTING: Prospective study of mandibular defect healing in 29 Sprague-Dawley
      rats in an animal laboratory. INTERVENTIONS: The rats underwent creation of 1 of
      4 segmental mandibular defects measuring 0, 1, 3, and 5 mm. All mandibular wounds
      were internally fixated with 1-mm microplates and screws and allowed to heal for
      12 weeks, after which the animals were killed humanely. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Analysis with micro-computed tomography of bony union and formation
      graded on semiquantitative scales. RESULTS: Seven animals were included in each
      experimental group. No 5-mm segmental defects successfully developed bony union,
      whereas all 0- and 1-mm defects had continuous bony growth across the original
      defect on micro-computed tomography. Three of the 3-mm defects had bony
      continuity, and 3 had no healing of the bony wound. Bone union scores were
      significantly lower for the 5-mm defects compared with the 0-, 1-, and 3-mm
      defects (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The rat segmental mandible model
      cannot heal a 5-mm segmental mandibular defect. Successful healing of 0-, 1-, and
      3-mm defects confirms adequate stabilization of bony wounds with internal
      fixation with 1-mm microplates. The rat segmental mandibular critical-sized
      defect provides a clinically relevant testing ground for translatable mandibular
      tissue engineering efforts.

PMID- 24232295
TI  - Effects of sudden temperature shifts on pure cultures of four strains of
      freshwater bacteria.
AB  - Three psychrotrophic and one mesophilic strains were isolated from winter water
      samples of different freshwater biotopes and identified asCytophaga johnsonae (C
      21),Cytophaga sp. (M-17),Pseudomonas fluorescens (KD), andEnterobacter cloacae
      (BS-2). Temperature shift-up experiments with emphasis on low temperatures were
      carried out with aerated pure batch cultures in glucose mineral medium. The
      effects of sudden temperature increases on growth rates and substrate conversion
      were investigated. All three psychrotrophic strains in the temperature increase
      experiments at low temperatures showed differing reactions within the linear zone
      of the Arrhenius plot. TheC. johnsonae (C-21) shift-up cultures adjusted the
      growth rate immediately to the rate of the temperature adapted cultures,
      whereasCytophaga sp. (M-17) shift-up cultures showed a lower andP. fluorescens
      (KD) a higher growth rate. The mesophilicE. cloacae (BS-2), likeC. johnsonae (C
      21), adjusted immediately to the new growth rate. Substrate conversion increased
      in all experiments immediately after the shift-up. The extracellular substrate
      conversion byP. fluorescens (KD) of glucose to gluconate and 2-ketogluconate was
      particularly affected by the sudden temperature increase. 

PMID- 24232296
TI  - Coliforms and enterococci isolated from the intestinal tract of conventional
      mice.
AB  - Coliforms and enterococci were isolated from the intestinal tract of infant (12
      day-old) and adult (6-to 8-week-old) conventional mice. Eighty coliform isolates
      and eighty enterococcal strains were grouped according to their ability to
      ferment or hydrolyze various substrates. Sixty-one of the coliform isolates were
      identified asEscherichia coli. The remaining 19 strains were similar toE. coli,
      but did not producebeta-galactosidase. The enterococci belonged to two
      species:Streptococcus faecium andS. faecalis. Four biotypes ofS. faecium and two
      biotypes ofS. faecalis were detected. Xylosefermenting enterococci were isolated
      with a higher frequency from infant mice than from adults. 

PMID- 24232297
TI  - Association of rat, pig, and fowl biotypes of lactobacilli with the stomach of
      gnotobiotic mice.
AB  - We grouped 20 isolates of lactobacilli from the stomach of conventional rats, 21
      isolates from pig stomachs, and 19 isolates from the crop of fowls according to
      their ability to ferment N-acetylglucosamine, dextrin, cellobiose, gum arabic,
      and xylan. Most of the isolates did not resemble previously
      describedLactobacillus species. Representative group A isolates were associated
      with germ-free mice. Only a rat isolate was able to colonize the keratinized
      squamous epithelium of the stomach of gnotobiotic mice. 

PMID- 24232298
TI  - Relevance of the ecology ofCitrus yeasts to the diet ofDrosophila.
AB  - A study of the yeast flora of necrotic oranges and associatedDrosophila yielded a
      total of 221 isolates composed ofKloeckera apiculata (75),Pichia fermentans
      (75),Pichia kluyveri (50),Torulopsis stellata (17),Hanseniaspora uvarum (2),P.
      membranaefaciens (1), andCandida vini (1). The yeast species of all samples of
      oranges and adultDrosophila were very similar; however, the speciesof Drosophila
      contained a higher proportion ofP. fermentans and a lower proportion ofK.
      apiculata than was found in the rotting oranges.P. fermentans was subsequently
      found more frequently on the surface of the necrotic tissue, where the flies
      feed, than was found internally. SinceP. fermentans characteristically produces a
      pellicle and pseudomycelium andK. apiculata does not, it is concluded that the
      growth characteristics of the yeasts are an important factor determining
      adultDrosophila diets. 

PMID- 24232299
TI  - Effect of temperature on violacein production in a psychrotrophicChromobacterium
      from Lake Ontario sediment.
AB  - A truly psychrotrophic strain ofChromobacterium, which was isolated from Lake
      Ontario sediment and characterized asChromobacterium lividum, was found to be
      capable of pigment production that was completely prevented at 0 degrees C,
      although growth readily occurred. Normal pigment formation occurred at 15 degrees
      C, 20 degrees C, and 25 degrees C. The prevention of synthesis of the pigment at
      0 degrees C, which was confirmed spectrophotometrically to be violacein, was not
      reversed by the presence of various carbon sources, although all except one acted
      as growth substrates. In addition, some of the carbon sources actually inhibited
      pigment production at 20 degrees C, preventing violacein synthesis in the
      presence of pyruvate which was shown to allow pigmentation. Similar results were
      obtained under both liquid and solid media cultivation conditions. 

PMID- 24232300
TI  - Microscopic examination of bacteria in Fe(III)-oxide deposited from ground water.
AB  - Ochreous sludge deposited in the course of aeration of ground water contained an
      assortment of bacterial forms and structures which were investigated by light
      microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.
      Bacterial structures were often covered by iron deposition which could be removed
      by acidification of the samples. Sulfuric acid treatment was consistently better
      than hydrochloric acid to dissolve iron without a considerable damage to the
      bacterial cells. Partial dissolution of amorphous ferric iron was achieved by
      acidifying the samples with oxalic acid or citric acid prior to the preparation
      for electron microscopy. 

PMID- 24232301
TI  - Relative influence of temperature and electron donor and electron acceptor
      concentrations on bacterial sulfate reduction in saltmarsh sediment.
AB  - The relative importance of three environmental variables known to influence the
      rate of bacterial sulfate reduction was examined using sediment from a saltmarsh
      pan. The variables investigated were temperature, electron donor concentration,
      and electron acceptor concentration. Their relative influence on the rate of
      bacterial sulfate reduction was examined with multiple replicate sediment samples
      in which the variables were experimentally adjusted. Sulfate reduction rates were
      measured with(35)SO 4 (2-) .The relative importance of each variable to sulfate
      reduction rate was assessed with multiple regression analysis by calculating the
      standardized partial regression coefficients, and the results were compared with
      the ranges of the three variables encountered in the natural sediment.
      Temperature proved to have the greatest influence, followed by electron donor and
      electron acceptor concentrations, in that order. The sulfate concentration was
      shown to have little influence on sulfate reduction rate at seawater
      concentrations of sulfate, but its effect increased if sulfate concentrations
      were diminished compared to those of seawater. 

PMID- 24232302
TI  - Seasonal temperature as a factor influencing bacterial sulfate reduction in a
      saltmarsh sediment.
AB  - The population of sulfate-reducing bacteria in saltmarsh sediment was examined at
      monthly intervals by plate-counting and by determining the response of sulfate
      reduction rates to environmental temperature using(35)SO 4 (2-) . The sulfate
      reduction rate was shown to be related to temperature by an Arrhenius
      function.The temperature characteristic of the population of sulfate-reducing
      bacteria did not vary significantly with season, and was shown to be equivalent
      to 20.4 kcals mole(-1), a Q10 of 3.5. Apart from one anomolous result, the
      monthly value for the Arrhenius constant also did not show any significant
      variation throughout the year. There was no seasonal trend of optimum temperature
      for sulfate reduction.The results suggested that, although environmental
      temperature was the dominant variable influencing sulfate reduction rates in the
      sediment, there was no detectable response or adaptation of the sulfate-reducing
      population to seasonally changing environmental temperature. 

PMID- 24232304
TI  - Social correlates of clotting disorders in adults and the very  old: UK
      Understanding Society cohort, 2009-2010.

PMID- 24232303
TI  - Synthesis of liver-targeting dual-ligand modified GCGA/5-FU nanoparticles and
      their characteristics in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Nanoparticle drug delivery systems using polymers hold promise for clinical
      applications. We synthesized dual-ligand modified chitosan (GCGA) nanoparticles
      using lactic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, and chitosan to target the liver in our
      previous studies. We then synthesized the GCGA/5-FU nanoparticles by conjugating
      5-fluorouracil (5-FU) onto the GCGA nanomaterial, which had a mean particle size
      of 239.9 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.040, a zeta potential of +21.2 mV, and a
      drug loading of 3.90%. GCGA/5-FU nanoparticles had good slow release properties,
      and the release process could be divided into five phases: small burst release,
      gentle release, second burst release, steady release, and slow release.
      Inhibitory effects of GCGA/5-FU on tumor cells targeted the liver, and were time
      and dose dependent. GCGA nanoparticles significantly prolonged the efficacy of 5
      FU on tumor cells, and alleviated the resistance of tumor cells to 5-FU. GCGA/5
      FU nanoparticles were mostly concentrated in the liver, indicating that the GCGA
      nanoparticles were liver targeting. GCGA/5-FU nanoparticles significantly
      suppressed tumor growth in orthotopic liver transplantation mouse model, and
      improved mouse survival. 

PMID- 24232305
TI  - Sustained remission and reversal of end-organ dysfunction  in a patient with
      anaplastic myeloma.

PMID- 24232306
TI  - Ketamine infusion for sickle cell pain crisis refractory to opioids: a case
      report and review of literature.
AB  - This article reports a rare case of the use of low-dose ketamine infusion as an
      adjuvant to opioids to treat pain in sickle cell disease. A 31-year-old African
      American male with history of sickle cell disease presented to the emergency
      department with complaints of chest tightness, multiple joint pain, and headache
      for 1 week. His vital signs and physical examination were unremarkable. His
      admission lab included hemoglobin of 8.4 g/dl, reticulocyte count of 16.3%,
      bilirubin of 1.7 mg/dl, and LDH of 1,267 U/l. Chest X-ray showed middle and lower
      lobe opacity and interstitial thickening. He was treated for acute pain crisis
      and community-acquired pneumonia with intravenous fluids, supplemental oxygen,
      and intravenous levofloxacin. He was placed on fentanyl patient-controlled
      analgesia (PCA), oxycodone, ketorolac, and methadone with co-analgesic gabapentin
      and venlafaxine. Over the course of his hospitalization, his chest pain resolved,
      but the joint pains continued. He was then transferred to the ICU and was
      discharged a day later after 7 days of ketamine infusion. Ketamine is a
      noncompetitive antagonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This
      property has been shown to modulate opioid tolerance and opioid-induced
      hyperalgesia. There have been a very few published reports on the use of low-dose
      ketamine in sickle cell pain management. A PubMed search revealed four published
      articles (Table 1). Fourteen out of the 17 cases (82.35%) who received ketamine
      infusion showed improvement in self-reported pain intensity and significant
      reduction in opioid dosage. Only one patient (5.9%) developed serious side effect
      leading to discontinuation of the drug. A low-dose ketamine can be an option for
      pain control in sickle cell disease. Randomized trial is required to establish
      this benefit of ketamine over currently available therapies.

PMID- 24232307
TI  - New perspectives of iron deficiency as a risk factor  for ischemic stroke.

PMID- 24232308
TI  - Large granular lymphocytic leukemia of gamma-delta T cells: cytogenetics and
      fluorescence in situ hybridization study.

PMID- 24232309
TI  - Intraoperative assessment of spinal vascular flow in the surgery of spinal
      intramedullary tumors using indocyanine green videoangiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The authors demonstrate the utility of indocyanine green
      videoangiography (ICG-VA) for intraoperative vascular flow assessment in the
      surgery of a variety of spinal intramedullary tumors to achieve an additional
      level of safety as well as precision with the surgical procedure. METHODS:
      Fourteen patients with spinal intramedullary tumors (nine cervical and five
      thoracic) operated on between August 2011 and April 2013 were included in the
      present study. A fluorescence surgical microscope was used to perform ICG-VA
      after standard exposure of the lesion to assess the dynamic flow of the spinal
      microvasculature. RESULTS: Twenty-seven ICG-VA injections were performed in 14
      cases. Pathological diagnosis of the tumors included ependymoa, astrocytoma,
      cavernous malformation, or hemagioblastoma. There were no complications or side
      effects related to ICG-VA. Intraoperative ICG-VA provided dynamic flow images of
      the spinal microvasculature in accordance with the progress of surgical
      procedures. Angiographic images could be divided into arterial, capillary, and
      venous phases. All angiographic images were well integrated into the microscopic
      view. The utility of ICG-VA could be summarized into three categories: (1)
      Localization of normal spinal arteries and veins, (2) assessment of posterior
      spinal venous circulation, and (3) differentiation of feeding arteries, tumor,
      and draining veins. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative vascular flow assessment using
      ICG-VA was easy, repeatable, and practical without any significant procedure
      related risks. ICG-VA can be used for careful analysis of spinal microvascular
      flow or anatomical orientation, which is necessary to ensure safe and precise
      resection of spinal intramedullary tumors.

PMID- 24232310
TI  - Oral health conditions affect functional and social activities of terminally ill
      cancer patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Oral conditions are established complications in terminally ill cancer
      patients. Yet despite significant morbidity,the characteristics and impact of
      oral conditions in these patients are poorly documented. The study objective was
      to characterize oral conditions in terminally ill cancer patients to determine
      the presence, severity, and the functional and social impact of these oral
      conditions. METHODS: This was an observational clinical study including
      terminally ill cancer patients (2.5-3-week life expectancy). Data were obtained
      via the Oral Problems Scale (OPS) that measures the presence of subjective
      xerostomia, orofacial pain, taste change, and the functional/social impact of
      oral conditions and a demographic questionnaire. A standardized oral examination
      was used to assess objective salivary hypofunction, fungal infection, mucosal
      erythema, and ulceration. Regression analysis and t test investigated the
      associations between measures. RESULTS: Of 104 participants, most were >=50 years
      of age,female, and high-school educated; 45 % were African American, 43 %
      Caucasian, and 37 % married. Oral conditions frequencies were: salivary
      hypofunction (98 %), mucosal erythema (50 %), ulceration (20 %), fungal
      infection(36 %), and other oral problems (46 %). Xerostomia, taste change, and
      orofacial pain all had significant functional impact; p <.001, p =.042 and p
      <.001, respectively. Orofacial pain also had a significant social impact (p
      <.001). Patients with oral ulcerations had significantly more orofacial pain with
      a social impact than patients without ulcers (p =.003). Erythema was
      significantly associated with fungal infection and with mucosal ulceration (p
      <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Oral conditions significantly affect functional and social
      activities in terminally ill cancer patients. Identification and management of
      oral conditions in these patients should therefore be an important clinical
      consideration.

PMID- 24232311
TI  - Secondary glaucoma due to chronic scleritis: trabeculectomy in scleromalacia: a
      case report.

PMID- 24232312
TI  - Macular dystrophy presenting in one of two siblings with limb-girdle muscular
      dystrophy type 2L due to mutation of ANO5.

PMID- 24232313
TI  - Long-term outcomes and risk factors for failure with the EX-press glaucoma
      drainage device.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report on the long-term outcomes and risk factors for failure with
      the EX-PRESS shunt implanted under a scleral flap. SETTINGS: Eye Department,
      University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy and the Oxford Eye Center, University of
      Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. METHODS: The medical records of
      glaucoma patients who underwent consecutive EX-PRESS implantations under a
      scleral flap between 2000 and 2009 were reviewed. The operations were performed
      by two experienced surgeons using an identical surgical technique. The potential
      risk factors for failure that were analysed included age, sex, race, glaucoma
      type, previous antiglaucoma medications, previous glaucoma surgeries, diabetes,
      and smoking. Complete success was defined as postoperative intraocular pressure
      (IOP) 5 mm Hg>IOP<18 mm Hg without antiglaucoma medications. Qualified success
      was defined as 5 mm Hg>IOP<18 mm Hg with or without antiglaucoma medications.
      RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-eight eyes of 211 consecutive patients were
      included. The mean IOP was reduced from 27.63 +/- 8.26 mm Hg preoperatively
      (n=248) to 13.95 +/- 2.70 mm Hg at 5 years (n=95). The mean follow-up was 3.46 +/
      1.76 years. Complete and qualified success rates decreased gradually from 83%
      and 85% at 1 year to 57% and 63% at 5 years follow-up, respectively. The risk
      factors for failure were diabetes, non-Caucasian race, and previous glaucoma
      surgery. Complete success rates of diabetic patients and non-Caucasian patients
      decreased from 63% and 75% at 1 year to 42% and 40% at 5 years follow-up,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EX-PRESS success rates decrease over time but compare
      favourably with trabeculectomy literature data. The main identifiable risk
      factors for failure are diabetes, non-Caucasian race, and previous glaucoma
      surgery.

PMID- 24232314
TI  - Spontaneously resolved exudative retinal detachment caused by orbital cellulitis
      in an immunocompromised adult.

PMID- 24232315
TI  - Flap characteristics, predictability, and safety of the Ziemer FEMTO LDV
      femtosecond laser with the disposable suction ring for LASIK.
AB  - AIMS: The outcomes of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) operations
      performed with the Classic FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser using the plastic single
      use suction ring (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems) and the Allegretto Wave Concerto 500
      Hz excimer laser (Wavelight AG) are presented in terms of accuracy,
      predictability, and safety of the operation. METHODS: A FEMTO LDV plastic suction
      ring was used for flap creation in 342 eyes of 179 patients. The intended flap
      thickness was 90 MUm. The size of the suction ring varied from 9.0 to 10.0 mm.
      Flap dimensions were measured and correlated to preoperative characteristics.
      RESULTS: Mean flap thickness was very constant, 89.6 +/- 2.0 MUm (range 84-97).
      In 163 bilateral operations, the second flap was 1.1 MUm thinner than the one cut
      first (P<0.0001). Mean flap diameter was 9.4 +/- 0.2 mm (range 8.1-9.9). Mean
      hinge length was 3.9 +/- 0.2 mm (range 3.0-4.2). In hyperopic eyes, flap
      thickness correlated negatively with keratometric power K1 and flap diameter. In
      hyperopic eyes, flap diameter correlated positively with spherical equivalent
      refraction and with keratometric power K1 as well as hinge length both in myopic
      and hyperopic eyes. Complications were reported in 12 (3.5%) eyes. Complications
      were very mild and none of them prevented further refractive laser treatment. Two
      Snellen lines of corrected distance visual acuity were lost in one (0.3%) eye.
      CONCLUSION: The FEMTO LDV plastic single-use suction rings yielded accurate and
      reproducible flaps and were safe for the creation of thin corneal flaps.

PMID- 24232317
TI  - Control of the developmental pathway of tobacco pollen in vitro.
AB  - We developed a new method for culture of isolated pollen. Using highly
      homogeneous populations of immature pollen grains of Nicotiana tabacum L.
      prepared by means of Percoll density gradient centrifugation, we could direct
      their developmental pathway by regulating certain culture conditions. When the
      pollen population was cultured in basal medium with glutamine, most pollen grains
      underwent normal maturation. On the other hand, when first cultured in basal
      medium without glutamine, most pollen grains did not mature but after transfer to
      medium with glutamine and sucrose began to divide. This method for inducing
      pollen cell division was possible only with midbinucleate pollen grains which are
      characterized by having no central vacuole and no or only a few starch grains.
      Evidently, some essential changes necessary for the embryogenic response can be
      induced by glutamine starvation only in pollen grains at a specific stage. 

PMID- 24232316
TI  - Changes in lamina cribrosa and prelaminar tissue after deep sclerectomy.
AB  - AIM: To determine the response of the lamina cribrosa (LC) and prelaminar tissue
      to a reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) after nonpenetrating deep
      sclerectomy (NPDS) using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) spectral domain optical
      coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: A total of 28 eyes from 28 patients
      presenting with primary open angle glaucoma who underwent NPDS were studied. SD
      OCT scans using EDI technology were obtained before surgery and 1 week, 1 month,
      and 3 months postoperatively. The OCT device was set to image a 15 * 10 degrees 
      vertical rectangle centred on the optic disc. The scan closest to the optic nerve
      head (ONH) centre was selected for analysis. The vertical distances from three
      equidistant points on the reference line (Bruch's membrane opening) to the
      anterior prelaminar tissue surface and the anterior and posterior surfaces of the
      LC were measured. RESULTS: The IOP decreased from 18.7 +/- 4.3 to 9.1 +/- 4.0 at
      the first week, 11.4 +/- 3.7 at 1 month, and 13.1 +/- 3.6 mm Hg at 3 months
      postoperatively (P<0.001). There was a significant reduction of the ONH cupping
      at 1 week (22.3%, P<0.001), 1 month (13.7%, P<0.001), and 3 months (9.8%,
      P=0.001) after surgery. Anterior displacement of the LC was slight but
      statistically significant at 1 week (4.5%, P=0.003), 1 month (3.8%, P=0.014), and
      3 months postoperatively (3.3%, P=0.010). IOP reduction was significantly
      correlated with a reduction of ONH cupping and anterior displacement of LC at the
      first week and first month (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cupping reversal after NPDS is
      mainly due to changes in prelaminar tissue thickness, whereas the LC changes in
      position are less pronounced.

PMID- 24232318
TI  - Localization of wheat-germ agglutinin in developing wheat embryos and those
      cultured in abscisic acid.
AB  - The time course of appearance of wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA) in the various
      embryonic tissues during embryogenesis in Triticum aestivum L. was studied by
      sensitive immunofluorescence and peroxidase-antiperoxidase detection systems. The
      radicle, root cap and coleorhiza first accumulated WGA in early Stage II (8-10 d
      post-anthesis) prior to the main period of embryo growth, while WGA was found in
      the epiblast and coleoptile in early and late State III, respectively. Stage III
      is characterized by maximum embryo growth, followed by desiccation which occurs
      in Stage IV. When Stage-II embryos were precociously germinated in the absence of
      abscisic acid (ABA) no WGA was detected in the coleoptile and epiblast of the
      young seedlings. In the presence of ABA, Stage-II embryos did not germinate but
      WGA precociously accumulated in the coleoptile and epiblast. The levels and
      distribution of WGA in the resulting embryo resembled those in a fully mature,
      dry embryo (Stage V). Barley possesses a seed lectin similar to WGA, but it is
      never detected in coleoptiles. Some but not all of the barley cultivars tested
      were found to accumulate lectin in this organ of mature embryos when treated with
      ABA. Thus, ABA appears to be involved in the highly regulated temporal and
      spatial expression of WGA during embryogenesis in cereals. 

PMID- 24232319
TI  - Arabinogalactan proteins during the development of soybean root nodules.
AB  - In soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) root nodules the level of hydroxyproline
      containing molecules is developmentally regulated. Hydroxyproline accumulates in
      both nodule cortex and medulla. In the cortex, the hydroxyproline is mainly
      localized in the cell wall, presumably as extensin, but in the medulla it is
      mainly in the soluble fraction as an arabinogalactan protein (AGP). Nodule
      specific AGPs are present at early nodulation. The highest concentration of AGP
      is in the nodule medulla, followed by nodule cortex, uninfected roots, leaves,
      flowers, pods and seeds. Root nodules and all organs of the soybean plant that
      were tested were found to express a tissue-specific set of arabinogalactan
      proteins. 

PMID- 24232320
TI  - Involvement of the Golgi apparatus in the secretion of alpha-amylase from
      gibberellin-treated barley aleurone cells.
AB  - Localisation of alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) in barley aleurone cells treated with
      gibberellic acid has been achieved using protein A-gold-labelled polyclonal
      antibodies. Gold particles were located almost exclusively over the lumen of the
      rough endoplasmic reticulum and cisternae of the Golgi apparatus. The label was
      most concentrated over the Golgi apparatus. This indicates that the Golgi is
      involved in the secretion of alpha-amylase protein from aleurone cells. 

PMID- 24232321
TI  - Prolamellar-body structure, composition of molecular species and amount of
      galactolipids in etiolated, greening and reetiolated primary leaves of oat, wheat
      and rye.
AB  - The greening and reetiolation process of etiolated leaves of oat, wheat and rye,
      possessing different types of prolamellar bodies (PLBs), was observed by electron
      microscopy. Oat is known to possess unusual crystalline PLBs (so-called 'narrow
      type'). Rye and what, which normally show PLBs with more loosely packed tubules
      ('wide type') during etiolation, exhibited PLBs of the narrow type after
      illumination and subsequent reincubation in the dark (=reetiolation). Thus the
      reetiolated PLBs of wheat and rye did not differ from etiolated or reetiolated
      oat PLBs. In parallel with the microscopic analysis, intact leaves of all
      developmental stages were analysed for their galactolipid content and composition
      of molecular species using a newly developed high-performance liquid
      chromatography procedure. When oat, wheat and rye were compared, differences in
      the molecular species and the molar ratio of the two galactolipids
      monogalactosyldiacylglyceride (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglyceride (DGDG) were
      found. However, no parameter showed a correlation with PLB construction,
      disintegration or reconstruction. The results presented in this paper are not
      consistent with the hypothesis that the molar ratio of MGDG/DGDG is responsible
      for the tubular structure of prolamellar bodies in etioplasts. 

PMID- 24232322
TI  - Distribution of calmodulin in pea seedlings: Immunocytochemical localization in
      plumules and root apices.
AB  - Immunofluorescence techniques have been used to study the distribution of
      calmodulin in several tissues in young etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L.)
      seedlings. A fairly uniform staining was seen in the nucleoplasm and background
      cytoplasm of most cell types. Cell walls and nucleoli were not stained. In
      addition, patterned staining reactions were seen in many cells. In cells of the
      plumule, punctate staining of the cytoplasm was common, and in part this stain
      appeared to be associated with the plastids. A very distinctive staining of
      amyloplasts was seen in the columella of the root cap. Staining associated with
      cytoskeletal elements could be shown in division stages. By metaphase, staining
      of the spindle region was quite evident. In epidermal cells of the stem and along
      the underside of the leaf there was an intense staining of the vacuolar contents.
      Guard cells lacked this vacuolar stain. Vacuolar staining was sometimes seen in
      cells of the stele, but the most distinctive pattern in the stele was associated
      with young conducting cells of the xylem. These staining patterns are consistent
      with the idea that the interactions of plastids and the cytoskeletal system may
      be one of the Ca(2+)-mediated steps in the response of plants to environmental
      stimuli. Nuclear functions may also be controlled, at least in part, by Ca(2+). 

PMID- 24232323
TI  - Immunoelectron-microscopy localization of abscisic acid with colloidal gold on
      Lowicryl-embedded tissues of Chnopodium polyspermum L.
AB  - Further study on the localization of abscisic acid (ABA) has been undertaken at
      the ultrastructural level in Chenopodium polyspermum L. Axillary-bud-bearing
      nodes on the main axis were fixed with soluble 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3 ethyl
      carbodiimide, then postfixed with paraformaldehyde and embedded in Lowicryl K4M
      at-20 degrees  C. Ultrathin sections mounted on grids were successively incubated
      with rabbit anti-ABA antibodies and with gold-labelled goat anti-rabbit anti
      bodies (40 nm particle size). Control sections treated with preimmune rabbit
      serum and ABA-preabsorbed antibodies were devoid of label. The background
      staining was very low with this technique. Quantitative analysis of the
      immunolabelling showed that two main sites of ABA accumulation could be defined:
      first, plastids in cortical cells and vascular parenchyma cells associated with
      sieve elements and xylem vessels; second, the cell cytoplasm and nucleus in the
      axillary bud tip and in procambial strands. In vascular bundles, the cambial
      cells showed no immunoreactivity. These observations support the hypothesis for
      the cytoplasmic synthesis of ABA which is subsequently trapped in plastids as
      cells mature. 

PMID- 24232324
TI  - Expression of nuclear genes as affected by treatments acting on the plastids.
AB  - In a preceding paper (Oelmuller and Mohr 1986, Planta 167, 106-113) it was shown
      that in the cotyledons of the mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedling the integrity of
      the plastid is a necessary prerequisite for phytochrome-controlled appearance of
      translatable mRNA for the nuclear-encoded small subunit (SSU) of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase and the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein
      of photosystem II (LHCP). It was concluded that a signal from the plastid is
      essential for the expression of nuclear genes involved in plastidogenesis. The
      present study was undertaken to characterize this postulated signal.
      Chloramphenicol, an inhibitor of intraplastidic protein synthesis and
      Norflurazon, an inhibitor of carotenoid synthesis (to bring about photooxidative
      sensitivity of the plastids) were applied. We obtained the following major
      results. (i) After a brief period of photooxidative damage a rapid decrease of
      the above translatable mRNAs was observed. CONCLUSION: the signal is short-lived
      and thus required continually. (ii) Once the plastids became damaged by
      photooxidation, no recovery with regard to nuclear gene expression was observed
      after a transfer to non-damaging light conditions. CONCLUSION: even a brief
      period of damage suffices to prevent production of the signal. (iii)
      Chloramphenicol inhibited nuclear gene expression (SSU, LHCP) and plastidic
      development when applied during the early stages of plastidogenesis. Once a
      certain stage had been reached (between 36-48 h after sowing at 25 degrees  C)
      nuclear gene expression became remarkably insensitive toward inhibition of
      intraplastidic translation. CONCLUSION: a certain developmental stage of the
      plastid must be reached before the signal is released by the plastid. (iv) Under
      the growth conditions we adopted in our experiments the plastids in the mesophyll
      cells of mustard cotyledons developed essentially between 36 and 120 (-144) h
      after sowing. Only during this period could translatable mRNAs for SSU and LHCP
      be detected. CONCLUSION: the signal is released by the plastids only during this
      time span.

PMID- 24232325
TI  - Co-function of C3-and C 4-photosynthetic pathways in C3, C 4 and C 3-C 4
      intermediate Flaveria species.
AB  - The potential for C4 photosynthesis was investigated in five C3-C4 intermediate
      species, one C3 species, and one C4 species in the genus Flaveria, using (14)CO2
      pulse-(12)CO2 chase techniques and quantum-yield measurements. All five
      intermediate species were capable of incorporating (14)CO2 into the C4 acids
      malate and aspartate, following an 8-s pulse. The proportion of (14)C label in
      these C4 products ranged from 50-55% to 20-26% in the C3-C4 intermediates F.
      floridana Johnston and F. linearis Lag. respectively. All of the intermediate
      species incorporated as much, or more, (14)CO2 into aspartate as into malate.
      Generally, about 5-15% of the initial label in these species appeared as other
      organic acids. There was variation in the capacity for C4 photosynthesis among
      the intermediate species based on the apparent rate of conversion of (14)C label
      from the C4 cycle to the C3 cycle. In intermediate species such as F. pubescens
      Rydb., F. ramosissima Klatt., and F. floridana we observed a substantial decrease
      in label of C4-cycle products and an increase in percentage label in C3-cycle
      products during chase periods with (12)CO2, although the rate of change was
      slower than in the C4 species, F. palmeri. In these C3-C4 intermediates both
      sucrose and fumarate were predominant products after a 20-min chase period. In
      the C3-C4 intermediates, F. anomala Robinson and f. linearis we observed no
      significant decrease in the label of C4-cycle products during a 3-min chase
      period and a slow turnover during a 20-min chase, indicating a lower level of
      functional integration between the C4 and C3 cycles in these species, relative to
      the other intermediates. Although F. cronquistii Powell was previously identified
      as a C3 species, 7-18% of the initial label was in malate+aspartate. However,
      only 40-50% of this label was in the C-4 position, indicating C4-acid formation
      as secondary products of photosynthesis in F. cronquistii. In 21% O2, the
      absorbed quantum yields for CO2 uptake (in mol CO2.[mol quanta](-1)) averaged
      0.053 in F. cronquistii (C3), 0.051 in F. trinervia (Spreng.) Mohr (C4), 0.052 in
      F. ramosissima (C3-C4), 0.051 in F. anomala (C3-C4), 0.050 in F. linearis (C3
      C4), 0.046 in F. floridana (C3-C4), and 0.044 in F. pubescens (C3-C4). In 2% O2
      an enhancement of the quantum yield was observed in all of the C3-C4 intermediate
      species, ranging from 21% in F. ramosissima to 43% in F. pubescens. In all
      intermediates the quantum yields in 2% O2 were intermediate in value to the C3
      and C4 species, indicating a co-function of the C3 and C4 cycles in CO2
      assimilation. The low quantum-yield values for F. pubescens and F. floridana in
      21% O2 presumably reflect an ineffcient transfer of carbon from the C4 to the C3
      cycle. The response of the quantum yield to four increasing O2 concentrations (2
      35%) showed lower levels of O2 inhibition in the C3-C4 intermediate F.
      ramosissima, relative to the C3 species. This indicates that the co-function of
      the C3 and C4 cycles in this intermediate species leads to an increased CO2
      concentration at the site of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and
      a concomitant decrease in the competitive inhibition by O2. 

PMID- 24232326
TI  - Monoclonal antibodies directed against protoplasts of soybean cells : Generation
      of hybridomas and characterization of a monoclonal antibody reactive with the
      cell surface.
AB  - Splenocytes, derived from mice that had been immunized with protoplasts prepared
      from suspension cultures of root cells of Glycine max (L.) Merr. (SB-1 cell
      line), were fused with a murine myeloma cell line. The resulting hybridoma
      cultures were screened for the production of antibodies directed against the
      soybean protoplasts and were then cloned. One monoclonal antibody, designated MVS
      1, was found to bind to the outer surface of the plasma membrane on the basis of
      several criteria: (a) agglutination of the protoplasts; (b) binding of
      fluorescence-labeled immunoglobulin on protoplasts yielding a ring staining
      pattern with prominent intensity at the edges; and (c) saturable binding by
      protoplasts of (125)I-labeled Antibody MVS-1. The antigenic target of Antibody
      MVS-1, identified by immunoblotting techniques, contained a polypeptide of
      relative molecular mass (Mr) approx. 400000 under both reducing and non-reducing
      conditions. When the antigenic target of Antibody MVS-1 was chromatographed in
      potassium phosphate buffer, the position of elution corresponded to that of a
      high-molecular-weight species (Mr 400000). These results provide the protein
      characterization required for the analysis of the mobility of Antibody MVS-1
      bound to the plasma membrane of SB-1 cells. 

PMID- 24232327
TI  - Immunoprecipitation of phytochrome from green Avena by rabbit antisera to
      phytochrome from etiolated Avena.
AB  - Thirty-nine antiserum preparations from eight rabbits were screened for their
      ability to precipitate the immunochemically distinct phytochrome that is obtained
      from green oat (Avena sativa L.) shoots. The antisera were obtained from rabbits
      immunized with either proteolytically degraded, but still photoreversible, 60-kDa
      (kilodalton) phytochrome, or approx. 120-kDa phytochrome, both of which were
      purified from etiolated oat shoots. The ability of these antisera to precipitate
      phytochrome from green oats was independent of the size of phytochrome used for
      immunization. While crude antisera immunoprecipitated as much as 80% of the
      phytochrome isolated from green oat shoots, antibodies immunopurified from these
      sera with a column of highly purified, approx. 120-kDa phytochrome from etiolated
      oats precipitated no more than about 5-10%. 

PMID- 24232328
TI  - Sensitivity to far-red radiation in stomata of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Rhythmic
      effects on conductance and photosynthesis.
AB  - The influence of far-red (FR; 700-800 nm) radiation on steady-state stomatal
      conductance and net photosynthesis in P. vulgaris has been studied. Whereas FR
      radiation alone was relatively ineffective, addition of FR to a background of
      white light (WL; predominantly 400-700 nm) resulted in increased stomatal
      conductance. Stomata exhibited a marked diurnal sensitivity to FR. The action
      maximum for enhancing stomatal conductance was near 714 nm. A combination of FR
      and infra-red (IR; >800 nm) enhanced net photosynthesis when added to a
      background of WL. When IR alone was added to WL, there was a net decrease in
      photosynthesis, indicating that it is the FR waveband which is responsible for
      the observed photosynthetic effects. Naturally occurring levels of FR radiation
      (235 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1)) in vegetation-canopy shade enhanced net photosynthetic
      CO2 gain by 28% when added to a background of 55 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1) WL. 

PMID- 24232329
TI  - Glucose uptake by symbiotic Chlorella in the green-hydra symbiosis.
AB  - There is a correlation between the ability of symbiotic Chlorella algae to take
      up glucose and their survival in green hydra grown in continuous darkness.
      Although normal symbionts of European green hydra, which persist at a stable
      level in dark-grown animals, possessed no detectable constitutive ability to take
      up glucose when grown in light, uptake was induced after incubation in a medium
      containing glucose. Further, symbionts isolated from hydra grown in darkness for
      two weeks had acquired a constitutive uptake ability. Neither NC64A nor 3N813A
      strains of algae, in artificial symbiosis with hydra, persisted in dark-grown
      animals, and they showed little or no uptake ability, although in culture NC64A
      possessed both constitutive and inducible glucose-uptake mechanisms. In contrast,
      mitotic indices in all three types of algae in symbiosis with hydra increased
      after host feeding, indicating that the factor which stimulates algal cell
      division is not identical to the substrate utilised during heterotrophic growth. 

PMID- 24232330
TI  - Periodicity of response to abscisic acid in lateral buds of willow (Salix
      viminalis L.).
AB  - Aseptically cultured lateral buds of Salix viminalis L. collected from field
      grown trees exhibited a clear periodicity in their ability to respond to
      exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). Buds were kept unopened by ABA only when the
      plants were dormant or entering dormancy. Short days alone did not induce bud
      dormancy in potted plants but ABA treatment following exposure to an 8-h
      photoperiod prevented bud opening although ABA treatment of buds from long-day
      plants did not. Naturally dormant buds taken from shoots of field-grown trees and
      cultured in the presence of ABA opened following a chilling treatment. In no
      cases were the induction and breaking of dormancy and response to ABA correlated
      with endogenous ABA levels in the buds. 

PMID- 24232331
TI  - Control of CO2 fixation regulation of stromal fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase in
      spinach by pH and Mg(2+) concentration.
AB  - The effect of pH and of Mg(2+) concentration on the light activated form of
      stromal fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) was studied using the enzyme rapidly
      extracted from illuminated spinach chloroplasts. The (fructose-1,6-bisphosphate(4
      ))(Mg(2+)) complex has been identified as the substrate of the enzyme. Therefore,
      changes of pH and Mg(2+) concentrations have an immediate effect on the activity
      of FBPase by shifting the pH and Mg(2+) dependent equilibrium concentration of
      the substrate. In addition, changes of pH and Mg(2+) concentration in the assay
      medium have a delayed effect on FBPase activity. A correlation of the activities
      observed using different pH and Mg(2+) concentrations indicates, that the effect
      is not a consequence of the pH and Mg(2+) concentration as such, but is caused by
      a shift in the equilibrium concentration of a hypothetical inhibitor fructose-1,6
      bisphosphate(3-) (uncomplexed), resulting in a change of the activation state of
      the enzyme. The interplay between a rapid effect on the concentration of the
      substrate and a delayed effect on the activation state enables a rigid control of
      stromal FBPase by stromal Mg(2+) concentrations and pH. Fructose-1,6
      bisphosphatase is allosterically inhibited by fructose-6-phosphate in a sigmoidal
      fashion, allowing a fine control of the enzyme by its product. 

PMID- 24232332
TI  - The midday depression of CO2 assimilation in leaves of Arbutus unedo L.: diurnal
      changes in photosynthetic capacity related to changes in temperature and
      humidity.
AB  - Parts of attached leaves of the sclerophyllous shrub Arbutus unedo were subjected
      to simulated mediterranean days. Gas exchange was recorded in order to recognize
      the causes of the midday depression in CO2 assimilation. Depressions could be
      induced in part of a leaf: they were local responses. The CO2-saturation curves
      of photosynthesis, determined during the morning and afternoon maxima of CO2
      assimilation and during the minimum at midday, established that depressions in
      CO2 assimilation were in one-half of the investigated cases totally caused by
      reversible reductions in the photosynthetic capacity of the leaves, and in the
      other half almost totally caused by such reductions. An analysis of 37 daily
      courses showed that morning reductions and afternoon recoveries of stomatal
      conductance and rate of photosynthesis occurred simultaneously and in proportion
      to each other, with the result that the partial pressure of CO2 in the
      intercellular spaces remained more or less constant. Midday depressions occurred
      also in detached leaves standing in water. The initiation of a midday depression
      was not caused by a circadian rhythm, nor was high quantum flux or high
      temperature a requirement. There was no correlation between the rate of water
      loss from the leaves, or the amount of water lost, with the degree of reduction
      of the photosynthetic capacity. However, depressions occurred if an apparent
      threshold in the water-vapor pressure difference between leaf and air was
      exceeded. This critical value varied between about 20 and 30 mbar, depending on
      the leaf investigated. The dominating role of humidity in the induction of the
      midday depression was further demonstrated when leaf temperature was held
      constant and the vapor-pressure difference was made to follow the pattern of the
      mediterranean day: depressions occurred. Depressions however were hardly
      noticeable when the water-vapor pressure difference was held constant and leaf
      temperature was allowed to vary. In another set of experiments, leaves were
      subjected to variations in temperature and humidity independent of the time of
      the day, under otherwise constant conditions. Photosynthetic capacity and
      stomatal conductance proved to be almost insensitive to changes in temperature
      (in a range extending from 20 to 37 degrees  C) as long as the water vapor
      pressure difference was held constant. If it was not, the rate of photosynthesis
      began to decline with increasing temperature after a threshold water-vapor
      pressure difference was exceeded. The position of the resulting apparent
      temperature optimum of photosynthesis depended on the humidity of the air. We
      suggest that the ability of A. unedo to respond to a dry atmosphere with a
      reversible reduction of its photosynthetic capacity (by a still unknown
      mechanism) is the result of a co-evolution with the development of a strong
      stomatal sensitivity to changes in humidity. 

PMID- 24232333
TI  - Abscisic acid metabolism -vacuolar/extravacuolar distribution of metabolites.
AB  - The biotransformation of abscisic acid (ABA) was studied in cell suspension
      cultures of Lycopersicon esculentum. The ABA was converted by the cells to
      phaseic acid, nigellic acid, dihydrophaseic acid, abscisic acid-beta-D
      glucopyranosyl ester (ABA-Glc) and other ABA and phaseic acid conjugates.
      Investigation of their cellular distribution showed that the conjugated forms
      were located only in the vacuoles whereas ABA and its acidic metabolites were
      found mainly in the extravacuolar fractions. Our results, together with a number
      of studies on the increase of ABA-Glc as a response to stress, allow us to
      propose that ABA-Glc is irreversibly compartmented in the vacuoles of plant
      cells. 

PMID- 24232334
TI  - Nitrogen supply as a factor influencing photoinhibition and photosynthetic
      acclimation after transfer of shade-grown Solanum dulcamara to bright light.
AB  - We have compared the ability of shadegrown clones of Solamum dulcamara L. from
      shade and sun habitats to acclimate to bright light, as a function of nitrogen
      nutrition before and after transfer to bright light. Leaves of S. dulcamara grown
      in the shade with 0.6 mM NO 3 (-) have similar photosynthetic properties as
      leaves of plants grown with 12.0 mM NO 3 (-) . When transferred to bright light
      for 1-2 d the leaves of these plants show substantial photoinhibition which is
      characterized by about 50% decrease in apparent quantum yield and a reduction in
      the rate of photosynthesis in air at light saturation. Photoinhibition of leaf
      photosynthesis is associated with reduction in the variable component of low
      temperature fluorescence emission, and with loss of in-vitro electron transport,
      especially of photosystem II-dependent processes.We find no evidence for ecotypic
      differentiation in the potential for photosynthetic acclimation among shade and
      sun clones of S. dulcamara, or of differentiation with respect to nitrogen
      requirements for acclimation. Recovery from photoinhibition and subsequent
      acclimation of photosynthesis to bright light only occurs in leaves of plants
      provided with 12.0 mM NO 3 (-) . In these, apparent quantum yield is fully
      restored after 14 d, and photosynthetic acclimation is shown by an increase in
      light-saturated photosynthesis in air, of light-and CO2-saturated photosynthesis,
      and of the initial slope of the CO2-response curve. The latter changes are highly
      correlated with changes in ribulose-bisphosphate-carboxylase activity in vitro.
      Plants supplied with 0.6 mM NO 3 (-) show incomplete recovery of apparent quantum
      yield after 14 d, but CO2-dependent leaf photosynthetic parameters return to
      control levels. 

PMID- 24232335
TI  - Calcium acetate induces calcium uptake and formation of calcium-oxalate crystals
      in isolated leaflets of Gleditsia triacanthos L.
AB  - During treatment of isolated, peeled leaflets of Gleditsia triacanthos with 0.5-2
      mM [(45)Ca]acetate, saturation of the cell-wall free space with Ca(2+) occurred
      within 10 min and was followed by a period of 6-10 h during which there was no
      significant Ca-uptake into the protoplast, but apoplastic Ca(2+) was periodically
      released into the medium. Later, Ca(2+) was absorbed for 3-4 d at rates of up to
      2.2 MUmol Ca(2+).h(-1).(g FW)(-1) to final concentrations of 350 MUmol Ca(2+). (g
      FW)(-1). The distribution of absorbed Ca(2+) between cell wall, vacuole and Ca
      oxalate crystals was determined during Ca-uptake. Wheras intact, cut leaflets
      deposited absorbed Ca(2+) as Ca-oxalate in the crystal cells, peeled leaflets
      lacking crystal cells accumulated at least 40-50 MUmol.(g FW)(-1) soluble Ca(2+)
      before the absorbed Ca(2+) was precipitated as Ca-oxalate. These observations
      indicate that the mechanisms for the continuous uptake of Ca(2+), the synthesis
      of oxalate and the precipitation of Ca(2+) as Ca-oxalate are operational in the
      crystal cells of intact leaflets, but not in the mesophyll cells of peeled
      leaflets where they must be induced by exposure to Ca(2+). The precipitation of
      absorbed Ca(2+) as Ca-oxalate by the crystal cells of isolated Gleditsia leaflets
      illustrates the role of these cells in the excretion of surplus Ca(2+) which
      enters normal, attached leaves with the transpiration stream.In addition to
      acetate, only Ca-lactate and Ca-carbonate lead to Ca-uptake, but at rates well
      below those observed with Ca-acetate. Other small organic anions (citrate,
      glycolate, glyoxalate, malate) and inorganic anions (chloride, nitrate, sulfate)
      did not permit Ca-uptake. Acetate-(14)C was rapidly absorbed during Ca-uptake,
      but less than 20% was incorporated into Ca-oxalate; the rest remained mostly in
      the soluble fraction or was metabolized to CO2. Acetate, as a permeable weak
      acid, may enable rapid Ca-uptake by stimulating proton extrusion at the
      plasmalemma and by serving as a counterion during Ca-accumulation in the vacuole,
      but is unlikely to function as the principal substrate for oxalate synthesis. 

PMID- 24232336
TI  - Urease in jack-bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC) seeds is a cytosolic protein.
AB  - Urease (EC 3.5.1.5) is abundantly present in the seeds of many species of
      Leguminosae. There is at present conflicting information in the literature about
      its subcellular location and status as a glycoprotein. We have made a study of
      the subcellular location of urease in jack-bean cotyledons using an
      immunocytochemical approach; in addition, we studied the biosynthesis and
      glycoprotein nature of the enzyme using several biochemical approaches. All the
      results are in agreement with the interpretation that the seed urease is not a
      glycoprotein, is synthesized on free polysomes, and is present in the cytosol of
      the storage parenchyma cells. 

PMID- 24232337
TI  - Genetic control of UDP-glucose: anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase from flowers
      of Matthiola incana R.Br.
AB  - In flower extracts of defined genotypes of Matthiola incana, an enzyme was
      demonstrated which catalyzes the transfer of the glucosyl moiety of uridine 5'
      diphosphoglucose (UDPGlc) to the 5-hydroxyl group of pelargonidin and cyanidin 3
      glycosides and acylated derivatives. The best substrate for 5-glucosylation is
      the 3-xylosylglucoside acylated with p-coumarate, followed by the 3
      xylosylglucoside and by the acylated (p-coumarate) 3-glucoside. The 3-glucoside
      itself is a very poor substrate. Besides UDPGlc, thymine 5'-diphosphoglucose is a
      suitable glucosyl-donor, but with a reduced reaction rate (42%). The anthocyanin
      5-O-glucosyltransferase exhibits a pH optimum at 7.5 and is generally inhibited
      by divalent ions and by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and p
      chloromercuribenzoate. Investigations on different genotypes showed that the 5-O
      glucosyltransferase activity is clearly controlled by the gene l. In confirmation
      of earlier chemogenetic work, enzyme activity is only present in lines with the
      wild-type allele l(+). The anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase activity is
      strictly correlated with the formation of 5-glucosylated anthocyanins during bud
      development. 

PMID- 24232338
TI  - Tobacco-mosaic-virus-induced increase in abscisic-acid concentration in tobacco
      leaves: : Intracellular location in light and dark-green areas, and relationship
      to symptom development.
AB  - The concentrations of free and bound abscisic acid (ABA and the presumed ABA
      glucose ester) increased three- to fourfold in leaves of White Burley tobacco
      (Nicotiana tabacum L.) systemically infected with tobacco mosaic virus. Infected
      leaves developed a distinct mosaic of light-green and dark-green areas. The
      largest increases in both free and bound ABA occurred in dark-green areas. In
      contrast, virus accumulated to a much higher concentration in light-green tissue.
      Free ABA in healthy leaves was contained predominantly within the chloroplasts
      while the majority of bound ABA was present in non-chloroplastic fractions.
      Chloroplasts from light-green or dark-green tissues were able to increase stromal
      pH on illumination by an amount similar to chloroplasts from healthy leaf. It is
      unlikely therefore that any virus-induced diminution of pH gradient is
      responsible for increased ABA accumulation. Tobacco mosaic virus infection had
      little effect on free ABA concentration in chloroplasts; the virus-induced
      increase in free ABA occurred predominantly out-side the chloroplast. The
      proportional distribution of bound ABA in the cell was not changed by infection.
      Treatment of healthy plants with ABA or water stress increased chlorophyll
      concentration by an amount similar to that induced by infection in dark-green
      areas of leaf. A role for increased ABA concentration in the development of
      mosaic symptoms is suggested. 

PMID- 24232339
TI  - Genetic diversity among sublines originating from a single somatic hybrid cell of
      Duboisia hopwoodii + Nicotiana tabacum.
AB  - The genetic instability of an intertribal hybrid cell line, Duboisia hopwoodii +
      Nicotiana tabacum, obtained by mechanical isolation of a single hybrid cell was
      studied. Ten subclones of calli derived from this hybrid cell line were cultured
      for 3 years, and their genetic makeup clarified as to nuclear DNA content,
      chromosome constitution, and peroxidase isozymes. Nuclear DNA content differed in
      each subclone. In most subclones, mean DNA content was lower than the mean DNA
      content in the original hybrid cell line determined 1 year after fusion. This
      decrease in DNA content is partly attributable to the elimination of tobacco
      chromosomes that occurred in all subclones. The extent to which tobacco
      chromosomes were eliminated varied among the subclones - evidence that chromosome
      elimination occurred slowly. Peroxidase isozyme analysis indicated the loss of a
      tobacco-specific isozyme, thus confirming results obtained by chromosome
      analysis. Shoots regenerated from two hybrid subclones after 2 years were also
      heterogeneous in morphology and nuclear DNA content. 

PMID- 24232340
TI  - Recombination in sesquidiploid hybrids of Lycopersicon esculentum * Solanum
      lycopersicoides and derivatives.
AB  - Sesquidiploid hybrids of L. esculentum (L) x S. lycopersicoides (S) were
      backcrossed to L via L. pennellii (P) as a bridging species in order to detect
      and measure recombination. Although use of P injected its traits into the
      populations, the investigated traits were proven to originate from S. The
      appearance of S traits in diploids in the immediate progeny of sesquidiploids but
      mainly of derived alien addition types proved the occurrence of recombination at
      rates varying from 1.6% to 16%. In subsequent BC's, these traits were inherited
      in dominant Mendelian fashion, except for deviations favoring recurrent parent
      alleles, sometimes with highly significant deviations from 1?1. Inheritance was
      investigated in BC and F2 ex BC for 13 traits with strong phenotypic
      modifications of morphological, physiological, and isozymic nature. Monogenic
      determination was confirmed in most instances by tight linkages. For most of the
      traits, small progenies allowed only rough estimates of linkage intensities, but
      for Wa (gene for White anthers, universal in S), a test cross with four markers
      on chromosome 8 established its locus 2 cM distal to dl, proximally on 8L. Also
      noteworthy is the linkage of Dls, a gene determining sensitivity of flowering to
      long days, close to sp, situated subterminally on 6L. For the majority of traits,
      these manifestations of linkage proved that the appearance of S traits resulted
      from recombination, not alien chromosome substitution - a conclusion also
      reinforced by observations of chromosome pairing in alien addition types and
      diploid derivatives. Recombined S alleles have loci in various chromosome
      positions. Although they were discovered on the shorter chromosomes (nos. 6-12),
      hybridization barriers precluded tests with the longer chromosomes. Thus, no
      evidence was found for restriction of recombination to certain chromosomes or
      chromosomal regions. The prospects therefore appear favorable for deriving
      valuable traits from the S parent. 

PMID- 24232342
TI  - Diploid somatic-hybrid plants regenerated from rice cultivars.
AB  - Somatic hybrid plants were obtained between rice cultivars 'Yamahoushi' and
      'Murasakidaikoku'. Since 'Murasakidaikoku' is a double mutant having both
      dominant (purple coloration) and recessive (dwarf) markers, the somatic hybrids
      can be easily distinguished from their parents. Protoplasts were isolated from
      anther-derived calli, and electrofused protoplasts were cultured without
      selection of hybrid cells. Out of 27 regenerated plants, 9 proved to be hybrids
      based on their purple coloration and normal plant type, traits which were
      identical to those of the sexual F1 hybrid between the same parental cultivars.
      The somatic hybrids included three diploid and six triploid plants. Segregation
      of parental markers was observed in the selfed progenies. These results
      demonstrated that diploid hybrids of rice could be obtained through somatic
      hybridization between haploid anther-derived cells instead of by sexual
      hybridization. 

PMID- 24232341
TI  - Monosomic additions in beet (Beta vulgaris) carrying extra chromosomes of B.
      procumbens : 2. Effects of the alien chromosomes on in vivo and in vitro plant
      development.
AB  - Alien monosomic additions in beet (Beta vulgaris), each carrying one of the nine
      chromosomes of B. procumbens, were grown in vivo and in vitro to study the effect
      of the alien chromosomes on plant development. All additional chromosomes caused
      a reduction of the growth rate in vivo, which, in one case was so strong that
      some of the plants died as seedlings. In general, the morphological plant
      characteristics were not very useful to distinguish the addition types; this
      could have been the results of the wide variation in the recipient parent.
      However, some developmental characteristics proved to be highly chromosome
      specific; for plants in vivo this was annuality, in combination with early or
      late flowering. If grown in vitro, chromosome specificity was observed for growth
      type (rosette or elongated stem), occurrence and rate of vitrification,
      occurrence and morphology of wound callus, formation of additional meristems on
      the midribs of leaves, formation of roots and a specific reaction to
      benzylaminopurine (BAP) the medium. Two chromosome types of B. procumbens caused
      resistance to the beet cyst nematode. 

PMID- 24232343
TI  - Dominance relationships among S-alleles in Corylus avellana L.
AB  - Pollen-stigma compatibility relationship were studied in 50 cultivars and more
      than 800 seedlings of the European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.). A total of 22
      unique S-alleles have been identified. Dominance relationships in 75 of the
      possible 231 pairs of alleles have been determined in both pistil and pollen. In
      the pistil, all alleles exhibited independent action, whereas in the pollen,
      alleles exhibited either dominance or codominance. The dominance relationship was
      linear with 7 levels of dominance. 

PMID- 24232344
TI  - Structure of melon rDNA and nucleotide sequence of the 17-25S spacer region.
AB  - Restriction enzyme and hybridization analysis of melon nuclear DNA suggests a
      homogenous rDNA population with a repeat unit of 10.2 kb. Several full length
      Hind III rDNA repeat units were cloned and one of these is described in detail.
      The regions coding for 25S, 17S and 5.8S rRNAs were located by crossed-contact
      hybridization and R-loop mapping. Introns were not observed. The nucleotide
      sequence of the internal transcribed spacer and flanking regions was determined
      and compared with the corresponding region from rice rDNA by dot matrix analysis.
      In addition, the extent of gross sequence homology between cloned melon and pea
      rDNA units was determined by heteroduplex mapping. 

PMID- 24232345
TI  - Complex interspecific hybridization in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and the
      possible occurrence of apomixis.
AB  - Several complex hybrids were produced from the combination [(Hordeum lechleri, 6x
      xH. procerum, 6 x) * H. vulgare, 2 x]. Crosses with six diploid barley lines
      resulted in triple hybrids, most of which had a full complement of barley
      chromosomes (no. 1-7), but were mixoploid with respect to alien chromosomes (19
      22). In one combination, chromosome no. 7 was duplicated. Meiosis in triple
      hybrids showed low, but variable pairing (1.3-5.5 chiasmata per cell). The
      syndesis probably did not include the barley chromosomes. Direct back-crosses to
      di- and tetraploid barley lines were unsuccessful. Chromosome doubling of the
      triple hybrid based on cv 'Pallas' resulted in a plant with 2n = 53-56, which had
      an increased fertility. Backcrosses to one di- and one tetraploid barley line
      resulted in offspring. The cross made with the tetraploid line ('Haisa II'),
      produced a 28-chromosomic plant in which the male parental genome was absent. We
      suspect that this plant may have arisen through parthenogenetic development of a
      reduced female gamete. The other cross with a diploid line ('9208/9') resulted in
      plant with 2n = 51-53. The most likely explanation for this second plant is that
      an unreduced gamete from the amphiploid was fertilized by a normal gamete from
      the backcross parent, and during early embryo development, some chromosomes were
      eliminated. 

PMID- 24232346
TI  - Isozyme variation and RFLPs at the beta-amylase loci in wheat.
AB  - Forty-one hexaploid wheat genotypes have been examined for RFLPs detected by a
      beta-amylase probe using three restriction enzymes, and for mature grain beta
      amylase isozyme polymorphism following IEF. The two homoeoallelic series assayed
      for RFLPs differed: little variation was found at group 2 chromosome homoeoloci,
      while the group 4/5 chromosome homoeoloci displayed considerable variation.
      Varieties that displayed a RFLP with one RE almost always did likewise with the
      other two REs, suggesting that most of the polymorphisms observed were due to
      large DNA rearrangements. Comparison of the variation in grain beta-amylase
      isozymes with the RFLP results indicated strong associations between particular
      RFLP and isozyme alleles. 

PMID- 24232347
TI  - Action of natural selection in lines of Drosophila selected for a new level of
      canalization.
AB  - Four lines of Drosophila melanogaster previously selected for a stabilized
      phenotype of two extra dorsocentral bristles were examined for 20 generations of
      canalizing selection and relaxation of selection. A substantial frequency of
      flies with either two anterior or two posterior extra bristles was maintained in
      the relaxed lines. These patterns were the only ones tolerated by natural
      selection, i.e., the only symmetric ones. It was concluded that anterior and
      posterior dorsocentral bristles are two independent development structures, and
      the results are discussed in relation to two proposed genetic systems for bristle
      determination. 

PMID- 24232348
TI  - The genomic relationship between Glycine max (L.) Merr. and G. soja Sieb. and
      Zucc. as revealed by pachytene chromosome analysis.
AB  - This study was conducted with the objective of determining the genomic
      relationship between cultivated soybean (Glycine max) and wild soybean (G. soja)
      of the subgenus Soja, genus Glycine. Observations on cross-ability rate, hybrid
      viability, meiotic chromosome pairing, and pollen fertility in F 1 hybrids of G.
      max * G. soja and reciprocals elucidated that both species hybridized readily and
      set mature putative hybrid pods, generated vigorous F1 plants, had a majority of
      sporocytes that showed 18II + 1IV chromosome association at diakinesis and
      metaphase I, and had a pollen fertility that ranged from 49.2% to 53.3%. A
      quadrivalent was often associated with the nucleolus, suggesting that one of the
      chromosomes involved in the interchange is a satellited chromosome. Thus, G. max
      and G. soja genetic stocks used in this study have been differentiated by a
      reciprocal translocation. Pachytene analysis of F1 hybrids helped construct
      chromosome maps based on chromosome length and euchromatin and heterochromatin
      distribution. Chromosomes were numbered in descending order of 1-20. Pachytene
      chromosomes in soybean showed heterochromatin distribution on either side of the
      centromeres. Pachytene analysis revealed small structural differences for
      chromosomes 6 and 11 which were not detected at diakinesis and metaphase I. This
      study suggests that G. max and G. soja carry similar genomes and validates the
      previously assigned genome symbol GG. 

PMID- 24232349
TI  - DNA polymorphisms in commercial and wild strains of the cultivated mushroom,
      Agaricus bisporus.
AB  - DNA from the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, was cloned into the
      bacteriophage lambda vector EMBL3 creating a partial genomic library. Ten random
      clones from the library were used to probe for restriction fragment length
      polymorphisms (RFLPs). Six of the ten probes detected polymorphisms and were used
      to demonstrate variation in wild and cultivated strains of the mushroom. These
      results suggest that RFLPs could form a basis for genetic finger-printing and
      subsequent strain protection in A. bisporus. In single spore progeny, RFLPs were
      used to demonstrate normal meiotic segregation and to differentiate between
      homokaryons and heterokaryons. RFLPs therefore have great potential in the
      development of the genetics and breeding of this commercially important species. 

PMID- 24232350
TI  - Best linear prediction of breeding values in a forest tree improvement program.
AB  - Best Linear Prediction (BLP) was used to predict breeding values for 1,396
      parents from progeny test data in an operational slash pine breeding program. BLP
      rankings of parents were compared to rankings of averaged standard scores, a
      common approach in forestry. Using BLP rankings, selection of higher ranking
      parents tends to choose parents in a larger number of more precise progeny tests.
      The trend is the opposite with standard scores; higher ranking parents tend to be
      those in fewer, less precise tests. BLP and a related methodology, Best Linear
      Unbiased Prediction (BLUP), were developed by dairy cattle breeders and have not
      been used widely outside of animal breeding for predicting breeding values from
      messy progeny test data. Application of either of these techniques usually
      requires simplifying assumptions to keep the problem computationally tractable.
      The more appropriate technique for a given application depends upon which set of
      assumptions are better for the given problem. An assumption of homogeneous
      genetic and error variances and covariances, generally made by animal breeders
      when applying BLUP, was inappropriate for our data. We employed an approach that
      treated fixed effects as known and treated the same trait measured in different
      environments as different traits with heterogeneous variance structures. As tree
      improvement programs become more complex, the ease with which BLP and BLUP handle
      messy data and incorporate diverse sources of information should make these
      techniques appealing to forest tree breeders. 

PMID- 24232351
TI  - Genome specific, highly repeated sequences of Hordeum vulgare: cloning,
      sequencing and squash dot test.
AB  - Highly repeated sequences of nuclear DNA from barley Hordeum vulgare (L.) variety
      'Erfa' were cloned. Several clones containing barley specific repeated DNA were
      analysed by sequence analysis and Southern blot hybridization. The investigated
      repeats differ from each other in their length, sequence and redundancy. Their
      length ranges from 36 bp to about 180 bp. The repeats are AT-rich and differ
      widely in their redundancy within the barley genome. Southern analysis showed
      that the repeats belong to different repetition complexes. The possibility for
      utilizing these clones as probes for simple and fast genome analysis is
      demonstrated in squash dot experiments. 

PMID- 24232352
TI  - In vitro response as a reflection of genomic diversity in long-term cultures of
      Musa.
AB  - Ten commercial cultivars of Musa representing five different types of genomic
      constitutions were studied for in vitro multiplication through meristem culture.
      In addition, the effects of various genomic constitutions at different ploidy
      levels on growth and meristem proliferation in long-term cultures were analysed
      statistically. Plantlets were readily obtained by culturing the excised meristems
      on MS semisolid medium supplemented with IAA, IBA and BAP at various
      concentrations. The regenerative potential of all cultivars of Musa, irrespective
      of their genomes, remained unaffected in long-term culture, even after 28-30
      months. The genomic influence on both the nature and rate of proliferative growth
      was evident. Statistical analysis revealed that the rates of meristem
      proliferation between different cultivars of the same passage and between
      different passages of the same cultivar were significantly different. Those
      cultivars having only an A genome showed a low rate of meristem proliferation,
      while under the same culture conditions, cultivars having one or two B genomes in
      addition to the A exhibited a very high rate. 

PMID- 24232353
TI  - Natural selection of allozyme polymorphisms: a microgeographical differentiation
      by edaphic, topographical, and temporal factors in wild emmer wheat (Triticum
      dicoccoides).
AB  - Allozymic variation in proteins encoded by 47 loci was analyzed
      electrophoretically in 1983/4 and 1984/5 in 356 individual plants of wild emmer
      wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, from a microsite at Tabigha, north of the Sea of
      Galilee, Israel. Each year the test involved two 100-meter transects, each
      equally subdivided into basalt and terra rossa soil types, and comparisons were
      based on 16 common polymorphic loci. Significant genetic differentiation, genetic
      phase disequilibria, and genome organization according to soil type were found
      over very short distances. Our results suggest that allozyme polymorphisms in
      wild emmer wheat are partly adaptive, and that they differentiate at both single
      and multilocus structures primarily from environmental stress of such ecological
      factors as soil type, topography, and temporal changes, probably through aridity
      stress. 

PMID- 24232354
TI  - Structure of the mitochondrial genome of Beta vulgaris L.
AB  - The structure of mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) from sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) has
      been studied by biochemical methods and electron microscopy. It was found to be
      complex multipartite consisting of two main classes of molecules: high molecules
      weight (HMW) mtDNA and low molecular weight (LMW) mtDNA. The HMW mtDNA consists
      of rosette-like structures and globules resembling chromomeres (150-200nm). A
      typical rosette has a protein core and radially stemming closed DNA loops (from
      0.6-1.5 MUm). The number of loops in a rosette varies from 16-30. The bulk of HMW
      mtDNAs are represented by interconnected rosettes (total contour length about 130
      160 MUm, 403-496 kbp). Such large circular DNAs may be evidence of the master
      chromosome arrangement of the sugarbeet genome. Globules and rosettes are
      interconnected by thick and thin DNA fibrils, along which nucleosome- and
      nucleomere-like structures are distributed. The LWM mtDNA is composed of two
      groups of supercoiled circular molecules, 0,2-1.5 MUm and 0.02-0.05 MUm in size.
      Electrophoretic analysis demonstrated that LWM mtDNA is represented by minicircle
      plasmid-like DNA molecules of 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 kbp. 

PMID- 24232355
TI  - Intergeneric asymmetric hybrids between Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and Atropa
      belladonna obtained by "gamma-fusion".
AB  - Asymmetric nuclear hybrids have been obtained by fusion of cells from a nitrate
      reductase deficient mutant of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia (cnx20) and gamma
      irradiated protoplasts of Atropa belladonna (irradiation doses tested were 10,
      30, 50 and 100 krad). The hybrid formation frequency following selection for
      genotypic complementation in the NR function was in the range of 0.7%-3.7%.
      Cytogenetic studies demonstrated that all hybrid plants tested possessed multiple
      (generally tetra- or hexaploid) sets of N. plumbaginifolia (n = 10) chromosomes
      along with 6-29 Atropa chromosomes (n = 36), some of which were greatly deleted.
      Besides the cnxA gene (the selection marker), additional material of the
      irradiated partner was expressed in some of the lines, as shown by analyses of
      multiple molecular forms of enzymes. Surprisingly, rDNA genes of both parental
      species were present and amplified in the majority of the hybrids. Whenever
      studied, the chloroplast DNA in the hybrids was derived from the Nicotiana
      parent. Regenerants from some lines flowered and were partially fertile. It is
      concluded that irradiation of cells of the donor parent before fusion can be used
      to produce highly asymmetric nuclear hybrid plants, although within the dose
      range tested, the treatment determined the direction of the elimination but not
      the degree of elimination of the irradiated genome. 

PMID- 24232356
TI  - Genotype-independent leaf disc transformation of potato (Solanum tuberosum) using
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Leaves of the in vitro grown potato cultivars 'Bintje', 'Berolina', 'Desiree',
      and 'Russet Burbank' were wounded and co-cultivated with Agrobacterium strains
      having chimeric bar and nptII genes on a disarmed T-DNA. Each leaf from these
      cultivars formed numerous calli on kanamycin-containing medium, and almost all
      calli regenerated shoots. For 'Russet Burbank', it was necessary to include AgNO3
      in the medium to obtain efficient shoot regeneration. The transformed plants have
      one to a few copies of the T-DNA, show NPT-II and PAT activities, and are
      resistant to high doses of the commercial preparation of phospinotricin
      (glufosinate). Almost no somaclonal variation was detected in trans-genic plants.

PMID- 24232357
TI  - Juvenile body weight and gonad development in a diallel cross among lines of
      Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).
AB  - The influence of growth on the extent of heterosis for juvenile body weight and
      gonad development was studied in a diallel cross among two lines of Japanese
      quail differing in adult body size. A total of 1,096 birds (563 males and 533
      females) was slaughtered between 25 and 49 days of age. Reciprocal cross
      differences were non-significant. Heterosis showed a curvilinear course with age
      peaking during early growth (body weight) and during sexual maturity (gonad
      percentage). Overall advanced physiological development of the crossbreds
      probably begins as early as during the embryonic stages and results in earlier
      sexual maturity. In females, heterosis for percentage gonads was biased strongly
      by the presence of a hard-shelled egg in the uterus. 

PMID- 24232358
TI  - Chromosomal location by F1 monosomic analysis of endosperm proteins in bread
      wheat : 1. One-dimensional electrophoresis of glutenins and gliadins.
AB  - A new methodology to determine the chromosomal location and allelic differences
      of endosperm proteins in common wheat cultivars by analysis of monosomic
      intervarietal hybrids is reported. Endosperm proteins from the common wheats
      Chinese Spring, Capelle Desprez, Holdfast and Pane 247 are studied using
      monosomic F1 for the chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6. The proteins
      were fractionated by two electrophoretical techniques, SDS- and A-PAGE. The use
      of monosomic offers a remarkable advantage over the utilization of intervarietal
      substitution lines, because it permits a quicker characterization and earlier
      evaluation of basic material to be used in breeding programmes. 

PMID- 24232359
TI  - Using clonal replicates to explore genetic variation in a perennial plant
      species.
AB  - An experimental design is presented for estimating genetic parameters using a
      family structure with clonally replicated individuals. This experimental design
      provides a technique to quantify genetic variation in a population, with partial
      separation of additive, dominance and epistatic gene action. Our method is
      offered as an alternative to techniques for estimating epistatic gene action that
      require several generations and/or inbreeding. Such methods are not particularly
      useful for long-lived perennials with long generation cycles. An example of the
      analysis is given with a forest tree species, Populus deltoides Bartr., and
      parameter estimates are presented for traits measured over 8 years. 

PMID- 24232360
TI  - Biochemical genetics of powdery mildew resistance in pea.
AB  - A biochemical study on phenolic (total phenols and orthodihydroxy phenols)
      content and on the activities of phenol oxidizing enzymes (peroxidase and
      polyphenol oxidase) in pea cultivars resistant and susceptible to powdery mildew
      infection revealed that the resistant cultivars contained higher levels of
      phenolics and phenol-oxidizing enzymes than the susceptible ones. A further study
      of their F1s, F2s and backcross progenies suggested a high heritability for all
      biochemical traits. The correlation coefficients between the biochemical
      parameters and the disease index were also high. Both additive (d) and dominant
      (h) components were found to contribute to the inheritance of these constituents.

PMID- 24232362
TI  - A randomized feasibility study of a 12-week community-based exercise program for
      people with Huntington's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The beneficial role of exercise as a treatment approach
      in Huntington's disease (HD) has support from both preclinical work and small
      scale studies; however, there have been no controlled studies of gym-based
      exercise in people with HD. This phase 2 randomized trial (ISRCTN 59910670)
      assessed feasibility, safety, acceptability, and benefit of a structured exercise
      program. METHODS: Thirty-one participants (16 men; mean [SD] age = 50.4 [11.4]
      years) were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 16) or control group (usual
      care; n = 15). The intervention entailed a weekly supervised gym session of
      stationary cycling and resistance exercises, and a twice weekly independent home
      based walking program. Retention and adherence rates and adverse events were
      recorded. Acceptability was determined from subjective reports of tolerability
      and physiological measures recorded during the gym sessions. Assessment of
      benefit included measures of physical abilities, disease severity, and quality of
      life (36-Item Short Form Health Survey). Analysis of covariance was used to test
      outcomes of interest. RESULTS: The retention rate was 81% (9 of the 11
      individuals who started the intervention completed it) and of the 9 who completed
      the program, 7 attended more than 75% (9/12) of the gym sessions. There were no
      related adverse events and the intervention was well tolerated by most
      participants. The between-group effect estimate for the Mental Component Summary
      score of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (n = 9; intervention, n = 13;
      control) was 7 (95% CI: 0.4-13.7) Moderate effect sizes for cognitive outcomes
      and measures of walking were also observed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Observed
      effect sizes for clinical outcomes suggest the structured exercise program has
      benefit for persons with HD; larger scale trials are warranted.Video Abstract
      available (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1,
      http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A60) for more insights from the authors.

PMID- 24232361
TI  - The role of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis in osteogenic  and
      odontogenic differentiation.
AB  - The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis is a multicomponent molecular network
      which has important biological functions in the development and maintenance of
      differentiated tissue function(s). One of the most important functions of the IGF
      axis is the control of skeletal tissue metabolism by the finely tuned regulation
      of the process of osteogenesis. To achieve this, the IGF axis controls the
      activity of several cell types-osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes and
      osteoclasts to achieve the co-ordinated development of appropriate hard tissue
      structure and associated matrix deposition. In addition, there is an increasing
      awareness that the IGF axis also plays a role in the process of odontogenesis
      (tooth formation). In this review, we highlight some of the key findings in both
      of these areas. A further understanding of the role of the IGF axis in hard
      tissue biology may contribute to tissue regeneration strategies in cases of
      skeletal tissue trauma.

PMID- 24232363
TI  - Video games and rehabilitation: using design principles to enhance engagement in
      physical therapy.
AB  - Patient nonadherence with therapy is a major barrier to rehabilitation. Recovery
      is often limited and requires prolonged, intensive rehabilitation that is time
      consuming, expensive, and difficult. We review evidence for the potential use of
      video games in rehabilitation with respect to the behavioral, physiological, and
      motivational effects of gameplay. In this Special Interest article, we offer a
      method to evaluate effects of video game play on motor learning and their
      potential to increase patient engagement with therapy, particularly commercial
      games that can be interfaced with adapted control systems. We take the novel
      approach of integrating research across game design, motor learning,
      neurophysiology changes, and rehabilitation science to provide criteria by which
      therapists can assist patients in choosing games appropriate for rehabilitation.
      Research suggests that video games are beneficial for cognitive and motor skill
      learning in both rehabilitation science and experimental studies with healthy
      subjects. Physiological data suggest that gameplay can induce neuroplastic
      reorganization that leads to long-term retention and transfer of skill; however,
      more clinical research in this area is needed. There is interdisciplinary
      evidence suggesting that key factors in game design, including choice, reward,
      and goals, lead to increased motivation and engagement. We maintain that video
      game play could be an effective supplement to traditional therapy. Motion
      controllers can be used to practice rehabilitation-relevant movements, and well
      designed game mechanics can augment patient engagement and motivation in
      rehabilitation. We recommend future research and development exploring
      rehabilitation-relevant motions to control games and increase time in therapy
      through gameplay.Video Abstract available (see Video, Supplemental Digital
      Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A61) for more insights from the authors. 

PMID- 24232364
TI  - Treatment of severe hand impairment following stroke by combining assisted
      movement, muscle vibration, and biofeedback.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Few studies have addressed the rehabilitation of hand
      function in persons with severe impairment following stroke, and few therapeutic
      options are available for treatment. We investigated whether an intervention of
      robot-assisted movement and muscle vibration could reduce impairment and enable
      hand-opening to a greater extent when combined with torque biofeedback or
      electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback. METHODS: Forty-three participants with
      severe hand impairment due to chronic stroke (>=1 year poststroke) were
      randomized to 1 of 2 treatment groups receiving assisted movement and muscle
      vibration combined with either torque or EMG biofeedback. Each participant
      received 30 sessions (30 minutes duration per session) directed at the impaired
      hand over 10 to 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Upper Extremity Fugl
      Meyer Assessment (UE-FMA), Stroke Impact Scale, and Box-and-Block Test scores.
      RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 43 participants had no baseline finger extension; the
      remainder had an average of 23 +/- 26 mm extension in the most active finger.
      Assisted movement and muscle vibration were associated with a significant
      increase in all outcome measures across both treatment groups, and for the UE-FMA
      and Stroke Impact Scale within treatment groups, with no significant difference
      between groups. Based on the Box-and-Block Test scores, the assisted movement and
      muscle vibration intervention did not restore functional hand-opening to
      participants with baseline UE-FMA scores less than 17/66, regardless of the form
      of biofeedback. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Assisted movement and muscle
      vibration, combined with either EMG or torque biofeedback, appears to reduce
      upper limb impairment, improve volitional activation of the hand muscles, and
      restore a modicum of hand function in some persons with severe hand impairment
      due to chronic stroke.Video Abstract available (see Video, Supplemental Digital
      Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A64) for more insights from the authors.

PMID- 24232366
TI  - On the catalytic mechanism of polysaccharide lyases: evidence of His and Tyr
      involvement in heparin lysis by heparinase I and the role of Ca2+.
AB  - The structurally diverse polysaccharide lyase enzymes are distributed from plants
      to animals but share common catalytic mechanisms. One, heparinase I (F.
      heparinum), is employed in the production of the major anticoagulant drug, low
      molecular weight heparin, and is a mainstay of cell surface proteoglycan
      analysis. We demonstrate that heparinase I specificity and efficiency depend on
      the cationic form of the substrate. Ca(2+)-heparin, in which alpha-L-iduronate-2
      O-sulfate residues adopt (1)C4 conformation preferentially, is a substrate, while
      Na(+)-heparin is an inhibitor. His and Tyr residues are identified in the
      catalytic step and a model based on molecular dynamics and docking is proposed,
      in which deprotonated His203 initiates beta-elimination by abstracting the C5
      proton of the alpha-L-iduonate-2-O-sulfate residue in the substrate, and
      protonated Tyr357 provides the donor to the hexosamine leaving group.

PMID- 24232368
TI  - Serum biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell cancer.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Serum biomarkers may be useful in the evaluation of suspected head
      and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) and as indicators of treatment success or
      failure in adjuvant and chemopreventive clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: To determine
      serum cytokine and chemokine concentrations altered in patients with HNSCC
      compared with healthy volunteers to identify potential biomarkers. DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective experimental laboratory study at Feist
      Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
      Shreveport. Serum samples from 50 patients with stages II, III, and IV HNSCC and
      20 healthy volunteers were available for study. Primary tumor sites represented
      in the patient group included the nasal cavity, oral cavity, oropharynx,
      hypopharynx, and larynx. INTERVENTIONS: Following institutional review approval
      and written informed consent, blood samples were drawn from patients. No
      intervention, to include any kind of diagnostic workup or treatment, was provided
      to patients during the course of this study. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main
      outcome measures were the quantification of cytokine and chemokine concentrations
      in serum samples. Luminex multiplex panel technology was used for simultaneous
      measurement of 18 analytes, including fibroblast growth factor 2, granulocyte
      macrophage colony-stimulating factor, growth-related oncogene, interferon (IFN)
      gamma, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13,
      inducible protein (IP)-10, soluble CD40 ligand, tumor necrosis factor, and
      vascular endothelial growth factor. RESULTS: The serum samples of patients with
      HNSCC contained lower levels of IFN-gamma (mean patient serum level, 6.08 pg/mL,
      compared with the mean control level, 26.20 pg/mL; P = .004), IL-13 (mean patient
      serum level, 2.85 pg/mL, compared with the control mean level, 7.23 pg/mL; P =
      .02), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta (MIP-1beta) (mean patient serum
      level, 14.91 pg/mL, compared with the mean control level, 28.98 pg/mL; P = .004),
      and elevated levels of IP-10 (mean patient serum level, 359.24 pg/mL, compared
      with mean control level, 216.40 pg/mL; P = .04). All other markers tested were
      not significantly different between patients with cancer and controls.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This pilot study demonstrated a significant decrease
      in serum IFN-gamma, IL-13, and MIP-1beta levels and a significant elevation of
      serum IP-10 concentration in patients with HNSCC, irrespective of primary tumor
      site. If validated in larger, independent studies, these serum biomarkers may be
      useful in the diagnosis and treatment of HNSCC. In the future, a defined,
      multianalyte screening panel could facilitate early diagnosis of HNSCC, allowing
      for earlier treatment and thereby reducing patient mortality.

PMID- 24232369
TI  - Surgical therapies for fecal incontinence.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Fecal incontinence is a significant source of morbidity and
      decreased quality of life (QOL) for many. Until recent years, few therapies
      beyond medical management were available for patients. Surgical treatment of
      fecal incontinence has evolved from colostomy and direct repair of muscle defects
      to interventional techniques such as nerve stimulation and bulking agents. We
      review the most recent surgical options for the treatment of fecal incontinence
      within the context of established therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: Overlapping
      sphincteroplasty is an established therapy that improves continence and QOL,
      although results deteriorate over time. Implanted artificial bowel sphincter has
      a 100% complication rate and 80% are explanted over time. Sacral nerve
      stimulation has minimal risk and more durable long-term improvement in
      continence. Less invasive versions of nerve stimulation are being researched.
      Injectable biomaterials have shown some promise, although durability of results
      is not clear. Novel therapies, including muscle cell transfer and pelvic slings
      are currently being investigated. SUMMARY: Surgical therapies for fecal
      incontinence continue to evolve and show promise in improving QOL with a lower
      risk profile. Effective valuation of these therapies is currently limited by
      heterogeneous studies, short duration of follow up, and inconsistent outcome
      measures.

PMID- 24232372
TI  - Target identification: Blocking vasopressin receptors reduces jet lag.

PMID- 24232370
TI  - Epidemiology of human noroviruses and updates on vaccine development.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Noroviruses (NoVs) are the most common cause of epidemic and
      sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. This review summarizes recent
      NoV disease burden estimates, epidemiology findings and provides an update on
      virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine studies. RECENT FINDINGS: NoVs are the leading
      cause of food-borne gastroenteritis and are replacing rotavirus as the
      predominant gastrointestinal pathogen in pediatric populations. Genogroup II,
      genotype 4 NoVs (GII.4) remain the dominant genotype worldwide. Increased NoV
      activity reported in late 2012 was associated with the emergence of a new GII.4
      variant called Sydney 2012. New studies suggest that human NoVs can bind a larger
      range of histoblood group antigens, a susceptibility factor for NoV illness, thus
      expanding the susceptible population pool for infection. Intranasal immunization
      with a monovalent GI NoV VLP vaccine showed proof-of-concept efficacy. Studies
      using intramuscular immunization with a bivalent formulation including GII.4 VLPs
      are now underway. SUMMARY: The importance of NoVs as a major gastrointestinal
      pathogen underscores the need for well tolerated and effective vaccines. Results
      of VLP vaccine trials appear promising. However, the rapid evolution of NoV
      genotypes through antigenic drift and changing glycan specificities provide new
      challenges to epidemiology studies and vaccine trials.

PMID- 24232373
TI  - The value of single-pathogen antibacterial agents.

PMID- 24232374
TI  - Neurodegenerative disease: Tau immunotherapy targets transcellular propagation.

PMID- 24232375
TI  - Autoimmune disease: Parkinson's drug promotes myelin repair.

PMID- 24232377
TI  - The risks of risk aversion in drug regulation.
AB  - Drugs are approved by regulatory agencies on the basis of their assessment of
      whether the available evidence indicates that the benefits of the drug outweigh
      its risks. In recent years, regulatory agencies have been criticized both for
      being overly tolerant of risks or being excessively risk-averse, which reflects
      the challenge in determining an appropriate balance between benefit and risk with
      the limited data that is typically available before drug approval. The negative
      consequences of regulatory tolerance in allowing drugs onto the market that turn
      out to be unsafe are obvious, but the potential for adverse effects on public
      health owing to the absence of new drugs because of regulatory risk-aversion is
      less apparent. Here, we discuss the consequences of regulatory risk-aversion for
      public health and suggest what might be done to best align acceptance of risk and
      uncertainty by regulators with the interests of public health. 

PMID- 24232376
TI  - Histone lysine demethylases as targets for anticancer therapy.
AB  - It has recently been demonstrated that the genes controlling the epigenetic
      programmes that are required for maintaining chromatin structure and cell
      identity include genes that drive human cancer. This observation has led to an
      increased awareness of chromatin-associated proteins as potentially interesting
      drug targets. The successful introduction of DNA methylation and histone
      deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors for the treatment of specific subtypes of cancer
      has paved the way for the use of epigenetic therapy. Here, we highlight key
      biological findings demonstrating the roles of members of the histone lysine
      demethylase class of enzymes in the development of cancers, discuss the potential
      and challenges of therapeutically targeting them, and highlight emerging small
      molecule inhibitors of these enzymes. 

PMID- 24232378
TI  - Human pluripotent stem cell models of autism spectrum disorder: emerging
      frontiers, opportunities, and challenges towards neuronal networks in a dish.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in language
      development and social cognition and the manifestation of repetitive and
      restrictive behaviors. Despite recent major advances, our understanding of the
      pathophysiological mechanisms leading to ASD is limited. Although most ASD cases
      have unknown genetic underpinnings, animal and human cellular models of several
      rare, genetically defined syndromic forms of ASD have provided evidence for
      shared pathophysiological mechanisms that may extend to idiopathic cases. Here,
      we review our current knowledge of the genetic basis and molecular etiology of
      ASD and highlight how human pluripotent stem cell-based disease models have the
      potential to advance our understanding of molecular dysfunction. We summarize
      landmark studies in which neuronal cell populations generated from human
      embryonic stem cells and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells have
      served to model disease mechanisms, and we discuss recent technological advances
      that may ultimately allow in vitro modeling of specific human neuronal circuitry
      dysfunction in ASD. We propose that these advances now offer an unprecedented
      opportunity to help better understand ASD pathophysiology. This should ultimately
      enable the development of cellular models for ASD, allowing drug screening and
      the identification of molecular biomarkers for patient stratification.

PMID- 24232380
TI  - Reproducibility of the heat/capsaicin skin sensitization model in healthy
      volunteers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Heat/capsaicin skin sensitization is a well-characterized human
      experimental model to induce hyperalgesia and allodynia. Using this model,
      gabapentin, among other drugs, was shown to significantly reduce cutaneous
      hyperalgesia compared to placebo. Since the larger thermal probes used in the
      original studies to produce heat sensitization are now commercially unavailable,
      we decided to assess whether previous findings could be replicated with a
      currently available smaller probe (heated area 9 cm(2) versus 12.5-15.7 cm(2)).
      STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval, 15 adult
      healthy volunteers participated in two study sessions, scheduled 1 week apart
      (Part A). In both sessions, subjects were exposed to the heat/capsaicin cutaneous
      sensitization model. Areas of hypersensitivity to brush stroke and von Frey (VF)
      filament stimulation were measured at baseline and after rekindling of skin
      sensitization. Another group of 15 volunteers was exposed to an identical
      schedule and set of sensitization procedures, but, in each session, received
      either gabapentin or placebo (Part B). RESULTS: Unlike previous reports, a
      similar reduction of areas of hyperalgesia was observed in all groups/sessions.
      Fading of areas of hyperalgesia over time was observed in Part A. In Part B,
      there was no difference in area reduction after gabapentin compared to placebo.
      CONCLUSION: When using smaller thermal probes than originally proposed,
      modifications of other parameters of sensitization and/or rekindling process may
      be needed to allow the heat/capsaicin sensitization protocol to be used as
      initially intended. Standardization and validation of experimental pain models is
      critical to the advancement of translational pain research.

PMID- 24232379
TI  - Pomegranate and its derivatives can improve bone health through  decreased
      inflammation and oxidative stress in an animal model  of postmenopausal
      osteoporosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recently, nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of pomegranate (PG)
      have raised a growing scientific interest. Since PG is endowed with anti
      inflammatory and antioxidant activities, we hypothesized that it may have
      beneficial effects on osteoporosis. METHODS: We used ovariectomized (OVX) mice as
      a well-described model of postmenopausal osteoporosis to study the influence of
      PG consumption on bone health. Mice were divided into five groups as following:
      two control groups sham-operated and ovariectomized (OVX CT) mice fed a standard
      diet, versus three treated groups OVX mice given a modified diet from the AIN-93G
      diet, containing 5.7% of PG lyophilized mashed totum (OVX PGt), or 9.6% of PG
      fresh juice (OVX PGj) or 2.9% of PG lyophilized mashed peel (OVX PGp). RESULTS:
      As expected, ovariectomy was associated with a decreased femoral bone mineral
      density (BMD) and impaired bone micro-architecture parameters. Consumption of
      PGj, PGp, or PGt induced bone-sparing effects in those OVX mice, both on femoral
      BMD and bone micro-architecture parameters. In addition, PG (whatever the part)
      up-regulated osteoblast activity and decreased the expression of osteoclast
      markers, when compared to what was observed in OVX CT animals. Consistent with
      the data related to bone parameters, PG consumption elicited a lower expression
      of pro-inflammatory makers and of enzymes involved in ROS generation, whereas the
      expression of anti-inflammatory markers and anti-oxidant actors was enhanced.
      CONCLUSION: These results indicate that all PG parts are effective in preventing
      the development of bone loss induced by ovariectomy in mice. Such an effect could
      be partially explained by an improved inflammatory and oxidative status.

PMID- 24232381
TI  - Flow cytometric analysis of pollen grains collected from individual bees provides
      information about pollen load composition and foraging behaviour.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Understanding the species composition of pollen on
      pollinators has applications in agriculture, conservation and evolutionary
      biology. Current identification methods, including morphological analysis, cannot
      always discriminate taxa at the species level. Recent advances in flow cytometry
      techniques for pollen grains allow rapid testing of large numbers of pollen
      grains for DNA content, potentially providing improved species resolution.
      METHODS: A test was made as to whether pollen loads from single bees (honey-bees
      and bumble-bees) could be classified into types based on DNA content, and whether
      good estimates of proportions of different types could be made. An examination
      was also made of how readily DNA content can be used to identify specific pollen
      species. KEY RESULTS: The method allowed DNA contents to be quickly found for
      between 250 and 9391 pollen grains (750-28 173 nuclei) from individual honey-bees
      and between 81 and 11 512 pollen grains (243-34 537 nuclei) for bumble-bees. It
      was possible to identify a minimum number of pollen species on each bee and to
      assign proportions of each pollen type (based on DNA content) present.
      CONCLUSIONS: The information provided by this technique is promising but is
      affected by the complexity of the pollination environment (i.e. number of
      flowering species present and extent of overlap in DNA content). Nevertheless, it
      provides a new tool for examining pollinator behaviour and between-species or
      cytotype pollen transfer, particularly when used in combination with other
      morphological, chemical or genetic techniques.

PMID- 24232382
TI  - Campanulaceae: a family with small seeds that require light for germination.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Campanulaceae is a large cosmopolitan family, but is
      understudied in terms of germination, and seed biology in general. Small seed
      mass (usually in the range 10-200 ug) is a noteworthy trait of the family, and
      having small seeds is commonly associated with a light requirement. Thus, the
      purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of light on germination in
      131 taxa of the Campanulaceae family, from all five continents of its
      distribution. METHODS: For all taxa, seed germination was tested in light (8 or
      12 h photoperiod) and continuous darkness under constant and alternating
      temperatures. For four taxa, the effect of light on germination was examined over
      a wide range of temperatures on a thermogradient plate, and the possible
      substitution of the light requirement by gibberellic acid and nitrate was
      examined in ten taxa. KEY RESULTS: For all 131 taxa, seed germination was higher
      in light than in darkness for every temperature tested. Across species, the light
      requirement decreased significantly with increasing seed mass. For larger seeded
      species, germination in the dark reached higher levels under alternating than
      under constant temperatures. Gibberellic acid promoted germination in darkness
      whereas nitrates partially substituted for a light requirement only in species
      showing some dark germination. CONCLUSIONS: A light requirement for germination,
      observed in virtually all taxa examined, constitutes a collective characteristic
      of the family. It is postulated that smaller seeded taxa might germinate only on
      the soil surface or at shallow depths, while larger seeded species might
      additionally germinate when buried in the soil if cued to do so by fluctuating
      temperatures.

PMID- 24232383
TI  - Autotetraploids of Vicia cracca show a higher allelic richness in natural
      populations and a higher seed set after artificial selfing than diploids.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite the great importance of autopolyploidy in the
      evolution of angiosperms, relatively little attention has been devoted to
      autopolyploids in natural polyploid systems. Several hypotheses have been
      proposed to explain why autopolyploids are so common and successful, for example
      increased genetic diversity and heterozygosity and the transition towards
      selfing. However, case studies on patterns of genetic diversity and on mating
      systems in autopolyploids are scarce. In this study allozymes were employed to
      investigate the origin, population genetic diversity and mating system in the
      contact zone between diploid and assumed autotetraploid cytotypes of Vicia cracca
      in Central Europe. METHODS: Four enzyme systems resolved in six putative loci
      were investigated in ten diploid, ten tetraploid and five mixed-ploidy
      populations. Genetic diversity and heterozygosity, partitioning of genetic
      diversity among populations and cytotypes, spatial genetic structure and fixed
      heterozygosity were analysed. These studies were supplemented by a pollination
      experiment and meiotic chromosome observation. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Weak
      evidence of fixed heterozygosity, a low proportion of unique alleles and genetic
      variation between cytotypes similar to the variation among populations within
      cytotypes supported the autopolyploid origin of tetraploids, although no
      multivalent formation was observed. Tetraploids possessed more alleles than
      diploids and showed higher observed zygotic heterozygosity than diploids, but the
      observed gametic heterozygosity was similar to the value observed in diploids and
      smaller than expected under panmixis. Values of the inbreeding coefficient and
      differentiation among populations (rhoST) suggested that the breeding system in
      both cytotypes of V. cracca is mixed mating with prevailing outcrossing. The
      reduction in seed production of tetraploids after selfing was less than that in
      diploids. An absence of correlation between genetic and geographic distances and
      high differentiation among neighbouring tetraploid populations supports the
      secondary contact hypothesis with tetraploids of several independent origins in
      Central Europe. Nevertheless, the possibility of a recent in situ origin of
      tetraploids through a triploid bridge in some regions is also discussed.

PMID- 24232384
TI  - Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is endogenously produced in arabidopsis peroxisomes and is
      overproduced under cadmium stress.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Peroxisomes are subcellular compartments involved in
      multiple cellular metabolic pathways. Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) is a nitric oxide
      derived molecule which is a nitrating species that causes nitration of proteins.
      This study used cell biology techniques to explore the potential presence of
      peroxynitrite in peroxisomes and evaluated its content under stress conditions
      (excess cadmium). METHODS: Peroxynitrite, nitric oxide and superoxide anion were
      studied using cell-permeable specific fluorescent probes by confocal laser
      scanning microscopy in Arabidopsis thaliana transgenic plants expressing cyan
      fluorescent protein through the addition of peroxisomal targeting signal 1
      (PTS1), which enables peroxisomes to be visualized in vivo. Key Results When no
      stress was applied, peroxynitrite was clearly localized in the peroxisomes of
      roots and stomatal guard cells. Under cadmium (150 MUm) stress, the generation of
      peroxynitrite, nitric oxide and the superoxide anion (O2(.-)) increased and was
      localized in peroxisomes and the cytosol, participating in the generation of
      nitro-oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that peroxisomes are an
      endogenous source of peroxynitrite, which is over-produced under cadmium stress,
      suggesting that the metabolism of reactive nitrogen species in peroxisomes could
      participate in the mechanism of the response to this heavy metal.

PMID- 24232385
TI  - Molecular characterization of oxidative stress-inducible LipD of Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis H37Rv.
AB  - The Mycobacterium tuberculosis has developed intricate strategies to evade the
      killing of microorganism and support its survival in phagocytes. The genome
      sequence of bacterium revealed the presence of several genes for lypolytic
      enzymes. Rv1923 gene, a member of Lip family in M. tuberculosis demonstrated the
      least sequence similarity with its counterpart in non-pathogenic strain M.
      smegmatis. The expression of Rv1923 gene (LipD) was not observed in in vitro
      growing cultures of M. tuberculosis H37Ra while an upregulation of transcription
      of Rv1923 gene was noticed in oxidative conditions. For detailed characterization
      of LipD enzyme the Rv1923 gene was cloned in pQE30-UA vector and expressed in E.
      coli M15 cells. LipD was purified from inclusion bodies and refolded with nearly
      40 % protein yield. The specific activity of enzyme was calculated to be 16 U/mg
      with pNP-palmitate as a preferred substrate. Kinetic analysis showed K(m) 0.645
      mM and V(max) 24.75 U/ml with pNP-palmitate. Ser-102, Asp-342, and His-369,
      predicted as the members of the catalytic triad, were confirmed by mutagenesis.
      Mutagenesis studies revealed that catalytic serine residues located in beta
      lactamase motifs (S-X-X-K) were responsible for lipolytic activity. Secondary
      structure analysis by CD spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of alpha helices
      and beta sheets in the canonical structure of LipD. The enzyme was stable up to
      50  degrees C and was active even at pH 6.0. The expression of enzyme under
      stress conditions and its activity and stability at high temperature and low pH
      suggested the possible role of LipD in the survival of mycobacterium in
      macrophage compartment.

PMID- 24232387
TI  - Asymmetric hybridization between cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) and fertile rice
      (Oryza safiva L.) protoplasts.
AB  - (60)Co-irradiated protoplasts of the cytoplasmic male-sterile line A-58 CMS
      (Oryza saliva L.) were electrofused with iodoacetamide (IOA)-treated protoplasts
      of the fertile (normal) rice cultivar 'Fujiminori'. Seven of the colonies that
      formed were identified as cytoplasmic hybrids (cybrids): they all had the
      peroxidase isozymes of the fertile 'Fujiminori' parent, but contained four
      plasmid-like DNAs (Bl, B2, B3 and B4) from the sterile A-58 CMS parent in their
      mitochondrial genomes. In addition, digestion of cybrid mtDNA gave a set of
      restriction fragments that differed from those of the parents. 

PMID- 24232386
TI  - Bilateral iliopsoas hematoma: Case report and literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinically significant spontaneous bilateral iliopsoas hematoma is a
      rare complication of anticoagulation therapy. Definitive treatment of spontaneous
      iliopsoas hematomas is not well-established and varies between observation and
      surgical intervention. The intramuscular hematoma causes severe pain, muscle
      dysfunction, and occasionally nerve palsy with the femoral nerve most commonly
      affected. Most patients are neurologically normal but when a significant
      neurological deficit is associated with iliopsoas hematoma, optimal treatment
      recommendations vary. We report a case of spontaneous bilateral iliopsoas
      hematomas causing significant bilateral femoral nerve dysfunction. CASE
      DESCRIPTION: The authors present the case of a 63-year-old female who developed
      bilateral femoral nerve palsy due to anticoagulation bleeding complication.
      Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated large bilateral intramuscular psoas
      hematomas causing femoral nerve compression. Surgical evacuation and
      decompression of the femoral nerves was performed with rapid neurological
      improvement. CONCLUSION: Management recommendations depend on the volume and
      cause of the hematoma, timing of diagnosis, and the degree of neurological
      impairment. A conservative approach with bed rest and correction of bleeding
      abnormalities to allow the hematoma to spontaneously resorb has been utilized for
      patients with small hematomas and little to no neurological symptoms. In
      contrast, more aggressive recommendations have been made for patients with large
      hematomas, severe motor function deficits, or hemodynamic instability.

PMID- 24232388
TI  - Distribution of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNA in cultivated rice (Oryza sativa
      L.) and its relationship with varietal groups.
AB  - Mitochondrial (mt) plasmid-like DNA was found in most of more than 100 rice
      cultivars (Oryza sativa L.) by the use of 0.7% agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE).
      The DNA varied in molecular weight and number. By electron microscopy, small
      circular DNAs of different sizes could be detected in addition to the DNAs of
      high molecular weight, even in cultivars in which mt plasmid-like DNA was not
      detected by AGE. The detection of the mt plasmid-like DNAs by AGE did not depend
      on their presence or absence, but on their high stoichiometry. The relationship
      between cytoplasms with mt plasmid-like DNAs and varietal (for example, Indica
      rice) groups was close. The geographical distribution of cytoplasms is discussed.

PMID- 24232389
TI  - Molecular mapping of rice chromosomes.
AB  - We report the construction of an RFLP genetic map of rice (Oryza sativa)
      chromosomes. The map is comprised of 135 loci corresponding to clones selected
      from a PstI genomic library. This molecular map covers 1,389 cM of the rice
      genome and exceeds the current classical maps by more than 20%. The map was
      generated from F2 segregation data (50 individuals) from a cross between an
      indica and javanica rice cultivar. Primary trisomics were used to assign linkage
      groups to each of the 12 rice chromosomes. Seventy-eight percent of the clones
      assayed revealed RFLPs between the two parental cultivars, indicating that rice
      contains a significant amount of RFLP variation. Strong correlations between size
      of hybridizing restriction fragments and level of polymorphism indicate that a
      significant proportion of the RFLPs in rice are generated by
      insertions/delections. This conclusion is supported by the occurrence of null
      alleles for some clones (presumably created by insertion or deletion events). One
      clone, RG229, hybridized to sequences in both the indica and javanica genomes,
      which have apparently transposed since the divergence of the two cultivars from
      their last common ancestor, providing evidence for sequence movement in rice. As
      a by product of this mapping project, we have discovered that rice DNA is less C
      methylated than tomato or maize DNA. Our results also suggest the notion that a
      large fraction of the rice genome (approximately 50%) is single copy. 

PMID- 24232390
TI  - A note on the effect of variation of lactation length on the efficiency of
      tropical cattle selection for milk yield.
AB  - The effects of procedures generally used to reduce variation of lactation length
      on the efficiency of selection for milk yield are examined applying existing
      theory to a set of average literature estimates of heritabilities and
      correlations between lactation yield and length. Adjustment of milk yield for
      lactation length should be expected to remove more genetic than phenotypic
      variation, thus reducing selection efficiency in relation to unadjusted yield.
      Selecting individuals on an optimum index of lactation yield and length would be
      more efficient for improving yield than selecting on yield alone, while both
      criteria would have practically the same efficiency for selection on progeny
      test. This result could be applied to reduce milk recording frequency without
      losing selection accuracy. Culling on lactation length before selecting on yield
      would have little effect on individual selection efficiency. However, excluding
      short lactation records should be expected to reduce both selection accuracy of
      the progeny test and genetic variation in yield. 

PMID- 24232391
TI  - Efficient regeneration of transgenic plants from rice protoplasts and correctly
      regulated expression of the foreign gene in the plants.
AB  - Rice is one of the most important crops in the world with 35% of the total
      population (over two billion people) depending on it as their source of food. It
      is therefore essential to develop efficient methods for the transformation and
      regeneration of rice plants in order to delineate the exact regulatory sequences
      responsible for gene expression and to transfer beneficial genes into this plant.
      Here, for the first time, we present definitive evidence for the regeneration of
      a large number of transgenic rice plants after introduction of the bacterial beta
      glucuronidase gene into rice protoplasts. The presence of integrated copies of
      this gene was detected in the genome of transgenic plants by DNA hybridization
      analysis. Furthermore, under the control of regulatory regions from a maize
      alcohol dehydrogenase sequence, beta-glucuronidase gene expression was detected
      in the roots of transgenic plants. This expression was stimulated up to six fold
      under anaerobic conditions. 

PMID- 24232392
TI  - Classifying seedlots of Picea sitchensis and P. glauca in zones of introgression
      using restriction analysis of chloroplast DNA.
AB  - Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction analysis was used to classify five
      reforestation seedlots as to species. The material included two Sitka spruce
      (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.), one white spruce (P. glauca (Moench) Voss) from
      interior British Columbia, and two putative hybrid seedlots from the coast
      interior introgression zone in British Columbia. The cpDNA patterns generated by
      Bam-HI and Bc1-I from individual trees of Sitka spruce, white spruce, western
      white spruce (P. glauca var. albertiana (S. Brown)), and Engelmann spruce (P.
      engelmanni (Parry)) were species-specific. They were used as reference patterns
      for comparisons. In addition, two controlled crosses between white and Sitka
      spruce were analyzed to demonstrate the paternal inheritance of cpDNA in spruces.
      The cpDNA restriction patterns for the five seedlots were obtained from composite
      samples of seedlings from each lot and compared to the typical cpDNA patterns of
      each species. Restriction patterns for the two Sitka spruce seedlots agreed with
      those from the Sitka spruce tree, while patterns for the white spruce seedlots
      from British Columbia agreed with those from the white spruce tree, lacking
      evidence of any Engelmann spruce component in the sample. On the other hand, one
      putative hybrid seedlot showed cpDNA patterns similar to white spruce while the
      other showed fragments unique to both Sitka and white spruce, indicating that
      this was a hybrid seedlot. The analysis of cpDNA restriction polymorphism has
      proven to be an effective tool for classifying seedlots in regions of
      introgression. To our knowledge, these results provide the first demonstration of
      the use of cpDNA analysis for solving practical forestry problems. 

PMID- 24232393
TI  - Synthesis of Brassica carinata from Brassica nigra x Brassica oleracea hybrids
      obtained by ovary culture.
AB  - Brassica carinata was synthesized by hybridization between its diploid progenitor
      species B. nigra and B. oleracea followed by chromosome doubling. Up to 40 times
      more hybrids were obtained, using ovary culture than with conventional hand
      pollination. Two hybrids from the cross B. nigra x B. oleracea var 'alboglabra'
      were raised to maturity. High chromosome pairing was observed in both the hybrids
      and the amphidiploid. A range of variability for desirable characters is reported
      in the synthesized amphidiploids. 

PMID- 24232394
TI  - Parametric relationships between genotype x environment interaction and genetic
      correlation when two environments are involved.
AB  - Parametric relationships between the genotype x environment interaction and the
      genetic correlation of the same attribute measured in two different environments
      are derived. It is shown that the criticism by Fernando et al. (1984) of Yamada's
      method (1962) in the case of unbalanced data is irrelevant. 

PMID- 24232395
TI  - Transfer of the CMS trait in Daucus carota L. by donor-recipient protoplast
      fusion.
AB  - X-irradiated protoplasts of Daucus carota L., 28A1, carrying cytoplasmic male
      sterile (CMS) cytoplasm and iodoacetamide-treated protoplasts of a fertile carrot
      cultivar, 'K5', were fused with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and 73 plants were
      regenerated. Twenty-six randomly chosen regenerated plants had non-parental
      mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as revealed by XbaI restriction fragment patterns, and
      all of the plants investigated had diploid chromosome numbers. Of the 11 cybrid
      plants that showed mtDNA fragment patterns clearly different from those of the
      parents, 10 plants showed male sterility with brown or red anthers, and one plant
      possessed partially sterile yellow anthers. The mtDNA fragment patterns of the
      ten cybrid plants with male sterile flowers resembled that of a CMS parent, 28A1;
      and four fragments were identified that were common between the sterile cybrid
      plants and 28A1, but absent from the partially sterile cybrid plants and a
      fertile cultivar, 'K5'. The results indicated that the CMS trait of the donor was
      efficiently transferred into the cybrid plants by donor-recipient protoplast
      fusion. 

PMID- 24232396
TI  - Selection for mating propensity in irradiated populations of the cotton boll
      weevil.
AB  - Twelve generations of family selection for 10-day post-irradiation male mating
      propensity resulted in significant divergence between the selected and unselected
      control populations. Much of this divergence was the result of a decline in the
      control population which was believed to have been a function of both inbreeding
      and environmental effects. Significant correlated responses as measured by
      differences in the two populations for linear time trends of performance on
      generations of selection were observed for 10-day post-irradiation survival,
      percent survivors mating at 10 days, and 7-day egg production of unirradiated
      females. 

PMID- 24232397
TI  - Selection of peach cells for insensitivity to culture filtrates of Xanthomonas
      campestris pv. pruni and regeneration of resistant plants.
AB  - Individual callus cultures were initiated from 400 immature embryos of bacterial
      leaf spot-susceptible 'Sunhigh' peach. Each was subjected to several selection
      cycles of a toxic culture filtrate produced by Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni,
      the causal agent of leaf spot of peach. Progressively higher concentrations of
      the filtrate were used in each cycle. Two calli survived, and two plants were
      regenerated from each of the surviving calli. Each of the four clones was
      propagated in vitro and tested for whole plant resistance to X. c. pv. pruni.
      Results from bioassays on greenhouse-grown plants indicated that two out of the
      four selected clones were significantly more resistant to X. c. pv. pruni than
      the parental cv 'Sunhigh'. In addition, one clone was significantly more
      resistant than the moderately resistant cv 'Redhaven'. 

PMID- 24232398
TI  - Computer simulation of genetic control. Comparison of sterile males and field
      female killing systems.
AB  - A computer program, GENCON, designed to simulate genetic control using field
      female killing systems, is described. These systems incorporate sex-linked
      translocations and conditional lethal mutations. Genetic death in field
      populations is caused by semisterility of the translocation and by homozygosis of
      the mutations in females and non-translocation males of field origin. Simulations
      using the program compare the effectiveness, in populations regulated by density,
      of genetic control using this type of system with control using sterile-male
      release. At high release rates, sterile males cause more rapid suppression and
      earlier eradication than sex-linked translocation strains. However, if releases
      are interrupted before eradication, the rate of recovery of density-dependent
      populations is more rapid following sterile-male release than following
      suppression with translocation strains. In such populations, the cumulative
      population suppression (number of individuals killed) is greater with
      translocation-strain release than with sterile-male release. At low release
      rates, sex-linked translocation strains can be much more effective at suppressing
      and eradicating density-dependent populations than sterile males. In continental
      Australia, eradication of the sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina is probably not
      practicable. A suppression campaign using sex-linked translocation strains could
      yield a higher benefit to cost ratio than one using sterile males. 

PMID- 24232399
TI  - Field assessment of dihaploid Solatium tuberosum and S. brevidens somatic
      hybrids.
AB  - Following both chemical and electrical fusion of protoplasts of a dihaploid line
      of potato (Solanum tuberosum), (PDH40), with those of the wild species, Solanum
      brevidens, 11 and 40 somatic hybrid plants, respectively were obtained. Fifteen
      of these somatic hybrid genotypes and the two parents were studied further in a
      small field trial to assess field performance and phenotypic variability. In the
      UK, somatic hybrid plants are classified as genetically engineered organisms, and
      the UK Advisory Committee on Genetic Manipulation have imposed various
      restrictions on field experiments. Examination of the somatic hybrids in the
      field showed extensive phenotypic variability, and no two genotypes were
      identical. Some of the variation reflected changes in chromosome numbers, but
      other factors were also involved. Half the somatic hybrid genotypes produced
      tubers in the field, although the tubers were smaller and differed
      morphologically from those of PDH40. The results of the study suggest that the
      extent of somaclonal variation manifested in somatic hybrids is greater than that
      found in protoplast-derived plants of potato. The implications of this
      observation and the current regulations concerning field experiments of somatic
      hybrid plants in the UK are discussed. 

PMID- 24232400
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of indica rice: genotypic differences in
      culture response.
AB  - Fourteen varieties of indica rice (Oryza saliva L.) were examined for their
      capacity for plant regeneration from protoplasts using the nurse culture methods
      developed for japonica rice. Calli induced from germinating seeds were grouped
      into two types: type I, white and compact; type II, yellow and friable. In four
      varieties producing type II callus, colony formation (2%-4.5%) and plant
      regeneration (2%-35%) were observed. The inability to develop suspension cultures
      was a major obstacle in regenerating plants from protoplasts of the remaining
      rice varieties studied. 

PMID- 24232401
TI  - Increasing the transmission rate of the extra chromosome in a trisomic Nicotiana
      sylvestris line by modifying the means of pollination.
AB  - Trisomies of primary trisomic line B220 of Nicotiana sylvestris, which contain an
      extra chromosome shown to be a satellite chromosome, can be readily identified by
      their larger flower and leaf sizes. In seed-propagated species, the low
      transmission of the extra chromosome has prevented such plants from becoming
      agriculturally useful cultivars. In line B220, the transfer of the extra
      chromosome in 2n*2n+1 crosses was very low (13.5%), although n and n + 1 pollen
      grains were produced in equal quantities, as was confirmed by anther culture.
      This was due to the delayed development of n + 1 pollen grains, which are not at
      full maturity at the time of an thesis. The transfer of the extra chromosome in
      2n*2n+1 crosses was increased by a 1 day delay in pollination and also by
      pollination of small pollen grains selected through nylon meshes. The delayed
      pollination increased the frequency of trisomics by 9%, whereas pollen selected
      by using 30 and 25 MUn nylon meshes induced an extremely high transfer of the
      extra chromosome, namely 51.9% and 70.4%, respectively. The observed frequencies
      of trisomics and tetrasomics in artificial selfing of 2n+1 plants with selected
      small pollen grains were lower than those expected from the data of reciprocal
      crosses between 2n and 2n+1 plants. This discrepancy seems to indicate a
      disadvantage of the n+1 pollen in fertilization due to the longer style of the
      trisomics relative to that of the diploids. 

PMID- 24232402
TI  - Elimination and duplication of particular Hordeum vulgare chromosomes in
      aneuploid interspecific Hordeum hybrids.
AB  - Seeds formed in crosses Hordeum lechleri (6x) x H. vulgare (2x and 4x), H.
      arizonicum (6x) x H. v. (2x), H. parodii (6x) x H. v. (2x), and H. tetraploidum
      (4x) x H. v. (2x) produced plants at high or rather high frequencies through
      embryo rescue. Giemsa C-banding patterns were used to analyze chromosomal
      constitutions and chromosomal locations on the methaphase plate. Among 100 plants
      obtained from H. vulgare (2x) crosses, 32 plants were aneuploid with 2n=29 (1),
      28 (3), 27 (13), 26 (5), 25 (4), 24 (4), or 22 (2); 50 were euploid (12
      analyzed), and 18 were polyhaploid (5 analyzed). Four plants had two sectors
      differing in chromosome number. Two of four hybrids with H. vulgare (4x) were
      euploid and two were aneuploid. Parental genomes were concentrically arranged
      with that of H. vulgare always found closest to the metaphase centre. Many plants
      showed a certain level of intraplant variation in chromosome numbers. Except for
      one H. vulgare (4x) hybrids, this variation was restricted to peripherally
      located non-H. vulgare genomes. This may reflect a less firm attachment of the
      chromosomes from these genomes to the spindle. Interplant variation in chromosome
      numbers was due to the permanent elimination or, far less common, duplication of
      the centrally located H. vulgare chromosomes in all 34 aneuploids, and in a few
      also to loss/gain of non-H, vulgare chromosomes. This selective elimination of
      chromosomes of the centrally located genome contrasts conditions found in diploid
      interspecific hybrids, which eliminate the peripherally located genome. The
      difference is attributed to changed "genomic ratios'. Derivatives of various H.
      vulgare lines were differently distributed among euploid hybrids, aneuploids, and
      polyhaploids. Chromosomal constitutions of hypoploid hybrids revealed a
      preferential elimination of H. vulgare chromosomes 1, 5, 6, and 7, but did not
      support the idea that H. vulgare chromosomes should be lost in a specific order.
      H. vulgare SAT-chromosomes 6 and 7 showed nucleolar dominance. Aneuploidy is
      ascribed to the same chromosome elimination mechanism that produces haploids in
      cross-combinations with H. vulgare (2x). The findings have implications for the
      utilization of interspecific Hordeum hybrids. 

PMID- 24232403
TI  - Reproductive fitness and artificial selection in animal breeding: culling on
      fitness prevents a decline in reproductive fitness in lines of Drosophila
      melanogaster selected for increased inebriation time.
AB  - The maintenance of reproductive fitness in lines subjected to artificial
      selection is one of the major problems in animal breeding. The decline in
      reproductive performance has neither been predictable from heritabilities and
      genetic correlations, nor have conventional selection indices been adequate to
      avoid the problem. Gowe (1983) has suggested that the heritabilities of
      reproductive traits are non-linear, with heritabilities being higher on the lower
      fitness side. Consequently, he has predicted that culling on reproductive fitness
      in artificial selection lines will be effective in preventing the usual declines
      in fitness. An experimental evaluation of Gowe's prediction has been carried out
      by comparing fitnesses of replicated lines of three treatments: selection for
      increased inebriation time without culling on fitness (HO), selection for
      inebriation time with culling of 20% (4/20) of selected females on reproductive
      fitness (HS), and unselected controls (C). Response to selection for inebriation
      time in the two selection treatments was similar. After 25 generations, the
      competitive index, a measure of reproductive fitness, was significantly lower in
      the HO treatment than the HS treatment, while the HS treatment did not differ
      from the control lines or the base population. These results demonstrate for the
      first time that culling on reproductive fitness in selection lines can be used to
      prevent the usual decline in reproductive performance. 

PMID- 24232404
TI  - Intergeneric somatic hybrid production through protoplast fusion between Brassica
      juncea and Diplotaxis muralis.
AB  - The need to transfer genetic traits from Diplotaxis muralis (2n=42) to Brassica
      juncea (2n=36), a major oil seed crop of the tropical world, was realised. Since
      the two plant types are sexually incompatible, attempts were made to evolve
      parasexual hybrids as the result of protoplast fusion. Protoplasts of hypocotyl
      derived calli of two cultivars of B. juncea were fused with normal and gamma
      irradiated mesophyll protoplasts of Diplotaxis muralis. Regeneration of 110
      plants from the fused products was successfully achieved. Upon analysis of some
      of them, we realised that true somatic hybrids and partial somatic hybrids had
      been generated. Thus the primary goal of evolving intergeneric hybridisation
      products between these two plant types was fulfilled. 

PMID- 24232405
TI  - Genetics of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl.: Lecythidaceae) : 1.
      Genetic variation in natural populations.
AB  - We provide an estimate of genetic variation within and between two populations of
      Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut), a large canopy tree found in the rain forests
      of South America. Average heterozygosity is 0.190, and 54.3% of the sampled loci
      are polymorphic. The population structure deviates significantly from Hardy
      Weinberg expectations for Fest2 and Pgm2 (F =0.405 and 0.443, respectively) in
      one population, and highly significantly (F=-0.341) for Gdh in the other
      population. Although allele frequencies of the two populations differ
      significantly for Aat2, Est5, Mdh1, and Mdh2B, Nei's coefficient of gene
      differentiation (Gst) indicates that the between-population component (Dst) of
      genic diversity represents only 3.75% of the size of the within-population
      component (Hs). The implications of these findings in terms of conservation
      genetics are that much of the genetic diversity of this species may be preserved
      within one or a few populations. However, such populations must be very large
      because it appears that the large amount of genetic variation in Brazil nut
      populations is maintained by extensive gene flow and bonds of mating over a large
      area. The genetic architecture of Bertholletia excelsa is similar to that
      expected for an extensively diploidized paleopolyploid species. 

PMID- 24232406
TI  - Genetics of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl.: Lecythidaceae) : 2.
      Mating system.
AB  - Here we report the results of a mating system analysis of an Amazonian population
      of Bertholletia excelsa, a tropical rain forest canopy tree species. Using
      progeny data from 29 seed parents, two highly polymorphic isozymes were analyzed
      to derive single locus and multilocus estimates of outcrossing, based on a mixed
      mating model. The two single locus estimates were very similar, and both were
      somewhat smaller than the multilocus estimate, indicating the possibility that
      the populations are genetically structured. The multilocus outcrossing estimate
      (tm=0.85+/-0.03) reveals that outcrossing is prevalent, but that a significantly
      low level of inbreeding may be occurring. The high outcrossing rate indicates
      that even though dispersion of individuals is very low within populations of this
      tropical rain forest tree, pollen dispersal mechanisms appear to be adequate to
      enable crosses with a relatively large number of potential mates. 

PMID- 24232407
TI  - Chromosomal location by F1 monosomic analysis of endosperm proteins in bread
      wheat : 2. Two-dimensional fractionation of gliadins.
AB  - The gliadin components from four bread wheat cultivars: Chinese Spring, Capelle
      Desprez, Holdfast and Pane-247 and their monosomic F1s for the chromosomes of
      homoeologous groups 1 and 6 have been analyzed by two-dimensional (2-pH)
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Chromosomal location of gliadin genes and the
      allelic differences were well established by analyzing the different F1 monosomic
      hybrids, electrophoretical patterns and differences in relative staining
      intensity. A new gliadin encoded by a gene located on chromosome 6B in Chinese
      Spring is described. The two-dimensional patterns of gliadin in the other three
      varieties and the chromosomal location of their genes are reported for the first
      time. Relationships between gliadins in the two-dimensional patterns and the
      traditional system for their nomenclature are discussed. 

PMID- 24232408
TI  - Flowering and branching in Lathyrus odoratus L.: loci sp and b.
AB  - A second flowering gene, Sp, which influences sensitivity to photoperiod, is
      identified in the sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus L. Genes Sp and Dn (h) act in a
      complementary manner to confer the summer-flowering phenotype and a near obligate
      long day requirement for flowering in the unvernalized state. Mutations sp and Dn
      (i) each diminish the response to photoperiod, and genotypes sp Dn (h) and Sp Dn
      (i) confer a spring-flowering phenotype. Response to photoperiod is further
      reduced in genotype sp Dn (i), which flowers only marginally later than the day
      neutral or winter-flowering phenotype characterized by genotypes Sp dn and sp dn
      (gene dn is epistatic to the gene pair Sp/sp). Like Dn (i), gene sp reduces basal
      branching, while a branching gene, here resymbolized b, is shown to delay
      flowering in certain circumstances. Gene dn largely prevents basal branching in
      either b or B plants, but dn b plants do produce lateral shoots from the upper
      nodes, leading to a novel phenotype. The implications of the interactions between
      genes sp, Dn (i), dn and b are discussed with respect to the control of flowering
      and branching. 

PMID- 24232409
TI  - The meaning of genetic variation within and between subpopulations.
AB  - Argumentation is presented which indicates that the additive decomposition of the
      total genetic variation of a population into variation within and between (among)
      its subpopulations suffers from conceptual inconsistency. While the measurement
      of variation between subpopulations can be shown to be identical to the
      measurement of subpopulation differentiation, the notion of variation within
      subpopulations, when viewed as a single measurement, cannot be derived as an
      independent and cogent concept. Rather, it appears to be merely technically
      defined as the arithmetic difference between the total variation and the
      variation between subpopulations, and this difference happens to be non-negative
      for concave measures of variation such as the (statistical) variance or certain
      measures of genetic diversity. In order to overcome the conceptual inconsistency,
      "variation between subpopulations" could be regarded as subpopulation
      differentiation and the notion of "variation within subpopulations" could be
      replaced by measurements of the degree to which the variation in the total
      population is represented within the subpopulations. A complementary situation
      with respect to total variation is thus realized once more, and appropriate
      measures can be directly derived from existing ones. 

PMID- 24232411
TI  - Economic analyses of genetic tests in personalized medicine: clinical utility
      first, then cost utility.

PMID- 24232410
TI  - The claudin family of proteins in human malignancy: a clinical perspective.
AB  - Tight junctions, or zonula occludens, are the most apical component of the
      junctional complex and provide one form of cell-cell adhesion in epithelial and
      endothelial cells. Nearly 90% of malignant tumors are derived from the
      epithelium. Loss of cell-cell adhesion is one of the steps in the progression of
      cancer to metastasis. At least three main tight junction family proteins have
      been discovered: occludin, claudin, and junctional adhesion molecule (JAM).
      Claudins are the most important structural and functional components of tight
      junction integral membrane proteins, with at least 24 members in mammals. They
      are crucial for the paracellular flux of ions and small molecules. Overexpression
      or downregulation of claudins is frequently observed in epithelial-derived
      cancers. However, molecular mechanisms by which claudins affect tumorigenesis
      remain largely unknown. As the pivotal proteins in epithelial cells, altered
      expression and distribution of different claudins have been reported in a wide
      variety of human malignancies, including pancreatic, colonic, lung, ovarian,
      thyroid, prostate, esophageal, and breast cancers. In this review, we will give
      the readers an overall picture of the changes in claudin expression observed in
      various cancers and their mechanisms of regulation. Downregulation of claudins
      contributes to epithelial transformation by increasing the paracellular
      permeability of nutrients and growth factors to cancerous cells. In the cases of
      upregulation of claudin expression, the barrier function of the cancerous
      epithelia changes, as they often display a disorganized arrangement of tight
      junction strands with increased permeability to paracellular markers. Finally, we
      will summarize the literature suggesting that claudins may become useful
      biomarkers for cancer detection and diagnosis as well as possible therapeutic
      targets for cancer treatment. 

PMID- 24232412
TI  - Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome, revisited: detailed clinical and molecular analyses
      determine whether patients have neurofibromatosis type 1, coincidental
      manifestations, or a distinct disorder.
AB  - PURPOSE: "Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome" describes the complex of multiple
      nonossifying fibromas of the long bones, mandibular giant cell lesions, and cafe
      au-lait macules in individuals without neurofibromas. We sought to determine
      whether Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome is a distinct genetic entity or a variant of
      neurofibromatosis type 1. METHODS: We performed germline NF1, SPRED1, and GNAS1
      (exon 8) mutation testing on patients with Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome or Jaffe
      Campanacci syndrome-related features. We also performed somatic NF1 mutation
      testing on nonossifying fibromas and giant cell lesions. RESULTS: Pathogenic
      germline NF1 mutations were identified in 13 of 14 patients with multiple cafe-au
      lait macules and multiple nonossifying fibromas or giant cell lesions
      ("classical" Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome); all 13 also fulfilled the National
      Institutes of Health diagnostic criteria for neurofibromatosis type 1. Somatic
      NF1 mutations were detected in two giant cell lesions but not in two nonossifying
      fibromas. No SPRED1 or GNAS1 (exon 8) mutations were detected in the seven NF1
      negative patients with Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome, nonossifying fibromas, or giant
      cell lesions. CONCLUSION: In this study, the majority of patients with cafe-au
      lait macules and nonossifying fibromas or giant cell lesions harbored a
      pathogenic germline NF1 mutation, suggesting that many Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome
      cases may actually have neurofibromatosis type 1. We provide the first proof of
      specific somatic second-hit mutations affecting NF1 in two giant cell lesions
      from two unrelated patients, establishing these as neurofibromatosis type 1
      associated tumors.

PMID- 24232413
TI  - The economic value of personalized medicine tests: what we know and what we need
      to know.
AB  - PURPOSE: There is uncertainty about when personalized medicine tests provide
      economic value. We assessed evidence on the economic value of personalized
      medicine tests and gaps in the evidence base. METHODS: We created a unique
      evidence base by linking data on published cost-utility analyses from the Tufts
      Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry with data measuring test characteristics and
      reflecting where value analyses may be most needed: (i) tests currently available
      or in advanced development, (ii) tests for drugs with Food and Drug
      Administration labels with genetic information, (iii) tests with demonstrated or
      likely clinical utility, (iv) tests for conditions with high mortality, and (v)
      tests for conditions with high expenditures. RESULTS: We identified 59 cost
      utility analyses studies that examined personalized medicine tests (1998-2011). A
      majority (72%) of the cost/quality-adjusted life year ratios indicate that
      testing provides better health although at higher cost, with almost half of the
      ratios falling below $50,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained. One-fifth of
      the results indicate that tests may save money. CONCLUSION: Many personalized
      medicine tests have been found to be relatively cost-effective, although fewer
      have been found to be cost saving, and many available or emerging medicine tests
      have not been evaluated. More evidence on value will be needed to inform decision
      making and assessment of genomic priorities.

PMID- 24232414
TI  - Effect of preoperative carbohydrate loading on the management of blood glucose
      and body temperature.

PMID- 24232415
TI  - SO2 and NO2 effects on microbial activity in an acid forest soil.
AB  - The rate of glucose decomposition and the pH fell in a forest soil (initial pH
      4.06) exposed to 1.0 ppm SO2. No such effect was noted if the soil was exposed to
      1.0 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Nitrite but not bisulfite (5MUg N or S/g of soil)
      inhibited O2 consumption and CO2 evolution in the glucose-amended forest soil,
      and nitrite and bisulfite acted synergistically in inhibiting these processes.
      Iron and manganese were solubilized when the soil was exposed to 10 ppm SO2, but
      NO2 caused no such change. 

PMID- 24232416
TI  - Bacterial ecology of an old-growth douglas fir canopy.
AB  - Microbial populations associated with the major substrates of the canopy of a
      single 70 m old-growth Douglas fir were studied to determine potential
      activities. Seasonal samples from bark, foliage, epiphytic moss, lichens, and
      litter accumulations were collected to: (a) obtain population data, (b) isolate
      the major groups of microorganisms present, (c) measure enzymatic activities
      associated with cellulose and xylan degradation, and (d) examine the potential
      for nitrogen fixation. We tested 562 bacterial isolates for utilization of 25
      compounds associated with the canopy substrates, and for activities in nitrogen
      and sulfur cycle transformations. Total bacterial populations, reflecting
      seasonal temperature and moisture conditions, were lowest on bark and foliage [21
      266*10(3) colony-forming units (CFU/g)] and highest on moss and lodged litter (19
      610*10(5) CFU/g). Lichens contained intermediate numbers of bacteria (3.3
      270*10(5) CFU/g). The majority of the bacteria were classified as species
      ofArthrobacter, Bacillus, Flavobacterium, andXanthomonas. Isolates ofAlcaligenes
      (Achromobacter), Aeromonas, Chromobacterium, Micrococcus, andPseudomonas were
      less common. No measurable rates of nitrogen fixation attributable to free-living
      bacteria were detected by acetylene reduction. Eleven species in six genera of
      lichens containing a blue-green algal phycobiont showed positive acetylene
      reduction. One species,Lobaria oregana, accounted for 51% of the total lichen
      biomass of the canopy. Cellulase and xylanase activity was routinely detected in
      moss and litter samples, and less frequently in lichens. There was a strong
      correlation between the two activities for moss (r=0.94) and litter (r=0.81). 

PMID- 24232417
TI  - A comparison of oxygen, nitrate, and sulfate respiration in coastal marine
      sediments.
AB  - Aerobic respiration with oxygen and anaerobic respiration with nitrate
      (denitrification) and sulfate (sulfate reduction) were measured during winter and
      summer in two coastal marine sediments (Denmark). Both aerobic respiration and
      denitrification took place in the oxidized surface layer, whereas sulfate
      reduction was most significant in the deeper, reduced sediment. The low
      availability of nitrate apparently limited the activity of denitrification during
      summer to less than 0.2 mmoles NO 3 (-) m(-2) day(-1), whereas activities of 1.0
      3.0 mmoles NO 3 (-) m(-2) day(-1) were measured during winter. Sulfate reduction,
      on the contrary, increased from 2.6-7.6 mmoles SO 4 (2-) m(-2) day(-1) during
      winter to 9.8-15.1 mmoles SO 4 (2-) m(-2) day(-1) during summer. The aerobic
      respiration was high during summer, 135-140 mmoles O2 m(-2) day(-1), as compared
      to estimated winter activities of about 30 mmoles O2 m(-2) day(-1). The little
      importance of denitrification relative to aerobic respiration and sulfate
      reduction is discussed in relation to the availability and distribution of
      oxygen, nitrate, and sulfate in the sediments and to the detritus mineralization.

PMID- 24232418
TI  - Occurrence ofThioploca in Lake Constance and Lower Saxony, Germany.
AB  - Thioploca had been encountered in several locations in Central Europe. Five of
      these were revisited to find out ifT. schmidlei andT. ingrica were still present
      in these locations. Of the three locations in Lake Constance with abundant
      populations, one (Staad) contained a sparse population of small specimens ofT.
      ingrica only; from the others (Ermatingen and Mainau) neither species was
      recovered. In Lower Saxony two spots reportedly containedT. ingrica. The first of
      these (Buckeburg) has been destroyed by human stream improvement. The description
      of the other (Bad Nenndorf) was insufficient for relocation. During the search a
      new location containingT. ingrica was discovered, Crater Spring, across highway
      B65 from Bad Nenndorf. 

PMID- 24232419
TI  - An indirect fluorescent antibody staining technique for determining population
      levels ofThiobacillus ferrooxidans in acid mine drainage waters.
AB  - Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is believed to be responsible for the oxidation of
      ferrous ion at low pH, the rate-limiting step in the oxidation of pyrite ores and
      subsequent formation of acid mine drainage (AMD). It has been suggested that
      efforts to control this environmental problem include procedures that would
      inhibit this bacterium. At present, a most probable number (MPN) procedure
      requiring a minimum of 10 days is used to enumerate this microorganism in natural
      waters. If control of AMD through inhibition ofT. ferrooxidans is to be feasible,
      it will be necessary to develop a more rapid method to determine population
      levels to facilitate application of control measures.An indirect fluorescent
      antibody (FA) staining technique was developed for this purpose which provided
      reliable estimates within a few hours. Artificial samples containing approximated
      numbers ofT. ferrooxidans were analyzed using the FA and MPN procedures, and the
      FA technique more closely approximated expected numbers of cells. The MPN method
      was excessively conservative, detecting only 3% to 21% of the cells enumerated by
      the FA procedure. 

PMID- 24232420
TI  - Influence of cation content on adenosine triphosphate determinations in soil.
AB  - Adenosine triphosphate in soil is measured by the luciferin-luciferase
      bioluminescence method. Cation exchange in the ATP extraction procedure is used
      to reduce the content of, e.g., Fe, Al, and Cations in extracts. The efficiency
      of the cation exchange is determined by measuring the concentration of Fe by X
      ray fluorescence spectrometry. The time dependence of the light emission from the
      bioluminescence process is investigated, and a method for correlating the ATP
      content and the light emission is proposed. 

PMID- 24232421
TI  - Inhibitory effects of copper on bacteria related to the free ion concentration.
AB  - Cu(2+) ion determinations were carried out in complex and in inorganic salts
      glycerol media, to which increasing amounts of Cu(II) had been added, with the
      ion-specific Cu(II)-Selectrode. Likewise, complexing capacity of bacterial
      suspensions was estimated by titration with CuSO4.Copper-sensitive bacteria,
      e.g.,Klebsiella aerogenes, were inhibited in their growth and survival in the
      range of 10(-8)-10(-6) M Cu(2+) ion concentrations. In copper-buffered complex
      media, high copper loads could be tolerated, as growth proceeded with most of the
      copper bound to medium components. In low-complexing mineral salts media, in
      which high Cu(2+) ion concentrations exist at low copper loads, there was
      competition of Cu(2+) for binding sites of the cells. Total allowed copper was
      then determined by the ratio of copper to biomass.Copper-resistant bacteria could
      be isolated from a stock solution of CuSO4, containing 100 ppm Cu(II). They were
      of thePseudomonas type and showed a much higher tolerance towards Cu(2+), up to
      10(-3) M. 

PMID- 24232422
TI  - Glutamine synthetase: activity and localization in cyanobacteria of the
      cycadsCycas revoluta andZamia skinneri.
AB  - Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria inhabit the zone between the inner and outer cortex
      of cycad coralloid roots. In the growing tip of such roots the cyanobacterial
      heterocyst frequency, nitrogenase activity (C2H2-reduction) and glutamine
      synthetase activity (both transferase and biosynthetic) were comparable to those
      found in freeliving cyanobacteria. The relative level of glutamine synthetase
      protein and its pattern of cellular/subcellular localization in heterocysts and
      vegetative cells were also similar to those of free-living cyanobacteria.
      However, there was a progressive decline in nitrogenase activity along the
      coralloid root with maximum reduction occurring in the regions farthest from the
      growing tip. A similar but less pronounced pattern was observed for glutamine
      synthetase activity. Distribution of glutamine synthetase protein in
      cyanobacteria in the first 2-3 mm of the root tip indicated a slight decrease in
      the heterocysts and vegetative cells. However, the overall level of
      cyanobacterial glutamine synthetase protein did not change because of a drastic
      increase in the numbers of heterocysts, which contain a proportionally higher
      level of glutamine synthetase than the vegetative cells. 

PMID- 24232423
TI  - Some regulatory aspects of [(14)C]methylamine influx intoPisum sativum L. cv.
      Feltham First seedlings.
AB  - [(14)C]Methylamine influx intoPisum sativum L. cv. Feltham First seedlings showed
      Michaelis-Menten-type kinetics with apparentV max=49.2 MUmol.g(-1) FW.h(-1) and
      apparentK m=0.51 mM. The competitive interactions between ammonium and
      methylamine were most obvious when biphasic kinetics were assumed with saturation
      of the first phase at ~0.05 mM. The inhibitor constant for ammonium (K i)=0.027
      mM. When [(14)C]methylamine was used in trace amounts with ammonium added as
      substrate, the influx of tracer showed Michaelis-Menten-type kinetics with
      apparentV max=3.46 MUmol.g(-1) FW.h(-1) and apparentK m=0.15 mM. The initial rate
      of net ammonium uptake corresponded with that found when [(14)C]methylamine was
      used to 'trace' ammonium influx. The latter was also stimulated by high pHo and
      inhibited by nitrate. Ammonium pretreatment+/-methionine sulphoximine or
      glutamine pretreatment of the seedlings inhibited subsequent [(14)C]methylamine
      influx, while methylamine or asparagine pretreatment stimulated
      [(14)C]methylamine influx. There was also a stimulatory effect of prior
      inoculation withRhizobium. The results are discussed in terms of current models
      for the regulation of ammonium uptake in plants. 

PMID- 24232424
TI  - Local application of indole-3-acetic acid, by resin beads to intact growing maize
      roots.
AB  - Five types of anion-exchanger resin beads which had adsorbed indole-3-acetic acid
      (IAA) were tested as IAA donors. The rate of IAA-uptake by beads was a function
      of time and pH. The release was relatively steady during 6 h application on
      vertical maize roots. No IAA degradation occurred in the beads (Amberlite IRA 400
      type) but 45.8% was metabolised in the roots during treatment. Beads loaded with
      IAA and placed on one side of the root (at 2.20+/-0.03 mm from the tip) induced a
      curvature towards and above the bead (23.3+/-1.1 degrees after 5.25 h
      application). In contrast, control beads (without IAA) did not change the axial
      growth rate. Applied IAA seemed to move differently from endogenous IAA. The use
      of resin beads loaded with IAA offers a technique to study the effects of local
      IAA application on intact growing roots. 

PMID- 24232425
TI  - Carotenoid synthesis and pleiotropic effects in carotenoid-deficient seedlings of
      maize.
AB  - Plastid-envelope membranes from seedlings ofZea mays L. made carotenoid-deficient
      by either norflurazon treatment or mutation lack an activity permitting
      conversion of phytoene to beta-carotene. This activity in membrane fractions was
      measured by coincubation in vitro with a soluble system from spinach chloroplasts
      capable of converting [(14)C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate into phytoene. When grown
      in light, the carotenoid-deficient seedlings lack many soluble chloroplast
      proteins, including NADP-dependent malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40), pyruvate phosphate
      dikinase (EC 2.7.9.1), and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39),
      but apparently still contain the soluble activities permitting synthesis of
      phytoene. 

PMID- 24232426
TI  - Safflower microsomes catalyse oil accumulation in vitro: A model system.
AB  - Microsomal membrane preparations from the developing cotyledons of safflower
      (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed catalyse the formation of triacylglycerol fromsn
      glycerol 3-phosphate and linoleoyl-CoA. Conditions of incubation were achieved in
      which the rate of triacylglycerol synthesis approached activities which were
      compatible with oil accumulation observed in vivo. Reaction mixtures which
      contained the microsomes took on a white soup-like appearance as triacylglycerol
      synthesis proceeded and sufficient oil was produced to form a white fat-pad at
      the surface after centrifugation. The development of the oil bodies in the
      microsomal membranes was studied by electron microscopy and showed that lipid
      droplets were formed in or on the membrane surface and were then released as
      apparently naked entities into the surrounding medium. The ontogeny of the oil
      droplet in vitro is discussed in terms of oil-body formation in vivo. 

PMID- 24232427
TI  - Photosynthetic characteristics of mesophyll cells isolated from cladophylls
      ofAsparagus officinalis L.
AB  - Intact mesophyll cells can be rapidly isolated from the cladophylls ofAsparagus
      officinalis by gentle scraping with a plastic card, the yield being higher than
      80% on a chlorophyll basis. The cells can be stored for at least 24h without loss
      of photosynthetic capacity and were found to be stable under a variety of
      conditions. In contrast to cell preparations from other plant species,
      photosynthetic activity was little affected by the presence of sorbitol as an
      osmoticum up to a concentration of 1.5 M. Similarly, the pH value of the medium
      influenced photosynthesis to only a small extent at a constant [CO2] of 200 MUM.
      The response of the cells' photosynthetic capacity to light, temperature and CO2
      concentration was similar to those reported for isolated cells from other plant
      species. Isolated cells ofA. officinalis can be used under a large range of
      conditions which gives them a measure of flexibility not possible with most plant
      cells which have sharply defined optimal conditions for photosynthesis. The
      isolated cells have a photosynthetic capacity of 40-60% of that of the intact
      cladophyll. The loss of photosynthetic activity observed upon isolation could not
      be accounted for by breakage of the cells. Virtually all of the cells were shown
      to be intact on the basis of Evans Blue exclusion and more than 80% of the cells
      contained intact chloroplasts and vacuoles. The entire loss of photosynthetic
      activity could be accounted for by a decrease in sucrose synthesis rather than by
      an equal decrease in the synthesis in all products. A six- to seven fold increase
      in the level of(14)C in hexose phosphates in the isolated cells supports the
      notion of inhibition of the sucrose-synthesis pathway. 

PMID- 24232428
TI  - Altered feedback sensitivity of acetohydroxyacid synthase from valine-resistant
      mutants of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.).
AB  - Acetohydroxyacid synthase (EC 4.1.3.18) has been extracted from leaves of three
      valine-resistant (Val(r)) tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) mutants, and compared with
      the enzyme from the wild-type. The enzyme from all three mutants is appreciably
      less sensitive to inhibition by leucine and valine than the wild-type. Two of the
      mutants, Val(r)-1 and Val(r)-6, have very similar enzymes, which under all
      conditions are inhibited by less than half that found for the wild-type. The
      other mutant, Val(r)-7, has an enzyme that only displays appreciably different
      characteristics from the wild-type at high pyruvate or inhibitor concentrations.
      Enzyme from Val(r)-7 also has a higher apparent Km for pyruvate, threefold
      greater than the value determined for the wild-type and the other mutants. The
      sulphonylurea herbicides strongly inhibit the enzyme from all the lines, though
      the concentrations required for half-maximal inhibition of enzyme from Val(r)-1
      and Val(r)-6 are higher than for Val(r)-7 or the wildtype. No evidence has been
      found for multiple isoforms of acetohydroxyacid synthase, and it is suggested
      that the valine-resistance of these mutant lines is the result of two different
      mutations affecting a single enzyme, possibly involving different subunits. 

PMID- 24232429
TI  - Selective expression of a probable amylase/protease inhibitor in barley aleurone
      cells: Comparison to the barley amylase/subtilisin inhibitor.
AB  - We have cloned and sequenced a 650-nucleotide cDNA from barley (Hordeum vulgare
      L.) aleurone layers encoding a protein that is closely related to a known alpha
      amylase inhibitor from Indian finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.), and that
      has homologies to certain plant trypsin inhibitors. mRNA for this probable
      amylase/protease inhibitor (PAPI) is expressed primarily in aleurone tissue
      during late development of the grain, as compared to that for the
      amylase/subtilisin inhibitor, which is expressed in endosperm during the peak of
      storage-protein synthesis. PAPI mRNA is present at high levels in aleurone tissue
      of desiccated, mature grain, and in incubated aleurone layers prepared from
      rehydrated mature seeds. Its expression in those layers is not affected by either
      abscisic acid or gibberellic acid, hormones that, respectively, increase and
      decrease the abundance of mRNA for the amylase/subtilisin inhibitor. PAPI mRNA is
      almost as abundant in gibberellic acid-treated aleurone layers as that for alpha
      amylase, and PAPI protein is synthesized in that tissue at levels that are
      comparable to alpha-amylase. PAPI protein is secreted from aleurone layers into
      the incubation medium. 

PMID- 24232430
TI  - Evidence for a uridine-5'-diphosphate-glucose-protectedp-chloromercuribenzene
      sulfonic acid-binding site in sugarcane vacuoles.
AB  - The uptake of uridine-5'-diphosphate (UDP) glucose into vacuoles isolated
      fromSaccharum sp. cells was fully inhibited by pretreatment with 50 MUMp
      chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid (PCMBS) and was not affected by N
      ethylmaleimide up to a concentration of 5 mM. The addition of 10 mM UDP-glucose
      during the pretreatment partially protected the uptake mechanism from PCMBS
      inhibition, while the presence of adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP) glucose or of
      various hexose-phosphates had no protective effect. Parallel experiments on the
      binding of [(203)Hg]PCMBS to the vacuoles showed that UDP-glucose and UDP added
      at 10 mM concentrations caused a 40% decrease in the binding of PCMBS while ADP
      glucose did not inhibit the binding. The results indicate the presence in a
      previously proposed group translocator of at least one site that can bind UDP
      glucose. This site, which is blocked by PCMBS, interacts with the nucleotide
      moiety of UDP-glucose. 

PMID- 24232431
TI  - Thermodynamic analysis of nonelectrolyte sorption in plant cuticles: The effects
      of concentration and temperature on sorption of 4-nitrophenol.
AB  - The sorption of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in enzymatically isolated cuticles
      ofLycopersicon esculentum fruits andFicus elastica leaves was studied as a
      function of temperature and solute concentration. Plots of the concentrations of
      4-NP sorbed in the cuticle versus the equilibrium concentrations in the aqueous
      phase gave linear isotherms at low concentrations that tended to approach
      plateaus at higher sorbate concentrations (>= 10 mmol.kg(-1)). At low
      concentrations of sorbed 4-NP, cuticles have sorptive properties similar to those
      of organic solvents which are able to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds, while
      at higher concentrations their solid nature becomes apparent. During sorption of
      4-NP the cutin matrix swells and new sorption sites are successively formed. The
      partition coefficients of 4-NP in the system cuticle/buffer are functions of
      temperature and concentration. At high sorbate concentrations (approx. 1 mol.kg(
      1)) they approach a value of 1. Different sorptive properties were observed for
      the cutin regions normally encrusted with soluble cuticular lipids (SCL) and
      those without SCL. Increasing temperature augmented the number of sorption sites
      in the cutin ofLycopersicon while no effect was observed withFicus. The changes
      of partial molar free energy (DeltaG (o) tr), enthalpy (DeltaH (o) tr), and
      entropy (DeltaS (o) tr) for the phase transfer of 4-NP also depended on sorbate
      concentration: DeltaH (o) tr and DeltaS (o) tr were negative and steeply
      decreased at high sorbate concentrations. This is due to solute-solute
      interactions replacing solute-cutin interactions at high concentrations resulting
      in solid precipitates of solute within the cutin matrix. This formation of
      ordered solid domaines starting from a small number of nonelectrolyte molecules
      interacting with the cutin is proposed as a model for the intracuticular
      deposition of SCL. 

PMID- 24232432
TI  - Regulation of carbonic-anhydrase activity, inorganic-carbon uptake and
      photosynthetic biomass yield inChlamydomonas reinhardtii.
AB  - The regulation of carbonic anhydrase by environmental conditions was determined
      forChlamydomonas reinhardtii. The depression of carbonic anhydrase in air-grown
      cells was pH-dependent. Growth of cells on air at acid pH, corresponding to 10
      MUm CO2 in solution, resulted in complete repression of carbonic-anhydrase
      activity. At pH 6.9, increasing the CO2 concentration to 0.15% (v/v) in the gas
      phase, corresponding to 11 MUM in solution, was sufficient to completely repress
      carbonic-anhydrase activity. Photosynthesis and intracellular inorganic carbon
      were measured in air-grown and high-CO2-grown cells using a silicone-oil
      centrifugation technique. With carbonic anhydrase repressed cells limited
      inorganic-carbon accumulation resulted from non-specific binding of CO2. With air
      grown cells, inorganic-carbon uptake at acid pH, i.e. 5.5, was linear up to 0.5
      mM external inorganic-carbon concentration whereas at alkaline pH, i.e. 7.5, the
      accumulation ratio decreased with increase in external inorganic-carbon
      concentration. It is suggested that in air-grown cells at acid pH, CO2 is the
      inorganic carbon species that crosses the plasmalemma. The conversion of CO2 to
      HCO 3 (-) by carbonic anhydrase in the cytosol results in inorganic-carbon
      accumulation and maintains the diffusion gradient for carbon dioxide across the
      cell boundary. However, this mechanism will not account for energy-dependent
      accumulation of inorganic carbon when there is little difference in pH between
      the exterior and cytosol. 

PMID- 24232433
TI  - The carotenoid and abscisic acid content of viviparous kernels and seedlings
      ofZea mays L.
AB  - Carotenoid and abscisic acid (ABA) levels were determined in endosperm, embryos
      and seedlings of wild-type and viviparous (vp) mutants ofZea mays L. Carotenoid
      concentrations were determined by absorption spectrometry following purification
      by high-performance liquid chromatography and ABA concentrations by combined gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. Lutein and zeaxanthin were the terminal
      carotenoids in wild-type tissue. The carotenoid profiles ofvp-1 andvp-8 tissue
      were similar to that of the wild type; invp-2, vp-5, vp-7 andvp-9 carotenogenesis
      was blocked at early stages so that xanthophylls were absent. Except forvp-1,
      where the ABA content was similar to the wild type, the ABA content ofvp embryos
      was substantially reduced, to 6-16% of the corresponding wild type. Thus, the
      absence of xanthophylls was associated with reduced ABA content, which was in
      turn correlated with vivipary. Kernels ofvp-8 had a reduced ABA content although
      xanthophylls were present. Seedlings of carotenoid-deficient mutants rescued from
      viviparous kernels contained less ABA than did wild-type seedlings grown in the
      same way. Furthermore, the ABA concentration of such seedlings did not increase
      in response to water deficit. Conversely,vp-1 seedlings contained normal levels
      of carotenoids and ABA. Carotenoid-deficient seedlings did not contain
      appreciable amounts of chlorophyll so that chloroplast development was not
      normal. Thus ABA-deficiency could be associated with abnormal plastid development
      rather than the absence of carotenoids per se. 

PMID- 24232434
TI  - L-Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase fromPhaseolus vulgaris: Modulation of the levels of
      active enzyme bytrans-cinnamic acid.
AB  - The extractable activity ofL-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL; EC 4.3.1.5) in
      cell suspension cultures of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is greatly induced
      following exposure to an elicitor preparation from the cell walls of the
      phytopathogenic fungusColletotrichum lindemuthianum. Following exogenous
      application oftrans-cinnamic acid (the product of the PAL reaction) to elicitor
      induced cells, the activity of the enzyme rapidly declines. Loss of enzyme
      activity is accompanied by inhibition of the rate of synthesis of PAL subunits,
      as determined by [(35)S]methionine pulse-labelling followed by specific
      immunoprecipitation; this is insufficient to account for the rapid loss of PAL
      enzyme activity. Pulse-chase and immune blotting experiments indicate that
      cinnamic acid does not affect the rate of degradation of enzyme subunits, but
      rather mediates inactivation of the enzyme. A non-dialysable factor from
      cinnamicacid-treated bean cells stimulates removal of PAL activity from enzyme
      extracts in vitro; this effect is dependent on the presence of cinnamic acid.
      Such loss of enzyme activity in vitro is accompanied by an apparent loss or
      reduction of the dehydroalanine residue of the enzyme's active site, as detected
      by active-site-specific tritiation, although levels of immunoprecipitable enzyme
      subunits do not decrease. Furthermore, cinnamic-acid-mediated loss of enzyme
      activity in vivo is accompanied, in pulse-chase experiments, by a greater
      relative loss of(35)S-labelled enzyme subunits precipitated by an immobilised
      active-site affinity ligand than of subunits precipitated with anti
      immunoglobulin G. It is therefore suggested that a possible mechanism for
      cinnamic-acid-mediated removal of PAL activity may involve modification of the
      dehydroalanine residue of the enzyme's active site. 

PMID- 24232435
TI  - Regulation of processing of a plant glycoprotein in the Golgi complex: A
      comparative study usingXenopus oocytes.
AB  - The synthesis of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), the major seed lectin ofPhaseolus
      vulgaris, was investigated inXenopus oocytes injected with RNA isolated from
      developing bean cotyledons. As is the case for normal PHA, oocyte-synthesized PHA
      polypeptides were found to contain two asparagine-linked oligosaccharide chains,
      one of which was of the high-mannose type and the other one of the Golgi-modified
      type, being largely resistant to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H digestion
      and containing fucose. The modified oligosaccharide chain of oocyte-synthesized
      PHA appeared to be much larger and more heterogeneous with respect to the
      modified chain normally present on PHA. When the oocytes were injected with
      purified mRNA for PHA, isolated by hybrid-selection using a PHA complementary-DNA
      clone, the results were the same as those obtained by injecting total
      cotyledonary RNA. On the whole, these results indicate that plant glycoproteins
      are directed to the Golgi complex even when synthesized in an animal cell, and
      that correct sorting of the oligosaccharide chains to be processed is independent
      of the cell-type in which protein synthesis occurs. The form of processing is
      however cell-type specific. 

PMID- 24232436
TI  - Metabolism of some amino acids in relation to the photorespiratory nitrogen cycle
      of pea leaves.
AB  - (15)N-labelled (amino group) asparagine (Asn), glutamate (Glu), alanine (Ala),
      aspartate (Asp) and serine (Ser) were used to study the metabolic role and the
      participation of each compound in the photorespiratory N cycle ofPisum sativum L.
      leaves. Asparagine was utilised as a nitrogen source by either deamidation or
      transamination, Glu was converted to Gln through NH3 assimilation and was a major
      amino donor for transamination, and Ala was utilised by transamination to a range
      of amino acids. Transamination also provided a pathway for Asp utilisation,
      although Asp was also used as a substrate for Asn synthesis. In the
      photorespiratory synthesis of glycine (Gly), Ser, Ala, Glu and Asn acted as
      sources of amino-N, contributing, in the order given, 38, 28, 23, and 7% of the N
      for glycine synthesis; Asp provided less than 4% of the amino-N in glycine.
      Calculations based on the incorporation of(15)N into Gly indicated that about 60%
      (Ser), 20% (Ala), 12% (Glu) and 11% (Asn) of the N metabolised from each amino
      acid was utilised in the photorespiratory nitrogen cycle. 

PMID- 24232437
TI  - Photosynthetic characteristics of detached barley leaves during greening in the
      presence of SAN 9785.
AB  - The effects of the pyridazinone compound SAN 9785 on the photosynthetic
      competence of leaves, on the photochemical activity of isolated thylakoids and on
      the formation and spectral properties of chlorophyll-protein complexes were
      studied during a 72-h greening period of detached etiolated leaves of barley
      (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Horpacsi ketsoros). It was established that i) the
      photosynthetic capacity of the leaves decreased considerably (by 80 and 90%, as
      determined by(14)CO2 fixation and fast fluorescence induction measurements,
      respectively); ii) the photochemical activity of isolated thylakoids from water
      to potassium ferricyanide and from dichlorophenol indophenol/ascorbate to
      methylviologen exhibited only slight reductions when expressed on a chlorophyll
      basis compared with the control; iii) the slow fluorescence induction curves of
      the treated leaves demonstrated the presence of a peculiar fluorescence component
      interrupting the quenching of fluorescence at around 1 min illumination; iv) a
      shortage of the chlorophyll-protein complex of photosystem I (CPI) occurred with
      a higher content of the monomer of the light harvesting complex in the thylakoids
      of treated leaves; and v) the fluorescence spectrum of the CPI band present in
      treated leaves indicates the destruction of the structural integrity of this
      complex during isolation from the membrane. 

PMID- 24232438
TI  - Metabolism and bioconversion of chromene derivatives inAgeratina adenophora
      (Asteraceae).
AB  - Seedlings ofAgeratina adenophora accumulate the chromenes demethoxyencecalin,
      encecalin and demethylencecalin. More than 80% of the total chromenes within the
      seedling are confined to the leaves where they are stored within the mesophyll.
      Metabolism of the chromenes during development of the seedlings was subjected to
      analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. The accumulation kinetics
      obtained, as well as feeding experiments with non-radioactive chromenes, showed
      the bioconversion of these compounds to proceed from demethoxyencecalin via
      hydroxylation yielding demethylencecalin, followed by methylation yielding
      encecalin. Inhibitor studies with glyphosate indicate that the chromenes arise
      from precursors derived from the shikimic-acid pathway. 

PMID- 24232440
TI  - The history of neurosurgery in Bolivia and pediatric neurosurgery in Santa Cruz
      de la Sierra.
AB  - The practice of neurosurgery in Bolivia began thousands of years ago with skull
      trepanation. This procedure dates from the earliest period of the Tiwanaku
      culture, a preInca civilization. Neurosurgical development in Bolivia has its
      origins in the late 19(th) century and can be divided in two stages. At the
      beginning, before the advent of neurosurgery as a discipline, some general
      surgeons performed procedures on the skull and brain. Formal neurosurgery in
      Bolivia was developed with the arrival of neurosurgeons trained in the United
      States and some countries of South America. The Bolivian Neurosurgical Society
      was created in 1975. Nowadays, our national society has 74 members. It is
      affiliated with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and the Latin
      American Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. Presently, neurosurgery in
      Bolivia is similar to that seen in developed countries. In this sense, government
      programs should dedicate more financial support to establish specialized
      healthcare centers where the management of complex central nervous system lesions
      could be offered. In contrast, we believe that encouraging the local training of
      young neurosurgeons is one of the most important factors in the development of
      neurosurgery in Bolivia or any other country. 

PMID- 24232441
TI  - A facile bacterial assisted electrochemical self-assembly of polypyrrole micro
      pillars: towards underwater low adhesive superoleophobicity.
AB  - By taking advantage of bacterial extracellular electron transfer behavior, a
      facile method was developed to fabricate oriented polypyrrole micro-pillars (PPy
      MP) with nanoscale surface roughness. Microbes acted as a living conductive
      template on which PPy was in situ polymerized. The as-prepared PPy-MP exhibit the
      distinctive underwater low adhesive superoleophobicity which is attributable to
      the unique hierarchical micro/nano-structures and the high surface energy by
      doping with inorganic small anions. 

PMID- 24232442
TI  - Differential, but not opponent, effects of L -DOPA and citalopram on action
      learning with reward and punishment.
AB  - RATIONALE: Decision-making involves two fundamental axes of control namely
      valence, spanning reward and punishment, and action, spanning invigoration and
      inhibition. We recently exploited a go/no-go task whose contingencies explicitly
      decouple valence and action to show that these axes are inextricably coupled
      during learning. This results in a disadvantage in learning to go to avoid
      punishment and in learning to no-go to obtain a reward. The neuromodulators
      dopamine and serotonin are likely to play a role in these asymmetries: Dopamine
      signals anticipation of future rewards and is also involved in an invigoration of
      motor responses leading to reward, but it also arbitrates between different forms
      of control. Conversely, serotonin is implicated in motor inhibition and
      punishment processing. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of dopamine and
      serotonin in the interaction between action and valence during learning.Methods
      We combined computational modeling with pharmacological manipulation in 90
      healthy human volunteers, using levodopa and citalopram to affect dopamine and
      serotonin, respectively. RESULTS: We found that, after administration of
      levodopa,action learning was less affected by outcome valence when compared with
      the placebo and citalopram groups. This highlights in this context a predominant
      effect of levodopa in controlling the balance between different forms of
      control.Citalopram had distinct effects, increasing participants'tendency to
      perform active responses independent of outcome valence, consistent with a role
      in decreasing motor inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the rich
      complexities of the roles played by dopamine and serotonin during instrumental
      learning.

PMID- 24232443
TI  - A new view of the effect of dopamine receptor antagonism on operant performance
      for rewarding brain stimulation in the rat.
AB  - RATIONALE: Previous studies of neuroleptic challenges to intracranial self
      stimulation (ICSS) employed two-dimensional (2D) measurements (curve shifts).
      Results so obtained are ambiguous with regard to the stage of neural processing
      at which the drug produces its performance-altering effect. We substituted a
      three-dimensional (3D) method that measures reward-seeking as a function of both
      the strength and cost of reward. This method reveals whether changes in reward
      seeking are due to drug action prior to the output of the circuitry that performs
      spatiotemporal integration of the stimulation-induced neural activity.
      OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to obtain new information about the stage
      of neural processing at which pimozide acts to alter pursuit of brain stimulation
      reward (BSR). METHODS: Following treatment with pimozide (0.1 mg/kg) or its
      vehicle, the proportion of trial time allocated to working for BSR was measured
      as a function of pulse frequency and opportunity cost. A surface defined by
      Shizgal's reward-mountain model was fitted to the drug and vehicle data. RESULTS:
      Pimozide lowered the cost required to decrease performance for a maximal BSR to
      half its maximal level but did not alter the pulse-frequency required to produce
      a reward of half-maximal intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Like indirect dopamine agonists,
      pimozide does not alter the sensitivity of brain reward circuity but changes
      reward-system gain, subjective effort costs, and/or the value of activities that
      compete with ICSS. The 3D method is more sensitive and informative than the 2D
      methods employed previously.

PMID- 24232444
TI  - Fragile X syndrome: a preclinical review on metabotropic glutamate receptor 5
      (mGluR5) antagonists and drug development.
AB  - RATIONALE: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is considered the leading inherited cause of
      intellectual disability and autism. In FXS, the fragile X mental retardation 1
      (FMR1) gene is silenced and the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is
      not expressed, resulting in the characteristic features of the syndrome. Despite
      recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of FXS, there is still no
      cure for this condition; current treatment is symptomatic. Preclinical research
      is essential in the development of potential therapeutic agents. OBJECTIVES: This
      review provides an overview of the preclinical evidence supporting metabotropic
      glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonists as therapeutic agents for FXS. RESULTS:
      According to the mGluR theory of FXS, the absence of FMRP leads to enhanced
      glutamatergic signaling via mGluR5, which leads to increased protein synthesis
      and defects in synaptic plasticity including enhanced long-term depression. As
      such, efforts to develop agents that target the underlying pathophysiology of FXS
      have focused on mGluR5 modulation. Animal models, particularly the Fmr1 knockout
      mouse model, have become invaluable in exploring therapeutic approaches on an
      electrophysiological, behavioral, biochemical, and neuroanatomical level. Two
      direct approaches are currently being investigated for FXS treatment:
      reactivating the FMR1 gene and compensating for the lack of FMRP. The latter
      approach has yielded promising results, with mGluR5 antagonists showing efficacy
      in clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting mGluR5 is a valid approach for the
      development of therapeutic agents that target the underlying pathophysiology of
      FXS. Several compounds are currently in development, with encouraging results.

PMID- 24232445
TI  - The impact of missing data on clinical trials: a re-analysis  of a placebo
      controlled trial of Hypericum perforatum  (St Johns wort) and sertraline in major
      depressive disorder.
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) is used to treat
      depression, but the effectiveness has not been established. Recent guidelines
      described the analysis of clinical trials with missing data, inspiring the
      reanalysis of this trial using proper missing data methods. The objective was to
      determine whether hypericum was superior to placebo in treating major depression.
      METHODS: A placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted for 8
      weeks to determine the effectiveness of hypericum or sertraline in reducing
      depression, measured using the Hamilton depression scale.We performed sensitivity
      analyses under different assumptions about the missing data process. RESULTS:
      Three hundred forty participants were randomized, with 28 % lost to follow-up.
      The missing data mechanism was not missing completely at random. Under missing at
      random assumptions, some sensitivity analyses found no difference between either
      treatment armand placebo, while some sensitivity analyses found a significant
      difference from baseline to week 8 between sertraline and placebo (-1.28, 95 %
      credible interval [-2.48; -0.08]), but not between hypericum and placebo (0.56, [
      0.64;1.76]). The results were similar when the missing data process was assumed
      to be missing not at random. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference between
      hypericum and placebo, regardless of the assumption about the missing data
      process. There is a significant difference between sertraline and placebo with
      some statistical-methods used. It is important to conduct an analysis that takes
      account of missing data using valid statistically principled methods. The
      assumptions about the missing data process could influence the results.

PMID- 24232447
TI  - Cerebral venous thrombosis: another heparin controversy.

PMID- 24232448
TI  - Protective effect of time spent walking on risk of stroke in older men.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Older adults have the highest risks of stroke and the
      lowest physical activity levels. It is important to quantify how walking (the
      predominant form of physical activity in older age) is associated with stroke.
      METHODS: A total of 4252 men from a UK population-based cohort reported usual
      physical activity (regular walking, cycling, recreational activity, and sport) in
      1998 to 2000. Nurses took fasting blood samples and made anthropometric
      measurements. RESULTS: Among 3435 ambulatory men free from cardiovascular disease
      and heart failure in 1998 to 2000, 195 first strokes occurred during 11-year
      follow-up. Men walked a median of 7 (interquartile range, 3-12) hours/wk; walking
      more hours was associated with lower heart rate, D-dimer, and higher forced
      expiratory volume in 1 second. Compared with men walking 0 to 3 hours/wk, men
      walking 4 to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 21, and >22 hours had age- and region-adjusted
      hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for stroke of 0.89 (0.60-1.31), 0.63
      (0.40-1.00), 0.68 (0.35-1.32), and 0.36 (0.14-0.91), respectively, P
      (trend)=0.006. Hazard ratios were somewhat attenuated by adjustment for
      established and novel risk markers (inflammatory and hemostatic markers and
      cardiac function [N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide]) and walking pace,
      but linear trends remained. There was little evidence for a dose-response
      relationship between walking pace and stroke; comparing average pace or faster to
      a baseline of slow pace, the hazard ratio for stroke was 0.65 (95% confidence
      interval, 0.44-0.97), which was fully mediated by time spent walking.
      CONCLUSIONS: Time spent walking was associated with reduced risk of onset of
      stroke in dose-response fashion, independent of walking pace. Walking could form
      an important part of stroke-prevention strategies in older people.

PMID- 24232446
TI  - FoxO transcription factors: their roles in the maintenance  of skeletal muscle
      homeostasis.
AB  - Forkhead box class O family member proteins (FoxOs) are highly conserved
      transcription factors with important roles in cellular homeostasis. The four FoxO
      members in humans, FoxO1, FoxO3, FoxO4, and FoxO6, are all expressed in skeletal
      muscle, but the first three members are the most studied in muscle. In this
      review, we detail the multiple modes of FoxO regulation and discuss the central
      role of these proteins in the control of skeletal muscle plasticity. FoxO1 and
      FoxO3 are key factors of muscle energy homeostasis through the control of
      glycolytic and lipolytic flux, and mitochondrial metabolism. They are also key
      regulators of protein breakdown, as they modulate the activity of several actors
      in the ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy-lysosomal proteolytic pathways,
      including mitochondrial autophagy, also called mitophagy. FoxO proteins have also
      been implicated in the regulation of the cell cycle, apoptosis, and muscle
      regeneration. Depending of their activation level, FoxO proteins can exhibit
      ambivalent functions. For example, a basal level of FoxO factors is necessary for
      cellular homeostasis and these proteins are required for adaptation to exercise.
      However, exacerbated activation may occur in the course of several diseases,
      resulting in metabolic disorders and atrophy. A better understanding of the
      precise functions of these transcriptions factors should thus lead to the
      development of new therapeutic approaches to prevent or limit the muscle wasting
      that prevails in numerous pathological states, such as immobilization, denervated
      conditions, neuromuscular disease, aging, AIDS, cancer, and diabetes.

PMID- 24232449
TI  - Time to brain imaging in acute stroke is improving: secondary analysis of the
      INSTINCT trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with acute ischemic stroke benefit from rapid
      evaluation and treatment, and timely brain imaging is a necessary component. We
      determined the effect of a targeted behavioral intervention on door-to-imaging
      time (DIT) among patients with ischemic stroke treated with tissue-type
      plasminogen activator. Second, we examined the variation in DIT accounted for by
      patient-level and hospital-level factors. METHODS: The Increasing Stroke
      Treatment through Interventional behavioral Change Tactics (INSTINCT) trial was a
      cluster-randomized, controlled trial involving 24 Michigan hospitals. The
      intervention aimed to increase tissue-type plasminogen activator utilization.
      Detailed chart abstractions collected data for 557 patients with ischemic stroke.
      We used a series of hierarchical linear mixed-effects models to evaluate the
      effect of the intervention on DIT (difference-in-differences analysis) and used
      patient-level and hospital-level explanatory variables to decompose variation in
      DIT. RESULTS: DIT improved over time, without a difference between intervention
      and control hospitals (intervention: 23.7-19.3 minutes, control: 28.9-19.2
      minutes; P=0.56). Adjusted DIT was faster in patients who arrived by ambulance
      (7.2 minutes; 95% confidence interval, 4.1-10.2), had severe strokes (1.0 minute
      per +5-point National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; 95% confidence interval,
      0.1-2.0), and presented in the postintervention period (4.9 minutes; 95%
      confidence interval, 2.3-7.4). After accounting for these factors, 13.8% of
      variation in DIT was attributable to hospital. Neither hospital stroke volume nor
      stroke center status was associated with DIT. CONCLUSIONS: Performance on DIT
      improved similarly in intervention and control hospitals, suggesting that
      nonintervention factors explain the improvement. Hospital-level factors explain a
      modest proportion of variation in DIT, but further research is needed to identify
      the hospital-level factors responsible.

PMID- 24232450
TI  - Anticoagulants for cerebral venous thrombosis: harmful to patients?

PMID- 24232451
TI  - Environmental enrichment decreases asphyxia-induced neurobehavioral developmental
      delay in neonatal rats.
AB  - Perinatal asphyxia during delivery produces long-term disability and represents a
      major problem in neonatal and pediatric care. Numerous neuroprotective approaches
      have been described to decrease the effects of perinatal asphyxia. Enriched
      environment is a popular strategy to counteract nervous system injuries. The aim
      of the present study was to investigate whether enriched environment is able to
      decrease the asphyxia-induced neurobehavioral developmental delay in neonatal
      rats. Asphyxia was induced in ready-to-deliver mothers by removing the pups by
      caesarian section after 15 min of asphyxia. Somatic and neurobehavioral
      development was tested daily and motor coordination weekly. Our results show that
      rats undergoing perinatal asphyxia had a marked developmental delay and worse
      performance in motor coordination tests. However, pups kept in enriched
      environment showed a decrease in the developmental delay observed in control
      asphyctic pups. Rats growing up in enriched environment did not show decrease in
      weight gain after the first week and the delay in reflex appearance was not as
      marked as in control rats. In addition, the development of motor coordination was
      not as strikingly delayed as in the control group. Short-term neurofunctional
      outcome are known to correlate with long-term deficits. Our results thus show
      that enriched environment could be a powerful strategy to decrease the
      deleterious developmental effects of perinatal asphyxia.

PMID- 24232453
TI  - Acidic residue Glu199 increases SUMOylation level of nuclear hormone receptor
      NR5A1.
AB  - Steroidogenic factor 1 (NR5A1/SF1) is a well-known master regulator in
      controlling adrenal and sexual development, as well as regulating numerous genes
      involved in adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis. Several studies including ours
      have demonstrated that NR5A1 can be SUMOylated on lysine 194 (K194, the major
      site) and lysine 119 (K119, the minor site), and the cycle of SUMOylation
      regulates NR5A1's transcriptional activity. An extended consensus negatively
      charged amino acid-dependent SUMOylation motif (NDSM) enhances the specificity of
      substrate modification by SUMO has been reported; however, the mechanism of NDSM
      for NR5A1 remains to be clarified. In this study, we investigated the functional
      significance of the acidic residue located downstream from the core consensus
      SUMO site of NR5A1. Here we report that E199A (glutamic acid was replaced with
      alanine) of NR5A1 reduced, but not completely abolished, its SUMOylation level.
      We next characterized the functional role of NR5A1 E199A on target gene
      expression and protein levels. We found that E199A alone, as well as combination
      with K194R, increased Mc2r and Cyp19a1 reporter activities. Moreover, E199A alone
      as well as combination with K194R enhanced NR5A1-mediated STAR protein levels in
      mouse adrenocortical cancer Y1 cells. We also observed that E199A increased
      interaction of NR5A1 with CDK7 and SRC1. Overall, we provide the evidence that
      the acidic residue (E199) located downstream from the core consensus SUMO site of
      NR5A1 is, at least in part, required for SUMOylation of NR5A1 and for its
      mediated target gene and protein expression.

PMID- 24232454
TI  - Comparative analysis of flower volatiles from nine citrus at three blooming
      stages.
AB  - Volatiles from flowers at three blooming stages of nine citrus cultivars were
      analyzed by headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME)-GC-MS. Up to 110
      volatiles were detected, with 42 tentatively identified from citrus flowers for
      the first time. Highest amounts of volatiles were present in fully opened flowers
      of most citrus, except for pomelos. All cultivars were characterized by a high
      percentage of either oxygenated monoterpenes or monoterpene hydrocarbons, and the
      presence of a high percentage of nitrogen containing compounds was also observed.
      Flower volatiles varied qualitatively and quantitatively among citrus types
      during blooming. Limonene was the most abundant flower volatile only in citrons;
      alpha-citral and beta-citral ranked 2nd and 3rd only for Bergamot, and unopened
      flowers of Ponkan had a higher amount of linalool and beta-pinene while much
      lower amount of gamma-terpinene and p-cymene than Satsuma. Taking the average of
      all cultivars, linalool and limonene were the top two volatiles for all blooming
      stages; beta-pinene ranked 3rd in unopened flowers, while indole ranked 3rd for
      half opened and fully opened flower volatiles. As flowers bloomed, methyl
      anthranilate increased while 2-hexenal and p-cymene decreased. In some cases, a
      volatile could be high in both unopened and fully opened flowers but low in half
      opened ones. Through multivariate analysis, the nine citrus cultivars were
      clustered into three groups, consistent with the three true citrus types.
      Furthermore, an influence of blooming stages on clustering was observed,
      especially with hybrids Satsuma and Huyou. Altogether, it was suggested that
      flower volatiles can be suitable markers for revealing the genetic relationships
      between citrus cultivars but the same blooming stage needs to be strictly
      controlled.

PMID- 24232455
TI  - Supramolecular luminescence from oligofluorenol-based supramolecular polymer
      semiconductors.
AB  - Supramolecular luminescence stems from non-covalent exciton behaviors of active
      pi-segments in supramolecular entities or aggregates via intermolecular forces.
      Herein, a pi-conjugated oligofluorenol, containing self-complementary double
      hydrogen bonds, was synthesized using Suzuki coupling as a supramolecular
      semiconductor. Terfluorenol-based random supramolecular polymers were confirmed
      via concentration-dependent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and dynamic light
      scattering (DLS). The photoluminescent spectra of the TFOH-1 solution exhibit a
      green emission band (g-band) at approximately ~520 nm with reversible features,
      as confirmed through titration experiments. Supramolecular luminescence of TFOH-1
      thin films serves as robust evidence for the aggregates of g-band. Our results
      suggest that the presence of polyfluorene ketone defects is a sufficient
      condition, rather than a sufficient-necessary condition for the g-band.
      Supramolecular electroluminescence will push organic devices into the fields of
      supramolecular optoelectronics, spintronics, and mechatronics.

PMID- 24232452
TI  - The NO/ONOO-cycle as the central cause of heart failure.
AB  - The NO/ONOO-cycle is a primarily local, biochemical vicious cycle mechanism,
      centered on elevated peroxynitrite and oxidative stress, but also involving 10
      additional elements: NF-kappaB, inflammatory cytokines, iNOS, nitric oxide (NO),
      superoxide, mitochondrial dysfunction (lowered energy charge, ATP), NMDA
      activity, intracellular Ca(2+), TRP receptors and tetrahydrobiopterin depletion.
      All 12 of these elements have causal roles in heart failure (HF) and each is
      linked through a total of 87 studies to specific correlates of HF. Two apparent
      causal factors of HF, RhoA and endothelin-1, each act as tissue-limited cycle
      elements. Nineteen stressors that initiate cases of HF, each act to raise
      multiple cycle elements, potentially initiating the cycle in this way. Different
      types of HF, left vs. right ventricular HF, with or without arrhythmia, etc., may
      differ from one another in the regions of the myocardium most impacted by the
      cycle. None of the elements of the cycle or the mechanisms linking them are
      original, but they collectively produce the robust nature of the NO/ONOO-cycle
      which creates a major challenge for treatment of HF or other proposed NO/ONOO
      cycle diseases. Elevated peroxynitrite/NO ratio and consequent oxidative stress
      are essential to both HF and the NO/ONOO-cycle.

PMID- 24232456
TI  - Superior mechanical properties of double-network hydrogels reinforced by carbon
      nanotubes without organic modification.
AB  - A facile method is developed to fabricate nanocomposite double-network (DN) gels
      with excellent mechanical properties, which do not fracture upon loading up to 78
      MPa and a strain above 0.98, by compositing of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) without
      organic modification. Investigations of swelling behaviors, and compressive and
      tensile properties indicate that equilibrium swelling ratio, compressive modulus
      and stress, fracture stress, Young's modulus, and yield stress are significantly
      improved in the presence of CNTs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals that
      the pore size of nanocomposite DN gels is decreased and some embedded micro
      network structures are observed on the fracture surface in comparison to DN gels
      without CNTs, which leads to the enhancement of mechanical properties. The
      compressive loading-unloading behaviors show that the area of hysteresis loop,
      dissipated energy, for the first compressive cycle, increases with addition of
      CNTs, which is much higher than that for the successive cycles. Furthermore, the
      energy dissipation mechanism, similar to the Mullins effect observed in filled
      rubbers, is demonstrated for better understanding the nanocomposite DN polymer
      gels with CNTs.

PMID- 24232457
TI  - New benzo[c]phenanthridine and benzenoid derivatives, and other constituents from
      Zanthoxylum ailanthoides: Effects on neutrophil pro-inflammatory responses.
AB  - A new benzo[c]phenanthridine, oxynorchelerythrine (1), and two new benzenoid
      derivatives, methyl 4-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3-methyl-4-oxobutoxy)benzoate (2) and
      (E)-methyl 4-(4-((Z)-3-methoxy-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)phenoxy)-2-methylbut-2-enoate
      (3), have been isolated from the twigs of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides, together with
      11 known compounds (4-14). The structures of these new compounds were determined
      through spectroscopic and MS analyses. Among the isolated compounds, decarine
      (4), (-)-syringaresinol (6), (+)-episesamin (8), glaberide I (9), (-)
      dihydrocubebin (10), and xanthyletin (11) exhibited potent inhibition (IC50
      values <= 4.79 ug/mL) of superoxide anion generation by human nutrophils in
      response to N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B
      (fMLP/CB). Compounds 4, 8, and 11 also inhibited fMLP/CB-induced elastase release
      with IC50 values <= 5.48 ug/mL.

PMID- 24232459
TI  - Prevalence and risk factors associated with low-impact fractures in men with
      rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of fractures in men with
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and identify potential risk factors associated with
      skeletal fragility. We consecutively studied 50 men with RA. Clinical risk
      factors were evaluated by clinical questionnaire, functional capacity by M-HAQ1,
      and disease activity by DAS-28. RA men were compared to 52 healthy controls
      paired for age and BMI. Bone mineral density (BMD) and quantitative ultrasound
      (QUS) at the heel were performed in all participants. Morphometric vertebral
      fractures (VF) were classified by a semiquantitative method. Men with RA were
      51.7 years old on average and had mean disease duration of 115 months. Fragility
      fractures were found in 40% of individuals, of which 36% were VF, significantly
      higher than in healthy controls (p < 0.01). Age, anthropometric data, and
      lifestyle were similar between RA men with and without fractures. About 94% of
      the men with RA were on long-term glucocorticoid (GC) use. Patients with
      fractures were more frequently positive for rheumatoid factor (RF), had longer
      morning stiffness, and higher DAS-28 when compared to patients without fractures
      (p <= 0.05). In addition, they had significantly lower spine and hip BMD as well
      as a lower stiffness index (p <= 0.05). There was no statistically significant
      correlation between fracture and cumulative GC use. The final model of logistic
      regression showed a significant association and interaction between lower weight
      and physical activity in men with RA and fragility fractures. RA in men as well
      as in women is a risk factor for fragility fractures. The risk of fractures is
      higher in patients with positive RF, prolonged morning stiffness, higher scores
      of disease activity, and lower values of BMD and QUS.

PMID- 24232460
TI  - Sunitinib indirectly enhanced anti-tumor cytotoxicity of cytokine-induced killer
      cells and CD3+CD56+ subset through the co-culturing dendritic cells.
AB  - Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have reached clinical trials for leukemia and
      solid tumors. Their anti-tumor cytotoxicity had earlier been shown to be
      intensified after the co-culture with dendritic cells (DCs). We observed markedly
      enhanced anti-tumor cytotoxicity activity of CIK cells after the co-culture with
      sunitinib-pretreated DCs over that of untreated DCs. This cytotoxicity was
      reliant upon DC modulation by sunitinib because the direct exposure of CIK cells
      to sunitinib had no significant effect. Sunitinib promoted Th1-inducing and pro
      inflammatory phenotypes (IL-12, IFN-gamma and IL-6) in DCs at the expense of Th2
      inducing phenotype (IL-13) and regulatory phenotype (PD-L1, IDO). Sunitinib
      treated DCs subsequently induced the upregulation of Th1 phenotypic markers (IFN
      gamma and T-bet) and the downregulation of the Th2 signature (GATA-3) and the
      Th17 marker (RORC) on the CD3+CD56+ subset of CIK cells. It concluded that
      sunitinib-pretreated DCs drove the CD3+CD56+ subset toward Th1 phenotype with
      increased anti-tumor cytotoxicity.

PMID- 24232458
TI  - Ionizing radiation-induced responses in human cells with differing TP53 status.
AB  - Ionizing radiation triggers diverse responses in human cells encompassing
      apoptosis, necrosis, stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS), autophagy, and
      endopolyploidy (e.g., multinucleation). Most of these responses result in loss of
      colony-forming ability in the clonogenic survival assay. However, not all modes
      of so-called clonogenic cell "death" are necessarily advantageous for therapeutic
      outcome in cancer radiotherapy. For example, the crosstalk between SIPS and
      autophagy is considered to influence the capacity of the tumor cells to maintain
      a prolonged state of growth inhibition that unfortunately can be succeeded by
      tumor regrowth and disease recurrence. Likewise, endopolyploid giant cells are
      able to segregate into near diploid descendants that continue mitotic activities.
      Herein we review the current knowledge on the roles that the p53 and p21(WAF1)
      tumor suppressors play in determining the fate of human fibroblasts (normal and
      Li-Fraumeni syndrome) and solid tumor-derived cells after exposure to ionizing
      radiation. In addition, we discuss the important role of WIP1, a p53-regulated
      oncogene, in the temporal regulation of the DNA damage response and its
      contribution to p53 dynamics post-irradiation. This article highlights the
      complexity of the DNA damage response and provides an impetus for rethinking the
      nature of cancer cell resistance to therapeutic agents.

PMID- 24232461
TI  - Automatic vasculature identification in coronary angiograms by adaptive
      geometrical tracking.
AB  - As the uneven distribution of contrast agents and the perspective projection
      principle of X-ray, the vasculatures in angiographic image are with low contrast
      and are generally superposed with other organic tissues; therefore, it is very
      difficult to identify the vasculature and quantitatively estimate the blood flow
      directly from angiographic images. In this paper, we propose a fully automatic
      algorithm named adaptive geometrical vessel tracking (AGVT) for coronary artery
      identification in X-ray angiograms. Initially, the ridge enhancement (RE) image
      is obtained utilizing multiscale Hessian information. Then, automatic
      initialization procedures including seed points detection, and initial directions
      determination are performed on the RE image. The extracted ridge points can be
      adjusted to the geometrical centerline points adaptively through diameter
      estimation. Bifurcations are identified by discriminating connecting relationship
      of the tracked ridge points. Finally, all the tracked centerlines are merged and
      smoothed by classifying the connecting components on the vascular structures.
      Synthetic angiographic images and clinical angiograms are used to evaluate the
      performance of the proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm is compared with
      other two vascular tracking techniques in terms of the efficiency and accuracy,
      which demonstrate successful applications of the proposed segmentation and
      extraction scheme in vasculature identification. 

PMID- 24232463
TI  - Tumour immunology: dealing with regulators.

PMID- 24232464
TI  - T cells: adenosine maintains the numbers.

PMID- 24232465
TI  - Somatic hybrid plants produced by electrofusion between Solanum melongena L. and
      Solanum torvum Sw.
AB  - Somatic hybrid plants between eggplant (Solanum melongena) and Solanum torvum
      have been produced by the electrofusion of mesophyll protoplasts in a movable
      multi-electrode fusion chamber. Using hair structure as a selection criteria, we
      identified a total of 19 somatic hybrids, which represented an overall average of
      15.3% of the 124 regenerated plants obtained in the two fusion experiments.
      Several morphological traits were intermediate to those of the parents, including
      trichome density and structure, height, leaf form and inflorescence. Cytological
      analyses revealed that the chromosome numbers of the somatic hybrids approximated
      the expected tetraploid level (2n=4x=48). Fifteen hybrid plants were homogeneous
      and had relatively stable chromosome numbers (46-48), while four other hybrids
      had variable chromosome numbers (35-48) and exhibited greater morphological
      variation. The hybridity of these 19 somatic hybrid plants was confirmed by
      analyses of phosphoglucomutase (Pgm) and esterase zymograms. 

PMID- 24232462
TI  - Sepsis-induced immunosuppression: from cellular dysfunctions to immunotherapy.
AB  - Sepsis - which is a severe life-threatening infection with organ dysfunction -
      initiates a complex interplay of host pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory
      processes. Sepsis can be considered a race to the death between the pathogens and
      the host immune system, and it is the proper balance between the often competing
      pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways that determines the fate of the individual.
      Although the field of sepsis research has witnessed the failure of many highly
      touted clinical trials, a better understanding of the pathophysiological basis of
      the disorder and the mechanisms responsible for the associated pro- and anti
      inflammatory responses provides a novel approach for treating this highly lethal
      condition. Biomarker-guided immunotherapy that is administered to patients at the
      proper immune phase of sepsis is potentially a major advance in the treatment of
      sepsis and in the field of infectious disease. 

PMID- 24232466
TI  - Genetic analysis of anther culture response in wheat using aneuploid, chromosome
      substitution and translocation lines.
AB  - Marked effects of genotype on wheat anther culture response have been observed.
      Genetic factors have been recognised to be one of the major contributors to in
      vitro responses of cultured wheat tissues. In wheat anther culture, embryo
      induction, plant regeneration and albina/green ratio have been determined to be
      heritable traits. Using Chinese Spring (CS) monosomic 1D, single chromosome
      substitution lines of chromosome 5B or chromosome arm 5BL from Chinese Spring
      into six varieties, and F1 hybrids heterozygous for the 1B chromosome structure
      (1BL-1BS/1BL-1RS), the anther culture response was studied: genes on CS1D
      chromosome and 5BL chromosome arm increases the embryo frequency; gene(s)
      involved in regeneration ability are located on the 1RS chromosome arm; a gene
      increasing albina frequency is located on Chinese Spring 5B chromosome. Our
      results support the fact that without gametic selection, a differential
      development occurred from the particular classes of microspores carrying genes
      for higher regeneration ability. Moreover, in some crosses, a few genes with
      major effects were involved in determination of anther culture response. 

PMID- 24232467
TI  - Nuclear DNA changes within Helianthus annuus L.: origin and control mechanism.
AB  - Previous results suggested that the amount of nuclear DNA varies in one and the
      same progeny of Helianthus annuus, depending on the head portion in which seeds
      have developed. Accordingly, cytophotometric determinations were carried out in a
      selfed line, after Feulgen-staining, to obtain information on the developmental
      stages at which DNA changes are produced and on the mechanism controlling the
      variation. It was found that the Feulgen absorption values of mitotic prophases
      in immature anthers and pistils and of meiotic prophases I are the same in any
      flower of the head. In contrast, the Feulgen/DNA contents of early prophases in
      heart-shaped embryos differ significantly, increasing from those developing at
      the centre of the head to those developing at its periphery, and remaining
      unchanged in each embryo during further development and seed germination.
      Variations in the number of chromosomes do not account for the differences
      observed in nuclear DNA contents in which sequences comprised in heterochromatic
      nuclear regions are involved. The Feulgen absorption values of seedlings obtained
      from seeds developed in different portions of single heads increase or diminish
      starting from those found in the mother plant. This depends on whether these
      latter are relatively low or high and on the gradient of seed location in the
      head. The variation occurring within each single progeny covers the whole range
      existing within the line. 

PMID- 24232468
TI  - Rearrangement, amplification, and assortment of mitochondrial DNA molecules in
      cultured cells of Brassica campestris.
AB  - We compared Brassica campestris mitochondrial and chloroplast DNAs from whole
      plants and from a 2-year-old cell culture. No differences were observed in the
      chloroplast DNAs (cpDNAs), whereas the culture mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was
      extensively altered. Hybridization analysis revealed that the alterations are due
      entirely to rearrangement. At least two inversions and one large duplication are
      found in the culture mtDNA. The duplication element is shown to have the usual
      properties of a plant mtDNA high frequency "recombination repeat". The culture
      mtDNA exists as a complex heterogeneous population of rearranged and unrearranged
      molecules. Some of the culture-associated rearranged molecules are present in low
      levels in native plant tissue and appear to have sorted out and amplified in the
      culture. Other mtDNA rearrangements may have occurred de novo. In addition to
      alterations of the main mitochondrial genome, an 11.3 kb linear mtDNA plasmid
      present in whole plants is absent from the culture. Contrary to findings in
      cultured cells of other plants, small circular mtDNA molecules were not detected
      in the B. campestris cell culture. 

PMID- 24232469
TI  - Incidence of endogenous viral genes in two strains of white leghorn chickens
      selected for egg production and susceptibility or resistance to Marek's disease.
AB  - Endogenous viral (ev) genes related to the avian leukosis virus were classified
      in two differentially selected strains of Leghorns in order to investigate
      whether such genes affect production traits. Strain K had been selected for
      resistance to Marek's disease (MD) and for high egg production and egg weight,
      whereas strain S had been selected only for MD susceptibility. Except that
      founders of strain K included a few commercial birds, both strains were derived
      from a common genetic base. DNA restriction fragment length analyses of 110
      strain K and 94 strain S birds revealed the presence of 8 different ev-genes, 6
      of which were identical to previously identified loci. This result was confirmed
      by assays for group specific antigen (gs-antigen), the product of the gag region
      of the ev-genes. The levels of gs-antigen in the birds closely followed what had
      been predicted from data obtained from previously described ev-genes. Both
      strains had a similar average number of ev-genes per bird (3.5 and 3.2 for
      strains S and K, respectively). However, strain K carried only five different ev
      genes while strain S carried seven. Four of these loci were present in both
      strains. Among the ev-genes absent or occurring less frequently in strain K were
      those that code either for infectious endogenous virus (ev-10 and possibly ev-19)
      or for the internal viral gag-proteins (ev-3). Only those ev-genes which are
      transcriptionally silent or which code for the viral envelope gene were present
      in increased frequencies in strain K. The results indicate that selection for egg
      traits and/or Marek's disease resistance reduces the frequency of ev-genes which
      produce endogenous virus or the viral gag-proteins. 

PMID- 24232470
TI  - Predicted and realized grain yield responses to full-sib family selection in
      CIMMYT maize (Zea mays L.) populations.
AB  - The maize (Zea mays L.) improvement program of the International Maize and Wheat
      Improvement Center (CIMMYT) develops broad-based maize populations and, until
      recently, improved all of them through full-sib family selection with
      international testing. The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic and
      genetic * environment variance components for ten of those populations and to
      measure expected yield improvement from full-sib selection. Mean yield ranged
      from 3.35-6.81 t ha(-1). For five populations the average yield in the last cycle
      was higher than in the initial cycles. Several populations showed no improvement
      or yielded less in the final cycle of selection, either because selection
      intensity was low or because strong selection pressure was applied simultaneously
      for several traits. Variation resulting from differences among family means
      within cycles and from interaction between families and locations within cycles
      were significant in all populations and cycles. Results indicate that variability
      among full-sib families was maintained throughout the cycles for all populations.
      The large sigma ge (2) /sigma g (2) ratio shown by most populations suggests that
      yield response per cycle could be maximized if the environments in which
      progenies are tested were subdivided and classified into similar subsets. The
      proportion of the predicted response realized in improved yield varied for each
      population. 

PMID- 24232471
TI  - Mitochondrial genome diversity among cultivars of daucus carota (ssp. sativus)
      and their wild relatives.
AB  - Restriction fragment patterns of mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) from 13 carrot
      cultivars (Daucus carota ssp. sativus), wild carrot (ssp. carota), ssp. gummifer,
      and D. capillifolius were compared with each other using four restriction
      endonucleases. The mtDNAs of the 13 carrot cultivars could be classified into
      three distinct types - I, II and III - and were also clearly distinguishable from
      the mtDNAs of wild carrot (type IV), gummifer (V) and D. capillifolius (VI). The
      proportions of common restriction fragments (F values) shared by two of the three
      mtDNA types (I, II and III) of carrot cultivars were approximately 0.5-0.6. The F
      values were 0.4-0.5 for mitochondrial genomes between wild carrot, ssp. gummifer
      and D. capillifolius. The mitochondrial genomes between wild carrot and the
      carrot cultivars showed closer homologies those between wild carrot, ssp.
      gummifer, and D. capillifolius. The diversity of the mitochondrial genomes among
      the carrot cultivars is too high to presume that it was generated from the
      cytoplasm of only one common ancestor during the relatively short history of
      carrot breeding. These results suggested that the three types of cytoplasms found
      in the carrot cultivars might have existed in a prototype of D. carota in pre
      historical times. 

PMID- 24232472
TI  - Free proline contents in two different groups of rice mutants resistant to
      hydroxy-L-proline.
AB  - In four rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutants resistant to hydroxy-L-proline (Hyp),
      HYP101, HYP203, HYP205 and HYP210, and in their original variety, Nipponbare,
      free proline and Hyp contents in the seeds and in the 14-day-old seedlings have
      been determined. The four mutants can be divided into two groups: HYP101 and
      HYP203 are classified as to recessive gene and the levels of free proline are
      similar to that of the original variety; the second group includes mutants HYP205
      and HYP210 where the Hyp resistance is transmitted heterozygously and, both in
      the seeds and in the seedlings, a remarkable increase in free proline content is
      observed. In particular, free proline contents in the seeds of HYP205 and HYP210
      are, respectively, 24 and 12 times that of the original variety. Hyp is detected
      only in the seedlings cultured with Hyp solution. In the Hyp resistant seedlings
      of HYP205 and HYP210, Hyp contents are twice that of the original variety and
      less than half in the seedlings of HYP101 and HYP203. Hyp resistance and
      differential proline levels are also evident in the callus initiated from the
      mutants. This suggests that the Hyp resistant mutants are good genetic markers
      both in planta and in vitro. The Hyp mutants are also discussed with regard to
      stress resistance. 

PMID- 24232474
TI  - The cumulative effect of allelic variation in LMW and HMW glutenin subunits on
      dough properties in the progeny of two bread wheats.
AB  - The effects of allelic variation at Gli-A1, GluA3 and Glu-A1 loci coding for
      gliadins, LMW glutenin subunits and HMW glutenin subunits on dough resistance and
      extensibility was analysed in 56 F2-derived F6 families from a cross between
      bread wheats MKR(111/8) and 'Kite'. Extensograph data from two sites giving
      widely different flour protein levels (approximately 7% and 14%) revealed that
      the Glu-A3m and Glu-A1b alleles were associated with larger effects on dough
      resistance and extensibility than the null alleles Glu-A3k and GluA1c,
      respectively, and moreover, their effects were additive at both protein levels.
      The effect of the LMW glutenin allele Glu-A3m on both dough resistance and dough
      extensibility was relatively larger than that of the HMW glutenin allele Glu-A1b
      at both sites. Variation at the Gli-A1 locus did not appear to contribute towards
      dough strength. The results also showed the large effect of flour protein content
      on dough properties. 

PMID- 24232473
TI  - Somatic hybridization between anther-derived dihaploid clones of potato (Solanum
      tuberosum L.) and the identification of hybrid plants by isozyme analysis.
AB  - Green mesophyll protoplasts of the dihaploid potato line 198?2 (Solanum tuberosum
      L.) were fused with herbicide-bleached mesophyll protoplasts of the dihaploid
      potato line 67?9 using a polyethylene glycol protocol. Heterokaryons were
      identified under a fluorescence microscope using the dual fluorescence of
      carboxyfluorescein-stained, herbicide-bleached protoplasts and the
      autofluorescence of green mesophyll protoplasts. About 20% of the protoplasts
      survived the fusion treatment, and the fusion frequency was 3%-4%. Unfused and
      fused protoplasts were mass cultured for 6 weeks after which vigorously growing
      calli were selected and transferred to shoot regeneration medium. Somatic hybrids
      were identified by a combination of five isozyme markers, and the ploidy level
      was determined by flow cytometry. Out of 15 calli that regenerated shoots, 6
      plants derived from 2 different calli were identified as hexaploid somatic
      hybrids, while one morphologically deviant plant from a third callus was
      identified as a mixoploid that had lost some enzyme markers after 4 months of
      culturing. 

PMID- 24232475
TI  - Coexistence and the productivity of white clover-perennial ryegrass mixtures.
AB  - Yield comparisons between five white cloverperennial ryegrass mixtures, whose
      individual components had previously coexisted, and a corresponding set of ten
      mixtures based on components that had not coexisted disclosed a yield advantage
      to the former group of 8.5% over a 4-year period. All five clover populations
      produced their highest yields when associated with their coexisting grass. The
      coexisting mixtures also yielded more grass in spring, probably due to the exotic
      origin of the majority of the companion grasses, reinforced by the nitrogen
      transfer process between clover and grass. The relative proportions of clover
      attained by the five populations was apparently unaffected by grass companion.
      These results are briefly discussed in the context of improving the productivity
      of white clover-perennial ryegrass mixtures. 

PMID- 24232476
TI  - Self fertilization and seed set in Trifolium repens L. by in situ and in vitro
      pollination.
AB  - The frequency of seed formation has been determined from self-pollination in situ
      (by hand) and in vitro for Trifolium repens. Selfing in situ was measured over a
      period of 3 years in which plants were held either at 35  degrees C for 24 h post
      pollination (1984 and 1985) or held at ambient temperatures (1986). Mean yield of
      self-seed per 100 florets was 2.8 in 1984, 5.2 in 1985 and 2.2 in 1986. This was
      based on over 15,000 selfings per year with seven varieties and a total of 166
      genotypes. In general, seed set following self-pollination was low; 53% of all
      genotypes set less than one seed per 100 florets selfed. Selfing of 340 excised
      florets in vitro with six genotypes gave a mean of 30.6 seeds per 100 florets.
      Temperature treatments (post-pollination) had no significant effect on seed yield
      in vitro. Treatment of florets in vitro for 24 h post-pollination with 0.1% CO2
      increased the yield of self seed with three genotypes but had no effect on a
      fourth genotype. 

PMID- 24232477
TI  - Differences in response to the toxin sirodesmin PL produced by Phoma lingam (Tode
      ex fr.) Desm. on protoplasts, cell aggregates and intact plants of resistant and
      susceptible Brassica accessions.
AB  - The selective property of sirodesmin PL, a toxin produced by Phoma lingam, was
      studied on protoplasts, cell aggregates, leaves and roots. Directly after
      isolation, protoplasts from all the different Brassica accessions were sensitive
      when treated with toxin in a concentration higher than 1 MUM. When more
      differentiated plant tissue. i.e. cell aggregates, leaves or roots, were
      investigated, insensitivity to the toxin was found in the plant material
      resistant to P. lingam, while the plant material susceptible to P. lingam was
      sensitive. The results reveal that a clear correlation between resistance to P.
      lingam and insensitivity to sirodesmin PL is present, and that the toxin can be
      used to distinguish resistant plant material from susceptible both in vivo and in
      vitro. 

PMID- 24232478
TI  - Identification of a 1B/1R wheat-rye chromosome translocation.
AB  - The common wheat selection '79-4045' was identified as a wheat-rye 1B/1R
      chromosome translocation line, by means of C-banding patterns and test cross with
      'Chinese Spring' double-ditelosomic line. The translocation chromosome consisted
      of the long arm of wheat chromosome 1B, including its centromere, and the short
      arm of rye chromosome 1R or tis portion. 

PMID- 24232479
TI  - Heterochromatin differentiation and phylogenetic relationship of the A genomes in
      diploid and polyploid wheats.
AB  - Heterochromatin differentiation, including band size, sites, and Giemsa staining
      intensity, was analyzed by the HKG (HCl-KOH-Giemsa) banding technique in the A
      genomes of 21 diploid (Triticum urartu, T. boeoticum and T. monococcum), 13
      tetraploid (T. araraticum, T. timopheevi, T. dicoccoides and T. turgidum var.
      Dicoccon, Polonicum), and 7 cultivars of hexaploid (T. aestivum) wheats from
      different germplasm collections. Among wild and cultivated diploid taxa,
      heterochromatin was located mainly at centromeric regions, but the size and
      staining intensity were distinct and some accessions' genomes had interstitial
      and telomeric bands. Among wild and cultivated polyploid wheats, heterochromatin
      exhibited bifurcated differentiation. Heterochromatinization occurred in
      chromosomes 4A(t) and 7A(t) and in smaller amounts in 2A(t), 3A(t), 5A(t), and
      6A(t) within the genomes of the tetraploid Timopheevi group (T. araraticum, and
      T. timopheevi) and vice versa within those of the Emmer group (T. dicoccoides and
      T. turgidum). Similar divergence patterns occurred among chromosome 4A(a) and
      7A(a) of cultivars of hexaploid wheat (T. aestivum). These dynamic processes
      could be related to geographic distribution and to natural and artifical
      selection. Comparison of the A genomes of diploid wheats with those of polyploid
      wheats shows that the A genomes in existing diploid wheats could not be the
      direct donors of those in polyploid wheats, but that the extant taxa of diploids
      and polyploids probably have a common origin and share a common A-genomelike
      ancestor. 

PMID- 24232480
TI  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism maps and the concept of graphical
      genotypes.
AB  - With the advent of high density restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)
      maps, it has become possible to determine the genotype of an individual at many
      genetic loci simultaneously. Often, such RFLP data are expressed as long strings
      of numbers or letters indicating the genotype for each locus analyzed. In this
      form, RFLP data can be difficult to interpret or utilize without complex
      statistical analysis. By contrast, numerical genotype data can also be expressed
      in a more useful, graphical form, known as a "graphical genotype", which is
      described in detail in this paper. Ideally, a graphical genotype portrays the
      parental origin and allelic composition throughout the entire genome, yet is
      simple to comprehend and utilize. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of this
      concept, graphical genotypes for individuals from backcross and F2 populations in
      tomato are described. The concept can also be utilized in more complex mating
      schemes involving two or more parents. A model that predicts the accuracy of
      graphical genotypes is presented for hypothetical RFLP maps of varying marker
      spacing. This model indicates that graphical genotypes can be more than 99%
      correct in describing a genome of total size, 1000 cM, with RFLP markers located
      every 10 cM. In order to facilitate the application of graphical genotypes to
      genetics and breeding, we have developed computer software that generates and
      manipulates graphical genotypes. The concept of graphical genotypes should be
      useful in whole genome selection for polygenic traits in plant and animal
      breeding programs and in the diagnosis of heterogenously based genetic diseases
      in humans. 

PMID- 24232481
TI  - Flow cytometric and karyological analysis of polysomaty and polyploidization
      during callus formation from leaf segments of various potato genotypes.
AB  - Flow cytometry and karyological analysis were used to study polysomaty and
      polyploidization during the first 15 days of callus formation in leaf segments
      from shoot cultures and greenhouse-grown plants of various lines and genotypes of
      Solanum tuberosum and S. phureja. The greenhouse-grown plants showed a higher
      degree of polysomaty (77% and 49% of polyploidized nuclei) than the shoot
      cultures (< 3%). During the in vitro culture period, polyploidization occurred
      through endoreduplication. Segments of the five shoot cultures showed up to 87%,
      53%, 59%, 45% and 56% polyploidization, respectively; the DNA content of
      corresponding interphase nuclei amounted to 8C, 16C, 16C, 16C and 8C, and the
      chromosome numbers to 96. Segments from the two greenhouse-grown genotypes showed
      up to 87% and 84% polyploidization; the DNA content amounted to 32C and 16C, and
      the chromosome numbers to 192 and 96. The number of reduplication cycles was
      species-dependent; the degree of polyploidization was dependent on the initial
      ploidy level of the genotypes. Cell proliferation did not take place at a
      constant rate. The maximum frequencies of metaphases (52-171 per segment)
      occurred after 1 week of culture and were correlated with the ploidy level of the
      genotypes. Cells were triggered to mitosis rather than to endoreduplication. Cell
      cycles with normal monochromosomes could be shorter than 1 day, and those with
      diplochromosomes lasted at least 1 day. Polysomaty, degree of polyploidization
      and abnormal nuclear processes are discussed in relation to the origin of genetic
      instability early in culture. 

PMID- 24232482
TI  - An analysis of the costs and benefits of the cyanogenic system in Trifolium
      repens L.
AB  - The effect of the cyanogenic glucosides linamarin and lotaustralin and their
      hydrolyzing enzyme linamarase was studied in a B2 generation segregating for the
      genes Ac and Li. Plants containing the glucosides are protected against grazing
      by snails both in the seedling stage and as adult plants. In seedlings, however,
      there is a direct effect on survival, whereas in adult plants the leaf area of
      plants containing linamarin/lotaustralin is less reduced under intense grazing.
      Linamarase has no effect on grazing by snails, possibly as a result of the
      presence of beta-glucosidase activity in the gut of these animals. The genes Ac
      and Li, or genes tightly linked to them, have other effects as well: plants
      possessing one dominant Ac allele produce fewer flowers than homozygous ac
      plants. I compared this difference in flower production to the metabolic cost of
      producing the cyanogenic glucosides. The energy content of the difference in
      flower head production far exceeded the metabolic cost of cyanoglucoside
      production in Acac plants. It is possible that the cost of maintaining a certain
      level of cyanoglucosides is much more important for the plant than the initial
      cost of biosynthesis. The importance of the effects of Ac and Li in the
      maintenance of cyanogenic polymorphism in white clover is discussed. 

PMID- 24232483
TI  - Expression of genetic and environmental variation during ageing : 1. Estimation
      of variance components for number of adult offspring in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - To test for different gene activity during ageing, an experiment was set up to
      determine whether or not genetic variation and genetic correlations between
      fitness traits at different ages change in a systematic way through time.
      Additive genetic and environmental variance components as well as genetic
      correlations between different age periods were calculated for the fitness trait
      "number of adult offspring" in a population of Drosophila melanogaster. Genetic
      correlations between age periods were all positive and, hence, did not support
      the theory postulating that genes with beneficial effects on early fitness have
      pleiotropic unfavourable effects on late fitness. The environmental variation as
      well as the additive genetic variance showed a clear increase with age. The
      increase of environmental variation is probably a result of the individuals'
      increasing difficulties in coping with environmental stress due to physiological
      deterioration with age. Increased additive genetic variation may be explained by
      more and more genes being "turned on" with age. Alternatively, it could be caused
      by accumulation of deleterious mutations with different effects and may reflect
      the individuals' capacity of DNA repair. 

PMID- 24232484
TI  - Effect of rate of inbreeding on inbreeding depression in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - This experiment was designed to study the relationship between rate of inbreeding
      and observed inbreeding depression of larval viability, adult fecundity and cold
      shock mortality in Drosophila melanogaster. Rates of inbreeding used were full
      sib mating and closed lines of N=4 and N=20. Eight generations of mating in the
      N=20 lines, three generations in the N=4 lines and one generation of full-sib
      mating were synchronised to simultaneously produce individuals with an expected
      level of inbreeding coefficient (F) of approximately 0.25. Inbreeding depression
      for the three traits was significant at F=0.25. N=20 lines showed significantly
      less inbreeding depression than full-sib mated lines for larval viability at
      approximately the same level of F. A similar trend was observed for fecundity. No
      effect of rate of inbreeding depression was found for cold shock mortality, but
      this trait was measured with less precision than the other two. Natural selection
      acting on loci influencing larval viability and fecundity during the process of
      inbreeding could explain these results. Selection is expected to be more
      effective with slow rates of inbreeding because there are more generations and
      greater opportunity for selection to act before F=0.25 is reached. Selection
      intensities seem to have been different in the three traits measured. Selection
      was most intense for larval viability, less intense for fecundity and, perhaps,
      negligible at loci influencing cold shock mortality. 

PMID- 24232485
TI  - Population selection to maximize value in an environmental gradient.
AB  - A theory for determining optimum planting and breeding zones is described. The
      theory is based on a model consisting of Gaussian response functions for traits
      that vary in a gradient for a single environmental variable. Environments are
      assumed to be normally distributed with known mean and variance. Methods are
      presented for determining parameters of response functions that maximize the
      expected value for such a trait when two, three and four populations are selected
      for breeding or as sources of propagules. Expected value is maximized only when
      the populations selected have response functions symmetrically arrayed about the
      mean of the environmental variable. Maximum expected value was shown to increase
      with increasing number of selected populations at a rate that depends upon the
      ratio of homostasis to environmental variability. The methods presented are
      illustrated with data on performance of Scots pine provenances in Sweden. 

PMID- 24232486
TI  - Correction of chlorophyll-defective male-sterile winter oilseed rape (Brassica
      napus) through organelle exchange: molecular analysis of the cytoplasm of
      parental lines and corrected progeny.
AB  - Cytoplasmic differences between male-fertile and male-sterile Brassica napus as
      well as Raphanus sativus were investigated. Plastids of the male-fertile B. napus
      were found to differ from those of male-sterile B. napus and R. sativus with
      respect to DNA restriction enzyme patterns. Differences between male-fertile and
      male-sterile B. napus mitochondria were detected not only in the restriction
      fragment patterns of their DNA, but also at the level of expression by in
      organello translation of mitochondrial polypeptides.The chlorophyll deficiency
      obtained upon transferral of the male-sterility-conferring radish cytoplasm to a
      winter variety of B. napus had been corrected earlier through protoplast fusion.
      The cytoplasmic composition of the corrected lines was analysed using DNA
      restriction analysis and in organello translation. The stability of the
      recombined cytoplasm in the corrected lines was confirmed by analysis of the
      subsequent seed-derived generation. 

PMID- 24232487
TI  - Effect of mass selection on the within-family genetic variance in finite
      populations.
AB  - The adequacy of an expression for the withinfamily genetic variance under pure
      random drift in an additive infinitesimal model was tested via simulation in
      populations undergoing mass selection. Two hundred or one thousand unlinked loci
      with two alleles at initial frequencies of 1/2 were considered. The size of the
      population was 100 (50 males and 50 females). Full-sib matings were carried out
      for 15 generations with only one male and one female chosen as parents each
      generation, either randomly or on an individual phenotypic value. In the
      unselected population, results obtained from 200 replicates were in agreement
      with predictions. With mass selection, within-family genetic variance was
      overpredicted by theory from the 12th and 4th generations for the 1,000 and 200
      loci cases, respectively. Taking into account the observed change in gene
      frequencies in the algorithm led to a much better agreement with observed values.
      Results for the distribution of gene frequencies and the withinlocus genetic
      covariance are presented. It is concluded that the expression for the within
      family genetic variance derived for pure random drift holds well for mass
      selection within the limits of an additive infinitesimal model. 

PMID- 24232488
TI  - A new approach to chromosome doubling for haploid rice plants.
AB  - Rice nodal segments from three flowering haploids were excised and treated for
      different lengths of time with 0.3% or 0.4% colchicine (dissolved in 2% DMSO) in
      an attempt to induce fertile seeds. A combination of higher colchicine
      concentration and longer hours of treatment reduced the survival rate of treated
      segments, but more fertile plants were transformed. Pooled data showed that of
      the 842 segments used, 42.2% survived the treatment and sprouted, but only 31.9%
      were successfully established and grown to maturity. Among the 269 mature plants,
      29,4% produced fertile seeds (panicles) with an average of 146.2 seeds per
      diploidized plant. 

PMID- 24232489
TI  - Marked recovery of vision in children with optic pathway gliomas treated with
      bevacizumab.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Children with optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) frequently experience
      vision loss from their tumors. Standard front-line treatment using carboplatin
      based chemotherapy typically produces only a modest benefit (eg, stabilization or
      0.2 logMAR improvement) in visual acuity (VA). Bevacizumab is a monoclonal
      antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor and acts primarily as an
      anti-angiogenic agent. Recent reports suggest a qualitative improvement in vision
      after bevacizumab-based treatment in children with OPGs. OBSERVATIONS: We report
      4 cases of pediatric OPGs (2 neurofibromatosis type 1-related and 2 sporadic
      cases) that received treatment with bevacizumab due to progressive VA or visual
      field (VF) loss despite prior treatment with chemotherapy or proton-beam
      radiation. All 4 subjects demonstrated a marked improvement in their VA, VF, or
      both while receiving bevacizumab-based therapy. Three patients had complete
      resolution of their VA or VF loss in at least 1 eye-2 of whom had previously
      received bevacizumab therapy. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Given that most patients
      with OPG-related visual impairment will show modest or no visual improvement with
      standard treatment, the incorporation of bevacizumab in these cases may greatly
      improve visual outcomes and should be considered in appropriate clinical
      situations.

PMID- 24232490
TI  - Temperature effects on steady-state growth, phosphorus uptake, and the chemical
      composition of a marine phytoplankter.
AB  - The marine chrysophyteMonochrysis lutheri was grown in phosphorus-limited
      continuous cultures at temperatures of 15 degrees , 18.8 degrees  and 23 degrees
      C. The effect of temperature on the maximum growth rate was well-defined by the
      Arrhenius equation, but the Q10 for this alga (1.7) was somewhat lower than has
      been determined previously for many other phytoplankton species (2.0-2.2). The
      minimum phosphorus cell quota was relatively unaffected by temperature at 18.8
      degrees C and 23 degrees C, but doubled in magnitude at 15 degrees C. As a
      result, the internal nutrient equation of Droop described the relationship
      between specific growth rate and phosphorus cell quota well at 18.8 degrees  and
      23 degrees C, but was less successful at 15 degrees C. The major limitation in
      using the Droop equation is that the ratio between the minimum and maximum cell
      quotas must be known, thus necessitating the need to establish the true maximum
      growth rate by the cell washout technique. In addition, the phosphorus uptake
      rate on a cell basis at a given steady state growth rate (=specific uptake rate)
      increased dramatically at 15 degrees C, whereas the turnover rate of total
      available phosphorus was unaffected by temperature. Both the nitrogen and carbon
      cell quotas were relatively unaffected by growth rate at a given temperature, but
      the average values increased slightly with decreasing temperature. The overall
      conclusion is that phytoplankton growth and limiting-nutrient uptake rates are
      only synchronous at or near the optimum temperature. Because these types of
      responses are species specific, much additional data on temperature effects will
      be required before the importance of including such effects in phytoplankton
      nutrient models can be determined. 

PMID- 24232491
TI  - Cellulolytic bacteria as primary colonizers ofPotamogeton pectinatus L. (Sago
      Pond Weed) from a Brackish South-Temperate Coastal Lake.
AB  - Bacteria adhering to newly emerged and decomposing leaves ofPotamogeton
      pectinatus L. were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Bacteria obtained
      from mature leaves were isolated, grown in pure culture, and allowed to infect
      bacteria-free leaves. Infected leaves and individual isolates were examined by
      scanning electron microscopy. The method provided detail of the forms of
      bacterial attachment to leaf surfaces.Supernatants from isolate cultures were
      assayed for cellulase activity. Six out of eight isolates produced extracellular
      cellulase in medium containing carboxymethyl cellulose. In one isolate cellulase
      was produced at discrete intervals, at the beginning and end of the growth cycle.
      The adhesion of the isolates toP. pectinatus leaves, as well as their possession
      of cellulase, are considered as evidence of an active role of bacteria in the
      degradation ofP. pectinatus foliage. The system is unusual in that bacteria, as
      opposed to fungi, are primary colonizers of the leaves. 

PMID- 24232492
TI  - Ecology ofAeromonas hydrophila in a South Carolina cooling reservoir.
AB  - Densities ofAeromonas hydrophila were determined monthly from December 1975 to
      December 1977 in a South Carolina cooling reservoir which receives heated
      effluent from a single nuclear production reactor. Selected water quality
      parameters and prevalence of red-sore disease among largemouth bass were
      monitored simultaneously.Higher densities ofA. hydrophila were observed in areas
      of the reservoir receiving effluent from the reactor. Densities ofA. hydrophila
      generally were heterogeneous in the water column. The sediments had lower
      densities ofA. hydrophila than water immediately above.A. hydrophila could not be
      isolated from sediments greater than 1 cm from the water interface. Temperature,
      redox potential, pH, and conductivity were all significantly correlated with
      densities ofA. hydrophila in the water column. The temporal and spatial
      distribution and abundance ofA. hydrophila in water were not related to total
      organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, inorganic
      carbon, or dissolved oxygen. High densities ofA. hydrophila were observed in mats
      of decomposingMyriophyllum spicatum and, enterically, in largemouth bass, several
      other species of fish, turtles, alligators, and snails. The greatest densities
      ofA. hydrophila in water occurred during March and June with a second peak in
      October. The mean monthly densities ofA. hydrophila were positively correlated
      with the incidence of infection in largemouth bass. Largemouth bass from
      thermally altered parts of the reservoir had a significantly higher incidence of
      infection. It is concluded that thermal effluent significantly affects the
      ecology ofA. hydrophila and the epizootiology of red-sore disease within Par
      Pond. 

PMID- 24232493
TI  - Isolation from soils ofNitrobacter and evidence for novel serotypes using
      immunofluorescence.
AB  - To study the ecology of chemoautotrophic nitrifying bacteria (Nitrobacter), the
      immunofluorescence technique has been used. Fluorescent antibodies
      againstNitrobacter winogradskyi andNitrobacter agilis, the two known serotypes,
      have not labeled strains isolated from soils of the Lyon region (pH 8.1 and pH
      4.7). The pure-culture isolates appeared to belong to the same genus, but to be
      serologically different from the reference strains. These results led us to
      question the diversity of strains ofNitrobacter in soils. 

PMID- 24232494
TI  - Michaelis constant (K m ) of acid phospatase as affected by montmorillonite,
      illite, and kaolinite clay minerals.
AB  - The influence of Ca homoionic clay minerals (montmorillonite, illite, and
      kaolinite) on the activity,K m , andV m values of acid phosphatase was examined
      in model experiments. At each substrate (p-nitrophenyl phosphate) level tested,
      the addition of increasing amounts of clays (50, 100, and 150 mg, respectively)
      decreased the activity and increased theK m value from 1.43*10(-3) M PNP (in the
      soluble state) to 82.3*10(-3)M (montmorillonite), 8.02*10(-3) M (kaolinite), and
      7.65*10(-3) M (illite) at the 150 mg level. The maximum enzyme reaction velocity
      (V m ) remained nearly constant at different amounts of kaolinite and illite, but
      increased remarkably with rising quantities of montmorillonite. Apparently, the
      substrate affinity of sorbed acid phosphatase is significantly lower with
      montmorillonite than with kaolinite or illite. This may be ascribed to an
      intensive sorption of both substrate and enzyme to the surface as well as to
      interlattice sites of montmorillonite. 

PMID- 24232495
TI  - Observations on naturally and artificially diseased tropical corals: A scanning
      electron microscope study.
AB  - Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations of naturally and artificially
      diseased corals reveal that the disease is characterized by a filamentous matrix
      of cyanobacterial andBeggiatoa filaments. Spiral bacteria are commonly embedded
      in the matrix. The artificial disease is not manifested as the characteristic
      "black line disease" and does not contain filaments of cyanobacteria. This
      suggests that cyanobacteria are necessary for the black line phenomenon. The
      colorless, sulfide-oxidizing bacteriumBeggiatoa, however, is always associated
      with the disease. 

PMID- 24232496
TI  - Grazing by protozoa as selection factor for activated sludge bacteria.
AB  - In continuous culture enrichments that were inoculated with activated sludge and
      were fed with polymeric substrates, freely dispersed single-celled bacteria
      belonging to theCytophaga group dominated among the initial populations,
      irrespective of the activated sludge source. These populations were grazed by
      flagellated protozoa which after several days reached high cell densities. Other
      morphologic bacterial groups such as spiral-shaped or filamentous bacteria then
      became dominant. In defined mixed culture experiments with bacterial isolates
      from the enrichment cultures, it was shown that a "grazing-resistant"Microcyclus
      strain outgrew aCytophaga strain in the presence of grazing protozoa. In
      contrast, theCytophaga strain competed successfully with theMicrocyclus strain
      and with other "grazing-resistant" strains under protozoa-free conditions.
      Furthermore, it was demonstrated that assumed grazing resistance factors such as
      floccing or filamentous growth were lost by some of the strains when they were
      grown for several generations in continuous culture under the same conditions,
      but in the absence of protozoa. 

PMID- 24232497
TI  - Circadian rhythmicity as a predictor of weight-loss effectiveness.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Some of the major challenges associated with successful dietary
      weight management include the identification of individuals not responsive to
      specific interventions. The aim was to investigate the potential relationship
      between weight loss and circadian rhythmicity, using wrist temperature and
      actimetry measurements, in women undergoing a weight-loss program, in order to
      assess whether circadian rhythmicity could be a marker of weight-loss
      effectiveness. METHODS: Participants were 85 overweight and obese women (body
      mass index, BMI: 30.24+/-4.95 kg m(-2)) subjected to a weight-reduction program.
      Efficacy of the treatment was defined as total weight loss, percentage of initial
      weight and weekly weight loss rates. Circadian rhythmicity in wrist temperature
      motor activity and position were analyzed using different sensors. RESULTS: Lower
      weight loss was related with a more flattened pattern measured as amplitude from
      cosinor (r=0.235, P=0.032), a higher fragmentation of rhythms determined by
      higher intradaily variability (IV) (r=-0.339, P=0.002), and an impaired wrist
      temperature circadian rhythm determined by the means of Circadian Function Index
      (r=0.228, P=0.038). Further analyses showed that low responders displayed lower
      amplitude (0.71+/-0.36 versus 1.24+/-0.62, P=0.036) and higher fragmentation of
      the circadian rhythm (0.24+/-0.11 versus 0.15+/-0.07, P=0.043) than high
      responders. Whereas we did not find significant differences in total activity
      rates between high responders and low responders, we found significant
      differences for the mean values of body position for high responders (39.12+/
      3.79 degrees ) as compared with low responder women (35.31+/-2.53 degrees ,
      P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Circadian rhythms at the beginning of the treatment are
      good predictors of future weight loss. Further treatment should consider
      chronobiological aspects to diagnose obesity and effectiveness of treatments.

PMID- 24232499
TI  - Obesity and muscle strength as long-term determinants of all-cause mortality--a
      33-year follow-up of the Mini-Finland Health Examination Survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the independent and combined associations of obesity and
      muscle strength with mortality in adult men and women. DESIGN: Follow-up study
      with 33 years of mortality follow-up. SUBJECTS: A total of 3594 men and women
      aged 50-91 years at baseline with 3043 deaths during the follow-up. MEASUREMENT:
      Body mass index (BMI) and handgrip strength were measured at baseline. RESULTS:
      Based on Cox models adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking, alcohol use,
      physical activity and chronic conditions, baseline obesity (BMI >=30 kg m(-2))
      was associated with mortality among participants aged 50-69 years (hazard ratio
      (HR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.28). Among participants aged 70
      years and older, overweight and obesity were protective (HR 0.77, 95% CI, 0.66
      0.89 and HR 0.76, 95% CI, 0.62-0.92). High handgrip strength was inversely
      associated with mortality among participants aged 50-69 (HR 0.89, 95% CI, 0.80
      1.00) and 70 years and older (HR 0.78, 95% CI, 0.66-0.93). Compared to normal
      weight participants with high handgrip strength, the highest mortality risk was
      observed among obese participants with low handgrip strength (HR 1.23, 95% CI,
      1.04-1.46) in the 50-69 age group and among normal-weight participants with low
      handgrip strength (HR 1.30, 95% CI, 1.09-1.54) among participants aged 70+ years.
      In addition, in the old age group, overweight and obese participants with high
      handgrip strength had significantly lower mortality than normal-weight
      participants with high handgrip strength (HR 0.79, 95% CI, 0.67-0.92 and HR 0.77,
      95% CI, 0.63-0.94). CONCLUSION: Both obesity and low handgrip strength,
      independent of each other, predict the risk of death in adult men and women with
      additive pattern. The predictive value of obesity varies by age, whereas low
      muscle strength predicts mortality in all age groups aged>50 years and across all
      BMI categories. When promoting health among older adults, more attention should
      be paid to physical fitness in addition to body weight and adiposity.

PMID- 24232498
TI  - The small molecule indirubin-3'-oxime activates Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and
      inhibits adipocyte differentiation and obesity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway inhibits
      adipogenesis by maintaining preadipocytes in an undifferentiated state. We
      investigated the effect of indirubin-3'-oxime (I3O), which was screened as an
      activator of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, on inhibiting the preadipocyte
      differentiation in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: 3T3L1 preadipocytes were
      differentiated with 0, 4 or 20 MUM of I3O. The I3O effect on adipocyte
      differentiation was observed by Oil-red-O staining. Activation of Wnt/beta
      catenin signaling in I3O-treated 3T3L1 cells was shown using immunocytochemical
      and immunoblotting analyses for beta-catenin. The regulation of adipogenic
      markers was analyzed via real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and
      immunoblotting analyses. For the in vivo study, mice were divided into five
      different dietary groups: chow diet, high-fat diet (HFD), HFD supplemented with
      I3O at 5, 25 and 100 mg kg(-1). After 8 weeks, adipose and liver tissues were
      excised from the mice and subject to morphometry, real-time RT-PCR,
      immunoblotting and histological or immunohistochemical analyses. In addition,
      adipokine and insulin concentrations in serum of the mice were accessed by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Using a cell-based approach to screen a
      library of pharmacologically active small molecules, we identified I3O as a
      Wnt/beta-catenin pathway activator. I3O inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1
      cells into mature adipocytes and decreased the expression of adipocyte markers,
      CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha and peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor gamma, at both mRNA and protein levels. In vivo, I3O inhibited the
      development of obesity in HFD-fed mice by attenuating HFD-induced body weight
      gain and visceral fat accumulation without showing any significant toxicity.
      Factors associated with metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia and
      hyperglycemia were also improved by treatment of I3O. CONCLUSION: Activation of
      the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway can be used as a therapeutic strategy for
      the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome and implicates I3O as a candidate
      anti-obesity agent.

PMID- 24232501
TI  - The relationship between family functioning and child and adolescent overweight
      and obesity: a systematic review.
AB  - There is mounting evidence that family functioning is linked to childhood
      overweight and obesity, and that both of these are associated with health-related
      behaviours and adverse health outcomes in children and adolescents. This paper
      systematically examines the peer-reviewed evidence regarding the relationship
      between child and adolescent overweight and obesity and family functioning. Peer
      reviewed literature published between 1990 and 2011 hosted in Scopus, Pub Med or
      Psyc INFO were searched, in addition to the reference lists of included papers.
      Twenty-one studies met the selection criteria. Of the 17 identified cross
      sectional and longitudinal studies, 12 reported significant associations between
      family functioning and childhood overweight and obesity. The instruments used to
      measure family functioning in the identified studies were heterogeneous. Poor
      family functioning was associated with increased risk of obesity and overweight
      in children and adolescents, and obese children and adolescents were more likely
      to come from families with poor family functioning. Aspects of family functioning
      which were associated with increased risk of child and adolescent obesity
      included poor communication, poor behaviour control, high levels of family
      conflict and low family hierarchy values. Half (2/4) of the identified
      intervention studies showed a significant relationship between family functioning
      and changes in child weight. The results demonstrate that family functioning is
      linked to obesity; however, higher level evidence and greater understanding of
      the mechanisms behind this relationship are required. The results indicate a need
      for a standardised family functioning measure applicable across populations. The
      results provide evidence of the value of considering family functioning in
      childhood obesity research and intervention. 

PMID- 24232500
TI  - Relationship between overweight and health-related quality of life in secondary
      school children in Fiji: results from a cross-sectional population-based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between excess weight (overweight and
      obesity) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of secondary
      school children in Fiji, by gender, age and ethnicity. METHODS: The study
      comprised 8947 children from forms 3-6 (age 12-18 years) in 18 secondary schools
      on Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from
      measured height and weight, and weight status was classified according to the
      International Obesity Task Force recommendations. HRQoL was measured by the self
      report version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. RESULTS: HRQoL was
      similar in children with obesity and normal weight. Generally, this was
      replicated when analyzed separately by gender and ethnicity, but age
      stratification revealed disparities. In 12-14-year-old children, obesity was
      associated with better HRQoL, owing to better social and school functioning and
      well-being, and in 15-18-year olds with poorer HRQoL, owing to worse physical,
      emotional and social functioning and well-being (Cohen's d 0.2-0.3). Children
      with a BMI in the overweight range also reported a slightly lower HRQoL than
      children with a BMI in the normal weight range, but although statistically
      significant, the size of this difference was trivial (Cohen's d <0.2).
      DISCUSSION: The results suggest that, overall there is no meaningful negative
      association between excess weight and HRQoL in secondary school children in Fiji.
      This is in contradiction to the negative relationship between excess weight and
      HRQoL shown in studies from other countries and cultures. The assumption that a
      large body size is associated with a lower quality of life cannot be held
      universally. Although a generally low HRQoL among children in Fiji may be masking
      or overriding the potential effect of excess weight on HRQoL, socio-economic
      and/or socio-cultural factors, may help to explain these relationships.

PMID- 24232502
TI  - Are teachers' judgements of pupils' ability influenced by body shape?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that teachers can judge pupils on the basis of
      their physical appearance, including their body shape. Teacher bias towards obese
      pupils has been suggested as a potential pathway through which obese children
      attain relatively lower academic levels. The aim of this study was to investigate
      whether teachers' judgements of pupils' ability are influenced by the body shape
      of the child. METHODS: The sample includes English, singleton children in state
      schools from the Millennium Cohort Study. The data were taken from the fourth
      wave of data collection, when the children were approximately 7 years old. In
      all, 5086/5072 children had teacher ability ratings of reading and maths.
      Logistic regression analyses were used to test whether teachers' perceptions of
      the child's reading and mathematics ability were influenced by the pupil's waist
      circumference, conditional upon cognitive test scores of reading and maths
      ability. RESULTS: After adjustment for cognitive test scores, no significant
      overall relationship was found between the pupil's waist circumference and the
      teacher's judgements of ability. No statistically significant differences were
      observed in the probability of being judged as above average after further
      adjustments were made for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: There is little
      evidence that teachers' judgements of pupils' ability are influenced by obesity.

PMID- 24232503
TI  - Assessment of ectomycorrhizal biodiversity in Tuber macrosporum productive sites.
AB  - Tuber macrosporum Vittad. is a truffle with superb organoleptic properties, whose
      cultivation is still in its infancy. For the first time we have aimed to provide
      information on ectomycorrhizal communities in natural and cultivated T.
      macrosporum sites. Ectomycorrhizal morphotypes were identified using ITS nrDNA
      sequencing and sorted into molecular operational taxonomic unit (MOTU). We
      detected 16 MOTUs in the T. macrosporum cultivated plantation. Ascomycota were
      the most abundant (86.4%) with Helvellaceae, Pyronemataceae and Pezizaceae the
      most common. Twenty-two MOTUs were collected in the natural T. macrosporum site.
      Basidiomycota morphotypes were plentiful (70.6%) and Thelephoraceae dominated.
      Each site had different taxa belowground with only T. macrosporum in common,
      being more abundant in the natural (18.2%) than in the cultivated (14.4%) site.
      Species richness, Simpson and Shannon diversity indices, taxonomic diversity,
      distinctness and variation of taxonomic distinctness were lower in the cultivated
      than in the natural site.

PMID- 24232505
TI  - Does the presence of secondary antiphospholipid syndrome in patients with
      systemic lupus erythematodes accelerate carotid arteries intima-media thickness
      changes?
AB  - Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of
      atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the importance of secondary
      antiphospholipid presence (SAPS) in light of carotid artery intima-media
      thickness (CIMT) changes in SLE patients. Our study included 120 patients with
      SLE (46.02 +/- 13.16 years), 108 women and 12 men divided into two groups: 58
      patients with SAPS and 62 SLE patients without SAPS taken as a control group. All
      patients underwent assessment of CIMT of right and left common carotid artery
      (CCA) and left and right internal carotid artery (ICA) by Doppler
      ultrasonography. In SAPS group, 48.3 % patients had significant changes of
      carotid arteries comparing to 16.1 % patients in control group (p = 0.008).
      Average CIMT values in left and right CCA and right ICA were significantly higher
      in SAPS group. No significant relationship between antiphospholipid antibody type
      and CIMT changes was established. Multivariate regression analysis revealed SAPS
      as a significant predictor of CIMT changes in SLE patients (p = 0.025). Presence
      of SAPS in SLE patients is associated with significant CIMT changes. Additional
      autoimmune burden leads to a need for a more aggressive education and prevention
      considering standard risk factors in this group of patients.

PMID- 24232506
TI  - The reactivity of CO2 on the MgO(100) surface.
AB  - We investigate the adsorption of CO2 over an MgO(001) terrace, as calculated
      using an embedded cluster method. We find adsorbed geometries for CO2 on the
      perfect surface with energies which differ appreciably from previous studies, and
      observe that it is polarization of the surface rather than the inclusion of
      electron correlation which leads to this discrepancy. Our results suggest that
      both monodentate and tridentate carbonate formation on the MgO(001) surface are
      favourable processes, with the monodentate structure being of lower energy.
      Adsorption of CO2 is found to be favourable at both F(0) and F(+) terrace sites,
      but not at F(2+). We also find that chemisorption at oxygen vacancy sites with a
      single localized electron (F(+)) could provide a route for the conversion of CO2
      to other products, and that this system may be a useful model for other, more
      effective catalysts. 

PMID- 24232504
TI  - Antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy (APSN) in patients with lupus nephritis: a
      retrospective clinical and renal pathology study.
AB  - Data about clinical-laboratory features and outcome of antiphospholipid syndrome
      nephropathy (APSN) in the course of lupus nephritis (LN) are scarce. To determine
      prevalence, clinical correlations and outcome of APSN in patients with LN,
      retrospective analysis of renal specimens and review of medical records from 48
      LN patients were performed. APSN was found in 12/48 (25 %) of LN. Positivity for
      lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and double antiphospholipids positivity [LAC plus
      anticardiolipin (aCL)] were significantly more frequent in APSN-LN (p = 0.02 and
      p = 0.01, respectively) than in LN, while single aCL positivity was not. Overt
      antiphospholipid syndrome appeared more frequent in patients with APSN-LN (p =
      0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between APSN-LN and LN
      in the proportion of each World Health Organization class of LN (with the
      exception of a trend toward fewer Class III LN in APS-LN) and in the systemic
      lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease duration and severity. At the time of renal
      biopsy, patients with APSN-LN had median serum creatinine levels significantly
      higher than patients with LN [1.45 (0.6-6.6) vs. 1.00 (0.7-3.0), p = 0.02].
      Double antiphospholipid positivity was the only variable significantly associated
      with APSN-LN at multivariate regression analysis (OR 8, 95 % CI 1.7-37, p =
      0,008). APSN-LN and LN did not differ significantly as regards the rate of
      complete (25 vs. 19.4 %, p = 0.72) and partial treatment response (25 vs. 29 %, p
      = 0.82) at 6 months and the progression to end-stage renal disease after a median
      follow-up of 8.1 +/- 3.6 years (16.6 vs. 13.8 %, p = 0.82). APSN was demonstrated
      in a quart of LN, appeared to be independent from underlying LN class and SLE
      severity, and did not seem to confer a worse prognosis to LN. The findings of
      higher creatinine and more interstitial fibrosis in APSN should be confirmed in
      future prospective larger studies.

PMID- 24232508
TI  - A twin-free single-crystal Ag nanoplate plasmonic platform: hybridization of the
      optical nano-antenna and surface plasmon active surface.
AB  - Surface plasmons based on metallic nanostructures enable light manipulation
      beyond the optical diffraction limit. We have epitaxially synthesized twin-free
      single-crystal Ag nanoplates on SrTiO3 substrates. Unlike the nanoplates
      synthesized in a solution phase, these nanoplates have perfectly clean surfaces
      as well as a quite large size of tens of micrometers. As-synthesized defect-free
      single-crystal Ag nanoplates have an atomically flat surface and sides with well
      defined angles, allowing long distance propagation of surface plasmons and highly
      reliable plasmonic integration. By spatially separating receiving and
      transmitting antennas and plasmonically interfacing them, the signal quality of
      transmission/reception can be largely improved. Furthermore, by combining sub
      dimensional nanostructures onto the two-dimensional space effective hierarchical
      plasmonic nano-complexes can be built up. Theoretical simulations well reproduced
      unique experimental results of coupling between SPPs and free-space radiation by
      the nanoplate antenna sides, low-loss long-range SPP propagation, and tunneling
      or scattering of SPPs at a nano-gap as well as a nano-structure introduced on the
      nanoplate. The single-crystal Ag nanoplate will find superb applications in
      plasmonic nano-circuitry and lab-on-a-chip for biochemical sensing. 

PMID- 24232509
TI  - Immediate breast reconstruction does not increase postmastectomy pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a recognized complication of
      breast surgery, with a reported prevalence of 20-52 %. We investigated whether
      patients having immediate reconstruction (IR) reported more long-term pain
      compared to those having mastectomy alone (MA). We also investigated treatment
      factors influencing PMPS. METHODS: In a single center, all patients who underwent
      MA or IR between January 2009 and June 2011 and attended for follow-up between
      February 2012 and July 2012 were identified. Patients were invited to complete
      two questionnaires, a pain intensity visual analog scale (VAS, scored 0 to 10)
      and the PainDetect screening tool for neuropathic pain. RESULTS: Of 318 patients
      due to attend, 272 (86 %) submitted complete questionnaires. Of these, 134 (49 %)
      women had IR (implant based n = 93, pedicled flaps n = 33, free flaps n = 8). The
      overall point prevalence pain was low, with 221 (81 %) reporting VAS current pain
      as zero. Only 8 (3 %) patients reported a VAS score above 4. Six (2 %) patients
      had a positive PainDetect score. The percentage of patients reporting VAS scores
      greater than zero and positive or borderline PainDetect scores was similar for MA
      and IR (VAS: 13 and 14 %, respectively; PainDetect: 6 and 11 %, respectively).
      Radiotherapy was the strongest predictor of neuropathic pain. CONCLUSIONS: In
      this cohort, the prevalence of PMPS was lower than historic reports. We find no
      evidence of increased overall pain intensity or chronic neuropathic pain after IR
      compared to MA despite additional tissue dissection and potential donor site
      morbidity. This adds support to the positive benefits of breast reconstruction.

PMID- 24232507
TI  - Neuregulin-1 overexpression and Trp53 haploinsufficiency cooperatively promote de
      novo malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor pathogenesis.
AB  - Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are Schwann cell-derived
      malignancies that arise from plexiform neurofibromas in patients with mutation of
      the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) gene. We have shown that the growth factor neuregulin-1
      (NRG1) also contributes to human neurofibroma and MPNST pathogenesis and that
      outbred C57BL/6J * SJL/J transgenic mice overexpressing NRG1 in Schwann cells (P0
      GGFbeta3 mice) recapitulate the process of neurofibroma-MPNST progression.
      However, it is unclear whether NRG1 acts predominantly within NF1-regulated
      signaling cascades or instead activates other essential cascades that cooperate
      with NF1 loss to promote tumorigenesis. We now report that tumorigenesis is
      suppressed in inbred P0-GGFbeta3 mice on a C57BL/6J background. To determine
      whether NRG1 overexpression interacts with reduced Nf1 or Trp53 gene dosage to
      "unmask" tumorigenesis in these animals, we followed cohorts of inbred P0
      GGFbeta3;Nf1+/-, P0-GGFbeta3;Trp53+/- and control (P0-GGFbeta3, Nf1+/- and
      Trp53+/-) mice for 1 year. We found no reduction in survival or tumors in control
      and P0-GGFbeta3;Nf1+/- mice. In contrast, P0-GGFbeta3;Trp53+/- mice died on
      average at 226 days, with MPNSTs present in 95 % of these mice. MPNSTs in inbred
      P0-GGFbeta3;Trp53+/- mice arose de novo from micro-MPNSTs that uniformly develop
      intraganglionically. These micro-MPNSTs are of lower grade (WHO grade II-III)
      than the major MPNSTs (WHO grade III-IV); array comparative genomic hybridization
      showed that lower grade MPNSTs also had fewer genomic abnormalities. Thus, P0
      GGFbeta3;Trp53+/- mice represent a novel model of low- to high-grade MPNST
      progression. We further conclude that NRG1 promotes peripheral nervous system
      neoplasia predominantly via its effects on the signaling cascades affected by Nf1
      loss.

PMID- 24232510
TI  - Assessing prognostic significance of preoperative alpha-fetoprotein in hepatitis
      B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma: normal is not the new normal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often
      associated with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) production. Although serum AFP has been
      demonstrated to be a prognostic factor for patient survival, optimal cutoff
      levels remain unclear. METHODS: Patients with HBV-associated HCC treated by
      primary liver resection were prospectively followed at a single institution
      between 1995 and 2008. AFP level was categorized into quintiles for Kaplan-Meier
      analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS:
      Best 5-year survival after surgery was observed for patients with AFP in the
      first quintile (1.4-4.1 ng/mL), with progressively worse outcomes for patients in
      each increasing quintile. AFP was associated with overall survival (HR = 1.61; 95
      % CI 1.30-1.98), disease-free survival (HR = 1.26; 95 % CI 1.10-1.44), and 2-year
      recurrence (HR = 1.30; 95 % CI 1.07-1.57) in multivariate analysis. Noncirrhotic
      patients (Ishak 1-5) with AFP in quintile 1 had 94 % 5-year survival, compared
      with 0 % survival for patients with AFP in quintile 5 (2,332.7-327,560.0 ng/mL)
      and Ishak stage 6 cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum AFP is an
      independent predictor of prognosis among HBV-HCC patients following surgical
      resection. Categorizing AFP into quintiles creates the opportunity to observe
      differences in outcomes even at low serum levels within the normal range.
      Additionally, combining AFP quintiles and fibrosis staging provides a predictive
      model of prognosis for HCC. Thus, even small differences in AFP within the normal
      range may impact prognosis and disease progression for HBV-HCC.

PMID- 24232511
TI  - Harmonic scalpel versus electrocautery dissection in modified radical mastectomy:
      a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that the use of a harmonic scalpel increases
      operative time but results in less estimated blood loss, postoperative pain,
      drainage volume, and duration of surgery, as well as fewer complications, such as
      flap necrosis, seroma, and surgical site infection (SSI), than electrocautery.
      METHODS: This parallel-group, single-institution blinded randomized controlled
      trial was conducted at the department of surgery of our institute between April
      2010 and July 2011. Women undergoing modified radical mastectomy were randomly
      allocated to either harmonic dissection (n = 76) or electrocautery (n = 76).
      RESULTS: Both the groups were comparable for baseline variables with age of 50.5
      +/- 12.2 and 48.5 +/- 14.5 years in the harmonic and electrocautery groups,
      respectively. Harmonic dissection yielded better outcomes compared to
      electrocautery with lower estimated blood loss (100 +/- 62 vs. 182 +/- 92, p <
      0.001), less drain volume (631 +/- 275 ml vs. 1035 +/- 413 ml, p < 0.001), fewer
      drain days (12 +/- 3 vs. 17 +/- 4, p < 0.001), less seroma formation (21.3 vs.
      33.3 %, p = 0.071), and less postoperative pain [median (interquartile range) 2
      (2-2) vs. 3 (3-4), p < 0.001], whereas mean operative time (191 +/- 44 vs. 187 +/
      36 min, p = 0.49) and SSI (0 vs. 4 %, p = 0.122) did not differ. On
      multivariable Cox regression analysis, harmonic dissection was associated with
      lower risk of significant postoperative pain [adjusted relative risk 0.028 (95 %
      confidence interval (CI) 0.004-0.2)] and overall complications [adjusted relative
      risk 0.47, (95 % CI 0.26-0.86)]. On multiple linear regression, duration of
      drains in the harmonic dissection group was 4.5 days less than electrocautery (r2
      = 0.28, beta = 11.8, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The harmonic scalpel significantly
      reduces postoperative discomfort and morbidity to the patient without increasing
      operating time. We thus recommend preferential use of harmonic dissection in
      modified radical mastectomy. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01587248).

PMID- 24232512
TI  - Budding and prosthecate bacteria from freshwater habitats of various trophic
      states.
AB  - Budding and prosthecate bacteria were enumerated in spring and summer by viable
      counting procedures in several freshwater habitats in Australia including
      oligotrophic lakes, a mesotrophic lake, and eutrophic ponds.Caulobacter spp. were
      the most numerous type encountered. They were present in the highest
      concentrations (exceeding 1000/ml) in the mesotrophic lake during the summer.
      Their proportion to total viable heterotrophic bacteria was also highest (35.1 to
      37.7) in this habitat. From 17 to 330/mlCaulobacter spp. were counted in the
      eutrophic habitats where their proportion to total viable numbers was less than
      1.0%. In the oligotrophic lakes they varied from 5 to 23/ml and comprised greater
      than 5% of the total viable count.Hyphomicrobium- like bacteria were also
      numerous in the mesotrophic lake and in one oligotrophic lake during the summer
      sampling period.Ancalomicrobium spp. occurred in high concentrations (130/ml) in
      the mesotrophic lake. Budding bacteria of thePlanctomyces-Pasteuria group were
      most numerous in the eutrophic habitats where as many as 240/ml were counted;
      their proportion to total heterotrophs remained relatively constant regardless of
      trophic state, however. A similar pattern was observed withProsthecobacter spp. 

PMID- 24232513
TI  - A method for the analysis of acetate turnover in a coastal marine sediment.
AB  - The concentrations of volatile fatty acids were measured in the pore water of
      sediment from the Limfjorden, Denmark. The pore water was freeze-dried and the
      acids, which were redissolved in formic acid, were analyzed by gas chromatography
      on a Carbopack column. The limit of detection was 0.1 MUmol l(-1) pore water. The
      concentration ranges (MUmol l(-1) pore water) were as follows: 0.1 to 6.0 for
      acetate; <0.1 to 0.6 for propionate, and <0.1 to 0.5 for butyrate. The rate
      constants for the disappearance of injected tracer concentrations of U-(14)C
      acetate were measured at 2 cm depth intervals in sediment strata (0 to 10 cm).
      The rate constant for acetate turnover at 4 to 6 cm depth did not vary greatly
      with season, 2.1 h(-1), SD 0.6 for 7 values. In spring, the rate constants were
      highest in the 0 to 2 cm stratum and decreased with sediment depth. The
      calculated rates for acetate turnover of 7.2 mmol m(-2) day(-1) for early spring
      (2 degrees C) and of 19.6 mmol m(-2) day(-1) for late autumn (7 degrees C) were
      higher than would be expected from published values for carbon oxidation by
      sulfate in these sediments. 

PMID- 24232514
TI  - Structure, diversity, and catabolic potentialities of aerobic heterotrophic
      bacterial populations associated with continuous cultures of natural marine
      phytoplankton.
AB  - Variations of structure (probable taxonomic generic groups; ecological profiles),
      diversity (Shannon index, -H), and average catabolic potentialities (strain's
      average exoenzyme equipment, EAI; average carbonaceous compound utilization, UAI)
      of bacterial populations during two experimental phytoplankton blooms are
      described and show a certain overall unity. Oligotrophic conditions are
      characterized by high diversity levels (-H from 3.60 to 4) and moderate catabolic
      potentialities (EAI and UAI close to 40%). During phytoplankton exponential
      growth phase bacteria show an EAI stability, but there is an increase of UAI with
      maximal values at the beginning of chlorophyll plateau (52-57%) and higher values
      of diversity (-H greater than 4). Phytoplankton mortalities appear to cause an
      EAI increase and a decrease of both UAI and -H (1.50 to 2). Vibrio-like organisms
      seem to be closely related to this period.In spite of these similar patterns,
      many differences appear between both experiments from a taxonomic point of view,
      the autumnal population being more diversified than the spring one.The results
      obtained show the value of simultaneous analysis of these different aspects and
      of this ecological methodology allowing spatial or temporal comparisons. 

PMID- 24232515
TI  - Slope of the Monod equation as an indicator of advantage in nutrient competition.
AB  - Apparently by analogy with enzyme kinetics, the half-saturation value (K) for
      nutrient uptake or growth has frequently been overemphasized in discussions of
      competition, and the role of maximum rates (Rm) has not been given sufficient
      emphasis. The ratio Rm/K, which is the slope of the Monod equation at lowest
      substrate concentration, offers a simple way of emphasizing both factors. Several
      examples from the literature are cited to show that this ratio better reflects
      rates at lowest concentrations, and therefore competitive position in the process
      being considered, than do K values alone. 

PMID- 24232516
TI  - Uptake of hydrocarbons by the marine diatomCyclotella cryptica.
AB  - The accumulation of exogenous hydrocarbons by the marine diatomCyclotella
      cryptica grown in culture has been studied using gas chromatography. Exposure of
      the alga to paraffins for 10 days results in accumulation of n-alkanes having
      between C13 and C16 carbon atoms. The C16 level in the accumulated fraction is
      twice as high as that in the original oil. 

PMID- 24232517
TI  - Effect of long-term lead exposure on the seawater and sediment bacteria from
      heterogeneous continuous flow cultures.
AB  - Lead-influenced changes of the composition of seawater and sediment bacteria were
      studied in two flow cultures run with lead-contaminated artificial seawater (1 mg
      Pb(2+)1(-1)) and one control culture. During the experiment viable counts of
      physiological groups of bacteria from the control culture were not significantly
      different from that of the lead-contaminated cultures. Lead tolerance of seawater
      and sediment bacteria strains was investigated. Comparisons of growth yields
      showed that lead tolerance of seawater and sediment bacteria was lost again if
      the bacteria were cultivated in a medium without lead. Lead tolerance could not
      be demonstrated for the sediment bacteria of one lead-contaminated culture.
      Heterotrophic uptake measurements with radioactive glucose indicated that
      seawater bacteria from the lead-contaminated cultures became adapted to lead
      pollution. The sediment bacteria, however, did not reveal lead tolerance by this
      method. Fluctuations in lead content of the sediment as well as of the overlying
      seawater gave indications of adsorption-desorption processes between seawater and
      sediment. Lead was not homogeneously distributed at the sediment surface. 

PMID- 24232518
TI  - Fate of ciliates in the earthworm gut: An in vitro study.
AB  - The behavior of the ciliateColpidium campylum was unaffected by exposure in vitro
      to high concentrations of pharyngeal and hindgut fluids from the
      earthwormLumbricus terrestris, but movement became abnormal and ceased in
      concentrations of midgut fluid as low as 1.5%. On mixingC. campylum culture with
      an equal volume of midgut fluid, which often contained resident astomatous
      ciliates, the.C. campylum cells were immediately immobilized and frequently
      disintegrated, while the astomatous ciliates continued to behave normally.
      Possible causes of the hostility of the midgut environment, and implications for
      earthworm nutrition, are discussed. 

PMID- 24232519
TI  - Influence of five pyrethroid insecticides on microbial populations and activities
      in soil.
AB  - Laboratory tests were conducted to determine the effects of five pyrethroid
      insecticides-permethrin (FMC 33297) [3-phenoxybenzyl (+/-)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)
      2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate]; FMC 45498 [(S)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl
      (R)-cis-2-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate]; Shell WL 41706
      [(+/-)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropane-carboxylate];
      Shell WL 43467 [(+/-)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxy benzyl (+/-)-cis,trans-2-(2,2
      dichlorovinyl)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate]; and Shell WL 43775 [(+/-)
      alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (+/-)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate]-at 0.5 and
      5MUg/g on microbial populations and activities in a sandy loam. The insecticides
      had antimicrobial activity in early stages of incubation. The populations
      recovered after 2 to 4 weeks and stimulatory effects on populations were also
      observed in later stages. No inhibition of acetylene (C2H2) reduction was evident
      with any of the insecticides. However, WL 43467 at both concentrations and
      permethrin and WL 41706 at 5 MUg/g increased nitrification after 4 weeks. Soil
      microbial respiration, as indicated by oxygen consumption, increased with
      increasing concentration of insecticides, suggesting the possibility of microbial
      degradation of the insecticides. Dehydrogenase activity showed that none of the
      insecticides inhibited formazan (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium formazan) formation,
      whereas urease activity was stimulated in most cases. The studies indicated that
      some of the pyrethroid insecticides may exert transient effects on populations
      and activities of the microflora in a sandy loam, but these were short-lived and
      minor in nature. 

PMID- 24232520
TI  - Effect of several environmental parameters on carbon metabolism in histosols.
AB  - High specific activity(14)C-labeled glucose, succinate, acetate, salicylate, and
      amino acids were used to examine carbon metabolism by the microbial community of
      Pahokee muck (aLithic medisaprist), a drained, cultivated soil of the Florida
      Everglades. Variations in carbon oxidation were observed from the end of the wet
      season through the dry season in a fallow (bare) field. Evolution of(14)CO2
      varied with the substrate added and time. Calculation of(14)CO2 evolution for
      each substrate as a proportion of total respiration of the microbial community
      which was measured by succinate oxidation (relative oxidation) allowed for
      determination of the proportion of metabolic activity contributed by the
      oxidation of each carbon source. Except for the May sample when an approximate
      30% decline in relative salicylate oxidation activity was observed, the
      proportion of total catabolic activity contributed by salicylate oxidation and
      acetate degradation was constant with time. Relative oxidation of glucose and
      amino acids ranged from 0.12 to 0.52 and 0.10 to 0.23, respectively. At two times
      during the dry season, the effect of depth of soil and crop on the carbon
      oxidation was examined. Relative acetate and amino acid oxidation were constant
      with depth whereas statistically significant variation was observed in glucose
      and salicylate oxidation. Generally, with the latter substrates, the activity
      declined with increased soil depth. Greatest effect of crop on these metabolic
      activities was noted with oxidation of salicylate in soils from a St.
      Augustinegrass [Stenatophrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntz] pasture. In these soils,
      oxidation of salicylate was nearly double that of the fallow field or of soil
      planted with sugarcane (Saccharum sp.). 

PMID- 24232521
TI  - Is pi halogen bonding or lone pair...pi interaction formed between borazine and
      some halogenated compounds?
AB  - Borazine, "inorganic benzene", exhibits some different properties from benzene
      although both of them are isostructural and isoelectronic. It was known that
      benzene is favorable to form halogen bonds with halogenated molecules. However,
      borazine more easily forms lone pair-pi interactions with halogenated molecules,
      but for stronger halogen donors it can also form halogen bonds. The halogen bonds
      formed by borazine are stronger than the corresponding lone pair-pi interactions.
      It was found that the pair-pi interactions can be changed into halogen bonds with
      the increase of interaction strength. The dispersion energy plays a main role in
      stabilizing the weakly bonded complexes, while the electrostatic energy is
      dominant in the strongly bonded complexes. This is different from the nature of
      the respective benzene complexes. 

PMID- 24232522
TI  - Methodologies for estimating the sample size required for genetic conservation of
      outbreeding crops.
AB  - The main purpose of germplasm banks is to preserve the genetic variability
      existing in crop species. The effectiveness of the regeneration of collections
      stored in gene banks is affected by factors such as sample size, random genetic
      drift, and seed viability. The objective of this paper is to review probability
      models and population genetics theory to determine the choice of sample size used
      for seed regeneration. A number of conclusions can be drawn from the results.
      First, the size of the sample depends largely on the frequency of the least
      common allele or genotype. Genotypes or alleles occurring at frequencies of more
      than 10% can be preserved with a sample size of 40 individuals. A sample size of
      100 individuals will preserve genotypes (alleles) that occur at frequencies of
      5%. If the frequency of rare genotypes (alleles) drops below 5%, larger sample
      sizes are required. A second conclusion is that for two, three, and four alleles
      per locus the sample size required to include a copy of each allele depends more
      on the frequency of the rare allele or alleles than on the number. Samples of 300
      to 400 are required to preserve alleles that are present at a frequency of 1%.
      Third, if seed is bulked, the expected number of parents involved in any sample
      drawn from the bulk will be less than the number of parents included in the bulk.
      Fourth, to maintain a rate of breeding (F) of 1 %, the effective population size
      (N e) should be at least 150 for three alleles, and 300 for four alleles. Fifth,
      equalizing the reproductive output of each family to two progeny doubles the
      effective size of the population. Based on the results presented here, a
      practical option is considered for regenerating maize seed in a program
      constrained by limited funds. 

PMID- 24232523
TI  - Production and cytogenetics of Triticum aestivum L. hybrids with some rhizomatous
      Agropyron species.
AB  - Intergeneric hybrids between Triticum aestivum L. and conventional rhizomatous
      Agropyron species were produced in variable frequencies. They were recovered in
      high percentage frequencies for T. aestivum cultivars with A. acutum (14.6%), A.
      intermedium (48.0%), A. pulcherrimum (53.3%), and A. trichophorum (46.6%). The
      crossability percentages with the highly crossable cultivar 'Chinese Spring' for
      these Agropyron species accessions were 33.12%, 65.0%, 53.3%, and 65.4%,
      respectively. Autosyndetic associations of two of their three genomes gave mean
      meiotic chromosome association data of 17.0 I (univalents) +1.53 II (ring
      bivalents) + 7.04 II (rod bivalents) +1.43 III (trivalents) +0.05 IV
      (quadrivalents) +0.01 IV (pentavalents) for A. acutum and of 21.8 I + 1.56 II
      (rings) +7.22 II (rods) +0.84 III + 0.04 IV for A. intermedium. Chromosome
      pairing at metaphase I was comparatively lower for A. pulcherrimum (34.4 I + 0.2
      II (rings) +3.4 II (rods) +0.14 III) and A. trichophorum (36.7 I + 0.35 II
      (rings) +2.26 II (rods) + 0.04 III) hybrids with T. aestivum. Hybrids of wheat
      with A. campestre and A. repens were obtained in low frequency. Direct crossing
      did not permit T. aestivum/ A. desertorum hybridization. However, by utilizing
      the 2n=10x=70 A. repens/A. desertorum amphiploid as the pollen source,
      hybridization with T. aestivum did indeed occur. Aneuploidy was prevalent in this
      hybrid combination while all other hybrid combinations were apparently normal. 

PMID- 24232524
TI  - Identification of new mitochondrial genome organizations in wheat plants
      regenerated from somatic tissue cultures.
AB  - Plants have been regenerated from short-and long-term in vitro somatic tissue
      cultures made from immature embryos of the hexaploid wheat cultivar "Chinese
      Spring". The mitochondrial genome organization of each regenerated plantlet was
      studied, after one selfing, by probing Sal I-restricted total DNA with cloned Sal
      I fragments of wheat mitochondrial DNA derived from a segment of the genome,
      which displays marked structural changes in response to in vitro culture. Short
      term in vitro cultures give rise to regenerated plants whose mitochondrial genome
      organization is either close to that of the parental cultivar or to that of
      embryogenic callus cultures, except for a single plant which has an organization
      resembling that of short-term non-embryogenic cultures. In contrast, all but one
      of the plants regenerated from long-term cultures exhibited a mitochondrial
      genome organization similar to that of long-term nonembryogenic cultures. In
      addition, extra labelled bands were detected in some of the regenerated plants
      with two of the probes used. These results emphasize the importance of the
      duration of the in vitro step preceding the regeneration process: the longer it
      is, the higher the probability is of obtaining mitochondrial DNA variability in
      regenerated plants. Furthermore, since increasing the duration of the in vitro
      stetp results in the production of regenerated plants with a mitochondrial genome
      organization resembling that of non-embryogenic tissue cultures, the question is
      thus raised as to whether regeneration from long-term cultures is suitable for
      use in plant breeding. 

PMID- 24232525
TI  - Segregation for endosperm lysine in F2, F 3 and F 4 progeny from a cross of in
      vitro-selected and unselected cultivar of rice.
AB  - Lysine is a limiting amino acid for optimal nutritional quality in rice grain. In
      vitro selections using inhibitory levels of lysine plus threonine or s
      aminoethylcysteine allow the predictable recovery of variants with elevated
      levels of lysine and protein. These methods may generate useful starting
      germplasm for plant breeders. This study was conducted to define the genetics of
      lysine mutants in progeny from crosses of mutants derived from cells cultured in
      vitro in the presence of inhibitory levels of lysine plus threonine and s-(2
      aminoethyl)-cysteine. In vitro selections produce a wide range of mutants,
      including endosperm mutants with elevated lysine and protein levels as well as
      mutants for high and low seed weights. Mutants were analyzed for lysine content
      by the endosperm half-seed method in which the halves without the embryo were
      ground and acid hydrolyzed for amino acid determinations. The halves with the
      embryos were preserved for later germination. In two different F2 populations
      derived from a cross of a selected mutant x M-101, a parental marker, there was
      an inverse relationship between seed weight and percent lysine in endosperm
      protein (R(2) 0.52 and 0.56). The F2 segregation patterns show that elevated
      lysine is inherited as a recessive gene and that increased lysine is correlated
      with decreased seed size. F3 and F4 data provide evidence for the transmission of
      high lysine genes to advanced germplasm in rice. This work supports our earlier
      conclusions that high lysine phenotypes can be recovered predictably from in
      vitro selections. The elevated lysine phenotypes are frequently, but not
      exclusively, associated with opaque seed. Some segregants from crosses produced
      increased lysine in plants with near normal seed weight and good fertility. 

PMID- 24232526
TI  - Biochemical and cytological characterization of wheat/Aegilops ventricosa
      addition and transfer lines carrying chromosome 4M(V.).
AB  - The gene encoding a variant of alcohol dehydrogenase, Adh-MU, has been found to
      be associated with the chromosome of the M(v) genome which is present in type 9
      wheat/Aegilops ventricosa addition line, to which the genes for protein CM-4 and
      for a phosphatase variant, Aph-v, had been previously assigned. Transfer line H
      93-33, which has 42 chromosomes and has been derived from the cross (Triticum
      turgidum x Ae. ventricosa) x T. aestivum, carries genes encoding all three
      biochemical markers. Linkage between these genes has been demonstrated by
      analysis of individual kernels of the F2 (H-93-33 x T. aestivum cv. "Almatense" H
      10-15). A study of the hybrids of line H-93-33 with T. aestivum H-10-15 and with
      the 4DS ditelosomic line has confirmed that, as suspected, the linkage group
      corresponds to chromosome 4M(v) from Ae. ventricosa. Additionally, it has been
      found that the previously reported resistance of line H-93-33 to powdery mildew
      (Erysiphe graminis) is also linked to the biochemical markers; this indicates
      that either the gene responsible for it is different from that in lines H-93-8
      and H-93-35, or that a translocation between two different M(v) chromosomes has
      occurred in line H-93-33. 

PMID- 24232527
TI  - Asymmetric somatic hybrids of Brassica: partial transfer of B. campestris genome
      into B. oleracea by cell fusion.
AB  - To examine the possibility of producing asymmetric somatic hybrids of Brassica
      having a complete genome of one species and a part of the other, we fused
      inactivated B. oleracea protoplasts with X-irradiated B. campestris protoplasts.
      The plants obtained were studied with regard to their morphology, isozymes and
      chromosomes. The morphology of the hybrids was similar to B. oleracea in 9 out of
      22 hybrids studied and the rest showed the intermediate phenotype of the parents.
      Analysis of three isozymes, leucine aminopeptidase, acid phosphatase and esterase
      indicated that ten hybrids lost B. campestris-specific bands in one or more of
      the three isozymes examined. The chromosome analysis showed that 90% of the
      hybrids were aneuploids. In addition, abnormal chromosomes were often found in
      root tip cells. These results suggested that the hybrids obtained were asymmetric
      in nature and resulted from elimination of B. campestris chromosomes by X-ray
      irradiation. 

PMID- 24232528
TI  - Methods for the study of cytoplasmic effects on quantitative traits.
AB  - The methods used to study cytoplasmic effects in quantitative traits often do not
      measure quantitative genetic parameters, while those that do are either
      complicated or do not take into account situations where the expression of
      cytoplasmic effects does not persist, but decreases in advanced generations. We
      present two simple models that take cytoplasmic effects and the quantitative
      genetic parameters into account. One of the models (A) is for cases where
      cytoplasmic effects remain constant through successive generations, and the
      second model (B) is for traits where cytoplasm-genotype interactions are present.
      This model also takes into account the decreasing persistence of cytoplasmic
      effects with advancing generations, which is often reported in the literature. 

PMID- 24232529
TI  - Genetic characterization of a mutation that enhances paraquat tolerance in the
      fern Ceratopteris richardii.
AB  - Three nuclear mutations that affect tolerance to the herbicide paraquat have been
      selected in the fern Ceratopteris richardii. Two of the mutations, pq2 and pq45
      are allelic and confer low and moderate tolerance, respectively. A third
      mutation, pqa6, is not linked to the other two and significantly enhances the
      level of tolerance when in combination with either pq2 or pq45. The pqa6 mutation
      does not independently confer tolerance in the absence of the other mutations. 

PMID- 24232530
TI  - Establishment of a system of high-frequency embryogenesis from long-term cell
      suspension cultures of rice (Oryza sativa L.).
AB  - Suspension cultures which maintained embryogenic potency for more than 18 months
      were established from excised immature embryos of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv.
      Konansou). The cultures were subcultured every three days in N6 medium
      supplemented with proline (10 mM), casein hydrolysate (300 mg/l), sucrose (30
      g/l) and 2,4-D (1 mg/l). The frequency of embryogenesis from the embryogenetic
      suspension cultures reached about 90% when cell clusters (about 1 mm in diameter)
      were transferred to a solid medium which consisted of N6 medium, NAA (1 mg/l),
      kinetin (5 mg/l), sucrose (30 g/l) and Gelrite (2 g/l). When smaller clusters of
      cells (approximately 200-400 MUm in diameter) were transferred to a liquid medium
      which consisted of salts of N6 medium diluted with an equal volume of water plus
      sucrose (45 g/l), NAA (0.01 mg/l) and 4-PU (0.1 mg/l) at a cell density of 13
      clusters/ml in 2 ml of medium, somatic embryogenesis was initated at high
      frequency (about 50%). Morphological evidence is provided to demonstrate that the
      regeneration occurred via embryogenesis. This is the first report of high
      frequency embryogenesis in suspension cultures of rice cells. 

PMID- 24232531
TI  - Paternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA and maternal inheritance of mitochondrial
      DNA in loblolly pine.
AB  - The inheritance of organelle DNAs in loblolly pine was studied by using
      restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Chloroplast DNA from loblolly pine is
      paternally inherited in pitch pine x loblolly pine hybrids. Mitochondrial DNA is
      maternally inherited in loblolly pine crosses. The uniparental inheritance of
      organelle genomes from opposite sexes within the same plant appears to be unique
      among those higher plants that have been tested and indicates that loblolly pine,
      and possibly other conifers, must have special mechanisms for organelle exclusion
      or degradation or both. This genetic system creates an exceptional opportunity
      for the study of maternal and paternal genetic lineages within a single species. 

PMID- 24232532
TI  - Linkages among zein genes determined by isoelectric focusing.
AB  - Genetic control of the major zein polypeptides in maize (Zea mays L.) was studied
      by isoelectric focusing (IEF) in agarose. Linkage relationships were determined
      by making a number of crosses, then determining the expression of zein
      polypeptides in backcross seeds. Chromosome linkages were determined by using the
      markers sugary-1 (for chromosome 4), yellow-8, and a waxy 7-9 translocation (for
      chromosome 7). Nine zeins were in one linkage group on chromosome 4, six in
      another linkage group on chromosome 4, and four zeins were in one linkage group
      on chromosome 7. Some IEF single bands consisted of at least two polypeptides,
      which were detected by subsequent sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis, by aberrant ratios in backcrosses, or by differing recombination
      percentages. One zein occurred only in homozygous sugary-1 seeds. Three sets of
      closely-linked zeins were noted that occurred together almost exclusively in
      certain inbreds. 

PMID- 24232533
TI  - Evaluation of soybean resistance to Phialophora gregata culture filtrate in
      tissue culture.
AB  - Resistance to the fungal pathogen, Phialophora gregata (Allington and
      Chamberlain) W. Gams, the cause of brown stem rot (BSR) in soybean [Glycine max
      (L.) Merr.], is an important trait for cultivars grown in the northern USA. A
      novel tissue culture method was developed where ten soybean cultivars were
      differentiated on the ability of their excised cotyledons to remain green and
      initiate callus in a tissue culture medium containing P. gregata culture
      filtrate. Cultivar BSR classifications by the cotyledon method corresponded to
      greenhouse root-dip assay classifications in 80%, 100%, and 90% of the three P.
      gregata isolate treatments. Another method, employing pieces of somatic callus
      exposed to the culture filtrate, had a 70% average correspondence to the
      greenhouse results. Physiologic specialization was demonstrated in parallel in
      vivo/in vitro assays for the first time. These data suggest that the cotyledon
      method would accurately identify soybean lines resistant to certain aberrant or
      wild-type P. gregata isolates. 

PMID- 24232534
TI  - Ibf-1 (Iodine binding factor), a highly variable marker system in the Triticeae.
AB  - Isoelectric focusing of extracts from the endosperm of mature grains of hexaploid
      wheat and related species was used to study the genetic control of 'Iodine
      binding factor' (IBF). Ten IBF bands were present in "Chinese Spring" ("CS") and
      analysis of the nullisomictetrasomic and ditelosomic lines of "CS" showed nine of
      them to be controlled by genes on the long arms of the homoeologous group 5
      chromosomes. Five alleles were detected at Ibf-A1 locus, four at Ibf-B1 and four
      at Ibf-D1 among a sample of 46 wheat genotypes. Homoeoloci were found on
      chromosome 5R of Secale cereale, 5E of Agropyron elongatum, 5U of Aegilops
      umbellulata, 5Ag(i) of Agropyron intermedium, 5S(1) and 4S(1) of Aegilops
      sharonensis and 4H of Hordeum vulgare. 

PMID- 24232535
TI  - Chromosomal location of resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus in German winter
      barley identified by trisomic analysis.
AB  - In order to localize a gene for resistance to Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus (BaYMV)
      of German resistant varieties, cvs. 'Ogra' and 'Sonate' were crossed to a
      complete trisomic (2n=2x+1=15) set of 'Shin Ebisu 16'. Tests for resistance in F2
      strongly support the conclusion that the German gene for resistance to BaYMV is
      located on barley chromosome 3. 

PMID- 24232536
TI  - Cross prediction in a potato breeding programme by evaluation of parental
      material.
AB  - It is shown that it is possible to obtain an indication of the parental value of
      heterozygous cultivars of potatoes for the characters breeders' preference, total
      tuber weight, mean tuber weight and number of tubers. Three methods of predicting
      the characteristics of progeny produced from particular parental cultivars were
      examined, namely: univariate cross prediction (based on mean and variance), mid
      parent values and mid-self values. All provided some indication of which crosses
      would give superior progeny, but univariate cross prediction gave rankings which
      correlated most highly with observed performance in the second clonal year for
      the characters breeders' preference and total tuber weight. Interestingly, mid
      self values gave the best predictions in the case of mean tuber weight and number
      of tubers. It is suggested that such predictions of 'parental value', especially
      when based on univariate cross prediction at the seedling stage, are worth
      carrying out in practical breeding programmes. 

PMID- 24232537
TI  - Heterosis in crosses between lines of Drosophila melanogaster selected for
      adaptation to different environments.
AB  - Experiments were designed to examine whether heterosis would occur in crosses of
      Drosophila melanogaster populations adapted to 18  degrees C or 28  degrees C
      environments. Crosses were examined in parental environments, an intermediate
      environment (23  degrees C) and a mixed environment (alternating 18 degrees /28
      degrees C). Parental populations did not show divergence for larval viability,
      cold shock or high temperature mortalities when tested in a common environment.
      However, the 28  degrees C population was less fecund than the 18  degrees C
      population, but had higher larval competitive ability and higher adult longevity.
      Heterosis for viability, cold shock mortality and high temperature mortality
      occurred in crosses between a population adapted to 18  degrees C and another
      adapted to 28  degrees C, but not in crosses between two populations adapted to
      the same temperature. The results suggest that, in the absence of drift,
      heterosis is expected in crosses between lines or populations with different
      histories of selection but not between lines with the same selection histories. 

PMID- 24232538
TI  - Genetic control of seed weight in flax (Linum usitatissimum) and possible
      implications.
AB  - Mean seed weight data were obtained from the F1 and F2 of a six-by-six diallel
      cross with flax (Linum usita-tissimum L.). Pronounced reciprocal differences
      appeared in the F1, but had largely disappeared by the F2. The genetic control of
      mean seed weight was examined using two types of analysis of variance. The models
      underlying both analyses were fitted to the data by matrix methods supplying
      weighted least-squares estimates of the parameters in the models. Weights, the
      use of which dealt with the problem of variation in the reliability of means,
      were the reciprocals of the variances of individual cell (cross/self) means in
      the diallel data table. Elimination of redundant parameters supplied the minimum
      adequate models for each analysis type. Dominance was apparently masked by the
      large transient maternal effects in the F1, but surfaced in the F2, where
      dominance was towards larger mean seed weight. This may be coupled with findings
      elsewhere of possible advantages for larger seed weights to speculate on a role
      in preserving infrequent hybrid progeny among inbreeding (flax) species. Maternal
      effects producing larger seed size, plus dominance with the same result might be
      valuable, in conjunction with growth and competitive advantages conferred by
      larger seed, in preventing early elimination of rare hybrids. 

PMID- 24232539
TI  - Genetic variability between two breeds based on restriction fragment length
      polymorphisms (RFLPs) of major histocompatibility complex class I genes in the
      pig.
AB  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of SLA class I genes were
      performed on 55 Duroc and 24 Hampshire boars from the 1986-87 national
      performance tests of each breed. Few boars were inbred. Southern blotting and
      hybridization procedures were performed on genomic DNA isolated from white blood
      cells by using Pvu II, Bam HI, and Eco RI endonucleases and a swine MHC class I
      probe. Genetic variability within and between the two breeds was estimated in
      terms of nucleotide diversity, by using a mathematical analysis based on the
      different RFLP patterns. The nucleotide diversity calculated within each breed
      was less than that between the two breeds. The results from the nucleotide
      diversity analysis suggested that genetic variability was greater in the Duroc
      breed than in the Hampshire breed. A relatively high level of genetic variability
      was shown in the class I major histocompatibility complex genes in the pig. 

PMID- 24232540
TI  - Diversity pattern in Sesamum mutants selected for a semi-arid cropping system.
AB  - Due to the complex requirements of moisture stress, substantial genetic diversity
      with a wide array of character combinations and effective simultaneous selection
      for several variables is necessary for improving the productivity and adaptation
      of a component crop in order for it to fit into a cropping system under semi-arid
      tropical conditions. Sesamum indicum L. is grown in Venezuela after
      rice/sorghum/or maize under such conditions. A mutation breeding program was
      undertaken using six locally adapted varieties to develop genotypes suitable for
      the above system. The diversity pattern for nine variables was assessed by
      multivariate analysis in 301 M4 progenies. Analysis of the characteristic roots
      and principal components in three methods of selection, i.e., M2 bulks (A),
      individual plant selection throughout (B), and selection in M3 for single
      variable (C), revealed differences in the pattern of variation between varieties,
      selection methods, and varieties x methods interactions. Method B was superior to
      the others and gave 17 of the 21 best M5 progenies. 'Piritu' and 'CF' varieties
      yielded the most productive progenies in M5 and M6. Diversity was large and
      selection was effective for such developmental traits as earliness and synchrony,
      combined with multiple disease resistance, which could be related to their
      importance by multivariate analyses. Considerable differences in the variety of
      character combinations among the high yielding. M5 progenies of 'CF' and 'Piritu'
      suggested possible further yield improvement. The superior response of 'Piritu'
      and 'CF' over other varieties in yield and adaptation was due to major changes in
      plant type and character associations. Multilocation testing of M5 generations
      revealed that the mutant progenies had a 40%-100% yield superiority over the
      parents; this was combined with earliness, synchrony, and multiple disease
      resistance, and was confirmed in the M6 generation grown on a commercial scale.
      This study showed that multivariate analysis is an effective tool for assessing
      diversity patterns, choice of appropriate variety, and selection methodology in
      order to make rapid progress in meeting the complex requirements of semi-arid
      cropping systems. 

PMID- 24232541
TI  - Distribution of genetic variability in a durum wheat world collection.
AB  - A durum wheat world collection of 349 entries has been used to study the amount
      and distribution of genetic variability based on isoenzymatic characters
      involving a minimum of 13 loci. Genetic variability has been studied in a
      hierarchical fashion: between origins and within origins, further divided into
      between entries per origin and within entries. Factorial analysis of
      correspondences and chi-square distance were the basic statistical tools. The
      effect of domestication is deduced by comparing isozymic frequencies between wild
      emmer and durum wheat. It involves changes in frequencies mainly towards the
      accumulation of "null" alleles. The richest origins of genetic variation for
      durum wheat were Iran, Mexico, Ethiopia, Egypt and Afghanistan. Generally,
      between-entry variability was larger than the withinentry component. Exceptions
      were the accessions from Mexico, Greece, Argentina and Cyprus. The relationships
      between origins were greatly affected by their within-variability, the logic in
      the grouping is mostly along geographical or political lines. Egypt might be
      considered a microcenter of diversity for durum wheat within the Mediterranean
      center, although it is certainly related to Ethiopia (included in the Abisinic
      center). Mexico has become a new microcenter of diversity, quite likely man-made,
      and is distant from other centers of durum wheat diversity as far as gene
      frequency is concerned. 

PMID- 24232542
TI  - Monoparametric models of flow cytometric karyotypes with spreadsheet software.
AB  - Theoretical flow karyotypes from both plant and mammalian species have been
      simply modelled using computer spreadsheet software. The models are based upon
      published values of relative DNA content or relative lengths of each of the
      chromosomes. From such data, the histograms of chromosome distribution have been
      simulated for both linear and logarithmic modules of a flow cytometer, and as a
      function of the coefficient of variation. Simulated and experimental histograms
      are compard for Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. This readily accessible exercise
      facilitates the planning and execution of flow cytometric analysis and sorting of
      chromosomes. 

PMID- 24232543
TI  - Analysis of factors affecting containment with extracted partial enclosures using
      computational fluid dynamics.
AB  - The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) COSHH Essentials (HSE, 2002, COSHH
      Essentials: easy steps to control chemicals HSG193. 2nd edn. ISBN 0 71762737 3.
      Available at http://www.coshh-essentials.org.uk. Accessed 30 October 2013)
      provides guidance on identifying the approaches required to control exposure to
      chemicals in the workplace. The control strategies proposed in COSHH Essentials
      are grouped into four control approaches: general ventilation, engineering
      control, containment, or to seek specialist advice. We report the use of
      experimental measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling to
      examine the performance of an engineering control approach and a containment
      control approach. The engineering control approach simulated was an extracted
      partial enclosure, based on the COSHH Essentials G200, for which simulations were
      compared with data from experiments. The containment approach simulated was of
      drum filling (in an extracted partial enclosure), based on the COSHH Essentials
      G305. The influence of the following factors on containment was examined: face
      velocity, size and location of face opening, and movement and ventilation flows.
      CFD predictions of the engineering control approach agreed well with the majority
      of the experimental measurements demonstrating confidence in the modelling
      approach used. The results show that the velocity distribution at the face of the
      enclosure is not uniform and the location and size of the opening are significant
      factors affecting the flow field and hence the containment performance. The
      simulations of drum filling show the effect on containment of the movement of a
      drum through the face of an enclosure. Analysis of containment performance, using
      a tracer, showed that containment was affected by the interaction between the
      ventilation flow direction and drum movement and spacing. Validated CFD
      simulations are shown to be a useful tool for gaining insight into the flows in
      control strategies for exposure control and to aid the interpretation of
      experimental measurements. The results support the assumption in COSHH Essentials
      that the use of 'containment' as a control approach is capable of achieving a 100
      fold reduction in potential exposure. Novel CFD modelling techniques have been
      used to create controlled containment scenarios, improve understanding of the
      flow behaviour in the scenarios, and provide information that may aid future
      containment design. 

PMID- 24232544
TI  - Ultrastructure, plasmodesmatal frequency, and solute concentration in green areas
      of variegated Coleus blumei Benth. leaves.
AB  - The photosynthetic tissue of green portions of variegated Coleus blumei leaves
      consists primarily of palisade and spongy parenchyma cells as well as bundle
      sheath cells. The moderate numbers of plasmodesmata connecting these cells may be
      sufficient to provide a symplastic pathway for assimilates moving toward the
      minor veins. The minor veins, however, are unusual in having two sets of phloem
      loading cells which have little symplastic continuity with one another: one
      consisting of large, peripherally located intermediary cells, and a second set
      made up of smaller, usually more internal companion cells, both sets having their
      associated sieve-tube members. The intermediary cells are connected to vascular
      parenchyma and bundle-sheath cells by unique branched plasmodesmata which are
      particularly abundant at the bundle-sheath interface. In addition, numerous
      plasmodesmata-pore connections occur between the intermediary cells and their
      associated sieve-tube members. Neither the intermediary cells nor their sieve
      tube members plasmolyze when treated with 1.4 M mannitol, whereas mesophyll and
      vascular-parenchyma cells plasmolyze at 0.5 M and bundle-sheath cells at 0.6 M
      mannitol. By contrast, the companion cells and their associated sieve-tube
      members are symplastically isolated from the bundle-sheath cells and the sieve
      tube-intermediary-cell complexes, and share few plasmodesmata with the vascular
      parenchyma cells. Moreover, the companion cells plasmolyze at 1.1 M mannitol and
      their sieve tubes at 1.3 M. The intermediary-cell-sieve-tube complex thus appears
      to be structurally equipped to load assimilates entirely via the symplast, while
      the sieve-tube-companion-cell complex is probably loaded from the apoplast. 

PMID- 24232545
TI  - The plasma membrane of young Chara internodal cells revealed by rapid freezing.
AB  - Young elongating internodal cells of Chara globularis var. capillacea (Thuill.)
      Zanev. were rapidly frozen and freze-fractured in order to observed transient
      events occurring within the plasma membrane. Several structures have been
      observed. Relatively small depressions, varying in depth, are prolific and
      scattered at random over the plasma membrane. Charasomes and clusters of particle
      rosettes are common. Arrays of intramembrane particle lines are a characteristic
      feature of the internodal cell plasma membrane. The charasomes and the arrays of
      particle lines occupy a considerable proportion of the plasma membrane. In these
      young cells, substantial movement must take place across this membrane and its
      basic structure must fluctuate accordingly. The innumerable small depressions may
      represent pinocytotic and secretory processes. The array of intramembrane
      particle lines may represent stages in fusion between the membranes of vesicles
      within the cytoplasm and the plasma membrane. The technique of ultra-rapid
      freezing allows these events and their intermediate stages to be visualised; some
      features of the membrane may only be seen by this method. 

PMID- 24232546
TI  - Light-induced changes in the distribution of the 36000-Mr polypeptide of NADPH
      protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase within different cellular compartments of
      barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) : I. Localization by immunoblotting in isolated
      plastids and total leaf extracts.
AB  - Changes in the relative content of NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase
      during the light-induced greening of barley plants were measured both in the
      total leaf extract as well as in intact and broken plastids. The enzyme protein
      was identified by its apparent molecular weight and its immunological
      crossreactivity with an antiserum directed against the NADPH-protochlorophyllide
      oxidoreductase. The monospecificity of the antiserum was tested by two different
      criteria: i. The antiserum was purified by affinity chromatography. ii. It was
      demonstrated that the antiserum crossreacts with only those polypeptides which
      appear to be enzymatically active. In the fraction of broken plastids isolated
      from leaves of briefly illuminated barley plants the concentration of the enzyme
      protein was reduced drastically. Our results indicate that this decrease in
      enzyme protein content is the consequence of an artificial proteolytic breakdown
      of the membrane-bound enzyme protein. In intact plastids and in the total leaf
      extract the concentration of the enzyme protein did not change dramatically
      during the first 4 to 6 h of illumination. However, when the exposure to
      continuous white light was extended further the concentration of the enzyme
      protein in intact plastids began to decline rapidly while in total leaf extracts
      the concentration remained almost constant for the next 10 h of light. These
      results indicate that part of the enzyme protein may be localized outside of the
      plastid compartment. 

PMID- 24232547
TI  - Light-induced changes in the distribution of the 36000-Mr polypeptide of NADPH
      protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase within different cellular compartments of
      barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) : II. Localization by immunogold labelling in
      ultrathin sections.
AB  - The cellular distribution of the 36000-Mr polypeptide of NADPH
      protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase has been determined in ultrathin sections of
      barley leaves by the method of immunogold labelling. In leaves of etiolated
      seedlings a large portion of the immunoreactive protein was localized within the
      prolamellar body. However, approximately one third of the total immunoreactive
      protein was present outside the plastid in the area of the plasmalemma. During
      illumination of etiolated seedlings the two polypeptide populations were
      differentially affected by light. While the concentration of the plastid
      localized immunoreactive protein rapidly decreased and was hardly detectable
      after 16 h of continuous white-light treatment, the concentration of the
      extraplastidic polypeptide did not decline significantly during this illumination
      period. A similar distribution pattern of the immunoreactive polypeptide was also
      found in maize and rye. The chlorophyll-deficient barley mutant xantha-l(81)
      contained the immunoreactive 36000-Mr polypeptide, even though the prolamellar
      body was not detectable in etioplasts of this mutant. All of the immunoreactive
      polypeptide was localized outside the plastid in the area of the plasmalemma.
      Despite the apparent absence of the enzyme protein from the plastid, dark-grown
      mutant plants contained the same relative concentration of mRNA activity for the
      NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase, which declined rapidly during
      illumination, as in wild-type plants. The antigenic properties and the apparent
      molecular weight of the plastid-localized NADPH-protochlorophyllide
      oxidoreductase and the 36000-Mr immunoreactive polypeptide outside the plastid
      were so similar as to indicate that the two proteins may be of common origin. 

PMID- 24232548
TI  - Style proteins of a wild tomato (Lycopersicon peruvianum) associated with
      expression of self-incompatibility.
AB  - The identification, isolation and aminoterminal sequencing of two S-genotype
      associated proteins from style extracts of Lycopersicon peruvianum Mill. is
      reported. There is a high level of homology between these two sequences and with
      the amino-terminal sequences of other S-allele-associated glycoproteins isolated
      from Nicotiana alata Link et Otto. These sequences were obtained by a new high
      sensitivity method of selected twodimensional gel analysis followed by
      electroelution and purification of proteins by inverse-gradient high-performance
      liquid chromatography before sequencing. 

PMID- 24232549
TI  - Isolation of a copper complex and its rate of appearance in roots of Mimulus
      guttatus.
AB  - A Cu-complex was isolated from the roots of copper-tolerant Mimulus guttatus. The
      elution volume of the complex determined by gel permeation chromatography was
      similar to that of rat-liver cadmium thionein. The complex was heat stable, had a
      relatively high ratio of absorbance at 254 nm: 280 nm and incorporated (35)S. The
      complex, purified using a combination of gel permeation chromatography and anion
      exchange chromatography, contained more glutamine/glutamic acid and glycine
      residues than mammalian metallothioneins. The amount of the complex in roots
      increased after 5 h growth in a solution containing 16 MUM Cu. Induction was
      preceded by an increase in the concentrations in root tissue of unknown compounds
      containing sulphur which may serve as precursors. The availability of these
      compounds appeared to regulate the rate of synthesis of this Cu-complex. 

PMID- 24232550
TI  - Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in soybean root nodules: An immunochemical study.
AB  - The activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.31) strongly
      increased during the maturation of soybean (Glycine max L. Weber) root-nodules.
      By using a specific immune serum it was shown that this increase was the
      consequence of an elevated population of enzyme molecules whose appearance
      preceded the emergence of nitrogen fixing capacity. Whether or not the phenomenon
      could be ascribed to the formation of a specific isoenzyme is not known. The
      location of the enzyme was also investigated. Immunocyto-fluorescence experiments
      established that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase was present in the cytoplasmic
      compartment of both infected and uninfected cells of nodules. 

PMID- 24232551
TI  - Nitrate reductase is not accumulated in chloroplast-ribosome-deficient mutants of
      higher plants.
AB  - The activities of nitrite reductase (EC 1.7.7.1) are 60-70% of wild-type activity
      in pigment-deficient leaves of the chloroplast-ribosomedeficient mutants
      'albostrians' (Hordeum vulgare) and 'iojap' (Zea mays). The activity and
      apoprotein of nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1.) are lacking in the barley mutant.
      Only very low activities of nitrate reductase can be extracted from leaves of the
      maize mutant. The molybdenum cofactor of nitrate reductase and xanthine
      dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.3.2) is present in maize and barley mutant plants. However,
      it is not inducible by nitrate in pigment-deficient leaves of 'albostrians'. From
      these results we conclude: (i) Nitrite reductase (a chloroplast enzyme) is
      synthesized in the cytoplasm and does not need the presence of nitrate reductase
      for the induction and maintenance if its activity. (ii) The loss or low activity
      of nitrate reductase is a consequence of the inability of the mutants to
      accumulate the apoprotein of this enzyme. (iii) The chloroplasts influence the
      accumulation (i.e. most probably the synthesis) of the nonchloroplast enzyme,
      nitrate reductase. The accumulation of nitrate reductase needs a chloroplast
      factor which is not provided by mutant plastids blocked at an early stage of
      their development. 

PMID- 24232552
TI  - Comparison of glutathione S-transferases of Zea mays responsible for herbicide
      detoxification in plants and suspension-cultured cells.
AB  - The metabolism of the s-triazine herbicide atrazine has been compared in Zea mays
      seedlings and cell suspension cultures. The rapid detoxification observed in the
      shoots of whole plants was not seen in the cultured cells. This difference in
      metabolism could be accounted for by the varying substrate specificities of the
      isoenzymes of glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) present in the plant and
      the cells. A single form of the enzyme isolated from leaf tissue conjugated both
      atrazine and the chloracetanilide herbicide metolachlor. However, the two
      isoenzymes present in suspension-cultured cells although active against
      metolachlor, showed no activity toward atrazine. Following purification, the
      major form of transferase present in the cells was physically similar to the
      enzyme isolated from leaf (Mr=55000). Both proteins were dimers of subunit
      Mr=26300, and with isoelectric points in the range pH 4.3-4.9. The minor form of
      the enzyme present in culture showed a greater specificity for metolachlor than
      the major species. In addition the overall activity and ratio of the two
      isoenzymes varied over the culture growth cycle. These findings illustrate the
      need for characterizing enzymes involved in herbicide detoxification in plant
      cell cultures. 

PMID- 24232553
TI  - Breakdown of phosphatidylinositol in soybean callus.
AB  - We have investigated the breakdown of membrane-bound phosphatidylinositol (PI) in
      homogenates of soybean (Glycine max) callus. The breakdown of PI was stimulated
      by the detergent deoxycholate. At pH 7.0 and 1.gl(-1) of deoxycholate the loss of
      PI was rapid and extensive: more than 80% was broken down within 10 min. The
      breakdown of PI was also stimulated by millimolar concentrations of Ca(2+). The
      products of breakdown of added PI (purified from soybean callus) in this system
      were identified from their chromatographic mobilities as 1,2-diacylglycerol, myo
      inositol 1-phosphate and myo-inositol 1:2-cyclic monophosphate. 

PMID- 24232554
TI  - Inorganic-carbon uptake by the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
AB  - Air-grown cells of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum showed only 10% of
      the carbonic-anhydrase activity of air-grown Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
      Measurement of carbonic-anhydrase activity using intact cells and cell extracts
      showed all activity was intracellular in Phaeodactylum. Photosynthetic oxygen
      evolution at constant inorganic-carbon concentration but varying pH showed that
      exogenous CO2 was poorly utilized by the cells. Sodium ions increased the
      affinity of Phaeodactylum for HCO 3 (-) and even at high HCO 3 (-) concentrations
      sodium ions enhanced HCO 3 (-) utilization. The internal inorganic-carbon pool
      (HCO 3 (-) +CO2] was measured using a silicone-oil-layer centrifugal filtering
      technique. The internal [HCO 3 (-) +CO2] concentration never exceeded 15% of the
      external [HCO 3 (-) +CO2] concentration even at the lowest external
      concentrations tested. It is concluded that an internal accumulation of inorganic
      carbon relative to the external medium does not occur in P. tricornutum. 

PMID- 24232555
TI  - Evidence supporting a model of voltage-dependent uptake of auxin into Cucurbita
      vesicles.
AB  - The accumulation of [(14)C]indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), of [(3)H]tetra-phenyl
      phosphonium ion as a membrane potential probe, and of [(14)C]butyric acid as
      probe for pH gradients was studied with membrane vesicles from etiolated
      hypocotyls of Cucurbita pepo. Ion gradients (K(+), H(+)) were applied in the
      presence and absence of specific ionophores e.g. valinomycin or carbonylcyanide m
      chlorophenylhydrazone. In all cases tested, the accumulation of [(14)C]IAA equals
      neither potential probe nor pH-probe accumulation, but represents. an
      intermediate between the two. Auxin molecules seem to be taken up as positively
      charged ions and a pH gradient is required for accumulation. The uptake mechanism
      thus appears to be a specific, carrier-mediated cotransport of the anion of IAA
      and no less than two protons. The initial rates of auxin uptake by the saturable
      influx carrier, of permeation through the membrane, and of efflux by the
      phytotropin-affected efflux carrier were analysed. 

PMID- 24232556
TI  - Isolation and characterization of prolyl hydroxylase from Chlamydomonas
      reinhardii.
AB  - Prolyl hydroxylase, which is responsible for the hydroxylation of peptidyl
      proline residues, has been isolated and purified from the green alga
      Chlamydomonas reinhardii. The enzyme, which appears to be loosely associated with
      microsomal membranes, was released into solution by sonication in the presence of
      detergent. Purification was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography followed by
      affinity chromatography using the immobilized substrate poly-L-proline. Apart
      from its differing substrate specificity the enzyme appears to possess similar
      molecular characteristics to prolyl hydroxylase isolated from animal tissues: the
      active enzyme is a tetramer of about 240-250 kDa and nonidentical monomers of 65
      and 60 kDa. The monomers are capsule shaped having a dimension of 12*7 nm. 

PMID- 24232557
TI  - Self-incompatibility in Acacia retinodes: Site of pollen-tube arrest is the
      nucellus.
AB  - In self-incompatible Acacia retinodes Schldl. var. uncifolia J.M. Black there is
      no inhibition of self pollen tubes before entry into the ovule, but the frequency
      of fertilized embryo sacs observed after self pollination is only 0.09-0.24 of
      that observed after outcrossing. Fluorescence- and light-microscope studies of
      sectioned, squashed or cleared whole ovules indicate that most self pollen tubes
      are arrested within the first or second layer of cells of the nucellus. The
      probability that nucellar arrest represents a primitive feature of self
      incompatibility is discussed. 

PMID- 24232558
TI  - Electron transport across the plasmalemma of Lemna gibba G1.
AB  - Lemna gibba L., grown in the presence or absence of Fe, reduced extracellular
      ferricyanide with a V max of 3.09 MUmol . g(-1) fresh weight . h(-1) and a K m of
      115 MUM. However, Fe(3+)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was reduced only
      after Fe-starvation. External electron acceptors such as ferricyanide, Fe(3+)
      EDTA, 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol or methylene blue induced a membrane
      depolarization of up to 100 mV, but electron donors such as ferrocyanide or NADH
      had no effect. Light or glucose enhanced ferricyanide reduction while the
      concomitant membrane depolarization was much smaller. Under anaerobic conditions,
      ferricyanide had no effect on electrical membrane potential difference (Em).
      Ferricyanide reduction induced H(+) and K(+) release in a ratio of 1.16 H(+)+1
      K(+)/2 e(-) (in +Fe plants) and 1.28 H(+)+0.8 K(+)/2 e(-) (in -Fe plants). Anion
      uptake was inhibited by ferricyanide reduction. It is concluded that the steady
      state transfer of electrons and protons proceeds by separate mechanisms, by a
      redox system and by a H(+)-ATPase. 

PMID- 24232559
TI  - Regulatory factors involved in gene expression (subunits of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase) in mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons.
AB  - Phytochrome-controlled appearance of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBP
      Case) and its subunits (large subunit LSU, small subunit SSU) was studied in the
      cotyledons of the mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedling. The main results were as
      follows: (i) Control of RuBPCase appearance by phytochrome is a modulation of a
      process which is turned on by an endogenous factor between 30 and 33 h after
      sowing (25 degrees  C). Only 12 h later the process begins to respond to
      phytochrome. (ii) The rise in the level of RuBP-Case is the consequence of a
      strictly coordinated synthesis de novo of the subunits. (iii) While the levels of
      translatable mRNA for SSU are compatible with the rate of SSU synthesis the
      relatively high LSU mRNA levels are not reflected in the rates of in-vivo LSU or
      RuBPCase syntheses. (iv) Gene expression is also abolished in the case of nuclear
      encoded SSU if intraplastidic translation and concomitant plastidogenesis is
      inhibited by chloramphenicol, pointing to a "plastidic factor" as an
      indispensable prerequisite for expression of the SSU gene(s). (v) Regarding the
      control mechanism for SSU gene expression, three factors seem to be involved: an
      endogenous factor which turns on gene expression, phytochrome which modulates
      gene expression, and the plastidic factor which is an indispensable prerequisite
      for the appearance of translatable SSU mRNA. 

PMID- 24232560
TI  - Reduced and oxidised glutathione and glutathione-reductase activity in tissues of
      Pisum sativum.
AB  - In three-week-old pea plants (Pisum sativum L., cv. Little Marvel) grown in the
      light, total glutathione levels were highest in apex and expanding leaves (1.5
      MUmol.(g FW)(-1)), and lower (0.4-0.6 MUmol.(g FW)(-1)) in older leaves and
      roots. In the light period, levels in expanded leaves increased by about 40%,
      compared with dark values, with lesser increases in roots and apex. In
      illuminated plants the proportion in the reduced form was 86-88% in leaves and
      80% in roots, and these values fell during the dark period (to 82% and 69%,
      respectively). Reduced glutathione makes up 65-70% of the low-molecular-weight
      thiol in leaves, but over 95% in roots. Chloroplasts contained about 10% of the
      leaf glutathione, at a concentration of 1-2 mM; total glutathione in the
      chloroplasts, and the proportion of oxidised form (GSSG) increased in light,
      while NADP(+)/NADPH ratios decreased, indicating both synthesis and active
      oxidation of glutathione in light. Chloroplasts contained 52% (young leaf) to 75%
      (mature leaf) of the GSSG-reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) activity in the leaves. In
      roots, over 30% of the GSSG reductase was in the plastid fraction. Very little
      GSSG-reductase activity was associated with mitochondria in leaf or root. 

PMID- 24232561
TI  - De-novo synthesis and release of peroxidases in cell suspension cultures of
      Nicotiana tabacum L.
AB  - De-novo synthesis of acid and basic peroxidases has been studied in cell
      suspension cultures of tobacco by incorporation of (3)H- and (14)C-amino acids.
      Incorporation rates were found to be high for acid peroxidases and low for basic
      peroxidases. Synthesis of all peroxidases was inhibited by cycloheximide and
      actinomycin D. Subculturing of the cells increased the rates of radioactive amino
      acid incorporation into all peroxidases within the first 24 h. This rise in
      peroxidase synthesis was correlated with the age of the transferred cells. The
      older the cells were the more pronounced was the effect. During the culture cycle
      the high rates of peroxidase synthesis at the second day dropped back to initial
      values. Peroxidase synthesis was thus inversely related to peroxidase
      accumulation which was very low at the beginning and increased continuously. By
      pulse-chase experiments it has been shown that newly synthesized acid peroxidases
      accumulated in the medium. This process was inhibited by monensin. Only the acid
      peroxidases were secreted into the cell wall and from there released. The basic
      peroxidases were not detectable in the medium. 

PMID- 24232562
TI  - Is protein degradation correlated with either the charge or size of Lemna
      proteins?
AB  - Evidence is presented that the organelles of Lemna minor do not degrade as
      functional units. The proteins of Lemna show wide differences in their rates of
      degradation and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) has a
      particularly slow rate of degradation. Contrary to some earlier evidence, we
      found no correlation between the rate of soluble-protein degradation and either
      charge or size of proteins. We could find no correlation between protein
      degradation and subunit size in any of the organelles of Lemna. 

PMID- 24232563
TI  - Promotion of flower formation by atrazine and diuron in seedlings of Asparagus.
AB  - Flower formation in 25-d-old seedling of Asparagus officinalis L was increased by
      soaking the seeds for 12 d in solutions of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6
      isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) or diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1
      dimethylurea), two herbicides known to affect electron flow of photosystem II,
      from approx. 4% in controls to 37% in treatments with 400 MUM of atrazine or
      about 100 MUM diuron. Both herbicides inhibited plant growth, but treatment of
      seeds with other growth inhibitors (absicic acid, (2
      chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride, polyethylene glycol) did not affect
      flower formation although inhibiting seed germination and plant growth. The
      increase of flower formation by the two herbicides permits identification of the
      sex of Asparagus plants at an early developmental stage. 

PMID- 24232567
TI  - Playing fast and loose with mutation.

PMID- 24232568
TI  - Development of vaccines for Candida albicans: fighting a skilled transformer.
AB  - Two univalent subunit vaccines that are based on major virulence traits of
      Candida albicans have completed Phase I clinical trials in recent years. Although
      it is hoped that at least one will become the first antifungal vaccine approved
      for human use, there are some major obstacles to achieving this. The difficulties
      mostly arise from the remarkable ability of C. albicans to deceive the host
      immune system. In this Opinion article, I argue that the development of a
      multivalent vaccine that induces an immune response against multiple, unrelated
      virulence traits of this human commensal fungus and opportunistic pathogen may be
      a better approach.

PMID- 24232569
TI  - Marked ethnic, nativity, and socioeconomic disparities in disability and health
      insurance among US children and adults: the 2008-2010 American community survey.
AB  - We used the 2008-2010 American Community Survey Micro-data Sample (N = 9,093,077)
      to estimate disability and health insurance rates for children and adults in
      detailed racial/ethnic, immigrant, and socioeconomic groups in the USA.
      Prevalence and adjusted odds derived from logistic regression were used to
      examine social inequalities. Disability rates varied from 1.4% for Japanese
      children to 6.8% for Puerto Rican children. Prevalence of disability in adults
      ranged from 5.6% for Asian Indians to 22.0% among American Indians/Alaska
      Natives. More than 17% of Korean, Mexican, and American Indian children lacked
      health insurance, compared with 4.1% of Japanese and 5.9% of white children.
      Among adults, Mexicans (43.6%), Central/South Americans (41.4%), American
      Indians/Alaska Natives (32.7%), and Pakistanis (29.3%) had the highest health
      uninsurance rates. Ethnic nativity disparities were considerable, with 58.3% of
      all Mexican immigrants and 34.0% of Mexican immigrants with disabilities being
      uninsured. Socioeconomic gradients were marked, with poor children and adults
      having 3-6 times higher odds of disability and uninsurance than their affluent
      counterparts. Socioeconomic differences accounted for 24.4% and 60.2% of
      racial/ethnic variations in child health insurance and disability and 75.1% and
      89.7% of ethnic inequality in adult health insurance and disability,
      respectively. Health policy programs urgently need to tackle these profound
      social disparities in disability and healthcare access. 

PMID- 24232570
TI  - AMACO is a component of the basement membrane-associated Fraser complex.
AB  - Fraser syndrome (FS) is a phenotypically variable, autosomal recessive disorder
      characterized by cryptophthalmus, cutaneous syndactyly, and other malformations
      resulting from mutations in FRAS1, FREM2, and GRIP1. Transient embryonic
      epidermal blistering causes the characteristic defects of the disorder. Fras1,
      Frem1, and Frem2 form the extracellular Fraser complex, which is believed to
      stabilize the basement membrane. However, several cases of FS could not be
      attributed to mutations in FRAS1, FREM2, or GRIP1, and FS displays high clinical
      variability, suggesting that there is an additional genetic, possibly modifying
      contribution to this disorder. An extracellular matrix protein containing VWA
      like domains related to those in matrilins and collagens (AMACO), encoded by the
      VWA2 gene, has a very similar tissue distribution to the Fraser complex proteins
      in both mouse and zebrafish. Here, we show that AMACO deposition is lost in Fras1
      deficient zebrafish and mice and that Fras1 and AMACO interact directly via their
      chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) and P2 domains. Knockdown of vwa2, which
      alone causes no phenotype, enhances the phenotype of hypomorphic Fras1 mutant
      zebrafish. Together, our data suggest that AMACO represents a member of the
      Fraser complex. 

PMID- 24232571
TI  - Role of intracellular stochasticity in biofilm growth. Insights from population
      balance modeling.
AB  - There is increasing recognition that stochasticity involved in gene regulatory
      processes may help cells enhance the signal or synchronize expression for a group
      of genes. Thus the validity of the traditional deterministic approach to modeling
      the foregoing processes cannot be without exception. In this study, we identify a
      frequently encountered situation, i.e., the biofilm, which has in the past been
      persistently investigated with intracellular deterministic models in the
      literature. We show in this paper circumstances in which use of the intracellular
      deterministic model appears distinctly inappropriate. In Enterococcus faecalis,
      the horizontal gene transfer of plasmid spreads drug resistance. The induction of
      conjugation in planktonic and biofilm circumstances is examined here with
      stochastic as well as deterministic models. The stochastic model is formulated
      with the Chemical Master Equation (CME) for planktonic cells and Reaction
      Diffusion Master Equation (RDME) for biofilm. The results show that although the
      deterministic model works well for the perfectly-mixed planktonic circumstance,
      it fails to predict the averaged behavior in the biofilm, a behavior that has
      come to be known as stochastic focusing. A notable finding from this work is that
      the interception of antagonistic feedback loops to signaling, accentuates
      stochastic focusing. Moreover, interestingly, increasing particle number of a
      control variable could lead to an even larger deviation. Intracellular
      stochasticity plays an important role in biofilm and we surmise by implications
      from the model, that cell populations may use it to minimize the influence from
      environmental fluctuation. 

PMID- 24232572
TI  - Regression of cerebellar tonsillar descent and hydrocephalus after endoscopic
      third ventriculostomy in a patient with a quadrigeminal arachnoid cyst.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Posterior fossa arachnoid cysts, including quadrigeminal cistern
      arachnoid cysts, can occasionally cause compression of the quadrigeminal plate,
      leading to Sylvian aqueduct stenosis and induction of cerebellar tonsillar
      descent into the foramen magnum. This, in turn, can result in obstructive
      hydrocephalus. In such cases, the characteristic of hydrocephalus is generally
      considered to be hypertensive. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 28-year
      old female complaining of chronic and progressively worsening headaches following
      the delivery of her first child. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed marked tri
      ventriculomegaly, the arachnoid cyst located in the quadrigeminal cistern, and
      cerebellar tonsillar descent. Ophthalmoscopy revealed bilateral papilledema
      indicating a long-standing elevation of intracranial pressure. Endoscopic third
      ventriculostomy (ETV) was performed successfully and resulted in complete
      recovery from her headaches and papilledema. Postoperative MRI revealed
      resolution of ventriculomegaly and cerebellar tonsillar descent, suggesting that
      the fourth ventricle outlet obstruction was associated with the development of
      the hydrocephalus in this patient. CONCLUSION: Our case is the first report that
      a quadrigeminal arachnoid cyst associated with both cerebellar tonsillar descent
      and hydrocephalus was well treated with ETV. It was indicated that the patient's
      hydrocephalus and cerebellar tonsillar descent were secondary and synergistic
      events, caused by the arachnoid cyst located in the quadrigeminal cistern.

PMID- 24232573
TI  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa induces pigment production and enhances virulence in a
      white phenotypic variant of Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - Staphyloxanthin is a virulence factor which protects Staphylococcus aureus in
      stress conditions. We isolated two pigment variants of S. aureus and one strain
      of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a single wound infection. S. aureus variants
      displayed white and yellow colony phenotypes. The sequence of the operons for
      staphyloxanthin synthesis indicated that coding and promoter regions were
      identical between the two pigment variants. Quorum sensing controls pigment
      synthesis in some bacteria. It is also shown that P. aeruginosa quorum-sensing
      molecules affect S. aureus transcription. We explored whether the co-infecting P.
      aeruginosa can affect pigment production in the white S. aureus variant. In co
      culture experiments between the white variants and a selected number of Gram
      positive and Gram-negative bacteria, only P. aeruginosa induced pigment
      production in the white variant. Gene expression analysis of the white variant
      did not indicate upregulation of the crtM and other genes known to be involved in
      pigment production (sigB, sarA, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase gene [FPP
      synthase], hfq). In contrast, transcription of the catalase gene was
      significantly upregulated after co-culture. P. aeruginosa-induced pigment
      synthesis and catalase upregulation correlated with increased resistance to
      polymyxin B, hydrogen peroxide, and the intracellular environment of macrophages.
      Our data indicate the presence of silent but functional staphyloxanthin synthesis
      machinery in a white phenotypic variant of S. aureus which is activated by a co
      infecting P. aeruginosa via inter-species communication. Another S. aureus
      virulence factor, catalase is also induced by this co-infecting bacterium. The
      resulting phenotypic changes are directly correlated with resistance of the white
      variant to stressful conditions. 

PMID- 24232574
TI  - The brachyury Gly177Asp SNP is not associated with a risk of skull base chordoma
      in the Chinese population.
AB  - A recent chordoma cancer genotyping study reveals that the rs2305089, a single
      nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in brachyury gene and a key gene in the
      development of notochord, is significantly associated with chordoma risk. The
      brachyury gene is believed to be one of the key genes involved in the
      pathogenesis of chordoma, a rare primary bone tumor originating along the spinal
      column or at the base of the skull. The association between the brachyury
      Gly177Asp single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the risk of skull base
      chordoma in Chinese populations is currently unknown. We investigated the
      genotype distribution of this SNP in 65 skull-base chordoma cases and 120 healthy
      subjects. Comparisons of the genotype distributions and allele frequencies did
      not reveal any significant difference between the groups. Our data suggest that
      the brachyury Gly177Asp SNP is not involved in the risks of skull-base chordoma,
      at least in the Chinese population.

PMID- 24232576
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of ferroelectric liquid crystalline
      organosiloxanes containing 4-(4-undecanyloxy bi-phenyl-1-carboxyloxy)phenyl
      (2S,3S)-2-chloro-3-methylvalerate and 4-(4-undecanyloxybenzoyloxy)biphenyl
      (2S,3S)-2-chloro-3-methylvalerate.
AB  - A series of new organosiloxane ferroelectric liquid crystalline (FLC) materials
      have been synthesized, and their mesomorphic and physical properties have been
      characterized. Four new disiloxanes and trisiloxanes, containing biphenyl 4
      hydroxybenzoate and phenyl 4-hydroxybiphenylcarboxylate as mesogenic units and
      eleven methylene unit as spacers and (2S,3S)-2-chloro-3-methylvalerate unit as
      chiral end groups. The molecule, using three phenyl ring as a mesogenic unit,
      formulates much wider liquid crystalline phase temperature ranges than that of a
      two phenyl ring unit. The phenyl arrangement differences of mesogenic unit result
      in the greater differences of the liquid crystal phase formation. The siloxane
      molecule induction is helpful to the more regular smectic phase formation and
      smectic phase stabilization, such as chiral SC (SC*) and SB phases. The siloxane
      molecule is helpful to reduce the phase transition temperature and broaden the
      liquid crystal temperature range of the SC* phase and, simultaneously, it will
      not induce chain crystallization phenomenon and dilute the Ps value. The
      synthesis and characterization of the new FLCs materials, which exhibit a room
      temperature SC* phase and higher spontaneous polarization are presented.

PMID- 24232575
TI  - Magnetic nanoparticles: surface effects and properties related to biomedicine
      applications.
AB  - Due to finite size effects, such as the high surface-to-volume ratio and
      different crystal structures, magnetic nanoparticles are found to exhibit
      interesting and considerably different magnetic properties than those found in
      their corresponding bulk materials. These nanoparticles can be synthesized in
      several ways (e.g., chemical and physical) with controllable sizes enabling their
      comparison to biological organisms from cells (10-100 MUm), viruses, genes, down
      to proteins (3-50 nm). The optimization of the nanoparticles' size, size
      distribution, agglomeration, coating, and shapes along with their unique magnetic
      properties prompted the application of nanoparticles of this type in diverse
      fields. Biomedicine is one of these fields where intensive research is currently
      being conducted. In this review, we will discuss the magnetic properties of
      nanoparticles which are directly related to their applications in biomedicine. We
      will focus mainly on surface effects and ferrite nanoparticles, and on one
      diagnostic application of magnetic nanoparticles as magnetic resonance imaging
      contrast agents.

PMID- 24232577
TI  - Enhanced solar cell conversion efficiency using birefringent liquid crystal
      polymer homeotropic films from reactive mesogens.
AB  - Novel birefringent liquid crystal polymer homeotropic films have been coated on
      semiconductor solar cells to improve the effective incident sunlight angles. The
      liquid crystal polymer precursor, based on reactive mesogens, is fluidic and
      flows like liquid. It would distribute uniformly on the solar cell sample surface
      by any traditional coating technique. The birefringence for light, due to the
      liquid crystal retardation properties, manipulated the optical length and the
      deflection of incident light, thus allowed an increase in the energy conversion
      efficiency. The expensive sunlight tracking systems could be avoided. The
      processing parameters can be tuned such as different mesogen concentrations and
      plate speeds of spin-coating. The results showed that the solar cell conversion
      efficiency was improved from 14.56% to 14.85% at an incident sunlight angle of 15
      degrees . It was further improved from 13.40% to 13.81% when the angle was 30
      degrees . The interesting angular dependency on solar cell efficiency enhancement
      has been evaluated.

PMID- 24232578
TI  - Quinolinic acid: neurotoxin or oxidative stress modulator?
AB  - Quinolinic acid (2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, QUIN) is a well-known neurotoxin.
      Consequently, QUIN could produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are generated
      in reactions catalyzed by transition metals, especially iron (Fe). QUIN can form
      coordination complexes with iron. A combination of differential pulse
      voltammetry, deoxyribose degradation and Fe(II) autoxidation assays was used for
      explorating ROS formation in redox reactions that are catalyzed by iron in QUIN
      Fe complexes. Differential pulse voltammetry showed an anodic shift of the iron
      redox potential if iron was liganded by QUIN. In the H2O2/FeCl3/ascorbic acid
      variant of the deoxyribose degradation assay, the dose-response curve was U
      shaped. In the FeCl3/ascorbic acid variant, QUIN unambiguously showed antioxidant
      effects. In the Fe(II) autoxidation assay, QUIN decreased the rate of ROS
      production caused by Fe(II) oxidation. Our study confirms that QUIN toxicity may
      be caused by ROS generation via the Fenton reaction. This, however, applies only
      for unnaturally high concentrations that were used in attempts to provide support
      for the neurotoxic effect. In lower concentrations, we show that by liganding
      iron, QUIN affects the Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratios that are beneficial to homeostasis.
      Our results support the notion that redox chemistry can contribute to explaining
      the hormetic dose-response effects.

PMID- 24232579
TI  - Requests of electrodiagnostic testing: consistency and agreement of referral
      diagnosis. What is changed in a primary outpatient EMG lab 16 years later?
AB  - The aims are to evaluate electrodiagnostic testing (EDX) requests and verify if
      presence, consistency and agreement of referral diagnosis could be predicted by
      patient demographic findings and referring physician typology, and if there were
      differences in respect to our previous study performed 16 years ago. The study
      concerns EDX requests referred to two electromyography labs during the year 2011.
      Differences between findings of general practitioners (GPs) versus specialists'
      requests and between this study with the previous were assessed. Multivariate
      logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratio to assess the strength
      of association between presence, consistency and agreement of referral diagnosis
      with patient demographic findings and referring physician typology. We evaluated
      EDX requests of 1,586 patients (mean age 56 +/- 16.7 years, 58.8 % women), 1,050
      (66.2 %) were referred by GPs and 536 (33.8 %) by specialists. The suspected
      diagnosis was reported in 1,033 (65.1 %) requests, the overall consistency was
      79.9 % and agreement was 71.9 %. Presence, consistency and agreement of referral
      diagnosis were predicted by physician's typology (specialist). Only if the
      suspected diagnosis was carpal tunnel syndrome, consistency and agreement were
      high regardless of doctor's typology. The physicians, especially GPs, who
      reported the referral diagnosis decreased during the past 16 years. A diagnostic
      test, including EDX, should be considered mainly if it fits into the best
      diagnostic strategy. The neurophysiologist should decide if EDX is useful, make
      the best decision on further management, and not submit patients to unnecessary
      and uncomfortable procedures. This choice of behaviour could be questionable and
      may lead to ethical and deontological problems.

PMID- 24232580
TI  - Retinal implants: analysis of the news media perspective.

PMID- 24232581
TI  - Metronomic capecitabine in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a phase II
      study.
AB  - Anti-angiogenic treatment with targeted agents is effective in advanced
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of
      metronomic capecitabine in patients with HCC. METHODS: This single-institution
      phase II trial included 59 previously untreated patients with advanced HCC and 31
      patients resistant to or intolerant of sorafenib. The treatment schedule was
      capecitabine 500 mg twice daily until progression of disease, unacceptable
      toxicity level, or withdrawal of informed consent. Progression-free survival
      (PFS) was chosen as the primary endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 59 previously
      untreated and 31 previously treated patients with HCC were enrolled. The first
      cohort achieved a median PFS of 6.03 months and an overall survival (OS) of 14.47
      months. Two patients achieved a complete response, 1 patient achieved partial
      response, and in 30 patients, stable disease was the best outcome. The second
      cohort achieved a median PFS of 3.27 months and a median OS of 9.77 months. No
      complete or partial responses were observed, but 10 patients had stable disease.
      An unscheduled comparison of the first cohort of patients with 3,027 untreated
      patients with HCC from the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) database was
      performed. One-to-one matching according to demographic/etiologic/oncologic
      features was possible for 50 patients. The median OS for these 50 capecitabine
      treated patients was 15.6 months, compared with a median OS of 8.0 months for the
      matched untreated patients (p = .043). CONCLUSION: Metronomic capecitabine is
      well tolerated by patients with advanced HCC and appears to have activity both in
      treatment-naive patients and in those previously treated with sorafenib.

PMID- 24232582
TI  - Preferences for gender-targeted health information: a study of male veterans who
      have experienced military sexual trauma.
AB  - No prior research has examined men's opinions or preferences regarding receiving
      health education materials related to sexual violence. The objective of the
      current study was to investigate whether male veteran patients who have
      experienced military sexual trauma (MST) prefer gender-targeted versus gender
      neutral printed health information and whether receipt of this information
      increased utilization of outpatient mental health services in the following 6
      month period. In-person 45-minute interviews were conducted with 20 male veterans
      receiving health care services at a large Veterans Health Administration facility
      to evaluate opinions on a gender-targeted and a gender-neutral brochure about
      MST. An additional 153 veterans received psychoeducational materials through the
      mail and participated in the completion of a survey as part of a
      psychoeducational intervention. Our results demonstrate that male veterans prefer
      gender-targeted information about sexual trauma compared to gender-neutral
      information. Whereas veterans in the study had clear preferences for gender
      targeted materials, receipt of information about MST (whether gender-targeted or
      gender-neutral) did not increase utilization of mental health care in the 6
      months following receipt of these materials. These results demonstrated that
      materials about sexual trauma are acceptable to men and should be gender
      targeted. Further research is needed to examine strategies to increase access to
      mental health care among male Veterans who have experienced MST.

PMID- 24232583
TI  - Sex, HIV, and the Internet: Exploring Variations in the Online Profiles of MSM in
      the United States.
AB  - With the increasing pervasiveness of social media, the Internet has become an
      important venue for dating and sex. Not only does the Internet introduce a unique
      array of opportunities and risks for men who have sex with men (MSM), it also
      presents a valuable means through which to study sexual behavior. In this study,
      data on what men report in their online profiles were collected from two
      dating/hookup websites to explore possible geographical differences in men's
      sexual preferences and expectations (N = 5,588). Across the 15 selected cities,
      significant differences emerged in reported HIV status and stated preference for
      safer sex (condom use). These patterns suggest important contextual and
      demographic variations and point to a need for targeted, population-specific
      interventions and further research to identify the underlying social and
      psychological constructs. With a better understanding of the local factors
      driving risky sexual behavior, health communication messages and tailored online
      interventions could be developed to address the needs and concerns of specific
      groups. 

PMID- 24232584
TI  - Plant regeneration from cell suspension cultures ofArabidopsis thaliana heynh.
AB  - A technique is described for the establishment, maintenance, and regeneration of
      plants from cell suspension cultures ofArabidopsis thaliana (L) Heynh. Friable,
      rapidly growing cell suspension cultures were initiated from leaf or hypocotyl
      callus cultures and these have been maintained in liquid culture for 24 months.
      The cells grown in liquid culture were used to study the effects of growth
      regulators, medium salts composition, culture temperature, sucrose concentration
      and medium solidifying agents on morphogenesis. The most important parameters for
      plant regeneration were culture temperatures lower than 25 degrees C, the medium
      solidification agent gelrite at 0.2% (w/v) and zeatin or thidiazuron as the
      choice of cytokinin. These cell suspensions continue to regenerate fertile plants
      with a total of over 200 plants having been rooted to date and they also serve as
      convenient sources of cells for protoplast isolation, biochemical, and molecular
      assays. 

PMID- 24232585
TI  - Messenger RNA induction in cellular salt tolerance of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa).
AB  - A salt tolerant alfalfaMedicago sativa L. cell line (HG2-N1) has been selected
      for growth in 171 mM NaCl. The salt tolerance characteristic is stable and is
      retained after growth in absence of salt selection for two months.In vitro
      translation was used to compare mRNA composition from the salt tolerant HG2-N1
      and parent salt sensitive HG2 cell lines grown in the presence and absence of 171
      mM NaCl. The results suggest that the mRNA composition differs between HG2-N1 and
      HG2 in a number of RNA species. The salt tolerant HG2-N1 shows both increases and
      decreases in specific polypeptides as compared to HG2. Many of the enhanced
      polypeptide bands from mRNA in the salt tolerant HG2-N1 variant appear to be
      constitutively expressed, since they can be detected from HG2-N1 cells grown in
      presence and absence of NaCl, but the expression of a few bands may depend on the
      presence of added NaCl. Most enhanced polypeptides, which are detected from mRNA
      in the salt tolerant variant HG2-N1 (grown on NaCl) are different from
      polypeptide bands enhanced in the salt sensitive HG2 line as a result of 24 hour
      salt stress. Similar results were obtained from two dimensional analysis ofin
      vivo labeled polypeptides. At least one isolated cDNA clone shows selective
      expression of mRNA in salt tolerant cells grown in NaCl. These results indicate
      that adaptive mechanisms for salt tolerance may differ in some aspects from acute
      stress mechanisms. 

PMID- 24232586
TI  - Hairy roots - a short cut to transgenic root nodules.
AB  - To facilitate molecular studies of symbiotic nitrogen fixation a procedure for
      rapid production of transgenic root nodules was established on the legumeLotus
      corniculatus (Bird'sfoot trefoil). Regeneration of transgenic plants is not
      required as transgenic nodules are formed onAgrobacterium rhizogenes incited
      roots inoculated withRhizobium. Easy identification of transformed roots is
      possible using a set ofA. rhizogenes acceptor strains carrying assayable marker
      genes such as chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), beta-glucuronidase (GUS),
      or luciferase (LUC) under control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S
      promoter. Counterselection ofA. rhizogenes after infection of plants was improved
      using an auxotrophy marker. 

PMID- 24232587
TI  - Transformation of white spruce and other conifer species byAgrobacterium
      tumefaciens.
AB  - Studies of the ability ofAgrobacterium to transform white spruce (Picea glauca),
      Engelmann spruce (P. engelmanni), Sitka spruce (P. sitchensis) and Douglas-fir
      (Pseudotsuga menziesii) showed frequencies of gall formation from 0-80% depending
      upon the strain ofAgrobacterium, and the conifer species. Thirty sixA.
      tumefaciens strains and oneA. rhizogenes strain were tested on 6 month old white
      spruce seedlings. NineA. tumefaciens strains induced gall formation on more than
      50% of the inoculated trees and at greater than 10% of the inoculated sites. One
      strain, B2/74 gave rise to galls at 28% of the inoculated sites on white spruce
      and induced the highest overall frequency of gall formation on all the conifer
      species tested. Relative frequency of gall formation was consistent among
      species, although the overall frequency was much higher on Douglas-fir. Of the
      well characterized strains for which disarmed derivatives are available only A281
      (carrying the supervirulent tumor inducing plasmid, pTiBo542) gave efficient
      transformation. Stable integration of T-DNA encoded genes has been confirmed by
      the expression of opine synthesis and hormone autonomous growth. The transfer and
      long-term stable expression of kanamycin resistance and firefly luciferase
      activity using binary vector systems was also achieved. 

PMID- 24232588
TI  - Plant regeneration from stem cortex protoplasts of a tomato hybrid.
AB  - Longitudinal sections containing cortical cells taken from stem internodes of a
      hybrid betweenLycopersicon esculentum andSolanum lycopersicoides were used as
      tissue sources for enzymatic protoplast isolation. Greenhouse and growth room
      grown plants 4-8 weeks after rooting could be used as sources of donor tissue.
      Protoplasts from these tissues divided within 2-4 days of culture and numerous
      microcalli formed within 30 days. The shoot regeneration frequency of protoplast
      derived calli was in the order of 60%. More than 100 regenerated plants which
      appear phenotypically normal have been established in soil. 

PMID- 24232589
TI  - Polysaccharides in the culture medium of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) ovules
      cultured in vitro.
AB  - Polysaccharides secreted into the culture medium (PCM) from cotton (Gossypium
      hirsutum L.) ovules, culturedin vitro, have been examined. The amount of the
      polysaccharides increases with the duration of the culture, but except for the
      galactose content, does not vary markedly with the culture age. Analysis shows
      that the polysaccharide mixture contains mainly pectins, but there is also a
      significant amount of xyloglucan. The source of the polysaccharides is most
      likely the callus tissue which develops on the ovules. 

PMID- 24232590
TI  - Production of somatic hybrid tissues following chemical and electrical fusion of
      protoplasts from albino cell suspensions ofMedicago sativa andM. borealis.
AB  - Protoplasts isolated from cell suspensions of albinoMedicago borealis andM.
      sativa were fused chemically, using two methods, and electrically. Although a
      small scale method of chemical fusion gave the highest fusion frequency,
      electrofusion was the superior technique on the basis of throughput of green
      somatic hybrid cell colonies. Chlorophyll-containing tissues were confirmed as
      being somatic hybrid by isoenzyme and cytological analyses. This is the first
      report of the application of albino complementation to produce somatic hybrid
      cells in forage legumes. 

PMID- 24232591
TI  - Expression of a chimaeric kanamycin resistance gene introduced into the wild
      soybeanGlycine canescens using a cointegrate Ri plasmid vector.
AB  - Seedling hypocotyl explants ofGlycine canescens were inoculated withAgrobacterium
      rhizogenes carrying a chimaeric NPTII gene cointegrated into the TL-DNA of pRiA4.
      Transformed roots produced shoots on B5 based medium with 10.0 mgl(-1) BAP, 0.05
      mgl(-1) IBA and 50 MUgml(-1) kanamycin. Cultured roots and regenerated plants
      expressed NPTII enzyme activity which was correlated with the presence of Ri TL
      DNA and the structural sequence of the NPTII gene. 

PMID- 24232592
TI  - Heat shock protein expression in thermotolerant and thermosensitive lines of
      cotton.
AB  - The expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) was compared between genetically
      characterized heat tolerant and heat sensitive lines of cotton (Gossypium
      hirsutum andG. barbadense) using electrophoretic analysis ofin vivo labelled
      proteins. No differences were observed between the two lines with regard to: the
      temperature at which HSP synthesis was induced (37 degrees C); the temperature at
      which HSP synthesis was maximal (45 degrees C); the rates of recovery from HSP
      synthesis; the duration of HSP synthesis; or the major size classes of HSPs
      expressed in these two lines. Several HSPs were identified on 2D gels which were
      expressed uniquely in either the tolerant or sensitive cotton line. However, the
      HSP pattern displayed in a heat tolerant BC-3 individual was that of the heat
      sensitive parent. 

PMID- 24232593
TI  - Plantlet production through high frequency somatic embryogenesis in long term
      cultures ofEucalyptus citriodora.
AB  - A highly embryogenic culture ofEucalyptus citriodora was obtained by repetitive
      embryogenesis from somatic embryos cultured in the dark on a medium containing
      500 mg/l each of glutamine and casein hydrolysate, 30 g/l of sucrose and 5 mg/l
      of 1-napthaleneacetic acid. Cultures retained morphogenetic ability for upto 36
      months when maintained at 27 degrees C by subculture at intervals of 4-5 weeks.
      The subculture period could be extended beyond 9 months if cultures were
      incubated at 10 degrees C. On a hormone free medium incubated in light 50% of the
      embryos germinated to plantlets of which 70% survived when transferred to a sand
      and soil mixture. 

PMID- 24232594
TI  - In vitro propagation and low temperature storage ofSaussurea lappa C.B. Clarke -
      An endangered, medicinal plant.
AB  - A procedure forin vitro multiplication ofSaussurea lappa (Asteraceae) is
      described. On Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) containing benzylaminopurine and
      gibberellin 3.5-fold shoot multiplication occurred every three weeks. Shoots
      rooted on MS containing 0.5 MUM naphthaleneacetic acid with 90% efficiency. The
      shoot cultures stored at 5 degrees C in the dark for 12 months without an
      intervening subculture survived with 100% viability. The shoots cold stored for 6
      months or more showed higher rates of multiplication under culture room
      conditions than the untreated shoots. 

PMID- 24232595
TI  - Sterol and sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis during a growth cycle of tobacco cell
      suspension cultures.
AB  - The accumulation and biosynthesis of sterols and fungal elicitor-inducible
      sesquiterpenoids by tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cell suspension cultures were
      examined as a function of a 10 day culture cycle. Sterols accumulated
      concomitantly with fresh weight gain. The rate of sterol biosynthesis, measured
      as the incorporation rate of [(14)C]acetate and [(3)H]mevalonate, was maximal
      when the cultures entered into their rapid phase of growth. Changes in squalene
      synthetase enzyme activity correlated more closely with thein vivo synthesis rate
      and accumulation of sterols than 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGR)
      enzyme activity. Cell cultures entering into the rapid phase of growth also
      responded maximally to fungal elicitor as measured by the production of
      capsidiol, an extracellular sesquiterpenoid. However, the rate of sesquiterpenoid
      biosynthesis, measured as the incorporation rate of [(14)C]acetate and
      [(3)H]mevalonate, could not be correlated with elicitor-inducible HMGR or
      sesquiterpene cyclase enzyme activities, nor elicitor-suppressible squalene
      synthetase enzyme activity. 

PMID- 24232596
TI  - Vertebral column resection for complex congenital kyphoscoliosis  and type I
      split spinal cord malformation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Congenital progressive kyphoscoliosis associated with split spinal
      cord malformation (SSCM) is a very rare disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we
      present the case of a 23-year-old woman who was found kyphoscoliosis when she was
      10 years old and developed rapidly. Thereafter, no management was proposed before
      her consultation at our center. On examination, numbness was found in the right
      low limbs, kyphoscoliosis was detected in thoracolumbar, the trunk deviated to
      the right on standing view and curvature of the thoracolumbar spine was left
      sided, the left rib hump was severe and there was little muscle tissue felt under
      the right side paravertebral area, the pelvis was oblique with the right side
      higher than the left side, the right arcus costarum was 5 cm below the right
      iliac crest. One-stage corrective surgery was determined, at first, halo
      wheelchair traction gradually with increased traction weights out of hospital for
      a month; then, after a reasonable correction achieved without any neurological
      deficits. The one-stage operation was taken through single posterior segmental
      pedicle screw instrumented fusion with VCR between T12 and L1. Post-operative
      recovery was uneventful and there were no complications, she was discharged 10
      days post operation. At 2 years follow-up, the patient's outcome is excellent
      with balance and correction of the deformity. CONCLUSION: Based on the Grand
      Round case and relevant literature, we discuss the different options for the
      treatment of congenital kyphoscoliosis associated with type I SSCM. In the
      patient whose kyphoscoliosis is severe and rigid, we recommend an initial release
      followed by halo-wheelchair traction gradually to correct the deformity, once
      optimal correction acquires during the traction, the posterior instrumented
      fusion with VCR upper the bony spur could be done safely without the resection of
      bony spur.

PMID- 24232598
TI  - Comment on Zhu et al. entitled ''Anterior approach versus posterior approach for
      the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a systemic review
      and meta-analysis''.

PMID- 24232599
TI  - C4 anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

PMID- 24232597
TI  - Effect of norepinephrine on spinal cord blood flow and parenchymal hemorrhage
      size in acute-phase experimental spinal cord injury.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the acute phase of spinal cord injury (SCI), ischemia and parenchymal
      hemorrhage are believed to worsen the primary lesions induced by mechanical
      trauma. To minimize ischemia, keeping the mean arterial blood pressure above 85
      mmHg for at least 1 week is recommended, and norepinephrine is frequently
      administered to achieve this goal. However, no experimental study has assessed
      the effect of norepinephrine on spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) and parenchymal
      hemorrhage size. We have assessed the effect of norepinephrine on SCBF and
      parenchymal hemorrhage size within the first hour after experimental SCI.
      METHODS: A total of 38 animals were included in four groups according to whether
      SCI was induced and norepinephrine injected. SCI was induced at level Th10 by
      dropping a 10-g weight from a height of 10 cm. Each experiment lasted 60 min.
      Norepinephrine was started 15 min after the trauma. SCBF was measured in the
      ischemic penumbra zone surrounding the trauma epicenter using contrast-enhanced
      ultrasonography. Hemorrhage size was measured repeatedly on parasagittal B-mode
      ultrasonography slices. RESULTS: SCI was associated with significant decreases in
      SCBF (P = 0.0002). Norepinephrine infusion did not significantly modify SCBF.
      Parenchymal hemorrhage size was significantly greater in the animals given
      norepinephrine (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: In the rat, after a severe SCI at the
      Th10 level, injection of norepinephrine 15 min after SCI does not modify SCBF and
      increases the size of the parenchymal hemorrhage.

PMID- 24232600
TI  - ZnO(N)-Spiro-MeOTAD hybrid photodiode: an efficient self-powered fast-response UV
      (visible) photosensor.
AB  - Organic-inorganic hybrid photo-detectors with a self-sufficient mode of operation
      represent a research area of great current interest. In most efficient
      photodetectors and optoelectronic devices compound semiconductors containing
      toxic elements such as Cd, As, Te, S, Se etc. are used and these are also
      expensive. Hence there is also a rapidly growing interest in replacing these with
      environmentally friendly and earth-abundant materials. Herein, we report a facile
      solution-processed fabrication of a self-powered organic-inorganic hybrid
      photodetector using n-type oriented ZnO nanorods and p-type Spiro-MeOTAD
      semiconductor. ZnO is eco-friendly and earth-abundant, and Spiro-MeOTAD is non
      hazardous. We show that the latter has far less toxicity than the toxic elements
      stated above. This visible blind UV photodetector shows high sensitivity (10(2))
      and a UV/visible rejection ratio of 300. It also exhibits fast response times of
      tau(rise) ~ 200 MUs and tau(fall) ~ 950 MUs. Importantly, with a small
      modification of nitrogen incorporation in ZnO one can also realize a highly
      sensitive self-powered visible light photodetector with at least 1000% (or
      higher) improvements in quality factors (photocurrent/sensitivity/response time)
      as compared to previously reported organic-inorganic hybrid photo-detectors based
      on metal-chalcogenides (CdS-PANI or CuInSe2-P3HT). Interestingly, the broadband
      sensitivity of such N:ZnO-Spiro-MeOTAD photodiode enables sensing of low
      intensity (~28 MUW cm(-2)) ambient white light with a high photocurrent density
      of 120 nA cm(-2) making it an efficient ambient white light detector.

PMID- 24232601
TI  - Lack of association between the polymorphisms of hypoxia-inducible factor 1A
      (HIF1A) gene and SLE susceptibility in a Chinese population.
AB  - Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) introduced the immune imbalance between Th17
      and Treg cells, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic
      lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the present study was to determine whether
      the HIF1A gene influences the susceptibility to SLE. A study on this relationship
      has not been conducted to date. A total of 3,793 subjects (1,497 SLE patients and
      2,296 controls) were included in this study. The genotyping of five single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs11549465, rs12434438, rs1957757, rs1951795,
      rs7143164) was determined by Sequenom MassARRAY technology. The statistical
      analysis was conducted using chi-square test. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence
      interval (CI) was calculated using unconditional logistic regression with
      adjustment of age and sex. The allele frequencies were not associated with the
      disease. No significant differences in genotype frequencies existed between the
      patients with SLE and the controls in all five SNPs. It is worth mentioning that
      the allele T at rs11549465, located at the exon sequence, revealed a trend but no
      significant difference towards the more frequent allele T in SLE than in controls
      (C versus T: OR=1.206, 95 % CI=0.972-1.495, p =0.088). The genotype effects of
      recessive, dominant, and codominant models were observed; however, no significant
      evidence for association was detected. Our findings suggest that the gene
      polymorphisms of HIF1A might not contribute to SLE susceptibility in the Chinese
      population. However, further studies are needed on an independent cohort from
      different genetic backgrounds to confirm HIF1A as an SLE genetic factor.

PMID- 24232602
TI  - A single nucleotide polymorphism of porcine MX2 gene provides antiviral activity
      against vesicular stomatitis virus.
AB  - The objective was to determine if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in
      porcine MX2 gene affect its antiviral potential. MX proteins are known to
      suppress the multiplication of several viruses, including influenza virus and
      vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). In domestic animals possessing highly
      polymorphic genome, our previous research indicated that a specific SNP in
      chicken Mx gene was responsible for its antiviral function. However, there still
      has been no information about SNPs in porcine MX2 gene. In this study, we first
      conducted polymorphism analysis in 17 pigs of MX2 gene derived from seven breeds.
      Consequently, a total of 30 SNPs, of which 11 were deduced to cause amino acid
      variations, were detected, suggesting that the porcine MX2 is very polymorphic.
      Next, we classified MX2 into eight alleles (A1-A8) and subsequently carried out
      infectious experiments with recombinant VSVDeltaG*-G to each allele. In A1-A5 and
      A8, position 514 amino acid (514 aa) of MX2 was glycine (Gly), which did not
      inhibit VSV multiplication, whereas in A6 and A7, 514 aa was arginine (Arg),
      which exhibited the antiviral ability against VSV. These results demonstrate that
      a SNP at 514 aa (Gly-Arg) of porcine MX2 plays a pivotal role in the antiviral
      activity as well as that at 631 aa of chicken Mx.

PMID- 24232603
TI  - T1 squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: long-term outcomes and prognostic
      factors after esophagectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mucosal (T1a) and submucosal (T1b) squamous cell carcinoma of the
      esophagus (ESCC) have often been analyzed together and are staged as the same
      category in the UICC/TNM staging system. The difference in surgical outcomes
      between T1a and T1b ESCC therefore remains unclear. The purpose of this study was
      to examine the differences in surgical outcomes between T1a and T1b ESCC, and to
      investigate the prognostic factors in T1 ESCC. METHODS: A prospectively
      maintained database identified 145 previously untreated patients with pT1 ESCC
      who underwent radical transthoracic (n = 134) or transhiatal esophagectomy (n =
      11). Median follow-up was 108 months. RESULTS: Of the 145 patients, 35 (24 %) had
      pT1a cancer and 110 (76 %) had pT1b cancer. Lymph node metastasis was present in
      45 patients (31 %): 3 patients with pT1a cancer and 42 patients with pT1b cancer
      (P = 0.0003). The 5-year survival rate for the whole group was 77 %. The 5-year
      survival rate of the T1a patients was 94 % compared with 72 % for the T1b
      patients (P = 0.0282). In multivariate analysis, only the depth of tumor invasion
      (pT1a vs. pT1b) was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 2.358; 95 %
      confidence interval 1.009-5.513; P = 0.0477). CONCLUSIONS: After esophagectomy,
      the prognosis of patients with pT1b ESCC is significantly worse than that of
      patients with pT1a ESCC. Infiltration into the submucosa is the only independent
      prognostic factor affecting survival. These findings suggested that T1a and T1b
      ESCC could be staged separately in the next version of UICC/TNM staging system.

PMID- 24232604
TI  - Protein multilayer architectures on electrodes for anlayte detection.
AB  - This chapter provides an overview of different assembly methodologies used for
      the construction of multilayer architectures with biomolecules for application in
      sensors. Besides the use of bioaffinity interactions and covalent strategies,
      special attention will be paid to the electrostatic layer-by-layer technique.
      Different building blocks can be used for the formation of multilayers with a
      clear preference for polymers and nanoparticles. Among the biomolecules, enzymes
      and redox proteins are in focus. Because of the high importance of multilayers
      formed on electrodes, the chapter will concentrate on sensor systems with
      electrochemical transduction. Particularly advantageous are schemes that can
      avoid diffusible shuttling molecules between the biomolecule and the electrode
      and that represent artificial signal chains by exploiting direct protein-protein
      communication in the immobilized state.

PMID- 24232605
TI  - Plant regeneration from cytoplasmic hybrids of rice (Oryza sativa L.).
AB  - We obtained cybrid plants by electrofusing gamma-irradiated protoplasts of a
      cytoplasmic male-sterile line "A-58 CMS" (Oryza sativa L.) and iodoacetamide
      (IOA)-treated protoplasts of the fertile (normal) rice cultivar "Fujiminori". The
      cybridity of the plants was confirmed by mitochondrial (mt) DNA restriction
      endonuclease, and plasmid-like DNA analyses, and by isozyme, cytological and
      morphological investigations. The chromosome number of the cybrid plants is 24. 

PMID- 24232606
TI  - Covariance between relatives for X-chromosomal loci in a population in
      disequilibrium.
AB  - According to Hardy-Weinberg, for a single autosomal locus, a population achieves
      equilibrium in one generation of random mating if allelic frequency is the same
      in the sexes, or in two generations if the frequency is not. For a single X
      chromosomal locus, however, the approach to equilibrium oscillates and is
      gradual. Covariances between relatives for autosomal and for X-chromosomal loci
      are in the literature for a random mating population in equilibrium. Although
      assumption of equilibrium is defensible for an autosomal locus, it is less
      defensible for an X-chromosomal locus. Covariances between collateral and between
      lineal relatives are derived for X-chromosomal loci in a random mating population
      not in equilibrium. Collateral relatives such as sibs are of the same generation,
      and lineal relatives such as parent-offspring are of different generations.
      Coefficient of co-ancestry between relatives, based on identity by descent, was
      used in this development. Results are applicable to crossbreeding in livestock
      and poultry, and also to haplo-diploid organisms, such as the honeybee, in which
      the entire genome is equivalent to being X-chromosomal. 

PMID- 24232607
TI  - A nuclear sequence associated with self-incompatibility in Nicotiana alata has
      homology with mitochondrial DNA.
AB  - A 1.0-kb nuclear fragment located 5' to a coding sequence associated with self
      incompatibility in N. alata shows homology with mitochondrial chromosomal DNA on
      Southern blots. This sequence is also present in the mitochondrial DNA of two
      species of tomato, L. esculentum and L. pennellii, but shows no homology to mtDNA
      of Zea mays. The homologous mitochondrial fragment from N. alata was cloned and
      sequenced. A short region of 56 bp matches the nuclear sequence in 53/56 bp.
      Other matched but misaligned segments flank the 3' end. The nuclear sequence is
      marked at the 5' end by two 8 bp direct repeats. The function of the nuclear
      sequence is not known although, it is located 397 bp upstream from the site of
      transcription of the self-incompatibility gene. The mitochondrial sequence
      contains only limited open reading frames and the nuclear sequence has none.
      There is evidence that additional segments of the mitochondrial clone hybridize
      to other nuclear sequences. The exchange of sequences between the mitochondrial
      and nuclear genomes of plants is discussed. 

PMID- 24232608
TI  - DNA methylation of embryogenic carrot cell cultures and its variations as caused
      by mutation, differentiation, hormones and hypomethylating drugs.
AB  - The level of auxin - both natural and synthetic - in the medium has a strong
      effect on the level of 5-methyl-cytosine in the DNA of carrot cells in culture.
      This level may vary from approximately 15% to 70% of total cytosine without
      apparent effects on growth rate and cell morphology. No effect was seen with
      cytokinin. During somatic embryogenesis, in the absence of hormones, variations
      were seen in the level of methylation according to a characteristic pattern. If
      hypomethylation is induced with drugs such as azacytidine, ethionine or ethoxy
      carbonyl-pyrimidine, embryogenesis is immediately blocked. A mutant was isolated
      which is resistant to the action of hypomethylating drugs. It shows variations in
      the methylation pattern and variations in indole-acetic acid metabolism. In
      addition its regeneration is often associated with the production of tumors. 

PMID- 24232609
TI  - A model of kin-migration in plants.
AB  - Migrants between plant populations may represent a random sample of the donor
      population or may be related, being identical in the extreme. There is
      considerable potential for kin-structured migration in many plant species through
      the co-dispersal of seeds from single individuals. Through simulation experiments
      we have shown that the greater the level of relatedness of migrants, the less a
      given level of migration counterbalances the effect of genetic drift among
      populations. 

PMID- 24232610
TI  - Minicircle variation in Beta mitochondrial DNA.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNAs from nine male fertile and eight cytoplasmic male sterile
      (cms) accessions of wild and cultivated Beta beets were investigated for the
      presence of low molecular weight DNA molecules. Five different supercoiled DNA
      molecules were detected, varying in size from 1.33 to 1.63 kb. Southern
      hybridizations revealed multimeric forms and sequence homologies between the
      minicircles. The occurrence of the different minicircles among the 17 accessions
      was investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern hybridization using
      minicircle specific probes. The 1.33 and 1.63 kb minicircles were found in most
      accessions, the other three minicircles were found in one or two of the wild Beta
      beet accessions. The presence of a low number of small, more or less homologous,
      minicircles in all investigated plants makes these molecules a general
      characteristic of Beta mtDNA. No association is found between the presence or
      absence of specific minicircles and the expression of male sterility. Neither
      does the distribution of the different minicircles in Beta beets indicate any
      essential biological role of these minicircles. 

PMID- 24232611
TI  - Karyotype analysis of regenerated plants from callus cultures of interspecific
      hybrids of cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).
AB  - The karyotype of 82 regenerated plants from callus cultures of interspecific
      hybrids between cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and seven polyploid wild
      barley species was examined by C-banding or Feulgen staining. The karyotypic
      changes observed in 46 plants included aneuploidy, double haploidy,
      amphidiploidy, deletions, inversions, extra C-bands, and extra euchromatic
      segments. Apparently, chromosome 5, 6, and 7 of H. vulgare were more frequently
      exposed to elimination or structural change than the other chromosomes of this
      species. Irradiation of calli seemed to enhance the occurrence of karyotypic
      variants. 

PMID- 24232612
TI  - RFLP analysis of the size of chromosomal segments retained around the Tm-2 locus
      of tomato during backcross breeding.
AB  - Genes introduced into cultivated plants by backcross breeding programs are
      flanked by introgressed segments of DNA derived from the donor parent. This
      phenomenon is known as linkage drag and is frequently thought to affect traits
      other than the one originally targeted. The Tm-2 gene of Lycopersicon peruvianum,
      which confers resistance to tobacco mosaic virus, was introduced into several
      different tomato cultivars (L. esculentum) by repeated backcrossing. We have
      measured the sizes of the introgressed segments flanking the Tm-2 locus in
      several of these cultivars using a high density map of restriction fragment
      length polymorphic (RFLP) markers. The smallest introgressed segment is estimated
      to be 4 cM in length, while the longest is over 51 cM in length and contains the
      entire short arm of chromosome 9. Additionally, RFLP analysis was performed on
      remnant seed from different intermediate generations corresponding to two
      different backcross breeding programs for TMV resistance. The results reveal that
      plants containing desirable recombination near the resistance gene were rarely
      selected during backcrossing and, as a result, the backcross breeding method was
      largely ineffective in reducing the size of linked DNA around the resistance
      gene. We propose that, by monitoring recombination around genes of interest with
      linked RFLP markers, one can quickly and efficiently reduce the amount of linkage
      drag associated with introgression. Using such a procedure, it is estimated that
      an introgressed segment can be obtained in two generations that is as small as
      that which would otherwise require 100 backcross generations without RFLP
      selection. 

PMID- 24232613
TI  - An isoenzyme study in the genus Lotus (Fabaceae) : Segregation of isoenzyme
      alleles in synthetic allo- and autotetraploids, and in L. corniculatus.
AB  - Segregation of the cytosolic Pgi2 locus was studied among progeny of the
      synthetic allotetraploid (L. japonicus * L. alpinus)(2), the synthetic
      autotetraploid (L. alpinus)(2), and the cultivated tetraploid species L.
      corniculatus L. Evidence of an original diploid duplication found within the
      interspecific hybrid L. japonicus * L. alpinus was also found within the
      synthetic allotetraploid (quadruplication of loci). Evidence suggesting
      quadruplication of loci was also found in the tetraploid L. corniculatus, but not
      in the synthetic autotetraploid (L. alpinus)(2). It is suggested that the
      original duplication resulted from unequal crossing-over between homoeologues and
      that it provides evidence that L. corniculatus is a segmental allotetraploid.
      Quadruplication of loci in L. corniculatus could explain previously reported
      distorted tetrasomic ratios for segregation of qualitative characters in this
      species. 

PMID- 24232614
TI  - Response of wheatgrasses and wheat * wheatgrass hybrids to barley yellow dwarf
      virus.
AB  - Resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), manifested by low enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) values in plants exposed to viruliferous aphids, was
      identified in several wheatgrasses (Agropyron spp.). ELISA results were similar
      for root and leaf extracts of infested plants. No difference in reaction to BYDV
      was found between plants grown in the field and those in the growth chamber.
      Interspecific hybrids were generated using pollen from single resistant plants of
      Agropyron spp. to pollinate soft red winter wheat spikes. Resistance in hybrids
      appeared to be at the level of virus replication rather than at the level of
      vector inoculation. The hybrids varied in their reaction to BYDV. Expression of
      BYDV resistance in hybrids was influenced not only by wheat genotype and
      Agropyron species but, in some cases, reaction varied even among hybrids between
      the same wheat genotype and Agropyron plant. Implications of these results are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24232615
TI  - Quantitatively determined self-incompatibility : 1. Theoretical considerations.
AB  - It has been reported that incomplete self-incompatibility could be determined in
      Borago officinalis by many genes. Simple ten-gene models for such enforced cross
      fertilization have been developed and their properties examined by computer
      simulation. Mutation rates necessary to maintain a given level of variability in
      small populations are high, as already determined theoretically for oligogenic
      self-incompatibility systems. However, the extent of ineffective pollination is
      very much greater in the ten-gene system. This finding may be verifiable in
      borage if it is indeed self-incompatible. 

PMID- 24232616
TI  - Restriction endonuclease analysis of mitochondrial DNA from sorghum with fertile
      and male-sterile cytoplasms.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA from four paired (fertile and male-sterile) lines and six
      isocytoplasmic strains of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) were fragmented
      by endonucleases and their electrophoretic patterns were examined. Cytoplasmic
      male sterile lines differed from their male-fertile counterparts consistently.
      Among the isocytoplasmic strains, KS 36A (S. verticilli-florum cytoplasm), KS 38A
      (S. conspicum cytoplasm), and KS 39A (S. niloticum cytoplasm) showed minor
      differences from the other strains. Results suggest that restriction endonuclease
      patterns are useful in detecting differences in mitochondrial genomes. 

PMID- 24232617
TI  - Molecular characterization of Mutator systems in maize embryogenic callus
      cultures indicates Mu element activity in vitro.
AB  - Active Mutator lines of maize (Zea mays L.) are characterized by their ability to
      generate new mutants at a high rate and by somatic instability at Mutator-induced
      mutant alleles. Mutagenically active lines with fewer than ten Mu elements per
      diploid genome have not been observed. Alteration of Mutator activity has been
      shown to correlate with the state of modification of Hinfl restiction sites that
      lie within inverted terminal repeats of Mu elements. To determine whether active
      Mutator systems can be established and maintained in culture, copy number and
      modification state of Mu elements were investigated in embryogenic callus lines
      derived from F1S of crosses of active Mutator stock with the inbred lines A188
      and H99. All callus lines studied maintain high Mu-element copy numbers, and more
      than half show a continued lack of modification at the Mu element Hinfl sites;
      thus, parameters associated with mutagenic activity in planta are present in
      some, but not all, callus lines. Mutator activity was then tested directly by
      restriction fragment analysis of subclonal populations from A188/Mu (2) and
      H99/Mu (2) embryonic cultures. Novel Mu-homologous restriction fragments occurred
      in 38% of the subpopulations which contained unmodified Mu elements, but not in
      control cultures containing modified, genetically inactive Mu elements. We
      conclude that Mu elements from active Mutator parents can remain
      transpositionally active in embryogenic cell culture. Active Mutator cell lines
      may be useful for the production of mutations in vitro. 

PMID- 24232618
TI  - Linkages between restriction fragment length, isozyme, and morphological markers
      in lentil.
AB  - A genetic linkage map of lentil comprising 333 centimorgans (cM) was constructed
      from 20 restriction fragment length, 8 isozyme, and 6 morphological markers
      segregating in a single interspecific cross (Lens culinaris * L. orientalis).
      Because the genotypes at marker loci were determined for about 66 F2 plants,
      linkages are only reported for estimates of recombination less than 30 cM. Probes
      for identification of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were
      isolated from a cDNA and EcoRI and PstI partial genomic libraries of lentil. The
      cDNA library gave the highest frequency of relatively low-copy-number probes. The
      cDNAs were about twice as efficient, relative to random genomic fragments, in
      RFLP detection per probe. Nine markers showed significant deviations from the
      expected F2 ratios and tended to show a predominance of alleles from the
      cultigen. Assuming a genome size of 10 Morgans, 50% of the lentil genome could be
      linked within 10 cM of the 34 markers and the map is of sufficient size to
      attempt mapping of quantitative trait loci. 

PMID- 24232619
TI  - Evaluation of three test statistics used to identify maize inbred lines with new
      favorable alleles not present in elite single cross.
AB  - The identification of inbred lines useful for improvement of an elite single
      cross hybrid is an essential part of a pedigree maize (Zea mays L.) breeding
      program. The objectives of this study were to identify lines that could be useful
      for improvement of hybrid B73 * Mo17 and to relate the values of estimators of
      new favorable alleles with test cross yields. Crosses of parents of hybrid B73 *
      Mo17 with 10 public lines from the United States (US), and 14 Maize Research
      Institute "Zemun Polje" proprietary lines (lines per se, and test crosses from 3
      F2 populations) were evaluated at 4 locations in Yugoslavia in 1986. Significant
      differences in grain yield were found among lines in minimally biased estimates
      of favorable alleles (MUG) present in a donor inbred but not present in a B73 *
      Mo17, in minimum upper bound (UBND) estimates and in predicted three-way
      performance (PTC). Twenty-one lines had a significant number of dominant
      favorable alleles for grain yield not present in B73 * Mo17. The highest values
      for all estimators of new favorable alleles were found for donor lines which
      belonged to different heterotic groups than the B73 and Mo17. For most of the
      inbreds, the (C + F) - (D + E) statistics agreed with predigree information.
      Simultaneous increases in grain yield and decreases in grain moisture content for
      B73 * Mo17 are possible with several donor inbred lines. All of the lines with a
      high number of new favorable alleles for grain yield not present in B73 * Mo17
      had negative MUD (F)-MUG values for low plant height. Line N152 had the most new
      favorable alleles for grain yield not present in single cross B73 * Mo17.
      Population (N152 * Mo17) F2 had the highest difference of observed test cross
      means from check mean, the most test crosses with significantly higher yields
      than the check, and the largest estimate of number of segregating loci. 

PMID- 24232620
TI  - Directional selection in lines founded from different parts of the phenotypic
      distribution of sternopleural chaetae number in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - Divergent directional selection lines were initiated from base populations
      founded from parents taken from different parts of the sternopleural chaetae
      distribution in a cage population of Drosophila melanogaster. Lines founded from
      parents taken from the central part of the distribution showed greater response
      and higher realised heritability than lines derived from parents with extreme
      high or extreme low chaetae number. The results suggest that centrally derived
      phenotypes have higher heterozygosity for chaetae factors than extreme phenotypes
      and that these factors have a large effect on the character. 

PMID- 24232621
TI  - Mutational variance for pupa weight in Tribolium castaneum.
AB  - Directional selection for heavier pupa weight in Tribolium castaneum was
      practiced for 18 generations in two replicates of an inbred line, each separately
      maintained in small population cages for more than 90 generations. Mutational
      variance was estimated in two ways, based on Hill's (1982a) prediction equation
      for response to directional selection where an equilibrium state between
      effective population size and variation created by new mutation is assumed.
      Estimates of mutational variance based on response to selection in a selected
      population and from a sire-offspring regression analysis in an unselected control
      population were in strong agreement within each replicate population. Significant
      differences between the two replicates were observed. Estimates of the ratio of
      mutational variance to environmental variance ranged from 0.0002 to 0.0012,
      depending upon the assumptions made about effective population sizes maintained
      in the two replicate lines. Estimates of realized heritability from the 18
      generations of selection were 0.23+/-0.02 and 0.12+/-0.02 in the two replicates.
      The results support the hypothesis that mutation may have played a significant
      role in supplying useful genetic variation for long-continuing response to
      selection for this trait in experiments reported earlier. 

PMID- 24232622
TI  - Genetic diversity of wild emmer wheat in Israel and Turkey : Structure,
      evolution, and application in breeding.
AB  - Allozyme variation in the tetraploid wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, the
      progenitor of all cultivated wheats, was studied for the proteins encoded by 42
      gene loci in 1815 plants representing 37 populations - 33 from Israel and 4 from
      Turkey - sampled in 33 localities from 1979 to 1987. The results showed that: (a)
      6 loci (14%) were monomorphic in all populations, 15 loci (36%) were locally
      polymorphic, and 21 loci (50%) were regionally polymorphic. These results are
      similar to those obtained earlier on 12 Israeli populations. All polymorphic loci
      (except 4) displayed high local levels of polymorphism (>/ 10%). (b) The mean
      number of alleles per locus, A, was 1.252 (range: 1.050-1.634); the proportion of
      polymorphic loci per population averaged 0.220 (range: 0.050-0.415); genic
      diversity, He, averaged 0.059 (range: 0.002-0.119). (c) Altogether there were 119
      alleles at the 42 putative loci tested, 114 of these in Israel, (d) Genetic
      differentiation was primarily regional and local, not clinal; 70% of the variant
      alleles were common (>/ 10%) and not widespread, but rather localized or
      sporadic, displaying an "archipelago" population genetics and ecology structure.
      The coefficients of genetic distance between populations were high and averaged D
      = 0.134; range: 0.018-0.297, an indication of sharp genetic differentiation over
      short distances, (e) Discriminant analyses differentiated Israeli from Turkish
      populations, and within Israel, between central and 3 marginal regions, as well
      as between different soil-type populations, (f) Allozymic variation comprised 40%
      within and 60% between populations, (g) Gametic phase disequilibria were
      abundant, their number being positively correlated (rs = 0.60, P<0.01) with the
      humidity, (h) Multilocus organization was substantive, also positively correlated
      with humidity, (i) Allozyme diversity, overall and at single loci, was
      significantly correlated with, and partly predictable by, climatic and edaphic
      factors, (j) The distrubition of the significant positive and negative values and
      the absence of autocorrelations in the correlogram revealed no similar geographic
      patterns across loci, eliminating migration as a prime factor of population
      genetic differentiation. These results suggest: (I) during the evolutionary
      history of wild emmer, diversifying natural selection, through climatic and
      edaphic factors, was a major agent of genetic structure and differentiation at
      both the single and multilocus levels; (II) wild emmer harbors large amounts of
      genetic diversity exploitable as genetic markers in sampling and abundant genetic
      resources utilizable for wheat improvement. 

PMID- 24232623
TI  - A fully-asynchronous low-power implantable seizure detector for self-triggering
      treatment.
AB  - In this paper, we present a new asynchronous seizure detector that is part of an
      implantable integrated device intended to identify electrographic seizure onset
      and trigger a focal treatment to block the seizure progression. The proposed
      system has a low-power front-end bioamplifier and a seizure detector with
      intelligent mechanism to reduce power dissipation. This system eliminates the
      unnecessary clock gating during normal neural activity monitoring mode and
      reduces power dissipation in the seizure detector; as a result, this device is
      suitable for long-term implantable applications. The proposed system includes
      analog and digital building blocks with programmable parameters for extracting
      electrographic seizure onset information from real-time EEG recordings.
      Sensitivity of the detector is enhanced by optimizing the variable parameters
      based on specific electrographic seizure onset activities of each patient. The
      detection algorithm was validated using Matlab tools and implemented in standard
      0.13 MUm CMOS process with total die area of 1.5 * 1.5 mm2. The fabricated chip
      is validated offline using intracranial EEG recordings from two patients with
      refractory epilepsy. Total power consumption of the chip is 9 MUW and average
      detection delay is 13.7 s after seizure onset, well before the onset of clinical
      manifestation. The proposed system achieves an accurate detection performance
      with 100% sensitivity and no false alarms during the analyses of 15 seizures and
      19 non-seizure datasets.

PMID- 24232624
TI  - A 155 MU W 88-dB DR discrete-time ?Sigma modulator for digital hearing aids
      exploiting a summing SAR ADC quantizer.
AB  - This paper presents a low-power switched-capacitor ?Sigma modulator for digital
      hearing-aid applications that features a novel summing successive approximation
      (SAR). The summing SAR performs multi-bit quantization together with the analog
      addition required in feed-forward (FF) ?Sigma modulator (?SigmaM) topologies,
      with no attenuation of the input signals and no need for amplifiers. The
      prototype is implemented in a 0.18- MU m CMOS technology and its measurements
      demonstrate a dynamic range of 88 dB in 10 kHz bandwidth while consuming 155 MUW
      from a 1.8 V supply. The combined use of passive addition and SAR quantization
      reduces the complexity and power consumption of the modulator. The summing SAR
      ADC quantizer results in a calculated power saving of 40% when compared to a
      multi-bit FF ?SigmaM using active addition and flash quantization. 

PMID- 24232625
TI  - CMOS spectrally-multiplexed FRET-on-a-chip for DNA analysis.
AB  - A spectral-multiplexed fluorescence contact imaging microsystem for DNA analysis
      is presented. The microsystem integrates a filterless CMOS Color PhotoGate (CPG)
      sensor that exploits the polysilicon gate as an optical filter, and therefore
      does not require an external color filter. The CPG is applied to fluorescence
      based transduction in a spectrally multiplexed format by differentiating among
      multiple emission bands, hence replacing the functionality of a bank of emission
      filters. A microsystem has been quantitatively modeled and prototyped based on
      the CPG fabricated in a standard 0.35 MUm CMOS technology. The multi-color
      imaging capability of the microsystem in analyzing DNA targets has been validated
      in the detection of marker gene sequences for spinal muscular atropy disease and
      Escherichia coli (E. coli). Spectral-multiplexing enables the two DNA targets to
      be simultaneously detected with a measured detection limits of 240 nM and 210 nM
      for the two target concentrations at a sample volume of 10 MUL for the green and
      red transduction channels, respectively. 

PMID- 24232626
TI  - Camera phone-based quantitative analysis of C-reactive protein ELISA.
AB  - We demonstrate the use of a camera phone as a low-cost optical detector for
      quantitative analysis of a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The camera phone was used to acquire images
      of the ELISA carried out in a conventional 96 well plate. Colorimetric analysis
      of the images was used to determine a standard curve that exhibited excellent
      agreement with a fitted 4-parameter logistic model (R2=0.998). The limit of
      detection (LOD) for this approach was determined to be 0.026 +/- 0.002 MUg/ml
      (1.035 +/- 0.079 MUM) CRP. Furthermore, these results were found to be in very
      close agreement with measurements obtained for the same assay using a laboratory
      based instrument. These findings indicate the basic technology to enable low-cost
      quantitative home-based monitoring of an important clinical biomarker of
      inflammatory disease may already be present in the patient's home.

PMID- 24232627
TI  - A 0.18 MUm biosensor front-end based on 1/f noise, distortion cancelation and
      chopper stabilization techniques.
AB  - This paper presents a novel sensor front-end circuit that addresses the issues of
      1/f noise and distortion in a unique way by using canceling techniques. The
      proposed front-end is a fully differential transimpedance amplifier (TIA)
      targeted for current mode electrochemical biosensing applications. In this paper,
      we discuss the architecture of this canceling based front-end and the
      optimization methods followed for achieving low noise, low distortion performance
      at minimum current consumption are presented. To validate the employed canceling
      based front-end, it has been realized in a 0.18 MUm CMOS process and the
      characterization results are presented. The front-end has also been tested as
      part of a complete wireless sensing system and the cyclic voltammetry (CV) test
      results from electrochemical sensors are provided. Overall current consumption in
      the front-end is 50 MUA while operating on a 1.8 V supply. 

PMID- 24232628
TI  - Capacitive-coupling-based information transmission system for implantable
      devices: investigation of transmission mechanism.
AB  - Many medical electronic devices that can be implanted deep inside the body have
      been developed recently. These devices are designed to transmit the information
      that is collected inside the body to receiving antennas outside the body. In this
      work, we examine a method that uses a high-frequency current in the transmitting
      electrodes of the implanted device for the transmission of information to
      receiving electrodes attached to the body surface. To investigate the
      transmission mechanism and the factors that determines the optimum frequency, the
      output voltage V2 and the input and output impedance ( Zin and Zout) were
      analyzed by conducting a finite-difference time-domain electromagnetic
      simulation. The results clearly show that the receiving part (electrodes and
      wire), including biological tissue, acts as a loop antenna. The maximum V2 value
      was obtained at the first parallel resonance frequency of Zout at 370 MHz under a
      load resistance of 1 MOmega. In contrast, the output current of the source
      increased at the series resonance frequency of Zin. The series resonance
      frequency could be adjusted to move a target frequency by adding an inductance
      between the source and the transmitting electrodes. 

PMID- 24232629
TI  - Impedance measurement system for determination of capacitive electrode coupling.
AB  - Capacitive electrodes have been studied as an alternative to gel electrodes, as
      they allow measurement of biopotentials without conductive contact with the
      patient. However, because the skin interface is not as precisely defined as with
      gel electrodes, this could lead to signal deformation and misdiagnoses. Thus,
      measurement of a capacitive coupling of the electrodes may allow to draw
      conclusions about the applicability of such systems. In addition, combining
      capacitive biosignal sensing with an impedance measurement unit may enable
      bioimpedance measurements, from which additional information on the hydration
      status can be extracted. A prototype system is introduced which measures
      impedance over capacitive electrodes in parallel with biopotential measurements.
      Also presented are the first results on characterization of the skin electrode
      coupling achieved with the system. 

PMID- 24232630
TI  - 15-nW Biopotential LPFs in 0.35- MUm CMOS using subthreshold-source-follower
      Biquads with and without gain compensation.
AB  - Most biopotential readout front-ends rely on the g m- C lowpass filter (LPF) for
      forefront signal conditioning. A small g m realizes a large time constant ( tau =
      C / g m) suitable for ultra-low-cutoff filtering, saving both power and area.
      Yet, the noise and linearity can be compromised, given that each g m cell can
      involve one or several noisy and nonlinear V- I conversions originated from the
      active devices. This paper proposes the subthreshold-source-follower (SSF) Biquad
      as a prospective alternative. It features: 1) a very small number of active
      devices reducing the noise and nonlinearity footsteps; 2) No explicit feedback in
      differential implementation, and 3) extension of filter order by cascading. This
      paper presents an in-depth treatment of SSF Biquad in the nW-power regime,
      analyzing its power and area tradeoffs with gain, linearity and noise. A gain
      compensation (GC) scheme addressing the gain-loss problem of NMOS-based SSF
      Biquad due to the body effect is also proposed. Two 100-Hz 4th-order Butterworth
      LPFs using the SSF Biquads with and without GC were fabricated in 0.35- MUm CMOS.
      Measurement results show that the non-GC (GC) LPF can achieve a DC gain of -3.7
      dB (0 dB), an input-referred noise of 36 MUV rms (29 MUV rms ), a HD3@60 Hz of 
      55.2 dB ( - 60.7 dB) and a die size of 0.11 mm2 (0.08 mm2). Both LPFs draw 15 nW
      at 3 V. The achieved figure-of-merits (FoMs) are favorably comparable with the
      state-of-the-art.

PMID- 24232631
TI  - A highly linear fully integrated powerline filter for biopotential acquisition
      systems.
AB  - Powerline interference is one of the most dominant problems in detection and
      processing of biopotential signals. This work presents a new fully integrated
      notch filter exhibiting high linearity and low power consumption. High filter
      linearity is preserved utilizing active-RC approach while IC implementation is
      achieved through replacing passive resistors by R-2R ladders achieving area
      saving of approximately 120 times. The filter design is optimized for low power
      operation using an efficient circuit topology and an ultra-low power operational
      amplifier. Fully differential implementation of the proposed filter shows notch
      depth of 43 dB (78 dB for 4th-order) with THD of better than -70 dB while
      consuming about 150 nW from 1.5 V supply. 

PMID- 24232632
TI  - Simultaneous neural and movement recording in large-scale immersive virtual
      environments.
AB  - Virtual reality (VR) allows precise control and manipulation of rich, dynamic
      stimuli that, when coupled with on-line motion capture and neural monitoring, can
      provide a powerful means both of understanding brain behavioral relations in the
      high dimensional world and of assessing and treating a variety of neural
      disorders. Here we present a system that combines state-of-the-art, fully
      immersive, 3D, multi-modal VR with temporally aligned electroencephalographic
      (EEG) recordings. The VR system is dynamic and interactive across visual,
      auditory, and haptic interactions, providing sight, sound, touch, and force.
      Crucially, it does so with simultaneous EEG recordings while subjects actively
      move about a 20 * 20 ft2 space. The overall end-to-end latency between real
      movement and its simulated movement in the VR is approximately 40 ms. Spatial
      precision of the various devices is on the order of millimeters. The temporal
      alignment with the neural recordings is accurate to within approximately 1 ms.
      This powerful combination of systems opens up a new window into brain-behavioral
      relations and a new means of assessment and rehabilitation of individuals with
      motor and other disorders.

PMID- 24232633
TI  - A 1.5 ns OFF/ON switching-time voltage-mode LVDS driver/receiver pair for
      asynchronous AER bit-serial chip grid links with up to 40 times event-rate
      dependent power savings.
AB  - This paper presents a low power fast ON/OFF switchable voltage mode
      implementation of a driver/receiver pair intended to be used in high speed bit
      serial Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) Address Event Representation
      (AER) chip grids, where short (like 32-bit) sparse data packages are transmitted.
      Voltage-Mode drivers require intrinsically half the power of their Current-Mode
      counterparts and do not require Common-Mode Voltage Control. However, for fast
      ON/OFF switching a special high-speed voltage regulator is required which needs
      to be kept ON during data pauses, and hence its power consumption must be
      minimized, resulting in tight design constraints. A proof-of-concept chip test
      prototype has been designed and fabricated in low-cost standard 0.35 MU m CMOS.
      At +/- 500 mV voltage swing with 500 Mbps serial bit rate and 32 bit events,
      current consumption scales from 15.9 mA (7.7 mA for the driver and 8.2 mA for the
      receiver) at 10 Mevent/s rate to 406 MU A ( 343 MU A for the driver and 62.5 MUA
      for the receiver) for an event rate below 10 Kevent/s, therefore achieving a rate
      dependent power saving of up to 40 times, while keeping switching times at 1.5
      ns. Maximum achievable event rate was 13.7 Meps at 638 Mbps serial bit rate.
      Additionally, differential voltage swing is tunable, thus allowing further power
      reductions.

PMID- 24232634
TI  - Postnatal early overnutrition causes long-term renal decline in aging male rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated the influence of postnatal early overnutrition on renal
      pathophysiological changes in aging rats. METHODS: Three or 10 male pups per
      mother were assigned to either the small litter (SL) or normal litter (control)
      groups, respectively, during the first 21 d of life. The effects of early
      postnatal overnutrition were determined at 12 mo. RESULTS: SL rats weighed more
      than controls between 4 d and 6 mo of age (P < 0.05). However, between 6 and 12
      mo, body weights in both groups were not different. In the SL group, at 12 mo,
      systolic blood pressure was higher and creatinine clearance was lower than the
      same in controls (P < 0.05). Numbers of CD68 (ED1)-positive macrophages and
      apoptotic cells in renal cortex were higher in SL rats (P < 0.05). Furthermore,
      index scores for glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were higher
      in the SL group (P < 0.05). Significantly less glomeruli per section area were
      found in aging SL rats (P < 0.05). Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry showed
      decreased intrarenal renin expression in SL rats (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early
      postnatal overnutrition can potentiate structural and functional abnormalities in
      the aging kidney and can lead to systolic hypertension with reduced intrarenal
      renin activity.

PMID- 24232635
TI  - Altered canonical Wingless-Int signaling in the ovine fetal lung after exposure
      to intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide and antenatal betamethasone.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antenatal inflammation and maternal corticosteroids induce fetal lung
      maturation but interfere with late lung development. Canonical Wingless-Int (Wnt)
      signaling directs lung development and repair. We showed that intra-amniotic (IA)
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure disrupted developmental signaling pathways in
      the preterm lamb lungs. Therefore, we hypothesized that pulmonary Wnt signaling
      was altered by exposure to IA LPS and/or antenatal corticosteroids. METHODS:
      Ovine fetuses were exposed to IA LPS, maternal intramuscular betamethasone, a
      control saline injection, or a combination thereof at 107 and/or 114 d
      gestational age (term = 150 d gestational age) before delivery at 121 d
      gestational age. RESULTS: IA LPS exposure decreased the lung expression of
      lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1), a major Wnt pathway effector. WNT1,
      WNT4, and downstream messenger beta-catenin decreased after LPS exposure. WNT7b
      mRNA increased fourfold 14 d post-LPS exposure. Betamethasone treatment 7 d
      before LPS exposure prevented the reduction in LEF1 expression, whereas
      betamethasone administration after LPS normalized the LPS-induced increase in
      Wnt7b mRNA. CONCLUSION: IA LPS exposure decreased canonical Wnt signaling in the
      developing lung. Antenatal corticosteroids before or after IA inflammation had
      different effects on pulmonary Wnt signaling. This study provides new insights
      into possible mechanisms by which prenatal inflammation affects lung development
      and how corticosteroid can be beneficial in this setting.

PMID- 24232636
TI  - Gestational diabetes induces alterations in the function of neonatal endothelial
      colony-forming cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
      experience increased risk of developing hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus,
      and obesity. Disrupted function of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) may
      contribute to this enhanced risk. The goal of this study was to determine whether
      cord blood ECFCs from GDM pregnancies exhibit altered functionality. METHODS:
      ECFCs isolated from the cord blood of control and GDM pregnancies were assessed
      for proliferation, senescence, and Matrigel network formation. The requirement
      for p38MAPK in hyperglycemia-induced senescence was determined using inhibition
      and overexpression studies. RESULTS: GDM-exposed ECFCs were more proliferative
      than control ECFCs. However, GDM-exposed ECFCs exhibited decreased network
      forming ability in Matrigel. Aging of ECFCs by serial passaging led to increased
      senescence and reduced proliferation of GDM-exposed ECFCs. ECFCs from GDM
      pregnancies were resistant to hyperglycemia-induced senescence compared with
      those from controls. In response to hyperglycemia, control ECFCs activated
      p38MAPK, which was required for hyperglycemia-induced senescence. In contrast,
      GDM-exposed ECFCs showed no change in p38MAPK activation under equivalent
      conditions. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine exposure of ECFCs to GDM induces unique
      phenotypic alterations. The resistance of GDM-exposed ECFCs to hyperglycemia
      induced senescence and decreased p38MAPK activation suggest that these progenitor
      cells have undergone changes that induce tolerance to a hyperglycemic
      environment.

PMID- 24232637
TI  - Ingested soluble CD14 from milk is transferred intact into the blood of newborn
      rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Milk acts as an edible immune system that is transferred from mother
      to newborn. Soluble Cluster of Differentiation 14 (sCD14) is a protein found in
      significant quantities in human milk (~8-29 ug/ml). At a 10-fold lower
      concentration in the blood (~3 ug/ml), the most notable role of sCD14 is to
      sequester lipopolysaccharides of Gram-negative bacteria from immune cells.
      METHODS: To explore the pharmacodynamics of this milk protein and its biological
      fate, the biodistribution of radiolabeled sCD14 ((14)C, (125)I) was monitored in
      10-d-old rat pups. RESULTS: Up to 3.4 +/- 2.2% of the radiolabeled sCD14
      administered was observed, intact, in the pup blood for up to 8 h post-ingestion.
      Additionally, 30.3 +/- 13.0% of the radiolabeled sCD14 administered was observed
      degraded in the stomach at 8 h post-ingestion. A reservoir of intact,
      administered sCD14 (3.2 +/- 0.3%), however, remained in the stomach at 8 h post
      ingestion. Intact sCD14 was observed in the small intestine at 5.5 +/- 1.6% of
      the dose fed at 8 h post-ingestion. CONCLUSION: The presence of intact sCD14 in
      the blood and the gastrointestinal tract of newborns post-ingestion has
      implications in the development of allergies, obesity, and other inflammation
      related pathogeneses later in life.

PMID- 24232638
TI  - Effect of obesity intervention programs on adipokines, insulin resistance, lipid
      profile, and low-grade inflammation in 3- to 5-y-old children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity can cause the development of cardiovascular risk
      factors. We assessed the effect of a multidisciplinary intervention program on
      cardiovascular risk factors and compared this effect with a usual-care program in
      3- to 5-y-old overweight or obese children. METHODS: Seventy-five children were
      randomly assigned to a multidisciplinary intervention or a usual-care program.
      Anthropometry, body composition, and abdominal adipose tissue were assessed at
      the start and end of a 16-wk program. Concurrently, fasting concentrations of
      serum lipids, glucose, insulin, HbA1c, leptin, adiponectin, high-sensitive C
      reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)
      6 were determined. RESULTS: In both groups, insulin sensitivity improved,
      demonstrated by decreased insulin concentrations and a decreased HOMA2-IR. In the
      multidisciplinary intervention group, there was also a decrease of HbA1c and TNF
      alpha. In the usual-care group, an increase in glucose concentrations was found.
      Comparing both groups, changes over time were not different, besides trends in
      the decrease in total cholesterol and TNF-alpha, in favor of the
      multidisciplinary intervention group. Combining the results of both groups, a
      correlation was found between the decrease in body fat percentage (BF%), and both
      HOMA2-IR and triglyceride (TG) concentrations. CONCLUSION: In 3- to 5-y-old
      children, both obesity intervention programs improved insulin sensitivity, in
      parallel with a reduced BF%.

PMID- 24232639
TI  - Exploration of novel predictive markers in rat plasma of the early stages of
      chronic renal failure.
AB  - To identify blood markers for early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), blood
      samples were collected from rats with adenine-induced CKD over 28 days. Plasma
      samples were subjected to metabolomic profiling by liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry, followed by multivariate analyses. In addition to already
      identified uremic toxins, we found that plasma concentrations of N6-succinyl
      adenosine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine 20:4, and glycocholic acid were altered,
      and that these changes during early CKD were more sensitive markers than
      creatinine concentration, a universal indicator of renal dysfunction. Moreover,
      the increase in plasma indoxyl sulfate concentration occurred earlier than
      increases in phenyl sulfate and p-cresol sulfate. These novel metabolites may
      serve as biomarkers in identifying early stage CKD.

PMID- 24232640
TI  - Analysis of storage proteins in normal and aborted seeds from embryo-lethal
      mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - The major storage proteins isolated from wild-type seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana
      (L.) Heynh., strain "Columbia", were studied by sucrose gradient centrifugation
      and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Both
      the hypocotyl and cotyledons of mature embryos contained abundant 12 S
      (cruciferin) and 2 S (arabin) proteins that appeared similar in size and subunit
      composition to the cruciferin (12 S) and napin (1.7 S) seed-storage proteins of
      Brassica napus. The 12 S protein from Arabidopsis was resolved by SDS-PAGE into
      two groups of subunits with approximate relative molecular weights of 22-23 kDa
      (kilodalton) and 30-34 kDa. These polypeptides accumulated late in embryo
      development, disappeared early in germination, and were not detected in other
      vegetative or reproductive tissues. Accumulation of the 12 S proteins in aborted
      seeds from nine embryo-lethal mutants with different patterns of abnormal
      development was studied to determine the extent of cellular differentiation in
      arrested embryos from each mutant line. Abundant 12 S proteins were found in
      arrested embryos from two mutants with late lethal phases, but not in seven other
      mutants with lethal phases ranging from the globular to the cotyledon stages of
      embryo development. These results indicate that the accumulation of seed-storage
      proteins in wild-type embryos of Arabidopsis is closely tied to morphogenetic
      changes that occur during embryo development. Embryo-lethal mutants may therefore
      be useful in future studies on the developmental regulation of storage-protein
      synthesis. 

PMID- 24232641
TI  - Fatty-acid composition of polar lipids in fruit and leaf chloroplasts of "16:3"-
      and "18:3"-plant species.
AB  - The fatty-acid composition of polar lipids from fruit and leaf chloroplasts was
      compared in five Solanaceous and two cucurbit species. The acylated fatty acids
      in monogalactosyl diglycerides (MGDG) from leaf chloroplasts of all five
      Solanaceous species included substantial amounts of Delta (7,10,13)
      hexadecatrienoic acid (16:3). In contrast, the MGDG from fruit chloroplasts of
      the Solanaceae contained very little of this plastid-specific polyunsaturate, and
      instead included a proportionately greater percentage of linoleic acid (18:2). In
      MGDG from leaf chloroplasts of two cucurbits, alpha-linolenic acid (18:3)
      constituted 94-95% of the acylated fatty acids. Fruit-chloroplast galactolipids
      of the cucurbits had a greater abundance of 18:2, and hence a higher 18:2/18:3
      ratio, than found in the corresponding leaf lipids. Among the phosphoglycerides,
      the unusual fatty acid Delta3-trans-hexadecenoate (trans-16:1) constituted from
      15 to 24% of the acylated fatty acids in phosphatidyl glycerol (PG) from leaf
      chloroplasts (all species). In sharp contrast, trans-16:1 was virtually absent in
      PG from fruit chloroplasts of both Solanaceous and cucurbit species, and was
      replaced by a proportionate increase in the content of palmitate (16:0). The
      observed differences in the polar lipid fatty-acid composition of fruit and leaf
      chloroplasts are discussed in terms of the relative activity of several
      intrachloroplastic enzymes involved in lipid synthesis and fatty-acyl
      desaturation. 

PMID- 24232642
TI  - Isotopic relationships between saponifiable lipids and cellulose nitrate prepared
      from red, brown and green algae.
AB  - Stable carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios were determined for the saponifiable
      lipid fraction as well as the cellulose fraction (the latter after nitration to
      remove exchangeable hydrogens) of several species of red, brown and green algae
      from three locations. A significant correlation was observed between the hydrogen
      isotope ratios of cellulose nitrate and saponifiable lipid for red algae, but not
      for brown or green algae. Carbon-13/carbon-12 ratios for both fractions of red
      algae were in general lower than those observed for brown and green algae. The
      results reported here are consistent with the proposals that red algae evolved
      much earlier than and are metabolically different from the brown and green algae.

PMID- 24232643
TI  - In-situ Raman microprobe studies of plant cell walls: Macromolecular organization
      and compositional variability in the secondary wall of Picea mariana (Mill.)
      B.S.P.
AB  - Native-state organization and distribution of cell-wall components in the
      secondary wall of woody tissue from P. mariana (Black Spruce) have been
      investigated using polarized Raman microspectroscopy. Evidence for orientation is
      detected through Raman intensity variations resulting from rotations of the
      exciting electric vector with respect to cell-wall geometry. Spectral features
      associated with cellulose and lignin were studied. The changes in cellulose bands
      indicate that the pyranose rings of the anhydroglucose repeat units are in planes
      perpendicular to the cross section, while methine C-H bonds are in planes
      parallel to the cross section. Changes in bands associated with lignin indicate
      that the aromatic rings of the phenyl-propane units are most often in the plane
      of the cell-wall surface. However, regions where lignin orientation departs from
      this pattern also occur. These results represent direct evidence of molecular
      organization with respect to cellular morphological features in woody tissue, and
      indicate that cell-wall components are more highly organized than had been
      recognized. Studies carried out in order to establish the usefulness and
      sensitivity of the Raman technique to differences of composition within the cell
      walls provide evidence of variations in the distribution of cellulose and lignin.
      Such compositional differences were more prominent between the walls of different
      cells than within a particular cell wall. 

PMID- 24232644
TI  - beta-Mannoside mannohydrolase and the mobilization of the endosperm cell wall of
      lettuce seeds, cv. Grand Rapids.
AB  - Mobilization of the endosperm cell-wall reserves of Lactuca sativa L. cv. Grand
      Rapids requires endo-beta-mannanase and alpha-galactosidase activity. A third
      enzyme, beta-mannoside mannohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.25) is also involved. We have
      determined the optimum extraction and assay conditions for this enzyme, which is
      soluble only in high-salt (1 M NaCl) buffer. It is located exclusively within the
      cotyledons, in association with a cellulosic cell-wall fraction. Its substrates
      are the products of endosperm cell-wall mobilization, mannobiose and mannotriose,
      which diffuse to the cotyledons and are hydrolyzed extracellularly by the beta
      mannoside mannohydrolase. 

PMID- 24232645
TI  - The effect of oxygen on nitrate and nitrite assimilation in leaves of Zea mays L.
      under dark conditions.
AB  - The assimilation of nitrate under dark-N2 and dark-O2 conditions in Zea mays leaf
      tissue was investigated using colourimetric and (15)N techniques for the
      determination of organic and inorganic nitrogen. Studies using (15)N indicated
      that nitrate was assimilated under dark conditions. However, the rate of nitrate
      assimilation in the dark was only 28% of the rate under non-saturating light
      conditions. No nitrite accumulated under dark aerobiosis, even though nitrate
      reduction occurred under these conditions. The pattern of nitrite accumulation in
      leaf tissue in response to dark-N2 conditions consisted of three phases: an
      initial lag phase, followed by a period of rapid nitrite accumulation and finally
      a phase during which the rate of nitrite accumulation declined. After a 1-h
      period of dark-anaerobiosis, both nitrate reduction and nitrite accumulation
      declined considerably. However, when O2 was supplied, nitrate reduction was
      stimulated and the accumulated nitrite was rapidly reduced. Anaerobic conditions
      stimulated nitrate reduction in leaf tissue after a period of dark-aerobic
      pretreatment. 

PMID- 24232646
TI  - Polypeptide pattern and enzymic character of vacuoles isolated from barley
      mesophyll protoplasts.
AB  - Intact chloroplasts and vacuoles were isolated from mesophyll protoplasts of
      barley. The chloroplasts occupied about 15% of the cellular volume and contained
      75% of the protein, whereas the vacuoles occupied about 80% of the volume and
      contained less than 4% of total cellular protein. Contamination of the vacuolar
      fraction by foreign protein is included in these values. Chlorophyll was absent
      from the vacuolar fraction, but less than 1% of several extra-vacuolar marker
      proteins were still present. The vacuoles contained hydrolytic enzymes. Several
      of them (alpha-mannosidase, alpha-galactosidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase) were
      soluble, whereas part of the activity of others semimented with the tonoplasts
      during centrifugation. Attached proteins could be released from the membranes
      during freezing in the presence of NaCl. One-dimensional gel electrophoretic
      separation of soluble vacuolar proteins under non-denaturing conditions yielded
      more than 10 protein bands. A comparative analysis was performed of thylakoids
      and vacuoles which were subfractionated into tonoplasts and soluble vacuolar
      constituents. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis separated about 15
      polypeptides of the soluble fraction which reacted with silver reagent. The
      tonoplast fraction yielded about 20 bands. A similar number of bands was observed
      when vacuoles incubated with the (14)C-labelled SH-reagent N-ethylmaleimide were
      analysed for radioactive polypeptides. Silverstaining of the polypeptides and
      their SH-content did not correlate. Several polypeptides of the vacuolar fraction
      had molecular weights very similar to the molecular weights of known chloroplast
      proteins. However, with the exception of the two subunits of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase, contamination of the vacuolar fraction by chloroplast
      proteins could be ruled out as a possible cause of the close correspondence. The
      lipophilic carboxylic-group reagent N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide ([(14)C]DCCD)
      reacted with several polypeptides of thylakoids and tonoplasts. However, the
      labelling patterns were different. The most heavily labelled polypeptide of
      thylakoids was the 8-kDa polypeptide of the basal part of the coupling factor
      CF0. Tonoplast polypeptides heavily labelled with [(14)C]DCCD had molecular
      weights of 24, 28, and 56 kDa. The vacuolar 8-kDa polypeptide remained
      unlabelled. 

PMID- 24232647
TI  - An efficient method for the determination of K m values for HCO 3 (-) of
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase.
AB  - One of the most serious problems in obtaining estimates of the K m values for HCO
      3 (-) of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase; EC 4.1.1.31) by measurement of
      initial rates at varying HCO 3 (-) is the impossibility of completely excluding
      any contaminating HCO 3 (-) . A method is proposed which has no need for the
      careful control of HCO 3 (-) /CO2 contamination. The kinetic data are obtained by
      the evaluation of progress curves of HCO 3 (-) consumption. The method is
      discussed and the K m values for HCO 3 (-) of PEPCase from several C4-species are
      presented. 

PMID- 24232648
TI  - Effects of nitrogen starvation on the function and organization of the
      photosynthetic membranes in Cryptomonas maculata (Cryptophyceae).
AB  - Nitrogen deficiency affects both photosystems and the antennae pigment systems in
      the photosynthetic apparatus of the marine alga, Cryptomonas maculata. Under
      increasing energy fluence rates, O2 evolution in nitrogen-deficient (-N) cell
      suspensions never reached a positive value; in control cultures (+N), O2
      evolution increased and was saturated at about 6.4 W.m(-2) with about 100 MUmol
      O2.mg chlorophyll(-1).h(-1). During fluorescence-induction experiments at room
      temperature, Fo and Fmax were significantly increased in-N cells whereas the
      Fvar/Fmax ratio decreased from 0.6 to 0.1. These observations can be correlated
      with a significantly decreased population of 12.5-nm-size particles in the
      exoplasmic-fracture (EF) faces of freeze-cleaved thylakoid membranes in-N cells
      (Rhiel et al., 1985, Protoplasma 129, 62-73). The EF particles are suggested to
      represent photosystem II associated with chlorophyll a/c-protein complexes
      (LHCP). The banding pattern of isolated and Triton X-100-solubilized thylakoid
      membranes of both +N and-N cells in sucrose gradients showed that the LHCP is
      still present in-N cells. The same applies to sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of these membrane fractions. The reduced
      number of the 12.5-nm particles in the EF faces of-N cells may be a result of
      decoupling of the LHCP constituents of the photosystem-II complex rather than
      their degradation. This is supported by high values for the initial fluorescence
      Fo in fluorescence-induction experiments and, in part, is indicated by the shift
      of the maximal fluorescence emission from 693 nm in +N to 684 nm in-N cells. The
      lack of the CP1 band in the gels of sodium dodecyl sulfate-solubilized thylakoid
      membranes from-N cells after electrophoresis demonstrates that photosystem I is
      also severely affected. 

PMID- 24232649
TI  - Light dependence of sexual agglutinability in Chlamydomonas eugametos.
AB  - The mating activity of mating-type plus gametes of Chlamydomonas eugametos
      depends on light. Cells lost their ability to agglutinate with mating-type minus
      gametes after a dark period of 30 min. They regained their agglutinability after
      10 min exposure to light. Other mating reactions, such as tipping and flagellar
      tip activation, were not dependent upon light. Since cycloheximide and
      tunicamycin did not affect the light-induced activation of flagellar
      agglutinability, no protein synthesis or glycosylation is involved in this
      process. Equal amounts of biologically active agglutination factor could be
      extracted from cells placed either in light or in darkness. A minor portion of
      the active material was found to be located on the flagellar surface of
      illuminated cells. No active material was found on the flagellar surface of dark
      exposed cells, whereas their cell bodies contained the same amount of active
      material as the cell bodies of illuminated cells. Since a light-induced flow of
      agglutination factors from the cell body to the flagella could not be detected
      and dark-exposed cells could be slightly activated by amputation or fixation by
      glutaraldehyde, we propose that light affects flagellar agglutinability by an in
      situ modification of the agglutination factor on the flagella. When mt (+) and mt
      (-) strains were crossed and the progeny examined for light-sensitivity, it was
      apparent that this phenomenon is not mating type-linked. 

PMID- 24232650
TI  - Absence of the glutamine-synthetase-linked methylammonium (ammonium)-transport
      system in the cyanobiont of Cycas-cyanobacterial symbiosis.
AB  - Using the ammonium analogue (14)CH3NH 3 (+) , ammonium transport was studied in
      the cyanobiont cells freshly isolated from the root nodules of Cycas revoluta. An
      L-methionine-DL-sulphoximine (MSX)-insensitive ammonium-transport system, which
      was dependent on membrane potential (DeltaPsi), was found in the cyanobiont.
      However, the cyanobiont was incapable of metabolizing exogenous (14)CH3NH 3 (+)
      or NH 4 (+) because of the absence of another ammonium-transport system
      responsible for the uptake of ammonium for assimilation via glutamine synthetase
      (EC 6.3.1.2). Such a modification seems to be the result of symbiosis because the
      free-living cultured isolate, Anabaena cycadeae, has been shown to possess both
      the ammonium-transport systems. 

PMID- 24232651
TI  - The role of malate in ammonia assimilation in cotyledons of radish (Raphanus
      sativus L.).
AB  - The relationships between the metabolism of malate, nitrogen assimilation and
      biosynthesis of amino acids in response to different nitrogen sources (nitrate
      and ammonium) have been examined in cotyledons of radish (Raphanus sativus L.).
      Measurements of the activities of some key enzymes and pulse-chase experiments
      with [(14)C]malate indicate the operation of an anaplerotic pathway for malate,
      which is involved in the synthesis of glutamine during increased ammonia
      assimilation. It is most likely that the tricarboxylicacid cycle is supplied with
      carbon through entry of malate, formed via the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)
      carboxylation pathway, when 2-oxoglutarate leaves the cycle to serve as precursor
      for an increased synthesis of glutamine via glutamate. This might occur
      predominantly in the cytosol via the activity of the glutamine
      synthetase/glutamate synthase (GS/GOGAT) cycle, the NADH-dependent GOGAT being
      the rate-limiting activity. 

PMID- 24232652
TI  - Fluence dependence of the ultraviolet-light-induced accumulation of chalcone
      synthase mRNA and effects of blue and far-red light in cultured parsley cells.
AB  - The fluence dependence of the time course of accumulation of chalcone synthase
      mRNA in ultraviolet (UV)-light-irradiated cell suspension cultures of parsley
      (Petroselinum crispum) and the additional effects of blue and far-red light have
      been investigated. Variations of the UV fluence had no detectable influence on
      the initial rate of increase in mRNA amount or translational activity, nor on the
      preceding lag period of approximately 3 h, but strongly influenced the duration
      of the transient increase. The effects were the same whether the fluence rate or
      the time of irradiation was varied to obtain a given fluence. Blue-light
      pretreatment of the cells resulted in increased amounts of mRNA and abolished the
      apparent lag period. This effect remained cryptic without the subsequent UV-light
      treatment. Irradiation with long-wavelength far-red light following UV-light
      pulses shortened the duration of the mRNA accumulation period. This effect was
      not altered by a preceding blue-light treatment. Thus, three photoreceptors, a UV
      B receptor, a blue-light receptor and phytochrome, participate in the regulation
      of chalcone synthase mRNA accumulation in this system. 

PMID- 24232653
TI  - Regulation of synthesis of proteinase inhibitors I and II mRNAs in leaves of
      wounded tomato plants.
AB  - Levels of two wound-inducible serine proteinase inhibitors, called Inhibitor I
      and Inhibitor II, and their mRNAs were quantified in leaves of tomato
      (Lycopersicon escululentum (L.) Mill.) plants after wounding the leaves with a
      hemostat. A single wound on a lower leaf of 25-old tomato plants caused the
      accumulation of the two inhibitor proteins in wounded and non-wounded leaves
      beginning about 4-6 h following wounding. The rate of inhibitor accumulation was
      maximal in leaves for the next 4 h and then declined. By 20 h the accumulation
      had nearly ceased. Following a single wound, Inhibitor I mRNA [600 bases in
      length] and Inhibitor II mRNA (760 bases) began to accumulate in wounded leaves
      about 2 h before the inhibitor proteins could be detected. The levels of mRNA for
      both inhibitors reached a maximum at about 8 h following wounding and then
      decayed, both with apparent half lives of about 10 h. Four consecutive wounds,
      inflicted hourly, increased the levels of mRNA for both inhibitors to over twice
      the levels induced by a single wound. Within 4 h following multiple wounds,
      Inhibitor I mRNA represented about 0.5% of the total polyadenylated mRNA
      (poly(A(+))mRNA) and Inhibitor II mRNA about 0.15% of the total. The rates of
      accumulation of the two inhibitor proteins varied depending upon the age of the
      plants and their environment during growth, and ranged between 3 and 10 MUg
      Inhibitor I.h(-1).(g tissue)(-1) for Inhibitor I and about half of these rates
      for Inhibitor II. Nuclei were isolated from leaves of wounded and non-wounded
      plants, and in mRNA runoff experiments using specific inhibitor copy DNAs (cDNAs)
      as probes the synthesis of Inhibitor I and II mRNAs were shown to be regulated,
      at least in part, at the level of transcription. 

PMID- 24232654
TI  - Redistribution of growth during phototropism and nutation in the pea epicotyl.
AB  - First positive phototropism of the third internode of intact, 5-d-old pea (Pisum
      sativum L.) seedlings, grown under continuous, dim red light, showed maximal
      response following a photon fluence of 3 MUmol.m(-2) blue light. Greater or
      lesser fluences (with irradiation time 100 s or less) caused less bending, no
      response being detectable above 300 or below 0.03 MUmol.m(-2). Bilateral
      irradiation with blue light caused no detectable inhibition of growth rate over
      that range of fluences. The linear nutation of the pea third internode was shown
      to be driven by a balanced oscillation of growth rate such that the overall
      growth rate was little changed during the oscillation. Phototropic stimulation
      changed neither the amplitude nor the period of nutation. Nutation and
      phototropism probably regulate growth independently. Phototropism in response to
      the optimal blue light fluence was caused by concomitant depressed growth on the
      irradiated side and stimulated growth on the shaded side of the bending
      internode. These results are consistent with the Cholodny-Went hypothesis which
      states that unilateral blue light induces a lateral redistribution of a growth
      regulator. 

PMID- 24232655
TI  - Purification and characterization of barley-aleurone xylanase.
AB  - Xylanase (beta-1,4-D-xylan xylanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.8) from aleurone layers of
      barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya) was purified and characterized.
      Purification was by preparative isoelectric focusing and a Sephadex G-200 column.
      Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme showed a
      single protein band with an apparent molecular weight (Mr)=34000 daltons. The
      isoelectric point of the enzyme was 4.6. The enzyme had maximum activity on xylan
      at pH 5.5 and at 35 degrees  C. It was most stable between pH 5 and 6 and at
      temperatures between 0 and 4 degrees  C. The Km was 0.86 mg xylan.ml(-1). 

PMID- 24232656
TI  - Expression of alpha-amylase and other gibberellin-regulated genes in aleurone
      tissue of developing wheat grains.
AB  - Aleurone tissue from freshly harvested immature wheat grains (Triticum aestivum
      L. cv. Sappo) which is normally unresponsive to gibberellic acid can be made
      responsive by subjecting the tissue to a pre-incubation treatment in a simple
      buffered medium prior to the addition of the growth substance. The effectiveness
      of this treatment is dependent on grain age, with grains less than 15-20 days
      post anthesis failing to become converted to a responsive state whilst tissue
      from grains older than this become increasingly susceptible. Tissue from grains
      of a certain age (approx. 25-28 days post anthesis) produce small amounts of
      alpha-amylase following this treatment even in the absence of exogenously applied
      growth substance. Using different (32)-labelled complementary-DNA probes for
      alpha-amylase in wheat it was demonstrated that the failure of freshly harvested
      tissue to produce alpha-amylase was correlated with the absence of the
      appropriate mRNA species. Inability to accumulate alpha-amylase mRNA in response
      to gibberellic acid was removed by the pre-iccubation treatment and also by
      enforced drying. The gibberellin-regulated expression of other unidentified genes
      also responds to pre-incubation or drying. Induction of gibberellin
      responsiveness in immature aleurone cells did not extend to the secretion of acid
      phosphatase, protease and ribonuclease. 

PMID- 24232657
TI  - Adaptation of photosynthetic electron-transport rate to growth temperature in
      pea.
AB  - Pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Feltham First) plants were germinated and grown under
      two temperature regimes, one chilling (6-8 degrees  C) and one non-chilling (16
      18 degrees  C), which are referred to as "cold-grown" and "warm-grown",
      respectively. It was found that: (1) At saturating light intensity and with
      excess CO2, cold-grown leaves exhibited faster rates of oxygen evolution than
      warm-grown leaves when measured below 15 degrees  C. However when measurements
      were carried out above this temperature, the reverse relationship was observed.
      (2) Full-chain electron-transport measurements on thylakoids showed that those
      isolated from cold-grown plants had greater light-saturated uncoupled rates than
      their warm-grown equivalents at all temperatures between 3 and 19 degrees  C. (3)
      This difference was apparently not due to a greater activity of photosystem I or
      II in the thylakoids from cold-grown plants, but rather to a more rapid turnover
      of a dark step within the electron-transport chain. These results are interpreted
      in terms of a previously reported apparent homeoviscous adaptation of the pea
      thylakoid membrane to growth temperature (J. Barber, R.C. Ford, R.A.C. Mitchell,
      P.A. Millner, 1984, Planta 161, 375-380). 

PMID- 24232658
TI  - In-vivo measurement of cell-wall extensibility in maize coleoptiles: Effects of
      auxin and abscisic acid.
AB  - Plastic and elastic in-vivo extensibilities (Epl and Eel, respectively) of cell
      walls of growing maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptile segments were measured by
      stretching living tissue at constant force (creep test) in an extensiometer. The
      linear displacement transducer used as a measuring device permits the
      determination of load-induced extensions in the range of 0-1% of the segment's
      length, leading to a minimal disturbance of the hydraulic parameters of the
      tissue and allowing the measurement of unidirectional cell-wall creep at
      virtually unchanged turgor and metabolic activity. A rein-vestigation of the time
      course of indole-3-acetic acid-promoted and abscisic acid-inhibited wall loo
      sening revealed that the in-vivo creep test yields results very similar to those
      obtained previously with the in-vitro creep test [Kutschera and Schopfer, 1986,
      Planta 167, 527-535]. The hormones affect elongation rate and Epl in a closely
      correlated manner both in step-up as well as step-down growth changes whereas Eel
      remains unaltered. It is argued that both hormones influence growth by modifying
      Epl of the outer epidermis and that this effect can be quantitatively measured,
      in relative units, by either the in-vivo or the in-vitro creep test. 

PMID- 24232659
TI  - In-vivo formation of xyloglucan nonasaccharide: A possible biologically active
      cell-wall fragment.
AB  - The in-vivo formation of a specific nonasaccharide of xyloglucan was
      investigated. This nonasaccharide has been reported to have biological activity,
      inhibiting auxin-induced growth in pea stem segments. Cell-suspension cultures of
      spinach were grown in the presence of [(3)H]arabinose and [(3)H]fucose, and the
      culture-filtrates were examined for oligosaccharides by gelpermeation
      chromatography and by paper chromatography. Sixteen [(3)H]pentose-containing
      oligosaccharides were found, including twelve that contained the sequence
      [(3)H]xylosyl-alpha(1->6)-glucose, which is diagnostic of xyloglucan. In
      addition, [(3)H]fucose-containing oligosaccharides of at least three sizes were
      found. Radiochemical evidence is presented that one of these oligosaccharides was
      labelled with both [(3)H]fucose and with [(3)H]pentose, and was identical with
      the major xyloglucan-derived nonasaccharide associated with anti-auxin activity.
      It was largely present in the form of acylated (possibly acetylated) derivatives.
      It accumulated extracellularly to a steady-state concentration of about 4.3.10(
      7)M. This is the first report of the production of a biologically-active
      oligosaccharide by living plant cells. 

PMID- 24232660
TI  - Neoplastic progression in crown gall in tobacco without elevated auxin levels.
AB  - We have isolated two stable variants from a crown-gall teratoma tissue of tobacco
      (Nicotiana tabacum L.) transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain A66, a
      mutant of the virulent A6 strain containing an insertion sequence in the tumor
      inducing (Ti) plasmid at the locus coding for auxin biosynthesis. Normally
      tobacco cells transformed by strain A66 spontaneously form shoots in culture and
      will not grow on hormone-free medium unless shoots develop. The variant tissue
      lines, isolated from the teratoma tissue after prolonged culture in the dark,
      grew as friable and unorganized tissues on hormone-free growth medium. Growth of
      the variants was more sensitive to auxin feeding than growth of the parental
      teratoma line, and the auxin dose-response curves of the variant lines were
      similar to those obtained with A6-transformed tobacco cells. Southern blot
      analysis of DNA from the parental teratoma line and one of the variants showed no
      differences in copy number or organization of the oncogenic DNA sequence (T-DNA)
      transferred from the bacterium, indicating that the variant phenotype did not
      result from reversion of the A66 mutation. Radio-immunoassay analysis showed
      similar levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the variants and parental
      teratoma line (3-50 and 38-42 pmol.(gFW)(-1), respectively), whereas an A6
      transformed cell line contained much higher IAA levels (150-1200 pmol.(g FW)(
      1)). Low levels of the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid
      in the variants and the parental teratoma line (<5 nmol.(g FW)(-1)) as compared
      with that found in the A6-transformed line (>100 nmol. (g FW)(-1)) provided
      additional, indirect evidence for low auxin levels in the variant lines. These
      results indicate that crown-gall teratoma tissues of tobacco may switch to the
      unorganized, auxin-sensitive phenotype without an increase in auxin content. 

PMID- 24232661
TI  - Cytokinin effect on branching and bud formation in Funaria.
AB  - Cytokinins have two different effects on protonemata of Funaria hygrometrica.
      They induce branching of unbranched caulonemata and bud formation. Branching
      occurs after treatment with pico-molar concentrations of cytokinins whereas bud
      formation requires micro-molar concentrations. Both processes are therefore
      independently stimulated by cytokinins. 

PMID- 24232662
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24232663
TI  - Predicted organic compounds derived from rare gas atoms and formic acid.
AB  - Organic insertion compounds of rare gas atoms into formic acid were investigated
      at the MP2(full)/aug-cc-pVTZ level. There are two configuration isomers for each
      molecule based on the location of H atoms: trans- and cis-HCOORgH (Rg = Ar, Kr,
      Xe). Their structures, harmonic frequencies, and decomposition energies have been
      calculated using the above ab initio method. Using trans-HCOOXeH as an example,
      natural bond orbital (NBO) and atom-in-molecules (AIM) analyses were also carried
      out to explore the binding nature of the rare gas atoms. The formation mechanism
      of molecular orbitals is also presented in this paper. The presented results
      indicate that HCOOXeH and HCOOKrH are potential candidates for experimental
      observation. 

PMID- 24232664
TI  - IADPSG criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus and predicting
      adverse pregnancy outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy
      Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria versus the American Diabetes Association (ADA)
      criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in China. STUDY
      DESIGN: Overall, 3083 women with a singleton pregnancy underwent a 75-g, 2-h oral
      glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, and both IADPSG and
      ADA criteria were used for GDM diagnosis. Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs),
      including preterm birth, required Cesarean section, preeclampsia, macrosomia and
      low birth weight, were recorded and analyzed. RESULT: IADPSG and ADA criteria
      diagnosed 19.9% and 7.98% of women with GDM, respectively (P<0.001). IADPSG
      criteria has a stronger capacity of predicting APOs than ADA criteria (odds ratio
      (OR)=1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.52-2.25 for IADPSG, and OR=1.54, 95%
      CI: 1.16-2.05 for ADA). CONCLUSION: IADPSG criteria increase GDM diagnosis by
      almost twofold. GDM diagnosed by IADPSG criteria is more associated with APOs,
      although the economic impact needs further evaluation.

PMID- 24232665
TI  - Bach music in preterm infants: no 'Mozart effect' on resting energy expenditure.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study whether Johan Sebastian Bach music has a lowering effect on
      resting energy expenditure (REE) similar to that of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
      music. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial with cross-over in 12
      healthy, appropriate weights for gestational age (GA), gavage fed, metabolically
      stable, preterm infants. Infants were randomized to a 30-min period of either
      Mozart or Bach music or no music over 3 consecutive days. REE was measured every
      minute by indirect calorimetry. RESULT: Three REE measurements were performed in
      each of 12 infants at age 20+/-15.8 days. Mean GA was 30.17+/-2.44 weeks and mean
      birthweight was 1246+/-239 g. REE was similar during the first 10-min of all
      three randomization periods. During the next 10-min period, infants exposed to
      music by Mozart had a trend toward lower REE than when not exposed to music. This
      trend became significant during the third 10-min period. In contrast, music by
      Bach or no music did not affect significantly REE during the whole study. On
      average, the effect size of Mozart music upon REE was a reduction of 7.7% from
      baseline. CONCLUSION: Mozart music significantly lowers REE in preterm infants,
      whereas Bach music has no similar effect. We speculate that 'Mozart effect' must
      be taken into account when incorporating music in the therapy of preterm infants,
      as not all types of music may have similar effects upon REE and growth.

PMID- 24232666
TI  - UGT1A1 gene variants and clinical risk factors modulate hyperbilirubinemia risk
      in newborns.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the contribution of UGT1A1 gene variants and clinical risk
      factors in modulating hyperbilirubinemia risk in newborns. STUDY DESIGN: Seven
      UGT1A1 gene variants and clinical risk factors were studied in 113
      hyperbilirubinemia cases and 218 control newborns. Hyperbilirubinemia was defined
      as the total serum bilirubin levels >95th percentile of the American Academy of
      Pediatrics nomogram. The study population included term (37 to 41 weeks) newborns
      below 2 weeks of age. RESULT: UGT1A1 gene variants, namely, c.211G>A, g.-3279T>G,
      TATA box polymorphism and CAT insertion were identified as independent molecular
      risk factors for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, whereas c.686C>A, c.1091C>T and
      c.1456T>G were not detected in study cohort. Among clinical risk factors,
      excessive weight loss, sepsis and ABO incompatibility emerged as independent risk
      factors. Co-expression of UGT1A1 variants and clinical risk factors further
      accentuated the risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. CONCLUSION: Multiple risk
      factors, whether genetic or clinical, are instrumental in modulating
      hyperbilirubinemia risk in newborns. Disordered bilirubin conjugation through
      interactions of UG1TA1 gene variants contributes to the clinical phenotype of
      neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

PMID- 24232667
TI  - Design and synthesis of pro-apoptotic compounds inspired by diatom oxylipins.
AB  - Oxylipins are a large and diverse family of fatty acid derivatives exhibiting
      different levels of oxidation of the carbon chain. They are involved in many
      biological functions in mammals, plants and diatoms. In this last group of
      organisms, they are suggested to play a role in the reproductive failure of
      copepod predators, showing clear pro-apoptotic effects on newborn nauplii. In
      this work, these compounds were tested for the ability to induce mitotic arrest
      in sea urchin embryos. We show for the first time that oxylipins have an
      increased efficacy in their corresponding methylated form. Natural oxylipins were
      also used as an inspiration for the rational design and synthesis of stable
      chemical analogs with apoptotic activity against tumor cell lines. This approach
      led to the synthesis of the linear C15-ketol (22) that was shown to induce
      apoptosis in human leukemia U-937 cells. These results are proof of the concept
      of the use of eco-physiological considerations as a platform to guide the search
      for novel drug candidates. 

PMID- 24232668
TI  - Antibacterial activity of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids against
      Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - New compounds are needed to treat acne and superficial infections caused by
      Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus due to the reduced
      effectiveness of agents used at present. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
      (LC-PUFAs) are attracting attention as potential new topical treatments for Gram
      positive infections due to their antimicrobial potency and anti-inflammatory
      properties. This present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of
      six LC-PUFAs against P. acnes and S. aureus to evaluate their potential to treat
      infections caused by these pathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were
      determined against P. acnes and S. aureus, and the LC-PUFAs were found to inhibit
      bacterial growth at 32-1024 mg/L. Generally, P. acnes was more susceptible to the
      growth inhibitory actions of LC-PUFAs, but these compounds were bactericidal only
      for S. aureus. This is the first report of antibacterial activity attributed to
      15-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (15-OHEPA) and 15-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid
      (HETrE), while the anti-P. acnes effects of the six LC-PUFAs used herein are
      novel observations. During exposure to the LC-PUFAs, S. aureus cells were killed
      within 15-30 min. Checkerboard assays demonstrated that the LC-PUFAs did not
      antagonise the antimicrobial potency of clinical agents used presently against P.
      acnes and S. aureus. However, importantly, synergistic interactions against S.
      aureus were detected for combinations of benzoyl peroxide with 15-OHEPA, dihomo
      gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and HETrE; and neomycin with 15-OHEPA, DGLA,
      eicosapentaenoic acid, gamma-linolenic acid and HETrE. In conclusion, LC-PUFAs
      warrant further evaluation as possible new agents to treat skin infections caused
      by P. acnes and S. aureus, especially in synergistic combinations with
      antimicrobial agents already used clinically. 

PMID- 24232669
TI  - Improvement of neutral lipid and polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis by
      overexpressing a type 2 diacylglycerol acyltransferase in marine diatom
      Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
AB  - Microalgae have been emerging as an important source for the production of
      bioactive compounds. Marine diatoms can store high amounts of lipid and grow
      quite quickly. However, the genetic and biochemical characteristics of fatty acid
      biosynthesis in diatoms remain unclear. Glycerophospholipids are integral as
      structural and functional components of cellular membranes, as well as precursors
      of various lipid mediators. In addition, diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) is
      a key enzyme that catalyzes the last step of triacylglyceride (TAG) biosynthesis.
      However, a comprehensive sequence-structure and functional analysis of DGAT in
      diatoms is lacking. In this study, an isoform of diacylglycerol acyltransferase
      type 2 of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum was characterized.
      Surprisingly, DGAT2 overexpression in P. tricornutum stimulated more oil bodies,
      and the neutral lipid content increased by 35%. The fatty acid composition showed
      a significant increase in the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids; in
      particular, EPA was increased by 76.2%. Moreover, the growth rate of transgenic
      microalgae remained similar, thereby maintaining a high biomass. Our results
      suggest that increased DGAT2 expression could alter fatty acid profile in the
      diatom, and the results thus represent a valuable strategy for polyunsaturated
      fatty acid production by genetic manipulation. 

PMID- 24232670
TI  - New aQTL SNPs for the CYP2D6 identified by a novel mediation analysis of genome
      wide SNP arrays, gene expression arrays, and CYP2D6 activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been successful
      during the last few years. A key challenge is that the interpretation of the
      results is not straightforward, especially for transacting SNPs. Integration of
      transcriptome data into GWAS may provide clues elucidating the mechanisms by
      which a genetic variant leads to a disease. METHODS: Here, we developed a novel
      mediation analysis approach to identify new expression quantitative trait loci
      (eQTL) driving CYP2D6 activity by combining genotype, gene expression, and enzyme
      activity data. RESULTS: 389,573 and 1,214,416 SNP-transcript-CYP2D6 activity
      trios are found strongly associated (P < 10-5, FDR = 16.6% and 11.7%) for two
      different genotype platforms, namely, Affymetrix and Illumina, respectively. The
      majority of eQTLs are trans-SNPs. A single polymorphism leads to widespread
      downstream changes in the expression of distant genes by affecting major
      regulators or transcription factors (TFs), which would be visible as an eQTL
      hotspot and can lead to large and consistent biological effects. Overlapped eQTL
      hotspots with the mediators lead to the discovery of 64 TFs. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      mediation analysis is a powerful approach in identifying the trans-QTL-phenotype
      associations. It improves our understanding of the functional genetic variations
      for the liver metabolism mechanisms.

PMID- 24232671
TI  - Effect of hemodialysis on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and decreased ocular perfusion
      pressure (OPP) are risk factors for glaucoma development and progression.
      Unrecognized significant IOP elevation or OPP reduction during hemodialysis (HD)
      could lead to glaucomatous optic nerve damage and subsequent visual loss.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in IOP and OPP during HD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in patients
      undergoing HD at an ambulatory care clinic at the University of Illinois at
      Chicago. EXPOSURES: Forty-nine patients (97 eyes) undergoing HD were enrolled.
      Exclusion criteria included preexisting corneal abnormalities, history of corneal
      surgery, allergy to topical anesthetic agents, and current eye infection. Nine
      patients had previous diagnoses of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or suspected
      glaucoma. At 3 time points, IOP was measured using a pneumatonometer and blood
      pressure was recorded. Measurements were made with the patient in a seated
      position approximately 15 minutes before starting HD (T1), approximately 2 hours
      after starting HD (T2), and approximately 15 minutes after ending HD (T3). Mean
      arterial pressure (MAP) and OPP (systolic, diastolic, and mean OPP) were
      calculated. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Intraocular pressure and OPP. RESULTS:
      From T1 to T3, IOP significantly increased by 3.1 mm Hg (both eyes, P < .001),
      MAP significantly decreased by 5.8 mm Hg (P = .05), and all OPP measures
      significantly decreased from baseline (all P <= .02). Using previously reported
      thresholds of increased glaucoma development and progression risk, 53% of the
      right eyes (26 of 49) and 46% of the left eyes (22 of 48) had a systolic OPP of
      101 mm Hg or less, 71% of the right eyes (35 of 49) and 73% of the left eyes (35
      of 48) had a diastolic OPP of 55 mm Hg or less, and 63% of the right eyes (31 of
      49) and 65% of the left eyes (31 of 48) had a mean OPP of 42 mm Hg or less.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Significantly increased IOP and decreased OPP occur
      during HD, bringing both to levels that increase the risk of glaucoma development
      and progression. Clinicians should consider HD history in patients who have
      glaucoma progression, even when IOP has been well controlled. Such patients may
      benefit from IOP and blood pressure monitoring during HD sessions to minimize OPP
      changes resulting from IOP spikes and/or suboptimal blood pressure.

PMID- 24232673
TI  - Effect of auxin on cytodifferentiation and production of quinoline alkaloids in
      compact globular structures of Cinchona ledgeriana.
AB  - Fine cell suspension cultures of Cinchona ledgeriana produce only very low
      amounts of quinoline alkaloids. These cultures formed self-propagating compact
      globular structures (CGS) on medium containing 2,4-D and BAP. These CGS could be
      induced to produce significant amounts of quinoline alkaloids by replacing 2,4-D
      by low amounts of 1-NAA, which was accompanied by histological changes of the
      CGS. A few high producing CGS clones could be selected. The stability of this
      trait was studied over a period of about one year of culture in maintenance
      medium. 

PMID- 24232672
TI  - Neuroendoscopic surgery versus external ventricular drainage alone or with
      intraventricular fibrinolysis for intraventricular hemorrhage secondary to
      spontaneous supratentorial hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although neuroendoscopy (NE) has been applied to many
      cerebral diseases, the effect of NE for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
      secondary to spontaneous supratentorial hemorrhage remains controversial. The
      purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of NE compared with external
      ventricular drainage (EVD) alone or with intraventricular fibrinolysis (IVF) on
      the management of IVH secondary to spontaneous supratentorial hemorrhage.
      METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A systematic search of electronic databases
      (PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CBM, VIP, CNKI, and
      Wan Fang database) was performed to identify related studies published from 1970
      to 2013. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies (OS)
      comparing NE with EVD alone or with IVF for the treatment of IVH were included.
      The quality of the included trials was assessed by Jaded scale and the Newcastle
      Ottawa Scale (NOS). RevMan 5.1 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis.
      RESULTS: Eleven trials (5 RCTs and 6 ORs) involving 680 patients were included.
      The odds ratio (OR) showed a statistically significant difference between the NE
      + EVD and EVD + IVF groups in terms of mortality (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.16-0.59;
      P=0.0004), effective hematoma evacuation rate (OR, 25.50, 95%CI; 14.30, 45.45;
      P<0.00001), good functional outcome (GFO) (OR, 4.51; (95%CI, 2.81-7.72;
      P<0.00001), and the ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt dependence rate (OR, 0.16;
      95%CI; 0.06, 0.40; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Applying neuroendoscopic approach with
      EVD may be a better management for IVH secondary to spontaneous supratentorial
      hemorrhage than NE + IVF. However, there is still no conclusive evidence
      regarding the preference of NE vs. EVD alone in the case of IVH, because
      insufficient data has been published thus far. This study suggests that the NE
      approach with EVD could become an alternative to EVD + IVF for IVH in the future.

PMID- 24232674
TI  - Photosynthetic ability in dark-grown Reboulia hemisphaerica and Barbula
      unguiculata cells in suspension culture.
AB  - Suspension cultured cells of the liverwort, Reboulia hemisphaerica and of the
      moss, Barbula unguiculata were independently subcultured in the medium containing
      2% glucose in the dark or in the light for more than one year, and the
      photosynthetic activities of the final cultures were determined. Throughout the
      culture period light-grown cells of both species contained high amount of
      chlorophyll (4 to 34 MUg mg(-1) dry weight) and showed a high photosynthetic
      activity (10 to 84 MUmol O2 mg(-1) chlorophyll h(-1)). Dark-grown cells of R.
      hemisphaerica showed the same level of chlorophyll content and photosynthetic O2
      evolving activity as light-grown cells. Although chlorophyll content in dark
      grown B. unguiculata cells was ten-fold lower than that in light-grown cells, the
      photosynthetic activity of these dark-grown cells was higher than that of light
      grown cells based on chlorophyll content. 

PMID- 24232675
TI  - Induction of freezing tolerance in microspore-derived embryos of winter Brassica
      napus.
AB  - Freezing tolerance was induced in microspore derived embryos of winter Brassica
      napus cv. Jet neuf by the addition of ABA or mefluidide to the culture media
      during embryogenesis. Survival after freezing was estimated by culture of frozen
      thawed embryos to plantlets. A higher freezing tolerance (50% survival at -15
      degrees C) was induced when 50 MUM ABA or 3.2 MUM mefluidide was incorporated
      initially into the medium during embryogenesis at 25 degrees C followed by
      culture at 2 degrees C for 3 weeks. When embryos were induced in the absence of
      ABA or mefluidide and maintained at 2 degrees C for even as long as 12 weeks a
      lower degree of freezing tolerance (10% survival at -15 degrees C) was obtained.
      Plants regenerated from embryos hardened maximally by a combination of either ABA
      or MFD with low temperature did not require further vernalization for flowering. 

PMID- 24232676
TI  - Protoplast production in Chondrus crispus gametophytes (gigartinales,
      rhodophyta).
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from female gametophytes of Chondrus crispus (Stackh.)
      using commercial cellulase and various carrageenases prepared from marine
      bacteria. Depending on the nature of the donor tissue (apices or whole thallus,
      wild or cultivated strains), yields ranged from 1.0-8.5*10(8) protoplasts per
      gram of fresh tissue. Preincubating the tissue with a potassium chelator,
      Kryptofix 222, enhanced protoplast yields by 30-50 %. Based on staining with
      fluorescein diacetate most protoplasts were viable. A few protoplasts regenerated
      a cell wall and divided. 

PMID- 24232677
TI  - Transformation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) via particle bombardment.
AB  - Embryogenic suspension cultures of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were subjected
      to particle bombardment, where high density particles carrying plasmid DNA were
      accelerated towards the embryogenic plant cells. The plasmid DNA coating the
      particles encoded hygromycin resistance. One to two weeks following bombardment,
      embryogenic cotton cells were placed in proliferation medium containing 100
      MUg/ml hygromycin. Clumps of tissue which grew in the presence of hygromycin were
      subcultured at low density into fresh hygromycin-containing proliferation medium.
      Following sequential transfer of embryogenic tissue to development and then
      germination media, plants were recovered from transgenic embryogenic tissue.
      Southern hybridization confirmed the presence of the hygromycin resistance gene
      in embryogenic suspension culture tissue and regenerated plants. 

PMID- 24232678
TI  - Oat mesophyll protoplasts: their response to various feeder cultures.
AB  - Oat (Avena sativa L.) mesophyll protoplasts were recently demonstrated to be
      capable of dedifferentiation, repeated divisions, and colony formation. Since the
      development of oat mesophyll protoplasts is decisively influenced by the nature
      of the used feeder culture (species, variety and concentration), we conducted a
      systematic study of this parameter. Generally, graminaceous feeders promoted
      protoplast proliferation, while dicot species repressed protoplast divisions. The
      beneficial effect of those feeders that promote divisions was counterbalanced by
      a factor that causes necrosis. The correct balance between promotion of divisions
      or necrosis depended on the nature of the feeder and its plating density. 

PMID- 24232679
TI  - Effects of culture density, conditioned medium and feeder cultures on microspore
      embryogenesis in Brassica napus L. cv. Topas.
AB  - In microspore cultures of Brassica napus L. cv. Topas, embryo yield increases
      with culture density up to about 40,000 microspores per ml. A much higher density
      (100,000 per ml) appears inhibitory to embryogenesis. A relatively high culture
      density (30,000 or 40,000 per ml) for the first 2-4 days of culture is crucial
      for embryogenesis, after which cultures may be diluted to allow better embryo
      growth.Medium conditioned by culturing microspores at 30,000 or 40,000 per ml for
      1 day improved microspore-embryo yield in low density cultures (3,000 or 4,000
      per ml) more than 3-fold. In contrast, media conditioned with microspores from 1
      4 days or 0-4 days of culture were inhibitory.Use of feeder cultures resulted in
      up to 10-fold increase of embryo yield in low density microspore cultures,
      depending on the method used. Filter papers and other membranes placed on top of
      feeders greatly inhibited embryogenesis in the feeder layer as well as
      microspores cultured on the feeder, possibly due to poorer gaseous exchange. 

PMID- 24232680
TI  - Role of inhibitors in the induction of differentiation in callus cultures of
      Brassica, Datura and Nicotiana.
AB  - The effect of various inhibitors on differentiation (shoot morphogenesis) in
      callus cultures of Brassica, Datura and Nicotiana has been investigated. Hormone
      medium without any inhibitor (control), resulted in 6% shoot formation. Addition
      of inhibitors such as actinomycin D, cordycepin, abscisic acid, trigonelline and
      theophylline greatly enhanced shoot formation. The results suggest that
      inhibitors play a regulatory role in the control of differentiation. 

PMID- 24232681
TI  - Production of terpenes by differentiated shoot cultures of Mentha citrata
      transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens T37.
AB  - Crown gall initiation on Mentha * piperita var. citrata (Ehrh.) Briq. (mint) was
      investigated using a range of wild type and mutant strains of Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens. Axenic transformed shoot cultures of Mentha 'citrata' were
      established on plant stems inoculated with the nopaline strain T37 of
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The presence of T-DNA in the transformed tissues and
      the absence of bacterial contamination was established by Southern Blot
      hybridisation, using (32)P labelled fragments of the T-DNA and virulence region
      of the Ti plasmid as probes. The shoot cultures synthesised a mint oil fraction
      which contained the major terpenes characteristic of the parent plant in
      quantities similar to those found in intact tissue. Oil glands were observed to
      be present on the leaves of the transformed culture using scanning electron
      microscopy. 

PMID- 24232682
TI  - Embryogenic and non-embryogenic cell lines of Daucus carota cloned from
      meristematic cell clusters: relation with cell ploidy determined by flow
      cytometry.
AB  - The presence of totipotent and non-totipotent cells in embryogenic carrot cell
      suspension cultures was examined by cloning of cell microclusters. Forty clones
      were isolated and the distribution of their embryogenic potential was studied.
      Nonembryogenic, weakly and highly embryogenic cell lines were selected. After one
      year of subculture a second cloning round showed that the highly embryogenic and
      the non-embryogenic cell lines were homogenous and stable. A measurement of
      ploidy levels of clones by flow cytometry showed that the embryogenic clones were
      all diploid whereas the non-embryogenic were diploid or tetraploid. Hence, for
      our strain, there was a strict relationship between the tetraploid state and the
      inability to produce somatic embryos. 

PMID- 24232683
TI  - In vitro propagation of shoot buds of Carica papaya L. (caricaceae) var. Honey
      Dew.
AB  - Shoot buds from the saplings and the fruit bearing plants of Carica papaya L..
      var. Honey Dew (papaya) initially treated with Gentamycin were cultured in
      modified MS media, each with a different hormonal combination, for the
      establishment of cultures and multiplication and rooting of plants. About 43% of
      explants from fruit bearing plants and 69% of those from saplings remained free
      of contamination and retained regeneration capacity when treated in 500 mg/l
      Gentamycin. For the establishment of the explants a medium containing 1 mg/l GA3
      and 2 mg/l kinetin was necessary. When established buds were transferred to
      medium containing 1 mg/l NAA and 3 mg/l kinetin, calli were initiated at cut ends
      of shoot buds; multiplication started on transfer to NAA (0.1 mg/l) and BAP (0.5
      mg/l) medium. Cultures have been maintained for the last twenty months without
      any loss in multiplication rate. Rooting was induced in medium with reduced salt
      concentration containing 2 mg/l IBA. Shoot elongation was induced after prolonged
      culture in the same rooting medium. 

PMID- 24232684
TI  - Purification of acetyl-CoA: 17-O-deacetylvindoline 17-O-acetyltransferase from
      Catharanthus roseus leaves.
AB  - The enzyme acetyl-CoA: 17-O-deacetylvindoline 17-O-acetyltransferase which
      terminates vindoline biosynthesis has been isolated from Catharanthus roseus
      leaves, further characterized and purified to homogeneity by three step column
      chromatography and subsequent preparative isoelectric focusing. Kinetic
      properties concerning the enzyme reaction are discussed. Five multiple forms of
      the acetyl-transferase could be observed, each consisting of two subunits. This
      enzyme is now the best characterized of the enzymes involved in vindoline
      biosynthesis. 

PMID- 24232685
TI  - Increased capsaicin content in PFP-resistant cells of chili pepper (Capsicum
      annuum L.).
AB  - Cell suspensions of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were subjected to a
      selection process on semisolid medium containing the amino acid analog p
      fluorophenylalanine (PFP). Four cell lines with different degrees of resistance
      were selected and suspension cultures were established from each of them.
      Resistance was retained even after 75 days of culture in the absence of PFP. PFP
      resistant cell lines accumu lated higher levels of capsaicin than sensitive lines
      even after prolonged culture in PFP-free medium. Capsaicin production in non
      selected cells was only 26.8% of that found in one cell line resistant to 500 MUM
      PFP. The capsaicin content in the non-selected cell suspension and in one of the
      resis tant cell lines was 6.7% and 24.9% respectively, that of fruits. 

PMID- 24232686
TI  - Delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta5-Delta4-ketosteroid isomerase
      (3beta-HSD), a possible enzyme of cardiac glycoside biosynthesis, in cell
      cultures and plants of Digitalis lanata EHRH.
AB  - The in vitro transformation of pregnenolone into progesterone in Digitalis lanata
      tissues was shown to be catalyzed by a 3beta-hydroxysteroid
      dehydrogenase/ketosteroid isomerase (3beta-HSD). Product formation was monitored
      by HPLC. The enzyme could be partially characterized and 3beta-HSD activities
      were measured in various Digitalis lanata tissues and in cell cultures of other
      plant species. Since no correlation was observed between biosynthetic competence
      of the tissue and 3beta-HSD activity, it was concluded that this enzyme does not
      play a major role in regulating cardenolide biosynthesis. 

PMID- 24232687
TI  - Regeneration of plants from achenes and petals of Chrysanthemum coccineum.
AB  - Achenes and petals of Chrysanthemum coccineum were cultured on MS and White
      medium supplemented with BA and NAA or 2,4-D. Without being transferred, shoots
      were formed directly and immediately after callus formation on the surface of the
      achene walls and from the cut ends of the petals. High concentracions of BA and
      NAA supported the callus induction and shoot formation, but higher concentrations
      of 2,4-D inhibited shoot formation. The shoots obtained from both explants formed
      roots when transferred to hormone-free medium and they could be transplanted to
      soil for further growth. The regenerated plants contained as much pyrethrins as
      the original plants. 

PMID- 24232688
TI  - Isolated microspore culture of maize: effects of isolation technique, reduced
      temperature, and sucrose level.
AB  - Improvements in ab initio microspore culture of maize are presented using a
      modified isolation technique, reduced temperature during early stages of culture,
      and an elevated sucrose level in the culture medium. Blending-isolation, using
      excised anthers, was less stressful on microspores than pressing anthers against
      a stainless steel sieve and resulted in a 3-fold increase in the yield of embryo
      like structures (ELS). Exposure to reduced temperature (15 degrees C) during the
      first 4 days of culture improved microspore viability and increased by 2-fold the
      number of ELS produced. Higher levels of sucrose (8.0-9.5%) also resulted in
      improved response. Maximum yield in the present study was 92 ELS per 100 anther
      equivalents, exceeding previously reported values of 15 ELS per 100 anther
      equivalents for ab initio microspore culture of maize. The increase in the total
      number ELS produced had no observable effect on their quality as evidenced by the
      frequency of formation of callus capable of regenerating plants. 

PMID- 24232689
TI  - A new technique for the culture of fern gametophytes.
AB  - Fern gametophytes initiated from spores grew successfully when immobilised in
      reticulate polyurethane foam in liquid shake cultures. Colonisation of this
      matrix was complete seven days after medium inoculation and appeared to be a
      completely passive process. Yield (dry weight) was greater than that from liquid
      grown cultures. 

PMID- 24232690
TI  - Extramedullary plasmacytoma of median and sural nerve.

PMID- 24232691
TI  - Importance of family/social support and impact on adherence to diabetic therapy.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus affects 24 million individuals in the US. In order to manage
      their diabetes successfully, patients must adhere to treatment regimens that
      include dietary restrictions, physical activity goals, and self-monitoring of
      glucose levels. Numerous factors affect patients' ability to adhere properly, eg,
      self-efficacy, treatment expectations, health beliefs, and lack of social
      support. Consequently, diabetes management can be quite complex, requiring
      lifelong commitment and drastic changes to the patient's lifestyle. Empirical
      studies have shown positive and significant relationships between social support
      and treatment adherence among patients with diabetes. Social support from family
      provides patients with practical help and can buffer the stresses of living with
      illness. However, the exact mechanism by which social support affects patient
      adherence is not yet completely understood. Further research is needed to address
      how the differences in types of support, such as functional or emotional support,
      are linked to outcomes for patients. The purpose of this review is to summarize
      what is known of the impact of social and family support on treatment adherence
      in patients with diabetes and to explore the current methods and interventions
      used to facilitate family support for diabetic patients. 

PMID- 24232692
TI  - Enhancement of non-invasive recording of electroenterogram by means of a flexible
      array of concentric ring electrodes.
AB  - Monitoring intestinal myoelectrical activity by electroenterogram (EEnG) would be
      of great clinical interest for diagnosing gastrointestinal pathologies and
      disorders. However, surface EEnG recordings are of very low amplitude and can be
      severely affected by baseline drifts and respiratory and electrocardiographic
      (ECG) interference. In this work, a flexible array of concentric ring electrodes
      was developed and tested to determine whether it can provide surface EEnG signals
      of better quality than bipolar recordings from conventional disc electrodes. With
      this aim, sixteen healthy subjects in a fasting state (>8 h) underwent recording.
      The capability of detecting intestinal pacemaker activity (slow wave) and the
      influence of physiological interferences were studied. The signals obtained from
      the concentric ring electrodes proved to be more robust to ECG and respiratory
      interference than those from conventional disc electrodes. The results also show
      that intestinal EEnG components such as the slow wave can be more easily
      identified by the proposed system based on a flexible array of concentric ring
      electrodes. The developed active electrode array could be a very valuable tool
      for non-invasive diagnosis of disease states such as ischemia and motility
      disorders of the small bowel which are known to alter the normal enteric slow
      wave activity.

PMID- 24232693
TI  - Discovery of retinal elastin and its possible role in age-related macular
      degeneration.
AB  - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) etiology is unknown, but its association
      to atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) has been observed. Since elastin plays
      an important role in the atherosclerotic process, to understand ASVD and AMD's
      relationship we examined retinal elastin existence, elastin amount and vessel
      properties among normal subjects, mild AMD patients, moderate-to severe AMD
      patients, and ASVD patients (n = 20). One eye per donor was assigned to enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay for quantifying the retinal elastin amount. The rest
      were assigned to mechanical test for examining the retinal vessel properties.
      Additionally, two normal human and two porcine eyes were acquired in
      immunohistochemistry for locating the retinal elastin. We found that elastin
      presented in the human and porcine retinal vessels at the basement membranes.
      3.73 +/- 0.55% of the normal retinal tissues were elastin. Elastin decrease,
      tissue-weight increase, and vessel hardening and in elasticity (p<0.05) were
      observed in the retina of patients with ASVD and only moderate-to-severe (i.e.,
      not mild) AMD. Most moderate-to-severe AMD patients also happened to have ASVD.
      The results suggest that ASVD is unlikely the cause of AMD, but it is perhaps a
      factor that aggravates the condition through mechanism associated with retinal
      vessel abnormality.

PMID- 24232694
TI  - Drug-loaded nanoparticles induce gene expression in human pluripotent stem cell
      derivatives.
AB  - Tissue engineering and advanced manufacturing of human stem cells requires a
      suite of tools to control gene expression spatiotemporally in culture. Inducible
      gene expression systems offer cell-extrinsic control, typically through addition
      of small molecules, but small molecule inducers typically contain few functional
      groups for further chemical modification. Doxycycline (DXC), a potent small
      molecule inducer of tetracycline (Tet) transgene systems, was conjugated to a
      hyperbranched dendritic polymer (Boltorn H40) and subsequently reacted with
      polyethylene glycol (PEG). The resulting PEG-H40-DXC nanoparticle exhibited pH
      sensitive drug release behavior and successfully controlled gene expression in
      stem-cell-derived fibroblasts with a Tet-On system. While free DXC inhibited
      fibroblast proliferation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, PEG-H40-DXC
      nanoparticles maintained higher fibroblast proliferation levels and MMP activity.
      The results demonstrate that the PEG-H40-DXC nanoparticle system provides an
      effective tool to controlling gene expression in human stem cell derivatives. 

PMID- 24232695
TI  - A rare synovial sarcoma of the spine in the thoracic vertebral body.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Synovial sarcomas of the spine are very rare, most rare of which
      was occurring in the thoracic vertebral body. The diagnosis of synovial sarcomas
      was very difficult. It depends on the radiological examination,
      immunohistochemical examination and gene examination. The best treatment to them
      was completely surgical resection with negative margins. Other treatments such as
      radiation therapy and chemotherapy were just adjuvant. The prognosis of synovial
      sarcomas was disappointing. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old male patient had low
      back pain. The radiological examination showed bony erosion of the T7 vertebral
      body and no soft tissue mass around the spine. He underwent T7 resection en bloc
      and internal fixation with two levels above T7 and two levels below T7. Then
      histopathological and gene examination revealed high malignant synovial sarcoma.
      So he was treated by chemotherapy and external beam radiation therapy after
      surgery. CONCLUSION: Primary vertebral body synovial sarcoma is very rare and
      difficult to diagnose and treat.

PMID- 24232696
TI  - Clinical features and determinants of COPD exacerbation in the Hokkaido COPD
      cohort study.
AB  - Exacerbations are among the major factors that may affect the natural history of
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim was to investigate the
      clinical characteristics and determinants of COPD exacerbations in our 5-year
      observational cohort study which had a very low exacerbation frequency. A total
      of 279 patients with COPD participated in the Hokkaido COPD cohort study, and 268
      subjects who had clinical data for multiple visits were analysed. Exacerbation
      was defined in multiple ways: the patient's subjective complaint, symptom
      definition, requiring prescription change, requiring antibiotic treatment, or
      requiring hospital admission. Exacerbation frequency (events per person per year)
      was 0.78 +/- 1.16, 0.24 +/- 0.47, 0.20 +/- 0.43, 0.13 +/- 0.28 and 0.06 +/- 0.19
      for subjective complaint and symptom, prescription, antibiotic and hospital
      admission definitions, respectively. Exacerbation events did not significantly
      affect the annual decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s. A high St George's
      Respiratory Questionnaire total score, especially activity score, and a low body
      mass index were strongly associated with exacerbation-free survival, exacerbation
      frequency and development of recurrent exacerbations. Despite the low
      exacerbation frequency in our cohort, impaired health-related quality of life and
      weight loss were found to be independent risk factors for COPD exacerbations.

PMID- 24232697
TI  - Multidimensional approach to non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: the FACED score.
AB  - Bronchiectasis is a multidimensional disease and, therefore, its severity or
      prognosis cannot be adequately quantified by analysing one single variable. The
      objective of the present study was to develop a multidimensional score that
      classifies the severity of bronchiectasis according to its prognosis. This is an
      observational multicentre study including 819 patients diagnosed with non-cystic
      fibrosis bronchiectasis using high-resolution computed tomography. 397 subjects
      were selected at random to construct the score while the remaining 422 were used
      for its validation. The outcome was 5-year all-cause mortality after radiological
      diagnosis. A logistic regression analysis was used to select the variables
      included in the final score. The final seven-point score incorporated five
      dichotomised variables: forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted (F, cut-off
      50%, maximum value 2 points); age (A, cut-off 70 years, maximum value 2 points);
      presence of chronic colonisation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (C, dichotomic,
      maximum value 1 point); radiological extension (E, number of lobes affected, cut
      off two lobes, maximum value 1 point); and dyspnoea (D, cut-off grade II on the
      Medical Research Council scale, maximum value 1 point) to construct the FACED
      score. The validation cohort confirmed the score's validity. We conclude that
      this easy-to-use multidimensional grading system proved capable of accurately
      classifying the severity of bronchiectasis according to its prognosis. 

PMID- 24232698
TI  - LUNOKID: can numerical American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society
      quality criteria replace visual inspection of spirometry?
AB  - The gold standard for assessing quality of forced expiratory manoeuvres is visual
      inspection by an expert. American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society
      numerical quality criteria (NQC) include back-extrapolated volume (BEV),
      repeatability and forced expiratory time (FET). Equipment currently available
      provides feedback tempting the investigator to use NQC as pass-fail criterion. To
      investigate whether using NQC instead of visual acceptability is a valid option,
      we analysed data from a multicentre national reference study in Germany of
      children aged 4-18 years. Spirometry was performed under field conditions.
      Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to assess performance of BEV,
      repeatability, FET and a combination thereof in relation to visual acceptability.
      We included data from 3133 healthy Caucasians in the analyses; 72% delivered at
      least two visually acceptable manoeuvres. Of these, 59% would have been rejected
      based on combined NQC, mainly because the FET criterion was not feasible.
      Specificity of the NQC was generally low (BEV 10%, repeatability 30% and FET
      50%). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that a combination of the
      three measures could reach at best a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 56%.
      We conclude that visual control is mandatory and NQC may help obtain the best
      possible results, but a fixed cut-off for FET should be abandoned. 

PMID- 24232699
TI  - Effects of apolipoprotein E genotype on serum lipids in obstructive sleep apnoea.
AB  - There is increasing evidence that intermittent hypoxia resulting from obstructive
      sleep apnoea (OSA) is independently associated with dyslipidaemia. Currently, no
      data exist on potential links between OSA-related dyslipidaemia and
      susceptibility genes for dyslipidaemia in such patients. Our aim was to study the
      effects of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and sleep apnoea severity on
      atherogenic dyslipidaemia in patients with OSA. 519 clinically stable subjects
      prospectively recruited at a tertiary referral teaching hospital underwent full
      polysomnography. APOE gene polymorphisms were assessed using real-time PCR. In
      all APOE genotype groups, serum triglycerides increased while high-density
      lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was reduced with increasing severity of OSA in each
      APOE genotype group, whereas the deleterious effects of OSA on serum
      apolipoprotein (Apo)B levels were observed in epsilon2 carriers and the
      epsilon3/epsilon3 genotype only. Nevertheless, the epsilon4 allele carriers had
      ApoB levels within the risk range, irrespective of nocturnal hypoxia. In
      addition, among patients with the high-risk epsilon4 genotype, those with the
      most severe nocturnal hypoxia had significantly higher triglyceride and lower HDL
      cholesterol levels compared with nonhypoxic epsilon4 subjects. APOE genotype and
      the oxygen desaturation index were both independent predictors of serum
      triglyceride levels (p=0.009 and p<0.001, respectively; R(2)=0.148) and ApoB
      levels (p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively; R(2)=0.104). Our findings suggest that
      OSA has adverse effects on several lipid parameters over and above the effects
      carried by APOE genotype. Further st1udies are needed to analyse the effects of
      high-risk genotypes on metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with
      OSA.

PMID- 24232700
TI  - Bronchial valve treatment for pulmonary air leak after anatomical lung resection
      for cancer.
AB  - A persistent post-operative pulmonary expiratory air leak after an anatomical
      pulmonary resection is usually managed conservatively, but can be associated with
      significant morbidity and increased costs. The use of bronchial valves is a
      minimally invasive method that may be an effective and safe treatment in this
      setting. In a prospective study, the clinical efficacy of intrabronchial valve
      treatment in patients with a prolonged persistent pulmonary air leak after
      anatomical surgical resection for cancer was investigated. 10 out of 277 patients
      with anatomical pulmonary resection for cancer were included, and 90% were
      scheduled for valve treatment. We demonstrated an air leak cessation at a median
      of 2 days after valve placement, which resulted in chest tube removal at a median
      of 4 days after valve placement. Elective removal of the intrabronchial valves
      could be safely planned 3 weeks after valve implantation. Lung function
      alteration associated with airway occlusion by valves was limited. Intrabronchial
      valve treatment with the aid of a digital thoracic drainage system is an
      effective and safe therapy for patients with a prolonged pulmonary air leak after
      anatomical lung resection for cancer.

PMID- 24232701
TI  - Effects of weight loss on asthma control in obese patients with severe asthma.
AB  - Studies on the effects of weight loss in patients with asthma are scarce. No
      studies have been performed in patients with severe asthma. Therefore, the aim of
      the present study was to assess the impact of weight loss in patients with severe
      asthma associated with obesity. This was an open, prospective, randomised study
      of two parallel groups, in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma and moderate
      obesity. The primary outcome was the level of asthma control 6 months after
      initiation of the weight reduction programme, quantified using the Asthma Control
      Questionnaire (ACQ). We evaluated clinical parameters, lung function, markers of
      airway inflammation and circulating cytokines. 22 patients were randomised to
      undergo treatment for obesity and 11 to the control group. The weight reduction
      programme was associated with significant improvements in asthma control (mean +/
      se ACQ score 3.02 +/- 0.19 to 2.25 +/- 0.28 in the treatment group versus 2.91
      +/- 0.25 to 2.90 +/- 0.16 in the controls, p=0.001). This improvement was not
      accompanied by changes in markers of airway inflammation or bronchial reactivity,
      but by an increase in forced vital capacity. Our results suggest that weight
      reduction in obese patients with severe asthma improves asthma outcomes by
      mechanisms not related to airway inflammation.

PMID- 24232702
TI  - emPHasis-10: development of a health-related quality of life measure in pulmonary
      hypertension.
AB  - The aim of this study was to develop a measure of the impact of pulmonary
      hypertension (PH) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as there is a need
      for a short, validated instrument that can be used in routine clinical practice.
      Interviews were conducted with 30 PH patients to derive 32 statements, which were
      presented as a semantic differential six-point scale (0-5), with contrasting
      adjectives at each end. This item list was completed by patients attending PH
      clinics across the UK and Ireland. Rasch analysis was applied to identify items
      fitting a uni-dimensional model. 226 patients (mean age 55.6+/-14 years; 70%
      female) with PH (82% had pulmonary arterial hypertension) completed the study
      questionnaires. 10 of the 32 items demonstrated fit to the Rasch model (Chi
      squared 16; p>0.05) and generated the emPHasis-10 questionnaire. Test-retest
      (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.95, n=33) and internal consistency
      (Chronbach's alpha=0.9) were strong. emPHasis-10 scores correlated consistently
      with other relevant measures and discriminated subgroups of patients stratified
      by World Health Organization functional class (ANOVA F=1.73; p<0.001). The
      emPHasis-10 is a short questionnaire for assessing HRQoL in pulmonary arterial
      hypertension. It has excellent measurement properties and is sensitive to
      differences in relevant clinical parameters. It is freely available for clinical
      and academic use.

PMID- 24232703
TI  - Severe pulmonary embolism decreases plasma L-arginine.

PMID- 24232704
TI  - Proinflammatory cytokine levels are linked to death in pulmonary arterial
      hypertension.

PMID- 24232705
TI  - Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is associated with subacute cough.

PMID- 24232706
TI  - Inspiratory resistance decreases limb blood flow in COPD patients with heart
      failure.

PMID- 24232707
TI  - Role of activin-A in cigarette smoke-induced inflammation and COPD.
AB  - Activin-A is a pleiotropic cytokine belonging to the transforming growth factor
      beta superfamily and has been implicated in asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.
      However, the role of activin-A and its endogenous inhibitor, follistatin, in the
      pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown. We first
      quantified activin-A and follistatin in the lungs of air- or cigarette smoke
      exposed mice and in the lungs of patients with COPD by immunohistochemistry,
      ELISA and quantitative real-time PCR. We subsequently studied the effect of
      cigarette smoke on primary human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. Next,
      activin-A signalling was antagonised in vivo by administration of follistatin in
      mice exposed to air or cigarette smoke for 4 weeks. Protein levels of activin-A
      were increased in the airway epithelium of patients with COPD compared with never
      smokers and smokers. Cigarette smoke-exposed human bronchial epithelial cells
      expressed higher levels of activin-A and lower levels of follistatin. Both mRNA
      and protein levels of activin-A were increased in the lungs of cigarette smoke
      exposed mice, whereas follistatin levels were reduced upon cigarette smoke
      exposure. Importantly, administration of follistatin attenuated the cigarette
      smoke-induced increase of inflammatory cells and mediators in the bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluid in mice. These results suggest that an imbalance between activin-A
      and follistatin contributes to the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke-induced
      inflammation and COPD.

PMID- 24232708
TI  - Asthma affects time to pregnancy and fertility: a register-based twin study.
AB  - Coexistence of infertility and asthma has been observed clinically. Therefore, we
      investigated the association between asthma and delayed pregnancy in a nationwide
      population-based cohort of twins. A cohort of 15 250 twins living in Denmark
      (aged 12-41 years) participated in a questionnaire study including questions
      about the presence of asthma and fertility. Differences in time to pregnancy and
      pregnancy outcome were analysed in subjects with asthma, allergy and in healthy
      individuals using multiple regression analysis. Asthma was associated with an
      increased time to pregnancy, the percentage of asthmatics with a time to
      pregnancy >1 year was 27% versus 21.6% for non-asthmatics (OR (95% CI) 1.31 (1.1
      1.6); p=0.009). The association remained significant after adjustment for age,
      age at menarche, body mass index and socioeconomic status (OR (95% CI) 1.25 (1.0
      1.6); p=0.05), and was more pronounced in those >30 years of age (32.2% versus
      24.9%, OR (95% CI) 1.44 (1.1-1.9); p=0.04). Untreated asthmatics had a
      significant increased risk of prolonged time to pregnancy compared to healthy
      individuals (OR (95% CI) 1.79 (1.20-2.66); p=0.004), while asthmatics receiving
      any kind of treatment for asthma tended to have a shorter time to pregnancy than
      untreated asthmatics (OR 1.40; p=0.134). Asthma prolongs time to pregnancy. The
      negative effect of asthma on fertility increases with age and with disease
      intensity, indicating that a systemic disease characterised by systemic
      inflammation also can involve reproductive processes.

PMID- 24232709
TI  - Artificial insertion of a dominant gene for resistance to avian leukosis virus
      into the germ line of the chicken.
AB  - This report describes the unique biological properties of a transgenic chicken
      line that contains a defective avian leukosis virus (ALV) proviral insert that we
      call alv6. Chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) containing this insert express subgroup
      A envelope glycoprotein since they yield focus-forming pseudotype virus when co
      cultivated with transformed quail cells expressing envelope-defective Bryan high
      liter Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). In addition, these cells display high
      interference to subgroup A RSV but not to subgroup B RSV infection. Chickens
      containing this insert are highly resistant to pathogenic subgroup A ALV
      infection, but show little immunological tolerance to subgroup B ALV infection.
      Thus we have artificially inserted a dominant gene for resistance to avian
      leukosis infection into the chicken germ line. 

PMID- 24232710
TI  - Phenotypic and karyotypic status of Beta vulgaris plants regenerated from direct
      organogenesis in petiole culture.
AB  - A method for high frequency in vitro regeneration from petiole explants was
      tested on nine breeding lines of Beta vulgaris L. from the haploid, diploid and
      tetraploid levels. Regenerants could be obtained without a callus step, from
      excised petioles derived either from axillary buds sprouted in vitro or from
      field grown plants, by plating the explants on MS medium supplemented with TIBA
      (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid) and BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine). The multiple shoots
      obtained were then rooted in vitro and transferred to soil. In some cases, these
      adventitious shoots were also used as a petiole explant source for further
      petiole culture cycles, and the phenotypic characteristics and ploidy status of
      the regenerants were investigated after one or three petiole culture cycles.
      Conventional shoot apex culture was used as an in vitro control. Phenotypic
      variations such as differences in morphology and changes in in vitro growth
      behaviour, were noticed. Chloroplast and chromosome counts indicated that the
      alterations in morphogenetic pathway could not be explained by the occurrence of
      gross cytogenetic abnormalities such as aneuploidy or myxoploidy. Our results
      suggest that the altered morphology is caused by the presence of the exogenous
      antiauxin (TIBA) during the in vitro phase. Following transfer to the greenhouse,
      none of these variations persisted and cytogenetic analyses revealed karyotypic
      stability in all the plants studied, even after three petiole culture cycles. An
      assessment of the in vitro petiole culture method as a true-to-type
      multiplication method for Beta vulgaris is made. 

PMID- 24232711
TI  - Transfection of germinating barley seed electrophoretically with exogenous DNA.
AB  - A method is described for transfection (genetic transformation) of barley
      caryopsis electrophoretically with DNA. beta-Glucuronidase activity was detected
      after the electrophoretic transfection with plasmid pBI221 DNA carrying the
      cauliflower mosaic virus promotor and bacterial beta-glucuronidase coding
      sequence. Electrophoretic transfection is evidently effective with pieces of
      callus and seeds of many plants. 

PMID- 24232712
TI  - Accuracy and selection success in yield trial analyses.
AB  - Yield trials serve research purposes of estimation and selection. Order
      statistics are used here to quantify the successes or problems to be expected in
      selection tasks commonly encountered in breeding and agronomy. Greater accuracy
      of yield estimates implies greater selection success. A New York soybean yield
      trial serves as a specific example. The Additive Main effects and Multiplicative
      Interaction (AMMI) statistical model is used to increase the accuracy of these
      soybean yield estimates, thereby increasing the probability of successfully
      selecting, on the basis of the empirical yield data, that genotype which has the
      maximum true mean. The statistical strategy for increasing accuracy is extremely
      cost effective relative to the alternative strategy of increasing the number of
      replications. Better selections increase the speed and effectiveness of breeding
      programs, and increase the reliability of variety recommendations. Selection
      tasks are frequently more difficult than may be suspected. 

PMID- 24232713
TI  - Cellular genetic study of a somatic instability in a tobacco mutant: in vitro
      isolation of valine-resistant spontaneous mutants.
AB  - A chlorophyll-deficient mutant line of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), named tl,
      displays spontaneously on leaves green, white, and twinned green/white somatic
      variations at high frequencies (10(-3) to 10(-2)). The frequency of cell events
      leading to the somatic variations has been shown to be closely dependent on the
      stage of differentiation of cells during plant development. The activity of
      transposable elements is suspected in the tl genotype, and a study of its
      mutagenic ability was performed by selecting in vitro new mutant cellular types.
      The cellular marker chosen was the resistance to toxic doses of valine conferred
      by a permeation deficiency. A reproducible method allowing efficient selection of
      valine-resistant mutant clones from haploid tobacco mesophyll protoplast-derived
      cells was used. In 10 out of 12 experiments, the frequency of spontaneous valine
      resistant clones obtained with the wild-type control was null for cell
      populations tested to the 10(6). On the other hand, spontaneous valine-resistant
      clones were repeatedly isolated at variable and sometimes high frequencies
      (greater than 10(-3)) from cell populations of the tl type. Valine resistance of
      plants regenerated from these clones was transmitted to the progeny as a single
      monogenic mutation. These results indicate an increased mutagenic ability of the
      tl genotype, as compared to the wild-type line. 

PMID- 24232714
TI  - Inheritance patterns of erucic acid content in populations of Brassica napus
      microspore-derived spontaneous diploids.
AB  - The levels of erucic acid and other fatty acids in seeds of microspore-derived
      spontaneous diploid plants from crosses between low and high erucic acid parents
      were examined. The analysis confirmed that erucic acid is simply inherited and is
      determined by two genes that act in an additive manner. The effects of the genes
      for erucic acid on the levels of the other fatty acids was also determined and
      many significant correlations were found. In particular, erucic acid levels were
      negatively correlated with oleic acid and linoleic acid levels. The study also
      illustrates several advantages of using haploidy to analyze the inheritance of
      agronomically important traits. In particular, the number of phenotypic classes
      is smaller in androgenic populations and differences between classes are greater
      than in an F2 population. 

PMID- 24232715
TI  - Multivariate analyses of polypeptide synthesis in developing maize embryos.
AB  - Variation in polypeptide synthesis was examined in developing maize embryos of
      two inbred and two hybrid genotypes. Multivariate analyses were used to evaluate
      the variation among two-dimensional, electrophoretic separations of polypeptides.
      Several features of the data set were revealed. Similar developmental patterns
      were exhibited by all genotypes and no evidence was obtained for differential
      rates of development for inbreds and hybrids. The differential synthesis of two
      subsets of polypeptides during embryo development was observed. The multivariate
      methods employed in this study were a valuable aid in interpreting the results
      from a large and complex data set. 

PMID- 24232716
TI  - Optimization of recurrent selection on the phenotypic value of doubled haploid
      lines.
AB  - Three methods of recurrent selection using doubled haploids (DH) are compared
      with the same resources: individual line selection (with one DH line per plant),
      selection between and within families, and selection index of family and line
      within family values. It seems that for low heritabilities at the individual
      level, the selection index method is the most efficient method, followed by the
      selection between and within families. Because of the difficulty in optimizing
      selection intensities, the selection between and within families can be less
      efficient than individual line selection. For very low heritabilities, it will be
      better to use selection index with a relatively low number of lines per
      haploidized plant, to minimize the rate of decrease of the effective population
      size. For a large range of situations, recurrent selection with only one DH line
      per plant seems one of the more efficient and the simpler methods. 

PMID- 24232717
TI  - Segregation, viral phenotype, and proviral structure of 23 avian leukosis virus
      inserts in the germ line of chickens.
AB  - We have artificially introduced 23 avian leukosis virus (ALV) proviral inserts
      into the chicken germ line by injection of wild-type and recombinant subgroup A
      ALV near the blastoderm of fertile eggs just before incubation. Eight viremic
      males were identified as germline mosaics because they transmitted proviral DNA
      to their generation 1 (G-1) progeny at a low frequency. Eleven female and 9 male
      G-1 progeny carried 23 distinct proviruses that had typical major clonal proviral
      host DNA junction fragments detectable after digestion of their DNA with SacI,
      Southern blotting and hybridization with a probe representing the complete ALV
      genome. These proviruses, identified by their typical proviral-host DNA junction
      fragments, were transmitted to approximately 50% of their G-2 progeny after
      mating the G-1 parents to a line of chickens lacking endogenous ALV proviral
      inserts. One G-1 female carried 2 proviruses and another 3. The proviruses
      appeared to be scattered throughout the genome. One of the 14 proviruses carried
      by females was on the sex (Z) chromosome. Two of the 3 proviruses carried by a
      single G-1 female were linked with a recombination frequency of about 0.20.
      Twenty-one of the proviruses coded for infectious ALV. Two proviruses coded for
      envelope glycoprotein, and cell cultures carrying them were relatively resistant
      to subgroup A sarcoma virus, but failed to produce infectious ALV. One of these
      proviruses coded for internal gag proteins, had a deletion in pol, but produced
      non-infectious virus particles. The other failed to code for gag proteins and had
      no detectable internal deletions nor did it produce virus particles. Thus, we
      have shown that replication-competent ALV can artificially infect germ-line cells
      and that spontaneous defects in the inherited proviruses occur at a rather low
      rate. 

PMID- 24232718
TI  - Genetic variability and advance under four selection procedures in wheat pedigree
      breeding programme.
AB  - Four methods of generation advance (SPS, SSD, BP and MMS) were compared in F3 and
      F4 generations. In the F3 generation, the SPS and SSD methods of generation
      advance proved superior to the BP and MMS methods for grain yield per plant and
      for at least one of the yield component traits. The F3 SSD population did not
      differ significantly from the F3 SPS for any of the traits. However, the F3 SSD
      population retained more range and cv for different traits than with other
      methods of generation advance. F4 progenies derived from F3 SSD population were
      significantly superior for grain yield than lines derived from the other three F3
      populations. The MMS method of generation advance proved useful for increasing
      the 1,000-grain weight for which initial selection was made. 

PMID- 24232719
TI  - Production of normal, germinable and viable pollen from in vitro-cultured maize
      tassels.
AB  - Immature tassel meristems (1.0-1.5 cm long) of Zea mays L. inbred, Oh43, and
      single cross hybrid, Se60, cultured on a nutrient liquid medium underwent
      extensive development through to maturity and produced normal, mature,
      trinucleate pollen grains. The grains germinated on nutrient agar and on
      receptive silks and also produced viable kernels. No differences were observed
      between in vitro-produced pollen and in vivo pollen (pollen from greenhouse-grown
      plants) in characteristics such as pollen size, in vitro and in situ germination,
      and pollen tube growth in vitro. The kernels produced with in vitro pollen grew
      into mature plants (in vitro plants) which were similar to in vivo plants (plants
      produced with in vivo pollen), with no significant differences for all the
      morphological characteristics measured, and no phenotypic and cytological
      abnormalities. Gel electrophoresis of polypeptides revealed no major differences
      between in vitro and in vivo seedlings. This demonstration of fertilization and
      production of normal, uniform plants with pollen from cultured tassels has
      significant potential in basic and applied research studies. 

PMID- 24232720
TI  - Performance of recombinant inbred lines in Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea
      var. gemmifera).
AB  - Performance of a random array of recombinant inbred lines derived by single seed
      descent from five different source populations of Brussels sprouts (Brassica
      oleracea var. gemmifera) is presented. A total of 2,356 lines were tested in
      trials during 1985 and 1986. Three of the source populations were derived from
      double crosses between F1 hybrids. These hybrids show a considerable heterotic
      advantage over their inbred parents for the most important agronomic traits. The
      recombinant inbred lines performed, on average, less well than the parental
      inbred material, indicating that additive x additive genie interactions may make
      a significant contribution to the performance of current inbred material.
      Nevertheless, the very large variation among the recombinant inbred lines
      permitted many lines to be identified which outperformed the best parental inbred
      for all traits. Two lines outperformed the reference F1 hybrid, Gower, for an
      index that included marketable yield and quality. Consideration was also given to
      the dangers of misinterpreting phenotypically based proportions. Accordingly,
      response equations were used to ascertain the real genetic progress that was
      made. Advance seemed small when compared with the large heterotic effect, which
      is consistent with the segregation of a large number of loci. The distribution of
      the recombinant inbred lines was compared to predictions made from early
      generation trials. There was broad agreement but significant discrepancies
      existed which, it is suggested, may arise from the effects of genotype
      environment interactions. 

PMID- 24232721
TI  - Use of molecular markers for monitoring fungi involved in stalk rot of corn.
AB  - Separate genes conferring antibiotic drag resistance have been inserted into
      Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium moniliforme. These organisms are associated
      with stalk rot of corn, a disease of uncertain cause. Antibiotic resistant fungi
      were obtained by developing a gene transfer system using whole cells as
      recipients for DNA. Hygromycin B and benomyl-resistant colonies were isolated by
      treating fungal tissue with lithium acetate and adding plasmid vectors containing
      the respective genes which give drug resistance. The DNA was stably integrated
      into the fungal chromosome. Following plant inoculation, disease symptoms
      developed and the isolates were recovered on selective medium. In each case,
      these fungi retained the transformed phenotype, although extensive rearrangements
      and/or deletions occurred. Specific molecular tagging allows detailed studies of
      this interaction and should be of general use in situations involving complex
      multiple pathogen diseases. 

PMID- 24232722
TI  - Recombination among genes at the L group in flax conferring resistance to rust.
AB  - Fourteen of the known genes conferring resistance to rust in flax occur in the L
      group, and recombinational analysis has been used to study their fine structure.
      Three important features were observed. (a) Similar to the findings of Shepherd
      and Mayo, only susceptible recombinants were detected among the testcross progeny
      of 11 of the 15 heterozygotes involving pairs of L genes. Some of these
      recombinants showed variation in the degree of their susceptibility and appeared
      to be unstable in nature. (b) A new class of recombinants exhibiting a modified
      type of resistance was recovered. They occurred rarely but consistently, with
      frequencies similar to that of susceptible recombinants. (c) Rare resistant
      plants occurred among the progeny of susceptible recombinants. In each case, the
      specificity of the resistant plant corresponded to only one of the parental
      types. The relative roles of seed contamination, mutation, recombination and the
      transposition of genetic elements are discussed to account for these features. 

PMID- 24232723
TI  - Efficient selection of somatic hybrids in Nicotiana tabacum L. using a
      combination of drug-resistance markers introduced by transformation.
AB  - Kanamycin resistance and chloramphenicol resistance were introduced separately to
      two different tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) by Agrobacterium-mediated
      transformation. Leaf mesophyll protoplasts were prepared from the progeny of
      these transformants and were subjected to electrofusion. On the 10th day and the
      20th day after the fusion treatment, respectively, kanamycin (100 mg/l) and
      chloramphenicol (30 mg/l) were added to the suspension of protoplasts. The
      parental protoplasts and an unfused mixture of these protoplasts failed to form
      colonies when this selection procedure was employed. However, three independent
      fusion experiments yielded more than 7000 doubleresistant colonies with a
      frequency between 0.30% and 0.54%. All of the surviving colonies showed
      continuous growth in the presence of the two antibiotics. The majority of
      regenerated plants resembled, morphologically, a tetraploid tobacco plant, and
      their somatic chromosome numbers were 2n=96. The leaf segments from these
      putative somatic hybrids formed calli and proliferated vigorously on a medium
      that contained both antibiotics. Southern hybridization permitted the detection
      of the DNA fragments that conferred kanamycin and chloramphenicol resistance on
      these somatic hybrid plants. The system described here can be considered to be a
      universal system for the selection of somatic hybrids and is applicable to
      various combinations of protoplasts in which pre-selected genetic markers are
      absent. 

PMID- 24232724
TI  - DNA hybridization analyses of a Gossypium allotetmploid and two closely related
      diploid species.
AB  - The DNAs of two diploid species of Gossypium, G. herbaceum var. africanum (A1
      genome) and G. raimondii (D5 genome), and the allotetraploid species, G. hirsutum
      (Ah and Dh genomes), were characterized by kinetic analyses of single copy and
      repetitive sequences. Estimated haploid genome sizes of A1 and D5 were 1.04 pg
      and 0.68 pg, respectively, in approximate agreement with cytological observations
      that A genome chromosomes are about twice the size of D genome chromosomes. This
      differences in genome size was accounted for entirely by differences in the major
      repetitive fraction (0.56 pg versus 0.20 pg), as single copy fractions of the two
      genomes were essentially identical (0.41 pg for A1 and 0.43 pg for D5). Kinetic
      analyses and thermal denaturation measurements of single copy duplexes from
      reciprocal intergenomic hybridizations showed considerable sequence similarity
      between A1 and D5 genomes (77% duplex formation with an average thermal
      depression of 6  degrees C). Moreover, little sequence divergence was detectable
      between diploid single copy sequences and their corresponding genomes in the
      allotetraploid, consistent with previous chromosome pairing observations in
      interspecific F1 hybrids. 

PMID- 24232725
TI  - Experimental study of the influence of errors of genetic correlation estimates on
      unrestricted, optimum, and desired gains selection indices.
AB  - Effects of errors in estimates of the genetic correlation on the accuracy of
      unrestricted, optimum, and desired gains selection indices were examined
      experimentally in Tribolium castaneum. Three lines were selected for three
      generations for pupal weight at 21 days and adult weight at 31 days, using
      unrestricted (I9), optimum (O9), and desired gains (G9) index selection methods.
      The genetic correlation between pupal and adult weights in the base population
      was 0.95. The optimum index was designed to set the response of pupal weight by a
      fixed amount, while in the desired gains index the responses of pupal and adult
      weights were specified as being equal to 3?1. Three other indices were
      constructed using a deliberately incorrect genetic correlation (0.25), i.e.,
      unrestricted (I2), optimum (O2), and desired gains (G2). Responses observed in
      unrestricted index lines (I9 versus I2) and optimum index lines (O9 versus O2)
      did not differ significantly, even though lines I9 and I2 differed in a practical
      sense. Responses in desired gains index lines (G9 versus G2) differed
      significantly. Responses obtained for aggregate genotype (pupal weight + adult
      weight) and for the component traits were greater in line I9 than those obtained
      in line I2. Responses obtained in the O9 and O2 lines for pupal and adult weights
      were similar, while those obtained in the G9 and G2 lines were similar for pupal
      weight but not (P<0.05) for adult weight. Therefore, underestimation of the
      genetic correlation seems to affect the efficiency of a desired gains index more
      than that of unrestricted or optimum indices. 

PMID- 24232726
TI  - Maternal effects and generation mean analysis of seed-oil content in cotton
      (Gossypium hirsutum L.).
AB  - The nature of gene action and of maternal influence governing cottonseed oil
      attributes were determined with four lines, two each with high and low seed-oil
      percentage. For this purpose, P1, P2, F0, F1, F2 and alternative sets of BC1 and
      BC2 generations were analysed in six cross-combinations and their reciprocals.
      Marginal extents of heterosis for seed-oil percentage were noticeable in F1, with
      inbreeding depression in F2. Data from reciprocal backcrosses provided evidence
      in favour of maternal rather than cytoplasmic effects of seed-oil development.
      Relatively higher extents of heterosis, sizeable inbreeding depression and
      reciprocally unequal F2 averages were characteristic of the seed index trait,
      which often showed a reversal of effects from F1 to F2. Reverse reciprocal
      backcrosses exhibited some differences, including greater resemblance between the
      types, (A/B)A and (B/A)A, in addition to variable dose effects in seed index.
      Thus, the differences between F1 seed index values were not due to cytoplasmic
      influence. Positive heterotic effects for seed-oil index, especially among the
      backcrosses, ranged between 16.08% and 47.29% over midparent averages. Genetic
      component estimates from analysis of similar sets of crosses differing only in
      reciprocal backcrosses, and also from sets of reciprocal crosses between any two
      parental combinations, were inconsistent. Scaling tests detected presence of
      epistasis within and between a majority of cross-combinations. Despite reciprocal
      differences, additive gene effects for seed-oil percentage were significant in 7
      out of 24 crosses, representing high x low, low x high and low x low seed-oil
      parents. Those were, however, accompanied by significant dominance effects of
      higher order. In crosses involving low seed-oil percentage parents SA1060 and
      SA229, all six components were detected significant, with opposite effects of
      dominance and dominance x dominance epistatic components. Significant additive
      components were also detected for seed index and seed-oil index in 7 and 5 out of
      24 crosses, respectively. In the inheritance of seed index and seed-oil index,
      dominance effects were more important. Epistatic components of additive x
      additive, and to a lesser extent, those of dominant x dominant were found
      significant. 

PMID- 24232727
TI  - Allelic relationship of four male sterility genes and nucleo-cytoplasmic
      interactions in the expression of male sterility in pearl millet, Pennisetum
      americanum (L.) leeke.
AB  - Male sterility genes isolated in four inbred lines of pearl millet were found
      allelic. The differences between male fertile and male sterile phenotypes is
      mainly due to a single gene. Presence of a dominant gene (Ms) resulted in male
      fertility and double recessiveness (ms ms) in male sterility. However, genic male
      sterility (GMS) in Pennisetum is not a simply inherited case of monogenic
      recessive condition but is influenced by cytoplasmic and several nuclear factors.
      In a male sterile, the stage at which the male sterility gene is expressed during
      the development of the male gametophyte resulting in breakdown of the cells is
      influenced by cytoplasmic and other nuclear factors. Two types of cytoplasm, C-1
      and C-2, are recognized. Presence of any two recessive male sterility alleles in
      C-1 led to breakdown of male development before differentiation of an
      archesporium in the anther (Arc-type); in C-2 cytoplasm, degeneration started
      during meiosis with fusion of meiocytes and syncyte formation (Syn-type), or at
      post-meiotic stages terminating in abortion of microspores before first pollen
      mitosis (PGM type). The triggering of activity of recessive male sterility genes
      in C-2 cytoplasm appeared to be regulated by two nuclear factors, R 1 and R 2
      with duplicate gene action. Recessiveness for both the R factors in C-2 cytoplasm
      resulted in PGM-type expression. The action of R 1 and R 2 is specific to C-2
      cytoplasm. Mutation of cytoplasm from C-1 to C-2 and C-2 to C-1 was observed. 

PMID- 24232728
TI  - Some physicochemical properties of rice mitochondrial DNA.
AB  - Certain physicochemical properties of rice mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were
      determined. Certain low-molecular-weight mtDNA bands were found in addition to
      the major mtDNA band. Rice mtDNA appeared in the electron microscope as a
      collection of linear molecules with heterogeneous length in the range of 1-156
      kb. The major distribution area was 60-105 kb. A small fraction (less than 5%) of
      rice mtDNA was found in the form of a circular molecule. Some molecules had the
      appearance of being supercoiled. Replication fork structures were found in both
      circular and linear mtDNA molecules. In one rice species, Jin Nante, 15 different
      circular molecules were found. Rice mtDNA was digested with different restriction
      enzymes. The total molecular weight of rice mtDNA was calculated to be about 300
      kb according to the data of restriction enzyme digestion and electron microscopy.

PMID- 24232729
TI  - Unstable expression of a soybean gene during seed coat development.
AB  - The R gene of soybean is involved in anthocyanin synthesis in the seed coat, and
      its r-m allele conditions a variegated distribution of black spots and/or
      concentric rings of pigment superimposed on an otherwise brown seed coat. We
      describe an unusual feature of r-m that causes expression at the R locus to
      switch between active and inactive phases both somatically and germinally. Non
      heritable somatic changes of the allele produce single plants containing mixtures
      of seed with different coat colors (black+striped or brown+striped). Heritable
      changes of the r-m allele are manifested in progeny plants which produce all
      black seed or all brown seed. Surprisingly, subsequent generations from revertant
      sublines show continued instability of the allele such that brown revertants
      (r*/r*) or homozygous black seed revertants (R*/R*) can give rise to striped or
      striped+black-seeded plants. Thus, the revertants produced by the r-m allele are
      not stable but interconvert between all three forms (R*, r*, and r-m) at
      detectable frequencies. Mutability of the r-m allele in a different genetic
      background has also been found after inter-crossing various soybean genotypes. 

PMID- 24232730
TI  - An isoenzyme study in the genus Lotus (Fabaceae). Experimental protocols and
      genetic basis of electrophoretic phenotype.
AB  - An isoenzyme survey of some taxa in the genus Lotus (Fabaceae) was undertaken to
      increase the number of genetic markers available to breeders and to students of
      Lotus phylogeny. Twenty-one enzymes were examined using starch gel
      electrophoresis and nine buffer systems. Clear, consistent banding patterns were
      obtained for PGI, TPI, MDH, IDH (NADP), PGM, 6-PGDH, and ME. Clear but
      inconsistent banding patterns were obtained for FDP, G3PDH (NADP), beta-EST, LAP,
      MDH, DIA, and NADHDH. Phenotypes of the seven consistently resolved enzyme
      systems were obtained for different tissues for each of several genotypes at
      different stages of development. Variation in enzyme phenotypes of the same
      individuals under different growth conditions indicated the presence of different
      isozymic forms of these enzymes. Shoot tissue of plants over 6 weeks of age was
      found to be suitable material for further genetic studies, since phenotype for
      this tissue was constant despite changes in growing conditions. A formal genetic
      analysis of segregation and/or recombination of allozymes for the enzymes PGM,
      TPI, MDH, IDH, and 6-PGDH was undertaken. Isoenzyme phenotypes were examined for
      the diploids L. alpinus Schleich., L. burttii Sz. Borsos, L. conimbricensis
      Brot., L. ornithopodioides L., L. tennis Waldst. et Kit., and L. uliginosus
      Schkuhr; and for the diploid interspecific hybrids L. alpinus x L.
      conimbricensis, L. burttii x L. ornithopodioides, and L. japonicus x L. alpinus.
      Several new loci were identified for Lotus, namely, Idh1, Idh2, Mdh3, Pgi1, Pgi2,
      Tpi1, Tpi2, and 6-Pdgh1. Duplications of loci of IDH, MDH, PGI, and 6-PGDH were
      detected in the diploid (2n=12) interspecific hybrid L. japonicus x L. alpinus. 

PMID- 24232731
TI  - Anti-obesity effects of gut microbiota are associated with lactic acid bacteria.
AB  - The prevalence of obesity is rapidly becoming endemic in industrialized countries
      and continues to increase in developing countries worldwide. Obesity predisposes
      people to an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have
      described an association between obesity and certain gut microbiota, suggesting
      that gut microbiota might play a critical role in the development of obesity.
      Although probiotics have many beneficial health effects in humans and animals,
      attention has only recently been drawn to manipulating the gut microbiota, such
      as lactic acid bacteria (LAB), to influence the development of obesity. In this
      review, we first describe the causes of obesity, including the genetic and
      environmental factors. We then describe the relationship between the gut
      microbiota and obesity, and the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influence
      energy metabolism and inflammation in obesity. Lastly, we focus on the potential
      role of LAB in mediating the effects of the gut microbiota in the development of
      obesity.

PMID- 24232733
TI  - Empirically Based Profiles of the Early Literacy Skills of Children With Language
      Impairment in Early Childhood Special Education.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to empirically determine whether specific profiles
      characterize preschool-aged children with language impairment (LI) with respect
      to their early literacy skills (print awareness, name-writing ability,
      phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge); the primary interest was to
      determine if one or more profiles suggested vulnerability for future reading
      problems. Participants were 218 children enrolled in early childhood special
      education classrooms, 95% of whom received speech-language services. Children
      were administered an assessment of early literacy skills in the fall of the
      academic year. Based on results of latent profile analysis, four distinct
      literacy profiles were identified, with the single largest profile (55% of
      children) representing children with generally poor literacy skills across all
      areas examined. Children in the two low-risk categories had higher oral language
      skills than those in the high-risk and moderate-risk profiles. Across three of
      the four early literacy measures, children with language as their primary
      disability had higher scores than those with LI concomitant with other
      disabilities. These findings indicate that there are specific profiles of early
      literacy skills among children with LI, with about one half of children
      exhibiting a profile indicating potential susceptibility for future reading
      problems. 

PMID- 24232732
TI  - Discovering disease-disease associations by fusing systems-level molecular data.
AB  - The advent of genome-scale genetic and genomic studies allows new insight into
      disease classification. Recently, a shift was made from linking diseases simply
      based on their shared genes towards systems-level integration of molecular data.
      Here, we aim to find relationships between diseases based on evidence from fusing
      all available molecular interaction and ontology data. We propose a multi-level
      hierarchy of disease classes that significantly overlaps with existing disease
      classification. In it, we find 14 disease-disease associations currently not
      present in Disease Ontology and provide evidence for their relationships through
      comorbidity data and literature curation. Interestingly, even though the number
      of known human genetic interactions is currently very small, we find they are the
      most important predictor of a link between diseases. Finally, we show that
      omission of any one of the included data sources reduces prediction quality,
      further highlighting the importance in the paradigm shift towards systems-level
      data fusion. 

PMID- 24232734
TI  - Redefining Individual Growth and Development Indicators: Phonological Awareness.
AB  - Learning to read is one of the most important indicators of academic achievement.
      The development of early literacy skills during the preschool years is associated
      with improved reading outcomes in later grades. One of these skill areas,
      phonological awareness, shows particular importance because of its strong link to
      later reading success. Presented here are two studies that describe the
      development and revision of four measures of phonological awareness skills:
      Individual Growth and Development Indicators Sound Blending, Syllable Sameness,
      Rhyming, and Alliteration 2.0. The authors discuss the measure development
      process, revision, and utility within an early childhood Response to Intervention
      framework. 

PMID- 24232735
TI  - The synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite-beta-alanine modified by
      grafting polymerization of gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate-N-carboxyanhydride.
AB  - In this study, hydroxyapatite (HAP) was surface-modified by the addition of beta
      alanine (beta-Ala), and the ring-opening polymerization of gamma-benzyl-L
      glutamate-N-carboxy-anhydride (BLG-NCA) was subsequently initiated. HAP
      containing surface poly-gamma-benzyl-L-glutamates (PBLG) was successfully
      prepared in this way. With the increase of PBLG content in HAP-PBLG, the
      solubility of HAP-PBLG increased gradually and it was ultimately soluble in
      chloroform. HAP-PLGA with surface carboxyl groups was obtained by the catalytic
      hydrogenation of HAP-PBLG. In the process of HAP modification, the morphology
      changes from rod to sheet and from flake to needle. The effect of BLG-NCA
      concentration on the character of hydroxyapatite-beta-alanine-poly(gamma-benzyl-L
      glutamate) (HAP-PBLG) was investigated. The existence of amino acids on the HAP
      surfaces was confirmed in the resulting Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
      spectra. The resulting powder X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that the
      crystallinity of HAP decreased when the ratio of BLG-NCA/HAP-NH2 increased to
      20/1. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the particle size of
      HAP-PBLG decreased significantly and that the resulting particles appeared less
      agglomerated relative to that of the HAP-NH2 crystals. Furthermore, 1H-NMR
      spectra and FTIR spectra revealed that hydroxyapatite-beta-alanine-poly (L
      glutamic acid) (HAP-PLGA) was able to successfully bear carboxylic acid groups on
      its side chains.

PMID- 24232736
TI  - Synthesis and anticancer activity of glucosylated podophyllotoxin derivatives
      linked via 4beta-triazole rings.
AB  - A series of 4beta-triazole-linked glucose podophyllotoxin conjugates have been
      designed and synthesized by employing a click chemistry approach. All the
      compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity against a panel of five
      human cancer cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, SW480) using MTT assays.
      Most of these triazole derivatives have good anticancer activity. Among them,
      compound 35 showed the highest potency against all five cancer cell lines tested,
      with IC50 values ranging from 0.59 to 2.90 MUM, which is significantly more
      active than the drug etoposide currently in clinical use. Structure-activity
      relationship analysis reveals that the acyl substitution on the glucose residue,
      the length of oligoethylene glycol linker, and the 4'-demethylation of
      podophyllotoxin scaffold can significantly affect the potency of the anticancer
      activity. Most notably, derivatives with a perbutyrylated glucose residue show
      much higher activity than their counterparts with either a free glucose or a
      peracetylated glucose residue.

PMID- 24232737
TI  - Optimization of a pre-MEKC separation SPE procedure for steroid molecules in
      human urine samples.
AB  - Many steroid hormones can be considered as potential biomarkers and their
      determination in body fluids can create opportunities for the rapid diagnosis of
      many diseases and disorders of the human body. Most existing methods for the
      determination of steroids are usually time- and labor-consuming and quite costly.
      Therefore, the aim of analytical laboratories is to develop a new, relatively low
      cost and rapid implementation methodology for their determination in biological
      samples. Due to the fact that there is little literature data on concentrations
      of steroid hormones in urine samples, we have made attempts at the
      electrophoretic determination of these compounds. For this purpose, an extraction
      procedure for the optimized separation and simultaneous determination of seven
      steroid hormones in urine samples has been investigated. The isolation of
      analytes from biological samples was performed by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE)
      with dichloromethane and compared to solid phase extraction (SPE) with C18 and
      hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) columns. To separate all the analytes a
      micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECK) technique was employed.
      For full separation of all the analytes a running buffer (pH 9.2), composed of 10
      mM sodium tetraborate decahydrate (borax), 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS),
      and 10% methanol was selected. The methodology developed in this work for the
      determination of steroid hormones meets all the requirements of analytical
      methods. The applicability of the method has been confirmed for the analysis of
      urine samples collected from volunteers--both men and women (students, amateur
      bodybuilders, using and not applying steroid doping). The data obtained during
      this work can be successfully used for further research on the determination of
      steroid hormones in urine samples.

PMID- 24232738
TI  - Synthesis of some green dopants for OLEDs based on arylamine 2,3-disubstituted
      bithiophene derivatives.
AB  - A series of green dopants based on 2,2-diphenylvinyl end-capped bithiophene and
      three different arylamine moieties (9-phenylcarbazole, triphenylamine, and N,N'
      di-(p-tolyl)benzeneamine) were successfully synthesized by the Suzuki and Wittig
      coupling reactions. The photophysical properties of these compounds are reported.
      The strongest PL emitting compound with the 9-phenylcarbazole moiety has been
      used for fabricating an OLED device with good overall performance. 

PMID- 24232739
TI  - Molecular MRI of atherosclerosis.
AB  - Despite advances in prevention, risk assessment and treatment, coronary artery
      disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western
      countries. The lion's share is due to acute coronary syndromes (ACS), which are
      predominantly triggered by plaque rupture or erosion and subsequent coronary
      thrombosis. As the majority of vulnerable plaques does not cause a significant
      stenosis, due to expansive remodeling, and are rather defined by their
      composition and biological activity, detection of vulnerable plaques with x-ray
      angiography has shown little success. Non-invasive vulnerable plaque detection by
      identifying biological features that have been associated with plaque
      progression, destabilization and rupture may therefore be more appropriate and
      may allow earlier detection, more aggressive treatment and monitoring of
      treatment response. MR molecular imaging with target specific molecular probes
      has shown great promise for the noninvasive in vivo visualization of biological
      processes at the molecular and cellular level in animals and humans. Compared to
      other imaging modalities; MRI can provide excellent spatial resolution; high soft
      tissue contrast and has the ability to simultaneously image anatomy; function as
      well as biological tissue composition and activity. 

PMID- 24232740
TI  - Design, synthesis and cytotoxic activities of novel aliphatic amino-substituted
      flavonoids.
AB  - A series of flavonoids 9a-f, 13b, 13d, 13e and 14a-f bearing diverse aliphatic
      amino moieties were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic
      activities against the ECA-109, A-549, HL-60, and PC-3 cancer cell lines. Most of
      the compounds exhibited moderate to good activities. The structure-activity
      relationships were studied, revealing that the chalcone skeleton is the most
      preferable for cytotoxic activities. Chalcone 9d was the most promising compound
      due to its high potency against the examined cancer cell lines (its IC50 values
      against ECA-109, A549, HL-60 and PC-3 cells were 1.0, 1.5, 0.96 and 3.9 MUM,
      respectively).

PMID- 24232741
TI  - Evaluation of garlic cultivars for polyphenolic content and antioxidant
      properties.
AB  - Two phenolic compound parameters (total phenolic and flavonoid contents) and 5
      antioxidant parameters (DPPH [2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl] radical scavenging
      activity, HRSC (hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity), FRAP (ferric ion reducing
      antioxidant power), CUPRAC (cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity), and MCA
      (metal chelating activity) were measured in bulbs and bolts of 43 garlic
      cultivars. The bulbs of cultivar '74-x' had the highest phenolic content (total
      phenolic, flavonoids) and the strongest antioxidant capacity (DPPH, FRAP, and
      CUPRAC), followed by bulbs of cultivar 'Hanzhong purple'; the bulbs of cultivar
      'Gailiang' had the lowest phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (FRAP,
      CUPRAC, MCA). The bolts of 'Hanzhong purple' also had higher phenolic content.
      Principal components analysis (PCA) separated the cultivars into 3 groups
      according to phenolic and flavonoid contents and strength of antioxidant
      activity. The first group had higher HRSC, FRAP, and flavonoid content; the
      second group had higher total phenolic content and MCA; some cultivars in the
      third group had higher HRSC and FRAP. All 8 test garlic bulb extracts
      successfully prevented Human Vascular Endothelial Cell death and significantly
      prevented reactive-oxygen species (ROS) formation in oxidative stress model, in
      which cultivar '74-x' had highest protection capability, following by cultivar
      'Hanzhong purple', and the bulbs of cultivar 'No. 105 from Korea' had the lower
      protection capability against cell death and ROS formation. The protection
      capability in vivo of these garlic cultivars was consistent with their phenolic
      content and antioxidant capacity. 

PMID- 24232742
TI  - [Minimum thresholds under scrutiny].
AB  - Minimum volume thresholds for specific medical treatments have been implemented
      in Germany since 2004. In the last 9 years the catalogue of procedures, which is
      determined by the Federal Joint Committee, has changed continuously and currently
      consists of 8 procedures. In this article the basis of decision making for the
      enrolment in the catalogue of procedures and the determination of minimum volume
      thresholds are examined. An overview of systematic reviews was published in 2012
      outlining the correlation between the volume components and medical outcome. The
      body of evidence identified is compared to the current regulatory conditions of
      the Federal Joint Committee.

PMID- 24232744
TI  - [Pyloromyotomy of congenital pyloric stenosis : Modified Tan-Bianchi procedure.]
AB  - The aim was to find a simple and safe surgical technique for pyloromyotomy in
      infancy. An indication exists in typical clinical symptoms with wave-like
      vomiting and sonographically confirmed pyloric stenosis. Existing movements in
      the acid-base-household should be balanced beforehand otherwise there is an
      increased risk in anesthesia. The operation represents a combination of gasless
      laparoscopy and open pyloromyotomy according to Tan-Bianchi. Postoperative food
      intake should be initiated as soon as possible.

PMID- 24232745
TI  - Early changes in myocardial microcirculation in asymptomatic hypercholesterolemic
      subjects: as detected by perfusion CT.
AB  - Intramyocardial microvessels show functional changes in early stages of
      atherosclerosis prior to epicardial coronary artery stenosis. However, clinical
      CT does not have adequate spatial resolution to resolve the microvessels. To
      clinically detect changes in the function of the intramyocardial
      microcirculation, the spatial heterogeneity of the distribution of myocardial
      perfusion (F) and intramyocardial microcirculatory blood volume (Bv) was
      determined by perfusion CT. Two human subject groups were studied: (i) a
      "Control" group (24) with no risk factors nor evidence of coronary artery disease
      (CAD), and (ii) an "At-Risk" group (24) with hypercholesterolemia, but no
      evidence of CAD. In the perfusion CT image, a region of interest (ROI) covering
      the left ventricular myocardium was subdivided into multiple nested ROI (nROI) of
      equal size and used to compute F and Bv for each nROI. No significant differences
      between the groups were demonstrable in overall myocardial F, or Bv. The nROI
      data showed significantly increased spatial heterogeneity in the "At Risk" group
      when compared to "Control" subjects. This study demonstrates that subresolution
      distribution at the microcirculatory level can be quantified with myocardial
      perfusion CT and significant changes in these parameters occur in
      hypercholesterolemic subjects before they have developed significant changes in
      conventional perfusion parameters.

PMID- 24232747
TI  - A distinct atomic structure-catalytic activity relationship in 3-10 nm supported
      Au particles.
AB  - Bulk Au is very inert but Au nanoparticles less than 5 nm in size have been found
      to be catalytically active for several reactions, in particular for low
      temperature oxidation of CO. Using high-energy X-ray diffraction coupled with
      atomic pair distribution function analysis and computer simulations we determine
      the structure of 3 nm and 10 nm Au particles supported on titania and silica as
      typical representatives of reducible and irreducible supports, respectively. We
      find that the synthesis protocol adopted in our work affects strongly and
      differently the structure of the Au nanoparticles on the different supports. This
      leads to clearly distinct dependences of the catalytic activity of the
      nanoparticles on their size. In the case of the silica support the catalytic
      activity of Au nanoparticles increases and in the case of the titania support it
      decreases with decreasing nanoparticle size. The experimental results are
      considered in terms of current theoretical predictions and found to be in good
      accord with them. 

PMID- 24232746
TI  - Role of the microbiota and antibiotics in primary sclerosing cholangitis.
AB  - Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an idiopathic, progressive, cholestatic
      liver disease with considerable morbidity and mortality and no established
      pharmacotherapy. In addition to the long-recognized association between PSC and
      inflammatory bowel disease, several lines of preclinical and clinical evidence
      implicate the microbiota in the etiopathogenesis of PSC. Here we provide a
      concise review of these data which, taken together, support further investigation
      of the role of the microbiota and antibiotics in PSC as potential avenues toward
      elucidating safe and effective pharmacotherapy for patients afflicted by this
      illness. 

PMID- 24232749
TI  - Advances in molecular analysis of biomarkers for autoimmune and carcinogenic
      diseases.

PMID- 24232750
TI  - The pivotal role of copper(II) in the enantiorecognition of tryptophan and
      histidine by gold nanoparticles.
AB  - Stereoselective amino acid analysis has increasingly moved into the scope of
      interest of the scientific community. In this work, we report a study on the
      chiral recognition of D,L-Trp and D,L-His using L -Cys-capped gold nanoparticles
      (AuNPs) and copper(II) ion. In the L -Cys-capped AuNPs, the thiol group of the
      amino acid interacts with AuNPs through the formation of Au-S bond, whereas the
      alpha-amino and alpha-carboxyl groups of the surface-confined cysteine can
      coordinate the copper(II) ion, which in turn, binds the L- or D-amino acid
      present in solution forming diastereoisomeric complexes. The resulting systems
      have been characterized by UV-Vis spectra and dynamic light scattering
      measurements, obtaining different results for L- and D-Trp, as well as for L- and
      D-His. The knowledge of the solution equilibria of the investigated systems
      allowed us to accurately calculate in advance the concentrations of the species
      presentin solution and to optimize the system performances, highlighting the
      pivotal role of copper(II) ion in the enantiodiscrimination processes.

PMID- 24232751
TI  - 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and metabolites disposition in blood and
      plasma following controlled oral administration.
AB  - 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an illicit phenethylamine ingested
      for entactogenic and euphoric effects. Although blood is more commonly submitted
      for forensic analysis, previous human MDMA pharmacokinetics research focused on
      plasma data; no direct blood-plasma comparisons were drawn. Blood and plasma
      specimens from 50 healthy adult volunteers (33 males, 17 females, 36 African
      American) who ingested recreational 1.0 and 1.6 mg/kg MDMA doses were quantified
      for MDMA and metabolites 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), 3,4
      methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA) by two
      dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Specimens were collected up to
      3 h post-dose and evaluated for maximum concentration (C max), first detection
      time (t first), time of C max (t max), and 3-h area under the curve (AUC0-3 h);
      as well as blood metabolite ratios and blood/plasma ratios. Median blood MDMA and
      MDA C max were significantly greater (p < 0.0005) than in plasma, but HMMA was
      significantly less (p < 0.0005). HMA was detected in few blood specimens, at low
      concentrations. Nonlinear pharmacokinetics were not observed for MDMA or MDA in
      this absorptive phase, but HMMA C max and AUC0-3 h were similar for both doses
      despite the 1.6-fold dose difference. Blood MDA/MDMA and MDA/HMMA significantly
      increased (p < 0.0001) over the 3-h time course, and HMMA/MDMA significantly
      decreased (p < 0.0001). Blood MDMA C max was significantly greater in females (p
      = 0.010) after the low dose only. Low-dose HMMA AUC0-3 h was significantly
      decreased in females' blood and plasma (p = 0.027) and in African-Americans'
      plasma (p = 0.035). These data provide valuable insight into MDMA blood-plasma
      relationships for forensic interpretation and evidence of sex- and race-based
      differential metabolism and risk profiles. Figure Median (interquartile range)
      blood/plasma 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (a), 4-hydroxy-3
      methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA) (b), and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) (c)
      ratios for 3 h after controlled MDMA administration. Changes over time were
      significant after the 1.6 mg/kg dose for HMMA and MDA (p = 0.013 and p = 0.021),
      but not for MDMA. No changes over time were significant after the 1.0 mg/kg dose.
      Note: y-axes do not begin at 0. *p  < 0.05 (low vs. high). 

PMID- 24232752
TI  - The hydraulic safety zone at the base of barley roots.
AB  - A hydraulic constriction of the vessels occurs at the base of the primary roots
      of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The constriction and consequent hydraulic
      protection result from an extreme shortening of the vessel elements, leading to
      the accumulation of perforation plates with simple, broad-rimmed perforations
      which are smaller than those in normal-length vessel elements. It is compensated
      for by a local increase in the number of tracheary elements and an increase in
      their diameter. A similar trend of development was observed both at the base of
      other seminal roots and at the base of stem-borne adventitious roots. The rate at
      which compensation for the hydraulic constriction occurs could be of crucial
      importance for the axial resistance of water transport. 

PMID- 24232753
TI  - Immunochemical studies on the role of the Golgi complex in protein-body formation
      in rice seeds.
AB  - Antibodies raised against purified glutelins and prolamines were employed as
      probes to study the cellular routes by which these proteins are deposited into
      protein bodies of rice (Oryza sativa L.) endosperm. Three morphologically
      distinct protein bodies, large spherical, small spherical, and irregularly
      shaped, were observed, in agreement with existing reports. Immunocytochemical
      studies showed the presence of glutelins in the irregularly-shaped protein bodies
      while the prolamines were found in both the large and small spherical protein
      bodies. Both the large and small spherical protein bodies, distinguishable by
      electron density and gold-labeling patterns, appear to be formed by direct
      deposition of the newly formed proteins into the lumen of the rough endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER). In contrast, glutelin protein bodies are formed via the Golgi
      apparatus. Small electron-lucent vesicles are often found at one side of the
      Golgi. Electron-dense vesicles, whose contents are labeled by glutelin antibody
      gold particles, are commonly observed at the distal side of the Golgi apparatus
      and fuse to form the irregularly shaped protein bodies in endosperm cells. These
      observations indicate that the transport of rice glutelins from their site of
      synthesis, the ER, to the site of deposition, the protein bodies, is mediated by
      the Golgi apparatus. 

PMID- 24232754
TI  - Fatty-acid synthesis in chloroplasts from mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cotyledons:
      formation of acetyl coenzyme A by intraplastid glycolytic enzymes and a pyruvate
      dehydrogenase complex.
AB  - Chloroplasts from the cotyledons of mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedlings were
      isolated on Percoll gradients, and showed a high degree of intactness (92%) and
      purity as judged by electron microscopy and marker-enzyme analysis (cytoplasmic
      contamination lower than 0.4% on a protein basis). The chloroplasts synthesized
      longchain fatty acids from both precursors [1-(14)C] acetate and [2
      (14)C]pyruvate; maximum incorporation rates were 96 nmol.(mg Chl)(-1).h(-1) for
      acetate and 213 nmol.(mg Chl)(-1).h(-1) for pyruvate. Acetyl-CoA-producing
      enzymatic activities, namely acetyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.1.) and a pyruvate
      dehydrogenase complex, showed specific activities of 14.8 nmol.(mg protein)(
      1).min(-1) and 18.2 nmol.(mg protein)(-1).min(-1), respectively. The glycolytic
      enzymes phosphoglyceromutase (EC 2.7.5.3) phosphopyruvate hydratase (EC 4.2.1.11)
      and pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) were all found to be components of these
      chloroplasts, thus indicating a possible pathway for intraplastid acetyl-CoA
      formation. 

PMID- 24232755
TI  - Anatomical analysis of growth and developmental patterns in the internode of
      deepwater rice.
AB  - Submergence of the stem induces rapid internodal elongation in deepwater rice
      (Oryza sativa L. cv. "Habiganj Aman II"). A comparative anatomical study of
      internodes isolated from airgrown and partially submerged rice plants was
      undertaken to localize and characterize regions of growth and differentiation in
      rice stems. Longitudinal sections were examined by light and scanning-electron
      microscopy. Based on cell-size analysis, three zones of internodal development
      were recognized: a zone of cell division and elongation at the base of the
      internode, designated the intercalary meristem (IM); a zone of cell elongation
      without concomitant cell division; and a zone of cell differentiation where
      neither cell division nor elongation occur. The primary effects of submergence on
      internodal development were a threefold increase in the number of cells per cell
      file resulting from a decrease in the cell-cycle time from 24 to 7 h within the
      IM; an expansion of the cell-elongation zone from 5 to 15 mm leading to a
      threefold greater final cell length; and a suppression of tissue differentiation
      as indicated by reduced chlorophyll content and a lack of secondary wall
      formation in xylem and cortical sclerenchyma. These data indicate that growth of
      deepwater-rice internoes involves a balance between elongation and
      differentiation of the stem. Submergence shifts this balance in favor of growth. 

PMID- 24232756
TI  - The effect of submergence, ethylene and gibberellin on polyamines and their
      biosynthetic enzymes in deepwater-rice internodes.
AB  - Submergence and treatment with ethylene or gibberellic acid (GA3) stimulates
      rapid growth in internodes of deepwater rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. "Habiganj Aman
      II"). This growth is based on greatly enhanced rate of cell-division activity in
      the intercalary meristem (IM) and on increased cell elongation. We chose
      polyamine biosynthesis as a biochemical marker for cell-division activity in the
      IM of rice stems. Upon submergence of the plant, the activity of S
      adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC; EC 4.1.1.50) in the IM increased six- to
      tenfold within 8 h; thereafter, SAMDC activity declined. Arginine decarboxylase
      (ADC; EC 4.1.1.19) showed a similar but less pronounced increase in activity. The
      activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; EC 4.1.1.17) in the IM was not affected
      by submergence. The levels of putrescine and spermidine also rose in the IM of
      submerged, whole plants while the concentration of spermine remained low. The
      increase in SAMDC activity was localized in the IM while the activity of ADC rose
      both in the node and the IM above it. The node also contained low levels of ODC
      activity which increased slightly following submergence. Increased activities of
      polyamine-synthesizing enzymes in the nodal region of submerged plants probably
      resulted from the promotion of adventitious root formation in the node. Treatment
      of excised rice-stem sections with ethylene or GA3 enhanced the activities of
      SAMDC and ADC in the IM and inhibited the decline in the levels of putrescine and
      spermidine. We conclude that SAMDC and perhaps also ADC may serve as biochemical
      markers for the enhancement of cell-division activity in the IM of deepwater
      rice. 

PMID- 24232757
TI  - Characterization and properties of the spinach chloroplast transcriptionally
      active chromosome isolated at high ionic strength.
AB  - The transcriptionally active chromosome (TAC) of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)
      chloroplasts has been isolated at a high ionic strength, with low mechanical
      shearing, by glycerol gradient centrifugation. The properties of the TAC differ
      from those previously reported for the TAC isolated either from Euglena
      chloroplasts or from spinach using a low-ionic-strength solubilization medium and
      gel filtration. The high-salt-isolated TAC is homogenous in density but not in
      size and contains fewer weakly bound proteins than its lowsalt-isolated
      homologue. In vitro, it promotes elongation of the RNA chains previously
      initiated in vivo. Transcription is not limited to the ribosomal DNA. The
      transcriptional pattern is not strongly affected by the high-salt preparation.
      Ribonuclease pretreatment of the TAC, prior to the in-vitro transcription, leads
      to a more than tenfold increase of the transcription activity. These properties
      are discussed in relation to the structure of the spinach chloroplast chromosome.

PMID- 24232758
TI  - Microaerobiosis is not involved in the induction of pea nodulin-gene expression.
AB  - Gene expression in pea roots grown in a medium with a low oxygen concentration
      was compared with that in nitrogen-fixing pea root nodules induced by Rhizobium
      bacteria. The results show that during microaerobiosis the expression of eight
      genes is increased. None of these belong to the group of genes earlier identified
      as nodulin genes. On the other hand, no enhanced transcription of microaerobic
      genes can be detected during nodule development and hybridizations of Northern
      blots, containing nodule RNA and RNA isolated from oxygen-stressed roots, show
      that the alcohol dehydrogenase genes are not expressed at a higher level in pea
      root nodules whereas a higher expression is observed during microaerobiosis. From
      these observations it can be concluded that it is unlikely that a low
      concentration of free oxygen induces the expression of nodulin genes.
      Furthermore, genes that are activated as a result of oxygen deficiency are not
      expressed in pea root nodules, indicating that if the concentration of free
      oxygen is low the nodule cells do not suffer under microaerobic conditions.
      Probably, leghemoglobin functions as an efficient oxygen buffer for the energy
      generating process in both the plant cells and the bacteroids. 

PMID- 24232759
TI  - Utilization of sulfonic acids as the only sulfur source for growth of
      photosynthetic organisms.
AB  - Growth on ethanesulfonic acid as the only sulfur source was found to occur in ten
      of the 14 green algae tested and in three of the ten cyanobacteria analyzed.
      Similar growth could not be demonstrated in the higher plant Lemna minor, or in
      tissue cultures of anise, sunflower and tobacco.Organisms growing on sulfonic
      acids as the only sulfur source developed an uptake system for ethanesulfonate
      found neither in algae growing on sulfate nor in algae unable to utilize sulfonic
      acids for growth. The development of sulfonate transport was not caused by
      substrate induction, but by conditions of sulfate starvation. The presence of
      this uptake system was always correlated with an increased sulfate-uptake
      capacity. Enhanced sulfate uptake was found in all S-deficient and sulfonate
      grown cultures tested, indicating sulfate limitation as the regulatory signal. A
      lag period of 2-2.5 h after transfer to sulfate deprivation was needed for
      expression of both enhanced sulfate uptake and ethanesulfonate uptake in case of
      the green alga Chlorella fusca.It is speculated that the availability of sulfate
      (pool size) or a metabolic product in equilibrium with oxidized sulfur compounds
      (sulfate ester? sulfolipids?) controls sulfate and sulfonate uptake systems. The
      principle of (coordinated) derepression by starvation is discussed as a general
      strategy in photosynthetic organisms. 

PMID- 24232760
TI  - The loss of carbon-20 in C19-gibberellin biosynthesis in a cell-free system from
      Pisum sativum L.
AB  - The fate of the carbon-20 atom in gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis was studied in a
      cell-free system from Pisum sativum. This carbon atom is lost at the aldehyde
      stage of oxidation when C20-GAs are converted to C19-GAs. Gibberellin A12 labeled
      with (14)C at C-20 was prepared from [3'-(14)C]mevalonic acid with a cell-free
      system from Cucurbita maxima and incubated with the pea system. Analysis of the
      gas and aqueous phases showed that (14)CO2 was formed at the same rate and in
      nearly equivalent amounts as (14)C-labeled C19-GAs whereas [(14)C]formic acid and
      [(14)C]formaldehyde were not detectable. The possibility that C-20 had been lost
      as formic acid which had then been converted to CO2 was investigated by control
      incubations with [(14)C]formic acid. The rate of release of (14)CO2 from
      [(14)C]formic acid was only one fiftieth of the rate of (14)CO2 release from
      [(14)C]GA12 as the substrate. We conclude that in the formation of C19-GAs from
      C20-GAs, the C-20 is removed directly as CO2. 

PMID- 24232761
TI  - Are sucrosyl-oligosaccharides synthesized in mesophyll protoplasts of mature
      leaves of Cucumis melo?
AB  - Biosynthesis of sucrosyl-oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose) was traced in
      source leaves of Cucumis melo after (14)C-photoassimilation. The main carbon
      compound exported was (14)C-labeled stachyose. No oligosaccharide synthesis was
      detected in young, importing leaves. Mesophyll protoplasts, isolated from mature
      leaves which had previously photosynthesized (14)CO2, did not contain (14)C
      oligosaccharides but contained [(14)C]-sucrose and (14)C-hexoses. Isolated minor
      vein-enriched fractions from the same leaves, however, showed nearly 30% of the
      (14)C of the neutral fraction to be in oligosaccharides. Isolated, viable
      mesophyll protoplasts incubated with NaH(14)CO3 also failed to incorporate
      radioactivity into oligosaccharides, although sucrose and galactinol synthesis
      was unimpaired. Galactinolsynthase activity in leaf extracts and in mesophyll
      protoplasts was 16.8 MUmol.h(-1).mg(-1) protein and 13.8 MUmol.h(-1).mg(-1)
      protein, respectively. Galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.67), which synthesizes
      stachyose from raffinose and galactinol, had an activity of 50 nmol.h(-1).mg(-1)
      protein in leaf extracts and was also present in the minor-vein-enriched
      fraction, but could not be detected in mesophyll protoplast lysates. The results
      indicate that mesophyll cells may not be the site of stachyose synthesis although
      precursor compounds like sucrose and galactinol are synthesized there. 

PMID- 24232762
TI  - Effects of abscisic acid on photosynthesis in whole leaves: changes in CO2
      assimilation, levels of carbon-reduction-cycle intermediates, and activity of
      ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase.
AB  - Addition of abscisic acid (ABA) to the transpiration stream of leaves of Xanthium
      strumarium caused stomatal closure and, simultaneously, an independent reduction
      of CO2 assimilation. An attempt was made to identify the site of inhibition that
      had occurred, presumably, in the path of photosynthetic carbon reduction. Leaves
      were supplied with ABA. When inhibition of photosynthesis was fully expressed,
      the partial pressure of CO2 in the intercellular spaces was adjusted to the level
      that had occurred before ABA had been applied and before stomata had closed. Then
      the leaf was rapidly frozen, and pool sizes of carbon-reduction-cycle
      intermediates were determined. Comparison with samples from control leaves showed
      that the decline in the rate of assimilation was associated with decreases of the
      levels of 3-phosphoglycerate, triose phosphates, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, and
      hexose phosphates. In contrast, the pool size ofribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP)
      remained unchanged or even increased. Similar results were obtained with leaves
      of Zea mays, in which the levels of all measured intermediates, including malate
      and pyruvate, declined after application of ABA; the level of RuBP rose. In other
      experiments with leaves of X. strumarium, rates of CO2 assimilation were lowered
      by reductions in the partial pressure of CO2 in the ambient air. Relationships
      between assimilation rates of CO2 and metabolite levels were similar to those
      determined after applications of ABA at constant partial pressure of CO2. Because
      the uptake of CO2 decreased in ABA-treated leaves in spite of continued
      availability of CO2 and RuBP, we concluded that application of ABA caused an
      inhibition of the carboxylation of RuBP in both, the C3 species, X. strumarium,
      and the C4 species, Z. mays. However, the RuBP-carboxylase activity of rapidly
      prepared extracts of ABA-treated leaves was as high as that of control leaves.
      The substance or the process which, after application of ABA, interferes with the
      carboxylation of RuBP remains unknown. 

PMID- 24232763
TI  - Tetracyclines, verapamil and nifedipine induce callose deposition at specific
      cell sites in Riella helicophylla.
AB  - The Ca(2+) indicator 7-chlorotetracycline has been shown to bind to a pore
      complex on both outer surfaces of all non-meristematic cells in the unistratose
      thallus of Riella ('chlorotetracycline-binding surface region'=CSR; Grotha, 1983,
      Planta 158, 473-481). Prolonged treatment of the thallus with 7
      chlorotetracycline, 5-hydroxytetracycline, verapamil and desmethoxyverapamil
      induces the deposition of callose at the same region. The influence of various
      treatments on verapamil-induced CSR-callose was measured in situ by
      microfluorometry of aniline-blue-stained material. Callose deposition is maximal
      at 10(-4)M verapamil or 5.10(-5)M desmethoxyverapamil with 2.10(-4)M Ca(2+) or
      Mg(2+) in the medium. The reaction is completely inhibited at pH 5.5 and is
      optimal between pH 6.5 and 7.5. The production of CSR-callose is absolutely light
      dependent with callose being first visible after 30 min of light. La(3+),
      ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and
      amiprophosmethyl, antagonists of Ca(2+) functions, and 2-deoxy-D-glucose suppress
      the verapamil induction of CSR-callose. Furthermore the ionophores A 23187,
      valinomycin and monensin effectively block the reaction. The deposition of CSR
      callose is diminished at increasing external osmolarity and is abolished at
      osmotic values that stimulate plasmolysis-callose. Wounding causes the formation
      of wound-callose but inhibits the induction of CSR-callose in cells of the wound
      edge. Nifedipine increases or prolongs callose synthesis in cell plates. The
      Ca(2+)-channel blocker diltiazem is completely ineffective. It is suggested as a
      working hypothesis that verapamil-induced CSR-callose synthesis is caused by a
      local change in membrane permeability, possibly as a consequence of the opening
      of Ca(2+) channels being involved in Golgi-vesicle mediated exocytosis (A. Kramer
      and H. Lehmann, 1986, Ber. Dtsch. Bot. Ges. 99, 111-121). 

PMID- 24232764
TI  - Sequence homologies between glyoxysomal and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase.
AB  - The comparison of mitochondrial and glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase (EC
      1.1.1.37) from cotyledons of germinating watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.,
      cv. Kleckey's Sweet No. 6) by means of serological methods and peptide patterns
      revealed a high degree of homology. The N-terminal sequence analysis yielded a
      distinct presequence of eight or nine amino-acid residues, respectively, which is
      followed by an almost identical stretch of at least 20 amino-acid residues. A
      very similar domain has been recognized for mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase
      from porcine heart and yeast, and for Escherichia coli malate dehydrogenase. 

PMID- 24232765
TI  - Uridine 5'-diphosphate-xylose: anthocyanidin 3-O-glucose-xylosyltransferase from
      petals of Matthiola incana R.Br.
AB  - Petals of genetically defined lines of Matthiola incana R.Br. contain a
      glycosyltransferase which catalyzes the transfer of the xylosyl moiety of uridine
      5'-diphosphate-xylose to the glucose of cyanidin 3-glucoside. The enzyme also
      uses 3-glucosides of pelargonidin and delphinidin, cyanidin 3-(p-coumaroyl)
      glucoside and 3-(caffeoyl)-glucoside as substrates. The xylosyltransferase
      exhibits a pH optimum of 6.5. The enzyme activity depends on the stage of bud and
      flower development. Accumulation of cyanidin 3-glucoside during flower
      development is correlated with xylosyltransferase activity. 

PMID- 24232766
TI  - Glucomannan-synthase activity in differentiating cells of Pinus sylvestris L.
AB  - Particulate membrane preparations have been isolated from cambial cells, and from
      differentiating and differentiated xylem cells of the main stem of pine trees.
      These preparations synthesise a beta1->4 glucomannan from guanosine 5'
      diphosphate-mannose. The polysaccharide and the synthase have been characterized
      and the Km and Vmax for the synthase determined as 85 MUM and 52.9 MUM.min(-1),
      respectively. The enzymic activity was inhibited by the addition of guanosine 5'
      diphosphate-D-glucose so that the presence of an epimerase on the particulate
      fraction in conjunction with the synthase probably allowed the heteropolymer to
      be formed with the optimal ratio of the concentrations of the nucleoside
      diphosphate sugar donors. No evidence for a polyprenyl-phosphate derivative as an
      intermediate during the polymer synthesis was obtained. Part of the control
      mechanism for the deposition of the large amounts of the glucomannan during the
      secondary thickening of the tracheids of the vascular system is by an increase in
      the amount of synthase activity at the endomembrane system of the cells. This
      probably occurs by an increase in the amount of enzyme which is modulated by gene
      regulation during differentiation. 

PMID- 24232767
TI  - Differences in amino acid sequence of the large subunit of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from two species of Dasycladaceae.
AB  - In contrast to other plants the plastid genome of Acetabularia is larger in size
      and shows a high degree of variability. This study on the chloroplast-encoded
      large subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase demonstrates
      that strongly conserved areas also exist in the plastid genome of the
      Dasycladaceae. Searching for differences in the amino acid sequence of the large
      subunit from Acetabularia mediterranea and Acicularia schenckii, proteolytic
      peptides which differ in their elution behaviour in reverse-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography were sequenced. Only six amino acids were found
      to be exchanged in the large subunit from these two species. Since these two
      species diverged approx. 150 million years ago, these results imply that 0.84
      amino-acid exchanges per 100 amino acids have occurred in 10(8) years,
      underlining the strong conservatism of the large subunit. 

PMID- 24232768
TI  - A new lectin from tulip (Tulipa) bulbs.
AB  - A lectin was isolated from tulip (Tulipa) bulbs by affinity chromatography on
      fetuin-agarose and partially characterized. The tulip lectin is a tetrameric
      protein composed of four identical subunits of Mr 28 000, which are not held
      together by disulphide bonds. It is not glycosylated and has an amino-acid
      composition typified by a high content of asparagine-aspartic acid, leucine,
      glycine and serine. Tulip lectin agglutinates human red blood cells, but has a
      much higher specific activity with rabbit erythrocytes. In hapten-inhibition
      assays with the latter type of red blood cell the lectin exhibits a complex
      specificity, whereas its agglutination with human erythrocytes is readily
      inhibited by N-acetylgalactosamine, lactose, fucose and galactose. 

PMID- 24232769
TI  - Induction of nitrate reductase by cytokinin and ethylene in Agrostemma githago L.
      embryos.
AB  - In dark-grown, isolated embryos of Agrostemma githago, a transient period of
      nitrate-reductase (NR) (NADH: nitrate oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.6.1) activity
      occurred from 6 to 36 h after the start of imbibition. During this period, NR
      activity was enhanced by nitrate, 6-benzylamino-purine and ethylene. Ethylene and
      6-benzylamino-purine acted synergistically, whereas ethylene had no effect on
      nitrate induction. Aminoethoxyvinyl-glycine, an inhibitor of ethylene
      biosynthesis, inhibited the cytokinin-induced increase of NR activity, but had no
      effect on the nitrate-induced increase. The inhibition by aminoethoxyvinylglycine
      was overcome completely by ethylene. The ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1
      carboxylic acid had the same effect on NR activity as ethylene. Our data indicate
      that NR induction by cytokinins only occurs in the presence of ethylene, and that
      nitrate enhances NR activity through a mechanism which is distinct from the
      induction by hormones. 

PMID- 24232770
TI  - Effect of ammonium and nitrate on growth and appearance of nitrate reductase and
      nitrite reductase in dark- and light-grown mustard seedlings.
AB  - Nitrate-induced and phytochrome-modulated appearance of nitrate reductase (NR; EC
      1.6.6.1) and nitrite reductase (NIR; EC 1.7.7.1) in the cotyledons of the mustard
      (Sinapis alba L.) seedling is strongly affected by externally supplied ammonium
      (NH 4 (+) ). In short-term experiments between 60 and 78 h after sowing it was
      found that in darkness NH 4 (+) -simultaneously given with NO 3 (-) -strongly
      inhibits appearance of nitrate-inducible NR and NIR whereas in continuous far-red
      light-which operates exclusively via phytochrome without significant chlorophyll
      formation -NH 4 (+) (simultaneously given with NO 3 (-) ) strongly stimulates
      appearance of NR. The NIR levels are not affected. This indicates that NR and NIR
      levels are regulated differently. In the absence of external NO 3 (-) appearance
      of NR is induced by NH4 in darkness as well as in continuous far-red light
      whereas NIR levels are not affected. On the other hand, in the absence of
      external NO 3 (-) , exogenous NH 4 (+) strongly inhibits growth of the mustard
      seedling in darkness as well as in continuous far-red light. This effect can be
      abolished by simultaneously supplying NO 3 (-) . The adverse effect of NH 4 (+)
      on growth ('NH 4 (+) -toxicity') cannot be attributed to pH-changes in the medium
      since it was shown that neither the growth responses nor the changes of the
      enzyme levels are related to pH changes in the medium. Non-specific osmotic
      effects are not involved either. 

PMID- 24232771
TI  - Importance of the cap in maize root growth.
AB  - A large population of primary roots of Zea mays (cv. LG 11) was selected for
      uniform length at zero time. Their individual growth rates were measured over an
      8-h period in the vertical position (in humid air, darkness). Three groups of
      these roots with significantly different growth rates were then chosen and their
      cap length was measured. It was found that slowly growing roots had long caps
      whereas rapidly growing roots had short caps. The production by the cap cells of
      basipetally transported growth inhibitors was tested (biologically by the
      curvature of half-decapped roots) and found to be significantly higher for longer
      root caps than that for shorter ones. 

PMID- 24232772
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24232773
TI  - No association between vitamin D intake and incident psoriasis among US women.
AB  - We investigated the association between dietary, supplementary and total vitamin
      D intake and incident psoriasis in women. A prospective study was performed of
      70,437 US female nurses aged 47-74 enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study who did
      not have psoriasis at baseline in 1994 and who completed semi-quantitative food
      frequency questionnaires in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006. The incidence of clinician
      diagnosed psoriasis was ascertained and validated by self-reported
      questionnaires. 502 confirmed incident psoriasis cases were documented during
      973,057 person-years of follow-up from 1994 June to 2008 June. Association
      between vitamin D intake and incident psoriasis was assessed using multivariable
      adjusted cox regression analysis. After adjusting for age, smoking, body mass
      index, calorie intake, UV flux, exercise and alcohol use, there was no
      significant association between vitamin D intake (dietary, supplementary and
      total vitamin D) and the risk of incident psoriasis. Compared with women whose
      dietary vitamin D intake was <100 IU/day, multivariate relative risks for
      psoriasis was 1.13 (95 % CI 0.66-1.92) for >=400 IU/day (P trend = 0.88). The
      multivariate relative risk for women who took supplementary vitamin D >=400
      IU/day was 1.18 (95 % CI 0.88-1.58) compared with women who did not take
      supplementary vitamin D. The multivariate risk for women who had total vitamin D
      intake of 300-399 IU/day was no different than at higher and lower doses of
      vitamin D intake. Our study does not support preventive roles of dietary or
      supplemental vitamin D intake for incident psoriasis.

PMID- 24232774
TI  - Nutritional and hormonal requirements of Ginkgo biloba embryo-derived callus and
      suspension cell culture.
AB  - Calli were obtained from Ginkgo biloba embryos grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS)
      medium. The G. biloba cells could grow on either MS or Gamborg B5 mineral salt
      medium supplemented with sucrose (3% and 2%, respectively) and naphthaleneacetic
      acid (NAA) and kinetin (K) in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 2.0 mg.L(-1).
      Best growth and maintenance of callus cultures were achieved using MS medium
      supplemented with 2 mg.L(-1) NAA and 1 mg.L(-1) K (N2K1MS). Light was required to
      maintain healthy growth of the callus tissue.In both MS and B5 based media,
      sucrose was hydrolyzed extracellularly before being taken up by Ginkgo cell
      suspension cultures. Specific growth rates of 0.13 d(-1) and 0.08 d(-1) were
      obtained in MS medium supplemented with 1 mg.L(-1) NAA, 0.1 mg.L(-1) K and 30
      g.L(-1) sucrose (N1K0.1MS) and B5 medium supplemented with the same growth
      regulator regime and 20 g.L(-1) sucrose (N1K0.1B5) respectively. Complete
      phosphate and ammonium uptake was observed in 11 days when cultured in MS medium
      and 10 days and 4 days respectively when cultured in B5 medium. During the
      culture, G. biloba cells consumed only 64% and 29% of the nitrate content of
      N1K0.1MS and N1K0.1B5 media respectively. Maximum dry biomass concentrations were
      13.4 g.L(-1) and 7.9 g.L(-1), and yields on carbohydrate were 0.39 and 0.45 in
      N1K0.1MS and N1K0.1B5 media respectively. The better performance of MS cultures
      came from the higher sucrose and nitrogen salts concentrations of this medium. 

PMID- 24232775
TI  - A novel approach for efficient plant regeneration from long-term suspension
      culture of wheat.
AB  - Hexaploid wheat plants were easily regenerated from young embryo-derived callus
      for twelve genotypes tested. After a 2.5 years culture period, however, most of
      the callus cells lost their ability to regenerate into shoots, but not into
      roots.A novel approach was used to regenerate shoots from the long-term
      suspension cultured cells. In general, instead of selecting embryogenic callus as
      source material, this approach requires the inoculation of unselected callus into
      liquid medium followed by removing the free floating cell portion, selecting out
      non-root forming cell clumps from the root forming primary suspension culture,
      and growing the putative shoot-competent clumps in liquid medium with reduced
      auxin concentrations. We have successfully established shoot-competent wheat
      suspension cultures for cv. 'Mustang'. High (>80%) frequencies of plant
      regeneration were observed from plating of 2.5 year suspension cultures. The
      suspension cultures established by this approach have been utilized to select for
      heat tolerant variants and will be an ideal source material for protoplast
      culture and transformation studies. This approach can also be applied to other
      cereal crops which form roots easily but are unstable in maintaining long term
      regenerable cultures and which are not easily adaptable to suspension culture. 

PMID- 24232776
TI  - In vitro study of transgenic tobacco expressing Arabidopsis wild type and mutant
      acetohydroxyacid synthase genes.
AB  - Genes coding for the enzyme acetohydroxyacid synthase, often referred to as
      acetolactate synthase (AHAS, ALS; EC 4.1.3.18), from wild type Arabidopsis
      thaliana and a sulfonylurea-resistant mutant line GH50 (csrl-1; Haughn et al.
      1988) were introduced in Nicotiana tabacum. Both genes were expressed at high
      levels with the 35S promoter. The csrl-1 gene conferred high levels of resistance
      to chlorsulfuron whereas the wild type gene did not. As selectable markers,
      chimaeric AHAS genes yielded transgenic plants on chlorsulfuron but at much lower
      efficiencies than with a chimaeric neomycin phosphotransferase gene on kanamycin
      (Sanders et al. 1987). Shoot differentiation from leaf discs was delayed on
      chlorsulfuron by 4-6 weeks. This study indicated a role for mutant AHAS genes in
      the genetic manipulation of herbicide resistance in transgenic plants but as
      selectable markers for plant cells undergoing differentiation no advantage over
      other genes was perceived. 

PMID- 24232777
TI  - Salt tolerant sugarbeet progeny from tissue cultures challenged with multiple
      salts.
AB  - Lines of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) tolerant of multiple salts was accomplished
      by an in vitro multiple salt challenge. Petioles were placed on RV medium amended
      with 5 different salts along with Murashige and Skoog base salts for one month.
      Surviving shoots were cultured on RV medium to obtain petioles for subsequent
      challenges. During the first, second and third challenges, organogenically
      regenerated shoots developed from 5%, 46%, and 80% of the petioles, respectively.
      After the third multiple salt challenge, tolerant shoots were rooted and
      transplanted in soil. Salt was added to this soil at 1.0% by weight and plants
      were observed for 2 months. The ten most salt tolerant plants were vernalized to
      obtain seed. The R1 seed and controls were planted in soil containing 0%, 0.61%
      or 0.77% multiple salts per dry soil weight. Emergence of R1 seedlings was
      significantly greater than the controls under salt stress. Multiple salt tolerant
      R1 plants were maintained in salt amended soil to the 8-10 leaf stage and
      appeared as healthy and vigorous as the control growing in salt free soil. 

PMID- 24232778
TI  - Biotransformation of 5betaH-pregnan-3betaol-20-one and cardenolides in cell
      suspension cultures of Nerium oleander L.
AB  - In order to demonstrate enzyme activities playing a role in the biosynthesis of
      cardenolides and 2,6-dideoxysugars, 5betaH-pregnan-3betaol-20-one and
      cardenolides (digitoxigenin, oleandrigenin/L-oleandrose, oleandrin, neriifolin,
      digitoxigeninmonodigitoxoside and strospeside) were fed to cell suspension
      cultures of Nerium oleander L.. It could be shown that cell suspension cultures
      of Nerium oleander L. are able to oxidize, isomerize and glucosylate 5betaH
      steroidaglycones at C-3. The respective glucosides of the 5betaH-steroid
      aglycones are the main biotransformation products. These cell cultures are an
      appropriate tool for the production of labelled 5betaH-steroidglucosides. 

PMID- 24232779
TI  - Somatic hybrid plants from sexually incompatible woody species: Citrus reticulata
      and Citropsis gilletiana.
AB  - Allotetraploid intergeneric somatic hybrid plants between Citrus reticulata
      Blanco cv. Cleopatra mandarin and Citropsis gilletiana Swing. & M. Kell. (common
      name Gillet's cherry orange) were regenerated following protoplast fusion.
      Cleopatra protoplasts were isolated from an ovule-derived embryogenic suspension
      culture and fused chemically with leaf-derived protoplasts of Citropsis
      gilletiana. Cleopatra mandarin and somatic hybrid plants were regenerated via
      somatic embryogenesis. Hybrid plant identification was based on differential leaf
      morphology, root-tip cell chromosome number, and electrophoretic analyses of
      phosphoglucose mutase (PGM) and phosphohexose isomerase (PHI) isozyme banding
      patterns. This is the first somatic hybrid within the Rutaceae reported that does
      not have Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) as a parent, and the first produced with
      a commercially important citrus rootstock and a complementary but sexually
      incompatible, related species. 

PMID- 24232780
TI  - Genetic transformation of Medicago species by Agrobacterium tumefaciens and
      electroporation of protoplasts.
AB  - Shoot and leaf segments of a non-regenerable Medicago sativa L. genotype were
      cocultivated with the "shooty" mutant of Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying the
      pGV 2206 plasmid. Transformed callus lines were selected and regenerated on the
      hormone free B5 medium. Southern blot analysis demonstrated integration of T-DNA
      in to the genome of the regenerated plants.Transgenic plants resistant to
      kanamycin were obtained by electroporation of Medicago borealis protoplasts with
      the pGA 472 plasmid DNA. 

PMID- 24232781
TI  - Phytochrome-mediated responses of cells and protoplasts of green calli obtained
      from the leaves of a CAM plant.
AB  - Green callus obtained from leaves of the CAM-inducible plant Kalanchoe
      blossfeldiana cv. Montezuma has previously been shown to perform C3-type
      photosynthesis under 16-h days and to shift to crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)
      under 9-h days. The utilization of photoperiodic regimes (i.e. night
      interruptions by 30 min red light) established that CAM induction in the callus
      was under the control of phytochrome, as shown by measurements of CAM criteria:
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity and malic acid pools. Short-term
      responsiveness of the callus cells to phytochrome modulations by monochromatic
      radiations was also established by the rapid changes observed in the diameter of
      the callus-derived protoplasts. These results provide further evidence that whole
      plant correlations are not necessary for phytochrome operativity. 

PMID- 24232782
TI  - Passage of lanthanum through the pollen grain wall of Olea europaea L. during
      development.
AB  - In order to study the behavior of the exine as a site of passage of material from
      the locule of the anther, lanthanum nitrate was used to locate the possible
      routes of communication between the Olea europaea L. pollen grain and its
      external environment from the period of exine consolidation until dehiscence of
      the anther. In all four stages of development studied, dense lanthanum deposits
      occupied microchannel-like orifices, whereas these dense deposits occupied the
      apertural regions only in the first stages of development. Lanthanum precipitate
      is also present in the endexine, intine and cytoplasmic vesicles of mature
      pollen. The transportational function of the apertures is discussed in relation
      to the presence of dense lanthanum deposits in some stages of pollen grain. 

PMID- 24232783
TI  - Chromosome number and DNA content of tobacco cells adapted to NaCl.
AB  - Cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin 38) cells were found to have
      altered DNA contents and chromosome numbers after adaptation to NaCl. Cells
      adapted to 428 mM NaCl were predominately hexaploid compared to the normal
      tetraploid 2N(2C)=4X=48 chromosome number of unadapted cells. Enrichment of the
      cell population for hexaploid cells occurred only after exposure to higher NaCl
      (428 mM), not lower levels of NaCl (171 mM). The majority of adapted cells remain
      hexaploid for at least 25 cell generations after removal from NaCl exposure.
      Adapted cell populations were found to have fewer cells with highly polyploid
      (2N>=96) nuclei. Salt tolerance of hexaploid cells was not found to be
      significantly greater than that of tetraploid cells. Cells with higher ploidy
      levels were less salt tolerant. It is suggested that high levels of NaCl induce
      polyploidization and that exposure to NaCl selects against cells with very high
      ploidy levels. 

PMID- 24232784
TI  - Chromosome number and nuclear DNA content of plants regenerated from salt adapted
      plant cells.
AB  - Plants regenerated from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin 38) cells
      that were adapted to 428 mM NaCl were found to have hexaploid or near-hexaploid
      chromosome numbers compared to the normal tetraploid, 2N(2C)=4X=48 chromosome
      numbers of plants regenerated from unadapted cells. Even though cells with
      chromosome numbers other than hexaploid were found in the cell population only
      hexaploid plants were regenerated. The hexaploid condition may impart some
      karyotypic stability that allows more efficient morphogenic activity. The
      hexaploid condition could not be correlated with several phenotypic alterations
      associated with plants regenerated from adapted cells, including male sterility
      and increased salt tolerance. 

PMID- 24232785
TI  - Agrobacterium - and microprojectile - mediated viral DNA delivery into barley
      microspore-derived cultures.
AB  - Anther cultures of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. "Igri") were used as targets
      for Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer and direct DNA uptake by particle
      bombardment. A wheat dwarf virus construct which can replicate to a high copy
      number in cereal cells provided a sensitive marker for successful DNA delivery.
      Although DNA delivery was achieved using both procedures, particle bombardment
      gave more reproducible and higher levels of infection. The ability to deliver DNA
      into cereal cells which have a high regeneration capacity may provide a route for
      stable transformation. 

PMID- 24232786
TI  - Direct assessment of hormone stimulated transcription in protoplasts and isolated
      nuclei of Petunia hybrida.
AB  - We have developed a simplified procedure for the detection of cellular RNA
      transcripts. Entire protoplasts, isolated nuclei or nuclei sorted according to
      cell cycle phases are directly dotted onto filters and hybridized. Transcripts
      are quantified thereupon without any RNA extraction methodology. Previously,
      auxin and cytokinin have been shown to increase the level of RNA in Petunia
      mesophyll protoplasts after 18h of culture. The present results show that auxin
      and cytokinin also increase the level of ATPase and rDNA gene transcripts in
      protoplast released nuclei. For the ribosomal gene, however, transcripts increase
      in protoplasts with time in absence of exogenous hormones. 

PMID- 24232787
TI  - Determination of physical membrane properties of plant cell protoplasts via the
      electrofusion technique: prediction of optimal fusion yields and protoplast
      viability.
AB  - By variation of physical parameters (field strength, pulse duration) which result
      in electrofusion and electroporation, properties of the plasma membrane of
      different types of plant cell protoplasts were analyzed. The lower threshold for
      that field pulse intensity at which membrane breakdown occurred (recorded as
      fusion event) depended on pulse duration, protoplast size, and protoplast type
      (tobacco, oat; vacuolated, evacuolated). This fusion characteristic of plant
      protoplasts can also be taken as a measure of the charging process of the
      membrane and allows thus a non-invasive determination of the time constant and
      the specific membrane capacitance. Although the fusion yield was comparable at
      pulse duration/field strength couples of, e.g., 10 MUs/1.5 kV*cm(-1) and 200
      MUs/0.5 kV*cm(-1), hybrid viability was not. Rates of cell wall regeneration and
      cell division of tobacco mesophyll protoplasts were not affected but may have
      been increased at short pulse duration/high field strength. Plating efficiency,
      in contrast, was significantly decreased with longer pulse duration at low field
      strengths. 

PMID- 24232789
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24232788
TI  - A protoplast-to-plant system in chrysanthemum: differential responses among
      several commercial clones.
AB  - Plant regeneration has been obtained from Chrysanthemum mesophyll protoplasts. Of
      the twenty-nine clones studied, division was observed for eighteen clones, and
      coupled with colony formation for sixteen of them. Elimination of NH4NO3 from the
      culture medium greatly improved colony survival in culture. Calli were obtained
      from colonies of five clones, and for clone n(o) 42 buds were produced.
      Regeneration ability, for such protoplast-derived calli of clone n(o) 42, was
      retained over a prolonged culture period. The regenerated plants were
      successfully transferred to the glasshouse (4 to 5 months from protoplast
      isolation). 

PMID- 24232790
TI  - In vitro morphogenesis of arrested embryos from lethal mutants of Arabidopsis
      thaliana.
AB  - Arrested embryos from lethal (emb) mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana were rescued
      on a nutrient medium designed to promote plant regeneration from immature wild
      type cotyledons. The best response was observed with mutant embryos arrested at
      the heart to cotyledon stages of development. Embryos arrested at a globular
      stage produced callus but failed to turn green or form normal shoots in culture.
      Many of the mutant plants produced in culture were unusually pale with abnormal
      leaves, rosettes, and patterns of reproductive development. Other plants were
      phenotypically normal except for the presence of siliques containing 100% aborted
      seeds following self-pollination. These results demonstrate that genes with
      essential functions during plant embryo development differ in their pattern of
      expression at later stages of the life cycle. Most of the 15 genes examined in
      this study were essential for embryogenesis but were required again for
      subsequent stages of development. Only EMB24 appeared to be limited in function
      to embryo development. These differences in the response of mutant embryos in
      culture may facilitate the classification of embryonic lethals and the
      identification of genes with developmental rather than housekeeping functions. 

PMID- 24232791
TI  - Small mitochondrial DNA molecules of wild abortive cytoplasm in rice are not
      necessarily associated with CMS.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA was isolated from leaf tissue of both the cytoplasmic male
      sterile line of Indica rice variety V41, which carries wild abortive (WA)
      cytoplasm, and from the corresponding maintainer line. In addition to the main
      mitochondrial DNA, four small plasmid-like DNA molecules were detected in both
      the male sterile and fertile lines. Restriction analysis of total mitochondrial
      DNA from the male sterile and fertile lines showed DNA fragments unique to each.
      Our findings suggest that the four small mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecules are
      conserved when WA cytoplasm is transferred into different nuclear backgrounds.
      However, there is no simple correlation between the presence/ absence of small
      mitochondrial DNA molecules and the expression of WA cytoplasmic male sterility
      (CMS). 

PMID- 24232792
TI  - A specific rearrangement of mitochondrial DNA induced by tissue culture.
AB  - The induction, growth and regeneration of sugar beet callus to whole plants were
      all found to be highly genotype-specific. Regenerants of one line (of sterile
      cytoplasm) were obtained and a study of the chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA in
      these somaclones was undertaken by gel electrophoresis and cosmid hybridization.
      In one somaclone a rearrangement in the mitochondrial genome was observed; the
      novel arrangement of this part of the genome was identical to the corresponding
      area of the genome of the normal cytoplasm though it was otherwise of sterile
      type. This suggests that mitochondrial DNA may have a propensity to undergo
      certain types of rearrangement. 

PMID- 24232793
TI  - A contiguous sequence in spinach nuclear DNA is homologous to three separated
      sequences in chloroplast DNA.
AB  - A 3.4-kbp nuclear (n) DNA sequence has greater than 99% sequence homology to
      three segments of the chloroplast (cp) genes rps2, psbD/C, and psaA respectively.
      Each of these cpDNA segments is less than 3 kbp in length and appears to be
      integrated, at least in part, into several (>5) different sites flanked by unique
      sequences in the nuclear genome. Some of these sites contain longer homologies to
      the particular genes, while others are only homologous to smaller parts of the cp
      genes. Both the cpDNA fragments found in the nuclear genome and their flanking
      nDNA sequences are invested with short repeated A-T rich sequences but, apart
      from a hexanucleotide sequence and a palindromic sequence identified near each
      recombination point, there is no obvious structure that can suggest a mechanism
      of DNA transfer from the chloroplast to the nucleus in spinach. 

PMID- 24232794
TI  - Enzyme diversity in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) : 2. Africa and India.
AB  - The survey of enzyme polymorphism in West African pearl millet cultivars reported
      by Tostain et al. 1987 has been extended to include populations from other
      regions of Africa and from India. The eight enzyme systems studied included:
      alcohol dehydrogenase, beta-esterase, catalase, phosphoglucoisomerase,
      phosphoglucomutase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glutamate oxaloacetate
      transaminase, and malate dehydrogenase. One-hundred-ninety-nine populations of
      millet were analyzed, including 74 populations studied earlier. No new enzyme
      diversity was observed. Intrapopulation diversity ranged from 70%-90% of the
      total diversity, depending on their regions of origin. Four principal groups were
      distinguished in the following decreasing order of diversity: early-maturing
      cultivars from West and East Africa, late - maturing cultivars from West and East
      Africa, cultivars from India, and cultivars from southern Africa. The early
      maturing cultivars were distributed between two principal focal points from East
      Africa in the East to Mali in the West. In the center were found millets from
      Niger which were most diverse. Indian and southern African cultivars were
      distinct, with the former appearing relatively similar to those of Niger, and the
      latter somewhat similar to late-maturing cultivars from West Africa, a diverse
      group that included late-maturing cultivars from East Africa. Based on the
      results obtained, an evolutionary hypothesis proposed here includes: multiple
      domestications in the Sahel, creation of early-maturing cultivars and their
      migration eastwards to India plus a southwards migration to Sudanian zone, and
      creation of late-maturing cultivars and their migration simultaneously westwards,
      eastwards, and southwards to southern Africa. 

PMID- 24232795
TI  - Analysis of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNAs in asymmetric somatic hybrids
      between tobacco and carrot.
AB  - Chloroplast and mitochondrial DNAs have been examined by comparison of
      restriction enzyme patterns in asymmetric hybrid plants, resulting from the
      fusion between leaf mesophyll protoplasts of Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae), and
      irradiated cell culture protoplasts of Daucus carota (Umbellifereae). These
      somatic hybrids with normal tobacco morphology were selected as a consequence of
      the transfer of methotrexate and 5-methyltryptophan resistance from carrot to
      tobacco. The restriction patterns of chloroplast DNAs in somatic hybrids were
      indistinguishable from the tobacco parent. However, we found somatic hybrids with
      mitochondrial DNA significantly different from either parent, as judged by
      analysis of fragment distribution after restriction enzyme digestion. The
      possible formation of altered mitochondrial DNA molecules as the result of
      parasexual hybrid production between two phylogenetically highly divergent plant
      species will be discussed. 

PMID- 24232796
TI  - Analysis of early growth of guppy strains, Poecilia reticulata, with different
      color patterns.
AB  - The guppy, Poecilia reticulata, is economically the most important species of
      freshwater ornamental fish cultured in Singapore. About 30 strains with different
      color patterns and fin shapes are reared in guppy farms practising monoculture in
      Singapore. To compare the growth rates of domesticated strains with different
      color patterns, newborn fry of 11 strains were obtained on the same day from a
      single farm in Singapore and were reared experimentally in the laboratory for
      about 100 days. Each strain was distributed randomly into 4 tanks with 30
      fish/tank. Weekly weighings of 10 fish/tank were made from 17 to 100 days of age.
      Three strains were homozygous for the autosomal recessive blond gene which gives
      rise to a pale yellow background pigmentation (bb). These blond strains had
      significantly smaller body weights than corresponding ones with the same color
      pattern but with the wild-type grey-brown background coloration due to the
      dominant allele (BB). The strains with the red tail pattern due to a dominant X
      linked gene (Rdt) had more rapid growth than those with other tail color patterns
      including the blue, black, green snakeskin and variegated. However, no
      significant differences were detected among the other color pattern strains. Thus
      among the strains studied, the blond strains were associated with slower growth
      while those with the red tail color were associated with faster growth. 

PMID- 24232797
TI  - Brassica naponigra, a somatic hybrid resistant to Phoma lingam.
AB  - Brassica napus and B. nigra were combined via protoplast fusion into the novel
      hybrid Brassica naponigra. The heterokaryons were identified by fluorescent
      markers and selected by flow sorting. Thirty hybrid plants were confirmed by
      isozyme analysis to contain both B. nigra and B. napus chromosomes; of these, 20
      plants had the sum of the parental chromosome numbers. A non-random segregation
      of the chloroplasts was found in the hybrids. Of 14 hybrid plants investigated,
      all had the B. napus type of chloroplast. The resistance to Phoma lingam found in
      the B. nigra cultivar used in the fusion experiments was expressed in 26 of the
      hybrid plants. The hybrids obtained in this study contain all of the three
      Brassica genomes (A, B and C) and have thus created unique possibilities for
      genetic exchanges between the genomes. Since most of the plants were fertile as
      well as resistant to P. lingam, they have been incorporated into conventional
      rapeseed breeding programs. 

PMID- 24232798
TI  - Isozyme gene markers in Vicia faba L.
AB  - This study was conducted to assess the genetic basis of the variability observed
      for the glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD),
      esterase (EST), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) isozyme systems in different open
      pollinated Vicia faba varieties. Individual plants showing contrasting zymogram
      patterns were simultaneously selfed and cross-combined. Crossing was unsuccessful
      in producing progeny, and only selfed progenies were suitable for genetical
      analysis of isozyme variability. Three zones of GOT activity were made visible.
      The isozyme of GOT-2 and GOT-3 zones were dimeric and under the control of three
      alleles at the Got-2 locus and two alleles at the Got-3 locus, respectively. The
      isozymes of the GOT-1 zone did not show any variability. Three zones of SOD
      isozyme activity were made visible. The isozymes occurring in the SOD-1
      (chloroplastic isozyme form) and SOD-2 (cytosol isozyme form) zones were dimeric
      and under the control of two alleles at the Sod-1 and Sod-2 loci. The isozyme
      visualized in the SOD-3 zone (mitochondrial isozyme form) were tetrameric and
      under the control of two alleles at the Sod-3 locus. Apparently the isozymes made
      visible in the most anodal esterase zones EST-1, EST-2, and EST-3 were monomeric,
      and the occurrence of two alleles at each of two different loci explained the
      variability observed in the EST-2 and EST-3 zones. For MDH, only two five-banded
      zymogram pattern types were found, and every selfed progeny showed only one of
      the two zymogram type, indicating that each individual possessed fixed alleles at
      the loci controlling MDH isozyme. Got-2, Got-3, Sod-1, Sod-2, and Sod-3 appear to
      be five new isozyme gene markers that can be useful in Vicia faba breeding for
      linkage study, varietal fingerprinting, outcrossing rate estimate, and indirect
      selection for quantitative characters. 

PMID- 24232799
TI  - DNA fingerprinting: a tool for determining genetic distances between strains of
      poultry.
AB  - DNA fingerprinting, a technique based on the detection of hypervariable
      minisatellite regions in DNA restriction fragments, was tested for its
      applicability to conduct population genetics in poultry. Using MspI digestion and
      phage M13 DNA as a probe, between 25 and 35 minisatellite-containing DNA
      fragments were observed per bird. Comparison of the banding pattern of offspring
      with their parents revealed that the bands were inherited as stable genetic
      traits. The variability of the DNA fingerprinting pattern was reduced in inbred
      strains. DNA fingerprints of chickens from five well-defined populations of known
      genetic relationships were analyzed and indices of genetic distances were
      computed. They correctly reflected the history of these strains, indicating that
      DNA fingerprinting may be a powerful tool to characterize genetic relationships
      between different breeding populations of the same species. 

PMID- 24232800
TI  - Comparative and genetic studies of isozymes in resynthesized and cultivated
      Brassica napus L., B. campestris L. and B. alboglabra Bailey.
AB  - Enzyme electrophoresis was used to compare newly resynthesized Brassica napus
      with its actual parental diploid species, B. campestris and B. alboglabra.
      Comparisons were also made with cultivated B. napus. Of the eight enzyme systems
      assayed, four were monomorphic (hexokinase, malate dehydrogenase, mannose
      phosphate isomerase and peroxidase), whereas the remaining four were polymorphic
      (glucosephosphate isomerase, leucine aminopeptidase, phosphoglucomutase and
      shikimate dehydrogenase), when comparisons were made within or between species.
      The polymorphic enzyme patterns observed in the newly resynthesized B. napus
      disclosed that the homoeologous loci contributed by the parental species were
      expressed in the amphiploid. Analysis of the glucosephosphate isomerase enzyme in
      a breeding line (Sv 02372) of B. napus indicated that, in this case, the gene
      originating from B. campestris was switched off whereas that of B. oleracea was
      expressed. Duplicated enzyme loci were observed in B. campestris and B.
      alboglabra, thus providing additional evidence to support the hypothesis that
      these species are actually secondary polyploids derived from an unknown archetype
      of x=6. 

PMID- 24232801
TI  - Differential male reproductive success in Douglas fir.
AB  - Differential male reproductive success was studied in clones at two seed orchards
      of Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. The performance of tester
      pollen parents was compared in controlled pollinations with two-parent pollen
      mixes. Marker pollen homozygous for a rare IDH allele was the genetic marker in
      each pollen mix. The resulting seeds were analyzed electrophoretically. At both
      seed orchards, the proportion of seeds sired by tester pollen significantly
      varied among the tester pollen parents. Tester pollen parents did not perform the
      same across all seed parents. The significant interaction effect was evidence of
      male-female complementarity. These results suggest a genetic basis to
      differential male reproductive success in Douglas fir. 

PMID- 24232802
TI  - Comparative performance of bread wheat and hexaploid triticale cytoplasms.
AB  - Thirteen wheat-like advanced-generation triticale x wheat derivatives, having
      tetraploid wheat cytoplasm from triticale, were reciprocally crossed with three
      improved bread wheats, and the resulting F1s were evaluated for determining the
      comparative performance of the bread wheat and triticale cytoplasms for different
      traits. Significant reciprocal differences in the mean performance were observed
      for days to heading, days to maturity, spikes/plant, flag-leaf area, peduncle
      length, plant height, spike length, grains/spike, 1,000-grain weight, grain yield
      and grain protein content, and most of them were in favour of hexaploid wheat
      cytoplasm. However, this superiority of the hexaploid cytoplasm was not universal
      for a particular trait, implying that the differences in the performance of the
      evaluated reciprocal crosses depended not solely on the cytoplasmic background,
      but also on the interplay of the specific genotype with the cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24232803
TI  - The characterization and comparative analysis of high-molecular-weight glutenin
      genes from genomes A and B of a hexaploid bread wheat.
AB  - Two high-molecular-weight subunit (HMWS) glutenin genes from the A and B genomes
      of the hexaploid bread wheat Triticum aestivum L. cv Cheyenne have been isolated
      and sequenced. Both of these genes are of the high Mr class (x-type) of HMW
      glutenins, and have not been previously reported. The entire set of six HMW genes
      from cultivar Cheyenne have now been isolated and characterized. An analysis of
      the Ax and Bx sequences shows that the Ax sequence is similar to the homoeologous
      gene from the D genome, while the Bx repeat structure is significantly different.
      The repetitive region of these proteins can be modelled as a series of
      interspersed copies of repeat modifs of 6, 9, and 15 amino acid residues. The
      evolution of these genes includes single-base substitutions over the entire
      coding region, plus insertion/deletions of single or blocks of repeats in the
      central repetitive domain. 

PMID- 24232804
TI  - A comparison of Hordeum bulbosum-mediated haploid production efficiency in barley
      using in vitro floret and tiller culture.
AB  - A high efficiency of Hordeum bulbosum-mediated haploid production in barley has
      been achieved using a floret culture technique in which florets pollinated with
      Hordeum bulbosum are cultured on modified N6 media containing 0.5 mg/l kinetin
      and 1.2 mg/l2,4-D. Cultures were maintained at 25  degrees C with a 16 h
      photoperiod for 9 days before embryo rescue. In a comparison of haploid
      production efficiency using five F1 hybrids from winter x winter and winter x
      spring barley crosses, 41.6 haploid plants/100 florets pollinated were produced
      using floret culture. Using detached tiller culture, 13.5 haploid plants/100
      florets pollinated were produced. Higher efficiencies achieved with floret
      culture are attributed to the formation of larger, differentiated embryos. Such
      embryos lead to higher frequencies of plant regeneration. The F1 from a winter x
      winter cross was inferior in haploid production compared to F1s from winter x
      spring crosses. No genotype x technique interaction was observed. 

PMID- 24232805
TI  - Position-specific effects in the mutagenic action of mitomycin C on the
      chromosomes of Hordeum vulgare L.
AB  - The mutagenic action of mitomycin C (MMC) on the chromosomes of two reconstructed
      karyotypes of barley was studied. MMC-induced chromatid aberrations were found to
      be distributed non-randomly along the chromosomes. The regions situated next to
      the secondary constrictions of chromosomes 6 and 7 appeared to be clearly
      pronounced aberration "hot spots". In these segments, intercalary deletions and
      duplication-deletions were the most frequently induced aberration types. The
      comparative analysis of the frequency and localization of MMC-induced aberrations
      in the chromosomes of the two karyotype variants, which differ from each other by
      the position of the "hot spot" segments, provided new evidence about the
      influence of the segment transposition on the "hot spot" expressivity. The most
      remarkable finding obtained in the study is that the size of the segment involved
      in both intercalary deletions and duplication-deletions proved to be strongly
      affected by the structural peculiarity of the reconstructed chromosome. The
      possible reasons underlying this finding are discussed. 

PMID- 24232806
TI  - Phenotypic polymorphism and allele differentiation of isozymes in fodder beet,
      multigerm sugar beet and monogerm sugar beet.
AB  - Thirteen enzymes (MDH, SDH, LAP, PGM, PX, IDH, GPI, 6PGD, APH, GOT, GDH, ME and
      SOD) of 3 cultivated beet (B. vulgaris L.) gene pools, comprising 12 accessions
      of fodder beet, 11 of old multigerm sugar beet and 10 of modern monogerm sugar
      beet, were investigated using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Eleven
      accessions of primitive or wild B. vulgaris were also included for the comparison
      of isozymes. Variation in isozyme phenotypes was investigated to detect diversity
      in the three cultivated forms of beet. Phenotypic variation was observed in all
      except ME and SOD, which were monomorphic. A high degree of phenotypic
      polymorphism (Pj) was found in GDH, PGM, IDH, APH and MDH. Differences in
      phenotypic polymorphism in MDH, GPI and PX were recognized between fodder beet
      and both sugar beet groups. Average polymorphism for 13 enzymes in both sugar
      beets was significantly higher than that in fodder beet. For 13 enzymes, the
      existence of high isozyme diversity in both sugar beet gene pools was revealed.
      Allele frequencies in 13 alleles of five enzyme-coding loci, Lap, Px-1, Aph-1,
      Got-2 and Gdh-2, were investigated. New alleles, Px-1 (1) and Got-2 (1), were
      found in fodder beet accessions. No significant differences of average allele
      frequencies of five loci between fodder beet and both sugar beets were
      recognized. Several unique alleles and different isozyme phenotypes were observed
      in the accessions of B. vulgaris ssp. macrocarpa and ssp. adanensis. Future
      utilization of cultivated beet gene pools for sugar beet breeding is discussed
      from the viewpoint of genetic resources. 

PMID- 24232807
TI  - Introgression in Brassica napus for adaptation to the growing conditions in
      Bangladesh.
AB  - Among the oleiferous Brassicas, B. napus has the highest seed and oil
      productivity. As it is a species adapted to the temperate regions, its spring
      type is either unable to flower or flowers too late in the short - day winter
      (rabi) season of the subtropics. B. napus (genome AACC) is an amphidiploid
      between B. campestris (AA) and B. oleracea (CC), and shares one genome with the
      other allotetraploids B. juncea (AABB) and B. carinata (BBCC). While B. napus
      lacks ecotypes adapted to the subtropics, the other four species are well
      represented in this climatic zone. Reciprocal crosses with or without one direct
      backcross to B. napus have been carried out with the intention of transfering
      short-day adaptability. The aim was to introgress the A genome of carefully
      selected early representatives of B. campestris and B. juncea with the
      corresponding genome in B. napus, and similary the C genome from B. oleracea and
      B. carinata with the analogous genome in B. napus. B. campestris, B. juncea and
      the clearly later species, B. oleracea var 'alboglabra' and B. carinata, seem to
      be almost equally effective in introgressing the appropriate earliness necessary
      for growth in Bangladesh. One backcross sligthly delayed segregation of early
      types. Convergent crosses did not result in the transgression of earliness, which
      was unexpected since the inheritance of flowering and maturity indicated a
      polygenic regulation. This result is partly explained by assuming dominant
      oligogenic control of the photoperiodic response. Introgression of earliness with
      the C genome doesn't seem to be necessarily related with the earliness of the
      donor species. Intergenomic interactions may be important. Interesting new lines
      were selected with high yield. Thus there is a good probability that Bangladesh
      will have a new oil crop. As these lines were observed to be early in Sweden as
      well, they could potentially push rapseed cultivation further north in temperate
      regions where the growing period is limited by short summers. 

PMID- 24232808
TI  - Low temperature acclimation and treatment with exogenous abscisic acid induce
      common polypeptides in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.
AB  - Exogenously applied abscisic acid (ABA) induced frost hardening of Arabidopsis
      thaliana (L.) Heynh. The freezing tolerance of A. thaliana plantlets treated with
      ABA (15 mg/l) at a non-acclimating temperature (20  degrees C) appeared to
      increase even more rapidly than following a low temperature (4  degrees C)
      acclimation. Analysis of in vivo-labelled soluble proteins by two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis revealed several low temperature - or ABA - induced proteins,
      which where not produced in non-acclimated plants. A subset of these proteins was
      induced by both low temperature and ABA treatments, suggesting that they might be
      directly involved in the frost hardening process in A. thaliana. 

PMID- 24232809
TI  - Studies of isozymes in oat species.
AB  - Starch and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of seven isozyme systems was
      investigated as a means of identifying wild and cultivated species of Avena with
      different ploidy levels. By examining the characteristic isoenzymatic patterns,
      it was shown that there was considerable variability within the different
      species. However, it was nevertheless possible to unequivocally identify the
      species of wild oats and to distinguish between the different species belonging
      to the same genomic set, thus providing a definitive reference technique for the
      identification of Avena species in seed-testing laboratories. The relationships
      between Avena species were inferred from the electrophoresis data. The divergence
      of the A. maroccana - A. murphyi complex and its contribution to the AACC genomes
      are emphasized. 

PMID- 24232810
TI  - Hybrid necrosis in triticale and the expression of necrosis genes in
      allopolyploids.
AB  - The occurrence in triticale of four different genes causing hybrid necrosis is
      described: Ne1 and Ne2 in the B genome of wheat and Ner1 and Ner2 in the rye
      genome. Hybrid necrosis develops due to dominant complementary interaction of two
      genes. This interaction in triticale, however, may take place not only between
      genes belonging to the same genome but also between genes of different genomes.
      In triticale, these genes can cause hybrid necrosis in four different
      combinations. The inheritance of the phenomenon in triticale is, therefore, more
      complicated than it is in wheat or rye. To avoid hybrid necrosis in triticale,
      attention should be paid that no necrosis genes are introduced into the primary
      triticale stocks from the wheat and rye parents. The expression of necrosis genes
      is influenced by the level of ploidy. Any additional genome - A, B, D, or R - may
      exert a suppressing effect on the expression of necrosis genes. Therefore, when
      identifying genotypes of triticale with regard to their necrosis genes, the level
      of ploidy has to be accounted for. Moreover, the present results illustrate that
      gene expression in polyploids is not only determined by interactions with other
      single genes but that it may also be modified by the total genotype of the
      respective individual. 

PMID- 24232811
TI  - Genetic variability in Plantago species in relation to their ecology : 4.
      Ecotypic differentiation in P. major.
AB  - Twelve Plantago major plants, good representatives of their populations, appeared
      to be genetically different for several characters which are important for
      adaptation to the respective habitat conditions. These characters are: juvenile
      growth, leaf morphology, production of secondary rosettes, flowering time, seed
      production, seed size and adult leaf production. The adaptive value of some of
      these characters was investigated by transplantation experiments in the field and
      by intraspecific competition experiments. The roadside type of ssp. major was
      adapted to trampling by being erect and elastic. The lawn type of ssp. major was
      adapted to a short, frequently cut, vegetation by being prostrate and by
      producing leaves with short petioles throughout the growth season. In the natural
      situations in which ssp. pleiosperma occurs, growth rate and first-year seed
      production of this subspecies were considerably higher than that of ssp. major.
      In a number of experiments, F1s and F2s were included, derived from crosses
      between the original plants. The F1s were generally rather well adapted to both
      parental habitats, whereas the F2s appeared to be less fit. The various
      alternatives in spending resources relevant for fitness optimization in different
      habitats are discussed. 

PMID- 24232812
TI  - Comments on: "Changes in wall shear stress magnitude after aneurysm rupture" by
      Kenichi Kono, Nagatsuki Tomura, Ryo Yoshimura and Tomoaki Terada, Acta Neurochir
      (2013) 155:1559-1563, DOI 10.1007/s00701-013-1773-2.

PMID- 24232813
TI  - [Translational research in gestational diabetes mellitus and mild gestational
      hyperglycemia: current knowledge and our experience].
AB  - Maternal diabetes constitutes an unfavorable environment for fetal-placental and
      embryonic development. It is has important repercussion in modern obstetrics,
      since it is associated to an increased risk of neonatal and maternal morbidity,
      and it still is a significant medical challenge. The increased occurrence of
      diabetes worldwide, the increase in diabetes type 2 in women at reproductive age
      and the crossed generation of intrauterine programming for diabetes type 2 are
      the bases for the growing interest in utilization of diabetic experimental
      samples, with the aim to acquire knowledge about the mechanisms that induce
      development alterations in gestational diabetes. Several studies have shown the
      benefits of diabetes prevention, with interventions in lifestyle, metabolic
      improvement and control of cardiovascular risk factors to substantially prevent
      the complications of this devastating disease. Despite these findings, the recent
      revolution in the scientific knowledge, and the infinite number of new therapies
      for diabetes, there is still a large gap between what was learned through
      research and what is really done in public, clinical and community health. The
      negative economic impact of this complacency in people, families, and national
      economies is alarming. It is expected that translational research in the binomial
      diabetes and pregnancy are implemented in centers of excellence, in both basic
      and applied research, and complemented by multicenter clinical studies, conducted
      in a pragmatic way to increase the level of scientific evidence with more
      reliable diagnostic and propaedeutic resources.

PMID- 24232814
TI  - Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is higher in patients with Paget's disease of
      bone compared with age-matched controls.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate if vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in patients
      with Paget's disease of bone (PDB) than in age-matched controls. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: We measured serum 25-OHD in 28 untreated patients with PDB and two
      control groups: 284 elderly men from an ongoing cohort from our department, and
      151 postmenopausal women seen in our outpatient clinic for routine medical
      evaluation. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD serum 25-OHD was significantly lower in
      subjects with PDB (23.76 +/- 6.29 ng/mL) than in the control groups of elderly
      men (27.86 +/- 13.52 ng/mL) and postmenopausal women (30.30 +/- 9.59 ng/mL), p =
      0.015. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency considering a cut-off point of
      serum 25-OHD < 30 ng/mL was 85.7% in patients with PDB, and in elderly men and
      postmenopausal women it was 66.7 % and 54.3%, respectively (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: These results suggest a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in
      patients with Paget's disease living in the tropics.

PMID- 24232815
TI  - Influence of PPARA, RXRA, NR1I2 and NR1I3 gene polymorphisms on the lipid
      lowering efficacy and safety of statin therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was investigate the association between
      six genetic variants in the nuclear receptor genes PPARA, RXRA, NR1I2 and NR1I3
      and the lipid-lowering efficacy and safety of statin therapy. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: The study was carried out on 240 Brazilian hypercholesterolemic patients
      on simvastatin and atorvastatin therapy. The polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR
      based methods. RESULTS: The NR1I3 rs2307424 genotype distribution was different
      between subjects with and without adverse drug reactions. Among subjects in the
      ADR group, no T/T homozygotes were observed for this polymorphism, while in the
      non-ADR group the frequency of this genotype was 19.4% (P = 0.007, after multiple
      testing corrections P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: The polymorphisms investigated in
      PPARA (rs1800206), RXRA (rs11381416), and NR1I2 (rs1523130) did not influence the
      lipid-lowering efficacy and safety of statin. Our results show the possible
      influence of NR1I3 genetic variant on the safety of statin.

PMID- 24232816
TI  - [Obesity: main risk factor for systemic arterial hypertension in Brazilian
      adolescents from a cohort study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with hypertension in
      adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 1,716 adolescents of
      a cohort study, aged from 10 to 16 years old sociodemographic, economic, and
      lifestyle characteristics were obtained from an interview, and birth weight from
      hospital records. Hypertension was defined as systolic or diastolic blood
      pressure above the 95th percentile according to the classification recommended by
      the Second Task Force High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents.
      Nutritional status was diagnosed by body mass index (BMI), according to the z
      score from curves published by the World Health Organization. Waist circumference
      was measured at the natural waist. The association between hypertension and the
      explanatory variables was measured using logistic regression. RESULTS: The
      adolescents interviewed represent 71.4% of the baseline, and 50.7% of them were
      males. The prevalence of hypertension was 11.7%. In the multivariate analysis,
      after adjustment for age sex and skin color, hypertension was associated with
      obesity [OR = 2.27, (95%) CI = 1.64 to 3.14] but not associated with waist
      circumference after adjusting for BMI. Early life factors were not associated
      with hypertension in adolescence. CONCLUSION: The results show an association
      between obesity and hypertension among adolescents.

PMID- 24232817
TI  - [Evaluation of bone mineral density in female adolescents with eating disorders].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in girls with eating
      disorders in the beginning of the treatment, at six months, and after one year of
      treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective study involved 35 female
      adolescents with AN or EDNOS treated during one year. Lumbar (L1-L4) bone mineral
      density by DXA was performed in the beginning of treatment, at six months, and
      after one year of treatment. RESULTS: There was improvement in weight, length,
      BMI, bone age (p < 0.001), and 70% of the adolescents with secondary amenorrhea
      had their menstrual cycles restored. However, the Z-score of lumbar BMD did not
      show differences during one year of follow-up (p = 0.76). CONCLUSION: The
      recovery of BMD does not occur together with the restoration of hypothalamic
      pituitary-gonadal axis.

PMID- 24232818
TI  - [Butyrylcholinesterase activity and cardiovascular risk factors in obese
      adolescents submitted to an exercise program].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of physical exercise (PE) on
      cardiovascular risk factors and BChE activity in obese adolescents. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: The sample consisted of 24 obese adolescents and 51 normal weight
      controls. The following variables were measured in the initial stage and after 12
      weeks: weight, height, BMI, waist circumference (WC), fat percentage (% F),
      maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood
      pressure, glucose (GLY) and insulin (INS) at baseline and after 120 min,
      triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol,
      and BChE activity (kU/l). RESULTS: After the intervention, there was significant
      reduction in BMI, WC, %F, TG, GLI 120, INS 120 min, and BChE activity.
      CONCLUSION: The reduction in BChE activity, observed after physical exercise, was
      accompanied by the reduction of the variables associated with cardiovascular risk
      and obesity, indicating that BChE can be used as a secondary marker for the risk
      associated with early onset obesity.

PMID- 24232819
TI  - Evolution of thyroid cancer mortality in adults in Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the trend of thyroid cancer mortality in Brazil between 1980
      and 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ecological study of time series. Mortality
      rates for thyroid cancer adjusted by age according to gender were calculated
      between 1980 and 2010. Data were analyzed by three distinct strategies:
      polynomial regression, joinpoint analysis, and moving averages. RESULTS: Over 70%
      of deaths occur in the elderly, regardless of sex. Among young adults, the
      mortality rate is low, with no difference between men and women. Among mature
      adults and elderly, mortality is increasing, and significantly, for women. There
      is a trend of decreasing mortality in all female adults and overall population,
      and in males and 40-59 years and overall population, both excluding the elderly,
      with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about trends allows setting
      priorities and allocating resources toward positive changes in this scenario in
      the Brazilian population.

PMID- 24232820
TI  - [Diabetes: time to redefine goals?].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess if the A1c goals from the
      Brazilian Diabetes Society (SBD) were compatible with their goals for blood
      glucose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online simulation (AIDA) was used to simulate
      a hypothetical patient with blood glucose values similar to the SBD's goals.
      Average glucose was calculated from generated blood glucose values, and then
      converted to the corresponding A1c value, using the ADA online calculator. Other
      glycemic profiles, using different levels of blood glucose, were also simulated
      in order to assess which would be the A1c value associated with each profile.
      RESULTS: Glycemic goals proposed by the SBD (fasting glucose < 100 mg/dL,
      preprandial < 110 mg/dL, and postprandial < 140 mg/dL), were associated with an
      A1c of 5.9%, much lower than the goal of 7% recommended by the SBD. This
      demonstrates incompatibility among A1c and blood glucose goals proposed by the
      SBD. Such A1c levels are associated with increased mortality among high-risk
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: Besides recommending different A1c goals for different
      patients, the SBD should probably review its recommendations and adopt different
      blood glucose goals that are compatible with the proposed A1c goals, making
      therapeutic targets clearer.

PMID- 24232821
TI  - Physical activities in daily life and functional capacity compared to disease
      activity control in acromegalic patients: impact in self-reported quality of
      life.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life and its association with daily
      physical activity and disease control in acromegalic patients. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: A cross-sectional, case series study, composed of 42 patients recruited
      from the Neuroendocrinology Unit of the University Hospital of Brasilia. Level of
      physical activity was accessed by the International Physical Activity
      Questionnaire (IPAQ 6-short-form), which evaluates the weekly time spent on
      physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity in different contexts of
      life. Quality of life was evaluated by The Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire
      Short Form (SF-36). Data was compared to growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like
      growth factor (IGF-1) levels. Students' t test and Fisher test were used, p <
      0.05, SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: Twenty-two women, aged 51.33 +/- 14.33 and 20 men, aged
      46.2 +/- 13.18 were evaluated. Arthralgia was present in 83% of cases. In men,
      the most common sites of pain were the knees (73%), spine (47% lumbar, and 53%
      thoracic and cervical segments), hands and wrists (40%). Higher scores on SF-36
      were observed in patients with intermediate or high levels of physical activity,
      in the domains social functioning (75 CI 57.3-92.6), general health (75.5 CI 60.4
      90.5), mental health (70 CI 57.8-82.1). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the presence
      and severity of physical disability and pain were not associated with initial GH
      and IGF-1 levels or time of exposure to GH excess. However, the patients
      considered controlled, with normal a normal age-adjusted IGF-1, presented higher
      scores in SF-36, in physical and emotional domains, compared with patients with
      persistent hypersomatotrophism. These findings suggest benefits of metabolic
      control in self-reported quality of life.

PMID- 24232822
TI  - Giant macroprolactinoma and pregnancy.
AB  - Prolactinomas are a common cause of gonadal dysfunction and infertility. We
      present the case of a 38-year-old woman with history of amenorrhea and
      infertility. At seven weeks of pregnancy she presented neuro-ophthalmologic
      complaints of headaches, diplopia, and right ptosis. The work-up study revealed
      an invasive pituitary macroadenoma with a maximum diameter of 9 cm and serum
      prolactin of 25,800 ng/mL (3-20). At 12 weeks, she was referred to the
      Endocrinology Department of the Coimbra University Hospital and started therapy
      with bromocriptine, initially 5 mg/day and then at crescent doses.
      Hyperprolactinemia was rapidly and drastically reduced to 254 ng/mL three weeks
      after taking bromocriptine 15 mg/day. Tumoral volume was reduced and there was
      improvement of III pair paresis. At 38 weeks, a male healthy baby was born. This
      is a relevant clinical case that illustrates the efficacy and safety of
      bromocriptine therapy during pregnancy, even in severe cases like this one.

PMID- 24232823
TI  - Mild adrenal insufficiency due to a NROB1 (DAX1) gene mutation in a boy
      presenting an association of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, reduced final height
      and attention deficit disorder.
AB  - Mutation on NROB1 (DAX1) gene can cause different phenotypes of adrenal
      insufficiency in infancy. Long-term evolution of these patients shows that it is
      possible to have an association with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. In this
      article we describe the evolution of a patient with NROB1 gene mutation,
      diagnosed with a mild form of adrenal insufficiency, and we highlight the
      presence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and short stature, besides the presence
      of attention deficit disorder. Such associations should make physicians aware
      during the follow-up of patients with this disease.

PMID- 24232824
TI  - An intrasellar germinoma with normal tumor marker concentrations mimicking
      primary lymphocytic hypophysitis.
AB  - Intracranial germinomas (GE) are malignant neoplasms most commonly found in the
      suprasellar region, which may cause anterior and particularly posterior pituitary
      hormone deficits with central diabetes insipidus (DI). Differential diagnosis of
      pituitary stalk thickening includes granulomatous, inflammatory, infectious, and
      neoplastic lesions. Although careful analysis of clinical, laboratory, and
      imaging findings may facilitate the diagnosis, transsphenoidal biopsy is
      indicated to confirm the disease, as the correct diagnosis directs the
      appropriate treatment.

PMID- 24232825
TI  - Lithium and phosphorilation cell reactions.

PMID- 24232826
TI  - Response to the letter: Endocrine disturbances related to the use of lithium.

PMID- 24232827
TI  - Cranioplasty with polymethylmethacrylate prostheses fabricated by hand using
      original bone flaps: Technical note and surgical outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decompressive craniectomies (DC) mandate future cranioplasties,
      accounting for the large array of biomaterials for this purpose.
      Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a very reliable thermoplastic that can be
      prefabricated or even molded intraoperatively to create an adequate prosthesis.
      Preformed PMMA implants made by hand have been superseded by newer 3-D printed
      implants, but this is accompanied by higher costs and timing issues, apart from
      having limited availability in developing and third-world countries. METHODS: A
      total of 26 patients were operated over a span of 11 years. A total of 26 custom
      hand-made PMMA prostheses were fabricated using original bone flaps with the aid
      of a prosthodontist, in a process that took approximately 70 minutes for each
      implant. The result was an exact duplication of the patient's bone flap. RESULTS:
      Of the 26 patients who underwent cranioplasty, the majority of patients were
      males, with a mean age of 39.2 years and traumatic brain injury as main
      indication for DC. After a mean interval of 2.4 months, all 26 patients underwent
      a cranioplasty and prosthesis placement. Only two patients (7.6%) suffered from
      direct cranioplasty-related complications after a median follow-up of 10.4
      months. Median Glasgow Outcome Scale scores improved significantly from 3 to 4
      after cranioplasty (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Prefabrication of custom PMMA
      prostheses by hand when original bone flaps are available is an excellent
      alternative to newer 3-D printing techniques, because it is relatively cheaper,
      less time consuming, and offers excellent results in terms of anatomical
      reconstruction and improvement of neurological function in long-term follow-ups.

PMID- 24232828
TI  - Interactive multigrid refinement for deformable image registration.
AB  - Deformable image registration is the spatial mapping of corresponding locations
      between images and can be used for important applications in radiotherapy.
      Although numerous methods have attempted to register deformable medical images
      automatically, such as salient-feature-based registration (SFBR), free-form
      deformation (FFD), and demons, no automatic method for registration is perfect,
      and no generic automatic algorithm has shown to work properly for clinical
      applications due to the fact that the deformation field is often complex and
      cannot be estimated well by current automatic deformable registration methods.
      This paper focuses on how to revise registration results interactively for
      deformable image registration. We can manually revise the transformed image
      locally in a hierarchical multigrid manner to make the transformed image register
      well with the reference image. The proposed method is based on multilevel B
      spline to interactively revise the deformable transformation in the overlapping
      region between the reference image and the transformed image. The resulting
      deformation controls the shape of the transformed image and produces a nice
      registration or improves the registration results of other registration methods.
      Experimental results in clinical medical images for adaptive radiotherapy
      demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method. 

PMID- 24232829
TI  - Trabeculectomy for open-angle glaucoma in phakic eyes vs in pseudophakic eyes
      after phacoemulsification: a prospective clinical cohort study.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Whether pseudophakic eyes are resistant to trabeculectomy remains
      unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of previous phacoemulsification on
      surgical success of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C for open-angle glaucoma.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective clinical cohort study at Kumamoto
      University Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan, among patients 55 years or older having
      open-angle glaucoma with intraocular pressure (IOP) of 22 mm Hg or higher,
      including 39 phakic eyes (phakic group) and 25 pseudophakic eyes after
      phacoemulsification (pseudophakic group). INTERVENTION: Trabeculectomy with
      mitomycin C was performed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome
      measure was the probability of success at 1 year after trabeculectomy. Surgical
      failure was defined as the following 3 IOP levels: 21 mm Hg or higher (criterion
      A), 18 mm Hg or higher (criterion B), and 15 mm Hg or higher (criterion C).
      Secondary outcome measures included IOP, the number of postoperative antiglaucoma
      medications, and the number of laser suture lysis procedures, as well as
      postoperative complications. RESULTS: The probabilities of success at 1 year in
      the phakic vs pseudophakic groups were 95% vs 74% for criterion A (P = .02), 84%
      vs 62% for criterion B (P = .04), and 67% vs 53% for criterion C (P = .10). Only
      pseudophakia was significantly associated with outcome in the multivariable
      analysis for criterion A (relative risk, 9.37) and for criterion B (relative
      risk, 5.52) (P = .01 for both). Postoperative IOP in the pseudophakic group was
      significantly higher than that in the phakic group at 6 months (P = .03) and 9
      months (P = .047) after trabeculectomy. No significant difference between groups
      was noted in postoperative complications or in the number of postoperative
      antiglaucoma medications or the number of laser suture lysis procedures.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients with open-angle glaucoma,
      trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in pseudophakic eyes after phacoemulsification
      for target IOP of less than 21 mm Hg or less than 18 mm Hg is less successful
      compared with that in phakic eyes. No significant difference between phakic and
      pseudophakic eyes was observed for secondary outcome measures other than IOP.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: University Hospital Medical
      Information Network Clinical Trials Registry of Japan UMIN000001196.

PMID- 24232830
TI  - Investigations on the crystal plane effect of ceria on gold catalysis in the
      oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols and amines in the liquid phase.
AB  - Gold nanoparticles supported on ceria{110} crystal planes were more reactive than
      on ceria{111} and {100} in the oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols. Kinetic
      analysis and a Hammett plot suggest that hydride transfer is involved, and the
      cationic gold is catalytically active. 

PMID- 24232831
TI  - New treatment strategy for cupulolithiasis associated with benign paroxysmal
      positional vertigo of the lateral canal: the head-tilt hopping exercise.
AB  - This study was performed to determine whether a novel treatment was effective
      against cupulolithiasis associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
      (BPPV) of the lateral semicircular canal, which is characterized by apogeotropic
      direction-changing nystagmus. We herein describe our head-tilt hopping (HtH)
      exercise, which is designed to release otoconial debris strongly adhered to the
      cupula. The subjects were trained to hop while tilting their heads laterally.
      They completed 3 to 5 exercise sessions per day over a 4-week period. Each
      session ended with a 20-hop trial. The HtH exercises were performed by 27
      patients with intractable lateral canal BPPV who exhibited positional vertigo and
      persistent nystagmus beating toward the uppermost ear for more than 4 weeks,
      despite performing therapeutic head shaking in the horizontal plane maneuver. All
      the patients were subjected to the supine roll test before and immediately after
      the first trial as well as after 1 and 4 weeks of the program to evaluate the
      effect of the treatment on their apogeotropic nystagmus. Nystagmus of 9 (33.3 %)
      patients disappeared immediately after the first training session. After 1 and 4
      weeks of the training, the number of patients that had experienced either of
      these improvements had increased to 15 (55.6 %) and 19 (70.4 %) subjects,
      respectively. These results suggest that HtH exercises aimed at releasing
      otoconial debris from the cupula are feasible as a new therapy for
      cupulolithiasis associated with intractable lateral canal BPPV. However, further
      studies for comparison with control are required to confirm these preliminary
      results.

PMID- 24232832
TI  - Calcium malate overproduction by Penicillium viticola 152 using the medium
      containing corn steep liquor.
AB  - In this study, after screening of eight fungal strains for their ability to
      produce calcium malate, it was found that Penicillium viticola 152 isolated from
      marine algae among them could produce the highest titer of calcium malate. At the
      same time, it was found that corn steep liquor (CSL) could stimulate calcium
      malate production and 0.5 % (v/v) CSL was the most suitable for calcium malate
      production. Under the optimal conditions, a titer of calcium malate in the
      supernatant was 132 g/l at flask level. During a 10-l fermentation, a titer of
      168 g/l, a yield of 1.28 g/g of glucose, and a productivity of 1.75 g/l/h were
      reached within 96 h of the fermentation, and 93.4 % of the sugar was used for
      calcium malate production and cell growth, demonstrating that the titer, yield,
      and productivity of calcium malate by this fungal strain were very high and the
      fermentation period was very short. After analysis of the partially purified
      product with high-performance liquid chromatography, it was found that the main
      product was calcium malate. The results demonstrated that P. viticola 152
      obtained in this study was the most suitable for developing a novel one-step
      fermentation process for calcium malate production from glucose on a large scale.

PMID- 24232833
TI  - Chemical and enzymatic approaches to the synthesis of optically pure ethyl (R)-4
      cyano-3-hydroxybutanoate.
AB  - Ethyl (R)-4-cyano-3-hydroxybutanoate (HN) is an important chiral synthon for side
      chain of the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin (Lipitor), which is the
      hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitor. HN is also used as a synthon in
      the production of L-carnitine and (R)-4-amino-3-hydroxybutanoic acid. It is
      necessary to have a clear understanding of the synthesis process of HN for its
      extensive use. This review gives an overview of different synthetic strategies of
      optically active HN, including chemical and enzymatic approaches. The emphasis is
      focused mainly on the synthetic routes using biocatalysts, such as halohydrin
      dehalogenase, nitrilase, carbonyl reductase, and lipase.

PMID- 24232834
TI  - Ultrastructural localisation by protein A-gold immunocytochemistry of 5
      enolpyruvylshikimic acid 3-phosphate synthase in a plant cell culture which
      overproduces the enzyme.
AB  - Recently we have shown that cultured cells of the higher plant Corydalis
      sempervirens Pers., adapted to growth in the presence of high concentrations of
      the herbicide glyphosate, a potent specific inhibitor of the shikimate pathway
      enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimic acid 3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase (EC 2.5.1.19, 3
      phosphoshikimate 1-carboxyvinyltransferase) oversynthesize the EPSP synthase
      protein (Smart et al., 1985, J. Biol. Chem. 260, 16338-16346). We now report that
      the EPSP synthase protein can be detected in cells of the adapted as well as of
      the non-adapted strain by the use of protein A-colloidal gold
      immunocytochemistry. The overproduced EPSP synthase in the glyphosate-adapted
      cells is located exclusively in the plastid and we find no evidence for the
      existence of extra-plastidic EPSP synthase in either strain. 

PMID- 24232835
TI  - Circadian changes in protein-synthesis rate and protein phosphorylation in cell
      free extracts of Gonyaulax polyedra.
AB  - The polysomal pattern of the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax polyedra, cultured under
      constant conditions, demonstrates a circadian rhythm. The relative amount of
      polysomes increases during the phase corresponding to the previous night period
      (=subjective night phase) when the rate of protein synthesis reaches its maximum
      (Cornelius et al., 1985, Planta 160, 365-370). Cell-free extracts were isolated
      at different circadian phase. The rate of protein synthesis in the extracts
      changed rhythmically in the same manner as the rate of protein synthesis in vivo.
      Substances in the postribosomal supernatants influenced the protein-synthesis
      rate of the cell-free system, depending on the phase when they were isolated:
      "night factors" stimulated protein synthesis in "day extracts" whereas "day
      factors" inhibited protein synthesis in "night extracts". These effects were
      abolished by heating the postribosomal supernatant. In-vitro phosphorylation in
      parallel probes showed changes in the pattern of phosphorylated proteins.
      Phosphorylation of one of the proteins (95 kDa) was decreased after addition of
      "night factor(s)" and increased after addition of "day factor(s)". Cyclic-AMP
      enhanced the rates of protein synthesis and phosphorylation in the day extracts. 

PMID- 24232837
TI  - Combined electron-spin-resonance, X-ray-diffraction studies on phospholipid
      vesicles obtained from cold-hardened wheats : II. The role of free sterols.
AB  - The contents of free sterols and phospholipids in leaves of wheat, Triticum
      aestivum L., cultivars of different frost resistances, as well as the physical
      state of isolated phospholipids in the presence and absence of sterols, were
      compared before and after hardening. There was an inverse relationship between
      the sterol/phospholipid ratio and frost tolerance as a consequence of both a
      decrease in the free sterol, and an increase in the total phospholipid content.
      Sterol-sterol interactions were investigated using wide angle X-ray diffraction,
      while the phase behaviour of phospholipid vesicles was studied using the electron
      spin-resonance (ESR) technique. No sterol-sterol interactions at-10 degrees  C
      were detected in vesicles obtained from the hardened most cold-tolerant cultivar
      (Miranovskaja 808), containing sterols in a ratio (0.08) found in the original
      lipid extracts. In contrast, when the sterol-phospholipid ratio in the vesicles
      was set to the level (0.39) found in the extracts of the most sensitive cultivar,
      Penjamo 62, the appearance of sharp reflexion rings at 4.5.10(-1), 4.8.10(-1) and
      5.0.10(-1) nm indicated strong sterol-sterol interactions. The temperatures for
      the onset of phase separation for vesicles of identical sterol/phospholipid
      ratios found in lipid extracts of hardened Miranovskaja 808 were almost the same
      as those measured in purified phospholipids (-15 vs.-16 degrees  C). In contrast,
      the temperature for the onset of phase separation of vesicles with a
      sterol/phospholipid ratio characteristic of hardened Penjamo 62 was shifted
      upwards (from-6 to-2 degrees  C). Phase separation was not completed in the
      vesicles of Miranovskaja 808 in the temperature range scanned (-30 degrees  C)
      but was shifted from-22 to-18 degrees  C in the presence of sterols in the case
      of Penjamo 62. The results are discussed in terms of the composition and physical
      state of membranes in relation to survival at freezing temperatures. 

PMID- 24232836
TI  - Combined electron-spin-resonance, X-ray-diffraction studies on phospholipid
      vesicles obtained from cold-hardened wheats : I. An attempt to correlate electron
      spin-resonance spectral characteristics with frost resistance.
AB  - Phospholipid multibilayers, obtained from two cultivars of thermally acclimated
      wheats of different frost resistances (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Penjamo 62, the
      sensitive cultivar, and T. aestivum L. cv. Miranovskaja 808, the frost-resistant
      cultivar), were investigated using electron-spin-resonance and X-ray-diffraction
      techniques. The former technique revealed two breaks in the motion of the spin
      labelled fatty acid 2-(14-carboxyte-tradecyl)-2-ethyl-4,4-dimethyl-3
      oxazolidinyloxyl, for both cultivars (+3 degrees C,-17 degrees  C and +5 degrees 
      C,-18 degrees  C, respectively) when grown at 22 degrees  C. The resistant
      cultivar compensated for exposure to cold (+2 degrees  C) by shifting the onset
      of the apparent phase-separation temperature from +3 degrees  C to-16 degrees  C.
      The sensitive cultivar was unable to do so. X-ray diffraction did not reveal
      fluid-to-gel transitions between +20 degrees  C and-10 degrees  C in any of the
      samples. The possible role of the formation of relatively ordered aggregates or
      clusters of lipid molecules discerned by spin probe within the otherwise freely
      dispersed liquid-like lipids is discussed in terms of freezing injury of plants. 

PMID- 24232838
TI  - Partial characterization of an antheridiogen of Anemia mexicana: Comparison with
      the antheridiogen of A. phyllitidis.
AB  - An antheridiogen of Anemia mexicana Klotzsch has been partially characterized by
      combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-Fourier
      transform/infra-red spectrometry. It is a C19-gibberellin(GA)-like compound with
      one carboxyl group, an exocyclic methylene group and a lactone ring. It also has
      one hydroxyl-group and one double-bond equivalent which has not been determined.
      On the basis of its mass spectrum, it is not identical to previously identified
      monohydroxy GAs with one ring double bond such as GA5, GA7, GA31 and GA62. By
      direct comparison of mass spectra, the antheridiogen of A. mexicana was also
      determined to be different from the antheridiogens of Anemia phyllitidis (L.)
      Swartz, Anemia hirsuta (L.) Swartz and Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw. 

PMID- 24232839
TI  - The oxidation of extracellular NADH by sugarcane cells: Coupling to ferricyanide
      reduction, oxygen uptake and pH change.
AB  - Suspension-cultured cells of sugarcane (Saccharum sp. hybrids) did not oxidize
      exogenously supplied NADH in the absence of ferricyanide (potassium
      hexacyanoferrate [III]), whereas they did at a low rate in the presence of
      ferricyanide. Concomitantly, ferricyanide was reduced at a slow rate. Neither a
      pH change nor a change in respiration was caused by the addition of NADH and-or
      ferricyanide, but ferricyanide was a strong inhibitor of sugar transport. In
      contrast to cells, protoplasts rapidly oxidized exogenous NADH. This oxidation
      was accompanied by an increase in oxygen consumption and a net proton
      disappearance from the medium. Exogenous ferricyanide was reduced only slowly by
      protoplasts. Simultaneous presence of NADH and ferricyanide produced two effects:
      1) a very rapid stoichiometric oxidation of NADH and reduction of ferricyanide
      until one of the reaction compounds was exhausted, and 2) a nearly instantaneous
      inhibition of the slower phase of NADH oxidation, which was observed in the
      presence of NADH but absence of ferricyanide. The extra oxygen consumption and
      the alkalinization of the medium, as observed with NADH, were also immediately
      stopped by ferric ions and ferrous ions. The presence of NADH and ferricyanide
      caused a fast stoichiometric acidification of the medium. These results were
      taken as evidence that the oxidation of NADH in the absence of ferricyanide is
      not related to the NADH-ferricyanide-coupled redox reaction. Furthermore,
      addition of NADH caused some uncoupling of the protoplasts, an effect which would
      explain the strong acidification of the cell cytoplasm and the inhibition of
      various transport systems. The NADH-oxidizing systems oxidized both the beta
      configurated pyridine nucleotide and the alpha-configurated form. Since NADH
      linked dehydrogenases usually do not work with alpha-NADH (with the exception of
      the endoplasmic-reticulum-bound electron-transport system), the observed
      activities could have been derived from contaminating membranes and dying
      protoplasts in the suspension. All reported reactions partly or predominantly
      occurred in the supernatant of the protoplast suspension and increased
      considerably during incubation of the protoplasts. The rates and quantities of
      oxygen consumption, pH change, and ferricyanide reduction fitted with NADH
      oxidation in a stoichiometric ratio, which implied that all these reactions
      occurred in the extracellular space, without involving transmembrane steps. No
      evidence for a physiological role in energization of the plasmalemma was found. 

PMID- 24232840
TI  - Changes in respiration of mitochondria isolated from cotyledons of ethylene
      treated pea seedlings.
AB  - Treatment of intact, germinating pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Homesteader) seedlings
      with ethylene enhanced the cyanide-resistant respiration of mitochondria isolated
      from the cotyledons. The level of enhancement depended on the concentration of
      ethylene. Thus, exposure to 0.9 MUl.l(-1) of ethylene in air for days 4-6 of
      germination had little effect on cyanide-resistant respiration, while exposure to
      130 MUl.l(-1) increased it from 10 to 50 nmol O2.min(-1).(mg protein)(-1). The
      length of exposure to ethylene also affected the degree of enhancement. According
      to some literature data, lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.11.12) activity can be mistaken
      for cyanide-resistant respiration, but in our preparations of purified pea
      mitochondria ethylene had no effect on lipoxygenase activity, nor did the gas
      disrupt the outer mitochondrial membrane. Bahr and Bonner plots of respiration in
      the presence of salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) indicated that ethylene did not
      affect respiration proceeding via the cytochrome pathway. Thus, increases in
      total respiration in mitochondria from cotyledons of ethylene-treated pea
      seedlings reflect increases in cyanide-resistant respiration. 

PMID- 24232841
TI  - Identification of somatic hybrids in plant protoplast fusions with monoclonal
      antibodies to plasma-membrane antigens.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies generated by immunization with a plasma-membrane
      preparation from suspension-cultured cells of Nicotiana glutinosa L. were used in
      combination with fluoresceinor rhodamine-labeled goat anti-mouse immunoglobulins
      to identify heterokaryons in protoplast fusion procedures. Antibody labeling did
      not inhibit callus formation nor plantlet regeneration. The antibodies are non
      invasive and surface labeling provides clear optical discrimination of true
      heterokaryons from unfused aggregates as well as from parental protoplasts and
      homokaryons. Labeling is stable throughout fusion and hence by pre-labeling
      parental protoplast populations the strategy is both versatile and of general
      applicability. 

PMID- 24232842
TI  - Changes in cell-cycle duration and growth fraction in the shoot meristem of
      Sinapis during floral transition.
AB  - The cell-cycle duration and the growth fraction were estimated in the shoot
      meristem of Sinapis alba L. during the transition from the vegetative to the
      floral condition. Compared with the vegetative meristem, the cell-cycle length
      was reduced from 86 to 32 h and the growth fraction, i.e. the proportion of
      rapidly cycling cells, was increased from 30-40% to 50-60%. These changes were
      detectable as early as 30 h after the start of the single inductive long day. The
      faster cell cycle in the evoked meristem was achieved by a shortening of the G1
      (pre-DNA synthesis), S (DNA synthesis) and G2 (post-DNA synthesis) phases of the
      cycle. In both vegetative and evoked meristems, both-the central and peripheral
      zones were mosaics of rapidly cycling and non-cycling cells, but the growth
      fraction was always higher in the peripheral zone. 

PMID- 24232843
TI  - Sequential patterns of intramural digestion of galactoxyloglucan in tamarind
      seedlings.
AB  - The structure and breakdown of galactoxyloglucan (GXG)-rich cells was studied
      from cotyledons of Tamarindus indicus L. The depletion of GXG was followed at
      different levels: quantitative, histochemical and cytochemical. At the
      ultrastructural level two probes were used: one general for polysaccharides
      (periodic acid - thiocarbohydrazide - silver proteinate test), the other specific
      for the terminal galactosyl residues of GXG (beta-galactosidase-gold complex).
      They were complemented by water-extraction of the GXG and analysis of the
      constituting monosaccharides by gas chromatography. Despite their
      collenchymateous aspect and the chemical similarity of the reserve GXG with the
      structural xyloglucan of growing walls, the thickened storage walls are not
      interpretable as being an hypertrophied primary wall. The tamarind cells produce
      an original type of wall construction in which GXGs are sequestered in a sort of
      homomolecular bulk. There is no evidence for intussusception of the molecules
      within a network of cellulose. The bulk of GXG is sandwiched between two thin
      layers: the outer is comparable to a regular primary wall, the inner behaves like
      a barrier during GXG withdrawal. Temporal and spatial patterns of GXG
      mobilisation lead to the definition of a sequence of stages of cell activities
      (premobilising, mobilising, postmobilising). They are synchronized with the
      growth of the seedling axis, the duration and characteristics of the stages being
      subordinated to the location of the cells within the organ. Cell lysis is
      initiated in close relationship with intramural cavities. The development of
      digestion pockets results in a highly digested wall. The barrier prevents any
      engulfing of the cytoplasm in the wall clefts and creates an increasing free
      space. The attack front of digestion is always sharp. During all steps, the
      monosaccharide composition remains stable. At the end of GXG depletion, the
      storage wall is withdrawn and cells are rendered in a parenchyma-like state. The
      breakdown is not a complete wall collapse but an original controlled and limited
      wall-thinning. The data lead to the speculation that the hydrolytic activities
      result from a complementation between precursors relinquished by the cytoplasm
      and factors already present in the storage wall. 

PMID- 24232844
TI  - The uptake of acylated anthocyanin into isolated vacuoles from a cell suspension
      culture of Daucus carota.
AB  - Anthocyanin-containing vacuoles were isolated from protoplasts of a cell
      suspension culture of Daucus carota. The vacuoles were stable for at least 2 h as
      demonstrated by the fact that they showed no efflux of anthocyanin. The uptake of
      radioactively labelled anthocyanin was time-dependent with a pH optimum at 7.5,
      and could be inhibited by the protonophore carbonylcyanide m
      chlorophenylhydrazone. Furthermore, the transport was specific, since vacuoles
      from other plant species showed no uptake of labelled anthocyanin, and strongly
      depended on acylation with sinapic acid, as deacylated glycosides were not taken
      up by isolated vacuoles. Hence, it is suggested that the acylation of
      anthocyanin, which is also required for the stabilization of colour in vacuoles,
      is important for transport, and that acylated anthocyanin is transported by a
      selective carrier and might be trapped by a pH-dependent conformational change of
      the molecule inside the acid vacuolar sap. 

PMID- 24232845
TI  - Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies which recognise
      different gibberellin epitopes.
AB  - The production and characterization of high-affinity monoclonal antibodies (McAb)
      to gibberellins (GAs) is reported. Hybrid myelomas were derived from
      immunisations with conjugates in which immunogenic proteins were linked to GA1 at
      carbon-3 and to GA4 and GA9 at carbon-17. A series of McAb which display
      specificities allowing recognition of, and the discrimination between GA1, GA20,
      GA4 and GA9 is described. These McAb can be used in quantitative immunoassays for
      underivatised GAs. 

PMID- 24232846
TI  - Characterization of carbon metabolism in Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. exhibiting
      the idling mode of Crassulacean acid metabolism.
AB  - Upon transfer from well-watered conditions to total drought, long-day-grown
      cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. shift from full Crassulacean acid
      metabolism (CAM) to CAM-idling. Experiments using (14)C-tracers were conducted in
      order to characterize the carbon-flow pattern in cladodes under both
      physiological situations. Tracer was applied by (14)CO2 fumigations and
      NaH(14)CO3 injections during the day-night cycle. The results showed that behind
      the closed stomata, mesophyll cells of CAM-idling plants retained their full
      capacity to metabolize CO2 in light and in darkness. Upon the induction of CAM
      idling the level of the capacity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31)
      was maintained. By contrast, malate pools decreased, displaying finally only a
      small or no day-night oscillation. The capacity of NADP-malic enzyme (EC
      1.1.1.40) decreased in parallel with the reduction in malate pools. Differences
      in the labelling patterns, as influenced by the mode of tracer application, are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24232847
TI  - Expression of two nuclear genes encoding chloroplast proteins during early
      development of cucumber seedlings.
AB  - Cloned complementary DNA probes have been used to measure steady-state transcript
      levels for the small subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (SSU)
      and the chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (LHCP) in cotyledons during early
      development of cucumber seedlings. Initial accumulation of trancripts to SSU
      occurs 2d after germination and is independent of light and developmentally
      programmed. Although transcripts accumulate in dark-grown tissues, their levels
      increase rapidly in light-grown cotyledons from day 4, coinciding with emergence
      above the soil, so that by day 6 levels are 2.4 times higher in light-grown
      compared with dark-grown cotyledons. In contrast, accumulation of transcripts to
      LHCP occurs only in light-grown cotyledons. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA
      indicates that in cucumber there are one and two genes encoding SSU and LHCP,
      respectively, considerably fewer than in those other plant species that have been
      examined. Both LHCP genes are expressed in light-grown cotyledons. 

PMID- 24232848
TI  - Characteristics of MgATP(2-)-dependent electrogenic proton transport in tonoplast
      vesicles of the facultative crassulacean-acid-metabolism plant Mesembryanthemum
      crystallinum L.
AB  - Membrane vesicles were isolated from mesophyll cells of Mesembryanthemum
      crystallinum in the C3 state and in the crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) state.
      The distribution of ATP-hydrolysis and H(+)-transport activities, and the
      activities of hydroxypyruvate reductase and Antimycin-insensitive cytochrome-c
      reductase on continuous sucrose gradients was studied. For isolations carried out
      routinely a discontinuous sucrose gradient (24%/37%/50%) was used. Nitrate
      sensitive ATP-hydrolysis and H(+)-transport activities increased several-fold
      during the transition from C3 photosynthesis to CAM. Nitrate-sensitive ATPase
      showed a substrate preference for ATP with an apparent Km (MgATP(2-)) of 0.19
      0.37 mM. In both C3 and CAM states the ATPase showed a concentration-dependent
      stimulation by the anions chloride and malate. However, the pH optima of the two
      states were different: the ATPase of C3- M. crystallinum had an optimum of pH 7.4
      and that of CAM-M. crystallinum an optimum of pH 8.4. The optical probe oxonol-VI
      was used to demonstrate the formation of MgATP(2-)-dependent electric-potential
      gradients in tonoplast vesicles. 

PMID- 24232849
TI  - Carotenoid and chlorophyll biosynthesis in isolated plastids from mustard
      seedling cotyledons (Sinapis alba L.) during etioplast-chloroplast conversion.
AB  - Etioplasts and etiochloroplasts, isolated from seedlings of white mustard
      (Sinapis alba L.) grown in continuous far-red light, and chloroplasts isolated
      from cotyledons and primary leaves of white-light-grown seedlings exhibit high
      prenyl-lipid-forming activities. Only the etioplasts and etiochloroplasts, and to
      a much lesser extent chloroplasts from cotyledons are capable of forming
      carotenes from isopentenyl diphosphate as substrate, whereas in chloroplasts from
      primary leaves no such activities could be detected. By subfractionation
      experiments, it could be demonstrated that the phytoene-synthase complex in
      etioplasts and etiochloroplasts is present in a soluble form in the stroma,
      whereas the subsequent enzymes, i.e. the dehydrogenase, cis-trans isomerase and
      cyclase are bound to both membrane fractions, the prolamellar
      bodies/prothylakoids and the envelopes. In good agreement with previous results
      using isolated chromoplasts and chloroplasts, it is concluded that the phytoene
      synthase complex may change its topology from a peripheral membrane protein in
      non-green plastids to a tightly membrane-associated protein in chloroplasts. This
      change is apparently paralleled by altered functional properties which render the
      complex undetectable in isolated chloroplasts. Further experiments concerning the
      reduction of chlorophyll a containing a geranylgeranyl side chain to chlorophyll
      a indicate that the light-induced etioplast-chloroplast conversion is accompanied
      by a certain reorganization of the polyprenoid-forming enzymatic equipment. 

PMID- 24232850
TI  - Gibberellins in developing fruits of Pisum sativum cv. Alaska: Studies on their
      role in pod growth and seed development.
AB  - Gibberellins A1, A8, A20 and A29 were identified by capillary gas chromatography
      mass spectrometry in the pods and seeds from 5-d-old pollinated ovaries of pea
      (Pisum sativum cv. Alaska). These gibberellins were also identified in 4-d-old
      non-developing, parthenocarpic and pollinated ovaries. The level of gibberellin
      A1 within these ovary types was correlated with pod size. Gibberellin A1, applied
      to emasculated ovaries cultured in vitro, was three to five times more active
      than gibberellin A20. Using pollinated ovary explants cultured in vitro, the
      effects of inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis on pod growth and seed
      development were examined. The inhibitors retarded pod growth during the first 7
      d after anthesis, and this inhibition was reversed by simultaneous application of
      gibberellin A3. In contrast, the inhibitors, when supplied to 4-d-old pollinated
      ovaries for 16 d, had little effect on seed fresh weight although they reduced
      the levels of endogenous gibberellins A20 and A29 in the enlarging seeds to
      almost zero. Paclobutrazol, which was one of the inhibitors used, is xylem-mobile
      and it efficiently reduced the level of seed gibberellins without being taken up
      into the seed. In intact fruits the pod may therefore be a source of precursors
      for gibberellin biosynthesis in the seed. Overall, the results indicate that
      gibberellin A1, present in parthenocarpic and pollinated fruits early in
      development, regulates pod growth. In contrast the high levels of gibberellins
      A20 and A29, which accumulate during seed enlargement, appear to be unnecessary
      for normal seed development or for subsequent germination. 

PMID- 24232851
TI  - Some characteristics of terpenoid biosynthesis by leucoplasts of Citrofortunella
      mitis.
AB  - The capacity of leucoplasts to synthesize monoterpene hydrocarbons has been
      further investigated by studying the synthesis of higher-terpene homologues.
      Isolated leucoplasts were unable to esterify chlorophyllides into chlorophylls
      and to synthesize carotenoids. In addition, the later steps of alpha-tocopherol
      and phylloquinone synthesis were not performed. In spite of the presence of a
      prenyltransferase activity leading to the synthesis of alcohol terpenes higher
      than gerniol (farnesol, geranyl-geraniol), these higher terpenes were not further
      metabolized in vitro by leucoplasts. 

PMID- 24232852
TI  - Fertilization and seed production with pollen from in-vitro-cultured maize
      tassels.
AB  - Immature tassel meristems (1-1.5 cm) of maize (Zea mays L.) explanted to a
      defined nutrient medium underwent further growth and floral development.
      Microsporogenesis, gametogenesis and pollen maturation were completed within 25 d
      in vitro. The pollen, recovered from the cultured tassel, germinated on nutrient
      agar and also on receptive silks. Viable seed produced from controlled
      pollinations germinated and grew into mature, normal plants. Thus, a significant
      component of the life cycle of maize can be completed in vitro where analyses and
      manipulations are possible for both basic and applied research. 

PMID- 24232853
TI  - Association of primary care physicians' exercise habits and their age, specialty,
      and workplace.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated primary care physicians' exercise
      habits, and the association of this variable with their age, specialty, and
      workplace. METHODS: The population of this cross-sectional study comprised 3,310
      medical doctors who graduated from Jichi Medical University in Japan between 1978
      and 2012. The study instrument was a self-administered questionnaire mailed in
      August 2012 to investigate primary care physicians' exercise habits, age,
      specialty, and workplace. RESULTS: The 896 available primary care physicians'
      responses to the self-administered questionnaire were analyzed. Their exercise
      frequency was as follows: daily, 104 (11.6%); at least 2-3 times per week, 235
      (26.2%); no more than once a week, 225 (25.1%); no more than once a month, 278
      (31.0%); and other, 52 (5.8%). Their exercise intensity was as follows: high (>=6
      Mets), 264 (29.5%); moderate (4-6 Mets), 199 (22.2%); mild, (3-4 Mets), 295
      (32.9%); very mild (<3 Mets), 68 (7.6%); none, 64 (7.1%); and other, 6 (0.7%).
      Their exercise volume was calculated to represent their exercise habits by
      multiplying score for exercise frequency by score for intensity. Multivariate
      linear regression analyses showed that the primary care physicians' exercise
      volumes were associated with their age (P<0.01) and workplace (P<0.01), but not
      with their specialty (P=0.37). Primary care physicians in the older age group
      were more likely to have a higher exercise volume than those in the younger age
      groups (50-60 years > older than 60 years >40-50 years >30-40 years >24-30
      years). Primary care physicians working in a clinic were more likely to have a
      higher exercise volume than those working in a university hospital, polyclinic
      hospital, or hospital. CONCLUSION: Primary care physicians' exercise habits were
      associated with their age and workplace, but not with their specialty.

PMID- 24232854
TI  - Establishment of a novel lingual organoid culture system: generation of organoids
      having mature keratinized epithelium from adult epithelial stem cells.
AB  - Despite the strong need for the establishment of a lingual epithelial cell
      culture system, a simple and convenient culture method has not yet been
      established. Here, we report the establishment of a novel lingual epithelium
      organoid culture system using a three-dimensional matrix and growth factors.
      Histological analyses showed that the generated organoids had both a stratified
      squamous epithelial cell layer and a stratum corneum. Very recently, we showed
      via a multicolor lineage tracing method that Bmi1-positive stem cells exist at
      the base of the epithelial basal layer in the interpapillary pit. Using our new
      culture system, we found that organoids could be generated by single Bmi1
      positive stem cells and that in the established organoids, multiple Bmi1-positive
      stem cells were generated at the outermost layer. Moreover, we observed that
      organoids harvested at an early point in culture could be engrafted and maturate
      in the tongue of recipient mice and that the organoids generated from carcinogen
      treated mice had an abnormal morphology. Thus, this culture system presents
      valuable settings for studying not only the regulatory mechanisms of lingual
      epithelium but also lingual regeneration and carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 24232855
TI  - Control of dendritic cell trafficking in lymphatics by chemokines.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial participants in maintaining immune surveillance
      of the periphery and initiating primary immune responses within the draining
      lymph nodes. The afferent lymphatic vessels provide a conduit for this essential
      trafficking and, as this review will describe, play an active role in regulating
      DC migration. Afferent lymphatic capillaries support constitutive trafficking of
      DCs from resting, non-inflamed tissue, to maintain tolerance against self-antigen
      and to provide immune surveillance. Following exposure to pathogens or pro
      inflammatory cytokines, DCs mature from phagocytes to professional antigen
      presenting cells, whilst the lymphatic endothelium adopts an activated phenotype
      to support the ensuing increase in leukocyte trafficking. The lymphatic
      endothelial-derived chemokine CCL21 plays a well-characterized role in directing
      migration of CCR7+ DC in both resting and acute inflammatory conditions. However,
      efficient trafficking of DCs from inflamed tissue also demands additional
      chemokine-receptor pairs. Thus, entry of DCs to activated lymphatic vessels is an
      intricately regulated multi-step process involving numerous chemokines and
      adhesion molecules.

PMID- 24232857
TI  - Site and bond-specific dynamics of reactions at the gas-liquid interface.
AB  - The dynamics of the interfacial reactions of O((3)P) with the hydrocarbon liquids
      squalane (C30H62, 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane) and squalene (C30H50,
      trans-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosa-2,6,10,14,18,22-hexaene) have been
      studied experimentally. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) was used to detect the
      nascent gas-phase OH products. The O((3)P) atoms are acutely sensitive to the
      chemical differences of the squalane and squalene surfaces. The larger
      exothermicity of abstraction from allylic C-H sites in squalene is reflected in
      markedly hotter OH rotational and vibrational distributions. There is a more
      modest increase in translational energy release. A larger fraction of the
      available energy is deposited in the liquid for squalene than for squalane,
      consistent with a more extensive geometry change on formation of the allylic
      radical co-product. Although the dominant reaction mechanism is direct, impulsive
      scattering, there is some evidence for OH being accommodated at both liquid
      surfaces, resulting in thermalised translation and rotational distributions.
      Despite the H-abstraction reaction being strongly favoured energetically for
      squalene, the yield of OH is substantially lower than for squalane. This is very
      likely due to competitive addition of O((3)P) to the unsaturated sites in
      squalene, implying that double bonds are extensively exposed at the liquid
      surface. 

PMID- 24232856
TI  - Association between variants of the autophagy related gene--IRGM and
      susceptibility to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms in immunity-related GTPase family M (IRGM) gene may be
      associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by affecting autophagy. However,
      the genetic association studies on three common variants in IRGM gene
      (rs13361189, rs4958847 and rs10065172) have shown inconsistent results.
      METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The PubMed and Embase were searched up to June
      5, 2013 for studies on the association between three IRGM polymorphisms and IBD
      risk. Data were extracted and the odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals
      (95% CIs) were calculated. Finally, we performed a meta-analysis of 25 eligible
      studies in 3 SNPs located at IRGM gene by using a total of 20590 IBD cases and
      27670 controls. The analysis showed modest significant association for the
      rs13361189, rs4958847 and rs10065172 variants in Crohn's disease (CD): the risk
      estimates for the allele contrast were OR=1.306 (1.200-1.420), p=5.2 * 10(-10),
      OR=1.182 (1.082-1.290), p=0.0002, and OR=1.248 (1.057-1.473), p=0.009
      respectively (still significant when the p value was Bonferroni adjusted to
      0.017). When stratified by ethnicity, significantly increased CD risk was
      observed in Europeans, but not in Asians. Conversely, there was no association of
      rs13361189 or rs4958847 variant with risk of ulcerative colitis (UC).
      CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE: These results indicated that autophagy gene-IRGM
      polymorphisms appear to confer susceptibility to CD but not UC, especially in
      Europeans. Our data may provide further understanding of the role of autophagy in
      the pathogenesis of CD.

PMID- 24232858
TI  - Saccadic amplitudes during combined saccade-vergence movements result from a
      weighted average of the target's locations in the two retinas.
AB  - Recent neurophysiological and behavioral studies have established that the
      saccadic amplitudes performed during combined saccade-vergence movements are
      unequal in the two eyes. These studies have not established, however, how the
      saccadic amplitude of each eye is determined. Our goal here is to fill this
      lacuna. We use three well-known metric attributes of saccadic movements as
      constraints and argue that the only quantitative model that obeys these
      constraints is one where each eye's saccadic amplitude is given by a weighted
      average of the target's locations in the two retinas. However, this theoretical
      result does not establish whether the weights in the weighted averaging operation
      are constant or whether they vary for different targets. To test the simpler of
      these two possibilities, namely the one of constant weights, we recorded combined
      saccade-vergence movements performed by human subjects. Our analysis of these
      movements shows that a constant-weights weighted averaging model provides an
      excellent description of their saccadic amplitudes. Overall, then, our
      conclusions are: (1) the two eyes' saccadic amplitudes are determined by weighted
      averages of the target's locations in the two retinas; (2) for targets within the
      oculomotor range of natural viewing, which was the range in our experiments, a
      weighted averaging model that uses constant weights accounts superbly for these
      saccadic amplitudes. We suggest that the weighted averaging operation that
      determines saccadic amplitudes is a by-product of a process whose purpose is to
      yoke the two eyes together. We provide a model explaining how this yoking may be
      achieved.

PMID- 24232859
TI  - Passive reading and motor imagery about hand actions and tool-use actions: an
      fMRI study.
AB  - Recent studies have shown that motor activations in action verb comprehension can
      be modulated by task demands (e.g., motor imagery vs. passive reading) and the
      specificity of action verb meaning. However, how the two factors work together to
      influence the involvement of the motor system during action verb comprehension is
      still unclear. To address the issue, the current study investigated the brain
      activations in motor imagery and passive reading of verbs about hand actions and
      tool-use actions. Three types of Chinese verbs were used, including hand-action
      verbs and two types of tool-use verbs emphasizing either the hand or tools
      information. Results indicated that all three types of verbs elicited common
      activations in hand motor areas during passive reading and motor imagery.
      Contrast analyses showed that in the hand verbs and the tool verbs where the hand
      information was emphasized, motor imagery elicited stronger effects than passive
      reading in the superior frontal gyrus, supplemental motor area and cingulate
      cortex that are related to motor control and regulation. For tool-use verbs
      emphasizing tools information, the motor imagery task elicited stronger activity
      than passive reading in occipital regions related to visual imagery. These
      results suggest that motor activations during action verb comprehension can be
      modulated by task demands and semantic features of action verbs. The sensorimotor
      simulation during language comprehension is flexible and determined by the
      interactions between linguistic and extralinguistic contexts.

PMID- 24232862
TI  - Reply to comments on: "Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of
      orthodontic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis"

PMID- 24232863
TI  - Layer-specific modulation of neuronal excitability by 660-nm laser irradiation in
      mouse neocortex.
AB  - It has been reported that laser light irradiation (LLI) could regulate neuronal
      activities in the forebrain, but little is known if and how LLI in the red
      wavelength range affects neuronal excitability. Here, we investigated the effects
      of a continuous diode laser at 660 nm on intrinsic membrane properties and
      excitability of presumed pyramidal neurons in the thalamocortical input layer
      (layer 3/4) and in layer 5 of mouse primary auditory cortex using the whole-cell
      patch-clamp recording technique. In layer 3/4 neurons, 660-nm laser irradiation
      (LLI-660) at 20 mW for 5 min gradually increased resting membrane potentials,
      which reached a plateau after irradiation. Concomitantly, LLI-660 decreased onset
      latency of first action potentials (spikes) without changing spike threshold or
      peak amplitude, but increased inter-spike interval of initial bursting spike
      doublets and their peak amplitude ratio. None of these changes was observed in
      layer 5 neurons. Instead, LLI-660 at 20 mW rapidly reduced spike width ~5 %
      within 1 min of irradiation onset. The magnitude of this reduction did not change
      during 5 or 10 min irradiation, and returned quickly to at least baseline levels
      after turning the LLI off. Decreasing laser power to 10 mW reduced spike width to
      a lesser extent, suggesting laser power dependence of this phenomenon. These data
      suggest that LLI-660 regulates different aspects of neuronal excitability in
      cortical neurons in a layer-dependent manner possibly by affecting different
      voltage-gated ion channels.

PMID- 24232860
TI  - The role of different serotonin receptor subtypes in seizure susceptibility.
AB  - 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has the most diverse set of receptors in comparison
      with any other neurotransmitter or hormone in the body. To date, seven families
      of 5-HT receptors have been characterized. A great number of studies have been
      published regarding the role of 5-HT and its receptors in seizures. However, with
      a few exceptions, the net effect of activating or inhibiting each 5-HT receptor
      subtype on the development or severity of seizures remains controversial.
      Additionally, the results of studies, which have used knockout animals to
      investigate the role of 5-HT receptors in seizures, have sometimes been
      contradictory to those which have used pharmacological tools. The present study
      aims to review the available data regarding the influence of each receptor
      subtype on seizure development and, when possible, reconcile between the
      apparently different results obtained in these studies.

PMID- 24232865
TI  - The prognostic value of architectural patterns in a study of 37 type AB thymomas.
AB  - Spindle cell thymomas with prominent amount of lymphocytes are classified as WHO
      type AB tumors. However, there are architectural pattern differences in these
      tumors. We investigated the importance of architectural pattern in type AB
      thymomas in relation to prognostic value. Archival hematoxylin-eosin stained
      slides of 37 AB type thymomas were reviewed for the presence (type 1) or absence
      (type 2) of reticular growth pattern. Reticular growth pattern is defined as the
      presence of a network of elongated bland spindle cells separating nests of tumor
      cells admixed with lymphoid cells. The architectural patterns were correlated
      with tumor stage at diagnosis and presence or absence of recurrent disease. The
      analysis identified 18 cases of type 1 AB thymoma and 19 cases of type 2. Type 2
      cases also had greater cytologic atypia within the spindle cells. Patients with
      type 1 tumors were more likely to have early stage disease. In contrast, type 2
      pattern was associated with higher stage at diagnosis (P<0.001) and greater
      likelihood for recurrence (P<0.05) and metastases. Architectural features are
      prognostically relevant in classification of WHO AB type thymomas and may
      constitute a form of personalized medicine. Independent confirmation of the
      findings is necessary to confirm the association of architectural pattern with
      outcomes. 

PMID- 24232864
TI  - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is strongly associated with productive infection by
      herpesvirus saimiri.
AB  - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal disease without effective therapy or
      diagnostic test. To investigate a potential role for gamma-herpesviruses in this
      disease, 21 paraffin-embedded lung biopsies from patients diagnosed with
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 21 lung biopsies from age-matched controls with
      pulmonary fibrosis of known etiology were examined for a series of gamma
      herpesviruses' DNA/RNA and related proteins using in situ hybridization and
      reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based methods. We
      detected four proteins known to be in the genome of several gamma-herpesviruses
      (cyclin D, thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and interleukin-17)
      that were strongly co-expressed in the regenerating epithelial cells of each of
      the 21 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis cases and not in the benign epithelia of the
      controls. Among the gamma-herpesviruses, only herpesvirus saimiri expresses all
      four of these 'pirated' mammalian proteins. We found herpesvirus saimiri DNA in
      the regenerating epithelial cells of 21/21 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis cases
      using four separate probe sets but not in the 21 controls. RT-PCR showed that the
      source of the cyclin D RNA in active idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was
      herpesvirus saimiri and not human. We cloned and sequenced part of genome
      corresponding to the DNA polymerase herpesvirus saimiri gene from an idiopathic
      pulmonary fibrosis sample and it matched 100% with the published viral sequence.
      These data are consistent with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis representing
      herpesvirus saimiri-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, treatment directed against
      viral proliferation and/or viral-associated proteins may halt disease
      progression. Further, demonstration of the viral nucleic acids or proteins may
      help diagnose the disease. 

PMID- 24232866
TI  - Cancer testis antigen expression in testicular germ cell tumorigenesis.
AB  - Cancer testis antigens are encoded by germ line-associated genes that are present
      in normal germ cells of testis and ovary but not in differentiated tissues. Their
      expression in various human cancer types has been interpreted as 're-expression'
      or as intratumoral progenitor cell signature. Cancer testis antigen expression
      patterns have not yet been studied in germ cell tumorigenesis with specific
      emphasis on intratubular germ cell neoplasia unclassified as a precursor lesion
      for testicular germ cell tumors. Immunohistochemistry was used to study MAGEA3,
      MAGEA4, MAGEC1, GAGE1 and CTAG1B expression in 325 primary testicular germ cell
      tumors, including 94 mixed germ cell tumors. Seminomatous and non-seminomatous
      components were separately arranged and evaluated on tissue microarrays.
      Spermatogonia in the normal testis were positive, whereas intratubular germ cell
      neoplasia unclassified was negative for all five CT antigens. Cancer testis
      antigen expression was only found in 3% (CTAG1B), 10% (GAGE1, MAGEA4), 33%
      (MAGEA3) and 40% (MAGEC1) of classic seminoma but not in non-seminomatous
      testicular germ cell tumors. In contrast, all spermatocytic seminomas were
      positive for cancer testis antigens. These data are consistent with a different
      cell origin in spermatocytic seminoma compared with classic seminoma and support
      a progression model with loss of cancer testis antigens in early tumorigenesis of
      testicular germ cell tumors and later re-expression in a subset of seminomas. 

PMID- 24232867
TI  - Lack of expression of TUBB3 characterizes both BCL2-positive and BCL2-negative
      follicular lymphoma.
AB  - Follicular lymphoma is characterized by aberrant BCL2 expression, a feature that
      is exploited for diagnostic purposes. However, a certain percentage of follicular
      lymphomas might be BCL2-negative by immunohistochemistry, increasing the
      difficulties in differentiating them from follicular hyperplasia. The expression
      of TUBB3 has been recently reported as negative in a small series of follicular
      lymphomas. We have therefore tested a larger series, including 61 BCL2-positive
      and 25 BCL2-negative cases, and compared them with 61 reactive lymphoid tissues.
      First, a subjective score of TUBB3 staining was applied, showing that it was
      consistently positive in reactive germinal centers, while most follicular
      lymphomas were negative; in fact, only 10/61 (16%) BCL2-positive and 1/25 (4%)
      BCL2-negative cases showed a positive staining for TUBB3, while 58/61 (95%) of
      tissues with follicular hyperplasia were positive. The application of a
      standardized scoring system to a large number of follicles, based on virtual
      slides, demonstrated that reactive lymphoid tissues had a significantly higher
      number of TUBB3-positive follicles both compared with BCL2-positive cases and to
      BCL2-negative cases. Our data support the use of TUBB3 staining in
      differentiating follicular lymphoma, including BCL2-negative cases, from
      follicular hyperplasia. 

PMID- 24232868
TI  - [Rhinorrhea following laryngectomy : Treatment with botulinum toxin type A.]
AB  - After laryngectomy, the transport of intranasal secretions is often inadequate
      due to the lack of the nasal ventilation. Consequently, persistent and disruptive
      anterior rhinorrhea may occur. We report the case of a 61-year-old man who had
      recently undergone a laryngectomy and who was successfully treated with bilateral
      injections of botulinum toxin into the anterior portion of the inferior
      turbinates. After treatment, rhinorrhea was clearly reduced. Therefore,
      symptomatic treatment of anterior rhinorrhea with local injections of botulinum
      toxin type A should be considered as an option to improve the quality of life in
      laryngectomized patients.

PMID- 24232869
TI  - Implementation and performance evaluation of simultaneous PET/MR whole-body
      imaging with continuous table motion.
AB  - In current PET/MR systems, the data acquisition paradigm is based on a
      multistation examination, imaging the patient from hip to head. This strategy has
      potential limitations, especially in terms of workflow and PET acquisition
      efficiency. In this work, the technical implementation of simultaneous PET and MR
      data acquisition with continuous table motion (CTM) is presented. PET and MR data
      acquired with CTM are evaluated in terms of image quality with respect to table
      motion speed. METHODS: Phantom, volunteer, and patient data were acquired on an
      integrated whole-body PET/MR system. Phantom experiments were used to
      systematically quantify image quality parameters including signal-to-noise ratio,
      geometric distortions, and artifacts in PET and MR scans as a function of
      different table speeds. Volunteer scans (n = 4) allowed evaluation of CTM MR
      protocols in a realistic setting, and patient scans (n = 3) were obtained to
      validate the technique in a clinical workflow. RESULTS: In phantoms, PET image
      quality, signal-to-noise ratio, geometry, and artifact behavior were found not to
      be influenced by continuous table motion over the evaluated table motion speeds
      from 0.8 to 4.6 mm/s. This also holds true for PET patient data where
      acquisitions were performed with varying table speeds of up to 46 mm/s. For MR,
      in most scans image quality of CTM scans was found to be comparable to the
      identical sequence acquired in multistation mode; however, some sequence features
      (e.g., signal intensity normalization) with impact on MR contrast are currently
      missing for CTM MR sequences. CONCLUSION: Data acquisition with continuous table
      motion in the PET/MR versus multistation acquisition scheme provides data of
      comparable quality in both PET and MR. This new acquisition paradigm potentially
      can provide a higher flexibility in simultaneous PET and MR whole-body data
      acquisition and facilitate examination planning and PET/MR hybrid imaging
      workflow.

PMID- 24232870
TI  - Advanced imaging of cardiac sarcoidosis.
AB  - Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Cardiac
      involvement may occur, leading to an adverse outcome. Although early treatment to
      improve morbidity and mortality is desirable, sensitive and accurate detection of
      cardiac sarcoidosis remains a challenge. Accordingly, interest in the use of
      advanced imaging such as cardiac MR and PET with (18)F-FDG is increasing in order
      to refine the clinical workup. Although the field is still facing challenges and
      uncertainties, this article presents a summary of clinical background and the
      current state of diagnostic modalities and treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis. 

PMID- 24232872
TI  - Helicoidal cell-wall texture in root hairs.
AB  - It is shown that root hairs of most aquatic plants have a helicoidal cell-wall
      texture. Cell walls of root hairs of the aquatic/marshland plant Ranunculus
      lingua, however, have an axial microfibril alignment. The occurrence of a
      helicoidal wall texture is not limited to root hairs of aquatic plants: the
      terrestrial plant Zebrina purpusii has a helicoidal root-hair wall texture, too.
      With the exception of the grasses, the occurrence of root hairs with helicoidal
      cell walls pertains to species with predetermined root-hair-forming cells,
      trichoblasts. The rotation mode of the helicoid is species-specific. The average
      angle between fibrils of adjacent lamellae varies from 23 degrees  to 40 degrees
      . In Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, cortical microtubules have a net-axial orientation
      and thus do not parallel nascent microfibrils. The deposition of the helicoidal
      cell wall is discussed. 

PMID- 24232871
TI  - (18)F-alfatide II and (18)F-FDG dual-tracer dynamic PET for parametric, early
      prediction of tumor response to therapy.
AB  - A single dynamic PET acquisition using multiple tracers administered closely in
      time could provide valuable complementary information about a tumor's status
      under quasiconstant conditions. This study aimed to investigate the utility of
      dual-tracer dynamic PET imaging with (18)F-alfatide II ((18)F-AlF-NOTA-E[PEG4
      c(RGDfk)]2) and (18)F-FDG for parametric monitoring of tumor responses to
      therapy. METHODS: We administered doxorubicin to one group of athymic nude mice
      with U87MG tumors and paclitaxel protein-bound particles to another group of mice
      with MDA-MB-435 tumors. To monitor therapeutic responses, we performed dual
      tracer dynamic imaging, in sessions that lasted 90 min, starting with injection
      via the tail vein catheters with (18)F-alfatide II, followed 40 min later by
      (18)F-FDG. To achieve signal separation of the 2 tracers, we fit a 3-compartment
      reversible model to the time-activity curve of (18)F-alfatide II for the 40 min
      before (18)F-FDG injection and then extrapolated to 90 min. The (18)F-FDG tumor
      time-activity curve was isolated from the 90-min dual-tracer tumor time-activity
      curve by subtracting the fitted (18)F-alfatide II tumor time-activity curve. With
      separated tumor time-activity curves, the (18)F-alfatide II binding potential (Bp
      = k3/k4) and volume of distribution (VD) and (18)F-FDG influx rate ((K1 * k3)/(k2
      + k3)) based on the Patlak method were calculated to validate the signal recovery
      in a comparison with 60-min single-tracer imaging and to monitor therapeutic
      response. RESULTS: The transport and binding rate parameters K1-k3 of (18)F
      alfatide II, calculated from the first 40 min of the dual-tracer dynamic scan, as
      well as Bp and VD correlated well with the parameters from the 60-min single
      tracer scan (R(2) > 0.95). Compared with the results of single-tracer PET
      imaging, (18)F-FDG tumor uptake and influx were recovered well from dual-tracer
      imaging. On doxorubicin treatment, whereas no significant changes in static
      tracer uptake values of (18)F-alfatide II or (18)F-FDG were observed, both (18)F
      alfatide II Bp and (18)F-FDG influx from kinetic analysis in tumors showed
      significant decreases. For therapy of MDA-MB-435 tumors with paclitaxel protein
      bound particles, a significant decrease was observed only with (18)F-alfatide II
      Bp value from kinetic analysis but not (18)F-FDG influx. CONCLUSION: The
      parameters fitted with compartmental modeling from the dual-tracer dynamic
      imaging are consistent with those from single-tracer imaging, substantiating the
      feasibility of this methodology. Even though no significant differences in tumor
      size were found until 5 d after doxorubicin treatment started, at day 3 there
      were already substantial differences in (18)F-alfatide II Bp and (18)F-FDG influx
      rate. Dual-tracer imaging can measure (18)F-alfatide II Bp value and (18)F-FDG
      influx simultaneously to evaluate tumor angiogenesis and metabolism. Such changes
      are known to precede anatomic changes, and thus parametric imaging may offer the
      promise of early prediction of therapy response.

PMID- 24232873
TI  - Immunological assay of phytochrome in small sections of roots and other organs of
      maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings.
AB  - Phytochrome was determined in small sections of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings by
      means of a highly specific double sandwich enzyme immunoassay which uses a
      monoclonal anti-phytochrome antibody for binding phytochrome and anti-phytochrome
      serum to detect the bound phytochrome. The distribution of phytochrome in maize
      seedlings was followed from germination to the 7th d after soaking the caryopses.
      Regions of high phytochrome accumulation were found in the coleoptile tip, the
      root cap and the shoot apex: the values for 5-d-old seedlings were 120, 80 and 70
      MUg phytochrome per g fresh weight (or 0.91, 0.61 and 0.53 nmol.g(-1)),
      respectively. The mesocotyl and the leaves contained relatively low amounts of
      phytochrome (less than 10 MUg.g(-1)FW), which were almost uniformly distributed
      throughout these organs. As might be expected, regions of these organs adjacent
      to the shoot apex showed higher levels. The root, other than root tip, was almost
      devoid of phytochrome (0.2 to 0.5 MUg.g(-1)). The general distribution of
      phytochrome in organs did not change during the development of seedlings. The
      amount of phytochrome, however, did fluctuate: up to the 5th or 6th d after
      soaking the caryopses, the levels increased in the regions of high phytochrome
      accumulation but thereafter decreased. After the 6th d the roots were 15 cm or
      longer and the coleoptiles became prone to penetration by primary leaves. The
      tips of adventitious roots, emerging after the 6th d, were also found to contain
      phytochrome. When the root cap was illuminated (4.3 W.m(-1)), phytochrome was
      degraded as in illuminated shoots. Degradation of phytochrome in coleoptile,
      mesocotyl and shoot apex started with a lag phase but phytochrome degradation in
      the root cap and the leaves started without a lag. In contrast to shoot
      phytochrome, which was almost completely degraded under continuous illumination,
      about 3% of initial phytochrome was measured in root caps after 24 h continuous
      illumination. Some of the data, obtained by immunological measurements, may
      indicate differences between phytochrome, or its synthesis or degradation, in the
      root cap and shoots. The results are discussed with a view to different red-light
      mediated responses of grass seedlings. 

PMID- 24232874
TI  - Changes in the pattern of phospholipid synthesis during the induction by
      cytokinin of cell division in soybean suspension cultures.
AB  - A method is described for preparing fully viable, cytokinin-starved soybean
      (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Acme) cells from a suspension-culture of callus
      tissue. The cells respond to kinetin treatment by re-initiating cell division. We
      present evidence, from the pattern of incorporation of (32)P-labelled inorganic
      phosphate into individual phospholipids during the first hour of this response,
      that the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and of phosphatidic-acid head
      groups is affected within 15 min. The polyphosphoinositide phosphatidylinositol 4
      phosphate, but not phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, was detected in the
      tissue. The characteristics of cytokinin-induced PI synthesis in cytokinin
      starved soybean cells appear to resemble the 'PI response' of animal cells. 

PMID- 24232875
TI  - Cooperation of epidermis and inner tissues in auxin-mediated growth of maize
      coleoptiles.
AB  - The function of the epidermis in auxinmediated elongation growth of maize (Zea
      mays L.) coleoptile segments was investigated. The following results were
      obtained: i) In the intact organ, there is a strong tissue tension produced by
      the expanding force of the inner tissues which is balanced by the contracting
      force of the outer epidermal wall. The compression imposed by the stretched outer
      epidermal wall upon the inner tissues gives rise to a wall-pressure difference
      which can be transformed into a water-potential difference between inner tissues
      and external medium (water) by removal of the outer epidermal wall. ii) Peeled
      segments fail to respond to auxin with normal growth. The plastic extensibility
      of the inner-tissue cell walls (measured with a constant-load extensiometer using
      living segments) is not influenced by auxin (or abscisic acid) in peeled or
      nonpeeled segments. It is concluded that auxin induces (and abscisic acid
      inhibits) elongation of the intact segment by increasing (decreasing) the
      extensibility specifically in the outer epidermal wall. In addition, tissue
      tension (and therewith the pressure acting on the outer epidermal wall) is
      maintained at a constant level over several hours of auxin-mediated growth,
      indicating that the inner cells also contribute actively to organ elongation.
      However, this contribution does not involve an increase of cell-wall
      extensibility, but a continuous shifting of the potential extension threshold
      (i.e., the length to which the inner tissues would extend by water uptake after
      peeling) ahead of the actual segment length. Thus, steady growth involves the
      coordinated action of wall loosening in the epidermis and regeneration of tissue
      tension by the inner tissues. iii) Electron micrographs show the accumulation of
      striking osmiophilic material (particles of approx. 0.3 MUm diameter)
      specifically at the plasma membrane/cell-wall interface of the outer epidermal
      wall of auxin-treated segments. iv) Peeled segments fail to respond to auxin with
      proton excretion. This is in contrast to fusicoccin-induced proton excretion and
      growth which can also be readily demonstrated in the absence of the epidermis.
      However, peeled and nonpeeled segments show the same sensitivity to protons with
      regard to the induction of acid-mediated in-vivo elongation and cell-wall
      extensibility. The observed threshold at pH 4.5-5.0 is too low to be compatible
      with a 'second messenger' function of protons also in the growth response of the
      inner tissues. Organ growth is described in terms of a physical model which takes
      into account tissue tension and extensibility of the outer epidermal wall as the
      decisive growth parameters. This model states that the wall pressure increment,
      produced by tissue tension in the outer epidermal wall, rather than the pressure
      acting on the inner-tissue walls, is the driving force of growth. 

PMID- 24232876
TI  - Rates of glycolate synthesis and metabolism during photosynthesis of Euglena and
      microalgae grown on low CO2.
AB  - The rate of glycolate excretion in Euglena gracilis Z and some microalgae grown
      at the atmospheric level of CO2 was determined using amino-oxyacetate (AOA). The
      extracellular O2 concentration was kept at 240 MUM by bubbling the incubation
      medium with air. Glycolate, the main excretion product, was excreted by Euglena
      at 6 MUmol.h(-1).(mg chlorophyll (Chl))(-1). Excretion depended on the presence
      of AOA, and was saturated at 1 mM AOA. A substituted oxime formed from glyoxylate
      and AOA was also excreted. Bicarbonate added at 0.1 mM did not prevent the
      excretion of glycolate. The excretion of glycolate increased with higher O2
      concentrations in the medium, and was competitively inhibited by much higher
      concentrations of bicarbonate. Aminooxyacetate also caused excretion of glycolate
      from the green algae, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Scenedesmus obliquus and
      Chlamydomonas reinhardtii grown on air, at the rates of 2-7 MUmol.h(-1).(mg Chl)(
      1) in the presence of 0.2-0.6 mM dissolved inorganic carbon, but the
      cyanobacterium, Anacystis nidulans, grown in the same way did not excrete
      glycolate. The efficiency of the CO2-concentrating mechanism to suppress
      glycolate formation is discussed on the basis of the magnitude of glycolate
      formation in these low-CO2-grown cells. 

PMID- 24232877
TI  - The physiological role of lipoxygenase in ethylene formation from 1
      aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid in oat leaves.
AB  - In order to understand the physiological significance of the in-vitro
      lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.11.12)-mediated ethylene-forming system (J.F. Bousquet and
      K.V. Thimann 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 1724-1727), its characteristics
      were compared to those of an in-vivo ethylene-forming system. While oat (Avena
      sativa L.) leaves, as other plant tissues, preferentially converted only one of
      the 1-amino-2-ethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (AEC) isomers to 1-butene, the
      lipoxygenase system converted all four AEC isomers to 1-butene with nearly equal
      efficiencies. While the in-vivo ethylene-forming system of oat leaves was
      saturable with ACC with a Km of 16 MUM, the lipoxygenase system was not saturated
      with ACC even at 10 mM. In contrast to the in-vivo results, only 10% of the ACC
      consumed in the lipoxygenase system was converted to ethylene, indicating that
      the reaction is not specific for ethylene formation. Increased ACC-dependent
      ethylene production in oat leaves following pretreatment with linoleic acid has
      been inferred as evidence of the involvement of lipoxygenase in ethylene
      production. We found that pretreating oat leaves with linoleic acid resulted in
      increased ACC uptake and thereby increased ethylene production. A similar effect
      was observed with oleic acid, which is not a substrate of lipoxygenase. Since
      linoleic acid hydroperoxide can substitute for lipoxygenase and linoleic acid in
      this system, it is assumed that the alkoxy radicals generated during the
      decomposion of linoleic acid hydroperoxide are responsible for the degradation of
      ACC to ethylene. Our results collectively indicate that the reported lipoxygenase
      system is not the in-vivo ethylene-forming enzyme. 

PMID- 24232878
TI  - Coordinate control of sucrose formation in soybean leaves by sucrose-phosphate
      synthase and fructose-2,6-bisphosphate.
AB  - Net photosynthesis (CER), assimilate-export rate, sucrose-phosphate-synthase (EC
      2.4.1.14) activity, fructose-2,6-bisphosphate content, and 6-phosphofructo-2
      kinase (EC 2.7.1.105) activity were monitored in leaves of soybean (Glycine max
      (L.) Merr.) plants during a 12:12 h day-night cycle, and in plants transferred,
      at regular intervals throughout the diurnal cycle, to an illuminated chamber for
      3 h. In the control plants, assimilate-export rate decreased progressively during
      the day whereas in transferred plants, a strongly rhythmic fluctuation in both
      CER and export rate was observed over the 24-h test period. Two maxima during the
      24-h period for both processes were observed: one when plants were transferred
      during the middle of the normal light period, and a second when plants were
      transferred during the middle of the normal dark period. Overall, the results
      indicated that export rate was correlated positively with photosynthetic rate and
      sucrose-phosphate-synthase activity, and correlated negatively with fructose-2,6
      bisphosphate levels, and that coarse control and fine control of the sucrose
      formation pathway are coordinated during the diurnal cycle. Diurnal changes in
      sucrose-phosphate-synthase activity were not associated with changes in
      regulatory properties (phosphate inhibition) or substrate affinities. The
      biochemical basis for the diurnal rhythm in sucrose-phosphate-synthase activity
      in the soybean leaf thus appears to involve changes in the amount of the enzyme
      or a post-translational modification that affects only the maximum velocity. 

PMID- 24232879
TI  - Role of nitrogen in the photoinduction of protoperithecia and carotenoids in
      Neurospora crassa.
AB  - Nitrogen, as KNO3 or NH4NO3, can inhibit the photoinduction of protoperithecia in
      Neurospora crassa when present in the medium at a high concentration but does not
      inhibit the photoinduction of carotenoids. The point at which the presence of
      high nitrogen levels is no longer inhibitory is 5 h after illumination. 

PMID- 24232880
TI  - Gene expression in the soybean seed axis during germination and early seedling
      growth.
AB  - Copy-DNA clones have been obtained that distinguish eight messenger mRNAs,
      moderately abundant in the axes of the germinating soybean (Glycine max (L.)
      Merr.) seedling. These clones have been used to characterize the size of the
      mRNAs and to anlyze the accumulation of the mRNAs at different time points and in
      different parts of the axis during germination and early seedling growth. Three
      of the mRNAs accumulate to a substantial level by 9 h, a time point before either
      the beginning of growth or the accumulation of polyribosomes. Four other mRNAs
      reach a substantial level only at 24 h, a period when rapid seedling growth is
      occurring. Those mRNAs whose accumulation begins at 24 h were found only in the
      top (hypocotyl) half of the 24-h seedlings, while the remaining mRNAs were
      present also in the bottom half of the seedlings in different amounts. By 44 h,
      the bottom 0.5 cm of the seedlings, i.e., the region of meristematic growth, had
      little or none of the mRNAs, with the exception of one mRNA. These temporal and
      spatial observations indicate that many of the mRNAs are not involved simply in
      the general maintenance of ongoing cell proliferation, but that they may be
      related to differentiation during early seedling formation. Further, the early
      accumulating mRNAs may be functioning in regulating the onset of seedling growth.

PMID- 24232881
TI  - Transport and processing of the glycosylated precursor of Concanavalin A in jack
      bean.
AB  - Concanavalin A (ConA) is a tetrameric lectin which is synthesized in the
      developing cotyledons of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis L.) as a glycosylated
      precursor, pro-concanavalin A (pro-ConA). The processing of pro-ConA involves the
      excision of a small glycopeptide from the center of the pro-ConA molecule, and
      the ligation of the two polypeptides. In this paper, we show that pro-ConA is
      associated with the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi fraction of the cells, and that
      the processing of pro-ConA occurs in the protein bodies. Processing is a complex
      process and different intermediate-sized polypeptides appear at different times
      during cotyledon development. The ConA-related polypeptides which accumulate
      during seed development may be the products of alternate processing events or
      breakdown products of ConA, rather than precursors of ConA. When glycosylation is
      prevented by tunicamycin, there is very little transport of pro-ConA out of the
      endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi system to the protein bodies; the unglycosylated pro
      ConA which is transported is slowly processed. Tunicamycin does not prevent the
      transport of canavalin (a protein which is not glycosylated) or the transport and
      processing of the small amounts of glycosylated pro-ConA synthesized in the
      presence of the drug. This is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration that the
      transport of a glycoprotein in plant cells is dependent on the presence of the
      glycan. 

PMID- 24232882
TI  - Basic peroxidases in isolated vacuoles of nicotiana tabacum L.
AB  - Vacuoles of tobacco mesophyll and of suspension-cultured cells were isolated in
      order to study the localization of peroxidase isoenzymes. Only basic peroxidases
      were detectable by electrophoretic separation of the vacuolar sap. Some of the
      basic peroxidases have formerly been described as an ionically bound cell-wall
      fraction. This fraction, however, was found to be an artifact produced by
      incomplete cell breakage. Reinvestigation of isolated cell walls confirmed that
      mainly acidic peroxidases are localized in the cell walls where they move freely
      or are bound. As a consequence of former and present results we think it probable
      that all of the peroxidase isoenzymes are secretory proteins because they have to
      be transported from the sites of synthesis in the cytoplasm to the sites of
      function, the extracytoplasmic spaces, cell wall (acidic peroxidases), and
      vacuole (basic peroxidases). 

PMID- 24232884
TI  - Redistribution of potassium, chloride and calcium during the gravitropically
      induced movement of Mimosa pudica pulvinus.
AB  - When the leaves of Mimosa pudica are changed from their normal position in the
      gravitational field, they perform reversible compensatory movements by means of
      pulvini. These movements are not the result of growth processes but involve
      reversible turgor variations. These variation are concomitant with ion migrations
      within pulvini: during the gravitropic movement, K(+) and Cl(-) shift towards the
      adaxial half of the motor organ whereas Ca(2+) shifts towards the abaxial half.
      Compounds known to affect K(+) transport, tetraethylammonium chloride and
      valinomycin, do not hinder the gravitropic movement but inhibit strongly the
      seismonastic reaction. The same general result is obtained with compounds
      affecting anion transport, disulfonic stilbenes and 9-anthracene carboxylic acid.
      Calcium chelators inhibit the gravitropic movement more efficiently than the
      seismonastic reaction and the calcium ionophore A 23 187 increases both
      movements. The data obtained with these various compounds indicate that ions do
      not have the same functional importance in the regulation of the two different
      pulvinar movements. 

PMID- 24232883
TI  - Resistance of Rosa microtubule polymerization to colchicine results from a low
      affinity interaction of colchicine and tubulin.
AB  - The inhibition of the polymerization of tubulin from cultured cells of rose
      (Rosa. sp. cv. Paul's scarlet) by colchicine and the binding of colchicine to
      tubulin were examined in vitro and compared with data obtained in parallel
      experiments with bovine brain tubulin. Turbidimetric measurements of taxol
      induced polymerization of rose microtubules were found to be sensitive and
      semiquantitative at low tubulin concentrations, and to conform to some of the
      characteristics of a nucleation and condensation-polymerization mechanism for
      assembly of filamentous helical polymers. Colchicine inhibited the rapid phase of
      polymerization at 24 degrees C with an apparent inhibition constant (K i) of
      1.4.10(-4) M for rose tubulin and an apparent K i=8.8.10(-7) M for brain tubulin.
      The binding of [(3)H]colchicine to rose tubulin to form tubulin-colchicine
      complex was mildly temperature-dependent and slow, taking 2-3 h to reach
      equilibrium at 24 degrees C, and was not affected by vinblastine sulfate. The
      binding of [(3)H]colchicine to rose tubulin was saturable and Scatchard analysis
      indicated a single class of low-affinity binding sites having an apparent
      affinity constant (K) of 9.7.10(2) M(-1) and an estimated molar binding
      stoichiometry (r) of 0.47 at 24 degrees C. The values for brain tubulin were
      K=2.46.10(6) M(-1) and r=0.45 at 37 degrees C. The binding of [(3)H]colchicine to
      rose tubulin was inhibited by excess unlabeled colchicine, but not by
      podophyllotoxin or tropolone. The data demonstrate divergence of the colchicine
      binding sites on plant and animal tubulins and indicate that the relative
      resistance of plant microtubule polymerization to colchicine results from a low
      affinity interaction of colchicine and tubulin. 

PMID- 24232885
TI  - Enhancement of phototropic response to a range of light doses in Triticum
      aestivum coleoptiles in clinostat-simulated microgravity.
AB  - The phototropic dose-response relationship has been determined for Triticum
      aestivum cv. Broom coleoptiles growing on a purpose-built clinostat apparatus
      providing gravity compensation by rotation about a horizontal axis at 2 rev.min(
      1). These data are compared with data sets obtained with the clinostat axis
      vertical and stationary, as a 1.g control, and rotating vertically to examine
      clinostat effects other than gravity compensation. Triticum at 1.g follows the
      wellestablished pattern of other cereal coleoptiles with a first positive
      curvature at low doses, followed by an indifferent response region, and a second
      positive response at progressively increasing doses. However, these response
      regions lie at higher dose levels than reported for Avena. There is no
      significant difference between the responses observed with the clinostat axis
      vertical in the rotating and stationary modes, but gravity compensation by
      horizontal rotation increases the magnitude of first and second positive
      curvatures some threefold at 100 min after stimulation. The indifferent response
      is replaced by a significant curvature towards the light source, but remains
      apparent as a reduced curvature response at these dose levels. 

PMID- 24232886
TI  - The effect of abscisic acid on cell turgor pressures, solute content and growth
      of wheat roots.
AB  - Abscisic acid (ABA) was shown to influence turgor pressure and growth in wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.) roots. At a concentrations of 25 mmol.m(-3), ABA increased
      the turgor pressure of cells located within 1 cm of the tip by up to 450 kPa. At
      4 to 5 cm from the root tip this concentration of ABA reduced the turgor pressure
      of peripheral cells (epidermis and the first few cortical cell layers) to zero or
      close to zero while that of the inner cells was increased. Increases in sap
      osmolality were dependent on the concentration of ABA and the effect saturated at
      5 mmol.m(-3) ABA. The increase in osmolality took about 4 h and was partly the
      result of reducing-sugar accumulation. Levels of inorganic cations were not
      affected by ABA. Root growth was inhibited at ABA concentrations that caused a
      turgor-pressure increase. The results show that while ABA can affect root cell
      turgor pressures, this effect does not result in increased root growth. 

PMID- 24232887
TI  - Isolation and identification of proteins from the peptide-transport carrier in
      the scutellum of germinating barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) embryos.
AB  - Peptide-transport proteins, intrinsic to the epithelial plasmalemmae of the
      scutella of germinating barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) embryos, have been
      selectively labelled with p-chloro-[(203)Hg]mercuribenzenesulphonate using both a
      substrate-screening technique and a procedure developed to label exclusively
      vicinal dithiol groups, which were shown previously (Walker-Smith and Payne,
      1983, FEBS Lett. 160, 25-30) to be essential components of the peptide-transport
      system. After radioactive labelling, proteins from the scutellar membranes have
      been solubilised with lithium diiodosalicylate plus sodium dodecyl sulphate and
      separated by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Fluorography and silver
      staining of these gels has for the first time allowed identification of two
      presumptive components of the peptide-transport system. These components only
      become detectable in an extract of the scutellar epithelia after 15 h imbibition,
      concomitant with a dramatic increase in peptide-transport activity, and they
      remain present at least 3 d after the onset of germination. [(35)] Methionine was
      shown to be incorporated into these proteins between 15-20 h after imbibition,
      but its incorporation during a similar 5 h period into scutella isolated after 3
      d was undetectable, implying a slow turnover of these proteins during the later
      stages of germination. 

PMID- 24232888
TI  - Electrical characteristics of stomatal guard cells: The ionic basis of the
      membrane potential and the consequence of potassium chlorides leakage from
      microelectrodes.
AB  - The membrane electrical characteristics of stomatal guard cells in epidermal
      strips from Vicia faba L. and Commelina communis L. were explored using
      conventional electrophysiological methods, but with double-barrelled
      microelectrodes containing dilute electrolyte solutions. When electrodes were
      filled with the customary 1-3 M KCl solutions, membrane potentials and
      resistances were low, typically decaying over 2-5 min to near-30 mV and <0.2
      komega.cm(2) in cells bathed in 0.1 mM KCl and 1 mM Ca(2+), pH 7.4. By contrast,
      cells impaled with electrodes containing 50 or 200 mM K(+)-acetate gave values of
      182+/-7 mV and 16+/-2 komega.cm(2) (input resistances 0.8-3.1 Gomega, n=54).
      Potentials as high as (-) 282 mV (inside negative) were recorded, and impalement
      were held for up to 2 h without appreciable decline in either membrane parameter.
      Comparison of results obtained with several electrolytes indicated that Cl(-)
      leakage from the microelectrode was primarily responsible for the decline in
      potential and resistance recorded with the molar KCl electrolytes. Guard cells
      loaded with salt from the electrodes also acquired marked potential and
      conductance responses to external Ca(2+), which are tentatively ascribed to a
      K(+) conductance (channel) at the guard cell plasma membrane.Measurements using
      dilute K(+)-acetate-filled electrodes revealed, in the guard cells, electrical
      properties common to plant and fungal cell membranes. The cells showed a high
      selectivity for K(+) over Na(+) (permeability ratio PNa/PK=0.006) and a near
      Nernstian potential response to external pH over the range 4.5-7.4 (apparent
      PH/PK=500-600). Little response to external Ca(2+) was observed, and the cells
      were virtually insensitive to CO2. These results are discussed in the context of
      primary, charge-carrying transport at the guard cell plasma membrane, and with
      reference to possible mechanisms for K(+) transport during stomatal movements.
      They discount previous notions of Ca(2+)-and CO2-mediated transport control. It
      is argued, also, that passive (diffusional) mechanisms are unlikely to contribute
      to K(+) uptake during stomatal opening, despite membrane potentials which, under
      certain, well-defined conditions, lie negative of the potassium equilibrium
      potential likely prevailing. 

PMID- 24232889
TI  - Comparison between responses to gametophytic and sporophytic recurrent selection
      in maize (Zea mays L.).
AB  - In order to evaluate the response at both the gametophytic and sporophytic level
      of a selection based on the pollen competitive ability and to compare its effects
      with those obtainable from a conventional sporophytic procedure, three recurrent
      selection plans were developed in maize starting from the same F2 population. Two
      gametophytic recurrent selection procedures at high (GSH) and low (GSL) selection
      intensity were performed by utilizing, to advance the populations, kernels taken
      from the base (GSH) or apex (GSL) of ears obtained from pair-crosses of randomly
      chosen plants. The third scheme was a sporophytic full-sib recurrent selection
      procedure (SS); the only selection criterion was the machine-harvestable grain
      yield of the families. In a sixyear period of selection, six cycles of both GSH
      and GSL and three cycles of SS were performed. The source and the selected
      populations (16 entries) were tested for pollen performance and for sporophytic
      traits. The selection cycles advanced through GSH showed a progressive increase,
      as compared to GSL, in pollen tube length measured at 4 h of in vitro culture.
      The SS cycles response was intermediate at 4 h whereas at 2 h it exceeded both
      GSH and GSL. A slight decrease in pollen diameter was evidenced in populations
      advanced with GSL procedure. The SS selection caused a marked increase for grain
      yield, lateness, leaves per plant and plant height. No response was shown by
      gametophytic selection for grain yield. The GSH procedure, however, led to an
      increase in kernel weight and to a decrease in kernel moisture, leaf number and
      plant height, as compared to GSL. Though gametophytic selection showed limited
      effects on sporophytic traits, it can be considered an efficient tool to
      supplement conventional sporophytic selection. 

PMID- 24232890
TI  - Distribution of restriction site polymorphism within the chloroplast genome of
      the genus Glycine, subgenus Soja.
AB  - Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) have been used to detect
      intragenic sequence diversity in Glycine subgenus soja chloroplast DNA. The
      distribution of these RFLPs allow Glycine max and G. soja accessions to be
      grouped according to cytoplasmic genetic relatedness. DNA clones from mung bean
      chloroplast DNA were used to locate the RFLPs to specific regions of the
      chloroplast genome. In the course of the experiments, several previously
      unobserved RFLPs were also identified. At least six molecular changes were
      detected, including both restriction site loss or gain and insertion/deletion
      events. Three of the fragment polymorphisms detected are due to changes in the
      juncture region between one inverted repeat region and the large single-copy
      region. Probes detecting polymorphisms in three representative soybean genotypes
      were used to screen additional cultivars and Plant Introductions. The
      distribution of RFLP patterns in these accessions were consistent with the
      patterns of previously described cytoplasmic groupings, with the exception of one
      accession, which formed a new plastome group. 

PMID- 24232891
TI  - Assessing three methods for identification of desirable genotypes in white
      cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata).
AB  - A desirable genotype is a genotype performing well in a chosen set of
      environments. Three methods for identification of desirable genotypes were
      assessed in two cabbage data sets: regression analysis, multidimensional scaling
      of dissimilarity matrices, and biplot of deviation matrices. Using the regression
      approach is not recommended mainly for two reasons: (1) it is difficult to
      identify the desirable genotypes since one has to unify three parameters into one
      decision; (2) the regression method failed to identify the most desirable
      genotypes in one of the data sets. Multidimensional scaling and the biplot method
      were in accordance with each other and with the mean tables when different
      subsets where compared. Consequently, they were considered more adequate for
      identifying desirable genotypes. In cases where rank 2 approximation of the
      analysed matrix was justified, the biplot revealed more information in one
      display and was, therefore, considered particularly useful in plant breeding for
      larger target areas. 

PMID- 24232892
TI  - Restriction fragment length polymorphism diversity in soybean.
AB  - Fifty-eight soybean accessions from the genus Glycine, subgenus Soja, were
      surveyed with 17 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genetic markers
      to assess the level of molecular diversity and to evaluate the usefulness of
      previously identified RFLP markers. In general, only low levels of molecular
      diversity were observed: 2 of the 17 markers exhibited three alleles per locus,
      whereas all others had only two alleles. Thirty-five percent of the markers had
      rare alleles present in only 1 or 2 of the 58 accessions. Molecular diversity was
      least among cultivated soybeans and greatest between accessions of different
      soybean species such as Glycine max (L.) Merr. and G. soja Sieb. and Zucc.
      Principal component analysis was useful in reducing the multidimensional genotype
      data set and identifying genetic relationships. 

PMID- 24232893
TI  - DNA polymorphism in Allium cepa cytoplasms and its implications concerning the
      origin of onions.
AB  - Mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA was isolated from fertile and cytoplasmic male
      sterile cultivars of cultivated onions. Restriction fragment length polymorphism
      led to the distinction between cytoplasms S and M. Mitochondrial DNA patterns
      from S cytoplasms appeared dentical and characterized mostly male sterile lines.
      An open-pollinated variety was found to bear this cytoplasm and thought to be the
      origin of S types. Mitochondrial DNA patterns from M cytoplasms were subdivided
      into four types, M1 and M2 corresponding to normal N cytoplasm, M3 and M4
      probably corresponding to T cytoplasms. S and M cytoplasms were also
      distinguished by chloroplast DNA restriction patterns. Our results confirm
      previous genetic distinction between S, N and T cytoplasms. 

PMID- 24232894
TI  - Production and evaluation of a synthetic hexaploid in blueberry.
AB  - One synthetic hexaploid clone (Hex-DT) was produced by placing 3-node stem
      cuttings of triploid blueberry clone FL 81-19 [V. corymbosum (4x) x V. elliottii
      (2x)] on blueberry micropropagation medium supplemented with 0.6% agar, 24.6 MUM
      2ip, and 0.02% colchicine. The most effective chromosome-doubling was achieved
      with colchicine over 6 days, for 6 h per day. Pollen stainability and pollen
      germination in the hexaploid Hex-DT were 42.2% and 13.0%, respectively, versus
      87.9% and 50.9% in Hex-F1, a hexaploid F1 hybrid between V. ashei (6x) x FL 81-19
      (3x). The number of seedlings produced per flower pollinated with V. ashei pollen
      in Hex-F1 was similar to the number obtained from V. ashei x V. ashei crosses,
      and at least twice the number produced by Hex-DT pollinated with V. ashei pollen.
      Observed mean numbers of univalents, bivalents, trivalents, quadrivalents, and
      hexavalents per PMC at metaphase I in Hex-DT were 1.29, 20.30, 2.31, 2.63, and
      2.11, respectively. No univalents were observed in Hex-F 1, but the mean
      frequencies of bivalents, trivalents, quadrivalents, and hexavalents were 29.14,
      0.87, 1.91, and 0.58, respectively. Irregularities such as chromosome lagging and
      unequal disjunction were observed at both anaphase I and II in Hex-DT. Anaphases
      I and II in Hex-F1 were normal with few irregularities. The high fertility
      observed in Hex-F1 suggests a high level of homology among the three species
      contributing to its makeup. 

PMID- 24232895
TI  - Inheritance and mapping of seed lipoxygenase polypeptides in Pisum.
AB  - Analysis of crosses of Pisum lines showing variation in the apparent molecular
      weight of seed lipoxygenase polypeptides indicates that the genes encoding the
      two major pea seed lipoxygenase polypeptides are closely linked. The lipoxygenase
      locus, designated Lox, maps to a position on linkage group 4 between Np and le. 

PMID- 24232896
TI  - Is Nor region variability in wheat invariably caused by tissue culture?
AB  - In a previous study we observed extensive Nor region variability in tissue
      culture derived plants of only one out of three tested wheat cultivars. This
      finding prompted us to further question whether or not this variability was
      invariably caused by in vitro culture. In the present study, the upper halves of
      spikes from four source plants of the inbred cultivar 'ND7532' were removed 12
      days after anthesis. The immature embryos from these halves were cultured and
      regenerated into plants. The lower halves of the same spikes were retained on the
      plants to obtain mature caryopses. DNA was extracted from seedlings, cut with
      TaqI endonuclease, run on agarose gels, and the respective Southern blots were
      probed with the plasmid pTA71 to reveal the Nor region patterns. The sexual
      progeny of regenerants from three out of four source plants derived from the
      immature embryos provided Nor region patterns which were exactly identical to the
      patterns obtained from seedlings which germinated from the caryopses matured on
      the respective source spikes. The regenerants from the fourth source plant
      provided variable Nor region patterns. Analyses of the Nor region patterns of 21
      individual seedlings germinated from caryopses of this source plant showed that
      18 had a three-fragment pattern (consisting of 3.0, 2.7 and 1.9 kb fragments)
      while three seedlings lacked one (2.7 of 1.9 kb) fragment. Furthermore, the next
      sexual progeny of the regenerants which had a three-fragment pattern further
      segregated into three- and two-fragment patterns.These results, in conjunction
      with previous reports on Nor region variability among tissue-culture derived
      plants, suggest that this variability is not invariably related to in vitro
      culture. 

PMID- 24232897
TI  - Detection of linkage between quantitative trait loci and restriction fragment
      length polymorphisms using inbred lines.
AB  - In segregating populations, large numbers of individuals are needed to detect
      linkage between markers, such as restriction fragment length polymorphisms
      (RFLPs), and quantitative trait loci (QTL), limiting the potential use of such
      markers for detecting linkage. Fewer individuals from inbred lines are needed to
      detect linkage. Simulation data were used to test the utility of two methods to
      detect linkage: maximum likelihood and comparison of marker genotype means. When
      there is tight linkage, the two methods have similar power, but when there is
      loose linkage, maximum likelihood is much more powerful. Once inbred lines have
      been established, they can be screened rapidly to detect QTL for several traits
      simultaneously. If there is sufficient coverage of the genome with RFLPs, several
      QTL for each trait may be detected. 

PMID- 24232898
TI  - Artificial seeds in barley: encapsulation of microspore-derived embryos.
AB  - An in vitro culture system has been developed for barley (Hordeum vulgare), which
      yields high frequencies of high quality microspore-derived embryos without an
      intervening callus phase. The embryos are very similar to zygotic embryos with
      regard to their morphology and germination capacity. These embryos were
      encapsulated in sodium alginate to produce individual beads containing one embryo
      each. In accordance with the literature, these beads are denoted "artificial
      seeds". The artificial seeds germinated well and with a root system superior to
      that of non-encapsulated embryos. The artificial seeds also maintained their
      germination capacity for at least 6 months, whereas non-encapsulated embryos did
      not survive more than 2 weeks in storage. Artificial seeds, thus, probably
      provide a simple and universal delivery system of in vitro plantlets to
      greenhouse or field. 

PMID- 24232899
TI  - Deployment to plantations of numbers and proportions of clones with special
      emphasis on maximizing gain at a constant diversity.
AB  - The value of a mixture of genetic entries present in different proportions is
      defined. A measure of the disadvantage of reduced diversity is defined as the sum
      of the squares of the proportions of the different entries. An algorithm for
      maximizing genetic gain of the mixture under the constraint of a constant
      disadvantage is developed. The optimal deployment strategy is one that lets the
      proportion of the genetic entries be linearly dependent on their genetic value.
      By use of rankits as entries for genetic values, optimal solutions for deployment
      were calculated for a range of values of available entries (from 10 to 5,000) and
      preset diversity-related disadvantage-factors (the preset values correspond to
      mixtures of between 2 and 100 entries in identical proportions). The values are
      tabulated so they can be used by breeders. The superiority of the proposed
      strategy increases with the proportion of the available entries which are
      selected. In the situation that around half would have been selected if
      truncation selection was applied, the improvement in genetic gain compared to
      classical truncation selection is up to 18%. Thus, considerable improvements in
      gain are possible without any sacrifice in diversity. Applications are discussed
      with particular reference to clonal forestry. 

PMID- 24232900
TI  - Dominance and recessiveness at loci for virulence against potato and tomato in
      Phytophthora infestans.
AB  - In this study we investigated the genetic control of virulence in the diploid
      fungal pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, against host resistance genes R1, R2,
      R3, and R4 (potato) and Ph1 (tomato). For four of these virulence traits, the
      presence or absence of segregation indicated conclusively which phenotype was
      dominant. We observed a 3?1 (virulent?avirulent) segregation on R2 in the progeny
      of parents which were both virulent, suggesting that virulence is dominant and
      both parents are heterozygous. In a cross in which one parent was virulent and
      the other avirulent on potato gene R3, all progeny tested were avirulent, so
      avirulence against R3 is dominant. The same virulent parent crossed with a
      different avirulent parent produced virulent and avirulent progeny in a 1?3
      ratio, indicating that a second locus may be involved. The progeny of two parents
      virulent on R4 segregated for virulence and avirulence, so virulence against R4
      is dominant. For Ph1, a 1?3 segregation in the progeny of two avirulent parents
      showed that the avirulent phenotype is dominant, and a 3?1 ration in a second
      cross suggested the involvement of a second locus. The segregations for virulence
      against R1 did not indicate which phenotype was dominant, but did suggest
      singlelocus control. 

PMID- 24232901
TI  - Variability for restriction fragment lengths and phylogenies in lentil.
AB  - Thirty accessions of domesticated (Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris) and wild (L.
      culinaris ssp. orientalis, L. culinaris ssp. odemensis, L. nigricans ssp.
      ervoides and L. nigricans ssp. nigricans) lentil were evaluated for restriction
      fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) using ten relative low-copy-number probes
      selected from partial genomic and cDNA libraries of lentil. Nei's average gene
      diversity was used as a measure of genetic variability for restriction fragment
      lengths within subspecies and a dendrogram was constructed from genetic distance
      estimates between subspecies. The wild lentils L. culinaris ssp. orientalis and
      L. culinaris ssp. odemensis showed the greatest variability for restriction
      fragment lengths and were closely positioned to domesticated lentil in the
      dendrogram. Little variability for restriction fragment lengths was observed
      within accessions of L. nigricans ssp. ervoides and L. nigricans ssp. nigricans.
      This observation is consistent with a previously published proposal that
      nigricans may have been independently domesticated. Estimates of genetic
      variability based on RFLPs tended to be greater than estimates from isozymes. 

PMID- 24232902
TI  - Genomic organization of the ribosomal DNA of sorghum and its close relatives.
AB  - The structure and organization of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of sorghum (Sorghum
      bicolor) and several closely related grasses were determined by gel blot
      hybridization to cloned maize rDNA. Monocots of the genus Sorghum (sorghum,
      shattercane, Sudangrass, and Johnsongrass) and the genus Saccharum (sugarcane
      species) were observed to organize their rDNA as direct tandem repeats of several
      thousand rDNA monomer units. For the eight restriction enzymes and 14 cleavage
      sites examined, no variations were seen within all of the S. bicolor races and
      other Sorghum species investigated. Sorghum, maize, and sugarcane were observed
      to have very similar rDNA monomer sizes and restriction maps, befitting their
      close common ancestry. The restriction site variability seen between these three
      genera demonstrated that sorghum and sugarcane are more closely related to each
      other than either is to maize. Variation in rDNA monomer lengths were observed
      frequently within the Sorghum genus. These size variations were localized to the
      intergenic spacer region of the rDNA monomer. Unlike many maize inbreds, all
      inbred Sorghum diploids were found to contain only one rDNA monomer size in an
      individual plant. These results are discussed in light of the comparative timing,
      rates, and modes of evolutionary events in Sorghum and other grasses. Spacer size
      variation was found to provide a highly sensitive assay for the genetic
      contribution of different S. bicolor races and other Sorghum species to a Sorghum
      population. 

PMID- 24232903
TI  - Phylogenetic relationships of Triticum tauschii, the D genome donor to hexaploid
      wheat : 3. Variation in, and the genetics of, seed esterases (Est-5).
AB  - Isoelectric focusing of seed esterase (Est-5) isozymes in 79 T. tauschii
      accessions from diverse sources revealed the presence of six different seed
      esterase phenotypes. In one of these phenotypes, exclusive to a var. meyeri
      accession (AUS 18989), no detectable enzymatic activity was observed. Segregation
      in crosses between T. tauschii (D(t)) accessions confirmed three of the seed
      esterase phenotypes to be alleles of the designated Est-D (t)5 gene locus; the
      inheritance pattern of these isozymes was not affected by the subspecies
      differences between the parents. On the bases of variation in Est-5 and their Glu
      1 and Gli-1 gene loci (in a previous study in this series), only three
      strangulata accessions showed consistent homology with their prevalent gene
      expression in the D genome of hexaploid wheat. The implications of these
      observations for further interpreting the phyletic nature of the D genome donor
      in natural hexaploid wheat synthesis are also reported. 

PMID- 24232904
TI  - Relationships between some genetic parameters and test environments in open
      pollinated families of Pinus elliottii in South Africa.
AB  - Growth traits, stem form and branch characteristics in three series of well
      replicated trials, comprising open-pollinated families of Pinus elliottii
      Engelmann, were analysed to investigate whether the absolute value of the
      component of variance for family effect and its relative value (which is
      equivalent to one-quarter of heritability on individual values) were related,
      with trial averages of the traits studied taken as productivity indices of the
      sites tested. The first series, called the foreign selection series, consisted of
      four trials comprising open-pollinated families from single clones from a Florida
      seed orchard and from selected trees in Queensland, Australia. Two trials were
      established in the eastern Transvaal, at Tweefontein and Frankfort State Forests
      (SF), and two in Zululand, at Dukuduku and KwaMbonambi SF. The second series,
      called the Zululand selection series, consisted of open-pollinated families from
      single trees selected in Zululand that were compared in three trials: in the
      eastern Transvaal at Wilgeboom SF, in Zululand at Dukuduku SF and in the southern
      Cape at Lottering SF. The third series, called the South African selection
      series, consisted of open-pollinated families from single trees selected in the
      different forest areas of South Africa and compared in four trials: two trials in
      the eastern Transvaal at Tweefontein and Mariti SF and two in the Natal province
      at Dukuduku and Weza SF. Some positive and linear relationships between absolute
      sizes of the variance component for family and trial average for all traits
      studied, except stem form, were discernible for the foreign selections and for
      the Zululand selections. The South African selections presented a more erratic
      pattern of variation. However, when the origin of the genetic material was
      disregarded, the positive trends were undeniable. Curvilinear relationships
      between relative values and site averages were discernible, when the origin of
      the genetic material was disregarded. Further research is needed in order to
      confirm the suggested effect of site on genetic expressivity of open-pollinated
      families of slash pine grown in South Africa. 

PMID- 24232905
TI  - Time of detection of recessive genes: effects of system of mating and number of
      examined individuals.
AB  - The elapsed time from the appearance of a single copy of a recessive gene in a
      population with separate sexes until the first detection of a recessive
      homozygote has been analyzed using simulation techniques. Several systems of
      mating frequently used in laboratory maintenance and artificial selection
      processes have been the subject of this study. The expected time of detection (T)
      in each system of mating is described by a function of number of parents (N) and
      the factor K that when multiplied by N gives the number of examined individuals
      per generation (e.g. T=1.6+1.8 (N/K) (1/3) for the mass-mating system). Although
      the expected time of detection changes greatly depending on the system of mating
      and on the K value (the causes are discussed), both the time scale (N (1/3)) and
      the coefficient of variation of the distribution of the times of detection (2/3)
      seem to be unaffected. The additional reduction of the effective population
      number caused by artificial selection on a heritable trait modifies the expected
      detection time in a minor way unless both high heritability and high selection
      intensity are involved. 

PMID- 24232906
TI  - Influences of testing sites on the genetic correlations in open-pollinated family
      trials of Pinus elliottii in South Africa.
AB  - Two series of open-pollinated family trials of Pinus elliottii, the so-called
      foreign selection series and the Zululand selection series were repeated,
      respectively, on four and three sites situated in sub-tropical and cooler
      temperate climates of the summer rainfall and constant rainfall areas of South
      Africa. These series were studied in order to determine how testing sites
      influence the genetic correlations between traits commonly measured in progeny
      trials. No trend was detected between site index and genetic correlation, but
      site drastically changed the size and sign of the genetic correlations between
      growth traits and stem form. Even the genetic correlation between height and
      diameter at breast height was strongly affected by site. 

PMID- 24232907
TI  - Analysis of phylogenetic relations of durum, carthlicum and common wheats by
      means of comparison of alleles of gliadin-coding loci.
AB  - Polymorphism and inheritance of wheat storage protein, gliadin, of durum
      (macaroni) and carthlicum wheats have been studied. Analysis of gliadin in 78
      cultivars and in F2 seeds of intercultivar crosses of durum wheat revealed three
      different chromosome 1A-encoded blocks of components similar to those found in
      common wheat (GLD1A2, GLD1A18, GLD1A19). Most of the durum cultivars studied had
      these three blocks; GLD1A2 was also frequent in common wheat. In contrast, all
      chromosome 1B-encoded blocks of durum clearly differed in component composition
      from those found in common wheat. Therefore, durum could not be an ancestor or a
      derivate of recent bread wheat. Analysis of gliadin in the collection of
      carthlicum wheat (14 accessions) revealed several suspected chromosome 1A, 1B,
      and 6A-controlled blocks, some of which were similar to those in common wheat,
      while others were different. Therefore, carthlicum is likely to be an ancestor or
      a derivate of some forms of bread wheat. There were also chromosome 1A and 6A-,
      but not 1B-encoded blocks which were identical in durum and carthlicum wheats.
      The results confirm that all three wheats share the same genome A, but emphasize
      the heterogeneity of genotypes among donors of this genome. Discovery of
      identical blocks in tetraploids and hexaploids indicates polyphyletic [from
      different genotypes of donor (s)] origin of these wheats. 

PMID- 24232908
TI  - Efficient production of doubled haploid plants through colchicine treatment of
      anther-derived maize callus.
AB  - A chromosome doubling technique, involving colchicine treatment of an
      embryogenic, haploid callus line of maize (Zea mays L., derived through anther
      culture), was evaluated. Two colchicine levels (0.025% and 0.05%) and three
      treatment durations (24, 48, and 72 h) were used and compared to untreated
      controls. Chromosome counts and seed recovery from regenerated plants were
      determined. No doubled haploid plants were regenerated from calli without
      colchicine treatment. After treatment with colchicine for 24 h, the callus tissue
      regenerated about 50% doubled haploid plants. All of the plants regenerated from
      the calli treated with colchicine for 72 h were doubled haploids, except for a
      few tetraploid plants. No significant difference in chromosome doubling was
      observed between the two colchicine levels. Most of the doubled haploid plants
      produced viable pollen and a total of 107 of 136 doubled haploid plants produced
      from 1 to 256 seeds. Less extensive studies with two other genotypes gave similar
      results. These results demonstrate that colchicine treatment of haploid callus
      tissue can be a very effective and relatively easy method of obtaining a high
      frequency of doubled haploid plants through anther culture. 

PMID- 24232909
TI  - Relationship of cyst nematode gene frequencies to soybean resistance.
AB  - Soybean (S, Glycine max (L.) Merr.) lines with relatively few cysts of soybean
      cyst nematode (CN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) populations are usually called
      CN-resistant. The phenotype of number of cysts per plant is of the CN-S (Cyst
      Nematode-Soybean) association and determined by the interactions of genes for
      avirulence-resistance. The acronym "alins" was proposed for these alleles for
      incompatibility, with "xalin" representing the interaction X of one microsymbiont
      malin with its host h-alin. These alins are dominant in the gene-for-gene model
      but may be mostly recessive with CN-S. Definitive genetic studies have been
      hindered by the heterogeneity of sexually reproducing CN populations and lack of
      the appropriate genetic models. Loegering's abstract interorganismal genetic
      model was modified so that one model represented all four possible interactions
      of dominant-recessive alins for an incompatible phenotype. This involved
      redefining the Boolean algebra symbol 1 to represent both the alins AND their
      frequencies. The model was used to derive the relationship: {ie893-01} where the
      expectation E of cysts (of any CN-S combination, as proportion of number of cysts
      on a check cultivar) is proportional to the product Pi of CN genotypic
      frequencies expressed as functions of m-alin frequencies. Each m-alin is at a
      different locus, i.e., {ie893-02}. The number of terms multiplied for each CN-S
      is equal to the number of alins in the S line (or F2 plant). There are too many
      unknowns in the equation to solve for any of them. The relationship does explain
      the continuous distributions of phenotypes that were nearly always observed.
      Basic genetic principles were used to concurrently derive the models and to
      obtain discontinuous distributions of numbers of cyst phenotypes in segregating
      generations due to one recessive alin in a CN-"susceptible" soybean line. 

PMID- 24232910
TI  - Recombination of R-D chromosome in pollen plants cultured from hybrid of 6x
      Triticale x common wheat.
AB  - Ninety-three pollen plants derived from the hybrid F1 of 6x Triticale x common
      wheat were observed cytologically. The rye chromosomes presented in these plants
      were identified by Giemsa-banding. Pollen plants having chromosome constitution
      2n = 24 in haploids and 2n=46 in diploids were found to be predominant. The
      chromosome distributions of the R and D genome are different. R chromosomes
      distributed randomly and tended to full combination in offspring, but D
      chromosomes distributed non-randomly and tended to maintain intact. 

PMID- 24232912
TI  - Do the blinds smell better?
AB  - If people lose a sense organ, there is thought to be an increase in the remaining
      sensory functions. Previous studies showed ambiguous results on this topic. In a
      prospective matched pair case-control study on 46 blind and 46 normal-sighted
      subjects, the olfactory performance was examined using the Sniffin' Sticks Test
      [threshold-discrimination-identification (TDI) test], determining the olfactory
      threshold, the identification and the discrimination performance. There was no
      significant difference between the groups. Neither the overall olfactory
      performance (TDI score) nor any of its subtests did correlate with the vision or
      with the duration of blindness. The study could not detect any superior smell
      abilities of blind subjects as compared to sighted subjects.

PMID- 24232913
TI  - Molecular epidemiology of Korean porcine sapeloviruses.
AB  - To evaluate the prevalence and genetic diversity of porcine sapeloviruses (PSVs)
      in Korea, a total of 100 diarrhea fecal samples from pigs were analyzed by RT-PCR
      and nested PCR assays with primer pairs specific for the VP1 gene. Overall, 34 %
      of the diarrhea samples tested positive for PSV, and a high proportion of
      infections occurred along with a variety of other enteric viruses and bacteria.
      Genomic and phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 genes revealed pronounced genetic
      diversities between PSVs from Korean and elsewhere. Our results indicate that PSV
      infections are very common in Korean pigs with diarrhea. The infecting strains
      are genetically diverse.

PMID- 24232914
TI  - Phylogenetic analysis of New Zealand tomato spotted wilt virus  isolates suggests
      likely incursion history scenarios  and mechanisms for population evolution.
AB  - Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is an internationally significant pathogen with
      a wide host range, vectored by thrips. We have studied the sequence variation and
      evolutionary mechanisms at play in parts of the L, M and S subgenomes of 23 New
      Zealand TSWV isolates collected between 1992 and 2009, aiming to identify the
      possible geographic origins of isolates. Maximum-likelihood-based phylogenetic
      analyses of New Zealand and overseas TSWV isolates placed the L and M subgenome
      sequences of two isolates (MAF04 and PFR04) in distinct clades composed primarily
      of Korean, Japanese and Chinese isolates, in contrast to the remaining 21
      isolates, which clustered with a cosmopolitan group of isolates. The nucleocapsid
      (N) gene sequences of MAF04 and PFR04 plus MAF02 clustered with Japanese
      isolates. Consequently, we postulate that these isolates may represent a distinct
      incursion into New Zealand, but we do not have enough evidence to indicate an
      incursion pathway. Alternately, these isolates may have arrived with an incursion
      that included a mixture of TSWV isolates of diverse international origins. The
      sequences of four of the TSWV isolates contained a number of sites with a mixture
      of nucleotides, suggesting that these isolates either consisted of several
      sequence variants or were from plants with mixed infections. One isolate (MAF02)
      was shown to be a either a reassortant or an S subgenome recombinant. Large
      amounts of low-level polymorphism were detected with low amino acid change
      fixation rates (purifying selection). Negative selection was indicated at four
      amino acid sites in the New Zealand TSWV N gene sequences.

PMID- 24232915
TI  - Understanding internalization of rotavirus VP6 nanotubes  by cells: towards a
      recombinant vaccine.
AB  - Rotavirus VP6 nanotubes are an attractive option for a recombinant vaccine
      against rotavirus disease. Protection against rotavirus infection and an adjuvant
      effect have been observed upon immunization with VP6 nanotubes. However, little
      information exists on how VP6 nanotubes interact with cells and trigger an immune
      response. In this work, the interaction between VP6 nanotubes and different cell
      lines was characterized. VP6 nanotubes were not cytotoxic to any of the animal or
      human cell lines tested. Uptake of nanotubes into cells was cell-line-dependent,
      as only THP1 and J774 macrophage cells internalized them. Moreover, the size and
      spatial arrangement of VP6 assembled into nanotubes allowed their uptake by
      macrophages, as double-layered rotavirus-like particles also displaying VP6 in
      their surface were not taken up. The internalization of VP6 nanotubes was
      inhibited by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, but not by genistein, indicating that
      nanotube entry is specific, depends on the presence of cholesterol in the plasma
      membrane, and does not require the activity of tyrosine kinases. The information
      generated here expands our understanding of the interaction of protein nanotubes
      with cells, which is useful for the application of VP6 nanotubes as a vaccine.

PMID- 24232911
TI  - Endovascular laser-tissue interactions and biological responses in relation to
      endovenous laser therapy.
AB  - Endovenous laser treatment (ELT) has evolved into a frequently employed modality
      for the treatment of leg varicose veins. Due to the very high complete response
      rates, minimal complications and side effects, and the possibility to monitor
      therapeutic outcome noninvasively by duplex ultrasound, a considerable amount of
      reports have been published on clinical and translational studies, whereas
      disproportionally few studies have been performed to elucidate the molecular and
      cellular basis for post-ELT vessel obliteration. Consequently, this review
      addresses the putative molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for varicose
      vein obliteration following laser irradiation in the context of endovenous laser
      tissue interactions. First, the histological profile of laser-treated varicose
      veins is summarized, and an account is given of the temporal and spatial dynamics
      of cells involved in inflammation and remodeling in the heat-affected vein
      segment. Inasmuch as thrombotic occlusion of the venous lumen blocks circulatory
      access to the affected vessel segment and thermal damage in the vascular wall
      causes most cells to die, the majority of cells involved in inflammation and
      remodeling have to be recruited. Second, the (possible) biochemical triggers for
      the chemotactic attraction of immune cells and fibroblasts are identified,
      comprising (1) thermal coagula, (2) thrombi, (3) dead and dying cells in the vein
      wall, and (4) thermally denatured extracellular matrix proteins in the vein wall.
      The molecular biology underlying the chemotactic signaling and subsequent
      obliterative remodeling is elucidated. Finally, the relative contribution of
      every biochemical trigger to obliterative remodeling is addressed.

PMID- 24232916
TI  - Complete genome sequence of invertebrate iridovirus IIV-25  isolated from a
      blackfly larva.
AB  - Members of the family Iridoviridae are animal viruses that infect only
      invertebrates and poikilothermic vertebrates. Invertebrate iridovirus 25 (IIV-25)
      was originally isolated from the larva of a blackfly (Simulium spp., order
      Diptera) found in the Ystwyth river near Aberystwyth, Wales. IIV-25 virions are
      icosahedral, have a diameter of ~130 nm, and contain a dsDNA genome of 204.8 kbp,
      with a G+C content of 30.32 %, that codes for 177 proteins. Here, we describe the
      complete genome sequence of this virus and its annotation. This is the fifth
      genome sequence of an invertebrate iridovirus reported.

PMID- 24232917
TI  - Weight misperception, self-reported physical fitness, dieting and some
      psychological variables as risk factors for eating disorders.
AB  - The aims of the current study were to explore possible gender differences in
      weight misperception, self-reported physical fitness, and dieting, and to analyze
      the relationship between these variables and others, such as self-esteem, body
      appreciation, general mental health, and eating- and body image-related variables
      among adolescents. In addition, the specific risk for eating disorders was
      examined, as well as the possible clusters with respect to the risk status. The
      sample comprised 655 students, 313 females and 342 males, aged 16.22 +/- 4.58.
      Different scales of perceived overweight, self-reported physical fitness and
      dieting together with the Body Mass Index (BMI) were considered along with
      instruments such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ),
      General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Body Appreciation
      Scale (BAS) and Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2). Since some gender
      differences were found with respect to these adolescent groups, it is necessary
      to design prevention programs that not only focus on traditional factors such as
      BMI or body image, but also on elements like weight perception, self-reported
      fitness and nutritional education. 

PMID- 24232918
TI  - Diastereoselective alpha-C-H functionalization of aliphatic N-heterocycles: an
      efficient route to ring fused oxazines.
AB  - A novel method for direct C-H functionalization of saturated N-heterocycles
      allowing easy access to synthetically as well as biologically important and
      structurally diverse ring-fused oxazines is developed. The method is
      operationally simple and highly diastereoselective. Moreover, it is efficient in
      functionalizing broad classes of both cyclic and acyclic amines including the
      substrates that are otherwise difficult to functionalize. 

PMID- 24232920
TI  - Reversible variations in the methylation pattern of carrot DNA during somatic
      embryogenesis.
AB  - Twenty five clones from a carrot genomic library were used as probes to detect
      variations in the 5-methyl-cytosine pattern during somatic embryogenesis. The
      majority of them evidenced an invariant pattern. With two clones however,
      differences were found between the adulttype DNA pattern and the embryonic one.
      The level of transcription of the relevant DNA fragments during embryogenesis was
      investigated by Northern blotting. One of the two probes did not show signals in
      any of the developmental stages whereas the other showed developmentally
      regulated expression. This fact suggests a novel strategy for cloning
      developmentally expressed functions. 

PMID- 24232919
TI  - Morpholino treatment improves muscle function and pathology of Pitx1 transgenic
      mice.
AB  - Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (PITX1) was proposed to be part of
      the disease mechanisms of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). We
      generated a tet-repressible muscle-specific Pitx1 transgenic mouse model which
      develops phenotypes of muscular dystrophy after the PITX1 expression is induced.
      In this study, we attempted to block the translation of PITX1 protein using
      morpholinos. Three groups of the transgenic mice received intravenous injections
      of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO) (100 mg/kg), octaguanidinium
      dendrimer-conjugated morpholino (vivo-morpholino) (10 mg/kg), or phosphate
      buffered saline (PBS) after the PITX1 expression was induced. Immunoblotting data
      showed that PITX1 expression in the triceps and quadriceps was significantly
      reduced 70% and 63% by the vivo-morpholino treatment, respectively. Muscle
      pathology of the mice treated with the vivo-morpholino was improved by showing
      44% fewer angular-shaped atrophic myofibers. Muscle function determined by grip
      strength was significantly improved by the vivo-morpholino treatment. The study
      showed that systemic delivery of the vivo-morpholino reduced the PITX1 expression
      and improved the muscle phenotypes. Aberrant expression of DUX4 from the last
      unit of the D4Z4 array has been proposed to be the cause of FSHD. The findings of
      this study suggest that the same principle may be applied to suppress the
      aberrantly expressed DUX4 in FSHD. 

PMID- 24232921
TI  - Direct gene transfer to plant protoplasts by electroporation by alternating,
      rectangular and exponentially decaying pulses.
AB  - The efficiency of electroporation of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and tobacco
      (Nicotiana tabacum L.) protoplasts by alternating, rectangular and exponentially
      decaying pulses was studied by assaying transient expression of an introduced
      gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. A simple device for electroporation
      by alternating current was constructed. The mains (220 V) were used as power
      supply and the pulse duration was controlled by the blow-out of a small fuse.
      Electroporation of sugar beet protoplasts by alternating current and
      exponentially decaying pulses resulted in 3-4 fold higher transient expression
      compared to rectangular pulses. Transient expression in tobacco protoplasts
      electroporated by exponentially decaying pulses was 30 % and 85 % higher than
      when electroporated by rectangular and alternating current pulses, respectively. 

PMID- 24232922
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from protoplasts of asparagus
      (Asparagus officinalis L.).
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from embryogenic calli of Asparagus officinalis L. cv.
      Mary Washington and cultured in 1/2 MS medium with 1 mg/l NAA, 0.5 mg/l zeatin, 1
      g/l L-glutamine, 0.6 M glucose and 0.1% Gellan Gum. Protoplasts started to divide
      after 3-4 d of culture and formed visible colonies after 30 d of culture. The
      percentage of colony formation (plating efficiency) was 7.2%. The colonies were
      then transferred onto Gellan Gum-solidified MS medium containing 1 mg/l 2,4-D and
      3% sucrose for further growth. Somatic embryos were induced from all colonies of
      0.5-1.0 mm size after transferring to 1/2 MS medium lacking growth regulators.
      After treating these somatic embryos (1-3 mm) in distilled water for a week, 30
      40% of them germinated normally and grew into plantlets 20-30 d after
      transplanting on 1/2 MS medium containing 1 mg/l IBA, 1 mg/l GA3 and 1% sucrose.
      These protoplast-derived plants were diploid with 20 chromosomes. 

PMID- 24232923
TI  - Depigmentation and inhibition of cell growth of B-16 melanoma cells by compounds
      isolated from Paeonia suffruticosa callus.
AB  - The anther segments of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews were cultured for callus
      formation on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D and BAP(each 1 mg/l) in the dark
      at 25 degrees C for six weeks. Gallic acid, methyl gallate, ethyl gallate and
      1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose were isolated from the ethanol extract
      of callus, and paeoniflorin was identified. A dose of 5 MUg/ml pentagalloyl
      glucose resulted in depigmentation of B-16 melanoma cells without inhibition of
      cell propagation. 

PMID- 24232924
TI  - Characterization and regeneration of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) embryogenic
      cell suspension cultures.
AB  - Stable cell suspension cultures were established from two types of calli (one
      compact, nodular and embryogenic, the other friable and embryogenic) derived from
      cultured immature embryos of wheat (cv FLA302). Only aged calli, which had been
      subcultured for at least 5-8 months, formed suspensions comprised mainly of
      groups of small, round, densely cytoplasmic, starch-containing cells. Only the
      embryogenic suspension derived from the aged, compact and nodular callus formed
      distinct somatic embryos when plated on regeneration media containing IAA and
      zeatin. Upon subsequent transfer to fresh regeneration medium more than 200 green
      rooted plants were obtained. 

PMID- 24232925
TI  - Stable transfer and expression of chimeric genes in licorice (Glycyrrhiza
      uralensis) using an Ri plasmid binary vector.
AB  - The pharmaceutically important plant, licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralenesis Fisher),
      was transformed with a binary vector system of an Ri plasmid, pRi15834, and a
      mini Ti vector, pGSGluc1, containing chimeric neo and gus genes. The transgenic
      state of transformed roots was confirmed by detection of agropine and mannopine
      and by Southern blot hybridization with T-DNA of pGSGluc1. One to three copies of
      T-DNA of pGSGluc1 was integrated into the genomic DNA of G. uralensis. The
      expression of chimeric neo and gus genes driven by TR 1' and 2' promoters,
      respectively, was demonstrated by enzymatic assays. Histochemical analysis showed
      that the chimeric TR2'-gus gene was expressed specifically in phloem and
      pericycle tissues of the transformed licorice roots. 

PMID- 24232926
TI  - Plant regeneration from mesophyll protoplasts of Diplotaxis muralis, a wild
      crucifer.
AB  - Mesophyll protoplasts from leaves of aseptically grown shoot tips of Diplotaxis
      muralis were isolated (6.2-7.1*10(5) protoplasts/g fresh weight of tissue) using
      one step enzyme digestion. The protoplasts (71% viability) underwent divisions
      (4.2+0.1%) on plating in M8PS2 medium and ultimately formed calli with 0.45+0.03%
      plating efficiency. Plant regeneration could be achieved both through
      embryogenesis and organogenesis. The efficiency of plant regeneration through
      organogenesis was 9 times higher than embryogenesis. Forty eight out of 52 plants
      regenerated so far from 3 independent experiments were normal with respect to
      fertility and meiotic chromosomal behavior. 

PMID- 24232927
TI  - Plant regeneration by organogenesis in Vitis rootstock species.
AB  - A procedure for the regeneration of Vitis rootstocks plantlets by organogenesis
      from foliar tissues is described. Leaves from mature plants grown in growth
      chambers or from plantlets grown in tubes were wounded with a scalpel and
      cultured on a modified Murashige and Skoog liquid medium containing different
      concentrations of benzyl-aminopurine. The presence of benzyl-aminopurine is
      required for shoot formation. The age of the source explant, the composition of
      the culture medium and the culture temperature are important parameters of the
      regeneration process. 

PMID- 24232928
TI  - Detection of bacterial chitinase activity in transformed plant tumour cells using
      a specific exochitinase substrate.
AB  - Methods for the detection of bacterial chitinase activity were compared. The
      soluble substrate p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-N,N diacetyl chitobiose (NDC) was more
      sensitive in detecting purified chitinase of Serratia marcescens than assays
      measuring degradation of a solid chitin substrate by either radiochemical or
      colorimetric means. A chimaeric gene containing a S. marcescens chitinase gene
      under control of a Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter and nopaline synthase
      terminator sequences was constructed and transferred to tobacco tumour cells
      using Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a vector. The rate of hydrolysis of the NDC
      substrate was three fold greater with cell extracts of both pooled and individual
      tumours carrying the chimaeric chitinase gene than in control tumours. It was
      calculated from the enzyme activity data that the foreign bacterial chitinase
      contributed 0.1% of the total soluble protein in transformed plant cells. This
      level of expression of this gene was not detectable using the less sensitive
      assays employing solid chitin substrate. These results indicate that NDC is a
      preferable substrate for assaying bacterial chitinase in transformed plant cells.

PMID- 24232929
TI  - Efficient, direct plant regeneration from stem segments of chrysanthemum
      (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. cv. Royal Purple).
AB  - Direct plant regeneration was obtained from fresh chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum
      morifolium Ramat. cv. Royal Purple) stem segments cultured on Murashige and
      Skoog's (1962) basal media supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP, 0.5-2.0
      mg/l) and alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 0.2-2.0 mg/l). The morphogenetic
      potential varied with the developmental stage of the stem explant. The highest
      percentage of shoot formation (100%) and greatest average number of shoots per
      explant (14.6) were observed on stem segments taken from the top of the cutting.
      This organogenetic capacity decreases in the more mature stem. Normal, flowering
      plants were obtained three to four months after culture. 

PMID- 24232930
TI  - In vitro propagation through axillary bud multiplication in different mulberry
      genotypes.
AB  - Axillary buds from 5 genotypes of mulberry belonging to 4 species were cultured
      on modified MS basal medium. A total of 30 media combinations were tried for all
      the genotypes. The response of axillary buds and the requirement for growth
      regulators varied with genotype. In Morus indica BAP (0.25-0.5 mg/l), and in M.
      alba and M. rotondifolia GA3 (0.5-1.0 mg/l)were found to induce sprouting. Two
      genotypes of M. bombycis, namely Schimanochi and Mizusawa, developed healthy
      shoots on the incorporation of 2,4-D (0.5-1.0 mg/l) and BAP (0.5-2.0 mg/l),
      respectively. IBA (0.5 mg/l), along with cytokinin/auxin/gibberellin, had no
      effect on bud growth but helped root induction. Shoots developed from the
      axillary buds were further multiplied as nodal explants. MS basal medium
      supplemented with 0.5 mg/l IBA and LS vitamins was found best to produce healthy
      plantlets in all the genotypes. An average 89% survival was observed on
      transferring the plantlets to soil. 

PMID- 24232931
TI  - Hyphal growth of Phytophtora cinnamomi on pine callus tissue.
AB  - A procedure was developed which demonstrates the expression of differential
      resistance in pine callus tissues to the fungal pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi
      Rands. Callus tissues were maintained on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium
      with 10(-5)M 2,4-D and inoculated with hyphae of P. cinnamomi at 26 degrees C in
      the dark. The number of intracellular hyphae was used as an index of resistance.
      Loblolly and loblolly * shortleaf pine hybrids were determined to be more
      resistant to infection and invasion by the fungus than were shortleaf and
      Virginia pine. 

PMID- 24232932
TI  - Micropropagation of an endangered plant species: Coronopus navasii
      (Brassicaceae).
AB  - Plantlets of Coronopus navasii, an endangered species from SE Spain, were
      successfully regenerated from shoot and root segments excised from young
      seedlings. Initiation of multiple buds and development of leaves were obtained in
      MS modified medium plus l mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l NAA. Rooting was achieved by
      transfer of the isolated shoots to fresh MS medium without plant growth
      regulators. Plant survival of 47% was obtained six weeks after removal from in
      vitro culture conditions. 

PMID- 24232933
TI  - Associations between age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer disease, and
      dementia: record linkage study of hospital admissions.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The potential association between age-related macular degeneration
      (AMD) and Alzheimer disease (AD) is uncertain and has implications for
      understanding disease pathogenesis, referral, and treatments. OBJECTIVES: To
      determine whether individuals admitted to the hospital with AMD were
      significantly more or less likely to develop AD or dementia in the following
      years, as well as to assess whether people with AD or dementia were significantly
      more or less likely to be admitted to the hospital for AMD treatment in the years
      following diagnosis of dementia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: An AMD cohort
      of 65,894 people was constructed from English National Health Service, linked
      hospital episode statistics from January 1, 1999, through February 28, 2011, by
      identifying computerized record abstracts for all people with an admission or day
      case care for AMD. A dementia cohort (168,092 people) and a reference cohort
      (>7.7 million people) were constructed in similar ways. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Risk of AD or dementia following AMD and risk of AMD following AD or
      dementia. Rate ratios were calculated based on standardized rates of AD and
      dementia in the AMD cohort, as well as standardized rates of AMD in the AD and
      dementia cohort, relative to those in the reference cohort. RESULTS The risk of
      AD or dementia following AMD was not elevated. The rate ratio was 0.86 (95% CI,
      0.67-1.08) for AD and 0.91 (0.79-1.04) for dementia. The likelihood of being
      admitted for AMD following AD or dementia was very low: the rate ratio was 0.04
      (0.01-0.10) for people with AD and 0.07 (0.04-0.11) for those with dementia.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These neurodegenerative conditions may share
      environmental risk factors and histopathologic features. However, considering AD
      and other dementia after AMD, their coexistence at the individual level is no
      different from that expected by chance. Our data also suggest that patients in
      England with dementia may be substantially less likely to receive AMD treatment.
      Further research is required to determine whether people with dementia receive
      appropriate investigation and treatment for AMD, as well as identify and address
      potential barriers.

PMID- 24232935
TI  - [Cardiovascular effects of hormonal contraception.]

PMID- 24232934
TI  - Intraoperative dynamic assessment of the posterior communicating artery and its
      branches by indocyanine green videoangiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: True hemodynamic assessment of the posterior communicating artery
      (PComA) by preoperative angiography in terms of its perforators and configuration
      (adult vs. fetal vs. transitional) can be challenging in the surgical treatment
      of aneurysms involving the PComA, posterior cerebral artery, and basilar artery.
      Indocyanine green videoangiography (ICG-VA) is a widely accepted new technique in
      the surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms to assess the patency of the
      parent artery, branches, and residual flow within the aneurysm after clipping.
      CASE DESCRIPTION: Here we report two cases in which ICG-VA was utilized to assess
      either the direction of flow in the PComA or preservation of the PComA
      perforators with temporary clip application before dividing the PComA.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our experience is that ICG-VA can be used to assess the main trunk,
      and perforating branches of the PComA providing real-time, dynamic intraoperative
      information of the surgical field. Therefore we suggest that ICG-VA may increase
      the safety of surgical treatment of aneurysm involving PComA.

PMID- 24232936
TI  - Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase from two plant growth promoting rhizosphere
      fluorescent pseudomonads.
AB  - Glutathione is the most abundant non-protein thiol compound present in many
      cells. Because this molecule is involved in many physiological processes, each
      cell maintains a critical level of glutathione. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase
      (GGT, E.C.2.3.2.2) is the key enzyme involved in the glutathione cycle. In the
      present study, GGT was isolated from two plant growth promoting rhizosphere
      isolates, Pseudomonas protegens strain Pf-5 and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain
      PfT-1. GGT in these strains is located in the periplasm and possessed good
      hydrolytic activity at pH 8.0. Strains Pf-5 and PfT-1 showed maximum enzyme
      activity when grown at 30-35  degrees C. The ggt gene from both the strains was
      cloned in pGEM-T cloning vector and sequenced. Subsequently, GGT expressed in
      Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) using the pET-28a(+) expression vector was purified
      and characterized. The enzymes are active in a wide range of pH and some divalent
      cations significantly enhanced the hydrolytic activity. These enzymes showed
      higher thermal stability as compared to those of other mesophilic strains, as
      they retained ~50 % of activity at 50  degrees C even after 12 h of incubation.
      The enzymes could also tolerate up to 3.0 M NaCl.

PMID- 24232937
TI  - [Biometry in the growth of the high myopic eye in childhood].
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine if the growth of the axial length measured by optical and
      ultrasound biometry in a pediatric population of high myopes is significant, as
      well as significant variation of lens thickness, anterior chamber depth, corneal
      curvature and ophthalmoscopic findings during follow-up. METHODS: A pediatric
      population (mean age: 8.7 years old) of 11 high myopic eyes (mean initial
      refractive error: -11.28 D) was submitted to serial evaluation over a 9-months
      period including optical (IOLMaster, Zeiss) and ultrasound biometry (Ultrascan,
      Alcon, contact technique), cycloplegic refraction, indirect ophthalmoscopy and
      fundus photography. RESULTS: During a 9-months period, eye growth was significant
      in 64% (7 eyes) and did not occur in 36% (3 eyes), with change in the mean axial
      length (pre=26.76 mm; final=26.98 mm). During this period, refractive spherical
      equivalent increased in 45% (5 eyes), did not show variation in 27% (3 eyes),
      with a change in mean refraction (pre=-11.28 D; final=-11.69 D). There was no
      statistically significant variation of lens thickness, anterior chamber depth,
      corneal curvature and ophthalmoscopic findings. CONCLUSION: Ocular globe growth
      (axial length) measured by optic and ultrasound biometry was significant in the
      high myopic pediatric population examined. The findings suggest that axial length
      variation preceded variation of other structures in the sample examined. In a
      group of children with high myopia followed during a 9-months period, ocular
      growth was demonstrated with variation of axial length either with optical or
      ultrasound biometry techniques, and change in mean refraction. Other parameters
      studied as lens thickness, anterior chamber depth and corneal curvature did not
      demonstrate variation during the time of the study.

PMID- 24232938
TI  - Longitudinal measurements of luminance and chromatic contrast sensitivity:
      comparison between wavefront-guided LASIK and contralateral PRK for myopia.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study aimed to compare the postoperative contrast
      sensitivity functions between wavefront-guided LASIK eyes and their contralateral
      wavefront-guided PRK eyes. METHODS: The participants were 11 healthy subjects
      (mean age=32.4 +/- 6.2 years) who had myopic astigmatism. The spatial contrast
      sensitivity functions were measured before and three times after the surgery.
      Psycho and a Cambridge graphic board (VSG 2/4) were used to measure luminance,
      red-green, and blue-yellow spatial contrast sensitivity functions (from 0.85 to
      13.1 cycles/degree). Longitudinal analysis and comparison between surgeries were
      performed. RESULTS: There was no significant contrast sensitivity change during
      the one-year follow-up measurements neither for LASIK nor for PRK eyes. The
      comparison between procedures showed no differences at 12 months postoperative.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present data showed similar contrast sensitivities during one
      year follow-up of wave-front guided refractive surgeries. Moreover, one year
      postoperative data showed no differences in the effects of either wavefront
      guided LASIK or wavefront-guided PRK on the luminance and chromatic spatial
      contrast sensitivity functions.

PMID- 24232939
TI  - Correlation between cup-to-disc ratio and cup/retrobulbar optic nerve diameter
      proportion assessed by high-resolution ultrasound in glaucomatous eyes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between the measurements of the
      cup/retrobulbar optic nerve diameter (C/OND) proportion obtained by high
      resolution 20-MHz B-mode ultrasound (US) and those of the cup/disc ratio (C/D)
      obtained by fundus biomicroscopy (BIO) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
      METHODS: Thirty eyes of 15 glaucomatous patients with any C/D proportion were
      studied. All patients underwent examination of the vertical C/D by BIO with a 78D
      lens and time-domain OCT analysis, as well as the vertical C/OND proportion using
      20-MHz US measurements. All data were analyzed by correlation and agreement
      tests. RESULTS: The Spearman test showed a strong correlation between C/D results
      obtained by BIO and the measurements of C/OND (US) (r=0.788, p<0.0001), and with
      C/D obtained by OCT (r=0.8529, p<0.0001). However, comparison of C/D results
      obtained with OCT to those obtained by with C/OND (US) showed only a moderate
      correlation (r=0.6727, p<0.0001). Bland-Altman analysis did not show good
      agreement between C/D (BIO) and C/OND (US). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate
      that B-mode ultrasound examination with a 20 MHz probe can be a good additional
      method for the evaluation of the C/D ratio in glaucomatous patients, and may be
      considered as an alternative gross tool in glaucomatous patients with optic media
      opacities.

PMID- 24232940
TI  - Impact of chamber pressure and material properties on the deformation response of
      corneal models measured by dynamic ultra-high-speed Scheimpflug imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the deformation response of three distinct contact lenses with
      known structures, which served as corneal models, under different chamber
      pressures using ultra-high-speed (UHS) Scheimpflug imaging. METHODS: Three
      hydrophilic contact lenses were mounted on a sealed water chamber with precisely
      adjustable pressure: TAN-G5X (41% hydroxyethylmethacrylate/glycolmethacrylate,
      550 um thick), TAN-40 (62% hydroxyethylmethacrylate, 525 um thick) and TAN-58
      (42% methylmethacrylate, 258 um thick). Each model was tested five times under
      different pressures (5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 mmHg), using ultra-high-speed
      Scheimpflug imaging during non-contact tonometry. 140 Scheimpflug images were
      taken with the UHS camera in each measurement. The deformation amplitude during
      non-contact tonometry was determined as the highest displacement of the apex at
      the highest concavity (HC) moment. RESULTS: At each pressure level, the
      deformation amplitude was statistically different for each lens tested (p<0.001,
      ANOVA). Each lens had different deformation amplitudes under different pressure
      levels (p<0.001; Bonferroni post-hoc test). The thicker lens with less polymer
      (TAN-G5X) had a higher deformation (less stiff behavior) than the one that was
      thinner but with more polymer (TAN-40), when measured at the same internal
      pressure. The thinnest lens with less polymers (TAN-58) had a lower deformation
      amplitude (stiffer behavior) at higher pressures than the thicker ones with more
      polymer (TAN-40 and TAN-G5X) at lower pressures. CONCLUSIONS: UHS Scheimpflug
      imaging allowed for biomechanical assessment through deformation characterization
      of corneal models. Biomechanical behavior was more influenced by material
      composition than by thickness. Chamber pressure had a significant impact on
      deformation response of each lens.

PMID- 24232941
TI  - [Signs and symptoms of ocular surface disease in patients on topical intraocular
      pressure-lowering therapy].
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of signs and symptoms of ocular surface
      disease (OSD) in patients using topical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy.
      METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 40 patients were consecutively recruited
      from the glaucoma clinic of a public hospital located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
      Eligible patients were 18 years of age or older, with primary open-angle glaucoma
      or ocular hypertension and on the same topical ocular therapy for at least 6
      months. The following data were considered: sex, age, medication history and
      number of years on topical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy. All patients
      underwent an evaluation of the ocular surface which included: an interview using
      the Ocular Surface Disease Index(r) (OSDI(r)) questionnaire, break-up time,
      biomicroscopy, fluorescein corneal staining and rose Bengal ocular surface
      staining. RESULTS: The mean OSDI(r) score was 24.6 +/- 20.7. Most patients
      (67.5%) had an abnormal score on the OSDI(r) questionnaire. In 25% of patients,
      the score was consistent with mild symptoms, 12.5% with moderate symptoms and 30%
      with severe symptoms. Blepharitis and punctate keratitis were diagnosed in 42.5%
      and 20% of patients respectively. Tear film instability was observed in 75% of
      patients and ocular surface staining with rose Bengal in 35%. A positive
      statistically significant correlation (r=0.4; p=0.01) was found between OSDI(r)
      scores and the duration of topical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy.
      CONCLUSION: Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension on
      topical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy have high prevalence of OSD. Longer
      duration since diagnosis is significantly correlated with worsening of OSD
      symptoms.

PMID- 24232942
TI  - [Complications after Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty].
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the complication rate and type of intraoperative and
      postoperative complications of Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty
      (DSEK). METHODS: Retrospective medical records review of patients who underwent
      DSEK between 2008 and 2010 at the Sorocaba Ophthalmological Hospital. The study
      was descriptive, using a quantitative approach. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen
      eyes of 118 patients were evaluated. According to the diagnoses, most patients
      were diagnosed with Fuchs' dystrophy (60 eyes, 50.4%), followed by patients with
      pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in 55 eyes (46.2%). The most common procedure
      performed was DSEK alone, performed in 65 eyes (54.6%), followed by the DSEK
      associated to phacoemulsification (PHACO-DSEK) in 47 eyes (39.5%) and DSEK
      associated to other surgeries (7 eyes, 5.9%). Eight patients were excluded from
      the study due to insufficient information in the surgical record. In relation to
      the intra-operative complications, isolated cases of pupillary block, irregular
      manual dissection of button, inverted implantation of the button, button-holing
      and posterior capsule rupture were noticed. Among the documented early
      postoperative complications, button detachment was observed in 21.5% of the DSEK
      alone group; 34.0% in PHACO-DSEK group and 57.1% when DSEK was held jointly with
      other surgical techniques. Regarding to late complications, interface haze was
      observed in 16.9%, 8.5% and 14.2%, and glaucoma was observed in 4.6%, 2.1% and
      14.2% in DSEK, PHACO-DSEK and DSEK associated to other techniques, respectively.
      Post rejection graft failure was observed in 15.3% and 12.7% of the eyes after
      DSEK and. PHACO-DSEK, respectively. CONCLUSION: Endothelial corneal transplant
      accomplished in this sample showed a high rate of complications when compared to
      the conventional penetrating keratoplasty. The most frequent complications were
      related to detachment of the button and graft failure.

PMID- 24232943
TI  - [Corneal reepithelialization time with instillation of eye drops containing
      sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose].
AB  - PURPOSE: Evaluate the time of post-abrasion corneal re-epithelialization using
      commercially available eye drops, one of which containing 0.4% sodium
      hialuronate, and the other containing 1% carboxymethylcellulose, and compare them
      to the re-epithelialization without the drops. METHODS: 24 rabbits were used,
      which had the mechanical abrasion of the central 8 mm of their corneas done.
      These animals were divided in 3 groups. The first one received the drops
      containing 0.4% of sodium hialuronate, the second one received the drops
      containing 1% of carboxymethylcellulose and the third group did not receive any
      drugs. The evaluations took place every 24 hours through the analysis of digital
      pictures under cobalt blue light and coloring of the corneas with 2% fluorescein.
      The pictures were analyzed with the software Autocad 2009(r). The data was
      analyzed through the comparison of the total re-epithelialization time among the
      three groups RESULTS: The time of total re-epithelialization of the group using
      sodium hialuronate was on average 90 hours and the group using
      carboxymethylcellulose 105 hours, while the group using no drugs was 108 hours.
      There was a better performance of those groups using the drops and this
      difference can be proved statistically. CONCLUSION: The drops containing 0.4% of
      sodium hialuronate showed a higher efficiency rate compared to the drops
      containing 1% of carboxymethylcellulose, which was higher than the control group.
      The results of the present study show that the use of lubricants in the process
      of re-epithelialization are extremely valid and must be used frequently in
      ophthalmologic clinic.

PMID- 24232944
TI  - Assessment of pupillary influence in LASIK patients using a digital pupillometer
      and VQF 25 questionnaire.
AB  - PURPOSE: Identify ideal profiles in patients undergoing to photorefractive laser
      surgery with the aid of an automated pupillometry and psychometric analysis of
      patients with visual function questionnaire (VQF 25). METHODS: Seventy-seven
      patients undergoing photorefractive laser surgery laser (LASIK) were analyzed
      with the aid of an automated digital pupillometer based on an infrared camera
      coupled to the optical head of a videokeratography system. Patients underwent
      complete ophthalmic evaluation and documentation of the pupillary behavior under
      different intensities of illumination, simulating situations of everyday life.
      Visual quality function questionnaire, translated to Portuguese was assessed.
      RESULTS: All patients, regardless of pupillary change under varying conditions of
      illumination (scotopic, mesopic and photopic) showed improvement in all sub
      groups of the VQF 25. Pupil diameter was not the primary determinant of patients'
      visual satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Despite digital pupillometer has proven to be a
      useful tool in documenting and understanding of pupil behavior, a set of factors
      such as psycho-social profile, preoperative ametropy and final residual ametropy,
      contributed decisively to determine the degree of satisfaction of patients
      undergoing LASIK.

PMID- 24232945
TI  - [Complications in endothelial keratoplasty performed by cornea fellows].
AB  - PURPOSE: To report early complications in endothelial keratoplasty performed by
      cornea fellows. METHODS: Retrospective study of endothelial keratoplasty
      performed by second-year cornea fellows. Described the early complications and
      its treatments. RESULTS: Thirty four endothelial keratoplasty were performed by
      cornea fellows, from July 2007 to August 2008. From this, 29 were Descemet
      stripping endothelial keratoplasty and 5 Descemet stripping automated endothelial
      keratoplasty; 14 combined with phacoemulsification and 1 with extracapsular
      cataract surgery. The main indication was Fuchs' dystrophy (18 cases), followed
      by bullous keratopathy (11 cases), primary failure after endothelial keratoplasty
      (4 cases) and congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (1 case). Main surgery
      complication was donor button detachment in 8 eyes (23.5%), followed by primary
      graft failure in 7 eyes (20.6%) and acute glaucoma after pupillary block in 1 eye
      (2.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate in this series, which were the first
      ever in a group of six cornea fellows, was high. This shows the steep learning
      curve for this surgical procedure. The assistance of an experienced surgeon could
      help to achieve a less steep learning curve with a lower complication rate.

PMID- 24232946
TI  - Impression cytology and in vivo confocal microscopy in corneas with total limbal
      stem cell deficiency.
AB  - PURPOSES: To describe corneal changes seen on in vivo confocal microscopy in
      patients with total limbal stem cell deficiency and to correlate them with
      cytological findings. METHODS: A prospective case series including 13 eyes (8
      patients) with total limbal deficiency was carried out. Stem cell deficiency was
      diagnosed clinically and by corneal impression cytology. Confocal images of the
      central cornea were taken with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II, Rostock
      Corneal Module (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). RESULTS: Impression
      cytology of the cornea revealed conjunctival epithelial cells and goblet cells in
      all cases. In vivo confocal microscopy showed disruption of normal layers of the
      corneal epithelium in all eyes. Confocal images showed cells with characteristics
      of conjunctival epithelium at the cornea in 76.9% of the total. These findings on
      confocal microscopy were compatible to limbal stem cell deficiency. Additionally,
      goblet cells, squamous metaplasia, inflammatory cells and dendritic cells were
      observed. The sub-basal nerve plexus was not identified in any of the corneas.
      Corneal neovessels were observed at the epithelium and stroma. All cases showed
      diffuse hyper-reflective images of the stroma corresponding to opacity of the
      tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Limbal stem cell deficiency had been confirmed by impression
      cytology in all cases, and 76.9% of the cases could also be diagnosed by in vivo
      confocal microscopy through the conjunctival epithelial cell visualization on the
      corneal surface. Frequent confocal microscopy findings were abnormal cells at the
      cornea (conjunctival epithelial, goblet and inflammatory cells), corneal
      neovessels and diffuse hyper-reflection of the stroma.

PMID- 24232948
TI  - [Progressive subretinal fibrosis: case reports].
AB  - The subretinal fibrosis syndrome is a rare disease and is considered part of a
      group of conditions that are denominated white dots syndrome. However, some
      authors consider it like a distinct entity from the others diseases with you own
      features. With these cases we can behold many features already described, like
      localization and clinical aspect of the lesion, your evolution and the final
      visual prognosis. It's diagnostic is very important to consider in a varied type
      of uveitis, because the treatment can avoid the bilateral involvement. 

PMID- 24232947
TI  - Hemorrhagic choroidal detachment after use of anti-glaucomatous eye drops: case
      report.
AB  - Eighty-two-year-old patient with a pacemaker using warfarin due to arrhythmia and
      having an intraocular lens in the right eye, developed spontaneous hemorrhagic
      choroidal detachment one day after the use of combined preparation of 0.5%
      timolol maleate and 0.004% travoprost, due to primary open-angle glaucoma.
      Hemorrhagic detachment was detected by anterior and posterior segment
      examination, as well as B-scan ultrasonography. After the detachment, excessive
      increased intraocular pressure was controlled with oral carbonic anhydrase
      inhibitor, cycloplegic and steroid therapy. After four months, visual acuity was
      20/20 and the intraocular pressure was under control with 0.5% timolol maleate
      and 1% brinzolamide. Controlled reduction of the intraocular pressure should be
      considered, particularly in older patients under anticoagulant therapy and that
      had undergone prior ocular surgery. 

PMID- 24232949
TI  - Posterior cortical atrophy--a prototypical case of dementia beginning with visual
      symptoms: case report.
AB  - Dementia presenting with prominent higher order visual symptoms may be observed
      in a range of neurodegenerative conditions and is often challenging to diagnose.
      We describe a case of progressive dementia presenting with prominent visual
      cortical symptoms. A 55-year-old, right-handed, woman with early onset of visual
      impairment not associated with anterior visual pathology, presenting with
      dyslexia, visual agnosia, Balint's syndrome, and spatial disorientation.
      Ophthalmologists should consider this condition especially in presenile patients
      with slowly progressive higher-order visual symptoms. Although described in
      association with different conditions, it may also occur in Alzheimer disease. 

PMID- 24232950
TI  - Functional impairment with minimal macular damage in femtosecond laser plasma
      injury: case report.
AB  - A 26 years old female patient was examined twenty-four hours after observing
      laser-induced plasma formation in a process of nanoparticle production
      complaining of bilateral central scotoma. The ophthalmologic evaluation included
      dilated fundus observation, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence
      tomography (OCT). In the first assessment, visual acuity was 20/20 in the right
      eye and 20/25 in the left eye. Ophthalmologic evaluation revealed colour changes
      in the macular region of both eyes. Optical coherence tomography showed a central
      interruption of the photoreceptor layer in both eyes and fluorescein angiography
      was normal. In subsequent appointments acuity was always 20/20 in both eyes.
      Abnormal optical coherence tomography findings disappeared in less than 5 months,
      but subjective complaints of scotoma in the left eye remained. Extra care must be
      taken in this type of experiment by, for example, reducing the time that the
      retina is directly exposed to the plasma radiation. 

PMID- 24232951
TI  - Sickle cell retinopathy: diagnosis and treatment.
AB  - Hemoglobinopathies are a group of inherited disorders characterized by
      quantitative or qualitative malformations of hemoglobin (Hb). Some of these
      diseases present vaso-occlusive phenomena that are responsible for high morbidity
      in clinical and/or ophthalmologic terms. Diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies is
      performed exclusively through hemoglobin electrophoresis. From the ophthalmologic
      perspective, the most important representative of this group of diseases is
      sickle cell retinopathy, which presents a wide spectrum of fundus manifestations
      and may even lead to irreversible vision loss if not properly diagnosed and
      treated. The aim of this review is to present the classification of sickle cell
      retinopathy and to describe current management and future perspectives for its
      treatment, taking into consideration the clinical management of these patients. 

PMID- 24232952
TI  - Unilateral central retinal artery occlusion as the sole presenting sign of Susac
      syndrome in a young man: case report.

PMID- 24232953
TI  - Reply: Fibrin-like material in the retinal arterioles and fluorescein angiography
      findings in Susac syndrome.

PMID- 24232954
TI  - [Medical communication: history, stories and ABO].

PMID- 24232955
TI  - An evaluation of the levels of vitamin d and bone turnover markers after the
      summer and winter periods in polish professional soccer players.
AB  - Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin during exposure to sunlight. The fundamental
      roles of vitamin D are the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism and
      bone mineralisation. Low vitamin D levels in athletes may adversely affect their
      exercise capabilities. The aim of our study was to investigate changes in serum
      levels of 25(OH)D3, calcium and bone turnover markers in football players in two
      training periods differing in the exposure to sunlight (after the summer period
      and after the winter period). We investigated 24 Polish professional soccer
      players. Serum levels of the following parameters were determined: 25(OH)D3,
      calcium, osteocalcin (OC), parathormone (PTH), procollagen type I N - terminal
      peptide (P1NP), and beta - CrossLaps (beta - CTx). We showed significantly higher
      levels of 25(OH)D3 and calcium and lower levels of PTH after the summer period
      versus the winter period. No significant differences in the levels of bone
      turnover markers were found. Furthermore, we did not observe any significant
      correlations between the levels of 25(OH)D3 and other parameters. Normal levels
      of 25(OH)D3 were observed in 50% of the players after the summer period and only
      in 16.7% of the players after the winter period. It is justified to measure the
      levels of 25(OH)D3, calcium and PTH in soccer players, especially after the
      winter period, when the exposure to sunlight is limited. 

PMID- 24232956
TI  - A self-assembled microbonded germanium/silicon heterojunction photodiode for 25
      Gb/s high-speed optical interconnects.
AB  - A novel technique using surface tension to locally bond germanium (Ge) on silicon
      (Si) is presented for fabricating high performance Ge/Si photodiodes. Surface
      tension is a cohesive force among liquid molecules that tends to bring contiguous
      objects in contact to maintain a minimum surface energy. We take advantage of
      this phenomenon to fabricate a heterojunction optoelectronic device where the
      lattice constants of joined semiconductors are different. A high-speed Ge/Si
      heterojunction waveguide photodiode is presented by microbonding a beam-shaped
      Ge, first grown by rapid-melt-growth (RMG) method, on top of a Si waveguide via
      surface tension. Excellent device performances such as an operating bandwidth of
      17 GHz and a responsivity of 0.66 and 0.70 A/W at the reverse bias of -4 and -6
      V, respectively, are demonstrated. This technique can be simply implemented via
      modern complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication technologies
      for integrating Ge on Si devices.

PMID- 24232957
TI  - Sieve-element differentiation and fluoresceine translocation in wound-phloem of
      pea roots after complete severance of the stele.
AB  - Experimental interruption of the root stele of Pisum sativum L. induces in the
      cortex tissue the development of wound-sieve tubes which bridge the wound and
      reconnect the vascular stumps. Outside the stele, sieve plates arise from primary
      pit fields. This origin is confirmed by the distribution of future sieve pores
      over the original parenchyma cell wall and by remnants of the pitfield cavity in
      developing sieve plates. Differentiation of wound-sieve elements is similar to
      that of bundle-sieve elements and includes the chromatolytic disintegration of
      nuclei as well as the development of typical sieve pores arising from pit-field
      plasmodesmata. The completion of first woundsieve tubes (indicated by a
      continuous chain of anilin-blue-positive sieve plates by-passing the wound) was
      observed 55-62 h after wounding. However, effective translocation, visualized
      with fluoresceine as a phloem-mobile marker, was not found until 10 h (on
      average) later. It is suggested that this time delay corresponds to the maturing
      of the last link within a chain of wound-sieve-tube members. Presumably,
      enucleate sieve elements with widened pores are a prerequisite for effective
      phloem translocation. 

PMID- 24232958
TI  - Cotyledonal chloroplasts in the hypogeal seeds of clementine.
AB  - Clementine (Citrus nobilisxCitrus aurantium amara pumila) is a chloroembryophyte
      with green quiescent embryos and hypogeal germination. The cotyledonal
      chloroplasts have been studied during germination in the dark and under two
      different irradiances 120 and 240 MUmol.m(-2).s(-1) throughout a period of three
      weeks. The plastids of the outer adaxial and inner regions develop differently.
      In the light, the former differentiate a photosynthetically active thylakoid
      system with an ultrastructural organization and a polypeptide composition
      resembling that of leaf chloroplasts. The "inner" chloroplasts maintain an
      organization reminiscent of chloroplasts of the quiescent embryo and never get
      beyond the photosynthesis/respiration compensation point; their differentiation
      pattern appears essentially the same under the two different irradiances. These
      observations and the germination in the dark indicate that the above
      differentiation is not strictly photodependent. The greening ability of the
      cotyledons provides, on occasion, an additional photosynthetic supply to this
      plant. 

PMID- 24232959
TI  - Selection of a universal hybridizer in Sinapis turgida Del. and regeneration of
      plantlets from somatic hybrids with Brassica species.
AB  - A double-mutant cell line, which was unable to grow in a medium with NO 3 (-) as
      the sole nitrogen source and was resistant to 5-methyl-tryptophan (5MT), was
      selected from cell suspensions of Sinapis turgida Del. (Brassicaceae) by
      culturing the cells in AA medium (Toriyama and Hinata, 1985, Plant Sci. 41, 179
      183) supplemented with 50 mM chlorate and 229 MUM 5MT. Protoplasts of this cell
      line were fused with mesophyll protoplasts of Brassica oleracea L. with dextran,
      and six somatic hybrids were selected initially by culture in the NO 3 (-) medium
      and then by transfer to the NO 3 (-) medium supplemented with 229 MUM 5MT. The
      somatic hybrids produced embryoids, leaves and plantlets on a regeneration
      medium. The hybrid characters were confirmed by investigations of acid
      phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) isoenzymes, chromosome
      number, growth on NO 3 (-) medium, 5MT resistance, and capacity to regenerate
      plants. Somatic hybrids between S. turgida Del. and B. nigra (L.) Koch were also
      obtained using this method. These results indicate that the double-mutant cell
      line established here will be able to serve as a universal hybridizer to select
      somatic hybrids after protoplast fusion with any other wild-type partner. 

PMID- 24232960
TI  - Composition and properties of the sexual agglutinins of the flagellated green
      alga Chlamydomonas eugametos.
AB  - Sexual interaction between gametes of opposite mating type (mt) of the
      unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas eugametos starts with agglutination of the
      cells via particular glycoproteins on the flagellar surface. Purification of
      these socalled agglutinins was achieved by a three-step procedure consisting of,
      successively, gel filtration, anion-exchange chromatography, and high-performance
      gel filtration. The amino-acid and sugar compositions of both agglutinins showed
      a high degree of similarity; the most prominent amino acids were hydroxyproline,
      serine and glycine, and the main sugars were arabinose and galactose. The
      carbohydrate portions represented about half of the molecular mass of both
      agglutinins. Using high-performance gel filtration, a calibration curve was
      constructed for high-molecular-mass compounds from which the Stokes' radius of
      the sexual agglutinins could be estimated. The mt (+) agglutinin had a Stokes'
      radius of 39 nm and a sedimentation coefficient of 9.3 S. From these data its
      molecular mass was estimated to be 1.2.10(6). The corresponding data for the mt (
      ) agglutinin were 38 nm, 9.7 S and 1.3.10(6), respectively. The biological
      activity of both agglutinins was destroyed by mild periodate treatment. Treatment
      with specific glycosidases had a differential effect on the biological activity
      of the agglutinins. These observations indicate that carbohydrate side-chains are
      needed for biological activity and perhaps are responsible for the specifity of
      the sexual agglutinins. A comparison of both agglutinins is given and their
      possible structure is discussed in relation to their amino-acid and sugar
      compositions. 

PMID- 24232961
TI  - Occurrence of O-methylated sugars in surface glycoconjugates in Chlamydomonas
      eugametos.
AB  - Previously, we have shown that the monomeric-sugar composition of cell-surface
      associated glycoconjugates of two strains of Chlamydomonas eugametos, of
      different mating type, differs strikingly (Gerwig et al. 1984, Carbohydr. Res.
      127, 245-251). Besides the common occurrence of various pentoses and hexoses, the
      glycoconjugates of one strain contain 4-O-methyl xylose, a 2-O-methyl pentose
      (probably 2-O-methyl arabinose) and 3-O-methyl galactose, whereas those of the
      other strain contain 6-O-methyl mannose and 3-O-methyl glucose. In order to
      investigate whether these differences are relevant to the mating process of this
      organism, the sugar composition of the sexual progeny of these strains was
      analyzed. The ability to produce 4-O-methyl xylose, 2-O-methyl pentose and 3-O
      methyl galactose on the one hand, and the ability to produce 6-O-methyl mannose
      and 3-O-methyl glucose on the other hand, appear to be genetically linked.
      However, the ability to produce either set of O-methyl sugars was inherited
      independently of mating type. O-Methylated sugars do not occur in the cell wall
      of C. eugametos, or in the cell-free medium, but only in surface-membrane
      associated glycoconjugates, extractable with salt or detergent solutions. 

PMID- 24232962
TI  - Monoclonal antibodies to surface glycoconjugates in Chlamydomonas eugametos
      recognize strain-specific O-methyl sugars.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies are described that are directed against cell surface
      components of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas eugametos. These
      antibodies recognize strain-specific epitopes which occur at the surface of
      vegetative and gametic cells. Two different groups of epitopes are distinguished
      that are never detectable together in one clonal cell culture. Evidence is
      presented showing that the antigenicity of cell surface molecules is a
      consequence of the presence of particular O-methylated sugars. Monoclonal
      antibodies reacting with one group of epitopes were studied in more detail, and
      immunoprecipitation and Western-blot studies showed that these epitopes can be
      arranged into four classes. The use of these monoclonal antibodies as strain
      specific markers in light- and electron-microscopical techniques is illustrated. 

PMID- 24232963
TI  - The influence of atmospheric humidity on leaf expansion in Beta vulgaris L.
AB  - Humidity effects on leaf expansion in sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.) were
      explored using linear variable differential transducers. In continuous light, an
      increase in relative humidity (RH) from 35 to 61 or 75% resulted in a rapid
      increase in leaf extension which was maintained for 10-15 min before slowing
      down. Increasing RH from 35 to 85% increased leaf-extension rate (LER) in light
      and in dark and substantially diminished the ratio of dark LER to light LER,
      showing that high humidity can offset the reduction in LER which occurs on
      illumination. Episodes of irradiance with visible or infrared radiation resulted
      in diminished LER, indicating that increases in transpiration may reduce the flux
      of water available for leaf cell expansion. The hypothesis that leaf area
      expansion in sugarbeet may be controlled by the expansion of the leaf epidermis
      is discussed. 

PMID- 24232964
TI  - Purification of an endopeptidase involved with storage-protein degradation in
      Phaseolus vulgaris L. cotyledons.
AB  - Phaseolin, the major seed storage protein of Phaseolus vulgaris L., is degraded
      in the cotyledons in the first 7-10 d following seed germination. We assayed
      cotyledon extracts for protease activity by using [(3)H]phaseolin as a substrate
      and then fractionated the digestion mixtures by sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in order to identify the cleavage products.
      The cotyledons of 4-d-old seedlings contain an endopeptidase which cleaves the
      polypeptides of [(3)H]phaseolin (apparent molecular weights=51 000, 48 000, 46
      000 and 43 000) into three discrete clusters of proteolytic fragments (M rs=27
      000, 25 000 and 23 000). Endopeptidase activity is not detected in the cotyledons
      until the protein content of these organs starts to decline, shortly after the
      first day of seedling growth. Endopeptidase activity increases to a maximum level
      in the cotyledons of 5-d-old seedlings and then declines to a minimum value by
      day 10. The enzyme was purified 335-fold by ammonium-sulfate precipitation,
      organomercurial-agarose chromatography, gel filtration and ion-exchange
      chromatography. The endopeptidase constitutes 0.3% of the protein content in the
      cotyledons of 4-d-old seedlings. It is a cysteine protease with a single
      polypeptide chain (M r=30 000). Optimum hydrolysis of [(3)H]phaseolin occurs at
      pH 5. The enzyme is irreversibly inactivated at pH values above 7 and at
      temperatures above 45 degrees  C. The endopeptidase attacks only a limited number
      of peptide bonds in [(3)H]phaseolin, without causing any appreciable change in
      the native molecular weight of the storage protein. The endopeptidase is also
      able to hydrolyze the bean-seed lectin, phytohemagglutinin. Thus, this enzyme may
      play a general role in degrading cotyledon proteins of P. vulgaris following seed
      germination. 

PMID- 24232965
TI  - The regulation of turgor pressure during sucrose mobilisation and salt
      accumulation by excised storage-root tissue of red beet.
AB  - The changes in turgor pressure that accompany the mobilisation of sucrose and
      accumulation of salts by excised disks of storage-root tissue of red beet (Beta
      vulgaris L.) have been investigated. Disks were washed in solutions containing
      mannitol until all of their sucrose had disappeared and then were transferred to
      solutions containing 5 mol.m(-3) KCl+5 mol.m(-3) NaCl in addition to the
      mannitol. Changes in solute contents, osmotic pressure and turgor pressure
      (measured with a pressure probe) were followed. As sucrose disappeared from the
      tissue, reducing sugars were accumulated. For disks in 200 mol.m(-3) mannitol,
      the final reducing-sugar concentration equalled the initial sucrose concentration
      so there was no change in osmotic pressure or turgor pressure. At lower mannitol
      concentrations, there was a decrease in tissue osmotic pressure which was caused
      by a turgor-driven leakage of solutes. At concentrations of mannitol greater than
      200 mol.m(-3), osmotic pressure and turgor pressure increased because reducing
      sugar accumulation exceeded the initial sucrose concentration. When salts were
      provided they were absorbed by the tissue and reducing-sugar concentrations fell.
      This indicated that salts were replacing sugars in the vacuole and releasing them
      for metabolism. The changes in salf and sugar concentrations were not equal
      because there was an increase in osmotic pressure and turgor pressure. The amount
      of salt absorbed was not affected by the external mannitol concentration,
      indicating that turgor pressure did not affect this process. The implications of
      the results for the control of turgor pressure during the mobilisation of
      vacuolar sucrose are discussed. 

PMID- 24232966
TI  - Correlation between thylakoid protein phosphorylation and molecular organization
      of the photosynthetic apparatus in a dynamic system.
AB  - In-vitro thylakoid protein phosphorylation has been studied in synchronized cells
      of Scenedesmus obliquus at the 8- and 16-h of the life cycle, stages which are
      characterized by the maximum and minimum photosynthetic activities, respectively.
      The stage of maximum photosynthetic activity (8-h) is characterized by the
      highest protein phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo, by the largest proportion
      of the heavy subfraction of thylakoids, and by maximum oligomerization of the
      light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex, altogether creating the highest
      energy charge of the thylakoid membranes. Protein phosphorylation in vitro
      decreases the amount of the heavy subfraction and increases the amount of
      oligomerization of the antenna of photosystem I (PSI) (increase of chlorophyll b
      in the light fraction). Concomittantly, PSII units become smaller (longer time
      for the rise in fluorescence induction) and photosynthetic efficiency increases
      (decrease of fluorescence yield). In-vivo protein phosphorylation is controlled
      mainly endogenously during the 8-h of the life cycle but is exogenously modulated
      by light to optimize the photosynthetic activity by redistribution of pigment
      protein complexes. In-vitro protein phosphorylation seems to restore partially
      the conditions prevalent in vivo and lost during the preparation of membranes.
      The effect is greater in 16-h cells which have less-stable membranes. The
      regulatory mechanism between membrane stabilization and oligomerization on the
      one hand and redistribution of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein
      complex from PSII to PSI on the other hand remains unexplained. We have confirmed
      that the mechanism of protein phosphorylation is regulated via
      plastohydroquinone, but experiments with the plastohydroquinone analogue 2,3,5,6
      tetramethyl-p-benzoquinone demonstrated that plastohydroquinone is not solely
      responsible for the differences in protein phosphorylation of 8- and 16-h
      thylakoids. The inhibitory effect of ADP and the distinct rates of kinase
      reaction indicate that the adenylate energy charge and changes in the
      organization of the photosynthetic apparatus also contribute to the observed
      differences in protein phosphorylation. Phosphorylation in the presence of 3
      (3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea indicated that the 32-kDa phosphoprotein
      and the herbicide-binding QB protein may be the same. These experiments also
      indicated that 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea-binding reduces kinase
      activity directly and not only by inhibiting electron transport. 

PMID- 24232967
TI  - Effect of cytokinins on ribosomal RNA gene expression in excised cotyledons of
      Cucurbita pepo L.
AB  - Excised pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) cotyledons were used to investigate the
      effects of two different types of cytokinins: N(6)-benzyladenine and N1-(2-chloro
      4-pyridyl)-N2-phenylurea on RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei. Treatment of
      cotyledons with both cytokinins resulted in a rapid enhancement of nuclear RNA
      polymerase-I activity (EC 2.7.7.6). Maximum stimulation of RNA polymerase I,
      responsible for rRNA synthesis, was observed 4-6 h after the start of cytokinin
      action. The activity of RNA polymerase II was stimulated much more slowly and to
      a lesser extent. Uridine 5'-monophosphate-uridine analysis of the alkalidigested
      nascent pre-rRNA chains showed that the stimulation of RNA-polymerase-I activity
      was the consequence of an increase of the polyribonucleotide-clongation rate. No
      significant change in the number of transcribing enzyme molecules was defected
      after hormone treatment (86.10(3) RNA-polymerase-I molecules per diploid
      genome).Indications that de-novo protein synthesis is necessary for cytokinin
      mediated RNA-polymerase stimulation were derived from experiments showing
      inhibition by cycloheximide. 

PMID- 24232968
TI  - Long-term acid-induced wall extension in an in-vitro system.
AB  - When frozen-thawed Avena sativa L. coleoptile and Cucumis sativa L. hypocotyl
      sections, under tension, are acid-treated, they undergo rapid elongation (acid
      extension). The acid-extension response consists of two concurrent phases: a
      burst of extension which decays exponentially over 1-2 h (ExE), and a constant
      rate of extension (CE) which can persist for at least 6 h. The extension (AL) is
      closely represented by the equation: DeltaL = a - a . e (kt) + c . t where a is
      the total extension of the exponential phase, k is the rate constant for ExE, and
      c is the rate of linear extension (CE). Low pH and high tension increased a and
      c, whereas temperature influenced k. The magnitude of the CE (over 50%
      extension/10 h), the similarity in its time course to auxin-induced growth, and
      the apparent yield threshold for CE indicate that CE is more likely than ExE to
      be the type of extension which cell walls undergo during normal auxin-induced
      growth. 

PMID- 24232969
TI  - Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase expression in melon plants
      infected with Colletotrichum lagenarium : Activity, content and rate of
      synthesis.
AB  - Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygelase (RuBPCase) was studied in melon
      leaves infected by Colletotrichum lagenarium, a fungal pathogen of melons.
      Electrophoretic analysis of melon leaf proteins indicated a strong effect of
      infection on RuBPCase, the subunits of which gradually disappeared during the
      different stages of infection. Enzyme activity also declined 4 d after
      inoculation and its content, measured by immunoelectrophoresis, decreased to a
      similar extent. Synthesis of the large and small subunits of RuBPCase was
      followed by in-vivo pulse-labeling experiments. A drastic decrease in the rate of
      RuBPCase-subunit synthesis occurred 3 d after inoculation and preceded the
      appearance of disease symptoms. There was an apparent coordination of the
      synthesis of the two subunits under these conditions. 

PMID- 24232970
TI  - Transcription and translation of phloem protein (PP2) during phloem
      differentiation in Cucurbita maxima.
AB  - The synthesis of a major phloem protein, PP2, was investigated by measurement of
      the mRNA at various stages of phloem development in Cucurbita. Quantitative
      assays with immuno-electrophoresis showed that the amounts of PP2 in hypocotyls
      of Cucurbita seedlings increased with the age of seedlings. An increase in mRNA
      for PP2 during the early stages of seedling growth was also observed by
      immunoprecipitation of the invitro translation products of hypocotyl
      polyadenylated RNA. There was close timing in the variations of PP2 synthesised
      in vivo and in the changes in amounts of translatable PP2-mRNA during the course
      of seedling growth. A complementary-DNA (cDNA) library to polyadenylated RNA from
      hypocotyls of 3-d-old Cucurbita seedlings has been constructed. Two cDNA clones,
      A and B, have been identified by hybrid-release translation to be complementary
      to the mRNA coding for PP2. The levels of total mRNA for PP2 measured with clone
      A were found to increase in the first 4 d of seedling growth but decreased to
      lower levels in older seedlings. Regulatory controls on both transcription and
      modification of transcripts appeared to occur during the synthesis of PP2. 

PMID- 24232971
TI  - Time course of competence in phytochrome-controlled appearance of nuclear-encoded
      plastidic proteins and messenger RNAs.
AB  - The phytochrome-controlled expression of genes coding for plastidic proteins was
      studied in mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedling cotyledons in continuous red (R)
      and far-red (FR) light, i.e. under steady-state conditions with regard to
      phytochrome, and in darkness over a time span of 8 d after sowing (25 degrees 
      C). (i) The time courses of the levels of the Calvin-cycle enzymes ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) and NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
      dehydrogenase (NADP-GPD) were found to be optimum curves. The time at which the
      optimum (peak) occurred was - independent of fluence rate - the same in R (strong
      phytochrome action, chlorophyll accumulation and photosynthesis) and FR (strong
      phytochrome action but no significant chlorophyll accumulation and no
      photosynthesis). The starting point (first detectable inccrease of enzyme level)
      was also endogenously fixed and not affected by light. However, the two enzymes
      differed insofar as the peak was at 4 d after sowing for RuBPCase activity and
      4.5 d for GPD. Western blots of the small (SSU) and large (LSU) subunits of
      RuBPCase showed that enzyme activity and protein levels were correlated. It was
      concluded that a dramatic change of competence towards phytochrome had occurred
      and that this change was endogenous. This conclusion was confirmed by short-term
      induction experiments. In constant darkness (D) the low enzyme levels were
      saturation rather than optimum curves, presumably because enzyme turnover was
      lacking. (ii) The time course of accumulation of membrane components showed that
      chlorophyll and LHCP (light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of
      photosystem II) levels were closely correlated in R until 6 d after sowing.
      Thereafter the levels remained constant. The accumulation of membrane components
      was not related to the accumulation of Calvin-cycle enzymes. (iii) Time courses
      of the levels of translatable mRNAs, particularly SSU mRNA and LHCP mRNA were
      determined. In the case of SSU the maximum mRNA-level was found in R, FR and D
      around 3 d. This was compatible with the in-situ protein accumulation rate.
      Induction experiments with FR showed that accumulation of SSU mRNA followed the
      same rise and fall (peak at 3 d) as would be expected from the time course of
      mRNA levels and from enzyme-induction experiments. In the case of LHCP mRNA the
      peak was between 3 and 4 d in R, and was not well correlated with in-situ protein
      accumulation. Translatable LHCP mRNA was also formed in FR and in D-with a peak
      between 3 and 4 d-although LHCP protein was not detectable under these
      circumstances (because of the lack of chlorophyll). The data indicate that
      competence of gene expression towards phytochrome is determined endogenously.
      However, in the case of LHCP its appearance is not only limited by mRNA but also
      depends on the availability of chlorophyll. 

PMID- 24232972
TI  - Persistent circadian rhythms in the phosphorylation state of phosphoenolpyruvate
      carboxylase from Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi leaves and in its sensitivity to
      inhibition by malate.
AB  - Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31; PEPCase) from Bryophyllum
      fedtschenkoi leaves has previously been shown to exist in two forms in vivo.
      During the night the enzyme is phosphorylated and relatively insensitive to
      feedback inhibition by malate whereas during the day the enzyme is
      dephosphorylated and more sensitive to inhibition by malate. These properties of
      PEPCase have now been investigated in leaves maintained under constant conditions
      of temperature and lighting. When leaves were maintained in continuous darkness
      and CO2-free air at 15 degrees C, PEPCase exhibited a persistent circadian rhythm
      of interconversion between the two forms. There was a good correlation between
      periods during which the leaves were fixing respiratory CO2 and periods during
      which PEPCase was in the form normally observed at night. When leaves were
      maintained in continuous light and normal air at 15 degrees C, starting at the
      end of a night or the end of a day, a circadian rhythm of net uptake of CO2 was
      observed. Only when these constant conditions were applied at the end of a day
      was a circadian rhythm of interconversions between the two forms of PEPCase
      observed and the rhythms of enzyme interconversion and CO2 uptake did not
      correlate in phase or period. 

PMID- 24232973
TI  - The control of chloroplast number in wheat mesophyll cells.
AB  - Chloroplast number per cell and mesophyll cell plan area were determined in
      populations of separated cells from the primary leaves of different wheat species
      representing three levels of ploidy. Mean chloroplast number per cell increases
      with ploidy level as mean cell size increases. But in addition the analysis of
      individual cells clearly shows that cells of a similar size but from species of
      different ploidies have similar numbers of chloroplasts. We conclude that the
      number of chloroplasts within a cell is closely correlated (P<0.001) with the
      size of the cell and this relationship is consistent for species of different
      ploidies over a wide range of cell sizes. These results are discussed in relation
      to the hypothesis that chloroplast number in leaf mesophyll cells is determined
      by the size of the cell. 

PMID- 24232974
TI  - Leaf anatomy, water relations and crassulacean acid metabolism in the
      chlorenchyma and colourless internal water-storage tissue of Carpobrotus edulis
      and Senecio ?mandraliscae.
AB  - Both Carpobrotus edulis and Senecio ?mandraliscae possess leaves with a
      peripheral chlorenchyma and colourless internal water-storage tissue. Water
      stress in C. edulis growing under semi-natural conditions resulted in the
      induction of weak Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) whereas well-watered plants
      of S. ?mandraliscae exhibited a similar degree of CAM. Titratable acidity in the
      separated water-storage tissue was substantially lower than in the chlorenchyma
      in both species but, nevertheless, increased during the night and decreased
      during the day either when sampled from the intact plant or from incubated tissue
      slices. Indeed, the increase in nocturnal titratable acidity produced by the
      water-storage tissue in situ accounted for approx. 30% of total acidification on
      a per-leaf basis. It appears that during the night the water-storage tissue in
      these species is able to fix CO2 which is subsequently released during the day to
      enter the photosynthetic carbon-reduction cycle of the chlorenchyma. Diurnal
      rhythms of water potential (Psi) and osmotic potential (Psis) were measured in
      separated chlorenchyma and water-storage tissue by thermocouple psychrometry.
      Both parameters increased during the latter part of the daytime and initial
      nocturnal period and decreased during the rest of the night and into the post
      dawn period. The chlorenchyma of water-stressed plants of C. edulis appeared to
      possess a marked negative turgor pressure (as determined from Psi-Psis) but this
      was caused by a severe underestimation in the measurement of the chlorenchyma
      Psi. It is suggested that this artefact arose from release of colloidal
      polysaccharide mucilage, or possibly tannins, from broken tannin cells producing
      a lowering of water activity when measured using thermocouple psychrometry. 

PMID- 24232975
TI  - Dietary acid load and risk of type 2 diabetes: the E3N-EPIC cohort study.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prospective
      relationship between dietary acid load, assessed with both the potential renal
      acid load (PRAL) and the net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores, and type 2
      diabetes risk. METHODS: A total of 66,485 women from the E3N-EPIC cohort were
      followed for incident diabetes over 14 years. PRAL and NEAP scores were derived
      from nutrient intakes. HRs for type 2 diabetes risk across quartiles of the
      baseline PRAL and NEAP scores were estimated with multivariate Cox regression
      models. RESULTS: During follow-up, 1,372 cases of incident type 2 diabetes were
      validated. In the overall population, the highest PRAL quartile, reflecting a
      greater acid-forming potential, was associated with a significant increase in
      type 2 diabetes risk, compared with the first quartile (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.29,
      1.90). The association was stronger among women with BMI <25 kg/m2 (HR 1.96, 95%
      CI 1.43, 2.69) than in overweight women (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.00, 1.64);
      statistically significant trends in risk across quartiles were observed in both
      groups (p trend < 0.0001 and p trend = 0.03, respectively). The NEAP score
      provided similar findings. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We have demonstrated for
      the first time in a large prospective study that dietary acid load was positively
      associated with type 2 diabetes risk, independently of other known risk factors
      for diabetes. Our results need to be validated in other populations, and may lead
      to promotion of diets with a low acid load for the prevention of diabetes.
      Further research is required on the underlying mechanisms.

PMID- 24232976
TI  - Age-related changes in the bimanual advantage and in brain oscillatory activity
      during tapping movements suggest a decline in processing sensory reafference.
AB  - Deficits in the processing of sensory reafferences have been suggested as
      accounting for age-related decline in motor coordination. Whether sensory
      reafferences are accurately processed can be assessed based on the bimanual
      advantage in tapping: because of tapping with an additional hand increases
      kinesthetic reafferences, bimanual tapping is characterized by a reduced inter
      tap interval variability than unimanual tapping. A suppression of the bimanual
      advantage would thus indicate a deficit in sensory reafference. We tested whether
      elderly indeed show a reduced bimanual advantage by measuring unimanual (UM) and
      bimanual (BM) self-paced tapping performance in groups of young (n = 29) and old
      (n = 27) healthy adults. Electroencephalogram was recorded to assess the
      underlying patterns of oscillatory activity, a neurophysiological mechanism
      advanced to support the integration of sensory reafferences. Behaviorally, there
      was a significant interaction between the factors tapping condition and age group
      at the level of the inter-tap interval variability, driven by a lower variability
      in BM than UM tapping in the young, but not in the elderly group. This result
      indicates that in self-paced tapping, the bimanual advantage is absent in
      elderly. Electrophysiological results revealed an interaction between tapping
      condition and age group on low beta band (14-20 Hz) activity. Beta activity
      varied depending on the tapping condition in the elderly but not in the young
      group. Source estimations localized this effect within left superior parietal and
      left occipital areas. We interpret our results in terms of engagement of
      different mechanisms in the elderly depending on the tapping mode: a
      'kinesthetic' mechanism for UM and a 'visual imagery' mechanism for BM tapping
      movement.

PMID- 24232977
TI  - Diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes of rectovaginal endometriosis.
AB  - Rectovaginal endometriosis is the most severe form of endometriosis. Clinically,
      it presents with a number of symptoms including chronic pelvic pain,
      dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, dyschezia, and rectal bleeding. The gold standard
      for diagnosis is laparoscopy with histological confirmation; however, there are a
      number of options for presurgical diagnosis, including clinical examination,
      transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imagining, colonoscopy,
      and computed tomography colonography. Treatment can be medical or surgical.
      Medical therapies include birth control pills, oral progestins, gonadotropin
      releasing hormone agonists, danazol, and injectable progestins. Analgesics are
      often used as well. Surgery improves up to 70% of symptoms. Surgery is either
      ablative or excisional, and is conducted via transvaginal, laparoscopic,
      laparotomy, or combined approaches. Common surgical techniques involve shaving of
      the superficial rectal lesion, laparoscopic anterior discoid resection, and low
      anterior bowel resection and reanastomosis. Outcomes are generally favorable, but
      postoperative complications may include intra-abdominal bleeding, anastomotic
      leaks, rectovaginal fistulas, strictures, chronic constipation, and the need for
      reoperation. Recurrence of rectal endometriosis is a possibility as well. Other
      outcomes are improved pain-related symptoms and fertility. Long-term outcomes
      vary according to the management strategy used. This review will provide the most
      recent approaches and techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of rectovaginal
      endometriosis. 

PMID- 24232978
TI  - Fractional exhaled nitric oxide in the interpretation of specific inhalational
      challenge tests for occupational asthma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements are recommended for
      the assessment of eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma. Clinically relevant
      increases in FENO have been reported 24 h after positive specific inhalational
      challenge (SIC) tests in occupational asthma. We aimed to determine whether
      positive SICs could be discriminated from control tests, on the basis of change
      in FENO. METHODS: We reviewed all positive SICs to a variety of agents performed
      at our institution 2008-2012 and gathered data on age, sex, asthmatic response
      (immediate/dual/late), smoking status, inhaled corticosteroid usage, and FENO pre
      and 24-h postcontrol and positive SIC from each worker. Changes in FENO after
      positive SICs were compared with control SICs from each worker, by using paired
      Student's t tests. RESULTS: In 16 workers, negative control challenges were
      associated with mean changes in FENO of 9 % (95 % CI -1.14 to 19.01) or 1.1 ppb
      (95 % CI -3.59 to 5.84); 2 of 16 (13 %) workers tested showed increases in FENO
      that were clinically relevant based on recent guidelines. Subsequent positive
      SICs were associated with mean changes in FENO of 7 % (95 % CI -15.73 to 29.6) or
      2.1 ppb (95 % CI -6.07 to 10.19), which were not significantly different to
      controls; only 2 of 16 (13 %) workers had FENO changes that were clinically
      relevant. CONCLUSIONS: FENO changes above the upper confidence limits of >=20 %
      or >=6 ppb may be considered to be outside the range of normality. However, the
      majority of workers who had clearly positive SICs to common low molecular weight
      agents also had no statistically or clinically relevant increase in FENO.
      Therefore, change in FENO does not predict a positive SIC in this group.

PMID- 24232979
TI  - Chronic cough and OSA: an underappreciated relationship.
AB  - Chronic cough is increasingly being recognized as a process that has multiple
      initiating and perpetuating triggers. Obstructive sleep apnea has recently
      emerged as a possible disease that can lead to chronic cough. This review details
      the available clinical evidence that links these two disparate diseases and
      explores mechanistic bases of their relationship.

PMID- 24232980
TI  - Cement Removal from the Femur Using the ROBODOC System in Revision Total Hip
      Arthroplasty.
AB  - Introduction. The perforation and fracture of the femur during the removal of
      bone cement in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) are serious complications.
      The ROBODOC system has been designed to selectively remove bone cement from the
      femoral canal, but results have not been reported yet. The purpose of our study
      was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of revision THA using the
      ROBODOC system for cement removal. Materials and Methods. The subjects comprised
      19 patients who underwent revision THA using the ROBODOC system. The minimum
      duration of follow-up was 76 months (median, 109 months; range, 76-150 months).
      The extent of remaining bone cement on postoperative radiography, timing of
      weight bearing, and the complications were evaluated. Results. The mean Merle
      d'Aubigne and Postel score increased from 10 points preoperatively to 14 points
      by final follow-up. Bone cement was completely removed in all cases. Full weight
      bearing was possible within 1 week after surgery in 9 of the 19 cases and within
      2 months in all remaining cases. No instances of perforation or fracture of the
      femur were encountered. Conclusions. Bone cement could be safely removed using
      the ROBODOC system, and no serious complications occurred. Full weight bearing
      was achieved early in the postoperative course because of circumferential
      preservation of the femoral cortex. 

PMID- 24232981
TI  - Application of sodium nitroprusside results in distinct antioxidant gene
      expression patterns in leaves of mature and senescing Medicago truncatula plants.
AB  - Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) represents one of the most commonly used NO donors in
      biological sciences, which acts as a signal molecule in plants responsible for
      the regulation of the expression of many defense-related enzymes. This study
      attempts to provide novel insight into the effect of application of low (100
      MUMU) and high (2.5 mM) concentrations of SNP on antioxidant gene expression
      (cAPX, GST, FeSOD, CAT, and AOX) in mature (40 day) and senescing (65 day)
      Medicago truncatula plants. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR suggests that low
      concentration of SNP applied in mature leaves leads to an overall induction of
      antioxidant gene expression, while increasing concentration results in
      suppression of these genes. Conversely, older plants demonstrate a much more
      variable regulation which appears to be time dependent. The observed
      transcriptional regulation pattern in mature M. truncatula plants comes in
      support of the previously documented protective or damaging effect of SNP
      depending on concentration applied, whereas senescing M. truncatula plants
      demonstrated a general suppression in antioxidant gene expression levels
      regardless of SNP concentration, indicative of reduced overall plant defense
      capacity against free radicals.

PMID- 24232983
TI  - Genetic transformation of willows (Salix spp.) byAgrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Anin vitro transformation method has been developed for stem explants of fast
      growing willow clones (Salix spp.) usingAgrobacterium tumefaciens as a vector.
      Transformants obtained with the strains C58 and GV3101 (pGV3851::pLD1) were
      selected on hormone-free medium and on medium containing kanamycin, respectively.
      Transformation was confirmed by Southern blot analysis and nopaline assay.
      Inoculation of green-house grown plants with nopaline and octopine wildtype
      strains and shoot or root inducing mutant strains caused undifferentiated tumors
      at a frequency of 0 to 80%, depending on theSalix genotype and the bacterial
      strain used. 

PMID- 24232982
TI  - Prognostic significance of miR-34a and its target proteins of FOXP1, p53, and
      BCL2 in gastric MALT lymphoma and DLBCL.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and diffuse large B
      cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which are the two most common types of gastric lymphomas,
      have different clinicopathological features and molecular characteristics with
      distinct clinical outcomes. Tumor suppressor miR-34a connects the p53 network
      with forkhead box protein 1 (FOXP1) and BCL2. Here, we investigated the
      prognostic value of these molecules in gastric MALT lymphoma and DLBCL for use in
      routine clinical practice. METHODS: Relative miR-34a expression was detected by
      quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in 20 cases of MALT
      lymphomas and 20 cases of DLBCLs. Tissue microarray, in situ hybridization, and
      immunohistochemistry analysis were used to examine the expression of miR-34a and
      its regulated genes, FOXP1, p53, and BCL2 proteins, in 64 patients with gastric
      MALT lymphoma and in 58 patients with DLBCL. Helicobacter pylori infection,
      overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were documented.
      RESULTS: The expression level of miR-34a was markedly decreased in MALT lymphomas
      and DLBCLs compared to normal gastric tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear
      cells. miR-34a was present in the cytoplasm and nucleus of lymphocytes. Its
      expression was significantly downregulated in MALT and DLBCL lymphoma tissues, as
      compared with normal lymphocytes. The expression level of miR-34a in DLBCL was
      lower than in MALT lymphoma. FOXP1 was found to be positive in 48%, p53 in 20%,
      and BCL2 in 68% of MALT lymphoma cases. The corresponding positive rates of these
      markers in DLBCL were 64, 57, and 52%, respectively. High expression of FOXP1,
      p53, and BCL2 was seen in stage III and IV of both types of lymphomas. FOXP1,
      p53, and BCL2 positivity was associated with poor OS with both lymphoma types but
      OS with DLBCL was significantly lower than with MALT lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS:
      Decreased miR-34a expression and increased FOXP1, p53, and BCL2 coexpression to
      predict a poor OS for MALT lymphoma and DLBCL patients could become very
      important prognostic markers in daily clinical work. Further investigation of
      these changes may be of prognostic significance in clinical practice.

PMID- 24232984
TI  - Chromosomal localization of parsley 4-coumarate: CoA ligase genes by in situ
      hybridization with a complementary DNA.
AB  - A near full-length cDNA (1.9 kb) was used as probe forin situ hybridization to
      assign one of the two highly homologous 4-coumarate: CoA ligase genes in parsley
      (Petroselinum crispum) to the short arm of a submetacentric chromosome. The
      results suggest, but do not definitely prove, that the second gene is located on
      a metacentric chromosome and is thus unlinked from the other. 

PMID- 24232985
TI  - Genetic transformation ofCatharanthus roseus G. Don byAgrobacterium rhizogenes.
AB  - Catharanthus roseus plantlets were inoculated with differentAgrobacterium
      rhizogenes strains. This plant species is known to produce secondary metabolites
      and axenic hairy-root cultures are an alternative to extraction of plant tissue
      for the compounds which are synthesized in roots. Hairy root lines were
      established from inoculations with the agropine strain 15834 and transformed
      plants were obtained after spontaneous regeneration. Phenotypic alterations of
      both the root system and the aerial parts were observed in transformed plants.
      All the tissues analyzed contained agropine and mannopine. T-DNA analysis
      confirmed the presence of TL- and TR-DNAs either as distinct inserts, or as a
      single and continuous insert including the region between TL and TR on pRi 15834.

PMID- 24232986
TI  - Isozymes as biochemical and cytochemical markers in embryogenic callus cultures
      of maize (Zea mays L.).
AB  - Isozyme analyses were carried out on protein extracts of non-embryogenic and
      embryogenic callus fromZea mays L., using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We
      examined the isozyme patterns of glutamate dehydrogenase, peroxidase and acid
      phosphatase for their utility as biochemical markers of maize embryogenic callus
      cultures. These isozyme systems were also used to examine possible correlations
      between isozymes and different stages of regeneration. The zymograms of
      peroxidase and glutamate dehydrogenase differed for non-embryogenic and
      embryogenic callus. Further, some isozymes were correlated with the morphological
      appearance of the tissue while others seemed to be involved with the duration of
      the culture period. Using the same enzyme assays on fresh tissue samples we were
      able to test the three enzymes as cytochemical markers in embryogenic cultures.
      Glutamate dehydrogenase proved to be most successful to discriminate embryogenic
      from non-embryogenic cells. 

PMID- 24232987
TI  - Stable transformation of sugarbeet protoplasts by electroporation.
AB  - Conditions were optimized for the culture, antibiotic selection and stable
      transformation by electroporation of suspension culture protoplasts of
      sugarbeet,Beta vulgaris L.. Highest plating efficiencies (up to 65% at day 21)
      were obtained if protoplasts were cultured in PGO salts (de Greef and Jacobs,
      1979) supplemented with 0.1 mg/1 2,4-D, 0.01 mg/l BAP and 9% mannitol, and in
      0.6% agarose rather than in liquid medium. Sensitivity to kanamycin also depended
      on whether protoplasts were cultured in liquid or agarose medium. Stable
      transformation of protoplast-derived colonies, as determined by resistance to
      kanamycin and Southern blot analysis, was achieved by electroporation using both
      rectangular and exponentially-decaying pulses. 

PMID- 24232988
TI  - High-yield production of tropane alkaloids by hairy-root cultures of aDatura
      candida hybrid.
AB  - Hairy root cultures were obtained following inoculation of the stems of sterile
      plantlets of aDatura candida hybrid withAgrobacterium rhizogenes. The scopolamine
      and hyoscyamine content was quantified by HPLC and compared with the non
      transformed plants. The alkaloid yield (0.68% dry weight) obtained with the hairy
      roots was 1.6 and 2.6 times the amount found in the aerial parts and in the roots
      of the parent plants, respectively. Only a small proportion of alkaloids was
      released into the growth medium. Scopclamine was the principal alkaloid and the
      scopolamine/hyoscyamine ratio of ca. 5:1 makes these hairy roct cultures worthy
      of consideration as a source of scopolamine. 

PMID- 24232989
TI  - Production of doubled haploid lines in frequencies sufficient for barley breeding
      programs.
AB  - Winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) anthers were cultured on different liquid and
      on starch-solidified media. The optimal embryo and callus formation with
      different F1-lines and the cv. 'Igri' was obtained on a liquid medium with 20%
      Ficoll, 20 g/l maltose and barley starch. But the influence of the growth
      conditions of the donor plants and the genotypical differences are still
      enormous. The procedure has been optimized to such an extent that it can be used
      economically. 

PMID- 24232990
TI  - Chromosome elimination and mutation in tetraploid somatic hybrids ofSolanum
      tuberosum andSolanum phureja.
AB  - The hybridity of eleven somatic hybrids between a diploidS. tuberosum and a
      diploidS. phureja clone could be verified because the parent karyotypes differed
      in their C-banding patterns. The hybrids were hypotetraploid and some carried
      structurally rearranged chromosomes and/or minute centric fragments. The
      nucleolar chromosomes ofS. phureja were eliminated preferentially. The function
      of the remaining nucleolar organizer regions was not suppressed. Nuclear DNA
      content was correlated with the hypotetraploid chromosome numbers. 

PMID- 24232991
TI  - Electroporation stimulates tranformation of freshly isolated cell suspension
      protoplasts ofSolanum dulcamara byAgrobacterium.
AB  - Freshly isolated cell suspension protoplasts ofSolanum dulcamara were mixed
      withAgrobacterium rhizogenes, allowed to settle for 2 h, exposed to electrical
      pulses and further incubated for 2h. Two pulses of 600 V cm(-1) for 2 msec
      separated by 15 sec produced transformed colonies at relative and absolute
      transformation frequencies which were 3-4 and 10 fold greater than those obtained
      by co-cultivation of 3 days old protoplast-derived cells with bacteria.
      Transformed colonies were not produced when freshly isolated protoplasts were
      mixed withAgrobacterium but not electroporated. Biochemical analysis confirmed
      the transgenic nature of plants regenerated from protoplast-derived tissues. 

PMID- 24232992
TI  - Cyanide-initiated oxygen consumption in autoclaved culture medium containing
      sugars.
AB  - The consumption of oxygen initiated by KCN in an autoclaved sugar-containing
      rinse medium with protoplasts is described. The effect of autoclaving on several
      sugars was examined. Fructose solutions, followed in decreasing order by glucose,
      sucrose and sorbitol, were found to contain the largest amount of degraded
      products that could react with oxygen in the presence of KCN. Mannitol was found
      to be stable under the autoclaving conditions used in this investigation. KCN
      generally has an inhibitory effect on respiration, but in some plant tissues,
      respiration is stimulated by it. Under certain circumstances the degradation
      artefact described here may confuse interpretation of the results of respiration
      measurements. The use of autoclaved media containing sugars should be avoided in
      respiration studies that involve the application of KCN. 

PMID- 24232993
TI  - Biosynthesis of phenolic compounds inVitis vinifera cell suspension cultures:
      Study on hydroxycinnamoyl CoA:ligase.
AB  - In cell suspensions cultures from grape berry pulp (Vitis vinifera cv. Gamay
      freaux)hydroxycinnamoyl CoA ligase (CoAL) displayed maximum activity (100 %) forp
      coumaric acid and then, in decreasing order, for ferulic acid (81.3 %) and
      caffeic acid (60.4 %). No activity was detected with sinapic and cinnamic acids.
      The changes in CoAL activity during the growth cycle of the culture displayed two
      peaks : the highest (6 h after subculturing) was linked with a strong increase in
      protein caused by dilution ; the second was weaker and occurred on the 7th day of
      culture.Grape cell suspension accumulated mainly peonidin (Pn) and cyanidin (Cy)
      glucosides (Pn 3-glucoside, Cy 3-glucoside, Pn 3-acetylglucoside, Pn 3
      caffeylglucoside, Pn 3-p-coumarylglucoside, and Cy 3-p-coumarylglucoside).
      Maximum accumulation of anthocyanins was associated with the exponential growth
      phase of the culture and might be the result of the substantial increase in CoAL
      activity resulting from the effect of dilution. The second enzyme activity peak
      was probably oriented towards the acylation of anthocyanins since the percentage
      of acylated forms increased with time after subculturing. 

PMID- 24232994
TI  - Transformed calli obtained by direct gene transfer into sunflower protoplasts.
AB  - Helianthus annuus protoplasts were transformed with the plasmid pCaMVNEO (Frommet
      al. 1986) conferring kanamycin resistance to plant. Transformed calli were
      selected with a frequency of 4 calli for 10(6) treated protoplasts. DNA was
      extracted from kanamycin resistant calli. Analysis of this DNA shows the presence
      of the NPTII gene. 

PMID- 24232995
TI  - Stable ploidy levels in long-term callus cultures of loblolly pine.
AB  - Ploidy levels were calculated for callus cultures of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda
      L.), based on nuclear DNA content measured by Feulgen cytophotometry. The nuclear
      DNA content of initial stem explants showed a predominant 2C condition with less
      3C and 4C, in ratios approximating those expected from diploid cells as they
      replicate DNA in the mitotic cell cycle. Cells with higher ploidy were produced
      during callus initiation, as indicated by a sharp reduction in the 2C population
      and a concomitant increase in higher DNA levels up to 8C. A gradual decrease in
      the higher ploidy levels occurred in subsequent subculture intervals, so that by
      18 weeks the diploid nuclear DNA distribution was again observed, with complete
      elimination of DNA levels greater than 4C. Established callus cultures derived
      from stem or embryo explants and cultured on three different nutrient media for
      48-76 weeks also showed the diploid nuclear DNA distribution with no indication
      of polyploid cells. 

PMID- 24232996
TI  - Genetic control of embryo formation in anther culture of diploid potatoes.
AB  - A diploid potato clone AH 78/8015.37a with androgenetic ability was crossed with
      a root-knot nematode resistant diploid clone 381320.23 which did not have this
      ability.Among 19 F1 progenies tested a wide range of continuous variability was
      found for androgenetic capability. Four F1 clones with different level of embryo
      formation capability were backcrossed to 381320.23 to produce 4 F1BC1 families to
      further clarify the genetic control of androgenetic capability.From the wide
      range of continuous variability for androgenetic ability observed, it can be
      inferred that this character is controlled by more than one major gene.The
      occurrence of plants with androgenetic ability derived from parents both lacking
      this character, indicated that the androgenetic ability is controlled by
      recessive genes or results from complementation of various factors singly present
      in the parents. The present results demonstrated that the androgenetic ability
      could be transferred through sexual crosses, making it possible to successfully
      apply anther culture to other useful genetic material lacking this ability. 

PMID- 24232997
TI  - Thermal stress evaluation of suspension cell cultures in winter wheat.
AB  - The objectives of this study were to compare thermotolerance in whole plants vs.
      suspension cell cultures of winter wheat, and to evaluate the synthesis of heat
      shock proteins in relation to genotypic differences in thermotolerance in
      suspension cells. Whole plant genetic differences in the development of heat
      tolerance were identified for three wheat genotypes (ND 7532, KS 75210 and TAM
      101). Suspension cell cultures of these genotypes were used to evaluatein vitro
      response to heat stress. Viability tests by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC)
      and by fluorescein diacetate (FD) were utilized to determine the relationship of
      cellular response to heat stress (37 degrees C/24 h, 50 degrees C/1h). KS 75210
      and ND 7532 are relatively heat susceptible. TAM 101 is heat tolerant. Both tests
      at the cellular level were similar to the whole plant response. Thus, cellular
      selection for enhancing heat tolerance seems feasible. Heat shock protein (HSP)
      synthesis of two genotypes, ND 7532 and TAM 101 were determined for suspension
      cultured cells. In suspension cultures, HSPs of molecular weight 16 and 17 kD
      were found to be synthesized at higher levels in the heat tolerant genotype (TAM
      101) than the susceptible genotype (ND 7532), both at 34 degrees  and 37 degrees
      C treatments for 2 hours and 5 hours. HSP 22 kD was synthesized more at 34
      degrees C for TAM 101 than ND 7532, but not at 37 degrees C; whereas, HSP 33 kD
      was synthesized at 37 degrees C at similar abundance for both genotypes, but not
      at 34 degrees C.These results indicated that there is a differential expression
      of HSP genes in wheat suspension cells at different temperature stress durations
      and between heat tolerant and heat susceptible genotypes. It appears that the
      levels of synthesis of HSPs 16 and 17 kD are correlated with genotypic
      differences in thermal tolerance at the cellular level in two genotypes of wheat.

PMID- 24232998
TI  - Plant regeneration of wildGlycine species from suspension culture-derived
      protoplasts.
AB  - Protoplasts isolated from four-week old cell suspension cultures ofGlycine
      canescens F. J. Herm andG. clandestina Wendl. were cultured in 8P or modified 8P
      to a multicellular stage. Colonies of 0.5 to 1.0 mm diameter were transferred to
      solid media for callus growth and regeneration. Callus consisted of friable
      masses with compact green nodular areas. Organogenesis of both species occurred
      primarily from the green nodular areas. Shoot buds ofG. clandestina did not
      mature, but shoots ofG. canescens proliferated on MS medium, with B5 vitamins,
      0.33 mgL(-1) each BA, KN, ZN, and 0.15 mgL(-1) NAA. Shoots failed to root after
      multiple subcultures on four different rooting media.In vitro grafting ofG.
      canescens scions ontoG. max root stocks allowed plants to be transferred to soil.
      An overall protoplast division efficiency of 48% was achieved with moderately
      efficient shoot regeneration inG. canescens. Division efficiencies forG.
      clandestina were lower (11%). Refinements of this protocol should result in high
      efficiencies of regeneration which would allowin vitro manipulations of these
      wild soybean relatives at the single cell level and would make the derivation of
      somatic hybrid plants possible within the genusGlycine. 

PMID- 24232999
TI  - Organogenesis versus embryogenesis from long-term suspension cultures of cucumber
      (Cucumis sativus L.).
AB  - Suspension cultures were initiated from leaf explant-derived callus of
      cucumber,Cucumis sativus cv. Hokus, and maintained under two different
      conditions; (I) continuously in medium with 5 MUM 2,4-D + 5 MUM BA, and (II)
      alternately three cultures in medium containing 5 MUM NAA + 5 MUM BA and one
      culture in 5 MUM 2,4-D + 5 MUM BA. After plating on solid medium with 0.5 MUM KIN
      + 0.1 MUM IAA, suspension aggregates from long-term culture in medium with 2,4-D
      developed into callus, and subsequently formed somatic embryos. These embryos,
      however, hardly developed into plants. They showed growth arrest and several
      structural abnormalities. In contrast, organogenesis took place when suspension
      aggregates from NAA containing medium were plated on solid medium with 0.5 MUM
      KIN + 0.1 MUM IAA. Numerous adventitious buds were regenerated, which quite
      normally developed into plants. Sucrose at low concentration of 1% improved plant
      formation. On the average thirty complete plants were obtained from each ml of
      suspension. It is discussed why adventitious buds develop into plants so well,
      whereas somatic embryos are prone to growth arrest and abnormal development. 

PMID- 24233000
TI  - Cell differentiation in protoplast cultures from embryogenic callus ofAbies alba
      L.
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from embryogenic callus ofAbies alba L. which
      originated from immature seeds. The protoplasts were immobilized in alginate
      beads in order to follow the development of single protoplasts.Surrounding
      culture medium was modified from Kao and Michayluk (1975). After cell wall
      regeneration subsequent cell divisions lead to the formation of colonies showing
      an early differentiation of small meristematic cells and large vacuolated
      "suspensor-type" cells. 

PMID- 24233001
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cell suspension and tissue
      cultures of mature himalayan poplar (Populus ciliata).
AB  - Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet formation were obtained from callus and cell
      suspension cultures of 40-year- old Himalayan Poplar (Populus ciliata Wall ex
      Royle). Callus and cell suspensions were obtained by transfer of inoculum of
      semiorganized leaf cultures, which were maintained on Murashige and Skoog (MS)
      medium supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BAP), to MS with 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Reduction of 2,4-D concentration during
      subsequent subculture of cell suspensions resulted in the formation of embryoids.
      These embryoids developed further only after being transferred to agar-based MS
      medium supplemented with BAP and naphthalene acetic acid. Loss of embryogenic
      potential was observed in cell suspensions after 6 subcultures. However, callus
      cultures retained the embryogenic potential even after repeated subcultures for
      more than a year. Plantlets could be successfully hardened and grown in natural
      outdoor conditions. 

PMID- 24233002
TI  - Biotransformation of (-)-codeinone to (-)-codeine byPapaver somniferum cells
      immobilized in reticulate polyurethane foam.
AB  - Papaver somniferum cells immobilized in reticulate-polyurethane foam
      biotransformed (-)-codeinone to (-)-codeine. A biotransformation ratio of 79% was
      found in immobilized cells whereas a ratio of 57% was found in suspended cells.
      Of the total amount of codeine formed only 12.2% was detected inside the cells,
      most of the product (87.3%) being released into the medium. When immobilized
      cells were cultivated in the absence of nitrate, only 40% of the cells remained
      alive and the biotransformation of codeinone was strongly reduced. When
      orthophosphate was omitted from the growth medium a bioconversion ratio of 86%
      was achieved. 

PMID- 24233003
TI  - Treatment with tandem [90Y]DOTA-TATE and [177Lu]DOTA-TATE of neuroendocrine
      tumours refractory to conventional therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with radiolabelled
      somatostatin analogues has been demonstrated to be an effective therapeutic
      option in patients with disseminated neuroendocrine tumours (NET). Treatment with
      tandem [(90)Y]DOTA-TATE and [(177)Lu]DOTA-TATE may improve the efficacy of PRRT
      without increasing the toxicity. In a phase II study we evaluated the feasibility
      of combined PPRT with a high-energy beta emitter ((90)Y) and a medium-energy
      beta/gamma emitter ([(177)Lu) in patients with metastatic NET refractory to
      conventional therapy. METHODS: A group of 26 patients with metastatic NET were
      treated with four therapeutic cycles of alternating [[(177)Lu]DOTA-TATE (5.55
      GBq) and [(90)Y]DOTA-TATE (2.6 GBq). A dosimetric evaluation was carried out
      after administration of [[(177)Lu]DOTA-TATE to calculate the absorbed doses in
      healthy organs. The acute and long-term toxicities of repeated treatment were
      analysed. PRRT efficacy was evaluated according to RECIST. RESULTS:
      Administration of tandem [(90)Y]DOTA-TATE and [[(177)Lu]DOTA-TATE induced
      objective responses in 42.3 % of patients with metastatic NET with a median
      progression-free survival longer than 24 months. Of patients with pretreatment
      carcinoid syndrome, 90 % showed a symptomatic response or a reduction in tumour
      associated pain. The cumulative biologically effective doses (BED) were below the
      toxicity limit in the majority of patients, in the absence of renal function
      impairment. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicates that combined
      [(90)Y]DOTA-TATE and [(177)Lu]DOTA-TATE therapy is a feasible and effective
      therapeutic option in NET refractory to conventional therapy. Furthermore, the
      absence of kidney damage and the evaluated cumulative BEDs suggest that
      increasing the number of tandem administrations is an interesting approach.

PMID- 24233004
TI  - Imaging of amyloid deposition in human brain using positron emission tomography
      and [18F]FACT: comparison with [11C]PIB.
AB  - PURPOSE: The characteristic neuropathological changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      are deposition of amyloid senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The (18)F
      labeled amyloid tracer, [(18)F]2-[(2-{(E)-2-[2-(dimethylamino)-1,3-thiazol-5
      yl]vinyl}-1,3-benzoxazol-6-yl)oxy]-3-fluoropropan-1-ol (FACT), one of the
      benzoxazole derivatives, was recently developed. In the present study, deposition
      of amyloid senile plaques was measured by positron emission tomography (PET) with
      both [(11)C]Pittsburgh compound B (PIB) and [(18)F]FACT in the same subjects, and
      the regional uptakes of both radiotracers were directly compared. METHODS: Two
      PET scans, one of each with [(11)C]PIB and [(18)F]FACT, were performed
      sequentially on six normal control subjects, two mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
      patients, and six AD patients. The standardized uptake value ratio of brain
      regions to the cerebellum was calculated with partial volume correction using
      magnetic resonance (MR) images to remove the effects of white matter
      accumulation. RESULTS: No significant differences in the cerebral cortical uptake
      were observed between normal control subjects and AD patients in [(18)F]FACT
      studies without partial volume correction, while significant differences were
      observed in [(11)C]PIB. After partial volume correction, the cerebral cortical
      uptake was significantly larger in AD patients than in normal control subjects
      for [(18)F]FACT studies as well as [(11)C]PIB. Relatively lower uptakes of
      [(11)C]PIB in distribution were observed in the medial side of the temporal
      cortex and in the occipital cortex as compared with [(18)F]FACT. Relatively
      higher uptake of [(11)C]PIB in distribution was observed in the frontal and
      parietal cortices. CONCLUSION: Since [(18)F]FACT might bind more preferentially
      to dense-cored amyloid deposition, regional differences in cerebral cortical
      uptake between [(11)C]PIB and [(18)F]FACT might be due to differences in regional
      distribution between diffuse and dense-cored amyloid plaque shown in the
      autoradiographic and histochemical assays of postmortem AD brain sections.

PMID- 24233005
TI  - Preoperative PET/CT FDG standardized uptake value of pelvic lymph nodes as a
      significant prognostic factor in patients with uterine cervical cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Using integrated PET/CT, we evaluated the prognostic relevance in
      uterine cervical cancer of preoperative pelvic lymph node (LN) [(18)F]FDG uptake.
      METHODS: Patients with FIGO stage IB to IIA uterine cervical cancer were imaged
      with FDG PET/CT before radical surgery. We used Cox proportional hazards
      regression to examine the relationship between recurrence and the FDG maximum
      standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) in the pelvic LN (SUVLN) on PET/CT. RESULTS:
      Clinical data, treatment modalities, and results in 130 eligible patients were
      reviewed. The median postsurgical follow-up was 34 months (range 6 to 109
      months). Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified SUVLN 2.36 as the
      most significant cut-off value for predicting recurrence. SUV(LN) was correlated
      with SUV(tumour) (P = 0.002), primary tumour size (P = 0.004), and parametrial
      invasion (P = 0.013). Univariate analyses showed significant associations between
      recurrence and SUV(LN) (P = 0.001), SUV(tumour) (P = 0.007), pelvic LN metastasis
      (P = 0.002), parametrial invasion (P < 0.001), primary tumour size (P = 0.007),
      suspected LN metastasis on MRI (P = 0.024), and FIGO stage (P = 0.026).
      Multivariate analysis identified SUV(LN) (P = 0.013, hazard ratio, HR, 4.447, 95
      % confidence interval, CI, 1.379 - 14.343) and parametrial invasion (P = 0.013,
      HR 6.728, 95 % CI 1.497 - 30.235) as independent risk factors for recurrence.
      Patients with SUV(LN) >= 2.36 and SUV(LN) <2.36 differed significantly in terms
      of recurrence (HR 15.20, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative pelvic LN FDG
      uptake showed a strong significant association with uterine cervical cancer
      recurrence.

PMID- 24233006
TI  - The zygote cell wall of Chlamydomonas reinhardii: a structural, chemical and
      immunological approach.
AB  - The zygote cell wall of Chlamydomonas reinhardii has been studied using
      structural, chemical and immunological methods. Monoclonal antibodies and
      polyclonal antisera that were originally raised to the major hydroxyproline-rich
      glycoproteins of the vegetative cell wall were used to probe the zygote wall for
      common antigenic components. These antibodies cross-reacted strongly and
      specifically with components of the zygote cell wall, and were used to show the
      origin, route of transport, and the location of these antigens within the zygote
      cell wall. The zygote cell wall contained about 10% protein, with hydroxyproline
      accounting for 22.5 mol % of the total amino acids present. Glucose was the most
      abundant sugar residue, and accounted for 56% of the total sugar present. Gas
      liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry showed the presence of a (1-3)beta-D
      glucan as the major structural polysaccharide within the zygote cell wall. The (1
      3)beta-D-glucan was detected and localised within the zygote cell wall by
      immunogold labelling of thin sections. Using an antiserum directed against (1
      3)beta-D-linked glucose units, this polysaccharide was found to be consistently
      present within the non-staining layer of both young and mature zygote cell walls.
      (1-3)beta-D-Glucan was also detected in other wall layer using higher
      concentrations of antiserum. No intracellular labelling was found, indicating
      that the plasmamembrane is the site for the synthesis of this polysaccharide
      within the Chlamydomonas zygote. 

PMID- 24233007
TI  - Quantitative cytology of the sperm cells of Brassica campestris and B. oleracea.
AB  - Pollen grains of Brassica campestris L. var. acephala DC and B. oleracea L. were
      serially sectioned and examined using transmission electron microscopy to
      determine the three-dimensional organization of sperm cells within the
      microgametophyte and the quantity of membrane-bound organelles occurring within
      each cell. Sperm cells occur in pairs within each pollen grain, but are
      dimorphic, differing in size, morphology and mitochondrial content. The larger of
      the two sperm cells (Svn) is distinguished by the presence of a blunt
      evagination, which in B. oleracea wraps around and lies within shallow furrows on
      the vegetative nucleus and in B. campestris can penetrate through internal
      enclaves of the vegetative nucleus. This sperm cell contains more mitochondria in
      both species than the second sperm cell (Sua). This latter cell is linked to the
      first by a common cell junction with the S vn, but is not associated with the
      vegetative nucleus and lacks a cellular evagination. Such differences are
      indicative of a system of cytoplasmic heterospermy in which sperm cells possess
      significantly different quantities of mitochondria. 

PMID- 24233008
TI  - Light-induced changes in the amounts of the 36000-Mr polypeptide of NADPH
      protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase and its mRNA in barley plants grown under a
      diurnal light/dark cycle.
AB  - Seedlings of barley were grown either in continuous darkness or under a diurnal
      12 h light/12 h dark cycle and the effects on NADPH-protochlorophyllide
      oxidoreductase were followed at two different levels. Firstly, the relative
      content of the mRNA encoding the NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase was
      measured by dot-blot hybridization. Secondly, changes in the enzyme polypeptide
      were monitored either by the method of immunoblotting or by immunogold labelling
      of ultrathin sections of Lowicryl-embedded leaf tissue. Our results demonstrate
      that drastic diurnal changes in the level of mRNA sequences and the enzyme
      protein are unlikely to occur in plants which have been grown under natural
      light/dark conditions. In the dark, protein and mRNA accumulation occurs at an
      early developmental stage. These results are difficult to reconcile with the
      suggestion that the massive accumulation of mRNA and enzyme protein in dark-grown
      seedlings is primarily the consequence of an artificially extended darkperiod. In
      addition to the plastid-specific NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase a
      closely related polypeptide has been detected outside the plastid in the
      surrounding cytoplasm (Dehseh et al. 1986b, Planta 169, 172-183). During the
      diurnal light/dark treatment of seedlings the concentrations of the two protein
      populations did not show any variation indicative of an exchange between the two
      protein populations across the plastid envelope. 

PMID- 24233009
TI  - Immunocytochemical localisation of phloem lectin from Cucurbita maxima using
      peroxidase and colloidal-gold labels.
AB  - Antibodies were raised against lectin purified from the sieve-tube exudate of
      Cucurbita maxima. Immunocytochemistry, using peroxidase-labelled antibodies and
      Protein A-colloidal gold, was employed to determine the location of the lectin
      within the tissues and cells of C. maxima and other cucurbit species. The anti
      lectin antibodies bound to P-protein aggregates in sieve elements and companion
      cells, predominantly in the extrafascicular phloem of C. maxima. This may reflect
      the low rate of translocation in these cells. Under the electron microscope, the
      lectin was shown to be a component of P-protein filaments and was also found in
      association with the sieve-tube reticulum which lines the plasmalemma. The anti
      lectin antibodies reacted with sieve-tube proteins from other species of the
      genus Cucurbita but showed only limited reaction with other genera. We suggest
      that the lectin serves to anchor P-protein filaments and associated proteins to
      the parietal layer of sieve elements. 

PMID- 24233010
TI  - High-temperature damage and acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus : I.
      Temperature sensitivity of some photosynthetic parameters of chloroplasts
      isolated from acclimated and non-acclimated bean leaves.
AB  - The thermosensitivity of delayed fluorescence, the relative values of variable
      chlorophyll fluorescence and the degree of quenching of 9-aminoacridine
      fluorescene were studied in the chloroplasts from heat-acclimated and non
      acclimated (treated 6 h at 52,5 degrees C) young bean plants. The temperature
      sensitivity of each parameter studied was defined by that temperature at which
      chloroplast activity decreased by 50% (T50) of its maximum value. There was
      appreciable increase in the thermostability of membrane energization in
      chloroplasts isolated from acclimated and non-acclimated plants compared with the
      controls. The photosynthetic parameters differed according to the suspending
      medium and the preacclimation treatment. When chloroplast were suspended in
      phosphate buffer with the addition of stabilizing compounds (2 M sucrose or 0.5%
      human serum albumin) the thermostability of the thylakoid membranes increased, as
      was evident by the increases in T50 of about 8-10 degrees  C (sucrose) and 2-5
      degrees  C (human serum albumin) for all the parameters investigated.
      Photoinduced quenching of 9-aminoacridine fluorescence decreased to some extent
      in the presence of protective compounds, but in chloroplasts from acclimated
      plants the T50 was practically equal to that for their long-lived luminescence
      under the same conditions. At the thylakoid membrane level, acclimation was
      clearly manifested as an increased thermostability of photoinduced proton
      gradient formation. 

PMID- 24233011
TI  - High-temperature damage and acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus : II.
      Effect of mono- and divalent cations and pH on the temperature sensitivity of
      some functional characteristics of chloroplasts isolated from heat-acclimated and
      non-acclimated bean plants.
AB  - The influence of mono- (K(+)) and divalent (Mg(2+)) cations and protons (pH) on
      the temperature sensitivity of thylakoid membranes was investigated in three
      groups of young bean plants (control, heat-acclimated and non-acclimated).
      Thylakoid-membrane function was monitored by second and millisecond delayed
      fluorescence and 9-aminoacridine fluorescence quenching. It was established that
      metal ions at investigated concentrations decreased the thermostability of the
      photosynthetic parameters - an increase of MgSO4 concentration from 0.1 to 20 mM
      decreased the temperature of their half-inactivation (T50) by 13 degrees C. At
      the same time the pH dependence of the thermal stability of these parameters
      showed a maximum at pH 5.5-6.5. The half-inactivation temperatures of those
      photosynthetic parameters connected with the ability of the thylakoid membrane to
      form light-induced proton gradients increased by 6-7 degrees C in the heat
      acclimated plants compared with the control. It was assumed that the temperature
      inactivation of photosynthetic electron transfer and the energization of the
      thylakoid membrane was determined both by the thermoinduced dissociation of the
      light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complex from PSII, leading to
      destruction of the excitation energy transfer to the reaction centres, and by the
      thermal denaturation of the membrane-protein components. The rate of these
      processes was probably controlled by the size of the negative surface charge and
      the viscosity of the thylakoid membrane. 

PMID- 24233012
TI  - Photon yield of O2 evolution and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics at 77 K
      among vascular plants of diverse origins.
AB  - Photon yields of oxygen evolution at saturating CO2 were determined for 44
      species of vascular plants, representing widely diverse taxa, habitats, life
      forms and growth conditions. The photonyield values on the basis of absorbed
      light (phi (a)) were remarkably constant among plants possessing the same pathway
      of photosynthetic CO2 fixation, provided the plants had not been subjected to
      environmental stress. The mean phi (a) value +/-SE for 37 C3 species was 0.106+/
      0.001 O2.photon(-1). The five C4 species exhibited lower photon yields and
      greater variation than the C3 species (phi (a)=0.0692+/-0.004). The phi (a)
      values for the two Crassulaceanacid-metabolism species were similar to those of
      C3 species. Leaf chlorophyll content had little influence on phi (a) over the
      range found in normal, healthy leaves. Chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics
      at 77 K were determined for the same leaves as used for the photon-yield
      measurements. Considerable variation in fluorescence emission both at 692 nm and
      at 734 nm, was found 1) among the different species; 2) between the upper and
      lower surfaces of the same leaves; and 3) between sun and shade leaves of the
      same species. By contrast, the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence emission
      at 692 nm (Fv/FM, 692) remained remarkably constant (The mean value for the C3
      species was 0.832+/-0.004). High-light treatments of shade leaves resulted in a
      reduction in both phi (a) and the Fv/FM, 692 ratio. The extent of the reductions
      increased with time of exposure to bright light. A linear relationship was
      obtained when phi (a) was plotted against Fv/FM, 692. The results show that
      determinations of the photon yield of O2 evolution and the Fv/FM, 692 ratio can
      serve as excellent quantitative measures of photoinhibition of overall
      photosynthetic energy-conversion system and of photochemistry of photosystem II,
      respectively. This is especially valuable in field work where it is often
      impossible to obtain appropriate controls. 

PMID- 24233013
TI  - Comparison of the effects of exogenous native phytochrome and in-vivo irradiation
      on in-vitro transcription in isolated nuclei from barley (Hordeum vulgare).
AB  - In barley seedlings the transcription of genes coding for the light-harvesting
      chlorophyll a/b protein (LHCP) is stimulated and the transcription of genes
      coding for the NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (reductase) is repressed
      by light working via the phytochrome system. This phytochrome-mediated control of
      gene expression has been studied by monitoring in-vitro transcription in isolated
      nuclei. Two different experimental approaches have been used to elucidate the
      function of phytochrome (Pfr) during the transduction of the light signal.
      Concentrations of phytochrome were varied experimentally either by illuminating
      intact plants or macerated plant material prior to the isolation of nuclei or by
      adding purified phytochrome (Pfr) in its native 124-kDa form to the isolated
      nuclei. Our results indicate that there are at least two different steps involved
      in the phytochrome control of specific gene expression. (i) There is a rapid and
      transient change in the transcription rate which is saturated by very low levels
      of Pfr. (ii) There is a change in the duration and the maximum range of the
      transient change; this step requires relatively high Pfr concentrations and thus
      reacts very sensitively and rapidly to changes in Pfr levels as induced by
      secondary irradiations. This second step, but not the first one, could be
      triggered by the addition of purified oat phytochrome to a reconstituted nuclear
      system. This effect of purified phytochrome could only be shown if nuclei
      isolated from red-light (R)-irradiated seedlings were used. It was thus possible
      to simulate the effect of an in-vivo-applied second R pulse by the addition of
      Pfr to nuclei isolated from R-preirradiated plants. 

PMID- 24233014
TI  - Resolution of two molecular forms of sucrose-phosphate synthase from maize,
      soybean and spinach leaves.
AB  - Two forms of sucrose-phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14) were resolved from leaves
      of three species, maize (Zea mays L. cv. Pioneer 3184), soybean (Glycine max (L.)
      Merr., cv. Ransom) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Resistoflay) by
      hydroxyapatite Ultrogel chromatography, using a 75-mM (designated peak 1) and 250
      mM (peak 2) K-phosphate discontinuous-gradient elution. Rechromatography of the
      two forms showed that they were not readily interconvertible. The distribution of
      activity between the two forms differed among species and changed during
      purification of the enzyme. Recovery of peak-1 activity was specifically lowered
      when maize leaf extracts were prepared in the absence of magnesium, indicating
      that the two forms may differ in stability. In addition, the forms of the enzyme
      from maize differed in the extent of glucose-6-phosphate activation. These
      results provide evidence for the existence of multiple forms of sucrose-phosphate
      synthase in leaves of different species and that the forms differ in regulatory
      properties. 

PMID- 24233015
TI  - Chloroplast photooxidation affects the accumulation of cytosolic mRNAs encoding
      chloroplast proteins in maize.
AB  - Maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings were grown in the presence or absence of an
      herbicide, norflurazon (4-chloro-5-(methylamino)-2-(alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-m
      tolyl)-pyridazinone), which prevents the accumulation of colored carotenoids. In
      the absence of carotenoids, plants grown in high light incur extensive
      photooxidative damage to their plastids, but relatively little damage elsewhere.
      Growth in very low light minimizes chlorophyll photooxidation and allows
      chloroplast development to proceed. We have previously reported that mRNA
      encoding light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein (LHCP) fails to accumulate in
      high-light-grown carotenoid-deficient seedlings, but accumulates normally in
      carotenoid-deficient seedlings grown in low light. Here we extend these results
      by examining the levels of translatable mRNAs encoding seven additional nuclear
      encoded chloroplast proteins. When norflurazon-treated seedlings were grown in
      low light for 8 d and then transferred to high light for 24 h, three cytosolic
      mRNAs (plastocyanin, Rieske Fe-S protein, and the 33-kdalton (kDa) subunit of the
      photosystem II O2-evolving complex) decreased to less than 1% the amount found in
      untreated seedlings. Two other mRNAs (NADP malic enzyme, EC 1.1.1.40, and the 23
      kDa subunit of the photosystem II O2-evolving complex) decreased significantly
      but not to levels as low as the first three. Levels of translatable mRNA for two
      other chloroplast proteins (pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase, EC 2.7.9.1, and
      ferredoxin NADP oxidoreductase, EC 1.18.1.2) were not reduced in nonflurazon
      treated seedlings after 24 h in high light, but did not show the normal light
      induced increase found in untreated plants. Photooxidative damage in the
      chloroplast thus affects the accumulation of a number of cytosolic mRNAs encoding
      proteins destined for the chloroplast. 

PMID- 24233016
TI  - D-Mannitol dehydrogenase and D-mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase in Platymonas
      subcordiformis: some characteristics and their role in osmotic adaptation.
AB  - D-Mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.17) and D-mannitol dehydrogenase
      (EC 1.1.1.67) were estimated in a cell-free extract of the unicellular alga
      Platymonas subcordiformis Hazen (Prasinophyceae), D-Mannitol dehydrogenase had
      two activity maxima at pH 7.0 and 9.5, and a substrate specifity for D-fructose
      and NADH or for D-mannitol and NAD(+). The K m values were 43 mM for D-fructose
      and 10 mM for D-mannitol. D-Mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase had a maximum
      activity at pH 7.5 and was specific for D-fructose 6-phosphate and NADH. The K m
      value for D-fructose 6-phosphate was 5.5 mM. The reverse reaction with D-mannitol
      1-phosphate as substrate could not be detected in the extract. After the addition
      of NaCl (up to 800 mM) to the enzyme assay, the activity of D-mannitol
      dehydrogenase was strongly inhibited while the activity of D-mannitol-1-phosphate
      dehydrogenase was enhanced. Under salt stress the K m values of the D-mannitol
      dehydrogenase were shifted to higher values. The K m value for D-fructose 6
      phosphate as substrate for D-mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase remained
      constant. Hence, it is concluded that in Platymonas the D-mannitol pool is
      derectly regulated via alternative pathways with different activities dependent
      on the osmotic pressure. 

PMID- 24233017
TI  - Regulated expression of an alcohol dehydrogenase 1 chimeric gene introduced into
      maize protoplasts.
AB  - Transient-expression analysis has shown anaerobic regulation of the alcohol
      dehydrogenase (Adh1) promoter in a chimeric construct. Chimeric plasmids
      containing the promoter for the Adh1 gene of maize (Zea mays L.) linked to the
      coding sequence of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (cat) gene were
      introduced into maize protoplasts using electroporation. Both the introduced Adh1
      promoter and the endogenous Adh1 gene promoter are regulated at the RNA level,
      the O2-tension optimum for induction is the same for both, and both promoters
      initiate transcription from the same site. The demonstration of regulation of a
      plant gene promoter in a transient expression system will allow the
      identification of cis acting sequences responsible for regulation. 

PMID- 24233018
TI  - Proteases of Melilotus alba mesophyll protoplasts : II. General properties and
      effectiveness in degradation of cytosolic and vacuolar enzymes.
AB  - Proteases from mesophyll protoplasts of Melilotus alba were identified by
      standard proteolytic assays and separated using different chromatographic
      techniques. Their characterization also included their subcellular location.
      Besides the evidence for the multiplicity of the proteolytic enzymes, two
      protease sets were distinguished endopeptidases, which are exclusively vacuolar,
      and aminopeptidases, which are widely distributed throughout the cell. Cytosol
      located enzymes were tested as substrates of the two sets of proteases, by
      studying comparatively the time-course changes of enzyme activities during
      incubation in total protoplast extracts, or in cytosol fractions devoid of
      vacuolar proteases. The degradation of phosphoenolpyruvate-carboxylase protein, a
      typical cytosolic enzyme, in the presence of purified amino-and endopeptidases,
      was also estimated by immunoprecipitation studies. Only the vacuolar
      endopeptidases are effective in the degradation of cytosolic enzymes. Hydrolytic
      enzyme activities mostly of vacuolar origin were very stable during incubation in
      total protoplast extracts. These proteins therefore appear to be particularly
      resistant to proteolytic attack. The results indicate that, in plants, the
      effective proteolytic system acting on cytosolic enzymes seems to be vacuole
      located, and that the selectivity in protein degradation may be imposed by the
      susceptibility of the protein being degraded and by its transfer into the
      vacuoles. 

PMID- 24233019
TI  - Short-term studies of NO 3 (-) uptake in Pisum using (13)NO 3 (-).
AB  - Influx, efflux and net uptake of NO 3 (-) was studied in Pisum sativum L. cv.
      Marma in short-term experiments where (13)NO 3 (-) was used to trace influx. The
      influx rate in N-limited plants was similar both during net uptake at external
      concentrations of around 50 MUM, and at low external NO 3 (-) concentrations (4-6
      MUM) when net uptake was practically zero. Efflux could be inferred from
      discrepancies between influx and net uptake but was never very high in the N
      limited plants during net uptake. Close to the threshold concentration for not NO
      3 (-) uptake, efflux was high and equalled influx. Thus, the threshold
      concentration can be regarded as a NO 3 (-) compensation point. The inclusion of
      NH 4 (+) in the outer medium decreased influx by about 40% but did not
      significantly affect efflux. The roles of NO 3 (-) fluxes and nitrate-reductase
      activity in regulating/limiting NO 3 (-) utilization are discussed. 

PMID- 24233020
TI  - Biochemical reactions of different tissues of potato (Solanum tuberosum) to
      zoospores or elicitors from Phytophthora infestans : Accumulation of
      sesquiterpenoid phytoalexins.
AB  - The time courses of sesquiterpenoid phytoalexin accumulation were examined in
      compatible and incompatible interactions of leaves and tubers from five different
      R genotypes of potato (Solanum tuberosum) with corresponding pathotypes of
      Phytophthora infestans, as well as in non-host interactions of all five potato
      cultivars with Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea and in elicitor-treated
      tubers from five, and cell suspension cultures from two, of the cultivars. In
      tubers, rishitin and several structurally related sesquiterpene derivatives
      accumulated rapidly in non-host incompatible interactions, less rapidly in host
      incompatible interactions, and more slowly in compatible interactions. Treatment
      of tubers or cell cultures with fungal culture filtrate or arachidonic acid
      elicited in most cases a transient accumulation of the sesquiterpenoid
      phytoalexins. None of these compounds was detectable under any of the applied
      conditions either in infected or in elicitortreated leaves. Sesquiterpenoid
      phytoalexins might therefore be helpful, but appear not to be essential, in
      disease resistance of potato. 

PMID- 24233021
TI  - Changes in legumin messenger RNAs throughout seed development in Pisum sativum L.
AB  - The patterns of accumulation of three classes of legumin mRNA from Pisum sativum
      have been followed through seed development by cell-free translation and
      hybridization to complementary DNAs. Maximum amounts of mRNA were found at 19
      days after flowering (DAF) for two classes and at 24 DAF for the third class. The
      proportions of the three classes varied through development: the RNA species
      which was 40% of the total legumin mRNA at 14 DAF represented 15-20% of the total
      at 25-27 DAF, whereas a second mRNA species represented approx. 30% and 70% at
      the same stages, respectively. Based on these results, some deductions about the
      possible contribution of individual genes within classes are made. 

PMID- 24233022
TI  - Competitive performance, training load and physiological responses during
      tapering in young swimmers.
AB  - The study examined the changes of training load and physiological parameters in
      relation to competitive performance during a period leading to a national
      championship. The training content of twelve swimmers (age: 14.2+/-1.3 yrs) was
      recorded four weeks before the national championship (two weeks of normal
      training and two weeks of the taper). The training load was calculated: i) by the
      swimmer's session-RPE score (RPE-Load), ii) by the training intensity levels
      adjusted after a 7*200-m progressively increasing intensity test (LA-Load).
      Swimmers completed a 400-m submaximal intensity test, a 15 s tethered swimming
      and hand-grip strength measurements 34-35 (baseline: Test 1), 20-21 (before
      taper: Test 2) and 6-7 (Test 3) days before the national championship.
      Performance during the national championship was not significantly changed
      compared to season best (0.1+/-1.6%; 95% confidence limits: -0.9, 1.1%; Effect
      Size: 0.02, p=0.72) and compared to performance before the start of the two-week
      taper period (0.9+/-1.7%; 95% confidence limits: 0.3, 2.1%; Effect size: 0.12,
      p=0.09). No significant changes were observed in all measured physiological and
      performance related variables between Test 1, Test 2, and Test 3. Changes in RPE
      Load (week-4 vs. week-1) were correlated with changes in performance (r=0.63,
      p=0.03) and the RPE-Load was correlated with the LA-Load (r=0.80, p=0.01). The
      estimation of the session-RPE training load may be helpful for taper planning of
      young swimmers. Increasing the difference between the normal and last week of
      taper training load may facilitate performance improvements. 

PMID- 24233023
TI  - Metformin enhances glucagon-like peptide 1 via cooperation between insulin and
      Wnt signaling.
AB  - One aspect of the effects of metformin on glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 might be
      associated with the mechanism by which the cross talk between insulin and Wnt
      signaling enhances GLP1 secretion, due to the action of metformin as an insulin
      sensitizer. However, this remains completely unknown. In this study, we have
      investigated the mechanisms of the action of metformin on cross talk between
      insulin and Wnt signaling. GLP1 enhancement by meformin was determined in human
      NCI-H716 intestinal L-cells and hyperglycemic db/db mice treated with metformin
      (0.25 and 0.5 mM and/or 12.5 mg/kg body weight) for 24 h and 2 months. Metformin
      increased GLP1 secretion in L-cells and db/db mice. Metformin stimulated the
      nuclear translocation of beta-catenin and TOPflash reporter activity, and gene
      depletion of beta-catenin or enhancement of mutation of transcription factor 7
      like 2 binding site offset GLP1. In addition, insulin receptor substrate 2 gene
      depletion blocked metformin-enhanced beta-catenin translocation. These effects
      were preceded by an increase in glucose utilization and calcium influx, the
      activation of calcium-dependent protein kinase, and, in turn, the activation of
      insulin signaling, and the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta, a potent
      inhibitor of beta-catenin. Furthermore, high blood glucose levels were controlled
      via GLP1 receptor-dependent insulinotropic pathways in db/db mice, which were
      evidenced by the increase in GLP1 and insulin levels at 30 min after oral glucose
      loading and pancreatic insulinotropic gene expression. Our findings indicate that
      the cooperation between Wnt and its upstream insulin signaling pathways might be
      a novel and important mechanism underlying the effects of metformin on GLP1
      production. 

PMID- 24233025
TI  - Evaluation of stiffness changes in a high-rise building by measurements of
      lateral displacements using GPS technology.
AB  - The outrigger truss system is one of the most frequently used lateral load
      resisting structural systems. However, little research has been reported on the
      effect of installation of outrigger trusses on improvement of lateral stiffness
      of a high-rise building through full-scale measurements. In this paper, stiffness
      changes of a high-rise building due to installation of outrigger trusses have
      been evaluated by measuring lateral displacements using a global positioning
      system (GPS). To confirm the error range of the GPS measurement system used in
      the full-scale measurement tests, the GPS displacement monitoring system is
      investigated through a free vibration test of the experimental model. Then, for
      the evaluation of lateral stiffness of a high-rise building under construction,
      the GPS displacement monitoring system is applied to measurements of lateral
      displacements of a 66-story high-rise building before and after installation of
      outrigger truss. The stiffness improvement of the building before and after the
      installation is confirmed through the changes of the natural frequencies and the
      ratios of the base shear forces to the roof displacements. 

PMID- 24233024
TI  - Simvastatin sensitizes human gastric cancer xenograft in nude mice to
      capecitabine by suppressing nuclear factor-kappa B-regulated gene products.
AB  - Chemoresistance remains a major problem in the treatment of gastric cancer
      patients. Hence, novel pharmacological agents that can overcome drug resistance
      are urgently required. Whether simvastatin can sensitize the gastric cancer to
      the antitumor effects of capecitabine in vitro and in vivo was investigated. The
      effect of simvastatin on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells was examined
      by mitochondrial dye-uptake 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
      bromide method, apoptosis by esterase staining, NF-kappaB activation by DNA
      binding assay, and protein expression by western blot analysis. The effect of
      simvastatin on the tumor growth in xenograft mouse model of human gastric cancer
      was also examined. Simvastatin suppressed the proliferation of gastric cancer
      cells, enhanced the apoptotic effects of capecitabine, suppressed the
      constitutive activation of NF-kappaB, and abrogated the expression of
      cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), cyclin D1, Bcl-2, survivin, CXC motif receptor 4, and
      MMP-9 proteins. In a xenograft mouse model, we observed that the administration
      of simvastatin alone (5 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal thrice/week)
      significantly suppressed the growth of the tumor and this effect was further
      potentiated by capecitabine treatment. As compared to the vehicle control,
      simvastatin also suppressed the expression of NF-kappaB-regulated gene products
      such as cyclin D1, COX-2, ICAM-1, MMP-9, survivin, Bcl-xL, and XIAP in tumor
      tissues. Overall, our results demonstrate that simvastatin can enhance the
      effects of capecitabine through suppression of NF-kappaB-regulated markers of
      proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

PMID- 24233026
TI  - Development of on-line monitoring systems for high temperature components in
      power plants.
AB  - To accurately detect deformation and extend the component life beyond the
      original design limits, structural safety monitoring techniques have attracted
      considerable attention in the power and process industries for decades. In this
      paper an on-line monitoring system for high temperature pipes in a power plant is
      developed. The extension-based sensing devices are amounted on straight pipes, T
      Joints and elbows of a main steam pipeline. During on-site monitoring for more
      than two years, most of the sensors worked reliably and steadily. However, the
      direct strain gauge could not work for long periods because of the high
      temperature environment. Moreover, it is found that the installation and
      connection of the extensometers can have a significant influence on the
      measurement results. The on-line monitoring system has a good alarming function
      which is demonstrated by detecting a steam leakage of the header. 

PMID- 24233027
TI  - Kalman/Map filtering-aided fast normalized cross correlation-based Wi-Fi
      fingerprinting location sensing.
AB  - A Kalman/map filtering (KMF)-aided fast normalized cross correlation (FNCC)-based
      Wi-Fi fingerprinting location sensing system is proposed in this paper. Compared
      with conventional neighbor selection algorithms that calculate localization
      results with received signal strength (RSS) mean samples, the proposed FNCC
      algorithm makes use of all the on-line RSS samples and reference point RSS
      variations to achieve higher fingerprinting accuracy. The FNCC computes
      efficiently while maintaining the same accuracy as the basic normalized cross
      correlation. Additionally, a KMF is also proposed to process fingerprinting
      localization results. It employs a new map matching algorithm to nonlinearize the
      linear location prediction process of Kalman filtering (KF) that takes advantage
      of spatial proximities of consecutive localization results. With a calibration
      model integrated into an indoor map, the map matching algorithm corrects
      unreasonable prediction locations of the KF according to the building interior
      structure. Thus, more accurate prediction locations are obtained. Using these
      locations, the KMF considerably improves fingerprinting algorithm performance.
      Experimental results demonstrate that the FNCC algorithm with reduced
      computational complexity outperforms other neighbor selection algorithms and the
      KMF effectively improves location sensing accuracy by using indoor map
      information and spatial proximities of consecutive localization results. 

PMID- 24233028
TI  - Discrimination method of the volatiles from fresh mushrooms by an electronic nose
      using a trapping system and statistical standardization to reduce sensor value
      variation.
AB  - Electronic noses have the benefit of obtaining smell information in a simple and
      objective manner, therefore, many applications have been developed for broad
      analysis areas such as food, drinks, cosmetics, medicine, and agriculture.
      However, measurement values from electronic noses have a tendency to vary under
      humidity or alcohol exposure conditions, since several types of sensors in the
      devices are affected by such variables. Consequently, we show three techniques
      for reducing the variation of sensor values: (1) using a trapping system to
      reduce the infering components; (2) performing statistical standardization
      (calculation of z-score); and (3) selecting suitable sensors. With these
      techniques, we discriminated the volatiles of four types of fresh mushrooms:
      golden needle (Flammulina velutipes), white mushroom (Agaricus bisporus),
      shiitake (Lentinus edodes), and eryngii (Pleurotus eryngii) among six fresh
      mushrooms (hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa), shimeji (Hypsizygus marmoreus)
      plus the above mushrooms). Additionally, we succeeded in discrimination of white
      mushroom, only comparing with artificial mushroom flavors, such as champignon
      flavor and truffle flavor. In conclusion, our techniques will expand the options
      to reduce variations in sensor values. 

PMID- 24233029
TI  - More of the same epidemiology?

PMID- 24233030
TI  - Genetics of complex diseases: knowing gene polymorphisms do matter.

PMID- 24233031
TI  - [Food and nutrition education in school: a literature review].
AB  - Food and nutrition education is viewed as a key strategy for promoting healthy
      eating habits, and the school is an appropriate space for developing these
      activities. The objective of this study was to describe and analyze the
      scientific literature on intervention studies on food and nutrition education in
      Brazilian schools. A literature review was conducted, selecting articles
      published from 2000 to 2011. Despite the topic's current importance, there were
      few articles, and most were published after 2009. The main results showed
      improvement in the children's nutritional knowledge and food choices. However,
      most studies that performed anthropometric measurements failed to show changes in
      nutritional status. In addition, the studies chose designs based on
      epidemiological intervention studies, indicating the need for interventions based
      on innovative health education methodologies and research models that are
      consistent with the study's objects. 

PMID- 24233032
TI  - Assessment of the contents related to screening on Portuguese language websites
      providing information on breast and prostate cancer.
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess the quality of the contents related to
      screening in a sample of websites providing information on breast and prostate
      cancer in the Portuguese language. The first 200 results of each cancer-specific
      Google search were considered. The accuracy of the screening contents was defined
      in accordance with the state of the art, and its readability was assessed. Most
      websites mentioned mammography as a method for breast cancer screening (80%),
      although only 28% referred to it as the only recommended method. Almost all
      websites mentioned PSA evaluation as a possible screening test, but correct
      information regarding its effectiveness was given in less than 10%. For both
      breast and prostate cancer screening contents, the potential for overdiagnosis
      and false positive results was seldom addressed, and the median readability index
      was approximately 70. There is ample margin for improving the quality of websites
      providing information on breast and prostate cancer in Portuguese. 

PMID- 24233033
TI  - [Low back pain and associated factors in children and adolescents in a private
      school in Southern Brazil].
AB  - Studies have shown that children and adolescents with low back pain are also
      similarly affected when they reach adulthood, thus highlighting the importance of
      investigating causes of low back pain in school-age children. The study examined
      low back pain and associated factors in 770 schoolchildren 7 to 17 years of age
      in a private school in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Low back
      pain was defined as pain or discomfort in the lumbar region in the previous
      month, assessed by a questionnaire. Low back pain was found in 31.6% of the
      subjects and was more prevalent in girls (41.9%) than boys (21.4%). Factors
      associated with lumbar pain were female gender, age 9 to 17 years, hyperactivity
      (borderline and abnormal categories), and emotional symptoms (abnormal category).
      Mapping the occurrence of low back pain and associated factors is important for
      identifying children and adolescents at risk and for developing effective
      programs for primary prevention. 

PMID- 24233034
TI  - [Acupuncture patients' experience in the Brazilian Unified National Health System
      in different healthcare settings and social (de)medicalization].
AB  - The virtues attributed to complementary therapies such as holistic and patient
      centered approaches and stimulus for self-healing have been increasingly valued
      and could theoretically attenuate the current prevailing excessive social
      medicalization. Among such therapies, acupuncture has been highlighted due to its
      progressive institutionalization and acceptance. The objective of the current
      study was to analyze the experience of acupuncture patients in the Brazilian
      Unified National Health System and its relationship to their care, in light of
      social medicalization in terms of the constitutive aspects, representations, and
      users' explanatory models. Thirty patients were interviewed, selected from
      primary and secondary care services in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State,
      Brazil. Important therapeutic results were observed in the principal complaints,
      sleep, disposition, emotional status, and decreased use of medication. Users'
      explanatory models and self-care were modified very little, or not at all, by
      acupuncture treatment. However, the study showed expanded and less iatrogenic
      care, especially in the primary care setting, in which there was little supply of
      other associated practices from Chinese medicine. 

PMID- 24233035
TI  - Factors associated with time free of oral candidiasis in children living with
      HIV/AIDS, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
AB  - In clinical practice, recurrence of thrush is common in children living with
      HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with time
      spent free of oral candidiasis using survival analysis for recurrent events. A
      retrospective cohort study was carried out with 287 children treated between 1985
      and 2009 at a reference center in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Prentice,
      Williams and Peterson model for recurrent events was used for the investigation
      of factors associated with the time free of oral candidiasis. The following
      factors were associated with the time patients were free of oral candidiasis:
      moderate immunodepression (HR = 2.5; p = 0.005), severe immunodepression (HR =
      3.5; p < 0.001), anemia (HR = 3.3; p < 0.001), malnutrition (HR = 2.6; p =
      0.004), hospitalization (HR = 2.2; p < 0.001), monotherapy (HR = 0.5; p = 0.006),
      dual therapy (HR = 0.3; p < 0.001) and triple therapy/highly active
      antiretroviral therapy (HR = 0.1; p < 0.001). The method analyzed in the present
      study proved useful for the investigation of recurrent events in patients living
      with HIV/AIDS. 

PMID- 24233036
TI  - Aggressors and resilient youths in Medellin, Colombia: the need for a paradigm
      shift in order to overcome violence.
AB  - The objective of this study was to estimate the ratio of resilient youth and
      compare this to youth with aggressive behavior, and to youth who also exhibit
      sexually risky behavior and drug use. A cross-section study of a representative
      sample of people between aged between 12 and 60 who are residents of Medellin,
      Colombia, and its metropolitan area (N = 4,654) was employed using probabilistic
      multi-stage sampling. Youth between 14 and 26 years old were selected for the
      present analysis (n = 1,780). The proportion of resilient youth is 22.9%, of
      aggressors is 11.3%, and that of youth with other risky conduct is 65.8%. The
      high ratio of resilient youth calls for a reorientation of public policy toward
      prevention and control of violence, prioritizing the promotion of resilient
      behavior instead of continuing with tertiary prevention actions. 

PMID- 24233037
TI  - Prevalence of physical inactivity and associated factors among adolescents from
      public schools in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.
AB  - This study aimed to identify the prevalence of physical inactivity and associated
      factors in adolescents, using a cross-sectional design with a sample of 1,455
      adolescents (741 females). Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting
      of socio-demographic, perceptual, and behavioral variables. Physical activity was
      estimated with the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and
      Adolescents. Prevalence of physical inactivity was 68% (95%CI: 65.6%-70.4%). The
      following variables remained associated with physical inactivity in the adjusted
      analysis (p < 0.05): living in an apartment, female gender, older adolescents,
      lower self-rated physical activity compared to peers, low perception of maternal
      physical activity, passive commuting to school, non-participation in physical
      education at school, non-enjoyment of physical education classes, and limited
      involvement in other types of physical exercise besides physical education at
      school. There were a high proportion of inactive adolescents. Strategies to
      prevent physical inactivity in adolescents should be elaborated with a central
      role for the school and family. 

PMID- 24233038
TI  - Breast cancer incidence and mortality in women under 50 years of age in Brazil.
AB  - Many countries have reported an increase in breast cancer incidence in young
      women. The current study's objective was to explore breast cancer distribution in
      women less than 50 years of age in Brazil. A descriptive study on breast cancer
      incidence (selected cities) and mortality (Brazil and selected cities) in 2002
      2004 was carried out, and the results were compared with those from other
      countries. The study also analyzed the trend in hospital morbidity and incidence
      rates for breast cancer. Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul State) showed the
      highest incidence rates (17.9 and 165.5/100,000 in the 15-39 and 40-49-year age
      strata, respectively). Regarding mortality, Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais State)
      showed the highest rate in the 15-39-year group and Porto Alegre in the 40-49
      year group (2.8 and 25.5/100,000). Hospital admissions and incidence rates for
      breast cancer suggest a change in epidemiological distribution. The results
      reveal an epidemiological pattern of breast cancer in young Brazilian women with
      regional distribution characteristics. 

PMID- 24233039
TI  - [Anemia and hemoglobin level as prognostic factors of mortality in community
      dwelling elderly: evidence from the Bambui Cohort Study on Aging, Minas Gerais
      State, Brazil].
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the influence of low hemoglobin (Hb) and
      anemia on mortality in the elderly in a ten-year follow-up (1997-2007). Among the
      1,742 elderly participants in the baseline cohort from Bambui, Minas Gerais
      State, Brazil, 1,322 (82.3%) were followed for an average of 8.9 years.
      Probability of survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox's proportional
      hazard ratios (HR), and confidence intervals (95%CI) were used, considering
      potential confounders. Anemia and low Hb (lowest tertile) were associated with
      increased risk of death (HR = 2.63, 95%CI: 1.83-3.76 and HR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.07
      1.79, respectively). The results show that anemia or low Hb (regardless of a
      diagnosis of anemia) should be interpreted and managed as independent
      determinants of mortality in this elderly population. 

PMID- 24233040
TI  - The relationship between physical aspects of quality of life and extreme levels
      of regular physical activity in adults.
AB  - This study aimed to check for any significant differences in perceived quality of
      life, specifically aspects of a physical nature, among volunteers who are more
      physically active and those less physically active in a university community. The
      sample consisted of 1,966 volunteers in a university community in Brazil. To
      assess physical activity levels, volunteers responded to the International
      Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and to analyse the perception of quality
      of life they responded to WHOQOL-bref, which is classified into three groups
      according to level of physical activity, taking into account the metabolic
      equivalent index (MET) over a full week. For comparison, consideration was given
      to the first and third tertiles, respectively, namely groups of more and less
      active students. The results indicated that individuals who engaged in more
      physical activity had a more positive perception of quality of life compared to
      those who were less active in physical aspects related to the ability to work,
      energy for day-to-day activities and locomotion. 

PMID- 24233041
TI  - [Deployment analysis of the Brazilian Breastfeeding Network: challenges and
      prospects for promoting breastfeeding in primary care].
AB  - The article evaluates the implementation of the Brazilian Breastfeeding Network,
      a strategy developed by the Ministry of Health to encourage breastfeeding in
      primary health care. We performed an evaluation study on the implementation
      analysis of component 1, considering three levels (Federal, State, and
      Municipal). A log-frame model and matrix of indicators for the Breastfeeding
      Network were developed. To understand the organizational context, applying the
      categories analyzed by Matus Triangles and the degree of implementation of the
      Breastfeeding Network, we used document analysis, interviews, and focus groups.
      The degree of implementation was obtained by assessing the proposed activities at
      all three levels; municipalities were evaluated according to Ministry of Health
      criteria for certification of primary health care services. We identified
      different organizational contexts and different degrees of deployment, ranging
      from 18 to 100%. The study showed the influence of context on the deployment
      strategy, such that more favorable contexts were associated with more advanced
      levels of deployment. 

PMID- 24233042
TI  - Factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension and control practices
      among elderly residents of Sao Paulo city, Brazil.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of hypertension and control
      practices among the elderly. The survey analyzed data from 872 elderly people in
      Sao Paulo, Brazil, through a cluster sampling, stratified according to education
      and income. A Poisson multiple regression model checked for the existence of
      factors associated with hypertension. The prevalence of self-reported
      hypertension among the elderly was 46.9%. Variables associated with hypertension
      were self-rated health, alcohol consumption, gender, and hospitalization in the
      last year, regardless of age. The three most common measures taken to control
      hypertension, but only rarely, are oral medication, routine salt-free diet and
      physical activity. Lifestyle and socioeconomic status did not affect the practice
      of control, but knowledge about the importance of physical activity was higher
      among those older people with higher education and greater income. The research
      suggests that health policies that focus on primary care to encourage lifestyle
      changes among the elderly are necessary. 

PMID- 24233043
TI  - [Institutional violence, medical authority, and power relations in maternity
      hospitals from the perspective of health workers].
AB  - The current article discusses institutional violence in maternity hospitals from
      the health workers' perspective, based on data from a study in the city of Sao
      Paulo, Brazil. Eighteen health workers from the public and private sectors were
      interviewed, including obstetricians, nurses, and nurse technicians. A semi
      structured interview was used with questions on professional experience and the
      definition of violence. The analysis revealed that these health workers
      acknowledged the existence of discriminatory and disrespectful practices against
      women during prenatal care, childbirth, and the postpartum. Examples of such
      practices cited by interviewees included the use of pejorative slang as a form of
      "humor", threats, reprimands, and negligence in the management of pain. Such
      practices are not generally viewed by health workers as violent, but rather as
      the exercise of professional authority in what is considered a "difficult"
      context. The institutional violence is thus trivialized, disguised as purportedly
      good practice (i.e., "for the patient's own good"), and rendered invisible in the
      daily routine of care provided by maternity services. 

PMID- 24233044
TI  - [Knowledge of condom among adolescents: a population-based study in the semiarid
      region of Northeast Brazil].
AB  - This study aimed to determine the prevalence of lack of knowledge on condoms and
      to identify associated factors among teenagers in two municipalities (counties)
      in Piaui State, Brazil, in mid-2008. Standardized home interviews were conducted
      by trained interviewers with all the teenagers (13-19 years of age). The study
      investigated demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and knowledge on
      contraception and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The outcome variable was
      lack of knowledge on male condoms. The multivariate analysis used Poisson
      regression with robust variance. Of the 2,241 adolescents, 18.8% claimed
      ignorance of male condoms. Among individuals with at least 9 years of schooling,
      only 4% lacked knowledge on condoms. Meanwhile, among individuals who lacked
      knowledge on STDs, 74% lacked knowledge on condoms. In the adjusted analysis,
      female gender, younger age, low schooling, not having a girlfriend, and lack of
      knowledge on oral contraception and STDs increased the likelihood of lack of
      knowledge on condoms. The data showed the urgent need for awareness-raising
      interventions on condom use among adolescents in these municipalities. 

PMID- 24233045
TI  - [Neurological manifestations in riverine populations from areas exposed to
      mercury in the Brazilian Amazon].
AB  - This study evaluated current levels of mercury exposure and sensory symptoms in
      adults from three riverine communities in Para State, Brazil, two of which
      located in the Tapajos River basin and one in the Tocantins basin. Participants
      in this study included 78 residents in Barreiras (Tapajos), 30 in Sao Luiz do
      Tapajos (Tapajos), and 49 in Furo do Maracuja (Tocantins). Total hair mercury
      concentrations were quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and
      neurological evaluation was conducted by routine examination. Mercury
      concentrations in the Tapajos communities were higher than those in the Tocantins
      (p < 0.01). Evaluation of neurological changes showed no significant difference
      between the communities in exposed areas and control areas for the changes
      observed by conventional neurological examination, except for gait deviation (p <
      0.05). The study concludes that despite the mercury exposure levels, there was a
      low frequency of sensory alterations according to conventional neurological
      testing. 

PMID- 24233046
TI  - [Determinants of dental services utilization by adults: a population-based study
      in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil].
AB  - This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dental services utilization by
      adults and to identify associated socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral, and
      self-awareness factors. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted
      with adults living in the urban area of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State,
      Brazil, in 2009. Associations were tested between use of dental services and
      predisposing, enabling, and needs-based variables. Multivariate analysis was
      conducted using Poisson regression with estimates of prevalence ratios and was
      stratified by place of last dental appointment. Prevalence of dental services
      utilization was 66% (95%CI: 62.9-70.7). Dental visits were 20% more frequent
      among women and 72% more frequent among individuals with more schooling (the
      latter in both public and private dental services). Individuals with private
      dental plans used dental services 13% more than those without. Schooling was the
      most important variable in predicting utilization. The study's results show the
      importance of monitoring associated factors in order to promote more equitable
      use of dental services. 

PMID- 24233047
TI  - [Menstrual disorders among women 15 to 54 years of age in Pelotas, Rio Grande do
      Sul State, Brazil: a population-based study].
AB  - A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Pelotas, Rio Grande do
      Sul State, Brazil, to assess the prevalence of menstrual disorders and their
      distribution according to parity and demographic, social, and behavioral
      characteristics among 1,078 women aged 15-54 years. Menstrual disorders included
      heavy menstrual bleeding, inter-menstrual bleeding, short cycle, long cycle, and
      prolonged menses. Prevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
      Overall prevalence of menstrual disorders was 46.4% (43.3-49.4). The most
      prevalent disorder was heavy menstrual bleeding (23.2%; 20.5-25.8), followed by
      short cycle (19.2%; 16.6-21.8), long cycle (14.8%; 12.7-16.9), inter-menstrual
      bleeding (11.1%; 9.1-13.2), and prolonged menses (7.9%; 6.3-9.4). Menstrual
      disorders are frequent in the population and are associated with age 35 years or
      older, low schooling, high parity, tubal ligation, and smoking. 

PMID- 24233048
TI  - Clinical and demographic differences between voluntary and involuntary
      psychiatric admissions in a university hospital in Brazil.
AB  - To assess the frequency of involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations from 2001 to
      2008 and to determine associated clinical and socio-demographic characteristics,
      a retrospective cohort study was conducted. Adult admission data were collected
      from a university hospital in Brazil. Hospitalizations were classified as
      voluntary (VH) or involuntary (IH). Groups were compared using chi-square test
      for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney test for continuous non-parametric
      variables. The relative risk of certain events was estimated by the odds ratio
      statistic. Of 2,289 admissions, 13.3% were IH. The proportion of IH increased
      from 2.5% to 21.2% during the eight year period. IH were more frequently
      associated with female gender, unmarried status, unemployment, and more than 9
      years of schooling. Psychotic symptoms were more common among IH. There were no
      differences in age, duration of hospitalization, or rate of attendance at first
      appointment after hospital discharge. Understanding of the characteristics
      associated with IH is necessary to improve the treatment of psychiatric
      disorders. 

PMID- 24233052
TI  - Services for adolescents with psychiatric disorders: 12-month data from the
      National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined 12-month rates of service use for mental,
      emotional, and behavioral disorders among adolescents. METHODS: Data were from
      the National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), a survey of DSM-IV
      mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and service use. RESULTS: In the past
      12 months, 45.0% of adolescents with psychiatric disorders received some form of
      service. The most likely were those with ADHD (73.8%), conduct disorder (73.4%),
      or oppositional defiant disorder (71.0%). Least likely were those with specific
      phobias (40.7%) and any anxiety disorder (41.4%). Among those with any disorder,
      services were more likely to be received in a school setting (23.6%) or in a
      specialty mental health setting (22.8%) than in a general medical setting
      (10.1%). Youths with any disorder also received services in juvenile justice
      settings (4.5%), complementary and alternative medicine (5.3%), and human
      services settings (7.9%). Although general medical providers treated a larger
      proportion of youths with mood disorders than with behavior disorders, they were
      more likely to treat youths with behavior disorders because of the larger number
      of the latter (11.5% of 1,465 versus 13.9% of 820). Black youths were
      significantly less likely than white youths to receive specialty mental health or
      general medical services for mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this
      analysis of NCS-A data confirm those of earlier, smaller studies, that only a
      minority of youths with psychiatric disorders receive treatment of any sort. Much
      of this treatment was provided in service settings in which few providers were
      likely to have specialist mental health training.

PMID- 24233054
TI  - Epigenetic regulation by long noncoding RNAs in plants.
AB  - Many eukaryotes, including plants, produce a large number of long noncoding RNAs
      (lncRNAs).Growing number of lncRNAs are being reported to have regulatory roles
      in various developmental processes.Emerging mechanisms underlying the function of
      lncRNAs indicate that lncRNAs are versatile regulatory molecules. They function
      as potent cis- and trans-regulators of gene expression, including the formation
      of modular scaffolds that recruit chromatin-modifying complexes to target
      chromatin. LncRNAs have also been reported in plants. Here, we describe our
      current understanding on potential roles of lncRNA in plants.

PMID- 24233053
TI  - Functional insights into the role of nuclear-retained long noncoding RNAs in gene
      expression control in mammalian cells.
AB  - The mammalian genome harbors thousands of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) genes.
      Recent studies have indicated the involvement of several of these lncRNAs in the
      regulation of gene expression. lncRNAs play crucial roles in various biological
      processes ranging from epigenetic gene regulation, transcriptional control,to
      post-transcriptional regulation. lncRNAs are localized in various subcellular
      compartments, and major proportion of these are retained in the cell nucleus and
      could be broadly classified as nuclear-retained lncRNAs (nrRNAs). Based on the
      identified functions,members of the nrRNAs execute diverse roles, including
      providing architectural support to the hierarchical subnuclear organization and
      influencing the recruitment of chromatin modifier factors to specific chromatin
      sites. In this review, we will summarize the recently described roles of
      mammalian nrRNAs in controlling gene expression by influencing chromatin
      organization, transcription,pre-mRNA processing, nuclear organization, and their
      involvement in disease.

PMID- 24233055
TI  - Robust analysis of synthetic label-free DNA junctions in solution by X-ray
      scattering and molecular simulation.
AB  - Structural analysis of branched DNA molecules (BDM) is important as model systems
      for DNA junctions and also as building units for DNA assembly. Although there
      have been efforts to study the structures of BDM, label-free solution structures
      have not been well determined yet. Here, we used a combination of synchrotron
      based experimental tools and computational simulation to study the global
      structures of label-free BDM in solution. Overall structures of 3-arm and 4-arm
      BDM were revealed as an asymmetric T(or Y)-shape and a distorted X-shape,
      respectively. The internal structures of the DNA double helix were shown to have
      a canonical B-form for both the BDM. We also reconstructed the thermal
      denaturation process of BDM by determining the transient global structures over a
      wide range of temperatures. The proposed high-resolution structures of BDM are
      expected to provide fundamental information for studies of the biological
      function of junction DNAs and DNA assembly. 

PMID- 24233056
TI  - Are we overestimating the loss of beta cells in type 2 diabetes?
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Previous work has demonstrated that beta cell amount (whether
      measured as beta cell mass, beta cell volume or insulin-positive area) is
      decreased in type 2 diabetes; however, recent findings suggest that mechanisms
      other than death may contribute to beta cell failure in this disease. To better
      characterise beta cell mass and function in type 2 diabetes, we performed
      morphological, ultra-structural and functional studies using histological samples
      and isolated islets. METHODS: Pancreases from ten non-diabetic (ND) and ten
      matched type 2 diabetic organ donors were studied by insulin, glucagon and
      chromogranin A immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy (EM). Glucose
      stimulated insulin secretion was assessed using isolated islets and studies were
      performed using independent ND islet preparations after 24 h exposure to 22.2
      mmol/l glucose. RESULTS: Immunocytochemistry showed that the fractional islet
      insulin-positive area was lower in type 2 diabetic islets (54.9 +/- 6.3% vs 72.1
      +/- 8.7%, p < 0.01), whereas glucagon (23.3 +/- 5.4% vs 20.2 +/- 5.3%) and
      chromogranin A (86.4 +/- 6.1% vs 89.0 +/- 5.5%) staining was similar between the
      two groups. EM showed that the proportion of beta cells in type 2 diabetic islets
      was only marginally decreased; marked beta cell degranulation was found in
      diabetic beta cells; these findings were all reproduced after exposing isolated
      ND islets to high glucose. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was 40-50% lower
      from type 2 diabetic islets (p < 0.01), which again was mimicked by culturing non
      diabetic islets in high glucose. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results
      suggest that, at least in subgroups of type 2 diabetic patients, the loss of beta
      cells as assessed so far might be overestimated, possibly due to changes in beta
      cell phenotype other than death, also contributing to beta cell failure in type 2
      diabetes.

PMID- 24233057
TI  - Enzymatic hydrolysis of molecules associated with bacterial quorum sensing using
      an acyl homoserine lactonase from a novel Bacillus thuringiensis strain.
AB  - N-acyl homoserine lactones are key components of quorum sensing, the bacterial
      communication system. This communication mechanism regulates the expression of
      genes, including those involved in virulence and biofilm formation. This system
      can be interrupted by the action of enzymes that hydrolyze the signaling
      molecules. In this work, we studied the enzymatic properties of a recombinant AHL
      lactonase from Bacillus thuringiensis strain 147-11516, using substrates with
      acyl chains of different length (C4-HSL, C6-HSL, C7-HSL, C8-HSL and C10-HSL), we
      also investigated the effect of pH (5.0-9.0), temperature (20-70  degrees C),
      concentration of monovalent, divalent and trivalent metals ions (0.2 and 2.0 mM)
      and EDTA. The results showed that the recombinant AHL-lactonase had biological
      activity in alkaline pH conditions (8.0) and high temperature (47 % of hydrolyzed
      substrate at 60  degrees C). The recombinant AHL-lactonase has activity on
      substrates with different acyl chain length. However, the activity of the
      recombinant enzyme was decreased in the two concentrations of all metal ions
      evaluated but was not inhibited by EDTA. The affinity of the enzyme for all
      substrates tested and its performance, in the evaluated conditions, suggest that
      the AHL-lactonase from B. thuringiensis strain 147-11516 could be used as a
      strategy for disruption of the Gram-negative bacteria communication system under
      normal and challenging conditions.

PMID- 24233058
TI  - Contralateral delayed epidural hematoma following intracerebral hematoma surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Delayed epidural hematoma (EDH) is an uncommon finding in patients
      after intracranial hematomas evacuation. It occurs in 6.7-7.4% of cases. A total
      of 29 reports were found in literature. Between them were no cases of delayed
      contralateral EDH after intracerebral hematoma evacuation. CASE DESCRIPTION: This
      paper represents a clinical case of a 28-year-old male patient with opened
      penetrating head injury, who underwent left frontal lobe intracerebral hematoma
      evacuation and one day later a contralateral EDH was found and successfully
      surgically treated. CONCLUSION: Contralateral EDH is a life-threatening
      neurosurgical emergency case, which can occur during first 24 hours after
      decompressive craniectomy. Control CT scans must be performed next day after the
      operation to verify and treat contralateral EDH timely.

PMID- 24233059
TI  - A 1,3-amino group migration route to form acrylamidines.
AB  - A novel 1,3-amino group migration strategy for the synthesis of acrylamidines is
      presented. Cu(i) catalyzed reaction of N,N-disubstituted propargylamine with
      tosylazide generates a highly reactive ketenimine intermediate which is trapped
      by a tethered amino group leading to the rearrangement reaction. 

PMID- 24233060
TI  - Dexamethasone otoprotection in a multidose cisplatin ototoxicity mouse model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a murine model for multidose administration of cisplatin
      that produces significant hearing threshold elevations and to use this model to
      assess the protective properties of intratympanic (IT) dexamethasone against
      cisplatin ototoxicity. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled repeated measures design.
      SETTING: Translational research laboratory. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Intraperitoneal
      (IP) cisplatin, 2 or 3 mg/kg/day, was administered for a total of 5 or 10 days in
      young CBA/J mice. Pure-tone evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds
      were performed on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 to evaluate hearing threshold shifts.
      After development of the optimal dosing regimen, 15 mice received IT
      dexamethasone (24 mg/ml) in one ear and IT saline in the contralateral ear.
      RESULTS: Significant threshold elevations were obtained for the 2 and 3 mg/kg/day
      10 day groups, but both had high mortality rates and were excluded as potential
      multidose murine models. The 3 mg/kg/day 5 day group had a lower mortality rate
      and significant ABR threshold elevations for all frequencies on days 7, 14, 21,
      and 28. Using this dosing model, no statistically significant difference between
      IT dexamethasone and saline treated ears was found. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous
      single dose models, IT dexamethasone did not have an otoprotective effect in a
      multidose murine model of cisplatin ototoxicity.

PMID- 24233061
TI  - Inconclusive evidence for allergic rhinitis to predict a prolonged or chronic
      course of acute rhinosinusitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the evidence on allergic rhinitis as a
      predictor for a prolonged or chronic course in adult patients with acute
      rhinosinusitis. DATA SOURCES: Pubmed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library. REVIEW
      METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed on March 15, 2013. During
      screening of title and abstract, 3 authors independently selected studies on
      allergic rhinitis as a predictor for the course of acute rhinosinusitis in
      adults. The reported study design was assessed for directness of evidence and
      risk of bias. We aimed to extract prior and posterior probabilities for a
      prolonged or chronic course of acute rhinosinusitis. RESULTS: Of 13,202 retrieved
      articles, 2 articles were eligible for study assessment. They provided a high
      directness of evidence but carried a high risk of bias. The studies showed an
      incidence of a prolonged and chronic course of, respectively, .19 (95% confidence
      interval [CI] .16-.23) and .05 (95% CI, .02-.13). In patients with allergic
      rhinitis, the incidence was .25 (95% CI, .18-.35) and .14 (95% CI, .04-.34), so
      the added value of allergic rhinitis to predict a prolonged course is 6% and to
      predict a chronic course 8%. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: While the 2 included
      studies suggest that allergic rhinitis adds little to the prediction of a
      prolonged or chronic course in patients with acute rhinosinusitis, they carry a
      high risk of bias. As the available evidence does not provide grounds for
      different management of patients with and without allergic rhinitis, namely,
      according to clinical practice guidelines, both can be managed with expectant
      observation and symptomatic treatment.

PMID- 24233062
TI  - Use of the vascularized iliac-crest flap in musculoskeletal lesions.
AB  - Bone loss was in the past treated by several methods, such as bone distraction
      and the use of nonvascularized or tissue-bank bone grafts. With the advent of
      modern microsurgical techniques, the vascularized bone flap has been used with
      good results; it resolves local nutritional problems, repairs soft tissue that is
      often damaged by severe trauma, and treats bone loss due to tumors,
      pseudarthroses, and osteomyelitis. This paper reports the authors' experience
      with the use of vascularized iliac-crest flaps to treat orthopedic pathologies in
      five patients with traumatic bone loss (<10 cm), three with osteomyelitis, and
      three with atrophic nonunion. In all cases, the same surgeon obtained a
      vascularized iliac-crest flap with a pedicle based on the deep iliac circumflex
      artery. All flaps consolidated within a mean period of 3 months. These findings
      demonstrate that the use of an iliac-crest flap is a treatment option in cases of
      bone loss and that it is associated with good functional results and minimal
      donor-site morbidity. 

PMID- 24233064
TI  - Musculoskeletal: What is different in children? Kicked another kid: pain in great
      toe.

PMID- 24233063
TI  - Protein renaturation with simultaneous purification by protein folding liquid
      chromatography: recent developments.
AB  - Protein folding liquid chromatography (PFLC)is a powerful tool for protein
      refolding with simultaneous purification. We review its recent progress in liquid
      chromatography and molecular biology, primarily involving the validation of PFLC
      refolding of proteins containing multiple disulphide bonds, the application of
      mixed-mode chromatography, PFLC in molecular biology. Representative examples are
      described.

PMID- 24233068
TI  - Delivering quality improvement: the need to believe it is necessary.
AB  - Quality improvement (QI) is described as being about changing the way in which
      patient care is delivered. It is more than just a theoretical framework against
      which innovations can be introduced; it is about a rigorous patient-centric
      approach to the design and delivery of care. In this paper we will explore some
      of the practicalities of delivering quality improvement in paediatrics and child
      health, and explain why it is an approach that we all must take. 

PMID- 24233065
TI  - Heat-processed Panax ginseng and diabetic renal damage: active components and
      action mechanism.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy is one of the serious complications in patients with either
      type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus but current treatments remain unsatisfactory.
      Results of clinical research studies demonstrate that Panax ginseng can help
      adjust blood pressure and reduce blood sugar and may be advantageous in the
      treatment of tuberculosis and kidney damage in people with diabetes. The heat
      processing method to strengthen the efficacy of P. ginseng has been well-defined
      based on a long history of ethnopharmacological evidence. The protective effects
      of P. ginseng on pathological conditions and renal damage associated with
      diabetic nephropathy in the animal models were markedly improved by heat
      processing. The concentrations of less-polar ginsenosides (20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3,
      Rg5, and Rk1) and maltol in P. ginseng were significantly increased in a heat
      processing temperature-dependent manner. Based on researches in animal models of
      diabetes, ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 and maltol were evaluated to have therapeutic
      potential against diabetic renal damage. These effects were achieved through the
      inhibition of inflammatory pathway activated by oxidative stress and advanced
      glycation endproducts. These findings indicate that ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 and
      maltol are important bioactive constituents of heat-processed ginseng in the
      control of pathological conditions associated with diabetic nephropathy. 

PMID- 24233069
TI  - Headache after lumbar puncture: randomised crossover trial of 22-gauge versus 25
      gauge needles.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the frequency of headache and the procedure time following
      lumbar puncture (LP) using a 25-gauge needle compared to a 22-gauge needle.
      DESIGN: 4-period crossover blinded randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Oncology
      unit, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. PATIENTS: Children aged 4-15 years at
      enrolment having LPs as part of their treatment for leukaemia. INTERVENTIONS:
      Each child was allocated a random sequence of four LPs, two with a 22-gauge and
      two with a 25-gauge needle. OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence of post-LP headache.
      Secondary outcomes included the presence of any headache, procedure time and
      impact of headache on the family. RESULTS: Data on 341 procedures in 93
      randomised children were analysed. There was little difference in the incidence
      of post-LP headache between the two needle sizes (22-gauge 7.2%, 95% CI 3.8 to
      12.2; 25-gauge 4.6%, 95% CI 2.0 to 8.9, p=0.3) or in the incidence of any
      headache (22-gauge 18% 95% CI 12.5 to 24.6; 25-gauge 15%, 95% CI 10.0 to 21.1,
      p=0.4). Use of the 25-gauge needle was associated with longer procedure times.
      The incidence of post-LP headache showed little evidence of an age effect (OR
      =1.1, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.3) and was higher in girls than in boys (11% vs 3%,
      respectively, OR=3.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 8.4, p=0.014). Fifty-five per cent of
      families with a child with a post-LP headache assessed the overall functional
      impact as moderate or severe. CONCLUSIONS: There was little difference in the
      occurrence of post-LP headache or any headache between procedures carried out
      using the 22-gauge or 25-gauge needles. Depending on the circumstances of the
      procedure and the experience of the operator, either gauge may be appropriate for
      an LP in a child.

PMID- 24233070
TI  - Public stigma and self-stigma: differential association with attitudes toward
      formal and informal help seeking.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Individuals in need of psychiatric treatment often avoid seeking help
      because of stigma. This study examined the impact of two stigma dimensions on
      help-seeking attitudes. Perceived public stigma refers to discrimination and
      devaluation by others, and anticipated self-stigma refers to internalization of
      negative stereotypes about people who seek help. METHODS: Data were from the 2009
      Stigma in a Global Context-Belgian Mental Health Study, in which face-to-face
      interviews were conducted with a representative sample of the general Belgian
      population. The study reported here included 728 respondents who received a
      vignette depicting major depression or schizophrenia. Perceived public stigma and
      anticipated self-stigma were measured with validated instruments. Respondents'
      attitudes toward help seeking were measured by the importance they assigned to
      care from formal and informal providers: general practitioners, psychiatrists,
      psychologists, family members, or friends. Multiple linear regression models were
      estimated. RESULTS: Respondents with higher levels of anticipated self-stigma
      attached less importance to care provided by general practitioners or
      psychiatrists, and those with higher levels of perceived public stigma rated
      informal help seeking as less important. The gender and the ethnicity of the
      person and respondents' sociodemographic characteristics had relatively little
      effect on help-seeking attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Anticipated self-stigma and
      perceived public stigma appeared to have a differential impact on attitudes
      toward formal and informal help seeking. Internalization of negative stereotypes
      was negatively associated with the perceived importance of care from medical
      providers (general practitioners and psychiatrists). Awareness of stereotypes
      held by others deterred respondents from acknowledging the importance of informal
      care.

PMID- 24233071
TI  - Behaviour of zinc complexes and zinc sulphide nanoparticles revealed by using
      screen printed electrodes and spectrometry.
AB  - In this study, we focused on microfluidic electrochemical analysis of zinc
      complexes (Zn(phen)(his)Cl2, Zn(his)Cl2) and ZnS quantum dots (QDs) using printed
      electrodes. This method was chosen due to the simple (easy to use)
      instrumentation and variable setting of flows. Reduction signals of zinc under
      the strictly defined and controlled conditions (pH, temperature, flow rate,
      accumulation time and applied potential) were studied. We showed that the
      increasing concentration of the complexes (Zn(phen)(his)Cl2, Zn(his)Cl2) led to a
      decrease in the electrochemical signal and a significant shift of the potential
      to more positive values. The most likely explanation of this result is that zinc
      is strongly bound in the complex and its distribution on the electrode is very
      limited. Changing the pH from 3.5 to 5.5 resulted in a significant
      intensification of the Zn(II) reduction signal. The complexes were also
      characterized by UV/VIS spectrophotometry, chromatography, and ESI-QTOF mass
      spectrometry. 

PMID- 24233072
TI  - Integration of utilities infrastructures in a future internet enabled smart city
      framework.
AB  - Improving efficiency of city services and facilitating a more sustainable
      development of cities are the main drivers of the smart city concept. Information
      and Communication Technologies (ICT) play a crucial role in making cities
      smarter, more accessible and more open. In this paper we present a novel
      architecture exploiting major concepts from the Future Internet (FI) paradigm
      addressing the challenges that need to be overcome when creating smarter cities.
      This architecture takes advantage of both the critical communications
      infrastructures already in place and owned by the utilities as well as of the
      infrastructure belonging to the city municipalities to accelerate efficient
      provision of existing and new city services. The paper highlights how FI
      technologies create the necessary glue and logic that allows the integration of
      current vertical and isolated city services into a holistic solution, which
      enables a huge forward leap for the efficiency and sustainability of our cities.
      Moreover, the paper describes a real-world prototype, that instantiates the
      aforementioned architecture, deployed in one of the parks of the city of
      Santander providing an autonomous public street lighting adaptation service. This
      prototype is a showcase on how added-value services can be seamlessly created on
      top of the proposed architecture. 

PMID- 24233073
TI  - Plastic optical fibre sensor for spine bending monitoring with power fluctuation
      compensation.
AB  - This paper presents the implementation of power fluctuation compensation for an
      intensity-based optical fibre bending sensor aimed at monitoring human spine
      bending in a clinical environment. To compensate for the light intensity changes
      from the sensor light source, a reference signal was provided via the light
      reflection from an aluminum foil surface fixed at a certain distance from the
      source fibre end tips. From the results, it was found that the investigated
      sensor compensation technique was capable of achieving a 2 degrees  resolution
      for a bending angle working range between 0 degrees  and 20 degrees . The study
      also suggested that the output voltage ratio has a 0.55% diversion due to input
      voltage variation between 2.9 V and 3.4 V and a 0.25% output drift for a 2 h
      measurement. With the achieved sensor properties, human spine monitoring in a
      clinical environment can potentially be implemented using this approach with
      power fluctuation compensation. 

PMID- 24233074
TI  - SAR image segmentation using Voronoi tessellation and Bayesian inference applied
      to dark spot feature extraction.
AB  - This paper presents a new segmentation-based algorithm for oil spill feature
      extraction from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) intensity images. The proposed
      algorithm combines a Voronoi tessellation, Bayesian inference and Markov Chain
      Monte Carlo (MCMC) scheme. The shape and distribution features of dark spots can
      be obtained by segmenting a scene covering an oil spill and/or look-alikes into
      two homogenous regions: dark spots and their marine surroundings. The proposed
      algorithm is applied simultaneously to several real SAR intensity images and
      simulated SAR intensity images which are used for accurate evaluation. The
      results show that the proposed algorithm can extract the shape and distribution
      parameters of dark spot areas, which are useful for recognizing oil spills in a
      further classification stage. 

PMID- 24233075
TI  - A wide spectral range reflectance and luminescence imaging system.
AB  - In this study, we introduce a wide spectral range (200-2500 nm) imaging system
      with a 250 MUm minimum spatial resolution, which can be freely modified for a
      wide range of resolutions and measurement geometries. The system has been tested
      for reflectance and luminescence measurements, but can also be customized for
      transmittance measurements. This study includes the performance results of the
      developed system, as well as examples of spectral images. Discussion of the
      system relates it to existing systems and methods. The wide range spectral
      imaging system that has been developed is however highly customizable and has
      great potential in many practical applications. 

PMID- 24233076
TI  - Temporal and spatial properties of a yeast multi-cellular amplification system
      based on signal molecule diffusion.
AB  - We report on the spatial and temporal signaling properties of a yeast pheromone
      based cell communication and amplifier system. It utilizes the Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae mating response pathway and relies on diffusion of the pheromone alpha
      factor as key signaling molecule between two cell types. One cell type represents
      the alpha-factor secreting sensor part and the other the reporter part emitting
      fluorescence upon activation. Although multi-cellular signaling systems promise
      higher specificity and modularity, the complex interaction of the cells makes
      prediction of sensor performance difficult. To test the maximum distance and
      response time between sensor and reporter cells, the two cell types were
      spatially separated in defined compartments of agarose hydrogel (5 x 5 mm) and
      reconnected by diffusion of the yeast pheromone. Different ratios of sensor to
      reporter cells were tested to evaluate the minimum amount of sensor cells
      required for signal transduction. Even the smallest ratio, one alpha-factor
      secreting cell to twenty reporter cells, generated a distinct fluorescence
      signal. When using a 1:1 ratio, the secreted pheromone induced fluorescence in a
      distance of up to four millimeters after six hours. We conclude from both our
      experimental results and a mathematical diffusion model that in our approach: (1)
      the maximum dimension of separated compartments should not exceed five
      millimeters in gradient direction; and (2) the time-limiting step is not
      diffusion of the signaling molecule but production of the reporter protein.

PMID- 24233077
TI  - Living matter observations with a novel hyperspectral supercontinuum confocal
      microscope for VIS to near-IR reflectance spectroscopy.
AB  - A broad range hyper-spectroscopic microscope fed by a supercontinuum laser source
      and equipped with an almost achromatic optical layout is illustrated with
      detailed explanations of the design, implementation and data. The real novelty of
      this instrument, a confocal spectroscopic microscope capable of recording high
      resolution reflectance data in the VIS-IR spectral range from about 500 nm to 2.5
      MUm wavelengths, is the possibility of acquiring spectral data at every physical
      point as defined by lateral coordinates, X and Y, as well as at a depth
      coordinate, Z, as obtained by the confocal optical sectioning advantage. With
      this apparatus we collect each single scanning point as a whole spectrum by
      combining two linear spectral detector arrays, one CCD for the visible range, and
      one InGaAs infrared array, simultaneously available at the sensor output channel
      of the home made instrument. This microscope has been developed for biomedical
      analysis of human skin and other similar applications. Results are shown
      illustrating the technical performances of the instrument and the capability in
      extracting information about the composition and the structure of different parts
      or compartments in biological samples as well as in solid statematter. A complete
      spectroscopic fingerprinting of samples at microscopic level is shown possible by
      using statistical analysis on raw data or analytical reflectance models based on
      Abeles matrix transfer methods. 

PMID- 24233080
TI  - [Lumbopelvic fixation in posterior pelvic ring fractures and lumbosacral
      instability].

PMID- 24233078
TI  - Biostable ssDNA aptamers specific for Hodgkin lymphoma.
AB  - As a "chemical antibody", oligonucleotide aptamers can specifically bind to their
      target molecules. However, clinical potential of aptamers in disease diagnosis is
      not yet fully explored. Using a tumor cell-based selection protocol, we developed
      single-stranded DNA aptamers for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) tumor cells. The aptamers
      specifically bound to HL cells with a high affinity, reaching maximal cell
      binding at 10 nM final concentration. Importantly, the aptamers were able to
      selectively detect HL cells and did not react to other tumor or blood cells in
      mixed samples, indicating that the aptamers can be used as a specific probe for
      in vitro analysis of HL cells. Moreover, due to the inherent properties of DNA,
      the aptamers were stable in human serum, suggesting potential for in vivo
      detection of HL tumor cells. 

PMID- 24233081
TI  - [Sacrum fractures and lumbopelvic instabilities in pelvic ring injuries:
      classification and biomechanical aspects].
AB  - Multiplanar posterior pelvic ring instabilities are severe injuries and typically
      occur in the os ilium, the sacroiliac joint, the sacrum and/or in a combination
      of these sites. They pose challenges to the orthopedic trauma surgeon during
      reconstruction, particularly when these injuries are associated with multiplanar
      sacral fractures and involvement of the lumbosacral junction. Due to the
      multidirectional forces affecting the pelvic ring, one has to have basic
      knowledge about the mechanism of injury, its biomechanics, and the various
      treatment options. In the following we give an overview on injury
      classifications, biomechanical aspects of the injuries and various types of
      operative treatments and osteosynthesis techniques. 

PMID- 24233082
TI  - [Anatomical and radiological aspects in lumbopelvic fixation].
AB  - Spinal and pelvic surgery (as in neuromuscular scoliosis or unilateral highly
      unstable vertical sacral fractures or unstable H- or U-shaped sacral fractures)
      relies on lumbopelvic fixation. This technique belongs to the standard procedures
      for lumbosacral injuries in orthopedic surgery. Preoperatively, a CT scan with 1
      mm slices is essential to detect anatomical variants and cortical narrow nesses.
      For optimal insertion of pedicel screws, knowledge of the pedicle diameter and
      length is necessary and screws should be placed convergent to each other taking
      into consideration the pedicle length and angle. For placement of the iliac
      screws exact knowledge of the anatomy is essential to avoid cortical wall
      perforation and neurovascular injuries. The safest screw path was determined as
      the bony canal between the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and the anterior
      inferior iliac spine (AIIS). Intraoperatively, standard fluoroscopic views allow
      safe placement of the screws. The aim of the following manuscript is to
      illustrate anatomical and morphological aspects of the spine and pelvis as well
      as to describe important bony landmarks and optimal intraoperative C-arm views
      for optimal screw insertion. 

PMID- 24233083
TI  - [Unilateral triangular lumbopelvic stabilization: indications and techniques].
AB  - Operative fixation has become treatment of choice for unstable sacral fractures.
      Osteosynthesis for these fractures results in loss of reduction in up to 15%.
      Vertical sacral fractures involving the S1 facet joint (Isler 2 and 3) may lead
      to multidirectional instability. Multidirectional instability of the posterior
      pelvic ring and lumbopelvic junction may be stabilized and forces balanced by a
      so-called lumbopelvic triangular fixation. Lumbopelvic triangular fixation
      combines vertical fixation between the lumbar vertebral pedicle and the ilium,
      with horizontal fixation, as an iliosacral screw or a transiliacal plate
      osteosynthesis. The iliac screw is directed from the posterior superior iliac
      spine (PSIS) to the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS). Thereby, lumbopelvic
      fixation decreases the load to the sacrum and SI joint and transfers axial loads
      from the lumbar spine directly onto the ilium. Triangular lumbopelvic fixation
      allows early full weight bearing and therefore reduces prolonged immobilization.
      The placement of iliac screws may be a complex surgical procedure. Thus, the
      technique requires thorough surgical preparation and operative logistics. Wound
      related complications may occur. Preexisting Morell-Lavalee lesions increase the
      risk for infection. Prominent implants cause local irritation and pain. Hardware
      prominence and pain are markedly reduced with screw head recession into the PSIS.

PMID- 24233084
TI  - [Lumbopelvic stabilization for bilateral lumbosacral instabilities: indications
      and techniques].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bilateral lumbopelvic instabilities are rare; for the affected
      patients, however, they mean a severe reduction in quality of life. Optimal
      results can only be achieved with a well-adapted therapy algorithm that balances
      surgery and non-surgical procedures. OBJECTIVES: The present article addresses
      the indications, strategy, and techniques of bilateral lumbopelvic fixation in
      the operative treatment of bilateral lumbopelvic injuries and review of the
      literature and personal experience. RESULTS: The overall incidence of lumbosacral
      instabilities is low and mainly caused by high energy trauma, osteoporotic
      insuffiencies (e.g., primarily or secondary after long segment lumbar
      instrumentation), and tumors. Dramatic soft tissue injuries can occur in addition
      to hidden neurological impairments, and therefore it is important to diagnose and
      evaluate all concomitant comorbidities. The keys to success are gaining stability
      in the lumbosacral junction possibly combined with neuronal decompression and
      meaningful coordination of all disciplines, certainly challenged by finding the
      correct moment for surgery which is between 2 days and 2 weeks. Based on the
      superficial anatomy of the bony structures in the lumbosacral junction, the
      surgical approach has to match the pathology and should be tissue saving.
      CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of bilateral lumbopelvic instabilities requires an
      accurate examination, sophisticated therapy protocol, and a multidisciplinary
      approach. Surgery with a bilateral lumbopelvic fixation combined with neuronal
      decompression is an adequate treatment that creates early bony stability, thus,
      promising functional weight-bearing mobilization.

PMID- 24233087
TI  - Genotype specificity of the somatic embryogenesis response in cotton.
AB  - Thirty eight cultivars, strains, and races ofGossypium were screened for somatic
      embryogenesis with the protocols developed as a model forG. hirsutum L. cv. Coker
      312. Four classes of response were identified; high, moderate, low, and non
      embryogenic. Four cultivars were further screened with 13 growth regulator
      regimes to determine if culture environment could change the classification or
      induce a higher level of response. The classification or level of response did
      not change. Screening of individual seedlings within a cultivar indicated that
      genotypic variation for embryogenesis existed. Highly embryogenic individuals
      were selected from cvs. Coker 312 and Paymaster 303 for use as germplasm sources
      for transfer of the embryogenic trait to other cultivars and genetic stocks. Only
      genetically responsive genotypes are amenable to the model developed for Coker
      312. 

PMID- 24233085
TI  - [Indication for primary fracture prosthesis of the shoulder].
AB  - Although fractures of the proximal humerus are one of the most common
      osteoporotic fracture types, no generally accepted treatment algorithm exists in
      the current literature. For young patients with high functional demands and good
      rehabilitation potential, we recommend humeral head salvage therapy. If
      symptomatic humeral head necrosis occurs, the implantation of an anatomic
      endoprothesis is possible on a secondary basis. For patients with a biological
      age > 70 years suffering from a persisting defect of the rotator cuff along with
      a humeral head fracture or from a multiple fragment fracture of the humeral head,
      we increasingly prefer implantation of a reverse shoulder prosthesis due to good
      clinical results. However, because of technical aspects and a high complication
      rate, treatment using the reverse fracture prosthesis should be reserved for
      surgeons with expertise in this particular field. After analyzing the fracture-
      and patient-specific risk factors and performance expectations, the trauma
      surgeon can select the best individual therapy with the patient. 

PMID- 24233088
TI  - Genetic transformation of grapevine cells.
AB  - Biovar 1 strains ofAgrobacterium tumefaciens have been used to transform a cell
      suspension culture ofVitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. Cocultivation of
      cultures withAgrobacterium strains bearing either the cointegrate
      pGV3850::1103neo, or the binary vector pGA474-68, each gave rise to kanamycin
      resistant tissue. The stable integration and expression of the neomycin
      phosphotransferase gene was confirmed by Southern blotting and enzymic assay,
      respectively. 

PMID- 24233089
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and protoplast culture in Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia
      japonica).
AB  - Embryogenic callus cultures were initiated from the mature caryopses ofZoysia
      japonica. Plant regeneration was through precocious germination of somatic
      embryos. Protoplasts were isolated from the callus and cultured in a medium
      solidified with agarose. Numerous calli were recovered after transferring
      protocolonies onto an agar medium. 

PMID- 24233090
TI  - Transient gene expression after electroporation of protoplasts derived from
      embryogenic maize callus.
AB  - Protoplasts isolated from embryogenic callus cultures derived from immature
      embryos ofZea mays L. are suitable for analysis of transient gene expression
      using electroporation-mediated DNA transfer. Expression of introduced genes is
      comparable to the levels obtained with protoplasts from Black Mexican Sweet
      suspension cultures. Two different promoters, that directing synthesis of the 35S
      RNA of cauliflower mosaic virus and the maizeAdh1 promoter were placed in front
      of the luciferase reporter gene to assess protoplast gene expression and the
      impact of an intron on expression level. 

PMID- 24233091
TI  - Mechanism and optimized conditions for PEG mediated DNA transfection into plant
      protoplasts.
AB  - Experimental conditions influencing DNA uptake efficiency by maize protoplasts in
      polyethyleneglycol (PEG) mediated transfection experiments have been studied
      systematically. The data provide evidence that the extracellular DNA is
      precipitated efficiently by combined action of PEG together with divalent cations
      and DNA is taken up by the plant protoplasts in the precipitated form. The
      particle size is strongly effected by the pH of the PEG solution. At optimal pH 6
      6.5 a very fine and homogenous precipitate forms in presence of Ca(2+) and
      Mg(2+) ions and is efficiently incorporated by maize and rice protoplasts. 

PMID- 24233092
TI  - Chitosan-elicited synthesis of callose and of coumarin derivatives in parsley
      cell suspension cultures.
AB  - In suspension cultured cells of parsley (Petroselinum crispum), chitosan elicited
      a rapid deposition of the 1,3-beta-glucan callose on the cell wall and a slower
      formation of coumarins. With cells remaining in conditioned growth medium, fully
      N-deacetylated chitosans and partially N-acetylated chitosans were about equally
      active, the potency increased with the degree of polymerization up to several
      thousand and addition of reduced glutathione increased the sensitivity of the
      cells. These results indicate common initial events in the induction of callose
      and coumarin synthesis although two fully independent metabolic pathways are
      involved. When the cells were suspended in fresh growth medium, less chitosan was
      required, and fully N-deacetylated chitosan became the best callose elicitor. 

PMID- 24233093
TI  - Chimeric gene expression using maize intron in cultured cells of breadwheat.
AB  - High voltage electrical pulses were used to introduce the CAT reporter gene into
      cultured protoplasts of breadwheat,Triticum aestivum. Four DNA constructs
      harboring the CAT gene and the 35S or mannipine synthase promoter were tested for
      levels of CAT activity 40-45 hr after electroporation of protoplasts. One
      construct, containing a maize intron sequence between 35S and CAT sequences,
      conferred 30 to 185 fold greater CAT activity over the other three constructs.
      Data from these experiments suggest that a maize intron or sequences with similar
      effects may be required in DNA constructs for efficient heterologous gene
      expression in cultured cells of breadwheat. 

PMID- 24233094
TI  - Somaclonal variation inLolium multiflorum L. andL. temulentum L.
AB  - Tiller-derived callus ofLolium multiflorum L. gave rise to 65 regenerants
      displaying variation in height, flowering time, chromosome number and alteration
      to the banding pattern of the isoenzyme superoxide dismutase. Plants were also
      regenerated from callus cultures initiated from immature embryos of the related
      inbreeding speciesLolium temulentum L. Progeny of the regenerated plants from
      this species displayed variation in height, flowering date, ear length and
      chlorophyll content. 

PMID- 24233095
TI  - Detection and identification ofPodophyllotoxin produced by cell cultures derived
      from podophyllum hexandrum royle.
AB  - The phenylpropanoid derived lignan podophyllotoxin, occurring inPodophyllum
      species, is used as a starting compound for the chemical synthesis of the
      antitumour agents etoposide (VP-16-213) and teniposide (VM-26). At present, the
      availability of this lignan becomes increasingly limited. As an alternative
      source, cell cultures originating fromPodophyllum hexandrum Royle were initiated.
      Analysis of the cell extracts using different HPLC systems as well as TLC,
      indicated the presence of podophyllotoxin. After prepurification of the extracts
      by means of ITLC, the identity was confirmed by mass spectrometric analysis. Dark
      grown cultures accumulated considerable higher amounts of podophyllotoxin in
      comparison with the light-grown cultures. 

PMID- 24233096
TI  - Difference in the location inDasycladaceae of a DNA sequence homologous to
      theDrosophila per locus.
AB  - The period (per) locus ofDrosophila melanogaster has a fundamental role on the
      expression of biological rhythms. A DNA sequence, which is homologous to a short
      region of theDrosophila per locus, has been found at different locations in
      various species of Dasycladaceae. InBatophora oerstedii, one of the
      phylogenetically oldest member of Dasycladaceae, a DNA sequence homologous to
      theDrosophila per locus was detected only in the chloroplast genome but not in
      the nuclear genome. In contrast, inAcetabularia cliftonii which in phylogeny
      branched off Batophora 350 million years ago, like in higher plants, theper locus
      homologous sequence is located in the nuclear rather than the chloroplast genome.
      The difference in the location of this sequence in phylogenetically separated
      species of the ancient unicellular and uninucleate green algae suggests gene
      translocation between the chloroplast genome and the nuclear genome during
      evolution. 

PMID- 24233097
TI  - Increase of green plant regeneration efficiency by callus selection in
      Puccinellia limosa (Schur.) Holmbg.
AB  - Three main types of callus have been selected from seeds of salt marsh
      grass(Puccinellia limosa (Schur.) Holmbg.) subcultured on Murashige and Skoog
      medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and kinetin. Callus type
      I differentiated only occasionally. Callus type II produced roots but no shoots
      under all tested culture conditions. Both green (47 %) and albino plants have
      been obtained from the embryogenic callus type III. Callus type III was divided
      into two subtypes (greening and non-greening) according to the presence or
      absence of green spots. Separated greening embryogenic callus gave up to 87 %
      green plants, whereas non-greening callus produced only 4 %. 

PMID- 24233098
TI  - Fertile allotetraploid from the cross betweenPhaseolus coccineus L. andPhaseolus
      acutifolius A. Gray.
AB  - As somatic hybridization and genetic transformation are not yet applicable to
      beans, a programme of hybridization between a male sterile line ofP. coccineus
      and a wild genotype ofP. acutifolius var.tenuifolius was carried out in order to
      introduce useful characters from the wild parent into the genome of the
      cultivated species. This interspecific cross is of particular interest sinceP.
      acutifolius is a source of resistance to many diseases, drought and high
      temperature. The difficulties in producing these hybrids were overcome by
      repeated pollinations and with the help of embryo culture. The F1 hybrid shows a
      high sterility which may be explained by the poor pollen quality and the presence
      of a chromosomic asynapsis at meiosis. Fertile allotetraploids (Co) were
      successfully produced in progeny from colchicine treated cuttings of F1 hybrids.
      Several (C2) mature seeds were harvested from selfed allotetraploid plants. 

PMID- 24233099
TI  - Stimulation ofDaucus carota somatic embryogenesis by inhibitors of ethylene
      synthesis: cobalt and nickel.
AB  - The effects of Co(2+) and Ni(2+) on ethylene production and somatic embryogenesis
      by carrot (Daucus carota L.) cell cultures were studied. At concentrations of 10
      MUM to 50 MUM, CoCl2 effectively inhibited ethylene production by embryogenic
      cultures and significantly stimulated somatic embryogenesis. The observed
      increase of embryo number was proportional to the inhibition level of ethylene
      production. However, CoCl2 had no effect when Ethephon was supplied. Nickel also
      reduced ethylene production, but to a slightly lesser extent than CoCl2, bringing
      about a lower increase in the number of somatic embryos. The role of ethylene on
      somatic embryogenesis is discussed. 

PMID- 24233100
TI  - The application of the theory of planned behavior to help-seeking  intention in a
      Chinese society.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study tested the efficacy of Ajzen's theory of planned behavior
      (TPB) in explaining intention to seek mental health services and compared the
      traditional TPB model with a TPB partial mediation model. It also aimed to
      understand factors related to intention to seek mental health services in Macao
      to inform local policies. METHOD: The present study consisted of two phases: (a)
      a pilot study to develop belief-based measures used in the main study, and (b) a
      cross-sectional study to investigate the application of TPB in understanding help
      seeking intention. In the main study, 337 Macao residents (age range 18-65)
      participated in a survey conducted in the community. RESULTS: The TPB partial
      mediation model was better than the traditional TPB model in explaining help
      seeking intention in Macao. The model also suggested that attitude, subjective
      norm, and perceived behavioral control were all significant predictors of help
      seeking intention. However, symptom severity, prior help-seeking, and gender did
      not significantly directly predict help-seeking intention. CONCLUSION: Preference
      for the TPB partial mediation model may be culturally relevant. The implications
      of the findings are discussed in relation to the salient beliefs about help
      seeking. Limitations and recommendations for future research are provided.

PMID- 24233101
TI  - Sulfur-selenium-molybdenum interactions distinguish selenium hyperaccumulator
      Stanleya pinnata from non-hyperaccumulator Brassica juncea (Brassicaceae).
AB  - Long-term sulfate, selenate and molybdate accumulation and translocation were
      investigated in two ecotypes of Stanleya pinnata and non-hyperaccumulator
      Brassica juncea under different levels of applied sulfate and selenate.
      Morphological differences were observed between the ecotypes of S. pinnata, but
      few differences in selenium (Se) and sulfur (S) accumulation were measured. Se-to
      S ratios were nearly identical between the ecotypes under all treatments. When
      compared with B. juncea, several unique trends were observed in the
      hyperaccumulators. While both S. pinnata ecotypes showed no significant effect on
      Se content of young leaves when the supplied sulfate in the growth medium was
      increased tenfold (from 0.5 to 5 mM), the Se levels in B. juncea decreased 4- to
      12-fold with increased sulfate in the growth medium. Furthermore, S. pinnata's S
      levels decreased slightly with high levels of supplied Se, suggesting competitive
      inhibition of uptake, while B. juncea showed higher S levels with increasing Se,
      possibly due to up-regulation of sulfate transporters. Both ecotypes of S.
      pinnata showed much larger Se concentrations in young leaves, while B. juncea
      showed slightly higher levels of Se in older leaves relative to young. Molybdenum
      (Mo) levels significantly decreased in S. pinnata with increasing sulfate and
      selenate in the medium; B. juncea did not show the same trends. These findings
      support the hypothesis that S. pinnata contains a modified sulfate transporter
      with a higher specificity for selenate.

PMID- 24233102
TI  - Limits to ambulatory displacement of coconut mites in absence and presence of
      food-related cues.
AB  - Ambulatory movement of plant-feeding mites sets limits to the distances they can
      cover to reach a new food source. In absence of food-related cues these limits
      are determined by survival, walking activity, walking path tortuosity and walking
      speed, whereas in presence of food the limits are also determined by the ability
      to orient and direct the path towards the food source location. For eriophyoid
      mites such limits are even more severe because they are among the smallest mites
      on earth, because they have only two pairs of legs and because they are very
      sensitive to desiccation. In this article we test how coconut mites (Aceria
      guerreronis Keifer) are constrained in their effective displacement by their
      ability to survive in absence of food (meristematic tissue under the coconut
      perianth) and by their ability to walk and orient in absence or presence of food
      related cues. We found that the mean survival time decreased with increasing
      temperature and decreasing humidity. Under climatic conditions representative for
      the Tropics (27  degrees C and 75 % relative humidity) coconut mites survived on
      average for 11 h and covered 0.4 m, representing the effective linear
      displacement away from the origin. Within a period of 5 h, coconut mites
      collected from old fruits outside the perianth moved further away from the origin
      than mites collected under the perianth of young fruits. However, in the presence
      of food-related cues coconut mites traveled over 30 % larger distances than in
      absence of these cues. These results show that ambulatory movement of eriophyoid
      mites may well bring them to other coconuts within the same bunch and perhaps
      also to other bunches on the same coconut palm, but it is unlikely to help them
      move from palm to palm, given that palms usually do not touch each other.

PMID- 24233103
TI  - Appropriate loads for peak-power during resisted sprinting on a non-motorized
      treadmill.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the load which allows the highest peak
      power for resisted sprinting on a non-motorized treadmill and to determine if
      other variables are related to individual differences. Thirty college students
      were tested for vertical jump, vertical jump peak and mean power, 10 m sprint, 20
      m sprint, leg press 1 RM, leg press 1 RM relative to body weight, leg press 1 RM
      relative to lean body mass, leg press 1 RM power, and leg press power at 80% of 1
      RM. Participants performed eight resisted sprints on a non-motorized treadmill,
      with increasing relative loads expressed as percent of body weight. Sprint peak
      power was measured for each load. Pearson correlations were used to determine if
      relationships between the sprint peak power load and the other variables were
      significant. The sprint peak power load had a mode of 35% with 73% of all
      participants having a relative sprint peak power load between 25-35%. Significant
      correlations occurred between sprint peak power load and body weight, lean body
      mass, vertical jump peak and mean power, leg press 1 RM, leg press 1 RM relative
      to lean body mass, leg press 1 RM power, and leg press power at 80% of 1 RM (r =
      0.44, 0.43, 0.39, 0.37, 0.47, 0.39, 0.46, and 0.47, respectively). Larger,
      stronger, more powerful athletes produced peak power at a higher relative load
      during resisted sprinting on a non-motorized treadmill. 

PMID- 24233105
TI  - Psychotropic prescribing for persons with intellectual disabilities and other
      psychiatric disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Prescribing patterns of psychotropic medication over a five-year
      period for Medicaid recipients (adults and children) with codiagnoses of an
      intellectual disability and a mental disorder were compared with patterns for
      those with sole mental disorder diagnoses. METHODS: Each group was identified
      through paid behavioral health services claims. Four classes of medications
      (antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and mood stabilizers) were
      examined in paid pharmacy claims. Diagnostic categories, rates of psychotropic
      prescription, and polypharmacy (three or more medications concurrently for 90
      days or more) were compared by age group (child or adult). RESULTS: Adults with
      mental disorders only (N=793 to 883; the range reflects the five study years)
      were prescribed antidepressants at a significantly higher rate compared with
      adults in the codiagnosis group (N=184 to 217). For three of the five study
      years, antipsychotics were prescribed to the sole-diagnosis group of adults at a
      significantly higher rate than to those with codiagnoses. Children in the group
      with codiagnoses (N=108 to 141) were prescribed mood stabilizers at a
      significantly higher rate than the comparison group (N=638 to 728) in all five
      study years. Rates of antipsychotics prescribed were not statistically different
      between the two groups of children. Polypharmacy rates for both adults and
      children were higher for the codiagnosis group compared with the group with a
      sole mental disorder, but the difference did not reach statistical significance.
      CONCLUSIONS: Psychotropic prescribing patterns in the two groups studied varied
      by class of medication and age. Although evidence exists for using psychotropics
      to treat psychopathology and challenging behaviors among individuals with
      intellectual disabilities, consideration of behavioral intervention alternatives
      and careful monitoring of psychotropic effectiveness and side effects are
      recommended.

PMID- 24233104
TI  - Involvement of host regulatory pathways during geminivirus  infection: a novel
      platform for generating durable resistance.
AB  - Geminiviruses are widely distributed throughout the world and cause devastating
      yield losses in almost all the economically important crops. In this review, the
      newly identified roles of various novel plant factors and pathways participating
      in plant-virus interaction are summarized with a particular focus on the
      exploitation of various pathways involving ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway,
      small RNA pathways, cell division cycle components, and the epigenetic mechanism
      as defense responses during plant-pathogen interactions. Capturing the
      information on these pathways for the development of strategies against
      geminivirus infection is argued to provide the basis for new genetic approaches
      to resistance.

PMID- 24233107
TI  - Trends in mortality from respiratory diseases among the elderly and the influenza
      vaccine intervention, 1980-2009.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mortality trends before and after the anti-influenza
      vaccination campaigns among the elderly in Brazil. METHODS: This was an
      ecological time-series study of mortality from respiratory diseases among the
      elderly living in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1980 - 2009. Mortality rates
      were calculated using death data from the Ministry of Health's Mortality
      Information System and population data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography
      and Statistics. Polynomial regression models were used to evaluate mortality
      trends by sex and age group (60 - 69 years; 70 - 79, and 80 years or older)
      before and after the beginning of influenza vaccination campaigns. RESULTS: An
      increase in the respiratory mortality rates was observed in 1980 - 1998, mainly
      among males. The rate and velocity of the increase was higher among the older age
      groups. In the years following the vaccine campaigns (1999 - 2009), respiratory
      mortality rate trends by sex and age stabilized in Sao Paulo state. CONCLUSIONS:
      A greater reduction in mortality rates would be observed if vaccinal coverage
      against influenza were greater and more homogenous. New strategies to increase
      the uptake of vaccine among the elderly are needed to reach higher coverage
      levels, especially in municipalities with older and larger populations.

PMID- 24233106
TI  - Binational utilization and barriers to care among Mexican American border
      residents with diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether U.S.-Mexico border residents with diabetes 1)
      experience greater barriers to medical care in the United States of America
      versus Mexico and 2) are more likely to seek care and medication in Mexico
      compared to border residents without diabetes. METHODS: A stratified two-stage
      randomized cross-sectional health survey was conducted in 2009 - 2010 among 1 002
      Mexican American households. RESULTS: Diabetes rates were high (15.4%). Of those
      that had diabetes, most (86%) reported comorbidities. Compared to participants
      without diabetes, participants with diabetes had slightly greater difficulty
      paying US$ 25 (P = 0.002) or US$ 100 (P = 0.016) for medical care, and
      experienced greater transportation and language barriers (P = 0.011 and 0.014
      respectively) to care in the United States, but were more likely to have a
      person/place to go for medical care and receive screenings. About one quarter of
      participants sought care or medications in Mexico. Younger age and having lived
      in Mexico were associated with seeking care in Mexico, but having diabetes was
      not. Multiple financial barriers were independently associated with approximately
      threefold-increased odds of going to Mexico for medical care or medication.
      Language barriers were associated with seeking care in Mexico. Being confused
      about arrangements for medical care and the perception of not always being
      treated with respect by medical care providers in the United States were both
      associated with seeking care and medication in Mexico (odds ratios ranging from
      1.70 - 2.76). CONCLUSIONS: Reporting modifiable barriers to medical care was
      common among all participants and slightly more common among 1) those with
      diabetes and 2) those who sought care in Mexico. However, these are statistically
      independent phenomena; persons with diabetes were not more likely to use services
      in Mexico. Each set of issues (barriers facing those with diabetes, barriers
      related to use of services in Mexico) may occur side by side, and both present
      opportunities for improving access to care and disease management.

PMID- 24233108
TI  - Violence and social capital in post-conflict Guatemala.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Violence in post-conflict Guatemala has serious public health
      consequences for the population. The objective of this study was to assess the
      relationship between violence and social capital. METHODS: Data from a cross
      sectional victimization survey conducted in 2008 - 2010 in Guatemala were
      analyzed. Two-stage proportionate sampling was used in the survey. Households (n
      = 1 300) were randomly sampled within a random sample of communities (n = 118) in
      five administrative departments. The survey collected information on the six
      month violence exposure of 6 335 individuals. Social capital was measured at the
      household level using the short version of the Adapted Social Capital Tool
      (SASCAT). The odds ratio for household violence exposure was estimated using
      multiple logistic regression. Community-level data from the latest national
      census were included as explanatory factors at the community level. Income,
      ethnicity, and social capital were included at the household level. Data were
      analyzed using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: In total, 2.7% of individuals and 11.7% of
      households had been exposed to violence within the past six months. The
      multivariate analysis showed that 1) structural social capital (in this case, the
      level of participation in social networks and civil society) was a risk factor
      for violence and 2) cognitive social capital (measured as trust, norms, and sense
      of belonging) was a protective factor for violence. CONCLUSIONS: The opposite
      direction of the association between violence and structural and cognitive social
      capital challenges the use of social capital as a unified concept. If this
      finding is corroborated by other studies, structural and cognitive social capital
      will have to be treated as two distinctly different concepts.

PMID- 24233109
TI  - [Drug regulatory authorities in South America: an analysis based on
      organizational rules].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the organization of national drug regulatory authorities
      (DRAs) in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru through the analysis of categories
      representing organizational rules. METHODS: The DRAs were selected using the
      following criteria: being in a South American country, having been identified as
      DRAs at Encuentros de Autoridades Competentes en Medicamentos de los Paises
      Iberoamericanos (Conferences of Ibero-American Drug Regulatory Authorities), and
      having good availability of electronic data regarding organizational structure
      and the process of drug regulation. The main source of data were websites, which
      were reviewed between May 2010 and March 2011. The analytical categories were:
      organizational structure, competencies, directionality (mission and vision
      statements), and forms of accountability. RESULTS: The DRAs of Argentina and
      Brazil functioned as autonomous agencies, while those of Chile and Peru were
      directly subordinated to the ministries of health. Except for the Brazilian DRA,
      the agencies in the other three countries were dependent on their health
      ministries to issue sanitary regulations. The scope of action of each DRA
      differed in terms of the goods and services covered, with the Peruvian DRA being
      the only one exclusively dedicated to the regulation of drugs. The four DRAs
      performed all the processes identified by the World Health Organization as
      essential for effective drug regulation. CONCLUSIONS: The results show an effort
      by the studied countries to improve their regulatory structure. Nevertheless, all
      four DRAs need to improve some mechanisms to ensure that, at the end of the
      regulatory chain, the drugs they regulate have the desired quality and safety,
      with more transparency in decision-making processes and social accountability.

PMID- 24233110
TI  - The cost-savings of implementing kangaroo mother care in Nicaragua.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the costs of implementing kangaroo mother care (KMC) in a
      referral hospital in Nicaragua, including training, implementation, and ongoing
      operating costs, and to estimate the economic impact on the Nicaraguan health
      system if KMC were implemented in other maternity hospitals in the country.
      METHODS: After receiving clinical training in KMC, the implementation team
      trained their colleagues, wrote guidelines for clinicians and education material
      for parents, and ensured adherence to the new guidelines. The intervention began
      September 2010 The study compared data on infant weight, medication use, formula
      consumption, incubator use, and hospitalization for six months before and after
      implementation. Cost data were collected from accounting records of the
      implementers and health ministry formularies. RESULTS: A total of 46 randomly
      selected infants before implementation were compared to 52 after implementation.
      Controlling for confounders, neonates after implementation had lower lengths of
      hospitalization by 4.64 days (P = 0.017) and 71% were exclusively breastfed (P <
      0.001). The intervention cost US$ 23 113 but the money saved with shorter
      hospitalization, elimination of incubator use, and lower antibiotic and infant
      formula costs made up for this expense in 1 - 2 months. Extending KMC to 12 other
      facilities in Nicaragua is projected to save approximately US$ 166 000 (based on
      the referral hospital incubator use estimate) or US$ 233 000 after one year
      (based on the more conservative incubator use estimate). CONCLUSIONS: Treating
      premature and low-birth-weight infants in Nicaragua with KMC implemented as a
      quality improvement program saves money within a short period even without
      considering the beneficial health effects of KMC. Implementation in more
      facilities is strongly recommended.

PMID- 24233111
TI  - Direct and mediated associations between religious coping, spirituality, and
      youth violence in El Salvador.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the direct and mediated relationships between religious
      coping, spirituality, social developmental factors, and violence among high-risk
      and gang-involved youth in a high-crime, Latin American country. METHODS: Using a
      community sample of 290 high-risk and gang-involved youth in San Salvador, El
      Salvador, structural equation modeling was employed to examine the relationships
      between religious coping, spirituality, social developmental factors (e.g.,
      antisocial bond and antisocial beliefs), and violence. RESULTS: Religious coping
      (beta = - 0.14, P < 0.05) and spirituality (beta = - 0.20, P < 0.01) were both
      significantly associated with antisocial bond. Antisocial bond, in turn, was
      directly associated with violence (beta = 0.70, P < 0.001) and was associated
      with antisocial beliefs (beta = 0.54, P < 0.001); however, the path from
      antisocial beliefs to violence was not statistically significant. No direct paths
      were identified from religiosity and spirituality to violence. The goodness-of
      fit statistics (root mean square error of approximation, 0.034; comparative fit
      index, 0.974; and Tucker-Lewis index, 0.966) suggest that the final model had
      acceptable fit. CONCLUSIONS: This study is among the first to shed light on the
      relationship between religiosity, spirituality, and youth violence in the Latin
      American context. Elevated levels of religious coping and spirituality are
      associated with less antisocial bonding, which, in turn, is associated with lower
      levels of violent behavior among high-risk and gang-involved Salvadoran youth.
      Study findings suggest that religious coping and spirituality are indirectly
      protective for youth violence among this high-risk population.

PMID- 24233112
TI  - Municipal-level covariates of health status in Brazil: a proposed method for data
      interpolation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To propose a method for the interpolation of yearly local-level
      covariates of health status that is suitable for panel data analysis of the
      effect of health services. METHODS: The proposed method distributes the yearly
      rate of growth of covariates at the regional level (e.g., state) from household
      survey data, and applies it to interpolate yearly data at the local level (e.g.,
      municipality) between two consecutive census surveys. The method was applied to
      municipal-level socioeconomic covariates of health status in Brazil for every
      year between 2001 and 2009. The data was tested on a previously validated
      analysis of the effects of the Family Health Program on post-neonatal infant
      mortality in Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 895 628 values were generated for 20
      socioeconomic predictors of health status. Valid data were obtained for 5 057
      municipalities in the Northeast, Southeast, South, and Center-West regions of
      Brazil, from 2001 to 2009, covering 98.89% of the municipalities in these regions
      and 90.87% of municipalities in the country. A supplemental annex includes the
      interpolated data from 2001 to 2009, plus the 2000 and 2010 census data, for all
      5 057 municipalities. An application on a fixed-effect regression model suggested
      that, compared to linear interpolation, the proposed method reduced multi
      collinearity and improved the precision of the estimates of the effects of health
      services. CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of the proposed interpolation method
      suggest that it is a feasible solution for panel data analysis of health services
      at the local level in Brazil and other countries.

PMID- 24233113
TI  - Expert consensus-building for developing guidelines: lessons learned from a
      dengue economics workshop.
AB  - A workshop with 20 experts of diverse backgrounds from five countries in the
      Americas was convened for two-and-a-half days in March 2012 to discuss and
      develop a standardized methodology for assessing the economic cost of dengue.
      This article discusses a number of factors that contributed to the workshop's
      success, including: engaging the experts at various stages of the process;
      convening a multidisciplinary group to reduce expert bias and provide a more
      comprehensive and integrated approach; facilitating guided small- and large-group
      discussions; developing effective cross-cultural collectivism, trust,
      communication, and empathy across the expert panel; establishing clear lines of
      responsibilities within each group of experts; breaking down the complex issues
      into smaller and simpler ideas; providing ample background materials in multiple
      languages prior to the workshop. Challenges and areas for improvement are also
      covered. 

PMID- 24233114
TI  - [Intellectual development disorders in Latin America: a framework for setting
      policy priorities for research and care].
AB  - Intellectual development disorders (IDDs) are a set of development disorders
      characterized by significantly limited cognitive functioning, learning disorders,
      and disorders related to adaptive skills and behavior. Previously grouped under
      the term "intellectual disability," this problem has not been widely studied or
      quantified in Latin America. Those affected are absent from public policy and do
      not benefit from government social development and poverty reduction strategies.
      This article offers a critical look at IDDs and describes a new taxonomy; it also
      proposes recognizing IDDs as a public health issue and promoting the
      professionalization of care, and suggests an agenda for research and regional
      action. In Latin America there is no consensus on the diagnostic criteria for
      IDDs. A small number of rehabilitation programs cover a significant proportion of
      the people who suffer from IDDs, evidence-based services are not offered, and
      health care guidelines have not been evaluated. Manuals on psychiatric diagnosis
      focus heavily on identifying serious IDDs and contribute to underreporting and
      erroneous classification. The study of these disorders has not been a legal,
      social science, or public health priority, resulting in a dearth of scientific
      evidence on them. Specific competencies and professionalization of care for these
      persons are needed, and interventions must be carried out with a view to
      prevention, rehabilitation, community integration, and inclusion in the work
      force. 

PMID- 24233115
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 24233116
TI  - Measuring the effects of the Peru's national folic acid fortification program
      differing methods, same goal.

PMID- 24233117
TI  - Effect of excess iodide on thyroid function of rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri.
AB  - The acute and chronic effects of excess iodide (KI or NaI) were studied on
      thyroid function of rainbow trout at 11+/-1 degrees C. No Wolff-Chaikoff effect,
      characteristic of mammals, was observed and instead plasma L-thyroxine (T4)
      levels increased 6 hr after a single iodide injection. Plasma 3,5,3'-triiodo-L
      thyronine (T3) did not change and by 24 hr plasma T4 returned to normal. This
      iodide-induced elevation in plasma T4 was probably not due to toxic effects
      demonstrated at higher NaI or KI doses. A single iodide injection also decreased
      the plasma iodide distribution space, decreased the fractional rate of plasma
      iodide loss and completely blocked thyroidal uptake of radioiodide. Injections of
      iodide over a 22-day period elevated plasma iodide 200X with no mortality and no
      influence on plasma T4 or T3. It is concluded that: (i) apart from the transient
      6h increase in plasma T4, trout thyroid function, as judged by plasma hormone
      levels, is insensitive to considerable iodide excess, (ii) non-invasive iodide
      suppression of thyroidal radioiodide recycling may be useful in kinetic studies
      of(125)I-labeled thyroid hormones, and (iii) fundamental differences in
      intrathyroidal iodine metabolism appear to exist between mammals and fish. 

PMID- 24233118
TI  - Steroidogenic capacity of coho salmon ovarian follicles throughout the
      periovulatory period.
AB  - Coho salmon follicles obtained at various times throughout the periovulatory
      period were incubatedin vitro with graded amounts of partially purified salmon
      gonadotropin (SG-G100) for 24 h and the amounts of 17beta-estradiol, testosterone
      and 17alpha20beta dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha20betaP) released into the
      media determined by radioimmunoassay. By this approach, the pattern of steroid
      secretion by ovarian follicles was shown to change in relation to the
      developmental status of the oocyte. Full-grown immature follicles produced large
      amounts of 17beta-estradiol but negligible amounts of testosterone and
      17alpha20betaP. Both basal and gonadotropin-stimulated 17beta-estradiol
      production was subsequently reduced with advancing oocyte development. In
      contrast, the production of testosterone and 17alpha20betaP increased during the
      course of ovarian development with testosterone production highest in follicles
      with a peripheral germinal vesicle and 17alpha20betaP production highest in
      matured and postovulatory follicles. These data are discussed in relation to
      information on the preovulatory changes in circulating levels of steriod hormones
      in salmonids. 

PMID- 24233119
TI  - Accumulation of waterborne selenium by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), eggs, fry
      and juveniles.
AB  - The effect of waterborne selenite levels on selenium accumulated by different
      developmental stages of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was studied using(75)SeO
      3 (=) as a tracer. All stages readily accumulated selenium at both high and low
      concentrations, but the rate of accumulation increased as the trout developed
      from the egg to the juvenile feeding stage. The low rate of selenium accumulation
      by embryos seemed to be related more to a lack of gills than to the presence of a
      chorion. The bioconcentration factor (the ratio of tissue-to-water
      concentrations) declined in all groups with increased waterborne selenium levels;
      accumulation rates appeared limited by cell permeability. At low levels of
      waterborne selenium (0.4ug/l), the total accumulated was small relative to
      existing body burdens and unlikely to contribute significantly to the nutritional
      requirement for selenium. High levels (45.6ug/l), however, caused considerable
      selenium accumulation and may be sufficient to overcome the effects of low
      dietary selenium. 

PMID- 24233120
TI  - A study of goldfish oocyte meiosisin vitro: effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol and
      adenosine-5-triphosphate.
AB  - Germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and/or dissolution (GVD) were measured in
      goldfish oocytes, treated with 17alpha, 20beta dihydroxyprogesterone (DHP) and
      other compounds considered to effect the cytoskeleton and oxidative
      phosphorylation,in vitro. Administration of DHP reinitiated meiotic maturation,
      increasing GVM and GVD in goldfish oocytes. Addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP)
      to the incubation medium significantly inhibited DHP-induced GVM and GVD. The DNP
      effect was found to be partially reversible after 24 h and could be reversed
      fully after a further delay of approximately 24h. Treatment of goldfish oocytes
      with demecolcine (DE; a colchicine derivative also known as colcemid) induces GVM
      to the micropyle without effecting GVD; while Cytochalasin-B which inhibits
      microfilament polymerization impairs both GVM and GVD. Administration of DNP,
      significantly inhibited DE-induced GVM, suggesting that GVM as well as GVD are
      dependent upon the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Addition of adenosine-5'
      -triphosphate (ATP) at low concentrations (0.01-0.1 mM) did not effect DHP
      induced or DNP-inhibited GVD in goldfish oocytes. The present results are
      consistent with the idea that migration of the oocyte nucleus during meiosis
      reinitiation has an energy requirement and involves participation by the
      cytoskeleton. 

PMID- 24233122
TI  - The effectiveness of mono or combined osteoporosis drug therapy against bone
      mineral density loss around femoral implants after total hip arthroplasty.
AB  - Several previous studies have reported that bone mineral density (BMD) loss
      around femoral implants is a common outcome, particularly in the proximal femur,
      after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to investigate
      the effectiveness of alendronate monotherapy and combined therapy using
      alendronate and alfacalcidol for BMD preservation around femoral implants after
      primary THA. This study series included 60 patients who were classified into
      monotherapy (alendronate alone) (n = 18), combined-therapy (alendronate and
      alfacalcidol) (n = 20) or non-medication (n = 22) groups. The periprosthetic BMD
      and profile of the biochemical markers such as bone-specific alkaline phosphatase
      and serum N-terminal telopeptides of type-1 collagen (NTX) were measured at 1,
      12, 24 and 48 weeks after surgery. The BMD values in the region of the calcar of
      monotherapy and combined-therapy patients were maintained and were significantly
      higher than those of non-medication patients at each measurement period. The
      plasma levels of NTX in the monotherapy and combined-therapy groups were found to
      be significantly lower than those in the non-medication group at each measurement
      period. In conclusion, the monotherapy and combined-therapy regimens
      significantly prevent periprosthetic BMD loss around femoral implants, most
      notably in the calcar, compared to no medication.

PMID- 24233123
TI  - The limited effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor blockade on bone health in
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis under the use of glucocorticoid.
AB  - We investigated the effects of biologics for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients
      on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolic markers (BMM), retrospectively,
      and also clarified the effects of bisphosphonates (alendronate or risedronate 35
      mg/week) and glucocorticoids. Participants in this study comprised 219 patients
      with RA, including 117 patients treated with biologics (infliximab, n = 90;
      etanercept, n = 27) and 102 patients with conventional disease-modifying anti
      rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for 1 year. Changes in BMD at the lumbar spine and total
      hip and BMMs [urinary type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTX) and bone
      specific alkaline phosphatase] were measured. BMD of the lumbar spine in both
      groups and total hip BMD in the biologics group were unchanged during treatment
      with biologics. However, BMD of the total hip was significantly decreased in the
      DMARDs group (from 0.731 +/- 0.135 to 0.706 +/- 0.135 g/cm2). Patients receiving
      glucocorticoids without bisphosphonates showed significant decrease in BMD of the
      total hip compared with patients not receiving glucocorticoids or receiving
      glucocorticoids with bisphosphonates in both biologics and DMARDs groups.
      Furthermore, BMD of the lumbar spine increased (p < 0.05) for patients in the
      biologics group who received bisphosphonates. NTX was significantly decreased
      only in the biologics group. Multiple regression analysis showed that BMD and
      bone metabolic marker levels correlated positively with bisphosphonate and
      biologics use and negatively with glucocorticoid use. BMD of the total hip was
      maintained in the patients using biologics without glucocorticoids or with
      bisphosphonates, but it was not maintained in the DMARDs patients, even without
      glucocorticoids or with bisphosphonates. Even if biologics have protective effect
      against bone loss of RA patients, we should consider reducing the dose of
      glucocorticoids and adding bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis.

PMID- 24233125
TI  - Stability of Y-splitting procedure combined with hang-back  recession of the
      rectus muscle in rabbit eyes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Y-splitting procedure has been used both to treat up-shoots and
      down-shoots in Duane syndrome, and as a substitute for posterior fixation suture.
      The Y-split is often performed in conjunction with a hang-back recession when a
      large amount of recession or an adjustable suture is necessary. Herein, we
      evaluated the stability of Y-splitting hang-back recession in the rectus muscle.
      METHODS: Under general anesthesia, a 5-mm hang-back recession of the superior
      rectus muscle (SR) with Y-splitting was performed in ten eyes from ten rabbits
      (hang-back group). A conventional recession was performed in the SR of the fellow
      eye (control group). Six weeks after the procedure, the distance between the
      original insertion and the recessed SR (recession amount) and the width between
      the nasal and temporal halves of the SR were measured. These values were compared
      to the measurements taken at the time of surgery. RESULTS: The hang-back group
      had a significantly larger forward displacement than the control group (P < 0.001
      for both the nasal and temporal halves). The width change between the nasal and
      temporal halves was also significantly larger in the hang-back group (4.94 +/-
      1.32 mm) than in the control group (1.14 +/- 0.60 mm, P < 0.001). Additionally,
      the Y-configuration appeared to be more collapsed in the hang-back group than in
      the control group. CONCLUSION: Y-splitting of the rectus muscle may be unstable
      when it is combined with a hang-back recession. Surgeons should consider this
      possibility when performing Y-splitting procedures.

PMID- 24233126
TI  - Tolerating an infection: an indirect benefit of co-founding queen associations in
      the ant Lasius niger.
AB  - Pathogens exert a strong selection pressure on organisms to evolve effective
      immune defences. In addition to individual immunity, social organisms can act
      cooperatively to produce collective defences. In many ant species, queens have
      the option to found a colony alone or in groups with other, often unrelated,
      conspecifics. These associations are transient, usually lasting only as long as
      each queen benefits from the presence of others. In fact, once the first workers
      emerge, queens fight to the death for dominance. One potential advantage of co
      founding may be that queens benefit from collective disease defences, such as
      mutual grooming, that act against common soil pathogens. We test this hypothesis
      by exposing single and co-founding queens to a fungal parasite, in order to
      assess whether queens in co-founding associations have improved survival.
      Surprisingly, co-foundresses exposed to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium
      did not engage in cooperative disease defences, and consequently, we find no
      direct benefit of multiple queens on survival. However, an indirect benefit was
      observed, with parasite-exposed queens producing more brood when they co-founded,
      than when they were alone. We suggest this is due to a trade-off between
      reproduction and immunity. Additionally, we report an extraordinary ability of
      the queens to tolerate an infection for long periods after parasite exposure. Our
      study suggests that there are no social immunity benefits for co-founding ant
      queens, but that in parasite-rich environments, the presence of additional queens
      may nevertheless improve the chances of colony founding success.

PMID- 24233127
TI  - Increased brain amyloid deposition in patients with a lifetime history of major
      depression: evidenced on 18F-florbetapir (AV-45/Amyvid) positron emission
      tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: The literature suggests that a history of depression is associated with
      an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study
      was to examine brain amyloid accumulation in patients with lifetime major
      depression using (18)F-florbetapir (AV-45/Amyvid) PET imaging in comparison with
      that in nondepressed subjects. METHODS: The study groups comprised 25 depressed
      patients and 11 comparison subjects who did not meet the diagnostic criteria for
      AD or amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Vascular risk factors, homocysteine and
      apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype were also examined. The standard uptake value
      ratio (SUVR) of each volume of interest was analysed using whole the cerebellum
      as the reference region. RESULTS: Patients with a lifetime history of major
      depression had higher (18)F-florbetapir SUVRs in the precuneus (1.06 +/- 0.08 vs.
      1.00 +/- 0.06, p = 0.045) and parietal region (1.05 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.98 +/- 0.07, p
      = 0.038) than the comparison subjects. Voxel-wise analysis revealed a
      significantly increased SUVR in depressed patients in the frontal, parietal,
      temporal and occipital areas (p < 0.01). There were no significant associations
      between global (18)F-florbetapir SUVRs and prior depression episodes, age at
      onset of depression, or time since onset of first depression. CONCLUSION:
      Increased (18)F-florbetapir binding values were found in patients with late-life
      major depression relative to comparison subjects in specific brain regions,
      despite no differences in age, sex, education, Mini Mental Status Examination
      score, vascular risk factor score, homocysteine and ApoE epsilon4 genotype
      between the two groups. A longitudinal follow-up study with a large sample size
      would be worthwhile.

PMID- 24233128
TI  - EJNMMI Physics--access is open for open access.

PMID- 24233129
TI  - The overlap in the genetic pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel
      syndrome.

PMID- 24233130
TI  - Trigeminocardiac reflex in neurosurgical practice: Report of two new cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic hypotension, cardiac dysrhythmia especially bradycardia,
      apnea, and gastric hypermotility occurring presumably after stimulation of any of
      the sensory branches of trigeminal nerve are coined as trigeminocardiac reflex
      (TCR). Neither enough is known about the predisposing factors in relation with
      the intraoperative occurrence of this life threatening reflex, nor about the
      exact pathophysiology of its brain stem pathway. ENCOUNTERING TWO CASES OF
      BRADYCARDIA AND HYPOTENSION DURING SURGERY ENCOURAGED THE AUTHORS TO: (1) report
      these two cases and review similar reports in the relevant literature, (2)
      discuss the suggested mechanisms for such an event, and (3) report the result of
      a prospective cohort of precisely checked cases in a sister article, to remind
      the younger neurosurgical community of a possible and bothering even mortal, but
      avoidable complication in their everyday practice. CASE DESCRIPTION: The first
      case was a 71-year-old male who developed bradycardia and hypotension while
      packing his large sella tursica with autologous fat after removing a large
      nonfunctional pituitary adenoma transsphenoidally to prevent cerebrospinal fluid
      leakage. The changes in his vital signs were detected and controlled rapidly. The
      second case was a 52-year-old female who underwent right pterional craniotomy for
      right clinoidal meningioma. She developed severe bradycardia and hypotension
      after skin closure completed and just when the subgaleal drain was connected to
      the aspirating bag and negative pressure maintained in the subgaleal region. Both
      cases could be managed successfully after on time detection of such life
      threatening complication and proper management. CONCLUSION: WE DO NOT INTEND ONLY
      TO ADD TWO NEW CASES OF TCR OCCURRING IN THE PERIOPERATIVE PERIOD IN
      NEUROSURGICAL PRACTICE, BUT WE WISH TO RAISE THE QUESTION: (a) what could be the
      predisposing factors for development of such issue for better handling of the
      problem and (b) stress upon careful continuous mapping of the vital signs during
      surgery and even till very late after operation.

PMID- 24233131
TI  - Evaluation of a newly designed flow diverter for the treatment of intracranial
      aneurysms in an elastase-induced aneurysm model, in New Zealand white rabbits.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In this study, we analyzed angiographic and histologic aneurysm
      occlusion of a newly designed flow-diverting device. Visibility and flexibility,
      as well as occlusions of side branches and neointimal proliferation were also
      evaluated. METHODS: Aneurysms were induced in 18 New Zealand white rabbits and
      treated with a braided, "closed-loop-designed" device of nitinol. Additional
      devices were implanted in the abdominal aorta to cover the origin of branch
      arteries. Angiographic follow-ups were performed immediately after placement of
      the device, after 3 months (n = 9) and 6 months (n = 9). The status of aneurysm
      occlusion (using a five-point scale) and the patency of branch arteries were
      assessed. RESULTS: Aneurysm occlusion rates were noted as grade 0 in 2 (11 %),
      grade I in 1 (6 %), grade II in 1 (6 %), grade III in 9 (50 %), and grade IV in 5
      (28 %) of 18 aneurysms, respectively, indicating a complete or near-complete
      occlusion of 78 % under double antiplatelet therapy. Aneurysm occlusion was
      significantly higher at 6 months follow-up (P = 0.025). Radiopaque markers
      provided excellent visibility. Limited device flexibility led to incomplete
      aneurysm neck coverage and grade 0 occlusion rates in two cases. Distal device
      occlusions were found in three cases, most likely due to an extremely undersized
      vessel diameter in the subclavian artery. No case of branch artery occlusion was
      seen. Intimal proliferation and diameter stenosis were moderate. CONCLUSION: The
      tested flow diverter achieved near-complete and complete aneurysm occlusion under
      double antiplatelet therapy of elastase-induced aneurysms in 78 %, while
      preserving branch arteries.

PMID- 24233132
TI  - Chloroplast targeting ofneomycin phosphotransferase II with a pea transit peptide
      in electroporated barley mesophyll protoplasts.
AB  - Routine methods for stable gene transfer to cereals are not yet available. To be
      able to study chloroplast targeting in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cells, the
      expression of recombinant genes was assayed in barley mesophyll protoplasts after
      electroporation of DNA. The CaMV 35S transcript promoter was attached to a
      chimeric gene consisting of a pea RuBisCo small subunit transit peptide coding
      sequence (tp) and the gene coding for neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII). As
      a control, a construction with no transit peptide coding segment was used. 48
      hours after electroporation, a fraction of the protoplasts was lysed and intact
      chloroplasts were isolated. Protoplasts electroporated with either of the gene
      constructions showed strong NPTII activity. However, enzyme activity was detected
      in chloroplasts only when thetp-nptII gene construction was used. Protease
      treatment of the chloroplasts confirms that the pea RuBisCo small subunit transit
      peptide is targeting the NPTII polypeptide into the chloroplasts, subsequent to
      the synthesis of the hybrid precursor in barley cells. 

PMID- 24233133
TI  - Abscisic acid: a role in shoot enhancement from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.)
      cotyledon explants.
AB  - Enhancement of shoot regeneration from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) cotyledon
      explants was studied by addition of abscisic acid (ABA) to Gresshoff-Doy (GD)
      shoot induction medium containing benzylaminopurine (BA) and naphthaleneacetic
      acid (NAA). Addition of ABA (10(-7) M) doubled the morphogenic area of cotyledons
      and increased the fresh weight of cotyledon explants by 40 to 45% after 4 weeks.
      A 4-week exposure to ABA resulted in a larger morphogenic area per cotyledon than
      3, 2, or 1 week(s) respectively. The enhancement by ABA was related to the
      explant seed source and was not increased by prolonged exposure. Compared to
      controls, shoot number was enhanced by 31% and 56% with 2 and 4 weeks of ABA (10(
      7) M) exposure, respectively. Abscisic acid has a role in enhancing shoot
      morphogenesis in loblolly pine. 

PMID- 24233134
TI  - The effect of presumptive polyadenylation signals on the expression of the CAT
      gene in transgenic tobacco.
AB  - Promoter::gene fusions which differed only in the presumed polyadenylation
      signals attached to the 3' end of the gene, have been used to examine the effect
      of these signals on expression of the gene in protoplasts and in transgenic
      plants. The gene constructs were comprised of the 35S promoter, the
      chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene and DNA sequences carrying the
      presumed polyadenylation signals of the nopaline synthase (nos) gene or of
      transcript 7 (T-7) from the T-DNA ofAgrobacterium. Our results show that levels
      of gene expression were not significantly affected by the orientation or absence
      of these sequences. We therefore suggest that the practice of cloning presumptive
      polyadenylation sequences at the 3' end of a gene for expression in plants may be
      unnecessary. 

PMID- 24233135
TI  - Somaclonal variation in soybean plants regenerated from tissue culture.
AB  - Callus cultures of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) genotypes PI 88788, PI
      438489B, and cultivar Bedford were initiated in vitro from seedling explants
      consisting of the cotyledonary node plus epicotyl from germinated mature seed.
      Plants were regenerated from these callus cultures and subsequently evaluated for
      qualitative variation in three to four subsequent generations. Variant phenotypes
      observed that have not been previously reported from tissue culture include
      lanceolate leaves, leaf variegation (chimeral variegated plants), pod variegation
      on otherwise normal plants, and change in growth habit from indeterminate to
      determinate. The lanceolate leaf, chimeral variegated plant, and change from
      indeterminate to determinate growth habit characters were inherited through at
      least three generations (R0-R2), and segregation occurred in each generation. Pod
      variegation was inherited through the two generations tested thus far and
      segregation occurred in each generation. No variation was observed in control
      plants derived from normal seed. Variants appeared more frequently in regenerants
      from PI 88788 and PI 438489B than from Bedford. These results confirm and extend
      the finding that certain tissue culture techniques may be used to induce novel
      plant formation from somatic tissue of soybean. 

PMID- 24233136
TI  - Initiation of embryogenic callus and suspension cultures of eastern white pine
      (Pinus strobus L.).
AB  - Embryogenic callus and suspension cultures of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)
      have been obtained. The whole female gametophyte was plated on a medium
      containing 50 mg/l glutamine, 500 mg/l casein hydrolysate, 3% sucrose, 2 mg/1 2,4
      D, 1 mg/1 BA and 0.2% Gelrite as a solidifying agent. Embryogenic calli could be
      seen as early as 5 days following culture. Histological studies indicate
      proliferation of pre-existing embryogenic tissue in the corrosion cavity followed
      by extrusion of embryogenic callus through the micropylar end of the gametophyte.
      Embryogenic suspension cultures were obtained by placing embryogenic callus into
      liquid medium. Embryogenic suspension cultures were subcultured weekly and
      proliferated as early-stage embryos with attached suspensors. Embryo development
      was obtained following transfer of the embryogenic tissue to an auxin-free medium
      containing 50 mM glutamine, 38 MUM abscisic acid, and 6% sucrose. Although embryo
      development could be consistently obtained, whole plants have not yet been
      recovered from these somatic embryos. 

PMID- 24233137
TI  - Triglycerides in embryogenic conifer calli: a comparison with zygotic embryos.
AB  - Triglycerides in developing zygotic embryos of Norway spruce and loblolly pine
      were found to accumulate continuously during the course of development,
      comprising nearly 50% of the fresh weight of a mature embryo. Embryogenic calli
      of these two species contained dramatically lower levels of triglycerides.
      Abscisic acid treatments promoted both embryo production and triglyceride
      accumulation in Norway spruce cultures. A method used to determine triglyceride
      levels in human serum, commercially available in kit form, was adapted for use
      with plant tissues. Low levels of triglycerides in the cultured tissues may be
      related to difficulties in the development and germination of conifer somatic
      embryos. 

PMID- 24233138
TI  - The effect of gelling agents on plaunotol accumulation in callus cultures
      ofCroton sublyratus Kurz.
AB  - Callus cultures established from the leaves ofCroton sublyratus Kurz
      (Euphorbiaceae) contained little or no plaunotol on various media with different
      hormone combinations. Plaunotol accumulation was observed in calli which were
      cultured in media with increasing concentrations of gelling agents, especially
      gellan gum and agarose. The accumulation was observed within three weeks after
      transfer to the medium and was accompanied by chlorophyll increase, tracheid
      development and slow growth. Light and increasing concentration of gelling agents
      were observed to be indispensable for plaunotol accumulation in the callus. 

PMID- 24233139
TI  - Toxicity of antibiotics on zygotic embryos of white spruce (Picea glauca)
      cultured in vitro.
AB  - The toxicity of kanamycin, hygromycin B, geneticin, methotrexate and cefotaxime
      on zygotic embryos ofPicea glauca was studied. Embryos placed on bud induction
      medium produced approximately 20 adventitious buds per embryo under control
      conditions. Addition of antibiotics reduced the number of bud-forming embryos.
      Using the percentage of embryos with buds as an indication of antibiotic
      toxicity, two-day-old explants were found to be more sensitive than nine-day-old.
      Kanamycin toxicity was enhanced by cefotaxime and this effect increased with
      increases in concentration of either antibiotic. Although no morphological
      difference was observed after 21 days, embryos growing on medium containing 20
      MUg ml(-1) kanamycin showed a decrease of 73% in dry weight and 23% in protein
      content per embryo when compared to control embryos. Similarly, a decrease of 38%
      in dry weight and 40% in protein content per embryo was found in embryos on
      medium containing 300 MUg ml(-1) cefotaxime. 

PMID- 24233140
TI  - Plant regeneration from immature embryos of peanut.
AB  - Plant regeneration from immature embryos of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) can be
      accomplished through somatic embryogenesis. The highest frequency of somatic
      embryo formation occurred on B5 medium plus 0.5-1.0 mg/l picloram. Shoots and
      plants developed from the somatic embryos only after extended culture on basal
      medium. Shoots were excised from thick embryonic roots and rerooted on Murashige
      and Skoog medium containing half the normal concentration of inorganic salts.
      This technique should be useful for the production of interspecific hybrid plants
      from immatureArachis embryos. 

PMID- 24233141
TI  - Origin of somatic embryos from repetitively embryogenic cultures of walnut
      (Juglans regia L.): Implications forAgrobacterium-mediated transformation.
AB  - Early stages of somatic embryo development from embryogenic cultures ofJuglans
      regia (Persian or English walnut) are described. Histological examination reveals
      that secondary somatic embryos arise from cotyledons and hypocotyls of primary
      embryos cultured in the dark. The embryos originate by transverse to oblique
      divisions of surface cells. Single-cell origin of the secondary embryos confirms
      the potential of the repetitive embryogenesis system forAgrobacterium-mediated
      transformation and regeneration of non-chimeric, transgenic walnut plants. 

PMID- 24233142
TI  - Hormone-free medium will support callus production and subsequent shoot
      regeneration from whole plant leaf explants in some sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.)
      populations.
AB  - Sugarbeet plants representing 14 of 16 germplasm sources (4 to 5 plants per
      source) produced callus from leaf disks on a hormone-free Murashige and Skoog
      based medium. Overall, 49.2% of explants from partially expanded leaves of whole
      plants initiated callus (53 of 74 plants tested), in an average time of 96.7
      days. The time to callus was considerably longer than the 4-6 weeks observed when
      1 mg/L N(6)-benzyladenine has been used in the medium. Shoots were regenerated on
      the hormone-free medium without subculture from callus of eight individual
      genotypes, representing 3 of the 14 populations that produced callus. Shoots
      produced by 'Gartons White Knight' and 'L53' appeared to be of somatic embryo
      origin. Rhizogenic calli were also produced by the same three populations that
      regenerated shoots. Significant differences among populations were found for
      frequency of root formation from leaf disks and time to callus. Variation among
      plants within a population was significant for four of the five traits examined.
      The results indicate the ease of hormone autonomization in sugarbeet, and should
      be of value in designing regeneration media for a wider range of beet germplasm. 

PMID- 24233143
TI  - Callus formation from isolated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) mesophyll
      protoplasts.
AB  - Mesophyll protoplasts of the cultivated sunflower,Helianthus annuus, have been
      consistently found not to divide or regenerate calli, despite the efforts of
      several groups. In the present report, we describe the conditions for donor plant
      culture, protoplast isolation, and their culture that were suitable for repeated
      regeneration of green, nodular, vigorously growing calli from isolated sunflower
      mesophyll protoplasts. The best conditions for protoplast isolation employed the
      use of both CAYLA cellulase and CAYLA pectinase. Culture conditions were not much
      different from those established earlier for sunflower hypocotyl protoplasts. The
      most startling observation was the great variability of division frequencies
      between experiments even under strictly controlled, identical experimental
      conditions. This finding points to an important influence of a variable in the
      physiological state of the donor plant which is difficult to control. 

PMID- 24233144
TI  - The influence of auxins, light and cell differentiation on solasodine production
      bySolanum eleagnifolium Cav. calli.
AB  - The effect of auxins, light and cellular production ofSolanum eleagnifolium Cav.
      calli were studied. 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (4.5 MUM) was the plant growth
      regulator used for calli initiation and this produced the highest solasodine
      concentration. The solasodine concentration in darkness was significantly lower
      than that achieved under a photoperiod of 16 h. Differentiated tissue obtained by
      adequate hormonal balance (several ratios of 3-indolebutyric acid to 6
      benzylaminopurine) produced higher yields of solasodine than non-differentiated
      tissue. 3-indolebutyric acid (2.5 MUM) and 6-benzylaminopurine (8.8 MUM)
      increased the productivity of solasodine by 100%. 

PMID- 24233145
TI  - Establishment and characterization of photoautotrophic protoplast-derived
      cultures ofNicotiana plumbaginifolia.
AB  - A procedure is described for the rapid establishment of photoautotrophic
      protoplast-derived cultures ofNicotiana plumbaginifolia. Photoautotrophic growth
      was induced by lowering the glucose concentration to 2.5 g.l(-1) in the
      protoplast culture medium and by omitting glucose from the subsequent dilution
      medium. Four week-old highly viable suspensions were plated on an agar-medium
      without glucose in unsealed Petri dishes and kept in illuminated chambers flushed
      with 0.05 % or 2 % CO2. Air-grown calli had net photosynthesis rates of 1.8 and
      17 MUmoles CO2.g(-1) fresh wt.h(-1) in air at 0.034 % CO2 and in air enriched
      with 1 % CO2, respectively. Calli grown in 2 % CO2 exhibited lower rates of net
      photosynthesis at the two CO2 concentrations tested (0 and 7.5 MUmoles CO2.g(-1)
      fresh wt.h(-1), respectively). The contribution of photosynthesis to growth was
      estimated to be 80 % in air-grown calli and more than 90 % in calli grown in 2 %
      CO2. The suitability of this photoautotrophic culture procedure is discussed with
      regard to the screening of photosynthetic mutants or transformants from
      protoplasts. 

PMID- 24233146
TI  - High efficiency transformation ofBrassica napus usingAgrobacterium vectors.
AB  - An efficient procedure for obtaining transgenicBrassica napus plants
      usingAgrobacterium binary vectors is described. The target tissue for the
      transformation is the cut end of cotyledonary petioles. These tissues, when
      cultured with their lamina intact, show a regeneration frequency of more than
      80%. The cells of this cut surface, which undergo organogenesis, are very
      susceptible to topical infection byAgrobacterium. The cocultivation method used
      does not require feeder layers or use of exogenously applied promoters of
      virulence. After 72h of infection withAgrobacterium the explants were transferred
      to selective regeneration medium. Using kanamycin (15MUg cm(-3)) for selection,
      transgenic plantlets emerged within 3 weeks. These plantlets which appeared on
      over half the explants were excised and rooted for a further 7-10 days. When the
      plants were large enough, leaves were taken for assay of NPT II activity using
      dot blots. Most of the plants surviving the selection showed substantial NPT II
      activity. The frequency of transformation and yield of transgenic plants was
      higher than in previously reported methods with this species. Southern blotting
      revealed that integration of the T-DNA frequently occurred in multiple copies and
      at multiple loci in the genome. The transgenicB. napus plants all grew normally
      and developed fertile flowers. The transgenic plants were self-pollinated and
      their progeny studied by two methods. The first was a single-embryo NPT II assay
      performed on developing seeds of these selfed-plants. The second was a leaf
      bleaching assay performed by selection of germinating seedlings of the selfed
      progeny. Both assays yielded segregation ratios consistent with the number of
      integration events indicated by Southern blots. The method should have broad
      application in studies of gene expression in theBrassicaceae and will be a cost
      effective alternative to those seeking to improveBrassica crops by introduction
      of foreign genes. 

PMID- 24233147
TI  - In vitro propagation of herbaceous peony (paeonia lactiflora pall.) by a
      longitudinal shoot-split method.
AB  - A procedure for the clonal propagation ofPaeonia lactiflora Pall. cvs.
      Takinoyosooi and Sarah Bernhardt through shoot tip culture is described. Half
      strength Murashige and Shoog (1962) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l 6
      benzylaminopurine plus 1 mg/l gibberellic acid promoted formation and growth of
      axillary buds. Continuous shoot multiplication was achieved by vertically
      splitting the shoot axis and subsequent division of elongated axillary shoots
      every 36 days. High frequency (57-100%) of rooting was obtained on paper-bridge
      liquid medium supplemented with 1 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid. Half of the rooted
      plantlets were established on porous soil. Thus, 700 and 300 plants of cv.
      Takinoyosooi and Sarah Bernhardt could be theoretically obtained from a single
      bud in one year. 

PMID- 24233148
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of common buckwheat (fagopyrum esculentum).
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from hypocotyls of etiolated seedlings from a diploid
      and the corresponding autotetraploid variety of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum
      esculentum). The isolated protoplasts started to divide after 4 days in culture
      in a modified MS medium. Maximum plating efficiency was approximately 1%.
      Regenerated calli derived from the tetraploid genotype developed roots easily but
      were recalcitrant to form shoots. Eighteen months following the initiation of
      cultures, tetraploid embryoids and shoots emerged after 3 weeks on an MS medium
      containing 0.1 mg/l gibberellic acid. 

PMID- 24233149
TI  - Correlation of papain-like enzyme production with laticifer formation in somatic
      embryos of papaya.
AB  - A protease similar to papain was produced by somatic embryos ofCarica papaya in
      association with the development of laticifers containing characteristic vesicles
      which probably originated from the endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast to somatic
      embryos, a papain-like protease was not detected in either friable or compact
      callus cultures which failed to develop laticifers. These observations strongly
      suggest that the differentiation into laticifers is required for papain
      production in papaya. 

PMID- 24233150
TI  - Effect of oxygen supply on berberine production in cell suspension cultures and
      immobilized cells ofThalictrum minus.
AB  - The ample supply of O2 proved to be of great importance for berberine production
      in cell suspension culture ofThalictrum minus, as the specific O2 consumption
      rate of berberine-producing cells was twice as high as that of non-producing
      cells. Furthermore, berberine yield increased with increases in the volumetric O2
      transfer coefficient (KLa). Estimation of the optimum conditions of oxygen supply
      in suspension cultures and immobilized cells according to a known theoretical
      model assuming O2 uptake by cells to be a zero-order reaction was in good
      agreement with the experimental data. The O2 supply to immobilized cells could be
      improved by reducing the cell density and radius of the bead. 

PMID- 24233151
TI  - Structural and morphological evolution of lead dendrites during electrochemical
      migration.
AB  - The electrochemical deposition and dissolution of lead on gold electrodes
      immersed in an aqueous solution of lead nitrate were studied in situ using a
      biasing liquid cell by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We investigate in
      real time the growth mechanisms of lead dendrites as deposited on the electrodes
      under an applied potential. TEM images reveal that lead dendrites are developed
      by the fast protrusion of lead branches in the electrolyte and tip splitting.
      And, the fast growing tip of the dendritic branch is composed of polycrystalline
      nanograins and it develops into a single crystalline branch eventually. This
      study demonstrated unique electrochemical growth of single crystal dendrites
      through nucleation, aggregation, alignment and attachment of randomly oriented
      small grains. Additionally, we found the lead concentration in the electrolyte
      drastically influences the morphology of dendritic formation. 

PMID- 24233152
TI  - Identifying patients with poststroke mild cognitive impairment by pattern
      recognition of working memory load-related ERP.
AB  - The early detection of subjects with probable cognitive deficits is crucial for
      effective appliance of treatment strategies. This paper explored a methodology
      used to discriminate between evoked related potential signals of stroke patients
      and their matched control subjects in a visual working memory paradigm. The
      proposed algorithm, which combined independent component analysis and orthogonal
      empirical mode decomposition, was applied to extract independent sources. Four
      types of target stimulus features including P300 peak latency, P300 peak
      amplitude, root mean square, and theta frequency band power were chosen.
      Evolutionary multiple kernel support vector machine (EMK-SVM) based on genetic
      programming was investigated to classify stroke patients and healthy controls.
      Based on 5-fold cross-validation runs, EMK-SVM provided better classification
      performance compared with other state-of-the-art algorithms. Comparing stroke
      patients with healthy controls using the proposed algorithm, we achieved the
      maximum classification accuracies of 91.76% and 82.23% for 0-back and 1-back
      tasks, respectively. Overall, the experimental results showed that the proposed
      method was effective. The approach in this study may eventually lead to a
      reliable tool for identifying suitable brain impairment candidates and assessing
      cognitive function. 

PMID- 24233153
TI  - Neither expression of VEGF-C/D nor lymph vessel density supports lymphatic
      invasion as the mechanism responsible for local spread of recurrent salivary
      pleomorphic adenoma.
AB  - Recent research suggests that multinodular recurrent pleomorphic adenoma (PA)
      might result from cell migration through lymphatics. Lymphangiogenesis in
      malignancies is mediated by vascular endothelial growth factors C and D (VEGF
      C/D). We studied the expression of VEGF-C/D in PA by immunohistochemistry as well
      as lymphatic vessel density (LVD). In 6 non-recurrent, 4 primary-to-recur, and 10
      recurrent PAs, VEGF-C/D expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Staining
      was scored in terms of staining intensity (0 = absent to 3 = strong), and the
      percentage of positive tumor cells (scored as 0 (0-19 %), 1 (20-39 %), 2 (40-50
      %), and 3 (60-100 %)) and a sum score were calculated. Intra- and peritumoral LVD
      was assessed by counting of LV after immunostaining, using the D2-40 antibody.
      All but one sample were VEGF-C negative. The differences in VEGF-D expression
      between non-recurrent, primary-to-recur, and recurrent PAs were not significant
      (p>0.05). VEGF-D expression did not correlate with peritumoral LVD (p>0.05). Our
      study revealed a significant difference between intra- and peritumoral LVD values
      when comparing individual and all sample groups (p=0.01). The lack of VEGF-C
      expression and of significant differences in VEGF-D expression and peritumoral
      LVD between patients with non-recurrent, primary-to-recur, and recurrent PAs does
      not support the lymphangiogenic local spread hypothesis

PMID- 24233154
TI  - Leser-Trelat syndrome in malignant mesothelioma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma: is
      the EGFR pathway part of the syndrome?
AB  - The syndrome of Leser-Trelat (LT) is characterized by the sudden appearance of
      multiple seborrhoeic keratoses (SKs) in association with internal occult
      malignancy. Usually, the syndrome has been associated with adenocarcinoma, most
      frequently of the gastrointestinal tract and breast. The pathogenesis is unclear
      but might be explained by circulating tumor-associated growth factors. We present
      two thoracic malignancies associated with LT: adenocarcinoma of the lung (ACL)
      and pleural malignant mesothelioma (MM). Both malignant tumors expressed high
      levels of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) detected by
      immunohistochemistry (IHC), with membranous staining on the majority of malignant
      cells corresponding to maximum IHC scores of 290 and 300, respectively, for the
      MM and the ACL. SKs revealed a universal membranous staining throughout the
      entire epithelium with no difference in EGFR expression between the two cases and
      two controls with no malignant history. By fluorescence in situ hybridization, no
      amplification of the EGFR gene in malignant tumors as well as in SK lesions was
      observed. Further investigations are needed to see whether tumor-associated EGFR
      ligands/EGFR autocrine loops in malignant cells expressing high levels of EGFR
      protein on the surface might play a role for the development of SKs, as well as
      for the growth of malignant tumors in LT.

PMID- 24233155
TI  - Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity of an oxidovanadium(IV) complex
      with the flavonoid silibinin against osteosarcoma cells.
AB  - Flavonoids are a large family of polyphenolic compounds synthesized by plants.
      They display interesting biological effects mainly related to their antioxidant
      properties. On the other hand, vanadium compounds also exhibit different
      biological and pharmacological effects in cell culture and in animal models.
      Since coordination of ligands to metals can improve or change the pharmacological
      properties, we report herein, for the first time, a detailed study of the
      mechanisms of action of an oxidovanadium(IV) complex with the flavonoid
      silibinin, Na2[VO(silibinin)2].6H2O (VOsil), in a model of the human osteosarcoma
      derived cell line MG-63. The complex inhibited the viability of osteosarcoma
      cells in a dose-dependent manner with a greater potency than that of silibinin
      and oxidovanadium(IV) (p < 0.01), demonstrating the benefit of complexation.
      Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies also showed a concentration effect for
      VOsil. The increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species and the decrease of
      the ratio of the amount of reduced glutathione to the amount of oxidized
      glutathione were involved in the deleterious effects of the complex. Besides, the
      complex caused cell cycle arrest and activated caspase 3, triggering apoptosis as
      determined by flow cytometry. As a whole, these results show the main mechanisms
      of the deleterious effects of VOsil in the osteosarcoma cell line, demonstrating
      that this complex is a promising compound for cancer treatments.

PMID- 24233157
TI  - Genetic structure of a phytophagous mite species affected by crop practices: the
      case of Tetranychus urticae in clementine mandarins.
AB  - Tetranychus urticae Koch is a cosmopolitan mite considered as the most
      polyphagous species among spider mites. This mite is a key pest of clementine
      mandarins in Eastern Spain, where Spanish clementine production concentrates.
      Crop management practices can affect the population dynamics of this mite and,
      consequently, its impact on the orchard. Microsatellite markers were used to
      study mite population genetics from two commercial orchards which had been
      managed differently following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or Organic Pest
      Management (OPM) schemes during four consecutive years. A multiplex system
      including 20 microsatellite loci was designed specifically and allowed an
      efficient and inexpensive genotyping of individual mites. We found that the IPM
      population had a stronger fluctuation of population structure and higher genetic
      diversity compared to OPM population. Thus, our study concludes that crop
      management has an impact on the population genetics of T. urticae which may be
      related to the alternation of some acaricides under IPM.

PMID- 24233156
TI  - Esterases of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae), parasitic mite of the
      honeybee.
AB  - Varroa destructor is an ectoparasite that causes serious damage to the population
      of the honeybee. Increasing resistance of the parasite to acaricides is related,
      among others, to metabolic adaptations of its esterases to facilitate
      decomposition of the chemicals used. Esterases are a large heterogeneous group of
      enzymes that metabolize a number of endogenous and exogenous substrates with
      ester binding. The aim of the present study was to determine the activity of
      esterases in the body extracts (BE) and excretion/secretion products (E/SP) of
      the mite. The enzymes contained in the E/SP should originate mainly from the
      salivary glands and the alimentary system and they may play a particularly
      important role in the first line of defence of the mite against acaricides.
      Activity of cholinesterases (ChEs) [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and
      butyrylcholinesterase], carboxylesterases (CEs) and phosphatases [alkaline
      phosphatase (AP) and acid phosphatase (AcP)] was investigated. The activity of
      all the enzymes except AChE was higher in the E/SP than in the BE. ChEs from the
      BE and from the E/SP reacted differently on eserine, a ChE inhibitor. Eserine
      inhibited both enzymes from the BE, increased decomposition of acetylcholine, but
      did not influence hydrolysis of butyrylcholine by the E/SP. Activity of the CEs
      from the BE in relation to the esters of carboxylic acids can be presented in the
      following series: C10 > C12 > C14 > C8 > C2 > C4 = C16, while activity of the CEs
      from the E/SP was: C4 > C8 > C2 > C14 > C10 > C12 > C16. The inhibitor of CEs,
      triphenyl phosphate, reduced the activity of esterases C2-C8 and C14-C16;
      however, it acted in the opposite way to CEs C10 and C12. The activity of both
      phosphatases was higher in the E/SP than in the BE (AcP about twofold and AP
      about 2.6-fold); the activities of AP and AcP in the same material were similar.
      Given the role of esterases in resistance to pesticides, further studies are
      necessary to obtain complete biochemical characteristics of the enzymes currently
      present in V. destructor.

PMID- 24233158
TI  - Repeated visitations of spermatophores and polyandry in females of eriophyoid
      mites.
AB  - Eriophyoid females store sperm either asymmetrically in one spermatheca, or
      symmetrically in both spermathecae. Previous studies have suggested that species
      in which females store sperm asymmetrically pick up sperm from only one
      spermatophore, while those with symmetrical sperm storage pick up sperm from two
      or more spermatophores during their lifetime. The aim of this study was to
      examine spermatophore visitation behaviour and symmetry of sperm storage in
      Aculops allotrichus from the black locust tree and Cecidophyopsis hendersoni from
      the yucca. This would indicate monandry or polyandry in these species. In both
      eriophyoids, the spermatophore visitation consisted of three phases: mounting,
      lying on the spermatophore and dismounting. Aculops allotrichus stored sperm
      asymmetrically. However, nearly one-third of the observed females visited two
      spermatophores, rather than only one in their lives. When A. allotrichus females
      visited two spermatophores they spent a similar amount of time at the first and
      at the second visitation. Also, the times of visitation of the first of the two
      spermatophores and the single spermatophore in a female lifetime did not differ
      significantly. This would suggest that apart from monandry, double insemination
      also occurs in this species. By contrast, C. hendersoni females were polyandrous.
      They stored sperm symmetrically and visited several spermatophores, on average
      1.54 (max 6) per day, and up to 33 spermatophores in their lives. The benefits of
      repeated spermatophore visitation and the possible mechanisms of sperm storage in
      both species are discussed.

PMID- 24233159
TI  - Korean Red Ginseng protects endothelial cells from serum-deprived apoptosis by
      regulating Bcl-2 family protein dynamics and caspase S-nitrosylation.
AB  - Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) is a traditional herbal medicine utilized to
      prevent endothelium dysfunction in the cardiovascular system; however, its
      underlying mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. We here examined the
      pharmacological effect and molecular mechanism of KRGE on apoptosis of human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a serum-deprived apoptosis model.
      KRGE protected HUVECs from serum-deprived apoptosis by inhibiting mitochondrial
      cytochrome c release and caspase-9/-3 activation. This protective effect was
      significantly higher than that of American ginseng extract. KRGE treatment
      increased antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL protein expression and Akt-dependent Bad
      phosphorylation. Moreover, KRGE prevented serum deprivation-induced subcellular
      redistribution of these proteins between the mitochondrion and the cytosol,
      resulting in suppression of mitochondrial cytochrome c release. In addition, KRGE
      increased nitric oxide (NO) production via Akt-dependent activation of
      endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), as well as inhibited caspase-9/-3 activities.
      These increases were reversed by co-treatment of cells with inhibitors of eNOS
      and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and pre-incubation of cell lysates in
      dithiothreitol, indicating KRGE induces NO-mediated caspase modification. Indeed,
      KRGE inhibited caspase-3 activity via S-nitrosylation. These findings suggest
      that KRGE prevents serum deprivation-induced HUVEC apoptosis via increased Bcl-2
      and Bcl-XL protein expression, PI3K/Akt-dependent Bad phosphorylation, and
      eNOS/NO-mediated S-nitrosylation of caspases. The cytoprotective property of KRGE
      may be valuable for developing new pharmaceutical means that limit endothelial
      cell death induced during the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. 

PMID- 24233161
TI  - FDG PET/CT in the liver: lesions mimicking malignancies.
AB  - PURPOSE: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT is invaluable in managing liver
      lesions, in particular in the evaluation of suspected liver metastases. It is
      both sensitive and specific in detecting liver metastases from a wide range of
      primary cancers, and may change clinical management, most commonly by detecting
      additional lesions and decreasing the number of futile surgeries. However, some
      benign lesions may also show increased metabolic activity which can lead to false
      positive PET findings. We describe some of these lesions and their imaging
      characteristics that may help in differentiating them from malignant metastases.
      METHODS: e reviewed all whole body FDG PET/CT studies performed over a 5-year
      period in our institution, and identified those with focal liver lesions showing
      increased FDG uptake for which histological results were available. RESULTS:
      majority of lesions showing increased metabolic activity were due to malignant
      disease, such as metastases or primary liver tumours. However, we also found
      increased FDG uptake in non-neoplastic lesions such as Cryptococcosis, abscesses,
      and secondary inflammation from cholecystitis. Increased metabolic activity was
      also seen in some benign neoplasms such as hepatic adenomas and
      hemangioendotheliomas. CONCLUSION: DG PET/CT is currently the most sensitive non
      invasive imaging modality for the detection of hepatic metastases, particularly
      from the gastrointestinal tract. False positive results are rare, and have been
      described mainly in abscesses. However, other lesions can also show increased
      metabolic activity, and failure to differentiate these from metastases may result
      in inappropriate treatment.

PMID- 24233160
TI  - Differential responses of root growth, acid invertase activity and transcript
      level to copper stress in two contrasting populations of Elsholtzia haichowensis.
AB  - The present study aimed to test a hypothesis that acid invertases in root of
      metallophytes might play important roles in root growth under heavy metal stress.
      Plants of two contrasting populations, one from an ancient Cu mine (MP) and the
      other from a non-contaminated site (NMP), of metallophyte Elsholtzia haichowensis
      were treated with Cu in controlled experiments. The results showed that MP was Cu
      tolerant under 10 MUM Cu2+ treatment. Cu treatment resulted in a higher
      root/shoot biomass ratio in MP compared to NMP. Scaling exponent in root/shoot
      allometric function in MP was lower than NMP. More complicated root architecture
      was observed in MP under Cu stress. Four full-length cDNAs (EhNcwINV, EhCcwINV,
      EhNvINV and EhCvINV) encoding cell wall and vacuolar invertases were cloned. Both
      of the transcript level and activity of the acid invertase in MP elevated under
      Cu treatment. There were positive correlations between root acid invertase
      transcript level, activity and root/shoot biomass ratio. The results indicated
      important roles of acid invertase in governing root growth under Cu stress. It
      also suggested that there was a possible interrelation between acid invertases
      and Cu tolerance mechanisms in MP of E. haichowensis.

PMID- 24233162
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24233163
TI  - Genetic techniques for control of sexuality in fish farming.
AB  - Recent developments in Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF)
      laboratories in the genetic control of sexuality in fish are briefly reviewed.
      Techniques include the development of a range of spawning times, the control of
      sex-ratio and the elimination of sexual maturity by induced polyploidy. 

PMID- 24233164
TI  - The integrated development and application of controlled reproduction techniques
      in Pacific salmonid aquaculture.
AB  - During the last several years there has been rapid progress in the development
      and application of controlled reproduction and associated biotechnologies to the
      culture of salmonids. This review focuses on the development of those techniques
      for Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus species) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).
      These include methodologies for the induction of ovulation, storage of gametes,
      chromosome set manipulation, i.e., induced gynogenesis and triploidy, hormonal
      feminization, hormonal sterilization and hormonal masculinization of genotypic
      females to produce milt containing only female spermatozoa.The current and future
      applications of these methodologies to the commercial mariculture of salmonids
      and to the enhancement and management of ocean and fresh water stocks are
      described. The implementation of each individual methodology for the control of
      reproduction can in itself have a significant impact on the efficiency of culture
      systems. It is, however, from the combination of specific complementary methods
      in production systems that the greatest gains will ultimately be made.It is
      concluded that the utilization of single or paired controlled reproduction
      techniques by themselves or in combination with other biotechnologies (e.g.
      sterilization plus growth acceleration) offer significant advantages for both the
      commercial mariculture of salmonids and the rearing of salmonids by government
      agencies for release into the oceanic or lacustrine environment. 

PMID- 24233165
TI  - Central regulation of reproduction in teleosts.
AB  - As in other vertebrates, reproduction in teleosts depends upon interactions
      taking place along the brain-pituitary-gonads axis. At the central level, these
      interactions involve at least three types of factors:A gonadotrophin-releasing
      factor which has recently been isolated from chum salmon brain extracts. This
      decapeptide, whose structure is (Trp(7)-Leu(8))-LHRH, appears to have a
      widespread distribution among teleosts, and is less active that LHRH or LHRH
      analogues in releasing gonadotrophin from the teleost pituitary.
      Immunohistochemical and quantitative studies have demonstrated that Gn-RH neurons
      are mainly located in the ventral telencephalon and the preoptic area, while
      projections are found in the entire brain and the pituitary gland.A gonadotrophin
      release-inhibiting factor has been demonstrated in the anterior preoptic region
      of the goldfish and a large set of data suggests that dopamine has GRIF activity
      in goldfish, and in other teleost species, by direct action on the gonadotrophs.
      Accordingly, a dopaminergic preoptico-hypophyseal pathway could be demonstrated
      in the goldfish brain.Sex steroids exert, depending on the dosages, either a
      negative feedback in sexually mature fish or a positive feedback in immature
      fish. Such a positive feedback is caused by estrogens and aromatizable androgens.
      Accordingly, the brain of teleosts contains high levels of aromatase activity in
      particular in the telencephalon and anterior hypothalamus. The distribution of
      estrogens concentrating cells within the brain is consistent with possible
      interactions with Gn-RH or catecholaminergic neurons at the level of certain
      brain territories.These data are discussed in relation with the functional
      significance of different brain areas where interactions between these different
      factors possibly take place, in particular the terminal nerve, the ventral
      telencephalon, the preoptic area and nucleus lateralis tuberis. 

PMID- 24233166
TI  - Photoperiodic mechanisms and rhythms of reproduction in the female rainbow trout.
AB  - The present work investigates the importance of circadian and circannual rhythms
      in the photoperiodic control of reproduction in the rainbow trout. Maintenance of
      groups of 20-30 female trout under continuous light (LL), constant long (18L:6D)
      or short (6L:18D) days and conditions of constant temperature (8.5-9.0 degrees C)
      and feeding rates (0.5% body weight, day(-1)), starting in February, produced
      markedly different spawning periodicities during the first and subsequent years
      of treatment. At the end of the first year, spawning was advanced by up to 2
      months in the fish under LL and 18L:6D and delayed by up to 5 months in those
      under 6L:18D when compared with the December spawning of control fish under
      ambient light. Continued exposure of the fish to the same photoperiod regimes
      produced cycles of spawning and peak levels of testosterone, oestradiol-17beta
      and calcium (as an index of vitellogenin) at intervals of 150-170 days under LL
      and 18L:6D and 320-420 days under 6L:18D. The functional importance of these
      spawning cycles and their relationship to circannual rhythms and the control of
      reproduction is discussed.Exposure of fish to skeleton (6L:4D:2L:12D,
      6L:6D:2L:10D and 6L:8D:2L:8D) and resonance (6L:42D, 6L:48D and 6L:54D)
      procedures produced ranges of spawning times up to two months in advance of
      control fish. Results with the resonance regimes, where fish received only a half
      the light-dark cycles and a quarter of the total daylight hours of those on
      ambient light cycles show that trout do not measure daylength and time by
      counting daily cycles or by hour-glass mechanisms. Collectively, these data
      support the proposition that rhythmic processes of photosensitivity are involved
      in the modulation of reproductive development in the rainbow trout and that
      circadian and circannual rhythms cooperate in the timing and entrainment of this
      cycle. 

PMID- 24233167
TI  - Delayed gametogenesis and spawning of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) kept
      under different photoperiod and temperature regimes.
AB  - The present work investigates the importance of day length and temperature in the
      control of reproduction of sea bass, as well as the effectiveness of LHRHa and
      HCG in inducing spawning out of season in this species. A controlled regime was
      produced and seasonal cycles with high components of temperature and photoperiod
      were extended from the summer solstice for at least 6 months, followed by a short
      photoperiod regime for 3 months before a new increase in these components.
      Natural spawning in the control fish occurred more frequently in mid February,
      although it was also observed in January and early March. Temperature
      manipulation delayed the spawning one month with respect to the controls,
      although some of the animals entered into gonadal regression. Photoperiodic
      manipulation delayed maturation for three months with respect to controls but it
      was necessary to perform hormonal induction of spawning. Although LHRHa and HCG
      were both applied, only intraperitoneal injections of LHRHa were effective in
      inducing spawning of sea bass out of season when the temperatures were 17 degrees
      C. Dephasing between the annual changes in photoperiod in relation to the
      coordination of the different events of the sexual cycle of sea bass is
      considered. 

PMID- 24233168
TI  - Regulation of oocyte maturation in the rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri: role of
      cyclic AMP in the mechanism of action of the maturation inducing steroid (MIS),
      17alpha-hydroxy, 20beta-dihydroprogesterone.
AB  - In fish, oocyte maturation (resumption of meiosis after completion of
      vitellogenesis and before ovulation) is triggered by maturation inducing steroids
      (MIS) which generally appear to be secreted in the ovary in response to
      stimulation by a pituitary maturational gonadotropin. Converging data from
      different laboratories show that 17alpha-hydroxy, 20beta-dihydroprogesterone
      (17alpha, 20beta-OH-P) is the principal MIS in salmonoids; but clear
      identification remains to be done in other taxonomic groups.The experiments
      reported here in the rainbow troutSalmo gairdneri examine the possible
      involvement of oocyte cAMP on the mechanism of MIS action. The action of 17alpha,
      20beta-OH-P, on germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in oocytes incubatedin vitro
      within the follicle, was inhibited by various substances expected to elevate the
      intraoocyte concentrations of cAMP: cAMP (>= 1 mM) or dibutyril cAMP (>= 2 mM),
      phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as theophylline (>= 0.2 mM) or 3-isobutyl-1
      methylxanthine (IBMX >= 0.1 mM), adenylate cyclase activators such as cholera
      toxin (> 100 nM) or forskolin (>= 0.03 mM). In fact, the combined action of IBMX
      (1 mM) and forskolin (0.01 or 0.05 mM)in vitro was to promote accumulation of
      intraoocyte cAMP within 1 to 5 hours. Oocyte cAMP concentrations exhibited a
      large variability between different females, depending on the stage of oocyte
      development; a significant positive correlation between oocyte cAMP concentration
      and the follicular weight, and a significant negative correlation between oocyte
      cAMP concentration and the median efficient dose of 17alpha, 20beta-OH-P for
      induction of GVBD, were observed. Finally, when intrafollicular oocytes were
      incubatedin vitro, the addition of a maturation-inducing concentration of
      17alpha, 20beta-OH-P (3*10(-6)M) induced a significant decrease of oocyte cAMP
      within the first 10 hours of incubation. These results show that cAMP appears to
      play a central role in the regulation of oocyte sensitivity to 17alpha, 20beta-OH
      P and in the intraoocyte mechanisms leading to GVBD in trout.These data are
      discussed together with the few indications available in fish concerning the
      mechanism of MIS action which can be compared to some extent with the amphibian
      model. 

PMID- 24233169
TI  - Fluctuations in gonadotropin and ovarian steroids during the annual cycle and
      spawning of the common carp.
AB  - The main objective of the paper is to describe the annual changes in hormones
      associated with reproduction in the female carp under the conditions prevailing
      in the Israeli fish culture. Fish were sampled monthly throughout 1984;
      gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated and the diameter of ovarian follicles
      was measured. Gonadotropin (GTH) content in the pituitary and the circulating
      GTH, estradiol, testosterone and 17alpha, 20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,
      20-P) were determined by specific radioimmunoassays. GTH, estradiol and
      testosterone showed a bimodal annual pattern. The late summer peak was associated
      with initial vitellogenesis while the peak in spring occurred just before
      spawning, which took place in April-May. A resting phase in ovarian activity was
      noted in June and July. The levels of 17, 20-P were very low compared with those
      occurring during spawning induction. The paper summarizes a previous study by our
      laboratory on the changes in circulating hormones, as related to oocyte stages,
      in female carp induced to spawn by a GTH-calibrated pituitary extract. This study
      associates the short but prominent peak in 17, 20-P with the presence of
      follicles with maturing oocytes in the ovary. A correlation was found between the
      percentage of oocytes with eccentric germinal vesicle initially present in
      ovarian biopsies of females carp and their spawning success after hypophysation.
      The paper describes simple means to ensure successful induction of spawning in
      carp by utilizing a calibrated pituitary extract and prior selection of females
      that would respond to the induction treatment. 

PMID- 24233170
TI  - Steroidogenesis in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) at various preovulatory
      stages: changes in plasma hormone levels andin vivo andin vitro responses of the
      ovary to salmon gonadotropin.
AB  - In order to specify the timing of some changes in ovarian steroid production
      during the transition from vitellogenesis to ovulation, plasma hormones levels
      andin vivo andin vitro responses of the ovary to salmon gonadotropin (s-GtH) or
      dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate (db-cAMP) were recorded in relationship
      with the state of germinal vesicle migration in the oocyte.In vivo, a small, but
      significant, increase of plasma 17alpha-hydroxy-20beta-dihydroprogesterone
      (17alpha, 20beta-OH-P) level was detected earlier (at the "subperipheral germinal
      vesicle" stage) than the increase of GtH level (detectable at the "peripheral
      germinal vesicle" stage) and the decline of oestradiol-17beta (E2-17beta) (also
      detectable at the "peripheral germinal vesicle" stage). Negative correlations
      were established between E2-17beta levels and GtH (rho=-0.53) or 17alpha,20beta
      OH-P (rho=-0,43) levels while a positive correlation occurred between
      17alpha,20beta-OH-P and GtH levels (rho=+0,54).In vivo no action of GtH on the
      decline of E2-17beta levels was detected GtH did not stimulate 17alpha,20beta-OH
      P production, within 72h, in females at the "end of vitellogenesis" stage. It had
      significant effect in females at other stages closer to ovulation, but the
      pattern of responses changed according to the stage.In vitro db-cAMP like GtH was
      able to stimulate 17alpha,20beta-OH-P output from ovarian follicles. The greatest
      response was observed at the later stage. (GVBD). Testosterone output was also
      increased by GtH, but the lowest response was observed at the later stage (GVBD).
      Androstenedione output was lower than testosterone output.In vitro, a small but
      significant decline of E2-17beta output was induced by GtH. We conclude that
      substantial changes occur during the very last stages prior to ovulation, both in
      the steroidogenic potential of the ovary and in the ovarian sensitivity to GtH.
      20beta-oxydoreductase is probably progressively induced during GV migration when
      GtH basal levels are increasing but still relatively low. Without minimizing the
      role of discrete pulses of GtH on this induction, we could expect synergic
      actions of other hormones. Thus a high testosterone/oestradiol ratio in the
      follicle environment favours 17alpha,20beta-OH-P secretion. 

PMID- 24233171
TI  - Gonadal steroidogenesis and the possible role of steroid glucuronides as sex
      pheromones in two species of teleosts.
AB  - In general, female zebrafish,Brachydanio rerio, ovulate only in the presence of
      males. The stimulant must be pheromonal as even male holding water is capable of
      inducing ovulation. After ovulation the mating phase begins. During this phase
      the male follows the female and oviposition as well as fertilization takes place.
      Both the ovulation and the mating are controlled by pheromones synthesized by the
      gonads. Ovulation can be induced by testicular homogenates. After the lipid
      material has been extracted from the testicular homogenates, the remaining
      aqueous phase can still induce ovulation. However, when the aqueous phase is
      treated with the enzymebeta-glucuronidase, it loses the ability to induce
      ovulation. This is an indication that glucuronides, probably steroid
      glucuronides, are the compounds responsible.During the mating phase, ovulated
      female zebrafish become attractive to males. It was found that, after ovulation,
      ovarian extracts contain the compounds responsible for attracting males. The
      attractant consists of a mixture of steroid glucuronides.After incubation of the
      gonads with(3)H-precursors seven steroid glucuronides have been identified in the
      testis and five in the ovary.Under fish culture conditions the African
      catfish,Clarias gariepinus, can produce postivitellogenic oocytes throughout the
      year. However, in capitivity neither males nor females spawn. In female catfish
      maturation and ovulation can be induced by treatment with gonadotropins. It might
      be possible that, analogous to the zebrafish, some reproductive processes in the
      catfish have to be induced by pheromones. It has been demonstrated that
      pheromonal compounds released by the seminal vesicles are involved in the
      attraction of female conspecifics. The steroid glucuronide synthesizing
      capability of the testes and the seminal vesicles of the male catfish are
      examined, as well as that of the ovary before and after ovulation of the female
      catfish. Both testes and seminal vesicles appear to be capable of steroid
      biosynthesis but only the latter synthesizes steroid glucuronides. Six of these
      conjugates have been isolated and identified. In the female catfish the ovaries
      are capable of synthesizing seven steroid glucuronides, but only after ovulation.

PMID- 24233172
TI  - Effects of pimozide and LHRH-Aa on carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) oocyte maturation
      and ovulationin vivo.
AB  - Effects of pimozide (Pim) and [(D-Ala(6), Pro(9)-NEt) LHRH] (LRH-Aa) on common
      carp oocytes maturation and ovulationin vivo under laboratory and commercial
      fisheries farm conditions were investigated.Although injections of Pim and LRH-Aa
      at the doses of 10 mg and 50 ug/kg body weight respectively, did not increase
      mGtH levels (66.7-155.8 mg/ml) as much as injections of carp pituitary extract
      (chh) (382.1 ng/ml), induced GtH levels were high enough to induce ovulation.
      Changes in the ovary caused by Pim and LRH-Aa were similar to those induced by
      chh, and Pim injected together with LRH-Aa in a single injection gave the same
      results concerning ovulation induction as when they were applied separately at 6h
      interval. 

PMID- 24233173
TI  - Biology of the gametes of some teleost species.
AB  - Our knowledge of the biology of fish gametes is still limited. Up to now research
      was short-term, aiming at solving practical questions connected with gamete
      storage and artificial insemination. More information on gamete biology is now
      available and has been summarized in this minireview.In vivo storage of gametes
      in the genital tract after ovulation or spermiation may be influenced by the
      osmotic environmentvia changes in the ionic composition of the companion fluid.
      There is great inter-individual variability in gamete survival bothin vivo andin
      vitro. Mechanisms involved in the initiation of trout sperm motility have been
      analysed; after dilution in water or NaCl solution (125 mM) at pH > 7, Ca(++)
      entry due to changes in membrane potential have been observed. The involvement of
      cAMP and protein phosphorylation has been reported. The morphological, physical
      and biochemical changes in eggs that have been studied after fertilization and
      the corticol reaction lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of
      polyspermy blockage. 

PMID- 24233174
TI  - Interaction "nutrition-reproduction" in fish.
AB  - In wild fish, gonad maturation and spawning induce modifications in feeding
      behaviour and dynamics of body stores which are possibly responsible for
      metabolic disorders. Conversely, food manipulations can modify reproduction of
      captive female broodstock. A restricted diet during early stages of the life
      cycle delays the first maturation age, a quantitatively restricted food supply
      during the stages of oocyte differentiation reduces the egg number, while a
      reduction of food levels during the last phases of oogenesis has only a small
      effect on egg size, composition and hatchability. During the spawning period,
      salmonid female broodstock seem to be more able to utilize carbohydrates than
      immature fish, they valorize the energy brought in by fats and have low
      quantitative requirements for proteins (28%). On the other hand, Red Sea bream
      broodstock have higher needs for proteins (45%).The incorporation into diet of
      liposoluble vitamins and essential fatty acids is necessary for normal
      reproduction, but (n-6) fatty acids seem to play a more important role than in
      juveniles. Although the effects and physiological role of carotenoids are not yet
      well known in salmonids, they are necessary for normal development in Red Sea
      bream. Although little work has been done on the effects of mineral nutrition,
      special attention must be paid to trace elements, manganese in particular.The
      major part of this review concerns female broodstock, since very little interest
      has been devoted to males. 

PMID- 24233175
TI  - Environmental effects on feed utilization.
AB  - Both external and internal factors affect the response of fish to variations in
      dietary quantity and quality. An attempt is made to review major, recent studies
      on the series of intermediate steps (intake, digestion, metabolism, excretion and
      retention) involved in the global response of fish to environmental changes.
      Among these external factors, greater attention is however devoted to those that
      are the most important natural effectors within the aquatic environment:
      temperature, ambient oxygen and salinity. The changes brought about by a change
      in temperature at different levels of nutrient utilization have been studied to a
      great extent in the recent past. As temperature affects in the first instance,
      the voluntary food intake, a discussion on current nutrient requirement data
      should preferably be dealt with in absolute terms. While critical levels of
      oxygen below which growth is hindered are sufficiently defined for many species,
      precise data on the direct effects of oxygen deficiency on nutrient utilization
      are still fragmentory. With regard to salinity, a distinction between stenohaline
      and euryhaline species and a knowledge of the physiological mechanisms
      corresponding to their life cycles are required before attempting comparative
      analyses. Within euryhaline species, best performances are noted at salinities
      isotonic to the internal medium. Despite accumulating evidence on the effects of
      cyclical phenomena, the chronobiological approach to fish culture remains
      practically unexplored. 

PMID- 24233176
TI  - Nutrition, hormones and growth.
AB  - A review is presented relating to the effects of hormones on food intake and
      nutritional state and also of the effects of food intake and nutritional state on
      hormone activity. These interactions and their effect on fish growth are
      described.Growth hormone, thyroid hormones, insulin, and gonadal steroids have
      all been implicated in the normal growth processes of fish and their metabolic
      actions have been related to the nutritional state of the animal. Furthermore,
      variations in plasma levels and hormone application appear to affect food intake
      and food conversion.Anabolic steroids and their possible involvement in
      aquaculture practice has been an area of active investigation for the past few
      years. The current situation is reviewed, particularly regarding relevance to
      protein intake. 

PMID- 24233177
TI  - Utilization of ascorbate-2-sulfate in fish.
AB  - Although most vertebrate animals synthesize L-ascorbic acid (C1), some animal
      species lack the ability to produce L-gulonolactone oxidase and are thus
      dependent upon a dietary source of vitamin C. Fish are unique among this latter
      group in that they store a chemically stable form of vitamin C and appear to
      metabolize this compound differently from other vitamin C-requiring organisms.
      Ascorbate-2-sulfate (C2) contributes to total body stores of ascorbate, but the
      commonly used assays for ascorbate concentrations in tissues and body fluids do
      not generally measure C2. An HPLC assay distinguishes between and measures both
      C1 and C2. Modification of the less exact but commonly used DNPH method can
      provide adequate data to estimate total vitamers C, C1, and (by difference) C2.
      Since vitamin C is a required component of feed for salmonids, catfish, eels,
      shrimp and carp, use of C2 in feed formulation would provide a bioavailable form
      of ascorbate which is heat and water stable at pH 4-13. 

PMID- 24233178
TI  - Dietary requirements of rainbow trout for tryptophan, lysine and arginine
      determined by growth and biochemical measurements.
AB  - Three separate studies were performed to determine the dietary requirements of
      rainbow troutSalmo gairdneri for tryptophan (Trp), lysine (Lys) and arginine
      (Arg) from both growth and biochemical data. The growth studies were carried out
      over a 12 week period. From graphical plots of % mean weight gain against % amino
      acid in diet the following requirement values were obtained, Trp 0.25% diet (0.4%
      dietary crude protein); Lys 1.9% diet (4.3% dietary protein); and Arg 1.6-1.8%
      diet (3.6-4% dietary protein). Plasma and liver amino acid concentrations
      measured 20h after feeding did not prove useful for determination of requirement
      values. Hepatic activities of Trp pyrrolase (TP), Lys alpha ketoglutarate
      reductase (LKGR) and arginase were not significantly affected by varying levels
      of Trp, Lys and Arg respectively in the diet. TP has a cytosolic location and a
      Km of 0.2 mM for Trp; LKGR is mitochondrial and the Km for Lys is 7.3 mM;
      arginase is also mitochondrial and has a Km of 4.9 mM for arginine. Measurements
      of expired(14)CO2, after injection of a tracer dose of(14)C amino acid, did allow
      estimates of requirement levels to be made. The values obtained from the
      oxidation studies reinforced the values obtained from the growth data but were
      not precise enough to justify using this method on its own. 

PMID- 24233179
TI  - The role of nutritional factors in the prevention of peroxidative damage to
      tissues.
AB  - The multi-level defence system present in vertebrate cells to protect against
      chain reactions initiated by free radicals (mainly toxic metabolites of oxygen)
      is outlined. It comprises superoxide dismutases (Cu-Zn and Mn dependent),
      glutathione peroxidase (Se dependent), vitamin E and glutathione S
      transferase.The protective role of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was demonstrated by
      studies on trout (Salmo gairdneri) retina (Desrochers and Hoffert 1983). This
      tissue is subject to very high O2 tensions but has a high resistance to O2
      toxicity that is dependent on a high dismutating capacity. The activities of both
      the cytosolic Cu-Zn SOD and the mitochondrial Mn SOD in the liver of rainbow
      trout were significantly altered in response to changes in dietary intake of
      these minerals.Deficiency of Se did not affect the growth rate of rainbow trout
      but led to greatly reduced activities of hepatic and plasma glutathione (GSH)
      peroxidase. There was no evidence of a Se-independent GSH peroxidase activity. In
      rainbow trout depleted of Se there was a compensatory increase in hepatic GSH S
      transferase activity. This enzyme in conjunction with GSH has been shown to
      inhibit lipid peroxidation in the Festimulated microsomal systemin vitro. A
      dietary synergism between vitamin E and Se in rainbow trout has been
      demonstrated.The vitamin E requirement of rainbow trout is related to the
      polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of the diet. The molar ratio PUFA:
      vitamin E in rainbow trout tissues is lower than that in rats. Time course
      studies on the uptake of orally administered vitamin E showed rapid incorporation
      into biomembranes; few differences between normal and vitamin E deficient fish
      were evident. The ester form of vitamin E was more slowly assimilated than the
      alcohol. 

PMID- 24233180
TI  - Cardiovascular, respiratory, and blood adjustments to hypoxia in the Japanese
      eel,Anguilla japonica.
AB  - The cardioventilatory performance of the Japanese eel,Anguilla japonica, was
      evaluated during acute exposure to hypoxia. The eel became an oxygen conformer as
      ambient PO2 fell below the critical value of 110 mmHg. Although arterial and
      venous PO2 also fell progressively, the arterial O2 content remained constant
      down to an ambient PO2 of about 60 mmHg. Arterial blood O2 saturation was
      maintained at 85% even at 40 mmHg. The increase in the supply of O2 to the animal
      during hypoxia was due to a combination of adaptive adjustments: (1) an increase
      in ventilation: perfusion ratio brought about mainly be bradycardia; (2) an
      increase in respiratory exchange surface area which was manifested as an increase
      in branchial blood transit time and quantified as a rise in transfer factor,
      water-blood overlap coefficient and utilization (%); (3) an increase in blood O2
      affinity and capacitance coefficient as a result of respiratory alkalosis and
      Bohr-Root shift and a decrease in haemoglobin allosteric modulator (GTP, ATP)
      concentrations in the RBC. These factors together helped to increase the
      efficiency of O2 transfer across the gills. 

PMID- 24233181
TI  - Postoperative fever specific to neuroendoscopic procedures.
AB  - The most common complication of neuroendoscopic surgery is postoperative fever
      without infection, although the details have not been discussed. The objective of
      this study was to clarify the clinical features and predicting factors of the
      postoperative fever following neuroendoscopic procedures. Between March 1998 and
      March 2013, 83 patients (46 males, 37 females; median age, 14.0 years) who had
      undergone surgery via the transventricular approach under a neuroendoscopic view
      were included in this study. A total of 86 neuroendoscopic procedures were
      performed in 83 patients. The incidence and duration of postoperative fever
      (>=38.0 and >=39.0  degrees C) over the 7 days after surgery were examined.
      Moreover, the following variables predictive of fever were investigated: age,
      sex, neuroendoscopic procedure, operative time, and intraoperative irrigation
      fluid. The incidence of postoperative fever was 65.1 % (>=38.0  degrees C) and
      15.1 % (>=39.0  degrees C). The median level of the highest fever was 38.6 
      degrees C. The fevers developed immediately after surgery and spontaneously
      disappeared within four postoperative days. Only age was related to postoperative
      fever (p = 0.032). The postoperative body temperature was negatively correlated
      with age in all 86 surgeries (p < 0.001, Spearman r = -0.396). In particular,
      patients under 10 years of age tended to have postoperative fever (p = 0.005).
      The result of this study demonstrated a peculiar pattern of fever following
      neuroendoscopic procedures. This type of fever did not cause serious problems;
      however, special attention should be paid to the high incidence of postoperative
      fever in patients under 10 years of age.

PMID- 24233182
TI  - Trends in anxiolytic-hypnotic use and polypharmacy in Taiwan, 2002-2009: a
      nationwide, population-based survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Use of anxiolytics-hypnotics, including benzodiazepines and "z"
      hypnotics, is a public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the trends
      in prevalence of anxiolytic-hypnotic drug use and polypharmacy (simultaneous use
      of two or more anxiolytics-hypnotics) in Taiwan. METHODS: A dynamic sample of one
      million individuals who were randomly selected from the National Health Insurance
      database was used to detect populationwide trends in the use of anxiolytics
      hypnotics in Taiwan between 2002 and 2009. The analyses included drugs that are
      administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly as well as single or
      compound drugs. The authors identified the number of individuals who used the
      drugs, the sum of days of reported drug use for all individuals (person-days),
      and the distribution of anxiolytic-hypnotic polypharmacy for all claims for
      ambulatory, pharmacy, and hospital care. RESULTS: Annual prevalence of any
      anxiolytic-hypnotic use in Taiwan was higher than 20%. The number of person-days
      greatly increased from 2002 (4.0%) to 2009 (6.6%). The increases in use between
      2002 and 2009 were greatest for clonazepam (prevalence, 7% versus 1.8%; person
      days, .2% versus .6%) and zolpidem (prevalence, 2.4% versus 4.2%; person-days,
      .5% versus 1.5%). Polypharmacy accounted for almost 70% of all person-days of
      anxiolytic-hypnotic use. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide, population-based survey
      presents real-world epidemiological evidence about anxiolytic-hypnotic use. The
      adverse effects of the long-term use of anxiolytics-hypnotics have been
      established, and unnecessary use of these drugs, particularly in polypharmacy
      regimens, should be avoided.

PMID- 24233183
TI  - The influence of different radiopacifying agents on the radiopacity, compressive
      strength, setting time, and porosity of Portland cement.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the radiopacity, compressive
      strength, setting time, and porosity of white Portland cement (PC) with the
      addition of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), and ytterbium
      trifluoride (YbF3) after immersion at 37  degrees C for 7 days in distilled water
      or phosphate buffer saline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens measuring 8 mm in
      diameter and 1 mm in thickness were fabricated from PC with the addition of 10,
      20, and 30 wt% Bi2O3, ZrO2 or YbF3. ProRoot MTA (Dentsply, Tulsa, OK, USA) and
      pure PC were used as controls. For radiopacity assessments, specimens were
      radiographed alongside a tooth slices and an aluminum stepwedge on Extraspeed
      occlusal dental films (Insight Kodak, Rochester, New York). Mean optical density
      of each specimen was calculated and used to express radiopacity of the material
      as an equivalent thickness of aluminum. Compressive strength was measured by
      using 4-mm diameter and 6-mm high specimens and Universal testing machine. High
      pressure mercury intrusion porosimeter (Carlo Erba Porosimeter 2000) was employed
      to measure the porosity of the specimens. The setting time was measured by using
      a needle of 100 g in weight. The morphology of specimens was evaluated using a
      scanning electron microscope (TESCAN Mira3 XMU, USA Inc.). Data were analyzed by
      one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The PC with the
      addition of at least 10 wt% Bi2O3 and 20 wt% ZrO2 or YbF3 demonstrated greater
      radiopacity value than the recommended 3 mmAl cut-off. ZrO2 and YbF3 increased
      the compressive strength of PC, but it was not statistically significant (P >
      0.05), while Bi2O3 decreased it (P < 0.05). All radiopacifiers significantly
      increased the porosity of the experimental cements (P < 0.05). Bi2O3 extended the
      setting time of PC (P < 0.05), whilst ZrO2 and YbF3 did not significantly affect
      it (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ZrO2 and YbF3 may be used as a suitable alternative
      to replace Bi2O3 in MTA without influencing its physical properties.

PMID- 24233184
TI  - Primary human chorionic gonadotropin secreting germinoma of the corpus callosum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary intracranial germinomas are a rare subset of intracranial
      tumors derived from mis-incorporated germ cells within the folding neural plate
      during embryogenesis. Though known to arise from midline structures in the
      central nervous system (CNS), occurrence within the corpus callosum is
      exceedingly rare. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a rare case of secreting primary
      intracranial germinoma with extensive intraventricular metastasis presenting as a
      multi-cystic butterfly lesion in the genu of the corpus callosum in a young boy.
      CONCLUSION: Intracranial germ cell tumors must be considered for any multi-cystic
      lesion arising from midline structures in the CNS in the preadult population.

PMID- 24233185
TI  - Kinetic isotope effect in malonaldehyde determined from path integral Monte Carlo
      simulations.
AB  - The primary H/D kinetic isotope effect on the intramolecular proton transfer in
      malonaldehyde is determined from quantum instanton path integral Monte Carlo
      simulations on a fully dimensional and validated potential energy surface for
      temperatures between 250 and 1500 K. Our calculations, based on thermodynamic
      integration with respect to the mass of the transferring particle, are
      significantly accelerated by the direct evaluation of the kinetic isotope effect
      instead of computing it as a ratio of two rate constants. At room temperature,
      the KIE from the present simulations is 5.2 +/- 0.4. The KIE is found to vary
      considerably as a function of temperature and the low-T behaviour is dominated by
      the fact that the free energy derivative in the reactant state increases more
      rapidly than in the transition state. Detailed analysis of the various
      contributions to the quantum rate constant together with estimates for rates from
      conventional transition state theory and from periodic orbit theory suggest that
      the KIE in malonaldehyde is dominated by zero point energy effects and that
      tunneling plays a minor role at room temperature. 

PMID- 24233186
TI  - Dream it, design it, print it in 3-D: what can 3-D printing do for you?
AB  - So maybe we are not all driving to work in a flying car or are being beamed up by
      a transporter yet, but we should be clearing out a space in the lab and perhaps
      in the office for a replicator. Sure, they may not work the same as the
      replicators on Star Trek that instantaneously pop out hot, full-course meals to
      suit any crew member's whim, but they can generate three-dimensional (3-D)
      objects to match your computer design.

PMID- 24233187
TI  - Adding value in additive manufacturing: researchers in the United Kingdom and
      Europe look to 3D printing for customization.
AB  - Having already made a big impact in the medical sector, three-dimensional (3-D)
      printing technology continues to push the boundaries of cost efficiency,
      convenience, and customization. It has transformed some aspects of medical device
      production. However, expectations of the technology are often exaggerated in the
      media, so we spoke to leading researchers in the field about its practical
      applications and what can be expected in the near future. 

PMID- 24233188
TI  - The body printed.
AB  - It takes only a few minutes for the NovoGen MMX to print out a chunk of human
      liver cells. It?s a small chunk, only 4-mm wide and 20 cell layers thick, which
      wouldn't do much good in a human patient. But at a cellular level, this tiny
      swatch of machine-made flesh has all the essential ingredients of an original
      organ: tight hexagons of hepatocytes and fatty stellate cells and endothelial
      cells gathered into nascent capillaries. It produces cholesterol, albumin, and
      detoxifying P450 enzymes. After it is printed, the ensemble can survive for
      almost an entire week?nearly triple the endurance of classic two-dimensional (2
      D) liver cultures.

PMID- 24233189
TI  - Moving the science of behavioral change into the 21st century: part 2.
AB  - What follows is the second part of a two-part special series of articles that
      illustrate through examples the breadth and depth of the field of behavioral
      change science and highlight the challenges in moving it in to the 21st century.
      The first part appeared in the September/October issue of IEEE Pulse (see [1]
      [3]).

PMID- 24233190
TI  - Healthy apps: mobile devices for continuous monitoring and intervention.
AB  - It is now known that nearly half of the toll that illness takes in developed
      countries is linked to four unhealthy behaviors: smoking, excess alcohol intake,
      poor diet, and physical inactivity. These common risk behaviors cause
      preventable, delayed illness that then manifests as chronic disease, requiring
      extended medical care with associated financial costs. Chronic disease already
      accounts for 75% of U.S. health-care costs, foreshadowing an unsustainable
      financial burden for the aging population [1]. We are facing an urgent need to re
      engineer health systems to improve public health through behavior change, and
      technology-supported behavioral change interventions will be a part of 21st
      century health care. As new technical capabilities to observe behavior
      continuously in context make it possible to tailor interventions in real time,
      the way we understand and try to influence behavior will change fundamentally. 

PMID- 24233191
TI  - Systems modeling of behavior change: two illustrations from optimized
      interventions for improved health outcomes.
AB  - Systems science techniques are becoming increasingly important as tools for
      modeling behavior change and as enablers for delivering more effective tailored
      interventions [1], [2]. Systems approaches offer a fresh perspective on the
      understanding of behavior change, providing a means for better capturing
      complexity, exposing gaps in the existing body of knowledge, enhancing the
      predictive capability of models, and ultimately enabling optimal decision making
      in behavioral intervention settings. 

PMID- 24233192
TI  - The researcher and the consultant: a dialogue on null hypothesis significance
      testing.
AB  - Since its introduction, null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) has caused
      much debate. Many publications on common misunderstandings have appeared. Despite
      the many cautions, NHST remains one of the most prevalent, misused and abused
      statistical procedures in the biomedical literature. This article is directed at
      practicing researchers with limited statistical background who are driven by
      subject matter questions and have empirical data to be analyzed. We use a
      dialogue as in ancient Greek literature for didactic purposes. We illustrate
      several, though only a few, irritations that can come up when a researcher with
      minimal statistical background but a good sense of what she wants her study to
      do, and of what she wants to do with her study, asks for consultation by a
      statistician. We provide insights into the meaning of several concepts including
      null and alternative hypothesis, one- and two-sided null hypotheses, statistical
      models, test statistic, rejection and acceptance regions, type I and II error, p
      value, and the frequentist' concept of endless study repetitions.

PMID- 24233193
TI  - Assessment of toxicity and potential risk of butene-fipronil using Drosophila
      melanogaster, in comparison to nine conventional insecticides.
AB  - The toxicities of butene-fipronil to Drosophila melanogaster were evaluated, in
      comparison to nine conventional insecticides. According to the mean LD50 values
      of the larvae from CS, w(1118) and Oregan strains, butene-fipronil,abamectin,
      spinosad and chlorpyrifos exhibited high levels of toxicity. Imidacloprid, alpha
      cypermethrin and clothianidin showed middle levels of toxicity. And
      acephate,methomyl and acetamiprid had low levels of toxicity. To the adults,
      butene-fipronil, alpha-cypermethrin, spinosad, and chlorpyrifos were relatively
      more toxic, whereas acephate,methomyl, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, clothianidin
      and abamectin were relatively less toxic. Butene-fipronil and abamectin were more
      toxic to larvae. In contrast, spinosad,a-cypermethrin, and clothianidin were more
      toxic to adults.Moreover, the toxic risk assessment using a risk quotient value
      revealed that butene-fipronil was safe to D. melanogaster adults. Thus, our
      results suggested that butene-fipronil is harmful to D. melanogaster larvae, but
      it is relatively safe to the adults.

PMID- 24233194
TI  - [Effect of fluoride on the expression of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone in
      ameloblast of rat incisor].
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of different concentrations of fluoride on the
      expression of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, and to explore the mechanism of
      dental fluorosis in rat. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3
      groups. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CRT, GRP78, XBP
      1 and caspase-12 in rat incisors. Metamorph microscope images analysis system and
      SPSS 13.0 software package was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Typical
      features of dental fluorosis were found in the fluoride group. Results of
      immunohistochemistry showed that CRT (F=238.6, P<0.05), GRP78 (F=27.42, P<0.05),
      XBP-1 (F=139.7, P<0.05) and caspase-12 (F=43.91, P<0.05) were significantly
      different among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive fluoride can increase the
      secretion of CRT, GRP78, XBP-1 and caspase-12 suggest the ameloblasts and in
      status of endoplasmic reticulum stress and caspase-12 plays an important role
      during ameloblast apoptosis. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of
      China (81072245) and Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (20102278).

PMID- 24233195
TI  - [Detection and the immune status of regulatory T cells in experimental
      periodontitis].
AB  - PURPOSE: To establish animal model in mice with orally infected periodontitis
      with Porphyromonas gingivalis and intraperitoneal injection of P.g antigen,
      simulate periodontal pathogens of human periodontal disease, and analyze the
      expression of regulatory T cells in this model. METHODS: The extent of
      periodontal bone resorption was measured by entity microscope, and inflammatory
      cell infiltration of the periodontal tissue lesions was observed by HE staining.
      Flow cytometric analysis was used to detect the expression of regulatory T cells
      in periodontal disease during the chronic inflammation. The expression levels of
      TGF-beta1, IL-10mRNA in periodontal tissue were detected by real-time
      quantitative PCR. SPSS 17.0 software package was used for statistical analysis.
      RESULTS: After 4 weeks, compared with the normal control group, the distance
      between cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar crest was significantly
      increased in periodontal disease group(P<0.05); Massive inflammatory cells were
      infiltrated and periodontal pockets deepened in periodontal tissue. The
      expression levels of TGF-beta1 and IL-10mRNA were significantly decreased
      (P<0.01). The ratio and numbers of Treg cells were significantly reduced in the
      spleen (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In experimental periodontitis, the number and the
      function of regulatory T cells are abnormal. It may be relevant to the reduction
      of immune suppression cytokines. Supported by Higher Institute School Special
      Research Fund for Doctorate Program (20112104110013) and Science and Technology
      Project of Liaoning Province (2012225015).

PMID- 24233197
TI  - [A three-dimensional finite element study on the reaction of different force
      values generated from maxillary protraction appliance].
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyse the stress distribution of temporomandibular joint(TMJ) and
      jaw and the displacement changes of each part from the reaction force generated
      from maxillary protraction appliance by establishing a craniomaxillofacial three
      dimensional finite element model (3-D FEM). METHODS: A 3-D FEM of craniofacial
      structure including TMJ and jaw was established from a male healthy subject by
      using CT scan and Mimics, Magics, MSC and other data analysis softwares. It was
      based on the linear elastic materials which were continuous, homogeneous, and
      isotropic. Then the simulation model in craniofacial 3D structure model of
      maxillary protraction device was establish based on the reaction principle, and
      different forces from 3 N to 6 N with a 37degrees centigrade angle from the
      occlusal plane was loaded at the bottom of the lower jaw in order to measure and
      analyze changes of stress and displacement in TMJ and jaw with the finite element
      analysis software ANSYS10.0. RESULTS: At the same angle , the stress in articular
      fossa and the head and neck of condyle increased with the applied force. Maximum
      stress was located where the stress was loaded on the mandible and the rigid
      fixation of maxilla. Meanwhile, this model appeared slight variation of
      displacement which increased with loading force. The maxillary displacement from
      basis cranii and occlusal plane to the parietal decreased gradually. Moreover,
      the mandibular displacement from the front to the rear was gradually reduced, and
      clockwise rotation was appeared. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that maxillary
      protraction appliance has reaction force on TMJ and jaw. With increasing of
      loading forces, reaction forces and deformation increase. At the same time, chin
      deformation may occur and the mandible has clockwise rotation. Supported by
      Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2011HM036), Medical Health and
      Technology Development Project(2011QZ023) of Shandong Province and Independent
      Innovation Project of Jinan College Institute(201202032).

PMID- 24233196
TI  - [Expression of Smad4 and Smad7 of BMP signaling pathway in oral squamous cell
      carcinoma].
AB  - PURPOSE: To observe the changes of the expressions of Smad4 and Smad7 in oral
      squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent normal tissue, and to investigate the
      effects of Smad4 and Smad7 on occurrence and development of oral squamous cell
      carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: Seventy-two cases with OSCC which were pathologically
      confirmed were included in the study. Cancer tissue and adjacent normal tissue
      were taken to make slices. SP immunohistochemical method was used to detect the
      expression of Smad4 and Smad7 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent normal
      tissue. SPSS11.5 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The
      positive expression rate of Smad4 protein was 69.44% in adjacent normal tissues,
      and it was 45.83% in oral squamous cell carcinoma(P<0.05). The positive
      expression rate of Smad4 was lower when the degree of differentiation decreased;
      The positive expression rate of Smad4 with lymph node metastasis was 22.50%,
      while it was 65.63% without lymph node metastasis(P<0.05). The positive
      expression rate of Smad7 protein in adjacent normal tissues was 19.44%, and it
      was 83.33% (P<0.05) in oral squamous cell carcinoma, the positive expression rate
      of Smad7 was higher when the degree of differentiation decreased. The positive
      expression rate of Smad7 with lymph node metastasis was 92.50%, while it was
      68.75%(P<0.05) without lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of
      Smad4 is significantly reduced in cancer tissues and the expression is lower when
      the degree of differentiation decreased; the expression rate of Smad4 with lymph
      node metastasis is lower compared with those without lymph node metastasis. Smad7
      has the opposite effect. Loss of expression of Smad4 may contribute to the
      development and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Over-expression of
      Smad7 may promote the development and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
      The inhibition of BMP/Smads signaling pathway may result in the occurrence and
      development of oral squamous cell carcinoma continually. Supported by Science and
      Technology Development Plan (2010GSF10239) of Shandong Province and Science and
      Technology Special Project of Shandong Province (2012G0021852).

PMID- 24233198
TI  - [Relationship between ureolytic activity expression of Streptococcus salivarius
      urease genes ureIABCEFGD in Escherichia coli and nickel ions].
AB  - PURPOSE: To obtain the clone of Streptococcus salivarius 57.I urease genes
      ureIABCEFGD and investigate the relationship between ureolytic activity
      expression of this clone in Escherichia coli and nickel ions. METHODS: The target
      gene was cloned by polymerase chain reaction in 2 parts separately. Then, 2
      plasmids were digested by specific restriction enzymes and ligated together. The
      obtained plasmids were subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis and transformed
      into E.coli TG-1. The recombinant E.coli was added without or with different
      level of NiCl2. The amount of ammonia generated by ureolytic activity of each
      sample was measured by Nessler's assay. SPSS 17.0 software package was used for
      correlation analysis. RESULTS: The clone of urease genes ureIABCEFGD was proved
      by sequence analysis and BLAST search. The amount of ammonia generated by the
      recombinant strain had a positive correlation with the level of
      NiCl2(r=0.9714,P<0.01). When the level of NiCl2 was 50 MUmol/L, the amount of
      ammonia reached maximum and would have little variance despite the increase of
      NiCl2 level. CONCLUSIONS: Ureolytic activity expression of ureIABCEFGD has a
      positive correlation with the level of added NiCl2 not exceeding 50 MUmol/L. The
      present clone can be used to further investigate the regulation of the ureolytic
      activity expression of Streptococcus salivarius urease gene. Supported by Natural
      Science Foundation of Shanghai Municipality(08ZR1416800) and Research Fund of
      Science and Technology Committee of Shanghai Municipality(11411950900).

PMID- 24233199
TI  - [The effect of H2O2 surface treatment of posts on the bond strength between glass
      fiber posts and the resin cement].
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of H2O2 on the push-out bond strength between
      glass fiber posts and the resin cement. METHODS: Eighteen Tenax glass fiber posts
      and 18 Macthpost glass fiber posts were randomly assigned to 6 groups according
      to the surface treatments. Group A, no surface treatment (control group); Group
      B, treated with silane agent; Group C, treated with 3% H2O2, then with silane
      agent; Group D, treated with10% H2O2, then with silane agent; Group E, treated
      with20% H2O2, then with silane agent; Group F, treated with 30% H2O2, then with
      silane agent. The posts were adhered using the resin cement to form cylindrical
      resin block. Each resin block was sectioned to 7 sections of 1 mm thick. A push
      out test was performed on other sections of each post to measure bond strengths.
      The date was recorded and analyzed with SPSS13.0 software package. The failure
      modes were examined with stereomicroscope. RESULTS: The bond strengths of Tenax
      post from A1 to F1 were (22.35+/-3.43) MPa, (22.75+/-1.92) MPa, (27.21+/-3.60)
      MPa, (32.32+/-2.19) MPa, (36.15+/-2.32) MPa and (40.51+/-2.37) MPa, respectively.
      The bond strengths of Macthpost post from A2 to F2 were (17.29+/-3.23) MPa,
      (17.01+/-3.18) MPa, (20.48+/-2.11) MPa, (23.60+/-2.60) MPa, (27.65+/-3.77) MPa
      and (30.52+/-2.99) MPa, respectively. No significantly difference (P>0.05) was
      found between Group A and Group B, except other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment
      with H2O2 followed with silane agent can significantly improve the bond strength
      between Tenax and Macthpost glass fiber posts and resin cement. The group treated
      with 30% H2O2 has the highest bond strength, and the treatment procedure is more
      useful to improve the adhesion of the glass fiber post. Supported by Science and
      Technology Plan Project of Department of Health of Jiangxi Province (20131084).

PMID- 24233200
TI  - [Influence of light irradiation mode on microhardness of dual cured resin
      cements].
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of different light irradiation modes on
      microhardness of dual-curing resin cements. METHODS: The cylindrical specimens (1
      mm in thickness and 7.5 mm in diameter) of 5 self-adhesive resin cements (Biscem,
      Clearfil SA Cement, G-CEM LinkAce, Maxcem Elite and RelyX U100) and 2 universal
      resin cements(DUOLINK and Nexus 3) were irradiated respectively by a continuous
      mode (light-curing for 20 s) and a delayed mode (light-curing 5 s + auto-curing
      60 s + light-curing 20 s), and then they were placed dry in a light-proof
      thermostat at 37 degrees centigrade. Surface microhardness of specimen was
      detected at 0.5, 24 h and 4 weeks post-irradiation. After that period of time,
      all specimens were soaked in ethanol for 24 h, their hardness were detected
      again, and the percentage of hardness reduction after soaking were calculated.
      Data were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software package. RESULTS: The hardness of all
      resin cements under both irradiation modes increased mainly within 24 h post
      irradiation. The irradiation mode did not affect the hardness of all resin
      cements 4 weeks after irradiation significantly (P>0.05), except for Biscem.
      However, after ethanol softening, 5 self-adhesive resin cements cured by the
      continuous mode had higher hardness reduction percentage than that cured by
      delayed mode (P<0.05); while hardness reduction percentage of 2 universal resin
      cements had no significant difference between continuous and delayed cure modes
      (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The self-adhesive resin cements cured by delayed mode had
      better anti-softening ability. Supported by Nanjing Medical Science and
      Technology Development Fund (ZKX09035), Nanjing Science and Technology
      Development Fund (201001083) and Nanjing Medical Science and Technology
      Development Fund (YKK10125).

PMID- 24233201
TI  - [The effect of vascular endothelial cells on the proliferation of periodontal
      ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts].
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of vascular endothelial cells on the
      proliferation of periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts through a
      model mimicking the periodontal wound healing and regeneration. METHODS: Human
      vascular endothelial cells, periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts
      were co-cultured using a Transwell system. The number of each type of cells at 2,
      4, 6, 8 and 10 days after co-culture were counted using a cell counter machine,
      while periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts single culture were
      used as control. The results were statistically processed with SPSS 13.0 software
      package. RESULTS: When vascular endothelial cell was present, the proliferation
      of periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts were faster than each
      single culture, the difference between them was significant (P<0.01). The
      proliferation of periodontal ligament cells was faster than gingival fibroblast
      as they were co-cultured with vascular endothelial cells(which happened at day
      6), although the results were contrary when they were single cultured, the
      difference between them was significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of
      vascular endothelial cells can promote the proliferation of periodontal cells,
      and the effect is more prominent on human periodontal ligament cells than on
      gingival fibroblasts.

PMID- 24233202
TI  - [Effect of insulin on peroxiredoxin-6 in the osteogenic differentiation of rat's
      mandiular bone marrow stromal cells in high glucose].
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore the effect of insulin on the expression of peroxiredoxin-6 in
      osteogenic differentiation of rat's mandibular bone marrow stromal cells(rBMSCs)
      in high glucose. METHODS: Bone marrow stromal cells were obtained from the
      mandible of Wistar rats and stimulated in three glucose concentrations mineral
      medium(5.5 mmol/L, 25 mmol/L and 45 mmol/L) with or without insulin(10-5mol/L)
      for 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. The expression of prohibitin was quantified via
      enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assays (ELISA). The mineralization nodules were
      assessed at day 21 by alizarine red staining. Statistical analysis was performed
      using SPSS 15.0 soft ware package. RESULTS: High glucose of 45 mmol/L inhibited
      mineralization of rBMSCs and insulin can improve the mineralization in high
      glucose. The expression of peroxiredoxin-6 in 45 mmol/L group decreased
      significantly compared with 5.5 mmol/L group and 25 mmol/L group. The expression
      of peroxiredoxin-6 in each group achieved maximum at day 21. Insulin (10-5 mol/L)
      increased the expression of peroxiredoxin-6 in 25 mmol/L group and 45 mmol/L
      group in osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs. CONCLUSIONS: High glucose inhibits
      the expression of peroxiredoxin-6 in osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs, while
      insulin upregulates the expression of peroxiredoxin-6 in rBMSCs. Peroxiredoxin-6
      may play an important part in later stage in osteogenic differentiation of
      rBMSCs.

PMID- 24233203
TI  - [Defects in 2061 discarded ProTaper handfiles after clinical use].
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore the mechanism of failure of ProTaper NiTi handfiles during
      root canal preparation. METHODS: A total of 2061 discarded ProTaper handfiles
      were collected after clinical use. The files were studied under stero-microscope
      to determine the type of defect. The fractured files were photographed digitally
      and the pictures were analyzed by software Image-Pro Plus to measure the distance
      from the break point to the tip. The data were statistically analyzed by using
      SPSS 11.0 software package. RESULTS: Plastic deformation was observed in 166
      files (8.2%), and the types of defects included unwinding, winding flutes, and
      plastic bending. Instrument separation occurred in 581 files (28.2%), and the
      fracture rate was the highest in the F2 file group (41.7%). The SX file group had
      the highest facture level, and the mean distance from the breakpoint to the file
      tip was (4.4+/-1.1) mm. CONCLUSIONS: For shaping files, especially at the apical
      level, the main cause of mental failure is overload of torque, whereas for
      finishing files, especially at the higher level, is cycle fatigue. Understanding
      the defect types of ProTaper handfiles is useful for avoiding file breakage
      during root canal therapy.

PMID- 24233204
TI  - [Remineralization of enamel promoted by casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium
      phosphate with different concentration of fluorin].
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium
      phosphate (CPP-ACP) combined with different concentrations of fluoride on
      demineralization of enamel remineralization. METHODS: Extracted premolar teeth
      for orthodontic reason were immersed into lactic acid gel to prepare artificial
      white spot lesions. Then the specimens were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 5% CPP
      ACP group as control, 5% CPP-ACP +500 mg/L F- group and 5% CPP-ACP +900 mg/L F-
      group, which were measured by micro-hardness tester. SPSS 18.0 software package
      was used for data analysis. RESULTS: There were significant differences in micro
      hardness between control group and experimental group 1 and experimental group 2
      by SNK-q test (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CPP-ACP can make the demineralization of
      enamel remineralization occurs. F can promote the CPP-ACP remineralization. The
      increase of fluoride can make the CPP-ACP remineralization better below 1000-1500
      mg/L.

PMID- 24233205
TI  - [A study of maxillary sinus lateral wall thickness of Han population in Jiangsu
      region using cone-beam CT].
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate maxillary sinus lateral wall thickness by use of cone-beam
      computed tomography (CBCT), in order to provide anatomical basis for preoperative
      risk assessment and operation guidance of maxillary sinus lifting. METHODS: Using
      SimPlant software, the 3D images were reconstructed with CBCT images from 412
      subjects and the thickness of maxillary sinus lateral wall were evaluated at
      measurement plane. The data was analyzed with SPSS17.0 software package. RESULTS:
      Among 412 subjects (824 sides), the mean thickness of maxillary sinus lateral
      wall at the second premolar (P2), the first molar (M1) and the second molar (M2)
      was 2.23+/-1.07 mm, 2.19+/-1.45 mm and 1.41+/-0.81 mm, respectively. The
      thickness of maxillary sinus lateral wall on the left side were significantly
      different from that on the right side at P2 (P<0.01). Significant gender
      differences on the thickness of maxillary sinus lateral wall were demonstrated at
      P2 and M2 (P<0.05), and the thickness in men were thicker than that in women. The
      thickness of maxillary sinus lateral wall at M1 and M2 were significantly
      different among different age groups (P<0.05). There was no significant
      difference on the lateral wall thickness with respect to presence or absence of
      tooth. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT can accurately measure the thickness of maxillary sinus
      lateral wall. The mean thickness of lateral wall changes at different reference
      points. The value at premolar region is greater than that at molar region, and
      the maxillary sinus lateral wall is the thinnest at M2. There are significant
      differences in the mean thickness of the lateral wall with respect to age,
      gender, and side of maxillay sinus. Supported by National Natural Science
      Foundation of China (81271109), Priority Academic Development Program of Jiangsu
      Higher Education Institutions (2011-137).

PMID- 24233206
TI  - [Investigation of dental manpower in non-public dental institutions in Liaoning
      province].
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the non-public oral medical institutions in Liaoning
      province in 2011, and to analyze the status of dental manpower in non-public
      dental institutions in Liaoning province. METHODS: A mass survey on dental
      manpower was made in non-public dental institutions in Liaoning province in 2011
      by means of questionnaire investigation, which included the institution type,
      dental devices, and the number, structure, composition, distribution of dental
      manpower in non-public dental institutions in Liaoning province. Data was entered
      with EpiData 3.0 and analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software package. RESULTS: There
      were 1649 non-public dental institutions with 3132 dentists, 1265 nurses, 540
      technicians and 3490 dental chairs in Liaoning province. 85.69% of the dental
      manpower were young and middle-aged. 33.17% of the dentists had primary
      professional titles, 42.53% of them had college degree and 87.96% of the dentists
      was general dentistry. In the dental auxiliaries, the primary professional title
      accounted for the majority. 95.97% of the nurses majored in general dentistry and
      60.40% of the nurses' educational background were below junior college degree.
      72.59% of the technicians majored in prosthetic dentistry and 67.78% of their
      educational background were below junior college degree. The ratio of the
      dentists to nurses to technicians was 6:2:1. The ratio of the nurses to dental
      chairs was 1:2.76. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution and composition of dental
      manpower are not reasonable in non-public dental institutions in Liaoning
      province. We should strengthen effective utilization of oral health resources and
      the oral health service ability of non -public dental institutions in Liaoning
      province. Supported by Key Science and Technology Projects of Liaoning Province
      (2012225015).

PMID- 24233207
TI  - [Effect of two different kinds of occlusal splints on temporomandibular
      disorders].
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of relaxed splint and stabilized splint on the
      treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: A total of 68 TMD
      patients were divided into 2 groups (30 patients with acute pain and 38 patients
      with chronic pain) and treated with relaxed splint or stabilized splint. Visual
      analog scale (VAS) scores and electromyography (EMG) of bilateral anterior
      temporal muscle (TA) and masseter muscle (MM) were recorded before treatment and
      1 month after treatment. The data was analyzed using variance analysis and
      student's t test with SPSS11.0 software package. RESULTS: At rest position,
      patients' EMG decreased remarkably (P<0.05) after both kinds of splints
      treatment. During maximal voluntary clench, the EMG of masticatory muscle (TA,
      MM) of patients with acute pain and EMG of MM of patients with chronic pain
      increased significantly after relaxed splint treatment (P<0.05), but only EMG of
      MM increased significantly after stabilization splint treatment (P<0.05).
      Patients' VAS scores decreased remarkably after both kinds of splints treatment
      (P<0.05), but during function, patients' acute pain eased remarkably after
      relaxed splint treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The relaxed splint and stabilized
      splint can relax the masticatory muscles and ease TMD pain, but relaxed splint
      has significant effect on the treatment of acute TMD patients. Supported by
      Natural Science Foundation of Hainan Province (310126).

PMID- 24233208
TI  - [Progressively transformed germinal center in oral and maxillofacial region:
      report of 3 cases].
AB  - PURPOSE: To discuss the diagnosis and prognosis of progressively transformed
      germinal center and emphasize the necessity of long term follow-up after
      treatment. METHODS: Three patients were diagnosed as progressively transformed
      germinal center (PTGC) from 2010 to 2012. The clinical characteristics,
      histological features, differential diagnosis, prognosis were analyzed with
      review of literatures. RESULTS: Among 3 cases, 2 were found around parotid gland,
      one was in the neck. All patients were young male adults, who received excisional
      biopsy and regular histopathological examination. They were followed up for 8
      months to 2.5 years, no relapse was found. CONCLUSIONS: PTGC occurs more commonly
      in young male adults. It always appears as an isolated and painless enlarged
      lymph node, which responses poorly to antibiotics. The final diagnosis is relied
      on histopathological and immunocytochemical examinations. Close follow-up is
      necessary, and attention should be paid to nodular lymphocyte predominant
      Hodgkin's disease although there is no clear evidence about their relationship of
      development. Supported by Science and Technology Plan Project of Shaoxing
      City(2011A23029).

PMID- 24233209
TI  - [Evidence-based quality assessment of Chinese clinical trials on the effects of
      stabilization of permanent anterior dental trauma].
AB  - PURPOSE: To appraise the quality of Chinese clinical trials during recent 10
      years about the treatment of permanent anterior dental trauma with evidence-based
      quality control methods. METHODS: The CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge
      Infrastructure) and Wanfang electronic database with key words "permanent
      anterior dental trauma " were searched. Two hundred and forty-five papers were
      obtained during recent 10 years, 46 key papers about the treatment of permanent
      anterior dental trauma were retrieved. The quality of the Chinese clinical trials
      according to the consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) and
      strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE)
      statement were assessed. RESULTS: Within the 46 key papers, there were 8
      randomized controlled clinical trials, while the other 38 papers were
      observational studies. It was hard to evaluate precisely due to the lack of
      scientific information. The randomized controlled trials lacked details for
      randomization, allocation concealment and blinding compromised the quality.
      CONCLUSIONS: For the clinical studies about the effects of stabilization of
      permanent anterior dental trauma, the study quality needs to be improved, and
      progress should be made both in the clinical study design and the paper writing.
      Supported by Grants for Selecting and Training Outstanding Faculty in Shanghai
      Universities(jdy10048).

PMID- 24233210
TI  - [Caries prevalence of the first permanent molar among 7-9 years old Uygur
      children in Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region].
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the caries status of the first permanent molar among 7-9
      years old Uygur children in Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, and provide bases
      for the oral health care of children in Urumqi. METHODS: The study was conducted
      in a preschool in Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, involving 1600 children
      aged among 7-9 years old. The dental caries of these children were examined by 2
      general dentists according to the criteria of the Third National Epidemiological
      Survey in China. Data were analyzed by SPSS16.0 software package for X(2) test
      and student's t test. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries in the first permanent
      molar among these children was 26.50%, with a mean DMFT of 0.44. The caries
      prevalence in boys was 22.98% and 30% in girls (P<0.05). The DMFT in boys and
      girls was 0.41, 0.47, respectively. The caries prevalence increased along with
      the increase of age. The caries prevalence of 9-year-old children was
      significantly higher than that in 7 and 8-year-old children (P<0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: The caries prevalence of the first permanent molar among 7-9 years
      old children in Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region is high. It is necessary to
      enhance the early guidance for the Uygur children to develop good oral health
      habits and status. Supported by 2010 West China Children's Oral Disease
      Interventional Polit Project.

PMID- 24233211
TI  - [Establishment and management of electronic appointment library for dental
      implant patients].
AB  - PURPOSE: To design an excel form which can prompt dental implant patient
      appointment through color change, which can scientifically manage implant EMR
      library through appropriate interlinkage and number. METHODS: An excel form based
      on operating system Windows XP was designed and software 2003 Microsoft excel was
      used, which was configured to change color with the passage of time by the use of
      command "conditional format". RESULTS: An excel form was designed. The color
      turned to red automatically on the day the patient underwent implant surgery. It
      turned to yellow when the patient recalled 2 weeks after the first operation, to
      green when the patient underwent secondary operation. It was designed to be gray
      when all the procedures of implant restoration was finished. In addition, we
      could know patients' main implant situation through directly opening his EMR when
      clicking on his name or number. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists can remind the implant
      patient appointment schedule through color change of an excel form, and can
      consult the implant patient EMR directly through interlinkage or number.

PMID- 24233212
TI  - [Application of orthodontic fixed device in restoring teeth space in children].
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the effect of orthodontic fixed device in restoring teeth
      space in children. METHODS: Brackets with archwire and open coil spring were used
      to restore teeth space loss in 8 cases. RESULTS: In all 8 cases, 6 cases achieved
      success, 1 case had improvement and 1 case had failure. Within these cases, the
      fastest restoring time was 2 months and the slowest restoring time was 7 months.
      CONCLUSIONS: It is an ideal method to restore teeth space with orthodontic fixed
      device. It is a simple, fast and economic for early orthodontic treatment. Due to
      the fewer cases, further study is needed.

PMID- 24233213
TI  - [Oxidative stress and susceptibility of periodontal disease].
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between dietary antioxidant status and
      susceptibility of periodontal disease in humans. METHODS: Fifty patients with
      moderate-to-sever periodontal disease and 50 subjects without periodontal disease
      were enrolled in this study. Food frequency questionnaire and 72-hour diet recall
      were conducted to study the dietary pattern and antioxidant nutrients intake in
      patients and healthy subjects. Nutritional status including vitamins, mineral
      substance, and antioxidant enzymes in these 2 groups were analyzed in serum and
      saliva samples by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). SPSS 19.0
      software package was used for paired t test. RESULTS: Compared with the control
      group, the chronic periodontal group had lower levels of potatoes, aquatic
      product, milk, soy, fresh vegetables, fruit and vitamin supplements
      intake(P<0.05). Through food components analysis we found that the intake of
      vitamin A, C, B2, E, calcium, magnesium, copper, selenium was significantly lower
      in the chronic periodontal disease group than that in the control group (P<0.05).
      Biochemical analysis demonstrated that antioxidant nutrient levels including
      antioxidant enzyme SOD in serum and saliva together with magnesium, calcium,
      manganese, zinc in saliva were significantly lower in disease periodontal group
      than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress plays an
      essential role in the occurrence and development of periodontal disease. The
      antioxidant nutrients may help to protect paradentium. Supported by Research Fund
      from Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau (20114103).

PMID- 24233214
TI  - [Clinical application of optimal designed Upcera super transparent zirconia all
      ceramic restorations].
AB  - PURPOSE: To summarize the clinical application of special designed Upcera ST
      zirconia all-ceramic restorations in cases with limited occlusal space. METHODS:
      Twenty-one patients with 23-unit restorations were enrolled in this study. First,
      the shape of abutment teeth and diagnostic wax-up were captured and digitized by
      Sirona inEos system. Then, each individually shaped framework to grant a defined
      ST zirconia base core was created by the reduced program of inLab software.
      Finally, all restorations were veneered with VITA VM9 and evaluated at placement
      using modified U.S.Public Health Service Criteria 6 to 12 months after
      restoration. Patients were inquired with satisfaction questionnaire at the same
      time. RESULTS: During 6 to 12 months of follow-up visit, except for one of 23
      restorations was rated as failure by fractured root, none was replaced due to
      framework fracture or unrestorable delamination of the ceramic veneer. The shape
      and colour of all restorations were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: To ensure optimum
      long-term clinical results of all-ceramic crown restorations, one important key
      is to overcome the fragmentation of dental prosthesis through modifying the shape
      of restoration. Based on the results of this study, the specially designed
      processing technology shows sufficient stability for ST zirconia all-ceramic
      restorations within a short term, which is deserved to be used in selected cases.

PMID- 24233215
TI  - [Evaluation of clinical efficacy of casting pure titanium ring on reparation of
      subgingival residual root].
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore treatment regime and curative effect of the casting pure
      titanium ring on reparation of subgingival residual root. METHODS: Thirty-two
      teeth were selected for reparation of subgingival residual root after root canal
      therapy in our department during 2008-2010. The teeth were restored with casting
      pure titanium ring, glass fiber post and all-ceramic crown. The patients were
      recalled 12 and 24 months after placement of the pure titanium ring. Gingival
      crevicular fluid(GCF) samples were collected by filter paper strips. Then the
      weight of GCF was detected and the gingival index was recorded. The data was
      analyzed for paired samples t test by SPSS17.0 software package. RESULTS: There
      was no significant difference in the weight of GCF and the gingival index before
      and after placement of pure titanium ring (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: By using pure
      titanium ring, most subgingival residual root after root canal therapy can be
      rehabilitated and function well for long time.

PMID- 24233216
TI  - [Clinical evaluation of denture adhesive combined with oral wetting spray on
      satisfaction of complete denture in xerostomia patients].
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of denture
      adhesive and oral wetting spray on the satisfaction of wearing complete denture
      in xerostomia patients. METHODS: Ten edentulous patients who suffered from
      deficient residual alveolar ridge and xerostomia with poor retention and
      stability of complete dentures or mandibular complete dentures were employed to
      assess the differences of satisfaction after use of denture adhesive in their dry
      oral cavity for 1 week, and use of denture adhesive combined with oral wetting
      spray for 1 month, 3 months and 6 months by using satisfaction questionnaire. The
      statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS17.0 software package. RESULTS: Six
      months after the use of denture adhesive combined with oral wetting spray, the
      satisfaction of complete denture was significantly improved in respects of
      general satisfaction, retention of mandible denture, comfort and mastication
      improvement than that before application (P<0.05). But 1 week after the use of
      denture adhesive alone, the satisfaction of comfort reduced than that before
      application (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Denture adhesive combined with oral wetting
      spray can be used to improve the satisfaction of xerostomia patients treated with
      complete denture who suffered from deficient residual alveolar ridge.

PMID- 24233217
TI  - [Common errors and mistakes seen in Chinese prosthodontic articles].
AB  - As an editor of dental journals, the author found that some inappropriate writing
      and mistakes existed in many articles, which reduced the quality of the published
      papers. The problems can be divided into three categories: irregular terminology;
      not concise, inaccurate description; improper use of punctuation and title code.
      They were illustrated respectively in this article for readers to avoid these
      mistakes in the future. 

PMID- 24233218
TI  - [Promote the development of dental education via National Board Dental
      Examinations].
AB  - PURPOSE: By evaluating the data of National Board Dental Examinations over recent
      3 years, the disadvantages in the present dental education were analyzed and
      improvement schemes were proposed. METHODS: The enrollment system, faculty,
      facility and equipment were evaluated for dental schools in Hubei province from
      2008 to 2010, including 4 dental schools and 7, dental professional schools. The
      passing rate of National Board Dental Examinations and National Board Dental
      Assistant Examinations were summarized. RESULTS: Lack of faculty resources and
      over-enrollment were found in 7 dental professional schools. In dental
      professional schools, the number of dental simulation units compared to number of
      students enrolled was as low as 1:0.15. The passing rate of National Board Dental
      Examinations was 27.9%-30.1%, and the passing rate of National Board Dental
      Assistant Examinations was 32.5%-40.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The passing rate of National
      Board Dental Examinations and National Board Dental Assistant Examinations is
      limited mainly by the lack of faculty and equipment resources and over
      enrollment. We propose that basic knowledge shall be enhanced in dental
      professional schools. In addition, the target of education should be shot as high
      as that in dental schools.

PMID- 24233219
TI  - [Observation of clinical effect of vertically fractured molar teeth treated with
      elastic ligation].
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effect of vertically fractured posterior teeth
      treated with elastic ligation. METHODS: Eighty-six vertically fractured posterior
      teeth were chosen to be treated with elastic ligation for external fixation
      before root canal therapy (RCT), and then full crown prostheses were made for
      rehabilitation. RESULTS: The success rate after 1 year, 2 years and 3 years were
      97.67%, 93.02% and 88.37%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Elastic ligation for
      vertically fractured posterior tooth before RCT can effectively prevent tooth
      fracture during treatment and preserve the tooth for functional use.

PMID- 24233220
TI  - Introduction of foreign genes into Pharbitis nil calli using a vector derived
      from Agrobacterium pTi.
AB  - Transgenic calli of Pharbitis nil which grow in the presence of kanamycin were
      obtained by introduction of plasmid pBI121, which carries kanamycin resistance
      and the gene for beta-glucuronidase. The calli were shown to have fragments of
      vector DNA in their genome and high levels of beta-glucuronidase activity. This
      is the first report of the introduction of T-DNA into P. nil and the T-DNA has
      been shown to be integrated without apparent rearrangement in its genome. The
      range of copy numbers was between 3 and 5. The beta-glucuronidase activities
      measured were about 10 times higher than those of transgenic tobacco by
      introduction of the same plasmid as previously described by Jefferson et al.
      (1987). Thus, the widely used CaMV 35S promoter also appears to be very active in
      P. nil. 

PMID- 24233221
TI  - Efficient production of haploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) through crosses between
      Japanese wheat and maize (Zea mays).
AB  - Four Japanese wheat varieties, three crossable and one non-crossable with Hordeum
      bulbosum, were pollinated with maize pollen of 5 genotypes. By the application of
      2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid after pollination, embryos kept developing on
      wheat plants until 14 days after pollination. The frequency of embryo formation
      was significantly different among the maize genotypes, varying from 18.0% to
      31.9%, but not among the wheat varieties. By bagging spikes with flag leaves the
      frequency of embryo formation was increased by about 7%. Ten- to twelve-day-old
      embryos gave higher frequencies of plant formation (83.6%) than 14-day-old
      embryos(50.0%). All 6 regenerated plants investigated cytologically were found to
      be haploid. Twelve of the 14 colchicine-treated plants produced florets setting
      seeds. The overall efficiency of our procedure is considered to be higher than
      that reported by Laurie and Bennett (1988). 

PMID- 24233222
TI  - Induction of somatic embryogenesis in leaf-derived callus of Vicia narbonensis L.
AB  - A method for the induction of somatic embryogenesis in callus cultures, using
      explants from mature leaves of Vicia narbonensis L., is described. Callus
      developed on a solid medium (Murashige and Skoog 1962), which was supplemented
      with low concentrations of picloram and benzylaminopurine. Subsequent culture was
      carried out in different liquid media (culture length four months). The gradual
      reduction of auxin and cytokinin concentrations, and the addition of glutamine
      and pyridoxal.HCl were favourable. Somatic embryos appeared on solid media
      without phytohormones. 

PMID- 24233223
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in Cornus florida.
AB  - Somatic embryos were initiated from 12 to 15 weeks postanthesis (WPA) zygotic
      embryos of Cornus florida L. (flowering dogwood) cultured on Murashige-Skoog (MS)
      or Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium amended with either 3 mg/L 2,4-D or 5 mg/L
      2,4-D and 1 mg/L kinetin. White, opaque globular and early cotyledonary stage
      embryos were formed directly on detached cotyledons from 2 of the 5 trees sampled
      after 7 weeks of culture. Morphologically mature embryos developed after an
      additional 4 weeks incubation on medium without growth regulators; however, many
      of the embryos were fused in pairs along the entire length of the hypocotyl
      radicle axis. Indirect embryogenesis was observed from callus cultures initiated
      from 9 to 15 WPA zygotic embryos. These cultures have continued to produce
      embryos for 16 months. Many of the embryos formed roots on germination medium,
      but only 12% formed plantlets and none developed past the first true leaf stage. 

PMID- 24233224
TI  - Specificity of strain and genotype in the susceptibility of pea to Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens.
AB  - To determine the best combination for potential use in transformation of Pisum
      sativum L., 13 genotypes were inoculated with wild-type Agrobacterium tumefaciens
      strains A281, C58 and Ach5. A281 appeared to be the most virulent strain, as
      determined by size and number of tumours, followed by C58 and Ach5. Genotypes
      differed considerably in their response to inoculation and genotype x strain
      interaction was evident. Genotypes also responded differently to in vivo or in
      vitro inoculation. Axenic calli from tumours could be grown on hormone-free
      medium and the presence of the specific opines for each strain in the callus
      indicated successful transfer and expression of T-DNA. Southern blot analysis of
      DNA from callus of A281-inoculated material showed that both TR and TL T-DNA had
      been incorporated into the pea genome. 

PMID- 24233225
TI  - Regeneration of Medicago truncatula from tissue culture: increased somatic
      embryogenesis using explants from regenerated plants.
AB  - Plant regeneration has been achieved by somatic embryogenesis in Medicago
      truncatula Gaertn. (barrel medic) c.v. Jemalong, an annual legume species.
      Regenerated plants were obtained from cultured leaf tissue explants on a four
      step modified B5 basal medium. Induction of embryo formation occurred on a medium
      containing 10 MUM NAA and 10 MUM BAP, and embryo maturation was promoted after
      transfer to a medium containing 1 MUM NAA and 10 MUM BAP. Shoot development,
      secondary somatic embryogenesis and occasional plantlet development occurred on a
      subsequent transfer to 0.1 MUM NAA and 1 MUM BAP. Plantlet formation could also
      be completed by transfer of well developed shoots to 0.05 MUM NAA. A high
      frequency of primary somatic embryos could only be obtained by using the same
      culture protocol with tissue from regenerated plants. Explants from regenerated
      plants showed a large increase in the number of primary embryos per callus and
      the number of calli producing embryos. Explants from plants derived from the seed
      of one regenerated plant also showed increased embryo formation. Although high
      embryo formation rates can be reproducibly obtained from this seed, embryo
      conversion rates to plants are currently low. 

PMID- 24233226
TI  - O-acetyl-salicylic acid promotes colony formation from protoplasts of an elite
      maize inbred.
AB  - The salicylic acid derivative acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was found to promote
      colony formation from protoplasts isolated from embryogenic suspension cultures
      of an elite maize inbred line. The drug was most effective at concentrations of
      30-100 mg/l, and increases of more than 20-fold in the number of colonies
      recovered from protoplasts were obtained. The rate of growth of protoplast
      derived cell colonies was not affected. 

PMID- 24233227
TI  - Characterization of immature embryos of interior spruce by SDS-PAGE and
      microscopy in relation to their competence for somatic embryogenesis.
AB  - SDS-PAGE analysis of total proteins from cotyledonary embryo explants reveals
      that their competence to form somatic embryos is limited to a specific stage of
      development prior to the accumulation of storage proteins. When protein profiles
      of embryo explants of different open pollinated families from the same collection
      date are compared, there is a close relationship between the absence of storage
      proteins and their ability to produce embryogenic callus. In addition, the
      appearance of storage proteins in embryos from subsequent collections is
      associated with their loss of competence. Light microscopy combined with staining
      for total protein demonstrates that competent immature embryos have cotyledons
      but do not contain protein bodies. 

PMID- 24233228
TI  - Embryogenesis and plant regeneration from tissue culture of Canada wildrye,
      Elymus canadensis L.
AB  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis
      L.) from tissue culture was investigated by culturing immature embryos and
      inflorescences on MS medium containing 2 mg/l 2,4-D. The optimum size of explants
      for maximum embryogenic callus formation was 1.0 to 1.5 mm for embryos and 4 to 6
      cm for inflorescences. Plant regeneration from the subcultured embryogenic callus
      was attempted monthly using hormone-free MS medium or MS medium with 0.5 mg/1 2,4
      D and 0.3 mg/l GA3. Three hundred and fifty seven plantlets were regenerated from
      the callus cultures of both explant sources during a six month period. Ten
      chlorophyll deficient plants accounting for 2.8% of the total regenerants were
      observed. One plant with white striped leaves survived and was found to be an
      octoploid. 

PMID- 24233229
TI  - Stable transformation of maize: the impact of feeder cells on protoplast growth
      and transformation efficiency.
AB  - The importance of cell culture conditions, including the use of feeder cells, on
      protoplast growth and transformation in maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated.
      Total GUS activity, measured two days after transformation, was five-fold higher
      in protoplasts cultured on feeder cells compared to those grown in the absence of
      feeder cells. Since the specific activity of GUS was only slightly higher in the
      transformed protoplasts plated over feeder cells, the stimulation in transient
      gene expression resulted mainly from the improved environment provided by the
      feeder system. For stable transformation, either PEG treatment or electroporation
      of protoplasts was used to introduce the neo gene. When PEG was used, over 85% of
      the putative transformants (resistant to kanamycin) contained the neo gene. The
      combination of PEG transformation and the optimized cell culture protocol using
      feeder cells enabled the selection of about 100 stably transformed lines per gFW
      of cells. Electroporation was less efficient. 

PMID- 24233230
TI  - Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from suspension cultures of a
      minor millet, Paspalum scrobiculatum.
AB  - Compact, friable and embryogenic calli were initiated from immature
      inflorescences and young leaf bases of one week old seedlings of Paspalum
      scrobiculatum cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D. A stable,
      embryogenic suspension culture was initiated from these calli and maintained in a
      liquid version of the same MS medium. Embryogenic calli and somatic embryos were
      obtained by plating suspension culture cells onto semi-solid medium containing
      2,4-D. Complete, normal plantlets developed on 2,4-D free medium at a high
      frequency from somatic embryos. NAA and BAP in the medium promoted plant
      development. 

PMID- 24233231
TI  - Tissue culture and plant regeneration of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.
      cv. Melitopolski).
AB  - Plants were regenerated from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of watermelon
      (Citrullus vulgaris). The explants were cultured on a Murashige and Skoog's basal
      nutrient medium supplemented with auxin, cytokinin and auxin-cytokinin
      combinations. Green healthy nodular and compact callus was obtained in medium
      containing naphthalene acetic acid and benzylaminopurine. Shoot differentiation
      and root differentiation from the cotyledon and hypocotyl after callus formation
      in different media containing benzylaminopurine or naphthalene acetic acid,
      respectively. Shoot formation required benzylaminopurine. Kinetin proved
      ineffective in inducing shoot buds or shoots. Root differentiation occurred in a
      medium containing naphthalene acetic acid or indole acetic acid. There was a
      greater proliferation of roots on medium supplemented with naphthalene acetic
      acid. The regenerated shoots developed roots when transferred to medium
      containing naphthalene acetic acid and complete plantlets could be transferred to
      soil for further growth. 

PMID- 24233232
TI  - Virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains with Brassica napus and Brassica
      juncea.
AB  - Brassica napus and Brassica juncea were infected with a number of Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens strains. Tumourigenesis was very rapid and extremely efficient on B.
      juncea with all but one of the strains. Tumourigenesis on B. napus varied widely.
      It was very efficient with the nopaline strains, was reduced with the
      succinamopine strain A281 and was very weak with the octopine strains. The latter
      observation was confirmed with six different B. napus rapeseed cultivars. The
      selectivity was due to differences in the virulence of Ti plasmids with B. napus,
      rather than the tumourigenicity of the T-DNA or virulence of the chromosomal
      genes associated with the strains. An exception was strain LBA4404. The virulence
      of the octopine strains was increased by coinfection with more virulent disarmed
      strains and by induction with acetosyringone. 

PMID- 24233233
TI  - Isolation, culture, and regeneration of plants from potato protoplasts.
AB  - A technique is described for the routine isolation of protoplasts from storage
      parenchyma cells of potato tubers grown in vitro. The protoplasts typically
      contained many starch grains. On culture, most of the starch grains were
      metabolised during the first 7 days, after which the cells began to divide.
      Following further culture, protoplast-derived colonies and calli were obtained,
      from which shoots and intact plants were regenerated. Cytological study of
      regenerated plants showed that the majority were octaploid or aneuploid at the
      octaploid level. This aspect is compared with plants regenerated from mesophyll
      protoplasts of potato. The use of tuber protoplasts for studies on tissue
      specific transient gene expression of chimeric gene constructs, following their
      introduction into the protoplasts by electroporation, is discussed, together with
      the uses of tuber protoplasts in fundamental physiological and biochemical
      studies. 

PMID- 24233234
TI  - Errata.

PMID- 24233236
TI  - Cardiovascular responses, perceived exertion and technical actions during small
      sided recreational soccer: effects of pitch size and number of players.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the cardiovascular, perceived exertion and
      technical effects of altering pitch size and number of players in recreational
      soccer match-play. The further aim was to evaluate to what extent exercise
      intensity during various game formats corresponds to the recommended intensity
      level for cardiovascular fitness improvement. Ten male recreational players aged
      31.7+/-7.6 years (mean +/- SD) completed four variations of small-sided games
      (except for goalkeepers, 5-a-side and 7-a-side on small and large pitches) during
      which heart rate, perceived exertion and technical actions were evaluated. Two
      way analysis of variance on repeated measures was applied to collected data. The
      results indicated that an average workload expressed as heart rate and percentage
      of heart rate reserve during 5-a-side games was higher than for 7-a-side games.
      The rate of perceived exertion values were moderate and similar for all formats
      of games. The players performed more dribbling and successful passes, but fewer
      unsuccessful passes during 5-a-side games. Furthermore, the number of ball
      possessions and unsuccessful passes was higher on a small pitch than on a large
      one. Consequently, the current findings suggest that, independent of pitch size,
      the cardiovascular demands imposed on participants increase when the game is
      played with fewer players. However, all formats of recreational soccer can be
      used as an effective activity to promote cardiovascular fitness. Finally,
      participants may have more chance to perform basic technical actions during 5-a
      side games on small and large pitches. 

PMID- 24233237
TI  - Sex pheromone component ratios and mating isolation among three Lygus plant bug
      species of North America.
AB  - The plant bugs Lygus hesperus, Lygus lineolaris, and Lygus elisus (Hemiptera:
      Miridae) are major pests of many agricultural crops in North America. Previous
      studies suggested that females release a sex pheromone attractive to males. Other
      studies showed that males and females contain microgram amounts of (E)-4-oxo-2
      hexenal, hexyl butyrate, and (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate that are emitted as a defense
      against predators. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we found that
      female L. lineolaris and L. elisus have a 4:10 ratio of hexyl butyrate to (E)-2
      hexenyl butyrate that is reversed from the 10:1 ratio in female L. hesperus
      (males of the three species have ~10:1 ratio). These reversed ratios among
      females of the species suggest a behavioral role. Because both sexes have nearly
      equal amounts of the major volatiles, females should release more to attract
      males. This expectation was supported because L. hesperus females released more
      hexyl butyrate (mean of 86 ng/h) during the night (1800-0700 hours) than did
      males (<1 ng/h). We used slow-rotating pairs of traps to test the attraction of
      species to blends of the volatiles with a subtractive method to detect synergism.
      Each species' major butyrate ester was released at 3 MUg/h, the minor butyrate
      according to its ratio, and (E)-4-oxo-2-hexenal at 2 MUg/h. The resulting catches
      of only Lygus males suggest that (E)-4-oxo-2-hexenal is an essential sex
      pheromone component for all three species, (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate is essential
      for L. elisus and L. lineolaris, and hexyl butyrate is essential for L. hesperus.
      However, all three components are recognized by each species since ratios of the
      butyrate esters are critical for conspecific attraction and heterospecific
      avoidance by males and thus play a role in reproductive isolation among the three
      species. Because L. hesperus males and females are known to emit these major
      volatiles for repelling ant predators, our study links defensive allomones in
      Lygus bugs with an additional use as sex pheromones.

PMID- 24233238
TI  - In vitro analysis of the complete CIDE domain interactions of the  Drep system in
      fly.
AB  - CIDE domain containing proteins are involved in apoptosis and lipid metabolism,
      and four CIDE containing proteins, Drep1, Drep2, Drep3, and Drep4, have been
      identified in fly. In this study, we found that Drep3 interacts with Drep4 via
      the CIDE domain specifically, which completes the interaction map of Drep system
      in fly, cyclic interactions: Drep1-Drep2-Drep3-Drep4-Drep1. In addition, we
      analyzed the dynamic stoichiometry changes of Drep proteins upon binding to their
      binding partners. Our current studies will help us to understand Drep system in
      fly as well as CIDE domain for protein-protein interactions.

PMID- 24233239
TI  - Enzyme-processed Korean Red Ginseng extracts protects against skin damage induced
      by UVB irradiation in hairless mice.
AB  - UV irradiation is the main factor contributing to skin damages that are
      associated with an excessive production of matrix-degrading metalloproteinase
      (MMP)-1 and a deficient expression of collagens. To date, red ginseng has been
      revealed to possess many biomedical effects, such as anti-aging, anti-oxidation,
      and anti-inflammatory. In this study, we prepared the Korean Red Ginseng extracts
      treated with enzyme (KRGE) and investigated the effects of dietary KRGE on the
      formation of wrinkles generated by UVB irradiation in hairless mice. It was found
      that KRGE inhibited the UVB-induced formation of wrinkles, epidermal thickness,
      and skin dryness in hairless mice. Further results also showed that KRGE
      attenuated UVB-induced MMP-1 level, while accelerated procollagen type I,
      transforming growth factor-beta1 secretion. Interestingly, the expression of
      profilaggrin and filaggrin in both the epidermis and dermis were decreased due to
      UVB exposure and reversed by KRGE. The KRGE 0.06% was prior to KRGE 0.24%. In
      view of these results, which indicated that KRGE protected skin from UVB-induced
      photodamages, which may not only mediated by regulating of MMP-1 and procollagen
      type I, but also by increasing the production of profilaggrin and filaggrin. In
      conclusion, our results suggest that KRGE may be a promising agent for the
      treatment of skin photodamages. The challenge of KRGE will be expected as
      cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals in order to intervene in aging-related
      degenerative skin changes. 

PMID- 24233240
TI  - Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor nephrotoxicity in neonates with cardiac
      disease.
AB  - Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are commonly used for pediatric
      cardiology patients. However, studies examining their safety for neonates with
      cardiac disease are scarce. The current study aimed to test the hypothesis that
      ACEi-mediated nephrotoxicity occurs in neonates and may be underappreciated in
      this population. A retrospective review of 243 neonates with cardiac disease
      between 2007 and 2010 was performed. Demographic data, weight, length, captopril
      and enalapril dosing, serum [K+], serum creatinine, and concomitant medications
      during ACEi therapy were recorded and analyzed. Body surface area (BSA),
      creatinine clearance (CrCl), and change in [K+] were calculated. The age range of
      neonates at ACEi initiation was 15.9-18.1 days. The inclusion criteria was met by
      206 neonates: 168 term (82%) and 38 preterm (18%) newborns. Of these neonates,
      42% were female, and all the patients had a BSA smaller than 0.33 m2 (a group
      known to have relative renal insufficiency). The mean dose of enalapril was 0.08
      +/- 0.007 mg/kg for the preterm neonates and 0.08 +/- 0.003 mg/kg for the term
      neonates. The mean dose of captopril was 0.07 +/- 0.009 mg/kg for the preterm
      neonates and 0.13 +/- 0.019 mg/kg for the term neonates. A significant decrease
      in CrCl occurred for both the preterm (p < 0.01) and term (p < 0.001) neonates
      while they were receiving ACEi. However, the two groups did not differ
      significantly (p = 0.183). Nearly 42% of all the patients showed renal risk, with
      approximately 30% demonstrating renal failure by modified pRIFLE (pediatric risk,
      injury, failure, loss, and end-stage renal disease) criteria. Despite the lack of
      significantly different CrCl, the premature neonates were more likely to
      experience ACEi-related renal failure by pRIFLE (55%) than their term
      counterparts (23%; p < 0.001). Despite its common use for term neonates with
      cardiac disease, ACEi should be used cautiously and only when indications are
      clear. These results also raise the question whether ACEi should be used at all
      for preterm neonates.

PMID- 24233241
TI  - PI3KCA mutation status is of limited prognostic relevance in ER-positive breast
      cancer patients treated with hormone therapy.
AB  - PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway alterations are frequent in patients with infiltrating
      breast cancer (IBC). Their clinical and pathological relevance has been
      insufficiently documented. We evaluated PI3KCA for mutations and the expression
      of PTEN, AKT, mTOR and p70S6K by immunohistochemistry in 246 IBC patients treated
      with hormone therapy (median follow-up, 97 months). A PI3KCA mutation was
      observed in 50 out of 229 informative cases (21.8 %), PTEN loss in 107 out of 210
      (51 %), moderate/high level of expression of AKT in 133 out of 188 (71 %),
      moderate/high level of expression of mTOR in 173 out of 218 (79 %) and
      moderate/high level of expression of p70S6K in 111 out of 192 cases (58 %).
      PI3KCA mutation was associated with the absence of Her2/neu
      amplification/overexpression and a low level of MIB1/Ki-67 labelling. The
      expression of p70S6K was associated with a high level of mTOR immunoreactivity,
      and high PTEN expression was associated with high AKT expression level.
      Univariate analysis showed that PI3KCA mutation status was not associated with
      clinical outcome in the series as a whole or in the node-negative subgroup.
      However, in the node-positive subgroup, exon 9 PI3KCA mutation was associated
      with unfavourable overall survival (OS), although its impact on the final model
      in multivariate analysis seemed to be limited. Of the other markers, only high
      p70S6K expression was associated with a significantly prolonged OS. PI3KCA
      mutation status is of limited prognostic relevance in oestrogen receptor-positive
      breast cancer patients treated with hormone therapy.

PMID- 24233242
TI  - Complexity analysis and parameter estimation of dynamic metabolic systems.
AB  - A metabolic system consists of a number of reactions transforming molecules of
      one kind into another to provide the energy that living cells need. Based on the
      biochemical reaction principles, dynamic metabolic systems can be modeled by a
      group of coupled differential equations which consists of parameters, states
      (concentration of molecules involved), and reaction rates. Reaction rates are
      typically either polynomials or rational functions in states and constant
      parameters. As a result, dynamic metabolic systems are a group of differential
      equations nonlinear and coupled in both parameters and states. Therefore, it is
      challenging to estimate parameters in complex dynamic metabolic systems. In this
      paper, we propose a method to analyze the complexity of dynamic metabolic systems
      for parameter estimation. As a result, the estimation of parameters in dynamic
      metabolic systems is reduced to the estimation of parameters in a group of
      decoupled rational functions plus polynomials (which we call improper rational
      functions) or in polynomials. Furthermore, by taking its special structure of
      improper rational functions, we develop an efficient algorithm to estimate
      parameters in improper rational functions. The proposed method is applied to the
      estimation of parameters in a dynamic metabolic system. The simulation results
      show the superior performance of the proposed method. 

PMID- 24233243
TI  - Reply to: The rate of PCr resynthesis is not a reliable index of skeletal muscle
      oxidative capacity.

PMID- 24233244
TI  - The effects of aerobic exercise training at two different intensities in obesity
      and type 2 diabetes: implications for oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation
      and nitric oxide production.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the effect of 16 weeks of aerobic training performed at two
      different intensities on nitric oxide (tNOx) availability and iNOS/nNOS
      expression, oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation in obese humans with or
      without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Twenty-five sedentary, obese
      (BMI > 30 kg/m2) males (52.8 +/- 7.2 years); 12 controls versus 13 T2DM were
      randomly allocated to four groups that exercised for 30 min, three times per week
      either at low (Fat-Max; 30-40% VO(2max)) or moderate (T(vent); 55-65 % VO(2max))
      intensity. Before and after training, blood and muscle samples (v. lateralis)
      were collected. RESULTS: Baseline erythrocyte glutathione was lower (21.8 +/- 2.8
      vs. 32.7 +/- 4.4 nmol/ml) and plasma protein oxidative damage and IL-6 were
      higher in T2DM (141.7 +/- 52.1 vs. 75.5 +/- 41.6 nmol/ml). Plasma catalase
      increased in T2DM after T(vent) training (from 0.98 +/- 0.22 to 1.96 +/- 0.3
      nmol/min/ml). T2DM groups demonstrated evidence of oxidative damage in response
      to training (elevated protein carbonyls). Baseline serum tNOx were higher in
      controls than T2DM (18.68 +/- 2.78 vs. 12.34 +/- 3.56 MUmol/l). Training at
      T(vent) increased muscle nNOS and tNOx in the control group only. Pre-training
      muscle nNOS was higher in controls than in T2DMs, while the opposite was found
      for iNOS. No differences were found after training for plasma inflammatory
      markers. CONCLUSION: Exercise training did not change body composition or aerobic
      fitness, but improved OS markers, especially when performed at T(vent). Non
      diabetics responded to T(vent) training by increasing muscle nNOS expression and
      tNOx levels in skeletal muscle while these parameters did not change in T2DM,
      perhaps due to higher insulin resistance (unchanged after intervention).

PMID- 24233246
TI  - Computation and measurement of slant specified by linear perspective.
AB  - One of the striking features of vision is that we can experience depth in two
      dimensional images. Since the Renaissance, artists have used linear perspective
      to create sensations of depth and slant. What is not known is how the brain
      measures linear perspective information from the retinal image. Here, an
      experimental technique and geometric computations were used to isolate slant
      related to linear perspective from slant induced by other cues. Grid stimuli,
      designed to induce strong impressions of slant, were sufficiently simple to allow
      accurate predictions on the basis of numeric computations. Measurement of slant
      about the vertical axis as functions of slant depicted on the screen and slant of
      the screen relative to the observer showed that linear perspective explained 95%
      of the slant judgments. Precision and accuracy of the judgments suggest a neural
      substrate that is able to make highly accurate comparisons between orientations
      of lines imaged at different retinal locations. The neural basis of slant from
      the linear perspective has not yet been clarified. Long-range connections in V1,
      however, and cells in V2, V4, lateral occipital cortex, and caudal intraparietal
      sulcus have features that suggest an involvement in slant perception. 

PMID- 24233245
TI  - Scotopic hue percepts in natural scenes.
AB  - Traditional trichromatic theories of color vision conclude that color perception
      is not possible under scotopic illumination in which only one type of
      photoreceptor, rods, is active. The current study demonstrates the existence of
      scotopic color perception and indicates that perceived hue is influenced by
      spatial context and top-down processes of color perception. Experiment 1 required
      observers to report the perceived hue in various natural scene images under
      purely rod-mediated vision. The results showed that when the test patch had low
      variation in the luminance distribution and was a decrement in luminance compared
      to the surrounding area, reddish or orangish percepts were more likely to be
      reported compared to all other percepts. In contrast, when the test patch had a
      high variation and was an increment in luminance, the probability of perceiving
      blue, green, or yellow hues increased. In addition, when observers had a strong,
      but singular, daylight hue association for the test patch, color percepts were
      reported more often and hues appeared more saturated compared to patches with no
      daylight hue association. This suggests that experience in daylight conditions
      modulates the bottom-up processing for rod-mediated color perception. In
      Experiment 2, observers reported changes in hue percepts for a test ring
      surrounded by inducing rings that varied in spatial context. In sum, the results
      challenge the classic view that rod vision is achromatic and suggest that
      scotopic hue perception is mediated by cortical mechanisms. 

PMID- 24233247
TI  - Morphometrics and ultrastructure of myocardial tissue in Notothenioid fishes.
AB  - Antarctic fish of the family Channichthyidae (Icefishes) lack the respiratory
      pigments haemoglobin and myoglobin. The morphometrics and ultrastructure of the
      ventricular myocardium of a benthic icefish,Chaenocephalus aceratus has been
      compared with that of a red-blooded Notothenioid fish,Notothenia neglecta, of
      similar habit.The mass of ventricular muscle as a percentage of bodyweight is 3
      times greater in adultC. aceratus (0.32%) thanN. neglecta (0.11%). Myoglobin
      concentration in the ventricle ofN. neglecta, 20 nmoles/g, is comparable to that
      of temperate teleosts with similar activity patterns. The volume and surface
      densities of mitochondria are 41.5% and 0.32 MUm(-1) for Icefish and 25% and 0.15
      MUm(-1) forN. neglecta, Cytochrome oxidase activities are similar in the two
      tissues whilst the volume density of myofibrils is higher forN. neglecta (47%)
      thanC. aceratus (29.9%).The proliferation of mitochondria in the myocardium of
      Icefish will reduce the diffusion path-length for oxygen between ventricular
      lumen and the outer mitochondrial membrane and may compensate for the absence of
      myoglobin. 

PMID- 24233248
TI  - Seasonal, reproductive, and nutritional influences on muscle "buffering capacity"
      in yellow perch (Perca flavescens).
AB  - "Effective non-bicarbonate" buffering capacity (or buffer value) was measured in
      white muscle of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) by titrations with mineral acid
      and base in a carbon-dioxide free, closed system. Yellow perch were collected at
      three month intervals throughout 1983 from an acidic lake (pH ~ 4.6) and two
      alkaline lakes (pH ~ 7.8) in northern Wisconsin. "Buffering capacity" was also
      determined for white muscle of perch kept in the laboratory under different
      regimes of temperature and ration. The mean "buffering capacity" of white muscle
      from yellow perch taken directly from natural environments ranged from 40.7 +/-
      3.1 (SD) slykes in March of 1983 to 53.7 +/- 2.8 (SD) slykes in July of that
      year. These changes in "buffering capacity" were strongly correlated with water
      temperature. Egg production and thirty-day laboratory starvation produced
      significant decreases in "buffering capacity" and increases in the water content
      of yellow perch muscle. Fed perch in the laboratory had a temperature dependent
      "buffering capacity" similar to "field caught" fish. "Buffering capacity" of
      white muscle did not differ between yellow perch from acidic and alkaline lakes.
      Investigators using "buffering capacity" as a gauge of species differences in
      metabolic potential, should be wary of seasonal and reproductive factors that
      might alter their conclusions. 

PMID- 24233249
TI  - Water balance in developing eggs of the codGadus morhua L.
AB  - Measurements of yolk osmolality from the embryo of codGadus morhua L. revealed
      significant variations in the hyposmolality during the embryonic development. The
      embryo proved to have an extremely low water permeability, protecting it from
      dehydration in the hyperosmotic seawater. The effect of temperature on the water
      permeability is high, expressed by an exceptionally high activation energy for
      water transfer. The agreement between embryonic volume decrease and diffusion
      permeability during the first 8-10 days after fertilization indicates that no
      water uptake mechanism is present at this time, thus leaving the embryo fully
      dependent on internal water stores. The cod egg is buoyant in seawater throughout
      development. The mechanism for providing hydrostatic lift is the large volume of
      diluted tissue water located in the yolk and subdermal spaces. 

PMID- 24233250
TI  - Whole animal transepithelial potential (TEP) of coho salmon during the parr-smolt
      transformation and effects of thyroxine, prolactin and hypophysectomy.
AB  - Whole animal transepithelial potentials (TEP) of yearling coho salmon
      (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in fresh water and after transfer to seawater were
      recorded throughout parr-smolt transformation (smoltification) from February to
      August 1984, along with plasma Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations and osmolality.
      Based on plasma ion regulation in seawater, the yearling coho in this study
      completed smoltification and attained sea-water adaptability in April. TEP in
      freshwater fish decreased (became inside-negative) after smoltification, and the
      TEP increased significantly (P < 0.01) after seawater transfer. When fish were
      transferred into seawater, thyroxine increased TEP of the transferred smolts by
      approximately 30% over the control level (P < 0.01) in April, but this did not
      occur when freshwater postsmolts were transferred in July and August.
      Hypophysectomy increased TEP (P < 0.01) in fresh water; it did not affect the TEP
      of the fish after seawater transfer. Ovine prolactin (3 MUg/g body weight)
      implanted into seawater-adapted fish caused a reduction in TEP (P < 0.01) when
      fish were exposed to fresh water. Whole-animal TEP appears to provide a valuable
      index of the completion of smoltification (April-May) and a useful tool for
      investigating the endocrine control of salmonid osmoregulation. 

PMID- 24233251
TI  - Variations in hepatic metallothionen, zinc and copper levels during an annual
      reproductive cycle in rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri.
AB  - The normal variations in hepatic levels of metallothionein, zinc and copper were
      studied during an annual reproductive cycle in rainbow trout of both sexes. In
      female fish, the total hepatic zinc levels closely followed the estradiol-17beta
      and the LSI levels. Hence, the zinc levels rose in September, peaked in December
      and dropped in January. No distinct peaks were, however, observed in the whole
      liver copper content. The hepatic metallothionein levels in female fish began to
      increase at the onset of exogenous vitellogenesis. Maximum levels were reached
      after estradiol-17beta and LSI levels had dropped in January. In male fish no
      distinct peaks in either zinc or copper levels were observed. The metallothionein
      levels increased somewhat during the time of spermatogenesis. It is suggested
      that metallothionein may regulate the hepatic zinc distribution during the annual
      reproductive cycle in female rainbow trout, thereby ensuring the organism of a
      control mechanism to keep the pool of available zinc at an appropriate level. 

PMID- 24233252
TI  - Gonadotropin-induced changes in steroid production by ovaries of the common
      careCyprinus carnio L. around the time of ovulation.
AB  - Ovarian fragments from both primed (gonadotrophin treated) and unprimed female
      carp were incubated either with or without carp hypophysial homogenate and
      steroid hormone production measured. In incubations without hypophysial
      homogenate, production of all the steroids measured was either very low or
      nondetectable and there was no significant difference between tissue from primed
      and unprimed fish. In the presence of carp hypophysial homogenate a very
      significant increase in production of testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and
      testosterone glucuronide was observed, but there was no significant difference
      between primed and unprimed fish. 17,20beta-Dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one
      (17,20betaP) was not stimulated by carp hypophysial homogenatein vitro in ovaries
      from unprimed fish, but a very significant increase in production of this hormone
      was observed in tissue from fish which had received a priming dose of pituitary
      hormone. It is suggested that the priming dose of pituitary extract used in the
      normal hypophysation procedure to induce ovulation in teleosts initiates the
      potential for synthesis of 17,20betaP in response to later gonadotrophin
      challenge, and that this initiation may be related to the migration of the
      germinal vesicle. 

PMID- 24233253
TI  - Stereoselective formation of amines by nucleophilic addition to azomethine
      derivatives.
AB  - This chapter describes state-of-the-art methods to prepare alpha-chiral amines by
      the addition of nonstabilized nucleophiles to imine derivatives. The first part
      of the chapter illustrates the most effective diastereoselective addition
      reaction (substrate controlled and chiral auxiliary based methods) whereas the
      second part focuses on catalytic asymmetric methods.

PMID- 24233254
TI  - Adherence to oral diabetes medications among users and nonusers of antipsychotic
      medication.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study compared adherence to oral diabetes medications among users
      and nonusers of oral antipsychotic medications. Adherence to oral antidiabetics
      and antipsychotics among antipsychotic users was also compared. METHODS: Texas
      Medicaid prescription claims data from July 1, 2008, to December 31, 2011, were
      used to examine adherence to oral antidiabetics among users and nonusers of
      antipsychotics for 12 months after the first prescription for oral diabetes
      medication. Users and nonusers of antipsychotics were matched on the basis of
      their chronic disease score (CDS). Medication adherence was measured by
      proportion of days covered (PDC), and patients with a PDC value >=.80 were
      considered to be adherent. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to
      compare adherence between cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 1,821 patients from each
      group were matched. The mean PDC for oral antidiabetics was significantly higher
      among antipsychotic users (.63) than nonusers (.55) (p<.001). About 37% (N=678)
      of antipsychotic users and 24% (N=473) of nonusers were adherent to oral
      antidiabetics. After adjustment for age, gender, CDS, and number of
      prescriptions, antipsychotic users were 2.10 times more likely than nonusers to
      be adherent to oral antidiabetics (p<.001). Antipsychotic users had higher mean
      PDC values for antipsychotic medications than for oral antidiabetics (.78+/-.25
      versus .63+/-.29, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to oral antidiabetics in the
      Texas Medicaid population was better among antipsychotic medication users than
      nonusers, but overall adherence was poor for both groups. Low adherence rates
      highlight the need for interventions to help improve medication management.

PMID- 24233255
TI  - Motilin and gastrin secretion and lipid profile in preterm neonates following
      prebiotics supplementation: a double-blind randomized controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gut hormones play an important role in the adaptation of the immature
      neonatal gut, and their secretion may be modulated by prebiotics. Furthermore,
      prebiotics are well known for their hypolipidemic potentials. We tested the
      hypothesis that prebiotics could alter motilin and gastrin secretion and reduce
      lipids in healthy preterms. METHODS: A total of 167 newborns were randomized to
      either a prebiotics enriched formula containing dietary oligosaccharides (short
      chain galacto-oligo-saccharides/long-chain fructo-oligo-saccharides
      [scGOS/lcFOS]), at a concentration of 0.8 g/100 ml, or a common preterm formula.
      Day 1 and 16 basal motilin, gastrin concentrations, and lipids were evaluated
      together with growth parameters, gastric residue, bowel habits, and feeding
      tolerance. Adverse events including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and
      septicemia were also recorded. RESULTS: Mean motilin increase and day 16 mean
      values were greater for the intervention, compared with the control group (P =
      .001, P = .005, respectively), while gastrin remained high in both groups. Mean
      cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) increase were significantly greater
      in the control, compared with the intervention (P = .037, and P = .001) group.
      Day 16 LDL levels were significantly higher in the control group. Mean weight was
      increased in the control group, while gastric residue was less and stool
      frequency was increased in the intervention group. NEC and septicemia were not
      statistically different between groups. CONCLUSION: A prebiotics enriched formula
      resulted in significant surge of motilin relating to reduced gastric residue,
      compared with a common preterm formula. Mean cholesterol change was lower, while
      LDL was not increased in the prebiotics group, compared with the control group.

PMID- 24233256
TI  - Healthy subjects experience bowel changes on enteral diets: addition of a fiber
      blend attenuates stool weight and gut bacteria decreases without changes in gas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tube-fed patients frequently suffer from abnormal bowel function that
      affects intestinal bacteria and quality of life. Dietary fiber affects laxation
      and can be fermented by gut bacteria to metabolites that influence gut health and
      fecal moisture. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a fiber-blend
      fortified enteral formula (FB, 15 g/L), a fiber-free formula (FF), and habitual
      diet on bowel function, fecal bacteria, and quality of life. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 20 healthy subjects
      consumed both FF and FB for 14 days with a 4-week washout. A 5-day fecal
      collection was used to assess stool output, whole-gut transit time (WGTT), total
      bacteria, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, clostridia, and bacteroides. Subject
      gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) and side effects were also
      measured. RESULTS: On formula diets, 5-day fecal output decreased by >55% from
      habitual diet, but was 38% higher on FB than FF (P = .0321). WGTT was
      approximately 1.5 times longer on formula diets than habitual diet (P < .0004).
      Total bacteria declined from habitual diet on FF (P < .004), but not on FB.
      Numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli declined from habitual diet on both
      formula diets, but bifidobacteria was higher on FB compared with FF (P < .0001).
      Bacteroides and clostridia numbers did not change between diets. GIQLI and
      incidence of gas symptoms did not differ between formulas. CONCLUSIONS: Addition
      of a fiber blend moderated changes in bowel function and gut bacteria observed in
      healthy subjects consuming FF. These results support adding mixed fiber sources
      to enteral nutrition if no contraindication exists.

PMID- 24233258
TI  - Early promising results for the endoscopic surgical treatment of Cushing's
      disease.
AB  - High levels of endogenous cortisol due to Cushing's disease cause significant
      mortality and morbidity. Treatment of Cushing's disease is challenging. For many
      years, transsphenoidal microsurgical resection of the adenoma has been the
      treatment of choice. However, recently, neuroendoscope has taken its place in the
      neurosurgeon's armamentarium, and the endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of
      pituitary tumors has become a familiar approach. Our aim was to present the
      results of pure endoscopic surgery in the treatment of corticotropinomas for
      comparison with the results of previous endoscopic and microsurgical series. We
      present a retrospective analysis of 90 patients with diagnosis of Cushing's
      disease who were operated between 2006 and 2012. Among 90 patients, a total of 81
      (90.0 %) had a remission (28 out of 29 macroadenomas (96.6 %) and 53 out of 61
      microadenoma patients (86.9 %)). Of note is that 66 out of 69 (95.7 %) primary
      patients (i.e., those who were operated in our center) and 15 out of 21 (71.4 %)
      patients previously operated in other centers reached a hypo/eucortisolemic
      state. A remission rate comparable with previous endoscopic series was achieved.
      In nine patients, it was not possible to achieve remission at all. On the other
      hand, only four of our cases (5.6 %) had a recurrence, and with reoperation, all
      of these patients entered a re-remission. To our knowledge, our series is the
      largest series studying endoscopically operated adrenocorticotropic hormone
      secreting adenomas. Our results suggest that the endoscopic approach has opened a
      new avenue in the treatment of Cushing's disease, previously a therapeutic
      challenge for both the clinician and the neurosurgeon. Endoscopic approach in the
      treatment of Cushing's disease is clearly better for patients because of its low
      morbidity rates and short duration of hospital stay. On the other hand, long-term
      follow-up of our patients will show whether these favorable observations will
      persist.

PMID- 24233257
TI  - Imaging changes following stereotactic radiosurgery for metastatic intracranial
      tumors: differentiating pseudoprogression from tumor progression and its effect
      on clinical practice.
AB  - Stereotactic radiosurgery has become standard adjuvant treatment for patients
      with metastatic intracranial lesions. There has been a growing appreciation for
      benign imaging changes following radiation that are difficult to distinguish from
      true tumor progression. These imaging changes, termed pseudoprogression, carry
      significant implications for patient management. In this review, we discuss the
      current understanding of pseudoprogression in metastatic brain lesions, research
      to differentiate pseudoprogression from true progression, and clinical
      implications of pseudoprogression on treatment decisions. 

PMID- 24233259
TI  - Transsphenoidal surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas in patients aged 80
      years or older.
AB  - To know the clinical characteristics of pituitary adenomas in the elderly
      patients aged 80 years or older who were surgically treated. From 1995 through
      2012, 907 patients underwent surgery for the pituitary adenomas at Kagoshima- and
      Hiroshima University hospitals in Japan. Ten (1.1%) patients were aged 80 years
      or older. We retrospectively assessed the clinical characteristics including
      preoperative comorbidities, manifestations, neuroimaging findings, and
      endocrinologic features of these ten patients. The subjects included eight males
      and two females. Their ages ranged from 80 to 86 with mean of 83.1 years. Of
      these, besides one case of growth hormone-producing adenoma, others were
      clinically nonfunctioning adenoma. Six patients had modest comorbidities such as
      hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, or chronic kidney
      dysfunction, and all patients were classified into grade 2-3 on American Society
      of Anesthesiologists' Physical Status grading. Transsphenoidal surgery was
      performed in all due to visual disturbance in eight, diabetes mellitus as an
      intercurrent illness of acromegaly in one, and for the purpose of preventing
      visual disturbance in one patient who had an adenoma impinging optic chiasm but
      still had normal visual field. The surgeries provided sufficient decompression of
      the optic pathways and improved visual disorder in all. In an acromegalic male,
      his comorbidities considerably improved. No permanent surgical morbidity ensued.
      More than three axes of anterior pituitary hormones were preoperatively impaired
      in all, which were rarely recovered. Transsphenoidal surgery is safe and
      efficient treatment way for patients aged 80 years or older with pituitary
      adenomas with chiasmatic symptoms when the patients' general condition is well
      preserved and pituitary hormonal deficiency is adequately replaced.

PMID- 24233260
TI  - Feasibility of cervical intramedullary diffuse glioma resection using
      intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iopMRI) actually has an important role
      in the surgery of brain tumors, especially gliomas and pituitary adenomas. The
      aim of our work was to describe the advantages and drawbacks of this tool for the
      surgical treatment of cervical intramedullary gliomas. We describe two
      explicative cases including the setup, positioning, and the complete workflow of
      the surgical approach with intraoperative imaging. Even if the configuration of
      iopMRI equipment was originally designed for cranial surgery, we have
      demonstrated the feasibility of cervical intramedullary glioma resection with the
      aid of high-field iopMRI. This tool was extremely useful to evaluate the extent
      of tumor removal and to obtain a higher resection rate, but still need some
      enhancement in the configuration of the headrest coil and surgical table to allow
      better patient positioning.

PMID- 24233261
TI  - Using the comet assay to assess the combined and separate genotoxic effects of Cd
      and Zn in Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta) at different temperatures.
AB  - Using the comet assay, the genotoxicity of Cd, Zn and Cd/Zn mixtures in Eisenia
      andrei was assessed after 4 weeks of exposure at 15, 20 and 25  degrees C.
      Relative to the controls, significant increases in TDNA% were observed in
      exposures to Cd alone at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg soil at both 20 and 25  degrees C,
      while a general decrease occurred at 15  degrees C. For Zn alone, a decreasing
      trend in TDNA% occurred at all three temperatures with increasing Zn
      concentration. For the Cd/Zn mixtures at 15  degrees C, genotoxicity was reduced
      at all mixture concentrations relative to the control. At 20  degrees C, the
      genotoxic response was similar to the control at all exposures. At 25  degrees C,
      the response was elevated at the 50 + 50 and 250 + 250 mg/kg mixture
      concentrations. In the remaining treatments at 25  degrees C, TDNA% was similar
      to the values in the respective control. The lack of consistently significant
      mixture genotoxicity may indicate antagonistic interactions between Cd and Zn in
      the mixtures. However, this was not conclusively determined because temperature
      alone had an inconsistent effect upon TDNA% readings in the control exposures.

PMID- 24233262
TI  - Clinical and genetic profile of children with periodic fever syndromes from a
      single medical center in South East Michigan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report a cohort of children with periodic fever syndromes (PFS)
      from Southeast Michigan. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records for
      patients referred for periodic fever over 5 years. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients
      including 21 FMF, 15 PFAPA, four TRAPS and one patient with combined HIDS and FMF
      were included. In addition, 25 patients were categorized as clinical PFS (cPFS)
      based on their clinical features however their genetic workup was either negative
      or inconclusive. Majority of the patients with FMF were from Middle Eastern
      background (88 %), but positive family history was noted in only 55 % of cases.
      Mean age at diagnosis was 40.8 months with a mean delay in diagnosis of 24
      months. Most common MEFV mutations were p.M694V and p.M694I. Four patients with
      TRAPS were from mixed European descent and age at onset of symptoms was 6, 12,
      12, and 84 months respectively. TNFRSF1A sequence variants in the TRAPS patients
      included p.R121Q (R92Q) and p.C99G (C70G); one patient had a rare occurrence of a
      concurrent p.V726A/-MEFV mutation. One patient with HIDS and FMF presented with
      atypical overlapping PFS clinical manifestations and genetic evaluation showed a
      unique combination of p.I268T/p.V377I MVK mutations and p.E230K/-MEFV variant.
      All patients with PFAPA group were from mixed European descent, symptoms started
      at a mean age of 34.6 months with a mean delay in diagnosis of 23.3 months.
      Symptoms started during infancy in six patients. All patients fulfilled the
      diagnostic criteria for PFAPA. The mean age of onset of symptoms in cPFS group
      was 17.2 months. Empiric colchicine and glucocorticosteroids controlled flares in
      majority of patients with cPFS. No evidence of amyloidosis was found in this
      entire cohort of 66 patients after a mean of 29.2 months of follow-up.
      CONCLUSION: PFS can present with atypical manifestations and should not be
      excluded based on a negative family history. Concomitant mutations in different
      autoinflammatory disorders genes can be present and possibly explain atypical
      manifestations. Various therapies may be considered even if genetic testing is
      inconclusive or negative.

PMID- 24233263
TI  - Terminal deletion of 11q with significant late-onset combined immune deficiency.
AB  - PURPOSE: We report a 45-year old female adult patient with terminal deletion of
      chromosome 11q resulting in clinical phenotype of late-onset combined
      immunodeficiency. METHODS: We describe the clinical phenotype and discuss the
      similarities between our patient and those with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion
      syndrome. Immunological evaluation included immunoglobulin levels, vaccine
      responses, number and function of T, NK and B cell subsets and comparative
      genomic hybridization test of blood and fibroblasts. RESULTS: The patient
      suffered from recurrent pneumococcal pneumonia and genital and cutaneous
      condylomas. She had a history of learning difficulties, dysmorphic features,
      autoimmune thyroiditis, chronic thrombocytopenia and severe asthma. We found
      Paris-Trousseau type thrombocytopenia, B-, T- and NK-lymphopenia, T cell
      oligoclonality and IgG hypogammaglobulinemia with inability to respond to
      pneumococcal polysaccharide, tetanus and diphtheria vaccines. A terminal deletion
      of chromosome 11q compatible with partial Jacobsen syndrome was found.
      CONCLUSIONS: This confirms Jacobsen syndrome as a chromosome deletion syndrome
      able to cause combined immunodeficiency.

PMID- 24233264
TI  - Regeneration of haploid and dihaploid plants from protoplasts of supersweet
      (sh2sh2) corn.
AB  - Plants were regenerated from maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts isolated from
      embryogenic cell suspensions. The donor maize suspension cultures were
      established from friable callus initiated from microspores of a commercial
      supersweet hybrid (sh2sh2). The frequency of cell colony formation was higher
      when protoplasts were cultured on feeder layers of maize cells as compared with a
      liquid thin layer method. It was demonstrated that haploid and dihaploid soil
      grown plants can be regenerated from maize protoplasts isolated from haploid cell
      cultures. 

PMID- 24233265
TI  - Selection of bacterial wilt-resistant tomato through tissue culture.
AB  - Bacterial wilt-resistant plants were obtained using a tomato tissue culture
      system. A virulent strain ofPseudomonas solanacearum secreted some toxic
      substances into the culture medium. Leaf explant-derived callus tissues which
      were resistant to these toxic substances in the culture filtrate were selectedin
      vitro and regenerated into plants. These plants expressed bacterial wilt
      resistance at the early infection stage to suppress or delay the growth of the
      inoculated bacteria. On the other hand, complete resistance was obtained in self
      pollinated progeny of regenerants derived from non-selected callus tissues. These
      plants showed a high resistance when inoculated with this strain, and were also
      resistant when planted in a field infested with a different strain of the
      pathogen. 

PMID- 24233266
TI  - Transformation of pea (Pisum sativum L.) byAgrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Explants fromPisum sativum shoot cultures and epicotyls were transformed by
      cocultivation withAgrobacterium tumefaciens vectors carrying plant selectable
      markers and transformants could be selected on a medium containing kanamycin.
      Transformants could also be obtained at a low frequency by cocultivating small
      protoplast-derived colonies. The transformed nature of the calli obtained from
      selection was confirmed by opine assay and DNA analysis. In addition five
      cultivars of pea were tested for their response to seven differentAgrobacterium
      tumefaciens strains. The response pattern coincided largely between the different
      pea cultivars, being more dependent on the bacterial strain than the cultivar
      used. 

PMID- 24233267
TI  - The use of in vitro-grown microtuber discs inAgrobacterium-mediated
      transformation of Russet Burbank and Lemhi Russet potatoes.
AB  - We have usedin vitro-grown microtuber discs in the transformation of Russet
      Burbank and Lemhi Russet potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars byAgrobacterium
      mediated gene transfer. Transformed plants were selected by their resistance to
      kanamycin and identified by beta-glucuronidase activity. Northern blot analysis
      confirmed the presence of the corresponding messenger RNA. The ability to
      transform these two cultivars promises significant improvements to agronomically
      important varieties. 

PMID- 24233268
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of Indica type rice and CMS rice.
AB  - Cell suspensions were established from 12 rice genotypes including Indica type,
      Japonica type and cytoplasmic male sterile (cms) rice lines of both types. 133
      green plants were regenerated from protoplasts isolated from an Indica type rice
      and 15 plants were obtained from a Japonica type cms rice. A cell suspension,
      from which protoplasts can be isolated (about 10(6)/ml) but from which cell
      division has not yet been induced, has been established from the most widely used
      Indica type cms rice which contains Wild Abortive (WA) cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24233269
TI  - Regulation of cell proliferation and morphogenesis by amino acids inBrassica
      tissue cultures and its correlation with threonine deaminase.
AB  - The effect of amino acids has been investigated with respect to the capacity
      ofBrassica cultures to undergo proliferation and differentiation. Hormone medium
      without any amino acid resulted in 6% shoot formation. Addition of optimal
      concentrations of L-leucine and L-isoleucine enhanced shoot formation upto 30%
      and 60%, respectively. L-methionine, L-threonine and pyruvic acid supported only
      proliferation but no differentiation. Amino acids had a marked effect on the
      activity of enzyme threonine deaminase (TD), bothin vivo andin vitro. TD in
      proliferating callus cultures was 3-fold higher than in differentiating cultures.
      Amino acids which induced cell proliferation increased TD while those which
      supported differentiation repressed it. Amino acids which did not alter TD
      activity had no effect on morphogenesis. The results suggest that amino acids
      play a regulatory role inBrassica morphogenesis which can be correlated with the
      activity of threonine deaminase. 

PMID- 24233270
TI  - High frequency transformation ofKalanchoe laciniata.
AB  - Leaf explants ofKalanchoe laciniata were cocultivated for different days (2, 4, 6
      and 8 days) with disarmedAgrobacterium tumefaciens strains A208SE, GV3111SE and
      EHA101 carring a binary vector pROA93. The vector contains a cauliflower mosaic
      virus 35S promotor which drives the coding sequence of neomycin
      phosphotransferase II (NPT-II) in one direction and beta-glucuronidase (GUS) in
      the opposite direction. Prolonged cocultivation (6 days) resulted in a marked
      increase of GUS gene transient expression, in terms of, the number of explants
      with transformed cells (up to 100%) and the percent area of transformed tissue (~
      50%). Explants cocultivated for 6-7 days showed a dramatic increase in the
      frequency of stable transformation and 75-80% of the inoculated explants produced
      transgenic plants. Cocultivation with the nopaline strain A208SE for 7 days gave
      as high as 10 transgenic plants per explant. 

PMID- 24233271
TI  - Efficient transformation with regeneration of the tropical pasture
      legumeStylosanthes humilis usingAgrobacterium rhizogenes and a Ti plasmid-binary
      vector system.
AB  - Agrobacterium rhizogenes carrying the binary Ti plasmid vector pGA492 was used to
      transform leaf and stem explants of the tropical pasture legumeStylosanthes
      humilis. Conditions which yielded kanamycin resistant roots at a frequency of up
      to 86% and subsequent plant regeneration at a frequency of 23% were defined.
      Transgenic plants were fertile and either grew normally or had stunted growth but
      otherwise showed only minor morphological abnormalities. Transgenic plants with
      normal phenotypes were obtained in the progeny of the primary regenerants. The
      presence of active neomycin phosphotransferase enzyme activity and binary vector
      DNA and TL-DNA was demonstrated in the regenerated plants. Evidence for the
      independent transfer of binary vector and TL-DNA was also obtained. This high
      frequency production of transgenic plants ofS. humilis is a major improvement
      over previous methods using disarmed strains ofA. tumefaciens as helper. 

PMID- 24233272
TI  - Gallotannin production in cell cultures ofCornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.
AB  - Gallotannin mixtures composed of tri-, tetra- and pentagalloylglucoses were
      produced by callus and suspension cultures ofCornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.
      The content of the main tannin, 1,2,3,6-tetragalloylglucose, was 36 times that of
      the intact fruits. The other three tannins, 1,2,6-trigalloyl-glucose, 1,2,3,4,6
      pentagalloyl-glucose, and 6-digalloyl-1,2,3-trigalloyl-glucose, were isolated and
      identified with the authentic specimens. The ratios of the amounts among these
      tannins were not changed much during the culture period, and by the differences
      in the combination of plant growth regulators in the medium. Tannin production
      was stimulated by 6-benzyladenine, whereas cell growth required 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. Light irradiation appears
      to have inhibited tannin production in the cell cultures. 

PMID- 24233273
TI  - Increased induction of regenerable callus cultures from cultured kernels of the
      maize inbred FR27rhm.
AB  - Kernels of the maize inbred FR27rhm were cultured on various media to determine
      if the treatments would alter the frequency of formation of regenerable callus
      (induction frequency) by embryos excised from the kernels when they were placed
      on callus induction medium. The addition of 60 MUM dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic
      acid) to the kernel culture medium resulted in an induction frequency of 27-38%
      compared to 0% for controls on standard kernel culture medium. Embryos excised
      from dicamba-treated kernels also showed in-ovule callus-like tissue
      proliferation. The increased induction frequency and the callus-like tissue
      proliferation could also be produced by injecting the ears of field grown FR27rhm
      plants, 3-d post pollination, with 1.08 MUmoles of dicamba. The results indicate
      that treatment of the developing ear with dicamba, in vivo or the developing
      kernel in vitro, may be an effective means to increase the frequency of
      regenerable callus induction from recalcitrant maize genotypes, such as the B73
      derivative FR27rhm. 

PMID- 24233274
TI  - Carrot (Daucus carota) hypocotyl transformation usingAgrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - Daucus carota hypocotyl sections were transformed withAgrobacterium tumefaciens
      LBA4404 containing CaMV 35S promoter, beta-glucuronidase coding sequence and the
      nopaline synthase (Nos) poly adenylation sequences in Bin 19. Sliced sterile
      seedling hypocotyl segments were preincubated for 2 days, co-cultivated
      withAgrobacterium for an additional 2 days, and then transferred to medium
      containing 100ug/ml of kanamycin and 400ug/ml carbenicillin. In 6 weeks kanamycin
      resistant calli were obtained in 5.8% of the explants from one variety. Calli
      were subcultured on solid medium, and in 4 weeks introduced into suspension
      culture. NPTII and Southern blot analysis confirmed that three selected lines
      were transformed with 1-3 copies of the GUSII construction. GUS activity in
      transformants was 5 to 250 fold over background. 

PMID- 24233275
TI  - Vitrification and soluble carbohydrate levels inPetunia leaves as influenced by
      media gelrite and sucrose concentrations.
AB  - Normal nodal segments ofPetunia hybrida were grown on Murashige and Skoog salts
      containing varied levels of Gelrite and sucrose. Higher concentrations of Gelrite
      decreased vitrification while increased sucrose concentrations promoted
      vitrification. Leaves of vitreous plants had higher levels of reducing sugars and
      sucrose but lower or undetectable levels of inositol as compared to normal
      plants. Normal plants on medium void of inositol have the ability to synthesize
      inositol and maintain levels equal to that found in plants from inositol
      containing media. 

PMID- 24233276
TI  - Energy-requiring uptake of protoberberine alkaloids by cultured cells
      ofThalictrum flavum.
AB  - Cultured cells ofThalictrum flavum take up berberine exogenously added to medium
      against the concentration gradient. This uptake was temperature-dependent and
      sensitive to plasma membrane-bound ATPase inhibitors such as sodium orthovanadate
      and diethylstilbestrol, indicating that the process is mediated by an energy
      requiring system. The time-course of pH-shift during berberine uptake suggests
      the participation of a berberine-proton antiport system in the berberine uptake
      by the cultured cells. In addition, the existence of a specific transport system
      was suggested by the competitive inhibition of berberine uptake by berberine
      analogues, coptisine and jatrorrhizine. 

PMID- 24233277
TI  - Cell wall synthesis and salt (saline) sensitivity in cultured colt cherry (Prunus
      avium * pseudocerasus) protoplasts.
AB  - In order to investigate the cellular basis of salt tolerance, Colt cherry (Prunus
      avium *pseudocerasus) protoplasts from mesophyll tissues and root cell suspension
      cultures were cultured in the presence of NaCl, KCl or Na2SO4, at normalities of
      25, 50, 100 or 200 mN for each salt and with or without 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile,
      an inhibitor of cell wall synthesis. Results showed that the acquisition of salt
      tolerance was concomitant with the onset of cell wall regeneration, with
      protoplasts exhibiting a greater salt tolerance than cells. 

PMID- 24233278
TI  - Relative regeneration proficiency ofArabidopsis thaliana ecotypes.
AB  - We have compared regeneration proficiency for cultured explants from different
      tissues of different ecotypes ofArabidopsis thaliana. Proficiency varies widely
      with both tissue and ecotype, and is highest when the flux of light during
      regeneration is low. Analysis of F1 hybrids suggests that high proficiency is
      dominant to low proficiency. 

PMID- 24233279
TI  - Stable transformation of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) by cocultivation of
      tissues withAgrobacterium tumefaciens carrying a binary plasmid vector.
AB  - Stable transformation of eggplant to kanamycin resistance was obtained by
      cocultivation of cotyledonary and young leaves with the hypervirulent, fully
      oncogenicAgrobacterium tumefaciens strain A281 carrying plasmid pGA472. No
      transformation was observed when using the disarmedA. tumefaciens LBA4404 strain
      carrying pGA472 or when using either strain for cocultivation with eggplant
      suspension cells.The NPTII enzyme and DNA dot blot assays performed on callus
      cells growing in the presence of kanamycin indicated both the presence and
      expression of the foreign gene. The highest proportion of transformed explants
      was obtained from intact cotyledonary leaf pieces while the highest NPTII enzyme
      specific activity was detected in callus cells originating from superficially
      wounded cotyledonary leaf pieces. Kanamycin-resistant plantlets were regenerated
      after six months in culture. 

PMID- 24233281
TI  - Modulating guest binding in sulfonylcalixarene-based metal-organic
      supercontainers.
AB  - Metal-organic supercontainers (MOSCs) represent a new family of synthetic
      receptors derived from container precursors and featuring both endo and exo
      cavities. A neutral MOSC has been functionalized into an anionic container by
      incorporating sulfo groups. The anionic MOSC exhibits cavity-specific binding
      properties in both solid state and solution. 

PMID- 24233282
TI  - Neurobehavioral functioning and survival following lung transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurobehavioral functioning is widely recognized as being an
      important consideration in lung transplant candidates, but little is known about
      whether these factors are related to clinical outcomes. The present study
      examined the relationship of neurobehavioral functioning, including measures of
      executive function and memory, depression, and anxiety, to long-term survival
      among lung transplant recipients. METHODS: The sample was drawn from 201 patients
      who underwent transplantation at Duke University and Washington University who
      participated in a dual-site clinical trial investigating medical and psychosocial
      outcomes in transplant candidates with end-stage lung disease. All patients
      completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Spielberger State-Trait
      Anxiety Inventory at baseline and again after 12 weeks, while a subset of 86
      patients from Duke University also completed neurocognitive testing. Patients
      were followed for survival up to 12 years after completing baseline assessments.
      RESULTS: One hundred eleven patients died over a mean follow-up of 10.8 years
      (SD=0.8). Baseline depression, anxiety, and neurocognitive function were examined
      as predictors of posttransplant survival, controlling for age, 6-min walk
      distance, FEV, and native disease; education and cardiovascular risk factors were
      also included in the model for neurocognition. Lower executive function (hazard
      ratio [HR]=1.09, P=.012) and memory performance (HR=1.11, P=.030) were
      independently associated with greater mortality following lung transplant.
      Although pretransplant depression and anxiety were not predictive of mortality,
      patients who scored>13 on the BDI-II at baseline and after 3 months pretransplant
      had greater mortality (HR=1.85 [95% CI, 1.04, 3.28], P=.036). CONCLUSIONS:
      Neurobehavioral functioning, including persistently elevated depressive symptoms
      and lower neurocognitive performance, was associated with reduced survival after
      lung transplantation. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00113139; URL:
      www.clinicaltrials.gov.

PMID- 24233285
TI  - Worldwide populations of the aphid Aphis craccivora are infected with diverse
      facultative bacterial symbionts.
AB  - Facultative bacterial endosymbionts can play an important role in the
      evolutionary trajectory of their hosts. Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are
      infected with a wide variety of facultative endosymbionts that can confer
      ecologically relevant traits, which in turn may drive microevolutionary processes
      in a dynamic selective environment. However, relatively little is known about how
      symbiont diversity is structured in most aphid species. Here, we investigate
      facultative symbiont species richness and prevalence among world-wide populations
      of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. We surveyed 44 populations of A.
      craccivora, and detected 11 strains of facultative symbiotic bacteria,
      representing six genera. There were two significant associations between
      facultative symbiont and aphid food plant: the symbiont Arsenophonus was found at
      high prevalence in A. craccivora populations collected from Robinia sp. (locust),
      whereas the symbiont Hamiltonella was almost exclusively found in A. craccivora
      populations from Medicago sativa (alfalfa). Aphids collected from these two food
      plants also had divergent mitochondrial haplotypes, potentially indicating the
      formation of specialized aphid lineages associated with food plant (host
      associated differentiation). The role of facultative symbionts in this process
      remains to be determined. Overall, observed facultative symbiont prevalence in A.
      craccivora was lower than that of some other well-studied aphids (e.g., Aphis
      fabae and Acyrthosiphon pisum), possibly as a consequence of A. craccivora's
      almost purely parthenogenetic life history. Finally, most (70 %) of the surveyed
      populations were polymorphic for facultative symbiont infection, indicating that
      even when symbiont prevalence is relatively low, symbiont-associated phenotypic
      variation may allow population-level evolutionary responses to local selection.

PMID- 24233286
TI  - UV-induced effects on growth, photosynthetic performance and sunscreen contents
      in different populations of the green alga Klebsormidium fluitans (Streptophyta)
      from alpine soil crusts.
AB  - Members of the green algal genus Klebsormidium (Klebsormidiales, Streptophyta)
      are typical components of biological soil crust communities worldwide, which
      exert important ecological functions. Klebsormidium fluitans (F. Gay) Lokhorst
      was isolated from an aeroterrestrial biofilm as well as from four different
      biological soil crusts along an elevational gradient between 600 and 2350 m in
      the Tyrolean and South Tyrolean Alps (Austria, Italy), which are characterised by
      seasonally high solar radiation. Since the UVtolerance of Klebsormidium has not
      been studied in detail, an ecophysiological and biochemical study was applied.
      The effects of controlled artificial ultraviolet radiation (UVR; <9 W m(-2) UV-A,
      <0.5 W m(-2) UV-B) on growth, photosynthetic performance and the capability to
      synthesise mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) as potential sunscreen compounds
      were comparatively investigated to evaluate physiological plasticity and possible
      ecotypic differentiation within this Klebsormidium species. Already under control
      conditions, the isolates showed significantly different growth rates ranging from
      0.42 to 0.74 MUm day(-1). The UVR effects on growth were isolate specific, with
      only two strains affected by the UV treatments. Although all photosynthetic and
      respiratory data indicated strain-specific differences under control conditions,
      UV-A and UV-B treatment led only to rather minor effects. All physiological
      results clearly point to a high UV tolerance in the K. fluitans strains studied,
      which can be explained by their biochemical capability to synthesize and
      accumulate a putative MAA after exposure to UV-A and UV-B. Using HPLC, a UV
      absorbing compound with an absorption maximum at 324 nm could be identified in
      all strains. The steady-state concentrations of this Klebsormidium MAA under
      control conditions ranged from 0.09 to 0.93 mg g(-1) dry weight (DW). While UV-A
      led to a slight stimulation of MAA accumulation, exposure to UV-B was accompanied
      by a strong but strain-specific increase of this compound (5.34-12.02 mg(-1) DW),
      thus supporting its function as UV sunscreen. Although ecotypic differences in
      the UVR response patterns of the five K. fluitans strains occurred, this did not
      correlate with the altitude of the respective sampling location. All data
      indicate a generally high UV tolerance which surely contributes to the
      aeroterrestrial lifestyle of K. fluitans in soil crusts of the alpine regions of
      the European Alps.

PMID- 24233287
TI  - Investigation of acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation by fluorescence.
AB  - Photophysical techniques have potential for the development of optical sensors in
      monitoring and controlling fermentors. In the particular case of acetone-butanol
      ethanol (ABE) fermentation, carried out by bacteria of the speciesClostridium
      acetobutylicum, we have developed two studies based on fluorescence spectroscopy.
      First, we measured the intrinsic fluorescence of NADH related to bacteria
      metabolism, leading to a linear relationship between the NADH specific
      fluorescence and the specific rate of butyric acid production. At the same time,
      we have correlated enzymatic activities (acetate kinase, butyrate kinase,
      acetoacetate decarboxylase) with NADH specific fluorescence. Second, we studied
      the fluorescence polarization of extrinsic DPH (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene)
      related to membrane fluidity. A simultaneous increase in both DPH anisotropy
      (order parameter increase) and butanol production is observed. Even though these
      results seem contradictory, because of the well-known fluidizing effect of
      butanol on lipids, they can be explained by a homeoviscous response ofC.
      acetobutylicum to the presence of butanol during fermentation. Thus the apparent
      changes in fluidity could be the result of the adaptative membrane alteration. 

PMID- 24233288
TI  - Fiber-optic fluorescing sensors for nitrate and nitrite detection.
AB  - Fiber-optic sensors allow remote analyses of chemical substances and they now
      find many applications in chemistry and biology [1,2]. The purpose of this short
      report is to give our first results in the development of optical-fiber chemical
      sensors. Among the numerous known spectrometric methods, we chose the
      fluorometric one, generally described as a suitable method for determining
      substances at the parts per million or parts per billion level, with the
      objective of analyzing nitrate and nitrite anions, using modifications of the
      fluorescence emission of suitable dyes. The detection of nitrates is based on the
      irreversible nitration of fluorescein, which leads to a subsequent inhibition of
      fluorescence emission [3]; determination of nitrites corresponds to their
      addition on 2,3-diaminonaphthalene, which on the contrary, improves the
      fluorescence emission [4]. To set up simple instrumentation, we are developing
      fiber-optic sensors. This consists of (i) realizing an extrinsic active optical
      fiber by chemical linkage of suitable fluorescent dyes on silica fiber involving
      silanization reaction (APTES) and chemical methods and (ii) designing an optical
      device which is appropriate for measurements with optical fibers. The threshold
      of detection, coating efficiency, and stability with time are presented. 

PMID- 24233289
TI  - Environmentally shifted fluorescence lifetimes for multicomponent phase
      modulation fluorimetric analysis.
AB  - Several cyclodextrins, surfactants, and a series of three organic solvents
      methanol, isoamylic alcohol, and hexanol-with different polarities and
      viscosities, were used to study the influence of the microenvironment on the
      fluorescent behavior of three diuretics-furosemide, triamterene, and piretanide.
      We concluded that on going from methanol to hexanol, the fluorescence lifetime of
      furosemide from 0.91 to 2.10 ns, that of triamterene from 4.54 to 4.44 ns, and
      that of piretanide from 5.24 to 10.37 ns. At 40 MHz, the phase shifts
      (excitation/emission) produced by furosemide, triamterene, and piretanide were
      12.0, 29.6, and 30.2 degrees  in methanol and 27.8, 48.1, and 69.0 degrees  in
      hexanol. A three-factor, three-level factorial design allowed us to establish a
      calibration matrix of the three diuretics that covered the three ranges from 10
      to 40, 1.5 to 6, and 0.1 to 0.4 MUM for furosemide, piretanide, and triamterene,
      respectively. Data processing incorporated PLS adjustment values. The function
      was fitted to a phase-resolved fluorescence intensity at the three phase angles
      selected. Percentages recoveries were from 88 to 115%. 

PMID- 24233291
TI  - Optical sensor for ammonia based on the inner filter effect of fluorescence.
AB  - A new indicator-immobilization technique for the development of a sensor material
      for monitoring ammonia gas in aqueous solutions in presented. It is based on the
      change in absorbance intensity of a lipophilized pH indicator homogeneously
      dissolved in silicone rubber. Exposure to ammonia leads to a deprotonation of the
      indicator and this increases the absorbance of the base form of the indicator
      bromophenol blue. The sensor responds over a 17 MUg/L to 17 mg/L concentration
      range, with a detection limit of 12 MUg/L. 

PMID- 24233292
TI  - Optical determination of pH on surfaces using immobilized Fluorescent dyes.
AB  - The attachment of pH-sensitive Fluorescent dyes on to hydroxylapatite for
      measuring the pH of small volumes is described. Fluorescein and acridine were
      used, both activated with reactive functions, such as isothiocyanate or
      succinimidyl ester groups, to enhance the possibility of a covalent linkage to
      the surface. First investigations were carried out on synthetic hydroxylapatite
      as the surface material. After the preparation of a particular surface with the
      fluorescent dye, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies were
      employed for estimating the pH value of a solution applied to the surface. In
      this paper we present the results of our investigations done with both methods.
      Fluorescein shows significant variation in excitation spectra with pH, whereas in
      the case of acridine, the fluorescence lifetimes are very sensitive to pH. 

PMID- 24233290
TI  - Laser-induced autofluorescence for medical diagnosis.
AB  - The naturally occurring autofluorescence of cells and tissues is based on
      biomolecules containing intrinsic fluorophores, such as porphyrins, the amino
      acids tryptophan and tyrosine, and the coenzymes NADH, NADPH, and flavins.
      Coenzymes fluoresce in the blue/green spectral region (fluorecence lifetimes: 0.5
      6 ns) and are highly sensitive indicators of metabolic function. Steadystate and
      time-resolved blue-green autofluorescence is, therefore, an appropriate measure
      of the function of the respiratory chain as well as of cellular and tissue
      damage. Autofluorescence in the yellow/red spectral region is based mainly on
      endogenous porphyrins and metalloporphyrins, such as coproporphyrin,
      protoporphyrin (fluorescence lifetime of porphyrin monomers: >10 ns), and Zn
      protoporphyrin (2 ns). Various pathological microorganisms such
      asPropionibacterium acnes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Actinomyces odontolyticus,
      Bacteroides intermedius, andSaccharomyces cerevisiae are able to synthesize large
      amounts of these fluorophores and can therefore be located. This permits
      fluorescence-based detection of a variety of diseases, including early-stage
      dental caries, dental plaque, acne vulgaris, otitis externa, and squamous cell
      carcinoma. The sensitivity of noninvasive autofluorescence diagnostics can be
      enhanced by time-gated fluorescence measurements using an appropriate time delay
      between ultrashort laser excitation and detection. For example, videocameras with
      ultrafast shutters, in the nanosecond region, can be used to create "caries
      images" of the teeth. Alternatively, autofluorescence can be enhanced by
      stimulating protoporphyrin biosynthesis with the exogenously administered
      porphyrin precursor 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). The fluorophore protoporphyrin
      IX (PP IX) is photolabile and photodynamically active. Irradiation of PP IX
      containing tissue results in cytotoxic reactions which correlate with
      modifications in fluorescence due to photobleaching and singlet oxygen-dependent
      photoproduct formation. Therefore, on-line autofluorescence measurements during
      the phototreatment can yield information on the efficiency of ALA-based
      photodynamic therapy. 

PMID- 24233293
TI  - Delayed fluorescence of porphyrins in different media.
AB  - Lifetimes of TPPS4 (meso-tetraphenylporphine tetrasulfonate) triplet states were
      measured for liquid solutions of different acidity and viscosity and as a
      function of acceptor concentration for different acceptors (bovine serum albumin,
      tryptophan and furfuryl alcohol). Triplet lifetimes were estimated by monitoring
      the decay of TPPS4 delayed fluorescence of E-type. The lifetime of delayed
      fluorencence depends on the concentration of O2, since the latter is an effective
      quencher of the triplet state. The lifetime is shown to be influenced mainly by
      degree of aggregation state of TPPS4 and, therefore, by the pH of the solution,
      decreasing with pH and for each pH remaining constant over a wide range of
      acceptor concentrations. The monomeric species is found to have the longest
      triplet lifetime in aqueous phosphate-buffered saline solution at neutral pH,
      especially when bound to albumin, despite of the low viscosity and protonated
      nature of the medium. 

PMID- 24233294
TI  - Influence of the N-alkyl chain length on the J-aggregation behavior of a cyanine
      dye.
AB  - A new series of benzimidocarbocyanine dyes having diffeerent N-alkyl chain
      lengths (C2-C12) but the same chromophoric system was synthesized to investigate
      the effect of the dye structure on the photophysical properties of J-aggregate
      forming dyes. For these dyes, the number of J-absorption band depends on the
      chain length of the alkyl substiuents, whereas the fluorescence emission spectra
      exhibit only a single J-band. Furthermore, an increase in the N-alkyl-chain
      length leads to a strong decrease in the bandwidth of the J-absorption and
      emission bands. 

PMID- 24233295
TI  - Excition dynamics in the J-aggregates of a carbocyanine dye.
AB  - We report on the exciton dynamics in the J-aggregating dye 5,5', 6,6'-tetrachloro
      1,1'-diethyl-3,3'-di(4-sulfobutyl)-benzimidazolocarbocyanine which is known
      readily to form J-aggregates, even at room temperature and at a low
      concentration. We performed a series of time-correlated singlephoton-counting
      experiments at different emission wavelengths and at different temperatures in
      the range between 1.5 and 125 K. Additionally, the temperature dependence of the
      relative fluorescence quantum yield was determined. 

PMID- 24233296
TI  - Time-resolved fluorescence of crown ether styrul dyes.
AB  - Photophsical processes are studied in a new class of dyes contining a
      chromophoric part and a crown ether part. Fluorescence decays were oebserved to
      be strongly dependent on temperature in the range from 294 to 4 K. Photoinduced
      isomerization and electron transfer are considered as possible mechanisms to
      explain the results. 

PMID- 24233297
TI  - Photochemical mechanisms producing large fluorescence stokes shifts.
AB  - Various adiabatic photochemical mechanisms are compared which lead to a product
      in the excited state and therefore often to strongly red-shifted fluorescence.
      The applicational aspects of this strong red shift are outlined with respect to
      scinitillators, solar collectors, and biological fluorescence probese. As an
      example, the unusual fluorecence properties of a pyrazalocoumarin derivative are
      described. 

PMID- 24233298
TI  - Unusual fluorescence red shifts in (TICT)-forming boranes.
AB  - Pyrrole substituted mesitylboranes and benzonitriles show highly solvent
      sensitive forbidden emission. In twisted model compounds, both fluorescence red
      shift and forbiddenness are increased. 

PMID- 24233299
TI  - Fluorescence ofp-N, N-dimethylaminobenzonitrile incorporated in pores of
      molecular sieves.
AB  - The donor-acceptor-substituted aromatic moleculep-N, N-dimethylaminobenzonitrile
      (DMABN) is known to show a characteristic dual twisted intramolecular charge
      transfer (TICT) fluorescence with a pronounced solvent dependence. Despite the
      two-band structure of the fluorescence from DMABN incorporated within pores of
      the molecular sieves AlPO-5, SAPO-5, ZSM-5, and silicalite, there is no
      indication for TICT-state emission. 

PMID- 24233300
TI  - Quenching problems in inorganic luminescent materials.
AB  - Quenching problems were investigated on inorganic luminescent materials for
      fluorescent lamps. It could be shown that the decrease of luminescence intensity
      under the influence of short-wave UV radiation is not only a function of the
      irradiation time but also depends strongly on the activator concentration and a
      mechanical treatment. The photochemical luminescence quenching represented by the
      intensity loss as a function of the irradiation time can be expressed as a sum of
      three exponential terms, constants and exponents of which contain the
      concentration of virgin and UV induced lattice defects in both the bulk and the
      surface. To explain the complex quenching process the theory of radiationless
      energy transport was used. 

PMID- 24233301
TI  - Determination of the directions of the transition dipoles in tetrabutylperylene
      in stretched polymers.
AB  - The directions of the transition dipole moments of 2,5,8,11,-tetra-butylperylene
      were determined from angle-resolved fluorescence depolarization experiments on
      molecules embedded in a stretched anhydrous nitrocellulose matrix. The absorption
      transition moments lies almost parallel to the elongated axis of the molecule,
      but the emission transition moment makes an angle of 20 degrees  with the axis.
      The orientational distribution of the molecules in the polymer indicates
      significant deviations from a circular form. 

PMID- 24233302
TI  - Spectro-streak picosecond studies of intramolecular charge-transfer fluorescence.
AB  - A spectro-streak photometer, an instrument for simultaneously measuring
      fluorescence intensity, time, and wavelength,I(t, lambda), with a single
      picosecond excitation pulse, has been constructed. Two typical and currently
      highly topical examples of mesurements are discussed. (1) the temporal
      development of the fluorescence form the intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT)
      state of the rigid aromatic compound 4,5-(1'-methylindolino)3,4-naphthanthracene
      is studied in the protic solvent hexanol. (2) Propyl chain-linked pyrene/N,N
      dimethylaniline is used as the model compound to study conformational changes
      associated with the transition from a contact ion pair to a sandwich exciplex. 

PMID- 24233303
TI  - Multiplexed time-correlated single-photon counting.
AB  - We review the technique of multiplexed time-correlated single-photon counting
      whereby multiple fluorescence decay curves are recorded in parallel by
      statistically time-sharing a single time-to-amplitude converter. Application of
      the multiplexing technique to measuring the fluorescence lifetime topography of a
      self-absorbing sample is demonstrated. Further possibilities are discussed for
      multiplexed optical fiber sensor networks with built-in intelligence for
      detecting and discriminating between different metal ions in solution. 

PMID- 24233304
TI  - Quenching of fluorescence by light: A new method to control the excited-state
      lifetimes and orientations of fluorophores.
AB  - We report steady-state and time-resolved studies of quenching of fluorescence by
      light i.e. "light quenching." The dyes rhodamine B (RhB) and 4-dicyanomethylene-2
      methyl-6(p-dimethamino)-4H-pyrane (DCM) were excited in the anti-Stokes region
      from 560 to 615 nm. At a high illumination power the intensities of DCM and RhB
      were sublinear with incident power, an effect we believe is due to stimulated
      emission, andnot ground-state depopulation. The extent of light quenching was
      proportional to the amplitude of the emission spectrum at the incident
      wavelength, as expected for light-stimulated decay from the excited state.
      Control measurements at a decreased average illumination power, and in solvents
      of various viscosities, indicated that the effect was not due to undesired
      photochemical processes. Importantly, the frequency-domain intensity decays
      remained single exponentials, and the lifetimes were unchanged with light
      quenching, which suggests that the effect was not due to heating or other
      photochemical effects. These results are consistent with a quenching process
      which occurs within the quenching pulse. Importantly, as expected for light
      quenching with a single pulsed laser beam, the time 0 anisotropies of RhB and DCM
      were decreased due to orientation-dependent quenching of the excited-state
      population. In closing we discuss some possible future applications of light
      quenching to studies of dynamic processes. 

PMID- 24233305
TI  - Simultaneous antigen detection using multiplex dyes.
AB  - To detect several antigens simultaneously, antibodies directed against different
      antigens were immobilized on a quartz surface. The antigens were tagged with
      multiplex, dyes, which show different fluorescence lifetimes but similar
      excitation and emission spectra. The antigens were detected by recognizing the
      characteristic fluorescence lifetime. Furthermore, the effect of labeling of the
      dye on the antigen molecules was examined. 

PMID- 24233306
TI  - Emerging biomedical and advanced applications of time-resolved fluorescence
      spectroscopy.
AB  - Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy is presently regarded as a research tool
      in biochemistry, biophysics, and chemical physics. Advances in laser technology,
      the development of long-wavelength probes, and the use of lifetime-based methods,
      are resulting in the rapid migration of timeresolved fluorescence to the clinical
      chemistry lab, the patient's bedside, and even to the doctor's office and home
      health care. Additionally, time-resolved imaging is now a reality in fluorescence
      microscopy and will provide chemical imaging of a variety of intracellular
      analytes and/or cellular phenomena. Future horizons of state-of-the-art
      spectroscopy are also described. Two photon-induced fluorescence provides an
      increased information content to time-resolved data. Two photoninduced
      fluorescence, combined with fluorescence microscopy and time-resolved imaging,
      promises to provide detailed three-dimensional chemical imaging of cells.
      Additionally, it has recently been demonstrated that the pulses from modern
      picosecond lasers can be used to quench and/or modify the excited-state
      population by stimulated emission since the stimulated photons are directed along
      the quenching beam and are not observed. The phenomenon of light quenching should
      allow a new class of multipulse time-resolved fluorescence experiments, in which
      the excited-state population is modified by additional pulses to provide highly
      oriented systems. 

PMID- 24233307
TI  - I. Past, present, and future of 'Do not attempt resuscitation' orders in the
      perioperative period.

PMID- 24233308
TI  - III. Oxygen therapy in anaesthesia: the yin and yang of O2.

PMID- 24233309
TI  - Functional magnetic resonance imaging in anaesthesia research.

PMID- 24233310
TI  - Awake insertion of the air-QTM intubating laryngeal airway device that
      facilitates safer tracheal intubation in morbidly obese patients.

PMID- 24233311
TI  - Bradycardia after dexamethasone for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis
      during induction of anaesthesia.

PMID- 24233312
TI  - Long-stay patients with cancer on the intensive care unit: characteristics, risk
      factors, and clinical outcomes.

PMID- 24233313
TI  - Key-ring data sheet to provide critical information required in managing
      paediatric emergencies.

PMID- 24233314
TI  - Knowledge related to anaesthesia among laypeople.

PMID- 24233315
TI  - Growing menace of ibogaine toxicity.

PMID- 24233316
TI  - Sustained effect of spinal cord stimulation on pain and quality of life in
      painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

PMID- 24233317
TI  - Early surgical reintervention for haemostasis after breast surgery using
      persistent sensory block of a paravertebral block.

PMID- 24233318
TI  - Ultrasound diagnosis of nasogastric tube misplacement into the trachea during
      bypass surgery.

PMID- 24233319
TI  - Planned magnetic resonance imaging for a patient with a permanent pacemaker in
      situ with suspected spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

PMID- 24233320
TI  - Sugammadex in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome and polymyositis.

PMID- 24233327
TI  - Enjoyment and emotionally negative reactions in minor-adult versus minor-peer and
      adult-adult first postpubescent coitus: A secondary analysis of the Kinsey data.
AB  - Using the original Kinsey sample, enjoyment and emotionally negative reactions to
      first postpubescent coitus were examined in relation to whether the coitus
      occurred as a legal minor (aged under 18) with an adult (5 or more years older),
      a minor with a peer (within 4 years of age), or an adult with an adult (both 18
      or older). These responses were further examined in subdivisions of the minor
      adult and adult-adult categories. Given widely held professional and lay
      assumptions that minor-adult sex is intrinsically traumatic or aversive, tested
      was whether reactions to minor-adult coitus were characteristically negative,
      irrespective of gender, and distinctly more negative than minor-peer and adult
      adult coitus. In general: minors with adults enjoyed the event as much as minors
      with peers or adults with adults; boys (i.e., male minors) enjoyed it
      substantially more than girls, irrespective of partner age; and minors with
      adults did not have more emotionally negative reactions than the other groups.
      Younger boys (14 and under) with women (mean ages: 13.37 and 24.27, respectively;
      mean age difference: 10.90 years), compared to men with peer-aged women (mean
      ages: 21.76 and 21.58, respectively; mean age difference: 0.18 years), enjoyed
      the coitus a great deal (the top scale value) significantly more often (63 % vs.
      44 %) and had emotionally negative reactions no more often (15 % vs. 12 %).
      Younger girls (14 and under) with men (mean ages: 13.19 and 26.42, respectively;
      mean age difference: 13.23 years), compared to women with peer-aged men (mean
      ages: 22.38 and 23.78, respectively; mean age difference: 1.41 years), enjoyed
      the coitus a great deal at the same rate (17 % vs. 18 %) and had emotionally
      negative reactions no more often (18 % vs. 16 %). Assumptions of characteristic
      trauma or aversiveness in minor-adult first coitus, as well as gender equivalence
      in response, were contradicted.

PMID- 24233328
TI  - Incorporating couples-based approaches into HIV prevention for gay and bisexual
      men: opportunities and challenges.
AB  - Thirty years after the beginning of the HIV epidemic, gay, bisexual, and other
      men who have sex with men (collectively called MSM) bear a disproportionate
      burden of HIV in the United States and continue to acquire a distressingly high
      number and proportion of new infections. Historically, HIV prevention for MSM has
      been focused on individual-level behavior change, rarely intervening with MSM as
      part of a couple. Yet, an estimated 33-67% of HIV infections among MSM are
      acquired from primary sexual partners, suggesting that work with MSM as couples
      could be an important contributor to prevention. Given the emergence of high
      impact combination HIV prevention, it is timely to consider how work with the
      broad variety of male couples can improve both personal and community health.
      Couples HIV testing and counseling for MSM is an important advance for
      identifying men who are unaware that they are HIV-positive, identifying HIV
      discordant couples, and supporting men who want to learn their HIV status with
      their partner. Once men know their HIV status, new advances in biomedical
      prevention, which can dramatically reduce risk of HIV transmission or
      acquisition, allow men to make prevention decisions that can protect themselves
      and their partners. This paper highlights the present-day challenges and benefits
      of using a couples-based approach with MSM in the era of combination prevention
      to increase knowledge of HIV status, increase identification of HIV discordant
      couples to improve targeting prevention services,and support mutual disclosure of
      HIV status.

PMID- 24233330
TI  - The Crisis in the lack of skilled workers worldwide: Its meaning for healthcare
      worldwide.

PMID- 24233329
TI  - Sexual risk for HIV among gay male couples: a longitudinal study of the impact of
      relationship dynamics.
AB  - While the relationship context itself is increasingly being examined to
      understand sexual risk behavior among gay male couples, few studies have examined
      relationship dynamics and HIV risk longitudinally. We aimed to investigate
      relationship dynamics and psychosocial predictors of unprotected anal intercourse
      (UAI) with outside partners of serodiscordant or unknown HIV serostatus (UAIOUT)
      over time as well as UAI with primary partner in serodiscordant couples (UAIPP).
      We recruited a sample of 566 ethnically diverse, seroconcordant and
      serodiscordant couples and interviewed them six times over the course of 3 years.
      The surveys encompassed relationship dynamics between the partners and sexual
      behavior with primary and outside partners. We fit generalized linear mixed
      models for both the UAI outcomes with time and relationship dynamics as
      predictors while controlling for relationship length. Analyses of the
      longitudinal data revealed that, in both categories of couples, those with higher
      levels of positive relationship dynamics (e.g., commitment, satisfaction) were
      less likely to engage in UAIOUT. Higher investment in sexual agreement and
      communication were among the factors that significantly predicted less UAIOUT for
      seroconcordant couples, but not for the serodiscordant couples. For
      serodiscordant couples, greater levels of attachment and intimacy were associated
      with greater odds of UAIPP while increased HIV-specific social support was
      associated with lower odds of UAIPP. These results underscore the importance of
      creating and tailoring interventions for gay couples that help maintain and
      strengthen positive relationship dynamics as they have the potential to produce
      significant changes in HIV risk behavior and thereby in HIV transmission.

PMID- 24233331
TI  - High-dose gentamicin in newborn infants: is it safe?
AB  - Dosing regimens often recommend lower gentamicin doses in neonates (3-5 mg/kg)
      than in older children (7 mg/kg or more) despite the higher volume of
      distribution in neonates. We studied an extended-interval high-dose (6 mg/kg)
      gentamicin regimen in a single tertiary neonatal unit from 2004-2012. During the
      first week of life, dosing interval was 24 h for term infants, 36 h for preterm
      infants with gestational age (GA) 29-36 weeks and 48 h for preterm infants with
      GA <29 weeks. After the first week of life, dosing interval was 24 h if corrected
      age (GA + postnatal age) >=29 weeks and 36 h if corrected age <29 weeks. Outcome
      measures were trough plasma concentration (TPC), ototoxicity and prescription
      errors. In 546 treatment episodes, TPC was measured prior to the third gentamicin
      dose. There were 37 episodes (6.7 %) of prescription errors, mainly a too long
      dosing interval. We included 509 treatment episodes (440 infants) in the final
      analysis. Mean (standard deviation) gentamicin TPC during the first week of life
      was 1.1 (0.5) mg/L and after the first week of life 0.8 (0.6) mg/L. In 31 (6 %)
      episodes, TPC was >=2.0 mg/L, predominantly among term infants with renal
      impairment. Thirty-eight patients failed the neonatal hearing screening, but only
      four of these 38 had permanent hearing loss. All four had a TPC <2.0 mg/L.
      Conclusions: This extended-interval high-dose gentamicin regimen was associated
      with low numbers of elevated TPCs, low numbers of prescription errors and no
      evidence for ototoxicity.

PMID- 24233332
TI  - Early treatment of a child with NAGS deficiency using  N-carbamyl glutamate
      results in a normal  neurological outcome.
AB  - Acute hyperammonemia has a variety of etiologies and clinical manifestations. If
      not treated early in neonates, it leads to irreversible brain damage or death. We
      present a 7-day-old female patient who was brought to the emergency department
      with drownsiness and vomiting. Metabolic work-up revealed a blood ammonia level
      of 290 MUmol/L (normal <100 MUmol/L in neonates) with a compensated respiratory
      alkalosis, normal glycaemia and lactate and absence of urinary ketones. Oral
      feeding was stopped, an infusion of 20 % glucose was started, and sodium benzoate
      and arginine hydrochloride were given. After a drop of ammonemia within 12 h of
      treatment, it started rising again. N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) was added resulting
      in a rapid normalisation of ammonemia. Feedings were progressively reintroduced,
      the ammonia levels remained low. The results of the metabolic work-up were
      compatible with carbamyl phosphate synthase 1 (CPS1) or N-acetyl glutamate
      synthase (NAGS) deficiency. Genetic analysis confirmed the latter diagnosis with
      a homozygous mutation c. 1450T > C (p.W484R) in exon 6 of the NAGS gene in the
      patient and a carrier state in both parents. At the age of 9 months, the child is
      growing well with normal neurological development, under treatment with NCG 100
      mg/kg/day and a normal diet. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of
      keeping a high index of suspicion and early testing for ammonia levels in
      neonates/children with unexplained encephalopathy. In neonates with congenital
      hyperammonemia, NCG should always be started together with the standard
      management of hyperammonemia until all laboratory investigations are complete or
      indicate another disease.

PMID- 24233333
TI  - Life-threatening QT prolongation in a boy  with attention-deficit/hyperactivity
      disorder  on atomoxetine.
AB  - As a noncentral nerve-stimulating agent blocking reuptake of noradrenalin,
      atomoxetine is used for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
      (ADHD). Because it has less potential for addiction and abuse and improves core
      symptoms of ADHD, it is commonly prescribed in many children and adolescents
      internationally. Its common side effects include headache, abdominal pain,
      decreased appetite, and weight loss. In addition, cardiac effects such as
      tachycardia and hypertension have also been reported. In this case report, an 11
      year-old Japanese boy with a past medical history of ADHD on atomoxetine for more
      than 2 years presented with a loss of consciousness. Initial electrocardiogram
      (ECG) showed significant QT prolongation, and 9 h later, it worsened, along with
      bradycardia, inversed T waves, and multiple premature ventricle contractions
      (PVCs). Transthoracic echocardiography showed akinesis with dilation and systolic
      ballooning of the left ventricle's (LV) apical segment (Takotsubo
      cardiomyopathy). At that point, bisoprolol and transcutaneous pacing were
      started. After 5 days, transcutaneous pacing was discontinued due to improvement
      in his cardiac rhythm. He continued to remain asymptomatic for the next year,
      while his QT interval returned to normal. Conclusion: This case report suggests a
      serious side effect of atomoxetine, and to avoid life-threatening cardiovascular
      events for children and adolescents with ADHD on atomoxetine, prior screening for
      cardiovascular conditions by ECG with close monitoring is necessary.

PMID- 24233334
TI  - A radioimmunoassay for N-terminal peptide of chum salmon proopiocortin.
AB  - A highly specific radioimmunoassay was developed for N-terminal peptide of
      salmonid proopiocortin using a guinea pig antiserum to the chum salmon peptide
      (sNPP 1). Since sNPP I has no tyrosine residue nor free N-terminal amino group, a
      mixture of minor components of sNPP 1, which have extensions of H-Val-LysGly- and
      H-Lys-Gly- at the N-terminus, were iodinated by the lactoperoxidase method after
      incorporation of 3-(phydroxyphenyl)-propionate to the terminal amino groups.
      Plasma and pituitary extracts of several salmonid species showed parallel
      displacement to the standard hormone. Samples from carp, goldfish, tilapia, and
      eel, as well as the plasma of hypophysectomized rainbow trout, showed no
      crossreactivity. Proopiocortin-related hormones isolated from the chum salmon
      pituitary, including melanotropins, endorphins, corticotropin-like intermediate
      lobe peptides, and gonadotropin and prolactin showed negligible cross-reactivity.
      NPP contents in the pars intermedia of rainbow trout and chum salmon were 10 to
      15 times greater than those in the pars distalis. Plasma levels of NPP in the
      mature chum salmon caught in the bay were about 50ng/ml. Plasma NPP levels in the
      mature chum salmon of both sexes decreased after transfer from seawater to fresh
      water. Plasma cortisol showed a concomitant change with NPP, thus supporting
      previous findings that NPP modulates corticotropin action on the trout
      interrenal. 

PMID- 24233335
TI  - Effect of thyroid-stimulating hormone on the physiology and morphology of the
      thyroid gland in coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch.
AB  - Activity of the thyroid gland of the coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch, was
      assessed by physiological, histological and ultrastructural criteria after
      treatment with graded doses of bovine thyrotropin (bTSH) in January and March.
      Average plasma thyroxine (T4) levels increased from about 0.8 ng/ml in saline
      injected controls to about 15 ng/ml in fish treated with four intraperitoneal
      injections of 0.8 lU bTSH. Light-microscope observations of one MUm-thick
      sections stained with methylene blue and azure II, showed that bTSH treatment
      increased epithelial height in both presmolts and smolts. Ultrastructural
      manifestations of increased activity owing to bTSH treatment were also seen,
      along with evidence of follicle proliferation. Cytoplasmic organelles and
      secretory granules increased in numbers with increased dosage of bTSH. 

PMID- 24233336
TI  - Effects of thyroid hormone supplementation of canola meal-based diets on growth,
      and interrenal and thyroid gland physiology of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).
AB  - Rainbow trout fed a 26% canola meal-based (CM) diet for 12 weeks at 15 degrees C
      exhibited reduced growth, lower feed conversion, enlarged thyroid glands and
      lower plasma thyroid hormone (TH) levels than comparable fish fed
      equinitrogenous, equicaloric soybean meal-based (SB) diets. Supplementation of
      the SB diets with either T4 (20 mg/kg) or T3 (10 or 20 mg/kg) had no effect on
      the growth rate, feed conversion and thyroid histology of the trout. However,
      plasma T4 levels weredepressed in trout fed the T4- and high T3-supplemented SB
      diets. In trout fed T4- and T3-supplemented CM diets the growth rates and feed
      conversion were not significantly different from those of the SB-fed groups.
      Moreover, in the T4-supplemented group, plasma T4 levels were in the normal
      range. However, thyroid enlargement was evident in all the CM-fed fish, and
      plasma T3 levels were markedly elevated in groups fed the T3-supplemented CM
      diets. The data suggest that antithyroid components in the CM diets inhibited TH
      synthesis (but not their release), and impaired TH clearance from the
      circulation. There were no significant differences in plasma cortisol levels in
      the 8 treatment groups, nor were there differences in the histological appearance
      of the interrenal gland. However, when the data from SB- and CM-fed fish were
      pooled, plasma cortisol levels in the SB-fed fish were significantly lower than
      in the CM-fed animals. Glucosinolates at a level of 164 mg/kg diet were toxic to
      young trout, but the effect was ameliorated by dietary TH supplementation. 

PMID- 24233337
TI  - Effects of adrenaline on ionic equilibria in red blood cells of rainbow trout
      (Salmo gairdneri).
AB  - Effects of adrenaline on the equilibrium distributions of Na(+) , K(+) , H(+) ,
      Cl(-) , and H2O across the cell membrane of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)
      erythrocytes were determinedin vitro, as a function of P CO2 (1.76-7.77 torr).
      CO2-carrying capacity of the blood was also examined. Plasma catecholamine
      concentrations inunanaesthetized, unrestrained trout were 3.1 nM adrenaline and
      1.2 nM noradrenaline. Elevation of the plasma adrenaline concentrationin vitro to
      4.6 * 10(3) nM resulted in net gains of Na(+) , Cl(-) and H2O by red cells, a net
      loss of H(+) from red cells, and a pronounced red cell swelling. Adrenaline also
      reduced the CO2-carrying capacity of trout bloodin vitro. The magnitudes of these
      effects increased with PCO2 and, thus, were sensitive to blood HCO3 (-)
      concentrations. The distribution of K(+) between red cells and plasma was
      unaffected by adrenaline. Adrenergic-mediated ion movements and red cell swelling
      were sensitive to both propranolol and SITS. These results are consistent with
      the symport NaCl uptake model for adrenergic-mediated swelling of Baroinet al.
      (1984). The adrenergic response of fish erythrocytes may function to ameliorate
      the effects of blood acidoses on O2-carrying capacity by maintaining red cell pH
      in the face of a decrease in plasma pH. 

PMID- 24233338
TI  - Characterization of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the gills of rainbow
      trout,Salmo gairdneri (Richardson).
AB  - Several physical and chemical parameters of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
      were determined using a spectrophotometric assay of gill tissue homogenates from
      rainbow trout. This assay is based on the evolution of free hippuric acid via
      enzymatic cleavage of histidyl-leucine from the synthetic substrate hippuryl-l
      histidyl-l-leucine (HHL). Piscine ACE exhibited enzymatic and kinetic properties
      similar to those reported for the partially purified mammalian enzyme.
      Proteolytic activity was both temperature and pH dependent and demonstrated
      hyperbolic kinetics with an apparent Km of 2.5 mM. Hydrolysis of HHL was
      activated by Cl(-) at concentrations between 20 mM and 100 mM. Captopril (1 * 10(
      6) M) and MK-422 (1 * 10(-6) M) blocked trout gill ACE activity, however, EDTA
      was inhibitory only at high concentrations (1 * 10(-3) M). These results
      demonstrate that trout ACE is functionally similar to mammalian ACE and that the
      spectro-photometric assay for ACE developed by Cushman and Cheung can be applied
      to analysis of converting enzyme activity in fish tissue homogenates. 

PMID- 24233339
TI  - Drinking activity of the newly hatched larvae of codGadus morhua L.
AB  - The drinking rate of cod larvae 1-7 days post hatching was measured from the
      uptake of(3)H-labelled dextran (MW = 70000) admixed in the incubation seawater
      (34 ppt 5 degrees C). The drinking rate increased gradually from 0.15% to 0.59%
      of the larval body weight on day 1 and day 7 respectively. This increase in
      drinking rate correlated with an observed decrease in the volume of the yolk sac
      and its water store. Autoradiographs showed the labelled dextran to be confined
      to the intestine. Electron micrographs showed an open mouth communicating with
      the oesophagus and the intestine in cod larvae at the time of hatching. Chloride
      cells were present on the opercular folds but not on the vestigial, developing
      gills. The data indicate that the water acquisition mechanism of larval cod is
      similar to that of adult marine fish. 

PMID- 24233340
TI  - Relationship between body mass index and the  incidence of inguinal hernia
      repairs: a population-based  study in Olmsted County, MN.
AB  - PURPOSE: The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of inguinal
      hernia development is unclear. To explore the relationship, we determined whether
      the incidence of inguinal hernia repairs (IHR) varied across patients with
      different BMI categories. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based incidence study was
      undertaken. We reviewed all IHR performed on adult residents of Olmsted County,
      MN from 2004 to 2008. Cases were ascertained through the Rochester Epidemiology
      Project, a records-linkage system with more than 97% population coverage.
      RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 1,168 IHR were performed on 879 men
      and 107 women. The median BMI of the cohort was 26.7 kg/m2 (range 14.9-58.1,
      interquartile range 23.9-28.9). Incidence rates varied significantly as a
      function of BMI (p<0.001). Rates were highest among men who were either normal
      weight or overweight (419.8 and 421.1 per 100,000 person-years for BMI<25 and BMI
      25-29.9, respectively), and lowest for obese and morbidly obese men (273.5 and
      99.4 per 100,000 person-years for BMI 30-34.9 and BMI C 35, respectively).
      Findings were similar across all age categories and in patients who had an IHR
      that was initial or recurrent, direct or indirect, and unilateral or bilateral.
      CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of IHR decreased as BMI increased. Obese and morbidly
      obese patients had a lower incidence of IHR than those who were normal weight or
      overweight. The causal mechanisms leading to such a relationship are unclear and
      warrant further study.

PMID- 24233342
TI  - Identification and characterization of agonist epitopes of the MUC1-C
      oncoprotein.
AB  - The MUC1 tumor-associated antigen is overexpressed in the majority of human
      carcinomas and several hematologic malignancies. Much attention has been paid to
      the hypoglycosylated variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) region of the N
      terminus of MUC1 as a vaccine target, and recombinant viral vector vaccines are
      also being evaluated that express the entire MUC1 transgene. While previous
      studies have described MUC1 as a tumor-associated tissue differentiation antigen,
      studies have now determined that the C-terminus of MUC1 (MUC1-C) is an
      oncoprotein, and its expression is an indication of poor prognosis in numerous
      tumor types. We report here the identification of nine potential CD8+ cytotoxic T
      lymphocyte epitopes of MUC1, seven in the C-terminus and two in the VNTR region,
      and have identified enhancer agonist peptides for each of these epitopes. These
      epitopes span HLA-A2, HLA-A3, and HLA-A24 major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
      class I alleles, which encompass the majority of the population. The agonist
      peptides, compared to the native peptides, more efficiently (a) generate T-cell
      lines from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of cancer patients, (b) enhance
      the production of IFN-gamma by peptide-activated human T cells, and (c) lyse
      human tumor cell targets in an MHC-restricted manner. The agonist epitopes
      described here can be incorporated into various vaccine platforms and for the ex
      vivo generation of human T cells. These studies provide the rationale for the T
      cell-mediated targeting of the oncogenic MUC1-C, which has been shown to be an
      important factor in both drug resistance and poor prognosis for numerous tumor
      types.

PMID- 24233343
TI  - The long-term immune response after HPV16 peptide vaccination in women with low
      grade pre-malignant disorders of the uterine cervix: a placebo-controlled phase
      II study.
AB  - The capacity of a low-dose HPV16 synthetic long-peptide vaccine (HPV16-SLP) to
      induce an HPV16-specific T-cell response as well as to establish long-term
      immunologic memory in patients with low-grade abnormalities of the cervix was
      determined in a placebo-controlled, double-blinded phase II study. In addition,
      the effect of a booster vaccination after 1 year was evaluated. Patients received
      either the HPV16-SLP or a placebo at the start of the study. After 1 year, the
      vaccinated patients were again randomized to receive the HPV16-SLP or a placebo.
      Patients were followed for 2 years. HPV16-specific T-cell responses were
      determined in pre- and post-vaccination blood samples by ELISPOT, proliferation
      assay and cytokine assays. We show that the HPV16-specific T-cell responses
      detected after vaccination are clearly due to vaccination and that reactivity was
      maintained for at least 2 years. Interestingly, a booster vaccination after 1
      year especially augmented the HPV16-specific Th2 response. Furthermore, pre
      existing immunity to HPV16 was associated with a stronger response to vaccination
      and with more side effects, reflected by flu-like symptoms. We conclude that two
      low-dose injections of HPV16-SLP can induce a strong and stable HPV16-specific T
      cell response that lasts for at least 1 year. If booster vaccination is required,
      then polarizing adjuvant should be added to maintain the Th1 focus of the vaccine
      induced T-cell response.

PMID- 24233344
TI  - Selecting and measuring optimal outcomes for randomised  controlled trials in
      surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in surgery are complex to design
      and conduct and face unique challenges compared to trials in other specialties.
      The appropriate selection, measurement and reporting of outcomes are one aspect
      that requires attention. Outcomes in surgical RCTs are often ill-defined,
      inconsistent and at high risk of bias in their assessment and historically, there
      has been an undue focus on short-term outcomes and adverse events meaning the
      value of trial results for clinical practice and decision-making is limited.
      PURPOSE: This review addresses three key problems with surgical trial outcomes
      choosing the right outcomes for the trial design and purpose, selecting relevant
      outcomes to measure from the range of possible outcomes, and measuring outcomes
      with minimal risk of bias. Each obstacle is discussed in turn, highlighting some
      suggested solutions and current initiatives working towards improvements in these
      areas. Some examples of good practice in this field are also discussed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Many of the historical problems with surgical trial outcomes may be
      overcome with an increased understanding of the trial design and purpose and
      recognition that pragmatic trials require assessments of outcomes that are
      patient-centred in addition to measurement of short-term outcomes. The use of
      core outcome sets developed for specific surgical interventions and the
      application of novel methods to blind outcome assessors will also improve outcome
      measurement and reporting. It is recommended that surgeons work together with
      trial methodologists to integrate these approaches into RCTs in surgery. This
      will facilitate the appropriate evaluation of surgical interventions with
      informative outcomes so that results from trials can be useful for clinical
      practice.

PMID- 24233347
TI  - Geographic and clinical variation in clozapine use in the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Antipsychotic medications are largely ineffective for approximately
      30% of patients with schizophrenia that is considered "treatment resistant."
      Clozapine is the only antipsychotic approved for treatment-resistant
      schizophrenia, but it is rarely used. This nationwide study examined predictors
      of clozapine use to help identify ways to optimize its use. METHODS: A
      retrospective study using U.S. Medicaid claims data from 45 states was conducted
      among 326,119 individuals with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (ICD-9-CM code
      295.X) who initiated one or more antipsychotic treatment episodes between January
      2002 and December 2005. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to
      calculate odds ratios of baseline patient and county factors associated with
      clozapine initiation. RESULTS: Among 629,809 unique antipsychotic treatment
      episodes, 79,934 showed service use patterns consistent with treatment
      resistance. Clozapine accounted for 2.5% of starts of antipsychotic medication
      among patients in the overall sample and for 5.5% of starts among patients with
      treatment resistance. Clozapine initiation was significantly associated with male
      sex, younger age, white race, more frequent outpatient service use for
      schizophrenia, and greater prior-year hospital use for mental health. Treatment
      resistance and living in a county with historically high rates of clozapine use
      were among the strongest predictors of clozapine use. CONCLUSIONS: The clozapine
      initiation rate was low compared with the expected proportion of patients who
      warrant a clozapine trial and was strongly affected by local treatment practices.
      Efforts to address irregular access to clozapine are needed to improve recovery
      opportunities for people with schizophrenia in the United States.

PMID- 24233348
TI  - Gambling: Philosophy and policy.

PMID- 24233349
TI  - Gambling and the Law((r)): Endless fields of dreams.
AB  - This article examines the current trends of proliferation of commercial gaming,
      especially in the United States, in the context of the "third wave" of
      legalization of gambling that has been experienced since the founding of the
      nation. The author looks at the historic foundations of the spread of casino
      style gambling, and notes the types of casino gaming that have led the way in the
      current expansion. He also points out why it is reasonable to expect that this
      wave too may come crashing down, as general acceptance of wide-spread casino
      gaming in America may indeed be short-lived. 

PMID- 24233345
TI  - Minimally invasive follicular thyroid cancer (MIFTC)--a consensus report of the
      European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES).
AB  - BACKGROUND: This paper aims to review controversies in the management of
      minimally invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma (MIFTC) and to reach an evidence
      based consensus. METHOD: MEDLINE search of the literature was conducted using
      keywords related to MIFTC. The search term was identified in the title, abstract,
      or medical subject heading. Available literature meeting the inclusion criteria
      were assigned the appropriate levels of evidence and recommendations in
      accordance with accepted international standards. Results were discussed at the
      2013 Workshop of the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons devoted to MIFTC.
      RESULTS: Published papers on MIFTC present inadequate power with a III-IV level
      of evidence and C grade of recommendation. Several issues demanded a comparison
      of published studies from different medical reports regarding MIFTC definition,
      specimen processing, characteristics, diagnosis, prognoses, and therapy. As a
      consequence, it is difficult to make valuable statements on MIFTC with a
      sufficient recommendation rating. MIFTC diagnosis requires clearer, unequivocal,
      and reproducible criteria for pathologist, surgeons, and endocrinologists to use
      in the management of these patients. If the distinction between MIFTC and WIFTC
      cannot be made, an expert in thyroid pathologist should be consulted. CONCLUSION:
      According to published papers, the following conclusions can be drawn. (a)
      Candidates for hemithyroidectomy are MIFTC with exclusive capsular invasion,
      patients <45 years old at presentation, tumor size <40 mm, without vascular
      invasion, and without any node or distant metastases. (b) Candidates for total
      thyroidectomy are MIFTC in patients >=45 years at presentation, tumor size >=40
      mm, vascular invasion present, positive nodes, and positive distant metastases.
      (c) In the absence of clinical evidence for lymph node metastasis, patients with
      MIFTC do not require prophylactic lymph node dissection. (d) Radio iodine
      ablation is indicated in elderly patients (>45 years), large tumor size (>40 mm),
      extensive vascular invasion, presence of distant synchronous or metachronous
      metastasis, positive nodes, and if recurrence is noted at follow-up.

PMID- 24233350
TI  - The roots, significance, value and legislation of gambling.
AB  - In this highly personal account, Reverend Moody traces his exploration for over
      three decades of many facets of the underlying nature of gambling in society and
      in human nature. He makes the case that much of the appeal of gambling comes from
      the excitement of "playing with chance," and discusses how different types of
      gambling - lotteries, wagering, and continuous betting - meet a variety of needs
      and pose diverse levels of risk to gamblers. He notes distinctions between
      "controlled" and "uncontrolled" gamblers, and the tendency for controlled
      gamblers to play on the edge and risk loss of control. He notes difficulties in
      preventing the excesses that can occur to individuals who gamble. He points out
      the problems with legislatures legalizing gambling for ulterior purposes, such as
      to raise tax revenue, rather than to cater to the demand for gambling from
      punters. This can lead to situations where commercial gaming interests are not
      directed to act in the best interests of the general public because potential
      problems that may arise with available gambling are ignored or deemphasized.
      Finally, he points out the tensions amongst various interest groups who deal with
      gambling and notes those forums which have evolved in recent years that provide
      greater opportunities for dialogue among the various entities who deal with
      gambling and public policy issues. 

PMID- 24233351
TI  - The philosophical foundations of Las Vegas.
AB  - Las Vegas is a city that has long challenged social norms of the rest of the
      United States and built a highly successful economic base on gambling and other
      hedonistic pursuits. Now that many other states and communities are pursuing or
      actively considering following the route of legal casinos for economic
      development purposes, the ethical considerations that have confronted Las Vegas
      about the question of gambling and its broader social impacts take on greater
      import.This paper examines the ethics of gambling relative to Las Vegas at two
      levels: first, as a pragmatic trade-off of accepting an activity with some bad
      consequences because of the economic benefits that can be derived; and second,
      more fundamentally, by examining the validity of the major ethical arguments
      against gambling. 

PMID- 24233352
TI  - Art & craft: Creative fiction and Las Vegas.
AB  - This article provides a review of the contrasting ways in which modern essayists
      and novelists have reflected their experience of Las Vegas. The author suggests
      that while Las Vegas may serve as a convenient symbol for depression and
      alienation, contemporary fiction also celebrates Las Vegas for its life-enhancing
      impact. These themes are fused with surreal imagination in the novelKeno Runner
      by David Kranes. 

PMID- 24233353
TI  - Play grounds.
AB  - The author discusses the ambience presented by casinos to their customers. He
      explores the issues of space as an attraction to people being brought into
      casinos for the purpose of "play" and the compatibility of the casino's internal
      design with the concept of "welcoming" space and its degree of legibility: how
      well a first time visitor can "read" the activities and opportunities within its
      spaces. 

PMID- 24233354
TI  - Stable Suppression of Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity during Anoxia in the Foot
      Muscle of Littorina littorea and the Potential Role of Acetylation as a Novel
      Posttranslational Regulatory Mechanism.
AB  - The intertidal marine snail, Littorina littorea, has evolved to withstand
      extended bouts of oxygen deprivation brought about by changing tides or other
      potentially harmful environmental conditions. Survival is dependent on a strong
      suppression of its metabolic rate and a drastic reorganization of its cellular
      biochemistry in order to maintain energy balance under fixed fuel reserves.
      Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a crucial enzyme of anaerobic metabolism as it is
      typically responsible for the regeneration of NAD(+), which allows for the
      continued functioning of glycolysis in the absence of oxygen. This study compared
      the kinetic and structural characteristics of the D-lactate specific LDH (E.C.
      1.1.1.28) from foot muscle of aerobic control versus 24 h anoxia-exposed L.
      littorea. Anoxic LDH displayed a near 50% decrease in V max (pyruvate-reducing
      direction) as compared to control LDH. These kinetic differences suggest that
      there may be a stable modification and regulation of LDH during anoxia, and
      indeed, subsequent dot-blot analyses identified anoxic LDH as being significantly
      less acetylated than the corresponding control enzyme. Therefore, acetylation may
      be the regulatory mechanism that is responsible for the suppression of LDH
      activity during anoxia, which could allow for the production of alternative
      glycolytic end products that in turn would increase the ATP yield under fixed
      fuel reserves. 

PMID- 24233355
TI  - Intraoperative flash VEPs are reproducible in the presence  of low amplitude EEG.
AB  - Flash visual evoked potentials (FVEPs) are often irreproducible during surgery.
      We assessed the relationship between intraoperative FVEP reproducibility and EEG
      amplitude. Left then right eyes were stimulated by goggle light emitting diodes,
      and FVEPs were recorded from Oz-Fz' (International 10-20 system) in 12 patients.
      Low cut filters were <=5 Hz in all patients; two patients also had recordings
      using 10 and 30 Hz. The reproducibility of FVEP and the amplitude of the
      concomitant EEG from C4'-Fz were measured. Nine patients had low amplitude EEG
      (<30 MUV); reproducible FVEPs were obtained from all eyes with normal pre
      operative vision. The other three patients had high amplitude EEG (>50 MUV);
      FVEPs were absent from three of four eyes with normal pre-operative vision (the
      other normal eye had a present but irreproducible FVEP). Raising the low cut
      filter to 10 and 30 Hz (in two patients) progressively reduced EEG and FVEP
      amplitude, reduced amplifier blocking time and improved FVEP reproducibility.
      FVEPs were more reproducible in the presence of low amplitude EEG than high
      amplitude EEG. This is the first report describing the effect of EEG amplitude on
      FVEP reproducibility during surgery

PMID- 24233356
TI  - Morphogenic and genetic stability in longterm embryogenic cultures and somatic
      embryos of Norway spruce (Picea abies {L.} Karst).
AB  - Embryogenic cultures were initiated from mature zygotic embryos of Picea abies.
      The somatic embryos in the embryogenic cultures were first stimulated to mature
      and then either to develop further into plantlets or to differentiate new
      embryogenic cultures. The procedure was repeated three times during two years.
      The ability to give rise to new embryogenic cultures or to develop into plantlets
      was similar for all somatic embryos irrespective of how long they had been
      cultured in vitro. The nuclear DNA content, measured in a flow cytometer, was
      estimated at 32 pg/G1 nuclei in seedings developed from zygotic embryos. Nuclei
      isolated from embryogenic cultures and from plantlets regenerated from somatic
      embryos had the same DNA content as those isolated from seedlings. 

PMID- 24233357
TI  - Plant regeneration from pea protoplasts via somatic embyogenesis.
AB  - Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis was obtained from pea protoplasts.
      Strong auxins (picloram or 2.4-D) and increased osmolarity of the medium were
      necessary for embryo induction. Relatively high amounts of embryogenic calli
      could be obtained in 2 genotypes. After a period on hormone-free medium, a second
      induction of somatic embryos was possible. Further development of somatic embryos
      was accomplished on GA3 - containing medium. 

PMID- 24233358
TI  - Plant regeneration and protoplast culture of Browollia speciosa.
AB  - Explants from hypcotyls and cotyledons of Browalia speciosa were shown to
      regenerate plantlets.Protoplasts were isolated from etiolated cotyledon material,
      and, although callus was readily obtained, plantlet regeneration was not observed
      using numerous hormone regimes. 

PMID- 24233359
TI  - Successful cocultivation of Brassica napus microspores and proembryos with
      Agrobacterium.
AB  - Brassica napus microspores and microspore-derived proembryos were cocultivated
      with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring a binary vector. The vector contained
      selectable genes for kanamycin and hygromycin antibiotic resistance. Microspores
      and proembryos survived the cocultivation procedure and subsequent antibiotic
      selection. Thousands of plantlets can be regenerated from a single experiment.
      Biochemical analysis indicated up to 7.3% of plants exhibited neomycin
      phosphotransferase II enzyme activity. Success of the cocultivation procedure
      depended largely on choosing the proper coculture conditions while allowing
      microspore embryogenesis to proceed. 

PMID- 24233360
TI  - Production of flavanone-neohesperidosides in Citrus embryos.
AB  - Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) tissue cultures were examined for qualitative and
      quantitative changes in flavanone-neohesperidoside content during somatic
      embryogenesis. Embryos cultured in vitro contain naringin and a rhamnosyl
      transferase activity which is capable of rhamnosylating position 2 on the
      flavanone glucosides. Rhamnosylation is carried out only in embryos cultivated on
      solid medium but not in embryos grown in suspension cell cultures. 

PMID- 24233361
TI  - Plant regeneration from hypocotyl and petiole callus of Trifolium pratense L.
AB  - Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seedlings were screened for the ability to
      regenerate plantlets from hypocotyl-derived callus tissue. Media sequences
      described by Beach and Smith (1979) and Collins and Phillips (1982) and a
      variation using media from both sequences were tested. Plantlets were regenerated
      from three out of 642 genotypes. In all three cases, callus was initiated on B5C
      medium and regeneration was accomplished on SPL medium. Attempts to regenerate
      plants from petiole-derived callus tissue have so far been successful only with
      regenerants of clone F49. Petiole callus from epicotyl-derived F49 plants proved
      to be non-regenerative. Pollen viability varied significantly among individuals
      regenerated from callus cultures of clone F49. Root tip squashes from F49
      regenerants revealed the normal diploid chromosome number (2n=14). The frequency
      of regeneration within progeny from reciprocal crosses between F49 regenerants
      and several non-regenerative genotypes was 29%. 

PMID- 24233362
TI  - A microtest system for the serial assay of phytotoxic compounds using
      photoautotrophic cell suspension cultures of Chenopodium rubrum.
AB  - Chenopodium rubrum photoautotrophic cell suspensions were grown in plastic tissue
      culture dishes under photoautotrophic conditions. Growth was monitored by
      measuring cell number, packed cell volume, chlorophyll content and oxygen
      production. Such microtiter dishes are suitable systems for the serial assay of
      growth inhibition and various physiological effects (i.e. chlorophyll
      fluorescence, cell viability, oxygen production) of photoautotrophic cells as
      caused by herbicides and fungal phytotoxins. The applicability of the test system
      is discussed. 

PMID- 24233363
TI  - Shoot regeneration from petioles and leaves of Vitis X labruscana 'Catawba'.
AB  - Shoot regeneration and normal plants were obtained from leaf and petiole explants
      derived from in vitro grown shoots of Vitis X labruscana 'Catawba'. Regeneration
      was induced in the presence of both 6-benzylaminopurine and indole-3-butyric
      acid; combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or 2-naphthoxyacetic acid
      with 6-benzylaminopurine did not permit regeneration from leaf explants. Up to
      15% of leaf and 70% of petiole explants regenerated shoots on media with 5.0-10.0
      MUM BA and 0.1-0.5 MUM IBA. Incubation in the dark was required to obtain
      regeneration. About 50% of shoots developed normally following transfer to light.
      An average of one shoot regenerated from leaf explants and 3.3 shoots regenerated
      per petiole explant. Regeneration from petioles and leaves was always from the
      basipetal end. The interaction of 6-benzylaminopurine with indole-3-butyric acid
      was also examined. 

PMID- 24233364
TI  - Differential characteristics of cell suspension cultures initiated from
      Eucalyptus gunnii clones differing by their frost tolerance.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures were initiated from two clones of Eucalyptus gunnii
      differing by their frost resistance.During cold treatments viability of the
      individual cell lines and of their protoplasts was correlated to the degree of
      frost resistance of the starting clones.Moreover, at moderate temperature (10
      degrees C) the growth rate was higher for the tolerant cells than for the
      sensitive ones.Free proline content was ten-fold higher in the resistant cell
      line than in the sensitive one whereas concentrations of other free amino-acids
      were equivalent. 

PMID- 24233365
TI  - Development of salt tolerant lines of KDML and LPT rice cultivars through tissue
      culture.
AB  - Salt tolerant lines of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) were selected out of KDML
      and LPT cultivars. The first selection was made in vitro by incorporating 1 or 2%
      NaCl in the culture media. Embryogenic calli from mature embryo were subjected to
      a salt stress for four weeks. Regeneration rates after salt stress were reduced
      to 0.076% or less as against regeneration rates of 8.3 to 30% normally obtained
      for non-stressed conditions. Seedlings of regenerants and of following
      generations were treated with 0.5% NaCl in water culture for four weeks. Definite
      salt tolerance of the progenies of selected and unselected plants appeared in
      both cultivars. The best survival rate of line LPT 171 in R3 was 94.3% while only
      2% of the control survived. The result of the fourth generation was similar to
      the third. 

PMID- 24233366
TI  - Ethylene production and embyogenesis from anther cultures of barley (Hordeum
      vulgare).
AB  - Ethylene production was measured in cultured barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) anthers.
      The pattern of ethylene production and the content of the ethylene precursor 1
      aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) were different among cultivars.
      Ethylene production appeared to be related to embryogenesis (callus and embryo
      production). In cultivars in which anthers had low amounts of ACC and produced
      ethylene slowly, the addition of ethylene promotors (Ethrel or ACC) increased
      embryogenesis. However, in the cultivar Klages, in which anthers had high amounts
      of ACC and produced ethylene rapidly, the addition of an ethylene production
      inhibitor (putrescine) increased embryogenesis. Thus, an optimum level of
      ethylene production appears to be important for embryogenesis. The differences in
      anther response and callus production among cultivars may be due to both the
      capacity to produce ethylene and the sensitivity to high ethylene levels. 

PMID- 24233367
TI  - Survival of cultured cells and somatic embryos of Asparagus officinalis
      cryopreserved by vitrification.
AB  - Cultured cells and somatic embryos derived from the mesophyll tissue of asparagus
      (Asparagus officinalis L.) were cryopreserved by vitrification. The vitrification
      solution (PVS) contains (w/v) 22% glycerol, 15% ethylene glycol, 15% propylene
      glycol and 7% DMSO in Murashige-Skoog medium enriched with 0.5M sorbitol. After
      initial cryoprotection with sorbitol supplemented MS medium containing 12%
      ethylene glycol, cells or embryos were exposed stepwise to 85% PVS at 0 degrees
      C. They were loaded into 0.5 ml transparent straws, and were then plunged
      directly into liquid nitrogen. After rapid warming, PVS was removed and diluted
      stepwise. The highest survivals of vitrified cells and embryos were about 65 and
      50%, respectively. Surviving embryos developed into plantlets. 

PMID- 24233368
TI  - Effect of exogenous amino acids on the intracellular content of proline and other
      amino acids in Daucus carota cells.
AB  - The effect of tryptophan on the biosynthesis of proline has been investigated.
      Cells of Daucus carota grown in B5 medium supplemented with 5*10(-4)M tryptophan
      acquired the ability to grow in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of
      azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, an analog of proline. When trp was added to carrot
      cell cultures at sub-growth inhibiting concentrations, overproduction of
      intracellular free proline was observed. An increase was also observed for lys,
      his, ala, leu and phe. Likewise, the addition of asparagine, glutamic acid and
      phenylalanine to the medium stimulated the intracellular increase of free proline
      and other amino acids. 

PMID- 24233369
TI  - Antiplasmodial activity of Artemisia annua plant cell cultures.
AB  - Extracts of Artemisia annua cultures have been assessed for in vitro activity
      against the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Callus and suspension cells
      and medium were analysed and examined for their activity at different stages of
      growth and development. Time-course experiments were carried out to investigate
      the influence of various basal media, plant growth regulators and light on both
      growth and possible artemisinin production. Two active fractions were obtained
      but artemisinin was not detected. 

PMID- 24233370
TI  - Editorial: Ecological monitoring for global change.

PMID- 24233371
TI  - Ecosystem monitoring at global baseline sites.
AB  - Integrated ecosystem and pollutant monitoring is being conducted at prototype
      global baseline sites in remote areas of the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska,
      the Wind River Mountains, Wyoming, and Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. A
      systems approach has been used in the design of these projects. This approach
      includes: (1) evaluation of source-receptor relationships, (2) multimedia (i.e.,
      air, water, soil, biota) monitoring of key contaminant pathways within the
      environment, (3) the use of selected ecosystem parameters to detect anthropogenic
      influence, and (4) the application of a systems conceptual framework as a
      heuristic tool.Initial short-term studies of air quality (e.g. SO2, NO2) plus
      trace metal concentrations in mosses generally indicate pristine conditions at
      all three of the above sites as expected although trace metals in mosses were
      higher at the Wyoming site. Selected ecosystem parameters for both terrestrial
      (e.g. litter decomposition) and aquatic (e.g. shredders, a macroinvertebrate
      functional feeding group) habitats at the Wyoming site reflected baseline
      conditions when compared to other studies.Plans also are being made to use U.S.
      Department of Energy Research Parks for global change monitoring. This will
      involve cross-site analyses of existing ecological databases and the design of a
      future monitoring network based on a systems approach as outlined in this paper. 

PMID- 24233372
TI  - Results from the NOAA National Status and Trends Program on distribution and
      effects of chemical contamination in the coastal and estuarine United States.
AB  - The NOAA National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program has been monitoring chemical
      contamination in fish livers, and surface sediments since 1984 and in molluscan
      tissue and sediments since 1986. Data from fine-grained sediment at 175 sites are
      used to describe the spatial distribution of contamination throughout the coastal
      and estuarine United States. Highest levels are generally found in, and
      considered representative of, urban areas. It should be noted, however, that
      these levels are not as high as have been found near discharge pipes or in
      isolated industrial areas through other monitoring efforts. Dramatic biological
      responses, such as liver tumors in fish or apparently toxic contaminant levels in
      sediment, are found infrequently. Subtle biological changes, especially those
      that affect reproductive ability, are being sought. Data from three annual
      collections of mollusks have been used to identify early signals of temporal
      trends in contamination at NS&T sites. 

PMID- 24233373
TI  - Long-term monitoring for environmental change in U.S. National Parks a watershed
      approach.
AB  - The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) is faced with direct questions about the
      condition of Park natural resources. The watershed approach to long-term
      monitoring of natural, and remote areas within the National Parks has provided
      important data for detecting both spacial and temporal changes in environmental
      conditions. These data collections allow the partitioning of cause and effect
      relationships of ecological change within a given watershed. They also serve to
      meet both reference and early warning objectives. Success in advancing a number
      of 'acid precipitation' goals has demonstrated the usefulness of these integrated
      watershed data for inter-ecosystem comparison and for analogy between watersheds.
      The watershed program owing to the NPS experience is proposed as a model for
      focusing the National Park Service's inventory and monitoring program
      inititiative. This approach provides to park researchers and resources managers
      the needed tools for dealing with today's complex local, regional and global
      natural resources issues. 

PMID- 24233374
TI  - An EPA program for monitoring ecological status and trends.
AB  - Despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent annually in the United States on
      environmental monitoring, policy and decision makers seldom have ready access to
      monitoring data to aid in prioritizing reasearch and assessment efforts or to
      assess the extent to which current policies are meeting the desired objectives.
      EPA is currently conducting research to evaluate options for establishing an
      integrated, cooperative monitoring program, with participation by federal, state,
      and private entities, that could result in annual statistical reports and
      interpretive summaries on the status and trends in indicators of adverse
      disturbance and corresponding 'health' of the nation's ecosystem on the regional
      and national scale. 

PMID- 24233375
TI  - Near-field time-resolved fluorescence studies of poly(phenylmethyl silane) with
      subwavelength resolution.
AB  - We present an example of the first time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC)
      near-field optical measurement. The aperture size of our prepared aluminun-coated
      fiber-optic probe was approximately 50 nm, which represents a spatial resolution
      of lambdaex/7 for our UV measurements. Near-field fluorescence decays of
      poly(phenylmethyl silane) in solid thin films excited in the range 325-360 nm
      were obtained and the steady-state excitation spectra compared with the
      excitation spectral information obtained in the far field. Fluorescence decays
      showed single exponential lifetimes ranging from 45 to 277 ps, which was
      dependent on the excitation wavelength and the selected near-field tip. The
      proximity of the metal-coated tip to the sample may be the reason for the
      modulation in fluorescence lifetime. 

PMID- 24233376
TI  - Photobleaching with a subnanosecond laser flash.
AB  - In standard fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) applications for
      measuring lateral diffusion rates and adsorption/desorption kinetics of
      fluorescent molecules at biological or model membranes, irreversible bleaching is
      induced by a bright excitation flash of at least millisecond time scale. It has
      been presumed that the bleaching event is of a low probability and the
      significant bleached population that develops during the flash results from each
      molecule undergoing thousands of excitation/deexcitation cycles before a
      bleaching event occurs. In some FRAP experiments, notably polarized FRAP (PFRAP)
      for measuring molecular rotational diffusion rates, it is desirable to use much
      shorter (subnanosecond) bleaching pulses. However, subnanosecond pulses are
      shorter than the fluorescence lifetime, so that any fluorophore will experience
      at most only one visit to the excited state during the bleaching pulse. If
      bleaching occurs only by the same processes as in slower FRAP experiments, one
      would thereby expect only minimal bleaching regardless of the bleach intensity.
      Moreover, the ability of fast polarized pulses to imprint an anisotropic
      orientational pattern in the postbleach unbleached fluorophore, an ability
      essential for PFRAP, is not at all guaranteed, particularly if two-photon
      processes are involved in high-intensity short bleach pulses. In this study,
      bleaching depths are measured as a function of subnanosecond pulse intensity on a
      small labeled protein covalently immobilized on fused silica. We show that bright
      subnanosecond laser flashes do indeed produce significant bleaching, that both
      two photon effects and reversible bleaching are involved, and that polarized
      bleaching does produce an anisotropic orientational pattern of unbleached
      fluorophore. We also postulate a theoretical molecular state model which
      semiquantitatively accounts for the experimentally observed dependence of
      reversible bleaching on bleaching pulse intensity. 

PMID- 24233377
TI  - A method for quantitative interpretation of fluorescence detection of
      poly(ethylene glycol)-mediated 1-palmitoyl-2-[[[2-[4-(phenyl-trans-1,3,5
      hexatrienyl) phenyl]ethyl]oxyl]carbonyl]3-sn-phosphatidylcholine (DPHpPC)
      transfer and fusion between phospholipid vesicles in the dehydrated state.
AB  - A method has been developed for calculating the expected fluorescence lifetime of
      the DPH p PC probe distributed between different membrane environments. We show
      how this method can be used to distinguish between lipid transfer and fusion
      between large unilamellar vesicles occurring in the presence of poly(ethylene
      glycol) (PEG). This application of the calculation took into consideration the
      heterogeneity of microenvironments experienced by the probe in a sample
      containing vesicle aggregates of different sizes. Assuming that the aggregate
      size distribution was a delta function of the aggregate size, comparison of the
      calculated and observed lifetimes yielded an estimate of the vesicle aggregate
      size. For vesicles of varying compositions in the presence of dehydrating
      concentrations of PEG, this method suggested that only small aggreggates formed.
      For vesicles that could be demonstrated by other means not to have fused, the
      data were consistent with lipid transfer occurring only between the outer
      leaflets of two to four vesicles, even at high PEG concentrations. For vesicles
      that could be demonstrated to fuse by contents mixing and size changes, the
      fluorescence lifetime data were consistent with lipid transfer between both the
      inner and the outer leaflets of two to four fused vesicles. At very high PEG
      concentrations, where extensive rupture and large, multilamellar products were
      previously observed, the lifetime data were consistent with much more extensive
      lipid transfer within larger aggregates. The agreement of predictions made on the
      basis of lifetime measurements with other observations attests to the validity of
      the fluorescence lifetime method. In addition, the model and data presented here
      provide evidence that fusion occurs between small numbers of PEG-aggregated
      vesicles before the removal of PEG. 

PMID- 24233378
TI  - Evidence for dual La and L b emission in 5-methylindole.
AB  - The steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of 5-methylindole is shown to depend on
      both excitation and emission wavelengths, at room temperature in glycerol. A
      simulation is presented that shows that this emission wavelength dependence of
      the anisotropy can be explained in terms of dual emission from both the La and
      the Lb transition moments of the indole ring. For such dual emission to occur,
      the lowest excited-state energy level of both of these oscillators must be very
      similar. 

PMID- 24233379
TI  - Distributions of fluorescence decay times for synthetic melittin in water
      methanol mixtures and complexed with calmodulin, troponin C, and phospholipids.
AB  - Frequency-domain measurements of the intensity decays of melittin were used to
      recover the distribution of decay times displayed by its single tryptophan
      residue. Melittin was examined in the monomeric random coil state (water), in the
      monomeric alpha-helical state (water-methanol), in the tetrameric state, and with
      6M guanidine hydrochloride. In the presence of denaturant, where melittin is
      expected to be devoid of secondary structure, we observed a narrow distribution
      of lifetimes, similar to a double-exponential decay. In water the intensity decay
      of melittin was found to be described better by the distribution of decay times,
      which became progressively wider as the amount of alpha-helix was increased by
      the methanol cosolvent or upon formation of the alpha-helical tetrameric state.
      We also examined the intensity decays of melittin when complexed with calmodulin,
      troponin C, or lipid vesicles of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine
      (POPC). The lifetime distributions of the complexes with lipid were comparable to
      those observed in methanol-water, suggesting a similarity of the structure and/or
      dynamics of the environment surrounding the tryptophan residue. A broad lifetime
      distribution was observed for the melittin-calmodulin complex, suggesting a rigid
      structure and/or heterogeneity in the form of the complex. The lifetime
      distribution of the melittin-troponin C complex was more narrow, suggesting a
      more uniform structure, at least in the region surrounding the tryptophan
      residue. These results demonstrate that the lifetime distributions of a single
      tryptophan protein can be a sensitive indicator of the conformational
      heterogeneity and dynamics of proteins. 

PMID- 24233380
TI  - Spectroscopic properties of the photoproducts of pyridoxal-5'-P irradiation:
      Catalytic site recognition of ribonuclease A.
AB  - Photoproducts of pyridoxal-5'-P, i.e., 4-pyridoxic-5'-P and bis-pyridoxal-5'-P,
      have been studied by spectroscopic methods. The spectroscopic properties of bis
      pyridoxal-5'-P (bis-PLP) resemble those of pyridoxal-5'-P (PLP) under similar
      experimental conditions. The coupling of methylen hydrogens to the phosphorus
      atom has been shown by NMR spectroscopy. The singlet in the(31)P-NMR spectra and
      the triplet in(1)H-undecoupled experiments confirm the presence of the phosphate
      group in the 5' position of the structure of the vitamin. The effect of pH and
      solvent composition on the relative distribution of species of bis-pyridoxine-5'
      P (bis-PNP) has been investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.
      The acid-base dissociation of the phosphate group is easily detected by emission
      spectroscopy. Bis-PNP and bis-PLP bind to the enzyme RNase A and they behave as
      competitive inhibitors with respect to the substrate cytidine-2'-3'-cyclic
      phosphate. The natural forms of vitamin B6, pyridoxine, and pyridoxine-5'-P have
      no effect on the catalytic activity of the protein. Experimental evidence derived
      from fluorescence and inhibition experiments is consistent with the hypothesis
      that bis-PNP recognizes the catalytic site of RNase A. 

PMID- 24233381
TI  - Oxygen fluorescence quenching studies with single tryptophan-containing proteins.
AB  - The work of Lakowicz and Weber [Biochemistry 12, 4161 (1973)] demonstrated that
      molecular oxygen is a powerful quencher of tryptophan fluorescence in proteins.
      Here we report studies of the oxygen quenching of several proteins that have a
      single, internal tryptophan residue. Among these are apoazurin (Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa), asparaginase (Escherichia coli), ribonuclease T1 (Aspergillus
      oryzae), and cod parvalbumin. Both fluorescence intensity and phase lifetime
      quenching data are reported. By comparison of these data we find that there is a
      significant degree of apparent static quenching in these proteins. The dynamic
      quenching rate constants,k q, that we find are low compared to those for
      tryptophan residues in other proteins. For example, for apoazurin we find an
      apparentk q of 0.59*10(9) M (-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C. This value is the lowest
      that has been reported for the oxygen quenching of tryptophan fluorescence. 

PMID- 24233382
TI  - Steady-state and time-resolved phosphorescence of wild-type and modified
      bacteriophage lambdacI repressors.
AB  - We have measured the steady-state phosphorescence and decay times of wild-type
      lambdacI repressor and compared it with that of a modified lambdacI repressor in
      which > 95% of the tryptophans were replaced with 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5
      OHTrp). The wild-type and 5-OHTrp-lambdacI repressors are spectroscopically
      distinct such that we can selectively excite the 5-OHTrp-lambdacI even in the
      presence of a 15-fold molar excess ofN-acetyltryptophanamide (NATrpA). The
      phosphorescence band of wild-type lambdacI is red-shifted by 3 nm relative to
      NATrpA, characteristic of buried tryptophan. Similarly, the phosphorescence of 5
      OHTrp-lambdacI repressor is red-shifted relative to the model, 5-OHTrp, showing
      that according to the phosphorescence, the modified repressor is structurally
      indistinguishable from the native repressor. While the phosphorescence decay of
      both NATrpA and 5-OHTrp are single exponentials, the decay of both wild-type and
      5-OHTrp-lambdacI repressors is complex, requiring three decay components whose
      fractional contributions to the phosphorescence are the same for both repressors.
      Because the 5-OHTrp phosphorescence can be excited at wavelengths outside the
      absorbance range of tryptophan and DNA, a protein spectrally enhanced with this
      emitter will aid the investigations of protein-protein or protein-DNA
      interactions. 

PMID- 24233383
TI  - Modeling pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of abatacept and disease progression
      in collagen-induced arthritic rats: a population approach.
AB  - The PK/PD of abatacept, a selective T cell co-stimulation modulator, was examined
      in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) using a nonlinear mixed effect
      modeling approach. Male Lewis rats underwent collagen induction to produce
      rheumatoid arthritis. Two single-dose groups received either 10 mg/kg intravenous
      (IV) or 20 mg/kg subcutaneous (SC) abatacept, and one multiple-dose group
      received one 20 mg/kg SC abatacept dose and four additional 10 mg/kg SC doses.
      Effects on disease progression (DIS) were measured by paw swelling. Plasma
      concentrations of abatacept were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
      The PK/PD data were sequentially fitted using NONMEM VI. Goodness-of-fit was
      assessed by objective functions and visual inspection of diagnostic plots. The PK
      of abatacept followed a two-compartment model with linear elimination. For SC
      doses, short-term zero-order absorption was assumed with F = 59.2 %. The disease
      progression component was an indirect response model with a time-dependent change
      in paw edema production rate constant (k in ) that was inhibited by abatacept.
      Variation in the PK data could be explained by inter-individual variability in
      clearance and central compartment volume (V 1 ), while the large variability of
      the PD data may be the result of paw edema production (k in 0 ) and loss rate
      constant (k out ). Abatacept has modest effects on paw swelling in CIA rats. The
      PK/PD profiles were well described by the proposed model and allowed evaluation
      of inter-individual variability on drug- and DIS-related parameters.

PMID- 24233384
TI  - Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on radiation-induced bone loss in C3H/HeN mice.
AB  - This study investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on radiation
      induced bone loss in C3H/HeN mice. C3H/HeN mice were divided into sham and
      irradiation (3 Gy, gamma-ray) groups. The irradiated mice were treated for 12 wk
      with vehicle, KRG (per os, p.o.) or KRG (intraperitoneal). Serum alkaline
      phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, estradiol level, and
      biomechanical properties were measured. Tibiae were analyzed using micro-computed
      tomography. Treatment of KRG (p.o., 250 mg/kg of body weight/d) significantly
      preserved trabecular bone volume, trabecular number, structure model index, and
      bone mineral density of proximal tibia metaphysic, but did not alter the uterus
      weight of the mice. Serum ALP level was slightly reduced by KRG treatment.
      However, grip strength, mechanical property, and cortical bone architecture did
      not differ among the experimental groups. The results indicate that KRG can
      prevent radiation-induced bone loss in mice. 

PMID- 24233385
TI  - Superaromatic terpyridines based on corannulene responsive to metal ions.
AB  - Two superaromatic terpyridine ligands (1 and 2) incorporating a corannulene unit
      at the 4'-position are reported. The optical and metal sensing properties of both
      ligands were investigated by the naked eye, and UV-vis and fluorescence
      spectroscopy in this work. In 1, the corannulene motif is directly connected to
      the 4'-phenylterpyridine domain, while in 2, the corannulene motif and the 4'
      phenylterpyridine domain are separated by an acetylene linker. Both 1 and 2 can
      work as chemosensors for metal ions and display different optical responses to
      various metal ions. It is shown that both ligands exhibit a colorimetric sensing
      ability for Fe(2+) through an obvious color change from colorless to magenta, and
      this color change can be observed easily by the naked eye. The addition of Fe(2+)
      also leads to significant changes in the absorption spectra of the ligands. A
      characteristic red shift in the emission spectra is observed in the presence of
      Zn(2+), which facilitates the discrimination of Zn(2+) from other metal ions. In
      addition, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent-density functional
      theory (TD-DFT) calculations were performed and shown to be consistent with the
      observed experimental results.

PMID- 24233386
TI  - Dysfunction of protein C anticoagulant system, main genetic risk factor for
      venous thromboembolism in northeast Asians.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life threatening medical disorder worldwide. A
      great deal of evidence suggests that prevalence of VTE varies significantly among
      ethnic populations, with consistently lower incidence found in Asians. While the
      distribution of genetic risk factors may vary among races, genetic risk factors
      can play a major role among individuals with different genetic backgrounds. Two
      clinically evaluated low-frequency genetic mutations that predispose to VTE--the
      factor V Leiden mutation and prothrombin G20210A mutation--are found
      predominantly in Caucasians, and virtually never in Asians. The findings of a
      recent genetic study of VTE in northeast Asians, which greatly advanced our
      knowledge in this area, indicate that the most frequent genetic risk factors for
      VTE in northeast Asians can be attributed to a dysfunction of the protein C
      anticoagulant system. Several low-frequency genetic mutations, PROS1 p.Lys196Glu
      in Japanese and PROC p.Arg189Trp and p.Lys193del in Chinese, are significantly
      associated with increased risk for VTE, with odds ratio more than 2 through the
      reduced protein C anticoagulant activity. Construction of a multifactorial model
      based on the genetic risk factors in the protein C anticoagulant system could
      facilitate genetic counseling for VTE risk in these populations. The influence of
      prevalent genetic mutations on the risk of VTE should be further investigated in
      Asian countries.

PMID- 24233387
TI  - Primary venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients with solid tumors: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of death among outpatient
      chemotherapy patients. However the VTE preventive measures for outpatients are
      not widely advocated. We did a meta-analysis to evaluate the outpatient VTE
      prevention's effectiveness and safety. We searched electronic databases until the
      end of December 2012 and reviewed the abstracts and manuscripts following the
      PRISMA guidelines. Occurrence of first VTE event was the efficacy outcome. The
      safety end point was major bleeding. We calculated Q statistic and a homogeneity
      formal test. The odds ratio (OR) estimates were pooled by using the Mantel
      Haenszel fixed-effects method in the absence of heterogeneity. Data were analyzed
      using the R META package). We identified 1,485 articles and reviewed 37 articles
      based on initial screening. The number of patients included in 11 selected trials
      was 7,805. The odds of VTE was lower in the prophylaxis group (OR 0.56; 95% CI
      0.45-0.71) and improved when heparin-based prevention was analyzed (OR 0.53; 95%
      CI 0.41-0.70). We found strong prevention among patients with lung cancer (OR
      0.46; 95% CI 0.29-0.74) and pancreatic cancer (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.16-0.67). Major
      bleeding events were frequent in the intervention group (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.12
      2.44). Thromboprophylaxis reduced VTE episodes. The VTE events were reduced by
      47% in heparin-based prophylaxis trials compared to placebo. The patients
      receiving heparin-based prophylaxis had a 60% increase in bleeding events.
      Improving risk stratification tools to personalize prevention strategies may
      enhance the VTE prevention applicability in cancer patients.

PMID- 24233388
TI  - Bleeding events and associated factors in a cohort of adult patients taking
      warfarin in Sarawak, Malaysia.
AB  - Evidence is emerging that rates of adverse events in patients taking warfarin may
      vary with ethnicity. This study investigated the rates of bleeds and
      thromboembolic events, the international normalised ratio (INR) status and the
      relationship between INR and bleeding events in Malaysia. Patients attending INR
      clinic at the Heart Centre, Sarawak General Hospital were enrolled on an ad hoc
      basis from May 2010 and followed up for 1 year. At each routine visit, INR was
      recorded and screening for bleeding or thromboembolism occurred. Variables
      relating to INR control were used as predictors of bleeds in logistic regression
      models. 125 patients contributed to 140 person-years of follow-up. The rates of
      major bleed, thromboembolic event and minor bleed per 100 person-years of follow
      up were 1.4, 0.75 and 34.3. The median time at target range calculated using the
      Rosendaal method was 61.6% (IQR 44.6-74.1%). Of the out-of-range readings, 30.0%
      were below range and 15.4% were above. INR variability, (standard deviation of
      individuals' mean INR), was the best predictor of bleeding events, with an odds
      ratio of 3.21 (95% CI 1.10-9.38). Low rates of both major bleeds and
      thromboembolic events were recorded, in addition to a substantial number of INR
      readings under the recommended target range. This may suggest that the
      recommended INR ranges may not represent the optimal warfarin intensity for this
      population and that a lower intensity of therapy, as observed in this cohort,
      could be beneficial in preventing adverse events.

PMID- 24233389
TI  - Hemostasis, cancer, and ABO blood group: the most recent evidence of association.
AB  - Human ABO blood group antigens are expressed on the surface of red blood cells
      and a variety of human cells and tissues. However, an increasingly number of
      studies show that the ABO blood group, in addition to its fundamental role in
      transfusion medicine and in several other disciplines, has a causal role in
      predisposing to several human diseases, including hemostasis and neoplastic
      disorders, which will be the focus of this narrative review.

PMID- 24233390
TI  - Temporal trends in the use of parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines recommend enteral over parenteral
      nutrition in critical illness and do not recommend early initiation. Few data are
      available on parenteral nutrition use or timing of initiation in the ICU or how
      this use may have changed over time. METHODS: We used the Project IMPACT database
      to evaluate temporal trends in parenteral nutrition use (total and partial
      parenteral nutrition and lipid supplementation) and timing of initiation in adult
      ICU admissions from 2001 to 2008. We used chi2 tests and analysis of variance to
      examine characteristics of patients receiving parenteral nutrition and multilevel
      multivariate logistic regression models to assess parenteral nutrition use over
      time, in all patients and in specific subgroups. RESULTS: Of 337,442 patients,
      20,913 (6.2%) received parenteral nutrition. Adjusting for patient
      characteristics, the use of parenteral nutrition decreased modestly over time
      (adjusted probability, 7.2% in 2001-2002 vs 5.5% in 2007-2008, P<.001). Enteral
      nutrition use increased simultaneously (adjusted probability, 11.5% in 2001-2002
      vs 15.3% in 2007-2008, P<.001). Use of parenteral nutrition declined most rapidly
      in emergent surgical patients, patients with moderate illness severity, patients
      in the surgical ICU, and patients admitted to an academic facility (P<=.01 for
      all interactions with year). When used, parenteral nutrition was initiated a
      median of 2 days (interquartile range, 1-3), after ICU admission and >90% of
      patients had parenteral nutrition initiated within 7 days; timing of initiation
      of parenteral nutrition did not change from 2001 to 2008. CONCLUSIONS: Use of
      parenteral nutrition in US ICUs declined from 2001 through 2008 in all patients
      and in all examined subgroups, with the majority of parenteral nutrition
      initiated within the first 7 days in ICU; enteral nutrition use coincidently
      increased over the same time period.

PMID- 24233392
TI  - Marine sponges as habitats of anaerobic phototrophic bacteria.
AB  - Enrichment cultures were prepared with different media for phototrophic bacteria
      from four species of marine sponges, collected from oxic coastal waters near
      Split (Yugoslavia). We obtained pure cultures of six strains ofChromatiaceae and
      two strains ofRhodospirillaceae by agar shake dilution. TheRhodospirillaceae were
      identified asRhodopseudomonas sulfidophila and a marine form ofRhodopseudomonas
      palustris. TheChromatiaceae were identified asChromatium vinosum, Chromatium
      gracile, Chromatium minutissimum. Ectothiorhodospira mobilis, and a Chromatium
      species, which in some respects resemblesChromatium minus. The occurrence of
      strictly anaerobic phototrophic bacteria in aerobic sponges is discussed with
      respect to nutrition and possible syntrophism. 

PMID- 24233391
TI  - The prevalence of undiagnosed HIV serodiscordance among male couples presenting
      for HIV testing.
AB  - In the United States, a substantial proportion of HIV transmissions among men who
      have sex with men (MSM) arise from main sex partners. Couples voluntary HIV
      testing and counseling (CHTC) is used in many parts of the world with male-female
      couples, but CHTC has historically not been available in the U.S. and few data
      exist about the extent of HIV serodiscordance among U.S. male couples. We tested
      partners in 95 Atlanta male couples (190 men) for HIV. Eligible men were in a
      relationship for >=3 months and were not known to be HIV-positive. We calculated
      the prevalence of couples that were seroconcordant HIV-negative, seroconcordant
      HIV-positive, or HIV serodiscordant. We evaluated differences in the prevalence
      of HIV serodiscordance by several dyadic characteristics (e.g., duration of
      relationship, sexual agreements, and history of anal intercourse in the
      relationship). Overall, among 190 men tested for HIV, 11 % (n = 20) were newly
      identified as HIV-positive. Among the 95 couples, 81 % (n = 77) were concordant
      HIV-negative, 17 % (n = 16) were HIV serodiscordant, and 2 % (n = 2) were
      concordant HIV-positive. Serodiscordance was not significantly associated with
      any evaluated dyadic characteristic. The prevalence of undiagnosed HIV
      serodiscordance among male couples in Atlanta is high. Offering testing to male
      couples may attract men with a high HIV seropositivity rate to utilize testing
      services. Based on the global evidence base for CHTC with heterosexual couples
      and the current evidence of substantial undiagnosed HIV serodiscordance among
      U.S. MSM, we recommend scale-up of CHTC services for MSM, with ongoing evaluation
      of acceptability and couples' serostatus outcomes.

PMID- 24233393
TI  - The ecology of yeast flora associated with cactiphilic Drosophila and their host
      plants in the Sonoran desert.
AB  - Yeasts were isolated from the rotting stems of 7 species of cereoid cacti and 4
      species ofDrosophila which utilize them as host plants. The yeast most common
      among 132 nonidentical isolates from the cacti and 187 nonidentical isolates from
      the flies, respectively, were:Pichia membranaefaciens (59 and 126),Candida ingens
      (22 and 8),Torulopsis sonorensis (16 and 20), andCryptococcus cereanus (11 and
      14). Isolates capable of utilizingD-xylose were recovered primarily fromD. pachea
      andL. schotti. Adult flies were present on the substrates whenP. membranaefaciens
      was at high concentrations. As the pH of the substrates increased, the percent
      ofC. ingens cells increased relative to other yeast species. Larvae were detected
      mainly in alkaline substrates, and since adults did not yieldC. ingens to the
      extent the substrates did,C. ingens may be important in larval
      nutrition.Torulopsis sonorensis was recovered mainly fromD. mojavensis and its
      host plants,M. gummosus andL. thurberi. The concentration ofT. sonorensis in the
      substrates was negatively correlated with the temperature of the
      substrate.Cryptococcus cereanus was found in high concentrations in suitable
      tissues for adult flies but most adults did not yield this species to any extent.
      The yeast habitat diversities from the substrates had the following order:L.
      thurberi > C. gigantea > C. gigantea soils ? M. gummosus > L. schotti > others.
      Habitat diversity is discussed in relation to the variation of the physical
      conditions and chemical composition of the substrates. The yeast habitat
      diversities from the flies had the orderD. pachea > D. mojavensis ? D.
      nigrospiracula > undescribed Species M. The degree of habitat diversity is
      possibly a function of the surface feeding behavior of the flies. 

PMID- 24233394
TI  - Occurrence ofVibrio and other bacteria on the sea nettle,Chrysaora quinquecirrha.
AB  - Sixty-two specimens of the sea nettle,Chrysaora quinquecirrha, were caught in the
      lower Chesapeake Bay, homogenized, and samples plated on a yeast extract-Bay
      water agar. Bacterial colonies were selected randomly, purified, and tested for
      180 characteristics. Computer analysis permitted clustering of the 208 isolates
      into 15 groups (comprised of 133 strains) plus 75 nongrouped strains which failed
      to associate with any group at the 70% similarity level. The majority of the
      isolates (68.8%) wereVibrio species. These included 110 of the grouped strains
      (forming 12 of the 15 groups) and 33 of the nongrouped strains. The remainder of
      the isolates were distributed as follows:Pseudomonas (11.6%),Bacillus
      (8.2%),Flavobacterium (2.4%),Acinetobacter (2.4%),Moraxella (1.9%),Cytophaga
      (1.9%), Gram-positive cocci (1.4%), and miscellaneous (1.4%). All theBacillus
      were isolated from a group of moribund nettles and reflect an abnormal
      condition.Vibrio species predominated in the five "catches" of healthy nettles,
      but were distinctly different for each catch. 

PMID- 24233395
TI  - Effects of temperature on the darkness survival of marine microplanktonic algae.
AB  - Thirty-seven species of marine microplanktonic algae from 10 taxonomic classes
      were tested for their viability in axenic culture after prolonged exposure to
      darkness at 2 degrees , 10 degrees , and 20 degrees C. The darkness test periods
      were prolonged in weekly installments up to a maximum of 1 year, and viability
      retention (survival) was judged from the capability for resuming growth after
      replacement in light. The 2 degrees C-tests showed 32% of the species reaching
      the limits of survival with 5-6 months of darkness exposure, but another similar
      percentage continued to tolerate darkness for double this period. These darkness
      toleration limits were considerably shorter at 20 degrees C for the strains known
      to be isolated from cold marine regions, whereas the warm-water strains showed
      the reverse temperature effect in surviving significantly longer at 10 degrees 
      20 degrees C than at 2 degrees C. Irrespective of temperature or algal class, the
      bulk of the more resistant survivors was formed by the strains qualifying as
      benthic types, about 70% of which tolerated 11-12 months and the rest at least 5
      6 months of darkness. A few randomly chosen benthic strains extended this
      toleration to 3 years of darkness. It was concluded that phytoplankters retain
      darkness-endurance capacity determined by their ecological origin and with no
      obvious taxonomic correspondence. The concept of ecological races, characterized
      by temperature control of darkness survival, is discussed. 

PMID- 24233396
TI  - The rate of microbial degradation of oil in a beach gravel column.
AB  - An automatic, continuous flow respirometer was used to follow the bio-oxidation
      of a crude oil in a column of fairly coarse beach material. A number of water
      percolation rates were employed, with and without inorganic nutrient
      supplementation (nitrate and phosphate). Initially, nutrient supplementation was
      required to allow significant oxidation rates, but a capacity for biodegradation
      in the absence of continued supplementation developed slowly. The increase in
      oxidation rate with nutrient supplementation was in the proportion 0.23 mg oxygen
      perMUmol nitrate. This proportionality was similar to previous results in this
      laboratory (using different systems), as was the effect of temperature. The mean
      of two Q10 values in this work was 2.7. 

PMID- 24233397
TI  - Aerobic versus anaerobic metabolism of halogenated anilines by aParacoccus sp.
AB  - AParacoccus sp. which transforms aniline and different halogen-substituted
      derivatives under aerobic and anaerobic conditions was isolated from the soil. In
      experiments with(14)C-ring-labeled 4-chloroaniline, approximately 60% of the
      radioactive material disappeared from the growth medium after incubation under
      anaerobiosis within 48 hr, but under aerobic conditions no decrease of
      radioactivity in the growth medium was observed, although 4-chloroaniline was
      completely metabolized. Acetylation appears to constitute, especially under
      aerobic conditions, a major transformation mechanism by the bacterium, since
      almost 50% of the acetylated compound could be detected and identified if
      aniline, 2-, 3-, and 4-chloroaniline served as substrate. The formation of
      different metabolites under aerobic and anaerobic conditions clearly indicates
      the existence of two separate pathways in the metabolism of aniline compounds
      depending on the oxygen status of the environment. 

PMID- 24233398
TI  - An enrichment technique for isolation of marine chemotactic bacteria.

PMID- 24233399
TI  - Synergistic activities of MET/RON inhibitor BMS-777607 and mTOR inhibitor AZD8055
      to polyploid cells derived from pancreatic cancer and cancer stem cells.
AB  - Tyrosine kinase inhibitor BMS-777067 is an inhibitor of RON/MET receptor tyrosine
      kinases currently under clinical trials. Here, we report the synergistic activity
      of BMS-777607 in combination with mTOR inhibitor AZD8055 in killing
      chemoresistant pancreatic cancer and cancer stem cells. Treatment of pancreatic
      cancer L3.6pl cells with BMS-777607 alone inhibited clonogenic growth and
      moderately induced apoptotic death. However, BMS-777607 caused extensive
      polyploidy in L3.6pl cells through inhibition of aurora kinase B activity,
      independent of RON expression. In contrast, L3.6pl-derived cancer stem cells were
      highly resistant to BMS-777607-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. The
      effect of BMS-777607 on induction of cancer stem cell polyploidy was also weak.
      BMS-777607-induced polyploidy features a predominant cell population with 8N
      chromosome content in both L3.6pl and cancer stem cells. These cells also showed
      decreased sensitivity toward chemotherapeutics by increased survival of IC(50)
      values in response to doxorubicin, cisplatin, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracial, and
      gemcitabine. Among a panel of chemical inhibitors that target different signaling
      proteins, we found that BMS-777607 in combination with mTOR inhibitor AZD8055
      exerted synergistic effects on L3.6pl and cancer stem cells. More than 70% of
      L3.6pl and cancer stem cells lost their viability when both inhibitors were used.
      Specifically, BMS-777607 in combination with inhibition of mTORC2, but not
      mTORC1, was responsible for the observed synergism. Our findings demonstrate that
      BMS-777607 at therapeutic doses exerts inhibitory activities on pancreatic cancer
      cells but also induces polyploidy insensitive to chemotherapeutics. Combination
      of BMS-777607 with AZD8055 achieves the maximal cytotoxic effect on pancreatic
      cancer and cancer stem cells.

PMID- 24233400
TI  - A simplified culture system to examine soluble factor interactions between
      mammalian cells.
AB  - Interactions between different cell types play critical roles in normal
      development and disease, but remain challenging to analyse. Here, a co-culture
      system is described that overcomes many of the limitations of existing methods,
      is simple to construct and modify, and is compatible with standard cellular and
      molecular assays. 

PMID- 24233401
TI  - [Value of galactography for the diagnostic work-up of pathological nipple
      discharge in multimodal breast diagnostics : Part 1: An online survey among
      German breast care centers.]
AB  - PURPOSE: Galactography has been used in cases of pathological discharge for
      decades. Meanwhile other methods, such as high-resolution ultrasound (US) and
      magnetic resonance mammography (MRM) have been established for modern multimodal
      breast imaging. A survey among certified German breast care centers aimed to
      investigate to what extent galactography is currently used and whether newer
      techniques in multimodal imaging are preferred. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An
      anonymous online survey was carried out nationwide and open to 342 radiology
      units in certified German breast care centers. RESULTS: A total of 177 units (52
      %) participated in the survey of which 13 % generally do not provide
      galactography, 33 % conduct a maximum of 5 galactographies per year, 24 % conduct
      6-10, 18 % 11-20, 8 % 21-50 and 5 % 51-100. Of the participants 53 % give first
      priority to US and prefer galactography to MRM in stepwise diagnosis and 32 %
      prefer MRM to galactography. Only 4 % use galactography initially. CONCLUSION:
      Currently galactography is no longer a mandatory standard and newer methods are
      preferred. The evidential value of galactography in comparison to other
      techniques should be established on the basis of the literature. The second part
      of this paper will deal with this question.

PMID- 24233402
TI  - [Value of galactography for the diagnostic work-up of pathological nipple
      discharge in multimodal breast diagnostics. Part 2: a systematic review of the
      literature].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The survey results of a previous study showed that galactography is
      now rarely used in Germany and newer methods are applied. The evidential value of
      galactography should be established and opposed to the evidential value of
      ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance mammography (MRM). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      A search was carried out in PubMed and Cochrane involving studies written in
      English or German. The level of evidence was measured according to the Oxford
      Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were included,
      14 with results on galactography, 10 on US and 5 on MRM. Almost all studies were
      retrospective with an evidence assigned to level 3b or lower. The results on the
      diagnostic values showed a very wide range. Because of very variable numbers of
      cases and consideration of various pathologies, the studies are only comparable
      to a limited extent. CONCLUSION: Galactography, US and MRM all show a weak level
      of evidence and no superiority of a particular method can be derived. Therefore,
      galactography can no longer be considered as a mandatory standard in modern
      multimodal imaging of the breast. Recommendations for the diagnostic work-up of
      pathological nipple discharge have to be included in current guidelines and must
      consider these facts.

PMID- 24233403
TI  - [Recanalization of thrombosis of the superior vena cava using an Aspirex
      catheter.]

PMID- 24233404
TI  - Pseudothrombocytopenia in a neonate due to mother.

PMID- 24233405
TI  - Symptom positivity is essential for omitting biopsy in children with suspected
      celiac disease according to the new ESPGHAN guidelines.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of serological tests in
      combination with clinical symptoms for diagnosing celiac disease (CD) according
      to the new proposed European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology
      and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) criteria. We retrospectively assessed children and
      adolescents aged 16 months -19 years who were examined for suspicion of CD (n =
      345). Evaluation of clinical symptoms and the presence of tissue transglutaminase
      (anti-TG-IgA) and endomysial antibodies (EMA-IgA) as well as intestinal biopsies
      was performed in all patients. Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) were not included.
      Among 345 biopsied children, 213 (62 %) children had anti-TG titers >10 times the
      upper limit of normal (ULN) and positive EMA antibodies. Ninety-nine (29 %)
      children also had symptoms suggestive of CD in addition to EMA positivity and
      elevated titers of anti-TG >10 times the ULN. In patients who were asymptomatic,
      but positive for EMA, and had anti-TG antibodies >10 times the ULN, the
      specificity of tests for Marsh 2-3 was only 85 %, while in symptomatic patients
      with the same antibodies levels, the specificity was 99 %. Conclusion: Our
      results reveal that intestinal biopsies could be omitted in 28 % of patients when
      the new ESPGHAN guidelines are applied. Due to high accuracy of serological tests
      in combination with clinical symptoms for diagnosis of CD, the new guideline
      seems to be applicable even without the use of HLA testing.

PMID- 24233406
TI  - Commentary: Hemostatic net in rhytidoplasty, author Luiz A. Auersvald.

PMID- 24233407
TI  - Entomopathogenic nematodes associated with essential oil of Lippia sidoides for
      control of Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).
AB  - In vitro effect of the association of the entomopathogenic nematodes
      Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88 and Heterorhabditis indica LPP1 with the
      essential oil of Lippia sidoides on engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus
      was assessed. Engorged females with homogeneous weights (p >0.05) were divided
      into six groups of ten ticks each (each female = an experimental unit). In the
      treated groups, the ticks were exposed to the oil (40 MUl/ml=4%) and nematodes
      (300 entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs/tick) separately and also to the nematodes
      together with the oil, while in the control group, the females were immersed in
      Tween 80 (3%). All the treatments caused a significant reduction in the egg mass
      weight (p <0.05). The hatching percentage of larvae was reduced (p <0.05) in the
      groups treated with H. bacteriophora HP88, H. indica LPP1, and H. bacteriophora
      HP88 associated with the oil, but in the group treated only with the oil, the
      hatching of percentage of larvae rate was similar to that of the control group (p
      >0.05). The percentage of control in the group exposed only to the oil was 50.7%,
      while in the other treated groups, the percentage of control was greater than 95
      %, reaching 100 %in the group treated with H. indica LPP1 associated with the
      oil. The results of the L. sidoides essential oil in the concentrations tested in
      association with both H. bacteriophora HP88 and H. indica LPP1 indicate that
      these combinations can be used to control R. microplus.

PMID- 24233408
TI  - Characterization of Giardia lamblia genotypes in dogs from Tucson, Arizona using
      SSU-rRNA and beta-giardin sequences.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine if human genotypes of Giardia
      lamblia could be found in canine companion animals from urban and peri-urban
      environments in Tucson, Arizona. Canine fecal samples collected from the Humane
      Society of Southern Arizona between July 2006 and April 2009 were screened for G.
      lamblia infection using immunofluorescent microscopy and confirmed by polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR). Of the 672 samples screened, 196 were found positive by IFA
      and 185 of those positive were successfully amplified through PCR. Sequencing
      analysis showed samples were primarily of the C or D genotypes (n =154), or
      showing a mix of the C and D genotypes (n =10). One sample showed a mixed
      infection of a human genotype (A) and a dog-specific genotype (C). These data are
      consistent with previous studies showing dog specific genotypes to be dominant in
      environments where dog-to-dog transmission is likely to occur, and provides
      further evidence that multiple genes should be targeted for more accurate
      genotype characterization.

PMID- 24233409
TI  - Morphologic identification of a new Sarcocystis sp. in the common moorhen
      (Gallinula chloropus ) (Aves: Gruiformes: Rallidae) from Brolos Lake, Egypt.
AB  - Sarcocystis species are among the most common and widespread protozoan parasites
      of mammals and birds. The current study provides the first record of infection
      with Sarcocystis species in the common moorhens from Brolos Lake, KafrElsheikh
      province, Egypt. Morphology of the parasite cysts was described using light and
      transmission electron microscopy. Out of 25 examined birds, sarcocysts were found
      in neck, thigh, and legs muscles of two birds. The cysts were microscopic and
      measured 150-650 MUm in length*45-185 MUm in width. Histologically, the sarcocyst
      wall appeared striated and characterized by the presence of radial spines.
      Ultrastructurally, it measured 2-4.5 MUm in thickness and had irregularly shaped
      crowded finger-like villar protrusions that measured 1.5-4 MUm in length and up
      to 0.4-2 MUm in width with the presence of dense electron ground substance of 200
      750 nm thick. Several septa derived from the ground substance were present and
      divided the cyst into compartments containing both bradyzoites and metrocytes.
      The bradyzoites were banana-shaped and measured 6-12 * 1-2 MUm with centrally or
      posteriorly located nuclei. The ultrastructural features of the cyst wall
      belonged to type 10 cyst wall according the classification of Dubey et al. (1989)
      and Dubey and Odening (2001).

PMID- 24233411
TI  - Instrumentation: Quovadis, or new directions.

PMID- 24233410
TI  - Eosinophil chemotactic chemokine profilings of the brain from permissive and non
      permissive hosts infected with Angiostrongylus cantonenis.
AB  - Angiostrongylus cantonensis invasion primarily cause heavy or negligible
      eosinophic meningitis and meningoencephalitis in the brain of non-permissive and
      permissive hosts, respectively. Chemokines are effective leukocyte
      chemoattractants and may play an essential role in mediating eosinophil
      recruitment in angiostrongyliasis. In the present study, we comparatively
      analyzed changes in peripheral and CSF eosinophil counts, and expression
      profilings of eosinophil chemotactic chemokines in A. cantonensis-infected mice
      (CCL 2, CCL 3, CCL 5, CCL7, CCL 8, CCL 11, CCL 12, CCL 24 and CCL 28) and rats
      (CCL 2, CCL 3, CCL 5, CCL 11 and CCL 12) were explored at 1, 2, 5, 7, 14, and 21
      days post-infection (dpi), and found significantly elevated numbers of
      eosinophils in blood and CSF of infected mice after 5 dpi, while significant
      increases of eosinophils in blood and CSF of infected rats were detected after 5
      and 14 dpi, respectively. The kinetics of CSF eosinophilia is basically
      correlated with eosinophil chemotactic chemokine levels in brains of infected
      animals at each time point. Interestingly, less CSF eosinophils and infiltration
      of eosinophils in the brain were noted in rats than in mice, though extremely
      high levels of chemokines were also maintained in the brains of infected rats at
      21 dpi. We further described CCL 11 (eotaxin), a previously reported eosinophil
      chemotactic factor in angiostrongyliasis, was mainly released from activated
      microglia in mice and rats infected with A. cantonensis. Our results reveal that
      different complicated chemokine networks mediate recruitment of eosinophils
      between permissive and non-permissive hosts during A. cantonensis infection, and
      provide promising targets for clinical treatment of angiostrongyliasis.

PMID- 24233412
TI  - Surfactant solubilization of hydrophobic compounds in soil and water : II. The
      role of dodecylsulphate-soil interactions for hexachlorobenzene.
AB  - The soil/water partition coefficient (Kd) of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) ranged from
      220 1/kg to 1800 1/kg for eight soils having a wide range of physico-chemical
      properties. Kd normalised to soil organic carbon (Koc) was found to be 28000 +/-
      4800 1/kg. Anionic surfactant dodecylsulphate (DS) present at concentrations
      above the critical micellar concentration (CMC) caused reductions in the apparent
      soil/water partition coefficient (Kd (*)) in the range of 3-26 times for most
      soils and up to 36-91 times for sandy soils. Below CMC, at environmentally
      relevant surfactant concentrations, Kd (*) was reduced by a factor of 1-13. For
      clay and calcareous soils significant adsorption/complexation/precipitation of DS
      occurred. At the lowest DS concentration this produced a two-fold increase in Kd
      (*). At increasing DS concentrations this effect was shielded by the solubihzing
      effect from DS. Monomer (Kmn) and micellar (Kmc) surfactant/water partition
      coefficients for HCB were determined to be, 980 +/- 190 1/kg and 21000 +/- 1600
      1/kg, respectively. 

PMID- 24233413
TI  - Nitro musk compounds genotoxic activity : Genotoxicity testing of nitro musks
      with the SOS-chromotest and the sister-chromatid exchange test.
AB  - Five nitro musk compounds are widely used as fragrance ingredients in perfumes,
      lotions and detergents; as food additives in cigarettes and fish baits, and in
      such technical products as herbicide formulations and explosives. Several studies
      identified nitro musk compounds in aquatic environment samples, human milk and
      fat samples as highly lipophilic and persistent bioaccumulating environmental
      pollutants. To examine the compounds for genotoxic activity, musk xylene (1-tert.
      butyl-3, 5-dimethyl-2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene), musk ketone (4-tert.-butyl-3, 5
      dinitro-2, 6-dimethylacetophenone), musk ambrette (l-tert.-butyl-4-methyl-6
      methoxy-3, 5-dinitrobenzene), musk moskene (l, 1, 3, 3, 5-pemamethyl-4, 6-di
      nitroindane) and musk tibetene (1-tert.-butyl-3, 4, 5-trimethyl-2, 6
      dinitrobenzene) were tested for SOS inducing potency in the SOS chromotest with
      E. coli PQ37 and for sister-chromatid exchange inducing activities in human
      lymphocytes in vitro both in the presence and absence of an exogenous
      metabolizing system from rat liver S9-Mix. Nitro musks revealed no genotoxicity
      either in the SOS chromotest with E. coli PQ37 or in the sister-chromatid
      exchange test with human lymphocytes. 

PMID- 24233414
TI  - The internet: LISTSERV - decide to subscribe.

PMID- 24233415
TI  - Ozone and grosswetterlagen : Analysis for the Munich metropolitan area.
AB  - Meteorological conditions have a decisive impact on surface ozone concentrations.
      In this study, an empirical model is used to explain the interdependence of ozone
      and grosswetterlagen. Different meteorological parameters such as air
      temperature, global solar radiation, relative humidity, wind direction and wind
      speed are used. Additional nitric oxide (NO) was taken as a representative for
      the emission situation and ozone maximum of the preceding day in order to
      evaluate the development of the photochemical situation.The dataset includes data
      collected over a period of three years (1992-1994) from three stations outside of
      Munich and one in the center of Munich.All values become variables by calculating
      means, sums or maxima of the basic dataset consisting of half-hour means.
      Seasonal periodicity of data is detected with Fourier analysis and eliminated by
      a division method after computing a seasonal index.The dataset is divided into
      three different grosswetterlagen groups, depending on main wind direction. One
      mostly cyclonic (westerly winds), one mixed (alternating winds) and one only
      anticyclonic (easterly winds). The last is completed with one summertime group
      including values from April to August.Factor analysis is performed for each group
      to obtain independent linear variable combinations. Overall, relative humidity is
      the dominant parameter, a typical value indicating meteorological conditions
      during a grosswetterlage.Linear multiple regression analysis is performed using
      the factors obtained to reveal how the ozone concentrations are explained in
      terms of meteorological parameters and NO. The results improve from cyclonic to
      anticyclonic grosswetterlagen in conformance with the increasing significance of
      photochemistry, indicated by the high solar radiation and high temperature, and
      the low relative humidity and low wind speed. The explained variance r(2) reaches
      its maximum with more than 50 % of the time in Munich center.This empirical model
      is applicable to the forecasting of local ozone maximum concentrations with a
      total standard error deviation of 8.5 to 12.8 % and, if ozone concentrations
      exceed 80 ppb, with a standard error deviation of 5.4 to 9.5 %. 

PMID- 24233416
TI  - Predicting ozone levels : A statistical model for predicting ozone levels in the
      Shuaiba Industrial Area, Kuwait.
AB  - This paper presents a statistical model that is capable of predicting ozone
      levels from precursor concentrations and meteorological conditions during
      daylight hours in the Shuaiba Industrial Area (SIA) of Kuwait. The model has been
      developed from ambient air quality data that was recorded for one year starting
      from December 1994 using an air pollution mobile monitoring station. The
      functional relationship between ozone level and the various independent variables
      has been determined by using a stepwise multiple regression modelling procedure.
      The model contains two terms that describe the dependence of ozone on nitrogen
      oxides (NOx) and nonmethane hydrocarbon precursor concentrations, and other terms
      that relate to wind direction, wind speed, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and solar
      energy. In the model, the levels of the precursors are inversely related to ozone
      concentration, whereas SO2 concentration, wind speed and solar radiation are
      positively correlated. Typically, 63 % of the variation in ozone levels can be
      explained by the levels of NOx. The model is shown to be statistically
      significant and model predictions and experimental observations are shown to be
      consistent. A detailed analysis of the ozone-temperature relationship is also
      presented; at temperatures less than 27  degrees C there is a positive
      correlation between temperature and ozone concentration whereas at temperatures
      greater than 27  degrees C a negative correlation is seen. This is the first time
      a non-monotonic relationship between ozone levels and temperature has been
      reported and discussed. 

PMID- 24233417
TI  - Global total ozone dynamics : Impact on surface solar ultraviolet radiation
      variability and ecosystems Part II: Dynamics of atmospheric chemical composition:
      The role of remote sensing Part I: Global ozone dynamics and environmental safety
      (ESPR 3/96, pp. 153-157).
AB  - A review has been made recently studying global total ozone changes (including
      stratospheric and troposphere components), as well as biologically active surface
      solar ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation variations on the basis of satellite and
      conventional surface observations (Kondratyev and Varotsos, Part I). In the
      aforementioned review, relevant impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as
      well as on biochemical cycles and man, have been discussed. Special attention has
      been paid to the analysis of observed and potential impacts of enhanced UV-B
      radiation on biogeochemical cycles and the chemical composition of the
      atmosphere. In this context, possibilities remote sensing techniques applications
      aimed at obtaining more complete information on atmospheric concentrations of
      various trace gases determining the ozone content have been considered in the
      present paper.An overview of the ozone issues is given including the following
      aspects: 1. The impact of tropospheric ozone on climate as a greenhouse gas
      (GHG), 2. Solar activity effects on TO and ozone concentration vertical profiles
      in both the troposphere and stratosphere (in cases of solar radiation absorption
      by the stratosphere, an unexpected problem arises via a coupling between
      processes of increased absorption due to "bursts" of solar activity and an
      enhanced destruction of ozone molecules due to the same increase resulting in
      weakening UV radiation absorption) and 3. Surface ozone concentration variations
      under conditions of polluted urban atmospheres which lead to episodes of
      photochemical smog formation (dangerous for human health). 

PMID- 24233418
TI  - Increasing concentrations of CO and O3 rising deforestation rates and increasing
      troposheric carbon monoxide and ozone in Amazonia.
AB  - Increasing carbon monoxide and ozone concentrations have been observed in the
      lower troposphere of the Brazilian Amazon region in recent years (1989-1995).
      Carbon monoxide and ozone have been measured in the region continuously; from
      observations at a single site and many sporadic field missions, there is a clear
      indication that the chemical activity in the troposphere is growing, with
      increasing concentrations especially during the dry season. On the other hand,
      the most recent deforestation assessment by the Brazilian Government, performed
      by the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) using Landsat data, shows
      yearly rates rising from the 11,130 km(2) year(-1) minimum of the 1990/91 survey,
      to 13,786 km(2) year(-1) for the 1991/92 period, and 14,896 km(2) year(-1) for
      the period 1992/94. It is argued that the increase in deforestation/biomass
      burning activities in "Amazonia" have produced larger carbon monoxide and ozone
      concentrations in the lower atmosphere. 

PMID- 24233419
TI  - Ozone exposure : Areas of potential ozone risk for selected tree species in
      Austria.
AB  - Increased tropospheric ozone concentrations cause damage to both human health and
      the environment. To assess the exposure of forest areas and selected tree species
      to ozone, it is necessary to calculate the ozone exposure distribution. The
      present article describes the application of an ozone interpolation model to the
      calculation of the ozone exposure distribution in combination with forest
      inventory data.The exposure of forest regions to ozone was assessed by means of
      an AOT40 map (accumulated ozone exposure over a threshold of 40 ppb). The
      calculation was performed by hourly running of the model during the summer term
      and accumulation of the patterns that exceeded 40 ppb.The exposure of the primary
      Austrian tree species to ozone can be assessed due to the spatial relation of
      ozone exposure and tree species patterns. This spatial relation also allows the
      verification of assumptions concerning ozone-related tree damage. 

PMID- 24233420
TI  - Airborne lipophilic pollutants in pine needles.
AB  - Many environmental contaminants known today are semivolatile organic compounds
      (SOC) and are present in the atmosphere. Airborne SOC are taken up and enriched
      by the epicuticular wax that covers leaves of higher plants. The purpose of the
      present work was to use pine needles 1) to map the distribution of airborne SOC
      in Europe, 2) to identify source regions, and 3) to identify hitherto unknown
      anthropogenic and/or natural substances. Some of the results were a confirmation
      of a suspected release of DDT in the former East Germany, high levels of
      pentachlorophenol were noted in Scandinavia, hexachlorocyclohexanes were higher
      in southern than in northern Europe, whereas PCB and hexachlorbenzene were rather
      evenly distributed throughout Europe. Elemental sulphur was identified as a
      previously unknown natural substance in higher plants. 

PMID- 24233421
TI  - Applications of experts' judgement to derive structure-biodegradation
      relationships.
AB  - The experts' judgement data on microbial degradation were used to develop the
      first general QSAR biodegradability model (Boethling and Sabljic, 1989) which is
      composed of a set of structural descriptors and a set of quantitative rules. Its
      evaluation and validation with experimental biodegradation data clearly show that
      the developed model gives a realistic and reliable account of
      structurebiodegradability relationship for organic chemicals. The same set of
      experts judgement data was used to develop structure-biodegradation rule by the
      application of an inductive machine learning method. An improved structure
      biodegradation rule was derived from a larger training set of 160 chemicals, i.e.
      the combined experts' judgement and evaluated experimental biodegradation data.
      This rule has good predictive ability and discloses logical dependencies between
      structural features that have a strong influence on biodegradation of organic
      chemicals. Thus, the understanding of biodegradation processes will benefit from
      developed rule. 

PMID- 24233422
TI  - Managing soil remediation problems.
AB  - Soil remediation has only a short history but the problem addressed is a
      significant one. Cost estimates for the clean-up of contaminated sites in the
      European Union and the United States are in the order of magnitude of 1,400
      billion ECU. Such an enormous operation deserves the best management it can get.
      Reliable cost estimations per contaminated site are an important prerequisite.
      This paper addresses the problems related to site-wise estimations.When solving
      soil remediation problems, we have to deal with a large number of scientific
      disciplines. Too often solutions are presented from the viewpoint of only one
      discipline. In order to benefit from the combined disciplinary knowledge and
      experience, we think that it is necessary to describe the interrelations between
      these disciplines. This can be realized by developing an adequate model of the
      desired process which enables to consider and evaluate the essential factors as
      interdependent components of the total system.The resulting model provides a
      binding paradigm to the contributing disciplines which will result in improved
      efficiency and effectivity of the decision and the cost estimation process. In
      the near future, we will release the "Biosparging and Bioventing Expert Support
      System", an expert support system for problem owners, consultants and authorities
      dealing with the design and operation of a biosparging and/or a bioventing
      system. 

PMID- 24233423
TI  - The revised Swiss environmental protection law - Main innovations.

PMID- 24233424
TI  - ECO-Informa '96 : Global networks for environmental information A conference held
      from November 4-7 at Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA.

PMID- 24233425
TI  - Problem gambling and policy advice: The mutability and relative effects of
      structural, associational and attitudinal variables.
AB  - Research on gambling has the double mandate of public service and the advancement
      of science. This paper is meant to carry forward that mandate. Latent in research
      on the causes of problem gambling is the policy insight that these causes
      represent different types of phenomena and are unequally mutable to
      practitioners' efforts to prevent and/or treat problem gambling. By making the
      issue of mutability manifest in research, findings from research would have more
      policy relevance and practical import. Data from a 1989 Iowa survey on lottery
      play and problem gambling are analyzed to illustrate this point. 1,226
      respondents were contacted by phone and phone interviews were completed with
      1,011 of these 1,226 eligible respondents. With multiple regression, we assessed
      the contributions of mutable and immutable variables to the explained variance in
      problem gambling. The results show mutable correlates explain enough variance in
      problem gambling to recommend their consideration in treatment/prevention. The
      results also suggest a social as well as a psychological etiology to problem
      gambling. Future research should, however, do a more complete comparison of
      social and psychological causes of problem gambling. 

PMID- 24233426
TI  - The role of subjective mood states in the maintenance of fruit machine gambling
      behaviour.
AB  - Explanations involving the etiology of pathological gambling have tended to
      emphasize psychosocial factors. However, the possibility that psychobiological
      factors are important should not be ruled out. Two currently researched
      psychobiological approaches to gambling involve the role of (i) arousal and (ii)
      depression. A study analyzing the subjective mood variables of 60 gamblers (44
      males and 16 females; mean age 23.4 years) using self report measures was carried
      out in an attempt to identify which mood states are critical to gambling
      maintenance. Results indicated that regular and pathological gamblers experienced
      more depressive moods before playing and that regular and pathological gamblers
      experienced significantly more excitement during gambling than non regular
      gamblers. These results are discussed in relation to contemporary literature
      regarding the roles of arousal and depression in the maintenance of gambling
      behaviour. 

PMID- 24233427
TI  - Legalized gambling and its impacts in a central Minnesota vacation community: A
      case study.
AB  - The economic and social effects of legalized gambling in a Minnesota community
      were studied (1) to inform the state's citizens and decision-makers of the
      community impacts of legalized gambling, particularly the cumulative community
      revenue loss, (2) to gather comparative data in a geographically and economically
      distinct area to determine the extent to which regional gambling rates and
      revenue losses vary, and (3) to refine existing research methods. The community
      and the types of gambling available are described. Data on gambling expenditures
      were obtained from various state agencies. Lottery and casino winners were
      interviewed to discover how their winnings were distributed. Annual (1991) player
      losses, profit margins, taxes, and resulting economic and social impacts are
      discussed. The most consequential findings are estimates of annual player losses
      ($3.3 million; $205 per capita) and community revenue losses ($2.2 million; $138
      per capita). Per capita lottery and charitable gambling player losses were 9.4%
      lower than those of a community studied earlier; per capita community revenue
      losses were 7.6% lower. Research methods developed in this study provided more
      reliable estimates than those used previously. Suggestions are offered to
      increase reliability for future studies. 

PMID- 24233428
TI  - Monitoring adolescent gambling in Minnesota.
AB  - Youth gambling was investigated in a prospective sample of 532 Minnesota
      adolescents and young adults. Of particular interest was the possible impact
      among the study sample of a recent state lottery and of reaching the legal age
      for gambling on changes in the rate and type of gambling. Overall rates of
      gambling involvement and pathological gambling did not change across the 1.5 year
      interval. However, a preference for certain types of gambling activities (e.g.,
      lottery, casino machines) significantly increased, whereas more informal and
      unregulated games (e.g., betting on games of personal skill) significantly
      decreased. Also, access to gambling activities by underage youths was high,
      suggesting the need for tighter controls of legalized games and greater awareness
      of this problem by the gaming industry and public health officials. 

PMID- 24233429
TI  - Effects of accuracy feedback versus monetary contingency on arousal in high and
      low frequency gamblers.
AB  - This study examined the effects on arousal of feedback regarding prediction
      accuracy without monetary gain or loss versus accuracy feedback combined with
      monetary contingency involved in most gambling. Physiological and subjective
      arousal was assessed in frequent (n = 35; 16 females) and infrequent gamblers (n
      = 35; 16 females) during participation in a laboratory gambling game. Both
      samples consisted of undergraduate student volunteers. In one condition, subjects
      gambled money on their predictions about a sequence of events, hence receiving
      both feedback and monetary outcome. In the other condition, only feedback about
      accuracy was provided, with no money wagered. Arousal was greater for both groups
      during actual gambling than in the feedback only condition. Across both
      conditions, frequent gamblers exhibited greater arousal than did infrequent
      gamblers. There were, however, no significant Group X Condition interactions.
      These results suggest that actual monetary contingency rather than accuracy
      feedback alone is most motivating in gambling. Methodological limitations
      possibly related to the lack of Group X Condition interactions were discussed. 

PMID- 24233430
TI  - Cognitive and behavioral therapies for pathological gambling.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of behavioral and cognitive
      treatment approaches in the management of pathological gambling disorders.
      Disappointingly, the literature to date contains only one controlled outcome
      study in which two differing behavioral techniques were compared. Although
      research in general has focussed on identifying the nature of cognitive
      distortions in gambling, findings from these studies have not been systematically
      translated into treatment programs. It is concluded that methodological
      limitations including small sample size, absence of control groups, multiple
      concurrent interventions and poorly defined outcome criteria preclude conclusive
      statements to be drawn regarding the active ingredient of either behavioral or
      cognitive strategies. The program offered within the Impulse Disorders Research
      Centre is outlined. 

PMID- 24233431
TI  - Differences in preferred level of arousal in two sub-groups of problem gamblers:
      A preliminary report.
AB  - Twelve problem poker machine players and thirteen horse race gamblers (20 males
      and 5 females; age range 28-69) completed a series of questionnaires which
      assessed levels of anxiety, their preferred state of arousal and their
      motivations to gamble. As predicted, problem poker machine gamblers were found to
      be more anxious and reported avoiding arousal more frequently than the horse race
      gamblers. Alternately, problem horse race gamblers were found to prefer
      heightened levels of arousal and appeared to gamble to achieve these optimal
      levels of arousal. However, there was no difference between the groups on
      proneness to boredom. The present results provide evidence which is consistent
      with the Reversal theory and its application to the field of problem gambling. 

PMID- 24233432
TI  - "Postmodern" Las Vegas and its effect on gambling.

PMID- 24233433
TI  - Editorial Comment: Symposium: 2013 Knee Society Proceedings.

PMID- 24233435
TI  - Association of lymphotoxin alpha polymorphism with type 1 diabetes in a Tunisian
      population.
AB  - We investigated the association of the lymphotoxin (LT)-alpha gene polymorphism
      +249A/G with type 1 diabetes. The distribution of genotypes of the LT-alpha
      +249A/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was assessed in 115 diabetic
      patients and 123 normoglycemic control subjects, using PCR-restriction fragment
      length polymorphism analysis. Among unselected patients, the SNP was
      significantly associated with increased risk of diabetes (chi2 = 8.44, p = 0.014)
      and was found to be more pronounced among female (chi2 = 8.37, p = 0.02) than
      male (chi2 = 6.11, p = 0.047) patients. A significant association was detected
      between LT-alpha +249A/G and increased risk of diabetes, in particular for young
      onset patients (chi2 = 6.92, p = 0.031). Moreover, we reported significant
      differences in levels of HbA1c, triglycerides, alanine transaminase, and anti
      glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 among alleles. Additional studies with extended
      patient age groups and different ethnicities are needed to confirm our findings.

PMID- 24233434
TI  - The distinct roles of anion transporters Slc26a3 (DRA) and Slc26a6 (PAT-1) in
      fluid and electrolyte absorption in the murine small intestine.
AB  - The mixing of gastric and pancreatic juice subjects the jejunum to unique ionic
      conditions with high luminal CO2 tension and HCO3 - concentration. We
      investigated the role of the small intestinal apical anion exchangers PAT-1
      (Slc26a6) and DRA (Slc26a3) in basal and CO2/HCO3 --stimulated jejunal fluid
      absorption. Single pass perfusion of jejunal segments was performed in
      anaesthetised wild type (WT) as well as in mice deficient in DRA, PAT-1, Na+/H+
      exchanger 3 (NHE3) or NHE2, and in carbonic anhydrase II (CAII). Unbuffered
      saline (pH 7.4) perfusion of WT jejunum resulted in fluid absorption and
      acidification of the effluent. DRA-deficient jejunum absorbed less fluid than WT,
      and acidified the effluent more strongly, consistent with its action as a Cl
      /HCO3 - exchanger. PAT-1-deficient jejunum also absorbed less fluid but resulted
      in less effluent acidification. Switching the luminal solution to a 5 % CO2/HCO3 
      buffered solution (pH 7.4), resulted in a decrease in jejunal enterocyte pHi in
      all genotypes, an increase in luminal surface pH and a strong increase in fluid
      absorption in a PAT-1- and NHE3- but not DRA-, CAII, or NHE2-dependent fashion.
      Even in the absence of luminal Cl-, luminal CO2/HCO3 - augmented fluid absorption
      in WT, CAII, NHE2- or DRA-deficient, but not in PAT-1- or NHE3-deficient mice,
      indicating the likelihood that PAT-1 serves to import HCO3 - and NHE3 serves to
      import Na+ under these circumstances. The results suggest that PAT-1 plays an
      important role in jejunal Na+HCO3 - reabsorption, while DRA absorbs Cl- and
      exports HCO3 - in a partly CAII-dependent fashion. Both PAT-1 and DRA
      significantly contribute to intestinal fluid absorption and enterocyte acid/base
      balance but are activated by different ion gradients.

PMID- 24233436
TI  - Three novel SNPs in the coding region of the bovine MC3R gene and their
      associations with growth traits.
AB  - The involvement of melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is well recognized in the
      regulation of feeding efficiency, body weight, and energy homeostasis. The
      objective of this study was to investigate the associations between MC3R gene
      polymorphisms and growth traits. Three novel SNPs (c.24C->T, c.220T->A, c.734G
      >C) and five haplotypes were identified in 234 Xiangxi cattle. The associations
      between MC3R gene polymorphisms and growth traits indicated that the individuals
      with TT and AT genotypes maintained higher body weight than those with the AA
      genotype at the c.220T->A locus (P < 0.05). The animals with GG and CG genotypes
      had higher heart girth and body weight than those with the CC genotype at c.734G
      >C (P < 0.05). The animals with H3H3 and H2H3 haplotype combinations had higher
      body weight than those with other haplotype combinations (P < 0.05). The results
      suggest that these SNPs in the MC3R gene might be useful genetic markers for
      marker-assisted selection and cattle breeding.

PMID- 24233437
TI  - A comparison of antioxidant activity of Korean White and Red Ginsengs on H2O2
      induced oxidative stress in HepG2 hepatoma cells.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine and compare the preventive effect of
      Korean White Ginseng and Red Ginseng on oxidative stress in H2O2-treated HepG2
      cells. The roots of ginseng were extracted with 70% methanol and partitioned with
      butanol to obtain saponin fractions, which have been known as bioactive
      constituents of ginseng. 2',7'-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay and
      malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured for evaluating intracellular reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) generation. Also, mRNA expressions and activities of
      antioxidant enzymes were analyzed to determine the antioxidant activity of
      saponin or non-saponin fractions of ginsengs. According to DCF-DA assay, H2O2
      induced MDA release and ROS generation were significantly reduced by treatment
      with saponin fractions of white and red ginseng roots. Also, saponin fractions
      increased effectively intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities including
      catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in H2O2- treated HepG2
      hepatoma cells. In general, red ginseng was more effective than white ginseng for
      reducing oxidative stress. These results indicate that administration of red
      ginseng may certainly contribute relatively stronger than white ginseng to
      prevent from damaging liver function by oxidative stress. 

PMID- 24233438
TI  - Ammonia distribution and excretion in fish.
AB  - This paper reviews the literature concerning ammonia production, storage and
      excretion in fish. Ammonia is the end product of protein catabolism and is stored
      in the body of fish in high concentrations relative to basal excretion rates.
      Ammonia, if allowed to accumulate, is toxic and is converted to less toxic
      compounds or excreted. Like other weak acids and bases, ammonia is distributed
      between tissue compartments in relation to transmembrane pH gradients. NH3 is
      generally equilibrated between compartments but NH4 (+) is distributed according
      to pH. Ammonia is eliminated from the blood upon passage through the gills. The
      mechanisms of branchial ammonia excretion vary between different species of fish
      and different environments, and primarily involves NH3 passive diffusion and NH4
      (+)/Na(+) exchange. Water chemistry near the gill surface may also be important
      to ammonia excretion, but a more accurate measurement of the NH3 gradient across
      the gill epithelium is required before a more detailed analysis of NH3 and NH4
      (+) excretion can be made. 

PMID- 24233439
TI  - Androgen levels and erythrocytosis in maturing brown trout,Salmo trutta L.
AB  - The number of circulating erythrocytes was monitored in two strains of brown
      trout during the spawning season. Erythrocyte numbers were significantly elevated
      in mature male fish of both strains compared with mature females or immature
      fish. This period of erythrocytosis coincided with elevated plasma 11
      ketotestosterone levels in mature male fish, was out of phase with the
      testosterone peak in males and was not observed in females despite high levels of
      plasma testosterone. The results are discussed with reference to the control of
      erythropoiesis in higher vertebrates. 

PMID- 24233440
TI  - Total and free thyroid hormones in plasma of tropical marine teleost fish.
AB  - Plasma levels of L-thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and the
      percentage of plasma T4 and T3 present in the free (dialyzable) form (%FT4 and
      %FT3) were measured in 16 species (11 families) of tropical marine teleosts from
      an inshore Barbados reef. Mean plasma T4 varied from 0.2 ng/ml to 42 ng/ml; mean
      plasma T3 varied from < 0.2 ng/ml to 50 ng/ml. The highest T4 and T3 levels were
      recorded in parrot-fish and the lowest levels in filefish. The %oFT4 and %FT3
      varied from 0.05-3.41%. Estimated levels of plasma free T4 and free T3 levels
      ranged from 0.4-466 pg/ml. The extremely wide inter- and intra-species ranges in
      levels of free T4 and T3 do not support a previous suggestion, based on temperate
      freshwater salmonid species, that free T4 and T3 levels in fish may fall within a
      relatively range narrow comparable to that of homeothermic vertebrates. 

PMID- 24233441
TI  - Absorption, body distribution, and excretion of dietary zinc by rainbow trout
      (Salmo gairdneri).
AB  - Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were held in metabolizable energy chambers at
      Standard Environmental Temperature (15 degrees C) for 72h following a single
      feeding of a semi-purified test diet containing tracer quantities of a
      radioisotope of zinc ((65)Zn) and different combinations of dietary calcium level
      and zinc source. Gill wastes, urine, and feces were separately collected. After
      72h, the fish were killed, and samples of the following tissues removed: eyes,
      skin, muscle, blood, bone, liver, bile, kidney, gill, spleen, stomach, pyloric
      caeca, intestine, gonad, and remaining carcass. Radioactivity in the tissues and
      wastes was determined and the body distribution of the ingested zinc was
      quantified. Approximately 58% of the administered dose of(65)Zn was recovered. Of
      the recovered dose, 43.2% was present in the gastro-intestinal tract, 27% in the
      feces, 14% in the gill water, 16% in the body of the fish, and less than 1% in
      the urine. Of individual tissues, the gill, liver, kidney, and spleen had
      concentrations of(65)Zn higher than blood, while the remaining tissues had lower
      concentrations. Body and tissue levels were increased but not significantly by
      feeding(65)Zn as an amino acid chelate, compared to feeding as inorganic(65)Zn,
      while dietary calcium level had no effect. The results of this study indicate
      that the gills play a major role in excretion of dietary zinc, while the urine
      plays a minor role. 

PMID- 24233442
TI  - Screening for organic acids in fish tissues with special reference to the
      distribution of taurine inRutilus rutilus L.
AB  - A liquid chromatographic method for rapid profiling of some organic acids and
      other compounds of physiological interest in fish tissues is presented. The
      method provides the detection of alpha-ketoglutaric, malic and pyruvic acid and
      is optimized for the quantitation of citric, phosphoric, succinic, lactic and
      fumaric acids, as well as glucose and especially taurine. These substances were
      separated in a single analytical run on a cation exchange column with dilute
      sulfuric acid as the elutant. The effluent was monitored by a refractive index or
      an UV detector at 208 nm wavelength. Resolution was satisfactory. No further
      treatment was found to be necessary when samples were deproteinized with
      perchloric acid. Taurine (2-aminoethansulfonic acid), not previously described in
      the roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), occurs in considerable amounts in red and white
      muscle and heart tissue. However, it is also present in all other tissues. 

PMID- 24233443
TI  - Distribution and properties of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in red and white
      muscle of freshwater fish.
AB  - The distribution and kinetics of LDH isoenzymes in red and white muscles of 5
      species of salmonids, 4 species of cyprinids and one coregonid species were
      studied. In all species the white muscles are characterized by the occurrence of
      only the most cathodic isoenzymes, or groups of isoenzymes. The red muscles
      contained either the full set of isoenzymes (cyprinids) or a selection in which
      the anodic forms dominated (salmonids, coregonid). The most striking difference
      between the two types of muscle was met inCoregonus sp. The temperature profiles
      of pyruvate affinity are similar in all species of fish studied. On the other
      hand, Km(pyr) values and degree of pyruvate inhibition are closely related and
      vary greatly with temperature, with the taxonomic position (and thus biology) of
      the species, and with electrophoresic mobility of the isoenzyme. Highest affinity
      and strongest inhibition occurred in the anodic (H4) isoenzymes of cyprinids at
      low temperature; lowest affinity and zero inhibition in the cathodic isoenzymes
      (Malpha4 -> Mbeta4) of salmonids and coregonids at high temperature. In salmonids
      the more recently duplicated loci of the M-group of isoenzymes possess identical
      Km values at all temperatures, whereas the two older M and H loci differ greatly
      in this respect. Thus the more recent duplication of LDH loci in salmonids and
      coregonids may be seen as a mechanism by which the tetramers required for LDH
      activity can be constructed from more closely related subunits than are provided
      by the older M and H loci.Some problems in connection with the determination of
      the kinetic constants of the lactate oxidase reaction are discussed and it is
      suggested that an alkaline, pyruvate trapping system provides conditions which
      are more realistic than those of other assay systems. The Km(lactate) values
      found are in the biological range and, at 20 degrees C, provide further
      circumstantial evidence that the red muscles of fish should be capable of
      oxidizing the lactate produced by the white muscles during strenuous exercise. At
      4 degrees C the Km(lactate) values are abnormally high in all muscle preparations
      and thus are not correlated with the Km(pyruvate) values which are lowest at this
      temperature. 

PMID- 24233444
TI  - The chemical basis of host-plant recognition in a specialized bee pollinator.
AB  - Many pollinators specialize on a few plants as food sources and rely on flower
      scents to recognize their hosts. However, the specific compounds mediating this
      recognition are mostly unknown. We investigated the chemical basis of host
      location/recognition in the Campanula-specialist bee Chelostoma rapunculi using
      chemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral approaches. Our findings show that
      Ca. trachelium flowers emit a weak scent consisting of both widespread and rare
      (i.e., spiroacetals) volatiles. In electroantennographic analyses, the antennae
      of bees responded to aliphatics, terpenes, aromatics, and spiroacetals; however,
      the bioassays revealed a more complex response picture. Spiroacetals attracted
      host-naive bees, whereas spiroacetals together with aliphatics and terpenes were
      used for host finding by host-experienced bees. On the intrafloral level,
      different flower parts of Ca. trachelium showed differences in the absolute and
      relative amounts of scent, including spiroacetals. Scent from pollen-presenting
      flower parts elicited more feeding responses in host-naive bees as compared to a
      scentless control, whereas host-experienced bees responded more to the nectar
      presenting parts. Our study demonstrates the occurrence of learning (i.e., change
      in the bee's innate chemical search-image) after bees gain foraging experience on
      host flowers. We conclude that highly specific floral volatiles play a key role
      in host-flower recognition by this pollen-specialist bee, and discuss our
      findings into the broader context of host-recognition in oligolectic bees.

PMID- 24233446
TI  - Giant gluteal lipoma presenting as a sciatic hernia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sciatic hernia is considered to be the rarest hernia of pelvic floor
      with less than one hundred reports published worldwide. Lipoma in the hernia sac
      is even more unique pathology with only few cases reported in the literature. We
      report a case of gluteal lipoma protruding into pelvis, displacing rectum with
      bladder and presenting as a sciatic hernia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old male
      presented with an expanding, slightly reducible, right gluteal painful mass, back
      pain, dull pressure in lower abdomen and perianal region radiating to the right
      buttock, urgent urination and defecation. Lower back pain lasts for more than 7
      years, other symptoms-6 months. No spinal pathology was found on X-ray. On
      examination patient seemed well nourished, BMI 29, abdomen was soft, without
      palpable masses or signs of peritonitis. Digital rectal examination showed no
      pathology. There was a reducible lump on the lateral side of right gluteus.
      Computer tomography (CT scan) demonstrated a large intra- and extra-pelvic fatty
      mass traversing the greater sciatic foramen. The tumor was surgically removed
      through lower middle laparotomy approach. Subsequent pathological examination
      revealed lipoma. The patient recovered uneventfully, was discharged 8 days later.
      MRI scan was advised following 1 year after the surgery. CONCLUSION: The presence
      of a gluteal mass should always suggest the possibility of a sciatic hernia.

PMID- 24233447
TI  - Free energy barriers for CO2 and N2 in zeolite NaKA: an ab initio molecular
      dynamics approach.
AB  - Ab initio Molecular Dynamics (AIMD) is used with spatial constraints to estimate
      the free energy barriers of diffusion for CO2 and N2 gas molecules in zeolite NaA
      and KA. We investigate the extent to which the diffusion of these gas molecules
      is hindered, in the two separate cases of a smaller Na(+) ion or a larger K(+)
      ion blocking the 8-ring pore window. In contrast to classical Molecular Dynamics,
      AIMD performs these computations accurately and unbiased in the absence of
      empirical parameterization. Our work has resulted in stable and reliable force
      profiles. The profiles show that the larger K(+) ion effectively blocks the
      passage of both CO2 and N2 molecules while the smaller Na(+) ion will allow both
      molecules to pass. These results are a quantitative demonstration of the concept
      of pore blocking where we compute the effect, which the size of the respective
      cation occupying the pore window has on diffusive properties of each gas
      molecule. Hence, this effect can be altered through ion exchange to fine-tune the
      functionality of a specific zeolite as a molecular sieve. 

PMID- 24233445
TI  - Peramine and lolitrem B from endophyte-grass associations cascade up the food
      chain.
AB  - Endophytic fungi in cool-season grass species produce herbivore-toxic alkaloids,
      which are assumed to harm higher trophic levels along food chains. Previous
      studies have shown fitness disadvantages for higher trophic levels that feed on
      aphids that were exclusively reared on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
      infected with the endophytic fungus Neotyphodium lolii. However, it is unknown
      whether the alkaloids produced by the fungus-grass association can be assimilated
      by plant sap-sucking insects like aphids. Using an ultra high performance liquid
      chromatography method combined with mass spectrometry, we provide the first
      evidence that the alkaloids peramine and lolitrem B are present in aphids
      (Rhopalosiphum padi) and in aphid predators when the aphids are reared on
      endophyte-infected grass. We conclude that alkaloids can enter the plant sap of
      the grass and are responsible for longer pupal stages of the ladybird Harmonia
      axyridis and for fitness disadvantages of aphids and their predators as shown in
      previous studies.

PMID- 24233448
TI  - Consumption of Noncommercial Alcohol among Alcohol-Dependent Patients.
AB  - This study explores types of alcohol and surrogates consumed, patterns of
      consumption, and reasons behind noncommercial alcohol consumption among alcohol
      dependent patients in Belarus. The study was conducted in the Belarusian city
      Grodno in 2012 with 223 alcoholics admitted to narcological clinic using
      structured interviews. The results suggest that at least 20.2% of alcohol
      dependent patients regularly consume samogon and 11.8% of patients use
      surrogates, the most popular among which are medications with a high percentage
      of ethanol and industrial spirits. The belief that, according to quality
      criteria, samogon exceeds licensed vodka is the main motive for its consumption.
      The results of this study suggest the existence of the problem of consumption of
      noncommercial alcohol among alcohol dependent patients in Belarus. 

PMID- 24233449
TI  - Quenching interactions and nonexponential decay: tryptophan 138 of bacteriophage
      T4 lysozyme.
AB  - Site-directed mutagenesis has been used to prepare variants of bacteriophage T4
      lysozyme that contain only one tryptophan residue at position 138 and to change
      the residues in the immediate environment of this buried residue. Replacement of
      glutamine-105 by alanine results in a 2.7-fold increase in fluoresence quantum
      yield and converts the fluorescence decay from a highly nonexponential form to a
      single-exponential decay. This is atributed to electron transfer quenching of
      tryptophan-138 fluorescence by glutamine-105. Replacemeent of alanine-146 by
      threonine results in a 1.6-fold decrease in fluorescence intensity, indicating
      enhanced quenching by glutamine-105; replacement of glutamine-105 by alanine in
      this species results in a 5-fold in crease in fluorescence intensity. The
      interpretation of the nonexponential decay of the glutamine-105-containing
      species is discussed in terms of reversibility of the quenching process. 

PMID- 24233450
TI  - Steady-state fluorescence and phosphorescence spectroscopic studies of bacterial
      luciferase tryptophan mutants.
AB  - Bacterial luciferase, which catalyzes the bioluminescence reaction in luminous
      bacteria, consists of two nonidentical polypeptides, alpha and beta. Eight
      mutants of luciferase with each of the tryptophans replaced by tyrosine were
      generated by site-directed mutagenesis and purified to homogeneity. The steady
      state tryptophan fluorescence and low-temperature phosphorescence spectroscopic
      properties of these mutants were characterized. In some instances, mutation of
      only a single tryptophan residue resulted in large spectral changes. The
      tryptophan residues conserved in both the alpha and the beta subunits exhibited
      distinct fluorescence emission properties, suggesting that these tryptophans have
      different local enviroments. The low-temperature phosphorescence data suggest
      that the tryptophans conserved in bot the alpha and the beta subunits are not
      located at the subunit interface and/or involved in subunit interactions. The
      differences in the spectral properties of the mutants have provided useful
      information on the local environment of the individual tryptophan residues as
      well as on the quaternary structure of the protein. 

PMID- 24233451
TI  - Study ofL-tryptophan corepressor binding to mutatedE. coli tryptophan repressor
      proteins by optically detected triplet-state magnetic resonance.
AB  - Phosphorescence and optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) measurements
      have been carried out on the tryptophan (Trp) residues ofEscherichia coli Trp
      repressor protein (W Rep) and its two single Trp-containing mutants, W19F and
      W99F. The enhanced resolution afforded by the W19F and W99F mutants allowed us to
      characterize the triplet state of boundL-Trp corepressor using phosphorescence
      wavelengt-selected ORMR spectroscopy. We find that at 77 K the 0,0 band peak
      wavelength ofL-Trp is shifted from 405.5 nm in the aqueous solvent to ca. 410 nm
      when bound to the corepressor binding site. This red shift of the phosphorescence
      along with a corresponding increase in the zero-field splittingE value and
      narrowing of the ODMR linewidth characterize a binding site that is less polar,
      as well as more polarizable and homogeneous, than the aqueous solvent. This
      conclusion is in agreement with the X-ray crystallographic structure of the
      holorepressor protein that places the indole chromophore of the bound corepressor
      in a cleft in which it is sandwiched by the side chains of arginines 54 and 84. 

PMID- 24233452
TI  - Stopped-flow fluorescence studies of the interaction of a mutant form of
      cytochrome b5 with lipid vesicles.
AB  - Cytochrome b5 binds spontaneously to lipid vescles and also self-associates in
      aqueous solution. Two mutant proteins have been generated, one has a self
      association constant which is less than that of the native protein, while the
      other has a larger self-association constant. All three proteins have Trp in the
      membrane-binding domain but as aqueous solutions of these proteins contain
      differing amounts of monomeric protein, the kinetics of fluorescence enhancement,
      when the proteins are mixed with lipid vesicles, are complex. Similar complex
      kinetics are seen when the Trp are quenched by the addition of bromolipid
      vesicles. The mutant which has Trp 108 and 112 both replaced by Leu does not self
      associate and shows monoexponential stopped-flow fluorescence kinetics. Identical
      rate constants are seen with this mutant for fluorescence enhancement by POPC and
      fluorescence quenching by three bromolipids with bromines at the 6,7-, 9,10-, and
      11,12-positions of thesn-2 acyl chain. This rate constant is only 1% of the
      calculated collisional rate constant and it is suggested that the reduced rate is
      caused by a reduction in the number of productive collisions rather than by a
      slow rate of penetration of the membrane-binding domain into the bilayer. 

PMID- 24233453
TI  - Effects of metal ion binding on an oncomodulin mutant containing a novel calcium
      binding loop.
AB  - The Ca(2+)-binding protein oncomodulin was altered by cassette mutagenesis of the
      CD site (CDOM33) with a sequence that was derived by a consensus method using
      over 250 known Ca(2+)-binding loop sequences. This mutant was studied using time
      resolved and steady-state fluorescence from the Trp residue included at position
      7 of the loop (position 57 of the protein sequence). The fluorescence
      characteristics of this species in the absence and presence of metal ions were
      compared to those of a tetradecapeptide containing the loop and the single Trp
      mutant of oncomodulin, Y57W. The fluorescence properties of CDOM33 were quite
      different from the peptide, both in the apo form and in response to metal
      binding. The consensus CD loop in CDOM33 exhibited the characteristics of a
      Ca(2+)/Mg(2+) site in contrast to the Ca(2+) specificity of the wild-type CD
      loop. The Trp analogue, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HW), was incorporated into both
      oncomodulin mutants to produce Y75(5HW) and 5HW-CDOM33. Results showed that this
      intrinsic probe was relatively insensitive to structural changes in the mutants
      upon metal binding compared to Trp itself. 

PMID- 24233454
TI  - Fluorescence studies and semiempirical calculations on alkali ion indicators.
AB  - Two newly synthesized cryptands act as sensitive Na(+)- and K(+)-selective
      indicators for cation concentrations above 20 MUM. The fluorescence properties
      change markedly upon cation binding. In addition, the free ligands exhibit a
      pronounced sensitivity to pH, which is considerably lower for the cation
      complexes. Time resolved fluorescence is characterized by a decay time of about 5
      ns that is attributed to the diprotonated protolytic state of the uncomplexed
      ligands. Semiempirical calculations show the systematic influence of the nitrogen
      lone pairs or the N-H bond on the stability of the system. The cause of the
      strong fluorescence intensity increase observed upon protonation of the
      fluorescent cryptands may be attributed to an increase in the S1-T x energy gap
      as a consequence of bridgehead nitrogen protonation. 

PMID- 24233455
TI  - lin-Benzo-ATP and-ADP: Versatile fluorescent probes for spectroscopic and
      biochemical studies.
AB  - lin-Benzo-adenine nucleotides can act not only as probes for fluorescence studies
      but also as structural active site probes for enzymes. To understand the basic
      properties oflin-benzo-ATP and-ADP, protolysis and Mg(2+) and Ca(2+), binding are
      investigated between pH 6.2 and pH 8.5 by spectrophotometric and
      spectrofluorometric titrations. Based on a reaction model, a set of equilibrium
      constants is determined which is consistent with all available experimental
      results. The pK values of the Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) complex oflin-benzo-ATP in the
      chosen medium are 4.6 and 4.1, respectively, and those for the corresponding
      diphosphate are 3.1 and 2.8, respectively. Fluorescence and absorption spectra
      are reported. 

PMID- 24233456
TI  - Toward an understanding of the fluorescence intensity changes observed on
      fluorescein 5'-Isothiocyanate-Na(+),K (+)-ATPase.
AB  - The fluorescence emission intensity between the Na(+), and the K(+) complex of
      Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, labeled with fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate (FITC), differs by
      30 to 40%. Experimental studies are carried out to elucidate the physical reasons
      which account this intensity difference. The dissociation constant of protolysis
      of the covalently bound FITC and its fluorescence decay times are determined in
      media of different ionic compositions and are compared with the corresponding
      properties of a synthetic model compound. The fluorophore bound to the protein is
      characterized by two decay times in the nanosecond range; the model compound, by
      a single one. The static fluorescence intensity changes are discussed on the
      basis of these results. 

PMID- 24233457
TI  - Triplet-state monitoring by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.
AB  - The effects of high excitation intensities in fluorescence correlation
      spectroscopy (FCS) in terms of saturation and triplet-state build-up have been
      studied for the case of Rh6G in aqueous solution. It was found that FCS provides
      a powerful means for the determination of intersystem crossing and triplet-state
      depopulation rates of fluorophores in solution. 

PMID- 24233458
TI  - Submillisecond detection of single rhodamine molecules in water.
AB  - Using a modified confocal fluorescence microscope and a CW argon laser, we have
      measured fluorescence bursts from diffusing single Rh6G molecules that clearly
      exceed the background intensity. The exact average number of molecules in the
      observable volume elements was measured directly via the fluorescence intensity
      autocorrelation function. This allowed us to estimate the probability of finding
      several molecules simultaneously in the volume element. A tradeoff between the
      number of detected fluorescence photons and the signal-to-background ratio was
      observed. In a volume element of 0.24 fl, 4 photoelectrons on average were
      detected from a molecule of Rh6G with a fluorescence-to-background ratio of 1000,
      while the volume element of 60 fl yielded on average 100 photoelectrons with a
      background of 25 counts. In fast single-molecule detection the intersystem
      crossing into the triplet state plays an important role, affecting the maximum
      emission rate from the molecule. 

PMID- 24233459
TI  - dAbsolute Spectroscopic Determination of Cross-Membrane potential.

PMID- 24233460
TI  - [CdCl4]2- anion-induced coordination of alkaline earth metal ions to
      cucurbit[7]uril, corresponding supramolecular self-assemblies and potential
      application.
AB  - In the present work, we describe three cucurbit[7]uril-based coordination
      supermolecular self-assemblies in the presence of [M(trans)Cl4](2-). It can
      affect the construction of Q[7]/metal ions-based coordination polymers, at the
      same time it can result in the formation of Q[7]-based supramolecular assemblies
      when introducing the [M(trans)Cl4](2-) into the Q[7]/metal ions system.

PMID- 24233461
TI  - Indigenous sheep breeds of North Ethiopia: characterization of their phenotype
      and major production system.
AB  - A study was conducted in Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia to describe the sheep breeds
      and their production system. The survey was done in selected districts known for
      their high sheep population density. The phenotype characterization identified
      distinct features for each breed. The breeds are Aberegelle, Ille, Begait, and
      the common Tigrai highland sheep. The strong discriminating phenotypes are face
      profile, tail type, and compactness; accounting for 83.48, 17.95, and 2.93%
      respectively of the total variability among breeds. The flock structure are
      affected by the market demand; requirements of breeding females and feed
      availability. Farmers tend to keep more female sheep for longer (culling age of
      5.9 +/- 0.4 and 1.9 +/- 0.5 for females and males, respectively) for the reasons
      of feed shortage and need to maximize number of breeding female. The ratio of
      male to overall female is large (1:6) and thus a single ram gets maximum contact
      time with ewes and ewe lambs. The overall average age at puberty for females is 9
      14 months. However, the presence of very young lamb rams and uncontrolled mating
      system lead to early breeding of females which results in low conception rate,
      low birth weight, poor survival rates, and in extreme cases causing inbreeding.
      It was also possible to identify the critical control points such as breed, age
      of animals, nutrition, and feeding systems affecting the provision of live
      animals for good meat quality.

PMID- 24233462
TI  - Molecular detection of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in water buffaloes from
      northeast Thailand.
AB  - The objectives of this study were to determine the individual and herd-level
      prevalence and genotype of Cryptosporidium and to identify putative risk factors
      associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infections in water buffaloes in northeast
      Thailand. Fecal samples from 600 water buffaloes of 287 farms in six provinces
      were collected and tested using DMSO-modified acid-fast staining and polymerase
      chain reaction. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections in buffaloes
      was 5.7 and 8.7% among individual animals and herds, respectively. The provinces
      with highest infected Cryptosporidium were located in the Sakon Nakhon Basin in
      the northern part of the region. In addition, higher herd prevalence was observed
      among farms with more than five buffaloes (30%) than those with five or less
      animals (16.2%). Thirty (88.2%) of the 34 Cryptosporidium-positive samples were
      Cryptosporidium parvum and four (11.8%) were Cryptosporidium ryanae.

PMID- 24233463
TI  - The effect of sulfide on the blue-green algae of hot springs II. Yellowstone
      National Park.
AB  - In the Mammoth Springs (Yellowstone National Park) waters with near neutral pH
      and soluble sulfide (H2S, HS(-), S(2-)) of over 1-2 mg/liter (30-60MUM) are
      characterized by substrate covers of phototrophic bacteria (Chloroflexus and
      aChlorobium-like unicell) above 50?C and by a blue-green alga (Spirulina
      labyrinthiformis) below this temperature.Synechococcus. Mastigocladus, and other
      blue-green algae typical of most hot springs of western North America are
      excluded, apparently by sulfide. The sulfide-adaptedSpirulina photosynthesized at
      maximum rates at 45?C and at approximately 300 to 700MUEin/m(2)/sec of "visible"
      radiation. Sulfide (0.6-1.2 mM) severely poisoned photosynthesis of nonadapted
      populations, but those continuously exposed to over 30MUM tolerated at least 1 mM
      without inhibition. A normal(14)C-HCO3 photoincorporation rate was sustained with
      0.6-1 mM sulfide in the presence of DCMU (7MUM) or NH2OH (0.2 mM), although both
      of these photosystem II inhibitors prevented photoincorporation without sulfide.
      Other sulfur-containing compounds (S2O3 (2-) SO3 (2-), S2O4 (2-) thioglycolic
      acid cysteine) were unable to relieve DCMU inhibition. The lowering of the
      photoincorporation rate by preferentially irradiating photosystem I was also
      relieved by sulfide. The most tenable explanation of these results is that
      sulfide is used as a photo-reductant of CO2, at least when photosystem II is
      inhibited. It is suggested that in some blue-green algae photosystem II is
      poisoned by a low sulfide concentration, thus making these algae sulfidedependent
      if they are to continue photosynthesizing in a sulfide environment. Presumably a
      sulfidecytochrome reductase enzyme system must be synthesized for sulfide to be
      used as a photo-reductant. 

PMID- 24233464
TI  - Immunochemical investigation of four Saprolegnia species with parasitic activity
      in fish: Serological and kinetic characterization of a chymotrypsin-like
      activity.
AB  - The antigenic structure of four aquatic Phycomycetes of the genusSaprolegnia with
      parasitic activity in fish was analyzed with immunoelectrophoresis and double
      diffusion techniques. It is shown that these serological tests might represent a
      valuable criterion for the identification of the fourSaprolegnia species:S.
      parasitica, S. ferax, S. delica, andS. diclina. A specific chromogenic reaction
      revealed the presence of a protease with chymotrypsin-like activity among the
      precipitation arcs obtained after immunoelectrophoresis. Analysis of this
      proteolytic activity by kinetic assay methods confirmed the results of the
      serological tests. Moreover estimates of the quantity of enzyme present in the
      cellular extract and in the culture medium were obtained. A possible relationship
      between the proteolytic activity and the host-parasite interaction was discussed.

PMID- 24233465
TI  - Competition for inorganic substrates among chemoorganotrophic and
      chemolithotrophic bacteria.
AB  - In aerobic enrichment experiments with a chemostat, using phosphate-limited
      lactate medium, aSpirillum sp. predominated at the lower range of dilution rates.
      At the higher dilution rates an (chemoorganotrophic) unidentified rod-shaped
      bacterium came to the fore. The same result was obtained in competition
      experiments with pure cultures of the two bacteria. Growth parameters were:
      Rod,MU max=0.48 hr(-1),k s(PO4 (3-))=6.6*10(-N) M;Spirillum, MU max=0.24 hr(-1).
      ks(PO4 (3-)) =2.7*10(-8) M. TheSpirillum grew faster than the rod at low dilution
      rates, not only under phosphate-limitation but also in K(+)-,Mg(2+)-, NH4 (+)-,
      aspartate-, succinate-, and lactate-limited cultures. Both organisms showed
      little substrate specificity and could utilize a similar range of carbon and
      energy sources. The results support the view that part of the diversity among
      bacteria in the natural environment is based on selection toward substrate
      concentration. Another set of competition experiments was carried out with pure
      cultures of two marine obligately chemolithotrophic colorless sulfur
      bacteria,Thiobacillus thioparus andThiomicrospira pelophila. Tms. pelophila
      outgrewT. thioparus at low dilution rates under iron limitation, while the
      reverse was true at high dilution rates. It is concluded that the relatively fast
      growth ofTms. pelophila at low iron concentration may explain its higher sulfide
      tolerance. Organisms showing a selection advantage at very low concentrations of
      limiting substrates appear to have a relatively high surface to volume ratio. 

PMID- 24233466
TI  - Transport equations for a microbial predator-prey community.
AB  - A transport equation is used which describes the temporal behavior of interacting
      populations in changing environments. The formulation takes into account the
      internal state variables of the individuals. The general theory is applied to the
      transient analysis of a microbial predator-prey system using an approximate model
      for the specific cell growth rate and multigroup formulism to approximate the
      mass distribution within the population. Experimental results in aTetrahymena
      pyriformis- Aerobacter aerogenes system have been used to evaluate the group
      parameters and test the validity of the theoretical predictions. 

PMID- 24233467
TI  - The microbial ecology of the Great Salt Lake.
AB  - The Great Salt Lake is actually two lakes. A highly saline (330-gml(-1)) northern
      arm and a moderately saline (120-gml(-1)) southern arm separated by a
      semipermeable rock causeway. The lake, particularly the northern arm, has a
      massive accumulation of organic matter resulting from more than 100,000 years of
      productivity, cycling from a freshwater to a saline lake, plus the influence of
      human industry and agriculture in more recent times. The north arm planktonic and
      attached community consists principally of, in order of biomass: bacteria of at
      least two genera,Halobacterium andHalococcus; two algae,Dunaliella salina andD.
      viridis; the brine shrimp,Anemia salina; and, two species of brine fly,Ephydra
      gracilis andE. hians and possibly one more species. The algae and the bacteria
      appear to depend on each other for nutrients. The bacteria use organic matter
      produced by the algae and the algae use ammonia produced by the bacteria and
      possibly the brine shrimp. The production of ammonia appears to be the rate
      limiting step although there is no shortage of other forms of nitrogen in the
      north arm. Based on aquarium studies, the potential for biomass production of
      algae and bacteria is much higher than actually observed in the north arm,
      leading to the postulation of two additional factors controlling population; the
      grazing of the algae by invertebrates with the excretion of compounds rich in
      nitrogen, and the effect of a low habitat temperature and winter cold on the
      bacteria, reducing their metabolic activities to nearly zero. Some aspects of the
      various organisms and their metabolism are discussed. A comparison is made with
      recent work on the Dead Sea. 

PMID- 24233468
TI  - Lysis ofEscherichia coli by a marine myxobacter.

PMID- 24233470
TI  - Gillingham: Contemporary after 76 years.

PMID- 24233469
TI  - The biology of APOL1 with insights into the association  between APOL1 variants
      and chronic kidney disease.
AB  - Recent studies have identified genetic variants in APOL1 that may contribute to
      the increased incidence of kidney disease in populations with African ancestry.
      Here, we review the biology of APOL1 present in the circulation and localized to
      the kidney as it may contribute to the pathogenesis of APOL1-associated kidney
      disease.

PMID- 24233471
TI  - Defining dyslexia as a developmental language disorder.
AB  - Despite recent developments in research and theory, investigators and
      practitioners continue to rely on rather traditional definitions of dyslexia.
      This paper discusses some of the problems with traditional definitions and
      reviews a rapidly growing body of research that suggests a more comprehensive
      definition. According to this definition, dyslexia is a developmental language
      disorder that involves a deficit(s) in phonological processing. This disorder
      manifests itself in various phonological difficulties as well as a specific
      reading disability. 

PMID- 24233472
TI  - Ordinary and extraordinary brain development: Anatomical variation in
      developmental dyslexia.
AB  - Eight brains, six male and two female, of reliably diagnosed cases of
      developmental dyslexia have been analyzed in this laboratory thus far. Common to
      all the specimens is the absence of ordinary asymmetry in the planum temporale, a
      language relevant area of the temporal lobe. In addition, the male cases and one
      female case displayed multiple focal areas of malformation of the cerebral
      cortex, located variably in the language relevant perisylvian regions and to a
      greater or lesser extent bilaterally. Both female cases and, to a mild degree,
      one of the males display focal areas of cortical scarring dated to the end of
      pregnancy through to the end of the second year of life at the latest. The
      scarring tends to be located in the vascular watershed territories.Experimental
      animal research suggests that symmetry may represent absence of the necessary
      developmental pruning of neural networks required for specific functions such as
      language. This diminished pruning results in excessive neurons and (at least
      interhemispheric) connections.Additional modeling in experimental animals
      suggests that cortical malformations and scarring similar to those seen in the
      dyslexic brains may represent early focal injury that could be attributed to
      congenital disorders of the immune system. 

PMID- 24233473
TI  - Using genetics to understand dyslexia.
AB  - This paper reviews what is currently known about the genetics of dyslexia and
      shows how genetic studies can help clarify which symptoms are primary and which
      are secondary in dyslexia. On the genetic side, current evidence supports the
      view that dyslexia is familial, substantially heritable, and heterogeneous in its
      genetic mechanisms. At least some forms of familial dyslexia appear to be
      autosomal dominant, with linkage studies supporting both a major locus on
      chromosome 15 and genetic heterogeneity. On the symptom side, current evidence
      supports the view that the primary symptom in dyslexia is a deficit in the
      phonological coding of written language. This primary symptom likewise appears to
      be heritable. Recent evidence suggests that the heritable precursor to this
      written language deficit is a spoken language deficit in the skill of phoneme
      segmentation and awareness. 

PMID- 24233474
TI  - Productive knowledge of derivational rules in poor readers.
AB  - The present report with two complementary experiments examined the productive
      knowledge of derivational morphology in 75 grade 4, 5, and 6 "poor" readers
      further divided into those performing better, or worse, inboth reading and
      spelling ((R + S +) or R - S -)), or better in the one or the other (mixed)
      subgroups. Experiment 1 required individual subjects to vocalize rapidly the
      derived forms of words when primed with 40 target base words in four derivational
      conditions or levels embedded in sentence frames shown on the computer screen.
      Experiment 2 required the reverse process of vocalizing the base forms of words
      when primed with 40, complex derived forms in the same four morphology conditions
      embedded in sentence frames shown on the computer screen. Results of the analysis
      of the reaction times show a developmental trend and that the subgroups of poor
      readers used different mechanisms in producing derived or base forms of words
      according to the complexity of the orthographic and/or phonological changes
      needed in the derivational process. The important role of morphemic structure and
      origin of words in instruction is emphasized. 

PMID- 24233475
TI  - Effect of cues on object naming in first-grade good and poor readers.
AB  - Object-naming deficits in children with reading problems may be due to
      deficiencies in either the phonological stage of processing or the semantic
      stage. The present study approached this issue by manipulating the type of cue
      given (semantic or phonetic) when object drawings were not named correctly by
      first-grade children. Although the children who were poor readers named
      significantly fewer objects than the good readers, both groups of children
      benefited from phonetic cues. In contrast, semantic cues had relatively little
      effect. These results support the view that difficulty on object naming is more
      likely related to phonological deficiencies. 

PMID- 24233476
TI  - Narratives: A window on the oral substrate of written language disabilities.
AB  - Oral precursors underlying competence with literacy activities are approached
      through a review of studies on narrative comprehension and production in children
      identified as language learning disabled (LLD). Areas addressed include a general
      overview of narrative types, the kinds of narrative knowledge that are acquired,
      the nature of story organization, and developmental acquisitions in story recall
      and generation. Nine studies on the oral comprehension and production of language
      learning disabled children are then compared with respect to methodological
      issues and patterns of performance. Implications from these studies are discussed
      in terms of their potential insight for subtypes of a LLD including the value of
      oral narratives in identifying precursors for competence with written language. 

PMID- 24233477
TI  - Written narratives of normal and learning disabled children.
AB  - Writing samples of children in grades one through three were collected in two
      midwestern elementary schools using the Picture Story Language Test. Each story
      was scored for productivity, syntax, and level of abstraction. Results indicated
      that performance in all aspects of written language improved with age.A second
      study was conducted to compare the writing of normal children who were average
      readers in grades one through three with learning disabled children who were
      reading at comparable levels. The results indicated no significant differences in
      productivity but there were differences in syntax. Problems were noted
      particularly in morphology. Further observations indicated the learning disabled
      poor readers also had more problems with handwriting and spelling than average
      readers. 

PMID- 24233478
TI  - Diagnosing comprehension deficits through listening and reading.
AB  - Assessment of students with reading comprehension difficulties should include
      measurement of both listening and reading comprehension of extended discourse in
      order to begin to identify the reason or reasons for their deficits. The problems
      of developing an effective comprehension test are discussed. An experimental
      screening test, Profiles in Listening and Reading (PILAR), is presented as one
      approach to assessing comprehension. Its potential as a screening and diagnostic
      test is considered, using students' profiles from two studies. 

PMID- 24233479
TI  - Linguistic coding deficits in foreign language learners.
AB  - As increasing numbers of colleges and universities require a foreign language for
      graduation in at least one of their degree programs, reports of students with
      difficulties in learning a second language are multiplying. Until recently,
      little research has been conducted to identify the nature of this problem. Recent
      attempts by the authors have focused upon subtle but ongoing language
      difficulties in these individuals as the source of their struggle to learn a
      foreign language. The present paper attempts to expand upon this concept by
      outlining a theoretical framework based upon a linguistic coding model that
      hypothesizes deficits in the processing of phonological, syntactic, and/or
      semantic information. Traditional psychoeducational assessment batteries of
      standardized intelligence and achievement tests generally are not sensitive to
      these linguistic coding deficits unless closely analyzed or, more often, used in
      conjunction with a more comprehensive language assessment battery. Students who
      have been waived from a foreign language requirement and their proposed type(s)
      of linguistic coding deficits are profiled. Tentative conclusions about the
      nature of these foreign language learning deficits are presented along with
      specific suggestions for tests to be used in psychoeducational evaluations. 

PMID- 24233480
TI  - Comparison of dyslexic and nondyslexic adults on decoding and phonemic awareness
      tasks.
AB  - This study was conducted to determine if the phonemic awareness skills of college
      aged dyslexic students (n=10) differ from those of their nondyslexic peers
      (n=10). Both groups were tested on reading of real and nonsense words and a
      phoneme reversal task. Although the dyslexic subjects had received considerable
      language remediation and were all succeeding at their college studies at a level
      that did not significantly differ from the nondyslexic subjects, they performed
      significantly poorer on two measures of phonemic awareness: reading of nonsense
      words and increased error rate and response time on reversal of common three
      phoneme words. These results were interpreted to suggest that although the
      dyslexic subjects had improved their reading skills there remained a fundamental
      deficit in their ability to process phonological information quickly and
      accurately. 

PMID- 24233481
TI  - The relation between sense of audience and specific learning disabilities: An
      exploration.
AB  - The relationship between two college-able learning-disabled writers' unique
      social and cognitive profiles and the sense of audience in their written texts is
      explored. The first student demonstrated significant visual and organizational
      cognitive processing deficits. The second student had deficits in oral language
      comprehension and production. While the writing of both students was affected by
      their disabilities, our findings suggest that the quality of their audience
      awareness is indeed related to the nature of their specific learning disability
      profile. 

PMID- 24233482
TI  - Prediction: A six-year follow-up.
AB  - The prereading and reading performance of a group of 370 predominantly Hispanic,
      bilingual public school children was followed for six years. The aim of the study
      was to compare the factorial make-up and predictive validity of tests used in the
      current research with findings from a previous study. The early study had
      followed the children from the end of their kindergarten year until the end of
      second grade. For purposes of the present study a 13-test predictor battery was
      administered to the children at the beginning of their first-grade year. This
      battery included a number of measures used in the early study, among them a 5
      test Screening Index developed in the course of that study. Records were obtained
      of the follow-up children's 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade reading test
      scores. Factor analysis of the pool of 13 predictor tests showed a two-cluster
      battery structure. These clusters closely resembled two of the four factors
      defined in the early study. As used with the group of bilingual children, the
      Screening Index misclassified many of the failing readers, as well as others who
      went ahead to read at grade level. The Screening Index quite accurately
      identified, across grades, children who eventually read well. A number of
      predictor tests administered at beginning of first grade continued to show
      significant correlations with reading at all grade levels. The consistent
      contribution of the predictor tests with reading points to their continuing
      usefulness as a point of departure for assessing children's readiness to read. 

PMID- 24233483
TI  - Multisensory programs in the public schools: A brighter future for LD children.
AB  - A longitudinal study followed the progress of a group of elementary SLD students
      as they were instructed using the Alphabetic Phonics (AP) curriculum. After a
      three year period, the AP curriculum produced positive results in reading
      comprehension for most SLD students, particularly those who began the program in
      first and second grade. Students in resource and self-contained settings made
      significant gains in reading comprehension, although the two types of students
      exhibited different patterns of progress. Students of different ability levels
      responded differently to the AP curriculum. Average and above average students
      made significant progress in reading comprehension, but below average students
      did not advance substantially in relation to their ability level. At the end of
      three years, classroom teachers had a significantly more positive view of
      students' word attack, oral reading, and silent reading comprehension skills. 

PMID- 24233485
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24233484
TI  - The adolescent dyslexic: Strategies for spelling.
AB  - The adolescent dyslexic student's problems with spelling are very different from
      those of a young dyslexic child, as he already has considerable knowledge of the
      English spelling system. But this knowledge is very often random and confused, so
      he needs to acquire a logical structure which will enable him to generate
      spelling for himself and to communicate effectively in writing.It will be
      suggested that accuracy is not always attainable, but the student can be taught
      to recognize and use the main components of the spelling system and can learn to
      employ all available resources. The general aim is to provide the dyslexic
      adolescent with the tools he needs to cope with his spelling requirements, both
      in school and outside; to make informed deductions; to think for himself. In
      short, to spell independently and logically. 

PMID- 24233486
TI  - Translation of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor-beta mRNA is controlled by
      alternative splicing within the 5' untranslated region.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) blocks the initiation of
      coagulation by inhibiting TF-activated factor VII, activated factor X, and early
      prothrombinase. Humans produce two 3' splice variants, TFPIalpha and TFPIbeta,
      which are differentially expressed in endothelial cells and platelets and possess
      distinct structural features affecting their inhibitory function. TFPI also
      undergoes alternative splicing of exon 2 within its 5' untranslated region. The
      role of exon 2 splicing in translational regulation of human TFPI isoform
      expression is investigated. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Exon 2 splicing occurs in
      TFPIalpha and TFPIbeta transcripts. Human tissue mRNA analysis uncovered a wide
      variability of exon 2 expression. Polysome analysis revealed a repressive effect
      of exon 2 on TFPIbeta translation but not on TFPIalpha. Luciferase reporter
      assays further exposed strong translational repression of TFPIbeta (90%) but not
      TFPIalpha. Use of a Morpholino to remove exon 2 from TFPI mRNA increased cell
      surface expression of endogenous TFPIbeta. Exon 2 also repressed luciferase
      production (80% to 90%) when paired with the beta-actin 3' untranslated region,
      suggesting that it is a general translational negative element whose effects are
      overcome by the TFPIalpha 3' untranslated region. CONCLUSIONS: Exon 2 is a
      molecular switch that prevents translation of TFPIbeta. This is the first
      demonstration of a 5' untranslated region alternative splicing event that alters
      translation of isoforms produced via independent 3' splicing events within the
      same gene. Therefore, it represents a previously unrecognized mechanism for
      translational control of protein expression. Differential expression of exon 2
      denotes a mechanism to provide temporal and tissue-specific regulation of
      TFPIbeta-mediated anticoagulant activity.

PMID- 24233487
TI  - New automated assay of small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol identifies
      risk of coronary heart disease: the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the
      United States, yet assessing risk of its development remains challenging. The
      present study evaluates a new automated assay of small dense low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol content (sdLDL-C) and whether sdLDL-C is a risk factor
      for CHD compared with LDL-C or small LDL particle concentrations derived from
      nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. APPROACH AND RESULTS: sdLDL-C was
      measured using a new automated enzymatic method, and small LDL concentrations
      were obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance in 4387 Multi-Ethnic Study of
      Atherosclerosis participants. Cox regression analysis estimated hazard ratios for
      developing CHD for 8.5 years after adjustments for age, race, sex, systolic blood
      pressure, hypertension medication use, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and
      triglycerides. Elevated sdLDL-C was a risk factor for CHD in normoglycemic
      individuals. Those in the top sdLDL-C quartile showed higher risk of incident CHD
      (hazard ratio, 2.41; P=0.0037) compared with those in the bottom quartile and
      indicated greater CHD risk than the corresponding quartile of LDL-C (hazard
      ratio, 1.75; P=0.019). The association of sdLDL-C with CHD risk remained
      significant when LDL-C (<2.57 mmol/L) was included in a multivariate model
      (hazard ratio, 2.37; P=0.012). Nuclear magnetic resonance-derived small LDL
      concentrations did not convey a significant risk of CHD. Those with impaired
      fasting glucose or diabetes mellitus showed higher sdLDL-C and small LDL
      concentrations but neither was associated with higher CHD risk in these
      individuals. CONCLUSIONS: This new automated method for sdLDL-C identifies risk
      for CHD that would remain undetected using standard lipid measures, but only in
      normoglycemic, nondiabetic individuals.

PMID- 24233488
TI  - Acid sphingomyelinase regulates platelet cell membrane scrambling, secretion, and
      thrombus formation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Platelet activation is essential for primary hemostasis and acute
      thrombotic vascular occlusions. On activation, platelets release their
      prothrombotic granules and expose phosphatidylserine, thus fostering thrombin
      generation and thrombus formation. In other cell types, both degranulation and
      phosphatidylserine exposure are modified by sphingomyelinase-dependent formation
      of ceramide. The present study thus explored whether acid sphingomyelinase
      participates in the regulation of platelet secretion, phosphatidylserine
      exposure, and thrombus formation. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Collagen-related peptide
      induced or thrombin-induced ATP release and P-selectin exposure were
      significantly blunted in platelets from Asm-deficient mice (Smpd1(-/-)) when
      compared with platelets from wild-type mice (Smpd1(+/+)). Moreover,
      phosphatidylserine exposure and thrombin generation were significantly less
      pronounced in Smpd1(-/-) platelets than in Smpd1(+/+) platelets. In contrast,
      platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 activation and aggregation, as well as activation
      dependent Ca(2+) flux, were not significantly different between Smpd1(-/-) and
      Smpd1(+/+) platelets. In vitro thrombus formation at shear rates of 1700 s(-1)
      and in vivo thrombus formation after FeCl3 injury were significantly blunted in
      Smpd1(-/-) mice while bleeding time was unaffected. Asm-deficient platelets
      showed significantly reduced activation-dependent ceramide formation, whereas
      exogenous ceramide rescued diminished platelet secretion and thrombus formation
      caused by Asm deficiency. Treatment of Smpd1(+/+) platelets with bacterial
      sphingomyelinase (0.01 U/mL) increased, whereas treatment with functional acid
      sphingomyelinase-inhibitors, amitriptyline or fluoxetine (5 MUmol/L), blunted
      activation-dependent platelet degranulation, phosphatidylserine exposure, and
      thrombus formation. Impaired degranulation and thrombus formation of Smpd1(-/-)
      platelets were again overcome by exogenous bacterial sphingomyelinase.
      CONCLUSIONS: Acid sphingomyelinase is a completely novel element in the
      regulation of platelet plasma membrane properties, secretion, and thrombus
      formation.

PMID- 24233489
TI  - Inflammatory stress induces statin resistance by disrupting 3-hydroxy-3
      methylglutaryl-CoA reductase feedback regulation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The risk of cardiovascular disease is increased by up to 33 to 50* in
      chronic inflammatory states and convention doses of statins may not provide the
      same cardiovascular protection as in noninflamed patients. This study
      investigated whether the increase in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase
      (HMGCoA-R)-mediated cholesterol synthesis observed under inflammatory stress was
      resistant to the action of statins and if so, whether this was because of
      interference with the sterol regulatory element binding protein cleavage
      activating protein pathway. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Inflammatory stress was induced
      by adding cytokines (interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and
      interleukin-6) and lipopolysaccharides to vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro
      and by subcutaneous casein injection in apolipoprotein E/scavenger receptors
      class A/CD36 triple knockout mice in vivo. Inflammatory stress exacerbated
      cholesterol ester accumulation and was accompanied in vitro and in vivo by
      increased HMGCoA-R mRNA and protein expression mediated via activation of the
      sterol regulatory element binding protein cleavage-activating protein/sterol
      regulatory element binding protein-2 pathway. Atorvastatin reduced HMGCoA-R
      enzymatic activity and intracellular cholesterol synthesis in vitro. However,
      inflammatory stress weakened these suppressive effects. Atorvastatin at
      concentrations of 16 MUmol/L inhibited HMGCoA-R activity by 50% in vascular
      smooth muscle cells, but the same concentration resulted in only 30% of HMGCoA-R
      activity in vascular smooth muscle cells in the presence of interleukin-1beta.
      Knocking down sterol regulatory element binding protein cleavage-activating
      protein prevented statin resistance induced by interleukin-1beta, and
      overexpression of sterol regulatory element binding protein cleavage-activating
      protein induced statin resistance even without inflammatory stress. In vivo, the
      amount of atorvastatin required to lower serum cholesterol and decrease aortic
      lipid accumulation rose from 2 to 10 mg/kg per day in the presence of
      inflammatory stress. CONCLUSIONS: Increased cholesterol synthesis mediated by
      HMGCoA-R under inflammatory stress may be one of the mechanisms for intracellular
      lipid accumulation and statin resistance.

PMID- 24233493
TI  - Aesthetic shoulder augmentation with silicone implants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Men with narrower shoulders may appear less muscular than other men.
      Deltoid muscle underdevelopment or atrophy, a condition commonly linked to narrow
      shoulder issues, may be associated with congenital deformity, trauma, or
      neoplasm. For some people, regular exercise does not effectively develop the
      deltoid muscle region. Some people naturally have a smaller build than others.
      Even with developed deltoid muscles, these people still appear to be small. The
      authors have performed lateral shoulder augmentation with silicone implants for 4
      years. Based on their experience, this procedure stands as a reliable solution
      for men with narrow shoulders. METHODS: Lateral shoulder augmentation with
      silicone implants was developed and used for 81 patients between April 2009 and
      April 2013. None of the patients had shoulder deformities except for two patients
      (one patient with Poland's syndrome and one patient with Sprengel's deformity).
      The implants were placed through a horizontal axillary crease incision in a plane
      dissected between the deltoid fascia and muscle. RESULTS: All augmentation or
      correction procedures have been met with complete patient approval. Five patients
      had minor complications such as hematoma and implement displacement. However, all
      these complications were resolved to the satisfaction of the patients.
      CONCLUSION: When silicone implants are used to achieve purely aesthetic
      improvements, successful shoulder augmentation procedures are observed. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each
      submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This
      excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic
      Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full
      description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table
      of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

PMID- 24233492
TI  - Deficiency of NOX1/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form
      oxidase leads to pulmonary vascular remodeling.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Involvement of reactive oxygen species derived from nicotinamide
      adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (NADPH) oxidase has been documented
      in the development of hypoxia-induced model of pulmonary arterial hypertension
      (PAH). Because the PAH-like phenotype was demonstrated in mice deficient in Nox1
      gene (Nox1(-/Y)) raised under normoxia, the aim of this study was to clarify how
      the lack of NOX1/NADPH oxidase could lead to pulmonary pathology. APPROACH AND
      RESULTS: Spontaneous enlargement and hypertrophy of the right ventricle,
      accompanied by hypertrophy of pulmonary vessels, were demonstrated in Nox1(-/Y) 9
      to 18 weeks old. Because an increased number of alpha-smooth muscle actin
      positive vessels were observed in Nox1(-/Y), pulmonary arterial smooth muscle
      cells (PASMCs) were isolated and characterized by flow cytometry and terminal
      deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. In Nox1(-/Y)
      PASMCs, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly reduced without any
      change in the expression of endothelin-1, and hypoxia-inducible factors HIF
      1alpha and HIF-2alpha, factors implicated in the pathogenesis of PAH. A
      significant decrease in a voltage-dependent K(+) channel, Kv1.5 protein, and an
      increase in intracellular potassium levels were demonstrated in Nox1(-/Y) PASMCs.
      When a rescue study was performed in Nox1(-/Y) crossed with transgenic mice
      overexpressing rat Nox1 gene, impaired apoptosis and the level of Kv1.5 protein
      in PASMCs were almost completely recovered in Nox1(-/Y) harboring the Nox1
      transgene. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a critical role for NOX1 in
      cellular apoptosis by regulating Kv1.5 and intracellular potassium levels.
      Because dysfunction of Kv1.5 is among the features demonstrated in PAH,
      inactivation of NOX1/NADPH oxidase may be a causative factor for pulmonary
      vascular remodeling associated with PAH.

PMID- 24233490
TI  - Protein S is a cofactor for platelet and endothelial tissue factor pathway
      inhibitor-alpha but not for cell surface-associated tissue factor pathway
      inhibitor.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is produced in 2 isoforms:
      TFPIalpha, a soluble protein in plasma, platelets, and endothelial cells, and
      TFPIbeta, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein on endothelium. Protein
      S (PS) functions as a cofactor for TFPIalpha, enhancing the inhibition of factor
      Xa. However, PS does not alter the inhibition of prothrombinase by TFPIalpha, and
      PS interactions with TFPIbeta are undescribed. Thus, the physiological role and
      scope of the PS-TFPI system remain unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Here, the
      cofactor activity of PS toward platelet and endothelial TFPIalpha and endothelial
      TFPIbeta was quantified. PS enhanced the inhibition of factor Xa by TFPIalpha
      from platelets and endothelial cells and stabilized the TFPIalpha/factor Xa
      inhibitory complex, delaying thrombin generation by prothrombinase. By contrast,
      PS did not enhance the inhibitory activity of TFPIbeta or a membrane-anchored
      form of TFPI containing the PS-binding third Kunitz domain (K1K2K3) although PS
      did function as a cofactor for K1K2K3 enzymatically released from the cell
      surface. CONCLUSIONS: The PS-TFPI anticoagulant system is limited to plasma
      TFPIalpha and TFPIalpha released from platelets and endothelial cells. PS likely
      functions to localize solution-phase TFPIalpha to the cell surface, where factor
      Xa is bound. PS does not alter the activity of membrane-associated TFPI. Because
      activated platelets release TFPIalpha and PS, the PS-TFPIalpha anticoagulant
      system may act physiologically to dampen thrombin generation at the platelet
      surface.

PMID- 24233491
TI  - Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element-binding protein mediates the
      proangiogenic or proinflammatory activity of gremlin.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Angiogenesis and inflammation are closely related processes. Gremlin
      is a novel noncanonical vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2)
      ligand that induces a proangiogenic response in endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we
      investigated the role of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element
      (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) in mediating the proinflammatory and proangiogenic
      responses of ECs to gremlin. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Gremlin induces a
      proinflammatory response in ECs, leading to reactive oxygen species and cyclic
      adenosine monophosphate production and the upregulation of proinflammatory
      molecules involved in leukocyte extravasation, including chemokine (C-C motif)
      ligand-2 (Ccl2) and Ccl7, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-1 (Cxcl1), vascular cell
      adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).
      Accordingly, gremlin induces the VEGFR2-dependent phosphorylation, nuclear
      translocation, and transactivating activity of CREB in ECs. CREB activation
      mediates the early phases of the angiogenic response to gremlin, including
      stimulation of EC motility and permeability, and leads to monocyte/macrophage
      adhesion to ECs and their extravasation. All these effects are inhibited by EC
      transfection with a dominant-negative CREB mutant or with a CREB-binding protein
      CREB interaction inhibitor that competes for CREB/CRE binding. Also, both
      recombinant gremlin and gremlin-expressing tumor cells induce
      proinflammatory/proangiogenic responses in vivo that are suppressed by the anti
      inflammatory drug hydrocortisone. Similar effects were induced by the canonical
      VEGFR2 ligand VEGF-A165. CONCLUSIONS: Together, the results underline the tight
      cross-talk between angiogenesis and inflammation and demonstrate a crucial role
      of CREB activation in the modulation of the VEGFR2-mediated
      proinflammatory/proangiogenic response of ECs to gremlin.

PMID- 24233494
TI  - Clover-shaped advancement flap for correction of short and broad columella in a
      patient with frontorhiny.
AB  - This report describes a recessively inherited frontonasal malformation termed
      "frontorhiny" in recent literature. The authors developed a modified open
      rhinoplasty incision for correction of a broad, swollen columella due to
      frontorhiny. The clover-shaped flap was composed of a central V-Y advancement
      flap and bilateral folding flaps. This report relates the case of an 8-year-old
      girl with a broad columella and poor nasal tip development treated by a clover
      shaped flap with dorsal onlay augmentation using autologous rib cartilage. This
      clover-shaped flap technique may be useful not only in frontorhiny cases but also
      in other cases of a short and broad columella. Level of Evidence V This journal
      requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full
      description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table
      of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

PMID- 24233495
TI  - Statistical methods to apportion the sources of particles in the industrial
      region of Estarreja-Portugal.
AB  - Factor analysis models are very attractive for source apportionment and have been
      widely applied. They do not require a priori knowledge of the number and
      composition of the sources, and they can actually uncover previously unsuspected
      sources and estimate the composition of the sources using only ambient monitoring
      data.Aerosol particles were collected from an industrial atmosphere and analyses
      for water soluble and carbon components. Principal components analysis permitted
      the evaluation of the contribution due to industries, soil fraction, secondary
      pollutants and sea spray particles of the total suspended aerosol mass.It can be
      concluded that the atmospheric aerosol in the Industrial Area of Estarreja
      (Portugal) contains a relative important fraction that is water soluble. Ammonium
      sulphates and nitrates are the main components of this fraction. Carbon compounds
      constitute about 30% of the total aerosol mass. These compounds are mainly formed
      by organic matter emitted by the industries. Due to the mutagenic and
      carcinogenic characteristics of some organic compounds processed in the
      Industrial Area (vinyl chloride, benzene, aniline, etc.), the concern exists of
      negative human health effects as a result of prolonged inhalation. Soil compounds
      is another important fraction of the aerosol mass, mainly in summer with dry,
      sunny and windy weather conditions.A more conclusive idea of the sources and
      effects of aerosol matter can only be obtained with the specific analysis of
      organic compounds and the determination of trace elements, characteristic of each
      particular source. 

PMID- 24233496
TI  - The distribution of monthly rainfall intensity at some sites in Saudi Arabia.
AB  - The analysis of rainfall intensity is useful in various fields of life e.g.
      agricultural planning, hydrology and transmission of microwaves and high-voltage
      electricity. The monthly precipitation totals for a 21 year period are used to
      compare the rainfall regimes at seven sites in Saudi Arabia. These sites differ
      in their latitude, longitude and elevation above sea level. Some basic monthly
      statistics of data from these sites are presented to identify the nature of the
      rainfall at each site. The trend of the number of dry months per year is also
      used to compare between the sites. The probability of dry months for each month
      of the 21 yr is used for comparison between the rainfall regimes. Plots for mean
      and maximum rainfall at these sites are presented. The Fisher-Cornish proposed
      model for rainfall in arid regions is considered and a simple empirical method
      for estimating its parameters is used for the twelve month period rainfall data
      from the seven sites. 

PMID- 24233497
TI  - The economics of transboundary air pollution in Europe.
AB  - Acid rain is causing substantial damage in all Eastern and Western European
      countries. This article presents a stepwise linear optimisation model, that
      places transboundary air pollution by SO2 and NOx in a game theoretical
      framework. The national authorities of 28 countries are perceived as players in a
      game in which they can choose optimal strategies. It is illustrated that optimal
      national abatement programmes may be far from optimal if considered from an
      international point of view. Several scenarios are discussed, including a
      reference case, full cooperation, Pareto optimality and a critical loads
      approach. The need for international cooperation and regional differentiation of
      abatement programmes is emphasised. 

PMID- 24233498
TI  - True and false positive rates in maximum contaminant level tests.
AB  - The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is promulgating a revised national
      primary drinking water regulation (NPDWR) which includes a monthly sample size
      and maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total coliform bacteria in public water
      systems. No previous quantification has been made of the coliform content that
      must be present in the sampled water in order for an MCL to be exceeded. This
      paper presents a method for evaluating the coliform level an MCL will detect with
      likelihood P.Our approach is to treat an MCL as a decision rule, with Type I
      (false positive) and Type II (false negative) error rates. The stringency of an
      MCL is quantified as the mean coliform level in the sampled system that it will
      detect with likelihood P. MCLs are contrasted on stringency by comparing the mean
      coliform level each targets for detection, with fixed error rates.Interim rules
      (NIPDWR), in effect since 1975, are shown to vary widely on the coliform content
      each targets for detection, that is, on stringency. Yes/no decisions on
      contamination have not been decided based on mean coliform content. Coliform
      levels permitted in monitored public water systems have been determined by the
      particular MCL used for testing. The same coliform level will test positively
      with one MCL 90 times in 100 yet be guaranteed 95% nondetection by a second
      MCL.EPA's reasonably safe standard for drinking water is reformulated on our
      stringency criteria. Its proposed monthly MCL is evaluated on its capability for
      maintaining this standard. Smaller systems will not provide its users this level
      of protection under the new rule.In addition, our evaluation of the safe water
      standard on stringency and the rationale for a monthly MCL require that coliform
      levels be identically distributed (i.d.) across month and sampled system.
      Empirical data strongly refute this model and question the utility of a monthly
      MCL.This work suggests an alternative, single sample MCL, with repeat sampling
      for verification, which can be configured to provide monitoring to discover mean
      coliform values at any level, in any size of system, at minimal extra cost. 

PMID- 24233499
TI  - Statistical analysis of effects of measures against agricultural pollution.
AB  - The Norwegian Government has initiated a plan to reduce agricultural pollution.
      One of the projects in this plan is aimed at investigating the effects of
      different measures in order to evaluate their effects and costs.A set of
      experiments has been designed to estimate the effects of measures to reduce or
      control the use of fertilizers and erosion. The project started in 1985. It
      comprises continuous measurements in two water courses in each of four counties:
      one test drainage area where the relevant measures were implemented at the end of
      1986, and one reference area where no specific measures are carried out. A series
      of chemical parameters are measured together with runoff and other hydrological
      and meteorogical data.The paper provides a preliminary analysis of the data
      collected in one of the counties during the period June 1985 to April 1988. It
      contains examples of analysis of covariance to show possible effects of the
      measures carried out in the test area.Natural variations in precipitation and
      pollution are large, making it difficult to see the effects of the measures
      without using statistical techniques to take the multivariability of the problem
      into account. Some effects can be shown with analysis of covariance. However, the
      relatively short measurement period makes it neccessary to be careful when
      interpreting the results. 

PMID- 24233500
TI  - Air pollution and diseases of the respiratory tracts in pre-school children: A
      transfer function model.
AB  - The purpose of the present statistical analysis was the assessment of the
      relation between time series of environmental factors and of frequencies of
      diseases of the respiratory system in pre-school children. During about one year,
      daily measurements of air pollutants and climatic variables were taken. During
      the same period of time two series of medical data were collected: (i) The daily
      relative number of pre-school children, exhibiting diseases of the respiratory
      tracts who either came to the outpatients' clinic of the children's hospital or
      were reported by paediatricians in Basle (ENTRIES). (ii) The daily relative
      frequency of symptoms of the respiratory tracts observed in a group of randomly
      selected pre-school children (SYMPTOMS).By means of transfer function models the
      relation between the two target variables and the 'explaining' variables was
      analysed. Several practical problems did arise: Choice of the appropriate
      transformation of the different series, interpretation of the crosscorrelation
      function using different methods of 'prewhitening', time splitting and
      nonstationarity of the crosscorrelation structure. In particular, it was found
      that after prewhitening the crosscorrelation function between the explanatory
      series SO2 and the response series SYMPTOMS changes with time. While during the
      'winter period' an instantaneous relation between these two series (and to a
      lesser extent between NO2 and SYMPTOMS) was identified, no such relation was
      found for the other seasons. 

PMID- 24233501
TI  - The Niagara River: A water quality management overview.
AB  - The Niagara River constitutes part of the Laurentian Great Lakes and St. Lawrence
      River system which represents approximately 80% of North America's supply of
      surface fresh water. The river is a major source of water for industry,
      municipalities, recreation and power generation and is the link between Lakes
      Erie and Ontario. The river forms part of the Canada-U.S. border and falls under
      the jurisdiction of both countries.The massive industrialization of the region
      surrounding the river has led to a typical resource use conflict situation in
      which pollution of the river continues to be a major public concern.A number of
      constitutional, institutional and jurisdictional factors make the management of
      the Niagara River an involved and complicated matter. The interests, intent,
      philosophies, laws and regulations are not necessarily the same among the
      numerous jurisdiction involved. Despite these differences, however, Canada and
      the United States have succeeded in developing and implementing a model
      cooperative international management plan for the river. An overview of the main
      international aspects relating to the development and implementation of this
      plan, the Niagara River Toxics Management Plan, is presented. 

PMID- 24233502
TI  - Time series valued experimental designs: A review.
AB  - A review is given of the literature on time-series valued experimental designs.
      Most of this literature is divided into two categories depending upon the factor
      status of the time variable. In one category, time is an experimental factor, and
      in the other it is a non-specific factor and enters the design in the context of
      replications. Analyses in both the time and frequency domain are reviewed. Signal
      detection models, Bayesian methods and optimal designs are surveyed. A discussion
      is also presented of application areas which include field trials and medical
      experiments. A main theme of the literature is that application of standard F
      tests to highly correlated data can be misleading. A bibliography of relevant
      publications from 1949 onward is presented. 

PMID- 24233503
TI  - Extent of acidification in Southwestern Quebec lakes.
AB  - This paper presents the results from the first two areas covered by the
      statistically-oriented Quebec Spatial Lake Acidity Monitoring Network (RESSALQ).
      It is used in combination with the existing LRTAP-Quebec temporal network, the
      Quebec precipitation sampling network (REPQ) and a dose-effect model (SIGMA/SLAM)
      in order to assess the global extent of damages related to acidity, to detect
      changes in water quality, and to measure the effects of wet sulphate deposition
      reduction and those of sulphate target loadings on lake acidity. Results obtained
      with this network were also used in combination with data issued from the Eastern
      Lake Survey, in order to establish the relative acidity and sensitivity status of
      lakes in Eastern North America. While Florida has the highest proportion of very
      acidic and very sensitive lakes, Quebec has a higher overall proportion of
      sensitive and acidic lakes compared to other areas of the United States. 

PMID- 24233504
TI  - A statistical approach to field measurements of the chemical evolution of cold
      (<0 degrees C) snow cover.
AB  - Two statistical methods for the analysis of data on the evolution of the chemical
      composition of cold snow (<0 degrees C) in the field (Lac Laflamme, Quebec) were
      compared. The methods used on the data were regression analysis (One sample per
      sampling date over a long cold period) and ANOVA (replicate samples on a
      restricted number of sampling dates over shorter periods). The relative power of
      the tests to determine the detectable amplitude of chemical changes was derived
      from the theoretical power of the tests under comparable conditions of sampling
      (number of observations) and from the estimated error variances of the measured
      data.The results of the study on the evolution of sulfates (SO4) concentrations
      in discretely identified snow strate clearly showed that for six of the eight
      strata, significant losses of SO4 occurred in snow during cold periods. The
      relative amplitude of the significant losses varied between 1% per day and 4% per
      day depending on the initial concentrations in the snow and the prevailing
      meteorological conditions.The analysis of the data also demonstrated that for the
      same number of samples, the regression analysis is more efficient in detecting
      the chemical changes in snow than the alternative ANOVA method. The use of this
      information to plan sampling programs of cold snow under both field and
      laboratory conditions is discussed. 

PMID- 24233505
TI  - Statistical control of hygienic quality of bathing water.
AB  - In Denmark the hygienic quality of the bathing water has been controlled, based
      on general guidelines since 1978. Today more than 1100 control sites in marine
      areas have been established to ensure safe bathing water quality. According to
      EEC directives and Danish tradition, the control is usually performed by
      measuring the content of the indicator bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) in 5
      to 20 test samples each bathing season.In Denmark, control programmes and data
      are evaluated using basic statistical quality control principles. This paper
      presents general guidelines for bacterial control, their statistical background
      and practical application. Furthermore, the evaluation and application of a
      specific programme for control of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are
      presented. This programme was used in a Danish bay where the authorities
      prescribe direct control of these potentially harmful bacteria. 

PMID- 24233506
TI  - Relationships between water mass characteristics and estimates of fish population
      abundance from trawl surveys.
AB  - The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans conducts annual bottom trawl
      surveys to monitor changes in the abundance of the major commercially important
      groundfish populations. Some of these surveys have been in operation for almost
      20 yr. The estimates from these surveys often indicate rapid changes in abundance
      over time beyond that expected from the population dynamics of the fish. Much of
      this interannual change has been interpreted as variation, the magnitude of which
      has often made it difficult to measure anything but the most severe effects of
      fishing, pollution or any other intervention on the population. Recent studies
      have shown that some of this variation may be attributed to changes in
      catchability of fish due to the effects of environmental variables on fish
      distribution. Annual changes in abundance as estimated from such field surveys
      may be confounded by changes in catchability due to annual changes in
      environmental conditions. In this study, trawl catches of age 4 Atlantic cod
      (Gadus morhua) from surveys conducted during March 1979-1988 were compared with
      concurrent measurements of bottom salinity, temperature and depth. Large catches
      of age 4 cod are more likely to occur in water characterized as the intermediate
      cold layer defined by salinities of 32-33.5 and temperatures<5 degrees C. This
      relationship also appears to be modified by depth. We further show that
      internnual changes in the estimated abundance from the surveys were, in a number
      of cases, coincident with changes in the proportion of the bottom water composed
      of the intermediate cold water layer. The implications that these patterns may
      have on interpreting trends in the estimates of abundance from trawl surveys are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24233507
TI  - Sampling inference, an alternate statistical model.
AB  - Sampling inference is proposed as an alternate paradigm. This method is discussed
      with respect to classical, Bayesian and a proposed probabilistic real world
      system. A probabilistic real world system is suggested as more valid and useful
      in practical as well as research situations. Sampling inference applied to a
      probabilistic model allows for valid inferences for volunteer and representative
      as well as random samples. A concept of time and distance based samples is
      introduced. 

PMID- 24233508
TI  - Statistical needs in national water quality monitoring programs.
AB  - The concept that a few well chosen, strategically placed, water quality stations
      can provide valuable scientific information to water managers is common to many
      countries. Historically within Canada, water quality regional networks (Great
      Lakes network, Prairie Provinces Water Board network, Long Range Transport of
      Airborne Pollutants network, etc.) have been successfully operating for many
      years. This paper will describe the difficulties associated with developing a
      national water quality network for a country the size of Canada. In particular,
      it will describe some of the statistical tools presently being used in regional
      networks which are suitable for a national network, and discuss the need to
      develop new statistical tools for environmental monitoring in the 1990's. 

PMID- 24233509
TI  - An application of multivariate analysis to acid rain data in Northern Italy to
      discriminate natural and man-made compounds.
AB  - This paper presents the preliminary results of a study, the aim of which was to
      analyse the pluviometric and chemical rain data, recorded by a wet only network
      located in Northern Italy.More in detail, precipitations were collected on a
      weekly basis and chemical analysis was performed on pH, electric conductivity and
      Ca, Mg, Na, K, NH4, NO3, SO4, Cl concentrations.The Principal Components Analysis
      pointed out that the first three components are enough to explain more than 90%
      of the variability of the parameters. Moreover each component may have a
      different physical interpretation, that is the first one is mainly related to the
      precipitation amount, while the second to the man made and natural sources and
      the last one to the sea/soil contribution. 

PMID- 24233510
TI  - Characterization of hydrocarbon contaminated areas by multivariate statistical
      analysis: Case studies.
AB  - Analysis of soil gases is a relatively rapid and inexpensive method to delineate
      and measure hydrocarbon contamination in the subsurface caused by diesel or
      gasoline. Techniques originally developed for petroleum exploration have been
      adapted to tracking hydrocarbons which have leaked or spilled at or below the
      earth's surface.Discriminant analysis (a multivariate statistical technique) is
      used to classify soil gas samples of C1 to C7 hydrocarbons as biogenic (natural
      soil gases) or thermogenic (contaminant hydrocarbons). Map plots of C1 to C7
      total interstitial hydrocarbons, C2 to C7 interstitial hydrocarbons, and
      C1/SigmaC n rations are used to further delineate and document the extent and
      migration of contamination.Three case studies of the technique are presented:
      each involves leakage of hydrocarbons from underground storage tanks. Soil gas
      analysis clearly defines the spread of contamination and can serve as the basis
      for the correct placement of monitoring wells. The method proved to be accurate,
      rapid, and cost-effective; it therefore has potential for widespread application
      to the identification of soil and groundwater contaminated by hydrocarbons. 

PMID- 24233511
TI  - Framework for enhancing the statistical design of aquatic environmental studies.
AB  - Aquatic environmental studies can be categorized by the breadth of their scope
      and the types of desired results. The use of this categorization coupled with a
      clear specification of objectives and a judicious knowledge of the environmental
      variability should lead to more statistically efficient studies. This paper
      discusses the types of lacustrine studies commonly encountered in terms of their
      categorization. It provides examples of how the intrinsic environmental
      variability can influence their design and stresses the importance of properly
      stated objectives, the developing of testable hypotheses, the design of robust
      and powerful studies, and the importance of evaluating the implication of changes
      as critical factors for conducting effective and efficient environmental studies.

PMID- 24233512
TI  - Analysis of two-way layout of count data with negative binomial variation.
AB  - A number of methods has been proposed for dealing with single-factor or factorial
      experiments when the requirements for performing the normal theory analysis of
      variance procedure are not satisfied. This paper suggests the use of the
      likelihood ratio statistic for testing the main effects and the interaction
      between the factors in two-way layout of count data following negative binomial
      distributions with a common dispersion parameter. The likelihood ratio statistic
      for testing the equality of the dispersion parameters of several groups of count
      data is also derived. The methods is illustrated by an example concerning the
      study of spatial and temporal variation of bacterial counts. 

PMID- 24233513
TI  - An overview of the acidification of lakes in Atlantic Canada.
AB  - Analysis of water chemistry from a sample of lakes (?1300) in Atlantic Canada has
      indicated that lakes in geologically sensitive portions of Nova Scotia and
      Newfoundland have been acidified due to the combined effects of natural organic
      acids and anthropogenically derived mineral acids. Principal component analysis
      of six measured variables (pH, Ca, Conductance, SO inf4 (sup*) , Alkalinity,
      Colour) and one computed variable (Alk/Ca(*)+Mg(*)) for each province result in
      four components which retain at least 89% of the original variability. Cluster
      analysis of the four principal components resulted in 6 lake groups for New
      Brunswick and 8 groups for Nova Scotia and 7 groups for Newfoundland. Geographic
      ordination of these clusters indicates that there is good correspondence between
      cluster group and the underlying bedrock geology of the region. 

PMID- 24233514
TI  - Statistical inference from multiply censored environmental data.
AB  - Maximum likelihood estimation for multiply censored samples are discussed.
      Approximate confidence intervals for the lognormal mean are obtained using both
      Taylor expansion method and direct method. It is shown that the direct method
      performs noticeably better than the Taylor expansion method. Simulation results
      and applications are provided. 

PMID- 24233515
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24233518
TI  - More than two HANDs to tango.
AB  - Developing a validated tool for the rapid and efficient assessment of cognitive
      functioning in HIV-infected patients in a typical outpatient clinical setting has
      been an unmet goal of HIV research since the recognition of the syndrome of HIV
      associated dementia (HAD) nearly 20 years ago. In this issue of JNIP Cross et al.
      report the application of the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) in a U.S.
      based urban outpatient clinic to evaluate its utility as a substitute for the
      more time- and effort-demanding formalized testing criteria known as the Frascati
      criteria that was developed in 2007 to define the syndrome of HIV-associated
      neurocognitive disorders (HAND). In this study an unselected cohort of 507
      individuals (68 % African American) that were assessed using the IHDS in a cross
      sectional study revealed a 41 % prevalence of cognitive impairment (labeled
      'symptomatic HAND') that was associated with African American race, older age,
      unemployment, education level, and depression. While the associations between
      cognitive impairment and older age, education, unemployment status and depression
      in HIV-infected patients are not surprising, the association with African
      American ancestry and cognitive impairment in the setting of HIV infection is a
      novel finding of this study. This commentary discusses several important issues
      raised by the study, including the pitfalls of assessing cognitive functioning
      with rapid screening tools, cognitive testing criteria, normative testing control
      groups, accounting for HAND co-morbidity factors, considerations for clinical
      trials assessing HAND, and selective population vulnerability to HAND.

PMID- 24233520
TI  - MAPK kinase 3 is a tumor suppressor with reduced copy number in breast cancer.
AB  - Cancers are initiated as a result of changes that occur in the genome.
      Identification of gains and losses in the structure and expression of tumor
      suppressor genes and oncogenes lies at the root of the understanding of cancer
      cell biology. Here, we show that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) MKK3
      suppresses the growth of breast cancer, in which it varies in copy number. A
      pervasive loss of MKK3 gene copy number in patients with breast cancer is
      associated with an impairment of MKK3 expression and protein level in malignant
      tissues. To assess the functional role of MKK3 in breast cancer, we showed in an
      animal model that MKK3 activity is required for suppression of tumor growth.
      Active MKK3 enhanced expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors
      p21(Cip1/Waf1) and p27(Kip1), leading to increased cell-cycle arrest in G1 phase
      of the cell cycle. Our results reveal the functional significance of MKK3 as a
      tumor suppressor and improve understanding of the dynamic role of the MAPK
      pathway in tumor progression.

PMID- 24233519
TI  - The novel tetramethylpyrazine bis-nitrone (TN-2) protects against MPTP/MPP+
      induced neurotoxicity via inhibition of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis.
AB  - Mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis plays an important role in the degeneration of
      dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetra-
      hydropyridine (MPTP), the most widely used neurotoxin to simulate PD, is
      converted to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) in vivo. MPP(+) induces
      excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to mitochondrial
      dependent apoptosis via sequentially opening mitochondria permeability transition
      pore (mPTP) to release cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytoplasm and activate
      pro-apoptotic caspase proteins. We have previously synthesized 2,5-[[(1,1
      dimethylethyl)oxidoimino]methyl]-3,6-trimethylpyrazine (TN-2), a novel derivative
      of the Chinese herb medicine tetramethylpyrazine (TMP). TN-2 is armed with two
      powerful free radical-scavenging nitrone moieties. TN-2 significantly reversed
      the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the decrease in
      dopamine level in the striatum induced by MPTP in mice. TN-2 ameliorated the MPTP
      induced decrease of brain superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione
      concentration and increase of brain malondialdehyde. In addition, TN-2 inhibited
      MPP(+)-induced neuronal damage/apoptosis in primary cerebellum granular neurons
      (CGNs) and SH-SY5Y cells. TN-2 decreased excessive intracellular ROS, prevented
      the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, blocked the release of
      mitochondrial cytochrome c and inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and caspase
      9. Moreover, TN-2 treatment increased the mRNA expression of mitochondrial
      biogenesis factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma
      coactivator-1 (PGC- 1alpha and beta) and mitochondrial transcription factor A
      (Tfam) in SH-SY5Y cells and CGNs. These results suggest that TN-2 protects
      dopaminergic neurons against MPTP/MPP(+)-induced neurotoxicity via the inhibition
      of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis and possibly via the activation of
      mitochondrial biogenesis, indicating that TN-2 is a potential new treatment for
      PD.

PMID- 24233521
TI  - Transient expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene in barley
      cell cultures and immature embryos through microprojectile bombardment.
AB  - Transient expression of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene has been detected
      in cultured barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Heartland) cells and freshly isolated
      immature zygotic embryos (cv. Ellice) following the introduction of the gene by
      microprojectile bombardment. The DNA expression vector used to introduce the CAT
      gene, pCaMVI1CN, is a pUC8 derivative and consisted of a CaMV35S promoter, a
      fragment of alcohol dehydrogenase intron1, a CAT coding region and NOS
      polyadenylation region. The inclusion of the Adh1 intron1 was essential for the
      expression of CAT activity in cultured cells as well as immature zygotic embryos.
      Expression of CAT activity, which was dependent upon the DNA concentration used,
      could be detected as early as 20 h after bombardment. The results also suggested
      that the recipient cells have to be in an active state of cell division in order
      for the introduced gene to be expressed since mature zygotic as well as somatic
      embryos failed to reveal any gene expression. The effect of other parameters
      which influence the expression of the introduced gene as well as the potential of
      this novel technology for cereal transformation are also discussed. 

PMID- 24233523
TI  - Micropropagation of Cephaelis ipecacuanha rich.
AB  - Shoot cultures of ipecac, Cephaelis ipecacuanha Rich. were established by
      inoculating seedling nodal explants onto modified Murashige and Skoog's medium
      supplemented with 8 mg/l kinetin, 0.05 mg/l NAA and 200 mg/l adenine. Upto 12 new
      axillary shoots per explant were induced after 12 weeks incubation. Shoot
      cultures were also established by placing shoot tips on medium containing 0.1
      0.25 mg/l NAA with 8 mg/l kinetin for 4 weeks and then to shoot multiplication
      medium for 8 weeks. The multiplication was maintained over several passages.
      Shoots were rooted using 2 mg/l IBA and normal plants were re-established. 

PMID- 24233522
TI  - Multiplication of tobacco mosaic virus in tobacco callus tissues and in vitro
      selection for viral disease resistance.
AB  - Tobacco mosaic virus-resistant tobacco was selected in vitro using callus tissues
      induced from axillary buds of systemically infected tobacco plants. Callus lines
      in which the virus was continuously multiplying were first isolated and
      redifferentiated into shoots. By the procedure, non-diseased, healthy shoots were
      successfully isolated from diseased shoots, which showed typical mosaic symptoms
      of the virus, and regenerated into intact plants.These regenerated plants showed
      resistance to virus inoculation, and selfed progeny of virus-resistant
      regenerants segregated the resistance and susceptibility according to the
      Mendelian system. 

PMID- 24233524
TI  - Recovery of somatic embryos and plantlets from protoplast cultures of Larix *
      eurolepis.
AB  - Somatic embryos and plantlets were regenerated from protoplasts of hybrid larch
      (Larix * eurolepis) isolated from two embryogenic callus and cell suspension
      culture lines (L1 and L2). L2, which was highly embryogenic, consistently yielded
      protoplasts that gave rise to somatic embryos. Centrifugation on a discontinuous
      medium/Percoll density gradient resulted in accumulation of embryogenic
      protoplasts in one of the Percoll interfaces. First division frequencies were in
      the range of 28-39% in line 1 and 18-20% in line 2 in both liquid and agarose
      solidified culture media. The critical factor in maintaining high viability of
      cultures was lowering of osmotic pressure by dilution of the initial medium. The
      first somatic embryos were detected in 23- to 28-day-old cultures. Some of these
      developed into plants that were transferred to soil. 

PMID- 24233525
TI  - Agrobacterium mediated transfer of chlorsulfuron resistance to commercial flax
      cultivars.
AB  - Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying a disarmed Ti-plasmid vector containing a
      chimeric NPT-ll gene and a mutant acetolactate synthase gene (conferring
      resistance to the herbicide chlorsulfuron) from Arabidopsis was used to transform
      flax (Linum usitatissimum) hypocotyl tissue. Transgenic regenerants were
      recovered from the inoculated tissue and were tested for expression of the
      foreign genes by leaf callus assays on kanamycin and on chlorsulfuron. Transgenic
      plants were grown to maturity; selfed progeny were similarly tested to determine
      segregation pattern for the novel genes, and some were grown in chlorsulfuron
      containing soil. Lines from two major commercial cultivars express chlorsulfuron
      resistance in greenhouse tests. 

PMID- 24233526
TI  - Rapid clonal propagation of Pinellia ternata by tissue culture.
AB  - Adventitious buds or protocorm-like bodies were regenerated directly from excised
      explants without intervening callus. Differences in the ability of regeneration
      were observed among different plant organs with bulbils showing the highest
      regenerative ability followed by leaf blade and petiole. Ability of vegetative
      propagation of bulbil could be maintained by alternate solid-and liquid-medium
      culture. Theoretically, 1.7*10(27) plantlets could be produced from a single
      bulbil by this technique within one year based on the production and rapid growth
      of protocorm-like bodies and adventitious buds. Concentration of MS salts, NAA
      and sucrose influenced not only root formation from the differentiated
      adventitious buds, but also root number and length. For root formation, the best
      combination was one-half strength MS salts with 3-5% sucrose and 1 mg/l NAA. The
      high survival rate of 96% was recorded when plantlets were transplanted into a
      mixture of vermiculite:loam soil:peat moss (1:2:1). Plants from in vitro culture
      were morphological similar to field-grown plants. The acute toxicity of crude
      extracts from protocorm-like bodies was about one-fourth that of extracts from
      tubers of field-grown plants when tested with white mice. Tissue culture has
      potential for clonal propagation of Pinellia ternata plants for commercial use. 

PMID- 24233527
TI  - Bioreactor studies of growth and nutrient utilization in alfalfa suspension
      cultures.
AB  - Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cells were grown in 500 ml, aerated and stirred
      batch bioreactors using Schenk and Hildebrant medium. For cultures in which the
      pH was allowed to vary, we observed two fairly distinct growth phases. Evidence
      is presented which indicates that the two-phase growth is most likely a result of
      the two nitrogen sources in the medium. The ammonium present in the medium is
      directly utilized during the first growth phase and ammonium resulting from
      intracellular nitrate reduction is utilized during the second phase. During the
      first growth phase, sucrose is completely hydrolyzed to glucose and fructose with
      some glucose and fructose consumption. In the second growth phase glucose is
      consumed preferentially over fructose. Attempts at maintaining the pH at 5.5
      using 1N NaOH as the base titrant resulted in very little cell growth compared
      with cultures for which the pH was allowed to vary. 

PMID- 24233528
TI  - In vitro shoot regeneration of Populus deltoides: effect of cytokinin and
      genotype.
AB  - Treatment differences were observed in the in vitro adventitious shoot
      regeneration response from internodal explants of three genotypes of Populus
      deltoides cultured on media supplemented with five concentrations each of the
      cytokinins 6-benzyladenine, 2-isopentyladenine, and zeatin. For each of the three
      genotypes, the greatest number of shoots were consistently regenerated on media
      containing the cytokinin zeatin. Tissue necrosis resulted when explants from any
      of the three genotypes were cultured on media supplemented with 6-benzyladenine.
      A zeatin concentration by genotype interaction was also observed. Genotypic
      differences in shoot regeneration were observed for 16 genotypes of Populus
      deltoides when cultured on medium supplemented with 0.5 mgL(-1) zeatin. Six
      genotypes were highly recalcitrant and failed to regenerate shoots. The percent
      of explants regenerating was greater than 50% for four genotypes. 

PMID- 24233529
TI  - Effect of ethylene on sanguinarine production from Papaver somniferum cell
      cultures.
AB  - A Papaver somniferum cell line capable of producing sanguinarine equivalent to 3%
      of cell dry weight was used to determine if ethylene was involved in signalling
      the biosynthesis of this alkaloid. A 3.3-fold increase in ethylene emanation from
      these cell suspension cultures was observed 7 h after elicitation with a Botrytis
      fungal homogenate. The rate of ethylene release then decreased to near zero after
      48 h, suggesting that a pulse of ethylene production may be involved in
      sanguinarine production. However, sanguinarine biosynthesis was not promoted when
      either the ethylene precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), or
      the ethylene releasing agent, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon), was added
      to the culture. These results strongly suggest that ethylene is not intimately
      involved in the production of sanguinarine from Papaver somniferum cell cultures
      or in the transduction of the elicitation event. 

PMID- 24233530
TI  - Anthocyanin accumulation and changes in activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase
      and chalcone synthase in roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) callus cultures.
AB  - Time-course changes in anthocyanin accumulation, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase
      activity and chalcone synthase activity were examined in roselle callus tissues
      incubated under different culture conditions. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase
      activity was not affected by either the kind of auxin supplemented to the medium
      or light regime. In contrast, chalcone synthase activity was markedly suppressed
      when the callus was cultured with a medium containing indole-3-acetic acid
      instead of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or in the dark. The results
      imply that in roselle callus cultures chalcone synthase plays a more important
      role in anthocyanin biosynthesis regulated by 2,4-D and light irradiation than
      phenylalanine ammonialyase. 

PMID- 24233531
TI  - Sequential release of both basic and acidic isoperoxidases to the media of
      suspension cultured cells of Capsicum annuum.
AB  - The establishment of suspension cell cultures from trimmed cotyledons of pepper
      (Capsicum annuum L.) provides a new experimental system for studying the
      relationship between release of peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) into the free
      intercellular spaces and plant cell growth. In contrast with several other
      species, the total peroxidase activity in the medium increased continuously
      during the post-exponential growth phase of the pepper cell culture, and this was
      correlated with the growth inhibition of pepper cells cultivated in suspension.
      The increase in the peroxidase activity in the culture medium was the consequence
      of a differential release of isoperoxidases, prominently marked by a primary
      release of basic isoperoxidases, followed by a strong increase in the level of
      acidic isoperoxidases. Thus, pepper cells cultures constitute a new experimental
      system for studying the regulation of the sequential release of basic and acidic
      isoperoxidases, which occurs during the growth cessation of plant cells. 

PMID- 24233532
TI  - Phenolics production by encapsulated Nicotiana tabacum cells.
AB  - Plant cells of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) were grown for several generations
      in suspension cultures. Cells were immobilized in continuous bioreactors in
      calcium alginate (Ca Alg) beads or in poly-L-lysine (PLL) encapsulated calcium
      alginatehydrogels. In each case, the cells were fed continuously a modified
      Linsmaier-Skoog plant cell culture medium. The bioreactor effluent was analyzed
      for total phenolic compounds. The net specific productivity of phenolics was
      calculated on a daily basis for several test runs. For comparison, productivity
      in suspension cultures was monitored. Productivity of suspended cells declined to
      zero within 9 d; both immobilized and encapsulated cells remained productive for
      16 d following inoculation. Specific productivity by encapsulated cells was
      higher than that by immobilized cells; in both types similar rates of decline in
      productivity occurred. 

PMID- 24233533
TI  - Comparison of secondary product accumulation in photoautotrophic,
      photomixotrophic and heterotrophic Nicotiana tabacum cell suspension cultures.
AB  - Photoautotrophic, photomixotrophic and heterotrophic Nicotiana tabacum cell
      suspension cultures were compared for the constitutive accumulation of secondary
      metabolites and the elicitor-induced formation of the phytoalexin capsidiol.
      Nicotine and chlorogenic acid were found in high amounts in the heterotrophic
      cultures and in moderate concentrations in photomixotrophic but not in
      photoautotrophic cells. Nicotinic acid-N-glucoside occured in all culture types;
      in photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic cells the formation of N-methylnicotinic
      acid (trigonelline) was also observed. Treatment with a fungal elicitor led to
      substantial accumulation of capsidiol in heterotrophic and photomixotrophic cells
      and in only low levels in photoautotrophic cultures. Elicitor-treated
      photomixotrophic cells showed a pronounced increase in cell wall-bound phenolics.
      The levels of nicotine, nicotinic acid-N-glucoside and trigonelline were not
      affected by elicitation. 

PMID- 24233534
TI  - High frequency plant regeneration of Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats by somatic
      embryogenesis and organogenesis.
AB  - Embryogenic callus cultures were obtained upon repeated sub-culture of non
      embryogenic callus from nodal segments of Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats.
      Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 1mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic
      acid and 0.5 mg/l kinetin and Linsmaier and Skoog's medium supplemented with
      2mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.4 mg/l kinetin were used as
      maintenance media for non-embryogenic and embryogenic cultures, respectively.
      Plant regeneration occurred through organogenesis in MS basal media containing 2
      mg/l kinetin, 1 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine, 0.2 mg/l biotin, 0.2 mg/l Ca
      pantothonate and 0.1 mg/l napthalene acetic acid. Embryogenesis was induced in LS
      medium supplemented with 1 mg/l kinetin, 0.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.1
      mg/l 3-indole acetic acid. Plant regeneration at high frequency was recorded both
      through organogenesis and embryogenesis in different passages of long term callus
      cultures. 

PMID- 24233535
TI  - Plant regeneration from isolated microspore cultures of Chinese cabbage (Brassica
      campestris spp. pekinensis).
AB  - Isolated microspores of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. pekinensis)
      were incubated in modified NN medium containing 10% sucrose in darkness at 33
      degrees C for one day followed by culture at 25 degrees C. After 14 days of
      culture, microspores developed into embryos ranging from globular to cotyledonary
      stage. Plants were regenerated after transfer of embryos to medium containing 3%
      sucrose and no plant growth regulators. 

PMID- 24233536
TI  - In vitro propagation of guayule (Parthenium argentatum) - a rubber yielding
      shrub.
AB  - Nodal explants (0.5 to 0.8 cm long) isolated from 2-year old shrubs of guayule,
      Parthenium argentatum Gray, when cultured on MS medium supplemented with
      different concentrations of KN, BAP, 2,4-D, 2,4-D + BAP, NAA and NAA + BAP
      produced callus tissues and shoots simultaneously with varying frequencies.
      Shoots were regenerated with a high frequency (80-88%) from callus on MS medium
      containing NAA + BAP with or without glutamine. Addition of glutamine to these
      media improved considerably the number of shoots formed from a known amount of
      callus. Shoots could be regenerated from 200 day old callus cultures with a very
      high frequency but the organogenetic capacity declined thereafter. Increase in
      the concentration of sucrose (upto 4%) significantly enhanced the shoot forming
      ability of callus, but higher concentrations (6%) suppressed it. Rooting was
      induced only in dark when IAA, IBA and NAA were used, but 2,4-D could induce them
      both in light and dark. The system is suitable for the mass propagation of this
      important rubber yielding plant. 

PMID- 24233537
TI  - Propagation of Indian Rhubarh (Rheum emodi Wall.) using shoot-tip and leaf
      explant culture.
AB  - Shoot-tip explants of Rheum emodi Wall. (Polygonaceae) gave rise to multiple
      shoots when cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) with 2.0 mg/l 6
      benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1.0 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Also, shoot
      buds developed from leaf explants using MS medium with 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.25 to
      1.0 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or IBA. Roots were induced when the resulting
      shoots were placed on MS medium with 1.0 mg/l IBA. Both regeneration procedures
      gave rise to healthy plantlets that were established in soil under glasshouse
      conditions at 80% frequency after hardening phase of two weeks. Regenerated
      plants showed a constant chromosome number of 2n=2x=22, same as the parent plant.
      The use of liquid shake cultures minimized the time and culture medium
      requirements for propagation. This procedure can be applied for the conservation
      and utilization of elite clones of R. emodi. 

PMID- 24233538
TI  - Comparative greenhouse study of Eucalyptus grandis in vitro plantlets and half
      sib seedlings, I. Net photosynthesis.
AB  - Tissue culture-derived plantlets from three superior five-year-old Eucalyptus
      grandis Hill ex Maid hybrids were compared to their related half-sib seedlings
      under greenhouse conditions. Net photosynthesis, chlorophyll a and b
      concentrations, and nitrogen concentration were sampled four times at 40-day
      intervals. Comparisons were started 40 days after plantlets and germinating
      seedlings were moved from mist to greenhouse conditions. Seedlings had higher net
      photosynthesis, chlorophyll and nitrogen concentration at early harvests.
      However, as the study progressed the difference between plantlets and seedlings
      decreased and reached similar values. No family differences were observed
      regardless of plant origin (seedlings or plantlets). Plantlets and seedlings
      showed similar general trends in all the measured parameters over the four
      harvests. 

PMID- 24233539
TI  - Comparative greenhouse study of Eucalyptus grandis in vitro plantlets and half
      sib seedlings, II. Dry matter accumulation and relative distribution.
AB  - In vitro directly micropropagated plantlets from three selected five-year-old
      Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex. Maiden hybrids were compared to their related half
      sib seedlings for growth and growth pattern parameters under greenhouse
      conditions used for operational seedling production. The oven dry weights were
      determined from stem, leaf, and root samples collected every 40 days for four
      times. Relative growth rate, net assimilation rates and shoot:root ratio were
      calculated. Survival was 98% and 95% for plantlets and seedlings, respectively.
      Significant differences were observed between parents in terms of shoot and root
      dry weights and their ratios with similar ranking among plantlets and seedlings,
      suggesting genetic control over these traits. Plantlets started with
      significantly higher root: shoot ratios and stem, leaf, root, and total dry
      weight. Although seedlings had higher relative growth and net assimilation rates,
      all the initial differences decreased sharply over time. 

PMID- 24233540
TI  - Defense gene expression in elicitor-treated cell suspension cultures of french
      bean cv. Imuna.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cv. Imuna accumulated
      isoflavonoid phytoalexins on exposure to elicitor from the phytopathogenic fungus
      Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (CL). This was preceeded by rapid increases in the
      activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS).
      However, the patterns of expression of PAL and CHS genes differed from those
      observed in cultures of a previously studied bean cultivar. The relative levels
      of transcripts from individual members of the CHS multigene family differed
      significantly at 1.5 h compared to 22.5 h after elicitation. More strikingly,
      three PAL genes were expressed in cultivar Imuna in response to fungal elicitor,
      whereas two are expressed in elicitor-treated cell cultures of cultivar Canadian
      Wonder. 

PMID- 24233541
TI  - How to avoid unbounded drug accumulation with fractional pharmacokinetics.
AB  - A number of studies have shown that certain drugs follow an anomalous kinetics
      that can hardly be represented by classical models. Instead, fractional-order
      pharmacokinetics models have proved to be better suited to represent the time
      course of these drugs in the body. Unlike classical models, fractional models can
      represent memory effects and a power-law terminal phase. They give rise to a more
      complex kinetics that better reflects the complexity of the human body. By doing
      so, they also spotlight potential issues that were ignored by classical models.
      Among those issues is the accumulation of drug that carries on indefinitely when
      the infusion rate is constant and the elimination flux is fractional. Such an
      unbounded accumulation could have important clinical implications and thus
      requires a solution to reach a steady state. We have considered a fractional one
      compartment model with a continuous intravenous infusion and studied how the
      infusion rate influences the total amount of drug in the compartment. By taking
      an infusion rate that decays like a power law, we have been able to stabilize the
      amount of drug in the compartment. In the case of multiple dosing administration,
      we propose recurrence relations for the doses and the dosing times that also
      prevent drug accumulation. By introducing a numerical discretization of the model
      equations, we have been able to consider a more realistic two-compartment model
      with both continuous infusion and multiple dosing administration. That numerical
      model has been applied to amiodarone, a drug known to have an anomalous kinetics.
      Numerical results suggest that unbounded drug accumulation can again be prevented
      by using a drug input function that decays as a power law.

PMID- 24233542
TI  - Comparative-high resolution melting: a novel method  of simultaneous screening
      for small mutations and copy  number variations.
AB  - Efficient and cost-effective screening for DNA sequence changes, both small
      mutations and copy number variations (CNVs), is a crucial aspect for routine
      genetic diagnostics as well as for basic research. In this study we present a
      development and evaluation of comparative-high resolution melting (C-HRM), a new
      approach for the simultaneous screening of small DNA changes and gene CNVs. In
      contrast to other methods, relative quantification in C-HRM is based on the
      results obtained during the melting process and calculations of the melting peak
      height ratio in the multiplex reaction. Validation of the method was conducted on
      DNA samples from 50 individuals from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) families,
      50 probands diagnosed with familial adenomatous polyposis and a control group of
      36 women and 36 men. The results of analyses conducted on fragments of the DMD
      and APC genes correspond completely (100 %) with the results of previous studies.
      C-HRM sensitivity in CNV detection was assessed through the analysis of mixed DNA
      samples with different proportions of a deletion carrier and wild type control.
      The results are presented as a linear regression with R 2 of 0.9974 and imply the
      capability of the method to detect mosaics. C-HRM is an attractive and powerful
      alternative to other methods of point mutations and CNV detection with 100 %
      accuracy in our studied group.

PMID- 24233543
TI  - Poly(HEMA-co-NBMI) monolithic cryogel columns for IgG adsorption.
AB  - Supermacroporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-1,5-naphthalene
      bismaleimide) [poly(HEMA-co-NBMI)] monolithic cryogel column was prepared by free
      radical cryo-copolymerization of HEMA with NBMI as a hydrophobic functional
      comonomer and N,N'-methylene-bisacrylamide as cross-linker directly in a plastic
      syringe for adsorption of albumin. The monolithic cryogel contained a continuous
      polymeric matrix which has interconnected pores of 10-100 MUm size. Poly(HEMA-co
      NBMI) cryogel was characterized by swelling studies, FTIR and scanning electron
      microscopy. The equilibrium swelling degree of the poly(HEMA-co-NBMI) cryogel was
      10.5 g of H2O/g dry cryogel. Poly(HEMA-co-NBMI) cryogel was used in the
      adsorption/desorption of IgG from aqueous solutions. The maximum amount of IgG
      adsorption from aqueous solution in phosphate buffer was 98.20 mg/g polymer at pH
      7.0. The nonspecific adsorption of IgG onto plain poly(HEMA) cryogel was very low
      (2.79 g/g polymer). It was observed that IgG could be repeatedly adsorbed and
      desorbed with the poly(HEMA-co-NBMI) cryogel without significant loss of
      adsorption capacity.

PMID- 24233544
TI  - Enhancement of stress tolerance in the polyhydroxyalkanoate producers without
      mobilization of the accumulated granules.
AB  - Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)], a polymer belonging to the polyhydroxyalkanoate
      (PHA) family, is accumulated by numerous bacteria as carbon and energy storage
      material. The mobilization of accumulated P(3HB) is associated with increased
      stress and starvation tolerance. However, the potential function of accumulated
      copolymer such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-3HV)]
      remained unknown. In this study, Delftia acidovorans DS 17 was used to evaluate
      the contributions of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) granules during simulated exogenous
      carbon deprivation on cell survival by transferring cells with PHAs to carbon
      free mineral salt medium supplemented with 1% (w/v) nitrogen source. By
      mobilizing the intracellular P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) at 11 and 40 mol% 3HV
      compositions, the cells survived starvation. Surprisingly, D. acidovorans
      containing P(3HB-co-94 mol% 3HV) also survived although the mobilization was not
      as effective. Similarly, recombinant Escherichia coli pGEM-T::phbCAB(Cn)
      (harboring the PHA biosynthesis genes of Cupriavidus necator) containing P(3HB)
      granules had a higher viable cell counts compared to those without P(3HB)
      granules but without any P(3HB) mobilization when exposed to oxidative stress by
      photoactivated titanium dioxide. This study provided strong evidence that
      enhancement of stress tolerance in PHA producers can be achieved without
      mobilization of the previously accumulated granules. Instead, PHA biosynthesis
      may improve bacterial survival via multiple mechanisms.

PMID- 24233545
TI  - Discovery, identification and sequence analysis of RNAs selected for very short
      or long poly A tail in immature bovine oocytes.
AB  - A major challenge in applying genomics to oocyte physiology is that many RNAs are
      present but will not be translated into proteins, making it difficult to draw
      conclusions from RNAseq and array data. Oocyte maturation and early embryo
      development rely on maternal storage of specific RNAs with a short poly(A) tail,
      which must be elongated for translation. To resolve the role of key genes during
      that period, we aimed to characterize both extremes of mRNA: deadenylated RNA and
      long polyA tails mRNA population in immature bovine oocytes. Using magnetic beads
      coupled to oligodT, we isolated deadenylated (A-, 20-50 adenosines) from
      polyadenylated (A+, up to 200 adenosines) RNAs. After transcriptomic analysis, we
      observed that A+ candidates are associated with short-term processes required for
      immediate cell survival (translation or protein transport) or meiotic resumption,
      while several A- candidates are involved in processes (chromatin modification,
      gene transcription and post-transcriptional modifications) that will be extremely
      important in the development of the early embryo. In addition to a list of
      candidates probably translated early or late, sequence analysis revealed that
      cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE) and U(3)GU(3) were enriched in A-
      sequences. Moreover, a motif associated with polyadenylation signals (MAPS,
      U(5)CU(2)) appeared to be enriched in 3'untranslated regions (UTR) with CPE or
      U(3)GU(3) sequences in bovine but also in zebrafish and Xenopus tropicalis. To
      further validate our methodology, we measured specific tail length of known
      candidates (AURKA, PTTG1, H2A1) but also determined the poly(A) tail length of
      other candidate RNAs (H3F3A, H1FOO, DAZAP2, ATF1, ATF2, KAT5, DAZL, ELAVL2). In
      conclusion, we have reported a methodology to isolate deadenylated from
      polyadenylated RNAs in samples with small total RNA quantities such as mammals.
      Moreover, we identified deadenylated RNAs in bovine oocytes that may be stored
      for the long-term process of early embryo development and described a conserved
      motif enriched in the 3'UTR of deadenylated RNAs.

PMID- 24233546
TI  - The study of mammalian oocyte competence by transcriptome analysis: progress and
      challenges.
AB  - Various morphological and cytological traits of oocytes and their surrounding
      cumulus cells may be used to select oocytes for assisted reproduction. However,
      even with careful selection, successful IVF and subsequent embryo development
      remain uncertain. The factors that ensure oocyte competence are unclear and other
      approaches to assessing developmental potential must be explored. With the
      constant development of the molecular toolbox, genomic/transcriptomic analysis is
      becoming a more and more interesting approach to understand oocyte quality on the
      basis of RNA composition. Using bovine and mouse models as well as human oocytes
      of known developmental potential, various efforts are underway to characterize
      the mRNA profile of the competent oocyte using microarray technology. The
      proliferation of gene expression data sets raises new opportunities to identify
      the mechanisms involved in this complex phenotype, which should lead to improved
      techniques of assisted reproduction. Although several molecular markers of oocyte
      quality are known, translating these into cellular functions remains challenging,
      largely due to the poor correlation between mRNA level and protein synthesis.
      Unlike most somatic cells, the oocyte can store mRNA for days, with
      transcriptional activity remaining at a halt during the 4-5 days beginning before
      ovulation and ending with embryonic genome activation. This review provides an
      overview of the transcriptomic data obtained from oocytes of different quality as
      well as interesting avenues to explore in order to improve our understanding of
      oocyte competence. 

PMID- 24233547
TI  - Current trends in slot machine gambling: Research and policy issues.
AB  - This paper introduces a special issue of theJournal of Gambling Studies on slot
      machine gambling, and overviews some current trends concentrating on research and
      policy issues. It is demonstrated that throughout the world, research findings
      have linked slot machines with pathological gambling. Indeed slot machines are
      now the predominant form of gambling activity by pathological gamblers treated in
      self help groups and professional treatment centres in numerous countries. This
      paper briefly examines the research on slot machines and pathological gambling
      and then goes on more specifically to examine four areas. These are (i) slot
      machine gambling and youth, (ii) slot machines and arcade video game playing,
      (iii) the possible developmental link between slot machines and video games and
      (iv) pathological video game playing. 

PMID- 24233548
TI  - Pathological gambling: A comparison of gambling at German-style slot machines and
      "Classical" gambling.
AB  - German-style slot machines and related legal issues are described. On the basis
      of a survey on 437 members of self-help groups (Gamblers Anonymous) in Germany,
      slot machine gamblers were compared with casino gamblers on such variables as
      sociodemographic data, gambling behaviour, financial expenditure, emotional
      experience while gambling, symptoms of pathological gambling, psychosocial
      consequences and gambling related delinquency. The casino gamblers' gambling
      behaviour is financially more extensive. There were similarities regarding the
      emotional intensity of the gambling experience. However the casino gamblers show
      more pronounced symptoms of pathological gambling and the psychosocial
      consequences of their gambling behaviour are more severe. In spite of these
      differences, the data show that for young people slot machines can be as
      stimulating and therefore as dangerous as casino gambling. The young slot machine
      gambler runs a similar risk of acquiring a pathological gambling habit as the
      casino gambler. 

PMID- 24233549
TI  - Slot machine gambling in Spain: An important and new social problem.

PMID- 24233550
TI  - Video game playing, dependency and delinquency: A question of methodology?
AB  - A methodological challenge to Fisher's (1992) study of adolescent fruit machine
      gamblers was carried out with young video game players. Fisher (1992) described
      an association between frequency fruit machine playing, dependency and
      delinquency. Some methodological concerns were considered that might weaken this
      conclusion, in particular the use of heterogeneous measures that fail to
      distinguish between variables. As such measures feature elsewhere in contemporary
      gambling research it was deemed important to examine some of the potential
      problems that may arise. 183 11-16 year old video game players (152 males; 31
      females) were recruited from four amusement arcades to answer a computerised
      questionnaire. Using an analysis similar to Fisher (1992) her results for
      adolescent fruit machine use were 'confirmed'. However a separation of key
      variables and the use of a multiple regression analysis showed that of money
      spent, time spent and impaired choice, only the first was a significant predictor
      of delinquency. It is suggested that delinquents have higher disposable incomes
      to spend on their leisure activities. Video game playing and possibly fruit
      machine gambling appear to be independently associated with delinquency; in video
      game playing this association is not mediated by dependency. It was argued that a
      similar methodology should be used in the UK to re-examine Fisher's (1992)
      conclusions for children who use gaming machines. 

PMID- 24233551
TI  - Adolescent slot machine dependency and delinquency: Questions on a question of
      methodology.
AB  - This paper responds to Abbott, Palmisano and Dickersons' methodological challenge
      to Fisher's (1992) study of adolescent fruit machine gamblers, carried out with
      young video game players. It is argued that important differences in the game
      under study, the measure of 'pathological gambling' used and sample
      characteristics seriously undermine the extent to which a comparison and
      extrapolation of findings are achieved. In the analysis which follows, the author
      wishes to highlight areas of constructive criticism as well as limitations to the
      challenge with the aim of progressing academic endeavour in this important field.

PMID- 24233552
TI  - "Minnesota slots": An observational study of pull tab gambling.
AB  - A study of pull tab gambling in Minnesota was undertaken to describe the state's
      most popular form of gambling. The study also focused on the detection of any
      abuses or addictive problems that might be associated with it. Pull tab gambling
      is similar to slot machine gambling. The game, fundamentals of play, and some of
      the behaviors of pull tab gamblers are described. Various playing patterns and
      strategies, pull tab etiquette, the numbers and types of players, amounts of
      money bet, player's wins and losses, house profits, gambling abuses, behaviors
      which may indicate problem gambling, and dealer/player relationships are
      discussed. The study concludes with suggestions to help minimize some of the
      actual and potential problems and abuses that accompany pull tab gambling. 

PMID- 24233553
TI  - Towards a risk factor model of fruit machine addiction: A brief note.

PMID- 24233554
TI  - Effects of bioaugmentation on enhanced reductive dechlorination of 1,1,1
      trichloroethane in groundwater: a comparison of three sites.
AB  - Microcosm studies investigated the effects of bioaugmentation with a mixed
      Dehalococcoides (Dhc)/Dehalobacter (Dhb) culture on biological enhanced reductive
      dechlorination for treatment of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) and chloroethenes in
      groundwater at three Danish sites. Microcosms were amended with lactate as
      electron donor and monitored over 600 days. Experimental variables included
      bioaugmentation, TCA concentration, and presence/absence of chloroethenes.
      Bioaugmented microcosms received a mixture of the Dhc culture KB-1 and Dhb
      culture ACT-3. To investigate effects of substrate concentration, microcosms were
      amended with various concentrations of chloroethanes (TCA or monochloroethane
      [CA]) and/or chloroethenes (tetrachloroethene [PCE], trichloroethene [TCE], or
      1,1-dichloroethene [1,1-DCE]). Results showed that combined electron donor
      addition and bioaugmentation stimulated dechlorination of TCA and 1,1
      dichloroethane (1,1-DCA) to CA, and dechlorination of PCE, TCE, 1,1-DCE and cDCE
      to ethane. Dechlorination of CA was not observed. Bioaugmentation improved the
      rate and extent of TCA and 1,1-DCA dechlorination at two sites, but did not
      accelerate dechlorination at a third site where geochemical conditions were
      reducing and Dhc and Dhb were indigenous. TCA at initial concentrations of 5 mg/L
      inhibited (i.e., slowed the rate of) TCA dechlorination, TCE dechlorination,
      donor fermentation, and methanogenesis. 1 mg/L TCA did not inhibit dechlorination
      of TCA, TCE or cDCE. Moreover, complete dechlorination of PCE to ethene was
      observed in the presence of 3.2 mg/L TCA. In contrast to some prior reports,
      these studies indicate that low part-per million levels of TCA (< 3 mg/L) in
      aquifer systems do not inhibit dechlorination of PCE or TCE to ethene. In
      addition, the results show that co-bioaugmentation with Dhc and Dhb cultures can
      be an effective strategy for accelerating treatment of chloroethane/chloroethene
      mixtures in groundwater, with the exception that all currently known Dhc and Dhb
      cultures cannot treat CA.

PMID- 24233555
TI  - CD30: from basic research to cancer therapy.
AB  - The FDA recently approved an agonistic anti-CD30 drug conjugate, Brentuximab
      vedotin, for the treatment for CD30-positive lymphomas. The potent clinical
      activity of Brentuximab vedotin in Hodgkin's lymphoma and anaplastic large-cell
      lymphoma was greeted with great enthusiasm by oncologists as it provided a new
      treatment modality for these diseases. In this review, we will describe how we
      obtained the hybridoma by pursuing a basic research experiment unrelated to CD30.
      I will also review what we know about the normal biological functions of CD30
      that were studied primarily in murine models of disease but also in patients. The
      picture emerging is that one of the primary functions of CD30 is the control of
      memory cells providing costimulation and trafficking information or inducing
      apoptosis in a microenvironment and cytokine milieu-dependent manner.

PMID- 24233556
TI  - The glutathione S-transferases of fish.
AB  - Substantial soluble glutathione S-transferase activity and millimolar reduced
      glutathione (GSH) are present in most tissues of both teleosts and elasmobranchs.
      The hepatic enzymes of fish conjugate a range of electrophilic substrates with
      GSH, although their specificities are less broad than those of the transferases
      in rodent liver. There is no good evidence that fish transferases have ligandin
      like activity or a 'suicide' function. All fish livers tested have several
      transferase isoenzymes. They are dimers of subunits whose Mrs are about 25 kDa
      and which may have different catalytic properties. In some species transferase
      activity is induced by agents such as phenols or 3-methylcholanthrene.
      Glutathione S-transferases are important detoxication enzymes in fish. 

PMID- 24233557
TI  - Iron catalyzed oxidation of trout diets and its effect on the growth and
      physiological response of rainbow trout.
AB  - Two experiments were conducted to determine 1) the effect of iron supplementation
      and the quality of fish oils on dietary lipid peroxidation and 2) the concurrent
      effects of diet rancidity and iron overload on the growth and physiological
      response of rainbow trout. Semi-purified diets supplemented with graded levels of
      iron (0-6250 mg/kg diet as ferrous sulphate) were fed to trout for 12-36 weeks.
      The malonaldehyde (MA) concentration of the test diets increased as the iron
      levels in the diets increased indicating that iron catalyzed lipid oxidation was
      occurring. However, when ethoxyquin was added to the oils, the increase in
      dietary MA level was significantly reduced. Fish oils with an initial high
      peroxide value were more susceptible to iron-catalyzed lipid oxidation. The
      concurrent effects of diet rancidity and iron overload (greater than 86 mg/kg)
      led to the development of unique histopathological signs, poor growth and high
      mortalities in the trout. In contrast, when diet rancidity was low (less than 10
      ug MA/g diet), the toxic level of dietary iron was greater than 1380 mg/kg diet.
      The concentration of iron in trout tissues, and the hematocrit and hemoglobin
      concentrations increased as dietary iron levels increased and were not affected
      by the degree of diet rancidity. 

PMID- 24233558
TI  - Responses to prolonged hypoxia by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) I. Free amino
      acids and proteins in plasma, liver and white muscle.
AB  - In order to estimate the mobilization of nitrogen compounds for energetic
      purposes in trout under hypoxic conditions, commercial-size rainbow trout,
      acclimated to 15 degrees C, were maintained for 10 weeks at an oxygen level of
      5.3 +/- 0.5 mg/l ('hypoxic' group) or 8.4 +/- 0.4 mg/I (control group), and the
      changes in tissue concentrations of free amino acids and proteins studied. In
      animals subjected to hypoxia, there was a decrease in plasma free amino acids
      involved in gluconeogenesis, liver alanine and aspartic acid, plasma and liver
      protein concentrations, and muscle free histidine. These results suggest a trend
      of rainbow trout metabolic activity towards energy production at the expense of
      anabolism when oxygen availability in water is limited over a long period of
      time. 

PMID- 24233559
TI  - Changes in tissue lipid levels in the freshwater catfishClarias batrachus
      associated with the reproductive cycle.
AB  - The levels of free fatty acid (FFA), monoglyceride (MG), diglyceride (DG),
      triglyceride (TG), phospholipid (PL), free cholesterol (CF) and esterified
      cholesterol (CE) were measured in the liver, plasma, ovary, abdominal fat and
      muscle during different phases of the annual reproductive cycle in femaleClarias
      batrachus. During the preparatory phase, hepatic lipogenic activity predominated
      over mobilization and consumption. In the prespawning season, an increased
      hepatic lipogenic activity was maintained, but lipids were transferred from the
      liver to the ovary. In the spawning phase, the diminished food intake, and
      enhanced caloric demand for spawning behaviour and activity limited hepatic
      lipogenic activity, and TG lypolysis was increased as was the production of more
      FFA. Maximum accumulation of vitellogenin, as reflected by maximum rise in
      ovarian PL titre was characteristic of this phase. Marked reductions in ovarian
      lipid occurred during the postspawning phase. In the resting phase, there was a
      recovery of lipogenic activity, but PL synthesis was still inhibited. In contrast
      to other investigated teleosts, there were extremely high level of FFA in liver,
      plasma, ovary and muscle throughout the annual reproductive cycle inC. batrachus.
      FFA appears to be the main lipid metabolite which had a very high turnover. As
      evidenced by the high TG content, abdominal fat seems to be the main fat depot,
      not the liver and muscle. 

PMID- 24233560
TI  - Hormonal changes during meiotic maturation and ovulation in the brook trout
      (Salvelinus fontinalis).
AB  - The plasma levels of estradiol-17beta (E2), 17alpha, 20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3
      one (17,20-P) and gonadotropin (GTH) were measured in brook trout (Salvelinus
      fontinalis) during the period from the end of vitellogenesis to postovulation.
      Blood samples were taken according to specific stages of maturation, including
      germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and ovulation. E2 levels were quite high (~45
      ng/ml) at the end of vitellogenesis (and prior to GVBD) and dropped precipitously
      by GVBD (~2 ng/ml). They remained low through ovulation and postovulation. 17,20
      P levels were low prior to GVBD (~0.7 ng/ml) and increased dramatically at GVBD
      (~148 ng/ml). The levels of 17,20-P remained high at ovulation (~142 ng/ml) and
      then dropped significantly within 24 h to approximately half of the ovulatory
      values. They decreased even further by 7 days postovulation. GTH levels rose
      gradually through GVBD and ovulation from a postvitellogenic level of
      approximately 3 ng/ml to a 7 day postovulatory value of approximately 10 ng/ml.
      The overall results; 1) decrease in estradiol prior to GVBD, 2) increase in 17,20
      P at GVBD and 3) gradual GTH rise through GVBD and ovulation, are similar to
      those reported for other salmonids. 

PMID- 24233563
TI  - Disturbance and reattachment behavior of sea anemonesCalliactis tricolor (Le
      Sueur): Temporal, textural and chemical mediation.
AB  - Two hermit crabs,Dardanus venosus (Milne-Edwards) andPagurus pollicaris Say, have
      evolved mutualistic symbiotic relationships with sea anemones,Calliactis tricolor
      (Le Sueur). Anemones live on gastropod shells occupied by the crabs. Both
      partners are thought to participate in the transfer of the anemone to the crab's
      shell. However, neither species invariably exhibits transfer behavior when in
      contact with the other symbiont. Factors influencing transfer activity ofC.
      tricolor were studied. Anemone attachment is stimulated by disturbance and is
      time dependent. Anemones attached to shells more frequently immediately after the
      anemone was disturbed. Assays testing surface texture and surface composition
      showed that attachment activity of the sea anemone is dependent upon the organic
      matrix of the shell and is enhanced by texture. Attachment by anemones to shells
      with organic matrix removed is reduced, but is stimulated by adsorption of
      complex odor mixtures. Anemones respond to odor mixtures that signal food to
      crabs and to odor mixtures that stimulate shell investigation and shell switching
      in crabs. Thus,C. tricolor participates in shell transfer activity after
      disturbance. Behavior of the anemone is cued by texture and chemicals, including
      chemical mixtures that cause hermit crabs to change shells. 

PMID- 24233562
TI  - Mouse organic cation transporter 1 determines properties and regulation of
      basolateral organic cation transport in renal proximal tubules.
AB  - The proximal tubule of mouse kidney expresses mouse organic cation transporter 1
      (mOCT1), mOCT2, and much less mOCT3. Therefore, mOCT-mediated transport across
      the basolateral membrane of proximal tubules reflects properties of at least
      mOCT1 and mOCT2. Here, we unraveled substrate affinities and modulation of
      transport activity by acute regulation by protein kinases on mOCT1 and mOCT2
      separately and compared these findings with those from isolated proximal tubules
      of male and female mOCT2-/- mice. These data are also compared to our recent
      reports on isolated tubules from wild-type and mOCT1/2 double knockout (mOCT1/2-/
      ) mice. OCT-mediated transport in proximal tubules of mOCT2-/- mice was only 20 %
      lower compared to those isolated from wild-type mice. While mOCT1 was regulated
      by all five pathways examined [protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC),
      p56lck, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and calmodulin (CaM)], mOCT2 activity
      was modulated by PKA, p56lck, and CaM only, however, in the same direction. As
      mOCT-mediated transport across the basolateral membrane of mOCT2-/- mice
      expressing only mOCT1 and to a small amount mOCT3 was identical to that observed
      for tubules isolated from wild-type mice and to that observed for human embryonic
      kidney 293 (HEK293) cells stably expressing mOCT1, mOCT1 represents the relevant
      paralog for OCT-dependent organic cation transport in the mouse kidney. Gender
      does not play a major role in expression and activity of renal OCT-mediated
      transport in the mouse. Properties of mouse OCT considerably differ from those of
      rat or human origin, and thus, observations made in these rodents cannot directly
      be transferred to the human situation

PMID- 24233564
TI  - Novel type of sex pheromone structure identified fromStigmella malella (Stainton)
      (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae).
AB  - Short-chain unsaturated chiral methyl carbinols are identified as a new class of
      lepidopteran pheromone components. The natural female-produced pheromone of the
      banded apple pigmyStigmella malella (=Nepticula malella) (Stainton) (Lepidoptera:
      Nepticulidae) was identified to be a mixture of (S)-(E)-6,8-nonadien-2-ol and (S)
      (Z)-6,8-nonadien-2-ol. For monitoring traps, a 10:3E:Z blend at 100-1000 ug is
      recommended. It is suggested that pheromones with similar structures may be
      specific to Nepticulidae and other related microlepidopteran families. 

PMID- 24233561
TI  - Up-regulation of ryanodine receptor expression increases the calcium-induced
      calcium release and spontaneous calcium signals in cerebral arteries from
      hindlimb unloaded rats.
AB  - Microgravity induces a redistribution of blood volume. Consequently, astronauts'
      body pressure is modified so that the upright blood pressure gradient is
      abolished, thereby inducing a modification in cerebral blood pressure. This
      effect is mimicked in the hindlimb unloaded rat model. After a duration of 8 days
      of unloading, Ca2+ signals activated by depolarization and inositol-1,4,5
      trisphosphate intracellular release were increased in cerebral arteries. In the
      presence of ryanodine and thapsigargin, the depolarization-induced Ca2+ signals
      remained increased in hindlimb suspended animals, indicating that Ca2+ influx and
      Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release mechanism were both increased. Spontaneous Ca2+ waves
      and localized Ca2+ events were also investigated. Increases in both amplitude and
      frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ waves were measured in hindlimb suspension
      conditions. After pharmacological segregation of Ca2+ sparks and Ca2+ sparklets,
      their kinetic parameters were characterized. Hindlimb suspension induced an
      increase in the frequencies of both Ca2+ localized events, suggesting an increase
      of excitability. Labeling with bodipy compounds suggested that voltage-dependent
      Ca2+ channels and ryanodine receptor expressions were increased. Finally, the
      expression of the ryanodine receptor subtype 1 (RyR1) was increased in hindlimb
      unloading conditions. Taken together, these results suggest that RyR1 expression
      and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels activity are the focal points of the
      regulation of Ca2+ signals activated by vasoconstriction in rat cerebral arteries
      with an increase of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx.

PMID- 24233565
TI  - Identification of a novel moth sex pheromone inEriocrania cicatricella (Zett.)
      (Lepidoptera: Eriocraniidae) and its phylogenetic implications.
AB  - Extracts from different body parts of adult femaleEriocrania cicatricella (Zett.)
      were tested for electrophysiological activity on conspecific male antennae.
      Extracts from the Vth abdominal segment, containing a pair of exocrine glands,
      elicited the largest electroantennographic response when compared to extracts of
      other body parts. Female extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography with
      simultaneous flame ionization and electroantennographic detection (EAD). The EAD
      active peaks were identified as (Z)-4-hepten-2-one, (2R)-heptane-2-ol, and (2R)
      (Z)-4-hepten-2-ol by coinjection on a gas chromatography and by comparison of
      mass spectra with those of synthetic standards. In field tests, a blend of these
      three pheromone components was highly attractive to conspecific males, and a
      subtractive assay confirmed that the unsaturated alcohol is the major pheromone
      component, whereas no definite behavioral activity could be assigned to the
      ketone or the saturated alcohol. A bait containing the two alcohols withS
      configuration was attractive to maleE. sparrmannella (Bosc), whereas no males
      ofE. cicatricella were found in these traps. The sex pheromone compounds inE.
      cicatricella are chemically similar to pheromones reported in Trichoptera and
      they are produced in homologous glands. 

PMID- 24233566
TI  - Comparison of three methods for quantifying brown algal polyphenolic compounds.
AB  - Three methods of quantifying total phenolic compounds in marine brown algae were
      compared for their ability to measure accurately known concentrations of
      phloroglucinol in the presence of a protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). These
      methods were: (1) a Folin-Ciocalteu assay for compounds dissolved in 80%
      methanol, (2) a Folin-Ciocalteu assay for compounds dissolved in 75% methanol-25%
      trichloroacetic acid, and (3) an assay in which polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP)
      was used to remove phenolic compounds in order to quantify nonphenolic, Folin
      Ciocalteu-reactive materials. The Folin-Ciocalteu assay used with compounds
      dissolved in 80% methanol was the method that produced the most consistent
      results. It was also the assay in which the presence of proteins interfered least
      with the measurements of phloroglucinol and the assay that was easiest to
      conduct. The presence of TCA decreased the pH of the extracting solution and
      increased the amounts of proteins in solution. These proteins later interfered
      with the Folin-Ciocalteu reaction. TCA effectively bound proteins when protein
      concentrations were low but not when protein concentrations were high. The amount
      of phloroglucinol removed by PVPP varied widely and was dependent on
      phloroglucinol concentration, making this an unreliable method for quantifying
      phenolic concentrations. The Folin-Ciocalteu assay will measure some nonphenolic
      substances when brown algae are extracted in 80% methanol; however, inFucus
      gardneri, nonphenolic substances were at most 5% of the material quantified by
      the assay. 

PMID- 24233567
TI  - Production of pheromone by hairpencil glands of males obtained from interspecific
      hybridization betweenHeliothis virescens andH. subflexa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - Pheromone produced by the hairpencil glands of interspecific hybrid- and
      backcross-generation males from crosses betweenHeliothis virescens (F.) withH.
      subflexa (Gn.) was studied. Males of reciprocal F1 hybrids, all of which had
      hairpencil glands morphologically similar to those ofH. virescens, produced
      neither the same pheromone blend nor amounts of pheromone that were produced by
      males ofH. virescens. Instead, these hybrid males produced pheromone that was
      quantitatively and qualitatively similar to that produced byH. subflexa.
      Hairpencil gland extracts from males obtained from backcrossing F1 females of
      either cross to males ofH. subflexa were the same as those ofH. subflexa.
      However, extracts from backcross males of crosses between F1 females andH.
      virescens were variable. Some extracts from these backcross males were like those
      ofH. virescens while others were either likeH. subflexa or were intermediate
      between those of the parent species. These results showed that the production of
      pheromone by the hairpencil glands of hybrid and backcross males is under the
      dominant regulation of autosomal genes of theH. subflexa genome. 

PMID- 24233568
TI  - Structure-activity relationship observations oftrans-trimedlure enantiomers.
AB  - tert-Butyl 4- (and 5-) chloro-trans-2-methylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate (TML), a
      mixture of four majortrans and four minorcis isomers, is used as an attractant
      for detecting and monitoring the male Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly),Ceratitis
      capitata (Wiedemann). The eight isomers (racemic mixtures) were isolated by HPLC,
      and their relative attractiveness in the field was determined. A quantitative
      structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was proposed that related a molecular
      measurement (A(3)) of the TML structure to male medfly captures. More recently,
      thetrans-TML enantiomers were synthesized in sufficient quantities for field
      testing. This paper reports the computer-aided molecular modeling, via Chem-X, of
      thetrans-TML enantiomers and the staggered and superimposed fitting with the most
      attractive isomer, (1S,2S,4R)-TML-C, to determine common volumes and surface
      areas from Van der Waals (VdW) maps. Observations of structure-activity
      relationships (SAR) are reported for the staggered fittings. 

PMID- 24233569
TI  - Effects of fertility on biomass, phytotoxicity, and allelochemical content of
      cereal rye.
AB  - Studies were conducted to evaluate biomass production, tissue phytotoxicity, and
      allelochemical content of rye (Secale cereale L.) shoots grown in three fertility
      regimes (low, medium or high) in the greenhouse. Wheeler rye or a polyculture of
      rye and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) grown with high fertility produced the
      greatest biomass (78.7 and 82.7 g), with the lowest root-to-shoot ratio (0.22 and
      0.43) produced in the high-fertility treatments. The polyculture treatment grown
      with low fertility had a greater proportion of hairy vetch (18%) than when grown
      with high fertility (6%). Rye shoot residue phototoxicity was affected by
      fertility regime. Radicle elongation of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and
      barnyardgrass [Enchinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. I was inhibited by rye shoot
      residues in a modified Parker bioassay. Rye shoot residue grown with low
      fertility was less inhibitory to cress radicle elongation than rye residue from
      the medium- or high-fertility regimes. Extracts of dried rye shoots grown with
      high fertility were less inhibitory than extracts from other fertility regimes.
      The concentrations of ether extracts of rye causing 50% inhibition (I50) of cress
      radicle elongation were between 125 and 276 ug/ml for greenhouse-grown and 60 and
      138 ug/ml for the field-grown rye shoots. The major phytotoxic compounds in the
      rye shoot extracts were identified as DIBOA and BOA. The concentration of DIBOA
      in the greenhouse-grown rye shoots ranged between 128 and 423 ug/g while BOA
      concentration ranged between 2.5 and 31 ug/g. DIBOA and BOA levels were lowest in
      rye shoots grown with high fertility. Correlations between rye shoot biomass,
      DIBOA and BOA concentration, and cress barnyardgrass radicle length were
      significant. 

PMID- 24233570
TI  - Response ofNp mutant of pea (Pisum sativum L.) to pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum L.)
      oviposition and extracts.
AB  - TheNp mutant of pea (Pisum sativum L.) is characterized by two physiological
      responses: growth of callus under pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum L., Coleoptera:
      Bruchidae) oviposition on pods, and formation of neoplastic callus on pods of
      indoor-grown plants. Although these two responses are conditioned byNp, they are
      anatomically and physiologically distinguishable, based on sites of origin,
      distribution pattern, and sensitivity to plant hormones. Further characterization
      of the response to extracts of pea weevil showed that response of excised pods,
      measured by callus formation, was log-linear, and treatment with as little as 10(
      4) weevil equivalents produced a detectable response. Mated and unmated females
      contained similar amounts of callus-inducing compound(s), and immature females
      contained significantly less of the compound(s). Female vetch bruchids (Bruchus
      brachialis F., Coleoptera: Bruchidae), a related species, contained callus
      inducing compound(s), but usually less than pea weevils on a per weevil basis.
      Males of both species contained less than 10% of the activity of the mature
      females. Extracts of female black vine weevils, a nonbruchid species, did not
      stimulate callus formation. Based on partitioning and TLC analysis, the
      biologically active constitutent(s) was stable and nonpolar. Thus, theNp allele
      probably conditions sensitivity to a nonpolar component of pea weevil oviposition
      as a mechanism of resistance to the weevil. 

PMID- 24233571
TI  - Effect of phase-feeding crude protein on performance and carcass characteristics
      of crossbred beef bulls: an application to reduce nitrogen compounds in beef
      cattle diets.
AB  - Beef cattle (24) with an average initial body weight of 417 +/- 54 kg were
      assigned in a 2 * 2 factorial design with six repetitions. The factors studied
      were two levels of CP: 11 (low CP) or 13 % (high CP) in the initial feedlot phase
      (days 1 - 36) and in the final phase (days 37 - 72). After 36 days, half of the
      bulls fed with each level of CP were selected to reverse the CP level. No
      interaction was observed (P > 0.05) between the level of protein in the initial
      and final phases on the intake of the nutrients evaluated. There was no effect (P
      > 0.05) of the protein levels in the initial and final phases on intake of dry
      matter, organic matter, CP, non-fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible
      nutrients. No differences were observed among treatments (P > 0.05) for average
      daily gain (X = 1.99 kg/day) and carcass traits. We conclude that it is possible
      to feed Holstein-Zebu crossed bulls with an average daily gain of approximately 2
      kg using a fixed level of 11 % CP during the entire feedlot period, and this diet
      is economically viable and environmentally sound.

PMID- 24233572
TI  - Microbiological studies of Tokyo Bay.
AB  - The generic composition of the heterotrophic bacterial population of Tokyo Bay,
      which is now highly polluted and eutrophic, was compared with that of the
      adjacent, less polluted regions of Sagami Bay and Suruga Bay. Members of
      Vibrionaceae predominated in the bacterial flora of seawater and zooplankton
      samples from Sagami Bay, Suruga Bay, and the mouth of Tokyo Bay. However,Vibrio
      spp. formed only a small proportion of the bacterial population of the water and
      sediment samples from the inner Tokyo Bay; there the Gram-negative, nonmotile,
      nonpigmented bacteria, which were tentatively identified asAcinetobacter, were
      predominant. The result of experiments, in which seawater samples from Tokyo Bay
      were incubated under various experimental conditions, indicated that two
      significant factors apparently control the growth ofVibrio spp. in seawater; (1)
      a direct antagonism betweenVibrios and phytoplankton undergoing rapid growth, and
      (2) a limiting organic nutrient forvibrios. 

PMID- 24233573
TI  - Denitrification in salt marsh sediments: Evidence for seasonal temperature
      selection among populations of denitrifiers.
AB  - Direct measurements of bacterial denitrification in salt marsh sediments near
      Woods Hole, Massachusetts were made over a 10-month period using a simple and
      precise gas-chromatographic technique. Based on laboratory experiments at 5
      degrees , 10 degrees , and 20 degrees C, it is shown that seasonal temperature
      variations select for at least two distinct populations of denitrifiers.In situ
      incubations suggest that resident populations of denitrifying bacteria are cold
      sensitive. Salt marsh denitrifying bacteria are not optimally adapted to their
      thermal environment, but to temperatures 5 degrees -10 degrees C higher. In these
      water-logged muds, rates of bacterial denitrification (0.3-1.5MUg N2/gm sediment
      hr) are up to three orders of magnitude greater than maximum potential rates of
      insitu bacterial and algal nitrogen fixation. 

PMID- 24233574
TI  - The combined relationship of temperature and molybdenum concentration to nitrogen
      fixation byAnabaena cylindrica.
AB  - The joint effects of growth temperature, incubation temperature, and molybdenum
      concentration on the nitrogen fixation rate ofAnabaena cylindrica were determined
      using the acetylene-reduction technique. The nitrogen-fixation response to
      increased molybdenum concentration varied among three growth temperatures (15
      degrees , 23 degrees , and 30 degrees  C). The pattern of rate change was similar
      within a growth temperature but increased overall in magnitude with the three
      incubation temperatures (also 15 degrees , 23 degrees , and 30 degrees  C). The
      maximum rate of nitrogen fixation occurred at 30 degrees C regardless of previous
      growth temperature. The minimum molybdenum concentration necessary to yield
      substantial acetylene reduction varied with growth temperature: at 15 degrees C,
      15MUg 1(-1) was effective; at 23 degrees C, less than 5MUg 1(-1) was effective;
      and at 30 degrees C, 50MUg 1(-1) was effective. At all three growth temperatures,
      increases in molybdenum concentration above the minimum effective concentration
      produced increases in acetylene reduction. However, at higher molybdenum
      concentrations inhibition of nitrogen fixation occurred. 

PMID- 24233575
TI  - The breakdown of malathion in soil and soil components.
AB  - The disappearance of the organophosphorus insecticide, malathion, from a silt
      loam soil and from its organic and inorganic components was examined. Half-lives
      and the time taken for 90% decomposition in nonsterile, sodium azide-treated, and
      2.5 Mrad-irradiated soils were similar (3/4-1 1/2 days and 4-6 days,
      respectively) but breakdown in autoclaved soils was negligible. Decay in
      nonsterile sand, silt, and clay minus organic matter fractions was 3-6 times
      slower than that recorded in the original soil. Breakdown of malathion in the
      clay plus organic matter fraction (organo-mineral complex) was rapid (half-life,
      1 day), as was the case in the separated organic matter (half-life, 1 3/4 days).
      Filter-sterilized organic matter was not as effective in catalyzing the breakdown
      of malathion (half-life, 4 days), and no loss occurred from any of the autoclaved
      components. Irradiation doses of 2.5 and 5.0 Mrad had little influence on the
      ability of soil to degrade malathion. Thereafter, increases up to 20 Mrad had a
      more drastic, though far from totally inhibitory, effect. Our results suggest
      that either the colloidal organic matter itself, or a fraction associated with
      it, is the most important single factor concerned with the rapid breakdown of
      malathion in the soil studied. Direct microbial metabolism is a slower process
      and may have a significant role in malathion disappearance in coarsetextured
      soils low in colloidal organic matter. The catalytic component of the organic
      matter is suggested to be a stable exoenzyme and is supportive of reports by
      other workers. The quantitative effect of organo-mineral complex (containing the
      active degradative ingredient) additions to sand and silt fractions on the rate
      of subsequent malathion decay is also described. 

PMID- 24233576
TI  - Influence of heavy metal leaf contaminants on the in vitro growth of urban-tree
      phylloplane-fungi.
AB  - The surfaces of urban woody vegetation are contaminated with varying amounts of
      numerous metallic compounds, including Cd, Cu, Mn, Al, Cr, Ni, Fe, Pb, Na, and
      Zn. To examine the possibility that these metals may affect phylloplane fungi,
      the above cations were tested in vitro for their ability to influence the growth
      of numerous saprophytic and parasitic fungi isolated from the leaves of London
      plane trees. Considerable variation in growth inhibition by the metals was
      observed. GenerallyAureobasidium pullulans, Epicoccum sp., andPhialophora
      verrucosa were relatively tolerant;Gnomonia platani, Cladsporium sp.,
      andPleurophomella sp. were intermediate; andPestalotiopsis andChaetomium sp. were
      relatively sensitive to the incorporation of certain metals into solid and liquid
      media. If similar growth inhibitions occur in nature, competitive abilities or
      population structures of plant surface microbes may be altered by surface metal
      contamination. Metals causing the greatest and broadest spectrum growth
      suppression included Ni, Zn, Pb, Al, Fe, and Mn. 

PMID- 24233577
TI  - Growth of an estuarinePseudomonas sp. on polychlorinated biphenyl.
AB  - In the course of a study of the microbial degradation of polychlorinated
      biphenyls (PCB), 16 cultures, representing 5 genera of bacteria, were isolated.
      APseudomonas sp. was found to degrade mixtures of PCB (Aroclor 1254) and pure
      isomers, i.e., hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB). Degradation was found to be variable,
      depending on length of incubation, purity, and degree of chlorination of the
      biphenyl molecule. In addition to apparent degradation of PCB, it was observed
      that PCB stimulated growth and oxygen uptake. Bioaccumulation of PCB residues was
      suggested since(14)-Clabeled material derived from(14)C-PCB accumulated on or in
      the bacterial cells. The potential degradation and utilization of PCB by
      microorganisms suggests that this may be an important mechanism for removal or
      mobilization of PCB into food chains in the estuarine environment. 

PMID- 24233578
TI  - Simulating continuous renal replacement therapy: usefulness of a new simulator
      device.
AB  - Simulation allows the training of life-support procedures without patient risk.
      We analyzed the performance and usefulness of a new device that makes feasible
      the external control of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) machines in
      order to realistically generate clinical conditions and problems in simulated
      patients. A simple mechanical device was designed according to training needs and
      then hand made. This device permits the control of all monitorable pressures and
      therefore allows simulation of a range of clinical situations and eventual
      complications that might occur in real patients. We tested its performance in
      vitro and then during 16 high-fidelity patient-simulation scenarios included in
      the program of pediatric CRRT courses. Student and teacher satisfaction was
      assessed through an anonymous survey. Quick, accurate, real-time monitor of
      pressure changes, concordant with the usual clinical problems to be simulated
      (catheter complications, filter coagulation, inadequate CRRT device settings),
      were easily achieved with the new device. Instructors rated the device as user
      friendly and well adapted to the reality being simulated. During scenarios,
      students were not aware of the simulator and considered that simulated clinical
      conditions were realistic. Our device may be very useful for training healthcare
      professionals in CRRT management, thus avoiding risk to patients.

PMID- 24233579
TI  - Effects of dual transcranial direct current stimulation for aphasia in chronic
      stroke patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate any additional effect of dual transcranial direct
      current stimulation (tDCS) compared with single tDCS in chronic stroke patients
      with aphasia. METHODS: Eleven chronic stroke patients (aged 52.6+/-13.4 years,
      nine men) with aphasia were enrolled. Single anodal tDCS was applied over the
      left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and a cathodal electrode was placed over the
      left buccinator muscle. Dual tDCS was applied as follows: 1) anodal tDCS over the
      left IFG and cathodal tDCS over the left buccinator muscle and 2) cathodal tDCS
      over the right IFG and anodal tDCS over the right buccinator muscle. Each tDCS
      was delivered for 30 minutes at a 2-mA intensity. Speech therapy was provided
      during the last 15 minutes of the tDCS. Before and after the stimulation, the
      Korean-Boston Naming Test and a verbal fluency test were performed. RESULTS: The
      dual tDCS produced a significant improvement in the response time for the Korean
      Boston Naming Test compared with the baseline assessment, with a significant
      interaction between the time and type of interventions. Both single and dual tDCS
      produced a significant improvement in the number of correct responses after
      stimulation with no significant interaction. No significant changes in the verbal
      fluency test were observed after single or dual tDCS. CONCLUSION: The results
      conveyed that dual tDCS using anodal tDCS over the left IFG and cathodal tDCS
      over the right IFG may be more effective than a single anodal tDCS over the left
      IFG.

PMID- 24233580
TI  - Age- and cohort-related variance of type-A behavior over 24 years: the Young
      Finns Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the recent decades, the incidence of cardiovascular and heart
      diseases has decreased while levels of type-A behavior, i.e., a potential risk
      factor, appear to have increased. However, the long-term developmental patterns
      of type-A behavior is poorly understood. Both age- and cohort-related changes may
      be involved in these developments. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to
      examine an age- and cohort-related changes of Hunter-Wolf type-A behavior from
      adolescence to adulthood. METHODS: Type-A behavior and its components
      (aggressiveness, leadership, hard driving, and eagerness energy) were assessed
      using the Hunter-Wolf A-B rating scale at five time points (1983, 1986, 1989,
      2001, and 2007) in a population-based sample consisting of six birth cohorts born
      between 1962 and 1977 (n = 3,341, a total of 10,506 person observations).
      Development of type-A behavior and its components was examined with cohort
      sequential multilevel modeling. RESULTS: Aggressiveness decreased with age,
      eagerness energy, hard driving, and global type-A behavior increased, and
      leadership exhibited no mean level changes. Younger cohorts had higher
      aggressiveness, lower hard driving, and global type-A behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The
      findings suggest that in order to understand the health consequences of type-A
      behavior, both life span and societal changes should be considered.

PMID- 24233581
TI  - Guanine-copper coordination polymers: crystal analysis and application as thin
      film precursors.
AB  - Three copper-N9-modified guanine complexes are reported with structures ranging
      from a discrete trinuclear motif to a mixed-valence coordination polymer. These
      complexes were used as precursors for the deposition and growth of copper oxide
      thin films on Si(100), at two different annealing temperatures, by using a CVD
      technique. Subsequent resistivity measurements suggest the formation of
      conductive thin films, raising the possibility of using nucleobase-metal
      complexes as versatile thin film precursors. 

PMID- 24233582
TI  - Complete Genome Sequences of Five Paenibacillus larvae Bacteriophages.
AB  - Paenibacillus larvae is a pathogen of honeybees that causes American foulbrood
      (AFB). We isolated bacteriophages from soil containing bee debris collected near
      beehives in Utah. We announce five high-quality complete genome sequences, which
      represent the first completed genome sequences submitted to GenBank for any P.
      larvae bacteriophage. 

PMID- 24233583
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus Siphovirus Phage JS01.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is the most prevalent and economically significant pathogen
      causing bovine mastitis. We isolated and characterized one staphylophage from the
      milk of mastitis-affected cattle and sequenced its genome. Transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM) observation shows that it belongs to the family Siphovirus. We
      announce here its complete genome sequence and report major findings from the
      genomic analysis. 

PMID- 24233584
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus fermentum Lf1, an Indian Isolate of Human
      Gut Origin.
AB  - Lactobacillus fermentum is a normal inhabitant of the human gastrointestinal
      tract. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of an Indian isolate of the
      probiotic strain L. fermentum Lf1, isolated from the human gut. 

PMID- 24233585
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Thompson
      Strain RM6836.
AB  - Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Thompson strain RM6836 was isolated
      from lettuce in 2002. We report here the complete sequence and annotation of the
      genome of S. Thompson RM6836. This is the first reported complete genome sequence
      for S. Thompson and it will enhance our understanding of this serovar and provide
      another point for comparative studies between Salmonella enterica strains. 

PMID- 24233586
TI  - Genome Sequence of a Circulating Human-Like Swine-Origin Influenza A Virus H3N2
      Strain.
AB  - The full-genome sequence of A/swine/Henan/1/2010, a strain of influenza A virus
      isolated in central China, was determined. Phylogenetic analyses show that its
      eight genomic segments are human-like, and some of its segments have appeared in
      swine H1N2, swine H1N1, and human H1N2 influenza viruses. 

PMID- 24233587
TI  - Complete Genome Sequences of Helicobacter pylori Clarithromycin-Resistant
      Strains.
AB  - We report the complete genome sequences of two Helicobacter pylori clarithromycin
      resistant strains. Clarithromycin (CLR)-resistant strains were obtained under the
      exposure of H. pylori strain 26695 on agar plates with low clarithromycin
      concentrations. The genome data provide insights into the genomic changes of H.
      pylori under selection by clarithromycin in vitro. 

PMID- 24233588
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Loktanella cinnabarina LL-001T, Isolated from Deep-Sea
      Floor Sediment.
AB  - This report describes the draft genome sequence of Loktanella cinnabarina LL
      001(T), which was the first isolated strain from deep-sea floor sediment of the
      genus Loktanella. The draft genome sequence contains 3,896,245 bp, with a G+C
      content of 66.7%. 

PMID- 24233589
TI  - Metagenome sequencing of prokaryotic microbiota from two hypersaline ponds of a
      marine saltern in santa pola, Spain.
AB  - Marine salterns are composed of several shallow ponds with a salinity gradient,
      from seawater to salt saturation, with gradually changing microbial populations.
      Here, we report the metagenome sequencing of the prokaryotic microbiota of two
      ponds with 13% and 33% salinity from a saltern in Santa Pola, Spain. 

PMID- 24233590
TI  - The Rhizobacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum NAU-B3 Contains a
      Large Inversion within the Central Portion of the Genome.
AB  - The genome of rhizobacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum strain
      NAU-B3 is 4,196,170 bp in size and harbors 4,001 genes. Nine giant gene clusters
      are dedicated to the nonribosomal synthesis of antimicrobial lipopeptides and
      polyketides. Remarkably, NAU_B3 contains a large inversion within the central
      portion of the genome. 

PMID- 24233591
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Geobacillus thermoleovorans Strain B23.
AB  - Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Geobacillus thermoleovorans strain
      B23, which was isolated from a deep subterranean petroleum reservoir in Japan. An
      array of genes related to unique long-chain alkane degradation pathways in G.
      thermoleovorans B23 has been identified by whole-genome analyses of this strain. 

PMID- 24233592
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium, Serratia
      fonticola Strain AU-P3(3).
AB  - Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), found in the rhizospheric region of
      plants, not only suppress plant disease, but also directly improve plant health
      by improving the availability of nutrients and by providing phytostimulants.
      Herein, we report the high-quality genome sequence of Serratia fonticola strain
      AU-P3(3), a PGPR of the pea plant, which confers phosphate solubilization, indole
      3-acetic acid production, ammonia production, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production,
      and siderophore production and also confers activity against Rhizoctonia species.
      The 5.02-Mb genome sequence contains genes related to plant growth promotion and
      biocontrol activities. 

PMID- 24233593
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of the Arsenate-Respiring Bacterium Chrysiogenes arsenatis
      Strain DSM 11915.
AB  - Here we present the draft genome sequence of Chrysiogenes arsenatis strain DSM
      11915, only the second genome sequence from the phylum Chrysiogenetes. This
      strictly anaerobic organism was isolated from arsenic-contaminated gold mine
      wastewater and respires arsenate or nitrate instead of oxygen. The assembly
      contains 2,824,977 bp in 22 scaffolds. 

PMID- 24233594
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Sphingobium ummariense Strain RL-3, a
      Hexachlorocyclohexane-Degrading Bacterium.
AB  - Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)
      degrading bacterium Sphingobium ummariense strain RL-3, which was isolated from
      the HCH dumpsite located in Lucknow, India (27 degrees 00'N and 81 degrees 09'E).
      The annotated draft genome sequence (4.75 Mb) of strain RL-3 consisted of 139
      contigs, 4,645 coding sequences, and 65% G+C content. 

PMID- 24233595
TI  - Third conference on methods and applications of fluorescence spectroscopy,
      prague, czech republic, october 18-21, 1993.

PMID- 24233596
TI  - A new concept of photogeneration of cations: Evidence for photoejection of Ca(2+)
      and Li (+) from complexes with a crown-ether-linked merocyanine by picosecond
      spectroscopy.
AB  - Time-resolved transient absorption and gain spectra of DCM-crown and its
      complexes with Li(+) and Ca(2+) in acetonitrile are measured in the wavelength
      range 370-670 nm after subpicosecond excitation at 425 nm. The results give
      evidence for the fast formation of free DCM-crown from both excited complexes,
      with a faster rate for the Li(+) complex. A two-step mechanism is found for the
      initial decay (within 30 ps) of the free DCM-crown. 

PMID- 24233597
TI  - Coumarinic fluorescent chemosensors for the detection of transition metal ions.
AB  - Fluoroionophores consisting of coumarin-153 linked to mono- and diaza-crown
      ethers are able to complex transition metal cations (Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+)) and
      Pb(2+), with concomitant large changes in photophysical properties. The stability
      constants in acetonitrile are higher than 3*10(6) M (-1) except for Ni(2+). 

PMID- 24233598
TI  - Fluorescence of metal complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives in aqueous
      micellar media.
AB  - The fluorescence characteristics of 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative complexes of
      A1(III), Ga(III), In(III), Zn(II), and Be(II) in differently charged micellar
      media are reported. For most of the chelates studied, large increases are
      observed in micellar media compared with those obtained in hydroorganic solvents.
      However, some exceptions are observed, of which the low fluorescence of Zn(II)
      chelates in anionic sodium lauryl sulfate media is the most noticeable. 

PMID- 24233599
TI  - Fluorescent nucleoside derivatives: Luminescence study of 4
      dimethylaminopyridinium chloride derived from guanosine.
AB  - Photophysical properties of fluorescentN-[2-amino-9-(2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D
      ribofuranosyl)-purin-6-yl]-4-dimethylaminopyridinium chloride (GDMAP) are
      determined in view of its possible use as a probe in DNA. The fluorescence
      intensity of GDMAP increases and exhibits doubleexponential decay in the presence
      of common nucleosides. The formation of ground-state complexes with nucleosides
      is inferred from absorption and emission measurements. 

PMID- 24233600
TI  - DEDO: A specific, fluorescent inhibitor for spectroscopic investigations of Na,K
      ATPase.
AB  - The interaction between the fluorescent ouabain derivative DEDO and purified
      renal Na,K-ATPase (isolated from different animal species) is investigated.
      Equilibrium binding studies provide a pK value of about 7.5 and a stoichoimetric
      coefficient of 1. Nonmodified ouabain exhibits the same affinity to the rabbit
      enzyme; the enzyme originating from the other sources binds DEDO 10 times less
      strongly than ouabain. Kinetic studies indicate that this is the consequence of a
      10 times higher dissociation rate constant of the complexes formed with DEDO. The
      fluorescence emission intensity of DEDO is enhanced, being dependent on the
      enzyme source. The single decay time of DEDO is 3 ns in the absence and 21 ns in
      the presence of the rabbit enzyme and 14 ns in the presence of the pig renal
      enzyme. This result suggests that the fluorophore of DEDO is bound to a very
      hydrophobic environment of the enzyme. Further characterization of the static
      fluorescence spectra provides evidence for energy transfer between Trp residues
      of the enzyme and DEDO. Distance estimations suggest that one or two Trp residues
      are likely to be located in the proximity of the fluorophore. 

PMID- 24233601
TI  - Confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging of free calcium in single cells.
AB  - Ca(2+) concentrations in biological cells are widely studied with fluorescent
      probes. The probes have a high selectivity for free calcium and exhibit marked
      changes in their photophysical properties upon binding. The differences in the
      fluorescent lifetime of the probes can now be used as a contrast mechanism for
      imaging purposes. This technique can be further exploited for the quantitative
      determination of ion concentrations within the cells. We describe the use of a
      fast fluorescence lifetime imaging method in combination with a standard confocal
      laser scanning microscope for the determination of Ca(2+) concentrations in
      single rat cardiac myocytes using the intensity probe Calcium Green. 

PMID- 24233602
TI  - Visualization of lipid-receptor interactions on single cells by time-resolved
      imaging fluorescence microscopy.
AB  - The physical interaction between plasma-membrane lipids and the epidermal growth
      factor (EGF)-receptor was investigated on single A431 human epidermoid carcinoma
      cells by monitoring fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between
      exogeneously added fluorescein-EGF (donor) and 2-(4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4
      bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-pentanoyl)-1-hexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3
      phosphocholine (Bodipy-PC, acceptor) using donor-photobleaching FRET-microscopy.
      The measured mean FRET-efficiency of 13% is indicative of such a physical
      interaction and exemplifies the great potential and sensitivity of time-resolved
      imaging fluorescence microscopy techniques for the study of lipid-receptor
      interactions on single cells. 

PMID- 24233603
TI  - Characterization of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) rev by (time-resolved)
      fluorescence spectroscopy.
AB  - Fluorescence spectroscopy has been applied to the single tryptophan-containing
      regulatory protein Rev of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). The fluorescence
      emission was found to have a maximum at 336 nm which refers to a surrounding of
      the chromophore of intermediate polarity. Fluorescence transients recorded at the
      maximum of fluorescence were found to decay nonexponentially. A bimodal lifetime
      distribution is obtained from exponential series analysis (ESM) with centers at
      1.7 and 4.5 ns. Two microenvironments for tryptophan are suggested to be
      responsible for the two lifetime distributions. No innerfilter effect occurred in
      a Rev solution up to a concentration of 40 MUM. A data quality study of ESM
      analysis as function of collected counts in the peak channel maximum (CIM) showed
      that, for reliable reconvolution, at least 15,000 CIM are necessary. The widths
      of the two distributions are shown to be temperature dependent. The broadening of
      the lifetime distributions when the temperature is raised to 50 degrees C is
      interpreted as extension of the number of conformational substates which do not
      interconvert on the fluorescence time scale. The thermal deactivation
      (temperature quenching) is reflected in a constant decrease in the center of the
      short-lived lifetime distribution. 

PMID- 24233604
TI  - Analysis of cell surface molecular distributions and cellular signaling by flow
      cytometry.
AB  - Flow cytometry is a fast analysis and separation method for large cell
      populations, based on collection and processing of optical signals gained on a
      cell-by-cell basis. These optical signals are scattered light and fluorescence.
      Owing to its unique potential ofStatistical data analysis and sensitive
      monitoring of (micro)heterogeneities in large cell populations, flow cytometry-in
      combination with microscopic imaging techniques-is a powerful tool to study
      molecular details of cellular signal transduction processes as well. The method
      also has a widespread clinical application, mostly in analysis of lymphocyte
      subpopulations for diagnostic (or research) purposes in diseases related to the
      immune system. A special application of flow cytometry is the mapping of
      molecular interactions (proximity relationships between membrane proteins) at the
      cell surface, on a cell-by-cell basis. We developed two approaches to study such
      questions; both are based ondistance-dependent quenching of excited state
      fluorophores (donors) by fluorescent or dark (nitroxide radical) acceptors via
      Forstertype dipole-dipole resonance energy transfer (FRET) and long-range
      electron transfer (LRET) mechanisms, respectively. A critical evaluation of these
      methods using donor- or acceptor-conjugated monoclonal antibodies (or their Fab
      fragments) to select the appropriate cell surface receptor or antigen will be
      presented in comparison with other approaches for similar purposes. The
      applicability of FRET and LRET for two-dimensional antigen mapping as well as for
      detection of conformational changes in extracellular domains of membrane-bound
      proteins is discussed and illustrated by examples of several lymphoma cell lines.
      Another special application area of flow cytometry is the analysis of different
      aspects of cellular signal transduction, e.g., changes of intracellular ion
      (Ca(2+), H(+), Na(+)) concentrations, regulation of ion channel activities, or
      more complex physiological responses of cell to external stimuli via correlated
      fluorescence and scatter signal analysis, on a cell-by-cell basis. This way
      different signaling events such as changes in membrane permeability, membrane
      potential, cell size and shape, ion distribution, cell density, chromatin
      structure, etc., can be easily and quickly monitored over large cell populations
      with the advantage of revealing microheterogeneities in the cellular responses.
      Flow cytometry also offers the possibility to follow the kinetics of slow (minute
      and hour-scale) biological processes in cell populations. These applications are
      illustrated by the example of complex flow cytometric analysis of signaling in
      extracellular ATP-triggered apoptosis (programmed cell death) of murine thymic
      lymphocytes. 

PMID- 24233605
TI  - Study of DNA accessibility in the condensed chromatin structures by resonance
      energy transfer.
AB  - The linker DNA accessibility of chicken erythrocyte chromatin was studied by
      diffusion-enhanced resonance energy transfer (DERET). The 4"-{9'''-[((4-carboxy-3
      hydroxyphenyl)-acetatamido)-3''',6''',9'''-(triacetyl)-3",6''',9'''
      triazanonamido]-2",6"-diazanonyl}-4,5',8-trimethyl psoralen-terbium complex was
      photocovalently bound to linker DNA and transferred its energy to fluorescein
      free in solution or bound on proteins of different sizes. We observed a
      diminution of linker DNA accessibility in chromatin as the protein size
      increased. Free fluorescein and proteins (up to a molecular weight of 24,000)
      labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) showed no variation in linker
      accessibility as chromatin condensation from 10- to 30-nm fibers was induced by
      an increase in ionic strength. We can conclude from these observations that
      linker DNA is located on the outside of the condensed chromatin fiber or,
      alternatively, that small proteins are free to diffuse toward an inside-located
      linker DNA, even in the condensed state of chromatin, possibly through the
      central cavity of the solenoid model. 

PMID- 24233606
TI  - Fluorescence labeling and interaction of atherogenic lipoproteins with cultured
      cells.
AB  - We prepared lipoprotein (a) and LDL covalently labeled with either BODIPY or
      rhodamine. A dual wavelength method was used for the microscopic observation of
      both lipoproteins during their interaction with HepG2 cells. Since a large
      proportion of Lp(a) colocalized with LDL on the cell surface and inside the
      cells, it was concluded that Lp(a) uptake into cells is mediated by LDL via
      internalization of LDL. 

PMID- 24233607
TI  - Application of angle-resolved fluorescence depolarization in muscle research.
AB  - Angle-resolved fluorescence depolarization (AFD) experiments have been used for
      over a decade in studies of fluorescent molecules in macroscopically aligned
      systems such as lipid bilayers and stretched polymer films. The importance of
      this technique lies in the fact that it affords the determination of both the
      second- and the fourth-rank order parameters of the orientational distribution of
      the probe molecules in the sample. Here we apply the technique to the study of
      the orientational distribution of crossbridges in muscle fibers. This
      orientational distribution is particularly relevant in muscle research, as
      crossbridge rotation is commonly regarded to be the driving mechanism in force
      development. An unfortunate consequence of the fact that the crossbridges have an
      average orientation of approximately 45(o) relative to the fiber axis is that the
      values of the second-rank order parameter [Symbol: see text]P 2[Symbol: see text]
      of the crossbridge distribution are close to 0. Therefore, knowledge of [Symbol:
      see text]P 4[Symbol: see text] is essential for a reliable reconstruction of the
      form of the distribution function. AFD of dyelabeled muscle was measured under
      rigor and relaxation conditions. The results indicate that no significant changes
      in depolarization take place upon a transition from the rigor to the relaxed
      state in the muscle and seem not to support the rotating crossbridge model, which
      postulates a clear change of orientation of the crossbridges. 

PMID- 24233608
TI  - Static and dynamic quenching of luminescent species in polymer media.
AB  - A method developed for quantitative determination of static and dynamic
      contributions to luminescence quenching is applied to Ru(II) complexes in polymer
      matrices (silica gel and polystyrene), quenched by oxygen. This method is based
      on both intensity and lifetime quenching experiments. The curvature of intensity
      Stern-Volmer plots is related to the results. 

PMID- 24233609
TI  - Fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decays of the DNA stain Hoechst 33342
      resulting from one-photon and two-photon excitation.
AB  - We examined the steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectral properties
      of the DNA stain Hoechst 33342 for one-photon (OPE) and two-photon (TPE)
      excitation. Hoechst 33342 was found to display a large cross section for two
      photon excitation within the fundamental wavelength range of pyridine 2 and
      rhodamine 6G dye lasers, 690 to 770 and 560 to 630 nm, respectively. The time
      resolved measurements show that intensity decays are similar for OPE- and TPE.
      The anisotropy decay measurements of Hoechst 33342 in ethanol revealed the same
      correlation times for TPE as observed for OPE. However, the zero-time
      anisotropies recovered from anisotropy decay measurements are 1.4-fold higher for
      TPE than for OPE. The anisotropy spectra of Hoechst 33342 were examined in
      glycerol at -20 degrees C, revealing limiting values close to the theoretical
      limits for OPE (0.4) and TPE (0.57). The steady-state anisotropy for OPE
      decreases in the shorter-wavelength region (R6G dye laser, 280-315 nm), but the
      two-photon anisotropy for 560 to 630-nm excitation remains as high as in the long
      wavelength region (690-770 nm). This result suggests that one-photon absorption
      is due to two electronic, but only one transition contributes to the two-photon
      absorption over the wavelength range from 580 to 770 nm. Our demonstration of
      these favorable two-photon properties for Hoechst 33342, and the high
      photostability of the dye reported by other laboratories, suggests that this dye
      will be valuable for time-resolved studies of DNA with TPE and for two-photon
      fluorescence microscopy. 

PMID- 24233610
TI  - On the use of tryptophan to detect slow orientational motions.
AB  - For our investigations on orientational motions of membrane proteins with the
      method of time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy decay (TRFA), we first wanted to
      test the use of tryptophan fluorescence in detecting slow motions on the time
      scale of tens of nanoseconds and to get more insight into the possible motions of
      membrane proteins by investigating a simple system. We performed TRFA
      measurements on a short alpha-helical 21-amino acid peptide in different
      environments (Vogel, H.,et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 5067-5071, 1988).
      In each case, we got three relexation time constants. The longest of these
      depends strongly on changes in the environment, whereas the two shorter times
      show only weak dependencies. So we conclude that the longest time belongs to the
      rotational diffusion of the entire peptide and the other to internal motions. 

PMID- 24233611
TI  - Surface area per molecule in lipid/C12E n membranes as seen by fluorescence
      resonance energy transfer.
AB  - Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from NBD-PE to rhodamine-PE has
      been used to measure the average area occupied by surfactant molecules in lipid
      bilayers. The Foerster radius has been determined from the spectral overlap of
      donor fluorescence and acceptor absorption (R 0=4.6 nm). The results of steady
      state as well as of time-resolved investigations have been compared. The analysis
      of time-resolved fluorescence data by means of nonexponential decay functions
      yields an average area per lipid of 0.65 nm(2) in pure POPC bilayers. The area
      per surfactant in two-component C12E n /POPC-membranes (n=2, 4, 6) has been
      determined and compared with the results of X-ray investigations. The surfactant
      head group seems to adapt a predominantly disordered confirmation within the
      bilayer. 

PMID- 24233612
TI  - Measurement of the binding of DNA to liposomes by resonance energy transfer.
AB  - A rapid and simple semiquantitative method for monitoring the attachment of DNA
      to liposomes is described. This technique is based on the measurement of
      resonance energy transfer between a membrane-embedded fluorescent pyrene lipid
      donor and DNA labeled with adriamycin as an acceptor. 

PMID- 24233613
TI  - Determination of the partition coefficients of the nonionic detergent C12E 7
      between lipid-detergent mixed membranes and water by means of Laurdan
      fluorescence spectroscopy.
AB  - The membrane-water partition coefficient of the detergent C12E7 between water and
      C12E7/POPC mixed membranes has been determined by means of steady-state
      fluorescence spectroscopy. The emission spectra of the fluorescent probe Laurdan
      were used as an indicator of membrane composition at different membrane
      concentrations in the sample. The partition coefficient expressed as the ratio of
      the mole fractions of the detergent in the membrane and water phases is about
      6(*)10(5) at low molar ratios of C12E7/POPC (R c ) and decreases rapidly with
      increasingR c . The limiting detergent content of the lamellar phase (R c (*)
      >~0.8) is indicated by a minimum ofP(R c ). 

PMID- 24233614
TI  - Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements on fluorescently tagged
      amphiphilic micelles.
AB  - Block copolymers of polystyrene-block-poly)methacrylic acid) form multimolecular
      micelles in mixtures of 1,4-dioxane with a surplus of methanol at ambient
      temperatures. Micelles consist of compact polystyrene cores surrounded by outer
      shells formed by poly(methacrylic acid) and are in a reversible equilibrium with
      nonmicellized copolymer chains (unimers). A series of light scattering,
      ultracentrifugation, and fluorimetric measurements was performed on micellizing
      systems of end-tagged copolymers. Complex time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy
      decays may be explained by a distribution of fluorophores in two
      microenvironments, i.e., in compact polystyrene micellar cores and in unimer
      coils. 

PMID- 24233615
TI  - Study of plasma membrane heterogeneity using a phosphatidylcholine derivative of
      1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene [2-(3-(diphenylhexatriene)propanoyl)-3-palmitoyl-L
      alpha-phosphatidylcholine].
AB  - The fluorescent probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and DPH derivatives
      have been used to characterize structural and physicochemical properties of
      specific membrane domains. Steady-state and fluorescence decay measurements of
      three probes, DPH (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene), TMA-DPH [1-(4-trimethyl
      ammonium-phenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene], and a phosphatidylcholine derivative
      of DPH, DPH-pPC [2-(3-(diphenylhexatriene)propanoyl)-3-pamitoyl-L-alpha
      phosphatidyl choline], have been performed in erythrocyte membranes and in
      lymphocyte plasma membranes. The steady-state fluorescence polarization of the
      three probes showed a similar trend in both membranes. In fact either in
      erythrocyte or in lymphocyte plasma membranes the fluorescence polarization
      values of DPH-pPC and TMA-DPH were similar, but significantly higher with respect
      to DPH. A better characterization of erythrocyte and lymphocyte plasma membranes
      was possible by using fluorescence decay measurements. The data suggest the
      possible use of different DPH derivatives to characterize specific domains in
      biological membranes. 

PMID- 24233616
TI  - Diphenylhexatriene-phosphatidylcholine fluorescence in POPC vesicles: Comparison
      of the exponential-series and the maximum-entropy methods.
AB  - We have investigated the time-resolved fluorescence of diphenylhexatriene (DPH)
      covalently linked to phosphatidylcholine (PC) in
      palmitoyloleoylglycerophosphocholine (POPC) vesicles with special consideration
      of the comparison of two methods for distributional lifetime analysis: the
      exponential-series method (ESM) and the maximum-entropy method (MEM). Generally,
      both methods were found to reveal equivalent results on high-quality data.
      Different are the shapes of the recovered distributions (symmetry and width) as
      well as the time effort for the numerical analysis. 

PMID- 24233617
TI  - Conformational effects on the fluorescence of pyrene-labeled alkyldiacyl
      glycerols in different model membranes.
AB  - We synthesized two isomeric alkyldiacyl glycerols containing pyrene as a
      fluorescent reporter group bound to the omega end of both acyl chains. If located
      in the phospholipid monolayer of a vesicle both isomers showed intramolecular
      pyrene excimer fluorescence, indicating parallel orientation of both pyreneacyl
      chains in the lipid molecule. In micelles only pyrene monomer fluorescence was
      observed. Thus, in this system the labeled lipids adopt a conformation with both
      pyreneacyl chains extending into different directions. Using vesicles, lipase
      activities could be continuously determined from the increase of pyrene monomer
      fluorescence. 

PMID- 24233618
TI  - Transfer of pyrene-dietherphosphatidylcholine to serum lipoproteins.
AB  - The nonhydrolyzable fluorescent diether analog of phosphatidylcholine, 1-O
      hexadecyl-2-0-pyrenedecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, has been synthesized as a
      stable probe for the determination of phospholipid transfer to different
      lipoprotein classes with potential phospholipase activities. After incubation of
      total human serum with the new probe at 37 degrees C for 3 hours a characteristic
      partition equilibrium between the main lipoprotein fractions was observed. The
      fluorescent lipid was not degraded under these conditions and, therefore, served
      as a marker for choline glycerophospholipid distribution between and transport to
      serum lipoproteins. 

PMID- 24233619
TI  - Lateral mobility of plasma membrane proteins in dividing eggs of the loach
      (Misgurnus fossilis): Regional differences and changes during the cell cycle.
AB  - Regional differences in lateral diffusion rates of fluorescence-labeled proteins
      have been studied in the plasma membrane of dividing eggs of the loach (Misgurnus
      fossilis) by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Apparent animal
      vegetal differences in fluorescence intensity, lateral diffusion coefficients,
      and fractions of mobile proteins have been found, with all these quantities being
      higher in the animal pole region than in the yolk region. Cyclic changes in
      protein diffusion coefficients and mobile fractions during the first few cell
      cycles have also been recorded. Soon after the end of a cleavage, the diffusion
      coefficient reaches its minimal value and increases rapidly before the next
      cleavage. 

PMID- 24233620
TI  - Characterization of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine liposome aggregates induced by
      dextran sulfate and La(3+) by fluorescence spectroscopy.
AB  - The addition of dextran sulfate (DS) to DMPC vesicles in the presence of di- and
      trivalent cations leads to a strong aggregation, resulting in a stack-like
      arrangement of the opposing membrane surfaces as shown by freeze-fracture
      electron microscopy. The strong aggregation is connected with a lipid mixing
      process, especially in the presence of La(3+) (measured by the NBD/Rh assay). The
      extent of lipid mixing depends on the molecular weight of DS and size of the DMPC
      vesicles. Additionally, a decrease in the surface dielectric constant of DMPC
      vesicles [measured by the emission shift of the fluorescent probe,
      dansylphosphatidyl-ethanolamine (DPE)] was observed. A direct dependence on the
      molecular weight (MW) of DS exists: the higher their MW, the higher the blue
      emission shift of the DPE probe. The results are discussed in terms of the theory
      proposed by Ohki and Arnold, which connects the decrease of the surface
      dielectric constant with the interaction parameters of phospholipid membranes. 

PMID- 24233621
TI  - Fluorescence methods to study lipid-protein association: The interaction of
      protein kinase C with lipid-loaded mixed micelles.
AB  - The interaction of protein kinase C with lipids was studied in a mixed micellar
      system. Two fluorescence spectroscopic methods are presented with a different but
      complementary information content. Diffusion monitored by fluorescence
      correlation spectroscopy provides information on the interaction of the protein
      with the whole lipid aggregate. Resonance energy transfer from tryptophans to
      pyrene-labeled lipids monitored by time-correlated single-photon counting
      supplies information on the interaction of the protein with specific lipid
      cofactors within the micelle. The results can be extended to postulate new
      mechanisms for the activation of protein kinase C by the signal transduction
      cascades in the cell. Both fluorescence spectroscopic methods can be easily
      applied to other protein systems which interact with lipids. 

PMID- 24233622
TI  - Errata.

PMID- 24233623
TI  - Gifts, talents, and the dyslexias: Wellsprings, springboards, and finding Foley's
      Rocks.
AB  - This presentation draws together findings from the literature on giftedness, on
      diversity of talents, on definitions and descriptions of intelligence, on the
      role of emotion in learning, and on the markers and manifestations of the
      dyslexias. In many instances, high potential in the three-dimensional realm
      coexists with difficulty in the two-dimensional symbolic or abstract realm. This
      seeming paradox deserves exploration so educators, parents, and other concerned
      adults can recognize and nurture students' talents as well as offer appropriate
      remedial support. 

PMID- 24233625
TI  - Here's to the future.
AB  - In the near future the thoughtful and creative use of technology can, and should,
      greatly improve the quality of the curriculum for dyslexic students. The quality
      of their learning should also be enhanced, provided that educators are fully
      aware of student needs, have advance training, and have sufficient time and
      expertise to select and evaluate appropriate software programs.Computers and
      other multi-media devices must not only be present in the classrooms of the
      future, but should be fully integrated into the regular instructional system to
      meet the individual needs of dyslexic students. There should be prior knowledge
      on the teacher's part of types of software which will lead to curriculum
      congruence and the achieving of goals unreached without the help of
      technology.Technology should not be restricted to one content area or discipline,
      but should be available whenever it can be seen to make learning more profitable
      and more efficient. Both students and teachers must be granted the freedom to use
      technology in ways that will encourage creativity, critical thinking, and easy
      access to information in keeping with intellectual potential. Teacher training
      and involvement are crucial to the successful use of multi-media in the
      remediation of skills and extension of knowledge for dyslexic students. 

PMID- 24233624
TI  - The testosterone hypothesis: Assessment since Geschwind and Behan, 1982.
AB  - The Geschwind hypothesis proposes a causal interaction among non-right
      handedness, immune disorders, and learning disabilities, including dyslexia, via
      the intrauterine action of the male hormone testosterone. Some epidemiologic
      studies have supported at least a statistical association among the three traits;
      others have not. The associations between learning disorders and immune disease
      and between learning disorders and non-righthandedness appear to be better
      supported than that between immune disorders and non-right-handedness. However,
      none of data thus far accumulated are conclusive because it is not clear that the
      samples studied have been truly representative.The neuropathologic evidence, both
      in autopsy studies in human dyslexics and in animal models of developmental
      cortical abnormalities, are consistent with but not diagnostic of immunological
      pathology. Mechanisms are discussed by which an abnormal immune system could thus
      injure the developing brain, with an emphasis placed on abnormal maternal-fetal
      interactions, including maternal autoimmune disease and maternal-fetal
      incompatibility. A genetic origin is also possible in which the maternal role is
      less significant. 

PMID- 24233626
TI  - Whole Language vs. Code Emphasis: Underlying assumptions and their implications
      for reading instruction.
AB  - Promoters of Whole Language hew to the belief that learning to read and write can
      be as natural and effortless as learning to perceive and produce speech. From
      this it follows that there is no special key to reading and writing, no explicit
      principle to be taught that, once learned, makes the written language transparent
      to a child who can speak. Lacking such a principle, Whole Language falls back on
      a method that encourages children to get from print just enough information to
      provide a basis for guessing at the gist. A very different method, called Code
      Emphasis, presupposes that learning the spoken language is, indeed, perfectly
      natural and seemingly effortless, but only because speech is managed, as reading
      and writing are not, by a biological specialization that automatically spells or
      parses all the words the child commands. Hence, a child normally learns to use
      words without ever becoming explicitly aware that each one is formed by the
      consonants and vowels that an alphabet represents. Yet it is exactly this
      awareness that must be taught if the child is to grasp the alphabetic principle
      and so understand how the artifacts of an alphabet transcribe the natural units
      of language. There is evidene that preliterate children do not, in fact, have
      much of this awareness; that the amount they do have predicts their reading
      achievement; that the awareness can be taught; and that the relative difficulty
      of learning it that some childen have may be a reflection of a weakness in the
      phonological component of their natural capacity for language. 

PMID- 24233627
TI  - A success story: A large urban district offers a working model for implementing
      multisensory teaching into the resource and regular classroom.
AB  - A large urban school district contracted with a private nonprofit educational
      foundation to train 126 special education resource teachers in the last three
      years in an Orton-Gillingham-based program. These teachers are currently teaching
      learning-disabled students in groups of 8-10 at the elementary level and 10-13
      students at the secondary level. Learning-disabled students who qualify for
      Special Education, either in reading or spelling, or both, are receiving the
      instruction.The teachers took a Basic Introductory Class (90 hours of Advanced
      Academic Credit offered by the Texas Education Agency, or six hours of graduate
      credit at a local university) in order to teach the program in the resource
      setting. A two year Advanced Training included annual on-site observations, two
      half-day workshops each fall and spring, and a two-day advanced workshop in the
      second summer.First grade teachers, one selected from each of the 164 campuses,
      supervisors, and principals attended a 25-hour course on "Recognizing Dyslexia:
      Using Multisensory Teaching and Discovery Techniques." The first grade teachers
      and special education resource teachers collaborated to provide inservice
      training for their colleagues.Research, conducted by the district's Research
      Department, reveals statistically significant gains in reading and spelling
      ability for the learning-disabled resource students as measured by the Woodcock
      Reading Mastery Test-Revised, and the Test of Written Spelling. 

PMID- 24233628
TI  - Systematic botany: Science to develop language facility.
AB  - Classification is a fundamental skill that impacts on our abilities to read and
      to write text. The structure and sequence inherent in the science of taxonomy can
      be used as the basis for instruction in reading comprehension and in writing. The
      use of concrete, readily manipulated materials enhances vocabulary development by
      allowing the teacher to label objects and processes as the student experiences
      them. There are numerous activities which can be employed to enrich experiential
      learning; these can be directly related to reading and writing exercises.
      Processes learned with simple materials can be generalized to more abstract
      content as the students' proficiency improves. The instructor can control the
      level of difficulty of the class by writing or selecting materials appropriate to
      the skills levels of the students involved. Language facility is developed as
      students progress from the known to the less well known in a series of carefully
      constructed steps. 

PMID- 24233629
TI  - Dyslexia and psychodynamics: A case study of a dyslexic adult.
AB  - The interaction between dyslexia and its secondary emotional problems, especially
      those arising from unproductive defenses, is illustrated in the history and
      successful treatment of an adult dyslexic male. At the start of treatment, the 33
      year-old subject was illiterate, despite an average IQ and a history of many
      previous educational and therapeutic interventions. Psychological problems,
      including low self-esteem, alcohol abuse, temper outbursts, and poor
      relationships with women were seen as largely secondary to the subject's learning
      problem. A review of the treatment, consisting of remediation concurrent with
      psychodynamic psychotherapy, reveals specific ways in which these emotional
      problems hindered educational efforts, as well as ways in which their exploration
      and resolution in psychotherapy helped the remediation. Similarly, ways in which
      the subject's learning problem contributed to the development of his emotional
      problems are discussed. Finally, with reference to the psychoanalytic concept of
      sublimation, the relationship between improvement in the subject's reading skill
      and improvement in his impulse control is described. 

PMID- 24233630
TI  - Extrinsic and intrinsic factors in graduation and academic failure among LD
      college students.
AB  - A group of 110 LD college students were compared to a random stratified sample
      (RSS) of 153 peers attending the same moderately selective college between 1980
      and 1988. The LD students received comprehensive, highly coordinated support
      services for at least one semester. The groups were matched on gender, college
      experience, semester, and year of entry to the college. The LD and RSS groups
      were compared on high school preparation and performance, ACT and college
      performance, and graduation and academic failure rate. Although the LD students'
      high school records, ACT scores, and college performance were inferior to that of
      the RSS group, they graduated at the same rate and within the same time frame.
      Neither was there any significant difference in the academic failure rate. Closer
      examination of the LD graduates and academic failures' performance showed that in
      spite of the similarities in intellectual abilities, academic achievement, and
      aptitude-achievement discrepancy, two factors differentiated between the LD
      graduates and non-graduates: oral language abilities and motivation and attitude
      toward the teaching-learning process. These two factors accounted for 60 percent
      of the variance in graduation status. 

PMID- 24233631
TI  - Spelling errors of normal and disabled students on achievement levels one through
      four: Instructional implications.
AB  - The errors of 72 disabled and 90 normal spellers were compared on the first
      through fourth levels of achievement using a featural system based on
      developmental spelling research. The mean age of the disabled subjects was two to
      three years higher on all levels (the differences were significant) but, of 24
      error features on the four levels, F-tests showed that the groups differed only
      on Front Vowels (/a/, /e/, /i/), particularly the combination of in as in chin,
      with the normal group making more errors. Discriminant function analysis showed
      that the error features which significantly discriminated between the two groups
      at Level 1 were Consonant Digraphs, Affricates, and Front Vowels. On Level 2, the
      dominant variables contributing to the significant discriminant function were
      Front Vowels, consonant doubling and "e-drop" errors, and suffix errors. The
      normal group made more errors on all but the last. There were no significant
      differences on Levels 3 and 4. Discriminant analysis among the four levels for
      the normal group showed that the incidence of lower-level spelling features
      declined steadily as spelling achievement level increased. A similar trend but
      less significant variability was found among the disabled group levels. These
      results suggest that the strict phonetics-based instruction used with the
      disabled group contributes to their relative proficiency on the lower level
      spelling features but that the meaning, orthographic, and derivational
      conventions of more advanced spelling should be emphasized when designing
      instruction at achievement Level 2 and above. 

PMID- 24233632
TI  - Prediction of dyslexia in kindergarten boys.
AB  - This study followed 163 boys from kindergarten through fourth grade. A battery of
      neurospychological and preacademic tests and electrophysiological measures (BEAM)
      were administered in kindergarten, and reading tests at grade 4, in an attempt to
      delineate precursors of dyslexia. Three of the kindergarten tasks (giving sounds
      associated with letters, rapid naming of numbers, and finger localization)
      differentiated dyslexics from normal readers with 98 percent correct
      classification. The tasks primarily involve grapheme-phoneme associations,
      storage and retrieval of phonological information in long-term memory, and verbal
      labeling. Results are interpreted as confirming the role played by phonological
      processing tasks in the prediction of dyslexia. Preliminary BEAM results for
      visual evoked potential topography suggest a significant increment in the
      distribution of this potential in the left parietal and frontal region, and, for
      auditory evoked potential topography, a significant difference between the two
      groups in the right posterior hemisphere. 

PMID- 24233633
TI  - Fine-grained auditory discrimination and performance on tests of receptive
      vocabulary and receptive language.
AB  - This research investigated the relation between children's performance on two
      measures of receptive language and children's auditory discrimination of
      consonant-vowel sounds having frequency and temporal acoustic differences. The
      measures of fine-grained auditory discrimination produced significant multiple
      regression coefficients against both receptive vocabulary (Peabody Picture
      Vocabulary Test-Revised) and receptive language (Token Test for Children) scores.
      Validation analyses conducted by predicting receptive vocabulary and language
      scores for a new sample of children and relating them to the actual scores led to
      significant outcomes. It was concluded that fine-grained auditory discrimination
      is particularly important in the relatively early stages of language learning. 

PMID- 24233634
TI  - An examination of familial resemblance among subgroups of dyslexics.
AB  - The goal of the present study was to ascertain whether developmental dyslexics
      and their affected parents evinced similar patterns of deficits in word
      recognition skills. Forty dyslexic children and both their biological parents
      were administered a battery of experimental measures of phonological and
      orthographic processing. Deficits in component skills were defined in terms of
      deviations from the performance of normal readers matched on reading achievement
      level. Four distinct patterns of deficits were found among both the dyslexics and
      their parents: a subgroup with a specific deficit in processing phonological
      codes; a subgroup with a specific deficit in processing orthographic codes; a
      subgroup with deficits in processing both phonological and orthographic codes;
      and a subgroup of individuals who did not significantly differ from normal
      readers at the same reading level in either processing domain. Although limited
      evidence for familial subgroup concordance was obtained in both the phonological
      and combined phonological subgroups, no concordance was observed among families
      classified into the orthographic or reading-achievement equivalent subgroups. It
      was concluded that all affected family members shared a propensity for a
      phonological deficit, and that some family members share a fundamental problem in
      processing orthographic information as well. 

PMID- 24233635
TI  - The effect of systematic training in elaboration on word meaning and prose
      comprehension in poor readers.
AB  - This paper reports two interrelated, exploratory training studies to promote word
      knowledge and textual comprehension through elaboration in poor readers compared
      with their controls. The results suggest that systematic, sustained in situ
      training helped these poor readers, although both the training approaches and
      stimulus materials would need refinement. 

PMID- 24233637
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24233636
TI  - Gender differences in cognitive abilities of reading-disabled twins.
AB  - Gender differences were assessed in three research-identified samples of children
      who were members of twin pairs: (1) 120 male and 124 female probands from same
      sex identical and fraternal twin pairs in which at least one member of each pair
      is reading disabled; (2) a comparison sample of 148 males and 161 females from
      same-sex twin pairs with no history of reading problems; and (3) 34 pairs of
      opposite-sex fraternal twin pairs in which at least one member of each pair is
      reading disabled. Results of multivariate analyses of variance of psychometric
      test data from the two samples of same-sex twin pairs, in which the male and
      female subjects were reared in different homes, suggest that profiles of gender
      differences are similar in reading-disabled and control children. Moreover, this
      pattern of gender differences also tended to occur in opposite-sex twin pairs,
      who shared prenatal, as well as early postnatal, environmental influences. In
      general, reading-disabled males obtained higher average scores than affected
      females on Wechsler (1974, 1981) Verbal and Performance IQ, but lower scores on
      Reading Recognition and Spelling subtests of the Peabody Individual Achievement
      Test (Dunn and Markwardt 1970). With regard to the Wechsler subtests, reading
      disabled males achieved higher average scores on Information, Picture Completion,
      Block Design, and Object Assembly, but lower scores on Coding. Although
      significant and relatively consistent gender differences in cognitive measures
      were found in three samples included in this study, these differences account for
      only a small portion of the observed variance. 

PMID- 24233640
TI  - Analyzing distances in a frontal plane.
AB  - In an exploration of the process whereby horizontal and vertical components are
      extracted from distances between pairs of points, participants made speeded
      absolute distance judgments-deciding whether horizontal distances between pairs
      of points in a frontal plane exceeded a criterion distance. Judgments reflected
      the horizontal and vertical distances between the points. Three accounts of the
      results were considered. (1) Only the overall distance between two points was
      directly available to judgment processes; the horizontal or vertical distance
      between the points was available only to the extent that the horizontal and
      vertical positions of the points were differentially weighted prior to the
      assessment of overall distance. (2) The perceptual effects of positions on the
      horizontal and vertical dimensions were collapsed onto a composite dimension. (3)
      The decision criterion for the distance judgment considered both the horizontal
      and vertical distances between the points. In support of the overall distance
      account, (1) performance in the distance judgment task was facilitated by
      repetition of the same overall distance from trial to trial, but not by
      repetition of the distance on the composite dimension or by repetition of
      horizontal or vertical distance; (2) differential weighting that the overall
      distance account predicted for the absolute distance judgments was reflected in
      concurrent relative distance judgments pitting horizontal against vertical
      distance, counter to the composite dimension account, which sees the horizontal
      and vertical dimensions as collapsing onto the composite dimension in balanced,
      symmetrical fashion, and counter the decisional account, given that no criterion
      is required for the relative judgment.

PMID- 24233641
TI  - Crossmodal interactions in the perception of expressivity in musical performance.
AB  - In musical performance, bodily gestures play an important role in communicating
      expressive intentions to audiences. Although previous studies have demonstrated
      that visual information can have an effect on the perceived expressivity of
      musical performances, the investigation of audiovisual interactions has been held
      back by the technical difficulties associated with the generation of controlled,
      mismatching stimuli.With the present study, we aimed to address this issue by
      utilizing a novel method in order to generate controlled, balanced stimuli that
      comprised both matching and mismatching bimodal combinations of different
      expressive intentions. The aim of Experiment 1 was to investigate the relative
      contributions of auditory and visual kinematic cues in the perceived expressivity
      of piano performances, and in Experiment 2 we explored possible crossmodal
      interactions in the perception of auditory and visual expressivity. The results
      revealed that although both auditory and visual kinematic cues contribute
      significantly to the perception of overall expressivity, the effect of visual
      kinematic cues appears to be somewhat stronger. These results also provide
      preliminary evidence of crossmodal interactions in the perception of auditory and
      visual expressivity. In certain performance conditions, visual cues had an effect
      on the ratings of auditory expressivity, and auditory cues had a small effect on
      the ratings of visual expressivity.

PMID- 24233638
TI  - Prognostic value of survivin and EGFR protein expression  in triple-negative
      breast cancer (TNBC) patients.
AB  - Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particular type of breast cancer which
      is characterized by its biological aggressiveness, worse prognosis, and lack of
      prognostic markers or therapeutic targets in contrast with hormonal receptor
      positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast
      cancers. We aimed to evaluate survivin and epidermal growth factor receptor
      (EGFR) expression and their prognostic value and determine their relationships
      with the clinicopathological parameters of TNBC. A total of 136 patients who had
      undergone a resection of primary TNBC were enrolled at the Third Affiliated
      Hospital of Harbin Medical University from March 2003 to September 2005.
      Expression of ER, PR, HER2, EGFR, and survivin was assessed by
      immunohistochemistry. The association of TNBC and other clinicopathological
      variables and the prognostic value of survivin and EGFR expression were
      evaluated. Survivin was expressed in 62 (45.6 %) cases and EGFR was expressed in
      82 (60.3 %) cases. Survivin expression was associated with menopausal status (P =
      0.011), tumor size (P = 0.037), and lymph node status (P = 0.001). EGFR
      expression was associated with menopausal status (P = 0.029), lymph node status
      (P = 0.004), P53 expression (P = 0.001), Ki-67 expression (P = 0.028), and
      lymphatic vascular invasion (P = 0.037). A multivariate analysis demonstrated
      that tumor size (hazard ratio (HR) 1.587, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.081
      2.330, P = 0.018 for disease-free survival (DFS); HR 1.606, 95%CI 1.096-2.354, P
      = 0.015 for overall survival (OS)), lymph node status (HR 2.873, 95%CI 1.544
      5.344, P = 0.001 for DFS; HR 2.915, 95%CI 1.553-5.471, P = 0.001 for OS), tumor
      grade (HR 1.914, 95%CI 1.218-3.007, P = 0.005 for DFS; HR 1.983, 95%CI 1.228
      3.203, P = 0.005 for OS), EGFR (HR 3.008, 95%CI 1.331-6.792, P = 0.008 for DFS;
      HR 3.151, 95%CI 1.374-7.226, P = 0.007 for OS), and survivin (HR 1.573, 95%CI
      1.087-2.277, P = 0.016 for DFS; HR 1.607, 95%CI 1.088-2.374, P = 0.017 for OS)
      were of prognostic significance for disease-free and overall survival. We draw a
      conclusion from the present study that survivin and EGFR expression are useful
      prognostic markers of TNBC and might be useful for molecular targeting therapy of
      TNBC treatment.

PMID- 24233642
TI  - Auditing the precision and accuracy of environmental impact predictions in
      Australia.
AB  - Our understanding of natural ecosystems can be measured by our ability to predict
      their responses to external disturbances. Predictions made during environmental
      impact assessment (EIA) for major development projects are hypotheses about such
      responses, which can be tested with data collected in environmental monitoring
      programmes. The systematic comparison of predicted and actual impacts has been
      termed environmental impact audit. Ecosystem disturbances associated with major
      resource developments, though of lesser magnitude than those associated with
      natural cataclysms, are generally of far greater magnitude than those which can
      be applied experimentally. Environmental audit can hence provide critical tests
      of theory in a number of natural sciences. It is also needed to improve the
      scientific content of EIA. Audits of 4 and 29 EISs respectively have been carried
      out previously in the UK and USA, but this is the first national scale audit for
      any country. It is also the first attempt to select, from the many vague
      statements in EISs, only those predictions that are scientifically testable, and
      to determine and analyse their quantitative accuracies. Its principal results are
      as follows. The average accuracy of quantified, critical, testable predictions in
      environmental impact statements in Australia to date is 44%+/-5% s.e. Predictions
      where actual impacts proved more than expected were on average significantly
      (p<0.05) less accurate (33%+/-9%) than those where they proved as or less severe
      (53%+/-6%). 

PMID- 24233643
TI  - Analyzing censored environmental data using survival analysis: Single sample
      techniques.
AB  - The occurrence of censored data due to less than detectable measurements is a
      common problem with environmental data. The methods of survival analysis,
      although designed primarily for right censored data and time measured variables,
      can be adapted to apply censored environmental data. These methods have several
      theoretical and practical advantages over many existing techniques for dealing
      with less than detectable measurements. 

PMID- 24233644
TI  - Assessment and prediction of the impacts of the Ok Tedi copper mine on fish
      catches in the Fly River system, Papua New Guinea.
AB  - The Ok Tedi copper mine discharges overburden and ore residues into the Ok Tedi,
      a tributary of the Fly River. These discharges result in elevated suspended
      solids and dissolved and particulate associated copper. Analyses of covariance
      were performed to establish statistical model of the relationships between the
      mine discharges and fish catches between 1983 and 1988. These models were then
      extrapolated to predict the affects of future mine discharges on fish catches.
      The models predicted that if the observed effects were caused by particulate
      associated copper, the period of greatest impact will be between 1989 and 1993,
      following which catches should be close to 1988 levels for the remainder of mine
      life. Some additional catches not included in the data set used to derive the
      models were found to fit the model predictions well. As the predicted period of
      greatest impact is short and most species reproduce away from the river channel,
      the ability of the fish communities to undergo partial recovery after 1991 should
      be maintained. 

PMID- 24233645
TI  - Temporal variability of the elemental composition in urban street dust.
AB  - Urban Street dust is recognized as a source of urban air and runoff degradation.
      This paper takes a preliminary step toward a better understanding of temporal
      variability in street dust chemistry and of the controlling mechanisms. Street
      dust samples, collected over four seasons in the city of Hamilton, Canada, show a
      variability dependent on element and source-anthropogenic sources exhibiting the
      greatest temporal variability. In addition, elements attributed to common sources
      exhibit similar temporal patterns. The use of 'generic' or even one-time samples
      may seriously misrepresent the elemental make-up of urban street dust. Based on
      the samples collected in this study, a number of questions/insights are posed to
      further the study of street dust temporal variability. 

PMID- 24233647
TI  - Impact studies, cost-benefit analysis and casinos.
AB  - The simplest forms of impact analysis treat a prospective casino facility as an
      entirely new source of demand in a region, while completely ignoring the
      character of supply responses. Such approaches cannot be used to estimate the net
      benefits of a casino. On the demand side they fail to consider the displacement
      of other local goods and services, while on the supply side they ignore the fact
      that most workers have real opportunity costs in the form of alternative
      employments either inside or outside the region. While various studies have
      attempted to address the displacement issue, virtually none have looked seriously
      at the opportunity cost of labor. Evidence suggests that such costs are large. An
      estimate presented here for Chicago sets these costs at 45% of casino and related
      labor income. 

PMID- 24233648
TI  - Prevalence of pathological gambling and associated problems in individuals who
      visit non-gambling video arcades.
AB  - The objective of the present study was to investigate the gambling behavior of
      individuals who frequent non-gambling video games arcades. One hundred and twenty
      two subjects (mean age of 19.2 years (SD=5.5); males constituted 82.8%) who spend
      time in arcades completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen and the Jacob's Health
      Survey. The results showed that 10.7% were identified as probable pathological
      gamblers and 14.8% were problem gamblers. The frequency of visits to arcades for
      non-gambling activities appeared to be correlated with the extent to which
      individuals gamble, and is furthermore associated with pathological gambling. The
      rate of pathological gamblers who frequent arcades is more than twice as high as
      the rates reported in other studies with adolescents and adults. 

PMID- 24233649
TI  - The phenomenology of 'bad beats': Some clinical observations.

PMID- 24233650
TI  - The Last Resort revisited: A comment on changes in America.

PMID- 24233652
TI  - Editors' note.

PMID- 24233653
TI  - Denitrification and removal of heavy metals from waste water by immobilized
      microorganisms.
AB  - Pseudomonas fluorescens, immobilized on soft polyvinyl chloride granules
      containing up to 35% softeners as carbon source, was used for simultaneous
      removal of nitrate and heavy metals. In typical continuous column operation, a
      100 mg/L nitrate input solution was reduced to a 20 mg/L output at a feeding rate
      of 1500 mL/h, with a capacity of 14 kg/day/m(3), and with an efficiency of 79%.
      In the same column, Pb(NO3)2 concentration was reduced from 1.0 to 0.05-0.1 mg/L
      and ZnSO4 concentration was reduced from 10 to 5 mg/L.Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      immobilized on an O2 plasma-treated melt blown polypropylene web was used for
      removing 95% of a 1.7 nCi PuCl4 activity from a nuclear plant waste water in a
      batch operation. 

PMID- 24233651
TI  - Nucleotide sequence diversity in Velvet tobacco mottle virus: a virus with a
      unique Australian pathosystem.
AB  - Velvet tobacco mottle virus (VTMoV) is a naturally occurring mirid-transmitted
      sobemovirus of native velvet tobacco (Nicotiana velutina) plants in the
      Australian arid zone. We have sequenced the coding region of a typical field
      isolate of VTMoV (isolate I-17-04, satellite-plus) and show that it differed by
      nine polymorphisms from the previously sequenced atypical 'satellite-minus'
      variant VTMoV-K1 (represented here as L-K1-04), while retaining the same genomic
      and amino acid sequence motifs. We also report that although L-K1-04 was
      confirmed to be free of detectable satellite RNA by gel electrophoretic assay,
      the satellite sequence was detected in it by RT-PCR assay. Nucleotide sequence
      variation among the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase open reading frames of 15 field
      and laboratory isolates identified four phylogenetic groups, but these did not
      show a pattern related to site or time of sampling. This result would be
      consistent with nucleotide sequence variants of VTMoV being dispersed widely by
      migrating adult mirid vectors.

PMID- 24233654
TI  - The analysis of serum urate utilizing immobilized uricase.
AB  - The evaluation of a method for the estimation of serum urate using immobilized
      uricase is described, the resultant hydrogen peroxide produced being measured by
      the oxidative coupling of 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzenesulfonate and 4
      aminophenazone in the presence of peroxidase.A continuous-flow analysis system
      incorporating the uricase tube was established, and the results obtained were
      correlated with an automated phosphotungstate method and with a manual uricase
      method employing an LKB 8600 Rate Reaction Analyser. The effect of ascorbic acid
      on the analysis of serum urate and the elimination of this interference by the
      use of ascorbate oxidase was also investigated.The precision, correlation, and
      high specificity obtained show that this is a satisfactory method for use in
      routine clinical laboratory works. 

PMID- 24233655
TI  - Determination of intrinsic properties of immobilized enzymes : 1. Kinetic studies
      on sepharose-staphylococcal nuclease in the absence of diffusional limitations.
AB  - Staphylococcal nuclease has been insolubilized, directly through its amino
      groups, on CNBr-activated Sepharose 2B. For kinetic studies, a small substrate
      (thymidine 5'-(p-nitrophenyl phosphate) 3'-phosphate) has been used to measure
      the hydrolytic activity. With this system the absence of diffusional limitation
      has been proven. Eadie-Hofstee analysis of the data has been employed to
      determine the intrinsic kinetic constants of the insolubilized enzyme. Thek cat
      pH andK M-pH profiles and the activation energies are similar for the soluble and
      for the insolubilized nuclease. At the same time conditions are established in
      which a stirred batch reactor containing particles of insolubilized nuclease
      behaves as an open system. 

PMID- 24233656
TI  - Determination of intrinsic properties of immobilized enzymes : 2. Kinetic studies
      on sepharose-staphylococcal nuclease in the presence of diffusional limitations.
AB  - Using a small substrate (thymidine 5'-(p-nitrophenyl phosphate) 3'-phosphate),
      the kinetics of staphylococcal nuclease insolubilized on CNBr-activated
      Sepharoses 4B and 6B are affected by internal diffusional limitations. Since we
      demonstrate that we are working under conditions in which external mass-transfer
      resistances do not influence the reaction rate, we propose a simple theoretical
      model that considers only the case of mixed enzymic reaction-internal diffusion
      kinetics. In the Eadie-Hofstee plots we find very good agreement between theory
      and experiment. The model accounts very well for the results obtained by changing
      support texture, reaction conditions, and/or enzyme concentration in the
      insoluble derivatives, variables that modify the diffusional restrictions of the
      system. 

PMID- 24233657
TI  - Recent advances in homogeneous and separation-free enzyme immunoassays.

PMID- 24233659
TI  - Utilization and impact of repeat biopsy for follicular lesion/atypia of
      undetermined significance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC)
      created a new diagnostic category,follicular lesion/atypia of undetermined
      significance(FLUS/AUS). The recommended management of FLUS/AUS lesions is repeat
      biopsy to re-classify the lesion and guide therapy. Prior surgical studies
      suggest a higher than expected malignancy rate for FLUS/AUS. The present study
      evaluates a large institutional experience with all FLUS/AUS lesions analyzing
      use and impact of repeat biopsy. METHODS: A total of 322 patients with FLUS/AUS
      cytology have been retrospectively identified since adoption of the BSRTC (2/2009
      6/2012). Patient demographics, the results of clinical follow-up, repeat biopsy,
      or surgical pathology results were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 322 patients, 16
      had concurrent cytology of higher acuity and were excluded. For the remaining 306
      patients, 101 (33 %) underwent repeat biopsy, yielding 49 (48.5 %) with FLUS/AUS,
      43 (42.5 %)with benign cytology, and 9 (9 %) with higher acuity cytology. Among
      the 205 patients without repeat biopsy,117 (57 %) chose thyroidectomy, and 88 (43
      %) are being observed. Overall, 170/306 (55.6 %) patients underwent surgery to
      remove the index lesion, yielding a malignancy rate of 16.5 %. In contrast, the
      malignancy rate for the entire cohort was 28/306 (9 %). CONCLUSIONS: Repeat
      biopsy was underutilized in FLUS/AUS cases. Repeat biopsy allows a significant
      proportion of FLUS/AUS patients without other indications for surgery to move to
      surveillance. In patients who have indications for thyroidectomy regardless of
      FLUS/AUS results,repeat biopsy does not appear necessary. Malignancy and
      thyroidectomy rates were similar among patients who did or did not have a repeat
      biopsy. Further data must be obtained to determine the long-term outcomes for
      surveillance of FLUS/AUS lesions in patients who do not undergo surgical removal.

PMID- 24233658
TI  - Prospective study to compare peri-operative hemodynamic alterations following
      preparation for pheochromocytoma surgery by phenoxybenzamine or prazosin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prospective studies comparing the efficacy of selective versus
      nonselective alpha blockers for preoperative preparation of pheochromocytoma
      (PCC) are lacking. In this prospective nonrandomized study, we compared the
      outcome of preoperative preparation with phenoxybenzamine (PBZ) and prazosin
      (PRZ) in terms of perioperative hemodynamic alterations. METHODS: The study was
      conducted at a tertiary referral center from July 2010 to December 2012. Thirty
      two patients with PCC underwent operation after adequate preparation with PBZ (n
      = 15) or PRZ (n = 17). Five pediatric and adolescent patients were excluded
      because of different hemodynamics in this population. Perioperative monitoring
      was done for pulse rate (PR) and blood pressure(BP) alterations, occurrence of
      arrhythmias, and time taken to achieve hemodynamic stability. Groups were
      compared with the Mann-Whitney test, Student's t test, and the chi2 test as
      applicable. RESULTS: Patients in the two groups were similar in age,gender, 24 h
      urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine levels, and type of procedure. Patients
      prepared with PRZ had significantly more intraoperative episodes of transient
      hypertension (systolic BP >= 160 mmHg) and hypertensive urgency (BP >180/110
      mmHg) (p 0.02, 0.03, respectively). More patients receiving PRZ suffered from
      transient severe hypertension (SBP >= 220 mmHg) (p 0.03). The PRZ group also had
      more median maximum SBP (233 mmHg vs PBZ 181.5 mmHg) (p = 0.01) and lesser median
      minimum SBP (71 mmHg vs PBZ 78 mmHg) (p 0.03). No significant differences were
      found between the study groups for changes in PR, postoperative BP
      alterations,occurrence of arrhythmias, and time taken to achieve hemodynamic
      stability. CONCLUSIONS: PBZ was found superior to PRZ in having fewer
      intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations.

PMID- 24233660
TI  - Indication for liver transplantation in young patients with small intestinal NETs
      is rare?
AB  - BACKGROUND: A majority of patients with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors
      (SI-NETs) present with or develop liver metastases (LM). A number of treatments
      for LM are used clinically, including liver transplantation (LTx). Indications
      for LTx are under debate; young age(<65 years), absence of extrahepatic disease,
      resected primary tumor and limited extent of LM have been suggested as inclusion
      criteria for LTx with the aim to optimize outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From
      our series of 672 patients with SI-NET treated at the University Hospital in
      Uppsala between 1985 and 2012, we identified 78 patients according to the
      following criteria: <65 years of age, locoregional surgery (LRS) of the primary
      tumor and mesenteric metastases successfully performed, LM present but no
      extrahepatic disease. Baseline was chosen as the first date the following points
      were met: First visit to our center,LRS performed, LM present. The patients
      underwent treatment according to the standard clinical protocols at our center,
      and during this time period we did not perform or refer any SI-NET patients for
      LTx. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed in three different groups
      based on hypothetical criteria for LTx. RESULTS: Five-year overall survival rates
      for patients <65 years (n = 78) and <55 years (n = 36) of age were 84 +/- 8 and
      92 +/- 9 %, respectively. For patients fulfilling the Milan criteria (n = 33) the
      5-year survival was 97 +/- 6 %. CONCLUSIONS: Most young patients (<65 years) with
      SINET and LM have a favorable survival with standardized multimodality treatment.
      Indeed, most survival figures reported after LTx of NET do not surpass these
      figures.

PMID- 24233662
TI  - Association between serum thyrotropin concentration and growth of asymptomatic
      papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thyrotropin (TSH) is a known thyroid growth factor. Several studies
      have suggested its potential role in carcinogenesis and the progression of
      differentiated thyroid carcinoma. We have been conducting a prospective trial of
      nonsurgical observation for asymptomatic papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PMC)
      since 1995. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum TSH
      concentrations can be used to predict PMC growth. METHODS: This study examined
      415 asymptomatic PMCs.Three hundred twenty-two patients decided to undergo
      nonsurgical observation by ultrasonography and were followed for >= 2 years.
      RESULTS: After a mean of 6.5 years of observation (range 2-22 years), 25 lesions
      (6 %) had increased in size, 377(91 %) showed no change and 13 (3 %) had
      decreased in size. Both baseline TSH and mean TSH during follow-up for PMC that
      increased in size did not differ significantly from those lesions that were
      unchanged or decreased in size. Increases in size were seen in 0 of 18 (0 %), 15
      of 260(6 %), 10 of 126 (8 %), and 0 of 11 (0 %) for PMCs with baseline TSH <0.50,
      0.50-1.99, 2.00-3.99, and >= 4.00 mIU/L, respectively. A logistic regression
      model analyzing the association between baseline TSH and outcome showed an odds
      ratio of 1.01 (95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.66-1.29). No significant
      correlations were apparent between mean TSH during follow-up and change in PMC
      volume (r = 0.019, p = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: No significant association between TSH
      and tumor progression was verified during the nonsurgical observation trial for
      PMC. TSH is not a good predictor of PMC growth.

PMID- 24233664
TI  - A simulation model for the effect of predation on bacteria in continuous culture.
AB  - A simulation model was developed for the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus
      (P) content of bacteria and their medium in a chemostat. Cell components
      distinguished included the structural component, synthetic machinery, building
      blocks and intermediates, C reserves, ammonium (NH4), orthophosphate (PO4), and
      polyphosphate. Growth, incorporation of substrates, and production of waste
      products were related to physiological status, as indicated by the amounts of
      various cell components. The model was fitted to data from chemostats on the
      chemical composition of bacteria growing in C-, N-, and P-limiting media and was
      used to explore the consequences of predation on bacterial populations. In C
      limiting media predation (without the return of nutrients to the medium by the
      predator) increased NH4 uptake in spite of a decrease in bacterial biomass. In N
      limiting media predation decreased both biomass and the rate of N uptake. These
      results were accounted for by the effect of growth rate on bacterial N demand. In
      C-limiting media the return of NH4 and PO4 by the predator did not change the
      effect of predation on bacteria. But in N-limiting media the return of nutrients
      decreased the effect of predation on biomass, and stimulated respiration and NH4
      uptake by the bacteria. The effect of growth rate on the chemical composition of
      bacteria was proposed as a possible explanation of the stimulatory effect of
      predators on bacteria. 

PMID- 24233665
TI  - Simultaneous measurement of phosphorus and carbon uptake in Lake Kinneret by
      multiple isotopic labeling and differential filtration.
AB  - Differential filtration and multiple isotopic labeling were combined to study the
      uptake of [(14)C]bicarbonate, [(14)C]glucose, and [(32)P]orthophosphate by
      microplakton in Lake Kinneret, Israel. Short-term (4 hr) uptake experiments
      showed seasonal changes in the size distributions of organisms taking up
      inorganic carbon, glucose carbon, and orthophosphate in the lake water. In a time
      course experiment of 48 hr (Jan 1976) most, but not all, of the photosynthetic
      activity (average 72%) and a similar fraction of chlorophyll (72%) were
      associated with organisms retained on 3-MUm Nuclepore filters (retention on 0.4
      MUm filters was 100%). About 90% of the organisms that assimilated glucose passed
      through 3-MUm filters. Photosynthetic carbon fixation, dark carbon uptake, and
      heterotrophic uptake of glucose carbon accounted for 99%, 1%, and 1%,
      respectively, of the total net carbon assimilated during the first 6 hours.
      Radioactive phosphorus showed an initial rapid uptake into particles, which was
      not affected by light or dark. We suggest that this methodology has a wide
      potential for elucidating the flux of nutrients into various components of the
      microplankton and in characterizing different aquatic environments. 

PMID- 24233663
TI  - Transdisciplinary approach to restore pancreatic islet function.
AB  - The focus of our research is on islet immunobiology. We are exploring novel
      strategies that could be of assistance in the treatment and prevention of type 1
      diabetes, as well as in the restoration of metabolic control via transplantation
      of insulin producing cells (i.e., islet cells). The multiple facets of diabetes
      and beta-cell replacement encompass different complementary disciplines, such as
      immunology, cell biology, pharmacology, and bioengineering, among others. Through
      their interaction and integration, a transdisciplinary dimension is needed in
      order to address and overcome all aspects of the complex puzzle toward a
      successful clinical translation of a biological cure for diabetes.

PMID- 24233666
TI  - Isolation and characterization of a high molecular weight antibiotic produced by
      a marine bacterium.
AB  - Many marine bacteria demonstrate antibiotic activity against organisms of
      terrestrial origin. Low molecular weight antibiotics have been extracted and, in
      some cases, purified, but few attempts have been made to isolate high molecular
      weight antibiotics produced by marine bacteria. In the study reported here, a
      high molecular weight antibiotic was extracted from whole cells ofAlteromonas
      strain P18 (NCMB 1890) grown on 2216E medium. Purification included ammonium
      sulfate precipitation, ultracentrifugation, chromatography on DEAE cellulose, and
      gel filtration on Ultrogel. A rapid method for measuring specific activity of the
      antibiotic was developed. 

PMID- 24233667
TI  - Aerobic carboxydobacteria.
AB  - Bacterial consumption of CO, a major atmospheric pollutant, has been described in
      the literature long ago, but often with controversial data. Attempts were made,
      therefore, to isolate and study a broader spectrum of aerobic CO bacteria in
      order to better understand their ecology.About 100 samples from various locations
      in the USSR (water, mud, junkyard, or garden, soil etc.) were inoculated into
      mineral medium and incubated under 80% CO and 20% O2. Such enrichments yielded a
      large number of strains representing 5-6 different bacterial species. The highest
      number of CO utilizers came from fresh samples of polluted, moist soil or mud.
      Some mixed cultures were composed of vitamin-dependent bacteria living together
      in a state of protocooperation. Seven strains (previously already partially
      described) were studied in greater detail. They are regarded as
      "carboxydobacteria." Six carboxydobacteria also utilized hydrogen, but none of
      the 7 cultures grew with methane or formate. The optimal concentration of, and
      sensitivity to, CO varied with the strains. Reducedvs. oxidized spectra revealed
      in all cultures the presence ofb-, c-, anda-type cytochromes, indicating a
      functioning electron transport chain when grown under CO. Isotope experiments
      with(14)C indicated that CO was assimilated only after oxidation to CO2, the
      pathway being the normal Calvin cycle reaction sequence as observed in other
      chemolithotrophs. The key enzymes of this sequence were shown to be present and
      active.Organotrophic growth of carboxydobacteria was obtained with a number of
      compounds such as organic acids, primary alcohols, carbohydrates, and amino
      acids. A description of properties of the 7 test strains is given. Their
      ecological niche(s) seem to be where facultatively anaerobic bacteria produce
      organic intermediates as well as H2 and CO. Pellicle formation indicates their
      presence on the water surface (neuston layer). Relationships with hydrogen
      oxidizing bacteria are discussed and explained on ecological grounds. 

PMID- 24233668
TI  - The photobioluminometer, an instrument for the study of ecological factors
      affecting photosynthesis.
AB  - An instrument for measurement of bioluminescence and photosynthesis is described.
      It may be used to detect chemicals toxic to luminous bacteria or to measure
      photosynthetic oxygen production of algae in mixed culture with bacteria. The
      latter technique has been used to study the effect on algal photosynthesis of
      environmental factors such as light quality, temperature, and salinity, and to
      study the factors affecting chlorophyll synthesis. The technique is ideal for
      rapid detection of photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides and other toxic
      substances in water. 

PMID- 24233669
TI  - Effects of paraquat on selected microbial activities in soil.
AB  - Paraquat, applied as Gramoxone, to a nonamended sandy loam soil at five times the
      suggested field application rate (10 lb/A ~ 115MUg/cm(2)) increased the numbers
      of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi during a 14-day incubation at 25 degrees C.
      This increase was attributed to the use of compounds in the Gramoxone formulation
      rather than the use of paraquat. Treatment at one and five times the normal rate
      reduced CO2 evolution by 44% and 67%, respectively, in soil amended with 2%
      glucose during a 12-day incubation. Similar treatments reduced CO2 evolution in
      1% straw-amended soil by 39% and 58%, respectively, during a 28-day incubation.
      Cellulose decomposition of cotton duck containing 13 and 176MUg of paraquat per
      milligram of material was inhibited for 15 and 28 days, respectively, in soil
      containing a large population of cellulolytic microorganisms. A concentration of
      5000MUg/gm of paraquat was necessary to inhibit nitrification in soil by 44%
      druing a 28-day incubation at 20 degrees C. Paraquat inhibited C2H2 reduction in
      artificial aggregates of soil amended with 2% glucose and incubated anaerobically
      at 25 degrees C. Nitrogenase activity in aggregates was inhibited by 43% and 52%
      at concentrations of 580 and 720MUg/gm of paraquat respectively. The inhibitory
      effects of the herbicide were reduced when soil was amended with organic matter
      in the form of peat or straw. The availability of paraquat controlled the
      toxicity of the herbicide to soil microorganisms. 

PMID- 24233670
TI  - Use of membrane filters for the enumeration of autotrophic thiobacilli.
AB  - A new membrane filter technique for field use was developed for the enumeration
      of either aerobic or anaerobic, autotrophic, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in waters
      and soils. Immediately after collection, samples were filtered through sulfur
      coated filters and incubated in selective media. Acidification or gas evolution
      was used as a growth indicator of aerobic and anaerobic thiobacilli,
      respectively, and related to the initial number of cells deposited on the filter.

PMID- 24233671
TI  - Potential aversive compounds in leafy spurge for ruminants and rats.
AB  - Several wild and domestic ruminant species and horses apparently will not consume
      leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) while grazing range and pasture lands. It has been
      demonstrated that leafy spurge can elicit conditioned food aversions in cattle
      and sheep, and the aversion-eliciting capacity of leafy spurge may account for
      why cattle seldom graze this nutritious plant and why sheep may not readily
      consume it at some locations. The identity of the aversive compound(s) in leafy
      spurge is unknown, but several different diterpenoid ingenol esters have been
      isolated from its tissues, and we suspect that one or more ingenol esters may be
      aversion-eliciting compounds in leafy spurge. The objectives of this study were
      to determine whether or not leafy spurge is aversive to laboratory rats and if a
      crude acetone extract of leafy spurge, presumably containing ingenol esters and
      other phytochemicals, could generate an aversive response in sheep and laboratory
      rats. An additional objective was to determine whether or not a particular
      ingenol monobenzoate, which may be similar to ingenol esters in leafy spurge,
      might also elicit an aversive response from rats. Rats exhibited food aversions
      associated with leafy spurge (P < 0.05). An acetone extract of leafy spurge
      induced conditioned food aversions in both sheep and rats (P < 0.01). The ingenol
      3-monobenzoate also induced conditioned food aversions in rats (P < 0.01). Our
      interpretation of these data is that rats can be used as a model for cattle and
      sheep with respect to their aversion to leafy spurge ingestion. Additionally, we
      suggest that one or more ingenol esters may be aversion-inducing agents in leafy
      spurge. However, others may exist in leafy spurge that are also aversive or are
      the only or prime aversive chemicals. 

PMID- 24233672
TI  - Volatile ketones from interdigital glands of black-tailed deer,Odocileus hemionus
      columbianus.
AB  - Three volatile ketones, 2-tridecanone, (E)-3-tridecen-2-one and (E)-4-tridecen-2
      one were identified in interdigital gland extracts from black-tailed
      deer,Odocoileus hemionus columbianus. The major compound, (E)-3-tridecen-2-one,
      inhibited the growth of several species of fungi and grampositive bacteria. The
      bacterium,Propionibacterium acnes, and the fungus,Trichophyton mentagrophytes
      required a minimum concentration (MIC) of 12.5 ug/ml and 25 ug/ml, respectively,
      for inhibition, (E)-3-Tridecen-2-one represents a new class of lipid antibiotics
      found on animal skin. The second major compound is this secretion, 2-tridecanone,
      was not active against any of the organisms tested. 

PMID- 24233673
TI  - Identification of an attractant for the caneborerSesamia grisescens walker
      (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - The composition of the sex pheromone ofSesamia grisescens was investigated using
      gas chromatography, electroantennograms, and field trapping. (Z)-11-Hexadecenyl
      acetate and (Z)-11-hexadecenol were identified in field tests as the major
      attractants. Trapping trials identified a 3:2 blend of these compounds as the
      most effective bait. Gas chromatography indicated the presence of hexadecyl
      acetate. (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-hexadecenol, and (E)-11-hexadecenyl
      acetate in the pheromone gland, but these compounds had no significant effect on
      trap catches when added to the major components. Traps baited with the major
      components in a 1:1 ratio caught more male moths than traps baited with virgin
      females. 

PMID- 24233674
TI  - Variation among and within mountain birch trees in foliage phenols,
      carbohydrates, and amino acids, and in growth ofEpirrita autumnata larvae.
AB  - Leaf quality of the mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp.tortuosa) for herbivores
      was studied at several hierarchical levels: among trees, among ramets within
      trees, among branches within ramets, and among short shoots within branches. The
      experimental units at each level were chosen randomly. The indices of leaf
      quality were the growth rate of the larvae of a geometrid,Epirrita autumnata, and
      certain biochemical traits of the leaves (total phenolics and individual phenolic
      compounds, total carbohydrates and individual sugars, free and protein-bound
      amino acids). We also discuss relationships between larval growth rate and
      biochemical foliage traits. Larval growth rates during two successive years
      correlated positively at the level of tree, the ramet, and the branch, indicating
      that the relationships in leaf quality remained constant between seasons both
      among and within trees. The distribution of variation at different hierarchical
      levels depended on the trait in question. In the case of larval growth rate,
      ramets and short shoots accounted for most of the explained variation. In the
      case of biochemical compounds, trees accounted for most of the variance in the
      content of total phenolics and individual low-molecular-weight phenolics. In the
      content of carbohydrates (total carbohydrates, starch, fructose, glucose, and
      sucrose) and amino acids, variation among branches was generally larger than
      variation among trees. Variation among ramets was low for most compounds. No
      single leaf trait played a paramount role in larval growth. Secondary compounds,
      represented by phenolic compounds, or primary metabolites, particularly sugars,
      may both be important in determining the suitability of birch leaves for larvae.
      If phenols are causally more important, genet-specific analyses of foliage
      chemistry are needed. If sugars are of primary importance, within-genet sampling
      and analysis of foliage chemistry are necessary. 

PMID- 24233675
TI  - Herbivore avoidance of digitalis extracts is not mediated by cardiac glycosides.
AB  - This study was conducted to determine whether avoidance of digitalis (Digitalis
      purpurea) by mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) is induced by toxic cardiac
      glycosides. High-performance liquid chromatography and behavioral assays were
      used to relate animal responses with the presence of common cardiac glycosides in
      several digitalis extracts. Statistical analyses of multiple-choice tests showed
      no correlation between cardiac glycoside content and mountain beaver avoidance of
      apple cubes treated with digitalis extracts. Therefore, we concluded that known
      toxic cardiac glycosides were not responsible for chemosensory cues that
      inhibited intake of food treated with digitalis extracts. These results suggest
      that digitalis is a source of an effective nontoxic herbivore repellent. 

PMID- 24233676
TI  - Volatile compounds induced by herbivory act as aggregation kairomones for the
      Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman).
AB  - The Japanese beetle is a polyphagous insect that typically aggregates on
      preferred host plants in the field. We studied the response of Japanese beetles
      to artificial damage, fresh feeding damage, and overnight feeding damage to test
      the hypothesis that beetles are attracted to feeding-induced volatiles. Crabapple
      leaves that had been damaged overnight by Japanese beetles or fall webworms
      attracted significantly more Japanese beetles than did undamaged leaves.
      Artificially damaged leaves or leaves freshly damaged by Japanese beetles,
      however, were not significantly more attractive than undamaged leaves. Leaves
      that had been damaged overnight by Japanese beetles or fall webworms produced a
      complex mixture of aliphatic compounds, phenylpropanoid-derived compounds, and
      terpenoids. In comparison, artificially damaged leaves or leaves with fresh
      Japanese beetle feeding damage generated a less complex blend of volatiles,
      mainly consisting of green-leaf odors. Feeding-induced odors may facilitate host
      location and/or mate finding by the Japanese beetle. 

PMID- 24233677
TI  - Early warning in the predation sequence: A disturbance pheromone in Iowa darters
      (Etheostoma exile).
AB  - The probability of prey avoiding a predator's attack should increase if the
      predator's presence is detected at an early stage in the predation sequence. In
      this study, we tested whether threatened Iowa darters (Etheostoma exile) release
      disturbance pheromones that warn conspecifics of the presence of predation
      threat. Pairs of aquaria were visually isolated from one another, but connected
      chemically by water circulating between them. Darters in one aquarium were
      observed before and after darters in the other aquarium were chased with a model
      predator. In control tests, the model was moved in the same manner but there were
      no darters in the upstream tank. Darters receiving water from threatened fish
      increased vigilance behavior and decreased movement. Vigilant fish raised their
      head above the substratum, propping themselves up on their pectoral fins and/or
      arching their neck dorsally, pointing the snout upward. Exposure to water from
      disturbed darters suppressed exploratory behavior and resulted in movement by
      short rapid hops that ended abruptly in a rigid, alert posture. This study
      suggests that Iowa darters release a disturbance pheromone that can provide
      conspecifics with an early warning of predation risk. 

PMID- 24233678
TI  - Rates of urine excretion by house mouse (Mus domesticus): Differences by age,
      sex, social status, and reproductive condition.
AB  - A series of five experiments was used to test hypotheses about factors affecting
      excreted urine output per day in male and female house mice (Mus domesticus).
      Urine was collected in metabolism cages over a 24-hr period. Male house mice
      excrete urine at a rate 1.5-2.0 times that of females. Daily average urine output
      increases with age for both sexes and for mice of the same age; urine output per
      day is correlated with body mass. Females in estrus produce more urine than
      females in diestrus. Urine output per day increases during the latter two thirds
      of pregnancy and remains high throughout lactation. Density does not influence
      urine output per day for either sex over the range of densities tested.
      Castration reduces urine output per day in male mice, but ovariectomy in females
      does not alter rates of urine production. Dominant males produce more urine than
      subordinate males, but there are no similar effects for female mice. The findings
      have potential implications for our understanding of the functional and
      ecological uses of urine by house mice. 

PMID- 24233679
TI  - Substrate specificity of acetyltransferase and reductase enzyme systems used in
      pheromone biosynthesis by Asian corn borer,Ostrinia furnacalis.
AB  - The substrate specificity of the acetyltransferase and the reductase enzyme
      systems used byOstrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in pheromone
      biosynthesis was studied in vivo by topical application of precursors to
      pheromone glands. Each of the tetradecenols, varying in double bond position
      (from 7 to 13) and geometry of the double bond, was converted to the
      corresponding acetate by the acetyltransferase. The similarity in the conversion
      rates of all tested fatty alcohols indicated that the acetyltransferase has a low
      substrate specificity. Most of the corresponding tetradecenoic acids could also
      be converted to the respective acetates. However, very different conversion rates
      among the tested fatty acids demonstrated that the reductase system has a higher
      substrate specificity than the acetyltransferase. The conversion rates of mostE
      isomers were higher than those of the correspondingZ isomers, except for the
      (Delta)-11-tetradecenoic acids, in which much moreZ isomer was converted to the
      product. Saturated tetradecanoic acid was converted to the corresponding acetate
      at a high rate; the shorter homolog, tridecanoic acid, was converted at a lower
      rate (56%), and conversion to the respective acetates of the longer homolog,
      pentadecanoic and hexadecanoic acids, was insignificant (<5%). The results from
      the present study showed that specificity of pheromone production is to a large
      extent controlled by the pheromone gland reductase system. 

PMID- 24233680
TI  - Foliar oxidative stress and insect herbivory: Primary compounds, secondary
      metabolites, and reactive oxygen species as components of induced resistance.
AB  - Oxidative responses of plants to pathogens and other environmental stresses have
      received considerable recent attention. We propose that an oxidative response
      also occurs following attack by herbivores. Our data strongly indicate a shift in
      the oxidative status of soybean following herbivory by the insectHelicoverpa zea.
      Herbivory caused significant increases in lipid peroxidation and .OH radical
      formation. The activity of several oxidative enzymes including lipoxygenases,
      peroxidase, diamine oxidase, ascorbate oxidase, and NADH oxidase I increased
      after herbivory on soybean. The enhanced production of phenolic compounds is
      indicated by an increase in the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase in
      wounded tissues. On the other hand, the level of soybean foliar antioxidants such
      as ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, nonprotein thiols, and catalase decreased
      significantly following herbivory. These results implicate primary compounds
      (e.g., ascorbic acid, proteins), secondary metabolites (e.g., phenolics), and
      reactive oxygen species (e.g., hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide) as multiple
      components of induced resistance. The oxidative changes in the host plant
      correspond with increased oxidative damage in the midgut of insects feeding on
      previously wounded plants. Decreases in nonprotein thiols and reduced ascorbic
      acid occurred in midgut epithelial tissue from insects feeding on wounded plants
      compared to the insects on control plants. In contrast, midgut hydroperoxides and
      dehydroascorbic acid concentrations were greater in insects on wounded plants
      compared to their counterparts on control plants. We conclude that oxidative
      responses in soybean may have both positive and negative effects upon the host
      plant: a decrease in herbivory and an increase in oxidative damage to the plant.
      The salient benefit to the plant, in terms of insect resistance, is the relative
      balance between these opposing effects. 

PMID- 24233681
TI  - A flavonoid glucoside, phellamurin, regulates differential oviposition on a
      rutaceous plant,Phellodendron amurense, by two sympatric swallowtail
      butterflies,Papilio protenor andP. xuthus: The front line of a coevolutionary
      arms race?
AB  - We studied the chemical basis for the differential acceptance of a rutaceous
      plant.Phellodendron amurense, by ovipositing females of two sympatricPapilio
      butterflies,P. protenor andP. xuthus, that have a very similar host range.P.
      amurense, on which larvae of both species perform well, was rejected byP.
      protenor females but was marginally accepted byP. xuthus, even though water
      soluble fraction of this plant elicited significant ovipositional responses from
      the two species. A prenylated dihydroflavonol glucoside, 3,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxy-8
      (3-methylbut-2-enyl)flavanone-7-O-beta-glucoside (phellamurin), was identified as
      a dominant active substance that deters oviposition.P. protenor responded highly
      sensitively to phellamurin, whereasP. xuthus was less susceptible and was
      affected conspicuously only at higher concentrations than that found in living
      plants, thereby accounting for their differential responses toP. amurense. InP.
      protenor, the deterrent effect of phellamurin was considered to outweigh the
      activity of coexisting stimulant(s) at the concentrations actually present in the
      foliage, resulting in avoidance of this plant. The phellamurin content in the
      foliage amounted to as much as 1.8% of the fresh weight, which is far higher than
      the average levels of flavonoids present in other major host plants ofPapilio.
      The dose-response experiments demonstrated that unacceptability ofP. amurense
      forP. protenor was attributable largely to such a high concentration of
      phellamurin. These results appear to provide information on possible
      coevolutionary interactions between herbivores and plants and also on the
      potential for shifts in host affiliation. 

PMID- 24233682
TI  - A neolignoid feeding deterrent againstLuehdorfia puziloi larvae (lepidoptera:
      Papilionidae) fromHeterotropa aspera, a host plant of sibling species,L.
      japonica.
AB  - A feeding deterrent against larvae of a papilionid butterfly,Luehdorfia puziloi
      (Parnassiinae), a specialist onAsiasarum plants (Aristolochiaceae), was isolated
      from another aristolochiaceous plant,Heterotropa aspera. Antifeedant activity was
      exhibited by then-hexane-soluble fraction that proved to contain at least two
      active components. One of the deterrents was identified as a neolignan compound,
      asatone. The concentration of asatone inH. aspera was estimated at approximately
      225 ppm, and larval feeding ofL. puziloi was significantly deterred at
      concentrations over 90 ppm. By contrast, asatone was not detectable (< 1 ppm, if
      any) in its host plant,Asiasarum sieboldii. 

PMID- 24233683
TI  - Aggregation pheromone of coconut rhinoceros beetle,Oryctes rhinoceros (L.)
      (coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).
AB  - Male coconut rhinoceros beetles,Oryctes rhinoceros (L.), produce three sex
      specific compounds, ethyl 4-methyloctanoate, ethyl 4-methylheptanoate, and 4
      methyloctanoic acid, the first of which is an aggregation pheromone. Synthesis of
      these compounds involving conjugate addition of organocuprates to ethyl acrylate
      is reported. In field trapping experiments, (4S)-ethyl 4-methyloctanoate and the
      racemic mixture were equally attractive and 10 times more effective in attracting
      beetles than ethyl chrysanthemumate, a previously recommended attractant. Ethyl 4
      methylheptanoate was as attractive as ethyl chrysanthemumate and more attractive
      than 4-methyloctanoic acid, but further studies are required before it can be
      classed as an aggregation pheromone. Compared to ethyl 4-methyloctanoate alone,
      combinations of the three male-produced compounds did not increase attraction,
      whereas addition of freshly rotting oil palm fruit bunches to pheromone-baited
      traps significantly enhanced attraction. With increasing dose, captures ofO.
      rhinoceros increased, but doses of 6, 9, and 18 mg/day were competitive with 30
      mg/day lures. Newly designed vane traps were more effective in capturing beetles
      than were barrier or pitfall traps. Results of this study indicate that there is
      potential for using ethyl 4-methyloctanoate in operational programs to controlO.
      rhinoceros in oil palm plantations. 

PMID- 24233684
TI  - An evaluation of repellents to suppress browsing by possums.
AB  - The efficacy in feeding suppression trials with possums (Trichosorus vulpecula
      Kerr) of six synthetic odorous chemicals uniquely associated with various of the
      Mustelidae species and of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) has been evaluated with
      respect to several proprietary repellents. The predator odors, two proprietary
      repellents, and two other repellent formulations (olive oil in petroleum jelly
      and a synthetic fermented egg odor cocktail) were applied as 5% w/v solutions in
      paraffin to the foliage ofPinus radiata seedlings and the extent of browse
      compared with that on seedlings treated with Treepel, an effective egg-based
      repellent already available commercially. All four of the mustelid predator odors
      [(?)-2-n-propylthietane, (?)-3-n-propyl-1,2-dithiolane, 2,2-dimethylthietane, and
      3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dithiolane] and the volatile compound from fox urine (Delta(3)
      isopentenyl methyl sulfide) were shown to be more or at least equally effective
      compared to Treepel. This was true also of one commercial repellent Gori, which
      contained bitrex and the synthetic fermented egg formulation. The most effective
      compounds will be evaluated when administered with adhesives and surfactants in
      the further development of possum repellents with longer field lives. 

PMID- 24233685
TI  - Structure-related insect antifeedant and growth regulating activities of some
      limonoids.
AB  - Insect antifeedant and growth-regulating activities of 22 limonoids (both natural
      and their derivatives) againstSpodoptera litura were studied to understand the
      structure-related bioactivities of the limonoids. The C-seco limonoids
      (azadirachtins A, B, D, H, and I) were the most effective compounds as a group,
      while the intact limonoids (cedrelone and its derivatives) were the least
      effective. The cyclohexenone A ring and thealpha-hydroxy enone group in the B
      ring appear to be important for antifeedant activity. The presence of a
      cyclohexenone or 1,2-epoxide in the A ring coupled with analpha-hydroxy enone in
      the B ring correlated well with growth regulatory activity. An acetoxy at C-7
      instead ofalpha-hydroxy enone and perhaps the carbonyl at C-16 increase growth
      regulatory activity. Absence of 14-15 epoxide may not drastically reduce
      antifeedant activity and growth regulatory activity. 

PMID- 24233686
TI  - Chemical and experiential basis for rejection ofTropaeolum majus byPieris rapae
      larvae.
AB  - Rejection of nasturtium,Tropaeolum majus, by cabbage-reared larvae ofPieris rapae
      has been explained by the presence of feeding deterrents in the nastrutium
      foliage. Sensitivity to the deterrents develops as neonate larvae feed on
      cabbage. The most prominent deterrent compound, which is present in nasturtium at
      a concentration of 40 mg/100 g fresh leaves, was identified as chlorogenic acid.
      When neonate larvae were fed on a cabbage leaf treated with high concentrations
      of deterrent-containing extracts of nasturtium foliage, they remained insensitive
      to the deterrents, so they accepted nasturtium when transferred as second
      instars. When neonate larvae were reared on a cabbage leaf treated with 0.1 mg
      chlorogenic acid, ca. 35% of the second instars accepted nasturtium. Similar
      dietary exposure of neonates to the subunits of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid
      and quinic, acid resulted in much less or no effect on the rejection behavior of
      second instars. The results suggest that the combined effects of specific
      chemical constituents of nasturtium can explain the rejection of this plant by
      larvae ofP. rapae, but if larvae are continuously exposed to these compounds
      immediately after hatching, they apparently become habituated to the feeding
      deterrents. The lack of activity of the subunits of chlorogenic acid suggests
      that specific structural features are necessary for a dietary constituent to
      cause such habituation or suppression of sensitivity development. 

PMID- 24233687
TI  - Structure, chirality, and field testing of a male-produced aggregation pheromone
      of Asian palm weevilRhynchophorus bilineatus (Montr.) (Coleoptera:
      Curculionidae).
AB  - 4-Methyl-5-nonanol is a male-produced aggregation pheromone of the Asian palm
      weevil,Rhynchophorus bilineatus (Montr.). The pheromone was identified by coupled
      gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and coupled GC-mass
      spectrometric (MS) analyses of male-and female-produced volatiles. Analyses by GC
      EAD and GC-MS of weevil-produced and stereoselectively synthesized isomers of 4
      methyl-5-nonanol on a Cyclodex B column, which separated isomers with baseline
      resolution, revealed that only (4S,5S)-4-methyl-5-nonanol is EAD active and
      produced by the males. In field experiments in Papua New Guinea, (4S,5S)-4-methyl
      5-nonanol and a racemic mixture of disatereoisomers of it enhanced attraction of
      male and female weevils to sugarcane-baited traps. (4S,5S)-4-Methyl-5-nonanol is
      also an aggregation pheromone of two other Asian palm weevils.R. ferrugineus
      (Oliv.) andR. vulneratus (Panz.). The stereoisomeric mixture of 4-methyl-5
      nonanol is currently used to manage populations ofR. bilineatus in Papua New
      Guinea. 

PMID- 24233688
TI  - Plant phylodiversity enhances soil microbial productivity in facilitation-driven
      communities.
AB  - The classical relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning can be
      better understood when the phylogenetic component of biodiversity is considered.
      We linked plant phylodiversity and ecosystem functioning in a water-limited
      gypsum ecosystem driven by plant facilitation. We tested whether (1) plant
      facilitation relaxes the abiotic filter imposed by gypsum, allowing the
      establishment of non-gypsophyte plant species, and consequently increasing plant
      phylodiversity, and (2) plant phylodiversity influences soil microbial
      productivity. Our data revealed that the gypsophyte Ononis tridentata spatially
      determines a macrophytic mosaic, ameliorates the microenvironment, and maximizes
      plant richness and phylodiversity through facilitating non-gypsophyte species.
      Beyond the direct effect of the nurse plant on soil microbial biomass, activity,
      and respiration, the analyses suggest a direct effect of plant phylodiversity
      (MPD) on these general indicators of soil microbial productivity. Plant diversity
      (Shannon index) neither correlated with the mentioned parameters nor with
      specific indicators of C, N and P cycling. This is the first report of a
      relationship between producer phylodiversity and decomposer productivity, which
      supports phylogenetic diversity as a relevant player of the ecosystem
      functioning.

PMID- 24233689
TI  - Synchronizing feather-based measures of corticosterone and carotenoid-dependent
      signals: what relationships do we expect?
AB  - Carotenoids produce many of the red, orange and yellow signal traits of birds,
      and individuals must trade off utilizing carotenoids for physiological processes
      versus ornamentation. Proximate mechanisms regulating this trade-off are poorly
      understood, despite their importance for expression of color signals.
      Corticosterone (CORT) may play a significant mechanistic role in signal
      expression because it mobilizes energy substrates and influences foraging
      behavior. We used a unique feather-based approach to test whether CORT mediates
      expression of carotenoid-based coloration. First, we investigated relationships
      between levels of CORT from feathers (CORT(f)) and carotenoid-based plumage
      signals in common redpolls (Acanthis flammea). Then, we determined how the width
      of growth bars and probability of having fault bars on feathers varied with
      CORT(f), specifically whether these metrics reflected developmental costs of
      elevated CORT ("stress" hypothesis) or represented an individual's quality
      ("quality" hypothesis). CORT(f) correlated positively with the strength of
      carotenoid signals, but only in adult males. However, also in adult males,
      CORT(f) was positively related to width of feather growth bars and negatively
      with probability of having fault bars, providing support for the quality
      hypothesis. Overall, CORT(f) was lower in adult males than in females or young
      males, possibly due to dominance patterns. Our results indicate that CORT may
      indirectly benefit feather quality, potentially by mediating the expression of
      carotenoid signals. We place our sex-specific findings into a novel framework
      that proposes that the influences of CORT in mediating carotenoid-based plumage
      traits will depend on the extent to which carotenoids are traded off between
      competing functions.

PMID- 24233690
TI  - Changes in base composition bias of nuclear and mitochondrial genes in lice
      (Insecta: Psocodea).
AB  - While it is well known that changes in the general processes of molecular
      evolution have occurred on a variety of timescales, the mechanisms underlying
      these changes are less well understood. Parasitic lice ("Phthiraptera") and their
      close relatives (infraorder Nanopsocetae of the insect order Psocodea) are a
      group of insects well known for their unusual features of molecular evolution. We
      examined changes in base composition across parasitic lice and bark lice. We
      identified substantial differences in percent GC content between the clade
      comprising parasitic lice plus closely related bark lice (=Nanopsocetae) versus
      all other bark lice. These changes occurred for both nuclear and mitochondrial
      protein coding and ribosomal RNA genes, often in the same direction. To evaluate
      whether correlations in base composition change also occurred within lineages, we
      used phylogenetically controlled comparisons, and in this case few significant
      correlations were identified. Examining more constrained sites (first/second
      codon positions and rRNA) revealed that, in comparison to the other bark lice,
      the GC content of parasitic lice and close relatives tended towards 50 % either
      up from less than 50 % GC or down from greater than 50 % GC. In contrast, less
      constrained sites (third codon positions) in both nuclear and mitochondrial genes
      showed less of a consistent change of base composition in parasitic lice and very
      close relatives. We conclude that relaxed selection on this group of insects is a
      potential explanation of the change in base composition for both mitochondrial
      and nuclear genes, which could lead to nucleotide frequencies closer to random
      expectation (i.e., 50 % GC) in the absence of any mutation bias. Evidence
      suggests this relaxed selection arose once in the non-parasitic common ancestor
      of Phthiraptera + Nanopsocetae and is not directly related to the evolution of
      the parasitism in lice.

PMID- 24233691
TI  - Risk factor of visuospatial neglect: a study of association between visuospatial
      neglect and anemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between visuospatial neglect and anemia
      in patients with right cerebral infarction, as well as to identify the risk
      factor of neglect and furnish preliminary data on rehabilitation management.
      METHODS: The line bisection test and Albert test were conducted on subjects with
      right cerebral infarction in order to analyze neglect severity. Multiple linear
      regression analysis was conducted to investigate correlation between neglect
      severity and hemoglobin and hematocrit level. Logistic regression analysis was
      applied to identify the risk factor of neglect. RESULTS: Visuospatial neglect was
      observed in 33 subjects out of 124. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were not directly
      correlated with visuospatial neglect severity, whereas infarct size was directly
      correlated. Subjects with visuospatial neglect were characterized by a large
      infarct size, a low score in the Mini-Mental State Examination and long hospital
      stay. CONCLUSION: In this study, visuospatial neglect was found to be
      uncorrelated with anemia. It implies that emphasis should be placed on the early
      detection of anemia and neglect in patients with left hemiplegia, the formulation
      of respective therapeutic plans and improvement of prognosis. The study found
      that the possibility of a visuospatial neglect occurrence increases with infarct
      size. In this regard, it is required that visuospatial neglect was detected and
      treated in the earliest possible stage, notwithstanding the difficulty that lies
      in the precise measurement of the severity.

PMID- 24233692
TI  - Time to deal with antibiotics.

PMID- 24233697
TI  - Ancient DNA. Old dogs teach a new lesson about canine origins.

PMID- 24233698
TI  - Infectious diseases. Goal of ending AIDS gains traction.

PMID- 24233699
TI  - Particle physics. Hint of dark matter may be just cosmic ray debris.

PMID- 24233700
TI  - Genomics. Initiative aims to minister to Mexico's unique genetic heritage.

PMID- 24233701
TI  - Biomedicine. A putative antiaging drug takes a step from mice to men.

PMID- 24233702
TI  - The man who bottled evolution.

PMID- 24233703
TI  - Turning up the light.

PMID- 24233704
TI  - Biomedical research: strength from diversity.

PMID- 24233705
TI  - Pest control: embrace marketing.

PMID- 24233706
TI  - Pest control: biopesticides' potential.

PMID- 24233707
TI  - Pest control: risks of biochemical pesticides.

PMID- 24233709
TI  - Conservation. Protected areas and effective biodiversity conservation.

PMID- 24233710
TI  - Environmental science. What does zero deforestation mean?

PMID- 24233711
TI  - Climate change. Out of the African Humid Period.

PMID- 24233712
TI  - Cancer. Potential of the synthetic lethality principle.

PMID- 24233713
TI  - Chemistry. A nickel finish protects silicon photoanodes for water splitting.

PMID- 24233714
TI  - Evolution. Transposons up the dosage.

PMID- 24233715
TI  - Genetics. Can cancer drugs treat immunodeficiency?

PMID- 24233716
TI  - Ecology. Understanding lakes near and far.

PMID- 24233718
TI  - Room-temperature quantum bit storage exceeding 39 minutes using ionized donors in
      silicon-28.
AB  - Quantum memories capable of storing and retrieving coherent information for
      extended times at room temperature would enable a host of new technologies.
      Electron and nuclear spin qubits using shallow neutral donors in semiconductors
      have been studied extensively but are limited to low temperatures (?10 kelvin);
      however, the nuclear spins of ionized donors have the potential for high
      temperature operation. We used optical methods and dynamical decoupling to
      realize this potential for an ensemble of phosphorous-31 donors in isotopically
      purified silicon-28 and observed a room-temperature coherence time of over 39
      minutes. We further showed that a coherent spin superposition can be cycled from
      4.2 kelvin to room temperature and back, and we report a cryogenic coherence time
      of 3 hours in the same system. 

PMID- 24233720
TI  - Enantioselective Lewis acid catalysis of intramolecular enone [2+2]
      photocycloaddition reactions.
AB  - Asymmetric catalysis of photochemical cycloadditions has been limited by the
      challenge of suppressing the unselective background reaction. Here, we report
      that the high cross-section pipi* transition of 5,6-dihydro-4-pyridones, a
      versatile class of enone substrates, undergoes a >50 nanometer (nm) bathochromic
      absorption shift upon Lewis acid coordination. Based on this observation,
      enantioselective intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions (82 to 90%
      enantiomeric excess) were achieved with these substrates using 0.5 equivalents of
      a chiral Lewis acid upon irradiation at a wavelength of 366 nm. One of the
      products was applied as a key intermediate in the total synthesis of (+)-lupinine
      and the formal synthesis of (+)-thermopsine. Several enones show similar
      bathochromic shifts in the presence of a Lewis acid, indicating that chiral Lewis
      acid catalysis may be a general approach toward enantioselective enone [2+2]
      photocycloadditions. 

PMID- 24233719
TI  - High-performance silicon photoanodes passivated with ultrathin nickel films for
      water oxidation.
AB  - Silicon's sensitivity to corrosion has hindered its use in photoanode
      applications. We found that deposition of a ~2-nanometer nickel film on n-type
      silicon (n-Si) with its native oxide affords a high-performance metal-insulator
      semiconductor photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation in both
      aqueous potassium hydroxide (KOH, pH = 14) and aqueous borate buffer (pH = 9.5)
      solutions. The Ni film acted as a surface protection layer against corrosion and
      as a nonprecious metal electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution. In 1 M aqueous KOH,
      the Ni/n-Si photoanodes exhibited high PEC activity with a low onset potential
      (~1.07 volts versus reversible hydrogen electrode), high photocurrent density,
      and durability. The electrode showed no sign of decay after ~80 hours of
      continuous PEC water oxidation in a mixed lithium borate-potassium borate
      electrolyte. The high photovoltage was attributed to a high built-in potential in
      a metal-insulator-semiconductor-like device with an ultrathin, incomplete
      screening Ni/NiO(x) layer from the electrolyte.

PMID- 24233721
TI  - Dosage compensation via transposable element mediated rewiring of a regulatory
      network.
AB  - Transposable elements (TEs) may contribute to evolutionary innovations through
      the rewiring of networks by supplying ready-to-use cis regulatory elements. Genes
      on the Drosophila X chromosome are coordinately regulated by the male specific
      lethal (MSL) complex to achieve dosage compensation in males. We show that the
      acquisition of dozens of MSL binding sites on evolutionarily new X chromosomes
      was facilitated by the independent co-option of a mutant helitron TE that
      attracts the MSL complex (TE domestication). The recently formed neo-X recruits
      helitrons that provide dozens of functional, but suboptimal, MSL binding sites,
      whereas the older XR chromosome has ceased acquisition and appears to have fine
      tuned the binding affinities of more ancient elements for the MSL complex. Thus,
      TE-mediated rewiring of regulatory networks through domestication and
      amplification may be followed by fine-tuning of the cis-regulatory element
      supplied by the TE and erosion of nonfunctional regions. 

PMID- 24233722
TI  - High-resolution global maps of 21st-century forest cover change.
AB  - Quantification of global forest change has been lacking despite the recognized
      importance of forest ecosystem services. In this study, Earth observation
      satellite data were used to map global forest loss (2.3 million square
      kilometers) and gain (0.8 million square kilometers) from 2000 to 2012 at a
      spatial resolution of 30 meters. The tropics were the only climate domain to
      exhibit a trend, with forest loss increasing by 2101 square kilometers per year.
      Brazil's well-documented reduction in deforestation was offset by increasing
      forest loss in Indonesia, Malaysia, Paraguay, Bolivia, Zambia, Angola, and
      elsewhere. Intensive forestry practiced within subtropical forests resulted in
      the highest rates of forest change globally. Boreal forest loss due largely to
      fire and forestry was second to that in the tropics in absolute and proportional
      terms. These results depict a globally consistent and locally relevant record of
      forest change. 

PMID- 24233717
TI  - Iron(IV)hydroxide pK(a) and the role of thiolate ligation in C-H bond activation
      by cytochrome P450.
AB  - Cytochrome P450 enzymes activate oxygen at heme iron centers to oxidize
      relatively inert substrate carbon-hydrogen bonds. Cysteine thiolate coordination
      to iron is posited to increase the pK(a) (where K(a) is the acid dissociation
      constant) of compound II, an iron(IV)hydroxide complex, correspondingly lowering
      the one-electron reduction potential of compound I, the active catalytic
      intermediate, and decreasing the driving force for deleterious auto-oxidation of
      tyrosine and tryptophan residues in the enzyme's framework. Here, we report on
      the preparation of an iron(IV)hydroxide complex in a P450 enzyme (CYP158) in
      >=90% yield. Using rapid mixing technologies in conjunction with Mossbauer,
      ultraviolet/visible, and x-ray absorption spectroscopies, we determine a pK(a)
      value for this compound of 11.9. Marcus theory analysis indicates that this
      elevated pK(a) results in a >10,000-fold reduction in the rate constant for
      oxidations of the protein framework, making these processes noncompetitive with
      substrate oxidation.

PMID- 24233723
TI  - Changes in cytoplasmic volume are sufficient to drive spindle scaling.
AB  - The mitotic spindle must function in cell types that vary greatly in size, and
      its dimensions scale with the rapid, reductive cell divisions that accompany
      early stages of development. The mechanism responsible for this scaling is
      unclear, because uncoupling cell size from a developmental or cellular context
      has proven experimentally challenging. We combined microfluidic technology with
      Xenopus egg extracts to characterize spindle assembly within discrete,
      geometrically defined volumes of cytoplasm. Reductions in cytoplasmic volume,
      rather than developmental cues or changes in cell shape, were sufficient to
      recapitulate spindle scaling observed in Xenopus embryos. Thus, mechanisms
      extrinsic to the spindle, specifically a limiting pool of cytoplasmic
      component(s), play a major role in determining spindle size. 

PMID- 24233724
TI  - Cytoplasmic volume modulates spindle size during embryogenesis.
AB  - Rapid and reductive cell divisions during embryogenesis require that
      intracellular structures adapt to a wide range of cell sizes. The mitotic spindle
      presents a central example of this flexibility, scaling with the dimensions of
      the cell to mediate accurate chromosome segregation. To determine whether spindle
      size regulation is achieved through a developmental program or is intrinsically
      specified by cell size or shape, we developed a system to encapsulate cytoplasm
      from Xenopus eggs and embryos inside cell-like compartments of defined sizes.
      Spindle size was observed to shrink with decreasing compartment size, similar to
      what occurs during early embryogenesis, and this scaling trend depended on
      compartment volume rather than shape. Thus, the amount of cytoplasmic material
      provides a mechanism for regulating the size of intracellular structures. 

PMID- 24233725
TI  - Staphylococcus aureus degrades neutrophil extracellular traps to promote immune
      cell death.
AB  - Bacterial invasion of host tissues triggers polymorphonuclear leukocytes to
      release DNA [neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)], thereby immobilizing
      microbes for subsequent clearance by innate defenses including macrophage
      phagocytosis. We report here that Staphylococcus aureus escapes these defenses by
      converting NETs to deoxyadenosine, which triggers the caspase-3-mediated death of
      immune cells. Conversion of NETs to deoxyadenosine requires two enzymes, nuclease
      and adenosine synthase, that are secreted by S. aureus and are necessary for the
      exclusion of macrophages from staphylococcal abscesses. Thus, the pathogenesis of
      S. aureus infections has evolved to anticipate host defenses and to repurpose
      them for the destruction of the immune system. 

PMID- 24233726
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genomes of ancient canids suggest a European origin of
      domestic dogs.
AB  - The geographic and temporal origins of the domestic dog remain controversial, as
      genetic data suggest a domestication process in East Asia beginning 15,000 years
      ago, whereas the oldest doglike fossils are found in Europe and Siberia and date
      to >30,000 years ago. We analyzed the mitochondrial genomes of 18 prehistoric
      canids from Eurasia and the New World, along with a comprehensive panel of modern
      dogs and wolves. The mitochondrial genomes of all modern dogs are
      phylogenetically most closely related to either ancient or modern canids of
      Europe. Molecular dating suggests an onset of domestication there 18,800 to
      32,100 years ago. These findings imply that domestic dogs are the culmination of
      a process that initiated with European hunter-gatherers and the canids with whom
      they interacted. 

PMID- 24233727
TI  - The consequence of tree pests and diseases for ecosystem services.
AB  - Trees and forests provide a wide variety of ecosystem services in addition to
      timber, food, and other provisioning services. New approaches to pest and disease
      management are needed that take into account these multiple services and the
      different stakeholders they benefit, as well as the likelihood of greater threats
      in the future resulting from globalization and climate change. These
      considerations will affect priorities for both basic and applied research and how
      trade and phytosanitary regulations are formulated. 

PMID- 24233728
TI  - The cytoskeleton of Cobaea seed hairs: : Patterning during cell-wall
      differentiation.
AB  - The cell wall of Cobaea scandens seed hairs developed in a characteristic
      sequence, with the deposition of a cellulose thread onto a pectic swelling layer
      was the final event. The cellulose thread was intracellularly accompanied by a
      band of 10-18 microtubules. During the formation of the swelling layer the
      microtubules were homogeneously distributed; they ran circumferentially normal to
      the cell axis. When cellulose-thread formation started, the microtubules became
      arranged in a helical band. The density of the microtubules varied during the
      different phases of development. The highest density was observed before
      cellulosethread formation and ranged from 6-15 MUm.MUm(-2). The length of the
      microtubules, 20-30 MUm, was determined by direct measurements, as well as
      estimated from the total microtubular length in a given area and the counted free
      ends. With the indirect immunofluorescence technique the microtubules of the band
      stained inhomogeneously. Those which were located at the edges of the band
      fluoresced more intensely than those of the central part. Attempts to visualize
      actin filaments in the hair cells with rhodaminyl-conjugated phalloidin resulted
      in a homogeneous staining of the area of the microtubular band, indicating that
      actin filaments may be present in this region. Though, in thin sections and dry
      cleaved cells, filamentous structures were observed between the microtubules,
      caution is expressed that the observed fluorescence was, indeed, due to actin
      filaments. The role of the filamentous structures is discussed with respect to
      formation and maintenance of the microtubular band. Microtubules apparently did
      not cross coated pits which were visualized in the plasma membrane through the
      dry-cleaving technique. 

PMID- 24233729
TI  - Pollen wall formation in Lilium: The effect of chaotropic agents, and the
      organisation of the microtubular cytoskeleton during pattern development.
AB  - Using a combination of electron-microscopic and immunocytochemical techniques the
      behaviour of the microtubular cytoskeleton has been followed throughout
      microsporogenesis in Lilium henryi Thunb. Cells treated with colchicine at
      specific stages and then permitted to develop to near maturity were used to
      investigate any participation by microtubules in the regulation of pollen wall
      patterning. The microtubular cytoskeleton assumes four principal forms during the
      meiotic process; in pre-meiosis it resembles that characteristic of meristematic
      somatic cells, during meiotic prophase it becomes associated with a nuclear
      envelope and, perhaps, with the chromosomes and, as the nuclear and cell
      divisions commence, it takes the form of a normal spindle apparatus. In the young
      microspores, microtubules assume a radial organisation extending from sites at
      the nuclear envelope to the inner face of the plasma membrane. No firm evidence
      was found linking any one of these forms of cytoskeleton with the generation of
      patterning on the cell surface. Experiments with colchicine revealed that the
      drug would readily dislocate the colpus, but did not affect the general
      reticulate patterning. The radial cytoskeleton was present during the deposition
      of the early primexine, but evidence from these and other studies (J.M. Sheldon
      and H.G. Dickinson 1983, J. Cell. Sci. 63, 191-208; H.G. Dickinson and J.M.
      Sheldon, 1984, Planta 161, 86-90) indicates patterning to be imprinted upon the
      plasma membrane prior to the appearance of this type of cytoskeleton. These
      results are discussed in terms of a recent model proposed to explain pattern
      generation on the surface of Lilium pollen grains, based on the "self-assembly"
      of patterning determinants within the plasma membrane. 

PMID- 24233730
TI  - Characteristic symptoms of photosynthesis inhibition by herbicides are expressed
      in photomixotrophic tissue cultures of Nicotiana.
AB  - A photomixotrophic tissue culture system for Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and N.
      tabacum has been developed in which a primary symptom (bleching) of the
      inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport by herbicides can be observed.
      Photomixotrophic cultures were initiated and maintained in the light on medium
      containing 0.2-0.3% sucrose or glucose (low-sugar medium) as sole source of
      respirable carbohydrate. The usual medium for growing heterotrophic cultures
      contains 2-3% sucrose or glucose (high-sugar medium). Callus grown on low-sugar
      medium achieved a fresh weight three to four times greater in the light than in
      the dark and reached about half that of callus grown on high-sugar medium. Carbon
      dioxide fixation rates were an order of magnitude higher in cultures grown on low
      sugar medium in the light than in those grown on high-sugar medium or in any of
      the dark-grown cultures. The lightdependent growth and CO2-fixation rates of
      cultures grown on low-sugar medium indicated that a major proportion of the
      weight increase resulted from photosynthesis. Under these photomixotrophic
      conditions it was found that a number of photosystem-II herbicides, at
      concentrations which inhibit photosynthetic electron transport, also inhibited
      the light-dependent component of callus growth, and caused bleaching. These
      effects could not be demonstrated on high-sugar medium. 

PMID- 24233731
TI  - Transplantation of isolated nuclei into plant protoplasts : A novel technique for
      introducing foreign DNA into plant cells.
AB  - The uptake of isolated nuclei from Vicia hajastana Grossh. cells into protoplasts
      of an auxotrophic cell line of Datura innoxia P. Mill. was induced under the
      influence of polyethylene glycol and Ca(2+) at pH 6.8. The frequency of nuclear
      uptake varied from 0.8 to 2.3% and that of the recovery of prototrophic clones
      from 10(-5) to 6.10(-4). The prototrophic nuclear fusion products following
      nuclear uptake could be rescued by initial culture of the protoplasts in non
      selective conditions and by the subsequent use of feeder cell layers to support
      the growth of surviving colonies on a selective medium. The presence of Vicia
      genomic DNA in some prototrophic clones was confirmed by dot-blot hybridization
      using Datura and Vicia DNA probes. In certain transformed clones, the recovery of
      prototrophy was accompanied by the restoration of morphogenetic potential.
      Welldeveloped shoots typical of wild-type Datura could be regenerated employing
      an appropriate regeneration medium. 

PMID- 24233732
TI  - Graphical evaluation and partitioning of turgor responses to drought in leaves of
      durum wheat.
AB  - The relationship between relative water content (R) and turgor potential (Psip)
      may be derived from pressure-volume (PV) curves and analyzed in various ways.
      Fifty PV curves were measured with the pressure chamber on leaves of durum wheat
      (Triticum durum L.). The plots of Psip versus R were highly variable and could
      not be adequately described by a single mathematical function. The area below the
      curve was therefore determined by means of an area meter. This procedure gave the
      integral of turgor from full saturation to the turgor-loss point. Responses to
      drought treatment could thus be quantified and partitioned into effects of
      osmotic adjustment and elastic adjustment. These two adjustment responses, which
      are probably of different metabolic origin, together improve turgor maintenance
      in durum wheat considerably. 

PMID- 24233733
TI  - Morphogenetic factors controlling differentiation and dedifferentiation of
      epidermal cells in the gynoecium of Catharanthus roseus : II. Diffusible
      morphogens.
AB  - During postgenital fusion of the distal adaxial surfaces of the two originally
      separate carpel primordia of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, approx. 400
      epidermal cells undergo rapid dedifferentiation into parenchymatous cells. To
      characterize the mechanism of the induction of dedifferentiation, various types
      of both water-permeable and water-impermeable barriers were placed between pre
      fusion carpels. Barriers which did not allow the passage of water-soluble agents
      blocked dedifferentiation. Barriers which allowed passage of water-soluble agents
      did not block dedifferentiation of the contacting epidermal cells, implicating a
      diffusible agent or "morphogen" as the factor responsible for dedifferentiation.
      Experiments with barriers of known pore size demonstrated that the molecular
      weight of this morphogen was less than 1000. The two cell walls and thin cuticle
      present at the site of this postgenital fusion do not block the movement of some
      substances between the fusing carpels. Tracer studies with tritium-labeled
      asparagine confirmed that substances can be transported across the fusion plane. 

PMID- 24233734
TI  - Salt treatment induces frost hardiness in leaves and isolated thylakoids from
      spinach.
AB  - Frost hardiness of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves was increased by high
      concentrations of NaCl in the hydroponic culture medium. Freezing damage was
      determined by measurement of slow chlorophyll fluorescence quenching after
      freezing of leaves. Both the osmolality of the leaf sap and forst hardiness of
      the leaves were linearly correlated with the salt concentration in the hydroponic
      culture medium. Freezing damage occurred, irrespective of the extent of frost
      hardening, when dehydration of cells during extracellular ice formation decreased
      cellular volume to approximately 14% of the volume of unfrozen cells. The
      resistance of isolated, washed thylakoids against mechanical and chemical damage
      by freezing was investigated. Chemical damage by freezing caused by salt
      accumulation was measured as release of chloroplast coupling factor (CF1; EC
      3.6.1.3), and mechanical damage was measured as release of the lumenal protein
      plastocyanin from the membranes during an in-vitro freeze-thaw cycle. Isolated
      thylakoids from salt-treated frost-hardy spinach and those from plants hardened
      under natural conditions did not exhibit improved tolerance against chemical
      freezing stress exerted by high salt concentrations. They were, however, more
      hardy than thylakoids from unhardened control leaves against mechanical damage by
      freezing. 

PMID- 24233735
TI  - Are carotenoids the blue-light photoreceptor in the photoinduction of
      protoperithecia in Neurospora crassa?
AB  - A triple albino mutant of Neurospora crassa with a measured content of
      carotenoids absorbing at 470 nm less than 0.5% of that of the wild type
      (calculated value less than 8.10(-4)%) had the same threshold for photoinduction
      of protoperithecia as the wild type when illuminated with monochromatic light at
      471 nm. This is strong evidence against the hypothesis that the bulk of
      carotenoids are the blue-light photoreceptor for this phenomenon. However, it is
      impossible to exclude traces of carotenoids acting as the photoreceptor at less
      than 3.10(-12) M in a very efficient sensory transduction chain. 

PMID- 24233736
TI  - Ethylene production and beta-cyanoalanine synthase activity in carnation flowers.
AB  - The relationship between ethylene production and the CN(-)-assimilating enzyme
      beta-cyanoalanine synthase (CAS; EC 4.4.1.9) was examined in the carnation
      (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) flower. In petals from cut flowers aged naturally or
      treated with ethylene to accelerate senescence the several hundred-fold increase
      in ethylene production which occurred during irreversible wilting was accompanied
      by a one- to twofold increase in CAS activity. The basal parts of the petal,
      which produced the most ethylene, had the highest CAS activity. Studies of flower
      parts (styles, ovaries, receptacles, petals) showed that the styles had a high
      level of CAS together with the ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE) system for
      converting 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to ethylene. The close
      association between CAS and EFE found in styles could also be observed in
      detached petals after induction by ACC or ethylene. Treatment of the cut flowers
      with cycloheximide reduced synthesis of CAS and EFE. The data indicate that CAS
      and ethylene production are associated, and are discussed in relation to the
      hypothesis that CN(-) is formed during the conversion of ACC to ethylene. 

PMID- 24233737
TI  - Simulation of in situ freezing damage of the photosynthetic apparatus by freezing
      in vitro of thylakoids suspended in complex media.
AB  - Chloroplast thylakoid membranes were isolated from leaves of unhardened and cold
      acclimated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). For freezethaw treatment, the
      membranes were suspended in complex media composed to simulate the solute
      concentrations in the chloroplast stroma in the unhardened and hardened states of
      the leaves. In particular, high concentrations of amino acids were applied for
      simulating the hardened state. After frost treatment, photosynthetic activities
      and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of the thylakoids were tested to
      determine the degree of freezing damage. The results revealed a pattern of
      freezing injury similar to that observed upon frost treatment of thylakoids in
      situ. A major manifestation of damage was the inhibition of photosynthetic
      electron transport. Uncoupling of photophosphorylation, which is the dominating
      effect of freezing of thylakoids suspended in binary solutions (e.g., containing
      one sugar and one inorganic salt), was also visible but less pronounced in the
      complex media. Thylakoids obtained from cold-acclimated leaves did not exhibit an
      increased frost tolerance in vitro, as compared with thylakoids from unhardened
      plants. The results, furthermore, indicated a strong protective effect of free
      amino acids at the concentrations and composition found in chloroplasts of
      hardened leaves. The presence of inorganic salts in the complex media slightly
      stabilized rather than damaged the membranes during freezing. It is concluded
      that inactivation of thylakoids in situ may be understood as the destabilizing
      action of the combined solutes surrounding the thylakoids, occurring when solute
      concentration is raised due to freezing of water. 

PMID- 24233738
TI  - Amylolytic activity in germinated Agrostemma githago L. seeds.
AB  - The perisperm of seeds of Agrostemma githago contains starch reserves which
      constitute 40% of the dry weight of the mature seed. These starch reserves were
      mostly broken down between 48 and 96 h after initiation of imbibition.
      (Germination occurred after 24 h.) The mode of starch degradation showed close
      parallels with the breakdown of the starchy endosperm in cereals. Thus, between
      24 and 96 h the cotyledons secreted alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) whereas other
      degradative enzymes in the perisperm, beta-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) and maltase (EC
      3.2.1.20), appeared to originate in the perisperm itself. Cotyledons secreted
      similar levels of alpha-amylase in the presence and absence of exogenous starch,
      indicating that secretion is an internal developmental event of the embryo. By
      isoelectric focussing the secreted alpha-amylase was separated into two
      isoenzymes. In the cotyledons, several other starch-degrading isoenzymes were
      present but were not secreted. 

PMID- 24233739
TI  - Stimulation of photosynthesis by 2% oxygen at low temperatures is restored by
      phosphate.
AB  - The effect of phosphate feeding on the influence of low (2%) oxygen on
      photosynthetic carbon assimilation has been investigated in leaf discs of spinach
      (Spinacia oleracea L.) at 12 degrees C. The following observations were made.
      First, after the transition from 20% O2 to 2% O2, the rate of CO2 uptake was
      inhibited at CO2 concentrations between about 250 and about 800 MUl CO2.l(-1).
      Second, phosphate feeding stimulated the rate of CO2 uptake in 20% O2 at higher
      concentrations of CO2 (500-900 MUl.l(-1)). Third, phosphate feeding stimulated
      the rate of CO2 uptake in 2% O2 at all but the highest (900 MUl.l(-1)) and lowest
      74 (MUl.l(-1)) concentrations of CO2 employed. Phosphate thereby restored the
      stimulation of photosynthesis by 2% O2 and it did so over a wide range of lower
      temperatures. Fourth, oscillatory behaviour, however generated, was dampened by
      phosphate feeding, even at very low concentrations of CO2. Contents of leaf
      metabolites were measured during the transition to 2% O2 in control and phosphate
      fed leaf discs. During this period the ratio glycerate-3-phosphate/triose
      phosphate rose steeply, but fell again only in the phosphate-treated leaf discs.
      These data, taken together with measured ATP/ADP ratios, showed that assimilatory
      power, the ratio [ATP].[NAD(P)H]/[ADP].[Pi].[NAD(P)], decreased when leaves were
      exposed to 2% O2, but that this decrease was minimised by previous feeding of
      phosphate. The mechanism of phosphate limitation is discussed in the light of the
      results. 

PMID- 24233740
TI  - Rapid appearance of an mRNA correlated with ethylene synthesis encoding a protein
      ofmolecular weight 35000.
AB  - Changes in gene expression related to ethylene synthesis were investigated during
      ripening of tomato fruit, and in unripe fruit and leaves after wounding.
      Messenger RNA was extracted at different stages of ripening, or at various times
      after wounding, and translated in vitro. A number of changes in mRNA were noted
      in all cases, including an increase in one encoding a protein of MW 35000. The
      mRNA encoding this protein in ripening fruit was hybrid-selected by a ripening
      related complementary DNA clone, pTOM13. This clone also selected an mRNA
      encoding a protein of MW 35000 from RNA extracted from wounded unripe fruit and
      wounded leaves, but not from unwounded control tissue. During ripening and after
      wounding the appearance of mRNA for the MW-35000 protein was correlated with
      increased ethylene synthesis. In unripe fruit, the increase in mRNA for the MW
      35000 protein and in ethylene synthesis were detected within 30 min of wounding.
      In-vivo labelling showed that a protein of MW 35000 was also synthesised rapidly
      in wounded fruit tissue. We suggest that the mRNAs encoding the MW-35000 proteins
      that increased during ripening and in response to wounding are the same and may
      be related to ethylene synthesis. 

PMID- 24233741
TI  - Cell-cycle arrest of plant suspension cultures by tunicamycin.
AB  - The effect of tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N-glycosylation of proteins, on growth
      and on synthesis of DNA and protein was studied in suspension cultures from
      Nicotiana tabacum and Catharanthus rosea. In the presence of 0.1-1 MUg . ml(-1)
      tunicamycin, cell division and DNA synthesis stopped in cells which had been
      proliferating logarithmically, but protein formation continued. Cytophotometric
      determination of the nuclear DNA content in Catharanthus cells showed that a cell
      cycle arrest had occurred in G1 phase. Metabolic labelling of cells with the
      glycoprotein precursors glucosamine or mannose was inhibited, too. The results
      indicate that one or more glycoproteins are needed for the cell to pass through
      the G1 phase, as was recently postulated for animal and yeast cells. 

PMID- 24233742
TI  - TL-DNA from Agrobacterium rhizogenes plasmid pRi1855 reduces the osmotic pressure
      in transformed plants grown in vitro.
AB  - Growth, water content, osmotic pressure and solute content were examined for
      normal potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Desiree) and a derivative (line D9X8a),
      which was genetically transformed with TL-DNA from Agrobacterium rhizogenes.
      Plants were grown (i) in vitro, (ii) in a growth chamber and (iii) in the field.
      In vitro, the transformed potato plants produced more biomass than the
      untransformed plants, partly because they had a higher water content. Potassium
      concentration and osmotic pressure were lower in cell sap extracted from the
      transformed potato shoots. In some cases the difference was as much as 50%. These
      differences were less clear, absent or reversed in plants from a growth chamber
      or from the field. In the field, however, transformed potato senesced early. It
      is suggested that a cellular basis for these observations may be changes induced
      by Ri TL-DNA expression products in plant membrane properties. 

PMID- 24233744
TI  - Gibberellins in dark- and red-light-grown shoots of dwarf and tall cultivars of
      Pisum sativum: The quantification, metabolism and biological activity of
      gibberellins in Progress no. 9 and Alaska.
AB  - The stem growth in darkness or in continuous red light of two pea cultivars,
      Alaska (Le Le, tall) and Progress No. 9 (le le, dwarf), was measured for 13 d.
      The lengths of the first three internodes in dark-grown seedlings of the two
      cultivars were similar, substantiating previous literature reports that Progress
      No. 9 has a tall phenotype in the dark. The biological activity of gibberellin
      A20 (GA20), which is normally inactive in le le geno-types, was compared in
      darkness and in red light. Alaska seedlings, regardless of growing conditions,
      responded to GA20. Dark-grown seedlings of Progress No. 9 also responded to GA20,
      although red-light-grown seedlings did not. Gibberellin A1 was active in both
      cultivars, in both darkness and red light. The metabolism of [(13)C(3)H]GA20 has
      also been studied. In dark-grown shoots of Alaska and Progress No. 9
      [(13)C(3)H]GA20 is converted to [(13)C(3)H]GA1, [(13)C(3)H]GA8, [(13)C]GA29, its
      2alpha-epimer, and [(13)C(3)H]GA29-catabolite. [(13)C(3)H] Gibberellin A1 was a
      minor product which appeared to be rapidly turned over, so that in some feeds
      only its metabolite, [(13)C(3)H]GA8, was detected. However results do indicate
      that the tall growth habit of Progress No. 9 in the dark, and its ability to
      respond to GA20 in the dark may be related to its capacity to 3beta-hydroxylate
      GA20 to give GA1. In red light the overall metabolism of [(13)C(3)H]GA20 was
      reduced in both cultivars. There is some evidence that 3beta-hydroxylation of
      [(13)C(3)H]GA20 can occur in red light-grown Alaska seedlings, but no 3beta
      hydroxylated metabolites of [(13)C(3)H]GA20 were observed in red light-grown
      Progress. Thus the dwarf habit of Progress No. 9 in red light and its inability
      to respond to GA20 may be related, as in other dwarf genotypes, to its inability
      to 3beta-hydroxylate GA20 to GA1. However identification and quantification of
      native GAs in both cultivars showed that red-light-grown Progress does contain
      native GA1. Thus the inability of red light-grown Progress No. 9 seedlings to
      respond to, and to 3beta-hydroxylate, applied GA20 may be due to an effect of red
      light on uptake and compartmentation of GAs. 

PMID- 24233743
TI  - Isolation and characterization of glycoprotein lectins from the bark of three
      species of elder, Sambucus ebulus, S. nigra and S. racemosa.
AB  - Lectins have been isolated from the bark of three members of the family
      Caprifoliaceae, Sambucus nigra (elder), S. racemosa (red-berried elder) and S.
      ebulus (dwarf elder), by affinity chromatography on fetuin-agarose, ion-exchange
      and gel-filtration chromatography. They are all glycoproteins of M r 140 000 made
      up of at least four subunits. The lectin have similar but not identical amino
      acid compositions and the carbohydrate content varies between 12% and 19% (w/w),
      the main sugars being (N-acetyl)glucosamine, mannose, fucose and xylose.
      Inhibition studies of hemagglutination with various mono- and oligosaccharides
      have shown that N-acetylgalactosamine and galactose together with galactose
      containing oligosaccharides are the most effective inhibitors. There are some
      differences in specificity, in particular S. ebulus agglutinin is inhibited to
      the same degree by galactosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine and by galactose. 

PMID- 24233745
TI  - Alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the roots of marsh plants in naturally
      waterlogged soils.
AB  - The aim of this work was to discover whether oxygen tensions in the roots of
      marsh plants in flooded soils are high enough to allow fully acrobic metabolism.
      Activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), a protein synthesised in anoxic plants,
      was measured in roots of marsh plants growing in habitats where the availability
      of oxygen to the roots would be expected to differ. Roots of Carex riparia in
      standing water had ADH activities about 2.5 times higher than those of
      phosphofructokinase, and comparable to ADH activities of Poa trivialis, Urtica
      dioica and Ranunculus repens roots in dry soil. Removal of the oxygen supply via
      aerenchyma to Carex roots caused a 30-fold increase in ADH activity relative to
      that of phosphofructokinase. There was no change in ADH activity with depth in
      Carex roots in waterlogged soil, but in Filipendula ulmaria roots activity was 14
      times higher below 10 cm depth than near the surface. Urtica roots in waterlogged
      soil had alcohol dehydrogenase activities 26 times higher than roots in dry soil,
      but for Poa and Ranunculus roots this figure was only 1.7 and 4.2, respectively.
      These results indicate that the oxygen tensions in the roots of marsh plants in
      waterlogged soil differ considerably among species. Ethanol was the major product
      of fermentation in roots of all species studied. There was no correlation between
      ADH activity and the rate of ethanol production under anoxia of Urtica roots. The
      physiological significance of high ADH activities in roots is thus unclear. 

PMID- 24233746
TI  - Hexose-transport-deficient mutants of Chlorella vulgaris : Lack of transport
      activity correlates with absence of inducible proteins.
AB  - Autotrophically grown cells of Chlorella vulgaris show a strong increase in the
      uptake rates for hexoses and for seven amino acids when incubated in the presence
      of hexoses. This increase is due to de-novo synthesis of three transport
      proteins: one forhexoses and two for amino acids. Mutants deficient in hexose
      transport were obtained after treatment of wild-type cells with acridine orange,
      followed by a selection procedure using the toxic hexose analogue, 2-deoxy-D
      glucose. Moreover, the two amino-acid-transport systems could not be induced in
      these mutants by hexoses. The capacity to phosphorylate hexoses was identical in
      mutants and in the wild-type strain. The loss of transport activities can be
      correlated with the loss of certain radiolabeled protein bands on fluorograms of
      sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gels. These proteins are assumed to be
      responsible for the different transport systems in the wild-type strain. With the
      help of additional mutants defective in one or two of the different aminoacid
      transport systems, it has been attempted to assign the different transport
      activities to individual protein bands on the gel. 

PMID- 24233748
TI  - Deposition and storage of solid-bound heavy metals in the floodplains of the
      River Geul (the Netherlands).
AB  - Because of past mining activities, the floodplains of the River Geul are polluted
      with heavy metals. The continuous supply of fresh sediments during floods has
      caused the floodplain soils to exhibit large quality variations in time. By
      measurements of (137)Cs deposition rates in part of the floodplain area were
      determined at 0.4 to 2.7 cm yr(-1). Analysis of soil metal concentrations at
      various depths at 65 locations, revealed that the upper 40 cm of the soil profile
      deposited during the past 30-45 yr, exhibit the highest metal levels. The
      geostatistical interpolation technique kriging was used to map actual and past
      pollution patterns. It was shown that, as a result of variable deposition rates,
      the spatial correlation structure of soil metal concentrations becomes less clear
      with increasing depth/age. Kriged maps of average metal concentrations in the
      upper 100 cm of the soil profile provided the basis for the calculation of the
      mass storage of heavy metals. 

PMID- 24233749
TI  - Trace elements and organochlorines in surf scoters from San Francisco Bay, 1985.
AB  - Surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) were collected from 6 locations in San
      Francisco Bay during January and March 1985. Overall, mean concentrations of
      cadmium and zinc were higher in livers of scoters from the southern region of the
      Bay, whereas mean iron and lead were higher in those from the northern Bay
      region. Mean concentrations of arsenic, copper, lead, zinc, aluminum (January
      only) and iron (January) also differed among individual locations. Mean
      concentrations of copper and zinc increased, arsenic decreased, and cadmium
      remained the same between January and March. Selenium and mercury concentrations
      in scoter livers were not significantly correlated (P>0.05), but cadmium
      concentrations in livers and kidneys were positively correlated (P<0.0001), and
      body weight was negatively related to mercury concentration in the liver
      (P<0.05). Body weight differed among locations but not between January and March.
      Body weight was correlated with lipid content (P<0.0001). DDE and PCBs were each
      detected in 34 of 36 scoter carcasses. DDE increased significantly between
      January and March at Richmond Harbor, but BCBs did not differ between January and
      March at the 3 locations that could be tested. 

PMID- 24233750
TI  - A method for characterising natural and waste waters using plant seeds.
AB  - Studies were conducted to describe a method for the characterisation of natural
      and waste waters using plant seed germination as a technique for toxicity
      testing. Maize seeds were found to be more sensitive to differences in water
      quality than cowpea seeds and also showed more consistency in results. Trials
      conducted using natural waters and effluents from gold mining and textile
      manufacturing operations are also reported. 

PMID- 24233751
TI  - Spatial patterns in forest composition and standing dead red spruce in montane
      forests of the Adirondacks and northern Appalachians.
AB  - The decline of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) in montane forests of the
      northeastern United States has been previously reported. The objective of this
      study was to assess spatial patterns, if any, in standing dead red spruce stems
      in the Adirondacks of New York and northern Appalachians of Vermont, New
      Hampshire, and Maine. A stratified random sample of 19 mountains along a west to
      east transect in the Adirondacks and the northern Appalachians showed that the
      live basal area of all species was highest in the White Mountains (34.6 m(2) ha(
      1)) and lowest in the Adirondack Mountains (23.7 m(2) ha(-1)) in the Green
      Mountains was significantly lower than in any other region. Intact standing dead
      red spruce in the Adirondack and Green Mountains (30%) was significantly higher
      than that in the three eastern clusters (14%). The amount of intact standing dead
      red spruce trees increased with elevation in only the western part of the region.
      With the exception of the Adirondacks, there was a greater average percent dead
      red spruce on the west side than on the east side of each mountain. The sum of
      standing dead for other tree species (average 13%) showed no statistically
      significant patterns with region, elevation or aspect, and was significantly
      lower than the amount of total dead red spruce (average 42%). The standing dead
      red spruce patterns we observed cannot be associated with any specific causal
      factors at this time. 

PMID- 24233752
TI  - Effects of additives on solidification of API separator sludge.
AB  - API separator sludge was solidified with various combinations of binders and
      absorbent soil additives. The binders utilized were Type I Portland Cement, Type
      C Flyash, and a 1:1 combination of the two. The soil additives used were
      bentonite, diatomite, Fuller's earth, and two brands of chemically altered
      bentonites, or organoclays. The effectiveness of the solidification materials was
      based on their effect on the physical and leaching characteristics of the
      sludge.It was determined the Portland cement and combination binders provided the
      sludge with adequate physical and strength characteristics. It was also
      determined the affinity of each additive for water had an important influence on
      the physical characteristics of the solidified sludge. The results of the
      leaching procedure indicated the binders alone reduced the leachability of
      organic constituents from the sludge by 1/5 to 1/10. It appeared the use of the
      additives with the binders may have further reduced the leachability of
      constituents from sludge, with the incorporation of the organoclay additives
      further reducing leachability by up to 1/2. Also, it appeared the absorbing
      capacity of the additives was directly related to their ability to reduce the
      leachability of organic constituents from the sludge. 

PMID- 24233754
TI  - Language-learning disabilities: Paradigms for the nineties.
AB  - We are beginning a decade, during which many traditional paradigms in education,
      special education, and speech-language pathology will undergo change. Among
      paradigms considered promising for speech-language pathology in the schools are
      collaborative language intervention and strategy training for language and
      communication. This presentation introduces management models for developing a
      collaborative language intervention process, among them the Deming Management
      Method for Total Quality (TQ) (Deming 1986). Implementation models for language
      assessment and IEP planning and multicultural issues are also introduced (Damico
      and Nye 1990; Secord and Wiig in press). While attention to processes involved in
      developing and implementing collaborative language intervention is paramount,
      content should not be neglected. To this end, strategy training for language and
      communication is introduced as a viable paradigm. Macro- and micro-level process
      models for strategy training are featured and general issues are discussed
      (Ellis, Deshler, and Schumaker 1989; Swanson 1989; Wiig 1989). 

PMID- 24233755
TI  - Developmental dyslexia revisited and projected.
AB  - There are three parts to this paper. First, I review briefly the signposts from
      research, theory, and application in developmental dyslexia in the 1960s and the
      1970s that have led us from there to here, and show the pitfalls to avoid.
      Second, I discuss some of the pertinent issues of the 1980s: the role of
      intelligence in the diagnosis of children with specific reading disabilities, the
      distribution of reading difficulties and disabilities, and the important place of
      verbal efficiency. Third, I project to the 1990s to emphasize the challenge of
      the computer technology as mediated learning and the challenge of "bounded
      rationality" and "collective rationality" in education. Throughout this survey,
      the paramount role of knowledgeable and caring teachers is implicit. 

PMID- 24233756
TI  - The structured flexibility of Orton-Gillingham.
AB  - This paper discusses a philosophic basis for Orton-Gillingham teaching and
      attempts to demonstrate how certain of the features of such multisensory teaching
      act to remediate language problems exhibited by many dyslexic students. The
      common basis of the array of programs coming from both Orton and Gillingham is
      addressed. Some individual strengths and minor differences between Orton and
      Gillingham variations are examined. 

PMID- 24233757
TI  - Early language intervention: A deterrent to reading disability.
AB  - Reading is a language art! In acquiring competence in reading we build on
      proficiencies already available in the primary (spoken) language system. Language
      is made up of three primary components that impact on reading-phonology, or the
      sound structure of language including syllables and phonemes; syntax, or the
      rules governing the sequential ordering of words in phrases and sentences; and
      semantics, or the meaning system that is attached to words and phrases as a
      consequence of experiences in a variety of contexts. All three depend upon
      adequate short- and long-term memory capacities and functioning for their growth
      and refinement. Additionally, the bridging of speech to print, or the task of
      establishing sound/symbol correspondences in beginning reading draws not only
      upon phonological competencies and memory, it is also dependent upon the
      discovery that words are made up of smaller and isolable parts. This knowledge is
      often referred to as auditory segmenting which is one aspect of metalinguistic
      awareness.This paper will discuss these five language roots of reading. The
      authors will report on research that demonstrates that children, upon school
      entrance, do not all possess equal levels of competencies in these five critical
      language areas. Since success in beginning reading is dependent upon the adequate
      development and functioning of each of the five language areas noted above, early
      school experiences should be directed toward language development, as well as
      reading instruction, if we are to reduce the incidence of reading difficulties in
      our schools. Finally, we will offer suggestions for enhancing language
      competencies that will support and promote the acquisition of reading. 

PMID- 24233758
TI  - Teachers' opinions of the whole language approach to reading instruction.
AB  - This article reports the findings of a study of the opinions of first- and
      first/second-grade teachers of certain comments made about the whole language
      approach to reading instruction by leading advocates of this procedure. The
      investigation revealed that these teachers rejected as "false" more of these
      comments about the whole language approach than they accepted as "true." The
      findings of this study, apparently the first of their kind that have been
      reported, suggest that less progress has been made in persuading teachers that
      the whole language approach to reading instruction is the preferred teaching
      procedure than some leaders of the whole language movement previously have
      claimed. 

PMID- 24233759
TI  - Use of an orton-gillingham approach to teach a foreign language to
      dyslexic/learning-disabled students: Explicit teaching of phonology in a second
      language.
AB  - Recent research findings suggest that students who have difficulty learning a
      second language have weaknesses in oral and written native-language skills which
      affect their performance in the foreign-language classroom. These weaknesses
      involve understanding the phonological, syntactic, and semantic codes of
      language. Evidence suggests that dyslexic/learning-disabled and other "at risk"
      students who struggle in the second language classroom exhibit particular
      difficulty with the phonological and syntactic codes of the language. The Orton
      Gillingham method, a multisensory, structured language approach which adheres to
      the direct and explicit teaching of phonology, is presented as an alternative to
      the "natural" communication approaches recently developed by foreign-language
      educators to teach a second language. A method for adapting this approach for
      teaching Spanish is described. 

PMID- 24233760
TI  - Reading program-Remedial, integrated, and innovative.
AB  - An innovative integrated remedial reading program has been developed based on
      recent research findings. My longitudinal studies have revealed that poor reading
      compounds itself over the years. The majority of children with reading
      disabilities currently remain in regular classrooms with varying techniques being
      used depending upon individual school directives and current educational
      theory.Despite current remedial techniques, the poorer reader tends to remain so
      throughout the school years. Innovative techniques must be developed in the hope
      of altering this pattern.This paper presents one alternative strategy which can
      be used to upgrade reading skills and break the cycle of reading failure. The
      Reading Assistance Tutorial Pack (R.A.T. Pack) is a carefully sequenced series of
      activities that enables the learner to experience the motivating and reinforcing
      properties of success through all stages of phonetic and reading skills
      development.It is a systematic, multidisciplinary remedial reading program based
      on sound behavior, psycholinguistic and cognitive theories of learning
      incorporating listening, speaking, seeing, writing, thinking, and comprehension
      skills. The R.A.T. Pack demands a high percentage of on-task behavior and trains
      phonological processing strategies. Functional language use is promoted through
      enjoyable activities involving sentence construction, cloze passages, puzzles,
      games, and other creative manipulations of the surface features of languages. The
      program has proven successful in schools, homes, and clinics. 

PMID- 24233761
TI  - Nonverbal learning disabilities and remedial interventions.
AB  - Adolescents with nonverbal learning disabilities who enroll in private, special
      secondary schools consistently present a pattern of behaviors which prevents
      achievement of their potentials in academic areas and impedes their abilities to
      interact effectively with others. With weaknesses in the fine graphomotor skills
      for writing and poor organization at all levels, they produce limited written
      output and often fail to complete academic assignments. Their response to
      pressure to produce is to become less productive. These students perceive social
      situations inaccurately; they are not successful in their interactions,
      especially with peers. They have learned to resolve difficult situations by
      employing their relatively strong verbal skills to enlist parents and other
      adults in intervening for them. They have not developed the skills to intervene
      for themselves.Effective remedial interventions include training the students in
      skills for planning and organizing, for studying, for written expression, and in
      social cognition and interpersonal communication. Students gain positive feelings
      of personal effectiveness through a process-at first verbally mediated,
      ultimately verbally self-directed-in which they are encouraged to plan, risk, and
      act on their own behalfs to resolve matters of personal concern. 

PMID- 24233762
TI  - Spelling errors and reading fluency in compensated adult dyslexics.
AB  - Generally, a person who is diagnosed as dyslexic remains diagnosably dyslexic all
      his/her life. However, occasionally, an individual compensates for his/her
      difficulties in some way, and by adulthood is no longer diagnosably dyslexic. In
      what ways are these compensated dyslexics different from both dyslexics and
      nondyslexics? We compared IQ, achievement test, and spelling error scores in
      adult dyslexics, adult nondyslexics, and adult compensated dyslexics (N=25) in
      the two studies reported here. The second study differed from the first in that
      the subjects were matched for age, education, IQ, and SES. In both studies,
      compensateds were significantly different from nondyslexics on the WRAT Spelling
      subtest and Reading Quotient scores. In the second study the compensateds
      differed from the nondyslexics in total raw score and average reading speed on
      Gray Oral Reading Test. On the other hand, they were different from dyslexics on
      all reading and spelling variables in both studies, except for PIAT Reading
      Comprehension in Study 2. Finally, in Study 2, the compensateds were different
      from both dyslexics and nondyslexics in average reading speed. In conclusion, it
      appears that compensation does not result from differences in IQ, education, or
      SES, though it may be influenced to some extent by sex. Compensateds appear very
      similar to nondyslexics in their reading and spelling skills; however, there
      appears to be a difference in the automaticity with which they apply these
      skills. 

PMID- 24233763
TI  - Early identification of dyslexia: Evidence from a follow-up study of speech
      language impaired children.
AB  - A group of speech-language impaired children was administered a battery of
      standardized language tests and measures of phonological processing in
      kindergarten. Performance on these language measures was then compared to reading
      ability in first grade. Results indicated that children with semantic-syntactic
      language deficits had more difficulties in reading than did children with
      primarily speech articulation impairments. In addition, phonological processing
      measures were found to be good predictors of reading achievement. Results are
      discussed in terms of their implications for the early identification of
      developmental dyslexia. 

PMID- 24233764
TI  - The orthographic code: Developmental trends in reading-disabled and normally
      achieving children.
AB  - An auditory rhyme detection task was employed to examine orthographic code
      development in 27 reading-disabled (RD) and 27 normally-achieving (NA) children
      ranging in age from 7-0 to 11-5. The amount of orthographic facilitation (that
      is, the reduction in response latencies for orthographically similar as opposed
      to orthographically dissimilar rhyme pairs) was recorded for each subject.
      Results indicated that RD children exhibit significantly less facilitation
      overall than NA children and that RD children do not demonstrate comparable
      orthographic facilitation effects to NA children until they are about two years
      older than their NA peers. It is concluded that children with a reading
      disability have a lessened ability to access automatically and make available
      stored lexical information relating to orthography. 

PMID- 24233765
TI  - Phonological awareness training and remediation of analytic decoding deficits in
      a group of severe dyslexics.
AB  - The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Auditory
      Discrimination in Depth Program (ADD) in remediating the analytic decoding
      deficits of a group of severe dyslexics. A group of ten severely dyslexic
      students ranging in age from 93 to 154 months were treated in a clinic setting
      for 38 to 124 hours (average of 65 hours). Pre- and post-treatment testing was
      done with the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test and the Lindamood Auditory
      Conceptualization to assess changes in phonological awareness and analytic
      decoding skills. Results revealed statistically significant gains in phonological
      awareness and analytic decoding skills. 

PMID- 24233766
TI  - Early syntactic development of dyslexic children.
AB  - The syntactic development of preschoolers who later became disabled readers was
      compared to that of children who were similar to the dyslexics in sex,
      socioeconomic status, and IQ, but who became normal readers. Expressive and
      receptive syntactic abilities were examined longitudinally from age 30 to 60
      months. The dyslexic group was poorer than the control group on all measures
      until the age of five, at which time both groups exhibited similar syntactic
      proficiency. The etiological relation of language development to reading
      disabilities is discussed. 

PMID- 24233767
TI  - Linguistic profiles of dyslexic and good readers.
AB  - Linguistic profiles of 60 boys with average intelligence were examined at
      kindergarten, grade 2, and grade 4. The subjects were 7 dyslexic, 7 mildly
      dyslexic, 30 average, and 16 good readers, defined in terms of the discrepancy
      between standardized reading and intelligence scores. Across the three ages,
      reader groups did not differ in language comprehension, but did differ in
      confrontation and rapid automatized naming (RAN), three syntactic measures, and
      verbal memory. Group strengths and weaknesses were, with few exceptions apparent
      in kindergarten and maintained throughout. The kindergarten tasks which most
      effectively predicted reading group membership at grade 4 were giving letter
      sounds, and rapid naming; these predicted 4th grade reading group at close to 100
      percent accuracy. The study, together with a further comparison of average and
      high IQ good readers, provides an interesting contrast between the role of RAN
      and Confrontation naming in reading. 

PMID- 24233769
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24233768
TI  - Gestalt imagery: A critical factor in language comprehension.
AB  - Gestalt imagery-the ability to create imaged wholes-is a critical factor in oral
      and written language comprehension. Despite good decoding, good vocabulary, and
      adequate background experiences, many individuals experience weak gestalt
      imagery, thus processing "parts" rather than "wholes," from verbal stimuli,
      spoken or written. This contributes to a Language Comprehension Disorder that may
      be accompanied by a commonality of symptoms: weak reading comprehension, weak
      oral language comprehension, weak oral language expression, weak written language
      expression, difficulty following directions, and a weak sense of humor.
      Sequential stimulation using an inquiry technique develops gestalt imagery and
      results in significant improvement in reading comprehension. 

PMID- 24233770
TI  - Brief review: Adoption of electronic medical records to enhance acute pain
      management.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine physician barriers to adopting
      electronic medical records (EMRs) as well as anesthesiologists' experiences with
      the EMRs used by the acute pain management service at two tertiary care centres
      in Canada. SOURCE: We first review the recent literature to determine if
      physician barriers to adoption are changing given the exponential growth of
      information technology and the evolving healthcare environment. We next report on
      institutional experience from two academic health sciences centres regarding the
      challenges they encountered over the past ten years in developing and
      implementing an electronic medical record system for acute pain management.
      PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The key identified barriers to adoption of EMRs are
      financial, technological, and time constraints. These barriers are identical to
      those reported in a systematic review performed prior to 2009 and remain
      significant factors challenging implementation. These challenges were encountered
      during our institution's process of adopting EMRs specific to acute pain
      management. In addition, our findings emphasize the importance of physician
      participation in the development and implementation stages of EMRs in order to
      incorporate their feedback and ensure the EMR system is in keeping with their
      workflow. CONCLUSIONS: Use of EMRs will inevitably become the standard of care;
      however, many barriers persist to impede their implementation and adoption. These
      challenges to implementation can be facilitated by a corporate strategy for
      change that acknowledges the barriers and provides the resources for
      implementation. Adoption will facilitate benefits in communication, patient
      management, research, and improved patient safety.

PMID- 24233771
TI  - Brief review: Neuraxial analgesia in refractory malignant pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: This narrative review aims to inform health care practitioners of the
      current literature surrounding the use of intrathecal (IT) and epidural analgesia
      in cancer patients with refractory pain at end of life. Topics discussed and
      reviewed include: patient selection, treatment planning, procedure, equipment,
      medications, complications, policies and procedures, as well as directions for
      future research. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Cancer pain is inadequately treated in an
      estimated 10% of patients with malignant pain despite the implementation of the
      World Health Organization three-step analgesic ladder. This has prompted some to
      advocate for the addition of a fourth step that would include neuraxial
      interventions. There is moderate evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of
      IT drug therapy in cancer patients with refractory pain. A detailed assessment
      and interdisciplinary team approach is necessary to develop and implement care
      plans for patients requiring neuraxial analgesia. Neuraxial analgesia can
      significantly improve pain and reduce side effects, but this must be balanced
      against the increased complexity of care and the risk of uncommon but serious
      complications. CONCLUSION: Neuraxial drug delivery gives clinicians more options
      to manage refractory pain at end of life and should be offered to patients with
      intractable cancer pain. Teams should be interprofessional with clear delineation
      of roles and responsibilities. They should discuss advanced discharge planning
      with the patient prior to implantation as well as provide on-call support.

PMID- 24233772
TI  - Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum supplementation
      to standard triple therapy on Helicobacter pylori eradication and dynamic changes
      in intestinal flora.
AB  - To investigate Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) and Bifidobacterium
      bifidum (B. bifidum) supplementation to triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori
      (H. pylori) eradication and dynamic changes in intestinal flora in children with
      H. pylori infection. One hundred H. pylori-infected children were randomly
      assigned to two groups: treatment group (n = 43), standard triple anti-H. pylori
      therapy plus probiotics of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum for 2 weeks followed by
      taking probiotics for another 4 weeks; control group (n = 45), standard triple
      anti-H. pylori therapy for 6 weeks. After 6-week treatment, 13C-urease breath
      test was performed and side effects were monitored during the observation period.
      Quantitative PCR with 16S rRNA-gene-targeted species-specific primers was carried
      out for the analysis of human intestinal B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, and
      Escherichia coli (E. coli). As expected, treatment group could significantly
      enhance the H. pylori eradication rate (83.7 vs. 64.4 %, P < 0.05). B. bifidum,
      L. acidophilus, and E. coli showed no statistical difference before or after
      therapy in the treatment group. The number of B. bifidum and L. acidophilus was
      significantly decreased after 2-week treatment in the control group, but after 6
      week treatment it significantly increased and nearly returned to the level before
      treatment. The number of E. coli increased significantly after 2-week treatment,
      while after 6-week treatment, it nearly decreased to the level before treatment.
      L. acidophilus and B. bifidum supplementation is effective for H. pylori
      eradication compared with triple therapy alone.

PMID- 24233774
TI  - The present state and future direction of integrated gene function analysis.
AB  - The determination of the function of the protein products of genes has been a
      major focus of molecular biology since the founding of the discipline. The
      development of knock-in, knock-down, and transgenic methodologies has greatly
      speeded laboratory discoveries, while the development of high-throughput
      measurement technologies for many molecular species has led to the emergence of
      computational methods capable of predicting functional relationships between
      genes. In the future, we should see the emergence of quantitative models based on
      integrated data and laboratory methods that elucidate context-specific functions
      and identify how gene function depends on changing partners and contexts. 

PMID- 24233773
TI  - Cold, pH and salt tolerant Penicillium spp. inhabit the high altitude soils in
      Himalaya, India.
AB  - Twenty five fungal cultures (Penicillium spp.), isolated from soil samples from
      the high altitudes in the Indian Himalayan region, have been characterized
      following polyphasic approach. Colony morphology performed on five different
      media gave varying results; potato dextrose agar being the best for the
      vegetative growth and sporulation as well. Microscopic observations revealed 18
      isolates to be biverticillate and 7 monoverticillate. Based on the phenotypic
      characters (colony morphology and microscopy), all the isolates were designated
      to the genus Penicillium. Exposure to low temperature resulted in enhanced
      sporulation in 23 isolates, while it ceased in case of two. The fungal isolates
      produced watery exudates in varying amount that in many cases increased at low
      temperature. All the isolates could grow between 4 and 37  degrees C, (optimum 24
      degrees C), hence considered psychrotolerant. While all the isolates could
      tolerate pH from 2 to 14 (optimum 5-9), 7 isolates tolerated pH 1.5 as well.
      While all the fungal isolates tolerated salt concentration above 10 %; 10
      isolates showed tolerance above 20 %. Based on ITS region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2)
      analysis the fungal isolates belonged to 25 different species of Penicillium
      (showing similarity between 95 and 100 %). Characters like tolerance for low
      temperature, wide range of pH, and high salt concentration, and enhancement in
      sporulation and production of secondary metabolites such as watery exudates at
      low temperature can be attributed to the ecological resilience possessed by these
      fungi for survival under low temperature environment of mountain ecosystem. 

PMID- 24233775
TI  - Performing integrative functional genomics analysis in GeneWeaver.org.
AB  - Functional genomics experiments and analyses give rise to large sets of results,
      each typically quantifying the relation of molecular entities including genes,
      gene products, polymorphisms, and other genomic features with biological
      characteristics or processes. There is tremendous utility and value in using
      these data in an integrative fashion to find convergent evidence for the role of
      genes in various processes, to identify functionally similar molecular entities,
      or to compare processes based on their genomic correlates. However, these gene
      centered data are often deposited in diverse and non-interoperable stores.
      Therefore, integration requires biologists to implement computational algorithms
      and harmonization of gene identifiers both within and across species. The
      GeneWeaver web-based software system brings together a large data archive from
      diverse functional genomics data with a suite of combinatorial tools in an
      interactive environment. Account management features allow data and results to be
      shared among user-defined groups. Users can retrieve curated gene set data,
      upload, store, and share their own experimental results and perform integrative
      analyses including novel algorithmic approaches for set-set integration of genes
      and functions. 

PMID- 24233776
TI  - Functional annotation of differentially regulated gene set using WebGestalt: a
      gene set predictive of response to ipilimumab in tumor biopsies.
AB  - Most high-throughput methods which are used in molecular biology generate gene
      lists. Interpreting large gene lists can reveal mechanistic insights and generate
      useful testable hypotheses. The process can be cumbersome and challenging.
      Multiple commercial and open solution currently exist that can aid researchers in
      the functional annotation of gene lists. The process of gene set annotation
      includes dataset preparation, which is method specific, gene list annotation and
      analysis and interpretation of the significant associations that were found. In
      this chapter, we demonstrate how WebGestalt can be applied to gene lists
      generated from transcriptional profiling data. 

PMID- 24233777
TI  - Integrative data-mining tools to link gene and function.
AB  - Information derived from genomic and post-genomic data can be efficiently used to
      link gene and function. Several web-based platforms have been developed to mine
      these types of data by integrating different tools. This method paper is designed
      to allow the user to navigate these platforms in order to make functional
      predictions. The main focus is on phylogenetic distribution and physical
      clustering tools, but other tools such as pathway reconstruction, gene fusions,
      and analysis of high-throughput experimental data are also surveyed. 

PMID- 24233778
TI  - Detection of driver protein complexes in breast cancer metastasis by large-scale
      transcriptome-interactome integration.
AB  - With the development of high-throughput gene expression profiling technologies
      came the opportunity to define genomic signatures predicting clinical condition
      or cancer patient outcome. However, such signatures show dependency on training
      set, lack of generalization, and instability, partly due to microarray data
      topology. Additional issues for analyzing tumor gene expression are that subtle
      molecular perturbations in driver genes leading to cancer and metastasis (masked
      in typical differential expression analysis) may provoke expression changes of
      greater amplitude in downstream genes (easily detected). In this chapter, we are
      describing an interactome-based algorithm, Interactome-Transcriptome Integration
      (ITI) that is used to find a generalizable signature for prediction of breast
      cancer relapse by superimposition of a large-scale protein-protein interaction
      data (human interactome) over several gene expression datasets. ITI extracts
      regions in the interactome whose expression is discriminating for predicting
      relapse-free survival in cancer and allow detection of subnetworks that
      constitutes a generalizable and stable genomic signature. In this chapter, we
      describe the practical aspects of running the full ITI pipeline (subnetwork
      detection and classification) on six microarray datasets. 

PMID- 24233779
TI  - Pattern identification in time-course gene expression data with the CoGAPS matrix
      factorization.
AB  - Patterns in time-course gene expression data can represent the biological
      processes that are active over the measured time period. However, the
      orthogonality constraint in standard pattern-finding algorithms, including
      notably principal components analysis (PCA), confounds expression changes
      resulting from simultaneous, non-orthogonal biological processes. Previously, we
      have shown that Markov chain Monte Carlo nonnegative matrix factorization
      algorithms are particularly adept at distinguishing such concurrent patterns. One
      such matrix factorization is implemented in the software package CoGAPS. We
      describe the application of this software and several technical considerations
      for identification of age-related patterns in a public, prefrontal cortex gene
      expression dataset. 

PMID- 24233780
TI  - Statistical tools and R software for cancer driver probabilities.
AB  - This chapter provides a description and illustration of CancerMutationAnalysis
      and Cancer MutationMCMC, two open source R packages specifically designed for the
      analysis of somatic mutations in cancer genome studies, at both the gene and gene
      set levels. 

PMID- 24233781
TI  - Predicting the functional consequences of somatic missense mutations found in
      tumors.
AB  - Cancer-specific High-throughput Annotation of Somatic Mutations (CHASM) is a
      computational method that uses supervised machine learning to prioritize somatic
      missense mutations detected in tumor sequencing studies. Missense mutations are a
      key mechanism by which important cellular behaviors, such as cell growth,
      proliferation, and survival, are disrupted in cancer. However, only a fraction of
      the missense mutations observed in tumor genomes are expected to be cancer
      causing. Distinguishing tumorigenic "driver" mutations from their neutral
      "passenger" counterparts is currently a pressing problem in cancer research.CHASM
      trains a Random Forest classifier on driver mutations from the COSMIC databases
      and uses background nucleotide substitution rates observed in tumor sequencing
      data to model tumor type-specific passenger mutations. Each missense mutation is
      represented by quantitative features that fall into five major categories:
      physiochemical properties of amino acid residues; scores derived from multiple
      sequence alignments of protein or DNA; region-based amino acid sequence
      composition; predicted properties of local protein structure; and annotations
      from the UniProt feature tables. Both a software package and a Web server
      implementation of CHASM are available to facilitate high-throughput
      prioritization of somatic missense mutations from large, multi-tumor exome
      sequencing studies. After ranking candidate driver mutations with CHASM, the
      vector of features describing each mutation can be used to suggest possible
      mechanism by which mutations alter protein activity in tumorigenesis. This
      chapter details the application of both implementations of CHASM to tumor
      sequencing data. 

PMID- 24233782
TI  - Determining the effect of DNA methylation on gene expression in cancer cells.
AB  - DNA methylation, a DNA modification by adding methyl group to cytosine, has an
      important role in the regulation of gene expression. DNA methylation is known to
      be associated with gene transcription by interfering with DNA-binding proteins,
      such as transcription factors. DNA methylation is closely related to
      tumorigenesis, and the methylation state of some genes can be used as a biomarker
      for tumorigenesis. Aberrant DNA methylation of genomic regions, including CpG
      islands, CpG shores, and first exons, is related to the altered gene expression
      pattern characteristics of all human cancers. Subheading 1 surveys recent
      developments on DNA methylation and gene expressions in cancer. Then we provide
      analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression in 30 breast cancer cell lines
      representing different tumor phenotypes. This study conducted an integrated
      analysis to identify the relationship between DNA methylation in various genomic
      regions and expression levels of downstream genes, using MethylCapseq data
      (affinity purification followed by next-generation sequencing of eluted DNA) and
      Affymetrix gene expression microarray data. The goal of this study was to assess
      genome-wide methylation profiles associated with different molecular subtypes of
      human breast cancer (luminal, basal A, and basal B) and to comprehensively
      investigate the effect of DNA methylation on gene expression in breast cancer
      phenotypes. This showed that methylation of genomic regions near transcription
      start sites, CpG island, CpG shore, and first exon was strongly associated with
      gene repression, and the effects of the regions on gene expression patterns were
      different for different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. The results further
      indicated that aberrant methylation of specific genomic regions was significantly
      associated with different breast cancer subtypes. 

PMID- 24233783
TI  - Reverse engineering transcriptional gene networks.
AB  - The aim of this chapter is a step-by-step guide on how to infer gene networks
      from gene expression profiles. The definition of a gene network is given in
      Subheading 1, where the different types of networks are discussed. The chapter
      then guides the readers through a data-gathering process in order to build a
      compendium of gene expression profiles from a public repository. Gene expression
      profiles are then discretized and a statistical relationship between genes,
      called mutual information (MI), is computed. Gene pairs with insignificant MI
      scores are then discarded by applying one of the described pruning steps. The
      retained relationships are then used to build up a Boolean adjacency matrix used
      as input for a clustering algorithm to divide the network into modules (or
      communities). The gene network can then be used as a hypothesis generator for
      discovering gene function and analyzing gene signatures. Some case studies are
      presented, and an online web-tool called Netview is described. 

PMID- 24233785
TI  - A method for inducible gene over-expression and down-regulation in emerging model
      species using Pogostick.
AB  - Nontraditional model species need new tools for the functional testing of genes,
      both conserved and lineage-specific genes. These tools should enable the
      exploration of gene function, either via knock-downs of endogenous genes or via
      over-expression and ectopic expression of transgenes. We constructed a new vector
      called Pogostick that can be used to over-express or down-regulate genes in
      organisms amenable to germ-line transformation by the piggyBac transposable
      element. The vector currently uses the heat-shock promoter Hsp70 from Drosophila
      melanogaster to drive transgene expression and, as such, will have immediate
      applicability to organisms that can correctly interpret this promotor sequence.
      Here we introduce the main features of Pogostick and how candidate genes can be
      inserted into the vector for use in either over-expression or down-regulation
      experiments. In addition, we also test Pogostick in two insect species, D.
      melanogaster and the emerging model butterfly Bicyclus anynana. We over-express
      the fluorescent protein DsRed during the larval and pupal stages of D.
      melanogaster development, and down-regulate DsRed in a line constitutively
      expressing this gene in the eyes. We then test the over-expression of
      Ultrabithorax (Ubx) in B. anynana, and obtain sequences flanking the Pogostick
      genomic insertions. This new vector will allow emerging model species to enter
      the field of functional genetics with few hurdles. 

PMID- 24233784
TI  - Integrating in silico resources to map a signaling network.
AB  - The abundance of publicly available life science databases offers a wealth of
      information that can support interpretation of experimentally derived data and
      greatly enhance hypothesis generation. Protein interaction and functional
      networks are not simply new renditions of existing data: they provide the
      opportunity to gain insights into the specific physical and functional role a
      protein plays as part of the biological system. In this chapter, we describe
      different in silico tools that can quickly and conveniently retrieve data from
      existing data repositories and we discuss how the available tools are best
      utilized for different purposes. While emphasizing protein-protein interaction
      databases (e.g., BioGrid and IntAct), we also introduce metasearch platforms such
      as STRING and GeneMANIA, pathway databases (e.g., BioCarta and Pathway Commons),
      text mining approaches (e.g., PubMed and Chilibot), and resources for drug
      protein interactions, genetic information for model organisms and gene expression
      information based on microarray data mining. Furthermore, we provide a simple
      step-by-step protocol for building customized protein-protein interaction
      networks in Cytoscape, a powerful network assembly and visualization program,
      integrating data retrieved from these various databases. As we illustrate,
      generation of composite interaction networks enables investigators to extract
      significantly more information about a given biological system than utilization
      of a single database or sole reliance on primary literature. 

PMID- 24233786
TI  - Construction and application of site-specific artificial nucleases for targeted
      gene editing.
AB  - Artificial nucleases have developed into powerful tools for introducing precise
      genome modifications in a wide variety of species. In this chapter the authors
      provide detailed protocols for rapidly constructing zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs)
      and TALE nucleases (TALENs) and evaluating their activity for the targeted
      generation of InDels within the zebrafish genome. 

PMID- 24233787
TI  - Selection of recombinant antibodies from antibody gene libraries.
AB  - Antibodies are indispensable detection reagents for research and diagnostics and
      represent the biggest class of biological therapeutics on the market. In vitro
      antibody selection systems offer many advantages over animal-based technologies
      because the whole selection process is independent of the in vivo immune
      response. In the last two decades antibody phage display has evolved to the most
      robust and widely used method and has already yielded thousands of antibodies.
      The selection of binders by phage display is also referred to as "panning" and
      based on the specific molecular interaction of antibody phage with an immobilized
      antigen thus allowing the enrichment and isolation of antigen-specific monoclonal
      binders from very large antibody gene libraries. Here, we give detailed protocols
      for the selection of recombinant antibody fragments from antibody gene libraries
      in microtiter plates. 

PMID- 24233788
TI  - Construction of simple and efficient siRNA validation systems for screening and
      identification of effective RNAi-targeted sequences from mammalian genes.
AB  - RNA interference (RNAi) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of gene
      silencing induced by double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). Among the widely used dsRNAs,
      small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and short hairpin RNAs have evolved as extremely
      powerful and the most popular gene silencing reagents. The key challenge to
      achieving efficient gene silencing especially for the purpose of therapeutics is
      mainly dependent on the effectiveness and specificity of the selected RNAi
      targeted sequences. Practically, only a small number of dsRNAs are capable of
      inducing highly effective and sequence-specific gene silencing via RNAi
      mechanism. In addition, the efficiency of gene silencing induced by dsRNAs can
      only be experimentally examined based on inhibition of the target gene
      expression. Therefore, it is essential to develop a fully robust and comparative
      validation system for measuring the efficacy of designed dsRNAs. In this chapter,
      we focus our discussion on a reliable and quantitative reporter-based siRNA
      validation system that has been previously established in our laboratory. The
      system consists of a short synthetic DNA fragment containing an RNAi-targeted
      sequence of interest and two expression vectors for targeting reporter and
      triggering siRNA expressions. The efficiency of siRNAs is determined by their
      abilities to inhibit expression of the targeting reporters with easily quantified
      readouts including enhanced green fluorescence protein and firefly luciferase.
      Since only a readily available short synthetic DNA fragment is needed for
      constructing this reliable and efficient reporter-based siRNA validation system,
      this system not only provides a powerful strategy for screening highly effective
      RNAi-targeted sequences from mammalian genes but also implicates the use of RNAi
      based dsRNA reagents for reverse functional genomics and molecular therapeutics. 

PMID- 24233789
TI  - Rapid genetic modification of mouse embryonic stem cells by Inducible Cassette
      Exchange recombination.
AB  - Embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation is a useful means by which to produce
      large quantities of cells in vitro representing early stages of embryonic
      development. A conditional gene expression system allows interrogation of factors
      at specific time points in the differentiation of ES cells to defined cell types.
      We have developed a method for rapidly generating conditional inducible murine ES
      cells by targeting genes into an Inducible Cassette Exchange (ICE) locus. The ICE
      locus encodes a doxycycline-inducible floxed Cre, which replaces itself with an
      incoming floxed gene of interest. The derivative cell lines, selected in G418,
      thus bear doxycycline-inducible transgenes. We provide detailed methods for
      performing ICE recombination and generating derivative doxycycline-inducible cell
      lines. 

PMID- 24233790
TI  - In ovo electroporation of miRNA-based-plasmids to investigate gene function in
      the developing neural tube.
AB  - When studying gene function in vivo during development, gene expression has to be
      controlled in a precise temporal and spatial manner. Technologies based on RNA
      interference (RNAi) are well suited for such studies, as they allow for the
      efficient silencing of a gene of interest. In contrast to challenging and
      laborious approaches in mammalian systems, the use of RNAi in combination with
      oviparous animal models allows temporal control of gene silencing in a fast and
      precise manner. We have developed approaches using RNAi in the chicken embryo to
      analyze gene function during neural tube development. Here we describe the
      construction of plasmids that direct the expression of one or two artificial
      microRNAs (miRNAs) to knock down expression of endogenous protein/s of interest
      upon electroporation into the spinal cord. The miRNA cassette is directly linked
      to a fluorescent protein reporter, for the direct visualization of transfected
      cells. The transcripts are under the control of different promoters/enhancers
      which drive expression in genetically defined cell subpopulations in the neural
      tube. Mixing multiple RNAi vectors allows combinatorial knockdowns of two or more
      genes in different cell types of the spinal cord, thus permitting the analysis of
      complex cellular and molecular interactions in a fast and precise manner. The
      technique that we describe can easily be applied to other cell types in the
      neural tube, or even adapted to other organisms in developmental studies. 

PMID- 24233791
TI  - Proteomic strategies: SILAC and 2D-DIGE-powerful tool to investigate cellular
      alterations.
AB  - Endothelial cells are highly sensitive to high doses of ionizing radiation and
      the cellular response leads to acute damage of the endothelium. This chapter
      describes how to measure the effects of ionizing radiation on the proteome of
      endothelial cells, here showing analysis at 4 and 24 h after exposure. Two
      complementary proteomic strategies, namely "stable isotope labeling by amino
      acids in cell culture" (SILAC) and 2D-DIGE analysis are used. In the example
      given, the exposure triggers considerable alterations in the endothelial protein
      expression with deregulated proteins categorized into four key pathways: (1)
      glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, (2) oxidative phosphorylation, (3) Rho-mediated cell
      motility, and (4) non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). After exposure to high-dose
      radiation, an immediate down-regulation is seen in the Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer and
      proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) proteins belonging to the NHEJ DNA
      repair pathway. Later time points show significant decrease in the expression
      levels of proteins of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway along with a
      significant expression increase in the enzymes of the glycolytic pathway. The
      methods to reproduce our analysis are presented here. 

PMID- 24233793
TI  - Editorial introduction.

PMID- 24233792
TI  - Conditional gene-trap mutagenesis in zebrafish.
AB  - Zebrafish has become a widely used model for analysis of gene function. Several
      methods have been used to create mutations in this organism and thousands of
      mutant lines are available. However, all the conventional zebrafish mutations
      affect the gene in all cells at all time, making it difficult to determine tissue
      specific functions. We have adopted a FlEx Trap approach to generate conditional
      mutations in zebrafish by gene-trap mutagenesis. Combined with appropriate Cre or
      Flp lines, the insertional mutants not only allow spatial- and temporal-specific
      gene inactivation but also permit spatial- and temporal-specific rescue of the
      disrupted gene. We provide experimental details on how to generate and use such
      mutations. 

PMID- 24233794
TI  - Bearing bad news: Dealing with the mimics of denial.
AB  - Denial is a common label for certain reactions to bad news. However, true denial
      is rare, and most cases actually represent a variety of responses with very
      different causes and needs. Three of these, disbelief, deferral, and dismissal,
      are characterized according to origins and needs. Failure to differentiate
      between these seemingly similar behaviors can result in inappropriate counseling,
      and interfere with attempts to convey information and provide support during a
      time of crisis. 

PMID- 24233795
TI  - Phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity in gaucher disease: Implications for
      genetic counseling.
AB  - Genetic counseling for Gaucher disease is complicated by the vast degree of
      clinical heterogeneity encountered in the disorder. Recent advances in our
      understanding of the molecular genetics of Gaucher disease are particularly
      relevant to genetic counseling. Although the identification of mutations in the
      glucocerebrosidase gene has enabled genotypic screening of Gaucher patients, the
      ability to reliably predict patient outcome on the basis of DNA studies is often
      limited. An appreciation of both the spectrum of clinical manifestations in
      Gaucher patients and the limitations of the available genotypic information is
      necessary when counseling patients, families and at-risk individuals. 

PMID- 24233796
TI  - Variation in content in prenatal genetic counseling interviews.
AB  - Thirty non-MD genetic counselors from five cities described their pre-test
      interview for a client of advanced maternal age, indicating the frequency they
      addressed each of 16 topics. Near-universal were family history taking,
      procedural descriptions and complication rates, and the client's fetal risk level
      for certain disorders. Less frequently included were description of sex
      chromosome abnormalities with variable expression, choices if an abnormality is
      found, and description of actual abortion procedures (fewer than one-third always
      included this). Counselors cited client discomfort in minimizing abortion-related
      discussions. Both training programs and genetic services might stress conveying
      the differences in maternal risk associated with trimester of abortion, a factor
      arguably relevant to a client's informed decision making. Also, given U.S.
      demographic changes, they should consider increased staff training in cross
      cultural counseling techniques. 

PMID- 24233797
TI  - A Spanish-language prenatal family health evaluation questionnaire: Construction
      and pilot implementation.
AB  - The Family Planning Council of America has constructed and implemented a genetic
      history questionnaire, the Family Health Evaluation, to elicit risk factors, to
      increase clients' knowledge about reproductive choices, and to improve access to
      genetic services. The objective of the present study was to develop and implement
      a Spanish-language version of the Family Health Evaluation for data collection
      and risk assessment. The content of the Family Health Evaluation was modified to
      more clearly reflect the risks, exposures, and medical needs of an Hispanic,
      largely Mexican-American, population. In the present study, the questionnaire was
      administered to women presenting for prenatal care. The data collected in this
      pilot study indicate that the questionnaire is effective in identifying
      individuals and families who would benefit from receiving additional information
      about a medical condition in their families, from genetic counseling or from a
      referral for high-resolution ultrasound or other diagnostic procedures. 

PMID- 24233798
TI  - Maternal anxiety.

PMID- 24233799
TI  - Paternity testing: Is it a genetic counseling issue?

PMID- 24233800
TI  - Sociocultural and ethical dilemmas of genetic counseling-A suggested working
      approach.

PMID- 24233801
TI  - Immobilization ofmyo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase containing active, self
      regenerating coenzyme (NAD(+)) on the same matrix.
AB  - myo-Inositol-1-phosphate synthase (EC 5.5.1.4) from rat testes, an NAD(+)
      containing enzyme, which convertsD-glucose 6-phosphate to 1L-myo-inositol 1
      phosphate, could be immobilized together with its cofactor and bovine serum
      albumin by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde at pH 4.5. The enzyme bound to the
      gel showed a specific activity of 5.6% of that of the native enzyme, but the
      activity could be increased to 21% by pretreatment with urea. 

PMID- 24233802
TI  - Entrapment of living microbial cells in covalent polymeric networks : II. A
      quantitative study on the kinetics of oxidative phenol degradation by
      entrappedCandida tropicalis cells.
AB  - The kinetics of oxidative phenol degradation with microbial cellsCandida
      tropicalis, immobilized in a polyacrylamide and polymethacrylamide matrix, were
      mathematically simulated assuming zero-order and Michaelis-Menten rate
      equations.For zero-order kinetics an expanded equation for catalytic
      effectiveness as a function of the Thiele modulus, Biot number, and partition
      coefficients was derived and compared with numerical solutions for Michaelis
      Menten kinetics. Errors with regard to the zero-order approximation become
      negligible ifc o/K M >2.Experimentally determined catalyst activities as a
      function of particle size and cell concentration were compared to calculated
      ones. Additional experiments to determine the diffusion and oxygen consumption
      ratios have been carried out in an effort to resolve the physical parameters to
      be used in the above mentioned calculations.Furthermore, experiments on cell
      growth during reincubation with nutrients and oxygen are reported; an increase in
      activity up to a factor of ten was observed. These experiments demonstrate that
      the microbial cells are entrapped in the polymer matrix in the living state. 

PMID- 24233803
TI  - Solid lactoperoxidase in the iodination ofL-tyrosine and albumin.
AB  - Solid lactoperoxidase (LP-sorbent) was prepared from lactoperoxidase and a
      carrier copolymer of maleic anhydride and butanediol divinylether. The properties
      of LP-sorbent in the iodination of tyrosine and albumin were examined. For
      optimizing the pH of the iodination mixture, buffers in the pH range 4.5-8.0 were
      used. Albumin was iodinated using Na(125)I and tyrosine using KI. The effect of
      substrate concentration and the sequential addition of reagents was examined in
      the iodination of tyrosine. The optimum pH, for iodination of albumin was 6.5 and
      that, for the iodination, of tyrosine 6.0-6.5. The iodination reactions were
      effective over a broad pH range around 6.5 resulting in almost equal iodinations.
      The optimum concentrations expressed as mmol/L/MUmol lactoperoxidase/mg sorbent
      at pH 6.5 were: H2O2, 70;, KI, 64; and tyrosine, 128. The maximum catalytic
      activity of the LP-sorbent at pH 6.5 was 4.22 MUkat/mg LP-sorbent or 28.8
      kat/mol(mol of L-3-ITyr/s/mol lactoperoxidase). After the primary reaction of the
      LP-sorbent with hydrogen peroxide, both the supernatant and the washed solid
      phase exhibited iodinative activity. The iodination of tyrosine by LP-sorbent was
      also found to be possible in water. 

PMID- 24233804
TI  - EPR characterization of cellulose triacetate fibers used for enzyme
      immobilization.
AB  - EPR studies of a nitroxide spin label and of the nitroxide spin-labeled albumin
      entrapped in cellulose triacetate fibers were carried out.The EPR spectra have
      shown that within the fiber only two phases are present: a liquid one of medium
      viscosity trapped inside microcavities, and a polymeric one surrounding
      them.After entrapment, spin-labeled albumin is distributed mainly in the liquid
      phase, though a not negligible amount of it remains within the polymeric
      matrix.The EPR studies have shown that, after the standard procedure of drying,
      the albumin is almost completely precipitated, but about 85% of it returns to
      solution when the fiber is again placed in the solution.The behavior of the
      albumin dissolved inside the microcavities toward denaturating agents and pH
      change, and that of the free albumin in solution is similar; the minor
      differences noticed indicate a second-order interaction between the fiber and the
      protein. 

PMID- 24233805
TI  - Energy-transducing membrane : II. Roles of liquid crystal in the photoresponse of
      a chlorophyll liquid crystal membrane.
AB  - The states of chlorophyll a (Chl a) incorporated in a liquid crystal membrane
      were investigated by spectrophotometry in the visible and IR regions.N-(p
      methoxybenzylidene)-p'-butylaniline (MBBA) was used as the liquid crystal. The
      Chl a-MBBA (1?3 in molar ratio) showed the dihydrate-Chl a aggregate peak at 743
      nm under excess water conditions. IR spectroscopic evidence indicated that the
      Chl a-MBBA membrane was hydrated in the dihydrate stoichiometry [Chl a-3MBBA
      2H2O], via the C-10 ester OC...H(H)O...Mg and the C-9 keto OC...H(H)O...Mg
      bondings. 

PMID- 24233806
TI  - Influence of urea and organic solvents on the activity of immobilizedmyo-inositol
      1-phosphate synthase containing active, self-regenerating coenzyme (NAD(+)) on
      the same matrix.
AB  - myo-Inositol-1-phosphate synthase (EC 5.5.1.4.) from rat testes, an NAD(+)
      containing enzyme that convertsD-glucose 6-phosphate to 1L-myo-inositol-1
      phosphate was immobilized together with its cofactor and bovine serum albumin by
      crosslinking with glutaraldehyde at pH 4.5. The cofactor is reduced and
      reoxidized during the reaction cycle, thus forming a self-regenerating system
      with respect to the cofactor. The behavior of this immobilized enzyme/cofactor
      system in presence of organic solvents and urea and the activating effect of
      these compounds on the enzymatic activity were studied and discussed in the
      paper. 

PMID- 24233807
TI  - Support-bound microbial cells.

PMID- 24233808
TI  - Autocatalytic sets and biological specificity.
AB  - A universal feature of the biochemistry of any living system is that all the
      molecules and catalysts that are required for reactions of the system can be
      built up from an available food source by repeated application of reactions from
      within that system. RAF (reflexively autocatalytic and food-generated) theory
      provides a formal way to study such processes. Beginning with Kauffman's notion
      of "collectively autocatalytic sets," this theory has been further developed over
      the last decade with the discovery of efficient algorithms and new mathematical
      analysis. In this paper, we study how the behaviour of a simple binary polymer
      model can be extended to models where the pattern of catalysis more precisely
      reflects the ligation and cleavage reactions involved. We find that certain
      properties of these models are similar to, and can be accurately predicted from,
      the simple binary polymer model; however, other properties lead to slightly
      different estimates. We also establish a number of new results concerning the
      structure of RAFs in these systems.

PMID- 24233809
TI  - Pathogenetic role of magnesium deficiency in ophthalmic diseases.
AB  - Magnesium is one of the most important regulatory cation involved in several
      biological processes. It is important for maintaining the structural and
      functional integrity of several vital ocular tissues such as cornea, lens and
      retina. The magnesium content of lens, especially in its peripheral part, is
      higher than that in aqueous and vitreous humor. Magnesium has also been shown to
      play critically important role in retinal functions. Magnesium plays significant
      role as a cofactor for more than 350 enzymes in the body and regulates
      neuroexcitability and several ion channels. Membrane associated ATPase functions
      that are crucial in regulating the intracellular ionic environment, are magnesium
      dependent. Moreover, the enzymes involved in ATP production and hydrolysis are
      also magnesium-dependent. Magnesium deficiency by interfering with ATPase
      functions causes increased intracellular calcium and sodium and decreases
      intracellular potassium concentration. Such ionic imbalances in turn alter the
      other cellular enzymatic reactions and form the basis of the association of
      magnesium deficiency with ophthalmic diseases such as cataract. In presence of
      magnesium deficiency, an imbalance between mediators of vasoconstriction and
      vasorelaxation may underlie the vasospasm, which is one of the pathogenic factors
      in primary open angle glaucoma. Furthermore, magnesium deficiency is also a
      contributing factor in increased oxidative stress and inducible NOS stimulation
      that can further contribute in the initiation and progression of ocular
      pathologies such as cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. In this paper we
      review the association of disturbances of magnesium homeostasis with several
      ophthalmic diseases.

PMID- 24233810
TI  - Implementation of high-resolution manometry in the clinical practice of speech
      language pathology.
AB  - Visual imaging modalities, videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) and fiberoptic
      endoscopic evaluation of swallow, for assessment of oropharyngeal dysphagia have
      been part of the speech language pathologist's (SLPs) armamentarium for the
      diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia for decades. Recently, the addition of high
      resolution manometry (HRM) has enabled the SLP to evaluate pharyngeal pressures
      and upper esophageal sphincter relaxation. Taken together, the use of visual
      imaging modalities with HRM can improve interpretation of swallowing physiology
      and facilitate more effective treatment planning. The goal of this article is to
      describe a clinical paradigm using HRM as an adjunct to VFSS, by the SLP, in the
      assessment of complex dysphagia. Moreover, in three cases described, the value of
      manometric measurements in elucidating swallowing imaging studies and documenting
      physiologic change in response to treatment is highlighted. As technology in this
      area is evolving, so will the clinical use of HRM by the SLP. Limitations of
      current HRM systems and applications are discussed.

PMID- 24233811
TI  - How to analyze the anticoagulant and antithrombotic mechanisms of action in
      fucanome and galactanome?
AB  - Through the perspective of the current glycomics age, fucanomics and
      galactanomics denote the international projects concerned with the studies of the
      biomedically active marine sulfated fucose- or galactose-composed
      polysaccharides, named sulfated fucans (SFs), and sulfated galactans(SGs),
      respectively. SFs and SGs are isolated from algae or marine invertebrates. The
      range of therapeutic actions of SFs and SGs is impressively broad. When certain
      structural requirements are found, some SFs and SGs may exhibit beneficial
      properties in inflammation, nociception, hemostasis (coagulation and thrombosis),
      vascular biology (angiogenesis), oncology, oxidative-stress, and virus
      infections. Although many biomedical applications for SFs and SGs have been
      pointed out over the past two decades, only inflammation, hemostasis, cancer, and
      vascular biology have their mechanisms of action satisfactorily elucidated. In
      addition, advanced structure-function relationships have been achieved only for
      the anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities, in which glycans of well-defined
      structures have been assayed. Because of this, the activities of SFs and SGs in
      stopping the clot and thrombus formation represent the closest therapeutic areas
      of having these glycans truly explored for drug development. Here, through an
      analytical viewpoint, we present the common methods and protocols employed to
      achieve such advanced structure-function relationships of SFs and SGs in
      anticoagulation and antithrombosis.

PMID- 24233812
TI  - Comparison of Non-invasive and Invasive Arterial Blood Pressure Measurement for
      Assessment of Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in measuring cerebral autoregulation in
      patients with acute brain injury. Non-invasive finger photo-plethysmography
      (Finapres) is the method of choice to relate arterial blood pressure to changes
      in cerebral blood flow. Among acutely ill patients, however, peripheral
      vasoconstriction often limits the use of Finapres requiring direct intravascular
      blood pressure measurement. We evaluated how these two different forms of blood
      pressure monitoring affect the parameters of dynamic cerebral autoregulation
      (DCA). METHODS: We performed 37 simultaneous recordings of BP and cerebral blood
      flow velocity in 15 patients with acute brain injury. DCA was estimated in the
      frequency domain using transfer function analysis to calculate phase shift, gain,
      and coherence. In addition the mean velocity index (Mx) was calculated for
      assessment of DCA in the time domain. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 58.1 +/-
      15.9 years, 80 % (n = 12) were women. We found good inter-method agreement
      between Finapres and direct intravascular measurement using Bland-Altman and
      correlation analyses. Finapres gives higher values for the efficiency of dynamic
      CA compared with values derived from radial artery catheter, as indicated by
      biases in the phase (26.3 +/- 11.6 degrees  vs. 21.7 +/- 10.5 degrees , p =
      0.001) and Mx (0.571 +/- 0.137 vs. 0.649 +/- 0.128, p < 0.001). Gain in the low
      frequency range did not significantly differ between the two arterial blood
      pressure methods. The average coherence between CBFV and ABP was higher when BP
      was measured with arterial catheter for frequencies above 0.05 Hz (0.8 vs. 0.73,
      p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall, both methods yield similar results and can be
      used for the assessment of DCA. However, there was a small but significant
      difference for both mean Mx and phase shift, which would need to be adjusted for
      during monitoring of patients when using both methods. When available, invasive
      arterial blood pressure monitoring may improve accuracy and thus should be the
      preferred method for DCA assessment in the ICU.

PMID- 24233813
TI  - Stroke, IL-1ra, IL1RN, infection and outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infection is a common phenomenon following stroke, and adversely
      affects outcome. Previous studies suggest that interleukin-1 receptor antagonist
      (IL-1ra) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL1RN gene might
      influence the risk of post-stroke infection and outcome. In this study, we
      addressed the effects of the rs4251961 SNP in IL1RN on infection risk and
      outcome. METHODS: Subjects with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled within 72 h
      of symptom onset and followed up to 1 year. Plasma IL-1ra was measured at
      multiple time points and outcome assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Active
      surveillance for infection occurred while subjects were hospitalized. Subjects
      were genotyped for the IL1RN rs4251961 polymorphism. RESULTS: In the population
      of 113 subjects for this study, those with the minor C allele of rs4251961
      polymorphism in IL1RN were more likely to be Caucasian, hypertensive, and to be
      afflicted with coronary heart disease. Higher plasma IL-1ra was associated with
      an increased risk of infection (other than pneumonia), and the minor C allele of
      rs4251961 was independently associated with a decreased risk of infection (other
      than pneumonia). Initial plasma IL-1ra was not predictive of long-term outcome,
      but patients with the minor C allele of rs4251961 were more likely to experience
      good (modified Rankin Score <2) long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: These data
      indicate that IL-1ra and IL1RN may influence the risk of infection after stroke,
      but this influence seems limited to infections other than pneumonia. Further
      studies are needed to better understand the complexities of immune regulation on
      infection and outcome after stroke.

PMID- 24233814
TI  - The collaborative autonomy model of medical decision-making.
AB  - While the bioethical principle of beneficence originated in antiquity, the
      ascension of autonomy, or "self-rule," has redefined the physician-patient
      relationship to the extent that autonomy often dominates medical decision-making.
      Philosophical and social movements, medical research atrocities, consumerism, and
      case law have all had their influence on this paradigm shift. Consequently, the
      contemporary physician encounters an uncertainty in medical practice on how to
      resolve conflicts that arise in the pursuit of valuing both autonomy and
      beneficence. This is especially true in the practice of neurologic critical care
      where physicians may be advising comfort care measures for neurologically
      devastated patients while surrogates request physiologically futile
      interventions. This conundrum has been an important subject of the bioethics and
      social science literature but often this discourse is not disseminated to the
      clinicians confronting these issues. The purpose of this essay is to present a
      history of the principles of autonomy and beneficence and then present a shared
      medical decision-making model, collaborative autonomy, to provide guidance to
      neurologic critical care providers in how to resolve such dilemmas. Clinical
      vignettes will help illustrate the model. 

PMID- 24233815
TI  - The physiologic effects of indomethacin test on CPP and ICP in severe traumatic
      brain injury (sTBI).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Refractory intracranial hypertension (RICH) is associated with high
      mortality in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). Indomethacin (INDO) can
      decrease intracranial cerebral pressure (ICP) improving cerebral pressure
      perfusion (CPP). Our aim was to determine modifications in ICP and CPP following
      INDO in RICH secondary to sTBI. METHODS: INDO was administered in a loading dose
      (0.8 mg/kg/15 min), followed by continuous 2-h infusion period (0.5 mg/kg/h).
      Clinical outcome was assessed at 30 days according to Glasgow Outcome Scale
      (GOS). Differences in ICP and CPP values were assessed using repeated-measures
      ANOVA. Receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used for discrimination
      in predicting 30-day survival and good functional outcome (GOS 4 or 5). Analysis
      of INDO safety profile was also conducted. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were
      included. Median GCS score was 6 (interquartile range: 4-7). The most frequent CT
      finding was the evacuated mass lesion (EML) according to Marshall classification
      (28.1 %). Mortality rate was 34.4 %. Within 15 min of INDO infusion, ICP
      decreased (Delta%: -54.6 %; P < 0.0001), CPP increased (Delta%: +44.0 %; P <
      0.0001), and the remaining was stable during the entire infusion period. Patients
      with good outcome (n = 12) showed a greater increase of CPP during INDO test (P =
      0.028). CPP response to INDO test discriminated moderately well surviving
      patients (AUC = 0.751; P = 0.0098) and those with good functional recovery (AUC =
      0.763; P = 0.0035) from those who died and from those with worse functional
      outcome, respectively. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: INDO appears
      effective in reducing ICP and improving CPP in RICH. INDO test could be a useful
      tool in identifying RICH patients with favorable outcome. Future studies are
      needed.

PMID- 24233817
TI  - Apnea testing for brain death in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome: a
      possible solution.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A 42-year-old man with a subarachnoid hemorrhage complicated by
      anoxic brain injury, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and
      severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) presented a clinical conundrum
      for safe apnea testing in brain death determination due to profound hypoxemia.
      METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: During brain death examination, despite meeting
      criteria for severe ARDS, apnea testing was successfully completed with the use
      of a pretest recruitment maneuver and 20 cm H(2)O CPAP valve. CONCLUSION: A
      recruitment maneuver and CPAP valve may be used in severe ARDS for safe apnea
      testing in brain death determination.

PMID- 24233816
TI  - Identifying risk factors for central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis after
      liver transplantation: a case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis (CPEPM) is a rare but
      potentially fatal complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The
      aim of this study was to identify risk factors for development of CPEPM after OLT
      and to assess patient outcome. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data of 1,378
      patients who underwent OLT between 1987 and 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland and
      Edmonton, Canada. Nineteen patients (1.4 %) developed CPEPM. We compared their
      characteristics with control patients, matched by age, gender, date of OLT, and
      MELD score. RESULTS: The 19 patients with CPEPM (7F, mean age 52.1 +/- 2 years)
      had a mean MELD score of 26 +/- 2.2. Before OLT, patients who develop CPEPM
      presented more frequently low (<130 mmol/l; p < 0.04) and very low (<125 mmol/l;
      p < 0.009) sodium than controls. In patients developing CPEPM, the number of
      platelet units and fresh frozen plasma transfused during surgery was higher (p =
      0.05 and 0.047), hemorrhagic complications were more frequent after OLT (p =
      0.049), and variations of sodium before and after OLT were higher (p = 0.023).
      The association of >2 of these conditions were strongly associated with CPEPM (p
      = 0.00015). Mortality at 1 year of patients developing CPEPM was higher (63 vs.
      13 %, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: High MELD score patients undergoing OLT,
      receiving massive perfusions of Na-rich products, experiencing surgery-related
      hemorrhagic complication and important fluctuations of Na are at risk of
      developing CPEPM. Therefore careful monitoring of natremia in the perioperative
      period and use of water-free perfusion in case of massive blood-products
      transfusion are critical points of this patient management.

PMID- 24233819
TI  - Can social bees be influenced to choose a specific feeding station by adding the
      scent of the station to the hive air?
AB  - The behavioral response of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) and bumblebees (Bombus
      terrestris L.) to the flower volatiles 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and myrcene isolated in
      situ from white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and oil seed rape (Brassica napus
      oleifera), respectively, were investigated on a rotating arena with 12 visually
      identical, but differently scented, feeding stations. When locating a feeding
      station, neutral in both shape and color, foragers used scent as orientation cue.
      Introduction of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol to the honeybee hives induced significantly
      more visits to sites containing this compound. In contrast, introduction of
      myrcene to the hives did not influence the foraging choices of honeybees
      significantly. No effect of hive scent composition on the choices made by
      bumblebees could be detected. "Experienced" bumble bees, i.e., bees with more
      than five visits to the feeding stations, tended to visit a particular position
      on the arena without discriminating between the two volatiles. In contrast,
      honeybees showed no positioning behavior on the arena, using primarily
      odoriferous stimuli. The observed influences of addition of scents to the hives
      are discussed in relation to the general knowledge on foraging behavior of social
      bees and the emission of volatiles from leaves and flowers. 

PMID- 24233820
TI  - Antennal perception of oilseed rape,Brassica napus (Brassicaceae), volatiles by
      the cabbage seed weevilCeutorhynchus assimilis (Coleoptera, Curculionidae).
AB  - The response of theCeutorhynchus assimilis antenna to volatiles in air
      entrainment-derived extracts of oilseed rape,Brassica napus, was studied using
      coupled gas chromatography (GC)-electroantennography (EAG) and coupled GC-single
      cell recording (SCR). By means of these techniques and coupled gas chromatography
      mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 25 active compounds were identified, including
      isoprenoids and compounds derived from fatty acids and amino acids. Some of the
      latter, the isothiocyanates and goitrin, and probably indole and benzyl cyanide,
      are catabolites of glucosinolates. The electrophysiological activity of the
      identified compounds was confirmed by EAG using a physiologically discriminating
      dose, and by SCR studies. The importance of the combined use of the EAG and SCR
      techniques was demonstrated, since specific olfactory cells were located for five
      compounds that did not elicit significant EAG responses. The majority of the
      olfactory cells from which single cell recordings were obtained showed very high
      specificity, and in numerous recordings there were consistent pairings of
      specific cell types. 

PMID- 24233821
TI  - Isolation, purification, and characterization of newDaphnia-toxic compound from
      axenicMicrocystis flos-aquae strain PCC7806.
AB  - A new compound, that is toxic toDaphnia, called theDaphnia-toxic compound (DTC),
      was isolated and purified from water extracts ofMicrocystis PCC7806. An
      establishedDaphnia-bioassay was used as a detection system for the DTC in
      purified fractions. Temperature and pH stability were used to separate DTC from
      unstable compounds by changing the pH while the temperature was kept at 90
      degrees C. This was followed by ultracentrifugation at 100.000g. A molecular
      cutoff filtration technique was used to separate compounds with a molecular
      weight >100,000 Da and to reduce the volume of the fraction that was >500 Da.
      Evaporation in a vacuum led to a fraction that had a suitable volume for further
      characterization procedures. DTC was resistant to degradation by two bacteria
      that were isolated from a laboratory culture. DTC was not inactivated by
      incubation with protease K or pronase E. A strong anion-exchange resin at the
      stationary phase of the FPLC equipment was used to purify and concentrate the
      DTC. The molecular weight determined by gel filtration was between 1.0 and 3.1
      kDa. A UV spectrum from this purified fraction exhibited absorption maxima at
      220, 260, and 360 nm. The ecological and analytical relevance of the DTC is
      compared with microcystins. 

PMID- 24233818
TI  - Differential disruption of blood-brain barrier in severe traumatic brain injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and
      disability in young adults, but not much is known about the incidence and
      characteristics of blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in this group. In this
      proof of concept study, we sought to quantify the incidence of BBB dysfunction
      (defined as a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-plasma albumin quotient of >=0.007) and
      examine the relationship between plasma and CSF levels of proteins and
      electrolytes, in patients with severe TBI. METHODS: We recruited 30 patients, all
      of whom were receiving hypertonic 20 % saline infusion for intracranial
      hypertension and had external ventricular drains in situ. Simultaneous CSF and
      blood samples were obtained. Biochemical testing was performed for sodium,
      osmolality, potassium, glucose, albumin, immunoglobulin-G, and total protein.
      RESULTS: Eleven patients (37 %) showed evidence of impairment of passive BBB
      function, with a CSF-plasma albumin quotient of >=0.007. There were strong
      positive correlations seen among CSF-plasma albumin quotient and CSF-plasma
      immunoglobulin-G quotient and CSF-plasma total protein quotient (r = 0.967, P <
      0.001 and r = 0.995, P < 0.001, respectively). We also found a higher maximum
      intracranial pressure (24 vs. 21 mmHg, P = 0.029) and a trend toward increased
      mortality (27 vs. 11 %, P = 0.33) in patients with BBB disruption. CONCLUSIONS:
      In summary, passive BBB dysfunction is common in patients with severe TBI, and
      may have important implications for effectiveness of osmotherapy and long-term
      outcomes. Also, our results suggest that the CSF-plasma total protein quotient, a
      measurement which is readily available, can be used instead of the CSF-plasma
      albumin quotient for evaluating BBB dysfunction.

PMID- 24233822
TI  - Quadrupole storage mass spectrometry of mono- and dimethylalkanes.
AB  - Monomethyl and dimethylalkanes with one, two, three, four, five, and seven
      methylene groups separating the methyl branches were synthesized and analyzed by
      magnetic sector and quadrupole storage (ion trap) mass spectrometry. The spectra
      produced by the magnetic sector instrument were in good agreement with previously
      reported data, whereas the ion trap spectrometer produced ions resulting from
      cleavages adjacent to the branching points, markedly different than those from
      the magnetic sector instrument. Fragmentation patterns show that the ion trap
      mass spectrometer can be used to characterize branched alkanes in nanogram and
      subnanogram quantities. 

PMID- 24233823
TI  - Host-specific recognition kairomone for the parasitoidMicroplitis croceipes
      (Cresson).
AB  - A water-extractable host recognition kairomone in frass of corn
      earworm,Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), host larvae stimulates
      antennation by females of the parasitoidMicroplitis croceipes Cresson
      (Braconidae: Hymenoptera). In addition, when the wasps contact water extracts of
      host frass they will subsequently fly in a flight tunnel to odor associated with
      the extract. Contact with water extracts of cowpea leaves or with water extracts
      of frass from larvae of nonhost beet armyworm, fall armyworm, or cabbage looper
      that were fed cowpea leaves does not stimulate antennation, nor do wasps fly to
      associated odors after contact with these substances. However, contact with the
      water extract of host frass in association with hexane extract of cowpea-fed
      nonhost frass will induce the wasps to subsequently fly to the hexane extract of
      the nonhost frass when it is used as an odor source in a flight tunnel. Thus the
      host-specific kairomone by whichM. croceipes recognizes the frass of its host is
      extractable with water. This substance plays a crucial role in the foraging
      behavior of this parasitoid by allowing it to recognize host frass and to learn
      to search for odors originating from plants on which the host is feeding. 

PMID- 24233824
TI  - Chemical analysis of sternal gland secretion of paper waspPolistes dominulus
      (Christ) and its social parasitePolistes sulcifer (Zimmermann) (Hymenoptera:
      Vespidae).
AB  - The secretion of the tegumental glands of the fifth and sixth gastral sternites
      ofP. dominulus and of its social parasiteP. sulcifer was analyzed by gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. Seven long-chain carboxylic acids have been
      identified: hexadecanoic, octadecadienoic and octadecenoic acids are the major
      components of the gland secretion ofP. dominulus and octadecenoic acid the main
      compounds ofP. sulcifer sternal gland secretion. The same carboxylic acids have
      been found on the nest pedicel. 

PMID- 24233825
TI  - Allocation of pederin during lifetime ofPaederus rove beetles (Coleoptera:
      Staphylinidae): Evidence for polymorphism of hemolymph toxin.
AB  - Pederin, a hemolymph toxin found in the rove beetle genusPaederus, is quantified
      in individual specimens ofP. fuscipes andP. riparius. Whereas males always
      contain only small quantities of the toxin (0.1-1.5 ug), females are not so
      restricted (0.2-20.5 ug) and in most cases possess roughly 10-fold that in males.
      There are, however, females containing as little pederin as the males, and so two
      clearly separate groups of females can be discerned. These two groups hint at two
      types of females defined by the eggs they lay. About 85% of the females, i.e.,
      those containing much of the substance, transfer pederin into every egg and thus
      are denoted (+)-females. The remaining 15%, the (-)-females, contain at best
      small amounts of the toxin, which is transferred in minute quantities into the
      first eggs while the subsequent ones lack pederin. With respect to the pederin
      content of their eggs, there is no overlap between these two types of females. If
      fed with pederin, (-)-females can transfer it into the eggs like (+)-females.
      After hatching the larvae store pederin when present. Larvae are not able to
      biosynthesize the toxin on their own, but storage of that received in the egg is
      very efficient, and the difference between larvae with and without pederin is
      preserved until imaginal eclosion. In (+)-females, pederin increases, probably
      reflecting a biosynthetic capacity, but in males and presumptive (-)-females the
      amount of pederin never exceeds the quantity transferred by parental (+)-females.
      Consequently, males and (-)-females probably are unable to biosynthesize pederin.
      This polymorphism of females may have a genetic basis. Individuals of all stages
      nevertheless sequester pederin if it is supplied with the diet. 

PMID- 24233826
TI  - Structure-activity relationships of cyclopentane analogs of jasmonic acid for
      induced responses of canola seedlings,Brassica napus L.
AB  - Jasmonic acid (JA) has potent activity in enhancing cotyledon toughness and
      stimulating the biosynthesis of 3-indolymethyl glucosinolate in seedlings of
      canola,Brassica napus L. Structure-activity relationships among cyclopentane
      analogs of JA revealed that maximum activity in both systems was achieved when an
      acetyl side chain (or a methylated acetyl side chain) occurred at the C-1 ring
      position, ann-pentenyl side chain at the C-2 ring position, and a keto group at
      the C-3 ring position. Although coronatine and coronafacic acid both possess a
      cyclopentane ring with a keto group at the C-3 position, only coronatine was
      active inB. napus seedlings. Coronatine, a chlorosis-inducing toxin essential to
      the infectivity of pathovars ofPseudomonas syringae, acted as a complete
      molecular mimic of JA and had the same stimulatory effect on specific indole
      glucosinolates inBrassica species, thereby casting doubt on the hypothesis that
      indole glucosinolates serve in bacterial pathogen defense. Similarities and
      differences for structural requirements for activity among several diverse
      physiological systems affected by jasmonates likely reflect species-, tissue-,
      and developmental-specific differences. 

PMID- 24233827
TI  - Neutral compounds from male castoreum of North American beaver,Castor canadensis.
AB  - North American beavers (Castor canadensis) mark their territories with castoreum,
      the strong-smelling paste in their castor sacs. In their own territories, beavers
      respond with scent marking to experimental scent marks that consist of strange
      castoreum (or selected components). In part, the unique odor of castoreum is due
      to large amounts of phenolic compounds and neutral compounds. Purified neutral
      compounds were analyzed by GC. GC-MS, and NMR; identities of the neutral
      compounds were confirmed by comparing the properties of authentic compounds with
      those of the isolated compounds. We identified 13 neutral compounds that had not
      been reported before for castoreum. Most of these are oxygen-containing
      monoterpenes. Of the nine neutral compounds reported by Lederer (1949), only
      three are confirmed in our analysis; the other six neutral compounds are either
      absent or are not volatile enough to be detected by our methods. Eight compounds
      6-methyl-l-heptanol, 4,6-dimethyl-l-heptanol, isopinocamphone, pinocamphone, two
      linalool oxides, and their acetates-were synthesized for structure identification
      and bioassays. 

PMID- 24233828
TI  - Aggregation pheromone ofCarpophilus dimidiatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and
      responses toCarpophilus pheromones in South Carolina.
AB  - The major component of the male-produced aggregation pheromone ofCarpophilus
      dimidiatus (F.) is (3E, 5E, 7E, 9E)-6,8-diethyl-4-methyl-3,5,7,9-dodecatetraene.
      It attracts beetles of both sexes in the field and is synergized by odors from
      fermenting bread dough; mean trap catches for the tetraene alone, tetraene plus
      dough, dough alone, and control were 24.5, 48.3, 0.02, and 0.00, respectively. In
      the laboratory, individual males produced 0.58 ug+/-0.35 ug (SD) of the tetraene
      per day, but males in groups of 10-50 produced <2% as much per beetle. A second
      male-specific compound, (3E, 5E, 7E, 9E)-5,7-diethyl-9-methyl-3,5,7,9
      tridecatetraene, was also identified fromC. dimidiatus and is about 5% as
      abundant as the major pheromone component.Carpophilus flight activity was
      monitored for one year in South Carolina corn fields with the pheromones forC.
      dimidiatus, C. freemani Dobson,C. mutilatus Erichson,C. hemipterus (L.),C.
      lugubris Murray, andC. obsoletus Erichson, all in combination with bread dough.
      The first four of these species accounted for 18, 70, 5.7, and 0.03%,
      respectively, of the totalCarpophilus trapped, but noC. lugubris orC. obsoletus
      were captured. Captures ofC. freemani were as high as 11,400/trap/week. Species
      specificity for the first four pheromones was high, except that a synthetic
      impurity in theC. dimidiatus pheromone was somewhat attractive toC. freemani
      andC. mutilatus. Three other species captured.C. antiques Melsheimer,C.
      marginellus Motschulsky, andC. humeralis (F.), accounted for 0.005, 5.0, and 1.3%
      of the total catch, respectively.C. antiquus was attracted primarily to the
      pheromone ofC. dimidiatus, butC. marginellus andC. humeralis responded to most of
      the test pheromones. There were two major periods ofCarpophilus flight activity:
      February through June and September through November. 

PMID- 24233829
TI  - Phloem transport of antirrhinoside, an iridoid glycoside, inAsarina scandens
      (Scrophulariaceae).
AB  - Iridoid glycosides, terpene-derived compounds found in many plant families,
      protect the plant against generalist and nonadapted specialist insect herbivores,
      fungi, and bacteria. Antirrhinoside, a common iridoid glycoside in the tribe
      Antirrhineae (Scrophulariaceae), was rapidly labeled when mature leaves ofAsarina
      scandens were exposed to(14)CO2. Antirrhinoside was translocated in the phloem
      along with sucrose. Radiolabeled antirrhinoside appeared in the petiole of the
      labeled leaf within 20 min of the beginning of the labeling period.
      Antirrhinoside was also found in phloem sap obtained by the EDTA method. 

PMID- 24233830
TI  - Role of volatile inforchemicals emitted by feces of larvae in host-searching
      behavior of parasitoidCotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): A behavioral
      and chemical study.
AB  - The role of volatile infochemicals emitted by feces of larvae in the host
      searching behavior of the parasitoidCotesia rubecula was evaluated during single-
      and dual-choice tests inside a wind tunnel. The following treatments were tested:
      feces produced by second and fourth instars ofPieris rapae (preferred host),
      second instars ofP. brassicae (inferior host), second instars ofP. napi
      (nonhost), and wet feces of second instars ofP. rapae. During a single-choice
      situation females ofC. rubecula oriented to all types of feces tested. When a
      preference was to be made,C. rubecula preferred feces of second instars ofP.
      rapae over that of fourth, feces ofP. rapae over that ofP. brassicae, feces ofP.
      napi over that ofP. brassicae, and wet over normal host feces. No preference was
      exhibited between feces of second instars ofP. napi and that of second instars
      ofP. rapae. The relative importance of infochemicals from host feces versus plant
      damage caused by host larvae to the searching behavior ofC. rubecula was also
      evaluated. Plant damage was more important to the searching females than host
      feces when feces were present in specific concentrations in relation to damage.
      The volatiles released by normal and wet feces of second instars ofP. rapae, wet
      feces of fourth instars ofP. rapae, and normal and wet feces ofP. brassicae were
      collected and identified. Overall, 85 chemical compounds were recorded belonging
      to the following chemical groups: alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters,
      isothiocyanates, sulfides, nitriles, furanoids, terpenoids and pyridines. The
      blend of chemicals emitted by feces of different instars ofP. rapae and different
      species ofPieris exhibited an instar and species specificity in both quantity and
      quality. Wetting of normal feces increased the amount of volatile chemicals
      released, and it was also responsible for the appearance of new compounds. The
      role of feces of larvae in the host-seeking behavior ofC. rubecula is discussed. 

PMID- 24233831
TI  - Identification of sex attractant pheromone components of the tussock
      moth,Euproctis taiwana (Shiraki) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae).
AB  - Two compounds were isolated and identified from abdominal tips of the female
      tussock moth,Euproctis taiwana (Shiraki), by a combination of gas chromatography
      electroantennographic detection, coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometric
      analysis, microreaction, and synthesis. These compounds were (Z)-16-methyl-9
      heptadecenyl isobutyrate (74.8%) and 16-methylheptadecyl isobutyrate (25.2%).
      Their total amount was determined to be ca. 29.8 ng/female. Field bioassays
      showed that (Z)-16-methyl-9-heptadecenyl isobutyrate is a sex attractant for the
      male moths. These chemical compounds had not previously been found as the sex
      pheromone components in the genusEuproctis. 

PMID- 24233832
TI  - Electroantennographic and coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic
      responses of the mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata, to male-produced
      volatiles and mango odor.
AB  - We have identified five compounds from the headspace of calling male
      Mediterranean fruit flies (medfly),Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and three
      compounds from the headspace of ripe mango (Mangifera indica L). using coupled
      gas chromatographic-electroantennographic (GC-EAG) recordings, coupled gas
      chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis, and electroantennographic
      (EAG) assays of standards. The male-produced volatiles eliciting responses from
      female antennae were ethyl-(E)-3-octenoate, geranyl acetate, (E,E)-alpha
      farnesene, linalool, and indole. An EAG dose-response test of linalool
      enantiomers and indole with female medfly antennae showed relatively strong EAG
      activities, but no significant difference between (R)-(-)-linalool and (S)-(+)
      linalool. The three mango volatiles were identified as (1S)-(-)-beta-pinene,
      ethyl octanoate, andbeta-caryophyllene. In addition, a strong antennal response
      was recorded from a contaminant,alpha-copaene, present in a commercial sample
      ofbeta-caryophyllene. The EAG response amplitudes from both male and female
      antennae to the above three mango volatiles were significantly greater than to a
      hexanol control. For both male and female medfly antennae, the greatest EAG
      responses were elicited bybeta-caryophyllene followed by ethyl octanoate. The
      mean EAG responses of female antennae tobeta-caryophyllene and (1S)-(-)-beta
      pinene were significantly greater than those of male antennae. 

PMID- 24233833
TI  - Roles of cuticular hydrocarbons in intra-and interspecific recognition behavior
      of two rhinotermitidae species.
AB  - Soldiers of two termite species.Reticulitermes speratus andCoptotermes
      formosanus, showed aggressive behavior toward workers of other species. Soldiers
      always exhibited aggressive behavior to a conspecific worker treated with
      heterospecific cuticular hydrocarbons. A bioassay using live workers to test
      contact chemical cues was developed. 

PMID- 24233834
TI  - Evaluation of organic infusions and synthetic compounds mediating oviposition
      inAedes albopictus andAedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).
AB  - Oviposition responses of gravidAedes albopictus andAe. aegypti were evaluated to
      natural organic infusions (hay infusion, larval rearing water, and field
      collected larval water) as well as compounds isolated from hay infusion (3
      methylindole, 4-methylphenol, 4-ethylphenol, indole, and phenol) known to elicit
      oviposition inCulex mosquitoes. In laboratory bioassays, significant oviposition
      responses were obtained fromAe. albopictus, but not fromAe. aegypti, to dilutions
      of hay infusion and field water. Oviposition responses of both species were
      moderate to the synthetic compounds tested in the laboratory (0.01-100 ug/liter).
      Only 3-methylindole (0.1 ug/liter) and 4-ethylphenol (1.0 ug/liter) elicited
      significantly more oviposition byAe. albopictus than did well water. Of the
      synthetic compounds tested withAe. aegypti, only phenol (1.0 ug/liter) and 4
      ethylphenol (0.1 ug/liter) elicited significantly more oviposition than did well
      water. Significant repellency or oviposition deterrence for both species occurred
      in response to at least one high concentration of most of the compounds tested.
      In field cage evaluations, oviposition responses byAe. albopictus were strongest
      to larval water and field water, moderate to hay infusion and 3-methylindole (100
      ug/liter), and low to well water. A mixture of five synthetic compounds mimicking
      hay infusion was no more effective than 3-methylindole alone. ForAe. aegypti,
      oviposition responses were greatest to larval water and least to 3-methylindole.
      In an olfactometer, gravid females of both species oriented more to field water
      than to well water and onlyAe. albopictus oriented more to larval water or hay
      infusion than well water. In general, gravidAe. albopictus responded more
      strongly to oviposition stimuli than didAe. aegypti. 

PMID- 24233835
TI  - Attractants fromStaphylococcus aureus cultures for Mexican fruit fly,Anastrepha
      ludens.
AB  - Volatile chemicals from tryptic soy broth cultures ofStaphylococcus aureus that
      attract sugar-fed, protein-hungry adult Mexican fruit flies were identified.
      Chemicals identified from the headspace above the filtrate of the bacterial
      cultures were ammonia, trimethylamine, isoamylamine, 2-methylbutylamine, 2,5
      dimethylpyrazine, and acetic acid. Each chemical attracted flies. A mixture of
      the chemicals in the same concentrations as were found in the bacterial filtrate
      was 89% as effective in attracting flies as the bacterial filtrate in laboratory
      bioassays. Additional chemicals were identified from various concentrated or pH
      altered preparations made from the filtrate. Many of these chemicals also
      attracted flies. One of these chemicals, dimethylamine, was the most effective
      chemical identified. The use of solid-phase microextraction for volatile
      collection and of thick-film (5-um) capillary GC columns was essential to the
      success of this work. 

PMID- 24233836
TI  - Synergism of an insect sex pheromone specialist neuron: Implications for
      component identification and receptor interactions.
AB  - Extracellular recordings show that the response to the sex pheromone component,
      (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7-12:Ac) by the HS(a) antennal olfactory specialist
      neuron of the cabbage looper,Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), is synergized by two
      synthetic sex pheromone analogs and two components of the female sex pheromone.
      Complementary behavioral measures of upwind flight and copulatory responses to
      mixtures ofZ7-12:Ac with the analogs and sex pheromone components in a wind
      tunnel produced behavioral evidence consistent with the neuron's
      electrophysiological responses. The phenomenon of receptor neuron synergism
      impacts several areas and provides a note of caution for common practices of
      identifying secondary sex pheromone components only from field traps and/or wind
      tunnel tests. 

PMID- 24233837
TI  - The author M.B. Dicklor should be added to author names and the following change
      made in the text.

PMID- 24233838
TI  - SOX2 regulates apoptosis through MAP4K4-survivin signaling pathway in human lung
      cancer cells.
AB  - Previous studies have implicated cancer stem cells in tumor recurrence and
      revealed that the stem cell gene SOX2 plays an important role in the tumor cell
      resistance to apoptosis. Nonetheless, the mechanism by which SOX2 regulates
      apoptosis signals remained undefined. Here, we demonstrated the surprising
      finding that silencing of the SOX2 gene effectively induces apoptosis via the
      activation of death receptor and mitochondrial signaling pathways in human non
      small cell lung cancer cells. Unexpectedly, reverse transcription-PCR analysis
      suggested that downregulation of SOX2 leads to activation of MAP4K4, previously
      implicated in cell survival. Evaluation of the apoptotic pathways revealed an
      increased expression of key inducers of apoptosis, including tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha and p53, with concurrent attenuation of Survivin. Although p53
      appeared dispensable for this pathway, the loss of Survivin in SOX2-deficient
      cells appeared critical for the observed MAP4K4 induced cell death. Rescue
      experiments revealed that SOX2-silencing-mediated killing was blocked by ectopic
      expression of Survivin, or by reduction of MAP4K4 expression. Clinically,
      expressions of Survivin and SOX2 were highly correlated with each other. The
      results reveal a key target of SOX2 expression and highlight the unexpected
      context-dependent role for MAP4K4, a pluripotent activator of several mitogen
      activated protein kinase pathways, in regulating tumor cell survival.

PMID- 24233839
TI  - Gas6/Axl pathway promotes tumor invasion through the transcriptional activation
      of Slug in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common fatal cancers worldwide.
      Other than the sorafenib treatment, no effective systemic therapy has been
      available thus far. Most targets in molecularly targeted therapy for cancer are
      receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Therefore, identifying activated RTKs in HCC is
      critical for developing new molecularly targeted therapies. Using a phospho-RTK
      array, we found that Axl is one of the most frequently activated RTKs in liver
      cancer cell lines. The knockdown of Axl by RNA interference significantly reduced
      cell migration and invasion in the HCC cell lines HA22T and Mahlavu. Stimulation
      of HCC cell lines by Axl ligand growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) enhanced cell
      migration and invasion. The Gas6/Axl pathway enhanced the expression of the
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factor Slug, which is
      essential for the invasion-promoting activity of Axl. Treating HCC cells with the
      Axl inhibitor bosutinib suppressed Slug expression and decreased the invasiveness
      of HCC cell lines. These findings indicate that Gas6/Axl regulates tumor invasion
      through the transcriptional activation of Slug. 

PMID- 24233840
TI  - Materialism and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Religion.
AB  - This study examines the role of religion and religiosity in the relationship
      between materialism and life satisfaction. The findings suggests that religion
      may be a key factor in understanding differences in findings of previous studies
      regarding the inverse relationship found in the vast majority of previous
      studies. Based on a large-scale study in Malaysia-a country comprised of several
      religious subcultures (mainly Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus), the findings
      suggest that the influence of religiosity on materialism and life satisfaction is
      stronger among Malays than among Chinese and Indians, and life satisfaction
      partially mediates the relationship between religiosity and materialism. The
      paper discusses implications for theory development and further research.

PMID- 24233843
TI  - The factorial structure of pathological gambling.
AB  - Pathological gambling has been characterised by DSM-III-R and DSM-IV as a
      disorder of impulse control with a proportion of gamblers identified as meeting
      criteria for a co-morbid diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder. To date,
      empirical evidence in support of the notion that pathological gamblers as a group
      manifest elevated traits of impulsivity remains equivocal. Principal components
      analysis was used to investigate relationships between the constructs of
      impulsivity, psychopathy, DSM-III-R criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder,
      psychological distress, criminal offending behavior and a range of other common
      psychological measures employed with pathological gamblers. The sample comprised
      115 pathological gamblers, 80 consecutive gamblers seeking treatment from a
      general hospital psychiatric inpatient behavior therapy unit, and 35 volunteer
      Gamblers Anonymous attenders. Four primary factors were determined: psychological
      distress, sensation seeking, crime and liveliness, and impulsive-antisocial.
      Results suggest that pathological gambling consists of a number of discrete and
      reproducible factorial structures. The impulsive antisocial factor was found to
      be associated with gambling behavior and indices of poor psychosocial
      functioning. 

PMID- 24233842
TI  - Progranulin, a major secreted protein of mouse adipose-derived stem cells,
      inhibits light-induced retinal degeneration.
AB  - Adipose tissue stromal vascular fraction contains mesenchymal stem cells, which
      show protective effects when administered to damaged tissues, mainly through
      secreted trophic factors. We examined the protective effects of adipose-derived
      stem cells (ASCs) and ASC-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) against retinal damage and
      identified the neuroprotective factors in ASC-CM. ASCs and mature adipocytes were
      isolated from mouse subcutaneous tissue. ASCs were injected intravitreally in a
      mouse model of light-induced retinal damage, and ASC injection recovered retinal
      function as measured by electroretinogram and inhibited outer nuclear layer,
      thinning, without engraftment of ASCs. ASC-CM and mature adipocyte-conditioned
      medium were collected after 72 hours of culture. In vitro, H2O2- and light
      induced cell death was reduced in a photoreceptor cell line with ASC-CM but not
      with mature adipocyte-conditioned medium. In vivo, light-induced photoreceptor
      damage was evaluated by measurement of outer nuclear layer thickness at 5 days
      after light exposure and by electroretinogram recording. ASC-CM significantly
      inhibited photoreceptor degeneration and retinal dysfunction after light
      exposure. Progranulin was identified as a major secreted protein of ASCs that
      showed protective effects against retinal damage in vitro and in vivo.
      Furthermore, progranulin phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase,
      cAMP response element binding protein, and hepatocyte growth factor receptor, and
      protein kinase C signaling pathways were involved in the protective effects of
      progranulin. These findings suggest that ASC-CM and progranulin have
      neuroprotective effects in the light-induced retinal-damage model. Progranulin
      may be a potential target for the treatment of the degenerative diseases of the
      retina. 

PMID- 24233844
TI  - Clinical obstacles in administrating the South Oaks Gambling Screen in a
      methadone and alcohol clinic.
AB  - The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was administered to veterans in both an
      outpatient methadone and problem drinking clinic. The instrument was given to 93
      veterans who represented the poor and homeless. It was anticipated that the SOGS
      would provide important diagnostic information to the clinicians counseling the
      substance abusing population since many compulsive gamblers have a history of
      substance abuse. A number of clinical obstacles were encountered in
      administrating the SOGS in this environment. Both Client and staff noncompliance
      during the screening were major concerns in this respect. The clinical obstacles
      encountered in this study were examined and suggestions to prevent these problems
      are discussed. 

PMID- 24233845
TI  - Pathological gambling and criminal culpability: An analysis of forensic
      evaluations presented to German penal courts.
AB  - In Germany penal courts and expert witnesses are being confronted with an
      increasing number of offenders claiming that their criminal behavior had been
      caused by an irresistible urge to gamble. In 48 of 56 evaluated cases the
      defendants were diagnosed as pathological gamblers. However, diminished
      culpability (S 21 German Criminal Code) was granted in only 32 cases. In these
      cases the illegal activity to get money could be classified as primarily gambling
      related. 

PMID- 24233846
TI  - A developmental perspective of gambling behavior in children and adolescents.
AB  - Although it has been determined that gambling is a popular activity amongst the
      young, there seems to be a lack of studies examining developmental differences in
      children's gambling behavior. This study examines developmental differences in
      children's blackjack gambling behavior. One hundred and four students (51 males;
      53 females) from grades 4, 6, and 8 completed a questionnaire examining their
      gambling behavior in general and individually played a computerized blackjack
      game with the following data being recorded: percentage of accuracy, amounts of
      money bet, gross winnings, percentage of wins, number of hands played, and end
      balance. Findings revealed few developmental differences in prevalence and
      frequency of gambling behavior and performance on a blackjack task. Males were
      found to wager greater amounts of money and have larger gross winnings than
      females on the blackjack task. Furthermore, males were more likely to view
      gambling as involving both large amounts of skill and luck, thus suggesting an
      illusion of control for gambling activities. The results are discussed from a
      cognitive developmental perspective. 

PMID- 24233847
TI  - Psychopathology in pathological gamblers seeking treatment.
AB  - High rates of psychiatric symptoms have been reported in pathological gamblers.
      This study of psychiatric comorbidity in pathological gamblers is the first to
      use structured psychiatric interviews assessing DSM-III-R Axis I and II
      disorders. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM III-R (SCID-P, SCID-II) was
      administered to 40 (25 male, 15 male) pathological gamblers seeking outpatient
      treatment in Minnesota for gambling, and 64 (41 male, 23 female) controls. High
      lifetime rates of Axis I (92%) but not Axis II (25%) psychopathology were found
      in pathological gamblers as compared to controls. No differences between male and
      female gamblers were found in rates of affective, substance use or personality
      disorders. Females had higher rates of anxiety disorders and histories of
      physical/sexual abuse. Possible associations between psychiatric disorders and
      pathological gambling are discussed along with gambler typologies and
      implications for future research. 

PMID- 24233848
TI  - Gender, gambling and problem gambling.
AB  - With data from a 1989 Iowa survey (N=1,011), adult male and female respondents
      are compared on their problem gambling, its correlates, as well as their gambling
      behavior. Gambling behavior means its scope, frequency, wagering and leisure time
      spent at gambling. Women's gambling behavior was lower than that of men, due to
      their having a narrower scope of gambling behavior, but the genders were not
      significantly different on frequency, wagering and time spent at gambling. Women
      and men did not differ significantly on problem gambling. Problem gambling is
      measured as loss of control over gambling, and consequences due to gambling as
      well as gambling behavior. Women and men did differ significantly, however, on
      several predictors of problem gambling. Women's estrangement from a conventional
      lifestyle and integration into a social world of gambling appeared to help
      explain their problem gambling. Alcohol consumption appeared to be a more
      important predictor for men than women. The genders shared the attitude that the
      odds can be beat as well as being big spenders as predictors of their problem
      gambling. The results are interpreted with practitioners' efforts to prevent and
      treat problem gambling in mind. 

PMID- 24233849
TI  - The effect of metals and ammonia on SO2 oxidation to sulphates in the ambient
      air.
AB  - The effect of metals and ammonia on the relationship between mass concentrations
      of sulphur dioxide and sulphate in the air was studied near an aluminium plant
      over a 1-year period. Sulphur dioxide, sulphates and ammonia in the air as well
      as metals (Pb, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Al) in the deposit were measured at four
      measuring sites.The levels of mass concentrations of SO2 were low at all
      measuring sites while the levels of mass concentrations of sulphates in the air
      and concentrations of metals in the deposit were high. The levels of ammonia were
      found to decrease in relationship to the distance from the source of
      pollution.The relationship between the mass concentrations of sulphate and SO2
      can be described by the equation y=ax (b) ;where y is the percentage of sulphate
      sulphur in the total sulphur (sulphate and SO2) and x is the mass concentration
      of the total sulphur in the air. The values of the coefficients a and b are
      characteristic of individual areas.As the results show the coefficients a and b
      obtained at a measuring site close to the plant and outside the urban area are
      characteristic of an industrial area. At control sites in the urban area the
      coefficients are characteristic of an urban area. At the measuring site close to
      the industrial zone and the centre of the urban area the interaction of the
      effects occurs. Therefore, the coefficient a is characteristic of an urban area
      and b of an industrial one. 

PMID- 24233850
TI  - The status, distribution and ecology of wildlife on the U.S. Doe Hanford Site: A
      historical overview of research activities.
AB  - Since the inception of the U.S. DOE Hanford Site in 1943, numerous studies have
      been conducted on terrestrial wildlife. Onsite contractors have focused their
      attention on the role of wildlife in the uptake and transport of radionuclides.
      Graduate students from across the nation have also completed more than 15 theses
      on wildlife. This paper discusses the past history of wildlife research at
      Hanford and the individual species of wildlife that have been observed at
      Hanford. Forty species of mammals, 187 species of birds, 3 species of amphibians
      and 9 species of reptiles have been documented on the Hanford Site to date. 

PMID- 24233851
TI  - The variability and significance of selenium concentrations in Shorebird
      feathers.
AB  - The selenium distribution in the flight feathers of a marine wader, the
      Oystercatcher (Heamatopus ostralegus), is investigated. In the wing the highest
      concentrations are found in the outer primaries, notably primary 8. The inner
      tail feather exceeds the primary 8 concentration. Whithin the vane of a single
      feather, the highest concentrations are found in the tip, the lowest at the basis
      of the feather. The results are discussed in relation to the use of the feather
      as an indicator of selenium exposure.In comparing marine wader species shortly
      after completion of the feather growth, a negative relation is found between the
      fresh primary 8 vane concentration and body weight of the species. A functional
      role of selenium in respect to the metabolic rate is suggested. 

PMID- 24233852
TI  - Environmental characteristics in oligotrophic waters: Data evaluation and
      statistical limitations in water quality studies.
AB  - Standard statistical tests of nutrient variability in the euphotic layer of an
      oligotrophic system in the S.E. Aegean Sea were performed. Practical problems
      resulting from data handling, such as high errors associated with low
      concentrations, nonlinearity and interaction among variables were examined. The
      practical problems in the analysis of environmental data, arising from
      statistical limitations were considered: linear correlations between chlorophyll
      alpha and nutrients were found to be significant only for ammonia, and the
      multiple regression model was found to be of limited value as a tool for a
      description of the system. By contrast, principal component analysis contributed
      significantly to the interpretation of each variable. The difficulties arising
      from the use of statistical methodology, and particularly the limited goodness-of
      fit of the regression models, are discussed in relation to the suitability of
      oligotrophic waters as 'control sites' in eutrophication studies. 

PMID- 24233853
TI  - A simple and fractal analysis of the European on-line network for airborne
      radioactivity monitoring.
AB  - We introduce two simple descriptors and use the fractal dimension to characterize
      the capability of a monitoring network to either 'spot', 'delineate' or 'track' a
      pollution cloud moving across a territory. The descriptors are applied to the
      'European' monitoring network for radioactive aerosol (i.e. the sum of the
      national networks). Simple analysis shows that on average the time and space
      resolution of the network are well balanced for tracking the movement of a
      radioactive cloud. Such tracking, however, can only be started one or two days
      after the release. The geographical inhomogeneity of the network is quantified by
      a fractal dimension of 1.6, implying that radioactive clouds with a dimension
      less than 0.4 might not be detected by the network. 

PMID- 24233854
TI  - Comparative evaluation of procedures for the determination of PAH in low-volume
      samples.
AB  - The aim of this investigation was to evaluate a simplified version of an HPLC
      method for the determination of PAH in suspended particles collected from small
      air volumes indoors, outdoors or in personal exposure measurements. The
      simplification consisted in: (a) collecting PAH by low-volume samplers; (b)
      extracting PAH ultrasonically; and (c) omitting separation of interfering
      substances before analysis by HPLC. The results show that the introduction of
      these modifications affords a considerable reduction in analysis time and solvent
      expenditure, without affecting the quality of measurement. 

PMID- 24233855
TI  - Indian Society of Gastroenterology.

PMID- 24233860
TI  - Nursing and genetic health care.
AB  - Advances in DNA technology are leading to major developments in nursing practice
      in clinical genetics, including the creation of new roles for nurses who care for
      people with genetic conditions. Application of genetic information and testing is
      moving genetics into the mainstream of health care. Therefore, it is anticipated
      that nurses in all areas of practice will become involved in the provision of
      information about genetic testing and assisting individuals and families in
      decision making and adjustment to new genetic information. This article provides
      an overview of the profession of nursing which may be useful to genetic
      counselors in the development of collaborative relationships between the two
      professions. 

PMID- 24233861
TI  - A retrospective survey of community based utilization of Tay Sachs screening in
      Eight New Jersey counties.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of utilization of Tay Sachs
      disease screening by the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Pregnant women who were
      referred to one of three genetic centers in New Jersey for amniocentesis
      unrelated to Tay Sachs screening were the study population. 4490 charts were
      reviewed retrospectively to determine the at risk population for Tay Sachs
      disease (Ashkenazi Jews) and whether or not patients and their spouses had
      elected Tay Sachs screening prior to referral. A group of 25 patients who did not
      elect screening were questioned as to their specific reason for declining Tay
      Sachs screening. Overall community utilization was 90%. Of the couples who did
      not elect screening, 64% felt that their risk to have an affected child was too
      small, 16% could not recall Tay Sachs screening being offered to them, 8% felt
      that screening was inconvenient. Tay Sachs screening as a voluntary preventive
      health care program has a high utilization rate in our study group. 

PMID- 24233862
TI  - Training Genetic Counselors to provide teratogen counseling.
AB  - Provision of teratogen counseling requires acquisition of knowledge and skills
      from several disciplines. Traditionally, training in teratogen counseling has
      occurred "on the job." We describe a formal, didactic and experiential curriculum
      for teratogen counseling as an integral part of the Graduate Program in Genetic
      Counseling leading to the master of science degree at Northwestern University.
      All students complete a 5-week rotation with the Coordinator of the Illinois
      Teratogen Information Service (TIS). This provides them with an opportunity to
      evaluate a spectrum of teratogen exposures, to interpret teratogen studies in a
      manner useful for patients, and to develop skills in assessing and addressing
      psychosocial issues associated with fetal exposure to potential teratogens.
      Students also learn first hand about how a TIS functions and when and how to
      refer to TIS specialists. The goal of the program is to provide genetic
      counseling students with the opportunity to gain experience in accessing and
      interpreting teratology research and in communicating teratogen information to
      patients and health professionals in a sensitive, effective manner. 

PMID- 24233863
TI  - Niflings are nephews and nieces.

PMID- 24233864
TI  - Historical origins of pedigree charts.

PMID- 24233865
TI  - Proximal fractures of the humerus in patients older than 75 years  of age: should
      we consider operative treatment?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over 75 % of patients presenting with a proximal humerus fracture are
      70 years or older. Very little is known about the outcome after operative
      treatment of these fractures in very old patients. This study was performed to
      gain more insight in safety and functional outcome of surgical treatment of
      proximal humerus fractures in the elderly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this
      observational study, we analyzed all operatively treated patients, aged 75 or
      older, with a proximal humerus fracture between January 2003 and December 2008 in
      our center. Patient selection was on clinical grounds, based on physical, mental,
      and social criteria. Complications were evaluated. We used the DASH Questionnaire
      to investigate functional outcome, pain, and ADL limitations. RESULTS: Sixty-four
      patients were treated surgically for a displaced proximal fracture of the
      humerus: 15 two-part, 32 three-part, and 17 four-part fractures. Mean DASH scores
      were 37.5, 36.9, and 48.6, respectively. Regarding the operative methods, overall
      good results were obtained with the modern locked plate osteosynthesis (mean DASH
      34.4). Prosthetic treatment, mostly used in highly comminuted fractures, often
      resulted in poor function (mean DASH 72.9). Persistent pain and ADL limitations
      were more present in more comminuted fractures (64 and 50 % in patients with 4
      part fractures vs. 14 % in 2-part fractures). There were no postoperative deaths
      within 3 months of surgery, and fracture-related and non-fracture-related
      complication rates were low (non-union 3 %; 1 myocardial infarction). CONCLUSION:
      This study shows that it is safe and justifiable to consider surgical treatment
      of a severely dislocated proximal humerus fracture in selected patients aged 75
      and older. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: According to OCEBM Working Group,Level IV.

PMID- 24233866
TI  - Testing the effectiveness of the project success summer program for adult
      dyslexics.
AB  - The major purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of the Project
      Success Summer Program (PSSP) for adult dyslexics. Using a pretest-posttest one
      group design, the experimenter examined the effects of PSSP's intensive eight
      week program on the reading and spelling test scores of subjects (n=63). Data
      analysis indicated subjects' reading and spelling scores improved significantly
      in five areas: reading of real words, passage reading rate, reading
      comprehension, spelling, and phoneme deletion. A second purpose of the study was
      to determine the best predictors of reading comprehension from among the study's
      eight pretest reading and spelling measures. Regression analysis revealed that
      passage reading rates and individual word reading rates were the best predictors
      of reading comprehension scores. Interpretation of the results of this study
      suggest that training in phonological skills can improve poor readers' basic
      decoding skills resulting in improved reading rate, comprehension and spelling. 

PMID- 24233867
TI  - The effects of multisensory structured language instruction on native language
      and foreign language aptitude skills of at-risk high school foreign language
      learners.
AB  - Research findings suggest that most students who have foreign language learning
      problems have language-based difficulties and, in particular, phonological
      processing problems. Authors of the present study examined pre- and posttest
      scores on native language and foreign language aptitude tests of three groups of
      at-risk high school students enrolled in special, self-contained sections of
      first-year Spanish. Two groups were instructed using a multisensory structured
      language (MSL) approach. One of the groups was taught in both English and Spanish
      (MSL/ES), the other only in Spanish (MSL/S). The third group (NO-MSL) was
      instructed using more traditional second language teaching methodologies.
      Significant gains were made by the MSL-ES group on measures of native language
      phonology, vocabulary, and verbal memory and on a test of foreign language
      aptitude; the MSL/S group made significant gains on the test of foreign language
      aptitude. No significant gains on the native language or foreign language
      aptitude measures were made by the NO-MSL group. Implications for foreign
      language classroom instruction of at-risk students are discussed. 

PMID- 24233868
TI  - The impact of an intensive multisensory reading program on a population of
      learning-disabled delinquents.
AB  - The high prevalence of learning disabilities in the juvenile delinquent
      population has been well documented, but attempts to remediate and have an impact
      on recidivism of this population of delinquents has produced limited results. The
      present study is a replication of the remediation phase of the 1976 LD/JD Project
      with methodological refinements to control for treatment integrity and strength
      of treatment. Delinquents in two detention facilities were screened for a
      developmental reading disorder. Subjects were selected for the study based on
      normal intelligence, full English proficiency, and a discrepancy of 15 points
      between reading achievement and IQ. Subjects in the treatment group received 90
      minutes of remedial reading instruction per day using a multisensory
      (Orton/Gillingham) approach. A comparison group received 45 minutes of daily
      reading instruction in the regular classroom. There was no significant difference
      between the two groups in mean age of first arrest, mean age, and mean hours of
      reading instruction. Based on pre- and posttesting in reading and arrest records
      one year following release, the treatment group made significantly greater growth
      in reading (.33 year growth vs -.05 year growth per 10 hours of instruction) and
      had a significantly lower rate of recidivism (41 percent vs 63 percent) than the
      comparison group. Results were discussed in terms of hours of instruction
      necessary to improve reading, intervening treatment variables, and cost
      effectiveness of remedial program. 

PMID- 24233869
TI  - Case study of language and numerical disability: A sequential processing deficit?
AB  - We report a case study of Christine, an intelligent 30-year-old woman with a
      developmental learning disability. Psychometric evaluation and extensive
      interviews revealed several findings: most notably, evidence of anomia, auditory
      processing problems, difficulty acquiring reading and spelling skills, and an
      extremely poor sense of number. In addition, Christine showed all four of the
      Gerstmann symptoms (left-right confusion, finger agnosia, dysgraphia, and
      dyscalculia). We suggest that most, if not all, of these impairments may be
      explained in terms of a sequential processing deficit (e.g., Bakker 1967; Tallal
      1980). In Christine's case, difficulty perceiving serial order appears to have
      resulted in a major conceptual impairment involving number.HD-To me four is a
      number that comes after three and before five. It means twice two ...C-To me four
      is a picture. 

PMID- 24233870
TI  - Successful applications of montessori methods with children at risk for learning
      disabilities.
AB  - The critical elements in the Montessori philosophy are respect for the child,
      individualization of the program to that child, and the fostering of
      independence. With her research background, Maria Montessori devised a
      multisensory developmental method and designed materials which isolate each
      concept the teacher presents to the child.In presenting these materials the
      teacher observes the concept and skill development level of the child,
      ascertaining areas of strength and weakness and matching the next presentation to
      the child's level of development. Using small sequential steps, the teacher works
      to ameliorate weakness and guide the student to maximize his strengths. These
      presentations, usually initiated by the child, enhance cognitive growth using a
      process which integrates his physical, social, and emotional development.The
      curriculum contains four major content areas: Practical Life; Sensorial; Oral and
      Written Language; and Mathematics. Geography, History, Science, Art, Music,
      Literature, and Motor Skills are also included. In all of these the Montessori
      presentations build from the simple to the complex, from the concrete to the
      abstract, and from percept to concept. Vocabulary and language usage are integral
      to each presentation.The procedures introduced through these presentations are
      designed to enhance attention, increase self-discipline and self-direction, and
      to promote order, organization, and the development of a work cycle. At-risk
      children benefit from the structure, the procedures, and the curriculum.
      Applications of this method require more teacher selection of materials and
      direct teaching, particularly of language and math symbols and their
      manipulations.This early childhood intervention provides an individualized
      program which allows the at-risk child a successful experience at the preschool
      level. The program includes a strong conceptual preparation for later academic
      learning and it promotes the development of a healthy self-concept. 

PMID- 24233871
TI  - The writing road to reading: From theory to practice.
AB  - Orton-based programs include essential elements that insure success for teaching
      language to regular and special education children. This paper traces the
      theoretical foundations of The Writing Road to Readingby Romalda B. Spalding
      (1990) from the beginning concepts taught Mrs. Spalding by Dr. Samuel T. Orton
      through its validation in current cognitive science and learning theory. Pilot
      project locations and success statistics with regular and special education
      children in Arizona, Louisiana, Maine, and Texas are presented. It explains how
      direct, multisensory instruction in seven processes necessary for skilled reading
      and principles of skill learning and instruction are incorporated in the Spalding
      Method. 

PMID- 24233872
TI  - A future of reversals: Dyslexic talents in a world of computer visualization.
AB  - With the recent revival of visual approaches at the forefront of several
      scientific, mathematical, and technological developments, this paper proposes
      that visually oriented dyslexics may be in an increasingly favorable position in
      future years. The same set of traits which has caused them so much difficulty in
      traditional verbally-oriented educational systems, may confer special advantages
      in emerging new fields which rely heavily on visual methods of analysis-fields
      which employ powerful graphic workstations and supercomputers to visualize
      complex scientific data. Recent trends have also led some technical professionals
      to become aware that their own special talents seem to be closely associated with
      certain dyslexic traits. It is argued that similarly mixed talents have been
      major factors in the accomplishments of a number of important historical figures.

PMID- 24233873
TI  - Familial patterns of learning disabilities.
AB  - Extended families of 12 young adults (9 LD, 3 non-LD) were given a battery of
      tests and questionnaires, and 131 persons, ranging in age from 6 to 85, were
      classified as LD or non-LD on the basis of subtest scores 1 SD below the mean or
      less on subtests of the PIAT and WRAT achievement tests. Pedigree analysis
      indicated that LD was strongly familial, with the most probable mode involving a
      major gene effect, but the type of disability (reading/ math) was not directly
      inherited. Autoimmune disorders were significantly correlated (P<.005) with LD,
      especially in families in which LD remained a major handicap into adulthood, a
      trait that also varied between families. In two of the LD families, adults showed
      little evidence of the reading/spelling deficits they had shown when tested as
      children, while adults in other families failed to make gains in reading and
      spelling. 

PMID- 24233874
TI  - Nonverbal learning disability, school behavior, and dyslexia.
AB  - The aims of the study were to investigate whether children showing a low
      nonverbal/high verbal (LNV) WISC-R profile are more likely to exhibit behaviors
      conducive to school failure than children with a low verbal/high nonverbal (LV)
      profile, and to examine the relationships among these behaviors, the LNV/LV
      profiles, and reading ability. The 65 subjects included 27 LNV and 38 LV
      children, aged 5 to 11 years. Results confirmed earlier findings (Badian 1986)
      that LNV children are perceived by their teachers as significantly poorer than LV
      children in many behaviors associated with school success. There was a dichotomy,
      however, between LNV good and poor readers. All LNV subjects displayed problems
      in organizational skills, but those who were dyslexic were poorer in social
      behavior (e.g., acceptance of criticism and peer relationships) than either LNV
      good readers or LV good or poor readers. It was concluded that children with a
      low nonverbal/high verbal profile and a probable right hemisphere dysfunction,
      who appear to be dyslexic in the early school years, are at high risk for both
      social behavior problems and school failure, and that these children are a more
      high-risk group than poor readers with a low verbal/high nonverbal profile. 

PMID- 24233875
TI  - Object naming ability of adults with written language difficulties.
AB  - Several studies have observed that school-aged, reading-disabled children have
      object-naming problems. In addition, significant positive relationships between
      object-naming ability and reading and spelling skills have been observed for this
      population. The co-occurrence of these problems has been explained by common
      underlying phonological deficiencies. Because written language problems can
      persist beyond the school-aged years, the purpose of this study was to examine
      object-naming ability and the relationship between object naming and written
      language of adults. Twenty-two adults, half with written language difficulties
      and half without, performed four tasks: object naming, object recognition,
      reading, and spelling. Significant positive relationships were obtained between
      object-naming ability and reading ability, object-naming ability and spelling
      performance, and reading and spelling performance. In addition to phonological
      deficiencies, the results indicated that adult poor readers and spellers lack
      knowledge of the orthographic structure of words. These findings suggest that
      problems underlying object naming and written language do not resolve with
      cognitive maturation or additional years of experience with language and should
      be addressed in the early school-aged years. 

PMID- 24233876
TI  - Syllable and rime patterns for teaching reading: Analysis of a frequency-based
      vocabulary of 17,602 words.
AB  - A frequency-based vocabulary of 17,602 words was compiled and analyzed in order
      to group words with recurring syllable and rime patterns for teaching reading.
      The role of the rime unit (e.g.,ite inkite andinvite) in determining vowel
      pronunciation was central to the analysis because of the difficulty that the
      ambiguity of English vowel spelling presents to children who do not learn to read
      words easily. Vowel pronunciation in each orthographic rime was examined, both
      for its consistency in all words in which the rime occurs and for regularity,
      defined as conformity to the most frequent pronunciation for each vowel spelling
      in each of six orthographic syllable types.Of the 824 different orthographic
      rimes, 616 occur in rime families as the building blocks of almost all the 43,041
      syllables of the words. These rimes account for a striking amount of patterning
      in the orthography: 436 are both regular and consistent in pronunciation (except
      where a single exception word occurs); another 55 are consistent but not regular.
      Of the remaining 125, only 86 have less than a 90 percent level of consistency.
      The high order of congruence of orthographic and phonological rimes suggests
      their usefulness as units for teaching reading. 

PMID- 24233877
TI  - Automaticity training for dyslexics: An experimental study.
AB  - Less-skilled readers may experience a processing bottleneck in reading
      comprehension produced by a failure to automate word recognition. The
      automaticity hypothesis predicts that training which increases rapid and
      automatic word recognition will improve comprehension. To date few studies have
      tested this hypothesis. Our goal was to test the automaticity hypothesis by
      training dyslexic readers (n=35) to access the meaning of words more rapidly.
      Training consisted of speeded word games implemented on a microcomputer that
      provided feedback concerning subjects' speed and accuracy using sound and
      graphics. Three experimental tasks were administered both before and after
      training in which trials with trained and untrained stimuli were randomly
      intermixed. The measures were latency and accuracy of word vocalization, sentence
      comprehension, and a dual-task procedure designed to measure automaticity.
      Although pre/post improvement was larger for trained than untrained stimuli,
      reaction time on the word vocalization and sentence comprehension tasks improved
      significantly for both trained and untrained stimuli. In contrast, automaticity
      and sentence comprehension accuracy improved significantly for trained but not
      untrained stimuli. The training effect in comprehension remained when controlling
      for increases in word knowledge. The results support the automaticity hypothesis
      and further suggest that severely disabled readers may benefit from training in
      automatic word recognition. 

PMID- 24233878
TI  - Issues in phonological awareness assessment.
AB  - Awareness of the internal phonological structure of words is a causal factor in
      success with the alphabetic principle in word recognition. However, findings with
      the Lindamood Auditory Conceptualization (LAC) Test reveal 25-30% of the
      population show deficiency in a subtle component of phonological awareness termed
      comparator function. We argue that this comparator function-an ability to hold
      the phoneme and/or syllable segments of two phonological structures in mind and
      compare and represent any variations in the number, identity, or order of their
      segments-is a primary sensory-cognitive function underlying the secondary
      function of self-correction in word recognition and spelling. And since word
      recognition correlates highly with comprehension, comparator function also
      indirectly impacts this basic purpose for reading. We suggest that the needs of
      many individuals, including educators themselves, for development and refinement
      of phonological awareness/comparator function may be misdiagnosed and
      underaddressed unless more sensitive measures of phonological awareness are used.
      The consequence of inadequate assessment/remediation of these deficiencies in
      educators is that they may be less able to assess and address these deficiencies
      in their students. Standard phonics instruction is known to be ineffective in
      developing phonological awareness for many individuals. However, phonological
      deficits can be addressed both preventively and remedially using procedures that
      are fundamentally different from typical phonics instruction. 

PMID- 24233879
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24233880
TI  - Hen ovomucoid-agarose: A new conjugate for the isolation by affinity
      chromatography of UDP-galactose: Glycoprotein galactosyl-transferase.
AB  - A new conjugate for the affinity chromatography of UDP-galactose:glycoprotein
      galactosyltransferase has been synthesized by coupling hen ovomucoid, a ligand
      similar to the acceptor substrate, to agarose.The hen ovomucoid-Sepharose
      conjugate binds galactosyl transferase more tightly that other acceptor-Sepharose
      conjugates.The new adsorbent gives comparable yields and purifications with those
      obtained by ligands similar to the nucleotide moiety of the substrate and to the
      "specifier" protein, alpha-lactalbumin.The soluble galactosyltransferase from rat
      ventral prostate is effectively removed from the high speed supernatant by an
      ovomucoid-Sepharose column. The enzyme can be eluted with buffer containing EDTA
      andN-acetylglucosamine in a high yield (75-80%) and in a purified form (4000-fold
      purification). The stability of ovomucoid to heat and to high concentrations of
      urea and its inhibition of some proteases makes the conjugate easy to operate
      with an quite useful even with rather crude preparations. 

PMID- 24233881
TI  - Protection of immobilized sulfhydryl groups against autooxidation by alterations
      in their microenvironment.
AB  - Immobilized sulfhydryl groups were prepared by partial thiolation of NH2-glass
      beads. The microenvironment of the immobilized SH groups was varied by different
      chemical modifications of neighboring NH2 groups. Introduction of a strong charge
      in the surroundings of immobilized sulfhydryls results in their dramatic
      stabilization against autooxidation. This effect is due to the salting of O2 from
      the surface microlayer of the thiolated beads. 

PMID- 24233882
TI  - Determination by the enzyme thermistor of cellobiose formed on degradation of
      cellulose.
AB  - A calorimetric assay procedure for the determination of cellobiose has been
      developed. The cellobiose is hydrolyzed by beta-glucosidase and the glucose
      formed is measured calorimetrically by an enzyme thermistor containing co
      immobilized glucose oxidase and catalase. The system was optimized with regard to
      the arrangement of the enzymes, the pH-dependence of the separate enzymic steps,
      and of the total system. By placing the beta-glucosidase in a precolumn that
      could be switched in and out of the flow through the enzyme thermistor, both
      cellobiose and glucose present in the sample could be determined. The performance
      with standard solutions and with crude samples from cellulose degradation
      experiments was investigated. 

PMID- 24233883
TI  - Delayed luminescence of luminol initiated by a membrane-bound peroxidase.
AB  - The luminescense of the luminol-H2O2 system was initiated by either free or
      membrane-bound horseradish peroxideae (HRP). The instantaneous luminescene
      decayed rapidly and was followed by the delayed luminescence in the presence of
      excess luminol. The delayed luminescence was characterized by a chain reaction,
      in which luminescence intensity increased exponentially. Membrane-bound HRP
      demonstrated that the delayed luminescence took place even in the absence of HRP
      if the instantaneous luminescence was initiated by HRP. A mechanism for the
      nonenzymatic luminescence is proposed and discussed. 

PMID- 24233884
TI  - Immobilization of proteins as a tool for studying primary structure around their
      cysteinyl residues.
AB  - The primary structure around the single cysteinyl residue of chicken pepsin was
      investigated by binding the protein via this residue to an insoluble carrier.
      Carriers stable towards reagents used for the fragmentation of proteins and
      sequence analysis were prepared by coupling a spacer arm to polyN-hydroxymethyl
      acrylamide using a thioether bond that is potentially cleavable by mercuric ions
      (1). Phenacyl bromide group, attached to the free end of the spacer, reacted
      rapidly and specifically with the cysteinyl residue of chicken pepsin. Up to 300
      mg of the enzyme were bound to 1 g of carrier.The polymer-bound protein was
      cleaved by trypsin or by cyanogen bromide or by a sequence of both. Fragments of
      40-120 amino acid residues, depending on the method of cleavage, remained
      attached to the polymer through the cysteinyl residue. The compositions and
      partial sequences of these fragments revealed that the cysteinyl residue is
      located within or in the vicinity of a loop in the molecule formed by a disulfide
      bond. 

PMID- 24233885
TI  - Antidiatom activity of marine bacteria associated with sponges from San Juan
      Island, Washington.
AB  - Crude extracts of 52 marine bacteria associated with sponges, which were
      collected from the sea near San Juan Island, Washington, USA, were screened using
      diatom attachment assays against Amphora sp., Nitzschia closterium, Sellaphora
      sp. and Stauroneis sp. to investigate their antidiatom activities. Among these
      samples, five expressed strong anti-adhesion effects on all four tested diatoms.
      There was no negative effect observed from those five active samples on the
      growth of Amphora sp. Those five active samples were prepared from respective
      isolates, which all belonged to the genus Bacillus based on 16S rRNA gene
      sequencing analysis. The results of present study indicate that Bacillus may play
      important roles for sponges' chemical defence against biofouling of diatoms and
      that the metabolites of Bacillus may be a potential source of natural antifouling
      compounds. 

PMID- 24233886
TI  - In search of consolidation of short-term memory in nonhuman animals.
AB  - Wixted (Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 235 - 269, 2004) has argued that
      forgetting is due to consolidation failure. Previous research with humans and
      nonhuman animals has reported evidence for consolidation in intermediate or long
      term memory (LTM). The present study examines whether consolidation occurs in
      short-term memory in pigeons. Delayed matching-to-sample accuracy was reduced
      when retroactive interference (an extraneous task in Experiment 1 or houselight
      illumination in Experiment 2) was interpolated in the retention interval.
      Accuracy was not greater, however, when interference occurred at the end of the
      retention interval, as compared with when it occurred at the beginning. That is,
      there was no evidence for consolidation in short-term memory for pigeons. We did
      find, however, the beginning-end effect originally reported by Roberts and Grant
      (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 4, 219-236, 1978)
      and the recovery from forgetting reported by White and Brown (Journal of the
      Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 96, 177-189, 2011). The results are discussed
      in relation to temporal distinctiveness theory as an alternative to
      consolidation.

PMID- 24233887
TI  - Women's health funding.

PMID- 24233888
TI  - Protecting patients, society.

PMID- 24233889
TI  - Feeding the physician pipeline.

PMID- 24233890
TI  - TMA vs. Cigna.

PMID- 24233891
TI  - Good communication.

PMID- 24233892
TI  - Predictors of severe hypotension in neurocritical care patients sedated with
      propofol.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Propofol is used extensively in neurocritical care (NCC) due to its
      pharmacologic properties allowing for facilitation of serial neurologic
      examinations. Despite widespread use, few studies have identified risk factors
      for hypotension in these patients. We aimed to determine predictors of
      hypotension in NCC patients sedated with propofol. METHODS: This retrospective,
      multicenter study evaluated 237 patients at two academic medical centers, both
      with dedicated NCC teams led by board-certified neurointensivists. Univariate
      analyses were performed to determine risk factors associated with severe
      hypotension during sedation with propofol. Multivariable analysis was performed
      to determine variables independently associated with hypotension, defined as a
      mean arterial pressure (MAP) less than 60 mmHg. RESULTS: There was an average
      maximum reduction in MAP of 28.8 % after propofol initiation in the entire
      cohort. Severe hypotension developed in 62 (26.2 %) patients to a median nadir
      MAP of 56 mmHg. Those who developed severe hypotension had a longer median
      duration of mechanical ventilation (5.0 vs. 3.6 days; p = 0.01) and an increased
      in-hospital mortality (38.7 vs. 24.0 %; p = 0.03). Multivariable logistic
      regression analysis identified increasing number of changes to the propofol
      infusion rate, baseline MAP 60-70 mmHg, and need for renal replacement therapy
      (RRT) as factors independently associated with hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple
      factors predicted hypotension in NCC patients receiving propofol. Clinicians
      should use propofol cautiously in patients with a lower baseline MAP or receiving
      RRT. Development of protocols related to the frequency of dose titrations is also
      recommended to prevent this avoidable complication.

PMID- 24233894
TI  - Cyclic changes in volatile constituents of bovine vaginal secretions.
AB  - Headspace gas chromatography was used to examine the volatile components of
      bovine vaginal secretions in three consecutive estrous cycles from each of four
      cows. Results indicated that there was an interesting peak with a retention of
      2.7 min. It showed a successive rise and fall zero to three days before estrus.
      Gas chromatographic evidence and mass spectral data confirmed that this peak was
      acetaldehyde. Another unidentified compound with a retention time of 27 min was
      found to be unique to proestrus. It occurred two to three days prior to estrus,
      but was absent at any other time of the cycle. 

PMID- 24233893
TI  - The impact of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on inflammatory response after
      aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The degree of inflammatory response with cytokine release is
      associated with poor outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
      Previously, we reported on an association between systemic IL-6 levels and
      clinical outcome in patients with aneurysmal SAH. The intention was to assess the
      impact of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen on the
      inflammatory response after SAH. METHODS: Our method involved exploratory
      analysis of data and samples collected within a previous study. In 138 patients
      with SAH, systemic interleukin (IL-6) and c-reactive protein (CRP) were measured
      daily up to day 14 after SAH. The correlations among the cumulatively applied
      amount of NSAIDs, inflammatory parameters, and clinical outcome were calculated.
      RESULTS: An inverse correlation between cumulatively applied NSAIDs and both IL-6
      and CRP levels was found (r = -0.437, p < 0.001 and r = -0.369, p < 0.001
      respectively). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed a cumulative
      amount of NSAIDs to be independently predictive for systemic IL-6 and CRP levels.
      The cumulative amount of NSAIDs reduced the odds for unfavorable outcome, defined
      as Glasgow outcome scale 1-3. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a potential
      beneficial effect of NSAIDs in patients with SAH in terms of ameliorating
      inflammatory response, which might have an impact on outcome.

PMID- 24233895
TI  - Behavioral correlates for minor volatile compounds from stink bugs (Heteroptera:
      Pentatomidae).
AB  - Many terrestrial Heteroptera have small, but functional, dorsal abdominal glands
      as adults. The chemistry, and associated intra- and inter-specific behavior, for
      dorsal abdominal gland secretions from 10 species representing four genera of
      Pentatomidae was investigated. Eighteen volatile compounds were identified in
      species-specific blends from the dorsal abdominal gland secretions ofEuschistus,
      Acrosternum, andEurydema adults, including aliphatic, aromatic, and terpenoid
      constituents. Evidence from bioassays is presented that parasitic Tachinidae
      (Diptera) and Scelionidae (Hymenoptera) use these secretions as kairomones. A
      field experiment was performed to test the hypothesis that minor volatiles
      increase the specificity of the main pheromone component from NearcticEuschistus
      species, methyl (2E,4Z)-decadienoate. However, significantly fewer individuals
      ofE. tristigmus were captured in traps baited with the complete blend for this
      species than in traps baited with methyl (2E,4Z)-decadienoate alone. Thus, at the
      concentrations tested, these kinds of dorsal abdominal gland secretions may be
      epideictic, promoting spacing in the natural habitat. 

PMID- 24233896
TI  - Structure-activity relationship observations for European corn borer moth
      pheromone and fluoro analogs via computer molecular modeling.
AB  - Structure-activity relationship (SAR) observations were made for theZ-type
      European corn borer moth pheromone, (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-ol acetate, and a series
      of analogs with fluorination in the alcohol portion of the molecule. The
      attractiveness of these analogs and the pheromone was compared to the
      electrostatic potential map of the molecular mechanics (MM) minimized lowest
      energy conformation for each compound. A critical range of electrostatic
      potential on the protons of the double-bond appears to be essential for optimal
      acceptor fit and attractiveness. 

PMID- 24233897
TI  - Natural variation of toxicity in encrusting spongeCrambe crambe (Schmidt) in
      relation to size and environment.
AB  - The presence of intraspecific variation in toxicity and its relationship with
      biological or ecological factors were studied in the spongeCrambe crambe. Within
      specimen (periphery and central part), between-size (<1000 mm(2) in area, between
      1000 and 10,000 mm(2) and >10,000 mm(2)) and between-habitat (well-illuminated
      and dark communities) variations in toxicity were evaluated by the Microtox
      bioassay. Quantitative differences were detected that were not attributable to
      within-specimen variation but to size and habitat effects. Habitat comparisons
      showed that sponges in the shaded habitat were significantly more toxic than
      those of the well-illuminated community. Sponges of the smaller size classes
      displayed significantly less toxicity than the medium-sized specimens. Results
      are interpreted under the optimal defense theory and their ecological
      implications are considered. 

PMID- 24233898
TI  - N,N-dimethyluracil and actinidine, two pheromones of the ponerine antMegaponera
      foetens (Fab.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
AB  - By means of gas chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and micro-preparative
      methodsN,N-dimethyluracil and actinidine were identified as two ethologically
      active compounds in the ponerine antMegaponera foetens. The synthesized poison
      gland compoundN,N-dimethyluracil released trail-following behavior, whereas
      actinidine, found in the pygidial gland, stimulated ants to leave the nest,
      possibly in an alarm reaction. Biological activity of the synthetic samples were
      confirmed by behavioral experiments and electroantennogram responses with worker
      antennae. 

PMID- 24233899
TI  - Behavior of processionary males (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) induced by sex
      pheromone and analogs in a wind tunnel.
AB  - The behavioral response of processionary males (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) to the
      natural pheromone (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynyl acetate (1) and structurally related
      analogs in a wind tunnel is presented. Stereomerically pureZ-1 and a mixture with
      theE isomer in 80:20 ratio elicited similar attraction responses at 1 ug and
      higher. The activity was dose-dependent, being optimum at 1 ug with 90% and 80%
      of males contacting with the source in the presence of theZ-1 andZ/E-1,
      respectively. 11-Hexadecynyl acetate (2) functioned as a pheromone mimic, being
      able to induce the complete mate-finding behavioral sequence, although its
      activity was much lower than that of the pheromone. (Z)-13-Hexadecen-11-ynyl
      alcohol (3) and, particularly, (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynal (4) were potent
      inhibitors of the upwind flight response in mixtures withZ-1 in 99:1, 95:5, and
      91:9 ratios. (Z)-1,1,1-Trifluoro-16-nonadecen-14-yn-2-one (5) also inhibited the
      response of males to pheromone, particularly in the source contact behavior.
      Comparison with activity displayed by analogs in field tests is also reported. 

PMID- 24233900
TI  - Alkadienes mediating courtship in the parasitoidCardiochiles nigriceps
      (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).
AB  - Courtship inCardiochiles nigriceps (Viereck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) involves
      male attraction to females and male antennation of females followed by mounting
      and copulation. Once the female is located, antennation and mounting of the
      female are mediated by the hydrocarbon fraction of female's Dufour's gland and
      cuticle. The identification of the cuticular hydrocarbons of males and females
      revealed a mixture of alkanes and alkenes, in addition to a series of alkadienes
      specific to females. These female-specific alkadienes reported from Braconidae
      are unusual among insect alkadienes in that the second double bond occurs in the
      middle of the molecule. Bioassays with three available alkadienes revealed that
      contact behaviors (antennation and mounting) are in part mediated by the (Z,Z)-7,
      13-heptacosadiene and at least one other alkadiene in combination with other
      hydrocarbons found in males and females. 

PMID- 24233901
TI  - Modification of responses byCampylomma verbasci (Heteroptera: Miridae) to
      pheromone blends in atmospheres permeated with synthetic sex pheromone or
      individual components.
AB  - Trapping experiments were conducted in orchards to test the hypothesis that
      exposure of the mullein bug,Campylomma verbasci (Meyer), to atmospheres permeated
      with its synthetic sex pheromone, a 94:6 blend of butyl butyrate (BB) and (E)
      crotyl butyrate (CB), or BB or CB alone, would alter the pheromone responses of
      males toward off-ratio blends. Exposure to the natural 94:6 blend shifted the
      response preference away from the natural ratio to blends enriched in BB,
      including a 99:1 blend, which is normally significantly less attractive than the
      natural ratio. In an atmosphere permeated with CB, male mullein bugs were as
      responsive to blends containing 20, 33, and 43% CB, up to seven times the natural
      percentage, as they were to the 94:6 blend. In an atmosphere permeated with BB,
      responses to five blends ranging from 94:6 to 99:1 BB:CB were not significantly
      different, whereas in an untreated atmosphere blends of 98:2 and 99:1 were
      significantly less attractive than the 94:6 blend. Individual components appeared
      to disrupt pheromone communication primarily through the creation of a sensory
      imbalance and modified interpretation of pheromone blend ratios, whereas
      disruption by the complete pheromone blend apparently involves several
      mechanisms, including false-trail following and camouflage. Disruption of
      pheromone communication was most effective with the natural 94:6 sex pheromone
      blend. 

PMID- 24233902
TI  - Isolation and identification of sex pheromone ofSymmetrischema tangolias (Gyen)
      (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).
AB  - The sex pheromone of the South American potato tuber mothSymmetrischema tangolias
      (syn.:Symmetrischema plaesiosema) was identified as a 2:1 mixture of (E,Z)-3,7
      tetradecadien-1-ol acetate and (E)-3-tetradecen-1-ol acetate by means of dual
      column GC, EAG, GC-EAD, GC-MS, NMR, and wind-tunnel bioassays. (Z)-5-Tetradecen-1
      ol acetate and (Z)-7-tetradecen-1-ol acetate were also identified in the
      pheromone gland extract. MaleS. tangolias were able to detect these acetates
      (EAG), but their addition to the two-component sex pheromone did not improve
      attractiveness. Field trials in Cajamarca and Cusco, Peru, showed that traps
      baited with the synthetic sex pheromone were able to catch large numbers of
      maleS. tangolias. 

PMID- 24233903
TI  - Egg dispersion in codling moth: Influence of egg extract and of its fatty acid
      constituents.
AB  - Codling moth females (Cydia pomonella, Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) (CM) usually lay
      single eggs and have a tendency to disperse. In a first experiment we observed
      that single females exposed to 20 apples distribute their eggs regularly among
      apples, suggesting a dispersive oviposition behavior. In a dual-choice situation,
      isolated females avoided oviposition on areas of cardboard treated with a
      methylene dichloride egg extract at the dose of ca. 1.0 egg equivalent/cm(2). A
      strong avoidance was obtained in response to a 20-fold dose, which was
      accompanied by a significant reduction of total oviposition. Seven major
      compounds found by GC analyses in the methylene dichloride extract of 2 to 3-day
      old eggs were saturated or unsaturated C14-C18 straight-chain fatty acids:
      myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid,
      linoleic acid, and linolenic acid. This was confirmed by GC-MS analysis of an
      extract made by ethyl ether. Smaller amounts of three methyl esters were also
      identified as methyl myristate, methyl palmitate, and methyl stearate. A blend of
      the seven fatty acids (FA) mimicked rather well the avoidance provoked by the
      extract, and this avoidance was confirmed by choice between treated and untreated
      fruits by single females. The treatment of apples with the 7FA mixture induced an
      aggregative distribution of the eggs among apples. We also found that the amounts
      of fatty acids harvested in the extract depend on the egg age. Amounts of fatty
      acids increased until eggs were 4 days old and then decreased before hatching. In
      this paper we discuss the possible role of simple molecules, such as fatty acids
      and their esters, as semiochemicals indicative of juvenile tissues. 

PMID- 24233904
TI  - Optical isomers of 3,13-dimethylheptadecane: Sex pheromone components of the
      western false hemlock looper,Nepytia freemani (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).
AB  - (3S, 13R)-3, 13-Dimethylheptadecane [(3S, 13R)-3, 13-dime-17Hy] is the major
      pheromone component of the western false hemlock looper (WFHL),Nepytia freemani.
      In comparative gas chromotographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD)
      analyses of stereoselectively synthesized isomers, 1 pg of (3S, 13R)-dime-17Hy
      elicited significantly stronger electrophysiological responses by male WFHL
      antennae than did 1 pg of separately injected (3R, 13R)-, (3R, 13S)- or (3S, 13S)
      3, 13-dime-17Hy. In field experiments with individually tested stereoisomers.
      (3S, 13R)-3, 13-dime-17Hy was the only stereoisomer to attract males, but the
      four-stereoisomer blend was 3.6 times more attractive. Quaternary and all binary
      combinations of (3S, 13R)-3, 13-dime-17Hy with the other stereoisomers were
      equally attractive, suggesting that synergisytic behavioral activity in WFHL
      resided with either one of (3R, 13R)-, (3R, 13S)-, or (3S, 13S)-3, 13-dime-17Hy.
      Because optical isomers of (di)methylhydrocarbons do not separate on currently
      available columns, it remains unknown whether female WFHL also produce a four
      stereoisomer pheromone blend. Substitutionality of pheromone stereoisomers
      without loss of behavioural activity has not previously been reported, but
      favorably compares with the concept of pheromone redundancy that was first
      suggested for the multiple pheromone component blend of the cabbage looper
      moth,Trichoplusia ni. 

PMID- 24233905
TI  - Effects of DIMBOA on several enzymatic systems in Asian corn borer,Ostrinia
      furnacalis (Guenee).
AB  - By using spectrophotometric analysis and isoelectric focusing electrophoresis
      (IEF), we found inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), general esterase
      activity (Est), and lipase activity in larvae of the Asian corn borer
      (ACB),Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee), fed on cabbage dipped in DIMBOA (400 ppm).
      Amylase was not influenced, while activity of cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase and
      glutathloneS-transferase was increased. The results indicate that DIMBOA
      influences activity levels of some nervous system and detoxication enzymes and
      inactivates some hydrolysis enzymes. 

PMID- 24233906
TI  - Use of paired and single traps to assess perception and discrimination of sex
      pheromone mixtures in the field byTrichoplusia ni (Hubner).
AB  - Paired wind-oriented traps (WORT) and single traps were deployed simultaneously
      in the same field to investigate whether or not inferences about the central
      nervous system processes of discrimination and perception can be made from
      differences in moth captures. The stimulus levels deployed were those that
      typically may be found downwind of a calling virgin female cabbage
      looper,Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), so that inferences are relevant to natural
      stimulus intensities. Captures of male cabbage loopers in the WORT traps
      paralleled prior laboratory measures of pheromone mixture discrimination. The
      pattern of captures by the two trapping systems probably reflects perceptive and
      discriminative processing differences in the central nervous system. Captures in
      traps baited withZ7-12: Ac alone were equal to, or better than, captures in traps
      baited with three- and six-component mixtures that containedZ7-12: Ac. 

PMID- 24233907
TI  - Chemical investigation of aggregation behavior ofTriatoma bugs (Hemiptera:
      Reduviidae).
AB  - Nymphs ofTriatoma infestans andTriatoma mazzottii are weakly attracted to their
      feces and to extracts of feces in polar solvents, but not to nonpolar solvent
      extracts. The major volatile compounds identified in feces by solvent extraction
      and thermal desorption wereo-aminoacetophenone, 4-methylquinazoline, and 2,4
      dimethylquinazoline, but these showed no attractant activity at a range of
      concentrations. Choice tests with a moving current of air gave no positive
      reaction to feces, extracts, or pure compounds. 

PMID- 24233908
TI  - Sequestration of lichen compounds by lichen-feeding members of the Arctiidae
      (Lepidoptera).
AB  - A survey for the presence of sequestered lichen compounds in 103 wild-caught
      imagines representing eight different genera and 16 different species of the
      Arctiidae was conducted. Known lichen compounds were detected for the first time
      in 24 of the analyzed specimens (representing five different genera and 11
      different species) based on their HPLC retention times and on their UV-absorption
      spectra. The anthraquinone parietin, the depside atranorin, as well as a
      hydrolytic cleavage product of the latter were among the lichen compounds most
      frequently detected in wild-caught imagines. The observed variation of
      sequestered lichen compounds in wild-caught imagines with unknown feeding history
      may be due to several reasons. Lack of lichen compounds in imagines may have been
      caused, for example, by larvae feeding on lichens with no or only minute amounts
      of phenolic products. The age of the specimens analyzed may also influence the
      results obtained. Avoidance of lichen compounds by selective feeding on those
      parts of lichen thalli that have no or little lichen products may be another
      reason for the lack of lichen compounds in imagines. Preliminary feeding
      experiments conducted with larvae ofEilema complana, for example, indicated that
      the larvae fed exclusively on the algal layer and cortex of the lichenCladonia
      pyxidata, whereas the medulla, which is rich in fumarprotocetrarie acid, was
      avoided. As expected, imagines hatching from the larvae were free of this lichen
      compound. Any ecological role of the sequestered lichen compounds for the
      herbivores is unknown. It is possible, however, that sequestered lichen compounds
      may be utilized for the chemical defense of arctiid moths or against microbial
      pathogens. 

PMID- 24233909
TI  - Optimization and phenotype allocation.
AB  - We study the phenotype allocation problem for the stochastic evolution of a
      multitype population in a random environment. Our underlying model is a multitype
      Galton-Watson branching process in a random environment. In the multitype
      branching model, different types denote different phenotypes of offspring, and
      offspring distributions denote the allocation strategies. Two possible
      optimization targets are considered: the long-term growth rate of the population
      conditioned on nonextinction, and the extinction probability of the lineage. In a
      simple and biologically motivated case, we derive an explicit formula for the
      long-term growth rate using the random Perron-Frobenius theorem, and we give an
      approximation to the extinction probability by a method similar to that developed
      by Wilkinson. Then we obtain the optimal strategies that maximize the long-term
      growth rate or minimize the approximate extinction probability, respectively, in
      a numerical example. It turns out that different optimality criteria can lead to
      different strategies.

PMID- 24233910
TI  - Preface/Editorial for the special issue.

PMID- 24233911
TI  - Prevalence studies of problem gambling in the United States.
AB  - The rapid expansion of legalized gambling in the United States has produced
      tremendous demands for information about the number and characteristics of
      problem gamblers in the general population. This paper examines the results of
      prevalence studies of problem and pathological gambling that have been carried
      out in the United States. The discussion is largely chronological, with a focus
      on comparative findings from the 15 United States jurisdictions where prevalence
      studies have been completed since 1980. The results of diese studies verify
      findings from clinical and experimental studies as well as suggesting important
      avenues for future research. The paper concludes with a consideration of the role
      played by survey research in advancing the field of gambling research. 

PMID- 24233912
TI  - The prevalence of pathological gambling in Canada.
AB  - This paper critically reviews prevalence estimates of problem and pathological
      gambling in Canada. Populations studied are adults, adolescents and primary
      school children. The proportions of pathological gamblers found in Canadian
      studies (ranging from 1.2% to 1.9% for adults) are similar to prevalence rates
      reported in the United States. Given the apparent link between gambling
      availability and increases in the prevalence of problem and pathological
      gambling, it is hoped that provincial and federal authorities in Canada will make
      investments in research and treatment of pathological gambling in the future. 

PMID- 24233913
TI  - The New Zealand national survey of problem and pathological gambling.
AB  - In New Zealand, awareness of gambling-related problems has increased in
      association with the legalization of new forms of gambling. This paper presents
      the methods and selected results from a national survey of gambling and problem
      gambling completed in New Zealand in 1991. While the primary aim of the study was
      to determine the extent of problem gambling in New Zealand, the study included a
      second phase intended to assess the validity and reliability of the widely-used
      South Oaks Gambling Screen as well as to examine other aspects of problematic
      involvement in gambling. The results of the two-phase study in New Zealand show
      that problem gamblers in different countries are remarkably similar in
      demographic terms as well as with regard to other risk factors associated with
      problematic gambling involvement. The New Zealand study of problem gambling
      points the way toward important research topics that will require further
      exploration in the future. 

PMID- 24233914
TI  - Estimating the extent and degree of Gambling related problems in the Australian
      population: A national survey.
AB  - A stratified random doorknock method was used to interview 2744 respondents in
      four state capitals in Australia. The interview was in 3 parts with the latter
      two only administered to regular, once per week or more often gamblers (N=290).
      The measures completed by this group included the South Oaks Gambling Screen and
      a range of psychological measures. A conservative interpretation of the results
      was that "problem gamblers," defined in terms of a range of personal and
      interpersonal gambling-related costs, comprised 1.16% (+/-0.34%) of the
      Australian population. It was estimated that problem players' losses may account
      for about one quarter of all expenditures on gambling. 

PMID- 24233915
TI  - Prevalence surveys of problem and pathological gambling in Europe: The cases of
      Germany, Holland and Spain.
AB  - In the 1960s and 1970s, many European countries legalized several forms of
      gambling, especially slot machines, lotteries, casinos and bingo, in order to
      control illegal gambling and to obtain tax revenues for government. In this
      paper, we examine the status of research on problem and pathological gambling in
      three European countries: Germany, Holland and Spain. The results of the studies
      as well as the relationship between these studies and the expanding gaming
      industries, attitudes toward gambling in the general population, and the
      regulation and control of gaming in each country are discussed. 

PMID- 24233916
TI  - Estimating the prevalence of adolescent gambling disorders: A quantitative
      synthesis and guide toward standard gambling nomenclature.
AB  - This article reviews the extant published and unpublished studies that estimate
      the prevalence of adolescent gambling problems in North America. The nine
      nonduplicative studies identified by our literature search included data
      collected from more than 7700 adolescents from five different regions of the
      United States and Canada. In addition to comparing the conceptual and
      methodological differences that exist among these studies, this article employed
      a meta-analytic strategy to synthesize prevalence estimates from the existing
      studies. This analysis revealed that within a 95 percent confidence interval,
      between 9.9% and 14.2% of adolescents are at risk of developing or returning to
      serious gambling problems. Similarly, between 4.4% and 7.4% of adolescents
      exhibit seriously adverse compulsive or pathological patterns of gambling
      activity. Finally, the discussion proposes a generic multi-level classification
      scheme to reconcile the divergent classification methods and data reporting
      strategies. This new multi-level approach to reporting gambling prevalence will
      facilitate interstudy comparisons among existing estimates of gambling prevalence
      and help to provide a general data reporting system for future research. 

PMID- 24233917
TI  - Prevalence studies and the development of services for problem gamblers and their
      families.
AB  - Where funded by government, prevalence studies have typically led to the
      development of services for problem gamblers and their families. Such assessments
      of the need for services have been seen as the appropriate political response to
      growing expressions of concern about problem gambling that often follow moves to
      legislate for an increasing range of gambling products. This theme is apparent
      for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. In this paper,
      initiatives in these different jurisdictions are briefly summarized and
      tabulated. 

PMID- 24233918
TI  - The prevalence of problem and pathological gambling: A critical analysis.
AB  - Prevalence of pathological gambling refers to the percentage of cases of
      pathological gambling occurring in the community at a given time. Prevalence
      studies conducted in different principalities throughout the world are reviewed,
      and it is found that none of them conforms to this definition of prevalence. The
      major error in all but the most recent surveys conducted is identified as the use
      of questions which ask whether gambling-related problems have ever occurred
      rather than whether they are currently occurring. This error will lead to an over
      estimation of the prevalence of pathological gambling in society. The second
      major error identified in nearly all studies involves the accuracy of the screens
      being used to assess whether or not an individual is a pathological gambler.
      Concerns about the efficiency of the South Oaks Gambling Screen have not yet been
      satisfactorily resolved. None-the-less, the widespread use of the South Oaks
      Gambling Screen has made a valuable contribution to international comparisons of
      prevalence studies. Future work that explores the emerging relationship between
      levels of personal expenditure on gambling, types of gambling product and
      gambling-related problems are recommended. 

PMID- 24233920
TI  - Chromatographic techniques for pollution analyses.
AB  - Pollution studies of air and water samples have been greatly enhanced by the use
      of chromatographic techniques. The selection of the proper detectors coupled with
      the various column types and substrates have broadened the capabilities of
      environmental analyses. Proper care in sampling protocols and sample treatment
      has steadily improved the sensitivity of these measurements. The recommended
      methods for air, wastewater, drinking water and solid waste samples all utilize
      some type of chromatographic analysis for the determination of organic
      contaminants. Three complimentary techniques: i.e., headspace sampling (dynamic
      and static methods), microextractions (liquid-liquid and/or liquid-solid) and
      solid-phase extractions have expanded the capabilities of such studies to permit
      the analytical chemist to perform fast in-the-field monitoring, concentrate low
      levels of analytes and determine solubilities of toxic substances. A discussion
      of other environmental areas which should be studied, along with the changes
      and/or modifications in analytical technology which should be investigated, will
      be presented. 

PMID- 24233919
TI  - Validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D and the KIDSCREEN-10 in children with
      ADHD.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of our study is to compare the validity of a generic
      preference-based Quality of Life (QoL) instrument for adults to that of a generic
      child-specific QoL instrument in children and adolescents with attention deficit
      hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: EQ-5D and KIDSCREEN-10 data were
      collected using a questionnaire survey performed among parents with a child or
      adolescent diagnosed with ADHD. The measurements were compared to assess
      (dis)similarities of the instruments' constructs and responsiveness to different
      health states. Principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was used
      to identify factors underlying the constructs of both instruments. Instruments'
      index scores of respondents with different treatment and comorbidity profiles
      were compared using Student's t tests. Cohen's effect sizes were calculated for
      an indirect comparison of the instruments' responsiveness and discriminating
      ability. Separate analyses were performed in children aged 8-12 and 13-18 years.
      RESULTS: A strong relation was found between the EQ-5D and KIDSCREEN-10 index
      scores. However correlations between EQ-5D and KIDSCREEN-10 items were moderate
      or low. The PCA identified five separate factors of quality of life. A physical
      and a mental factor included a combination of three EQ-5D dimensions and six
      KIDSCREEN-10 items; the remaining EQ-5D and KIDSCREEN-10 items constituted
      complementary factors without any overlap between the separate instruments.
      Scores of both instruments differed significantly according to respondents'
      response to treatment and comorbidity profile. Cohen's effect sizes indicated
      comparable results of the instruments' responsiveness and discriminative ability.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight that the instruments measure different
      constructs of QoL in children with ADHD. Despite this, the analyses showed
      comparable responsiveness and discriminative ability of the instruments. These
      results suggest that for economic evaluations, the EQ-5D is an appropriate and
      valid instrument for measuring QoL in children.

PMID- 24233922
TI  - The effect of oxygen addition on the determination of cadmium and lead in blood
      and foods by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.
AB  - It is well known that in the analysis of low temperature vaporized metal elements
      such as cadmium and lead, a high ashing temperature causes a loss of the target
      atoms at the ashing stage, while low ashing temperature causes incomplete
      decomposition of organic components in the sample. In order to solve these
      problems, the effect of oxygen addition on determination of cadmium and lead in
      blood and foods was studied. Oxygen was introduced into the atmosphere in the
      graphite furnace at the beginning of ashing stage for 20 seconds at 0.5 l/min.
      Relation between ashing temperature and sensitivity was examined, and the oxygen
      addition minimized signal depression by the sample matrix. It can be concluded
      that the addition of oxygen at the ashing stage not only reduces the background
      absorption, but also suppress the volatilization of target atoms at the ashing
      stage by the formation of their oxides. 

PMID- 24233921
TI  - Separation of large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter by
      liquid chromatography.
AB  - The level of mutagenic activity of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) is highly dependent upon structure, so that similar isomers can range from
      being very active to totally inactive. The suitability of GC/MS or LC with single
      wavelength absorbance or fluorescence monitoring, coupled with the availability
      of standards, has resulted in emphasis being placed on the small PAHs (five or
      fewer rings).In the work reported here, LC was coupled to a computerized
      photodiode array detector. The former separated the components in a diesel
      particulate matter extract and the latter spectrally differentiated the large
      PAHs (more than 24 ring-carbons). Since each PAH has a characteristic UV/VIS
      absorbance spectrum, each generated a unique pattern of absorbance maxima and
      minima. Computerized pattern recognition techniques were then used to investigate
      quantitative structure-activity relationships of the PAHs as predictors of
      carcinogenicity.The chemical profile of a series of unsubstituted PAHs, for which
      carcinogenic data was available, was represented by 17 descriptors of the
      reactivity and properties of those PAHs. Using this data set, the properties of
      another series of PAHs were found to be consistent with their reported
      carcinogenicity. 

PMID- 24233923
TI  - An optimization procedure for the isocratic high-performance liquid
      chromatographic separations of environmental pollutants.
AB  - This paper describes the use of the overlapping resolution mapping procedure to
      optimize the separation of priority pollutants by isocratic, reversed-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography. Three classes of pollutants are considered:
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted phenols and phthalate esters. The
      procedure requires only seven chromatographic runs for each set of pollutants
      before an optimized mobile phase composition is derived which can satisfactorily
      resolve all the components in the respective mixtures of pollutants. The main
      advantage of such a systematic scheme to optimize mobile phase compositions is an
      improvement in method development times compared to conventional techniques.
      Another benefit is that expenditures on solvents are reduced. 

PMID- 24233924
TI  - Some applications of Freon-22 in supercritical fluid chromatographic analysis of
      environmental pollutants.
AB  - The applications of Freon-22 (R22) as a mobile phase and as a modifier in
      supercritical fluid chromatography were investigated. For the purpose of this
      investigation, the separation of eleven phenols listed by the United States
      Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants was studied. It was found
      that the use of neat R22 greatly reduced the retention times of the phenols
      compared with the use of neat carbon dioxide as mobile phase. Satisfactory
      separation of all the eleven phenols could be achieved using 5% R22 as modifier
      in carbon dioxide. The promising results obtained in this preliminary
      investigation indicate the potential for the use of R22 in supercritical fluid
      separation processes. 

PMID- 24233925
TI  - Identification of residual pesticides in water by GC/QPMS.
AB  - The extensive use of the broad range of pesticides employed to maintain golf
      courses has prompted serious environmental concerns in Japan since courses tend
      to be located in mountainous regions, often in close proximity to virgin water
      sources. Since older empirical methods are not appropriate for substance
      identification and determination of substance concentrations on the ppb order,
      gas chromatographyquadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/QPMS) can be employed. A
      simple extraction of 500 ml of drainage pond water gives a sample which allows
      identification of pesticides with quantitation on the ppb order using selected
      ion monitoring (SIM). A sample of drainage pond water from a golf course revealed
      fenitrothion, funitrothion, chlorothalonil and isoprothiolane in concentrations
      of 120.1, 20.7, 45.6 and 130.5 ppb, respectively. 

PMID- 24233926
TI  - Direct coupling of supercritical fluid extraction-supercritical fluid
      chromatography for the determination of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      in aqueous environmental samples.
AB  - A rapid and simple method is described for the quantitative determination of
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous environmental samples. A microscale
      on-line supercritical fluid extraction-supercritical fluid chromatography system
      using carbon dioxide is employed. The extract is analysed using capillary
      supercritical fluid chromatography with UV detection. Detection was carried out
      at 254 nm. An extraction efficiency of as high as 91% was obtained for the PAHs. 

PMID- 24233927
TI  - Separation of selected PAHs by using high performance capillary electrophoresis
      with modifiers.
AB  - The effect of varying SDS concentration in a micellar electrokinetic capillary
      chromatographic system (MECC) is investigated. In addition, the introduction of
      gamma-cyclodextrin as modifier to the electrophoretic medium, containing SDS and
      a phosphate-borate buffer, is shown to give satisfactory separation of the seven
      selected PAHs. The separation efficiency is increased with the addition of gamma
      cyclodextrin. 

PMID- 24233928
TI  - Optimization of the gradient HPLC separation of selected phthalates using the
      overlapping resolution mapping technique.
AB  - Optimization procedures for the reversed-phase separations of six phthalates
      using the isoselective multisolvent gradient elution (IMGE) system are described.
      A systematic experimental design has been employed to gather retention data on
      the compounds in a mixture. The data were then fitted into a second-order
      polynomial equation and an overlapping resolution mapping (ORM) technique of data
      analysis was subsequently used to establish the optimum solvent mixture for the
      highest resolution of all adjacent peaks in the chromatogram. 

PMID- 24233929
TI  - Analysis of priority substituted phenols by micellar electrokinetic
      chromatography.
AB  - The use of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) for the
      separation of eleven substituted phenols listed by the United States
      Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants was demonstrated. The
      effects of the pH and ionic strength of the buffer, and the length of the
      separation column on resolution were investigated. The retention characteristics
      of the eleven phenols in MECC are discussed. 

PMID- 24233930
TI  - Incineration of hazardous wastes.
AB  - Glaxo has practiced incineration of liquid and gaseous wastes for over twenty
      years and currently operate eleven liquid and gas incinerators in the United
      Kingdom and Singapore. The liquid incinerators burn, as their main streams, those
      solvents that cannot be recovered and recycled within the processes. The early
      installations were for readily combustible solvents only. However, there has been
      a progressive move into the destruction of more difficult and hazardous wastes,
      with the consequential requirements for more sophisticated technology, in the
      belief that the responsible destruction of waste should be tackled near to its
      source. The eventual aim is to be self-sufficient in this area of waste
      management. The incineration of hazardous liquid and gaseous waste has presented
      a series of design, operational and monitoring problems into account which have
      all been successfully overcome. The solutions take into account the environmental
      consequences of the operations from both liquid and gaseous emissions. In order
      to ensure minimal environmental impact and safe operation the best practicable
      technology is employed. Environmental assessment forms part of the process
      development and permitting procedures. 

PMID- 24233931
TI  - Environmental management in Singapore.
AB  - From modest beginnings, Singapore rapidly developed its industrial base which
      today comprises high technology and high value added industries. Economic growth
      was accompanied by a comprehensive housing and urban development programme.The
      formation of the Ministry of the Environment and the Anti-Pollution Unit in the
      early seventies marked Singapore's commitment to protect the environment in the
      face of rapid developments.Together with the rapid industrialisation, housing and
      urban development programme, Singapore also implemented a programme to prevent
      pollution as well as to control pollution from those sources which cannot be
      prevented.The success of these programmes is evident today and we have an
      environment that compares well with that of any nation in the world. 

PMID- 24233932
TI  - Catalytic CO oxidation over manganese-containing perovskites.
AB  - Mixed metal oxides are discussed as possible substitutes for noble metals in
      automobile catalytic converters. The catalytic activity for CO oxidation of
      LaMnO3 and La0.5Sr0.5MnO3 catalysts was examined.The ability of these catalysts
      to provide lattice oxygen and to sustain the oxidation reaction, even in the
      absence of molecular oxygen, has been confirmed. Measurements were performed of
      the reversible oxygen uptake on the two catalysts. 

PMID- 24233933
TI  - Water purification with magnetic particles.
AB  - CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) has for some
      years carried out research into more efficient ways of purifying water and
      wastewater. More intensive processing has been achieved by the use of finely
      divided solid reagents which can be regenerated and reused. The age-old problem
      of quickly separating the very small particles of loaded reagent from the
      accompanying liquid has been solved by utilizing a magnetic reagent in the form
      of magnetite, Fe3O4. A water clarification process is fully developed for the
      production of potable supplies from low quality ground and surface waters, with
      five plants in operation or under construction in Australia, the United Kingdom
      and Taiwan. The method has been extended to the removal of heavy metals from
      tailings dams, which has also reached full-scale with a plant near Canberra, to
      other industrial effluents, and more recently to sewage treatment. Successful
      pilot plant studies of the latter in Melbourne and Sydney have led to the
      decision to carry out a large-scale trial at Malabar, near Sydney. 

PMID- 24233934
TI  - Entrapping of organic wastes by coordination clathrates.
AB  - The feasibility of the Hofmann clathrates Ni(CN)2(NH3).G(G=guest molecule) and
      the octahedral Werner-type complexes Ni(X)2(L)4 (X=NCS, NCO, CH3CO2, C6H5CO2;
      L=Py, 4-Mepy) as a scavenger for organic substrates in a polluted aqueous or
      organic medium is dependent on the complex lability, thermal stability and
      reversibility in solvent trapping which can be conveniently studied by
      thermogravimetric means. Besides the parent monomeric octahedral complexes, all
      the thermal decompositional intermediates, namely, monomeric tetrahedral, dimeric
      octahedral and polymeric octahedral, are also potential scavengers for selected
      organic substances though they operate via a cycle of bond-making and bond
      breaking processes. 

PMID- 24233935
TI  - In search of a recyclable sulphur dioxide sponge-a new look at an old system.
AB  - The sulphur dioxide content and thermal stability of the quinol-SO2 clathrate
      have been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), its derivative (DTG) and
      differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These analyses demonstrated the thermal
      recoverability of the quinol from the clathrate and hence its potential use as a
      sponge for SO2 present in the environment as a pollutant. Similarly, Bu4N(+)I(-)
      was found to occlude NO2 and SO2 at 50 degrees C in solution. 

PMID- 24233936
TI  - Leachate of fly ash derived from refuse incineration.
AB  - For highly urbanized cities where there is a scarcity of land available for
      landfilling, incineration of refuse is a feasible solution for solid waste
      disposal. After incineration, about 20% by weight of fly ash and other residues
      are produced and disposed of by landfill. Leachate tests carried out on samples
      of fly ash show that the heavy metal concentrations of the leachate are in excess
      of the permissible limits set by WHO. Lime and cement are used to stabilize the
      fly ash. The concentrations of heavy metals in the leachates of lime and cement
      treated fly ash are non-detectable. In additional to pollution control, the lime
      and cement treated fly ash significantly improves the properties of soft clay. 

PMID- 24233937
TI  - Mercury contamination-what we have learned since Minamata.
AB  - Atmospheric cycling of mercury and other pollutants has become a major concern as
      industrialized countries have eliminated point discharges, sometimes by
      relocating the industries to underdeveloped and developing countries where point
      sources have become problems. Such circumventions may be to no avail in the long
      run as pollution continues to elevate levels of methylmercury in fish in
      waterways that are remote from direct contamination as well as where the source
      can be readily identified. Much has been learned about the cycling of mercury in
      the environment since human disabilities and deaths at Minamata, Japan, initially
      drew attention to the problem of methylmercury poisoning from the consumption of
      contaminated seafood in the 1950s. In that instance, methylmercury produced
      industrially concentrated to toxic levels in fish. As this manufacturing process
      was not used outside Japan, concern did not become immediate in other developed
      nations until the 1960s when it was established that mercury was not only
      biomethylated by microorganisms but also biomagnified through the food chain.
      Point sources to the waterways may have been eliminated too late to return the
      levels in fish to background because of the geochemical cycling of mercury
      through the environment. Despite decreases in domestic, industrial and
      agricultural point source releases over the last two decades, large quantities
      from non-point sources such as fossil fuel combustion, smelters, and incinerators
      are still being released. Much of this mercury is transported from the atmosphere
      to aquatic ecosystems and stored in sediments until it is again released to the
      water and atmosphere. 

PMID- 24233938
TI  - The legal control of chlorofluorocarbon and halon substances in Hong Kong.
AB  - The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance was recently enacted in response to Hong
      Kong's international obligations under the 1987 Protocol on Substances that
      Deplete the Ozone Layer. Commencing July 1 1989, chlorofluorocarbon production
      and consumption in Hong kong will be frozen at 1986 levels. A further reduction
      in two stages to 50% of 1986 levels will be implemented by 1999. The production
      and consumption of halon substances will also be frozen at their 1986 levels from
      January 1 1992. The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance seeks to reduce the
      consumption and production of ozone depleting substances by a system of quota
      allocations. Importers of scheduled chlorofluorocarbons will need to be
      registered with the Environmental Protection Department. Only registered persons
      will be issued an import or export licence. Many practical problems remain in
      giving effect to the Protocol. The Protocol does not initially prohibit the
      export of scheduled substances to countries who are not parties to its
      provisions. However, commencing January 1 1993, a series of trade restrictions
      will be brought to bear on countries who are not parties to the Protocol.
      Graduated sanctions include: a ban on exporting prohibited substances to non
      member countries; a total prohibition against importing items containing
      controlled substances from non-member states; a prohibition against exporting
      technology or equipment used in the production of such substances. The Protocol
      has major implications for Hong Kong. In the first place it must find a suitable
      substitute for controlled substances in various manufacturing processes. In
      addition, as almost 100% of Hong Kong's re-exports of chlorofluorocarbons and
      halon substances are to non-signatory countries, there will be implications in
      giving full effect to the provisions of the Protocol in that regard as well. 

PMID- 24233939
TI  - The effectiveness of composite lining systems in controlling the leakage of
      leachate from sanitary landfills to groundwater.
AB  - Leachate, the hazardous liquid that percolated through the refuse layers of a
      sanitary landfill, if it leaks through the landfill lining system, can become a
      serious source of groundwater pollution. In the past, leaks have been detected in
      many landfills lined with flexible membrane liners (FML) whose failure may be
      attributed to flaws such as imperfect seaming, rips, and tears of the membrane,
      or from chemical attack that dissolves the membrane. Recent studies have shown
      that composite lining systems which include either a clayey subbase or a layer of
      geotextile in addition to the FML, can substantially reduce the leakage of
      leachate. Therefore in this study, four different lining systems are proposed and
      evaluated to determine their effectiveness in controlling leachate flow under
      various degree of flaws (referred to as leakage fraction LF) in the FML. The
      Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP) computer model of the
      Environmental Protection Agency of USA, currently the most widely accepted model
      for predicting the performance of leachate collection systems in that country, is
      used to evaluate the following lining systems: (1) a single FML or liner, (2) a
      single FML with a clayey composite, (3) a single FML with a geotextile called
      Claymax, and (4) a double FML. Based on the climatic conditions and the present
      lining construction cost of Alaska, the study shows that a single FML or liner is
      the most economical but it is also the least effective in controlling leachate
      flow. Design (3), a single FML with a geotextile, costs about 50 percent more but
      it reduces the leakage of leachate by several orders. Design (2) is also
      effective but the cost incurred in constructing a 3 feet thick clayey subbase is
      prohibitive and thus to effectively and economically minimize the hazards of
      potential groundwater contamination by leachate, Design (3) is recommended as the
      composite lining system for future landfill sites. 

PMID- 24233940
TI  - Factors affecting the leaching of lead from UPVC pipes.
AB  - This paper summarizes the results of a series of studies on the various factors
      that affect the leaching of lead from unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (UPVC)
      pipes. Factors that were studied include temperature, pH and extractants. Results
      showed that, for a given UPVC pipe, the rate of leaching of lead depended
      primarily on temperature and the nature of extractants. While the rate of
      leaching of lead was quite low with distilled water, it was very much enhanced by
      the presence of low concentration of anions such as Cl(-), HPO inf4 (sup2-) HCO
      inf3 (sup-) , NO inf3 (sup-) , SO inf4 (sup2-) and EDTA. EDTA, being a strong
      complexing agent, was most effective. Rates of leaching were found to be higher
      at elevated temperature except in the cases of HPO inf4 (sup2-) and EDTA. Effect
      of pH was not pronounced. The temperature at which the UPVC pipes were extruded
      was found to affect the rate of leaching of lead. Pipes extruded at 190 degrees C
      were found to have lower rate of leaching than those extruded at 180 degrees C
      and 170 degrees C. Analysis of the pipes by Scanning Electron Microscopy showed
      that the distribution of lead in the pipes extruded at 190 degrees C was more
      uniform than those extruded at 170 degrees C. 

PMID- 24233941
TI  - Poly(sodium acrylamidoalkanoates) in water treatment.
AB  - Poly(sodium 6-acrylamidocaproate), poly(sodium 11-acrylamidoundecanoate),
      poly(sodium 11-N-methylacrylamidoundecanoate) and poly(sodium 11-N
      ethylacrylamidoundecanoate) have been synthesized. The performance of these
      anionic polyelectrolytes as coagulant aids in water treatment was assessed by the
      jar test. The effects of polymer dosage and pH on their performances were
      investigated in order to establish the optimum flocculation conditions. The
      effectiveness of these polyelectrolytes as well as a commercially available
      cationic polyamine organic coagulant aid was compared in terms of floc size,
      settling rate and the quality of treated water. Poly(sodium 6-acrylamidocaproate)
      and poly(sodium 11-acrylamidoundecanoate) were superior to poly(sodium 11-N
      methylacrylamidoundecanoate) and poly(sodium 11-N-ethylacrylamidoundecanoate),
      and they are as effective as the commercial cationic coagulant aid. 

PMID- 24233942
TI  - Atmospheric acidification in the Asian region.
AB  - Atmospheric acidification in the Asian region is discussed from the perspectives
      of currently available regional measurements, and the knowledge now available
      from several decades of acidic deposition research in the northern mid-latitudes.
      The main conclusions emerge: (1) that there is insufficient information currently
      available to enable a quantitative assessment of the present state or future
      potential for atmospheric acidification across the whole region; and (2) that
      within the limitations imposed by (1) the possibility of future acidification in
      certain areas cannot be ruled out if economic development and energy use on a per
      capita basis evolve to the levels of the major industrial countries. These two
      conclusions point to the need for systematic, multidisciplinary studies covering
      the whole region. The studies should assess quantitatively the current levels of
      acidic and alkaline emissions (both natural and anthropogenic) to the atmosphere,
      identify the relevant chemical transformations and transport/deposition pathways
      in the regional atmosphere, and assess the susceptibility of regional plants,
      soils and groundwaters to acidification. 

PMID- 24233943
TI  - Improving the living environment of Singapore.
AB  - For the past quarter century, the government of Singapore has redeveloped the
      city with multiple objectives. The city should be free of squatters, slums and
      pollutive influences. It should be clean, green and healthy for living. All
      necessary infrastructures are provided and function well. All the necessary
      building floor spaces are available to facilitate the daily needs of the people
      and to enhance economic growth.While all of these objectives should be kept and
      augmented, the city must now update its position and even give added attention to
      the quality of the living environment, visual and otherwise, in order to make
      Singapore a tropical city of excellence. This paper attempts to review the past
      achievements and outline the approaches envisaged for the near future. 

PMID- 24233944
TI  - The new environmentalist.
AB  - This paper looks at the increasingly complex problems which face physical
      planners in the urban environment and considers the type of training required in
      the future for those who have to advise the government of the day on physical
      planning matters.Using the examples of planning problems which have been
      experienced in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, an analysis shows that they fall into
      three main categories: (a) physical problems (b) social problems, and (c) visual
      problems.It is considered that the conventional professionals do not possess the
      necessary basic training skills to deal with these problems as a whole, nor to
      discover the hidden opportunities. This is particularily relevant in the context
      of the growing 'green' debates which are becoming of increasing importance
      worldwide.As populations grow, the demand from pressure groups for scarce land
      resources will become more and more intensive. Singapore may face these problems
      because the government whishes to increase the population from 2(1/2) to four
      million.In conclusion it is considered that we shall need a new type of
      environmental planner in the future. This environmentalist should have a basic
      training in the earth sciences, the social sciences and the visual arts. 

PMID- 24233945
TI  - Proposals for the conservation of nature in urban Singapore.
AB  - The benefits of conserving nature in urban environments have proved to be a
      significant factor in improving the quality of life for residents of major cities
      throughout the world. In Singapore there are still many potential areas in which
      conservation management techniques would support sufficient natural habitat and
      attract a wide diversity of wildlife.This paper attempts to establish the
      criteria for selecting such areas, to identify the numerous human needs to be
      satisfied and to describe several case study examples. 

PMID- 24233946
TI  - Microplankton bloom in a brackish water lagoon of Terengganu.
AB  - Increased primary plankton productivity was observed in a brackish water lagoon
      of Terengganu during the study period between January 1988 to December 1988. The
      lagoon is also the site for the fish cage culture activities of sea bass during
      the study period. An examination of water quality at the sampling stations during
      the study period indicated that both the organic and inorganic nutrients were
      high during the pre-monsoon period. The source of the nutrient in the lagoon was
      believed to be derived from the agro-based industrial effluents, fertilisers from
      paddy fields as well as untreated human and animal wastes. This coincided with
      the peak production of plankton in the surface waters of the brackish water
      lagoon. During this period both cultured and indigenous fish species were seen to
      suffer from oxygen asphyxiation (suffocation due to lack of oxygen). The primary
      productivity values ranged from 9 to 22 MUg/L/h during the peak period while the
      microplankton species were composed of diatom, flagellates and dinoflagellates.
      Reduction in the primary productivity values were obtained with reduction in
      sallinity, specially during the peak monsoon months (November to March)
      corresponding to the Northeast monsoon period. 

PMID- 24233947
TI  - Temporal variation in a coral reef community at Pattaya Bay, Gulf of Thailand.
AB  - Changes in the fringing coral reef community of a small island (Ko Nok) at
      Pattaya Bay, Gulf of Thailand, were examined at the beginning and at the end of a
      3-year period using 7m*7m permanent quadrats for benthic organisms, and visual
      census along 100m transects for fish. The coral community was dominated by
      Porites lutea in terms of colony number and areal cover throughout the period.
      Variations in the community structure parameters on opposite sides of the island
      indicated increasing dissimilarity with time. Little variation in live coral
      cover was noted, but colony number and species diversity declined on both sides.
      The abundance of edible fish species dropped while that of non-edible species
      increased over the 3-year period, indicating selective removal of the former
      category through fishing. Impacts from both human and natural influences are
      implicated in these changes. 

PMID- 24233948
TI  - Water quality planning and management for Dapeng bay, China.
AB  - The pollution sources around the Dapeng bay and the current water quality of the
      bay are presented. Two-dimensional mathematical models for modelling the tidal
      flow and pollutant concentration fields have been developed and used to predict
      the water quality impact generated by coastal economic development of the area.
      Water quality planning for the bay is conducted and some managerial measures for
      environmental protection are put forward. The results show that at present there
      is minimal pollution, and the water quality is good. If the region around the bay
      is to be developed as proposed, it would have minor impact on the marine water
      quality. The aim is to have the water quality higher than that of Class II
      standard in National Marine Water Quality Standard of China (NMWQSC). In order to
      maintain the present condition of the bay, the ecological equilibrium around the
      bay must be preserved. 

PMID- 24233949
TI  - Ecology of marine fouling organisms at Eastern Johore Strait.
AB  - Marine biofouling causes problems to marine structure and obstructs condenser
      tubes in cooling systems which use sea water as the coolant. The main purpose of
      this study is to investigate the seasonal ecology of biofouling organisms such as
      the green mussel, Perna viridis, the dominant fouling species in the Eastern
      Johore Straits at the Senoko Power Station. The spawning time and its
      relationship with environmental conditions were studied. The physical, chemical
      and biological conditions of the sea at Senoko were monitored for a year.
      Settling slides were used to study the fouling succession in different monsoon
      seasons. The study showed that there were two main spawning peaks for the green
      mussel and that these peaks occurred during the intermonsoon months of November
      and April. These peaks were also correlated with the bimodal patterns for
      salinity, dissolved oxyen, bivalve veliger larval density and total plankton
      biomass of the Eastern Johore Strait water. Succession patterns were similar
      during the two monsoon seasons, however, the rate of fouling was probably greater
      during the southwest monsoon months. It is therefore advisable that the control
      or reduction of biofouling in Eastern Johore Strait should take into account the
      seasonal fluctuations and spawning of the fouling organisms. 

PMID- 24233950
TI  - DNA adducts as early bioindicators of chemical exposure.
AB  - Sensitive analytical methods indicate the presence of hundreds of chemical
      contaminants in our environment. However, concentration of these pollutants is
      usually at the low parts per million or parts per billion level. At such low
      levels, toxicants induce long-term (chronic) rather than short-term (acute)
      toxicities. Experiments are designed to evaluate chronic toxicity using early
      bioindicators. Recently, fish have been used as experimental animals because some
      species show early (weeks as opposed to years in other research animals),
      sensitive responses. Thus, medaka (Oryzias latipes), following exposure to
      diethylnitrosamine (DEN), exhibited liver tumors in several weeks; more
      interestingly its DNA was modified (to a 'DNA-adduct') after only 24-48 hours
      exposure. Such adducts show promise as early bioindicators because they are
      formed within hours of exposure. The formation of DNA-adducts were monitored in
      medaka and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) exposed to DEN by aqueous or intra
      peritoneal routes. Using HPLC-Fluorimetry, O (6)-ethylguanine (O (6)-EtGua) was
      detected and monitored in acid thermal hydrolysates of DNA isolates. (Detection
      limit for O (6)-EtGua was as low as 3 ng, 1.7*10(-11) moles). Fourier transform
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry with IR laser desorption/ionization was
      used advantageously to establish the structure of nucleotides, bases and
      nucleosides directly, without further cumbersome derivatizations. Other aspects
      of DNA-adducts are discussed. 

PMID- 24233951
TI  - Some gaseous pollutants in Nakorn Sri Thammarat.
AB  - Three gaseous pollutants, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide
      were studied in the Nakorn Sri Thammarat Province area (Thailand) during March
      August 1987. Air samples were taken from 12 stations covering four districts,
      i.e., Tungsong, Pakpanang, Muang, and Kanoum. Five stations are located in areas
      of light traffic conditions and low human population and seven are in densely
      populated areas with heavy traffic conditions.In this study the concentrations of
      pollutants found were in the range of non-detectable-0.7 ppm for carbon monoxide,
      0.6-7.4 pphm for nitrogen dioxide, and non-detectable-7.4 pphm for sulfur
      dioxide. 

PMID- 24233952
TI  - Management and control of pollution in Inner Johore Strait.
AB  - Coastal waters in South Johore, Malaysia are polluted to various degrees. The
      major pollution sources are domestric wastes from human settlements, agro-based
      wastes from palm oil mills and rubber processing factories, industrial effluents
      from industrial estates and discharges from animal farms. These pollution
      problems have adversely affected resources such as fisheries, recreational
      potential as well as the general aesthetic quality of the coastal environment
      particularly the Inner Johore Strait. Hence proper management and control
      measures are urgently needed to protect and further enhance the water quality to
      ensure environmentally sustainable development. This study examines various
      management options to control the pollution in the Inner Johore Strait. The
      options involve partial opening as well as complete removal of the Causeway to
      improve the tidal flow for more effective dilution and dispersion of pollutants.
      Computer simulation models are used to assess the impacts of the proposed
      options. 

PMID- 24233953
TI  - A feasibility study for appraising recreational water quality in a Southeast
      Asian beach complex.
AB  - In a case study involving preliminary investigations for the feasibility of a
      beach resort complex in the west coast of Sarawak, Malaysia, since the acceptable
      quality of recreational water quality had not been specified, existing
      international standards and practices were reviewed to arrive at acceptable
      microbiological and physicochemical parametric levels. Water samples were
      collected on a weekly basis in the proposed beach complex at Tanjong Batu Coastal
      Reserve and also along the nearby Sungei Batang Kemena and its estuary. It was
      ascertained that the swimming water quality was acceptable in terms of faecal
      Coliforms, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen. However E. Coli counts did
      indicate a potential risk of 1.68% for gastrointestinal illness and the
      ubiquitous presence of faecal Streptococci pointed to recent pollution of human
      or animal origin. Besides, grease and oil contents exceeded the WHO Guideline
      values. It was hence recommended that an appropriate sanitation or pollution
      survey should be carried out in the adjacent coastal catchment area and the
      beach. Also routine water sampling should be undertaken. Such action will help to
      pinpoint sources of pollution and lead to antipollution measures, thus helping to
      upgrade swimming water quality and establish swimming water quality standards. 

PMID- 24233954
TI  - Diurnal models of traffic-generated CO for Penang, Malaysia.
AB  - Georgetown of Penang, an old city, is noted for its narrow streets. The existing
      traffic dispersal system is utterly inadequate to cope with the ever increasing
      number of cars and motorcycles on the road. The principal objective of this study
      is to build prediction models of CO to be employed as one of the planning tools
      in the future design of Penang urban traffic dispersal system. This study
      involves the monitoring of kerbside CO levels at selected sites and the fitting
      of hourly-averaged CO data to linear regression models incorporating the residual
      effect of CO emission due to traffic in the earlier periods and also different
      categories of vehicles. The best overall regression model appears to be the one
      based upon the total traffic count of motorcycles. This can be accounted for by
      the fact that the traffic counts of motorcycles and cars are highly correlated in
      most cases and that the emissions of CO from motorcycles are more readily
      detected as they travel closer to the kerb. The inclusion of residual CO in the
      models significantly improves the correlation coefficient from about 0.4 to about
      0.7. 

PMID- 24233955
TI  - Non-radiological contaminants from uranium mining and milling at Ranger, Jabiru,
      Northern Territory, Australia.
AB  - Protection from the hazards from radioactivity is of prime importance in the
      management of uranium mine and mill wastes. Such wastes also contain non
      radiological contaminants (heavy metals, acids and neutralising agents) which
      give rise to potential long-term health and environmental hazards and short-term
      hazards to the aquatic ecosystem, e.g. as a result of release of waste water.
      This study seeks to identify non-radiological contaminants (elements) transferred
      to waste water at the Ranger uranium mine/mill complex at Jabiru, which are
      likely to hazardous to the aquatic environment.The two principal sources of
      contaminants are: (i) ore and waste rock mobilised from mining; and (ii) process
      reagents used in the milling and mineral extraction process. These substances may
      or may not already be present in the natural environment but may lead to
      deleterious effects on the aquatic environment if increased above threshold
      levels.Rhenium, derived from the ore body, was found to be significantly enriched
      in waste water from Ranger, indicating its suitability as an indicator element
      for water originating from the mining and milling process, but only uranium,
      likewise derived from the ore, and magnesium, manganese and sulfur (as sulfate)
      from the milling process were found to be significant environmental contaminants.

PMID- 24233956
TI  - Environmental and biological monitoring of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).
AB  - This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of various biological
      parameters for monitoring of workers exposed to methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Fifty
      male workers from a large magnetic videotape factory participated in this study.
      Personal air samples were collected using 3M organic vapor monitors and analysed
      for MEK by gas chromatography with flame ionisation detector (FID). 10 mL of
      urine; blood (1 mL) and exhaled air were also collected at the end of an 8-hour
      workshift. The headspace GC method was applied for measurement of urinary and
      blood MEK. MEK in expired air was analysed directly by using a GC/FID.The
      correlation coefficients (r) between environmental MEK and all other biological
      parameters measured show significant positive relationships. The r for
      environmental MEK and urine MEK was 0.84; for blood 0.73 and for breath 0.64. The
      correlation coefficients between blood and urine was 0.72; blood and breath was
      0.88 and urine and breath 0.60. These findings suggest that measurements of
      unmetabolised MEK in blood, exhaled air and urine can be used for biological
      monitoring of MEK exposure. Nevertheless, laboratory methodological assessment is
      in favour of measuring urinary MEK as it is non-invasive and does not have to be
      analysed immediately after collection. 

PMID- 24233957
TI  - The determination of chlorofluorocarbons and extractives in the expanded and
      disposable polystyrene ware.
AB  - Residual chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and water-extractive residues in expanded
      polystyrene ware were determined because of the threat to environmental and
      public health arising from the ozone depleting potential of CFCs and the leaching
      of toxic monomers and oligomers into food and drink. Chlorofluorocarbon in
      expanded polystyrene ware was analysed using headspace gas chromatography in the
      flame ionization mode, and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The
      amount of extractive residue leached from this type of polymeric material was
      determined using an aqueous medium simulating categories of food and beverages. A
      wide range of concentrations of CFC-12 (dichlorodifluorocarbon) was detected in
      the styrofoam ware. It fluctuated between a low of 32 ppm and a high of 35471 ppm
      in two different samples of styrofoam plates. Similarly, the highest and lowest
      levels of extractive residue detected in two different styrofoam plates were 54
      ppm and 0.5 ppm respectively. CFC-22 or HCFC (chlorodifluorocarbon) was absent
      from these expanded polystyrene ware. The continued use of chlorofluorocarbons as
      a blowing agent will further exert a deleterious effect on the stratospheric
      ozone layer. Though the level of water extractive residue from these expanded
      polystyrene ware was relatively safe, public health could be further safe-guarded
      through improvmeents in raw material selection and mode of production. 

PMID- 24233958
TI  - Phenolic water pollutants in a Malaysian River basin.
AB  - Phenolic chemicals with their very low taste and odour thresholds, high
      persistence and toxicity, are of growing concern as water pollutants. The
      compounds are known to exist in raw water as well as in treated water. The level
      of phenolic priority pollutants in water within the catchment area of the Linggi
      River Treatment Plant in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, which includes the Linggi
      river basin, was monitored. The 4-aminoantipyrin colourimetric method was used to
      determine total phenols whereas capillary column gas chromatography was used to
      determine the individual compounds. The results show that at most sampling
      stations, particularly those within the Seremban municipality, the level of
      phenols was found to exceed the recommended Malaysian standard of 2.0 MUg/L(-1)
      for raw water. This is seen as the direct impact of industrial and urbanization
      of the area and clearly indicates the unhealthy state of the Linggi river. The
      results also indicate the need to improve the water quality if the river is going
      to be used as a source of raw water. 

PMID- 24233959
TI  - Lake destratification and speciation of iron and manganese.
AB  - A long-term study of the effect of artificial aeration (destratification) of a
      water storage dam upon the speciation of iron and manganese in the dam waters has
      been undertaken. Separation of dam samples into soluble and insoluble forms by
      selective membrane filtration was undertaken before using the techniques of EPR
      spectroscopy, ion chromatography and gel filtration to assess the speciation of
      soluble species, and selective extraction and surface analysis (ESCA, SIMS and
      SEM) techniques to determine the speciation of particulate iron and manganese
      species. The percentages of soluble iron and manganese before (1983-85) and after
      (1986-88) artificial aeration are compared for the periods Jan-Dec, Jan-Mar, and
      Jun-Aug at three depths 6 m, 15 m and 0.5 m above the dam base, to assess the
      importance of seasonal changes in the various depths of the dam. Although
      aeration had an initial marked reduction in levels of soluble iron and manganese
      at all depths of the dam, the concentrations of these mtals showed a steady
      increase over succeeding years. Analysis of the figures over summer and winter
      periods shows that the reduction of soluble iron was maintained in summer, but
      not during winter. Upon aeration, the initial reduction of soluble manganese
      concentration was maintained in succeeding years in the epilimnic regions of the
      dam, but not in the hypolimnion. Statistical analysis of data has been undertaken
      to correlate the changes in relationship between the various forms of iron and
      manganese with the advent of aeration. 

PMID- 24233960
TI  - Quality of stormwater runoff from an urbanised watershed.
AB  - A field monitoring network was set up within the Stamford canal watershed in 1989
      to study both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of storm runoff from this
      urbanised catchment. The data acquisition equipment comprised a continuous
      recording rain gauge, a water level recorder and an automatic water sampler
      capable of sampling storm runoff at preset intervals during rainfall events.
      Water samples were collected after each storm and laboratory tests were carried
      out on the physical and chemical properties of the storm water. Preliminary
      findings on the temporal variations of stormwater quality during single storms
      and the effects of antecedent dry weather period on the quality are presented.
      The average ranges of some of the significant quality parameters found in the
      storm runoff were also established. The quality of storm runoff from the
      catchment under study was found to be of an acceptable level and could
      potentially be developed as a water catchment area. 

PMID- 24233961
TI  - The distribution of organic matter in songkhla lake basin (SLB).
AB  - The concentrations and the distribution of organic matter in SLB (e.g. the outer
      part of Thale Sap Songkhla area) were examined during the period of September
      1988 to September 1989. Organic matter in water samples were analyzed by
      gravimetry. Total organic matter and dissolved organic matter concentrations
      ranged from 74 to 7908 mg/L and from 23 to 7813 mg/L, respectively. Except for a
      set of observations which showed low concentrations during the flood season in
      November 1988, organic matter was regularly distributed throughout SLB. Domestic
      effluent and aquaculture are hypothesized as major sources of organic matter
      contamination. The levels of organic matter concentrations in SLB are
      significantly higher than would be expected for an area considered to be
      uncontaminated. The data also indicated a linear relationship between
      concentrations of suspended organic matter and suspended solids. This may be due
      to the organic matter associated with suspended solids. 

PMID- 24233962
TI  - Analysis of pesticide residues in Peninsular Malaysian waterways.
AB  - The use of organochlorine pesticides has caused concern due to their effects on
      human health and the Malaysian aquatic ecosystem, particularly so in view of
      their persistent and bioaccumulative properties. Since the extent of
      organochlorine pesticide pollution in Malaysian waterways is unknown except for
      isolated instances, a systematic survey has now been carried out. Water samples
      from various rivers were extracted, cleaned up with Florisil and analysed for the
      individual organochlorine pesticides by gas chromatography (GC) with an electron
      capture detector (ECD). DDE, DDT and heptachlor were present in all the river
      water samples of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Other organochlorine
      pesticides were also identified from the water samples. However, the levels of
      all these are still below criteria values for Malaysian aquatic life, indicating
      that organochlorine pesticide pollution is less of a problem than other organic
      or inorganic pollutants. 

PMID- 24233963
TI  - A study of the heavy metal concentrations of the Singapore River.
AB  - The concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, iron, and mercury in the
      water, sediment and biota of the Singapore River were determined. The
      concentration of the various metals in water showed significant variation at
      different sampling times and there was enrichment of lead content. The spatial
      patterns of metal distribution in the sediment could be due to the different
      pollution sources such as exhaust emission from boats and other environmental
      variables such as clay content of sediment or tide level. In the biota, higher
      amounts of metals were found in species inhabiting the river bed while organisms
      of higher trophic level such as free-swimming fishes and crabs accumulated lower
      amounts. In general, the flesh of fishes and crabs had the least content of
      metals compared to other tissues. The Concentration of various metals in bivalve,
      Mytilopsis sallei, which were found extensively in the river did not reflect the
      pollution distribution. 

PMID- 24233964
TI  - Wind flow in an urban environment.
AB  - The wind environment at ground leven in built-up areas is influenced by the
      extremely complex interaction amongst incident wind, mean vertical velocity
      gradient, turbulence and the shapes, sizes and layouts of building. Random layout
      of buildings could generate zones of overspeed and vortices in the connecting
      passage way between buildings, terraces, opensided shelters, courtyards, which
      could potentially cause unpleasantness, hazard from resuspended particulates, and
      airborne rain penetration into the buildings. The paper presents the results of
      two case studies comprising field measurements made within the Kent Ridge Campus,
      National University of Singapore, using DANTEC 54N10 Multichannel Flow Analyser
      and Probes. Results are presented in terms of non-dimensional windspeed
      coefficients. It is concluded that there is significant increase in windspeed due
      to channel and venturi effects. This information provides useful guidelines for
      building plans and layouts to the architects and engineers. 

PMID- 24233965
TI  - Uptake, distribution and immunotoxicological effects of mercury in mice.
AB  - The uptake and distribution of mercury in various organs and tissues of mice were
      examined after administration with mercuric chloride (HgCl2) or mercuric sulphide
      (HgS). The results show that mice treated with HgCl2 were found to have
      significantly higher levels of mercury in various organs and tissues as compared
      to HgS-treated animals. Except for the kidneys, no significant differences were
      found in mercury levels between the HgS-treated and control mice. This appears to
      be due to the higher solubility of HgCl2, allowing for its greater absorption
      into the body. Irrespective of the mercurial administered, the kidneys contained
      the highest concentration of mercury, followed by the liver and brain. Mercury
      was also found to confer protection against Trypanosoma evansi, possibly due to
      its toxicity. When treated with HgS, enhanced antibody production and increased
      levels of circulating leucocytes was seen. HgCl2 and HgS-treated mice showed no
      signs of anorexia, no significant changes being found in growth and food intake. 

PMID- 24233966
TI  - Noise surveys of hand-held pneumatic rock drills in Hong Kong.
AB  - A study of the noise generated by hand-held pneumatic rock drills at 15 road
      works locations in Hong Kong was conducted in 1989. The locations of road
      construction works were identified over one week period. Sound pressure levels
      (SPL) and band frequency analysis were measured with the integrated sound level
      meter at the level of the operator's ears. The sound levels for all 15 operators
      exceeded the local statutory limit of 90 dBA. The average sound level was 107.4
      dBA and the corresponding continuous equivalent level adjusted to 8 hours or L eq
      (8h) was 104.8 dBA. The sound levels for the octave frequencies from 125 Hertz to
      8000 Hertz were all in excess of 90 dBA. Estimates of the risk of developing
      hearing impairment for conversation speech among the operators were 18% and 42%
      after 5 and 10 years of exposure, respectively. Although there is adequate
      statutory control to restrict and reduce the hazards caused by noise at road
      construction works to the workers and to the public at large, no noise control
      measures were noted at the work sites and none of the operators used hearing
      protection. This situation was compounded by the short-term nature of road works
      and the high mobility of the operators. 

PMID- 24233967
TI  - Major factors of industrial noise-induced hearing loss in Hong Kong.
AB  - A tripartite participation of government, trade unions and university was formed
      in 1988 to study the situation of industrial noise and hearing acuity of workers.
      Since 1982, the six industries identified by the Noise Control Office were
      construction, electronics, metals, plastics, shipbuilding and repairing, and
      textiles. Safety-subcommittees were formed. With the help of these subcommittees,
      21 out of 32 medium-size factories responded to the study. A total of 922 sound
      measurements were made and 1062 out of 10724 workers were examined. More than one
      third (37.5%) of workers worked in locations with noise level in excess of L eq
      (8h) 90 dBA. Among examined subjects, 39.8% were exposed to L eq (8) 90 dBA and
      above and 18.6% were found to have industrial hearing loss. Multiple logistic
      regression analyses adjusted for sex and age showed that for hearing loss, the
      important risk factors were duration of occupational noise exposure, noise
      intensity, floor vibration and military experience. Current legislation and
      measures in hearing conservation were inadequate despite the implementation of
      inspection by the Noise Control Office. Recommendations were directed at amending
      relevant legislation, increasing supervision of use of personal ear protection,
      and strengthening health education and audiometric surveillance of exposed
      workers. 

PMID- 24233969
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24233968
TI  - Analysis of pollution monitoring by expert systems.
AB  - Pollution monitoring can provide an important aid in the choice of the strategy
      to control the level of some dangerous elements, whether in water or in the air.
      The difficulties of detecting polluting sources from experimental data are
      related not only to the adoption of systematic and suitable measuring procedure,
      but also to a correct management of the available information. From the
      theoretical point of view, the use of simplified models, coupled with classical
      regularization techniques, shows that, in general, the problem is badly posed and
      consequently, numerically ill-conditioned. Hence the possibility of using expert
      systems algorithms, introducing further qualitative information, improves the
      reliability of the solutions. In particular, this paper deals with the
      utilization of fuzzy optimization algorithms: fuzzy theory supplies a formal
      reasoning technique, which proposes solutions that are real consequences of the
      premises.An actual example of such a method is described, making reference to the
      computation of the distribution of polluting sources from ground concentration
      data. The inverse problem is first solved using traditional procedures, showing
      that the distributed sources are not recognized. Afterwards, different results
      obtained from various algorithms derived from the assumed a-priori knowledge are
      examined. In this case, it is possible to obtain a more realistic situation of
      the pollution sources, inside the boundaries of the controlled area. 

PMID- 24233970
TI  - Adherence to oral antivirals in patients with chronic hepatitis  B infection.

PMID- 24233971
TI  - How statewide LGB policies go from ''under our skin'' to ''into our hearts'':
      fatherhood aspirations and psychological well-being among emerging adult sexual
      minority men.
AB  - Researchers have noted increasingly the public health importance of addressing
      discriminatory policies towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations. At
      present, however, we know little about the mechanisms through which policies
      affect LGB populations' psychological well-being; in other words, how do policies
      get under our skin? Using data from a study of sexual minority young men (N =
      1,487; M = 20.80 (SD = 1.93); 65% White; 92% gay), we examined whether statewide
      bans (e.g., same-sex marriage, adoption) moderated the relationship between
      fatherhood aspirations and psychological well-being. Fatherhood aspirations were
      associated with lower depressive symptoms and higher self-esteem scores among
      participants living in states without discriminatory policies. In states with
      marriage equality bans, fatherhood aspirations were associated with higher
      depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem scores, respectively. Fatherhood
      aspirations were associated negatively with self-esteem in states banning same
      sex and second parent adoptions, respectively. Our findings underscore the
      importance of recognizing how anti-equality LGB policies may influence the
      psychosocial development of sexual minority men.

PMID- 24233972
TI  - Expression of microRNAs is essential for arterial myogenic tone and pressure
      induced activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway.
AB  - AIMS: The myogenic response is the intrinsic ability of small arteries to
      constrict in response to increased intraluminal pressure. Although microRNAs have
      been shown to play a role in vascular smooth muscle function, their importance in
      the regulation of the myogenic response is not known. In this study, we
      investigate the role of microRNAs in the regulation of myogenic tone by using
      smooth muscle-specific and tamoxifen-inducible deletion of the endonuclease Dicer
      in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to avoid effects of Dicer deletion on
      smooth muscle differentiation and growth, we used an early time point (5 weeks)
      after the tamoxifen-induction of Dicer knockout (KO). At this time point, we
      found that myogenic tone was completely absent in the mesenteric arteries of
      Dicer KO mice. This was associated with a reduced pressure-induced Akt
      phosphorylation, possibly via increased phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)
      expression, which was found to be a target of miR-26a. Furthermore, loss of
      myogenic tone was associated with a decreased depolarization-induced calcium
      influx, and was restored by the L-type channel agonist Bay K 8644 or by transient
      stimulation with angiotensin II (Ang II). The effect of Ang II was dependent on
      AT1-receptors and activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway. CONCLUSION: In this
      study we have identified novel mechanisms that regulate myogenic tone in
      resistance arteries, which involves microRNA-dependent control of PI3-kinase/Akt
      signalling and L-type calcium influx. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that
      transient stimulation by Ang II can have long-lasting effects by potentiating
      myogenic tone.

PMID- 24233974
TI  - Thermomagnetic surgery for cancer.
AB  - Thermomagnetic Surgery is a unique technique that takes advantage of the
      phenomenon of hysteresis heating of a ferromagnetic material to produce intense
      but controlled temperatures within solid organs or tumors to cause coagulation
      necrosis. By controlling the power of the electromagnetic coil system, the degree
      of heating of the tumor can be controlled through temperature monitoring that
      allows limitation of the area of destruction to the disease process and avoids
      damage to surrounding structures. If the ferromagnetic material is delivered by
      the arterial route to the tumor or organ, there is an additional beneficial
      effect of ischemic necrosis of the tissue and in time more concentration of the
      ferromagnetic particles. This new technique is applicable to selected cases of
      human cancer because no ill effect has been shown to exposure of the
      electromagnetic field or the ferromagnetic material in experimental animals. 

PMID- 24233975
TI  - Rapid estimation of biochemical oxygen demand.
AB  - The feasibility of using columnar reactors containing immobilized microorganisms
      for the rapid estimation of BOD was demonstrated in this study. Dilutions of
      three types of industrial effluents were tested by the BOD5 test and by this
      experimental system. A high degree of correlation (r = 0.98) was observed between
      results of the two tests. The mean standard error of estimation of the
      experimental system was 11%. 

PMID- 24233973
TI  - Avian influenza H5 hemagglutinin binds with high avidity to sialic acid on
      different O-linked core structures on mucin-type fusion proteins.
AB  - The interaction between P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1/mouse IgG2b (PSGL
      1/mIgG(2b)) fusion protein carrying multiple copies of the influenza
      hemagglutinin receptor Siaalpha2-3Gal on different O-glycan chains and
      recombinant human influenza H5N1 A/Vietnam/1203/04 hemagglutinin was investigated
      with a Biacore biosensor. The fusion protein was produced by stable cell lines in
      large scale cultures and purified with affinity- and gel filtration
      chromatography. TheC-P55 and 293-P cell lines were established by transfecting
      the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 and Human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cell
      lines with plasmids encoding the PSGL-1/mIgG(2b) fusion protein, while the C
      PSLex cell line was engineered by transfecting CHO-K1 cells with the plasmids
      encoding the core 2 beta1,6GnT-I and FUT-VII glycosyltransferases. Glycosylation
      was characterized by lectin Western blotting of the proteins and liquid
      chromatography - mass spectrometry of released non-derivatized O-glycans. Biacore
      experiments revealed that PSGL-1/mIgG(2b) is a good binding partner of H5. The
      binding curves displayed a slow dissociation indicating a multivalent binding.
      The H5 hemagglutinin binds with similar strength to PSGL-1/mIgG(2b) carrying
      mostly sialylated core 1 (clone C-P55), a mix of sialylated core 1 and sialylated
      lactosamine (clone 293-P) or mainly sialylated lactosamine (clone C-PSLex) O
      glycans, indicating that this hemagglutinin is unable to discriminate between
      these structures.The potential use of the large, flexible PSGL-1/mIgG(2b) mucin
      type fusion protein carrying Siaalpha2-3Gal as a multivalent inhibitor of
      influenza virus is discussed.

PMID- 24233976
TI  - Magnetic biospecific affinity adsorbents for immunoglobulin and enzyme isolation.
AB  - Magnetic biospecific affinity adsorbents for immunoglobulin and enzyme isolation
      have been prepared. They were obtained by a " post-magnetization" procedure
      involving a simple treatment of the various affinity gels with magnetic
      ferrofluid. The magnetic biospecific adsorbents tested include magnetic protein A
      Sepharose for isolation of IgG antibodies, magnetic human serum albumin (HSA)
      Sepharose for anti-HSA isolation, and magnetic 2',5'-ADP for isolation of glucose
      6-phosphate dehydrogenase from baker's yeast and hemolyzates of human red blood
      cells. For the latter enzyme, a 11,000-fold purification was achieved in one
      step. 

PMID- 24233977
TI  - Production of alpha-keto acids Part I. Immobilized cells ofTrigonopsis variabilis
      containing D-amino acid oxidase.
AB  - Whole cells ofTrigonopsis variabilis were immobilized by entrapment in Ca(2+)
      alginate and used for the production of alpha-keto acids from the corresponding D
      amino acids. The D-amino acid oxidase within the immobilized cells has a broad
      substrate specificity. Hydrogen peroxide formed in the enzymatic reaction was
      efficiently hydrolyzed by manganese oxide co-immobilized with the cells. The
      amino acid oxidase activity was assayed with a new method based on reversed-phase
      HPLC. Oxygen requirements, bead size, concentration of cells in the beads, flow
      rate, and other factors were investigated in a " trickle-bed " reactor. 

PMID- 24233978
TI  - Analysis of a theoretical model for anisotropic enzyme membranes application to
      enzyme electrodes.
AB  - A theoretical model of diffusion and reaction in an anisotropic enzyme membrane
      is presented with particular emphasis on the application of such membranes in
      enzyme electrodes. The dynamic response of systems in which the kinetics are
      linear, which comprises the practical operating regime for enzyme electrodes in
      analysis, is investigated via an analytic solution of the governing differential
      equations. The response is presented as a function of a single dimensionless
      group, MU, that is the membrane modulus. 

PMID- 24233979
TI  - Potentiometric and spectroscopic studies of the reaction between trypsin and its
      inhibitors on chemically modified solid surfaces.
AB  - The potential of a titanium metal electrode modified with trypsin changes as a
      result of the complex formation reaction between trypsin and its inhibitor,
      aprotinin, dissolved in the solution. A similar potential change in the opposite
      direction occurs by the reaction between aprotinin-modified electrode and trypsin
      in the solution. The induced changes in both cases depend on the pH of the
      solution, showing the maximum change at pH = 9.5. The potentiometric response of
      the trypsin-modified electrode for the consecutive addition of aprotinin and
      proflavine proves that trypsin bound on the solid surfaces reacts with aprotinin
      much more strongly than with proflavine. This result is fully consistent with the
      spectroscopically observed behavior of a trypsin-modified quartz plate against
      these inhibitors. The surface coverage of trypsin on the quartz plate is also
      determined by a near-ultraviolet absorption measurement. 

PMID- 24233980
TI  - Recycling of NAD(+) using coimmobilized alcohol dehydrogenase andE. coli.
AB  - The use of immobilized enzymes has opened the possibility of large scale
      utilization of NAD(+)-linked dehydrogenases, but the applications of this
      technique were limited by the necessity of providing the large amounts of NAD(+)
      required by its stoichiometric consumption in the reaction. After immobilization
      of alcohol dehydrogenase and intactE. coli by glutaraldehyde in the presence of
      serum albumin, the respiratory chain was found to be capable of regenerating
      NAD(+) from NADH. This NAD(+) can be recycled at least 100 times, and thus the
      method is far more effective than any other, and, moreover, does not require NADH
      oxydase purification. The total NADH oxidase activity recovered was 10-30% of the
      initial activity.Although, NADH is unable to cross the cytoplasmic membrane, it
      was able to reach the active site of NADH dehydrogenase after immobilization. The
      best yield of NADH oxidase activity with immobilized bacteria was obtained
      without prior treatment of the bacteria to render them more permeable. The
      denaturation by heat of NADH oxidase in cells that are permeabilized was similar
      before and after immobilization. In contrast, the heat denaturation of soluble
      Beta-galactosidase required either a higher temperature or a longer exposure
      after immobilization. The sensitivity of immobilized NADH oxidase to denaturation
      by methanol was decreased compared to permeabilized cells. As a result, it is
      clear that the system can function in the presence of methanol, which is
      necessary as a solvent for certain water insoluble substrates. 

PMID- 24233981
TI  - Patents and literature.

PMID- 24233982
TI  - Attention deficits: current concepts, controversies, management, and approaches
      to classroom instruction.
AB  - This article reviews the current criteria for diagnosis of Attention-Deficit
      Hyperactivity Disorder and Undifferentiated Attention-Deficit Disorder, according
      to the American Psychiatric Association, and describes other typical presenting
      features of children with attentional disorders. The current theories of the
      biological basis of attentional disorders are reviewed. Treatments of attentional
      disorders are discussed, including medical treatments with stimulants and
      tricyclic antidepressants, and non-medical treatments, such as behavior
      modification, psychotherapy, diets, and specific educational modifications that
      are felt to be helpful. Finally, our current thinking about the long-term outlook
      for children with attentional disorders is summarized. 

PMID- 24233983
TI  - Occurrence and pattern of impaired reading and written language in children with
      attention deficit disorders.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence and severity of
      reading, spelling, and written language impairment in children clinically
      referred for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Specific questions
      involved 1) whether ADD subgroups with and without hyperactivity differ in
      reading, spelling, and written language achievement, 2) whether age and gender
      interact with ADD sub-group class to affect reading/written language achievement,
      and 3) whether prevalence of impaired reading/written language in these subgroups
      is consistent with previous reports in heterogeneous samples. Subjects were 115
      ADD children aged 6-12 who were subclassified as ADD + H(72 percent) and ADD -
      H(28 percent) by objective teacher ratings. Dependent measures included tests of
      single word recognition and vocabulary, word attack, contextual comprehension,
      written spelling, written sentence construction, and writing fluency, in addition
      to a structured behavioral observation, during which aspects of inattention and
      motor activity were coded. A large fraction of this sample met public school LD
      criteria (54 percent), and achievement on most measures was globally poorer than
      the respective test normative groups. The ADD + H subgroup showed significantly
      poorer word attack skills, while the subgroups did not significantly differ from
      each other on other reading/written language measures. However, 17 percent of the
      total ADD sample were >= 1.5 SD below the mean in total reading achievement, and
      29 percent were >= 1.5 SD below the mean on measures of written
      spelling/language. Gender X age interactions, indicating poorer performance in
      the middle age group of females, were likely related to lower IQ. 

PMID- 24233984
TI  - Familial dyslexia: genetic and medical findings in eleven three-generation
      families.
AB  - In addition to providing information on the inheritance of dyslexia, the present
      study of eleven three-generation families has provided a unique opportunity to
      compare affected and unaffected family members at all ages. The data presented
      here are based on pedigree information, a questionnaire administered to all
      participating family members in relation to sex ratio, handedness, the severity
      of dyslexia by sex, pre- and perinatal complications, medical complications,
      years of education and earning ability, and a battery of standardized tests to
      define the presence or absence of dyslexia. The pattern of inheritance was
      consistent with the postulated autosomal dominant mode of inheritance and
      penetrance was found to be > 90 percent. Of 73 individuals determined to have a
      gene leading to dyslexia, seven were classified as obligate carriers and six as
      compensated adults who had no current symptoms or diagnostic evidence of
      dyslexia. The sex ratio (1.06) was not different from the expected ratio of 1.04.
      Left-handedness, major pre- and perinatal complications, and autoimmune disorders
      and allergy were not more common in dyslexics than non-dyslexics. The number of
      years of education and average income were similar in affected and unaffected
      family members. Compensated adults and obligate carriers were similar to
      unaffected family members in each of these parameters. 

PMID- 24233985
TI  - Sex differences in learning abilities and disabilities.
AB  - Boys more often than girls are affected by all the cognitive developmental
      disorders of childhood. Differences in the etiology of learning disabilities as
      well as general sex differences in learning styles in boys versus girls may
      explain the male preponderance in the prevalence of learning disabilities. The
      effects on learning of hormonal sex differences, maturation rate differences, and
      differences in frequency of perinatal brain injury will be discussed. 

PMID- 24233986
TI  - Predicting reading performance using the slingerland procedures.
AB  - The purpose in this study was to examine predictive relationships between the
      Slingerland Pre- Reading Screening Procedures and performance on measures of word
      recognition and reading comprehension. Longitudinal data were collected on 104
      children administered the Slingerland Procedures in kindergarten and the Stanford
      Achievement Test at first, third, and fifth grades. Outcome measures included
      achievement subtests, Word Study Skills, Reading Comprehension, Reading and
      Listening Total. Significant relationships were found between Slingerland
      measures and reading outcomes. However, prediction varied across grades and
      according to the measure of reading used. Listening contributed to reading
      comprehension but not to word recognition, and visual skills influenced early but
      not later reading performance. Gender and socioeconomic status influenced the
      strength of associations. 

PMID- 24233987
TI  - Predicting reading progress in children receiving special help.
AB  - The main aim of the study was to determine whether performance on reading-related
      cognitive processing tasks would help predict reading progress in children
      receiving special help. The 86 subjects were initially aged six to eight years
      and most were followed up after two years. When variance due to IQ and age was
      accounted for, an orthographic processing task, phonological awareness (phoneme
      deletion), and digit- naming speed were significant predictors of later reading
      skills. A strength in phonological awareness differentiated initial poor readers
      who later made excellent gains in reading from poor readers who did not improve.
      Children whose reading deteriorated had serious weaknesses on tasks of naming
      speed and confrontation naming. Their poor lexical retrieval skills had a more
      deleterious effect on later reading than on initial. Indications were that for
      children diagnosed as poor readers at age six or seven years, prognosis is better
      for boys, and for garden- variety poor readers, than for dyslexics. Caution was
      urged in applying the term dyslexic to children in the first two school grades
      because many of them will be slow starters who do not have a persistent reading
      problem. 

PMID- 24233988
TI  - Is there a visual dyslexia.
AB  - Traditionally, it has been speculated that weaknesses in the visual processing of
      cognitive aspects of the written word could lead to reading problems, and if so,
      such a condition would constitute a subtype of developmental dyslexia. This
      putative subtype has been referred to as visual dyslexia. In this article, the
      role of cognitive deficits that are visual in nature as a potential etiological
      factor of developmental dyslexia is examined. Following a brief history of the
      study of dyslexia, a critique of studies of visual dyslexia is presented.
      Subsequently, the nature of the visual processes involved in word- recognition is
      examined. Finally, three research studies that assessed the contribution of
      visual memory to word-recognition are presented. It is concluded that, even
      though defects in the physiological aspects of visual processing can lead to
      reading difficulties, at present little convincing evidence is available to
      conclude that a subtype of dyslexia caused by cognitive deficits associated with
      visual processing of information exists. 

PMID- 24233989
TI  - On the interaction between phonological awareness and reading acquisition: It's a
      two-way Street.
AB  - We have investigated the reciprocal influence of reading acquisition and phonemic
      awareness. Using a between-grades quasi-experimental design, we have found that
      learning to read is the most important factor that accounts for the drastic
      improvement of phonemic segmentation skills during the first year of schooling.
      On the other hand, we found that improving phonemic skills in kindergarten
      facilitated reading acquisition in children at risk for developing reading
      disorders. We suggest that, for most children, exposure to the alphabet
      automatically triggers phonemic awareness, which is a necessary condition for
      efficient acquisition of reading. However, the emergence of phonemic awareness
      requires a previously developed sensitivity to phonology, which in some children
      may be absent. The present data suggest that, if phonological skills are absent,
      they may be developed in preschoolers by explicit training, thereby preventing
      failure in reading acquisition. 

PMID- 24233990
TI  - Phoneme awareness in language-delayed children: comparative studies and
      intervention.
AB  - Our initial study compared 15 normally- developing and 13 language- delayed four-
      and- five- year- olds on a range of phoneme awareness tasks differing in the
      degree of explicit linguistic analysis required. The language- delayed group
      performed more poorly than the normally- developing children, and there were
      significant group differences on several tasks. A significant interaction effect
      reflected the particular difficulty the language- delayed group had with the more
      explicit tasks. Follow- up testing suggests that group differences are maintained
      over time and that the language- delayed children perform more poorly than the
      normally- developing children on tests of decoding and spelling at the end of
      first grade.An intervention study, training phoneme awareness skills in language
      delayed kindergarten children, was undertaken with a new group of subjects.
      Fourteen language- delayed children participated in 16 training sessions over
      eight weeks. Fourteen normal and 14 language- delayed children served as
      controls. Only the language- delayed training group made significant gains from
      pre- to posttraining measures. Following training, the language-delayed training
      group performed similarly to normal controls and significantly better than
      language- delayed controls whom they had matched before intervention. One year
      later, the language-delayed children who received training maintained their gains
      on phoneme analysis tasks and performed significantly better than the language
      delayed controls on reading measures. Educational implications are discussed. 

PMID- 24233991
TI  - Spelling error interpretation: beyond the phonetic/dysphonetic dichotomy.
AB  - If spelling errors are classified simply as auditory or visual, or as
      phonetically accurate or inaccurate, manifestations of both developmental
      phenomena and possible linguistic process deficits in spelling may be overlooked
      or misinterpreted. Phonological process deficits in spelling are more complex
      than simple phonetic ratings will reflect. Spelling errors may yield useful
      information about specific language disabilities if linguistically informed
      criteria for analysis are employed. 

PMID- 24233992
TI  - Spelling improvement for college students who are dyslexic.
AB  - Academic problems of the dyslexic child often persist in adult life. Such
      problems as spelling can interfere with the performance of such adult learners in
      college. Federal legislation requires reasonable accommodation for these
      students. At some colleges, this consists of allowing use of tape recorders in
      lectures and sometimes allowing extra time on examinations. Remediation of
      reading, writing, and spelling among dyslexic college students is often not
      addressed. This study reports the use of a modified Orton-Gillingham approach in
      comparison with a nonphonetic approach and with a group receiving no remediation.
      The results indicate a significant increase in spelling performance for the group
      receiving the modified Orton-Gillingham remediation. This contrasts with no
      significant change in the group receiving nonphonetic remediation and in the
      control group (no remediation), and indicates that adulthood is not too late for
      appropriate intervention for the dyslexic student. Colleges offering such
      intervention and the students receiving it will benefit from improved
      performance. 

PMID- 24233993
TI  - The effects of multisensory structured language instruction on native language
      and foreign language aptitude skills of at-risk high school foreign language
      learners: A replication and follow-up study.
AB  - According to research findings, most students who experience foreign language
      learning problems are thought to have overt or subtle native language learning
      difficulties, primarily with phonological processing. A recent study by the
      authors showed that when a multisensory structured language approach to teaching
      Spanish was used with a group of at-risk high school students, the group's pre-
      and posttest scores on native language phonological processing, verbal memory and
      vocabulary, and foreign language aptitude measures significantly improved. In
      this replication and follow-up study, the authors compared pre- and posttest
      scores of a second group of students (Cohort 2) who received MSL instruction in
      Spanish on native language and foreign language aptitude measures. They also
      followed students from the first study (Cohort 1) over a second year of foreign
      language instruction. Findings showed that the second cohort made significant
      gains on three native language phonological measures and a test of foreign
      language aptitude. Follow-up testing on the first cohort showed that the group
      maintained its initial gains on all native language and foreign language aptitude
      measures. Implications for the authors' Linguistic Coding Deficit Hypothesis are
      discussed and linked with current reading research, in particular the concepts of
      the assumption of specificity and modularity. 

PMID- 24233994
TI  - Monitoring learning-disabled students in mainstream science classes.
AB  - While science classes are believed to be interactive learning environments,
      offering varied ways for students to learn, some experts believe that learning
      disabled (LD) students should be monitored closely in such settings because of
      difficulties adjusting to the social, behavioral, and academic demands. The
      purpose of this paper is to determine whether LD fourth and sixth graders show
      difficulties adjusting to the demands of their mainstream science classes and to
      investigate two means of assessing LD students' functioning in these classes:
      paired questionnaires for teachers and students and a science curriculum-based
      assessment (CBA). Subjects include 31 fourth graders (9 LD) and 38 sixth graders
      (13 LD). Results show that the LD students had significant weaknesses on some
      subtests of the science CBA relative to their peers; additionally, they rated
      themselves and were rated by their teachers significantly more negatively than
      their Non-LD peers. These results suggest the potential value of monitoring LD
      students in mainstream science classes. Case studies of LD students reveal
      mismatches in the perception of the student and teacher regarding the student's
      adjustment and classroom habits. Examination of these case studies is used to
      suggest ways in which the collaboration of student and teacher as well as regular
      and special education teachers might aid the student. 

PMID- 24233995
TI  - Using computer-based readers to improve reading comprehension of students with
      dyslexia.
AB  - Twenty-eight middle school students, diagnosed as dyslexic and attending a school
      using the Slingerland approach to remediation of dyslexia, used a computer-based
      reading system for reading literature for about one-half hour a day for a
      semester. The system proved to be a strong compensatory aid, enabling 70 percent
      of the students to read with greater comprehension, approximately one grade level
      or more improvement, as measured by the Gray Oral Reading Test. For 40 percent of
      the students, the gains were large, from two to as much as five grade levels.
      However, not all students benefited. Fourteen percent showed lower comprehension
      scores when using the system, and there is some indication that this degradation
      is associated with kinesthetic-motor weakness. Some students reported gains in
      reading speed and exhibited increased span of attention for and endurance in
      reading when using the system. We did not find evidence that the computer-reader
      technology provided a positive remediation benefit incremental to that obtained
      from the school's intensive Slingerland remediation program. Our results indicate
      that computer-readers are important compensatory aids that can enable many people
      with dyslexia to perform more effectively in reading-related tasks associated
      with school and work. 

PMID- 24233996
TI  - Project ASSIST institute: An orton-gillingham/spalding based curriculum for
      teachers and volunteers.
AB  - In spite of our best efforts, our son Andrew did not learn to read until he
      attended the Jemicy School at the age of 12. Our search for help and eventual
      success led me to take the Orton-Gillingham approach into the public schools of
      Delaware, first with volunteers and then with teachers.In 1991-92, the Milford
      School District did a Pre-Post Design pilot using the Woodcock Johnson Reading
      Mastery Test for decoding and comprehension and the WRAT Revised for spelling.
      The results are included.Another pilot with a control group from another school
      district is being done in 1992-93 and a third pilot is being planned for New
      Castle County, Delaware in 1993-94.Training for teachers in the juvenile justice
      system is also planned for 1993-94. 

PMID- 24233997
TI  - Dyslexia in the workplace: Implications of the Americans with disabilities act.
AB  - The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) insures greater accessibility
      of disabled persons to the workplace. This includes persons with dyslexia and
      other learning disabilities. The ADA requires reasonable accommodations for
      persons with disabilities, yet it is different in its mandates from many other
      federal laws addressing disability-related issues.This article reviews some of
      the critical provisions of the ADA as it applies to persons with dyslexia,
      outlines a procedure through which the employer and employee negotiate
      accommodations, and offers examples of typical workplace problems and
      corresponding modifications. Finally, some of the talents and strengths often
      associated with dyslexia are described, as is their potential value in the
      workplace. 

PMID- 24233998
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24233999
TI  - Adjuvant tamoxifen-induced mammographic breast density reduction as a predictor
      for recurrence in estrogen receptor-positive premenopausal breast cancer
      patients.
AB  - Tamoxifen is known to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk and
      also reduces mammographic breast density (MD) in a preventive setting. We
      investigated the efficacy of MD reduction (MDR) for predicting recurrence in
      estrogen receptor (ER)-positive patients in an adjuvant setting. A total of 1,066
      ER-positive breast cancer patients who were enrolled in this study underwent
      curative surgery and received adjuvant tamoxifen for at least 2 years at our
      institution between January 2003 and December 2008. Using a computerized system,
      a single radiologist reviewed all mammograms and classified MD patterns on the
      basis of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. MDR was assessed using the
      baseline mammogram taken before surgery (preMD) and the followup mammogram taken
      after the start of adjuvant tamoxifen(postMD). MDR positivity was defined as
      downgrading of the postMD grade, with the preMD grade as a reference.Patients
      were divided into 2 groups, MDR-positive and MDR-negative, for statistical
      analysis. Patients who showed MDR after an average of 19 months of adjuvant
      tamoxifen treatment had a 65 % lower risk of recurrence than patients who did not
      show MDR. Furthermore, significant risk reduction according to MDR had a
      predictive power for any type of recurrence pattern including loco-regional
      recurrence(87 % reduction) and systemic recurrence (52 %reduction) in ER-positive
      breast cancer patients, especially in women <=50 years. In our study, only 4
      patients (0.4 %)showed contralateral breast recurrence during the mean 61-month
      follow-up period and none of them experienced MDR. In conclusion, MDR during
      adjuvant tamoxifen therapy was independently associated with a lower risk of
      systemic and loco-regional recurrence in ER-positive breast cancer patients,
      especially in young women. For patients who do not experience MDR after
      approximately 1.5 years of tamoxifen therapy, more caution should be taken and
      other treatment strategies are warranted.

PMID- 24234001
TI  - Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma versus conventional hepatocellular
      carcinoma: better 5-year survival or artifactual result of research methodology?

PMID- 24234002
TI  - ClockstaR: choosing the number of relaxed-clock models in molecular phylogenetic
      analysis.
AB  - SUMMARY: Relaxed molecular clocks allow the phylogenetic estimation of
      evolutionary timescales even when substitution rates vary among branches. In
      analyses of large multigene datasets, it is often appropriate to use multiple
      relaxed-clock models to accommodate differing patterns of rate variation among
      genes. We present ClockstaR, a method for selecting the number of relaxed clocks
      for multigene datasets. AVAILABILITY: ClockstaR is freely available for download
      at http://sydney.edu.au/science/biology/meep/software/.

PMID- 24234003
TI  - footprintDB: a database of transcription factors with annotated cis elements and
      binding interfaces.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Traditional and high-throughput techniques for determining
      transcription factor (TF) binding specificities are generating large volumes of
      data of uneven quality, which are scattered across individual databases. RESULTS:
      FootprintDB integrates some of the most comprehensive freely available libraries
      of curated DNA binding sites and systematically annotates the binding interfaces
      of the corresponding TFs. The first release contains 2422 unique TF sequences, 10
      112 DNA binding sites and 3662 DNA motifs. A survey of the included data sources,
      organisms and TF families was performed together with proprietary database
      TRANSFAC, finding that footprintDB has a similar coverage of multicellular
      organisms, while also containing bacterial regulatory data. A search engine has
      been designed that drives the prediction of DNA motifs for input TFs, or
      conversely of TF sequences that might recognize input regulatory sequences, by
      comparison with database entries. Such predictions can also be extended to a
      single proteome chosen by the user, and results are ranked in terms of interface
      similarity. Benchmark experiments with bacterial, plant and human data were
      performed to measure the predictive power of footprintDB searches, which were
      able to correctly recover 10, 55 and 90% of the tested sequences, respectively.
      Correctly predicted TFs had a higher interface similarity than the average,
      confirming its diagnostic value. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Web site
      implemented in PHP,Perl, MySQL and Apache. Freely available from
      http://floresta.eead.csic.es/footprintdb.

PMID- 24234004
TI  - ISCB: past-present perspective for the International Society for Computational
      Biology.
AB  - Since its establishment in 1997, International Society for Computational Biology
      (ISCB) has contributed importantly toward advancing the understanding of living
      systems through computation. The ISCB represents nearly 3000 members working in
      >70 countries. It has doubled the number of members since 2007. At the same time,
      the number of meetings organized by the ISCB has increased from two in 2007 to
      eight in 2013, and the society has cemented many lasting alliances with regional
      societies and specialist groups. ISCB is ready to grow into a challenging and
      promising future. The progress over the past 7 years has resulted from the
      vision, and possibly more importantly, the passion and hard working dedication of
      many individuals. 

PMID- 24234005
TI  - SeqDepot: streamlined database of biological sequences and precomputed features.
AB  - Assembling and/or producing integrated knowledge of sequence features continues
      to be an onerous and redundant task despite a large number of existing resources.
      We have developed SeqDepot-a novel database that focuses solely on two primary
      goals: (i) assimilating known primary sequences with predicted feature data and
      (ii) providing the most simple and straightforward means to procure and readily
      use this information. Access to >28.5 million sequences and 300 million features
      is provided through a well-documented and flexible RESTful interface that
      supports fetching specific data subsets, bulk queries, visualization and
      searching by MD5 digests or external database identifiers. We have also developed
      an HTML5/JavaScript web application exemplifying how to interact with SeqDepot
      and Perl/Python scripts for use with local processing pipelines. AVAILABILITY:
      Freely available on the web at http://seqdepot.net/. RESTaccess via
      http://seqdepot.net/api/v1. Database files and scripts maybe downloaded from
      http://seqdepot.net/download.

PMID- 24234006
TI  - Quality assurance in the clinical genetics setting-Report of a workshop.
AB  - Participants in a panel discussion sponsored by thead hoc Quality Assurance
      Committee of the National Society of Genetic Counselors discuss early efforts to
      develop and implement quality assurance instruments at institutional, state, and
      regional levels. Uniform guidelines and self-assessment tools can help genetic
      counselors and clinical geneticists to provide the best possible care to
      individuals affected by genetic diseases. Further work will be needed to address
      aspects not covered here and to assure that guidelines allow for creative
      variation among professionals and centers. An interdisciplinary approach to such
      standard-setting is recommended. 

PMID- 24234007
TI  - Suicide prevention in the genetic counseling context.
AB  - Utilizing a case report, this paper explores psychosocial aspects of suicidal
      intent in a woman seeking prenatal diagnosis. Using knowledge and practice of
      appropriate assessment, referral, and intervention procedures, the therapy team
      of genetic counselor and psychotherapist facilitated successful identification
      and management of this potentially suicidal client. The main counseling goals for
      the genetic counselor are to assess the situation adequately, decrease the
      immediate danger, and, with supervision and/or consultation, stabilize the
      seriously suicidal person until that individual can be triaged to mental health
      or medical professionals for treatment. The prevalence of suicide issues in
      genetic counseling contexts is unknown and reports mentioning suicidal ideation
      unusual in the genetic counseling literature. Is this reported case a rarity
      among genetic counseling referrals? Systematically collected information on the
      prevalence and resolution of suicidal issues in genetic counseling contexts would
      be helpful for those setting curricula for genetic counseling training programs,
      standards for professional certification exams, and policy and procedures manuals
      for clinical units. 

PMID- 24234008
TI  - Practice variability in prenatal genetic counseling.
AB  - This study demonstrated that the content of prenatal genetic counseling sessions
      varied from counselor to counselor and from center to center. The study was
      designed to examine which specific issues were included by genetic counselors in
      prenatal genetic counseling sessions, and to determine which factors led genetic
      counselors to include or exclude this information from such sessions. Data were
      collected by randomly surveying 200 full, master degree members of the National
      Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC). Respondents provided information by
      deciding which of 45 specific issues they would include in a standard prenatal
      genetic counseling session, and which one factor from a bank of 11 factors most
      accurately described the reason for this decision. The results indicated that the
      issues included/excluded from sessions varied widely among genetic counselors.
      The results also indicated that Patient Education/Informed Decision Making
      (34.5%) played the largest role in decision making overall, with Standard at
      Center/Departmental Policy (17.6%), Personal Experience/Preference (12.4%), and
      Applicability (10.9%) serving as the next three most important reasons for
      including or excluding issues from prenatal genetic counseling sessions. 

PMID- 24234009
TI  - Molecular carrier testing for the fragile X syndrome: Issues for genetic
      counselors.
AB  - Molecular analysis of the fragile X (FMR-1) gene identifies female fragile X
      carriers, but appropriate genetic counseling can only be provided if the
      limitations of the testing methods are understood. Molecular analysis of this
      gene is achieved with both the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot
      techniques. PCR is faster and can determine the actual number of CGG repeats,
      which modifies genetic counseling substantially. However, for a sizeable
      percentage of women, PCR alone is not conclusive, and Southern analysis is
      necessary to complete the study. While this procedure takes longer, it is usually
      conclusive. Women who present for genetic counseling and carrier testing in the
      second trimester of pregnancy need this information quickly, and for them the
      turn-around time is paramount. It is critical that genetic counselors understand
      these methods so that they can educate their clients and facilitate appropriate
      follow-up. 

PMID- 24234010
TI  - Protein composition of endurance trained human skeletal muscle.
AB  - Evidence suggests that myofibers from endurance trained skeletal muscle display
      unique contractile parameters. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
      To further elucidate the influence of endurance training on myofiber contractile
      function, we examined factors that may impact myofilament interactions (i. e.,
      water content, concentration of specific protein fractions, actin and myosin
      content) or directly modulate myosin heavy chain (MHC) function (i. e., myosin
      light chain (MLC) composition) in muscle biopsy samples from highly-trained
      competitive (RUN) and recreational (REC) runners. Muscle water content was lower
      (P<0.05) in RUN (73+/-1%) compared to REC (75+/-1%) and total muscle and
      myofibrillar protein concentration was higher (P<0.05) in RUN, which may indicate
      differences in myofilament spacing. Content of the primary contractile proteins,
      myosin (0.99+/-0.08 and 1.01+/-0.07 AU) and actin (1.33+/-0.09 and 1.27+/-0.09
      AU) in addition to the myosin to actin ratio (0.75+/-0.04 and 0.80+/-0.06 AU) was
      not different between REC and RUN, respectively, when expressed relative to the
      amount of myofibrillar protein. At the single-fiber level, slow-twitch MHC I
      myofibers from RUN contained less (P<0.05) MLC 1 and greater (P<0.05) amounts of
      MLC 3 than REC, while MLC composition was similar in fast-twitch MHC IIa
      myofibers between REC and RUN. These data suggest that the distinctive myofiber
      contractile profile in highly-trained runners may be partially explained by
      differences in the content of the primary contractile proteins and provides
      unique insight into the modulation of contractile function with extreme loading 
      patterns. 

PMID- 24234011
TI  - Chronic eccentric cycling improves quadriceps muscle structure and maximum
      cycling power.
AB  - An interesting finding from eccentric exercise training interventions is the
      presence of muscle hypertrophy without changes in maximum concentric strength
      and/or power. The lack of improvements in concentric strength and/or power could
      be due to long lasting suppressive effects on muscle force production following
      eccentric training. Thus, improvements in concentric strength and/or power might
      not be detected until muscle tissue has recovered (e. g., several weeks post
      training). We evaluated alterations in muscular structure (rectus-femoris, RF,
      and vastus lateralis, VL, thickness and pennation angles) and maximum concentric
      cycling power (Pmax) 1-week following 8-weeks of eccentric cycling training
      (2*/week; 5-10.5 min; 20-55% of Pmax). Pmax was assessed again at 8-weeks post
      training. At 1 week post-training, RF and VL thickness increased by 24+/-4% and
      13+/-2%, respectively, and RF and VL pennation angles increased by 31+/-4% and
      13+/-1%, respectively (all P<0.05). Compared to pre-training values, Pmax
      increased by 5+/-1% and 9+/-2% at 1 and 8 weeks post-training, respectively (both
      P<0.05). These results demonstrate that short-duration high-intensity eccentric
      cycling can be a time-effective intervention for improving muscular structure and
      function in the lower body of healthy individuals. The larger Pmax increase
      detected at 8-weeks post-training implies that sufficient recovery might be
      necessary to fully detect changes in muscular power after eccentric cycling
      training. 

PMID- 24234012
TI  - Total haemoglobin mass, maximal and submaximal power in elite rowers.
AB  - Elite rowers are highly endurance trained and present with a large lean body mass
      (LBM), which is closely related to total haemoglobin mass (tHbmass), a major
      determinant of blood O2-transport. This study aims to determine the magnitude of
      tHbmass in elite rowers and its relation to performance parameters that are
      common in rowing worldwide. 13 rowers (3 lightweight) performed a 2000 m test to
      evaluate maximal performance on the rowing ergometer (P2k) and an incremental
      test to evaluate power output at lactate 2 and 4 mmol/l (N=15). tHbmass was
      measured by CO-rebreathing. tHbmass amounted to 1285+/-123 g (open weight) and
      1059+/-48 g (lightweight). Coefficients of correlation between tHbmass and power
      output increased with intensity, being highest for P2k (r=0.80). An increase of
      100 g tHbmass is associated with an increase of 24 W in P2k between subjects. The
      ratio between tHbmass/LBM amounted to approximately 16 g/kg. Absolute tHbmass in
      elite rowers of open weight class is very high. In relation to body mass or LBM,
      data is similar to other endurance athletes. The relation between P2k performance
      and tHbmass is very large. However, it is partly mediated by body composition.

PMID- 24234013
TI  - Phytotoxic and antimicrobial activity of 5,7-dihydroxychromone from peanut
      shells.
AB  - A flavonoid decomposition product that is present in peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
      shells, 5,7-dihydroxychromone (DHC), was found to inhibit the radial growth of
      cultures of the soil pathogenic fungiRhizoctonia solani andSclerotium rolfsii
      with I50 (the concentrations of DHC required to inhibit growth 50%) values of 18
      and 26uM, respectively. Radicle elongation of velvetleaf, corn, peanut, and wheat
      was inhibited by DHC with I50 values of 30, 50, 65 and 200uM, respectively. DHC
      had no effect on the growth ofBradyrhizobium sp. at 10uM in medium containing low
      (1.0 g/liter) mannitol as the carbon source, although the related flavones
      luteolin and chrysin each promoted bacterial growth at 10uM 48 hr after
      inoculation. When tested in high (10.0 g/liter) mannitol medium, DHC initially
      inhibited growth ofBradyrhizobium sp., but 120 hr after inoculation the growth of
      all treatments were similar. These results suggest a role for DHC released from
      peanut shells in suppressing pathogenic fungal infection and competing plant
      growth but not forBradyrhizobium growth promotion. 

PMID- 24234014
TI  - Extraction of phenolic compounds from fresh leaves: A comparison of methods.
AB  - The conventional sonicator/shaker bath method for phenolic extraction was
      compared with a less traditional one using a homogenizer. The homogenizer proved
      to be both more efficient and consistent in extracting phenolics from tender, as
      well as tough, leaves. We propose that adoption of the homogenizer technique will
      increase phenolic yield and efficiency. 

PMID- 24234015
TI  - Dried leaves from rocky mountain plants decrease infestation by stored-product
      beetles.
AB  - Leaves of two highly aromatic plants,Artemisia tridentata (Nutt.) andMonarda
      fistulosa L., prepared according to a patented process, inhibited oviposition by
      the Mexican bean weevil,Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman), in beans at
      concentrations less than 1% w/w. Both plant species were less effective against
      the rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae L., in wheat, with onlyM. fistulosa exhibiting
      any concentration-dependent activity. The maximal control achieved against this
      species was less than 50% at 3% w/w. Two less aromatic plant species,Balsamorhiza
      sagittata (Pursh.) Nutt. andGeranium viscosissimum Fisch. and Mey., caused only
      low levels of inhibition against both insect species. Volatiles probably caused
      the response toA. tridentata andM. fistulosa, while the asymptotic concentration
      dependence for the less volatile plant material was likely caused by behavioral
      factors related to the physical presence of foreign particulate matter in the
      foodstuff. Chemical analysis indicated that most of the volatile components from
      the dried leaf material from all species were terpenoids, with camphor (9.7 mg/g)
      and 1,8-cineole (4.0 mg/g) being most abundant inA. tridentata and carvacrol
      (26.3 mg/g) being most abundant inM. fistulosa. 

PMID- 24234016
TI  - Pheromones in white pine cone beetle,Conophthorus coniperda (schwarz)
      (Coleoptera: Scolytidae).
AB  - Female white pine cone beetles,Conophthorus coniperda, attacking second-year
      cones of eastern white pine,Pinus strobus L., produced a sex-specific pheromone
      that attracted conspecific males in laboratory bioassays and to field traps.
      Beetle response was enhanced by host monoterpenes. The female-produced compound
      was identified in volatiles collected on Porapak Q and in hindgut extracts as (+)
      trans-pityol, (2R,5S)-(+)-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-5-methyltetrahydrofuran.
      Males and females produced and released the (E)-(-)-spiroacetal, (5S,7S)-(-)-7
      methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane, which was not an attractant for either sex, but
      acted as a repellent for males. Porapak Q-trapped volatiles from both sexes
      contained (+)-trans-pinocarveol and (-)-myrtenol. In addition, hindgut extracts
      of females containedtrans-verbenol, while males had pinocarvone and verbenone.
      Work in Georgia and Canada confirmed that the same isomers of pityol and
      spiroacetal are present in two distinct and widely separated populations ofC.
      coniperda. 

PMID- 24234017
TI  - Pheromones in red pine cone beetle,Conophthorus resinosae hopkins, and its
      synonym,C. banksianae McPherson (Coleoptera: Scolytidae).
AB  - Analyses of abdominal extracts and beetle-produced volatiles revealed that
      femaleConophthorus resinosae andC. banksianae produced optically pure (E)-(+)
      pityol [(2R,5S)-(+)-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-5-methyltetrahydrofuran]. In
      field tests, traps baited with (E)-(+/-)- or (E)-(+)-pityol captured only males.
      Addition of host oils to traps baited with pityol did not significantly enhance
      the capture of males. Males of these former sibling species produced the
      spiroacetal (5S,7S)-(-)-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane with high optical
      purity (96%). Addition of the racemate or the optical isomers of the spiroacetal
      to traps baited with (E)-(+/-)-pityol almost completely inhibited the capture of
      males. It is hypothesized that to ensure their reproductive success, males
      produce the spiroacetal to repel rival males. Species specificity in pityol and
      the spiroacetal was not found betweenC. resinosae andC. banksianae, thus
      supporting their synonymy. 

PMID- 24234018
TI  - Ethylene emission by a deciduous tree,Tilia americana, in response to feeding by
      introduced basswood thrips,Thrips calcaratus.
AB  - Ethylene emission from excised and intact American basswood tissue was increased
      after seedlings were infested with the bud-feeding herbivore,Thrips calcaratus.
      Gas chromatographic analysis showed that thrips-infested tissue produced
      significantly more ethylene than mechanically damaged or control tissue. The
      possibility that thrips feeding enhances ethylene-mediated stress signals is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24234019
TI  - Determining enantiomeric composition of disparlure.
AB  - A method has been developed to convert disparlure (2-methyl-7,8-epoxyoctadecane)
      to the correspondingN-(alpha-methylbenzyl)aziridine with inversion of
      configuration at both the 7 and 8 positions. The diastereomeric aziridines can be
      separated on an efficient gas chromatography column, permitting determination of
      the enantiomeric constitution of the starting disparlure. As little as ca. 0.1%
      of the minor enantiomer can be detected. 

PMID- 24234020
TI  - Volatile components in scent gland secretions of garter snakes (Thamnophis spp.).
AB  - Previous analyses of the scent gland secretions of snakes have focused on the
      nonvolatile components. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of secretions from
      North American garter snakes (Thamnophis butleri, T. couchi, T. elegans, T.
      melanogaster, andT. sirtalis) indicated the following seven major volatile
      components: acetic, propanoic, 2-methylpropanoic, butanoic, and 3-methylbutanoic
      acids, trimethylamine, and 2-piperidone. Five or more of these compounds were
      observed in secretions of select boid, colubrid, pythonid, and viperid snakes,
      suggesting that they are widespread scent gland products. 3-Methylbutanal also
      was detected in some snake species. 

PMID- 24234021
TI  - Biorationals fromNicotiana protect cucumbers againstColletotrichum lagenarium
      (Pass.) ell. & halst disease development.
AB  - Trichome exudate compounds isolated from leaves ofNicotiana tabacum, N. glutinosa
      (accessions 24 and 24a), and 21 otherNicotiana species were evaluated for
      biorational activity againstC. lagenarium, the anthracnose pathogen of cucumber.
      Exudate compounds tested were the cembrane diterpenes alpha- and beta-4,8,13
      duvatriene-1,3-diols (DVT diols); the labdane diterpenes (13-E)-labda-13-ene
      8alpha,15-diol (labdenediol) and (13-R)-labda-14-ene-8alpha, 13-diol (sclareol);
      extracts fromN. gossei; and various sugar ester isolates. In dose-response
      experiments test compounds were applied to a water agar surface that was then
      inoculated with a conidial suspension. Low levels of most test compounds reduced
      or completely inhibited germination ofC. lagenarium conidia. IC50 values,
      concentrations (micrograms per square centimeter) at which conidium germination
      was reduced 50%, were 6.3 for DVT diols, 19.3 for sclareol, 1.0 for labdenediol,
      2.8 for a mixture of sclareol and labdenediol, 1.2 for anN. gossei sucrose ester
      and 4.1 for theN. gossei crude extract. Higher levels of DVT diols and the
      sclareol-labdenediol mixture were required to reduce lesion size and number on
      inoculated cucumber leaves. At the highest concentration tested, 100 ug/cm(2),
      the DVT diols and sclareol-labdenediol mixtures protected cucumbers against
      lesion development by 93 and 98%, respectively. Sugar ester mixtures from
      20Nicotiana species and three different sugar ester fractions fromN. bideglovii
      had in vitro antifungal activity at a concentration of 48 ug/cm(2). Sugar esters
      from nine of the species includingN. acuminata, N. attenuata, N. clevelandii, N.
      maritima, N. miersii, N. noctiflora, N. occidentalis, N. rustica, and fractions
      10, 12, and 13 fromN. bideglovii completely inhibitedC. lagenarium conidium from
      germinating. Sugar ester mixtures from only four species,N. plumbaginifolia, N.
      bonariensis, N. simulans, andN. palmerii, had no significant effect onC.
      lagenarium conidium germination. These results suggest the potential ofNicotiana
      exudates as biorationals in reducing disease development. 

PMID- 24234022
TI  - Sequestration of lichen compounds by three species of terrestrial snails.
AB  - Three species of lichen-grazing snails,Balea perversa, Chondria clienta,
      andHelicigona lapicida, all from the Swedish island of Oland, were found to
      sequester lichen compounds when feeding on the crustous lichen speciesAspicila
      calcarea, Caloplaca flavovirescens, Lecanora muralis, Physcia adscendens,
      Tephromela atra, andXanthoria parietina. The lichen compounds detected in the
      soft bodies of the snail species analyzed included the anthraquinone parietin,
      the depside atranorin, as well as a presumable degradation product of the latter.
      Other lichen compounds such as (+)-usnic acid or alpha-collatolic acid were not
      found in the soft bodies but were only detected in the feces, suggesting
      selective uptake of lichen compounds by the snails. In individuals ofC. clienta
      initially fed on the lichenX. parietina, the amount of sequestered parietin
      decreased over time on a parietin-free diet but was still detectable in the soft
      bodies after 28 days. In the ovoviviparous land snail,B. perversa, sequestered
      parietin was transferred from the mother to the eggs in the reproductive tract. 

PMID- 24234023
TI  - Morphology and chemistry of brown rat,Rattus norvegicus, preputial and clitoral
      glands.
AB  - In contrast to previous results from laboratory rats, when sexual dimorphism
      occurred, clitoral glands from wild female rats were heavier and accounted for a
      greater proportion of body mass than preputial glands from wild males. Gland
      length and weight increased with body weight, but gland weight as a proportion of
      body weight did not. Preputial and clitoral glands showed seasonal differences in
      size: at one site glands were smaller in December than in April. Maturity,
      estrus, and pregnancy had no significant effect on clitoral gland size, but
      immature males had proportionally smaller preputial glands than mature males, and
      the absolute gland weight, but not gland weight as a proportion of body weight,
      increased with testes weight. There were no differences between the sexes in
      lipid production, which increased with preputial or clitoral gland weight. An
      homologous series of aliphatic acids and their methyl and ethyl esters, plus
      squalene, cholesterol and lanosterol, was revealed by GC-MS study of the
      trimethyl silyl derivatized lipid extract. Males and females could be
      distinguished by principal component analysis of chromatogram peaks. 

PMID- 24234025
TI  - Atmospheric dispersion of radon gas and its decay products under stable
      conditions in arid regions of Australia.
AB  - The radon and radon daughter concentration-in-air from natural background are
      assessed along with the micrometeorology and synoptic weather systems in an arid
      region of Australia. The radon daughter contribution to population dose is biased
      towards the frequency of nocturnal inversions. Classical atmospheric models are
      not applicable during stable atmospheric conditions in inland Australia. An
      atmospheric Box Model is used along with measured data from tethersonde profiles
      in predicting radon/radon daughter concentration-in-air. Predicted and measured
      concentrations are compared for spatial and temporal variations. 

PMID- 24234026
TI  - A comparative study on hospital sewage and industrial waste water.

PMID- 24234027
TI  - A selection of forest condition indicators for monitoring.
AB  - Regional monitoring and assessments of the health of forested ecosystems require
      indicators of forest conditions and environmental stresses. Indicator selections
      depend on objectives and the strategy for data collection and analysis. This
      paper recommends a set of indicators to signal changes in forest ecosystem
      distribution, productivity, and disturbance. Additional measurements are
      recommended to help ascribe those changes to climate variation, atmospheric
      deposition, and land use patterns. The rationale for these indicators is
      discussed in the context of a sequential monitoring and assessment strategy. 

PMID- 24234028
TI  - Methods used for estimating fugitive emission rates of air pollutants and their
      application in China.
AB  - This paper presents a series of methods for measuring and estimating fugitive
      emission rates, which have been widely applied in environmental impact assessment
      and establishing national emission standard and health protection zone (buffer
      zone) standards in China. 

PMID- 24234029
TI  - Organochlorines and heavy metals in 17-year cicadas pose no apparent dietary
      threat to birds.
AB  - Organochlorine and heavy metal concentrations in 17-year cicadas from Prince
      Georges and Anne Arundel Counties, Maryland, were well below levels known to be
      harmful to birds. Cicadas contained concentrations of metals similar to or less
      than other local invertebrates except they contained more copper than did
      earthworms. Copper and lead concentrations in cicadas from one site may have been
      elevated by sewage plant effluent deposited during river floodings. Cicadas from
      the median of a major highway did not contain more lead than cicadas from non
      traffic sites. 

PMID- 24234030
TI  - Sampling and analysis for radon-222 dissolved in ground water and surface water.
AB  - Radon-222 is a naturally occurring radioactive gas in the uranium-238 decay
      series that has traditionally been called, simply, radon. The lung cancer risks
      associated with the inhalation of radon decay products have been well documented
      by epidemiological studies on populations of uranium miners.The realization that
      radon is a public health hazard has raised the need for sampling and analytical
      guidelines for field personnel. Several sampling and analytical methods are being
      used to document radon concentrations in ground water and surface water worldwide
      but no convenient, single set of guidelines is available. Three different
      sampling and analytical methods-bubbler, liquid scintillation, and field
      screening-are discussed in this paper. The bubbler and liquid scintillation
      methods have high accuracy and precision, and small analytical method detection
      limits of 0.2 and 10 pCi/l (picocuries per liter), respectively. The field
      screening method generally is used as a qualitative reconnaissance tool. 

PMID- 24234031
TI  - Comparison of the effects of filtration and preservation methods on analyses for
      strontium-90 in ground water.
AB  - From 1952 to 1988, about 140 curies of strontium-90 were discharged in liquid
      waste to disposal ponds and wells at the INEL (Idaho National Engineering
      Laboratory). Water from four wells was sampled as part of the U.S. Geological
      Survey's quality-assurance program to evaluate the effects of filtration and
      preservation methods on strontium-90 concentrations in ground water at the INEL.
      Water from each well was filtered through either a 0.45- or a 0.1-micrometer
      membrane filter; unfiltered samples also were collected. Two sets of filtered and
      two sets of unfiltered water samples were collected at each well. One of the two
      sets of water samples was field acidified.Strontium-90 concentrations ranged from
      below the reporting level to 52+/-4 picocuries per liter. Descriptive statistics
      were used to determine reproducibility of the analytical results for strontium-90
      concentrations in water from each well. Comparisons were made with unfiltered,
      acidified samples at each well. Analytical results for strontium-90
      concentrations in water from well 88 were not in statistical agreement between
      the unfiltered, acidified sample and the filtered (0.45 micrometer), acidified
      sample. The strontium-90 concentration for water from well 88 was less than the
      reporting level.For water from wells with strontium-90 concentrations at or above
      the reporting level, 94 percent or more of the strontium-90 is in true solution
      or in colloidal particles smaller than 0.1 micrometer. These results suggest that
      changes in filtration and preservation methods used for sample collection do not
      significantly affect reproducibility of strontium-90 analyses in ground water at
      the INEL. 

PMID- 24234032
TI  - Analysis of Cdk5-related phosphoproteomics in growth cones.
AB  - Neurons establish interactions with target cells via elongation and guidance of
      axons, and the growth cone plays pivotal roles in this process. Cyclin-dependent
      kinase 5 (Cdk5)is a key regulator of nervous system development. Cdk5 regulates
      several significant events by phosphorylating substrates that are involved in
      neurogenesis, and previous studies of Cdk5 have typically focused on single
      substrates. Here, we took anew approach to investigate Cdk5 substrates using mass
      spectrometry and bioinformatics analyses. Axonal growth cones were isolated and
      analyzed by HPLC-MALDI-MS/MS. In total, 178,617 MS/MS spectra were detected.
      Candidates were analyzed by GPS 2.1 and Scansite 3, which predicted that 2,664
      and 275 sites, respectively, were potential phosphorylation sites of Cdk5. There
      were 190 overlapped phosphorylation sites, corresponding to 89 proteins. Those
      proteins correlated with axonal functions were classified, and two of them were
      verified using a classic site-specific mutation strategy. This is the first study
      in which the phosphoproteome of axonal growth cones was identified. The
      systematic examination of Cdk5 substrates could provide a reference for further
      study of molecular mechanisms of axonal growth cones, and new insights into
      treatments of neuronal disorders.

PMID- 24234035
TI  - Native American casino gambling in Arizona: A case study of the Fort McDowell
      reservation.
AB  - Since Congress passed the American Indian Gambling Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988,
      there has been an explosion in the number of gambling casinos located on Native
      American reservations. It is estimated that in 1994 the total net revenue from 81
      Native American casinos exceeded $2.3 billion dollars. As the number of Native
      American casinos grows along with the volume of gambling activity, opposition
      increases from states, the established gambling industry hurt by lost revenues,
      and groups with moral objections to gambling. This article reports on an effort
      to measure the economic impact of the Fort McDowell casino located near Phoenix,
      Arizona. The article discusses the casino's history and current operations. Next,
      it explains the use of an input-output model to compute the impact of casino's
      income and employment effects on the economy of Maricopa County. It is estimated
      that the casino is responsible for 2,483 new jobs, and an increase of
      approximately $80.35 million in regional output. Additional information is
      necessary to more accurately assess both the benefits and costs of the casino.
      Unfortunately, subsequent efforts to collect additional data have been
      unsuccessful. The conclusion discusses why, and raises questions regarding Native
      American gaming. 

PMID- 24234033
TI  - Silencing of Hsp90 chaperone expression protects against 6-hydroxydopamine
      toxicity in PC12 cells.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative
      disorder that has been shown to be associated with oxidative stress. This
      phenomenon occurs primarily via generation of 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA) in
      catecholaminergic neurons leading to activation of apoptosis. The 90-kDa heat
      shock protein (Hsp90) functions as a chaperone in maintaining the functional
      stability and viability of cells under a transforming pressure. Since Hsp90 binds
      to inactive transcription factor heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), inhibition of Hsp90
      could activate HSF-1 and transcription of heat shock element containing genes
      subsequently, like Hsp70 as an anti-apoptotic factor. Our trial of silencing
      Hsp90 expression through transfection of Hsp90 siRNAs into neuronal PC12 cells
      being exposed to 6-OHDA resulted in the inhibition of pro-apoptotic factors, Bax,
      caspase-3, and PARP and upregulation of anti-apoptotic factor, Bcl2. In this
      manner,our data suggest a protective role for Hsp70 as it was observed to be
      induced upon Hsp90 knockdown. Furthermore, our results showed that Hsp90
      silencing against 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress may associate with upregulation
      of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2. In summary, we found that
      silencing of Hsp90 expression leads to induction of cytoprotective pathways which
      can protect neurons against apoptosis in a PD model.

PMID- 24234036
TI  - Voluntary turnover among non-supervisory casino employees.
AB  - As gaming is expanding nationally and internationally, existing gaming operations
      are facing increased competition for employees with gaming experience. This study
      investigates the factors related to employee turnover in the gaming industry.
      Workers of six casinos in Reno, Nevada were surveyed concerning their work
      attitudes and turnover intentions, resulting in a sample of 492 observations. The
      sample represents all non-supervisory job types typically found in casinos.
      Pearson correlations and multivariate regression analysis were employed to
      investigate the relationships among turnover intentions and job satisfaction,
      specific satisfaction dimensions, organizational commitment, worker perceptions,
      pay, and labor market conditions. The results show that job satisfaction and
      organizational commitment are most strongly related to turnover. In contrast to
      previous findings, labor market conditions and pay play only a minor role in an
      employee's decision to quit. Instead, perceived lack of job security,
      satisfaction with supervision, and perceived employer concern with employee well
      being emerge among the most important factors. The results imply that employers
      in the gaming industry can manage employee turnover by providing effective
      supervision that is based on employee participation and fair treatment of
      employees. Training of supervisors, therefore, may be a relatively inexpensive
      method of controlling employee turnover in casinos. 

PMID- 24234034
TI  - Collagen Q is a key player for developing rational therapy for congenital
      myasthenia and for dissecting the mechanisms of anti-MuSK myasthenia gravis.
AB  - Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is anchored to
      the synaptic basal lamina via a triple helical collagen Q (ColQ) in the form of
      asymmetric AChE (AChE/ColQ). We exploited the proprietary NMJ-targeting signals
      of ColQ to treat congenital myasthenia and to explore the mechanisms of
      autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG). Mutations in COLQ cause congenital endplate
      AChE deficiency (CEAD). First, a single intravenous administration of adeno
      associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8)-COLQ to Colq-/- mice normalized motor
      functions, synaptic transmission, and partly the NMJ ultrastructure.
      Additionally, injection of purified recombinant AChE/ColQ protein complex into
      gluteus maximus accumulated AChE in non-injected forelimbs. Second, MuSK antibody
      positive MG accounts for 5-15 % of MG. In vitro overlay of AChE/ColQ to muscle
      sections of Colq-/- mice, as well as in vitro plate-binding of MuSK to ColQ,
      revealed thatMuSK-IgG blocks binding of ColQ to MuSK in a dose-dependent manner.
      Passive transfer of MuSK-IgG to wild-type mice markedly reduced the size and
      intensity of ColQ signals at NMJs. MuSK-IgG thus interferes with binding of ColQ
      to MuSK. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms of specific binding of ColQ to NMJ
      enabled us to ameliorate devastating myasthenic symptoms of Colq-/- mice and also
      to reveal underlying mechanisms of anti-MuSK-MG.

PMID- 24234037
TI  - Gambling and problem gambling among adult Minnesotans: Changes 1990 to 1994.
AB  - We assess changes in gambling and problem gambling from 1990 to 1994, a period of
      rapid expansion in gambling availability. Surveys of non-institutionalized adult
      Minnesotans were conducted in the spring of each year. Problem gambling was
      assessed using the SOGS-M, the Minnesota revision of the South Oaks Gambling
      Screen. Gambling was found to be more frequent among Minnesotans in 1994 than in
      1990, and the preference for games changed. Moreover, problem gambling increased
      over the period. This increase, however, appears to have occurred at the lower
      ends of the problem gambling continuum rather than at the probable pathological
      level. Policy implications are explored. 

PMID- 24234038
TI  - Gambling behavior of adolescent gamblers.
AB  - An adolescent version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen was administered to 965
      high school students, aged 14 to 19 years, in the city of Windsor, Ontario.
      Ninety percent of the adolescents were involved in gambling activities and a
      substantial proportion of these were engaged in underage gambling. High levels of
      problem gambling behaviors were found. Problem gambling behaviors were found to
      be related to the number of different gambling activities and the amount of money
      gambled. Problem gambling was defined as a score of five or more on the SOGS-RA
      screen utilizing a scoring method that paralleled the SOGS scoring method.
      Problem gambling levels were estimated to be 8.1%+/-1.8% of the adolescent
      sample. There were significant gender differences in the level of problem
      gambling, but no significant difference with age was found. 

PMID- 24234039
TI  - Casino gambling in private school and adjudicated youngsters: A survey of
      practices and related variables.
AB  - This study provides additional information about casino gambling practices in two
      adolescent samples. Specifically, 109 adolescents from a religious high school
      and 84 adolescents from a juvenile detention facility in Las Vegas, Nevada were
      surveyed. Of these, 71 (36.8%) were found to gamble regularly (58 males, 13
      females, mean age 15.9 years). Results indicated many similarities among the two
      groups. The overall sample appeared to have a strong affinity for casino
      gambling, were diverse in their practices and reasons for gambling, reported a
      variety of emotional and physiological behaviors when gambling, occasionally
      experienced problems from casino gambling, and had parents who generally approved
      and were aware of their children's gambling behavior. The accessibility and
      family-oriented nature of many new casinos may be responsible for these effects. 

PMID- 24234040
TI  - Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and vascular  endothelial growth factor
      in different zones of fetal membranes:  a possible relation to onset of labor.
AB  - This study aimed to explore whether the altered expression of tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and apoptotic
      changes in mid zone (MZ) and rupture zone (RZ) of fetal membranes (FM) are
      regulatory mechanisms associated with labor at term. Fifteen FM specimens were
      collected after vaginal deliveries and 13 specimens after elective caesarian
      section. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis were employed. Area
      percent of TNF-alpha and VEGF immunostaining and apoptotic index (AI) were
      evaluated using image analysis. The statistical data revealed significantly
      higher area % for TNF-alpha, VEGF immunoexpression and AI in labor compared to
      non-labor specimens (p < 0.0001). There was a significantly higher percentage of
      TNF-alpha immunoexpressed area in MZ compared with RZ in both groups (p <
      0.0001). VEGF expression in RZ of both groups proved nearly double or triple the
      area % of expression relative to MZ with highly significant difference (p <
      0.0001). quantitative analysis revealed near two fold increase in the AI in RZ
      (13.42% +/- 1.2 in labor; 11.20% +/- 0.96 in non-labor groups) when compared to
      MZ (7.20% +/- 0.6 in labor; 5.08% +/- 0.76 in non-labor groups) with highly
      significant zonal difference (p < 0.0001). Correlation analysis revealed
      significant correlation between apoptotic indices and area % of TNF-alpha (r =
      0.575, p = 0.002 in non-labor; r = 0.652, p < 0.0001 in labor) and VEGF (r =
      0.795, p < 0.0001 in non-labor; r = 0.668, p < 0.0001 in labor). In conclusion,
      Apoptosis may be regulated by TNF-alpha and VEGF expression in FM at labor. MZ is
      a step back from RZ and could participate actively in rupture of the FM during
      labor. TNF-alpha and VEGF increase with onset of labor and differentially
      expressed in the RZ and the MZ. These findings call for further study with tissue
      cultures or animal models.

PMID- 24234041
TI  - Testing the limits of optimality: the effect of base rates in the Monty Hall
      dilemma.
AB  - The Monty Hall dilemma is a probability puzzle in which a player tries to guess
      which of three doors conceals a desirable prize. After an initial selection, one
      of the nonchosen doors is opened, revealing that it is not a winner, and the
      player is given the choice of staying with the initial selection or switching to
      the other remaining door. Pigeons and humans were tested on two variants of the
      Monty Hall dilemma, in which one of the three doors had either a higher or a
      lower chance of containing the prize than did the other two options. The optimal
      strategy in both cases was to initially choose the lowest-probability door
      available and then switch away from it. Whereas pigeons learned to approximate
      the optimal strategy, humans failed to do so on both accounts: They did not show
      a preference for low-probability options, and they did not consistently switch.
      An analysis of performance over the course of training indicated that pigeons
      learned to perform a sequence of responses on each trial, and that sequence was
      one that yielded the highest possible rate of reinforcement. Humans, in contrast,
      continued to vary their responses throughout the experiment, possibly in search
      of a more complex strategy that would exceed the maximum possible win rate.

PMID- 24234042
TI  - Perceptions of intragroup rejection and coping strategies: malleable factors
      affecting Hispanic adolescents' emotional and academic outcomes.
AB  - Understanding psychosocial factors that affect the academic achievement of
      Hispanic adolescents remains a nationwide priority in the United States.
      Extending previous studies of the stressful effects of perceived discrimination,
      this year-long longitudinal study examined the correlates of perceived ethnic in
      group rejection, coping strategies and fatalistic beliefs, on depressive
      symptoms, grades, and college aspirations of 2,214 Hispanic adolescents (54%
      female) in Southern California. Based on the transactional model of stress and
      coping and on self-perception theory, structural equation models revealed that
      high perceived intragroup rejection (10th grade) and low levels of active coping
      (11th grade) were associated with depressive symptoms in 11th grade. Also,
      depressive symptoms partially mediated the link between intragroup rejection and
      both academic outcomes. Avoidant coping strategies (e.g., watching TV) also
      predicted depressive symptoms and were positively related to fatalism. In
      addition, fatalism was negatively related to grades and aspiration to attend
      college. The findings suggest the need to help adolescents find adequate outlets
      for communication and to create awareness about the potential effects of
      intragroup rejection.

PMID- 24234044
TI  - Preschool prediction: Orthographic and phonological skills, and reading.
AB  - Because of the research demonstrating the roles of phonological awareness, serial
      naming speed, and orthographic processing in reading, a test of each of these
      skills was added to a preschool screening battery. The main aim of the study was
      to determine whether these measures would contribute to the prediction of
      reading. The 118 subjects were first tested six months before kindergarten entry
      and were followed up 19 and 24 months later. Each additional screening test made
      a significant, independent contribution to the prediction of early first grade
      word reading/spelling, after the contributions of a parent rating of preschool
      reading ability (PRA), verbal IQ, socio-economic status (SES), and chronological
      age were accounted for. With letter naming and PRA, the additional tests were
      responsible for 62 percent of the variance. The orthographic test made the
      largest single contribution (32%) to the variance in word
      reading/spelling.Variables contributing significantly to the prediction of later
      first grade reading comprehension were (in order of proportion of the variance
      accounted for) letter naming, sentence memory, object naming speed, the
      orthographic test, and SES. The revised preschool screening battery correctly
      identified 91 percent of individual first grade good and poor readers. It was
      concluded that preschool measures of phonological awareness, serial naming speed,
      and orthographic processing make a strong contribution to prediction of first
      grade reading. 

PMID- 24234043
TI  - Cystatin B and SOD1: protein-protein interaction and possible relation to
      neurodegeneration.
AB  - Cystatin B (CSTB), an inhibitor of the cysteine proteases, belongs to the
      cathepsin family and it is known to interact with a number of proteins involved
      in cytoskeletal organization. CSTB has an intrinsic tendency to form aggregates
      depending on the redox environment. The gene encoding for CSTB is frequently
      mutated in association with the rare neurodegenerative condition progressive
      myoclonus epilepsy. Increased levels of CSTB have been observed in the spinal
      cord of transgenic mice modeling SOD1-linked familial amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis, a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting motoneurons. In the
      present study, we have investigated the relationship occurring between the
      expression of SOD1 and CSTB either wild-type or double-cysteine substitution
      mutant (Cys 3 and Cys 64). Whether or not there is a physical interaction between
      the two proteins was also investigated in overexpression experiments using a
      human neuroblastoma cell line and mouse-immortalized motoneurons. Here we report
      evidences for a reciprocal influence of CSTB and SOD1 at the gene expression
      level and for a direct interaction of the two proteins.

PMID- 24234045
TI  - Training phonological awareness: A study with inner-city kindergarten children.
AB  - A small-scale, longitudinal, phonological awareness training study with inner
      city kindergarten children was conducted in four classrooms. The central goals of
      the study were the creation and evaluation of a phonological awareness training
      program and a preliminary look at the consequence of that training on basic
      phonological processes.Assessment of phonological awareness and basic
      phonological processes was carried out in the fall of the kindergarten year, and
      again in the spring following an 18 week training program which incorporated both
      auditory and articulatory techniques for fostering metaphonological development.
      Follow-up evaluation of promotion to first grade and of reading achievement took
      place a year later. The children in the two experimental classes receiving
      training had significantly greater gains in phonological awareness at the end of
      kindergarten, were significantly more likely to be promoted to first grade rather
      than to pre-one, and had a trend toward better reading skills in first grade than
      did the smaller group of children promoted to first grade from the control
      classes. In addition, there were some indications that development of
      phonological awareness was accompanied by changes in the underlying phonological
      system as well. Here we focus on the rationale and implementation of our training
      program and discuss the implications of the findings for a potential large-scale
      study. 

PMID- 24234046
TI  - Stimulating basic reading processes using auditory discrimination in depth.
AB  - Recent research indicates that a major cause of reading (decoding) disabilities
      lies in an inability to manipulate speech at its phonemic (phonological) level.
      The Auditory Discrimination in Depth Program (ADD Program), stimulates basic
      phonological awareness and has been used extensively at The Reading Foundation in
      Calgary, Alberta. Here we present pre- and post-test data from 281 clients
      (ranging from school-age through adulthood) seen over a two-year period; post
      test data was collected after 80 hours of ADD instruction. To assess whether
      significant gains had been achieved, an analysis of covariance was performed,
      covarying for age and initial vocabulary scores. After 80 hours of intensive
      instruction, highly significant gains (p<.001) were evident on measures of
      phonological awareness, sound/symbol connections, word identification, spelling,
      and decoding in context. In addition to the treatment effect, age and vocabulary
      had some influence on some of the variables. The data was also analyzed to
      determine whether the results went beyond a "group effect" only. A total of 229
      cases were tabulated for gains or losses on the word attack subtest and on the
      reading and spelling subtests of the WRAT-R. Results indicate that the
      remediation was effective for all subjects, though gains on spelling tended to be
      less than on the two reading scores. 

PMID- 24234047
TI  - The missing foundation in teacher education: Knowledge of the structure of spoken
      and written language.
AB  - Reading research supports the necessity for directly teaching concepts about
      linguistic structure to beginning readers and to students with reading and
      spelling difficulties. In this study, experienced teachers of reading, language
      arts, and special education were tested to determine if they have the requisite
      awareness of language elements (e.g., phonemes, morphemes) and of how these
      elements are represented in writing (e.g., knowledge of sound-symbol
      correspondences). The results were surprisingly poor, indicating that even
      motivated and experienced teachers typically understand too little about spoken
      and written language structure to be able to provide sufficient instruction in
      these areas. The utility of language structure knowledge for instructional
      planning, for assessment of student progress, and for remediation of literacy
      problems is discussed.The teachers participating in the study subsequently took a
      course focusing on phonemic awareness training, spoken-written language
      relationships, and careful analysis of spelling and reading behavior in children.
      At the end of the course, the teachers judged this information to be essential
      for teaching and advised that it become a prerequisite for certification.
      Recommendations for requirements and content of teacher education programs are
      presented. 

PMID- 24234048
TI  - Evidence for and characteristics of Dyslexia among Japanese children.
AB  - In an attempt to determine the extent of developmental dyslexia in Japan, an oral
      reading test and a modified Bangor Dyslexia Test were administered to 125 fourth
      graders (69 boys and 56 girls). In this sample, four boys and four girls (6%)
      qualified as dyslexic, challenging the wide-spread belief that dyslexia is
      largely absent among Japanese children. Here we describe some characteristics of
      these Japanese dyslexics. 

PMID- 24234049
TI  - Developmental dyslexia: Heterogeneity without discrete subgroups.
AB  - Is the dual route model of word recognition useful in explaining individual
      differences in reading behaviors for most developmental dyslexics? Many past case
      studies of surface and phonological acquired dyslexics and a few similar studies
      of developmental dyslexia have suggested this might be so. The present study
      investigated individual differences among a group of 65 dyslexics, age 10 to 13,
      in reading, phonemic segmentation, and word retrieval. The dyslexics' performance
      was compared to that of 65 reading age controls and 17 age-matched good readers.
      The research questions were: (1) Are there discrete subgroups of developmental
      dyslexics as suggested by the case studies? (2) How do oral language measures
      relate to the various reading tasks? The data indicated there were no discrete
      subgroups within the group of dyslexics; in addition, the variability in
      performance on reading tasks was quite similar for the dyslexic and reading age
      control groups. A few dyslexics resembled phonological dyslexics and surface
      dyslexics, but these subjects were still part of a continuum. We also report the
      relationship between phonemic segmentation and word retrieval and various reading
      tasks. It appears that dyslexics at extreme ends of the continuum may exhibit
      quite different patterns from each other in their oral language task performance
      as well as in their reading. 

PMID- 24234050
TI  - Comparison of deficits in cognitive and motor skills among children with
      dyslexia.
AB  - There is a growing body of evidence that children with dyslexia have problems not
      just in reading but in a range of skills including several unrelated to reading.
      In an attempt to compare the severity and incidence of deficits across these
      varied domains, children with dyslexia (mean ages 8, 12, and 16 years), and
      control groups of normally achieving children matched for IQ and for age or
      reading age, were tested on a range of primitive (basic) skills. The children
      with dyslexia performed significantly worse than the same-age controls on most
      tasks, and significantly worse even than the reading-age controls on phoneme
      segmentation, picture naming speed, word tachistoscopic word recognition, speeded
      bead threading and some balance tasks. The overall performance of the children
      with dyslexia is interpreted as showing less complete automatization than normal.

PMID- 24234051
TI  - On the differential diagnosis of reading, attentional and depressive disorders.
AB  - Children may present with reading and/or attentional and/or affective
      (depressive) disorders in childhood. Although reading problems are more readily
      identifiable, childhood attentional and affective disorders can be difficult to
      recognize and diagnose. Here are discussed a number of complex and potentially
      confusing ways in which reading, attentional and affective disorders may be
      related: a primary problem in one area may result in problems in another; one
      disorder may look like another; and/or a child may simultaneously present two or
      all three primary disorders. Current clinical practice and recent and ongoing
      research is presented to clarify the changing definitions and potential
      relationships of these three childhood disorders to aid the process of
      differential diagnosis. 

PMID- 24234052
TI  - Dyslexia and musical notation.
AB  - The authors examine the difficulties experienced by dyslexic musicians in the
      formalized study of music, in particular, musical notation. They describe case
      studies from the literature and from personal interviews they conducted with
      musicians about their educational histories, musical weaknesses and strengths,
      and successful compensatory strategies. The authors make instructional
      suggestions for educators and musicians with dyslexia on how to use multisensory
      approaches to teach musical notation. 

PMID- 24234053
TI  - Dyslexia in adults: Evidence for deficits in non-word reading and in the
      phonological representation of lexical items.
AB  - Difficulties in reading and language skills which persist from childhood into
      adult life are the concerns of this article. The aims were twofold: (1) to find
      measures of adult reading processes that validate adults' retrospective reports
      of difficulties in learning to read during the school years, and (2) to search
      for indications of basic deficits in phonological processing that may point
      toward underlying causes of reading difficulties. Adults who reported a history
      of difficulties in learning to read (n=102) were distinctly disabled in
      phonological coding in reading, compared to adults without similar histories
      (n=56). They were less disabled in the comprehension of written passages, and the
      comprehension disability was explained by the phonological difficulties. A number
      of indications were found that adults with poor phonological coding skills in
      reading (i.e., dyslexia) have basic deficits in phonological representations of
      spoken words, even when semantic word knowledge, phonemic awareness, educational
      level, and daily reading habits are taken into account. It is suggested that
      dyslexics possess less distinct phonological representations of spoken words. 

PMID- 24234054
TI  - Life adjustments of college freshmen with and without learning disabilities.
AB  - This paper reports the results of a study comparing college freshmen with
      learning disabilities (LD) and freshmen with no learning disabilities (NLD). Four
      data collections over one academic year were completed on a total of 72 students
      (LDn=39; NLDn=33). Results of the study indicated differences between groups in
      their initial choice of living accommodations and in the changes made over the
      year: the overall trend was for students with LD to become more dependent on
      their families, while students with NLD were becoming less dependent on their
      families. With regard to academics, students with LD reported spending
      significantly less time in study and course preparation, as well as greater
      pessimism about success in coursework. Despite their pessimism, the actual GPA
      attainment of students with LD was similar to that of NLD peers. Whereas both
      groups initially predicted it would be easy to adjust to the academic and social
      nature of college, students with learning disabilities ultimately reported being
      dissatisfied with the social climate on campus. No differences were found between
      LD and NLD students regarding their motivation for attending college, or their
      plans for final degree attainment. 

PMID- 24234055
TI  - How do illiterate adults react to metalinguistic training?
AB  - The present study focuses on the capacity of illiterate adults to master three
      different metalinguistic tasks: judgment of phonological length of words, initial
      consonant deletion, and lexical segmentation of sentences. Illiterates'
      performance, during a pre-test and after training, was compared with that of
      literates and partial illiterates (adults at the beginning of the process of
      acquiring literacy) who received the same training. In the pre-test, illiterates
      were lower than literates in the three tasks; and partial-illiterates were at an
      intermediate level in two of the tasks. The three groups profited from the
      training, especially illiterates and partial-illiterates for whom improvement was
      dramatic across all three tasks. Finally, the results revealed a hierarchy of
      difficulty across the tasks. The capacity to focus on the phonological dimension
      seemed to be a prerequisite for the phoneme deletion ability. The task of lexical
      segmentation seemed to be more a measure of syntactic awareness than a measure of
      phonological awareness. 

PMID- 24234056
TI  - Instructional strategies for long-term success.
AB  - Through a qualitative research study we developed a model of employment success
      based on the experiences of successful adults with learning disabilities. This
      model may be particularly useful to students with learning disabilities in
      helping them experience success both in school and beyond. We suggest that the
      components of the model-internal decisions comprising desire, goal orientation,
      and reframing, and external manifestations or behaviors of persistence, goodness
      of fit, learned creativity, and favorable social ecologies-can be systematically
      taught and then used. By focusing on what has worked for adults with learning
      disabilities, we propose that the model taps into inherent strengths that can
      compensate for significant limitations associated with learning disabilities. The
      model does not guarantee success, but it does equip students with learning
      disabilities with a readiness to capitalize on opportunities that they might
      otherwise miss. 

PMID- 24234057
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24234058
TI  - Propolis protects against high glucose-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction
      in isolated rat aorta.
AB  - While propolis is known to have abundant bioactive constituents and a variety of
      biological activities, it is not clear whether propolis has beneficial effects on
      high glucose-mediated vascular endothelial impairment. The aim of the present
      study was to investigate the potential protective effect of propolis extract
      against the acute vascular endothelial dysfunction resulting from exposure to
      high glucose load and to elucidate its underlying mechanism. Rat aortic rings
      were incubated with normal glucose (11 mM), high glucose (44 mM), or mannitol (44
      mM) for 3 h with or without propolis extract (400 MUg/ml). Contraction to
      phenylephrine (Phe, 10(-9)-10(-5) M) and relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh, 10(-9)
      10(-5) M) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10(-9)-10(-5) M) were measured before
      and after incubation. Changes in malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione
      (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also measured. Phe-induced contraction
      was impaired by high glucose as the E(max) decreased from 138.87 +/- 11.43 to
      103.65 +/- 11.5 %. In addition, ACh-induced relaxation was impaired as the E(max)
      decreased from 99.80 +/- 7.25 to 39.20 +/- 6.5 %. SNP-induced relaxation was not
      affected. Furthermore, high glucose decreased the levels of both SOD (by 6 U/ml)
      and GSH (by 68 %) and increased levels of MDA (by 85 %). Propolis extract
      prevented high glucose-induced impairment of Phe and ACh responses and increased
      both SOD and GSH, leading to decreased MDA levels. In conclusion, propolis can
      protect against high glucose-induced vascular dysfunction by reducing oxidative
      stress.

PMID- 24234059
TI  - Antignawing factor of crude oil derived fromThujopsis dolabrata S. et Z.
      var.hondai sawdust against mice.
AB  - The antignawing activity of the steam distillate ofThujopsis dolabrata S. et. Z.
      var.hondai sawdust against mice was evaluated using a wire-dipping method. This
      method is suitable for measuring repellent activities of chemicals and plant
      derived materials. The steam distillate of theThujopsis sawdust was shown to have
      potent antignawing activity. Three terpenoid compounds with antignawing activity
      were isolated from the steam distillate of theThujopsis sawdust: thujopsene,
      carvacrol, andbeta-thujaplicine. Carvacrol exhibited the most potent repellent
      activity. As a naturally occurring repellent, carvacrol could be useful as new
      preventive agent against various kinds of damage caused by rodents. 

PMID- 24234060
TI  - Developmental stage of herbivorePseudaletia separata affects production of
      herbivore-induced synomone by corn plants.
AB  - The female parasitic waspCotesia kariyai discriminated between the volatiles of
      corn leaves infested by younger host larvaePseudaletia separata (first to fourth
      instar) and uninfested leaves in a Y-tube olfactometer; the wasps were attracted
      to the infested leaves. In contrast, when corn plants were infested by the later
      stages (fifth and sixth instar) of the armyworm, the wasps did not distinguish
      between infested corn leaves and uninfested corn leaves in the olfactometer.
      Mechanically damaged leaves were no more attractive than undamaged leaves, and
      host larvae or their feces were not attractive to the parasitoid. Through
      chemical analysis, the herbivore-induced plant volatiles were identified in the
      headspace of infested corn leaves. The herbivore-induced volatiles (HIVs)
      constituted a larger proportion of the headspace of corn leaves infested by early
      instar armyworms than of corn leaves infested by late instar armyworms.
      Application of third-instar larval regurgitant onto artificially damaged sites of
      leaves resulted in emission of parasitoid attractants from the leaf, whereas
      leaves treated with sixth-instar regurgitant did not. The function of this
      herbivore-stage related specificity of herbivore-induced synomones is discussed
      in a tritrophic context. 

PMID- 24234061
TI  - Effect of phytotoxic resin glycoside on activity of H(+)-ATPase from plasma
      membrane.
AB  - A resin glycoside mixture isolated fromIpomoea tricolor inhibited radicle growth
      ofEchinochloa crusgalli. The effect of the resin was tested on the activity of
      the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase fromE. crusgalli. For this purpose, plasma
      membrane vesicles were purified by the method of aqueous two-phase partitioning.
      The resin glycoside inhibited by 30% the activity of the plasma membrane ATPase.
      The same result was obtained with the purified main component of the resin. This
      indicates that the plasma membrane ATPase can be one of the cellular targets of
      the resin. Hence it is possible that the mechanism of action of the resin
      involves an inhibition of the plasma membrane ATPase. 

PMID- 24234062
TI  - Sex attractants of geometrid and noctuid moths: Chemical characterization and
      field test of monoepoxides of 6,9-dienes and related compounds.
AB  - (Z,Z)-6,9-Dienes with straight C18-C23 chains were synthesized from linoleic
      acid, and a C17 chain was synthesized by hydrogenation of the corresponding 6,9
      diyne prepared from propargyl alcohol. Oxidation of the homoconjugated dienes
      withm-chloroperoxybenzoic acid yielded a 1:1 mixture of two monoepoxides that
      could be separated by repeated medium-pressure liquid chromatography with a Lobar
      column. The chemical structure of each positional isomer was confirmed by
      analyses of the ozonolysis products, and the isomers showed characteristic(13)C
      signals in their NMR spectra and fragment ions in their EI mass spectra. In
      addition to the (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-trienes with straight C18-C23 chains and their
      monoepoxides, field tests using single source lures incorporating one of the
      above seven dienes and 14 monoepoxymonoenes were carried out in a forest in Tokyo
      from 1992 to 1994. Consequently, attraction of six geometrid species and five
      noctuid species was observed for the first time. 

PMID- 24234063
TI  - Identification of sensilla involved in taste mediation in adult western corn
      rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte).
AB  - A group of sensilla present on the maxillary galea of adult western corn
      rootworm,Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
      beetles has been identified morphologically and physiologically to be involved in
      taste mediation. There are approximately 15 chemosensory hairs on each galea.
      Bilateral removal of these structures resulted in a significantly reduced
      consumption of a strongly phagostimulant triterpenoid, cucurbitacin B, and led to
      increased ingestion of a phagodeterrent alkaloid, strychnine.
      Electrophysiological responses obtained via tip-recording of galeal chemosensilla
      with submillimolar concentrations of host and nonhost plant compounds resulted in
      dose responses overlapping with the effective behavioral ranges. Cucurbitacin B
      was found to evoke chemosensory responses at levels as low as 0.1uM. Sincegamma
      aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an agonist. (-)-beta-hydrastine and strychnine are
      antagonists, and cucurbitacin B has been proposed to act at a separate modulatory
      site of classical synaptic GABA and glycine receptor-channel complexes, results
      reported here raise the possibility that there are peripheral chemosensory
      receptor sites that may resemble, functionally and structurally, synaptic
      receptor sites in the central nervous system. 

PMID- 24234064
TI  - Outdoor attractancy of males ofMatsucoccus josephi (Homoptera: Matsucoccidae)
      andElatophilus hebraicus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) to synthetic female sex
      pheromone ofMatsucoccus josephi.
AB  - The active component of the sex pheromone ofMatsucoccus josephi is (2E,6E,8E)-5,7
      dimethyl-2,6,8-decatrien-4-one; the chemical is also a powerful kairomone of
      adult males and females of the bugElatophilus hebraicus the principal predator
      ofM. josephi. The presence of theZ isomer (2E,6Z,8E)-5,7-dimethyl-2,6,8-decatrien
      4-one does not interfere with the attractancy of the activeE component forM.
      josephi males or the bug. Our results show a clear dose-response between trap
      catch ofM. josephi males andE. hebraicus. Conversely, increasing amounts of theZ
      isomer in the mixture did not affect the attraction of the scale insect males or
      the bug. The catch ofM. josephi males did not differ significantly among traps of
      different color, and was significantly higher with traps attached to the tree
      trunk than those suspended between trees. Comparison of the catch ofM. josephi
      among the three forests and between pine species suggests that the level of
      infestation ofPinus halepepsis andPinus brutia ssp.brutia is similar, despite the
      fact that the latter pine is resistant to the scale insect. Both sexes ofE.
      hebraicus were trapped in much lower numbers at the more infested sites. This may
      be related to interference with the activity ofE. hebraicus due to deterioration
      and drying of parts of the tree crowns and heavy colonization by generalist
      predators in injured trees. 

PMID- 24234065
TI  - Leaf profile of maize resistance factors to European corn borer,Ostrinia
      nubilalis.
AB  - The feeding preference of European corn borer larvae for immature whorl tissue of
      maize was examined by conducting leaf bioassays and quantifying resistance
      factors along the length of mid-whorl leaves from the maize synthetic BS9(C4)
      developed by recurrent selection for resistance. Potential resistance factors
      that were quantified included percent foliar nitrogen, gravimetric determination
      of soluble metabolites and fiber, soluble phenolics and hydroxamic acids, cell
      wall-bound phenolics, leaf toughness, and UV absorbance of the epidermal cell
      wall determined by microspectrophotometry. Larvae consumed immature tissue at a
      higher rate than more mature tissue outside of the whorl, despite higher levels
      of DIMBOA in immature tissue. Consumption rate was highly negatively correlated
      with epidermal cell wall absorbance and leaf toughness. Fiber content and
      phenolic fortification of cell walls are proposed as the major resistance
      components that influence European corn borer feeding preference within the
      resistant synthetic BS9(C4). 

PMID- 24234066
TI  - Controlled-release pheromone dispenser for use in traps to monitor flight
      activity of false codling moth.
AB  - Field trials were conducted in the western Cape Province, South Africa, to
      develop a sex pheromone dispenser suitable for monitoring the flight activity of
      false codling moth. A controlled-release dispenser capable of releasing sex
      pheromone at a predetermined and constant release rate without replacement for
      more than seven months was produced. 

PMID- 24234067
TI  - Hydrocarbon dynamics within and between nestmates inCataglyphis niger
      (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
AB  - The objective of the present study was to evaluate the interrelationship between
      the cuticular and postpharyngeal glands' hydrocarbons, both in the individual ant
      and during its interaction with nestmates. In vivo radiochemical assays were
      employed to monitor the de novo hydrocarbon biosynthesis from acetate in the
      ant's body. The newly synthesized hydrocarbons appeared first internally and
      after 24 hr they accumulated in the postpharyngeal gland and on the cuticular
      surface. Blocking the possibility of external transfer of hydrocarbons between
      cuticle and postpharyngeal gland led to a significant decrease of labeled
      hydrocarbons in the postpharyngeal gland. In addition, during encounters between
      labeled and unlabeled ants, newly synthesized hydrocarbons were transferred,
      mainly via trophallaxis, but also by allo-grooming and physical contact. In view
      of these results, we propose as a model for their dynamics that hydrocarbons are
      synthesized in tissues associated with the integument. Through self-grooming,
      there is a constant exchange of hydrocarbons between the cuticular surface and
      the postpharyngeal gland. Furthermore, in encounters between nestmates,
      hydrocarbons are exchanged among them mostly by trophallaxis, with the mediation
      of the postpharyngeal gland. Thus, this gland acts as a pool for mixing colonial
      hydrocarbons and may serve to attain a unified colony odor. 

PMID- 24234068
TI  - On insect attractants from pitcher plants of the genusHeliamphora
      (sarraceniaceae).
AB  - Examination ofHeliamphora heterodoxa andH. tatei from the Guayana Highlands of
      Venezuela reveals that the enol diacetal monoterpene, sarracenin, is the major
      volatile compound present in the spoon-shaped structures of leaves of the
      pitchers. In addition, erucamide, phenol, cinerone, phenylacetaldehyde, and a
      series of methyl esters also occur in extracts of the spoon-shaped appendages of
      pitchers at the time during which they attract insects. 

PMID- 24234069
TI  - Registries, diagnostic studies, and therapeutic interventional trials: generating
      evidence in a broad perspective.

PMID- 24234070
TI  - Comprehensive testing for, and diagnosis of, sexually transmissible infections
      among Australian gay and bisexual men: findings from repeated, cross-sectional
      behavioural surveillance, 2003-2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To analyse changes in testing for sexually transmissible infections
      (STI) among gay and bisexual men in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland, Australia,
      particularly comprehensive STI testing (at least four tests from different
      anatomical sites in the previous year), and the characteristics of men who had
      such testing. METHOD: Data were analysed from repeated, cross-sectional,
      community-based surveys conducted during 2003-2012. Trends in specific STI tests
      and comprehensive testing were assessed and the characteristics of participants
      who reported comprehensive STI testing were identified using multivariate
      logistic regression, stratified by HIV status. RESULTS: Among HIV-negative and
      unknown status men (n=51 009), comprehensive STI and HIV testing increased
      substantially from 13% in 2003 to 34% in 2012. During the same period,
      comprehensive STI testing (excluding HIV testing) increased from 24% to 57% among
      HIV-positive men (n=5532). In both HIV status groups, comprehensive testing was
      more commonly reported by men who had unprotected anal intercourse with casual
      partners, and men with higher numbers of partners. Among HIV-negative/unknown
      status participants, comprehensive STI and HIV testing was also associated with
      education level, regional location and finding partners online. Among HIV
      positive men, comprehensive STI testing was also associated with free time spent
      with gay men and illicit drug use. Comprehensive testing was related to a high
      annual rate of diagnosis with STIs (20% of HIV-negative/unknown status men and
      38% of HIV-positive men). CONCLUSIONS: There has been a substantial improvement
      in the proportion of gay and bisexual men in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland who
      report comprehensive testing. Comprehensive testing is most likely among men
      whose practices put them at increased risk of infection, and is associated with a
      high rate of STI diagnosis. However, opportunities for comprehensive testing are
      still being missed, suggesting a need for its ongoing promotion.

PMID- 24234071
TI  - Use of Chlamydia trachomatis high-resolution typing: an extended case study to
      distinguish recurrent or persistent infection from new infection.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Repeated infections of Chlamydia trachomatis may be new infections or
      persistent infections due to treatment failure or due to unresolved infections in
      sexual partners. We aimed to establish the value of using high-resolution
      multilocus sequence typing (CT-MLST) to discriminate repeated C trachomatis
      infections. METHODS: Paired C trachomatis positive samples (baseline (T0) and
      after 6 months (T1)) were selected from two Dutch screening implementation
      studies among young heterosexual people. Typing with six CT-MLST loci included
      the ompA gene. The uniqueness of strains was assessed using 256 reference CT-MLST
      profiles. RESULTS: In 27 out of 34 paired cases, full sequence types were
      obtained. A multilocus (13 cases) or single locus variant (4 cases) was seen,
      indicating 17 new C trachomatis infections at T1. The ompA genovar was identical
      for 5 of 17 discordant cases. The 10 cases with concordant typing results were
      categorised as treatment failure (5 cases) versus persistent or recurrent
      infections (5 cases). Surprisingly, these concordant cases had C trachomatis
      strains that were either unique or found in small clusters. The median time
      between T0 and T1 did not differ between the concordant and discordant cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: High-resolution typing was superior in discriminating new infections
      compared with only using ompA genovar typing. Many cases (37%) showed exactly the
      same C trachomatis strain after 6 months. CT-MLST is not conclusive in
      distinguishing recurrent infections from treatment failure.

PMID- 24234072
TI  - Recent partner violence and sexual and drug-related STI/HIV risk among adolescent
      and young adult women attending family planning clinics.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Adolescent and young adult women are at high risk for
      sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV and intimate partner violence (IPV).
      We evaluate the prevalence of IPV in the past 3 months and its associations with
      STI/HIV risk, STI and related care-seeking over the same time period. METHODS:
      Female family planning clinic patients ages 16-29 years (n=3504) participated in
      a cross-sectional survey in 2011-2012 as a baseline assessment for an
      intervention study. We examined associations of recent IPV with sexual and drug
      related STI/HIV risk behaviour, self-reported STI and STI-related clinical care
      seeking via logistic regression. RESULTS: Recent physical or sexual IPV
      (prevalence 11%) was associated with recent sexual and drug-related STI/HIV risk,
      specifically unprotected vaginal sex (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.93, 95% CI 1.52 to
      2.44), unprotected anal sex (AOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.51 to 3.27) and injection drug
      use, their own (AOR 3.39, 95% CI 1.47 to 7.79) and their partner's (AOR 3.85,
      1.91 to 7.75). IPV was also linked with coercive sexual risk: involuntary condom
      non-use (AOR 1.87 to 95% CI 1.51 to 2.33), and fears of requesting condoms (AOR
      4.15, 95% CI 2.73 to 6.30) and refusing sex (AOR 11.84, 95% CI 7.59 to 18.45).
      STI-related care-seeking was also more common among those abused (AOR 2.49, 95%
      CI 1.87 to 3.31). CONCLUSIONS: Recent IPV is concurrent with sexual and drug
      related STI/HIV risk, including coercive sexual risk, thus compromising women's
      agency in STI/HIV risk reduction. Clinical risk assessments should broaden to
      include unprotected heterosexual anal sex, coercive sexual risk and IPV, and
      should promote safety and harm reduction.

PMID- 24234075
TI  - Introduction.

PMID- 24234073
TI  - Highly visible street-based HIV rapid testing: is it an attractive option for a
      previously untested population? A cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the shortage of community-based HIV testing initiatives in
      resource-rich countries not targeting most-at-risk populations, we aimed to
      evaluate whether a highly visible mobile programme promoting and offering rapid
      HIV testing in the street can attract persons at risk for infection who have
      never been tested. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2011, the programme served 7552
      persons in various Spanish cities who answered a brief questionnaire while
      awaiting their results. The factors associated with being tested for the first
      time were analysed using two logistic regression models, one for men who have sex
      with men (MSM) and the other for only heterosexual men (MSW) and women. RESULTS:
      3517 participants (47%) were first-time testers (24% of MSM, 56% of MSW and 60%
      of women). Among them, 22 undiagnosed HIV infections were detected with a global
      prevalence of 0.6% and 3.1% in MSM. Undergoing a first HIV test was independently
      associated with age <30, being from Spain or another developed country, lack of
      university education, having fewer partners, having had unprotected sex with
      casual partners and not having been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted
      infection. In heterosexuals, also with never injected drugs, and in MSM, with not
      being involved in the gay community. Among those tested for the first time, 22%
      had never thought of being tested and 62% decided to be tested when they passed
      by and noticed the programme, regardless of their previous intentions.
      CONCLUSIONS: This community programme attracted a substantial number of persons
      previously untested and particularly hard to reach, such as those with low
      education and MSM who were least involved in the gay community. Programme
      visibility was a decisive factor for almost two of every three persons who had
      never been tested.

PMID- 24234074
TI  - Incorporating elements of social franchising in government health services
      improves the quality of infant and young child feeding counselling services at
      commune health centres in Vietnam.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although social franchising has been shown to enhance the quality of
      reproductive health services in developing countries, its effect on nutrition
      services remains unexamined. This study assessed the effects of incorporating
      elements of social franchising on shaping the quality of infant and young child
      feeding (IYCF) counselling facilities and services in Vietnam. METHODS: Process
      related data collected 12 months after the launch of the first franchises were
      used to compare randomly assigned Alive & Thrive-supported health facilities (AT
      F, n = 20) with standard facilities (SF, n = 12) across three dimensions of
      service quality: 'structure', 'process' and 'outcome' that capture the quality of
      facilities, service delivery, and client perceptions and use, respectively. Data
      collection included facility assessments (n = 32), staff surveys (n = 96),
      counselling observations (n = 137), client exit interviews (n = 137) and in-depth
      interviews with mothers (n = 48). RESULTS: Structure: AT-F were more likely to
      have an unshared, well-equipped room for nutrition counselling than SF (65.0% vs
      10.0%). PROCESS: Compared with SF providers, AT-F staff had better IYCF knowledge
      (mean score 9.9 vs 8.8, range 0-11 for breastfeeding; mean score 3.6 vs 3.2,
      range 0-4 for complementary feeding). AT-F providers also demonstrated
      significantly better interpersonal communication skills (score 9.6 vs 5.1, range
      0-13) and offered more comprehensive counselling sessions. OUTCOME: Overall
      utilization of franchises was low (10%). A higher proportion of pregnant women
      utilized franchise services (48.9%), compared with mothers with children 6-23.9
      months (1.4%). There was no quantitative difference in client satisfaction with
      counselling services between AT-F and SF, but franchise users praised the AT-F
      for problem solving related to child feeding. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating elements
      of social franchising significantly enhances the quality of IYCF counselling
      services within government primary healthcare facilities, particularly their
      structural and process attributes. Provided that service utilization is improved
      through demand generation, this model has the potential to impact IYCF practices
      and child nutrition.

PMID- 24234076
TI  - Immobilized biocatalysts : The research program at Helsinki University of
      Technology.
AB  - Recent work on immobilized biocatalysts at Helsinki University of Technology,
      Finland, is described, with starch processing, Beta-galactosidase, glucose
      isomerase, invertase, and the immobilization of live cells as special examples. 

PMID- 24234078
TI  - Immobilized penicillin V acylase : Development of an industrial catalyst.

PMID- 24234077
TI  - Choosing an enzyme reactor theoretical background and considerations as
      illustrated in a case study.
AB  - A short review of different types of enzyme reactors and factors of influence on
      the reactor choice is given. The background of their kinetic differences is
      discussed. The conversion of starch to maltose by use of an immobilized two
      enzyme system has been chosen as a case study. 

PMID- 24234079
TI  - Nonideal flow in tubular reactors : Stochastically distributed ideality.
AB  - A compact and flexible method for modeling nonideal flow in tubular reactors is
      presented. The procedure involves dividing the reactor into discrete elements,
      each being an ideal reactor, but with characteristics of each assigned
      stochastically. Flow between cells is also shown as a stochastic behavior. The
      calculation steps are given in case of a fixed-bed reactor with unidirectional
      flow. 

PMID- 24234080
TI  - A comparison of the formation of intermediary products during lactose hydrolysis
      with free and immobilized thermophilic lactase.
AB  - CONCLUSION: Immobilization of the thermophilic lactase causes a decrease in the
      formation of intermediary products. This means that partially hydrolyzed lactose
      syrups contain less of these intermediary products when the immobilized
      thermophilic lactase is used in the hydrolysis process than when a soluble
      lactase is used. In addition, the decrease in intermediary product formation
      gives a higher enzyme efficiency in the process.

PMID- 24234081
TI  - Immobilized plant cells.
AB  - Plant cells have been immobilized in alginate, where they have been shown to
      retain their biological activity. Such systems can be utilized for
      bioconversions. 

PMID- 24234082
TI  - Continuous production of butanol with immobilized cells ofClostridium
      acetobutylicum.
AB  - Spores ofClostridium acetobutylicum were immobilized in calcium alginate. An
      active gel preparation was obtained after outgrowth of the spores to vegetative
      cells within the gel matrix. A 100 mL column containing the immobilized cells was
      used for continuous production. At steady-state conditions the productivity of
      butanol was 67 g/L reactor volume/day. 

PMID- 24234083
TI  - Immobilized cells in microbial nitrate reduction.
AB  - The microorganismPseudomonas denitrificans was immobilized in alginate. These
      immobilized cells were capable of reducing 0.8 mg NO 3 (-) /min/g wet weight of
      cells. 

PMID- 24234084
TI  - Enzymes coimmobilized with microorganisms : The bioconversion of whey permeate to
      ethanol with Beta-galactosidase andSaccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - The enzyme Beta-galactosidase was coimmobilized with the yeastSaccharomyces
      cerevisiae in alginate. The coimmobilized system was used to produce ethanol from
      cheese whey permeate. 

PMID- 24234085
TI  - Production of alpha-keto acids with alginate-entrapped whole cells of the
      yeastTrigonopsis variabilis.
AB  - The yeast,Trigonopsis variabilis, was immobilized by entrapment in alginate. The
      immobilized cells containing high amounts of D-amino acid oxidase were used to
      convert D-amino acids to their corresponding alpha-keto acids. 

PMID- 24234086
TI  - Citric acid production with alginate bead entrappedAspergillus niger ATCC 9142.
AB  - Aspergillus niger ATCC 9142 mycelium was entrapped in calcium alginate beads and
      employed in an air-lift completely stirred reactor for continuous production of
      citric acid. Maximum yield obtained from 10% (w/v) sucrose was 12 g dm(-3) with
      about 40% fermentation efficiency. Maximum rate of production 70 mg g(-1) h(-1)
      was about five times that obtained in classical batch fermentation. 

PMID- 24234087
TI  - Application of magnetic immobilized microorganisms : Ethanol production
      bySaccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - Magnetic calcium alginate yeast beads, made by incorporation of magnetite or
      colloidal magnetic liquid, FerrofluidM, exhibited catalytic behavior similar to
      that of their nonmagnetic counterparts. The magnetic immobilized preparations'
      shortterm performance, long-term operational stability, and capacity forin situ
      activation were unaffected by the inclusion of magnetic material. The magnetic
      quality of the alginate beads provides manipulatory advantages. 

PMID- 24234088
TI  - Affinity precipitation of enzymes.
AB  - Lactate dehydrogenase has been purified by precipitation with a bis-ligand. The
      precipitating agent in this case was Bis-NAD. This approach of affinity
      precipitation is also applicable to other enzymes. 

PMID- 24234089
TI  - Magnetic microspheres for targeting of drugs.
AB  - Magnetic microspheres were prepared from starch. The microspheres could be
      crosslinked with various agents, and drugs could be entrapped adsorbed, or
      covalently coupled to the microspheres. 

PMID- 24234090
TI  - Affinity chromatographic purification of lentil lectin using immobilized yeast
      cells.
AB  - A model system for evaluating macroporous supports containing immobilized whole
      cells in affinity Chromatographic applications is described. Whole cells were
      immobilized in a polyacrylamide network in a two-step polymerization process. The
      affinity system discussed consists of immobilized cells ofSaccharomyces cervisiae
      in the purification of lentil lectin fromLens culinaris. 

PMID- 24234091
TI  - Partition Affinity Ligand Assay (PALA) : A simple binding assay procedure.
AB  - In a competitive binding assay, the ligand to be quantified competes with a fixed
      amount of labeled ligand for the sites on a limiting amount of binding protein.
      The amount of label bound is therefore dependent on the ratio between native and
      labeled ligand. In a binding assay, one must separate the free ligands from
      bound. The better the separation, the higher the sensitivity of the assay. But
      effective methods are often laborious and time-consuming and thus we have
      developed a novel approach, the Partition Affinity Ligand Assay (PALA). 

PMID- 24234092
TI  - Immunocapillarymigration : Use of fluorescein- and enzyme-labeled antibodies to
      quantify C-reactive protein.
AB  - The method is based upon the attachment of antibodies to a porous insoluble
      support and the subsequent capillary migration of the antigen-containing solution
      in the support. The antigen-covered area thereby obtained was visualized with
      fluoresceinor horseradish peroxidase-labeled antibodies. The height of this area
      increased with increasing antigen concentration. The method was used to
      quantitate C-reactive protein. 

PMID- 24234093
TI  - A liposome-based assay for quantitation of detergents.
AB  - The amount of enzyme released from liposomes exposed to detergents varies with
      the amount of detergent present. This fact makes it possible to quantitate the
      detergent. Multilamellar liposomes containing entrapped peroxidase were adsorbed
      to paper discs and then exposed to solutions containing detergents. The assay
      procedure proved useful for assaying detergents down to their critical micelle
      concentration (CMC), and for an induced leakage of ionic detergents also below
      their CMCs. 

PMID- 24234095
TI  - Analytical applications of reactors containing immobilized enzymes.
AB  - The theory for analytical packed-enzyme reactors is discussed and it is shown
      that a 100% conversion efficiency gives many advantages. This concept has been
      applied to methods for substrate determinations of urea, amino acids, and
      glucose. Enzyme reactors have also been used in the effluent from a
      Chromatographic column to enhance selectivity and sensitivity for cholesterol.
      Enzyme reactors for the determination of inhibitors, e.g. mercury ions, should be
      designed differently. A low conversion efficiency gives high sensitivity and a
      linear response. 

PMID- 24234094
TI  - Immobilized enzymes as analytical reagents.
AB  - Immobilized enzymes are becoming increasingly popular as analytical reagents
      because of their reusability, stability, and sensitivity to many inhibitors that
      would seriously interfere in assays using soluble enzymes. In this article, some
      of the kinetic and catalytic effects of immobilized enzymes in analysis will be
      discussed. The shift of the activity-pH profile curves on immobilization, the
      changes in temperature dependence. the inhibitor constants (K1). Michaelis
      constants (K m ), and the maximum velocity (Vmax). plus others, will be
      discussed. Finally, the use of these immobilized enzymes in fluorometric and
      electrochemical monitoring systems will be shown, and the future of these
      reagents in various areas will be discussed. A survey of enzyme electrodes will
      be presented as an example of the use of immobilized enzymes. Application of
      immobilized enzyme technology to the assay of BUN, glucose, uric acid, amino
      acids, ethanol. and other metabolites will be discussed. 

PMID- 24234096
TI  - Determination of phenol and catechol concentrations with oxygen probes coated
      with immobilized enzymes or immobilized cells.
AB  - The enzyme phenol 2-hydroxylase was immobilized on Sepharose and used in
      conjunction with an O2 electrode for quantitating phenol. Similarly, catechol 1,2
      oxygenase was used for quantitating catechol. A third probe was prepared by
      immobilization ofTrichosporon cutaneum cells rather than purified phenol 2
      hydroxylase for phenol quantitation. The whole cell system gave results
      comparable to the immobilized enzyme system. 

PMID- 24234097
TI  - A glucose electrode for fermentation control.
AB  - An oxygen-stabilized enzyme electrode was applied to monitor the glucose
      concentration in a fermentor during a batch culture ofCandida utilis. The
      electrode contains an electrolysis circuit for generation of oxygen within the
      enzyme layer that keeps the oxygen activity in that layer at the same level as
      that of the surrounding broth. The electrolysis current is used as a measure of
      the glucose concentration in the broth.The glucose analysis continued without
      major disturbances when the dissolved oxygen pressure gradually decreased during
      the fermentation and also when the broth was subjected to a sudden increase in
      dissolved oxygen tension. The electrode could also be used in an anaerobic broth.
      Then the reference electrode was replaced by a constant reference potential that
      simulated a reference oxygen activity. 

PMID- 24234098
TI  - Biospecific reversible immobilization : A method for introducing labile
      structures into analytical systems.
AB  - Immobilized lectins placed in continuous flow systems were used for biospecific
      reversible immobilization of labile biochemical structures, e.g., enzymes such as
      ascorbic acid oxidase and acetylcholine esterase, and cells, such as red blood
      cells and lymphocytes. The species thus immobilized were applied in continuous
      flow analytical processes. 

PMID- 24234099
TI  - The enzyme thermistor.
AB  - This is a brief review of some applications and a description of the enzyme
      thermistor, which in effect is a flow-calorimeter designed for routine analysis
      in clinical chemistry, biochemistry, environmental control, and biotechnology.
      The heat produced in a small column filled with immobilized enzyme is measured
      with a thermistor, hence the name enzyme thermistor (1, 2). 

PMID- 24234100
TI  - Use of hydrogen-sensitive Pd-MOS materials in biochemical analysis.
AB  - A metal oxide semiconductor sensitive to hydrogen was used to monitor H2
      production from immobilizedClostridium acetobutylicum cells and from immobilized
      hydrogenase on a continuous basis. 

PMID- 24234101
TI  - Enzyme thermistors for process monitoring and control.
AB  - In today's biotechnology there is an increasing demand for appropriate analytical
      systems for process control. At present the most widely used control systems are
      based on measurements of pH, pO2, and pCO2. Such systems do not allow the direct
      measurement of substrates and products. To overcome this drawback sensors such as
      enzyme thermistors and enzyme electrodes have been designed and their development
      into industrial useful sensors for monitoring and controlling is the subject of
      active research. 

PMID- 24234102
TI  - Recent trends of biosensors in Japan.
AB  - Remarkable progress has been made in the development of bioelectrochemical
      sensors, and various kinds of biosensors have been developed and applied in
      analytical chemistry. Many of these enzyme, microbial, and immunosensors have
      been recently developed in Japan and in this paper, recent trends in Japanese
      biosensor development are described. 

PMID- 24234103
TI  - Breaking the barriers to environmental information: Workshop rationale and
      organization.

PMID- 24234104
TI  - Environmental information - A step to knowledge and understanding : Opening
      comments.
AB  - At a time when information and knowledge about the environment and the economy
      are increasing, problems of both environment and economy are growing more
      serious. It is the role and opportunity of a university institute concerned with
      research on environment and economy to convert information about the environment
      into knowledge, and to explore applications of that knowledge in areas of
      economic management and policy. The main barriers to production and dissemination
      of information that can contribute to effective environmental knowledge are those
      that affect the reliability, adequacy, accessibility, and understandability of
      environmental information. Such barriers may be systematic, biasing the gathering
      of information and selecting in advance who may benefit from it; they may be
      barriers of translation, with distortion of content or significance; barriers of
      sophistication, that determine both content and context; or, most difficult in
      the environmental field, barriers imposed by problems of scale and relationships
      of different scales. To be useful, information cannot be purely objective, but
      must have subjective value added. There is a staircase of 'knowing', progressing
      from Observation and Measurement, to Data, to Information, to Knowledge, to
      Understanding, and finally to Wisdom, presenting increasing barriers of
      subjective value, interpretation, and integration at each step. 

PMID- 24234105
TI  - Environmental science as a social process.
AB  - The felt need for better environmental information for planners and voters is
      based on maladaptive beliefs about the nature of knowledge and social order.
      Because there is not a meta-model which links the individual environmental
      sciences into a coherent whole, understanding complex environmental problems is
      necessarily a process of discourse between scientists from separate sciences-a
      process of gaining trust, building new patterns of thinking, and reaching toward
      new consensuses. By acknowledging the nature of the process, we can improve upon
      it and relieve the felt need for better environmental information. 

PMID- 24234107
TI  - Scientific barriers : A commentary.

PMID- 24234106
TI  - New perspectives on sustainable development and barriers to relevant information.
AB  - Sustainable development may mean different things to people with different
      worldviews. We sketch four worldviews, drawing on a schema developed by Bryan
      Norton. Of these four worldviews, i.e. exploitist, utilitist, integrist and
      inherentist, the third is the most consistent with the Brundtland Report (WCED
      1987) and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA 1987).The integrist
      perspective combines analytic reductionistic study with comparative contextual
      study, with emphasis on the latter. This integrative approach moves from over
      reliance on utilist information services such as impact assessment towards
      transactive study. Our own compromise emphasizes a stress-response approach to a
      partial understanding of complex cultural-natural interactions within ecosystems.
      Both cultural and natural attributes of ecosystems must be addressed.Currently
      the federal Canadian government tends toward an exploitist worldview; current
      government R&D funding and subsidies reflect this view. Old-fashioned scientists
      who rely on a monocular analytical vision of the world's minutiae may find
      contextual historical study offensive; these scientists hold sway on some
      advisory boards and hence research funding. Difficulty in finding funding for
      integrist information services should not be interpreted as a lack of need for
      this information; rather this difficulty results from resistance to a changing
      worldview. 

PMID- 24234108
TI  - Scientific barriers : A commentary.

PMID- 24234109
TI  - Scientific barriers : A commentary.
AB  - Whatever the appeal of extreme integrism or holism, science is necessarily more
      utilist and partial. We can only address our environmental problems
      scientifically if we identify the most pressing and attack them first. To do so,
      we must break with the monistic ideals and traditions of both theoretical and
      mechanistic ecology to pursue particular solutions instead of global models.
      Statistical analysis of empirically identified patterns has proven effective in
      providing such solutions, perhaps because empirical patterns are less valueladen
      than theoretical or mechanistic alternatives or because such patterns are closer
      to experience and easier to understand. Unfortunately, such simple analyses are
      often less valued by leading ecologists who seek intellectual content rather than
      predictive power and practicality. To overcome this barrier to actionable
      information, the body of scientists must reaffirm their commitment to
      environmental action through their work as journal referees, grant reviewers,
      scientific critics and teachers. 

PMID- 24234110
TI  - The seven deadly sins and the three poisons: A commentary on barriers to
      environmental information.

PMID- 24234111
TI  - Using technology to access regional environmental information.
AB  - Distinctions between holistic and presciptive technologies, and holistic and
      reductionist science are a backdrop to examination of two widespread
      environmental problems: eutrophication in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, and
      acidification of lakes in eastern Canada. Evidence is presented on a shift from
      prescriptive toward holistic approaches. Holistic solutions to technological
      limitations are discussed with emphasis on the interactive procedures people use
      to solve problems, rather than on the physical tools which are often employed in
      a prescriptive manner. Local gathering and integration of environmental
      information is presented as the key to macro-environmental assessments.
      Recommendations stress (i) the need for ecologists in every ecosystem, (ii)
      training with emphasis on problem-solving techniques, (iii) wide-spread use of
      microcomputers, a potent holistic technology, to transfer information and
      concepts, and (iv) local selection of indicators with the advice that they be
      simple and biotic. 

PMID- 24234113
TI  - The role of geomatics in developing the environmental information infrastructure.

PMID- 24234112
TI  - Barriers to the use of remote sensing in providing environmental information.
AB  - Remote sensing from aircraft and earth-observing satellites is an essential
      source of environmental information and, at regional and global scales, remote
      sensing from satellites is often the only way in which some information can be
      collected. Naturally there are technical limitations, such as low resolution and
      the inability of optical sensors to see through clouds that restrict the use of
      satellite data, but technology is moving rapidly and major advances can be
      expected during the current decade, especially from radar satellites.The main
      barriers to the use of environmental information provided by remote sensing are
      not technological, but include cost and a need for training and transfer of
      technology, and a requirement for users to depart from traditional methods where
      new technology offers distinct advantages. Perhaps the most important
      contributions that users of remote sensing data can make to breaking down the
      barriers to the use of environmental data is to provide very clear statements of
      their information requirements so that technology can develop to meet these
      requirements. 

PMID- 24234114
TI  - Technological barriers : A commentary.

PMID- 24234115
TI  - Technological barriers : A commentary.

PMID- 24234117
TI  - Technological barriers : A commentary.

PMID- 24234116
TI  - Technological barriers : A commentary.

PMID- 24234118
TI  - Technological barriers to environmental information : Chairperson's summary.

PMID- 24234119
TI  - Institutional barriers to environmental information.
AB  - Several barriers impede the free flow of environmental information in the
      government's hands to the public. The most important of these are the
      compartmentalization of environmental information among several departments, the
      manipulation of information to protect vested bureaucratic or political interests
      and, lastly, the withholding of information. The media's ineffective coverage of
      environmental issues and the small number of well-funded environmental groups
      constitute two additional institutional barriers to the broader dissemination of
      environmental information. Solutions proposed to reduce these barriers include
      the creation of an independent Commissioner on the environment reporting publicly
      to Parliament about the government's performance and the development of a widely
      available system of indicators to inform the public about changes in
      environmental quality. 

PMID- 24234120
TI  - Institutional barriers: A synoptic or pluralist approach.

PMID- 24234121
TI  - Political, social and institutional barriers to environmental information : A
      commentary.

PMID- 24234122
TI  - Political, social and institutional barriers to environmental information : A
      commentary.

PMID- 24234123
TI  - Institutional, political and social barriers to environmental information : A
      summary and a comment.

PMID- 24234124
TI  - Environmental Information Systems (EIS) in third world countries: Barriers and
      opportunities.

PMID- 24234125
TI  - Women as critical users of environmental information.

PMID- 24234126
TI  - Panel 4: Opportunities in third world countries : A commentary.

PMID- 24234127
TI  - Panel 4: Opportunities in third world countries : A commentary.

PMID- 24234128
TI  - Panel 4: Opportunities in third world countries : A commentary.

PMID- 24234129
TI  - Opportunities in the third world : A summary and comment.

PMID- 24234130
TI  - Breaking the barriers to environmental information: Concluding remarks.

PMID- 24234131
TI  - Workshop sponsors.

PMID- 24234133
TI  - Cultural competency in genetic counseling.
AB  - Incorporating a cross-cultural curriculum into genetic counseling training
      programs demonstrates a professional conviction of genetic counselors that
      cultural issues are important in genetic counseling. Funded by the Special
      Projects Fund in 1993 from the National Society of Genetic Counselors and the
      Kitson Fund from the Department of Social, Organizational, and Counseling
      Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, theHandbook of Cross-Cultural
      Genetic Counseling was developed to provide genetic counseling programs a
      curriculum to teach cross-cultural genetic counseling. The theoretical rationale
      for the development of a cultural curriculum is presented. By expanding cultural
      knowledge, developing an awareness of oneself and others, and increasing the
      repertoire of culturally relevant counseling skills within a socio-political
      context, genetic counselors will be able to better serve all clients seeking
      genetic counseling. 

PMID- 24234134
TI  - Education and testing strategy for large-scale cystic fibrosis carrier screening.
AB  - Population-based screening for cystic fibrosis carrier mutations presents a
      number of challenges for genetic counselors, owing primarily to the inability of
      current DNA testing technology to identify all possible mutations and the
      difficulty involved in conveying the concept of residual risk to those patients
      who test negative. To address these issues, we are conducting a pilot study, as
      part of a consortium established by the National Center for Human Genome
      Research, to explore the efficacy, acceptance, and psychosocial impact of various
      approaches to carrier screening in an ethnically diverse Southern California
      population. This article reports the patient instructional and screening
      strategies we developed in the initial phase of the project in order to optimize
      our chances of answering these questions and delivering this service on a large
      scale. 

PMID- 24234135
TI  - Abstracts of papers presented at the Thirteenth Annual Education Conference : 25
      years of genetic counseling ... Expanding roles, extending horizons.

PMID- 24234136
TI  - Niflings are nephews and nieces.

PMID- 24234137
TI  - Living with patients' decisions.

PMID- 24234138
TI  - Foreword by Klaus Topfer German Federal Minister of Environmental Affairs : For
      the first issue of the international journal "Environmental Science and Pollution
      Research".

PMID- 24234139
TI  - Editorial by Otto Hutzinger Editor-in-Chief.

PMID- 24234140
TI  - Haloacetic acids, phytotoxic secondary air pollutants.
AB  - Haloacetic acids are atmospheric oxidation products of airborne C2-halocarbons
      which are important solvents and propellants. Levels of trichloroacetate (TCA) in
      conifer needles from mountain ranges in Germany (Black Forest, Erzgebirge) and
      from two sites in Finland are compared; TCA is present in conifer needles at
      concentrations up to 0.7 MUmol/kg, MCA up to 0.2 MUmol/kg. At the Finnish sites,
      TCA-concentrations and branch degeneration symptoms of Scots pine are correlated.
      Monochloroacetate (MCA) has been determined in needle samples from Southern
      Germany in concentrations exceeding its phytotoxicity threshold towards
      photoautotrophic organisms. Data on atmospheric chloroacetate levels in Germany
      are also given; ambient air levels of chloroacetic acids range from about 2
      pmol/m(3) (TCA) to 390 pmol/m(3) (MCA). TCA and dichloroacetic acid (DCA) arise
      from atmospheric oxidation of airborne C2-chlorocarbons, while the source of MCA
      is not yet known; several tentative pathways are suggested. 

PMID- 24234141
TI  - Textiles as a source of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans
      (PCDD/F) in human skin and sewage sludge.
AB  - Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans were measured in low- to high
      ppb concentrations in several pieces of new clothing from different
      manufacturers. It was shown that these contaminants are transferred from textiles
      to human skin during wearing. They were also present in shower water and were
      washed out of textiles during washing. Extensive evidence was found indicating
      that contaminated textiles are a major source of chlorinated dioxins and furans
      in non-industrial sewage sludge, dry cleaning residues and house dust. 

PMID- 24234142
TI  - Upcoming canadian environmental meetings.

PMID- 24234143
TI  - Sorption kinetics of chlorinated hydrophobie organic chemicals : Part I: The Use
      Of First-Order Kinetic Multi-Compartment Models.
AB  - This is the first of a two-part series describing the Sorption kinetics of
      hydrophobic organic chemicals. This paper discusses the use of first-order
      kinetic compartment models in environmental studies, of subjects such as
      bioaccumulation and sorption. A comprehensive mathematical description and model
      calculations are presented. Differences between these models and the
      pharmacokinetic compartment models will be indicated, emphasis being given to the
      use of the former in sorption studies. 

PMID- 24234145
TI  - Database ABIOTIKx- Assessment of the chemical life of organic substances in the
      troposphere.

PMID- 24234144
TI  - Dietary and environmental estrogens and antiestrogens and their possible role in
      human disease.
AB  - Recent reports have suggested that dietary and environmental estrogens such as
      organochlorine pollutants may play a role in the increased incidence of breast
      cancer in women and disorders of the male reproductive tract. For example,
      elevated levels of DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) have been measured in
      women with breast cancer. However, it should also be noted that numerous
      environmental and dietary compounds have also been characterized as
      antiestrogenic and as inhibitors of mammary cancer cell growthin vitro and/orin
      vivo. Some of these compounds include 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)
      and related compounds, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), other naturally
      occurring TCDD receptor agonists, retinoids, phorbol esters, terpenes, fatty
      acids, and polysaccharides. Thus, it is possible that dietary and environmental
      estrogens and antiestrogens may be contra-active, and these interactions must be
      considered in the overall risk assessment of the potential adverse human and
      environmental health impacts of these chemicals. 

PMID- 24234146
TI  - Adsorption of organic vapors on polar surfaces- Recent advances.
AB  - This paper summarizes recent research on the adsorption of organic vapors on
      surfaces. Since the low gas phase concentration range is typical for
      environmental situations, this review is restricted to these adsorption
      coefficients.Two environmental parameters have a strong influence on the
      adsorption of organic vapors on polar surfaces:temperature andrelative humidity
      (which is the most suitable parameter for describing the influence of ambient
      moisture). An exponential relationship was found for the adsorption
      coefficientversus relative humidity and the reciprocal temperature, respectively.
      Comparing the heats of adsorption, two different groups of substances emerged:
      polar chemicals exhibited heats of sorption which were higher than their
      corresponding heats of condensation due to their ability to form hydrogen bonds,
      while for the nonpolar compounds the opposite was true. Sorption takes place on
      the surface of an adsorbed water film when the relative humidity exceeds the
      value which is necessary to form a monomolecular layer of water on the surface of
      the adsorbent (>= 30 % relative humidity). Therefore, at temperature below 0 
      degrees C, a change in the adsorption behavior might be expected due to a change
      of properties of the adsorbed water film. However, no alterations were observed
      at temperatures from -12  degrees C to + 4  degrees C (adsorption on quartz
      sand). The results were comparable to those at much higher temperatures (50 - 80 
      degrees C).A statistical approach for the prediction of the adsorption
      coefficients from physico-chemical parameters of the substances (vapor pressure,
      polarizability, and electron-donating capability) was developed and good
      agreement was found with experimental results and independent data from the
      literature. Finally, two special cases, the adsorption on bulk water and ice, are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24234147
TI  - Two years of oil disaster in the Arabian Gulf.
AB  - In January-February 1991, about 1 million m(3) of crude oil were released into
      the Arabian Gulf as a means of ecological warfare. A stretch of 644 km along the
      Saudi Arabian coast was heavily polluted over a width between a few meters and
      more than one kilometer. In four studies performed between March 1991 and April
      1993 the state of representative areas of the affected coast was examined with
      the result that only minor changes were found in those oiled zones which are
      seldom inundated by the tides. Technical measures up to 1993 did not exceed the
      test level. A biological regeneration process is in progress which was not
      recognized as such in analyses of previous coastal oil pollution. Cyanobacterial
      mats, containing hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, grow on oiled sediments which
      are regularly reached by tidal water. Shrinking and fracturing of the stable tar
      crusts starts a process of loosening and degrading of aged hydrocarbons. 

PMID- 24234148
TI  - Environmental hazard : Assessment of chemicals and products Part I: General
      assessment principles.

PMID- 24234149
TI  - Development of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) : The role of SETAC (Society of
      Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) and the 'Code of Practice'.

PMID- 24234150
TI  - Guidelines for Life-Cycle Assessment: : A 'Code of Practice' from the workshop
      held at Sesimbra, Portugal, 31 March - 3 April 1993 Society of Environmental
      Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC).

PMID- 24234151
TI  - Analytical chemistry in Europe and international tendencies : The accreditation
      of analytical laboratories- Quality assurance in analytical chemistry.

PMID- 24234152
TI  - Dioxin '93- 13th international symposium on chlorinated dioxins and related
      compounds vienna, austria, september 20-24, 1993.

PMID- 24234154
TI  - Plumbagin, a vitamin K3 analogue, abrogates lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative
      stress, inflammation and endotoxic shock via NF-kappaB suppression.
AB  - Plumbagin has been reported to modulate cellular redox status and suppress NF
      kappaB. In the present study, we investigated the effect of plumbagin on
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxic shock, oxidative stress and
      inflammatory parameters in vitro and in vivo. Plumbagin inhibited LPS-induced
      nitric oxide, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and prostaglandin-E2 production in a concentration
      dependent manner in RAW 264.7 cells without inducing any cell death. Plumbagin
      modulated cellular redox status in RAW cells. Plumbagin treatment significantly
      reduced MAPkinase and NF-kappaB activation in macrophages. Plumbagin prevented
      mice from endotoxic shock-associated mortality and decreased serum levels of pro
      inflammatory markers. Plumbagin administration ameliorated LPS-induced oxidative
      stress in peritoneal macrophages and splenocytes. Plumbagin also attenuated
      endotoxic shock-associated changes in liver and lung histopathology and decreased
      the activation of ERK and NF-kappaB in liver. These findings demonstrate the
      efficacy of plumbagin in preventing LPS-induced endotoxemia and also provide
      mechanistic insights into the anti-inflammatory effects of plumbagin. 

PMID- 24234156
TI  - The implementation and effects of Great Britain's National Lottery.
AB  - This article reviews the implementation of the British National Lottery since the
      first draw took place in November 1994. It seeks to analyse the experience to
      date against the background of the concerns expressed prior to its introduction
      and of the regulatory objectives set by the framework legislation. It also
      considers the impact that the Lottery is having upon the formulation and
      implementation of regulatory policy affecting other gambling media. The six
      sections following the introduction deal in turn with the Lottery's income,
      permitted games, the participants, the good causes benefiting from its proceeds,
      its impact on other gambling media, and its place within British government
      policy concerning the regulation of commercial gambling. 

PMID- 24234155
TI  - Il1-beta involvement in cognitive impairment after sepsis.
AB  - Sepsis is defined as the host's reaction to infection and characterised by a
      systemic inflammatory response with important clinical implications. Central
      nervous system dysfunction secondary to sepsis is associated with local
      generation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, impaired cerebral
      microcirculation, an imbalance of neurotransmitters, apoptosis and cognitive
      impairment. It's known that the IL-1beta is one of the first cytokines to be
      altered. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the role of IL-1beta
      in cognitive parameters in brain tissue through the use of an IL-1beta (IL-1ra)
      receptor antagonist up to 10 days and to assess blood-brain barrier permeability,
      cytokine levels, oxidative parameters and energetic metabolism up to 24 h, after
      sepsis induction. To this aim, we used sham-operated Wistar rats or submitted to
      the cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) procedure. Immediately after, the
      animals received one dose of 10 MUg of IL-1ra. After 24 h, the rats were killed
      and were evaluated for biochemical parameters in the pre-frontal cortex,
      hippocampus and striatum. After 10 days, the animals were submitted to the
      habituation to the open field and step-down inhibitory avoidance task. We
      observed that the use of IL-1ra reverted the increase of blood-brain barrier
      permeability in the pre-frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum; the increase of
      IL-1beta, IL1-6 and TNF-alpha levels in the pre-frontal cortex and striatum; the
      decrease of complex I activity in the pre-frontal, hippocampus and striatum; the
      increase of oxidative parameters in pre-frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum;
      and cognitive impairment. In conclusion, the results observed in this study
      reinforce the role of acute brain inflammatory response, in particular, the
      IL1beta response, in the cognitive impairment associated with sepsis.

PMID- 24234157
TI  - The relationship between gambling and video-game playing behavior in children and
      adolescents.
AB  - It is suggested that commercial video-games (e.g.Nintendo &Sega) and gambling
      activities have similar attractive features and intermittent reinforcement
      schedules. This research seeks to examine the nature of this relationship amongst
      children. One hundred and four children aged 9 to 14, from grades 4, 6, and 8,
      participated. A questionnaire exploring issues related to video-game playing and
      gambling behavior in children and adolescents was completed and a computerized
      blackjack game was individually administered. High frequency video-game players
      were compared to low frequency video-game players with respect to their gambling
      performance on the blackjack gambling task as well as on information gathered
      from the questionnaire. Of particular concern is the risk-taking strategies used
      by avid video-game players, whether or not children perceive gambling and video
      games as involving similar amounts of skill or whether they realize that gambling
      is primarily a game of chance. The findings, in general, suggest that high
      frequency video-game players gamble more than low frequency video-game players,
      report that gambling makes them feel more important, and take greater risks on
      the blackjack gambling task although no overall differences in success were
      found. Males exhibited greater risk-taking tendencies on the blackjack task than
      females. The clinical implications of the findings are addressed. 

PMID- 24234158
TI  - Pathological gambling: Etiologic considerations and treatment efficacy of eye
      movement desensitization/reprocessing.
AB  - This study of 22 subjects who meet DSM IV criteria for Pathological Gambling (PG)
      tests a theory that the development of PG lies in the existence of unresolved
      trauma-related anxiety, similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and predicts
      that reduction of that anxiety will result in reduced pathological gambling
      behavior. The study compares the effect on gambling event frequency of Eye
      Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy with cognitive therapy
      to that of cognitive therapy alone for subjects with and without reported trauma
      history. Results are significant for pre- vs post-EMDR (p =.04), for those with
      reported trauma history, (p=.01) and when controlled for frequency of sessions
      and time in therapy prior to the treatment (p=.04). Findings support an anxiety
      based model for the etiology of PG behavior. 

PMID- 24234159
TI  - Skill versus luck: A motivational analysis of gambling involvement.
AB  - The purpose of the present investigation was to test the skill/luck distinction
      among gambling games by comparing the motivations underlying participation in a
      skill (horse racing) and a luck (lottery) betting activity. Predictions were made
      using Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985, 1991). It was predicted that
      self-determined motivations (intrinsic motivation and identified regulation)
      would be more prominent for the skill game because it is conducive to optimal
      challenges, fun, and self-involvement. Conversely, the non self-determined forms
      of motivation (especially external regulation) should be more important for the
      game of luck because the luck dimension precludes true involvement of the self
      and orients the individual towards material gains. Results from a hierarchical
      discriminant function analysis, with 120 gamblers predominantly involved in one
      of the two betting activities, supported these hypotheses. These results
      highlight the relevance of a motivational analysis for a better understanding of
      the inherent properties of gambling games. 

PMID- 24234160
TI  - Potential and probable pathological gamblers: Where do the differences lie?
AB  - A large proportion of adolescents engage in gambling activities and the
      prevalence of pathological gambling is high. This study presents a factor
      analysis of responses from 122 college students who obtained a score of 3 or
      greater on the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the most widely used instrument
      to identify probable and potential pathological gamblers. The analysis showed
      five dimensions: Illegal Behaviors, Heavy Gambling, Eating Disorders, Parentally
      Modelled/Less Impulsive, and Worry. Analyses revealed that except for the Eating
      Disorders factor, all factors clearly differentiated the probable from potential
      pathological gamblers, as identified by the SOGS. Results raise important
      questions about the relationship of pathological gambling to other
      psychopathological or antisocial behaviors. Thus the probable pathological
      gambler category represents a wide-ranging behavioral profile that goes beyond
      gambling per se. Avenues for future research as well as clinical implications are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24234161
TI  - Pathological gamblers in methadone treatment: A comparison between men and women.
AB  - This article uses data from interviews with 462 individuals enrolled in methadone
      treatment programs in New York City to compare the gambling and gambling-related
      drug use and criminal activities of those males (N=72) and females (N=27) found
      to be pathological gamblers. Both the male and female pathological gamblers were
      and continue to be actively involved in various forms of gambling. A greater
      proportion of males had engaged in almost all specific types of gambling,
      although differences between males and females were not all statistically
      significant. Males and females were very similar in terms of their patterns of
      drug and alcohol use and the substances they used when gambling. Males and
      females shared some reasons but also had separate reasons as to why they used
      heroin when they gambled. Males especially may participate in a variety of
      criminal and hustling activities to have the money to be able to gamble or to pay
      gambling debts. The implications of this research are discussed. 

PMID- 24234162
TI  - Video lottery gambling: Effects on pathological gamblers seeking treatment in
      South Dakota.
AB  - Fifty-eight pathological gamblers receiving treatment for addictive illness in
      two South Dakota hospitals were assessed for types of gambling and grouped into
      three categories; 15 "video lottery only" (VLO), 36 "video lottery mixed" (VLM),
      and 7 "not video lottery" (NVL). There were 51 male and 7 female respondents,
      with a mean age of 38.2. We hypothesized that video lottery would be the
      predominant type of gambling on several dimensions: level of recent activity,
      most money lost on one occasion, and number of DSM-IV criteria met. Of all
      gamblers, 87.9% had pathological involvement with video lottery. Video lottery
      gambling accounted for the highest level of recent activity. In the VLM group,
      video lottery gambling led to greater single-occasion monetary losses. In
      addition, significantly more DSM-IV criteria were met in the VLM group for video
      lottery gambling than for other forms of gambling these subjects had engaged in.
      Results indicate that video lottery gambling is the predominant type of gambling
      behavior engaged in by gamblers seeking treatment for addictive illness in South
      Dakota. We propose that these findings could be associated with the availability
      and stimulus differences between video lottery and other gambling types. 

PMID- 24234163
TI  - Understanding the means and objects of addiction: Technology, the internet, and
      gambling.
AB  - This article describes how using new computer technology and the Internet for
      gambling can represent both the means and object of addiction. However, these
      technological factors do not represent the cause of addictive behavior. Given the
      widespread availability of computer technology and the remarkable expansion of
      the Internet, it is not surprising, however, that these technological advances
      have become associated with intemperate gambling activities. By discussing the
      concept of addiction and its associated social setting, neurochemistry, and
      gaming characteristics, this article suggests that addiction is the result of
      shifts in subjective experience and that new technology and the Internet can
      provide relatively reliable and potent contemporary vehicles for changing
      emotional states. 

PMID- 24234164
TI  - Gambling on the internet: A brief note.

PMID- 24234165
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24234166
TI  - Online friends, offline loved ones, and full-time media: young adult "mass
      personal" use of communication resources for informational and emotional support.
AB  - As Web 2.0 technologies proliferate, patient education is changing dramatically.
      Information about prevention and survivorship arrives from a mix of sources. The
      present manuscript describes a study to shed light on how young adults (YAs)
      affected by cancer manage the digital world. Our investigation was guided by a
      research question asking how young adults affected by cancer engage in
      communication work in an environment of mass personal communication. The sample
      for this research consisted of 500 posts comprising 50 complete threads from an
      online support community for young adults affected by cancer. Threads were
      purposively sampled in a multi-stage process. Researchers used constant
      comparison to define themes, examining text in increments. Individuals harnessed
      assets of various communication tools for the purposes of message preparation and
      credibility checking. YAs demonstrated the multi-channel way they move between
      channels for different purposes, driven by preparation for future interactions.
      The result is a process that allows co-creation of knowledge in a trusted
      community. Findings indicate that completing communication work through multiple
      channels in a deliberate and savvy way is normal for YAs, particularly for
      message preparation and credibility checking. The multidirectional nature of
      digital tools plays an important role for YAs, as interactive resources appear to
      be the first or second stop for information after key events in the cancer
      trajectory. Results from this study are important as guidance to help manage the
      volume and depth of information common to the cancer experience in the Web 2.0
      world.

PMID- 24234167
TI  - Tolerance for inconsistency in foreign-accented speech.
AB  - Are listeners able to adapt to a foreign-accented speaker who has, as is often
      the case, an inconsistent accent? Two groups of native Dutch listeners
      participated in a cross-modal priming experiment, either in a consistent-accent
      condition (German-accented items only) or in an inconsistent-accent condition
      (German-accented and nativelike pronunciations intermixed). The experimental
      words were identical for both groups (words with vowel substitutions
      characteristic of German-accented speech); additional contextual words differed
      in accentedness (German-accented or nativelike words). All items were spoken by
      the same speaker: a German native who could produce the accented forms but could
      also pass for a Dutch native speaker. Listeners in the consistent-accent group
      were able to adapt quickly to the speaker (i.e., showed facilitatory priming for
      words with vocalic substitutions). Listeners in the inconsistent-accent condition
      showed adaptation to words with vocalic substitutions only in the second half of
      the experiment. These results indicate that adaptation to foreign-accented speech
      is rapid. Accent inconsistency slows listeners down initially, but a short period
      of additional exposure is enough for them to adapt to the speaker. Listeners can
      therefore tolerate inconsistency in foreign-accented speech.

PMID- 24234169
TI  - On the apparent persistence of disparlure in the human body.

PMID- 24234168
TI  - The resilience of object predictions: early recognition across viewpoints and
      exemplars.
AB  - Recognition of everyday objects can be facilitated by top-down predictions. We
      have proposed that these predictions are derived from rudimentary image
      information, or gist, extracted rapidly from the low spatial frequencies (LSFs)
      (Bar Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 15: 600-609, 2003). Because of the coarse
      nature of LSF representations, we hypothesized here that such predictions can
      accommodate changes in viewpoint as well as facilitate the recognition of
      visually similar objects. In a repetition-priming task, we indeed observed
      significant facilitation of target recognition that was primed by LSF objects
      across moderate viewpoint changes, as well as across visually similar exemplars.
      These results suggest that the LSF representations are specific enough to
      activate accurate predictions, yet flexible enough to overcome small changes in
      visual appearance. Such gist representations facilitate object recognition by
      accommodating changes in visual appearance due to viewing conditions, and help
      generalize from familiar to novel exemplars.

PMID- 24234170
TI  - Foliage constituents of douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco
      (Pinaceae)): Their seasonal variation and potential role in douglas fir
      resistance and silviculture management.
AB  - Seasonal changes in the production of primary nutrients (soluble carbohydrates)
      and secondary metabolites (terpenes, monomeric phenolics, and tannins) in the
      current needle tissue of Douglas fir were investigated. All four classes of
      compounds showed significant seasonal changes in concentration during foliage
      development. Most terpenes increased significantly in concentration from June 11
      to August 3, and then showed declining concentrations to September 20. The most
      dramatic and significant seasonal increases occurred inalpha-pinene, camphene,
      and bornyl acetate concentrations. The monomeric phenolics chlorogenic acid,
      taxifolin glucoside, quercetin galactoside, and those unknown phenolics showed an
      overall trend of declining in concentration from June 11 through September 20.
      However, considerable variation between sampling dates in the concentration of
      these phenolics was noted. Tannin concentration decreased significantly from June
      11 to July 9, and then increased in concentration to the September 20 sampling
      date. Fructose, galactose, glucose, and sucrose tended to decrease from June 11
      to September 20. However, significant variation between sampling dates was
      evident in these compounds as well. Galactose was the major compound in the
      soluble carbohydrate fraction, amounting to almost 80% of the total concentration
      throughout the growing season. These data suggest that if phenolics and tannins
      function as defenses, they would only affect second- and possibly third-instar
      budworm larvae during the time that these instars mine the buds. Camphene,alpha
      pinene, and bornyl acetate increased in concentration throughout the growing
      season and may be effective deterrents to the budworm. Both bornyl acetate and
      camphene have been shown in field and laboratory studies to increase larval
      mortality and adversely affect budworm larval growth. Carbohydrates generally act
      as nutrients that enhance herbivore growth. However, in a previous study,
      galactose was found to cause reduced budworm larval growth and increased larval
      mortality. 

PMID- 24234171
TI  - Spined citrus bugs,Biprorulus bibax breddin (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), do not
      discriminate between enantiomers in their aggregation pheromone.
AB  - Female spined citrus bugs,Biprorulus bibax, in outdoor flight cage tests did not
      discriminate between synthetic aggregation pheromone blends containing either the
      racemate, natural (3R, 4S)-(-) or unnatural (4S, 3S)-(+) enantiomers of the major
      hemiacetal component (3R, 4S, 1'E)-3,4-bis(1'-butenyl)tetrahydro-2-furanol. Two
      to three times as many bugs were attracted to pheromone-baited sites compared to
      unbaited sites. The racemate of the hemiacetal is easier and less costly to
      synthesize than the enantiomers and will be used in development of the pheromone
      as a management tool for this pest. 

PMID- 24234172
TI  - Olfactory responses of the parasitoidDiaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae)
      to odor of plants, aphids, and plant-aphid complexes.
AB  - Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) is a parasitoid of
      several aphid species, including the Russian wheat aphid (RWA),Diuraphis noxia
      (Mordvilko), and the cabbage aphid (CA).Brevicoryne brassicae (L.). The response
      of matedD. rapae females to odors from wheat, cabbage, and plant-host complexes
      was investigated using a four-choice olfactometer. Experienced parasitoids, but
      not inexperienced females, responded positively to odors of the wheat-RWA complex
      in a no-choice test. In choice tests, experienced parasitoids did not respond to
      odors of uninfested cabbage and wheat leaves, but did respond positively to aphid
      infested plants and to aphids alone. The response ofD. rapae to the cabbage-CA
      complex and to CA alone was significantly greater than to the wheat-RWA complex
      and RWA alone, suggesting an innate odor preference for crucifer-feeding aphids. 

PMID- 24234173
TI  - Antimicrobial activity of dogwood fruits (Cornus drummondii) from winter food
      caches of eastern woodrats (Neotoma floridana).
AB  - Post-harvest loss of resources to microbial competitors affects a number of
      species of animals, and many of them have evolved behaviors that reduce the
      likelihood of such loss. We previously described the inhibition ofBacillus
      psychrophilus by dogwood fruits (Cornus drummondii), which can comprise a
      significant portion of the winter food cache of the eastern woodrat (Neotoma
      floridana). The present study is a further investigation of the ability of
      dogwood fruits to inhibit growth ofB. psychrophilus. Additionally, we tested the
      antimicrobial activity of dogwood fruits onEscherichia coli andStaphlococcus
      aureus. Results of our study indicate that fresh fruits inhibit the growth ofB.
      psychrophilus andS. aureus but notE. coli. However, fruits taken from woodrat
      dens after four and six months storage inhibited growth of all three species of
      bacteria. Further, the strength of inhibition increased over the test period. We
      suggest the presence of an inhibitor allows woodrats to compete effectively for a
      valuable and limited food resource. 

PMID- 24234174
TI  - A critical body size for use of pheromones in mate location.
AB  - Pheromones have demonstrated importance in mate location in many insect species.
      Because chemoreception is the most universal sense, it has been assumed that
      pheromones also are important in aquatic organisms, including bacteria, but few
      have been found. The physical limits on effective strategies for organisms to
      come into contact for mating were modeled with assumptions appropriate for
      organisms less than a millimeter in size in an open aquatic environment. One sex
      was assumed to be motile, while the other sex was passive or devoted energy to
      locomotion or to diffusible pheromone production. Assuming spherical organisms,
      random locomotion by the second sex at the same velocity as the first sex
      increases the chances of contact by a factor of 4/3 over being passive; this
      ratio is independent of size. For detection by contact, the effectiveness of
      searching increases with the third power of the radius of the organisms; for
      detection by pheromones, search effectiveness increases with the seventh power of
      the radius above a critical size. Diverting energy from motility to pheromone
      production is not productive for organisms smaller than the critical size, which
      corresponds to a radius of 1.8 times the square root of the diffusion coefficient
      of the pheromone times the threshold concentration for detection divided by the
      rate of pheromone production per unit volume of organism. Thus, pheromone
      production is very favorable for organisms much above the critical size, which
      appears to be between 0.2 and 5 mm in water. On the other hand, bacteria are
      probably too small to use diffusable pheromones for mate location; most
      protozoans and rotifers may also be too small. 

PMID- 24234175
TI  - Metabolism of 1,8-cineole in tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia andM. linariifolia)
      by pyrgo beetle (Paropsisterna tigrina).
AB  - The frass of the pyrgo beetle (Paropsisterna tigrina) feeding on commercial
      plantations of the terpinen-4-ol chemical variety of the Australian tea
      tree.Melaleuca alternifolia, was found to contain a volatile oil almost identical
      to the essential oil of the ingested leaf. When beetles were fed leaf containing
      substantial quantities of 1,8-cineole, the predominant frass metabolite as
      determined by MS, IR,(13)C and(1)H NMR, GC, and CoGC was (+)-2beta
      hydroxycineole. Both male and female adults and larvae metabolizedMelaleuca oils
      in similar ways. 

PMID- 24234176
TI  - Antitermitic activity ofLonchocarpus castilloi flavonoids and heartwood extracts.
AB  - The heartwood of the tropical treeLonchocarpus castilloi Standley (Leguminosae)
      is highly resistant to attack by the drywood termitesCryptotermes brevis
      (Walker); nevertheless successive extraction with hexane, diethyl ether, acetone,
      methanol, and water reduced its resistance to these organisms. Antitermitic
      properties of the extracts were bioassayed using impregnated filter paper disks.
      Although the five extracts reduced both feeding and survival ofC. brevis, no
      significant differences among them were detected. Choice feeding tests showed
      that termites avoided eating the paper treated with the extracts. Two flavonoid
      compounds isolated from the heartwood, castillen D and castillen E, impregnated
      into filter paper showed concentration-dependent feeding deterrent activity, but
      were not toxic toC. brevis. 

PMID- 24234177
TI  - Rejection of host plant by larvae of cabbage butterfly: Diet-dependent
      sensitivity to an antifeedant.
AB  - Garden nasturtium,Tropaeolum majus (Tropaeolaceae), is an acceptable host plant
      for the cabbage butterfly,Pieris rapae. Eggs are readily laid on the plant and
      hatching larvae feed and develop into normal pupae and adults. However, when
      second- to fifth-instar larvae were transferred from cabbage to nasturtium, they
      refused to feed and starved to death. Similar results were obtained when larvae
      were transferred from other host plants to nasturtium. However, larvae that were
      reared on nasturtium readily accepted cabbage as a new host plant. We have
      demonstrated the presence of strong antifeedants in nasturtium foliage and
      identified the most prominent active compound as chlorogenic acid. However,
      larvae reared on nasturtium had limited sensitivity, and larvae reared on a wheat
      germ diet were completely insensitive to the antifeedants. Larvae apparently
      develop sensitivity to the deterrent as a result of feeding on other host plants,
      whereas continuous exposure to the deterrent causes habituation or suppression of
      sensitivity development. The results demonstrate that dietary experience can
      dramatically affect the response of an insect to a potentially antifeedant
      compound in a plant. 

PMID- 24234178
TI  - Evolution and function of lingual shape in lizards, with emphasis on elongation,
      extensibility, and chemical sampling.
AB  - Major squamate taxa exhibit extreme variation in lingual morphology, presumably
      due to correlated variation in trophic and chemosensory functions. Data are
      presented on evolution of lingual shape documenting several trends: (1) Resting
      lingual elongation is greatest in families specialized for lingual chemosensory
      sampling. (2) The greatest increase in elongation achievable by intralingual
      means including elasticity and foretongue retractility occurs in families with
      intermediate degrees of lingual specialization for chemosensory sampling.
      Sampling efficiency may be enhanced by the ability to extend the tongue well
      beyond the mouth, with resting elongation and intralingual extensibility perhaps
      jointly determining distance extended. In families lacking sufficient resting
      elongation, augmentation of intralingual extensibility may be a means of
      approaching optimal protrusion distances. Decreased extensibility evolved in
      tandem with the greatest resting elongation, suggesting that resting elongation
      may be more efficient for protrusion and that elasticity declines as optimal
      resting length is approached. The optimal shape for chemosensory sampling may be
      predicted to be highly elongate, as in teiids, varanids, and colubrids. The
      tongue should be broad at the tip for prehension (as in iguanians), fleshy for
      manipulation and swallowing, and broad at the base for tamping prey into the
      esophagus. (3) Lingual surface area relative to that of a rectangle of dimensions
      length * base width varies accordingly. Relative area is high in families that do
      not tongue-flick much while foraging because tongues are broad and fleshy
      throughout their length. It is low in families that have wedge-shaped tongues and
      intermediate specialization for chemosensory sampling. Narrowing of the anterior
      tongue may improve chemical sampling. Relative lingual area in chemosensory
      specialists is very high, with progressive narrowing toward the base as optimal
      sampling shape is approached in taxa lacking lingual function in swallowing,
      prehension or prey manipulation. 

PMID- 24234179
TI  - Hugh Esmor Huxley (1924-2013).

PMID- 24234180
TI  - Microwave ablation of lung tumours: single-centre preliminary experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and
      safety of microwave (MW) ablation of lung tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty
      four patients underwent percutaneous MW ablation of 26 intraparenchymal pulmonary
      masses. All patients were judged to be inoperable on the basis of tumour stage,
      comorbidities, advanced age and/or refusal to undergo surgery. Ablation was
      performed using a microwave generator (Evident Microwave Ablation System,
      Covidien Ltd., Dublin). Lesions with a diameter <= 3 cm were treated with a
      single antenna, lesions with a diameter >3 cm were treated by positioning two or
      more antennae, simultaneously. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT)
      follow-up with and without contrast administration at 1, 3 and 6 months and then
      yearly in combination with complete blood and metabolic tests. RESULTS: Technical
      success was 100 %. No major complications were recorded. Asymptomatic grade-1
      pneumothorax was recorded in 9 patients (37.5 %). One case of asymptomatic
      pleural effusion and one of haemoptysis, not requiring transfusion, were
      observed. No patients were diagnosed with a post-ablation syndrome. Complete
      necrosis was observed in 16 of 26 lesions (61.6 %). Partial necrosis was obtained
      in 30.8 % (8/26 lesions); in one case (3.8 %) a progression of the disease was
      recorded and in another case (3.8 %) a stability was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      preliminary experience may be considered in accordance with literature dates, in
      terms of efficacy and safety.

PMID- 24234181
TI  - Assessment of 64-row computed tomographic angiography for diagnosis and
      pretreatment planning in pulmonary sequestration.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the clinical implications and results of
      a prospective protocol using 64-row computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for
      diagnosis and pre-treatment planning in pulmonary sequestration (PS). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with suspected PS were referred for CTA
      examination. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value
      (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of measures used to detect PS were
      determined by patient-based and aberrant systemic artery-based evaluations. The
      location, the size and the number of aberrant systemic arteries, and the
      feasibility of endovascular treatment were analysed. The capability of CTA to
      provide a working view and the accuracy of measurements in choosing a coil were
      also assessed. RESULTS: Digital subtraction angiography and/or surgery revealed
      PS in 38 patients, and 7 patients had no PS. The patient-based evaluation yielded
      an accuracy of 97.8 %, sensitivity of 97.4 %, specificity of 100 %, PPV of 100 %
      and NPV of 87.5 %, in the detection of PS. CTA clearly depicted the PS in all 38
      patients, and the aberrant systemic artery was accurately demonstrated in 37 out
      of 38 patients where endovascular treatment was possible. Working views for
      endovascular treatment were found in all patients with PS, and the choice of coil
      was correct in 37 out of 38 patients using CTA. CONCLUSIONS: 64-row CTA appears
      to be effective in terms of supporting accurate diagnosis and pre-treatment
      planning in PS. CTA is not only able to provide clear visualisation of aberrant
      systemic arteries but also provides detailed images of abnormal lung parenchyma
      and the airways.

PMID- 24234182
TI  - Rare causes of pulmonary hypertension: spectrum of radiological findings and
      review of the literature.
AB  - Following a brief introduction covering the clinical signs and symptoms of
      pulmonary hypertension (PH), its most recent classification into six groups, and
      the computed tomography (CT) features common to all forms of PH, this paper
      illustrates the typical patterns that can be found on chest radiography and CT in
      rare causes of PH. We present and compare with the existing literature our
      personal series of cases of rare forms of PH, found in the following diseases:
      veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary capillary haemangiomatosis, non-thrombotic
      pulmonary embolism (tumour embolism and carcinomatous lymphangitis, talcosis,
      hydatid disease), pulmonary artery sarcoma, neurofibromatosis, sarcoidosis, and
      Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Rare forms of PH show low incidence and
      prevalence, and are, therefore, poorly recognised. Their diagnosis is a challenge
      for clinicians, pathologists, and radiologists, and any additional knowledge
      about the CT findings may help the diagnosis in the case of patients affected by
      PH of unknown origin. 

PMID- 24234183
TI  - Current clinical use of 18FDG-PET/CT in patients with thoracic and systemic
      sarcoidosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study assessed the role of whole-body (18)fluorodeoxyglucose
      positron-emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)FDG PET/CT) in the
      restaging and follow-up of patients with sarcoidosis previously studied by
      multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      retrospective study enrolled 21 patients to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity
      and accuracy of (18)FDG-PET/CT and MDCT. The results of the two techniques were
      compared with the Mc Nemar test. Cohen's K was used to compare concordance at the
      different lesion sites. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of
      (18)FDG-PET/CT were 80, 66.67, and 76.19 %, respectively. The sensitivity,
      specificity and accuracy of MDCT were 93.33, 33.33, and 76.19 %, respectively. In
      16 patients who underwent whole-body MDCT, the sensitivity, specificity and
      accuracy values were 91.67, 81.25, and 50 % (MDCT) and 100, 50, and 87.5 %
      ((18)FDG-PET/CT). CONCLUSIONS: (18)FDG-PET/CT is useful in evaluating the extent
      of sarcoidosis and recognising lesions at different sites, including lymph nodes,
      lungs, liver, spleen and bone. It also improves the interpretation of the
      morphological lesions seen on MDCT and depicts a larger number of lesions.
      Therefore, (18)FDG-PET/CT could be used to complement other more traditional
      techniques for the restaging and follow-up in patients with sarcoidosis.

PMID- 24234184
TI  - Impact of a breathing-control system on target margins and normal-tissue sparing
      in the treatment of lung cancer: experience at the radiotherapy unit of Florence
      University.
AB  - PURPOSE: In lung cancer, a high radiation dose to the target area correlates with
      better local control but is frequently counterbalanced by a higher risk of lung
      toxicity. Several methods exist to coordinate respiratory motion in lung
      radiotherapy. We aimed to investigate the impact of a breathing-control system on
      irradiated volumes and dosimetric parameters in three-dimensional conformal
      radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) treatments. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Twelve patients were scheduled for radical radiotherapy: five for
      SRT and seven for 3D-CRT. For each patient, in addition to the free-breathing
      computed tomography (CT) scan, four additional sets of CT slices were acquired
      using the Active Breathing Coordinator device (ABC, Elekta Oncology Systems Ltd.,
      UK). RESULTS: The volumes acquired with the ABC device were significantly smaller
      than the free-breathing volumes [23 % reduction of planning tumour volume (PTV),
      p = 0.002]. ABC allowed a reduction of all dosimetric parameters [2.28 %
      reduction of percentage volume of lung treated to a dose of >= 20 Gy (V20), p =
      0.004; 10 % reduction of mean lung dose (MLD), p = 0.009]. Significant
      differences were found both in SRT and in 3D-CRT, in peripheral and apical
      lesions. CONCLUSION: In our experience, ABC has the potential to reduce lung
      toxicity in the treatment of lung cancer; alternatively, it can allow the
      prescribed dose to be increased while maintaining the same risk of lung toxicity.

PMID- 24234185
TI  - Radiofrequency ablation of thoracic tumours: lessons learned with ablation of 100
      lesions.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our aim was to analyse the results of our first 100 radiofrequency
      ablation (RFA) procedures, of primary (nonsmall-cell lung cancers, NSCLC) and
      secondary (MTS) lung cancers to assess what lessons could be learned from our
      experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed 100 lesions (mean size 23 mm) in
      81 patients (25 NSCLC/56 MTS). On the basis of the clinical-radiological
      evolution, we analysed complete ablation (CA) versus partial ablation (PA) at the
      first computed tomography (CT) scan and during the follow-up (mean 23 months),
      time to progression (TTP) and survival. Possible predictive factors for local
      effectiveness and survival were sought. RESULTS: At the first CT scan CA was
      obtained in 88 %; the difference between the mean diameter of lesions achieving
      CA and PA was significant (20 versus 38 mm; p = 0.0001). A threshold of 30 mm (p
      = 0.0030) and the histological type (NSCLC 75 %/MTS 94 %; p = 0.0305) were also
      predictive of CA. A total of 18.4 % of the CA recurred (average TTP 19 months).
      Survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 84.5, 65.4 and 51.5 %, respectively. The
      predictors of survival at 3 years were the coexistence of other MTS (p = 0.0422)
      and a diameter <20 mm (p = 0.0323), but not the local effectiveness of RFA.
      CONCLUSION: RFA for thoracic malignancies is accurate for lesions up to 30 mm,
      especially if metastatic; survival is more closely related to staging factors
      than to the local effectiveness of RFA.

PMID- 24234186
TI  - Toward a definition of dyslexia.

PMID- 24234187
TI  - Serial rapid naming skills in children with reading disabilities.
AB  - This study compared the performance of children with reading disability (RD) and
      normal reading achievement (NRA) on tasks of serial rapid naming, verbal fluency,
      letter-based word retrieval, and articulatory speed. The groups, composed of
      children at two discrete age levels, one younger and one older, were matched for
      age, gender, and neighborhood school. Analyses of the on-line measurement of the
      children's serial rapid naming indicated that the children with RD had
      significantly larger reaction times and production durations than their NRA peers
      despite similar levels of accuracy. They also performed significantly worse on
      the categorical verbal fluency task, the letter-based word retrieval task, and
      the test of articulatory speed. The findings suggest that both access and post
      access processes, such as oral-motor inefficiency that extends the duration of
      word production, may be implicated in the slower serial rapid naming that has
      typified many samples of children with RD. 

PMID- 24234188
TI  - Evidence for phonological processing deficits in less-skilled readers.
AB  - Although weaknesses in metaphonological skills are well-documented in poor
      readers, prior studies have yielded inconsistent findings as to whether less
      skilled readers also have deficits in the more primary phonological processes
      entailed in verbal working memory and speech production tasks. The present study
      was designed to examine this issue by comparing less-skilled third-graders
      readers (n=30) with younger children at the same reading level (n=30) and with
      more-skilled agemates (n=30) on a variety of tasks that require phonological
      processing (i.e., three "verbal memory" tasks [word span, span with concurrent
      processing, pseudoword imitation] and three "speech production" tasks [word-pair
      repetition, tongue twisters, rapid naming]). The results were striking: the less
      skilled third-grade readers had significantly lower accuracy scores than both
      their agemates and the younger normal readers on the word span, pseudoword
      imitation, word-pair repetition, and tongue twister tasks. Measures of accuracy
      were more related to reading ability than were measures of speed. Performance on
      a pseudoword imitation task was the variable most strongly linked to reading
      achievement. 

PMID- 24234189
TI  - Predicting reading ability over the long term: The changing roles of letter
      naming, phonological awareness and orthographic processing.
AB  - A cohort of 92 children was followed through sixth grade to investigate the
      relationship of preschool skills and first grade phonological awareness to
      reading and spelling. In particular, the focus was on the changing roles of
      letter naming, orthographic awareness, and phonological processing in prediction,
      as reading experience increased. Preschool letter naming was a consistently
      significant predictor of reading vocabulary, reading comprehension, and spelling
      at each grade level, but the preschool orthographic task contributed most to
      reading comprehension and spelling at the higher grades. Conversely, the
      contribution of the first grade phonemic awareness measures to reading skills
      dropped sharply after third grade, although they continued to contribute to
      spelling prediction. When preschool precursors of phonological processing were
      examined, letter naming was found to be a predictor of first and third grade
      phonemic awareness. Findings confirm the importance of letter naming as a
      predictor and of the role of phonemic awareness in early reading acquisition, but
      also highlight the contribution of orthographic processing skills to later
      reading. 

PMID- 24234190
TI  - Computer-based phonological awareness and reading instruction.
AB  - Reading with Orthographic and Segmented Speech (ROSS) programs use talking
      computers to deal with deficits in word recognition and phonological awareness.
      With ROSS, children read stories on a computer screen. Whenever they encounter a
      word they find difficult, they can request assistance by targeting the word with
      a mouse. The program highlights the word in segments and then pronounces the
      segments in order. In previous studies, children improved in reading, but
      children with relatively lower initial phonological awareness (PA) gained less
      than the others. In order to maximize the benefits from ROSS for all children,
      the current study aimed to improve PA before and while reading with ROSS, by
      using some programs based on theAuditory Discrimination in Depth method
      (Lindamood and Lindamood 1975), and others focusing on phoneme manipulation with
      speech feedback for all responses. The study compared the effects of this
      training with training in Comprehension Strategies (CS) based on Reciprocal
      Teaching techniques (Palincsar and Brown 1984), among second- to fifth-grade
      students with problems in word recognition. While both groups received equal
      instructional time in small-groups and with the computer, the groups differed in
      how much time they spent reading words in context. Whereas PA children spent half
      their computer time on PA exercises involving individual words and half reading
      words in context with ROSS, the CS group spent all their computer time reading
      words in context with ROSS. Both groups made significant gains in decoding, word
      recognition, and comprehension; however the PA groups gained significantly more
      than the CS group on all untimed tests of phoneme awareness, word recognition,
      and nonsense word reading. The CS children performed better on a test of time
      limited word recognition; they also achieved higher comprehension scores,
      although only while reading with a trainer. The PA children's improved decoding
      skill led to greater accuracy, but slower responses with difficult words, after
      one semester's training. 

PMID- 24234191
TI  - Assistive technology for postsecondary students with learning disabilities: From
      research to practice.
AB  - The article reports on a support services program for postsecondary students with
      learning disabilities that was found to be particularly conducive to the
      conversion of research findings into practical applications in such a way that it
      measurably enhanced students' immediate and long-term academic performance. The
      results of both clinical and controlled research on persons with learning
      disabilities were applied to: (1) the prescription of services and compensatory
      strategies, including assistive technology, in relation to the diagnosis of
      specific disabilities; and (2) the preparation of a written composition
      curriculum for persons with learning disabilities which emphasizes the use of
      assistive computer technology. The paper concludes with an identification of
      those elements in the setting that appeared to promote the collaboration of both
      researchers and practitioners. These included: (1) location of the research staff
      both geographically and administratively within the service delivery unit; and
      (2) specific opportunities to accomplish joint goals that required intense
      communication and interaction. 

PMID- 24234192
TI  - Applying effective instructional strategies for teaching dyslexic students in a
      remedial college algebra course.
AB  - For many secondary and postsecondary students with dyslexia, passing required
      algebra courses presents a formidable challenge. Although dyslexic students do
      have specific and sometimes severe learning deficits that can affect their
      chances of success in algebra, they can succeed if given appropriate and
      effective instruction that meets their special and individual needs. This article
      briefly describes the application of effective instructional practices to the
      teaching of remedial algebra that have been used with dyslexic students in the
      University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Project Success program. 

PMID- 24234193
TI  - Morphological usage and awareness in children with and without specific language
      impairment.
AB  - In order to investigate the relationship between oral language usage and
      morphological awareness, 5- to 7-year-old children with specific language
      impairment (SLI) were compared to age-matched (AM) and language-matched (LM)
      comparison groups on a variety of measures requiring metalinguistic skill. These
      included sentence completion (involving real and nonsense words); comprehension
      of inflected non-words; response to morphological errors (including judgment,
      identification, and repair), and deliberate creation of grammatical violations.
      Overall, the SLI children performed significantly worse than their AM peers and
      were indistinguishable from younger LM children, suggesting that morphological
      awareness is more closely allied with oral language than with general
      cognitive/chronological development. 

PMID- 24234194
TI  - Examining the linguistic coding differences hypothesis to explain individual
      differences in foreign language learning.
AB  - In this paper, it is suggested that foreign language learning problems result
      from difficulties with native language learning and hypothesized that
      difficulties with phonological processing may be the locus of foreign language
      learning difficulties for some poor foreign language learners. Evidence is
      described that supports these positions. It is argued that conceptualizing
      foreign language learning problems as alanguage problem allows researchers to
      more clearly specify deficits related to the learning of a foreign language.
      Research evidence which shows that good and poor foreign language learners
      exhibit significantly different levels of native language skill and phonological
      processing is summarized. Finally, potential challenges to my hypotheses as an
      explanation for foreign language learning problems are reviewed. 

PMID- 24234195
TI  - An examination of language learning disabilities in youth with psychiatric
      disorders.
AB  - This study examined the relationship between psychiatric and language disorders
      in a sample of youth who were hospitalized at a private psychiatric hospital.
      Ninety six participants were given a test battery that consisted of tests
      measuring phonology, syntax, and semantics. The resulting sample scored in the
      average range on IQ measures and in the low-average to below-average range on
      written language abilities tests. Over 33% of the participants qualified for the
      diagnosis of a language learning disability (LLD); however, only 44% of those
      participants who qualified as LLD were receiving special education services upon
      admission. The participants who had both a psychiatric and LLD exhibited
      significant deficits in both phonology and syntax. General implications for
      identification and treatment are presented. 

PMID- 24234196
TI  - A study of medical students and physicians referred for learning disabilities.
AB  - This study presents descriptive data on 86 medical students and physicians,
      referred for testing to determine the presence and type of learning problems. The
      major results indicate that most subjects had either a learning disability or
      attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Twenty-one subjects had a
      reading learning disability (LD); 21 subjects had a potential visual/spatial
      learning problem; 10 subjects had ADHD; 15 subjects had both a reading disability
      and ADHD; and 19 subjects had no detectable problem. Subtest analysis or WAIS-R
      scores indicated that sequential information processing may be the major
      difficulty for this sample. 

PMID- 24234198
TI  - Forword.

PMID- 24234197
TI  - Progress in the measurement of laterality and implications for dyslexia research.
AB  - Much of contemporary laterality research has been motivated by a need to increase
      the accuracy with which individuals can be classified as left- or right
      hemisphere dominant for speech and language. Efforts to improve the
      classification accuracy of laterality methods have led not only to the refinement
      of laterality methods but also to the discovery of some of the mechanisms that
      contribute to asymmetric performance. Despite these advances, laterality methods
      still do not lead to definitive conclusions about hemispheric specialization in
      the individual case, and special caution must be used when interpreting results
      for individual dyslexic children. Event-related measurements of cerebral
      metabolism, still in the development phase, promise to complement but not replace
      behavioral laterality methods. 

PMID- 24234199
TI  - Posterior fossa in primary microcephaly: relationships between forebrain and mid
      hindbrain size in 110 patients.
AB  - Microcephalies vary widely in clinical severity and in morphology. The purpose of
      this study is to determine the frequency of disproportion between the size of the
      cerebrum and the size of midbrain and hindbrain structures in infants and
      children with microcephaly, as analysis of such disproportions might aid
      understanding of these disorders and facilitate testing for specific genetic
      causes. The relative sizes of the forebrain, each component of the brain stem,
      and vermis and hemispheres of the cerebellum were analyzed visually on magnetic
      resonance (MR) images of 110 microcephalic patients. A disproportionally large
      cerebellum, compared with the cerebrum, was found in 50 cases (45.5%), a
      proportional cerebellum in 49 cases (44.5%), and a disproportionally small
      cerebellum in 11 cases (10%). Proportional cerebella were most common in mild
      (86%) and moderate (55%) microcephaly patients, whereas disproportionately large
      cerebella were most common in severe (57%) and moderate (32%) microcephaly.
      Disproportionately small cerebella were seen only in moderate (13%) and severe
      (9%) microcephaly. As genes are expressed at different times in cerebral and
      cerebellar development, it is postulated that analysis of relative cerebellar and
      brain stem size may be useful in the initial analysis of microcephaly by MR
      images both to categorize and to help determine likely genetic causes. 

PMID- 24234200
TI  - On Finding the C in CBT: The Challenges of Applying Gambling-Related Cognitive
      Approaches to Video-Gaming.
AB  - Many similarities have been drawn between the activities of gambling and video
      gaming. Both are repetitive activities with intermittent reinforcement, decision
      making opportunities, and elements of risk-taking. As a result, it might be
      tempting to believe that cognitive strategies that are used to treat problem
      gambling might also be applied to problematic video gaming. In this paper, we
      argue that many cognitive approaches to gambling that typically involve a focus
      on erroneous beliefs about probabilities and randomness are not readily
      applicable to video gaming. Instead, we encourage a focus on other clusters of
      cognitions that relate to: (a) the salience and over-valuing of gaming rewards,
      experiences, and identities, (b) maladaptive and inflexible rules about
      behaviour, (c) the use of video-gaming to maintain self-esteem, and (d) video
      gaming for social status and recognition. This theoretical discussion is advanced
      as a starting point for the development of more refined cognitive treatment
      approaches for problematic video gaming.

PMID- 24234201
TI  - Toxic equivalency factors for dioxin-like PCBs.

PMID- 24234202
TI  - News from TNO : Reports from the Dutch Research Institutes for the Applied
      Natural Sciences.

PMID- 24234203
TI  - Ozone detector for European satellite use.

PMID- 24234204
TI  - Network looking for more economical clean-up of old toxic waste.

PMID- 24234205
TI  - Computer calculates exploding gas cloud.

PMID- 24234206
TI  - Immunoassay monitoring of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Great Lakes.
AB  - Although polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are no longer manufactured, they are
      still entering the environment. In some compartments of the environment, PCB
      concentrations are a serious concern. This is especially true in compartments
      which accumulate PCBs, and in food items consumed by humans and wildlife. Also,
      there are situations in which management decisions require rapid, sensitive,
      accurate measurements, which can be made in real time under field conditions.
      Methods to use an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for PCBs were
      developed and applied to sediments and fish muscle homogenates collected from the
      Great Lakes. The extraction methods developed can be applied in the field with
      non-hazardous solvents, in the absence of sophisticated laboratory equipment. The
      method detection limit for PCBs in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts of sediment
      was 0.9 mg/kg. For PCBs in isopropanol extracts of fish tissue, the method
      detection limit was 0.6 mg/kg. The resolution of the ELISA was 0.83 mg/kg at 1.1
      mg/kg and 1.6 mg/kg at 1.7 mg/kg, for sediment and fish tissue, respectively. 

PMID- 24234207
TI  - Determination of atrazine in rainfall and surface water by enzyme immunoassay.

PMID- 24234208
TI  - Bioconcentration of superlipophilic persistent chemicals : Octachlorodibenzo-p
      dioxin (OCDD) in fish.
AB  - According to present understanding, persistent superlipophilic chemicals - such
      as octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, octachlorodibenzofuran, Mirex etc - with log Kow >
      6 and cross sections > 9.5 A, bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms only little
      from ambient water. The most convincing argument against it is that in
      bioconcentration experiments with superlipophilic chemicals amounts applied
      exceeded water solubility by several orders of magnitude. This paper describes
      various methods for determining bioconcentration factors (BCF) of superlipophilic
      compounds. As exemplified with octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, BCF values evaluated
      by these methods match well with those calculated by QSARs for fish and mussels
      based on log Kow and water solubility. As expected, these BCF values exceed
      previous values by several orders of magnitude. For BCF evaluation of
      superlipophilic chemicals in aquatic organisms we recommend: (i) flow-through
      systems, kinetic method (OECD guideline No. 305 E) (ii) ambient concentrations <
      water solubility (iii) during the uptake and especially during the elimination
      phase no toxic effects of the test organisms should occur. 

PMID- 24234210
TI  - Evaluation of fate and exposure models.

PMID- 24234209
TI  - Sorption kinetics of chlorinated hydrophobic organic chemicals : Part II:
      Desorption experiments.
AB  - This is the second of a two-part series describing the sorption kinetics of
      hydrophobic organic chemicals. Part I "The Use of First-Order Kinetic Multi
      Compartment Models" is published in issue 1 of this journal, pp. 21-28. Sorption
      kinetics of chlorinated benzenes from a natural lake sediment have been
      investigated in gas-purge desorption experiments. Biphasic desorption curves,
      with an initial "fast" part and a subsequent "slow" part, were found for all
      tested chlorobenzenes. From these results first-order sorption uptake and
      desorption rate constants were calculated with a two-sediment compartment model,
      which is presented in the first paper.In three sets of experiments the sorption
      uptake period and sediment/water ratio were varied. Rate constants are not
      influenced by these experimental conditions, which supports the partitioning
      concept for the sorption of hydrophobic organic chemicals in sediments. 

PMID- 24234212
TI  - Tropoz II : Measurements of the distribution of air pollution over large areas.

PMID- 24234211
TI  - Pesticides and groundwater quality protection : Calibrating a simple model for
      ranking the contamination potential.
AB  - A simple approach for ranking the leaching of pesticides from surface soil is
      presented and tentatively calibrated with field data from an agricultural area.
      The approach is based on the calculation of a leaching index indicating the
      proportion of active ingredient, with respect to the quantity applied, leaching
      from a soil model in a given time interval (one year). In the selected area, 85
      wells tapping an unconfined aquifer were sampled for groundwater pesticide
      residue analysis, in order to explore the index region between leachers and
      nonleachers. 

PMID- 24234213
TI  - DuPont and EPA form partnership for waste reduction : Waste wi$e.

PMID- 24234215
TI  - Environmental hazard : Assessment of chemicals and products.

PMID- 24234214
TI  - The ocean as part of the global carbon cycle.
AB  - The ocean plays a central role in the global carbon cycle being by far the
      largest active reservoir. Atmospheric CO2 level depends on the CO2concentration
      in the ocean surface layer, which is relatively low compared to mean oceanic
      values due to biological and physical carbon pumps. Although the ocean may take
      up much of the carbon released by the increased burning of fossil fuels, this
      capacity is limited because of the chemical buffering and a mismatch in time
      scales (oceanic mixing is much slower than anthropogenic perturbations). 

PMID- 24234216
TI  - Survey on the series : Abstracts of parts I-IV.

PMID- 24234217
TI  - Environmental Hazard- Assessment of chemicals and products : Part II: Persistence
      and degradability of organic chemicals.
AB  - Part II: Persistence and Degradability of Organic ChemicalsThe criteria
      "Persistence" and "Degradability" are defined and explained, starting from the
      "functional" definition of the environment. In this definition, theenvironment is
      the counterpart of thetechnosphere, which consists of all processes controlled by
      man. A substance is persistent if there are no sinks (degradation processes). It
      is shown that persistence is the central and most important criterium of
      environmental hazard assessment of organic chemicals. It follows that all
      substances released into the environment should be degradable, preferentially
      into small inorganic molecules (mineralization). As examples for persistent
      substances, the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), the chlorofluorohydrocarbons
      (CFC), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo
      dioxin (TCDD) are discussed. Finally, an attempt to quantify persistence is made.

PMID- 24234218
TI  - Environmental risk assessment of existing chemicals.
AB  - Most of the existing chemicals of high priority have been released into the
      environment for many years. Risk assessments for existing chemicals are now
      conducted within the framework of the German Existing Chemicals Program and by
      the EC Regulation on Existing Substances. The environmental assessment of a
      chemical involves: a) exposure assessment leading to the derivation of a
      predicted environmental concentration (PEC) of a chemical from releases due to
      its production, processing, use, and disposal. The calculation of a PEC takes
      into account the dispersion of a chemical into different environmental
      compartments, elimination and dilution processes, as well as degradation.
      Monitoring data are also considered. b) effects assessment. Data obtained from
      acute or long-term toxicity tests are used for extrapolation on environmental
      conditions. In order to calculate the concentration with expectedly no adverse
      effect on organisms (Predicted No Effect Concentration, PNEC) the effect values
      are divided by an assessment factor. This assessment factor depends on the
      quantity and quality of toxicity data available. In the last step of the initial
      risk assessment, the measured or estimated PEC is compared with the PNEC. This
      "risk characterization" is conducted for each compartment separately (water,
      sediment, soil, and atmosphere). In case PEC > PNEC an attempt should be made to
      revise data of exposure and/or effects to conduct a refined risk
      characterization. In case PEC is again larger than PNEC risk reduction measures
      have to be considered. 

PMID- 24234219
TI  - The new Swiss Environment Protection Law : Federal council favours a modern and
      internationally progressive Environment Law.

PMID- 24234220
TI  - The European Science Foundation (ESF).

PMID- 24234221
TI  - The challenge of waste : Strategies for waste reduction and waste management in
      chemical industry Vienna, Austria, September 23-25, 1993.

PMID- 24234223
TI  - Detecting new Buffel grass infestations in Australian arid  lands: evaluation of
      methods using high-resolution  multispectral imagery and aerial photography.
AB  - We assess the feasibility of using airborne imagery for Buffel grass detection in
      Australian arid lands and evaluate four commonly used image classification
      techniques (visual estimate, manual digitisation, unsupervised classification and
      normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) thresholding) for their suitability
      to this purpose. Colour digital aerial photography captured at approximately 5 cm
      of ground sample distance (GSD) and four-band (visible-near-infrared)
      multispectral imagery (25 cm GSD) were acquired (14 February 2012) across
      overlapping subsets of our study site. In the field, Buffel grass projected cover
      estimates were collected for quadrates (10 m diameter), which were subsequently
      used to evaluate the four image classification techniques. Buffel grass was found
      to be widespread throughout our study site; it was particularly prevalent in
      riparian land systems and alluvial plains. On hill slopes, Buffel grass was often
      present in depressions, valleys and crevices of rock outcrops, but the spread
      appeared to be dependent on soil type and vegetation communities. Visual cover
      estimates performed best (r 2 0.39), and pixel-based classifiers (unsupervised
      classification and NDVI thresholding) performed worst (r 2 0.21). Manual
      digitising consistently underrepresented Buffel grass cover compared with field-
      and image-based visual cover estimates; we did not find the labours of digitising
      rewarding. Our recommendation for regional documentation of new infestation of
      Buffel grass is to acquire ultra-high-resolution aerial photography and have a
      trained observer score cover against visual standards and use the scored sites to
      interpolate density across the region.

PMID- 24234224
TI  - Application of nanoclay for preconcentration of ultra trace  amounts of palladium
      in environmental samples prior  to its determination by ETAAS.
AB  - In the present work, a batch preconcentration technique using nanoclay with 5-(4
      dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodanine coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption
      spectrometry was developed for the separation and determination of trace amounts
      of palladium. In this method, the sample solution was stirred with nanoclay as an
      adsorbent. Then, adsorbed palladium was subsequently eluted with HCl in acetone
      (1.5 mol L-1) and, finally, this eluate was injected to electrothermal atomic
      absorption spectrometry. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection and
      linear dynamic range were found to be 2.6 and 10.0-133 ng L-1 (in original
      solution), respectively. Furthermore, the enrichment factor and relative standard
      deviation of seven replicate determinations were 148 and +/-5.1 %, respectively.
      This suggested method is simple, selective and sensitive and can be applied to
      the extraction and determination of palladium in water, tea leaves, synthetic
      sample and certified reference material with satisfactory results.

PMID- 24234225
TI  - Effect of new organic supplement (Panchgavya) on seed germination and soil
      quality.
AB  - We studied the suitability of Panchgavya (five products of cow), new organic
      amendment, application on seed germination, plant growth, and soil health. After
      characterization, Panchgavya was mixed with water to form different concentration
      and was tested for seed germination, germination index, and root and shoot growth
      of different seedlings. Four percent solution of Panchgavya was applied to
      different plants to test its efficacy. Panchgavya and other two organic
      amendments were incorporated in soil to test the change of soil chemical and
      microbiological parameters. Panchgavya contained higher nutrients as compared to
      farm yard manure (FYM) and vermicompost. Its application on different seeds has
      positively influenced germination percentage, germination index, root and shoot
      length, and fresh and dry weight of the seedling. Water-soluble macronutrients
      including pH and metal were positively and negatively correlated with the growth
      parameters, respectively. Four percent solution of Panchgavya application on some
      plants showed superiority in terms of plant height and chlorophyll content.
      Panchgavya-applied soil had higher values of macro and micronutrients (zinc,
      copper, and manganese), microbial activity as compared to FYM, and vermicompost
      applied soils. Application of Panchgavya can be gainfully used as an alternative
      organic supplement in agriculture. 

PMID- 24234227
TI  - Affinity separation of enzymes from mixtures containing suspended solids :
      Comparisons of magnetic and nonmagnetic techniques.
AB  - Agarose beads containing immobilized enzymes or affinity ligands have been made
      magnetically responsive by adsorbing freshly precipitated magnetite on their
      surface. These beads are used for affinity adsorption of proteins from complex
      mixtures containing suspended solids. The magnetically responsive beads and the
      unwanted (diamagnetic) solids are then separated by magnetic filtration. This
      magnetic adsorption scheme for direct affinity separation of enzymes from
      mixtures containing suspended solids is compared with a similar, but nonmagnetic,
      scheme in which the affinity matrix is supported on fiberglass cloth. The enzyme
      is allowed to adsorb in this matrix, and the matrix is simply removed physically
      from the suspension to achieve separation from the unwanted solids. The two
      methods seem comparable in their ability to separate a desired enzymatic
      activity. The magnetic methods are technically the more complex of the two, but
      are significantly the more rapid. The efficiency of separation of diamagnetic and
      ferrimagnetic solids in these biological systems by high gradient magnetic
      filtration is good. 

PMID- 24234226
TI  - Netrin-1 attenuates cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury and generates
      alternatively activated macrophages.
AB  - Ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury is a major issue in cardiac transplantation and
      inflammatory processes play a major role in myocardial IR injury. Netrin-1 is a
      laminin-related protein identified as a neuronal guidance cue and netrin-1
      expressed outside the nervous system inhibits migration of leukocytes in vitro
      and in vivo and attenuates inflammation-mediated tissue injury. In our study,
      hearts of C57BL/6 mice were flushed and stored in cold Bretschneider solution for
      8 h and then transplanted into syngeneic recipient. We found that netrin-1
      decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis and recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages.
      Troponin T (TnT) production on 24 h after myocardial IR injury was reduced by
      netrin-1 administration. Cardiac output at 60 mmHg of afterload pressure was
      significantly increased in hearts with netrin-1 administration (IR + Netrin-1:
      59.9 +/- 5.78 ml/min; IR: 26.2 +/- 4.3 ml/min; P < 0.05). Netrin-1 treatment
      increased expression of the alternatively activated macrophage (AAM) markers
      arginase-1 (Arg-1) and mannose receptor (MR) and promoted proliferator-activated
      receptor gamma (PPARgamma) expression in cardiac allograft. Furthermore,
      decreased TnT expression and reduced allograft infiltration of neutrophils and
      monocytes/macrophages by netrin-1 was abolished with addition of PPARgamma
      antagonist. In conclusion, netrin-1 attenuates cardiac IR injury and generates
      AAM which contributes to the protective effect of netrin-1.

PMID- 24234228
TI  - Kinetics of immobilized pig heart fumarase.
AB  - The kinetics of immobilized pig heart fumarase are described and compared with
      the properties of the enzyme free in solution.1.An analogous pH dependence of
      initial activity is found for free and immobilized enzyme.2.Immobilized and free
      fumarase deviate from classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics in the same way. The
      apparent Km values are three to eight times higher for the immobilized (2 mg/g
      gel) enzyme.3.The specific activity of immobilized fumarase is dependent on the
      final enzyme concentration on the gel; normal specific activities are observed
      when 50 [Symbol: see text]g fumarase is immobilized per gram of gel, whereas the
      specific activity decreases with increasing enzyme concentration.4.The activation
      energies for free and immobilized fumarase (50 [Symbol: see text]g/g gel) were
      found to be identical between 22 and 32?C and with L-malate as substrate (Ea =
      12,290 cal/mol at pH 7.9). Upon increasing the concentration of fumarase on the
      gel, the activation energy decreases. Our results indicate that the true
      catalytic properties of fumarase are not affected by immobilization of this
      enzyme. The slight differences observed when fumarase is immobilized at
      concentrations higher than 50 [Symbol: see text]g/g gel must be attributed to
      diffusional limitation at the surface of the Sepharose matrix. 

PMID- 24234229
TI  - Isolation of an urate-binding protein by affinity chromatography.
AB  - This paper describes an affinity chromatography procedure to purify an urate
      binding protein from human serum. The specific ligand was 8-amino-2,6
      dihydroxypurine bound to Sepharose through the amino group. The specific elution
      was obtained with an uric acid or allopurinol solution. Electrophoretic analysis
      of the eluted protein shows a single sharp band with an alpha2-globulin mobility.
      Molecular weight, determined by gel filtration, is approximately 70,000 daltons. 

PMID- 24234230
TI  - Temperature-dependent behavior of immobilized alkaline phosphatase. I. Role of
      working conditions and pH during coupling.
AB  - Alkaline phosphatase from hog intestine was immobilized to controlled-pore glass
      under various conditions. The specific activity of the enzyme was not diminished
      by immobilization. The influence of temperature and pH on the behavior and the
      stability of the immobilized enzyme preparations is discussed and compared to
      that of the native enzyme. 

PMID- 24234231
TI  - Recent progress in plant cell culture : Research on the production of useful
      plant metabolites in Japan.
AB  - CONCLUSIONS: Commercial application of plant cell cultures for the production of
      useful metabolites on a large scale has not yet been realized. However, some
      recently published papers and patents seem very attractive for industrial use
      because their results and techniques are apparently applicable to a large-scale
      production of metabolites. The author believes that commercial success using
      plant tissue cultures will be realized in the near future with advanced
      techniques if product selection is determined by economic and political
      principles.In 1982, the 5th International Congress of Plant Tissue and Cell
      Culture will be held in Japan and this undoubtedly will encourage research
      activity in our country.

PMID- 24234232
TI  - Patents and literature.

PMID- 24234235
TI  - Cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults.
AB  - Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a functional disorder that can occur in all age
      groups. It is characterized by recurrent stereotypic episodes of nausea and
      vomiting. Between these episodes are nausea-free intervals. Lack of awareness
      leads often to delay in making the correct diagnosis. A specific test to identify
      patients with CVS is still missing. The correct diagnosis is based on the typical
      anamnestic report and the exclusion of other disorders that are associated with
      recurrent vomiting. Treatment of acute vomiting episode comprises antiemetic,
      antimigraine and sedative therapy. For prophylaxis of vomiting episodes,
      amitriptyline and propranolol are frequently used.

PMID- 24234237
TI  - Editorial introduction.

PMID- 24234236
TI  - Role of diffusion-weighted MRI: predicting axillary lymph node metastases in
      breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) is probably the standard imaging procedure in most
      centers, and US-guided fine needle aspiration can be added if suspicious lymph
      nodes are found. However, US-guided fine needle aspiration is an invasive method
      to diagnose a metastasis and has showed relatively low sensitivity. In general,
      diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an emerging
      technique for discriminating benign from malignant breast lesions in a short
      imaging acquisition time. PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential for using DW MRI
      with an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value to predict axillary lymph node
      metastases in patients with invasive breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This
      study enrolled 110 axillary lymph nodes from 110 consecutive women who were
      diagnosed with invasive breast cancer for preoperative breast MRI and US. The
      largest enhancing ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes were included in this study,
      and benign and metastatic axillary lymph nodes were compared according to the
      pathologic reports. The cut-off ADC value to differentiate between benign and
      metastatic axillary lymph nodes was evaluated with receiver-operating
      characteristic curve analysis. Diagnostic performance of ultrasound and DW MRI
      was calculated for enhancing lymph node in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.
      RESULTS: Nodal metastases were documented in 68 (62%) axillary lymph nodes. The
      mean size of metastatic axillary lymph nodes was larger than that of benign
      axillary lymph nodes (15.5 mm vs. 10.9 mm, P < 0.001). The mean ADC value (0.69 *
      10(-3 )mm(2)/s) of the metastases was significantly lower than that of the benign
      axillary lymph nodes (1.04 * 10(-3 )mm(2)/s) (P < 0.001). The ADC value cut-off
      between metastatic and benign axillary lymph nodes was 0.90 * 10(-3 )mm(2)/s.
      Using ADC cut-off, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DW MRI were 100%,
      83.3%, and 93.6%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of US
      showed 94.1%, 54.8%, and 79.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DW MRI of axillary
      lymph nodes can provide reliable information for the differentiation of benign
      from metastatic axillary lymph nodes in invasive breast cancer patients.

PMID- 24234234
TI  - Cysteine cathepsins in neurological disorders.
AB  - Increased proteolytic activity is a hallmark of several pathological processes,
      including neurodegeneration. Increased expression and activity of cathepsins,
      lysosomal cysteine proteases, during degeneration of the central nervous system
      is frequently reported. Recent studies reveal that a disturbed balance of their
      enzymatic activities is the first insult in brain aging and age-related diseases.
      Leakage of cathepsins from lysosomes, due to their membrane permeability, and
      activation of pro-apoptotic factors additionally contribute to neurodegeneration.
      Furthermore, in inflammation-induced neurodegeneration the cathepsins expressed
      in activated microglia play a pivotal role in neuronal death. The proteolytic
      activity of cysteine cathepsins is controlled by endogenous protein inhibitors
      the cystatins-which evidently fail to perform their function in neurodegenerative
      processes. Exogenous synthetic inhibitors, which may augment their inhibitory
      potential, are considered as possible therapeutic tools for the treatment of
      neurological disorders. 

PMID- 24234238
TI  - The Amish: Perceptions of genetic disorders and services.
AB  - Previous studies of the closed Amish population have proven to be valuable in the
      field of genetics, however they have not explored the Amish parents' opinions and
      attitudes concerning genetic conditions and services. This exploration is
      necessary in order to provide culturally sensitive health care to a population at
      an increased risk for certain genetic conditions. The purpose of the present
      study was to examine the Amish population's general knowledge of genetic
      disorders, services, and the terminology used in describing inherited conditions,
      as well as their attitudes toward medical care and ethical and reproductive
      issues. Information was obtained from 17 Amish families, 12 who had an incidence
      of a genetic condition and five who had one or more children with other special
      health care needs, during personal interviews conducted in their homes in
      Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Results of the interviews showed that the birth of an
      affected child did not deter subsequent reproduction, that the majority of the
      parents were never offered genetic counseling or prenatal testing, and that the
      parents are interested in understanding the cause of their children's problems
      and recurrence risks. 

PMID- 24234239
TI  - Professional preparation of individuals who provide genetic counseling services.
AB  - An unprecedented increase has occurred in demand for genetic counseling services
      during the current decade. This study examined the complex issue of who currently
      provides genetic counseling services and the professional preparation of these
      personnel. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 325 genetic counseling
      professionals in the southeastern United States who were members of the Southeast
      Regional Genetics Group (SERGG), National Society of Genetic Counselors, or
      American Society of Human Genetics States; 204 completed the questionnaire (63%).
      Seventy percent of respondents were female and 30% were male. Thirty percent of
      respondents held MD degrees; nine physicians held PhD degrees. Most physicians
      were male. Thirty-two percent of respondents held master's degrees in genetic
      counseling; five counselors held PhD degrees. Twenty-three percent of respondents
      were nurses; eight nurses held master's degrees. Three percent of respondents
      were social workers. Individuals with other degrees, such as an associate of
      science in medical technology and a doctoral degree in education, also provided
      genetic counseling. Genetic counseling typically involved a team effort,
      consisting mainly of physicians and genetic counselors. Most respondents reported
      college coursework in human genetics, supervised training, and seminar/workshop
      training. Thirty percent reported college coursework in counseling techniques,
      supervised training, and seminar/workshop training. Policy recommendations are
      offered concerning professional preparation of genetic counselors. 

PMID- 24234240
TI  - Counseling for 5p- and neural tube defects.

PMID- 24234241
TI  - Update on the issue of sexual harassment.

PMID- 24234242
TI  - Does the Incidence of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus and Gastric Cardia Continue
      to Rise in the Twenty-First Century?-a SEER Database Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rising incidence and histological change to adenocarcinoma in
      esophageal cancer over the past four decades has been among the most dramatic
      changes ever observed in human cancer. Recent reports have suggested that its
      increasing incidence may have plateaued over the past decade. Our aim was to
      examine the latest overall and stage-specific trends in the incidence of
      esophageal adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used the Surveillance
      Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database of the National Cancer Institute to
      identify all patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia
      between 1973 and 2009. Both overall and stage-specific trends in incidence were
      analyzed using joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall incidence of
      adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and the gastric cardia increased from 13.4 per
      million in 1973 to 51.4 per million in 2009, a nearly 400 % increase. Jointpoint
      analysis demonstrated that the yearly increase in incidence has slowed somewhat
      from 1.27 per million before 1987 to 0.97 between 1987 and 1997 and 0.65 after
      1997. Stage-specific analysis suggests that the incidence of noninvasive cancer
      has actually declined after 2003 with a yearly decrease of 0.22. The percentage
      of patients diagnosed with in situ cancer declined after 2000 and remained under
      2.5 % through the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of esophageal
      adenocarcinoma continues to rise in the USA. The percentage of patients diagnosed
      with in situ cancer has declined in the twenty-first century.

PMID- 24234243
TI  - Long-term patient outcomes after laparoscopic anti-reflux procedures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery with or without large hiatal hernia
      has been shown to have good short-term outcomes. However, limited data are
      available on long-term outcomes of greater than 5 years. The aim of this study is
      to review functional and symptomatic outcomes of anit-reflux surgery in a large
      tertiary referral medical center. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-seven patients who
      underwent anti-reflux surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
      between 2002 and 2013 were included in this study. Patient data including pre-
      and post-operative studies and symptom questionnaires were prospectively
      collected and the database was used to analyze postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: A
      total of 297 Nissen fundoplications, 35 redo fundoplications and 22 Toupet
      procedures were performed. Mean BMI was 30.0 +/- 6.2. The median follow-up was 70
      (6-135) months. There were three reoperations (0.9 %) for recurrent symptoms.
      Mesh was used in 210 cases where hiatal hernia was larger than 2 cm. Median
      preoperative DeMeester score was 50.8 +/- 46. There was a statistically
      significant improvement in composite heartburn score (83 % (CI 78.2, 87.7); p <
      0.05), regurgitation (81.1 % (CI 76.1, 86.1); p < 0.05), and belching (63 % (CI
      56.7, 69.3); p < 0.05). Atypical presentation such as pulmonary (e.g., aspiration
      (25.8 % (CI 20, 31.6), wheezing (20.3 % (CI 15, 25.6); p < 0.05), and throat
      symptoms (e.g., laryngitis 28 % (CI 22.1, 33.9); p < 0.05) also improved.
      Available radiographic studies for patients more than 3 years follow-up show an
      overall recurrence of 33.9 % (47.8 % in hiatal hernia > 5 cm repaired with mesh).
      Of those with recurrence, over 84 % were asymptomatic at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study shows that patients had excellent symptom control and low rates of
      complications and reoperations in long-term follow-up. We found that typical
      gastro intestinal symptoms responded better compared with atypical symptoms in
      spite of clear evidence of reflux on preoperative studies. Hiatal hernia was very
      commonly seen in our patient population and long-term radiographic follow-up
      suggest that asymptomatic recurrence may be high but rarely requires any surgical
      intervention. Anti-reflux surgery with correction of hiatal hernia if present is
      safe and effective in long-term follow-up.

PMID- 24234244
TI  - Trends in treatment and survival in older patients presenting with stage IV
      colorectal cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Trends in the use of modern chemotherapeutic regimens, primary
      tumor resection, and the timing of chemotherapy and resection in older patients
      with stage IV colorectal cancer have not been evaluated. METHODS: We used Cancer
      Registry- and Medicare-linked data (2000-2009) to describe time trends in
      resection of the primary tumor and receipt of chemotherapy in patients >= 66
      presenting with stage IV colorectal cancer (N = 16,168). RESULTS: The mean age
      was 77.8 +/- 7.3 years; 53.8 % were women and 82.9 % were white. Primary cancer
      sites were colon in 83.4 % and rectum in 16.6 %. Resection of the primary tumor
      decreased from 64.6 to 57.1 % (P < 0.0001) from 2001 to 2009. Systemic
      chemotherapy was given to 45.1 % of the patients. While the use of chemotherapy
      was stable over time (P = 0.48), the use of modern regimens containing
      oxaliplatin or irinotecan increased from 40.9 to 75.4 % (P < 0.0001). Bevacizumab
      use increased from 0.10 to 54.2 % (P < 0.0001). Survival improved by 4 % per year
      even after controlling for treatment and tumor location (HR = 0.96, 95 % CI 0.95
      0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Survival in older patients with stage IV disease is improving
      over time. Surgical resection is still performed in the majority of patients.
      Resection rates decreased while modern chemotherapy was rapidly adopted perhaps
      suggesting a shift in practice patterns.

PMID- 24234245
TI  - Retrospective comparison of robot-assisted minimally invasive versus open
      pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary neoplasms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As with other open procedures now routinely performed using
      laparoscopy, minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD) may result in
      decreased pain, fewer wound complications, and accelerated recovery. However,
      when used for periampullary cancers, it is also important to assess if MIPD
      offers comparable oncologic outcomes. METHODS: Technical and perioperative
      outcomes were compared between patients with a preoperative diagnosis of
      periampullary neoplasm offered MIPD or open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) from
      November 2009 to July 2011. RESULTS: Fifty-six consecutive MIPD and OPD (28 each)
      procedures were analyzed. Comparing MIPD to OPD, significant differences included
      longer median procedure time (431 vs 410 min, p = .04) and fewer median lymph
      nodes harvested (15 vs. 20, p = .04). R0 resection rate tended to be lower (63
      vs. 88%, p = .07) as well as surgical site infections (18 vs. 43 %, p = .08).
      Clinically significant pancreatic fistula rate was the same between groups (21%).
      Other outcomes such as narcotic pain medication use, length of stay, and 30-day
      readmission rates were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: MIPD is feasible with
      comparable technical success and outcomes to OPD. However, there is a learning
      curve to the procedure and further experience and prospective study will be
      required to better establish the oncologic efficacy of MIPD to open resection.

PMID- 24234246
TI  - Gastrectomy in advanced gastric cancer effectively palliates symptoms and may
      improve survival in select patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of gastrectomy in the face of incurable gastric cancer is
      evolving. We sought to evaluate our experience with incomplete (i.e., R2)
      gastrectomy in advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: We reviewed 210 locally advanced
      or metastatic gastric cancers (1992-2008). Patient characteristics and outcomes
      were compared between three groups: gastrectomy (N = 99), exploration without
      resection (N = 66), and no surgery (N = 45). RESULTS: Clinicopathologic
      characteristics were similar between groups. Symptoms successfully resolved after
      gastrectomy in 48 % with a complication rate of 32 % and mortality of 6 %.
      Overall median survival for all patients was 6.2 months: 10.0 months after
      gastrectomy, 4.1 months after exploration without resection, and 5.3 months for
      no surgery (p < 0.001). Perioperative complications were the only predictor of
      symptom resolution following resection (OR = 0.175). Resolution of symptoms (p <
      0.001, Hazards Ratio (HR) = 0.09) and preoperative nausea/vomiting (p = 0.017, HR
      = 0.55) improved survival, while linitis plastica (p = 0.035, HR = 4.05) and
      spindle cell morphology (p = 0.011, HR = 1.98) were predictors of poor survival
      in patients undergoing resection. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrectomy in the setting of
      advanced gastric cancer may be useful in up to half of patients with an
      acceptable perioperative mortality rate. Symptom resolution offers a potential
      survival advantage but is dependent upon a complication-free course, so should
      only be considered selectively.

PMID- 24234247
TI  - The "Raison D'etre" of pyrrolizidine alkaloids inCynoglossum officinale:
      Deterrent effects against generalist herbivores.
AB  - In this study we tested whether pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) ofCynoglossum
      officinale serve as antifeedants against herbivores. Total PA N-oxide extracts of
      the leaves significantly deterred feeding by generalist herbivores. Specialist
      herbivores did not discriminate between food with high and low PA levels. Three
      PAs fromC. officinale, heliosupine, echinatine, and 3'-acetylechinatine, equally
      deterred feeding by the polyphagous larvae ofSpodoptera exigua. Although the
      plants mainly contain PAs in their N-oxide form, reduced PAs deterred feeding
      byS. exigua more efficiently than PA N-oxides. On rosette plants, the monophagous
      weevilMogulones cruciger significantly consumed more of the youngest leaves,
      which had the highest PA level and the highest nitrogen percentage. Larvae
      ofEthmia bipunctella, which are oligophagous within the Boraginaceae, did not
      discriminate between leaves. All generalist herbivores tested significantly
      avoided the youngest leaves with the highest PA levels. In the field, the oldest
      leaves also were relatively more damaged by herbivores than the youngest leaves.
      It is hypothesized that the skewed distribution of PAs over the leaves of rosette
      plants reflects optimal defense distribution within the plant. 

PMID- 24234248
TI  - Host microhabitat location by stem-borer parasitoidCotesia flavipes: the role of
      herbivore volatiles and locally and systemically induced plant volatiles.
AB  - The origin of olfactory stimuli involved in the host microhabitat location
      inCotesia flavipes, a parasitoid of stem-borer larvae, was investigated in a Y
      tube olfactometer. The response of femaleC. flavipes towards different components
      of the plant-host complex, consisting of a maize plant infested with two or more
      larvae of the stem borerChilo partellus, was tested in dualchoice tests. The
      concealed lifestyle of the stem-borer larvae did not limit the emission of
      volatiles attractive to a parasitoid. A major source of the attractive volatiles
      from the plant-host complex was the stem-borer-injured stem, including the frass
      produced by the feeding larvae. Moreover, the production of volatiles attractive
      to a parasitoid was not restricted to the infested stem part but occurs
      systemically throughout the plant. The uninfested leaves of a stem-borer-infested
      plant were found to emit volatiles that attract femaleC. flavipes. We further
      demonstrate that an exogenous elicitor of this systemic plant response is
      situated in the regurgitate of a stem-borer larva. When a minor amount of
      regurgitate is inoculated into the stem of an uninfested plant, the leaves of the
      treated plant emit volatiles that attract femaleC. flavipes. 

PMID- 24234249
TI  - Odors in traps: Does most recent occupant influence capture rates for house mice?
AB  - Responses of house mice (Mus domesticus) to odors in live traps were studied in a
      series of eight 0.1-ha outdoor field enclosures. It was assumed that the most
      recent mouse capture would provide the predominant odor in a trap for at least
      one week. Three different populations were tested, one in 1989 and two in 1992,
      involving over 800 different mice. Similar response patterns were recorded from
      all three groups. Two types of questions were tested: (1) Were there any biases
      contingent upon what had been previously caught? (2) Were there consistent
      responses of mice of particular age, sex, or reproductive classes to trap odors?
      Traps soiled by juvenile females caught adult females significantly less often
      than expected, but there were no consistent relationships in terms of the effects
      of specific residual odors on the subsequent capture at a particular trap. For
      various age, sex, and reproductive classes, (1) adult males preferred odors from
      juvenile and estrous females and avoided odors of other males significantly more
      than expected, (2) juvenile females selected traps with odors of other juvenile
      females and avoided all other types of female odors significantly more than
      expected, (3) nonestrous females exhibited a significant preference for adult
      male odor, and (4) estrous females selected traps containing odors from adult
      males but avoided those that had previously contained either nonestrous or
      pregnant/lactating females significantly more than expected. These findings have
      potential implications with regard to both the methods used for trapping small
      rodents and the social biology of house mice. 

PMID- 24234250
TI  - Uptake and sequestration of ouabain and other cardiac glycosides inDanaus
      plexippus (Lepidoptera: Danaidae): Evidence for a carrier-mediated process.
AB  - Larvae ofDanaus plexippus feed almost exclusively on milkweed species of the
      genusAsclepias, whose characteristic secondary metabolites are cardiac glycosides
      (CGs). Aposematic last-instar larvae were fed with ouabain and other cardiac
      glycosides of differing polarities. Time course experiments show that ouabain is
      sequestered in the integument within 48 hr after feeding, whereas midgut tissue
      and hemolymph function as transient CG storage compartments. About 63% of ouabain
      was transferred from larvae to the butterflies, whereas 37% of ouabain was lost
      with larval and pupal exuviae and with the meconium. The main sites of storage in
      imagines are wings and integument. If mixtures of CGs are fed toD. plexippus
      larvae, differential sequestration can be observed: The polar ouabain contributes
      58.8% of total CGs, followed by digitoxin (19.6%), oleandrin (10.6%), digoxin
      (4.9%), digoxigenin (4.6%) and proscillaridin A (1.5%). Thus, uptake and
      sequestration must be selective processes. Uptake of [(3)H]ouabain in vitro by
      isolated larval midguts was time-, pH-, and temperature-dependent and displayed
      an activation energy of 49 kJ/mol. Furthermore, the in vitro uptake of ouabain
      was inhibited (probably competitively) by the structurally similar convallatoxin.
      These data provide first evidence that ouabain uptake does not proceed by simple
      diffusion but with the aid of a carrier mechanism, which would explain the
      differential cardenolide uptake observed in living larvae. 

PMID- 24234251
TI  - Home bedding modifies ultrasonic vocalization of infant bank voles.
AB  - Bank vole,Clethrionomys glareolus, pups, similar to many other infant rodents,
      emit ultrasonic vocalizations when they are removed from the nest and cooled.
      Infants exposed to bedding from their home cage produced fewer and shorter calls
      than infants tested without bedding. Sound frequencies were significantly higher
      in infants exposed to home bedding than in other experimental groups. These
      results provide evidence that infant bank voles are able to identify the presence
      of home bedding, probably on the basis of odor. This appears to be the first
      report of shifts in frequency of pup ultrasonic calls in response to olfactory
      cues. 

PMID- 24234252
TI  - Browning-associated mechanisms of resistance to insects in corn callus tissue.
AB  - Callus of the fungus- and insect-resistant corn inbred, Mp313E, of differing ages
      and degrees of brownness was tested for effects on neonate larvae of the corn
      earworm,Helicoverpa zea. Older, browner, 8-week-old callus caused significantly
      higher mortality ofH. zea after two days compared to larvae fed 5-week-old callus
      (brown or not) or pinto bean diet. Larvae fed on the 5-week-old callus were
      significantly smaller after nine days compared to those fed on nonbrown callus of
      the same age. Ferulic acid,p-coumaric acid, and sinapic acid, corn
      allelochemicals associated with cell walls, were oxidized (produced a brown
      product) up to 10-fold more rapidly by peroxidase preparations of the brown
      callus compared to nonbrown callus. Peroxidase isozymes from both types of brown
      callus separated by conventional gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing
      showed more intense anodic/acidic bands compared to peroxidase isozymes separated
      from the nonbrown callus. Some additional peroxidase isozymes were also present
      in the brown callus and were able to oxidize ferulic acid. Conventional
      extraction techniques for phenolic acids indicated free ferulic acid levels were
      similar for same-age callus, but somewhat less for older callus; no freep
      coumaric acid was detected. For esterified and insoluble-bound phenolic content,
      the level ofp-coumaric acid was higher than that of ferulic acid and was somewhat
      greater in insoluble-bound fractions for the old callus compared to the younger
      callus. Color ratings of aqueous extracts and phenolic acid extract residues
      indicated much brown material remained, which was proportional in color to the
      original material. The differential insect response to, and peroxidase activity
      of, brown vs. nonbrown callus were similar to results previously noted for brown
      pericarps of corn compared to nonbrown pericarps. This information suggests the
      peroxidases are contributing to the browning through oxidation of phenolic acids
      and thereby enhancing resistance to insects. 

PMID- 24234253
TI  - Effects of biotic and abiotic stress on induced accumulation of terpenes and
      phenolics in red pines inoculated with bark beetle-vectored fungus.
AB  - This study characterized the chemical response of healthy red pine to artificial
      inoculation with the bark beetle-vectored fungusLeptographium terebrantis. In
      addition, we sought to determine whether stress altered this induced response and
      to understand the implications of these interactions to the study of decline
      diseases. Twenty-five-year-old trees responded to mechanical wounding or
      inoculation withL. terebrantis by producing resinous reaction lesions in the
      phloem. Aseptically wounded and wound-inoculated phloem contained higher
      concentrations of phenolics than did constitutive tissue. Trees inoculated withL.
      terebrantis also contained higher concentrations of six monoterpenes,alpha
      pinene,beta-pinene, 3-carene, limonene, camphene, and myrcene, and higher total
      monoterpenes than did trees that were mechanically wounded or left unwounded.
      Concentrations of these monoterpenes increased with time after inoculation. Total
      phenolic concentrations in unwounded stem tissue did not differ between healthy
      and root-diseased trees. Likewise, constitutive monoterpene concentrations in
      stem phloem were similar between healthy and root-diseased trees. However, when
      stem phloem tissue was challenged with fungal inoculations, reaction tissue from
      root-diseased trees contained lower concentrations ofalpha-pinene, the
      predominant monoterpene in red pine, than did reaction tissue from healthy trees.
      Seedlings stressed by exposure to low light levels exhibited less extensive
      induced chemical changes when challenge inoculated withL. terebrantis than did
      seedlings growing under higher light. Stem phloem tissue in these seedlings
      contained lower concentrations ofalpha-pinene than did nonstressed seedlings also
      challenge inoculated withL. terebrantis. It is hypothesized that monoterpenes and
      phenolics play a role in the defensive response of red pine against insect-fungal
      attack, that stress may predispose red pine to attack by insect-fungal complexes,
      and that such interactions are involved in red pine decline disease. Implications
      to plant defense theory and interactions among multiple stress agents in forest
      decline are discussed. 

PMID- 24234254
TI  - Absolute configuration of sex pheromone for tea tussock moth,Euproctis
      pseudoconspersa (strand)via synthesis of (R)- and (S)-10, 14-dimethyl-1
      pentadecyl isobutyrates.
AB  - (R)- and (S)-10,14-dimethyl-1-pentadecyl isobutyrates were synthesized from (S)-
      and (R)-citronellols, respectively. TheR enantiomer was as active as the natural
      pheromone but theS enantiomer was less active in the electrophysiological
      analyses, which provided conclusive proof that the absolute configuration of the
      natural pheromone isR. 

PMID- 24234255
TI  - Effects of mongoose odors on rat capture success.
AB  - Wild rats,Rattus norvegicus, R. exulans, andR. rattus, avoided wire-cage live
      traps that had previously captured mongooses,Herpestes auropunctatus. Replacing
      traps soiled by mongooses with clean traps would increase rat capture success and
      reduce a source of experimental bias. 

PMID- 24234256
TI  - Differences in sex pheromone communication systems of closely related
      species:Spodoptera latifascia (walker) andS. descoinsi lalannecassou & silvain
      (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - S. latifascia andS. descoinsi are closely related species that occur
      sympatrically over limited areas in French Guiana. We examined allopatric
      populations,S. latifascia originating from Barbados andS. descoinsi from French
      Guiana. Studies on nocturnal activity cycles showed temporal partitioning of
      female calling behavior, male sexual activity, and mating behavior.S. descoinsi
      were sexually active in the first half of the scotophase whereasS. latifascia
      were sexually active in the second half. Seven compounds (Z9-14: Ac,Z9,E12-14:
      Ac,Z11-16: Ac,E9,E12-14: Ac,Z9-14: Ald,Z9,E11-14: Ac andZ11-14: Ac) were
      identified in females of bothS. latifascia andS. descoinsi extracts.Z9-14: Ac was
      a main pheromone component for the two species. The major difference between the
      pheromones ofS. latifascia andS. descoinsi was the proportion ofZ9,E12-14: Ac in
      the extracts: 7% forS. latifascia and 42% forS. descoinsi. The proportion
      ofZ9,E12-14: Ac relative to the sum ofZ9-14: Ac andZ9,E12-14: Ac in individual
      gland extracts was 4+/-1% (mean +/- standard deviation) forS. latifascia and
      44.8+/-6% forS. descoinsi. Electrophysiological studies showed no major
      differences between species in the morphology and physiology of the pheromone
      receptors of males. Receptors were identified forZ9-14: Ac andZ9,E12-14: Ac, but
      no receptor was found for the other compounds. In the wind tunnel, synthetic
      blends withZ9-14: Ac andZ9,E12-14: Ac gave the same behavioral responses as
      conspecific female extracts for the males of the two species. Some cross
      attraction was observed with synthetic blends and female extracts. Nethertheless,
      previous field trapping experiments in French Guiana were species-specific and
      suggested differences in the attractivity of males. In the laboratory,S.
      latifascia andS. descoinsi could hybridize in both reciprocal crosses. FemaleS.
      descoinsi * maleS. latifascia mating rate was significantly lower than for the
      reciprocal cross, and 26.7% of femaleS. descoinsi could not separate from maleS.
      latifascia after mating. These copulatory problems may involve genital
      incompatibilities between males and females. Several barriers against
      interbreeding betweenS. latifascia andS. descoinsi seem to combine including
      differences in nocturnal activity cycles, pheromone differences, and genital
      barriers. The study of sympatric populations will be necessary to define the role
      of sex pheromones in the reproductive isolation ofS. latifascia andS. descoinsi. 

PMID- 24234257
TI  - Role of EGFR as a prognostic factor for survival in head  and neck cancer: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - The prognostic role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in head and neck
      squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains controversial. The goal of this study was
      to summarize existing evidence regarding whether EGFR overexpression is a
      prognostic factor in HNSCC. Relevant studies were identified using Pubmed, Ovid,
      and Web of Science databases. A meta-analysis was conducted on the prognostic
      value of EGFR expression for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival
      (DFS). Thirty-seven studies were included. Primary analysis indicated that EGFR
      overexpression was associated with reduced OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.694, 95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 1.432-2.004). DFS, on the other hand, was not
      associated with EGFR expression after adjusting for publication bias (HR: 1.084,
      95% CI: 0.910-1.290). Subgroup analysis gave a statistically significant pooled
      HR for OS in laryngeal carcinoma (HR: 2.519, 95% CI: 1.615-3.928) and in
      oropharyngeal carcinoma (HR: 2.078, 95% CI: 1.605-2.690). The pooled HR was
      statistically significant for DFS with respect to oropharyngeal carcinoma (HR:
      1.055, 95% CI: 1.020-1.092), but not laryngeal carcinoma (HR: 1.750, 95% CI:
      0.911-3.360). When dividing studies based on the immunohistochemistry (IHC)
      scoring system, only the group that evaluated EGFR expression according to the
      intensity and extent of staining showed no between-study heterogeneity for both
      OS and DFS. Overall, EGFR overexpression was associated with shortened OS, but
      not DFS. Future studies are needed that stratify patients by specific tumor
      sites. Furthermore, when estimating protein level by the IHC method, it is
      advisable to consider both intensity and extent of staining.

PMID- 24234258
TI  - A pooled analysis of the ERCC2 Asp312Asn polymorphism and esophageal cancer
      susceptibility.
AB  - Published data regarding the association between the excision repair cross
      complimentary group 2 (ERCC2) Asp312Asn polymorphisms and esophageal cancer
      susceptibility remained controversial. This meta-analysis of literatures was
      performed to assess the strength of association between the ERCC2 and esophageal
      cancer susceptibility using random effects model. We systematically searched
      PubMed, Embase and Web of Science with a time limit of September 15, 2013.
      Summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were used to
      assess the strength of association between the ERCC2 Asp312Asn polymorphism and
      esophageal cancer susceptibility using random effects model. A total of seven
      case-control studies including 1,831 cases and 2,728 controls were included for
      analysis. Overall, a significant association was found between ERCC2 Asp312Asn
      polymorphism and esophageal cancer susceptibility for GA vs. GG (OR = 1.20, 95 %
      CI = 1.03-1.40) and for the dominant model GA/AA vs. GG (OR = 1.18, 95 % CI =
      1.03-1.35). However, the ERCC2 Asp312Asn polymorphism was a protective factor for
      AA vs. GA/GG (OR = 0.63, 95 % CI = 1.15-2.65) in esophageal squamous cell
      carcinoma. Our meta-analysis suggested that the ERCC2 Asp312Asn polymorphism
      might be associated with increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma and a
      protective factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PMID- 24234259
TI  - Psychological factors related to health, back pain, and dysfunction.
AB  - Psychosocial variables may be important determinants of experienced back pain as
      well as dysfunction. This paper reports on differences on a battery of
      psychosocial variables between women, from the same work place, off work because
      of back pain, having only back pain (not off work), and those without back pain.
      The groups suffering pain had similar levels of pain intensity and frequency and
      the covariates of age and work load were used in MANCOVA analyses. The results
      showed significant overall differences on the Coping Strategies Questionnaire,
      Handicap Index, Duke Health Profile, as well as items concerning family support
      and the relation of pain to work. Several variables differed between the Healthy
      group on the one hand and the two groups suffering pain on the other hand.
      However, coping strategies and perceived health produced significant differences
      between all three groups in univariate analyses. Unlike other studies the Work
      APGAR produced no significant results. These data suggest that work status is not
      directly related to pain intensity, but rather to an interaction between
      psychosocial factors and the pain experience. Future research should delineate
      which variables may be used in screening. 

PMID- 24234260
TI  - Factors influencing ergonomic conditions and employment rate after an
      occupational musculoskeletal injury.
AB  - In 195 cases of musculoskeletal occupational injury individual and work related
      factors and their relationship with reduction of physical work load and active
      employment was studied. Data concerning the injuries were obtained and after 18
      months the work places were assessed. Information on employment status was
      obtained by a postal questionnaire after 3 years. Multiple logistic regression
      was used to explain the two outcome measures. Injuries classified as diseases and
      informative injury reports were factors positively associated with reduction of
      work load. Male gender, higher education, and a sick-leave shorter than 6 months
      were factors positively associated with employment. 

PMID- 24234261
TI  - Randomized study of the application of single motor unit biofeedback training to
      chronic low back pain.
AB  - The application of single motor unit biofeedback training (SMUBT) techniques was
      compared to traditional therapies in treating chronic low back pain (CLBP).
      Thirty-six volunteers (who experienced daily pain for 7 years in the T8 to S1
      area) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments; SMUBT, relaxation
      training, or an educational program. The pain level and electromyographic
      activity of all subjects were assessed by a person blind to the treatment;
      before, immediately after, and 90 days after treatment. The SMUBT group reported
      immediately decreased pain which was maintained at 90 days, the relaxation group
      showed no changes, while the education group reported decreased pain at 90 days.
      The EMG results showed decreased amplitude and bilateral differences for the
      SMUBT and education groups. A 4-year follow-up revealed the SMUBT group remained
      symptom free. Implications and discussion of the results concludes the paper. 

PMID- 24234262
TI  - Disability management and the cardiac rehabilitation patient: Job simulation and
      transitional work strategies.
AB  - Medical advances and treatment interventions among patients with coronary heart
      diseases have not resulted in more timely return to work outcomes among cardiac
      rehabilitation programs. This article reviews vocational rehabilitation outcomes
      among persons with coronary heart disease, and the importance of employer-based
      disability management concepts. Job simulation, transitional work strategies, and
      ergonomic job site modifications, when integrated within the cardiac
      rehabilitation protocol, may yield promising results. The article discusses an
      experimental research project at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center that
      addresses worker-work environment interaction, encourages direct employer
      involvement, and promotes employer accommodation under the Americans with
      Disabilities Act. 

PMID- 24234263
TI  - Back problems are for life: Perceived vulnerability and its implications for
      chronic disability.
AB  - As part of a qualitative research study of the experience of work-related back
      problems, a series of in-depth ethnographic interviews were conducted with 15
      workers receiving treatment for back injuries. Analysis of these data revealed
      that the workers perceived their back problems as lifelong problems. Many
      believed that their back injuries had permanently heightened their vulnerability
      to reinjury and chronic disability. Accommodating this sense of physical
      vulnerability required a redefinition of one's self and one's future. For some
      workers, the perceived threat of future back problems was itself disabling and
      appeared to discourage a return to normal social roles. Workers' interactions
      with the health care system shaped their perceptions of their bodies and their
      notions of the appropriate means to cope with their physical vulnerability.
      Implications of the perception of permanence for the development of chronic
      disability among workers who experience back problems are examined. 

PMID- 24234264
TI  - How children learn to read and why they fail.
AB  - The present article considers the contrast between conceptions of reading as a
      natural and as an unnatural act, relying on the simple view of reading as a
      theoretical framework (Gough and Tunmer 1986). According to the simple view,
      reading comprehension is a product of both listening comprehension and decoding.
      Here it is argued that the comprehension aspect of reading depends on those same
      natural-forces that govern acquisition of spoken language, whereas decoding
      depends on explicit tutelage, with little evidence that children will induce the
      cipher from simple exposure to written words and their pronunciations (sight-word
      instruction). Rejecting both sight-word and phonics instruction as inadequate in
      and of themselves, evidence is reviewed suggesting that successful readers
      require explicit awareness of the phonological structure of spoken words, which
      can and should be taught in kindergarten, prior to formal reading instruction.
      Beyond this point, reading success depends on a modicum of phonics instruction
      together with extensive practice with reading itself. 

PMID- 24234265
TI  - Handwriting: A neglected cornerstone of literacy.
AB  - This paper discusses the necessity for teaching children to have readable
      automatic handwriting. As demonstrated by a search of the literature, educational
      institutions in both the United States and Great Britain display a lack of
      concern about the importance of handwriting in school curricula. Researchers
      display a similar lack of concern as evidenced by the scarcity of major research
      studies on handwriting. They appear to be unaware of the benefits of effective
      early teaching. Often the choice of what to teach, how to teach, and when to
      teach is left up to the discretion of individual teachers, who typically have
      been given inadequate preparation for teaching handwriting. The decision of
      whether to begin with manuscript or cursive seems based on custom and opinion
      instead of any solid empirical evidence. The special needs of left-handed
      children and dyslexic children are seldom addressed. Yet, these children need to
      be taught handwriting meticulously. More attention needs to be focused on how all
      children can acquire the essential skill of legible serviceable handwriting. 

PMID- 24234266
TI  - Coping with dyslexia in the regular classroom: Inclusion or exclusion.
AB  - The article begins with an historical review of the many attempts to cope with
      learning disabled and other handicapped children in schools, especially in
      regular classrooms. Children with dyslexia are reportedly the majority of
      individuals with learning disabilities. Most researchers have reached concensus
      that dyslexia originates with specific impairment of language processing.
      Although it would seem necessary for educators, especially those who teach the
      primary grades, to understand the structure of the English language and the
      alphabetic writing system, there is evidence that teachers are not required to
      have such command of language and how to teach it. The need for establishment of
      a comprehensive, interdisciplinary teacher education and training program will be
      discussed. This would include a core body of knowledge, relevant skills, and an
      understanding of methods, attitudes and values of participating disciplines.
      Without appropriate changes in teacher preparation it is doubtful that inclusion
      in regular classrooms will provide much educational benefit for the dyslexic
      population in our schools. 

PMID- 24234267
TI  - Tennessee meets the challenge of dyslexia.
AB  - In 1993, the Tennessee General Assembly voted funds to establish a model unit of
      integrated services and research to address the full scope of issues associated
      with dyslexia. Dyslexia is characterized as significant difficulty in reading and
      spelling individual words. In the Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of
      Dyslexia, these problems are presumed to be the consequence of a phonological
      core deficit. When compared to typical readers, matched for age or reading level,
      dyslexic readers evidence average listening comprehension, a relative strength in
      reading comprehension, deficits in word recognition and spelling, and severe
      deficits in word analysis as well as in awareness and manipulation of phonemes.
      Integration of this information yields a diagnostic profile that may be applied
      in the differential diagnosis of dyslexia both in clinical and school settings.
      This paper presents an overview of the Tennessee Center for Dyslexia and the
      services it provides as well as its guidelines for interpreting the results of
      norm-referenced tests and criterion-referenced measures to diagnose dyslexia and
      plan appropriate intervention. Frith's (1985, 1986) developmental framework for
      reading acquisition is integrated with the assessment data to outline an
      instructional plan that addresses mastery of skills within and across the
      hierarchical phases-logographic, alphabetic, and orthographic-of reading
      development. 

PMID- 24234268
TI  - Phono-Graphix(TM): A new method for remediating reading difficulties.
AB  - Eighty-seven children, 6 to 16 years of age, with reading and/or spelling
      difficulties were trained in a new program (Phono-Graphix(TM)) that emphasizes
      phoneme awareness training, sound-to-print orientation, curriculum design
      sequenced by orthographic complexity, and active parental supervision in homework
      assignments. The children's initial level of competence to access the alphabet
      code was revealed by diagnostic testing, and individualized sequences of
      instruction were developed. The children received 12 hours or less of one-to-one
      training, one hour per week. Children gained an average of 13.7 standard score
      points on word recognition (1.70 points per clinical hour) and 19.34 standard
      score points on nonsense word decoding (2.57 points per clinical hour). 

PMID- 24234269
TI  - Language! Effects of an individualized structured language curriculum for middle
      and high school students.
AB  - This chapter documents the success of a 12-month individualized structured
      language curriculum (LANGUAGE!) provided to middle and high school juvenile
      offenders (n=45; 43 males; 2 females) enrolled in a rehabilitation program.
      Although individual students participated in the program for an average of just
      22.7 weeks (SD 8.51), they made significant gains (more than three years growth)
      over this period in written language expression (composition), encoding
      (spelling), and decoding (isolated word recognition), as documented by
      standardized literacy measures, moving from standard scores in the 60s and 70s to
      the 80s and 90s. Gains on the Gray Oral Reading Test (GORT III) were consistent
      with these measures and well exceeded gains made by a comparison group (n=51; 48
      males, 3 females) which included students attending similar rehabilitation
      programs for a comparable period of time, but these students were not offered the
      individualized LANGUAGE! curriculum. Details of the LANGUAGE! curriculum and the
      basis of its success are discussed. 

PMID- 24234270
TI  - Analyzing cohesion in language samples of college students: A diagnostic tool.
AB  - This paper presents a clinically derived system of analyzing reading miscues of
      college students and comparing the observed patterns to a student's oral
      expressive language. By looking for consistencies and contrasting the observed
      patterns with what is now known about the cohesive development of language within
      and across its spoken and written forms, and by looking for places in which the
      expected continuity is not apparent in the individual case, we can identify many
      of the barriers to successful learning. An important attribute of the new
      technique is that it can be used in varied contexts. The contexts can be tailored
      to suit the actual coursework that a student does or will encounter and the
      analysis still provides comparative data. The method includes a system of giving
      assessment feedback to the students that allows for their input and therefore
      helps them identify with treatment recommendations that are being suggested to
      overcome long-standing learning blocks. 

PMID- 24234271
TI  - Computer-based compensation of adult reading disabilities.
AB  - We studied the use of computer readers, and especially their speech synthesis
      component, as a compensatory tool for adults with dyslexia. We first explored the
      enhancement of reading skills in a group of college students and working adults.
      Their unaided reading was very slow, and most participants in the study could
      sustain reading for only short periods. Although their timed comprehension was
      poor, their untimed comprehension was above average. The computer reader enhanced
      the reading rate and comprehension of most participants and enabled them to
      sustain reading longer. The difference between aided and unaided reading rate was
      inversely proportional to the unaided rate. Slower readers experienced greater
      enhancement than faster ones. The enhancement of comprehension was also inversely
      proportional to unaided scores, and good predictions of the enhancement were
      obtained from multiple regression models that included scores from specific
      standard tests of auditory and visual cognitive abilities. We also explored the
      use of computer readers in the workplace and show through case studies that their
      use can have important positive effects on individual careers and self-confidence
      when specific conditions exist. Finally, we investigated the use of computer
      readers to supplement an adult remediation program. The readers allowed and
      motivated the students to read more and, as a result, to progress more rapidly. 

PMID- 24234272
TI  - Phonological and semantic factors in the object-naming errors of skilled and less
      skilled readers.
AB  - Children who read poorly have difficulty naming objects, and their errors usually
      bear a semantic or a phonetic resemblance to the correct words. Excessive
      semantic and phonetic naming errors could both be due to underlying phonological
      deficiencies in poor readers. When children cannot name an object because its
      name is not represented well in long-term memory or cannot be processed well,
      semantic information as well as partially available phonological information may
      be used in selecting an alternative response. This hypothesis was tested by
      looking for the joint influence of semantics and phonology in the naming errors
      of third-grade children. The same children were asked to name a set of pictured
      objects, repeat the object names after being spoken by the examiner, and
      recognize the objects from their spoken names. A separate group of children
      produced associative responses to the same pictures. First, it was found that,
      compared with skilled readers, less-skilled readers who named objects without any
      time pressure had a deficit that could not be attributed to repetition difficulty
      or limited vocabulary. Second, the naming errors showed a semantic relationship
      to the correct words that was as strong as that of the associative responses.
      Third, the naming errors also showed a phonetic relationship to the correct
      words, whereas the associative responses did not. Finding a joint semantic and
      phonetic effect in the naming errors of children suggests that the errors may be
      attributable to phonological deficiencies. 

PMID- 24234273
TI  - The role of morpheme recognition and morphological awareness in dyslexia.
AB  - This paper begins by presenting theoretical arguments and empirical evidence to
      support the idea that morpheme analysis strategies play a part in word
      recognition in reading, and in dyslexia in particular. The results of two studies
      are presented which indicate that dyslexic adolescents use recognition of root
      morphemes as a compensatory strategy in reading of both single words and coherent
      text. Furthermore, the evidence is reviewed that the use of morpheme recognition
      as a strategy in reading to some extent depends on the linguistic awareness of
      morphemes in spoken language. Finally, results from a pilot study of the effects
      of morphological awareness training of dyslexic students are presented which
      suggest that it may be possible to improve the awareness of morphology
      independently of phoneme awareness, and that such a training may have positive
      effects on reading of coherent text and on the accurate spelling of
      morphologically complex words. 

PMID- 24234274
TI  - Gender differences in cognitive abilities of opposite-sex and same-sex twin pairs
      with reading disabilty.
AB  - In order to compare the pattern of gender differences for cognitive measures in
      opposite-sex twin pairs to that in independent samples of twins from same-sex
      pairs, psychometric test data were obtained from four research-identified samples
      of children: (1) 96 pairs of opposite-sex fraternal twins in which at least one
      member of each pair is reading disabled; (2) 62 pairs of opposite-sex fraternal
      twins with no history of reading problems; (3) 167 males and 155 females from
      same-sex identical and same-sex fraternal twin pairs in which at least one member
      of each pair is reading disabled; and (4) a comparison sample of 126 males and
      132 females from same-sex twin pairs with no history of reading problems. Results
      of multivariate analyses indicate that gender differences for cognitive measures
      are similar in twin pairs with and without reading disabilities. Moreover, a
      highly similar pattern of gender differences occurs for opposite-sex twin pairs
      who shared both prenatal and early postnatal influences and for independent
      samples of children from different families. 

PMID- 24234276
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24234275
TI  - Impaired performance of children with dyslexia on a range of cerebellar tasks.
AB  - It is now thought that the cerebellum is involved in the acquisition of "language
      dexterity" in addition to its established role in motor skill acquisition and
      execution. Mild cerebellar impairment, therefore, provides a possible explanation
      of a range of problems shown by children with dyslexia. The authors have
      established suggestive evidence in support of this hypothesis in tests of balance
      and of time estimation. In a further test of the hypothesis, a battery of
      clinical tests for cerebellar impairment, including tests of muscle tone and of
      coordination, was administered to matched groups of children with dyslexia and
      control children aged 10, 14, and 18 years (55 subjects in all). The children
      with dyslexia showed highly significant impairments on all the cerebellar tests,
      and significant impairment compared even with reading age controls on 11 of the
      14 tasks. Deficits on the majority of tests were among the largest found in our
      research program. The findings, therefore, provide further intriguing evidence of
      cerebellar impairment in dyslexia. We speculate that the well-established
      phonological deficits in dyslexia may arise initially from inefficient
      articulatory control attributable to cerebellar impairment. 

PMID- 24234277
TI  - Using contextual analysis to investigate the nature of spatial memory.
AB  - The present study investigated the properties of episodic spatial memory by
      conducting contextual analysis on spatial memory tasks in a large sample of
      individuals (N = 778) between the ages of 18 and 92. The results suggest that
      episodic spatial memory as measured by a dot location task is not uniquely
      influenced by memory but is strongly influenced by fluid ability (Gf). The
      spatial memory-Gf relationship is evident and robust even when spatial memory is
      operationalized with a very simple single-dot location task, suggesting that
      allocation of attention across space may play a role in the relationship. Results
      also indicate that the spatial memory-Gf relations are not dependent on
      complexity of processing, because Gf has a similar magnitude of relations with a
      more complex version of the dot location task. Collectively, the results suggest
      that spatial memory likely represents some aspect of fluid intelligence and is
      not uniquely related to measures of verbal memory.

PMID- 24234278
TI  - Alternative measures of spatial distribution and availability of health
      facilities for the delivery of emergency obstetric services in island
      communities.
AB  - International guidelines and recommendations for availability and spatial
      distribution of emergency obstetric care services do not adequately address the
      challenges of providing emergency health services in island communities. The
      isolation and small population sizes that are typical of islands and remote
      populations limit the applicability of international guidelines in such
      communities. Universal access to emergency obstetric care services, when pregnant
      women encounter complications, is one of the three key strategies for reducing
      maternal and newborn mortality; the other two being family planning and skilled
      care during labor. The performance of selected lifesaving clinical interventions
      (signal functions) over a 3-month period is commonly used to assess and assign
      performance categories to health facilities but island communities might not have
      a large enough population to generate demand for all the signal functions over a
      3-month period. Similarly, availability and spatial distribution recommendations
      are typically based on the size of catchment populations, but the populations of
      island communities tend to be sparsely distributed. With illustrations from six
      South Pacific Island states, we argue that the recommendation for availability of
      health facilities, that there should be at least five emergency obstetric care
      facilities (including at least one comprehensive facility) for every 500,000
      population, and the recommendation for equitable distribution of health
      facilities, that all subnational areas meet the availability recommendation, can
      be substituted with a focus on access to blood transfusion and obstetric surgical
      care within 2 hours for all pregnant residents of islands. Island communities
      could replace the performance of signal functions over a 3-month period with a
      demonstrated capacity to perform signal functions if the need arises.

PMID- 24234279
TI  - Preconception healthcare delivery at a population level: construction of public
      health models of preconception care.
AB  - A key challenge of preconception healthcare is identifying how it can best be
      delivered at a population level. To review current strategies of preconception
      healthcare, explore methods of preconception healthcare delivery, and develop
      public health models which reflect different preconception healthcare pathways.
      Preconception care strategies, programmes and evaluations were identified through
      a review of Medline and Embase databases. Search terms included: preconception,
      pre-pregnancy, intervention, primary care, healthcare, model, delivery, program,
      prevention, trial, effectiveness, congenital disorders OR abnormalities,
      evaluation, assessment, impact. Inclusion criteria for review articles were: (1)
      English, (2) human subjects, (3) women of childbearing age, (4) 1980-current
      data, (5) all countries, (6) both high risk and universal approaches, (7)
      guidelines or recommendations, (8) opinion articles, (9) experimental studies.
      Exclusion criteria were: (1) non-human subjects, (2) non-English, (3) outside of
      the specified timeframe, (4) articles on male healthcare. The results of the
      literature review were synthesised into public health models of care: (1) primary
      care; (2) hospital-based and inter-conception care; (3) specific preconception
      care clinics; and, (4) community outreach. Fifteen evaluations of preconception
      care were identified. Community programmes demonstrated a significant impact on
      substance use, folic acid supplementation, diabetes optimization, and
      hyperphenylalaninemia. An ideal preconception visits entail risk screening,
      education, and intervention if indicated. Subsequently, four public health models
      were developed synthesizing preconception care delivery at a population level.
      Heterogeneity of risk factors, health systems and strategies of care reflect the
      lack of consensus about the best way to deliver preconception care. The proposed
      models aim to reflect differing aspects of preconception healthcare delivery.

PMID- 24234280
TI  - Precocious puberty and age estimation: a medico-legal case report.

PMID- 24234281
TI  - Biotechnological applications of plant cells.
AB  - This article has tended to stress some important biotechnological applications of
      plant cells, as though these lie only in the future. It should be stressed at
      this point that many Japanese patents already exist describing the utilization of
      plant cells for many of the types of applications treated in this article. A
      discussion of these patents, and the subjects to which they apply, can be found
      in ref (113).Future biotechnological applications of plant cells can conceivably
      follow in two directions. First, much greater utilization of plant cells using
      mass growth, and whole cell immobilization techniques already utilized with
      bacterial cells. Second, the possible creation of new types of cells by the
      various genetic engineering techniques that have been briefly described in this
      text. Such techniques may conceivably lead to the production of entirely new and
      novel compounds by plant cells, or alternatively, may greatly improve the
      utilization of substrates and the production of existing compounds by these
      cells. 

PMID- 24234282
TI  - Temperature-dependent behavior of immobilized alkaline phosphatase II.
      temperature pulse : A tool to enhance enzymatic activity for prolonged periods.
AB  - The specific activity of immobilized alkaline phosphatase can be considerably
      increased by exposure to a brief temperature pulse. The thus-pulsed preparations
      show a hysteresis of higher activity at room temperature varying from 10 min to
      several days, depending upon their pretreatment and the conditions of the
      reaction mixture during the pulse. In almost all cases the pulse can be repeated
      many times to increase the activity. 

PMID- 24234283
TI  - Solubilization and purification of galactosyltransferase from golgi membranes of
      rat ventral prostate.
AB  - UDP-galactose ovomucoid galactosyltransferase, a membrane-bound enzyme involved
      in the biosynthetic pathways for formation of the nonreducing terminal
      oligosaccharide sequences on glycoproteins, has been solubilized and purified
      from rat ventral prostate Golgi membranes.Solubilization was effected by
      treatment of the particulate fraction with Triton X-100 (0.5% v/v) and MnCl2 (25
      mM). The solubilized enzyme was purified by affinity chromatography on hen
      ovomucoid-sepharose column.The purified galactosyltransferase showed three
      protein bands of approx. 74,000, 60,000, and 54,000 daltons on sodium dodecyl
      sulfate gel electrophoresis. On gel filtration, enzyme activity eluted at approx.
      70,000 daltons with a broad shoulder between 60,000 and 50,000
      daltons.Isoelectric focusing of the purified enzyme resolved at least five active
      bands with pHi of 9, 7.4, 6.75, 6.1, and 4.8. 

PMID- 24234284
TI  - Studies on the overproduction of indole-containing metabolites by a methanol
      utilizing yeast : Hansenula polymorpha.
AB  - Production of indole-containing metabolites ("indoles") from methanol has been
      studied using a mutant ofHansenula polymorpha resistant to 5-fluorotryptophan.
      Whereas the wild-type culture produces only a small amount of indoles, the mutant
      is partially deregulated and overproduces indoles. Indoles production was studied
      in batch and continuous culture and in a washed-cell system. When the pH was
      above 4.0, indoles production was growth-associated, in both minimal and complex
      media, and batch or continuous culture. When the pH was below or equal to 4.0, a
      low phosphate concentration was found to improve production. In a phosphate
      deficient washed-cell suspension system, the addition of an amino acid such as
      methionine at 5 mM increased specific productivity by more than 60%. Addition of
      cycloheximide at 50 mg/L decreased residual growth and increased maximum
      productivity of indoles by more than 60%. When the antibiotic was added at 1000
      mg/L, growth was completely inhibited and indoles production continued for about
      35 h. 

PMID- 24234285
TI  - Sepharose-immobilized triazine dyes as adsorbants for human lymphoblastoid
      interferon purification.
AB  - An extensive selection of immobilized triazine dyes have been examined for their
      potential as adsorbants for human lymphobalstoid interferon. Procion red HE7B was
      selected as the most suitable for preparative scale purification. Sepharose
      immobilized procion red HE7B is able to bind 10(5) reference units/mL of
      interferon from cell supernatants and can be eluted with at least 25-fold
      purification and 90% yield by a KC1 gradient. Further purification was obtained
      either by reapplying the eluted interferon after dialysis to the dye column or by
      gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 34 after lyophilization and dialysis. The latter
      procedure gave a final activity of about 10(6) U/mg protein and approximately 75%
      recovery of interferon activity. 

PMID- 24234286
TI  - Rapid determination of anti-enzyme titer in serum using wholeStaphylococcus
      aureus cells.
AB  - Heat-killed, formalin-fixedStaphyloccous aureus (Cowan) cells are shown to be an
      excellent immunoadsorbent for quickly and accurately measuring the titer of
      antibodies directed against enzymes. The simple procedure is illustrated by
      following the course of immunization of a rabbit against mouse uridine 5't 
      monophosphate synthase. The antibody titer of a serum sample can be determined in
      roughly 1 h plus the time to perform the assays of enzyme (antigen) activity. 

PMID- 24234288
TI  - [The STEPWISE database--what can we learn from a Swedish quality registry for
      eating disorders?].
AB  - National quality registries aim at improving health care. Sweden has experience
      in this area for over 30 years, and to date there are 73 official national
      registries in use within certain specialties. To our knowledge, Sweden is the
      only country using a web-based national quality registry (RIKSAT) that
      systematically documents eating disorder treatment and outcome. RIKSAT is part of
      a progressively growing web-based database (STEPWISE), which can help to bridge
      the gap between clinical work, quality registry and research. In this article, we
      present methods and contents of the STEPWISE system and critically discuss its
      potential and challenges. We establish a relation to registries within the German
      health care system and the preparatory work for a German web-based registry for
      eating disorders. 

PMID- 24234287
TI  - Effect of nursing home ownership on hospitalization of long-stay residents: an
      instrumental variables approach.
AB  - Hospitalizations among nursing home residents are frequent, expensive, and often
      associated with further deterioration of resident condition. The literature
      indicates that a substantial fraction of admissions is potentially preventable
      and that nonprofit nursing homes are less likely to hospitalize their residents.
      However, the correlation between ownership and hospitalization might reflect
      unobserved resident differences rather than a causal relationship. Using national
      minimum data set assessments linked with Medicare claims, we use a national
      cohort of long-stay residents who were newly admitted to nursing homes within an
      18-month period spanning January 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005. After instrumenting
      for ownership status, we found that IV estimates of the effect of nonprofit
      ownership on hospitalization are at least as large as the non-instrumented
      effects, indicating that selection bias does not explain the observed
      relationship. We also found evidence suggesting the lower rate of
      hospitalizations among nonprofits was due to a different threshold for transfer.

PMID- 24234289
TI  - [Comorbid psychiatric disorders and differential diagnosis of patients with
      autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability].
AB  - Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) without intellectual disability are often
      diagnosed late in life. Little is known about co-occurring psychiatric disorders
      and differential diagnosis of ASC in adulthood, particularly with regard to
      personality disorders. What kind of comorbid psychiatric disorders occur in ASC?
      Which are the most prevalent differential diagnoses in a sample of patients who
      seek autism specific clinical diagnostics? 118 adults who were referred with a
      presumed diagnosis of autistic disorder, were diagnosed with autism specific
      instruments and the prevalence of further psychiatric disorders was investigated.
      59 (50%) fulfilled the criteria of ASC. 36% of the individuals with ASC fulfilled
      also criteria for a DSM-IV axis-I psychiatric disorder. Affective disorders (24%)
      and social phobia (14%) were the most prevalent comorbid disorders. The most
      frequent differential diagnoses were depression, social phobia, paranoid,
      avoidant and narcissistic personality disorder.

PMID- 24234290
TI  - [Self-selection processes in the choice of the therapeutic training approach:
      differences in therapeutic attitudes, personality traits and attributional
      complexity].
AB  - AIM: Treatment approaches differ to a great extent in terms of basic
      psychological assumptions and practical procedures. This creates questions about
      the fitting of therapist and therapeutic approach. This paper examines the
      influence of therapeutic attitudes, mentalization interest and personality traits
      on the decision for an approach. METHODS: 184 participants of training programs
      in one of the 3 licensed treatment approaches in Germany were examined with
      questionnaires at the beginning of their training. RESULTS: Participants
      significantly differed in terms of therapeutic attitudes and the metallization
      interest but not in personality traits except openness. Satisfaction with
      training was not related to the individual fit of participants to the therapeutic
      attitudes typical for their approach. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic attitudes, the
      extent of mentalization interest, and openness may play a role in self-selection
      processes in the choice of the approach.

PMID- 24234291
TI  - Gamblers.

PMID- 24234292
TI  - Surfactant solubilization of hydrophobic compounds in soil and water : I.
      Dodecylsulphate monomer and micellar partition coefficients for 28
      polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) [41].
AB  - Reductions in the apparent soil-water partition coefficients (Kd (*)) for 28
      polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) caused by the surfactant sodium dodecylsulphate
      (SDS) in the aqueous phase were studied. Above the critical micelle concentration
      (CMC) of the surfactant, Kd (*) was reduced by 2-3 orders of magnitude, but even
      far below CMC at environmentally relevant surfactant concentrations significant
      reductions in Kd (*) were observed. The plot of the soil-water partition
      coefficient (Kd) divided by Kd (*) versus the concentration of SDS allowed for
      the calculation of monomer (Kmn (oc)) and micellar (Kmc (oc)) surfactant-water
      partition coefficients normalized to organic carbon for each PCB congener. Kmn
      (oc) values were comparable with published values for the partition of PCBs
      between natural dissolved organic matter and lake water. Kmc (oc) values were up
      to 30 times higher than Kmn (oc) values and comparable with published octanol
      water distribution coefficients. The findings of the present study underline the
      potential of surfactants at concentrations below their CMC to mobilize otherwise
      strongly bound hydrophobic compounds in soil-water systems. 

PMID- 24234293
TI  - Determination of microbial activity in activated sewage sludge by dimethyl
      sulphoxide reduction : Evaluation of method and application.
AB  - A method was developed to determine the dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) reduction rate
      in activated sewage sludge at nearly natural conditions.Linearity of microbially
      produced dimethyl sulphide with incubation time and sample size was shown. Apart
      from a fast, sensitive and highly reproducible automatic analysis of dimethyl
      sulphide, simultaneous determination of mineralisation, respiration and phenol
      degradation rates was possible.The DMSO reduction rate of samples taken from a
      municipal sewage plant ranged between 2 and 3 MUmol/(g dry matter . h),
      respiration and mineralisation rates between 30 and 80 MUmol/(g . h). Added(13)C6
      phenol was completely degradated after 96 h of incubation. A half-life of 14 h
      was calculated assuming first order decay. Dose response curves were obtained by
      incubating samples for 2, 6, 25, and 96 hours after addition of
      pentachlorophenol. At an incubation time of 6 h, the EC50 values ranged from 20
      mg/L (DMSO reduction) to 30 mg/L (phenol degradation) up to 180 mg/L (respiration
      and mineralisation). Increasing the incubation time to 96 h resulted in a lower
      EC50 of 9 mg/L for DMSO reduction, whereas it increased to 500 mg/L for
      respiration and mineralisation. 

PMID- 24234294
TI  - Deposition of semivolatile organic compounds to spruce needles : I. Calculation
      of dry and wet fluxes.
AB  - The deposition of atmospheric tetrachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene,
      hexachlorobenzene, alpha-HCH, gamma-HCH, DDT, DDE and the PCB congeners 52, 101,
      138, 153 and 180 to spruce needles (Picea abies) was estimated for a period of 9
      months. Accumulation in spruce as a result of dry gaseous deposition, particle
      bound deposition and wet deposition was calculated on the basis of the
      corresponding deposition rates and the compounds' concentrations in the different
      atmospheric compartments. The comparison of the calculated values with the
      concentrations of the compounds measured in 9-month-old spruce needles showed
      that for many compounds each deposition pathway could explain a large part of the
      concentrations found in the needles. 

PMID- 24234295
TI  - Simulation of pesticide runoff at Rosemaund Farm (UK) using the SoilFug model.
AB  - A validation exercise of the SoilFug model using field runoff data from Rosemaund
      Farm (UK) is described. A comparison has been made of modelled and measured
      concentrations of several pesticides in surface water and soil during and after
      specific rain events following application. The field experiments were designed
      to obtain data on rainfall, outflows of water, pesticide application rates and
      concentrations in soil and water. The results were satisfactory for the
      undissociated pesticides (atrazine, carbofuran, dimethoate, isoproturon, lindane,
      simazine and trifluralin), whose concentrations in water were mostly predicted
      within an order of magnitude of measured data. The results for the dissociated
      pesticides (dichlorprop, MCPA, mecoprop) were less satisfactory, giving generally
      much higher predicted concentrations in water. The use of the SoilFug model is
      suggested for the calculation of predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) in
      water, since it generally produces acceptable results from a relatively small set
      of input data, most of which is generally available. 

PMID- 24234296
TI  - Ancient atmosphere- Validity of ice records.

PMID- 24234298
TI  - Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS).

PMID- 24234297
TI  - Observations on long-term air-soil exchange of organic contaminants.
AB  - Evidence for long-term changes in the soil composition of selected organic
      compounds, brought about by exchanges with the atmosphere, is briefly reviewed.
      In the case of some compounds - such as benzo(a)pyrene and octachlorodibenzo-p
      dioxin, soils may be significant long-term environmental sinks for
      atmospherically-derived material. In other cases - such as phenanthrene and some
      of the lighter PCBs, de-gassing or volatilisation from soil back to the air can
      occur under certain conditions. Hence the soil may act as a "short-term" sink,
      and a potential source to atmosphere. Indeed, for some 'semi-volatile' compounds
      used in large quantities in the past - such as PCBs, soil outgassing may actually
      be an extremely important source to contemporary air. Furthermore, soil
      outgassing from areas of former high use may provide an important driving
      mechanism for continued "global cycling" of a range of semi-volatile
      organochlorine compounds. 

PMID- 24234299
TI  - From pollutants to industries.

PMID- 24234300
TI  - European Environment Agency (EEA).

PMID- 24234301
TI  - Life Cycle Assessment - ISO/TC 207/subcommittee 5.

PMID- 24234302
TI  - Environmental hazard - Assessment of chemicals and products : Part III: The
      limits to single compound assessment.
AB  - Part III: The Limits to Single Compound AssessmentThe principles and basic
      assumptions of single compound assessment are briefly reviewed. Limitations to
      this approach are shown, especially with regard to complex mixtures of similar
      substances, substitution products, and complicated (final) products containing
      chemicals and materials produced by the chemical industry. A new thinking in
      product lines and life cycles is emerging, leading to new assessment methods. In
      some cases, substitution has not improved the environmental performance of
      products, since very similar chemicals were used as substitutes. 

PMID- 24234303
TI  - Microbiological remediation of waste-oil polluted soils : Ecotoxicological and
      toxicological considerations.
AB  - A waste-oil contaminated site situated near a river is supposed to be cleaned-up
      by means of different but complementary methods. On the basis of a research
      project, target values have been developed in close cooperation between the
      participant parties for the saturated and the unsaturated soil layers.The clean
      up targets are introduced and discussed. 

PMID- 24234304
TI  - Conference Report Fourth SETAC Europe Meeting Brussels, April 11-14, 1994.

PMID- 24234306
TI  - Retroperitoneal hemorrhage from kidney angiomyolipoma.

PMID- 24234307
TI  - CF carrier testing: Experience of relatives.
AB  - Consensus exists that genetic counseling and CF carrier testing should be offered
      to individuals with a positive family history of CF. To learn more about their
      experience with genetic counseling and testing we conducted a series of
      structured telephone interviews and focus group discussions with individuals and
      couples who had undergone genetic counseling and carrier testing because of a
      family history of CF. Traditional genetic counseling appears to have been
      effective for this population. Subjects generally report having a positive
      counseling experience and few difficulties upon learning their carrier status.
      Subjects were quite knowledgeable about CF and their carrier risk and were highly
      motivated to seek testing. They may not be representative of all individuals with
      a family history of CF however. For carriers, concerns about whether and when to
      have children tested, and concerns about insurance implications of carrier status
      may emerge sometime after the initial counseling. Strategies for addressing these
      concerns and for providing efficient and effective education and genetic
      counseling for people with a family history of CF need to be developed. 

PMID- 24234308
TI  - A comparison of two approaches to education about carrier testing for cystic
      fibrosis.
AB  - We tested the efficacy of two types of educational materials for genetic
      counseling: a traditional information brochure and one adding a role model story.
      Brochures were alternated weekly at a prenatal genetics center. Subjects were
      asked to read the brochure and fill out a questionnaire covering demographics and
      variables from the health belief model (impact, barriers, motivation,
      susceptibility, knowledge, severity). A group of 409 pregnant women and 251 male
      partners participated. Study design was quasiexperimental, using a post-test only
      comparison group. The brochure with modeling enhanced the perception of both risk
      and the severity of the disease and was inversely associated with the assessment
      of barriers, but did not directly impact on the decision to pursue testing; only
      12% chose to be tested, with no significant differences between groups. While
      suggestive, the study is not confirmatory and should be repeated with a more
      heterogenous group of women. 

PMID- 24234309
TI  - Genetic counseling for the next 25 years: Models for the future.
AB  - Currently, two trends pose particular challenges for genetic counseling: (1) spin
      offs from the Human Genome Project leading to new diagnostic genetic tests far in
      advance of any cures; and (2) an increasing and diversified client population.
      These trends will lead to changes in both genetic service delivery systems and
      the development of alternative models of the genetic counseling process itself.
      Two models that could be adapted for genetic counseling are: the mutual
      participation model and the life history narrative model. Technological advances
      present ethical dilemmas and raise many questions. Already, improved detection of
      genes for predisposing conditions has entered clinical medicine requiring renewed
      ethical appraisals of genetic testing. Integration of genetic counseling (and
      required pre-screening education) into primary care settings involves time
      constraints and the involvement of health care personnel with less training in
      genetics. Alternative approaches are beginning to be discussed. Innovative
      genetic counselors with expanded visions of counseling goals and practices will
      play an increasingly important role in the future of genetic counseling. 

PMID- 24234310
TI  - Embryo genetic disorder analysis demonstration project: A model protocol.
AB  - A demonstration project designed for couples at a minimum 25% risk for having a
      child with cystic fibrosis is being undertaken using embryo genetic disorder
      analysis within an organization proficient inin vitro fertilization techniques.
      Prior to offering the project to patients, issues were identified that needed to
      be addressed in order to improve the likelihood of success. We then developed a
      set of protocols that would enable us to introduce this new technology to our
      staff and to prospective patients in a consistent manner. 

PMID- 24234311
TI  - Introduction and overview.

PMID- 24234312
TI  - Salivary proline-rich proteins in mammals: Roles in oral homeostasis and
      counteracting dietary tannin.
AB  - We review information on the structure of proline-rich proteins (PRPs), their
      various functions related to oral homeostasis and dietary tannin, and the
      structural basis of these functions. Consideration of the multifunctional nature
      of these salivary proteins helps explain both the subtle and large variations
      found in structure and secretion rates both within individuals and between
      species. We propose that the ancestral function of PRPs is in maintaining oral
      homeostasis and that counteracting dietary tannins by binding with them is a
      derived function. PRPs are effective in oral homeostasis at low secretion levels,
      whereas counteracting tannin depends on high secretion levels. In the dietary
      habits ranging from carnivores through omnivores to exclusively planteaters, the
      dietary nitrogen level is progressively reduced, and plant allelochemical intake,
      including tannins, increases. We suggest that during this evolution from meat
      eater to plant-eater, there was some point in omnivory at which selective
      pressure from nitrogen limitations, arising from a low nitrogen/high tannin diet,
      became sufficiently great for the evolution of increased secretion level and
      diversification of PRPs for dealing with tannin. If this hypothesis is correct,
      carnivorous mammals should secrete low levels of PRPs for oral homeostasis, but
      should never secrete high levels, unless they are secondarily carnivorous.
      Omnivores consuming a diet of very little animal tissue but higher levels of
      tannin-containing foliage or fruit should generally have the capacity to produce
      high levels of salivary PRPs. Browsers and frugivores should also produce high
      levels of PRPs, but grazers may have reduced secretion rates depending on the
      antiquity of the dietary habit. This hypothesis is consistent with the limited
      information available on the abundance, type, and distribution of PRPs in
      mammals. Studies are suggested which would test the functional and evolutionary
      arguments presented. 

PMID- 24234313
TI  - Modeling metabolic costs of allelochemical ingestion by foraging herbivores.
AB  - A mathematical model of intermediary metabolism of allelochemicals by vertebrate
      herbivores is presented and used to quantify the metabolic costs of
      detoxification. Conjugation with glucuronic acid and maintenance of acid-base
      status causes catabolism of amino acid and is shown to result in loss of body
      protein and depletion of glucose. An interaction between allelochemical dose and
      nutrient status is found, and the ratio of allelochemical to nutrient absorption
      rate defines the tolerance of the animal to absorbable allelochemical
      concentration in foods. The interaction is nonlinear and the ecological
      implications of this for foraging behavior and diet choice are discussed. 

PMID- 24234314
TI  - Consequences of biotransformation of plant secondary metabolites on acid-base
      metabolism in mammals-A final common pathway?
AB  - Regulation of acid-base homeostasis is essential for mammals and birds.
      Biotransformation and metabolism of absorbed plant secondary metabolites (PSMs)
      results in the production of organic acids that threaten acid-base homeostasis.
      Consequently these acids must be buffered and excreted from the body. The
      production of an acid load from detoxified PSMs should occur in herbivorous
      mammals and birds and with most PSMs and so may provide a unifying theme to
      explain many effects of PSMs on animal metabolism. Since the organic acids will
      be largely ionized at physiological pH, disposal of the hydrogen ion and the
      organic anion may proceed independently. Most hydrogen ions (H(+)) from organic
      acids are eliminated by one or more of three ways: (1) when they react with
      bicarbonate in the extracellular fluid to form carbon dioxide and the carbon
      dioxide is exhaled, (2) when they bind to dibasic phosphate and are excreted by
      the kidney as monobasic phosphate, and (3) when they are buffered and retained in
      the skeletal system. The secretion of phosphate ions and ammonium excretion are
      two ways in which the kidney replaces bicarbonate ions that have been eliminated
      as carbon dioxide. Secretion in the kidney tubule is an important means of
      excreting excessive organic anions rapidly. This process is saturable and may be
      subject to competition from a variety of different metabolites. Lagomorphs have
      limited capacity to form new bicarbonate from ammonium excretion and may
      therefore be obliged to excrete other cations such as sodium to balance the
      excretion of organic anions from PSMs. Acidemia has wide-ranging impacts on
      animals but browsing mammals and birds may have to break down muscle tissues to
      provide for urinary ammonium in order to generate bicarbonate for buffering.
      Acidemia also can affect the extent of urea recycling. Animals consuming browse
      diets may have to regulate feeding so that the rate of formation of hydrogen ions
      does not exceed the rate of disposal. The mechanisms by which this could occur
      are unknown. 

PMID- 24234315
TI  - A temperature-dependent model for predicting release rates of pheromone from a
      polyethylene tubing dispenser.
AB  - A model was developed to describe release of two formulations of tetradecenyl
      acetates in Shin Etsu polyethylene tubing pheromone dispensers. Change in
      pheromone column length in the polyethylene tubing was modeled bydl/dt=l ...
      (a+bT)/dt (wherel is column length,t is time interval, andT is average
      temperature for that time interval). Regression of the natural log of relative
      change in liquid length against time interval and accumulated day degrees in
      orchards produced the coefficientsa andb. The model was validated by comparing
      predicted and actual liquid length remaining in field-aged dispensers, as well as
      measuring release rates by using gas chromatography. Mean daily orchard
      temperatures and measurement of column length of dispensers on a single date were
      used to accurately predict column length within 15%, after six months.
      Predictions of instantaneous release rate were also made from this model, and
      other possible model uses and limitations are discussed. 

PMID- 24234316
TI  - Development of a bioassay to test phloem sap samples from lettuce for resistance
      toNasonovia ribisnigri (homoptera, aphididae).
AB  - TheNr-gene-based resistance of lettuce to the aphidNasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley)
      has previously been shown to be located in the phloem. Since chemical analyses of
      the phloem sap had shown no differences between resistant and susceptible lines,
      a bioassay was developed in order to test samples from resistant and susceptible
      plants on aphid feeding. For this, whole-plant extracts, honeydew, and EDTA
      collected phloem extracts were obtained, and a sensitive bioassay was developed
      using EDTA samples. The EDTA was removed, and samples were added to a simple
      sucrose solution or to a complex artificial diet and presented in a choice
      situation comparing extracts from resistant and susceptible plants. EDTA
      collected phloem sap samples from susceptible plants were preferred to those from
      resistant plants. The resistance is probably based on a feeding deterrent
      activity of the phloem sap in the resistant plant. 

PMID- 24234317
TI  - A chemical basis for differential allelopathic potential of sorghum hybrids on
      wheat.
AB  - The basis for differential allelopathic potentials among sorghum (Sorghum bicolor
      L. Moench) hybrids was investigated by conducting quantitative and qualitative
      studies of their phenolic contents. Total phenolic content in sorghum plant parts
      varied within hybrids, among hybrids, and between growing seasons. Inhibition of
      wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) radicle growth was positively associated (r=0.66)
      with concentrations of total phenolics contained in plant parts. Extracts from
      culms contributed the higherst proportion of toxicity from sorghum plants,
      inhibiting radicle growth up to 74.7%. Concentrations of five phenolic acids,p
      hydroxybenzoic (POH), vanillic (VAN), syringic (SYR),p-coumaric (PCO), and
      ferulic (FER), differed in all plant parts of the three sorghum hybrids.
      Concentrations of POH, VAN, and SYR were consistently higher than PCO and FER.
      PCO and FER wer absent from some plant parts, with FER being the most frequently
      missing. Inhibition of wheat radicle growth was found to be positively associated
      with the concentration of each phenolic acid. Vanillic acid was most highly
      associated (r=0.44) with inhition. Thus, above-ground sorghum tissues contained
      phenolic acids that contributed to allelopathic potential. Additionally, sorghum
      roots exuded POH, VAN, and SYR that may enhance the overall allelopathic
      potential of sorghum during growth and after harvest when residues remain on the
      soil surface or are incorporated prior to planting a subsquent crop. 

PMID- 24234318
TI  - Production and release of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienal by sex pheromone glands of
      females ofPlodia interpunctella (lepidoptera: pyralidae).
AB  - Extracts of sex pheromone glands obtained from females ofPloida interpunctella
      contained detectable amounts of (Z,E,)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (Z9,E12
      14:Ac) and (Z,E.)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol (Z9,E12-14:OH) 4 hr prior to the first
      scotophase after adult emergence. The amount of pheromone increased during the
      first 4 hr of the scotophase and then declined to low levels during the
      subsequent photophase. Decapitation of females immediately after emergence, prior
      to expansion of the wings, inhibited production of pheromone during the
      subsequent 48 hr. Injection of extracts of the heads of 1-day-old females ofP.
      interpunctella of partially purified extracts of the cephalic ganglia of females
      of the corn earworm moth into decapitated females stimulated production of
      bothZ9,E12-14:Ac andZ9,E12-14:OH as well as production of (Z,E)-9,12
      tetradecadienal (Z9,E12-14:Al). This aldehyde was subsequently identified from
      extracts of pheromone glands obtained from naturally calling females as well as
      from volatiles emitted by calling females. Studies on the terminal steps in
      biosynthesis of the pheromone showed thatZ9,E12-14:OH was produced from the
      corresponding acetate and thatZ9,E12-14:Al was produced from the alcohol via the
      action of an oxidase(s). 

PMID- 24234319
TI  - Insecticidal defenses of Piperaceae from the neotropics.
AB  - Insecticidal and growth-reducing properties of extracts of 14 species of American
      neotropical Piperaceae were investigated by inclusion in diets of a polyphagous
      lepidopteran, the European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis. Nutritional indices
      suggested most extracts acted by postdigestive toxicity.Piper aduncum, P.
      tuberculatum, andP. decurrens were among the most active species and were
      subjected to bioassay-guided isolation of the active components. Dillapiol was
      isolated from the active fraction ofP. aduncum, piperlonguminine was isolated
      fromP. tuberculatum, and a novel neolignan fromP. decurrens. The results support
      other studies on Asian and AfricanPiper species, which suggest that lignans and
      isobutyl amides are the active defence compounds in this family. 

PMID- 24234320
TI  - Alkyl ether and enol ether analogs of (Z)-5-decenyl acetate, a pheromone
      component of the turnip moth,Agrotis segetum: probing a proposed bioactive
      conformation for chain-elongated analogs.
AB  - In order to test a previous conclusion that chain-elongated analogs of (Z)-5
      decenyl acetate(1), a pheromone component of the turnip moth,Agrotis segetum,
      adopt a loop conformation of the terminal alkyl chain in the bioactive
      conformation, a series of alkyl ether and enol ether analogs of1 and (Z)-5
      dodecenyl acetate(2) have been synthesized and tested using singlecell
      electrophysiology. In these analogs a methylene group in positions 7 and 9 of1
      and in positions 7 and 11 in2 have been replaced by an oxygen atom in order to
      energetically facilitate the formation of a loop conformation in the chain
      elongated analogs. The electrophysiological results in combination with molecular
      mechanics (MM2 and MM3) calculated conformational energies show that the activity
      decreases of the chain-elongated ether analogs are significantly smaller than
      that for2 and that these activity decreases parallel the conformational energies
      for a loop formation of the terminal chains in the analogs. The results support
      our previous conclusion that the terminal chain of chain-elongated analogs of1
      adopts a loop conformation in their bioactive conformations. 

PMID- 24234321
TI  - Mechanism by which noninhibitory concentrations of glucose increase inhibitory
      activity ofp-coumaric acid on morning-glory seedling biomass accumulation.
AB  - Noninhibitory levels of glucose-C [<= 72 ug carbon (C)/g soil] increased the
      inhibitory activity ofp-coumaric acid on morning-glory seedling biomass
      accumulation in Cecil Bt-horizon soil. The amount ofp-coumaric acid required for
      a given level of inhibition of shoot and seedling biomass accumulation decreased
      as the concentration of glucose increased. Soil extractions with neutral EDTA
      (0.25 M, pH 7) after addition of combinations ofp-coumaric acid and glucose
      (concentrations ranging from 0 to 1.25 umol/g soil) to the soil showed that
      utilization ofp-coumaric acid by microbes decreased linearly as the concentration
      of glucose increased. The increased inhibitory activity of a given concentration
      ofp-coumaric acid in the presence of glucose was not due to a reduction in soil
      sorption ofp-coumaric acid or effects of nitrogen-limited microbial growth.
      Noninhibitory levels of phenylalanine andp-hydroxybenzoic acid slowed the
      utilization ofp-coumaric acid by microbes in a similar manner as glucose. The
      presence of methionine, however, did not affect the rate ofp-coumaric acid
      utilization by microbes. These observations suggest that differential utilization
      of individual molecules in organic mixtures by soil microbes can modify, and in
      this case increase, the effectiveness of a given concentration of an inhibitor
      such asp-coumaric acid on the inhibition of seedling growth such as morning
      glory. 

PMID- 24234322
TI  - Chirality of israeli pine bast scale,Matsucoccus josephi (homoptera:
      Matsucoccidae) sex pheromone.
AB  - The absolute configuration of the sex pheromone of the Israeli pine bast
      scale,Matsucoccus josephi, was determined as (2E,5R,6E,8E)-5,7-dimethyl-2,6,8
      decatrien-4-one, designated here asR-E with 10% (2E,5S,6E,8E)-5,7-dimethyl-2,6,8
      decatrien-4-one, designated asS-E. The chirality of the quantitatively minorZ
      isomer was (2E,5R,6Z,8E)-5,7-dimethyl-2,6,8-decatrien-4-one (R-Z). Chiral
      assignments were made by comparative gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of
      naturalM. josephi pheromone with stereoselectively synthesized stereoisomers on a
      chiral Cyclodex-B column, which separated the enantiomers with baseline
      resolution. In gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD)
      analysis of the racemicZ andE isomers, the latter elicited the stronger antennal
      response by maleM. josephi. In GC-EAD of all four stereoisomers, employing the
      chiral column,R-E was the most active stereoisomer. In field testsR-E attracted
      10 times more males ofM. josephi than didS-E. The racemicE/Z pheromone mixture,
      containing all four stereoisomers in approximately equal amounts, attracted as
      many maleM. josephi as did an equivalent amount ofR-E, indicating that the other
      stereoisomers are not inhibitory. The same keto-diene moiety with the same chiral
      center and configuration in all three known Matsucoccidae sex pheromones implies
      a common biosynthetic pathway and phylogenetic relationship. 

PMID- 24234323
TI  - Chemical nature of larval osmeterial secretions of papilionid butterflies in the
      generaParnassius, Sericinus andPachliopta.
AB  - Volatile components of the larval osmeterial secretion ofParnassius glacialis
      (Parnassiinae, Parnassiini) consisted of isobutyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid,
      and their methyl esters. In contrast, the osmeterial exudate ofSericinus montela
      (Parnassiinae, Zerynthiini) was characterized as monoterpene hydrocarbons
      comprisingbeta-myrcene (Major),alpha-pinene, sabinene, limonene, andbeta
      phellandrene, whereas that ofPachliopta aristolochiae (Papilioninae, Troidini)
      was composed of numerous sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, includingalpha
      himachalene,alpha-amorphene, and germacrene-A, and a few oxygenated
      sesquiterpenoids. In these three species, the chemical nature of the secretions
      of the last and the penultimate instars was essentially of similar quality,
      suggesting that the three genera,Parnassius, Sericinus, andPachliopta, are
      assigned to homogeneous types. 

PMID- 24234324
TI  - Putative chemical signals from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
      Urinary and vaginal mucus volatiles excreted by females during breeding season.
AB  - Urine and vaginal mucus samples from female white-tailed deer in estrus and mid
      cycle were analyzed by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
      Forty-four volatiles were found in mucus and 63 in urine. The volatiles common to
      both vaginal mucus and urine included alcohols, aldehydes, furans, ketones,
      alkanes, and alkenes. Aromatic hydrocarbons were present only in the vaginal
      mucus, whereas pyrans, amines, esters, and phenols were found only in urine. Both
      estrous mucus and estrous urine could be identified by the presence of specific
      compounds not present in mid-cycle samples. Numerous compounds exhibited
      dependency on ovarian hormones. 

PMID- 24234326
TI  - Effects of work-oriented fitness courses in lumberjacks with low back pain.
AB  - This prospective controlled study examined changes in fitness, health, and work
      ability after a work-oriented physical fitness course arranged for lumberjacks
      experiencing low back pain but being still at work. The 1-week courses were
      designed to activate exercising during leisure time and consisted of fitness
      tests, various types of exercise, and lectures. Eighty-seven lumberjacks
      participated in the courses and 61 subjects served as controls. Questionnaire
      data obtained before and 1 year after the course were available for 78 (90%) of
      the course participants and 41 (67%) of the controls. In the intervention group,
      perceived fitness, health, and work ability improved and ergonomic strain at work
      decreased. Both groups reported an increased frequency of leisure-time physical
      activity. There were between- group differences in the development of fitness,
      health, distress symptoms, and subjective work ability, whereas the changes in
      physical activity, back and musculoskeletal symptoms, or ergonomic strain did not
      differ between the groups. In a 6-month follow up, muscle function improved in
      the intervention group, but no change was observed in aerobic capacity. There was
      a tendency of the number of back pain-related sickness leaves, but not of their
      duration, to develop more favorably in the intervention group, when data from the
      year before and the year after the course were compared. 

PMID- 24234327
TI  - Effectiveness of workplace accommodations for a corporate telephone operator with
      a full left-arm prosthesis: A case study.
AB  - A corporate telephone operator and voice mail programmer was involved in a
      serious automobile accident resulting in left-arm amputation and through
      rehabilitation received a full left-arm prosthesis. Upon returning to work in her
      previous job capacity, some work activities and work area configurations were
      identified as problematic during task performance. Work methods and work area
      configuration were evaluated regarding their appropriateness for supporting
      return to work and long-term accommodation. Job activity analysis determined all
      reaches, clearances, and forces and their compliance with recommended criteria. A
      body part comfort/discomfort survey (BPCDS) was administered pre- and post
      accommodation to elicit information regarding workplace problem areas and provide
      a measure to assess accommodation effectiveness. Workstation, support equipment,
      work area, seating, task assignments, and work methods were modified to more
      appropriately support operator task performance. Comparison of pre- and post
      accommodation BPCDS indicates a significant reduction in operator discomfort with
      residual discomfort associated with the orthopedic prosthesis. This case study
      illustrates the use of the principles and techniques of industrial ergonomics to
      develop workplace accommodations. The area of ergonomics, medical ergonomics,is
      an example of the development of reasonable accommodations for physically
      challenged workers in the spirit of compliance with the Americans with
      Disabilities Act (ADA). 

PMID- 24234325
TI  - Lupus nephritis: review of the literature.
AB  - Physicians in practice should be knowledgeable regarding several aspects of
      autoimmune disorders, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus
      nephritis. These disorders can present to the clinician's clinic and private
      office regardless of their specialty. This review will discuss various aspects of
      SLE, its mechanisms of disease, role of accelerated atherosclerosis,
      proinflammatory cytokines, and therapeutic approaches. The role of vascular
      endothelial growth factor in which and plasma levels have been associated with
      disease activity, classification of severity, and diagnosis of lupus nephritis is
      addressed. Current treatment options, prognosis, and future therapeutic
      approaches and common side effects are also discussed.

PMID- 24234328
TI  - Organizational socialization of employees with disabilities: Critical issues and
      implications for workplace interventions.
AB  - Organizational socialization is the process whereby newcomers to work
      organizations become insiders. The socialization process has been linked to
      various outcomes including newcomer job satisfaction, organizational commitment,
      job knowledge and performance, promotion and advancement rate, salary, and
      turnover. The purpose of the present paper is threefold: (1) to examine issues
      facing persons with disabilities during organizational socialization in order to
      help guide future research on this topic; (2) to provide an awareness of
      potential aditional barriers (unrealistic newcomer expectations, interaction
      avoidance, "norm to be kind," low work group expectations) that face newcomers
      with disabilities as they begin jobs; and (3) to suggest some possible policies,
      programs, and interventions that might help persons with disabilities to overcome
      those barriers. 

PMID- 24234329
TI  - Meaningful work: Questions for vocational rehabilitation and a call for action.
AB  - Experiences in different cultures may lead astute observers to question existing
      schemes and ways of life, often taken for granted. The arena and nature of work,
      for instance, may differ radically from one society to another. Based on a
      lengthy visit to Tanna, Vanuatu, the author found that the indigenous people had
      qualitatively different concepts of work. Using the ideas gained from cross
      cultural opportunity, questions can and should be raised about the meaningfulness
      of work activities, vocational rehabilitation, and the importance of examining
      assumptions as to what constitutes meaningful work. 

PMID- 24234330
TI  - Worklessness and disability: Expansion of the biopsychosocial perspective.
AB  - This paper summarizes a novel conceptualization of the biopsychosocial processes
      that may characterize the injured worker's reaction to separation from the
      workplace following injury/illness. The hypotheses are based upon clinical
      observation and may, in the future, be supported by controlled experimental
      research. Protracted worklessness is not equivalent to lost time. Worklessness is
      a dynamic process producing psychological, occupational, social and iatrogenic
      problems that accelerate the development of long term disability. The
      occupational physician (as well as those involved in occupational restoration and
      rehabilitation) is in a unique position to monitor, assess, and ultimately
      prevent disability. An appreciation of the dynamics of worklessness, one
      predicated on understanding and expanding the current biopsychosocial
      occupational model, will facilitate meaningful therapeutic recommendations for
      the injured worker. Worklessness is conceptualized as a dynamic process involving
      three fundamental changes: the development of anxiety separation from the
      workplace, the erosion of skills and loss of opportunity occasioned by
      absenteeism and the propensity toward the medicalization of disabilities. 

PMID- 24234331
TI  - Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.
AB  - Previous studies have assessed the prognostic role of serum carbohydrate antigen
      19-9 (CA 19-9) concentration in patients with gastric cancer, but the findings
      from those studies were inconsistent. We searched the PubMed and Web of Science
      databases to find eligible studies assessing the prognostic role of CA 19-9 in
      patients with gastric cancer. Twelve studies with a total of 5,072 gastric cancer
      patients were finally included into the meta-analysis. The pooled hazard ratio
      (HR) with corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) for overall survival
      were calculated to assess the prognostic role of CA 19-9 in patients with gastric
      cancer. Overall, elevated serum concentration of CA 19-9 (>37 U/mL) was
      associated with poorer overall survival in patients with gastric cancer (fixed
      effects HR = 1.36, 95 % CI 1.24-1.48, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by study
      design further showed that elevated serum concentration of CA 19-9 was associated
      with poorer overall survival in patients with gastric cancer. There was no
      obvious risk of publication bias. Elevated concentration of serum CA 19-9 is
      associated with poorer overall survival in patients with gastric cancer.

PMID- 24234332
TI  - High expression of Cdc25B and low expression of 14-3-3sigma  is associated with
      the development and poor prognosis  in urothelial carcinoma of bladder.
AB  - Cdc25 dual-specicity phosphatases are essential regulators at critical stages of
      cell cycle. Cdc25B is overexpressed in several human tumor types. The activity of
      Cdc25B is regulated by 14-3-3 dimer. To investigate the roles of Cdc25B and 14-3
      3sigma in bladder carcinoma, we examined expressions of Cdc25B and 14-3-3sigma
      proteins in bladder carcinoma and cell lines and analyzed their roles in the
      development and prognosis of urinary bladder carcinoma. Immunohistochmistry was
      used to detect the expressions of Cdc25B and 14-3-3sigma in 105 bladder
      carcinomas. Moreover, expressions of Cdc25B and 14-3-3sigma were analyzed by real
      time PCR and Western blot in 40 bladder carcinomas and 20 normal epithelial
      tissues. Specific siRNA was used to knockdown the expression of Cdc25B or 14-3
      3sigma. Wild-type plasmid was used to overexpress 14-3-3sigma. MTT assay and Flow
      cytometry were used to examine proliferation and cell cycle of bladder cancer
      cells. There were higher Cdc25B expression and lower 14-3-3sigma expression in
      carcinomas than in the adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.05), positive and negative
      correlations being noted with clinical stage and histopathologic grade. Cdc25B
      expression was positively correlated with recurrence and poor prognosis.
      Downregulation of Cdc25B resulted in slower growth, more G2/M cells and 14-3
      3sigma increasing. However, upregulation and downregulation of 14-3-3sigma did
      not affect cell growth and Cdc25B expression. It showed that Cdc25B upregulation
      and 14-3-3sigma downregulation might promote development of bladder cancer and
      suggested a poor prognosis. Moreover, Cdc25B could play an important role on the
      bladder cancer cell proliferation and cell cycle progression and regulate
      expression of 14-3-3sigma.

PMID- 24234333
TI  - Feasibility and safety of carboplatin plus paclitaxel  as neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical  cancer: a pilot study.
AB  - The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination
      of carboplatin and paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients
      affected by locally advanced cervical cancer. Between June 2007 and May 2012, all
      patients with a diagnosis of locally advanced cervical cancer (IB2-IIB) were
      eligible for this protocol. All patients have received 3 cycles of carboplatin
      (AUC6) and paclitaxel 175 mg/mq in neoadjuvant setting. The NACT-induced toxicity
      and the response to treatment were evaluated according to the World Health
      Organization (WHO) criteria. After NACT, all patients with complete or partial
      response were submitted to classical radical hysterectomy type III or C2,
      according to different classifications, and were submitted to four adjuvant
      cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy. The primary endpoints of the study were to
      evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of carboplatin regimen. Thirty-five
      patients with locally advanced cervical cancer were considered. A total of 23
      patients completed 3 cycles of NACT. The overall clinical response rate after
      NACT was 78.3% including 43.5% (n = 10) with complete response, 34.8% (n = 8)
      with partial response, 17.4% (n = 4) with stable disease and 4.3% (n = 1) of
      those who suffered disease progression. The most common toxicity was
      haematologic, nausea/vomiting and neuropathy with grades 1 and 2 and occurred in
      56.5, 56.5 and 17.4%, respectively. No renal toxicity was registered. Our results
      suggest that carboplatin is a well-tolerated drug with a response rate similar to
      standard cisplatin. Then, it represents, in neoadjuvant setting, a valid
      alternative in patients affected by locally advanced cervical cancer.

PMID- 24234334
TI  - Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor A  expression in gastric
      cancer: a meta-analysis.
AB  - Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is considered as a prime mediator
      of angiogenesis and has been implicated in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Various
      studies examined the relationship between VEGF-A overexpression with the clinical
      outcome in patients with gastric cancer, but yielded conflicting results.
      Electronic databases updated to September 2013 were searched to find relevant
      studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with eligible studies which quantitatively
      evaluated the relationship between VEGF-A overexpression and survival of patients
      with gastric cancer. Survival data were aggregated and quantitatively analyzed.
      We performed a meta-analysis of 20 studies that evaluated the correlation between
      VEGF-A overexpression and survival in patients with gastric cancer. Combined
      hazard ratios suggested that VEGF-A overexpression had an unfavorable impact on
      overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      1.30-1.84) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.39-2.32) in
      patients with gastric cancer. No significant heterogeneity (P = 0.487) was
      observed among 16 studies for OS and among 7 studies for DFS (P = 0.435). VEGF-A
      overexpression indicates a poor prognosis for overall survival and disease-free
      survival in patients with gastric cancer.

PMID- 24234337
TI  - Statistical power of latent growth curve models to detect quadratic growth.
AB  - Latent curve models (LCMs) have been used extensively to analyze longitudinal
      data. However, little is known about the power of LCMs to detect nonlinear trends
      when they are present in the data. For this study, we utilized simulated data to
      investigate the power of LCMs to detect the mean of the quadratic slope, Type I
      error rates, and rates of nonconvergence during the estimation of quadratic LCMs.
      Five factors were examined: the number of time points, growth magnitude,
      interindividual variability, sample size, and the R (2)s of the measured
      variables. The results showed that the empirical Type I error rates were close to
      the nominal value of 5 %. The empirical power to detect the mean of the quadratic
      slope was affected by the simulation factors. Finally, a substantial proportion
      of samples failed to converge under conditions of no to small variation in the
      quadratic factor, small sample sizes, and small R (2) of the repeated measures.
      In general, we recommended that quadratic LCMs be based on samples of (a) at
      least 250 but ideally 400, when four measurement points are available; (b) at
      least 100 but ideally 150, when six measurement points are available; (c) at
      least 50 but ideally 100, when ten measurement points are available.

PMID- 24234335
TI  - Heme oxygenase-1 expression in human gliomas  and its correlation with poor
      prognosis  in patients with astrocytoma.
AB  - In human glioma tumors, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been shown to be upregulated
      both when compared with normal brain tissues and also during oligodendroglioma
      progression. The cell types that express HO-1 have been shown to be mainly
      macrophages/microglia and T cells. However, many other reports also demonstrated
      that cell lines derived from glioma tumors and astrocytes express HO-1 after the
      occurrence of a wide variety of cell injuries and stressors. In addition, the
      significance of HO-1 upregulation in glioma had not, so far, been addressed. We
      therefore aimed at investigating the expression and significance of HO-1 in human
      glial tumors. For this purpose, we performed a wide screening of HO-1 expression
      in gliomas by using tissue microarrays containing astrocytomas,
      oligodendrogliomas, mixed tumors, and normal brain tissues. We subsequently
      correlated protein expression with patient clinicopathological data. We found
      differences in HO-1 positivity rates between non-malignant brain (22 %) and
      gliomas (54%, p = 0.01). HO-1 was expressed by tumor cells and showed cytoplasmic
      localization, although 19% of tumor samples also depicted nuclear staining.
      Importantly, a significant decrease in the overall survival time of grade II and
      III astrocytoma patients with HO-1 expression was observed. This result was
      validated at the mRNA level in a cohort of 105 samples. However, no association
      of HO-1 nuclear localization with patient survival was detected. In vitro
      experiments aimed at investigating the role of HO-1 in glioma progression showed
      that HO-1 modulates glioma cell proliferation, but has no effects on cellular
      migration. In conclusion, our results corroborate the higher frequency of HO-1
      protein expression in gliomas than in normal brain, demonstrate that HO-1 is
      expressed by glial malignant cells, and show an association of HO-1 expression
      with patients' shorter survival time.

PMID- 24234336
TI  - Astrocyte elevated gene-1: a novel independent prognostic biomarker for
      metastatic ovarian tumors.
AB  - Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), a novel tumor-associated gene, was found
      overexpressed in many tumors. Therefore, our purpose is to estimate whether AEG-1
      overexpression is a novel predictor of prognostic marker in metastatic ovarian
      tumors. Immunohistochemistry was used to estimate AEG-1 overexpression in
      metastatic ovarian tumors from 102 samples. The association between AEG-1
      expression and prognosis was estimated by univariate and multivariate survival
      analyses with Cox regression. The log-rank test was used to identify any
      differences in the prognosis between the two groups. The median overall and
      progression-free survival rates of patients with tumors from gastrointestinal
      tract origin were 0.97 and 0.51 years, respectively. Similarly, survival rates of
      patients with tumors of breast origin were 2.68 and 1.96 years (P < 0.0001). Of
      102 patients, 77 had high expression, and AEG-1 overexpression had a significant
      link of prognosis in metastatic ovarian patients (P < 0.01). On the other hand,
      medians of overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with tumors
      of gastrointestinal tract origin were significantly lower than those of patients
      with tumors of breast origin (P < 0.0001). Patients with metastatic ovarian
      tumors of breast origin had significantly better prognosis than those with the
      tumors from gastrointestinal tract primary malignancies. It is suggested that AEG
      1 overexpression might be an independent prognostic marker of metastatic ovarian
      tumors.

PMID- 24234338
TI  - A comparative investigation of seven indirect attitude measures.
AB  - We compared the psychometric qualities of seven indirect attitude measures across
      three attitude domains (race, politics, and self-esteem) with a large sample (N =
      23,413). We compared the measures on internal consistency, sensitivity to known
      effects, relationships with indirect and direct measures of the same topic, the
      reliability and validity of single-category attitude measurement, their ability
      to detect meaningful variance among people with nonextreme attitudes, and their
      robustness to the exclusion of misbehaving or well-behaving participants. All
      seven indirect measures correlated with each other and with direct measures of
      the same topic. These relations were always weak for self-esteem, moderate for
      race, and strong for politics. This pattern suggests that some of the sources of
      variation in the reliability and predictive validity of the indirect measures is
      a function of the concepts rather than the methods. The Implicit Association Test
      (IAT) and Brief IAT (BIAT) showed the best overall psychometric quality, followed
      by the Go-No-Go association task, Single-Target IAT (ST-IAT), Affective
      Misattribution Procedure (AMP), Sorting Paired Features task, and Evaluative
      Priming. The AMP showed a steep decline in its psychometric qualities when people
      with extreme attitude scores were removed. Single-category attitude scores
      computed for the IAT and BIAT showed good relationships with other attitude
      measures but no evidence of discriminant validity between paired categories. The
      other measures, especially the AMP and ST-IAT, showed better evidence for
      discriminant validity. These results inform us on the validity of the measures as
      attitude assessments, but do not speak to the implicitness of the measured
      constructs.

PMID- 24234339
TI  - The effects of salinity, temperature and sediment on the toxicity of copper to
      juvenile Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor (O. F. Muller).
AB  - Without sediment, increasing salinity (7.3 to 29.20/00) and increasing
      temperature (12 to 22  degrees C) reduced the toxicity of copper to juvenile
      Hediste diversicolor. The LC50 values ranged from 357 MUgL(-1) in 7.30/00 to 513
      MUg L(-1) in 29.20/00 at 12 degrees C and from 247 to 500 MUg L(-1) at 22 degrees
      C. In deionized water all the juvenile were dead in all solutions to which copper
      was added (100 to 600 MUg L(-1)). Dead worms were swollen and everted their
      pharynxs. In higher doses of copper (500 to 600 MUg L(-1)) the worms were
      abnormal in behaviour in all salinities (0 to 29.20/00). The ability to swim or
      crawl was disturbed.With sediments increasing temperature and increasing salinity
      increased the toxicity of copper to the worms. The LC50 values ranged from 3200
      to 4100 MUg L(-1) at 22 degrees C. The response of the juvenile to copper was
      antagonistic to increasing temperature and salinity and synergistic to increasing
      salinity and increasing temperature without and with the sediment respectively. 

PMID- 24234340
TI  - The effect of temperature and salinity on copper body-burden and copper toxicity
      to Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor.
AB  - Temperature from 12 to 22 degrees C and salinity from 30.5 to 7.60/00 increased
      accumulation of copper in Hediste diversicolor. Copper accumulated ranged from
      85.83 to 217.14 MUg g(-1). Sediments reduced accumulation of copper under
      temperature-salinity combinations. Accumulated copper ranged from 90.19 to 153.26
      MUg g(-1).However, mortality of the worms was not solely dependent upon copper
      body-burden. It ranged from 34 to 45% and from 38 to 80% in the presence of
      sediment. A combination of osmoregulatory and thermal stresses increased the
      toxic effect of copper to the worms. 

PMID- 24234341
TI  - Comparison of mass concentrations of SO2 determined in air by two different
      methods.
AB  - Mass concentrations of sulphur dioxide were determined in parallel 24-hour
      samples of ambient air at a measuring site in Zagreb during a period of eight
      years. The methods used were the West-Gaeke's tetrachloromercurate-pararosaniline
      method (TCM) and the Standard British Method (SBM). Total results for the annual
      intervals of measuring were analyzed statistically and also discussed separately
      for winter and summer periods, in order to see whether they are influenced by
      seasonal rhythm. 

PMID- 24234342
TI  - Choosing an appropriate soil-gas survey method.
AB  - Three types of soil-gas surveys were performed over the same location at an
      industrial facility. The surveys performed were (1) a passive technique using
      buried collectors, (2) an active technique in which samples were collected in the
      field by pumping with subsequent analysis at a field laboratory, and (3) a
      screening technique that employed a hand-held survey instrument. Each of the
      surveys had desirable features, but there was considerable variability in the
      quality of data obtained, cost, and ease of performance. The passive and active
      surveys provided excellent detection limits, but the passive technique does not
      provide data in real time. The active survey was also time-consuming and required
      an analytical chemist in the field. Neither the active nor the passive survey
      were able to delineate the plume of contaminated groundwater. Consequently, the
      results from the rapid and inexpensive reconnaissance technique provided
      functionally equivalent data. 

PMID- 24234343
TI  - Organochlorine residues in New York waterfowl harvested by hunters in 1983-1984.
AB  - Thirteen organochlorine compounds were detected in fat and breast muscle tissues
      of Canada goose and five species of ducks that were shot by sportsman in New
      York. Residues of DDE and PCB occurred most frequently and were positively
      identified along with DDT, heptachlor epoxide, trans-nonachlor, and
      hexachlorobenzene. Compounds that were detected but not positively confirmed by
      mass spectrometry were dieldrin, mirex, heptachlor, chlordane, oxychlordane, and
      endrin. Wood duck (Aix sponsa) and Canada goose (Branta canadensis) had
      significantly lower levels of DDE and PCB than black duck (Anas rubripes),
      mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), scaup (Athya sp.), and bufflehead (Bucephala
      albeola). Birds collected from Long Island and the Hudson River-Lake Champlain
      corridor carried highest concentrations. 

PMID- 24234344
TI  - Environmental monitoring for protected areas: Review and prospect.
AB  - Monitoring activities in protected areas have a long history. Internal planning
      and management needs early led to ecological inventories. More recently the
      increasing number and awareness of external threats to parks has led to a variety
      of monitoring programs. Efforts to use protected areas, and especially biosphere
      reserves, as ecological baselines, have reinforced this trend. And as protected
      areas are increasingly recognized to be islands with complex internal and
      regional interactions, holistic, systems approaches to inventory, monitoring, and
      assessment of their state are being developed. This paper begins by reviewing
      threats to parks and the origins and importance of inventory and monitoring
      activities. A review of resource survey methods follows. Ecosystem science and
      environmental monitoring are introduced as a foundation for consideration of
      several newer approaches to monitoring and assessing the state of natural
      environments. These newer approaches are stress/response frameworks, landscape
      ecology, ecosystem integrity, and state of the environment reporting. A final
      section presents some principles for monitoring the state of protected areas.
      Examples are drawn from experience with Canadian national parks. 

PMID- 24234345
TI  - Aluminium contamination via assisted leaching from metallic aluminium utensils at
      neutral pH.
AB  - Fluoride ion in trace concentrations is found to leach metallic aluminium from
      utensils even at neutral pH, releasing aluminium hydroxide which is readily
      soluble in dilute acids. The levels of leaching at different F(-) concentrations
      are given and compared with leaching levels with equivalent concentrations of Cl(
      ). It is suggested that consumption of water boiled in aluminium utensils may
      contribute to cumulative aluminium toxicity. 

PMID- 24234346
TI  - Oleic acid promotes adaptability against oxidative stress in 3T3-L1 cells through
      lipohormesis.
AB  - Although fatty acids are important components of biological membranes, energy
      sources, and signal transducers or precursors of lipid mediators, excess intake
      of fatty acids and their accumulation cause obesity and metabolic syndrome. Thus,
      fatty acid quantity is known to be an important factor for obesity-related
      diseases, but the effects of different types of fatty acids (i.e., fatty acid
      quality) on human health are not completely understood. We here focused on the
      relationship between fatty acid quality and oxidative stress by investigating
      whether resistibility to tert-butyl hydrperoxide (t-BuOOH)-induced oxidative
      stress in 3T3-L1 cells varied according to the fatty acid type. Among eight fatty
      acids (both saturated and unsaturated) tested, oleic acid (OA) exerted the most
      pronounced cytoprotective effects, with efficacy over a wide range of
      concentrations. OA treatment markedly enhanced the intracellular levels of lipid
      peroxidation markers, including N(epsilon)-(hexanoyl)lysine, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal,
      and acrolein. The levels of these markers in OA-treated cells were decreased
      after t-BuOOH exposure, whereas the levels in untreated control cells were
      notably increased after t-BuOOH exposure. Our results suggested that unsaturated
      fatty acids, particularly OA, could promote an adaptive response and enhance cell
      tolerance through increased cellular antioxidative capacity via OA-induced mild
      lipid peroxidation (lipohormesis), and thus protect cells against subsequent
      oxidative stress-related injury.

PMID- 24234348
TI  - NMR assignments for the cis and trans forms of the hemolysin II C-terminal
      domain.
AB  - Pathogenic bacteria secrete pore-forming toxins (PFTs) to selectively defend
      against immune cells and to break through cellular barriers in the host.
      Understanding how PFTs attack cell membranes is not only essential for
      therapeutic intervention but for designing agents to deliver drugs to specific
      human cell subtypes, for example in anti-cancer or anti-viral therapies. Many
      toxins contain accessory domains that help recognize specific molecular epitopes
      on the membranes of target cells, including proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
      Here we report NMR assignments for the 94-residue 10 kDa C-terminal accessory
      domain of Bacillus cereus hemolysin II, HlyIIC, that has no known structural or
      functional homologues. The HlyIIC domain exists in a dynamic equilibrium due to
      cis/trans isomerization of its Gly86-Pro87 peptide bond. The cis and trans forms
      are about equally populated and are in slow exchange on the NMR timescale, giving
      rise to separate signals for approximately half of the residues in the domain.
      Assignments for the cis and trans forms were achieved with the aid of a P87M
      mutant that stabilizes the trans form, and separate sequential walks for the two
      forms in 3D NMR spectra of the wild-type HlyIIC. Based on backbone chemical
      shifts, the domain has a alpha1-alpha2-beta1-beta2-beta3-beta4-alpha3-beta5 order
      of secondary structure elements. The last strand in the trans form and in the
      P87M mutant is shortened near Pro87 compared to the cis form. Both cis/trans
      isomerization and the P87M mutation cause large chemical shift changes throughout
      HlyIIC, suggesting that the proline is important in stabilizing the structure of
      the domain. The NMR assignments pave the way for solving the structures of the
      multiple conformational forms of HlyIIC and establishing their mechanism of
      interconversion.

PMID- 24234349
TI  - Backbone resonance assignments of human cytosolic dNT-1 nucleotidase.
AB  - Cytosolic dNT-1 nucleotidase plays a key role in the homeostasis of pyrimidine
      deoxyribonucleotides in mammalian cells. The enzyme is responsible for the
      dephosphorylation of physiological substrates as well as nucleoside analogues
      that are used in antiviral and anticancer therapies, therefore selective
      inhibition of the dNT-1 nucleotidase activity may lead to an increase in efficacy
      of this type of therapeutic compounds. Here, we report the backbone 1H, 13C and
      15N assignments for the 47 kDa dNT-1 dimer, which will be used for structural
      characterisation of dNT-1 complexes with small molecule inhibitors obtained
      through modification of pyrimidine nucleotide scaffolds or optimisation of
      successful binders obtained from the screening of fragment libraries.

PMID- 24234350
TI  - Brandy R. Matthews, MD.

PMID- 24234347
TI  - Multiple sclerosis-induced neuropathic pain: pharmacological management and
      pathophysiological insights from rodent EAE models.
AB  - In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), pain is a frequent and disabling
      symptom. The prevalence is in the range 29-86 % depending upon the assessment
      protocols utilised and the definition of pain applied. Neuropathic pain that
      develops secondary to demyelination, neuroinflammation and axonal damage in the
      central nervous system is the most distressing and difficult type of pain to
      treat. Although dysaesthetic extremity pain, L'hermitte's sign and trigeminal
      neuralgia are the most common neuropathic pain conditions reported by patients
      with MS, research directed at gaining insight into the complex mechanisms
      underpinning the pathobiology of MS-associated neuropathic pain is in its
      relative infancy. By contrast, there is a wealth of knowledge on the neurobiology
      of neuropathic pain induced by peripheral nerve injury. To date, the majority of
      research in the MS field has used rodent models of experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis (EAE) as these models have many clinical and neuropathological
      features in common with those observed in patients with MS. However, it is only
      relatively recently that EAE-rodents have been utilised to investigate the
      mechanisms contributing to the development and maintenance of MS-associated
      central neuropathic pain. Importantly, EAE-rodent models exhibit pro-nociceptive
      behaviours predominantly in the lower extremities (tail and hindlimbs) as seen
      clinically in patients with MS-neuropathic pain. Herein, we review research to
      date on the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning MS-associated neuropathic
      pain as well as the pharmacological management of this condition. We also
      identify knowledge gaps to guide future research in this important field.

PMID- 24234351
TI  - Neurodegenerative dementias.

PMID- 24234353
TI  - Dementia with Lewy bodies.
AB  - Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a synucleinopathy that is clinically distinct
      from Alzheimer's disease, associated with cognitive decline, fluctuations in
      alertness and cognition, visual hallucinations, and parkinsonism. Other clinical
      symptoms that can occur with DLB include dysautonomia and sleep disorders such as
      rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD). The pathological criteria of
      DLB are associated with the location of Lewy body pathology and the extent of
      Alzheimer's pathology seen. Treatment is symptomatic. The genetic basis of DLB is
      being explored, and future studies will investigate ways to identify those most
      at risk for DLB prior to the onset of cognitive symptoms. 

PMID- 24234352
TI  - Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative cause of dementia
      and is responsible for significant individual morbidity and mortality, and
      economic impact on the health care system. Neurodegeneration (including neuronal
      atrophy and/or loss) are attributed to extraneuronal toxic amyloid oligomers and
      proteins, intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphorylated
      tau, region-specific diminished cerebral glucose metabolism, synaptic
      dysfunction, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Several of these pathologic changes
      may occur decades before symptom onset, leaving ample time for implementing
      prevention strategies that target the earliest stages of the disease. In recent
      years, a myriad of modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors have been
      elucidated. We describe the latest criteria for the diagnosis of AD, including
      earliest diagnostic stage of preclinical AD, which has the highest potential for
      research, including diagnosis and disease modification. We discuss both FDA
      approved pharmacologic treatments, as well as nonpharmacologic strategies for AD
      therapeutics, including prevention via evidence-based, low-risk interventions.
      Genotype is an important consideration in managing patients on the AD continuum,
      as presence of the APOE epsilon4 allele may influence response to treatment. We
      present the most current evidence relating to pharmacogenomics, nutrigenomics,
      and distinctive nutritional requirements targeted toward AD. 

PMID- 24234354
TI  - Frontotemporal dementia.
AB  - Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses several clinical syndromes that involve
      a progressive change in behavior and/or language; it is more common than
      Alzheimer's disease in early-onset dementia under the age of 60 years. In the
      behavioral variant of FTD (bvFTD) patients have social and emotional changes with
      prominent disinhibition, apathy, lack of empathy, changes in diet, and repetitive
      behaviors. Motor neuron disease or parkinsonism are seen in association with
      bvFTD. Frontal and/or temporal atrophy are often seen on structural brain
      imaging. Several pathological entities can cause bvFTD, and they are defined by
      the presence of specific abnormal protein accumulations. Most cases are
      characterized by accumulation of the proteins tau, TAR-DNA-binding protein-43
      (TDP-43), and fused in sarcoma (FUS). Though most cases are sporadic, a variety
      of genes have been identified that cause autosomal dominant forms of FTD. The
      most common mutations occur in C9ORF72, MAPT, and GRN. No disease-modifying
      treatments have been currently identified, but limited evidence supports the use
      of antidepressants or neuroleptics in symptomatic management, and education
      regarding nonpharmacologic methods may be helpful to caregivers. 

PMID- 24234355
TI  - Primary progressive aphasia and apraxia of speech.
AB  - Primary progressive aphasia is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by
      progressive language dysfunction. The majority of primary progressive aphasia
      cases can be classified into three subtypes: nonfluent/agrammatic, semantic, and
      logopenic variants. Each variant presents with unique clinical features, and is
      associated with distinctive underlying pathology and neuroimaging findings.
      Unlike primary progressive aphasia, apraxia of speech is a disorder that involves
      inaccurate production of sounds secondary to impaired planning or programming of
      speech movements. Primary progressive apraxia of speech is a neurodegenerative
      form of apraxia of speech, and it should be distinguished from primary
      progressive aphasia given its discrete clinicopathological presentation.
      Recently, there have been substantial advances in our understanding of these
      speech and language disorders. The clinical, neuroimaging, and histopathological
      features of primary progressive aphasia and apraxia of speech are reviewed in
      this article. The distinctions among these disorders for accurate diagnosis are
      increasingly important from a prognostic and therapeutic standpoint. 

PMID- 24234356
TI  - Prion diseases.
AB  - Prion diseases are a group of diseases caused by abnormally conformed infectious
      proteins, called prions. They can be sporadic (Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease [JCD]),
      genetic (genetic JCD, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker, and familial fatal
      insomnia), or acquired (kuru, variant JCD, and iatrogenic JCD). The clinical
      features associated with each form of prion disease, the neuroimaging findings,
      cerebrospinal fluid markers, and neuropathological findings are reviewed.
      Sporadic JCD is the most common form of human prion disease, and will be
      discussed in detail. Genetic prion diseases are caused by mutations in the prion
      related protein gene (PRNP), and they are classified based on the mutation,
      clinical phenotype, and neuropathological features. Acquired prion diseases
      fortunately are becoming rarer, as awareness of transmission risk has led to
      implementation of measures to prevent such occurrences, but continued
      surveillance is necessary to prevent future cases. Treatment and management
      issues are also discussed. 

PMID- 24234357
TI  - Paraneoplastic and autoimmune encephalopathies.
AB  - Immune-mediated encephalitis is an increasingly recognized cause of neurologic
      dysfunction including behavioral change, psychosis, movement disorders, seizures,
      autonomic instability, and coma. Associated antineuronal antibodies are of two
      main subtypes, those targeting neuronal cell surface antigens, which are
      pathogenic, and nonpathogenic antibodies targeting intracellular antigens.
      Antibody identification aids in screening for underlying cancers and prediction
      of outcome. Cancer is found most commonly with antibodies targeting intracellular
      neural components. Certain cancers, such as small-cell lung carcinoma, and breast
      and ovarian cancer are particularly immunogenic. When cancer is detected,
      oncologic treatment should be followed with immunotherapy. Nonpathogenic antibody
      disorders respond poorly to treatment, whereas pathogenic antibodies predict a
      favorable response to immune treatment. If no cancer is identified, then ongoing
      surveillance is recommended for 5 years after detection of most antineuronal
      antibodies. 

PMID- 24234358
TI  - Young-onset dementia.
AB  - Young-onset dementia is a neurologic syndrome that affects behavior and cognition
      of patients younger than 65 years of age. Although frequently misdiagnosed, a
      systematic approach, reliant upon attainment of a detailed medical history, a
      collateral history, neuropsychological testing, laboratory studies, and
      neuroimaging, may facilitate earlier and more accurate diagnosis with subsequent
      intervention. The differential diagnosis of young-onset dementia is extensive and
      includes early-onset forms of adult neurodegenerative conditions including
      Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body
      dementias, Huntington's disease, and prion disease. Late-onset forms of childhood
      neurodegenerative conditions may also present as young-onset dementia and include
      mitochondrial disorders, lysosomal storage disorders, and leukodystrophies.
      Potentially reversible etiologies including inflammatory disorders, infectious
      diseases, toxic/metabolic abnormalities, transient epileptic amnesia, obstructive
      sleep apnea, and normal pressure hydrocephalus also represent important
      differential diagnostic considerations in young-onset dementia. This review will
      present etiologies, diagnostic strategies, and options for management of young
      onset dementia with comprehensive summary tables for clinical reference. 

PMID- 24234360
TI  - The genetics of dementia.
AB  - Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic evolution of genetic
      methodologies that can be used to identify genes contributing to disease.
      Initially, the focus was primarily on classical linkage analysis; more recently,
      genomewide association studies, and high-throughput whole genome and whole exome
      sequencing have provided efficient approaches to detect common and rare variation
      contributing to disease risk. Application of these methodologies to dementias has
      led to the nomination of dozens of causative and susceptibility genes,
      solidifying the recognition that genetic factors are important contributors to
      the disease processes. In this review, the authors focus on current knowledge of
      the genetics of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. A
      working understanding of the genes relevant to common dementias will become
      increasingly critical, as options for genetic testing and eventually gene
      specific therapeutics are developed. 

PMID- 24234361
TI  - Application of immobilized hydrogenase to h2 storage in concentrated solutions of
      methyl viologen.
AB  - It has been found that immobilized cells ofC. pasteurianum possessing hydrogenase
      activity efficiently catalyze reversible reduction of concentrated (up to 0.5M)
      solutions of methyl viologen with H2. A 0.5M aqueous solution of methyl viologen
      dissolves 240 times as much H2 as pure water under the same pressure of hydrogen.
      The experimentally obtained levels of methyl viologen reduction and H2 evolution
      are in satisfactory agreement with theoretical calculations. The potential of
      concentrated solutions of methyl viologen containing immobilized hydrogenase as a
      H2 storage medium is discussed. 

PMID- 24234362
TI  - Glucoamylase covalently coupled to porous glass.
AB  - Glucoamylase (EC 3.2.1.3) was immobilized to alkylamine porous glass with
      glutaraldehyde. The choice and pretreatment of carrier and conditions for
      immobilization have been investigated. The immobilized enzyme contained about 4.0
      8.0% protein and its activity was about 1000-1700 U/g. Some characteristics of
      the immobilized enzyme and the native enzyme have been comparatively
      investigated. The optimum temperature and the pH stability of the preparation
      were almost identical to the native one. However, the optimum pH of bound
      glucoamylase shifted 1.3 pH units toward the alkaline side compared to the native
      one. The Michaelis constant(K m ) of bound glucoamylase for soluble starch was
      about four times higher than that of the native enzyme, whileK m values for
      maltose approached those of the native material. At 45?C the half-life of IMG was
      104 days under operational conditions. Alkaline protease, alpha-amylase,
      asparaginase, and penicillin acylase were also chemically coupled to porous glass
      by the same method and high relative activities were obtained. 

PMID- 24234364
TI  - Use of enzymes in peptide synthesis.
AB  - Recent experiments in several laboratories have emphasized the benefits of
      proteolytic enzymes as effective catalysts for the formation of peptide bonds for
      synthesis and semisynthesis. This review summarizes successful applications in
      both stepwise synthesis for small peptides and fragment condensation to produce
      large polypeptides and proteins. 

PMID- 24234363
TI  - A compilation of amino acid analyses of proteins : XVII. Residues per thousand
      residues-4.
AB  - The amino acid analyses of 183 proteins, as residues per 1000 residues, are
      given. In addition the carbohydrate content and the content of any noncommon
      amino acids are also given. The sources of all proteins are presented. 

PMID- 24234365
TI  - Homogeneous immunoassays.

PMID- 24234366
TI  - Resistance and adherence to the norms of genetic counseling.
AB  - Genetic counseling for women of advanced maternal age who are considering
      prenatal testing continues to be based on a principle of nondirectiveness. We
      interviewed 11 genetic counseling students and four counselors about how they
      experience and manage, in practice, the tensions between the ideology of
      nondirectiveness and the acknowledged reality that one can never be truly
      nondirective. We found that our respondents creatively resolve this tension
      simultaneously resisting and adhering to the values of nondirectiveness and
      information-giving-in individual and situation-specific ways. This resolution is
      facilitated by the extent to which information given to counselees is fluid,
      mobile and context-dependent, but these very features of "information" also have
      critical implications for both the norms and the practice of genetic counseling. 

PMID- 24234367
TI  - A support group for couples who have terminated a pregnancy after prenatal
      diagnosis: Recurrent themes and observations.
AB  - Genetic Counselors are increasingly becoming involved in organizing and
      facilitating support groups for couples who have terminated a pregnancy because
      of an abnormal fetal diagnosis. This paper discusses recurrent themes which have
      emerged in the FATE (Feelings After the Termination Experience) support group
      which was founded in New Jersey in 1990. By becoming familiar with the issues we
      have observed in our support group, genetic counselors should be better able to
      understand and empathize with their patients who make the decision to terminate a
      much wanted pregnancy. They may also feel better prepared to become involved in
      organizing and facilitating such support groups. 

PMID- 24234368
TI  - Parental guilt: The part played by the clinical geneticist.
AB  - Parents of children born with a disability often suffer feelings of inappropriate
      guilt and shame. Although some genetic counselors see their main task to be that
      of diagnosis and education, they also aim to relieve these feelings of guilt and
      shame. Little is known about the process of genetic counseling, and whether or
      not counselors achieve this aim. An exploratory study of one clinic, and one
      geneticist working with 30 families, using video recordings and taped interviews,
      indicated that this particular doctor sometimes succeeded in reducing guilt,
      either intentionally or unintentionally, but on one occasion guilt was
      iatrogenic, and increased rather than decreased. Further research is needed to
      examine other types and other styles of genetic counseling so that in future
      iatrogenic guilt can be avoided, and the distressing aspects of inappropriate
      guilt and shame reduced as much as possible. 

PMID- 24234359
TI  - Neuroimaging biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia.
AB  - Neurodegenerative disorders leading to dementia are common diseases that affect
      many older and some young adults. Neuroimaging methods are important tools for
      assessing and monitoring pathological brain changes associated with progressive
      neurodegenerative conditions. In this review, the authors describe key findings
      from neuroimaging studies (magnetic resonance imaging and radionucleotide
      imaging) in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and
      prodromal stages, familial and atypical AD syndromes, frontotemporal dementia,
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with and without dementia, Parkinson's disease with
      and without dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Huntington's disease, multiple
      sclerosis, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, and prion protein associated
      diseases (i.e., Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). The authors focus on neuroimaging
      findings of in vivo pathology in these disorders, as well as the potential for
      neuroimaging to provide useful information for differential diagnosis of
      neurodegenerative disorders. 

PMID- 24234369
TI  - Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis: Educational implications.
AB  - We examined the educational implications of newborn screening for cystic fibrosis
      (CF) as performed by combining the measurement of immunoreactive trypsin with
      analysis for the most common CF mutation, DeltaF508. Four out of 77 (5%) of
      maternity staff from 11 hospitals in rural New South Wales, Australia had learned
      about the salient features of the screening protocol from a pamphlet distributed
      from a central laboratory. In comparison, a didactic lesson resulted in a
      significantly greater (p<0.00006) number of maternity staff learning about the
      salient features of the screening protocol. Most maternity staff expanded their
      explanation to parents of newborn babies because of the didactic lesson. 

PMID- 24234370
TI  - Resilience in siblings of children with sickle cell disease.
AB  - This pilot study was conducted to identify factors responsible for promoting
      resilience in siblings of children with sickle cell disease. Twenty siblings (10
      17 years of age) of children (5-13 years) with sickle cell disease were selected
      from the Pediatric Clinic of Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease.
      The siblings responded to questionnaires, and the data obtained was analyzed by
      chi-square for association. The results indicated that age, birth order, and
      gender had no effect on resilience in the siblings. However, family size, number
      of parents in the home, sibling's knowledge of the illness, degree of morbidity
      of the illness, socioeconomic status of the family, and parents' attitudes and
      childrearing practices were all found to affect resilience. These findings
      provide additional insight into the psychosocial aspects of, and genetic
      counseling for sickle cell disease, as well as for other chronic genetic
      disorders. 

PMID- 24234372
TI  - Forum: How much technology is too much?

PMID- 24234371
TI  - Counseling families with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: A psychosocial
      perspective.

PMID- 24234373
TI  - One year of ESPR.

PMID- 24234374
TI  - Determination of atrazine in rainfall and surface water by enzyme immunoassay.
AB  - Rainwater and surface water from four sites in Germany (Bavaria and Lower Saxony)
      were analyzed for atrazine by enzyme immunoassay from June 1990 until October
      1992. The limit of quantification of the immunoassay was 0.02 MUg/L with a middle
      of the test at 0.2 MUg/L. About 60 % of the samples contained measurable amounts
      of atrazine. Seasonal trends were observed, with the highest concentration in the
      summer months of up to 4 MUg/L for rainwater and up to 15 MUg/L for surface
      waters. The highest concentrations were found in agricultural areas, while in the
      investigated national parks up to 0.56 MUg/L could be detected in rain water.
      This points to long-range atmospheric transport from agricultural areas to
      pristine national parks. Samples from forest stands usually showed higher
      atrazine concentrations than samples from open fields. Deposition rates of 10 -
      50 MUg/m(2) . yr were observed in the national parks and 10-180 MUg/m(2) . yr at
      the agricultural sites. Comparison of results obtained by enzyme immunoassay and
      GC/MS showed a good correlation of r = 0.95. 

PMID- 24234375
TI  - On-line speciation of arsenical compounds in fish and mussel extracts by HPLC-ICP
      MS.
AB  - The separation and determination of sub-MUmol/l levels of six environmentally
      significant As compounds was accomplished by means of high performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) combined online with inductively coupled plasma mass
      spectrometry (ICP-MS). The species of interest (arsenite and arsenate,
      monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine and arsenocholine)
      were quantified in fish and mussel extracts after separation on a Dionex AS7
      column equipped with an on-guard AG7 column using a bicarbonate buffer as the
      mobile phase in a gradient mode. The species thus eluted were directly forwarded
      to the ICP-MS detector. The detection power of the overall system allows each As
      form to be determined at concentrations as low a 0.0013-0.0027 MUmol 1(-1). 

PMID- 24234376
TI  - Deposition of semivolatile organic compounds to spruce needles : II. Experimental
      evaluation of the relative importance of different pathways.
AB  - The accumulation of atmospheric HCB, Lindane, DDT, DDE and the PCB congeners 52,
      101, 138, 153 and 180 in spruce needles (Picea abies) was investigated at outdoor
      locations and in greenhouses supplied with ambient air. The air supply of the
      greenhouses was modified to dinstinguish between gaseous and particle-associated
      deposition of the compounds. Accumulation of the compounds occurred in all spruce
      except those grown in the greenhouse where the gaseous concentration of the
      compounds was reduced. Spruce grown in the greenhouse supplied with particle-free
      ambient air behaved similarity to those grown outdoors. Protecting the spruce
      located outdoors from rain did not affect the accumulation. The results show that
      under spring and summer conditions at a typical central European rural
      environment dry gaseous deposition is the dominant pathway of these compounds to
      needles. 

PMID- 24234377
TI  - Deposition of semivolatile organic compounds to spruce needles : I. Calculation
      of dry and wet fluxes.
AB  - The deposition of atmospheric tetrachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene,
      hexachlorobenzene,alpha-HCH,gg-HCH, DDT, DDE and the PCB congeners 52, 101, 138,
      153 and 180 to spruce needles (Picea abies) was estimated for a period of 9
      months. Accumulation in spruce as a result of dry gaseous deposition, particle
      bound deposition and wet deposition was calculated on the basis of the
      corresponding deposition rates and the compounds' concentrations in the different
      atmospheric compartments. The comparison of the calculated values with the
      concentrations of the compounds measured in 9-month-old spruce needles showed
      that for many compounds each deposition pathway could explain a large pan of the
      concentrations found in the needles. 

PMID- 24234378
TI  - Toxicity testing of highly volatile chemicals with green algae : A new assay.
AB  - A gas-tight system for toxicity testing of highly volatile chemicals with the
      green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtii was developed. The procedure permits
      maintenance of constant and defined concentrations of the tested compounds in the
      vessels. To ensure sufficient CO2-supply, new bipartite test vessels were used.
      These vessels allowed spatial separation of a HCO3-/CO 3 (2-) buffer used for CO2
      supply and the alga culture to avoid growth inhibition due to ionic strength.
      Several volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons have been tested. Their EC10 values
      were several orders of magnitude lower than those obtained with open test
      systems. 

PMID- 24234379
TI  - Uptake and metabolism of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in higher plants.
AB  - The fate of the explosive 2,4,6-TNT in plants is of major interest. Therefore, a
      method was developed to analyse TNT and derivatives in plant tissue. The method
      was utilized to investigate the uptake and metabolism of TNT inMedicago sativa
      andAllium schoenoprasum grown in hydroponic cultures containing TNT levels of 0.1
      to 10 mg/1. Detectable concentrations of nitrotoluenes were significantly higher
      inAllium schoenoprasum than inMedicago sativa. The uptake of TNT in plants was
      directly related to the initial TNT level. The principal nitroaromatic components
      in roots and shoots of both plant species were identified as 4-ADNT and 2-ADNT in
      equal amounts, with substantially less TNT. 

PMID- 24234380
TI  - A wind tunnel for measuring the gaseous losses of environmental chemicals from
      the soil/plant system under field-like conditions.
AB  - Volatilization from treated areas is a major source of pesticide residues in air,
      fog, and rain. This may lead to long-range transport of pesticide residues to
      remote areas. Up to now most information on pesticide volatilization has come
      from laboratory experiments under controlled conditions. A new system has been
      designed and developed to measure the volatile losses of(14)C-labelled chemicals
      after application; the method compares with agricultural practice of treating
      soils or plants grown in lysimeters. Sensitive analytical methods guarantee a
      distinction between residues of unchanged pesticide, its metabolites or(14)CO2 as
      a mineralization product released into the air. 

PMID- 24234381
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 24234382
TI  - Fate of pulp mill effluent compounds in a finnish watercourse.
AB  - Chloroorganic chemicals emitted from the pulp and paper mill at nekoski in
      central Finland were monitored for several years. Concentration time series are
      used for evaluating the environmental fate and the applicability and validity of
      an exposure models. Fitted elimination rates of 3,4,5-Tri-, 4,5,6-Tri-,
      Tetrachloroguaiacol and 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol are approx. 0.22 d(-1), or rather
      the half-lives are approx. 3 days. The elimination is most likely by
      biodegradation and transport-controlled. For 2,3,6-trichloro-p-cymene, fate
      simulations indicate significant volatilization and sedimentation. Good agreement
      is achieved with a one-dimensional steady-state box model, except for
      concentrations in fish. For a reliable assessment of environmental damage,
      laboratory experiments, monitoring and simulations need to be in tune. 

PMID- 24234383
TI  - Guide values for contaminated sites in Baden-Wurttemberg.
AB  - The treatment of hazardous sites in Baden-Wurttemberg is based on three legal
      documents: the state waste disposal art (LAbfG, 1990), the assessment committee
      directive (KommissionsVO, 1990), and the guide values directive (UM & SM B-W,
      1993). The guide values directive was commonly issued by the Ministry of Labor,
      Health and Social Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment of the state of
      Baden-Wurttemberg (UM & SM B-W, 1993) and contains a three-level hierarchy of
      numerical criteria and rules which serve as both screening levels during the
      investigation and as remediation objectives. The decision for the appropriate
      level of remediation is based on feasibility and environmental balance
      considerations. The levels are ordered as follows: * Level 1 (Background-Values)
      On principle, all remediations have to be based first on background levels. In
      the case of lack of feasibility or negative environmental balance for level-1
      objectives use-specific requirements are considered next. * Level 2 (Assessment
      Values for Worst Case Exposure Conditions) The generic requirements underlying
      level 2 afford appropriate protection for humans regarding the most sensitive
      uses of the environment. At least four resources are considered on this level:
      Ground-water as such and its use, the health of humans on contaminated sites, and
      soil with respect to growth and quality of plants. Barriers against migration of
      the contaminants, the effect of dilution, and abandonment of certain uses, etc.,
      are not taken into consideration on level 2. * Level 3 (Site-Specific
      Requirements) Lack of feasibility or a negative environmental balance of level-2
      objectives lead to consideration of site-specific circumstances which may
      alleviate the requirements. With respect to groundwater, the distinction is again
      necessary between groundwater as a resource and the use of groundwater. On level
      3 the guideline gives rules of how to derive site-specific remediation objectives
      for groundwater in the form of concentrations and fluxes of contaminants after
      taking into account barriers, dilution, and the abandonment of uses. The
      guideline is the only directive of its kind in the world that regulates both
      concentrations and fluxes of contaminants into groundwater. 

PMID- 24234384
TI  - Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and furans (PCDFs) in urban air and
      deposition in the United Kingdom.
AB  - Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) have been monitored in air
      and deposition at four UK urban sites (London, Cardiff, Manchester and Stevenage)
      since the beginning of 1991; data from the first 2 years are presented here.
      Median Sigma2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/F concentrations in air were 3.2, 4.0, 3.5
      and 2.6 pg/m(3) respectively for London, Cardiff, Manchester and Stevenage.
      Median Sigma2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/F deposition fluxes were 1.5 ng/m(2)/day in
      London, 1.4 ng/m(2)/day in Cardiff and Manchester and 0.79 ng/m(2)/day in
      Stevenage. Seasonal variations in the PCDD/F concentrations were observed at all
      sites for both air and deposition, with concentrations/fluxes generally elevated
      during the winter. 

PMID- 24234385
TI  - Survey on the series.

PMID- 24234386
TI  - Part IV: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

PMID- 24234387
TI  - Institutions active in environmental science, research and technology in Italy.

PMID- 24234389
TI  - Industrial back belts and low back pain: Mechanisms and outcomes.
AB  - The recent increased utilization of industrial back belts as personal protective
      equipment in the workplace has generated considerable controversy among
      occupational health and safety professionals in the United States. The purpose of
      this article is to review the literature regarding proposed mechanisms of action
      of these devices and studies related to outcome of belt utilization in the
      prevention of low back pain and disability in the workplace. At the present time,
      neither the suspected mechanisms of action nor the efficacy of these devices in
      the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of work-related low back pain has
      been adequately demonstrated in clinical trials. As a result, generally accepted
      guidelines regarding the safe use of belts in the occupational setting have not
      been established. Based on this review it is recommended that further well
      controlled, prospective, randomized clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the
      effectiveness of these devices as personal protective equipment. During the
      interim, the decision to prescribe belts to employees in the workplace should be
      at the discretion of an adequately trained occupational health care provider.
      These devices should not be provided as an alternative to appropriate
      administrative and/or engineering controls. 

PMID- 24234390
TI  - Lifestyle correlates of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
AB  - The potential for predicting membership in a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome group (CTS)
      vs. a non-CTS group was evaluated for five psychological variables (i.e., life
      events stress, perceived stress, self-management habits, cognitive self-control
      skills, and lifestyle organization) and three physical variables (i.e., general
      physical symptoms, suspected medical risk for CTS, and generic musculoskeletal
      problems). The subjects included 50 pairs of workers, with each pair having one
      worker who had CTS and the other who had not. A logistic regression analysis
      indicated that five of the measures (three psychological and two physical) were
      significant single model predictors of membership in CTS and non-CTS groups. The
      most efficient multifactor model in predicting CTS appeared to be a combination
      of measures reflecting generic musculoskeletal problems and lifestyle
      organization. 

PMID- 24234391
TI  - Work absence in a cohort with benign back pain: Prospective study with 10 year
      follow-up.
AB  - A cohort of nearly 1000 men with some level of back problems at time of their
      drafting were prospectively followed over a 10-year period. In connection with
      drafting for military service they answered a questionnaire and were clinically
      examined. The main aim of the study was to follow work absence and the impact of
      back pain on everyday life. Everyday problems because of the back pain did not
      significantly increase over the follow-up period and self-reported work absence
      decreased. Heavy work was associated with an increased risk for work absence but
      not for back/neck problems. 

PMID- 24234392
TI  - Variability of isometric and isotonic leg exercise: Utility for detection of
      submaximal effort.
AB  - A number of studies have investigated the use of variability measures in the
      detection of submaximal or insincere efforts in strength testing. The underlying
      assumption of these approaches is that submaximal efforts will be more variable
      than maximal efforts. Previous studies have investigated the variability of
      torque production in isometric or isokinetic tasks with mixed results. The
      present study investigated the variability of torque production and velocity in
      isometric and isotonic leg extension tasks, respectively. Fifteen asymptomatic
      subjects participated in a within-subject counterbalanced design in which they
      were asked to perform maximally and submaximally in both isometric and isotonic
      leg extension tasks. Results indicated that both isometric and isotonic tasks
      showed greater variability (measured by coefficient of variation) in the
      submaximal effort condition. However, the sensitivity to detect submaximal
      efforts was much greater for the isotonic velocity variability condition. It was
      concluded that the isotonic approach showed promise for clinical application, but
      that the isometric task had unacceptably poor classification rates, consistent
      with previous research. 

PMID- 24234393
TI  - Scanning paraspinal surface EMG: A method for corroborating post-treatment spinal
      and related neuromusculoskeletal symptom improvement.
AB  - This study evaluated the relationship between post-treatment paraspinal surface
      EMG improvement in the static sitting and standing postures, with patient post
      treatment subjective regional spinal pain and/or related neuromusculoskeletal
      symptoms, using hand held scanning electrodes. A retrospective review of
      consecutive files of patients who had presented with regional spinal pain and/or
      related neuromusculoskeletal symptoms was undertaken. The files considered for
      this study needed to meet a set of pre-established criteria in order to qualify
      for selection. Forty-two patients met the criteria for review. Forty-one patients
      reported post-treatment reduction in their symptoms. Of the 42 patients
      indicating improvement on post-treatment static scanning SEMG examination, 41
      (97.6%) had indicated symptomatic improvement as well. The findings warrant
      further investigation to determine whether hand-held surface EMG scanners can be
      reliably utilized as a post-treatment objective instrument for determining
      symptomatic improvement in commonly seen physical conditions of the spine which
      are of spinal biomechanical/postural etiology. 

PMID- 24234395
TI  - Capsule Commentary on Bump et al., Hold-Over Admissions: Are They Educational for
      Residents?

PMID- 24234394
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy for outpatient
      management of acute respiratory tract infections in adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Two clinical trials suggest that procalcitonin-guided antibiotic
      therapy can safely reduce antibiotic prescribing in outpatient management of
      acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in adults. Yet, it remains unclear
      whether procalcitonin testing is cost-effective in this setting. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the cost-effectiveness of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy in
      outpatient management of ARTIs in adults. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness model based
      on results from two published European clinical trials, with all parameters
      varied widely in sensitivity analyses. PATIENTS: Two hypothetical cohorts were
      modeled in separate trial-based analyses: adults with ARTIs judged by their
      physicians to require antibiotics and all adults with ARTIs. INTERVENTIONS:
      Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy protocols versus usual care. MAIN
      MEASURES: Costs and cost per antibiotic prescription safely avoided. KEY RESULTS:
      We estimated the health care system willingness-to-pay threshold as $43 (range $0
      $333) per antibiotic safely avoided, reflecting the estimated cost of antibiotic
      resistance per outpatient antibiotic prescribed. In the cohort including all
      adult ARTIs judged to require antibiotics by their physicians, procalcitonin cost
      $31 per antibiotic prescription safely avoided and the likelihood of
      procalcitonin use being favored compared to usual care was 58.4 % in a
      probabilistic sensitivity analysis. In the analysis that included all adult
      ARTIs, procalcitonin cost $149 per antibiotic prescription safely avoided and the
      likelihood of procalcitonin use being favored was 2.8 %. CONCLUSIONS:
      Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy for outpatient management of ARTIs in
      adults would be cost-effective when the costs of antibiotic resistance are
      considered and procalcitonin testing is limited to adults with ARTIs judged by
      their physicians to require antibiotics.

PMID- 24234396
TI  - Marijuana use and health in primary care.

PMID- 24234397
TI  - Arrhythmia risk associated with sleep disordered breathing in chronic heart
      failure.
AB  - The intersecting relationships of sleep disordered breathing (SDB),
      arrhythmogenic risk and chronic heart failure (HF) are complex and most likely
      multi-directional and synergistic. Autonomic dysfunction is a common
      pathophysiological feature of each of these entities. Intermittent hypoxia,
      hypercapnia, mechanical cardiac influences due to upper airway obstruction and
      rostral fluid shifts are SDB-specific mechanisms which may trigger, perpetuate
      and exacerbate HF and arrhythmogenesis. Specific pathophysiological mechanisms
      will vary according to the predominance of central as compared to obstructive
      sleep apnea. The risk of cardiac arrhythmias and HF attributable to SDB may be
      considerable given the high prevalence of SDB and its likely physiologic burden.
      The current review focuses on the data, which have accrued elucidating the
      specific contributory mechanisms of SDB in cardiac arrhythmias and HF,
      highlighting the clinical relevance and effects of standard SDB treatment on
      these outcomes, and describing the role of novel therapeutics.

PMID- 24234398
TI  - Novel blockers of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in chronic heart
      failure.
AB  - Because of the impressive record of ACE inhibitors in patients with heart failure
      with reduced ejection fraction, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
      continues to be pursued as a therapeutic target. Furthermore, the optimal
      treatment of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction remains
      unclear. Early trials of direct renin inhibitors suggested that they may have a
      role, but recent results have not been encouraging. Preliminary trials of
      angiotensin-receptor/neprilysin inhibitors look positive. Whether these or other
      drugs will alter current recommendations remains to be seen.

PMID- 24234400
TI  - Effective strategy for managing H7N9 virus infection.

PMID- 24234399
TI  - Neuregulin as a heart failure therapy and mediator of reverse remodeling.
AB  - The beta isoform of Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1beta), along with its receptors (ErbB2-4),
      is required for cardiac development. NRG-1beta, as well as the ErbB2 and ErbB4
      receptors, is also essential for maintenance of adult heart function. These
      observations have led to its evaluation as a therapeutic for heart failure.
      Animal studies and ongoing clinical trials have demonstrated beneficial effects
      of two forms of recombinant NRG-1beta on cardiac function. In addition to the
      possible role for recombinant NRG-1betas as heart failure therapies, endogenous
      NRG-1beta/ErbB signaling appears to play a role in restoring cardiac function
      after injury. The potential mechanisms by which NRG-1beta may act as both a
      therapy and a mediator of reverse remodeling remain incompletely understood. In
      addition to direct effects on cardiac myocytes NRG-1beta acts on the vasculature,
      interstitium, cardiac fibroblasts, and hematopoietic and immune cells, which,
      collectively, may contribute to NRG-1beta's role in maintaining cardiac structure
      and function, as well as mediating reverse remodeling.

PMID- 24234402
TI  - The accumulation of metals and toxic effects in Nereis virens exposed to
      pulverised fuel ash.
AB  - The marine polychaete worm Nereis virens was used to study the bioaccumulation
      patterns of metal exposures with pulverised fuel ash (PFA). Juvenile N. virens
      were exposed for 12 weeks to sediments comprised of 100% PFA, 50% PFA-50% clean
      sand, a reference sediment (contaminated harbour-dredged material) and a clean
      sand control. Mortality after the first 4 weeks was high at 32-45% in the four
      sediments. However, this declined to a few percent during the following 8 weeks.
      Growth expressed as biomass (wet weight) was reduced in bout PFA treatments and
      the reference sediment. Heavy metal accumulation in the tissues of N. virens was
      characterised as follows: a group of elements showed negligible to low
      accumulation (Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn), As and Cu wich showed a definite, but moderate
      accumulation: and finally Se, which showed a low accumulation rate, where an
      uptake equilibrium was not reached after 9 weeks. It is concluded that acute
      toxic effects did not occur but a population of N. virens inhabiting a PFA
      dumping site could be affected by high Se concentrations. 

PMID- 24234403
TI  - A model for the maximum credible hourly impact on any ground receptor from point
      sources with momentumdominated plume rise.
AB  - A pollutant dispersion model is developed, allowing rapid evaluation of the
      maximum credible one-hour-average concentration on any given ground-level
      receptor, along with the corresponding critical meteorological conditions (wind
      speed and stability class) for stacks with momentum-dominated plume rise in urban
      or rural areas under buoyancy or no buoyancy induced dispersion. Site-specific
      meteorological data are not required, as the computed concentrations are
      maximized against all credible combinations of wind speed, stability class, and
      mixing height.The analysis is based on the dispersion relations of Pasquill
      Gifford and Briggs for rural and urban settings respectively, the buoyancy
      induced dispersion correlation of Pasquill, the wind profile exponent values
      suggested by Irwin, the momentum plume rise relations of Briggs, as well as the
      Benkley and Schulman's model for the minimum mixing heights.The model is
      particularly suited for air pollution management studies, as it allows fast
      screening of the maximum impact on any selected receptor and evaluation of the
      ways to have this impact reduced. Also, for regulatory purposes, as it allows
      accurate setting of minimum stack height requirements as function of the exit gas
      volume and velocity, the pollutant emission rates and their hourly concentration
      standards, as well as the source location relative to sensitive receptors. 

PMID- 24234401
TI  - Genetically modified pigs to model human diseases.
AB  - Genetically modified mice are powerful tools to investigate the molecular basis
      of many human diseases. Mice are, however, of limited value for preclinical
      studies, because they differ significantly from humans in size, general
      physiology, anatomy and lifespan. Considerable efforts are, thus, being made to
      develop alternative animal models for a range of human diseases. These promise
      powerful new resources that will aid the development of new diagnostics,
      medicines and medical procedures. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of
      genetically modified porcine models described in the scientific literature:
      various cancers, cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, autosomal
      polycystic kidney disease, Huntington's disease, spinal muscular atrophy,
      haemophilia A, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency, retinitis pigmentosa,
      Stargardt disease, Alzheimer's disease, various forms of diabetes mellitus and
      cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 24234404
TI  - Effect of trivalent and hexavalent chromium on renal and hepatic tissue glycogen
      metabolism of a fresh water teleost Anabas scandens.
AB  - The in vivo toxic impact of chromium in its two forms (trivalent and hexavalent)
      on glycogen metabolism in the liver and kidney of a fresh water teleost Anabas
      scandens was studied. In a sub-chronic exposure of 30 days, depletion of glycogen
      and glucose reserves reflected in the activity patterns of glycogen
      phosphorylases 'a and ab'. While both forms of chromium induced alterations in
      enzyme activities and metabolite levels in the two tissues, Cr(+6) exerted
      greater effects in the kidney. 

PMID- 24234405
TI  - Ozone biomonitoring in Northern Italy.
AB  - This report presents the results of an ozone monitoring experience performed with
      tobacco indicator plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. 'Bel-W3'). These bioindicators
      were exposed to ambient air in 23 sites in Northern Italy from 27 April 1987 to
      21 October 1987. Typical ozone-induced leaf necrosis was observed in every site.
      The percentage increase in injured leaf area was estimated weekly and a Leaf
      Injury Index (LII) was calculated. The weekly series of LIIs were statistically
      inspected for spatial and temporal relationships. Sample correlation coefficients
      were statistically significant for almost every possible pair of sites. The time
      series properties of ten series of LIIs with no missing data were analyzed using
      Box-Jenkins models. An autoregressive first order model, or AR(1), was selected
      to remove the autocorrelation from these series. Linear correlation coefficients
      between 'prewhitened' (i.e. from which autocorrelation had been removed) pairs of
      LII series were statistically significant. Hence synchronous variations in leaf
      necrosis could only be related to the regional diffusion of tropospheric ozone. 

PMID- 24234406
TI  - Editors' note.

PMID- 24234407
TI  - Ontogenic development of chemical defense by seedling resin birch: Energy cost of
      defense production.
AB  - Whether production of chemical defenses by plants is or is not an energetically
      costly process is an important, but unresolved, question in chemical ecology. We
      suggest studies of the ontogenetic development of plant defense systems can help
      resolve the question. As an example of this approach to the cost question, we
      explore the problems associated with production of immobile chemical defenses
      that defend juvenile resin birches against browsing by mammals. From this
      exploration we draw two conclusions: (1) Shortly after germination, production of
      chemical defenses by small-seeded species, such as birch, is energetically
      costly. (2) Opposing selection for defense versus competitive ability in the
      seedling stage of birch has resulted in a trade-off in allocation of carbon to
      production of immobile chemical defense versus allocation of carbon to production
      of storage reserves. We suggest this trade-off results in a large indirect cost
      of defense because carbon used for production of immobile chemical defenses is
      unavailable for support of growth in the future, but stored carbon can be used to
      support future growth. 

PMID- 24234408
TI  - Plasticity in allocation of nicotine to reproductive parts inNicotiana attenuata.
AB  - Although little is known about the patterns of chemical defense allocation in
      reproductive tissues, optimal defense theory predicts a high constitutive
      allocation due to the tissues' high fitness value. To examine this prediction, we
      quantified the short- and long-term changes in the nicotine pools of reproductive
      tissues in response to both floral and leaf damage. Recently opened flowers
      (stage 5 capsules) do not alter their nicotine pools within a day in response to
      herbivory byManduca sexta larvae or mechanical damage to the corolla. Similarly,
      leaf damage during both vegetative and reproductive growth does not influence the
      nicotine pools of the first three stage-5 capsules produced. However, the
      nicotine pools of capsules produced later in reproductive growth were
      significantly larger (1.2- to 1.9-fold) on plants with leaf damage. These
      differences in floral nicotine pools were a result of both increases in nicotine
      pools of capsules on damaged plants and decreases in the nicotine pools of
      capsules on undamaged plants during reproductive growth. Leaf damage did not
      affect the rate of capsule maturation or the mass of stage-5 capsules at any time
      during reproductive growth. An allometric analysis of nicotine pools and biomass
      of reproductive parts in all stages of development from damaged and undamaged
      plants demonstrates that damaged plants allocated a significantly larger quantity
      of nicotine to reproductive parts in all stages of development than did undamaged
      plants. Given that nicotine is thought to be synthesized in the roots and
      transported to leaves and reproductive parts, nicotine could be allocated to
      reproductive parts in proportion to the number of developing capsules on a plant.
      We excised the first 27 stage-5 capsules on plants with and without leaf damage,
      with the expectation that plants with fewer capsules would allocate a larger
      amount of nicotine to the remaining capsules. In contrast to the prediction of
      this passive allocation model, floral excision did not affect nicotine pools on
      plants with or without leaf damage. These results demonstrate that the allocation
      of nicotine to reproductive parts is more strongly influenced by damage to
      vegetative rather than reproductive tissues. Reproductive parts are
      constitutively defended over the short term, but the set points for defense
      allocation are apparently increased by damage to vegetative tissues during
      reproductive growth. The decrease in allocation of nicotine to reproductive parts
      in undamaged plants during reproductive growth suggests an optimization of
      resource allocation as plants realize their potential fitness. 

PMID- 24234409
TI  - Tracking variable environments: There is more than one kind of memory.
AB  - Three kinds of memory help herbivores track changes in the environment. The first
      is the collective memory of the species with genetic instructions that have been
      shaped by the environment through millennia. This includes skin and gut defense
      systems. Auditory and visual stimuli and sensations of pain impinge upon the skin
      defense system that evolved in response to predation. The taste of food and the
      sensations of nausea and satiety are an integral part of the gut defense system
      that evolved in response to toxins and nutrients in plants. The second kind of
      memory in social mammals is represented by the mother, a source of
      transgenerational knowledge, who increases efficiency and reduces risk of
      learning about foods and environments. The third kind of memory is acquired by
      individual experience. Postingestive feedback from nutrients and toxins enables
      individuals to experience the consequences of food ingestion and to adjust food
      preference and selection commensurate with a food's utility. The three memories
      interact, each linking the past to the present, and collectively shape the
      present and future of every individual. Thus, the dynamics of foraging involves
      appreciating the uniqueness of individuals and subgroups of animals, each with
      their own genetic and behavioral history, and recognizing that foraging behaviors
      may not be stable, optimal, or even predictable in the conventional sense. 

PMID- 24234410
TI  - Turnabout is fair play: Secondary roles for primary compounds.
AB  - Chemically based resistance of plants to herbivorous insects is today essentially
      synonymous with allelochemically based resistance; the importance of plant
      secondary compounds in determining patterns of host-plant utilization has been
      established in a wide variety of insect-plant interactions. In contrast, primary
      metabolites, those involved in fundamental plant physiological processes, are
      rarely considered to be major determinants of host-plant resistance despite the
      fact that, as insect nutrients, they can have profound effects on behavior and
      physiology. The degree to which variation in plant primary metabolism results
      from the selective impact of herbivory may be greatly underestimated in that the
      biosynthetic and structural diversity of primary metabolites and the consequences
      of that diversity on herbivores are rarely taken into account in most studies of
      insect preference and performance. Qualitative and quantitative variation in the
      production of primary metabolites can result from herbivore selection pressure if
      production of primary metabolites is under genetic control and if plant fitness
      in the presence of herbivores is associated in a predictable way with genetically
      based primary metabolite variation. Variation in primary metabolism is likely to
      be particularly effective as a defense against highly oligophagous herbivores
      with limited mobility, especially those confined to structures containing
      allelochemicals that could neutralize the benefits associated with compensatory
      feeding. 

PMID- 24234411
TI  - Bioactivity of beaver castoreum constituents using principal components analysis.
AB  - North American beaver (Castor canadensis) were observed to sniff from the water
      and make land visits to some synthetic chemical components of castoreum placed on
      experimental scent mounds (ESM). In previous analysis, the elicitation
      (presence/absence), completeness, and/or strength (number, duration) of these key
      responses served as separate measures of biological activity. In this paper, we
      used principal components analysis (PCA) to combine linearly six related measures
      of observed response and one index of overnight visitation calculated over all
      trials. The first principal component accounted for a majority of the variation
      and allowed ranking of the samples based on their composite bioactivity. A second
      PCA, based only on response trials (excluding trials with no responses), showed
      that responses to the synthetic samples, once elicited, did not vary greatly in
      completeness or strength. None of the samples evoked responses as complete or
      strong as the castoreum control. Castoreum also elicited more multiple land
      visits (repeated visits to the ESM by the same individual or by more than one
      family member) than the synthetic samples, indicating that an understanding of
      the castoreum chemosignal requires consideration of responses by the family unit,
      and not just the land visit by the initial responder. 

PMID- 24234412
TI  - Pheromone-mediated mating in the aphid parasitoid,Aphidius nigripes (hymenoptera:
      Aphididae).
AB  - Mating in the aphid parasitoid,Aphidius nigripes, is mediated by a female sex
      pheromone that stimulates both upwind flight and courtship behavior by males.
      There is no evidence of any overt behavior associated with the release of the
      pheromone, but bioassay results, using female extracts, suggest that the
      pheromone is produced in the abdomen, although it may be actively released from
      the entire body surface. Age does not appear to have a major influence on either
      pheromone production by the female or on male responsiveness. However, field data
      suggest the presence of a strong diel periodicity in the emission of and/or
      receptivity to the pheromone. Laboratory bioassay results indicated diel changes
      in the male response but more refined techniques are needed to determine if such
      periodicity exists in pheromone production by females. Following mating, female
      pheromone production is significantly reduced. The potential use of the
      parasitoid sex pheromone in integrated management of aphids is discussed. 

PMID- 24234413
TI  - Multifunctional communication inRiptortus clavatus (Heteroptera: Alydidae):
      Conspecific nymphs and egg parasitoidOoencyrtus nezarae use the same adult
      attractant pheromone as chemical cue.
AB  - The bean bug,Riptortus clavatus lays scattered eggs (as opposed to the egg masses
      of pentatomids) on host as well as nonhost plants. Therefore, the first feeding
      stage (second-instar) nymphs emerging from eggs laid on nonhost plants need a
      signal that enables them to locate a food source at the lowest energy cost. Male
      released (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-2-hexenoate, (E)-2-hexenyl (Z)-3-hexenoate, and
      myristyl isobutyrate play the double role of attractant pheromone for adults as
      well as aggregation pheromone, which enables the second-instar nymphs to find the
      host food plant. These male-specific semiochemicals are released only when
      foodstuff is available. On the other hand, females ofOoencyrtus nezarae, the most
      effective parasitoid of the host in Kumamoto, Japan (where the field experiments
      were conducted), utilize these semiochemicals as kairomones in order to locate
      the potential host community. Field experiments revealed that the synthetic
      pheromone rivaled 10 live males in the attraction of adults and second-instar
      nymphs. Captures of the egg parasitoidO. nezarae females in cylindrical sticky
      traps were significantly higher in traps baited with the synthetic semiochemicals
      than in control traps. The number of females captured was significantly higher
      than the number of males, although the captures in the sticky suction trap system
      revealed that the populations of male and female were not significantly
      different. 

PMID- 24234414
TI  - Quantitative high-resolution gas chromatographic determination of stereoisomeric
      composition of chiral volatile compounds in the picogram range by ec-detection.
AB  - A gas chromatographic method using electron capture detection for determination
      of the stereochemical composition of chiralolatile compounds, e.g., pheromones,
      at the picogram level is described. Substances of interest are analyzed as
      pentafluorobenzoate derivatives on fused silica capillary columns coated with CP
      Sil-88. This method was developed primarily for the quantitative analyses of
      stereoisomerism of the pheromone precursor, diprionol, in female
      sawflies,Neodiprion sertifer. It was possible to separate the stereoisomers
      showing (2S, 3S, 7R) and (2S, 3S, 7S) configurations. Resolution of the (2S, 3S,
      7S)- and (2S, 3R, 7R)-diastereomers was high enough to allow the quantification
      of these stereoisomers. A quantitative analysis of the diprionol production in
      individualN. sertifer females yielded 7.5-9.7 ng/female. 

PMID- 24234415
TI  - Enantiomeric composition of ipsdienol: A chemotaxonomic character for north
      American populations ofIps spp. in thepini subgeneric group (coleoptera:
      Scolytidae).
AB  - Thirty-five populations ofIps pini (Say) and one population each ofIps avulsus
      (Eichhoff) andIps bonanseai (Hopkins) were analyzed for the enantiomeric
      composition of ipsdienol (2-methyl-6-methylene-2,7-octadien-4-ol). Populations
      ofI. pini occur as at least two distinct regional pheromone variants: New York
      type [32%-(-) to 56%-(-)-ipsdienol] and California type [94%-(-) to 98%-(-)
      ipsdienol]. A third phenotype may occur in southeastern British Columbia, Idaho,
      and Montana [91%-(-) to 95%-(-)], possibly indicating a zone of hybridization.
      Populations of the New York type occur in southwestern British Columbia, Alberta,
      Saskatchewan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin suggesting a continuum through the
      Canadian provinces and Lake States. The presence of the New York type in western
      Canada is likely linked to the Quaternary history of the transcontinentally
      distributed host,Pinus banksiana Lamb. MaleI. avulsus [~25%-(-)] and maleI.
      bonanseai [-29%-(-)] both produce ipsdienol, but not ipsenol. Production of
      ipsdienol by maleI. pini was evaluated in six differentPinus spp. hosts.
      Following transfer of maleI. pini to hosts other than the host of origin, the
      percentage of the (-)-enantiomer of ipsdienol declined when compared to
      production in the host of origin. 

PMID- 24234416
TI  - Why not be a queen? Regioselectivity in mandibular secretions of honeybee castes.
AB  - Both female castes of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) synthesize hydroxylated
      2(E)-decenoic acids in their mandibular glands. Queens produce 9-hydroxy-2(E)
      decenoic acid as part of their primer pheromone, while workers produce the
      regioisomeric 10-hydroxy acid, probably as a larval food source and an antiseptic
      secretion. Both workers and queens are biosynthetically competent to produce the
      other caste's dominant hydroxylated compound, as both isomers can be detected in
      queens and workers. We investigated the source of the caste-determined
      regioselectivity of hydroxy acid biosynthesis by investigating the production and
      interconversion of these compounds in isolated worker honeybee mandibular glands
      with specifically deuterated precursors. Gas chromatographic-mass spectroscopic
      identification of the labeled product indicates that octadecanoic acid is
      converted into 10-hydroxy-2(E)-decenoic acid with higher efficiency than either
      hexadecanoic or decanoic acids. 10-Hydroxydecanoic acid is readily converted into
      10-hydroxy-2(E)-decenoic acid as expected in the beta-oxidation process. The
      saturated and unsaturated 10-hydroxy acids are oxidized to the corresponding ten
      carbon diacids. 

PMID- 24234417
TI  - Testing the "new associations" biological control concept with a tachinid
      parasitoid (Euclytia flava).
AB  - Males of the spined soldier bug,Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera:
      Pentatomidae), produce an attractant pheromone that is exploited as a host
      finding kairomone by a complex of parasitic species. The capability to catch
      hundreds of a generalist tachinid fly parasitoid,Euclytia flava, alive in traps
      baited with the pheromone ofP. maculiventris provided an opportunity to test the
      premise of the "new associations" biological control concept. The hypothesis that
      host species newly associated with a parasitoid are maladapted relative to native
      native associations was tested by givingE. flava females a choice between native
      and exotic stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). WildE. flava females preferred
      to oviposit on exotic pentatomid species rather than indigenous, known host
      species, both in field traps baited with the pheromone of a native host and in
      the laboratory. Data presented here demonstrate that an invader may be vulnerable
      to native parasitoids in one aspect of the parasitism process (acceptance), yet
      go unrecognized as a potential host. 

PMID- 24234418
TI  - Semiochemicals from bark beetles: New results, remarks, and reflections.
AB  - A brief survey is given about recent results in the identification of
      semiochemicals in bark beetles: Males ofIps sexdentatus (Boern.), stressed by the
      attack on resinous trees produce large amounts of 3(S)-1-methyl-5-(1-hydroxyl-1
      methylethyl)-cyclohexa-1,3-diene. The compound appears to be derived from
      Delta(3)-carene and acts as a repellent. Males ofIps typographus (L.), stressed
      through the attack on unsuitable host material release 3-methyl-7-methylene
      1,3(E), 8-nonatriene, which seems to act as a repellent. The odor bouquet of
      three species ofPityogenes is described. The occurrence of (+)-grandisol and
      other compounds related to weevil pheromones points to a close relation between
      Scolytidae and Curculionidae. Females ofDendroctonus simplex (Le Conte) use (-)
      frontalin as the main pheromone. 6-Methyl-6-hepten-2-one, a minor component among
      the volatile compounds released by the females, is regarded as a possible
      precursor of frontalin. Similarly, (2R,5S)-2(1-hydroxyl-1-methylethyl)-5
      methyltetrahydrofuran, pityol, a pheromone ofPityophthorus spp., is regarded to
      at least share a common biogenetic precursor with 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol,
      sulcatol. A new bicylic acetal, 2-ethyl-1,5-dimethyl-6,8
      dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, is described as an aggregation pheromone of the beech
      bark beetle,Taphrorychus bicolor (Herbst). Structural relationships between bark
      beetle pheromones and plant volatiles are discussed. 

PMID- 24234419
TI  - Antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of melatonin restore intestinal calcium
      absorption altered by menadione.
AB  - The intestinal Ca2+ absorption is inhibited by menadione (MEN) through oxidative
      stress and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the
      antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of melatonin (MEL) could protect the gut
      against the oxidant MEN. For this purpose, 4-week-old chicks were divided into
      four groups: (1) controls, (2) treated i.p. with MEN (2.5 MUmol/kg of b.w.), (3)
      treated i.p. with MEL (10 mg/kg of b.w.), and (4) treated with 10 mg MEL/kg of
      b.w after 2.5 MUmol MEN/kg of b.w. Oxidative stress was assessed by determination
      of glutathione (GSH) and protein carbonyl contents as well as antioxidant enzyme
      activities. Apoptosis was assayed by the TUNEL technique, protein expression, and
      activity of caspase 3. The data show that MEL restores the intestinal Ca2+
      absorption altered by MEN. In addition, MEL reversed the effects caused by MEN
      such as decrease in GSH levels, increase in the carbonyl content, alteration in
      mitochondrial membrane permeability, and enhancement of superoxide dismutase and
      catalase activities. Apoptosis triggered by MEN in the intestinal cells was
      arrested by MEL, as indicated by normalization of the mitochondrial membrane
      permeability, caspase 3 activity, and DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, MEL
      reverses the inhibition of intestinal Ca2+ absorption produced by MEN
      counteracting oxidative stress and apoptosis. These findings suggest that MEL
      could be a potential drug of choice for the reversal of impaired intestinal Ca2+
      absorption in certain gut disorders that occur with oxidative stress and
      apoptosis.

PMID- 24234420
TI  - Chemopreventive effects of resveratrol in a rat model of cerulein-induced acute
      pancreatitis.
AB  - In the past decades, a greater understanding of acute pancreatitis has led to
      improvement in mortality rates. Nevertheless, this disease continues to be a
      health care system problem due to its economical costs. Future strategies such as
      antioxidant supplementation could be very promising, regarding to beginning and
      progression of the disease. For this reason, this study was aimed at assessing
      the effect of exogenous administration of resveratrol during the induction
      process of acute pancreatitis caused by the cholecystokinin analog cerulein in
      rats. Resveratrol pretreatment reduced histological damage induced by cerulein
      treatment, as well as hyperamylasemia and hyperlipidemia. Altered levels of
      corticosterone, total antioxidant status, and glutathione peroxidase were
      significantly reverted to control levels by the administration of resveratrol.
      Lipid peroxidation was also counteracted; nevertheless, superoxide dismutase
      enzyme was overexpressed due to resveratrol pretreatment. Related to immune
      response, resveratrol pretreatment reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta
      levels and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels. In addition,
      pretreatment with resveratrol in cerulein-induced pancreatitis rats was able to
      reverse, at least partially, the abnormal calcium signal induced by treatment
      with cerulein. In conclusion, this study confirms antioxidant and
      immunomodulatory properties of resveratrol as chemopreventive in cerulein-induced
      acute pancreatitis.

PMID- 24234421
TI  - The expression of Apoc3 mRNA is regulated by HNF4alpha and COUP-TFII, but not
      acute retinoid treatments, in primary rat hepatocytes and hepatoma cells.
AB  - Vitamin A status regulates obesity development, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic
      lipogenic gene expression in Zucker fatty (ZF) rats. The development of
      hyperlipidemia in acne patients treated with retinoic acid (RA) has been
      attributed to the induction of apolipoprotein C-III expression. To understand the
      role of retinoids in the development of hyperlipidemia in ZF rats, the expression
      levels of several selected RA-responsive genes in the liver and isolated
      hepatocytes from Zucker lean (ZL) and ZF rats were compared using real-time PCR.
      The Rarb and Srebp-1c mRNA levels are higher in the liver and isolated
      hepatocytes from ZF than ZL rats. The Apoc3 mRNA level is only higher in the
      isolated hepatocytes from ZF than ZL rats. To determine whether dynamic RA
      production acutely regulates Apoc3 expression, its mRNA levels in response to
      retinoid treatments or adenovirus-mediated overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear
      factor 4 alpha (HNF4alpha) and chicken ovalbumin upstream-transcription factor II
      (COUP-TFII) were analyzed. Retinoid treatments for 2-6 h did not induce the
      expression of Apoc3 mRNA. The overexpression of HNF4alpha or COUP-TFII induced or
      inhibited Apoc3 expression, respectively. We conclude that short-term retinoid
      treatments could not induce Apoc3 mRNA expression, which is regulated by
      HNF4alpha and COUP-TFII in hepatocytes.

PMID- 24234422
TI  - FMLP-, thapsigargin-, and H2O2-evoked changes in intracellular free calcium
      concentration in lymphocytes and neutrophils of type 2 diabetic patients.
AB  - Type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients are immune-compromised having a higher
      susceptibility to infections and long-term complications in different parts of
      the body contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. A derangement in the
      homeostasis of intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca2+](i) is known to be
      associated with several diseases in the body including T2DM. Both neutrophils and
      lymphocytes play active protective roles in host immune response to infection
      showing impairment in microbicidal functions including phagocytosis and
      chemotaxis which are calcium-dependent processes. This study evaluated the
      process of [Ca2+]i mobilization from both neutrophils and lymphocytes taken from
      blood of both T2DM patients and healthy age-matched control subjects
      investigating the effect of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP),
      thapsigargin (TG), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on [Ca2+](i) homeostasis. This
      study employed isolated peripheral blood neutrophils and lymphocytes from 24 T2DM
      patients and 24 healthy volunteers. Either neutrophils or lymphocytes were
      stimulated separately with fMLP, TG, or H2O2. Induced changes in [Ca2+] in both
      neutrophils and lymphocytes were evaluated using spectrofluorometric methods.
      Stimulation of human neutrophils and lymphocytes with fMLP, TG, or H2O2 in the
      presence of [Ca2+]o resulted in significant decreases in [Ca2+](i) mobilization
      from T2DM patients compared with healthy controls. These data indicate that
      neutrophils and lymphocytes from T2DM patients are less responsive to calcium
      mobilizing agents compared with granulocytes from healthy controls and this is
      possibly due to the hyperglycemia. The results suggest that agonist-evoked
      decrease in [Ca2+](i) in immune cells might be one of the possible mechanisms of
      impaired immunity in diabetic patients.

PMID- 24234423
TI  - Peroxiredoxin 2 is upregulated in colorectal cancer and contributes to colorectal
      cancer cells' survival by protecting cells from oxidative stress.
AB  - Peroxiredoxin 2 (Prdx2) is a member of the peroxiredoxin family, which is
      responsible for neutralizing reactive oxygen species. Prdx2 has been found to be
      elevated in several human cancer cells and tissues, including colorectal cancer
      (CRC), and it influences diverse cellular processes involving cells' survival,
      proliferation, and apoptosis, which suggests a possible role for Prdx2 in the
      maintenance of cancer cell. However, the mechanism by which Prdx2 modulates CRC
      cells' survival is unknown. The current study aimed to determine the effect of
      elevated Prdx2 on CRC cells and to further understand the underlying mechanisms.
      The results of this study showed that Prdx2 was upregulated in CRC tissues
      compared with the matched noncancer colorectal mucosa tissues and that Prdx2
      expression was positively associated with tumor metastasis and the TNM stage. In
      the LoVo CRC cell line, Prdx2 was upregulated at both the RNA and protein levels
      compared with the normal FHC colorectal mucosa cell line. In addition, the LoVo
      CRC cell line was significantly more resistant to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
      induced apoptosis because of a failure to activate pro-apoptotic pathways in
      contrast to Prdx2 knockdown cells. Suppression of Prdx2 using a lentiviral vector
      mediated Prdx2-specific shRNA in the LoVo cell line restored H2O2 sensitivity.
      Our results suggested that Prdx2 has an essential role in regulating oxidation
      induced apoptosis in CRC cells. Prdx2 may have potential as a therapeutic target
      in CRC.

PMID- 24234424
TI  - Postoperative refractive error following cataract surgery after the first attack
      of acute primary angle closure.
AB  - To investigate differences between preoperative target refraction and
      postoperative spherical equivalent refraction in eyes with the first attack of
      acute angle closure glaucoma before and after surgery. We retrospectively
      examined eyes of 36 patients who suffered the first attack of acute primary angle
      closure after undergoing cataract extraction and intraocular lens implant. We
      measured keratometric values (K1, K2) due to medical therapy for high ocular
      tension and the mean time interval until surgery. We compared the axial length,
      expected diopter, logMAR visual acuity, K1, K2, refractive spherical equivalent,
      and intraocular pressure (IOP) before and 6 months after surgery. The average
      preoperative IOP was 51.3 +/- 9.0 mmHg, but it decreased to 14.8 +/- 3.6 mmHg
      after surgery. No corneal edema was observed after surgery. The average axial
      length was 22.12 +/- 1.03 mm and there was no significant change in keratometric
      values, which were 7.72 +/- 0.33 mm (K1) and 7.51 +/- 0.31 mm (K2) before surgery
      and 7.67 +/- 0.33 mm (K1) and 7.49 +/- 0.29 mm (K2) after surgery. Similarly, no
      significant difference was observed in average preoperative target refractive
      error (-0.57 +/- 0.53 D) and average postoperative refractive spherical
      equivalent (-0.67 +/- 0.97 D). The inability to accurately determine preoperative
      refractive error due to corneal edema or other complications is a concern during
      the first attack of acute angle closure glaucoma. However, our results indicate
      that no differences should be expected between preoperative refractive error and
      postoperative refractive spherical equivalent.

PMID- 24234425
TI  - Third case of Candida dubliniensis endogenous endophthalmitis in North America:
      case report and review of the literature.
AB  - There are two previous reports of Candida dubliniensis endophthalmitis in North
      America. Here, we report a third case of C. dubliniensis endogenous
      endophthalmitis in a 31-year-old male patient who complained of left-sided
      decreased visual acuity. He had an associated mitral and tricuspid valve
      endocarditis, in the setting of intravenous drug use. Blood and sputum cultures
      were positive for C. dubliniensis. Fundoscopic examination was consistent with a
      fungal endophthalmitis. He was treated with fluconazole followed by intravenous
      liposomal amphotericin B for 6 weeks. C. dubliniensis is an important but rare
      cause of endophthalmitis in intravenous drug abusers.

PMID- 24234426
TI  - Postcaesarean open-heart surgery for Streptococcus sanguinis infective
      endocarditis.
AB  - A 33-week pregnant (gravida 3), 29-year-old woman was transferred for management
      of Streptococcus sanguinis infective endocarditis. A vegetation was present on
      the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve with moderate mitral regurgitation. On
      admission (day 1), the ultrasound examination revealed splenic abscesses and
      retarded intrauterine growth albeit with normal vessels. The fetal heart rate was
      140 bpm. On day 11, the baby was delivered by Caesarean, and then the mother
      underwent tubal ligation followed by a mitral valve repair. The splenic abscess
      was treated with antibiotics. The woman was clinically stable and recovered
      uneventfully. This successful outcome was achieved by a strategic (optimal and
      sequential) timeline for selecting the mode of delivery and type of mitral valve
      correction. 

PMID- 24234427
TI  - Ranibizumab in choroidal neovascularisation associated with ocular sarcoidosis.
AB  - An 81-year-old Caucasian man with a history of chronic bilateral panuveitis
      associated with sarcoidosis presented with visual acuity 1.0 LogMAR in the right
      and 0.5 LogMAR in the left eye. Following fluoroscein angiogram bilateral
      choroidal neovascular membrane was established. Treatment was initiated with a
      course of 3 monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab 0.5 mg in 0.05 mL
      bilaterally; oral prednisolone 30 mg/day on tapering doses controlled the ocular
      inflammation prior to the treatment with intravitreal injections. An additional
      two intravitreal ranibizumab injections were administered in the right eye.
      Fibrotic tissue in the posterior pole bilaterally was present on funduscopy
      following ranibizumab treatment. Visual acuity was LogMAR 1.6 in the right and
      1.0 LogMAR in the left eye in 1 year follow-up. This case report summarises the
      issues of choroidal neovascularisation as a complication secondary to panuveitis
      associated with sarcoidosis and highlights the treatment of this complication
      with antivascular endothelial growth factor agents. 

PMID- 24234428
TI  - Crossed cerebellar diaschisis: a radiological finding in status epilepticus not
      to miss.

PMID- 24234429
TI  - Refractory pruritus in primary biliary cirrhosis.
AB  - Pruritus is a major symptom of primary biliary cirrhosis, cholestatic autoimmune
      disease which affects mostly middle-age women. Often, it can be severe and
      refractory to multiple treatments, and mostly affecting the patient's health
      related quality of life. Intense pruritus can be itself an indication to liver
      transplantation, in extreme cases leading to suicide. Its physiopathology has not
      yet been fully elucidated, but recent studies added the elevation of autotaxin
      and lysophosphatidic acid to the group of classic mechanisms already linked to
      cholestatic pruritus. In this case report we illustrate how ultraviolet B
      phototherapy appears to successfully control severe pruritus and contribute to
      the healing of pruritic skin lesions caused by intense scratching. There is
      limited medical literature concerning this therapeutic approach on cholestatic
      pruritus, but we hope that further randomised controlled trials will successfully
      establish it as an effective treatment in the near future. 

PMID- 24234430
TI  - Seizure as an initial presentation of human immunodeficiency virus: acute
      toxoplasmosis mimicking glioblastoma multiforme.
AB  - We present a case of a 46-year-old man with a history significant only for
      hypertension and depression that presented with a new onset seizure resulting
      from a right parietal lobe mass. Further evaluation determined the parietal mass
      to be central nervous system toxoplasmosis, which was the initial presentation of
      his underlying HIV/AIDS. This case provided a diagnostic challenge and
      demonstrates the importance of a thorough evaluation as it pertains to a newly
      diagnosed brain lesion. 

PMID- 24234431
TI  - Small cell lung cancer presenting with a left iliac fossa mass.
AB  - We report a 59-year-old lifelong smoker with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease who presented with an acute onset 3-day history of left iliac fossa pain
      and abdominal distension. Clinical examination revealed a palpable mass in the
      left iliac fossa. The differential diagnosis was that of a diverticular abscess
      or colonic tumour. She subsequently underwent a CT scan which showed extensive
      metastatic liver disease from a primary lung tumour, with hepatomegaly abutting
      the anterior abdominal wall in the left iliac fossa. 

PMID- 24234432
TI  - Successful treatment of acquired pure red cell aplasia with oral corticosteroids
      in a patient with B-cell CLL.
AB  - We present the case of a 57-year-old male patient diagnosed with chronic lymphoid
      leukaemia (CLL) B-cell type along with moderate anaemia. On follow-up
      investigations the aetiology of anaemia turned out to be pure red cell aplasia
      (PRCA) on trephine bone biopsy with an elevated serum erythropoietin level. The
      patient received blood transfusion support. He showed remarkable improvement on
      oral corticosteroids (prednisolone 60 mg/daily dose) with no further requirement
      of blood transfusion over next 3 months. However, when the dose of steroid was
      tapered down to 10 mg/day, the anaemia reappeared. An increase in the dose of
      steroid brought the haemoglobin level back to normal. Anaemia in CLL can be due
      to many reasons, of which PRCA is an uncommon association occurring in only
      around 1% of patients with CLL and usually refractory to the conventional
      treatment with steroids. This PRCA secondary to CLL is considered to be immune in
      origin and a response to combination of immunosuppressive therapy such as
      steroids, cyclosporine, rituximab is anticipated. Our case responded completely
      to oral steroids alone. 

PMID- 24234433
TI  - Idiopathic sialectasis of the Stensen's duct treated with marsupialisation.
AB  - Sialectasis is an uncommon medical condition of the salivary glands. Conservative
      treatments of sialectasis include repeated aspiration, compression, dilation of
      the papilla and stent placement. This is the first reported case that we know of,
      using marsupialisation for distal sialectasis. Our case highlights the diagnostic
      and therapeutic challenges posed by sialectasis and demonstrates the efficacy of
      marsupialisation for distally based sialectasis when conservative treatments
      fail. 

PMID- 24234434
TI  - Isolated cerebellar damage caused by carbon monoxide intoxication.

PMID- 24234435
TI  - Fibroepithelial polyp of the ureter.
AB  - A 36-year-old woman presented with haematuria and a bladder mass on
      ultrasonogram. Cystoscopy revealed a tumour, cauliflower in shape with smooth
      stalk coming out from the ureteric orifice. Stalk of the polyp was identified in
      proximal ureter by ureteroscopy. The mass was excised endoscopically. 

PMID- 24234437
TI  - ClinVar: public archive of relationships among sequence variation and human
      phenotype.
AB  - ClinVar (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/clinvar/) provides a freely available
      archive of reports of relationships among medically important variants and
      phenotypes. ClinVar accessions submissions reporting human variation,
      interpretations of the relationship of that variation to human health and the
      evidence supporting each interpretation. The database is tightly coupled with
      dbSNP and dbVar, which maintain information about the location of variation on
      human assemblies. ClinVar is also based on the phenotypic descriptions maintained
      in MedGen (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/medgen). Each ClinVar record represents
      the submitter, the variation and the phenotype, i.e. the unit that is assigned an
      accession of the format SCV000000000.0. The submitter can update the submission
      at any time, in which case a new version is assigned. To facilitate evaluation of
      the medical importance of each variant, ClinVar aggregates submissions with the
      same variation/phenotype combination, adds value from other NCBI databases,
      assigns a distinct accession of the format RCV000000000.0 and reports if there
      are conflicting clinical interpretations. Data in ClinVar are available in
      multiple formats, including html, download as XML, VCF or tab-delimited subsets.
      Data from ClinVar are provided as annotation tracks on genomic RefSeqs and are
      used in tools such as Variation Reporter
      (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/variation/tools/reporter), which reports what is
      known about variation based on user-supplied locations. 

PMID- 24234436
TI  - ESET methylates UBF at K232/254 and regulates nucleolar heterochromatin
      plasticity and rDNA transcription.
AB  - The remodeling of chromatin in the nucleolus is important for the control of
      ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription and ribosome biogenesis. Herein, we found that
      upstream binding factor (UBF) interacts with ESET, a histone H3K9
      methyltransferase and is trimethylated at Lys (K) 232/254 by ESET. UBF
      trimethylation leads to nucleolar chromatin condensation and decreased rDNA
      transcriptional activity. UBF mutations at K232/254A and K232/254R restored rDNA
      transcriptional activity in response to ESET. Both ESET-DeltaSET mutant and
      knockdown of ESET by short hairpin RNA reduced trimethylation of UBF and resulted
      in the restoration of rDNA transcription. Atomic force microscopy confirmed that
      UBF trimethylated by ESET modulates the plasticity of nucleolar chromatin. We
      further demonstrated that UBF trimethylation at K232/254 by ESET deregulates rDNA
      transcription in a cell model of Huntington's disease. Together, our findings
      show that a novel epigenetic modification of UBF is linked to impaired rDNA
      transcription and nucleolar chromatin remodeling, which may play key roles in the
      pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. 

PMID- 24234438
TI  - Developments in FINDbase worldwide database for clinically relevant genomic
      variation allele frequencies.
AB  - FINDbase (http://www.findbase.org) aims to document frequencies of clinically
      relevant genomic variations, namely causative mutations and pharmacogenomic
      markers, worldwide. Each database record includes the population, ethnic group or
      geographical region, the disorder name and the related gene, accompanied by links
      to any related databases and the genetic variation together with its frequency in
      that population. Here, we report, in addition to the regular data content
      updates, significant developments in FINDbase, related to data visualization and
      querying, data submission, interrelation with other resources and a new module
      for genetic disease summaries. In particular, (i) we have developed new data
      visualization tools that facilitate data querying and comparison among different
      populations, (ii) we have generated a new FINDbase module, built around
      Microsoft's PivotViewer (http://www.getpivot.com) software, based on Microsoft
      Silverlight technology (http://www.silverlight.net), that includes 259 genetic
      disease summaries from five populations, systematically collected from the
      literature representing the documented genetic makeup of these populations and
      (iii) the implementation of a generic data submission tool for every module
      currently available in FINDbase. 

PMID- 24234439
TI  - The IUPHAR/BPS Guide to PHARMACOLOGY: an expert-driven knowledgebase of drug
      targets and their ligands.
AB  - The International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology/British
      Pharmacological Society (IUPHAR/BPS) Guide to PHARMACOLOGY
      (http://www.guidetopharmacology.org) is a new open access resource providing
      pharmacological, chemical, genetic, functional and pathophysiological data on the
      targets of approved and experimental drugs. Created under the auspices of the
      IUPHAR and the BPS, the portal provides concise, peer-reviewed overviews of the
      key properties of a wide range of established and potential drug targets, with in
      depth information for a subset of important targets. The resource is the result
      of curation and integration of data from the IUPHAR Database (IUPHAR-DB) and the
      published BPS 'Guide to Receptors and Channels' (GRAC) compendium. The data are
      derived from a global network of expert contributors, and the information is
      extensively linked to relevant databases, including ChEMBL, DrugBank, Ensembl,
      PubChem, UniProt and PubMed. Each of the ~6000 small molecule and peptide ligands
      is annotated with manually curated 2D chemical structures or amino acid
      sequences, nomenclature and database links. Future expansion of the resource will
      complete the coverage of all the targets of currently approved drugs and future
      candidate targets, alongside educational resources to guide scientists and
      students in pharmacological principles and techniques. 

PMID- 24234440
TI  - The evolution of the ribosome biogenesis pathway from a yeast perspective.
AB  - Ribosome biogenesis is fundamental for cellular life, but surprisingly little is
      known about the underlying pathway. In eukaryotes a comprehensive collection of
      experimentally verified ribosome biogenesis factors (RBFs) exists only for
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Far less is known for other fungi, animals or plants,
      and insights are even more limited for archaea. Starting from 255 yeast RBFs, we
      integrated ortholog searches, domain architecture comparisons and, in part,
      manual curation to investigate the inventories of RBF candidates in 261
      eukaryotes, 26 archaea and 57 bacteria. The resulting phylogenetic profiles
      reveal the evolutionary ancestry of the yeast pathway. The oldest core comprising
      20 RBF lineages dates back to the last universal common ancestor, while the
      youngest 20 factors are confined to the Saccharomycotina. On this basis, we
      outline similarities and differences of ribosome biogenesis across contemporary
      species. Archaea, so far a rather uncharted domain, possess 38 well-supported RBF
      candidates of which some are known to form functional sub-complexes in yeast.
      This provides initial evidence that ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes and archaea
      follows similar principles. Within eukaryotes, RBF repertoires vary considerably.
      A comparison of yeast and human reveals that lineage-specific adaptation via RBF
      exclusion and addition characterizes the evolution of this ancient pathway. 

PMID- 24234441
TI  - Translation rate is controlled by coupled trade-offs between site accessibility,
      selective RNA unfolding and sliding at upstream standby sites.
AB  - The ribosome's interactions with mRNA govern its translation rate and the effects
      of post-transcriptional regulation. Long, structured 5' untranslated regions (5'
      UTRs) are commonly found in bacterial mRNAs, though the physical mechanisms that
      determine how the ribosome binds these upstream regions remain poorly defined.
      Here, we systematically investigate the ribosome's interactions with structured
      standby sites, upstream of Shine-Dalgarno sequences, and show that these
      interactions can modulate translation initiation rates by over 100-fold. We find
      that an mRNA's translation initiation rate is controlled by the amount of single
      stranded surface area, the partial unfolding of RNA structures to minimize the
      ribosome's binding free energy penalty, the absence of cooperative binding and
      the potential for ribosomal sliding. We develop a biophysical model employing
      thermodynamic first principles and a four-parameter free energy model to
      accurately predict the ribosome's translation initiation rates for 136 synthetic
      5' UTRs with large structures, diverse shapes and multiple standby site modules.
      The model predicts and experiments confirm that the ribosome can readily bind
      distant standby site modules that support high translation rates, providing a
      physical mechanism for observed context effects and long-range post
      transcriptional regulation. 

PMID- 24234442
TI  - The centromeric nucleosome-like CENP-T-W-S-X complex induces positive supercoils
      into DNA.
AB  - The centromere is a specific genomic region upon which the kinetochore is formed
      to attach to spindle microtubules for faithful chromosome segregation. To
      distinguish this chromosomal region from other genomic loci, the centromere
      contains a specific chromatin structure including specialized nucleosomes
      containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A. In addition to CENP-A nucleosomes, we
      have found that centromeres contain a nucleosome-like structure comprised of the
      histone-fold CENP-T-W-S-X complex. However, it is unclear how the CENP-T-W-S-X
      complex associates with centromere chromatin. Here, we demonstrate that the CENP
      T-W-S-X complex binds preferentially to ~ 100 bp of linker DNA rather than
      nucleosome-bound DNA. In addition, we find that the CENP-T-W-S-X complex
      primarily binds to DNA as a (CENP-T-W-S-X)2 structure. Interestingly, in contrast
      to canonical nucleosomes that negatively supercoil DNA, the CENP-T-W-S-X complex
      induces positive DNA supercoils. We found that the DNA-binding regions in CENP-T
      or CENP-W, but not CENP-S or CENP-X, are required for this positive supercoiling
      activity and the kinetochore targeting of the CENP-T-W-S-X complex. In summary,
      our work reveals the structural features and properties of the CENP-T-W-S-X
      complex for its localization to centromeres.

PMID- 24234444
TI  - CollecTF: a database of experimentally validated transcription factor-binding
      sites in Bacteria.
AB  - The influx of high-throughput data and the need for complex models to describe
      the interaction of prokaryotic transcription factors (TF) with their target sites
      pose new challenges for TF-binding site databases. CollecTF
      (http://collectf.umbc.edu) compiles data on experimentally validated, naturally
      occurring TF-binding sites across the Bacteria domain, placing a strong emphasis
      on the transparency of the curation process, the quality and availability of the
      stored data and fully customizable access to its records. CollecTF integrates
      multiple sources of data automatically and openly, allowing users to dynamically
      redefine binding motifs and their experimental support base. Data quality and
      currency are fostered in CollecTF by adopting a sustainable model that encourages
      direct author submissions in combination with in-house validation and curation of
      published literature. CollecTF entries are periodically submitted to NCBI for
      integration into RefSeq complete genome records as link-out features, maximizing
      the visibility of the data and enriching the annotation of RefSeq files with
      regulatory information. Seeking to facilitate comparative genomics and machine
      learning analyses of regulatory interactions, in its initial release CollecTF
      provides domain-wide coverage of two TF families (LexA and Fur), as well as
      extensive representation for a clinically important bacterial family, the
      Vibrionaceae. 

PMID- 24234443
TI  - RNA-dependent dynamic histone acetylation regulates MCL1 alternative splicing.
AB  - Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) catalyze
      dynamic histone acetylation at regulatory and coding regions of transcribed
      genes. Highly phosphorylated HDAC2 is recruited within corepressor complexes to
      regulatory regions, while the nonphosphorylated form is associated with the gene
      body. In this study, we characterized the nonphosphorylated HDAC2 complexes
      recruited to the transcribed gene body and explored the function of HDAC-complex
      mediated dynamic histone acetylation. HDAC1 and 2 were coimmunoprecipitated with
      several splicing factors, including serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1
      (SRSF1) which has roles in alternative splicing. The co-chromatin
      immunoprecipitation of HDAC1/2 and SRSF1 to the gene body was RNA-dependent.
      Inhibition of HDAC activity and knockdown of HDAC1, HDAC2 or SRSF1 showed that
      these proteins were involved in alternative splicing of MCL1. HDAC1/2 and KAT2B
      were associated with nascent pre-mRNA in general and with MCL1 pre-mRNA
      specifically. Inhibition of HDAC activity increased the occupancy of KAT2B and
      acetylation of H3 and H4 of the H3K4 methylated alternative MCL1 exon 2
      nucleosome. Thus, nonphosphorylated HDAC1/2 is recruited to pre-mRNA by splicing
      factors to act at the RNA level with KAT2B and other KATs to catalyze dynamic
      histone acetylation of the MCL1 alternative exon and alter the splicing of MCL1
      pre-mRNA. 

PMID- 24234445
TI  - Transcription factor abundance controlled by an auto-regulatory mechanism
      involving a transcription start site switch.
AB  - A transcriptional feedback loop is the simplest and most direct means for a
      transcription factor to provide an increased stability of gene expression. In
      this work performed in human cells, we reveal a new negative auto-regulatory
      mechanism involving an alternative transcription start site (TSS) usage. Using
      the activating transcription factor ZNF143 as a model, we show that the ZNF143
      low-affinity binding sites, located downstream of its canonical TSS, play the
      role of protein sensors to induce the up- or down-regulation of ZNF143 gene
      expression. We uncovered that the TSS switch that mediates this regulation
      implies the differential expression of two transcripts with an opposite protein
      production ability due to their different 5' untranslated regions. Moreover, our
      analysis of the ENCODE data suggests that this mechanism could be used by other
      transcription factors to rapidly respond to their own aberrant expression level. 

PMID- 24234446
TI  - The ORC/Cdc6/MCM2-7 complex facilitates MCM2-7 dimerization during prereplicative
      complex formation.
AB  - The replicative mini-chromosome-maintenance 2-7 (MCM2-7) helicase is loaded in
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other eukaryotes as a head-to-head double-hexamer
      around origin DNA. At first, ORC/Cdc6 recruits with the help of Cdt1 a single
      MCM2-7 hexamer to form an 'initial' ORC/Cdc6/Cdt1/MCM2-7 complex. Then, on ATP
      hydrolysis and Cdt1 release, the 'initial' complex is transformed into an
      ORC/Cdc6/MCM2-7 (OCM) complex. However, it remains unclear how the OCM is
      subsequently converted into a MCM2-7 double-hexamer. Through analysis of MCM2-7
      hexamer-interface mutants we discovered a complex competent for MCM2-7
      dimerization. We demonstrate that these MCM2-7 mutants arrest during
      prereplicative complex (pre-RC) assembly after OCM formation, but before MCM2-7
      double-hexamer assembly. Remarkably, only the OCM complex, but not the 'initial'
      ORC/Cdc6/Cdt1/MCM2-7 complex, is competent for MCM2-7 dimerization. The MCM2-7
      dimer, in contrast to the MCM2-7 double-hexamer, interacts with ORC/Cdc6 and is
      salt-sensitive, classifying the arrested complex as a helicase-loading
      intermediate. Accordingly, we found that overexpression of the mutants cause cell
      cycle arrest and dominant lethality. Our work identifies the OCM complex as
      competent for MCM2-7 dimerization, reveals MCM2-7 dimerization as a limiting step
      during pre-RC formation and defines critical mechanisms that explain how origins
      are licensed. 

PMID- 24234447
TI  - UniCarbKB: building a knowledge platform for glycoproteomics.
AB  - The UniCarb KnowledgeBase (UniCarbKB; http://unicarbkb.org) offers public access
      to a growing, curated database of information on the glycan structures of
      glycoproteins. UniCarbKB is an international effort that aims to further our
      understanding of structures, pathways and networks involved in glycosylation and
      glyco-mediated processes by integrating structural, experimental and functional
      glycoscience information. This initiative builds upon the success of the glycan
      structure database GlycoSuiteDB, together with the informatic standards
      introduced by EUROCarbDB, to provide a high-quality and updated resource to
      support glycomics and glycoproteomics research. UniCarbKB provides comprehensive
      information concerning glycan structures, and published glycoprotein information
      including global and site-specific attachment information. For the first release
      over 890 references, 3740 glycan structure entries and 400 glycoproteins have
      been curated. Further, 598 protein glycosylation sites have been annotated with
      experimentally confirmed glycan structures from the literature. Among these are
      35 glycoproteins, 502 structures and 60 publications previously not included in
      GlycoSuiteDB. This article provides an update on the transformation of
      GlycoSuiteDB (featured in previous NAR Database issues and hosted by ExPASy since
      2009) to UniCarbKB and its integration with UniProtKB and GlycoMod. Here, we
      introduce a refactored database, supported by substantial new curated data
      collections and intuitive user-interfaces that improve database searching. 

PMID- 24234448
TI  - Inverse regulation of Fe- and Ni-containing SOD genes by a Fur family regulator
      Nur through small RNA processed from 3'UTR of the sodF mRNA.
AB  - Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are widely distributed enzymes that convert
      superoxides to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen, using various metals as
      cofactors. Many actinobacteria contain genes for both Ni-containing (sodN) and Fe
      containing (sodF) SODs. In Streptomyces coelicolor, expression of the sodF and
      sodN genes is inversely regulated by nickel-specific Nur, a Fur-family regulator.
      With sufficient nickel, Nur directly represses sodF transcription, while inducing
      sodN indirectly. Bioinformatic search revealed that a conserved 19-nt stretch
      upstream of sodN matches perfectly with the sodF downstream sequence. We found
      that the sodF gene produced a stable small-sized RNA species (s-SodF) of ~ 90 nt
      that harbors the anti-sodN sequence complementary to sodN mRNA from the 5'-end up
      to the ribosome binding site. Absence of nearby promoters and sensitivity to 5'
      phosphate-specific exonuclease indicated that the s-SodF RNA is a likely
      processed product of sodF mRNA. The s-SodF RNA caused a significant decrease in
      the half-life of the sodN mRNA. Therefore, Nur activates sodN expression through
      inhibiting the synthesis of sodF mRNA, from which inhibitory s-SodF RNA is
      generated. This reveals a novel mechanism by which antagonistic regulation of one
      gene is achieved by small RNA processed from the 3'UTR of another gene's mRNA.

PMID- 24234449
TI  - FlyBase 102--advanced approaches to interrogating FlyBase.
AB  - FlyBase (http://flybase.org) is the leading website and database of Drosophila
      genes and genomes. Whether you are using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as
      an experimental system or wish to understand Drosophila biological knowledge in
      relation to human disease or to other model systems, FlyBase can help you
      successfully find the information you are looking for. Here, we demonstrate some
      of our more advanced searching systems and highlight some of our new tools for
      searching the wealth of data on FlyBase. The first section explores gene function
      in FlyBase, using our TermLink tool to search with Controlled Vocabulary terms
      and our new RNA-Seq Search tool to search gene expression. The second section of
      this article describes a few ways to search genomic data in FlyBase, using our
      BLAST server and the new implementation of GBrowse 2, as well as our new
      FeatureMapper tool. Finally, we move on to discuss our most powerful search tool,
      QueryBuilder, before describing pre-computed cuts of the data and how to query
      the database programmatically. 

PMID- 24234450
TI  - Cycling of the E. coli lagging strand polymerase is triggered exclusively by the
      availability of a new primer at the replication fork.
AB  - Two models have been proposed for triggering release of the lagging strand
      polymerase at the replication fork, enabling cycling to the primer for the next
      Okazaki fragment--either collision with the 5'-end of the preceding fragment
      (collision model) or synthesis of a new primer by primase (signaling model).
      Specific perturbation of lagging strand elongation on minicircles with a highly
      asymmetric G:C distribution with ddGTP or dGDPNP yielded results that confirmed
      the signaling model and ruled out the collision model. We demonstrated that the
      presence of a primer, not primase per se, provides the signal that triggers
      cycling. Lagging strand synthesis proceeds much faster than leading strand
      synthesis, explaining why gaps between Okazaki fragments are not found under
      physiological conditions.

PMID- 24234451
TI  - The MIntAct project--IntAct as a common curation platform for 11 molecular
      interaction databases.
AB  - IntAct (freely available at http://www.ebi.ac.uk/intact) is an open-source, open
      data molecular interaction database populated by data either curated from the
      literature or from direct data depositions. IntAct has developed a sophisticated
      web-based curation tool, capable of supporting both IMEx- and MIMIx-level
      curation. This tool is now utilized by multiple additional curation teams, all of
      whom annotate data directly into the IntAct database. Members of the IntAct team
      supply appropriate levels of training, perform quality control on entries and
      take responsibility for long-term data maintenance. Recently, the MINT and IntAct
      databases decided to merge their separate efforts to make optimal use of limited
      developer resources and maximize the curation output. All data manually curated
      by the MINT curators have been moved into the IntAct database at EMBL-EBI and are
      merged with the existing IntAct dataset. Both IntAct and MINT are active
      contributors to the IMEx consortium (http://www.imexconsortium.org). 

PMID- 24234452
TI  - Analysis of the mechanism of nucleosome survival during transcription.
AB  - Maintenance of nucleosomal structure in the cell nuclei is essential for cell
      viability, regulation of gene expression and normal aging. Our previous data
      identified a key intermediate (a small intranucleosomal DNA loop, O-loop) that is
      likely required for nucleosome survival during transcription by RNA polymerase II
      (Pol II) through chromatin, and suggested that strong nucleosomal pausing
      guarantees efficient nucleosome survival. To evaluate these predictions, we
      analysed transcription through a nucleosome by different, structurally related
      RNA polymerases and mutant yeast Pol II having different histone-interacting
      surfaces that presumably stabilize the O-loop. The height of the nucleosomal
      barrier to transcription and efficiency of nucleosome survival correlate with the
      net negative charges of the histone-interacting surfaces. Molecular modeling and
      analysis of Pol II-nucleosome intermediates by DNase I footprinting suggest that
      efficient O-loop formation and nucleosome survival are mediated by electrostatic
      interactions between the largest subunit of Pol II and core histones. 

PMID- 24234453
TI  - Single-molecule characterization of Fen1 and Fen1/PCNA complexes acting on flap
      substrates.
AB  - Flap endonuclease 1 (Fen1) is a highly conserved structure-specific nuclease that
      catalyses a specific incision to remove 5' flaps in double-stranded DNA
      substrates. Fen1 plays an essential role in key cellular processes, such as DNA
      replication and repair, and mutations that compromise Fen1 expression levels or
      activity have severe health implications in humans. The nuclease activity of Fen1
      and other FEN family members can be stimulated by processivity clamps such as
      proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA); however, the exact mechanism of PCNA
      activation is currently unknown. Here, we have used a combination of ensemble and
      single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer together with protein-induced
      fluorescence enhancement to uncouple and investigate the substrate recognition
      and catalytic steps of Fen1 and Fen1/PCNA complexes. We propose a model in which
      upon Fen1 binding, a highly dynamic substrate is bent and locked into an open
      flap conformation where specific Fen1/DNA interactions can be established. PCNA
      enhances Fen1 recognition of the DNA substrate by further promoting the open flap
      conformation in a step that may involve facilitated threading of the 5' ssDNA
      flap. Merging our data with existing crystallographic and molecular dynamics
      simulations we provide a solution-based model for the Fen1/PCNA/DNA ternary
      complex. 

PMID- 24234455
TI  - Development of enzyme technology and enzyme engineering in China.
AB  - Enzymes have been utilized in China for thousands of years for the production of
      various foods and alcoholic beverages. Today China manufactures and uses enzymes
      for not only the traditional areas of application, but is expanding the use of
      enzymes for a variety of nonfood areas. This report describes the present state
      of the art of enzyme manufacture and application in China today. 

PMID- 24234456
TI  - Recycling of NADP(+) using immobilizedE. coli and glucose-6-phosphate
      dehydrogenase.
AB  - Recycling of NADP(+) using immobilized wholeEscherichia coli cells as source of
      respiratory chain, glucose-6-phosphate, and soluble yeast glucose-6-phosphate
      dehydrogenase (1.1.1.49) is described. NADP(+) was recycled more than 10-fold.We
      demonstrated NADPH respiration at pH 5.8 inE. coli membrane vesicles. The
      respiratory chain was involved most probably in NADPH oxidation. 1. The
      respiratory activity is localized at the level of the inner bacterial membrane.
      The active site for NADPH facing the cytoplasm. 2. NADPH respiration is inhibited
      by 10 mM cyanide, similar to the conditions of inhibition of NADH respiration. 3.
      NADPH dehydrogenase activity seems to be the limiting step of the respiratory
      chain:K M for NADPH respiration and NADPH dehydrogenase activity are similar. The
      pH optima for these two activities are also comparable (around pH 5.8).
      Furthermore, the following properties are rather in favor of a common NADH
      dehydrogenase and NADPH dehydrogenase activity (1.6.99.2). o| li](1)|At
      saturating concentrations of NADH and NADPH, neither respiration nor
      dehydrogenase activities were additive. li](2)|Similar heat inactivation kinetics
      were observed for NADH and NADPH dehydrogenase-activity.Protection against heat
      inactivation was obtained for the two activities with NAD(+), NADP(+), NADH, and
      NADPH.All these results suggested the possibility of recycling of NADP(+) under
      similar conditions to those previously described for NAD(+) (Burstein et al.,
      1981). It becomes thus possible to use various NAD(+) and NADP(+)-dependent
      dehydrogenases in enzyme technology. 

PMID- 24234454
TI  - Characterization of the interaction between protein Snu13p/15.5K and the
      Rsa1p/NUFIP factor and demonstration of its functional importance for snoRNP
      assembly.
AB  - The yeast Snu13p protein and its 15.5K human homolog both bind U4 snRNA and box
      C/D snoRNAs. They also bind the Rsa1p/NUFIP assembly factor, proposed to scaffold
      immature snoRNPs and to recruit the Hsp90-R2TP chaperone complex. However, the
      nature of the Snu13p/15.5K-Rsa1p/NUFIP interaction and its exact role in snoRNP
      assembly remained to be elucidated. By using biophysical, molecular and imaging
      approaches, here, we identify residues needed for Snu13p/15.5K-Rsa1p/NUFIP
      interaction. By NMR structure determination and docking approaches, we built a 3D
      model of the Snup13p-Rsa1p interface, suggesting that residues R249, R246 and
      K250 in Rsa1p and E72 and D73 in Snu13p form a network of electrostatic
      interactions shielded from the solvent by hydrophobic residues from both proteins
      and that residue W253 of Rsa1p is inserted in a hydrophobic cavity of Snu13p.
      Individual mutations of residues in yeast demonstrate the functional importance
      of the predicted interactions for both cell growth and snoRNP formation. Using
      archaeal box C/D sRNP 3D structures as templates, the association of Snu13p with
      Rsa1p is predicted to be exclusive of interactions in active snoRNPs. Rsa1p and
      NUFIP may thus prevent premature activity of pre-snoRNPs, and their removal may
      be a key step for active snoRNP production. 

PMID- 24234457
TI  - Biotinyl-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase preparation, kinetics, and modulation
      by avidin.
AB  - The kinetics of free glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), biotinylated G
      6-PDH, and biotinylated G-6-PDH complexed with avidin were investigated. The
      kinetics of the free enzyme were consistent with a sequential rather than a ping
      pong mechanism. The kinetics of the biotinylated enzyme were similar to that of
      the free enzyme, but the kinetic constants were different; theK m value for NADP
      was halved, whereas theK m for G-6-P decreased only slightly. In the presence of
      avidin, theK m of biotinylated G-6-PDH for G-6-P nearly doubled whereas theK m
      for NADP did not change significantly. Avidin complexed with biotinylated G-6-PDH
      inhibited the enzyme from acting. Based upon these reactions, it was possible to
      devise assays for either free biotin or free avidin using biotinylated G-6-PDH as
      the indicator enzyme. Concentrations of biotin between 40 and 60 mg/mL, or of 25
      95 MUg/mL of avidin could be measured within 2 min through the use of
      biotinylated G-6-PDH. 

PMID- 24234458
TI  - Inhibition of cellulases by impurities in Steam-Exploded wood.
AB  - Steam explosion of hardwood chips produces impurities that reduce the activity
      and stability of cellulases. Washing the exploded wood with water removes the
      inhibitors and permits hydrolysis equivalent to that with purified cellulose. 

PMID- 24234459
TI  - Immunoenzymatic determination of antibody-bound soluble antigens ofTrypanosoma
      cruzi.
AB  - Anti-Major Cathodic Antigen (MCA) monospecific immunoglobulins ofT. cruzi have
      been used for the preparation of polyamide-linked immunoadsorbents. A high
      proportion of serologically positive patients with Chagas disease show the
      presence of a soluble antigen complexed with human immunoglobulins, which complex
      binds to those immunoadsorbents as determined by a double sandwich reaction and a
      peroxidase final determination. 

PMID- 24234460
TI  - Properties of bacterial luciferase/NADH : FMN oxidoreductase and firefly
      luciferase immobilized onto sepharose.
AB  - NADH : FMN oxidoreductase and bacterial luciferase have been efficiently
      coimmobilized onto Sepharose 4B. This luminescent immobilized enzyme system can
      be used to assay NADH. The assay is rapid and sensitive with a lower limit of
      detection of 0.2 pmol/assay tube. The intra-assay precision was 3.5% at 2 * 10(
      5) M and 5.8% at 2 * 10(-6) M NADH. Light intensity was proportional to NADH
      concentration from 0.2 to 1000 pmol. Added serum and certain dehydrogenases were
      found to be inhibitory; however, inhibition could be eliminated by a combination
      of heat treatment and dilution.Firefly luciferase has also been immobilized onto
      both Sepharose 4B and CL 6B. The detection limit for ATP using this immobilized
      enzyme was 0.2 pmol and the assay was linear from 0.2 to 2000 pmol. The intra
      assay precision was 4.8% at 2 * 10(-4) M and 3.2% at 1 * 10(-5) M ATP.The
      immobilized enzymes remained fully active when rapidly frozen in the presence of
      glycerol and DTT. Such preparations could be stored for at least two months with
      no loss of activity. A variety of different compounds were used to block any
      remaining reactive groups on the Sepharose following immobilization of the
      enzymes. Glycine, 2-aminoethanol, and ethylenediamine were examined. The
      preparations where ethylenediamine was used as a blocking agent exhibited better
      activity and stability than the others. 

PMID- 24234463
TI  - Chronic toxicity: How can we measure it?

PMID- 24234461
TI  - Molar absorptivity and A1 cm (1%) values for proteins at selected wavelengths of
      the ultraviolet and visible regions. XXII.
AB  - The molar absorptivity and A1 cm (1%) values for 150 proteins are reported. The
      conditions under which these values were obtained and citations to the sources of
      the data are also provided. 

PMID- 24234462
TI  - Patents and literature.

PMID- 24234464
TI  - Modelling the accumulation of hydrophobic organic chemicals in earthworms :
      Application of the equilibrium partitioning theory.
AB  - In this paper a method is developed which can be used to estimate the body burden
      of organic hydrophobic chemicals in earthworms. In contrast to the equilibrium
      partitioning theory, two routes of uptake are incorporated: uptake from
      interstitial water and dietary uptake. Although many uncertainties still remain,
      calculations show that for earthworms steady state body burdens are mainly
      determined by uptake from interstitial water. Under most circumstances, the
      contribution of dietary uptake is small, except for hydrophobic chemicals (log
      Kow > 5) in soils with a high organic matter (OM) content of ~ 20 %. Under those
      conditions, estimates of the steady state body burden calculated with the
      equilibrium partitioning model, in which only uptake from interstitial water is
      taken into account, might result in a small underestimation of the real body
      burden of chemicals in earthworms. 

PMID- 24234465
TI  - Monitoring behavioural responses to metals inGammarus pulex (L.) (Crustacea) with
      impedance conversion.
AB  - An impedance conversion technique was used to study the behaviour ofGammarus
      pulex (L.) exposed to acutely toxic concentrations of Pb (0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5
      mg Pb l(-1)) and to field concentrations of Cu ( <= 0.05 mg Cu l(-1)). Initial
      stress responses were studied during short-term exposure (1 h) and sublethal
      toxic effects were monitored during 7 (Pb) and 35 days (Cu),
      respectively.Exposure to Pb caused 30 % mortality and resulted in a
      bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 2700 at 0.5 mg Pb l(-1) after 168 h. Exposure to
      Cu polluted stream water caused no mortality within 35 days and uptake was low
      (BCF 5.8).Gammarus pulex reacted with initial stress responses to metal exposure
      within 30 min. (Cu) or 1 h (Pb). The reactions consisted of increased ventilation
      and decreased locomotion.Sublethal concentrations of Pb and Cu caused toxic
      effects on the behaviour of G.pulex after several days of exposure, consisting of
      increased ventilation and decreased locomotion.Impedance conversion is an
      appropriate method for detecting stress responses to metals and can be used in
      "early warning" biomonitoring systems as well as for acute and chronic
      behavioural toxicity testing. 

PMID- 24234466
TI  - Lipid-Filled semipermeable membrane devices and mussels as samplers of
      organochlorine compounds in lake water.
AB  - Semipermeable membrane sampling devices (SPMDs) and caged lake mussels (Anodonta
      piscinalis) were simultaneously deployed at four lake watercourse sites in
      Central Finland four weeks in August 1992. This study was part of the regular
      annual monitoring of the organochlorine compounds (OCC) in pulp-mill recipient
      watercourses of Finland with bivalves. Chlorohydrocarbons (CHCs), chlorophenol
      compounds (PCPs), chloroanisoles (PCAs) and chloroveratroles (PCVs) were analyzed
      from lipid extract of mussels and from the synthetic triolein lipid of the SPMDs.
      Hexane-diethyl ether (9:1, v/v) dialysis using polyethylene membrane was applied
      in dean up of the SPMD lipids and, for comparison, to six sets of the mussel fat.
      Dialysis recovered CHCs but not PCPs from the mussel fat. CHCs, PCPs, PCAs and
      PCVs were all recovered in dialysis of the SPMD lipid. Handling of SPMDs in the
      transport and deployment operations caused significant OCC contamination for the
      blank SPMDs. Similar trends were revealed in the OCC profiles for mussels ans
      SPMDs. An exception was the lack of PCPs appearing in SPMDs that did appear in
      mussels and in a complementary manner the appearance of the PCAs and PCVs in
      SPMDs. 

PMID- 24234467
TI  - Skin component may protect fishes from ultraviolet-B radiation.
AB  - We observed a large peak of absorbance when methanol extracts of dorsal skin from
      four species of fish were scanned in a spectro-photometer. There appeared to be a
      direct relation between the amount of this skin component and the period of time
      in which each species of fish developed UVB-induced sunburn. 

PMID- 24234468
TI  - Compound dependence of the relationship log K(ow) and log BCF L : A comparison
      between chlorobenzenes (CBs) for rainbow trout and polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons (PAHs) forDaphnia.
AB  - Linear relatinships between log bioconcentration factor (BCF) and log K(ow) for a
      variety of compounds have been reported many times in the literature. Analysis of
      the thermodynamics of the two partition processes has, however, shown that they
      are not analogous and that linear relationships can be expected to have different
      slopes for structurally unrelated compounds. In this study a set of literature
      lipid normalized BCF (BCFL) values of chlorbenzenes (CBs) for rainbow trout and
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) forDaphnia was put together with
      literature Kow values. The slopes of the regression lines for log BCFL versus log
      Kow for the two groups of compounds proved to differ significantly in a
      statistical test using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The difference, which is of
      significance for estimates of BCFs in environmental modelling of these types of
      compounds, is explained by the differences in chemical structure of the two
      groups of compounds. 

PMID- 24234469
TI  - Preface of the series.

PMID- 24234470
TI  - Exposure and hazard assessment within the life cycle impact assessment.

PMID- 24234471
TI  - Greenhouse effect of NOX.
AB  - Through various processes the nitrogen oxides (NOX) interact with trace gases in
      the troposphere and stratosphere which do absorb in the spectral range relevant
      to the greenhouse effect (infrared wavelengths). The net effect is an enhancement
      of the greenhouse effect. The catalytic role of NOX in the production of
      tropospheric ozone provides the most prominent contribution. The global waming
      potential is estimated as GWP (NOX = 30 - 33 and 7 - 10 for the respective time
      horizons of 20 and 100 years, and is thereby comparable to that of methane. NOX
      emissions in rural areas of anthropogenically influenced regions, or those in the
      vicinity of the txopopause caused by air traffic, cause the greenhouse
      effectivity to be substantially more intense. We estimate an additional 5-23 %
      for Germany's contribution to the anthropogenic greenhouse effect as a result of
      the indirect greenhouse effects stemming from NOX. Furthermore, a small and still
      inaccurately defined amount of the deposited NOX which has primarily been
      converted into nitrates is again released from the soil into the atmosphere in
      the form of the long-lived greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Thus,
      anthropogenically induced NOX emissions contribute to enhanced greenhouse effect
      and to stratospheric ozone depletion in the time scale of more than a century. 

PMID- 24234472
TI  - Dioxins and related compounds: Status and regulatory aspects.
AB  - Several countries have put much effort in dioxin research programmes with the aim
      to assess the risks of dioxin exposure, to identify dioxin sources and to
      quantify their contribution to environmental emissions and human exposure. In
      this review, the accent has been put on: sources of dioxins and their
      contribution to the total dioxin emissions, sources of human exposure and their
      contribution to exposure and measures to reduce emission and exposure. The
      information from countries with existing dioxin regulations is reviewed and
      compared. Uncertainties which hamper comparability of data are indicated. Results
      of measures and expectations for the near future are presented. 

PMID- 24234473
TI  - Environmental sciences education at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
      (ETH) Zurich and at other Swiss universities.

PMID- 24234474
TI  - K. C. Jones: Observations of long-term air-soil exchange of organic contaminants,
      ESPR 1 (3), 172-177(1994).

PMID- 24234475
TI  - Z. Jaworowski: Ancient atmosphere - Validity of ice records ESPR 1 (3) 161-171
      (1994).

PMID- 24234476
TI  - International Workshop on Biological UV-Dosimetry- Budapest (Hungary), November
      29-Dezember 3, 1994.

PMID- 24234479
TI  - Basal cell carcinoma metastatic to parotid gland.
AB  - Metastasis from basal cell carcinoma of the skin is very rare with cases being
      documented in the lymph nodes, lung, bone and parotid gland. The main
      histopathological differential diagnosis is the locally arising basal cell
      adenocarcinoma from which it is difficult to distinguish by morphology and
      routine immunohistochemistry. Approximately 85 % of all reported metastatic basal
      cell carcinomas arise in the head and neck region. Here we present a case of
      basal cell carcinoma of the skin of the left lateral canthus of the eye which
      metastasized to the intraparotid lymph nodes with infiltration of the adjacent
      parotid parenchyma. More awareness and vigilance is required on the part of the
      reporting pathologist to consider metastasis in the presence of a parotid tumour.
      Features favouring metastasis include history of primary cutaneous basal cell
      carcinoma, histological similarity to the primary lesion and absence of any
      demonstrable direct extension from the skin lesion. We also review the literature
      on metastatic basal cell carcinoma and discuss the need for adequate follow up in
      high risk patients.

PMID- 24234480
TI  - Editorial introduction.

PMID- 24234481
TI  - Recommendations for standardized human pedigree nomenclature.
AB  - The construction of an accurate family pedigree is a fundamental component of a
      clinical genetic evaluation and of human genetic research. Previous surveys of
      genetic counselors and human genetic publications have demonstrated significant
      inconsistencies in the usage of common pedigree symbols representing situations
      such as pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, and adoption, as well
      as less common scenarios such as pregnancies conceived through assisted
      reproductive technologies. The Pedigree Standardization Task Force (PSTF) was
      organized through the Professional Issues Committee of the National Society of
      Genetic Counselors, to establish recommendations for universal standards in human
      pedigree nomenclature. Nomenclature was chosen based on current usage,
      consistency among symbols, computer compatibility, and the adaptability of
      symbols to reflect the rapid technical advances in human genetics. Preliminary
      recommendations were presented for review at three national meetings of human
      genetic professionals and sent to >100 human genetic professionals for review. On
      the basis of this review process, the recommendations of the PSTF for
      standardized human pedigree nomenclature are presented here. By incorporating
      these recommendations into medical genetics professional training programs, board
      examinations, genetic publications, and pedigree software, the adoption of
      uniform pedigree nomenclature can begin. Usage of standardized pedigree
      nomenclature will reduce the chances for incorrect interpretation of patient and
      family medical and genetic information. It may also improve the quality of
      patient care provided by genetic professionals and facilitate communication
      between researchers involved with genetic family studies. 

PMID- 24234482
TI  - An assessment of teratology training provided by masters level genetic counseling
      programs.
AB  - The increasing demand in the clinical genetics setting for information about
      teratogen exposures has created a need for genetic counselors to have the
      capabilities to appropriately address patient concerns. In order to assess how
      training in teratogen counseling is currently being conducted, the GLaRGG
      Teratogen Subcommittee surveyed all 17 genetic counseling training programs in
      North America in September 1993. Information was obtained from training programs
      about coursework, resources, and clinical training. In addition, each training
      program was asked to provide information about how their teratogen training needs
      could better be met. While all programs responded that some information in their
      coursework applicable to teratogen counseling was provided, there was wide
      variation in the amount of time devoted to this topic. The programs also greatly
      differed in the provision of clinical training in teratogen counseling. For both
      coursework and clinical work, genetic counselors were the main trainers in
      teratogen counseling. In spite of this, fewer than 25% of training programs have
      a defined teratogen clinical rotation. Data from the survey are discussed and
      recommendations presented. 

PMID- 24234483
TI  - Abstracts of papers presented at the Fourteenth Annual Education Conference :
      Conditions that affect adults.

PMID- 24234484
TI  - The importance of adult Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor in managing heavy metal
      pollution in shores and estuaries.
AB  - The main aim of the toxicity test is to be able to measure toxicity in organisms,
      and therefore to assess whether a nationally or internationally preset standard
      is met. LC50 values (median lethal concentration that kills 50% of the population
      at a given time) or LT50 values (median lethal time in which 50% of the test
      species died) provide useful information for risk assessment. However,
      extrapolating laboratory data to actual field conditions is difficult because of
      changing environmental factors like temperature and salinity. LC50 copper data
      for Hediste diversicolor treated multifactorially show the plasticity of the worm
      to environmental variables. Increasing temperature, 12 to 22 degrees C, and
      increasing salinity, 7.6 to 30.50/00 reduced toxicity of copper to the worms
      without sediment. In the presence of sediment increasing temperature and
      increasing salinity increased toxicity of copper to the worms. 

PMID- 24234485
TI  - Estimation of nonpoint source loadings with data obtained from limited sampling
      programs.
AB  - The feasibility of estimating nonpoint source loadings with data obtained from
      limited sampling programs was analyzed in conjunction with a study of sediment
      and nutrient loadings in a Swedish river basin. The study showed that different
      loading estimation methods can yield significantly different results, even if
      sampling during events (e.g. peak flows) occurs. This was particularly true for
      the temporal distribution of the estimated loadings. The estimated spatial
      distribution of loadings in the monitored subbasins was more independent of the
      applied estimation technique. Theoretical calculations showed that sampling
      strategies with evenly spaced sampling intervals may systematically over- or
      underestimate the true loading.The study basin was characterized by a pronounced
      snowmelt period and partly erosion-controlled nutrient loadings. Guidelines for
      the estimation of nonpoint loadings in such basins are summarized in a matrix.
      Factors influencing the choice of estimation method include the characteristics
      of the collected data, the relative influence of point sources, and the desired
      detail of loading estimates. Possible correlations between flow and
      concentration, and the presence of extreme events (and whether or not the events
      were sampled), also determine the appropriateness of the different methods. 

PMID- 24234486
TI  - The lognormal distribution, environmental data, and radiological monitoring.
AB  - The lognormal distribution has become a common choice to represent intrinsically
      positive and often highly skewed environmental data in statistical analysis.
      However the implications of its use are often not carefully considered. With an
      emphasis on radiological monitoring applications, this paper reviews what
      assuming lognormality means in terms of data analysis and interpretation. The
      relationship of using normal theory methods on log transformed data to
      multiplicative errors and hypothesis testing in the original scale is also
      discussed. 

PMID- 24234487
TI  - Effects of eutrophication and organic loading on the occurrence of profundal
      harpacticoids in a lake in southern Finland.
AB  - Harpacticoids made up 19 and 30% of the meiobenthos proper by number and 39 and
      55% by biomass at maximum depths and a depth of 20 m, respectively, in Lake
      Paijanne. Harpacticoids accounted for higher proportions of the total meiobenthos
      in oligotrophic and unpolluted areas than in polluted areas. Seven species were
      identified, with Canthocamptus staphylinus confined to semi-lotic areas
      influenced by organic pollution from a pulp mill. Other species exhibited
      somewhat different distributions in oligotrophic and mesotrophic areas.
      Harpacticoid densities were most closely correlated with oxygen content and
      phytoplankton biomass, and correlations with environmental values were closer at
      maximum depths than at 20 m. Attheyella crassa densities in the deepest zone had
      most marked negative correlation with total phosphorus, phytoplankton biomass,
      dissolved organic matter and organic sedimentation, while Paracamptus schmeili
      had the closest positive correlation with oxygen content. High densities of these
      species could be classified as an indicator of oligotrophic conditions. Similar
      correlations, although weaker, were evident for Bryocamptus minutus and still
      weaker for Bryocamptus echinatus and Moraria brevipes. Clustering of the stations
      based on harpacticoid abundances gave a similar result to clustering based on
      environmental data, particularly in the 20 m zone. 

PMID- 24234488
TI  - A comparison of sampling techniques and summary indices for assessment of water
      quality in the Yamaska River, Quebec, based on benthic macroinvertebrates.
AB  - The Yamaska River drainage basin in Quebec, Canada, is intensively farmed and
      heavily polluted with poorly treated domestic and industrial wastes. We
      investigated the responses of the resident and colonizing components of the
      benthic macroinvertebrate community to municipal/industrial versus agricultural
      pollution in the basin, and evaluated the performances of seven diversity and
      biotic indices for assessing water quality. Samples of riffle-dwelling, infaunal
      and colonizing invertebrates were collected from 13 stations representing a wide
      range of types and degrees of pollution using Surber, scoop and artificial
      substrate samplers. The data were summarized using the indices S (number of
      taxa), N (number of individuals), H' (Shannon-Wiener's diversity index), D
      (Simpson's diversity index), BBI (Belgian Biotic Index), TBI (a modification of
      Hilsenhoff's Biotic Index), % CHIR (percentage of arthropods consisting of
      Chironomidae) and %OLIGO (percentage of total organisms consisting of
      Oligochaeta). Different components of the community generated somewhat different
      assessments and were, therefore, complementary. Community composition, expressed
      as the percentage of individuals contributed by major taxonomic groups, reflected
      the kinds of stresses at a station more consistently than did any of the indices.
      S and TBI came closest to ranking control, agricultural and municipal/industrial
      sites in accordance with our a priori classification, both between months and
      among sampling methods. %OLIGO usually separated municipal/industrial sites from
      control sites. Other indices were found to be less sensitive, accurate or
      temporally stable, or were otherwise inappropriate for use with certain sampling
      methods or for certain types of pollution. With most of our samples, all of the
      summary indices suggested that the impact of agricultural practices on stream
      ecosystems may be as severe as the impacts of municipal and industrial wastes. 

PMID- 24234490
TI  - A Personal history of the early development of the flowing afterglow technique
      for ion-molecule reaction studies.
AB  - A personal perspective of the historical development of the flowing afterglow
      (FA) technique for measuring thermal energy ion-molecule reaction rate constants
      is presented. The technique was developed in the period starting in late 1962 in
      what was then the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder, Colorado. The
      motivation was primarily to obtain a quantitative understanding of the ion
      chemistry of the terrestrial ionosphere, a program that was substantially
      achieved. The thermal energy measurements were extended in temperature from 300 K
      to a range of 80 K-900 K and subsequently to a center-of-mass kinetic energy
      range up to ~ 2 eV with the introduction of a drift tube into the FA.The chemical
      versatility, in regard to both the ion and the neutral reactants measured,
      remains unequaled and FA systems are currently in widespread use around the world
      for a variety of chemical research programs. 

PMID- 24234489
TI  - Seroadaptation among men who have sex with men: emerging research themes.
AB  - Seroadaptation describes a diverse set of potentially harm-reducing behaviors
      that use HIV status to inform sexual decision making. Men who have sex with men
      (MSM) in many settings adopt these practices, but their effectiveness at
      preventing HIV transmission is debated. Past modeling studies have demonstrated
      that serosorting is only effective at preventing HIV transmission when most men
      accurately know their HIV status, but additional modeling is needed to address
      the effectiveness of broader seroadaptive behaviors. The types of information
      withwhichMSMmake seroadaptive decisions is expanding to include viral load,
      treatment status, and HIV status based on home-use tests, and recent research has
      begun to examine the entire seroadaptive process, from an individual's intentions
      to seroadapt to their behaviors to their risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV
      and other STIs. More research is needed to craft clear public health messages
      about the risks and benefits of seroadaptive practices.

PMID- 24234491
TI  - A new tandem mass spectrometer for the study of molecular dissociations.
AB  - A new tandem mass spectrometer has been developed for the study of molecular
      fragmentation reactions. The first stage of this tandem mass spectrometer is a
      double-focusing sector field instrument in the BE configuration. The second stage
      is a double-focusing combination of a Wien filter and a sector magnet that allows
      simultaneous detection of a wide range of masses owing to the approximately equal
      velocities of the fragment ions. By using a microchannel plate as a collision
      target, high fragmentation effi.ciency and high ion transmission were achieved. 

PMID- 24234492
TI  - Novel tandem quadrupole-acceleration-deceleration mass spectrometer for
      neutralization-reionization studies.
AB  - A new tandem mass spectrometer of the quadrupole-acceleration lens-deceleration.
      lens-quadrupole (QADQ) configuration is described. The instrument is designed for
      neutralization-reionization studies and consists of a 2000-u quadrupole mass
      analyzer as MS-I, an acceleration electrostatic lens, a series of three
      differentially pumped collision cells, and an electrostatic deceleration lens,
      energy filter, and another 2000-u quadrupole mass analyzer as MS-II. The ion
      optical system achieves high total ion transmission for 5-9-keV ions. Unit mass
      resolution in neutralization-reionization mass spectra of aromatic compounds is
      demonstrated. Mass, kinetic energy, and linked scans at various levels of mass
      resolution and sensitivity are described. 

PMID- 24234494
TI  - Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of the CH3O (+) cation.
AB  - The methoxy cation, CH30(+), formed by collision-induced charge reversal of
      methoxr anions with a kinetic energy of 8 keY, has been differentiated from the
      isomenric CH2OH(+) ion by performing low kinetic energy ion-molecule reactions In
      the radiofrequency-only quadrupole of a reverse-geometry double-focusing
      quadrupole hybrid mass spectrometer. The methoxy cation reacts with CH3SH, CH3
      CH=CH2, (CH3)2O, and CH3CH2Cl by electron transfer, whereas the CH2OH(+) ion
      reacts by proton transfer with these substrates. 

PMID- 24234493
TI  - Comparison of helium and argon as collision gases in the high energy collision
      induced decomposition of MH(+) ions of peptides.
AB  - Collision-induced decompositions (CID) of protonated peptides were studied using
      a four-sector mass spectrometer. The collision gases employed were helium and
      argon. The CID spectra of several peptides covering the molecular mass region of
      905-2465 u were recorded. These investigations established several previously
      unrecognized differences between the CID spectra obtained with helium and argon
      as collision gases. These can be summarized as follows: (1) Structurally
      significant and specific side chain fragmentations (dn (f), wn (f) and vn, ion
      types) are greatly reduced or completely missing in the CID spectra obtained with
      helium as a collision gas compared to those obtained with argon. (2) As the
      peptide molecular mass increases, argon, which is heavier than helium, is
      increasingly more efficient than helium for generating fragment ions. 

PMID- 24234495
TI  - Ion-molecule reactions and collision-activated dissociation of C4H 4 (+.)
      isomers: A case study in the use of the MS (3) capabilities of a pentaquadrupole
      mass spectrometer.
AB  - Isomeric C4H 4 (+.) radical cations vinylacetylene (a), butatriene (b), methylene
      cyclopropene (c), and the nonaromatic cyclobutadiene (d), generated,
      respectively, from the neutral precursors 3-butyn-1-ol (1), 1,4-dichloro-2-butyne
      (2), benzene (3), and 7,8-benzotricyclo [4.2.2.0(2,5)]deca-3,7,9-triene (4),
      undergo diagnostically different ion-molecule reactions with allene, isoprene,
      furan, and thiophene. It is speculated that adducts are generated by [2 + 2]
      cycloadditions with the first reagent and [4 + 2] Dials-Alder cycloadditions with
      isoprene, furan, and thiophene. The initially formed cycloaddition adducts
      fragment rapidly, isomerize, or undergo further addition of neutral reagent to
      yield a complex set of products. With a pentaquadrupole mass spectrometer, MS(3)
      experiments that employ three stages of ion mass analysis are used to help
      elucidate the ion-molecule reactions and to distinguish the isomeric C(4)H 4 (+.)
      ions. Among these experiments, the reaction intermediate spectrum reveals the
      nature of the intermediates connecting the reactant to a selected product while
      the sequential product spectrum provides mechanistic and structural information
      on the adducts and other ion-molecule products. The unique combination of ion
      molecule reactions with collision-activated dissociation employed here provides
      valuable information on the chemistry of ionized cyclobutadiene, including its
      proclivity to undergo [2 + 2] and [4 + 2] cyc1oadditions. 

PMID- 24234496
TI  - Effects of functional group interactions on the bimolecular and dissociation
      reactions of diols.
AB  - The influence of functional group interactions on the bimolecular and
      dissociation reactions of diols were examined in a quadrupole ion trap mass
      spectrometer. Reactions of dimethyl ether ions with diols resulted in formation
      of (M + H)(+) ions and (M + 13)(+) ions (by net methyne addition). The product
      distribution depended on the relative separation of the hydroxyl groups within
      each diol, with the more proximate diols producing the greatest abundance of (M +
      13)(+) ions compared to (M + H)(+) ions. The enhancement of the formation of (M +
      13)(+) ions is attributed to the capability for electrostatic interactions
      between the hydroxyl groups and the electropositive methylene group of the
      methoxymethylene reagent ion. The enhancement is most significant for diols that
      can adopt five- or to a lesser extent six-membered ring transition states (i.e,
      any 1,2 or 1,3 diol). Collision-activated dissociation (CAD) techniques,
      including both sequential activation experiments (MS (n) ) and comparison of CAD
      spectra for model compounds, suggest that the (M + 13)(+) ions are protonated
      cyclic diethers. 

PMID- 24234497
TI  - Determination of orders of relative alkali metal ion affinities of crown ethers
      and acyclic analogs by the kinetic method.
AB  - Ladders of relative alkali ion affinities of crown ethers and acyclic analogs
      were constructed by using the kinetic method. The adducts consisting of two
      different ethers bound by an alkali metal ion, (M1 + Cat + M2)(+), were formed by
      using fast atom bombardment ionization to desorb the crown ethers and alkali
      metal ions, then collisionally activated to induce dissociation to (M1 + Cat)(+)
      and (M2 + Cat)(+) ions. Based on the relative abundances of the cationized ethers
      formed, orders of relative alkali ion affinities were assigned. The crown ethers
      showed higher affinities for specific sizes of metal ions, and this was
      attributed in part to the optimal spatial fit concept. Size selectivities were
      more pronounced for the smaller alkali metal ions such as Li(+), Na(+), and K(+)
      than the larger ions such as Cs(+) and Rb(+). In general, the cyclic ethers
      exhibited greater alkali metal ion affinities than the corresponding acyclic
      analogs, although these effects were less dramatic as the size of the alkali
      metal ion increased. 

PMID- 24234498
TI  - Reaction of analyte ions with neutral chemical ionization gas.
AB  - Analytical Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge,
      Tennessee, USA Ion-molecule reactions of neutral methane with analyte ions under
      normal methane chemical ionization conditions are discussed. Reactant ions can be
      generated by direct electron ionization (EI) fragmentation, chemical ionization
      (CI) fragmentation, or collision-induced dissociation (CID). Examples in which
      products of such reactions appear in mass spectra in both conventional CI sources
      in "beam" instruments and low pressure CI in a quadrupole ion trap are presented.
      Also shown is an example in which MS/MS product ions react with neutral methane
      used for CI in an ion trap. It is shown that it is relatively straightforward to
      recognize such reactions in a quadrupole ion trap and in certain cases to
      minimize or preclude them. Effects of various operating parameters have been
      investigated and are discussed. 

PMID- 24234499
TI  - Spectral deconvolution for overlapping GC/MS components.
AB  - The use of mass chromatogram peak centroids has been investigated as a means of
      deconvoluting the spectra of overlapping gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
      components. The peak centroids have been calculated with a precision of 0.04
      scans (sd). This proved sufficient to allow deconvolution of the mass spectra
      belonging to two chemical components which were eluted 0.48 scans apart. For a
      more complex chromatography peak, it was possible to deconvolute the spectra of
      six components which were eluted within a 9 scan window. All the spectra produced
      by using this deconvolution mechanism agreed well with National Institute of
      Standards and Technology database spectra. 

PMID- 24234500
TI  - Application of nanoscale packed capillary liquid chromatography (75 MUm id) and
      capillary zone electrophoresis/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to the
      analysis of macrolide antibiotics.
AB  - Nanoscale separation techniques, nanoscale packed capillary columns (75 MUm id),
      and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), on-line with electrospray mass
      spectrometry (ESI/MS), were applied to the separation of a series of ten
      macrolide antibiotics. Both techniques use sub-microliter-per-minute flow rates
      through the analytical column and therefore require an electrospray probe that
      incorporates coaxial sheath flow. Positive ion electrospray mass spectra of these
      compounds yielded mainly protonated molecules. Fragmentation to yield
      structurally significant fragment ions was achieved by collision-induced
      dissociation (CID) at increased skimmer voltages. Separations were achieved using
      both techniques, with CZE/ESI/MS showing improved peak shapes and detection
      limits combined with faster analysis times. Nanoscale packed capillary columns
      provided better chromatographic resolution and was less susceptible to peak
      broadening caused by overloading of the analytes. 

PMID- 24234501
TI  - The application of normal phase liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry by using
      coaxial continuous flow fast atom bombardment.
AB  - This article describes the interfacing of a normal phase fused silica capillary
      high performance liquid chromatography system to a magnetic sector mass
      spectrometer by using continuous flow fast atom bombardment (CFFAB). While the
      performance of CFFAB using reversed phase techniques is well understood, there is
      very little if any documentation on interfacing nonaqueous normal phase systems
      with CFFAB. This article describes the use of packed fused silica capillary
      liquid chromatography columns and the corresponding normal phase solvent systems.
      The experimental parameters required with nonaqueous solvent systems differ
      significantly from those of aqueous solvent systems. Ditallowdimethylammonium
      chloride (DTDMAC), a cationic surfactant commonly used as the active ingredient
      in fabric softener products, was chosen as a model compound to demonstrate the
      technique. DTDMAC was identified in a commercially available fabric softener
      product by using on-line normal phase liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
      with accurate mass and tandem mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 24234502
TI  - Analysis of an egyptian mummy resin by mass spectrometry.
AB  - Fast atom bombardment combined with mass spectrometry (FAB/MS), high resolution
      FAB/MS, FAB tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and gas chromatography/mass
      spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to determine the composition of the resinous
      material recovered from the wrappings of an Egyptian mummy believed to be from
      the Roman period (100-350 A.D.). FAB/MS and MS/MS studies identified several
      oxidation products of abietic acid as the principal resin components, indicating
      that one or more species of coniferous trees were used by the Egyptians as a
      source of the resin. GC/MS studies also identified several n-alkanes with carbon
      numbers from C19 to C33 in the sample. The relative amounts of these n-alkanes,
      along with characteristic trace metals, indicate that bitumen, an asphalt native
      to the region, was added to the resin. The presence of this ancient source of
      carbon in this sample explains the inconsistent date assigned to the mummy by
      carbon-14 analysis. 

PMID- 24234503
TI  - High pressure trapping in Fourier transform mass spectrometry: A radiofrequency
      only-mode event.
AB  - A new event for the Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) sequence is
      developed and demonstrated. During this event, called a radiofrequency (RF)-only
      mode event, the typical passive cubic trap of a Fourier transform mass
      spectrometer is made to operate as an active quadrupole ion trap. The transition
      between active and passive modes is developed so that ion loss as a consequence
      of the transition can be held to 15% or less. The adduct of the ion-molecule
      reaction of the 1,3-butadiene radical cation and methyl vinyl ether was detected
      during the Rf-only-mode event at a helium pressure of ~1*10(-3) torr even though
      this adduct is not detectable under standard FTMS operating conditions. 

PMID- 24234506
TI  - Workplace surveillance for carpal tunnel syndrome using hand diagrams.
AB  - Four hundred and eleven workers from 4 different companies participated in a
      worksite screening program designed, in part, to estimate the prevalence of
      carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Each worker completed a discomfort survey and
      underwent limited nerve conduction testing of the median and ulnar sensory nerves
      in both wrists. The discomfort survey included a hand diagram which allowed
      subjects to shade in area(s) affected by numbness, burning, tingling, or pain.
      The discomfort survey also asked each worker to indicate whether she or he had
      experienced neuropathic symptoms (i.e., numbness, burning, tingling, or pain) in
      the wrist, hand or fingers of each hand, without regard to localization (i.e.,
      median versus ulnar versus radial distribution), and also nocturnal occurrence of
      symptoms. Analyses involved comparing hand diagram scores and non localized
      wrist/hand/finger symptoms with electrodiagnostic test results. All
      configurations of hand diagram scores of the dominant hands had a statistically
      significant association with electrophysiologically determined median nerve
      dysfunction, but so did non localized symptom reports. The sensitivity,
      specificity, and positive predicted values of hand diagrams were poorer than
      those reported previously. While some test performance characteristics of hand
      diagrams were better than those for non localized distal extremity symptoms
      consistent with CTS, some were worse. Overall, our data suggest that hand
      diagrams are no better than using a questionnaire to determine if workers have
      experienced symptoms consistent with CTS in their wrists, hands or fingers
      without regard to localization. The choice of screening tool would depend on the
      goal of screening, in particular, whether it is more desirable to have slightly
      higher sensitivity or positive predictive value. 

PMID- 24234507
TI  - Prevalence of psychopathology in carpal tunnel syndrome patients.
AB  - This study assessed the prevalence rates of psychopathology in acute carpal
      tunnel syndrome (CTS) and acute low back pain (LBP) patients. Psychopathology was
      assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-III-R (SCID). The
      results showed that the CTS patients had significantly higher rates of anxiety
      disorders, both current and lifetime, than the LBP patients. However, LBP
      patients had significantly higher rates of lifetime substance abuse than the CTS
      patients. In regard to other types of psychopathology, such as depression,
      current substance abuse, and somatoform pain disorders, CTS patients had similar
      rates as the LBP patients. It was concluded that anxiety disorders may be a
      concomitant of carpal tunnel syndrome, and that treating psychological problems
      along with physical aspects of the syndrome may increase the patient's chance of
      a successful therapeutic outcome. 

PMID- 24234505
TI  - alpha-Ketoglutaramate: an overlooked metabolite of glutamine and a biomarker for
      hepatic encephalopathy and inborn errors of the urea cycle.
AB  - Glutamine metabolism is generally regarded as proceeding via glutaminase
      catalyzed hydrolysis to glutamate and ammonia, followed by conversion of
      glutamate to alpha-ketoglutarate catalyzed by glutamate dehydrogenase or by a
      glutamate-linked aminotransferase (transaminase). However, another pathway exists
      for the conversion of glutamine to alpha-ketoglutarate that is often overlooked,
      but is widely distributed in nature. This pathway, referred to as the glutaminase
      II pathway, consists of a glutamine transaminase coupled to omega-amidase.
      Transamination of glutamine results in formation of the corresponding alpha-keto
      acid, namely, alpha-ketoglutaramate (KGM). KGM is hydrolyzed by omega-amidase to
      alpha-ketoglutarate and ammonia. The net glutaminase II reaction is: L -
      Glutamine + alpha - keto acid + H2O -> alpha - ketoglutarate + L - amino acid +
      ammonia. In this mini-review the biochemical importance of the glutaminase II
      pathway is summarized, with emphasis on the key component KGM. Forty years ago it
      was noted that the concentration of KGM is increased in the cerebrospinal fluid
      (CSF) of patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and that the level of KGM in
      the CSF correlates well with the degree of encephalopathy. In more recent work,
      we have shown that KGM is markedly elevated in the urine of patients with inborn
      errors of the urea cycle. It is suggested that KGM may be a useful biomarker for
      many hyperammonemic diseases including hepatic encephalopathy, inborn errors of
      the urea cycle, citrin deficiency and lysinuric protein intolerance. 

PMID- 24234508
TI  - Early return to work following an aggressive rehabilitation program initiated one
      day after spine surgery.
AB  - In a program designed and conducted in a private rehabilitation center, 38
      postoperative cervical or lumbar spine patients were treated with an aggressive
      rehabilitation regimen. The regimen included an aquatic component, stabilization
      and flexibility exercises, resistance and aerobic exercises, progressively
      difficult walks, educational sessions, and limited palliative modalities.
      Readiness for discharge was evaluated on the basis of clinical observations and
      submaximal cardiovascular testing, and a computer analysis comparing range of
      motion, strength, and functional capacity with normative data. No complications
      developed during the recovery of any patients. After an average of 3.3 days
      following discharge from the rehab program, 89% returned to their former
      occupations without restrictions. At follow-up, all patients had been working
      continuously at their occupation for over 25 months post-discharge. The authors
      conclude that, based on this retrospective analysis, this is a safe means of
      potentially reducing hospital time, minimizing postoperative morbidity, and
      restoring patients to their former occupations. These findings can only be viewed
      as preliminary, however, and further study in a prospective, controlled clinical
      trial is needed to draw definitive conclusions regarding the effectiveness of
      this aggressiveness rehabilitation program in the general population of
      postoperative spine patients. 

PMID- 24234509
TI  - Chronic back pain and work disability: Vocational outcomes following
      multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
AB  - Studies indicate that work disabled chronic back pain patients out of work for
      longer than three months have a reduced probability of returning to work. The
      escalating personal and economic costs (indemnity and health care) associated
      with such long term disability have facilitated efforts at multiple levels to
      prevent and more effectively manage work disability. Multidisciplinary
      rehabilitation (MDR) targeted at return to work represents one such approach. The
      approach is based upon a multidimensional conceptualization of work disability
      and integrates medical, physical, psychological, educational and vocational
      interventions to increase physical function, reduce pain, increase stress coping
      skills and facilitate return to work. Seven outpatient multidisciplinary
      rehabilitation outcome studies for chronic back pain were identified that met the
      following selection criteria: 1) diagnosis of back pain, low back pain, spinal
      disorder (specific and nonspecific diagnosis), 2) chronic back pain of either
      longer than three months since injury or longer than three months absence from
      work, 3) use of an outpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach that
      included some combination of medical management, physical conditioning, pain and
      stress management, vocational counseling/placement and education regarding back
      safety and health, and 4) work reentry was the primary focus of outcome. These
      were reviewed to determine the effectiveness of MDR in terms of return to work
      outcome. Analyses revealed that an average of 71 percent of work disabled chronic
      back pain patients who completed a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program were
      working or involved in vocational rehabilitation efforts at 12 month follow-up in
      contrast to an average of 44 percent in corresponding comparison groups. While
      these studies suggest the clinical utility of a multidisciplinary approach as
      compared to usual care in facilitating return to work for chronic back pain
      patients, the literature was characterized by several methodological limitations
      including the absence of randomization in the majority of studies, use of
      insurance company denials as control groups, heterogenous samples in terms of
      duration of work disability, job availability at discharge, extent of impairment
      and disability, age and duration of pain disorder, lack of specification as to
      exact treatment delivered in the control or usual care groups and varying
      definitions of return to work outcome. Research on predictors of return to work
      outcome following MDR were identified and included variables in five categories:
      demographics, medical history, physical findings, pain and psychological
      characteristics. The literature provides support for the use of integrated
      approaches that target the medical, physical, ergonomic and psychosocial factors
      that can exacerbate and/or maintain work disability. Future research should
      address current methodological limitations in the literature and focus on: 1)
      identifying critical treatment components of such approaches, 2) developing
      innovative screening methods to identify high risk cases to facilitate earlier
      more targeted efforts to assist such individuals, and 3) consider variations in
      the staging of various combinations of interventions in an effort to develop more
      cost-effective variations in the multidisciplinary approach. 

PMID- 24234510
TI  - Issues and concerns in accommodating the elderly in the workplace.
AB  - Aging is a natural phenomenon affecting mankind. The more recent interest in the
      elderly is probably derived from the facts that: (1) currently more and more
      people are living into old age as compared to populations prior to early
      twentieth century, (2) people now recognize and appreciate the concept of
      retirement (until comparatively recently only a small proportion of the
      population lived into old age), and (3) economic necessities are pushing retirees
      back into the workforce. With people living and working longer, employers, social
      scientists, and medical and health professionals are having to gear themselves to
      solve a special category of problems-problems dealing with accommodating the
      elderly in the workplace, homes, recreational facilities, vehicles, etc. The
      purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the important issues that must be
      addressed when bringing, or retaining, the elderly in workplaces. The paper is
      divided into four main sections. The first section is devoted to defining the
      elderly. In the second section, discussion is focused on how and why the elderly
      have become an increasingly important part of the working environment. The
      biological effects of aging are discussed in the third section. In the last
      section, attention is paid to those age-related functional abilities that are
      essential consideration in accommodating the elderly in the workplaces. 

PMID- 24234511
TI  - Knockdown of Pex11beta reveals its pivotal role in regulating peroxisomal genes,
      numbers, and ROS levels in Xenopus laevis A6 cells.
AB  - Peroxisomes are organelles that are ubiquitously found in all eukaryotic cells.
      Enzymes within their lumen are responsible for a variety of processes including
      the metabolism of fatty acids and eradication (neutralization) of free radicals.
      Peroxisomes are dynamic organelles, able to alter their numbers in response to a
      variety of different metabolic and cell-specific cues. Changes in peroxisome
      numbers can occur through division of preexisting peroxisomes or through de novo
      biogenesis from the ER. Proteins such as the Pex11 family of peroxins have been
      implicated as regulatory factors involved in peroxisome division. Division of
      peroxisomes involves elongation and membrane constriction followed by fission,
      which requires Pex11beta. The regulation of peroxisome numbers in different cell
      types and tissues is variable and poorly understood. Here, we examine how
      knockdown of Pex11beta affects peroxisomal genes, proteins, and peroxisome
      numbers in A6 kidney epithelial cells derived from Xenopus laevis. Pex11beta
      morpholino use subsequently decreased mRNA levels of Pex1, PMP70, and PPARgamma.
      Moreover, the Pex11beta morpholino decreased PMP70 protein levels and PMP70
      positive structures. Furthermore, the marker GFP-SKL revealed fewer peroxisome
      like structures. These decreases resulted in increased levels of H2O2 and
      cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species as measured by Amplex Red,
      DCFDA, and MitoTracker assays, respectively.

PMID- 24234512
TI  - Bovine mammary epithelial cell cultures for the study of mammary gland functions.
AB  - In the present study, the analysis of epithelial cells derived from various
      sources was undertaken, beginning from the mammary gland tissue through the
      primary cultures and their subsequent passages. The objective of the study was
      the comparative analysis of the stage in which the epithelial cells obtained from
      individuals in different lactation cycles and disparate phases of cell culture
      growth are the most suitable for morphological research and analysis of gene
      expression activity. The cultures of primary bovine mammary epithelial cells and
      passages were identified morphologically using immunocytochemical methods. After
      positive identification, real-time PCRs were performed for the analysis of the
      expression level of casein genes, whey protein genes, and butyrophilin gene. The
      most stable reference genes in real-time PCRs for the mammary gland tissue and
      cell cultures were also determined. Of the reference genes, the UXT and GAPDH
      genes appeared to be the most stable ones for the mammary gland tissue samples
      and epithelial cell cultures. The results obtained allowed concluding that the
      mammary gland samples collected from heifers constituted the most effective
      material for the initiation of primary cultures. The primary cultures formed
      characteristic for the mammary gland tissue dome structures, which images were
      obtained using confocal microscopy. The highest levels of expression of the
      CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2, and CSN3 genes were detected in primary cultures. The
      levels of expression of whey protein genes (LALBA and BGL) were highest in the
      second passage. The most abundant expression of the BTN1A1 gene was observed in
      primary cultures and the third passage. On the basis of the whole experiment, it
      can be concluded that primary cultures and cells of the second passage derived
      from heifer individuals appeared to be the best materials for the analysis of
      mammary gland function and gene expression activity.

PMID- 24234513
TI  - Novel oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in the geriatric population.
AB  - Prior to the availability of several newer anticoagulant medications, there had
      been no new advances in anticoagulation management for stroke prevention since
      the advent of warfarin in the 1950s. The availability of the novel oral
      anticoagulants (NOACs) dabigatran, rivaroxaban,and apixaban represent
      improvements over warfarin in many respects, including the elimination of the
      need for therapeutic drug monitoring, fewer drug and food interactions,and
      favorable efficacy; however, these agents are not without risk. Specifically, the
      use of the NOACs in the geriatric population, who are more likely to have an
      increased risk of stroke due to atrial fibrillation and other medical
      comorbidities, is not without risk. The objective of this review is to update the
      clinician on the use of the NOACs in the geriatric population and introduce the
      controversies and risks surrounding these newer therapies.

PMID- 24234514
TI  - The content of fluoride, calcium and magnesium in the hair of young men of the
      Bantu language group from Tanzania versus social conditioning.
AB  - The present study aimed at analysing the content of fluorine (F), calcium (Ca)
      and magnesium (Mg) in the hair of young male students (n =52) of a secondary
      school in Mafinga in Tanzania (Africa) who participated in anthropological
      examinations. Ca and Mg concentrations were determined using atomic absorption
      spectrophotometer while F levels using a potentiometric method. F in the hair of
      boys from older group (>=16 years old; n =24) was significantly higher than in
      the younger group (<16 years old; n =28) versus Ca and Mg levels. High
      carbohydrate diet was predominant- mainly based on corn or bean and meat served
      once a week, with few fruit and raw vegetables. Collective catering in the
      dormitory reflected habits and culinary preferences at home. The lack of balanced
      diet, with majority of the nutritional energy supplied by easily accessible and
      cheap carbohydrates, was reflected in dietary deficiencies, characterised, among
      others, by visible skin conditions and tooth decay.

PMID- 24234515
TI  - Peripheral ulcerative keratitis as the presenting feature of systemic rheumatoid
      vasculitis without joint involvement.

PMID- 24234516
TI  - p53 antibody: is it an indicator of dedifferentiated thyroid cancer?
AB  - AIM: Radioiodine is the most effective treatment modality in differentiated
      thyroid carcinoma, either in metastatic or residual thyroid tissue. However,
      sometimes dedifferentiation can develop and the effectiveness of radioactive I
      131 decreases. The p53 is a tumor suppressor gene which plays an important role
      in controlling normal cell proliferation regulation. In the serum of healthy
      individuals, the presence of p53 autoantibodies is extremely rare. Mutations in
      this gene cause an accumulation of non-functional proteins and may lead to
      development of anti-p53 antibodies. The aim of the present study was to devise a
      simple blood test that could lead to early identification of patients with
      dedifferentiation. In this respect, we investigate whether the serum level of
      anti-p53 antibody is of diagnostic value in the follow-up of patients with high
      levels of thyroglobulin (Tg) and negative I-131 scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Patients who were diagnosed with thyroid cancer, treated with total or near total
      thyroidectomy and referred for I-131 therapy or low dose I-131 whole body scan
      were included in our study. Blood samples were taken before the administration of
      I-131 orally in the group of patients. Besides, 28 healthy subjects were
      included. We quantified the presence of p53 autoantibodies from serums. RESULTS:
      In the present study were enrolled 171 patients with a mean age of 47.7+/-13.5
      years (range 16-80 years) and 28 healthy subjects with an age range of 18-52
      years (mean 36.0+/-9.8 years). One hundred and forty-eight patients had papillary
      (86.5%), 7 (4.1%) follicular, 10 (5.8%) thyroid tumors of uncertain malignant
      potential, 2 (1.2%) Hurthle cell carcinoma, 3 (1.8%) poor differentiated, and 1
      (0.6%) undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma. The p53 antibodies were positive in 16
      (9.4%) patients and negative in 155 (90.6%). The p53 antibodies were positive in
      3 (10.7%) healthy subjects, and negative in 25 (89.3%) healthy subjects. In five
      patients with high Tg level and negative radioiodine scan, who were accepted as
      dedifferentiated, p53 antibodies were also negative. CONCLUSION: The results of
      the present study suggested that the level of serum p53 antibody seems to be of
      limited value in the demonstration of dedifferentiation in thyroid cancer
      patients.

PMID- 24234517
TI  - Codling moth,Cydia pomonella, (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Is its sex pheromone
      multicomponent?
AB  - When the nine identified components in the effluvium of calling female codling
      moths were compared to pure synthetic (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol in flight-tunnel
      tests, equal responses were obtained over a concentration range of 300-fold. When
      synthetic (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol was compared to extract of female sex
      pheromone glands by a male wing-flutter bioassay, or in flight-tunnel tests,
      equal responses were obtained over a concentration range of 1000-fold. The sum
      total of these and previous studies indicate that the codling moth sex pheromone
      consists of only one component. 

PMID- 24234518
TI  - Bioassay approaches to assessing behavioral responses of plum curculio adults
      (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to host fruit odor.
AB  - We evaluated several approaches to developing a simple, sensitive, and reliable
      laboratory bioassay of responses of overwintered adult plum curculios
      (PCs),Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), to host fruit odor or its attractive
      components. A high proportion of assayed PCs responded positively to odor of wild
      plums under no-choice, moving-air conditions in a wind tunnel and under dual
      choice, still-air conditions in enclosed Petri dishes. Positive response to
      controls lacking host odor, however, was much greater in the wind tunnel, arguing
      in favor of bioassays under dual-choice conditions in still air to provide
      greater PC discrimination. Response to host odor (from wild plums or hexane
      extract of wild plums or Liberty apples) in Petri dish bioassay chambers proved
      greatest: (1) during the scotophase of PCs under total dark or dim red light
      conditions, (2) when Petri dishes were completely enclosed, (3) when PCs were
      starved for 24 or 48 hr, and (4) when PCs were tested within seven weeks after
      apple tree petal fall. Neither the sex of a PC nor the direction in which a PC
      was obliged to move to find the source of host odor (upward through a port in the
      Petri dish lid or downward through a port in the base) had a substantial effect
      on level of response to host odor or discrimination of host odor from a
      nonodorous control. We conclude that an enclosed Petri dish bioassay chamber of
      the type described here should be a valuable asset in the process of chemically
      identifying components of host fruit odor attractive to PCs. 

PMID- 24234519
TI  - Allelopathic potential ofIpomoea tricolor (Convolvulaceae) in a greenhouse
      experiment.
AB  - The allelopathic potential ofIpomoea tricolor, a plant used in Mexican
      agriculture to control weeds, and tricolorin A, the major phytogrowth inhibitor
      present in the so-called "resin glycosides" of this plant, have been evaluated by
      testing leachates of the plant and the compound on the germination and radicle
      growth ofAmaranthus hypochondriacus, Echinochloa crusgalli, Senna uniflora, I.
      tricolor, andI. purpurea. The allelopathic potential ofI. tricolor was evaluated
      in a greenhouse experiment with dryI. tricolor mixed with sterile and nonsterile
      soil in pots.A. hypochondriacus was sown in pots containingI. tricolor, 2-chloro
      4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-1,3,5 triazine (Gesaprim) or 1-glyphosphate,
      and the glyphosphate salt of isopropylamine (Faena), two different commercial
      herbicides used as a comparison toI. tricolor. Number and dry weights of
      different monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds andA. hypochondriacus growing
      in the different treatments were measured.Ipomoea and Faena herbicide had a
      similar inhibitory effect on monocots. 

PMID- 24234520
TI  - Variation in condensed tannin concentration of a temperate grass (Holcus lanatus)
      in relation to season and reproductive development.
AB  - Holcus lanatus, a temperate grass, was found to contain low but measurable
      concentrations of condensed tannins (CT), according to the vanillin-HCl and the
      butanol-HCl methods. The variation in CT concentrations between different types
      of tissue including leaf age and reproductive versus nonreproductive tissue was
      examined. There was no evidence that floral tissue contained more CT than
      nonreproductive tissue. A sequential extraction and analysis procedure showed a
      decreasing proportion of free-unbound CT and greater preponderance of protein
      bound and fiber-bound CT with increasing leaf age and in dead matter. Samples
      collected from an agricultural pasture on two sampling dates, January 24 and
      March 5, 1993, showed short-term temporal variation in free-unbound CT. 

PMID- 24234521
TI  - Comparison of antialgal activity of brown-rotted and white-rotted wood andIn situ
      analysis of lignin.
AB  - Brown-rotted wood has been used as a source of lignin to investigate further the
      antialgal effects of lignocellulosic materials such as decomposing barley straw.
      The antialgal activity of brown-rotted and white-rotted wood has been determined
      in a laboratory bioassay. Using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,
      the lignin of the rotted wood samples has been compared and the significance of
      the structure of the lignin in antialgal activity is discussed. 

PMID- 24234522
TI  - Mechanism underlying cuticular hydrocarbon homogeneity in the antCamponotus vagus
      (SCOP.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Role of postpharyngeal glands.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the regulation and the
      homogeneity of the chemical signature between members ofCamponotus vagus after
      experimentally changing the cuticular chemical signature by topically applying
      hydrocarbons. Topical application of pentane (solvent) to the cuticle of isolated
      workers led to a significant decrease in the quantities of the cuticular
      hydrocarbons measured within 3 hr, followed by an increase within the following 3
      hr and a period of relative stability from 9 hr to 14 days. On the other hand,
      after topical application to isolated workers ofn-tetracosane, a hydrocarbon
      existing only in trace quantity in this species, the quantity of this hydrocarbon
      measured over time in the epicuticular wax tended to level out at about 14 days
      after treatment. In contrast, topically applied (Z)-9-tricosene, an unsaturated
      hydrocarbon not normally synthesized by this species, decreased dramatically
      within a few hours and had completely disappeared within 14 days. (Z)-9-Tricosene
      applied to one member of a group was present in the postpharyngeal glands of the
      other members from 30 min to seven days of cohabitation. The highest levels were
      recorded in all six workers in each group after one day. GC-MS analyses showed
      that (Z)-9-tricosene was present in the cuticles of some untreated workers only
      after four and seven days of cohabitation with a treated worker. These data
      suggest: (1) that the deposited (Z)-9-tricosene decreased very quickly on the
      cuticle of the treated worker, although the total amount was spread over the
      cuticle and postpharyngeal gland and (2) that it was absorbed by the nontreated
      workers via the postpharyngeal glands during licking or grooming activities and
      reincorporated into the cuticle at four and seven days. When the treated worker
      was separated from the other ants by a wire mesh, (Z)-9-tricosene was detected
      neither in the cuticle nor in the postpharyngeal gland of nontreated workers. 

PMID- 24234523
TI  - Indole as an olfactory synergist for volatile kairomones for diabroticite
      beetles.
AB  - Olfactory synergism, where combinations of plant volatile kairomones are
      quantitatively more attractive to insects than the sum of attraction of the
      individual components, is an important but little-studied phenomenon in host
      plant selection and feeding and in pollination ecology. Diabroticite beetles
      (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are strongly attracted toCucurbita blossoms, and 2-
      to 3-fold olfactory synergism has been demonstrated in four species by
      combinations of the key blossom volatiles, 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene, indole, and
      (E)-cinnamaldehyde. This TIC mixture represents an optimizedCurcurbita blossom
      volatile kairomone mixture useful in monitoring Diabroticite populations and in
      studying their behavior and ecology. Indole, which exhibits a spectrum of
      attraction to these beetles ranging from moderate forDiabrotica virgifera
      virgifera andAcalymma vittatum to very weak forD. barberi, is the primary
      synergistic component. Indole combined with 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde was
      significantly synergistic toD. v. virgifera at a ratio of 1:300 and produced 4
      fold synergism at a ratio of 1:1. Indole combined with 4-methoxyphenethanol was
      less synergistic toD. barberi with 1.5- to 2-fold synergism at a 1:1 ratio. These
      consistent variations in diabroticite beetle olfactory responses presumably
      indicate evolutionary divergences in the numbers of relict indole antennal
      receptors. 

PMID- 24234524
TI  - Distribution of autogenous and host-derived chemical defenses inOreina leaf
      beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).
AB  - The pronotal and elytral defensive secretions of 10Oreina species were analyzed.
      Species feeding on Apiaceae, i.e.,O. frigida andO. viridis, or on Cardueae
      (Asteraceae), i.e.,O. bidentata, O. coerulea, andO. virgulata, produce species
      specific complex mixtures of autogenous cardenolides.O. melanocephala, which
      feeds onDoronicum clusii (Senecioneae, Asteraceae), devoid of pyrrolizidine
      alkaloids (PAs) in its leaves, secretes, at best, traces of cardenolides.
      Sequestration of host-plant PAs was observed in all the other species when
      feeding on Senecioneae containing these alkaloids in their leaves.O. cacaliae is
      the only species that secretes host-derived PA N-oxides and no autogenous
      cardenolides. Differences were observed in the secretions of specimens collected
      in various localities, because of local differences in the vegetation. The other
      species, such asO. elongata, O. intricata, andO. speciosissima, have a mixed
      defensive strategy and are able both to synthesize de novo cardenolides and to
      sequester plant PA N-oxides. This allows a great flexibility in defense,
      especially inO. elongata andO. speciosissima, which feed on both PA and non-PA
      plants. Populations of these species were found exclusively producing
      cardenolides, or exclusively sequestering PA N-oxides, or still doing both,
      depending on the local availability of food-plants. Differences were observed
      between species in their ability to sequester different plant PA N-oxides and to
      transform them. Therefore sympatric species demonstrate differences in the
      composition of their host-derived secretions, also resulting from differences in
      host-plant preference. Finally, within-population individual differences were
      observed because of local plant heterogeneity in PAs. To some extent these
      intrapopulation variations in chemical defense are tempered by mixing diet and by
      the long-term storage of PA N-oxides in the insect body that are used to refill
      the defensive glands. 

PMID- 24234525
TI  - Identification of female sex pheromone components of rice looper,Plusia festucae
      (L.), (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - The rice looper,Plusia festucae, is a defoliator of the rice plant.
      Chromatographic behavior, chemical reactions, and GC-MS analyses of the female
      sex pheromone revealed that the main component was (Z)-5-dodecenyl acetate (Z5
      12: OAc, component I). The GC-MS analysis also indicated that the pheromone gland
      extract included another three monounsaturated components, (Z)-5-dodecen-l-ol (Z5
      12: OH, component II), (Z)-7-tetradecenyl acetate (Z7-14: OAc, component III),
      and (Z)-7-tetradecen-l-ol (Z7-14: OH, component IV) in the following ratio:
      I:II:III:IV=100:6:15:1. In a paddy field, the mixture of synthetic I, II, and III
      in a ratio of 100:6:15 showed stronger attractancy than the virgin female, while
      the role of IV was unknown. 

PMID- 24234526
TI  - Mammalian exocrine secretions: IX. Constituents of preorbital secretion of
      oribi,Ourebia, ourebi.
AB  - Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in conjunction with ancillary
      techniques such as chemical ionization with different reactant gases,
      determination of the position of double bonds by means of dimethyl disulfide
      derivatization, and finally gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric comparison
      with authentic synthetic material, 75 constituents were identified in the
      preorbital secretion of the male oribi,Ourebia ourebi. The secretion contains
      compounds with long-chain, unbranched structures similar to those found in many
      other preorbital secretions but with a finite volatility range, in contrast to
      the seemingly endlessly increasing chain lengths typical of other preorbital
      secretions. 

PMID- 24234527
TI  - Volatiles emitted by different cotton varieties damaged by feeding beet armyworm
      larvae.
AB  - Volatile compounds elicited by insect herbivore feeding damage in five cotton
      cultivars and one naturalized cotton variety were examined by allowing beet
      armyworm larvae to feed overnight on leaves and collecting volatiles from the
      plants in situ. Of 23 compounds identified from larval damaged leaves, terpenes
      and lipoxygenase-hydroperoxide lyase-derived volatiles predominated. No
      pronounced differences in the levels of volatile emission were noted from leaves
      of undamaged plants of the different varieties. However, average volatile
      emission from damaged leaves of the naturalized variety was almost sevenfold
      higher than from damaged leaves of the commercial cultivars. This was despite the
      fact that larvae preferred feeding on the leaves of commercial cultivars over
      those of the naturalized variety in choice tests. 

PMID- 24234528
TI  - Dioxins-furans-and no end.

PMID- 24234530
TI  - SETAC-Europe ABC Laboratories Environmental Education Award.

PMID- 24234529
TI  - The evaluation of pesticides and their primary toxic degradation products in
      drinking water from the viewpoint of human toxicology: Is it adequate?

PMID- 24234531
TI  - Altered human monocyte/macrophage function after exposure to diesel exhaust
      particles.
AB  - The relationship between immune defense mechanisms and environmental pollutants
      has been a focus of intensive research during the last decade. In animal
      experiments, diesel exhaust particles (DEP) have been shown to exert adjuvant
      effects on the IgE response against aeroantigens and to compromise broncho
      pulmonary immune defense. Important target cells are monocytes/alveolar
      macrophages which display the important functions of phagocytosis,
      antigenpresentation and modulation of inflammatory processes. To further evaluate
      the influence of DEP upon these cells, we investigated whether exposure to
      suspended DEP would change the phagocytic capacity and the tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha) release of human peripheral monocytes/alveolar macrophages. Our
      results demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction of phagocytosis (p < 0.001) and
      an additional increase of an ongoing TNF-alpha response (p < 0.005). These
      findings may help to link exposure to environmental pollutants to such biologic
      effects as increased susceptibility to broncho-pulmonary disease or facilitated
      sensitization against aeroallergens. 

PMID- 24234532
TI  - Individual PCBs as predictors for concentrations of non and mono-ortho PCBs in
      human milk.
AB  - 32 Dutch human milk samples were analyzed for PCBs with either HRGC-ECD or HRGC
      LRMS in the NCI mode. Samples were collected from three different locations in
      The Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Groningen. Quantitatively, no
      differences could be observed between the three localities, while in addition the
      congener specific pattern showed a striking similarity for all individual
      samples. Only principal component analysis revealed slight individual
      differences. Based on similarities in the PCB profiles, linear relationships were
      calculated between 2,3'4,4',5-PnCB (#118) or 2,2'4,4'5,5'HxCB (#153) and the most
      relevantnon andmonoortho PCBs exhibiting dioxinlike activity. These PCBs included
      2,3,3',4,4'-PnCB (#105), 3,3',4,4'5-PnCB (#126) 2,3,3',4,4',5-HxCB (#156),
      2,3,3',4,4',5'-HxCB (#157), 2,3',4,4',5,5'-HxCB (#167) and 3,3',4,4',5'5-HxCB
      (#169).Good linear relationships were observed between individual PCBs. Based on
      the results of this study, PCB #118 can be used to predict concentrations of the
      PCBs #105 and #126. PCB #153 can be used as a predictor for the PCBs #156, #157,
      #167 and #169, but also for the total toxic equivalencies (TEQs) ofnon
      andmonoortho PCBs present in human milk. This method using certain PCBs as
      predictors for other toxicological relevant congeners, can be useful and cost
      effective, e.g. for epidemiological studies. However, before applied a number of
      conditions should be met. These are: 1) A stable composition of the PCB matrix
      should be established. 2) A possible time dependent change in composition of the
      matrix should first be excluded when used over different time periods. 

PMID- 24234533
TI  - Monitoring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in urban
      soil, compost and vegetation.
AB  - Samples of urban surface soil, composts, leaves from avenue limetrees and grass
      from park areas of the city of Basel (Switzerland) were analysed for polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. Generally, significant lower
      levels of PAHs (10 times lower) and heavy metals (3-70 times lower) were found in
      vegetation samples than in composts or soils. The concentrations of PAHs in soil
      and compost samples were in the same order of magnitude although 10-100-times
      higher in comparison to data given for rural soils in other studies, whereas
      heavy metal contents in urban soils and composts were 2-3 times higher than in
      rural samples. Using multivariate statistical analysis, it was possible to define
      similarities or special characteristics of single substances or substance groups
      in a given matrix reflecting their chemical properties and providing information
      on their specific emission sources. 

PMID- 24234534
TI  - Substance flows through the economy and environment of a region : Part I: Systems
      definition; Part II: Modelling.
AB  - In the tradition of the study of materials flows through society, the Substance
      Flow Analysis (SFA) method and its software tool SFINX are presented. SFA aims at
      providing the relevant information for a country's overall management strategy
      regarding single substances or coherent groups of substances. Three modelling
      techniques and their possibilities and limitations are discussed: Bookkeeping,
      static modelling, and dynamic modelling. The computer program SFINX can be used
      for varoius purposes: (1) to obtain an overview of stocks and flows of a
      substance in, out and through a nation's economy and environment for a specific
      year, (2) to trace the origins of specific pollution problems, and (3) to
      estimate the effectiveness of certain abatement measures. Each application has
      its own requirements with regard to data and modelling. 

PMID- 24234535
TI  - Substance flows through the economy and environment of a region : Part I: Systems
      definition.
AB  - In the tradition of the study of materials flows through society, the Substance
      Flow Analysis (SFA) method is presented. SFA aims at providing the relevant
      information for a country's overall management strategy regarding single
      substances or coherent groups of substances. This article is dedicated to the
      presentation of a threestep general framework for SFA-type studies, and
      elaborates on its first step the systems definition. Attention is given to the
      definition of the external and internal system boundaries, the categorization of
      the system's elements, aspects of materials choice, time, and space, and how
      these depend on the aim of the conducted study. Moreover, a broader discussion is
      started on the need for standardization of materials flow studies in general. 

PMID- 24234536
TI  - Index to measure environmental performance.

PMID- 24234537
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 24234539
TI  - The pesticide index.

PMID- 24234538
TI  - Uptake of terbuthylazine and its medium polar metabolites into maize plants.
AB  - The uptake of terbuthylazine and its medium polar metabolites into maize plants
      under outdoor conditions is investigated. For this purpose, a dynamical fate
      model consisting of soil, plant and air is developed. The model calculations are
      compared with experimental results of outdoor lysimeter tests, carried out
      with(14)C-labelled herbicide applied to sandy agricultural soil at a single
      application rate of 890 g/ha. Approximately 0.3 % of the applied activity remains
      in all the plants after the vegetation period. The model predicts that about
      three times that amount is volatilized from the plants into the air. Activity
      uptaken from soil and volatilized from plant surface into air is predominately
      associated with metabolites. During the whole vegetation period the fraction of
      unchanged terbuthylazine in the plants is very small (less than 1 % of the
      extractable activity). 

PMID- 24234540
TI  - The biomethanation technology guide : A guide to successful industrial
      implementation of biomethanation technologies in the European union.

PMID- 24234541
TI  - Iron degrades chlorinated hydrocabons.

PMID- 24234542
TI  - EU-project CRAFT : Automatic reuse of electronic components on printed circuit
      boards and discharging of toxic components.

PMID- 24234543
TI  - Lagrangian dispersion model and its application to monitor nuclear power plants.
AB  - The Lagrangian dispersion model and its advantages while applying it in
      monitoring nuclear power plants in complex terrain at varying meteorological
      conditions is explained.The software developed has been installed at the Bavarian
      State Authority to monitor its six nuclear power plants.Input data are routinely
      measured meteorological data as well as emission data for iodine, aerosols and
      noble gas. 

PMID- 24234544
TI  - The ACS division of analytical chemistry establishes home page on world wide web.

PMID- 24234545
TI  - A study on the potential sources of air pollutants observed at Tjorn, Sweden.
AB  - The Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) receptor model combines both
      chemical and meteorological information. In this study, PSCF was employed to
      identify the potential source emission regions for aerosol compositions measured
      at Tjorn, Sweden (58.01 ?N, 11.36 ?E). PSCF was for the first time applied on a
      European scale. One hundred and fifty-two four-day air parcel backward
      trajectories were combined with concentrations of sixteen elements determined in
      33 coarse and fine aerosol samples. The observations were made between February
      17 and March 26, 1985. The modeling results of the heavy metals V, Pb, Zn, and As
      are presented and compared with available emission inventory data. A number of
      known industrialized regions in the former USSR and Europe are found of high
      potential to be the emission source areas. These areas are in good agreement with
      the known emission information. The PSCF maps of total sulfur, Non-Seasalt-Sulfur
      (N.S.S.) and chlorine are also presented. High potential regions in the Arctic
      area exist in the PSCF map for total sulfur wheres they do not occur in that for
      N.S.S. 

PMID- 24234547
TI  - Dioxins and related compounds : Status and regulatory aspects in Germany.

PMID- 24234546
TI  - Risk assessment of existing chemicals : Technical guidance documents adopted by
      the EU.

PMID- 24234548
TI  - Organohalogen compounds : Conference volumes from "Dioxin '95" and backlist.

PMID- 24234550
TI  - A simplified pathway for total knee arthroplasty improves outcomes.
AB  - Care pathways for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) demonstrate improved quality and
      utilization outcomes. Standardizing these processes over large systems is
      difficult due to the variability of practice patterns and the complexity of
      multistep pathways. A simplified approach to this process focusing on early
      activity and avoidance of continuous urinary catheters was performed to overcome
      these perceived barriers for implementing a system-wide care pathway. Data were
      collected from a total of 6,154 consecutive patients during the time period of 1
      year before and 1 year after implementation of a pathway focusing on two key
      drivers: early activity and continuous urinary catheter avoidance. Patients
      included were adults admitted for elective primary TKA. A composite score was
      calculated based on the successful completion of the two key drivers. Outcome
      measures were tracked before and after implementation. Following implementation
      of a simplified TKA care pathway, there was a significant increase in the
      composite score with increases attributable to both increased early activity (p <
      0.0001) and continuous urinary catheter avoidance (p < 0.0001). This improvement
      in composite score was associated with a significant decrease in hospital length
      of stay (HLOS) (p < 0.0001), costs (p < 0.0001), complications (p < 0.0001), and
      30-day readmissions (p < 0.0106). A fixed-effect model analysis demonstrated
      early activity was associated with improvements in HLOS (p < 0.0001),
      complications (p = 0.0240), and 30-day readmissions (p = 0.0046). Avoidance of a
      continuous urinary catheter was associated with improvements in HLOS (p =
      0.0001), costs (p < 0.0001), complications (p = 0.0006), and 30-day readmissions
      (p = 0.0008). A simplified care pathway for TKA focusing on early activity and
      continuous urinary catheter avoidance is associated with improved complications,
      costs, HLOS, and 30-day readmissions. 

PMID- 24234551
TI  - Navigated versus conventional total knee arthroplasty.
AB  - Computer-aided navigation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) promises improved
      alignment, performance, and survivorship. Previous meta-analyses demonstrated
      that navigation yields better component alignment; however, they did not discuss
      other indicators of performance. This meta-analysis compares navigated (NAV) and
      conventional (CONV) TKAs and includes clinical outcomes and adverse events. Forty
      seven studies (22 randomized trials) of varying methodological quality involving
      7,151 TKAs created the sample population. Statistical analyses included analysis
      of variance of weighted means and random effects modeling. As seen in previous
      meta-analyses, NAV is favored over CONV TKA. Analysis of surgical characteristics
      found that length of surgery and tourniquet times were lower for CONV, but not
      significant. Meta-analysis found that tourniquet times favored CONV but not a
      strong relationship for length of surgery. Analysis of individual adverse events
      did not reveal any significant differences. However, when examining adverse
      events in their totality, the NAV experienced significantly fewer complications.
      TKA performed with imageless navigation improves component alignment, provides
      for lower blood loss, improves clinical outcomes as measured by Knee Society and
      WOMAC scores, and has fewer total adverse events. Published data are insufficient
      to determine any correlations between component alignment and outcomes. 

PMID- 24234552
TI  - Indications for surgical management of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee in
      the pediatric population: a systematic review.
AB  - Several case series have been published exploring the surgical management of
      osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee in pediatric patients. This systemic
      review was performed to identify the surgical indications for this condition. A
      search of the Embase and Ovid Medline databases was performed to identify
      clinical studies reporting outcomes of surgical management of OCD in the knee in
      this patient population. A quality assessment of the included articles was
      conducted independently by two reviewers using a quality assessment tool
      developed by Yang et al. A total of 25 articles met the eligibility criteria and
      were reviewed; 40% of studies did not clearly describe their surgical
      indications. The remainder of the studies had a failure of nonoperative
      management with or without the concomitant use of imaging as their indication for
      surgery, or used lesion stability itself as the indication for surgery. This
      review outlines several surgical indications presented in the literature for the
      treatment of OCD lesions of the knee in the pediatric population. The most common
      indication for surgery was a failure of a trial of nonoperative treatment with or
      without the concomitant use of serial imaging. Although the quality of the case
      series was high, inconsistencies in reporting radiographic and arthroscopic
      classification of the OCD lesion were common. 

PMID- 24234553
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 24234554
TI  - A new serial in the life sciences. What does this mean?

PMID- 24234555
TI  - Metabolic effects of feeding a high protein/low carbohydrate diet as compared to
      a low protein/high carbohydrate diet to rainbow troutSalmo gairdneri.
AB  - Groups of trout were fed either a high protein/low carbohydrate (HP/LC) or a low
      protein/high carbohydrate (LP/HC) diet for 16 weeks. Fish fed the HP/LC diet had
      significantly higher levels of protein, ninhydrin positive material and
      tryptophan in plasma as well as lipid and protein in liver, but lower levels of
      glucose in plasma, glycogen in liver and a lower hepatosomatic index compared
      with fish fed the LP/HC diet. There were no differences concentrations of
      tryptophan or serotonin in the brain of fish fed the different diets. Fish fed
      the HP/LC diet had significantly lower activities of glycolytic enzymes but
      higher activities of gluconeogenic enzymes compared with the group fed the LP/HC
      diet. Those enzymes measured concerned with the TCA cycle or initiating amino
      acid catabolism were generally unaffected by diet although activities of
      threonine dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase
      were higher in those fish fed the HP/LC diet. The data suggest that rainbow trout
      show little adaptation in activities of amino acid catabolising enzymes to
      variations in dietary protein intake. 

PMID- 24234556
TI  - Protein degradation and protease activity of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)
      muscle during spawning migration.
AB  - Sarcoplasmic protein content decreased significantly and myosin heavy chain was
      degraded gradually during spawning migration of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus
      keta).Acid and neutral proteinase activities increased significantly during
      spawning migration. These proteinase activities were higher in females than in
      males. High levels of acid proteinase were not caused by the injury of lysosomal
      membranes. Considering the physiological states of chum salmon, neutral
      proteinase activity might be related to the degradation of muscle protein.As the
      changes in serum sex steroids were similar to those in the protease activities
      during spawning migration, it was considered that high levels of protease
      activity during spawning migration were closely related to the serum levels of
      androgens. 

PMID- 24234557
TI  - The effect of dietary lipids on the trout erythrocyte membrane.
AB  - Rainbow trout were fed either a commercial diet or semi-purified diets containing
      8% by weight of either cod liver oil, grape seed oil or hydrogenated coconut oil.
      Important changes in the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membrane
      phospholipids were induced by these dietary fats. No changes were seen in the
      cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and in the cellular ATP level. Shape changes
      (crenation of cell margin and shrinkage) were only seen in trout fed hydrogenated
      coconut oil in connection with an accumulation of high amounts of (n-9) fatty
      acids including 20:3 (n-9) phospholipids. The compositional changes affect the
      stability of the erythrocyte membrane. An increased rate of osmotic hemolysis
      appeared to be associated with an increased unsaturated fatty acid content of the
      membranes. 

PMID- 24234559
TI  - Controversies in counseling for mitochondrial conditions.
AB  - A healthy woman sought preconceptional genetic counseling regarding a family
      history of a mitochondrial myopathy in her brother and retinitis pigmentosa (RP)
      in her two maternal aunts. Several questions were raised: (1) What is the
      likelihood of a familial mitochondrial condition? (2) What molecular tests or
      prenatal screening can we offer? (3) How would these tests help assess the
      likelihood of a familial mitochondrial condition? A mitochondrial mutation
      previously identified in the brother consisted of a heteroplasmic 2.9 kb
      deletion. We detected this deletion in the peripheral blood of the brother by PCR
      amplification of the deletion breakpoint, but not in his mother, the consultand,
      nor in one of the two aunts affected with RP. Although the molecular analysis was
      encouraging to the consultand, a familial mitochondrial disorder could not be
      eliminated with certainty. The pros and cons of prenatal testing for
      mitochondrial disorders are discussed in general, and as specifically related to
      this family. 

PMID- 24234558
TI  - Counseling and screening for cystic fibrosis in patients with congenital
      bilateral absence of the vas deferens: Patient perceptions.
AB  - Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) occurs in approximately
      1.3% of infertile males and is thought to be, in most cases, a primarily genital
      form of cystic fibrosis (CF). Fourteen males with CBAVD considering microsurgical
      sperm aspiration from the epididymis (MESA) and in vitro fertilization were seen
      for genetic counseling and screening for CF. To retrospectively evaluate these
      patients' perceptions of the counseling and screening information, we conducted
      structured telephone interviews to assess their recall of information about CF
      and its impact on their health concerns and reproductive plans. We found that, as
      the health implications of CF are abstract and not as important to patients as
      the diagnosis of CBAVD itself, patients tend to view their CF status primarily in
      terms of their reproductive potential. Retrospective analysis afforded us an
      opportunity to identify the psychosocial issues of most concern to this unique
      patient population. 

PMID- 24234560
TI  - Family history in ovarian cancer referral population.
AB  - In order to determine the incidence of familial and hereditary ovarian cancer in
      a referral patient population, we conducted a retrospective study of 44 patients
      from a consecutive set of 62 patients treated for ovarian carcinoma at the
      Gynecologic Oncology Clinic at the Richland Memorial Hospital Center for Cancer
      Treatment and Research between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1993. In our
      study of the referred patients, only two (4.55%) reported a history of at least
      one first-degree relative also being affected with ovarian cancer. However, 13
      patients (29.55%) reported a family history consistent with one of the hereditary
      ovarian cancer syndromes. In addition to having a suggestive family history,
      these 13 families demonstrated several cardinal features of hereditary cancer
      syndromes including early onset, bilaterality, multiple primary tumors, and
      transmission. Race was the only significantly different demographic factor
      between the hereditary and sporadic ovarian cancer groups. All 13 patients who
      appeared to have a hereditary form of cancer were Caucasian. 

PMID- 24234561
TI  - Changing the definition of "proband" in the new standardized nomenclature for
      pedigrees.

PMID- 24234562
TI  - Code of ethics: Day-to-day applications.

PMID- 24234563
TI  - A framework for daily activity monitoring and fall detection based on surface
      electromyography and accelerometer signals.
AB  - As an essential branch of context awareness, activity awareness, especially daily
      activity monitoring and fall detection, is important to healthcare for the
      elderly and patients with chronic diseases. In this paper, a framework for
      activity awareness using surface electromyography and accelerometer (ACC) signals
      is proposed. First, histogram negative entropy was employed to determine the
      start- and end-points of static and dynamic active segments. Then, the angle of
      each ACC axis was calculated to indicate body postures, which assisted with
      sorting dynamic activities into two categories: dynamic gait activities and
      dynamic transition ones, by judging whether the pre- and post-postures are both
      standing. Next, the dynamic gait activities were identified by the double-stream
      hidden Markov models. Besides, the dynamic transition activities were
      distinguished into normal transition activities and falls by resultant ACC
      amplitude. Finally, a continuous daily activity monitoring and fall detection
      scheme was performed with the recognition accuracy over 98%, demonstrating the
      excellent fall detection performance and the great feasibility of the proposed
      method in daily activities awareness. 

PMID- 24234564
TI  - Principles of collisional activation in analytical mass spectrometry.
AB  - Collisional activation has played an essential role in the development of mass
      spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS). It was the first activation method to be
      employed and continues to be by far the most widely used. As instrumentation for
      MS/MS has evolved it has been found that collisional activation can be effected
      under a remarkably wide range of conditions for a wide range of ions. It is fair
      to conclude from the growth of MS/MS over the past fifteen years that collisional
      activation has been spectacularly successful. However, it has limitations. As a
      community, we have learned much over the years regarding these limitations both
      from empirical and fundamental points of view. This overview provides background
      on the development of collisional activation and discusses the importance of the
      interaction potential and timing on mechanisms for energy transfer. Parts of the
      discussion is devoted to changing reference frames from the laboratory to the
      center of mass to simplify visualizing what is possible and what is probable in
      collisional activation. 

PMID- 24234565
TI  - Trapping and detection of ions generated in a high magnetic field electrospray
      ionization fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer.
AB  - The trapping and detection parameters employed with a Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer that is interfaced to a high
      magnetic field electrospray ionization (ES11 source are presented. ES1 occurs at
      atmospheric pressure in a 1.5-T field, and FTICR detection occurs 25 cm away at
      3.0 T in either one of two cells separated by a conductance limit and maintained
      at pressure differentials of 5 * 10(5) and 2 * 10(7) torr, respectively. The
      continuous electrospray ion current traversing the high- and low-pressure cells
      is 350 and 100 pA, respectively. Retarding grid studies at the high-pressure cell
      indicate electrospray ion kinetic energies are controllable from less than an
      electronvolt to more than 10 eV. These kinetic energies are a function of
      desolvating capillary-skimmer assembly distance and the skimmer potential.
      Efficient accumulation of injected ions is accomplished only when the trap-plate
      potential matches the ion kinetic energy. If this condition is satisfied, the
      trapped ion cell fills to the ion space charge limit within a few hundred
      milliseconds. It is concluded that even at the high pressures used, the primary
      trapping mechanism cannot be solely collision dependent because the rate of ion
      accumulation is independent of background pressure. However, optimized FTICR
      excitation conditions for peptides and proteins in the mass range from 10(3) to
      more than 10(6) kDa are found to vary strongly with pressure; this is attributed
      to large mass- and charge-dependent differences in ion-molecule collision
      frequency. 

PMID- 24234566
TI  - Gas-phase proton transfer reactions involving multiply charged cytochrome c ions
      and water under thermal conditions.
AB  - Investigations of gas-phase proton transfer reactions have been performed on
      protein molecular ions generated by electrospray ionization (ESI). Their
      reactions were studied in a heated capillary inlet/reactor prior to expansion
      into a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Results from investigations involving
      protonated horse heart cytochrome c and H, O suggest that Coulombit effects can
      lower reaction barriers as well as aid in entropically driven reactions. For
      example, the charge state distribution observed by a quadrupole mass spectrometer
      for multiply protonated cytochrome c without the addition of any reactive gas
      ranges from 9+ to 19+ , with the [M + 15H](15+) ion being the most intense peak.
      With the addition of H2O (proton affinity approximately 170.3+/-2 kcal/mol) to
      the capillary reactor at 120 degrees C, the charge state distribution shifts to a
      lower charge, ranging from 13+ to less than 9+. Under the same conditions with
      argon (proton affinity approximately 100 kcal/mol) as the reactive gas, no shift
      in the charge state distribution is observed. The results demonstrate that proton
      transfer to water can occur for highly protonated molecular ions, a process that
      would be expected to be highly endothermic for singly protonated molecules (for
      which Coulombic destabilization is not significant). The results imply that the
      charge state distribution from ESI is somewhat dependent upon the mechanism and
      speed of the droplet evaporation/ion desolvation process, which may vary
      substantially with the ESI/mass spectrometry interface design. 

PMID- 24234567
TI  - Isomerization of linear C3H 3 (+) in its reaction with acetylene, and collisional
      stabilization of the [C5H 5 (+) ] (*) collision complex in a quadrupole ion trap
      mass spectrometer.
AB  - The isomerization of linear C3H 3 (+) in its reaction with acetylene to cyclic
      C3H 3 (+) was studied with a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The reaction
      of linear C3H 3 (+) with (13)C2H2 shows that isomerization takes place via a [C5H
      5 (+) ](*) activated complex that is unstable relative to disproportionation back
      into the cyclic and linear forms of C3H 3 (+) and acetylene. The formation of
      carbon-13 labeled cyclic and linear C,Hi indicates that isomerization involves
      skeletal exchange. Collisional stabilization of the [C5H 5 (+) ](*) collision
      complex was achieved at a helium pressure of approximately 1 mtorr. 

PMID- 24234568
TI  - Improved detection limits for fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry: A study of
      time-dependent desorption using a model pulsed bombardment ionization method.
AB  - Certain sample preparations for fast atom bombardment (FAB) yield an intense but
      brief pulse of sample ions at the onset of ionization. A model system is used to
      study this phenomenon. This system utilizes a conventional source of a constant
      flux of fast atoms and a probe that permits mechanical movement of the sample
      stage. This is used to simulate the effect of pulsing the atom beam. Experiments
      with model samples and selected ion monitoring detection show that, following
      bombardment initiation, sample ions are preferentially desorbed with respect to
      ions from the FAB matrix. Exhibition of preferential sample desorption depends
      upon the analyte behaving as a surfactant in the selected matrix. When used in
      conjunction with an array detector that permits data collection in a time
      resolved manner, this system allows collection of useful mass spectra with
      significantly enhanced sensitivity compared to normal bombardment. When applied
      to the undecapeptide eledoisin (sequence pyro-EPSKDAFIGLM-NH2, MW 1187.6 Da) this
      novel methodology allows an improvement in detection limit of at least three to
      four orders of magnitude over that observed when using conventional continuous
      FAB and a point detector. 

PMID- 24234569
TI  - Origin of the tailing signal on the low-energy side of the main beam in mass
      analyzed ion kinetic energy spectra.
AB  - The tailing signal on the low-energy side of the precursor ion signal observed
      during fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrometric
      (MIKES) analyses is due largely to ions of higher m/z value than the chosen
      precursor. The majority of these ions are independent, unfragmented species that
      emerge from the ion source with less than the full amount of kinetic energy
      predicted by the source potential. The tailing precursor ion signal observed
      under helium collision-activated decomposition conditions is too short to account
      for the protracted MIKES tail (as judged from mass-to-charge ratio-deconvoluted
      MIKES analyses performed on a BEqQ hybrid instrument), and a tailing precursor
      signal is not observed under unimolecular decomposition conditions. Measurements
      of the mass-to-charge ratios of the ionic species comprising the MIKES tail
      demonstrated that ions higher in mass-to-charge ratio than the chosen precursor
      are present throughout the tail, with the mass-to-charge ratio increasing as
      kinetic energy decreases. These ions possess the same momentum as the chosen
      precursor, and thus were formed prior to the magnetic field. The existence of
      intact, source-formed [M + H](+) ions with reduced kinetic energy was
      demonstrated through several types of tandem mass spectrometric experiments.
      These [M + H](+) ions with reduced kinetic energy do not appear to have undergone
      collisional deceleration, because they do not possess increased internal energy
      (as judged by observation of their fragmentation patterns). The kinetic energy
      profiles of unfragmented FAB-desorbed ions were determined and found to exhibit a
      tailing character similar in appearance to that of the MIKES tail. The population
      of ions emerging from the source under FAB conditions thus incorporates the
      characteristics necessary to account for the MIKES tail, namely, the presence of
      ions of a mass-to-charge ratio higher than the chosen precursor (due to matrix
      and other background ions), which possess reduced kinetic energy such that their
      momentum is identical to that of the selected precursor. These ions may arise via
      desolvation and declustering processes in the acceleration region of the ion
      source, or via FAB or chemical ionization processes in regions removed from the
      FAB target. 

PMID- 24234570
TI  - Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of Mycobacterial glycopeptidolipid
      antigens: Structural characterization by charge remote fragmentation.
AB  - Mycobacteria contain species- and type-specific antigens. Among them,
      glycopeptidolipids are present in medically relevant organisms belonging to
      Mycobacterium avium or M. fortuitum complexes. Fast-a tom bombardment mass
      spectrometry of glycopeptidolipids has proven to be difficult. In this article
      the cationization method with a metanitrobenzyl alcohol matrix, doped with sodium
      iodide, is described for analyzing these molecules. The molecular weight of the
      intact glycopeptidolipids was successfully determined and, using mass-analyzed
      ion kinetic energy spectrometry, the complete sequences of the peptide and
      saccharide moieties were elucidated. Moreover, the two structural variants
      present in these molecules were clearly differentiated. Application of the method
      showed that the same structural variant occurs in the glycopeptidolipids from two
      serologically related species of the M. fortuitum complex. 

PMID- 24234571
TI  - Mass transport and calibration in liquid chromatography particle beam mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Differences in the designs of two liquid chromatography particle beam mass
      spectrometry systems result in differences in the transport of ammonium acetate
      and differences in ion abundance-enhancing carrier effects. The effect of mobile
      phase composition, especially the proportion of water in the mobile phase, on
      transport efficiency is described. Instrument detection limits for 12 compounds
      with two different interface designs are presented. The calibrations are
      generally nonlinear explained in terms of mass transport effects and supported by
      experiments with isotopically labeled species that coelute with the native
      species. Summary results of a small multilaboratory study are presented.
      Calibration with isotopitally labeled internal standards is recommended for real
      world environmental samples. 

PMID- 24234572
TI  - The mass spectrometry of taxol.
AB  - The antitumor agent taxol has been examined by electron ionization, chemical
      ionization, and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Three ion series are
      observed: (1) the M-series, characteristic of the intact molecule; (2) the T
      series, with fragments derived from the taxane ring; and (3) the S-series
      representing the C-13 side chain. Neutral losses dominate each series of ions and
      serve to verify the presence and number of functionalities in each portion of the
      molecule. Fragmentation pathways and mechanisms of ion formation are proposed on
      the basis of product ion analysis and accurate mass measurements. 

PMID- 24234573
TI  - Evidence of isomerization during ion isolation in the quadrupole ion trap.
AB  - Evidence of ion isomerization during isolation in an ion trap mass spectrometer
      is presented. An ion-molecule reaction that is specific for the tolyl cation was
      used to monitor the relative abundance of this species. In particular, it has
      been observed that ion isolation in the ion trap can impart sufficient energy to
      the tolyl cation to cause it to isomerize to a form (presumably either the benzyl
      or the tropylium ion) that is not reactive with the neutral reagent. These
      results are important to consider in ion trap applications involving ion species
      having activation barriers for isomerization lower than the activation barriers
      for dissociation. 

PMID- 24234575
TI  - Systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a surgical procedure
      performed to maintain nutrition in the short- or long-term. During the procedure,
      a feeding tube that delivers either a liquid diet, or medication, via a clean or
      sterile delivery system, is placed surgically through the anterior abdominal
      wall. Those undergoing PEG tube placement are often vulnerable to infection
      because of age, compromised nutritional intake, immunosuppression, or underlying
      disease processes such as malignancy and diabetes mellitus. The increasing
      incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contributes both
      an additional risk to the placement procedure, and to the debate surrounding
      antibiotic prophylaxis for PEG tube placement. The aim of surgical antimicrobial
      prophylaxis is to establish a bactericidal concentration of an antimicrobial drug
      in the patient's serum and tissues, via a brief course of an appropriate agent,
      by the time of PEG tube placement in order to prevent any peristomal infections
      that might result from the procedure. OBJECTIVES: To establish whether
      prophylactic use of systemic antimicrobials reduces the risk of peristomal
      infection in people undergoing placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
      tubes. SEARCH METHODS: In August 2013, for this third update, we searched the
      Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register; The Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); Ovid Medline; Ovid Medline
      (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid Embase; and EBSCO CINAHL.
      SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of
      prophylactic antimicrobials during PEG tube placement, with no restrictions
      regarding language of publication, date of publication, or publication status.
      Both review authors independently selected studies. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
      Both review authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Meta
      analyses were performed where appropriate. MAIN RESULTS: One new trial was
      identified and included in this update, bringing the total to 13 eligible RCTs,
      with a total of 1637 patients. All trials reported peristomal infection as an
      outcome. A pooled analysis of 12 trials resulted in a statistically significant
      reduction in the incidence of peristomal infection with prophylactic antibiotics
      (1271 patients pooled: OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.50). The newly identified trial
      compared IV antibiotics with antibiotics via PEG and could not be included in the
      meta-analysis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Administration of systemic prophylactic
      antibiotics for PEG tube placement reduces peristomal infection.

PMID- 24234577
TI  - Provider, payor, and patient outcome expectations in back pain rehabilitation.
AB  - Return to work is used routinely to define successful back pain treatment. This
      study examined how the patient and three professional groups defined success for
      each of five categories of patients: not sponsored and working, sponsored and
      working, sponsored on modified duty, sponsored and off work for less than 10
      weeks, and sponsored and off work for more than 10 weeks. The groups sampled were
      treating staff (n = 98), referring physicians (n = 98), third-party sponsors (n =
      133), and patients (n = 648) representing all five patient categories. Each group
      provided a priority ranking for six objectives of treatment: Return to Work, Pain
      Control, Functional Improvement, Increased Strength and Range of Movement,
      Positive Attitude Shift, and Acquired Knowledge. The results indicated that the
      work status of the patient had a significant effect on the ranking of objectives
      by the treating staff and third-party sponsors. Physicians and patients
      considered pain control most important regardless of the patient category.
      Success in back pain rehabilitation is defined by different criteria. The
      determination of successful outcome must consider the patient's circumstances and
      acknowledge the perspective of the individual who is defining success. 

PMID- 24234576
TI  - Association between pre-hypertension and cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quantitative associations between prehypertension or its separate
      blood pressure (BP) ranges and the risk of main cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)
      have not been reliably documented. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search
      of PubMed (1966 to June 2012) and the Cochrane Library (1988 to June 2012)
      without language restrictions. Prospective studies were included if they reported
      multivariate-adjusted risk ratios (RRs) and corresponding 95 % confidence
      intervals (CIs) of desirable outcomes, including fatal or non-fatal incident
      stroke, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction (MI) or total CVD events,
      with respect to prehypertension or its separate BP ranges (low range: 120-129/80
      84 mmHg; high range: 130-139/85-89 mmHg) at baseline with normal BP (<120/80
      mmHg) as reference. Pooled RRs were estimated using a random-effects model or a
      fixed-effects model. RESULTS: Twenty-nine articles met our inclusion criteria,
      with 1,010,858 participants. Both low-range and high-range prehypertension were
      associated with a greater risk of developing or dying of total CVD (low-range:
      RR: 1.24; 95 % CI: 1.10 to 1.39; high range: RR: 1.56; 95 % CI: 1.36 to 1.78),
      stroke (low-range: RR: 1.35; 95 % CI: 1.10 to 1.66; high-range: RR: 1.95; 95 %
      CI: 1.69 to 2.24) and myocardial infarction (MI) (low range: RR: 1.43; 95 % CI:
      1.10 to 1.86; high range: RR: 1.99; 95 % CI: 1.59 to 2.50). The whole range
      prehypertension had a 1.44-fold (95 % CI: 1.35 to 1.53), 1.73-fold (95 % CI: 1.61
      to 1.85), and 1.79-fold (95 % CI: 1.45 to 2.22) risk of total CVD, stroke, and
      MI, respectively. There was no evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS:
      Prehypertensive patients have a greater risk of incident stroke, MI and total CVD
      events. The impact was markedly different between the low and high
      prehypertension ranges

PMID- 24234578
TI  - Factors related to outcome following a work hardening program.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine factors related to a return to work
      following the completion of a work hardening program. Data from the Workers'
      Compensation Board of Alberta Millard Rehabilitation Centre for 1527 discharges,
      collected over 22 months, were examined retrospectively. Factors related to
      return to work were compared bivariately using logistic regression procedures. A
      multiple logistic regression model for return to work was also determined. The
      principle predictor of return to work was job-attached status to the pre-injury
      employer. Other factors related to return to work were education, primary
      diagnosis, injury to admission time, job attachment to the pre-accident employer,
      employer's annual payroll, and vocational direction. Due to the strength of the
      association between job-attached status to the pre-injury employer and a return
      to work, it was concluded that attempts to maintain this relationship should be a
      priority for rehabilitation providers and insurance carriers. 

PMID- 24234579
TI  - Isokinetic performance in low back pain patients: The predictive power of the
      Self-Efficacy Scale.
AB  - The Self-Efficacy Scale (SES) has been found to predict isokinetic performance
      better than anthropometric variables. This study tests the predictive power of
      SES further against other measures of efficacy expectancies as well as measures
      of depression and perceived disability. A group of 105 chronic back pain patients
      was administered Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), SES, the Pain Self-Efficacy
      Questionnaire (PSEQ), and the Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire
      (OSWESTRY). Total isokinetic work done was measured at slow, medium and high
      speeds, for which multiple regression models were fitted controlling for sex,
      age, weight and height. The results confirmed SES to be the best overall
      predictor of isokinetic performance. BDI was not significant as a predictor of
      isokinetic performance. The models also revealed that SES predicts less well with
      increases in the test speed, particularly in extension. These results provide
      further evidence of the diagnostic value of SES relative to OSWESTRY and PSEQ. 

PMID- 24234580
TI  - Effects of chair design on back muscle fatigue.
AB  - The electromyographic activity of the paraspinal muscles were examined to
      investigate the effects of chair sitting on muscle activation patterns and muscle
      fatigue. Twenty-four subjects were studied on the Balans, Back Up, and standard
      office chairs during a seated writing task and standing while performing a
      standardized muscle fatigue assessment test. The results of the study indicate
      that in 87.5% of the comparisons at the L3 site, the Back Up chair has lower
      readings of muscular effort compared to the Balans and office chair. During the
      muscle fatigue testing, the greatest amount of fatigue was noted in those
      subjects who sat in the Back Up chair last. When the Back Up chair was first or
      second, the least amount of fatigue was observed. The sEMG results supports a
      biomechanical model. The ergonomics of the Balans and office chairs give the
      least amount of support to the low back, while the Back Up chair provides the
      greatest amount of support. It is suggested that adequate pelvic girdle support
      during seated tasks will lower the threshold of back fatigue and thus facilitate
      return to work for low back pain patients. 

PMID- 24234581
TI  - Employee ergonomics training: Current limitations and suggestions for
      improvement.
AB  - Employee ergonomics training programs are increasingly being called upon as a
      strategy to reduce illness and injury in the workplace. A review of the
      literature on ergonomics training revealed a variety of methodologies and
      practices. Programs varied in structure, content and method of delivery. These
      variances, along with a number of obstacles purported to influence the acceptance
      and effectiveness of training programs, reflect some of the current limitations
      to effective ergonomics training. This paper recommends the application of adult
      education principles to improve program planning and training practices. 

PMID- 24234582
TI  - Advances in post-mortem CT-angiography.
AB  - Performing a post-mortem multidetector CT (MDCT) scan has already become routine
      in some institutes of forensic medicine. To better visualize the vascular system,
      different techniques of post-mortem CT-angiography have been explored, which can
      essentially be divided into partial- and whole-body angiography techniques.
      Probably the most frequently applied technique today is the so-called multiphase
      post-mortem CT-angiography (MPMCTA) a standardized method for investigating the
      vessels of the head, thorax and abdomen. Different studies exist, describing its
      use for medicolegal investigations, and its advantages as well as its artefacts
      and pitfalls. With the aim to investigate the performance of PMCTA and to develop
      and validate techniques, an international working group was created in 2012
      called the "Technical Working Group Post-mortem Angiography Methods" (TWGPAM).
      Beyond its primary perspective, the goals of this group include creating
      recommendations for the indication of the investigation and for the
      interpretation of the images and to distribute knowledge about PMCTA. This
      article provides an overview about the different approaches that have been
      developed and tested in recent years and an update about ongoing research in this
      field. It will explain the technique of MPMCTA in detail and give an outline of
      its indications, application, advantages and limitations. 

PMID- 24234583
TI  - Advantage of 3D volumetric dosemeter in delivery quality assurance of dynamic arc
      therapy: comparison of pencil beam and Monte Carlo calculations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of pencil beam calculation (PBC) and Monte
      Carlo calculation (MCC) for dynamic arc therapy (DAT) in a cylindrically shaped
      homogenous phantom, by comparing the two plans with an ion chamber, a film and a
      three-dimensional (3D) volumetric dosemeter. METHODS: For this study, an in-house
      phantom was constructed, and the PBC and MCC plans for DAT were performed using
      iPlan(r) RT (BrainLAB(r), Heimstetten, Germany). The A16 micro ion chamber
      (Standard Imaging, Middleton, WI), Gafchromic(r) EBT2 film (International
      Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) and ArcCHECKTM (Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, FL) were
      used for measurements. For comparison with each plan, two-dimensional (2D) and 3D
      gamma analyses were performed using 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm criteria. RESULTS: The
      difference between the PBC and MCC plans using 2D and 3D gamma analyses was found
      to be 7.85% and 28.8%, respectively. The ion chamber and 2D dose distribution
      measurements did not exhibit this difference revealed by the comparison between
      the PBC and MCC plans. However, the 3D assessment showed a significant difference
      between the PBC and MCC (62.7% for PBC vs 93.4% for MCC, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION:
      Evaluation using a 3D volumetric dosemeter can be clinically useful for delivery
      quality assurance (QA), and the MCC should be used to achieve the most reliable
      dose calculation for DAT. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: (1) The DAT plan calculated
      using the PBC has a limitation in the calculation methods, and a 3D volumetric
      dosemeter was found to be an adequate tool for delivery QA of DAT. (2) The MCC
      was superior to PBC in terms of the accuracy in dose calculation for DAT even in
      the homogenous condition.

PMID- 24234584
TI  - Virtual anthropology and forensic identification using multidetector CT.
AB  - Virtual anthropology is made possible by modern cross-sectional imaging.
      Multislice CT (MSCT) can be used for comparative bone and dental identification,
      reconstructive identification and lesion identification. Comparative
      identification, the comparison of ante- and post-mortem imaging data, can be
      performed on both teeth and bones. Reconstructive identification, a considerable
      challenge for the radiologist, identifies the deceased by determining sex,
      geographical origin, stature and age at death. Lesion identification combines
      virtual autopsy and virtual anthropology. MSCT can be useful in palaeopathology,
      seeking arthropathy, infection, oral pathology, trauma, tumours, haematological
      disorders, stress indicators or occupational stress in bones and teeth. We
      examine some of the possibilities offered by this new radiological subspeciality
      that adds a new dimension to the work of the forensic radiologist. A
      multidisciplinary approach is crucial and involves communication and data
      exchange between radiologists, forensic pathologists, anthropologists and
      radiographers. 

PMID- 24234586
TI  - Radiological and clinical characterization of the lysosomal storage disorders:
      non-lipid disorders.
AB  - Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are a large group of genetic metabolic
      disorders that result in the accumulation of abnormal material, such as
      mucopolysaccharides, glycoproteins, amino acids and lipids, within cells. Since
      many LSDs manifest during infancy or early childhood, with potentially
      devastating consequences if left untreated, timely identification is imperative
      to prevent irreversible damage and early death. In this review, the key imaging
      features of the non-lipid or extralipid LSDs are examined and correlated with
      salient clinical manifestations and genetic information. Disorders are stratified
      based on the type of excess material causing tissue or organ dysfunction, with
      descriptions of the mucopolysaccharidoses, mucolipidoses, alpha-mannosidosis,
      glycogen storage disorder II and cystinosis. In addition, similarities and
      differences in radiological findings between each of these LSDs are highlighted
      to facilitate further recognition. Given the rare and extensive nature of the
      LSDs, mastery of their multiple clinical and radiological traits may seem
      challenging. However, an understanding of the distinguishing imaging
      characteristics of LSDs and their clinical correlates may allow radiologists to
      play a key role in the early diagnosis of these progressive and potentially fatal
      disorders. 

PMID- 24234585
TI  - Clinical and research applications of simultaneous positron emission tomography
      and MRI.
AB  - Evaluation of the molecular processes responsible for disease pathogenesis and
      progression represents the new frontier of clinical radiology. Multimodality
      imaging lies at the cutting edge, combining the power of MRI for tissue
      characterization, microstructural appraisal and functional assessment together
      with new positron emission tomography (PET) tracers designed to target specific
      metabolic processes. The recent commercial availability of an integrated clinical
      whole-body PET-MRI provides a hybrid platform for exploring and exploiting the
      synergies of multimodal imaging. First experiences on the clinical and research
      application of hybrid PET-MRI are emerging. This article reviews the rapidly
      evolving field and speculates on the potential future direction. 

PMID- 24234587
TI  - Helicobacter pylori seropositivities and risk of pancreatic carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathophysiologic actions of Helicobacter pylori colonization on
      gastric acidity have been hypothesized to modulate the effect of pancreatic
      carcinogens, through CagA-negative organism strain type, hyperchlorhydria and
      increased risk of pancreatic cancer, or CagA-positive strain, hypochlorhydria and
      decreased risk of pancreatic cancer. We aimed to determine H. pylori strain
      specific associations with pancreatic cancer in a population in which
      colonization by CagA-positive strains is common. METHODS: We carried out a large
      population-based case-control study of pancreatic carcinoma in Shanghai, China.
      Venipuncture specimens were obtained from a representative sample of 761 case
      patients and 794 randomly selected control subjects matched by category of age
      and gender. Antibody seropositivity for H. pylori and its virulence protein CagA
      were determined by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent IgG assays. RESULTS:
      Compared with individuals seronegative for both H. pylori and CagA, decreased
      pancreas-cancer risk was seen for CagA seropositivity [adjusted OR, 0.68; 95%
      confidence interval (CI), 0.54-0.84], whereas some increased risk was suggested
      for CagA-negative H. pylori seropositivity (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.76-2.13). No risk
      interactions were observed between CagA seropositivity and gender, cigarette
      smoking, or age-21 body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to what has been seen in
      animal models, our results provide suggestive evidence in humans for the
      involvement of gastric acidity, through its bidirectional modification according
      to colonization by H. pylori CagA strain type, in the risk of pancreatic
      carcinoma. IMPACT: H. pylori colonization may have diverse effects on cancer
      risk, depending on the organism strain type as well as on the particular cancer
      site.

PMID- 24234589
TI  - Liberalism, authority, and bioethics commissions.
AB  - Bioethicists working on national ethics commissions frequently think of
      themselves as advisors to the government, but distance themselves from any claims
      to actual authority. Governments however may find it beneficial to appear to
      defer to the authority of these commissions when designing laws and policies, and
      might appoint such commissions for exactly this reason. Where does the authority
      for setting laws and policies come from? This question is best answered from
      within a normative political philosophy. This paper explains the locus of moral
      authority as understood within one family of normative political theories-
      liberal political theories--and argues that most major "liberal" commentators
      have understood both the source and scope of ethics commissions' authority in a
      manner at odds with liberalism, rightly interpreted. The author argues that
      reexamining the implications of liberalism for bioethics commissions would mean
      changing what are considered valid criticisms of such commissions and also
      changing the content of national bioethics commission mandates. The author
      concludes that bioethicists who participate in such commissions ought to
      carefully examine their own views about the normative limits of governmental
      authority because such limits have important implications for the contribution
      that bioethicists can legitimately make to government commissions.

PMID- 24234588
TI  - Predictive value of CYP3A and ABCB1 phenotyping probes for the pharmacokinetics
      of sunitinib: the ClearSun study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The wide inter-patient variability in drug exposure
      partly explains the toxicity and efficacy profile of sunitinib treatment. In this
      prospective study cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A and adenosine triphosphate binding
      cassette (ABC) B1 phenotypes were correlated to the pharmacokinetics of sunitinib
      and its active metabolite N-desethylsunitinib. METHODS: A correlation analysis
      was performed between sunitinib pharmacokinetics and 1'OH-midazolam/midazolam
      ratio and parameters derived from technetium-99m-2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile
      ((99m)Tc-MIBI) scans, respectively. A population pharmacokinetic model using non
      linear mixed-effects modeling software NONMEM was built, which included the
      phenotype tests as covariate. RESULTS: In 52 patients, the mean trough
      concentration of sunitinib plus metabolite increased from 21.4 ng/mL at day 1 of
      a cycle to 88.1 ng/mL in the fourth week of treatment. A trend for a correlation
      was observed between (99m)Tc-MIBI elimination constant and trough concentrations
      of N-desethylsunitinib; however, this was not significant. Correlations were
      found between 1'OH-midazolam/midazolam ratio and sunitinib clearance (P = 0.008)
      and day 1 N-desethylsunitinib trough concentrations (P = 0.005), respectively.
      Moreover, patients suffering from grade 3 toxicities had significant lower
      clearance of sunitinib than patients without grade 3 toxicities (34.4 vs. 41.4
      L/h; P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Phenotype tests for ABCB1 and CYP3A4 did not
      explain inter-individual variability of sunitinib exposure sufficiently. However,
      the correlation between sunitinib clearance and the occurrence of severe toxicity
      suggests a direct exposure-toxicity relationship.

PMID- 24234590
TI  - Sluggish cognitive tempo (concentration deficit disorder?): current status,
      future directions, and a plea to change the name.
AB  - Symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) have been recognized for nearly 30
      years as comprising a semi-independent set(s) of symptoms from the inattentive
      (IN) and hyperactive-impulsive (HI) symptoms involved in attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It has only been within the past decade
      that research focusing specifically on SCT symptoms and on samples of SCT cases
      chosen independently from ADHD samples has increased so as to address the
      question of whether SCT is a distinct condition from ADHD or other disorders. All
      but two of these studies have focused on children but the two extant large scale
      studies on adults have replicated those findings. This Commentary highlights not
      only those findings concerning SCT that appear to be relatively robust, but also
      those patterns that appear to be emerging yet in need of further research to
      corroborate their association with SCT, as well as those barely or unexplored
      areas that may deserve more research. Evidence to date, including the many
      findings in this special issue, is nearing a critical mass that likely supports
      the conclusion that SCT is a distinct disorder of attention from ADHD, yet one
      that may overlap with it in about half of all cases. SCT has unique symptom
      dimensions and comorbidities from ADHD, probably distinct though lesser domains
      of impairment and demographic correlates, and perhaps unique cognitive deficits,
      causes and life course risks. These latter areas, however, are in need of
      substantially more research as is SCT in adults and treatments specifically
      designed for cases of SCT. Meanwhile, the name of the condition is premature,
      implying a known cognitive deficit that is as yet unknown, and is proving
      derogatory and offensive to patients, leading this author to recommend a change
      to Concentration Deficit Disorder.

PMID- 24234591
TI  - Dishevelled-1 (Dvl-1) protein: a potential participant of oxidative stress
      induced by selenium deficiency.
AB  - Oxidative stress induced by selenium deficiency has been shown to be associated
      with cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, the mechanism associated with
      oxidative stress induced by selenium deficiency is poorly understood. In the
      present study, 36 weaning C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups as
      follows: control (n =9), 4-week selenium deficiency (n =9), 8-week selenium
      deficiency (n = 9), and 12-week selenium deficiency (n =9). The levels of
      myocardial glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and
      malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by Western blotting or commercial kits.
      Real-time PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression of dishevelled-1 (Dvl
      1) protein. Western blotting was conducted to evaluate the protein expression
      levels of Dvl-1 and beta-catenin. Our results demonstrated that the levels of GPx
      and SOD were significantly reduced, along with an increase in MDA in selenium
      deficient mice. Importantly, Dvl-1 and beta-catenin were clearly upregulated
      under oxidative stress. Collectively, our findings indicate that Dvl-1 may be an
      underlying participant of oxidative stress induced by selenium deficiency.

PMID- 24234592
TI  - Chronic sorrow: A content analysis of parental differences.
AB  - Sixty-eight mothers and 64 fathers of children with a neural tube defect
      responded to a questionnaire about chronic sorrow. Mothers reported a mood state
      change in very intense category from more pessimistic at time of diagnosis to
      more optimistic at current time. Fathers, although indicating a mood change in
      the very intense category to more optimistic, also had more pessimistic
      responses. Parental similarities and differences were also reported in both times
      and events that triggered the sorrow response. Categories across times and events
      were primarily related to health care, school/development concerns and social
      significance. Clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.

PMID- 24234593
TI  - Pre-screening education in multiple marker screening programs: The effect on
      patient anxiety and knowledge.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that unexplained deviations in maternal serum
      multiple marker screening (MMS) generate considerable anxiety during the
      remainder of pregnancy. While the role of education in decreasing anxiety is
      documented, to date there has been no prospective evaluation of which educational
      practices might minimize this emotional stress. In a pilot study, we
      prospectively examined the effects on anxiety and knowledge by providing
      information about MMS (1) by genetic counselor, (2) by pamphlet, and (3) by
      primary physician. Women randomized to one of these three modalities were
      administered the Spielberger State- Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] and knowledge
      questionnaires at their initial obstetrics visit, at their second visit after
      educational intervention and 1-2 weeks after MMS results were provided to
      patients. Education resulted in an increase in knowledge and post-education
      knowledge was different between educational modalities. Anxiety declined in
      patients educated through genetic counseling or a pamphlet. 

PMID- 24234594
TI  - Amniocentesis.

PMID- 24234595
TI  - Letters to the editor.

PMID- 24234596
TI  - Elasmobranch pericardial function. 1. Pericardial pressures are not always
      negative.
AB  - Acute studies have led to the generalization that negative pericardial pressure
      is necessary for optimal cardiac function in elasmobranchs. We chronically
      instrumented horn sharks with pericardial catheters to test the hypothesis that
      ejection of pericardial fluid through the pericardioperitoneal canal (PPC) during
      routine handling could have accounted in part for previous measurements of
      exclusively negative pressures (-0.3 to -9.1 cm H2O) in elasmobranchs. Maximum
      and minimum pericardial pressures measured immediately following routine handling
      (acute pressures) were more negative than those measured in resting horn sharks
      at intervals from 1 to 27 days following handling (chronic pressures). Chronic
      pericardial pulse pressure was less than acute. Entirely positive pericardial
      pressures were observed on occasion. Handling of chronically catheterized horn
      sharks resulted in ejection of 21 per cent (range=10-26, n=5) of the initial
      pericardial fluid volume through the PPC and reduced pericardial pressure.
      Operating pericardial fluid volume of horn sharks averaged 2.0 ml.kg(-1)
      (range=1.6-2.6, n=9). The PPC opened after 4.3+/-0.2 ml.kg(-1) (x+/-S.E.) of
      elasmobranch saline had been slowly infused into the pericardium, corresponding
      to an average pressure of 1.3+/-0.2 cm H2O (n=10). The presence of the PPC plus a
      comparatively large pericardial fluid volume allows horn sharks to regulate
      pericardial pressure. Our analysis of pericardial pulse pressure, which can be an
      index of cardiac activity, suggests in contrast to previous studies that the
      elasmobranch heart can have relatively high stroke volumes at pericardial
      pressures near ambient. Thus, for venous return in resting or even moderately
      active elasmobranchs, it is more important that pericardial pressure be pulsatile
      than at a mean level which is negative. 

PMID- 24234597
TI  - Dietary carbohydrate and growth, body composition and heat increment in rainbow
      trout (Salmo gairdneri).
AB  - A study was conducted to determine growth, body composition and heat increment
      (HI) of rainbow trout reared on isonitrogenous high digestible carbohydrate (HC)
      and high fat (HL) diets at 15 degrees C. Trout reared on the HC diet had a
      significantly lower final body weight and carcass lipid content and a
      significantly higher feed:gain ratio and carcass protein content than trout
      reared on the HL diet after 12 weeks on the test diets. The lower carcass lipid
      composition indicates that trout do not readily convert dietary carbohydrates
      into fat. HI of trout reared on the HC diet was significantly higher than that of
      fish reared on the HL diet. Considering the poor utilization of dietary
      carbohydrates as an energy source and the apparently low conversion of dietary
      glucose into fat, the cause of the higher HI associated with the HC diet is not
      completely understood. However, it is possible the elimination of excess dietary
      glucose is an energy dependent process resulting in an increased heat production
      which would partly account for the increased HI. Furthermore, if the HC diet is a
      low net energy diet, then the metabolism and utilization of dietary and tissue
      proteins (amino acids) for energy by the trout may also be partly responsible for
      the increased HI of the trout reared on the HC diet. 

PMID- 24234598
TI  - The thiamin deficiency signs and requirement of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri,
      Richardson).
AB  - Four growth studies were conducted to determine the signs, biochemical indices
      and histopathology of a thiamin deficiency and the thiamin requirement of young
      rainbow trout reared at 15 degrees C on a semi-purified test diet. The major
      overt signs of a thiamin deficiency in rainbow trout are predominantly
      neurological: irritability and instability. Other signs include convulsions, feed
      refusal, dark pigmentation and finally mortalities. Growth reduction in the
      thiamin deficient trout appear to result from anorexia or feed refusal and not
      specifically to a thiamin deficiency. Although there were prominant neurological
      signs in the thiamin deficient trout, there were no histopathological signs in
      any tissues of the trout, including the brain and central nervous system,
      examined by light microscopic techniques. The tissue transketolase activity would
      appear to be a sensitive and specific indicator of the thiamin status in the
      trout. In addition, the levels of plasma lactate and serum pyruvate are also
      elevated in thiamin deficient trout. On the basis of the growth parameters,
      absence of deficiency signs and kidney and liver transketolase activity, the
      thiamin requirement of rainbow trout reared at 15 degrees C on a semi-purified
      test diet is 1 mg/kg feed. 

PMID- 24234599
TI  - Cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolism in isolated liver cells from fed and
      starved rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri.
AB  - The cytochrome P-450 content in liver cells from rainbow trout was not affected
      by starvation for 12 weeks whereas the rate of cytochrome P-450-dependent
      deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin in liver cells from 6 or 12 weeks starved fish
      was 60% of the rate in fed fish. Treatment of fish with beta-naphthoflavone
      increased the 7-ethoxycoumarin metabolism several-fold in both starved and fed
      fish.Optimal cytochrome P-450 monooxygenation in liver cells from fed or starved
      fish was not affected by addition of glucose or 2-bromooctanoate, an inhibitor of
      fatty acid beta-oxidation which is the main source of metabolic fuel in trout
      liver. The cellular content of NADPH, an obligatory cofactor for cytochrome P-450
      monooxygenation, was not affected by addition of substrate to cytochrome P-450,
      inhibition of fatty acid beta-oxidation or inhibition of the oxidative
      phosphorylation. This indicates a great capacity of rainbow trout liver cells to
      retain high NADPH/NADP(+) ratios. These results suggest that the cytochrome P-450
      mediated metabolism of xenobiotics in liver cells from fed or starved trout is
      not limited by the availability of reducing equivalents. 

PMID- 24234600
TI  - Cortisol and liver metabolism of immature American eels,Anguilla rostrata
      (LeSueur).
AB  - Plasma and liver composition, liver enzyme activities, and metabolite flux in
      isolated hepatocytes have been studied in immature American eels,Anguilla
      rostrata, injected daily IP with saline or cortisol (0.35 mg/kg eel). Plasma
      cortisol values were significantly increased above saline controls in those eels
      receiving cortisol at 3h and 6h following the final (tenth) injection. On day 6
      and 10 of injection plasma cortisol levels were significantly below saline
      controls 24h following cortisol injection. Plasma glucose values were
      significantly depressed in the cortisol-injected eels at both 6 and 24h following
      the final (tenth) injection. At the 24h sampling time, plasma protein had
      significantly increased, but there was no change in either plasma amino acid or
      fatty acid levels. An increased hepatosomatic index was attributed to a major
      increase in total lipids, as both protein and glycogen contents were decreased.
      Of the liver enzymes assayed, significant activity changes occurred only for
      lactate dehydrogenase (decreased), mitochondrial citrate synthase (increased) and
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (increased) 24h following the final (tenth)
      cortisol injection. Although enzyme activity changes implied increased liver
      gluconeogenesis, the absolute rate of lactate, alanine, and aspartate
      incorporation into glucose declined in viable hepatocytes isolated from cortisol
      injected eels compared to the saline controls. Relative changes in metabolite
      flux did support a preferential increase in gluconeogenesis from amino acids.
      These results are consistent with the increase in amino acid gluconeogenesis as a
      result of cortisol administration implied in previous studies, but failed to show
      a definitive cortisol effect on this pathway in the eel liver. It is suggested
      that other hormones (e.g. thyroxine, catecholamines, glucagon) may interact in a
      complex way with cortisolin vivo to bring about the biochemical changes observed
      in this study. The rapid clearance of exogenously injected cortisol noted in this
      study makes causal relationships between the injected hormone and any observed
      metabolic effect in the intact animal difficult. 

PMID- 24234603
TI  - SergioFACCHETTI: Institutions Active in Environmental Science, Research and
      Technology in Italy(ESPR 1/4, 280-283, 1994).

PMID- 24234602
TI  - Bioavailability and total content as measures of pollution?

PMID- 24234604
TI  - Issue: Request for information on incineration of useless pesticides: Possible
      emissions, reactions in atmosphere, water and soil, effects on the population;
      conditions for measuring the emissions; alternativesversus incineration.

PMID- 24234601
TI  - Depression treatment enhances adherence to antiretroviral therapy: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is a risk factor for nonadherence to HIV/AIDS treatment.
      PURPOSE: A meta-analysis was conducted to examine whether treatment of depression
      and psychological distress improves antiretroviral therapy adherence. METHODS:
      PubMed and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched for relevant articles.
      Studies that reported an association between depression treatment (or an
      intervention with a component addressing mental health) and antiretroviral
      adherence were included. RESULTS: Across 29 studies of 12,243 persons living with
      HIV/AIDS, treatment of depression and psychological distress improved
      antiretroviral adherence (p < 0.001). The odds of a person adhering were 83 %
      better if he/she was treated for depression. Greater improvements in adherence
      were found for samples with lower CD4 counts or more severe depression, for
      interventions specifically targeting depression (versus addressing mental health
      as a secondary objective), longer treatments, and observational studies.
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the need for detection and treatment of
      depression among persons living with HIV/AIDS.

PMID- 24234605
TI  - Lithuanian Green Movement (LGM).
AB  - The Lithuanian Green Movement (LGM) was established in the Autumn of 1988. The
      LGM is an umbrella union of environmental clubs, groups and individuals for
      common activities, coordination and exchange of information. The LGM is a non
      profit making and non-governmental organization. 

PMID- 24234606
TI  - Nanoparticles open up a world of new materials.

PMID- 24234607
TI  - The environmental technology market in Korea.

PMID- 24234608
TI  - Substance flows through the economy and environment of a region : Part II:
      Modelling.
AB  - In the tradition of the study of materials flows through society, the Substance
      Flow Analysis (SFA) method and its software tool SFINX are presented. SFA aims at
      providing the relevant information for a country's overall management strategy
      regarding single substances or coherent groups of substances. Three modelling
      techniques and their possibilities and limitations are discussed: Bookkeeping,
      static modelling, and dynamic modelling. The computer program SFINX can be used
      for varoius purposes: (1) to obtain an overview of stocks and flows of a
      substance in, out and through a nation's economy and environment for a specific
      year, (2) to trace the origins of specific pollution problems, and (3) to
      estimate the effectiveness of certain abatement measures. Each application has
      its own requirements with regard to data and modelling. 

PMID- 24234609
TI  - Cadmium and methylmercury bioaccumulation by nymphs of the burrowing
      mayflyHexagenia rigida from the water column and sediment.
AB  - Based on a three compartment microcosm-water column, natural sediment,Hexagenia
      rigida nymphs-an experimental study was set up to compare cadmium (Cd) and
      methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation by a burrowing mayfly species, after
      exposure via the water column or the sediment as initial contamination sources.
      Results from a wide concentration range for each exposure condition revealed very
      marked differences between the two metals: MeHg was readily accumulated from the
      two contamination sources, leading to important metal concentrations in the
      nymphs after the 2 weeks' exposure; Cd bioaccumulation, on the other hand, was
      negligible when the metal was added to the water compartment, even though
      significant transfers were observed from the sediment source. The average Cd
      concentrations in the nymphs were proportional to the sediment contamination
      levels. Turbidity measurements in the water column, reflecting the bioturbation
      activity of the nymphs, revealed that the effect of Cd was significant, but only
      when the metal was initially added to the sediment. The results are discussed
      according to the uptake routes and the structural and functional properties of
      the biological barriers involved (gills and gut). 

PMID- 24234610
TI  - Octanol/water partition coefficients for environmentally important organic
      compounds : Test of three RP-HPLC-methods and new experimental results.
AB  - Partition coefficients PO,w ((i)) describing the distribution of a solute i onto
      coexisting phases of 1-octanol and water are needed in a large variety of
      applications. They can be measured directly by HPLC as long as log PO,w ((i))?
      3.5. For more hydrophobic substances, several experimental procedures have been
      proposed in the literature. The reliability of those methods is questionable.
      Therefore, in the present work, PO,w ((i)) is determined experimentally by three
      HPLC methods using reversed-phase HPLC [1]. Results from different procedures are
      compared critically. The method of Braumann [2] proved to be superior over the
      OECD-guidelines [3]. It was therefore applied to determine octanol/water
      partition coefficients for 23 substances at 25  degrees C. For eight of those
      substances (4-methylindole; 9-(hydroxymethyl)anthracene; N-ethylcarbazol;
      ethylcyclohexane; trans-2-octene; l,l-dimethyl-(ethy])cyclohexane; heptylbenzene;
      4-dodecyl-l,3-benzenediol) no experimentally determined number for PO,w ((i)) has
      been published before. 

PMID- 24234611
TI  - Aluminium production as a source of atmospheric carbonyl sulfide (COS).
AB  - Carbonyl sulfide is found as a major sulfur compound in anodic gases of
      commercial aluminium electrolysis. Recent spectroscopic measurements on
      industrial aluminium smelters found typical CO/COS ratios between 80 and 200.
      This results in specific COS emissions of between 1 and 7 kg/t(Al) if all COS is
      released into the atmosphere. In 1993 aluminium production would have been
      responsible for between 0.02 and 0.14 Tg of COS emissions. Currently, aluminium
      production does not seem to influence the total atmospheric COS budget to an
      extent beyond its natural variability. If recent growth rates of global aluminium
      production are sustained, however, COS emissions would quadruple until 2030.
      Together with increasing aircraft emissions into the stratosphere, an increase of
      the sulfate background aerosol is to be expected that could significantly enhance
      ozone depletion. The use of inert anodes is recommended to reduce aluminium
      production emissions of COS and CF4, C2F6, CO2, and CO at the same time. 

PMID- 24234612
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 24234614
TI  - UK report backs modern energy-from-waste plants.

PMID- 24234613
TI  - Field test of volatilization models.
AB  - Four volatilization models were tested against field data from the Manchester
      Ship Canal and the River Main. The equations byMACKAY andYEUN, using Schmidt
      number and wind speed for the calculation of volatilization rate, were found to
      give the best results for the slowly flowing Ship Canal. Models using flow
      velocity grossly underestimated the real values for this waterway but were found
      to be superior for the faster flowing River Main. The results of this work
      indicate that volatilization models should be carefully chosen for a particular
      environmental situation. Additionally, the importance of the validation of such
      models against field data is emphasised. 

PMID- 24234615
TI  - The north sea : invisible decline? Greenpeace report* short version.

PMID- 24234616
TI  - Environmental chemistry of the heavy elements.

PMID- 24234617
TI  - Afriwaste The fixation and stabilisation of hazardous waste : Rendering waste
      into a product safe for landfills.
AB  - The disposal of hazardous and toxic wastes is an area where utmost care and
      responsibility needs to be exercised. A certain (and mostly acceptable) level of
      care and responsibility has been legislated and is in place in most developed
      economies (UK, USA, Canada, Europe, etc.). This is, however, generally not the
      case in under-developed or developing economies, South Africa being no
      exception.This paper reflects on various disposal methods and describes a
      potentially economic alternative to existing methods of the disposal of toxic and
      hazardous wastes. These existing methods are: Disposal in Class I landfill sites
      and destruction via incineration.Although incineration (which entails the total
      destruction of toxic compounds) is the preferred method of disposal, an
      alternative solution is the fixation of these wastes using specially formulated
      cementitious agents. The Fixation Solution can be economically feasible,
      especially in developing economies. 

PMID- 24234618
TI  - Cleanable particulate filter for diesel engines.

PMID- 24234619
TI  - The microelectronic nose.

PMID- 24234620
TI  - Application of the criteria for classification of existing chemicals as dangerous
      for the environment.
AB  - The criteria for classification and labelling of substances as "dangerous for the
      environment" agreed upon within the European Union (EU) were applied to two sets
      of existing chemicals. One set (sample A) consisted of 41 randomly selected
      compounds listed in the European Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances
      (EINECS). The other set (sample B) comprised 115 substances listed in Annex I of
      Directive 67/548/EEC which were classified by the EU Working Group on
      Classification and Labelling of Existing Chemicals. The aquatic toxicity (fish
      mortality,Daphnia immobilisation, algal growth inhibition), ready
      biodegradability and n-octanol/water partition coefficient were measured for
      sample A by one and the same laboratory. For sample B, the available
      ecotoxicological data originated from many different sources and therefore was
      rather heterogeneous. In both samples, algal toxicity was the most sensitive
      effect parameter for most substances. Furthermore, it was found that,
      classification based on a single aquatic test result differs in many cases from
      classification based on a complete data set, although a correlation exists
      between the biological end-points of the aquatic toxicity test systems. 

PMID- 24234622
TI  - 26th international symposium on environmental analytical chemistry vienna,
      austria 9-12 april 1996.

PMID- 24234623
TI  - Preserving leaves for tannin and phenolic glycoside analyses: A comparison of
      methods using three willow taxa.
AB  - Members of the Salicaceae often produce phenolic glycosides and condensed
      tannins. There is much debate on the best method for the preservation of leaf
      material prior to chemical analysis. Published results indicate freeze-drying, a
      method commonly used for tannin analysis, may be inappropriate for phenolic
      glycosides, unless done in a manner to prevent thawing during the drying process.
      Another commonly employed method, air-drying, is appropriate for phenolic
      glycosides but inappropriate for condensed tannins. I present evidence using
      willow leaves that demonstrates that: (1) leaves freeze-dried in external flasks
      without temperature control contain lower concentrations of phenolic glycosides
      (salicortin and 2'-cinnamoylsalicortin), (2) air-dried leaves have reduced
      concentrations of condensed tannins, while (3) vacuum-dried fresh leaves have
      high concentrations of both phenolic glycosides and condensed tannins. Freeze
      drying caused salicortin and 2'-cinnamoyl salicortin concentrations to drop by 20
      mg/g and 4 mg/g, respectively. Salicin, a product of salicortin and 2'-cinnamoyl
      salicortin degradation, is absent in vacuum-dried leaves, present in air-dried
      leaves and very high in freeze-dried leaves. Thus, the presence of salicin in
      this system is an artifact of the preservation technique. Condensed tannin
      concentrations dropped nearly 20 mg/g when leaves were air-dried. Thus, vacuum
      drying fresh leaves allows researchers to quantify phenolic glycosides and
      condensed tannins from the same leaf material. 

PMID- 24234624
TI  - Secondary chemistry of hybrid and parental willows: Phenolic glycosides and
      condensed tannins inSalix sericea, S. eriocephala, and their hybrids.
AB  - Salix sericea andS. eriocephala differ markedly in secondary chemistry.S. sericea
      produces phenolic glycosides, salicortin and 2'-cinnamoylsalicortin, and low
      concentrations of condensed tannin. In contrast,S. eriocephala produces no
      phenolic glycosides, but high concentrations of condensed tannins. Hybrid
      chemistry is intermediate for both types of chemicals, suggesting predominantly
      additive inheritance of these two defensive chemical systems from the parental
      species. However, there is extensive variation among hybrids. This variation may
      be due to genetic variation among parental genotypes, which genes were passed on,
      or to subsequent back-crossing. The differences in chemistry are likely to exert
      a strong effect on the relative susceptibility of hybrid and parental willows to
      herbivores. 

PMID- 24234625
TI  - Antifeedant and toxic effects of sesquiterpenes fromSenecio palmensis to colorado
      potato beetle.
AB  - A bioassay-guided fractionation of the aerial parts ofSenecio palmensis resulted
      in the isolation of two sesquiterpenes, 2,10-bisaboladien-1-one and 11beta
      acetoxy-5-angeloyloxy-silphinen-3-one. The bisabolene and the silphinene
      represented 0.012% and 0.024% of the plant dry weight, respectively. Both
      compounds showed antifeedant activity againstLeptinotarsa decemlineata larvae and
      adults in short-term choice and no-choice bioassays. Both compounds were also
      tested against different species of phytopathogenic fungi. The beetles were more
      sensitive to these compounds in choice than in no-choice assays, with a gradient
      of increasing sensitivity from second instars to adults. Bisabolene was 45 times
      less active as an antifeedant than juglone, which was tested as a positive
      control. The silphinen was more active than the bisabolene, with a range of
      activity similar to juglone. Furthermore, exposure of fourth instars to these
      compounds over a 24-hr period resulted in reduced feeding and growth rates. To
      distinguish between antifeedant and toxic effects, growth efficiencies were
      calculated as the slope of the regression of relative growth rate on relative
      consumption rate. The comparison of these results with those of antifeedant
      simulation and contact toxicity bioassays indicates that feeding inhibition is
      the primary mode of action of the bisabolene, while the silphinene shows both
      antifeedant and toxic effects. 

PMID- 24234626
TI  - Effects of benzoic and cinnamic acids on membrane permeability of soybean roots.
AB  - Benzoic (BEN) and cinnamic (CIN) acids are commonly found in soils and are
      considered as strong allelochemicals. Published information suggest that BEN and
      CIN and other phenolic acids decrease plant growth in part by suppressing
      nutrient absorption. However, studies on the mechanism of action were not
      conclusive. We examined the effects of BEN and CIN on the cell plasma membrane in
      intact soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Maple Bell) seedlings. Treating intact root
      systems with BEN or CIN rapidly increased electrolyte leakage and ultraviolet
      absorption of materials into the surrounding solution. After 12 hr of treatment,
      BEN and CIN lowered the extracellular sulfhydryl group content in roots. The two
      allelochemicals induced lipid peroxidation, which resulted from free radical
      formation in plasma membranes, inhibition of catalase and peroxidase activities,
      and sulfhydryl group depletion. Oxidation or cross-linking of plasma membrane
      sulfhydryl groups is the first mode of action of both compounds. The BEN- and CIN
      induced decrease in soybean nutrient absorption may be a consequence of damage to
      cell membrane integrity caused by a decrease in sulfhydryl groups followed by
      lipid peroxidation. 

PMID- 24234627
TI  - Biological activity of chemicals identified from extracts and volatiles of
      maleRhagoletis cerasi.
AB  - Fractions obtained by chromatographic separation of extracts and volatiles from
      maleRhagoletis cerasi flies were tested for biological activity on females under
      laboratory conditions. During the bioassays, the number of incoming flies as well
      as the time spent by individual flies on the area of stimulus were taken under
      consideration. Two distinct types of female behavior were observed, i.e.,
      attraction and arrestant behavior. GC-MS analysis of biologically active
      fractions resulted in tentative identification of 75 compounds. EAG screening for
      27 of these compounds was performed, and subsequent laboratory bioassays resulted
      in the confirmation of arrestant activity for various mixtures of eight fatty
      acids (octadecanoic, nonadecanoic, eicosatetraenoic, eicosapenaenoic,
      eicosaenoic, heneicosanoic, docosahexenoic, and docosanoic). Following EAG tests
      and laboratory bioassays, a possible mode of chemical communication of this
      species with sex pheromones is proposed. 

PMID- 24234628
TI  - Spatial distribution of pheromone in vineyards treated for mating disruption of
      the grape vine mothLobesia botrana measured with electroantennograms.
AB  - The spatial distribution of the pheromone of the grape vine moth.Lobesia botrana
      (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), was measured in vineyards treated for mating
      disruption by using an electroantennogram technique (EAG). Five hundred
      dispensers per hectare, each containing 0.1 g of the main component of the sex
      pheromone (E,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate (E7,Z9-12: Ac) were evenly distributed
      in the experimental vineyards. The EAG amplitudes measured in the experimental
      plots were transformed into relative pheromone concentrations by means of a
      calibration curve. Mean relative pheromone concentrations in the center of a
      treated plot reached 2.31 * 10(-4) relative units. No significant differences in
      the mean relative pheromone concentrations were found between replicate plots (P
      > 0.01). The mean relative pheromone concentrations measured within one plot
      along a transect at 5-m intervals also showed no significant differences between
      the sites. These results indicate that inside the borders of treated areas the
      pheromone was evenly distributed. No sites with significantly lower pheromone
      concentrations, frequently assumed to be the cause for higher trap catches in
      some areas, were found. However, the mean relative pheromone concentration
      rapidly declined more than 100-fold outside the border of the treated plot. At 10
      m from the treated area, the EAGs showed no significant difference compared to
      the EAGs recorded in an untreated area. A rapid drop in the mean relative
      pheromone concentration was also found on a vertical transect through the canopy
      of the vineyard. Measurements in an untreated control block gave a mean antennal
      response approximately 1000-fold lower than in a nearby pheromone treated plot.
      The significance of the variation in the pheromone distribution for the success
      of the mating-disruption method is discussed. 

PMID- 24234629
TI  - Chemically mediated ovipositional behaviors of the european corn borer,Ostrinia
      nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
AB  - The volatile plant sesquiterpenoids farnesene, nerolidol, and farnesol were
      tested to determine their effect on European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis,
      oviposition during the first six nights of the adult stage. Adult European corn
      borers were released into cages designed to encourage oviposition on eight glass
      plates randomly arranged on top of the cage: four coated with either 80ug/cm(2)
      farnesene, nerolidol, or farnesol, and four coated with the solvent methylene
      chloride. The setup was used as a binary choice test. Farnesene was preferred by
      females because they deposited significantly more egg masses on plates coated
      with the compound. Nerolidol had no effect. Farnesol, by contrast, deterred
      oviposition: the number of egg masses was significantly lower on plates covered
      with that compound. These data show that structural modification at a single
      terminal functional group in these compounds affects the ovipositional behavior
      of European corn borer females. 

PMID- 24234630
TI  - Interfamily variation in comb wax hydrocarbons produced by honey bees.
AB  - The hydrocarbons of honeybee comb wax vary significantly between colonies. This
      variation is explained in part by genetic (familial) differences among colonies.
      Even though significant differences in wax hydrocarbons exist among families,
      there is a high level of consistency within and among families in a correlation
      analysis, indicating structural constancy in comb wax. The significance of these
      results in interpreting the potential role of comb wax in the nestmate
      recognition system of the honeybee is discussed. 

PMID- 24234631
TI  - Platyphylloside: Metabolism and digestibility reductionin vitro.
AB  - The metabolism of platyphylloside [(5S)-5-hydroxy-1,7-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3
      heptanone-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranosidel]-known to reduce digestibility-was
      studiedin vitro in sheep rumen liquor. Platyphylloside is hydrolyzed to 5-hydroxy
      3-platyphyllone [(5S)-5-hydroxy-1,7-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-heptanone], which is
      reduced to centrolobol [1,7-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-heptanol], via 3
      platyphyllone [7-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-heptanone]. The digestibility-reducing
      effect was shown to be correlated with the concentration of centrolobol. 

PMID- 24234632
TI  - Responses of beaver (Castor canadensis Kuhl) to predator chemicals.
AB  - Free-ranging beaver (Castor canadensis) in two different beaver populations in
      New York State were exposed to predator chemicals to test feeding inhibition.
      Solvent extracts of feces were applied to stem sections of aspen, the preferred
      food tree of beavers, permitting smelling and tasting the samples. Predator odors
      were from wolf (Canis lupus), coyote (Canis latrans), dog (Canis familiaris),
      black bear (Ursus americanus), river otter (Lutra canadensis), lynx (Lynx
      canadensis), and African lion (Panthera leo). The experiment was repeated. The
      predator odors reduced feeding compared to untreated or solvent-treated controls.
      One population consumed 17.0% of the samples with predator odor and 27.0% of the
      controls in summer, and 48.4% and 60.0%, respectively, in autumn. The other
      population accepted 3.15% of the predator odor samples and 11.05% of the controls
      in summer. Coyote, lynx, and river otter odors had the strongest effects. Diesel
      oil and bitter-tasting neem extract had weaker effects. Predator odors are
      promising as feeding repellents for beaver. 

PMID- 24234633
TI  - Allelopathic potential ofAnthoxanthum odoratum for invadingZoysia-grassland in
      Japan.
AB  - The growth ofZoysia japonica surroundingAnthoxanthum odoratum onZoysia-grassland
      in Japan was investigated in June 1994. The stem density ofZ. japonica tended to
      decrease with short distances between twoA. odoratum plants. This showed that the
      growth ofZ. japonica surroundingA. odoratum was reduced. Basic, neutral, and
      acidic fractions extracted fromA. odoratum plants inhibited the seedling growth
      of lettuce. In particular the neutral fraction showed the strongest activity
      among the three fractions. The main inhibitory compound obtained atR f 0.6-0.7,
      on the thin-layer chromatogram of the neutral fraction, was isolated and
      identified as coumarin by means of GC-MS. Coumarin solution inhibited seedling
      growth ofZ. japonica in low concentrations but, conversely, promoted seedling
      growth ofA. odoratum. Coumarin was contained in all parts ofA. odoratum and its
      concentration varied with the season and from one individual plant to another. In
      particular, coumarin was highly concentrated in the leaves, accounting for more
      than 2.5% of dry leaf weight in June. The inhibitory effect of these aqueous
      extracts was correlated to the amount of coumarin inA. odoratum leaves and
      cournarin was considered to be the main inhibitory compound. 

PMID- 24234634
TI  - Effects ofneo-clerodane diterpenes fromTeucrium on feeding behavior of colorado
      potato beetle larvae.
AB  - Treatment of potato leaf disks with fourneo-clerodane diterpenes fromTeucrium
      (eriocephalin, teucrin-A, teucvin, and teuscorolide) significantly reduced
      feeding by larvae ofLeptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle). Choice
      and no-choice tests suggest that teuscorolide acts as a feeding deterrent,
      whereas the antifeedant activity of teucrin-A, teucvin, and eriocephalin is
      likely associated with a toxic mode of action. Nutritional tests, antifeedant
      simulation assays, and posttreatment studies confirmed that teucrin-A can be
      categorized by its mode of action as a toxin, rather than as a feeding deterrent.

PMID- 24234635
TI  - Professor Al Nier and his influence on mass spectrometry.
AB  - Professor Alfred Otto Carl Nier has had a singular influence on the art and
      science of mass spectrometry over the last 55 years. I had the pleasure of
      conducting an oral history interview of Dr. Nier in the spring of 1989 at his
      office and laboratory at the University of Minnesota. I was assisted in this
      endeavor by Thomas Krick of the Biochemistry Department staff. The interview was
      underwritten by the American Society for Mass Spectrometry. The following
      highlights are excerpted from 10 1/2 hours of material recorded during the
      interview. The complete set of tapes, a full transcript, pictures, and other
      material collected during the interview are archived with the Beckman Center for
      the History of Chemistry in Philadelphia. 

PMID- 24234636
TI  - A new approach for the study of gas-phase ion-ion reactions using electrospray
      ionization.
AB  - A simple flow reactor which facilitates the study and application of ion-ion and
      ion-molecule reactions at near atmospheric pressures is reported. Reactant ions
      were generated by electrospray ionization and discharge ionization methods,
      although any ionization sources amenable to atmospheric pressure may be used.
      Ions of opposite charge are generated in spatially separate ion sources and are
      swept into capillary inlets where the flows are merged and where reaction(s) can
      occur. Among the reactions investigated were the partial neutralization of
      multiply protonated polypeptides and proteins such as melittin, bradykinin,
      cytochrome c, and myoglobin by reaction with discharge-generated anions, the
      partial neutralization of multiply charged anions of oligodeoxyadenylic acid
      (d(pA)3) by reaction with discharge-generated cations, the partial neutralization
      of bovine A-chain insulin anions by reaction with myoglobin [M+nH](n+) ions, and
      the reaction of multiply protonated melittin with discharge-generated cations.
      The cation-anion reactions generally resulted in a shift to lower charge (higher
      mass-to-charge ratio) in the products' charge state distributions and the
      transfer of solvent molecules to the macromolecule products. Multiply protonated
      melittin was detected in a less highly solvated state with the positive discharge
      in operation. 

PMID- 24234637
TI  - A pulsed ion deflection system for background reduction in (252)CF-plasma
      desorption mass spectrometry.
AB  - The use of an electrostatic particle guide (EPG) for background reduction in a
      time-of-flight mass spectrometer is described. Operating with reverse polarity,
      the EPG deflects ions radially from the beam axis, separating the ionic and
      neutral components of the beam. Use of the deflection EPG in a synchronized
      pulsed mode with a barrier disk aligned in the center of the beam axis eliminates
      up to 80% of the spectral background in the molecular ion region of an insulin
      spectrum obtained by (252)Cf-plasma desorption mass spectrometry. The background
      eliminated is due to the neutral products of metastable fragmentation and to
      uncorrelated events. Although peak intensities are reduced when the pulsed
      deflection EPG system is used, the reduction in background achieved is greater,
      resulting in an overall improvement in peak-to-background ratios of up to a
      factor of three. A new large-area stop detector designed for use with the pulsed
      deflection EPG is described. The new hybrid detector, which utilizes the
      combination of a large (75-mm active diameter) microchannel plate (MCP) and a
      scintillation detector, provides greater sensitivity for high-mass ions than a
      conventional MCP chevron detector. 

PMID- 24234638
TI  - Probing trapped ion energies via ion-molecule reaction kinetics: Quadrupole ion
      trap mass spectrometry.
AB  - We present a detailed study of the energies of the ions stored in a quadrupole
      ion trap mass spectrometer (QITMS). Previous studies have shown that the rate
      constant, k, for the charge exchange reaction Ar(+) N(+) 2 ->, N(+) 2+Ar
      increases with increasing ion-molecule center-of-mass kinetic energy (K.E.cm).
      Thus, we have determined k for this chemical "thermometer" reaction at a variety
      of Ar and N2 pressures and have assigned K.E.cm values as a function of the q2 of
      the Ar(+) ion both with and without He buffer gas present in the trap. The K.E.cm
      energies are found to lie within the range 0.11-0.34 eV over the variety of
      experimental conditions investigated. Quantitative "cooling" effects due to the
      presence of He buffer gas are reported, as are increases in K.E.cm due to an
      increase in the q2 of the Ar(+) ion. "Effective" temperatures of the Ar(+) ions
      in He buffer are determined based on a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of ion
      energies. The resulting temperatures are found to lie within the range ~ 1700
      3300 K. We have also examined the K.E.cm, values arising from the chemical
      thermometer reaction of O(+) 2 with CH4, as previous assignments of effective ion
      temperatures based on this reaction have been called into question. 

PMID- 24234639
TI  - Probing trapped ion energies via ion-molecule reaction kinetics: Fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
AB  - The kinetic energy-dependent Ar(+)+ N2 ion-molecule reaction has been used as a
      chemical "thermometer" to determine the kinetic energy of ions produced by
      electron ionization and trapped by using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron
      resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer. The rate constant for this reaction obtained
      on the FTICR mass spectrometer was compared to previous work, which allowed a
      kinetic energy estimate to be made. In addition, the effects of varying
      parameters such as trapping voltage and pressure on ion kinetic energy were
      investigated. No evidence of the differing reactivity of higher energy electronic
      states of Ar(+), such as (2)P1/2, was observed and the results of a model of this
      system are presented that support this observation. Pressure studies revealed
      that with an average of as few as 13 ion-molecule collisions, Ar(+) ions are
      collisionally relaxed to an extent unaffected by additional collisions. Based on
      recent variable temperature selected ion flow drift tube measurements, FTICR ion
      energies are estimated to be slightly above thermal. 

PMID- 24234640
TI  - Space charge effects on relative peak heights in fourier transform-ion cyclotron
      resonance spectra.
AB  - Ion trajectory calculations have confirmed that space charge interactions can be
      a source for mass discrimination seen in Fourier transform-ion cyclotron
      resonance (FT-ICR) spectra. As compared with the previously recognized mechanism
      of z-axis excitation, ion-ion repulsion is a mechanism which specifically affects
      relative peak heights of ions close in mass, and is most severe for low
      excitation radiofrequency (rf) amplitudes. In this mechanism, Coulomb repulsion
      significantly perturbs the motion of the ion clouds during excitation and alters
      the final cyclotron orbital radii. Under these conditions peak heights do not
      accurately reflect the true ion abundances in the FT-ICR spectrometer. Mass
      discrimination can be minimized by using low numbers of ions, low ion densities,
      and a short, high amplitude rf excitation waveform. Experimental observation of
      the relative peak heights of the m/z 91, 92, and 134 ions in n-butylbenzene gives
      quantitative confirmation of the results of the trajectory calculations. Chirp,
      SWIFT, and impulse excitation were modeled: impulse excitation was found to be
      most effective in minimizing the effects of space charge interactions. 

PMID- 24234641
TI  - Quadrupole-based mass spectrometric evaluation of isotope ratios of carbon
      dioxide in expired air from mice and men following the administration of (13)C
      methyl methionine.
AB  - A method is described for the measurement of the isotopic ratio of
      (13)CO2/(12)CO2 in expired air from individual mice and from humans by means of a
      quadrupole-based mass spectrometer system. Following the administration of (13)C
      methyl methionine or another appropriately labeled substrate, the (13)C portion
      of the molecule is converted to (13)CO2. The (13)CO2 enters the carbonate pool(s)
      and is ultimately eliminated in the expired air where it is available for
      analysis. The expired air is transported by a small pump from the subject to a
      digital valve which provides for the alternate influx of expired air and standard
      into the mass spectrometer for 30 or 60 seconds each, respectively. The inlet
      consists of a control valve connected to a microbore stainless steel tube, and
      can be adjusted manually to achieve a source pressure of 4 X 10(-5) torr. The
      correction factors for drift in sensitivity and in the mass axis are generated by
      repeated, automatic analysis of the running standard and relating those
      measurements to values generated for the standard during the first minutes of the
      experiment. Each measurement of an isotopic ratio in expired air is corrected by
      an amount determined by the standard immediately preceding it. Precision for the
      measurements of both sample and standard ratios is +/-0.2%. The technique should
      prove useful in assessing the metabolism, of substrates that are converted to CO2
      and may find utility as a diagnostic tool for certain diseases and metabolic
      disorders. 

PMID- 24234642
TI  - An investigation of dipeptides containing polar and nonpolar side groups by curie
      point pyrolysis tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Methionyl-leucine, leucyl-methionine, phenylalanyl-leucine, and leucyl
      phenylalanine have been analyzed to determine dipeptide fragmentation mechanisms
      in Curie-point pyrolysis tandem mass spectrometry. Results show that
      fragmentations of dipeptides follow two general pathways, one involving direct
      cleavage of the dipeptide and the other involving cyclization of the dipeptide.
      Unique products and strong changes in relative mass spectral peak intensities
      arise, depending on constituent amino acid residues and their sequence. Also, the
      length and nature of the side groups strongly direct fragmentation. From these
      results, the major peaks in the spectra of eight other dipeptides could be
      readily explained; this suggests that a significant number of dipeptides follow
      the same general fragmentation mechanisms. 

PMID- 24234643
TI  - Identification of deoxynucleoside-polyaromatic hydrocarbon adducts by capillary
      zone electrophoresis-Continuous Flow-fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.
AB  - Capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to continuous flow-fast atom bombardment
      mass spectrometry is shown to have utility for the detection and characterization
      of adducts formed by the covalent attachment of four polyaromatic hydrocarbon
      (PAH) and amino-PAH compounds to deoxyguanosine. Normal scanning provided
      structural information for a 1.3 ng injection of a model adduct, while 1.3 ng of
      each of a mixture of adducts was sufficient to determine their molecular weights
      by monitoring the constant neutral loss of deoxyribose. Exploitation of this loss
      in the multiple reaction monitoring mode resulted in the detection of low
      picogram amounts of target adducts in mixtures. 

PMID- 24234644
TI  - Novel 3-hydroxylated leukotriene b4 metabolites from ethanol-treated rat
      hepatocytes.
AB  - Coincubations of radiolabeled leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and ethanol with isolated rat
      hepatocytes led to formation of one dihydroxylated and two novel beta-oxidized
      metabolites of LTB4. The major radioactive peaks from reverse-phase-high
      performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) eluted with material absorbing UV
      light maximally at 270 nm, with shoulders at 260 and 280 nm, indicating retention
      of the conjugated triene structure of the parent molecule in each metabolite
      structure. Following purification, catalytic reduction, and derivatization, mass
      spectrometric analysis revealed that all three metabolites were hydroxylated at
      the C-3 carbon atom based on characteristic ions at m/z 201 and 175 in the
      electron ionization mass spectra of the metabolites. Negative-ion electron
      capture mass spectrometry of the metabolites as pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) ester,
      trimethylsilyl ether derivatives aided structural characterizations while
      revealing interesting fragmentations. A ketene-containing ion appeared to result
      from the loss of both PFB groups (one as PFB alcohol), while a lactone alkoxide
      ion appeared to result following loss of PFB and bis (trimethylsilyl) ether. From
      these data three novel LTB4 metabolites were suggested to be 3,20-dihydroxy-LTB4
      (3,20-diOH-LTB4), 3-hydroxy-18-carboxy-LTB4 (3-OH-18-COOH-LTB4), and 3-hydroxy-16
      carboxy-LTB3 (3-OH-16-COOH-LTB3). The significance of the almost exclusive
      formation of these 3-hydroxylated LTB4 metabolites in the presence of ethanol is
      currently unknown, but may result from interrupted beta-oxidation from the C-1
      carboxyl moiety. 

PMID- 24234646
TI  - Implication of the charge site in "charge-remote" fragmentations.

PMID- 24234645
TI  - Charge-remote fragmentation during FAB-CAD-B/E linked-scan mass spectrometry of
      aminoethyl-triphenylphosphonium derivatives of fatty acids.
AB  - The carboxyl group of fatty acids is derivatized by aminoethyl
      triphenylphosphonium (AETPP) bromide. Fast atom bombardment (FAB) collision
      activated dissociation (CAD) B/E linked-scan mass spectrometry of these fixed
      charge derivatives shows typical charge-remote fragmentation (CRF). Locations of
      various structural modifications in fatty acids can be recognized easily from CAD
      spectra of the AETPP derivatives. Because the triphenylphosphonium group
      localizes positive charge in the molecule, and because a key requirement for CRF
      is a tightly localized charge site, these preionized molecules fragment under FAB
      CAD conditions more effectively than other derivatives that involve ionic bonding
      with metal cations or protonation of basic sites. Thus, CAD of AETPP derivatives
      is likely to produce more structurally informative spectra and provide an
      opportunity to gain additional under-standing of the CRF process. The most
      profound difference between the AETPP derivatives and other cations in positive
      mode FAB-CAD-B/E-MS is reflected in the substantial improvement of detection
      limits for the AETPP derivatives over those for the metal cation adducts. For
      several fatty acids (C10-C22) tested, the detectability can be enhanced by one to
      two orders of magnitude when the analysis is performed on the AETPP derivative.
      In addition, for the analysis of fatty acid mixtures, the FAB mass spectrum of
      AETPP derivatives produces a relative intensity of the molecular ion peak for
      each component of the mixture that more closely represents its mole fraction than
      does that of metal ion adducts. 

PMID- 24234650
TI  - Novel functional APOB mutations outside LDL-binding region causing familial
      hypercholesterolaemia.
AB  - Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is characterized by increased circulating low
      density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol leading to premature atherosclerosis and
      coronary heart disease. Although FH is usually caused by mutations in LDLR,
      mutations in APOB and PCSK9 also cause FH but only a few mutations have been
      reported, APOB p.R3527Q being the most common. However, 30-80% of clinical FH
      patients do not present an identifiable mutation in any of the described genes.
      To identify the genetic cause of the hypercholesterolaemia in 65 patients without
      mutations in LDLR, PCSK9 or in fragments of exon 26 and 29 of APOB currently
      analysed, we performed whole sequencing of APOB by pyrosequencing. A total of 10
      putative mutations in APOB were identified. Flow cytometry with fluorescently
      labelled LDL from patients and relatives showed that p.Arg1164Thr (exon 22) and
      p.Gln4494del (exon 29) presented a 40% decrease in internalization in lymphocytes
      and HepG2 cells, very similar to APOB3527. The proliferation assays with U937
      cells showed reduced growth for both cases. The variant p.Tyr1247Cys was found to
      be neutral and other three alterations were considered polymorphisms. Our results
      emphasize the need to study the whole APOB in routine protocols to improve
      patient identification and cardiovascular risk assessment. 

PMID- 24234649
TI  - Dystrophic muscle improvement in zebrafish via increased heme oxygenase
      signaling.
AB  - Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by a lack of the dystrophin protein
      and has no effective treatment at present. Zebrafish provide a powerful in vivo
      tool for high-throughput therapeutic drug screening for the improvement of muscle
      phenotypes caused by dystrophin deficiency. Using the dystrophin-deficient
      zebrafish, sapje, we have screened a total of 2640 compounds with known modes of
      action from three drug libraries to identify modulators of the disease
      progression. Six compounds that target heme oxygenase signaling were found to
      rescue the abnormal muscle phenotype in sapje and sapje-like, while upregulating
      the inducible heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1) at the protein level. Direct Hmox1
      overexpression by injection of zebrafish Hmox1 mRNA into fertilized eggs was
      found to be sufficient for a dystrophin-independent restoration of normal muscle
      via an upregulation of cGMP levels. In addition, treatment of mdx(5cv) mice with
      the PDE5 inhibitor, sildenafil, which was one of the six drugs impacting the
      Hmox1 pathway in zebrafish, significantly increased the expression of Hmox1
      protein, thus making Hmox1 a novel target for the improvement of dystrophic
      symptoms. These results demonstrate the translational relevance of our zebrafish
      model to mammalian models and support the use of zebrafish to screen for new
      drugs to treat human DMD. The discovery of a small molecule and a specific
      therapeutic pathway that might mitigate DMD disease progression could lead to
      significant clinical implications. 

PMID- 24234648
TI  - No evidence for shared genetic basis of common variants in multiple sclerosis and
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies have been successful in identifying common
      variants that influence the susceptibility to complex diseases. From these
      studies, it has emerged that there is substantial overlap in susceptibility loci
      between diseases. In line with those findings, we hypothesized that shared
      genetic pathways may exist between multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic
      lateral sclerosis (ALS). While both diseases may have inflammatory and
      neurodegenerative features, epidemiological studies have indicated an increased
      co-occurrence within individuals and families. To this purpose, we combined
      genome-wide data from 4088 MS patients, 3762 ALS patients and 12 030 healthy
      control individuals in whom 5 440 446 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were
      successfully genotyped or imputed. We tested these SNPs for the excess
      association shared between MS and ALS and also explored whether polygenic models
      of SNPs below genome-wide significance could explain some of the observed trait
      variance between diseases. Genome-wide association meta-analysis of SNPs as well
      as polygenic analyses fails to provide evidence in favor of an overlap in genetic
      susceptibility between MS and ALS. Hence, our findings do not support a shared
      genetic background of common risk variants in MS and ALS. 

PMID- 24234651
TI  - Graded Otx2 activities demonstrate dose-sensitive eye and retina phenotypes.
AB  - In the human, mutations of OTX2 (Orthodenticle homeobox 2 transcription factor)
      translate into eye malformations of variable expressivity (even between the two
      eyes of the same individual) and incomplete penetrance, suggesting the existence
      of subtle thresholds in OTX2 activity. We have addressed this issue by analyzing
      retinal structure and function in six mutant mice with graded Otx2 activity:
      Otx2(+/+), Otx2(+/AA), Otx2(+/GFP), Otx2(AA/AA), Otx2(AA/GFP) and Otx2(GFP/GFP).
      Null mice (Otx2(GFP/GFP)) fail to develop the head and are embryonic lethal, and
      compound heterozygous Otx2(AA/GFP) mice show a truncated head and die at birth.
      All other genotypes develop until adulthood. We analyzed eye structure and visual
      physiology in the genotypes that develop until adulthood and report that
      phenotype severity parallels Otx2 activity. Otx2(+/AA) are only mildly affected
      whereas Otx2(+/GFP) are more affected than Otx2(+/AA) but less than Otx2(AA/AA)
      mice. Otx2(AA/AA) mice later manifest the most severe defects, with variable
      expressivity. Electrophysiological and histological analyses of the mouse retina
      revealed progressive death of bipolar cells and cone photoreceptors that is both
      Otx2 activity- and age-dependent with the same ranking of phenotypic severity.
      This study demonstrates the importance of gene dosage in the development of age
      dependent pathologies and underscores the fact that small gene dosage differences
      can cause significant pathological states. 

PMID- 24234652
TI  - LRP4 third beta-propeller domain mutations cause novel congenital myasthenia by
      compromising agrin-mediated MuSK signaling in a position-specific manner.
AB  - Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are heterogeneous disorders in which the
      safety margin of neuromuscular transmission is compromised by one or more
      specific mechanisms. Using Sanger and exome sequencing in a CMS patient, we
      identified two heteroallelic mutations, p.Glu1233Lys and p.Arg1277His, in LRP4
      coding for the postsynaptic low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4.
      LRP4, expressed on the surface of the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular
      junction, is a receptor for neurally secreted agrin, and LRP4 bound by agrin
      activates MuSK. Activated MuSK in concert with Dok-7 stimulates rapsyn to
      concentrate and anchor AChR on the postsynaptic membrane and interacts with other
      proteins implicated in the assembly and maintenance of the neuromuscular
      junction. LRP4 also functions as an inhibitor of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. The
      identified mutations in LRP4 are located at the edge of its 3rd beta-propeller
      domain and decrease binding affinity of LRP4 for both MuSK and agrin. Mutations
      in the LRP4 3rd beta-propeller domain were previously reported to impair Wnt
      signaling and cause bone diseases including Cenani-Lenz syndactyly syndrome and
      sclerosteosis-2. By analyzing naturally occurring and artificially introduced
      mutations in the LRP4 3rd beta-propeller domain, we show that the edge of the
      domain regulates the MuSK signaling whereas its central cavity governs Wnt
      signaling. We conclude that LRP4 is a new CMS disease gene and that the 3rd beta
      propeller domain of LRP4 mediates the two signaling pathways in a position
      specific manner. 

PMID- 24234653
TI  - Functional microRNAs and target sites are created by lineage-specific
      transposition.
AB  - Transposable elements (TEs) account for nearly one-half of the sequence content
      in the human genome, and de novo germline transposition into regulatory or coding
      sequences of protein-coding genes can cause heritable disorders. TEs are
      prevalent in and around protein-coding genes, providing an opportunity to impart
      regulation. Computational studies reveal that microRNA (miRNA) genes and miRNA
      target sites reside within TE sequences, but there is little experimental
      evidence supporting a role for TEs in the birth of miRNAs, or as platform for
      gene regulation by miRNAs. In this work, we validate miRNAs and target sites
      derived from TE families prevalent in the human genome, including the ancient
      long interspersed nuclear element 2 (LINE2/L2), mammalian-wide interspersed
      repeat (MIR) retrotransposons and the primate-specific Alu family. We show that
      genes with 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) MIR elements are enriched for let-7
      targets and that these sites are conserved and responsive to let-7 expression. We
      also demonstrate that 3' UTR-embedded Alus are a source of miR-24 and miR-122
      target sites and that a subset of active genomic Alus provide for de novo target
      site creation. Finally, we report that although the creation of miRNA genes by
      Alu elements is relatively uncommon relative to their overall genomic abundance,
      Alu-derived miR-1285-1 is efficiently processed from its genomic locus and
      regulates genes with target sites contained within homologous elements. Taken
      together, our data provide additional evidence for TEs as a source for miRNAs and
      miRNA target sites, with instances of conservation through the course of
      mammalian evolution. 

PMID- 24234654
TI  - alpha-Actinin-3 deficiency alters muscle adaptation in response to denervation
      and immobilization.
AB  - Homozygosity for a common null polymorphism (R577X) in the ACTN3 gene results in
      the absence of the fast fibre-specific protein, alpha-actinin-3 in ~16% of humans
      worldwide. alpha-Actinin-3 deficiency is detrimental to optimal sprint
      performance and benefits endurance performance in elite athletes. In the general
      population, alpha-actinin-3 deficiency is associated with reduced muscle mass,
      strength and fast muscle fibre area, and poorer muscle function with age. The
      Actn3 knock-out (KO) mouse model mimics the human phenotype, with fast fibres
      showing a shift towards slow/oxidative metabolism without a change in myosin
      heavy chain (MyHC) isoform. We have recently shown that these changes are
      attributable to increased activity of the calcineurin-dependent signalling
      pathway in alpha-actinin-3 deficient muscle, resulting in enhanced response to
      exercise training. This led us to hypothesize that the Actn3 genotype influences
      muscle adaptation to disuse, irrespective of neural innervation. Separate cohorts
      of KO and wild-type mice underwent 2 weeks immobilization and 2 and 8 weeks of
      denervation. Absence of alpha-actinin-3 resulted in reduced atrophic response and
      altered adaptation to disuse, as measured by a change in MyHC isoform. KO mice
      had a lower threshold to switch from the predominantly fast to a slower muscle
      phenotype (in response to immobilization) and a higher threshold to switch to a
      faster muscle phenotype (in response to denervation). We propose that this change
      is mediated through baseline alterations in the calcineurin signalling pathway of
      Actn3 KO muscle. Our findings have important implications for understanding
      individual responses to muscle disuse/disease and training in the general
      population. 

PMID- 24234655
TI  - The transgenic expression of LARGE exacerbates the muscle phenotype of
      dystroglycanopathy mice.
AB  - Mutations in fukutin-related protein (FKRP) underlie a group of muscular
      dystrophies associated with the hypoglycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan (alpha
      DG), a proportion of which show central nervous system involvement. Our original
      FKRP knock-down mouse (FKRP(KD)) replicated many of the characteristics seen in
      patients at the severe end of the dystroglycanopathy spectrum but died
      perinatally precluding its full phenotyping and use in testing potential
      therapies. We have now overcome this by crossing FKRP(KD) mice with those
      expressing Cre recombinase under the Sox1 promoter. Owing to our original
      targeting strategy, this has resulted in the restoration of Fkrp levels in the
      central nervous system but not the muscle, thereby generating a new model
      (FKRP(MD)) which develops a progressive muscular dystrophy resembling what is
      observed in limb girdle muscular dystrophy. Like-acetylglucosaminyltransferase
      (LARGE) is a bifunctional glycosyltransferase previously shown to
      hyperglycosylate alpha-DG. To investigate the therapeutic potential of LARGE up
      regulation, we have now crossed the FKRP(MD) line with one overexpressing LARGE
      and show that, contrary to expectation, this results in a worsening of the muscle
      pathology implying that any future strategies based upon LARGE up-regulation
      require careful management.

PMID- 24234656
TI  - West Nile Virus Infection in the Immunocompromised Patient.
AB  - West Nile virus infection has become the predominant cause of flavivirus
      associated encephalitis in the US. While 80 % of infected individuals are
      asymptomatic, 20 % develop symptoms including fever, headache, transient rash and
      gastrointestinal symptoms. Among the immunocompetent population, 1 in 150 develop
      neuroinvasive disease characterized by acute flaccid paralysis, Parkinsonian
      cogwheel rigidity, meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis and asymmetric
      muscle weakness (Mostashari et al. in Lancet 358:261-264, 2001). In the
      immunocompromised population such as transplant recipients and HIV-infected and
      chemotherapy patients, the incidence of neuroinvasive disease may be increased.
      The largest population studied is recipients of solid organ transplants, with
      data on both donor-derived and naturally occurring transmissions. The risk of
      neuroinvasive disease in donor-derived infection is estimated to be between 50 %
      and 75 % while in those with mosquito-borne transmission the risk is estimated at
      40 % of those infected (Kumar et al. in Am J Transplant 4:1883-1888, 2004). With
      significant morbidity associated with donor transmission, specific pretransplant
      screening recommendations are reviewed. Treatment includes supportive care and
      consideration for the use of intravenous immunoglobulin.

PMID- 24234659
TI  - The effect of lumbar support belts on isometric force production during a
      simulated lift.
AB  - The use of back support belts by industrial workers has become common in recent
      years. The rationale for the use of these belts is based on the theory that they
      increase intra-abdominal pressure. Raised intra-abdominal pressure is believed to
      reduce compression forces on the spinal column and to assist the back extensor
      muscles in producing extension torque. The assistance of the belt is believed to
      protect the spine from injury. Thirty males and thirty females participated in
      this study which assessed the effect of two different back support belts (one
      synthetic and one leather) on isometric muscle-force production of individuals
      performing a static leg lift (SLL). A Latin Square double cross-over design was
      employed. Analysis of variance tests revealed that in males the use of the
      synthetic belt allowed for greater force production than a control trial, but no
      difference could be detected between the leather belt and either the synthetic
      belt or the control. In the female group, no difference in force production
      occurred across the three conditions. Implications and suggestions for further
      study are discussed. 

PMID- 24234660
TI  - Effects of work and rest on upper extremity signs and symptoms of workers
      performing repetitive tasks.
AB  - The temporal relationship between work and signs and symptoms of upper extremity
      musculoskeletal disorders among workers at risk is relatively unexplored. The
      study focused on changes in upper extremity circumference, volume, sensory
      threshold, and reported symptoms after work and rest. All workers (N=50)
      performed a repetitive poultry processing task and had exhibited upper extremity
      signs and symptoms in baseline testing prior to this study. These workers
      manifested significantly increased upper extremity circumference following a
      period of rest, with circumferences decreasing during work. Upper extremity
      volume and reported swelling also decreased during work. Reports of tenderness
      were significantly greater after work than after rest, while reports of pain were
      greatest after a short rest interval. Results show that the signs and symptoms
      observed in these workers were manifestations of occupational cumulative trauma
      and that further study of the relationship between work and signs and symptoms is
      needed. 

PMID- 24234661
TI  - The effect of workplace based strengthening on low back injury rates: A case
      study in the strip mining industry.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of a once a week exercise
      program focused specially at lumbar extensor strengthening. This is a comparative
      study where workers volunteered to exercise were compared to workers who did not
      exercise. Low back claims for one year were noted to document efficacy of the
      training program. Change in strength was also noted. There was a 54% to 104%
      increase in strength during a 20 week program. The incidence of back injuries in
      the exercise group was 52 injuries per 200,000 employee hours versus the industry
      average of 1.09 back injuries per 200,000 employee hours. The average incidence
      of injury for the previous nine years at the company participating in the program
      was 2.94 injuries per 200,000 employee hours. The injury incidence in the workers
      not exercising was 2.55 injuries for 200,000 employee hours. The average workers'
      compensation liability dropped from $14, 430.00 per month to $380.00 per month
      for the study year. The significant increase in strength associated with the
      exercise program correlated with the greatly reduced incidence of back claims. 

PMID- 24234657
TI  - Animal migraine models for drug development: status and future perspectives.
AB  - Migraine is number seven in WHO's list of all diseases causing disability and the
      third most costly neurological disorder in Europe. Acute attacks are treatable by
      highly selective drugs such as the triptans but there is still a huge unmet
      therapeutic need. Unfortunately, drug development for headache has almost come to
      a standstill partly because of a lack of valid animal models. Here we review
      previous models with emphasis on optimal characteristics of a future model. In
      addition to selection of animal species, the method of induction of migraine-like
      changes and the method of recording responses elicited by such measures are
      crucial. The most naturalistic way of inducing attacks is by infusion of
      endogenous signaling molecules that are known to cause migraine in patients. The
      most valid response is recording of neural activity in the trigeminal system. The
      most useful headache related responses are likely to be behavioral, allowing
      multiple experiments in each individual animal. Distinction is made between acute
      and prophylactic models and how to validate each of them. Modern insight into
      neurobiological mechanisms of migraine is so good that it is only a question of
      resources and efforts that determine when valid models with ability to predict
      efficacy in migraine will be available.

PMID- 24234662
TI  - Database analysis of injury patterns in an institution for developmental
      disabilities.
AB  - This paper reports the results of a statistical analysis of injuries to the
      clients and the employees of a state facility for people with developmental
      disabilities, as recorded in the respective databases of the institution. The
      goal of the analysis was to identify the characteristics and patterns of injuries
      in order to identify priorities for technological intervention. Databases for
      2000 client injuries and for 900 direct care staff injuries between 1988 and 1991
      were analyzed retrospectively. Most of the injuries were sustained by the direct
      care staff and involved their backs. The injuries occurred in the institution's
      bedrooms (approximately 25%) and bathrooms (approximately 15%) and took place
      mainly during the early morning (approximately 30%) and evening rush (20%). The
      time of day and location of the injuries of clients coincided with those of the
      injuries of employees. These findings direct the focus of technological based
      interventions. 

PMID- 24234663
TI  - The potential impact of the Workers' Compensation System on quality of life
      outcomes: A clinical analysis.
AB  - It is widely recognized that the Workers' Compensation System has evolved into a
      costly adversarial, stress engendering set of interactions. Most prior research
      has examined the pathology of the individual which contributes to these costs.
      This paper presents an analysis of the ways that the system itself is pathogenic.
      Based on a model of factors comprising health-related quality of life, we analyze
      how the environment of the Workers' Compensation System promotes increased
      symptom reports, decreased functional status and negative general health
      perceptions while fostering destructive anxieties. We recommend that future
      prospective research move from a focus on the individual to a focus on the system
      and its interaction with the individual. 

PMID- 24234664
TI  - Guidelines for the identification of barriers to rehabilitation of back injuries.
AB  - Not all patients with back pain recover within the expected natural recovery
      period. Addressing only the physical component and ignoring the psychosocial may
      lead to treatment failure. Recognition of typical circumstances that may become
      barriers to rehabilitation enhances the recovery process. Barriers to
      rehabilitation and questions to help determine their existence are discussed.
      Asking pertinent questions enables clinicians to identify those who may need
      redirection. This re-direction may reduce treatment time, resulting in cost
      savings for the third party payer and a reduction in health care dollars spent on
      rehabilitation. Most importantly, resolution of possible barriers and rapid
      recovery allows the patient to return to a normal lifestyle. 

PMID- 24234665
TI  - Active metabolism in larval and juvenile fish: ontogenetic changes, effect of
      water temperature and fasting.
AB  - Oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion and fish swimming speed were measured in
      fish induced to swim by optomotor reaction in a circular metabolism chamber. The
      relationship between the swimming speed and fish metabolism described by
      exponential equations allowed the extrapolation to the standard metabolism, i.e.
      at zero swimming speed. The partitioning of the catabolised protein in the energy
      supply was estimated based on AQ (volume of ammonia/ volume of oxygen) values.
      Weight specific standard metabolism, as expressed by the ammonia excretion rate,
      decreased by one order of magnitude in coregonids as the fish grew from 20 to 780
      mg body weight. The slope of the relationship between oxygen uptake and swimming
      speed decreased in coregonid ontogenesis. In salmon, after 12 days of fasting 28%
      of energy used was derived from protein, whilst coregonid juveniles utilized
      mostly lipid. Active swimming in fasted juveniles of coregonid, as well as in
      salmon, led to the accelerated utilization of protein as a source of energy,
      based on AQ coefficients. In juveniles acclimated to a range of water
      temperatures from 14 to 26 degrees C, the changes in standard or active metabolic
      rate (expressed as oxygen uptake or ammonia excretion) were described by Q10
      coefficients. They were generally higher for the ammonia excretion rate than for
      the oxygen uptake rate and for active metabolism than for standard metabolism.
      Utilization of protein as energy for swimming differed significantly between the
      species, being in general one order of magnitude higher in coregonids than in
      salmon. The use of protein for swimming activity tended to decrease during
      coregonid ontogenesis. 

PMID- 24234666
TI  - The effect of 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine and 17-alpha-methyltestosterone on
      growth and body composition of the glass stage of the eel (Anguilla anguilla L).
AB  - This study was undertaken to determine the influence of orally administered
      3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) or 17-alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) on growth and
      body composition of the eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) during the glass stage.Elvers
      receiving 20 or 40 ppm of T3 in the food weighed significantly more (P < 0.05)
      than controls. However, after 61 days of treatment a dosage of 60 ppm was not
      efficacious.Terminal percentages of body protein were significantly lower (P <
      0.05) in elvers that received 20 ppm or 40 ppm T3 in their diets, than in the
      control. Crude body fat content was higher (P < 0.05) in elvers receiving 20 ppm
      (29% fat) or 40 ppm (28% fat), than in the controls (26% fat). Compared to the
      control, diets containing T3 at 20 or 40 ppm increased the body glucose
      concentration.Glass eels fed a diet containing 1 or 10 ppm MT grew significantly
      more slowly (P < 0.05) than the controls.Total body protein content was higher (P
      < 0.05), but total body crude fat content was lower (P < 0.05) in elvers fed a
      diet with 1 or 10 ppm MT compared to the controls. Total body glucose
      concentration of elvers administered 10 ppm MT was significantly lower (P < 0.05)
      than that of the control groups. 

PMID- 24234667
TI  - Ultrastructural changes in the parrotfish thyroid afterin vitro stimulation with
      bovine thyrotropin.
AB  - Six groups of thyroid glands ofScarus dubius were examined and compared by
      electron microscopy after anin vitro culture for 4h with graded doses of bovine
      thyrotropin (bTSH). Five doses of bTSH were used encompassing the full range of
      the dose-response curve developed for this tissue. Upon electron microscopic
      examination, micrographs were taken randomly and at the same magnification, and
      three intracellular inclusions were quantified. The relative surface density of
      rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and the relative surface area of lysosomes and
      engulfed colloid droplets were recorded for each group. Three treatment groups,
      (1) control, no bTSH, (2) tissues exposed to 1 mIU/ml bTSH, and (3) tissues
      exposed to 2 mIU/ml bTSH, did not differ from each other in the quantified
      organelles nor in general appearance. Overall, these three groups were similar in
      appearance to the ultrastructure described in other teleosts except for a lack of
      flagellated cells. Compared to the first three groups, treatment with 5 mIU/ml
      bTSH, increased the density of rER, and the proportion of cell area occupied by
      lysosomes and engulfed colloid. This group also possessed either more microvilli
      or pseudopods at the lumenal surface of the follicular epithelium. After exposure
      to 10 mIU/ml bTSH there was an even greater increase in surface density of rER,
      and in surface area occupied by lysosomes and engulfed colloid droplets. The
      apical portion of this group was highly irregular, commonly displaying
      pseudopods. Group (6), (20 mIU/ml), showed a decline in cytoplasm in comparison
      to group (5) with many epithelial cells breaking apart. A few cells in this group
      were still intact but contained huge engulfed colloid droplets which extended
      from the basal to apical borders. This first detailed description suggests that
      the teleost thyroid gland undergoes ultrastructural changes with exogenous TSH
      stimulation in a manner similar to that seen in higher vertebrates. 

PMID- 24234668
TI  - Effects of (D-Ala(6), Pro (9)N ethylamide) - LHRH on plasma levels of
      gonadotropin, 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and testosterone in male
      goldeye (hiodon alosoides Rafineque).
AB  - Male goldeye were treated with (D-Ala(6), Pro(9)-N ethylamide) - LHRH (LHRH-A) in
      saline or a silastic pellet (100 ug.kg(-1) body weight) and changes in plasma
      gonadotropin (GtH), 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17alpha,20betaP)
      and testosterone (T) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. LHRH-A increased
      plasma GtH levels, with the response to LHRH-A in saline being of much greater
      magnitude and duration than the response to silastic pellet implants. Seasonal
      differences were found in the response to LHRH-A. Spermiated fish were the most
      responsive, recrudescing fish the least, and regressed fish displayed an
      intermediate response. Plasma 17alpha,20betaP levels were elevated in response to
      LHRHA in fish of all sexual stages although the magnitude of the increase was not
      related to the magnitude of the increase in GtH levels. Treatment with LHRH-A
      also resulted in a transitory increase in plasma T levels. The endocrine control
      of GtH and steroid secretion in goldeye is discussed in relation to studies in
      cyprinids and salmonids. 

PMID- 24234669
TI  - A case-based approach to the development of practice-based competencies for
      accreditation of and training in graduate programs in genetic counseling.
AB  - The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) sponsored a consensus development
      conference with participation from directors of graduate programs in genetic
      counseling, board members, and expert consultants. Using a collective, narrative,
      and case-based approach, 27 competencies were identified as embedded in the
      practice of genetic counseling. These competencies were organized into four
      domains of skills: Communication; Critical Thinking; Interpersonal, Counseling,
      and Psychosocial Assessment; and Professional Ethics and Values. The adoption of
      a competency framework for accreditation has a variety of implications for
      curriculum design and implementation. We report here the process by which a set
      of practice-based genetic counseling competencies have been derived; and in an
      accompanying article, the competencies themselves are provided. We also discuss
      the application of the competencies to graduate program accreditation as well as
      some of the implications competency-based standards may have for education and
      the genetic counseling profession. These guidelines may also serve as a basis for
      the continuing education of practicing genetic counselors and a performance
      evaluation tool in the workplace. 

PMID- 24234670
TI  - Practice-based competencies for accreditation of and training in graduate
      programs in genetic counseling.
AB  - In January 1996, the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) adopted 27
      practice-based competencies as a standard for assessing the training of graduate
      students in genetic counseling. These competencies were identified and refined
      through a collective, narrative process that took place from January through
      November 1994, and included directors of graduate programs in genetic counseling,
      ABGC board members and expert consultants. These competencies now form the basis
      of the document "Requirements for Graduate Programs in Genetic Counseling Seeking
      Accreditation by the American Board of Genetic Counseling" (American Board of
      Genetic Counseling, 1996). The competencies are organized into four domains and
      are presented and discussed in this article. 

PMID- 24234671
TI  - Emerging quality improvement measures in genetic counseling.
AB  - The need to establish guidelines for total quality management in genetic
      counseling is now recognized as new genetic technologies are being introduced
      into genetics services and primary care. Genetic counselors have an important
      role in developing methods for assuring quality in the genetic counseling
      process. Emerging quality improvement measures as well as selected examples from
      the Quality Assurance Program in the Genetics Services Division at the Foundation
      for Blood Research are presented as examples of direct genetic counselor
      involvement. Suggestions for future directions of quality improvement activities
      for genetic counselors are discussed. 

PMID- 24234672
TI  - Folic acid and the prevention of neural tube defects: A position paper of the
      national society of genetic counselors.
AB  - Considerable scientific evidence demonstrates the reduction in risk for neural
      tube defects (NTDs) associated with maternal preconceptional folic acid
      supplementation. The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) endorses the
      U.S. Public Health Service recommendations for folic acid supplementation at the
      0.4 mg level for women in the general population and at the 4.0 mg level for
      women at high or increased risk for NTD pregnancies for at least 4 weeks prior to
      active pursuit of conception. We encourage targeted educational efforts and
      surveillance to assess results of this dietary supplementation. The NSGC further
      urges the Food and Drug Administration to fortify staple foodstuffs with folic
      acid for a population-based approach to minimize the number of NTD births. 

PMID- 24234673
TI  - Chronic exposure to bisphenol A can accelerate atherosclerosis in high-fat-fed
      apolipoprotein E knockout mice.
AB  - In epidemiological studies, there is growing concern regarding the association
      between human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and an increased risk for
      cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we investigated whether BPA accelerates
      atherosclerosis in mouse model. Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice were
      fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet with or without 50 MUg/kg body
      weight/day BPA for 12 weeks. Atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta and aortic
      sinus were evaluated by Oil red O staining. After the 12-week BPA treatment, BPA
      significantly increased atherosclerotic lesions in the aortas of ApoE(-/-) mice
      by 1.7-fold (p = 0.03). Non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in
      the BPA group were significantly higher compared to those in the control group
      (1,035 +/- 70 vs. 484 +/- 48 mg/dL, p = 0.02) although body weight and blood
      glucose levels were not different between groups. Human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with 0.1-10 nM BPA but BPA did not affect
      HUVEC proliferation or migration. BPA could accelerate atherosclerosis in ApoE(-/
      ) mice, which may have resulted from an increase in non-HDL cholesterol levels.

PMID- 24234674
TI  - Investigation of four candidate genes (IGF2, JHDM1A, COPB1 and TEF1) for growth
      rate and backfat thickness traits on SSC2q in Large White pigs.
AB  - As important quantitative traits, the growth rate and backfat thickness are
      controlled by multiple genes. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the
      effect of the single and multiple SNPs of four candidate genes (IGF2, JHDM1A,
      COPB1 and TEF-1) on growth rate and backfat thickness. The four candidate genes
      were mapped on the p arm of SSC 2, and there are several QTLs, such as average
      daily gain, backfat thickness, an imprinted QTLs affecting muscle mass and fat
      deposition have been reported in this region. The polymorphisms of these genes
      were detected using PCR-RFLP methods, mixed procedure was used to analyze the
      single marker association with the growth and backfat thickness traits, and the
      gene-gene combination was investigated using multiple-markers analysis. The
      single marker association analysis indicated that the IGF2 intron-3 g.3072G > A
      and the substitution g.93G > A of TEF-1 gene were significantly associated with
      the age at 100 kg (P < 0.05). The JHDM1A 3'UTR g.224C > G, the c.3096C > T
      polymorphism of COPB1 gene and the substitution g.93G > A of TEF-1 gene were all
      significantly associated with the backfat at the shoulder (P < 0.05), backfat at
      the last rib, backfat at the lumbar, and the average backfat thickness,
      respectively. The multiple-markers analysis indicated that IGF2 and TEF-1
      integrated gene networks for the age at 100 kg. Therefore, we can suggest that
      the polymorphism of IGF2 and TEF-1 gene could be used in marker-assisted
      selection for the age at 100 kg in Large White pigs.

PMID- 24234676
TI  - Effect of augmented sensorimotor input on learning verbal and nonverbal tasks
      among children with autism spectrum disorders.
AB  - Thirty-four children, with autism spectrum disorders, ages 4-14 years, were
      matched and randomly assigned to one of two conditions for learning a novel juice
      making task and producing two novel words about the event. Seventeen sighted
      children were manually guided to perform the task and tactually prompted during
      imitated productions of novel words for the event. Their matched controls heard
      the novel words and watched the juice-making task being performed. Performances
      on four verbal and two nonverbal measures right after instruction and at 24-48 h
      post-instruction, revealed higher scores for the ''hands-on'', participation than
      observation group on both verbal and nonverbal tasks. This study offers a
      paradigm for exploring the instructional advantage of enhanced participatory
      experience.

PMID- 24234675
TI  - Restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders and typical
      development: cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons.
AB  - Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are characteristic of autism spectrum
      disorders (ASD). However, compared to social and communicative impairments, less
      is known about their development, trajectory and etiology. This study explored
      RRBs in young children with ASD matched to typically developing (TD) children on
      non-verbal development. RRBs were coded from direct observation at three time
      points within 13 months of development. Children with ASD displayed higher
      frequency and greater diversity of RRBs at all time points, however RRBs were not
      unique to ASD and evident in the TD control group albeit at a reduced frequency.
      RRBs did not correlate with social and communicative impairments in the ASD
      group, suggesting dissociation between these domains.

PMID- 24234677
TI  - Using the circumplex model of affect to study valence and arousal ratings of
      emotional faces by children and adults with autism spectrum disorders.
AB  - The affective circumplex model holds that emotions can be described as linear
      combinations of two underlying, independent neurophysiological systems (arousal,
      valence). Given research suggesting individuals with autism spectrum disorders
      (ASD) have difficulty processing emotions, we used the circumplex model to
      compare how individuals with ASD and typically-developing (TD) individuals
      respond to facial emotions. Participants (51 ASD, 80 TD) rated facial expressions
      along arousal and valence dimensions; we fitted closed, smooth, 2-dimensional
      curves to their ratings to examine overall circumplex contours. We modeled
      individual and group influences on parameters describing curve contours to
      identify differences in dimensional effects across groups. Significant main
      effects of diagnosis indicated the ASD-group's ratings were constricted for the
      entire circumplex, suggesting range constriction across all emotions. Findings
      did not change when covarying for overall intelligence.

PMID- 24234678
TI  - Heterogeneity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: from phenotype to
      genotype.
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of
      morbidity and mortality throughout the world and is mainly characterized by
      persistent airflow limitation. Given that multiple systems other than the lung
      can be impaired in COPD patients, the traditional FEV1/FVC ratio shows many
      limitations in COPD diagnosis and assessment. Certain heterogeneities are found
      in terms of clinical manifestations, physiology, imaging findings, and
      inflammatory reactions in COPD patients; thus, phenotyping can provide effective
      information for the prognosis and treatment. However, phenotypes are often based
      on symptoms or pathophysiological impairments in late-stage COPD, and the role of
      phenotypes in COPD prevention and early diagnosis remains unclear. This
      shortcoming may be overcome by the potential genotypes defined by the
      heterogeneities in certain genes. This review briefly describes the heterogeneity
      of COPD, with focus on recent advances in the correlations between genotypes and
      phenotypes. The potential roles of these genotypes and phenotypes in the
      molecular mechanisms and management of COPD are also elucidated.

PMID- 24234679
TI  - Monocyte subsets and their differentiation tendency after burn injury.
AB  - Monocytes are critical effectors and regulators of immune response. Studying the
      nomenclature of monocyte subsets may be beneficial for understanding the complex
      function of monocytes in steady and inflammatory states. A monocyte has the
      potential to differentiate into dendritic cells or macrophages, and this behavior
      significantly changes in severely burned patients and mice. The findings in the
      present study may help enhance understanding on the perturbation of the immune
      system after severe burn injury.

PMID- 24234681
TI  - Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck--an old problem revisited.
AB  - Herein the authors describe the case of a young woman presenting with a tender
      lump in her groin. Clinically the differential was of either a reactive lymph
      node or a femoral hernia. Ultrasound scan was urgently arranged and showed a
      cystic lesion. Surgical exploration was carried out and revealed this to be a
      hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. This was excised and the patient's symptoms
      resolved and she was discharged home the following day. We explore the
      embryology, pathophysiology and management of this rare entity.

PMID- 24234680
TI  - Sufficient downward rotation of the christa philtri on the cleft side: a modified
      technique.
AB  - Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is the most common craniofacial congenital deformity.
      The etiology of CLP is multifactorial and involves complex interactions between
      environmental and genetic factors. Millard's rotation advancement technique has
      long been considered as state-of-the-art for unilateral cleft lip repair.
      However, this method may leave the christa philtri on the cleft side
      insufficiently downward rotated, especially in wide complete clefts. In this
      study, we introduce a modified technique to better rotate the christa philtri on
      the cleft side down. The skin, muscle, and mucosa in the deformed region were
      dissected and separately maneuvered. Sixty patients with unilateral complete
      cleft lip and palate were operated with this technique. The lip height, lip
      length, and relative height of the christa philtri were measured for symmetry
      evaluation. No significant difference was observed between the relative height of
      the christa philtri on both sides, either immediate (P = 0.214) or 10 months
      after surgery (P = 0.344). The difference observed in the lip height and lip
      length immediately after surgery became statistically insignificant after 10
      months (P = 0.104 for lip height and 0.121 for lip length). These results
      suggested that sufficient and stable downward rotation of the christa philtri on
      the cleft side can be achieved using our technique.

PMID- 24234683
TI  - From hazard assessment to life cycle assessment : The birth of a new Journal.

PMID- 24234682
TI  - The impact of hypoxia in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis.
AB  - Hypoxia is a common phenomenon in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypoxia
      stabilizes transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), to activate gene
      transcription. Expression of HIF is closely associated with metastasis and poor
      prognosis in HCC. HIF mediates expression of genes that are involved in every
      step of HCC metastasis including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion of
      the extracellular matrix, intravasation, extravasation, and secondary growth of
      the metastases. Because HIF is the central regulator of HCC metastasis, HIF
      inhibitors are attractive tools when used alone or as combined treatment to curb
      HCC metastasis. This review will summarize the current findings on the impact of
      hypoxia/HIF in HCC, with a particular focus on cancer metastasis. 

PMID- 24234684
TI  - Bioaccumulation of selected organochlorines in bats and tits: Influence of
      chemistry and biology.
AB  - We analyzed six organochlorine compounds (HCB, lindane, p,p'-DDE, PCB # 138,
      #153, and # 180) from populations of the European great tit (Parus major) and
      from five species of bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Nyctalus noctula, Plecotus
      auritus, Plecotus austriacus, Myotis myotis). A weak positive correlation between
      Kow (n-octanol /water partition coefficient) and bioaccumulation (measured as
      residue values) was found within each species. However, the ratio of the
      concentrations in bats compared to titmice increased significantly with
      increasing Kow. We argue that this is explained by the intensive juvenile feeding
      through long-term lactation and thus by the more intensive transfer of strongly
      lipophilic xenobiotics from mother to juvenile in mammals compared to birds.
      Further, there were clear variations between bat species with ranges of up to 11
      times the lowest value for a single compound. These differences are related to
      different feeding habits of the adults and to different species-specific life
      history traits, such as age at maturity and number of offspring. 

PMID- 24234685
TI  - Measures minimise oil risk to North Wales coast.

PMID- 24234686
TI  - Reactions of cloned poplars to air pollution : Ozone-induced increase of stress
      ethylene and possible antisenescence strategies.
AB  - Ozone-induced changes in ethylene production, ACC oxidase activity and the
      contents of ACC, MACC and free PAs were studied inPopulus nigra L. cv. Loenen
      with high ozone sensitivity as judged by the degree of chlorophyll degradation
      and premature leaf abscission.Ethylene production, ACC oxidase activity, ACC
      content and MACC levels were induced by the one-, two-, and three-week ozone
      exposure (36+/-9 ppb O3 for 11 hours a day). In addition, increases in PA levels,
      especially in spermidine, were measured in ozone treated plants.The role of free
      PAs and MACC synthesis as possible antisenescence reactions is discussed. 

PMID- 24234687
TI  - Third thematic conference on remote sensing for marine and coastal environments.

PMID- 24234688
TI  - N-nitrosodimethylamine in drinking water using a rapid, solid-phase extraction
      method.
AB  - A simple, rapid method for the extraction of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from
      drinking and surface waters was developed using Ambersorb 572. Development of an
      alternative method to classical liquid-liquid extraction techniques was necessary
      to handle the workload presented by implementation of a provincial guideline of 9
      ppt for drinking water and a regulatory level of 200 ppt for effluents. A
      granular adsorbent, Ambersorb 572, was used to extract the NDMA from the water in
      the sample bottle. The NDMA was extracted from the Ambersorb 572 with
      dichloromethane in the autosampler vial. Method characteristics include a
      precision of 4 % for replicate analyses, an accuracy of 6 % at 10 ppt and a
      detection limit of 1.0 ppt NDMA in water. Comparative data between the Ambersorb
      572 method and liquid-liquid extraction showed excellent agreement (average
      difference of 12 %). With the Ambersorb 572 method, dichloromethane use has been
      reduced by a factor of 1,000 and productivity has been increased by a factor of 3
      4. Monitoring of a drinking water supply showed rapidly changing concentrations
      of NDMA from day to day. 

PMID- 24234689
TI  - Inhibition of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in mixtures of 2,3,7,8
      tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls : EROD acitivity as
      biomarker in TCDD and PCB risk assessment.
AB  - Induction of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and porphyrin
      accumulation shows different structure-activity relationships for different
      polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).
      Interactions between the two responses can strongly influence the induction and
      activity of EROD. The results support the conclusion that there are nonadditive
      interactions between nondioxin-like PCBs and dioxin-like compounds. The
      interaction between EROD activity and the porphyrin biosynthesis makes the
      prerequisite of additivity in the toxic equivalency factor concept for
      environmental mixtures highly spurious. Inhibition of EROD activity caused by non
      dioxin like compounds could have a significant impact on the value of EROD
      activity as a biomarker in the present methods of risk assessment for these
      compounds. 

PMID- 24234690
TI  - Harmonization of methods for impact assessment.
AB  - Some aspects of a number of different techniques for environmental decision
      support, in particular risk assessment (RA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA), are
      briefly discussed. The importance of a coherent framework, the use of common data
      sets, and harmonization of methods is emphasized. The latter leads to a
      discussion of a fundamental difference between techniques that assess continuous
      emission fluxes, like RA, and techniques that assess discrete emission pulses,
      like LCA. The question whether it is possible to apply the same types of impact
      assessment models is positively answered for most models. The implications are
      threefold: It is allowed to employ the much easier steady-state models in pulse
      oriented techniques, there exist often postulated but not yet rigidly proven
      equivalency factors for use in e.g. life-cycle assessment, and it is possible to
      harmonize the models as used in pulse-oriented and in flux-oriented models. 

PMID- 24234691
TI  - Estimation of mercury content in tailings of the gold mine area of Pocone, Mato
      Grosso, Brazil.
AB  - As in many other parts of the world, gold is produced in the surface mining
      region of Pocone, Mato Grosso, Brazil, using mercury. The goal of this
      investigation was to estimate the amount of mercury in certain tailings and to
      determine the area of the land that has been contaminated by the gold mining
      operations. Mercury concentrations from 2 to 495 ng/g (dw) were determined in the
      tailing materials. It was observed that only isolated sites were acting as
      central points of contamination. Using digital Landsat satellite data (The-matic
      Mapper) and aerial photos, the sites degraded by the mining were classified, and
      their total area was estimated to be 12.3 km(2) in the region of Pocone. It was
      estimated, that 4.9 km(2) were occupied by the contaminated tailings. The mean
      height of the pile slags was determined to be 4.5 m. From the experimentally
      calculated average density of the material in the tailings, 2.01 g/cm(3), the
      total mercury content in the piles of tailings was estimated to be 1600 +/- 350
      kg. 

PMID- 24234692
TI  - COS, CS2 and SO 2 in aluminium smelter exhaust : The contribution of aluminium
      production to the global COS budget.
AB  - Measurements of carbonyl sulfide (COS) and carbondisulfide (CS2) were carried out
      on samples drawn from a smoke stack of an aluminium smelter. Volume mixing ratios
      of 6 ppm COS and 0.1 ppm CS2 were measured for gases from the electrolysis unit
      that had previously passed an Al2O3 fluid bed reactor and electrostatic
      precipitators. Specific emissions of 1.6 kg COS and 0.03 kg CS2 per ton of
      primary aluminium were found. Extrapolating from this particular smelter's
      conditions to a world mix specific COS emissions of about 4 kg/t(Al) are
      calculated resulting in emissions of annually 0.08 Tg COS into the atmosphere due
      to electrolytic aluminium production in 1995. Besides the photochemical
      conversion of anthropogenic CS2 aluminium production is established to be the
      second major industrial source of COS probably exceeding automotive tire wear's
      and coal combustion's contributions. 

PMID- 24234693
TI  - UDS-test with freon 11 (R-11).
AB  - Trichlorofluoromethane, in concentrations of 80, 400, 2 000, 10 000 and 50 000
      ppm, was administered to rats of both sexes (Sprague Dawley) by inhalation
      exposure.2 000 ppm in air (= 11 200 mg/m(3)) amount to twice the MAK value of 1
      000 ppm. At exposure times of 4 hours this corresponds to the MAK value defined
      for an 8 hour workday.Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) was measured in single-cell
      suspensions of hepatocytes, pulmonary epithelial cells and lymphocytes of the
      spleen, respectively.In the pulmonary cells concentrations of 2 000, 10 000 and
      50 000 ppm of freon 11 lead to a significantly increased mean silver grain count
      compared to a negative control group.In spleen and liver cells increasing
      concentrations of R 11 tend to increase the incorporation of thymidine into the
      DNA of the cells. These changes of the extent of unscheduled DNA synthesis can,
      however, not be statistically verified. 

PMID- 24234694
TI  - Bioassays for soils.

PMID- 24234695
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 24234696
TI  - An object-oriented software for fate and exposure assessments.
AB  - The model system CemoS(1) (Chemical Exposure Model System) was developed for the
      exposure prediction of hazardous chemicals released to the environment. Eight
      different models were implemented involving chemicals fate simulation in air,
      water, soil and plants after continuous or single emissions from point and
      diffuse sources. Scenario studies are supported by a substance and an
      environmental data base. All input data are checked on their plausibility.
      Substance and environmental process estimation functions facilitate generic model
      calculations. CemoS is implemented in a modular structure using object-oriented
      programming. 

PMID- 24234697
TI  - Using comparative ecotoxicology to develop quantitative species sensitivity
      relationships (QSSR).

PMID- 24234698
TI  - Kinetic constraints on theIn-situ remediation of soils contaminated with organic
      chemicals.
AB  - Cleanup of contaminated soils to comply with soil quality limits currently
      receives much interest.In-situ remediation of contaminated soils relies on the
      ability of the techniques employed to enhance the rate of release of contaminants
      from the soil-sorbed and nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) phases into the aqueous
      or gaseous phases from which they can be more readily removed and treated.
      Contaminant concentrations in these "environmentally mobile" forms usually
      decline over time so that the economic efficiency and the overall success of
      remediation technologies are subject to the "law of diminishing returns". In this
      paper we consider the "state of the art" in our understanding of NAPL dissolution
      and transport, desorption of soilsorbed contaminants and fluid flow in porous
      media. The extent to which these processes may constrain the success of
      bioremediation, pump-and-treat remediation and soil venting in relation to
      established soil quality limits is addressed. Finally, we suggest directions for
      future research and comment on legislative considerations. 

PMID- 24234700
TI  - SARDINIA '95 - Fifth International Landfill Symposium : S. Margherita di Pula,
      Italy, October 2-6, 1995.

PMID- 24234701
TI  - Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of
      underivatized and permethylated gangliosides.
AB  - Underivatized and permethylated gangliosides have been studied by the matrix
      assisted laser desorption (MALO) ionization technique. The samples investigated
      included commercially available and highly purified gangliosides from the human
      brain containing up to five sialic acid residues. Several permethylated
      gangliosides have also been studied, and MALD has proven successful in analyzing
      multicomponent mixtures of glycolipids with different fatty acyl residues. During
      the studies a variety of matrix and wavelength combinations have been tested in
      both the positive and negative ion modes. The best results have been obtained
      with the matrices 2,5-dihyd roxybenzoic acid, 4-hydrazinobenzoic acid, 1,5
      diaminonaphthalene, and 6-aza-2-thiothymine. Negative ion mass spectra of the
      underivatized gangliosides have always been of better quality than the positive
      ion mass spectra; exhibiting better signal-to-noise ratio, better resolution,
      less fragmentation, and less adduct formation with Na(+) and K(+). With
      increasing number of sialic acid substituents the molecular ion region became
      less and less resolvable leading to broadened peaks even in the negative ion
      mode. Fragmentation could frequently be observed in the negative ion mode, and it
      was pronounced in the positive ion mode. The major fragmentation pathways
      corresponded to loss of sialyl groupts) and to decarboxylation of one of the
      sialyl residues. For underivatized gangliosides the typical sample amount used
      was 10-20 pmol, Permethylation led to a significant improvement in sensitivity
      (two orders of magnitude); the detection limit of permethylated gangliosides was
      about 10 fmol. The higher stability of the permethylated compounds was indicated
      by the fact that positive ion mass spectra exhibited only a marginal extent of
      fragmentation. 

PMID- 24234702
TI  - Negative ion fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry to determine sulfate
      and linkage position in glycosaminoglycan-derived disaccharides.
AB  - Negative ion fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry has been used in the
      analysis of monosulfated. disaccharides. These commercially obtained
      disaccharides have been enzymatically prepared from glycosaminoglycans using
      polysaccharide lyases. Three disaccharides from chondroitin sulfate and dermatan
      sulfate and two disaccharides from heparan sulfate and chemically derivatized
      heparin were analyzed. All five disaccharides were isomeric, with differences in
      sulfate position and linkage position. The full-scan mass spectra are useful in
      differentiating isomers when the sulfate group resides on different saccharide
      units. This structural information was obtained from fragment ions produced
      through cleavage at the glycosidic linkage. The full-scan mass spectra of each
      monosulfated disaccharide also produced intense molecular anions having long
      lifetimes. Collisional activation of these resulted in tandem mass spectra rich
      in significant product ions. Some of these fragment ions were formed through ring
      cleavage and were useful in the determination of both sulfate and linkage
      position. 

PMID- 24234703
TI  - The determination of glycopeptides by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
      with collision-induced dissociation.
AB  - Glycopeptides derived from ribonuclease B and ovomucoid have been subjected to
      collisioninduced dissociation (CID) in the second quadrupole of a triple
      quadrupole mass spectrometer. Doubly charged parent ions gave predictable
      fragmentation that yielded partial sequence information of the attached
      oligosaccharide as Hex and HexNAc units. Common oxonium ions are observed in the
      product ion mass spectra of the glycopeptides that correspond to HexNAc(+) (m/z
      204) and HexHexNAc(+) (m/z 366). A strategy for locating the glycopeptides in the
      proteolytic digest mixtures of glycoproteins by ions spray liquid chromatography
      mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is described by utilizing CID in the declustering
      region of the atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer to produce these
      characteristic oxonium ions. This LC/CID/MS approach is used to identify
      glycopeptides in proteolytic digest mixtures of ovomucoid, asialofetuin, and
      fetuin. LC/CID/MS in the selected ion monitoring mode may be used to identify
      putative glycopeptides from the proteolytic digest of fetuin. 

PMID- 24234704
TI  - Fragmentation characteristic of glutathione conjugates activated by high-energy
      collisions.
AB  - Product ion spectra of fifteen monoglutathione and diglutathione conjugates have
      been measured using activation by 6000-eV collisions with helium in the third
      field-free region of a four-sector tandem mass spectrometer of EBEB
      configuration. Fragmentation patterns in the cation spectra have been analyzed
      for decompositions of the glutathione moiety that would permit recognition of an
      unknown as a glutathione conjugate. Five spectra from an earlier study of high
      energy collisional activation on a BEEB four-sector instrument have also been
      included in this analysis. A suite of appropriate ions was found to occur
      consistently,, including ions of m/z 307 comprising the glutathione tripeptide
      and the complementary ion [MH-307](+) or the ion radical [MH-306](+). 

PMID- 24234705
TI  - Evidence for thermal decomposition contributions to the mass spectra of
      chlorinated phenoxyacid herbicides obtained by particle beam liquid
      chromatography mass spectrometry.
AB  - The spectral quality of a group of chlorinated phenoxyacid herbicides has been
      shown to degrade under certain conditions upon introduction into the mass
      spectrometer by a particle beam interface. Experiments were performed to
      investigate these changes in spectra. Normalized ion chromatograms were generated
      for the herbicides, and the results showed a broadening of the profiles of some
      ions, indicating a longer residence time in the ion source. These ions were
      postulated as coming from the ionization of thermal degradation products from the
      herbicides. The generation of these ions was dependent on ion source temperature,
      analyte concentration, and, by implication, ion source cleanliness. Tandem mass
      spectrometry experiments were performed on these ions from the herbicides and
      ions from the corresponding phenols. The tandem mass spectra of the ions from the
      herbicides were similar to the tandem mass spectra of the ions from the phenols.
      Therefore, it appears that the particle beam mass spectra of the chlorinated
      phenoxyacid herbicides are composite spectra with contributions from the gas
      phase ionization of the parent herbicides and thermal decomposition products. 

PMID- 24234706
TI  - Importance of enhanced mass resolution in removing interferences when measuring
      volatile organic compounds in human blood by using purge-and-trap gas
      chromatography/mass spectrometry.
AB  - The number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be purged from human
      blood is so great that they cannot be separated completely by capillary gas
      chromatography. As a result, the single-mass chromatograms used for quantitating
      the target compounds by mass spectrometry have many interferences at nominal
      (integer) mass resolution of a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The results of these
      interferences range from small errors in quantitation to completely erroneous
      results for the target VOCs. By using a magnetic sector mass spectrometer, these
      interferences at nominal mass can be removed at higher resolution by lowering the
      ion chromatogram windows around the masses of interest. At 3000 resolution (10%
      valley definition), unique single-ion chromatograms can be made for the
      quantitation ions of the target VOCs. Full-scan mass data are required to allow
      the identification of unknown compounds purged from the blood. By using isotope
      dilution mass spectrometry, most target VOCs can be detected in the low parts per
      trillion range for a 10-mL quantity of blood from which the VOCs have been
      removed by a purge-and-trap method. 

PMID- 24234707
TI  - Ultramark 1621 as a reference compound for positive and negative ion fast-atom
      bombardment high-resolution mass spectrometry.
AB  - Ultramark 1621, a commercially available mixture of fluorinated phosphazines, was
      found to be a useful calibration compound for negative and positive ion fast-atom
      bombardment (FAB) high-resolution mass spectrometry. Ultramark 1621 worked very
      well with the most widely used matrices such as glycerol, nitrobenzyl alcohol,
      and triethanolamine. The negative and positive ion FAB mass spectra of Ultramark
      include a series of intense peaks extending from 700 to 1900 u. 

PMID- 24234708
TI  - Effect of frequency sweep direction on motion of excited ions in fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance cells.
AB  - Ion motion during frequency sweep excitation was computer simulated to study the
      effect of the direction of frequency swee on the z motion of ions in a
      cylindrical Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (T-ICR) cell. It is shown
      that the z motion is more forcefully excited by upsweep than by downsweep; thus
      at large amplitudes ions are more easily ejected to the trapping electrodes by
      upsweep and larger cyclotron orbits can be achieved by downsweep. This effect was
      confirmed by experiment and the results are favorably compared with the
      calculations. From these results it is concluded that downward sweeping is
      advantageous for ion detection and upward sweeping is preferable for ion
      ejection. The simulations clearly explain the effect of the direction of
      frequency sweep by visualizing the directions of the forces that ions experience
      immediately after the excitation of their cyclotron motion. It was demonstrated
      by experiment that the z ejection can be reduced by applying a phase-adjusted ac
      potential to the trapping electrodes.(847-852). 

PMID- 24234709
TI  - Reactive collisions in quadrupole cells. 2. H/D exchange reactions of enolate
      ions with CH3od and C 2H 5OD.
AB  - The H / D exchange reactions of enolate ions with CH3OD and C2H5OD at low
      collision energies in the quadrupole collision cell of a hybrid tandem BEqQ mass
      spectrometer have been studied. The optimum parameters for exchange were
      elucidated using the enolate ion of acetone as a test reactant ion. With the
      exception of the enolate ions of 2, 4-pentanedione and dimethylmalonate, all the
      enolate ions studied underwent exchange with CH3OD and C2H5OD. Ion signals were
      observed corresponding to exchange of from one to all of the enolic hydrogen
      atoms. The H / D exchange reaction was more facile with C2H5OD as the reagent
      gas, and the results with this gas clearly permit a count of the number of enolic
      hydrogen atoms present in the molecule. 

PMID- 24234710
TI  - Surface-induced dissociation of multiply protonated peptides.
AB  - We report here surface-induced dissociation spectra of three multiply charged
      peptides: doubly protonated angiotensin I, doubly protonated renin substrate, and
      triply protonated melittin. For comparison, the collision-activated dissociation
      spectra of renin substrate and melittin are also presented. The spectra show that
      surface-induced dissociation provides structural information on multiply charged
      peptides at the picomole per microliter sample concentrations compatible with
      electrospray ionization. For multiply protonated angiotensin I, renin substrate,
      and melittin, surface collisions (l00-165 eV) favor a limited number of
      fragmentation pathways, which are the same as those favored in collision
      activated dissociation experiments. 

PMID- 24234711
TI  - Proton affinities of polyglycines assessed by using the kinetic method.
AB  - The proton affinities of a series of peptides, chosen to show the effects of
      chain length, were measured by the kinetic method using amines as standard
      reference bases. Proton affinities of polyglycines with residues ranging from 2
      to 10 were measured and the values were found to increase as the number of
      residues increases. 

PMID- 24234714
TI  - Dynamics of nonspecific adsorption of insulin to erythrocyte membranes.
AB  - Molecules may arrive at targets (receptors, enzymes, etc.) localized on a
      membrane surface by first adsorbing onto the surface and then surface diffusing
      to the targets. The flux rate of molecules arriving at targets via this mechanism
      depends on the surface diffusion coefficient of the molecules and, in some
      circumstances, on the adsorption/desorption kinetics. The technique of total
      internal reflection with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (TIR-FRAP)
      was used here to study these rate parameters of fluorescein-labeled insulin (f
      insulin) interacting with erythrocyte ghosts. Ghosts were adhered to polylysine
      coated slides for TIR illumination. Some ghosts became flattened and unsealed on
      the polylysine so that both extracellular and cytoplasmic sides of the membrane
      were openly exposed to the solution. An aluminum thin film between the polylysine
      and the fused silica of a slide quenched 'background' fluorescence from f-insulin
      adsorbed directly onto the polylysine. An interference fringe pattern from two
      intersecting and totally internally reflecting laser beams provided surface
      selective excitation with a spatial variation of illumination intensity across a
      ghost for surface diffusion measurements. Measured characteristic values of
      desorption rate constants ranged from 0.043 to 270 s(-1). According to a
      preexisting theoretical model, the largest desorption rate constant in this range
      would result in some increase in the total flux rate to a perfect sink target due
      to capture from the surface, provided that the surface diffusion coefficient was
      >= about 10(-8) cm(2)/s. However, based on TIR-FRAP measurements on our system,
      we estimate that the surface diffusion coefficient is less than about 5*10(-10)
      cm(2)/s. The combination of novel techniques presented here may prove valuable to
      other workers seeking to make diffusive and chemical kinetic rate parameter
      measurements of biomolecules at biological cell membranes. 

PMID- 24234715
TI  - Wavelength dependence of fluorescence spectra of liquid coumarin solutions.
AB  - The excitation wavelength dependence of steady-state fluorescence spectra of low
      viscosity dye solutions is reexamined. Measurements are made on some coumarins in
      methyl alcohol at room temperature. It is found that the fluorescence spectra
      depend on the excitation energy and their profile changes are due to the
      excitation wavelength dependence of reorientation processes in the excited state.

PMID- 24234713
TI  - Secondary central nervous system involvement in 599 patients  with diffuse large
      B-cell lymphoma: are there any changes  in the rituximab era?
AB  - The introduction of rituximab has improved the overall prognosis of diffuse large
      B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the impact of rituximab on central nervous
      system (CNS) involvement in DLBCL remains a matter of debate. Patients with DLBCL
      and no CNS involvement at initial diagnosis were eligible for this analysis.
      Patients must have received treatment either with CHOP (cyclophosphamide,
      doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) or CHOP plus rituximab (R-CHOP). We
      analyzed the incidence, clinical features and outcomes of CNS involvement that
      developed during or after completion of therapy. A cohort of 599 patients was
      eligible for this analysis. With a median follow-up of 26 and 21 months,
      respectively, 19 of 294 (6.5 %) in the CHOP group and 13 of 305 (4.3 %) in the R
      CHOP group developed CNS involvement. Rituximab did not significantly reduce the
      risk of CNS involvement either in the univariate (P = 0.354) or in the
      multivariate analysis (RR 0.632, 95 % CI 0.301-1.327, P = 0.225). No patient
      developed CNS disease after 19 months in the R-CHOP group whereas four patients
      (21.1 %) in the CHOP group developed CNS disease 2 years after initial diagnosis
      (range 34-83 months). Systemic disease prior to or coincident with CNS occurrence
      was more common in the CHOP group than in the R-CHOP group (73.7 versus 38.5 %, P
      = 0.046). Isolated CNS events were more common in the R-CHOP group than those in
      the CHOP group (53.8 versus 10.5 %, P = 0.015). This study indicates that
      isolated CNS events are more common in DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP than
      those treated with CHOP alone. Our data also suggest that the time and pattern of
      CNS events and systemic disease status differ with the addition of rituximab.
      Better methods for earlier detection and prophylaxis of CNS involvement are
      needed in the rituximab era.

PMID- 24234716
TI  - Distance distributions and dynamics of a zinc finger peptide from fluorescence
      resonance energy transfer measurements.
AB  - Time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements were
      used to measure distance distributions and intramolecular dynamics (site-to-site
      diffusion) of a 28-residue single-domain zinc finger peptide in the absence and
      presence of zinc ion. Energy transfer was measured between TRP14 and a N-terminal
      DNS group. As expected, the TRP-to-DNS distance distribution for zinc-bound
      peptide is shorter and narrower (R av=11.2 A,hw=2.8 A) than the metal-free
      peptide (R av=20.1 A,hw=14.5 A). The degree of mutual donor-to-acceptor diffusion
      (D) was also determined for these distributions. For zinc-bound peptide there is
      no detectible diffusion (D<=0.2 A(2)/ns), whereas for metal-free peptide a
      considerable amount of motion is occurring between the donor and the acceptor
      (D=12 A(2)/ns). These results indicate that the zinc-bound peptide folds into a
      unique, well-defined conformation, whereas the metal-free conformation is
      flexible and rapidly changing. The absence of detectible mutual site-to-site
      diffusion between the donor and the acceptor in the metal-bound zinc finger
      peptide indicates that intramolecular motion is essentially frozen out, on the
      FRET time scale, as a consequence of zinc coordination. 

PMID- 24234717
TI  - Preparation of lucifer yellow fluorescent liposomes: A method for cells' membrane
      labeling.
AB  - This report describes a method to conjugate lucifer yellow to the external
      surface of liposomes. The heterobifunctional cross-linking reagentN-succinimidyl
      3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate has been used to activate DMPE molecules. The DMPE
      dithiopyridine product has been mixed with DMPC to prepare liposome vesicles.
      These have been reduced by DTT and finally reacted with lucifer yellow
      iodoacetamide to produce the fluorescence-labeled vesicles. The quenching of
      their fluorescence intensity by Kl is consistent with fully exposed fluorophores.
      The decay of the fluorescence intensity of the lipid-bound lucifer yellow is
      biexponential (tau1=7.9 ns; tau2=1.1 ns), with a relative yield of 0.16. When the
      fluorescent liposomes are mixed with cells, the lucifer yellow-DMPE derivative is
      transferred. Boar spermatozoa and peripheral human blood lymphocytes have been
      used as cellular models. The extent of incorporation is dependent on the
      incubation time and temperature. At 36 degrees C, lucifer yellow fluorescence
      appears in the spermatozoa cells after 10 min of incubation and reaches its
      maximum at about 60 min. The fluorescent phospholipid derivative seems to
      incorporate specifically into membrane structures. The highest labeling ratio is
      observed with integer, scarcely motile, spermatozoa. A poorer labeling yield
      (~15%) is found with lymphocytes. Interestingly, photobleaching due to
      epiillumination of the labeled cells is apparently negligible and cells are
      clearly visible after irradiation times ranging from several minutes to few
      hours. 

PMID- 24234718
TI  - Asymmetry of calmodulin revealed by peptide binding.
AB  - The binding of amphiphilic peptides to calmodulin has been studied using
      fluorescence energy transfer techniques. Calmodulin has no tryptophan residues
      but possesses two tyrosines (at positions 99 and 138) in the C-terminal half of
      the protein. The peptides have a single tryptophan which serves as energy
      acceptor for the protein tyrosine fluorescence. For the binding of mastoparan or
      peptide Baa17, with a tryptophan at position 3, the observed quenching of the
      tyrosine fluorescence of over a factor of 2 corresponds to an average tyrosine
      trytophan distance of less than 14 A. These results indicate that the peptides
      binds preferentially with the tryptophan in the C-terminal half of the protein. 

PMID- 24234719
TI  - Effect of solvent on the cation-sensitive fluorescence of polyanions bearing 4'
      acryloylbenzo-18-crown-6 Units.
AB  - Changes in the fluorescence intensity of polyanions bearing 4'-acryloylbenzo-18
      crown-6 units on the addition of cations were studied in a mixed solvent of
      methanol and water at 30 degrees C. The sensitivity of the change in fluorescence
      intensities of the polymers toward cations was strongly enhanced compared to that
      of the corresponding model compound. When alkali metal cations were added, the
      fluorescence intensity of the polymers decreased in the orders
      Li(+)>Na(+)>Cs(+)>Rb(+)>K(+) in a methanol-water (1?9) mixture and
      Li(+)>Na(+)>Rb(+)>K(+)?Cs(+) in a methanol-water (9?1) mixture. Alkaline earth
      metal cations and alkylamine hydrochlorides decreased the fluorescence intensity
      of the polymers in a methanol-water (1?9) mixture. The cation-dependent decrease
      in the fluorescence intensity of the polymers was affected by the water fraction
      in a mixed solvent of methanol and water. 

PMID- 24234720
TI  - Brief report: Do children with autism gather information from social contexts to
      aid their word learning?
AB  - Typically developing (TD) infants could capitalize on social eye gaze and social
      contexts to aid word learning. Although children with autism disorder (AD) are
      known to exhibit atypicality in word learning via social eye gaze, their ability
      to utilize social contexts for word learning is not well understood. We
      investigated whether verbal AD children exhibit word learning ability via social
      contextual cues by late childhood. We found that AD children, unlike TD controls,
      failed to infer the speaker's referential intention through information gathered
      from the social context. This suggests that TD children can learn words in
      diverse social pragmatic contexts in as early as toddlerhood whereas AD children
      are still unable to do so by late childhood.

PMID- 24234721
TI  - Editorial introduction.

PMID- 24234722
TI  - Genetic counseling for pregnant adolescents.
AB  - The genetic counseling literature has a paucity of information on how to provide
      genetic counseling services to adolescents, especially those who are pregnant.
      The adolescent population should be viewed as a separate culture, complete with
      their own beliefs and viewpoints, which are dependent upon the developmental
      growth tasks of puberty. The completion of these tasks is complicated by
      pregnancy, which has its own set of developmental goals. The adolescent struggle
      with developmental goals interferes with the ability to identify consequences,
      predict future outcomes, and communicate self-revealing statements or decisions
      effectively. Instead, the adolescent has an egocentric frame of reference and
      seeks peer approval. The genetic counseling dilemmas presented by pregnant
      adolescents are illustrated through two case reports. A model based on our own
      experience and a literature review for successful counseling of adolescents is
      presented, and utilizes the foundation of trust, patience, and nonjudgmental
      behavior. Techniques that address the adolescent's concern for autonomy and peer
      approval are important, and can be achieved through nonthreatening, open-ended
      questions that promote self-expression. Incorporation of these techniques in
      genetic counseling and in graduate training will enhance genetic counseling
      services to the adolescent population. 

PMID- 24234723
TI  - Abstracts of papers and posters presented at the Fifteenth Annual Education
      Conference of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

PMID- 24234724
TI  - Strategies for enhancing occupationally-oriented rehabilitation.

PMID- 24234725
TI  - Screening for patients at risk of developing chronic incapacity.
AB  - Formal investigations of psychiatric disorders and long-term personality
      characteristics have been relatively unhelpful in the prediction of future
      incapacity. Clinical studies of pain patients have led to a new range of more
      specific measurement instruments assessing different aspects of psychological
      functioning: such as pain behavior, distress, beliefs about pain, and coping
      strategies. Recent investigations of patients with acute back problems have
      identified a strong relationship between levels of distress, dysfunctional coping
      strategies, and future disability. Measurement instruments specifically validated
      for occupational settings still need to be developed, but preliminary studies
      suggest that fear of hurting/harming, job stress, and job satisfaction may be
      important factors. A pilot study into occupationally-oriented back pain
      management for the unemployed is reported. Results suggest that such clients may
      have significantly more rehabilitation potential than has previously been
      believed. 

PMID- 24234726
TI  - Demographic, psychometric, and case progression information as predictors of
      return-to-work in teachers undergoing occupational rehabilitation.
AB  - Occupational stress is a significant problem and is of particular concern for
      educational organizations. It was the aim of the current project to identify
      variables that could predict return-to-work outcomes in a group of teachers who
      had taken leave for a work-related stress condition. Demographic, psychometric,
      and case progression data were collected for 119 teachers who had taken Workers'
      Compensation Leave and were participating in a rehabilitation program. The
      participants' return to work outcomes were followed-up at least 12 months after
      they initially left their workplace. Hierarchical discriminant function analysis
      indicated that 84.62% of the cases could be correctly classified as either
      "returning to work" or "not returning to work due to illness." The main predictor
      variables were: if the individual had attempted to return to work within 505 days
      of injury, the individual's health behaviors, the sex of the individual, and the
      type of school in which he or she was employed (primary or secondary). It is
      suggested that the derived model could be further developed and used to predict
      return to work from stress-related illnesses. 

PMID- 24234727
TI  - The role of fear of movement/(re)injury in pain disability.
AB  - It is now well established that in chronic low back pain, there is no direct
      relationship between impairments, pain, and disability. From a cognitive
      behavioral perspective, pain disability is not only influenced by the organic
      pathology, but also by cognitive-perceptual, psychophysiological, and motoric
      environmental factors. This paper focuses on the role of specific beliefs that
      are associated with avoidance of activities. These beliefs are related to fear of
      movement and physical activity, which is (wrongfully) assumed to cause
      (re)injury. Two studies are presented, of which the first examines the factor
      structure of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), a recently developed
      questionnaire that is aimed at quantifying fear of movement/(re)injury. In the
      second study, the value of fear of movement/(re)injury in predicting disability
      levels is analyzed, when the biomedical status of the patient and current pain
      intensity levels are controlled for. In addition, the determinants of fear of
      movement/(re)injury are examined. The discussion focuses on the clinical
      relevance of the fear-avoidance model in relation to risk assessment, assessment
      of functional capacity, and secondary prevention. 

PMID- 24234728
TI  - Workplace changes in successful rehabilitation.
AB  - There is a lack of rehabilitation programs that also involve the workplace as a
      significant variable. Epidemiologic studies have pointed out aspects of the work
      environment that are risk factors for developing musculoskeletal disorders,
      delaying return to work, and for promoting relapse. An understanding of risk
      factors and the ability to identify and alter them is the basis for effective
      rehabilitation and prevention programs. Workplace changes should comprise
      organizational and psychosocial aspects, as well as the physical work conditions.
      Positive attitudes of managers and supervisors toward early return to work need
      to be emphasized. Several studies stress the importance of new or changed work
      tasks for a positive prognosis. Opportunities for the individuals to influence
      their own rehabilitation process may improve the outcome. A promising approach,
      based on a problem-based rehabilitation strategy, is presented as an attempt to
      integrate present knowledge from etiologic studies and from rehabilitation
      studies, respectively. 

PMID- 24234729
TI  - Compliance: A barrier to occupational rehabilitation?
AB  - While patients' compliance with medical, psychological, and other treatments has
      received considerable attention the subject has received relatively little
      attention in the rehabilitation literature. This paper attempts to review the
      study of patients' compliance in the rehabilitation literature and to examine its
      role especially in relation to outcomes. The assessment of compliance, some of
      the factors affecting compliance in rehabilitation, as well as future research
      issues are also addressed. 

PMID- 24234731
TI  - Current perspectives in genetics of "double-hit" lymphoma with possible clinical
      implications.
AB  - This article reviews particular subgroup of B-cell lymphoma, called "double-hit"
      lymphoma (DHL) because of its distinct aberrations-related genes influencing
      various processes such as apoptosis, differentiation, and proliferation. Recent
      studies indicate that tumorigenesis is a complex process involving multiple
      genes, genetic abnormalities, including gene mutations, deletions, and
      chromosomal alterations. Chromosomal aberrations are not affecting only basic
      cellular life preserving activities such as cell proliferation, differentiation,
      apoptosis, and signal transduction, but are also indispensible for evaluation of
      lymphoma occurrence, progression, and prognosis as well differential diagnosis
      and other aspects assessment. DHL is group accompanied by IGH-BCL2 and MYC
      rearrangement, behaving highly aggressively, with a complex and distinct
      karyotype which can not be extrapolated solely by morphological pathological
      assessment, since it has not been entirely characteristic. Therefore, we are
      reviewing possible effects of multiple genetic rearrangements, particular genes
      mutations, and developing hypothesis due which pathophysiology mechanisms DHL
      accomplish synergistic malignant potential.

PMID- 24234732
TI  - Restoration of optimal ellipsoid left ventricular geometry: lessons learnt from
      in silico surgical modelling.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Several issues that are inherent in the surgical techniques of
      surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) need specialized devices or techniques to
      overcome them, which may not always result in optimal outcomes. We used a non
      invasive novel in silico modelling technique to study left ventricular (LV)
      morphology and function before and after SVR. The cardiac magnetic resonance
      imaging derived actual pre- and postoperative endocardial morphology and function
      was compared with the in silico analysis of the same. METHODS: Cardiac magnetic
      resonance steady state free precession (SSFP) cine images were employed to
      segment endocardial surface contours over the cardiac cycle. Using the principle
      of Hausdorff distance to examine phase-to-phase regional endocardial
      displacement, dyskinetic/akinetic areas were identified at the instant of peak
      basal contraction velocity. Using a three-dimensional (3D) surface clipping tool,
      the maximally scarred, dyskinetic or akinetic LV antero-apical areas were
      virtually resected and a new apex was created. A virtual rectangular patch was
      created upon the clipped surface LV model by 3D Delaunay triangulation.
      Presurgical endocardial mechanical function quantified from cine cardiac magnetic
      resonance, using a technique of spherical harmonics (SPHARM) surface
      parameterization, was applied onto the virtually clipped and patched LV surface
      model. Finally, the in silico model of post-SVR LV shape was analysed for
      quantification of regional left ventricular volumes (RLVVs) and function. This
      was tested in 2 patients with post-myocardial infarction antero-apical LV
      aneuryms. Left ventricular mechanical dysynchrony was evaluated by RLVV analysis
      of pre-SVR, in silico post-SVR and actual post-SVR LV endocardial surface data.
      RESULTS: Following exclusion of the scarred areas, the virtual resected LV model
      demonstrated significantly lesser areas of akinesia. The decreases in regional LV
      volumes in the in silico modelling were significant and comparable with the
      actual decreases following SVR. Both the regional end diastolic volume (EDV) and
      end systolic volume (ESV) at the apex decreased significantly corresponding to
      greater reductions in apical volumes by the technique of rectangular patch plasty
      (apical EDV 2.1607 +/- 0.20577 to 0.4774 +/- 0.1775 ml, P = 0.007; apical ESV
      1.9708 +/- 0.36451 to 0.442 +/- 0.047 ml, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot
      study was done using novel in silico techniques for virtual surgical modelling,
      which helped in accurate estimation and planning of optimal LV restoration by
      SVR.

PMID- 24234733
TI  - Development of ulcer disease after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, incidence, risk
      factors, and patient presentation: a systematic review.
AB  - Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is the gold standard in bariatric
      surgery. A long-term complication can be marginal ulceration (MU) at the
      gastrojejunostomy. The mechanism of development is unclear and symptoms vary.
      Management and prevention is a continuous subject of debate. The aim was to
      assess the incidence, mechanism, symptoms, and management of MU after LRYGB by
      means of a systematic review. Forty-one studies with a total of 16,987 patients
      were included, 787 (4.6%) developed MU. The incidence of MU varied between 0.6
      and 25%. The position and size of the pouch, smoking, and nonsteroidal
      inflammatory drugs usage are associated with the formation of MU. In most cases,
      MU is adequately treated with proton pump inhibitors, sometimes reoperation is
      required. Laparoscopic approach is safe and effective.

PMID- 24234734
TI  - Nonsurgical management of luminal dilatation after laparoscopic adjustable
      gastric banding.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Proximal luminal dilatation (PLD) is one of the most significant
      challenges following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). If PLD is
      identified at an early stage, there is potential to avoid reoperation or
      irreversible change by implementing nonsurgical measures. The success of these
      strategies is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of how
      often PLD can be successfully treated nonsurgically. METHODS: The records of
      patients who underwent primary LAGB insertion by a single surgeon from January
      2005 to December 2006 were reviewed. Study participants were all patients who had
      subsequently undergone a postoperative liquid contrast swallow demonstrating a
      PLD. The severity of PLD, subsequent management, and outcomes were recorded and
      assessed. RESULTS: There were 354 patients who underwent a primary LAGB insertion
      during the study period. Seventy-eight patients were found to have varying
      degrees of PLD and had an attempt at nonsurgical management. Thirty-four of these
      patients (43.6 %) were successfully managed nonsurgically at a mean follow-up of
      2.8 years (33.2 months, CL +/- 3.2). The success with nonsurgical management was
      lower if the symmetrical pouch dilatation was more severe or gastric prolapse was
      seen at presentation, and if no improvement in liquid contrast swallow was seen.
      CONCLUSIONS: PLD can often be successfully managed with nonsurgical measures,
      maintaining good weight loss in the intermediate term. Patients with more
      significant dilatation are more likely to require revisional surgery. Early
      recognition may have a role in preventing surgery or more severe abnormalities.

PMID- 24234735
TI  - Weight loss percentile charts of large representative series: a benchmark
      defining sufficient weight loss challenging current criteria for success of
      bariatric surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The frequently used 35 kg/m2 body mass index (BMI) and 50 % excess
      weight loss (%EWL) criteria are no longer adequate for defining the success of a
      bariatric or metabolic surgery. It is not clear whether they are still useful to
      simply determine the sufficiency of a patient's postoperative weight loss. An
      alternative way of defining sufficient weight loss is presented, using weight
      loss percentile charts of large representative series as a benchmark. METHODS:
      Gastric bypass weight loss results from the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal
      Database (BOLD) with >=2 years of follow-up are presented with percentiles in
      function of postoperative time and their nadir results in function of initial BMI
      using different outcome metrics. These percentiles are compared with the BMI35
      and 50%EWL criteria. RESULTS: Of 49,098 patients eligible for >=2 years of follow
      up, 8,945 had reported weight loss at >=2 years (20.0% male, mean initial BMI
      47.7 kg/m2). They reached nadir BMI at a mean of 603 days. Their 50th percentiles
      surpassed both 50 %EWL and BMI35 after 135 days. More than 95% achieved 50% EWL;
      more than 75% achieved BMI35. BMI and %EWL results are influenced more by initial
      BMI than total weight loss (%TWL) results. CONCLUSIONS: BOLD gastric bypass
      weight loss data are presented with percentile curves. BMI and %EWL are clearly
      not suited for this purpose. Provided that follow-up data are solid, %TWL-based
      percentile charts can constitute neutral benchmarks for defining sufficient
      postoperative weight loss over time. Criteria for overall success, however,
      should consider clear goals of health improvement, including metabolic aspects.
      Frequently used criteria 50% EWL and BMI35 are inadequate for both. Their static
      weight loss components do not match the found percentiles and their health
      improvement components do not match known metabolic criteria.

PMID- 24234736
TI  - Patient investigation of average glandular dose and incident air kerma for
      digital mammography.
AB  - Our aim in this study was to investigate the incident air kerma (IAK) and average
      glandular dose (AGD) for polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) phantoms and patient
      breasts for each thickness by use of digital mammography units, and to determine
      the correlation between phantom and patient measurements. An additional aim was
      to calculate the numerical value of the diagnostic reference level (DRL) for
      digital mammography in Japan based on the AGD from patient measurements. Patient
      based IAK and AGD values were calculated for 300 patients who underwent
      mammographic examinations at three institutions. On examination of a 40-mm PMMA
      phantom, the IAK and the AGD were 7.89 and 1.84 mGy, respectively. The mean
      patient breast thickness was 37.6 mm, and the mean IAK and the AGD calculated
      from actual patient data for breast thicknesses between 40 mm and 50 mm were 8.91
      and 2.08 mGy, respectively. Approximately 20 % of the 300 patients had IAK >10
      mGy. The distributions of patient-based IAK and AGD values were higher than the
      IAK and AGD values for the PMMA phantom. The patient dose with use of the PMMA
      phantom can be underestimated. The DRL was calculated from patient-based AGDs of
      the regular breast thickness as 2.0 mGy in Japan.

PMID- 24234737
TI  - JASMS to 12 issues means faster turnaround.

PMID- 24234738
TI  - High-resolution mass spectrometry of large molecules in a linear time-of-flight
      mass spectrometer.
AB  - This report describes a new high-resolution linear time-of-flight mass
      spectrometer that has been constructed at this institute. The instrument is used
      for investigations of both direct and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
      of large molecules. A unique feature of this new instrument is the incorporation
      of a 10-cm postsource pulse-focusing region for enhancing the resolution of the
      detected ion signals. This technique can correct for both high initial ion
      translational energies and long durations of ion formation and is expected to be
      particularly well suited for laser desorption/ionization applications. Results of
      calculations are presented to illustrate the gains in mass resolution that may be
      expected for a variety of ion formation conditions. In addition, initial
      experimental results are presented that demonstrate the capability of this new
      instrument to produce high-resolution ion signals. Signals with mass resolutions
      as high as 2750 (full width at half maximum) have been obtained for both direct
      and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization signals. 

PMID- 24234739
TI  - The effect of ion size on rate of dissociation: RRKM calculations on model large
      polypeptide ions.
AB  - The larger an ion is, the less likely it is to decompose on mass spectrornetry
      time scales at given critical and internal energies. This is an obstacle to
      obtaining structural information on large molecules by mass spectrometry. We
      performed RRKM calculations on model ions with masses from 0.27 kDa to 102.4 kDa
      to explore what such calculations predict regarding this limitation. According to
      the calculations, it is impractical to add enough energy to fragment very large
      ions unless the decomposition has a low critical energy. It is suggested that ion
      molecule reactions that are either very low in their critical energies or
      exothermic may be a feasible approach to fragmenting ionized macromolecules. 

PMID- 24234740
TI  - Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with an enlarged sampling orifice
      and offset Ion Lens. I. Ion trajectories and detector performance.
AB  - A new inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) with four stages of
      differential pumping is described. The relatively large sampling orifice (1.31-mm
      dia.) improves signals for metal ions and resists plugging from deposited solids.
      A new ion lens is described that deflects ions off center and then back on center
      into the differential pumping orifice; there is no photon stop in the center of
      the beam. Calculations of ion trajectories using SIMIOn show that only those ions
      that leave the skimmer on center are transmitted, whereas most other lenses used
      in ICP-MS transmit only ions that leave the skimmer off axis. The performance of
      a Channeltron electron multiplier is compared to that of a Daly detector. Both
      detectors yield similar sensitivities of ~ 10(6) counts s(-1) per ppm and
      detection limits of ~ 1 pptr. The background with a Channeltron electron
      multiplier is only 0.4 counts s(-1) and is only slightly higher than the dark
      current count rate. Presumably the offset ion lens used in the present work
      efficiently screens the detector from photons emitted by the plasma. The
      background with the Daly detector is 4 counts s(-1), which represents a
      substantial improvement over the background obtained in previous use of the Daly
      detector with JCP-MS. 

PMID- 24234741
TI  - Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with an enlarged sampling orifice
      and offset ion lens. II. Polyatomic Ion interferences and matrix effects.
AB  - A new inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer with an enlarged sampling
      orifice (1.31-mm dia.) and an offset ion lens yields very low levels of many
      troublesome polyatomic ions such as ArO(+), ArN(+), Ar2 (+), ClO(+), and ArCl(+).
      The signals from refractory metal oxide ions are ~ 1% of the corresponding metal
      ion signals, which is typical of most ICP-MS devices. Grounding the first
      electrode of the ion lens greatly reduces the severity of matrix effects to <-
      20% loss in signal for Co(+), Y(+), or Cs(+) in the presence of 10 mM Sr, Tm, or
      Pb. This latter lens setting causes only a modest loss (30%) in sensitivity for
      analyte elements compared to the best sensitivity obtainable by biasing the first
      lens. Alternatively, matrix effects can also be mitigated by readjusting the
      voltage applied to the first lens with the matrix present. 

PMID- 24234742
TI  - Coupling a particle beam interface directly to a quadrupole ion trap mass
      spectrometer.
AB  - A particle beam interface has been coupled to a quadrupole ion trap mass
      spectrometer. The system allows the collection of electron ionization mass
      spectra from analyte in solution. The interface incorporates a pneumatic
      nebulizer, a heated desolvation chamber, and a three-stage separator region.
      Additional helium, for improved performance, is added through stage 3. The
      particles formed in the interface are separated from solvent molecules and are
      transferred directly to the ion trap where they are expected to collide with the
      hot hyperbolic surface of the end cap. The end cap serves both as a heated target
      used to vaporize the particles and as an ion-trapping electrode. Mass analysis is
      achieved with the mass-selective instability scan supplemented with resonance
      ejection. Electron ionization spectra from 100 ng of caffeine [molecular weight
      (MW) = 1941; 1-naphthalenol methylcarbamate (carbaryl) (MW = 2011, 17alpha
      hydroxyprogesterone (MW = 330), and reserpine (MW = 608) are shown using sampling
      by a segmented flow analysis. Some charge exchange is evident with methanol as
      well as self-chemical ionization at higher analyte levels. The interface shows a
      nonlinear caffeine calibration curve for analyte amounts below 30 ng and a more
      linear response at higher amounts. Caffeine was detected at 25 pmol (5 ng), with
      a signal-to-noise ratio of 50, 20-MUL loop, full scan. 

PMID- 24234743
TI  - Analysis of solution residues by glow discharge mass spectrometry.
AB  - A technique for the analysis of microliter volumes of solution by glow discharge
      mass spectrometry (GDMS) has been successfully demonstrated. Cathode preparation
      involves mixing an aliquot of the sample solution with a pure conducting powder,
      followed by drying and pressing before conventional GDMS analysis. The analyte
      signal at the 100-ppm level was observed to be stable to better than 5% for the
      duration of the analysis (30-45 min). Internal and external reproducibilities
      were better than 5%, and the ion signal intensity was linear with concentration
      over at least four orders of magnitude. Quantification was demonstrated by means
      of user-defined relative sensitivity factors. Relative standard deviations were
      better than 15% for the elements investigated, with no preconcentration of the
      analyte. 

PMID- 24234744
TI  - Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance study of the gas-phase acidities of
      germane and methylgermane; Bond dissociation energy of germane.
AB  - An accurate gas-phase acidity for germane (enthalpy scale, equivalent to the
      proton affinity of GeH3 (-)), DeltaH acid (o)(GeH4) = 1502.0 +/- 5.1 kJ mol(-1),
      is obtained by constructing a consistent acidity ladder between GeH4, and H2S by
      using Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance spectrometry, and 0 and 298.15 K
      values for the first bond dissociation energy of GeH4 are proposed: D0 (o)(H3Ge
      H) = 352 +/- 9 kJ mol(-1); D (o)(H3Ge-H) = 358 +/- 9 kJ mol(-1), respectively.
      These results are compared with experimental and theoretical data reported in the
      literature. Methylgermane was found to be a weaker acid than germane by
      approximately 35 kJ mol(-1): DeltaH acid (o) = 1536.6 kJ mol(-1). 

PMID- 24234745
TI  - Comparative study of the gas-phase bond strengths of CO2 and N 2O with the halide
      ions.
AB  - Thermodynamic data, DeltaH n-1, n (o) and DeltaS n-1, n (o), for clustering
      reactions of halide ions X(-)(X = F, Cl, Br, and I) with N2Owere measured with a
      pulsed electron beam high-pressure mass spectrometer. In contrast to the fact
      that CO2 forms a covalent bond with the fluoride ion to yield the fluoroformate
      ion, FCO2 (-), the interaction between F(-) and N2O is mainly electrostatic. It
      was found that the cluster ions F(-) (N2O)n complete the first shell at n = 6,
      thus forming an octahedral structure. The difference between F-CO2 (-) and F(-)
      ... N2O is discussed in terms of Coulombic, exchange, and charge-transfer
      interactions. The X(-) (N2O)2 clusters (X = Cl, Br and I) are found to be of C2h
      symmetry, while F(-) (N2O)2 is of a twisted form and is slightly asymmetric due
      to a slight participation of covalency (charge transfer) in the core ion F(-) ...
      N2O. 

PMID- 24234746
TI  - Unimolecular photochemistry of n-alkenes studied by photodissociation
      photoionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - The 193-nm unimolecular photochemistry of n-alkenes from C5 to C14 is studied by
      photodissociation-photoionization mass spectrometry (PDPI/MS). In PDPI/MS, a UV
      laser induces neutral unimolecular photodissociation. The resulting neutral
      fragments and any remaining parent molecules are then softly ionized with
      coherent vacuum UV radiation and mass analyzed. Photodissociation of n-alkenes is
      dominated by cleavage of the beta C-C bond. Products of alpha- and gamma-cleavage
      are typically less than 20% as abundant as the beta-cleavage fragments. Secondary
      fragmentation of the primary products occurs both by neutral fragmentation during
      photodissociation and by ionic fragmentation during photoionization. The
      energetics of the neutral secondary reactions indicate that between 400 and 500
      kJ/mol is consumed during photodissociation. The abundances of many secondary
      fragmentation products decrease with increasing molecular size. Because neutral
      fragmentation occurs without significant isomerization, PDPI/MS provides
      structural information that is not available from ionic fragmentation in
      conventional mass spectrometric experiments. 

PMID- 24234747
TI  - Gas-phase reactions between O(-.) and C 6H 5F: On the acidity of fluorobenzene
      and 1,4-difluorobenzene.
AB  - The gas-phase reactions of negative ions (O(-.), NH 2 (-) , C2H5NH(-), (CH3)2N(
      ), C6H 5 (t-) , and CH3SCH 2 (-) ) with fluorobenzene and 1,4-difluorobenzene
      have been studied with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass
      spectrometry. The O(-.) ion reacts predominantly by (1) proton abstraction, (2)
      formal H 2 (+.) abstraction, and (3) attack on an unsubstituted carbon atom. In
      addition to these processes, attack on a fluorine bearing carbon atom yielding F(
      ) and C6H4FO(-) ions occurs with 1,4-difluorobenzene. Site-specific deuterium
      labeling reveals the occurrence of competing 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-H 2 (+.)
      abstractions in the reaction of O(-.) with fluorobenzene. Attack of the O(-.) ion
      on the 3- and 4-positions in fluorobenzene with formation of the 3- and 4
      fluorophenoxide ions, respectively, is preferred to reaction at the 2-position,
      as indicated by the relative extent of loss of a hydrogen and a deuterium atom in
      the reactions with labeled fluorobenzenes. The NH 2 (-) , C2H5NH(-), (CH3)2N(-),
      C6H 5 (-) , and CH3SCH 2 (-) anions react with fluoroberuene and 1,4
      difluorobenzene only by proton abstraction. The relative importance of H(+) and
      D(+) abstraction in the reaction of these anions with labeled fluorobenzenes
      indicates that the 2-position in fluorobenzene is more acidic than the 3- and 4
      positions, suggesting that the literature value of the gas-phase acidity of this
      compound (DeltaH acid (o) = 1620 +/- 8 kJ mol(-1)) refers to the former site.
      Based on the occurrence of reversible proton transfer between the CH3O(-) ion and
      1,4-difluorobenzene, the DeltaH acid (o) of this compound is redetermined to be
      1592 +/- 8 kJ mol(-1). 

PMID- 24234749
TI  - Erratum to: The mass spectrometry of taxol.

PMID- 24234750
TI  - Characterization of an acid inducible lipase Rv3203 from Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis H37Rv.
AB  - The Rv3203 (LipV) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv, is annotated as a
      member of Lip family based on the presence of characteristic consensus esterase
      motif 'GXSXG'. In vitro culture studies of Mtb H37Ra indicated that expression of
      Rv3203 gene was up-regulated during acidic stress as compared to normal whereas
      no expression was observed under nutrient and oxidative stress conditions.
      Therefore, detailed characterization of Rv3203 was done by gene cloning and its
      further expression and purification as his-tagged protein in microbial expression
      system. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography. It
      demonstrated broad substrate specificity and preferentially hydrolyzed p
      nitrophenyl myristate. The purified enzyme demonstrated an optimum activity at pH
      8.0 and temperature 50  degrees C. The specific activity, K m and V max of enzyme
      was determined to be 21.29 U mg(-1) protein, 714.28 MUM and 62.5 MUmol ml(-1)
      min(-1), respectively. The pH stability assay and circular dichroism
      spectroscopic analysis revealed that Rv3203 protein is more stable in acidic
      condition. Tetrahydrolipstatin, a specific lipase inhibitor and RHC80267, a
      diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor abolished the activity of this enzyme. The
      catalytic triad residues were determined to be Ser50, Asp180 and His203 residues
      by site-directed mutagenesis.

PMID- 24234751
TI  - Differences in the expression pattern of HCN isoforms among mammalian tissues:
      sources and implications.
AB  - Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels play a
      critical role in a broad range of cell types, but the expression of the various
      HCN isoforms is still poorly understood. In the present study we have compared
      the expression of HCN isoforms in rat excitable and non-excitable tissues at both
      the mRNA and protein levels. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis revealed
      distinct expression patterns of the four HCN isoforms in brain, heart, pituitary
      and kidney, with inconsistent mRNA-protein expression correlation. The HCN2 was
      the most abundant mRNA transcript (95.6, 78.0 and 59.0 % in kidney heart and
      pituitary, respectively) except in the brain (42.0 %) whereas HCN4 was the most
      abundant protein isoform. Our results suggest that HCN channels are mostly
      produced by the HCN4 isoform in heart, which contrasts with the sharp differences
      in the isoform stoichiometry in pituitary (15 HCN4:2 HCN2:1 HCN1:1 HCN3), kidney
      (24 HCN4:2 HCN3:1 HCN2:1 HCN1) and brain (3 HCN4:2 HCN2:1 HCN1:1 HCN3). Moreover,
      deviations of the electrophoretic molecular weight (MW) of the HCN isoforms
      relative to the theoretical MW were observed, suggesting that N-glycosylation and
      enzymatic proteolysis influences HCN channel surface expression. We hypothesize
      that selective cleavage of HCN channels by membrane bound metalloendopeptidases
      could account for the multiplicity of properties of native HCN channels in
      different tissues.

PMID- 24234752
TI  - Association between polymorphism in TRAF1/C5 gene and risk of rheumatoid
      arthritis: a meta-analysis.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease.
      Single nucleotide polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-receptor associated
      factor 1/complement component 5 (TRAF1/C5) gene are suspected to be associated
      with the risk of RA. This meta-analysis was performed to study the relationship
      between the polymorphism rs10818488 in TRAF1/C5 gene with RA. We retrieved the
      relevant articles from PubMed, EMBASE and the China National Knowledge
      Infrastructure databases. Odd ratios were calculated to assess the association
      between TRAF1/C5 rs10818488 polymorphism and RA risk. Meta-analyses were
      performed on the total data set and separately for the major ethnic groups and RF
      and ACAP status. All analyses were performed using the Stata software. Eight
      articles were included in the present analysis. Meta-analysis showed a weak
      association between TRAF1/C5 rs10818488 polymorphism and RA in all subjects (OR =
      1.13, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.27, P heterogeneity < 0.001). Stratified analyses
      indicated that the TRAF1/C5 rs10818488 A allele was significantly associated with
      RA in Caucasians (OR = 1.29, 95 %CI = 1.14-1.47, P heterogeneity = 0.026), Asians
      (OR = 0.92, 95 %CI = 0.86-0.99, P heterogeneity = 0.378) and Africans (OR = 1.56,
      95 %CI = 1.23-1.98, P heterogeneity = 0.876), also significantly in positive ACPA
      and positive RF patients versus controls (ORs were 1.20 and 1.25, 95 %CIs were
      1.08-1.33 and 1.14-1.37, P values for heterogeneity were 0.215 and 0.133,
      respectively). Genetic polymorphism rs10818488 in TRAF1/C5 gene might be
      associated with RA susceptibility.

PMID- 24234753
TI  - Interactions of ketoamide inhibitors on HCV NS3/4A protease target: molecular
      docking studies.
AB  - HCV infection in more than 200 million individuals worldwide is a principal
      health problem. Prior to the development of HCV protease inhibitor combination
      therapy, HCV infected patients were treated with pegylated interferon-alpha and
      ribavirin. The adverse side effects associated with this type of treatment may
      lead to the discontinuation of treatment in certain number of patients.
      Currently, the inhibitors of NS3/4A Protease were found promising candidates for
      the treatment of HCV infection. There are several inhibitors of HCV NS3/4A
      protease that are passing through clinical improvement showing good potency
      against HCV infections in a number of patients. To further recognize binding
      interactions and activity trend, the molecular docking studies were performed on
      a number of HCV NS3/4A protease ketoamide inhibitors via MOE docking protocol.
      The docking analysis resulted in the detection of important ligand interactions
      with respect to binding site of target protein and produced good correlation
      coefficient (r2 = 0.690) between docking score and biological activities. These
      molecular docking results should, in our view, contribute for further
      optimization of ketoamide derivatives as NS3/4A protease inhibitors.

PMID- 24234754
TI  - Functional models for colloid retention in porous media at the triple line.
AB  - Spectral confocal microscope visualizations of microsphere movement in
      unsaturated porous media showed that attachment at the Air Water Solid (AWS)
      interface was an important retention mechanism. These visualizations can aid in
      resolving the functional form of retention rates of colloids at the AWS
      interface. In this study, soil adsorption isotherm equations were adapted by
      replacing the chemical concentration in the water as independent variable by the
      cumulative colloids passing by. In order of increasing number of fitted
      parameters, the functions tested were the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, the
      Logistic distribution, and the Weibull distribution. The functions were fitted
      against colloid concentrations obtained from time series of images acquired with
      a spectral confocal microscope for three experiments performed where either plain
      or carboxylated polystyrene latex microspheres were pulsed in a small flow
      chamber filled with cleaned quartz sand. Both moving and retained colloids were
      quantified over time. In fitting the models to the data, the agreement improved
      with increasing number of model parameters. The Weibull distribution gave overall
      the best fit. The logistic distribution did not fit the initial retention of
      microspheres well but otherwise the fit was good. The Langmuir isotherm only
      fitted the longest time series well. The results can be explained that initially
      when colloids are first introduced the rate of retention is low. Once colloids
      are at the AWS interface they act as anchor point for other colloids to attach
      and thereby increasing the retention rate as clusters form. Once the available
      attachment sites diminish, the retention rate decreases.

PMID- 24234755
TI  - SimPhy: a simulation game to lessen the impact of phytosanitaries on health and
      the environment--the case of Merja Zerga in Morocco.
AB  - Diffuse phytosanitary pollution is a complex phenomenon to manage. Reducing this
      type of pollution is one of today's key socio-economic and environmental
      challenges. At the regional level, few approaches enable the actors concerned to
      implement agricultural management strategies to reduce the use and impact of
      phytosanitary products. Our research problem focused on the consequences of
      intensive agriculture and, in particular, how to evaluate the impact of
      phytosanitary products on human health and the environment. In this article, we
      present the SimPhy simulation game which places the actors from a given region
      directly into a situation in which they manage farms whilst under pressure to
      reduce phytosanitaries (quantity and toxicity). The application focused on the
      Merja Zerga catchment area in Morocco. The region is dominated by intensive
      agriculture which is located upstream from a Ramsar-classified wetland area. The
      SimPhy simulation game is based on a decision support system-type tool. It allows
      us to anticipate the impact of regulations on farming systems. It also enables us
      to analyse the consequences of the actors' strategies on farm economies, human
      health and the quality of ecosystems. Initial results from the SimPhy simulation
      game enabled the technicians from Agricultural Development Center (CDA)
      themselves to learn about managing agricultural production systems in a dynamic
      and interactive fashion. With the simulation game, it was possible to learn about
      the farmer's ability to adapt to new regulatory constraints, and the involved
      consequences for toxicity risks for human health and the environment.

PMID- 24234756
TI  - Trophic transfer and accumulation of mercury in ray species in coastal waters
      affected by historic mercury mining (Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea).
AB  - Total mercury (Hg) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) were analysed in the gills, liver
      and muscle of four cartilaginous fish species (top predators), namely, the eagle
      ray (Myliobatis aquila), the bull ray (Pteromylaeus bovinus), the pelagic
      stingray (Dasyatis violacea) and the common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca),
      collected in the Gulf of Trieste, one of the most Hg-polluted areas in the
      Mediterranean and worldwide due to past mining activity in Idrija (West
      Slovenia). The highest Hg and MMHg concentrations expressed on a dry weight
      (d.w.) basis were found in the muscle of the pelagic stingray (mean, 2.529 mg/kg;
      range, 1.179-4.398 mg/kg, d.w.), followed by the bull ray (mean, 1.582 mg/kg;
      range, 0.129-3.050 mg/kg d.w.) and the eagle ray (mean, 0.222 mg/kg; range, 0.070
      0.467 mg/kg, d.w.). Only one specimen of the common stingray was analysed, with a
      mean value in the muscle of 1.596 mg/kg, d.w. Hg and MMHg contents in the bull
      ray were found to be positively correlated with species length and weight. The
      highest MMHg accumulation was found in muscle tissue. Hg and MMHg were also found
      in two embryos of a bull ray, indicating Hg transfer from the mother during
      pregnancy. The number of specimens and the size coverage of the bull rays allowed
      an assessment of Hg accumulation with age. It was shown that in bigger bull ray
      specimens, the high uptake of inorganic Hg in the liver and the slower MMHg
      increase in the muscle were most probably due to the demethylation of MMHg in the
      liver. The highest Hg and MMHg contents in all organs were found in the pelagic
      stingray, which first appeared in the northern Adriatic in 1999. High Hg and MMHg
      concentrations were also found in prey species such as the banded murex (Hexaplex
      trunculus), the principal prey of the eagle rays and bull rays, the anchovy
      (Engraulis encrasicholus) and the red bandfish (Cepola rubescens), which are
      preyed upon by the pelagic stingray, as well as in zooplankton and seawater.
      Based on previously published data, a tentative estimation of MMHg
      bioamagnification was established. The average increase in MMHg between seawater,
      including phytoplankton, and zooplankton in the Gulf was about 10(4), and MMHg in
      anchovy was about 50-fold higher than in zooplankton. The bioaccumulation of MMHg
      between seawater and small pelagic fish (anchovy) amounted to 10(6) and between
      water and the muscle of larger pelagic fish (pelagic stingray) to 10(7). The MMHg
      increase between surface sediment and benthic invertebrates (murex) and between
      benthic invertebrates and small benthic fish was 10(2). Ultimately, the trophic
      transfer resulted in a 10(3) accumulation of MMHg between water and muscle of
      larger benthic fish (bull ray, eagle ray, common stingray), suggesting lower
      bioaccumulation by benthic feeding species.

PMID- 24234757
TI  - The effect of structural compositions on the biosorption of phenanthrene and
      pyrene by tea leaf residue fractions as model biosorbents.
AB  - To enhance the removal efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by
      natural biosorbent, sorption of phenanthrene and pyrene onto raw and modified tea
      leaves as a model biomass were investigated. Tea leaves were treated using
      Soxhlet extraction, saponification, and acid hydrolysis to yield six fractions.
      The structures of tea leaf fractions were characterized by elemental analysis,
      Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM). The amorphous cellulose components regulated the sorption kinetics,
      capacity, and mechanism of biomass fractions. The adsorption kinetics fit well to
      pseudo-second-order model and isotherms followed the Freundlich equation. By the
      consumption of the amorphous cellulose under acid hydrolysis, both the aliphatic
      moieties and aromatic domains contributed to total sorption, thus sorption
      capacities of the de-sugared fractions were dramatically increased (5-20-fold for
      phenanthrene and 8-36-fold for pyrene). All de-sugared fractions exhibited non
      linear sorption due to strong specific interaction between PAHs and exposed
      aromatic domains of biosorbent, while presenting a relative slow rate because of
      the condensed domain in de-sugared samples. The availability of strong sorption
      phases (aromatic domains) in the biomass fractions were controlled by polar
      polysaccharide components, which were supported by the FTIR, CHN, and SEM data.

PMID- 24234759
TI  - Efficient degradation of phenol using natural clay as heterogeneous Fenton-like
      catalyst.
AB  - A natural containing Fe-clay (NRC) was used for the Fenton-like oxidation of
      phenol. This new catalyst was very efficient in phenol elimination in aqueous
      medium under mild experimental conditions (20  degrees C, atmospheric pressure
      and low concentration of hydrogen peroxide). The influence of different
      parameters like calcination's temperature, particle size, initial phenol and H2O2
      concentrations were examined considering both phenol conversion and total organic
      carbon (TOC) removal. NRC was characterized by several complementary methods
      including chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mossbauer spectroscopy,
      thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), temperature programmed
      reduction (TPR) and BET. The experimental results showed that 100 % phenol
      conversion and 70 % TOC removal can be achieved using sieved and calcined NRC (d
      < 50 MUm/450  degrees C). Catalytic activity of NRC was mainly attributed to the
      amount of iron oxide species (12.15 wt.%) present naturally in the clay.

PMID- 24234758
TI  - Sorption/desorption behavior of oxytetracycline and sulfachloropyridazine in the
      soil water surfactant system.
AB  - Sorption/desorption of antibiotics, oxytetracycline (OTC), and
      sulfachloropyridazine (SCP) was investigated in the presence of a nonionic
      surfactant Brij35. Batch sorption experiments indicated that Freundlich equation
      fits sorption isotherms well for OTC. The sorption coefficients, KF, values were
      computed as 23.55 mL g(-1) in the absence of Brij35 and 25.46 mL g(-1) in the
      presence of Brij35 in the monomer form (below critical micelle concentration CMC,
      of 74 mg L(-1)). However, the KF values reduced to 12.76 mL g(-1) in the presence
      of Brij35 at 2.5 g L(-1). Therefore, irrigation with surfactant-rich water may
      increase the leaching potential of OTC. In the case of SCP, the KF value, in the
      absence of Brij35, was 19.95 mL g(-1). As a result of increasing the
      concentration of Brij35 to 0.25 g L(-1) (about 2.5 CMC), KF values first
      increased and reached a maximum value of 95.49 mL g(-1) and then reduced to 66.06
      mL g(-1), at surfactant concentration of 5 g L(-1). Unlike OTC, the presence of
      surfactant in irrigation water is likely to decrease SCP leaching. In the case of
      OTC, hysteresis was found at Brij35 concentrations below CMC. However, OTC
      desorbed readily from soil (no hysteresis) at Brij35 concentrations above CMC. In
      the case of SCP, no hysteresis was found in the presence of the surfactant, both
      below and above CMC. Further, the obtained values of the efficiency coefficient
      (E), reveals that Brij35 had the potential to release more OTC from the soil (E >
      1) as compared to SCP (E < 1). From these results, it can be concluded that
      regular use of manure on agricultural soils, especially in regions where poor
      quality irrigation water is used, can increase OTC contamination of water
      resources.

PMID- 24234760
TI  - Seasonal variations in the chemical composition of particulate matter: a case
      study in the Po Valley. Part II: concentration and solubility of micro- and trace
      elements.
AB  - Size distribution (fine and coarse fraction) and solubility distribution
      (extracted and residual fraction) of 20 elements (As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li,
      Mn, Pb, Ni, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V) in atmospheric particulate matter
      (PM) were determined during a 5-year field study carried out in the Po Valley
      (peri-urban area of Ferrara, in Northern Italy). By studying the contribution of
      the two size fractions and the two solubility fractions to the atmospheric
      concentration of each element, it was possible to obtain interesting information
      about the variability of PM sources, to assess the role played by atmospheric
      stability in determining pollution episodes, and to obtain an estimate of the bio
      accessible fraction. Atmospheric stability is confirmed to be one of the main
      causes of atmospheric pollution in this area and is to be responsible for the
      pronounced winter increase in both PM and elemental concentration. Long-range
      transport of natural and polluted air masses caused temporary increases in PM and
      elemental concentration, while local industrial emission seemed to play a
      secondary role. Regulated elements were well below their concentration limit, but
      many toxic elements were in the form of fine particles and soluble chemical
      species, more accessible to the environment, and the human body. 

PMID- 24234761
TI  - Large-scale geographical variation in eggshell metal and calcium content in a
      passerine bird (Ficedula hypoleuca).
AB  - Birds have been used as bioindicators of pollution, such as toxic metals. Levels
      of pollutants in eggs are especially interesting, as developing birds are more
      sensitive to detrimental effects of pollutants than adults. Only very few studies
      have monitored intraspecific, large-scale variation in metal pollution across a
      species' breeding range. We studied large-scale geographic variation in metal
      levels in the eggs of a small passerine, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula
      hypoleuca), sampled from 15 populations across Europe. We measured 10 eggshell
      elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Se, Sr, and Ca) and several shell
      characteristics (mass, thickness, porosity, and color). We found significant
      variation among populations in eggshell metal levels for all metals except
      copper. Eggshell lead, zinc, and chromium levels decreased from central Europe to
      the north, in line with the gradient in pollution levels over Europe, thus
      suggesting that eggshell can be used as an indicator of pollution levels.
      Eggshell lead levels were also correlated with soil lead levels and pH. Most of
      the metals were not correlated with eggshell characteristics, with the exception
      of shell mass, or with breeding success, which may suggest that birds can cope
      well with the current background exposure levels across Europe.

PMID- 24234762
TI  - Effect of biogas sparging with different membrane modules on membrane fouling in
      anaerobic submerged membrane bioreactor (AnSMBR).
AB  - This study focused on the effect of biogas sparging and different membrane
      modules such as cylinder shaped, funnel-shaped, and U-shaped on the membrane
      fouling behavior in a lab-scale submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnSMBR)
      which was operated for over 60 days. In order to investigate the membrane fouling
      behavior, a series of analysis such as SMP, EPS, scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), particle size distribution,
      and filtration resistances were performed. Although the rapid generation of cake
      layer took placed in case of the absence of biogas sparging, the membrane module
      design mostly influenced the membrane resistance when biogas sparging was
      applied. Total resistance was the highest for U-shaped module. The permeate
      fluxes with biogas sparging were higher about one half and two times than those
      without biogas sparging. Cylinder-shaped module had the lowest SMP and EPS
      concentrations followed by U-shaped and funnel-shaped modules under both cases
      with and without biogas sparging. The total resistances of all membrane modules
      without biogas sparging were found to be very high compared the pore blocking
      resistances (Rp).

PMID- 24234764
TI  - Potential interventions and other considerations for patients with Alzheimer's
      disease.

PMID- 24234763
TI  - Potential for phytoextraction of copper by Sinapis alba and Festuca rubra cv.
      Merlin grown hydroponically and in vineyard soils.
AB  - The extensive use of copper-bearing fungicides in vineyards is responsible for
      the accumulation of copper (Cu) in soils. Grass species able to accumulate Cu
      could be cultivated in the vineyard inter-rows for copper phytoextraction. In
      this study, the capacity of Festuca rubra cv Merlin and Sinapis alba to tolerate
      and accumulate copper (Cu) was first investigated in a hydroponic system without
      the interference of soil chemical-physical properties. After the amendment of Cu
      (5 or 10 mg Cu l-(1)) to nutrient solution, shoot Cu concentration in F. rubra
      increased up to 108.63 mg Cu kg(-1) DW, more than three times higher than in S.
      alba (31.56 mg Cu kg(-1) DW). The relationship between Cu concentration in plants
      and external Cu was dose-dependent and species specific. Results obtained from
      the hydroponic experiment were confirmed by growing plants in pots containing
      soil collected from six Italian vineyards. The content of soil organic matter was
      crucial to enhance Cu tolerance and accumulation in the shoot tissues of both
      plant species. Although S. alba produced more biomass than F. rubra in most
      soils, F. rubra accumulated significantly more Cu (up to threefold to fourfold)
      in the shoots. Given these results, we recommended that F. rubra cv Merlin could
      be cultivated in the vineyard rows to reduce excess Cu in vineyard soils.

PMID- 24234768
TI  - Phenylalanine fluorescence and phosphorescence used as a probe of conformation
      for cod parvalbumin.
AB  - The fluorescence emission and triplet absorption properties of phenylalanine in
      cod fish parvalbumin type II, a protein that contains no Trp or Tyr, was examined
      in the time scale ranging from nanoseconds to microseconds at 25 degrees C in
      aqueous buffer (pH 7.0). In the presence of Ca(II), the decay of fluorescence
      gave two lifetimes (5.9 and 53 ns) and the triplet lifetime was 425 MUs. Upon
      removal of Ca, the fluorescence intensity decreased to values approaching that
      for free Phe, while the longest fluorescence decay component was 17 ns. At the
      same time, the decay of triplet showed complex nonexponential kinetics with decay
      rates faster than in the presence of Ca. Quenching and denaturation analyses
      suggest that the Phe's are present in a hydrophobic environment in the Ca-bound
      protein but that the Ca-free protein is relatively unstructured. It is concluded
      that Phe luminescence in proteins is sensitive to conformation and that the long
      lifetime of Phe excited states needs to be considered when studying its
      photochemistry in proteins. 

PMID- 24234769
TI  - Structural requirements for efficient photoinduced electron transfer (PET)
      quenching in 9-aminoalkylanthracenes.
AB  - The structure-quenching relationship in 9-aminoalkylanthracenes is examined by
      the synthesis and fluorescence evaluation of five derivatives; it is observed
      that benzylic 2 degrees  and 3 degrees  amines lead to >=95% quenching of
      anthracene fluorescence in water, while other amines afford substantially lower
      quenching efficiencies. 

PMID- 24234770
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of a solvatochromic, lipophilic fluorescent
      oxazone: 1-Pentyl-7-dimethylamino-3H-phenoxazine-3-one.
AB  - Olivetol and 4-nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline were combined under reflux in acetic
      acid to produce 1-pentyl-7-dimethylamino-3H-phenoxazine-3-one (1-PDMPO). The
      fluorescent behavior of the purified compound in a variety of solutions and
      samples was investigated. Excitation and emission spectra in pure solvents and
      mixtures of solvents demonstrate solvatochromism, indicating that the
      fluorescence response of this compound is affected by its environment. Nonpolar,
      aprotic solvents as well as protic, polar solvents diminish fluorescent emission
      in the spectral regions examined, and trends in the fluorescence decary lifetimes
      measured in five pure solvents are consistent with these intensity changes. The
      anisotropy excitation spectrum taken in glycerol for 1-PDMPO at -15 degrees C
      appears to be consistent with the presence of a single electronic state upon
      excitation, with anisotropy values approaching 0.35 over 400-600 nm. Fluorescence
      emission is also diminished at low acid concentrations in methanol, with smaller
      decreases observed in more highly concentrated basic solutions. Emission peaks in
      aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions, extruded egg phosphatidylcholine
      vesicles, and fatty acid free bovine serum albumin suspensions all lie above 600
      nm, with emission in the albumin suspension displaying a broad shoulder extending
      to 800 nm. The fluorescent properties of this compound suggest that it or
      structural homologues may have utility as fluorescent biological probes. 

PMID- 24234771
TI  - Quenching of perylene fluorescence by Co(2+) ions in
      dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles.
AB  - We report the fluorescence quenching of perylene by CoCl2.6H2O in small
      unilamellar DPPC vesicles via energy transfer. At the probe-to-lipid ratio of
      1?200 and quencher to lipid ratios of >=12.5?1, donor-donor energy transfer
      between clustered perylene molecules was observed as well as energy transfer from
      the perylene molecules to cobalt ions bothabove andbelow the main phase
      transition temperature of the lipid. The fluorescence quenching of perylene by
      CoCl2.6H2O in the lipid gel state is shown to be well described by Forster long
      range energy transfer when both donor-donor and donor-acceptor energy transfer
      are considered. In the liquid crystalline phase diffusion of the molecules is
      described as well as energy transfer. The interaction radiusR 0 for energy
      transfer from perylene to Co(2+) is found to be ~13.4+/-1.1 A in the gel phase at
      303 K, in good agreement with the theoretical value forR 0 of 13.9 A. In the
      liquid crystalline phase at 323 K the lower value obtained forR 0, ~11.3+/-1.6 A,
      is attributed to saturation of the Co(2+) ions at the interfacial region of the
      bilayer. A diffusion coefficient of (1.06+/-0.15)*10(-6) cm(2) s(-1) is obtained
      for perylene-cobalt diffusion in the liquid crystalline phase at 323K. 

PMID- 24234772
TI  - Light quenching of tetraphenylbutadiene fluorescence observed during two-photon
      excitation.
AB  - We observed the steady-state and time-resolved emission of tetraphenylbutadiene
      (TPB) whea excited by simultaneous absorption of two photons (514 to 610 nm). The
      intensity initially increased quadratically with laser power, as expected for a
      two-photon process. At higher laser powers the intensity increases in TPB were
      subquadratic. The intensity and anisotropy decay times of TPB were unchanged
      under the locally intense illumination. Importantly, the time zero anisotropy of
      TPB was decreased under conditions where the intensity was subquadratic.
      Furthermore, the subquadratic dependence on incident power was not observed for
      two-photon excitation of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO), for which the incident
      wavelength does not overlap with the emission spectrum. These results are
      consistent with stimulated emission (light quenching) of TPB at high laser
      intensities. The phenomenon of light quenching may be important for other
      fluorophores used in biochemical research, particularly for the high local
      intensities used for two-photon excitation. 

PMID- 24234773
TI  - The influence of rotational depolarization on the mechanism of energy transport
      in two-component systems: The nature of correlations.
AB  - The correlation effect in two-component systems of different viscosities was
      analyzed based on a concentration depolarization experiment. The inclusion of a
      correlation effect was found to be fully justified only in systems for which the
      localization time, taul, is considerably shorter than that of the rotational
      relaxation, taurot. On the grounds of an approximate analysis, taking into
      account the competition between the concentration and the rotational
      depolarization, it was possible to explain the concentration changes in the
      emission anisotropy in the systems investigated. 

PMID- 24234774
TI  - Review of fluorescence anisotropy decay analysis by frequency-domain fluorescence
      spectroscopy.
AB  - This didactic paper summarizes the mathematical expressions needed for analysis
      of fluorescence anisotropy decays from polarized frequency-domain fluorescence
      data. The observed values are the phase angle difference between the polarized
      components of the emission and the modulated anisotropy, which is the ratio of
      the polarized and amplitude-modulated components of the emission. This procedure
      requires a separate measurement of the intensity decay of the total emission. The
      expressions are suitable for any number of exponential components in both the
      intensity decay and the anisotropy decay. The formalism is generalized for global
      analysis of anisotropy decays measured at different excitation wavelengths and
      for different intensity decay times as the result of quenching. Additionally, we
      describe the expressions required for associated anisotropy decays, that is,
      anisotropy decays where each correlation time is associated with a decay time
      present in the anisotropy decay. And finally, we present expressions appropriate
      for distributions of correlation times. This article should serve as a reference
      for researchers using frequency-domain fluorometry. 

PMID- 24234777
TI  - Serum SPARC and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 concentrations
      after bariatric surgery in obese adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of adipose tissue is
      regarded as part of the pathophysiology of obesity. Secreted protein acidic and
      rich in cysteine (SPARC) was the first ECM protein described in adipose tissue.
      Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) also play a role in ECM remodeling, and MMP-2
      and MMP-9 may be associated with abnormal ECM metabolism. Here, we investigated
      changes in serum SPARC, MMP-2, and MMP-9 concentrations after bariatric surgery
      in obese adults. METHODS: We recruited 34 obese patients who were scheduled to
      undergo bariatric surgery for weight loss. We analyzed changes in serum SPARC,
      MMP-2, and MMP-9 concentrations before and 9 months after bariatric surgery and
      any associations between changes in SPARC, MMP-2, and MMP-9 concentrations and
      obesity-related parameters. RESULTS: Serum leptin levels significantly decreased,
      and the serum adiponectin level significantly increased after bariatric surgery.
      The serum SPARC concentration decreased significantly from 165.0 +/- 18.2 to 68.7
      +/- 6.7 ng/mL (p < 0.001), and the MMP-2 concentration also decreased
      significantly from 262.2 +/- 15.2 to 235.9 +/- 10.5 ng/mL (p < 0.001). Changes in
      the serum SPARC concentration were significantly correlated with HOMA-IR changes,
      and changes in the serum MMP-9 concentration were found to inversely correlate
      with serum adiponectin changes. CONCLUSION: These findings show that significant
      decreases in serum SPARC and MMP-2 concentrations occur after bariatric surgery.
      Our results thus suggest that weight loss via bariatric surgery could alter the
      ECM environment, and that these changes are related to certain metabolic changes.

PMID- 24234778
TI  - Medication use following bariatric surgery: factors associated with early
      discontinuation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication discontinuation is a common result of bariatric surgery.
      The influence of individual patient characteristics and surgical outcomes on
      overall and specific medication discontinuation is not well understood. The
      purpose of the current study was to assess changes in medication use and identify
      individual characteristics and surgical outcomes associated with medication
      discontinuation among bariatric patients. METHODS: The patients included in the
      current study received bariatric surgery from the Northern Colorado Surgical
      Associates of Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, between October 2007 and September
      2010. Demographic, weight, health, and medication data from 400 patients with at
      least one 6- or 12-month post-operative appointment were extracted from the
      Bariatric Outcome Longitudinal Database. Multivariate regression analyses were
      used to investigate how patient factors affect total medication use over time,
      use of medications grouped by co-morbidity post-operatively, and use of specific
      medication classes post-operatively. RESULTS: Baseline co-morbidities,
      particularly type 2 diabetes,male sex, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery were
      significantly associated with decreased total medication use following
      surgery.Weight loss, systemic disease, sex, baseline co-morbidities, surgical
      complications, and race were significantly associated with continued use of
      specific medications following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery can help
      patients with certain characteristics discontinue medications but is not
      effective for all patients. Baseline health, sex, race, bariatric
      procedure,surgical complications, and post-operative weight loss may affect how
      bariatric patients' medication use changes preoperatively to post-operatively.

PMID- 24234779
TI  - Pathological gambling: Clinical issues, Part I.

PMID- 24234780
TI  - Practical issues and the assessment of pathological gamblers in a private
      practice setting.
AB  - With increased awareness and knowledge of pathological gambling comes the
      opportunity to share various perspectives and emerging skills. Descriptions of
      the assessment and treatment of the pathological gambler, spouse, and family have
      mushroomed in the past twenty years. However, most treatment summaries have come
      out of institutional or government funded settings. This article discusses
      various practical aspects of working with pathological gamblers in an outpatient,
      fee for service private practice setting. The author also describes refinements
      made in the assessment process since he first began working with pathological
      gamblers in 1979. 

PMID- 24234781
TI  - A psychodynamic approach to the treatment of pathological gambling: Part I.
      Achieving abstinence.
AB  - A psychodynamic approach emphasizes the meaning and consequences of one's
      behavior. After a brief review of the literature, the authors present the first
      of a two-part model for psychodynamic psychotherapy with pathological gamblers.
      In this first phase, the immediate goal is abstinence, and five strategies for
      obtaining it are discussed. These consist of 1.) breaking through the denial 2.)
      confronting omnipotent defenses 3.) interrupting the chasing cycle 4.)
      identifying reasons for gambling, and 5.) motivating the patient to become an
      active participant in treatment. An argument is made for integrating a
      traditional psychodynamic approach with an addictions model. 

PMID- 24234782
TI  - Transference and countertransference reactions in the psychotherapy of
      pathological gamblers.
AB  - Traditionally, in psychodynamic forms of treatment, the patient's relationship
      with the therapist is central to eliciting and exploring the patient's
      characteristic ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. Research has increasingly
      demonstrated the significance of the therapeutic relationship to the treatment
      outcome. Since little has been written about the therapist-patient relationship
      in the treatment of pathological gambling, we shall describe what we have found
      to be some of the common and problematic transference and countertransference
      reactions and interactions. Both positive and negative transferences and
      countertransferences will be discussed not only as obstacles to successful
      therapy, but as tools for understanding patients' conflicts, defenses and reasons
      for gambling. 

PMID- 24234783
TI  - Compulsive gambling: Structured family intervention.
AB  - Family intervention has been an effective procedure for getting alcoholics into
      treatment for more than twenty years. Now this technique is being used with
      compulsive gamblers. Because the gambling disorder is so easy to hide, the
      patient seems to be further into the illness by the time the family seeks help.
      Furthermore, because the gambling offers intermittent rewards, the denial in both
      the patient and family appears to be stronger than found with most
      alcoholics.During the intervention it is important to tell the compulsive gambler
      why the help of a professional was sought; what changes have been observed by
      family members and friends as a result of his/her gambling; how family
      relationships have been affected; what is feared will happen if he/she doesn't
      get help; and what each family member hopes will happen once the gambler is in
      recovery.Most concerned persons enter family interventions with the sole purpose
      of getting the gambler into treatment. However, since this is a family disease,
      ethically the primary goal of family intervention needs to be to getsomeone into
      treatment, if not the individual suffering with the disease then one or more of
      those concerned persons suffering from it. 

PMID- 24234784
TI  - The importance of coping skill enhancement in the treatment of the pathological
      gambler.
AB  - The importance of coping skill enhancement in the treatment of pathological
      gamblers is discussed. It is particularly critical to assess and enhance the
      coping skills of relapse prone gamblers who are marked by unusual degrees of
      impulsivity, high levels of negative affect and feelings of helplessness and
      hopelessness. A study of 1129 substance abusers, including 140 with serious
      gambling problems is reported. All were assessed to determine their repertoire of
      coping skills. The patients with serious gambling problems utilized significantly
      more avoidant and impulsive coping styles. 

PMID- 24234785
TI  - Pathological gambling and switching addictions: Report of a case.
AB  - The phenomenon of "switching addictions," defined as a substitution of one
      chemical or behavioral addiction pattern for another, has been observed in
      clinical practices for some time. This case study describes a patient who, in
      attaining abstinence from alcohol and other drug dependence, became a
      pathological gambler. The complexities of personal history, medical history and
      psychiatric history are described as well problems in treatment. 

PMID- 24234786
TI  - Utility of N-peracetylation of proteins for their structure determination by mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Acetylation of the animo groups (N-terminus and lysine) of proteins before
      enzymatic or chemical cleavage was explored as an approach to provide additional
      information in the course of the determination of amino acid sequences. The major
      advantage is the ability to differentiate glutamine from lysine, because only the
      latter is acetylated and thus increases in mass by 42 Da. Horse heart cytochrome
      c could be fully N-actetylated and even on prolonged digestion with chymotrypsin
      underwent very little tryptic cleavage, in contrast to the native protein where
      this side reaction is extensive. Sperm whale myoglobin is more difficult to
      acetylate, but even at 40%-50% average acetylation, all 19 lysines could be
      identified unambiguously. A proteolytic digest of acetylated protein is thus a
      useful component of strategies for the determination of the primary structure of
      proteins by tandem mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 24234787
TI  - Functional group-selective ion-molecule reactions of ethylene glycol and its
      monomethyl and dimethyl ethers.
AB  - The selective methylation and methylene substitution reactions of dimethyl ether
      ions with ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and ethylene glycol
      dimethyl ether were investigated in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer.
      Whereas the reactions of ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether
      with the methoxymethylene cation 45(+) gave only [M + 13](+) product ions, the
      reaction of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether with the same reagent ion yielded
      exclusively [M + 15](+) ions. The relative rates of formation of these products
      and those from competing reactions were examined and rationalized on the basis of
      structural and electronic considerations. The heats of formation for various
      relevant species were estimated by computational methods and showed that the
      reactions leading to the [M + 13](+) ions were more energetically favorable than
      those leading to the [M + 15](+) products for cases in which both reactions are
      possible. Finally, the collision-induced dissociation behavior of the [M + H](+),
      [M + 13](+), and [M + 15](+) ions indicated that the and [M + H](+) rons
      dissociated by analogous pathways and were thus structurally similar, whereas the
      [M + 13](+) ions possessed distinctly different structural characteristics. 

PMID- 24234788
TI  - Fe(+) chemical ionization of peptides.
AB  - Laser-desorbed peptide neutral molecules were allowed to react with Fe(+) in a
      Fourier transform mass spectrometer, using the technique of laser
      desorption/chemical ionization. The Fe(+) ions are formed by laser ablation of a
      steel target, as well as by dissociative charge-exchange ionization of ferrocene
      with Ne(+). Prior to reaction with laser-desorbed peptide molecules, Fe(+) ions
      undergo 20-100 thermalizin collisions with xenon to reduce the population of
      excited-state metal ion species. The Fe(+) ions that have not experienced
      thermalizing collisions undergo charge exchange with peptide molecules. Iron ions
      that undergo thermalizing collisions before they are allowed to react with
      peptides are found to undergo charge exchange and to form adduct species [M +
      Fe(+)] and fragment ions that result from the loss of small, stable molecules,
      such as H2O, CO, and CO2, from the metal ion-peptide complex. 

PMID- 24234789
TI  - Ion-molecule reactions in mixtures of trimethylaluminum and methylamines.
AB  - The ion-molecule reactions of mixtures of trimethylaluminum and methylamines, to
      serve as a model system for group 13-15 semiconductor fabrication, were examined
      by using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Sequential
      ion-molecule reactions leading to formation of multiple adduets were observed for
      each of the reactant mixtures investigated. Collision-induced dissociation was
      used to probe the adduct structures. There is evidence for hydrogen bonding
      between the amines and aluminum in most of the adducts studied. Rearrangement of
      the aluminum/nitrogen skeletons was not observed, although the aluminum/nitrogen
      bonds appear to be relatively strong, so that stable adducts can be formed. The
      monomethylamine and dimethylamine readily produce gas-phase neutral adducts with
      trimethylaluminum, which can be related to the basicities of the methylamines. 

PMID- 24234790
TI  - CH2 (+) transfer to pyridine nucleophiles: a means of producing alpha-distonic
      ions.
AB  - The distonic radical cation C5H5N(+)-(.)CH2 can be generated by the reactions of
      neutral pyridine with the radical cations of cyclopropane, ethylene oxide, and
      ketene, as well as with the [C3H6](+) ion from fragmentation of tetrahydrofuran.
      The distonic product ion can be distinguished from isomeric methylpyridine
      radical cations because the former gives characteristic [M-CH2](+), [M -
      CH2NCH](+), and a doubly charged ion, all of which are produced on collisional
      activation. Furthermore, the distonic species completely transfers CH2 (+) to
      more nucleophilic, substituted pyridines. These properties are all consistent
      with the assigned distonic structure. Another distonic isomer, the (3-methylene)
      pyridinium ion, can be distinguished from the (1-methylene)pyridinium ion on the
      basis of their different fragmentation behaviors. The latter ion exhibits higher
      stability (lower reactivity) than the prototypal [.CH2NH3 (+)], making available
      a distonic species whose bimolecular reactivity can be readily investigated. 

PMID- 24234791
TI  - Multiple-stage mass spectrometry in structural characterization of
      organophosphorus compounds.
AB  - Multiple-stage mass spectrometry involving consecutive collision-activated
      dissociation reactions was used to examine the structures of fragment ions
      commonly formed on electron ionization of organophosphorus esters. The compounds
      studied include several aryl thiophosphates, some of which are analogs of common
      pesticides. Energy-resolved collisionactivated dissociation experiments allow the
      dissociation of the molecular ions of these compounds in such a manner that only
      a few fragment ions dominate the spectrum. An abundant fragment ion of m/z 109,
      formed from all of the compounds studied, can have at least four different stable
      structures: (CH3O)2PO(+), CH3CH2OP(O)OH(+), CH2 =CHOP(H)(OH)2 (+), and
      (CH2O)2P(H)OH(+). The structure of the fragment ion of m/z 109 was found to
      reflect the phosphorus-containing part of the compounds studied. Another abundant
      fragment ion obtained for all the aryl esters studied is structurally
      characteristic of the aromatic moiety of the molecule. This fragment ion is the
      result of a complex rearrangement involving transfer of an alkylene group to the
      aromatic ring from the phosphoruscontaining part of the molecular ion. The
      utility of these fragment ions in the structural characterization of unknown
      organophosphorus esters is discussed. 

PMID- 24234792
TI  - Collision-induced and infrared multiphoton dissociation studies on M(acetone)2
      (+) (M=Al, Fe, Co, Cu, ScO) in the gas phase.
AB  - In this paper we report an extension of our earlier study on the structure of
      Alfacetone)2 (+) Collision-induced dissociation (CID) on MfacetoneXacetone-d6)(+)
      for M = Al, Fe, Co, and Cu yields primarily, if not exclusively, nearly equal
      amounts of acetone and acetone-d6. Likewise, infrared multiphoton dissociation
      (IRMPD) at 10.6 MUm yields, exclusively, nearly equal losses of the labeled and
      unlabeled acetones. These results suggest that the two acetone ligands bind in an
      equivalent fashion. Sc(+) was also studied, which proved to be the most
      interesting. Sc(+) reacts with acetone to form primarily ScO(+), which undergoes
      higher order reactions leading to several products including ScO(acetone)2 (+).
      IRMPD on this ion produces ScO(acetone-d6)(CD2CO)(+), while its perdeuterated
      analog also produces ScO(acetone-d6)(+) in addition to ScO(acetone-d6(CD2CO)(+).
      The IRMPD results are supplemented by studying the primary and higher order
      reactions of Sc(+) with acetone, as well as the CID of ScO(acetone)2 (+).
      Finally, a qualitative assessment of the infrared photodissociation cross
      sections is given. It is found that the relative photodissociation cross sections
      follow the orders Co(acetone-d6)2 (+) > Co(acetone)(acetone-d6) > Co(acetone)2
      (+) and Co(acetone-d6)(+) > Co(acetone)(+). 

PMID- 24234793
TI  - Energy deposition during electron-induced dissociation.
AB  - We report studies of the internal energy deposited during activation of mass
      selected ions through electron-ion collisions. Characteristic fragmentations of
      the molecular ion of limonene and W(CO) (n/+) (n = 1-6) indicate that electron
      induced dissociation in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass
      spectrometer proceeds via multiple collisions and that the average internal
      energy deposited during the activation process can be selected to be similar to
      that associated with electron-impact ionization. Control of the degree of ion
      excitation through selection of the electron energy, flux, and interaction time
      with the ions of interest is demonstrated, and advantages of this promising
      activation technique are discussed. 

PMID- 24234794
TI  - Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry as applied to flame diagnostics: study of the
      C2H 4/N 2O/Ar flame.
AB  - A recently developed research apparatus for characterization of low-pressure
      premixed flames has been developed and was used to characterize the C2H4/N2O/Ar
      flame at 20 torr. This instrument incorporates several diagnostic techniques in
      one apparatus so that individual techniques can be quantitatively compared and
      the usable detection range (both in terms of resolution and species detection)
      expanded. Results discussed in this report include mass analysis by triple
      quadrupole mass spectrometer and temperature measurement by thermocouple.
      Concentration profiles in the one-dimensional flame include CO, N2, and C2H4, at
      nominal m/z 28 as well as CO2 and N2O at m/z 44. 

PMID- 24234795
TI  - Competitive ionization of tetraphenylporphyrin in a laser-generated metal ion
      plasma.
AB  - The ionization of tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) in a laser-desorbed metal ion plasma
      is examined by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass
      spectrometry. Competitive reaction pathways observed to generate abundant
      molecular ion species include electron detachment, cation attachment, charge
      exchange, metallation, and transmetallation in the positive ion mode and electron
      capture, metallation, and transmetallation in the negative ion mode. In general,
      cation attachment reactions dominate positive ion spectra below the laser
      irradiance threshold for plasma ignition, although the metallation product from
      [TPP](+) reaction with the metal atom, M, is observed. Negative ion products are
      not observed in the FT-ICR spectrum when a plasma is not formed. Under plasma
      ignition conditions, positive ion spectra include [TPP](+) formed by charge
      exchange with M(+), which is also present in the spectrum. Negative ion spectra
      are dominated by [TPP](-); which is formed by attachment to thermal electrons
      generated in the plasma. Metallation reactions involving TPP and the metal
      substrate are examined. Positive ion metallation products are observed both in
      the absence of a plasma through reaction of [TPP](+) with M and by a second
      pathway under plasma ignition conditions through reaction of TPP with M(+). In
      negative ion mode, metallation is only observed under plasma ignition conditions
      through reaction of [TPP](-) with M. Observation of metallated products is found
      to be consistent with formation of stable metal oxidation states in the
      metallated porphyrin. 

PMID- 24234796
TI  - Concentric tube vacuum chamber for high magnetic field, high-pressure ionization
      in a fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer.
AB  - A new differential pumping design for external source Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry is described. A network of concentric tubes
      of increasing diameter terminates at a series of conductance limits across which
      a pressure from atmosphere to low-10(-8) torr is achieved. This design permits
      high-pressure sources to be positioned within the solenoidal superconducting
      magnet less than 20 cm from the analyzer trapped ion cell. Ionization at high
      magnetic field offers the advantage of radial ion confinement and consequently
      delivers enhanced ion current to the trapped ion cell. Ion injection utilizing
      this vacuum chamber design is simpler than previously reported serial pumping
      stage designs because elaborate focusing optics to overcome the magnetic mirror
      effect are unnecessary. Two probe-mounted atmospheric pressure sources are
      described as evidence of the general applicability of the concentric tube vacuum
      chamber. An electrospray source that delivers several hundred picoamperes of ion
      current to the cell yields high-sensitivity spectra of proteins beyond 100 kDa.
      Improved pumping compared with a prototype concentric tube network configuration
      now permits mass resolution in excess of 20,000 for the [M + 4H](4+) ion of
      melittin. The resolution is sufficient to distinguish isotope peaks within a
      single charge state. A probe-mounted, pulsed-laser ablation source that permits
      cluster formation in the strong magnetic field is also demonstrated. 

PMID- 24234797
TI  - High-frequency fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
AB  - The experimental Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT/ICR) frequency
      range has been extended to 107 MHz. We report the observation of FT/ICR signals
      from electron-ionized species of mass-to-charge ratio 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1
      MU per elementary charge. We show that moderately high charge states of atomic
      ions (e.g., N(3+)) are easily generated and detected. Several applications for
      high-frequency FT/ICR mass spectrometry are proposed and discussed. 

PMID- 24234798
TI  - Two thermospray probe insert designs that allow clogged probes to be rapidly
      replaced.
AB  - Thermospray has been widely accepted as a reliable technique for the analytical
      scientist. Many manufacturers provide thermospray as an option on their mass
      spectrometers. One difficulty experienced with thermospray is the clogging of the
      probe inserts. This report describes two new probe insert designs that minimize
      the problems associated with clogged probe inserts. Both of these new designs
      minimize the expense and downtime associated with clogged probe inserts. The
      capillary can be easily and quickly replaced to ensure optimum performance. The
      new fused-silica probe insert design that is described worked. adequately; there
      was, however, some beam instability caused by rapid oscillation of the fused
      silica tubing near the tip. This oscillation also caused the tip to become
      brittle, necessitating frequent replacement. The stainless steel probe insert
      described did not exhibit these problems. Last, a comparison is made between the
      two new designs and the standard Kratos thermospray probe insert. 

PMID- 24234799
TI  - Ion cloud manipulation using the radiofrequency-only-mode as an improvement for
      high mass detection in fourier transform mass spectrometry.
AB  - It has been difficult to achieve the expected high resolving power for high-mass
      biomolecule ions in Fourier transform mass spectrometry. Our hypothesis is that
      ion clouds produced by laser desorption or injection are diffuse and produce poor
      signals. To test the hypothesis, clouds of benzene molecular ions produced by
      electron ionization were purposefully expanded via magnetron mode excitation and
      characterized by a new experimental sequence for cloud sectional analysis. The
      expanded cloud was then successfully focused to the trap center by using a high
      pressure dynamic event (radiofrequency-only mode). The expanded cloud in a
      conventional cubic trap produces no detectable signal, whereas the focused cloud
      in a compensated trap yields a high-resolution signal with good signal-to-noise
      ratio. 

PMID- 24234800
TI  - Improved fourier-transform ion-cyclotron-resonance mass spectrometry of large
      biomolecules.
AB  - Initial results from a Fourier-transform mass spectrometer with a 6.2 Tesla
      magnet using electrospray ionization show substantial improvements in resolution,
      mass accuracy, mass range, signal/noise, and tandem mass spectromehy capabilities
      compared to our earlier 2.8 T instrument that demonstrated the first unit
      resolution mass spectra of molecules as large as myoglobin (17 kDa). The new
      instrument exhibits greater than 10(6) and 10(5) resolving power for 8.6 and 29
      kDa, respectively, proteins. Using an internal standard, the mass measuring error
      for myoglobin is less than 1 ppm. Nozzle-skimmer dissociation during electrospray
      of carbonic anhydrase (29 kDa) has yielded 38 fragment ions for which both mass
      and charge are identifiable; of these, 21 have been assigned to expected
      oligopeptide fragments. 

PMID- 24234802
TI  - Conference report.

PMID- 24234803
TI  - Hydrogels composed of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with PLGA-PEG-PLGA
      triblock copolymers as drug delivery systems.
AB  - Although conventional pharmaceuticals have many drug dosage forms on the market,
      the development of new therapeutic molecules and the low efficacy of instant
      release formulations for the treatment of some chronic diseases and specific
      conditions encourage scientists to invent different delivery systems. To this
      purpose, a supramolecular hydrogel consisting of the tri-block copolymer PLGA
      PEGPLGA and alpha-cyclodextrin was fabricated for the first time and
      characterised in terms of rheological, morphological, and structural properties.
      Naltrexone hydrochloride and vitamin B12 were loaded, and their release profiles
      were determined.

PMID- 24234804
TI  - Altered functional connectivity of the default mode network in diffuse gliomas
      measured with pseudo-resting state fMRI.
AB  - The purpose of the current study was to explore whether brain tumors disrupt the
      integrity of the default mode network (DMN), a well-characterized resting-state
      fMRI network. We evaluated whether tumor grade, volume, post-surgical/clinical
      status, or location decreased the functional connectivity within the DMN in
      patients with gliomas. Task-based fMRI data was obtained from 68 diffuse glioma
      patients and 12 healthy volunteers. Pseudo-resting state fMRI data was calculated
      from task-based fMRI data using standard techniques. Data was preprocessed and
      DMN integrity was compared across WHO grade, tumor volume surgical status (new
      vs. recurrent tumors), age, and KPS using univariate and multivariate linear
      models. WHO grade was the most significant predictor of DMN integrity (P =
      0.004), whereas T2 hyperintense lesion volume was not a predictor (P = 0.154).
      DMN integrity was lower in high-grade (WHO III-IV) compared with low-grade (WHO
      II) patients (P = 0.020). Tumors in the left parietal lobe showed a more impaired
      DMN compared with tumors in the frontal lobe, while tumors within and outside the
      network nodes did not differ significantly. Results suggest higher tumor grade
      along with prior surgery and/or treatment cause the largest reduction in DMN
      functional connectivity in patients with primary gliomas, and that tumor location
      has an impact on connectivity.

PMID- 24234806
TI  - Does the workers' compensation system think multidimensionally?

PMID- 24234807
TI  - Factors influencing the cost of chronic low back injuries: An analysis of data
      from independent medical examinations.
AB  - Cost factors were examined in 157 patients with work- related spine injuries who
      were referred to a second opinion program between 1985 and 1991. The independent
      medical examination (IME) included a history, physical examination, and review of
      imaging and other studies. Data on demographic variables, litigation, work,
      injury history, physical examination, and imaging studies were recorded. A
      standard measure of psychological status (Low Back Pain Symptom Check List) was
      filled out. The instrument uses pain language as a clinical marker of
      psychological disturbance linked to a range of conflictual issues such as
      suppressed anger, burdensome feeling of inferiority, damaged self- esteem, role
      confusion, abnormal mentation, fear of responsibility or intimacy, gender issues,
      sexual concerns, disturbing arousal, and the like. Since it relies exclusively on
      pain language for diagnosis, it does not identify the specific nature of the
      psychological conflict. Data on treatment, final resolution, and cost were
      obtained from computerized files of the insurance company. The total cost
      incurred was $6,551,139. This averaged to $41,727 per case. More expensive cases
      were associated with a surgical intervention, psychological disturbance,
      litigation, motor weakness, and positive radiographs. These five variables
      accounted for 48% of the cost variance. Surgery accounted for 19.9% of the
      variance and contained the most expensive cases ($68,310 vs. $31,423).
      Psychological disturbance was detected in 27% of the sample and accounted for
      10.5% of the cost variance. Litigation was present in 72% of the cases and
      accounted for 9.1% of the cost variance. Motor strength and radiographs taken
      together accounted for 8.4% of the variance. The usefulness of this information
      was explored from an actuarial and medical perspective. 

PMID- 24234805
TI  - Recommendations to prescribe in complex older adults: results of the CRIteria to
      assess appropriate Medication use among Elderly complex patients (CRIME) project.
AB  - The occurrence of several geriatric conditions may influence the efficacy and
      limit the use of drugs prescribed to treat chronic conditions. Functional and
      cognitive impairment, geriatric syndromes (i.e. falls or malnutrition) and
      limited life expectancy are common features of old age, which may limit the
      efficacy of pharmacological treatments and question the appropriateness of
      treatment. However, the assessment of these geriatric conditions is rarely
      incorporated into clinical trials and treatment guidelines. The CRIME (CRIteria
      to assess appropriate Medication use among Elderly complex patients) project is
      aimed at producing recommendations to guide pharmacologic prescription in older
      complex patients with a limited life expectancy, functional and cognitive
      impairment, and geriatric syndromes, and providing physicians with a tool to
      improve the quality of prescribing, independent of setting and nationality. To
      achieve these aims, we performed the following: (i) Existing disease-specific
      guidelines on pharmacological prescription for the treatment of diabetes,
      hypertension, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation and coronary heart
      disease were reviewed to assess whether they include specific indications for
      complex patients; (ii) a literature search was performed to identify relevant
      articles assessing the pharmacological treatment of complex patients; (iii) A
      total of 19 new recommendations were developed based on the results of the
      literature search and expert consensus. In conclusion, the new recommendations
      evaluate the appropriateness of pharmacological prescription in older complex
      patients, translating the recommendations of clinical guidelines to patients with
      a limited life expectancy, functional and cognitive impairment, and geriatric
      syndromes. These recommendations cannot represent substitutes for careful
      clinical consideration and deliberation by physicians; the recommendations are
      not meant to replace existing clinical guidelines, but they may be used to help
      physicians in the prescribing process.

PMID- 24234808
TI  - Economic impact of ergonomic intervention-Four case studies.
AB  - The economy of ergonomic improvements is reported as case studies from four
      Swedish companies. Poor workplace ergonomics and related musculoskeletal problems
      were already known and had caused repeated sick- leave periods at these
      workplaces. Expenses associated with certain preventive activities were accounted
      for and financial effects were estimated based on interviews with representatives
      at the companies. When costs were compared to gains, the improvements appeared to
      be highly profitable. 

PMID- 24234809
TI  - A quantitative description of typing biomechanics.
AB  - One approach to combating work- related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders
      (UEMSDs) is to improve understanding of MSD risk factors through quantitative
      biomechanical characterization of manual tasks, including joint postures, joint
      dynamics, and force exertion. This paper describes a methodology employed to
      quantitatively assess professional typing in a workplace setting, and the results
      of that assessment. Results are compared between different kinds of typing tasks,
      and between typing and hand- intensive industrial tasks, based on nontask-
      specific biomechanical terms. Quantitative, biomechanical characterizations of
      manual tasks will lead to identification of appropriate ranges for joint
      kinematics and force exertion, which will, in turn, facilitate proper design of
      manual tasks. Additionally, the methodology could be used to assess manual
      performance of skilled tasks for proper (healthy) technique, or be used to
      evaluate progress through a course of rehabilitation (when do an impaired
      worker's motions begin to resemble motions of healthy workers?). 

PMID- 24234810
TI  - Relationships among grip strength, work capacity, and recovery.
AB  - The relationship between strength, fatigue, and work capacity is a central issue
      for occupational rehabilitation. Musculoskeletal impairments often are expressed
      functionally as a loss of strength. For work tasks that require strength, such
      impairments may have a detrimental effect on work capacity that is sufficient to
      be disabling. How important is strength as a component of work capacity? How do
      work capacity and strength affect recovery time from repetitive forceful upper
      extremity work ? A sample of 40 healthy subjects comprised of 20 males and 20
      females was studied in a model that used the isotonic strength of each subject to
      set exercise levels for subsequent forceful repetitive gripping tasks. Resistance
      levels of 75%, 50%, and 25% of maximum were used for one-per-second repetitions
      until the subject could not maintain that pace. Isometric grip strength was
      measured after 1 minute of rest and after 5, 10, and 20 minutes. Results indicate
      that males and females do not differ in terms of their rate of recovery and that
      the best predictor of recovery time is the immediate measurement of strength loss
      following cessation of work activity. 

PMID- 24234812
TI  - Strategies for enhancing occupationally-oriented rehabilitation.

PMID- 24234811
TI  - Muscular fatigue patterning in power grip assessment.
AB  - Physical fatigue has been identified as a risk factor associated with the onset
      of occupational injury. Muscular fatigue developed from repetitive hand-gripping
      tasks is of particular concern. This study examined the use of a maximal,
      repetitive, static power grip test of strength-endurance in detecting differences
      in exertions between workers with uninjured and injured hands, and workers who
      were asked to provide insincere exertions. The main dependent variable of
      interest was power grip muscular force measured with a force strain gauge. Group
      data showed that the power grip protocol, used in this study, provided a valid
      and reliable estimate of wrist-hand strength-endurance. Force fatigue curves
      showed both linear and curvilinear effects among the study groups. An endurance
      index based on force decrement during repetitive power grip was shown to
      differentiate between uninjured, injured, and insincere groups. 

PMID- 24234813
TI  - Differential expression profile of membrane proteins in Aplysia pleural-pedal
      ganglia under the stress of methyl parathion.
AB  - This study was aimed to analyze the alteration of membrane protein profiles in
      Aplysia juliana Quoy & Gaimard (A. juliana) pleural-pedal ganglia under MP
      exposure. Both the results of GC-MS analysis and the activity assay of
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) reveal
      that MP toxicological effects on Aplysia left and right pleural-pedal ganglia are
      different under 7 and 14 days of exposure. Therefore, Aplysia were subjected for
      exposure at two concentrations (1 and 2 mg/l) of MP for 7 and 14 days for
      membrane proteomic study. As a result, 19 and 14 protein spots were
      differentially expressed in A. juliana left pleural-pedal ganglia under 7 and 14
      days treatment, and 20 and 14 protein spots found with differential expressions
      in their right ganglia under the same treatment, respectively. Several proteins
      with expression variations were detected from both the left and right pleural
      pedal ganglia; however, most proteins have distinctive expressions, indicating
      different mechanisms might be involved in initiating MP toxicology in left and
      right ganglia. Among the total differential protein spots obtained, 29 proteins
      were classed as membrane proteins. These proteins are mainly involved in the
      metabolism process, cell redox homeostasis, signal transduction, immunology,
      intracellular transport and catalysis, indicating MP toxicity in mollusks seems
      to be complex and diverse. Some differentially expressed proteins were further
      confirmed by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. These results might
      provide renovated insights to reveal the mechanism of MP-induced neurotoxicity,
      and the novel candidate biomarkers might have potential application for
      environmental evaluation of MP pollution level.

PMID- 24234814
TI  - Remanence of lead pollution in an urban river system: a multi-scale temporal and
      spatial study in the Seine River basin, France.
AB  - Total lead (Pb) concentration and Pb isotopic ratio ((206)Pb/(20)7Pb) were
      determined in 140 samples from the Seine River basin (France), covering a period
      of time from 1945 to 2011 and including bed sediments (bulk and size fractionated
      samples), suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediment cores, and combined sewer
      overflow (CSO) particulate matter to constrain the spatial and temporal
      variability of the lead sources at the scale of the contaminated Seine River
      basin. A focus on the Orge River subcatchment, which exhibits a contrasted land
      use pattern, allows documenting the relation between hydrodynamics, urbanization,
      and contamination sources. The study reveals that the Pb contamination due to
      leaded gasoline that peaked in the 1980s has a very limited impact in the river
      nowadays. In the upstream Seine River, the isotopic ratio analysis suggests a
      pervasive contamination which origin (coal combustion and/or gasoline lead)
      should be clarified. The current SPM contamination trend follows the
      urbanization/industrialization spatial trend. Downstream of Paris, the lead from
      historical use originating from the Rio Tinto mine, Spain ((206)Pb/(207)Pb=1.1634
      +/- 0.0001) is the major Pb source. The analysis of the bed sediments (bulk and
      grain size fractionated) highlights the diversity of the anthropogenic lead
      sources in relation with the diversity of the human activities that occurred in
      this basin over the years. The "urban" source, defined by waste waters including
      the CSO samples ((206)Pb/(207)Pb=1.157 +/- 0.003), results of a thorough mixing
      of leaded gasoline with "historical" lead over the years. Finally, a
      contamination mixing scheme related to hydrodynamics is proposed.

PMID- 24234815
TI  - Rhodamine B induces long nucleoplasmic bridges and other nuclear anomalies in
      Allium cepa root tip cells.
AB  - The cytogenetic toxicity of rhodamine B on root tip cells of Allium cepa was
      investigated. A. cepa were cultured in water (negative control), 10 ppm methyl
      methanesulfonate (positive control), and three concentrations of rhodamine B
      (200, 100, and 50 ppm) for 7 days. Rhodamine B inhibited mitotic activity;
      increased nuclear anomalies, including micronuclei, nuclear buds, and bridged
      nuclei; and induced oxidative stress in A. cepa root tissues. Furthermore, a
      substantial amount of long nucleoplasmic bridges were entangled together, and
      some nuclei were simultaneously linked to several other nuclei and to nuclear
      buds with nucleoplasmic bridges in rhodamine B-treated cells. In conclusion,
      rhodamine B induced cytogenetic effects in A. cepa root tip cells, which suggests
      that the A. cepa root is an ideal model system for detecting cellular
      interactions.

PMID- 24234816
TI  - MRI and neuropathological validations of the involvement of air pollutants in
      cortical selective neuronal loss.
AB  - Vehicles are a major source of air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM)
      pollution, throughout the world and auto-rickshaws are considered main
      contributors to this air pollution. PM, in addition to causing respiratory and
      cardiovascular disorders, has potential to gain access to the brain and could
      induce neuroinflammation leading to different neurological disorders. Therefore,
      in the current project, MRI and immunohistochemistry techniques were adopted to
      ascertain the neurotoxic potential of the chronic exposure to different PM
      generated by two-stroke auto-rickshaws (TSA), four-stroke auto-rickshaws (FSA),
      and aluminum sulfate (AS) solution in rats. The results highlighted that all
      treated groups followed a pattern of dose-dependent increase in pure cortical
      neuronal loss, selective neuronal loss (SNL), nuclear pyknosis, karyolysis, and
      karyorrhexis. Mild to moderate areas of penumbra were also observed with increase
      in the population of activated microglia and astrocytes, while no alteration in
      the intensities of T2W MRI signals was perceived in any group. When comparing the
      findings, TSA possess more neurotoxic potential than FSA and AS, which could be
      associated with increased concentration of certain elements in TSA emissions. The
      study concludes that chronic exposure to PM from TSA, FSA, and AS solutions
      produces diverse neuropathies in the brain, which may lead to different life
      threatening neurological disorders like stroke, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's
      disorders. Government and environmental agencies should take serious notice of
      this alarming situation, and immediate steps should be implemented to improve the
      standards of PM emissions from auto-rickshaws.

PMID- 24234819
TI  - Detecting enzymes in living cells using fluorogenic substrates.
AB  - Characteristics of fluorogenic substrates designed for detection of enzyme
      activity in living cells are reviewed. Improved retention of the fluorescent
      products in the cell of origin can be achieved by structural modifications to the
      substrate that result in association with membrane lipids or conjugation to
      intracellular glutathione. Newly-developed substrates that yield fluorescent
      precipitates provide the additional advantage of allowing subcellular
      localization of sites of enzymatic activity. Improved detection sensitivity can
      also be achieved by targeted delivery of substrates for processing by specific
      organelles. Substrates designed for monitoring oxidative activity and lipid
      metabolism provide examples of this approach. 

PMID- 24234817
TI  - Stem cell regeneration of degenerated intervertebral discs: current status
      (update).
AB  - Low back pain, strongly associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration,
      affects a large proportion of the population and has major social and economic
      costs. Current treatments remain inadequate, targeting the symptoms without
      addressing the underlying cause. As such, efforts are being directed towards
      development of therapies aimed at alleviating pain through the restoration of IVD
      function. The potential of cell-based therapies for the treatment of IVD
      degeneration are being actively explored, with an emphasis on cell/biomaterial
      tissue engineering. Adult mesenchymal stem cells, capable of differentiating down
      the discogenic lineage, have shown promise as a suitable cell source for IVD
      tissue engineering. However, a number of factors, (discussed in this review),
      remain to be addressed, including development of a differentiation protocol to
      produce the correct cell phenotype, identification of suitable biomaterials for
      cell delivery/implantation, and ensuring cell survival and correct function upon
      implantation into the degenerate IVD. 

PMID- 24234820
TI  - Use of Nile Red as a long-wavelength fluorophore in dual-probe studies of ligand
      protein interactions.
AB  - The long-wavelength fluorescence probe, Nile Red, has polarity-dependent
      fluorescence intensity and wavelength properties that can be used to monitor the
      binding of drugs and other ligands to plasma proteins such as albumin and alpha-1
      acid glycoprotein. This paper shows that it can be used in tandem with another
      fluorescence probe, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid, to study two or more
      types of ligand binding sites simultaneously. Some ligands displace one or the
      other probe from the protein/dual-probe complex, other ligands displace both
      probes. In each case the resulting decrease in fluorescence can be used to
      estimate the numbers of binding sites and their association constants. 

PMID- 24234818
TI  - Does exercise make migraines worse and tension type headaches better?
AB  - Many non-pharmacological treatments have been implicated in the treatment of
      primary headache, with exercise being a common recommendation. In this review we
      first provide an overview of the relationship between exercise and primary
      headaches. We then review the physiology of pain modulation, with focus on the
      endogenous opioids, endocannabinoids, and neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related
      peptide (CGRP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and their
      associations with primary headache and exercise. Finally, we summarize current
      literature evaluating effects of exercise on primary headache in an effort to
      understand the benefits and disadvantages of exercise in primary headaches. 

PMID- 24234821
TI  - New fluorescent labels for time-resolved detection of biomolecules.
AB  - New dyes with characteristic fluorescence lifetimes have been developed for
      bioanalytical applications. Based upon the concept of "multiplex dyes," we have
      designed rhodamine dyes with nearly identical absorption and emission spectral
      characteristics but different fluorescence lifetimes. Extending this principle to
      applications with laser diodes, new rhodamines with functional groups for
      covalent coupling of analytes have been developed. The new labels exhibit
      absortion and fluorescence beyond 600 nm and have a high quantum efficiency, even
      in aqueous buffer systems. 

PMID- 24234822
TI  - A new fluorescence probe for trace metal ions: Cation-dependent spectroscopic
      properties.
AB  - The fluorescence behavior of a new bipyridyl ligand, 2,2'-bipyridyl-3,3'-diol
      (BPDO), was studied as a function of the metal ion complexed. At pH 7.6, the
      fluorescence of BPDO is strongly decreased by complexation to Cu(II), but binding
      to Zn(II) leads to an increase in fluorescence intensity. Time-resolved
      fluorescence measurements suggest that in the case of Cu(II), a nonfluorescent
      complex is formed, whereas in the presence of Zn(II), a new, longer decay
      component appears. 

PMID- 24234823
TI  - New diphenylhexatriene derivatives as fluorescent membrane probes: Partitioning
      properties.
AB  - Three new diphenylhexatriene derivatives, two phospholipids and one single-chain
      amphiphilic molecule, have been synthesized and considered as probes for
      measuring membrane fluidity by fluorescence anisotropy. The possibility of using
      these probes to determine specifically fluidity of inner leaflets of cellular
      plasma membranes was inferred from their partitioning properties between gel and
      liquid crystalline phases of phospholipid vesicles of binary composition. 

PMID- 24234824
TI  - Dipyrenylphosphatidylcholine as a probe of bilayer pressures.
AB  - We have used dipyrenylphosphatidylcholines (dipyPCs) to study the pressure in the
      fluid lamellar phase formed by mixtures of fully hydrated
      dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE).
      As we increase the DOPE mole fraction at 25 degrees C we observe a linear
      increase in the ratio of the excimer-to-monomer signal (E/M1). We argue that this
      observation can be understood in terms of an increase in the lateral pressure in
      the chain region, i.e., in the bilayer plane. This change itself is driven by the
      decrease in lateral pressure between headgroups as we add DOPE. We expect the
      lateral pressure to vary in magnitude as we probe the bilayer at different depths
      [1]. We have confirmed this by recording E/M1 using di[10-(pyren-1
      yl)decanoyl]phosphatidylcholine (10dipyPC) and di[4-(pyren-1
      yl)butanoyl]phosphatidylcholine (4dipyPC). We find that in 100% DOPC the E/M1 for
      4dipyPC is 2.5 times greater than that for 10dipyPC. The above observations can
      all be rationalized in terms of changes in the lateral pressure profile. An
      inverse hexagonal liquid crystalline phase is found in the range 100-83% DOPE
      [2]. In this region of the phase diagram we observe a quadratic variation in
      E/M1, with a minimum at 95% DOPE. We hypothesize that this variation reflects the
      chain stretching that is necessitated by the geometrical packing constraints of
      the hexagonal phase [3]. Again, we find that the E/M1 for 4dipyPC is greater than
      that for 10dipyPC, but in this phase only by a factor of two. 

PMID- 24234825
TI  - An investigation of squaraines as a new class of fluorophores with long
      wavelength excitation and emission.
AB  - We present an overview of our investigation of the spectral properties and
      photostabilities of squaraine derivatives. The objective was to identify long
      wavelength probes with reasonable quantum yields, reasonably long lifetimes, and
      good photostabilities for use in fluorescence-based assays and/or imaging. Both
      symmetrical and unsymmetrical squaraines were studied. Based on this
      investigation the most suitable probes for use in a biological application were
      found to be the symmetrical indolenine derivatives of the squaraines, which
      display the highest photostability. Importantly, their quantum yields and
      lifetimes increase significantly upon covalent and noncovalent binding to
      proteins (bovine serum albumin, antibodies), demonstrating the usefulness of the
      squaraines as long wavelength probes. The squaraine absorbance maxima between 630
      and 650 nm allows the use of the new commercially available 635- and 650-nm diode
      lasers. 

PMID- 24234826
TI  - Assessment of membrane potential using confocal microspectrofluorimetry.
AB  - Some slow potentiometric dyes, e.g., 3,3'-dipropylthiacarbocyanine and
      tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester, exhibit fluorescence spectral changes on
      redistributing from aqueous medium to cells. This effect has been used for
      spectroscopic discrimination of the emissions from free and bound dyes in cells.
      Such a discrimination can, in principle, allow for the assessment of cell
      membrane potential in individual cells, using the Nernst equation applied to the
      ratio of free dye fluorescence intensities inside and outside of the cell. 

PMID- 24234827
TI  - Fluorescence lifetime imaging of intracellular calcium.
AB  - Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a new methodology for studying
      the spatial and temporal dynamics of macromolecule, molecules, and ions in living
      cells. In FLIM image contrast is derived from the mean fluorescence lifetime at
      each point in a two-dimensional image. In our case the lifetime was measured by
      the phase-modulation method. We describe our FLIM apparatus, which consists of a
      fluorescence microscope, high-speed gated proximity focused MCP image
      intensifier, and slow-scan CCD camera. To accomplish subnanosecond time-resolved
      imaging, the gain of the image intensifier is modulated with a high-frequency
      signal, resulting in stationary phase-sensitive intensity images on the image
      intensifier. These images are recorded using a cooled slow-scan CCD camera and
      stored in an image processor. The lifetime images are created from a series of
      phase-sensitive images at various phase shift of the gain-modulation signal. We
      demonstrate calcium concentration imaging in living COS cells based on Ca(2+)
      induced lifetime changes of Quin-2. The phase-angle image is mapped to the Ca(2+)
      concentration image using anin vitro-determined calibration curve. The Ca(2+)
      concentration was found to be uniform throughout the cell. In contrast, the
      intensity image shows significant spatial differences, which likely reflect
      variations in the thickness and distribution of probe within the cell. 

PMID- 24234828
TI  - A new calibration equation for ratiometric fluorescent ion indicators:
      Application to fura-2.
AB  - The absolute values of intracellular ion concentrations as monitored by specific
      fluorescent indicators are determined by using calibration curves obtained
      underin vitro andin vivo conditions. In the derivation of the calibration curve
      by Grynkiewicz et al [(1985)J. Biol. Chem 260, 3440] it is implicitly assumed
      that the observed fluorescence signal is directly related to the concentrations
      of the free dye and the dye-ion complex in the ground state. We modified the
      calibration equation so that ion binding and dissociation in the excited state
      are taken into account. The extended calibration equation assumes the knowledge
      of the rate constants in the excited state. Expressions for the calibration curve
      assuming the absence or presence of an excited-state reaction are compared for
      the Ca(2+) indicator Fura-2. The excited-state rate constants are determined by
      global compartmental analysis of time-resolved fluorescence decays of Fura-2
      collected at various excitation and emission wavelengths using different Ca(2+)
      concentrations. It is found that for Fura-2 there is negligible interference of
      the excited-state reaction so that the original calibration can used. 

PMID- 24234829
TI  - Antifading embedding media in confocal immunoflourescence microscopy.
AB  - Fading or bleaching of fluorescence intensity during continuous illumination of
      stained objects is a serious problem in fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence
      intensity as well as bleaching characteristics of dyes are dependent primarily
      upon physical parameters such as molecular constants (absorption rate and quantum
      efficiency), excitation energy and brightness (causes photon saturation), and
      environmental parameters (pH, ions, binding to proteins, etc.) that can strongly
      influence the properties of fluorochrome molecules. We have studied the effect of
      various antifading reagents on the behavior of the common dyes fluorescein
      isothiocyanate (FITC) and phycoerythrin (PE) using immunofluorescent-stained
      living cells in suspension or membrane-permeabilized dried cells as test systems.
      As expected, fading cannot be completely eliminated but may be reduced to varying
      degrees. In our hands, the most efficient antifading reagent for FITC isn-propyl
      gallate (NPG) dissolved in glycerol. No additive was found to retard fading, but
      complete dehydration of the cell suspension reduces this effect. 

PMID- 24234830
TI  - The relevance of pressure-sensitive paint to aerodynamic research.
AB  - Aerodynamic tests are designed to give information about the performance of a
      model when subjected to an airflow. The introduction of pressure sensitive paint
      provides a new method for obtaining the pressure distribution on the surface of
      wind-tunnel models. A paint, the luminescence of which is dependent on air
      pressure, is applied to the surface of the model and the pressure distribution is
      obtained from the image produced. This paper gives an explanation of this
      technique, a resume of possible applications and some results from research
      performed at DRA Bedford. 

PMID- 24234831
TI  - Cationic surfactant/bile salt interaction studied by fluorescence quenching.
AB  - Fluorescence quenching measurements were performed on aqueous solutions of the
      cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium halide (CTAX) and two bile salts,
      sodium cholate (NaC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC), to study the state of
      aggregation in the mixtures. Pyrene was used as a photoluminiscence probe in the
      study, and dimethylbenzophenone (DMBP) as the quencher. Analysis of time-resolved
      decay data with and without quencher using a simple kinetic model gave
      information of the different aggregation characteristics in the above two cases.
      Mixed micelles of CTAX/NaC were small and spherical at all compositions, while
      those of CTAX/NaDC tended to grow from spherical micelles to larger rod-like
      mixed aggregates at equimolar and close-to-equimolar concentrations. In the
      latter case more complex kinetics ensues and the fluorescence decays were treated
      using a generatized model for diffusion-controlled quenching along one dimension
      for infinitely long rod-like micelles. The mutual diffusion coefficient for the
      probe-quencherpair was determined. 

PMID- 24234832
TI  - Quenching of the excited states of 8-methoxypsoralen by synthetic Eumelanin.
AB  - The interaction of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) with synthetic eumelanin was
      investigated using static and time-resolved fluoresence and pulsed photoacoustic
      calorimetry. Spectroscopic data indicate the absence of interaction in the ground
      state, whereas the singlet excited state of 8-MOP is quenched by the pigment; the
      average fluorescence lifetimes are independent of the melanin concentration, thus
      indicating a static mechanism. Photoacoustic data show that the quenching process
      involves an increased intersystem crossing probability, which is almost
      unaffected by the presence of oxygen, as expected for a molecule essentially
      acting as a type I photosensitizing agent. 

PMID- 24234833
TI  - Distribution analysis of membrane penetration of proteins by depth-dependent
      fluorescence quenching.
AB  - A new approach is presented to evaluate the depth-dependent quenching of the
      fluorescence of membrane-bound probes and integral proteins. By utilizing at
      least three quenchers of known and distinctly different depths, the following
      parameters can be recovered: most probable depth of the probe; dispersion of the
      depth distribution, which will depend on the size of probe and fluctuations in
      its position; and quenching efficiency, which is related to the exposure of a
      particular fluorophore to the lipid phase. The exposure of tryptophan residues in
      integral proteins can be quantitatively determined with respect to the model
      compound (tryptophan octyl ester). The proposed method was applied to the
      investigation of membrane complexes of the bee venom melittin and cytochrome b5. 

PMID- 24234834
TI  - Distance-dependent fluorescence quenching ofN-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide by
      acrylamide.
AB  - We examined the time-dependent intensity decays ofN-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide
      (NATA) when collisionally quenched by acrylamide in propylene glycol over a range
      of temperatures. The intensity decays of NATA became increasingly heterogeneous
      in the presence of acrylamide. The NATA intensity decays were not consistent with
      the Collins-Kimball radiation boundary condition (RBC) model for quenching. The
      steady-state Stern-Volmer plots show significant upward curvature, and quenching
      of NATA by acrylamide was observed even in vitrified propylene glycol, where
      translational diffusion cannot occur during the lifetime of the excited state.
      These frequencydomain and steady-state data indicate a through-space quenching
      interaction between NATA and acrylamide, and the results are consistent with a
      rate constant for quenching that depends exponentially on the fluorophore
      quencher separation distance. The exponential distance-dependent rate of
      quenching also explains the upward curvature of the Stern-Volmer plot, and the
      steady-state data aid in determining the interaction distance between NATA and
      acrylamide. These results suggest that the distance-dependent quenching rates
      need to be considered in the interpretation of acrylamide quenching of proteins. 

PMID- 24234835
TI  - Critical Asthma Syndrome in the ICU.
AB  - Critical asthma syndrome represents the most severe subset of asthma
      exacerbations, and the critical asthma syndrome is an umbrella term for life
      threatening asthma, status asthmaticus, and near-fatal asthma. According to the
      2007 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines, a life
      threatening asthma exacerbation is marked by an inability to speak, a reduced
      peak expiratory flow rate of <25 % of a patient's personal best, and a failed
      response to frequent bronchodilator administration and intravenous steroids.
      Almost all critical asthma syndrome cases require emergency care, and most cases
      require hospitalization, often in an intensive care unit. Among asthmatics, those
      with the critical asthma syndrome are difficult to manage and there is little
      room for error. Patients with the critical asthma syndrome are prone to
      complications, they utilize immense resources, and they incite anxiety in many
      care providers. Managing this syndrome is anything but routine, and it requires
      attention, alacrity, and accuracy. The specific management strategies of adults
      with the critical asthma syndrome in the hospital with a focus on intensive care
      are discussed. Topics include the initial assessment for critical illness,
      initial ventilation management, hemodynamic issues, novel diagnostic tools and
      interventions, and common pitfalls. We highlight the use of critical care
      ultrasound, and we provide practical guidelines on how to manage deteriorating
      patients such as those with pneumothoraces. When standard asthma management
      fails, we provide experience-driven recommendations coupled with available
      evidence to guide the care team through advanced treatment. Though we do not
      discuss medications in detail, we highlight recent advances.

PMID- 24234836
TI  - Lower anterior cingulate volume in seriously violent men with antisocial
      personality disorder or schizophrenia and a history of childhood abuse.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and schizophrenia, as well as
      childhood abuse, are associated with violent behaviour and show marked volumetric
      reduction in the anterior cingulate (AC), a brain region implicated in regulation
      of violence through its involvement in decision making, empathy, impulse control,
      and emotion regulation. The present study examined, for the first time to the
      authors' knowledge, the grey matter volume of the AC in relation to seriously
      violent behaviour and childhood psychosocial deprivation (including physical and
      sexual abuse) in the context of a mental disorder (schizophrenia or ASPD).
      METHODS: Fifty-seven men [14 with ASPD and a history of serious violence; 13 with
      schizophrenia and a history of serious violence (VSZ); 15 with schizophrenia
      without a violence history (SZ); 15 nonviolent healthy participants] underwent
      whole-brain magnetic resonance imaging and were rated on the presence of physical
      abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, extreme poverty, foster home placement, criminal
      parent, severe family conflict, and broken home (collectively 'psychosocial
      deprivation'). Stereological volumetric ratings of the AC were examined for group
      differences and their association with childhood psychosocial deprivation.
      RESULTS: A higher proportion of ASPD and VSZ patients had suffered psychosocial
      deprivation as children, in particular severe physical abuse, relative to SZ
      patients and healthy participants. ASPD and VSZ, but not SZ, patients had
      significantly lower AC volume relative to healthy participants. AC volumes
      correlated negatively with (total) psychosocial deprivation as well as physical
      and sexual abuse ratings. Group differences in AC volume became nonsignificant
      when psychosocial deprivation ratings were covaried for. CONCLUSIONS: Violent
      mentally disordered individuals with ASPD or schizophrenia suffer from a
      significant AC volume loss and this deficit, at least in part, is explained by
      their histories of stressful childhood experiences. Current and future therapies
      aiming to reduce violence in such populations would benefit by attending to
      biological (and other) correlates of childhood abuse.

PMID- 24234837
TI  - Criminal offenses in gamblers anonymous and hospital treated pathological
      gamblers.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare the nature and prevalence of gambling
      and non-gambling related offenses in samples of pathological gamblers seeking
      behavioural treatment from a hospital-based program and those attending Gamblers
      Anonymous. A semi-structured interview schedule obtaining demographic data and
      details of the nature, frequency, and consequent legal action of criminal
      offenses committed was administered to 152 consecutive hospital treated
      pathological gamblers, and 154 Gamblers Anonymous attendees who volunteered to
      participate in the study. Of the total sample, 59% admitted a gambling-related
      offense, and 23% to a conviction. There was no difference in the proportion of
      hospital treated and Gamblers Anonymous subjects who offended. The most common
      gambling-related offenses were larceny, embezzlement and misappropriation.
      Gamblers committed a median of ten offenses over an average ten year period of
      pathological gambling with a median value of $ A 300(1) per offense. The median
      value for each non-gambling-related offense was $ A 130. Except for the
      significantly older mean age of Gamblers Anonymous subjects, hospital treated
      gamblers did not differ from Gamblers Anonymous attenders on relevant demographic
      features or parameters of gambling behaviour. Findings were interpreted to
      suggest a possible causal link between pathological gambling and the commission
      of non-violent property offenses. 

PMID- 24234838
TI  - Antisocial personality disorder and pathological gambling.
AB  - The prevalence of antisocial personality disorder and its relationship to
      criminal offenses in pathological gamblers was investigated. A semi-structured
      interview schedule containing DSM-III criteria for antisocial personality and the
      California Psychological Inventory Socialisation subscale was administered to a
      sample of 306 pathological gamblers. Of the total sample, 35% reported no
      offense. Forty eight percent admitted to the commission of a gambling related
      offense, 6% to a non-gambling related offense, and 11% to both types of offense.
      Fifteen percent of subjects met DSM-III diagnostic criteria for antisocial
      personality disorder. Though these subjects were at greatest risk for committing
      criminal offenses, offenses were committed independently of DSM-III antisocial
      personality disorder in the majority of gamblers. It was concluded that features
      of antisocial personality emerged in response to repeated attempts to conceal
      excessive gambling and gambling induced financial difficulties. 

PMID- 24234839
TI  - Factors determining the severity of pathological gambling in males.
AB  - In extending the implications of our earlier research, we found that a measure of
      impulsivity developed by Barratt (1965) differentiated recovering, male
      pathological gamblers (N = 12; mean age = 48.9 years) from male control subjects
      (N = 15; mean age = 43.3 years). Among the gamblers themselves, however, this
      measure of impulsivity did not correlate with an index of the social and familial
      disruption engendered by past gambling. In contrast, a measure of one facet of
      the gamblers' cognitive style (the TF subscale of the Myers-Briggs Inventory) did
      correlate with this index of gambling-induced disruption but did not
      differentiate gamblers from controls. These results, as well as other findings,
      are discussed in the context of previous research and with regard to the
      inferential limits imposed by studies of this kind. 

PMID- 24234840
TI  - The gambling lifestyle: I. theory.
AB  - This paper describes the lifestyle model of gambling behavior in which compulsive
      gambling behavior is conceptualized as a lifestyle characterized by
      pseudoresponsibility, self-ascension, hypercompetitiveness, and social rule
      breaking/bending/ twisting. The underlying premise of this theory is that
      gambling behavior takes on the appearance of a lifestyle when it is viewed by the
      individual as a viable means of enhancing self-worth, minimizing personal
      insecurity, and controlling fear. Three primary areas of theoretical and research
      interest are covered in this paper: (1) the theoretical underpinnings of
      lifestyle theory; (2) the individual components (conditions, choice, cognition)
      of a gambling lifestyle; and (3) the developmental progression of a gambling
      lifestyle. 

PMID- 24234841
TI  - Male and female betting behaviour: New perspectives.
AB  - This paper uses an analysis of betting decisions made in offcourse betting
      offices in the UK to explore differences between the nature of male and female
      betting behaviour. Specifically gender differences in levels of performance,
      propensity for risk taking and levels of confidence in betting decisions are
      considered. The results provide some evidence for greater risk propensity amongst
      male bettors, lower levels of female bettor confidence in their choices and some
      degree of performance advantage for women bettors. The results are discussed in
      relation to previous research; some of the apparent discrepancies are explained
      in terms of differences in motivational focus and gender differences in
      definitions of risk-taking and 'successful' performance. In this context areas
      for future research are highlighted. 

PMID- 24234842
TI  - Communications : A comment on the misperception of streaks.

PMID- 24234843
TI  - Communications : Comment on review by Dr. Carl Hirsch of behind the eight ball: A
      Guide for Families Of Gamblers, Journal of Gambling Studies, Volume 9, pp. 201
      205.

PMID- 24234844
TI  - Interaction between VLDL and phosphatidylcholine liposomes generates new gamma
      LpE-like particles.
AB  - One of the subfractions of HDL involved in reverse cholesterol transport is gamma
      LpE. It has been assumed that, like prebeta-LpAI, it can be generated during the
      interaction between phosphatidylcholine liposomes and lipoproteins and can
      contribute to more efficient cholesterol efflux after the introduction of
      liposomes to plasma. However, there has been no evidence concerning what the
      sources of these particles in plasma might be. Here, we determined whether the
      interaction of phosphatidylcholine liposomes with VLDL and the subsequent
      conversions of particles could be a source of new gamma-LpE particles. We found
      that the interaction between liposomes and VLDL affected its lipid and protein
      composition. The content of phospholipids increased (~96 %) while the content of
      free cholesterol and apolipoprotein E decreased in VLDL during the reaction with
      liposomes (~100 and ~24 %, respectively). New particles which did not contain
      apolipoprotein B were generated. Heterogeneous HDL-sized populations of particles
      were generated, containing phospholipids and apolipoprotein E as the sole
      apolipoprotein, with densities from 1.063 to 1.21 g/ml, either with gamma
      mobility on agarose gel and Stokes diameters from 8.58 to 22.07 nm or with
      prebeta-mobility and Stokes diameters from 9.9 to 21.08 nm. The obtained results
      contribute to the understanding of changes in lipoproteins under the influence of
      phosphatidylcholine liposomes, showing the formation of new (gamma-LpE)-like and
      (prebeta-LpE)-like particles, similar in mobility and size to plasma HDL-LpE.
      These newly generated particles can claim a share of the antiatherogenic effects
      of liposomes, observed in studies both in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 24234845
TI  - Intrathecal miR-96 inhibits Nav1.3 expression and alleviates neuropathic pain in
      rat following chronic construction injury.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post
      transcriptionally by binding to their cognate target mRNAs. Emerging evidence
      suggests that miRNAs are critical regulators of neuronal functions. The
      expression pattern of miRNAs in the peripheral nervous system after peripheral
      nerve injury suggest that miRNAs may have important and yet unknown roles in the
      mechanisms of pain. Thus, we examined the role of miR-96 in neuropathic pain
      using a rat model of the condition chronic constriction sciatic nerve injury
      (CCI). We found that miR-96 alleviated neuropathic pain. The level of miR-96 was
      decreased within the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) after peripheral
      nerve injury but the Nav1.3 level was increased. Specifically, Intrathecal
      administration of miR-96 suppressed the expression of Nav1.3 induced by CCI.
      Further examination revealed that miR-96 inhibited the Nav1.3 mRNA expression in
      the embryonic DRG neurons in vitro. Our findings suggest that miR-96 participate
      in the regulation of neuropathic pain through inhibiting the expression of Nav1.3
      in the DRG of CCI rats.

PMID- 24234847
TI  - Collision-induced dissociation of alkali metal cationized and permethylated
      oligosaccharides: Influence of the collision energy and of the collision gas for
      the assignment of linkage position.
AB  - Tandem mass spectrometry has been used to study the collision-induced
      decomposition of [M+Na](+) ions of permethylated oligosaccharides. It is shown
      that many linkage positions in one compound may be determined by the presence or
      absence, in a single spectrum, of specific fragment ions that arise from the
      cleavage of two ring bonds and that the yield of such ions depends strongly on
      the collision energy and nature of the collision gas. In contrast to the behavior
      of monolithiated native oligosaccharides, the collision-induced decomposition of
      the sodiated and permethylated oligosaccharide samples at low energy leads to
      preferential cleavage of glycosidic linkages. At high collision energies, the
      fragment ions formed by cleavage of more than one bond are greatly enhanced,
      especially when helium is replaced by argon as the collision gas. Furthermore,
      argon is the more efficient collision gas in inducing fragmentation of the
      precursor ions. As an example of the application of this method, the
      discrimination between the 1 -> 3 and 1 -> 6-linked mannose residues in the
      common core of N-glycans is described. 

PMID- 24234848
TI  - Determination of oligonucleotide composition from mass spectrometrically measured
      molecular weight.
AB  - Extensive calculations for molecular mass versus subunit composition have been
      made for oligonucleotides from RNA and DNA to determine the extent to which base
      compositions might be derived from mass spectrometrically determined molecular
      weights. In the absence of compositional constraints (e.g., any numbers of A, U,
      G, C), measurement of molecular weight leads to only modest restrictions in
      allowable number of base compositions; however, if the compositional value for
      any one residue is known, such as from selective chemical modification or
      enzymatic cleavage, the number of allowable base compositions becomes
      unexpectedly low. For example, hydrolysis of RNA by ribonuclease T1 produces
      oligonucleotides for which G=1, for which all base compositions can be uniquely
      specified up to the 14-mer level, solely by measurement of mass to within +/
      0,01%. The effects of methylation, phosphorylation state of nucleotide termini,
      and knowledge of chain length on the determination of subunit composition are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24234849
TI  - "Slow" metastable decomposition of oligosaccharide cations produced in an
      external source fourier transform mass spectrometer.
AB  - Unimolecular metastable decomposition of cucyclodextrin cations is observed in a
      fast-atom bombardment Fourier transform mass spectrometry instrument. Cleavage
      reactions occur at the glycosidic bonds to produce oligomeric fragment ions. The
      first-order rate constant for the decay of the protonated parent was measured and
      found to be (4.2 +/- 1.0) * 10(2)s(-1). 

PMID- 24234850
TI  - Metastable ion study of substituted cyclopentadienylmanganese cations in the gas
      phase.
AB  - The behavior of some substituted cyclopentadienylmanganese ions has been studied
      by tandem mass spectrometry. This metastable ion study showed that only C5H5Mn(+)
      and (C5H4CN)Mn(+) ions retain their nido-cluster structure (1), which is
      characterized by a simple metal-ligand bond cleavage. Other substituted ions,
      RXC5H4Mn(+), rearrange to a different extent, depending on the nature of the
      substituent. The first rearrangement step is R radical migration to the central
      metal atom, leading to RMnC5H4X(+)-type ions (2). These ions decompose by
      elimination of X (for X=CO) or with formation of RMnX(+), but further
      rearrangements can also occur. These are the reverse migration of R from the
      metal atom to the pi-ligand (for R=H, Ph) and cyclopentadienyl ring expansion
      (for X=CH2). Collisional activation mass spectra contained an Mn(+) ion peak,
      which can indicate the existence of stable type 1 structures for most
      cyclopentadienylmanganese ions. Carboxyl and hydroxymethyl derivatives exist,
      presumably as ions of type 2. The neutralization-reionization mass spectra of
      RXC5H4Mn(+) ions are also discussed. 

PMID- 24234846
TI  - Theophylline potentiates lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in cultured
      astrocytes.
AB  - Elucidation of the functions of astrocytes is important for understanding of the
      pathogenic mechanism of various neurodegenerative diseases. Theophylline is a
      common drug for bronchial asthma and occasionally develops side-effects, such as
      acute encephalopathy; although the pathogenic mechanism of the side-effects is
      unknown. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitricoxide (NO) production is
      generally used for an index of the activation of astrocyte in vitro. In this
      study, in order to elucidate the effect of theophylline on the astrocytic
      functions, we examined the LPS-induced NO production and the expression of iNOS
      in cultured rat cortex astrocytes.Theophylline alone could not induce the NO
      production; however, NO production induced by LPS was enhanced by theophylline in
      a dose-dependent manner; and by isobutylmethylxanthine, a phosphodiesterase
      inhibitor. The theophylline enhancement of LPS-induced NO production was further
      increased by dibutyryl cyclic AMP, a membrane-permeable cAMP analog; and by
      forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator. When the cells were preincubated with
      Rp-8-Br-cAMP, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, the theophylline enhancement of
      LPS-induced NO production was decreased. The extent of iNOS protein expression
      induced by LPS was also enhanced by theophylline.It is likely that
      phosphodiesterase inhibition is a major action mechanism for the theophylline
      enhancement of LPS-induced NO production in astrocytes. Theophylline-induced
      acute encephalopathy might be due to the hyper-activation of astrocytes via cAMP
      signaling to produce excess amount of NO.

PMID- 24234851
TI  - Low-energy tandem mass spectrometry of the molecular ion derived from fatty acid
      methyl esters: A novel method for analysis of branched-chain fatty acids.
AB  - Low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the molecular ions of fatty
      acid methyl esters obtained by electron ionization (70 eV) decompose in the
      tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer to yield a regular homologous series of
      carbomethoxy ions. Even at energies up to 200 eV (E lab), primarily carbomethoxy
      ions are present, with the most abundant found at m/z 101 at hi her energies. The
      lack of any other CID ions, including m/z 74 (McLafferty rearrangement) or m/z
      87, suggest a rearranged molecular ion structure on leaving the first quadrupole
      mass analyzer. Analyses of various stable isotope variants support the hypothesis
      of alkyl radical migration to the carboxy carbonyl oxygen atom, with subsequent
      radical site directed cleavage either with or without a cyclization event.
      Decomposition of the molecular ions (70 eV) of several methyl branched fatty acid
      methyl esters, including phytanic acid, iso-methyl and anteiso-methyl branched
      acids, and tuberculostearic acid, reveals enhanced radical site cleavage at the
      alkyl branching positions. This method can be used to readily determine methyl
      (or alkyl) branching positions in a saturated fatty acid methyl ester. 

PMID- 24234852
TI  - An investigation of site-selective gas-phase reactions of amino alcohols with
      dimethyl ether ions.
AB  - The reactions of dimethyl ether ions with neutral amino alcohols were examined in
      both a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer and a triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometer. These ion-molecule reactions produced two types of ions: the
      protonated species [M+l](+) and a more complex product at [M+13](+). The
      abundance of the [M+13](+) ions relative to that of the [M+1](+) ions decreases
      with increasing formal interfunctional distance. Multistage collision-activated
      dissociation techniques were used to characterize the [M+13](+) product ions,
      their reactivities, and the mechanisms for their formation and dissociation. In
      addition, molecular semiempirical calculation methods were used to probe the
      thermochemistry of these reactions. Reaction at the amino alcohol nitrogen site
      is favored, and the resulting [M+13](+) addition products may cyclize for
      additional stabilization. Comparisons were made among the behavior of related
      compounds, such as alcohols, diols, amines, and diamines. The alcohols reacted
      only to form the protonated species, but the diols, amines, and diamines all
      formed significant amounts of [M+13](+) ions or related dissociation products. 

PMID- 24234853
TI  - Gas-phase complexation of polyethers with halide ions.
AB  - Gas-phase complexes of halide anions with a variety of crown ethers and acyclic
      analogs are formed by ion-molecule reactions in the chemical ionization source of
      a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The ether complexes of iodide, bromide,
      and chloride dissociate on collisional activation by cleavage of the halide-ether
      electrostatic hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of bare halide anions.
      By contrast, the fluoride complexes dissociate by loss of HF, which may occur in
      conjunction or sequentially with losses of ethylene oxide units. This
      dissociation behavior is similar to that observed for collisionally activated
      dissociation of [M - H](-) ions of the crown ethers and suggests that the
      fluoride ion is capable of promoting an intramolecular proton abstraction within
      the [M+F](-) complex. This type of dissociation chemistry is only observed for
      the fluoride ion complexes, and the fluoride ion is the most basic of all the
      halides. The kinetic method was used to establish orders of relative halide
      binding strengths, and the trends for the chloride and bromide affinities were 12
      crown-4 < triethylene glycol dimethyl ether < 15-crown-5 < tetraethylene glycol
      dimethyl ether < 18-crown-6 < 21-crown-7 < tetraethylene glycol < pentaethylene
      glycol < 1,4,7,10,13-pentathiacyclopentadecane. 

PMID- 24234854
TI  - A study on the solution and gas-phase chemistry of Mn(III) and Fe(III)
      tetraarylporphyrin complexes by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry : 1:
      Generation of molecular signals.
AB  - Fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry has been used to investigate the chemical
      behavior of Fe(III) and Mn(III) tetraarylporphyrins (TAP) in both the condensed
      and gas phases and to clarify the mechanisms responsible for the production of
      positive and negative ions. The differences in the behavior of Fe(III) and
      Mn(III) complexes in the positive ion mode could be correlated with those in
      their electronic structures and knowledge of the mechanism for the generation of
      negatively charged species was applied to characterize the counterion coordinated
      to the Mn(III)-TAP. Thus, the unprecedented, complete characterization of even
      complex Mn(III)-TAP was made possible. 

PMID- 24234855
TI  - A study on the solution and gas-phase chemistry of Mn(III) and Fe(III)
      tetraarylporphyrin complexes by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry : 2:
      Synthesis and characterization of molecular complexes federico maria rubino.
AB  - The chemical behavior of Fe(III) and M(III) tetraarylporphorin (TAP) complexes
      with N-alkylimidazoles and other suitable ligands was studied by direct reaction
      in the fast-atom bombardment matrix and in the gas phase. The coordination
      reaction occurs at the metal center and yields molecular adducts of
      porphyry/ligand (PL) and PL, stoichiometry. Coordinative competition between free
      and covalently linked ligands can be used to probe the conformation of "tailed"
      Mn(III)-TAP. 

PMID- 24234856
TI  - Injection of reagent ions into the selvedge region in fast-atom bombardment mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - A divided probe that incorporates a potassium aluminosilicate glass target and an
      analyte/glycerol matrix target, spatially separated, was used to inject potassium
      ions (K(+)) into the high-pressure "selvedge" region formed above the
      analyte/glycerol matrix target during fast-atom bombardment (FAB); [M+K](+)
      adduct ions that represent the types of gas-phase neutral molecules present in
      the selvedge region are observed. Computer modeling assisted in designing the
      divided target and an additional ion optical element for the FAB ion source to
      optimize interactions between K(+) ions and the desorbed neutral molecules. The
      capability of injecting K(+) ions into the FAB experiment has utility in both
      mechanistic studies and analyses. Experimental results here are consistent with a
      model for the desorption/ionization processes in FAB in which some types of
      neutral analyte molecules are desorbed intact and are subsequently protonated by
      glycerol chemical ionization. Unstable protonated molecules undergo unimolecular
      decomposition to yield observed fragment ions. The use of K(+) cationization of
      analytes for molecular weight confirmation is demonstrated, as well as its
      utility in FAB experiments in which mixtures are encountered. 

PMID- 24234857
TI  - Why are electron capture negative ion mass spectra not reproducible? An ion
      source problem.
AB  - Differences in the electron capture negative ion mass spectra of environmentally
      related organic compounds acquired on a VG 30-250 triple quadruple mass
      spectrometer and on an HP 5985B gas chromatography/mass spectrometry system were
      investigated with respect to the ion formation process. Neither ion source
      temperature nor pressure was responsible for the differences. The populations of
      thermal electrons in both ion sources were experimentally determined and found to
      be similar, suggesting that electron capturing reactions should proceed with
      comparable efficiencies in both ion sources. The ion extraction efficiencies of
      the two instruments were examined by monitoring the transmission profiles of low-
      and high-mass ions as a function of lens potentials. Results indicated that the
      HP 5985B extraction lens significantly suppressed low-mass ions. Further,
      theoretical evaluation of ion trajectories using SIMION suggested that on the HP
      5985B, low-mass ions entered the mass analyzer as a defocused beam, but high-mass
      ions entered the analyzer as a well-collimated beam. On the VG 30-250, low- and
      high-mass ions were transmitted to the analyzer with equal efficiency by the ion
      extraction system. 

PMID- 24234858
TI  - Relative ion yields measured with a high-resolution glow discharge mass
      spectrometer operated with an argon/hydrogen mixture.
AB  - Quantitative elemental analysis by glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS)
      requires a calibration factor for each element. The calibration factors used in
      the present work are called relative ion yields (RIYs). The RIYs of each of 19
      elements within samples of four National Institute of Standards and Technology
      steel reference materials (nos. 661-664) were measured using pure argon and an
      argon mixture containing 1.0% hydrogen by volume. The RIYs measured using pure
      argon correlated within a factor of approximately 2-3 to the RIYs calculated by a
      theoretical model. The RlYs measured for these 19 elements using the argon
      mixture containing 1.0% hydrogen correlated within a factor of approximately 1.3
      to the calculated RIYs. These results may have significant analytical potential
      with respect to GDMS and may have application to other plasma techniques. 

PMID- 24234860
TI  - A methodological review of models used to estimate the cost effectiveness of
      antiretroviral regimens for the treatment of HIV infection.
AB  - The aim of this article was to perform a detailed methodological review of models
      used to estimate the cost effectiveness of drug treatment regimens for HIV
      infection in Europe and North America and assess the relationship between the
      different modeling approaches or key structural assumptions and the results.
      Electronic searches in three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane
      Library) identified the cost-effectiveness models. Modeling approaches and
      structural assumptions were abstracted for all models. For three case studies of
      multiple analyses that compared the cost effectiveness of two drug regimens using
      the same clinical data inputs, differences in results were compared with
      differences in modeling approaches and structural assumptions. Forty-one model
      publications were reviewed. Recent models included Monte Carlo simulations,
      Markov models, or discrete-event simulation models, all including multiple lines
      of therapy and capturing the long-expected duration of efficacy of highly active
      antiretroviral therapy. In the three case studies, assumptions about the duration
      of efficacy after the trial time period, whether differences between the two
      regimens persist after the trial time period, the sequence of regimens after
      initial regimen failure, and the cost and utility assigned to adverse events, but
      not the modeling approach, were the most important factors in explaining
      differences in the results. As the models and treatment pathways get more
      complex, models should be validated using clinical trial data and local
      observational databases. The results of sensitivity analyses testing the impact
      of the structural assumptions that might change the results as identified in this
      review should also be presented in modeling papers.

PMID- 24234862
TI  - Negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry of nucleotides: ionization from water
      solution with SF6 discharge suppression.
AB  - The total current and selected ion currents from the electrospray ionization
      (ES1) of 10(-5) M solutions of cocaine hydrochloride and deoxycytidine
      monophosphate (dCMP) monosodium salt in methanol and water solvents were compared
      in positive and negative ion modes, respectively, without and with SF6, gas as a
      discharge suppressant. The ESI onset voltages (Von), were the same for the
      positive and negative ion modes. The Von, for methanol was much lower than that
      for water and in agreement with the equation of D. P. H. Smith, who attributes
      the difference to the higher surface tension of water. The onset of electric
      discharge (Vdis) without SF6, occurred at lower capillary voltages for the
      negative relative to the positive ion mode for methanol; but Vdis is much higher
      than Von for methanol, and discharges do not interfere with ESI operation. For
      water, Von ~ Vdis in the absence of SF6, in the negative ion mode, and ESI
      operation is impossible without SF6, discharge suppression. The discharge problem
      in the positive ion mode is less severe, but SF6, is still very useful. A dynamic
      range of 10 (-7)-10(-5) M was obtained by selected ion monitoring of [dCMP - H](
      ) at 4.5 and 20 MUL/min. flows. Subpicomole detection limits for the nucleotide
      salt were obtained under these conditions. 

PMID- 24234861
TI  - In-vitro and in-vivo imaging of prostate tumor using NaYF4: Yb, Er up-converting
      nanoparticles.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of prostate tumor
      bioimaging both in vitro and in vivo using an upconversion fluorophore, NaYF4:
      Yb, Er nanoparticles. Luminescent signals of human prostate cancer cells (CWR22R
      and LNCaP) labeled with NaYF4: Yb, Er nanoparticles were detected by laser
      scanning confocal microscope, while Cy3 or FITC was used as control probe. Mouse
      human prostate cancer model was developed by subcutaneously injecting the CWR22R
      cells into BALB/c nude mice to investigate the in-vivo imaging properties of
      NaYF4:Yb, Er nanoparticles. Both CWR22R and LNCaP cells could phagocytose
      NaYF4:Yb, Er nanoparticles in vitro, and the cellular uptake of CWR22R cells was
      much higher than that of LNCaP cells (95.42 +/- 3.47 % vs. 51.63 +/- 6.43 %),
      which made us choose the former for the further study. CWR22R cells pre-labeled
      with NaYF4:Yb, Er nanoparticles showed no obvious decrease of fluorescence
      intensity (P > 0.05) after light exposure, while the fluorescence intensity of
      Cy3 or FITC labeled cells decreased rapidly with prolonged bleaching (P < 0.05).
      Furthermore, the in-vivo results showed that the prostate cancer cells pre
      labeled with or without NaYF4:Yb, Er nanoparticles formed tumors 4 weeks after
      injection, and the tumor length-diameter of the nanoparticle group and the
      control group was (10.3 +/- 2.0) mm and (9.8 +/- 2.5) mm, respectively.
      Significant upconversion fluorescence signals were observed in the tumors of the
      nanoparticle group when being excited at 980 nm by a NIR laser. In summary, the
      results suggest that as an intensive fluorescence imaging label agent, NaYF4:Yb,
      Er nanoparticles possess unique features and can be used for imaging prostate
      tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo by phagocytosis.

PMID- 24234863
TI  - Methyl guanine isomer distinction by hydrogen / deuterium exchange using a
      fourier transform mass spectrometer.
AB  - Analytical Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge,
      Tennessee, USA Differentiation of the seven isomers of methyl guanine has been
      accomplished by monitoring gas-phase hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions
      of the protonated molecular ions with deuterium oxide (D2O) in a Fourier
      transform mass spectrometer. In each case a distinctive reaction rate for the
      first H/D exchange was observed, and exchanges of up to three deuterium atoms
      occurred with characteristic ion abundances that could be used to differentiate
      the isomers. O(6)-Methyl guanine, for example, showed only one slow H/D exchange
      with D2O, whereas l-methyl guanine exchanged two hydrogen atoms at a
      significantly faster rate. On comparison of the possible resonance structures of
      each protonated isomer with the experimental information about the number and
      rate of H/D exchanges observed, a reaction mechanism involving a concerted proton
      abstraction-deuterium cation donation was proposed. 

PMID- 24234864
TI  - Redox processes of ruthenium (II) polypyridine complexes induced by fast-atom
      bombardment mass spectrometry.
AB  - Fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry in the negative ionization mode
      enables the sputtering into the gas phase of the ruthenium complexes [Ru(2,2'
      bipyridine[bpy])2(2,5-bis) (pyrydil)pyrazine[dpp])](PF6)2;
      [Ru(bpy)2,(2,3dpp)](PF6)2;[Ru(bpy)2,(2,3-dpp-Me)]( PF6)3; and [Ru(bpy)2(omega-2,3
      dpp)]2 RuCl2(PF6)4 as intact radical anions. These data, combined with those
      avaiiable from the positive FAB spectra allow a full characterization of the
      analytes. 

PMID- 24234865
TI  - Characterization of beam-induced reactions occurring in liquid secondary ion mass
      spectrometry/fast-atom bombardment by tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Department of General and Physical Chemistry, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
      A specific beam-induced secondary reaction involving the condensation of
      hydroxylic matrices with some organic groups (aldehydes, ketones, etc.)
      accompanied by the loss of a water molecule was investigated by liquid secondary
      ion mass spectrometry/fast-atom bombardment (LSIMS/FAB). A mechanistic scheme and
      a structure of the induced product are proposed. The features of this secondary
      reaction were studied and the influence of the types of solutes, acidic
      additives, and matrices analyzed. Rather than a drawback, LSIMS/FAB mass
      spectrometry can take advantage of this matrix effect to infer analytical
      information through tandem mass spectrometry experiments. Specific neutral loss
      scans can be conducted to highlight beam-induced reactive molecules, even when
      the detection of these species is prevented in normal scan spectra by other
      surface-active components. 

PMID- 24234866
TI  - Selective chemical ionization of nitrogen and sulfur heterocycles in petroleum
      fractions by ion trap mass spectrometry.
AB  - A procedure is reported for the selective ammonia chemical ionization of some
      nitrogen and sulfur heterocycles in petroleum fractions using ion trap mass
      spectrometry (ITMS). The ion trap scan routine is designed to optimize the
      population of ammonium reagent ions and eject from the trap (by radio
      frequency/direct current isolation) electron ionization products formed during
      reagent ion formation prior to ionization of the sample. The ITMS procedure is
      compared with standard ion trap detector and conventional quadrupole ammonia
      chemical ionization for the determination of nitrogen and sulfur heterocycles in
      gas oil and kerosine samples. Greatly enhanced selectivity is shown for the ITMS
      procedure by suppression of competing charge-exchange processes. 

PMID- 24234867
TI  - Trimethylsilyl group migration in the mass spectra of trimethylsilyl ethers of
      cholesterol oxidation products. product ion characterization by linked-scan
      tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Loss of the A ring in the electron-impact mass spectra of the trimethylsilyl
      (TMS) derivatives of several cholesterol oxidation products is accompanied by
      intramolecular migration of the 3-O-TMS group to the charge-retaining portion of
      the molecule. Linked-scan techniques (B/E and B(2)/E) were used to establish the
      fragmentation processes leading to the formation of the rearrangement ion. The
      TMS group appears to migrate to heteroatomic sites in the 5-; 6-, or 7-positions
      of the B ring. This structural assignment is supported by isotopic labeling
      studies and collision-induced dissociation of the resulting product ion. 

PMID- 24234868
TI  - Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the assessment of oxidative
      damage to double-stranded dna by quantification of thymine glycol residues.
AB  - A technique for the measurement of thymine glycol at parts per million
      concentrations in double-stranded polymeric DNA is described. The procedure
      utilizes base to ring-open DNA-bound thymine glycol in the presence of monomeric
      [(2)H4]thymine glycol as an internal standard, followed by reduction, solvolytic
      cleavage, and quantification of the characteristic methyl-2-methylglycerate
      released from polymeric DNA. Methyl-2-methyl-glycerate is derivatized to form the
      di-tert-butyldimethylsilyl [(TBDMS)2] ether to enhance its gas chromatographic
      properties and electron ionization detection. This assay was tested by measuring
      thymine gIyco1 levels in native, undamaged DNA (not purposefully oxidized). The
      measured quantities of thymine glycol are proportional to the amount of DNA
      analyzed. Components of DNA not containing oxidizable thymine do not contribute
      to the measured signal from methyl-2-methylglycerate-(TBDMS)2. These results
      indicate that there is approximately one thymine glycol per lo6 bases in
      undamaged DNA and that this value increases with storage of DNA in refrigerated
      aqueous solutions. 

PMID- 24234869
TI  - Ion-dipole complex formation from deprotonated phenol fatty acid esters evidenced
      by using gas-phase labeling combined with tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - The behavior of para-hydroxy-benzyl and hydroxy-phenylethyl fatty acid esters and
      methoxy derivatives toward the NH3/NH2 (-) system was investigated. Under these
      negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) conditions, proton abstraction takes
      place mainly at the more acidic site (i.e., phenol); however, this reaction is
      not entirely regioselective. Using NICI-ND3 conditions, both isomeric phenoxide
      and enolate molecular species are produced in competition from these phenol
      esters. Their respective low-energy collision-activated dissociation spectra are
      studied, and they strongly differ, showing that these molecular species are not
      convertible to a common structure. Analysis of specific fragmentations of the OD
      enolate parent species labeled by ND3 in the gas phase, indicates that by charge
      promoted cleavage, isomerization into an ion-dipole intermediate takes place
      prior to dissociation. This complex, containing a ketene moiety, isomerizes into
      different isomeric forms via two consecutive proton transfers: the first, which
      is very exothermic, is irreversible in contrast to the second, less exothermic
      reaction, which occurs via a reversible process. It is evidenced by the loss of
      labeling at phenol or enolizable sites in the fragment ions. Such a stepwise
      process does not take place from the phenoxide parent ion, which preferentially
      yields a very stable carboxylate ion. A thermochemical approach, using estimated
      acidity values, yields a rationalization of the observed reactivities of the
      various substrates studied. 

PMID- 24234870
TI  - Selective ion-molecule reactions of lactams with dimethyl ether ions.
AB  - The ion-molecule reactions of dimethyl ether ions CH3OCH3 (+) and (CH3OCH3)H(+),
      and four- to seven-membered ring lactams with methyl substituents in various
      positions were characterized by using a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer and
      a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. In both instruments, the lactams were
      protonated by dimethyl ether ions and formed various combinations of [M + 13]
      (+), [M + 15] (+), and [M + 45] (+) adduct ions, as well as unusual [M + 3] (+)
      and [M + 16] (+) adduct ions. An additional [M + 47] (+) adduct ion was formed in
      the conventional chemical ionization source of the triple-quadrupole mass
      spectrometer. The product ions were isolated and collisionally activated in the
      quadrupole ion trap to understand formation pathways, structures, and
      characteristic dissociation pathways. Sequential activation experiments were
      performed to elucidate fragment ion structures and stepwise dissociation
      sequences. Protonated lactams dissociate by loss of water, ammonia, or
      methylamine; ammonia and carbon monoxide; and water and ammonia or methylamine.
      The [M + 16] (+) products, which are identified as protonated lactone structures,
      are only formed by those lactams that do not have an N-methyl substituent. The
      ion-molecule reactions of dimethyl ether ions with lactams were compared with
      those of analogous amides and lactones. 

PMID- 24234871
TI  - To the editor.

PMID- 24234876
TI  - Sustainable development : Symbiosis of environmental science, economics and
      social sciences.

PMID- 24234873
TI  - Translational approaches to anxiety: focus on genetics, fear extinction and brain
      imaging.
AB  - Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and debilitating psychiatric disorders.
      Owing to the complex aetiology of anxiety disorders, translational studies
      involving multiple approaches, including human and animal genetics, molecular,
      endocrinological and imaging studies, are needed to get a converging picture of
      function or dysfunction of anxiety-related circuits. An advantage of anxiety
      disorders is that the neural circuitry of fear is comparatively well understood,
      with striking analogies between animal and human models, and this article aims to
      provide a brief overview of current translational approaches to anxiety.
      Experimental models that involve similar tasks in animals and humans, such as
      fear conditioning and extinction, seem particularly promising and can be readily
      integrated with imaging, behavioural and physiological readouts. The cross
      validation between animal and human genetics models is essential to examine the
      relevance of candidate genes, as well as their neural pathways, for anxiety
      disorders; a recent example of such cross-validation work is provided by
      preclinical and clinical work on TMEM132D, which has been identified as a
      candidate gene for panic disorder. Further integration of epigenetic data and
      gene * environment interaction are promising approaches, as highlighted by FKPB5
      and PACAP, early life trauma and stress-related anxiety disorders. Finally,
      connecting genetic and epigenetic data with functionally relevant imaging
      readouts will allow a comparison of overlap and differences across species in
      mechanistic pathways from genes to brain functioning and behaviour. 

PMID- 24234877
TI  - Reciprocal effects of platinum and lead on the water household of poplar
      cuttings.
AB  - In order to study the accumulation rates and effects of platinum as influenced by
      lead, experiments were performed with poplar cuttings in a growth chamber. The
      heavy metals were added at a final concentration of 34.8 ppb each to nutrient
      solutions as PtCl4 and Pb(NO3)2. The variants were 1) control; 2) permanent Pt
      treatment for 6 weeks; 3) pretreatment with Pt plus subsequent treatment with Pb
      (three weeks each), and 4) heavy metal application in inverse order to variant
      3.The experiments revealed that platinum accumulates in the roots of poplar
      cuttings to a higher degree than lead. It is translocated from the roots to other
      plant parts to an extremely low degree. Lead is displaced from the roots by
      subsequent Pt treatment. Insoluble platinum was found to be associated especially
      on the cell walls of the rhizodermis and exodermis of the root tips.Accumulation
      of platinum in the roots leads to a gradual depletion of the plants' water
      supply. The disturbance of the water household causes a reduction of the
      transpirational surface, lowered transpiration rates and enhanced root growth.
      All these alterations are induced as a means of coping water stress.From the
      results of this experiment, the conclusion can be drawn that, under the chosen
      experimental conditions, platinum manifests a higher toxicity than lead in plant
      roots because of its higher accumulation rates. 

PMID- 24234875
TI  - Pre-operative endometrial thinning agents before endometrial destruction for
      heavy menstrual bleeding.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the most common reasons for
      referral of premenopausal women to a gynaecologist. Although medical therapy is
      generally first line, many women eventually will require further treatment.
      Endometrial ablation by hysteroscopic and more recent "second-generation" devices
      such as balloon, radiofrequency or microwave ablation offers a day-case surgical
      alternative to hysterectomy. Complete endometrial destruction is one of the main
      determinants of treatment success. Surgery is most effective if undertaken when
      endometrial thickness is less than four millimeters. One option is to perform the
      surgery in the immediate postmenstrual phase, which is not always practical. The
      other option is to use hormonal agents that induce endometrial thinning pre
      operatively. The most commonly evaluated agents are goserelin (a gonadotrophin
      releasing hormone analogue, or GnRHa) and danazol. Other GnRH analogues and
      progestogens have also been studied, although fewer data are available. It has
      been suggested that these agents will reduce operating time, improve the
      intrauterine operating environment and reduce absorption of fluid used for
      intraoperative uterine cavity distension. They may also improve long-term
      outcomes, including menstrual loss and dysmenorrhoea. OBJECTIVES: To investigate
      the effectiveness and safety of pre-operative endometrial thinning agents (GnRH
      agonists, danazol, estrogen-progestins and progestogens) versus another agent or
      placebo when given before endometrial destruction in premenopausal women with
      heavy menstrual bleeding. SEARCH METHODS: The following electronic databases were
      searched to April 2013 for published and unpublished randomised controlled trials
      that met the inclusion criteria: the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group
      (MDSG) Specialised Register of controlled trials, the Cochrane Central Register
      of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO.Other
      electronic sources of trials included trial registers for ongoing and registered
      trials; citation indexes; conference abstracts in the Web of Knowledge; the
      LILACS database for trials from the Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking world;
      PubMed; and the OpenSIGLE database and Google for grey literature.All searches
      were performed in consultation with the MDSG Trials Search Co-ordinator.
      SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included if they
      compared the effects of these agents with one other, or with placebo or no
      treatment, on relevant intraoperative and postoperative treatment outcomes.
      Selection of trials was carried out independently by two review authors. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed studies for
      risk of bias and extracted data on surgical outcomes, effectiveness outcomes,
      proportion of women requiring further surgical therapy during follow-up,
      endometrial outcome measures, acceptability of use outcomes and quality of life.
      Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Dichotomous data were combined
      for meta-analysis with RevMan software using the Mantel-Haenszel method to
      estimate pooled risk ratios (RRs). Continuous data were combined for meta
      analysis with RevMan software using an inverse variance method to estimate the
      pooled mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The overall
      quality of evidence for the main findings was assessed with the use of GRADE
      working group methods. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty studies with 1969 women were included
      in this review. These studies compared GnRHa, danazol and progestogens versus
      placebo or no treatment; GnRHa versus danazol, progestogens, GnRH antagonists or
      dilatation & curettage; and danazol versus progestogens. Four studies performed
      more than one comparison.When compared with no treatment, GnRHa used before
      hysteroscopic resection were associated with a higher rate of postoperative
      amenorrhoea at 12 months (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0, 7 RCTs, 605 women, moderate
      heterogeneity; I(2) = 40%) and at 24 months (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.52, 2
      RCTs, 357 women, no heterogeneity; I(2) = 0%), a slightly shorter duration of
      surgery (-3.5 minutes, 95% CI -4.7 to -2.3, 5 RCTs, 156 women, substantial
      heterogeneity; I(2) = 72%) and greater ease of surgery (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.22 to
      0.46, 2 RCTs, 415 women, low heterogeneity; I(2) = 4%). Postoperative
      dysmenorrhoea was reduced (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.87, 2 RCTs, 133 women, no
      heterogeneity; I(2) = 0%). The use of GnRHa had no effect on intraoperative
      complication rates (RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.35 to 6.06, 5 RCTs, 592 women, no
      heterogeneity; I(2) = 0%), and participant satisfaction with this surgery was
      high irrespective of the use of pre-operative endometrial thinning agents (RR
      0.99, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.05, 6 RCTs, 599 women, low heterogeneity; I(2) = 11%).
      GnRHa produced more consistent endometrial atrophy than was produced by danazol
      (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.75, 2 RCTs, 142 women, no heterogeneity; I(2) = 0%).
      For other intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, any differences were
      minimal, and no benefits of GnRHa pretreatment were noted in studies in which
      women underwent second-generation ablation techniques. Both GnRHa and danazol
      produced side effects in a significant proportion of women, although few studies
      reported these in detail. Few randomised data were available to allow assessment
      of the effectiveness of progestogens as endometrial thinning agents. When
      reported, the long-term effects of endometrial thinning agents on benefits such
      as postoperative amenorrhoea were reduced with time.The main study weaknesses
      were that most participants received no follow-up beyond 24 months and that the
      studies used a small sample size. Heterogeneity for outcomes reported ranged from
      none to substantial. More than half the trials had no blinding of participants or
      outcome assessment. Most of the trials were determined to have uncertain
      selection and reporting bias, as they did not report allocation concealment and
      evidence of selective reporting was noted. The quality of reporting of adverse
      events was generally poor, but, when described in the studies, they included
      menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness, hirsutism, decreased
      libido and voice changes, as well as other side effects such as headache and
      weight gain. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Low-quality evidence suggests that endometrial
      thinning with GnRHa and danazol before hysteroscopic surgery improves operating
      conditions and short-term postoperative outcomes. GnRHa produced slightly more
      consistent endometrial thinning than was produced by danazol, although both
      achieved satisfactory results. The effect of these agents on longer-term
      postoperative outcomes was reduced with time. No benefits of GnRHa pretreatment
      were apparent with second-generation ablation techniques. Also, side effects were
      more common when these agents were used.

PMID- 24234878
TI  - Statistical analysis of heavy metal data from municipal waste incineration
      residues.
AB  - Heavy Metal data from a measurement program at a municipal incinerator in Vienna,
      Austria are analysed. The experimental design had a nested structure, and
      analysis of variance is used to break down the total variability into several
      components; (1) variability between mean hourly concentrations, (2) variability
      between mean sample concentrations within intervals of an hour and (3)
      variability due to "measurement" errors. Results of a pre-experiment show, that
      if grab samples are taken, within hour variation is dominant. The results of
      analysis of variance were used to calculate an optimal number of samples, which
      ensure a predetermined accuracy for the mean concentrations. In two main
      measuring periods with different incinerated waste types, slag and fly ash (ESP
      dust and boiler ash) data are produced and analysed. For both slag and fly ash,
      significant differences in measures of location and dispersion between the data
      sets of the main experiment are found. This proves, that differences in the
      chemical set up of waste can be detected via incineration residues. 

PMID- 24234874
TI  - Medical consequences of marijuana use: a review of current literature.
AB  - With the advent of legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational
      purposes, and the increase use of marijuana, healthcare providers will be
      increasingly confronted with marijuana users as patients in clinical
      environments. While there is vast literature regarding the societal and mental
      health harms associated with marijuana use, there is a paucity of reviews of the
      potential consequences of marijuana use on physical health or medical conditions.
      We examine the recent literature on the physical harms associated with illicit
      and legal marijuana administration. We surveyed the peer-reviewed medical
      literature from 1998 to 2013 of studies assessing the association of marijuana
      use and physical diseases. We conclude that healthcare providers should be
      cognizant that the existing literature suggests that marijuana use can cause
      physical harm. However, evidence is needed, and further research should be
      considered, to prove causal associations of marijuana with many physical health
      conditions. 

PMID- 24234879
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24234880
TI  - Free phosphine from the anaerobic biosphere.
AB  - The possible liberation of highly toxic and mutagenic phosphine from putrefying
      media raises the question of its significance as a problem of hygiene. Free
      phosphine was established by gas chromatography as a universal trace component in
      gas emitted from the anaerobic biosphere. Sources of phosphine include landfills,
      compost processing, sewage sludge, animal slurry and river sediments. We detected
      maximum concentrations in the order of 20 ppb(v/v). 

PMID- 24234881
TI  - Catalytic oxidation for air pollution control.
AB  - Bench-scale experiments have been conducted to evaluate a series of titania
      supported Pt-Pd (as oxides) catalysts in the presence and absence of MoO3 and
      Fe2O3 additives for their effectiveness in the complete catalytic oxidation of
      volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air likely to be found in waste gases. Under
      oxidizing conditions, all of the catalysts promoted the complete oxidation of
      VOCs to CO2 and H2O. 99 % Conversion was achieved with a C2H4-C2H6 gas mixture in
      air at temperatures between about 160-450  degrees C and at a space velocity of
      20,000 h(-1). Oxidation activity for the titania supported catalysts were found
      to decrease in the order Pt-Pd-Mo-Fe > Pt-Pd-Mo > Pt-Pd-Fe > Pt-Pd. However, the
      addition of MoO3 and Fe2O3 increase the catalyst activity and reduce the reaction
      temperature for the complete destruction. Ageing was also performed in order to
      study the stability of the most active catalyst. Pt-Pd-Mo-Fe (as oxides) on
      titania catalyst is effective in oxidizing a wide range of volatile organic
      compounds at relatively low temperatures (220-405  degrees C) and and at a space
      velocity of 40,000 h(-1) and is resistant to poisoning by halogenated and amine
      volatile organic compounds. 

PMID- 24234882
TI  - Air quality guidelines for Europe.

PMID- 24234883
TI  - Site selection for new hazardous waste management facilities.

PMID- 24234884
TI  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in different forest humus types.
AB  - The behavior of 20 PAH in the organic layers of a L mull, an Of mull and a mor
      was assessed by a combined approach of a soil profile study, and the analysis of
      particle-size separates. Increasing PAH concentrations with depth in the mor
      profile (L, 866 MUg kg(-3); Of, 2902 MUg kg(-1); Oh, 10489 ug kg(-1)) were
      assigned to selective enrichment during organic matter decomposition. PAH were
      further highly enriched within the finer separates. For the L horizons,
      significant positive correlations were established between the enrichment of
      individual PAH (as observed from the decomposition gradient between the >2-mm
      fraction and the < 0.05-mm fraction), and the KOW for each compound. The slope of
      the regression line, m, described the degree of differentiation between low- and
      high-molecular PAH during litter decomposition. Since m was greatest in the most
      biologically active humus type (L mull, 0.33) and smallest in the most inactive
      (mor, 0.20), microbial breakdown was assumed as the dominating process for this
      differentiation. The results also indicated that decomposition processes had
      already taken place in the L horizons, leading to morphological and chemical
      changes of organic matter, and to an enrichment of high molecular PAH. 

PMID- 24234886
TI  - Bioassays for soils.

PMID- 24234885
TI  - Clearance of atrazine in soil describing xenobiotic behavior.
AB  - The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the "clearance concept" as a tool
      for describing the behavior of xenobiotic movement into and through soils. As an
      example, degradation of 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine
      (atrazine) with the formation of metabolites 2-chloro-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine
      (desethylatrazine) and 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-s-triazine (desisopropylatrazine)
      was investigated. Atrazine was sprayed post-emergently in doses of 0.125 or 0.5 g
      active ingredient/m(2) each on four test plots. Soil type was a sandy-loam, on
      which corn (Zea mays L.) was cultivated. Soil samples were taken as cores of 0.2
      m depth 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after application of atrazine, and
      analyzed by HPLC. Soil concentrations of atrazine were highly correlated
      (r=0.993, p< 0.001) between the two applications of 0.125 g/m(2) and 0.5 g/m(2).
      Up to 50% of the atrazine was measured as metabolites during the whole vegetation
      period. Clearance of atrazine from soil was calculated as the total load of
      atrazine divided by the area under the soil atrazine concentration time curve.
      Soil atrazine clearance was calculated as 5.13 +/- SD 1.10 and 5.17 +/- SD 1.02
      liter of soil per day for doses of 0.125 g/m(2) and 0.5 g/m(2), respectively
      (from a "soil unit" of 1 * 1 * 0.2 meter). The clearance concept might be a tool
      for risk assessment of xenobiotics. 

PMID- 24234887
TI  - Spatial variability in compartmental fate modelling : Linking fugacity models and
      GIS.
AB  - A new approach is presented which is designed to address the spatial
      heterogeneity of the environment in compartmental mass balance models of chemical
      fate in the environment. It rests on the assumption of chemical equilibration
      within one phase despite prevailing environmental heterogeneity. Composite D- and
      Z-values are derived from sub-unit specific environmental parameters and are used
      to solve mass balance equations which can be adopted essentially unchanged from
      existing compartmental fugacity models. With the resulting common fugacity value
      for each compartment, sub-unit specific concentrations and process rates can be
      calculated. The approach is illustrated using the QWASI lake model to calculate
      the fate of hexachlorobenzene in a hypothetical lake sub-divided in four distinct
      sub-units. The approach allows the subdivision of each compartment in a large
      number of sub-units with distinct environmental characteristics without
      substantially increasing model complexity. This is a necessary condition for
      linking fugacity models to geographical information systems. 

PMID- 24234888
TI  - Eco-Informa '96 : Global environmental communications.

PMID- 24234889
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 24234891
TI  - Intergovernmental panel on climate change : IPCC second assessment synthesis of
      scientific-technical information relevant to interpreting article 2 of the UN
      Framework Convention on Climate Change 1995.

PMID- 24234890
TI  - Guidelines for selection and application of fate and exposure models.
AB  - Guidelines for selection and application of fate and exposure models were
      developed as an instrument for the user to detect the most appropriate model for
      his/her special problem.Criteria for evaluating the quality and performance of
      implemented computer programmes and the underlying theory were defined.A model
      data bank for exposure models was developed which involves selection and quality
      characteristics; it was tested with ten randomly selected exposure models. 

PMID- 24234892
TI  - Dioxin '95 : 15th international symposium on chlorinated dioxins and related
      compounds edmonton, alberta, Canada, august 21-25, 1995.

PMID- 24234894
TI  - Physical activity levels of cancer survivors in Canada: findings from the
      Canadian Community Health Survey.
AB  - PURPOSE: Physical activity may reduce many side effects of cancer treatment and
      may improve survival. The purpose of this analysis was to compare physical
      activity in cancer patients and survivors to those who have never had cancer and
      examine changes between 2005-2006 and 2009-2010. METHODS: Data were extracted
      from the 2005-2006 and 2009-2010 Canadian Community Health Survey. Respondents
      were asked whether they currently have or had cancer in the past and about
      physical activity. Based on duration and type of reported activity, respondents
      were classified as inactive, moderately active, or active. Logistic regression
      was used to assess the relationship between cancer history and physical activity.
      Differences in physical activity by survey cycle according to cancer status were
      also examined. RESULTS: After adjustment, respondents with cancer were more
      likely to be inactive than those who had never had cancer (OR = 1.39, 95 % CI
      1.21-1.58, inactive vs. active), while individuals with previous cancer did not
      differ from population levels. The odds of being moderately active or inactive
      did not vary over time in those with current or previous cancer; however,
      respondents who had never had cancer were less likely to be moderately active or
      inactive in 2009-2010 (OR = 0.94, 95 % CI 0.92-0.96, inactive vs. active).
      CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with cancer are less likely to be active than those who
      have never had cancer, but those with a history of cancer have similar physical
      activity levels to population levels. Activity levels in all three groups are
      much lower than recommended. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: It is encouraging
      to note that those with cancer history are not less likely than the general
      population to be physically active. Individuals with a history of cancer have
      much to gain from participation in physical activity and health care providers
      should continue to encourage physical activity in accordance with published
      guidelines.

PMID- 24234895
TI  - Fluorescence studies on the conformation of litorin in solution and in the
      presence of model membranes.
AB  - The conformation of the nonapeptide hormone litorin has been studied in buffer
      and in the presence of lipids, using static and dynamic fluorescence. The results
      obtained show that, in buffer, the hormone probably exists in a collection of
      flexible conformers, slowly interconverting between them. The marked changes
      observed in fluorescence spectra and lifetimes upon addition of
      dimyristoylphosphatidylserine vesicles clearly show that the peptide interacts
      with lipids assuming lipid specific conformations. Interestingly, no
      significative spectroscopic changes are produced by exposure to
      dimirystoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles both in the gel and liquid-christalline
      phases, suggesting a requirement for negatively charged lipids during the process
      of hormone-membrane interaction. 

PMID- 24234896
TI  - Fluorescence anisotropy and light-scattering studies of the interaction of
      insulin with liposomes.
AB  - The interaction between zinc-stabilized insulin and lecithin liposomal membranes
      was studied using DPH fluorescence anisotropy and light-scattering techniques. To
      ascertain a possible influence of a charge on the insulin molecule, experiments
      were performed at pH 4.5 (insulin possesses a positive charge) and at pH 7.4 (the
      charge of insulin is negative). Measurements at pH 4.5 revealed significant
      changes in scattered light intensity induced by the addition of insulin to
      lecithin liposomes. With increasing time of storage of liposomes the insulin
      effect became faster and more pronounced. At pH 7.4, significant changes in
      scattered light were registered only in the case of liposomes stored for 5 days.
      In these liposomes a peroxidation process of lecithin was revealed. No
      significant changes induced by insulin were observed in DPH fluorescence
      anisotropy either at pH 4.5 or at pH 7.4, which suggested the absence of an
      interaction of insulin with the hycrophobic core of liposomes. Thus, the observed
      changes in scattered light could be interpreted in terms of the insulin
      association to the liposomal surface in the case of phospholipid peroxidation
      and/or acidic pH. 

PMID- 24234897
TI  - Nonenzymatic glycosylation of human serum albumin: Fluorescence and
      chemiluminescence behavior.
AB  - In the present study the progress of the cross-linking reaction between
      glyceraldehyde (GCA) and human serum albumin (HSA) was followed by monitoring the
      development of new absorption bands characteristic of the cross-linked product.
      Generation of electronically excited species (EES) during horseradish peroxidase
      (HRP)-catalyzed oxidation of glycosylated HSA was followed by measuring direct
      chemiluminescence. It was found that adducts of HSA with GCA in the presence of
      HRP are capable of forming EES. The mechanism of EES generation is discussed
      further on the basis of fluorescence and chemiluminescence measurements.
      Formation of EES in studied systems thus could be a possible source of free
      radicals generatedin vivo during age- and diabetes-related complications. 

PMID- 24234898
TI  - Luminescence and anisotropy decays ofN-3-pyrene maleimide labeling IgG proteins
      and cells.
AB  - The Py.M (N-3-Pyrene Maleimide) is a dye that covalently binds to reactive amino
      or sulfhycryl groups to give highly fluorescent protein conjugates. Measurements
      of luminescence lifetimes and anisotropy decays have been performed with a Phase
      and Modulation Fluorometer. Complexes of Py.M-antibody (IgG antimouse) and
      tumoral cells C6 labeled with Py.M have been investigated. The Py.M fluorescence
      in buffer solution and the protein and cells natural fluorescence have been
      checked. For Py.M-IgG and labeled cells, the fluorescence decays present
      interesting behaviours. The least-squares analysis of the experimental results on
      Py.M-IgG complex points out two lorentzian distributions centered at 74 ns and 11
      ns, on the contrary, for the labeled cells, a discrete component at 100 ns and a
      lorentzian distribution centered at 5 ns are shown. In both systems a weak
      component lower than 1 ns is observed. The fluorescence decays, mainly the long
      lifetime one, are very sensitive to oxygen quenching, showing the high efficiency
      of O2 quenching. For samples N2 bubbled, the lifetime experimental resuits show a
      decrease of the oxygen accessibility from free probe in solution to Py.M-IgG
      complex and to labeled cells, compatible with a more compact packing of the probe
      binding site. The experimental results of anisotropy decays of degassed samples
      show for Py.M-IgG complexes a long rotation correlation time of about 200 ns at
      T=5 degrees C, assigned to overall rotation of the protein, besides shorter
      correlation times attributable to inner protein motions. For labeled cells, the
      long rotation correlation time becomes of the order of 580 ns confirming a
      progressive increase of the stabilization of the binding site. 

PMID- 24234899
TI  - The interaction of 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) with pepsin.
AB  - We recently found that the fluorescent dye DAPI, well-known for its use with
      nucleic acids, is also able to interact with proteins as well as ordered
      phospholipids assemblies. The interaction of DAPI with pepsin under different
      conditions of pH and ionic strength was studied with fluorescence and circular
      dichroism techniques. From a comparison of the results obtained, the interaction
      appears to be rather tight and specific, dependent on both electrostatic and
      hydrophobic forces, and able to probe the tridimensional conformation of the
      protein. 

PMID- 24234900
TI  - Intermolecular Foerster's energy transfer in labeled poly[N-(2
      hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide].
AB  - By copolymerization of monomers containing donor (carbazole) and acceptor
      (dansyl) fluorophores withN-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA), statistical
      copolymers with "low" and "high" contents of the fluorophores were prepared. The
      increase in nonradiative energy transfer between copolymers with a low content of
      fluorophores was probably due to intermolecular penetration of the polymer coils
      in concentrated solutions. 

PMID- 24234901
TI  - Pyrene excitation via resonance energy transfer from protein tryptophan reveals a
      fluidity gradient in liver microsomes.
AB  - Membrane fluidity measurements based on excimer formation of pyrene and pyrene
      derivatives as a measure of lateral diffusion yield a decreased fluidity in the
      presence of proteins [1,2]. It was the aim of our study to investigate whether
      the reduced excimer formation is due to a rigidifying effect of proteins on the
      whole membrane or if the fluorophore mobility is hindered mainly in the immediate
      protein environment. Resonance energy transfer in microsomal membranes between
      intrinsic tryptophan residues and pyrene was used to study the excimer formation
      rate in the vicinity of proteins. The excimer-to-monomer fluorescence ratio after
      excitation via resonance energy transfer decreased compared to that observed for
      the direct excitation. The results suggest that, because of the reduced fluidity
      in the neighborhood of proteins, pyrene and pyrenedodecanoic acid do not diffuse
      homogeneously in the membrane plane. 

PMID- 24234902
TI  - Fluorescence staining of yeast cells permeabilized by killer toxin K1:
      Determination of optimum conditions.
AB  - Optimal assay conditions were established for the previously described method
      used to determine the activity ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae pore-forming killer
      toxin K1. The method is based on cell staining with bromocresol purple. Sensitive
      cells ofS. cerevisiae from the early exponential phase under nongrowth conditions
      and in the presence of glucose were the most convenient for determining the
      killer toxin activity. Maximum killing war reached when the suspension was
      buffered with 10 mM citrate-phosphate at pH 4.6. 

PMID- 24234903
TI  - The frequency-domain method reveals the dimeric structure of Na,K-ATPase.
AB  - Lucifer yellow and lissamine rhodamine sulfonyl hydrazine were used as the donor
      and the receptor, respectively, for Forster energy transfer measurements to
      determine the location of the beta subunit in the native Na,K-ATPase from pig
      kidney. It was found that (1) the beta subunits are located in one functional
      complex, i.e., the dimer (alphabeta)2 appears to be the functional complex of
      Na,K-ATPase, and (2) the beta subunits in the functional enzyme complex in the
      membrane are not located next to each other but are rather well separated. The
      distance between fluorophores covalently attached to the beta subunits was found
      to be 5.3 nm. 

PMID- 24234904
TI  - Fluorescence probes of viscosity: A comparative study of the fluorescence
      anisotropy decay of perylene and 3,9-dibromoperylene in glycerol.
AB  - The authors compare the results of fluorescence anisotropy decay measurements for
      glycerol solutions of perylene with those of 3,9-dibromoperylene (DBP). For both
      molecules a good linear dependence is observed between the glycerol viscosity
      (varied by temperature) and the longer rotational correlation time obtained as a
      result of a global (using data obtained at 256- and 430-nm excitation
      wavelengths) biexponential analysis of the fluorescence anisotropy decay, at
      least in the range of 7-60 P for perylene and 4-60 P for DBP. This significantly
      extends the reported range of 0.5 to 150 cP investigated by Williams and Ben
      Amotz [1] with the probe BTBP. 

PMID- 24234905
TI  - Interaction of a phosphatidylcholine derivative of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene
      (DPH) with intact living cells: Steady-state fluorescence polarization and phase
      fluorometry studies.
AB  - The potential interest of DPH-PC was checked with a macrophagic cell line
      (P388D1). The uptake of DPH-PC was associated with a rapid increase in both
      fluorescence intensity and a slow decrease in anisotropy values. A flow cytometry
      comparative study with DPH revealed in both cases the existence of two cell
      subpopulations with different labeling levels. The analysis of fluorescence decay
      of DPH-PC showed two components. The fractional intensity of the main component
      (9.7 ns) is higher than 92%. The Lorentzian distribution of the main lifetime
      presents an important homogeneity. The observation that an increase in
      temperature induced a decrease in steady state anisotropy values but did not
      affect the lifetime suggests that the anisotropy variations effectively reflect
      modifications in the cohesion of probe micro-surroundings. A transmembrane
      diffusional phenomenon of a fraction of fluorescent phospholipids (205) was
      suggested by a study with a nonpermeant membrane quencher. The transmembrane
      diffusion was confirmed by extraction of the phospholipid analog with fatty acid
      free BSA. The use of inhibitors of endogenous phospholipase A2 showed a
      progressive hydrolysis of the fluorescent phospholipid. Nevertheless, the
      hydrolysis can be neglected in the case of short term interactions with cells
      (<30 min). Therefore, it can be assumed that DPH-PC can be used as a membrane
      probe. 

PMID- 24234906
TI  - Influence of lipid composition and membrane curvature on fluorescence and solvent
      relaxation kinetics in unilamellar vesicles.
AB  - Time-resolved fluorescence on unilamellar vesicles shows that increasing amounts
      of anionic, natural lipid lead to a larger increase in polarity close to the
      headgroups than in the hydrophobic core of the bilayer. The region close to the
      headgroups is less polar in vesicles containing phosphatic acid rather than
      phosphatidylserine. A greater membrane curvature increases the mobility of the
      hydrated headgroups. 

PMID- 24234907
TI  - Distribution of merocyanine 540 in phospholipid membranes.
AB  - The interaction of the fluorescent photosensitizer merocyanine 540 (MC-540) with
      model phospholipid membranes was studied. Two different-colored species (monomers
      and dimers) of MC-540 were registered in phospholipid liposomes. Variations in
      both phospholipid composition (DMPC, DPPC, POPC, egg PC) and temperature (15-60
      degrees C) resulted in changes in the MC-540 monomerdimer distribution. The
      values of the monomer-dimer equilibrium constant of MC-540 in egg PC (K=14.8
      MUM), in POPC (K=26.7 MUM), and in DMPC (K=271.0 MUM) were determined at the
      temperature of 23+/-2 degrees C. Suppression of MC-540 association with
      phospholipid bilayers was provoked by the addition of albumin to a liposome
      suspension. Albumin was observed to compete very successfully with lecithins
      containing saturated fatty acid chains (DPPC, DMPC), while only a weak
      competition of albumin with unsaturated lecithins (POPC, egg PC) for binding MC
      540 molecules was registered. 

PMID- 24234908
TI  - Absolute spectroscopic determination of cross-membrane potential.
AB  - Spectroscopic determination of the cross-membrane electric potential has been
      used for more than 20 years. This method, which usually employs absorption or
      fluorescence measurements, allows for a rapid and noninvasive study of the
      electrical properties of the membranes of cells and liposomes. However, the usual
      fluorescence techniques preferably allow monitoring changes in the potential on
      triggerable or excitable membranes, and not the absolute value of the potential.
      They also do not provide means for measuring the potential on single cells. This
      paper reviews three methods that solve these issues. Nernstian dyes which
      partition between intra-and extracompartmental volumes enable a fluorescence
      microscopic determination of a single cell and even a single organelle. Dual
      wavelength ratiometric recording from membrane-staining dyes also provides means
      for measuring the field on a single cell. Resonance Raman probes provide a
      spectroscopic method with a natural internal standard for the absolute
      measurement of membrane potential. 

PMID- 24234909
TI  - On the interpretation of fluorescence anisotropy decays from probe molecules in
      lipid vesicle systems.
AB  - Measurements of fluorescence depolarization decays are widely used to obtain
      information about the molecular order and rotational dynamics of fluorescent
      probe molecules in membrane systems. This information is obtained by least
      squares fits of the experimental data to the predictions of physical models for
      motion. Here we present a critical review of the ways and means of the data
      analysis and address the question how and why totally different models such as
      Brownian rotational diffusion and "wobble-in-cone" provide such convincing fits
      to the fluorescence anistropy decay curves. We show that while these models are
      useful for investigating the general trends in the behavior of the probe
      molecules, they fail to describe the underlying motional processes. We propose to
      remedy this situation with a model in which the probe molecules undergo fast,
      though restricted local motions within a slowly rotating cage in the lipid
      bilayer structure. The cage may be envisaged as a free volume cavity between the
      lipid molecules, so that its position and orientation change with the internal
      conformational motions of the lipid chains. This approach may be considered to be
      a synthesis of the wobble-in-cone and Brownian rotational diffusion models.
      Importantly, this compound motion model appears to provide a consistent picture
      of fluorescent probe behavior in both oriented lipid bilayers and lipid vesicle
      systems. 

PMID- 24234910
TI  - Effect of dietary bovine colostrum on the responses of immune cells to
      stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide.
AB  - Previous studies have revealed that ingestion of bovine colostrum is effective in
      preventing pathogens from invading through the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and
      modulating the mucosal immunity of the GI tract, indicating that its effect is
      principally local. Thus it is unclear if ingestion of bovine colostrum can affect
      the systemic immune system. In this study, we investigated the effect of taking
      bovine colostrum (vs phosphate-buffered saline) for 14 days on the behavior of
      the immune cells of mice. Isolated splenocytes, which are pivotal cells of
      systemic immunity, were then stimulated with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.
      Bovine colostrum significantly reduced NK cell and monocyte activities and
      lymphoproliferaltive responses to LPS stimulation. Thus dietary bovine colostrum
      renders immune cells less responsive to LPS stimulation. Dietary bovine colostrum
      thus affects the systemic immune system and may have anti-inflammatory actions.

PMID- 24234911
TI  - Carbon-based drug delivery carriers for cancer therapy.
AB  - In the search to improve anticancer therapies, several drug carriers, including
      carbon-based nanomaterials have been studied. Both liposomes and polymeric
      microspheres have been used in anticancer drugs. However, there remains an on
      going need for better therapeutic materials that have good drug solubility, an
      ability to reduce systemic toxicity through specific-tumor targeting, and rapid
      clearance. In this regard, carbon allotropes such as graphene oxide (GOs), carbon
      nanotubes (CNTs), and nanodiamonds (NDs), have been investigated, as they possess
      sufficient surface-to-volume ratio, thermal conductivity, rigid structural
      properties capable of post-chemical modification, and excellent biocompatibility.
      This review is aimed at exploring these carbon-based nanomaterials for use as
      multifaceted cancer drug carriers and is intended to demonstrate that GOs, CNTs,
      and NDs are likely to improve chemotherapeutical strategy for cancers in either a
      sole or combinational manner.

PMID- 24234912
TI  - G-protein coupled receptor 40 agonists as novel therapeutics for type 2 diabetes.
AB  - With growing needs for new antidiabetic drugs which are safe and effective alone
      or in combination with existing drugs, G-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) has
      drawn a considerable attention as a potential therapeutic target for type 2
      diabetes. As GPR40 agonist may offer advantages to commonly used agents, by
      acting ambient glucose dependent manner which mechanistically leads to reduced
      risk of developing hypoglycemia. Since deorphanization in 2003, development of
      small molecule GPR40 agonists has been spurred by several research groups. There
      are a number of lead molecules targeting GPR40, and among these molecules TAK-875
      (full agonist) and AMG 837 (partial agonist) advanced into clinical stage.

PMID- 24234913
TI  - Therapeutic applications of electrospun nanofibers for drug delivery systems.
AB  - Electrospun nanofiber drug delivery systems have been studied using various
      techniques. Herein, we describe the fabrication of a drug-incorporating
      nanofiber. Drugs, such as proteins, peptide, antibodies, and small molecule
      drugs, can be loaded within or on the surface of nanofibers according to their
      properties. Hydrophobic drugs are directly dissolved with a polymer in an organic
      solvent before electrospinning. However, it is preferred to surface-immobilize
      bioactive molecules on nanofibers by physical absorption or chemical conjugation.
      Especially, chemically surface-immobilized proteins on a nanofiber mesh stimulate
      cell differentiation and proliferation. Using a dual electrospinning nozzle to
      create nanofiber sheet layers, which are stacked on top of one another, the
      initial burst release is reduced compared with solid nanofibers because of the
      layers. Furthermore, hybridization of electrospun nanofibers with nanoparticles,
      microspheres, and hydrogels is indirect drug loading method into the nanofibers.
      It is also possible to produce multi-drug delivery systems with timed programmed
      release.

PMID- 24234914
TI  - Antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and profibrinolytic activities of
      cudratricusxanthone A.
AB  - Cudratricusxanthone A (CTXA), a natural bioactive compound extracted from the
      roots of Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau, is known to possess hepatoprotective,
      antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities. However, antiplatelet,
      anticoagulant, and profibrinolytic properties have not been studied. The
      anticoagulant activities of CTXA were measured by monitoring activated partial
      thromboplastin-time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and the activities of cell
      based thrombin and activated factor X (FXa). The effects of CTXA on the
      expressions of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type
      plasminogen activator (t-PA) were also tested in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF
      alpha) activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Our data showed that
      CTXA inhibited thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation,
      prolonged aPTT and PT significantly and inhibited the activities and production
      of thrombin and FXa. CTXA prolonged in vivo bleeding time and inhibited TNF-alpha
      induced PAI-1 production. Furthermore, PAI-1/t-PA ratio was significantly
      decreased by CTXA. Collectively, these results indicate that CTXA possesses
      antithrombotic activities and suggest that the current study could provide bases
      for the development of new anticoagulant agents.

PMID- 24234915
TI  - A neuroinformatics of brain modeling and its implementation in the Brain
      Operation Database BODB.
AB  - We present principles for an integrated neuroinformatics framework which makes
      explicit how models are grounded on empirical evidence, explain (or not) existing
      empirical results and make testable predictions. The new ontological framework
      makes explicit how models bring together structural, functional, and related
      empirical observations. We emphasize schematics of the model's operation linked
      to summaries of empirical data (SEDs) used in both the design and testing of the
      model, with tests comparing SEDs to summaries of simulation results (SSRs) from
      the model. We stress the importance of protocols for models as well as
      experiments. We complement the structural ontology of nested brain structures
      with a functional ontology of Brain Operating Principles (BOPs) for observed
      neural function and an ontological framework for grounding models in empirical
      data. We present an implementation of this ontological framework in the Brain
      Operation Database (BODB), an environment in which modelers and experimentalists
      can work together by making use of their shared empirical data, models and
      expertise.

PMID- 24234916
TI  - Action and language mechanisms in the brain: data, models and neuroinformatics.
AB  - We assess the challenges of studying action and language mechanisms in the brain,
      both singly and in relation to each other to provide a novel perspective on
      neuroinformatics, integrating the development of databases for encoding -
      separately or together - neurocomputational models and empirical data that serve
      systems and cognitive neuroscience.

PMID- 24234917
TI  - Potential of a cyclone prototype spacer to improve in vitro dry powder delivery.
AB  - PURPOSE: Low inspiratory force in patients with lung disease is associated with
      poor deagglomeration and high throat deposition when using dry powder inhalers
      (DPIs). The potential of two reverse flow cyclone prototypes as spacers for
      commercial carrier-based DPIs was investigated. METHODS: Cyclohaler(r),
      Accuhaler(r) and Easyhaler(r) were tested with and without the spacers between 30
      and 60 Lmin-1. Deposition of particles in the next generation impactor and within
      the devices was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS:
      Reduced induction port deposition of the emitted particles from the cyclones was
      observed due to the high retention of the drug within the spacers (e.g.
      salbutamol sulphate (SS): 67.89 +/- 6.51% at 30 Lmin-1 in Cheng 1). Fine particle
      fractions of aerosol as emitted from the cyclones were substantially higher than
      the DPIs alone. Moreover, the aerodynamic diameters of particles emitted from the
      cyclones were halved compared to the DPIs alone (e.g. SS from the Cyclohaler(r)
      at 4 kPa: 1.08 +/- 0.05 MUm vs. 3.00 +/- 0.12 MUm, with and without Cheng 2,
      respectively) and unaltered with increased flow rates. CONCLUSION: This work has
      shown the potential of employing a cyclone spacer for commercial carrier-based
      DPIs to improve inhaled drug delivery.

PMID- 24234918
TI  - Effect of ingested lipids on drug dissolution and release with concurrent
      digestion: a modeling approach.
AB  - PURPOSE: To mechanistically study and model the effect of lipids, either from
      food or self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS), on drug transport in the
      intestinal lumen. METHODS: Simultaneous lipid digestion, dissolution/release, and
      drug partitioning were experimentally studied and modeled for two dosing
      scenarios: solid drug with a food-associated lipid (soybean oil) and drug
      solubilized in amodel SEDDS (soybean oil and Tween 80 at 1:1 ratio). Rate
      constants for digestion, permeability of emulsion droplets, and partition
      coefficients in micellar and oil phases were measured, and used to numerically
      solve the developed model. RESULTS: Strong influence of lipid digestion on drug
      release from SEDDS and solid drug dissolution into food-associated lipid emulsion
      was observed and predicted by the developed model. Ninety minutes after
      introduction of SEDDS, there was 9% and 70% drug release in the absence and
      presence of digestion, respectively. However, overall drug dissolution in the
      presence of food-associated lipids occurred over a longer period than without
      digestion. CONCLUSION: A systems-based mechanistic model incorporating
      simultaneous dynamic processes occurring upon dosing of drug with lipids enabled
      prediction of aqueous drug concentration profile. This model, once incorporated
      with a pharmacokinetic model considering processes of drug absorption and drug
      lymphatic transport in the presence of lipids, could be highly useful for
      quantitative prediction of impact of lipids on bioavailability of drugs.

PMID- 24234919
TI  - The sales of lottery tickets to minors in Illinois.
AB  - Fifty retail outlets were tested with a 16-year-old girl in eight central
      Illinois cities to determine the willingness of retail clerks to illegally sell a
      lottery ticket to a minor. A total of 49 establishments or 98% sold. In two
      instances the youth was denied access to cigarettes but sold a lottery ticket
      despite the sales of both to a minor under age 18 being illegal in Illinois. A
      very low cost method of correcting the problem is presented. 

PMID- 24234920
TI  - The gambling lifestyle: II. Treatment.
AB  - Two individuals with records of prior compulsive gambling involvement are
      profiled in order to illustrate the nature of a gambling lifestyle and describe
      the process of lifestyle change. The treatment model utilized by therapists
      proposing a lifestyle interpretation of compulsive gambling behavior is guided by
      three primary objectives or goals: (1) the cessation of lifestyle activities; (2)
      the development of skills useful in managing gambling-related conditions,
      choices, and cognitions; and (3) the implementation of an effective program of
      follow-up intervention and support. These goals give rise to the three stages of
      lifestyle intervention - (1) laying a foundation for change, (2) identifying
      vehicles for change, and (3) establishing a reinforcing nongambling life-style
      from which specific change strategies are derived. The implications of this model
      and the possibility of limited generalizability are discussed. 

PMID- 24234921
TI  - Casino gaining offense inmates: What are these men like?
AB  - The characteristics of 28 men convicted for casino gaming offenses in Nevada were
      determined. Twenty-seven of these inmates cheated using slot or video poker
      machines. Most of the subjects used slugs. The other cheated at cards. Compared
      to other inmates, a disproportionate number of inmates were white. There were no
      black inmates incarcerated for this crime. Eighteen (57%) of the gaming offenders
      were over the age of 40 when convicted, in significant comparison to 27% of the
      general population inmates. They had significantly more aliases than the general
      population inmates. None of the gaming offenders had a history of violent felony
      convictions. They had, however, a history of great social, marital, occupational,
      and financial instability in addition to a criminal life style. 

PMID- 24234922
TI  - Really not god: Secularization and pragmatism in Gamblers Anonymous.
AB  - The paper argues that despite maintaining the image of a twelve-step
      organization, the central theme of the history of Gamblers Anonymous (GA) in the
      United States is the increasing secularization of the program of the recovery.
      The paper documents the increasing secularization and pragmatism of Gamblers
      Anonymous, as reflected in key documents, despite the spiritual vision of its
      founding member. The author speculates on why Gamblers Anonymous took a
      secularized development path. Further research is called for. 

PMID- 24234923
TI  - The development of pathological gambling in Sweden.
AB  - The development and the social, psychological and cultural conditions of
      pathological gambling reported by 42 interviewed pathological gamblers were
      compared with data from 63 pathological gamblers identified by case-finding. The
      two studies gave similar results. Gambling on horse races, roulette and bingo
      were the only types showing a progressive increase in involvement over time. When
      gambling heavily 40% of the pathological gamblers regularily experienced a state
      of altered consciousness. When abstaining from gambling withdrawal-like symptoms
      were experienced by a third. Fifty-two percent reported at least one family
      member often gambling. Pathological gambling appears to be a secret behaviour,
      although there are collective features in its development. 

PMID- 24234924
TI  - Social, psychological and physical consequences of pathological gambling in
      Sweden.
AB  - Social, psychological and physical consequences of pathological gambling reported
      by 42 pathological gamblers recruited mainly by advertising were compared with
      data on 63 pathological gamblers identified by case-finding within districts of
      probation, in- and out-patient psychiatric care and social welfare authorities.
      The two studies gave similar results. Financial breakdown, impaired relations
      with family and friends, and psychological problems occurred in about 50% of the
      pathological gamblers. Physical consequences were perceived to be of minor
      significance. Gambling became a solitary behavior as illegal behaviors to finance
      gambling increased. The pathological gamblers frequently abused alcohol. Despite
      these signs of social decay the pathological gamblers strove not to be a burden
      in society. 

PMID- 24234926
TI  - Editorial comment: Optimizing rehabilitation.

PMID- 24234925
TI  - Beating the fruit machine: Systems and ploys both legal and illegal.

PMID- 24234927
TI  - Does knowledge of a patient's workers' compensation status influence clinical
      judgments?
AB  - It is generally acknowledged that compensation payments (WCB) influence
      rehabilitation outcome in a negative manner. Patients receiving WCB have more
      treatment over a longer time period than their non compensated (NWCB) cohorts. It
      is not clear whether therapists (PT) perceive WCB clients as being more impaired
      and expect them to have a worse outcome than clients without WCB. The purpose of
      this study was to determine whether PTs' clinical judgments are influenced by the
      knowledge of a patients WCB status and whether this knowledge influences their
      assessment findings or prognostic judgments. A convenience sample of 69 physical
      therapists (PTs) participated. Each PT viewed three videotaped assessments, of
      patients with low back pain (LBP) that differed in severity. The PT was provided
      with a brief history of the patient. Included in the history was a statement that
      the patient was (WCB group), or was not (NWCB group) in receipt of workers
      compensation benefits (WCB). The third group of PTs was given no information
      (control group) about the patient. PTs recorded physical assessment findings and
      made prognostic judgments about the patients. Data for the physical assessment
      findings and prognoses recorded by the PTs was analyzed across information groups
      using ANOVA. Knowledge of compensation status did not influence the PTs' physical
      assessment findings but did influence prognostic judgments. WCB status was deemed
      to have a negative effect on outcome in patients with mild LBP. Additionally,
      NWCB status was deemed to have a positive influence on outcome in patients with
      severe LBP. The differences were most marked in the short term (1 month). It was
      concluded that PTs expectations of outcome are influenced by prior knowledge of
      compensation status. 

PMID- 24234928
TI  - Required thermal environments for the quadriplegic persons: Analyses of
      questionnaires and experiments on their daily life.
AB  - A physically disabled person often has additional disabilities on adaptation to
      the thermal environment. Since 1976, our group has carried out a series of
      studies to find required thermal conditions for disabled persons on several
      typical disabilities. This paper reports on the results of our latest
      questionnaire and experiments on daily thermal environment for quadriplegic
      persons. Among 292 quadriplegic persons with valid questionnaire, 184 (63%) were
      fully paralyzed. Nearly 90% of these and 60% of partially paralyzed patients were
      dissatisfied with the thermal environment and sweating. Several suggestive
      differences were found according to the broken positions of vertebrae. The
      results of 48 hours of field measurements on three quadriplegic subjects are
      compared with those obtained from questionnaire. 

PMID- 24234929
TI  - The use of films to simulate age-related declines in yellow vision.
AB  - One of characteristics of normal age-related vision losses depends on yellow
      intensity in the lens of the eye. (1) We investigated discrimination between
      seven intensities of yellow in 303 elderly people aged from late 60s to early
      90s. The results demonstrated that the failures of vision increase with age, and
      the losses depend on yellow intensity. (2) We got a yellow index (YI) from
      different Y-intensity color charts used in (I) above, covering 12 kinds of
      marketable yellow films, and selected two kinds of films which match (YI)
      original color charts, corresponding to 53% or 89% of Y intensity. (3) Finally,
      we judged that all of these colors' xy-chromaticities with or without the two
      films, were exactly on the unique-yellow line in the diagram, which means a pure
      yellow, not mixed. (4) Then, these two films could simulate each of the mid-level
      or high-level Y intensity, respectively, in age-related vision. (5) We analyzed
      changes of all kinds of colors (220) in xy-chromaticity diagrams and obtained
      mean changing distances from every original chromatogram compared to the others.
      These data would be useful for architects or designers to design cities or
      buildings for use by the elderly. 

PMID- 24234930
TI  - A domestic assistive device for rheumatoid hands.
AB  - A domestic aid capable of squeezing water from a dishcloth is currently not
      available and such a task is performed in most households. The need for such a
      device was investigated. To establish the need, 54 rheumatoid arthritis patients
      were surveyed through a structured questionnaire for hand impairment and
      difficulty in this task. While 27% of the participants reported normal hand
      ability, 28% had minimal impairment, 39% moderate impairment, and 7% severe
      impairment. Sixty-one percent reported having difficulty with their hands and
      wrists. The mobility deficit was the cause of difficulty among 59%, and strength
      deficit in 80%. Ninety-three percent of patients had difficulty due to pain. The
      activity was avoided by 43%. If a device was available, 74% would use it. A water
      squeezing device was designed and a prototype fabricated which eliminated finger
      and wrist stress in this task. 

PMID- 24234931
TI  - Match analysis and player characteristics in rugby sevens.
AB  - Rugby sevens is a contact sport contested by two teams of seven players who
      compete over two 7-min halves, most frequently played in a tournament style. The
      IRB Sevens World Series is thought of as the preeminent rugby sevens competition
      in the world and has grown in competitiveness from its inception in 2000. The
      decision to include rugby sevens in the 2016 Olympics is likely to increase the
      global profile and participation in the game. Many rugby sevens players
      concurrently compete in 15-a-side rugby union as backs and loose forwards;
      however, a continued increase in the popularity of rugby sevens will likely see
      the emergence of the specialist rugby sevens player. Often thought of as the
      abbreviated version of rugby union, rugby sevens is played under nearly identical
      laws and on the same field dimensions as the 15-man code. However, research has
      shown the movement demands of rugby sevens and rugby union are dissimilar, with
      rugby sevens players spending a larger proportion of the game running at high
      intensity (>= 5 m s(-1)). Given the dissimilarity in match demands in conjunction
      with differences in the competition structure between the codes, it appears the
      considerable depth of literature specific to performance in rugby union may be of
      little value for the preparation of rugby sevens players. Investigations of the
      physical characteristics of rugby sevens players show backs are lighter and
      shorter than forwards, while players across all positions possess a lean body
      composition. International rugby sevens players have similar speed
      characteristics to rugby union backs across distances of 10-30 m; however, rugby
      sevens players appear to have superior intermittent aerobic endurance. Despite
      being of likely importance, little is known of the strength and power
      characteristics of rugby sevens players. Research into the speed and aerobic
      endurance characteristics of rugby sevens players has not distinguished between
      backs and forwards and, as such, it is unclear whether differences exist between
      the position groups.

PMID- 24234932
TI  - Association Between Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene Polymorphisms,
      Parkinson's Disease, and Levodopa Efficacy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between catechol-O-methyltransferase
      (COMT) gene polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease (PD) susceptibility, severity
      of disease, and levodopa (L-Dopa) efficacy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients (N =
      97) with primary PD and healthy volunteers (N = 102) were recruited. Disease
      severity was assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)
      and Hoehn & Yahr grade at 'On stage'. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood cells.
      Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used to detect COMT mutations. Data
      were analyzed by SPSS 18.0. False discovery rate (FDR) or Bonferroni correction
      was used if the result showed P < 0.05. RESULTS: Four COMT mutations were
      detected in 199 subjects: rs74745580 (only in two patients with primary PD),
      rs4633, rs6267, and rs3838146. There were no statistical differences in
      frequencies of rs4633, rs6267, and rs3838146 genotypes between PD patients and
      the control group. The frequency of allele rs4633T was higher in PD patients than
      in the control group. UPDRS score was lower in rs4633 (CT/TT) carriers and
      rs3838146 (-C/- -) carriers than in rs4633 (CC) and rs3838146 (CC) carriers. PD
      patients carrying rs6267 (GT/TT) had higher UPDRS scores than patients with
      rs6267 (GG) (P < 0.05). The frequencies of the three polymorphisms were not
      statistically different between patients who did and did not receive L-Dopa; dose
      and duration of L-Dopa treatment did not differ between genotypes; and there was
      also no difference in the ratios of loss of efficacy towards levodopa.
      CONCLUSIONS: The polymorphisms rs4633, rs6267, and rs3838146 were associated with
      severity of PD but were not associated with L-Dopa medication.

PMID- 24234933
TI  - Early gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
AB  - Spectroscopy Laboratory, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, USA In
      December 1955 or thereabouts, the authors coupled a homemade gas chromatograph to
      a research time-of-flight mass spectrometer constructed by W. C. Wiley, I. H.
      McLaren, and D. B. Harrington. This unique gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
      (GC/MS) instrument generated mass spectra at a lo-kHz rate for display on an
      oscilloscope; eluted gas chromate graphic components, such as methanol, acetone,
      benzene, toluene, and carbon tetrachloride, could be visually identified
      immediately from the oscilloscope display. Many years of further research and
      development in many laboratories worldwide were necessary, however, to make
      continuous on-line GC/MS the uniquely valuable analytical tool that it is today. 

PMID- 24234934
TI  - A new mass spectrograph.
AB  - The optical designs of two new types of mass spectrographs were studied. The
      first is a system that possesses a specially shaped magnet output boundary to
      satisfy the double-focusing condition for a wide mass range. The focal plane is
      usually curved. The second system is one in which a parallel ion beam is
      generated before the magnet, forming a straight double-focusing line. By
      introducing a quadrupole lens doublet such that the ion beam may be deflected in
      the same direction through the electric and magnetic fields, the overall image
      magnification can be arbitrarily controlled and stigmatic focusing achieved for
      the median ray. 

PMID- 24234935
TI  - An improved ion guide for external ion injection in glow discharge&#x2014;fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
AB  - To improve the existing ion transport optics of our glow discharge (GD)-Fourier
      transformion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer, we simulated several
      ion trajectories between the GD source region and the ICR analyzer cell. These
      calculations suggested that a number of simple improvements, including the use of
      an ion flight tube and an electrically isolated conductance limit, would increase
      the efficiency of ion transfer through the fringing fields of the FT-ICR
      superconducting magnet and into the ICR analyzer cell. Ion beam intensity was
      monitored as a function of the distance between the GD source and the analyzer
      cell before and after implementing these improvements. A twentyfold improvement
      in the transport efficiency, as well as a fifteenfold enhancement in detected ET
      ICR signals, was observed. 

PMID- 24234936
TI  - Gas-Phase cationization and protonation of neutrals generated by matrix-assisted
      laser desorption.
AB  - The ionization mechanisms involved in matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser
      desorption/ionization (MALDI) were studied with a time-of-flight mass
      spectrometer. When protonated or cationized quasimolecular ions generated by
      MALDI are not extracted promptly, their abundance is a function of the delay time
      between laser irradiation and ion extraction, maximizing at an optimum delay time
      (DTM) of a few hundred nanoseconds. The ion abundance at DTM exceeds that of
      prompt extraction by a factor of 2 or more. Increasing the cation density near
      the sample surface reduces the DTM, whereas increasing the desorption laser
      irradiance has the opposite effect. The enhancement suggests extensive gas-phase
      ion-molecule reactions after irradiation by the desorption laser has ceased. 

PMID- 24234937
TI  - Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry with 2-(4
      hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid matrix.
AB  - A novel matrix substance, 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo) benzoic acid, or HABA, has been
      found to be very advantageous for matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser desorption
      ionization mass spectrometry. This compound has been successfully used for the
      desorption of peptides, proteins, and glycoproteins up to approximately 250 kDa.
      For these materials, the most abundant analyte-related peaks correspond to [M +
      H](+) ions and multiply protonated molecules. Comparisons with sinapic acid, 2,5
      dihydroxybenzoic acid, and alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid indicate that the
      new matrix provides comparable sensitivity for peptides and smaller proteins but
      results in better sensitivity for larger proteins and glycoproteins in protein
      mixtures. Other matrices discriminate against the higher mass components in these
      cases. Somewhat reduced mass resolution has been found for smaller proteins, but
      for larger proteins and glycoproteins the best mass resolution can often be
      obtained with the new matrix. For other classes of compounds that form ions
      predominantly via cation attachment, at least as good sensitivity and even better
      resolution have been obtained. Derivatized glycolipids and synthetic polymers
      have been studied in detail. For the analysis of many synthetic polymers, the
      best performance in terms of sensitivity and mass resolution has been observed
      with HABA matrix. Mass resolution was higher for cation adducts than for the
      protonated peptide molecules in the same mass range. The new matrix exhibits
      greatly extended (in time) analyte ion production and reproducibility. Owing to
      the uniform sample surface with this matrix, barely any spatial variation of the
      ion signal could be observed. In addition, many hundreds of single-shot mass
      spectra could be accumulated from the same spot, even for larger proteins. 

PMID- 24234938
TI  - Role of ion-ion recombination for alkali chloride cluster formation in liquid
      secondary ion mass spectrometry.
AB  - Liquid secondary ionization mass spectra of solutions of alkali chlorides in
      glycerol were studied as a function of salt concentration. The experimental
      abundances of glycerol ions and of Cs(+)(CsCl) n cluster ions were successfully
      reproduced by assuming that most of the randomly distributed ions pair up with
      counterions shortly after impact. Further, it is considered that clustering (or
      proton transfer) reactions occur mainly between an ion that survives the pairing
      process and ion pairs (or basic analytes) in the immediate vicinity; however,
      some mixing undoubtedly occurs in the later stages of the desorption process. At
      the density of the original matrix, the range of proton transfer is calculated to
      be 5-15 A, and that of clustering approximately 25% shorter. These reaction
      distances are inversely correlated with the internal energy of the ejected ions.
      In general, liquid secondary ionization mass spectra of alkali chloride solutions
      can be seen to result from competitive ion-ion recombination reactions in the
      decaying matrix. Finally, from the abundances of cluster ions containing
      [glycerol - H](-) ions, it is estimated that approximately 1% of the glycerol
      molecules in the ejected volume are ionized in the collision cascade. 

PMID- 24234939
TI  - Doped gelatin films as a model matrix for molecular secondary ion mass
      spectrometry studies of biological soft tissue.
AB  - Porcine gelatin films doped with a number of biological compounds at various
      concentrations and prepared by spin-casting have been used as model biological
      tissue matrices for studying organic ion emission in molecular secondary ion mass
      spectrometry. For many compounds, portions of the working curves were found to be
      linear over several orders of magnitude in concentration. Detection limits for
      the, analyzed compounds were in the parts per million range for several organic
      salt compounds but high (0.1 wt%) for others. Owing to the presence of a
      significant chemical background, the poorest detection limits were generally
      obtained from compounds with low molecular weights. Secondary ion yield matrix
      effects, indicated by a reduction in ionization efficiency at higher
      concentrations, were observed for several organic salt compounds. 

PMID- 24234940
TI  - Identification of a new fragment ion type in the collision-induced dissociation
      spectra of peptides: Formation of a2-16 ions.
AB  - The identification of an ion observed in the high-energy collision-induced
      dissociation spectra of several model peptides is reported. The ion, observed at
      m/z 99 for the peptide pentaalanine (Ala5) and designated a2-16, is shown to have
      an elemental formula of C5H9NO by high-resolution peak matching. The precursor
      ion spectrum of the a2-16 ion and product ion spectra of the a2 and the a2+ 1
      ions for Ala5 suggest that this ion is formed by the loss of 17 u (presumably
      NH3) from the a2+1 ion and, to a lesser extent, by loss of 28 u (presumably CO)
      from the b2-16 ion. On the basis of the data presented and other experimental
      evidence, a structure and mechanism for the formation of the a2-16 ion is
      proposed. 

PMID- 24234941
TI  - Erratum to: J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom.

PMID- 24234942
TI  - Outcomes of a patient recall following early failure of hip  hemiarthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unexpected early loosening was noted in some patients who had bipolar
      hemiarthroplasties using aspecific combination of head and stem. AIM: A review of
      all patients who had received this implant combination was performed to establish
      whether there was a higher than expected failure rate and to identify those
      patients who had evidence of early loosening requiring further intervention or
      monitoring. METHODS: Theatre records were reviewed to identify those who had
      undergone bipolar hemiarthroplasty using these products. All surviving patients
      were contacted and offered an appointment at which they underwent clinical and
      radiological review. Following review, revision rates were compared to published
      Australian joint registry data. RESULTS: Of 247 eligible for recall, 139 attended
      for clinical and radiological review. The cumulative revision rate was 6.8 % at 4
      years, with a mean time to revision of 26 months; however, there was a
      significantly higher revision rate of 12.1 % in those aged under 75 years at the
      time of surgery (p = 0.01). This is significantly higher than rates quoted for
      bipolar hemiarthroplasties in Australian joint registry data. CONCLUSION:
      Overall, higher than expected revision rates due to early loosening were seen for
      this product combination,especially in patients aged?75 years at the time of the
      initial surgery.

PMID- 24234943
TI  - Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion  associated with
      desvenlafaxine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report a case of syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone
      (SIADH) secretion associated with desvenlafaxine. CASE SUMMARY: A 57-year old
      female with hyponatraemia. Her medications included desvenlafaxine, and symptoms
      included nausea, anxiety and confusion. The serum sodium at this time was 120
      mmol/L, serum osmolality was 263 mosmol/kg, urine osmolality 410 mosmol/kg and
      urine sodium 63 mmol/L, consistent with a diagnosis of SIADH. Desvenlafaxine was
      ceased and fluid restriction implemented. After 4 days the sodium increased to
      128 mmol/L and fluid restriction was relaxed. During her further 3 weeks
      inpatient admission the serum sodium ranged from 134 to 137 mmol/L during
      treatment with mirtazapine. DISCUSSION: SIADH has been widely reported with a
      range of antidepressants. This case report suggests that desvenlafaxine might
      cause clinically significant hyponatremia. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be
      aware of the potential for antidepressants to cause hyponatremia,and take
      appropriate corrective action where necessary.

PMID- 24234944
TI  - Medication reconciliation by a pharmacy technician  in a mental health assessment
      unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication discrepancies are common when patients cross
      organisational boundaries. However, little is known about the frequency of
      discrepancies within mental health and the efficacy of interventions to reduce
      discrepancies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a pharmacy-led reconciliation
      service on medication discrepancies on admissions to a secondary care mental
      health trust. SETTING: In-patient mental health services. METHODS: Prospective
      evaluation of pharmacy technician led medication reconciliation for admissions to
      a UK Mental Health NHS Trust. From March to June 2012 information on any
      unintentional discrepancies (dose, frequency and name of medication); patient
      demographics;and type and cause of the discrepancy was collected. The potential
      for harm was assessed based on two scenarios; the discrepancy was continued into
      primary care, and the discrepancy was corrected during admission. Logistic
      regression identified factors associated with discrepancies. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE: Mean number of discrepancies per admission corrected by the pharmacy
      technician. RESULTS: Unintentional medication discrepancies occurred in 212 of
      377 admissions (56.2 %). Discrepancies involving 569 medicines (mean 1.5
      medicines per admission) were corrected.The most common discrepancy was
      omission(n = 464). Severity was assessed for 114 discrepancies. If the
      discrepancy was corrected within 16 days the potential harm was minor in 71 (62.3
      %) cases and moderate in 43(37.7 %) cases whereas if the discrepancy was not
      corrected the potential harm was minor in 27 (23.7 %) cases and moderate in 87
      (76.3 %) cases. Discrepancies were associated with both age and number of
      medications; the stronger association was age. CONCLUSIONS: Medication
      discrepancies are common within mental health services with potentially
      significant consequences for patients.Trained pharmacy technicians are able to
      reduce the frequency of discrepancies, improving safety.

PMID- 24234945
TI  - Attitudes towards conscientious objection among community  pharmacists in Poland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The European Council Resolution 1763 (2010), ''The right to
      conscientious objection in lawful medical care'', provoked a discussion among
      Polish pharmacists on the necessity for granting them the right to refuse to
      dispense medicinal products which invoke conscientious objection. OBJECTIVE: To
      explore attitudes of Polish pharmacists towards the conscience clause. SETTING:
      Pharmacies with public e-mail addresses in various parts of Poland (Lower Silesia
      Province, Mazovia Province, Kuyavia-Pomerania Province, and West Pomeranian
      Province). METHOD: An online survey questionnaire addressed to 1,454 pharmacies.
      The participants were asked 8 questions,including a question addressed only to
      pharmacy managers and owners. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Attitudes towards the right
      to conscientious objection for pharmacists. RESULTS: Ultimately, responses of 126
      pharmacists (83 women, 43 men, average age-39 years of age) were taken into
      consideration. Most participants (92 %) have never refused to fill a prescription
      due to their beliefs; however, 15 % of participants state that if the conscience
      clause were legally sanctioned, they would exercise this right. Most
      participants(73 %) think that pharmacists should not have the right to
      conscientious objection. Almost half of participants who support implementation
      of the conscience clause would grant this right to pharmacists on a conditional
      basis, if the pharmacists were obliged to present other real options to the
      patient about obtaining a specific product. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists are rather
      reluctant to the idea of implementing the conscience clause, but despite a clear
      majority of its opponents, there seems to be a necessity for introducing such a
      regulation.

PMID- 24234947
TI  - The internet: Can you live without it?

PMID- 24234946
TI  - Standard and Novel Treatment Options for Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes
      Mellitus.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome are 2 intertwined
      conditions that are critical to the healthcare landscape in the United States and
      abroad. Patients with either diabetes or metabolic syndrome can have a
      dramatically increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Numerous
      treatment options have existed for some time, which include nonpharmacologic and
      pharmacologic therapies. In addition, within the last decade, a multiple of novel
      treatment options have emerged for the management of hyperglycemia in particular.
      By targeting novel pathways beyond the secretion and supply of insulin, these new
      therapeutics provide a valuable adjunct to the currently available therapies for
      diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Here we discuss the current guideline-driven
      usage of standard therapies with some novel indications. In addition, we discuss
      the novel therapies for the treatment of hyperglycemia, their mechanisms of
      action, and appropriate therapeutic indications.

PMID- 24234948
TI  - Behavioural early warning responses to polluted water : Performance ofGammarus
      pulex L. (Crustacea) andHydropsyche angustipennis (Curtis) (Insecta) to a complex
      industrial effluent.
AB  - Behavioural early warning responses to polluted surface water from an industrial
      effluent have been measured in two freshwater macroinvertebrate species using the
      four electrode impedance conversion technique. Specimens ofGammarus pulex (L.)
      andHydropsycho angustipennis (Curtis) were caught from reference streams and
      exposed to water from above and below the factory and to reference water for
      about 1 h with different kinds of behaviour being registered on-line every 10
      min, such as time spent on locomotion, number of "high swimming peaks", number of
      activity phases, cleaning, time spent on ventilation, ventilation frequency and
      netspinning. Additionally, G.pulex was exposedin situ above and 100 m, 500 m and
      1000 m below the factory for 24 h.G.pulex reacted to water pollution within 1 h
      with less time spent on locomotion, fewer "high swimming peaks" and lower number
      of activity phases (p < 0.01). The same results were found after thein situ
      exposure (p < 0.05) and the pollution gradient mirrored survival and behavioural
      performance of the organisms.H. angustipennis reacted to water pollution within 1
      h with decreased time spent on ventilation (p < 0.001), no change in locomotion
      and netspinning during daytime. During the night, exposure to water pollution
      resulted in increased locomotion (p < 0.0001).Simultaneous multispecies on-line
      biomonitoring of industrial effluents is recommended for reliable risk
      assessment. 

PMID- 24234949
TI  - Monitoring behavioural responses to metals in gammarus pulex (L.) (Crustacea)
      with impedance conversion.
AB  - An impedance conversion technique was used to study the behaviour of Gammarus
      pulex (L.) exposed to acutely toxic concentrations of Pb (0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5
      mg Pb 1(-1)) and to field concentrations of Cu (<= 0.05 mg Cu 1(-1)). Initial
      stress responses were studied during short-term exposure (1 h), and sublethal
      toxic effects were monitored during 7 (Pb) and 35 days (Cu), respectively.
      Exposure to Pb caused 30 % mortality and resulted in a bioconcentration factor
      (BCF) of 2700 at 0.5 mg Pb l(-1) after 168 h. Exposure to Cu polluted stream
      water caused no mortality within 35 days, and uptake was low (BCF 5.8). Gammarus
      pulex reacted with initial stress responses to metal exposure within 30 min (Cu)
      or 1 h (Pb). The reactions consisted of increased ventilation and decreased
      locomotion.Sublethal concentrations of Pb and Cu caused toxic effects on the
      behaviour of G. pulex after several days of exposure, consisting of increased
      ventilation and decreased locomotion.Impedance conversion is an appropriate
      method for detecting stress responses to metals and can be used in "early
      warning" biomonitoring systems as well as for acute and chronic behavioural
      toxicity testing. 

PMID- 24234950
TI  - Biotransformation of halogenated benzenes in anaerobic sediments.
AB  - The transformation kinetics of halogen substituted benzenes was examined in
      estuarine sediment. The sediment was sulfidogenic with sulfate concentration of
      20 mmole/l. All compounds transformed without any lag period, with rate constants
      between 0.0016 and 0.0342 day(-1) or half-lives of 20 and 433 days. For the
      compounds with different halogen substituents on the aromatic ring, the
      transformation rate of the compound decreased in the order: I s> Br s> Cl s> F. 

PMID- 24234951
TI  - Toxic oxide deposits from the combustion of landfill gas and biogas.
AB  - Oxide deposits found in combustion systems of landfill gas fired power stations
      contain relatively high concentrations of elements which form volatile species
      such as P, As, Sb and Sn. These deposits should be handled with care because of
      their potential toxicity. By contrast, deposits in biogas system engines were
      found to contain much lower levels of such elements. The enrichment of these
      elements can be attributed to a hypothetical multistage process. The elements
      form volatile species in the landfill body. They are selectively transported as
      part of the landfill gas into the gas-burning devices. Inside the burners, they
      are immobilized as nonvolatile oxides. 

PMID- 24234952
TI  - Hazard assessment of chemicals in soil : Proposed ecotoxicological test strategy.
AB  - Based on a stepwise (tiered) approach, degradation, adsorption and leaching tests
      as well as various effect tests (using plants, microorganisms and animals) are
      recommended for the testing of environmental chemicals. If, after the tests of
      tiers 1 and 2, the results of a monospecies-effect-test (including a safety
      factor) are within the range of the predicted exposure, the ecotoxicological
      hazard should be determined using a terrestrial model ecosystem. Some of the
      tests for the proposed strategy were selected from practical experience in
      testing environmental chemicals in the laboratory, and some on the basis of a
      comprehensive literature review. 

PMID- 24234953
TI  - Contaminants of food : Prioritisation scheme to identify manufactured organic
      chemicals as potential contaminants of food.
AB  - A scheme has been developed to rank 70 industrial organic chemicals in order of
      their priority for further study as potential contaminants of food. Numerical
      scales were developed for the following seven key criteria concerning
      environmental issues, food and toxicity: -Production volume -Pattern of usage 
      Possible fate in the environment -Likelihood of chemical entering the food chain 
      Mechanism of entry into the food chain -Persistence and accumulation in the food
      chain -Toxicity. Each chemical was assigned a score for the above criteria, which
      were combined to give an overall ranking for the chemicals.This scheme has been
      endorsed by the MAFF Steering Group on Chemical Aspects of Food Surveillance. It
      will be used in the assessment of relative priorities for further non-statutory
      surveillance for these contaminants in the UK food supply. 

PMID- 24234954
TI  - Food irradiation : After 30 years, where do we stand: A government perspective.
AB  - The use of irradation to improve the safety, protect the nutritional benefits,
      and preserve the quality of fresh and processed foods is a well established and
      proven technology. Over the past 30 years, the United States Government has
      invested in the science to confirm safety and in the technology to show
      application. The United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug
      Administration have approved sources of ionizing radiation for the treatment of
      foods, and their application to most meats, fruits, vegetables, and spices.
      Despite the value of this technology to the food industry and to the health and
      welfare of the public, only minimal application of this technology occurs. This
      underscorces the importance of increasing the public's understanding of radiation
      risks relative to other hazards. Accordingly, the Committee on Interagency
      Radiation Research and Policy Coordination of the Executive Office of the
      President has made recommendations for the creation of a centralized National
      Radiation Information Center that would work closely with Federal departments and
      agencies in responding to public queries about radiation issues and Federal
      programs. 

PMID- 24234955
TI  - Fate and exposure models in relation to risk assessment : Developments and
      validation criteria.
AB  - The recognition of potential long-term effects of substances, has led to the
      development of regulations and legislation which emphasis the need for assessing
      the risks posed by both new and existing substances for man and the environment.
      The evaluation of fate and exposure models is put into perspective in relation to
      the developments over the last five years in the framework of the EU regulations
      and national legislation within the European Community. The validation of
      environmental exposure models (multi-media models) is described in the context of
      quality assurance of models available to a user group, which is different from
      the quality assurance aspects for a developers group. 

PMID- 24234956
TI  - Preface : From mechanistic studies to applications in risk assessment.

PMID- 24234958
TI  - Ozone-depleting substances and artificial greenhouse gases : Amendments to the
      ordinance on environmentally hazardous substances in Switzerland.

PMID- 24234957
TI  - Greenhouse gas induced climate change.
AB  - Simulations using global coupled climate models predict a climate change due to
      the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases and aerosols in the atmosphere.
      Both are associated with the burning of fossil fuels. There has been considerable
      debate if this postulated human influence is already evident. This paper gives an
      overview on some recent material on this question. One particular study using
      optimal fingerprints (Hegerl et al., 1996) is explained in more detail. In this
      study, an optimal fingerprint analysis is applied to temperature trend patterns
      over several decades. The results show the probability being less than 5% that
      the most recently observed 30 year trend is due to naturally occurring climate
      fluctuations. This result suggests that the present warming is caused by some
      external influence on climate, e.g. by the increasing concentrations of
      greenhouse gases and aerosols. More work is needed to address the uncertainties
      in the magnitude of naturally occurring climate fluctuations. Also, other
      external influences on climate need to be investigated to uniquely attribute the
      present climate change to the human influence. 

PMID- 24234959
TI  - The international register of potentially toxic chemicals : Challenges of data
      collection in the field of toxicology.
AB  - The benefits and drawbacks consequent to the widespread use of chemicals are
      inextricably interwoven. According to recent estimates, more than 8 million
      substances are presently known, 70,000 of which are in common use as industrial
      compounds, pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, food additives, cosmetics and the like.
      It is estimated that substances used as such will increase annually by 1000 in
      number. The deleterious consequences deriving from their exploitation pose
      tremendous challenges to the scientific community for the protection of human
      health and the environment. Therefore it is of utmost priority to appropriately
      select valid information generated in this investigation area and to convey it
      correctly to users. Here, the adoption of the principles of good laboratory
      practice in experimental activities is essential, as well as the creation of
      global networks for data exchange on the safe use of chemicals. The structure and
      goals of the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC, the
      database of the United Nations Environment Programme) are detailed to give an
      example of such an undertaking. Seventeen fields are covered,i.e. identifiers,
      properties and classification, production/trade, production processes, use,
      pathways into the environment, concentrations, environmental fate tests,
      environmental fate, chemobiokinetics, mammalian toxicity, special toxicity
      studies, effects on organisms in the environment, sampling/preparation/analysis,
      spills, treatment of poisoning, waste management and recommendations/legal
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 24234960
TI  - Understanding regional metabolism for a sustainable development of urban systems.
AB  - Cities are the most complex forms of settlements which man has built in the
      course of his cultural development. Their "metabolism" is connected with the
      world economy and is run mainly by fossil energy carriers. Up to now there are no
      validated models for the evaluation of a sustainable development of urban
      regions.The guidelines for a "sustainable development" suggest the reduction of
      resource consumption. The article is concerned with the problem of how the
      "sustainable-development concept" can be transformed from a global to a regional
      scale. In urban settlements the strategy of final storage should be applied. By
      this, the subsystem waste management can be transformed within 10 to 15 years to
      a "sustainable status".With regard to the system "agronomy", the article
      concludes that agriculture in urban systems should focus on food production
      instead of promoting reduction of food production in favour of energy plants,
      which is not a suitable strategy.The main problems are the energy carriers.
      Transformation to a "sustainble status" is only possible by a reconstruction of
      the urban system, i.e. of buildings and the transportation network. The rate
      determining step in achieving such a status is the change in the fabric of
      buildings and in the type of transportation networks. The reconstruction of an
      urban system needs, mainly for economical reasons, a time period of two
      generations. 

PMID- 24234961
TI  - IMTOX - An interdisciplinary initiative.

PMID- 24234963
TI  - 11th Applied Geologic Remote Sensing Conference and Workshops : Practical
      solutions for real world problems Las Vegas, USA, 27-29 February 1996.

PMID- 24234962
TI  - Sources of airborne CC14 : Critical remarks.
AB  - Atmospheric mixing ratios of chlorinated C1 and C2 hydrocarbons (CHCs) were
      measured at the mountain Wank (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavarian Alps) in autumn
      1992. The data lead to the assumption that at least part of the observed CC14
      originates from a source different to the other CHCs measured (C2HCL3, C2C14,
      CHCl3 and CH3CCl3). The nature of this source is discussed. 

PMID- 24234965
TI  - Parathyroid Carcinoma in the Setting of Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism after Renal
      Transplant.

PMID- 24234966
TI  - A new approach to casino licensing problems in the United Kingdom.
AB  - The British Gaming Act 1968 is generally considered to be one of the strongest
      pieces of legislation that regulates and oversees a casino industry within its
      jurisdiction. The casino gaming industry in Great Britain is held to a very high
      standard, with potential for significant penalties if either the spirit or the
      letter of the law is violated. Such penalties have been invoked more than once in
      the past. The recent case involving London Clubs, the largest casino company
      operating in London, led to events that may have changed the underlying
      relationship of the review process among the Gaming Board, the Police, and the
      Courts. This article examines the details of that case, and the implications for
      the British casino industry and regulatory structure. 

PMID- 24234967
TI  - Norwegian lottery winners: Cautious realists.
AB  - The study investigated 261 lottery winners of prizes of NKR 1 million (US
      $150,000) or more in the years 1987-91 in a postal survey. The modal Norwegian
      winners were middle-aged married men of modest education, living in small
      communities. Emotional reactions to winning were few, aside from moderate
      happiness and relief. Winners emphasized caution, emotional control and
      unconspicuous spending, e.g. paying debts and sharing with children. There was
      only a slight increase in economic spending. A wish for anonymity was frequent,
      together with fear of envy from others. Betting was modest both before and after
      winning. Experiences with winning were predominantly positive. Life quality was
      stable or had improved. An age trend was observed, accounting for more variance
      than any other variable. The older winners seemed to represent a puritan
      subculture of caution, modesty and emotional restraint. A slightly more impatient
      pattern of spending was characteristic of younger winners. The results support
      Kaplan's 1987 and others' findings that lottery winners are not gamblers, but
      self-controlled realists and that tenacious, negative cultural expectations to
      the contrary are myths, but perhaps also deterrents of uncontrolled behavior. 

PMID- 24234968
TI  - Market behavior of gaming stocks: An analysis of the first twenty years.
AB  - Gaming stocks have now been publicly traded on the stock exchange for about
      twenty years. This study looks at the price movement patterns of gaming stocks
      compared with the broader market for six stock market cycles between 1973 and
      1992. The study suggests that gaming stocks tend to be more volatile than the
      market as a whole and that this has been true throughout the twenty year period.
      It also shows that gaming stocks have risen in price during this period at a rate
      much greater than that for the general market. Special events, such as the
      establishment of gaming in New Jersey, can cause the gaming stocks to move in a
      direction opposite to the general market. Finally, the findings indicate that
      gaming stocks are especially susceptible to stock market declines which are
      related to concerns about the price or availability of oil. 

PMID- 24234969
TI  - Pathological gambling among adolescents: Massachusetts Gambling Screen (MAGS).
AB  - This article describes the development of the Massachusetts Gambling Screen
      (MAGS). The purpose of the MAGS is to provide a brief clinical screening
      instrument that can (1) yield an index of non-pathological and pathological
      gambling during a 5 to 10 minute survey or interview and (2) document the first
      psychometric translation of the proposed DSM-IV pathological gambling criteria
      into a set of survey or clinical interview questions. The development data for
      this instrument were obtained from a survey of 856 adolescents who were students
      in suburban Boston high schools. The results provided evidence that weighted item
      scores (i.e., discriminant function coefficients) could correctly classify 96% of
      adolescent gamblers as pathological, in transition or non-pathological when DSM
      IV criteria were employed as the conceptual referent. The results also describe
      the prevalence of a variety of social and emotional problems associated with
      adolescent gambling. Finally, the discussion examined the normalization and
      contemporary social context of gaming and the impact of these influences on the
      measurement and identification of pathological gambling. 

PMID- 24234970
TI  - Gambling among primary school students.
AB  - This study identifies the gambling behavior of 1,320 primary school students aged
      8 to 12 of the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. Eighty-six percent admitted to having, at
      some time or another, bet money. Lotteries are the most popular form of gambling
      for this age group. Sixty-one percent of these students gamble with lotteries. In
      descending order of popularity, other games played by students were: bingo, card
      playing for money, bets on sports, wagering on specific events, video gambling
      (video poker and slot machines), and finally betting on games of skill. Gambling
      behaviors differed according to gender. More than 40% of respondents reported
      gambling once a week or more for at least one game. Because of the early
      development of gambling behavior in children, prevention programs for
      pathological gambling should be implemented as early as the fourth grade. 

PMID- 24234971
TI  - An exploratory study of gambling cross addictions.
AB  - A growing body of empirical and theoretical research has concentrated on the
      overlaps and commonalities among chemical and non-chemical (behavioural)
      addictions. Pathological gambling has perhaps been the most widely researched
      behavioural addiction and some of this research has concerned the co-existing
      links between pathological gambling and alcohol/drug addiction in both the
      gambling substance abuser and the substance abusing gambler (i.e. cross
      addiction). This study was of an exploratory nature and attempted to gather
      information and data regarding gambling cross addictions in the UK. To achieve
      this, 456 letters were sent to all drug and alcohol helping agencies in England
      requesting such information. This yielded 210 returns (46% response rate).
      Results indicated that gambling cross addictions occur in both adults and
      adolescents and were almost exclusively a male condition. However, it must be
      noted only just over half of the responding agencies had encountered gambling
      cross addiction and reasons for this are speculated. Results also indicated the
      existence of various cross addicted subgroups including an adolescent subgroup
      who were addicted to fruit machines and abused solvents. Future research ideas
      are also discussed. 

PMID- 24234972
TI  - Epidemiological surveys of pathological gambling: Critique and suggestions for
      modification.
AB  - Epidemiological studies of problem and pathological gambling were examined for
      their accuracy. Fundamental flaws and biases were found in these surveys. These
      include problems with survey instruments; nonresponses and refusal bias; the
      exclusion of institutionalized populations; exclusion of other groups; and
      failure to protect against denial on the part of the respondent when others are
      present near the telephone. Based on the issues discussed, one can reasonably be
      expected to assume that most epidemiological surveys seriously underestimate the
      extent of problem and pathological gambling. Alternative strategies for
      addressing these issues are discussed. These strategies include the use of field
      interviews, surveys of institutionalized populations, frequent player surveys and
      significant other surveys. The value and potential problems of these approaches
      are also discussed. 

PMID- 24234973
TI  - Social cost of pathological gambling.
AB  - Pathological gambling creates enormous problems for the afflicted individuals,
      their families, employers, and society, and has numerous disastrous financial
      consequences. The present study evaluates the financial burdens of pathological
      gambling by questioning pathological gamblers in treatment in Gamblers Anonymous
      (n=60; 56 males, 4 females; mean age = 40 years old) about personal debts, loss
      of productivity at work, illegal activities, medical costs and the presence of
      other dependencies. Results show that important debts, loss of productivity at
      work and legal problems are associated with pathological gambling. Discussion is
      formulated in terms of the social cost of adopting a liberal attitude toward the
      legalization of various gambling activities. 

PMID- 24234974
TI  - Gated SPECT in assessment of regional and global left ventricular function: an
      update.
AB  - Gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (GSPECT) is a major clinical tool, widely used
      for performing myocardial perfusion imaging procedures. In this review, we have
      presented the fundamentals of GSPECT and the ways in which the functional
      measurements it provides have contributed to the emergence of myocardial
      perfusion SPECT in its important role as a major tool of modern cardiac imaging.
      GSPECT imaging has shown unique capability to provide accurate, reproducible and
      operator-independent quantitative data regarding myocardial perfusion, global and
      regional systolic and diastolic function, stress-induced regional wall-motion
      abnormalities, ancillary markers of severe and extensive disease, left
      ventricular geometry and mass, as well as the presence and extent of myocardial
      scar and viability. Adding functional data to perfusion provides an effective
      means of increasing both diagnostic accuracy and reader's confidence in the
      interpretation of the results of perfusion scans. Assessment of global and
      regional LV function has improved the prognostic power of myocardial perfusion
      SPECT and has been shown in a large registry to add to the perfusion assessment
      in predicting benefit from revascularization.

PMID- 24234976
TI  - The effect of head position on scapular orientation and muscle activity during
      shoulder elevation.
AB  - The purposes of this study were to compare the effects of flexed head positions
      on scapular orientation and muscle activity during humeral elevation, and to
      determine any association of kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) responses.
      Twenty-five subjects, 19-37 years old and without any recent history of shoulder
      or neck symptoms, were evaluated. Three-dimensional scapular coordinate data and
      surface EMG signals from the trapezius (upper and lower), levator scapulae, and
      serratus anterior were collected at static positions (0 degrees , 90 degrees ,
      and 140 degrees ) of humeral elevation in the scapular plane and head positions
      (0 degrees , 25 degrees , and 50 degrees ) of sagittal plane flexion. Scapular
      upward rotation and tipping were significantly decreased in flexed head
      positions. The effect of head position on scapular tipping increased as humeral
      elevation increased. Mean EMG activity of the levator scapula, upper trapezius,
      and serratus anterior was unchanged across head positions. The lower trapezius
      demonstrated small but statistically significant increases in mean activity at
      the 0 degrees  and 140 degrees  arm positions when the head was flexed to 50
      degrees . Significant correlations were found between some EMG and kinematic
      responses in flexed head positions, however, no consistent patterns were apparent
      across muscles or positions. 

PMID- 24234978
TI  - Exercise for workers with musculoskeletal pain: Does enhancing compliance
      decrease pain?
AB  - A low rate of compliance for exercise regimens is a difficult problem for
      programs aimed at treating or preventing musculoskeletal pain. In fact, the
      utility of exercise for common pain problems has been debated since poor
      compliance confounds proper program evaluation. Thus, the purpose of the present
      study was to evaluate the effects of a compliance enhancement measure and
      subsequently to assess the effects of physical activity on pain perception. Forty
      eight employees (mean age=42, 20 females) currently working at two companies and
      who reported musculoskeletal pain, but noexercise habit voluntarily served as
      subjects. The Comparison Group was provided with information and free membership
      at a health center. The Exercise Compliance Enhancement Group met individually
      with a behavioral psychologist, who employed cognitive-behavioral techniques, to
      plan their activity program. Results showed that the Compliance Enhancement Group
      had a higher rate of adherence and participated in significantly more exercises
      over the course of 6 months than did the Comparison Group. However, analyses
      based on pre- and posttest gain scores showed that the differences between the
      groups for aerobic capacity and pain intensity were not significant. However,
      when compilers were compared with noncompliers, those complying with the activity
      program were found to have improved their aerobic capacity more than
      noncompliers. Yet for overall pain intensity ratings, the difference between
      compilers and noncompliers was still not significant. Intensity ratings made
      immediately before and after exercising indicated that exercise activities were
      related to a significant increase in pain intensity. These results indicate that
      compliance for exercise may be significantly improved, but the effect of exercise
      activities on overall pain intensity was not significant relative to the
      comparison group. 

PMID- 24234977
TI  - The reliability and validity of a measure of perceived functional capacity for
      work in chronic back pain.
AB  - Psychosocial factors, including perceived disability and self-efficacy, are
      important determinants of outcome for individuals with chronic back pain.
      Consequently, there is a need for an evaluation and consideration of such factors
      in occupational rehabilitation. This study evaluated the reliability and validity
      of a tool, the Spinal Function Sort, as a measure of perceived capacity for work
      related tasks with 42 rehabilitation clients with chronic back pain. Results
      provided support for the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.97), test
      rest reliability (ICC of 0.89) and construct validity of the Spinal Function Sort
      as a measure of perceived capacity for work-related tasks in persons with chronic
      back pain. Measures of similar constructs were significantly correlated with the
      Spinal Function Sort and were highly predictive of the Spinal Function Sort on
      multiple regression. Relationships between perceived work capacity and pain
      intensity and gender are discussed. The need for the consideration of perceived
      capacity in the evaluation and rehabilitation of persons with chronic back pain
      is highlighted. 

PMID- 24234979
TI  - Effects of occupationally-oriented rehabilitation on farmers' work techniques,
      musculoskeletal symptoms, and work ability.
AB  - Changes in work techniques, musculoskeletal symptoms and work ability were
      studied after occupationally-oriented rehabilitation courses for farmers
      experiencing low back or shoulder pain. Fifty-two women and 43 men participated.
      The OWAS analysis of work postures, biomechanical modeling of lifting techniques,
      and a questionnaire were used before and after the courses and after 1 year of
      follow-up. Bent and twisted postures or postures with the arms over the shoulders
      occurred more seldom after the courses and the follow-up. Changes in lifting
      techniques were minor. The musculoskeletal pain index decreased by 12 and 3
      points for the women and men, respectively. The mean work ability index increased
      from 33.5 (men and women) to 36.5 (women) and 35.1 (men). This study showed that
      rehabilitation can produce significant, long-lasting effects on rehabilitees'
      work techniques, work ability, and subjective well-being. 

PMID- 24234980
TI  - Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for improving function and
      activities of daily living in patients after stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
      Functional impairment resulting in poor performance in activities of daily living
      (ADLs) among stroke survivors is common. Current rehabilitation approaches have
      limited effectiveness in improving ADL performance and function after stroke, but
      a possible adjunct to stroke rehabilitation might be non-invasive brain
      stimulation by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate
      cortical excitability and hence to improve ADL performance and function.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of tDCS on generic activities of daily living
      (ADLs) and motor function in people with stroke. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the
      Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (March 2013), the Cochrane Central Register
      of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, May 2013), MEDLINE (1948 to
      May 2013), EMBASE (1980 to May 2013), CINAHL (1982 to May 2013), AMED (1985 to
      May 2013), Science Citation Index (1899 to May 2013) and four additional
      databases. In an effort to identify further published, unpublished and ongoing
      trials, we searched trials registers and reference lists, handsearched conference
      proceedings and contacted authors and equipment manufacturers. SELECTION
      CRITERIA: We included only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and randomised
      controlled cross-over trials (from which we analysed only the first period as a
      parallel-group design) that compared tDCS versus control in adults with stroke
      for improving ADL performance and function. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two
      review authors independently assessed trial quality (JM and MP) and extracted
      data (BE and JM). If necessary, we contacted study authors to ask for additional
      information. We collected information on dropouts and adverse events from the
      trial reports. MAIN RESULTS: We included 15 studies involving a total of 455
      participants. Analysis of six studies involving 326 participants regarding our
      primary outcome, ADL, showed no evidence of an effect in favour of tDCS at the
      end of the intervention phase (mean difference (MD) 5.31 Barthel Index (BI)
      points; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.52 to 11.14; inverse variance method with
      random-effects model), whereas at follow-up (MD 11.13 BI points; 95% CI 2.89 to
      19.37; inverse variance method with random-effects model), we found evidence of
      an effect. However, the confidence intervals were wide and the effect was not
      sustained when only studies with low risk of bias were included. For our
      secondary outcome, upper limb function, we analysed eight trials with 358
      participants, which showed evidence of an effect in favour of tDCS at the end of
      the intervention phase (MD 3.45 Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Score points (UE-FM
      points); 95% CI 1.24 to 5.67; inverse variance method with random-effects model)
      but not at the end of follow-up three months after the intervention (MD 9.23 UE
      FM points; 95% CI -13.47 to 31.94; inverse variance method with random-effects
      model). These results were sensitive to inclusion of studies at high risk of
      bias. Adverse events were reported and the proportions of dropouts and adverse
      events were comparable between groups (risk difference (RD) 0.00; 95% CI -0.02 to
      0.03; Mantel-Haenszel method with random-effects model). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: At
      the moment, evidence of very low to low quality is available on the effectiveness
      of tDCS (anodal/cathodal/dual) versus control (sham/any other intervention) for
      improving ADL performance and function after stroke. Future research should
      investigate the effects of tDCS on lower limb function and should address
      methodological issues by routinely reporting data on adverse events and dropouts
      and allocation concealment, and by performing intention-to-treat analyses.

PMID- 24234981
TI  - Psychoanalysis as poetry.
AB  - Like psychoanalysis, poetry is possible because of the nature of verbal language,
      particularly its potentials to evoke the sensations of lived experience. These
      potentials are vestiges of the personal relational context in which language is
      learned, without which there would be no poetry and no psychoanalysis. Such a
      view of language infuses psychoanalytic writings on poetry, yet has not been
      fully elaborated. To further that elaboration, a poem by Billy Collins is
      presented to illustrate the sensorial and imagistic potentials of words, after
      which the interpersonal processes of language development are explored in an
      attempt to elucidate the original nature of words as imbued with personal
      meaning, embodied resonance, and emotion. This view of language and the verbal
      form allows a fuller understanding of the therapeutic processes of speech and
      conversation at the heart of psychoanalysis, including the relational potentials
      of speech between present individuals, which are beyond the reach of poetry. In
      one sense, the work of the analyst is to create language that mobilizes the
      experiential, memorial, and relational potentials of words, and in so doing to
      make a poet out of the patient so that she too can create such language. 

PMID- 24234982
TI  - Analysis begins in the analyst's mind: conceptual and technical considerations on
      recommending analysis.
AB  - For certain patients who approach analysts for treatment, analysis remains the
      only treatment that can provide the urgent and at times lifesaving help they
      need. At the same time, recommending analysis presents analysts with a
      surprisingly challenging emotional task. Because patients will not be able to get
      analytic help unless the analyst recommends it and facilitates the patient's
      engagement, it is vital that analysts identify the conditions that make the
      beginning of analysis possible. Analysis, it is argued, begins in the analyst's
      mind: how analysts think about their function, their patients, and the analytic
      process determines in great measure whether analysis will begin. Six essential
      components of the analyst's mindset are presented, as well as technical
      considerations about recommending analysis that are based on this mindset and
      that have been useful in initiating analysis. A detailed clinical example is
      provided to illustrate how the analyst's thinking informed the initial phase of a
      treatment with a patient who engaged in a productive analysis. 

PMID- 24234983
TI  - Remembering lauretta bender.

PMID- 24234984
TI  - Highlights in pioneering the understanding of language disabilities.

PMID- 24234986
TI  - The Orton trail: 1896-1986.

PMID- 24234985
TI  - The theory of multiple intelligences.

PMID- 24234987
TI  - Application of disconnection concepts to developmental dyslexia.

PMID- 24234988
TI  - Is phonology bypassed in normal or dyslexic development?
AB  - A pervasive assumption in most accounts of normal reading and spelling
      development is that phonological coding is important early in development but is
      subsequently superseded by faster, orthographic coding which bypasses phonology.
      We call this assumption, which derives from dual process theory, the
      developmental bypass hypothesis. The present study tests four specific
      predictions of the developmental bypass hypothesis by comparing dyslexics and
      nondyslexics from the same families in a cross-sectional design. The four
      predictions are: 1) That phonological coding skill develops early in normal
      readers and soon reaches asymptote, whereas orthographic coding skill has a
      protracted course of development; 2) that the correlation of adult reading or
      spelling performance with phonological coding skill is considerably less than the
      correlation with orthographic coding skill; 3) that dyslexics who are mainly
      deficient in phonological coding skill should be able to bypass this deficit and
      eventually close the gap in reading and spelling performance; and 4) that the
      greatest differences between dyslexics and developmental controls on measures of
      phonological coding skill should be observed early rather than late in
      development.None of the four predictions of the developmental bypass hypothesis
      were upheld. Phonological coding skill continued to develop in nondyslexics until
      adulthood. It accounted for a substantial (32-53 percent) portion of the variance
      in reading and spelling performance in adult nondyslexics, whereas orthographic
      coding skill did not account for a statistically reliable portion of this
      variance. The dyslexics differed little across age in phonological coding skill,
      but made linear progress in orthographic coding skill, surpassing spelling-age
      (SA) controls by adulthood. Nonetheless, they didnot close the gap in reading and
      spelling performance. Finally, dyslexics were significantly worse than SA (and
      Reading Age [RA]) controls in phonological coding skill only in adulthood. 

PMID- 24234989
TI  - The use of morphological knowledge in spelling derived forms by learning-disabled
      and normal students.
AB  - Currently popular systems for classification of spelling words or errors
      emphasize the learning of phoneme-grapheme correspondences and memorization of
      irregular words, but do not take into account the morphophonemic nature of the
      English language. This study is based on the premise that knowledge of the
      morphological rules of derivational morphology is acquired developmentally and is
      related to the spelling abilities of both normal and learning-disabled (LD)
      students. It addresses three issues: 1) how the learning of derivational
      morphology and the spelling of derived words by LD students compares to that of
      normal students; 2) whether LD students learn derived forms rulefully; and 3) the
      extent to which LD and normal students use knowledge of relationships between
      base and derived forms to spell derived words (e.g. "magic" and "magician"). The
      results showed that LD ninth graders' knowledge of derivational morphology was
      equivalent to that of normal sixth graders, following similar patterns of mastery
      of orthographic and phonological rules, but that their spelling of derived forms
      was equivalent to that of the fourth graders. Thus, they know more about
      derivational morphology than they use in spelling. In addition, they were
      significantly more apt to spell derived words as whole words, without regard for
      morphemic structure, than even the fourth graders. Nonetheless, most of the LD
      spelling errors were phonetically acceptable, suggesting that their misspellings
      cannot be attributed primarily to poor knowledge of phoneme-grapheme
      correspondences. 

PMID- 24234990
TI  - Developmental dyslexia: Is it different from other forms of reading disability?
AB  - A controversy whether developmental dyslexia is qualitatively different from
      other forms of reading disability has existed among reading specialists for many
      years. In the present study, the hypothesis that the etiology of dyslexia is
      different from that of other forms of reading disability because of differences
      in the components that malfunction was tested. A number of studies have shown
      that the two components that contribute to a large proportion of variance in
      reading are decoding and comprehension. It is, therefore, possible that a
      breakdown of different components could lead to different forms of disabilities.
      College students who were poor readers were assigned to two groups on the basis
      of their IQ. Conforming to the traditional criterion of dyslexia, those who had
      an IQ of 95 and above were considered as dyslexic. Those who had an IQ of 85 or
      below were placed in the Nonspecific Reading-Disabled group. These two groups of
      poor readers and a group of normal readers were administered a large number of
      reading-related tests. It was found that the two reading-disabled groups differed
      from each other in six of the seven areas assessed. There was very little overlap
      of scores between the two groups in these areas. The results were interpreted to
      suggest that poor decoding skill is the etiology of developmental dyslexia and
      that it differs from other forms of reading disability which are caused by
      generalized cognitive deficits. 

PMID- 24234991
TI  - Segmental analysis of speech and its relation to reading ability.
AB  - The relationships between the acquisition of segmental awareness, i.e. the
      awareness of phonemic and phonetic units, and the acquisition of alphabetic
      literacy are examined: segmental awareness is elicited by learning to read and
      write in the alphabetic system and is crucial to success in this learning. It is
      also argued that the development of the ability of explicit analysis of speech
      into segments requires ageneral analytic capacity.Cognitive explanations of
      dyslexia must take into account the fact that the ability of segemental analysis
      of most dyslexics is very poor. Given that dyslexics do not lack experience with
      alphabetic material nor, as suggested by their performance on nonspeech tasks,
      analytic capacity, one likely factor of this inability may be related to the
      conscious representation of speech on which the analytic capacity operates. The
      normal format of this representation probably corresponds to a sequence of
      articulatory acts or syllables. In most dyslexics, the format of this
      representation might not be adequate for the isolation of segments. 

PMID- 24234992
TI  - Gender differences in cognitive abilities of learning-disabled females and males.
AB  - Gender differences in level and pattern of cognitive abilities were examined in
      28 LD college-able females (CA 18-25) as compared to 21 LD college-able males (CA
      18-25). Both groups were in the average IQ range as measured by the Wechsler
      Adult Intelligence Scale, with LD males significantly higher on the Full Scale IQ
      and three out of the four subtests, Picture Completion, Block Design, and
      Information. The LD females performed significantly better on the Digit Symbol
      subtest. The hierarchies of subtest performance and Bannatyne and ACID category
      scores were compared. LD females have strengths in visual-motor abilities and
      verbal conceptualization, while the LD males' highest abilities were nonverbal
      visual-spatial confirming earlier studies on younger LD individuals and non-LD
      males and females. Performance on the Digit Symbol subtest was the next to the
      lowest for the males, the highest for females. However, for both groups, short
      term and long-term memory for digits and factual knowledge and mental arithmetic
      problem solving were relative weaknesses. Results indicate different patterns of
      cognitive abilities in LD females and males which have implications for
      identification, service, and prognosis for the learning disabled, especially
      females. 

PMID- 24234993
TI  - Reading disability subtypes in neurologically-impaired students.
AB  - Three studies were conducted in order to determine if reading disability subtypes
      identified by Mattis, Boder, and Doehring were present in neurologically-impaired
      students with and without reading disabilities. The anomic-language disorder
      subtype, dysphonetic and mixed dysphonetic-dyseidetic subtypes, and Doehring's
      three subtypes were all present, primarily in the reading-disabled sample.
      Subtypes related to visual-spatial impairment were equally or more apparent in
      the non-reading-disabled sample. It is concluded that the visual-perceptual
      disorder subtypes may reflect neurological impairment but be unrelated to reading
      disability. It remains tenable to hypothesize that the other subtypes found may
      reflect the ways in which neurological impairment interferes with reading and
      that subtle neurological impairment may be present in dyslexic students who fall
      into the same subtypes. 

PMID- 24234994
TI  - Multisensory teaching approach for reading, spelling, and handwriting, Orton
      Gillingham based curriculum, in a public school setting.
AB  - This paper includes an overview of curriculum information and the basic
      techniques of a multisensory approach for teaching alphabet and dictionary
      skills, reading, spelling, and cursive handwriting. It also reports the results
      of a four-year study of reading and spelling in both remedial and nonremedial
      classes in a public school. The California Achievement Test (CAT) scores in
      reading and spelling for students in both remedial and nonremedial classes
      improved over baseline scores following this multisensory approach. Additionally,
      there was a tendency for the CAT mean scores to increase corresponding to the
      number of years students had been taught by the multisensory program. 

PMID- 24234995
TI  - Dyslexia: Especially for parents.

PMID- 24234996
TI  - Scholastic Aptitude Test preparation for the adolescent dyslexic.
AB  - Residual signs characteristic of a specific language disability, such as
      vocabulary deficits, trouble differentiating between literal and figurative
      words, difficulty paraphrasing a reading selection, and problems with abstract
      reasoning make it arduous for dyslexic adolescents to demonstrate their maximum
      potential on the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test. This paper
      illustrates ways in which SAT skills can be enhanced through a structured program
      of vocabulary development, an understanding of test taking strategies for
      specific SAT questions, and the learning of a pattern of analysis to improve
      reading comprehension. It includes case studies, as well as a discussion of the
      types of special test arrangements available for dyslexic students. 

PMID- 24234997
TI  - Handwriting: Evolution and evaluation.
AB  - Handwriting, "everyone's art," is an indispensable skill. The roots of our
      present forms of penmanship are traced. When and which initial style to teach
      children, especially the dyslexic or learning disabled, are discussed.The need
      for a good instrument to evaluate handwriting to prevent perpetuation of
      illegibilities or to determine if speed is rapid enough to meet the writer's
      purpose is paramount. A new diagnostic tool, the Children's Handwriting
      Evaluation Scale (CHES) and its college counterpart are detailed. The CHES also
      provides a projective scoring key based on graphoanalytic interpretations. 

PMID- 24234998
TI  - Reading development in adults.
AB  - A comparison of the development of reading ability among adults with that of
      children-from the lowest levels of literacy to the most advanced. Included in the
      comparison are characteristics of adults at each level of development, the kind
      of instruction that will help bring them from lower to higher levels, and the
      particular difficulties they experience at the various levels. The article
      concludes with a historical overview of the changes in literacy standards and
      needs in the United States and the growing recognition that among the adult
      illiterates, particularly native English speakers who have very limited reading
      skills, are large numbers who have dyslexia. 

PMID- 24234999
TI  - The adult outcomes of children with learning disabilities.
AB  - The results of four follow-up studies of learning-disabled children are reviewed.
      A comparison of results among the studies and of analyses of individual variation
      within the studies suggest some factors associated with long-term outcomes. It is
      argued that in many cases learning disabilities are not a lifelong handicapping
      condition, especially if adequate treatment is provided during childhood. 

PMID- 24235000
TI  - A new look at comprehension instruction for disabled readers.
AB  - The traditional specific skills approach to comprehension instruction is no
      longer considered useful since research has demonstrated that comprehension is a
      holistic process. However, one must break down the process in some way in order
      to teach it. Three models of comprehension instruction that attempt to break down
      the process are described. Strengths and weaknesses of each of the three models:
      text-based instruction, explicit comprehension instruction, and a combined model,
      are discussed. Techniques which are exemplars of each of the models are described
      in relation to their use with reading-disabled children. The combined model of
      comprehension instruction is recommended because it joins the goal of
      understanding the text with helping children learn how to learn. 

PMID- 24235001
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24235002
TI  - Excitation modes for fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
AB  - Various geometric configurations for the excitation of coherent ion motion in
      Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR/MS) are
      analyzed (in some cases for the first time) with unified notation. The
      instantaneous power absorption, F v, in which v is ion velocity and F the force
      produced by the applied excitation electric field (harmonic, single frequency, on
      resonance, in-phase), is time averaged and then set equal to the time rate of
      change of ion total (cyclotron + magnetron + trapping) energy, to yield a
      differential equation that is readily solved for the (time-dependent) amplitude
      of each of the various ion motions. The standard FT-ICR excitation (namely,
      radial dipolar) is reviewed. The effects of quadrature and radial quadrupolar
      excitation on ion radial (cyclotron and magnetron) motions are also reviewed.
      Frictional damping is shown to decrease the ion cyclotron orbital radius and
      trapping amplitude but increase the magnetron radius. Feedback excitation (i.e.,
      excitation at the simultaneously detected ion cyclotron orbital frequency of the
      same ion packet) is introduced and analyzed as a means for exciting ions whose
      cyclotron frequency changes during excitation (as for relativistically shifted
      low-mass ions). In contrast to conventional radial dipolar excitation, axial
      dipolar excitation of the trapping motion leads to a mass-dependent ion motional
      amplitude. Parametric (i.e., axial quadrupolar) excitation is shown to produce an
      exponential increase in the ion motional amplitudes (hyperbolic sine and
      hyperbolic cosine amplitude for cyclotron and magnetron radii, respectively).
      More detailed consideration of parametric excitation leads to an optimal ion
      initial radial position in parametric-mode FT-ICRjMS. 

PMID- 24235003
TI  - Silver nitrate chemical ionization for analysis of hydrocarbon polymers by laser
      desorption fourier transform mass spectrometry.
AB  - Addition of silver nitrate to nonpolar hydrocarbon polymer solutions prior to
      their analysis by laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectrometry is shown
      to allow efficient silver ion chemical ionization. High-quality mass spectra are
      thus obtained for polymers, such as polystyrene, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, and
      polyethylene, that previously failed to yield useful mass spectra using
      conventional laser desorption. Accurate mass measurement experiments and isotopic
      ratios verify that the spectra are those of silver-attached oligomer ion
      distributions. Mass measurement errors for complete oligomer distributions
      average between 3 and 12 ppm for oligomers with masses between 400 and 6000 D
      whereas unit mass resolution is maintained throughout the entire spectral range. 

PMID- 24235004
TI  - Decompositions of cationized heterodimers of amino acids in relation to charge
      location in peptide ions.
AB  - The unimolecular decompositions of protonated heterodimers of native and
      derivatized amino acids to yield the protonated monomers were studied as a guide
      to charge location in peptide ions. Analyses using a hybrid instrument of BEqQ
      geometry demonstrated the advantages (with respect to mass resolution,
      sensitivityr reproducibility, and the elimination of extraneous signals) of the
      detection of product ions formed in the radiofrequency-only quadrupole region (q)
      rather than in the field-free region between Band E. Conversion of arginine to
      dimethylpyrimidylomithine (DMPO) reduced the proton affinity, as evidenced by the
      decomposition of the protonated arginine/DMPO heterodimer. Conversion of cysteine
      to pyridylethylcysteine enhanced the proton affinity. Application of these
      derivatization procedures to peptides resulted in changes in the observed
      fragmentations of the protonated precursors consistent with the predicted
      modifications in charge location. Unimolecular decomposition of the protonated
      dimer composed of glycine and N-acetylglycine yielded both protonated monomers
      with abundances differing by a factor of only 2; this suggests that in protonated
      peptides, the amide bonds are competitive with the N-terminal amino group as
      sites of protonation. It is clear that the propensities to proton' or metal
      cation location at particular sites in peptides are influenced by both short- and
      long-range intraionic interactions. In peptides composed of amino acids of
      similar cation affinities, it may be postulated that the ion population is
      heterogeneous with respect to the site of charge, with consequent promotion of
      multiple low-energy fragmentation routes. 

PMID- 24235005
TI  - Determination of high-energy fragmentation of protonated peptides using a beqq
      hybrid mass spectrometer.
AB  - A hybrid tandem instrument of BEqQ geometry was used to determine high-energy
      decomposition of protonated peptides, such as side-chain fragmentation yielding d
      n and w n ions. The transmission through both E and Q of such product ions,
      formed in the second field-free region, permits improved mass resolution and
      confident mass assignment. The experimental technique may involve synchronous
      scanning of E and Q, or, for the purpose of identification of specific products,
      limited-range scanning of either E or Q with the other analyzer fixed. These
      techniques are not equivalent, with respect to product ion transmission, to the
      double focusing of product ions achieved with four-sector instruments but
      nevertheless represent a critical improvement over conventional mass-analyzed ion
      kinetic energy spectrometry analyses. Fragmentation of protonated peptides
      occurring in the second field-free region inside and outside the collision cell
      were distinguished by floating the collision cell above ground potential. Mass
      filtering using Q confirmed the mass assignments. The data indicate that product
      ions resulting from spontaneous decomposition are in some instances
      quantitatively more significant than those resulting from high-energy collisional
      activation. Furthermore, the differentiation of the products of low- and high
      energy processes should facilitate spectral interpretation. 

PMID- 24235006
TI  - Dehydration of peptide [M + H](+) ions in the gas phase.
AB  - The loss of water from protonated peptides was studied using [(18)O]-labeling of
      the C-terminal carboxyl group. The structures (including the location of the
      isotopic label) of first-generation product ions were examined by sequential
      product ion scanning (MS(3) and MS(4)) using a hybrid sector/quadrupole mass
      spectrometer. Water loss may involve carboxylic acid groups, side-chain
      hydroxyls, or peptide backbone oxygens. Although one of these three pathways
      often predominates, more than one dehydration route can be operative for a single
      peptide structure. When peptide backbone oxygen is lost, the dehydration can
      occur at one or two primary sites along the backbone, with the location of the
      site(s) varying among peptides. When water loss involves the C-terminal carboxyl
      group, the resulting ion may undergo extensive intraionic oxygen isotope
      exchange. This evidence for complex intraionic interactions further emphasizes
      the significance of gas-phase conformation in determining the fragmentations of
      peptide ions. 

PMID- 24235008
TI  - Fast-atom bombardment of the cyclic acetals: Evidence indicating the predominant
      involvement of condensed-phase processes in ionization.
AB  - A series of cyclic acetals, the 2-phenyl-l,3 dioxolanes, and their deuterated
      analogues were studied by electron ionization (EI), chemical ionization (CI), and
      fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry to gain insight into the primary
      ionization processes for these compounds in FAB/liquid secondary ion mass
      spectrometry. Comparison of EI and CI data with that of FAB led to the conclusion
      that the predominant [M - H]+ ion observed in FAB for the nondeuterated cyclic
      acetals cannot to a large extent be rationalized in thermodynamic terms by known
      gas-phase ion-molecule reactions. Instead, a condensed-phase model in which the
      multicharged transition state for hydride abstraction is better solvated than the
      transition state for proton transfer appears to be a plausible explanation for
      the FAB data obtained for the nonlabeled cyclic acetals; however, this
      explanation is not entirely sufficient to rationalize the FAB data for the
      deuterated cyclic acetals. For these compounds, a dramatic time dependence of
      protonation versus hydride abstraction is observed that suggests that beam
      induced reactive species are responsible for hydride abstraction in the condensed
      phase. This time dependence can be interpreted in terms of a buildup of highly
      reactive beam-induced species in the bulk of solution. Comparison of the results
      obtained for deuterated acetals with different surface activities support this
      hypothesis. (J Am Sot Mass. 

PMID- 24235007
TI  - Evaluation of the true effect of experimental parameters on the reduction /
      oxidation processes observed in fast-atom bombardment/liquid secondary
      spectrometry.
AB  - The peak intensities observed in the molecular ion regions of fast-atom
      bombardment/liquid secondary ion mass spectra contain contributions from the
      parent ion species, its one- and two-electron reduction/oxidation products, and
      chemical background signal due to beaminduced damage. There are several solution
      and instrumental parameters that can affect the distribution of peak intensities
      in the molecular ion region. In this study, the analyte concentration and primary
      beam density and energy were varied systematically to investigate their effects
      on the measured peak intensities. A computer algorithm, Simbroc (Simulated
      Background and Reduction/Oxidation Calculations), was designed to deconvolute the
      observed intensities into their individual components so that the true effects of
      experimental parameters on redox extent and background levels could be evaluated.
      The algorithm is based on a comprehensive seven-variable mathematical model for
      experimental data simulation. The results obtained using the algorithm after its
      validation indicate that the primary beam energy does not significantly affect
      redox extent or background levels. Changes in analyte concentration and primary
      beam density tend to play a more important role in the generation of redox
      products and beam-induced damage. The background level generally increases as the
      analyte concentration is lowered for the peptide systems used in this study. An
      increase in the primary beam density often leads to higher background levels,
      although the effect is less detectable for samples that have a low (less than 3%)
      background signal. The apparent two-electron reduction is generally lower at the
      higher concentrations; however, the "true" reduction occurring for
      pentaphenylalanine does not show a significant concentration effect. 

PMID- 24235009
TI  - Multisample probe for fast-atom bombardment / mass spectrometry.
AB  - An inexpensive multisample fast-atom bombardment (FAB) probe assembly was
      designed for high-throughput analysis of samples on a VG ZAB-SE mass
      spectrometer. The system consists of a vacuum lock system and a FAB probe whose
      tip contains five or more sample wells. The probe enters the mass spectrometer
      source region perpendicular to the secondary ion beam axis, The probe is
      maintained at high voltage on contact with a spring clip attached to the screen
      plate of the source block. Sample throughput with the multisample probe is twice
      that of a coaxial probe, with about twice the sensitivity and no sample cross
      contamination. 

PMID- 24235010
TI  - On the structure of water-alcohol and ammonia-alcohol protonated clusters.
AB  - Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of protonated ammonia-alcohol and water
      alcohol heteroclusters was studied using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer
      with a corona discharge atmospheric pressure ionization source. CID results
      suggested that the ammonia-alcohol clusters had NH: at the core of the cluster
      and that hydrogen-bonded alcohol molecules solvated this central ion. In
      contrast, CID results in water-alcohol clusters showed that water loss was
      strongly favored over alcohol loss and that there was a preference for the charge
      to reside on an alcohol molecule. The results also indicated that a loose chain
      of hydrogen-bonded molecules was formed in the water-alcohol clusters and that
      there appeared to be no rigid protonation site or a fixed central ion. (J Am Soc
      Mass. 

PMID- 24235011
TI  - Double-ionization energies of fluorinated benzene molecules.
AB  - Results are reported of an experimental determination by double-charge transfer
      spectroscopy of the previously unknown double-ionization energies of the
      fluorinated benzene molecules C6H5F, l,2-C6H4F2, 1,3-C6H4F2, 1,4-C6H4F2, 1,2,3
      C6H3F3, 1,2,4-C6H3F3, 1,3,5-C6H3F3, 1,2,3,4-C6H2F4, 1,2,3,5-C6H2F4, 1,2,4,5
      C6H2F4, and C6HF5. The data are remarkably similar; the lowest double-ionization
      energies for all the molecules are within +/-0.5 of 25.7 eV, and the data for
      higher energies suggest that the distributions of electronic state energies for
      the dications of the molecules show only small variations. 

PMID- 24235013
TI  - Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in normal Chinese students aged 6 to 17
      years.
AB  - PURPOSE: We obtained retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements in
      normal Chinese students aged 6 to 17 years, and investigated the relationship
      between RNFL thickness and sex, eye laterality, age, axial length, and refractive
      error. METHODS: A total of 4648 eyes in 2324 normal, randomly-selected Chinese
      students aged 6 to 17 years was examined in this study. The RNFL thickness was
      measured by optical coherence tomography. The effects of sex, eye laterality
      (left or right), age, refractive error, and axial length on RNFL thickness were
      assessed. RESULTS: The average age of the subjects was 12.82 +/- 3.11 years. The
      global average RNFL thickness (+/-SD) was 106.89 +/- 12.84 MUm. The thickest RNFL
      measurements were found at the superior (133.22 +/- 19.48 MUm) and inferior
      (129.23 +/- 20.30 MUm) quadrants of the retina, followed by the temporal (93.58
      +/- 29.15 MUm) and nasal (77.10 +/- 14.89 MUm) quadrants. In the 1529
      participants aged 12 to 17, there were no significant differences in RNFL
      thickness values between the right and left eyes (P > 0.05); significant
      differences in RNFL were found only in the inferior and temporal quadrants of the
      retina in different sex groups (P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed
      that the RNFL thickness values were correlated independently with axial length
      and refractive error (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For clinical assessment of RNFL
      thickness, the influence of refractive error and axial length should be taken
      into account.

PMID- 24235014
TI  - TNFRSF10A-LOC389641 rs13278062 but not REST-C4orf14-POLR2B-IGFBP7 rs1713985 was
      found associated with age-related macular degeneration in a Chinese population.
AB  - PURPOSE: To reassess the association between TNFRSF10-LOC389641 rs13278062 and
      REST-C4orf14-POLR2B-IGFBP7 rs1713985 with the risk of AMD in a Chinese case
      control collection. METHODS: The primary study consisted of 1826 subjects,
      including 1226 controls, 300 cases with nAMD, and 300 cases with PCV. Genomic DNA
      was extracted from venous blood leukocytes. The allelic variants of rs13278062
      and rs1713985 were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time
      of-flight mass spectrometry. The difference in allele distribution between cases
      and controls was tested using a chi2 test. We also performed a meta-analysis of
      case-control studies for rs13278062 and rs1713985 in Hong Kong and Singaporean
      late AMD collections of Chinese descent (1273 cases and 1652 controls) via an
      inverse-variance, fixed effects model as previously described. Subgroup analysis
      of CNV and PCV subtypes were also performed. RESULTS: We found no evidence to
      support a significant association of markers rs13278062 or rs1713985 with either
      nAMD or PCV, or total AMD in our Beijing study (P > 0.05 for all comparisons).
      Upon meta-analysis of all sample collections, we note nominally significant
      association between rs13278062 and increased risk of late AMD, consistent with
      previous findings in Japanese individuals (ORmeta = 1.17, Pmeta = 0.004). No
      association was detected between rs1713985 and AMD when all data were meta
      analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: SNP rs13278062, but not rs1713985 showed nominal evidence
      of association with AMD in a total of 1273 cases and 1652 controls of Chinese
      descent. The difference between different effect sizes in our study and other
      studies suggested that future studies with much larger sample sizes is necessary.

PMID- 24235015
TI  - The influence of genetic background on conventional outflow facility in mice.
AB  - PURPOSE: Intraocular pressure (IOP) varies between genetically distinct strains
      of mice. The purpose was to test the hypothesis that strain-dependent differences
      in IOP are attributable to differences in conventional outflow facility (C).
      METHODS: The IOP was measured by rebound tonometry in conscious or anesthetized
      BALB/cJ, C57BL/6J, and CBA/J mice (N = 6-10 per strain). Conventional outflow
      facility was measured by ex vivo perfusion of enucleated eyes (N = 9-10 per
      strain). RESULTS: Conscious IOP varied between strains, being highest in CBA/J
      (14.5 +/- 0.9 mm Hg, mean +/- SD), intermediate in C57BL/6J (12.3 +/- 1.0 mm Hg),
      and lowest in BALB/cJ (10.6 +/- 1.8 mm Hg) mice. Anesthesia reduced IOP and
      eliminated any detectable differences between strains. Conventional outflow
      facility also varied between strains, but, in contrast to IOP, C was lowest in
      CBA/J (0.0113 +/- 0.0031 MUL/min/mm Hg) and highest in BALB/cJ (0.0164 +/- 0.0059
      MUL/min/mm Hg). Like IOP, C was intermediate in C57BL/6J (0.0147 +/- 0.0029
      MUL/min/mm Hg). There was a strong correlation between conscious IOP and outflow
      resistance (1/C) from individual eyes across all three strains, revealing that
      70% of the variation in IOP was attributable to variation in outflow resistance.
      CONCLUSIONS: Differences in IOP among three genetically distinct murine strains
      are attributable largely to differences in conventional outflow facility. These
      results motivate further studies using mice to identify the morphologic and
      genetic factors that underlie IOP regulation within the conventional outflow
      pathway.

PMID- 24235016
TI  - Extremely complex populations of small RNAs in the mouse retina and RPE/choroid.
AB  - PURPOSE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs of approximately 18 to 22
      nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression. They are widely expressed in
      the retina, being both required for its normal development and perturbed in
      disease. The aim of this study was to apply new high-throughput sequencing
      techniques to more fully characterize the miRNAs and other small RNAs expressed
      in the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid of the mouse. METHODS:
      Retina and RPE/choroid were dissected from eyes of 3-month-old C57BL/6J mice.
      Small RNA libraries were prepared and deep sequencing performed on a genome
      analyzer. Reads were annotated by alignment to miRBase, other noncoding RNA
      databases, and the mouse genome. RESULTS: Annotation of 9 million reads to 320
      miRNAs in retina and 340 in RPE/choroid provides the most comprehensive profiling
      of miRNAs to date. Two novel miRNAs were identified in retina. Members of the
      sensory organ-specific miR-183, -182, -96 cluster were among the most highly
      expressed, retina-enriched miRNAs. Remarkably, miRNA "isomiRs," which vary
      slightly in length and are differentially detected by Taqman RT-qPCR assays,
      existed for all the microRNAs identified in both tissues. More variation occurred
      at the 3' ends, including nontemplated additions of T and A. Drosha-independent
      mirtron miRNAs and other small RNAs derived from snoRNAs were also detected.
      CONCLUSIONS: Deep sequencing has revealed the complexity of small RNA expression
      in the mouse retina and RPE/choroid. This knowledge will improve the design and
      interpretation of future functional studies of the role of miRNAs and other small
      RNAs in retinal disease.

PMID- 24235017
TI  - Allergy is a protective factor against age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the role of allergy on AMD. METHODS: Age-related macular
      degeneration staging was performed for 3585 individuals (1878 from Cologne,
      Germany, and 1707 from Nijmegen, The Netherlands). Interviewer-assisted
      questionnaires were evaluated for the factors smoking, use of corticosteroids,
      and history of allergy, including causative allergens. Serum complement component
      C3d and C3 levels were measured and the C3d:C3 ratio was calculated. Associations
      of allergy with AMD/late AMD were assessed by logistic regression analysis;
      C3d:C3 ratio was compared between groups. RESULTS: The discovery cohort from
      Cologne included 864 AMD patients and 1014 controls; 495 patients had late AMD.
      Positive history of allergy showed strong protective effects on the phenotype AMD
      (OR 0.52; P = 3.42 * 10(-9)) and late AMD (OR 0.32; P = 2.57 * 10(-13)).
      Subclassification in allergy-provoking agents showed significant protective
      effects in all groups. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, and corticosteroid
      use, protective effects for AMD (OR 0.75; P = 0.018) and late AMD (OR 0.49; P =
      2.87 * 10(-5)) were confirmed. Although the C3d:C3 ratio was higher in AMD/late
      AMD patients (both P < 0.001), there was no association with allergy in AMD (P =
      0.22). The protective effect of allergy on AMD was confirmed in the replication
      cohort from Nijmegen (P = 0.002 for AMD; P = 0.0001 for late AMD). CONCLUSIONS:
      Allergy has a protective effect on the development of AMD independent of the
      provoking allergen, which cannot be explained by complement activation. Further
      investigations are necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the
      protective effect of allergy on AMD.

PMID- 24235018
TI  - Neural crest origin of retinal and choroidal pericytes.
AB  - PURPOSE: The origin of pericytes (PCs) has been controversially discussed and at
      least three different sources of PCs are proposed: a neural crest, mesodermal, or
      bone marrow origin. In the present study we investigated a potential neural crest
      origin of ocular PCs in a transgenic Rosa26-YFP-Sox10-Cre neural crest-specific
      reporter mouse model at different developmental stages. METHODS: The Rosa26-YFP
      Sox10-Cre mouse model expresses the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) reporter in
      cells with an active Sox10 promoter and was here used for cell fate studies of
      Sox10-positive neural crest derived progeny cells. Detection of the YFP signal in
      combination with double and triple immunohistochemistry of chondroitin sulfate
      proteoglycan (NG2), platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRbeta),
      alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA), oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2
      (Olig2), and lectin was performed and analyzed by confocal microscopy. RESULTS:
      Sox10-YFP-positive cells and profiles were detected in the inner nuclear layer,
      the ganglionic cell layer, and the axons of the nerve fiber layer in postnatal
      retinas. An additional population has been identified in the retina, optic nerve,
      and choroid that displays strong perivascular localization. These cells were
      colocalized with the PC-specific markers NG2 and PDGFRbeta in embryonic (E14.5)
      as well as postnatal (P4, P12, 6-week-old) vasculature. Beside PCs, vascular
      smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) were also labeled by the Sox10-YFP reporter protein
      in all ocular tissues investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Since YFP-positive PCs and vSMCs
      are colocalized with NG2 and PDGFRbeta, we propose that capillary PCs and vSMCs
      in the retina and the optic nerve, both parts of the central nervous system, as
      well as in the choroid, a tissue of mesodermal origin, derive from the neural
      crest.

PMID- 24235019
TI  - Dynamic low back functional motion capacity evaluation.
AB  - Most current functional capacity evaluations focus on range of motion and
      strength as measures of Wellness. The goal of this study was to evaluate the
      dynamic functional motion capacity of controls (those without low back pain) and
      low back pain patients in the three cardinal planes of the body. The hypothesis
      was that injury would not only affect sagittal motion but also lateral and
      twisting motion that would load the spine in a different manner. Twenty-six age
      and gender matched controls and low back pain patients were tested. Trunk motion
      parameters of range of motion (ROM), velocity, and acceleration were measured in
      all three planes of the body as subjects performed three separate tasks eliciting
      motion in each of the three cardinal planes of the body. Controls exhibited
      significantly higher performance than low back pain patients in all three planes
      of the body for velocity and acceleration but not ROM. Single parameter
      discriminant function models indicated that the velocity and acceleration motion
      parameters distinguished between LBP patients and the control group more
      effectively than ROM in the cardinal planes. Multiple parameter discriminant
      function demonstrated that coupled motion models further increased the ability to
      distinguish between the control and patient groups. These results provide insight
      into new methods of evaluating functional capacity using velocity, acceleration,
      and coupling which may provide valuable information in determining the recovery
      of a patient. 

PMID- 24235020
TI  - Changes in psychopathology following functional restoration of chronic low back
      pain patients: A prospective study.
AB  - Past research has consistently demonstrated high rates of psychopathology in
      patients disabled with chronic low back pain. The purpose of the present study
      was to evaluate whether functional restoration treatment of these patients would
      lead to significant changes in psychopathology. Fifty-six patients were evaluated
      for current psychiatric disorders, using a structured clinical interview for DSM
      III-R disorders, upon admission to a comprehensive 3 week functional restoration
      program, and again at 6 months following their rehabilitation. Results clearly
      documented significant decreases in prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders,
      particularly somatoform pain disorder and major depression. Such findings
      demonstrate that effective rehabilitation can significantly decrease the high
      rates of psychopathology commonly found in chronic low back pain patients. 

PMID- 24235021
TI  - Relationships among age, body weight, resting heart rate, and performance in a
      new test of lift capacity.
AB  - This study measured the relative contributions of age, gender, body weight, and
      resting heart rate to lift capacity in 531 healthy employed males and females in
      a cross-sectional model. The objectives of this study were to measure the
      contributions to lift capacity that are made by these variables and to develop an
      appropriate means to express the results of a new test of lift capacity. A formal
      training program was developed and administered to 110 health care professionals.
      Subsequently, each trained evaluator performed five tests on healthy volunteers.
      The effect of the independent variables were studied through the use of multiple
      regression and analysis of variance procedures. Results indicate that age,
      resting heart rate, and body weight are significant predictors of performance,
      with the last variable being the most important. A method to normalize lift
      capacity is presented in which the maximum acceptable weight lifted is divided by
      the evaluee's body weight to derive relative acceptable weight, a variable which
      is normally distributed. Those who use measures of lift capacity to describe
      performance must consider the effect of these variables in order to make valid
      interpretations of lift capacity test performance. 

PMID- 24235022
TI  - A limited functional restoration program for injured workers: A randomized trial.
AB  - Worker's Compensation Board (WCB) claimants suffering from soft tissue injuries
      were treated in a limited functional restoration program (FRP) and compared to a
      randomized group of claimants referred back to their family doctors for "usual
      care." The FRP consisted of exercise, work conditioning, group education and
      behavioral counseling designed to maximize function, improve pain coping
      strategies, and ultimately return claimants to work. Results showed that treated
      claimants were significantly more likely to be back at work or "work ready" (in a
      job search, in retraining or school) 18 months posttreatment than claimants left
      to the "usual care" of their attending physicians. They also reported lower pain
      levels and improved sleep on follow-up. Claimants with low back pain were more
      successful in returning to work than those with nonback pain or multiple
      complaints. Results are discussed in terms of the need for better coordination of
      care to ensure positive outcomes, ideal features of a successful FRP and the need
      to better understand who will benefit from this intervention. 

PMID- 24235023
TI  - Predicting post treatment spinal strength and flexibility in work-disabled low
      back pain patients.
AB  - This study examined whether posttreatment trunk strength and flexibility could be
      predicted from initial trunk strength and flexibility, age, gender, pain
      severity, diagnosis, length of work disability, return-to-work expectations,
      anxiety, and fear of reinjury among a group of 96 injured workers with chronic
      occupational low back pain who completed a multidisciplinary work rehabilitation
      program. The results indicate that initial average torque in trunk extension,
      age, gender, and average pain severity contribute significantly to prediction of
      final average torque in trunk extension. Initial average torque in trunk flexion,
      age, and gender contributed significantly to prediction of final average torque
      in trunk flexion, and age and initial range of motion contributed significantly
      to the prediction of final trunk range of motion. The results indicate that
      prediction of trunk strength and range of motion can be accomplished from
      measures of trunk strength and flexibility and pain obtained prior to the onset
      of rehabilitation. Psychological measures were not predictive of posttreatment
      trunk strength and flexibility. The ability to predict posttreatment trunk
      strength should facilitate clinical decision making in these complex cases. 

PMID- 24235025
TI  - Tandem bullet injury: an unusual variant of an unusual injury.

PMID- 24235026
TI  - Reactive follicular lymphoid infiltrate: a new condition to exclude in patients
      with PET positivity inside the heart.

PMID- 24235024
TI  - The importance of autophagy in cardioprotection.
AB  - Autophagy is an intracellular lysosomal-mediated catabolic process in which
      senescent or damaged proteins and organelles are sequestered by double membrane
      limited vesicles called autophagosomes, and then degraded by lysosomes. While the
      role of autophagy in different pathological states is context-dependent, it has
      been shown that during cardiac ischemia, autophagy is upregulated as a
      cardioprotective adaptation. We recently demonstrated that Rheb, a small GTP
      binding protein that directly activates the complex 1 of the mechanistic target
      of rapamycin, is a critical regulator of autophagy during cardiac ischemia. We
      found that cardiac Rheb/mTORC1 signaling is activated in a deregulated manner
      during ischemia in obesity and metabolic syndrome. This uncontrolled activation
      of the Rheb/mTORC1 pathway leads to autophagy inhibition and to a reduction of
      myocardial tolerance to ischemia. This data further supports the relevance of
      autophagy as a fundamental protective mechanism during myocardial ischemia and
      suggests that reactivation of autophagy, in particular through the inhibition of
      Rheb/mTORC1 signaling may represent a promising therapeutic option to treat
      subjects with an acute myocardial infarction, particularly those affected by
      metabolic derangements. This review will deal with the biological significance of
      autophagy in cardioprotection. 

PMID- 24235027
TI  - Scientific research and human rights: a response to Kitcher on the limitations of
      inquiry.
AB  - In his recent work exploring the role of science in democratic societies Kitcher
      (Science in a democratic society. Prometheus Books, New York, 2011) claims that
      scientists ought to have a prominent role in setting the agenda for and limits to
      research. Against the backdrop of the claim that the proper limits of scientific
      inquiry is John Stuart Mill's Harm Principle (Kitcher in Science, truth, and
      democracy. Oxford University Press, New York, 2001), he identifies the limits of
      inquiry as the point where the outcomes of research could cause harm to already
      vulnerable populations. Nonetheless, Kitcher argues against explicit limitations
      on unscrupulous research on the grounds that restrictions would exacerbate
      underlying social problems. I show that Kitcher's argument in favor of dissuading
      inquiry through conventional standards is problematic and falls prey to the same
      critique he offers in opposition to official bans. I expand the conversation of
      limiting scientific research by recognizing that the actions that count as
      'science' are located in the space between 'thinking' and 'doing'. In this space,
      we often attempt to balance freedom of research, as scientific speech, against
      the disparate impact citizens might experience in light of such research. I end
      by exploring if such disparate impact justifies limiting research, within the
      context of the United States, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or
      under international human rights standards more generally.

PMID- 24235028
TI  - Prevalence and impacts of low back pain among peasant farmers in south-west
      Nigeria.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A relationship between low back pain (LBP) and poor postures has been
      previously established with a high prevalence observed in many occupations. This
      study aimed to investigate the prevalence of LBP, associated risk factors and
      impacts on farmers in South-West Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six hundred and
      four farmers completed a 36-item closed-ended questionnaire which was translated
      to Yoruba language with content validity and back translation done after-wards.
      The questionnaire sought information on demographic data, 12-month prevalence,
      severity, history, causes and management of LBP, and its impacts on farm
      activities and the activities of daily living. Data was analyzed using the
      Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. Data was summarized
      using descriptive statistics of mean, range, frequency, standard deviation,
      percentage. Chi2 and Mann-Whitney-U test were used to find association between
      variables. The level of significance was set at alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: The 12
      month prevalence of LBP among the respondents was 74.4%. Low back pain was
      described as moderate in 53.4%. Prolonged bending (51.3%) was the most related
      risk factor. A consider-able proportion (65.9%) of the respondents were unable to
      continue some of the previously enjoyed activities. Males had significantly
      higher (p < 0.05) prevalence, recurrence and duration of LBP than the females.
      CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of LBP among farmers in South-West
      Nigeria. Age, sex and years of involvement in farming have a significant
      influence on the prevalence of LBP.

PMID- 24235030
TI  - The quest for literacy.

PMID- 24235029
TI  - A tribute to Sally Childs.

PMID- 24235031
TI  - Helping dyslexics-A task for sharing.

PMID- 24235032
TI  - Is there a thing called dyslexia?
AB  - A controversy whether developmental dyslexia is qualitatively different from
      other forms of reading disability has existed among reading specialists for many
      years because poor readers, regardless of the labels attached to them, resemble
      each other symptomatically (i.e., in reading achievement). For this reason, it is
      difficult to establish a priori criteria based on symptoms to identify dyslexia
      and compare it with other forms of reading disability. One possible solution to
      this impasse is to see if poor readers differ in the etiology of their reading
      disability and, if they do, then to see whether one group of poor readers fits
      the traditional definition of dyslexia. This strategy was adopted in the present
      study. In this paper, it was hypothesized that the etiology of dyslexia is
      different from that of other forms of reading disability because there is a
      difference in the components that malfunction in dyslexia and other forms of
      reading disability. Studies have shown that the two components that account for a
      large proportion of variance in reading are decoding and comprehension. Previous
      studies also indicate that dyslexic children are deficient in decoding skills but
      not necessarily in comprehension. In this study, reading-disabled children were
      divided into two groups on the basis of their listening comprehension. Children
      whose listening comprehension was at or above grade level were placed in one
      group; poor readers with below-grade-level listening comprehension were placed in
      the second group. Both groups, however, were matched for reading comprehension.
      The two groups and a control group of normal readers were administered a number
      of tasks that were designed to assess the efficiency of the components of
      reading. It was found that poor readers with normal listening comprehension were
      deficient in tasks that involved grapheme-phoneme conversion (Component I,
      decoding). When tested on tasks that minimized decoding requirements, their
      reading comprehension was comparable to that of normal readers. In contrast, the
      group with sub-average listening comprehension was poor in measures of reading
      comprehension, even when decoding requirements were minimal. With the exception
      of very few children, this group also had adequate decoding skills. Because poor
      readers with normal listening comprehension had average or above average IQ, they
      conform to the traditional definition of dyslexia. Poor readers with below
      average listening comprehension had below average IQ and could be considered as
      "general reading backward." It was, therefore, concluded that the etiology of
      developmental dyslexia is different from that of general reading backwardness. 

PMID- 24235033
TI  - Naming ability and oral fluency in dyslexic adolescents.
AB  - Twenty-one dyslexic boys, aged between 113/4 and 18, were presented with drawings
      of familiar objects and asked to name the part of the object to which an arrow
      pointed, for example the flex of an iron and the mane of a horse. They were also
      asked to explain the meanings of six words with only one meaning, six homophones
      (pier/peer), and six homographs (bat/bat). Nineteen control boys from the same
      background were also given the tests. No time constraints were imposed.It was
      found that the dyslexics were no less successful than the controls in finding the
      names for the parts of the objects and that they had no distinctive difficulty
      over homophones or homographs. However, when an analysis of errors was carried
      out, it was found that, in comparison with the controls, they produced more
      distortions of words (for instance bucker for buckle), gave fewer "don't know"
      responses, and showed a greater tendency to repeat the parent word. In the case
      of the word-explanation tasks, they produced more examples of inappropriate usage
      (for example, in response to pier, "is what people walk along and fishing off"),
      more incomplete sentences, more repetitions, more misunderstandings of words, and
      more unnecessary amplifications of their original response. There was an equal
      tendency in both groups to ignore the indefinite article (for example, a bat.
      What is a bat?-"To bat a ball"). The dyslexics used fewer relative clauses, and
      there was marginal evidence for more frequent use of you and your and of er, um,
      and well.It is argued that among dyslexic adolescents, there remains a residual
      uncertainty which affects their oral language, and it is suggested that teachers
      should pay more attention to this weakness, since if a pupil cannot express
      himself adequately in speech, he is likely to show similar difficulties in his
      written work. 

PMID- 24235034
TI  - Grammaticality judgments and reading skill in grade 2.
AB  - Do the language problems associated with reading disability extend to sentence
      level knowledge? If so, how should these problems be characterized? In this
      study, second graders were presented with two different oral syntactic tasks,
      equivalent in grammatical complexity, but varying in the actual task demands
      placed upon the reader. In theJudgment task, subjects were asked to distinguish
      between grammatical and ungrammatical sentences; in theCorrection task, subjects
      were asked to remedy violations of grammaticality. Performance on these sentence
      level tasks was, in turn, examined in relation to reading scores, memory span,
      and metaphonological skill. The Judgment task revealed a wide range of ability
      among second-graders, and scores were systematically affected by the syntactic
      nature of the violation. However, performance on Judgment was not associated with
      reading ability or metaphonological skill, and scores were minimally affected by
      short-term memory factors. Mean scores on the Correction task were comparable to
      those achieved in the Judgment task and were also systematically affected by
      syntactic factors. However, performance on Correction was strongly associated
      with reading ability and metaphonological skill, and was greatly affected by
      short-term memory factors. These results suggest that reading disability does not
      reflect problems in basic syntactic knowledge. Instead, sentence-level problems
      that have been observed in less-skilled readers may be caused by the
      nonlinguistic processing demands of the syntactic measures typically employed. 

PMID- 24235035
TI  - A componential approach to understanding reading and its difficulties in
      preadolescent readers.
AB  - The present study is predicated on the logic of interrelated functional
      information processing components as an approach to understanding reading and its
      difficulties in preadolescent readers. The structural equation modelling (and its
      variants) involved these three latent components: (a) orthographic/phonological
      component, (b) morphological component, and (c) sentence and paragraph
      comprehension component. These components were subserved by a total of ten
      measurable tasks, all administered on-line via the microcomputer under laboratory
      conditions with reaction time measures as indices of mental representation of
      word knowledge and sentence/paragraph comprehension. The latent dependent
      component of reading performance was subserved by standardized vocabulary and
      reading comprehension tests. The total sample consisted of 298 children in
      grades, 4, 5, and 6. Maximum likelihood analyses using LISREL show that the data
      in general do not disconfirm the proposed model for grade 4 readers. The three
      component model, with some variables set free, provides a reasonable fit for the
      grade 5 data but less claim could be made about the goodness of fit for grade 6.
      The results show the mutually reinforcing and mutually facilitating effects of
      multilevels and multicomponents of reading. Word structure and word knowledge are
      particularly predictive of reading. The present Phase 1 work would be validated
      in a follow-up of another cohort of readers and would also lead to the systematic
      training of some of the components with poor readers. 

PMID- 24235036
TI  - Colorado reading project: Longitudinal analyses.
AB  - Extensive psychometric test data were obtained from two independent samples of
      reading-disabled and control children: 70 probands and 75 controls tested on two
      occasions over an average interval of 4.2 years, and 35 probands and 22 controls
      tested on three occasions over an average interval of 8.6 years. When composite
      measures of reading performance and symbol-processing speed were subjected to
      mixed-model multivariate analyses of variance, significant effects due to group
      (reading-disabled versus control) and time (i.e., test session) were obtained in
      both samples, and a significant group-by-time interaction was obtained for the
      sample tested on three occasions. In general, rates of change in reading
      performance are highly similar for reading-disabled and control children.
      However, with regard to symbol-processing speed, differences between the two
      groups increase as a function of age. Although no evidence was obtained for
      differential longitudinal stability of either composite measure in reading
      disabled and control children, results of a multiple regression analysis suggest
      that reading deficits during middle childhood are highly predictive of later
      reading problems, even into early adulthood. 

PMID- 24235037
TI  - Genetic and environmental etiologies of reading disability: A twin study.
AB  - Previous twin studies of reading disability employed a comparison of concordance
      rates in identical and fraternal twin pairs as a test for genetic etiology.
      Recently, a statistically more powerful multiple regression analysis of twin data
      has been formulated to assess the importance of genetic factors in the
      development of reading difficulties. Application of this analysis to twin data
      from the Colorado Reading Project yields definitive evidence for a genetic
      etiology. Results from this study suggest that approximately 40 percent of the
      deficit observed in the disabled readers is due to genetic factors, 35 percent is
      due to environmental influences shared by members of twin pairs, and about 25
      percent is the result of environmental factors unique to the individual and/or
      error variance. 

PMID- 24235038
TI  - A developmental perspective on dyslexic subtypes.
AB  - In this paper we apply a developmental model of reading to the question of
      dyslexic subtypes. Groups of normal readers (n=40) and dyslexic children (n=50),
      matched on reading level and IQ, were given a comprehensive test battery
      measuring level of development of visual, phonological, and orthographic skills.
      As a group, dyslexics deviated from normal readers of equivalent reading
      achievement primarily in phonological skills (spelling-to-sound translation and
      phonemic analysis), although limited differences in knowledge of word-specific
      spellings were also observed. Dyslexics were superior to the younger normal
      readers in visual processing of print. Analysis of individual data by reference
      to the reading level control group revealed three major subgroups: a group with a
      specific deficit in phonological processing of print (52 percent), a group with
      deficits in processing both the phonological and orthographic features of printed
      words (24 percent), and a group with phonological deficits in language (8
      percent). The remainder of the sample (16 percent) had specific deficits in
      visual or orthographic processing of print, in spelling, or did not differ from
      the control group. The data support the view that most developmental dyslexics
      have a specific language disorder involving some aspect of phonological
      processing. However, small subgroups with very different configurations of
      reading and nonreading difficulties may exist as well. 

PMID- 24235039
TI  - The right and wrong places to look for the cognitive locus of reading disability.
AB  - A coherent conception of dyslexia has been difficult to arrive at because
      research findings have continually created logical paradoxes for the psychometric
      definition of reading disability. One such paradox is that cognitive research has
      undermined the assumption of specificity in the definition of dyslexia. The
      assumption of specificity is the underlying premise that the cognitive problems
      characteristic of the dyslexic child are reasonably specific to the reading task
      and do not implicate broader domains of cognitive functioning. This paper
      demonstrates how to develop hypotheses about the cognitive deficits of dyslexic
      children that do not undermine the assumption of specificity. Phonological
      awareness is explored as one candidate process.It is argued that in order to
      avoid the pitfalls surrounding the assumption of specificity three things are
      important: 1) We must understand the operation of Matthew effects in education
      (rich-get-richer and poor-get-poorer effects); 2) Strict psychometric criteria
      must be used to define dyslexia; 3) We must continually be aware that dyslexia
      does not demarcate a discrete category, separate from other groups of poor
      readers, but represents the outcome of the application of an arbitrary criterion
      in a continuous distribution. 

PMID- 24235040
TI  - Screening for reading problems: The utility of SEARCH.
AB  - To evaluate the accuracy of SEARCH as a screen for identifying children at risk
      for developing learning problems, 1107 kindergarten children were evaluated with
      SEARCH and 284 (26 percent) were classified as at risk. At-risk children were of
      average intelligence and SEARCH scores were significantly correlated with
      sequential and simultaneous information processing skills. Children whose group
      preacademic achievement scores were at or below the third stanine at the end of
      kindergarten were classified as having inadequate skills for learning how to
      read; those scoring above the third stanine formed the adequate skills group.
      Using this criterion, SEARCH predicted children who had adequate or inadequate
      preacademic reading skills with 77 percent accuracy. However, approximately half
      of the children identified as at risk by SEARCH performed adequately. A reading
      test was individually administered to a group of at-risk children at the end of
      first (N=49) and second (N=35) grade. Of those children identified at risk by
      SEARCH at kindergarten, 39 percent at first grade and 66 percent at second grade
      performed at grade level. Fewer children from the upper SES were identified by
      SEARCH as being at risk. 

PMID- 24235041
TI  - A classroom-based model of language intervention for preschool language-impaired
      children: Principles and procedures.
AB  - It is now generally recognized that a language impairment in preschool children
      may be predictive of later linguistic, reading, and academic difficulties.
      Language intervention procedures, derived from theoretically-based principles of
      language development and implemented in a child's regular classroom environment,
      may benefit children at risk for persistent language and learning problems. This
      paper describes the development and application of individualized intervention
      procedures in a classroom for preschool language-impaired children. The
      discussion focuses on selected language development principles which helped
      determine the setting, timing, interactive participants, purpose, and content of
      the language intervention program. Resulting changes in language comprehension
      and production are reported based on individual classroom performance as well as
      a comparison of pre-and posttest scores for a range of comprehension skills. 

PMID- 24235042
TI  - Phoneme segmentation training: Effect on reading readiness.
AB  - Recent evidence suggests that the ability to segment words into phonemes is
      significantly related to reading success, and that training in phoneme
      segmentation appears to have a positive influence on beginning reading. In this
      study, we evaluated the effect on reading readiness of phoneme segmentation
      training in kindergarten. Ninety nonreaders with PPVT-R standard scores of 78 or
      higher were randomly selected from six kindergarten classrooms and assigned to
      one of three treatment conditions: a) phoneme segmentation group; b) language
      activities group (control group I); and c) no intervention (control group II).
      The phoneme segmentation group received seven weeks of instruction in
      segmentation and in letter names and sounds. Also for seven weeks, the language
      activities group received the identical instruction in letter names and sounds
      and additional language activities. Prior to the intervention, the three groups
      did not differ in age, sex, race, PPVT-R phoneme segmentation, letter name and
      letter sound knowledge, or reading ability. After the intervention, the phoneme
      segmentation group outperformed both control groups on phoneme segmentation and
      reading measures. This study provides additional strong support for including
      phoneme segmentation training in the kindergarten curriculum. Clinical
      suggestions for teachers are included. 

PMID- 24235043
TI  - Syllable division: Prerequisite to dyslexics' literacy.
AB  - Skill in reading long words is prerequisite to dyslexics' literacy. Instant
      recognition of printed symbols is easy for those readers with photographic
      memories, but dyslexics often fail to recognize visually many long words which
      are actually familiar to them auditorially. Scientific, automatic, multisensory
      procedures for dividing longer words into easily read syllables can enable
      students to translate visual symbols rapidly and thereby to read, write, or spell
      accurately words of any length.Over one thousand dyslexics, aged seven to
      fifteen, guided the interdisciplinary team at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in
      Dallas to develop, observe results, and test specific structured, sequential
      steps in working out longer words. The ten-year study (1965-1975) in the Language
      Laboratory of the Hospital established the Alphabetic Phonics curriculum which is
      now used successfully, not only in remedial groups but in regular classes of any
      size or age, in public and private schools in 45 states and six foreign
      countries.The newly-established Aylett Royall Cox Institute in Dallas prepares
      teachers and Master Instructors to train both students and other teachers.
      Comparable Alphabetic Phonics Teacher Training Centers are already established in
      Houston and Lubbock, Texas, in Oklahoma City, and at Columbia University Teachers
      College in New York. 

PMID- 24235044
TI  - Beyond decoding: Pictures of expository prose.
AB  - Just as success in decoding complex spelling patterns requires strategy and
      structure, so does the "decoding" of complex expository writing. We discuss the
      specific sources of difficulty in technical writing and distinguish between
      content structure and text structure. Next come presentations of the basic
      building blocks for expository writing and techniques of text design. Patterns
      from American science and social studies texts are described and contrasted with
      Japanese materials. We finish with suggestions for promoting the comprehension of
      expository materials. 

PMID- 24235045
TI  - Beyond phonics: Integrated decoding and spelling instruction based on word origin
      and structure.
AB  - In this paper, the relevance of word structure knowledge to decoding and spelling
      instruction is discussed. An explicit, discussion oriented, direct approach to
      teaching decoding and spelling based on word origin and structure results in
      improved reading and spelling. This instruction leads students to a comparison
      and contrast of letter-sound correspondences, syllable patterns, and morpheme
      patterns in English words of Anglo-Saxon, Romance, and Greek origin. 

PMID- 24235047
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 24235046
TI  - Dyslexic/learning disabled students at Dartmouth college.
AB  - Dartmouth College, a highly selective Ivy League college with 4100
      undergraduates, has a small but significant number of dyslexic/learning-disabled
      students, two-thirds of whom were identified through diagnostic testing at
      Dartmouth. Close advising relationships and intensive interviews with Dartmouth
      learning-disabled students reveal a profile of a particular category of learning
      disabled college students. In spite of experiencing difficulty in a specific
      content area or with an information-processing task, learning-disabled Dartmouth
      students achieve well academically, socially, and extracurricularly, get high
      scores on timed SAT and IQ tests, and rely when necessary on accommodations,
      rather than remedial courses or specialized tutorial assistance.The authors
      surveyed selective colleges in 1986 and 1988 and found an increase in awareness
      and academic accommodations at other selective colleges during this two-year
      period. A 1987 dyslexic/learning-disabilities symposium hosted by Dartmouth is
      described, as are Dartmouth's services and accommodations. The authors provide a
      suggested list of services and resources for highly selective colleges. 

PMID- 24235048
TI  - Environmental management strategies : A new feature in ESPR.

PMID- 24235049
TI  - Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and related
      compounds: Update and recent developments.

PMID- 24235050
TI  - Formation of PCDD/PCDF : Effect of fuel and fly ash composition on the formation
      of PCDD/PCDF in the co-combustion of refuse-derived and packaging-derived fuels
      Multivariate analysis.
AB  - One option of recycling used contaminated packaging is to recover its high energy
      content. This can be performed in a normal multi-fuel power plant by co
      combustion of packaging-derived fuel (PDF) or refuse-derived fuel (RDF) with
      fossil fuels, such as coal or peat. This work includes the results of 17 co
      combustion tests and an evaluation of the results by the Principal Component
      Analysis (PCA) and the Partial Least Squares Projections to Latent Structures
      (PLS).PCA and PLS calculations showed that especially Pb, but also Cr, and Cu
      correlated with lower chlorinated furans (PCDFs) in the fly ash. Correlation
      between Sn and lower chlorinated dioxins (PCDDs) in the fly ash was also noticed.
      CO and PAH emission in the flue gas correlated with total PCDD/Fs in the flue
      gas. In a real full-scale combustion process, a single parameter in fuel, flue
      gas or a combustion parameter did not provide a guide to PCDD/F formation or to a
      level of the total PCDD/F emission, but correlations between different parameters
      and PCDD/Fs could be found. Although PDFs and RDF had catalytic heavy metals and
      chlorine, the co-combustion results showed that they can be co-combusted with
      peat and coal in a fluidized-bed boiler at least up to 26 % with very low total
      PCDD and PCDF emissions. 

PMID- 24235051
TI  - Uptake of nitroaromatic compounds in plants : Implications for risk assessment of
      ammunition sites.
AB  - The uptake of nitroaromatic compounds by plants from the soil was studied at an
      ammunition site. After the development of analytical methods for 2,4,6
      trinitrotoluene, aminodinitrotoluenes and dinitrotoluenes in plant material, we
      could show that these substances accumulated in the roots of plants and are found
      to a lesser extent inleaves and stems. We observed only moderate differences
      between various plant species. It is likely that a metabolic transformation in
      plants leads to the formation of dinitrotoluenes which are considered to be
      potent carcinogens. Results from soils with a wide range of explosive
      concentrations show a good correlation between the plant and soil concentrations.
      The relative accumulation in plant material is higher at lower soil
      concentrations. At low soil concentrations of about 1 mg trinitrotoluene/kg soil,
      an accumulation factor of about 0.5 can be derived. These data are an important
      input for the risk assessment of ammunition sites. 

PMID- 24235052
TI  - Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) : Idiopathic environmental intolerances
      (IEI).
AB  - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a systemic disorder causing central
      nervous, irritative and gastrointestinal symptoms, and can be included in the
      category of "idiopathic environmental intolerance" (IEI). This term describes
      phenomena with multiple, recurrent symptoms associated with various environmental
      factors that are tolerated by most people without problems. Those advocating
      these concepts attribute the symptoms to exogenous substances. Those opposing
      them explain the phenomena by classical conditioning or other psychopathological
      processes. To the extent that controlled studies are available, they have not
      furnished any hard evidence for toxic or immunological causes. In addition to
      psychopathological origins, neurobiological processes are also implicated. 

PMID- 24235053
TI  - Ozone and grosswetterlagen : Analysis for the Munich Metropolitan Area.
AB  - Meteorological conditions have a decisive impact on surface ozone concentrations.
      In this study, an empirical model is used to explain the interdependence of ozone
      and grosswetterlagen. Different meteorological parameters such as air
      temperature, global solar radiation, relative humidity, wind direction and wind
      speed are used. Additional nitric oxide (NO) was taken as a representative for
      the emission situation and ozone maximum of the preceding day in order to
      evaluate the development of the photochemical situation. The dataset includes
      data collected over a period of three years (1992-1994) from three stations
      outside of Munich and one in the center of Munich.All values become variables by
      calculating means, sums or maxima of the basic dataset consisting of half-hour
      means. Seasonal periodicity of data is detected with Fourier analysis and
      eliminated by a division method after computing a seasonal index.The dataset is
      divided into three different grosswetterlagen groups, depending on main wind
      direction. One mostly cyclonic (westerly winds), onemixed (alternating winds) and
      one onlyanticyclonic (easterly winds). The last is completed with one summertime
      group including values from April to August.Factor analysis is performed for each
      group to obtain independent linear variable combinations. Overall, relative
      humidity is the dominant parameter, a typical value indicating meteorological
      conditions during a grosswetterlage.Linear multiple regression analysis is
      performed using the factors obtained to reveal how the ozone concentrations are
      explained in terms of meteorological parameters and NO. The results improve from
      cyclonic to anticyclonic grosswetterlagen in conformance with the increasing
      significance of photochemistry, indicated by the high solar radiation and high
      temperature, and the low relative humidity and low wind speed. The explained
      variance r(2) reaches its maximum with more than 50 % of the time in Munich
      center.This empirical model is applicable to the forecasting of local ozone
      maximum concentrations with a total standard error deviation of 8.5 to 12.8 %
      and, if ozone concentrations exceed 80 ppb, with a standard error deviation of
      5.4 to 9.5 %. 

PMID- 24235054
TI  - Global total ozone dynamics : Impact on surface solar ultraviolet radiation
      variability and ecosystems Part I: Global ozone dynamics and environmental safety
      (ESPR 3/96) Part II: Dynamics of atmospheric chemical composition: The role of
      remote sensing (ESPR 4/96).
AB  - An overview of the ozone issues is given including the following aspects: 1. The
      impact of tropospheric ozone on climate as a greenhouse gas (GHG), 2. Solar
      activity effects on TO and ozone concentration vertical profiles in both the
      troposphere and stratosphere (in cases of solar radiation absorption by the
      stratosphere, an unexpected problem arises via a coupling between processes of
      increased absorption due to "bursts" of solar activity and an enhanced
      destruction of ozone molecules due to the same increase resulting in weakening UV
      radiation absorption) and 3. Surface ozone concentration variations under
      conditions of polluted urban atmospheres which lead to episodes of photochemical
      smog formation (dangerous for human health). 

PMID- 24235055
TI  - XVIII Quadrennial ozone symposium : L'Aquila/Italy 12-21 September 1996.

PMID- 24235056
TI  - Secondary air pollutants : Epistomatal wax erosion of Scots pine needles.
AB  - The study has been performed in a supposedly clean-air region of a Northern
      Finnish forest with a homogeneous stand of Scots pine. Stomatal epicuticular wax
      layer erosion is described using a classification system of five erosion stages.
      The percentage of stomatal wax within each erosion stage is calculated and the
      results are treated statistically, which makes the morphological study of the
      needle surface semi-quantitative. Severe wax degradation has already been found
      in the current year, increasing with the age of the needles. In this area, the
      wax layer erosion is correlated with secondary air pollutants, as analyses have
      shown high trichloroacetate (TCA) levels in needles from the same trees. The wax
      layer analyses are in accordance with earlier findings which have demonstrated
      differences in tolerance to TCA. 

PMID- 24235057
TI  - Hydrophobicity of complex organic mixtures.
AB  - Hydrophobicity is an important property in risk assessment of chemicals. A group
      parameter that reflects the hydrophobicity of technical mixtures is not yet
      available. However, many substances are complex organic mixtures, for which it is
      practically impossible to determine each component separately. An experimental
      procedure to measure the hydrophobicity of organic mixtures without knowledge of
      the individual components was developed and tested for a mixture of benzene and
      twelve chlorobenzenes. This procedure is based on separation of the mixture into
      fractions of increasing hydrophobicity by reversed-phase HPLC, after which the
      total molar concentration in each fraction is determined by vapour pressure
      osmometry. The obtained information on hydrophobicity can be used for assessing
      bioaccumulation and sediment sorption after emission of the mixture to water has
      occurred. 

PMID- 24235058
TI  - Biomonitoring and environmental specimen banking.
AB  - The environmental specimen banking program (ESB) of the Federal Republic of
      Germany implies a collection of specimens from representative areas of Germany,
      stored under stable conditions for deferred analysis. It is an important part of
      the ecological assessment program. The ecological concept is presented as the
      frame of the entire ESB program. It is based on the selection of representative
      sampling areas and specimens. Standard operating procedures (SOP's) for sampling
      and characterization of specimens, as well as sampling designs specific to the
      areas, are presented as further important parts of the quality assurance system
      in relation to the correct sampling of specimens. 

PMID- 24235059
TI  - UNEP/IFCS Meeting on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) : Manila, Philippines,
      17 to 22 June 1996.

PMID- 24235061
TI  - Novel role of ZmaNAC36 in co-expression of starch synthetic genes in maize
      endosperm.
AB  - Starch is an essential commodity that is widely used as food, feed, fuel and in
      industry. However, its mechanism of synthesis is not fully understood, especially
      in terms of the expression and regulation of the starch synthetic genes. It was
      reported that the starch synthetic genes were co-expressed during maize endosperm
      development; however, the mechanism of the co-expression was not reported. In
      this paper, the ZmaNAC36 gene was amplified by homology-based cloning, and its
      expression vector was constructed for transient expression. The nuclear
      localization, transcriptional activation and target sites of the ZmaNAC36 protein
      were identified. The expression profile of ZmaNAC36 showed that it was strongly
      expressed in the maize endosperm and was co-expressed with most of the starch
      synthetic genes. Moreover, the expressions of many starch synthesis genes in the
      endosperm were upregulated when ZmaNAC36 was transiently overexpressed. All our
      results indicated that NAC36 might be a transcription factor and play a potential
      role in the co-expression of starch synthetic genes in the maize endosperm.

PMID- 24235062
TI  - Type 2 diabetes mellitus in pediatrics: a new challenge.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of childhood obesity in the last few years
      has been accompanied by the increase in prevalence of type 2 diabetes in
      pediatrics. In this paper, we will review the risk factors and the pathogenic
      determinants leading to type 2 diabetes in youth. DATA SOURCES: We searched on
      PubMed with the key words: obesity, type 2 diabetes, children, adolescents,
      youth, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, genes and selected those publications
      written in English that we judged to be relevant to the topic of the review.
      RESULTS: Based on the data present in the literature, we reviewed the following
      three topics: 1) the role of ectopic fat deposition, in particular of fatty
      liver, in the pathogenesis of pediatric type 2 diabetes; 2) the progression to
      type 2 diabetes in pediatrics and how it differs from adults, and 3) current
      theraputic options. CONCLUSION: Type 2 diabetes in youth is a complex disease,
      creating new challenges in treatment and prevention.

PMID- 24235063
TI  - The association between hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and bronchopulmonary
      dysplasia: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are the risk
      factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is controversial. A systematic review
      was made to determine the association between HDP and BPD in preterm infants.
      METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Web of
      Science, with no language limitation, and reviewed the reference lists of the
      selected articles to identify additional relevant publications and contacted the
      authors of relevant studies for further information. The data were extracted
      independently by 2 reviewers who used a predetermined data extraction form.
      Studies were combined with an odds ratio (OR) using a random-effects model. Meta
      regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore potential confounders.
      Funnel plots, Egger's test and Begg's test were used to investigate the
      publication bias. The Trim and Fill method was used to control the publication
      bias. RESULTS: A total of 787 studies were identified and only 15 studies (20 779
      patients) were included. The pooled unadjusted OR showed that HDP was
      significantly associated with BPD (P=0.04; OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.01-1.65).
      Heterogeneity was substantial (I(2)=74%) and might be partially explained by
      different variables in maternal complications between the control groups across
      the studies. The pooled adjusted OR suggested the same conclusion that HDP was a
      risk factor for BPD (P=0.01; OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.11-2.26). Funnel plot and Egger's
      test showed that there were publication bias of unadjusted estimate of
      association between HDP and BPD. CONCLUSIONS: Unadjusted analyses showed that the
      rate of BPD was slightly higher in the infants exposed to HDP, and adjusted
      analyses confirmed this finding. But this result should be interpreted cautiously
      because substantial heterogeneity and publication bias were identified in this
      review.

PMID- 24235064
TI  - Effects of supervised exercise program on metabolic function in overweight
      adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inactivity is a primary factor related to childhood obesity, yet
      aerobic exercise has been shown to prevent weight gain and improve fitness in
      adolescents. Moreover, children become less active during their summer break from
      school. This study compared the effects of 4 and 8 weeks of supervised summer
      activity versus an unsupervised summer break on metabolic function and fitness in
      adolescents. METHODS: Twenty-two adolescents were divided into 4-week (n=6,
      weight 48.1+/-14.9 kg, body fat 27.4+/-8.4%) and 8-week exercise groups (n=6,
      weight 43.4+/-10.9 kg, body fat 28.5+/-12.8%), that performed supervised, play
      based physical activity, versus an age-matched 8 week control group that
      maintained their typical summer break (n=10, weight 41.7+/-10.0 kg, body fat
      23.7+/-8.0%). Anthropometrics, resting energy expenditure (REE), resting heart
      rate (RHR) and peak aerobic capacity (VO(2peak)) were evaluated before and after
      the intervention (4 or 8 weeks). RESULTS: REE showed group differences in
      posttraining conditions (the 4-week group vs. the control group, 1220+/-169 vs.
      1067+/-144 kcal/die, and the 8-week group vs. the control group, 1202+/-151 vs.
      1067+/-144 kcal/die, P=0.047), but RHR decreased (pre-program vs. post program:
      97+/-22 vs. 80+/-8 beat/min, P=0.001) and VO(2peak) significantly increased (pre
      program vs. post program: 27.8+/-7.8 vs. 34.8+/-6.5 mL/kg/min, P=0.001) in the 8
      week group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of supervised
      play-based activity increased REE and VO(2peak) in adolescents with concomitant
      decreases in RHR. These data suggest that this novel model of exercise
      prescription could be considered world-wide by clinicians to improve fitness base
      in adolescents and help to combat the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.

PMID- 24235065
TI  - Psychological, cognitive and maternal stress assessment in children with primary
      ciliary dyskinesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare disorder due to structure
      and functional abnormalities of respiratory cilia. There are no reports on the
      behavioral and psychological aspects of children and adolescents with PCD. This
      study was undertaken to assess the cognitive and behavioural characteristics, and
      the parental stress of a population of school-aged children with PCD. METHODS:
      Ten PCD and 34 healthy school-aged children underwent Wechsler Intelligence Scale
      for Children-III edition, Child Behavior Check-List questionnaire (CBCL),
      Parenting Stress Index-Short Form tests in order to perform a behavioural and
      psychological evaluation. RESULTS: PCD children showed significant behavioral and
      social competent problems in CBCL scale than control children, in particular with
      regard to internalizing problems score (P<0.001). Parental distress, parent-child
      interaction and total stress in the mothers of PCD patients were higher than
      those in the controls' parents (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings pinpoint the
      importance of specific psychological support in the clinical management of
      children with PCD.

PMID- 24235066
TI  - Acute kidney injury in a single neonatal intensive care unit in Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although advances in perinatal medicine have increased the survival
      rates of critically ill neonates, acute kidney injury (AKI) is still one of the
      major causes of mortality and morbidity in neonatal intensive care units. This
      study aimed to determine the prevalence of AKI and analyze demographic data and
      risk factors associated with the mortality or morbidity. METHODS: Of 1992
      neonates hospitalized between January 2009 and January 2011, 168 with AKI were
      reviewed in the study. The diagnosis of AKI was based on plasma creatinine level
      >1.5 mg/dL, which persists for more than 24 hours or increases more than 0.3
      mg/dL per day after the first 48 hours of birth while showing normal maternal
      renal function. RESULTS: The prevalence of AKI was 8.4%. The common cause of AKI
      was respiratory distress syndrome, followed by sepsis, asphyxia, dehydration,
      congenital anomalies of the urinary tract, congenital heart disease, and
      medication. The prevalence of AKI in neonates with birth weight lower than 1500 g
      was about three-fold higher than in those with birth weight higher than 1500 g
      (P<0.05). Pregnancy-induced hypertension, preterm prolonged rupture of membranes,
      and administration of antenatal corticosteroid were associated with increased
      risk of AKI (P<0.05). Umbilical vein catheterization, mechanical ventilation and
      ibuprofen therapy for patent ductus arteriosus closure were found to be
      associated with AKI (P<0.05). The overall mortality rate was 23.8%. Multivariate
      analysis revealed that birth weight less than 1500 g, mechanical ventilation,
      bronchopulmonary dysplasia, anuria, and dialysis were the risk factors for the
      mortality of infants with AKI. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal factors and medical devices
      were significantly associated with AKI. Early detection of risk factors can
      reduce the mortality of AKI patients.

PMID- 24235067
TI  - Efficacy and safety of serial injections of botulinum toxin A in children with
      spastic cerebral palsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) has been successfully used as a treatment
      for children with spastic cerebral palsy; however, the effect of BTX-A on
      reducing spasticity only lasts a few months, thus serial injections are required.
      The present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of serial injections of
      BTX-A in children with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: Fifty-two pediatric
      patients with spastic cerebral palsy, 2-12 years of age (mean age, 4.79 +/-
      2.70), were retrospectively analyzed. Muscle tone was assessed with the Modified
      Ashworth Scale, and gait was assessed with the Physician Rating Scale.
      Assessments were undertaken at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after serial
      injections of BTX-A. RESULTS: The beneficial effects of BTX-A occurred 1 week
      after the injection, whereas the adverse side-effects appeared within 1 week and
      lasted <2 weeks. BTX-A significantly improved muscle tone and gait 3 and 6 months
      after its serial injections compared to baseline (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serial
      injections of BTX-A are effective and safe for children with spastic cerebral
      palsy. The sideeffects of serial injections of BTX-A are mild and selflimited.

PMID- 24235068
TI  - Clinical characteristics of adenovirus associated lower respiratory tract
      infection in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) due to adenovirus
      infection is a low frequency event but often causes severe outcome. This study
      was undertaken to uncover the clinical and epidemiological features of adenovirus
      infection in children. METHODS: Hospitalized children with ALRI were analyzed
      through continuous monitoring from 2006 to 2012. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were
      examined by direct immunofluorescence to detect respiratory agents including
      respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza virus types A/B, parainfluenza
      virus types 1/2/3. Chlamydia pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumonia and Chlamydia
      trachomatis were determined by real-time PCR. A retrospective analysis was made
      of 479 patients with positive infection of adenovirus. RESULTS: The positive
      detection rate of adenovirus was 0.63% in patients with ALRI. The incidence rate
      of adenovirus-associated acute lower respiratory tract infection peaked at the
      second six months of life. The morbidity was much higher in winter, spring and
      summer than in autumn. Patients with pneumonia accounted for 73.90% of the
      patients. More than one-third of the patients developed severe pneumonia, whereas
      no death was found. Features of severe adenovirus-associated lower respiratory
      tract infection included persistent high fever with serious infective symptoms,
      and hepatic dysfunction was one of the most common complications. Mixed infection
      of atypical pathogens was common (18.58%) in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Adenovirus
      is a critical pathogen that can cause severe respiratory infections even in
      immunocompetent children. Coinfection of adenovirus with atypical pathogens is
      common. Antibiotic treatment with azithromycin or erythromycin is necessary in
      patients with mixed infection of atypical pathogens.

PMID- 24235069
TI  - Effect of thimerosal on the neurodevelopment of premature rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of thimerosal on
      the neurodevelopment of premature rats. METHODS: Thimerosal was injected into
      premature SD rats at a dose of 32.8, 65.6, 98.4 or 131.2 MUg/kg on postnatal day
      1. Expression of dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) and serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR),
      apoptosis in the prefrontal cortex on post-injection day 49, and learning and
      memory function were studied and compared with those in a control group injected
      with saline. RESULTS: Expression of DRD4 and 5-HT2AR and learning function
      decreased, and apoptosis increased significantly in the 131.2 MUg/kg group
      (P<0.001). Memory function was significantly impaired by 65.6 (P<0.05), 98.4 and
      131.2 MUg/kg (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The negative adverse consequences on
      neurodevelopment observed in the present study are consistent with previous
      studies; this study raised serious concerns about adverse neurodevelopmental
      disorder such as autism in humans following the ongoing worldwide routine
      administration of thimerosalcontaining vaccines to infants.

PMID- 24235070
TI  - Ventilator-associated pneumonia in an Italian pediatric intensive care unit: a
      prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence, risk factors
      and outcomes associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a European
      pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: A total of 451 children who had
      been mechanically ventilated in the PICU for >= 48 hours during a 3-year period
      were enrolled in this prospective study. RESULTS: In comparison with children
      without VAP, 30 children (6.6%) who developed VAP had a longer PICU stay
      (P=0.0001) and hospital stay (P=0.0001), and a higher mortality rate (P=0.04).
      Logistic regression analysis showed that the need for re-intubation (P=0.0001),
      the presence of tracheostomy (P=0.04), and enteral feeding (P=0.02) were
      independent risk factors for VAP. CONCLUSIONS: A relevant proportion of intubated
      children develop VAP, which is closely related to invasive procedures. As VAP is
      associated with increased medical costs and death, multicenter studies are
      urgently needed to improve the therapeutic approach to VAP and VAP prevention.

PMID- 24235071
TI  - Active rehabilitation with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a
      bridge to lung transplantation in a pediatric patient.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Active physical rehabilitation while bridged to lung transplantation
      with venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an evolving
      treatment option in adults with limited published experience in pediatric
      patients. METHODS: The administration of VV ECMO through the placement of a
      single-site bicaval dual-lumen (BCDL) catheter (Avalon Laboratories, Rancho
      Dominguez, CA, USA) permits respiratory support in a critically ill patient with
      avoidance of sedation and paralytics while allowing rehabilitation and oral
      nutrition. RESULTS: A 13-year-old girl with advanced interstitial lung disease
      underwent active rehabilitation while being bridged to lung transplantation with
      single-site VV ECMO. CONCLUSIONS: The innovative use of single-site VV ECMO with
      a BCDL catheter is transforming the care of adult patients with advanced lung
      disease and acute respiratory failure as a method to extend the life of a lung
      transplantation candidate to maximize all opportunities for organ availability.
      Based on our experiences, clinicians caring for children should be aware of this
      potential option in pediatric patients requiring lung transplantation.

PMID- 24235072
TI  - Progression of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in ethnic minorities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 50 % of heart failure cases are due to diastolic
      failure. Generally, it is thought that asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction
      precedes the development of diastolic heart failure, representing an ideal time
      for intervention. Previous studies have examined progression rates in non
      minority populations only. OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of diastolic
      dysfunction progression and the associated risk factors in a predominately ethnic
      minority population. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective cohort
      study of participants drawn from the echocardiogram database and Electronic
      Health Record (EHR) for an academic medical center. Individuals with 2 or more
      echocardiograms showing diastolic dysfunction during a six year study period
      (2006-2012) were selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in diastolic function
      grade over time and risk factors associated with this change. RESULTS: During the
      six-year retrospective study period, 154 patients with 2 or more echocardiograms
      demonstrating diastolic dysfunction were reviewed; these represented 496
      echocardiograms. The mean time between echocardiograms was 1.9 years. Mean age
      was 64.6 (+/-10.1) years,81 % were female, and average BMI was 30.5(+/-7.4). The
      majority of subjects had Grade I diastolic dysfunction at the initial examination
      (87.7 % (n = 135)); 9 % (n = 14) had Grade II, and 3 % (n = 5) had Grade III.
      Approximately 27.9 % (n = 43) of the study cohort demonstrated overall worsening
      grade of diastolic dysfunction over time. Diastolic dysfunction grade was
      unchanged in 62 %(n = 96), improved in 9.7 % (n = 14), and worsened then improved
      in 0.7 % (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a slightly higher rate of
      diastolic dysfunction progression in this predominately ethnic minority
      population. This is consistent with a previous study in a non-minority population
      demonstrating the progressive nature of diastolic dysfunction over
      time.Understanding the role of cardiovascular disease risk factors in
      accelerating progression rates from asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction to
      symptomatic stages is paramount to optimize intervention strategies.

PMID- 24235073
TI  - High-efficiency on-line haemodiafiltration improves conduit artery endothelial
      function compared with high-flux haemodialysis in end-stage renal disease
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Middle molecular weight uraemic toxins are considered to play an
      important role in vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular outcomes in end-stage
      renal disease (ESRD) patients. Recent dialysis techniques based on convection,
      specifically high-efficiency on-line haemodiafiltration (HDF), enhance the
      removal of middle molecular weight toxins and reduce all-cause mortality in
      haemodialysis (HD) patients. However, the mechanisms of these improved outcomes
      remain to be established. METHODS: This prospective study randomly assigned 42
      ESRD patients to switch from high-flux HD to high-efficiency on-line HDF (n=22)
      or to continue HD (n=20). Brachial artery endothelium-dependent flow-mediated
      dilatation, central pulse pressure, carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT),
      internal diastolic diameter and distensibility and circulating markers of
      uraemia, inflammation and oxidative stress were blindly assessed before and after
      a 4-month follow-up. RESULTS: Brachial flow-mediated dilatation and carotid
      artery distensibility increased significantly in the HDF group compared with HD,
      while carotid IMT and diameter remained similar. HDF decreased predialysis levels
      of the uraemic toxins beta2-microglobulin, phosphate and blood TNFalpha mRNA
      expression. Oxidative stress markers were not different between the HD and HDF
      groups. Blood mRNA expression of protein kinase C beta2, an endothelial NO
      synthase (eNOS) inhibitor, decreased significantly with HDF. CONCLUSIONS: High
      efficiency on-line HDF prevents the endothelial dysfunction and stiffening of the
      conduit arteries in ESRD patients compared with high-flux HD. HDF decreases
      uraemic toxins, vascular inflammation, and is associated with subsequent
      improvement in eNOS functionality. These results suggest that reduced endothelial
      dysfunction may be an intermediate mechanism explaining the beneficial outcomes
      associated with HDF.

PMID- 24235074
TI  - Differential scaling of glomerular filtration rate and ingested metabolic burden:
      implications for gender differences in chronic kidney disease outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Men commence dialysis with a higher estimated glomerular filtration
      rate (eGFR) than women and are more likely to transition from chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) to end-stage renal disease. We hypothesized that for a given
      estimated body surface area (BSA) men have a greater metabolic burden, and that
      consequently, the practice of indexing GFR to BSA results in gender differences
      in the degree of biochemical uraemia. METHODS: Metabolic burden was assessed as
      estimated dietary protein, calorie, phosphorus, sodium and potassium intakes and
      urinary urea nitrogen excretion in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort,
      Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study, and National Health and Nutrition
      Examinations Surveys (NHANES) 1999-2010. Uraemia was characterized by serum
      biochemistry. RESULTS: Per m(2) BSA, men had greater urea nitrogen excretion and
      intakes of all dietary parameters (P < 0.001 for all). For a given BSA-indexed
      iothalamate GFR or eGFR, male gender was associated with a 10-15% greater serum
      urea nitrogen (P < 0.001), giving men with a BSA-indexed GFR of 70-75 mL/min/1.73
      m(2) the same serum urea nitrogen concentration as women with a GFR of 60
      mL/min/1.73 m(2). However, indexing metabolic burden and GFR to alternative body
      size measures (estimated total body water, lean body mass or resting energy
      expenditure) abolished/reversed the gender associations. In NHANES, BSA-indexed
      eGFR distribution was very similar for men and women, so that adjusting for eGFR
      had little effect on the gender difference in serum urea. CONCLUSIONS: Indexing
      GFR to BSA across genders may approximate nature's indexing approach, but gives
      men a greater ingested burden of protein, calories, sodium, phosphorus and
      potassium per mL/min GFR. This has implications for gender differences in CKD
      outcomes.

PMID- 24235075
TI  - Health status as a potential mediator of the association between hemodialysis
      vascular access and mortality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether the selection of healthier patients for
      arteriovenous fistula (AVF) placement explains higher observed catheter
      associated mortality among elderly hemodialysis patients. METHODS: From the
      United States Renal Data System 2005-2007, we used proportional hazard models to
      examine 117 277 incident hemodialysis patients aged 67-90 years for the
      association of initial vascular access type and 5-year mortality after accounting
      for health status. Health status was defined as functional status at dialysis
      initiation and number of hospital days within 2 years prior to dialysis
      initiation. RESULTS: Patients with catheter alone had more limited functional
      status (25.5 versus 10.8% of those with AVF) and 3-fold more prior hospital days
      than those with AVF (mean 18.0 versus 5.4). In the unadjusted model, the
      likelihood of death was higher for arteriovenous grafts (AVG) {Hazard ratio (HR)
      1.20 [95% CI (1.16-1.25)], catheter plus AVF [HR 1.34 (1.31-1.38)], catheter plus
      AVG [HR 1.46 (1.40-1.52)] and catheter only [HR 1.95 (1.90-1.99)]}, compared with
      AVF (P < 0.001). The association attenuated -23.7% (95% CI -22.0, -25.5) overall
      (AVF versus all other access types) after adjusting for the usual covariates
      (including sociodemographics, comorbidities and pre-dialysis nephrology care)
      {AVG [HR 1.21 (1.17-1.26)], catheter plus AVF [HR 1.27 (1.24-1.30)], catheter
      plus AVG [HR 1.38 (1.32-1.43)] and catheter only [HR 1.69 (1.66-1.73)], P <
      0.001}. Additional adjustment for health status further attenuated the
      association by another -19.7% (-18.2, -21.3) overall but remained statistically
      significant <AVG [HR 1.18 (1.13-1.22)], catheter plus AVF [HR 1.20 (1.17-1.23)],
      catheter plus AVG {HR 1.38 [1.26 (1.21-1.31)]} and catheter only [HR 1.54 (1.50
      1.58)], P < 0.001>. CONCLUSIONS: The observed attenuation in mortality
      differences previously attributed to access type alone suggests the existence of
      selection bias. Nevertheless, the persistence of an apparent survival advantage
      after adjustment for health status suggests that AVF should still be the access
      of choice for elderly individuals beginning hemodialysis until more definitive
      data eliminating selection bias become available.

PMID- 24235076
TI  - Children of non-Western origin with end-stage renal disease in the Netherlands,
      Belgium and a part of Germany have impaired health-related quality of life
      compared with Western children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) living in Western
      Europe are of non-Western European origin. They have unfavourable somatic
      outcomes compared with ESRD children of Western origin. In this study, we
      compared the Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of both groups. METHODS: All
      children (5-18 years) with ESRD included in the RICH-Q project (Renal
      Insufficiency therapy in Children-Quality assessment and improvement) or their
      parents were asked to complete the generic version of the Paediatric Quality-of
      Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL). RICH-Q comprises the Netherlands, Belgium and a part
      of Germany. Children were considered to be of non-Western origin if they or at
      least one parent was born outside Western-European countries. Impaired HRQoL for
      children with ESRD of Western or non-Western origin was defined as a PedsQL score
      less than fifth percentile for healthy Dutch children of Western or non-Western
      origin, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 259 eligible children, 230 agreed to
      participate. One hundred and seventy-four children responded (response rate 67%)
      and 55 (32%) were of non-Western origin. Overall, 31 (56%) of the ESRD children
      of non-Western origin, and 58 (49%) of Western origin had an impaired total HRQoL
      score. Total HRQoL scores of children with ESRD of Western origin and non-Western
      origin were comparable, but scores on emotional functioning and school
      functioning were lower in non-Western origin (P=0.004 and 0.01, respectively).
      The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for ESRD children of non
      Western origin to have impaired emotional functioning and school functioning,
      compared with Western origin, were 3.3(1.5-7.1) and 2.2(1.1-4.2), respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Children with ESRD of non-Western origin in three Western countries
      were found to be at risk for impaired HRQoL on emotional and school functioning.
      These children warrant special attention.

PMID- 24235077
TI  - Novel insights from genetic and epigenetic studies in understanding the complex
      uraemic phenotype.
AB  - Like in many other common complex disorders, studies of chronic kidney disease
      (CKD) can now make use of the increasing knowledge of the human genome, its
      variations and impact on disease susceptibility, initiation, progression and
      complications. Such studies are facilitated by novel readily available high
      through-put genotyping methods and sophisticated analytical approaches to scan
      the genome for DNA variations and epigenetic modifications. Here, we review some
      of the recent discoveries that have emerged from these studies and expanded our
      knowledge of genetic risk loci and epigenetic markers in CKD pathophysiology.
      Obstacles and practical issues in this field are discussed. 

PMID- 24235078
TI  - Treatment of renal sarcoidosis: is there a guideline? Overview of the different
      treatment options.
AB  - Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology
      characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas. It may affect any organ
      including the kidney. A disordered calcium metabolism is most often responsible
      for the development of renal failure. Granulomatous interstitial nephritis is the
      most typical histological finding, but it rarely leads to renal insufficiency.
      Since development of renal insufficiency in sarcoidosis is uncommon, we lack
      large (randomized) trials concerning the treatment of this disorder. We gather
      most information from case reports and small series. Our knowledge of pulmonary
      sarcoidosis is more comprehensive. It is, however, impossible to treat renal
      manifestations identically because some of the drugs used in pulmonary
      sarcoidosis are nephrotoxic. Moreover, renal sarcoidosis is a specific entity
      with its own characteristics and response to therapy. A guideline for treatment
      is currently missing. Based on a review of the literature, we present an overview
      of the different treatment options to promote a more uniform and scrutinized
      approach of this disease. Hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria can be treated with
      corticosteroids, (hydroxy)chloroquine or ketoconazole. Preventive measures play a
      supportive role. In granulomatous interstitial nephritis, glucocorticoids are the
      standard of care. In patients with failure of or a contraindication to
      corticosteroids or in those patients who need a high maintenance dose of
      corticosteroids, azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil can be used. TNF-alpha
      inhibitors are useful in case of steroid-resistant sarcoidosis or in patients who
      develop severe steroid toxicity. With increasing insight in the pathogenesis of
      sarcoidosis, other immunosuppressive drugs have been proposed, but more research
      is necessary before their routine use can be advocated. 

PMID- 24235079
TI  - A ray of light in the dark: alternative approaches to the assessment and
      treatment of ischemic nephropathy.

PMID- 24235080
TI  - Healthcare systems and chronic kidney disease: putting the patient in control.
AB  - Today, health policy seems to be on the top of governments' agendas around the
      world. Healthcare systems are challenged by a number of phenomena happening on a
      global scale; these trends include demographic change in terms of an ageing
      population, an increase in chronic disease, patients having higher expectations
      on healthcare delivery and above all a major pressure on public finances to slow
      increasing healthcare expenditures. Such developments are forcing policy-makers
      to reform healthcare systems. First, there is a tendency towards decentralization
      of responsibilities. Second, governments are moving towards reimbursement schemes
      rewarding good outcomes and performance. Third, great importance is being
      attributed to transparency and accountability, and to introduce competition in
      healthcare. Fourth, attention is being shifted from simple treatment of a disease
      towards preventive initiatives, in a more holistic approach to health. Finally,
      healthcare policy-makers are recognizing the importance of empowering patients to
      give them control over decisions regarding their own health. These dynamics can
      be observed in chronic kidney disease, the management of which is a huge economic
      burden to healthcare systems globally, and which represents a good example of a
      field where important changes can be witnessed in therapy, technology, delivery
      and financing. 

PMID- 24235081
TI  - Velcalcetide (AMG 416), a novel peptide agonist of the calcium-sensing receptor,
      reduces serum parathyroid hormone and FGF23 levels in healthy male subjects.
AB  - CONTEXT: Velcalcetide, also known as AMG 416, is a novel, long-acting selective
      peptide agonist of the calcium sensing receptor. It is being developed as an
      intravenous treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in hemodialysis
      patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder. OBJECTIVE: To
      assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of
      velcalcetide in healthy male volunteers. METHODS: The study was a double-blind,
      randomized, placebo-controlled, single-dose, dose-escalation study in healthy
      males aged 18-45 years conducted at a single center. Each cohort included eight
      subjects randomized 6:2 to velcalcetide or placebo. INTERVENTION: Velcalcetide at
      0.5, 2, 5 and 10 mg or placebo was administered intravenously. OUTCOMES:
      Measurements included plasma ionized calcium (iCa), serum total calcium, intact
      parathyroid hormone (iPTH), phosphorus and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23),
      1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, calcitonin and urine creatinine, calcium and phosphorus
      and plasma pharmacokinetics for velcalcetide. Vital signs, safety biochemical and
      hematological indices, and adverse events were monitored throughout the study.
      RESULTS: Intravenous administration of velcalcetide was well tolerated with no
      adverse reaction of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea reported. Velcalcetide mediated
      dose-dependent decreases in serum iPTH at 30 min, FGF23 at 24 h and iCa at 12 h
      post dose (P<0.05) and in urine fractional excretion of phosphorus and increases
      in tubular reabsorption of phosphorus. Velcalcetide plasma exposure increased in
      a dose-related manner and the terminal elimination of half-life was comparable
      across the dose range evaluated and ranged from 18.4 to 20.0 h. CONCLUSION:
      Single IV doses of velcalcetide were well tolerated and associated with rapid,
      sustained, dose-dependent reductions in serum PTH. The results support further
      evaluation of velcalcetide as a treatment for SHPT in hemodialysis patients.

PMID- 24235082
TI  - The inflammation-lipocalin 2 axis may contribute to the development of chronic
      kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important risk factor for coronary
      heart disease, and previous studies indicated the involvement of low-grade
      inflammation in the pathogenesis of CKD. METHODS: The study was designed to (i)
      identify and confirm genes and their products upregulated in mesangial cells
      cocultured with endotoxin-stimulated macrophages and (ii) determine the clinical
      relevance of genes and proteins upregulated in mesangial cells under inflammatory
      conditions by an epidemiological approach. RESULTS: DNA microarray analysis
      revealed upregulated expression of many genes and their products including
      several cytokines and chemokines, as well as the inflammatory marker, lipocalin 2
      gene. The gene expression and protein upregulation of lipocalin 2 were
      synergistically affected by endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha
      stimulation. In human studies, lipocalin 2 level was significantly associated
      with creatinine (r = 0.419, P < 0.001) and negatively associated with eGFR (r = 
      0.365, P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant
      association between lipocalin 2 and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2
      (sTNF-R2), eGFR and uric acid in general subjects attending regular annual
      medical check-up (n = 420). When subjects with diabetes were excluded from the
      analysis, lipocalin 2 remained associated with sTNF-R2, eGFR and uric acid.
      CONCLUSIONS: Since an activated TNF system, as demonstrated by elevated sTNF-R2,
      and elevated uric acid were recently implicated in an elevated CKD risk, we
      conclude that inflammation could play an important role in the pathogenesis of
      CKD, and that lipocalin 2 is a potential universal marker for impaired kidney
      function. Furthermore, the results obtained by the current microarray analysis
      could improve the understanding of gene profiles associated with the
      pathophysiology of CKD under inflammatory conditions.

PMID- 24235083
TI  - Chronic hypercalcaemia from inactivating mutations of vitamin D 24-hydroxylase
      (CYP24A1): implications for mineral metabolism changes in chronic renal failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function mutations of vitamin D-24 hydroxylase have recently
      been recognized as a cause of hypercalcaemia and nephrocalcinosis/nephrolithiasis
      in infants and adults. True prevalence and natural history of this condition are
      still to be defined. METHODS: We describe two adult patients with homozygous
      mutations and six related heterozygous carriers. Mineral and hormonal data in
      these patients were compared with that in 27 patients with stage 2-3 chronic
      kidney disease and 39 healthy adult kidney donors. RESULTS: Probands had
      recurrent nephrolithiasis, chronic hypercalcaemia with depressed parathyroid
      hormone (PTH) and increased 1,25(OH)(2)D levels; carriers had nephrolithiasis
      (two of six), hypercalciuria (two of six) and high or normal-high 1,25(OH)(2)D
      (four of four). Corticosteroids did not reduce plasma and urine calcium levels,
      but ketoconazole did, indicating that 1,25(OH)(2)D production is not maximally
      depressed despite coexisting hypercalcaemia, high 1,25(OH)(2)D and depressed PTH,
      and that 1,25(OH)(2)D degradation through vitamin D-24 hydroxylase is a regulator
      of plasma 1,25(OH)(2)D levels. Both probands had vascular calcifications and high
      bone mineral content. One developed stage 3b renal failure: in this patient
      1,25(OH)(2)D decreased within normal limits as glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
      fell and PTH rose to high-normal values, yet hypercalcaemia persisted and the
      ratio of 1,25(OH)(2)D to GFR remained higher than normal for any degree of GFR.
      CONCLUSIONS: This natural model indicates that vitamin D-24 hydroxylase is a key
      physiologic regulator of calcitriol and plasma calcium levels, and that balanced
      reduction of 1,25(OH)(2)D and GFR is instrumental for the maintenance of
      physiologic calcium levels and balance in chronic kidney diseases.

PMID- 24235085
TI  - Protein A immunoadsorption cannot significantly remove the soluble receptor of
      urokinase from sera of patients with recurrent focal segmental
      glomerulosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a serious disease, the
      pathogenesis of which is unknown. Its recurrence after transplantation (Tx) and
      its partial remission after treatment with immunoadsorption (IA) on a protein A
      column indicate the existence of a circulating factor responsible for the disease
      that is able to bind to a protein A column. Recently, the soluble receptor of
      urokinase (suPAR) was described as the factor responsible for FSGS. We tested the
      capacity of suPAR to bind to protein A and to be eliminated by IA. METHODS: We
      measured suPAR in eluates of protein A columns from seven patients with recurrent
      FSGS after Tx (rFSGS) treated with IA, and in the serum of 13 patients with rFSGS
      and 11 healthy donors (HDs). Additionally, the plasma of these patients was
      immunoadsorbed in vitro on a protein A Sepharose column, and we quantified suPAR
      in the eluates and in pre- and post-column samples. RESULTS: The concentration of
      suPAR was higher in the plasma of patients with rFSGS than that of HD patients.
      However, the concentration of suPAR was similar before and after IA on protein A
      for the rFSGS and HD samples. The suPAR concentration was very low in the eluates
      from protein A columns incubated with plasma from HD or rFSGS patients. However,
      85% of rFSGS patients showed a decrease in immunoglobulin G and proteinuria.
      CONCLUSIONS: Thus, suPAR does not significantly bind to protein A in vitro or in
      vivo.

PMID- 24235086
TI  - Vagal stimulation in brain dead donor rats decreases chronic allograft
      nephropathy in recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although it has been shown that a vagus nerve stimulation of brain
      dead (BD) donors leads to an improvement of renal function in recipients in an
      acute allograft rejection model, its influence on chronic allograft nephropathy
      is still unknown. In the present study, we assessed the influence of donor vagus
      nerve stimulation on survival, renal function and histology in a chronic
      allograft model. METHODS: Brain death was induced in Fisher rats, and electro
      stimulation of the vagus nerve was applied in one group (BD + vagus) during the
      whole course of BD (6 h). Unstimulated BD Fisher donor rats served as controls.
      Allogeneic Lewis rats were used as recipients and no immunosuppressive medication
      was administered. Blood and urine samples were collected every second week. Banff
      classification was assessed from harvested allografts. RESULTS: Vagal stimulation
      of BD donors resulted in an improved survival of recipients. Long-term renal
      function was significantly better in these recipients as reflected by improved
      creatinine clearance. Banff classification revealed significantly reduced
      vasculopathy and less tubulopathy in the BD + vagus group. CONCLUSIONS: In
      conclusion, our data demonstrate a long-lasting beneficial effect of vagus nerve
      stimulation in BD donors on the renal transplantation outcome. Hence, activation
      of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in BD donors may represent a novel
      therapeutic modality to reduce chronic allograft nephropathy without any side
      effects for the recipient.

PMID- 24235084
TI  - The iron cycle in chronic kidney disease (CKD): from genetics and experimental
      models to CKD patients.
AB  - Iron is essential for most living organisms but iron excess can be toxic.
      Cellular and systemic iron balance is therefore tightly controlled. Iron
      homeostasis is dysregulated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to
      the anemia that is prevalent in this patient population. Iron supplementation is
      one cornerstone of anemia management in CKD patients, but has not been rigorously
      studied in large prospective randomized controlled trials. This review highlights
      important advances from genetic studies and animal models that have provided key
      insights into the molecular mechanisms governing iron homeostasis and its
      disturbance in CKD, and summarizes how these findings may yield advances in the
      care of this patient population. 

PMID- 24235087
TI  - The dyadic interaction of relationships and disability type   on informal carer
      subjective well-being.
AB  - PURPOSE: Care-related factors have frequently been associated with elevated
      levels of distress and diminished subjective well-being. However, these variables
      have traditionally been considered independently. The objectives of this study
      were to explore the subjective well-being of informal carers in Australia and to
      specifically examine the effect of the dyadic interaction between the caring
      relationship and type of disability on the subjective well-being of informal
      carers. METHODS: Informal carers (n = 4,096) completed the Personal Wellbeing
      Index (PWI) and Depression and Stress Scales. Analysis of covariance was used to
      compare the subjective well-being of carers to the general population while
      controlling for socio-demographic factors. To examine the dyadic relationship, a
      multivariate analysis of covariance was employed. RESULTS: After socio
      demographic variables were controlled, informal carers reported significantly
      lower PWI scores compared to the general population. The results of the
      multivariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant interaction between
      the caring relationship and the type of disability being managed on subjective
      well-being. No differences were found for symptoms of depression and stress.
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study imply that the detrimental effect of
      caring on subjective well-being is magnified for carers who support a child with
      a mental illness or multiple types of disabilities. These carers displayed the
      lowest levels of subjective well-being, highlighting the dyadic effects of care
      related variables. Consideration of these factors is essential to target
      effective intervention programs for those most at risk of diminished well-being.

PMID- 24235088
TI  - Revisiting formulation: part 1. The tasks of formulation: their rationale and
      philosophic basis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper notes the continuing problems that Royal Australian and New
      Zealand College of Psychiatry (RANZCP) candidates and other professionals have
      with the task of formulation. It re-establishes this as a problematic to be
      understood and reviews its intellectual history, its rationale, the tools of
      reasoning that it requires and the nature of the challenges that it can pose to
      individuals. Its premise is that an understanding of the theoretical basis of
      formulation is required prior to application of pedagogical tools in teaching and
      remediation. Four tasks of formulation implied in the definition provided in the
      RANZCP Formulation Guidelines for Candidates are identified, and their rationale
      and theoretical status reviewed. CONCLUSION: Task 1, classification, must address
      both diagnoses and problems. Task 2, using theory to infer meaning, ideally
      requires multiple models and theories in development of a set of hypotheses,
      using inductive inference (plausibility). Task 3, prioritising hypotheses,
      requires abduction, defined as inference to the best explanation. Task 4,
      integrating hypotheses, may aim for reconciling systems (syncretism), but is
      likely to use the more problematic eclecticism. The task of formulation is thus
      challenging but well prescribed by philosophers for thousands of years.

PMID- 24235089
TI  - Revisiting formulation: part 2. The task of addressing the concept of the unique
      individual. Remediating problems with formulation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to review the theoretical basis of
      addressing the concept of the unique individual, one of the tasks prescribed in
      the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)
      Formulation guidelines for candidates, and to propose a rational basis for
      remediation of the problems that many candidates and other professionals have
      with formulation. CONCLUSION: The difficulty that RANZCP candidates and other
      mental health professionals have in producing a completely integrated account of
      an individual is multi-determined, but is partly explainable on theoretical
      grounds. Understanding why this task (and other tasks of formulation) is
      problematic requires knowledge of its intellectual history, its rationale, the
      tools of reasoning that it requires and the nature of the challenges that it can
      pose to individuals. The paper argues that a rational plan for remediation of a
      professional's problems with formulation requires first a 'formulation' of those
      problems, drawing on the theories discussed and acknowledging the uniqueness of
      that individual. In answering the question, 'Why is this person having difficulty
      formulating this patient at this time?', one needs to address cultural, social
      and systemic factors, and psychological factors such as the degree of
      psychological mindedness of the person seeking remediation. Hypotheses based on
      the formulation about the professional's difficulty should be developed and
      tested by interventions.

PMID- 24235090
TI  - "We now control our evolution": circumventing ethical and logical cul-de-sacs of
      an anticipated engineering revolution.
AB  - Philosophers, scientists, and other researchers have increasingly characterized
      humanity as having reached an epistemic and technical stage at which "we can
      control our own evolution." Moral-philosophical analysis of this outlook reveals
      some problems, beginning with the vagueness of "we." At least four glosses on
      "we" in the proposition "we, humanity, control our evolution" can be made: "we"
      is the bundle of all living humans, a leader guiding the combined species, each
      individual acting severally, or some mixture of these three involving a market
      interpretation of future evolutionary processes. While all of these glosses have
      difficulties under philosophical analysis, how we as a species handle our fate
      via technical developments is all-important. I propose our role herein should be
      understood as other than controllers of our evolution.

PMID- 24235091
TI  - Loneliness mediates the relationship between emotion  dysregulation and bulimia
      nervosa/binge eating disorder  psychopathology in a clinical sample.
AB  - Emotion dysregulation has been linked to binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia
      nervosa (BN) although the mechanisms by which it affects BN/BED psychopathology
      are unclear. This study tested loneliness as a mediator between emotion
      dysregulation and BN/BED psychopathology. A treatment-seeking sample of 107 women
      with BN or BED was assessed for loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale), emotion
      dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), and BN/BED
      psychopathology (Eating Disorder Examination) before treatment. Hierarchical
      linear regressions and bootstrapping mediation models were run. Greater overall
      emotion dysregulation was associated with greater BN/BED psychopathology,
      mediated by loneliness (95 % CI 0.03, 0.09). Emotion dysregulation, however, did
      not mediate between loneliness and BN/BED psychopathology (95 % CI -0.01, 0.01).
      Targeting loneliness may effectively treat emotional aspects of BN/BED in women.

PMID- 24235092
TI  - The impact of meal consumption on emotion among individuals with eating
      disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE: This pilot study sought to determine how meal consumption impacts
      affective states for treatment-seeking individuals with eating disorders (ED).
      METHODS: Participants with heterogeneous ED diagnoses completed the State-Trait
      Anxiety Inventory, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Profile of Mood
      States measures before and immediately after meal consumption. RESULTS: Meal
      consumption was associated with significant decreases in negative affect and
      total mood disturbance for individuals with binge eating disorder (BED).
      Decreases in negative affect across meal time for individuals with BED were
      significantly different from increases in negative affect for participants with
      anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate
      that individuals with BED have significantly different affective responses to
      eating non-binge meals than individuals with AN or BN. Data suggest changes in
      negative affect following meal consumption may be specific to certain ED
      diagnoses. Results provide preliminary evidence consistent with the idea that
      emotion states may function as maintenance mechanisms for psychopathology among
      ED diagnoses. Limitations and future directions pertaining to food-mood
      relationships for individuals with ED are discussed.

PMID- 24235093
TI  - A novel functional class 2 integron in clinical Proteus mirabilis isolates.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe a novel functional class 2 integron that was found in
      clinical Proteus mirabilis isolates. METHODS: Class 1 and 2 integrons were
      screened by PCR in 153 clinical Proteus isolates. The variable regions of class 1
      and 2 integrons were determined by restriction analysis and sequencing. The
      mutations of internal stop codons in class 2 integrons and their common promoters
      were also determined by sequencing. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic
      consensus (ERIC)-PCR was used to analyse the phylogenetic relations of class 2
      integron-positive P. mirabilis isolates. RESULTS: Class 1 integrons were detected
      in 96 (63%) of 153 Proteus isolates: eight different gene cassette arrays were
      detected, including dfrA32-ereA1-aadA2, which was detected for the first time in
      P. mirabilis. Class 2 integrons were detected in 101 (66%) of 153 Proteus
      isolates: four different gene cassette arrays were detected, including dfrA1
      catB2-sat2-aadA1, which was detected for the first time in a class 2 integron. A
      novel functional class 2 integron was detected in 38 P. mirabilis isolates with a
      common promoter (-35 TTTAAT|16 bp|-10 TAAAGT). The variable region of this
      functional class 2 integron contained dfrA14 and three novel open reading frames
      with unknown functions. Very similar ERIC-PCR fingerprinting patterns were
      detected in these 38 P. mirabilis isolates and were different from other class 2
      integron-positive isolates. CONCLUSIONS: A novel functional class 2 integron was
      found for the first time in P. mirabilis. These functional class 2 integron
      harbouring P. mirabilis isolates were likely to be clonally spread in our
      hospital.

PMID- 24235094
TI  - A kinetic analysis of the inhibition of FOX-4 beta-lactamase, a plasmid-mediated
      AmpC cephalosporinase, by monocyclic beta-lactams and carbapenems.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Class C beta-lactamases are prevalent among Enterobacteriaceae;
      however, these enzymes are resistant to inactivation by commercially available
      beta-lactamase inhibitors. In order to find novel scaffolds to inhibit class C
      beta-lactamases, the comparative efficacy of monocyclic beta-lactam antibiotics
      (aztreonam and the siderophore monosulfactam BAL30072), the bridged monobactam
      beta-lactamase inhibitor BAL29880, and carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem,
      doripenem and ertapenem) were tested in kinetic assays against FOX-4, a plasmid
      mediated class C beta-lactamase (pmAmpC). METHODS: The FOX-4 beta-lactamase was
      purified. Steady-state kinetics, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI
      MS) and ultraviolet difference (UVD) spectroscopy were conducted using the beta
      lactam scaffolds described. RESULTS: The K(i) values for the monocyclic beta
      lactams against FOX-4 beta-lactamase were 0.04 +/- 0.01 MUM (aztreonam) and 0.66
      +/- 0.03 MUM (BAL30072), and the Ki value for the bridged monobactam BAL29880 was
      8.9 +/- 0.5 MUM. For carbapenems, the Ki values ranged from 0.27 +/- 0.05 MUM
      (ertapenem) to 2.3 +/- 0.3 MUM (imipenem). ESI-MS demonstrated the formation of
      stable covalent adducts when the monocyclic beta-lactams and carbapenems were
      reacted with FOX-4 beta-lactamase. UVD spectroscopy suggested the appearance of
      different chromophoric intermediates. CONCLUSIONS: Monocyclic beta-lactam and
      carbapenem antibiotics are effective mechanism-based inhibitors of FOX-4 beta
      lactamase, a clinically important pmAmpC, and provide stimulus for the
      development of new inhibitors to inactivate plasmidic and chromosomal class C
      beta-lactamases.

PMID- 24235096
TI  - A GC1 Acinetobacter baumannii isolate carrying AbaR3 and the aminoglycoside
      resistance transposon TnaphA6 in a conjugative plasmid.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To locate the acquired antibiotic resistance genes, including the
      amikacin resistance transposon TnaphA6, in the genome of an Australian isolate
      belonging to Acinetobacter baumannii global clone 1 (GC1). METHODS: A multiply
      antibiotic-resistant GC1 isolate harbouring TnaphA6 was sequenced using Illumina
      HiSeq, and reads were used to generate a de novo assembly and determine
      multilocus sequence types (STs). PCR was used to assemble the AbaR chromosomal
      resistance island and a large plasmid carrying TnaphA6. Plasmid DNA sequences
      were compared with ones available in GenBank. Conjugation experiments were
      conducted. RESULTS: The A. baumannii GC1 isolate G7 was shown to include the
      AbaR3 antibiotic resistance island. It also contains an 8.7 kb cryptic plasmid,
      pAb-G7-1, and a 70,100 bp plasmid, pAb-G7-2, carrying TnaphA6. pAb-G7-2 belongs
      to the Aci6 Acinetobacter plasmid family. It encodes transfer functions and was
      shown to conjugate. Plasmids related to pAb-G7-2 were detected in further
      amikacin-resistant GC1 isolates using PCR. From the genome sequence, isolate G7
      was ST1 (Institut Pasteur scheme) and ST231 (Oxford scheme). Using Oxford scheme
      PCR-based methods, the isolate was ST109 and this difference was traced to a
      single base difference resulting from the inclusion of the original primers in
      the gpi segment analysed. CONCLUSIONS: The multiply antibiotic-resistant GC1
      isolate G7 carries most of its resistance genes in AbaR3 located in the
      chromosome. However, TnaphA6 is on a conjugative plasmid, pAb-G7-2. Primers
      developed to locate TnaphA6 in pAb-G7-2 will simplify the detection of plasmids
      related to pAb-G7-2 in A. baumannii isolates.

PMID- 24235095
TI  - Trypanosoma brucei aquaglyceroporin 2 is a high-affinity transporter for
      pentamidine and melaminophenyl arsenic drugs and the main genetic determinant of
      resistance to these drugs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Trypanosoma brucei drug transporters include the TbAT1/P2 aminopurine
      transporter and the high-affinity pentamidine transporter (HAPT1), but the
      genetic identity of HAPT1 is unknown. We recently reported that loss of T. brucei
      aquaglyceroporin 2 (TbAQP2) caused melarsoprol/pentamidine cross-resistance
      (MPXR) in these parasites and the current study aims to delineate the mechanism
      by which this occurs. METHODS: The TbAQP2 loci of isogenic pairs of drug
      susceptible and MPXR strains of T. brucei subspecies were sequenced. Drug
      susceptibility profiles of trypanosome strains were correlated with expression of
      mutated TbAQP2 alleles. Pentamidine transport was studied in T. brucei subspecies
      expressing TbAQP2 variants. RESULTS: All MPXR strains examined contained TbAQP2
      deletions or rearrangements, regardless of whether the strains were originally
      adapted in vitro or in vivo to arsenicals or to pentamidine. The MPXR strains and
      AQP2 knockout strains had lost HAPT1 activity. Reintroduction of TbAQP2 in MPXR
      trypanosomes restored susceptibility to the drugs and reinstated HAPT1 activity,
      but did not change the activity of TbAT1/P2. Expression of TbAQP2 sensitized
      Leishmania mexicana promastigotes 40-fold to pentamidine and >1000-fold to
      melaminophenyl arsenicals and induced a high-affinity pentamidine transport
      activity indistinguishable from HAPT1 by Km and inhibitor profile. Grafting the
      TbAQP2 selectivity filter amino acid residues onto a chimeric allele of AQP2 and
      AQP3 partly restored susceptibility to pentamidine and an arsenical. CONCLUSIONS:
      TbAQP2 mediates high-affinity uptake of pentamidine and melaminophenyl arsenicals
      in trypanosomes and TbAQP2 encodes the previously reported HAPT1 activity. This
      finding establishes TbAQP2 as an important drug transporter.

PMID- 24235097
TI  - Evaluation of cerebral arteriovenous malformation using 'dual vessel fusion'
      technology.
AB  - AIM: This study explored the value of using a vessel fusion technique for
      visualizing and evaluating the vessel structure of patients diagnosed with
      arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). MATERIALS AND: methods 10 patients with AVMs
      supplied by multiple cerebral arteries were investigated. The three-dimensional
      structure of the AVM nidus, feeding arteries, and draining veins were
      reconstructed from rotational angiographic images and then displayed on a single
      image in a fused manner. RESULTS: In the vessel fusion image, the tangled cluster
      of vessels surrounding the AVMs could be clearly visualized in three-dimensional
      space from a selected optimal viewing angle. Each AVM nidus component with its
      specific feeding arteries and venous drainage could be accurately identified.
      CONCLUSIONS: The vessel fusion technique offered detailed anatomical information
      that enabled clinicians to better understand the AVM structure, which helped with
      treatment planning.

PMID- 24235098
TI  - Exploring the efficacy of cyclic vs static aspiration in a cerebral thrombectomy
      model: an initial proof of concept study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Current technology for endovascular thrombectomy in
      ischemic stroke utilizes static loading and is successful in approximately 85% of
      cases. Existing technology uses either static suction (applied via a continuous
      pump or syringe) or flow arrest with a proximal balloon. In this paper we
      evaluate the potential of cyclic loading in aspiration thrombectomy. METHODS: In
      order to evaluate the efficacy of cyclic aspiration, a model was created using a
      Penumbra aspiration system, three-way valve and Penumbra 5Max catheter. Synthetic
      clots were aspirated at different frequencies and using different aspiration
      mediums. Success or failure of clot removal and time were recorded. All
      statistical analyses were based on either a one-way or two-way analysis of
      variance, Holm-Sidak pairwise multiple comparison procedure (alpha=0.05).
      RESULTS: Cyclic aspiration outperformed static aspiration in overall clot removal
      and removal speed (p<0.001). Within cyclic aspiration, Max Hz frequencies (~6.3
      Hz) cleared clots faster than 1 Hz (p<0.001) and 2 Hz (p=0.024). Loading cycle
      dynamics (specific pressure waveforms) affected speed and overall clearance
      (p<0.001). Water as the aspiration medium was more effective at clearing clots
      than air (p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Cyclic aspiration significantly outperformed
      static aspiration in speed and overall clearance of synthetic clots in our
      experimental model. Within cyclic aspiration, efficacy is improved by increasing
      cycle frequency, utilizing specific pressure cycle waveforms and using water
      rather than air as the aspiration medium. These findings provide a starting point
      for altering existing thrombectomy technology or perhaps the development of new
      technologies with higher recanalization rates.

PMID- 24235099
TI  - Percutaneous sclerotherapy with ethanolamine oleate for venous malformations of
      the head and neck.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Venous malformations frequently occur in the head and neck, and
      they can require treatment for a variety of reasons. Among multiple therapeutic
      approaches employed, percutaneous sclerotherapy has become one of the most
      commonly used treatments, with numerous sclerosants successfully utilized.
      Ethanolamine oleate has approval from the Food and Drug Administration for
      sclerosis of esophageal varices, and is used by some practitioners for the
      treatment of venous malformations. This study reports single center results of
      percutaneous sclerotherapy with ethanolamine oleate to treat venous malformations
      of the head and neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospectively maintained procedural
      records were retrospectively reviewed to identify all patients with venous
      malformations who underwent percutaneous sclerotherapy. The Mulliken and Glowacki
      classification was used to diagnose venous malformations. Medical records and
      images were reviewed to record demographic information, lesion characteristics,
      treatment sessions, and clinical and imaging response. Quantitative volumetric
      analysis was conducted to augment commonly used poorly reproducible subjective
      outcome measures. Response was assessed after each session and completion of all
      percutaneous treatment. A chi(2) analysis was performed to evaluate the effects
      of the above described characteristics on outcomes. RESULTS: 52 interventions
      were performed for lesions in 26 patients. No complications occurred following
      any procedures. Response to individual sessions was categorized as excellent
      following two (3.8%) sessions, good following 45 (86.5%), and fair following four
      (7.7%) session. No sessions resulted in poor responses. Final results were
      excellent in two patients (7.7%), good in 22 (84.6%), and fair in two (7.7%).
      Average lesion volume reduction was 39% following each session, and 61% after
      treatment completion. Periorbital lesions were significantly less likely than
      lesions located elsewhere to have good or excellent outcomes. No other lesion or
      demographic features affected outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous sclerotherapy
      with ethanolamine oleate appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of
      venous malformations and should be considered when treating these complex
      lesions. The efficacy of this agent appears to match or exceed that of other
      sclerosants used for such treatment, and further investigation in prospective
      controlled research is warranted.

PMID- 24235100
TI  - Digital model planning and computerized fabrication of orthognathic surgery
      wafers.
AB  - Conventional orthognathic wafers are made by a process involving manual movement
      of stone dental models and acrylic laboratory fabrication. In addition, a facebow
      record and semi-adjustable articulator system are required for maxillary
      osteotomy cases. This paper introduces a novel process of producing both
      intermediate and final orthognathic surgical wafers using a combination of
      computerized digital model simulation and three-dimensional print fabrication,
      without the need for either a facebow record or the additional ionizing radiation
      exposure associated with cone beam computerized tomography. 

PMID- 24235101
TI  - The effect of puberty on fat oxidation rates during exercise in overweight and
      normal-weight girls.
AB  - Excess weight is often associated with insulin resistance (IR) and may disrupt
      fat oxidation during exercise. This effect is further modified by puberty. While
      studies have shown that maximal fat oxidation rates (FOR) during exercise
      decrease with puberty in normal-weight (NW) and overweight (OW) boys, the effect
      of puberty in NW and OW girls is unclear. Thirty-three NW and OW girls ages 8-18
      yr old completed a peak aerobic capacity test on a cycle ergometer. FOR were
      calculated during progressive submaximal exercise. Body composition and Tanner
      stage were determined. For each participant, a best-fit polynomial curve was
      constructed using fat oxidation vs. exercise intensity to estimate max FOR. In a
      subset of the girls, IR derived from an oral glucose tolerance test (n = 20), and
      leptin and adiponectin levels (n = 11) were assessed in relation to FOR. NW pre
      early pubertal girls had higher max FOR [6.9 +/- 1.4 mg.kg fat free mass (FFM)(
      1).min(-1)] than NW mid-late pubertal girls (2.2 +/- 0.9 mg.kg FFM(-1).min(-1))
      (P = 0.002), OW pre-early pubertal girls (3.8 +/- 2.1 mg.kg FFM(-1).min(-1)), and
      OW mid-late pubertal girls (3.3 +/- 0.9 mg.kg FFM(-1).min(-1)) (P < 0.05).
      Bivariable analyses showed positive associations between FOR with homeostatic
      model assessment of IR (P = 0.001), leptin (P < 0.001), and leptin-to-adiponectin
      ratio (P = 0.001), independent of percent body fat. Max FOR decreased in NW girls
      during mid-late puberty; however, this decrease associated with puberty was
      blunted in OW girls due to lower FOR in pre-early puberty. The presence of IR due
      to obesity potentially masks the effect of puberty on FOR during exercise in
      girls. 

PMID- 24235102
TI  - Determinants of resting lipid oxidation in response to a prior bout of endurance
      exercise.
AB  - A single bout of exercise can alter subsequent resting metabolism for many hours
      and into the next day. However, differences between men and women, effects of
      nutritional state, and relative effects of resting metabolic rate (RMR) and
      respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in controlling the increase in lipid oxidation
      (Lox) after exercise are not yet clear. Effects of aerobic capacity (Vo2 peak)
      and exercise bout parameters (intensity and volume) also remain to be clearly
      elucidated as does the time course of changes after exercise. We performed a meta
      analysis to assess these potential moderators of the impact of endurance exercise
      [effect sizes (ESs)] on subsequent Lox at rest (ES = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.69-1.12), on
      the day of exercise (ES = 1.22; 95% CI: 0.89-1.55), and on the following day (ES
      = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.35-0.85). ES for the exercise-related increase in resting Lox
      was significantly greater in men than women in the postabsorptive state but
      similar in the postprandial state. The ES for depression of RER after exercise
      was similar between men and women, while the ES for RMR in the postabsorptive
      state tended to be higher in men than women. Finally, Vo2 peak and exercise
      energy expenditure (EEE), but not intensity, were predictive of postexercise Lox.
      The findings indicate importance of EEE and fitness for ability to achieve robust
      enhancement of Lox after exercise. The results additionally indicate a gender
      difference in postexercise Lox that is dependent on nutritional state, as the ES
      for Lox was lower in women only in the postabsorptive state. 

PMID- 24235103
TI  - How important are perturbation responses and joint proprioception to knee
      osteoarthritis?

PMID- 24235104
TI  - Changes in breath sound power spectra during experimental oleic acid-induced lung
      injury in pigs.
AB  - To evaluate the effect of acute lung injury on the frequency spectra of breath
      sounds, we made serial acoustic recordings from nondependent, midlung and
      dependent regions of both lungs in ten 35- to 45-kg anesthetized, intubated, and
      mechanically ventilated pigs during development of acute lung injury induced with
      intravenous oleic acid in prone or supine position. Oleic acid injections rapidly
      produced severe derangements in the gas exchange and mechanical properties of the
      lung, with an average increase in venous admixture from 16 +/- 12 to 62 +/- 16%
      (P < 0.01), and a reduction in dynamic respiratory system compliance from 25 +/-
      4 to 14 +/- 4 ml/cmH2O (P < 0.01). A concomitant increase in sound power was seen
      in all lung regions (P < 0.05), predominantly in frequencies 150-800 Hz. The
      deterioration in gas exchange and lung mechanics correlated best with concurrent
      spectral changes in the nondependent lung regions. Acute lung injury increases
      the power of breath sounds likely secondary to redistribution of ventilation from
      collapsed to aerated parts of the lung and improved sound transmission in
      dependent, consolidated areas. 

PMID- 24235106
TI  - Lossless compression of RNAi fluorescence images using regional fluctuations of
      pixels.
AB  - RNA interference (RNAi) is considered one of the most powerful genomic tools
      which allows the study of drug discovery and understanding of the complex
      cellular processes by high-content screens. This field of study, which was the
      subject of 2006 Nobel Prize of medicine, has drastically changed the conventional
      methods of analysis of genes. A large number of images have been produced by the
      RNAi experiments. Even though a number of capable special purpose methods have
      been proposed recently for the processing of RNAi images but there is no
      customized compression scheme for these images. Hence, highly proficient tools
      are required to compress these images. In this paper, we propose a new efficient
      lossless compression scheme for the RNAi images. A new predictor specifically
      designed for these images is proposed. It is shown that pixels can be classified
      into three categories based on their intensity distributions. Using
      classification of pixels based on the intensity fluctuations among the neighbors
      of a pixel a context-based method is designed. Comparisons of the proposed method
      with the existing state-of-the-art lossless compression standards and well-known
      general-purpose methods are performed to show the efficiency of the proposed
      method. 

PMID- 24235105
TI  - Effect of growth hormone on aging connective tissue in muscle and tendon: gene
      expression, morphology, and function following immobilization and rehabilitation.
AB  - It is unknown whether loss in musculotendinous tissue during inactivity can be
      counteracted by growth hormone (GH), and whether GH accelerate rehabilitation in
      aging individuals. Elderly men (65-75 yr; n = 12) had one leg immobilized 2 wk
      followed by 6 wk of retraining and were randomly assigned to daily injections of
      recombinant GH (rhGH; n = 6) or placebo (Plc; n = 6). Cross-sectional area (CSA),
      muscle strength (MVC), and biomechanical properties of m. quadriceps and patellar
      tendon were determined. Muscle and tendon biopsies were analyzed for gene
      expressions (mRNA) of collagen (COL1A1/3A1) and insulin-like growth factors (IGF
      1Ea/Ec). Fibril morphology was analyzed by transmission electron microscope
      (TEM). In tendon, CSA and biomechanical properties did not change following
      immobilization, but an increase in CSA was found after 6 wk of rehabilitation in
      both groups. The changes were more pronounced when GH was injected. Furthermore,
      tendon stiffness increased in the GH group. Muscle CSA declined after
      immobilization in the Plc but not in the GH group. Muscle CSA increased during
      retraining, with a significantly larger increase in the GH group compared with
      the Plc group. Both a time and a group effect were seen for IGF-1Ea/Ec and
      COL1A1/3A1 mRNA expression in muscle, with a difference between GH and Plc. IGF
      1Ea/Ec and COL-1A1/3A1 mRNA expression increased in muscle following
      immobilization and retraining in subjects receiving GH, whereas an increase in
      IGF-1Ec mRNA expression was seen in the Plc group only after retraining. In
      conclusion, in elderly humans, GH seems to have a matrix stabilizing effect
      during inactivity and rehabilitation by stimulating collagen expression in the
      musculotendinous tissue and increasing tendon CSA and stiffness.

PMID- 24235107
TI  - Discriminative and generative classification techniques applied to automated
      neonatal seizure detection.
AB  - A number of automated neonatal seizure detectors have been proposed in recent
      years. However, there exists a large variability in the morphology of seizure and
      background patterns, both across patients and over time. This has resulted in
      relatively poor performance from systems which have been tested over large
      datasets. Here, the benefits of employing a pattern recognition approach are
      discussed. Such a system may use numerous features paired with nonlinear
      classifiers. In particular, two types of nonlinear classifiers are contrasted for
      the task. Additionally, it is shown that the proposed architecture allows for
      efficient classifier combination which improves the performance of the algorithm.
      The resulting automated detector is shown to achieve field leading performance. A
      particular strength of the proposed algorithm is the performance of the algorithm
      when very low false detections are required, at 0.25 false detections per hour,
      the system is able to detect 75.4% of the seizure events. 

PMID- 24235108
TI  - Adverse drug effect detection.
AB  - Large collections of electronic patient records provide abundant but under
      explored information on the real-world use of medicines. Although they are
      maintained for patient administration, they provide a broad range of clinical
      information for data analysis. One growing interest is drug safety signal
      detection from these longitudinal observational data. In this paper, we proposed
      two novel algorithms-a likelihood ratio model and a Bayesian network model-for
      adverse drug effect discovery. Although the performance of these two algorithms
      is comparable to the state-of-the-art algorithm, Bayesian confidence propagation
      neural network, the combination of three works better due to their diversity in
      solutions. Since the actual adverse drug effects on a given dataset cannot be
      absolutely determined, we make use of the simulated observational medical
      outcomes partnership (OMOP) dataset constructed with the predefined adverse drug
      effects to evaluate our methods. Experimental results show the usefulness of the
      proposed pattern discovery method on the simulated OMOP dataset by improving the
      standard baseline algorithm-chi-square-by 23.83%. 

PMID- 24235109
TI  - Detection of seizure and epilepsy using higher order statistics in the EMD
      domain.
AB  - In this paper, a method using higher order statistical moments of EEG signals
      calculated in the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) domain is proposed for
      detecting seizure and epilepsy. The appropriateness of these moments in
      distinguishing the EEG signals is investigated through an extensive analysis in
      the EMD domain. An artificial neural network is employed as the classifier of the
      EEG signals wherein these moments are used as features. The performance of the
      proposed method is studied using a publicly available benchmark database for
      various classification cases that include healthy, interictal (seizure-free
      interval) and ictal (seizure), healthy and seizure, nonseizure and seizure, and
      interictal and ictal, and compared with that of several recent methods based on
      time-frequency analysis and statistical moments. It is shown that the proposed
      method can provide, in almost all the cases, 100% accuracy, sensitivity, and
      specificity, especially in the case of discriminating seizure activities from the
      nonseizure ones for patients with epilepsy while being much faster as compared to
      the time-frequency analysis-based techniques. 

PMID- 24235110
TI  - Coronary vein extraction in MSCT volumes using minimum cost path and geometrical
      moments.
AB  - This work deals with the extraction of patient-specific coronary venous anatomy
      in preoperative multislice computed tomography (MSCT) volumes. A hybrid approach
      has been specifically designed for low-contrast vascular structure detection. It
      makes use of a minimum cost path technique with a Fast-Marching front propagation
      to extract the vessel centerline. A second procedure was applied to refine the
      position of the path and estimate the local radius along the vessel. This was
      achieved with an iterative multiscale algorithm based on geometrical moments.
      Parameter tuning was performed using a dedicated numerical phantom, and then the
      algorithm was applied to extract the coronary venous system. Results are provided
      on three MSCT volume sequences acquired for patients selected for a cardiac
      resynchronization therapy procedure. A visibility study was carried out by a
      medical expert who labeled venous segments on a set of 18 volumes. A comparison
      with two other Fast-Marching techniques and a geometrical moment based tracking
      method is also reported. 

PMID- 24235111
TI  - Toward a passive low-cost in-home gait assessment system for older adults.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a webcam-based system for in-home gait assessment of
      older adults. A methodology has been developed to extract gait parameters
      including walking speed, step time, and step length from a 3-D voxel
      reconstruction, which is built from two calibrated webcam views. The gait
      parameters are validated with a GAITRite mat and a Vicon motion capture system in
      the laboratory with 13 participants and 44 tests, and again with GAITRite for 8
      older adults in senior housing. Excellent agreement with intraclass correlation
      coefficients of 0.99 and repeatability coefficients between 0.7% and 6.6% was
      found for walking speed, step time, and step length given the limitation of frame
      rate and voxel resolution. The system was further tested with ten seniors in a
      scripted scenario representing everyday activities in an unstructured
      environment. The system results demonstrate the capability of being used as a
      daily gait assessment tool for fall risk assessment and other medical
      applications. Furthermore, we found that residents displayed different gait
      patterns during their clinical GAITRite tests compared to the realistic scenario,
      namely a mean increase of 21% in walking speed, a mean decrease of 12% in step
      time, and a mean increase of 6% in step length. These findings provide support
      for continuous gait assessment in the home for capturing habitual gait. 

PMID- 24235112
TI  - Decision support for subjects exposed to heat stress.
AB  - The physiological and activity strain index (PASI) has been developed to improve
      the online decision support for workers exposed to heat stress. Fire fighters
      (smoke divers) which are exposed to both heat-stress and high-risk situations
      have been used as test case. PASI combines a modified version of the relatively
      well-known physiological strain index (PSI) with activity data from
      accelerometers. The algorithm has been developed based on tests in a laboratory,
      and it has been verified in two field tests performed by smoke divers exposed to
      heat stress. The verification demonstrates that it is possible to distinguish
      between high- and low-risk situations when data from accelerometers are added to
      the situation analysis. This indicates that PASI can contribute to an improved
      risk assessment and online decision support for smoke divers compared to using
      PSI alone. 

PMID- 24235113
TI  - Triaxial accelerometer-based fall detection method using a self-constructing
      cascade-AdaBoost-SVM classifier.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a cascade-AdaBoost-support vector machine (SVM)
      classifier to complete the triaxial accelerometer-based fall detection method.
      The method uses the acceleration signals of daily activities of volunteers from a
      database and calculates feature values. By taking the feature values of a sliding
      window as an input vector, the cascade-AdaBoost-SVM algorithm can self-construct
      based on training vectors, and the AdaBoost algorithm of each layer can
      automatically select several optimal weak classifiers to form a strong
      classifier, which accelerates effectively the processing speed in the testing
      phase, requiring only selected features rather than all features. In addition,
      the algorithm can automatically determine whether to replace the AdaBoost
      classifier by support vector machine. We used the UCI database for the
      experiment, in which the triaxial accelerometers are, respectively, worn around
      the left and right ankles, and on the chest as well as the waist. The results are
      compared to those of the neural network, support vector machine, and the cascade
      AdaBoost classifier. The experimental results show that the triaxial
      accelerometers around the chest and waist produce optimal results, and our
      proposed method has the highest accuracy rate and detection rate as well as the
      lowest false alarm rate. 

PMID- 24235114
TI  - Child activity recognition based on cooperative fusion model of a triaxial
      accelerometer and a barometric pressure sensor.
AB  - This paper presents a child activity recognition approach using a single 3-axis
      accelerometer and a barometric pressure sensor worn on a waist of the body to
      prevent child accidents such as unintentional injuries at home. Labeled
      accelerometer data are collected from children of both sexes up to the age of 16
      to 29 months. To recognize daily activities, mean, standard deviation, and slope
      of time-domain features are calculated over sliding windows. In addition, the FFT
      analysis is adopted to extract frequency-domain features of the aggregated data,
      and then energy and correlation of acceleration data are calculated. Child
      activities are classified into 11 daily activities which are wiggling, rolling,
      standing still, standing up, sitting down, walking, toddling, crawling, climbing
      up, climbing down, and stopping. The overall accuracy of activity recognition was
      98.43% using only a single- wearable triaxial accelerometer sensor and a
      barometric pressure sensor with a support vector machine. 

PMID- 24235115
TI  - Autoregressive and iterative hidden Markov models for periodicity detection and
      solenoid structure recognition in protein sequences.
AB  - Traditional signal processing methods cannot detect interspersed repeats and
      generally cannot handle nonstationary signals. In this paper, we propose a new
      method for periodicity detection in protein sequences to locate interspersed
      repeats. We first apply the autoregressive model with a sliding window to find
      possible repeating subsequences within a protein sequence. Then, we utilize an
      iterative hidden Markov model (HMM) to count the number of subsequences similar
      to each of the possible repeating subsequences. An iterative HMM search of the
      potential repeating subsequences can help identify interspersed repeats. Finally,
      the numbers of repeating subsequences are aggregated together as a feature and
      used in the classification process. Experiment results show that our method
      improves the performance of solenoid protein recognition substantially. 

PMID- 24235116
TI  - The tactile sensation imaging system for embedded lesion characterization.
AB  - Elasticity is an important indicator of tissue health, with increased stiffness
      pointing to an increased risk of cancer. We investigated a tissue inclusion
      characterization method for the application of early breast tumor identification.
      A tactile sensation imaging system (TSIS) is developed to capture images of the
      embedded lesions using total internal reflection principle. From tactile images,
      we developed a novel method to estimate that size, depth, and elasticity of the
      embedded lesion using 3-D finite-element-model-based forward algorithm, and
      neural-network-based inversion algorithm are employed. The proposed
      characterization method was validated by the realistic tissue phantom with
      inclusions to emulate the tumors. The experimental results showed that, the
      proposed characterization method estimated the size, depth, and Young's modulus
      of a tissue inclusion with 6.98%, 7.17%, and 5.07% relative errors, respectively.
      A pilot clinical study was also performed to characterize the lesion of human
      breast cancer patients using TSIS. 

PMID- 24235117
TI  - Multiscale entropy analysis of different spontaneous motor unit discharge
      patterns.
AB  - This study explores a novel application of multiscale entropy (MSE) analysis for
      characterizing different patterns of spontaneous electromyogram (EMG) signals
      including sporadic, tonic and repetitive spontaneous motor unit discharges, and
      normal surface EMG baseline. Two algorithms for MSE analysis, namely, the
      standard MSE and the intrinsic mode entropy (IMEn) (based on the recently
      developed multivariate empirical mode decomposition method), were applied to
      different patterns of spontaneous EMG. Significant differences were observed in
      multiple scales of the standard MSE and IMEn analyses (<;i>p<;/i> <; 0.001) for
      any two of the spontaneous EMG patterns, while such significance may not be
      observed from the single-scale entropy analysis. Compared to the standard MSE,
      the IMEn analysis facilitates usage of a relatively low scale number to discern
      entropy difference among various patterns of spontaneous EMG signals. The
      findings from this study contribute to our understanding of the nonlinear dynamic
      properties of different spontaneous EMG patterns, which may be related to spinal
      motoneuron or motor unit health. 

PMID- 24235118
TI  - Temporal properties of diagnosis code time series in aggregate.
AB  - Time series are essential to health data research and data mining. We aim to
      study the properties of one of the more commonly available but historically
      unreliable types of data: administrative diagnoses in the form of the
      International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD9) codes. We use
      differential entropy of ICD9 code time series as a surrogate measure for disease
      time course and also explore Gaussian kernel smoothing to characterize the time
      course of diseases in a more fine-grained way. Compared to a gold standard
      created by a panel of clinicians, the first model classified diseases into acute
      and chronic groups with a receiver operating characteristic area under curve of
      0.83. In the second model, several characteristic temporal profiles were observed
      including permanent, chronic, and acute. In addition, condition dynamics such as
      the refractory period for giving birth following childbirth were observed. These
      models demonstrate that ICD9 codes, despite well-documented concerns, contain
      valid and potentially valuable temporal information. 

PMID- 24235119
TI  - Multiscale adaptive basis function modeling of spatiotemporal vectorcardiogram
      signals.
AB  - Mathematical modeling of cardiac electrical signals facilitates the simulation of
      realistic cardiac electrical behaviors, the evaluation of algorithms, and the
      characterization of underlying space-time patterns. However, there are practical
      issues pertinent to model efficacy, robustness, and generality. This paper
      presents a multiscale adaptive basis function modeling approach to characterize
      not only temporal but also spatial behaviors of vectorcardiogram (VCG) signals.
      Model parameters are adaptively estimated by the "best matching" projections of
      VCG characteristic waves onto a dictionary of nonlinear basis functions. The
      model performance is experimentally evaluated with respect to the number of basis
      functions, different types of basis function (i.e., Gaussian, Mexican hat,
      customized wavelet, and Hermitian wavelets), and various cardiac conditions,
      including 80 healthy controls and different myocardial infarctions (i.e., 89
      inferior, 77 anterior-septal, 56 inferior-lateral, 47 anterior, and 43 anterior
      lateral). Multiway analysis of variance shows that the basis function and the
      model complexity have significant effects on model performances while cardiac
      conditions are not significant. The customized wavelet is found to be an optimal
      basis function for the modeling of spacetime VCG signals. The comparison of QT
      intervals shows small relative errors (<;5%) between model representations and
      realworld VCG signals when the model complexity is greater than 10. The proposed
      model shows great potentials to model space-time cardiac pathological behaviors
      and can lead to potential benefits in feature extraction, data compression,
      algorithm evaluation, and disease prognostics. 

PMID- 24235120
TI  - Acoustic signal classification of breathing movements to virtually aid breath
      regulation.
AB  - Monitoring breath and identifying breathing movements have settled importance in
      many biomedical research areas, especially in the treatment of those with
      breathing disorders, e.g., lung cancer patients. Moreover, virtual reality (VR)
      revolution and their implementations on ubiquitous hand-held devices have a lot
      of implications, which could be used as a simulation technology for healing
      purposes. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to detect and classify
      breathing movements. The overall VR framework is intended to encourage the
      subjects regulate their breath by classifying the breathing movements in real
      time. This paper focuses on a portion of the overall VR framework that deals with
      classifying the acoustic signal of respiration movements. We employ Mel-frequency
      cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) along with speech segmentation techniques using
      voice activity detection and linear thresholding to the acoustic signal of breath
      captured using a microphone to depict the differences between inhale and exhale
      in frequency domain. For every subject, 13 MFCCs of all voiced segments are
      computed and plotted. The inhale and exhale phases are differentiated using the
      sixth MFCC order, which carries important classification information.
      Experimental results on a number of individuals verify our proposed
      classification methodology. 

PMID- 24235125
TI  - A new twist to the GATA switch.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Takai et al provide some tantalizing clues on how
      expression of the GATA1 transcription factor, a master regulator of
      erythroid/megakaryocytic differentiation, is suppressed in the hematopoietic
      stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) compartment.

PMID- 24235126
TI  - Risky business: target choice in adoptive cell therapy.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Casucci et al present an elegant study that describes a
      potential new target for adoptive cell transfer (ACT), in this case CD44 splice
      variant 6 (CD44v6), and detail why it may be a good target for ACT and how to
      manage expected off-tumor/on-target toxicities.

PMID- 24235127
TI  - The C3a receptor, caspase-1, and release of IL-1beta.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Asgari et al report that engagement of the C3a receptor
      triggers interleukin-1b (IL-1b) processing and release via caspase-1 activation.
      The role of complement activation in IL-1 production has a long history;
      complement products function as "alarmins" during innate responses. For many
      years before the term "innate immune response" was coined, it was fully
      understood that a highly nonspecific event such as activation of complement would
      induce a highly nonspecific molecule such as IL-1; these 2 linked processes would
      then affect a highly specific event such antigen-driven lymphocyte activation,
      for example, polarization to a T helper 1 (Th1) or a Th17 response. In this
      issue, investigators link the generation of C3a to playing a role in the
      activation of caspase-1. A unique and unexpected finding of the study is that
      engagement of the C3a receptor results in phosphorylation of extracellular signal
      regulated kinase-1 and 2 (ERK-1/2), which promotes the efflux of adenosine
      triphosphate (ATP) from the macrophage. Release of ATP is a rate-limiting step
      for activating caspase-1, as extracellular ATP triggers the P2X7 purinergic
      receptor to initiate oligomerization of NLRP3.

PMID- 24235128
TI  - Shedding light on UVR and Hodgkin lymphoma.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Monnereau and colleagues pool 4 retrospective (case
      control), observational epidemiologic studies to demonstrate an inverse
      association between UV radiation (UVR) exposure and risk of developing Hodgkin
      lymphoma (HL).

PMID- 24235129
TI  - In the spotlight: a novel CD37 antibody-drug conjugate.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Deckert et al make a strong argument in favor of IMGN529,
      a novel anti-CD37 maytansinoid antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), elegantly showing
      its activity against B-cell lymphoma in in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies.

PMID- 24235130
TI  - Asparaginase unveils glutamine-addicted AML.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Willems et al describe the dependence of acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML) cells on glutamine for maintaining protein synthesis downstream of
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and show that the enzyme asparaginase can be
      used to target this dependence. Using various AML cell lines, primary samples,
      and CD341 stem cells from healthy donors, the authors support the notion that
      asparaginase may offer a therapeutic benefit in AML-not from its well-known
      enzymatic activity, but from its "off-target" effects on glutamine levels that
      result in inhibition of downstream mTOR signaling, inhibition of protein
      synthesis, and ultimately loss of viability.

PMID- 24235131
TI  - Dengue platelets meet Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Hottz et al provide compelling evidence that dengue virus
      (DV) induces (1) platelet synthesis of interleukin-1b (IL-1b); (2) platelet
      derived IL-1b-containing microvesicles (MVs) that increase vascular permeability;
      and (3) DV-triggered inflammasome activation in platelets.

PMID- 24235132
TI  - Machine learning approaches distinguish multiple stress conditions using stress
      responsive genes and identify candidate genes for broad resistance in rice.
AB  - Abiotic and biotic stress responses are traditionally thought to be regulated by
      discrete signaling mechanisms. Recent experimental evidence revealed a more
      complex picture where these mechanisms are highly entangled and can have
      synergistic and antagonistic effects on each other. In this study, we identified
      shared stress-responsive genes between abiotic and biotic stresses in rice (Oryza
      sativa) by performing meta-analyses of microarray studies. About 70% of the 1,377
      common differentially expressed genes showed conserved expression status, and the
      majority of the rest were down-regulated in abiotic stresses and up-regulated in
      biotic stresses. Using dimension reduction techniques, principal component
      analysis, and partial least squares discriminant analysis, we were able to
      segregate abiotic and biotic stresses into separate entities. The supervised
      machine learning model, recursive-support vector machine, could classify abiotic
      and biotic stresses with 100% accuracy using a subset of differentially expressed
      genes. Furthermore, using a random forests decision tree model, eight out of 10
      stress conditions were classified with high accuracy. Comparison of genes
      contributing most to the accurate classification by partial least squares
      discriminant analysis, recursive-support vector machine, and random forests
      revealed 196 common genes with a dynamic range of expression levels in multiple
      stresses. Functional enrichment and coexpression network analysis revealed the
      different roles of transcription factors and genes responding to phytohormones or
      modulating hormone levels in the regulation of stress responses. We envisage the
      top-ranked genes identified in this study, which highly discriminate abiotic and
      biotic stresses, as key components to further our understanding of the inherently
      complex nature of multiple stress responses in plants. 

PMID- 24235133
TI  - Modification of plasma membrane organization in tobacco cells elicited by
      cryptogein.
AB  - Lipid mixtures within artificial membranes undergo a separation into liquid
      disordered and liquid-ordered phases. However, the existence of this segregation
      into microscopic liquid-ordered phases has been difficult to prove in living
      cells, and the precise organization of the plasma membrane into such phases has
      not been elucidated in plant cells. We developed a multispectral confocal
      microscopy approach to generate ratiometric images of the plasma membrane surface
      of Bright Yellow 2 tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) suspension cells labeled with an
      environment sensitive fluorescent probe. This allowed the in vivo
      characterization of the global level of order of this membrane, by which we could
      demonstrate that an increase in its proportion of ordered phases transiently
      occurred in the early steps of the signaling triggered by cryptogein and
      flagellin, two elicitors of plant defense reactions. The use of fluorescence
      recovery after photobleaching revealed an increase in plasma membrane fluidity
      induced by cryptogein, but not by flagellin. Moreover, we characterized the
      spatial distribution of liquid-ordered phases on the membrane of living plant
      cells and monitored their variations induced by cryptogein elicitation. We
      analyze these results in the context of plant defense signaling, discuss their
      meaning within the framework of the "membrane raft" hypothesis, and propose a new
      mechanism of signaling platform formation in response to elicitor treatment. 

PMID- 24235134
TI  - Altered distribution and function of natural killer cells in murine and human
      Niemann-Pick disease type C1.
AB  - Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder
      caused by defects in the lysosomal proteins NPC1 or NPC2. NPC cells are
      characterized by reduced lysosomal calcium levels and impaired sphingosine
      transport from lysosomes. Natural killer (NK) cells kill virally
      infected/transformed cells via degranulation of lysosome-related organelles.
      Their trafficking from lymphoid tissues into the circulation is dependent on
      sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) gradients, sensed by S1P receptor 5 (S1P5). We
      hypothesized that NK-cell function and trafficking could be affected in NPC
      disease due to the combined effects of the lysosomal calcium defect and
      sphingosine storage. In an NPC1 mouse model, we found the frequency of NK cells
      was altered and phenocopied S1P5-deficient mice, consistent with defects in S1P
      levels. NK cells from NPC1 mice also had a defect in cytotoxicity due to a
      failure in degranulation of cytotoxic granules, which was associated with reduced
      lysosomal calcium levels. Affected NPC1 patients and NPC1 heterozygote carriers
      had reduced NK-cell numbers in their blood and showed similar phenotypic and
      developmental changes to those observed in the NPC1 mouse. These findings
      highlight the effects of lysosomal storage on the peripheral immune system. 

PMID- 24235135
TI  - How I treat ALL in Down's syndrome: pathobiology and management.
AB  - Children with Down syndrome are at high risk for developing B-cell precursor
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia (DS-ALL) associated with poor outcome due to both a
      high relapse rate and increased treatment-related mortality (TRM) from
      infections. Biologically, these heterogeneous leukemias are characterized by
      under-representation of the common cytogenetic subgroups of childhood ALL and
      overrepresentation of CRLF2-IL7R-JAK-STAT activating genetic aberrations.
      Although relapse is the major determinant of poor outcomes in this population, de
      escalation of chemotherapy intensity might be feasible in the 10% to 15% DS-ALL
      patients with ETV6-RUNX1 or high hyperdipoidy in whom TRM is the major limiting
      event. As infection-associated TRM occurs during all treatment phases, including
      the maintenance period, increased surveillance and supportive care is required
      throughout therapy. Improvement in outcome will require better understanding of
      the causes of treatment failure and TRM, incorporation of new therapies targeting
      the unique biological properties of DS-ALL, and enhanced supportive care measures
      to reduce the risk of infection-related TRM. To facilitate these goals, an
      international collaboration plans to establish a prospective DS-ALL registry and
      develop specific supportive care recommendations for this at-risk population. 

PMID- 24235136
TI  - Functional reconstitution of a chloride channel bares its soul.

PMID- 24235137
TI  - Single-molecule resolution of protein structure and interfacial dynamics on
      biomaterial surfaces.
AB  - A method was developed to monitor dynamic changes in protein structure and
      interfacial behavior on surfaces by single-molecule Forster resonance energy
      transfer. This method entails the incorporation of unnatural amino acids to site
      specifically label proteins with single-molecule Forster resonance energy
      transfer probes for high-throughput dynamic fluorescence tracking microscopy on
      surfaces. Structural changes in the enzyme organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) were
      monitored upon adsorption to fused silica (FS) surfaces in the presence of BSA on
      a molecule-by-molecule basis. Analysis of >30,000 individual trajectories enabled
      the observation of heterogeneities in the kinetics of surface-induced OPH
      unfolding with unprecedented resolution. In particular, two distinct pathways
      were observed: a majority population (~ 85%) unfolded with a characteristic time
      scale of 0.10 s, and the remainder unfolded more slowly with a time scale of 0.7
      s. Importantly, even after unfolding, OPH readily desorbed from FS surfaces,
      challenging the common notion that surface-induced unfolding leads to
      irreversible protein binding. This suggests that protein fouling of surfaces is a
      highly dynamic process because of subtle differences in the adsorption/desorption
      rates of folded and unfolded species. Moreover, such observations imply that
      surfaces may act as a source of unfolded (i.e., aggregation-prone) protein back
      into solution. Continuing study of other proteins and surfaces will examine
      whether these conclusions are general or specific to OPH in contact with FS.
      Ultimately, this method, which is widely applicable to virtually any protein,
      provides the framework to develop surfaces and surface modifications with
      improved biocompatibility. 

PMID- 24235139
TI  - Nuclear recruitment of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase by alpha-syntrophin is
      crucial for the induction of mitochondrial biogenesis.
AB  - Neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) has various splicing variants and different
      subcellular localizations. nNOS can be found also in the nucleus; however, its
      exact role in this compartment is still not completely defined. In this report,
      we demonstrate that the PDZ domain allows the recruitment of nNOS to nuclei, thus
      favoring local NO production, nuclear protein S-nitrosylation, and induction of
      mitochondrial biogenesis. In particular, overexpression of PDZ-containing nNOS
      (nNOSalpha) increases S-nitrosylated CREB with consequent augmented binding on
      cAMP response element consensus sequence on peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor gamma co-activator (PGC)-1alpha promoter. The resulting PGC-1alpha
      induction is accompanied by the expression of mitochondrial genes (e.g., TFAM,
      MtCO1) and increased mitochondrial mass. Importantly, full active nNOS lacking
      PDZ domain (nNOSbeta) does not localize in nuclei and fails in inducing the
      expression of PGC-1alpha. Moreover, we substantiate that the mitochondrial
      biogenesis normally accompanying myogenesis is associated with nuclear
      translocation of nNOS. We demonstrate that alpha-Syntrophin, which resides in
      nuclei of myocytes, functions as the upstream mediator of nuclear nNOS
      translocation and nNOS-dependent mitochondrial biogenesis. Overall, our results
      indicate that altered nNOS splicing and nuclear localization could be
      contributing factors in human muscular diseases associated with mitochondrial
      impairment. 

PMID- 24235140
TI  - Bacteriocin protein BacL1 of Enterococcus faecalis is a peptidoglycan D
      isoglutamyl-L-lysine endopeptidase.
AB  - Enterococcus faecalis strains are commensal bacteria in humans and other animals,
      and they are also the causative agent of opportunistic infectious diseases.
      Bacteriocin 41 (Bac41) is produced by certain E. faecalis clinical isolates, and
      it is active against other E. faecalis strains. Our genetic analyses demonstrated
      that the extracellular products of the bacL1 and bacA genes, which are encoded in
      the Bac41 operon, coordinately express the bacteriocin activity against E.
      faecalis. In this study, we investigated the molecular functions of the BacL1 and
      BacA proteins. Immunoblotting and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis
      revealed that BacL1 and BacA are secreted without any processing. The
      coincidental treatment with the recombinant BacL1 and BacA showed complete
      bacteriocin activity against E. faecalis, but neither BacL1 nor BacA protein
      alone showed the bacteriocin activity. Interestingly, BacL1 alone demonstrated
      substantial degrading activity against the cell wall fraction of E. faecalis in
      the absence of BacA. Furthermore, MALDI-TOF MS analysis revealed that BacL1 has a
      peptidoglycan D-isoglutamyl-L-lysine endopeptidase activity via a NlpC/P60
      homology domain. These results collectively suggest that BacL1 serves as a
      peptidoglycan hydrolase and, when BacA is present, results in the lysis of viable
      E. faecalis cells.

PMID- 24235141
TI  - Increased phagocytosis of Mycobacterium marinum mutants defective in
      lipooligosaccharide production: a structure-activity relationship study.
AB  - Mycobacterium marinum is a waterborne pathogen responsible for tuberculosis-like
      infections in ectotherms and is an occasional opportunistic human pathogen. In
      the environment, M. marinum also interacts with amoebae, which may serve as a
      natural reservoir for this microorganism. However, the description of
      mycobacterial determinants in the early interaction with macrophages or amoebae
      remains elusive. Lipooligosaccharides (LOSs) are cell surface-exposed glycolipids
      capable of modulating the host immune system, suggesting that they may be
      involved in the early interactions of M. marinum with macrophages. Herein, we
      addressed whether LOS composition affects the uptake of M. marinum by
      professional phagocytes. Mutants with various truncated LOS variants were
      generated, leading to the identification of several previously uncharacterized
      biosynthetic genes (wbbL2, MMAR_2321, and MMAR_2331). Biochemical and structural
      approaches allowed resolving the structures of LOS precursors accumulating in
      this set of mutants. These strains with structurally defined LOS profiles were
      then used to infect both macrophages and Acanthamoebae. An inverse correlation
      between LOS completeness and uptake of mycobacteria by phagocytes was found,
      allowing the proposal of three mutant classes: class I (papA4), devoid of LOS and
      highly efficiently phagocytosed; class II, accumulating only early LOS
      intermediates (wbbL2 and MMAR_2331) and efficiently phagocytosed but less than
      class I mutants; class III, lacking LOS-IV (losA, MMAR_2319, and MMAR_2321) and
      phagocytosed similarly to the control strain. These results indicate that
      phagocytosis is conditioned by the LOS pattern and that the LOS pathway used by
      M. marinum in macrophages is conserved during infection of amoebae. 

PMID- 24235142
TI  - GATA3 transcription factor abrogates Smad4 transcription factor-mediated fascin
      overexpression, invadopodium formation, and breast cancer cell invasion.
AB  - Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is a potent and context-dependent
      regulator of tumor progression. TGFbeta promotes the lung metastasis of basal
      like (but not the luminal-like) breast cancer. Here, we demonstrated that fascin,
      a pro-metastasis actin bundling protein, was a direct target of the canonical
      TGFbeta-Smad4 signaling pathway in basal-like breast cancer cells. TGFbeta and
      Smad4 induced fascin overexpression by directly binding to a Smad binding element
      on the fascin promoter. We identified GATA3, a transcription factor crucial for
      mammary gland morphogenesis and luminal differentiation, as a negative regulator
      of TGFbeta- and Smad4-induced fascin overexpression. When ectopically expressed
      in basal-like breast cancer cells, GATA-3 abrogated TGFbeta- and Smad4-mediated
      overexpression of fascin and other TGFbeta response genes, invadopodium
      formation, cell migration, and invasion, suggesting suppression of the canonical
      TGFbeta-Smad signaling axis. Mechanistically, GATA3 abrogated the canonical
      TGFbeta-Smad signaling by abolishing interactions between Smad4 and its DNA
      binding elements, potentially through physical interactions between the N
      terminal of GATA3 and Smad3/4 proteins. Our findings provide mechanistic insight
      into how TGFbeta-mediated cell motility and invasiveness are differentially
      regulated in breast cancer. 

PMID- 24235143
TI  - Bone morphogenetic proteins signal via SMAD and mitogen-activated protein (MAP)
      kinase pathways at distinct times during osteoclastogenesis.
AB  - To investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in
      osteoclastogenesis in vivo, we eliminated BMPRII in osteoclasts by creating a
      BMPRII(fl/fl);lysM-Cre mouse strain. Conditional knock-out (cKO) mice are
      osteopetrotic when compared with WT controls due to a decrease in osteoclast
      activity. Bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) isolated from cKO mice are severely
      inhibited in their capacity to differentiate into mature osteoclasts in the
      presence of M-CSF and receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) ligand. We also show
      that BMP noncanonical (MAPK) and canonical (SMAD) pathways are utilized at
      different stages of osteoclast differentiation. BMP2 induces p38 phosphorylation
      in pre-fusion osteoclasts and increases SMAD phosphorylation around osteoclast
      precursor fusion. Phosphorylation of MAPKs was decreased in differentiated BMMs
      from cKO animals. Treating BMMs with the SMAD inhibitor dorsomorphin confirms the
      requirement for the canonical pathway around the time of fusion. These results
      demonstrate the requirement for BMP signaling in osteoclasts for proper bone
      homeostasis and also explore the complex signaling mechanisms employed by BMP
      signaling during osteoclast differentiation. 

PMID- 24235144
TI  - Ca2+-independent binding of anionic phospholipids by phospholipase C delta1 EF
      hand domain.
AB  - Recombinant EF-hand domain of phospholipase C delta1 has a moderate affinity for
      anionic phospholipids in the absence of Ca(2+) that is driven by interactions of
      cationic and hydrophobic residues in the first EF-hand sequence. This region of
      PLC delta1 is missing in the crystal structure. The relative orientation of
      recombinant EF with respect to the bilayer, established with NMR methods, shows
      that the N-terminal helix of EF-1 is close to the membrane interface. Specific
      mutations of EF-1 residues in full-length PLC delta1 reduce enzyme activity but
      not because of disturbing partitioning of the protein onto vesicles. The
      reduction in enzymatic activity coupled with vesicle binding studies are
      consistent with a role for this domain in aiding substrate binding in the active
      site once the protein is transiently anchored at its target membrane. 

PMID- 24235145
TI  - Automethylation activities within the mixed lineage leukemia-1 (MLL1) core
      complex reveal evidence supporting a "two-active site" model for multiple histone
      H3 lysine 4 methylation.
AB  - The mixed lineage leukemia-1 (MLL1) core complex predominantly catalyzes mono-
      and dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4) and is frequently altered in
      aggressive acute leukemias. The molecular mechanisms that account for conversion
      of mono- to dimethyl H3K4 (H3K4me1,2) are not well understood. In this
      investigation, we report that the suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste,
      trithorax (SET) domains from human MLL1 and Drosophila Trithorax undergo robust
      intramolecular automethylation reactions at an evolutionarily conserved cysteine
      residue in the active site, which is inhibited by unmodified histone H3. The
      location of the automethylation in the SET-I subdomain indicates that the MLL1
      SET domain possesses significantly more conformational plasticity in solution
      than suggested by its crystal structure. We also report that MLL1 methylates
      Ash2L in the absence of histone H3, but only when assembled within a complex with
      WDR5 and RbBP5, suggesting a restraint for the architectural arrangement of
      subunits within the complex. Using MLL1 and Ash2L automethylation reactions as
      probes for histone binding, we observed that both automethylation reactions are
      significantly inhibited by stoichiometric amounts of unmethylated histone H3, but
      not by histones previously mono-, di-, or trimethylated at H3K4. These results
      suggest that the H3K4me1 intermediate does not significantly bind to the MLL1 SET
      domain during the dimethylation reaction. Consistent with this hypothesis, we
      demonstrate that the MLL1 core complex assembled with a catalytically inactive
      SET domain variant preferentially catalyzes H3K4 dimethylation using the H3K4me1
      substrate. Taken together, these results are consistent with a "two-active site"
      model for multiple H3K4 methylation by the MLL1 core complex. 

PMID- 24235146
TI  - Angiopoietin-2 secretion by endothelial cell exosomes: regulation by the
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)
      and syndecan-4/syntenin pathways.
AB  - Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) is an extracellular protein and one of the principal
      ligands of Tie2 receptor that is involved in the regulation of vascular
      integrity, quiescence, and inflammation. The mode of secretion of Ang2 has never
      been established, however. Here, we provide evidence that Ang2 is secreted from
      endothelial cells via exosomes and that this process is inhibited by the
      PI3K/Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling pathway, whereas it
      is positively regulated by the syndecan-4/syntenin pathway. Vascular defects in
      Akt1 null mice arise, in part, because of excessive Ang2 secretion and can be
      rescued by the syndecan-4 knock-out that reduces extracellular Ang2 levels. This
      novel mechanism connects three critical signaling pathways: angiopoietin/Tie2,
      PI3K/Akt/eNOS, and syndecan/syntenin, which play important roles in vascular
      growth and stabilization. 

PMID- 24235147
TI  - Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) regulates the function of CLOCK protein by
      direct phosphorylation.
AB  - Circadian rhythm is a biological rhythm governing physiology and behavior with a
      period of ~24 h. At the molecular level, circadian output is controlled by a
      molecular clock composed of positive and negative feedback loops in
      transcriptional and post-translational processes. CLOCK is a transcription factor
      known as a central component of the molecular clock feedback loops generating
      circadian oscillation. Although CLOCK is known to undergo multiple post
      translational modifications, the knowledge of their entities remains limited.
      Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a proline-directed serine-threonine kinase
      that is involved in various neuronal processes. Here, we report that Cdk5 is a
      novel regulator of CLOCK protein. Cdk5 phosphorylates CLOCK at the Thr-451 and
      Thr-461 residues in association with transcriptional activation of CLOCK. The
      Cdk5-dependent regulation of CLOCK function is mediated by alterations of its
      stability and subcellular distribution. These results suggest that Cdk5 is a
      novel regulatory component of the core molecular clock machinery. 

PMID- 24235148
TI  - Tubulation of endosomal structures in human dendritic cells by Toll-like receptor
      ligation and lymphocyte contact accompanies antigen cross-presentation.
AB  - Mouse dendritic cells (DCs) can rapidly extend their Class II MHC-positive late
      endosomal compartments into tubular structures, induced by Toll-like receptor
      (TLR) triggering. Within antigen-presenting DCs, tubular endosomes polarize
      toward antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells, which are considered beneficial for their
      activation. Here we describe that also in human DCs, TLR triggering induces
      tubular late endosomes, labeled by fluorescent LDL. TLR triggering was
      insufficient for induced tubulation of transferrin-positive endosomal recycling
      compartments (ERCs) in human monocyte-derived DCs. We studied endosomal
      remodeling in human DCs in co-cultures of DCs with CD8(+) T cells. Tubulation of
      ERCs within human DCs requires antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell interaction.
      Tubular remodeling of endosomes occurs within 30 min of T cell contact and
      involves ligation of HLA-A2 and ICAM-1 by T cell-expressed T cell receptor and
      LFA-1, respectively. Disintegration of microtubules or inhibition of endosomal
      recycling abolished tubular ERCs, which coincided with reduced antigen-dependent
      CD8(+) T cell activation. Based on these data, we propose that remodeling of
      transferrin-positive ERCs in human DCs involves both innate and T cell-derived
      signals. 

PMID- 24235149
TI  - A novel Pex14 protein-interacting site of human Pex5 is critical for matrix
      protein import into peroxisomes.
AB  - Protein import into peroxisomes relies on the import receptor Pex5, which
      recognizes proteins with a peroxisomal targeting signal 1 (PTS1) in the cytosol
      and directs them to a docking complex at the peroxisomal membrane. Receptor-cargo
      docking occurs at the membrane-associated protein Pex14. In human cells, this
      interaction is mediated by seven conserved diaromatic penta-peptide motifs
      (WXXX(F/Y) motifs) in the N-terminal half of Pex5 and the N-terminal domain of
      Pex14. A systematic screening of a Pex5 peptide library by ligand blot analysis
      revealed a novel Pex5-Pex14 interaction site of Pex5. The novel motif composes
      the sequence LVAEF with the evolutionarily conserved consensus sequence LVXEF.
      Replacement of the amino acid LVAEF sequence by alanines strongly affects matrix
      protein import into peroxisomes in vivo. The NMR structure of a complex of Pex5
      (57-71) with the Pex14-N-terminal domain showed that the novel motif binds in a
      similar alpha-helical orientation as the WXXX(F/Y) motif but that the tryptophan
      pocket is now occupied by a leucine residue. Surface plasmon resonance analyses
      revealed 33 times faster dissociation rates for the LVXEF ligand when compared
      with a WXXX(F/Y) motif. Surprisingly, substitution of the novel motif with the
      higher affinity WXXX(F/Y) motif impairs protein import into peroxisomes. These
      data indicate that the distinct kinetic properties of the novel Pex14-binding
      site in Pex5 are important for processing of the peroxisomal targeting signal 1
      receptor at the peroxisomal membrane. The novel Pex14-binding site may represent
      the initial tethering site of Pex5 from which the cargo-loaded receptor is
      further processed in a sequential manner. 

PMID- 24235152
TI  - Tuberculous meningitis.

PMID- 24235150
TI  - Extracellular monomeric tau protein is sufficient to initiate the spread of tau
      protein pathology.
AB  - Understanding the formation and propagation of aggregates of the Alzheimer
      disease-associated Tau protein in vivo is vital for the development of
      therapeutics for this devastating disorder. Using our recently developed live
      cell aggregation sensor in neuron-like cells, we demonstrate that different
      variants of exogenous monomeric Tau, namely full-length Tau (hTau40) and the Tau
      derived construct K18 comprising the repeat domain, initially accumulate in
      endosomal compartments, where they form fibrillar seeds that subsequently induce
      the aggregation of endogenous Tau. Using superresolution imaging, we confirm that
      fibrils consisting of endogenous and exogenous Tau are released from cells and
      demonstrate their potential to spread Tau pathology. Our data indicate a greater
      pathological risk and potential toxicity than hitherto suspected for
      extracellular soluble Tau. 

PMID- 24235153
TI  - The component structure of event-related potentials in the p300 speller paradigm.
AB  - We investigated the componential structure of event-related potentials elicited
      while participants use the P300 BCI. Six healthy participants "typed" all
      characters in a 6 * 6 matrix twice in a random sequence. A principal component
      analysis indicated that in addition to the P300, target flashes elicited an
      earlier frontal positivity, possibly a Novelty P3. The amplitudes of both P300
      and the Novelty P3 varied with the matrix row in which the target character was
      located. However, the P300 elicited by row flashes was largest for targets in the
      lower part of the matrix, whereas the Novelty P3 elicited by column flashes was
      largest in the top part. Classification accuracy using stepwise linear
      discriminant analysis mirrored the pattern in the Novelty P3 (an accuracy
      difference of 0.1 between rows 1 and 6). When separate classifiers were generated
      to rely solely on the P300 or solely on the Novelty P3, the latter function led
      to higher accuracy (a mean accuracy difference of about 0.2 between classifiers).
      A possible explanation is that some nontarget flashes elicit a P300, leading to
      lower selection accuracy of the respective classifier. In an additional set of
      data from six different participants we replicated the ERP structure of the
      initial analyses and characterized the spatial distributions more closely by
      using a dense electrode array. Overall, our findings provide new insights in the
      componential structure of ERPs elicited in the P300 speller paradigm and have
      important implications for optimizing the speller's selection accuracy. 

PMID- 24235151
TI  - Gel-based protease proteomics for identifying the novel calpain substrates in
      dopaminergic neuronal cell.
AB  - Calpains are a family of calcium-dependent cysteine proteases that are
      ubiquitously expressed in mammals and play critical roles in neuronal death by
      catalyzing substrate proteolysis. Here, we developed two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis-based protease proteomics to identify putative calpain
      substrates. To accomplish this, cellular lysates from neuronal cells were first
      separated by pI, and the immobilized sample on a gel strip was incubated with a
      recombinant calpain and separated by molecular weight. Among 25 altered protein
      spots that were differentially expressed by at least 2-fold, we confirmed that
      arsenical pump-driving ATPase, optineurin, and peripherin were cleaved by calpain
      using in vitro and in vivo cleavage assays. Furthermore, we found that all of
      these substrates were cleaved in MN9D cells treated with either ionomycin or 1
      methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, both of which cause a calcium-mediated calpain
      activation. Their cleavage was blocked by calcium chelator or calpain inhibitors.
      In addition, calpain-mediated cleavage of these substrates and its inhibition by
      calpeptin were confirmed in a middle cerebral artery occlusion model of cerebral
      ischemia, as well as a stereotaxic brain injection model of Parkinson disease.
      Transient overexpression of each protein was shown to attenuate 1-methyl-4
      phenylpyridinium-induced cell death, indicating that these substrates may confer
      protection of varying magnitudes against dopaminergic injury. Taken together, the
      data indicate that our protease proteomic method has the potential to be
      applicable for identifying proteolytic substrates affected by diverse proteases.
      Moreover, the results described here will help us decipher the molecular
      mechanisms underlying the progression of neurodegenerative disorders where
      protease activation is critically involved. 

PMID- 24235159
TI  - Psychiatric discourse in the wake of the Editor's retirement.

PMID- 24235160
TI  - The Adelaide Pre-vocational Psychiatry Programme: meaningful psychiatry training
      for pre-vocational doctors.

PMID- 24235161
TI  - In memoriam: Asperger's.

PMID- 24235162
TI  - Behaviour theory and attachment theory.

PMID- 24235163
TI  - Australia's gardens, slugs and snails: the risks of pica and rat-lungworm
      infection.

PMID- 24235176
TI  - The short and very short forms of the Children's Behavior Questionnaire in a
      community sample of preschoolers.
AB  - The aim was to test the internal structure of scores on the short and very short
      forms of the Children's Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) scale and to study the
      relationship between the dimensions derived and external variables previously
      related to extreme temperament in a Spanish community sample. The sample
      comprised of 622 three-year-old children participating in a longitudinal study.
      Data were obtained from parents and teachers through a semistructured diagnostic
      interview and questionnaires evaluating children's characteristics and
      psychological states. Results showed a three-factor structure and moderate
      reliability of the scale scores for both the short and very short forms.
      Associations were found between the Surgency/Extraversion dimension and attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder and externalizing problems, between Negative
      Affect and internalizing and emotional problems, and between Effortful Control
      and attention, externalizing, and social problems and other executive function
      measures. Salient temperamental characteristics predicted psychopathological
      disorders and impairment at ages 3 and 4. The short forms of the CBQ provide
      reliable and valid scores for assessing temperamental characteristics in the
      preschool years.

PMID- 24235177
TI  - Cross-validation study using item response theory: the health-related quality of
      life for eating disorders questionnaire-short version.
AB  - The Health-Related Quality of Life for Eating Disorder-Short questionnaire is one
      of the most suitable existing instruments for measuring quality of life in
      patients with eating disorders. The objective of the study was to evaluate its
      reliability, validity, and responsiveness in a cohort of 377 patients. A
      comprehensive validation process was performed, including confirmatory factor
      analysis and a graded response model, and assessments of reliability and
      responsiveness at 1 year of follow-up. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed
      the two second-order latent traits, social maladjustment, and mental health and
      functionality. The graded response model results showed that all items were good
      for discriminating their respective latent traits. Cronbach's alpha coefficients
      were high, and responsiveness parameters showed moderate changes. In conclusion,
      this short questionnaire has good psychometric properties. Its simplicity and
      ease of application further enhance its acceptability and usefulness in clinical
      research and trials, as well as in routine practice.

PMID- 24235178
TI  - Violations of Assumptions in School-Based Single-Case Data: Implications for the
      Selection and Interpretation of Effect Sizes.
AB  - A wide variety of effect sizes (ESs) has been used in the single-case design
      literature. Several researchers have "stress tested" these ESs by subjecting them
      to various degrees of problem data (e.g., autocorrelation, slope), resulting in
      the conditions by which different ESs can be considered valid. However, on the
      back end, few researchers have considered how prevalent and severe these problems
      are in extant data and as a result, how concerned applied researchers should be.
      The current study extracted and aggregated indicators of violations of normality
      and independence across four domains of educational study. Significant violations
      were found in total and across fields, including low levels of autocorrelation
      and moderate levels of absolute trend. These violations affect the selection and
      interpretation of ESs at the individual study level and for meta-analysis.
      Implications and recommendations are discussed. 

PMID- 24235179
TI  - Ups and downs of evidence and practice guidelines.

PMID- 24235181
TI  - Caring for the carers: role of the chaplain in an interprofessional academic
      family medicine practice.

PMID- 24235182
TI  - Defining and measuring a palliative approach in primary care.

PMID- 24235185
TI  - Is evidence-based medicine overrated in family medicine?: Yes.

PMID- 24235186
TI  - Is evidence-based medicine overrated in family medicine?: No.

PMID- 24235190
TI  - Botulinum toxin type A in pregnancy.
AB  - QUESTION: My patient received 62 units of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for
      facial lines. Two weeks later, she found out that she was pregnant. Will this
      cause any harm to her fetus? ANSWER: Botulinum toxin is not expected to be
      present in systemic circulation following proper intramuscular or intradermal
      injection. Moreover, BTX-A, which has a high molecular weight, does not appear to
      cross the placenta. From the 38 pregnancies reported in the literature, including
      women who had botulism poisoning during pregnancy, exposure to BTX-A does not
      appear to increase the risk of adverse outcome in the fetus.

PMID- 24235189
TI  - Approach to identifying and managing atherogenic dyslipidemia: a metabolic
      consequence of obesity and diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence for recognition and management of atherogenic
      dyslipidemia. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: High-quality randomized trials and meta
      analyses were available to address most questions. North American and European
      guidelines were reviewed. Of these, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society lipid
      guidelines were most congruent with current literature. MAIN MESSAGE: Atherogenic
      dyslipidemia is characterized by low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL),
      high levels of triglycerides, and a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle
      number. The condition is highly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and
      is poorly reflected in Framingham risk score and LDL measurements. Obesity,
      glucose intolerance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are rapidly becoming more
      common, and are often associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia, affecting long
      term CVD risk. Recognition in the office is best achieved by non-HDL or total
      cholesterol-HDL ratio testing. Treatment success lies in optimizing diet and
      exercise. Of available medications, statins produce the most benefit and can be
      titrated to patient tolerance rather than to LDL target levels, which have a poor
      evidence base. The addition of fenofibrate can be considered in patients with
      high triglyceride and low HDL levels who have responded poorly to or have not
      tolerated statins. CONCLUSION: Growing obesity prevalence creates a CVD risk that
      might be missed by LDL cholesterol testing alone. Simple calculations from
      results of a non-fasting lipid panel produce non-HDL levels and total cholesterol
      HDL ratio, both of which are superior for predicting risk in all patients. These
      metrics should be available in lipid panels.

PMID- 24235192
TI  - Type 2 diabetes and hemoglobin A1c targets.

PMID- 24235191
TI  - Treatment and prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum.
AB  - QUESTION: In my office I occasionally see neonates with conjunctivitis. What are
      the current recommendations for ocular prophylaxis at birth? Do topical
      antibiotics alone provide adequate treatment of neonatal conjunctivitis? When is
      systemic therapy indicated? ANSWER: All infants should receive ocular prophylaxis
      at birth to prevent gonococcal ophthalmia. Neonates presenting with signs of
      conjunctivitis should have a conjunctival swab sent for Gram stain and culture.
      If Gram-negative diplococci are present on the Gram stain results, the infants
      and their parents should be treated immediately for presumed gonorrhea. Infants
      with chlamydial infection should be treated with oral antibiotics. Most of all
      other forms of bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with topical antibiotics,
      with the exception of Pseudomonas infection. Infants should be followed during
      their treatment and upon completion of therapy to ensure resolution of symptoms.
      For cases in which sexually transmitted bacteria are implicated, the mothers and
      their sexual partners should be treated.

PMID- 24235193
TI  - Uncommon, sinister vertebral fracture: early-onset multiple myeloma.

PMID- 24235194
TI  - Indirect laryngoscopy.

PMID- 24235197
TI  - President's message: passing the baton.

PMID- 24235195
TI  - Family-centred care delivery: comparing models of primary care service delivery
      in Ontario.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether models of primary care service delivery differ in
      their provision of family-centred care (FCC) and to identify practice
      characteristics associated with FCC. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING:
      Primary care practices in Ontario (ie, 35 salaried community health centres, 35
      fee-for-service practices, 32 capitation-based health service organizations, and
      35 blended remuneration family health networks) that belong to 4 models of
      primary care service delivery. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 137 practices, 363
      providers, and 5144 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures of FCC in patient
      and provider surveys were based on the Primary Care Assessment Tool. Statistical
      analyses were conducted using linear mixed regression models and generalized
      estimating equations. RESULTS: Patient-reported FCC scores were high and did not
      vary significantly by primary care model. Larger panel size in a practice was
      associated with lower odds of patients reporting FCC. Provider-reported FCC
      scores were significantly higher in community health centres than in family
      health networks (P = .035). A larger number of nurse practitioners and clinical
      services on-site were both associated with higher FCC scores, while scores
      decreased as the number of family physicians in a practice increased and if
      practices were more rural. CONCLUSION: Based on provider and patient reports,
      primary care reform strategies that encourage larger practices and more patients
      per family physician might compromise the provision of FCC, while strategies that
      encourage multidisciplinary practices and a range of services might increase FCC.

PMID- 24235200
TI  - Cumulative profile: rural FPs: an endangered species?

PMID- 24235201
TI  - Rebuttal: Is evidence-based medicine overrated in family medicine?: Yes.

PMID- 24235202
TI  - Rebuttal: Is evidence-based medicine overrated in family medicine?: No.

PMID- 24235207
TI  - Curriculum to enhance pharmacotherapeutic knowledge in family medicine:
      interprofessional coteaching and web-based learning.
AB  - PROBLEM ADDRESSED: Prescribing is an essential skill for physicians. Despite the
      fact that prescribing habits are still developing in residency, formal
      pharmacotherapy curricula are not commonplace in postgraduate programs. OBJECTIVE
      OF PROGRAM: To teach first-year and second-year family medicine residents a
      systematic prescribing process using a medication prescribing framework, which
      could be replicated and distributed. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: A hybrid model of Web
      based (www.rationalprescribing.com) and in-class seminar learning was used. Web
      based modules, consisting of foundational pharmacotherapeutic content, were each
      followed by an in-class session, which involved applying content to case studies.
      A physician and a pharmacist were coteachers and they used simulated cases to
      enhance application of pharmacotherapeutic content and modeled interprofessional
      collaboration. CONCLUSION: This systematic approach to prescribing was well
      received by family medicine residents. It might be important to introduce the
      process in the undergraduate curriculum-when learners are building their
      therapeutic foundational knowledge. Incorporating formal pharmacotherapeutic
      curriculum into residency teaching is challenging and requires further study to
      identify potential effects on prescribing habits.

PMID- 24235208
TI  - Front-office staff can improve clinical tobacco intervention: health coordinator
      pilot project.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To learn whether front-line personnel in primary care practices can
      increase delivery of clinical tobacco interventions and also help smokers address
      physical inactivity, at-risk alcohol use, and depression. DESIGN: Uncontrolled
      before-and-after design. SETTING: Vancouver, BC, area (4 practices); northern
      British Columbia (2 practices). PARTICIPANTS: Six practices, with 1 staff person
      per practice serving as a "health coordinator" who tracked and, after the
      baseline period, delivered preventive interventions to all patients who smoked.
      To assess delivery of preventive interventions, each practice was to sample 300
      consecutive patient records, both at baseline and at follow-up 15 months later.
      INTERVENTIONS: Front-office staff were recruited, trained, paid, and given
      ongoing support to provide preventive care. Clinicians supplemented this care
      with advice and guided the use of medication. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Effectiveness of the intervention was based on comparison, at baseline and at
      follow-up, of the proportion of patients with any of the following 6 proven
      intervention components documented in their medical records: chart reminder,
      advice received, self-management plan, target quit date, referral, and follow-up
      date (as they applied to tobacco, physical inactivity, at-risk alcohol use, and
      depression). A Tobacco Intervention Flow Sheet cued preventive care, and its data
      were entered into a spreadsheet (which served as a smokers' registry).
      Qualitative appraisal data were noted. RESULTS: For tobacco, substantial
      increases occurred after the intervention period in the proportion of patients
      with each of the intervention components noted in their charts: chart reminder
      (20% vs 94%); provision of advice (34% vs 79%); self-management plan (14% vs
      57%); target quit date (5% vs 11%); referral (6% vs 11%); and follow-up date (7%
      vs 42%). Interventions for physical inactivity and depression showed some gains,
      but there were no gains for at-risk alcohol use. Front-line staff, patients, and
      clinicians were enthusiastic about the services offered. CONCLUSION: Selected
      front-office personnel can substantially increase the delivery of evidence-based
      clinical tobacco intervention and increase patient and staff satisfaction in
      doing so. How far these findings can be generalized and their population effects
      require further study.

PMID- 24235209
TI  - Qualitative study of employment of physician assistants by physicians: benefits
      and barriers in the Ontario health care system.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences and perceptions of Ontario physician
      assistant (PA) employers about the barriers to and benefits of hiring PAs.
      DESIGN: A qualitative design using semistructured interviews. SETTING: Rural and
      urban eastern and southwestern Ontario. PARTICIPANTS: Seven family physicians and
      7 other specialists. METHODS: The 14 physicians participated in semistructured
      interviews, which were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. An iterative
      approach using immersion and crystallization was employed for analysis. MAIN
      FINDINGS: Physician-specific benefits to hiring PAs included increased
      flexibility, the opportunity to expand practice, the ability to focus more time
      on complex patients, overall reduction in work hours and stress, and an
      opportunity for professional fellowship. Physicians who hired PAs without
      government financial support said PAs were affordable as long as they were able
      to retain them. Barriers to hiring PAs included uncertainty about funding, the
      initial need for intensive supervision and training, and a lack of clarity around
      delegation of acts. CONCLUSION: Physicians are motivated to hire PAs to help deal
      with long wait times and long hours, but few are expecting to increase their
      income by taking on PAs. Governments, medical colleges, educators, and regulators
      must address the perceived barriers to PA hiring in order to expand and optimize
      this profession.

PMID- 24235210
TI  - Who knows more about immunization?: Survey of public health nurses and
      physicians.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report the findings of a knowledge survey of nurse and physician
      immunization providers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional postal survey assessing
      demographic characteristics and vaccine knowledge. SETTING: British Columbia
      (BC). PARTICIPANTS: Nurse and physician immunization providers in BC. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccines in general,
      and vaccine administration and handling practices. RESULTS: Survey responses were
      received from 256 nurses and 292 physicians (response rates of 48.6% and 18.3%,
      respectively). Most nurses (98.4%) reported receiving immunization training
      outside of the academic setting compared with 55.6% of physicians. Overall, nurse
      immunizers scored significantly higher than physician immunizers on all 3 domains
      of immunization knowledge (83.7% vs 72.8%, respectively; P < .001). Physicians
      scored highest on the vaccine-preventable disease domain and least well on the
      general vaccine domain. Nurses with more experience as health care providers
      scored higher. Physicians scored higher if they were female, served patient
      populations predominantly younger than 5 years, or received immunization training
      outside of academic settings. CONCLUSION: In BC, nurse immunizers appear to have
      higher overall immunization knowledge than physicians and are more likely to
      receive immunization training when in practice. Physician immunizers might
      benefit most from further training on vaccines and vaccine administration and
      handling.

PMID- 24235211
TI  - Patient-centred interviewing and evidence-based patient counseling.

PMID- 24235213
TI  - Identification of a natural source for the OR37B ligand.
AB  - In search for biological sources of the long-chain fatty aldehydes (penta-, hexa
      , and heptadecanal), which we recently identified as ligands for members of the
      mouse odorant receptor subfamily OR37, the headspace of secretions and excretions
      from mice was analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. In urine,
      skin swabs, and saliva, these components were not detectable. However, in fecal
      pellets, a substantial amount of hexadecanal, the OR37B ligand, was found.
      Accordingly, exposure of mice to feces induced an activation of the OR37B
      glomerulus, whereas the OR37A and the OR37C glomerulus were not responsive. The
      amount of hexadecanal deposited with feces varied significantly; however, it was
      independent of the amount of feed. In many species, feces is covered with
      secretion from anal glands. Due to the size and the inaccessibility of these
      glands in mice, the headspace of anal gland secretion from dog was analyzed by
      gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which resulted in a prominent peak for
      hexadecanal. Exposure of mice to anal gland secretion from dog activated the
      OR37B glomerulus. Altogether, these data suggest that hexadecanal, a ligand for
      the receptor OR37B, is produced in anal glands and deposited with feces into the
      environment. 

PMID- 24235215
TI  - The impact of broiler production system practices on consumer perceptions of
      animal welfare.
AB  - This research explores the extent to which different farm management practices
      influence the perceived animal friendliness of broiler production systems, and
      how this differs between individuals. Using a conjoint design with paired
      comparisons, respondents evaluated broiler production systems that were described
      on the basis of 7 animal welfare-related practices. It was found that practices
      in the area of outdoor access, stocking density, and day-night rhythm were
      overall perceived to have a larger impact on perceptions of animal friendliness
      than other practices, such as transport duration or the type of breed used.
      However, individuals differed regarding the extent to which they believed the
      different farm management practices influenced the animal friendliness of the
      production system. Differences between individuals regarding their knowledge
      about and familiarity with livestock farming, degree of anthropomorphism, and
      their moral beliefs regarding animal welfare partly explained the relative
      importance individuals attached to farm management practices. The obtained
      insight into which welfare-related farm management practices, in consumers'
      minds, most strongly contribute to animal welfare, and the existence of
      differences between consumers, can be helpful in the development of animal
      welfare-based certification schemes that are appealing to consumers, as well as
      the positioning of welfare concepts in the market. 

PMID- 24235214
TI  - Increasing dietary vitamin D3 improves the walking ability and welfare status of
      broiler chickens reared at high stocking densities.
AB  - A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying dietary vitamin D3 and
      stocking density on growing performance, carcass characteristics, bone
      biomechanical properties, and welfare responses in Ross (308) broilers.
      Experimental diets, containing 1, 10, or 20 times the NRC recommended level of
      vitamin D3 (200 IU/kg), were formulated with low, medium, or high vitamin D3
      levels for 3 growing phases. Two stocking densities were 10 and 16 birds/m(2).
      One-day-old hatchlings (1,872 males) were randomly assigned to 6 pens in each
      treatment. Results showed that high stocking density decreased the feed intake,
      BW gain (P < 0.01), breast muscle yield (P = 0.010), and tibial development (P <
      0.01), whereas increasing feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001), and the scores of
      gait, footpad and hock burn, and abdominal plumage damage (P < 0.01),
      particularly toward the age when birds attained their market size. Increasing
      dietary vitamin D3 improved the birds' walking ability and tibial quality (P <
      0.05), and reduced the development of footpad or hock dermatitis and abdominal
      plumage damage (P < 0.01), some aspects of which were age-dependent and appeared
      to vary with stocking density. These data indicate that increasing supplemental
      vitamin D3 has a favorable effect on walking ability and welfare status of high
      stocking density birds, but not on performance. 

PMID- 24235216
TI  - No evidence of temperature-dependent sex determination or sex-biased embryo
      mortality in the chicken.
AB  - Skewing the sex ratio at hatch in commercial poultry would be economically
      beneficial to the poultry industry. The existence of temperature-dependent sex
      determination is uncertain in birds. This experiment investigated if incubation
      temperatures skew sex ratios of commercial broilers. Three incubators were each
      set at a hot (38.3 degrees C), standard (37.5 degrees C), or cool (36.7 degrees
      C) single-stage incubation temperature one time over 3 trials to eliminate
      incubator effect as a Latin square design. Sex ratios of hatched chicks and dead
      embryos were monitored. In one trial, embryo weights were evaluated. The
      percentages of male hatched chicks did not differ based on incubation temperature
      (P = 0.4486; 49.5% in the hot treatment, 51.4% at standard temperature, and 49.8%
      in the cool treatment). The percent hatch of eggs set was lower in the hot
      treatment (83.6%) than the standard (93.5%) and cool (91.6%) treatments (P <
      0.0001) with greater late embryonic mortality in the hot treatment (P < 0.0001);
      however, the sex ratio of dead embryos did not differ among treatments (P =
      0.9863). Pooled data of embryo mortality found no sex-biased embryo mortality
      with a female/male sex ratio of 1.22:1 (chi(2) = 1.27; P = 0.2596). Embryos from
      the hot treatment were heavier than those from the standard treatment by d 14 of
      incubation and were heavier than the embryos from the cool treatment by d 9 of
      incubation (P < 0.0001). These data indicate that incubation temperature affects
      embryonic mortality and embryonic growth rate, but it does not affect the sex
      ratio of broiler chickens. Additionally, no evidence was found for sex-biased
      embryo mortality in commercial broilers even at the incubation temperatures of
      this study. 

PMID- 24235217
TI  - The effects of light stimulation during incubation on indicators of stress
      susceptibility in broilers.
AB  - Providing light during incubation has been shown to decrease bilateral physical
      asymmetry of broilers posthatch, which may indicate that early light stimulation
      reduces later stress susceptibility. This experiment evaluated the effects of
      lighting during embryogenesis on other measures of stress responsiveness in
      broilers. Cobb 500 eggs (n = 1,404) were incubated under 0L:24D, 1L:23D, 6L:18D,
      or 12L:12D; the light level was 550 lx. The broilers were then raised in floor
      pens under a 12L:12D lighting regimen, and various stress parameters were
      measured during wk 3 to 6 of age. There was an effect of incubation lighting
      regimen on posthatch stress responses. Following 1 h of crating, the change in
      corticosterone (CORT) concentration was less in the 12L:12D (-0.06 ng/mL, P <
      0.05) treatment than all other treatments (pooled mean = 0.24 ng/mL); however,
      there were no treatment differences in CORT response to adrenocorticotropic
      hormone administration (pooled mean pre- vs. 1 h postadministration = 17.5 ng/mL,
      P > 0.05). Anti-keyhole limpet hemocyanin titers were higher in the 12L:12D birds
      (92,395 units/mL; P < 0.05) than all other treatments (pooled mean = 68,407
      units/mL) on d 1 postcrating. Additionally, composite asymmetry scores were lower
      in the 12L:12D treatment (0.92 mm) than all other treatments (pooled mean = 1.14
      mm, P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that providing 12 h of light per day
      during incubation can reduce the stress susceptibility of broilers posthatch. 

PMID- 24235218
TI  - The detection and elimination of flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 gene T329S
      mutation in the Beijing You chicken.
AB  - In this study, using a newly developed TaqMan-based real-time PCR method for the
      T329S mutation in the flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) gene, a marker
      assisted selective breeding program against the unfavorable T allele was
      implemented in the Beijing You chicken breeding stock from 2010 to 2012. A total
      of 2,359 breeder candidate chickens were detected. After 1-generation culling in
      both males and females and 2-generation culling only in males, genotyping results
      in 2013 showed that there still remained a low unfavorable allele frequency of
      0.022 in this population. The results indicated that to ensure a complete
      eradication of the defective tainting mutation in FMO3 out of the Beijing You
      population, more strict breeding and management schemes should be carried out in
      the future. 

PMID- 24235219
TI  - Abundant polymorphisms at the microsatellite locus LEI0258 in indigenous
      chickens.
AB  - The chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has abundant SNP and indels,
      and is closely related with host genetic resistance or susceptibility to disease.
      The LEI0258 locus is the most variable in the MHC region, and is a useful marker
      in reflecting the variability of MHC. In this study, we applied the LEI0258
      microsatellite marker to investigate polymorphism of MHC in Chinese indigenous
      chickens. The size of LEI0258 fragments in 1,617 individuals from 33 Chinese
      chicken breeds was detected by capillary electrophoresis, and 213 samples with
      different fragment sizes were further sequenced. A total of 69 alleles ranging
      from 193 to 489 bp were found, including 21 novel alleles and 28 private alleles
      that existed in only one breed. Three alleles, 249 bp (7.04%), 489 bp (6.57%),
      and 309 bp (6.10%), were the most frequent in the indigenous chickens. A 489-bp
      novel allele was unique in Chinese local chicken breeds. Three indels and 4 SNP
      of upstream/downstream of 2 repeat regions (R13/R12) were found. Abundant
      variations indicate high genetic diversity at the MHC region in indigenous
      chickens. Rare alleles are vulnerable to genetic drift in small populations, and
      can be used as molecular markers for monitoring the dynamic conservation of many
      indigenous breeds. 

PMID- 24235220
TI  - Comparison of protoporphyrin IX content and related gene expression in the
      tissues of chickens laying brown-shelled eggs.
AB  - Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), an immediate precursor of heme, is the main pigment
      resulting in the brown coloration of eggshell. The brownness and uniformity of
      the eggshell are important marketing considerations. In this study, 9 chickens
      laying darker brown shelled eggs and 9 chickens laying lighter brown shelled eggs
      were selected from 464 individually caged layers in a Rhode Island Red pureline.
      The PpIX contents were measured with a Microplate Reader at the wavelength of 412
      nm and were compared in different tissues of the 2 groups. Although no
      significant difference in serum, bile, and excreta was found between the 2
      groups, PpIX content in the shell gland and eggshell of the darker group was
      higher than in those of the lighter group, suggesting that PpIX was synthesized
      in the shell gland. We further determined the expression levels of 8 genes
      encoding enzymes involved in the heme synthesis and transport in the liver and
      shell gland at 6 h postoviposition by quantitative PCR. The results showed that
      expression of aminolevulinic acid synthase-1 (ALAS1) was higher in the liver of
      hens laying darker brown shelled eggs, whereas in the shell gland the expression
      levels of ALAS1, coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPOX), ATP-binding cassette family
      members ABCB7 and ABCG2, and receptor for feline leukemia virus, subgroup C
      (FLVCR) were significantly higher in the hens laying darker brown shelled eggs.
      Our results demonstrated that hens laying darker brown shelled eggs could deposit
      more PpIX onto the eggshell and the brownness of the eggshell was dependent on
      the total quantity of PpIX in the eggshell. More heme was synthesized in the
      liver and shell gland of hens laying darker brown shelled eggs than those of hens
      laying lighter brown shelled eggs. High expression level of ABCG2 might
      facilitate the accumulation of PpIX in the shell gland. 

PMID- 24235221
TI  - Influence of dietary calcium level, calcium source, and phytase on bird
      performance and mineral digestibility during a natural necrotic enteritis
      episode.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine the influence of Ca source [highly
      soluble calcified seaweed (HSC) or limestone], phytase supplementation, and
      dietary levels of Ca on bird performance and mineral digestibility (Ca and P)
      during a necrotic enteritis (NE) episode. Cobb 500 male broilers were weighed and
      randomized into 8 treatment groups (9 pens/treatment; 30 birds/pen) at day of
      hatch. The 21-d trial was designed as a 2 * 2 * 2 factorial, which included 2
      dietary levels of Ca (0.6 and 0.9%), 2 Ca sources (limestone or HSC), and 2
      levels of an Escherichia coli phytase (0 or 1,000 FTU/kg). One unit of phytase
      (FTU) is defined as the quantity of enzyme that releases 1 MUmol of inorganic
      phosphorus/min from 0.00015 mol/L of sodium phytate at pH 5.5 at 37 degrees  C.
      Birds were placed on used litter from a previous flock that exhibited clinical
      signs of NE. Birds and feed were weighed on d 7, 14, and 21, and BW gain, feed
      intake, and feed conversion were calculated for each of these periods and
      cumulatively. Mortality was recorded daily and pH of the gizzard and duodenum
      were measured on d 7, 14, and 21. Ileal digesta (8 birds/pen) was collected on d
      7, 14, and 21. Significance is reported at P < 0.05. Birds began exhibiting
      clinical signs of NE on d 9, and elevated NE-associated mortality persisted until
      the end of the trial. Significantly higher mortality was observed when broilers
      were fed diets with 0.9% Ca from HSC compared with birds fed diets with 0.6% Ca,
      regardless of Ca source. Broilers fed 0.6% Ca diets supplemented with phytase
      were heavier than the other treatments regardless of Ca source. Broilers fed
      diets formulated with HSC had significantly higher feed conversion then broilers
      fed diets formulated with limestone. The gizzard of broilers fed 0.9% Ca in the
      diet was significantly less acidic than the gizzard of broilers fed 0.6% Ca in
      the diet. Broilers fed 0.6% Ca in diets supplemented with phytase showed
      significant improvements in P and Ca digestibility. In conclusion, higher dietary
      Ca (0.9% vs. 0.6%) had a negative effect on mortality associated with NE and on
      bird performance. 

PMID- 24235222
TI  - Effect of Mycoplasma synoviae and lentogenic Newcastle disease virus coinfection
      on cytokine and chemokine gene expression in chicken embryos.
AB  - Mycoplasma synoviae and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are 2 avian pathogens that
      cause modulation in expression of a variety of cytokine and chemokine genes in
      chickens. However, there is limited data about gene modulation after coinfection
      with these 2 pathogens and even less data about gene modulation after infection
      of chicken embryos. In this study, the effect of M. synoviae type strain WVU 1853
      and lentogenic LaSota vaccine strain of NDV infection on cytokine and chemokine
      gene expression in chicken embryos was analyzed in the liver, spleen, bursa of
      Fabricius, and thymus by using quantitative real-time PCR. Three types of
      infection were performed; infection with M. synoviae on d 10, infection with NDV
      on d 17; and consecutive infection with both pathogens, where M. synoviae was
      inoculated on d 10 and NDV on d 17. Thus, simulation of consecutive infection
      that may occur after NDV infection of the M. synoviae-infected host was
      performed. Mycoplasma synoviae infection of embryos resulted in intensive
      upregulation of cytokine and chemokine genes, including interferon (IFN)-gamma,
      IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-16, IL-18, MIP-1beta (CCL4), inducible nitric oxide
      synthase (iNOS), XCL1, and lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      factor (LITAF), with different expression profiles in the 4 organs. Inoculation
      of lentogenic NDV significantly upregulated IFN-gamma, IL-6, and IL-16 genes in
      spleen and IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-16, IL-21, XCL1, and MIP-1beta (CCL4)
      genes in the thymus, but to a lesser extent than M. synoviae. However, no genes
      were upregulated by NDV in the liver and bursa of Fabricius. Overall effect of
      NDV inoculation, regarding the number of modulated cytokine and chemokine genes
      and the extent of expression, was lower than M. synoviae. When NDV was introduced
      after on-going M. synoviae infection, most M. synoviae-induced cytokine and
      chemokine genes were significantly downregulated. This study provides the first
      evidence in chicken embryos that consecutive infection with NDV could suppress
      expression of cytokine and chemokine genes being significantly upregulated by the
      previous M. synoviae infection. 

PMID- 24235223
TI  - Comparison of water-based foam and carbon dioxide gas emergency depopulation
      methods of turkeys.
AB  - Recommended response strategies for outbreaks of avian influenza and other highly
      contagious poultry diseases include surveillance, quarantine, depopulation,
      disposal, and decontamination. The best methods of emergency mass depopulation
      should maximize human health and safety while minimizing disease spread and
      animal welfare concerns. The goal of this project was to evaluate the
      effectiveness of 2 mass depopulation methods on adult tom turkeys. The methods
      tested were carbon dioxide gassing and water-based foam. The time to
      unconsciousness, motion cessation, brain death, and altered terminal cardiac
      activity were recorded for each bird through the use of an electroencephalogram,
      accelerometer, and electrocardiogram. Critical times for physiological events
      were extracted from sensor data and compiled in a spreadsheet for statistical
      analysis. A statistically significant difference was observed in time to brain
      death, with water-based foam resulting in faster brain death (u = 190 s) than CO2
      gas (u = 242 s). Though not statistically significant, differences were found
      comparing the time to unconsciousness (foam: u = 64 s; CO2 gas: u = 90 s), motion
      cessation (foam: u = 182 s; CO2 gas: u = 153 s), and altered terminal cardiac
      activity (foam: u = 208 s; CO2 gas u = 242 s) between foam and CO2 depopulation
      treatments. The results of this study demonstrate that water-based foam can be
      used to effectively depopulate market size male turkeys. 

PMID- 24235224
TI  - Acquisition of immunity to the protozoan parasite Eimeria adenoeides in turkey
      poults and cellular responses to infection.
AB  - Newly hatched turkey poults were infected with 10(2) oocysts of Eimeria
      adenoeides and subsequently reinfected with 10(3) and 10(4) oocysts at 6 and 12 d
      of age, respectively. Three peaks in oocyst production were observed in the feces
      of poults following this series of infections. A second group of poults given the
      same dosing regimen was challenged with 5 * 10(4) oocysts/poult at different
      times to evaluate the acquisition of immunity. Judging by weight gain and
      mortality, no protection had been acquired at 6 d of age, but partial protection
      was observed by 12 and 18 d of age. A third group of poults were also infected
      with 10(2) oocysts and subsequently reinfected with 10(3) and 10(4) oocysts at 6
      and 12 d of age to evaluate cellular immune responses to infection. Sections of
      ceca from infected poults showed a significantly higher leukocyte infiltration on
      d 6, 10, 12, 16, and 18 after infection than uninfected controls. The percent
      area occupied by CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the ceca, as assessed by
      immunohistochemistry, was significantly elevated in infected poults on d 12, 16,
      and 18. The relative expression of chemokine CXCLi2, and cytokines IL1beta,
      IFNgamma, IL10, IL13, IL2, IL12b, and IL18 was measured by real-time reverse
      transcription PCR. The expression of CXCLi2 and IL10 was found to be elevated on
      d 12, and IFNgamma on d 10, 12, and 16. Expression of IL13 and IL18 was increased
      on d 10 and IL2 on d 10 and 16, and that of IL12b on d 16 in infected poults.
      Increase in the infiltration of leukocytes, percent area occupied by CD4+ and
      CD8+ lymphocytes, and changes in the relative expression of cytokines in the ceca
      characterize the dynamics of immune responses in turkey poults infected with E.
      adenoeides early in life. 

PMID- 24235225
TI  - Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation of the efficacy of flumequine in
      treating colibacillosis in turkeys.
AB  - Flumequine (FLU) is used in the treatment of systemic bacterial infections in
      poultry, including colibacillosis, which is a common disease in turkeys. The
      pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior of FLU administered to 32 healthy turkeys as an
      oral bolus via gavage or as 10-h pulsed administration in drinking water were
      compared, using the authorized dose of 15 mg/kg and the double dose of 30 mg/kg.
      The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 235 Escherichia coli field strains
      isolated from poultry were determined for pharmacodynamics (PD) to develop a
      PK/PD model. Blood samples were collected at established times over 24 h, and the
      obtained plasma was analyzed using a liquid chromatography tandem mass
      spectrometry method that was validated in-house. A monocompartmental model and a
      noncompartmental model were applied to the data to obtain the PK results. For
      both types of administration and both dosages, the ratios of the maximum
      concentration (Cmax)/MIC50 and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve
      (AUC)/MIC50 achieved were considerably lower than the fluoroquinolone breakpoints
      usually adopted for efficacy. The Cmax/MIC50 and AUC0-24/MIC50 ratios were,
      respectively, 0.67 +/- 0.09 and 4.76 +/- 0.48 and 1.18 +/- 0.35 and 7.05 +/- 2.40
      for the 15 and 30 mg/kg bolus doses, respectively. After 10-h pulsed
      administration of 15 mg/kg, values of Cmax/MIC50, 0.19 +/- 0.02 on d 1 and 0.30
      +/- 0.08 on d 5 of therapy were obtained, the AUC/MIC50 ratios were 2.09 +/- 0.29
      and 3.22 +/- 0.93 on d 1 and 5, respectively. Higher values were obtained with
      the doubled dose of 30 mg/kg: the Cmax/MIC50 ratios were 0.49 +/- 0.11 on d 1 and
      0.69 +/- 0.18 on d 5; the AUC/MIC50 ratios were 5.15 +/- 1.15 and 6.57 +/- 1.92
      on d 1 and 5, respectively. Based on these results, FLU administration should be
      adopted when specific diagnostic findings indicate its efficacy, and revising the
      dosage scheme to comply with the prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in
      veterinary medicine is advisable. 

PMID- 24235226
TI  - A 5-year retrospective report of Gallibacterium anatis and Pasteurella multocida
      isolates from chickens in Mississippi.
AB  - A 5-yr retrospective study (November 2006-December 2011) was conducted to
      determine the isolation frequency of Pasteurella multocida and Gallibacterium
      anatis and their antibiograms from chickens submitted to the Mississippi Poultry
      Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. The number of isolations of G. anatis
      increased over the last 5 yr in broiler and broiler breeder type chickens. For P.
      multocida, the number of isolations increased from 2006 to 2010, but decreased
      through 2011 with all isolations being from boiler breeder type chickens.
      Gallibacterium anatis demonstrated almost complete resistance to novobiocin,
      tylosin, lincosamide, and tetracycline antimicrobials with moderate to high
      sensitivity to sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, and florfenicol. There was
      intermediate sensitivity for spectinomycin and erythromycin and variable
      resistance to beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antimicrobials. In sharp contrast,
      P. multocida showed moderate to high sensitivity to beta-lactam, novobiocin, and
      tetracycline antimicrobials, but had antibiograms similar to G. anatis for the
      other antimicrobials. Sensitivities were determined using minimum inhibitory
      concentration. This study examines the trends over a 5-yr period of the number of
      isolates of P. multocida and G. anatis and their sensitivities. These 2 pathogens
      produce very similar clinical signs and lesions (fowl cholera-like) in breeders
      despite having extremely antagonistic sensitivity patterns. This study shows the
      necessity for producers to attempt culture and sensitivity in suspect fowl
      cholera-like flocks before initiating antimicrobial treatment commonly used with
      P. multocida for fear that the culprit may actually be the more antimicrobial
      resistant G. anatis. 

PMID- 24235227
TI  - Impact of fowlpox-vectored Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccine Vectormune FP MG on
      layer hen egg production and egg quality parameters.
AB  - This study was conducted to determine the impact of vaccination with Vectormune
      FP MG on egg production and egg quality characteristics of Single Comb White
      Leghorn hens. Due to questions of the efficacy of this vaccine in preventing
      Mycoplasma gallisepticum-mediated pathology, the ability of this vaccine to
      protect against postproduction-peak egg losses associated with F-strain M.
      gallisepticum (FMG) vaccination was also investigated. Vaccination with
      Vectormune FP MG did not result in any significant change in egg production or
      egg quality parameters compared with control (unvaccinated) hens. Subsequent
      revaccination with FMG at 45 wk of age (woa) yielded no impact on egg production
      or egg quality parameters of Vectormune FP MG vaccinated hens, unlike prior
      results for postproduction-peak vaccination of M. gallisepticum-clean hens with
      FMG, which exhibited a drop in egg production of approximately 6%. No difference
      in egg size distribution was observed for any of the treatment groups before or
      after FMG revaccination. These results suggest that hens can be safely vaccinated
      with Vectormune FP MG as pullets and can be revaccinated with a live M.
      gallisepticum vaccine such as FMG at a later date with no deleterious effects on
      egg production or egg or eggshell quality parameters. 

PMID- 24235228
TI  - Apparent metabolizable energy and prediction equations for reduced-oil corn
      distillers dried grains with solubles in broiler chicks from 10 to 18 days of
      age.
AB  - An experiment consisting of 2 identically designed trials was conducted to
      determine the nutrient composition and AMEn content of distillers dried grains
      with solubles (DDGS) to develop prediction equations for AMEn in broilers.
      Fifteen samples of DDGS ranging in ether extract (EE) from 3.15 to 13.23% (DM
      basis) were collected from various dry-grind ethanol plants and were subsequently
      fed to broiler chicks to determine AMEn content. A corn-soybean meal control diet
      was formulated to contain 15% dextrose, and test diets were created by mixing the
      control diet with 15% DDGS at the expense of dextrose. In each trial, 672 male
      Ross * Ross 708 chicks were housed in grower battery cages with 7 birds per cage
      (0.06 m(2)/bird) and received a common starter diet until 10 d of age. Each cage
      was randomly assigned to 1 of 16 dietary treatments, with 6 replicate pens per
      treatment. Experimental diets were fed over a 6-d acclimation period from 10 to
      16 d of age, followed by a 48-h total excreta collection period. Gross energy
      (GE) and CP of the experimental diets and excreta were determined to calculate
      AMEn for each DDGS sample. On a DM basis, AMEn of the 15 DDGS samples ranged from
      1,869 to 2,824 kcal/kg. Analyses were conducted to determine the GE, CP, EE, DM,
      starch, total dietary fiber (TDF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent
      fiber (ADF), and ash content of the DDGS samples. Stepwise regression resulted in
      the following best-fit equation for AMEn (DM basis) based on the adjusted
      coefficient of determination (R(2)adj), SE, and prediction error sum of squares
      (PRESS): AMEn, kcal/kg = -12,282 + (2.60 * GE) + (89.75 * CP) + (125.80 * starch)
      - (40.67 * TDF; R(2)adj = 0.86; SE = 98.76; PRESS = 199,819; P <= 0.001). These
      results indicated that the composition of DDGS with variable EE content may be
      used to predict AMEn in broiler chicks. 

PMID- 24235229
TI  - Assessing the age-dependent optimal dietary branched-chain amino acid ratio in
      growing chicken by application of a nonlinear modeling procedure.
AB  - Based on a nonlinear N utilization model, 2 N balance experiments with growing
      broiler chickens were conducted, investigating the ideal amino acid (AA) ratio
      (IAAR) of the branched-chain AA (BCAA) Leu, Ile, and Val related to Lys. In both
      of the experiments, the starter (I: 10-20 d of age) and grower periods (II: 25-35
      d of age) utilized 36 male Ross 308 chickens each (n = 144). Nitrogen balance
      periods were divided into an adaptation period (5 d) and 2 consecutive collection
      periods (2 * 5 d). Diets of experiment 1 were based on a consistent mixture of
      wheat, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, fish meal, and crystalline AA,
      subsequently diluted by wheat starch to provide 8 graded CP levels (6-34% CP).
      Results of nonlinear regression between N intake and N deposition yielded the
      theoretical maximum for N deposition (NDmaxT; I: 4,593 mg of N/BWkg(0.67)/d; II:
      4,302 mg of N/BWkg(0.67)/d). Furthermore, the daily N maintenance requirement
      (NMR) was derived (I: 113 mg of N/BWkg(0.67); II: 215 mg of N/BWkg(0.67)/d). Both
      the age-dependent data for NMR and NDmaxT were applied to calculate the model
      parameter b (protein quality, independent of N intake) and bc(-1) (efficiency of
      limiting AA), respectively. Five diets based on the same ingredients as in
      experiment 1 were formulated for experiment 2: an AA balanced basal diet and 4
      diets of the same composition but lacking in supply of Lys, Leu, Ile, or Val. All
      experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. For calculation of the
      IAAR, observed bc(-1) data of each AA diluted diet were utilized. The concluded
      IAAR of Lys:Leu:Ile:Val for the starter and grower period were 100:94:55:65 and
      100:106:56:72, respectively. These results indicated a higher demand for Leu and
      Val during the grower phase and, generally, a lower IAAR for the BCAA than
      previously reported in comparable experiments. 

PMID- 24235230
TI  - Effects of dietary tryptophan on protein metabolism and related gene expression
      in Yangzhou goslings under different feeding regimens.
AB  - This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding regimens and
      dietary Trp levels on protein metabolism and regulation of the related gene
      expression in Yangzhou goslings. A 2 * 3 factorial completely randomized
      experiment was applied, and the treatments were designed as 2 feeding regimens
      (ad libitum vs. restricted feeding), and each contained 3 levels of Trp (low-Trp
      group, 0.14%; medium-Trp group, 0.22%; high-Trp group, 0.30%). The results show
      that ADG and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly affected by feeding
      regimens (P < 0.05); dietary Trp levels influenced ADG and ADFI in the starter
      and overall period (P < 0.05), and interactions between Trp levels and feeding
      regimens on ADG, ADFI, and FCR were observed in different growing periods (P <
      0.05). Serum total protein, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels in the ad
      libitum group were higher than those in the restricted feeding group (P < 0.05),
      and the concentration of serum total protein, glucose, and insulin-like growth
      factor-I were higher in the medium-Trp and high-Trp groups (P < 0.05); however,
      serum uric acid, triglyceride, and cortisol levels were reduced in the high-Trp
      group (P < 0.05). Feeding regimen and dietary Trp levels affected serum glucose
      (P < 0.05) interactively. In the ad libitum group, tryptophanyl tRNA synthetase
      (TTS) mRNA expressed at a higher level in the high-Trp treatment, whereas
      expression of poultry target of rapamycin (pTOR) and p70 ribosomal protein S6
      kinase1 (S6K1) mRNA was upregulated in the low-Trp treatment (P < 0.05).
      Expression and phosphorylation levels of pTOR were upregulated in thigh tissue
      with increased dietary Trp, but cathepsin B and 20S protease mRNA expression
      decreased (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the protein deposition in gosling
      thigh tissue was affected by dietary Trp through positive regulation of the TTS
      mRNA and pTOR protein expression and phosphorylation levels for protein
      synthesis, as well as the suppression of protein degradation-related gene
      expression. 

PMID- 24235231
TI  - Induction of mucin expression by estrogen and lipopolysaccharide in the lower
      oviductal segments in hens.
AB  - Mucins play an essential role as mucosal barrier to prevent invasion of pathogens
      in the oviductal tissue of hens. The aim of this study was to determine the
      effect of estradiol and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the mucin expression in the
      lower oviductal segments (vagina and uterus) of hens. The mucosal tissues of the
      vagina and uterus were collected from White Leghorn laying and molting hens, and
      molting hens with or without intramuscular injection with 1 mg of estradiol
      benzoate (EB) daily for 7 d. Part of these tissues was cultured in TCM-199
      culture medium with or without LPS (10, 100, or 1,000 ng/mL) for 1.5 or 3 h.
      Mucin expression in the mucosa of laying, molting, and EB-treated molting hens
      (EB-group) and in those tissues cultured with or without LPS was analyzed by
      quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. Cultured tissues were also processed for
      paraffin sections and stained with Alcian blue (AB). In both the vagina and
      uterus, mucin expression and density of AB-positive mucopolysaccharide were
      reduced in molting hens compared with laying hens, and upregulated by EB. Mucin
      expression in the cultured vagina and uterus tissues of laying and molting hens
      was upregulated by LPS in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, there was
      no response to LPS for induction of mucin in the tissues of EB-group hens. The
      mucin expression level in the vagina and uterus tissues stimulated by LPS was
      lower in the EB-group hens than in laying and molting hens, and that in the
      uterus was lower in the molting hens than in laying hens. These results suggest
      that mucin expression is stimulated by LPS in the vagina and uterus of laying and
      molting hens. Estrogen may upregulate mucin expression in those tissues in
      association with epithelial development, whereas it may suppress the response to
      LPS for mucin induction. The mucin expression caused by LPS may enhance mucosal
      barrier function and play a role in preventing infections by bacteria in the
      vagina and uterus. 

PMID- 24235232
TI  - Expression and identification of recombinant chicken vascular endothelial growth
      factor in Pichia pastoris and its role in the pathogenesis of tibial
      dyschondroplasia.
AB  - Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential mediator of
      angiogenesis and endochondral ossification. To explore the role of VEGF in avian
      diseases such as tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), a typical disorder of endochondral
      ossification, we expressed and identified recombinant chicken VEGF (chVEGF)
      protein in Pichia pastoris and evaluated its effects on thiram-induced TD in
      broiler chickens. The SDS-PAGE showed that 2 recombinant proteins, with molecular
      weights of ~46 and ~70 kDa, were obtained. Western blot analysis indicated that
      the 2 proteins were recognized by rabbit anti-chicken and goat anti-human VEGF
      polyclonal antibodies. Moreover, the mixture of the proteins significantly
      stimulated angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane. In 21-d-old
      broilers that had been fed a thiram-enriched diet (100 mg/kg of thiram for 2 d at
      8 d old) to induce TD, intramuscular injection of the chVEGF proteins (at a
      dosage of 10 or 30 MUg/kg) significantly reduced the severity of TD but had no
      effect on TD incidence or BW; decreased serum Ca and P concentrations and
      tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and elevated serum alkaline
      phosphatase activity; enhanced the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide
      dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in the liver and kidney;
      upregulated the expression of type X collagen, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13,
      and Runx2; and downregulated the Bcl-2 expression in the growth plates. In thiram
      treated broilers at 15 d old, the chVEGF proteins upregulated the expression of
      MMP-13 and Runx2, and had different effects on type X collagen and Bcl-2
      expression at different dosages. Our results indicate that exogenous chVEGF
      proteins promoted the recovery of TD-affected growth plates by improving the
      antioxidant capacity in the liver and kidney and by regulating differential
      expression of genes relating to endochondral ossification at different stages of
      TD development; VEGF deficiency in the growth plates was involved in the
      pathogenesis of TD. 

PMID- 24235233
TI  - Rapid inactivation of Salmonella Enteritidis on shell eggs by plant-derived
      antimicrobials.
AB  - Salmonella Enteritidis is a common foodborne pathogen transmitted to humans
      largely by consumption of contaminated eggs. The external surface of eggs becomes
      contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis from various sources on farms, the main
      sources being hens' droppings and contaminated litter. Therefore, effective egg
      surface disinfection is critical to reduce pathogens on eggs and potentially
      control egg-borne disease outbreaks. This study investigated the efficacy of GRAS
      (generally recognized as safe) status, plant-derived antimicrobials (PDA), namely
      trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC), carvacrol (CR), and eugenol (EUG), as an antimicrobial
      wash for rapidly killing Salmonella Enteritidis on shell eggs in the presence or
      absence of chicken droppings. White-shelled eggs inoculated with a 5-strain
      mixture of nalidixic acid (NA) resistant Salmonella Enteritidis (8.0 log cfu/mL)
      were washed in sterile deionized water containing each PDA (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, or
      0.75%) or chlorine (200 mg/kg) at 32 or 42 degrees C for 30 s, 3 min, or 5 min.
      Approximately 6.0 log cfu/mL of Salmonella Enteritidis was recovered from
      inoculated and unwashed eggs. The wash water control and chlorine control
      decreased Salmonella Enteritidis on eggs by only 2.0 log cfu/mL even after
      washing for 5 min. The PDA were highly effective in killing Salmonella
      Enteritidis on eggs compared with controls (P < 0.05). All treatments containing
      CR and EUG reduced Salmonella Enteritidis to undetectable levels as rapidly as
      within 30 s of washing, whereas TC (0.75%) completely inactivated Salmonella
      Enteritidis on eggs washed at 42 degrees C for 30 s (P < 0.05). No Salmonella
      Enteritidis was detected in any PDA or chlorine wash solution; however,
      substantial pathogen populations (~4.0 log cfu/mL) survived in the antibacterial
      free control wash water (P < 0.05). The CR and EUG were also able to eliminate
      Salmonella Enteritidis on eggs to undetectable levels in the presence of 3%
      chicken droppings at 32 degrees C (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that PDA
      could effectively be used as a wash treatment to reduce Salmonella Enteritidis on
      shell eggs. Sensory and quality studies of PDA-washed eggs need to be conducted
      before recommending their use. 

PMID- 24235234
TI  - SavorPhos as an all-natural phosphate replacer in water- and oil-based marinades
      for rotisserie birds and boneless-skinless breast.
AB  - As consumer demand for all-natural marinades increases, the need to replace
      phosphate with a natural product that can produce equivalent or improved yield in
      products such as but not limited to rotisserie chickens (whole birds without
      giblets) and boneless/skinless breast (BSB) is a challenge for processors. The
      objective of this study was to determine if using an all-natural nonphosphate
      blend (SavorPhos-200, SP) in water-based (WB) and oil-based (OB) marinades would
      perform better than a commercial phosphate blend (PB). The treatments included
      WB+PB (water, 0.4% phosphate, 0.7% salt), WB+SP (water, 0.5% SavorPhos-200, 0.7%
      salt), OB+PB (water, 3% oil, 0.4% phosphate, 0.7% salt), and OB+SP (water, 3%
      oil, 0.5% SavorPhos-200, 0.7% salt). The rotisserie chickens and BSB were
      injected with a multineedle injector to 20% (wt/wt) pickup at a constant pressure
      (103-138 kPa). The parameters measured were marinade pickup %, 20-min and 24-h
      marinade retention %, and cook loss %. Color, tenderness, total moisture, and
      sensory test were conducted on BSB. Data were analyzed within marinade type (WB
      and OB). Rotisserie birds picked up and retained the same yield in WB marinades.
      In OB marinades, SP had higher yields postinjection and lower cook loss % than
      the PB, while retaining the same yield over 24 h. For BSB, the cook loss was
      lower in SP than the PB in WB marinades. Higher yields postinjection were
      achieved with OB, but had the same retention 20 min and 24 h postinjection and
      cook loss % as the PB. No differences were observed for total moisture or L*
      (lightness) within marinade type and treatment. Texture was lower, indicating
      increased tenderness (P < 0.05) on SP samples in both marinades. However,
      consumers were not able to distinguish between treatments in sensory analyses.
      Therefore, SavorPhos-200 can be used as a natural nonphosphate blend in WB
      marinades with no detriment to yield. In addition, SavorPhos-200 can be used as a
      natural nonphosphate blend in OB marinades with yield improvements.

PMID- 24235235
TI  - Evaluation of the antioxidant effect of ganghwayakssuk (Artemisia princeps Pamp.)
      extract alone and in combination with ascorbic acid in raw chicken patties.
AB  - We investigated the inhibition of lipid oxidation of raw chicken patties by the
      antioxidants ascorbic acid (Aa), ganghwayakssuk extracts (GE), and their
      combination (Aa + GE). All antioxidant combinations were effective at delaying
      lipid oxidation compared with the control or Aa. A combination of Aa + GE (0.05%
      Aa + 0.2% GE) was the most effective for delaying lipid oxidation (TBA reactive
      substances, conjugated dienes, and peroxide formation). The color values of all
      samples were significantly affected by adding GE. Additionally, the redness,
      color difference, and hue values of all treatments, except for Aa, were lower
      than those of the control as the amount of GE increased. The total viable
      bacterial counts of samples with GE 0.2 and Aa + GE 0.2 were significantly
      affected during storage (P < 0.05). The results suggest that adding an
      antioxidant combination reduced the oxidative stress and microbial growth of raw
      chicken patties stored for 12 d under normal refrigeration temperature, which may
      extend the shelf life of chicken patties. 

PMID- 24235236
TI  - The development of chlorophyll-based markers in poultry diets to aid detection of
      fluorescent fecal contamination.
AB  - Incidents of foodborne illness associated with consuming undercooked or raw
      chicken are often linked to 2 causative pathogens: Campylobacter spp. or
      Salmonella spp. Numerous studies have shown that contamination of carcasses
      results when pathogens are transferred from the intestinal tract or fecal
      material on feet and feathers to the dressed carcass. Ultraviolet spectral
      imaging to detect surface fecal and ingesta contamination on poultry carcasses
      may provide a solution to aid detection. However, poultry diets do not provide
      sufficiently high levels of natural fluorophores for this system to be reliable.
      This study investigated the potential of chlorophyll-based feed additives to
      improve fluorescence of the feces and narrow the excitation and emission
      wavelengths to aid in the development of a simple visualization system. Twenty
      four hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were allocated at random to 1 of 4
      treatments: control (C, no marker), Zn chlorophyllin, Mg chlorophyllin, or Fe
      chlorophyllin. All markers were incorporated into mash before pelleting at a rate
      of 1 g/kg of DM. The experiment consisted of two 4 * 4 Latin squares with each
      period consisting of 2 wk. Feces were collected and extracted in acetone:water
      (50:50; vol/vol) with fecal fluorescence emission spectra determined using a
      Jasco FP-6200 Spectrofluorometer with excitation at 382 nm. A main peak evolved
      at wavelength 670 nm with the total area under the peak used as fluorescence
      intensity. Following 7 d of marker supplementation, the 3 markers improved the
      fluorescence intensity by *14.8, 12.8, and 6.9 for Fe, Mg, and Zn chlorophyllin,
      respectively, compared with the control. The addition of feces containing Mg
      chlorophyllin to chicken carcass increased detection of the feces compared with
      feces with no marker. Also, due to the plain background of chicken skin, a simple
      image at 675 nm with appropriate thresholds would allow detection of contaminated
      carcasses at the current slaughter line speed without the need of expensive
      hyperspectral imaging. 

PMID- 24235237
TI  - Comparison of fatty acid, cholesterol, vitamin A and E composition, and trans
      fats in eggs from brown and white egg strains that were molted or nonmolted.
AB  - The impact of egg color, hen strain, and molting on the nutritional composition
      of eggs is limited. Therefore, this study compared nutritional composition and
      component percentages of cage-produced shell eggs with respect to egg color, hen
      strain, and molt. Four strains were selected from the North Carolina Layer
      Performance and Management Test: Hy-Line Brown (HB) and Bovans Brown (BB), and Hy
      Line W-36 (HW) and Bovans White (BovW) were selected. Two groups from each strain
      were selected and 2 groups of molted HW and BovW were selected and compared with
      their nonmolted counterparts to examine the molt's impact. Two sets of eggs from
      each replicate were collected simultaneously at 101 wk of age. One sample of eggs
      was broken into a 12-egg pool stomached for 3 min (n = 12 samples), then divided
      into six 50-mL tubes, sealed, and frozen to be sent for cholesterol, n-3 fatty
      acids, saturated fat, monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, beta-carotene,
      vitamin A, and vitamin E analyses. The other set of 12 eggs was then assessed for
      component percentages. The HW eggs had a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of yolk
      than the BovW eggs of 28.12 versus 27.00%, respectively; however, the BovW eggs
      had 1.0% more albumen. The HB and BB egg components were not different. Brown
      eggs were heavier (P < 0.01) than white eggs. White eggs had greater (P < 0.0001)
      percent yolk and the brown eggs had greater (P < 0.0001) percent albumen. The
      eggs from molted hens had a greater (P < 0.001) percent shell. Total fat content
      in the samples was (P < 0.05) higher in white eggs by 0.70% than brown eggs due
      to increased saturated and polyunsaturated fats. The molting of hens reduced (P <
      0.01) saturated fats by 0.21% in the egg. Vitamin A levels were higher (P <
      0.0001) in white eggs, and vitamin E was higher (P < 0.0001) in brown eggs.
      Strain and molt appear to influence nutrient composition and component
      percentages in eggs produced from laying hens. 

PMID- 24235238
TI  - Comparison of a novel strategy for the detection and isolation of Salmonella in
      shell eggs with the Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical
      Manual method.
AB  - The current FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) method for the detection
      of Salmonella in eggs requires 2 wk to complete. The objective of this project
      was to improve the BAM method for the detection and isolation of Salmonella in
      whole shell eggs. A novel protocol, using 1,000 g of liquid eggs for direct
      preenrichment with 2 L of tryptic soy broth (TSB) followed by enrichment using
      Rappaport-Vassiliadis and Tetrathionate broths, was compared with the standard
      BAM method, which requires 96 h room temperature incubation of whole shell egg
      samples followed by preenrichment in TSB supplemented with FeSO4. Four Salmonella
      ser. Enteritidis (4 phage types) and one Salmonella ser. Heidelberg isolates were
      used in the study. Bulk inoculated pooled liquid eggs, weighing 52 or 56 kg
      (approximately 1,100 eggs) were used in each trial. Twenty 1,000-g test portions
      were withdrawn from the pooled eggs for both the alternative and the reference
      methods. Test portions were inoculated with Salmonella at 1 to 5 cfu/1,000 g
      eggs. Two replicates were performed for each isolate. In the 8 trials conducted
      with Salmonella ser. Enteritidis, the alternative method was significantly (P <
      0.05) more productive than the reference method in 3 trials, and significantly (P
      < 0.05) less productive than the reference method in 1 trial. There were no
      significant (P < 0.05) differences between the 2 methods for the other 4 trials.
      For Salmonella ser. Heidelberg, combined data from 2 trials showed the
      alternative method was significantly (P < 0.05) more efficient than the BAM
      method. We have concluded that the alternative method, described herein, has the
      potential to replace the current BAM culture method for detection and isolation
      of Salmonella from shell eggs based on the following factors: 1) the alternative
      method is 4 d shorter than the reference method; 2) it uses regular TSB instead
      of the more complicated TSB supplemented with FeSO4; and 3) it was equivalent or
      superior to the reference method in 9 out of 10 trials for the detection of
      Salmonella in shell eggs. 

PMID- 24235239
TI  - Carnosine, anserine, creatine, and inosine 5'-monophosphate contents in breast
      and thigh meats from 5 lines of Korean native chicken.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the effect of chicken line on the contents
      of endogenous compounds, including carnosine, anserine, creatine, and inosine 5'
      monophosphate (IMP), in breast and thigh meats from 5 lines of Korean native
      chicken for the development of high-quality meat breeds. Additionally, the
      effects of sex (male or female) and meat type (breast or thigh meat) were
      examined. In total, 595 F1 progeny [black: 90 (male: 45, female: 45); gray-brown:
      110 (male: 52, female: 58); red-brown: 136 (male: 68, female: 68); white: 126
      (male: 63, female: 63); and yellow-brown: 133 (male: 62, female: 71)] from 70
      full-sib families were used. The male chicken from the red-brown line and the
      female chicken from the black line showed the highest BW among the 5 lines.
      Carnosine content was higher in female chicken and breast meat than in male
      chicken and thigh meat, respectively. Breast meat contained higher anserine
      content compared with thigh meat. The sex effect on anserine was not consistent
      between breast and thigh meat. Creatine content was not consistently influenced
      by sex between breast and thigh meat, and no meat type effect was observed. The
      IMP contents were higher in female chicken and breast meat compared with male
      chicken and thigh meat, respectively. In addition, we clearly observed line
      effects by the comparison of the contents of carnosine, anserine, creatine, and
      IMP for each meat type according to each sex. These data are useful for selection
      and development of high-quality, meat-type chicken breeds. 

PMID- 24235240
TI  - The effect of season, sex, and portion on the carcass characteristics, pH, color,
      and proximate composition of Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) meat.
AB  - The carcass yield, physical characteristics, and proximate composition of
      Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus), a southern African gamebird species, have
      been studied. A total of 69 geese were harvested during 2 seasons: summer (n =
      36) and winter (n = 33). This total group of geese consisted of 27 female birds
      and 42 male birds. Sex alone affected (P <= 0.05) the live and carcass weights,
      and the average muscle weight (g) of each portion was higher for the male fowl.
      The data does not indicate differences between the meat's physical
      characteristics on account of sex; however, the meat from the female birds did
      have a higher intramuscular fat content. Season (winter vs. summer) did not
      influence the average muscle weights (g) of the breast, thigh, and drumstick
      portions, but the intramuscular fat content content of the birds hunted in winter
      was higher. Muscle color and pH differed as a result of season with the summer
      meat having a higher pH and more vivid red color compared with winter. The
      physical characteristics and the proximate composition of the breast, thigh, and
      drumstick portions varied considerably. This is essentially connected to a
      difference in physical activity of the muscles in the portions. Overall, this
      study revealed that to ensure a consistent eating quality the harvesting periods
      of Egyptian geese should be considered. 

PMID- 24235241
TI  - Egg white proteins and their potential use in food processing or as nutraceutical
      and pharmaceutical agents--a review.
AB  - Egg white contains many functionally important proteins. Ovalbumin (54%),
      ovotransferrin (12%), ovomucoid (11%), ovomucin (3.5%), and lysozyme (3.5%) are
      among the major proteins that have high potentials for industrial applications if
      separated. The separation methods for these proteins from egg white have been
      developed since early 1900, but preparation methods of these proteins for
      commercial applications are still under development. Simplicity and scalability
      of the methods, use of nontoxic chemicals for the separation, and sequential
      separation for multiple proteins are very important criteria for the commercial
      production and application of these proteins. The separated proteins can be used
      in food and pharmaceutical industry as is or after modifications with enzymes.
      Ovotransferrin is used as a metal transporter, antimicrobial, or anticancer
      agent, whereas lysozyme is mainly used as a food preservative. Ovalbumin is
      widely used as a nutrient supplement and ovomucin as a tumor suppression agent.
      Ovomucoid is the major egg allergen but can inhibit the growth of tumors, and
      thus can be used as an anticancer agent. Hydrolyzed peptides from these proteins
      showed very good angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory, anticancer, metal
      binding, and antioxidant activities. Therefore, separation of egg white proteins
      and the productions of bioactive peptides from egg white proteins are emerging
      areas with many new applications. 

PMID- 24235242
TI  - Effect of transportation duration of 1-day-old chicks on postplacement production
      performances and pododermatitis of broilers up to slaughter age.
AB  - This experiment studied the effect of transportation duration of 1-d-old chicks
      on dehydration, mortality, production performance, and pododermatitis during the
      growout period. Eggs from the same breeder flock (Ross PM3) were collected at 35,
      45, and 56 wk of age, for 3 successive identical experiments. In each experiment,
      newly hatched chicks received 1 of 3 transportation duration treatments from the
      hatchery before placement in the on-site rearing facility: no transportation
      corresponding to direct placement in less than 5 min (T00), or 4 (T04) or 10 h
      (T10) of transportation. The chicks were housed in 35-m(2) pens (650 birds each)
      and reared until 35 d old. Hematocrit and chick BW were measured on sample chicks
      before and after transportation. During the growout period, bird weight, feed
      uptake, and feed conversion ratio were measured weekly until slaughter.
      Transportation duration affected BW; T00 groups had a significantly higher BW
      than T04 and T10 transported birds but this effect lasted only until d 21. No
      clear effect on hematocrit, feed uptake, feed conversion ratio, or mortality was
      observed for birds transported up to 10 h. The decrease in weight in T10 birds
      was associated with less severe pododermatitis. Increasing age of the breeder
      flock was correlated with reduced egg fertility and hatchability, and also with
      higher quality and BW of hatched chicks. Chicks from older breeders also
      exhibited reduced mortality during the growout period. 

PMID- 24235243
TI  - Effects of preincubation heating of broiler hatching eggs during storage, flock
      age, and length of storage period on hatchability.
AB  - The effects of heating of eggs during storage, broiler breeder age, and length of
      egg storage on hatchability of fertile eggs were examined in this study. Eggs
      were collected from Ross 344 male * Ross 308 broiler breeders on paper flats,
      held overnight (1 d) at 18 degrees C and 75% RH, and then transferred to plastic
      trays. In experiment 1, eggs were obtained at 28, 38, and 53 wk of flock age.
      During a further 10 d of storage, eggs either remained in the storage room
      (control) or were subjected to a heat treatment regimen of 26 degrees C for 2 h,
      37.8 degrees C for 3 h, and 26 degrees C for 2 h in a setter at d 5 of storage.
      In experiment 2, eggs from a flock at 28 wk of age were heated for 1 d of a 6-d
      storage period. Eggs from a 29-wk-old flock were either heated at d 1 or 5 of an
      11-d storage period in experiment 3. In experiment 4, 27-wk-old flock eggs were
      heated twice at d 1 and 5 of an 11-d storage period. Control eggs stored for 6 or
      11 d were coincubated as appropriate in each experiment. Heating eggs at d 5 of
      an 11-d storage period increased hatchability in experiment 1. Although no
      benefit of heating 28-wk-old flock eggs during 6 d of storage in experiment 2 was
      observed, heating eggs from a 29-wk-old flock at d 1 or 5 of an 11-d storage
      period increased hatchability in experiment 3. Further, heating eggs from a 27-wk
      old flock twice during 11 d of storage increased hatchability in experiment 4.
      These effects were probably due to the fact that eggs from younger flocks had
      been reported to have many embryos at a stage of development where the hypoblast
      had not yet fully developed (less than EG-K12 to EG-K13), such that heating
      during extended storage advanced these embryos to a more resistant stage.

PMID- 24235244
TI  - Mid-term financial impact of animal welfare improvements in Dutch broiler
      production.
AB  - This study used a stochastic bioeconomic simulation model to simulate the
      business and financial risk of different broiler production systems over a 5-yr
      period. Simulation analysis was conducted using the @Risk add-in in MS Excel. To
      compare the impact of different production systems on economic feasibility, 2
      cases were considered. The first case focused on the economic feasibility of a
      completely new system, whereas the second examined economic feasibilities when a
      farm switches from a conventional to an animal welfare-improving production
      system. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the key drivers of
      economic feasibility and to reveal systematic differences across production
      systems. The study shows that economic feasibility of systems with improved
      animal welfare predominantly depends on the price that farmers receive. Moreover,
      the study demonstrates the importance of the level and variation of the price
      premium for improved welfare, particularly in the first 5 yr after conversion.
      The economic feasibility of the production system increases with the level of
      welfare improvements for a sufficiently high price level for broiler meat and low
      volatility in producer prices. If this is not the case, however, risk attitudes
      of farmers become important as well as the use of potential risk management
      instruments. 

PMID- 24235245
TI  - Effects of prestorage application of propolis and storage time on eggshell
      microbial activity, hatchability, and chick performance in Japanese quail
      (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs.
AB  - Propolis, a resinous mixture produced by honeybees from substances collected from
      plants, has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. The purpose of the
      current study was to establish the effects of prestorage application of propolis
      and storage time on eggshell microbial activity, egg weight loss, hatchability,
      and chick performance in quail hatching eggs. Treatments were compared in a 2 * 5
      factorial design with 2 different storage times (7 and 14 d) and 5 prestorage
      applications (control, ethyl alcohol 70%, 5% propolis, 10% propolis, and 15%
      propolis solution). After application, the eggs were stored for 7 or 14 d at 13
      degrees C and 75 to 80% RH before incubation. Eggs sprayed with propolis had
      lower levels of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliform, Salmonella spp.,
      Staphylococcus spp., and mold yeasts than control eggs over the storage period
      and incubation period. Microbial activity in eggs stored for 7 d was
      significantly higher than in eggs stored for 14 d at the end of the storage. The
      lowest egg weight loss during storage was obtained in P15 treatment eggs stored
      for 7 d, whereas the highest egg weight loss was found in the treatment A after
      storage for 14 d. Although propolis treatment at 3 different doses was not
      effective on relative growth, only P15 decreased the BW at d 10, compared with
      the control. Hatchability in eggs stored for 14 d was significantly lower than in
      eggs stored for 7 d. No significant differences were observed for hatchability
      and embryonic mortality among propolis treatment groups. Propolis did not have a
      detrimental effect on hatchability, embryonic mortality, or BW gain. Our results
      indicate that propolis may be used to effectively reduce microbial activity on
      the surface of quail hatching eggs during storage and incubation without any
      detrimental effects on hatchability. 

PMID- 24235246
TI  - Optimal procedure planning and guidance system for peripheral bronchoscopy.
AB  - With the development of multidetector computed-tomography (MDCT) scanners and
      ultrathin bronchoscopes, the use of bronchoscopy for diagnosing peripheral lung
      cancer nodules is becoming a viable option. The work flow for assessing lung
      cancer consists of two phases: 1) 3-D MDCT analysis and 2) live bronchoscopy.
      Unfortunately, the yield rates for peripheral bronchoscopy have been reported to
      be as low as 14%, and bronchoscopy performance varies considerably between
      physicians. Recently, proposed image-guided systems have shown promise for
      assisting with peripheral bronchoscopy. Yet, MDCT-based route planning to target
      sites has relied on tedious error-prone techniques. In addition, route planning
      tends not to incorporate known anatomical, device, and procedural constraints
      that impact a feasible route. Finally, existing systems do not effectively
      integrate MDCT-derived route information into the live guidance process. We
      propose a system that incorporates an automatic optimal route-planning method,
      which integrates known route constraints. Furthermore, our system offers a
      natural translation of the MDCT-based route plan into the live guidance strategy
      via MDCT/video data fusion. An image-based study demonstrates the route-planning
      method's functionality. Next, we present a prospective lung-cancer patient study
      in which our system achieved a successful navigation rate of 91% to target sites.
      Furthermore, when compared to a competing commercial system, our system enabled
      bronchoscopy over two airways deeper into the airway-tree periphery with a sample
      time that was nearly 2 min shorter on average. Finally, our system's ability to
      almost perfectly predict the depth of a bronchoscope's navigable route in advance
      represents a substantial benefit of optimal route planning. 

PMID- 24235247
TI  - Control-relevant erythropoiesis modeling in end-stage renal disease.
AB  - Anemia is prevalent in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The discovery of
      recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) over 30 years ago has shifted the
      treatment of anemia for patients on dialysis from blood transfusions to rHuEPO
      therapy. Many anemia management protocols (AMPs) used by clinicians comprise a
      set of experience-based rules for weekly-to-monthly titration of rHuEPO doses
      based on hemoglobin (Hb) measurements. In order to facilitate the design of an
      AMP using model-based feedback control theory, we present a physiologically
      relevant erythropoiesis model and demonstrate its applicability using clinical
      data. 

PMID- 24235248
TI  - Lesion detection and characterization with context driven approximation in
      thoracic FDG PET-CT images of NSCLC studies.
AB  - We present a lesion detection and characterization method for (18)F
      fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET-CT)
      images of the thorax in the evaluation of patients with primary nonsmall cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC) with regional nodal disease. Lesion detection can be
      difficult due to low contrast between lesions and normal anatomical structures.
      Lesion characterization is also challenging due to similar spatial
      characteristics between the lung tumors and abnormal lymph nodes. To tackle these
      problems, we propose a context driven approximation (CDA) method. There are two
      main components of our method. First, a sparse representation technique with
      region-level contexts was designed for lesion detection. To discriminate low
      contrast data with sparse representation, we propose a reference consistency
      constraint and a spatial consistent constraint. Second, a multi-atlas technique
      with image-level contexts was designed to represent the spatial characteristics
      for lesion characterization. To accommodate inter-subject variation in a multi
      atlas model, we propose an appearance constraint and a similarity constraint. The
      CDA method is effective with a simple feature set, and does not require
      parametric modeling of feature space separation. The experiments on a clinical
      FDG PET-CT dataset show promising performance improvement over the state-of-the
      art. 

PMID- 24235250
TI  - Neighborhood Supported Model Level Fuzzy Aggregation for Moving Object
      Segmentation.
AB  - We propose a new algorithm for moving object detection in the presence of
      challenging dynamic background conditions. We use a set of fuzzy aggregated
      multifeature similarity measures applied on multiple models corresponding to
      multimodal backgrounds. The algorithm is enriched with a neighborhood-supported
      model initialization strategy for faster convergence. A model level fuzzy
      aggregation measure driven background model maintenance ensures more robustness.
      Similarity functions are evaluated between the corresponding elements of the
      current feature vector and the model feature vectors. Concepts from Sugeno and
      Choquet integrals are incorporated in our algorithm to compute fuzzy similarities
      from the ordered similarity function values for each model. Model updating and
      the foreground/background classification decision is based on the set of fuzzy
      integrals. Our proposed algorithm is shown to outperform other multi-model
      background subtraction algorithms. The proposed approach completely avoids
      explicit offline training to initialize background model and can be initialized
      with moving objects also. The feature space uses a combination of intensity and
      statistical texture features for better object localization and robustness. Our
      qualitative and quantitative studies illustrate the mitigation of varieties of
      challenging situations by our approach. 

PMID- 24235249
TI  - Adaptive image resizing based on continuous-domain stochastic modeling.
AB  - We introduce an adaptive continuous-domain modeling approach to texture and
      natural images. The continuous-domain image is assumed to be a smooth function,
      and we embed it in a parameterized Sobolev space. We point out a link between
      Sobolev spaces and stochastic auto-regressive models, and exploit it for
      optimally choosing Sobolev parameters from available pixel values. To this aim,
      we use exact continuous-to-discrete mapping of the auto-regressive model that is
      based on symmetric exponential splines. The mapping is computationally efficient,
      and we exploit it for maximizing an approximated Gaussian likelihood function.We
      account for non-Gaussian Levy-type processes by deriving a more robust estimator
      that is based on the sample auto-correlation sequence. Both estimators use
      multiple initialization values for overcoming the local minima structure of the
      fitting criteria. Experimental image resizing results indicate that the auto
      correlation criterion can cope better with non-Gaussian processes and model
      mismatch. Our work demonstrates the importance of the auto-correlation function
      in adaptive image interpolation and image modeling tasks, and we believe it is
      instrumental in other image processing tasks as well.

PMID- 24235253
TI  - Frame-Based Recovery of Corrupted Video Files Using Video Codec Specifications.
AB  - In digital forensics, recovery of a damaged or altered video file plays a crucial
      role in searching for evidences to resolve a criminal case. This paper presents a
      frame-based recovery technique of a corrupted video file using the specifications
      of a codec used to encode the video data. A video frame is the minimum meaningful
      unit of video data. Many existing approaches attempt to recover a video file
      using file structure rather than frame structure. In case a target video file is
      severely fragmented or even has a portion of video overwritten by other video
      content, however, video file recovery of existing approaches may fail. The
      proposed approach addresses how to extract video frames from a portion of video
      to be restored as well as how to connect extracted video frames together
      according to the codec specifications. Experiment results show that the proposed
      technique successfully restores fragmented video files regardless of the amount
      of fragmentations. For a corrupted video file containing overwritten segments,
      the proposed technique can recover most of the video content in non-overwritten
      segments of the video file. 

PMID- 24235255
TI  - A dynamic evidential network for fall detection.
AB  - This study is part of the development of a remote home healthcare monitoring
      application designed to detect distress situations through several types of
      sensors. The multisensor fusion can provide more accurate and reliable
      information compared to information provided by each sensor separately.
      Furthermore, data from multiple heterogeneous sensors present in the remote home
      healthcare monitoring systems have different degrees of imperfection and trust.
      Among the multisensor fusion methods, Dempster-Shafer theory (DST) is currently
      considered the most appropriate for representing and processing the imperfect
      information. Based on a graphical representation of the DST called evidential
      networks, a structure of heterogeneous data fusion from multiple sensors for fall
      detection has been proposed. The evidential networks, implemented on our remote
      medical monitoring platform, are also proposed in this paper to maximize the
      performance of automatic fall detection and thus make the system more reliable.
      However, the presence of noise, the variability of recorded signals by the
      sensors, and the failing or unreliable sensors may thwart the evidential networks
      performance. In addition, the sensors signals nonstationary nature may degrade
      the experimental conditions. To compensate the nonstationary effect, the time
      evolution is considered by introducing the dynamic evidential network which was
      evaluated by the simulated fall scenarios corresponding to various use cases. 

PMID- 24235256
TI  - Hardware and software realization of EDSD for acupuncture research and practice.
AB  - Traditional acupuncture as a diagnostic and therapeutic method has been known in
      China for more than 3000 years. Electrodermal screening tests (EDSTs) and
      electrodermal screening devices (EDSDs) that are based on the knowledge derived
      from traditional Chinese medicine appeared in the 1950s. This article deals with
      design, development and realization of such a device. The design considers the
      principles of two widely used EDSTs and modern trends in the field of electronics
      and data management. A computer program with simple user interface that provides
      graphic evaluation and intercomparison of measured data are presented. The
      designed system is suitable not only for acupuncture research but also for
      ordinary acupuncture diagnostics. 

PMID- 24235257
TI  - SemInf: a burst-based semantic influence model for biomedical topic influence.
AB  - In this study, we model how biomedical topics influence one another, given they
      are organized in a topic hierarchy, medical subject headings, in which the edges
      capture a parent-child/subsumption relationship among topics. This information
      enables studying influence of topics from a semantic perspective, which might be
      very important in analyzing topic evolution and is missing from the current
      literature. We first define a burst-based action for topics, which models upward
      momentum in popularity (or "elevated occurrences" of the topics), and use it to
      define two types of influence: accumulation influence and propagation influence.
      We then propose a model of influence between topics, and develop an efficient
      algorithm (TIPS) to identify influential topics. Experiments show that our model
      is successful at identifying influential topics and the algorithm is very
      efficient.

PMID- 24235258
TI  - HCI?2 framework: a software framework for multimodal human-computer interaction
      systems.
AB  - This paper presents a novel software framework for the development and research
      in the area of multimodal human-computer interface (MHCI) systems. The proposed
      software framework, which is called the HCI?2 Framework, is built upon
      publish/subscribe (P/S) architecture. It implements a shared-memory-based data
      transport protocol for message delivery and a TCP-based system management
      protocol. The latter ensures that the integrity of system structure is maintained
      at runtime. With the inclusion of bridging modules, the HCI?2 Framework is
      interoperable with other software frameworks including Psyclone and ActiveMQ. In
      addition to the core communication middleware, we also present the integrated
      development environment (IDE) of the HCI?2 Framework. It provides a complete
      graphical environment to support every step in a typical MHCI system development
      process, including module development, debugging, packaging, and management, as
      well as the whole system management and testing. The quantitative evaluation
      indicates that our framework outperforms other similar tools in terms of average
      message latency and maximum data throughput under a typical single PC scenario.
      To demonstrate HCI?2 Framework's capabilities in integrating heterogeneous
      modules, we present several example modules working with a variety of hardware
      and software. We also present an example of a full system developed using the
      proposed HCI?2 Framework, which is called the CamGame system and represents a
      computer game based on hand-held marker(s) and low-cost camera(s).

PMID- 24235259
TI  - Takagi-Sugeno model based analysis of EWMA RtR control of batch processes with
      stochastic metrology delay and mixed products.
AB  - In many batch-based industrial manufacturing processes, feedback run-to-run
      control is used to improve production quality. However, measurements may be
      expensive and cannot always be performed online. Thus, the measurement delay
      always exists. The metrology delay will affect the stability and performance of
      the process. Moreover, since quality measurements are performed offline, delay is
      not fixed but is stochastic in nature. In this paper, a modeling approach Takagi
      Sugeno (T-S) model is presented to handle stochastic metrology delay in both
      single-product and mixed-product processes. Based on the Markov characteristics
      of the delay, the membership of the T-S model is derived. Performance indices
      such as the mean and the variance of the closed-loop output of the exponentially
      weighted moving average (EWMA) control algorithm can be derived. A steady-state
      error of the process output always exists, which leads the output deviating from
      the target. To remove the steady-state error, an algorithm called compensatory
      EWMA run-to-run (COM-EWMA-RtR) algorithm is proposed. The validity of the T-S
      model analysis and the efficiency of the proposed COM-EWMA-RtR algorithm are
      confirmed by simulation. 

PMID- 24235260
TI  - Guest editorial: Introduction to the special issue on modern control for computer
      games.
AB  - A typical gaming scenario, as developed in the past 20 years, involves a player
      interacting with a game using a specialized input device, such as a joystic, a
      mouse, a keyboard, etc. Recent technological advances and new sensors (for
      example, low cost commodity depth cameras) have enabled the introduction of more
      elaborated approaches in which the player is now able to interact with the game
      using his body pose, facial expressions, actions, and even his physiological
      signals. A new era of games has already started, employing computer vision
      techniques, brain-computer interfaces systems, haptic and wearable devices. The
      future lies in games that will be intelligent enough not only to extract the
      player's commands provided by his speech and gestures but also his behavioral
      cues, as well as his/her emotional states, and adjust their game plot accordingly
      in order to ensure more realistic and satisfactory gameplay experience. This
      special issue on modern control for computer games discusses several
      interdisciplinary factors that influence a user's input to a game, something
      directly linked to the gaming experience. These include, but are not limited to,
      the following: behavioral affective gaming, user satisfaction and perception,
      motion capture and scene modeling, and complete software frameworks that address
      several challenges risen in such scenarios.

PMID- 24235261
TI  - Development and investigation of a long-range time-of-flight and color imaging
      system.
AB  - Time-of-flight (Tof) imaging based on the photonic mixer device (PMD) or similar
      ToF imaging solutions has been limited to short distances in the past, due to
      limited lighting devices and low sensitivity of ToF imaging chips. Long-range
      distance measurements are typically the domain of laser scanning systems. In this
      paper, PMD based medium- and long-range lighting devices working together with a
      2-D/3-D camera are presented and several measurement results are discussed. The
      proposed imaging systems suffer from two systematic limitations in addition to
      problems due to wind and insufficient lighting: a low lateral resolution of the
      depth imaging chip and ambiguities in the distance measurements. In order to
      provide a robust and flexible system, we introduce algorithms to obtain
      unambiguous depth values (phase unwrapping) and to perform a joint motion
      compensation and super-resolution. Several experiments were conducted in order to
      evaluate the components of the multimodal imaging system. 

PMID- 24235262
TI  - Addressing the EU sovereign ratings using an ordinal regression approach.
AB  - The current European debt crisis has drawn considerable attention to credit
      rating agencies' news about sovereign ratings. From a technical point of view,
      credit rating constitutes a typical ordinal regression problem because credit
      rating agencies generally present a scale of risk composed of several categories.
      This fact motivated the use of an ordinal regression approach to address the
      problem of sovereign credit rating in this paper. Therefore, the ranking of
      different classes will be taken into account for the design of the classifier. To
      do so, a novel model is introduced in order to replicate sovereign rating, based
      on the negative correlation learning framework. The methodology is fully
      described in this paper and applied to the classification of the 27 European
      countries' sovereign rating during the 2007-2010 period based on Standard and
      Poor's reports. The proposed technique seems to be competitive and robust enough
      to classify the sovereign ratings reported by this agency when compared with
      other existing well-known ordinal and nominal methods.

PMID- 24235263
TI  - Primary care guidelines for the management of persons infected with HIV: 2013
      update by the HIV medicine association of the Infectious Diseases Society of
      America.
AB  - Evidence-based guidelines for the management of persons infected with human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were prepared by an expert panel of the HIV Medicine
      Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. These updated
      guidelines replace those published in 2009. The guidelines are intended for use
      by healthcare providers who care for HIV-infected patients. Since 2009, new
      antiretroviral drugs and classes have become available, and the prognosis of
      persons with HIV infection continues to improve. However, with fewer
      complications and increased survival, HIV-infected persons are increasingly
      developing common health problems that also affect the general population. Some
      of these conditions may be related to HIV infection itself or its treatment. HIV
      infected persons should be managed and monitored for all relevant age- and sex
      specific health problems. New information based on publications from the period
      2009-2013 has been incorporated into this document. 

PMID- 24235264
TI  - Statins and the risk of herpes zoster: a population-based cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Statins are widely used lipid-lowering drugs with immunomodulatory
      properties that may favor reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus
      infection. However, whether statins increase the risk of herpes zoster is
      unknown. METHODS: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of
      Ontario residents aged >= 66 years between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 2010 to
      examine the association between statin use and incidence of herpes zoster. We
      used propensity score matching to ensure similarity between users and nonusers of
      statins, and Cox proportional hazard models to assess differences in outcomes
      between study groups. To test the specificity of our findings, we examined the
      association between statin exposure and knee arthroplasty. RESULTS: During the 13
      year study period, we matched 494 651 individuals treated with a statin to an
      equal number of untreated individuals. In the main analysis, the rate of herpes
      zoster was higher among users of statins relative to nonusers of these drugs
      (13.25 vs 11.71 per 1000 person-years, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 1.13; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.17). The attributable fraction of exposed
      individuals was 11.6%. In a prespecified analysis, we found a similar risk of
      herpes zoster among statin users in the subgroup of patients with diabetes (HR,
      1.18; 95% CI, 1.09-1.27). As expected, we found no association between statin use
      and knee arthroplasty (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, .99-1.09). CONCLUSIONS: Among older
      patients, treatment with statins is associated with a small but significantly
      increased risk of herpes zoster.

PMID- 24235265
TI  - Influenza vaccine effectiveness in the 2011-2012 season: protection against each
      circulating virus and the effect of prior vaccination on estimates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Each year, the US Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network examines
      the effectiveness of influenza vaccines in preventing medically attended acute
      respiratory illnesses caused by influenza. METHODS: Patients with acute
      respiratory illnesses of <= 7 days' duration were enrolled at ambulatory care
      facilities in 5 communities. Specimens were collected and tested for influenza by
      real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Receipt of influenza
      vaccine was defined based on documented evidence of vaccination in medical
      records or immunization registries. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated in
      adjusted logistic regression models by comparing the vaccination coverage in
      those who tested positive for influenza with those who tested negative. RESULTS:
      The 2011-2012 season was mild and peaked late, with circulation of both type A
      viruses and both lineages of type B. Overall adjusted vaccine effectiveness was
      47% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36-56) in preventing medically attended
      influenza; vaccine effectiveness was 65% (95% CI, 44-79) against type A (H1N1)
      pdm09 but only 39% (95% CI, 23-52) against type A (H3N2). Estimates of vaccine
      effectiveness against both type B lineages were similar (overall, 58%; 95% CI, 35
      73). An apparent negative effect of prior year vaccination on current year
      effectiveness estimates was noted, particularly for A (H3N2) outcomes.
      CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine effectiveness in the 2011-2012 season was modest overall,
      with lower effectiveness against the predominant A (H3N2) virus. This may be
      related to antigenic drift, but past history of vaccination might also play a
      role.

PMID- 24235266
TI  - Annual studies of influenza vaccine effectiveness: evaluating performance,
      informing policy, and generating new questions.

PMID- 24235267
TI  - Impact of nonischemic scar features on local ventricular electrograms and scar
      related ventricular tachycardia circuits in patients with nonischemic
      cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association of local electrogram features with scar morphology
      and distribution in nonischemic cardiomyopathy has not been investigated. We
      aimed to quantify the association of scar on late gadolinium-enhanced cardiac
      magnetic resonance with local electrograms and ventricular tachycardia circuit
      sites in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen
      patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy underwent late gadolinium-enhanced
      cardiac magnetic resonance before ventricular tachycardia ablation. The
      transmural extent and intramural types (endocardial, midwall, epicardial, patchy,
      transmural) of scar were measured in late gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic
      resonance short-axis planes. Electroanatomic map points were registered to late
      gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance images. Myocardial wall thickness,
      scar transmurality, and intramural scar types were independently associated with
      electrogram amplitude, duration, and deflections in linear mixed-effects
      multivariable models, clustered by patient. Fractionated and isolated potentials
      were more likely to be observed in regions with higher scar transmurality
      (P<0.0001 by ANOVA) and in regions with patchy scar (versus endocardial, midwall,
      epicardial scar; P<0.05 by ANOVA). Most ventricular tachycardia circuit sites
      were located in scar with >25% scar transmurality. CONCLUSIONS: Electrogram
      features are associated with scar morphology and distribution in patients with
      nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Previous knowledge of electrogram image associations
      may optimize procedural strategies including the decision to obtain epicardial
      access.

PMID- 24235268
TI  - Spatial profiles of electrical mismatch determine vulnerability to conduction
      failure across a host-donor cell interface.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Electrophysiological mismatch between host cardiomyocytes and donor
      cells can directly affect the electrical safety of cardiac cell therapies;
      however, the ability to study host-donor interactions at the microscopic scale in
      situ is severely limited. We systematically explored how action potential (AP)
      differences between cardiomyocytes and other excitable cells modulate
      vulnerability to conduction failure in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS: AP propagation
      was optically mapped at 75 MUm resolution in micropatterned strands (n=152) in
      which host neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (AP duration=153.2+/-2.3 ms,
      conduction velocity=22.3+/-0.3 cm/s) seamlessly interfaced with genetically
      engineered excitable donor cells expressing inward rectifier potassium (Kir2.1)
      and cardiac sodium (Na(v)1.5) channels with either weak (conduction
      velocity=3.1+/-0.1 cm/s) or strong (conduction velocity=22.1+/-0.4 cm/s)
      electrical coupling. Selective prolongation of engineered donor cell AP duration
      (31.9-139.1 ms) by low-dose BaCl2 generated a wide range of host-donor
      repolarization time (RT) profiles with maximum gradients (?RT(max)) of 5.5 to 257
      ms/mm. During programmed stimulation of donor cells, the vulnerable time window
      for conduction block across the host-donor interface most strongly correlated
      with ?RT(max). Compared with well-coupled donor cells, the interface composed of
      poorly coupled cells significantly shortened the RT profile width by 19.7% and
      increased ?RT(max) and vulnerable time window by 22.2% and 19%, respectively.
      Flattening the RT profile by perfusion of 50 MUmol/L BaCl2 eliminated coupling
      induced differences in vulnerability to block. CONCLUSIONS: Our results quantify
      how the degree of electrical mismatch across a cardiomyocyte-donor cell interface
      affects vulnerability to conduction block, with important implications for the
      design of safe cardiac cell and gene therapies.

PMID- 24235269
TI  - Fragmented QRS complex in adult patients with Ebstein anomaly and its association
      with arrhythmic risk and the severity of the anomaly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fragmented QRS complex (fQRS) on 12-lead ECG, a marker of myocardial
      scar, is a predictor of arrhythmic events in patients with ischemic and
      nonischemic cardiomyopathy. We investigated whether the presence of fQRS is
      associated with the severity of the anomaly and with increased arrhythmic events
      in adult patients with Ebstein anomaly (EA). METHODS AND RESULTS: In 51
      consecutive adult patients with EA (median age, 37 years; 18 males), the severity
      index of EA calculated from echocardiographic data and clinical arrhythmic events
      were analyzed. The extent of fQRS in each patient was measured by counting the
      number of ECG leads showing fQRS. There were 35 (68.6%) patients with fQRS (fQRS
      group) and 16 (31.4%) patients without fQRS (non-fQRS group). fQRS was observed
      more frequently in the inferior (n=26) and precordial (n=25) leads versus the
      lateral leads (n=5). The patients in the fQRS group had a worse functional class,
      greater cardiothoracic ratios, more severe tricuspid regurgitation, larger
      atrialized right ventricular areas, higher EA severity scores, and more frequent
      arrhythmic events compared with those in the non-fQRS group. The atrialized right
      ventricular area showed a positive correlation with the fQRS extent (r=0.51;
      P<0.001). In multivariable Cox regression models, the presence of fQRS was
      independently associated with arrhythmic events (P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS:
      Fragmented QRS on 12-lead ECG was associated with larger atrialized right
      ventricular area and an increased risk of arrhythmic events in adult patients
      with EA.

PMID- 24235271
TI  - Peptide synthesis on glass substrate using acoustic droplet ejector.
AB  - This paper describes the synthesis of a 9-mers-long peptide ladder structure of
      glycine on a modified glass surface using a nanoliter droplet ejector. To
      synthesize peptide on a glass substrate, SPOT peptide synthesis protocol was
      followed with a nozzleless acoustic droplet ejector being used to eject about 300
      droplets of preactivated amino acid solution to dispense 60 nL of the solution
      per mer. The coupling efficiency of each mer was measured with FITC fluorescent
      tag to be 96%, resulting in net 70% efficiency for the whole 9-mer-long peptide
      of glycine. Usage of a nanoliter droplet ejector for SPOT peptide synthesis
      increases the density of protein array on a chip. 

PMID- 24235270
TI  - Survivin-induced abnormal ploidy contributes to cystic kidney and aneurysm
      formation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cystic kidneys and vascular aneurysms are clinical manifestations
      seen in patients with polycystic kidney disease, a cilia-associated pathology
      (ciliopathy). Survivin overexpression is associated with cancer, but the clinical
      pathology associated with survivin downregulation or knockout has never been
      studied before. The present studies aim to examine whether and how cilia function
      (Pkd1 or Pkd2) and structure (Tg737) play a role in cystic kidney and aneurysm
      through survivin downregulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cysts and aneurysms from
      polycystic kidney disease patients, Pkd mouse, and zebrafish models are
      characterized by chromosome instability and low survivin expression. This
      triggers cytokinesis defects and formation of nuclear polyploidy or aneuploidy.
      In vivo conditional mouse and zebrafish models confirm that survivin gene
      deletion in the kidneys results in a cystic phenotype. As in hypertensive Pkd1,
      Pkd2, and Tg737 models, aneurysm formation can also be induced in vascular
      specific normotensive survivin mice. Survivin knockout also contributes to
      abnormal oriented cell division in both kidney and vasculature. Furthermore,
      survivin expression and ciliary localization are regulated by flow-induced cilia
      activation through protein kinase C, Akt and nuclear factor-kappaB. Circumventing
      ciliary function by re-expressing survivin can rescue polycystic kidney disease
      phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, our studies offer a unifying
      mechanism that explains both renal and vascular phenotypes in polycystic kidney
      disease. Although primary cilia dysfunction accounts for aneurysm formation and
      hypertension, hypertension itself does not cause aneurysm. Furthermore, aneurysm
      formation and cyst formation share a common cellular and molecular pathway
      involving cilia function or structure, survivin expression, cytokinesis, cell
      ploidy, symmetrical cell division, and tissue architecture orientation.

PMID- 24235272
TI  - Iterative reconstruction for x-ray computed tomography using prior-image induced
      nonlocal regularization.
AB  - Repeated X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans are often required in several
      specific applications such as perfusion imaging, image-guided biopsy needle,
      image-guided intervention, and radiotherapy with noticeable benefits. However,
      the associated cumulative radiation dose significantly increases as comparison
      with that used in the conventional CT scan, which has raised major concerns in
      patients. In this study, to realize radiation dose reduction by reducing the X
      ray tube current and exposure time (mAs) in repeated CT scans, we propose a prior
      image induced nonlocal (PINL) regularization for statistical iterative
      reconstruction via the penalized weighted least-squares (PWLS) criteria, which we
      refer to as "PWLS-PINL". Specifically, the PINL regularization utilizes the
      redundant information in the prior image and the weighted least-squares term
      considers a data-dependent variance estimation, aiming to improve current low
      dose image quality. Subsequently, a modified iterative successive overrelaxation
      algorithm is adopted to optimize the associative objective function. Experimental
      results on both phantom and patient data show that the present PWLS-PINL method
      can achieve promising gains over the other existing methods in terms of the noise
      reduction, low-contrast object detection, and edge detail preservation.

PMID- 24235273
TI  - High resolution (13)C MRI with hyperpolarized urea: in vivo T(2) mapping and
      (15)N labeling effects.
AB  - (13)C steady state free precession (SSFP) magnetic resonance imaging and
      effective spin-spin relaxation time (T2) mapping were performed using
      hyperpolarized [(13)C] urea and [(13) C,(15)N2] urea injected intravenously in
      rats. (15)N labeling gave large T2 increases both in solution and in vivo due to
      the elimination of a strong scalar relaxation pathway. The T2 increase was
      pronounced in the kidney, with [(13) C,(15) N2] urea giving T2 values of 6.3+/
      1.3 s in the cortex and medulla, and 11+/-2 s in the renal pelvis. The measured
      T2 in the aorta was 1.3+/-0.3 s. [(13)C] urea showed shortened T2 values in the
      kidney of 0.23+/-0.03 s compared to 0.28+/-0.03 s measured in the aorta. The
      enhanced T2 of [(13)C,(15)N2] urea was utilized to generate large signal
      enhancement by SSFP acquisitions with flip angles approaching the fully refocused
      regime. Projection images at 0.94 mm in-plane resolution were acquired with both
      urea isotopes, with [(13)C,(15) N2] urea giving a greater than four-fold increase
      in signal-to-noise ratio over [(13)C] urea. 

PMID- 24235274
TI  - Hierarchical manifold learning for regional image analysis.
AB  - We present a novel method of hierarchical manifold learning which aims to
      automatically discover regional properties of image datasets. While traditional
      manifold learning methods have become widely used for dimensionality reduction in
      medical imaging, they suffer from only being able to consider whole images as
      single data points. We extend conventional techniques by additionally examining
      local variations, in order to produce spatially-varying manifold embeddings that
      characterize a given dataset. This involves constructing manifolds in a hierarchy
      of image patches of increasing granularity, while ensuring consistency between
      hierarchy levels. We demonstrate the utility of our method in two very different
      settings: 1) to learn the regional correlations in motion within a sequence of
      time-resolved MR images of the thoracic cavity; 2) to find discriminative regions
      of 3-D brain MR images associated with neurodegenerative disease. 

PMID- 24235275
TI  - Synthesis of walking sounds for alleviating gait disturbances in Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - Managing gait disturbances in people with Parkinson's disease is a pressing
      challenge, as symptoms can contribute to injury and morbidity through an
      increased risk of falls. While drug-based interventions have limited efficacy in
      alleviating gait impairments, certain nonpharmacological methods, such as cueing,
      can also induce transient improvements to gait. The approach adopted here is to
      use computationally-generated sounds to help guide and improve walking actions.
      The first method described uses recordings of force data taken from the steps of
      a healthy adult which in turn were used to synthesize realistic gravel-footstep
      sounds that represented different spatio-temporal parameters of gait, such as
      step duration and step length. The second method described involves a novel
      method of sonifying, in real time, the swing phase of gait using real-time motion
      capture data to control a sound synthesis engine. Both approaches explore how
      simple but rich auditory representations of action based events can be used by
      people with Parkinson's to guide and improve the quality of their walking,
      reducing the risk of falls and injury. Studies with Parkinson's disease patients
      are reported which show positive results for both techniques in reducing step
      length variability. Potential future directions for how these sound approaches
      can be used to manage gait disturbances in Parkinson's are also discussed. 

PMID- 24235277
TI  - Automatic identification and classification of freezing of gait episodes in
      Parkinson's disease patients.
AB  - Alternation of walking pattern decreases quality of life and may result in falls
      and injuries. Freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients occurs
      occasionally and intermittently, appearing in a random, inexplicable manner. In
      order to detect typical disturbances during walking, we designed an expert system
      for automatic classification of various gait patterns. The proposed method is
      based on processing of data obtained from an inertial sensor mounted on shank.
      The algorithm separates normal from abnormal gait using Pearson's correlation and
      describes each stride by duration, shank displacement, and spectral components. A
      rule-based data processing classifies strides as normal, short (short(+)) or very
      short (short(-)) strides, FOG with tremor (FOG(+)) or FOG with complete motor
      block (FOG(-)). The algorithm also distinguishes between straight and turning
      strides. In 12 PD patients, FOG(+) and FOG(-) were identified correctly in 100%
      of strides, while normal strides were recognized in 95% of cases. Short(+) and
      short(-) strides were identified in about 84% and 78%. Turning strides were
      correctly identified in 88% of cases. The proposed method may be used as an
      expert system for detailed stride classification, providing warning for severe
      FOG episodes and near-fall situations. 

PMID- 24235276
TI  - Simultaneous neural control of simple reaching and grasping with the modular
      prosthetic limb using intracranial EEG.
AB  - Intracranial electroencephalographic (iEEG) signals from two human subjects were
      used to achieve simultaneous neural control of reaching and grasping movements
      with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab (JHU/APL) Modular
      Prosthetic Limb (MPL), a dexterous robotic prosthetic arm. We performed
      functional mapping of high gamma activity while the subject made reaching and
      grasping movements to identify task-selective electrodes. Independent, online
      control of reaching and grasping was then achieved using high gamma activity from
      a small subset of electrodes with a model trained on short blocks of reaching and
      grasping with no further adaptation. Classification accuracy did not decline (p <
      0.05, one-way ANOVA) over three blocks of testing in either subject. Mean
      classification accuracy during independently executed overt reach and grasp
      movements for (Subject 1, Subject 2) were (0.85, 0.81) and (0.80, 0.96),
      respectively, and during simultaneous execution they were (0.83, 0.88) and (0.58,
      0.88), respectively. Our models leveraged knowledge of the subject's individual
      functional neuroanatomy for reaching and grasping movements, allowing rapid
      acquisition of control in a time-sensitive clinical setting. We demonstrate the
      potential feasibility of verifying functionally meaningful iEEG-based control of
      the MPL prior to chronic implantation, during which additional capabilities of
      the MPL might be exploited with further training. 

PMID- 24235278
TI  - Is accurate mapping of EMG signals on kinematics needed for precise online
      myoelectric control?
AB  - In this paper, we present a systematic analysis of the relationship between the
      accuracy of the mapping between EMG and hand kinematics and the control
      performance in goal-oriented tasks of three simultaneous and proportional
      myoelectric control algorithms: nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF), linear
      regression (LR), and artificial neural networks (ANN). The purpose was to
      investigate the impact of the precision of the kinematics estimation by a
      myoelectric controller for accurately complete goal-directed tasks. Nine naive
      subjects performed a series of goal-directed myoelectric control tasks using the
      three algorithms, and their online performance was characterized by 6 indexes.
      The results showed that, although the three algorithms' mapping accuracies were
      significantly different, their online performance was similar. Moreover, for LR
      and ANN, the offline performance was not correlated to any of the online
      performance indexes, and only a weak correlation was found with three of them for
      NMF . We conclude that for reliable simultaneous and proportional myoelectric
      control, it is not necessary to achieve high accuracy in the mapping between EMG
      and kinematics. Rather, good online myoelectric control is achieved by the
      continuous interaction and adaptation of the user with the myoelectric controller
      through feedback (visual in the current study). Control signals generated by EMG
      with rather poor association with kinematic variables can still be fully
      exploited by the user for precise control. This conclusion explains the
      possibility of accurate simultaneous and proportional control over multiple
      degrees of freedom when using unsupervised algorithms, such as NMF. 

PMID- 24235279
TI  - Treatment planning and image guidance for radiofrequency ablation of large
      tumors.
AB  - This article addresses the two key challenges in computer-assisted percutaneous
      tumor ablation: planning multiple overlapping ablations for large tumors while
      avoiding critical structures, and executing the prescribed plan. Toward
      semiautomatic treatment planning for image-guided surgical interventions, we
      develop a systematic approach to the needle-based ablation placement task,
      ranging from preoperative planning algorithms to an intraoperative execution
      platform. The planning system incorporates clinical constraints on ablations and
      trajectories using a multiple objective optimization formulation, which consists
      of optimal path selection and ablation coverage optimization based on integer
      programming. The system implementation is presented and validated in both phantom
      and animal studies. The presented system can potentially be further extended for
      other ablation techniques such as cryotherapy. 

PMID- 24235280
TI  - Designing a robust activity recognition framework for health and exergaming using
      wearable sensors.
AB  - Detecting human activity independent of intensity is essential in many
      applications, primarily in calculating metabolic equivalent rates and extracting
      human context awareness. Many classifiers that train on an activity at a subset
      of intensity levels fail to recognize the same activity at other intensity
      levels. This demonstrates weakness in the underlying classification method.
      Training a classifier for an activity at every intensity level is also not
      practical. In this paper, we tackle a novel intensity-independent activity
      recognition problem where the class labels exhibit large variability, the data
      are of high dimensionality, and clustering algorithms are necessary. We propose a
      new robust stochastic approximation framework for enhanced classification of such
      data. Experiments are reported using two clustering techniques, K-Means and
      Gaussian Mixture Models. The stochastic approximation algorithm consistently
      outperforms other well-known classification schemes which validate the use of our
      proposed clustered data representation. We verify the motivation of our framework
      in two applications that benefit from intensity-independent activity recognition.
      The first application shows how our framework can be used to enhance energy
      expenditure calculations. The second application is a novel exergaming
      environment aimed at using games to reward physical activity performed throughout
      the day, to encourage a healthy lifestyle. 

PMID- 24235281
TI  - Optimal inverse functions created via population-based optimization.
AB  - Finding optimal inputs for a multiple-input, single-output system is taxing for a
      system operator. Population-based optimization is used to create sets of
      functions that produce a locally optimal input based on a desired output. An
      operator or higher level planner could use one of the functions in real time. For
      the optimization, each agent in the population uses the cost and output gradients
      to take steps lowering the cost while maintaining their current output. When an
      agent reaches an optimal input for its current output, additional agents are
      generated in the output gradient directions. The new agents then settle to the
      local optima for the new output values. The set of associated optimal points
      forms an inverse function, via spline interpolation, from a desired output to an
      optimal input. In this manner, multiple locally optimal functions can be created.
      These functions are naturally clustered in input and output spaces allowing for a
      continuous inverse function. The operator selects the best cluster over the
      anticipated range of desired outputs and adjusts the set point (desired output)
      while maintaining optimality. This reduces the demand from controlling multiple
      inputs, to controlling a single set point with no loss in performance. Results
      are demonstrated on a sample set of functions and on a robot control problem. 

PMID- 24235282
TI  - Acetaminophen toxicity and 5-oxoproline (pyroglutamic acid): a tale of two
      cycles, one an ATP-depleting futile cycle and the other a useful cycle.
AB  - The acquired form of 5-oxoproline (pyroglutamic acid) metabolic acidosis was
      first described in 1989 and its relationship to chronic acetaminophen ingestion
      was proposed the next year. Since then, this cause of chronic anion gap metabolic
      acidosis has been increasingly recognized. Many cases go unrecognized because an
      assay for 5-oxoproline is not widely available. Most cases occur in malnourished,
      chronically ill women with a history of chronic acetaminophen ingestion.
      Acetaminophen levels are very rarely in the toxic range; rather, they are usually
      therapeutic or low. The disorder generally resolves with cessation of
      acetaminophen and administration of intravenous fluids. Methionine or N-acetyl
      cysteine may accelerate resolution and methionine is protective in a rodent
      model. The disorder has been attributed to glutathione depletion and activation
      of a key enzyme in the gamma-glutamyl cycle. However, the specific metabolic
      derangements that cause the 5-oxoproline accumulation remain unclear. An ATP
      depleting futile 5-oxoproline cycle can explain the accumulation of 5-oxoproline
      after chronic acetaminophen ingestion. This cycle is activated by the depletion
      of both glutathione and cysteine. This explanation contributes to our
      understanding of acetaminophen-induced 5-oxoproline metabolic acidosis and the
      beneficial role of N-acetyl cysteine therapy. The ATP-depleting futile 5
      oxoproline cycle may also play a role in the energy depletions that occur in
      other acetaminophen-related toxic syndromes. 

PMID- 24235284
TI  - The demented patient who declines to be dialyzed and the unhappy armed police
      officer son: what should be done?
AB  - Dialysis personnel are responsible for ensuring that patients' rights and
      physical safety are protected in dialysis centers. Treatment of patients with
      cognitive impairment, including patients with dementia, presents special
      challenges. These patients may attempt to pull out their dialysis needles during
      treatment, potentially endangering themselves, dialysis center personnel, and
      other patients. Such patients may also compromise the care of other patients in
      the center by upsetting them and requiring a disproportionate amount of staff
      attention during treatment. Dialysis centers have learned to require families of
      such patients to provide a sitter to ensure that the patient remains safe during
      the dialysis treatment; however, some patients may exhibit unsafe behaviors
      despite a sitter, and not all families are willing to provide a sitter. In some
      instances, family members respond to the stress of a loved one who is unsafe on
      dialysis by being verbally or physically abusive to dialysis staff. This article
      presents a case in which the family member was a police officer who was not only
      verbally and physically intimidating to the staff but also insisted on bringing
      his police service weapon into the dialysis center. It describes the
      psychosocial, ethical, and legal responses to a family member who is disrupting
      what should be a calm environment in the dialysis center and recommends that
      dialysis centers proactively develop policies concerning safety for patients,
      family members, and other visitors that make no exceptions. The case also
      highlights the importance of adopting a no weapons policy and posting and
      enforcing a no weapons sign. 

PMID- 24235283
TI  - Novel therapies for hemodialysis vascular access dysfunction: myth or reality?
AB  - Hemodialysis vascular access dysfunction is a major source of morbidity for
      patients with ESRD. Development of effective approaches to prevent and treat
      vascular access failure requires an understanding of the underlying mechanisms,
      suitable models for preclinical testing, systems for targeted delivery of
      interventions to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity, and rigorous clinical
      trials that use appropriate outcome measures. This article reviews the
      substantial progress and ongoing challenges in developing novel treatments for
      arteriovenous vascular access failure and focuses on localized rather than
      systemic interventions. 

PMID- 24235285
TI  - Pregnancy outcomes according to dialysis commencing before or after conception in
      women with ESRD.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pregnancy in ESRD is rare and poses substantial risk
      for mother and baby. This study describes a large series of pregnancies in women
      undergoing long-term dialysis treatment and reviews maternal and fetal outcomes.
      Specifically, women who had conceived before and after starting long-term
      dialysis are compared. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENT: All
      pregnancies reported to the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and
      Transplantation Registry from 2001 to 2011 (n=77), following the introduction of
      specific parenthood data collection, were analyzed. RESULTS: Between 2001 and
      2011, there were 77 pregnancies among 73 women. Of these, 53 pregnancies were in
      women who conceived after long-term dialysis was established and 24 pregnancies
      occurred before dialysis began. The overall live birth rate (after exclusion of
      elective terminations) was 73%. In pregnancies reaching 20 weeks gestation, the
      live birth rate was 82%. Women who conceived before dialysis commenced had
      significantly higher live birth rates (91% versus 63%; P=0.03), but infants had
      similar birthweight and gestational age. This difference in live birth rate was
      primarily due to higher rates of early pregnancy loss before 20 weeks in women
      who conceived after dialysis was established. In pregnancies that reached 20
      weeks or more, the live birth rate was higher in women with conception before
      dialysis commenced (91% versus 76%; P=0.28). Overall, the median gestational age
      was 33.8 weeks (interquartile range, 30.6-37.6 weeks) and median birthweight was
      1750 g (interquartile range, 1130-2417 g). More than 40% of pregnancies reached
      >34 weeks' gestation; prematurity at <28 weeks was 11.4% and 28-day neonatal
      survival rate was 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Women with kidney disease who start long-term
      dialysis after conception have superior live birth rates compared with those
      already established on dialysis at the time of conception, although these
      pregnancies remain high risk.

PMID- 24235286
TI  - Renal relevant radiology: use of ultrasonography in patients with AKI.
AB  - As judged by the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria, renal
      Doppler ultrasonography is the most appropriate imaging test in the evaluation of
      AKI and has the highest level of recommendation. Unfortunately, nephrologists are
      rarely specifically trained in ultrasonography technique and interpretation, and
      important clinical information obtained from renal ultrasonography may not be
      appreciated. In this review, the strengths and limitations of grayscale
      ultrasonography in the evaluation of patients with AKI will be discussed with
      attention to its use for (1) assessment of intrinsic causes of AKI, (2)
      distinguishing acute from chronic kidney diseases, and (3) detection of
      obstruction. The use of Doppler imaging and the resistive index in patients with
      AKI will be reviewed with attention to its use for (1) predicting the development
      of AKI, (2) predicting the prognosis of AKI, and (3) distinguishing prerenal
      azotemia from intrinsic AKI. Finally, pediatric considerations in the use of
      ultrasonography in AKI will be reviewed. 

PMID- 24235287
TI  - Should an elderly patient with stage V CKD and dementia be started on dialysis?
AB  - The burden of cognitive impairment appears to increase with progressive renal
      disease, such that the prevalence of dementia among those starting dialysis, or
      those already established on dialysis, is high. The appropriateness of dialysis
      initiation in this population has been questioned, and current Renal Physician
      Association guidelines suggest forgoing dialysis in individuals who have dementia
      and lack awareness of self and environment. Patients are, however, also entitled
      to equal rights and respect, equal access to health care services, and an
      opportunity to engage in shared decision-making processes, particularly if there
      is concern over reversibility of disease. This article discusses, on the basis of
      principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence, the arguments in favor of and
      against dialysis use, and the process of determining an appropriate care plan.
      Factors discussed include the current societal trend toward a technological
      imperative, premature fatalism, survival benefits, and the implications of
      providing care to patients who are unable to express their tolerance for symptoms
      associated with the treatment or lack of treatment. 

PMID- 24235288
TI  - The effects of frequent hemodialysis on left ventricular mass, volumes, and
      geometry.

PMID- 24235290
TI  - New adaptive clutter rejection based on spectral analysis for ultrasound color
      Doppler imaging: phantom and in vivo abdominal study.
AB  - Effective rejection of time-varying clutter originating from slowly moving
      vessels and surrounding tissues is important for depicting hemodynamics in
      ultrasound color Doppler imaging (CDI). In this paper, a new adaptive clutter
      rejection method based on spectral analysis (ACR-SA) is presented for suppressing
      nonstationary clutter. In ACR-SA, tissue and flow characteristics are analyzed by
      singular value decomposition and tissue acceleration of backscattered Doppler
      signals to determine an appropriate clutter filter from a set of clutter filters.
      To evaluate the ACR-SA method, 20 frames of complex baseband data were acquired
      by a commercial ultrasound system equipped with a research package (Accuvix V10,
      Samsung Medison, Seoul, Korea) using a 3.5-MHz convex array probe by introducing
      tissue movements to the flow phantom (Gammex 1425 A LE, Gammex, Middleton, WI,
      USA). In addition, 20 frames of in vivo abdominal data from five volunteers were
      captured. From the phantom experiment, the ACR-SA method provided 2.43 dB (p <;
      0.001) and 1.09 dB ( ) improvements in flow signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR)
      compared to static (STA) and down-mixing (ACR-DM) methods. Similarly, it showed
      smaller values in fractional residual clutter area (FRCA) compared to the STA and
      ACR-DM methods (i.e., 2.3% versus 5.4% and 3.7%, respectively, ). The consistent
      improvements in SCR from the proposed ACR-SA method were obtained with the in
      vivo abdominal data (i.e., 4.97 dB and 3.39 dB over STA and ACR-DM,
      respectively). The ACR-SA method showed less than 1% FRCA values for all in vivo
      abdominal data. These results indicate that the proposed ACR-SA method can
      improve image quality in CDI by providing enhanced rejection of nonstationary
      clutter. 

PMID- 24235289
TI  - Plasma and urinary amino acid metabolomic profiling in patients with different
      levels of kidney function.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with CKD display altered plasma amino acid
      profiles. This study estimated the association between the estimated GFR and
      urinary and plasma amino acid profiles in CKD patients. DESIGN, SETTING,
      PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Urine and plasma samples were taken from 52
      patients with different stages of CKD, and plasma samples only were taken from 25
      patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Metabolic profiling was performed by liquid
      chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry after phenylisothiocyanate
      derivatization. RESULTS: Most plasma amino acid concentrations were decreased in
      hemodialysis patients, whereas proline, citrulline, asparagine, asymmetric
      dimethylarginine, and hydroxykynurenine levels were increased (P<0.05). Both
      plasma levels and urinary excretion of citrulline were higher in the group of
      patients with advanced CKD (CKD stages 2 and 3 versus CKD stages 4 and 5; in
      plasma: 35.9+/-16.3 versus 61.8+/-23.6 umol/L, P<0.01; in urine: 1.0+/-1.2 versus
      7.1+/-14.3 umol/mol creatinine, P<0.001). Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine
      levels were higher in advanced CKD (CKD stages 2 and 3, 0.57+/-0.29; CKD stages 4
      and 5, 1.02+/-0.48, P<0.001), whereas urinary excretion was lower (2.37+/-0.93
      versus 1.51+/-1.43, P<0.001). Multivariate analyses adjusting on estimated GFR,
      serum albumin, proteinuria, and other covariates revealed associations between
      diabetes and plasma citrulline (P=0.02) and between serum sodium and plasma
      asymmetric dimethylarginine (P=0.03). Plasma tyrosine to phenylalanine and valine
      to glycine ratios were lower in advanced CKD stages (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: CKD
      patients have altered plasma and urinary amino acid profiles that are not
      corrected by dialysis. Depending on solutes, elevated plasma levels were
      associated with increased or decreased urinary excretion, depicting situations of
      uremic retention (asymmetric dimethylarginine) or systemic overproduction
      (citrulline). These results give some insight in the CKD-associated modifications
      of amino acid metabolism, which may help improve their handling.

PMID- 24235291
TI  - Combining motor imagery with selective sensation toward a hybrid-modality BCI.
AB  - A hybrid modality brain-computer interface (BCI) is proposed in this paper, which
      combines motor imagery with selective sensation to enhance the discrimination
      between left and right mental tasks, e.g., the classification between left/ right
      stimulation sensation and right/ left motor imagery. In this paradigm, wearable
      vibrotactile rings are used to stimulate both the skin on both wrists. Subjects
      are required to perform the mental tasks according to the randomly presented cues
      (i.e., left hand motor imagery, right hand motor imagery, left stimulation
      sensation or right stimulation sensation). Two-way ANOVA statistical analysis
      showed a significant group effect (F (2,20) = 7.17, p = 0.0045), and the
      Benferroni-corrected multiple comparison test (with alpha = 0.05) showed that the
      hybrid modality group is 11.13% higher on average than the motor imagery group,
      and 10.45% higher than the selective sensation group. The hybrid modality
      experiment exhibits potentially wider spread usage within ten subjects crossed
      70% accuracy, followed by four subjects in motor imagery and five subjects in
      selective sensation. Six subjects showed statistically significant improvement (
      Benferroni-corrected) in hybrid modality in comparison with both motor imagery
      and selective sensation. Furthermore, among subjects having difficulties in both
      motor imagery and selective sensation, the hybrid modality improves their
      performance to 90% accuracy. The proposed hybrid modality BCI has demonstrated
      clear benefits for those poorly performing BCI users. Not only does the
      requirement of motor and sensory anticipation in this hybrid modality provide
      basic function of BCI for communication and control, it also has the potential
      for enhancing the rehabilitation during motor recovery. 

PMID- 24235293
TI  - Noncontact accurate measurement of cardiopulmonary activity using a compact
      quadrature Doppler radar sensor.
AB  - The designed sensor enables accurate reconstruction of chest-wall movement caused
      by cardiopulmonary activities, and the algorithm enables estimation of
      respiration, heartbeat rate, and some indicators of heart rate variability (HRV).
      In particular, quadrature receiver and arctangent demodulation with calibration
      are introduced for high linearity representation of chest displacement; 24-bit
      ADCs with oversampling are adopted for radar baseband acquisition to achieve a
      high signal resolution; continuous-wavelet filter and ensemble empirical mode
      decomposition (EEMD) based algorithm are applied for cardio/pulmonary signal
      recovery and separation so that accurate beat-to-beat interval can be acquired in
      time domain for HRV analysis. In addition, the wireless sensor is realized and
      integrated on a printed circuit board compactly. The developed sensor system is
      successfully tested on both simulated target and human subjects. In simulated
      target experiments, the baseband signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is 73.27 dB, high
      enough for heartbeat detection. The demodulated signal has 0.35% mean squared
      error, indicating high demodulation linearity. In human subject experiments, the
      relative error of extracted beat-to-beat intervals ranges from 2.53% to 4.83%
      compared with electrocardiography (ECG) R-R peak intervals. The sensor provides
      an accurate analysis for heart rate with the accuracy of 100% for p = 2% and
      higher than 97% for p = 1%. 

PMID- 24235294
TI  - Evaluating physiological dynamics via synchrosqueezing: prediction of ventilator
      weaning.
AB  - Oscillatory phenomena abound in many types of signals. Identifying the individual
      oscillatory components that constitute an observed biological signal leads to
      profound understanding about the biological system. The instantaneous frequency
      (IF), the amplitude modulation (AM), and their temporal variability are widely
      used to describe these oscillatory phenomena. In addition, the shape of the
      oscillatory pattern, repeated in time for an oscillatory component, is also an
      important characteristic that can be parametrized appropriately. These parameters
      can be viewed as phenomenological surrogates for the hidden dynamics of the
      biological system. To estimate jointly the IF, AM, and shape, this paper applies
      a novel and robust time-frequency analysis tool, referred to as the
      synchrosqueezing transform (SST). The usefulness of the model and SST are shown
      directly in predicting the clinical outcome of ventilator weaning. Compared with
      traditional respiration parameters, the breath-to-breath variability has been
      reported to be a better predictor of the outcome of the weaning procedure. So
      far, however, all these indices normally require at least 20 min of data
      acquisition to ensure predictive power. Moreover, the robustness of these indices
      to the inevitable noise is rarely discussed. We find that based on the proposed
      model, SST and only 3 min of respiration data, the ROC area under curve of the
      prediction accuracy is 0.76. The high predictive power that is achieved in the
      weaning problem, despite a shorter evaluation period, and the stability to noise
      suggest that other similar kinds of signal may likewise benefit from the proposed
      model and SST. 

PMID- 24235292
TI  - Segmentation of PET images for computer-aided functional quantification of
      tuberculosis in small animal models.
AB  - Pulmonary infections often cause spatially diffuse and multi-focal radiotracer
      uptake in positron emission tomography (PET) images, which makes accurate
      quantification of the disease extent challenging. Image segmentation plays a
      vital role in quantifying uptake due to the distributed nature of immuno
      pathology and associated metabolic activities in pulmonary infection,
      specifically tuberculosis (TB). For this task, thresholding-based segmentation
      methods may be better suited over other methods; however, performance of the
      thresholding-based methods depend on the selection of thresholding parameters,
      which are often suboptimal. Several optimal thresholding techniques have been
      proposed in the literature, but there is currently no consensus on how to
      determine the optimal threshold for precise identification of spatially diffuse
      and multi-focal radiotracer uptake. In this study, we propose a method to select
      optimal thresholding levels by utilizing a novel intensity affinity metric within
      the affinity propagation clustering framework. We tested the proposed method
      against 70 longitudinal PET images of rabbits infected with TB. The overall dice
      similarity coefficient between the segmentation from the proposed method and two
      expert segmentations was found to be 91.25 +/-8.01% with a sensitivity of 88.80
      +/-12.59% and a specificity of 96.01 +/-9.20%. High accuracy and heightened
      efficiency of our proposed method, as compared to other PET image segmentation
      methods, were reported with various quantification metrics. 

PMID- 24235295
TI  - Efficient source separation algorithms for acoustic fall detection using a
      microsoft kinect.
AB  - Falls have become a common health problem among older adults. In previous study,
      we proposed an acoustic fall detection system (acoustic FADE) that employed a
      microphone array and beamforming to provide automatic fall detection. However,
      the previous acoustic FADE had difficulties in detecting the fall signal in
      environments where interference comes from the fall direction, the number of
      interferences exceeds FADE's ability to handle or a fall is occluded. To address
      these issues, in this paper, we propose two blind source separation (BSS) methods
      for extracting the fall signal out of the interferences to improve the fall
      classification task. We first propose the single-channel BSS by using nonnegative
      matrix factorization (NMF) to automatically decompose the mixture into a linear
      combination of several basis components. Based on the distinct patterns of the
      bases of falls, we identify them efficiently and then construct the interference
      free fall signal. Next, we extend the single-channel BSS to the multichannel case
      through a joint NMF over all channels followed by a delay-and-sum beamformer for
      additional ambient noise reduction. In our experiments, we used the Microsoft
      Kinect to collect the acoustic data in real-home environments. The results show
      that in environments with high interference and background noise levels, the fall
      detection performance is significantly improved using the proposed BSS
      approaches. 

PMID- 24235296
TI  - Comparative evaluation of methodologies for T-wave alternans mapping in
      electrograms.
AB  - Electrograms (EGM) recorded from the surface of the myocardium are becoming more
      and more accessible. T-wave alternans (TWA) is associated with increased
      vulnerability to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation and it occurs before the
      onset of ventricular arrhythmias. Thus, accurate methodologies for time-varying
      alternans estimation/detection in EGM are needed. In this paper, we perform a
      simulation study based on epicardial EGM recorded in vivo in humans to compare
      the accuracy of four methodologies: the spectral method (SM), modified moving
      average method, laplacian likelihood ratio method (LLR), and a novel method based
      on time-frequency distributions. A variety of effects are considered, which
      include the presence of wide band noise, respiration, and impulse artifacts. We
      found that 1) EGM-TWA can be detected accurately when the standard deviation of
      wide-band noise is equal or smaller than ten times the magnitude of EGM-TWA. 2)
      Respiration can be critical for EGM-TWA analysis, even at typical respiratory
      rates. 3) Impulse noise strongly reduces the accuracy of all methods, except LLR.
      4) If depolarization time is used as a fiducial point, the localization of the T
      wave is not critical for the accuracy of EGM-TWA detection. 5) According to this
      study, all methodologies provided accurate EGM-TWA detection/quantification in
      ideal conditions, while LLR was the most robust, providing better detection-rates
      in noisy conditions. Application on epicardial mapping of the in vivo human heart
      shows that EGM-TWA has heterogeneous spatio-temporal distribution.

PMID- 24235297
TI  - Prostate MRI segmentation using learned semantic knowledge and graph cuts.
AB  - We propose a fully automated method for prostate segmentation using random
      forests (RFs) and graph cuts. A volume of interest (VOI) is automatically
      selected using supervoxel segmentation, and its subsequent classification using
      image features and RF classifiers. The VOIs probability map is generated using
      image and context features, and a second set of RF classifiers. The negative log
      likelihood of the probability maps acts as the penalty cost in a second-order
      Markov random field cost function. Semantic information from the second set of RF
      classifiers is an important measure of each feature to the classification task,
      which contributes to formulating the smoothness cost. The cost function is
      optimized using graph cuts to get the final segmentation of the prostate. With
      average dice metric (DM) (on the training set) and DM (on the test set), our
      experimental results show that inclusion of the context and semantic information
      contributes to higher segmentation accuracy than other methods. 

PMID- 24235298
TI  - Measurement of electrical coupling between cardiac ablation catheters and tissue.
AB  - Managing cardiac arrhythmias with catheter ablation requires positioning
      electrodes in contact with myocardial tissue. Objective measures to assess
      contact and effective coupling of ablation energy are sought. An electrical
      coupling index (ECI) was devised using complex impedance at 20 kHz to perform in
      the presence of RF ablation and deliver information about electrical interactions
      between the tip electrode and its adjacent environment. ECI was derived and
      compared with clinical judgment, pacing threshold, electrogram amplitude, and
      ablation lesion depth and transmurality in a porcine model. ECI was also compared
      with force and displacement using ex vivo bovine myocardial muscle. Mean
      noncontact ECI was 97.2 +/- 14.3 and increased to 145.2 +/- 33.6 (p <; 0.001) in
      clinician assessed (CLIN) moderate contact. ECI significantly improved CLIN's
      prediction of the variance in pacing threshold from 48.7% to 56.8% ( ). ECI was
      indicative of contact force under conditions of smooth myocardium. Transmural
      lesions were associated with higher pre-RF (109 +/- 17 versus 149 +/- 25, ) and
      during-RF (82 +/- 9 versus 101 +/- 17, ) ECI levels. ECI is a tip specific,
      robust, correlate with contact and ablation efficacy, and can potentially add to
      clinical interpretation of electrical coupling during electrophysiology
      procedures. 

PMID- 24235299
TI  - Multi-Stencil Streamline Fast Marching: A General 3-D Framework to Determine
      Myocardial Thickness and Transmurality in Late Enhancement Images.
AB  - We propose a fully 3-D methodology for the computation of myocardial nonviable
      tissue transmurality in contrast enhanced magnetic resonance images. The outcome
      is a continuous map defined within the myocardium where not only current state-of
      the-art measures of transmurality can be calculated, but also information on the
      location of nonviable tissue is preserved. The computation is done by means of a
      partial differential equation framework we have called multi-stencil streamline
      fast marching. Using it, the myocardial and scarred tissue thickness is
      simultaneously computed. Experimental results show that the proposed 3-D method
      allows for the computation of transmurality in myocardial regions where current 2
      D methods are not able to as conceived, and it also provides more robust and
      accurate results in situations where the assumptions on which current 2-D methods
      are based-i.e., there is a visible endocardial contour and its corresponding
      epicardial points lie on the same slice-, are not met. 

PMID- 24235300
TI  - Quantifying the statistical impact of GRAPPA in fcMRI data with a real-valued
      isomorphism.
AB  - The interpolation of missing spatial frequencies through the generalized auto
      calibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) parallel magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) model implies a correlation is induced between the acquired and
      reconstructed frequency measurements. As the parallel image reconstruction
      algorithms in many medical MRI scanners are based on the GRAPPA model, this study
      aims to quantify the statistical implications that the GRAPPA model has in
      functional connectivity studies. The linear mathematical framework derived in the
      work of Rowe , 2007, is adapted to represent the complex-valued GRAPPA image
      reconstruction operation in terms of a real-valued isomorphism, and a statistical
      analysis is performed on the effects that the GRAPPA operation has on
      reconstructed voxel means and correlations. The interpolation of missing spatial
      frequencies with the GRAPPA model is shown to result in an artificial correlation
      induced between voxels in the reconstructed images, and these artificial
      correlations are shown to reside in the low temporal frequency spectrum commonly
      associated with functional connectivity. Through a real-valued isomorphism, such
      as the one outlined in this manuscript, the exact artificial correlations induced
      by the GRAPPA model are not simply estimated, as they would be with simulations,
      but are precisely quantified. If these correlations are unaccounted for, they can
      incur an increase in false positives in functional connectivity studies. 

PMID- 24235302
TI  - Measures of effective video tracking.
AB  - To evaluate multitarget video tracking results, one needs to quantify the
      accuracy of the estimated target-size and the cardinality error as well as
      measure the frequency of occurrence of ID changes. In this paper, we survey
      existing multitarget tracking performance scores and, after discussing their
      limitations, we propose three parameter-independent measures for evaluating
      multitarget video tracking. The measures consider target-size variations, combine
      accuracy and cardinality errors, quantify long-term tracking accuracy at
      different accuracy levels, and evaluate ID changes relative to the duration of
      the track in which they occur. We conduct an extensive experimental validation of
      the proposed measures by comparing them with existing ones and by evaluating four
      state-of-the-art trackers on challenging real-world publicly-available data sets.
      The software implementing the proposed measures is made available online to
      facilitate their use by the research community.

PMID- 24235301
TI  - A mathematical framework for the registration and analysis of multi-fascicle
      models for population studies of the brain microstructure.
AB  - Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is unable to represent the diffusion signal
      arising from multiple crossing fascicles and freely diffusing water molecules.
      Generative models of the diffusion signal, such as multi-fascicle models,
      overcome this limitation by providing a parametric representation for the signal
      contribution of each population of water molecules. These models are of great
      interest in population studies to characterize and compare the brain
      microstructural properties. Central to population studies is the construction of
      an atlas and the registration of all subjects to it. However, the appropriate
      definition of registration and atlasing methods for multi-fascicle models have
      proven challenging. This paper proposes a mathematical framework to register and
      analyze multi-fascicle models. Specifically, we define novel operators to achieve
      interpolation, smoothing and averaging of multi-fascicle models. We also define a
      novel similarity metric to spatially align multi-fascicle models. Our framework
      enables simultaneous comparisons of different microstructural properties that are
      confounded in conventional DTI. The framework is validated on multi-fascicle
      models from 24 healthy subjects and 38 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex,
      10 of whom have autism. We demonstrate the use of the multi-fascicle models
      registration and analysis framework in a population study of autism spectrum
      disorder. 

PMID- 24235303
TI  - Oriented image foresting transform segmentation by seed competition.
AB  - Seed-based methods for region-based image segmentation are known to provide
      satisfactory results for several applications, being usually easy to extend to
      multidimensional images. However, while boundary-based methods like live wire can
      easily incorporate a preferred boundary orientation, regionbased methods are
      usually conceived for undirected graphs, and do not resolve well between
      boundaries with opposite orientations. This motivated researchers to investigate
      extensions for some region-based frameworks, seeking to better solve oriented
      transitions. In this same spirit, we discuss how to incorporate this orientation
      information in a region-based approach called "IFT segmentation by seed
      competition" by exploring digraphs. We give direct proof for the optimality of
      the proposed extensions in terms of energy functions associated with the cuts. To
      stress these theoretical results, we also present an experimental evaluation that
      shows the obtained gains in accuracy for some 2D and 3D data sets of medical
      images.

PMID- 24235304
TI  - Directionlets using in-phase lifting for image representation.
AB  - Directionlets allow a construction of perfect reconstruction and critically
      sampled multidirectional anisotropic basis, yet retaining the separable filtering
      of standard wavelet transform. However, due to the spatially varying filtering
      and downsampling direction, it is forced to apply spatial segmentation and
      process each segment independently. Because of this independent processing of the
      image segments, directionlets suffer from the following two major limitations
      when applied to, say, image coding. First, failure to exploit the correlation
      across block boundaries degrades the coding performance and also induces blocking
      artifacts, thus making it mandatory to use deblocking filter at low bit rates.
      Second, spatial scalability, i.e., minimum segment size or the number of levels
      of the transform, is limited due to independent processing of segments. We show
      that, with simple modifications in the block boundaries, we can overcome these
      limitations by, what we call, in-phase lifting implementation of directionlets.
      In the context of directionlets using in-phase lifting, we identify different
      possible groups of downsampling matrices that would allow the construction of a
      multilevel transform without forcing independent processing of segments both with
      and without any modifications in the segment boundary. Experimental results in
      image coding show objective and subjective improvements when compared with the
      directionlets applied independently on each image segment. As an application,
      using both the in-phase lifting implementation of directionlets and the adaptive
      directional lifting, we have constructed an adaptive directional wavelet
      transform, which has shown improved image coding performance over these adaptive
      directional wavelet transforms.

PMID- 24235305
TI  - Tension in active shapes.
AB  - The concept of tension is introduced in the framework of active contours with
      prior shape information, and it is used to improve image segmentation. In
      particular, two properties of this new quantity are shown: 1) high values of the
      tension correspond to undesired equilibrium points of the cost function under
      minimization and 2) tension decreases if a curve is split into two or more parts.
      Based on these ideas, a tree is generated whose nodes are different local minima
      of the cost function. Deeper nodes in the tree are expected to correspond to
      lower values of the cost function. In this way, the search for the global optimum
      is reduced to visiting and pruning a binary tree. The proposed method has been
      applied to the problem of fish segmentation from low quality underwater images.
      Qualitative and quantitative comparison with existing algorithms based on the
      Euler-Lagrange diffusion equations shows the superiority of the proposed approach
      in avoiding undesired local minima.

PMID- 24235306
TI  - Multiple Description Coding With Randomly and Uniformly Offset Quantizers.
AB  - In this paper, two multiple description coding schemes are developed, based on
      prediction-induced randomly offset quantizers and unequal-deadzone-induced near
      uniformly offset quantizers, respectively. In both schemes, each description
      encodes one source subset with a small quantization stepsize, and other subsets
      are predictively coded with a large quantization stepsize. In the first method,
      due to predictive coding, the quantization bins that a coefficient belongs to in
      different descriptions are randomly overlapped. The optimal reconstruction is
      obtained by finding the intersection of all received bins. In the second method,
      joint dequantization is also used, but near-uniform offsets are created among
      different low-rate quantizers by quantizing the predictions and by employing
      unequal deadzones. By generalizing the recently developed random quantization
      theory, the closed-form expression of the expected distortion is obtained for the
      first method, and a lower bound is obtained for the second method. The schemes
      are then applied to lapped transform-based multiple description image coding. The
      closed-form expressions enable the optimization of the lapped transform. An
      iterative algorithm is also developed to facilitate the optimization. Theoretical
      analyzes and image coding results show that both schemes achieve better
      performance than other methods in this category. 

PMID- 24235307
TI  - Variational exemplar-based image colorization.
AB  - In this paper, we address the problem of recovering a color image from a
      grayscale one. The input color data comes from a source image considered as a
      reference image. Reconstructing the missing color of a grayscale pixel is here
      viewed as the problem of automatically selecting the best color among a set of
      color candidates while simultaneously ensuring the local spatial coherency of the
      reconstructed color information. To solve this problem, we propose a variational
      approach where a specific energy is designed to model the color selection and the
      spatial constraint problems simultaneously. The contributions of this paper are
      twofold. First, we introduce a variational formulation modeling the color
      selection problem under spatial constraints and propose a minimization scheme,
      which computes a local minima of the defined nonconvex energy. Second, we combine
      different patch-based features and distances in order to construct a consistent
      set of possible color candidates. This set is used as input data and our energy
      minimization automatically selectsthe best color to transfer for each pixel of
      the grayscale image. Finally, the experiments illustrate the potentiality of our
      simple methodology and show that our results are very competitive with respect to
      the state-of-the-art methods.

PMID- 24235308
TI  - Partitioning kinetic energy during freewheeling wheelchair maneuvers.
AB  - This paper describes a systematic method to partition the kinetic energy (KE) of
      a free-wheeling wheelchair. An ultralightweight rigid frame wheelchair was
      instrumented with two axle-mounted encoders and data acquisition equipment to
      accurately measure the velocity of the drive wheels. A mathematical model was
      created combining physical specifications and geometry of the wheelchair and its
      components. Two able-bodied subjects propelled the wheelchair over four courses
      that involved straight and turning maneuvers at differing speeds. The KE of the
      wheelchair was divided into three components: translational, rotational, and
      turning energy. This technique was sensitive to the changing contributions of the
      three energy components across maneuvers. Translational energy represented the
      major component of total KE in all maneuvers except a zero radius turn in which
      turning energy was dominant. Both translational and rotational energies are
      directly related to wheelchair speed. Partitioning KE offers a useful means of
      investigating the dynamics of a moving wheelchair. The described technique
      permits analysis of KE imparted to the wheelchair during maneuvers involving
      changes in speed and direction, which are most representative of mobility in
      everyday life. This technique can be used to study the effort required to
      maneuver different types and configurations of wheelchairs.

PMID- 24235309
TI  - An SVM-wrapped multiobjective evolutionary feature selection approach for
      identifying cancer-microRNA markers.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs), have been shown to play important roles in gene regulation
      and various biological processes. Recent studies have revealed that abnormal
      expression of some specific miRNAs often results in the development of cancer.
      Microarray datasets containing the expression profiles of several miRNAs are
      being used for identification of miRNAs which are differentially expressed in
      normal and malignant tissue samples. In this article, a multiobjective feature
      selection approach is proposed for this purpose. The proposed method uses Genetic
      Algorithm for multiobjective optimization and support vector machine (SVM)
      classifier as a wrapper for evaluating the chromosomes that encode feature
      subsets. The performance has been demonstrated on real-life miRNA datasets for
      and the identified miRNA markers are reported. Moreover biological significance
      tests have been carried out for the obtained markers.

PMID- 24235310
TI  - Idealizing ion channel recordings by a jump segmentation multiresolution filter.
AB  - Based on a combination of jump segmentation and statistical multiresolution
      analysis for dependent data, a new approach called J-SMURF to idealize ion
      channel recordings has been developed. It is model-free in the sense that no a
      priori assumptions about the channel's characteristics have to be made; it thus
      complements existing methods which assume a model for the channel's dynamics,
      like hidden Markov models. The method accounts for the effect of an analog filter
      being applied before the data analysis, which results in colored noise, by
      adapting existing muliresolution statistics to this situation. J-SMURF's ability
      to denoise the signal without missing events even when the signal-to-noise ratio
      is low is demonstrated on simulations as well as on ion current traces obtained
      from gramicidin A channels reconstituted into solvent-free planar membranes. When
      analyzing a newly synthesized acylated system of a fatty acid modified gramicidin
      channel, we are able to give statistical evidence for unknown gating
      characteristics such as subgating.

PMID- 24235311
TI  - Noncontact proximity vital sign sensor based on PLL for sensitivity enhancement.
AB  - In this paper, a noncontact proximity vital sign sensor, using a phase locked
      loop (PLL) incorporated with voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) built-in planar
      type circular resonator, is proposed to enhance sensitivity in severe
      environments. The planar type circular resonator acts as a series feedback
      element of the VCO as well as a near-field receiving antenna. The frequency
      deviation of the VCO related to the body proximity effect ranges from 0.07 MHz/mm
      to 1.8 MHz/mm (6.8 mV/mm to 205 mV/mm in sensitivity) up to a distance of 50 mm,
      while the amount of VCO drift is about 21 MHz in the condition of 60 ( degrees )C
      temperature range and discrete component tolerance of +/- 5%. Total frequency
      variation occurs in the capture range of the PLL which is 60 MHz. Thus, its loop
      control voltage converts the amount of frequency deviation into a difference of
      direct current (DC) voltage, which is utilized to extract vital signs regardless
      of the ambient temperature. The experimental results reveal that the proposed
      sensor placed 50 mm away from a subject can reliably detect respiration and
      heartbeat signals without the ambiguity of harmonic signals caused by respiration
      signal at an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz.

PMID- 24235312
TI  - Multiview comodeling to improve subtyping and genetic association of complex
      diseases.
AB  - Genetic association analysis of complex diseases has been limited by
      heterogeneity in their clinical manifestations and genetic etiology. Research has
      made it possible to differentiate homogeneous subtypes of the disease phenotype.
      Currently, the most sophisticated subtyping methods perform unsupervised cluster
      analysis using only clinical features of a disorder, resulting in subtypes for
      which genetic association may be limited. In this study, we seek to derive a
      novel multiview data analytic method that integrates two views of the data: the
      clinical features and the genetic markers of the same set of patients. Our method
      is based on multiobjective programming that is capable of clinically categorizing
      a disease phenotype so as to discover genetically different subtypes.We optimize
      two objectives jointly: 1) in cluster analysis, the derived clusters should
      differ significantly in clinical features; 2) these clusters can be well
      separated using genetic markers by constructed classifiers. Extensive
      computational experiments with two substance-use disorders using two populations
      show that the proposed algorithm is superior to existing subtyping methods.

PMID- 24235313
TI  - Limited correlation between conventional pathologist and automatic computer
      assisted quantification of hepatic steatosis due to difference between event
      based and surface-based analysis.
AB  - Computer-assisted automatic quantification (CAQ) was developed as an alternative
      method for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis in order to compensate for observer
      dependent bias. Here, we aim to demonstrate that CAQ can provide an accurate and
      precise result in analysis of fatty content, but that it is inappropriate to
      validate CAQ by comparison with conventional pathologist estimation (PE). Male
      rats were fed with a methionine-choline-deficient plus high-fat diet for three
      days, one week, or two weeks to induce mild, moderate, or severe steatosis.
      Samples were collected from all liver lobes. Severity of hepatic steatosis was
      assessed by an experienced pathologist who estimated the percentage of
      hepatocytes containing lipid droplets. Fatty content was quantified by PE, CAQ,
      and biochemical analysis (BA). CAQ, PE, and BA can correctly reflect severe fatty
      change. However, in the case of mild and moderate steatosis, PE could not reflect
      the true fatty content ( r between PE and BA was <0). The result of CAQ
      correlated well with that of BA among the various degrees of severity of hepatic
      steatosis. In conclusion, due to a difference between event-based and surface
      based analysis, it is inappropriate to validate the CAQ of hepatic steatosis by
      comparison with PE.

PMID- 24235314
TI  - sEMG-based joint force control for an upper-limb power-assist exoskeleton robot.
AB  - This paper investigates two surface electromyogram (sEMG)-based control
      strategies developed for a power-assist exoskeleton arm. Different from most of
      the existing position control approaches, this paper develops force control
      methods to make the exoskeleton robot behave like humans in order to provide
      better assistance. The exoskeleton robot is directly attached to a user's body
      and activated by the sEMG signals of the user's muscles, which reflect the user's
      motion intention. In the first proposed control method, the forces of agonist and
      antagonist muscles pair are estimated, and their difference is used to produce
      the torque of the corresponding joints. In the second method, linear discriminant
      analysis-based classifiers are introduced as the indicator of the motion type of
      the joints. Then, the classifier's outputs together with the estimated force of
      corresponding active muscle determine the torque control signals. Different from
      the conventional approaches, one classifier is assigned to each joint, which
      decreases the training time and largely simplifies the recognition process.
      Finally, the extensive experiments are conducted to illustrate the effectiveness
      of the proposed approaches. 

PMID- 24235315
TI  - Local mesh patterns versus local binary patterns: biomedical image indexing and
      retrieval.
AB  - In this paper, a new image indexing and retrieval algorithm using local mesh
      patterns are proposed for biomedical image retrieval application. The standard
      local binary pattern encodes the relationship between the referenced pixel and
      its surrounding neighbors, whereas the proposed method encodes the relationship
      among the surrounding neighbors for a given referenced pixel in an image. The
      possible relationships among the surrounding neighbors are depending on the
      number of neighbors, P. In addition, the effectiveness of our algorithm is
      confirmed by combining it with the Gabor transform. To prove the effectiveness of
      our algorithm, three experiments have been carried out on three different
      biomedical image databases. Out of which two are meant for computer tomography
      (CT) and one for magnetic resonance (MR) image retrieval. It is further mentioned
      that the database considered for three experiments are OASIS-MRI database, NEMA
      CT database, and VIA/I-ELCAP database which includes region of interest CT
      images. The results after being investigated show a significant improvement in
      terms of their evaluation measures as compared to LBP, LBP with Gabor transform,
      and other spatial and transform domain methods. 

PMID- 24235316
TI  - Manikin-integrated digital measuring system for assessment of infant
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques.
AB  - The process of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involves various components
      that must be followed to deliver high quality of CPR. While the components
      commonly apply to CPR for all ages from infant to adult, there are several
      different suggestions for infant CPR such as two-thumb CPR and two-finger CPR.
      However, the comprehensive evaluation based on all these components has been
      difficult in the absence of proper evaluation tool. Here, we developed a new
      manikin-integrated, digital measuring system that objectively estimates overall
      performance of infant CPR by evaluating individual CPR components one by one
      including different hand placements. The system collects and analyzes data to
      present estimations in digital scores according to a new evaluation index
      constructed based on the previously verified one. The feasibility of the system
      was validated through simulations with beginners and experts in first aid,
      resulting in statistically significant differences between the two groups with
      the indication of specific weaknesses for each group which may provide a basis
      for creating customized CPR training strategy in compliance with the personal
      level. We believe that the system would become a valuable assessment tool not
      only for infant CPR but also for the CPR technique, in general, by reflecting
      every component in the evaluation. 

PMID- 24235317
TI  - Tensor-based methods for handling missing data in quality-of-life questionnaires.
AB  - A common problem with self-report quality-of-life questionnaires is missing data.
      Despite enormous care and effort to prevent it, some level of missing data is
      common and unavoidable. Missing data can have a detrimental impact on the data
      analysis. In this paper, a novel approach to imputing missing data in quality-of
      life questionnaires is proposed, based on matrix and tensor decompositions. In
      order to illustrate and assess those methods, two datasets are considered: The
      first dataset contains the responses of 100 patients to a systemic lupus
      erythematosus-specific quality-of-life questionnaire; the other contains the
      responses of 43 patients to a rhino-conjunctivitis quality-of-life questionnaire.
      The two datasets contain almost no missing data, and for testing purposes, data
      entries are removed at random to have missing completely at random data. Several
      proportions of missing values are considered, and for each, the imputation error
      is assessed through k-fold cross validation. We also evaluate different
      imputation methods for missing at random and missing not at randomdata. The
      numerical results demonstrate that the proposed tensor factorization-based
      methods outperform standard methods in terms of root mean square error with at
      least 4% improvement, while the bias and variance are similar. 

PMID- 24235318
TI  - Adaptive shape prior constrained level sets for bladder MR image segmentation.
AB  - Three-dimensional bladder wall segmentation for thickness measuring can be very
      useful for bladder magnetic resonance (MR) image analysis, since thickening of
      the bladder wall can indicate abnormality. However, it is a challenging task due
      to the artifacts inside bladder lumen, weak boundaries in the apex and base
      areas, and complicated outside intensity distributions. To deal with these
      difficulties, in this paper, an adaptive shape prior constrained directional
      level set model is proposed to segment the inner and outer boundaries of the
      bladder wall. In addition, a coupled directional level set model is presented to
      refine the segmentation by exploiting the prior knowledge of region information
      and minimum thickness. With our proposed method, the influence of the artifacts
      in the bladder lumen and the complicated outside tissues surrounding the bladder
      can be appreciably reduced. Furthermore, the leakage on the weak boundaries can
      be avoided. Compared with other related methods, better results were obtained on
      11 patients' 3-D bladder MR images by using the proposed method. 

PMID- 24235319
TI  - Accelerometry-based berg balance scale score estimation.
AB  - The objective of the study was to investigate the validity of 3-D-accelerometry
      based Berg balance scale (BBS) score estimation. In particular, acceleration
      patterns of BBS tasks and gait were the targets of analysis. Accelerations of the
      lower back were measured during execution of the BBS test and corridor walking
      for 54 subjects, consisting of neurological patients, older adults, and healthy
      young persons. The BBS score was estimated from one to three BBS tasks and from
      gait-related data, separately, through assessment of the similarity of
      acceleration patterns between subjects. The work also validated both approaches'
      ability to classify subjects into high- and low-fall-risk groups. The gait-based
      method yielded the best BBS score estimates and the most accurate BBS-task-based
      estimates were produced with the stand to sit, reaching, and picking object
      tasks. The proposed gait-based method can identify subjects with high or low risk
      of falling with an accuracy of 77.8% and 96.6%, respectively, and the BBS-task
      based method with corresponding accuracy of 89.5% and 62.1%.

PMID- 24235320
TI  - In-stent neoatherosclerosis 10 years after bare metal stent implantation:
      ruptured vulnerable plaque by optical coherence tomography.

PMID- 24235321
TI  - Emergent cardiac surgery during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI):
      insights from the Edwards SAPIEN Aortic Bioprosthesis European Outcome (SOURCE)
      registry.
AB  - AIMS: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) carries the risk of
      intraprocedural complications that may ultimately require emergent cardiac
      surgery (ECS). However, few data exist on the incidence, reasons and outcomes of
      patients needing ECS during TAVI. We analysed data from 2,307 TAVI patients,
      prospectively enrolled in the multicentre Edwards SAPIEN Aortic Bioprosthesis
      European Outcome (SOURCE) registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-seven (1.2%) of
      2,307 patients required ECS. The rates of ECS were similar for patients
      undergoing transapical TAVI compared with transfemoral TAVI (1.1% vs. 1.2%). The
      leading causes for ECS were embolisation/migration of the TAVI valve prosthesis
      (9/27, 33%) and procedure-related aortic injury (n=7, 26%). Thirty-day mortality
      of ECS was high (51.9%) and showed cause-specific differences, with 100%
      mortality in patients with aortic rupture or cardiac tamponade, 0% death in those
      with acute aortic regurgitation and intermediate risk of death or intermediate
      mortality in those with aortic injury or valve embolisation/migration.
      CONCLUSIONS: Rates of ECS during TAVI were low (1.2%). Although ECS was performed
      without time delay, emergent surgery was associated with a 30-day mortality of
      52%. Complications with dramatic acute consequences (annular rupture, aortic
      injury) had higher mortality than those with less acute deterioration (aortic
      regurgitation). Prevention of complications requiring ECS during TAVI appears to
      be of critical importance, focusing on less traumatic, more flexible delivery
      catheter systems and retrievable valves to reduce the risk of aortic injury and
      valve embolisation, the two most common causes of ECS.

PMID- 24235322
TI  - [Illustrations of an innovate laboratory medicine].

PMID- 24235323
TI  - [Infections transmitted from the mother to the fetus: diagnostic issues and
      management of pregnancy].
AB  - Some infections are considered as feared risks during pregnancy. These infections
      may lead to severe damage of the fetus or the newborn depending on the infectious
      agent and the term of pregnancy where the infection occurred. Antenatal screening
      (in France it concerns toxoplasmosis, rubella, syphilis and hepatitis B) play an
      important role in prevention and management of vertically transmissible
      infections. However, biological diagnosis is also essential when maternal/neo
      natal clinical symptoms or abnormal ultrasound findings are observed. In this
      article we chose to focus on rubella, varicella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis,
      hepatitis B and cytomegalovirus and parvovirus infections. 

PMID- 24235324
TI  - [Hepatitis B: clinical application of HBsAg quantification].
AB  - Since its discovery by Blumberg in 1965, hepatitis B virus antigen (HBsAg) is
      used as the fingerprint of hepatitis B infection. HBsAg level reflects the
      transcriptional activity of the cccDNA. It is an important marker that might not
      only indicate active hepatitis B infection, but may also predict clinical and
      treatment outcomes. Assays for HBsAg quantification are fully automated with a
      high output capacity. HBsAg titer is higher in HBe antigen (HBeAg) positive
      chronic hepatitis B than in HBeAg negative patients and is negatively correlated
      with liver fibrosis in HBeAg positive patients. In HBeAg negative chronic
      hepatitis B, an HBsAg level < 1,000 IU/mL and an HBV DNA titer < 2,000 IU/mL
      allow the accurate identification of inactive carriers. On pegylated-interferon
      (PEG-IFN) treatment, HBsAg quantification allows identifying, as early as week 12
      PEG-IFN therapy, patients that will not benefit from therapy and thus stop or
      switch treatment "week 12 stopping rule". Genotype A and D: stop at week 12 if no
      HBsAg decrease; Genotype B and C: stop at week 12 if titer > 20,000 UI/mL. With
      regards to nucleos[t]ides analogues therapy the role of HBsAg quantification
      remains to be clarified. Several studies indicate that baseline and on-treatment
      HBsAg levels might allow identifying patients that can end up with treatment with
      no subsequent risk of reactivation. In clinical practice, HBsAg quantification is
      a simple and reproducible worthwhile tool that can be used in association with
      HBV DNA to classify patients during HBV infection and to monitor therapy.

PMID- 24235325
TI  - [HPV testing in prevention of cervical cancer: practices and current trends].
AB  - Robust evidence supports new strategies for prevention of cervical cancer based
      on the detection of persistent Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the
      causative agent of the disease. New HPV infection is usually benign and
      transient, while persistent infection with one of -high risk HPV explains almost
      all of these cancers. In fact, the detection of one of the 12 oncogenic HPV
      increase the sensitivity of the screening and predicts, sooner than cytology, the
      risk of precancerous lesions, the high grade of cervical intraepithelial
      neoplasia (HG CIN). Negative HPV detection gives instantaneously a reassurance
      close to 100% of absence of disease at risk (while cytology detection is less
      than 60%) and almost guarantees protection of the absence of HG CIN over a
      prolonged period, allowing lengthening safely the screening interval to 5 years.
      Pooled HPV-based screening tests decrease the specificity of the screening and
      increases the number of colposcopy. New strategies can significantly improve the
      specificity of HPV screening without a significant impact on the sensitivity,
      including exclusion of women less than 30 years, the use of HPV DNA genotyping
      tests with recognition of the most HPV at risk, the 16 and 18 types. HPV alone
      can be used as a screening tool in women of 30 years + with a cytology triage or
      immunocytochemical staining of cyto slides for p16 of HPV positive. Co-testing
      (cytology+ HPV test) was adopted in the USA as a standard screening option. 

PMID- 24235326
TI  - [Interpretation of mild elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponins].
AB  - Measurements of cardiac troponins (cTn) are yet considered the gold standard
      method in patients with chest pain. Very recently, high-sensitivity (hs)cTn
      emerged and allow to measure very low concentrations of cTn. The aim of these
      assays was the better detection of patients with acute myocardial infarction
      (AMI). The threshold value should be the 99th percentile of the method, which
      corresponds to the concentration obtained from 99% of a reference population.
      These assays improve the detection of patients with elevated cTn concentrations.
      All patients with increased hs-cTn concentration above the 99th percentile should
      be considered at high risk of future clinical event when compared to patients
      with lower concentration. However, these elevated concentrations are not
      necessarily related to AMI due to coronary artery plaque rupture and superimposed
      thrombus. In order to understand adequately cTn measurement, the physician should
      base his interpretation on the context, the cTn concentration, variations during
      serial sampling, and the possible existence of a coexistent disease characterized
      by increased cTn concentrations. 

PMID- 24235327
TI  - [Interest of NT-proBNP in chronic heart failure follow-up].
AB  - Reducing readmissions after hospitalisation for acute heart failure is the new
      challenge of these diseases, approaching 30% within 60 to 90 days of discharge.
      Congestion related to high ventricular filling pressures, reflected by the high
      levels of natriuretic peptides, is the main reason for heart failure readmission.
      Natriuretic peptide levels are a patent prognostic marker of cardiovascular event
      in chronic heart failure. Treshold values of BNP and NT-proBNP being respectively
      125 and 1000 pg/mL. Optimizing treatment of heart failure by monitoring
      natriuretic peptides, including management of diuretic doses, remains matter of
      controversies.

PMID- 24235328
TI  - [The usefulness of platelet function evaluation in clinical practice].
AB  - Platelets play a pivotal role in the regulation of both thrombosis and
      haemostasis. Functional testing of platelet response has been exclusively used in
      the diagnosis and management of bleeding disorders. Recent advances of light
      transmission aggregometry and development of more useful devices have
      demonstrated the clinical utility to enlarge platelet function testing in
      patients with cardiovascular disease. The ex vivo measurement of residual
      platelet response seems, with some assays, predictive of adverse clinical events.
      Still a debate, it represents an emerging area of interest for both the clinician
      and the basic scientist. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia diagnosis is also
      difficult and a functional assay is now available for an easier and rapid method
      to rule out such a life-threatening situation. This review article will describe
      the available methods of measuring platelet response and will discuss both the
      limitations and emerging data supporting the role of platelet function studies in
      clinical practice.

PMID- 24235329
TI  - [Near-patient testing devices to monitor vitamin K antagonists].
AB  - Monitoring of the anticoagulant effect with the International normalized ratio
      (INR) is essential for patients receiving vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). The
      majority of point of care (POC) devices for INR monitoring has shown a good
      precision and accuracy with results similar to those obtained in a laboratory. In
      many countries, INR POC devices are widely used at home by the patients for self
      testing. Their use in the hospital by the clinical staff (doctor or nurses) for
      bedside measurement is also growing. The INR POC testing is performed using fully
      automated devices. Capillary blood samples are easy to obtain. In the emergency
      room, POC INR devices are commonly used. This improves the quality of care for
      patient with suspicion of VKAs overdosage. INR measurement using bedside monitors
      is also of great interest in care units for specific populations of patients like
      paediatrics or geriatrics. Moreover, bedside INR monitoring may be useful in
      anticoagulant clinics or when the care unit is far from a laboratory. Although
      the bedside INR monitors are easy to use, their implementation requires adequate
      training and intermittent re-evaluation of any person performing the tests to
      ensure reliability of results. Such equipment must comply with EN ISO 22870
      standard for POC testing accreditation, under the supervision of a biologist. In
      order to achieve these targets, connect the instrument to the laboratory's data
      management system is essential. 

PMID- 24235330
TI  - [S100B protein serum level as a biomarker of minor head injury].
AB  - S100B is a small protein selectively synthesized by cerebral astroglial cells.
      S100B participates physiologically in the regulation of intracellular free
      calcium levels, and exerts a neurotrophic activity on cerebral cells. The
      interest of S100B protein in clinical biology results from its physiological
      presence in biological fluids (cerebrospinal fluid, blood, urine) and from
      significant increased levels when an acute brain injury occurred, from vascular
      (intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke) or traumatic (traumatic brain injury)
      origins. Thus, elevated plasma concentrations of S100B were significantly
      increased in patients with a minor, moderate and of course severe traumatic brain
      injury. By contrast, serum S100B levels remained unchanged in patients with
      negative craniocerebral tomography results, confirming the diagnostic value of
      this biomarker. A prognostic value of the biomarker in the context of minor head
      injury is also reported. 

PMID- 24235331
TI  - [Biology and markers of preeclampsia].
AB  - Preeclampsia is a syndrome specific of pregnancy and placenta diagnosed after 20
      WG on the association of an hypertension and a proteinuria. It is responsible for
      significant maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality which justify the development
      of markers for screening, diagnosis and prognosis. These markers are actors or
      witnesses to the various stages and mechanisms of the disease : the initial
      defect of trophoblast invasion and remodeling of uterine arteries (proteases
      [PAPP-A, ADAM-12, uPA, MMPs], their inhibitors, and angiogenic factors [PlGF,
      sflt-1, s-eng]) which induces hydrostatic abnormalities (uterine doppler) and
      placental hypoperfusion with dysoxia (HIF-1alpha) and oxidative stress (free
      radicals, peroxynitrites, oxidized LDL). This results in impaired placental
      functions including endocrine and metabolic functions (hCG, leptin) with increase
      in placental apoptosis and necrosis with the release of exosomes and toxic
      placental fragments (STBM) and their content (RNA, DNA and proteins). This
      fragments amplify the gestational inflammation (IL6, TNFalpha ; activation of
      leukocytes and macrophages [elastase, neopterin] and complement) and lead to a
      deterioration of the maternal endothelium (vasoconstriction [ET2, TxA2]; platelet
      adhesion [sVCAM -1alpha), aggregation and activation; impaired vascular
      permeability) generating edema, hypertension, atherosclerosis and glomerular
      nephropathy (proteinuria, hyperuricemia). Other markers such as PP13 and PTX3
      seem of interest even if their functions are poorly understood. Preeclampsia
      develops on a predisposed maternal environment (genetic, epigenetic infectious,
      and endocrine factors) characterized by a maternal inadequacy to pregnancy. 

PMID- 24235332
TI  - [Response predictive biomarkers to targeted therapies in oncology].
AB  - Cancer kills 147,500 people each year in France. The development of personalized
      therapies and more recently theranostics, completely changed the biological
      approach to this disease. Thus, the already well-known but sparsely specific
      serum markers are being replaced by new tumor markers, predictive of resistance
      or response to targeted therapies. The study of these biomarkers is performed by
      different technical approaches, which are essentially based molecular biology
      assays. These determinations are assessed in France within the 28 molecular tumor
      genetics platforms approved by French National Cancer Institute (INCa). The most
      commonly used assays for this type of molecular diagnostics, such as real-time
      PCR, the sequencing, immunohistochemistry, FISH or CISH, are relatively difficult
      because most of them are based on the use of formalin fixed paraffin embedded
      tumor tissues. This paper provides a synthesis of validated theranostic
      biomarkers and the most used diagnostic methods, but also draw a point on the
      best incoming biomarkers candidates and assays in close development using liquid
      biopsies. 

PMID- 24235333
TI  - Residents'corner July 2013. DeRmpath & Clinic: Basocellular carcinomas with
      metastatic potential.

PMID- 24235771
TI  - A hot and dry future: warming effects on boreal tree drought tolerance.

PMID- 24235772
TI  - Tuberculin test can be read after 24 hours in adolescent children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess readability of 24-h tuberculin response in adolescent school
      children. DESIGN: Prospective observational study in school. SUBJECTS: 601
      healthy adolescent children. INTERVENTIONS: Tuberculin (1TU PPD RT23 Tween80) was
      administered and indurations at 24 and 72 h were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:
      Tuberculin reaction at 24 h. RESULTS: One hundred twelve children (18.6%) had a
      positive tuberculin reaction. Prevalence of tuberculin positivity was least
      (14.2%) in the 10-year age-group and maximum in the 13-year age-group (21.2%).
      When individual values of tuberculin reaction at 24 and 72 h were compared, a
      significant difference was noted irrespective of the tuberculin status (t = 8.46,
      p = 0.001). However, when tuberculin reaction was considered as positive or
      negative, this difference was not significant (t = 1.89, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Tuberculin status in adolescents can be read as positive or negative at 24 h,
      irrespective of their bacillus Calmette-Guerin scar status.

PMID- 24235770
TI  - Utility of B-13 progenitor-derived hepatocytes in hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity
      studies.
AB  - AR42J-B-13 (B-13) cells form hepatocyte-like (B-13/H) cells in response to
      glucocorticoid treatment. To establish its utility in toxicity and genotoxicity
      screening, cytochrome P450 (CYP) induction, susceptibility to toxins, and
      transporter gene expression were examined. Conversion to B-13/H cells resulted in
      expression of male-specific CYP2C11 and sensitivity to methapyrilene. B-13/H
      cells constitutively expressed CYP1A, induced expression in response to an aryl
      hydrocarbon receptor agonist, and activated benzo[alpha]pyrene to a DNA-damaging
      species. Functional CYP1A2 was not expressed due to deletions in the Cyp1a2 gene.
      A B-13 cell line stably expressing the human CYP1A2 was therefore engineered (B
      13(-TR/h1A2)) and the derived B-13/H cells expressed metabolically functional
      CYP1A2. Treatment with the cooked food mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6
      phenylimidazo(4,5-b)pyridine resulted in a dose-dependent increase in DNA damage.
      B-13/H cells expressed constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and induced CYP2B1
      mRNA levels in response to classical CAR activators. However, translation to
      functional CYP2B1 protein was low and increased minimally by CAR activator
      treatment. B-13/H cells expressed high levels of pregnane X-receptor (PXR) and
      induced CYP3A1 in response to classical PXR activators. CYP3A genes were
      inducible, functional, and activated aflatoxin B1 to a DNA-damaging species. All
      23 major hepatic transporters were induced when B-13 cells were converted to B
      13/H cells, although in many cases, levels remained below those present in adult
      rat liver. However, bile salt export pump, Abcb1b, multidrug resistance
      associated protein, and breast cancer resistance protein transporters were
      functional in B-13/H cells. These data demonstrate that the B-13 cell generates
      hepatocyte-like cells with functional drug metabolism and transporter activities,
      which can alone--or in a humanized form--be used to screen for hepatotoxic and
      genotoxic endpoints in vitro.

PMID- 24235773
TI  - Influence of successive badminton matches on muscle strength, power, and body
      fluid balance in elite players.
AB  - The aim was to analyze the influence of competitive round on muscle strength,
      body-fluid balance, and renal function in elite badminton players during a real
      competition. Body mass, jump height during a countermovement jump, handgrip
      force, and urine samples were obtained from 13 elite badminton players (6 men and
      7 women) before and after the 2nd-round and quarterfinal matches of the national
      Spanish badminton championship. Sweat rate was determined by using prematch-to
      postmatch body-mass change and by weighing individually labeled fluid bottles.
      Sweat rates were 1.04 +/- 0.62 and 0.98 +/- 0.43 L/h, while rehydration rate was
      0.69 +/- 0.26 and 0.91 +/- 0.52 L/h for the 2nd round and quarterfinals,
      respectively. Thus, dehydration was 0.47% +/- 1.03% after the 2nd round and 0.23%
      +/- 0.43% after the quarterfinals. There were no differences in prematch-to
      postmatch jump height, but jump height was reduced from 37.51 +/- 8.83 cm after
      the 2nd-round game to 34.82 +/- 7.37 cm after the quarterfinals (P < .05). No
      significant differences were found in handgrip force when comparing prepost
      matches or rounds, although there were significant differences between dominant
      and nondominant hands (P < .05). The succession of rounds caused the appearance
      of proteinuria, hematuria, glycosuria, and higher nitrite and ketone
      concentrations in urine. Rehydration patterns during a real badminton competition
      were effective to prevent dehydration. A badminton match did not affect jump
      height or handgrip force, but jump height was progressively reduced by the
      competitive round. Badminton players' renal responses reflected diminished renal
      flux due to the high-intensity nature of this racket sport. 

PMID- 24235774
TI  - Coaches' and players' perceptions of training dose: not a perfect match.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to investigate and compare coaches' and
      players' perceptions of training dose for a full competitive season. METHODS:
      Session rating of perceived exertion (RPE), duration, and training load (session
      RPE * duration) of 33 professional soccer players (height 178.2 +/- 6.6 cm,
      weight 70.5 +/- 6.4 kg, percentage body fat 12.2 +/- 1.6) from an under-19 and
      under-17 (U17) squad were compared with the planned periodization of their
      professional coaches. Before training, coaches filled in the session rating of
      intended exertion (RIE) and duration (min) for each player. Players rated session
      RPE and training duration after each training session. RESULTS: Players perceived
      their intensity and training load (2446 sessions in total) as significantly
      harder than what was intended by their coaches (P < .0001). The correlations
      between coaches' and players' intensity (r = .24), duration (r = .49), and load
      (r = .41) were weak (P < .0001). Furthermore, for coach-intended easy and
      intermediate training days, players reported higher intensity and training load
      (P < .0001). For hard days as intended by the coach, players reported lower
      intensity, duration, and training load (P < .0001). Finally, first-year players
      from the U17 squad perceived training sessions as harder than second-year players
      (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that young elite soccer players
      perceive training as harder than what was intended by the coach. These
      differences could lead to maladaptation to training. Monitoring of the planned
      and perceived training load of coaches and players may optimize performance and
      prevent players from overtraining.

PMID- 24235775
TI  - Time to exhaustion at continuous and intermittent maximal lactate steady state
      during running exercise.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the time to exhaustion
      (TE) and the physiological responses at continuous and intermittent (ratio 5:1)
      maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) in well-trained runners. Ten athletes (32.7
      +/- 6.9 y, VO2max 61.7 +/- 3.9 mL . kg-1 . min-1) performed an incremental
      treadmill test, three to five 30-min constant-speed tests to determine the MLSS
      continuous and intermittent (5 min of running, interspaced by 1 min of passive
      rest), and 2 randomized TE tests at such intensities. Two-way ANOVA with repeated
      measures was used to compare the changes in physiological variables during the TE
      tests and between continuous and intermittent exercise. The intermittent MLSS
      velocity (MLSSint = 15.26 +/- 0.97 km/h) was higher than in the continuous model
      (MLSScon = 14.53 +/- 0.93 km/h), while the TE at MLSScon was longer than MLSSint
      (68 +/- 11 min and 58 +/- 15 min, P < .05). Regarding the cardiorespiratory
      responses, VO2 and respiratory-exchange ratio remained stable during both TE
      tests while heart rate, ventilation, and rating of perceived exertion presented a
      significant increase in the last portion of the tests. The results showed a
      higher tolerance to exercising during MLSScon than during MLSSint in trained
      runners. Thus, the training volume of an extensive interval session (ratio 5:1)
      designed at MLSS intensity should take into consideration this higher speed at
      MLSS and also the lower TE than with continuous exercise. 

PMID- 24235776
TI  - Variability in power output during cycling in international Olympic-distance
      triathlon.
AB  - PURPOSE: The patterns of power output in the ~1-h cycle section of Olympic
      distance triathlon races are not well documented. Here the authors establish a
      typical cycling-race profile derived from several International Triathlon Union
      elite-level drafting-legal triathlon races. METHODS: The authors collated 12
      different race power profiles from elite male triathletes (N = 5, age 25 +/- 5 y,
      body mass 65.5 +/- 5.6 kg; mean +/- SD) during 7 international races. Power
      output was recorded using SRM cranks and analyzed with proprietary software.
      RESULTS: The mean power output was 252 +/- 33 W, or 3.9 +/- 0.5 W/kg in relative
      terms, with a coefficient of variation of 71% +/- 13%. Normalized power (power
      output an athlete could sustain if intensity were maintained constant without any
      variability) for the entire cycle section was 291 +/- 29 W, or 40 +/- 13 W higher
      than the actual mean power output. There were 34 +/- 14 peaks of power output
      above 600 W and ~18% time spent at >100% of maximal aerobic power. CONCLUSION:
      Cycling during Olympic-distance triathlon, characterized by frequent and large
      power variations including repeat supramaximal efforts, equates to a higher
      workload than cycling at constant power.

PMID- 24235777
TI  - Paying the Piper: The High Cost of Funerals in South Africa.
AB  - We analyze funeral arrangements following the deaths of 3,751 people who died
      between January 2003 and December 2005 in the Africa Centre Demographic
      Surveillance Area. We find that, on average, households spend the equivalent of a
      year's income for an adult's funeral, measured at median per capita African
      (Black) income. Approximately one-quarter of all individuals had some form of
      insurance, which helped surviving household members defray some fraction of
      funeral expenses. However, an equal fraction of households borrowed money to pay
      for the funeral. We develop a model, consistent with ethnographic work in this
      area, in which households respond to social pressure to bury their dead in a
      style consistent with the observed social status of the household and that of the
      deceased. Households that cannot afford a funeral commensurate with social
      expectations must borrow money to pay for the funeral. The model leads to
      empirical tests, and we find results consistent with our model of household
      decision-making.

PMID- 24235778
TI  - Modulation of electrochemical hydrogen evolution rate by araliphatic thiol
      monolayers on gold.
AB  - Electroreductive desorption of a highly ordered self-assembled monolayer (SAM)
      formed by the araliphatic thiol (4-(4-(4-pyridyl)phenyl)phenyl)methanethiol leads
      to a concurrent rapid hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The desorption process
      and resulting interfacial structure were investigated by voltammetric techniques,
      in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry, and in situ vibrational sum-frequency
      generation (SFG) spectroscopy. Voltammetric experiments on SAM-modified
      electrodes exhibit extraordinarily high peak currents, which di er between
      Au(111) and polycrystalline Au substrates. Association of reductive desorption
      with HER is shown to be the origin of the observed excess cathodic charges. The
      studied SAM preserves its two-dimensional order near Au surface throughout a fast
      voltammetric scan even when the vertex potential is set several hundred millivolt
      beyond the desorption potential. A model is developed for the explanation of the
      observed rapid HER involving ordering and pre-orientation of water present in the
      nanometer-sized reaction volume between desorbed SAM and the Au electrode, by the
      structurally extremely stable monolayer, leading to the observed catalysis of the
      HER.

PMID- 24235779
TI  - The Effects of Low Income Housing Tax Credit Developments on Neighborhoods.
AB  - This paper evaluates the impacts of new housing developments funded with the Low
      Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), the largest federal project based housing
      program in the U.S., on the neighborhoods in which they are built. A
      discontinuity in the formula determining the magnitude of tax credits as a
      function of neighborhood characteristics generates pseudo-random assignment in
      the number of low income housing units built in similar sets of census tracts.
      Tracts where projects are awarded 30 percent higher tax credits receive
      approximately six more low income housing units on a base of seven units per
      tract. These additional new low income developments cause homeowner turnover to
      rise, raise property values in declining areas and reduce incomes in gentrifying
      areas in neighborhoods near the 30th percentile of the income distribution. LIHTC
      units significantly crowd out nearby new rental construction in gentrifying areas
      but do not displace new construction in stable or declining areas.

PMID- 24235780
TI  - Paid Sick Leave and Job Stability.
AB  - A compelling, but unsubstantiated, argument for paid sick leave legislation is
      that workers with leave are better able to address own and family member health
      needs without risking a voluntary or involuntary job separation. This study tests
      that claim using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and regression models
      controlling for a large set of worker and job characteristics, as well as with
      propensity score techniques. Results suggest that paid sick leave decreases the
      probability of job separation by at least 2.5 percentage points, or 25%. The
      association is strongest for workers without paid vacation leave and for mothers.

PMID- 24235781
TI  - Third-order effects in resonant sum-frequency-generation signals at electrified
      metal/liquid interfaces.
AB  - Vibrational sum-frequency-generation (SFG) spectroscopy experiments at
      electrified interfaces involve incident laser radiation at frequencies in the IR
      and near-IR/visible regions as well as a static electric field on the surface.
      Here we show that mixing the three fields present on the surface can result in
      third-order effects in resonant SFG signals. This was achieved for closed packed
      self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with molecular groups of high optical
      nonlinearity and surface potentials similar to those typically applied in cyclic
      voltammograms. Broadband SFG spectroscopy was applied to study a hydrophobic well
      ordered araliphatic SAM on a Au(111) surface using a thin-layer analysis cell for
      spectro-electrochemical investigations in a 100 mM NaOH electrolyte solution.
      Resonant contributions were experimentally separated from non-resonant
      contributions of the Au substrate and theoretically analyzed using a fitting
      function including third-order terms. The resulting ratio of third-order to
      second-order susceptibilities was estimated to be [Formula: see text](10-10) m/V.

PMID- 24235782
TI  - Cultural Socialization in Families with Adopted Korean Adolescents: A Mixed
      Method, Multi-Informant Study.
AB  - Transracial, transnational families understand and transmit cultural
      socialization messages in ways that differ from same-race families. This study
      explored the ways in which transracial, transnational adoptive families discuss
      race and ethnicity and how these family discussions compared to self-reports from
      adoptive parents and adolescents regarding the level of parental engagement in
      cultural socialization. Of the thirty families with at least one adolescent-aged
      child (60% female, average age 17.8 years) who was adopted from South Korea, nine
      families acknowledged racial and ethnic differences, six families rejected racial
      and ethnic differences, and fifteen families held a discrepancy of views. Parents
      also reported significantly greater engagement in cultural socialization than
      adolescents' reports of parental engagement. However, only adolescent self
      reports of parental engagement in cultural socialization matched the qualitative
      coding of family conversations.

PMID- 24235783
TI  - FROM EXCLUSION TO INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION: THE CASE OF LATINO YOUTHS.
AB  - In this article, I refer to structural tendencies reflected in the responses of
      excluded Latinos youths, who range from street children to radical youths (gangs
      or not) and finally to migrants. The latter, face unusual challenges as a result
      of being undocumented, forcing them to pursue mobility within a formal system
      that blocks their way. I review these tendencies through a "positive" lens,
      focusing mainly on Latino youth who are using different strategies to fight
      social exclusion. I aim to raise the paradoxical temporality, which indicates
      that as we learn and analyze more, we tend to move further away from the
      possibility of transforming pressing problems in society. I raise the question of
      how to intervene using more knowledge in the alarming situation of one of the
      most excluded social groups, Latino Youth and also of how to alert and visualize
      ways of integrating those youth who migrate and become undocumented.

PMID- 24235784
TI  - Entrapment of a volatile lipophilic aroma compound (d-limonene) in spray dried
      water-washed oil bodies naturally derived from sunflower seeds (Helianthus
      annus).
AB  - Oil bodies are natural emulsions that can be extracted from oil seeds and have
      previously been shown to be stable after spray drying. The aim of the study was
      to evaluate for the first time if spray dried water-washed oil bodies are an
      effective carrier for volatile lipophilic actives (the flavour compound d
      limonene was used as an example aroma compound). Water-washed oil bodies were
      blended with maltodextrin and d-limonene and spray dried using a Buchi B-191
      laboratory spray dryer. Lipid and d-limonene retention was 89-93% and 24-27%.
      Samples were compared to processed emulsions containing sunflower oil and d
      limonene and stabilised by either lecithin or Capsul. Lecithin and Capsul
      processed emulsions had a lipid and d-limonene retention of 82-89%, 7.7-9.1% and
      48-50%, 55-59% respectively indicating that water-washed oil bodies could retain
      the most lipids and Capsul could retain the most d-limonene. This indicates that
      whilst additional emulsifiers may be required for future applications of water
      washed oil bodies as carriers of lipophilic actives, oil bodies are excellent
      agents for lipid encapsulation.

PMID- 24235785
TI  - The last editorial.

PMID- 24235786
TI  - Percutaneous management of renal caliceal diverticular stones: Ten-year
      experience of a tertiary care center with different techniques to deal with
      diverticula after stone extraction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Caliceal diverticulae are a frequent surgical problem. We present
      our experience with caliceal diverticular stones (CDS) managed with percutaneous
      nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and describe the two different techniques to deal with
      diverticula after stone retrieval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively
      analyzed 10-year data of 44 consecutive patients who underwent PCNL for CDS.
      During PCNL, if the guide wire could be negoted through the neck of the
      diverticula, we dilated and stented it. If we couldnot find the neck, we
      fulgurated the diverticular walls. Follow-up included intravenous urogram at 3
      months and annual plain films thereafter. We analyzed the outcome, complications,
      and recurrence rate. RESULTS: Total stone clearance was obtained in 40 (90.90%)
      patients. We dilated and stented the diverticula in 35 (79.5%) patients and
      fulgurated the walls in nine (20.5%) patients. Complications occurred in three
      patients. The postoperative intravenous urogram showed obliteration of
      diverticula in seven patients and the improved drainage in 37 patients. At the
      average follow-up of 2 years, 41 (93.18%) patients were asymptomatic and two
      (4.5%) patients showed the recurrence of stone. CONCLUSIONS: PCNL can clear
      calculi from caliceal diverticula in most cases with minimal morbidity. After
      stone retrieval, the diverticula may be drained into the pyelocaliceal system, if
      the neck is negotiable and fulgurated if the neck cannot be dilated.

PMID- 24235787
TI  - Hemagglutination and biofilm formation as virulence markers of uropathogenic
      Escherichia coli in acute urinary tract infections and urolithiasis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a major public health concern in
      developing countries. Most UTIs are caused by E. coli, accounting for up to 90%
      of community-acquired UTIs (CAUTI). Recurrent UTI is considered as a major risk
      factor for urolithiasis. Virulence factors like adhesins and biofilm have been
      extensively studied by authors on UPEC isolated from recurrent UTI. The studies
      on isolates from infection stones in kidney are scanty. In a prospective study,
      we aimed to determine the expression of Haemagglutinins, (Type 1 and P fimbriae),
      Biofilm production and resistance pattern to common antibiotics of Uropathogenic
      E.coli (UPEC) isolates from Community acquired Acute Urinary Tract
      Infection(CAUTI) and Urolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 43 UPEC
      isolates, 23 mid-stream urine (MSU) samples from patients with CAUTI attending
      Out Patient Departments and 20 from renal calculi of urolithiasis patients at the
      time of Percutaneous nephrolithostomy (PCNL) were included in the study and the
      expression of Haemagglutinins,(Type 1 and P fimbriae), Biofilm production and
      resistance pattern to common antibiotics was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 43
      UPEC isolates 23 from CAUTI and 20 from renal calculi were tested for production
      of biofilm and hemagglutinins. In CAUTI, biofilm producers were 56.52% and
      hemagglutinins were detected in all isolates 100%. In urolithiasis, biofilm
      producers were 100% but hemagglutinins were detected only in 70% of isolates. All
      isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics used. CAUTI isolates were
      susceptible to 3(rd) generation cephalosporins, whereas urolithiasis isolates
      were resistant to 3(rd) generation cephalosporins and 25% were Extended Spectrum
      Beta Lactamases ESBL producers. CONCLUSIONS: HA mediated by type 1 fimbriae plays
      an important role in CAUTI (P < 0.001 highly significant), whereas, in chronic
      conditions like urolithiasis, biofilm plays an important role in persistence of
      infection and the role of hemagglutinins is less.

PMID- 24235788
TI  - Warty carcinoma of the penis: A clinicopathological study from South India.
AB  - AIMS: There are few studies on the pathology of warty carcinoma (WC) of the penis
      and these have been from South America. Penile cancers are not uncommon in India.
      We reviewed the frequency of subtypes of penile squamous carcinoma (SC) and the
      pathological features and outcome of WC when compared to squamous carcinoma-not
      otherwise specified (SC-NOS). We also compared the clinicopathological features
      of WC in our series with those published earlier. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      studied 103 cases of penile cancers over 6 years. Cases were classified into
      different subtypes according to established histologic criteria.
      Clinicopathologic features were studied in detail and compared among the
      different subtypes, especially between WC and SC-NOS. The patients were followed
      up and disease free survival in months was noted. RESULTS: SC-NOS constituted
      75.7% of all penile cancer cases in our series. The frequency of other subtypes
      was WC: 9.7%, verrucous: 3.9%, basaloid type and papillary type: 0.97% each, and
      mixed types 8.7%. The average tumor size and depth of invasion did not differ
      significantly between the two subtypes. Frequency of lymphovascular emboli and
      percentage of lymph node metastasis in WC (30 and 10%) were lesser than in SC-NOS
      (49.37 and 26.58%), respectively. There were no recurrences after partial
      penectomy in the WC subtype. In the SC-NOS type, three cases had recurrence after
      partial/total penectomy. CONCLUSION: Warty carcinoma constitutes nearly 10% of
      all penile squamous cell cancers. These patients seem to have a less aggressive
      behavior than SC-NOS.

PMID- 24235789
TI  - Penile growth in response to hormone treatment in children with micropenis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Micropenis is defined as a stretched penile length 2.5 standard
      deviations less than the mean for age without the presence of any other penile
      anomalies, such as hypospadias. The term refers to a specific disorder that has a
      known set of causative factors and defined treatment modalities. The purpose of
      this study was to determine the effect of hormonal therapy on the gonadal
      response and penile growth in children who presented with micropenis. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Children (<18 years) who met the criteria for micropenis were
      included in this study. Children more than 11 years old were treated using a
      standard protocol of 1,500 to 2,000 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin
      administrated intramuscularly, once per week, for 6 weeks. Children less than 11
      years old were treated with parenteral testosterone enanthate 25 mg once a month
      for 3 months. Response was evaluated in terms of change in testosterone levels
      and size of penis. RESULTS: Serum testosterone levels at baseline and after 8
      weeks of hormonal treatment were <20 and 449.4 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.0001)
      in all children more than 11 years old. Stretched penile length after hormonal
      treatment increased from 15.54 to 37.18 mm in children less than 11 years old and
      from 26.42 to 64.28 mm in children more than 11 years old (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Management of isolated micropenis revolves around testosterone
      (direct administration or encouraging the patient's body to make its own), and
      results with respect to increase in penile length are promising.

PMID- 24235790
TI  - Urological reconstruction in the modern era.

PMID- 24235791
TI  - Management of secondary pelviureteric junction obstruction.
AB  - Pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) of the kidney can lead to a number of
      different clinical manifestations, which often require surgical intervention.
      Although the success of pyeloplasty and endopyelotomy are good, there are still a
      number of patients who fail primary treatment and develop secondary PUJO. These
      treatment failures can be a challenging cohort to manage. This article aims to
      provide a comprehensive overview on the surgical options available to the
      urologist for managing secondary PUJO as well as providing some guidance on
      assessing factors that will influence management decisions. 

PMID- 24235792
TI  - Continent urinary diversion.
AB  - We present a review on the current options for continent urinary diversion and
      their different indications on the basis of patient selection. In current
      clinical practice continent urinary diversion is being used world-wide in
      patients undergoing radical cystectomy and in severe cases of benign bladder
      pathologies. We also discuss the specific complications of continent urinary
      diversion and highlight the need to rigorously monitor these patients in the long
      term specifically in terms of their renal function and cancer recurrence. 

PMID- 24235793
TI  - Metabolic complications of urinary intestinal diversion.
AB  - Patients with a urinary bladder malignancy or severe anatomical/functional
      bladder abnormalities may be candidates for urinary diversion at the time of
      cystectomy. Most urinary diversions are constructed from intestinal segments.
      Urological surgeons who perform urinary diversion surgery should be aware of the
      physiological and metabolic changes that can occur when intestinal segments are
      in direct contact with urine. The complications associated with urinary diversion
      are both acute and chronic. The most important factor associated with the
      development of metabolic complications following urinary diversion is the length
      of time that the urine is in contact with the bowel and the type of bowel segment
      used for urinary diversion. In this review, we describe the metabolic
      complications associated with urinary diversion, their characteristic clinical
      presentation, follow-up, and specific treatment. 

PMID- 24235794
TI  - Reconstructing the lower urinary tract: The Mitrofanoff principle.
AB  - Since the original description of the trans-appendicular continent cystostomy by
      Mitrofanoff in 1980, a variety of techniques have been described for creating a
      continent catheterisable channel leading to the bladder, which avoids the native
      urethra. The Mitrofanoff principle involves the creation of a conduit going into
      a low pressure reservoir, which can emptied through clean intermittent
      catheterization through an easily accessible stoma. A variety of tissue segments
      have been used for creating the conduit, but the two popular options in current
      urological practice remain the appendix and Yang-Monti transverse ileal tube. The
      Mitrofanoff procedure has an early reoperation rate for bleeding, bowel
      obstruction, anastomotic leak or conduit breakdown of up to 8% and the most
      common long-term complication noted is stomal stenosis resulting in difficulty
      catheterizing the conduit. However, in both pediatric and adult setting, reports
      imply that the procedure is durable although it is associated with an overall re
      operation rate of up to 32% in contemporary series. Initial reports of
      laparoscopic and robotic-assisted Mitrofanoff procedures are encouraging, but
      long-term outcomes are still awaited. 

PMID- 24235795
TI  - Augmentation cystoplasty: Contemporary indications, techniques and complications.
AB  - Augmentation cystoplasty (AC) has traditionally been used in the treatment of the
      low capacity, poorly compliant or refractory overactive bladder (OAB). The use of
      intravesical botulinum toxin and sacral neuromodulation in detrusor overactivity
      has reduced the number of AC performed for this indication. However, AC remains
      important in the pediatric and renal transplant setting and still remains a
      viable option for refractory OAB. Advances in surgical technique have seen the
      development of both laparoscopic and robotic augmentation cystoplasty. A variety
      of intestinal segments can be used although ileocystoplasty remains the most
      common performed procedure. Early complications include thromboembolism and
      mortality, whereas long-term problems include metabolic disturbance, bacteriuria,
      urinary tract stones, incontinence, perforation, the need for intermittent self
      catheterization and carcinoma. This article examines the contemporary
      indications, published results and possible future directions for augmentation
      cystoplasty. 

PMID- 24235797
TI  - Bladder neck sparing in radical prostatectomy.
AB  - The role of a bladder neck sparing (BNS) technique in radical prostatectomy (RP)
      remains controversial. The potential advantages of improved functional recovery
      must be weighed against oncological outcomes. We performed a literature review to
      evaluate the current knowledge regarding oncological and functional outcomes of
      BNS and bladder neck reconstruction (BNr) in RP. A systematic literature review
      using on-line medical databases was performed. A total of 33 papers were
      identified evaluating the use of BNS in open, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted
      RP. The majority were retrospective case series, with only one prospective,
      randomised, blinded study identified. The majority of papers reported no
      significant difference in oncological outcomes using a BNS or BNr technique,
      regardless of the surgical technique employed. Quoted positive surgical margin
      rates ranged from 6% to 32%. Early urinary continence (UC) rates were ranged from
      36% to 100% at 1 month, with long-term UC rate reported at 84-100% at 12 months
      if the bladder neck (BN) was spared. BNS has been shown to improve early return
      of UC and long-term UC without compromising oncological outcomes. Anastomotic
      stricture rate is also lower when using a BNS technique. 

PMID- 24235796
TI  - Long-term outcomes of urinary tract reconstruction in patients with neurogenic
      urinary tract dysfunction.
AB  - The advent of specialized spinal units and better understanding of the
      pathophysiology of neurogenic urinary tract dysfunction has made long-term
      survival of these patients a reality. This has, in turn, led to an increase in
      quality and choice of management modalities offered to these patients including
      complex anatomic urinary tract reconstructive procedures tailored to the unique
      needs of each individual with variable outcomes. We performed a literature review
      evaluating the long-term outcomes of these reconstructive procedures. To achieve
      this, we conducted a world-wide electronic literature search of long-term
      outcomes published in English. As the premise of this review is long-term
      outcomes, we have focused on pathologies where evidence of long-term outcome is
      available such as patients with spinal injuries and spina bifida. Therapeutic
      success following urinary tract reconstruction is usually measured by
      preservation of renal function, improvement in quality-of-life, the satisfactory
      achievement of agreed outcomes and the prevention of serious complications.
      Prognostic factors include neuropathic detrusor overactivity; sphincter
      dyssynergia; bladder over distension; high pressure storage and high leak point
      pressures; vesicoureteric reflex, stone formation and urinary tract infections.
      Although, the past decade has witnessed a reduction in the total number of
      bladder reconstructive surgeries in the UK, these procedures are essentially safe
      and effective; but require long-term clinical and functional follow
      up/monitoring. Until tissue engineering and gene therapy becomes more mainstream,
      we feel there is still a place for urinary tract reconstruction in patients with
      neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. 

PMID- 24235798
TI  - Infected inguinal hernia mesh presenting as pseudotumor of the bladder.
AB  - Pseudotumors are uncommon benign tumors considered as a reactive inflammatory
      lesion. We report a case of a 53-year-old male with a history of right
      laparoscopic hernia repair and now referred for suspected urachal cyst. Imaging
      investigations revealed an abdominal mass arising from the wall of the urinary
      bladder. During dissection, we found a tumor arising from the urinary bladder
      infiltrating the posterior wall of rectus muscles and further dissection revealed
      presence of the previously placed inguinal mesh. Postoperative histopathological
      examination revealed inflammatory pseudotumor. With only one comparable case
      described, an infected mesh presenting as pseudotumor of the bladder is extremely
      rare. 

PMID- 24235799
TI  - Emphysematous pyelonephritis with IVC thrombus in new onset diabetes mellitus.
AB  - Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rapidly progressive necrotizing infection
      characterized by gas in the kidneys. We describe a 48-year-old woman, a newly
      diagnosed diabetic, who presented with clinical features of right sided
      pyelonephritis with hematuria of short duration. On further evaluation, she was
      diagnosed to have right sided EPN, with thrombus in the renal vein and inferior
      vena cava (IVC). She was managed conservatively with hydration, insulin,
      intravenous antibiotics, anticoagulants and ureteric stenting on the right side.
      On follow-up, the gas shadows resolved and the thrombus completely regressed. 

PMID- 24235800
TI  - Fetus in bladder.
AB  - This is the first reported case of vesicouterine fistula presenting with a fully
      formed dead fetus in the urinary bladder. 

PMID- 24235801
TI  - Migration of double J stent into the inferior vena cava and the right atrium.
AB  - Migration of a ureteric double J stent down into the bladder or up into the
      kidney is a well known complication. We recently encountered a case where the
      stent migrated into the vascular system following attempted ureteroscopy for a
      lower ureteric calculus. The patient required open surgical exploration for stent
      retrieval. 

PMID- 24235802
TI  - Obstructive uropathy due to uretero-inguinal hernia: An uncommon occurrence.
AB  - Obstructive uropathy secondary to uretero-inguinal hernia is a rare phenomenon.
      Two types have been described-the rarer extraperitoneal type is frequently
      associated with other renal anomalies. Pre-operative diagnosis is essential in
      order to reduce the risk of ureteric injury intra-operatively. We describe one
      such case. 

PMID- 24235803
TI  - Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the adrenal gland: A rare entity.
AB  - Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is an uncommon tumor and the
      overall incidence is 1% of all sarcomas. PNET of the adrenal gland is an even
      rarer entity. A 37-year-old female was evaluated for an episode of loin pain.
      Ultrasonography showed a large heterogenous left adrenal mass with internal
      echogenic components. Computed tomography did not show any fat density within to
      suggest a myelolipoma. Biopsy suggested a poorly differentiated neoplasm with a
      possibility of PNET of the adrenal gland. 

PMID- 24235804
TI  - The superomedial thigh flap in scrotal reconstruction: Technical steps to improve
      cosmetic results.
AB  - The superomedial thigh flap is a reliable and easy method for scrotal
      reconstruction described in 1980 and infrequently reported in the literature
      since its description. We used it for four patients presenting scrotal defects
      after Fournier's gangrene with some technical modifications to improve the
      esthetic results and to facilitate the closure of the donor area. We describe the
      technical steps and the results. 

PMID- 24235805
TI  - Redefining expanded criteria donor kidneys in the developing world.

PMID- 24235806
TI  - Manganese Detection with a Metal Catalyst Free Carbon Nanotube Electrode: Anodic
      versus Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry.
AB  - Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) and cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) were
      used to determine Mn concentration using metal catalyst free carbon nanotube
      (MCFCNT) electrodes and square wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV). The MCFCNTs are
      synthesized using a Carbo Thermal Carbide Conversion method which results in a
      material that does not contain residual transition metals. Detection limits of
      120 nM and 93 nM were achieved for ASV and CSV, respectively, with a deposition
      time of 60 s. CSV was found to be better than ASV in Mn detection in many
      aspects, such as limit of detection and sensitivity. The CSV method was used in
      pond water matrix addition measurements.

PMID- 24235807
TI  - Zinc Detection in Serum by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry on Microfabricated
      Bismuth Electrodes.
AB  - Zinc (Zn) homeostasis is required for a functional immune system. Critically ill
      patients often exhibit decreased Zn serum concentrations and could potentially
      benefit from Zn supplementation as a therapeutic strategy. However, the
      conventional approaches to monitoring Zn are time consuming and costly. This work
      reports on detection of Zn by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) on bismuth
      electrodes in a microfabricated electrochemical cell. The working potential
      window of the electrodeposited bismuth film electrode was investigated by cyclic
      voltammetry, while square wave ASV was used for measuring Zn in acetate buffer
      and blood serum. Conditions critical to sensing, such as preconcentration
      potential, preconcentration time, and buffer pH, were optimized for Zn detection.
      The sensor was successfully calibrated with pH 6 acetate buffer in the
      physiologically-relevant range of 5 MUM to 50MUM Zn and exhibited well-defined
      and highly repeatable peaks. The sensor was used to demonstrate measurement of Zn
      in blood serum digested in HCl. The results of this work show that Zn detection
      in serum is possible with smaller sample volumes (MUL vs. MUL) and faster
      turnaround time (hours vs. days) as compared with the conventional spectroscopic
      methods.

PMID- 24235808
TI  - Seeking Models and Methods for Cultural Adaptation of Interventions: Commentary
      on the Special Section.

PMID- 24235809
TI  - Clinical characteristics and visual outcomes in infectious scleritis: a review.
AB  - Infection is a very important but rare cause of scleritis, occurring in about 5%
      10% of all patients presenting with scleral inflammation. However, due to the
      similarity of its presentation, infectious scleritis is often initially managed
      as autoimmune, potentially further worsening its outcome. The overall visual
      outcome in infectious scleritis is generally worse than its autoimmune
      counterparts, perhaps because of the delay in diagnosis or because of the
      aggressive nature of associated microbes. Thus, there is a definite need for
      insight into the diagnostic approach and treatment options for this ocular
      disease process. Several studies and case reports have been published in recent
      years that have provided useful information regarding the presenting clinical
      features and etiologic microbial agents in infectious scleritis. This review
      summarizes the important findings in the literature that may aid in
      differentiating infectious scleritis from other etiologies, including
      predisposing factors, microbe-specific characteristics, diagnostic tools,
      treatment modalities, and outcomes. 

PMID- 24235810
TI  - Clinical applications of optical coherence tomography in the posterior pole: the
      2011 Jose Manuel Espino Lecture - Part I.
AB  - Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is now a standard of care in ophthalmology and
      is considered essential for the diagnosis and monitoring of many retinal
      diseases. One of the major advances obtained with OCT was the understanding of
      the pathophysiology of macular holes. Non-full-thickness macular holes have been
      revisited because high-resolution OCT images can detect a lamellar macular defect
      that is not always visible clinically, and surgery has been advocated by some
      authors. OCT can be valuable in determining the need for and/or timing of
      surgical intervention on epiretinal membranes or vitreomacular traction syndrome.
      In addition, we can use this technology as a predictive factor in the prognosis
      and follow-up of the most common posterior pole pathologies. 

PMID- 24235812
TI  - Retinal thickness changes after phacoemulsification.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the effect of phacoemulsification on macular volume and
      thickness using spectral domain optical coherence tomography examinations.
      METHODS: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 subjects who underwent phacoemulsification were
      studied. All nine areas of the macula were examined by spectral domain optical
      coherence tomography preoperatively and 2 months postoperatively. Effective
      phacoemulsification time and absolute phacoemulsification time were also
      recorded. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in macular
      thickness between preoperative and postoperative spectral domain optical
      coherence tomography examinations in nine areas including macular volume. In the
      paracentral macular area, the thickness of three quadrants significantly
      increased (superior P=0.015; temporal P=0.001; and nasal P=0.023). Peripheral
      macular thickness also increased significantly in the superior (P=0.05) and
      temporal macular areas (P<0.001). The macular volume increased significantly
      after phacoemulsification (P<0.001). There were no correlations between
      absolute/effective phacoemulsification time and macular cellular structures
      (P>0.05), but a significant correlation (P=0.011) was found between absolute
      phacoemulsification time and change in macular volume. CONCLUSION: Macular
      thickness changes in the nasal, superior, and temporal quadrants of the
      paracentral area and the superior and temporal quadrants of the peripheral area,
      as well as macular volume, may be used as detailed biomarkers to measure the
      effects of intraocular pressure fluctuations and maneuvers in phacoemulsification
      intraocular surgeries.

PMID- 24235811
TI  - Clinical applications of optical coherence tomography in the posterior pole: the
      2011 Jose Manuel Espino Lecture - Part II.
AB  - Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution, cross-sectional imaging
      technique that allows detailed assessment of retinal thickness and morphologic
      evaluation of the retinal layers. This technology has developed quickly over the
      past two decades. OCT imaging has rapidly been integrated into routine ophthalmic
      clinical practice and trials. It has complemented fluorescein angiography in many
      instances, especially in the diagnosis and management of retinal disorders,
      including diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration. With OCT,
      the exact localization of pathologic features can be visualized in segmentation
      maps of the retina, and this has allowed OCT to be used to evaluate specific
      features that may serve as predictive factors in the prognosis and follow up of
      these pathologies. Therefore, it has become an important clinical and research
      tool for the diagnosis, follow up, treatment, and assessment of new treatment
      modalities for all diseases that affect the posterior pole of the eye. 

PMID- 24235813
TI  - Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet capsulotomy rates after combined cataract
      surgery with implantation of a 4% water content hydrophobic acrylic intraocular
      lens and vitrectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine neodymium:yttrium-aluminum
      garnet (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy rates after combined cataract surgery with
      implantation of a three-piece 4% water content hydrophobic acrylic intraocular
      lens (X-70, Eternity(r)) and vitrectomy, and compare diabetic retinopathy with
      nondiabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Nd:YAG capsulotomy rates were evaluated for 72
      eyes of 72 patients with diabetic retinopathy and 81 eyes of 81 patients with
      nondiabetic retinopathy (50 eyes with retinal detachment, 13 eyes with macular
      hole, nine eyes with epiretinal membrane, seven eyes with branch retinal vein
      occlusion, and two eyes with uveitis) who underwent combined cataract surgery and
      vitrectomy and implantation of X-70. RESULTS: Two years after combination
      surgery, four of 72 eyes (5.6%) in the diabetic retinopathy group and four of 81
      eyes (5.0%) in the nondiabetic retinopathy group required Nd:YAG capsulotomies.
      Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed no statistically significant differences
      between the two groups (P=0.30, Mantel-Cox log-rank test). CONCLUSION: The rate
      of Nd:YAG capsulotomy did not significantly differ between diabetic retinopathy
      and nondiabetic retinopathy after combined cataract surgery with implantation of
      the X-70 and vitrectomy. X-70 is an acceptable intraocular lens for patients
      undergoing combined cataract surgery and vitrectomy.

PMID- 24235814
TI  - Immunization of rabbits with synthetic peptides derived from a highly conserved
      beta-sheet epitope region underneath the receptor binding site of influenza A
      virus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is increasing concern about the speed with which health care
      providers can administer prophylaxis and treatment in an influenza pandemic.
      Generally, it takes several months to manufacture an influenza vaccine by
      propagation of the virus in chicken eggs or cultured cells. Newer, faster
      protocols for the production of vaccines that induce broad-spectrum immunity are
      therefore highly desirable. We previously developed human monoclonal antibody B-1
      that shows broadly neutralizing activity against influenza A virus H3N2. B-1
      recognizes an epitope region that includes an antiparallel beta-sheet structure
      underneath the receptor binding site of influenza hemagglutinin (HA). In this
      study, the efficacy of a synthetic peptide vaccine derived from this epitope
      region against influenza A was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two peptides
      were synthesized, the upper and lower peptides. These peptides comprise amino
      acid residues 167-187 and 225-241, respectively, of the B-1 epitope region of HA,
      which is involved in forming the beta-sheet structure. Both peptides were then
      coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and the peptides, alone or in combination,
      were used to immunize rabbits. The resulting antibody responses were examined by
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The upper peptide, but not the lower peptide,
      elicited antibodies that were reactive to HA. Interestingly, the use of both
      peptides together could elicit antibodies with a higher reactivity to HA than
      either peptide alone. The antibodies were found to react to HA at the N-terminus
      of the upper peptide, which is exposed at the surface of trimeric HA on influenza
      virions. DISCUSSION: The higher production of HA-reactive antibodies following
      immunization with both peptides suggests that the upper peptide forms the
      effective epitope structure in the binding state, and the lower peptide enhances
      the production of HA antibodies. This study could be the first step towards the
      development of pandemic viral vaccines that can be produced within short time
      periods.

PMID- 24235815
TI  - Heart rate reduction for 36 months with ivabradine reduces left ventricular mass
      in cardiac allograft recipients: a long-term follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to graft denervation, sinus tachycardia is a common problem after
      heart transplantation, underlining the importance of heart rate control without
      peripheral effects. However, long-term data regarding the effects of ivabradine,
      a novel If channel antagonist, are limited in patients after heart
      transplantation. METHODS: In this follow-up analysis, the resting heart rate,
      left ventricular mass indexed to body surface area (LVMI), tolerability, and
      safety of ivabradine therapy were evaluated at baseline and after 36 months in 30
      heart transplant recipients with symptomatic sinus tachycardia versus a matched
      control group. RESULTS: During the study period, ivabradine medication was
      stopped in three patients (10% of total). Further analysis was based on 27
      patients with 36 months of drug intake. The mean patient age was 53.3+/-11.3
      years and mean time after heart transplantation was 5.0+/-4.8 years. After 36
      months, the mean ivabradine dose was 12.0+/-3.4 mg/day. Resting heart rate was
      reduced from 91.0+/-10.7 beats per minute before initiation of ivabradine therapy
      (ie, baseline) to 81.2+/-9.8 beats per minute at follow-up (P=0.0006). After 36
      months of ivabradine therapy, a statistically significant reduction of LVMI was
      observed (104.3+/-22.7 g at baseline versus 93.4+/-18.4 g at follow-up, P=0.002).
      Hematologic, renal, and liver function parameters remained stable during
      ivabradine therapy. Except for a lower mycophenolate mofetil dose at follow-up
      (P=0.02), no statistically significant changes in immunosuppressive drug dosage
      or blood levels were detected. No phosphenes were observed during 36 months of
      ivabradine intake despite active inquiry. CONCLUSION: In line with previously
      published 12-month data, heart rate reduction with ivabradine remained effective
      and safe in chronic stable patients after heart transplantation, and also during
      36-month long-term follow-up. Further, a significant reduction of LVMI was
      observed only during ivabradine therapy. Therefore, ivabradine may have a
      sustained long-term beneficial effect with regard to left ventricular remodeling
      in heart transplant patients.

PMID- 24235816
TI  - New and emerging treatments for symptomatic tardive dyskinesia.
AB  - The aim of this review is to assess new, emerging, and experimental treatment
      options for tardive dyskinesia (TD). The methods to obtain relevant studies for
      review included a MEDLINE search and a review of studies in English, along with
      checking reference lists of articles. The leading explanatory models of TD
      development include dopamine receptor supersensitivity, GABA depletion,
      cholinergic deficiency, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, changes in synaptic
      plasticity, and defective neuroadaptive signaling. As such, a wide range of
      treatment options are available. To provide a complete summary of choices we
      review atypical antipsychotics along with resveratrol, botulinum toxin, Ginkgo
      biloba, tetrabenazine, clonazepam, melatonin, essential fatty acids, zonisamide,
      levetiracetam, branched-chain amino acids, drug combinations, and invasive
      surgical treatments. There is currently no US Food and Drug Administration
      approved treatment for TD; however, prudent use of atypical antipsychotics with
      routine monitoring remain the cornerstone of therapy, with experimental treatment
      options available for further management. 

PMID- 24235817
TI  - Use of an interdisciplinary, participatory design approach to develop a usable
      patient self-assessment tool in atrial fibrillation.
AB  - After identifying that significant care gaps exist within the management of
      atrial fibrillation (AF), a patient-focused tool was developed to help patients
      better assess and manage their AF. This tool aims to provide education and
      awareness regarding the management of symptoms and stroke risk associated with
      AF, while engaging patients to identify if their condition is optimally managed
      and to become involved in their own care. An interdisciplinary group of health
      care providers and designers worked together in a participatory design approach
      to develop the tool with input from patients. Usability testing was completed
      with 22 patients of varying demographics to represent the characteristics of the
      patient population. The findings from usability testing interviews were used to
      further improve and develop the tool to improve ease of use. A physician-facing
      tool was also developed to help to explain the tool and provide a brief summary
      of the 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Society atrial fibrillation guidelines. By
      incorporating patient input and human-centered design with the knowledge,
      experience, and medical expertise of health care providers, we have used an
      approach in developing the tool that tries to more effectively meet patients'
      needs. 

PMID- 24235819
TI  - A study of patient experience and perception regarding postoperative pain
      management in Chinese hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyze the current status of postoperative pain
      management in the People's Republic of China's provincial-level hospitals, and
      the existing knowledge and opinions held by patients regarding these methods.
      METHODS: The 128 participants in this study were urology and hepatobiliary
      patients from three provincial-level hospitals in Hunan. The questionnaire
      assessing postoperative pain was designed using the typical pain assessment
      scales and pain management guidelines as references. RESULTS: 82.8% of study
      participants claimed that their postoperative pain was relieved within 3 days of
      their operations. However, while 91.4% of surveyed patients experienced moderate
      to severe pain, 51.6% received no treatment for their postoperative pain, and
      14.9% complained that medical personnel failed to manage their pain. 20.2% were
      unsatisfied with their pain management, indicating that treatment did not meet
      their expectations. Furthermore, participants demonstrated a great
      misunderstanding of pain and analgesics, as 72.6% of patients were unfamiliar
      with morphine, 51.6% of patients believed only certain types of pain required
      management, and 18.5% refused to use morphine. CONCLUSION: In most Chinese
      provincial-level hospitals, current postoperative pain management methods are
      able to alleviate the pain experienced by the majority of patients, though pain
      assessment and therapy procedures are still not standardized. Furthermore, most
      patients lack a proper understanding of postoperative pain and analgesics.
      Therefore, pain management education for doctors and patients and their relatives
      should be implemented in order to improve the quality of postoperative pain
      management.

PMID- 24235818
TI  - Lanthanum carbonate for the control of hyperphosphatemia in chronic renal failure
      patients: a new oral powder formulation - safety, efficacy, and patient
      adherence.
AB  - Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with very high mortality rates, mainly
      of cardiovascular origin. The retention of phosphate (P) and increased fibroblast
      growth factor-23 levels are common, even at early stages of CKD, due to
      disturbances in normal P homeostasis. Later, hyperphosphatemia appears, which has
      also been strongly associated with high mortality rates linked to P-mediated
      cardiovascular and procalcifying effects. Treatment guidelines for these patients
      continue to be poorly implemented, at least partially due to the lack of
      adherence to a P-restricted diet and P-binder therapy. Calcium-free P binders,
      such as lanthanum carbonate, have been associated with a decreased progression of
      vascular calcification, rendering them an important therapeutic alternative for
      these high cardiovascular risk CKD patients. Lanthanum carbonate has typically
      been available as chewable tablets, and the new presentation as an oral powder
      may provide a useful alternative in the therapeutic armamentarium. This powder is
      a tasteless, odorless, and colorless semisolid compound miscible with food. In a
      recent study in healthy individuals, the safety and efficacy of this novel form
      were evaluated, and it was concluded that it is well tolerated and
      pharmacodynamically equivalent to the chewable form. In the long run,
      individualization of preferences and treatments seems an achievable goal prior to
      final demonstration of improvements in hard outcomes in wide clinical trials in
      CKD patients. 

PMID- 24235820
TI  - Factors associated with nonattendance at clinical medicine scheduled outpatient
      appointments in a university general hospital.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Nonattendance at scheduled outpatient appointments for primary care
      is a major health care problem worldwide. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence
      of nonattendance at scheduled appointments for outpatients seeking primary care,
      to identify associated factors and build a model that predicts nonattendance at
      scheduled appointments. METHODS: A cohort study of adult patients, who had a
      scheduled outpatient appointment for primary care, was conducted between January
      2010 and July 2011, at the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires. We evaluated the
      history and characteristics of these patients, and their scheduling and
      attendance at appointments. Patients were divided into two groups: those who
      attended their scheduled appointments, and those who did not. We estimated the
      odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and
      generated a predictive model for nonattendance, with logistic regression, using
      factors associated with lack of attendance, and those considered clinically
      relevant. Alternative models were compared using Akaike's Information Criterion.
      A generation cohort and a validation cohort were assigned randomly. RESULTS: Of
      113,716 appointments included in the study, 25,687 were missed (22.7%; 95% CI:
      22.34%-22.83%). We found a statistically significant association between
      nonattendance and age (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.99-0.99), number of issues in the
      personal health record (OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.98-0.99), time between the request
      for and date of appointment (OR: 1; 95% CI: 1-1), history of nonattendance (OR:
      1.07; 95% CI: 1.07-1.07), appointment scheduled later than 4 pm (OR: 1.30; 95%
      CI: 1.24-1.35), and specific days of the week (OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 1.06-1.1). The
      predictive model for nonattendance included characteristics of the patient
      requesting the appointment, the appointment request, and the actual appointment
      date. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the
      predictive model in the generation cohort was 0.892 (95% CI: 0.890-0.894).
      CONCLUSION: Evidence related to patient characteristics, and the identification
      of appointments with a higher likelihood of nonattendance, should promote guided
      strategies to reduce the rate of nonattendance, as well as to future research on
      this topic. The use of predictive models could further guide management
      strategies to reduce the rate of nonattendance.

PMID- 24235821
TI  - The aging lung.
AB  - There are many age-associated changes in the respiratory and pulmonary immune
      system. These changes include decreases in the volume of the thoracic cavity,
      reduced lung volumes, and alterations in the muscles that aid respiration. Muscle
      function on a cellular level in the aging population is less efficient. The
      elderly population has less pulmonary reserve, and cough strength is decreased in
      the elderly population due to anatomic changes and muscle atrophy. Clearance of
      particles from the lung through the mucociliary elevator is decreased and
      associated with ciliary dysfunction. Many complex changes in immunity with aging
      contribute to increased susceptibility to infections including a less robust
      immune response from both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Considering all
      of these age-related changes to the lungs, pulmonary disease has significant
      consequences for the aging population. Chronic lower respiratory tract disease is
      the third leading cause of death in people aged 65 years and older. With a large
      and growing aging population, it is critical to understand how the body changes
      with age and how this impacts the entire respiratory system. Understanding the
      aging process in the lung is necessary in order to provide optimal care to our
      aging population. This review focuses on the nonpathologic aging process in the
      lung, including structural changes, changes in muscle function, and pulmonary
      immunologic function, with special consideration of obstructive lung disease in
      the elderly. 

PMID- 24235823
TI  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation frequency and severity.

PMID- 24235822
TI  - Pathophysiology and clinical implications of pulmonary arterial enlargement in
      COPD.
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex condition defined by
      progressive airflow limitation in response to noxious stimuli, inflammation, and
      vascular changes. COPD exacerbations are critical events in the natural history
      of the disease, accounting for the majority of disease burden, cost, and
      mortality. Pulmonary vascular disease is an important risk factor for disease
      progression and exacerbation risk. Relative pulmonary artery enlargement on
      computed tomography scan, defined by a pulmonary artery to aortic (PA:A) ratio
      >1, has been evaluated as a marker of pulmonary vascular disease. The PA:A ratio
      can be measured reliably independent of electrocardiographic gating or the use of
      contrast, and in healthy patients a PA:A ratio >0.9 is considered to be abnormal.
      The PA:A ratio has been compared with invasive hemodynamic parameters, primarily
      mean pulmonary artery pressure in various disease conditions and is more strongly
      correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure in obstructive as compared with
      interstitial lung disease. In patients without known cardiac or pulmonary
      disease, the PA:A ratio is predictive of mortality, while in COPD, an elevated
      PA:A ratio is correlated with increased exacerbation risk, outperforming other
      well established predictors of these events. Future studies should be aimed at
      determining the stability of the metric over time and evaluating the utility of
      the PA:A ratio in guiding specific therapies. 

PMID- 24235824
TI  - Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a multidisciplinary program of
      care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the goal
      of improving the functional capacity and quality of life, as well as maintaining
      the clinical stability of COPD sufferers. However, not all patients are available
      for such a program despite discomfort with their condition. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the effects of a home-based PR (HBPR) program on functional
      ability, quality of life, and respiratory muscle strength and endurance. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Patients with COPD according to the Global Initiative of Chronic
      Obstructive Lung Disease were randomized (double-blind) into two groups. One
      group performed a protocol at home with aerobic and muscle strength exercises and
      was called the intervention group; the other group received only instructions to
      perform breathing and stretching exercises, characterizing it as the control
      group (CG). We assessed the following variables at baseline and 2 months:
      exercise tolerance (incremental shuttle walk test and upper limb test),
      respiratory muscle (strength and endurance test), and health-related quality of
      life (Airways Questionnaire 20). RESULTS: There were no significant changes after
      the intervention in either of the two groups in exercise tolerance and quality of
      life. However, the intervention group had improved respiratory endurance compared
      with the CG, while the CG presented a decrease in the load sustained by the
      respiratory muscles after the HBPR. CONCLUSION: A program of HBPR with biweekly
      supervision (although not enough to provide significant improvements in physical
      capacity or quality of life) played an important role in maintaining the
      stability of the clinical features of patients with COPD; the patients had no
      worsening of symptoms during the intervention period according to the daily log.

PMID- 24235825
TI  - The impact of PEGylation patterns on the in vivo biodistribution of mixed shell
      micelles.
AB  - Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-ylation is a widely used strategy to fabricate
      nanocarriers with a long blood circulation time. Further elaboration of the
      contribution of the surface PEGylation pattern to biodistribution is highly
      desirable. We fabricated a series of polyion complex (PIC) micelles PEGylated
      with different ratios (PEG2k and PEG550). The plasma protein adsorption, murine
      macrophage uptake, and in vivo biodistribution with iodine-125 as the tracer were
      systematically studied to elucidate the impact of PEGylation patterns on the
      biodistribution of micelles. We demonstrated that the PEGylated micelles with
      short hydrophilic PEG chains mixed on the surface were cleared quickly by the
      reticuloendothelial system (RES), and the single PEG2k PEGylated micelles could
      efficiently prolong the blood circulation time and increase their deposition in
      tumor sites. The present study extends the understanding of the PEGylation
      strategy to further advance the development of ideal nanocarriers for drug
      delivery and imaging applications. 

PMID- 24235826
TI  - Synthesis, optimization, and characterization of silver nanoparticles from
      Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and their enhanced antibacterial activity when
      combined with antibiotics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of nontoxic methods of synthesizing nanoparticles is
      a major step in nanotechnology to allow their application in nanomedicine. The
      present study aims to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a cell
      free extract of Acinetobacter spp. and evaluate their antibacterial activity.
      METHODS: Eighteen strains of Acinetobacter were screened for AgNP synthesis.
      AgNPs were characterized using various techniques. Reaction parameters were
      optimized, and their effect on the morphology of AgNPs was studied. The
      synergistic potential of AgNPs on 14 antibiotics against seven pathogens was
      determined by disc-diffusion, broth-microdilution, and minimum bactericidal
      concentration assays. The efficacy of AgNPs was evaluated as per the minimum
      inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints of the Clinical and Laboratory
      Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. RESULTS: Only A. calcoaceticus LRVP54
      produced AgNPs within 24 hours. Monodisperse spherical nanoparticles of 8-12 nm
      were obtained with 0.7 mM silver nitrate at 70 degrees C. During optimization, a
      blue-shift in ultraviolet-visible spectra was seen. X-ray diffraction data and
      lattice fringes (d =0.23 nm) observed under high-resolution transmission electron
      microscope confirmed the crystallinity of AgNPs. These AgNPs were found to be
      more effective against Gram-negative compared with Gram-positive microorganisms.
      Overall, AgNPs showed the highest synergy with vancomycin in the disc-diffusion
      assay. For Enterobacter aerogenes, a 3.8-fold increase in inhibition zone area
      was observed after the addition of AgNPs with vancomycin. Reduction in MIC and
      minimum bactericidal concentration was observed on exposure of AgNPs with
      antibiotics. Interestingly, multidrug-resistant A. baumannii was highly
      sensitized in the presence of AgNPs and became susceptible to antibiotics except
      cephalosporins. Similarly, the vancomycin-resistant strain of Streptococcus
      mutans was also found to be susceptible to antibiotic treatment when AgNPs were
      added. These biogenic AgNPs showed significant synergistic activity on the beta
      lactam class of antibiotics. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of synthesis of
      AgNPs using A. calcoaceticus LRVP54 and their significant synergistic activity
      with antibiotics resulting in increased susceptibility of multidrug-resistant
      bacteria evaluated as per MIC breakpoints of the CLSI standard.

PMID- 24235827
TI  - Fate of paclitaxel lipid nanocapsules in intestinal mucus in view of their oral
      delivery.
AB  - The bioavailability of paclitaxel (Ptx) has previously been improved via its
      encapsulation in lipid nanocapsules (LNCs). In this work, the interactions
      between LNCs and intestinal mucus are studied because they are viewed as an
      important barrier to successful oral delivery. The rheological properties of
      different batches of pig intestinal mucus were studied under different conditions
      (the effect of hydration and the presence of LNCs). Fluorescence resonance energy
      transfer (FRET) was used to study the stability of LNCs in mucus at 37 degrees C
      for at least 3 hours. Diffusion through 223, 446, and 893 MUm mucus layers of
      8.4, 16.8, and 42 MUg/mL Ptx formulated as Taxol(r) (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Rueil
      Malmaison, France) or encapsulated in LNCs (Ptx-LNCs) were investigated. The
      effect of the size of the LNCs on their diffusion was also investigated (range,
      25-110 nm in diameter). Mucus behaves as a non-Newtonian gel with rheofluidifying
      properties and a flow threshold. The viscous (G") and elastic (G') moduli and
      flow threshold of the two mucus batches varied with water content, but G'
      remained below G". LNCs had no effect on mucus viscosity and flow threshold. The
      FRET efficiency remained at 78% after 3 hours. Because the destruction of the
      LNCs would lead to a FRET efficiency below 25%, these results suggest only a
      slight modification of LNCs after their contact with mucus. The diffusion of
      Taxol(r) and Ptx-LNCs in mucus decreases if the mucus layer is thicker.
      Interestingly, the apparent permeability across mucus is higher for Ptx-LNCs than
      for Taxol(r) for drug concentrations of 16.8 and 42 MUg/mL Ptx (P<0.05). The
      diffusion of Ptx-LNCs through mucus is not size-dependent. This study shows that
      LNCs are stable in mucus, do not change mucus rheological properties, and improve
      Ptx diffusion at low concentrations, thus making these systems good candidates
      for Ptx oral delivery. The study of the physicochemical interaction between the
      LNC surface and its diffusion in mucus is now envisioned. 

PMID- 24235828
TI  - Antiviral activity of mycosynthesized silver nanoparticles against herpes simplex
      virus and human parainfluenza virus type 3.
AB  - The interaction between silver nanoparticles and viruses is attracting great
      interest due to the potential antiviral activity of these particles, and is the
      subject of much research effort in the treatment of infectious diseases. In this
      work, we demonstrate that silver nanoparticles undergo a size-dependent
      interaction with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and with human parainfluenza
      virus type 3. We show that production of silver nanoparticles from different
      fungi is feasible, and their antiviral activity is dependent on the production
      system used. Silver nanoparticles are capable of reducing viral infectivity,
      probably by blocking interaction of the virus with the cell, which might depend
      on the size and zeta potential of the silver nanoparticles. Smaller-sized
      nanoparticles were able to inhibit the infectivity of the viruses analyzed. 

PMID- 24235829
TI  - Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of paclitaxel loaded in six-arm star
      shaped poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Star-shaped polymers provide more terminal groups, and are promising
      for application in drug-delivery systems. METHODS: A new series of six-arm star
      shaped poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (6-s-PLGA) was synthesized by ring-opening
      polymerization. The structure and properties of the 6-s-PLGA were characterized
      by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, gel
      permeation chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. Then,
      paclitaxel-loaded six-arm star-shaped poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles
      (6-s-PLGA-PTX-NPs) were prepared under the conditions optimized by the orthogonal
      testing. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze the
      nanoparticles' encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading capacity, dynamic light
      scattering was used to determine their size and size distribution, and
      transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate their morphology. The
      release performance of the 6-s-PLGA-PTX-NPs in vitro and the cytostatic effect of
      6-s-PLGA-PTX-NPs were investigated in comparison with paclitaxel-loaded linear
      poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (L-PLGA-PTX-NPs). RESULTS: The
      results of carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and infrared
      spectroscopy suggest that the polymerization was successfully initiated by
      inositol and confirm the structure of 6-s-PLGA. The molecular weights of a series
      of 6-s-PLGAs had a ratio corresponding to the molar ratio of raw materials to
      initiator. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the 6-s-PLGA had a low
      glass transition temperature of 40 degrees C-50 degrees C. The 6-s-PLGA-PTX-NPs
      were monodispersed with an average diameter of 240.4+/-6.9 nm in water, which was
      further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The encapsulation
      efficiency of the 6-s-PLGA-PTX-NPs was higher than that of the L-PLGA-PTX-NPs. In
      terms of the in vitro release of nanoparticles, paclitaxel (PTX) was released
      more slowly and more steadily from 6-s-PLGA than from linear poly(lactic-co
      glycolic acid). In the cytostatic study, the 6-s-PLGA-PTX-NPs and L-PLGA-PTX-NPs
      were found to have a similar antiproliferative effect, which indicates durable
      efficacy due to the slower release of the PTX when loaded in 6-s-PLGA.
      CONCLUSION: The results suggest that 6-s-PLGA may be promising for application in
      PTX delivery to enhance sustained antiproliferative therapy.

PMID- 24235830
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of surface-enhanced Raman-scattered gold
      nanoparticles.
AB  - In this paper, we report a simple, rapid, and robust method to synthesize surface
      enhanced Raman-scattered gold nanoparticles (GNPs) based on green chemistry.
      Vitis vinifera L. extract was used to synthesize noncytotoxic Raman-active GNPs.
      These GNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light
      scattering, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy
      (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. The characteristic
      surface plasmon-resonance band at ~ 528 nm is indicative of spherical particles,
      and this was confirmed by TEM. The N-H and C-O stretches in FTIR spectroscopy
      indicated the presence of protein molecules. The predominant XRD plane at (111)
      and (200) indicated the crystalline nature and purity of GNPs. GNPs were stable
      in the buffers used for biological studies, and exhibited no cytotoxicity in
      noncancerous MIO-M1 (Muller glial) and MDA-MB-453 (breast cancer) cell lines. The
      GNPs exhibited Raman spectral peaks at 570, 788, and 1,102 cm(-1). These new GNPs
      have potential applications in cancer diagnosis, therapy, and ultrasensitive
      biomarker detection. 

PMID- 24235831
TI  - Antitumor activity of tripterine via cell-penetrating peptide-coated
      nanostructured lipid carriers in a prostate cancer model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antitumor effect of
      cell-penetrating peptide-coated tripterine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers
      (CT-NLC) on prostate tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: CT-NLC were
      developed to improve the hydrophilicity of tripterine. The antiproliferative
      effects of CT-NLC, tripterine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (T-NLC), and
      free tripterine in a human prostatic carcinoma cell line (PC-3) and a mouse
      prostate carcinoma cell line (RM-1) were evaluated using an MTT assay. The
      advantage of CT-NLC over T-NLC and free tripterine with regard to antitumor
      activity in vivo was evaluated in a prostate tumor-bearing mouse model. The
      induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 cytokine content was
      investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the effect of CT
      NLC, T-NLC, and free tripterine on immune responses. Histologic and TUNEL assays
      were carried out to investigate the mechanisms of tumor necrosis and apoptosis.
      RESULTS: CT-NLC, T-NLC, and free tripterine showed high antiproliferative
      activity in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 0.60, 0.81, and 1.02 MUg/mL
      in the PC-3 cell line and 0.41, 0.54, and 0.89 MUg/mL in the RM-1 cell line after
      36 hours. In vivo, the tumor inhibition rates for cyclophosphamide, high-dose (4
      mg/kg) and low-dose (2 mg/kg) tripterine, high-dose (4 mg/kg) and low-dose (2
      mg/kg) T-NLC, high-dose (4 mg/kg) and low-dose (2 mg/kg) CT-NLC were 76.51%,
      37.07%, 29.53%, 63.56%, 48.25%, 72.68%, and 54.50%, respectively, showing a dose
      dependent pattern. The induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6
      cytokine content after treatment with CT-NLC and T-NLC was significantly higher
      than that of high-dose tripterine. Moreover, CT-NLC showed the expected advantage
      of inducing necrosis and apoptosis in prostate tumor cells. CONCLUSION: CT-NLC
      noticeably enhanced antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo and showed
      dramatically improved cytotoxicity in normal cells in comparison with free
      tripterine. In summary, CT-NLC could be used as a promising drug delivery system
      for the treatment of prostate cancer.

PMID- 24235832
TI  - Inhibition of choriocarcinoma by Fe3O4-dextran-anti-beta-human chorionic
      gonadotropin nanoparticles containing antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of
      heparanase.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of Fe3O4-dextran-anti-beta-human chorionic
      gonadotropin (HCG) carrying heparanase (Hpa) antisense oligodeoxynucleotide
      (ASODN), via the invasion, proliferation, and Hpa expression of JEG-3 cell lines
      and inhibitory effect of transplanted choriocarcinoma tumor growth. METHODS: The
      different abilities of invasion and proliferation between transfected JEG-3 and
      untransfected JEG-3 were measured by Matrigel invasion assay and 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in vitro. The effect
      of Hpa ASODN transfection on the expression of Hpa mRNA and protein was measured
      by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The
      transplanted choriocarcinoma tumors were taken out to calculate the inhibitory
      effect on tumor growth of Hpa ASODN. RESULTS: IN THIS STUDY, WE FOUND THAT: (1)
      the invasive ability of JEG-3 cells was inhibited sufficiently (P < 0.05) after
      JEG-3 cells were transfected by Fe3O4-dextran-anti-betaHCG carrying Hpa ASODN;
      (2) after JEG-3 cells were transfected by Fe3O4-dextran-anti-betaHCG carrying Hpa
      ASODN at 48 and 72 hours, the proliferative ability of JEG-3 cells was inhibited
      sufficiently (P < 0.05); (3) the expression of Hpa mRNA and protein in JEG-3
      cells was inhibited efficiently after JEG-3 cells were transfected by Fe3O4
      dextran-anti-betaHCG carrying Hpa ASODN (P < 0.05); and (4) Fe3O4-dextran-anti
      betaHCG carrying Hpa ASODN had an inhibitory effect on the transplanted
      choriocarcinoma tumor growth (P < 0.05) and was harmless on nude mice.
      CONCLUSION: Fe3O4-dextran-anti-betaHCG carrying Hpa ASODN weakened the invasive
      and proliferative ability of choriocarcinoma, with a significant inhibitory
      effect on the transplanted choriocarcinoma tumor. Therefore, Fe3O4-dextran-anti
      betaHCG carrying Hpa ASODN is an effective gene therapy, and Fe3O4-dextran-anti
      betaHCG nanoparticles are a harmless and effective gene vector.

PMID- 24235833
TI  - Identification of common predictors of surgical outcomes for epilepsy surgery.
AB  - Although epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment for patients with drug
      resistant epilepsy, surgical outcomes vary across patient groups and studies.
      Identification of reliable prognostic factors for surgical outcome is important
      for outcome research. In this study, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses
      on prediction of seizure outcome have been analyzed, and common predictors of
      seizure outcome or unrelated factors for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), lesional
      extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE), and tuberous sclerosis complex have been
      identified. Clinical factors such as lesional epilepsy, abnormal magnetic
      resonance imaging, partial seizures, and complete resection were found to be
      common positive predictors, and factors such as nonlesional epilepsy, poorly
      defined and localized epileptic focus, generalized seizures, and incomplete
      resection are common negative predictors, while factors such as age at surgery
      and side of surgery are unrelated to seizure outcome for TLE and lesional ETLE.
      In addition, diagnostic neuroimaging and resection are among the most important
      predictors of seizure outcome. However, common predictors of seizure outcome
      could not be identified in nonlesional ETLE because no predictors were found to
      be significant in adult patients (by meta-analysis), and outcome prediction is
      difficult in this case. Meta-analysis of other outcomes, such as neuropsychologic
      outcomes, is rare due to lack of evaluation standards. Further studies on
      identification of reliable predictors of surgical outcomes are needed. 

PMID- 24235835
TI  - Quality of Web-based information on obsessive compulsive disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Internet is increasingly used as a source of information for
      mental health issues. The burden of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) may lead
      persons with diagnosed or undiagnosed OCD, and their relatives, to search for
      good quality information on the Web. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of
      Web-based information on English-language sites dealing with OCD and to compare
      the quality of websites found through a general and a medically specialized
      search engine. METHODS: Keywords related to OCD were entered into Google and
      OmniMedicalSearch. Websites were assessed on the basis of accountability,
      interactivity, readability, and content quality. The "Health on the Net" (HON)
      quality label and the Brief DISCERN scale score were used as possible content
      quality indicators. Of the 235 links identified, 53 websites were analyzed.
      RESULTS: The content quality of the OCD websites examined was relatively good.
      The use of a specialized search engine did not offer an advantage in finding
      websites with better content quality. A score >=16 on the Brief DISCERN scale is
      associated with better content quality. CONCLUSION: This study shows the
      acceptability of the content quality of OCD websites. There is no advantage in
      searching for information with a specialized search engine rather than a general
      one. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The Internet offers a number of high quality OCD
      websites. It remains critical, however, to have a provider-patient talk about the
      information found on the Web.

PMID- 24235834
TI  - The role of the serotonergic system in suicidal behavior.
AB  - Serotonin is a widely investigated neurotransmitter in several psychopathologies,
      including suicidal behavior (SB); however, its role extends to several
      physiological functions involving the nervous system, as well as the
      gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. This review summarizes recent
      research into ten serotonergic genes related to SB. These genes - TPH1, TPH2,
      SLC6A4, SLC18A2, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR2A, DDC, MAOA, and MAOB - encode proteins that
      are vital to serotonergic function: tryptophan hydroxylase; the serotonin
      transporter 5-HTT; the vesicular transporter VMAT2; the HTR1A, HTR1B, and HTR2A
      receptors; the L-amino acid decarboxylase; and the monoamine oxidases. This
      review employed a systematic search strategy and a narrative research methodology
      to disseminate the current literature investigating the link between SB and
      serotonin. 

PMID- 24235837
TI  - Switching to olanzapine long-acting injection from either oral olanzapine or any
      other antipsychotic: comparative post hoc analyses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A considerable proportion of patients suffering from schizophrenia
      show suboptimal responses to oral antipsychotics due to inadequate adherence.
      Hence, they are likely to benefit from switching to a long-acting injectable
      formulation. These post hoc analyses assessed the clinical effects of switching
      to olanzapine long-acting injection (OLAI) from either oral olanzapine (OLZ) or
      other antipsychotics (non-OLZ). METHODS: Post hoc analyses were done based on two
      randomized studies (one short-term, one long-term) conducted in patients
      suffering from schizophrenia and treated with OLAI. The short-term study was an 8
      week placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in acute patients, and the long-term
      study was a 2-year, oral olanzapine-controlled, open-label, follow-up of
      stabilized outpatients. RESULTS: These analyses used data from 62 OLAI-treated
      patients (12 switched from OLZ, 50 from non-OLZ) from the short-term study and
      190 OLAI-treated patients (56 switched from OLZ, 134 from non-OLZ) from the long
      term study. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses of time to all-cause discontinuation
      of OLAI treatment did not differ significantly between OLZ and non-OLZ patients
      in the short-term study (P=0.209) or long-term study (P=0.448). Similarly, the
      proportions of OLZ and non-OLZ patients that discontinued OLAI were not
      statistically different in the short-term (16.7% versus 36.0%, respectively;
      P=0.198) or long-term (57.1% versus 47.8% respectively; P=0.238) studies. In the
      short-term study, no significant differences were detected between the patient
      groups in mean change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score
      (-13.4 OLZ versus -20.8 non-OLZ; P=0.166). In the long-term study, mean change in
      PANSS total score (3.9 OLZ versus -3.6 non-OLZ; P=0.008) was significantly
      different between the non-OLZ and OLZ groups. Rates of treatment-emergent adverse
      events were similar in OLZ and non-OLZ groups per study. CONCLUSION: These post
      hoc analyses suggest that no significant differences in clinical effectiveness
      were seen after switching from non-OLZ or OLZ to OLAI. However, these findings
      should be interpreted with care, due to small sample sizes and differences in
      patients' clinical profiles.

PMID- 24235836
TI  - Risk factors for fatal and nonfatal repetition of suicide attempts: a literature
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to identify the evidence for predictors of
      repetition of suicide attempts, and more specifically for subsequent completed
      suicide. METHODS: We conducted a literature search of PubMed and Embase between
      January 1, 1991 and December 31, 2009, and we excluded studies investigating only
      special populations (eg, male and female only, children and adolescents, elderly,
      a specific psychiatric disorder) and studies with sample size fewer than 50
      patients. RESULTS: The strongest predictor of a repeated attempt is a previous
      attempt, followed by being a victim of sexual abuse, poor global functioning,
      having a psychiatric disorder, being on psychiatric treatment, depression,
      anxiety, and alcohol abuse or dependence. For other variables examined (Caucasian
      ethnicity, having a criminal record, having any mood disorders, bad family
      environment, and impulsivity) there are indications for a putative correlation as
      well. For completed suicide, the strongest predictors are older age, suicide
      ideation, and history of suicide attempt. Living alone, male sex, and alcohol
      abuse are weakly predictive with a positive correlation (but sustained by very
      scarce data) for poor impulsivity and a somatic diagnosis. CONCLUSION: It is
      difficult to find predictors for repetition of nonfatal suicide attempts, and
      even more difficult to identify predictors of completed suicide. Suicide ideation
      and alcohol or substance abuse/dependence, which are, along with depression, the
      most consistent predictors for initial nonfatal attempt and suicide, are not
      consistently reported to be very strong predictors for nonfatal repetition.

PMID- 24235838
TI  - Developments in the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis: focus on
      adalimumab.
AB  - In selected patients with moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis who have
      failed to respond or are poorly responsive to standard pharmacologic forms of
      treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, therapy with a
      biological agent may be considered. While infliximab is an established tumor
      necrosis factor blocker and has a longer history of clinical use, adalimumab is
      an alternative in the same class and may be employed as an initial biological
      agent, if indicated for treatment of the disease. Adalimumab may have special
      appeal to stable users able to self-inject in a home setting rather than a
      centralized infusion center. Short-term adverse effects have been limited, but
      long-term adverse events can be serious and remain less well defined. Recently,
      another agent, subcutaneous golimumab, has also been reported to induce and
      maintain clinical response and remission in clinical trials, but a large
      experience has not been accumulated to date in clinical practice. In the future,
      other biological agents with novel and distinct mechanisms of therapeutic action
      may become available. 

PMID- 24235839
TI  - Titration of amlodipine to higher doses: a comparison of Asian and Western
      experience.
AB  - In this retrospective analysis, data pooled from two Phase III/IV open-label
      Asian studies were used to quantify the additional blood pressure efficacy
      achieved when titrating amlodipine from 5 mg to 10 mg in mild/moderate
      hypertensive patients, and compared to data pooled from three Western studies.
      The primary efficacy end point was the change from baseline in sitting systolic
      blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) to the specified time
      point (4-8 weeks, depending on the trial). For the Asian analysis (n=174), both
      mean SBP and DBP were significantly decreased at the final visit (SBP -13.3 mmHg,
      95% confidence interval [CI] -15.5 to -11.0; DBP -9.2 mmHg, 95% CI -10.6 to -7.8;
      both P<0.0001). These results were similar to the Western analysis (n=369; SBP 
      11.5 mmHg, 95% CI -13.1 to -10.0; DBP -6.3, 95% CI -7.1 to -5.5; both P<0.0001).
      In summary, titration of amlodipine from 5 mg to 10 mg significantly decreased
      both SBP and DBP in Asian patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. 

PMID- 24235840
TI  - Diagnostic efficacy of computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle aspiration
      and biopsy in patients with pulmonary disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle aspiration (TTNA) and
      biopsy (TTNB) is a well established, safe, and rapid method of reaching a
      definitive diagnosis for most thoracic lesions. The present study aimed to
      determine the roles of TTNA and TTNB in the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases and
      to compare the results using these two techniques. METHODS: TTNB and TTNA were
      performed in 105 patients admitted to our clinic due to peripheral pulmonary
      lesions between May 2005 and November 2007. Needle biopsies were performed using
      18-gauge Tru-Cut(r) biopsy needles and aspirations was performed using 18-20-22
      gauge Chiba needles. RESULTS: Malignant lesions diagnosed by TTNB were non-small
      cell lung carcinoma (51 patients, 73%), small cell lung carcinoma (nine patients,
      13%), malignant tissue (three patients, 5%), lymphoma (two patients, 3%), thymoma
      (two patients, 3%), plasmacytoma (one patient, 1%), rhabdomyosarcoma (one
      patient, 1%), and metastasis (one patient, 1%). The malignant lesions diagnosed
      by TTNA were non-small cell lung carcinoma in eleven patients (92%) and malignant
      tissue in one patient (8%). Three (100%) of the benign lesions diagnosed by TTNB
      were granulomas and two (100%) benign lesions diagnosed by TTNA were infarctions.
      When the diagnostic value of TTNB and TTNA was compared, TTNB was significantly
      superior. Malignant lesions were identified in 70 (84%) and benign lesions were
      identified in three (4%) of the 83 patients in the TTNB group. Ten (12%) patients
      in the TTNB group could not be diagnosed. Malignant lesions were found in 12
      (55%) and benign lesions were found in two (9%) of the 22 patients in the TTNA
      group. Negative results were obtained in eight (36%) patients. The diagnostic
      sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of TTNB was calculated to be 92%, 100%,
      and 93%, respectively (Table 5). The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and
      accuracy of TTNA was 78%, 100%, and 82%, respectively. TTNB had a sensitivity of
      92% (70/76) in malignant cases and 100% (3/3) in benign cases, while the
      sensitivity of TTNA in malignant and benign cases was 75% (3/4) and 67% (2/3),
      respectively. CONCLUSION: TTNB is a safe and easy procedure which provides a
      highly accurate diagnosis of benign and malignant lung lesions without causing a
      significant increase in complication rates.

PMID- 24235841
TI  - Successful treatment of paraganglioma with sorafenib: a case report and brief
      review of the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To date, no effective systemic therapies have been made available
      for paraganglioma. However, multiple mutations in susceptibility genes have been
      identified that are potential targets for sorafenib, an oral multitargeted
      tyrosine-kinase inhibitor. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 69-year-old
      Chinese man with mediastinal paraganglioma that had metastasized to the bone. The
      paraganglioma responded to sorafenib, a novel multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor
      that targets angiogenesis, the Raf-kinase pathway, the platelet-derived growth
      factor Ret, and c-Kit. The patient was diagnosed as having paraganglioma after
      biopsy of the mediastinal mass. We first treated the patient with radiotherapy.
      Then he tolerated an etoposide-and-cisplatin chemotherapy regimen. Subsequently,
      he received 6 months of maintenance treatment with sorafenib (400 mg twice
      daily). A dramatic reduction in tumor volume was observed. At present, the
      patient has achieved a partial response, and his clinical status remains
      unchanged. CONCLUSION: We suggest that sorafenib should be further investigated
      in the management of patients with paraganglioma.

PMID- 24235842
TI  - Transcatheter arterial embolization promotes liver tumor metastasis by increasing
      the population of circulating tumor cells.
AB  - Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is widely used as an effective
      palliative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and can prolong survival
      time. However, the high incidence of tumor recurrence and metastasis after TAE is
      still a major problem. Recent studies demonstrated that circulating tumor cells
      (CTCs) contribute to tumor metastasis. In this study, we tried to clarify whether
      the residual HCC after TAE can increase metastasis by increasing the number of
      CTCs. An orthotopic liver tumor model in the Buffalo rat was established using
      green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transfected HCC cell line, McA-RH7777. Two weeks
      after orthotopic liver tumor implantation, the rats underwent TAE treatment from
      the gastroduodenal artery. Iodized oil or saline was injected intra-arterially.
      Blood samples were taken on day 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 for detection of CTCs
      after TAE treatment. We analyzed the number of CTCs and assessed the metastatic
      potential of surviving tumor cells in rats between TAE and control groups. Our
      results demonstrated that the metastatic colonies in the lung were significantly
      increased by TAE treatment. The number of CTCs was also significantly increased
      by TAE treatment from day 7 to day 21. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor
      (HIF)-1alpha and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker proteins (N
      cadherin and vimentin) was upregulated, but E-cadherin was downregulated after
      TAE treatment. In conclusion, the metastatic potential of residual HCC can be
      induced by TAE treatment in a rat liver tumor model, which involves the
      acquisition of EMT features and an increased number of CTCs. 

PMID- 24235844
TI  - Nimotuzumab combined with radiotherapy for esophageal cancer: preliminary study
      of a Phase II clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and therapeutic effects of nimotuzumab (h-R3)
      combined with radiotherapy in esophageal cancer. METHODS: This Phase II clinical
      trial involved 42 patients with stage II (inoperable or refused surgery) to stage
      IV (supraclavicular lymph node metastasis only) esophageal cancers treated
      between November 2008 and July 2010. All patients had squamous cell carcinomas,
      and all received three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and 200 mg nimotuzumab
      per week during radiotherapy. RESULTS: There were 9, 25, and 8 patients with
      stage II, III and IV disease, respectively. All except two patients received 50
      70 Gy radiation; 37 patients (88.1%) received more than five nimotuzumab doses.
      Grade III toxicities (21.4% of all adverse events) included esophagitis and
      gastrointestinal, dermatological and hematological toxicities. Complete response,
      partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease were observed in 0, 22
      (52.4%), 17 (40.5%) and 3 (7.1%) patients at 1 month after the treatment. The
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression rate was 95.2%. After a
      median follow-up of 37 months, the median survival time (MST) was 14 months. The
      2 year and 3 year overall survival (OS) rates were 33.3% and 26.2%, respectively.
      The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 10 months. The 2 year and 3
      year PFS rates were 24.5% and 22.1%, respectively. The MST in the 13 patients
      with (+++) EGFR expression (group A) and 7 patients with (++) EGFR expression
      (group B) was 15 and 11 months, respectively. The 2 year and 3 year OS rates were
      46.2% and 38.5% in group A and 28.6% and 28.6% in group B, respectively (P =
      0.405). CONCLUSION: Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy was the standard care
      for locally advanced esophageal cancer, radiotherapy was the choice for those who
      were refused or could not tolerate chemoradiotherapy. Our study shows that
      nimotuzumab combined with radiotherapy was well tolerated in patients with
      esophageal cancer. EGFR overexpression was more common than previously reported.
      OS was higher after combined therapy than after historical control radiotherapy
      alone. Further studies are required to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of
      nimotuzumab in esophageal cancer.

PMID- 24235843
TI  - Should a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) agonist or antagonist be designed to treat
      cancer? TLR-4: its expression and effects in the ten most common cancers.
AB  - Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) is well known for its host innate immunity. Despite
      the fact that TLR-4 activation confers antitumor responses; emerging evidence
      suggests that TLR-4 is associated with tumor development and progression. It is
      now clear that overactivation of TLR-4, through various immune mediators, may
      cause immune response dysfunction, resulting in tumorigenesis. Different cancers
      could have different extents of TLR-4 involvement during tumorigenesis or tumor
      progression. In this review, we focus on infection- and inflammation-related TLR
      4 activation in noncancer and cancer cells, as well as on the current evidence
      about the role of TLR-4 in ten of the most common cancers, viz, head and neck
      cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer,
      skin cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer.

PMID- 24235845
TI  - Cancer stem cell-related marker expression in lung adenocarcinoma and relevance
      of histologic subtypes based on IASLC/ATS/ERS classification.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory has been proposed to explain tumor
      heterogeneity and the carcinogenesis of solid tumors. The aim of this study was
      to clarify the clinical role of CSC-related markers in patients with lung
      adenocarcinoma and to determine whether each CSC-related marker expression
      correlates with the histologic subtyping proposed by the International
      Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), the American Thoracic Society
      (ATS), and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) classifications. METHODS: We
      reviewed data for all 103 patients in whom complete resection of adenocarcinoma
      had been performed. Expression of CSC-related markers, ie, aldehyde dehydrogenase
      1A1 (ALDH1A1), aldo-keto reductase 1C family member 1 (AK1C1), and 1C family
      member 3 (AK1C3), was examined using immunostaining on whole-mount tissue slides,
      and the tumors were reclassified according to the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification.
      RESULTS: ALDH1A1 expression was observed in 66.0% of tumors, AK1C1 in 62.7%, and
      AK1C3 in 86.1%. Immunoreactivities with the frequency of mean expression of
      ALDH1A1 in papillary predominant adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than
      those of solid predominant adenocarcinoma (P<0.05). Papillary predominant
      adenocarcinoma had significantly lower expression of AK1C1 when compared with
      noninvasive or solid predominant adenocarcinomas (P<0.05). On multivariate
      analysis, larger tumor size (hazards ratio 1.899, P=0.044), lymph node metastasis
      (hazards ratio 2.702, P=0.005), and low expression of ALDH1A1 (hazards ratio
      3.218, P<0.001) were shown to be independently associated with an unfavorable
      prognosis. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemistry of ALDH1A1 expression is strongly
      associated with prognosis. Expression of each CSC-related marker varies according
      to subtype, suggesting that a comprehensive histologic subtyping approach in the
      IASLC/ATS/ERS classification provides new molecular biology insights into the
      genesis of lung adenocarcinoma according to CSC theory.

PMID- 24235846
TI  - Discontinuation and reinitiation patterns of osteoporosis treatment among
      commercially insured postmenopausal women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Poor adherence to chronic medications is common and compromises
      medication effectiveness. We sought to describe longitudinal patterns of
      osteoporosis medication use. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational
      cohort study using 2005-2009 data from a large, commercially insured population.
      METHODS: Patients were women aged >=55 years initiating osteoporosis therapy who
      had a >=12-month (baseline) period with no osteoporosis therapy claims preceding
      initiation, and >=24 months follow-up after therapy initiation. Discontinuation
      was defined as a gap >60 days (varied in sensitivity analyses) in prescription
      claims. Reinitiation was defined as a prescription claim for the same or
      different osteoporosis therapy following the therapy gap. Discontinuation and
      reinitiation patterns were described using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariable
      Cox regression assessed the impact of baseline factors on reinitiation. RESULTS:
      Of the 92,839 patients, 45%, 58%, and 70% discontinued therapy at 6, 12, and 24
      months, respectively, following initiation. Of the discontinuers, 46% reinitiated
      therapy, with the majority doing so within 6 months of discontinuation. Women
      were less likely to reinitiate therapy if they were older (P < 0.0001) or were
      hospitalized during baseline (P = 0.0007). Women who discontinued treatment early
      (<6 months) following initiation were less likely to reinitiate (P < 0.0001) and
      remained on therapy for shorter periods following reinitiation. Depending on the
      available observation time, the median time on therapy following reinitiation was
      58-193 days. Study findings did not change appreciably in sensitivity analyses.
      CONCLUSION: Many patients stop and restart treatment for osteoporosis. A better
      understanding of determinants of treatment stopping and restarting could inform
      adherence improvement efforts.

PMID- 24235847
TI  - The impact of cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities on the short-term outcomes of
      patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction: a population-based
      perspective.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objectives of our large observational study were to describe the
      prevalence of cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities in a community-based
      population of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at all
      medical centers in central Massachusetts, and to examine whether multiple
      comorbidities were associated with in-hospital death rates and hospital length of
      stay. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 2,972 patients hospitalized with AMI
      at all eleven greater Worcester medical centers in central Massachusetts during
      the three study years of 2003, 2005, and 2007. RESULTS: The average age of this
      hospitalized population was 71 years, 55% were men, 93% were Caucasian, and
      approximately one third had developed an ST segment elevation AMI during the
      years under study. Hypertension (75%) was the most common cardiac condition
      identified in patients hospitalized with AMI whereas renal disease (22%) was the
      most common noncardiac comorbidity diagnosed in this study population.
      Approximately one in every four hospitalized patients had any four or more of the
      seven cardiac conditions examined, while one in 13 had any three or more of the
      five noncardiac conditions studied. Patients with four or more cardiac
      comorbidities were more than twice as likely to have died during hospitalization
      and have a prolonged hospital length of stay, compared to those without any
      cardiac comorbidities. Patients with three or more noncardiac comorbidities had
      markedly increased odds of dying during hospitalization and having a prolonged
      hospital stay compared to those with no noncardiac comorbidities previously
      diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the need for additional
      contemporary data to improve the short-term outcomes of patients hospitalized
      with AMI and multiple concurrent medical illnesses.

PMID- 24235848
TI  - Effectiveness of a modified version of the applied relaxation technique in
      treatment of perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Awareness of the risks associated with hormone therapy for menopausal
      symptoms has sparked a global decline in this treatment. Alternative treatments
      to relieve menopausal symptoms are therefore required. The applied relaxation
      (AR) technique has proven to be successful for symptom amelioration, but requires
      participation in 12 weekly classes. The purpose of this study was to determine
      the effectiveness of a modified relaxation version (MR) of AR for treatment of
      hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. METHODS: We conducted a12
      week, randomized, parallel, open-label, controlled trial in perimenopausal and
      postmenopausal women visiting the menopausal clinic. Participants were randomly
      assigned to an MR or AR group. The MR group (n=36) received a single session of
      (MR) training and the AR group (n=35) received conventional 12-week training.
      Participants were instructed to practice the techniques daily at home for 12
      weeks. The main outcome was the measure on the severity scale and frequency of
      hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. RESULTS: All participants
      completed the study. Total severity scores in both groups decreased after 12
      weeks, but there was no difference between the groups (P=0.93). The severity
      score for hot flashes in the MR group decreased more than in the AR group
      (P=0.02). The severity scores for night sweats and sleep disturbances decreased
      in both groups. The frequency of hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep
      disturbances were also decreased in both groups. CONCLUSION: A shorter, modified
      version of the AR was equally effective or slightly better than the conventional
      AR for the relief of hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances in
      perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Recommendations for future research
      include confirmatory studies and trials with larger samples.

PMID- 24235849
TI  - MUCI positive cutaneous metastasis with transepidermal elimination from a breast
      carcinoma.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common cause of cutaneous metastases from internal
      malignancies. Generally, the neoplastic cells are located in the dermis or
      hypodermis, while a finding of transepidermal elimination on cutaneous metastases
      is exceptional. In this report we present a patient with perforating cutaneous
      metastases from breast cancer with mucin 1 expression. Cutaneous, bone, lung, and
      hepatic lesions were detected two years after the diagnosis of the primary tumor.

PMID- 24235850
TI  - High-dose, short-interval daptomycin regimen was safe and well tolerated in three
      patients with chronic renal failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recommended daptomycin dosage is 4 or 6 mg/kg/day for the
      treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections or for Staphylococcus
      aureus bacteremia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis. Every other day
      administration is usually recommended for patients with mild to moderate renal
      impairment. Higher doses (>6 mg/kg/day) have been explored as a possible
      alternative. Daptomycin is considered a safe anti-methicillin-resistant S. aureus
      (MRSA) drug, although renal dysfunction may be worsened. In this paper we report
      on three patients with chronic renal failure who received a higher dose of
      daptomycin daily for successful treatment for MRSA bacteremia, MRSA
      osteomyelitis, and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) endocarditis.
      RESULTS: Previous administration of other drugs, including vancomycin,
      teicoplanin, and linezolid, had failed. In spite of daily treatment with
      daptomycin instead of the recommended alternate day regimen, adverse effects,
      such as elevation of creatinine and creatine phosphokinase, did not occur.
      CONCLUSION: These experiences suggest that administration of high-dose/short
      interval daptomycin can be efficient and safe even in the setting of renal
      dysfunction, and should be considered for the treatment of severe MRSA/MRSE
      infections in these patients.

PMID- 24235851
TI  - Syringeless power injector versus dual-syringe power injector: economic
      evaluation of user performance, the impact on contrast enhanced computed
      tomography (CECT) workflow exams, and hospital costs.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The utilization of diagnostic imaging has substantially increased over
      the past decade in Europe and North America and continues to grow worldwide. The
      purpose of this study was to develop an economic evaluation of a syringeless
      power injector (PI) versus a dual-syringe PI for contrast enhanced computed
      tomography (CECT) in a hospital setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n=2379)
      were enrolled at the Legnano Hospital between November 2012 and January 2013.
      They had been referred to the hospital for a CECT analysis and were randomized
      into two groups. The first group was examined with a 256-MDCT (MultiDetector
      Computed Tomography) scanner using a syringeless power injector, while the other
      group was examined with a 64-MDCT scanner using a dual-syringe. Data on the
      operators' time required in the patient analysis steps as well as on the quantity
      of consumable materials used were collected. The radiologic technologists'
      satisfaction with the use of the PIs was rated on a 10-point scale. A budget
      impact analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed under the base-case
      scenario. RESULTS: A total of 1,040 patients were examined using the syringeless
      system, and 1,339 with the dual-syringe system; the CECT examination quality was
      comparable for both PI systems. Equipment preparation time and releasing time per
      examination for syringeless PIs versus dual-syringe PIs were 100+/-30 versus
      180+/-30 seconds and 90+/-30 and 140+/-20 seconds, respectively. On average, 10+/
      3 mL of contrast media (CM) wastage per examination was observed with the dual
      syringe PI and 0+/-1 mL with the syringeless PI. Technologists had higher
      satisfaction with the syringeless PI than with the dual-syringe system (8.8
      versus 8.0). The syringeless PI allows a saving of about ?6.18 per patient, both
      due to the lower cost of the devices and to the better performance of the
      syringeless system. The univariate sensitivity analysis carried out on the base
      case results within the standard deviation range confirmed the saving generated
      by using the syringeless device, with saving values between ?5.40 and ?6.20 per
      patient. CONCLUSION: The syringeless PI was found to be more user-friendly and
      efficient, minimizing contrast wastage and providing similar contrast enhancement
      quality compared to the dual-syringe injector, with comparable CECT examination
      quality.

PMID- 24235852
TI  - Clinical indicators for severe prognosis of scrub typhus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study explored clinical risk characteristics that may be used to
      forecast scrub typhus severity under routine clinical practices. METHODS:
      Retrospective data were collected from patients registered at two university
      affiliated tertiary care hospitals in the north of Thailand, from 2004 to 2010.
      Key information was retrieved from in-patient records, out patient cards,
      laboratory reports and registers. Patients were classified into three severity
      groups: nonsevere, severe (those with at least one organ involvement), and
      deceased. Prognostic characteristics for scrub typhus severity were analyzed by a
      multivariable ordinal continuation ratio regression. RESULTS: A total of 526
      patients were classified into nonsevere (n = 357), severe (n = 100), and deceased
      (n = 69). The significant multivariable prognostic characteristics for scrub
      typhus severity were increased body temperature (odds ratio [OR] = 0.58, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] = 0.45-0.74, P < 0.001), increased pulse rate (OR =
      1.03, 95% CI = 1.01-1.05, P < 0.001), presence of crepitation (OR = 3.25, 95% CI
      = 1.52-6.96, P = 0.001), increased percentage of lymphocytes (OR = 0.97, 95% CI =
      0.95-0.98, P = 0.001), increased aspartate aminotransferase (every 10 IU/L) (OR =
      1.04, 95% CI = 1.02-1.06, P < 0.001), increased serum albumin (OR = 0.47, 95% CI
      = 0.27-0.80, P = 0.001), increased serum creatinine (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.50
      2.24, P < 0.001), and increased levels of positive urine albumin (OR = 1.43, 95%
      CI = 1.17-1.75, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients suspicious of scrub typhus with
      low body temperature, rapid pulse rate, presence of crepitation, low percentage
      of lymphocyte, low serum albumin, elevated aspartate aminotransferase, elevated
      serum creatinine, and positive urine albumin should be monitored closely for
      severity progression.

PMID- 24235854
TI  - Interprofessional education: the inclusion of dental hygiene in health care
      within the United States - a call to action.
AB  - There is a lack of access to oral health care in the United States for rural,
      underserved, uninsured, and low-income populations. There are widely recognized
      problems with the US health care system, including rapidly increasing costs and
      access to oral health. During the last decade, there has been a huge influx and
      push toward interprofessional education programs; however, these programs
      conveniently leave out dental hygiene. Interprofessional education can bring
      forth the collaboration, communication, and teamwork necessary to provide a
      comprehensive health care plan to treat oral health care needs in patients. As
      the advanced practice for dental hygiene emerges, it is imperative that the
      educational qualifications of dental hygienists are sufficient to enable them to
      safely provide the scope of services and care encompassed in these new expanded
      roles and to effectively participate as an interprofessional team member. 

PMID- 24235853
TI  - Contribution of blood platelets to vascular pathology in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the clinical setting, nearly 98% AD patients have
      CAA, and 75% of these patients are rated as severe CAA. It is characterized by
      the deposition of the beta-amyloid peptide (mainly Abeta40) in the walls of
      cerebral vessels, which induces the degeneration of vessel wall components,
      reduces cerebral blood flow, and aggravates cognitive decline. Platelets are
      anuclear cell fragments from bone marrow megakaryocytes and their function in
      hemostasis and thrombosis has long been recognized. Recently, increasing evidence
      suggests that platelet activation can also mediate the onset and development of
      CAA. First, platelet activation and adhesion to a vessel wall is the initial step
      of vascular injury. Activated platelets contribute to more than 90% circulating
      Abeta (mainly Abeta1-40), which in turn activates platelets and results in the
      vicious cycle of Abeta overproduction in damaged vessel. Second, the uncontrolled
      activation of platelets leads to a chronic inflammatory reaction by secretion of
      chemokines (eg, platelet factor 4 [PF4], regulated upon activation normal T-cell
      expressed and presumably secreted [RANTES], and macrophage inflammatory protein
      [MIP-1alpha]), interleukins (IL-1beta, IL-7, and IL-8), prostaglandins, and CD40
      ligand (CD40L). The interaction of these biological response modulators with
      platelets, endothelial cells, and leukocytes establishes a localized inflammatory
      response that contributes to CAA formation. Finally, activated platelets are the
      upholder of fibrin clots, which are structurally abnormal and resistant to
      degradation in the presence of Abeta42. Thus, opinion has emerged that targeting
      blood platelets may provide a new avenue for anti-AD therapy. 

PMID- 24235855
TI  - Improvement of workflow and processes to ease and enrich meaningful use of health
      information technology.
AB  - The introduction of health information technology (HIT) can have unexpected and
      unintended patient safety and/or quality consequences. This highly desirable but
      complex intervention requires workflow changes in order to be effective. Workflow
      is often cited by providers as the number one 'pain point'. Its redesign needs to
      be tailored to the organizational context, current workflow, HIT system being
      introduced, and the resources available. Primary care practices lack the required
      expertise and need external assistance. Unfortunately, the current methods of
      using esoteric charts or software are alien to health care workers and are,
      therefore, perceived to be barriers. Most importantly and ironically, these do
      not readily educate or enable staff to inculcate a common vision, ownership, and
      empowerment among all stakeholders. These attributes are necessary for creating
      highly reliable organizations. We present a tool that addresses US Accreditation
      Council for Graduate Medical (ACGME) competency requirements. Of the six
      competencies called for by the ACGME, the two that this tool particularly
      addresses are 'system-based practice' and 'practice-based learning and continuing
      improvement'. This toolkit is founded on a systems engineering approach. It
      includes a motivational and orientation presentation, 128 magnetic pictorial and
      write-erase icons of 40 designs, dry-erase magnetic board, and five visual aids
      for reducing cognitive and emotive biases in staff. Pilot tests were carried out
      in practices in Western New York and Colorado, USA. In addition, the toolkit was
      presented at the 2011 North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) meeting
      and an Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) meeting in 2013 to solicit
      responses from attendees. It was also presented to the officers of the Office of
      the National Coordinator (ONC) for HIT. All qualitative feedback was extremely
      positive and enthusiastic. The respondents recommended that the toolkit be
      disseminated widely to improve staff education and training, leading to practice
      improvements. 

PMID- 24235856
TI  - Factors contributing to lack of interest in research among medical students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research experiences early in the medical student's education are an
      important factor for attracting a greater number of doctors to careers with a
      research component. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors contributing to a lack of
      enthusiasm about research activities among medical students, and to suggest ways
      to help students develop an interest in research. DESIGN: A medical institution
      based, case-control study was conducted. A case was defined as any fourth year
      medical student who believed that undertaking research was not interesting;
      controls were matched for age and sex. A pretested, structured, and self
      administered questionnaire was used; the data were analyzed using statistical
      methods. RESULTS: In all, 122 students (54% male, 46% female) were recruited to
      the study. Factors found to be significant were lack of Internet facilities (odds
      ratio 0.218) and considering research useless (odds ratio 4.570). CONCLUSION:
      Measures should be taken at undergraduate level to involve students in research
      activities. Ensuring easy access to Internet facilities could be one positive
      step. Further research should be done to explore the reasons why some medical
      students consider research useless.

PMID- 24235857
TI  - Inhibitory effect of Korean Red Ginseng on melanocyte proliferation and its
      possible implication in GM-CSF mediated signaling.
AB  - Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been reported to exert anticancer, anti-oxidant, and
      anti-inflammatory effects. However, there has been no report on the effect of KRG
      on skin pigmentation. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of KRG
      on melanocyte proliferation. KRG extract (KRGE) at different concentrations had
      no effect on melanin synthesis in melan-A melanocytes. Saponin of KRG (SKRG)
      inhibited melanin content to 80% of the control at 100 ppm. Keratinocyte-derived
      factors induced by UV-irradiation were reported to stimulate melanogenesis,
      differentiation, proliferation, and dendrite formation. In this study, treatment
      of melan-A melanocytes with conditioned media from UV-irradiated SP-1
      keratinocytes increased melanocyte proliferation. When UV-irradiated SP-1
      keratinocytes were treated with KRGE or SKRG, the increase of melanocyte
      proliferation by the conditioned media was blocked. Granulocyte-macrophage colony
      stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was produced and released from UV-irradiated
      keratinocytes. This factor has been reported to be involved in regulating the
      proliferation and differentiation of epidermal melanocytes. In this study, GM-CSF
      was significantly increased in SP-1 keratinocytes by UVB irradiation (30
      mJ/cm(2)), and the proliferation of melan-A melanocytes increased significantly
      by GM-CSF treatment. In addition, the proliferative effect of keratinocyte
      conditioned media on melan-A melanocytes was blocked by anti-GM-CSF treatment.
      KRGE or SKRG treatment decreased the expression of GM-CSF in SP-1 keratinocytes
      induced by UVB irradiation. These results demonstrate that UV irradiation induced
      GM-CSF expression in keratinocytes and KRGE or SKRG inhibited its expression.
      Therefore, KRG could be a good candidate for regulating UV-induced melanocyte
      proliferation. 

PMID- 24235858
TI  - Effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract on tissue plasminogen activator and
      plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in cultured rat primary astrocytes.
AB  - Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an oriental herbal preparation obtained from Panax
      ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). To expand our understanding of the action of KRG on
      central nervous system (CNS) function, we examined the effects of KRG on tissue
      plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression
      in rat primary astrocytes. KRG extract was treated in cultured rat primary
      astrocytes and neuron in a concentration range of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL and the
      expression of functional tPA/PAI-1 was examined by casein zymography, Western
      blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. KRG extracts increased
      PAI-1 expression in rat primary astrocytes in a concentration dependent manner
      (0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL) without affecting the expression of tPA itself. Treatment of
      1.0 mg/mL KRG increased PAI-1 protein expression in rat primary astrocytes to
      319.3+/-65.9% as compared with control. The increased PAI-1 expression mediated
      the overall decrease in tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Due to the lack
      of PAI-1 expression in neuron, KRG did not affect tPA activity in neuron. KRG
      treatment induced a concentration dependent activation of PI3K, p38, ERK1/2, and
      JNK in rat primary astrocytes and treatment of PI3K or MAPK inhibitors such as
      LY294002, U0126, SB203580, and SP600125 (10 MUM each), significantly inhibited
      1.0 mg/mL KRG-induced expression of PAI- 1 and down-regulation of tPA activity in
      rat primary astrocytes. Furthermore, compound K but not other ginsenosides such
      as Rb1 and Rg1 induced PAI-1 expression. KRG-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 in
      astrocytes may play important role in the regulation of overall tPA activity in
      brain, which might underlie some of the beneficial effects of KRG on CNS such as
      neuroprotection in ischemia and brain damaging condition as well as prevention or
      recovery from addiction. 

PMID- 24235859
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside Rb1 and its metabolite compound K after oral
      administration of Korean Red Ginseng extract.
AB  - Compound K is a major metabolite of ginsenoside Rb1, which has various
      pharmacological activities in vivo and in vitro. However, previous studies have
      focused on the pharmacokinetics of a single metabolite or the parent compound and
      have not described the pharmacokinetics of both compounds in humans. To
      investigate the pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside Rb1 and compound K, we performed
      an open-label, single-oral dose pharmacokinetic study using Korean Red Ginseng
      extract. We enrolled 10 healthy Korean male volunteers in this study. Serial
      blood samples were collected during 36 h after Korean Red Ginseng extract
      administration to determine plasma concentrations of ginsenoside Rb1 and compound
      K. The mean maximum plasma concentration of compound K was 8.35+/-3.19 ng/mL,
      which was significantly higher than that of ginsenoside Rb1 (3.94+/-1.97 ng/mL).
      The half-life of compound K was 7 times shorter than that of ginsenoside Rb1.
      These results suggest that the pharmacokinetics, especially absorption, of
      compound K are not influenced by the pharmacokinetics of its parent compound,
      except the time to reach the maximum plasma concentration The delayed absorption
      of compound K support the evidence that the intestinal microflora play an
      important role in the transformation of ginsenoside Rb1 to compound K. 

PMID- 24235860
TI  - Simultaneous determination of 30 ginsenosides in Panax ginseng preparations using
      ultra performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - A quick and simple method for simultaneous determination of the 30 ginsenosides
      (ginsenoside Ro, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, 20(S)-Rg2, 20(R)-Rg2, 20(S)-Rg3,
      20(R)-Rg3, 20(S)-Rh1, 20(S)-Rh2, 20(R)-Rh2, F1, F2, F4, Ra1, Rg6, Rh4, Rk3, Rg5,
      Rk1, Rb3, Rk2, Rh3, compound Y, compound K, and notoginsenoside R1) in Panax
      ginseng preparations was developed and validated by an ultra performance liquid
      chromatography photo diode array detector. The separation of the 30 ginsenosides
      was efficiently undertaken on the Acquity BEH C-18 column with gradient elution
      with phosphoric acids. Especially the chromatogram of the ginsenoside Ro was
      dramatically enhanced by adding phosphoric acid. Under optimized conditions, the
      detection limits were 0.4 to 1.7 mg/L and the calibration curves of the peak
      areas for the 30 ginsenosides were linear over three orders of magnitude with a
      correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. The accuracy of the method was
      tested by a recovery measurement of the spiked samples which yielded good results
      of 89% to 118%. From these overall results, the proposed method may be helpful in
      the development and quality of P. ginseng preparations because of its wide range
      of applications due to the simultaneous analysis of many kinds of ginsenosides. 

PMID- 24235861
TI  - Quality and characteristics of ginseng seed oil treated using different
      extraction methods.
AB  - Ginseng seed oil was prepared using compressed, solvent, and supercritical fluid
      extraction methods of ginseng seeds, and the extraction yield, color, phenolic
      compounds, fatty acid contents, and phytosterol contents of the ginseng seed oil
      were analyzed. Yields were different depending on the roasting pretreatment and
      extraction method. Among the extraction methods, the yield of ginseng seed oil
      from supercritical fluid extraction under the conditions of 500 bar and 65C was
      the highest, at 17.48%. Color was not different based on the extraction method,
      but the b-value increased as the roasting time for compression extraction was
      increased. The b-values of ginseng seed oil following supercritical fluid
      extraction were 3.54 to 15.6 and those following compression extraction after
      roasting treatment at 200C for 30 min, were 20.49, which was the highest value.
      The result of the phenolic compounds composition showed the presence of gentisic
      acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, and cinnamic acid in the ginseng seed oil. No
      differences were detected in phenolic acid levels in ginseng seed oil extracted
      by compression extraction or solvent extraction, but vanillic acid tended to
      decrease as extraction pressure and temperature were increased for seed oil
      extracted by a supercritical fluid extraction method. The fatty acid composition
      of ginseng seed oil was not different based on the extraction method, and
      unsaturated fatty acids were >90% of all fatty acids, among which, oleic acid was
      the highest at 80%. Phytosterol analysis showed that beta-sitosterol and
      stigmasterol were detected. The phytosterol content of ginseng seed oil following
      supercritical fluid extraction was 100.4 to 135.5 mg/100 g, and the phytosterol
      content following compression extraction and solvent extraction was 71.8 to 80.9
      mg/100 g. 

PMID- 24235862
TI  - A new validated analytical method for the quality control of red ginseng
      products.
AB  - The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides. Ginsenoside Rb1 and
      Rg1 are accepted as marker substances for quality control worldwide. The
      analytical methods currently used to detect these two compounds unfairly penalize
      steamed and dried (red) P. ginseng preparations, because it has a lower content
      of those ginsenosides than white ginseng. To manufacture red ginseng products
      from fresh ginseng, the ginseng roots are exposed to high temperatures for many
      hours. This heating process converts the naturally occurring ginsenoside Rb1 and
      Rg1 into artifact ginsenosides such as ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, and Rh2, among
      others. This study highlights the absurdity of the current analytical practice by
      investigating the time-dependent changes in the crude saponin and the major
      natural and artifact ginsenosides contents during simmering. The results lead us
      to recommend (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3 as new reference materials to
      complement the current P. ginseng preparation reference materials ginsenoside Rb1
      and Rg1. An attempt has also been made to establish validated qualitative and
      quantitative analytical procedures for these four compounds that meet
      International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines for specificity,
      linearity, range, accuracy, precision, detection limit, quantitation limit,
      robustness and system suitability. Based on these results, we suggest a validated
      analytical procedure which conforms to ICH guidelines and equally values the
      contents of ginsenosides in white and red ginseng preparations. 

PMID- 24235863
TI  - Luminescence properties and compositions of contaminating inorganic minerals
      separated from gamma-irradiated fresh and white ginsengs from different areas.
AB  - Gamma-irradiation (0-7 kGy) of ginseng is permitted in Korea for the purpose of
      microbial decontamination; with strict labeling, traceability and monitoring
      requirements. An identification study was conducted to determine the
      photostimulated-luminescence (PSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of
      gamma-irradiated fresh and white ginsengs cultivated in different areas.
      Dosedependent PSL-based screening was possible for white ginseng samples;
      however, inappropriate results from non-irradiated fresh ginseng samples were
      obtained, showing intermediate (700 to 5,000) or positive (T2 >5,000, irradiated)
      PSL counts due to the abundance of minerals on the surfaces of the samples. TL
      analysis of separated minerals from all non-irradiated samples gave TL glow
      curves of low intensity with a maximum peak after 300C. However, well-defined
      irradiation-specific (high intensity with a maximum peak at about 200C) glow
      curves were observed for all the irradiated samples, regardless of their type and
      origins. TL ratios (first glow curve /second glow curve) were also determined to
      confirm the irradiated (>0.1) and non-irradiated (<0.1) results. SEM-EDX
      (scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray) and XRD (X-ray
      diffraction) spectroscopic analyses showed that feldspar and quartz minerals were
      the main source for the typical radiation-specific luminescence properties. 

PMID- 24235864
TI  - Geographic information system-based identification of suitable cultivation sites
      for wood-cultivated ginseng.
AB  - Wood-cultivated ginseng, including roots in its dried form, is produced in forest
      land without using artificial facilities such as light barriers. To identify
      suitable sites for the propagation of wood-cultivated ginseng, factor combination
      technique (FCT) and linear combination technique (LCT) were used with geographic
      information system and the results were superimposed onto an actual wood
      cultivated ginseng plantation. The LCT more extensively searched for suitable
      sites of cultivation than that by the FCT; further, the LCT probed wide areas
      considering the predominance of precipitous mountains in Korea. In addition, the
      LCT showed the much higher degree of overlap with the actual cultivation sites;
      therefore, the LCT more comprehensively reflects the cultivator's intention for
      site selection. On the other hand, the inclusion of additional factors for the
      selection of suitable cultivation sites and experts' opinions may enhance the
      effectiveness and accuracy of the LCT for site application. 

PMID- 24235865
TI  - Role of epigenetic reprogramming of host genes in bacterial pathogenesis.
AB  - The genomes are regularly targeted by epigenetic regulatory mechanisms (DNA
      methylation, histone modifications, binding of regulatory proteins) in infected
      cells. In addition, proteins encoded by microbial genomes may disturb the action
      of a set of cellular promoters by interacting with the same epi-regulatory
      machinery. The outcome of this may result in epigenetic dysregulation and
      subsequent cellular dysfunctions that may manifest in or contribute to the
      development of pathological changes. How epigenetic methylation decorations on
      DNA and histones are started and established remains largely unknown. The
      inherited nature of these processes in regulation of genes suggests that they
      could play key roles in chronic diseases associated with microbial persistence;
      they might also explain so-called hit-and-run phenomena in infectious disease
      pathogenesis. Microbes infecting mammals may cause diseases by causing hyper
      methylation of key cellular promoters at CpG di-nucleotides and may induce
      pathological changes by epigenetic reprogramming of host cells they are
      interacting with elucidation of the epigenetic consequences of microbe-host
      interactions may have important therapeutic implications because epigenetic
      processes can be reverted and elimination of microbes inducing patho-epigenetic
      changes may prevent disease development. 

PMID- 24235866
TI  - Molecular identification of isolated fungi from stored apples in Riyadh, Saudi
      Arabia.
AB  - Fungi causes most plant disease. When fruits are stored at suboptimal conditions,
      fungi grows, and some produce mycotoxin which can be dangerous for human
      consumption. Studies have shown that the Penicillium and Monilinia species
      commonly cause spoilage of fruits, especially apples. Several other genera and
      species were reported to grow to spoil fruits. This study was conducted to
      isolate and identify fruit spoilage by fungi on apples collected in Riyadh, Saudi
      Arabia and conduct a molecular identification of the fungal isolates. Thus, we
      collected 30 samples of red delicious and Granny Smith apples with obvious
      spoilage from different supermarkets between February and March of 2012 in
      Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Each apple was placed in a sterile plastic bag in room
      temperature (25-30  degrees C) for six days or until fungal growth was evident
      all over the sample. Growth of fungal colonies on PDA was counted and sent for
      molecular confirmation by PCR. Six fruit spoilage fungi were isolated, including
      Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium adametzii, Penicillium chrysogenum,
      Penicillium steckii, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Aspergillus oryzae. P.
      chrysogenum was the most frequent isolate which was seen in 14 of a total of 34
      isolates (41.2%), followed by P. adametzii and A. oryzae with seven isolates each
      (20.6%) and the least was P. steckii with six isolates (17.6%). Penicillium
      species comprised 27 of the total 34 (79.4%) isolates. Sequence analysis of the
      ITS regions of the nuclear encoded rDNA showed significant alignments for P.
      chrysogenum, P. adametzii and A. oryzae. Most of these fungal isolates are useful
      and are rarely pathogenic; however they can still produce severe illness in
      immune-compromised individuals, and sometimes otherwise healthy people may also
      become infected. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the possible production of
      mycotoxins by these fungi to determine a potential danger and to establish its
      epidemiology in order to develop adequate methods of control. 

PMID- 24235867
TI  - Free radical scavenging activity from different extracts of leaves of Bauhinia
      vahlii Wight & Arn.
AB  - The objectives of this study were to determine phenolic content and antioxidant
      activities of chloroform, acetone, methanol and hot water extracts of Bauhinia
      vahlii leaves. The hot water extract afforded the highest yield (6.3%) while the
      lowest yield was obtained from the chloroform extract (2.1%). The methanol
      extract contains higher levels of total phenolics (48.7 +/- 0.7 g GAE/100 g
      extract), tannins (21.7 +/- 0.7 g GAE/100 g extract) and flavonoids (10.3 +/- 0.2
      RE/100 g extract). The extracts were subjected to assess their antioxidant
      potential using various in vitro systems such as DPPH(*), ABTS(*+), FRAP, OH(*),
      beta-carotene linoleic acid bleaching system, phosphomolybdenum reduction and
      Fe(2+) chelation. It is concluded that the methanolic extract of B. vahlii leaves
      have strong antioxidant potential. Further study is necessary for isolation and
      characterization of the active antioxidants, which may serve as a potential
      source of natural antioxidants. 

PMID- 24235868
TI  - Labeling of nucleosides with fluorescamine and detection by spectrofluorometer
      for End Stage Renal Disease.
AB  - Nucleosides are characterized as biomarkers in AIDS, Alzheimer, tumor, breast
      cancer and various malignant diseases. In the present work a direct method for
      the detection of nucleosides (adenosine, cytidine, uridine and guanosine) from
      urine samples has been developed. Nucleosides represent the extent of damage in
      genetic material, analysis of nucleosides by ultrasonic assisted microextraction
      effectively eliminates the interfering constituent of urine. This has made it a
      highly selective and sensitive method to analyze the nucleosides with a lower
      limit of detection 0.220 MUmol/L and Limit of quantitation 0.660 MUmol/L. The
      method has been validated with good linearity and correlation of coefficients of
      the calibration curves was higher than 0.997. The coefficients were in the range
      of 0.11-16.92% (inter-day) and 0.38-16.43% (intra-day), respectively. 

PMID- 24235869
TI  - Yield and size of oyster mushroom grown on rice/wheat straw basal substrate
      supplemented with cotton seed hull.
AB  - Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) was cultivated on rice straw basal
      substrate, wheat straw basal substrate, cotton seed hull basal substrate, and
      wheat straw or rice straw supplemented with different proportions (15%, 30%, and
      45% in rice straw substrate, 20%, 30%, and 40% in wheat straw substrate) of
      cotton seed hull to find a cost effective substrate. The effect of autoclaved
      sterilized and non-sterilized substrate on growth and yield of oyster mushroom
      was also examined. Results indicated that for both sterilized substrate and non
      sterilized substrate, oyster mushroom on rice straw and wheat basal substrate
      have faster mycelial growth rate, comparatively poor surface mycelial density,
      shorter total colonization period and days from bag opening to primordia
      formation, lower yield and biological efficiency, lower mushroom weight, longer
      stipe length and smaller cap diameter than that on cotton seed hull basal
      substrate. The addition of cotton seed hull to rice straw and wheat straw
      substrate slowed spawn running, primordial development and fruit body formation.
      However, increasing the amount of cotton seed hull can increase the uniformity
      and white of mycelium, yield and biological efficiency, and increase mushroom
      weight, enlarge cap diameter and shorten stipe length. Compared to the sterilized
      substrate, the non-sterilized substrate had comparatively higher mycelial growth
      rate, shorter total colonization period and days from bag opening to primordia
      formation. However, the non-sterilized substrate did not gave significantly
      higher mushroom yield and biological efficiency than the sterilized substrate,
      but some undesirable characteristics, i.e. smaller mushroom cap diameter and
      relatively long stipe length. 

PMID- 24235870
TI  - Improved growth, productivity and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
      plants through application of shikimic acid.
AB  - A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of seed presoaking of
      shikimic acid (30, 60 and 120 ppm) on growth parameters, fruit productivity and
      quality, transpiration rate, photosynthetic pigments and some mineral nutrition
      contents of tomato plants. Shikimic acid at all concentrations significantly
      increased fresh and dry weights, fruit number, average fresh and dry fruit yield,
      vitamin C, lycopene, carotenoid contents, total acidity and fruit total soluble
      sugars of tomato plants when compared to control plants. Seed pretreatment with
      shikimic acid at various doses induces a significant increase in total leaf
      conductivity, transpiration rate and photosynthetic pigments (Chl. a, chl. b and
      carotenoids) of tomato plants. Furthermore, shikimic acid at various doses
      applied significantly increased the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and
      potassium in tomato leaves as compared to control non-treated tomato plants.
      Among all doses of shikimic acid treatment, it was found that 60 ppm treatment
      caused a marked increase in growth, fruit productivity and quality and most
      studied parameters of tomato plants when compared to other treatments. On the
      other hand, no significant differences were observed in total photosynthetic
      pigments, concentrations of nitrogen and potassium in leaves of tomato plants
      treated with 30 ppm of shikimic acid and control plants. According to these
      results, it could be suggested that shikimic acid used for seed soaking could be
      used for increasing growth, fruit productivity and quality of tomato plants
      growing under field conditions. 

PMID- 24235871
TI  - Enhanced decolorization of Solar brilliant red 80 textile dye by an indigenous
      white rot fungus Schizophyllum commune IBL-06.
AB  - An indigenously isolated white rot fungus, Schizophyllum commune IBL-06 was used
      to decolorize Solar brilliant red 80 direct dye in Kirk's basal salts medium. In
      initial screening study, the maximum decolorization (84.8%) of Solar brilliant
      red 80 was achieved in 7 days shaking incubation period at pH 4.5 and 30  degrees
      C. Different physical and nutritional factors including pH, temperature and
      fungal inoculum density were statistically optimized through Completely
      Randomized Design (CRD), to enhance the efficiency of S. commune IBL-06 for
      maximum decolorization of Solar brilliant red 80 dye. The effects of inexpensive
      carbon and nitrogen sources were also investigated. Percent dye decolorization
      was determined by a reduction in optical density at the wavelength of maximum
      absorbance (lambda max, 590 nm). Under optimum conditions, the S. commune IBL-06
      completely decolorized (100%) the Solar brilliant red 80 dye using maltose and
      ammonium sulfate as inexpensive carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively in 3
      days. S. commune IBL-06 produced the three major ligninolytic enzymes lignin
      peroxidase (LiP), manganase peroxidase (MnP) and lacaase (Lac) during the
      decolorization of Solar brilliant red 80. LiP was the major enzyme (944 U/mL)
      secreted by S. commune IBL-06 along with comparatively lower activities of MnP
      and Laccase. 

PMID- 24235872
TI  - Selective inhibition of toxic cyanobacteria by beta-carboline-containing
      bacterium Bacillus flexus isolated from Saudi freshwaters.
AB  - A bacterial strain SSZ01 isolated from a eutrophic lake in Saudi Arabia dominated
      by cyanobacterial blooms, showed an antialgal activity against cyanobacteria
      species. Based on the analysis of the 16S rDNA gene sequence, the isolated strain
      (SSZ01) most likely belonged to the genus Bacillus with a 99% similarity to
      Bacillus flexus strain EMGA5. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of the
      ethyl acetate extract of this bacterium revealed that this strain can produce
      harmine and norharmane compared to different beta-carboline analog standards.
      Harmine and norharmane were also detected in considerable amounts in bacterial
      growth medium, indicating a potential excretion of these compounds into the
      aquatic environment. The crude extract of Bacillus flexus as well as pure
      materials of harmine and norharmane inhibited the growth of tested species of
      cyanobacteria. However, the bacterial crude extract has a higher toxicity against
      tested species of cyanobacteria than harmine and norharmane. In addition, harmine
      was more toxic to cyanobacteria than norharmane. On the other hand, neither pure
      compounds of harmine and norharmane nor crude bacterial extract showed any
      antialgal activity against tested species of green algae. The results of the
      present study suggest that B. flexus SSZ01 or its crude extract containing
      harmine and norharmane could be a candidate for the selective control of
      cyanobacterial blooms without affecting other algal species. 

PMID- 24235873
TI  - Analgesic and anti-inflammatory studies of cyclopeptide alkaloid fraction of
      leaves of Ziziyphus nummularia.
AB  - Ziziyphus nummularia (family: Rhamnaceae) is a thorny small bush, grows in
      abundance in the grazing lands of the arid areas of Rajasthan, India. It is an
      important ethnomedicinal plant of the Thar Desert; local inhabitants use every
      part of the plant as medicine. Kernels are prescribed in pregnancy as soporific,
      antiemetic and for relieving abdominal pain. The insect gall is powered and given
      orally with water to cure bone fracture. Crushed root is applied on the paining
      shoulder of the bullock. The decoction of leaves is used for the treatment of
      cough and cold; leaves are also regarded as diaphoretic and prescribed in
      typhoid. Paste of leaves is used for healing of cuts, boils and cutaneous
      disease. It is widely used in pain and inflammatory conditions. Z. nummularia
      contains a unique group of alkaloids known as cyclopeptide alkaloids, in
      continuation of our work carried out on the leaves of Z. nummularia , present
      study was initiated to explore antiinflammatory and analgesic potential of
      cyclopeptide alkaloids isolated from the leaves of Z. nummularia (IFZN). Anti
      inflammatory activity was tested against rat paw oedema, mouse peritonitis and
      cotton pellet granuloma. For screening of analgesic activity, acetic acid induced
      writhing, tail flick and hot plate test were performed. IFZN 30 mg/kg shows the
      anti-oedematogenic effect against paw oedema induced by carrageenan, dextran,
      serotonin and histamine; IFZN 20 and 30 mg/kg were found to have highly
      significant anti-nociceptive effects. Result of pharmacological studies indicated
      that IFZN is a potent and efficacious analgesic agent. The analgesic activity of
      IFZN is mediated by the peripheral as well as central pathways. 

PMID- 24235874
TI  - Characterization and kinetic properties of the purified Trematosphaeria mangrovei
      laccase enzyme.
AB  - The properties of Trematosphaeria mangrovei laccase enzyme purified on Sephadex G
      100 column were investigated. SDS-PAGE of the purified laccase enzyme showed a
      single band at 48 kDa. The pure laccase reached its maximal activity at
      temperature 65  degrees C, pH 4.0 with K m equal 1.4 mM and V max equal 184.84
      U/mg protein. The substrate specificity of the purified laccase was greatly
      influenced by the nature and position of the substituted groups in the phenolic
      ring. The pure laccase was tested with some metal ions and inhibitors, FeSO4
      completely inhibited laccase enzyme and also highly affected by (NaN3) at a
      concentration of 1 mM. Amino acid composition of the pure enzyme was also
      determined. Carbohydrate content of purified laccase enzyme was 23% of the enzyme
      sample. The UV absorption spectra of the purified laccase enzyme showed a single
      peak at 260-280 nm. 

PMID- 24235875
TI  - Heavy metal analysis in commercial Spirulina products for human consumption.
AB  - For consumption of health foods of Spirulina, by the general public, health food
      stores are increasingly offering more exotic products. Though Spirulina
      consumption is growing worldwide, relatively few studies have reported on the
      quantities of heavy metals/minerals they contain and/or their potential effects
      on the population's health. This study reveals the concentrations of six typical
      heavy metals/minerals (Ni, Zn, Hg, Pt, Mg, and Mn) in 25 Spirulina products
      commercialized worldwide for direct human consumption. Samples were ground,
      digested and quantified by Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The
      concentrations (mg/kg d.w.) were range from 0.001 to 0.012 (Pt) followed by 0.002
      0.028 (Hg), 0.002-0.042 (Mg), 0.005-2.248 (Mn), 0.211-4.672 (Ni) and 0.533-6.225
      (Zn). The inorganic elements of the present study were significantly lower than
      the recommended daily intake (RDI) level of heavy metal elements (mg/daily) Ni
      (0.4), Zn (13), Hg (0.01), Pt (0.002), Mg (400) and Mn (4). Based on this study
      the concentration of inorganic elements was not found to exceed the present
      regulation levels, and they can be considered as safe food. 

PMID- 24235876
TI  - The Role of Attention in the Binding of Surface Features to Locations.
AB  - Previous studies have proposed that attention is not necessary for detecting
      simple features but is necessary for binding them to spatial locations. The
      present study tested this hypothesis, using the N2pc component of the event
      related potential waveform as a measure of the allocation of attention. A simple
      feature detection condition, in which observers reported whether a target color
      was present or not, was compared with feature-location binding conditions, in
      which observers reported the location of the target color. A larger N2pc
      component was observed in the binding conditions than in the detection condition,
      indicating that additional attentional resources are needed to bind a feature to
      a location than to detect the feature independently of its location. This finding
      supports theories of attention in which attention plays a special role in binding
      features.

PMID- 24235877
TI  - Fathering and Adolescent Adjustment: Variations by Family Structure and Ethnic
      Background.
AB  - The current study investigated how fathering behaviors (acceptance, rejection,
      monitoring, consistent discipline, and involvement) are related to preadolescent
      adjustment in Mexican American and European American stepfamilies and intact
      families. Cross-sectional data from 393 7th graders, their schoolteachers, and
      parents were used to examine links between different dimensions of fathering and
      adolescent outcomes. Following an ecological multivariate model, family SES,
      marital satisfaction, and mothers' parenting were included as controls. In all
      contexts, fathering had significant effects on adolescent adjustment. Both
      mothers' parenting and adolescent gender moderated the associations, and we
      uncovered some provocative nonlinear relations between fathering and adolescent
      outcomes. The importance of ethnicity and family structure in studies of
      fathering are highlighted.

PMID- 24235878
TI  - Association of blood pressure and hypertension with alcohol consumption in HIV
      infected white and nonwhite patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although alcohol abuse is associated with hypertension in whites
      and nonwhites, it has been scarcely investigated in HIV-infected patients.
      OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the association of alcohol abuse with
      hypertension is influenced by skin color in HIV-infected individuals. METHODS:
      Cross-sectional study in HIV-infected individuals aged 18 years or older.
      Demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and HIV infection were investigated.
      Alcohol abuse was defined as >= 15 (women) and >= 30 g/alcohol/day (men), and
      binge drinking by the intake of >= 5 drinks on a single occasion. Hypertension
      was defined by blood pressure >= 140/90 mmHg or use of blood pressure-lowering
      agents. RESULTS: We studied 1,240 individuals, with 39.1 +/- 10 years, 51% males
      and 57% whites. Age and body mass index were associated with blood pressure, and
      there was an independent association of alcohol abuse with hypertension in whites
      (RR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3) and nonwhites (RR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.0). Among
      nonwhite individuals who were alcohol abusers, systolic (9.3 +/- 3.2; P = 0.001)
      and diastolic blood pressures (6.4 +/- 2.1; P = 0.008) were higher than in
      nonabusers. CONCLUSION: Alcohol abuse is a risk factor for hypertension in white
      and nonwhite HIV-infected individuals. The association of ethanol consumption
      with blood pressure is not explained by AIDS-related conditions.

PMID- 24235879
TI  - Freestyle-like V-Y flaps of the eyebrow: a new outlook and indication of an
      historical technique.
AB  - The eyebrow region is of utmost importance for facial movement, symmetry, and the
      overall cosmetic appearance of the face. Trauma or tumor resection often leave
      scars that may dislocate the eyebrow producing an alteration both in static
      symmetry of the face and in the dynamic expressivity. The authors present a
      technique for eyebrow's defects repair using the remaining eyebrow advancement by
      means of a "freestyle-like" V-Y flap. In the past two years a total of eight
      consecutive patients underwent excision of skin lesions in the superciliary
      region and immediate reconstruction with this technique. On histology, six
      patients were affected from basal cell carcinomas, one from squamous cell
      carcinoma, and one from congenital intradermal melanocytic nevus. The pedicle of
      the flap included perforators from the supratrochlear, supraorbital, or
      superficial temporalis artery. Advancement of the entire aesthetic subunit that
      includes the eyebrow using a V-Y perforator flap was performed successfully in
      all cases achieving full, tension-free closure of defects up to 3.0 cm.
      "Freestyle-like" V-Y flaps should be considered as a first-line choice for
      partial defects of the eyebrow. The greater mobility compared to random
      subcutaneous flaps allows to reconstruct large defects providing an excellent
      cosmetic result. 

PMID- 24235880
TI  - Prostate cancer: all aspects.

PMID- 24235881
TI  - Topographic dependence of cropland transformation in China during the first
      decade of the 21st century.
AB  - Terrain plays a critical role in the selection of cropland. As a physical and
      geographical element of the landscape, terrain is an important limiting factor in
      land use change and has a strong influence on human activities. The objectives of
      this study are to investigate the topographic characteristics of cropland-related
      transformations in China during the first decade of the 21st century and to
      explore the implications of land use change as it relates to securing a national
      food supply. A 2010 satellite-based land use dataset and the DEM data were used
      to conduct spatial statistical analysis using altitude, slope, and fragmentation
      data. The results showed the following. (1) As the urbanization and
      industrialization of China occur, and China attempts to replace this occupied
      cropland with newly reclaimed cropland, the topography of the most recently
      reclaimed cropland has been more poorly suited to farming than the topography of
      the occupied cropland it replaces in most provinces. (2) The area of occupied
      cropland was much larger than of those reclaimed; the qualities of occupied and
      reclaimed cropland were significantly different. (3) Land reclamation mainly
      occurred in northern China, instead of in southern China, which has a higher
      level of economic development. Our findings imply that the potential area
      available for cropland production may be limited. 

PMID- 24235883
TI  - Morphological, physiological, and structural responses of two species of
      artemisia to NaCl stress.
AB  - Effects of salt stress on Artemisia scoparia and A. vulgaris "Variegate" were
      examined. A. scoparia leaves became withered under NaCl treatment, whereas A.
      vulgaris "Variegate" leaves were not remarkably affected. Chlorophyll content
      decreased in both species, with a higher reduction in A. scoparia. Contents of
      proline, MDA, soluble carbohydrate, and Na(+) increased in both species under
      salt stress, but A. vulgaris "Variegate" had higher level of proline and soluble
      carbohydrate and lower level of MDA and Na(+). The ratios of K(+)/Na(+),
      Ca(2+)/Na(+), and Mg(2+)/Na(+) in A. vulgaris "Variegate" under NaCl stress were
      higher. Moreover, A. vulgaris "Variegate" had higher transport selectivity of
      K(+)/Na(+) from root to stem, stem to middle mature leaves, and upper newly
      developed leaves than A. scoparia under NaCl stress. A. vulgaris "Variegate"
      chloroplast maintained its morphological integrity under NaCl stress, whereas A.
      scoparia chloroplast lost integrity. The results indicated that A. scoparia is
      more sensitive to salt stress than A. vulgaris "Variegate." Salt tolerance is
      mainly related to the ability of regulating osmotic pressure through the
      accumulation of soluble carbohydrates and proline, and the gradient distribution
      of K(+) between roots and leaves was also contributed to osmotic pressure
      adjustment and improvement of plant salt tolerance. 

PMID- 24235882
TI  - Thiamine deficiency induced neurochemical, neuroanatomical, and
      neuropsychological alterations: a reappraisal.
AB  - Nutritional deficiency can cause, mainly in chronic alcoholic subjects, the
      Wernicke encephalopathy and its chronic neurological sequela, the Wernicke
      Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). Long-term chronic ethanol abuse results in hippocampal
      and cortical cell loss. Thiamine deficiency also alters principally hippocampal-
      and frontal cortical-dependent neurochemistry; moreover in WKS patients,
      important pathological damage to the diencephalon can occur. In fact, the amnesic
      syndrome typical for WKS is mainly due to the damage in the diencephalic
      hippocampal circuitry, including thalamic nuclei and mammillary bodies. The loss
      of cholinergic cells in the basal forebrain region results in decreased
      cholinergic input to the hippocampus and the cortex and reduced choline
      acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activities and function, as well as in
      acetylcholine receptor downregulation within these brain regions. In this
      narrative review, we will focus on the neurochemical, neuroanatomical, and
      neuropsychological studies shedding light on the effects of thiamine deficiency
      in experimental models and in humans. 

PMID- 24235884
TI  - NP-59 SPECT/CT imaging in stage 1 hypertensive and atypical primary
      aldosteronism: a 5-year retrospective analysis of clinicolaboratory and imaging
      features.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively analyzed all primary aldosteronism (PA) patients
      undergoing NP-59 SPECT/CT imaging with regard to their clinicolaboratory and
      imaging features, investigation, and outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 11 PA
      patients who presented to our hospital for NP-59 SPECT/CT imaging between April
      2007 and March 2012 and managed here were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 11 PA
      patients, eight (73%) had stage 1 hypertension, three (27%) stage 2 hypertension,
      four (36%) normal plasma aldosterone concentration, nine (82%) nonsuppressed
      plasma renin activity (PRA), six (55%) normal aldosterone-renin-ratio (ARR),
      eight (73%) serum potassium ?3 mEq/L, seven (64%) subclinical presentation, seven
      (64%) negative confirmatory testing, and four (36%) inconclusive results on CT
      scan and seven (64%) on planar NP-59 scan. All 11 (100%) patients had positive
      results on NP-59 SPECT/CT scan. Two (18%) met typical triad and nine (82%)
      atypical triad. Among nine atypical PA patients, three (33%) had clinical
      presentation, six (67%) subclinical presentation, six (67%) negative confirmatory
      testing, and four (44%) inconclusive results on CT scan and six (67%) on planar
      NP-59 scan. All patients had improved outcomes. Significant differences between
      typical and atypical PA existed in PRA and ARR. CONCLUSIONS: NP-59 SPECT/CT may
      provide diagnostic potential in stage 1 hypertensive and atypical PA.

PMID- 24235885
TI  - Coupled electrokinetics-adsorption technique for simultaneous removal of heavy
      metals and organics from saline-sodic soil.
AB  - In situ remediation technologies for contaminated soils are faced with
      significant technical challenges when the contaminated soil has low permeability.
      Popular traditional technologies are rendered ineffective due to the difficulty
      encountered in accessing the contaminants as well as when employed in settings
      where the soil contains mixed contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy
      metals, and polar organics. In this study, an integrated in situ remediation
      technique that couples electrokinetics with adsorption, using locally produced
      granular activated carbon from date palm pits in the treatment zones that are
      installed directly to bracket the contaminated soils at bench-scale, is
      investigated. Natural saline-sodic soil, spiked with contaminant mixture
      (kerosene, phenol, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg), was used in this study to
      investigate the efficiency of contaminant removal. For the 21-day period of
      continuous electrokinetics-adsorption experimental run, efficiency for the
      removal of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Hg, phenol, and kerosene was found to reach 26.8,
      55.8, 41.0, 34.4, 75.9, 92.49, 100.0, and 49.8%, respectively. The results
      obtained suggest that integrating adsorption into electrokinetic technology is a
      promising solution for removal of contaminant mixture from saline-sodic soils. 

PMID- 24235886
TI  - The effect of reagents mimicking oxidative stress on fibrinogen function.
AB  - Fibrinogen is one of the plasma proteins most susceptible to oxidative
      modification. It has been suggested that modification of fibrinogen may cause
      thrombotic/bleeding complications associated with many pathophysiological states
      of organism. We exposed fibrinogen molecules to three different modification
      reagents-malondialdehyde, sodium hypochlorite, and peroxynitrite-that are
      presented to various degrees in different stages of oxidative stress. We studied
      the changes in fibrin network formation and platelet interactions with modified
      fibrinogens under flow conditions. The fastest modification of fibrinogen was
      caused by hypochlorite. Fibers from fibrinogen modified with either reagent were
      thinner in comparison with control fibers. We found that platelet dynamic
      adhesion was significantly lower on fibrinogen modified with malondialdehyde and
      significantly higher on fibrinogen modified either with hypochlorite or
      peroxynitrite reflecting different prothrombotic/antithrombotic properties of
      oxidatively modified fibrinogens. It seems that, in the complex reactions ongoing
      in living organisms at conditions of oxidation stress, hypochlorite modifies
      proteins (e.g., fibrinogen) faster and more preferentially than malondialdehyde.
      It suggests that the prothrombotic effects of prior fibrinogen modifications may
      outweigh the antithrombotic effect of malondialdehyde-modified fibrinogen in real
      living systems. 

PMID- 24235887
TI  - Optimization and evaluation of desloratadine oral strip: an innovation in
      paediatric medication.
AB  - Patients, especially children, are the most difficult to treat in all groups of
      population mainly because they can not swallow the solid dosage form. Due to this
      reason they are often prescribed liquid dosage forms. But these formulations have
      their own disadvantages (lack of dose accuracy during administration, spitting by
      children, spillage, lack of stability, difficulty in transportation, etc.). Oral
      strip technology is one such technology to surpass these disadvantages.
      Desloratadine, a descarboethoxy derivative of loratadine, is a second generation
      antihistaminic drug approved for usage in allergic rhinitis among paediatric
      population and is available in markets as suspension. An attempt has been made to
      design and optimize the oral strip containing desloratadine as an active
      ingredient. Oral strip was optimized with the help of optimal experimental design
      using polymer concentration, plasticizer type, and plasticizer concentration as
      independent variables. Prepared oral strips were evaluated for physicochemical
      parameter, mechanical strength parameters, disintegration time, dissolution,
      surface pH, and moisture sorption tendency. Optimized formulation was further
      evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, moisture content, and histological
      alteration in oral mucosa. Accelerated stability studies were also carried out
      for optimized formulations. Results were analysed with the help of various
      statistical tools at P < 0.05 and P < 0.01. 

PMID- 24235888
TI  - Incomplete augmented Lagrangian preconditioner for steady incompressible Navier
      Stokes equations.
AB  - An incomplete augmented Lagrangian preconditioner, for the steady incompressible
      Navier-Stokes equations discretized by stable finite elements, is proposed. The
      eigenvalues of the preconditioned matrix are analyzed. Numerical experiments show
      that the incomplete augmented Lagrangian-based preconditioner proposed is very
      robust and performs quite well by the Picard linearization or the Newton
      linearization over a wide range of values of the viscosity on both uniform and
      stretched grids. 

PMID- 24235890
TI  - Electrochemical properties of PANI as single electrode of electrochemical
      capacitors in acid electrolytes.
AB  - The polyaniline (PANI) powder with globular sponge-like morphology was prepared
      by chemical solution polymerization, and its morphology and chemical structure
      were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The single electrode of
      electrochemical capacitor was made using the prepared PANI powder as active
      material and carbon paper as current collector. Electrochemical properties of
      PANI as a single electrode in 1 M HCl and 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution were
      tested by galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV)
      techniques. It has been found that PANI has higher specific capacitance of 302.43
      Fg(-1), higher specific energy of 54.44 Wh.kg(-1) at 0.5 Ag(-1), and higher
      working potential in 1 M HCl than those in 1 M H2SO4. 

PMID- 24235889
TI  - Reliability of a novel CBCT-based 3D classification system for maxillary canine
      impactions in orthodontics: the KPG index.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate both intra- and interoperator reliability
      of a radiological three-dimensional classification system (KPG index) for the
      assessment of degree of difficulty for orthodontic treatment of maxillary canine
      impactions. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of fifty impacted canines,
      obtained using three different scanners (NewTom, Kodak, and Planmeca), were
      classified using the KPG index by three independent orthodontists. Measurements
      were repeated one month later. Based on these two sessions, several
      recommendations on KPG Index scoring were elaborated. After a joint calibration
      session, these recommendations were explained to nine orthodontists and the two
      measurement sessions were repeated. There was a moderate intrarater agreement in
      the precalibration measurement sessions. After the calibration session, both
      intra- and interrater agreement were almost perfect. Indexes assessed with Kodak
      Dental Imaging 3D module software showed a better reliability in z-axis values,
      whereas indexes assessed with Planmeca Romexis software showed a better
      reliability in x- and y-axis values. No differences were found between the CBCT
      scanners used. Taken together, these findings indicate that the application of
      the instructions elaborated during this study improved KPG index reliability,
      which was nevertheless variously influenced by the use of different software for
      images evaluation. 

PMID- 24235891
TI  - Periodic leg movements are associated with reduced sleep quality in older men:
      the MrOS Sleep Study.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are common in the
      elderly. A previous large polysomnographic (PSG) study examining the relationship
      of PLMS to sleep architecture and arousals from sleep in women found that leg
      movements were common in elderly women, and PLMS which were associated with EEG
      arousals had a strong and consistent association with markers of disturbed sleep.
      Since sleep differs in men and women, we now investigate the association between
      PLMS and PSG indices of sleep quality in a large community-based sample of older
      men. DESIGN: Observational study, cross-sectional analyses. SETTING: Six clinical
      sites participating in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study.
      PARTICIPANTS: 2,872 older community-dwelling men (mean age 76.4 years) who
      completed in-home PSG from 2003-2005. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND
      RESULTS: In-home PSG was performed which included bilateral measurement of leg
      movements. The total number of leg movements per hour of sleep (PLMI) and the
      number of leg movements causing EEG-documented arousals per hour of sleep (PLMA)
      were computed. A PLMI >= 5 (70.8%) and PLMA >= 5 (27.4%) were both prevalent.
      Linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between PLMS as
      predictors and sleep architecture, arousal index, and sleep efficiency as
      outcomes. The highest quintiles of PLMI (>= 65.1) and PLMA (>= 6.8) showed the
      largest association with indices of sleep architecture; PLMA showed a larger
      magnitude of effect. After multivariate adjustment, participants with a higher
      PLMA had a small but significantly higher arousal index, lower sleep efficiency,
      higher percentages of stages 1 and 2 sleep, and lower percentages of stage 3-4
      and REM sleep (p < 0.01). An increased PLMI was similarly associated with a
      higher arousal index, higher percentage of stage 2 sleep, and lower percentage of
      stage 3-4 (p < 0.0001), but not with an increase in stage 1, REM sleep, or sleep
      efficiency. Neither PLMI nor PMLA was associated with subjective sleepiness
      measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated
      that periodic leg movements are very common in older community-dwelling men and
      regardless of associated arousals, are associated with evidence of lighter and
      more fragmented sleep.

PMID- 24235892
TI  - Effects of sleep disorders on the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson disease.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of sleep disorders on non-motor symptoms
      in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional
      study. Patients with PD were evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA),
      restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement syndrome (PLMS), and REM
      sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Cognition was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive
      Assessment and patients completed self-reported questionnaires assessing non
      motor symptoms including depressive symptoms, fatigue, sleep complaints, daytime
      sleepiness, and quality of life. SETTING: Sleep laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 86
      patients with PD (mean age = 67.4 +/- 8.8 years; range: 47-89; 29 women).
      INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Having sleep disorders was a
      predictor of overall non-motor symptoms in PD (R(2) = 0.33, p < 0.001) while
      controlling for age, PD severity, and dopaminergic therapy. These analyses
      revealed that RBD (p = 0.006) and RLS (p = 0.014) were significant predictors of
      increased non-motor symptoms, but OSA was not. More specifically, having a sleep
      disorder significantly predicted sleep complaints (DeltaR(2) = 0.13, p = 0.006),
      depressive symptoms (DeltaR(2) = 0.01, p = 0.03), fatigue (DeltaR(2) = 0.12, p =
      0.007), poor quality of life (DeltaR(2) = 0.13, p = 0.002), and cognitive decline
      (DeltaR(2) = 0.09, p = 0.036). Additionally, increasing number of sleep disorders
      (0, 1, or >= 2 sleep disorders) was a significant contributor to non-motor
      symptom impairment (R(2) = 0.28, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study of PD
      patients, presence of comorbid sleep disorders predicted more non-motor symptoms
      including increased sleep complaints, more depressive symptoms, lower quality of
      life, poorer cognition, and more fatigue. RBD and RLS were factors of overall
      increased non-motor symptoms, but OSA was not.

PMID- 24235893
TI  - Insomnia and sleepiness in Parkinson disease: associations with symptoms and
      comorbidities.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Insomnia and daytime sleepiness are common complaints in
      Parkinson disease (PD), but the main causes remain unclear. We examined the
      potential impact of both motor and non-motor symptoms of PD on sleep problems.
      METHODS: Patients with PD (n = 128) were assessed using the Insomnia Severity
      Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, Beck
      Depression Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, Survey of Autonomic Symptoms, and
      the 39-item Parkinson Disease Questionnaire. A subset of subjects (n = 38, 30%)
      also completed nocturnal polysomnography and a multiple sleep latency test
      (MSLT). RESULTS: Multivariate stepwise logistic regression models revealed that
      subjective insomnia was independently associated with depressed mood (odds ratio
      [OR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.01-3.19]), autonomic symptoms (1.77
      [1.08-2.90]), fatigue (1.19 [1.02-1.38]), and age (0.61 [0.39-0.96]). Subjective
      daytime sleepiness was associated with dosage of dopaminergic medication (1.74
      [1.08-2.80]) and fatigue (1.14 [1.02-1.28]). On polysomnography, longer sleep
      latency correlated with autonomic symptoms (rho = 0.40, p = 0.01) and part I (non
      motor symptoms) of the Unified PD Rating Scale (rho = 0.38, p = 0.02). Decreased
      sleep efficiency correlated with autonomic symptoms (rho = -0.42, p < 0.0001).
      However, no significant difference emerged on polysomnography and MSLTs between
      patients with or without insomnia or daytime sleepiness. Higher rates of apneic
      events did predict shorter sleep latencies on the MSLTs. CONCLUSIONS: Non-motor
      symptoms appear to be associated with subjective insomnia, whereas fatigue and
      dopaminergic medication are associated with subjective daytime sleepiness.
      Objective sleep laboratory data provided little insight into complaints of
      insomnia and sleepiness, though obstructive sleep apnea predicted worsened
      sleepiness when measured objectively.

PMID- 24235894
TI  - Is there a first night effect on sleep bruxism? A sleep laboratory study.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep bruxism (SB) is reported to vary in frequency over time.
      The aim of this study was to assess the first night effect on SB. METHODS: A
      retrospective polysomnographic (PSG) analysis was performed of data from a sample
      of SB patients (12 females, 4 males; age range: 17-39 years) recorded in a sleep
      laboratory over 2 consecutive nights. Sleep parameters and jaw muscle activity
      variables (i.e., rhythmic masticatory muscle activity [RMMA]) for SB were
      quantified and compared between the 2 nights. Subjects were classified into
      groups according to severity of RMMA frequency, such as low frequency (2-4
      episodes/h and/or < 25 bursts/h) and moderate-high frequency (>= 4 episodes/h and
      >= 25 bursts/h). RESULTS: Overall, no first night effects were found for most
      sleep variables. However, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and stage
      transitions showed significant time and group interactions (repeated measures
      ANOVAs, p <= 0.05). The RMMA episode index did not differ between the 2 nights,
      whereas the second night showed significantly higher burst index, bruxism time
      index, and mean burst duration (repeated measure ANOVAs, p <= 0.05). Five
      patients of 8 in the low frequency group were classified into the moderate-high
      frequency group on the second night, whereas only one patient in the moderate
      high frequency group moved to the low frequency group. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      showed no overall first night effect on severity of RMMA frequency in young and
      healthy patients with SB. In clinical practice, one-night sleep recording may be
      sufficient for moderate-high frequency SB patients. However, low RMMA frequency
      in the first night could be confirmed by a second night based on the patient's
      medical and dental history.

PMID- 24235895
TI  - Correspondence between reported and actigraphic sleep measures in preschool
      children: the role of a clinical context.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the role of clinical
      context in determining the correspondence between actigraphic and reported sleep
      measures in preschool children. METHODS: Sleep was assessed using actigraphy and
      parental reports in a clinical sample of 109 preschool children between the ages
      4 and 6 years suffering from significant nighttime fears and in a sample of 30
      healthy controls. RESULTS: In comparison to actigraphy, parents in both groups
      indicated that their children fell asleep earlier and overestimated their sleep
      period. These gaps were significantly larger in the control group than the
      clinical group. Parents from both groups similarly underestimated the time their
      child was awake during the night in comparison to actigraphy. Significant
      correlations were found in both groups between parental reports and actigraphy
      sleep schedule measures. Low correlations were found for wake after sleep onset
      in both groups and for the number of night wakings. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and
      researchers should be highly aware that parental reports on their children's
      sleep may not be accurate, and that accuracy may be affected by the context of
      the study. The use of complimentary sleep assessment tools in clinical and
      research settings should be encouraged.

PMID- 24235896
TI  - The Parent-Child Sleep Interactions Scale (PSIS) for preschoolers: factor
      structure and initial psychometric properties.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Given the high prevalence of sleep problems in early childhood
      and the significant impact of parenting on children's sleep, the current study
      aimed to determine the factor structure and psychometric properties of a new
      measure for assessing sleep-related parenting behaviors and interactions among
      preschool-aged children-The Parent-Child Sleep Interactions Scale (PSIS).
      METHODS: Data was collected among parents of 209 preschool-aged children in two
      diverse metropolitan areas. All parents completed demographic questionnaires, the
      Parent-Child Sleep Interaction Scale (PSIS), and the Child Behavior Checklist
      (CBCL). A subset of parents completed structured interviews using the Preschool
      Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA). Following data reduction procedures,
      exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal axis extraction and oblique
      rotation was conducted, and internal consistency was assessed. Associations
      between PSIS scores and sleep problems based on the CBCL and PAPA as well as
      child sleep problems during infancy were examined. Differences based on
      demographic variables including race/ethnicity were also investigated. RESULTS:
      EFA revealed a three-factor solution explaining 60% of the variance in total PSIS
      scores. Individual factors based on 12 items were labeled Sleep Reinforcement,
      Sleep Conflict, and Sleep Dependence. Internal consistency for all subscales and
      total PSIS scores was acceptable. PSIS subscales were positively correlated with
      both CBCL and PAPA Sleep Problems. Sleep problems during the first year of life
      were associated with Sleep Conflict and total PSIS scores. Significant
      differences in PSIS scores based on race/ ethnicity were found. CONCLUSIONS: The
      PSIS shows promise as a valid measure of sleep-related parent/child behaviors and
      interactions among preschoolers.

PMID- 24235897
TI  - Acoustic pharyngometry measurement of minimal cross-sectional airway area is a
      significant independent predictor of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: The current gold-standard method of diagnosing obstructive
      sleep apnea (OSA) is polysomnography, which can be inefficient. We therefore
      sought to determine a method to triage patients at risk of OSA, without using
      subjective data, which are prone to mis-reporting. We hypothesized that acoustic
      pharyngometry in combination with age, gender, and neck circumference would
      predict the presence of moderate-to-severe OSA. METHODS: Untreated subjects with
      suspected OSA were recruited from a local sleep clinic and underwent
      polysomnography. We also included a control group to verify differences. While
      seated in an upright position and breathing through the mouth, an acoustic
      pharyngometer was used to measure the minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) of the
      upper airway at end-exhalation. RESULTS: Sixty subjects were recruited (35 males,
      mean age 42 years, range 21-81 years; apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 33 +/- 30
      events/h (mean +/- standard deviation), Epworth Sleepiness Scale score 11 +/- 6,
      body mass index 34 +/- 8 kg/m(2)). In univariate logistic regression, MCA was a
      significant predictor of mild-no OSA (AHI < 15). A multivariate logistic
      regression model including MCA, age, gender, and neck circumference significantly
      predicted AHI < 15, explaining approximately one-third of the total variance
      (chi(2)(4) = 37, p < 0.01), with only MCA being a significant independent
      predictor (adjusted odds ratio 54, standard error 130; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      These data suggest that independent of age, gender, and neck size, objective
      anatomical assessment can significantly differentiate those with mild versus
      moderate-to-severe OSA in a clinical setting, and may have utility as a component
      in stratifying risk of OSA.

PMID- 24235898
TI  - Obstructive sleep apnea severity is associated with left ventricular mass
      independent of other cardiovascular risk factors in morbid obesity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and
      left ventricular mass (LVM) in morbid obesity and the influence of gender,
      menopausal status, anthropometry, body composition, hypertension, and other
      cardiovascular risk factors in this relationship. DESIGN: Cross-sectional
      descriptive study. METHODS: Polysomnographic and echocardiographic studies were
      performed in a cohort of 242 patients (86 men, 100 premenopausal (PreM) and 56
      postmenopausal (PostM) women), with grade II obesity and above (BMI: 43.7 +/- 0.4
      kg/m(2)) to investigate OSA and LVM respectively. Anthropometry, body
      composition, glucose tolerance, and blood pressure were also recorded. RESULTS:
      OSA to different degrees was diagnosed in 76.2% of the patients (n: 166), its
      prevalence being 90.9% (n: 70) for men, and 76% (n: 38) and 63.8% (n: 58) for
      PostM and PreM women, respectively (p < 0.01). LVM excess was greatest for PostM
      women (90.2%), followed by men (81.9%) and PreM females (69.6%) (p < 0.01). LVM
      values increased in accordance to OSA severity (absence, 193.7 +/- 6.9 g; mild,
      192.6 +/- 7.8 g; moderate, 240.5 +/- 12.5 g; severe, 273.6 +/- 14.6 g; p < 0.01).
      LVM magnitude correlated with the menopausal state, age, central adiposity,
      hypertension (HT), type 2 diabetes (DM), desaturation index (DI), and apnea
      hypopnea index (AHI) (r = 0.41; p < 0.01). The relationship between LVM and AHI
      persisted in the multivariate analysis (beta = 0.25; p < 0.05) after adjusting
      for age, gender, menopausal state, BMI, waist circumference, neck circumference,
      DI, fasting plasma glucose, DM, and HT. But if tobacco habits are included, the
      statistical difference disappears (beta = 0.22; p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Morbid
      obesity is frequently associated with abnormal LVM, particularly in patients with
      OSA; this association is independent of HT, BMI, body composition, and other
      clinical factors, supporting a direct role of OSA on LVM in morbid obesity. This
      suggests that OSA and LVM might be taken as predictors of the cardiovascular risk
      in these patients.

PMID- 24235899
TI  - Prevalence and symptoms of occult sleep disordered breathing among older veterans
      with insomnia.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of occult sleep disordered
      breathing (SDB) and describe the relationship between classic SDB symptoms (e.g.,
      loud snoring) and occult SDB in older veterans with insomnia. METHODS: We
      analyzed baseline survey and in-home sleep study data for 435 veterans (mean age
      = 72.0 years [SD 8.0]) who had no known history of SDB, met International
      Classification of Sleep Disorders 2(nd) Edition criteria for insomnia, and were
      enrolled in a behavioral intervention trial for insomnia. Variables of interest
      included apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >= 15, age, race/ethnicity, marital status,
      body mass index (BMI), insomnia subtype (i.e., onset, maintenance, or terminal),
      self-reported excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, and witnessed breathing
      pause items from the Berlin Questionnaire. We computed the frequency of AHI >= 15
      and assessed whether each classic SDB symptom was associated with an AHI >= 15 in
      4 separate multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of AHI >=
      15 was 46.7%. Excessive daytime sleepiness (adjusted odds ratio 1.63, 95% CI
      1.02, 2.60, p = 0.04), but not snoring loudness, snoring frequency, or witnessed
      breathing pauses was associated with occult SDB (AHI >= 15). Insomnia subtypes
      were not significantly associated with occult SDB (p > 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: In our
      sample of older veterans with insomnia, nearly half had occult SDB, which was
      characterized by reported excessive daytime sleepiness, but not loud or frequent
      snoring or witnessed breathing pauses. Insomnia subtype was unrelated to the
      presence of occult SDB.

PMID- 24235900
TI  - Palatal sensory threshold reflects nocturnal hypoxemia and airway occlusion in
      snorers and obstructive sleep apnea patients.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Upper airway sensory deficit has been reported to be associated
      with snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. There are limited data on the
      correlation between disease severity and upper airway sensation. In this study,
      we investigated the relationship between clinical parameters and standardized
      palatal sensory threshold (SPST) using Semmes Weinstein monofilaments. METHODS:
      We recruited 40 snorers and 19 control subjects. Palatal sensory threshold was
      measured in all study subjects, using Semmes Weinstein monofilaments.
      Standardized palatal sensory threshold was determined by subtraction of hard
      palate sensation from uvular sensation. All subjects with snoring underwent a
      modified Muller maneuver during wakefulness before polysomnography. RESULTS: SPST
      was higher in snorers than in control subjects, but did not differ according to
      the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with higher SPST (>= 0.45
      g/mm(2)) were older and had more severe hypoxemia indices: lower nadir
      oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) and higher percentage of sleep time at < 90%
      SpO2. Adjusted for age, sex, neck circumference, and body mass index, SPST was
      correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index and hypoxemia indices. With a cutoff
      value >= 0.45 g/mm(2), the sensitivity of SPST for nocturnal hypoxemia (nadir
      SpO2, < 80%) was 81.3%. Patients with higher SPST (>= 0.45 g/mm(2)) showed more
      airway occlusion in modified Muller maneuver, than those with lower values.
      CONCLUSIONS: The SPST measured using Semmes Weinstein monofilaments reflects
      nocturnal hypoxemia and airway occlusion. This test provides a potential tissue
      marker of the severity of hypoxemia in patients who snore.

PMID- 24235902
TI  - The complexities of complex sleep apnea.

PMID- 24235901
TI  - Air leak during CPAP titration as a risk factor for central apnea.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Emergence of central sleep apnea has been described in the setting of
      continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) initiation. The underlying mechanism
      is unclear; however, we postulate that air leak washing out anatomical dead space
      is a contributing factor. DESIGN: Data were obtained from 310 patients with
      obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who underwent either split-night or full-night CPAP
      titration during January to July of 2009. The majority (n = 245) underwent
      titration with a nasal mask. Average total leak and maximum total leak were
      measured at therapeutic CPAP level. Unintentional leak was calculated by
      subtracting manufacturer-defined intentional leak from maximum leak. RESULTS:
      SUBJECTS WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS: central apnea index (CAI) during titration
      < 5/hour and >= 5/hour. The groups were similar in terms of gender, age, BMI, and
      AHI. The CAI < 5 group had a median average leak of 45.5 L/min (IQR 20.8 L/min)
      versus 51.0 L/min (IQR 21.0 L/min) with CAI >= 5 (p = 0.056). Maximum leak was
      59.5 L/min (IQR 27.0 L/min) with CAI < 5 and 75.0 L/min (IQR 27.8 L/min) with CAI
      >= 5 (p = 0.003). In the subset of subjects titrated using a nasal mask, median
      average leak was 42.0 L/min (IQR 17.0) in the CAI < 5 group and 50.0 L/min (IQR
      16.8) in the CAI >= 5 group (p = 0.001). In the CAI < 5 group, median maximum
      leak was 57.0 L/min (IQR 23.0) versus 74.5 L/min (IQR 24.3) in the CAI >= 5 group
      (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Leak during CPAP titration is associated with the
      development of acute central apnea; these data may have mechanistic and
      therapeutic implications for complex apnea. COMMENTARY: A commentary on this
      article appears in this issue on page 1193.

PMID- 24235903
TI  - Caffeine effects on sleep taken 0, 3, or 6 hours before going to bed.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Sleep hygiene recommendations are widely disseminated despite
      the fact that few systematic studies have investigated the empirical bases of
      sleep hygiene in the home environment. For example, studies have yet to
      investigate the relative effects of a given dose of caffeine administered at
      different times of day on subsequent sleep. METHODS: This study compared the
      potential sleep disruptive effects of a fixed dose of caffeine (400 mg)
      administered at 0, 3, and 6 hours prior to habitual bedtime relative to a placebo
      on self-reported sleep in the home. Sleep disturbance was also monitored
      objectively using a validated portable sleep monitor. RESULTS: Results
      demonstrated a moderate dose of caffeine at bedtime, 3 hours prior to bedtime, or
      6 hours prior to bedtime each have significant effects on sleep disturbance
      relative to placebo (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: The magnitude of reduction in
      total sleep time suggests that caffeine taken 6 hours before bedtime has
      important disruptive effects on sleep and provides empirical support for sleep
      hygiene recommendations to refrain from substantial caffeine use for a minimum of
      6 hours prior to bedtime.

PMID- 24235904
TI  - Patient safety incidents during overnight polysomnography: a five-year
      observational cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Attended polysomnography (PSG) is a common procedure and is
      regarded as relatively safe. There have been few systematic evaluations of
      adverse events occurring during PSG. An understanding of the frequency and type
      of the adverse events during PSG should inform risk mitigation plans and the
      development of guidelines for sleep center accreditation. We aimed to identify,
      tabulate, and classify all adverse events that occurred during overnight PSG
      conducted at an accredited sleep center over a five-year period. METHODS: All
      adverse events occurring from Jan 1, 2005, to Dec 31, 2010, at the Center for
      Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic, were identified. Information was collated from calls
      made to emergency responders, to the adverse event reporting system, and events
      forwarded to the medical director. RESULTS: A total of 36,141 PSGs were performed
      over the study duration. Fifty-eight adverse events occurred during the study
      period (1 event/623 PSGs). Most adverse events were cardiac in nature (17/58;
      29.3%), a majority involving acute chest pain. Falls were the next most common
      (20.6%), followed by neurologic (8.6%), pulmonary (3.4%), and psychiatric (3.4%)
      events. The rest were classified as miscellaneous. There were no patient deaths
      during PSGs. The majority of patients experiencing an adverse event were
      transported to the emergency room (37/58; 63.79%). Of these, 15/37 (40.54%) were
      admitted to the hospital, and 3 required an ICU bed. CONCLUSION: Adverse events
      during a PSG were relatively uncommon. Previous emphasis on cardiac arrhythmias
      may be overstated, as chest pain and patient falls were commonest and resulted in
      hospitalization more often.

PMID- 24235905
TI  - Disconnection between periodic leg movements and cortical arousals in spinal cord
      injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this study we examine the temporal connection between periodic leg
      movements (PLMs) and cortical arousals, as well as the treatment effect of
      pramipexole, in a clinical case with spinal cord lesion. METHODS: A patient with
      complete cervical spinal cord injury and PLMs during sleep underwent two baseline
      sleep recordings, one recording with dopaminergic treatment, and one recording
      with adaptive servoventilation. RESULTS: The PLMs were temporally dissociated
      from cortical arousals as well as from respiratory or heart rate events. PLMs
      were suppressed by pramipexole and persisted after treatment of apnea.
      CONCLUSION: The disconnection of PLMs from arousals supports a spinal generator
      or peripheral trigger mechanism for PLMs. The suppression of movements by a
      dopamine agonist suggests that its site of action is caudal to the cervical
      lesion and outside of the brain. Our observation provides significant new
      knowledge about the pathogenesis of PLMs and warrants studies in larger
      populations.

PMID- 24235906
TI  - Kleine-levin syndrome treated with clarithromycin.
AB  - Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare sleep disorder characterized by periodic
      hypersomnia and various degrees of cognitive and behavioral disturbance,
      hyperphagia, and hypersexuality. Effective treatment is challenging. Stimulants
      marginally address sleepiness, but may increase irritability and do not improve
      cognitive and behavioral disturbances. Modafinil may shorten the symptomatic
      period but not the recurrence rate. Lithium and carbamazepine are beneficial in
      some cases, possibly related to similarities between KLS and affective disorders.
      Currently, no single medication is consistently successful in treating the
      syndrome. Here we report the short-term effect of clarithromycin in a patient
      with KLS.

PMID- 24235908
TI  - Can you hear me snore?

PMID- 24235907
TI  - The relationship between depressive symptoms and obstructive sleep apnea in
      pediatric populations: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A higher incidence of depressive disorders and symptoms has been
      suggested among children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Yet, the
      extent to which OSA is related to increased depression is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To
      evaluate (a) the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA in pediatric
      populations, and (b) the efficacy of adenotonsillectomy (AT) for decreasing
      depressive symptoms among children with OSA. METHODS: A meta-analysis was
      conducted to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms and OSA, and the
      efficacy of AT for decreasing depressive symptoms. Studies reporting depressive
      symptoms of children with OSA through January 2013 were included. RESULTS: Eleven
      studies assessed depressive symptoms in both children diagnosed with OSA (n =
      894) and a comparison group (n = 1,096). A medium relationship was found between
      depressive symptoms and OSA (Hedges' g = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.22-0.64; p = 0.0005).
      Addressing the second question, 9 studies (n = 379 children) examined depressive
      symptoms pre- and post-AT. A medium improvement in depressive symptoms was found
      at follow-up (Hedge's g = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20-0.62; p <= 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our
      findings suggest that depressive symptoms are higher among children with OSA.
      Therefore, patients with depressive symptomatology should receive screening for
      sleep disordered breathing. Treatment of OSA with AT might decrease clinical
      symptoms of depression, reduce pharmacotherapy, improve sleep patterns, and
      promote better health.

PMID- 24235909
TI  - Adenotonsillectomy or watchful waiting in the management of childhood obstructive
      sleep apnea.

PMID- 24235910
TI  - Preparation, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Activities of Bimetallic
      Complexes of Sarcosine with Zn(II) and Sn(IV).
AB  - Heterobimetallic complexes of Zn(II) and Sn(IV) with sarcosine have been
      synthesized at room temperature under stirring conditions by the reaction of
      sarcosine and zinc acetate in 2 : 1 molar ratio followed by the stepwise addition
      of CS2 and organotin(IV) halides, where R = Me, n-Bu, and Ph. The complexes were
      characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C) spectroscopy. IR
      data showed that the ligand acts in a bidentate manner. NMR data revealed the
      four coordinate geometry in solution state. In vitro antimicrobial activities
      data showed that complexes (3) and (4) were effective against bacterial and
      fungal strains with few exceptions. 

PMID- 24235911
TI  - Biosorption of Arsenic(III) from Aqueous Solutions by Modified Fungal Biomass of
      Paecilomyces sp.
AB  - The biosorption of As(III) on iron-coated fungal biomass of Paecilomyces sp. was
      studied in this work. It was found that the biomass was very efficient removing
      the metal in solution, using Atomic Absorption, reaching the next percentage of
      removals: 64.5%. The highest adsorption was obtained at pH 6.0, at 30 degrees C
      after 24 hours of incubation, with 1 mg/L of modified fungal biomass. 

PMID- 24235912
TI  - A Behavior Analytic Interpretation of Theory of Mind.
AB  - The inference that others are subject to private events is almost universal among
      humans. Since no one has direct access to another person's private events, we
      have proposed this inference occurs because of: 1) The almost simultaneous
      occurrence a child's private kinesthetic stimuli and the visual stimuli produced
      by another person's motor act during imitation of motor acts; 2) The similarity
      between the child's vocal behavior and that of another person during vocal
      imitation; and 3) The stimulus equivalence that occurs when the child's behavior
      and similar behavior of others are given the same name. We have proposed that
      perspective taking is a very common activity in our daily lives and that
      performance on false belief tests is a special case of perspective taking. In our
      analysis of the prerequisites for successful predictions on false belief tests we
      have considered false belief tests as primarily predictions concerning the
      behavior of others in situations in which discriminative stimuli are available to
      the child being tested and not to the protagonist about whom the child is to make
      a prediction. Predictions about other's behavior are made on the basis of three
      types of prior observations and descriptions: (a) observation and descriptions of
      the behavior of a specific individual in similar situations; (b) observation and
      descriptions of the behavior of many different people in similar situations; and
      (c) observation and descriptions of one's own behavior in similar situations.
      Success on the false belief tests necessitates discrimination between the stimuli
      available to the child and those available to the protagonist.

PMID- 24235913
TI  - Effects of protein energy supplementation during pregnancy on fetal growth: a
      review of the literature focusing on contextual factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal diet during pregnancy is one of the most important factors
      associated with adequate fetal growth. There are many complications associated
      with fetal growth restriction that lead to lifelong effects. The aim of this
      review was to describe the studies examining the effects of protein energy
      supplementation during pregnancy on fetal growth focusing on the contextual
      differences. METHODS: Relevant articles published between 2007 and 2012 were
      identified through systematic electronic searches of the PubMed, Science Direct,
      and EBSCO database and the examination of the bibliographies of retrieved
      articles. The search aimed to identify studies examining pregnant women receiving
      protein and/or energy during pregnancy and to assess fetal growth measures. Data
      of effectiveness and practical aspects of protein energy supplementation during
      pregnancy were extracted and compiled. RESULTS: Twenty studies (11 randomized
      controlled trials, 8 controlled before and after, and 1 prospective study) were
      included in this review. Positive outcomes in infants and women cannot be
      expected if the supplementation is not needed. Therefore, it is essential to
      correctly select women who will benefit from dietary intervention programs during
      pregnancy. However, there is currently no consensus on the most effective method
      of identifying these women. The content of protein in the supplements considering
      total diet is also an important determinant of fetal growth. Balanced protein
      energy supplementation (containing up to 20% of energy as protein) given to
      pregnant women with energy or protein deficit appears to improve fetal growth,
      increase birth weight (by 95-324 g) and height (by 4.6-6.1 mm), and decrease the
      percentage of low birth weight (by 6%). Supplements with excess protein (>20% of
      energy as protein) provided to women with a diet already containing adequate
      protein may conversely impair fetal growth. There is also no consensus on the
      best time to start supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Strong quality studies examining
      adequate criteria to screen women who would benefit from supplementation, time to
      start supplementation, and type of supplements are warranted.

PMID- 24235914
TI  - Nodding syndrome: origins and natural history of a longstanding epileptic
      disorder in sub-Saharan Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Repetitive involuntary head nodding was first reported in the 1960s
      in the Wapogoro tribe of Tanzania. OBJECTIVES: We describe the natural history of
      head nodding in the Wapogoro tribe, with special reference to the earliest
      reported dates of onset. METHODS: We analyzed clinical data from 150 historical
      patients seen between 1960 and 1971. RESULTS: Head nodding with or without grand
      mal convulsions was present in 33/150 (~20%) cases, was mostly familial and
      equally distributed by gender. Age at onset of head nodding ranged from 2-22
      years (mean: ~10 years) in the period 1934-1962. Head nodding preceded onset of
      grand mal convulsions by up to 12 months, and motor and psychomotor deficits
      indicative of brain damage developed with time. Fourteen of the 33 cases died at
      13-39 years of age (mean: ~20 years) while nineteen aged 16-28 years (mean: ~16
      years) were still alive. CONCLUSION: Historical accounts of head nodding
      (amesinzia kichwa, Swahili) among the Wapogoro tribe fit the August 2012 World
      Health Organization (WHO) case definition of probable Nodding Syndrome. Reported
      to have existed in this population for at least 80 years, Nodding Syndrome is a
      progressive seizure disorder that leads to generalized convulsions (kifafa),
      brain damage and death.

PMID- 24235916
TI  - Neuropsychiatric perspectives on nodding syndrome in northern Uganda: a case
      series study and a review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nodding Syndrome (NS), previously called Nodding Disease, is a
      chronic and debilitating illness affecting thousands of children aged 3-18 years
      in post-conflict Northern Uganda and South Sudan. Characterised by malnutrition,
      stunted growth, mental retardation and seizures, some researchers have designated
      it as epilepsy. With reports appearing in Northern Uganda in1997, NS reached
      epidemic proportions around 2000-2003 when people were moved into Internally
      Displaced People's (IDP) camps. Investigations for infections (onchocerciasis)
      and toxins have been inconclusive as to cause, treatment or outcome. No study has
      addressed the possible relationship of NS to childhood war-trauma experiences.
      OBJECTIVE: To explore a possible relationship of exposure to prolonged war-trauma
      and the emergence of epidemic NS in Northern Uganda. METHOD: This study was a
      case-series descriptive psychiatric naturalistic field observations of NS cases
      from homesteads in Northern Uganda and psychiatric investigations and treatment
      of NS cases referred to Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital. RESULTS:
      Detailed Psychiatric clinical evaluations and field observations revealed that NS
      children had been exposed to severe war-related psychological and physical trauma
      as well as non-specific CNS insults including untreated CNS
      infections/infestations and malnutrition possibly causing seizures. Many children
      suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. CONCLUSION: NS
      could present as an association of childhood complex PTSD, (called Developmental
      Trauma Disorder), occurring in the chronically war-traumatised children of
      Northern Uganda, complicated by severe prolonged depression with its
      characteristic symptoms of psychomotor retardation, anxiety, anhedonia and
      anorexia. This, coupled with food shortages, resulted in malnutrition, wasting
      and stunted growth with severe avitaminoses. Many children had seizures. All this
      calls for multi-disciplinary treatment approaches.

PMID- 24235915
TI  - Nodding syndrome in Mundri county, South Sudan: environmental, nutritional and
      infectious factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nodding Syndrome is a seizure disorder of children in Mundri County,
      Western Equatoria, South Sudan. The disorder is reported to be spreading in South
      Sudan and northern Uganda. OBJECTIVE: To describe environmental, nutritional,
      infectious, and other factors that existed before and during the de novo 1991
      appearance and subsequent increase in cases through 2001. METHODS: Household
      surveys, informant interviews, and case-control studies conducted in Lui town and
      Amadi village in 2001-2002 were supplemented in 2012 by informant interviews in
      Lui and Juba, South Sudan. RESULTS: Nodding Syndrome was associated with
      Onchocerca volvulus and Mansonella perstans infections, with food use of a
      variety of sorghum (serena) introduced as part of an emergency relief program,
      and was inversely associated with a history of measles infection. There was no
      evidence to suggest exposure to a manmade neurotoxic pollutant or chemical agent,
      other than chemically dressed seed intended for planting but used for food. Food
      use of cyanogenic plants was documented, and exposure to fungal contaminants
      could not be excluded. CONCLUSION: Nodding Syndrome in South Sudan has an unknown
      etiology. Further research is recommended on the association of Nodding Syndrome
      with onchocerciasis/mansonelliasis and neurotoxins in plant materials used for
      food.

PMID- 24235917
TI  - Proposed guidelines for the management of nodding syndrome.
AB  - Nodding Syndrome is a poorly understood neurologic disorder of unknown aetiology
      that affects children and adolescents in Africa. Recent studies have suggested
      that the head nods are due to atonic seizures and Nodding Syndrome may be
      classified as probably symptomatic generalised epilepsy. As part of the Ugandan
      Ministry of Health clinical management response, a multidisciplinary team
      developed a manual to guide the training of health workers with knowledge and
      skills to manage the patients. In the absence of a known cause, it was decided to
      offer symptomatic care. The objective is to relieve symptoms, offer primary and
      secondary prevention for disability and rehabilitation to improve function.
      Initial management focuses on the most urgent needs of the patient and the
      immediate family until 'stability' is achieved. The most important needs were
      considered as seizure control, management of behavioural and psychiatric
      difficulties, nursing care, nutritional and subsequently, physical and cognitive
      rehabilitation. This paper summarises the processes by which the proposed
      guidelines were developed and provides an outline of the specific treatments
      currently being provided for the patients. 

PMID- 24235918
TI  - Evaluation of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Bolu, Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), which is associated with a
      high mortality rate in the Black Sea region of Turkey, has received increasing
      attention. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the epidemiological features, clinical and
      laboratory findings, treatments, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with CCHF
      between 2006 and 2012 based on data obtained from the Bolu Provincial Directorate
      of Health (BPDH) were evaluated. METHODS: BPDH data were reviewed for the period
      between 1 January 2006 and 31 July 2012. The locations where the tick had
      attached to the patient, the site of the tick bite on the patient's body, the
      dates of tick bite and removal, and the demographic characteristics of each
      patient were recorded. BPDH data on the total number of tick bites, patients with
      confirmed CCHF, and deaths due to CCHF in Bolu Province during the study period
      were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients with CCHF and 38 patients
      without CCHF but who had been bitten by ticks were admitted to the BPDH. Of the
      patients with CCHF, 54.3% were female. The mean age of the patients was 46.88 +/-
      2.05 years (range, 1-79 years). The mortality rate was 8.82%. Patients were
      predominantly observed in June and July. When the patients were distributed
      according to their occupations, the majority was houswife (48.6%), followed by
      animal husbandry worker (27.0%), farmer (10.8%), health worker (5.4%), and other
      (8.1%). The symptoms of the patients with CCHF included fatigue (60.9%), fever
      (60.9%), and myalgia (60.9%). Of those patients with CCHF, 41.3% were determined
      to have a high fever. CONCLUSIONS: The probability of developing CCHF decreased
      as the duration of tick attachment increased. Moreover, although the clinical
      presentation is important, it is not diagnostic. Physical examination and
      laboratory findings become more specific in later stages.

PMID- 24235919
TI  - Global analysis of differential expressed genes in ECV304 Endothelial-like cells
      infected with human cytomegalovirus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a virus which has the potential to
      alter cellular gene expression through multiple mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: With the
      application of DNA microarrays, we could monitor the effects of pathogens on host
      cell gene expression programmes in great depth and on a broad scale. METHODS:
      Changes in mRNA expression levels of human endothelial-like ECV304 cells
      following infection with human cytomegalovirus AD169 strain was analyzed by a
      microarray system comprising 21073 60-mer oligonucleotide probes which represent
      18716 human genes or transcripts. RESULTS: The results from cDNA microarray
      showed that there were 559 differential expressed genes consisted of 471
      upregulated genes and 88 down-regulated genes. Real-time qPCR was performed to
      validate the expression of 6 selected genes (RPS24, MGC8721, SLC27A3, MST4, TRAF2
      and LRRC28), and the results of which were consistent with those from the
      microarray. Among 237 biology processes, 39 biology processes were found to be
      related significantly to HCMV-infection. The signal transduction is the most
      significant biological process with the lowest p value (p=0.005) among all
      biological process which involved in response to HCMV infection. CONCLUSION:
      Several of these gene products might play key roles in virus-induced
      pathogenesis. These findings may help to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of
      HCMV caused diseases.

PMID- 24235920
TI  - Baboons as potential reservoirs of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite infections
      at Yankari National Park, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Zoonoses pose a risk to public health. OBJECTIVE: To carry out the
      investigation of the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of baboons, Papio
      anubis, frequenting the Wikki base Camp in Yankari National Park, Nigeria.
      METHOD: Formol-ether concentration technique was used to isolate parasite eggs
      and cysts from faecal samples. RESULTS: Parasites recovered were Ascaris
      lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Strongyloides stercoralis, Fasciola sp,
      Schistosoma mansoni, Hymenolepis nana, and Trichostrongylus sp, and cysts of
      protozoan parasites Entomoeba histolytica, E. coli, and Iodamoeba butschii.
      CONCLUSION: Most of the parasites identified are known to have high pathologic
      involvement in humans, implicating the baboons as potential source and reservoirs
      for human zoonotic parasitic infections although further molecular work would be
      necessary to ascertain if these gastrointestinal parasites are the same strains
      that infect humans.

PMID- 24235921
TI  - Hepatitis C and blood transfusion among children attending the Sickle Cell Clinic
      at Mulago Hospital, Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounts for 90% of post-transfusion
      hepatitis. In Uganda, there has been limited research of prevalence of HCV among
      sickle cell anaemia (SS) patients, a group at risk for multiple transfusions.
      OBJECTIVES: To establish prevalence of HCV infection and determine whether blood
      transfusion increases risk among SS patients. METHODS: 244 SS patients aged 1-18
      years were recruited by consecutive sampling. Socio-demographic, clinical and
      transfusion history was collected. Clinical examination done and blood tested for
      HCV by MEIA. RESULTS: 244 children were recruited. Of these, 159 (65%) had a
      history of blood transfusion. Among the transfused, five patients were HCV
      positive. Four of these were over 12 years of age. Among patients with no history
      of transfusion, one patient aged 14 years was HCV positive. Risk of HCV was
      higher among the transfused OR 2.7(CI 0.31-24). Patients who received more than
      two units were more likely to be HCV positive (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: HCV
      prevalence of 2.5% was low but higher than that reported by other investigators
      in Uganda. Blood transfusion was a major contributing factor in occurrence of
      HCV. Children who get repeated transfusions should be screened for Hepatitis C
      and screening of blood for HCV prior to transfusion would help reduce occurrence
      of the disease.

PMID- 24235922
TI  - Pattern of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) use in a pediatric intensive care
      facility in a resource limited setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations are scarce biological
      products used for replacement or immunomodulatory effects. Guidelines have been
      issued by regulatory health authorities to ensure provision of the products for
      patients who are in severe need. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed at description of
      the pattern of IVIG use (label/off label indications), adverse effects observed,
      reason for choice of IVIG among other modalities and efficacy in a pediatric
      intensive care setting. METHODS: A retrospective chart review. PATIENTS: The
      study included 45 cases admitted from 2008 through 2011 in a Pediatric Intensive
      Care Unit (PICU) of a tertiary referral pediatric hospital. RESULTS: The clinical
      diagnoses included neurology (35%), neonatology (16%), hematology (11%),
      autoimmune disorders (11%) immunodeficiency disorders (11%), infections other
      than neonatal sepsis (9%) and cardiology (6.5 %). The indications for IVIG use
      had an Evidence category Ia / Ib in 62 % of cases whereas the other 38 % had
      level II and III evidence. Choice of IVIG as a therapeutic option was based on
      failure of other treatment options to achieve response in 46.5%, lack of
      alternative treatment options 15.5 % and the need for urgent response in 38 %.
      Adverse events, duration and doses are reported. CONCLUSION: IVIG use is governed
      by availability of alternative options and the need for urgent response in
      critically ill children. Guidelines should be issued based on locally available
      treatment options and their cost effectiveness.

PMID- 24235923
TI  - Is there a suburban sleeping sickness in Libreville?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The transmission of sleeping sickness occurs primarily in rural
      areas, and exposed populations are those living from rural activities such as
      agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting. However, urban and suburban
      foci are more and more reported in T. b. gambiense areas. In Libreville town,
      sleeping sickness cases are regularly diagnosed. In order to investigate about
      the establishment of a transmission cycle of that disease, we have carried out an
      entomological survey in two quarters in the vicinity of the town. METHODS: Vavoua
      traps were set out in all suitable biotopes for tsetse flies during four days and
      examined twice a day. Flies were collected, identified and dissected. RESULTS:
      Two species of Glossina were caught: G. palpalis palpalis (90.58%) and G.
      caliginea (9.42%). A total infection rate of 9.37% was observed after dissection
      of all non-teneral flies captured. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the
      establishment of a trypanosomiasis transmission cycle in the area. No salivary
      gland was found infected. Given that infected persons are regularly detected, we
      can think about the existence of a suburban sleeping sickness focus in
      Libreville. More analysis is needed concerning the identification of human
      trypanosomes and the origin of Glossina blood meals that may confirm the
      existence of that focus.

PMID- 24235924
TI  - HIV/AIDS knowledge among undergraduate university students: implications for
      health education programs in Ghana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Globally, the spread of HIV/AIDS remains on the rise especially among
      adolescents who are at increased risk of infection. Sexual behavioural change
      remains one of the most effective ways of preventing further transmission among
      this vulnerable group. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate HIV/AIDS knowledge among
      undergraduate students' and how it can be used in HIV prevention strategies in
      Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using structured
      questionnaires among 324 conveniently selected students enrolled at a tertiary
      institution in Accra, Ghana. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 23
      years. Although the mean score of the participants' responses to 12 HIV/AIDS
      knowledge questions was 7.7 of 12 points, there was an inconsistent level of AIDS
      knowledge with significant gender difference. While students could identify the
      transmission modes and preventive measure, they were less knowledgeable about the
      causative agent of AIDS. Majority of the students reported having received AIDS
      information from both print and electronic media, but few of them received such
      information from parents. Although over 90% of the students knew where to access
      VCT services, 45% of them have not had HIV test. CONCLUSION: The data underscore
      the urgent need for HIV/AIDS-related health education and prevention efforts
      targeting university students as well as younger age groups in Ghana.

PMID- 24235925
TI  - The impact of HIV/AIDS stigma on HIV counseling and testing in a high HIV
      prevalence population in Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite its importance in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, HIV/AIDS
      Counseling and Testing (HCT) is low in sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease
      continues to be a serious public health problem. This has in part been attributed
      to HIV/AIDS related stigma. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of HIV/AIDS related
      stigma and its impact on uptake of HCT in a high HIV prevalence population in
      Uganda. METHODS: The paper used cross-sectional data on 135 men and 185 women in
      reproductive ages. Data were analyzed using the Pearson's chi-square statistic
      and the random intercept binary logistic regression model to identify significant
      predictors of uptake of HCT. RESULTS: The result shows that only 18.4% of the
      respondents, most of them men expressed highly stigmatizing attitudes against
      PLHA and 59%, men and women alike, received HCT. Uptake of HCT was higher among
      men (OR=1.89, p<0.01) and women (OR=4.48, p <0.001) who expressed least
      stigmatizing attitudes. Secondary/higher education, work in the informal sector
      and being ever married were significant predictors of uptake of HCT. Compared to
      men, women aged 25-34, 35+ and with one sexual partner were more likely to have
      received HCT. CONCLUSIONS: The low level of stigma, older age, higher level of
      education, being ever married and monogamous sexual relationships are significant
      predictors of increased uptake of HCT.

PMID- 24235926
TI  - 24-Month adherence, tolerance and efficacy of once-a-day antiretroviral therapy
      with didanosine, lamivudine, and efavirenz in African HIV-1 infected children:
      ANRS 12103/12167.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is no data on long-term benefit of once-a-day antiretroviral
      therapy (ART) with combination of DDI, 3TC and EFV to allow its use in future
      therapeutic strategies. OBJECTIVES: To assess 24-month immuno-virological,
      adherence, tolerance, and effectiveness of a once-a-day ART with DDI, 3TC and
      EFV. METHODS: A phase 2 open trial including 51 children aged from 30 months to
      15 years, monitored a once-a-day regimen for 24 months from 2006 to 2008 in the
      Departement de Pediatrie du CHUSS, at Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. We tested
      immunological and virological response, adherence, tolerance and resistance of
      the treatment. RESULTS: Children with CD4 >25% at 24 months were 67.4% (33/49) CI
      95% [54%, 80%]. The proportion of children with viral plasma RNA <300 cp / ml at
      24 months of treatment was 81.6 % (40/49) CI [68.0% 91.2%]. Good adherence was
      obtained with more than 88% adherence > 95% over the 24 months. Drugs were well
      tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Given the limited number of antiretroviral drugs
      available in Africa and the inadequacy of laboratory monitoring in support
      program, once-a-day treatment and especially the DDI-based combination strategies
      could be an attractive operational option.

PMID- 24235927
TI  - Malaria and HIV co-infection and their effect on haemoglobin levels from three
      health-care institutions in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are two major
      infections with enormous public health consequence. Together, they are endemic in
      many developing countries with anaemia being the most frequent haematological
      consequence of the infections. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of malaria
      and HIV co-infection as well as anaemia among selected patients from three health
      care institutions in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1080
      patients was carried out to determine the prevalence of malaria and HIV co
      infection as well as anaemia. Blood sera from each of the patients were screened
      for malaria parasites, HIV-1 and HIV-2 using Giemsa stain, Cambridge Biotech
      Recombigen HIV-1/HIV-2 rapid device, respectively while haemoglobin estimation
      was performed using cyanmethemoglobin method. RESULTS: Our data showed that the
      total number of malaria infected patients were significantly higher in HIV sero
      positive patients 47.7% (31/65) when compared with their HIV sero-negative
      counterparts 25.8% (262/1015) P = 0.047. The result also revealed that 25.8%
      (8/31) of the patients co-infected with malaria and HIV had anaemia as compared
      to 11.1% (29/262) infected with malaria alone. Multivariable logistic regression
      analysis showed that patients with dual infection of malaria and HIV were twice
      likely to be anaemic than those infected with malaria alone [adjusted OR 2.4, 95%
      CI, 1.3 to 2.7, P = 0.014]. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated a higher prevalence
      of malaria in HIV infected patients and also revealed that patients co-infected
      with malaria and HIV were more likely to be anaemic.

PMID- 24235928
TI  - Factors affecting the HIV/AIDS epidemic: an ecological analysis of global data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: All over the world the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus
      (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has became a stumbling stone in
      progress of human civilization and is a huge concern for people worldwide.
      OBJECTIVES: To determine the social and health factors which contribute to
      increase the size of HIV epidemic globally. METHODS: The country level indicators
      of HIV prevalence rates, are contraceptive prevalence rate, physicians density,
      proportion of Muslim populations, adolescent fertility rate, and mean year of
      schooling were compiled of 187 countries from the United Nations (UN) agencies.
      To extract the major factors from those indicators of the later five categories,
      backward multiple regression analysis was used as the statistical tool. RESULTS:
      The national HIV prevalence rate was significantly correlated with almost all the
      predictors. Backward multiple linear regression analysis identified the
      proportion of Muslims, physicians density, and adolescent fertility rate are as
      the three most prominent factors linked with the national HIV epidemic.
      CONCLUSION: The findings support the hypotheses that a higher adolescent
      fertility rate in the population is the adverse effect of premarital and
      extramarital sex that leads to longer period of sexual activity which increases
      the risk of HIV infection. On the hand, and cultural restrictions of Muslims and
      sufficient physicians will decelerate the spread of HIV infections in the
      society.

PMID- 24235930
TI  - Exotic and indigenous problem plants species used, by the Bapedi, to treat
      sexually transmitted infections in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ethnic usage of exotics and indigenous problem plants is a highly
      debated topic, as legislative requirements over-shadow their potential medicinal
      value, particularly to treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Limited
      information exists regarding their medicinal value among the Bapedi. OBJECTIVES:
      To ascertain the importance of exotics and indigenous problem plants in the
      treatment of STIs, a major global primary health care challenge. METHODS: A field
      observation and semi-structured questionnaire focussing on species diversity,
      types of STIs treated and medicinal preparation as well as application was used
      to collect data from 34 traditional healers. RESULTS: Seven exotics and three
      indigenous problem species were identified. These species were used to treat four
      STIs; with Catharanthus roseus illustrating its dominance in the treatment of
      gonorrhoea. Some medicinal species used by Bapedi traditional healers have been
      validated through scientific research or through their extensive use by various
      cultures in South Africa and other parts of Africa. To the best of our knowledge
      Alternanthera pungens, Caesalpinia decapetala, Cinnamomum verum, and Citrullus
      lanatus are reported for the first time in the treatment of the investigated
      STIs. CONCLUSIONS: Exotic and indigenous problem species constitute an important
      component of the STIs treatment protocol. Their utilization by Bapedi cautions
      against the narrow-minded approach of indiscriminate eradication, as these
      species can play a significant role in the primary health care needs of socio
      economic vulnerable people.

PMID- 24235929
TI  - Personal barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence: case studies from a rural
      Uganda prospective clinical cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although good adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential
      for successful treatment outcomes, some patients may have specific personal
      barriers to ART adherence. OBJECTIVES: To study specific personal barriers to ART
      adherence. METHODS: Quantitative data on patients' health status, ART adherence,
      CD4 cell counts and viral loads were collected, and qualitative data on life
      experiences of five patients with poor ART outcomes and adherence were also
      collected. RESULTS: Out of 35 patients with poor immunological and virological
      ART outcomes, 17 (49%) also had poor ART adherence. Patient 1 had no living child
      and did not disclose her HIV serostatus to her spouse because she wanted to have
      a child. Patient 2 was an orphan with neither social nor family support. Patient
      3 stopped ART when she conceived, returned to the study clinic when pregnant
      again and was sickly. She was switched to second-line ART with satisfactory
      outcomes. Patient 4, a 14 year old orphan had missed ART for 2 months when his
      treatment supporter was away. Patient 5 aged 66 years stopped ART which he blamed
      for his erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION: ART adherence counselling should target
      specific personal barriers to ART adherence like: lack of family support, health
      and sexual life concerns, desire to have children and family instability.

PMID- 24235931
TI  - Developing antiviral surgical gown using nonwoven fabrics for health care sector.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers' uniforms including surgical gowns are used as
      barriers to eliminate the risk of infection for both doctor and patient. The
      prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C viruses in the
      patient population is very common. OBJECTIVES: To develop antiviral surgical gown
      comprising of Polypropylene nonwoven as outer layer, Polytetrafluroethylene
      (PTFE) film as middle layer and polyester nonwoven as inner layer and the
      surgical gown with a basic weight of 70 g/m(2). METHODS: The titanium dioxide
      (TiO2) nano dispersion was prepared with methylene blue and urea as a reacting
      medium. These nano particles have an average size of 9 nm which was revealed by
      High resolution transmission electron microscope. The nonwoven fabric pore size
      was characterised by using digital image analyzer. The polypropylene nonwoven
      fabrics were treated with nano dispersion by pad-dry-cure method and trilaminate
      fabric was formed using fusing machine. The presence of nano particle on the
      surface of the non woven fabric was confirmed by Scanning Electron microscope.
      RESULTS: The trilaminate surgical gown has passed ASTM 1671 viral penetration
      test which is mandatory for healthcare facilities. The average pore size of
      inner, middle and outer layer were found as 0.187, 0.4 and 0.147 micron
      respectively. The tensile strength of the trilaminate fabric in both machine and
      cross direction was 145 N and 94 N respectively. The tearing strength of the
      trilaminate fabric in direction I and II was 10 N and 4 N respectively. The
      hydrostatic and index puncture resistance of the trilaminate fabric was 2930 mmwc
      and 58.8 N respectively. The moisture vapour permeability of the fabric was
      exhibited as 585.7 g/m(2)/day. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical gown exhibits antiviral
      property which can protect the health care people from human immunodeficiency
      virus.

PMID- 24235932
TI  - Effect of severe sepsis on platelet count and their indices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major disease affecting almost all organs and systems.
      OBJECTIVES: To examine platelet count and indices (mean platelet volume (MPV) and
      platelet distribution width (PDW)) in severe sepsis. METHODS: Patients with
      criteria for sepsis at a first examination by an Infectious Diseases specialist
      were selected. Consecutive patients who were admitted to the out-patient clinic
      and who were not diagnosed with any infectious disease were selected as the
      control group. RESULTS: A total of 145 patients with sepsis and 143 patients as a
      control group were included in the study. MPV and PDW were significantly
      differentbetween sepsis patients and control group (P<0.05). Platelet count in
      sepsis patients was lower than control group but the difference was not
      significant. PDW was the unique significantly different parameter between
      survivors and non-survivors (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Platelet indices are important
      laboratory findings in the diagnosis of sepsis and severe sepsis. Severe sepsis
      patients who have greater than 18 % PDW levels have a higher risk of death.
      Therefore, PDW, which is part of an inexpensive, easily accessible and routinely
      performed test for almost all patients admitted to health facilities may be used
      for predicting mortality.

PMID- 24235933
TI  - Relationship between climate conditions and nosocomial infection rates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections constitute a global health problem. OBJECTIVES:
      To explore the relationship between nosocomial infection rates (NIRs) and
      climatic factors including temperature and relative humidity in Guangzhou area of
      China. METHODS: 30892 patients in our hospital in 2009 were investigated for
      nosocomial infection status, and the contemporaneous temperature and relative
      humidity were analyzed statistically. NIRs increased with relative humidity and
      temperature in central ICU and geriatric department. RESULTS: No statistical
      differences were found between each quarter of 2009 in the distribution of
      nosocomial infection sites. There were no statistical differences in the
      pathogenic species of nosocomial infections between high-temperature and low
      temperature months in different departments. NIRs had a correlation with
      temperature and relative humidity in geriatric department and central ICU.
      CONCLUSIONS: To decrease NIRs and improve health care quality, it is necessary to
      strengthen the control of temperature and humidity especially for geriatric
      department and central ICU.

PMID- 24235934
TI  - Healthcare providers' attitudes and perceptions in infection diagnosis and
      antibiotic prescribing in public health institutions in Lesotho: a cross
      sectional survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The decision to prescribe antibiotics and the selection of an
      appropriate antibiotic are important in the treatment of infectious diseases. As
      any human decision, it can be influenced by individual attitudes and perceptions.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the attitudes and perceptions of healthcare providers
      regarding antibiotic prescribing and the use of laboratory results in infection
      diagnosis. METHODS: A cross sectional survey in five selected Health Service
      Areas (HSAs) in the Southern Africa country of Lesotho. The questionnaires were
      self-administered to 67 healthcare providers in public health institutions within
      the selected HSAs. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test or the McNemar
      Test for dependent proportions. RESULTS: 51 surveys were returned (39 medical
      doctors, 12 nurses). Respondents typically practiced in urban settings, worked
      with both inpatients and outpatients, had over 10 years experience, and attended
      to at least 26 patients per day. We identify several inappropriate practices
      related to the use of on-site microbiology laboratories. For example, only 17%
      always send a sample for microscopic identification prior to prescribing
      antibiotics and only 32% always send a sample for culture sensitivity tests.
      Delays in obtaining laboratory results and high patient workloads were cited as
      reasons for under-utilization of laboratory facilities. Nearly all respondents
      recognize the need for guidelines and further training in antibiotic prescribing.
      CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers demonstrated attitudes and perceptions in
      antibiotic prescribing or use of laboratory derived information in infection
      diagnosis that could have negative impacts on antibiotic prescribing.

PMID- 24235935
TI  - A 5 - year surveillance of wound infections at a rural tertiary hospital in
      Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Wound infections are associated with increased morbidity and
      mortality. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, aetiology and susceptibility
      profile of bacterial agents of wound infection among in- and- out patients at a
      rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria, within a 5 year period. METHODS: Wound swabs
      collected from 156 out-patients and 353 in-patients were, cultured and microbial
      isolates identified using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was
      done on bacterial isolates. RESULTS: The prevalence of wound infection in 2006,
      2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was 71.4%, 76.2%, 74.5%, 61.5%, and 67.0% respectively.
      The overall prevalence of wound infection was 70.1%. In all the years studied,
      out-patients had a higher prevalence of wound infection, but this was significant
      in 2007, 2009, and 2010 only. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent
      pathogen in both in- and out - patients with the exception of 2009 where both
      Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the same prevalence (24.4%)
      among in - patients. The flouroquinolones were the most potent antimicrobial
      agents against bacterial isolates from both in - and out -patients. CONCLUSION:
      Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant etiologic agent of wound infection
      among in and out patients. A generally higher resistance pattern was observed
      among nosocomial bacterial pathogens. Prudent use of antibiotics is recommended.

PMID- 24235936
TI  - Comparative anti-inflammatory properties of Capsaicin and ethyl-aAcetate extract
      of Capsicum frutescens linn [Solanaceae] in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The analgesic effect of capsaicin (the active ingredient in Capsicum
      frutescens Linn. [Solanaceae]) had been reported in several studies. Current
      research is being directed at producing analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents with
      better side effect profile. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if either the ethyl
      acetate extract of Capsicum frutescens Linn. [Solanaceae] (CFE) or capsaicin
      (Fluka Biotechnika-CPF) (in addition to the known analgesic properties) has any
      anti-inflammatory effect comparable to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics
      (NSAIDS). METHODS: The effects of ethyl acetate extract of Capsicum frutescens
      Linn. [Solanaceae] (CFE) and capsaicin (Fluka Biotechnika-CPF) was examined on
      rat hind paw. Inflammation was induced in the rat's hind paw by subplantar
      injections of fresh egg albumin (0.5 ml/kg). Diclofenac (100 mg/kg) was used as
      the reference anti-inflammatory agent for comparison, while distilled water was
      used as the placebo. The leucocytes count, corticosterone and C - reactive
      protein (CRP) levels were measured as biomarkers of inflammation. Data obtained
      were pooled and analysed using repeated ANOVA, in a general linear model with the
      CPSS software. RESULTS: Sub-plantar injections of fresh egg albumin (0.5 ml/kg)
      produced profound and time-related oedema in the rat hind paw of the 'control'
      rats. Diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) and reference capsaicin (CPF, 2.5 mg/kg,
      i.p.) significantly inhibited paw swelling at (p<0.05-0.001) (CI 95%) compared to
      distilled water-treated 'controls'. While the corticosterone levels were all very
      low in 7 rats treated with capsaicin, the leucocytes count was within normal
      range in 9 rats. However, in 16 specimens randomly assigned for CRP levels, there
      were very high CRP readings, up to a magnitude of 10 times the normal range.
      CONCLUSIONS: Capsaicin in both forms (CFE and CPF) produced anti-inflammatory
      effects that were comparable to diclofenac in the experimental rat model at
      p<0.05. It may be concluded that capsaicin has both analgesic and anti
      inflammatory properties.

PMID- 24235937
TI  - The outcome of non-carbapenem-based empirical antibacterial therapy and VRE
      colonisation in patients with hematological malignancies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is generally a complication of cancer
      chemotherapy. OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively evaluated the febrile neutropenia
      episodes and their outcomes with respect to modification rates of non-carbapenem
      based empirical antibacterial therapy and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE)
      colonisation that caused to VRE bacteremia in patients with hematological
      malignancies. METHODS: All consecutive patients, who were older than 14 years of
      age and developed febrile neutropenia episodes due to hematological malignancies
      from September 2010 to November 2011 at the hematology department were included
      into the study. RESULTS: In total, 86 consecutive neutropenic patients and their
      151 febrile episodes were evaluated. The mean MASCC prognostic index score was
      18,72 +/- 9,43. Among 86 patients, 28 patients experienced a total of 30
      bacteremia episodes of bacterial origin. Modification rates of both, empirical
      monotherapy and combination therapies, were found similar, statistically (P =
      0,840). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that initiating of non-carbapenem based
      therapy does not provide high response rates in the treatment of febrile
      neutropenia attacks. Furthermore, non-carbapenem-based empirical therapy provides
      benefit in regard to cost-effectiveness and antimicrobial stewardship when local
      antibiotic resistance patterns of gram-negative bacteria are considered. Patients
      who are colonized with VRE are more likely to develop bacteremia with VRE strains
      as a result of invasive procedures and severe damage of mucosal barriers observed
      in this group of patients.

PMID- 24235938
TI  - Evaluation and comparison of in-vitro dissolution profiles for different brands
      of amoxicillin capsules.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Amoxicillin is an oral semi-synthetic, beta-lactam antibiotic used to
      treat bacterial infections caused by susceptible micro organisms. It is usually
      prepared in capsule, tablet and powder for oral suspension form. Solid dosage
      forms for oral administration pose bioavailability problems related to the
      absorption process The World Health Organization (WHO) has promoted the use of
      generic brands in order to make the cost of medicines affordable. Generic
      substitution could be considered when a generic copy of a reference drug contains
      identical amounts of the same active ingredient in the same dose formulation and
      route of administration. However, the presences of generic products those are not
      interchangeable with that of the innovator and/or with each others have been
      reported. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the in-vitro dissolution profiles
      of different generic brands of amoxicillin capsules with the innovator that are
      available in Ethiopian market. METHODS: Dissolution profiles for nine brands of
      amoxicillin capsules contained amoxicillin 500 mg which are available in
      Ethiopian market were determined using a method from the United States
      Pharmacopoeia (USP, 2009). The obtained dissolution profile data of the eight
      brands were evaluated and compared with the innovator brand (AmoxilTM) using two
      different statistical methods: the fit factors (f1 & f2) and the dissolution
      efficiency (D.E.) model. Most generic brands of amoxicillin capsules (62.5% of
      the tested brands) are not interchangeable with the innovator brand. RESULTS: The
      calculated f1 factor for Brand A and Brand G are 10.1 and 1.1 respectively.
      However, for the rest six brands the f1 factors are greater than 15. The f2
      factor for Brand G is 74.1 and for Brand A is 48.5 which is near to 50.
      Similarly, the f2 factors for the six brands are less than 50 which support the
      result of the f1 factors for the dissimilarity of these brands with the innovator
      brand. The mean dissolution efficiencies as well as the 95% confidence intervals
      are within +/-10% only for two brands, Brand F and Brand G. CONCLUSIONS: Most
      generic brands of amoxicillin capsules (62.5%) are not interchangeable with the
      innovator brand (AmoxilTM).

PMID- 24235939
TI  - Correlates of diarrhoea among children below the age of 5 years in Sudan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Millennium Development Goals recognise child health and survival
      as an important socio-development issue. OBJECTIVES: To determine the correlates
      of diarrhoea among children aged below 5 years in north Sudan. METHODS: We
      conducted secondary data analysis of the Sudan Multiple Cluster Indicators Survey
      II. RESULTS: Altogether, 23,295 children were included in the survey. Half
      (50.0%) of the children were males, and 22.5% of them were of age less than one
      year. Boys were 3% (p=0.044) more likely to have diarrhoea compared to girls.
      Compared with the oldest age group (48-59 months), children less than 6 months of
      age and those aged 36-47 months had 25% and 18% lower prevalence of diarrhoea,
      respectively, while children aged 6-24 months and those aged 24-35 months had 1.5
      fold and 1.17 fold higher prevalence of diarrhoea. Children in urban areas were
      6% more likely to have diarrhoea. Children from households with 1 or 2 people per
      room were 8% less likely to have diarrhoea compared to children from households
      with more than 3 people per room. CONCLUSIONS: Diarrhoea was associated with
      child's age, gender, and social status. Our findings provide a useful baseline
      for interventions and comparisons with future studies.

PMID- 24235940
TI  - Sonographic biometry of spleen among school age children in Nsukka, Southeast,
      Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Normative value of spleen size among school age children is important
      for objective assessment of the spleen. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at
      determining sonographically the normal limits of the spleen size according to
      age, sex, and somatometric parameters among school age children. METHODS: A cross
      sectional study was done on 947 apparently healthy subjects (496 boys and 451
      girls) aged 6 - 17 years. The subjects were recruited from some primary and
      secondary schools within Nsukka metropolis and also from out patients in the
      study centre. A pilot study was done to determine the intra- and inter rater
      reliability of sonographic measurements of the spleen. The sonographic
      examination was performed on Shenzhen DP-1100 machine with 3.5 and 5 MHz convex
      transducers. Spleen sizes were obtained with the subject in a right lateral
      decubitus position. RESULTS: Measurement of spleen length was reliable while
      measurement of spleen width was less reliable within and between sonographers.
      Dimensions of the spleen were not statistically different in boys and girls (p >
      0.05). Height correlated best with spleen dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Normogram of
      the spleen size with respect to height is important in the determination of some
      pathology associated with changes in its size.

PMID- 24235941
TI  - Gynaecological laparoscopy courses in the United Arab Emirates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery is important for gynaecological practice and
      became the method of choice for many gynaecological procedures having advantages
      over open surgery. OBJECTIVES: To report our modified teaching methods, and
      evaluation of the gynaecological laparoscopy courses in United Arab Emirates.
      METHODS: Fifty five participants attended four 3-full day comprehensive hands-on
      gynaecological laparoscopic skills courses. Non-expensive dry/wet models have
      been developed for teaching. All participants were evaluated at the end of the
      course through MCQs and practical laparoscopic exercises. All participants filled
      out a questionnaire reflecting their opinion on various aspects of the course at
      its completion. Ethical approval has been received by Research and Ethics
      Committee of Al-Ain Medical District, Al-Ain, UAE. RESULTS: Fourteen participants
      had no laparoscopic experience, 35 had experience at level I and six had
      experience at level II. There was a statistically significant difference of the
      MCQ mark between the three levels of experience (p = 0.05, Kruskal Wallis test)
      but not for the practical part, p = 0.9, Kruskal Wallis test). The courses were
      highly valued having an overall average rating of 3.8 out of 4. CONCLUSION: A
      multimodality non expensive course for teaching gynaecological laparoscopy was
      highly successful in United Arab Emirates. Models used may be useful for training
      gynaecological laparoscopy in developing countries. The long term effects of our
      courses on clinical practice have yet to be evaluated.

PMID- 24235942
TI  - Physical after effects and clients satisfaction following colposcopy and cervical
      biopsy in a Nigerian population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although Nigeria has a high prevalence of cervical cancer, screening
      services including colposcopy and directed cervical biopsy are not widely
      available. OBJECTIVES: A prospective study among 111 women who had colposcopy and
      cervical biopsy following an abnormal Pap smear result at the University of Benin
      Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. It explored physical after effects experienced and
      satisfaction of clients after the procedure. RESULTS: The mean age of the
      population was 49.5+/-8.7 years (range, 30 - 64 years) and majority (64.9%) had
      tertiary education. Overall, 69 women (62.2%) reported physical effects following
      the procedure. Common physical effects experienced included spotting blood per
      vaginam (65.2%), pain (34.8%) and vaginal discharge (17.4%). Spontaneous
      resolution of symptoms occurred within 48 hours in 90.9% of those who reported
      physical effects. Clients who experienced physical after effects were
      significantly older (p=0.002) and had tertiary education (p=0.019). Majority of
      the women (94.6%) were satisfied with the screening services and more than 97%
      were willing to accept a repeat procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Although majority of the
      clients who had colposcopy and cervical biopsy reported they experienced physical
      side effects, more than 97% were willing to have a repeat procedure. This
      information can assist colposcopic service providers in counseling clients.

PMID- 24235943
TI  - Condom use at first and latest sexual events among young people: evidence from a
      rural and peri-urban setting in Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Condom use remains low among young people despite high prevalence of
      HIV, STIs, and unplanned pregnancy in Uganda. OBJECTIVES: This paper presents
      patterns of condom use at first and latest sexual events and associated factors.
      METHODS: The data were obtained from 445 sexually active unmarried people aged 15
      24 from one peri-urban and another rural district. Stratified multi-stage cluster
      sampling technique was applied. Logistic regression was used to identify factors
      associated with condom use at each of the two sexual events, while multinomial
      logistic regression was used to establish factors correlated with condom use at
      both first and last sex. RESULTS: Factors associated with condom use at each
      event were residence in the peri-urban district and higher education attainment.
      Factors correlated with condom use at both first and last sex were residence in
      peri-urban district (p<0.001) and being in school (p<0.01). Alcohol consumption
      and age at first sex were only significant at one event. CONCLUSIONS: Some
      factors that influence condom use at first sex are different from those that
      affect condom use at latest sexual event. Prevention programmes against STIs, HIV
      and unplanned pregnancies among young people focus more on rural areas and those
      with minimal or no education.

PMID- 24235944
TI  - Perception and practice of contraception among male soldiers in Sobi barracks,
      Ilorin, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a popular belief among the general population that Nigerian
      soldiers tend to have large families but this has not been substantiated with
      evidence-based research. The Nigerian military health authority implements female
      targetted contraception strategies, with less focus on their husbands; who are
      the dominant fertility determinants. OBJECTIVE: To determine the perception and
      practice of contraception among male soldiers of Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin,
      Nigeria, with a view to instituting male-targeted contraceptive/family planning
      strategies. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey of 334 male soldiers using
      multistage sampling technique and pre-tested interviewer administered
      questionnaires. RESULTS: The respondents' approval of contraception (73.6%) and
      willingness to discuss it with their spouses/partners (71.6%) were high. Fear of
      wives/partner's sexual promiscuity (55.7%), cultural and religious beliefs
      (43.2%), fear of the side effects of contraceptives (29.5%) and the desire for
      more children (21.6%) were reported reasons for the non-approval of
      contraception. The prevalence of contraceptive use among the respondents was low
      (12.3%). There was a significant relationship between the respondents'
      educational level and contraceptive use (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study revealed
      a high approval and willingness to discuss contraception with their
      spouses/partners but low contraceptive use.

PMID- 24235945
TI  - Cost effectiveness of facility and home based HIV voluntary counseling and
      testing strategies in rural Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Uganda, the main stay for provision of human immunodeficiency
      virus (HIV) voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) has been at health facilities.
      Home based VCT on the other hand, was initiated in the country to improve service
      coverage. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of facility- and home
      based HIV VCT strategies in rural southwestern Uganda. METHODS: Data on costs and
      effectiveness of facility- and home-based HIV VCT intervention strategies was
      collected in two sub-Counties in rural southwestern Uganda. Costing was performed
      using the ingredients approach. Effectiveness was measured as the number of HIV
      sero-positive clients identified. Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratios (ICERs)
      were calculated from the provider perspective. RESULTS: The cost per client
      tested were US$6.4 for facility based VCT and US$5.0 for home based VCT. The
      corresponding costs per positive case identified were US$86.5 and US$54.7
      respectively. The incremental cost to providers per additional positive case
      identified by facility based VCT was US$3.5. CONCLUSION: Home based VCT was the
      least costly strategy per client tested and was also cost effective in
      identifying HIV sero-positive clients in rural areas. This strategy should
      therefore be promoted to improve service coverage and thereby facilitate early
      and extensive detection of clients eligible for treatment.

PMID- 24235946
TI  - Association of anti-Chlamydia antibodies with ectopic pregnancy in Benin city,
      Nigeria: a case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancy remains a major public health problem especially in
      many developing countries where it is a significant contributor to pregnancy
      related morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between
      prior Chlamydia trachomatis infection and the risk of ectopic pregnancy. METHODS:
      A case-control study from two tertiary health care facilities in Benin City,
      Nigeria. Ninety eight women with ectopic pregnancy (cases) and another 98 women
      with uncomplicated intrauterine pregnancy (controls) matched for age, were
      interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and evaluated for serological
      evidence of prior Chlamydia trachomatis infection. RESULTS: The antibody titres
      in cases (48%) were significantly higher than in controls (16.3%) (p<0.001).
      However, the association between Chlamydia antibodies and ectopic pregnancy was
      attenuated when the effects of indicators of previous pelvic infections, socio
      demographic characteristics, contraceptive and sexual history were controlled
      for. Primary level of education (OR = 6.32; CI, 2.31 - 17.3), three or more
      lifetime sexual partners (OR = 5.71; CI, 2.39 - 13.65) and prior history of
      vaginal discharge (OR = 5.00; CI, 2.03 - 12.3) were more likely to be associated
      with ectopic pregnancy than with the presence of antibodies to Chlamydia
      trachomatis (OR = 2.82; 95% CI, 1.33 - 5.95). The Population Attributable Risk
      was 30.9%. CONCLUSION: Chlamydial infections play only a limited role in the
      pathogenesis of ectopic pregnancy.

PMID- 24235947
TI  - Association between history of abdominopelvic surgery and tubal pathology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pelvic infection, unsafe abortion and previous laparatomy are risk
      factors for tubal infertility among Nigerian women. Reports on the relationship
      between these factors and tubal pathology seen on hysterosalpingography (HSG)
      from our environment have been few. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of tubal
      occlusions among patients referred for HSG and examine the association between
      previous history of abdominopelvic surgery (including dilatation and curettage
      for abortion) and tubal occlusion. METHODS: We studied one hundred and thirty
      women referred to the Radiology department for HSG because of infertility. HSG
      was performed during the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle.
      Information about type and duration of infertility, history of abdomino -pelvic
      surgery and history suggestive of previous pelvic infection, were obtained from
      the patients. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 11. Test of
      association using the chi-square test was done where appropriate and differences
      were considered at p= 0.05. RESULTS: Sixty one women had bilaterally patent
      tubes; tubal pathology was seen in sixty nine women. Significant association
      exits between tubal pathology and history of pelvic surgery p=0.01, pelvic
      infection p=0.02 and duration of infertility p=0.04. CONCLUSION: Previous surgery
      especially dilation and curettage, PID duration and type of infertility are
      associated with tubal pathology among Nigerian women. Creative methods of
      lowering the cost of diagnosis and management of tubal occlusion need to be
      instituted.

PMID- 24235948
TI  - Association of recurrent pregnancy loss with chromosomal abnormalities and
      hereditary thrombophilias.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) which is generally known as >3
      consecutive pregnancy losses before 20 weeks' gestation is seen in 0.5-2% of
      women. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of parental and fetal chromosomal
      abnormalities with recurrent pregnancy loss in our area and to analyze the
      frequency of three types of hereditary thrombophilia's; (MTHFR C677T
      polymorphisms, FV Leiden G1691A mutation and Prothrombin (factor II) G20210A
      mutation) in these female patients. METHODS: The present case-control
      retrospective study was performed between February 2007 and December 2011 on 495
      couples, who had two or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 20 weeks'
      gestation. We used conventional cytogenetic analysis and polymerase chain
      reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: Parental chromosomal
      abnormality was detected in 28 cases (2.8% of all cases, 5.7% of the couples)
      most of which (92.9%) were structural abnormalities. All of the structural
      abnormalities were balanced chromosomal translocations. Chromosomal analysis
      performed from the abortion materials detected a major chromosomal abnormality in
      31.9% of the cases. The most frequently observed alteration in the hereditary
      thrombophilia genes was heterozygote mutation for the MTHFR C677T polymorphisms
      (n=55). CONCLUSION: Balanced translocations are the most commonly detected
      chromosomal abnormalities in couples being evaluated for recurrent pregnancy loss
      and these patients are the best candidates for offering prenatal genetic
      diagnosis by the help of which there is a possibility of obtaining a better
      reproductive outcome.

PMID- 24235949
TI  - Sonographic assessment of pregnancy co-existing with uterine leiomyoma in Owerri,
      Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy could cause obstetric
      complications. OBJECTIVES: To assess sonographically the frequency of occurrence
      and effect of uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy. METHODS: A longitudinal
      study was conducted during a period of 23 months. A convenience sample of 816
      consecutive consenting pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria was
      evaluated during routine prenatal ultrasound scan. The women were referred for
      prenatal sonography. One hundred of the subjects who had myoma co-existing with
      pregnancy and another 100 subjects without myoma were selected for follow-up.
      These groups were followed up till delivery and obstetric complications and
      outcomes were documented. Any changes in size and growth rate of myoma were
      documented. RESULTS: Subjects with myoma co-existing with pregnancy were 12.3%.
      This was commoner with increasing maternal age. An increase was observed in myoma
      mean size from 60mm to 63mm from the 1(st) scan sequence to the 2(nd) scan
      sequence and a reduction from 63mm to 59mm in the 3(rd) scan sequence. Myoma
      growth rate was 0.667mm per week. Myomas in pregnancy especially large ones
      caused more complications during delivery when compared to pregnancies without
      myomas. CONCLUSION: Routine sonography is important in pregnancy management of
      uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy.

PMID- 24235950
TI  - Commonly cited incentives in the community implementation of the emergency
      maternal and newborn care study in western Kenya.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mortality of mothers and newborns is an important public health
      problem in low-income countries. In the rural setting, implementation of
      community based education and mobilization are strategies that have sought to
      reduce these mortalities. Frequently such approaches rely on volunteers within
      each community. OBJECTIVE: To assess the perceptions of the community volunteers
      in rural Kenya as they implemented the EmONC program and to identify the
      incentives that could result in their sustained engagement in the project.
      METHOD: A community-based cross sectional survey was administered to all
      volunteers involved in the study. Data were collected using a self-administered
      supervision tool from all the 881 volunteers. RESULTS: 881 surveys were
      completed. 769 respondents requested some form of incentive; 200 (26%) were for
      monetary allowance, 149 (19.4%) were for a bicycle to be used for transportation,
      119 (15.5%) were for uniforms for identification, 88 (11.4%) were for provision
      of training materials, 81(10.5%) were for training in Home based Life Saving
      Skills (HBLSS), 57(7.4%) were for provision of first AID kits, and 39(5%) were
      for provision of training more facilitators, 36(4.7%) were for provision of free
      medication. CONCLUSION: Monetary allowances, improved transportation and some
      sort of identification are the main incentives cited by the respondents in this
      context.

PMID- 24235951
TI  - Peripartum hysterectomy: two years experience at Nelson Mandela Academic
      hospital, Mthatha, Eastern Cape South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstetric haemorrhage is the leading direct cause of maternal
      mortality in South Africa. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, indications,
      associations and maternal outcomes of emergency peripartum hysterectomies.
      METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective analysis of patients who had peripartum
      hysterectomy between 1(st) February 2007 and 31(st) January 2009 in Nelson
      Mandela Academic Hospital at Mthatha city. RESULTS: The incidence of 0.95% of
      peripartum hysterectomies (n=63 or 9.5/1000 births) increased with the increasing
      maternal age from 0.121% at age of less than 20 years to 0.5% at age more or
      equal to 30 years. Similarly the incidence increased with parity from 0.332% for
      Primiparity to 0.468% at parity of four or more. The indications for the
      operation were uterine atony 19/63 (30.2%), secondary haemorrhage/puerperal
      sepsis 17/63 (27%) and ruptured uterus 16/63 (23.4%). The main intra operative
      complication was haemorrhage 13/63 (20.6%). Repeat laparotomy was done in 10/63
      (15%) of patients due to haemorrhage. Admission to intensive care unit was 25/63
      (39.7%). The case specific mortality rate was of 19 % (n=12). The main causes of
      death were hypovolaemic shock and septicemia. CONCLUSION: The incidence of
      peripartum hysterectomies was high and was associated with ruptured uterus and
      puerperal sepsis which are preventable.

PMID- 24235952
TI  - Antiemetic effects of dexamethasone and ondansetron combination during cesarean
      sections under spinal anaesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nausea and vomiting are frequently seen in patients undergoing
      cesarean section (CS) under regional anesthesia. We aimed to compare the
      antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron and dexamethasone combination with that of the
      use of each agent alone to decrease the incidence of post-delivery intraoperative
      nausea and vomiting (IONV) during CS under spinal anesthesia. OBJECTIVE: To
      compare the antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron and dexamethasone combination with
      that of the single use of each agent to decrease the incidence of postdelivery
      IONV during CS under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: A randomized, prospective,
      double blind study was performed on 90 patients undergoing planned CS under
      spinal anesthesia. Patients received 4mg ondansetron in Group O, 8mg
      dexamethasone in GroupD, 4mg ondansetron+8mg dexamethasone in Group OD
      intravenously within 1-2 minutes after the umbilical cord was clamped. Frequency
      of postdelivery IONV episodes was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 86 eligible
      patients were included in the study. There were 29 patients in Group O, 29
      patients in Group D and 28 patients in Group OD. There were no statistically
      significant difference between the groups in terms of baseline characteristics
      and intraoperative managements. Frequency of intraoperative nausea, retching and
      vomiting experiences were similar between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Single
      dose 4mg ondansetron, 8mg dexamethasone, or combined use of 8mg dexamethasone+4mg
      ondansetron, given intravenously is all effective agents for the control of
      postdelivery IONV. Combined use of dexamethasone and ondansetron for the same
      indication does not seem to increase the antiemetic efficacy.

PMID- 24235953
TI  - The effect of unilateral vasectomy on testosterone and testicular parameters in
      the adult male African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effects of vasectomy on spermatogenesis and reproductive
      parameters are recognized to be specie-dependent with marked differences in
      levels of perturbations observed. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of unilateral
      vasectomy on testosterone level and other testicular parameters in the male
      African giant rat (AGR) (Cricetomys gambianus). METHODS: Sixteen adult male AGRs
      weighing 500-1300 g were recruited for the experiment. Animals were randomly
      divided into three experimental groups (1-3) and one control (sham operated)
      group with four rats per group. Experimental vasectomy was done by carefully
      ligating the vas deferens of the right testis of all the experimental groups (1,
      2, and 3) and animals were allowed either 8, 6 and 2 weeks respectively before
      sacrifice. Sham-operated animals served as the control. Blood samples were
      collected and assayed for testosterone while testicular tissue was further
      processed for seminal fluid and histo-pathological analyses. RESULTS:
      Spermatogenic parameters indicate a pattern of decline in sperm count and
      motility between the experimental groups and the control and azoospermia in the
      eight-week group. Histological alterations were marked by atrophy of seminiferous
      tubules which was proportional to the duration of vasectomy. Serum testosterone
      levels were significantly reduced at eight weeks. There was no statistically
      significant difference between sperm counts of right and left testes except for
      group 3. Results suggest that unilateral vasectomy of the AGR may have negative
      impact on the contralateral testis in the male African giant rat. CONCLUSION:
      These preliminary results reveal that unilateral vasectomy in the AGR may result
      in perturbations of the histo-architecture of the testes with possible decline in
      function.

PMID- 24235954
TI  - Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking pattern among brothel-based female sex
      workers in two local government areas in Lagos state, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol and tobacco use are known risk factors for non communicable
      diseases especially among women. Brothel based female sex workers may be at
      increased risk of exposure to these two substances. OBJECTIVE: To assess the
      pattern of alcohol and tobacco use among female sex workers in two selected local
      government areas in Lagos state, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive
      study was carried out among 323 brothel-based female sex workers in 39 consenting
      brothels. Data was collected by trained interviewers using a pretested structured
      questionnaire. RESULTS: Majority (67.8%) were current drinkers with 89.5% of
      these having their most recent drink less than a week ago. Most of them (89%)
      consumed more than the reference limits for alcohol use among women. Up to 20.7%
      were current smokers with (92.5%) having their most recent cigarette less than a
      week ago. More than a third (37.4%) were heavy smokers while 19% were dual users.
      Current drinking was associated with current smoking. Smokers consumed
      significantly more units of alcohol than non-smokers. CONCLUSION: The prevalence
      of harmful alcohol use and cigarette smoking are very high among this group of
      female sex workers. Programs that address the use of these substances should be
      made available for these women.

PMID- 24235955
TI  - Living with parents and risky sexual behaviors among preparatory school students
      in Jimma zone, South west Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Risky sexual behavior is any behavior that increases the probability
      of negative consequences associated with sexual contact. Family environment, peer
      influence, community factors and school attachment seem an important factor
      affecting sexual risk behavior and decision of in-school youths. OBJECTIVE: To
      assess sexual risk behaviors and associated factors among students living with
      parents in Jimma zone preparatory schools. METHODS: A cross sectional study
      designs both qualitative and quantitative approaches was conducted in 5 randomly
      selected preparatory schools. A total of 273 students were randomly selected.
      Multiple logistic regressions were performed to identify the independent
      predictor of risk sexual behavior. RESULT: One hundred fiten (42.1%) students had
      sexual risk behavior. Thirty six (30.8%) student's reports they had two or more
      sexual partners in their lifetime. Out of 117 students, 13 (11.2%) students used
      condom always. One hundred one (37%) students were consumed alcohol. Higher
      likelihood of risky sexual behavior significantly associated with higher levels
      of alcohol consumption and low frequency of religious visit. CONCLUSION: Alcohol
      consumption and religious visit were the major predictors of risky sexual
      behaviors. Therefore, Behavior change communication should consider family
      environment and other factors which predict risk sexual behaviors.

PMID- 24235956
TI  - Hand hygiene practices among community Health Officers in Rivers State, Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health care associated infections are most commonly transmitted by
      the hands of Health care workers and other hospital personnel. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate compliance with hand hygiene guidelines and methods of hand hygiene
      practice among community health officers in Rivers State Nigeria. METHODS: Self
      administered questionnaires were distributed to 68 community health officers. The
      questionnaires consisted of 19 items which contained information on bio
      demographic characteristics and hand hygiene practices. Data were analysed using
      SPSS-16 statistical software. Proportions were compared using Chi- square test
      and 'p' value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:
      The response rate was 97.1%. There were 11 (16.7%) males and 55 (83.3%) females
      with a male to female ratio of 1: 5. The age of the participants ranged from 28
      56 years with a mean age of 39.7+/-6.7. Washing of hands before and after contact
      with patient was 60.1% and 97% respectively. The difference was significant
      (p<0.01). Allergy to gloves was 15.2%. About three-quarter (77.3%) of the workers
      used soap and water to wash the hands when soiled or visibly contaminated. None
      of the workers used alcohol hand rub. CONCLUSION: Though there was improved
      compliance to hand hygiene guidelines, this still fall short of acceptable
      standards. The provision and promotion of the proper use of alcohol-based hand
      rub may further improve compliance with hand hygiene by reducing the time
      required to perform it and the convenience of the method.

PMID- 24235957
TI  - Design and implementation of participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation
      (PHAST) as a strategy to control soil-transmitted helminth infections in Luweero,
      Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study is a continuation of a research carried out in Luweero
      district in Uganda1. It investigated whether PHAST was a suitable tool for
      reducing transmission of soil transmitted helminths. PHAST means Participatory
      Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation; a participatory approach that uses visual
      tools to stimulate the participation of people in promotion of improved hygiene
      and sanitation. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of PHAST on intestinal helminth
      transmission in children under five years. METHODS: Three phases namely; (1)
      Baseline survey (2) PHAST intervention (3) Follow up were conducted. During Phase
      1, the subjects' stool samples were examined for presence of helminthic ova and
      questionnaires administered. In Phase 2, PHAST was conducted only in experimental
      villages. All subjects in the experimental and control villages were treated
      thrice with Albendazole. During Phase 3, all steps of Phase 1 were repeated.
      RESULTS: There was an overall reduction in the prevalence of children infected
      with helminths after PHAST intervention. Also, comparison of pre-intervention and
      post-intervention multivariate results indicates that the likelihood of children
      getting infected with helminths reduced in most of the experimented variables.
      CONCLUSION: Health stakeholders should utilize PHAST approach to sensitize
      communities on the importance of hygiene to curb soil-transmitted helminth
      infections.

PMID- 24235958
TI  - Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a 13-year-old girl: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Disseminated histoplasmosis is a rare fungal infection and most
      documented cases are in immune-compromised individuals such as those with
      acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of
      disseminated histoplasmosis in an adolescent girl. METHOD: We report a case of
      disseminated histoplasmosis in a 13-year-old adolescent girl. She was admitted
      for 16 days because of neck masses of 3 years duration, generalized body swelling
      of 3 months and reduction in urinary output of 2 months. She tested negative for
      human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. RESULT: An autopsy was performed because
      a definitive diagnosis could not be made while the patient was still alive. The
      autopsy revealed central caseating areas in the lymph nodes and
      membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. The periodic acid-Schiff staining
      technique for tissues showed viable yeast cells suggestive of histoplasmosis.
      Zeihl-Neelsen's staining for mycobacteria tuberculosis was negative. CONCLUSION:
      Undiagnosed case of disseminated histoplasmosis while the patient was alive is
      being reported in a 13-year-old girl. Disseminated histoplasmosis should be
      considered as a differential diagnosis of childhood chronic infections and
      malignancies as in Nigeria.

PMID- 24235960
TI  - Death and cadavers: knowledge, skills and attitudes will have to change.

PMID- 24235959
TI  - Tuberculosis diagnosis in resource-limited settings: Clinical use of GeneXpert in
      the diagnosis of smear-negative PTB: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Xpert MTB/RIF test (GeneXpert) has recently been endorsed for use
      in resource-limited settings for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and drug resistant
      tuberculosis. In resource-limited settings, GeneXpert has been used predominantly
      for research and there is little experience with its use in day-to-day management
      of patients. CASE SUMMARY: We describe a case of a 46 year old HIV-infected male
      with smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, who had several visits to various
      lower level health centres and two admissions in a tertiary care hospital;
      however, the diagnosis of tuberculosis was only made several months later on
      GeneXpert testing that was performed under a research project. CONCLUSION:
      GeneXpert facilitated identification of tuberculosis in an HIV positive patient
      in whom the diagnosis had been delayed when more widely available tests were
      used. Operational and cost-effectiveness studies are needed to provide evidence
      to policy makers in order to improve access to GeneXpert.

PMID- 24235961
TI  - How to change West-African minds in order to increase general acceptation of
      autopsies?

PMID- 24235962
TI  - Response to: acute organo-phosphorus pesticide poisoning in North Karnataka,
      India: oxidative damage, haemoglobin level and total leukocyte.

PMID- 24235963
TI  - Response to: causes of visual disability among Central Africans with diabetes
      mellitus.

PMID- 24235964
TI  - MRI findings in people with epilepsy and nodding syndrome in an area endemic for
      onchocerciasis: an observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Onchocerciasis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.
      The debate on a potential causal relationship between Onchocerca volvulus and
      epilepsy has taken a new direction in the light of the most recent epidemic of
      nodding syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To document MRI changes in people with different
      types of epilepsy and investigate whether there is an association with O.
      volvulus infection. METHODS: In a prospective study in southern Tanzania, an area
      endemic for O. volvulus with a high prevalence of epilepsy and nodding syndrome,
      we performed MRI on 32 people with epilepsy, 12 of which suffered from nodding
      syndrome. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of O. volvulus was performed in skin
      and CSF. RESULTS: The most frequent abnormalities seen on MRI was atrophy (twelve
      patients (37.5%)) followed by intraparenchymal pathologies such as changes in the
      hippocampus (nine patients (28.1%)), gliotic lesions (six patients (18.8%)) and
      subcortical signal abnormalities (three patients (9.4%)). There was an overall
      trend towards an association of intraparenchymal cerebral pathologies and
      infection with O. volvulus based on skin PCR (Fisher's Exact Test p=0.067) which
      was most pronounced in children and adolescents with nodding syndrome compared to
      those with other types of epilepsy (Fisher's Exact Test, p=0.083). Contrary to
      skin PCR results, PCR of CSF was negative in all patients. CONCLUSION: The
      observed trend towards an association of intraparenchymal cerebral pathological
      results on MRI and a positive skin PCR for O. volvulus despite negative PCR of
      CSF is intriguing and deserves further attention.

PMID- 24235965
TI  - Nodding syndrome, infections and sexuality.

PMID- 24235966
TI  - Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia in an Underserved Population in the USA:
      Prevalence, Epidemiologic and Clinical Features.
AB  - Gastric intestinal metaplasia is an important stage in the development of gastric
      cancer. Limited data is available regarding the prevalence of gastric intestinal
      metaplasia in the United States. We conducted a retrospective review of
      esophagogastroduodenoscopies performed in our endoscopy unit between the months
      of April and October 2010 to evaluate the prevalence and the epidemiologic and
      endoscopic features of gastric intestinal metaplasia in an underserved population
      in the United States. 

PMID- 24235967
TI  - H-ras oncogene expression and angiogenesis in experimental liver cirrhosis.
AB  - Background. Proto-oncogenes, particularly ras, may not only affect cell
      proliferation but also contribute to angiogenesis by influencing both
      proangiogenic and antiangiogenic mediators. The aim of this study was to
      investigate whether any relationship exists between ras expression and
      angiogenesis during diethylnitrosamine- (DEN-) induced experimental liver
      fibrosis. Materials and Methods. Liver cirrhosis was induced in rats by
      intraperitoneal injections of DEN. The animals were sacrificed 2 weeks after the
      last administrations and a hepatectomy was performed. Masson's trichrome staining
      was used in the evaluation of the extent of liver fibrosis. The vascular density
      in portal and periportal areas was assessed by determining the count of CD34
      labeled vessel sections. For quantitative evaluation of H-ras expression, in each
      section positive and negative cells were counted. Results. In fibrotic group H
      ras expression was higher than that in nonfibrotic group and was more widespread
      in cirrhotic livers. Friedman's test showed that there was a significant
      correlation between H-ras expression and VD (P < 0.01). Conclusion. The results
      of this descriptive study reveal that H-ras expression gradually increases
      according to the severity of fibrosis and strongly correlates with angiogenesis. 

PMID- 24235968
TI  - Ten-Day versus 14-Day Levofloxacin-Containing Triple Therapy for Second-Line Anti
      Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Taiwan.
AB  - Second-line Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication with fluoroquinolone
      containing triple therapy is one of the recommended treatment options, but
      neither 7-day nor 10-day regimens provide >90% success rates. The current
      retrospective study aimed to clarify the effects of 10-day and 14-day
      levofloxacin-containing triple therapies for second-line H. pylori eradication in
      a Taiwanese cohort and to evaluate the potential clinical factors influencing
      eradication. A total of 200 patients who failed H. pylori eradication using the
      standard triple therapy were prescribed with either a 10-day (EAL-10) or a 14-day
      (EAL-14) levofloxacin-containing triple therapy group (levofloxacin 500 mg once
      daily, amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, and esomeprazole 40 mg twice daily). Follow
      up studies to assess treatment response were carried out 8 weeks later.
      Eradication rates attained by EAL-10 and EAL-14 were 75.6%; 95% CI = 63.9-85.3%
      and 92.5%; 95% CI = 84.5-98.1%, P = 0.002 in the per protocol analysis and 68%;
      95% CI = 56.6-78.5% and 86%; 95% CI = 76.8-93.4%, P = 0.002 in the intention-to
      treat analysis. The duration of H. pylori therapy is the independent risk factor
      of H. pylori eradication (P = 0.003). In conclusion, 14-day levofloxacin
      containing triple therapy can provide a >90% H. pylori eradication rate, but 10
      day treatment duration may be suboptimal. The longer duration of H. pylori
      therapy (14 days) is the independent risk factor. 

PMID- 24235969
TI  - A comparison of calcium hydroxyapatite and dextranomer/hyaluronic Acid for the
      endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux.
AB  - Purpose. Minimal data exists comparing dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Dx/HA) and
      calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) for the endoscopic treatment of VUR in the hands of
      a single user. Materials and Methods. We reviewed our consecutive single-user
      case series of 27 children (42 ureters) receiving endoscopic treatment with CaHA
      and 21 children (33 ureters) who received Dx/HA injection. Children receiving
      CaHA injections were divided into two groups of 13 and 14 patients (Coaptite I
      and II) to assess the learning curve effects. Postoperatively, RBUS and VCUG were
      performed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess statistical
      significance of success rates. Results. The total CaHA group had a per-ureter
      success rate (Grade 0) of 52% after one injection. When separated into two
      cohorts, the single injection per-ureter success rates were 43% for Coaptite I
      and 62% for Coaptite II. In contrast, the Dx/HA series had a single injection per
      ureter success rate (Grade 0) of 78%. Conclusions. Our consecutive case
      experience shows improved results for Dx/HA compared to CaHA, though the learning
      curve effects and evolution of injection technique likely played a role in the
      improved outcomes in the Dx/HA cohort. A randomized controlled multicenter trial
      would provide the most accurate data comparing these two agents. 

PMID- 24235970
TI  - Randomized controlled trial to compare the safety and efficacy of tamsulosin,
      solifenacin, and combination of both in treatment of double-j stent-related lower
      urinary symptoms.
AB  - Purpose. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of tamsulosin, solifenacin,
      and combination of both in reducing double-J stent-related lower urinary
      symptoms. Materials and Methods. A total of 338 patients with double-J ureteral
      stenting were randomly divided, postoperatively, into 4 groups. In group I (n =
      84), no treatment was given (control group), group II (n = 85) received
      tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily, group III (n = 84) received solifenacin 10 mg daily, and
      group IV (n = 85) received a combination of both medications. Before insertion
      and 2 weeks after, all patients completed the International Prostate Symptom
      Score (IPSS), quality of life component of the IPSS (IPSS/Qol), Overactive
      Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), and Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS)
      questionnaire. Results. The demographics and preoperative questionnaires scores
      of all groups were comparable. There were statistically significant differences
      in all scores in favour of groups II, III, and IV as compared to control group (P
      value < 0.005). Group IV showed statistically significant differences in total
      IPSS, QoL score, and OAB-q score as compared to groups II and III (P value <
      0.001). Conclusions. Combined therapy of tamsulosin and solifenacin significantly
      alleviated lower urinary symptoms associated with double-J stents as compared to
      either medication alone. 

PMID- 24235971
TI  - Supraventricular arrhythmias after thoracotomy: is there a role for autonomic
      imbalance?
AB  - Supraventricular arrhythmias are common rhythm disturbances following pulmonary
      surgery. The overall incidence varies between 3.2% and 30% in the literature,
      while atrial fibrillation is the most common form. These arrhythmias usually have
      an uneventful clinical course and revert to normal sinus rhythm, usually before
      patent's discharge from hospital. Their importance lies in the immediate
      hemodynamic consequences, the potential for systemic embolization and the
      consequent long-term need for prophylactic drug administration, and the increased
      cost of hospitalization. Their incidence is probably related to the magnitude of
      the performed operative procedure, occurring more frequently after pneumonectomy
      than after lobectomy. Investigators believe that surgical factors (irritation of
      the atria per se or on the ground of chronic inflammation of aged atria), direct
      injury to the anatomic structure of the autonomic nervous system in the thoracic
      cavity, and postthoracotomy pain may contribute independently or in association
      with each other to the development of these arrhythmias. This review discusses
      currently available information about the potential mechanisms and risk factors
      for these rhythm disturbances. The discussion is in particular focused on the
      role of postoperative pain and its relation to the autonomic imbalance, in an
      attempt to avoid or minimize discomfort with proper analgesia utilization. 

PMID- 24235972
TI  - The diagnostic value of transcription factors T-bet/GATA3 ratio in predicting
      antibody-mediated rejection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous data showed that the predominance of intraglomerular T-bet
      or GATA3 is correlated with different mechanisms of rejection, suggesting that
      the ratio of T-bet/GATA3 might be used to distinguish antibody-mediated rejection
      (ABMR) and T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR). METHODS: We compared the
      intraglomerular T-bet/GATA3 ratio in ABMR and TCMR. The intragraft expression of
      T-bet and GATA3 was studied via immunohistochemistry. The correlation of the
      diagnosis of AMR with the ratio of T-bet/GATA3 was examined. RESULTS: Both
      intraglomerular T-bet- and GATA3-expressing cells were increased during acute
      rejection. T-bet/GATA3>1 was strongly correlated with ABMR (93.3% versus 18.2%).
      The incidence of positive HLA-I/II antibodies and glomerulitis is significantly
      higher in T-bet/GATA3>1 group (P < 0.001, 0.013, resp.). The scores of
      peritubular capillary inflammation and glomerulitis were also higher in T
      bet/GATA3>1 group (P = 0.052, P < 0.001, resp.). Nevertheless, T-bet/GATA3>1 is
      also correlated with C4d-negative ABMR and resistance to steroid treatment.
      Compared with C4d deposition, T-bet/GATA3>1 had a slight lower (90% versus 100%)
      specificity but a much higher (87.5% versus 68.8%) sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Our
      data suggested that intraglomerular predominance of T-bet over GATA3 might be
      used as diagnosis maker of ABMR in addition to C4d, especially in C4d-negative
      cases.

PMID- 24235973
TI  - Chronic deep brain stimulation of the hypothalamic nucleus in wistar rats alters
      circulatory levels of corticosterone and proinflammatory cytokines.
AB  - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a therapeutic option for several diseases, but
      its effects on HPA axis activity and systemic inflammation are unknown. This
      study aimed to detect circulatory variations of corticosterone and cytokines
      levels in Wistar rats, after 21 days of DBS-at the ventrolateral part of the
      ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMHvl), unilateral cervical vagotomy (UCVgX),
      or UCVgX plus DBS. We included the respective control (C) and sham (S) groups (n
      = 6 rats per group). DBS treated rats had higher levels of TNF-alpha (120%; P <
      0.01) and IFN-gamma (305%; P < 0.001) but lower corticosterone concentration
      (48%; P < 0.001) than C and S. UCVgX animals showed increased corticosterone
      levels (154%; P < 0.001) versus C and S. UCVgX plus DBS increased IL-1beta (402%;
      P < 0.001), IL-6 (160%; P < 0.001), and corsticosterone (178%; P < 0.001 versus
      48%; P < 0.001) compared with the C and S groups. Chronic DBS at VMHvl induced a
      systemic inflammatory response accompanied by a decrease of HPA axis function.
      UCVgX rats experienced HPA axis hyperactivity as result of vagus nerve injury;
      however, DBS was unable to block the HPA axis hyperactivity induced by unilateral
      cervical vagotomy. Further studies are necessary to explore these findings and
      their clinical implication. 

PMID- 24235974
TI  - IMAGES OF BLACK AMERICANS: Then, "Them," and Now, "Obama!"
AB  - Images of Black Americans are becoming remarkably diverse, enabling Barack Obama
      to defy simple-minded stereotypes and succeed. Understood through the Stereotype
      Content Model's demonstrably fundamental trait dimensions of perceived warmth and
      competence, images of Black Americans show three relevant patterns. Stereotyping
      by omission allows non-Blacks to accentuate the positive, excluding any lingering
      negativity but implying it by its absence; specifically, describing Black
      Americans as gregarious and passionate suggests warmth but ignores competence and
      implies its lack. Obama's credentials prevented him from being cast as
      incompetent, though the experience debate continued. His legendary calm and
      passionate charisma saved him on the warmth dimension. Social class subtypes for
      Black Americans differentiate dramatically between low-income Blacks and Black
      professionals, among both non-Black and Black samples. Obama clearly fit the
      moderately warm, highly competent Black-professional subtype. Finally, the
      campaign's events (and nonevents) allowed voter habituation to overcome non
      Blacks' automatic emotional vigilance to Black Americans.

PMID- 24235975
TI  - Difficulties sleeping: a natural part of growing older?

PMID- 24235976
TI  - Electron Ionization-Induced Release of Coded Isotopic Reporter Ions in an m/z
      Zone of Minimal Interference for Quantifiable, Multiplexed GC-MS Analyses.
AB  - We describe an isotope coding strategy that enables simultaneous GC-MS analysis
      of multiple samples for substrate identification and quantification. The method
      relies on direct measurement of isotopic ethyl carbenium ions serving as mass
      spectral tags in a zone of minimal interference (ZMI) at m/z 31-37. Sample
      aldehyde and ketone mixtures were reacted with isotopic 2-aminooxyethyl
      propionates to illustrate the method, which determined the relative abundance of
      the mixed compounds with an average 95% accuracy. ZMI reporter ion detection also
      enables chemoselective substrate profiling and absolute quantification, as
      demonstrated using a biologically derived sample.

PMID- 24235977
TI  - Single-cell profiling of circulating tumour cells: a great leap forward.

PMID- 24235979
TI  - Lower-Limb Power cannot be Estimated Accurately from Vertical Jump Tests.
AB  - The countermovement jump test is often adopted to monitor lower-limb power of an
      individual. Despite several studies on the validity of this test, there is still
      a need to determine the minimal difference needed to be confident that a
      difference in power between two individuals is present or that a true change in
      the performance of an individual has occurred. In this study, power was measured
      from ground reaction forces and compared to that obtained from predictive
      equations for two groups of subjects (67 trained and 20 highly trained
      individuals). The height of each jump was determined with kinematic techniques.
      The main outcome is a large discrepancy between power calculated from ground
      reaction forces and that calculated from predictive equations. For the trained
      group, the R-square value between power and predicted power was 0.53 and the
      minimal difference to consider that two individuals were different was 821.7 W.
      For the highly trained individuals, a much larger R-square value was obtained
      (0.94). Despite this, the minimal difference to consider that two individuals
      were different was still large (689.3 W). The large minimal differences obtained
      raise serious concerns about using countermovement jumps for appraisal and
      monitoring of lower-limb power of an individual. 

PMID- 24235978
TI  - Detection of Aortic Wall Inclusion Using Regional Pulse Wave Propagation and
      Velocity In Silico.
AB  - Monitoring of the regional stiffening of the arterial wall may prove important in
      the diagnosis of various vascular pathologies. The pulse wave velocity (PWV)
      along the aortic wall has been shown to be dependent on the wall stiffness and
      has played a fundamental role in a range of diagnostic methods. Conventional
      clinical methods involve a global examination of the pulse traveling between two
      remote sites, e.g. femoral and carotid arteries, to provide an average PWV
      estimate. However, the majority of vascular diseases entail regional vascular
      changes and therefore may not be detected by a global PWV estimate. In this
      paper, a fluid-structure interaction study of straight-geometry aortas was
      carried out to examine the effects of regional stiffness changes on PWV. Five
      homogeneous aortas with increasing wall stiffness as well as two aortas with soft
      and hard inclusions were considered. In each case, spatio-temporal maps of the
      wall motion were used to analyze the regional pulse wave propagation. On the
      homogeneous aortas, increasing PWVs were found to increase with the wall moduli
      (R2 = 0.9988), indicating the reliability of the model to accurately represent
      the wave propagation. On the inhomogeneous aortas, formation of reflected and
      standing waves was observed at the site of the hard and soft inclusions,
      respectively. Neither the hard nor the soft inclusion had a significant effect on
      the velocity of the traveling pulse beyond the inclusion site, which supported
      the hypothesis that a global measurement of the average PWV could fail to detect
      regional abnormalities.

PMID- 24235980
TI  - Kinematic Variables Evolution During a 200-m Maximum Test in Young Paddlers.
AB  - The objective of this research was to determine the kinematic variables evolution
      in a sprint canoeing maximal test over 200 m, comparing women and men kayak
      paddlers and men canoeists. Speed evolution, cycle frequency, cycle length and
      cycle index were analysed each 50 m section in fifty-two young paddlers (20 male
      kayakers, 17 female kayakers and 15 male canoeists; 13-14 years-old). Recordings
      were taken from a boat which followed each paddler trial in order to measure the
      variables cited above. Kinematic evolution was similar in the three categories,
      the speed and cycle index decreased through the test after the first 50 m.
      Significant differences were observed among most of the sections in speed and the
      cycle index (p<0.05 and <0.01, respectively). Cycle length remained stable
      showing the lowest values in the first section when compared with the others
      (p<0.01). Cycle frequency progressively decreased along the distance. Significant
      differences were identified in the majority of the sections (p<0.01). Men
      kayakers attained higher values in all the variables than women kayakers and men
      canoeists, but only such variables as speed, cycle length and cycle index were
      observed to be significantly higher (p<0.01). Moreover, lower kinematic values
      were obtained from men canoeists. The study of the evolution of kinematic
      variables can provide valuable information for athletes and coaches while
      planning training sessions and competitions. 

PMID- 24235981
TI  - The development of a repetition-load scheme for the eccentric-only bench press
      exercise.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to develop a repetition-load scheme for the
      eccentric-only bench press exercise. Nine resistance trained men (age: 21.6 +/-
      1.0 years; 1-repetition maximum [RM] bench press: 137.7 +/- 30.4 kg) attended
      four testing sessions during a four week period. During the first session each
      subject's 1-RM bench press load utilizing the stretch-shortening cycle was
      determined. During the remaining sessions they performed eccentric-only
      repetitions to failure using supra-maximal loads equivalent to 110%, 120% and
      130% of their 1-RM value with a constant cadence (30 reps.min(-1)). Force plates
      and a three dimensional motion analysis system were used during these final three
      sessions in order to evaluate kinematic and kinetic variables. More repetitions
      were completed during the 110% 1-RM condition compared to the 130% 1-RM condition
      (p=0.01). Mean total work (p=0.046) as well as vertical force (p=0.049), vertical
      work (p=0.017), and vertical power output (p=0.05) were significantly greater
      during the 130% 1-RM condition compared to the 110% 1-RM condition. A linear
      function was fitted to the number of repetitions completed under each load
      condition that allowed the determination of the maximum number of repetitions
      that could be completed under other supra-maximal loads. This linear function
      predicted an eccentric-only 1-RM in the bench press with a load equivalent to
      164.8% 1-RM, producing a load of 227.0 +/- 50.0 kg. The repetition-load scheme
      presented here should provide a starting point for researchers to investigate the
      kinematic, kinetic and metabolic responses to eccentric-only bench press
      workouts. 

PMID- 24235982
TI  - Body posture stability in ski boots under conditions of unstable supporting
      surface.
AB  - THE AUTHORS ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER: (1) there are differences in
      stability between the conditions of standing in ski boots and barefoot, (2) the
      type of surface affects stability, and, (3) the level of stability differs
      between the frontal and sagittal planes. The study included 35 young male
      recreational skiers aged 20.71 +/-0.63 years. Measurements of stability were
      taken by means of a Libra seesaw balance board. The conditions of soft surface
      were created by attaching an inflated cushion to the board. The experiment was
      carried out on both rigid and soft surface for both movement planes and two
      different conditions: maintaining the seesaw balance board in the horizontal
      position and performance of a particular balancing task. All the tests were
      performed with visual feedback. Restricted ankle joint mobility that results from
      wearing ski boots caused a reduction of stability in studied subjects,
      particularly in the sagittal plane. The differences found in the study were
      likely to be caused by the difficulty the beginners experienced in re-organizing
      muscular coordination in hip joint strategy and effectively using mechanical
      support of ski boots that reduces lower limb muscle tone. The use of the soft
      surface improved stability exhibited by the subjects in the frontal plane without
      compromising the stability in the sagittal plane. The soft surface might have
      contributed to a reduction in excessive corrective movements, thus improving
      stability in studied subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect
      of limitation of foot mobility and disturbances in afferent information from the
      plantar mechanoreceptors due to wearing ski boots on the level of postural
      stability in beginner skiers under conditions of the unstable support surface.

PMID- 24235983
TI  - Postural adaptations in preadolescent karate athletes due to a one week karate
      training cAMP.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an increasing number of
      training hours of specific high-intensity karate training on postural sway in
      preadolescent karate athletes. Seventy-four karatekas were randomly assigned to 1
      of 2 groups: Karate Group (KG=37): age 10.29+/-1.68 yrs; or Control Group (CG=
      37): age 10.06+/-1.77 yrs. The KG performed two sessions per day for 1 week in
      total, while the CG performed only 3 sessions during the same period. The center
      of-pressure length (COPL) and velocity (COPV) were recorded under four different
      experimental conditions: open eyes (EO), closed eyes (EC), open eyes monopodalic
      left (EOL), open eyes monopodalic right (EOR), pre as well as post training
      intervention. Post-camp results indicated significant differences between the
      groups in the COPL p<0.001; an interaction of training type*time in the COPV
      (p<0.001) and an interaction of training type*time (p=0.020). The KG revealed an
      improvement in the COPL from pre to post-camp under conditions of EO [-37.26%
      (p<0.001)], EC [-31.72% (p<0.001)], EOL [-27.27% (p<0.001)], EOR [-21.44%
      (p<0.001)], while CG revealed small adaptations in conditions of EO (3.16%), EC
      (0.93%), EOL (-3.03%), EOR (-0.97%). Furthermore, in the KG an improvement in the
      COPV from pre to post-camp was observed in conditions of EO [-37.92% (p<0.001)],
      EC [-32.52% (p<0.001)], EOL [-29.11% (p<0.001)], EOR [-21.49% (p<0.001)]. In
      summary, one-week of high intensity karate training induced a significant
      improvement in static body balance in preadolescent karate athletes. Karate
      performance requires high-levels of both static and dynamic balance. Further
      research dealing with the effect of karate practice on dynamic body balance in
      young athletes is required. 

PMID- 24235984
TI  - Are various forms of locomotion-speed diverse or unique performance quality?
AB  - The forward-sprint is considered to be, and is regularly performed as, a unique
      measure of "on-ground" linear-speed performance. Thus far, no investigation has
      simultaneously studied different forms of linear-speed or investigated whether
      different forms of linear-speed should be observed as unique performance quality.
      The purpose of this study was to determine (I) the achievements (i.e. execution
      time), and (II) the reliability and inter-relationships between various linear
      speed performances. The participants were 42 male physical education students
      with substantial sport-specific backgrounds. We applied a total of six tests:
      three quadrupedal (supine backward, supine forward, and pronate backward
      locomotion) and three bipedal-performances (forward sprinting, backward
      sprinting, lateral shuffling). All of the tests showed appropriate reliability
      parameters (Cronbach Alpha ranged from 0.91 to 0.97; Inter-Item-R 0.78-0.92;
      Coefficient-of-Variation 1.3-9.1). The tests used in this study shared between 9%
      and 50% of the common variance. Our results suggest that different activities
      require activity-specific tests of linear-speed. This is particularly significant
      in those sports and activities in which quadrupedal locomotion patterns are
      highly important (wrestling, physically trained military services, law
      enforcement, fire and rescue, protective services). 

PMID- 24235985
TI  - A comparison of muscle activity in concentric and counter movement maximum bench
      press.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics and muscle activation
      patterns of regular free-weight bench press (counter movement) with pure
      concentric lifts in the ascending phase of a successful one repetition maximum (1
      RM) attempt in the bench press. Our aim was to evaluate if diminishing
      potentiation could be the cause of the sticking region. Since diminishing
      potentiation cannot occur in pure concentric lifts, the occurrence of a sticking
      region in this type of muscle actions would support the hypothesis that the
      sticking region is due to a poor mechanical position. Eleven male participants
      (age 21.9 +/- 1.7 yrs, body mass 80.7 +/- 10.9 kg, body height 1.79 +/- 0.07 m)
      conducted 1-RM lifts in counter movement and in pure concentric bench presses in
      which kinematics and EMG activity were measured. In both conditions, a sticking
      region occurred. However, the start of the sticking region was different between
      the two bench presses. In addition, in four of six muscles, the muscle activity
      was higher in the counter movement bench press compared to the concentric one.
      Considering the findings of the muscle activity of six muscles during the maximal
      lifts it was concluded that the diminishing effect of force potentiation, which
      occurs in the counter movement bench press, in combination with a delayed muscle
      activation unlikely explains the existence of the sticking region in a 1-RM bench
      press. Most likely, the sticking region is the result of a poor mechanical force
      position. 

PMID- 24235986
TI  - Mechanical work and long-distance performance prediction: the influence of
      allometric scaling.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of allometric scaling on the
      relationship between mechanical work and long-distance running performance in
      recreational runners. Fourteen recreational long-distance runners (male, mean +/-
      SD - age: 29 +/- 7 years; body mass: 70.0 +/- 10.2 kg; body height: 1.71 +/- 0.07
      m; maximal oxygen uptake: VO2max 52.0 +/- 4.9 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) performed two
      tests: a continuous incremental test to volitional exhaustion in order to
      determine VO2max, and a 6-minute running submaximal test at 3.1 m.s(-1), during
      which segments in the sagittal plane were recorded using a digital camera and the
      internal (Wint), external (Wext) and total (Wtot) mechanic work, in J.kg(-1).m(
      1), was subsequently calculated. The results indicated a significant correlation
      between mechanical work and performance, however, the strongest correlations were
      observed when allometric exponents were used (respectively for Wint, Wext and
      Wtot; non allometric vs. allometric scaling defined by literature (0.75) or
      determined mathematically (0.49): r = 0.38 vs. r = 0.44 and r = 0.50; r = 0.80
      vs. r = 0.83 and r = 0.82; r = 0.70 vs. r = 0.77 and r = 0.78). These results
      indicate that mechanical work could be used as a predictor of recreational long
      distance performance and an allometric model may improve this prediction. 

PMID- 24235987
TI  - Potentiation increases peak twitch torque by enhancing rates of torque
      development and relaxation.
AB  - The aim of this study was to measure the extent to which potentiation changes in
      response to an isometric maximal voluntary contraction. Eleven physically active
      subjects participated in two separate studies. Single stimulus of electrical
      stimulation of the femoral nerve was used to measure torque at rest in
      unpotentiated quadriceps muscles (study 1 and 2), and potentiated quadriceps
      muscles torque in a 10 min period after a 5 s isometric maximal voluntary
      contraction of the quadriceps muscles (study 1). Additionally, potentiated
      quadriceps muscles torque was measured every min after a further 10 maximal
      voluntary contractions repeated every min (study 2). Electrical stimulation
      repeated several times without previous maximal voluntary contraction showed
      similar peak twitch torque. Peak twitch torque 4 s after a 5 s maximal voluntary
      contraction increased by 45+/-13% (study 1) and by 56+/-10% (study 2), the rate
      of torque development by 53+/-13% and 82+/-29%, and the rate of relaxation by
      50+/-17% and 59+/-22%, respectively, but potentiation was lost already two min
      after a 5 s maximal voluntary contraction. There was a tendency for peak twitch
      torque to increase for the first five repeated maximal voluntary contractions,
      suggesting increased potentiation with additional maximal voluntary contractions.
      Correlations for peak twitch torque vs the rate of torque development and for the
      rate of relaxation were r(2)= 0.94 and r(2)=0.97. The correlation between peak
      twitch torque, the rate of torque development and the rate of relaxation suggests
      that potentiation is due to instantaneous changes in skeletal muscle
      contractility and relaxation. 

PMID- 24235988
TI  - Estimating the energy costs of intermittent exercise.
AB  - To date, steady state models represent the only acceptable methodology for the
      estimation of exercise energy costs. Conversely, comparisons made between
      continuous and intermittent exercise generally reveal major physiological
      discrepancies, leading to speculation as to why steady state energy expenditure
      models should be applied to intermittent exercise. Under intermittent conditions,
      skeletal muscle invokes varying aerobic and anaerobic metabolic responses, each
      with the potential to make significant contributions to overall energy costs. We
      hypothesize that if the aerobic-only energetic profile of steady state exercise
      can be used to estimate the energetics of non-steady state and intermittent
      exercise, then the converse also must be true. In fact, reasonable estimates of
      energy costs to work volumes or work rates can be demonstrated under steady
      state, non-steady state and intermittent conditions; the problem with the latter
      two is metabolic variability. Using resistance training as a model, estimates of
      both aerobic and anaerobic energy cost components, as opposed to one or the
      other, have reduced the overall energetic variability that appears inherent to
      brief, intense, intermittent exercise models. 

PMID- 24235989
TI  - Physical and physiological characteristics of elite male handball players from
      teams with a different ranking.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine possible discriminant physical and
      physiological characteristics between elite male handball players from elite
      teams with different league rankings. Players from three teams (A, B and C),
      which competed in the first league of the Greek championship during the season
      2011-2012 participated in the study. Team A finished first, B came second and C
      came eighth out of eleven clubs. Teams A and B also participated in European
      Cups, and team A won the European Challenge Cup. The players (n=44) were examined
      for anthropometric characteristics and performed a series of physical fitness
      tests. Players from teams A and B were taller (6.2 cm (0.7;11.7), mean difference
      (95% CI) and 9.2 cm (4.0;14.5), respectively), and had a higher amount of fat
      free mass (6.4 kg (1.1;11.8) and 5.4 kg (0.2;10.5)) compared to those of team C.
      Players from team A performed better than players from team C in the squat jump
      (5.5 cm (1.0;10.0)), the countermovement jump without (5.5 cm (0.4;10.6)) and
      with arm-swing (6.0 cm (0.7;11.3)) and in the 30 s Bosco test (5.7 W.kg-1
      (1.2;10.2)). Also, players from team A outperformed team B in mean power during
      the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT, 0.5 W.kg-1(0;0.9)) and in the Bosco test (7.8
      W.kg-1 (3.4;12.2)). Overall, players from the best ranked team performed better
      than the lowest ranked team on WAnT, vertical jumps and the Bosco test. Stepwise
      discriminant analysis showed that stature and mean power during the Bosco test
      were the most important characteristics in TH players, accounting for 54.6% of
      the variance in team ranking. These findings indicate the contribution of
      particular physical fitness components (stature, fat free mass and anaerobic
      power) to excellence in TH. In addition, the use of the Bosco test as an
      assessment tool in talent identification and physical fitness monitoring in this
      sport is further recommended. 

PMID- 24235990
TI  - Calculating Home Advantage in the First Decade of the 21th Century UEFA Soccer
      Leagues.
AB  - Home advantage has been studied in different sports, establishing its existence
      and its possible causes. This article analyzes the home advantage in soccer
      leagues of UEFA countries in the first part of the 21st century. The sample of 52
      countries monitored during a period of 10 years allows us to study 520 leagues
      and 111,030 matches of the highest level in each country associated with UEFA.
      Home advantage exists and is significant in 32 of the 52 UEFA countries, where it
      equals 55.6%. A decrease can be observed in the tendency towards home advantage
      between the years 2000 and 2010. Values between 55 and 56 were observed for home
      advantage in the top ten leagues in Europe. It has also been observed that home
      advantage depends on the level of the league evaluated using UEFA's 2010/11
      Country coefficients. The home advantage is calculated taking into account the
      teams' position and the points obtained in each of the leagues. A direct
      relationship was observed with the number of points gained and an inverse
      relationship was observed with the team position. 

PMID- 24235991
TI  - The importance of sports performance factors and training contents from the
      perspective of futsal coaches.
AB  - The aim of this study was to identify the importance assigned by futsal coaches
      with different education levels to the sports performance factors (technical,
      tactical, physical and psychological) and to the training contents. The sample
      was divided into three groups (novice: n=35, intermediate: n=42; and elite
      coaches: n=15) depending on the degree of specific education, coaching experience
      and the level of the teams trained. To achieve this goal, the coaches answered a
      questionnaire previously validated by specialists in sport sciences. The results
      showed significant differences between the novice and elite group in small-sided
      games, inferiority games, opposition and execution timing of the training and
      drill items. The analyses also showed significant differences between the novice
      and intermediate group in inferiority games and opposition of the training and
      drill items. Although, no differences were identified between groups for the
      remaining performance factors and training and drill items considered, the
      identified trends provide a baseline related to the knowledge that contributes to
      the development of expertise of futsal coaches. 

PMID- 24235992
TI  - Relationship between fatigue index and number of repetition maxima with sub
      maximal loads in biceps curl.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the number of
      repetition maxima to volitional failure (RM) at 60%, 75%, 90% of 1RM and fatigue
      index (FI), a determinant of the muscular endurance level. Thirty four resistance
      trained male participants attended two testing sessions. The first session was
      conducted to assess 1RM load and RM at 60%, 75% and 90% of 1RM in the supine
      biceps curl (SBC) exercise. In the second session, a FI test protocol consisting
      of five sets of SBC with 90 s rest between sets was performed to determine FI
      values. Each set was performed to volitional failure using a sub-maximal load in
      the range of 15-20RM. Hypothetical high FI and low FI groups (17 participants
      with the highest and lowest FI values, respectively) were formed for statistical
      analyses. ANOVA results revealed that RM at 60%, 75%, 90% of 1RM were not
      significantly different between FI groups when controlled for mean repetition
      tempo (p=0.11, p=0.38, p=0.13, respectively). Pearson's correlation coefficients
      revealed that no significant relationship was present between FI values and RM at
      60%, 75%, 90% of 1RM (p=0.40, p=0.46, p=0.14, respectively). In conclusion, the
      muscular endurance level of participants defined in terms of FI value was not an
      indicator of RM in SBC. Therefore, athletes with different muscular endurance
      levels can use similar percentages of 1RM in biceps curl exercise in their
      training programs when the aim is to elicit training adaptations related to
      specific RM zones. 

PMID- 24235993
TI  - A decade of euroleague basketball: an analysis of trends and recent rule change
      effects.
AB  - The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) recently introduced major rule
      changes that came into effect with the 2010/11 season. Most notably, moving the
      three-point arc and changing the shot-clock. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate and quantify how these changes affect the game performance of top
      level European basketball players. In order to better understand these changes,
      we also investigated past seasons and showed the presence of several trends, even
      in the absence of significant rule changes. A large set of game statistics for 10
      seasons and 2198 Euroleague basketball games in which top European clubs competed
      was analyzed. Results show that the effects of the rule changes are contrary to
      trends in recent years. 

PMID- 24235994
TI  - The influence of an additional load on time and force changes in the ground
      reaction force during the countermovement vertical jump.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine how an additional load influences the
      force-vs-time relationship of the countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ). The
      participants that took part in the experiment were 18 male university students
      who played sport recreationally, including regular games of volleyball. They were
      asked to perform a CMVJ without involving the arms under four conditions: without
      and with additional loads of 10%, 20%, and 30% of their body weight (BW). The
      vertical component of the ground reaction force (GRF) was measured by a force
      plate. The GRF was used to calculate the durations of the preparatory, braking,
      and acceleration phases, the total duration of the jump, force impulses during
      the braking and acceleration phases, average forces during the braking and
      acceleration phases, and the maximum force of impact at landing. Results were
      evaluated using repeated-measures ANOVA. Increasing the additional load prolonged
      both the braking and acceleration phases of the jump, with statistically
      significant changes in the duration of the acceleration phase found for an
      additional load of 20% BW. The magnitude of the force systematically and
      significantly increased with the additional load. The force impulse during the
      acceleration phase did not differ significantly between jumps performed with
      loads of 20% and 30% BW. The results suggest that the optimal additional load for
      developing explosive strength in vertical jumping ranges from 20% to 30% of BW,
      with this value varying between individual subjects. 

PMID- 24235995
TI  - Activity profiles of soccer players during the 2010 world cup.
AB  - The main objective of this study was to analyse the distance covered and the
      activity profile that players presented at the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
      Complementarily, the distance covered by each team within the same competition
      was analysed. For the purposes of this study 443 players were analysed, of which
      35 were goalkeepers, 84 were external defenders, 77 were central defenders, 182
      were midfielders, and 65 were forwards. Afterwards, a thorough analysis was
      performed on 16 teams that reached the group stage, 8 teams that achieved the
      round of 16, 4 teams that reached the quarter-finals, and 4 teams that qualified
      for the semi-finals and finals. A comparison of the mean distance covered per
      minute among the playing positions showed statistically significant differences
      (F(4,438) = 559.283; p < 0.001; 2 = 0.836; Power = 1.00). A comparison of the
      activity time among tactical positions also resulted in statistically significant
      differences, specifically, low activity (F(4,183.371) = 1476.844; p < 0.001; 2 =
      0.742; Power = 1.00), medium activity (F(4,183.370) = 1408.106; p < 0.001; 2 =
      0.731; Power = 1.00), and high activity (F(4,182.861) = 1152.508; p < 0.001; 2 =
      0.703; Power = 1.00). Comparing the mean distance covered by teams, differences
      that are not statistically significant were observed (F(3,9.651) = 4.337; p <
      0.035; 2 = 0.206; Power = 0.541). In conclusion, the tactical positions of the
      players and their specific tasks influence the activity profile and physical
      demands during a match. 

PMID- 24235996
TI  - Performance consistency of international soccer teams in euro 2012: a time series
      analysis.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the consistency of performance in
      successive matches for international soccer teams from Europe which qualified for
      the quarter final stage of EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. The eight teams that
      reached the quarter final stage and beyond were the sample teams for this time
      series analysis. The autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions were used to
      analyze the consistency of play and its association with the result of match in
      sixteen performance indicators of each team. The results of autocorrelation
      function showed that based on the number of consistent performance indicators,
      Spain and Italy demonstrated more consistency in successive matches in relation
      to other teams. This appears intuitive given that Spain played Italy in the
      final. However, it is arguable that other teams played at a higher performance
      levels at various parts of the competition, as opposed to performing consistently
      throughout the tournament. The results of the cross-correlation analysis showed
      that in relation to goal-related indicators, these had higher associations with
      the match results of Spain and France. In relation to the offensive-related
      indicators, France, England, Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic and Spain showed a
      positive correlation with the match result. In relation to the defensive-related
      indicators, France, England, Greece and Portugal showed a positive correlation
      with match results. In conclusion, in an international soccer tournament, the
      successful teams displayed a greater degree of performance consistency across all
      indicators in comparison to their competitors who occasionally would show higher
      levels of performance in individual games, yet not consistently across the
      overall tournament. The authors therefore conclude that performance consistency
      is more significant in international tournament soccer, versus occasionally
      excelling in some metrics and indicators in particular games. 

PMID- 24235997
TI  - Ball Possession Effectiveness in Men's Elite Floorball According to Quality of
      Opposition and Game Period.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to identify the importance of floorball tactical
      variables to predict ball possession effectiveness, when controlling quality of
      opposition and game periods. The sample was composed by 1500 ball possessions,
      corresponding to 14 games randomly selected from the International Championships
      played during 2008 and 2010 (World Championship, Four nations tournament and
      classificatory phases for World Championship) by teams from different competition
      levels (HIGH, INTERMEDIATE and LOW). The effects of the predictor variables on
      successful ball possessions according to the three game contexts (HIGH vs. HIGH;
      HIGH vs. LOW; LOW vs. LOW games) were analyzed using Binomial Logistic
      Regressions. The results showed no interaction with the game period. In HIGH vs.
      HIGH games, quality of opposition showed an association with ball possession
      effectiveness with ending zone, offensive system, possession duration, height of
      shooting and defensive pressures previous to the shot. In HIGH vs. LOW games the
      important factors were the starting zone, possession duration, defensive pressure
      previous to the last pass and to the shot, technique of shooting and the number
      players involved in each ball possession. Finally, in LOW vs. LOW games, the
      results emphasized the importance of starting and ending zones, the number of
      passes used and the technique of shooting. In conclusion, elite floorball
      performance is mainly affected by quality of opposition showing different game
      patterns in each context that should be considered by coaches when preparing
      practices and competitions. 

PMID- 24235998
TI  - No Association between Circulating Levels and Genetic Variants of IL-6 and TNF
      alpha and Colon Adenoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF
      alpha), two important inflammatory cytokines, have been inconsistently associated
      with risk of colon neoplasia in epidemiological studies. However, research to
      date has not adequately assessed whether race-specific differences may exist in
      associations between biomarkers and genetic variants of these cytokines and
      colorectal adenoma - the precursor lesions of colorectal cancer. We sought to
      determine whether circulating levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha, or genetic
      polymorphisms in IL-6and TNF-alpha were associated with colon adenoma and if so,
      whether that association differed by race. METHODS: We analyzed the associations
      of circulating levels and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-6 and TNF
      alpha with risk of colon adenomas in a colonoscopy -based case-control study of
      401 incident adenoma cases and 1,050 controls. We used multivariate unconditional
      logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence
      intervals (95% CI) for levels or genotypes (log additive models) of IL-6 and TNF
      alpha. RESULTS: Compared to the bottom tertile of IL-6, the adjusted ORs were:
      1.06 (0.75-1.44), 1.01 (0.72-1.40), respectively for the 2nd and 3rd tertiles
      (ptrend = 0.10); the corresponding ORs for TNF-alpha were: 0.85 (0.63-1.15) and
      1.01 (0.75-1.36), respectively (ptrend = 0.39). Race-stratified analyses did not
      reveal any significant association. There were also no statistically significant
      associations between IL-6 and TNF-alpha SNPs and colon adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results do not support pre-diagnostic levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha or their genetic
      variants as significant risk factors for the development of colon adenoma.

PMID- 24236005
TI  - Does the adequacy parameter Kt/V(urea) reflect uremic toxin concentrations in
      hemodialysis patients?
AB  - Hemodialysis aims at removing uremic toxins thus decreasing their concentrations.
      The present study investigated whether Kt/V(urea), used as marker of dialysis
      adequacy, is correlated with these concentrations. Predialysis blood samples were
      taken before a midweek session in 71 chronic HD patients. Samples were analyzed
      by colorimetry, HPLC, or ELISA for a broad range of uremic solutes. Solute
      concentrations were divided into four groups according to quartiles of
      Kt/V(urea), and also of different other parameters with potential impact, such as
      age, body weight (BW), Protein equivalent of Nitrogen Appearance (PNA), Residual
      Renal Function (RRF), and dialysis vintage. Dichotomic concentration comparisons
      were performed for gender and Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Analysis of Variance in
      quartiles of Kt/V(urea) did not show significant differences for any of the
      solute concentrations. For PNA, however, concentrations showed significant
      differences for urea (P<0.001), uric acid (UA), p-cresylsulfate (PCS), and free
      PCS (all P<0.01), and for creatinine (Crea) and hippuric acid (HA) (both P<0.05).
      For RRF, concentrations varied for beta2-microglobulin (P<0.001), HA, free HA,
      free indoxyl sulfate, and free indole acetic acid (all P<0.01), and for p
      cresylglucuronide (PCG), 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid
      (CMPF), free PCS, and free PCG (all P<0.05). Gender and body weight only showed
      differences for Crea and UA, while age, vintage, and diabetes mellitus only
      showed differences for one solute concentration (UA, UA, and free PCS,
      respectively). Multifactor analyses indicated a predominant association of
      concentration with protein intake and residual renal function. In conclusion,
      predialysis concentrations of uremic toxins seem to be dependent on protein
      equivalent of nitrogen appearance and residual renal function, and not on
      dialysis adequacy as assessed by Kt/V(urea). Efforts to control intestinal load
      of uremic toxin precursors by dietary or other interventions, and preserving RRF
      seem important approaches to decrease uremic solute concentration and by
      extension their toxicity.

PMID- 24236006
TI  - Quantitative network measures as biomarkers for classifying prostate cancer
      disease states: a systems approach to diagnostic biomarkers.
AB  - Identifying diagnostic biomarkers based on genomic features for an accurate
      disease classification is a problem of great importance for both, basic medical
      research and clinical practice. In this paper, we introduce quantitative network
      measures as structural biomarkers and investigate their ability for classifying
      disease states inferred from gene expression data from prostate cancer. We
      demonstrate the utility of our approach by using eigenvalue and entropy-based
      graph invariants and compare the results with a conventional biomarker analysis
      of the underlying gene expression data. 

PMID- 24236007
TI  - Beliefs about lying and spreading of dishonesty: undetected lies and their
      constructive and destructive social dynamics in dice experiments.
AB  - Field experiments have shown that observing other people littering, stealing or
      lying can trigger own misconduct, leading to a decay of social order. However, a
      large extent of norm violations goes undetected. Hence, the direction of the
      dynamics crucially depends on actors' beliefs regarding undetected
      transgressions. Because undetected transgressions are hardly measureable in the
      field, a laboratory experiment was developed, where the complete prevalence of
      norm violations, subjective beliefs about them, and their behavioral dynamics is
      measurable. In the experiment, subjects could lie about their monetary payoffs,
      estimate the extent of liars in their group and make subsequent lies contingent
      on information about other people's lies. Results show that informed people who
      underestimate others' lying increase own lying more than twice and those who
      overestimate, decrease it by more than half compared to people without
      information about others' lies. This substantial interaction puts previous
      results into perspective, showing that information about others' transgressions
      can trigger dynamics in both directions: the spreading of normative decay and
      restoring of norm adherence. 

PMID- 24236008
TI  - To dope or not to dope: neuroenhancement with prescription drugs and drugs of
      abuse among Swiss university students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuroenhancement is the use of substances by healthy subjects to
      enhance mood or cognitive function. The prevalence of neuroenhancement among
      Swiss university students is unknown. Investigating the prevalence of
      neuroenhancement among students is important to monitor problematic use and
      evaluate the necessity of prevention programs. STUDY AIM: To describe the
      prevalence of the use of prescription medications and drugs of abuse for
      neuroenhancement among Swiss university students. METHOD: In this cross-sectional
      study, students at the University of Zurich, University of Basel, and Swiss
      Federal Institute of Technology Zurich were invited via e-mail to participate in
      an online survey. RESULTS: A total of 28,118 students were contacted, and 6,275
      students completed the survey. Across all of the institutions, 13.8% of the
      respondents indicated that they had used prescription drugs (7.6%) or drugs of
      abuse including alcohol (7.8%) at least once specifically for neuroenhancement.
      The most frequently used prescription drugs for neuroenhancement were
      methylphenidate (4.1%), sedatives (2.7%), and beta-blockers (1.2%). Alcohol was
      used for this purpose by 5.6% of the participants, followed by cannabis (2.5%),
      amphetamines (0.4%), and cocaine (0.2%). Arguments for neuroenhancement included
      increased learning (66.2%), relaxation or sleep improvement (51.2%), reduced
      nervousness (39.1%), coping with performance pressure (34.9%), increased
      performance (32.2%), and experimentation (20%). Neuroenhancement was
      significantly more prevalent among more senior students, students who reported
      higher levels of stress, and students who had previously used illicit drugs.
      Although "soft enhancers", including coffee, energy drinks, vitamins, and tonics,
      were used daily in the month prior to an exam, prescription drugs or drugs of
      abuse were used much less frequently. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of
      Swiss university students across most academic disciplines reported
      neuroenhancement with prescription drugs and drugs of abuse. However, these
      substances are rarely used on a daily basis and more sporadically used prior to
      exams.

PMID- 24236009
TI  - The role of Surinamese migrants in the transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis
      between Paramaribo, Suriname and Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
AB  - The large Surinamese migrant population in the Netherlands is a major risk group
      for urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Suriname, a former Dutch colony,
      also has a high prevalence of C. trachomatis. Surinamese migrants travel
      extensively between the Netherlands and Suriname. Our objective was to assess
      whether the Surinamese migrants in the Netherlands form a bridge population
      facilitating transmission of C. trachomatis between Suriname and the Netherlands.
      If so, joint prevention campaigns involving both countries might be required.
      Between March 2008 and July 2010, participants were recruited at clinics in
      Paramaribo, Suriname and in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Participants were grouped
      as native Surinamese, native Dutch, Surinamese migrant, Dutch migrant, or Other,
      based on country of residence and country of birth of the participant and of
      their parents. Risk behavior, such as sexual mixing between ethnic groups, was
      recorded and C. trachomatis positive samples were typed through multilocus
      sequence typing (MLST). A minimum spanning tree of samples from 426 participants
      showed four MLST clusters. The MLST strain distribution of Surinamese migrants
      differed significantly from both the native Surinamese and Dutch populations, but
      was not an intermediate state between these two populations. Sexual mixing
      between the Surinamese migrants and the Dutch and Surinamese natives occurred
      frequently. Yet, the MLST cluster distribution did not differ significantly
      between participants who mixed and those who did not. Sexual mixing occurred
      between Surinamese migrants in Amsterdam and the native populations of Suriname
      and the Netherlands. These migrants, however, did not seem to form an effective
      bridge population for C. trachomatis transmission between the native populations.
      Although our data do not seem to justify the need for joint campaigns to reduce
      the transmission of C. trachomatis strains between both countries, intensified
      preventive campaigns to decrease the C. trachomatis burden are required, both in
      Suriname and in the Netherlands. 

PMID- 24236010
TI  - Antiretroviral therapy reduces HIV transmission in discordant couples in rural
      Yunnan, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although HIV treatment as prevention (TasP) via early antiretroviral
      therapy (ART) has proven to reduce transmissions among HIV-serodiscordant
      couples, its full implementation in developing countries remains a challenge. In
      this study, we determine whether China's current HIV treatment program prevents
      new HIV infections among discordant couples in rural China. METHODS: A
      prospective, longitudinal cohort study was conducted from June 2009 to March
      2011, in rural Yunnan. A total of 1,618 HIV-discordant couples were eligible,
      1,101 were enrolled, and 813 were followed for an average of 1.4 person-years
      (PY). Routine ART was prescribed to HIV-positive spouses according to eligibility
      (CD4<350 cells/ul). Seroconversion was used to determine HIV incidence. RESULTS:
      A total of 17 seroconversions were documented within 1,127 PY of follow-up, for
      an overall incidence of 1.5 per 100 PY. Epidemiological and genetic evidence
      confirmed that all 17 seroconverters were infected via marital secondary sexual
      transmission. Having an ART-experienced HIV-positive partner was associated with
      a lower rate of seroconvertion compared with having an ART-naive HIV-positive
      partner (0.8 per 100 PY vs. 2.4 per 100 PY, HR = 0.34, 95%CI = 0.12-0.97, p =
      0.0436). While we found that ART successfully suppressed plasma viral load to
      <400 copies/ml in the majority of cases (85.0% vs. 19.5%, p<0.0001 at baseline),
      we did document five seroconversions among ART-experienced subgroup. CONCLUSIONS:
      ART is associated with a 66% reduction in HIV incidence among discordant couples
      in our sample, demonstrating the effectiveness of China's HIV treatment program
      at preventing new infections, and providing support for earlier ART initiation
      and TasP implementation in this region.

PMID- 24236011
TI  - Earliest stone-tipped projectiles from the Ethiopian rift date to >279,000 years
      ago.
AB  - Projectile weapons (i.e. those delivered from a distance) enhanced prehistoric
      hunting efficiency by enabling higher impact delivery and hunting of a broader
      range of animals while reducing confrontations with dangerous prey species.
      Projectiles therefore provided a significant advantage over thrusting spears.
      Composite projectile technologies are considered indicative of complex behavior
      and pivotal to the successful spread of Homo sapiens. Direct evidence for such
      projectiles is thus far unknown from >80,000 years ago. Data from velocity
      dependent microfracture features, diagnostic damage patterns, and artifact shape
      reported here indicate that pointed stone artifacts from Ethiopia were used as
      projectile weapons (in the form of hafted javelin tips) as early as >279,000
      years ago. In combination with the existing archaeological, fossil and genetic
      evidence, these data isolate eastern Africa as a source of modern cultures and
      biology. 

PMID- 24236013
TI  - A remarkable new species of Liparis (Orchidaceae) from China and its phylogenetic
      implications.
AB  - In the present study, we formally describe Liparis pingxiangensis as a new
      species from Guangxi, China on the basis of morphological and molecular
      phylogenetic analyses. It is easily distinguished from closely related species by
      strongly curved column without column wings, and broadly rhombic-elliptic lip
      with 2 uncinate calli at the base. In particular, it differs most markedly from
      its congeners in possessing two pollinia attached by long and prominent caudicles
      (not stipes), to a distinct sticky disc. This type of pollinarium, as far as we
      know, is not found in any other species of Liparis, and is also unique among the
      orchids with waxy pollinia. We then proceeded to a phylogenetic analysis to
      ascertain the systematic position of this enigmatic species. Molecular study
      based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid matK DNA sequence data supports L.
      pingxiangensis as a distinct species, which forms an independent lineage sister
      to L. nervosa and its allies (93% BS, 1.00 BPP). In the light of previous work,
      the findings have important implications for a better understanding of the well
      supported pattern mainly based on vegetative features in Malaxideae. 

PMID- 24236012
TI  - L-plastin nanobodies perturb matrix degradation, podosome formation, stability
      and lifetime in THP-1 macrophages.
AB  - Podosomes are cellular structures acting as degradation 'hot-spots' in monocytic
      cells. They appear as dot-like structures at the ventral cell surface, enriched
      in F-actin and actin regulators, including gelsolin and L-plastin. Gelsolin is an
      ubiquitous severing and capping protein, whereas L-plastin is a leukocyte
      specific actin bundling protein. The presence of the capping protein CapG in
      podosomes has not yet been investigated. We used an innovative approach to
      investigate the role of these proteins in macrophage podosomes by means of
      nanobodies or Camelid single domain antibodies. Nanobodies directed against
      distinct domains of gelsolin, L-plastin or CapG were stably expressed in
      macrophage-like THP-1 cells. CapG was not enriched in podosomes. Gelsolin
      nanobodies had no effect on podosome formation or function but proved very
      effective in tracing distinct gelsolin populations. One gelsolin nanobody
      specifically targets actin-bound gelsolin and was effectively enriched in
      podosomes. A gelsolin nanobody that blocks gelsolin-G-actin interaction was not
      enriched in podosomes demonstrating that the calcium-activated and actin-bound
      conformation of gelsolin is a constituent of podosomes. THP-1 cells expressing
      inhibitory L-plastin nanobodies were hampered in their ability to form stable
      podosomes. Nanobodies did not perturb Ser5 phosphorylation of L-plastin although
      phosphorylated L-plastin was highly enriched in podosomes. Furthermore, nanobody
      induced inhibition of L-plastin function gave rise to an irregular and unstable
      actin turnover of podosomes, resulting in diminished degradation of the
      underlying matrix. Altogether these results indicate that L-plastin is
      indispensable for podosome formation and function in macrophages. 

PMID- 24236014
TI  - Small thaw ponds: an unaccounted source of methane in the Canadian high Arctic.
AB  - Thawing permafrost in the Canadian Arctic tundra leads to peat erosion and
      slumping in narrow and shallow runnel ponds that surround more commonly studied
      polygonal ponds. Here we compared the methane production between runnel and
      polygonal ponds using stable isotope ratios, 14C signatures, and investigated
      potential methanogenic communities through high-throughput sequencing archaeal
      16S rRNA genes. We found that runnel ponds had significantly higher methane and
      carbon dioxide emissions, produced from a slightly larger fraction of old carbon,
      compared to polygonal ponds. The methane stable isotopic signature indicated
      production through acetoclastic methanogenesis, but gene signatures from
      acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenic Archaea were detected in both
      polygonal and runnel ponds. We conclude that runnel ponds represent a source of
      methane from potentially older C, and that they contain methanogenic communities
      able to use diverse sources of carbon, increasing the risk of augmented methane
      release under a warmer climate.

PMID- 24236015
TI  - Sputum inflammatory profile before and after specific inhalation challenge in
      individuals with suspected occupational asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish the sputum inflammatory
      profile and changes in levels of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and a panel of Th1/Th2
      cytokines in subjects with suspected occupational asthma (OA) following specific
      inhalation challenge (SIC) to high-molecular-weight (HMW) and low-molecular
      weight (LMW) agents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive subjects
      undergoing SIC for suspected OA were enrolled. Sputum induction was performed the
      day before and 24 h after exposure to the offending agent. Total and differential
      cell counts were assessed. LTB4 and a 10 Th1/Th2 cytokines were measured in
      sputum supernatant. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients tested positive to SIC and were
      diagnosed with OA (in 10 due to HMW agents and in 24 to LMW agents). SIC was
      negative in 17 subjects. As compared to baseline an increase was found in the
      percentage of sputum eosinophils and neutrophils, and in IL-10 concentration
      after SIC (p = 0.0078, p = 0.0195, and p = 0.046, respectively), and a decrease
      was seen in LTB4 level (p = 0.0078) in patients with OA due to HMW agents. An
      increase in the percentage of sputum neutrophils after SIC (p = 0.0040) was
      observed in subjects without OA exposed to LMW agents. IL-8 levels after SIC were
      higher in patients without OA compared with patients with OA (p = 0.0146).
      CONCLUSION: When conducting airway inflammation studies in OA, patients should be
      divided according to the causal agent (HMW or LMW). In OA patients exposed to HMW
      agents, an increase in the number of neutrophils can be found in parallel to the
      increase of eosinophils, although this does not contradict an IgE-mediated
      mechanism. Exposure to LMW agents can result in increased neutrophilic
      inflammation in patients with airway diseases unrelated to OA. There is
      variability in the responses observed in patients with OA exposed to LMW agents.

PMID- 24236016
TI  - Meta-analysis of fluid intelligence tests of children from the Chinese mainland
      with learning difficulties.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the differences in fluid intelligence tests between normal
      children and children with learning difficulties in China. METHOD: PubMed, MD
      Consult, and other Chinese Journal Database were searched from their
      establishment to November 2012. After finding comparative studies of Raven
      measurements of normal children and children with learning difficulties, full
      Intelligent Quotation (FIQ) values and the original values of the sub-measurement
      were extracted. The corresponding effect model was selected based on the results
      of heterogeneity and parallel sub-group analysis was performed. RESULTS: Twelve
      documents were included in the meta-analysis, and the studies were all performed
      in mainland of China. Among these, two studies were performed at child health
      clinics, the other ten sites were schools and control children were schoolmates
      or classmates. FIQ was evaluated using a random effects model. WMD was -13.18
      (95% CI: -16.50- -9.85). Children with learning difficulties showed significantly
      lower FIQ scores than controls (P<0.00001); Type of learning difficulty and
      gender differences were evaluated using a fixed-effects model (I2 = 0%). The
      sites and purposes of the studies evaluated here were taken into account, but the
      reasons of heterogeneity could not be eliminated; The sum IQ of all the subgroups
      showed considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 76.5%). The sub-measurement score of
      document A showed moderate heterogeneity among all documents, and AB, B, and E
      showed considerable heterogeneity, which was used in a random effect model.
      Individuals with learning difficulties showed heterogeneity as well. There was a
      moderate delay in the first three items (-0.5 to -0.9), and a much more
      pronounced delay in the latter three items (-1.4 to -1.6). CONCLUSION: In the
      Chinese mainland, the level of fluid intelligence of children with learning
      difficulties was lower than that of normal children. Delayed development in sub
      items of C, D, and E was more obvious.

PMID- 24236017
TI  - Paleoindian unifacial stone tool 'spurs': intended accessories or incidental
      accidents?
AB  - Paleoindian unifacial stone tools frequently exhibit distinct, sharp projections,
      known as "spurs". During the last two decades, a theoretically and empirically
      informed interpretation-based on individual artifact analysis, use-wear, tool
      production techniques, and studies of resharpening-suggested that spurs were
      sometimes created intentionally via retouch, and other times created incidentally
      via resharpening or knapping accidents. However, more recently Weedman strongly
      criticized the inference that Paleoindian spurs were ever intentionally produced
      or served a functional purpose, and asserted that ethnographic research
      "demonstrates that the presence of so called 'graver' spurs does not have a
      functional significance." While ethnographic data cannot serve as a direct test
      of the archaeological record, we used Weedman's ethnographic observations to
      create two quantitative predictions of the Paleoindian archaeological record in
      order to directly examine the hypothesis that Paleoindian spurs were
      predominantly accidents occurring incidentally via resharpening and reshaping.
      The first prediction is that the frequency of spurs should increase as tool
      reduction proceeds. The second prediction is that the frequency of spurs should
      increase as tool breakage increases. An examination of 563 unbroken tools and 629
      tool fragments from the Clovis archaeological record of the North American Lower
      Great Lakes region showed that neither prediction was consistent with the notion
      that spurs were predominately accidents. Instead, our results support the
      prevailing viewpoint that spurs were sometimes created intentionally via retouch,
      and other times, created incidentally via resharpening or knapping accidents.
      Behaviorally, this result is consistent with the notion that unifacial stone
      tools were multifunctional implements that enhanced the mobile lifestyle of
      Pleistocene hunter-gatherers. 

PMID- 24236018
TI  - Association analysis identifies Melampsora *columbiana poplar leaf rust
      resistance SNPs.
AB  - Populus species are currently being domesticated through intensive time- and
      resource-dependent programs for utilization in phytoremediation, wood and paper
      products, and conversion to biofuels. Poplar leaf rust disease can greatly reduce
      wood volume. Genetic resistance is effective in reducing economic losses but
      major resistance loci have been race-specific and can be readily defeated by the
      pathogen. Developing durable disease resistance requires the identification of
      non-race-specific loci. In the presented study, area under the disease progress
      curve was calculated from natural infection of Melampsora *columbiana in three
      consecutive years. Association analysis was performed using 412 P. trichocarpa
      clones genotyped with 29,355 SNPs covering 3,543 genes. We found 40 SNPs within
      26 unique genes significantly associated (permutated P<0.05) with poplar rust
      severity. Moreover, two SNPs were repeated in all three years suggesting non-race
      specificity and three additional SNPs were differentially expressed in other
      poplar rust interactions. These five SNPs were found in genes that have orthologs
      in Arabidopsis with functionality in pathogen induced transcriptome
      reprogramming, Ca2+/calmodulin and salicylic acid signaling, and tolerance to
      reactive oxygen species. The additive effect of non-R gene functional variants
      may constitute high levels of durable poplar leaf rust resistance. Therefore,
      these findings are of significance for speeding the genetic improvement of this
      long-lived, economically important organism.

PMID- 24236019
TI  - Activation of MSRV-type endogenous retroviruses during infectious mononucleosis
      and Epstein-Barr virus latency: the missing link with multiple sclerosis?
AB  - The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unclear. The immuno-pathogenic
      phenomena leading to neurodegeneration are thought to be triggered by
      environmental (viral?) factors operating on predisposing genetic backgrounds.
      Among the proposed co-factors are the Epstein Barr virus (EBV), and the
      potentially neuropathogenic HERV-W/MSRV/Syncytin-1 endogenous retroviruses. The
      ascertained links between EBV and MS are history of late primary infection,
      possibly leading to infectious mononucleosis (IM), and high titers of pre-onset
      IgG against EBV nuclear antigens (anti-EBNA IgG). During MS, there is no evidence
      of MS-specific EBV expression, while a continuous expression of HERV-Ws occurs,
      paralleling disease behaviour. We found repeatedly extracellular HERV-W/MSRV and
      MSRV-specific mRNA sequences in MS patients (in blood, spinal fluid, and brain
      samples), and MRSV presence/load strikingly paralleled MS stages and
      active/remission phases. Aim of the study was to verify whether HERV-W might be
      activated in vivo, in hospitalized young adults with IM symptoms, that were
      analyzed with respect to expression of HERV-W/MSRV transcripts and proteins.
      Healthy controls were either EBV-negative or latently EBV-infected with/without
      high titers of anti-EBNA-1 IgG. The results show that activation of HERV-W/MSRV
      occurs in blood mononuclear cells of IM patients (2Log10 increase of MSRV-type
      env mRNA accumulation with respect to EBV-negative controls). When healthy
      controls are stratified for previous EBV infection (high and low, or no anti-EBNA
      1 IgG titers), a direct correlation occurs with MSRV mRNA accumulation. Flow
      cytometry data show increased percentages of cells exposing surface HERV-Wenv
      protein, that occur differently in specific cell subsets, and in acute disease
      and past infection. Thus, the data indicate that the two main links between EBV
      and MS (IM and high anti-EBNA-1-IgG titers) are paralleled by activation of the
      potentially neuropathogenic HERV-W/MSRV. These novel findings suggest HERV-W/MSRV
      activation as the missing link between EBV and MS, and may open new avenues of
      intervention. 

PMID- 24236020
TI  - Role of upwelling on larval dispersal and productivity of gooseneck barnacle
      populations in the Cantabrian Sea: management implications.
AB  - The effect of coastal upwelling on the recruitment and connectivity of coastal
      marine populations has rarely been characterized to a level of detail to be
      included into sound fishery management strategies. The gooseneck barnacle
      (Pollicipes pollicipes) fishery at the Cantabrian Coast (Northern Spain) is
      located at the fringes of the NW Spanish Upwelling system. This fishery is being
      co-managed through a fine-scale, interspersed set of protected rocks where each
      rock receives a distinct level of protection. Such interspersion is potentially
      beneficial, but the extent to which such spacing is consistent with mean larval
      dispersal distances is as yet unknown. We have simulated the spread of gooseneck
      barnacle larvae in the Central Cantabrian Coast using a high-resolution time
      series of current profiles measured at a nearshore location. During a year of
      high upwelling activity (2009), theoretical recruitment success was 94% with peak
      recruitment predicted 56 km west of the emission point. However, for a year of
      low upwelling activity (2011) theoretical recruitment success dropped to 15.4%
      and peak recruitment was expected 13 km east of the emission point. This is
      consistent with a positive correlation between catch rates and the Integrated
      Upwelling Index, using a 4-year lag to allow recruits to reach commercial size.
      Furthermore, a net long-term westward larval transport was estimated by means of
      mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences for five populations
      in the Cantabrian Sea. Our results call into question the role of long distance
      dispersal, driven by the mesoscale processes in the area, in gooseneck barnacle
      populations and point to the prevalent role of small-scale, asymmetric
      connectivity more consistent with the typical scale of the co-management process
      in this fishery. 

PMID- 24236021
TI  - Ponatinib is a pan-BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor: MD simulations and SIE study.
AB  - BCR-ABL kinase domain inhibition can be used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia.
      The inhibitors such as imatinib, dasatinib and nilotinib are effective drugs but
      are resistant to some BCR-ABL mutations. The pan-BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor
      ponatinib exhibits potent activity against native, T315I, and all other
      clinically relevant mutants, and showed better inhibition than the previously
      known inhibitors. We have studied the molecular dynamics simulations and
      calculated solvated interaction energies of native and fourteen mutant BCR-ABL
      kinases (M244V, G250E, Q252H, Y253F, Y253H, E255K, E255V, T315A, T315I, F317L,
      F317V, M351T, F359V and H396P) complexed with ponatinib. These studies revealed
      that the interactions between ponatinib and individual residues in BCR-ABL kinase
      are also affected due to the remote residue mutations. We report that some
      residues, Met244, Lys245, Gln252, Gly254, Leu370 and Leu298 do not undergo any
      conformational changes, while the fluctuations in residues from P-loop, beta3-,
      beta5- strands and alphaC- helix are mainly responsible for ponatinib binding to
      native and all mutant BCR-ABL kinases. Our work provides the molecular mechanisms
      of native and mutant BCR-ABL kinases inhibition by ponatinib at atomic level that
      has not been studied before. 

PMID- 24236022
TI  - Alterations of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and expression of
      genes involved in mammary gland and adipose tissue lipid metabolism during
      pregnancy and lactation.
AB  - Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) is a gut derived peptide with multiple
      emerging physiological actions. Effects of pregnancy and lactation on GIP
      secretion and related gene expression were studied in Wistar rats. Pregnancy
      moderately increased feeding (p<0.05), whilst lactation substantially increased
      food intake (p<0.01 to p<0.001). Circulating GIP was unchanged during pregnancy,
      but non-fasting plasma glucose was significantly (p<0.01) decreased and insulin
      increased (p<0.05). Lactation was associated with elevated circulating GIP
      concentrations (p<0.001) without change of glucose or insulin. Oral glucose
      resulted in a significantly (p<0.001) decreased glycaemic excursion despite
      similar glucose-induced GIP and insulin concentrations in lactating rats.
      Pregnant rats had a similar glycaemic excursion but exhibited significantly
      lowered (p<0.05) GIP accompanied by elevated (p<0.001) insulin levels. Pregnant
      rats exhibited increased (p<0.001) islet numbers and individual islet areas were
      enlarged (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in islet alpha-cell
      areas, but all groups of rats displayed co-expression of glucagon and GIP in
      alpha-cells. Lactating rats exhibited significantly (p<0.01) increased intestinal
      weight, whereas intestinal GIP stores were significantly (p<0.01) elevated only
      in pregnant rats. Gene expression studies in lactating rats revealed prominent
      (p<0.01 to p<0.001) increases in mammary gland expression of genes involved in
      energy turnover, including GIP-R. GIP was present in intestines and plasma of 17
      day old foetal rats, with substantially raised circulating concentrations in
      neonates throughout the period of lactation/suckling. These data indicate that
      changes in the secretion and action of GIP play an important role in metabolic
      adaptations during pregnancy and especially lactation. 

PMID- 24236023
TI  - In situ preparation of biomimetic thin films and their surface-shielding effect
      for organisms in high vacuum.
AB  - Self-standing biocompatible films have yet to be prepared by physical or chemical
      vapor deposition assisted by plasma polymerization because gaseous monomers have
      thus far been used to create only polymer membranes. Using a nongaseous monomer,
      we previously found a simple fabrication method for a free-standing thin film
      prepared from solution by plasma polymerization, and a nano-suit made by
      polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate can render multicellular organisms
      highly tolerant to high vacuum. Here we report thin films prepared by plasma
      polymerization from various monomer solutions. The films had a flat surface at
      the irradiated site and were similar to films produced by vapor deposition of
      gaseous monomers. However, they also exhibited unique characteristics, such as a
      pinhole-free surface, transparency, solvent stability, flexibility, and a unique
      out-of-plane molecular density gradient from the irradiated to the unirradiated
      surface of the film. Additionally, covering mosquito larvae with the films
      protected the shape of the organism and kept them alive under the high vacuum
      conditions in a field emission-scanning electron microscope. Our method will be
      useful for numerous applications, particularly in the biological sciences. 

PMID- 24236024
TI  - Priming of soil carbon decomposition in two Inner Mongolia grassland soils
      following sheep dung addition: a study using 13C natural abundance approach.
AB  - To investigate the effect of sheep dung on soil carbon (C) sequestration, a 152
      days incubation experiment was conducted with soils from two different Inner
      Mongolian grasslands, i.e. a Leymus chinensis dominated grassland representing
      the climax community (2.1% organic matter content) and a heavily degraded
      Artemisia frigida dominated community (1.3% organic matter content). Dung was
      collected from sheep either fed on L. chinensis (C3 plant with delta13C = 
      26.80/00; dung delta13C = -26.20/00) or Cleistogenes squarrosa (C4 plant with
      delta13C = -14.60/00; dung delta13C = -15.70/00). Fresh C3 and C4 sheep dung was
      mixed with the two grassland soils and incubated under controlled conditions for
      analysis of 13C-CO2 emissions. Soil samples were taken at days 17, 43, 86, 127
      and 152 after sheep dung addition to detect the delta13C signal in soil and dung
      components. Analysis revealed that 16.9% and 16.6% of the sheep dung C had
      decomposed, of which 3.5% and 2.8% was sequestrated in the soils of L. chinensis
      and A. frigida grasslands, respectively, while the remaining decomposed sheep
      dung was emitted as CO2. The cumulative amounts of C respired from dung treated
      soils during 152 days were 7-8 times higher than in the un-amended controls. In
      both grassland soils, ca. 60% of the evolved CO2 originated from the decomposing
      sheep dung and 40% from the native soil C. Priming effects of soil C
      decomposition were observed in both soils, i.e. 1.4 g and 1.6 g additional soil C
      kg-1 dry soil had been emitted as CO2 for the L. chinensis and A. frigida soils,
      respectively. Hence, the net C losses from L. chinensis and A. frigida soils were
      0.6 g and 0.9 g C kg-1 soil, which was 2.6% and 7.0% of the total C in L.
      chinensis and A. frigida grasslands soils, respectively. Our results suggest that
      grazing of degraded Inner Mongolian pastures may cause a net soil C loss due to
      the positive priming effect, thereby accelerating soil deterioration.

PMID- 24236026
TI  - Uganda's new national laboratory sample transport system: a successful model for
      improving access to diagnostic services for Early Infant HIV Diagnosis and other
      programs.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Uganda scaled-up Early HIV Infant Diagnosis (EID) when simplified
      methods for testing of infants using dried blood spots (DBS) were adopted in 2006
      and sample transport and management was therefore made feasible in rural
      settings. Before this time only 35% of the facilities that were providing EID
      services were reached through the national postal courier system, Posta Uganda.
      The transportation of samples during this scale-up, therefore, quickly became a
      challenge and varied from facility to facility as different methods were used to
      transport the samples. This study evaluates a novel specimen transport network
      system for EID testing. METHODS: A retrospective study was done in mid-2012 on 19
      pilot hubs serving 616 health facilities in Uganda. The effect on sample-result
      turnaround time (TAT) and the cost of DBS sample transport on 876 sample-results
      was analyzed. RESULTS: The HUB network system provided increased access to EID
      services ranging from 36% to 51%, drastically reduced transportation costs by
      62%, reduced turn-around times by 46.9% and by a further 46.2% through
      introduction of SMS printers. CONCLUSIONS: The HUB model provides a functional,
      reliable and efficient national referral network against which other health
      system strengthening initiatives can be built to increase access to critical
      diagnostic and treatment monitoring services, improve the quality of laboratory
      and diagnostic services, with reduced turn-around times and improved quality of
      prevention and treatment programs thereby reducing long-term costs.

PMID- 24236025
TI  - Development of a highly sensitive immuno-PCR assay for the measurement of alpha
      galactosidase A protein levels in serum and plasma.
AB  - Fabry disease is an X-linked genetic disorder caused by defects in the alpha
      galactosidase A (GLA) gene, and heterogeneous mutations lead to quantitative
      and/or qualitative defects in GLA protein in male patients with Fabry disease.
      Random X-chromosomal inactivation modifies the clinical and biochemical features
      of female patients with Fabry disease. Functional polymorphisms have been
      frequently reported in recent times, and these increase the difficulty of
      understanding the pathogenetic basis of the disease. To date, GLA protein level
      has been measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However,
      ELISA is not highly sensitive due to the high background noise. In this paper, we
      introduce a novel application of the immuno-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      method (termed Multiple Simultaneous Tag [MUSTag]) for measurement of the GLA
      protein level in blood samples. We compared the sensitivities of the MUSTag
      method with plates or magnetic beads with those of ELISA for recombinant human
      GLA and found that the apparent maximal sensitivity was higher for the former
      than for the latter. We then measured the GLA concentrations in serum and plasma
      from male patients with classic Fabry disease (Male Fabry), females with Fabry
      disease (Female Fabry), male subjects harboring the functional polymorphism
      p.E66Q (E66Q), and control (Control) subjects. Our results revealed that compared
      to the MUSTag plate and ELISA, the MUSTag beads assay afforded a clearer
      estimation of the GLA protein levels in the serum and plasma with minimal or no
      background noise, although all the methods could differentiate between the Male
      Fabry, E66Q, and Control groups. The Female Fabry group showed characteristic
      heterogeneity, which was consistent with the X-linked inheritance. This novel
      method is expected to be useful for the sensitive determination of GLA level in
      blood and elucidation of the pathogenetic basis of Fabry disease. 

PMID- 24236027
TI  - Growth differentiation factor-15 suppresses maturation and function of dendritic
      cells and inhibits tumor-specific immune response.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the initiation stage of an antigen
      specific immune response. A variety of tumor-derived factors (TDFs) can suppress
      DC maturation and function, resulting in defects in the tumor-specific immune
      response. To identify unknown TDFs that may suppress DCs maturation and function,
      we established a high-throughput screening technology based on a human liver
      tumor T7 phage cDNA library and screened all of the proteins derived from
      hepatoma cells that potentially interact with immature DCs.
      Growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) was detected and chosen for further
      study. By incubation of DCs cultures with GDF-15, we demonstrate that GDF-15 can
      inhibit surface protrusion formation during DC maturation; suppress the membrane
      expression of CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR on DCs; enhance phagocytosis by DCs; reduce
      IL-12 and elevate TGF-beta1 secretion by DCs; inhibit T cell stimulation and
      cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activation by DCs. By building tumor-bearing mouse
      models, we demonstrate that GDF-15 can inhibit the ability of DCs to stimulate a
      tumor-specific immune response in vivo. These results indicate that GDF-15 may be
      one of the critical molecules that inhibit DC maturation and function and are
      involved in tumor immune escape. Thus, GDF-15 may be a novel target in tumor
      immunotherapy. 

PMID- 24236028
TI  - Chemical profiles of two pheromone glands are differentially regulated by
      distinct mating factors in honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.).
AB  - Pheromones mediate social interactions among individuals in a wide variety of
      species, from yeast to mammals. In social insects such as honey bees, pheromone
      communication systems can be extraordinarily complex and serve to coordinate
      behaviors among many individuals. One of the primary mediators of social behavior
      and organization in honey bee colonies is queen pheromone, which is produced by
      multiple glands. The types and quantities of chemicals produced differ
      significantly between virgin and mated queens, and recent studies have suggested
      that, in newly mated queens, insemination volume or quantity can affect pheromone
      production. Here, we examine the long-term impact of different factors involved
      during queen insemination on the chemical composition of the mandibular and
      Dufour's glands, two of the major sources of queen pheromone. Our results
      demonstrate that carbon dioxide (an anesthetic used in instrumental
      insemination), physical manipulation of genital tract (presumably mimicking the
      act of copulation), insemination substance (saline vs. semen), and insemination
      volume (1 vs. 8 ul) all have long-term effects on mandibular gland chemical
      profiles. In contrast, Dufour's gland chemical profiles were changed only upon
      insemination and were not influenced by exposure to carbon dioxide, manipulation,
      insemination substance or volume. These results suggest that the chemical
      contents of these two glands are regulated by different neuro-physiological
      mechanisms. Furthermore, workers responded differently to the different
      mandibular gland extracts in a choice assay. Although these studies must be
      validated in naturally mated queens of varying mating quality, our results
      suggest that while the chemical composition of Dufour's gland is associated with
      mating status, that of the mandibular glands is associated with both mating
      status and insemination success. Thus, the queen appears to be signaling both
      status and reproductive quality to the workers, which may impact worker behavior
      and physiology as well as social organization and productivity of the colony. 

PMID- 24236029
TI  - People bouncing on trampolines: dramatic energy transfer, a table-top
      demonstration, complex dynamics and a zero sum game.
AB  - Jumping on trampolines is a popular backyard recreation. In some trampoline games
      (e.g., "seat drop war"), when two people land on the trampoline with only a small
      time-lag, one person bounces much higher than the other, as if energy has been
      transferred from one to the other. First, we illustrate this energy-transfer in a
      table-top demonstration, consisting of two balls dropped onto a mini-trampoline,
      landing almost simultaneously, sometimes resulting in one ball bouncing much
      higher than the other. Next, using a simple mathematical model of two masses
      bouncing passively on a massless trampoline with no dissipation, we show that
      with specific landing conditions, it is possible to transfer all the kinetic
      energy of one mass to the other through the trampoline - in a single bounce. For
      human-like parameters, starting with equal energy, the energy transfer is maximal
      when one person lands approximately when the other is at the bottom of her
      bounce. The energy transfer persists even for very stiff surfaces. The energy
      conservative mathematical model exhibits complex non-periodic long-term motions.
      To complement this passive bouncing model, we also performed a game-theoretic
      analysis, appropriate when both players are acting strategically to steal the
      other player's energy. We consider a zero-sum game in which each player's goal is
      to gain the other player's kinetic energy during a single bounce, by extending
      her leg during flight. For high initial energy and a symmetric situation, the
      best strategy for both subjects (minimax strategy and Nash equilibrium) is to use
      the shortest available leg length and not extend their legs. On the other hand,
      an asymmetry in initial heights allows the player with more energy to gain even
      more energy in the next bounce. Thus synchronous bouncing unstable is unstable
      both for passive bouncing and when leg lengths are controlled as in game
      theoretic equilibria. 

PMID- 24236030
TI  - Inadequate awareness among chronic kidney disease patients regarding food and
      drinks containing artificially added phosphate.
AB  - Hyperphosphatemia is an important determinant of morbidity and mortality in
      patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with CKD are advised to
      consume a low phosphate diet and are often prescribed phosphate-lowering drug
      therapy. However, commercially processed food and drinks often contain phosphate
      compounds, but the phosphate level is not usually provided in the ingredient
      list, which makes it difficult for CKD patients to choose a correct diet. We
      conducted a survey of the awareness of food/beverages containing artificially
      added phosphate among CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis. The subjects were 153
      patients (77 males and 76 females; average age 56+/-11 years) who were randomly
      selected from the Dialysis Center of Hirosaki City, Japan. The subjects were
      provided with a list of questions. The survey results showed that 93% of the
      subjects were aware of the presence of high sugar content in soda, whereas only
      25% were aware of the presence of phosphate (phosphoric acid) in such drinks.
      Despite 78% of the subjects being aware of the detrimental effects of consumption
      of a high phosphate diet, 43% drank at least 1 to 5 cans of soda per week and
      about 17% consumed "fast food" once each week. We also assessed the immediate
      effects of high-phosphate containing carbonated soda consumption by determining
      urinary calcium, phosphate, protein and sugar contents in overnight fasted
      healthy volunteers (n = 55; average age 20.7+/-0.3 years old, 20 males and 35
      females). Significantly higher urinary calcium (adjusted using urinary
      creatinine) excretion was found 2 h after consuming 350 ml of carbonated soda
      compared to the fasting baseline level (0.15+/-0.01 vs. 0.09+/-0.01, p = 0.001).
      Our survey results suggest that CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis are not
      adequately aware of the hidden source of phosphate in their diet, and emphasize
      the need for educational initiatives to raise awareness of this issue among CKD
      patients. 

PMID- 24236031
TI  - 2A and the auxin-based degron system facilitate control of protein levels in
      Plasmodium falciparum.
AB  - Analysis of gene function in Plasmodium falciparum, the most important human
      malaria parasite, is restricted by the lack of robust and simple reverse genetic
      tools. Approaches to manipulate protein levels post-translationally are powerful
      tools to study protein-off effects especially in the haploid malaria parasite
      where genetic knockouts of essential genes are lethal. We investigated if the
      auxin-inducible degron system is functional in P. falciparum and found that
      degron-tagged yellow fluorescent protein levels were efficiently reduced upon
      addition of auxin which otherwise had no effect on parasite viability. The
      genetic components required in this conditional approach were co-expressed in P.
      falciparum by applying the small peptide 2A. 2A is a self-processing peptide from
      Foot-And-Mouth Disease virus that allows the whole conditional system to be
      accommodated on a single plasmid vector and ensures stoichiometric expression
      levels. 

PMID- 24236032
TI  - A DeltaclpB mutant of Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica strain,
      FSC200, is a more effective live vaccine than F. tularensis LVS in a mouse
      respiratory challenge model of tularemia.
AB  - Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis is a highly virulent pathogen for humans
      especially if inhaled. Consequently, it is considered to be a potential biothreat
      agent. An experimental vaccine, F. tularensis live vaccine strain, derived from
      the less virulent subsp. holarctica, was developed more than 50 years ago, but
      remains unlicensed. Previously, we developed a novel live vaccine strain, by
      deleting the chaperonin clpB gene from F. tularensis subsp. tularensis strain,
      SCHU S4. SCHU S4DeltaclpB was less virulent for mice than LVS and a more
      effective vaccine against respiratory challenge with wild type SCHU S4. In the
      current study, we were interested to determine whether a similar mutant on the
      less virulent subsp. holarctica background would also outperform LVS in terms of
      safety and efficacy. To this end, clpB was deleted from clinical holarctica
      strain, FSC200. FSC200DeltaclpB had a significantly higher intranasal LD50 than
      LVS for BALB/c mice, but replicated to higher numbers at foci of infection after
      dermal inoculation. Moreover, FSC200DeltaclpB killed SCID mice more rapidly than
      LVS. However, dermal vaccination of BALB/c mice with the former versus the latter
      induced greater protection against respiratory challenge with SCHU S4. This
      increased efficacy was associated with enhanced production of pulmonary IL-17
      after SCHU S4 challenge. 

PMID- 24236033
TI  - Clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of college students exposed to
      traumatic experiences: a census of seven college institutions in Northeastern
      Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies show that most of the adult population will
      be exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event in the course of his/her
      life; adolescence and early adulthood are the most vulnerable periods of life for
      exposure to traumatic experiences (70% of their deaths are due to external
      causes). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is characterized by the development of
      dysfunctional symptoms that cause distress or social, academic, or occupational
      impairment, as result of exposure to a traumatic event. The aim of this
      multicentric study is to establish the proportion of college students, within
      seven institutions in Northeastern Brazil, who were exposed to traumatic
      experience and met PTSD criteria. METHODS/DESIGN: A one-phase census protocol of
      seven college institutions in three metropolitan regions in Northeastern Brazil
      was performed (April to July 2011). All students aged 18 years or older,
      matriculated and attending their first or final semester were eligible. The self
      applied protocol consisted of a socio-demographic questionnaire and the following
      scales adjusted to Brazilian Portuguese standards Trauma History Questionnaire
      (THQ), PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C), Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11). Data were
      entered into SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: 2213 (85.5%) students consented to participate,
      and completely filled in the protocols. Of these, 66.1% were woman, mean age 23.9
      (SD 6.3), 82.7% were single, and 57.3% attended university outside their native
      cities. The total PTSD prevalence was 14%, and the median for frequency of trauma
      exposure was 5 events. CONCLUSION: A high frequency of exposure to violence, as
      well as a high rate of PTSD, suicide attempts, and high-risk sexual behavior was
      found in Brazilian college students. This highlights the importance of effective
      public health actions in relation to the prevention and treatment of PTSD and
      other dysfunctional behaviors resulting from traumatic exposure in young
      individuals, usually an at risk population for violence and traumatic situations.

PMID- 24236034
TI  - Targeted gene therapy of xeroderma pigmentosum cells using meganuclease and
      TALENTM.
AB  - Xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XP-C) is a rare human syndrome characterized by
      hypersensitivity to UV light and a dramatic predisposition to skin neoplasms. XP
      C cells are deficient in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, a complex
      process involved in the recognition and removal of DNA lesions. Several XPC
      mutations have been described, including a founder mutation in North African
      patients involving the deletion of a TG dinucleotide (DeltaTG) located in the
      middle of exon 9. This deletion leads to the expression of an inactive truncated
      XPC protein, normally involved in the first step of NER. New approaches used for
      gene correction are based on the ability of engineered nucleases such as
      Meganucleases, Zinc-Finger nucleases or TALE nucleases to accurately generate a
      double strand break at a specific locus and promote correction by homologous
      recombination through the insertion of an exogenous DNA repair matrix. Here, we
      describe the targeted correction of the DeltaTG mutation in XP-C cells using
      engineered meganuclease and TALENTM. The methylated status of the XPC locus,
      known to inhibit both of these nuclease activities, led us to adapt our
      experimental design to optimize their in vivo efficacies. We show that
      demethylating treatment as well as the use of TALENTM insensitive to CpG
      methylation enable successful correction of the DeltaTG mutation. Such genetic
      correction leads to re-expression of the full-length XPC protein and to the
      recovery of NER capacity, attested by UV-C resistance of the corrected cells.
      Overall, we demonstrate that nuclease-based targeted approaches offer reliable
      and efficient strategies for gene correction. 

PMID- 24236035
TI  - Vitis phylogenomics: hybridization intensities from a SNP array outperform
      genotype calls.
AB  - Understanding relationships among species is a fundamental goal of evolutionary
      biology. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified through next
      generation sequencing and related technologies enable phylogeny reconstruction by
      providing unprecedented numbers of characters for analysis. One approach to SNP
      based phylogeny reconstruction is to identify SNPs in a subset of individuals,
      and then to compile SNPs on an array that can be used to genotype additional
      samples at hundreds or thousands of sites simultaneously. Although powerful and
      efficient, this method is subject to ascertainment bias because applying
      variation discovered in a representative subset to a larger sample favors
      identification of SNPs with high minor allele frequencies and introduces bias
      against rare alleles. Here, we demonstrate that the use of hybridization
      intensity data, rather than genotype calls, reduces the effects of ascertainment
      bias. Whereas traditional SNP calls assess known variants based on diversity
      housed in the discovery panel, hybridization intensity data survey variation in
      the broader sample pool, regardless of whether those variants are present in the
      initial SNP discovery process. We apply SNP genotype and hybridization intensity
      data derived from the Vitis9kSNP array developed for grape to show the effects of
      ascertainment bias and to reconstruct evolutionary relationships among Vitis
      species. We demonstrate that phylogenies constructed using hybridization
      intensities suffer less from the distorting effects of ascertainment bias, and
      are thus more accurate than phylogenies based on genotype calls. Moreover, we
      reconstruct the phylogeny of the genus Vitis using hybridization data, show that
      North American subgenus Vitis species are monophyletic, and resolve several
      previously poorly known relationships among North American species. This study
      builds on earlier work that applied the Vitis9kSNP array to evolutionary
      questions within Vitis vinifera and has general implications for addressing
      ascertainment bias in array-enabled phylogeny reconstruction. 

PMID- 24236036
TI  - Molecular dynamics analysis of a novel beta3 Pro189Ser mutation in a patient with
      glanzmann thrombasthenia differentially affecting alphaIIbbeta3 and alphavbeta3
      expression.
AB  - Mutations in ITGA2B and ITGB3 cause Glanzmann thrombasthenia, an inherited
      bleeding disorder in which platelets fail to aggregate when stimulated. Whereas
      an absence of expression or qualitative defects of alphaIIbbeta3 mainly affect
      platelets and megakaryocytes, alphavbeta3 has a widespread tissue distribution.
      Little is known of how amino acid substitutions of beta3 comparatively affect the
      expression and structure of both integrins. We now report computer modelling
      including molecular dynamics simulations of extracellular head domains of
      alphaIIbbeta3 and alphavbeta3 to determine the role of a novel beta3 Pro189Ser
      (P163S in the mature protein) substitution that abrogates alphaIIbbeta3
      expression in platelets while allowing synthesis of alphavbeta3. Transfection of
      wild-type and mutated integrins in CHO cells confirmed that only alphavbeta3
      surface expression was maintained. Modeling initially confirmed that replacement
      of alphaIIb by alphav in the dimer results in a significant decrease in surface
      contacts at the subunit interface. For alphaIIbbeta3, the presence of beta3S163
      specifically displaces an alpha-helix starting at position 259 and interacting
      with beta3R261 while there is a moderate 11% increase in intra-subunit H-bonds
      and a very weak decrease in the global H-bond network. In contrast, for
      alphavbeta3, S163 has different effects with beta3R261 coming deeper into the
      propeller with a 43% increase in intra-subunit H-bonds but with little effect on
      the global H-bond network. Compared to the WT integrins, the P163S mutation
      induces a small increase in the inter-subunit fluctuations for alphaIIbbeta3 but
      a more rigid structure for alphavbeta3. Overall, this mutation stabilizes
      alphavbeta3 despite preventing alphaIIbbeta3 expression. 

PMID- 24236037
TI  - Low incidence of spontaneous type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice raised on
      gluten-free diets is associated with changes in the intestinal microbiome.
AB  - Human and animal studies strongly suggest that dietary gluten could play a causal
      role in the etiopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the mechanisms
      have not been elucidated. Recent reports indicate that the intestinal microbiome
      has a major influence on the incidence of T1D. Since diet is known to shape the
      composition of the intestinal microbiome, we investigated using non-obese
      diabetic (NOD) mice whether changes in the intestinal microbiome could be
      attributed to the pro- and anti-diabetogenic effects of gluten-containing and
      gluten-free diets, respectively. NOD mice were raised on gluten-containing chows
      (GCC) or gluten-free chows (GFC). The incidence of diabetes was determined by
      monitoring blood glucose levels biweekly using a glucometer. Intestinal
      microbiome composition was analyzed by sequencing 16S rRNA amplicons derived from
      fecal samples. First of all, GCC-fed NOD mice had the expected high incidence of
      hyperglycemia whereas NOD mice fed with a GFC had significantly reduced incidence
      of hyperglycemia. Secondly, when the fecal microbiomes were compared,
      Bifidobacterium, Tannerella, and Barnesiella species were increased (p = 0.03,
      0.02, and 0.02, respectively) in the microbiome of GCC mice, where as Akkermansia
      species was increased (p = 0.02) in the intestinal microbiomes of NOD mice fed
      GFC. Thirdly, both of the gluten-free chows that were evaluated, either egg white
      based (EW-GFC) or casein based (C-GFC), significantly reduced the incidence of
      hyperglycemia. Interestingly, the gut microbiome from EW-GFC mice was similar to
      C-GFC mice. Finally, adding back gluten to the gluten-free diet reversed its anti
      diabetogenic effect, reduced Akkermansia species and increased Bifidobacterium,
      Tannerella, and Barnesiella suggesting that the presence of gluten is directly
      responsible for the pro-diabetogenic effects of diets and it determines the gut
      microflora. Our novel study thus suggests that dietary gluten could modulate the
      incidence of T1D by changing the gut microbiome. 

PMID- 24236038
TI  - Associations between physical and cognitive doping--a cross-sectional study in
      2.997 triathletes.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study assessed, for the first time, prevalence estimates for
      physical and cognitive doping within a single collective of athletes using the
      randomized response technique (RRT). Furthermore, associations between the use of
      legal and freely available substances to improve physical and cognitive
      performance (enhancement) and illicit or banned substances to improve physical
      and cognitive performance (doping) were examined. METHODS: An anonymous
      questionnaire using the unrelated question RRT was used to survey 2,997
      recreational triathletes in three sports events (Frankfurt, Regensburg, and
      Wiesbaden) in Germany. Prior to the survey, statistical power analyses were
      performed to determine sample size. Logistic regression was used to predict
      physical and cognitive enhancement and the bootstrap method was used to evaluate
      differences between the estimated prevalences of physical and cognitive doping.
      RESULTS: 2,987 questionnaires were returned (99.7%). 12-month prevalences for
      physical and cognitive doping were 13.0% and 15.1%, respectively. The prevalence
      estimate for physical doping was significantly higher in athletes who also used
      physical enhancers, as well as in athletes who took part in the European
      Championship in Frankfurt compared to those who did not. The prevalence estimate
      for cognitive doping was significantly higher in athletes who also used physical
      and cognitive enhancers. Moreover, the use of physical and cognitive enhancers
      were significantly associated and also the use of physical and cognitive doping.
      DISCUSSION: The use of substances to improve physical and cognitive performance
      was associated on both levels of legality (enhancement vs. doping) suggesting
      that athletes do not use substances for a specific goal but may have a general
      propensity to enhance. This finding is important for understanding why people use
      such substances. Consequently, more effective prevention programs against
      substance abuse and doping could be developed.

PMID- 24236039
TI  - Analysis of the Protein phosphotome of Entamoeba histolytica reveals an intricate
      phosphorylation network.
AB  - Phosphorylation is the most common mechanism for the propagation of intracellular
      signals. Protein phosphatases and protein kinases play a dynamic antagonistic
      role in protein phosphorylation. Protein phosphatases make up a significant
      fraction of eukaryotic proteome. In this article, we report the identification
      and analysis of protein phosphatases in the intracellular parasite Entamoeba
      histolytica. Based on an in silico analysis, we classified 250 non-redundant
      protein phosphatases in E. histolytica. The phosphotome of E. histolytica is 3.1%
      of its proteome and 1.3 times of the human phosphotome. In this extensive study,
      we identified 42 new putative phosphatases (39 hypothetical proteins and 3
      pseudophosphatases). The presence of pseudophosphatases may have an important
      role in virulence of E. histolytica. A comprehensive phosphotome analysis of E.
      histolytica shows spectacular low similarity to human phosphatases, making them
      potent candidates for drug target. 

PMID- 24236040
TI  - Nitric oxide regulates neuronal activity via calcium-activated potassium
      channels.
AB  - Nitric oxide (NO) is an unconventional membrane-permeable messenger molecule that
      has been shown to play various roles in the nervous system. How NO modulates ion
      channels to affect neuronal functions is not well understood. In gastropods, NO
      has been implicated in regulating the feeding motor program. The buccal
      motoneuron, B19, of the freshwater pond snail Helisoma trivolvis is active during
      the hyper-retraction phase of the feeding motor program and is located in the
      vicinity of NO-producing neurons in the buccal ganglion. Here, we asked whether
      B19 neurons might serve as direct targets of NO signaling. Previous work
      established NO as a key regulator of growth cone motility and neuronal
      excitability in another buccal neuron involved in feeding, the B5 neuron. This
      raised the question whether NO might modulate the electrical activity and
      neuronal excitability of B19 neurons as well, and if so whether NO acted on the
      same or a different set of ion channels in both neurons. To study specific
      responses of NO on B19 neurons and to eliminate indirect effects contributed by
      other cells, the majority of experiments were performed on single cultured B19
      neurons. Addition of NO donors caused a prolonged depolarization of the membrane
      potential and an increase in neuronal excitability. The effects of NO could
      mainly be attributed to the inhibition of two types of calcium-activated
      potassium channels, apamin-sensitive and iberiotoxin-sensitive potassium
      channels. NO was found to also cause a depolarization in B19 neurons in situ, but
      only after NO synthase activity in buccal ganglia had been blocked. The results
      suggest that NO acts as a critical modulator of neuronal excitability in B19
      neurons, and that calcium-activated potassium channels may serve as a common
      target of NO in neurons. 

PMID- 24236041
TI  - Clinical significance of sIL-2R levels in B-cell lymphomas.
AB  - Elevated soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in sera is observed in patients
      with malignant lymphoma (ML). Therefore, sIL-2R is commonly used as a diagnostic
      and prognostic marker for ML, but the mechanisms responsible for the increase in
      sIL-2R levels in patients with B-cell lymphomas have not yet been elucidated. We
      first hypothesized that lymphoma cells expressing IL-2R and some proteinases such
      as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the tumor microenvironment can give rise
      to increased sIL-2R in sera. However, flow cytometric studies revealed that few
      lymphoma cells expressed IL-2R alpha chain (CD25) in diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL), and most CD25-expressing cells in
      the tumor were T-cells. Distinct correlations between CD25 expression on B
      lymphoma cells and sIL-2R levels were not observed. We then confirmed that MMP-9
      plays an important role in producing sIL-2R in functional studies.
      Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis also revealed that MMP-9 is mainly derived
      from tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We therefore evaluated the number of
      CD68 and CD163 positive macrophages in the tumor microenvironment using IHC
      analysis. A positive correlation between the levels of sIL-2R in sera and the
      numbers of CD68 positive macrophages in the tumor microenvironment was confirmed
      in FL and extranodal DLBCL. These results may be useful in understanding the
      pathophysiology of B-cell lymphomas. 

PMID- 24236042
TI  - The effect of factor VIII deficiencies and replacement and bypass therapies on
      thrombus formation under venous flow conditions in microfluidic and computational
      models.
AB  - Clinical evidence suggests that individuals with factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency
      (hemophilia A) are protected against venous thrombosis, but treatment with
      recombinant proteins can increase their risk for thrombosis. In this study we
      examined the dynamics of thrombus formation in individuals with hemophilia A and
      their response to replacement and bypass therapies under venous flow conditions.
      Fibrin and platelet accumulation were measured in microfluidic flow assays on a
      TF-rich surface at a shear rate of 100 s-1. Thrombin generation was calculated
      with a computational spatial-temporal model of thrombus formation. Mild FVIII
      deficiencies (5-30% normal levels) could support fibrin fiber formation, while
      severe (<1%) and moderate (1-5%) deficiencies could not. Based on these
      experimental observations, computational calculations estimate an average
      thrombin concentration of ~10 nM is necessary to support fibrin formation under
      flow. There was no difference in fibrin formation between severe and moderate
      deficiencies, but platelet aggregate size was significantly larger for moderate
      deficiencies. Computational calculations estimate that the local thrombin
      concentration in moderate deficiencies is high enough to induce platelet
      activation (>1 nM), but too low to support fibrin formation (<10 nM). In the
      absence of platelets, fibrin formation was not supported even at normal FVIII
      levels, suggesting platelet adhesion is necessary for fibrin formation.
      Individuals treated by replacement therapy, recombinant FVIII, showed normalized
      fibrin formation. Individuals treated with bypass therapy, recombinant FVIIa, had
      a reduced lag time in fibrin formation, as well as elevated fibrin accumulation
      compared to healthy controls. Treatment of rFVIIa, but not rFVIII, resulted in
      significant changes in fibrin dynamics that could lead to a prothrombotic state.

PMID- 24236043
TI  - Neural correlates of four broad temperament dimensions: testing predictions for a
      novel construct of personality.
AB  - Four suites of behavioral traits have been associated with four broad neural
      systems: the 1) dopamine and related norepinephrine system; 2) serotonin; 3)
      testosterone; 4) and estrogen and oxytocin system. A 56-item questionnaire, the
      Fisher Temperament Inventory (FTI), was developed to define four temperament
      dimensions associated with these behavioral traits and neural systems. The
      questionnaire has been used to suggest romantic partner compatibility. The
      dimensions were named: Curious/Energetic; Cautious/Social Norm Compliant;
      Analytical/Tough-minded; and Prosocial/Empathetic. For the present study, the FTI
      was administered to participants in two functional magnetic resonance imaging
      studies that elicited feelings of love and attachment, near-universal human
      experiences. Scores for the Curious/Energetic dimension co-varied with activation
      in a region of the substantia nigra, consistent with the prediction that this
      dimension reflects activity in the dopamine system. Scores for the
      Cautious/Social Norm Compliant dimension correlated with activation in the
      ventrolateral prefrontal cortex in regions associated with social norm
      compliance, a trait linked with the serotonin system. Scores on the
      Analytical/Tough-minded scale co-varied with activity in regions of the occipital
      and parietal cortices associated with visual acuity and mathematical thinking,
      traits linked with testosterone. Also, testosterone contributes to brain
      architecture in these areas. Scores on the Prosocial/Empathetic scale correlated
      with activity in regions of the inferior frontal gyrus, anterior insula and
      fusiform gyrus. These are regions associated with mirror neurons or empathy, a
      trait linked with the estrogen/oxytocin system, and where estrogen contributes to
      brain architecture. These findings, replicated across two studies, suggest that
      the FTI measures influences of four broad neural systems, and that these
      temperament dimensions and neural systems could constitute foundational
      mechanisms in personality structure and play a role in romantic partnerships.

PMID- 24236044
TI  - Arx polyalanine expansion in mice leads to reduced pancreatic alpha-cell
      specification and increased alpha-cell death.
AB  - ARX/Arx is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor necessary for the
      specification and early maintenance of pancreatic endocrine alpha-cells. Many
      transcription factors important to pancreas development, including ARX/Arx, are
      also crucial for proper brain development. Although null mutations of ARX in
      human patients result in the severe neurologic syndrome XLAG (X-linked
      lissencephaly associated with abnormal genitalia), the most common mutation is
      the expansion of the first polyalanine tract of ARX, which results primarily in
      the clinical syndrome ISSX (infantile spasms). Mouse models of XLAG, ISSX and
      other human ARX mutations demonstrate a direct genotype-phenotype correlation in
      ARX-related neurologic disorders. Furthermore, mouse models utilizing a
      polyalanine tract expansion mutation have illustrated critical developmental
      differences between null mutations and expansion mutations in the brain,
      revealing context-specific defects. Although Arx is known to be required for the
      specification and early maintenance of pancreatic glucagon-producing alpha-cells,
      the consequences of the Arx polyalanine expansion on pancreas development remain
      unknown. Here we report that mice with an expansion mutation in the first
      polyalanine tract of Arx exhibit impaired alpha-cell specification and
      maintenance, with gradual alpha-cell loss due to apoptosis. This is in contrast
      to the re-specification of alpha-cells into beta- and delta-cells that occurs in
      mice null for Arx. Overall, our analysis of an Arx polyalanine expansion mutation
      on pancreatic development suggests that impaired alpha-cell function might also
      occur in ISSX patients. 

PMID- 24236045
TI  - Diversity and evolution of bacterial twin arginine translocase protein, TatC,
      reveals a protein secretion system that is evolving to fit its environmental
      niche.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) protein export system enables
      the transport of fully folded proteins across a membrane. This system is composed
      of two integral membrane proteins belonging to TatA and TatC protein families and
      in some systems a third component, TatB, a homolog of TatA. TatC participates in
      substrate protein recognition through its interaction with a twin arginine leader
      peptide sequence. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The aim of this study was to
      explore TatC diversity, evolution and sequence conservation in bacteria to
      identify how TatC is evolving and diversifying in various bacterial phyla.
      Surveying bacterial genomes revealed that 77% of all species possess one or more
      tatC loci and half of these classes possessed only tatC and tatA genes.
      Phylogenetic analysis of diverse TatC homologues showed that they were primarily
      inherited but identified a small subset of taxonomically unrelated bacteria that
      exhibited evidence supporting lateral gene transfer within an ecological niche.
      Examination of bacilli tatCd/tatCy isoform operons identified a number of known
      and potentially new Tat substrate genes based on their frequent association to
      tatC loci. Evolutionary analysis of these Bacilli isoforms determined that TatCy
      was the progenitor of TatCd. A bacterial TatC consensus sequence was determined
      and highlighted conserved and variable regions within a three dimensional model
      of the Escherichia coli TatC protein. Comparative analysis between the TatC
      consensus sequence and Bacilli TatCd/y isoform consensus sequences revealed
      unique sites that may contribute to isoform substrate specificity or make TatA
      specific contacts. Synonymous to non-synonymous nucleotide substitution analyses
      of bacterial tatC homologues determined that tatC sequence variation differs
      dramatically between various classes and suggests TatC specialization in these
      species. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: TatC proteins appear to be diversifying within
      particular bacterial classes and its specialization may be driven by the
      substrates it transports and the environment of its host.

PMID- 24236046
TI  - An ultrasensitive high throughput screen for DNA methyltransferase 1-targeted
      molecular probes.
AB  - DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is the enzyme most responsible for epigenetic
      modification of human DNA and the intended target of approved cancer drugs such
      as 5-aza-cytidine and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. 5-aza nucleosides have complex
      mechanisms of action that require incorporation into DNA, and covalent trapping
      and proteolysis of DNMT isozymes. Direct DNMT inhibitors are needed to refine
      understanding of the role of specific DNMT isozymes in cancer etiology and,
      potentially, to improve cancer prevention and treatment. Here, we developed a
      high throughput pipeline for identification of direct DNMT1 inhibitors. The
      components of this screen include an activated form of DNMT1, a restriction
      enzyme-coupled fluorigenic assay performed in 384 well plates with a z-factor of
      0.66, a counter screen against the restriction enzyme, a screen to eliminate DNA
      intercalators, and a differential scanning fluorimetry assay to validate direct
      binders. Using the Microsource Spectrum collection of 2320 compounds, this screen
      identified nine compounds with dose responses ranging from 300 nM to 11 uM,
      representing at least two different pharmacophores with DNMT1 inhibitory
      activity. Seven of nine inhibitors identified exhibited two to four-fold
      selectivity for DNMT1 versus DNMT3A. 

PMID- 24236047
TI  - Zinc Finger 280B regulates sGCalpha1 and p53 in prostate cancer cells.
AB  - The Zinc Finger (ZNF) 280B protein was identified as an unexpected target of an
      shRNA designed for sGCalpha1. Further analysis showed that these two proteins are
      connected in another way, with 280B up-regulation of sGCalpha1 expression. Knock
      down and over-expression experiments showed that 280B serves pro-growth and pro
      survival functions in prostate cancer. Surprisingly however, these pro-cancer
      functions of 280B are not mediated by sGCalpha1, which itself has similar
      functions in prostate cancer, but by down-regulated p53. The p53 protein is a
      second target of 280B in prostate cancer, but unlike sGCalpha1, p53 is down
      regulated by 280B. 280B induces p53 nuclear export, leading to subsequent
      proteasomal degradation. The protein responsible for p53 regulation by 280B is
      Mdm2, the E3 ubiquitin ligase that promotes p53 degradation by inducing its
      nuclear export. We show here that 280B up-regulates expression of Mdm2 in
      prostate cancer cells, and this regulation is via the Mdm2 promoter. To
      demonstrate an in vivo relevance to this interaction, expression studies show
      that 280B protein levels are up-regulated in prostate cancer and these levels
      correspond to reduced levels of p53. Thus, by enhancing the expression of Mdm2,
      the uncharacterized 280B protein provides a novel mechanism of p53 suppression in
      prostate cancer. 

PMID- 24236048
TI  - Enhancement of tight junctional barrier function by micronutrients: compound
      specific effects on permeability and claudin composition.
AB  - Amid an increasing number of reports in the literature concerning epithelial
      barrier enhancement by various nutrient compounds, there has never been a study
      performing side-by-side comparisons of these agents in a single epithelial model.
      We compare five nutrient compounds (previously reported in various epithelial
      models to enhance barrier function) regarding their ability to increase
      transepithelial electrical resistance (R(t)) and decrease transepithelial
      mannitol permeability (J(m)) across LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cell layers. The
      effects of these nutrients on the abundance of various tight junctional proteins
      are also compared. In the overall group of nutrients tested--zinc, indole,
      quercetin, butyrate and nicotine--only nicotine failed to improve barrier
      function by either parameter. Nicotine also was without effect on tight
      junctional proteins. Quercetin simultaneously increased R(t) and decreased J(m).
      Zinc, butyrate and indole only exhibited statistically significant enhancement of
      R(t). Each of these four effective nutrient compounds had unique patterns of
      effects on the panel of tight junctional proteins studied. No two compounds
      produced the same pattern of effects. This unique pattern of effects on tight
      junctional complex composition by each compound establishes the chance for
      additive or even synergistic improvement of barrier function by combinations of
      compounds. A synergistic effect of the combination of quercetin and zinc on R(t)
      is shown.

PMID- 24236049
TI  - High flow conditions increase connexin43 expression in a rat arteriovenous and
      angioinductive loop model.
AB  - Gap junctions are involved in vascular growth and their expression pattern is
      modulated in response to hemodynamic conditions. They are clusters of
      intercellular channels formed by connexins (Cx) of which four subtypes are
      expressed in the cardiovascular system, namely Cx37, Cx40, Cx43 and Cx45. We
      hypothesize that high flow conditions affect vascular expression of Cx in vivo.
      To test this hypothesis, flow hemodynamics and subsequent changes in vascular
      expression of Cx were studied in an angioinductive rat arteriovenous (AV) loop
      model. Fifteen days after interposition of a femoral vein graft between femoral
      artery and vein encased in a fibrin-filled chamber strong neovascularization was
      evident that emerged predominantly from the graft. Blood flow through the grafted
      vessel was enhanced ~4.5-fold accompanied by increased pulsatility exceeding
      arterial levels. Whereas Cx43 protein expression in the femoral vein is
      negligible at physiologic flow conditions as judged by immunostaining its
      expression was enhanced in the endothelium of the venous graft exposed to these
      hemodynamic changes for 5 days. This was most likely due to enhanced
      transcription since Cx43 mRNA increased likewise, whereas Cx37 mRNA expression
      remained unaffected and Cx40 mRNA was reduced. Although enhanced Cx43 expression
      in regions of high flow in vivo has already been demonstrated, the arteriovenous
      graft used in the present study provides a reliable model to verify an
      association between Cx43 expression and high flow conditions in vivo that was
      selective for this Cx. We conclude that enhancement of blood flow and its
      oscillation possibly associated with the transition from laminar to more
      turbulent flow induces Cx43 expression in a vein serving as an AV loop. It is
      tempting to speculate that this upregulation is involved in the vessel formation
      occuring in this model as Cx43 was suggested to be involved in angiogenesis. 

PMID- 24236050
TI  - Overexpression of EFEMP1 correlates with tumor progression and poor prognosis in
      human ovarian carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was to explore the role of EFEMP1 in ovarian tumor
      progression and its relationship with prognosis of ovarian carcinoma. METHODS:
      EFEMP1 mRNA and protein expressions in normal ovarian tissue, ovarian tumor, high
      invasive subclones and low invasive subclones were evaluated by
      immunohistochemistry and real time RT-PCR. Serum EFEMP1 levels in patients with
      ovarian tumor were measured by ELISA assay. To assess the angiogenic properties
      of EFEMP1, VEGF and tumor microvessel density were analyzed in ovarian carcinoma
      by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: EFEMP1 expression was up-regulated in ovarian
      carcinoma, positively correlated with MVD and VEGF, and its overexpression and
      high serum levels were significantly associated with high stage, low
      differentiation, lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis of ovarian cancer.
      EFEMP1 expression was also found to be over-expressed in the highly invasive
      subclones compared with the low invasive subclones. CONCLUSION: EFEMP1 is a newly
      identified gene over-expressed in ovarian cancer, associated with poor
      clinicopathologic features and promotes angiogenesis. This study shows that
      EFEMP1 may serve as a new prognostic factor and a therapeutic target for patients
      with ovarian cancer in the future.

PMID- 24236051
TI  - Identification and developmental profiling of microRNAs in diamondback moth,
      Plutellaxylostella (L.).
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small RNAs involved in various biological
      processes through negative regulation of mRNAs at the post-transcriptional level.
      Although miRNA profiles have been documented in over two dozen insect species,
      few are agricultural pests. In this study, both conserved and novel miRNAs in the
      diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., a devastating insect pest of
      cruciferous crops worldwide, were documented. High-throughput sequencing of a
      small RNA library constructed from a mixed life stages of P. xylostella,
      including eggs, 1st to 4th (last) instar larvae, pupae and adults, identified 384
      miRNAs, of which 174 were P. xylostella specific. In addition, temporal
      expressions of 234 miRNAs at various developmental stages were investigated using
      a customized microarray analysis. Among the 91 differentially expressed miRNAs,
      qRT-PCR analysis was used to validate highly expressed miRNAs at each stage. The
      combined results not only systematically document miRNA profiles in an
      agriculturally important insect pest, but also provide molecular targets for
      future functional analysis and, ultimately, genetic-based pest control practice. 

PMID- 24236052
TI  - MDM2 promotes invasion and metastasis in invasive ductal breast carcinoma by
      inducing matrix metalloproteinase-9.
AB  - The molecular mechanisms that underpin invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC)
      invasion and metastasis are incompletely understood. The oncogene, mouse double
      minute 2 (MDM2), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous cancers,
      where it stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), an
      important enzyme in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix. However, its role
      in breast cancer remains poorly understood. This study assessed the clinical
      significance of MDM2 expression in IDC and used in vitro expression assays to
      determine the molecular roles of MDM2. Immunohistochemical staining for MMP9 and
      MDM2 was performed using archived tumor blocks from 321 women who underwent
      surgical resection for IDC at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical
      University, China between January 2002 and December 2003. MCF-7 and MDA-MD-231
      cell lines were transfected with siRNA targeted against MDM2, or MDM2 was
      overexpressed using transiently expressed vectors. The invasion, cell migration
      and proteolytic capabilities of cells that over- or underexpressed MDM2 was then
      assessed and compared against control cells, in addition to the consequent
      effects on MMP9 expression using RT-PCR. In vivo, 54.9% and 49.6% of samples were
      positive for MMP9 and MDM2 expression, respectively, and their expression was
      significantly correlated (r2 = 0.171, P = 0.012). Moreover, MDM2 expression was
      markedly correlated with disease-free survival (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.02-6.40, P =
      0.038). In vitro, MDM2 overexpression significantly enhanced cell invasion,
      migration and proteolysis compared with control cells, and the converse effects
      were observed after MDM2-siRNA treatment. MDM2 overexpression induced MMP9
      expression in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that
      high levels of MDM2 are associated with a poorer prognosis in IDC. This might
      result from increased tumor invasiveness due to enhanced MMP9 expression causing
      increased extracellular matrix breakdown.

PMID- 24236053
TI  - Ancestral polymorphisms and sex-biased migration shaped the demographic history
      of brown bears and polar bears.
AB  - Recent studies have reported discordant gene trees in the evolution of brown
      bears and polar bears. Genealogical histories are different among independent
      nuclear loci and between biparentally inherited autosomal DNA (aDNA) and
      matrilineal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Based on multi-locus genomic sequences
      from aDNA and mtDNA, we inferred the population demography of brown and polar
      bears and found that brown bears have 6 times (aDNA) or more than 14 times
      (mtDNA) larger population sizes than polar bears and that polar bear lineage is
      derived from within brown bear diversity. In brown bears, the effective
      population size ratio of mtDNA to aDNA was at least 0.62, which deviated from the
      expected value of 0.25, suggesting matriarchal population due to female
      philopatry and male-biased migration. These results emphasize that ancestral
      polymorphisms and sex-biased migration may have contributed to conflicting
      branching patterns in brown and polar bears across aDNA genes and mtDNA. 

PMID- 24236054
TI  - Development of methods for cross-sectional HIV incidence estimation in a large,
      community randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate methods of HIV incidence determination are critically needed
      to monitor the epidemic and determine the population level impact of prevention
      trials. One such trial, Project Accept, a Phase III, community-randomized trial,
      evaluated the impact of enhanced, community-based voluntary counseling and
      testing on population-level HIV incidence. The primary endpoint of the trial was
      based on a single, cross-sectional, post-intervention HIV incidence assessment.
      METHODS AND FINDINGS: Test performance of HIV incidence determination was
      evaluated for 403 multi-assay algorithms [MAAs] that included the BED capture
      immunoassay [BED-CEIA] alone, an avidity assay alone, and combinations of these
      assays at different cutoff values with and without CD4 and viral load testing on
      samples from seven African cohorts (5,325 samples from 3,436 individuals with
      known duration of HIV infection [1 month to >10 years]). The mean window period
      (average time individuals appear positive for a given algorithm) and performance
      in estimating an incidence estimate (in terms of bias and variance) of these MAAs
      were evaluated in three simulated epidemic scenarios (stable, emerging and
      waning). The power of different test methods to detect a 35% reduction in
      incidence in the matched communities of Project Accept was also assessed. A MAA
      was identified that included BED-CEIA, the avidity assay, CD4 cell count, and
      viral load that had a window period of 259 days, accurately estimated HIV
      incidence in all three epidemic settings and provided sufficient power to detect
      an intervention effect in Project Accept. CONCLUSIONS: In a Southern African
      setting, HIV incidence estimates and intervention effects can be accurately
      estimated from cross-sectional surveys using a MAA. The improved accuracy in
      cross-sectional incidence testing that a MAA provides is a powerful tool for HIV
      surveillance and program evaluation.

PMID- 24236055
TI  - Pediatric fecal microbiota harbor diverse and novel antibiotic resistance genes.
AB  - Emerging antibiotic resistance threatens human health. Gut microbes are an
      epidemiologically important reservoir of resistance genes (resistome), yet prior
      studies indicate that the true diversity of gut-associated resistomes has been
      underestimated. To deeply characterize the pediatric gut-associated resistome, we
      created metagenomic recombinant libraries in an Escherichia coli host using fecal
      DNA from 22 healthy infants and children (most without recent antibiotic
      exposure), and performed functional selections for resistance to 18 antibiotics
      from eight drug classes. Resistance-conferring DNA fragments were sequenced
      (Illumina HiSeq 2000), and reads assembled and annotated with the PARFuMS
      computational pipeline. Resistance to 14 of the 18 antibiotics was found in
      stools of infants and children. Recovered genes included chloramphenicol
      acetyltransferases, drug-resistant dihydrofolate reductases, rRNA
      methyltransferases, transcriptional regulators, multidrug efflux pumps, and every
      major class of beta-lactamase, aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme, and tetracycline
      resistance protein. Many resistance-conferring sequences were mobilizable; some
      had low identity to any known organism, emphasizing cryptic organisms as
      potentially important resistance reservoirs. We functionally confirmed three
      novel resistance genes, including a 16S rRNA methylase conferring aminoglycoside
      resistance, and two tetracycline-resistance proteins nearly identical to a
      bifidobacterial MFS transporter (B. longum s. longum JDM301). We provide the
      first report to our knowledge of resistance to folate-synthesis inhibitors
      conferred by a predicted Nudix hydrolase (part of the folate synthesis pathway).
      This functional metagenomic survey of gut-associated resistomes, the largest of
      its kind to date, demonstrates that fecal resistomes of healthy children are far
      more diverse than previously suspected, that clinically relevant resistance genes
      are present even without recent selective antibiotic pressure in the human host,
      and that cryptic gut microbes are an important resistance reservoir. The observed
      transferability of gut-associated resistance genes to a gram-negative (E. coli)
      host also suggests that the potential for gut-associated resistomes to threaten
      human health by mediating antibiotic resistance in pathogens warrants further
      investigation. 

PMID- 24236056
TI  - HER2 phosphorylates and destabilizes pro-apoptotic PUMA, leading to antagonized
      apoptosis in cancer cells.
AB  - HER2 is overexpressed in 15-20% of breast cancers. HER2 overexpression is known
      to reduce apoptosis but the underlying mechanisms for this association remain
      unclear. To elucidate the mechanisms for HER2-mediated survival, we investigated
      the relationship between HER2 and p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA),
      a potent apoptosis inducer. Our results showed that HER2 interacts with PUMA,
      which was independent of HER2 activation. In addition, we observed that HER2
      interacted with PUMA in both mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial compartments. We
      next examined whether HER2 phosphorylates PUMA. Notably, PUMA tyrosine
      phosphorylation has never been reported. Using an intracellular assay, we found
      PUMA to be phosphorylated in breast cancer cells with activated HER2. Via cell
      free HER2 kinase assay, we observed that PUMA was directly phosphorylated by
      HER2. Activation of HER2 decreased PUMA protein half-life. To identify which of
      the three tyrosines within PUMA are targeted by HER2, we generated three PUMA non
      phosphorylation mutants each with a single Tyr->Phe substitution. Results
      indicated that each PUMA single mutant had lost some, but not all phosphorylation
      by HER2 indicating that HER2 targets all three tyrosines. Consequently, we
      created an additional PUMA mutant with all three tyrosines mutated (TM-PUMA) that
      could not be phosphorylated by HER2. Importantly, TM-PUMA was found to have a
      longer half-life than PUMA. An inverse association was observed between HER2 and
      PUMA in 93 invasive breast carcinoma samples. We further found that TM-PUMA
      suppressed growth of breast cancer cells to a greater degree than PUMA. Also, TM
      PUMA had a stronger propensity to induce apoptosis than PUMA. Together, our
      results demonstrate, for the first time, that PUMA can be tyrosine phosphorylated
      and that HER2-mediated phosphorylation destabilizes PUMA protein. The HER2-PUMA
      interplay represents a novel mechanism by which PUMA is regulated and a new
      molecular basis for HER2-mediated growth and survival of cancer cells. 

PMID- 24236057
TI  - Correlates of adult binge drinking: evidence from a British cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether parental social class and cognitive ability in
      childhood, as well as social and psychological factors, particularly personality
      traits, are independently associated with binge drinking in 50 year old adults
      assessed in a longitudinal birth cohort study. METHOD: 17,415 babies born in
      Great Britain in 1958 and followed up at 11, 33, and 50 years of age. Their binge
      drinking alcohol abuse at aged 50 was the outcome measure. RESULTS: 6,478
      participants with data on parental social class, childhood cognitive ability,
      educational qualifications at age 33, personality traits, psychological distress,
      occupational levels, and alcohol consumption (all measured at age 50) were
      included in the study. Using logistic regression analyses, results showed that
      parental social class, childhood intelligence, educational qualifications,
      occupational levels, personality traits (Extraversion and Disagreeableness), as
      well as psychological distress, were all significantly and independently
      associated with adult excessive alcohol use. Men tended to binge drink more than
      women (22% in men and 9.8% in women). CONCLUSION: Both social and psychological
      factors influence adult excessive alcohol consumption. Personality traits play a
      more important role than previously understood. There appears to be a distinction
      between the frequency and dose level of alcohol consumption.

PMID- 24236058
TI  - Efficient method of genotyping ob/ob mice using high resolution melting analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Direct health care costs of obesity continue to grow throughout the
      world and research on obesity disease models are on the rise. The ob/ob mouse is
      a well-characterized model of obesity and associated risk factors. Successful
      breeding and backcrossing onto different backgrounds are essential to create
      knockout models. Ob/ob mice are sterile and heterozygotes must be identified by
      genotyping to maintain breeding colonies. Several methods are employed to detect
      the ob mutant allele, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Gel based methods
      are time consuming and inconsistent, and non-gel based assays rely upon expensive
      and complex reagents or instruments. A fast, high-throughput, cost effective, and
      consistent method to identify Lep(ob) mutation is much needed. DESIGN AND
      METHODS: Primers to produce an amplicon for High Resolution Melting Analysis
      (HRM) of the Lep(ob) SNP were designed and validated. RESULTS: Fluorescence
      normalized high resolution melting curve plots delineated ob/+, ob/ob, and WT
      genotypes. Genotypes were also confirmed phenotypically. CONCLUSIONS: HRM of the
      Lep(ob) SNP allows closed-tube identification of the Lep(ob) mutation using a
      real-time PCR machine now common to most labs/departments. Advantages of this
      method include assay sensitivity/accuracy, low cost dyes, less optimization, and
      cost effectiveness as compared to other genotyping techniques.

PMID- 24236059
TI  - Continuous hypoxic culturing of human embryonic stem cells enhances SSEA-3 and
      MYC levels.
AB  - Low oxygen tension (hypoxia) contributes critically to pluripotency of human
      embryonic stem cells (hESCs) by preventing spontaneous differentiation and
      supporting self-renewal. However, it is not well understood how hESCs respond to
      reduced oxygen availability and what are the molecular mechanisms maintaining
      pluripotency in these conditions. In this study we characterized the
      transcriptional and molecular responses of three hESC lines (H9, HS401 and HS360)
      on short (2 hours), intermediate (24 hours) and prolonged (7 days) exposure to
      low oxygen conditions (4% O2). In response to prolonged hypoxia the expression of
      pluripotency surface marker SSEA-3 was increased. Furthermore, the genome wide
      gene-expression analysis revealed that a substantial proportion (12%) of all
      hypoxia-regulated genes in hESCs, were directly linked to the mechanisms
      controlling pluripotency or differentiation. Moreover, transcription of MYC
      oncogene was induced in response to continuous hypoxia. At the protein level MYC
      was stabilized through phosphorylation already in response to a short hypoxic
      exposure. Total MYC protein levels remained elevated throughout all the time
      points studied. Further, MYC protein expression in hypoxia was affected by
      silencing HIF2alpha, but not HIF1alpha. Since MYC has a crucial role in
      regulating pluripotency we propose that induction of sustained MYC expression in
      hypoxia contributes to activation of transcriptional programs critical for hESC
      self-renewal and maintenance of enhanced pluripotent state. 

PMID- 24236060
TI  - Alcohol abuse promotes changes in non-synaptic epileptiform activity with
      concomitant expression changes in cotransporters and glial cells.
AB  - Non-synaptic mechanisms are being considered the common factor of brain damage in
      status epilepticus and alcohol intoxication. The present work reports the
      influence of the chronic use of ethanol on epileptic processes sustained by non
      synaptic mechanisms. Adult male Wistar rats administered with ethanol (1, 2 e 3
      g/kg/d) during 28 days were compared with Control. Non-synaptic epileptiform
      activities (NEAs) were induced by means of the zero-calcium and high-potassium
      model using hippocampal slices. The observed involvement of the dentate gyrus
      (DG) on the neurodegeneration promoted by ethanol motivated the monitoring of the
      electrophysiological activity in this region. The DG regions were analyzed for
      the presence of NKCC1, KCC2, GFAP and CD11b immunoreactivity and cell density.
      The treated groups showed extracellular potential measured at the granular layer
      with increased DC shift and population spikes (PS), which was remarkable for the
      group E1. The latencies to the NEAs onset were more prominent also for the
      treated groups, being correlated with the neuronal loss. In line with these
      findings were the predispositions of the treated slices for neuronal edema after
      NEAs induction, suggesting that restrict inter-cell space counteracts the
      neuronal loss and subsists the hyper-synchronism. The significant increase of the
      expressions of NKCC1 and CD11b for the treated groups confirms the existence of
      conditions favorable to the observed edematous necrosis. The data suggest that
      the ethanol consumption promotes changes on the non-synaptic mechanisms
      modulating the NEAs. For the lower ethanol dosage the neurophysiological changes
      were more effective suggesting to be due to the less intense neurodegenertation. 

PMID- 24236061
TI  - The phylogeny of Little Red Riding Hood.
AB  - Researchers have long been fascinated by the strong continuities evident in the
      oral traditions associated with different cultures. According to the 'historic
      geographic' school, it is possible to classify similar tales into "international
      types" and trace them back to their original archetypes. However, critics argue
      that folktale traditions are fundamentally fluid, and that most international
      types are artificial constructs. Here, these issues are addressed using
      phylogenetic methods that were originally developed to reconstruct evolutionary
      relationships among biological species, and which have been recently applied to a
      range of cultural phenomena. The study focuses on one of the most debated
      international types in the literature: ATU 333, 'Little Red Riding Hood'. A
      number of variants of ATU 333 have been recorded in European oral traditions, and
      it has been suggested that the group may include tales from other regions,
      including Africa and East Asia. However, in many of these cases, it is difficult
      to differentiate ATU 333 from another widespread international folktale, ATU 123,
      'The Wolf and the Kids'. To shed more light on these relationships, data on 58
      folktales were analysed using cladistic, Bayesian and phylogenetic network-based
      methods. The results demonstrate that, contrary to the claims made by critics of
      the historic-geographic approach, it is possible to identify ATU 333 and ATU 123
      as distinct international types. They further suggest that most of the African
      tales can be classified as variants of ATU 123, while the East Asian tales
      probably evolved by blending together elements of both ATU 333 and ATU 123. These
      findings demonstrate that phylogenetic methods provide a powerful set of tools
      for testing hypotheses about cross-cultural relationships among folktales, and
      point towards exciting new directions for research into the transmission and
      evolution of oral narratives. 

PMID- 24236062
TI  - Reproductive strategies of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and implications
      for the sterile insect technique.
AB  - Male insects are expected to optimize their reproductive strategy according to
      the availability of sperm or other ejaculatory materials, and to the availability
      and reproductive status of females. Here, we investigated the reproductive
      strategy and sperm management of male and virgin female Aedes albopictus, a
      mosquito vector of chikungunya and dengue viruses. The dynamics of semen transfer
      to the female bursa inseminalis and spermathecae were observed. Double-mating
      experiments were conducted to study the effect of time lapsed or an oviposition
      event between two copulations on the likelihood of a female double-insemination
      and the use of sperm for egg fertilization; untreated fertile males and radio
      sterilised males were used for this purpose. Multiple inseminations and therefore
      the possibility of sperm competition were limited to matings closely spaced in
      time. When two males consecutively mated the same female within a 40 min
      interval, in ca. 15% of the cases did both males sire progeny. When the intervals
      between the copulations were longer, all progeny over several gonotrophic cycles
      were offspring of the first male. The mating behavior of males was examined
      during a rapid sequence of copulations. Male Ae. albopictus were parceling sperm
      allocation over several matings; however they would also attempt to copulate with
      females irrespective of the available sperm supply or accessory gland secretion
      material. During each mating, they transferred large quantities of sperm that was
      not stored for egg fertilization, and they attempted to copulate with mated
      females with a low probability of transferring their genes to the next
      generation. The outcomes of this study provided in addition some essential
      insights with respect to the sterile insect technique (SIT) as a vector control
      method. 

PMID- 24236064
TI  - Cranial Endocast of the lambeosaurine hadrosaurid Amurosaurus riabinini from the
      Amur region, Russia.
AB  - Information on the structure of the brain of the lambeosaurine hadrosaurid
      dinosaur Amurosaurus riabinini, from the Late Maastrichtian of Blagoveschensk,
      Far Eastern Russia, is presented based on endocranial casts. The endocasts are
      compared with physical and digital endocasts of other dinosaurs. The olfactory
      tract was large. The cerebral hemispheres are enlarged and round, illustrating
      the important development of this part of the brain in hadrosaurids. The
      pituitary body is enlarged as well, perhaps prefiguring the large size attained
      by hadrosaurids. The EQ of Amurosaurus was similar to that of the lambeosaurine
      dinosaur Hypacrosaurus altispinus and was relatively larger than in most extant
      non-avian reptiles, including sauropod and ceratopsian dinosaurs. However, it was
      apparently relatively smaller than those of most theropod dinosaurs. The
      relatively large size of the cerebrum is consistent with the range and complexity
      of social behaviors inferred for lambeosaurine dinosaurs. 

PMID- 24236063
TI  - Identification and characterization of angiogenesis targets through proteomic
      profiling of endothelial cells in human cancer tissues.
AB  - Genomic and proteomic analysis of normal and cancer tissues has yielded abundant
      molecular information for potential biomarker and therapeutic targets.
      Considering potential advantages in accessibility to pharmacological
      intervention, identification of targets resident on the vascular endothelium
      within tumors is particularly attractive. By employing mass spectrometry (MS) as
      a tool to identify proteins that are over-expressed in tumor-associated
      endothelium relative to normal cells, we aimed to discover targets that could be
      utilized in tumor angiogenesis cancer therapy. We developed proteomic methods
      that allowed us to focus our studies on the discovery of cell surface/secreted
      proteins, as they represent key antibody therapeutic and biomarker opportunities.
      First, we isolated endothelial cells (ECs) from human normal and kidney cancer
      tissues by FACS using CD146 as a marker. Additionally, dispersed human colon and
      lung cancer tissues and their corresponding normal tissues were cultured ex-vivo
      and their endothelial content were preferentially expanded, isolated and
      passaged. Cell surface proteins were then preferentially captured, digested with
      trypsin and subjected to MS-based proteomic analysis. Peptides were first
      quantified, and then the sequences of differentially expressed peptides were
      resolved by MS analysis. A total of 127 unique non-overlapped (157 total) tumor
      endothelial cell over-expressed proteins identified from directly isolated kidney
      associated ECs and those identified from ex-vivo cultured lung and colon tissues
      including known EC markers such as CD146, CD31, and VWF. The expression analyses
      of a panel of the identified targets were confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC)
      including CD146, B7H3, Thy-1 and ATP1B3. To determine if the proteins identified
      mediate any functional role, we performed siRNA studies which led to previously
      unidentified functional dependency for B7H3 and ATP1B3. 

PMID- 24236065
TI  - An effective solution to discover synergistic drugs for anti-cerebral ischemia
      from traditional Chinese medicinal formulae.
AB  - Recently, the pharmaceutical industry has shifted to pursuing combination
      therapies that comprise more than one active ingredient. Interestingly,
      combination therapies have been used for more than 2500 years in traditional
      Chinese medicine (TCM). Understanding optimal proportions and synergistic
      mechanisms of multi-component drugs are critical for developing novel strategies
      to combat complex diseases. A new multi-objective optimization algorithm based on
      least angle regression-partial least squares was proposed to construct the
      predictive model to evaluate the synergistic effect of the three components of a
      novel combination drug Yi-qi-jie-du formula (YJ), which came from clinical TCM
      prescription for the treatment of encephalopathy. Optimal proportion of the three
      components, ginsenosides (G), berberine (B) and jasminoidin (J) was determined
      via particle swarm optimum. Furthermore, the combination mechanisms were
      interpreted using PLS VIP and principal components analysis. The results showed
      that YJ had optimal proportion 3(G): 2(B): 0.5(J), and it yielded synergy in the
      treatment of rats impaired by middle cerebral artery occlusion induced focal
      cerebral ischemia. YJ with optimal proportion had good pharmacological effects on
      acute ischemic stroke. The mechanisms study demonstrated that the combination of
      G, B and J could exhibit the strongest synergistic effect. J might play an
      indispensable role in the formula, especially when combined with B for the acute
      stage of stroke. All these data in this study suggested that in the treatment of
      acute ischemic stroke, besides restoring blood supply and protecting easily
      damaged cells in the area of the ischemic penumbra as early as possible, we
      should pay more attention to the removal of the toxic metabolites at the same
      time. Mathematical system modeling may be an essential tool for the analysis of
      the complex pharmacological effects of multi-component drug. The powerful
      mathematical analysis method could greatly improve the efficiency in finding new
      combination drug from TCM. 

PMID- 24236066
TI  - Overexpressing STAMP2 improves insulin resistance in diabetic ApoE-/-/LDLR-/-
      mice via macrophage polarization shift in adipose tissues.
AB  - STAMP2 is a counterregulator of inflammation and insulin resistance. The aim of
      this study is to investigate whether activation of STAMP2 improves insulin
      resistance by regulating macrophage polarization in adipose tissues. The diabetic
      ApoE-/-/LDLR-/- mouse model was induced by high-fat diet and low-dose
      streptozotocin. Samples were obtained from epididymal, subcutaneous and brown
      adipose tissues. Infiltration of M1/M2 macrophages and inflammatory cytokines
      were investigated by immunohistochemistry. We then used gene overexpression to
      investigate the effect of STAMP2 on macrophages infiltration and polarization and
      inflammatory cytokines expression. Our results showed that infiltration of
      macrophages, the ratio of M1/M2 macrophages and the expression of pro
      inflammatory cytokines were enhanced and STAMP2 was downregulated in adipose
      tissues of diabetic ApoE-/-/LDLR-/- mice compared with control mice. STAMP2 gene
      overexpression could significantly reduce macrophages infiltration, the ratio of
      M1/M2 macrophages and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in epididymal
      and brown adipose tissues, improving insulin resistance. Our results suggested
      that STAMP2 gene overexpression may improve insulin resistance via regulating
      macrophage polarization in visceral and brown adipose tissues.

PMID- 24236067
TI  - Macroscopic equations governing noisy spiking neuronal populations with linear
      synapses.
AB  - Deriving tractable reduced equations of biological neural networks capturing the
      macroscopic dynamics of sub-populations of neurons has been a longstanding
      problem in computational neuroscience. In this paper, we propose a reduction of
      large-scale multi-population stochastic networks based on the mean-field theory.
      We derive, for a wide class of spiking neuron models, a system of differential
      equations of the type of the usual Wilson-Cowan systems describing the
      macroscopic activity of populations, under the assumption that synaptic
      integration is linear with random coefficients. Our reduction involves one
      unknown function, the effective non-linearity of the network of populations,
      which can be analytically determined in simple cases, and numerically computed in
      general. This function depends on the underlying properties of the cells, and in
      particular the noise level. Appropriate parameters and functions involved in the
      reduction are given for different models of neurons: McKean, Fitzhugh-Nagumo and
      Hodgkin-Huxley models. Simulations of the reduced model show a precise agreement
      with the macroscopic dynamics of the networks for the first two models. 

PMID- 24236068
TI  - Multiple MAPK cascades regulate the transcription of IME1, the master
      transcriptional activator of meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - The choice between alternative developmental pathways is primarily controlled at
      the level of transcription. Induction of meiosis in budding yeasts in response to
      nutrient levels provides a system to investigate the molecular basis of cellular
      decision-making. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, entry into meiosis depends on
      multiple signals converging upon IME1, the master transcriptional activator of
      meiosis. Here we studied the regulation of the cis-acting regulatory element
      Upstream Activation Signal (UAS)ru, which resides within the IME1 promoter.
      Guided by our previous data acquired using a powerful high-throughput screening
      system, here we provide evidence that UASru is regulated by multiple stimuli that
      trigger distinct signal transduction pathways as follows: (i) The glucose signal
      inhibited UASru activity through the cyclic AMP (cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA)
      pathway, targeting the transcription factors (TFs), Com2 and Sko1; (ii) high
      osmolarity activated UASru through the Hog1/mitogen-activated protein kinase
      (MAPK) pathway and its corresponding TF Sko1; (iii) elevated temperature
      increased the activity of UASru through the cell wall integrity pathway and the
      TFs Swi4/Mpk1 and Swi4/Mlp1; (iv) the nitrogen source repressed UASru activity
      through Sum1; and (v) the absence of a nitrogen source was detected and
      transmitted to UASru by the Kss1 and Fus3 MAPK pathways through their respective
      downstream TFs, Ste12/Tec1 and Ste12/Ste12 as well as by their regulators Dig1/2.
      These signaling events were specific to UASru; they did not affect the mating and
      filamentation response elements that are regulated by MAPK pathways. The complex
      regulation of UASru through all the known vegetative MAPK pathways is unique to
      S. cerevisiae and is specific for IME1, likely because it is the master regulator
      of gametogenesis. 

PMID- 24236069
TI  - Type 2 diabetes: an independent risk factor for tuberculosis: a nationwide
      population-based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis continues to be a major global health problem. We wanted
      to investigate whether Type 2 diabetes was a risk factor for tuberculosis in an
      Asian population. METHODS: From Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research
      Database, we collected data from 31,237 female patients with type 2 diabetes and
      92,642 female controls and 32,493 male patients with type 2 diabetes and 96,977
      male controls. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to evaluate
      independent risk factors for tuberculosis in all patients and to identify risk
      factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: During the study period, both
      female (standardized incidence ratio (SIR): 1.40, p<0.01) and male (SIR: 1.48,
      p<0.01) patients with type 2 diabetes were found to have a significantly higher
      rate of incident tuberculosis than the control group. Type 2 diabetes (HR:1.31,
      1.23-1.39, p<0.001) was significantly associated with tuberculosis after
      adjusting sex, age, bronchiectasis, asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of tuberculosis
      compared to control subjects after adjusting for confounding factors. The current
      diabetes epidemic may lead to a resurgence of tuberculosis in endemic regions.
      Therefore, preventive measures, including addressing the possibility that type 2
      diabetes increase the individual's susceptibility for incident TB, should be
      taken to further reduce the incidence of tuberculosis.

PMID- 24236070
TI  - Regulation of glucose transporter expression in human intestinal Caco-2 cells
      following exposure to an anthocyanin-rich berry extract.
AB  - Polyphenols contained within plant tissues are consumed in significant amounts in
      the human diet and are known to influence a number of biological processes. This
      study investigated the effects of an anthocyanin-rich berry-extract on glucose
      uptake by human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Acute exposure (15 min) to berry extract
      (0.125%, w/v) significantly decreased both sodium-dependent (Total uptake) and
      sodium-independent (facilitated uptake) 3H-D-glucose uptake. In longer-term
      studies, SGLT1 mRNA and GLUT2 mRNA expression were reduced significantly.
      Polyphenols are known to interact directly with glucose transporters to regulate
      the rate of glucose absorption. Our in vitro data support this mechanism and also
      suggest that berry flavonoids may modulate post-prandial glycaemia by decreasing
      glucose transporter expression. Further studies are warranted to investigate the
      longer term effects of berry flavonoids on the management of glycaemia in human
      volunteers.

PMID- 24236071
TI  - Development and validation of the Chinese Attitudes to Starting Insulin
      Questionnaire (Ch-ASIQ) for primary care patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a Chinese
      questionnaire which assesses the barriers and enablers to commencing insulin in
      primary care patients with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND
      METHOD: Questionnaire items were identified using literature review. Content
      validation was performed and items were further refined using an expert panel.
      Following translation, back translation and cognitive debriefing, the translated
      Chinese questionnaire was piloted on target patients. Exploratory factor analysis
      and item-scale correlations were performed to test the construct validity of the
      subscales and items. Internal reliability was tested by Cronbach's alpha.
      RESULTS: Twenty-seven identified items underwent content validation, translation
      and cognitive debriefing. The translated questionnaire was piloted on 303 insulin
      naive (never taken insulin) Type 2 diabetes patients recruited from 10 government
      funded primary care clinics across Hong Kong. Sufficient variability in the
      dataset for factor analysis was confirmed by Bartlett's Test of Sphericity
      (P<0.001). Using exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation, 10 factors
      were generated onto which 26 items loaded with loading scores > 0.4 and
      Eigenvalues >1. Total variance for the 10 factors was 66.22%. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin
      measure was 0.725. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the first four factors were
      >=0.6 identifying four sub-scales to which 13 items correlated. Remaining sub
      scales and items with poor internal reliability were deleted. The final 13-item
      instrument had a four scale structure addressing: 'Self-image and
      stigmatization'; 'Factors promoting self-efficacy; 'Fear of pain or needles'; and
      'Time and family support'. CONCLUSION: The Chinese Attitudes to Starting Insulin
      Questionnaire (Ch-ASIQ) appears to be a reliable and valid measure for assessing
      barriers to starting insulin. This short instrument is easy to administer and may
      be used by healthcare providers and researchers as an assessment tool for Chinese
      diabetic primary care patients, including the elderly, who are unwilling to start
      insulin.

PMID- 24236072
TI  - Single, double and quadruple alanine substitutions at oligomeric interfaces
      identify hydrophobicity as the key determinant of human neutrophil alpha defensin
      HNP1 function.
AB  - HNP1 is a human alpha defensin that forms dimers and multimers governed by
      hydrophobic residues, including Tyr16, Ile20, Leu25, and Phe28. Previously,
      alanine scanning mutagenesis identified each of these residues and other
      hydrophobic residues as important for function. Here we report further structural
      and functional studies of residues shown to interact with one another across
      oligomeric interfaces: I20A-HNP1 and L25A-HNP1, plus the double alanine mutants
      I20A/L25A-HNP1 and Y16A/F28A-HNP1, and the quadruple alanine mutant
      Y16A/I20A/L25A/F28A-HNP1. We tested binding to HIV-1 gp120 and HNP1 by surface
      plasmon resonance, binding to HIV-1 gp41 and HNP1 by fluorescence polarization,
      inhibition of anthrax lethal factor, and antibacterial activity using the virtual
      colony count assay. Similar to the previously described single mutant W26A-HNP1,
      the quadruple mutant displayed the least activity in all functional assays,
      followed by the double mutant Y16A/F28A-HNP1. The effects of the L25A and I20A
      single mutations were milder than the double mutant I20A/L25A-HNP1.
      Crystallographic studies confirmed the correct folding and disulfide pairing, and
      depicted an array of dimeric and tetrameric structures. These results indicate
      that side chain hydrophobicity is the critical factor that determines activity at
      these positions.

PMID- 24236073
TI  - Tissue specific localization of pectin-Ca2+ cross-linkages and pectin methyl
      esterification during fruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).
AB  - Fruit ripening is one of the developmental processes accompanying seed
      development. The tomato is a well-known model for studying fruit ripening and
      development, and the disassembly of primary cell walls and the middle lamella,
      such as through pectin de-methylesterified by pectin methylesterase (PE) and
      depolymerization by polygalacturonase (PG), is generally accepted to be one of
      the major changes that occur during ripening. Although many reports of the
      changes in pectin during tomato fruit ripening are focused on the relation to
      softening of the pericarp or the Blossom-end rot by calcium (Ca2+) deficiency
      disorder, the changes in pectin structure and localization in each tissues during
      tomato fruit ripening is not well known. In this study, to elucidate the tissue
      specific role of pectin during fruit development and ripening, we examined gene
      expression, the enzymatic activities involved in pectin synthesis and
      depolymerisation in fruit using biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses, and
      uronic acids and calcium (Ca)-bound pectin were determined by secondary ion
      microprobe mass spectrometry. These results show that changes in pectin
      properties during fruit development and ripening have tissue-specific patterns.
      In particular, differential control of pectin methyl-esterification occurs in
      each tissue. Variations in the cell walls of the pericarp are quite different
      from that of locular tissues. The Ca-binding pectin and hairy pectin in skin cell
      layers are important for intercellular and tissue-tissue adhesion. Maintenance of
      the globular form and softening of tomato fruit may be regulated by the
      arrangement of pectin structures in each tissue.

PMID- 24236074
TI  - Comparison of diabetes risk score estimates and cardiometabolic risk profiles in
      a middle-aged Irish population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To compare diabetes risk assessment tools in estimating risk of
      developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to evaluate cardiometabolic risk profiles
      in a middle-aged Irish population. METHODS: Future risk of developing T2DM was
      estimated using 7 risk scores, including clinical measures with or without
      anthropometric, biological and lifestyle data, in the cross-sectional
      Mitchelstown cohort of 2,047 middle-aged men and women. Cardiometabolic
      phenotypes including markers of glucose metabolism, inflammatory and lipid
      profiles were determined. RESULTS: Estimates of subjects at risk for developing
      T2DM varied considerably according to the risk assessment tool used (0.3% to
      20%), with higher proportions of males at risk (0-29.2% vs. 0.1-13.4%, for men
      and women, respectively). Extrapolated to the Irish population of similar age,
      the overall number of adults at high risk of developing T2DM ranges from 3,378 to
      236,632. Numbers of non-optimal metabolic features were generally greater among
      those at high risk of developing T2DM. However, cardiometabolic profile
      characterisation revealed that only those classified at high risk by the Griffin
      (UK Cambridge) score displayed a more pro-inflammatory, obese, hypertensive,
      dysglycaemic and insulin resistant metabolic phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Most
      diabetes risk scores examined offer limited ability to identify subjects with
      metabolic abnormalities and at risk of developing T2DM. Our results highlight the
      need to validate diabetes risk scoring tools for each population studied and the
      potential for developing an Irish diabetes risk score, which may help to promote
      self awareness and identify high risk individuals and diabetes hot spots for
      targeted public health interventions.

PMID- 24236075
TI  - Choose your weapon: defensive behavior is associated with morphology and
      performance in scorpions.
AB  - Morphology can be adaptive through its effect on performance of an organism. The
      effect of performance may, however, be modulated by behavior; an organism may
      choose a behavioral option that does not fully utilize its maximum performance.
      Behavior may therefore be decoupled from morphology and performance. To gain
      insight into the relationships between these levels of organization, we combined
      morphological data on defensive structures with measures of defensive
      performance, and their utilization in defensive behavior. Scorpion species show
      significant variation in the morphology and performance of their main defensive
      structures; their chelae (pincers) and the metasoma ("tail") carrying the
      stinger. Our data show that size-corrected pinch force varies to almost two
      orders of magnitude among species, and is correlated with chela morphology. Chela
      and metasoma morphology are also correlated to the LD50 of the venom,
      corroborating the anecdotal rule that dangerously venomous scorpions can be
      recognized by their chelae and metasoma. Analyses of phylogenetic independent
      contrasts show that correlations between several aspects of chela and metasoma
      morphology, performance and behavior are present. These correlations suggest co
      evolution of behavior with morphology and performance. Path analysis found a
      performance variable (pinch force) to partially mediate the relationship between
      morphology (chela aspect ratio) and behavior (defensive stinger usage). We also
      found a correlation between two aspects of morphology: pincer finger length
      correlates with the relative "thickness" (aspect ratio) of the metasoma. This
      suggests scorpions show a trade-off between their two main weapon complexes: the
      metasoma carrying the stinger, and the pedipalps carrying the chelae. 

PMID- 24236076
TI  - The prognostic value of amplitude-integrated EEG in full-term neonates with
      seizures.
AB  - Neonatal seizures pose a high risk for adverse outcome in survived infants. While
      the prognostic value of amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) is well
      established in neonates with encephalopathy and asphyxia, neonatal seizure
      studies focusing on the direct correlation between early aEEG measurement and
      subsequent neurologic outcome are scarce. In this study, the prognostic value of
      aEEG features was systematically analyzed in 143 full-term neonates to identify
      prognostic indicators of neurodevelopmental outcome. Neonatal aEEG features of
      background pattern, cyclicity, and seizure activity, as well as the etiology of
      neonatal seizures, were significantly associated with neurodevelopmental outcome
      at one year of age. aEEG background pattern was highly associated with neurologic
      outcomes (chi2 = 116.9), followed by aEEG cyclicity (chi2 = 87.2) and seizure
      etiology (chi2 = 79.3). Multiple linear regression showed that the four
      predictors explained 71.2% of the variation in neurological outcome, with
      standardized beta coefficients of 0.44, 0.24, 0.22, and 0.14 for the predictors
      of aEEG background pattern, cyclicity, etiology, and aEEG seizure activity,
      respectively. This clinically applicable scoring system based on etiology and
      three aEEG indices would allow pediatricians to assess the risk for
      neurodevelopmental impairment and facilitate an early intervention in newborns
      developing seizures.

PMID- 24236077
TI  - The tuberculosis vaccine candidate Bacillus Calmette-Guerin DeltaureC::hly
      coexpressing human interleukin-7 or -18 enhances antigen-specific T cell
      responses in mice.
AB  - Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), the only approved tuberculosis vaccine, provides
      only limited protection. Previously, we generated a recombinant derivative (BCG
      DeltaureC::hly), which secretes the pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO) of
      Listeria monocytogenes. This vaccine shows superior protection against
      tuberculosis in preclinical models and is safe in humans. Here we describe two
      new vaccine strains which express human interleukin-7 (hIL)-7 or hIL-18 in the
      genetic background of BCG DeltaureC::hly to modulate specific T cell immunity.
      Both strains exhibited an uncompromised in vitro growth pattern, while inducing a
      proinflammatory cytokine profile in human dendritic cells (DCs). Human DCs
      harbouring either strain efficiently promoted secretion of IL-2 by autologous T
      cells in a coculture system, suggesting superior immunogenicity. BALB/c mice
      vaccinated with BCG DeltaureC::hly, BCG DeltaureC::hly_hIL7 or BCG
      DeltaureC::hly_hIL18 developed a more robust Th1 response than after vaccination
      with parental BCG. Both strains provided significantly better protection than BCG
      in a murine Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge model but efficacy remained
      comparable to that afforded by BCG DeltaureC::hly. We conclude that expression of
      hIL-7 or hIL-18 enhanced specific T cell responses but failed to improve
      protection over BCG DeltaureC::hly in mice. 

PMID- 24236078
TI  - On the evolution of handedness: evidence for feeding biases.
AB  - Many theories have been put forward to explain the origins of right-handedness in
      humans. Here we present evidence that this preference may stem in part from a
      right hand advantage in grasping for feeding. Thirteen participants were asked to
      reach-to-grasp food items of 3 different sizes: SMALL (Cheerios(r)), MEDIUM
      (Froot Loops(r)), and LARGE (Oatmeal Squares(r)). Participants used both their
      right- and left-hands in separate blocks (50 trials each, starting order
      counterbalanced) to grasp the items. After each grasp, participants either a) ate
      the food item, or b) placed it inside a bib worn beneath his/her chin (25 trials
      each, blocked design, counterbalanced). The conditions were designed such that
      the outward and inward movement trajectories were similar, differing only in the
      final step of placing it in the mouth or bib. Participants wore Plato liquid
      crystal goggles that blocked vision between trials. All trials were conducted in
      closed-loop with 5000 ms of vision. Hand kinematics were recorded by an Optotrak
      Certus, which tracked the position of three infrared diodes attached separately
      to the index finger, thumb, and wrist. We found a task (EAT/PLACE) by hand
      (LEFT/RIGHT) interaction on maximum grip aperture (MGA; the maximum distance
      between the index finger and thumb achieved during grasp pre-shaping). MGAs were
      smaller during right-handed movements, but only when grasping with intent to eat.
      Follow-up tests show that the RIGHT-HAND/EAT MGA was significantly smaller than
      all other hand/task conditions. Because smaller grip apertures are typically
      associated with greater precision, our results demonstrate a right-hand advantage
      for the grasp-to-eat movement. From an evolutionary perspective, early humans may
      have preferred the hand that could grasp food with more precision, thereby
      maximizing the likelihood of retrieval, consumption, and consequently, survival. 

PMID- 24236079
TI  - Crowdedness mediates the effect of social identification on positive emotion in a
      crowd: a survey of two crowd events.
AB  - Exposure to crowding is said to be aversive, yet people also seek out and enjoy
      crowded situations. We surveyed participants at two crowd events to test the
      prediction of self-categorization theory that variable emotional responses to
      crowding are a function of social identification with the crowd. In data
      collected from participants who attended a crowded outdoor music event (n = 48),
      identification with the crowd predicted feeling less crowded; and there was an
      indirect effect of identification with the crowd on positive emotion through
      feeling less crowded. Identification with the crowd also moderated the relation
      between feeling less crowded and positive emotion. In data collected at a
      demonstration march (n = 112), identification with the crowd predicted central
      (most dense) location in the crowd; and there was an indirect effect of
      identification with the crowd on positive emotion through central location in the
      crowd. Positive emotion in the crowd also increased over the duration of the
      crowd event. These findings are in line with the predictions of self
      categorization theory. They are inconsistent with approaches that suggest that
      crowding is inherently aversive; and they cannot easily be explained through the
      concept of 'personal space'. 

PMID- 24236080
TI  - Diabetes: a risk factor for poor functional outcome after total knee
      arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess the association of diabetes with postoperative limitation
      of activities of daily living (ADLs) after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We used the prospectively collected data from the
      Mayo Clinic Total Joint Registry to assess the association of diabetes and
      diabetes with complications with moderate-severe ADL limitation 2- and 5-years
      after primary TKA. Multivariable logistic regression with general estimating
      equations adjusted for preoperative ADL limitation, comorbidity and demographic
      and clinical covariates. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) are
      presented. 7,139 primary TKAs at 2-years and 4,234 at 5-years constituted the
      cohorts. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, diabetes was associated with higher
      odds of moderate-severe limitation at 2- and 5-years, 1.71 (95% CI: 1.26, 2.32; P
      = 0.001) and 1.66 (95% CI: 1.13, 2.46; P = 0.01). Respective ORs for patients
      with diabetes with complications were 2.73 (95% CI: 1.47, 5.07; P = 0.001) and
      2.73 (95% CI: 1.21, 6.15; P = 0.016). Sensitivity analyses that adjusted for
      anxiety and depression or anxiety, depression and ipsilateral hip involvement
      showed minimal attenuation of magnitude of the association.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In this large study of patients who underwent primary
      TKA, diabetes as well as its severity were independently associated with poorer
      functional outcome. Given the increasing rates of both diabetes as well as
      arthroplasty, more insight is needed into disease-related and treatment-related
      factors that underlie this higher risk of ADL limitation in patients with
      diabetes. Poor functional outcomes may be preventable by modifying the control of
      diabetes and associated comorbidity in pre- and post-arthroplasty periods.

PMID- 24236081
TI  - Antimicrobial activity of heterotrophic bacterial communities from the marine
      sponge Erylus discophorus (Astrophorida, Geodiidae).
AB  - Heterotrophic bacteria associated with two specimens of the marine sponge Erylus
      discophorus were screened for their capacity to produce bioactive compounds
      against a panel of human pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus wild type and
      methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus),
      fish pathogen (Aliivibrio fischeri) and environmentally relevant bacteria (Vibrio
      harveyi). The sponges were collected in Berlengas Islands, Portugal. Of the 212
      isolated heterotrophic bacteria belonging to Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria,
      Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, 31% produced antimicrobial metabolites.
      Bioactivity was found against both Gram positive and Gram negative and clinically
      and environmentally relevant target microorganisms. Bioactivity was found mainly
      against B. subtilis and some bioactivity against S. aureus MRSA, V. harveyi and
      A. fisheri. No antifungal activity was detected. The three most bioactive genera
      were Pseudovibrio (47.0%), Vibrio (22.7%) and Bacillus (7.6%). Other less
      bioactive genera were Labrenzia, Acinetobacter, Microbulbifer, Pseudomonas,
      Gordonia, Microbacterium, Micrococcus and Mycobacterium, Paenibacillus and
      Staphylococcus. The search of polyketide I synthases (PKS-I) and nonribosomal
      peptide synthetases (NRPSs) genes in 59 of the bioactive bacteria suggested the
      presence of PKS-I in 12 strains, NRPS in 3 strains and both genes in 3 strains.
      Our results show the potential of the bacterial community associated with Erylus
      discophorus sponges as producers of bioactive compounds. 

PMID- 24236082
TI  - Combination of EGFR-TKIs and chemotherapy as first-line therapy for advanced
      NSCLC: a meta-analysis.
AB  - The impact of combining epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and chemotherapy as first-line therapy for patients with
      advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Therefore,
      randomized trials that compared this combined regimen with chemotherapy or EGFR
      TKIs monotherapy were included for this meta-analysis. We used published hazard
      ratios (HRs), if available, or derived treatment estimates from other survival
      data. Pooled estimates of treatment efficacy of the combined regimen in the
      entire unselected population and selected patients by EGFR-mutation status and
      smoking history were calculated. Eight trials eventually entered into this meta
      analysis, including 4585 patients. Overall, the combined regimen significantly
      delayed disease progression (HR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.95, P = 0.01); subgroup
      analysis showed significantly higher progression free survival advantages in
      Asian patients (P<0.001), with sequential combination of TKIs and chemotherapy (P
      = 0.02). In selected patients by EGFR-mutation, both mutation positive (HR =
      0.48, 95% CI 0.28-0.83, P = 0.009) and negative (HR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.98, P =
      0.02) patients gained progression free survival benefit from the combined
      regimen, albeit the magnitude of benefit was marginally larger in mutation
      positive patients (P = 0.05). In selected patients by smoking history,
      never/light smokers achieved a great progression free survival benefit from the
      combined regimen (HR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.35-0.74, P = 0.0004). Unfortunately, the
      combined regimen had no significant impact on overall survival, irrespective of
      ethnicity, dose schedules or EGFR-mutation status. Severe anorexia (RR = 2.01,
      95% CI 1.11-3.63; P = 0.02) and diarrhea (RR = 2.70, 95% CI 1.94-3.76; P<0.001)
      were more frequent in the combined regimen arm. This strategy of combining EGFR
      TKIs and chemotherapy deserved to be considered in the future, although it is not
      approved for advanced NSCLC at the moment. 

PMID- 24236083
TI  - Prehispanic use of chili peppers in Chiapas, Mexico.
AB  - The genus Capsicum is New World in origin and represents a complex of a wide
      variety of both wild and domesticated taxa. Peppers or fruits of Capsicum species
      rarely have been identified in the paleoethnobotanical record in either Meso- or
      South America. We report here confirmation of Capsicum sp. residues from pottery
      samples excavated at Chiapa de Corzo in southern Mexico dated from Middle to Late
      Preclassic periods (400 BCE to 300 CE). Residues from 13 different pottery types
      were collected and extracted using standard techniques. Presence of Capsicum was
      confirmed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)/MS-MS Analysis. Five
      pottery types exhibited chemical peaks for Capsicum when compared to the standard
      (dihydrocapsaicin). No peaks were observed in the remaining eight samples.
      Results of the chemical extractions provide conclusive evidence for Capsicum use
      at Chiapas de Corzo during a 700 year period (400 BCE-300 CE). Presence of
      Capsicum in different types of culinary-associated pottery raises questions how
      chili pepper could have been used during this early time period. As Pre-Columbian
      cacao products sometimes were flavored using Capsicum, the same pottery sample
      set was tested for evidence of cacao using a theobromine marker: these results
      were negative. As each vessel that tested positive for Capsicum had a culinary
      use we suggest here the possibility that chili residues from the Chiapas de Corzo
      pottery samples reflect either paste or beverage preparations for religious,
      festival, or every day culinary use. Alternatively, some vessels that tested
      positive merely could have been used to store peppers. Most interesting from an
      archaeological context was the presence of Capsicum residue obtained from a
      spouted jar, a pottery type previously thought only to be used for pouring
      liquids. 

PMID- 24236084
TI  - Demographics of the European apicultural industry.
AB  - Over the last few years, many European and North American countries have reported
      a high rate of disorders (mortality, dwindling and disappearance) affecting
      honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera). Although beekeeping has become an
      increasingly professional activity in recent years, the beekeeping industry
      remains poorly documented in Europe. The European Union Reference Laboratory for
      Honeybee Health sent a detailed questionnaire to each Member State, in addition
      to Kosovo and Norway, to determine the demographics and state of their beekeeping
      industries. Based on data supplied by the National Reference Laboratory for
      honeybee diseases in each European country, a European database was created to
      describe the beekeeping industry including the number and types of beekeepers,
      operation size, industry production, and health (notifiable diseases,
      mortalities). The total number of beekeepers in Europe was estimated at 620,000.
      European honey production was evaluated at around 220,000 tons in 2010. The price
      of honey varied from 1.5 to 40 ?/kg depending on the country and on the
      distribution network. The estimated colony winter mortality varied from 7 to 28%
      depending on the country and the origin of the data (institutional survey or
      beekeeping associations). This survey documents the high heterogeneity of the
      apicultural industry within the European Union. The high proportion of non
      professional beekeepers and the small mean number of colonies per beekeeper were
      the only common characteristics at European level. The tremendous variation in
      European apicultural industries has implication for any comprehensive
      epidemiological or economic analysis of the industry. This variability needs to
      be taken into account for such analysis as well as for future policy development.
      The industry would be served if beekeeping registration was uniformly implemented
      across member states. Better information on the package bee and queen production
      would help in understanding the ability of the industry to replace lost honey bee
      stocks.

PMID- 24236085
TI  - Characterization of hydrophobic peptides in the presence of detergent by
      photoionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - The characterization of membrane proteins is still challenging. The major issue
      is the high hydrophobicity of membrane proteins that necessitates the use of
      detergents for their extraction and solubilization. The very poor compatibility
      of mass spectrometry with detergents remains a tremendous obstacle in studies of
      membrane proteins. Here, we investigated the potential of atmospheric pressure
      photoionization (APPI) for mass spectrometry study of membrane proteins. This
      work was focused on the tetraspanin CD9 and the multidrug transporter BmrA. A set
      of peptides from CD9, exhibiting a broad range of hydropathicity, was
      investigated using APPI as compared to electrospray ionization (ESI). Mass
      spectrometry experiments revealed that the most hydrophobic peptides were hardly
      ionized by ESI whereas all peptides, including the highly hydrophobic one that
      corresponds to the full sequence of the first transmembrane domain of CD9, were
      easily ionized by APPI. The native protein BmrA purified in the presence of the
      non-ionic detergent beta-D-dodecyl maltoside (DDM) was digested in-solution using
      trypsin. The resulting peptides were investigated by flow injection analysis of
      the mixture followed by mass spectrometry. Upon ESI, only detergent ions were
      detected and the ionic signals from the peptides were totally suppressed. In
      contrast, APPI allowed many peptides distributed along the sequence of the
      protein to be detected. Furthermore, the parent ion corresponding to the first
      transmembrane domain of the protein BmrA was detected under APPI conditions.
      Careful examination of the APPI mass spectrum revealed a-, b-, c- and y- fragment
      ions generated by in-source fragmentation. Those fragment ions allowed
      unambiguous structural characterization of the transmembrane domain. In
      conclusion, APPI-MS appears as a versatile method allowing the ionization and
      fragmentation of hydrophobic peptides in the presence of detergent. 

PMID- 24236087
TI  - The name-letter-effect in groups: sharing initials with group members increases
      the quality of group work.
AB  - Although the name-letter-effect has been demonstrated reliably in choice
      contexts, recent research has called into question the existence of the name
      letter-effect-the tendency among people to make choices that bear remarkable
      similarity with the letters in their own name. In this paper, we propose a
      connection between the name-letter-effect and interpersonal, group-level behavior
      that has not been previously captured in the literature. Specifically, we suggest
      that sharing initials with other group members promotes positive feelings toward
      those group members that in turn affect group outcomes. Using both field and
      laboratory studies, we found that sharing initials with group members cause
      groups to perform better by demonstrating greater performance, collective
      efficacy, adaptive conflict, and accuracy (on a hidden-profile task). Although
      many studies have investigated the effects of member similarity on various
      outcomes, our research demonstrates how minimal a degree of similarity among
      members is sufficient to influence quality of group outcomes. 

PMID- 24236086
TI  - Identification and molecular characterization of FKF1 and GI homologous genes in
      soybean.
AB  - In Arabidopsis, FKF1 (FLAVIN BINDING, KELCH REPEAT, F-BOX1) and GI (GIGANTEA)
      play important roles in flowering pathway through regulating daytime CO
      (CONSTANS) expression, and such a function is conserved across plants studied.
      But related reports are limited for soybean. In this study, we cloned FKF1 and GI
      homologs in soybean, and named as GmFKF1, GmFKF2, GmGI1, GmGI2, and GmGI3,
      respectively. GmGI1 had two alternative splicing forms, GmGI1alpha and GmGI1beta.
      GmFKF1/2 transcripts were diurnally regulated, with a peak at zeitgeber time 12
      (ZT12) in long days and at ZT10 in short days. The diurnal phases between GmGIs
      transcript levels greatly differed. GmGI2 expression was regulated by both the
      circadian clock and photoperiod. But the rhythmic phases of GmGI1 and GmGI3
      expression levels were mainly conferred by long days. GmFKFs shared similar
      spatio-temporal expression profiles with GmGIs in all of the tissue/organs in
      different developmental stages in both LD and SD. Both GmFKF and GmGI proteins
      were targeted to the nucleus. Yeast two hybrid assays showed GmFKF1/GmFKF2
      interacted with GmGI1/GmGI2/GmCDF1 (CYCLING DOF FACTOR CDF1 homolog in soybean);
      and the LOV (Light, Oxygen, or Voltage) domain in GmFKF1/GmFKF2 played an
      important role in these interactions. N-terminus of GmGI2 was sufficient to
      mediate its interaction with GmCDF1. Interestingly, N-terminus not full of GmGI3
      interacted with GmFKF1/GmFKF2/GmCDF1. Ectopic over-expression of the GmFKF1 or
      GmFKF2 in Arabidopsis enhanced flowering in SD. Collectively, GmFKF and GmGI in
      soybean had conserved functional domains at DNA sequence level, but specific
      characters at function level with their homologs in other plants. 

PMID- 24236088
TI  - Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the human systemic endotoxin-induced
      transcriptome.
AB  - TNFalpha has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory
      diseases. Different strategies to inhibit TNFalpha in patients with sepsis and
      chronic inflammatory conditions have shown contrasting outcomes. Although
      TNFalpha inhibitors are widely used in clinical practice, the impact of TNFalpha
      antagonism on white blood cell gene expression profiles during acute inflammation
      in humans in vivo has not been assessed. We here leveraged the established model
      of human endotoxemia to examine the effect of the TNFalpha antagonist,
      etanercept, on the genome-wide transcriptional responses in circulating
      leukocytes induced by intravenous LPS administration in male subjects. Etanercept
      pre-treatment resulted in a markedly dampened transcriptional response to LPS.
      Gene co-expression network analysis revealed this LPS-induced transcriptome can
      be categorized as TNFalpha responsive and non-responsive modules. Highly
      significant TNFalpha responsive modules include NF-kB signaling, antiviral
      responses and T-cell mediated responses. Within these TNFalpha responsive modules
      we delineate fundamental genes involved in epigenetic modifications,
      transcriptional initiation and elongation. Thus, we provide comprehensive
      information about molecular pathways that might be targeted by therapeutic
      interventions that seek to inhibit TNFalpha activity during human inflammatory
      diseases. 

PMID- 24236089
TI  - Functional and muscular adaptations in an experimental model for isometric
      strength training in mice.
AB  - Exercise training induces muscular adaptations that are highly specific to the
      type of exercise. For a systematic study of the differentiated exercise
      adaptations on a molecular level mouse models have been used successfully. The
      aim of the current study was to develop a suitable mouse model of isometric
      strength exercise training characterized by specific adaptations known from
      strength training. C57BL/6 mice performed an isometric strength training (ST) for
      10 weeks 5 days/week. Additionally, either a sedentary control group (CT) or a
      regular endurance training group (ET) groups were used as controls. Performance
      capacity was determined by maximum holding time (MHT) and treadmill spirometry,
      respectively. Furthermore, muscle fiber types and diameter, muscular
      concentration of phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK), succinate dehydrogenase (SDHa), and
      glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) were determined. In a further approach, the
      effect of ST on glucose intolerance was tested in diabetic mice. In mice of the
      ST group we observed an increase of MHT in isometric strength tests, a type II
      fiber hypertrophy, and an increased GLUT4 protein content in the membrane
      fraction. In contrast, in mice of the ET group an increase of VO(2max), a shift
      to oxidative muscle fiber type and an increase of oxidative enzyme content was
      measured. Furthermore strength training was effective in reducing glucose
      intolerance in mice fed a high fat diet. An effective murine strength training
      model was developed and evaluated, which revealed marked differences in
      adaptations known from endurance training. This approach seems also suitable to
      test for therapeutical effects of strength training.

PMID- 24236090
TI  - Dietary ecology of Murinae (Muridae, Rodentia): a geometric morphometric
      approach.
AB  - Murine rodents represent a highly diverse group, which displays great ecological
      versatility. In the present paper we analyse the relationship between dental
      morphology, on one hand, using geometric morphometrics based upon the outline of
      first upper molar and the dietary preference of extant murine genera, on the
      other. This ecomorphological study of extant murine rodents demonstrates that
      dietary groups can be distinguished with the use of a quantitative geometric
      morphometric approach based on first upper molar outline. A discriminant analysis
      of the geometric morphometric variables of the first upper molars enables us to
      infer the dietary preferences of extinct murine genera from the Iberian
      Peninsula. Most of the extinct genera were omnivore; only Stephanomys showed a
      pattern of dental morphology alike that of the herbivore genera. 

PMID- 24236091
TI  - A community-based, case-control study evaluating mortality reduction from gastric
      cancer by endoscopic screening in Japan.
AB  - AIMS: Although the incidence of gastric cancer has decreased in the last 3
      decades, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In Asian
      countries, the burden of gastric cancer has remained, and cancer screening is
      normally expected to reduce gastric cancer death. We conducted a community-based,
      case-control study to evaluate the reduction of mortality from gastric cancer by
      endoscopic screening. METHODS: Case subjects were defined as individuals who had
      died of gastric cancer between 2003 and 2006 in 4 cities in Tottori Prefecture,
      and between 2006 and 2010 in Niigata City, Japan. Up to 6 control subjects were
      matched by sex, birth year (+/-3 years), and the residence of each corresponding
      case subject from the population lists in the study areas. Control subjects were
      required to be disease-free at the time when the corresponding case subjects were
      diagnosed as having gastric cancer. The odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for
      those who had participated in endoscopic or radiographic screening before the
      reference date when the case subjects were diagnosed as having gastric cancer,
      compared with subjects who had never participated in any screening. Conditional
      logistic-regression models for matched sets were used to estimate the ORs and 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The case subjects consisted of 288 men and
      122 women for case subjects, with 2,292 matched control subjects. Compared with
      those who had never been screened before the date of diagnosis of gastric cancer
      in the case subjects, the ORs within 36 months from the date of diagnosis were
      0.695 (95% CI: 0.489-0.986) for endoscopic screening and 0.865 (95% CI : 0.631
      1.185) for radiographic screening. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a 30%
      reduction in gastric cancer mortality by endoscopic screening compared with no
      screening within 36 months before the date of diagnosis of gastric cancer.

PMID- 24236092
TI  - Identification of miRNAs and their target genes in peach (Prunus persica L.)
      using high-throughput sequencing and degradome analysis.
AB  - MicroRNAs play critical roles in various biological and metabolic processes. The
      function of miRNAs has been widely studied in model plants such as Arabidopsis
      and rice. However, the number of identified miRNAs and related miRNA targets in
      peach (Prunus persica) is limited. To understand further the relationship between
      miRNAs and their target genes during tissue development in peach, a small RNA
      library and three degradome libraries were constructed from three tissues for
      deep sequencing. We identified 117 conserved miRNAs and 186 novel miRNA
      candidates in peach by deep sequencing and 19 conserved miRNAs and 13 novel
      miRNAs were further evaluated for their expression by RT-qPCR. The number of gene
      targets that were identified for 26 conserved miRNA families and 38 novel miRNA
      candidates, were 172 and 87, respectively. Some of the identified miRNA targets
      were abundantly represented as conserved miRNA targets in plant. However, some of
      them were first identified and showed important roles in peach development. Our
      study provides information concerning the regulatory network of miRNAs in peach
      and advances our understanding of miRNA functions during tissue development. 

PMID- 24236093
TI  - The role of forgetting in undermining good intentions.
AB  - Evaluating others is a fundamental feature of human social interaction--we like
      those who help more than those who hinder. In the present research, we examined
      social evaluation of those who not only intentionally performed good and bad
      actions but also those to whom good things have happened (the lucky) and those to
      whom bad things have happened (the unlucky). In Experiment 1a, subjects
      demonstrated a sympathetic preference for the unlucky. However, under cognitive
      load (Experiment 1b), no such preference was expressed. Further, in Experiments
      2a and 2b, when a time delay between impression formation (learning) and
      evaluation (memory test) was introduced, results showed that younger (Experiment
      2a) and older adults (Experiment 2b) showed a significant preference for the
      lucky. Together these experiments show that a consciously motivated sympathetic
      preference for those who are unlucky dissolves when memory is disrupted. The
      observed dissociation provides evidence for the presence of conscious good
      intentions (favoring the unlucky) and the cognitive compromising of such
      intentions when memory fails.

PMID- 24236094
TI  - Depletion of spleen macrophages delays AA amyloid development: a study performed
      in the rapid mouse model of AA amyloidosis.
AB  - AA amyloidosis is a systemic disease that develops secondary to chronic
      inflammatory diseases Macrophages are often found in the vicinity of amyloid
      deposits and considered to play a role in both formation and degradation of
      amyloid fibrils. In spleen reside at least three types of macrophages, red pulp
      macrophages (RPM), marginal zone macrophages (MZM), metallophilic marginal zone
      macrophages (MMZM). MMZM and MZM are located in the marginal zone and express a
      unique collection of scavenger receptors that are involved in the uptake of blood
      born particles. The murine AA amyloid model that resembles the human form of the
      disease has been used to study amyloid effects on different macrophage
      populations. Amyloid was induced by intravenous injection of amyloid enhancing
      factor and subcutaneous injections of silver nitrate and macrophages were
      identified with specific antibodies. We show that MZMs are highly sensitive to
      amyloid and decrease in number progressively with increasing amyloid load. Total
      area of MMZMs is unaffected by amyloid but cells are activated and migrate into
      the white pulp. In a group of mice spleen macrophages were depleted by an
      intravenous injection of clodronate filled liposomes. Subsequent injections of
      AEF and silver nitrate showed a sustained amyloid development. RPMs that
      constitute the majority of macrophages in spleen, appear insensitive to amyloid
      and do not participate in amyloid formation. 

PMID- 24236095
TI  - Targeted RNA-sequencing with competitive multiplex-PCR amplicon libraries.
AB  - Whole transcriptome RNA-sequencing is a powerful tool, but is costly and yields
      complex data sets that limit its utility in molecular diagnostic testing. A
      targeted quantitative RNA-sequencing method that is reproducible and reduces the
      number of sequencing reads required to measure transcripts over the full range of
      expression would be better suited to diagnostic testing. Toward this goal, we
      developed a competitive multiplex PCR-based amplicon sequencing library
      preparation method that a) targets only the sequences of interest and b) controls
      for inter-target variation in PCR amplification during library preparation by
      measuring each transcript native template relative to a known number of synthetic
      competitive template internal standard copies. To determine the utility of this
      method, we intentionally selected PCR conditions that would cause transcript
      amplification products (amplicons) to converge toward equimolar concentrations
      (normalization) during library preparation. We then tested whether this approach
      would enable accurate and reproducible quantification of each transcript across
      multiple library preparations, and at the same time reduce (through
      normalization) total sequencing reads required for quantification of transcript
      targets across a large range of expression. We demonstrate excellent
      reproducibility (R2 = 0.997) with 97% accuracy to detect 2-fold change using
      External RNA Controls Consortium (ERCC) reference materials; high inter-day,
      inter-site and inter-library concordance (R2 = 0.97-0.99) using FDA Sequencing
      Quality Control (SEQC) reference materials; and cross-platform concordance with
      both TaqMan qPCR (R2  = 0.96) and whole transcriptome RNA-sequencing following
      "traditional" library preparation using Illumina NGS kits (R2 = 0.94). Using this
      method, sequencing reads required to accurately quantify more than 100 targeted
      transcripts expressed over a 107-fold range was reduced more than 10,000-fold,
      from 2.3*109 to 1.4*105 sequencing reads. These studies demonstrate that the
      competitive multiplex-PCR amplicon library preparation method presented here
      provides the quality control, reproducibility, and reduced sequencing reads
      necessary for development and implementation of targeted quantitative RNA
      sequencing biomarkers in molecular diagnostic testing.

PMID- 24236096
TI  - Molecular cloning and characterization of porcine Na+/K+-ATPase isoforms alpha1,
      alpha2, alpha3 and the ATP1A3 promoter.
AB  - Na+/K+-ATPase maintains electrochemical gradients of Na+ and K+ essential for a
      variety of cellular functions including neuronal activity. The alpha-subunit of
      the Na+/K+-ATPase exists in four different isoforms (alpha1-alpha4) encoded by
      different genes. With a view to future use of pig as an animal model in studies
      of human diseases caused by Na+/K+-ATPase mutations, we have determined the
      porcine coding sequences of the alpha1-alpha3 genes, ATP1A1, ATP1A2, and ATP1A3,
      their chromosomal localization, and expression patterns. Our ATP1A1 sequence
      accords with the sequences from several species at five positions where the amino
      acid residue of the previously published porcine ATP1A1 sequence differs. These
      corrections include replacement of glutamine 841 with arginine. Analysis of the
      functional consequences of substitution of the arginine revealed its importance
      for Na+ binding, which can be explained by interaction of the arginine with the C
      terminus, stabilizing one of the Na+ sites. Quantitative real-time PCR expression
      analyses of porcine ATP1A1, ATP1A2, and ATP1A3 mRNA showed that all three
      transcripts are expressed in the embryonic brain as early as 60 days of
      gestation. Expression of alpha3 is confined to neuronal tissue. Generally, the
      expression patterns of ATP1A1, ATP1A2, and ATP1A3 transcripts were found similar
      to their human counterparts, except for lack of alpha3 expression in porcine
      heart. These expression patterns were confirmed at the protein level. We also
      report the sequence of the porcine ATP1A3 promoter, which was found to be closely
      homologous to its human counterpart. The function and specificity of the porcine
      ATP1A3 promoter was analyzed in transgenic zebrafish, demonstrating that it is
      active and drives expression in embryonic brain and spinal cord. The results of
      the present study provide a sound basis for employing the ATP1A3 promoter in
      attempts to generate transgenic porcine models of neurological diseases caused by
      ATP1A3 mutations.

PMID- 24236098
TI  - alpha/beta-hydrolase domain containing protein 15 (ABHD15)--an adipogenic protein
      protecting from apoptosis.
AB  - Our knowledge about adipocyte metabolism and development is steadily growing, yet
      many players are still undefined. Here, we show that alpha/beta-hydrolase domain
      containing protein 15 (Abhd15) is a direct and functional target gene of
      peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), the master
      regulator of adipogenesis. In line, Abhd15 is mainly expressed in brown and white
      adipose tissue and strongly upregulated during adipogenesis in various murine and
      human cell lines. Stable knockdown of Abhd15 in 3T3-L1 cells evokes a striking
      differentiation defect, as evidenced by low lipid accumulation and decreased
      expression of adipocyte marker genes. In preconfluent cells, knockdown of Abhd15
      leads to impaired proliferation, which is caused by apoptosis, as we see an
      increased SubG1 peak, caspase 3/7 activity, and BAX protein expression as well as
      a reduction in anti-apoptotic BCL-2 protein. Furthermore, apoptosis-inducing
      amounts of palmitic acid evoke a massive increase of Abhd15 expression, proposing
      an apoptosis-protecting role for ABHD15. On the other hand, in mature adipocytes
      physiological (i.e. non-apoptotic) concentrations of palmitic acid down-regulate
      Abhd15 expression. Accordingly, we found that the expression of Abhd15 in adipose
      tissue is reduced in physiological situations with high free fatty acid levels,
      like high-fat diet, fasting, and aging as well as in genetically obese mice.
      Collectively, our results position ABHD15 as an essential component in the
      development of adipocytes as well as in apoptosis, thereby connecting two
      substantial factors in the regulation of adipocyte number and size. Together with
      its intricate regulation by free fatty acids, ABHD15 might be an intriguing new
      target in obesity and diabetes research. 

PMID- 24236099
TI  - On the relationships between generative encodings, regularity, and learning
      abilities when evolving plastic artificial neural networks.
AB  - A major goal of bio-inspired artificial intelligence is to design artificial
      neural networks with abilities that resemble those of animal nervous systems. It
      is commonly believed that two keys for evolving nature-like artificial neural
      networks are (1) the developmental process that links genes to nervous systems,
      which enables the evolution of large, regular neural networks, and (2) synaptic
      plasticity, which allows neural networks to change during their lifetime. So far,
      these two topics have been mainly studied separately. The present paper shows
      that they are actually deeply connected. Using a simple operant conditioning task
      and a classic evolutionary algorithm, we compare three ways to encode plastic
      neural networks: a direct encoding, a developmental encoding inspired by
      computational neuroscience models, and a developmental encoding inspired by
      morphogen gradients (similar to HyperNEAT). Our results suggest that using a
      developmental encoding could improve the learning abilities of evolved, plastic
      neural networks. Complementary experiments reveal that this result is likely the
      consequence of the bias of developmental encodings towards regular structures:
      (1) in our experimental setup, encodings that tend to produce more regular
      networks yield networks with better general learning abilities; (2) whatever the
      encoding is, networks that are the more regular are statistically those that have
      the best learning abilities. 

PMID- 24236097
TI  - MicroRNA-20a constrains p300-driven myocardial angiogenic transcription by direct
      targeting of p300.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize downstream effectors of p300 acetyltransferase in the
      myocardium. BACKGROUND: Acetyltransferase p300 is a central driver of the
      hypertrophic response to increased workload, but its biological targets and
      downstream effectors are incompletely known. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice expressing
      a myocyte-restricted transgene encoding acetyltransferase p300, previously shown
      to develop spontaneous hypertrophy, were observed to undergo robust compensatory
      blood vessel growth together with increased angiogenic gene expression. Chromatin
      immunoprecipitation demonstrated binding of p300 to the enhancers of the
      angiogenic regulators Angpt1 and Egln3. Interestingly, p300 overexpression in
      vivo was also associated with relative upregulation of several members of the
      anti-angiogenic miR-17~92 cluster in vivo. Confirming this finding, both miR-17
      3p and miR-20a were upregulated in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes following
      adenoviral transduction of p300. Relative expression of most members of the 17~92
      cluster was similar in all 4 cardiac chambers and in other organs, however,
      significant downregulation of miR-17-3p and miR-20a occurred between 1 and 8
      months of age in both wt and tg mice. The decline in expression of these
      microRNAs was associated with increased expression of VEGFA, a validated miR-20a
      target. In addition, miR-20a was demonstrated to directly repress p300 expression
      through a consensus binding site in the p300 3'UTR. In vivo transduction of p300
      resulted in repression both of p300 and of p300-induced angiogenic transcripts.
      CONCLUSION: p300 drives an angiogenic transcription program during hypertrophy
      that is fine-tuned in part through direct repression of p300 by miR-20a.

PMID- 24236100
TI  - Reduced nasal nitric oxide production in cystic fibrosis patients with elevated
      systemic inflammation markers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is produced within the respiratory tract and can be
      detected in exhaled bronchial and nasal air. The concentration varies in specific
      diseases, being elevated in patients with asthma and bronchiectasis, but
      decreased in primary ciliary dyskinesia. In cystic fibrosis (CF), conflicting
      data exist on NO levels, which are reported unexplained as either decreased or
      normal. Functionally, NO production in the paranasal sinuses is considered as a
      location-specific first-line defence mechanism. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the correlation between upper and lower airway NO levels and blood
      inflammatory parameters, CF-pathogen colonisation, and clinical data. METHODS AND
      FINDINGS: Nasal and bronchial NO concentrations from 57 CF patients were
      determined using an electrochemical analyser and correlated to pathogen
      colonisation of the upper and lower airways which were microbiologically assessed
      from nasal lavage and sputum samples. Statistical analyses were performed with
      respect to clinical parameters (lung function, BMI), laboratory findings (CRP,
      leucocytes, total-IgG, fibrinogen), and anti-inflammatory and antibiotic therapy.
      There were significant correlations between nasal and bronchial NO levels (rho =
      0.48, p<0.001), but no correlation between NO levels and specific pathogen
      colonisation. In patients receiving azithromycin, significantly reduced bronchial
      NO and a tendency to reduced nasal NO could be found. Interestingly, a
      significant inverse correlation of nasal NO to CRP (rho = -0.28, p = 0.04) and to
      leucocytes (rho = -0.41, p = 0.003) was observed. In contrast, bronchial NO
      levels showed no correlation to clinical or inflammatory parameters. CONCLUSION:
      Given that NO in the paranasal sinuses is part of the first-line defence
      mechanism against pathogens, our finding of reduced nasal NO in CF patients with
      elevated systemic inflammatory markers indicates impaired upper airway defence.
      This may facilitate further pathogen acquisition in the sinonasal area, with
      consequences for lung colonisation and the overall outcome in CF.

PMID- 24236101
TI  - Hip and knee strength is not affected in 12-16 year old adolescents with
      patellofemoral pain--a cross-sectional population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the rationales behind using strength training in the treatment
      of adolescents with Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) is that reduced strength of the
      lower extremity is a risk factor for PFP and a common deficit. This rationale is
      based on research conducted on adolescents >15 years of age but has never been
      investigated among young adolescents with PFP. OBJECTIVES: To compare isometric
      muscle strength of the lower extremity among adolescents with PFP compared to age
      and gender-matched pain-free adolescents. METHODS: In 2011 a population-based
      cohort (APA2011-cohort) consisting of 768 adolescents aged 12-15 years from 8
      local schools was formed. In September 2012, all adolescents who reported knee
      pain in September 2011 were offered a clinical examination if they still had knee
      pain. From these, 20 adolescents (16 females) were diagnosed with PFP. Pain-free
      adolescents from the APA2011-cohort (n = 20) were recruited on random basis as
      age- and gender-matched pairs. Primary outcome was isometric knee extension
      strength normalized to body weight (%BW) and blinded towards subject information.
      Secondary outcomes included knee flexion, hip abduction/adduction and hip
      internal/external rotation strength. Demographic data included Knee Injury and
      Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and symptom duration. RESULTS: Adolescents
      with PFP reported long symptom duration and significantly worse KOOS scores
      compared to pain-free adolescents. There were no significant differences in
      isometric knee extension strength (Delta0.3% BW, p = 0.97), isometric knee
      flexion strength (Delta0.4% BW, p = 0.84) or different measures of hip strength
      (Delta0.4 to 1.1% BW, p>0.35). CONCLUSION: Young symptomatic adolescents with PFP
      between 12 and 16 years of age did not have decreased isometric muscle strength
      of the knee and hip. These results question the rationale of targeting strength
      deficits in the treatment of adolescents with PFP. However, strength training may
      still be an effective treatment for those individuals with PFP suffering from
      strength deficits.

PMID- 24236102
TI  - Development of a specific monoclonal antibody-based ELISA to measure the
      artemether content of antimalarial drugs.
AB  - Artemether is one of the artemisinin derivatives that are active ingredients in
      antimalarial drugs. Counterfeit and substandard antimalarial drugs have become a
      serious problem, which demands reliable analytical tools and implementation of
      strict regulation of drug quality. Structural similarity among artemisinin
      analogs is a challenge to develop immunoassays that are specific to artemisinin
      derivatives. To produce specific antibodies to artemether, we used microbial
      fermentation of artemether to obtain 9-hydroxyartemether, which was subsequently
      used to prepare a 9-O-succinylartemether hapten for conjugation with ovalbumin as
      the immunogen. A monoclonal antibody (mAb), designated as 2G12E1, was produced
      with high specificity to artemether. 2G12E1 showed low cross reactivities to
      dihydroartemisinin, artemisinin, artesunate and other major antimalarial drugs.
      An indirect competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) developed
      showed a concentration causing 50% of inhibition for artemether as 3.7 ng mL-1
      and a working range of 0.7-19 ng mL-1. The icELISA was applied for determination
      of artemether content in different commercial drugs and the results were
      comparable to those determined by high-performance liquid chromatography
      analysis. In comparison with reported broad cross activity of anti-artemisinin
      mAbs, the most notable advantage of the 2G12E1-based ELISA is its high
      specificity to artemether only.

PMID- 24236104
TI  - Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) contributes to advanced ovarian cancer
      progression and drug resistance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer
      deaths. Most patients respond initially to platinum-based chemotherapy after
      surgical debulking, however relapse is very common and ultimately platinum
      resistance emerges. Understanding the mechanism of tumor growth, metastasis and
      drug resistant relapse will profoundly impact the therapeutic management of
      ovarian cancer. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using patient tissue microarray
      (TMA), in vitro and in vivo studies we report a role of of cystathionine-beta
      synthase (CBS), a sulfur metabolism enzyme in ovarian carcinoma. We report here
      that the expression of cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS), a sulfur metabolism
      enzyme, is common in primary serous ovarian carcinoma. The in vitro effects of
      CBS silencing can be reversed by exogenous supplementation with the GSH and H2S
      producing chemical Na2S. Silencing CBS in a cisplatin resistant orthotopic model
      in vivo by nanoliposomal delivery of CBS siRNA inhibits tumor growth, reduces
      nodule formation and sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin. The effects
      were further corroborated by immunohistochemistry that demonstrates a reduction
      of H&E, Ki-67 and CD31 positive cells in si-RNA treated as compared to scrambled
      RNA treated animals. Furthermore, CBS also regulates bioenergetics of ovarian
      cancer cells by regulating mitochondrial ROS production, oxygen consumption and
      ATP generation. This study reports an important role of CBS in promoting ovarian
      tumor growth and maintaining drug resistant phenotype by controlling cellular
      redox behavior and regulating mitochondrial bioenergetics. CONCLUSION: The
      present investigation highlights CBS as a potential therapeutic target in
      relapsed and platinum resistant ovarian cancer.

PMID- 24236105
TI  - Enzymatic regulation of glycogenolysis in a subarctic population of the wood
      frog: implications for extreme freeze tolerance.
AB  - The wood frog, Rana sylvatica, from Interior Alaska survives freezing at -16
      degrees C, a temperature 10-13 degrees C below that tolerated by its southern
      conspecifics. We investigated the hepatic freezing response in this northern
      phenotype to determine if its profound freeze tolerance is associated with an
      enhanced glucosic cryoprotectant system. Alaskan frogs had a larger liver
      glycogen reserve that was mobilized faster during early freezing as compared to
      conspecifics from a cool-temperate region (southern Ohio, USA). In Alaskan frogs
      the rapid glucose production in the first hours of freezing was associated with a
      7-fold increase in glycogen phosphorylase activity above unfrozen frog levels,
      and the activity of this enzyme was higher than that of frozen Ohioan frogs.
      Freezing of Ohioan frogs induced a more modest (4-fold) increase in glycogen
      phosphorylase activity above unfrozen frog values. Relative to the Ohioan frogs,
      Alaskan frogs maintained a higher total protein kinase A activity throughout an
      experimental freezing/thawing time course, and this may have potentiated
      glycogenolysis during early freezing. We found populational variation in the
      activity and protein level of protein kinase A which suggested that the Alaskan
      population had a more efficient form of this enzyme. Alaskan frogs modulated
      their glycogenolytic response by decreasing the activity of glycogen
      phosphorylase after cryoprotectant mobilization was well under way, thereby
      conserving their hepatic glycogen reserve. Ohioan frogs, however, sustained high
      glycogen phosphorylase activity until early thawing and consumed nearly all their
      liver glycogen. These unique hepatic responses of Alaskan R. sylvatica likely
      contribute to this phenotype's exceptional freeze tolerance, which is necessary
      for their survival in a subarctic climate. 

PMID- 24236103
TI  - Preconditioning of microglia by alpha-synuclein strongly affects the response
      induced by toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation.
AB  - In recent years, it has become accepted that alpha-synuclein (alphaSyn) has a key
      role in the microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, which accompanies the
      development of Parkinson's disease and other related disorders, such as Dementia
      with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, the cellular and
      molecular mechanisms underlying its pathological actions, especially in the
      sporadic forms of the diseases, are not completely understood. Intriguingly,
      several epidemiological and animal model studies have revealed a link between
      certain microbial infections and the onset or progression of sporadic forms of
      these neurodegenerative disorders. In this work, we have characterized the effect
      of toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation on primary murine microglial cultures and
      analysed the impact of priming cells with extracellular wild-type (Wt) alphaSyn
      on the subsequent TLR stimulation of cells with a set of TLR ligands. By assaying
      key interleukins and chemokines we report that specific stimuli, in particular
      Pam3Csk4 (Pam3) and single-stranded RNA40 (ssRNA), can differentially affect the
      TLR2/1- and TLR7-mediated responses of microglia when pre-conditioned with
      alphaSyn by augmenting IL-6, MCP-1/CCL2 or IP-10/CXCL10 secretion levels.
      Furthermore, we report a skewing of alphaSyn-primed microglia stimulated with
      ssRNA (TLR7) or Pam3 (TLR2/1) towards intermediate but at the same time
      differential, M1/M2 phenotypes. Finally, we show that the levels and
      intracellular location of activated caspase-3 protein change significantly in
      alphaSyn-primed microglia after stimulation with these particular TLR agonists.
      Overall, we report a remarkable impact of non-aggregated alphaSyn pre
      sensitization of microglia on TLR-mediated immunity, a phenomenon that could
      contribute to triggering the onset of sporadic alpha-synuclein-related
      neuropathologies. 

PMID- 24236106
TI  - Influence of cardiac decentralization on cardioprotection.
AB  - The role of cardiac nerves on development of myocardial tissue injury after acute
      coronary occlusion remains controversial. We investigated whether acute cardiac
      decentralization (surgical) modulates coronary flow reserve and myocardial
      protection in preconditioned dogs subject to ischemia-reperfusion. Experiments
      were conducted on four groups of anesthetised, open-chest dogs (n = 32): 1-
      controls (CTR, intact cardiac nerves), 2- ischemic preconditioning (PC; 4 cycles
      of 5-min IR), 3- cardiac decentralization (CD) and 4- CD+PC; all dogs underwent
      60-min coronary occlusion and 180-min reperfusion. Coronary blood flow and
      reactive hyperemic responses were assessed using a blood volume flow probe.
      Infarct size (tetrazolium staining) was related to anatomic area at risk and
      coronary collateral blood flow (microspheres) in the anatomic area at risk. Post
      ischemic reactive hyperemia and repayment-to-debt ratio responses were
      significantly reduced for all experimental groups; however, arterial perfusion
      pressure was not affected. Infarct size was reduced in CD dogs (18.6 +/- 4.3; p =
      0.001, data are mean +/- 1 SD) compared to 25.2 +/- 5.5% in CTR dogs and was less
      in PC dogs as expected (13.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 25.2 +/- 5.5%; p = 0.001); after acute
      CD, PC protection was conserved (11.6 +/- 3.4 vs. 18.6 +/- 4.3%; p = 0.02). In
      conclusion, our findings provide strong evidence that myocardial protection
      against ischemic injury can be preserved independent of extrinsic cardiac nerve
      inputs.

PMID- 24236108
TI  - Dogs' Eavesdropping from people's reactions in third party interactions.
AB  - Eavesdropping involves the acquisition of information from third-party
      interactions, and can serve to indirectly attribute reputation to individuals.
      There is evidence on eavesdropping in dogs, indicating that they can develop a
      preference for people based on their cooperativeness towards others. In this
      study, we tested dogs' eavesdropping abilities one step further. In a first
      experiment, dogs could choose between cooperative demonstrators (the donors) who
      always gave food to an approaching third person (the beggar); here, the only
      difference between donors was whether they received positive or negative
      reactions from the beggar (through verbal and gestural means). Results showed
      that dogs preferentially approached the donor who had received positive reactions
      from the beggar. By contrast, two different conditions showed that neither the
      beggar's body gestures nor the verbal component of the interaction on their own
      were sufficient to affect the dogs' preferences. We also ran two further
      experiments to test for the possibility of dogs' choices being driven by local
      enhancement. When the donors switched places before the choice, dogs chose at
      random. Similarly, in a nonsocial condition in which donors were replaced by
      platforms, subjects chose at chance levels. We conclude that dogs' nonrandom
      choices in the present protocol relied on the simultaneous presence of multiple
      cues, such as the place where donors stood and several features of the beggar's
      behavior (gestural and verbal reactions, and eating behavior). Nonetheless, we
      did not find conclusive evidence that dogs discriminated the donors by their
      physical features, which is a prerequisite of reputation attribution. 

PMID- 24236107
TI  - Infection of human endothelial cells by Japanese encephalitis virus: increased
      expression and release of soluble HLA-E.
AB  - Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a single stranded RNA virus that infects the
      central nervous system leading to acute encephalitis in children. Alterations in
      brain endothelial cells have been shown to precede the entry of this flavivirus
      into the brain, but infection of endothelial cells by JEV and their consequences
      are still unclear. Productive JEV infection was established in human endothelial
      cells leading to IFN-beta and TNF-alpha production. The MHC genes for HLA-A, -B, 
      C and HLA-E antigens were upregulated in human brain microvascular endothelial
      cells, the endothelial-like cell line, ECV 304 and human foreskin fibroblasts
      upon JEV infection. We also report the release/shedding of soluble HLA-E (sHLA-E)
      from JEV infected human endothelial cells for the first time. This shedding of
      sHLA-E was blocked by an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). In
      addition, MMP-9, a known mediator of HLA solubilisation was upregulated by JEV.
      In contrast, human fibroblasts showed only upregulation of cell-surface HLA-E.
      Addition of UV inactivated JEV-infected cell culture supernatants stimulated
      shedding of sHLA-E from uninfected ECV cells indicating a role for soluble
      factors/cytokines in the shedding process. Antibody mediated neutralization of
      TNF-alpha as well as IFNAR receptor together not only resulted in inhibition of
      sHLA-E shedding from uninfected cells, it also inhibited HLA-E and MMP-9 gene
      expression in JEV-infected cells. Shedding of sHLA-E was also observed with
      purified TNF-alpha and IFN-beta as well as the dsRNA analog, poly (I:C). Both IFN
      beta and TNF-alpha further potentiated the shedding when added together. The role
      of soluble MHC antigens in JEV infection is hitherto unknown and therefore needs
      further investigation. 

PMID- 24236109
TI  - Predictors of intelligence at the age of 5: family, pregnancy and birth
      characteristics, postnatal influences, and postnatal growth.
AB  - Parental education and maternal intelligence are well-known predictors of child
      IQ. However, the literature regarding other factors that may contribute to
      individual differences in IQ is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to
      examine the contribution of a number of variables whose predictive status remain
      unclarified, in a sample of basically healthy children with a low rate of pre-
      and postnatal complications. 1,782 5-year-old children sampled from the Danish
      National Birth Cohort (2003-2007) were assessed with a short form of the Wechsler
      Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Revised. Information on parental
      characteristics, pregnancy and birth factors, postnatal influences, and postnatal
      growth was collected during pregnancy and at follow-up. A model including study
      design variables and child's sex explained 7% of the variance in IQ, while
      parental education and maternal IQ increased the explained variance to 24%. Other
      predictors were parity, maternal BMI, birth weight, breastfeeding, and the
      child's head circumference and height at follow-up. These variables, however,
      only increased the explained variance to 29%. The results suggest that parental
      education and maternal IQ are major predictors of IQ and should be included
      routinely in studies of cognitive development. Obstetrical and postnatal factors
      also predict IQ, but their contribution may be of comparatively limited
      magnitude. 

PMID- 24236110
TI  - A Bayesian meta-analysis on prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among
      Chinese volunteer blood donors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although transfusion-transmitted infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV)
      threatens the blood safety of China, the nationwide circumstance of HBV infection
      among blood donors is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively estimate the
      prevalence of HBsAg positive and HBV occult infection (OBI) among Chinese
      volunteer blood donors through bayesian meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed an
      electronic search in Pub-Med, Web of Knowledge, Medline, Wanfang Data and CNKI,
      complemented by a hand search of relevant reference lists. Two authors
      independently extracted data from the eligible studies. Then two bayesian random
      effect meta-analyses were performed, followed by bayesian meta-regressions.
      RESULTS: 5957412 and 571227 donors were identified in HBsAg group and OBI group,
      respectively. The pooled prevalence of HBsAg group and OBI group among donors is
      1.085% (95% credible interval [CI] 0.859%~1.398%) and 0.094% (95% CI
      0.0578%~0.1655%). For HBsAg group, subgroup analysis shows the more developed
      area has a lower prevalence than the less developed area; meta-regression
      indicates there is a significant decreasing trend in HBsAg positive prevalence
      with sampling year (beta = -0.1202, 95% -0.2081~-0.0312). CONCLUSION: Blood
      safety against HBV infection in China is suffering serious threats and the
      government should take effective measures to improve this situation.

PMID- 24236111
TI  - Androgen receptor activity is affected by both nuclear matrix localization and
      the phosphorylation status of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K in
      anti-androgen-treated LNCaP cells.
AB  - The androgen receptor (AR) plays a central role in the development and
      progression of prostate cancer (PCa) and anti-androgen therapy is a standard
      treatment. Unfortunately, after a few years, the majority of patients progress,
      developing androgen-independent PCa. AR-driven gene transcription recruits a
      large number of co-activator/co-repressor complexes; among these, the
      heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) directly interacts with and
      regulates the AR translational apparatus. Here we examined AR and hnRNP K
      expression in response to the treatment of LNCaP cells with anti-androgen
      cyproterone acetate (CPA) or bicalutamide (BIC). AR and hnRNP K modulation and
      compartmentalization were studied by Western blot and confocal microscopy.
      Phosphate-affinity gel electrophoresis was employed to examine how anti-androgens
      modified hnRNP K phosphorylation. 10(-6) M CPA significantly stimulated LNCaP
      proliferation, whereas for 10(-4) M CPA or 10(-5) M BIC an antagonistic effect
      was observed. After anti-androgen treatment, AR expression was remarkably down
      regulated within both the cytoplasm and the nucleus; however, when CPA had an
      agonist activity, the AR associated with the nuclear matrix (NM) increased
      approximately 2.5 times. This increase was synchronous with a higher PSA
      expression, indicating that the NM-associated AR represents the active complex.
      After BIC treatment, hnRNP K expression was significantly lower in the NM, the
      protein was hypophosphorylated and the co-localization of AR and hnRNP K
      decreased. In contrast, CPA as an agonist caused hnRNP K hyperphosphorylation and
      an increase in the co-localization of two proteins. These findings demonstrate
      that, in vitro, there is a strong relationship between NM-associated AR and both
      cell viability and PSA levels, indicating that AR transcriptional activity is
      critically dependent on its subnuclear localization. Moreover, the
      agonistic/antagonistic activity of anti-androgens is associated with
      modifications in hnRNP K phosphorylation, indicating an involvement of this
      protein in the AR transcriptional activity and likely in the onset of the
      androgen-independent phenotype. 

PMID- 24236113
TI  - Image quality characteristics of handheld display devices for medical imaging.
AB  - Handheld devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers have become
      widespread with thousands of available software applications. Recently, handhelds
      are being proposed as part of medical imaging solutions, especially in emergency
      medicine, where immediate consultation is required. However, handheld devices
      differ significantly from medical workstation displays in terms of display
      characteristics. Moreover, the characteristics vary significantly among device
      types. We investigate the image quality characteristics of various handheld
      devices with respect to luminance response, spatial resolution, spatial noise,
      and reflectance. We show that the luminance characteristics of the handheld
      displays are different from those of workstation displays complying with
      grayscale standard target response suggesting that luminance calibration might be
      needed. Our results also demonstrate that the spatial characteristics of
      handhelds can surpass those of medical workstation displays particularly for
      recent generation devices. While a 5 mega-pixel monochrome workstation display
      has horizontal and vertical modulation transfer factors of 0.52 and 0.47 at the
      Nyquist frequency, the handheld displays released after 2011 can have values
      higher than 0.63 at the respective Nyquist frequencies. The noise power spectra
      for workstation displays are higher than 1.2 * 10(-5) mm(2) at 1 mm(-1), while
      handheld displays have values lower than 3.7 * 10(-6) mm(2). Reflectance
      measurements on some of the handheld displays are consistent with measurements
      for workstation displays with, in some cases, low specular and diffuse
      reflectance coefficients. The variability of the characterization results among
      devices due to the different technological features indicates that image quality
      varies greatly among handheld display devices.

PMID- 24236112
TI  - Epigenetic regulation and functional characterization of microRNA-142 in
      mesenchymal cells.
AB  - The transcripts encoded by the microRNA mir-142 gene are highly active in
      hematopoietic cells, but expressed at low levels in many other cell types.
      Treatment with the demethylating agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine increased both the
      1,636 nucleotide primary transcript and mature miR-142-5p/3p in mesenchymal
      cells, indicating that mir-142 is epigenetically repressed by DNA methylation.
      The transcription start site was determined to be located 1,205 base pairs
      upstream of the precursor sequence within a highly conserved CpG island. In
      addition, a second CpG island overlapped with the precursor. A TATA-box, several
      promoter-proximal elements and enrichment of conserved transcription factor
      binding sites within the first 100 base pairs upstream of the transcription start
      site, suggests that this region represents the core/proximal mir-142 promoter.
      Moreover, both CpG islands were heavily methylated in mesenchymal cells, having
      low levels of miR-142-5p/3p, and unmethylated in hematopoietic cells where both
      miRNAs were abundantly expressed. We show that treatment with 5-Aza-2'
      deoxycytidine significantly reduced the DNA methylation of the upstream CpG
      island, which led to increased expression, and that in vitro DNA methylation of
      the upstream region of the mir-142 precursor repressed its transcriptional
      activity. When overexpressed, miR-142-5p/3p reduced proliferation of cells with
      epigenetic silencing of endogenous mir-142. This finding is interesting as miR
      142-5p/3p have been reported to be deregulated in tumors of mesenchymal origin.
      We provide the first experimental evidence that transcription of mir-142 is
      directly repressed by DNA methylation. In addition, we discovered that the
      antisense strand of mir-142 might act as a precursor for functional mature
      antisense miRNAs. Thus, our study expands the current knowledge about the
      regulation of mir-142 and function of miR-142-5p/3p, and adds novel insight into
      the rapidly increasing field of microRNA regulation. 

PMID- 24236115
TI  - Light pollution modifies the expression of daily rhythms and behavior patterns in
      a nocturnal primate.
AB  - Among anthropogenic pressures, light pollution altering light/dark cycles and
      changing the nocturnal component of the environment constitutes a threat for
      biodiversity. Light pollution is widely spread across the world and continuously
      growing. However, despite the efforts realized to describe and understand the
      effects of artificial lighting on fauna, few studies have documented its
      consequences on biological rhythms, behavioral and physiological functions in
      nocturnal mammals. To determine the impacts of light pollution on nocturnal
      mammals an experimental study was conducted on a nocturnal primate, the grey
      mouse lemur Microcebus murinus. Male mouse lemurs (N = 8) were exposed 14 nights
      to moonlight treatment and then exposed 14 nights to light pollution treatment.
      For both treatments, chronobiological parameters related to locomotor activity
      and core temperature were recorded using telemetric transmitters. In addition, at
      the end of each treatment, the 14(th) night, nocturnal and feeding behaviors were
      explored using an infrared camera. Finally, throughout the study, body mass and
      daily caloric food intake were recorded. For the first time in a nocturnal
      primate, light pollution was demonstrated to modify daily rhythms of locomotor
      activity and core temperature especially through phase delays and increases in
      core temperature. Moreover, nocturnal activity and feeding behaviors patterns
      were modified negatively. This study suggests that light pollution induces daily
      desynchronization of biological rhythms and could lead to seasonal
      desynchronization with potential deleterious consequences for animals in terms of
      adaptation and anticipation of environmental changes.

PMID- 24236114
TI  - Intact lexicon running slowly--prolonged response latencies in patients with
      subthalamic DBS and verbal fluency deficits.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Verbal Fluency is reduced in patients with Parkinson's disease,
      particularly if treated with deep brain stimulation. This deficit could arise
      from general factors, such as reduced working speed or from dysfunctions in
      specific lexical domains. OBJECTIVE: To test whether DBS-associated Verbal
      Fluency deficits are accompanied by changed dynamics of word processing. METHODS:
      21 Parkinson's disease patients with and 26 without deep brain stimulation of the
      subthalamic nucleus as well as 19 healthy controls participated in the study.
      They engaged in Verbal Fluency and (primed) Lexical Decision Tasks, testing
      phonemic and semantic word production and processing time. Most patients
      performed the experiments twice, ON and OFF stimulation or, respectively,
      dopaminergic drugs. RESULTS: Patients generally produced abnormally few words in
      the Verbal Fluency Task. This deficit was more severe in patients with deep brain
      stimulation who additionally showed prolonged response latencies in the Lexical
      Decision Task. Slowing was independent of semantic and phonemic word priming. No
      significant changes of performance accuracy were obtained. The results were
      independent from the treatment ON or OFF conditions. CONCLUSION: Low word
      production in patients with deep brain stimulation was accompanied by prolonged
      latencies for lexical decisions. No indication was found that the latter slowing
      was due to specific lexical dysfunctions, so that it probably reflects a general
      reduction of cognitive working speed, also evident on the level of Verbal
      Fluency. The described abnormalities seem to reflect subtle sequelae of the
      surgical procedure for deep brain stimulation rather than of the proper
      neurostimulation.

PMID- 24236116
TI  - Adherens junction formation inhibits lentivirus entry and gene transfer.
AB  - Although cellular signaling pathways that affect lentivirus infection have been
      investigated, the role of cell-cell interactions in lentiviral gene delivery
      remains elusive. In the course of our studies we observed that lentiviral gene
      transfer was a strong function of the position of epithelial cells within
      colonies. While peripheral cells were transduced efficiently, cells in the center
      of colonies were resistant to gene transfer. In addition, gene delivery was
      enhanced significantly under culture conditions that disrupted adherens junctions
      (AJ) but decreased upon AJ formation. In agreement, gene knockdown and gain-of
      function approaches showed that alpha-catenin, a key component of the AJ complex
      prevented lentivirus gene transfer. Using a doxycycline regulatable system we
      showed that expression of dominant negative E-cadherin enhanced gene transfer in
      a dose-dependent manner. In addition, dissolution of AJ by doxycycline increased
      entry of lentiviral particles into the cell cytoplasm in a dose-dependent manner.
      Taken together our results demonstrate that AJ formation renders cells non
      permissive to lentiviral gene transfer and may facilitate development of simple
      means to enhance gene delivery or combat virus infection. 

PMID- 24236117
TI  - Social models provide a norm of appropriate food intake for young women.
AB  - It is often assumed that social models influence people's eating behavior by
      providing a norm of appropriate food intake, but this hypothesis has not been
      directly tested. In three experiments, female participants were exposed to a low
      intake model, a high-intake model, or no model (control condition). Experiments 1
      and 2 used a remote-confederate manipulation and were conducted in the context of
      a cookie taste test. Experiment 3 used a live confederate and was conducted in
      the context of a task during which participants were given incidental access to
      food. Participants also rated the extent to which their food intake was
      influenced by a variety of factors (e.g., hunger, taste, how much others ate). In
      all three experiments, participants in the low-intake conditions ate less than
      did participants in the high-intake conditions, and also reported a lower
      perceived norm of appropriate intake. Furthermore, perceived norms of appropriate
      intake mediated the effects of the social model on participants' food intake.
      Despite the observed effects of the social models, participants were much more
      likely to indicate that their food intake was influenced by taste and hunger than
      by the behavior of the social models. Thus, social models appear to influence
      food intake by providing a norm of appropriate eating behavior, but people may be
      unaware of the influence of a social model on their behavior. 

PMID- 24236118
TI  - B-type natriuretic peptide and prognosis of end-stage renal disease: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prognostic importance of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N
      terminal pro BNP (NT-proBNP) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
      remains controversial. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted an
      unrestricted search from the MEDLINE and EMBASE in all languages that were
      published between 1966 and Augest2013. Twenty-seven long-term prospective studies
      met our inclusion criterias. From the pooled analysis, elevated BNP/NT-proBNP was
      significantly associated with increased all cause mortality [odds ratio (OR),
      3.85; 95% CI, 3.11 to 4.75], cardiovascular mortality (OR, 4.05; 95% CI, 2.53 to
      6.84), and cardiovascular events (OR, 7.02; 95% CI, 2.21 to 22.33). The funnel
      plot showed no evidence of publication bias. The corresponding pooled positive
      and negative likelihood ratio for prediction of all cause mortality were 1.86
      (95% CI, 1.66 to 2.08) and 0.48 (95% CI, 0.42 to 0.55), respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: BNP/NT-proBNP is a promising prognostic tool to risk
      stratify the patients with ESRD. Further investigations are warranted to
      elucidate the specific pathogenic mechanisms and the impact of other potential
      prognostic factors.

PMID- 24236119
TI  - Estrogen receptor alpha functions in the regulation of motivation and spatial
      cognition in young male rats.
AB  - Estrogenic functions in regulating behavioral states such as motivation, mood,
      anxiety, and cognition are relatively well documented in female humans and
      animals. In males, however, although the entire enzymatic machinery for producing
      estradiol and the corresponding receptors are present, estrogenic functions have
      been largely neglected. Therefore, and as a follow-up study to previous research,
      we sub-chronically applied a specific estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha)
      antagonist in young male rats before and during a spatial learning task
      (holeboard). The male rats showed a dose-dependent increase in motivational, but
      not cognitive, behavior. The expression of hippocampal steroid receptor genes,
      such as glucocorticoid (GR), mineralocorticoid (MR), androgen (AR), and the
      estrogen receptor ERalpha but not ERbeta was dose-dependently reduced. The
      expression of the aromatase but not the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
      encoding gene was also suppressed. Reduced gene expression and increased
      behavioral performance converged at an antagonist concentration of 7.4 umol. The
      hippocampal and blood serum hormone levels (corticosterone, testosterone, and
      17beta-estradiol) did not differ between the experimental groups and controls. We
      conclude that steroid receptors (and BDNF) act in a concerted, network-like
      manner to affect behavior and mutual gene expression. Therefore, the isolated
      view on single receptor types is probably insufficient to explain steroid effects
      on behavior. The steroid network may keep motivation in homeostasis by supporting
      and constraining the behavioral expression of motivation. 

PMID- 24236120
TI  - Subfossil leaves reveal a new upland hardwood component of the pre-European
      Piedmont landscape,Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
AB  - Widespread deforestation, agriculture, and construction of milldams by European
      settlers greatly influenced valley-bottom stream morphology and riparian
      vegetation in the northeastern USA. The former broad, tussock-sedge wetlands with
      small, anastomosing channels were converted into today's incised, meandering
      streams with unstable banks that support mostly weedy, invasive vegetation. Vast
      accumulations of fine-grained "legacy" sediments that blanket the regional valley
      bottom Piedmont landscape now are being reworked from stream banks, significantly
      impairing the ecological health of downstream water bodies, most notably the
      Chesapeake Bay. However, potential restoration is impaired by lack of direct
      knowledge of the pre-settlement riparian and upslope floral ecosystems. We
      studied the subfossil leaf flora of Denlingers Mill, an obsolete (breached)
      milldam site in southeastern Pennsylvania that exhibits a modern secondary forest
      growing atop thin soils, above bedrock outcrops immediately adjacent to a
      modified, incised stream channel. Presumably, an overhanging old-growth forest
      also existed on this substrate until the early 1700s and was responsible for
      depositing exceptionally preserved, minimally transported subfossil leaves into
      hydric soil strata, which immediately underlie post-European settlement legacy
      sediments. We interpret the eleven identified species of the subfossil assemblage
      to primarily represent a previously unknown, upland Red Oak-American Beech mixed
      hardwood forest. Some elements also appear to belong to a valley-margin Red Maple
      Black Ash swamp forest, consistent with preliminary data from a nearby site.
      Thus, our results add significantly to a more complete understanding of the pre
      European settlement landscape, especially of the hardwood tree flora. Compared
      with the modern forest, it is apparent that both lowland and upslope forests in
      the region have been modified significantly by historical activities. Our study
      underscores that generally overlooked subfossil leaves can provide important,
      local, temporally constrained paleoecological data, with much potential value in
      this case for stream and wetland restoration decisions in the mid-Atlantic
      region. 

PMID- 24236121
TI  - Trends in high-risk sexual behaviors among general population groups in China: a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this review was to investigate whether Chinese
      population groups that do not belong to classical high risk groups show an
      increasing trend of engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. METHODS: We
      systematically searched the English and Chinese literature on sexual risk
      behaviors published between January 1980 and March 2012 in PubMed and the China
      National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). We included observational studies that
      focused on population groups other than commercial sex workers (CSWs) and their
      clients, and men who have sex with men (MSM) and quantitatively reported one of
      the following indicators of recent high-risk sexual behavior: premarital sex,
      commercial sex, multiple sex partners, condom use or sexually transmitted
      infections (STIs). We used generalized linear mixed model to examine the time
      trend in engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. RESULTS: We included 174
      observational studies involving 932,931 participants: 55 studies reported on
      floating populations, 73 on college students and 46 on other groups (i.e. out-of
      school youth, rural residents, and subjects from gynecological or obstetric
      clinics and premarital check-up centers). From the generalized linear mixed
      model, no significant trends in engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors were
      identified in the three population groups. DISCUSSION: Sexual risk behaviors
      among certain general population groups have not increased substantially. These
      groups are therefore unlikely to incite a STI/HIV epidemic among the general
      Chinese population. Because the studied population groups are not necessarily
      representative of the general population, the outcomes found may not reflect
      those of the general population.

PMID- 24236122
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide induces degradation of connexin43 in rat astrocytes via the
      ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway.
AB  - The astrocytic syncytium plays a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis of
      the brain through the regulation of gap junction intercellular communication
      (GJIC). Changes to GJIC in response to inflammatory stimuli in astrocytes may
      have serious effects on the brain. We have previously shown that
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reduces connexin43 (Cx43) expression and GJIC in
      cultured rat astrocytes via a toll-like receptor 4-mediated signaling pathway. In
      the present study, treatment of astrocytes with LPS resulted in a significant
      increase in levels of the phosphorylated forms of stress-activated protein
      kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) -1, -2, and -3 for up to 18 h. An
      increase in nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB levels was also observed after
      8 h of LPS treatment and was sustained for up to 18 h. The LPS-induced decrease
      in Cx43 protein levels and inhibition of GJIC were blocked by the SAPK/JNK
      inhibitor SP600125, but not by the NF-kappaB inhibitor BAY11-7082. Following
      blockade of de novo protein synthesis by cycloheximide, LPS accelerated Cx43
      degradation. Moreover, the LPS-induced downregulation of Cx43 was blocked
      following inhibition of 26S proteasome activity using the reversible proteasome
      inhibitor MG132 or the irreversible proteasome inhibitor lactacystin.
      Immunoprecipitation analyses revealed an increased association of Cx43 with both
      ubiquitin and E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4 in astrocytes after LPS stimulation for 6
      h and this effect was prevented by SP600125. Taken together, these results
      suggest that LPS stimulation leads to downregulation of Cx43 expression and GJIC
      in rat astrocytes by activation of SAPK/JNK and the ubiquitin-proteasome
      proteolytic pathway. 

PMID- 24236123
TI  - Characteristics of polygalacturonate lyase C from Bacillus subtilis 7-3-3 and its
      synergistic action with PelA in enzymatic degumming.
AB  - An alkaline polygalacturonate lyase (PGL) from Bacillus subtilis 7-3-3, PelC,
      with diverse depolymerization abilities for different pectin substrates was
      found. The PGL activity of PelC decreased with increasing degree of methyl
      esterification of the substrate. PelA and PelC displayed notable synergistic
      effects in the enzymatic degumming of ramie fibers. Gum loss rates increased by
      62% when PelC was used to replace up to three-eighths of the PelA dose (PelC, 60
      U g(-1) ramie fibers). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to
      report the synergistic action of members of polysaccharide lyase families 1 and
      3, represented by PelA and PelC, respectively. The present paper provides new
      insights into the improvement and production of enzymes used in enzymatic
      degumming. 

PMID- 24236124
TI  - Male killing Spiroplasma preferentially disrupts neural development in the
      Drosophila melanogaster embryo.
AB  - Male killing bacteria such as Spiroplasma are widespread pathogens of numerous
      arthropods including Drosophila melanogaster. These maternally transmitted
      bacteria can bias host sex ratios toward the female sex in order to 'selfishly'
      enhance bacterial transmission. However, little is known about the specific means
      by which these pathogens disrupt host development in order to kill males. Here we
      show that a male-killing Spiroplasma strain severely disrupts nervous tissue
      development in male but not female D. melanogaster embryos. The neuroblasts, or
      neuron progenitors, form properly and their daughter cells differentiate into
      neurons of the ventral nerve chord. However, the neurons fail to pack together
      properly and they produce highly abnormal axons. In contrast, non-neural tissue,
      such as mesoderm, and body segmentation appear normal during this time, although
      the entire male embryo becomes highly abnormal during later stages. Finally, we
      found that Spiroplasma is altogether absent from the neural tissue but localizes
      within the gut and the epithelium immediately surrounding the neural tissue,
      suggesting that the bacterium secretes a toxin that affects neural tissue
      development across tissue boundaries. Together these findings demonstrate the
      unique ability of this insect pathogen to preferentially affect development of a
      specific embryonic tissue to induce male killing. 

PMID- 24236125
TI  - MDR-ER: balancing functions for adjusting the ratio in risk classes and
      classification errors for imbalanced cases and controls using multifactor
      dimensionality reduction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Determining the complex relationship between diseases, polymorphisms
      in human genes and environmental factors is challenging. Multifactor
      dimensionality reduction (MDR) has proven capable of effectively detecting
      statistical patterns of epistasis. However, MDR has its weakness in accurately
      assigning multi-locus genotypes to either high-risk and low-risk groups, and does
      generally not provide accurate error rates when the case and control data sets
      are imbalanced. Consequently, results for classification error rates and odds
      ratios (OR) may provide surprising values in that the true positive (TP) value is
      often small. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To address this problem, we
      introduce a classifier function based on the ratio between the percentage of
      cases in case data and the percentage of controls in control data to improve MDR
      (MDR-ER) for multi-locus genotypes to be classified correctly into high-risk and
      low-risk groups. In this study, a real data set with different ratios of cases to
      controls (1:4) was obtained from the mitochondrial D-loop of chronic dialysis
      patients in order to test MDR-ER. The TP and TN values were collected from all
      tests to analyze to what degree MDR-ER performed better than MDR.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Results showed that MDR-ER can be successfully used to
      detect the complex associations in imbalanced data sets.

PMID- 24236126
TI  - Monitoring escape and feeding behaviours of cruiser fish by inertial and magnetic
      sensors.
AB  - A method was developed and applied for monitoring two types of fast-start
      locomotion (feeding and escape) of a cruiser fish, Japanese amberjacks Seriola
      quinqueradiata. A data logger, which incorporated a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis
      accelerometer and a 3-axis magnetometer, was attached to the five fish. The
      escape, feeding and routine movements of the fish, which were triggered in tank
      experiments, were then recorded by the data logger and video cameras. The
      locomotor variables, calculated based on the high resolution measurements by the
      data logger (500 Hz), were investigated to accurately detect and classify the
      types of fast-track behaviour. The results show that fast-start locomotion can be
      detected with a high precision (0.97) and recall rate (0.96) from the routine
      movements. Two types of fast-start movements were classified with high accuracy
      (0.84). Accuracy was greater if the data were obtained from the data logger,
      which combined an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a magnetometer, than if only an
      accelerometer (0.80) or a gyroscope (0.66) was used. 

PMID- 24236127
TI  - The impact of cost and network topology on urban mobility: a study of public
      bicycle usage in 2 U.S. cities.
AB  - Understanding the drivers of urban mobility is vital for epidemiology, urban
      planning, and communication networks. Human movements have so far been studied by
      observing people's positions in a given space and time, though most recent models
      only implicitly account for expected costs and returns for movements. This paper
      explores the explicit impact of cost and network topology on mobility dynamics,
      using data from 2 city-wide public bicycle share systems in the USA. User
      mobility is characterized through the distribution of trip durations, while
      network topology is characterized through the pairwise distances between stations
      and the popularity of stations and routes. Despite significant differences in
      station density and physical layout between the 2 cities, trip durations follow
      remarkably similar distributions that exhibit cost sensitive trends around
      pricing point boundaries, particularly with long-term users of the system. Based
      on the results, recommendations for dynamic pricing and incentive schemes are
      provided to positively influence mobility patterns and guide improved planning
      and management of public bicycle systems to increase uptake. 

PMID- 24236128
TI  - Directional coordination of thumb and finger forces during precision pinch.
AB  - The human opposable thumb enables the hand to perform dexterous manipulation of
      objects, which requires well-coordinated digit force vectors. This study
      investigated the directional coordination of force vectors generated by the thumb
      and index finger during precision pinch. Fourteen right-handed, healthy subjects
      were instructed to exert pinch force on an externally stabilized apparatus with
      the pulps of the thumb and index finger. Subjects applied forces to follow a
      force-ramp profile that linearly increased from 0 to 12 N and then decreased to 0
      N, at a rate of +/- 3 N/s. Directional relationships between the thumb and index
      finger force vectors were quantified using the coordination angle (CA) between
      the force vectors. Individual force vectors were further analyzed according to
      their projection angles (PAs) with respect to the pinch surface planes and the
      shear angles (SAs) within those planes. Results demonstrated that fingertip force
      directions were dependent on pinch force magnitude, especially at forces below 2
      N. Hysteresis was observed in the force-CA relationship for increasing and
      decreasing forces and fitted with exponential models. The fitted asymptotic
      values were 156.0 +/- 6.6 degrees  and 150.8 +/- 9.3 degrees  for increasing and
      decreasing force ramps, respectively. The PA of the thumb force vector deviated
      further from the direction perpendicular to the pinching surface planes than that
      of the index finger. The SA showed that the index finger force vector deviated in
      the ulnar-proximal direction, whereas the thumb switched its force between the
      ulnar-proximal and radial-proximal directions. The findings shed light on the
      effects of anatomical composition, biomechanical function, and neuromuscular
      control in coordinating digit forces during precision pinch, and provided insight
      into the magnitude-dependent force directional control which potentially affects
      a range of dexterous manipulations.

PMID- 24236129
TI  - Diet-induced obesity reduces the responsiveness of the peripheral taste receptor
      cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a growing epidemic that causes many serious health
      related complications. While the causes of obesity are complex, there is
      conclusive evidence that overconsumption coupled with a sedentary lifestyle is
      the primary cause of this medical condition. Dietary consumption is controlled by
      appetite which is in turn regulated by multiple neuronal systems, including the
      taste system. However, the relationship between taste and obesity has not been
      well defined. Growing evidence suggests that taste perception in the brain is
      altered in obese animals and humans, however no studies have determined if there
      are altered taste responses in the peripheral taste receptor cells, which is the
      initiation site for the detection and perception of taste stimuli.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we used C57Bl/6 mice which readily
      become obese when placed on a high fat diet. After ten weeks on the high fat
      diet, we used calcium imaging to measure how taste-evoked calcium signals were
      affected in the obese mice. We found that significantly fewer taste receptor
      cells were responsive to some appetitive taste stimuli while the numbers of taste
      cells that were sensitive to aversive taste stimuli did not change. Properties of
      the taste-evoked calcium signals were also significantly altered in the obese
      mice. Behavioral analyses found that mice on the high fat diet had reduced
      ability to detect some taste stimuli compared to their littermate controls.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings demonstrate that diet-induced obesity
      significantly influences peripheral taste receptor cell signals which likely
      leads to changes in the central taste system and may cause altered taste
      perception.

PMID- 24236130
TI  - Evaluation of the combined application of ultrasound imaging techniques for
      middle cerebral artery stent surveillance and follow-up study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In recent years, cerebral artery stenting has become an effective
      method for the treatment of cerebral artery stenosis. However, methods for
      assessing efficacy and techniques for follow-up imaging still need to be
      developed. This study was designed to evaluate the application of transcranial
      color-coded sonography (TCCS) in assessing stenting of middle cerebral artery
      (MCA) stenosis. And, two new imaging techniques (vascular enhancement technology
      (VET) and 3-dimensional (3D) imaging) were tried out and evaluated. METHOD: We
      enrolled 43 patients with cerebral artery stenosis for vascular stent
      implantation. All patients were examined by ultrasonography and confirmed through
      digital subtraction angiography. The stenosis was imaged and blood flow
      parameters were analyzed before and after the procedure using TCCS. VET and 3D
      imaging model were used in part of the patients. Important postoperative
      hemodynamic changes were noted. RESULTS: 1) Adequate stent image was present in
      41 out of 43 patients as detected by postoperative 2-dimensional imaging. Images
      lacking clarity were obtained in 2 patients. 2) The perioperative and
      postoperative (one week follow-up) instantaneous blood flow velocity at the site
      of stenosis was significantly decreased (P<0.05) when compared with preoperative
      levels. Differences between postoperative (one week follow-up) and preoperative
      blood flow velocity were significant (P<0.05). Differences in blood flow velocity
      at long-term follow-up (six months and two years) compared to one-week values
      were not statistically significant (P>0.05). 3) VET imaging visualizes the MCA
      lumen and stent morphology clearly. 3D ultrasound can be used for imaging of the
      stent shape as well as its inner surface. CONCLUSION: TCCD can be considered a
      quick and effective clinical detection method to evaluate the intracranial
      arterial hemodynamics changes before and after stenting treatment for MCA
      stenosis. New imaging technologies 3D and VET can achieve additional image
      information.

PMID- 24236131
TI  - Comparisons of the efficacy of alpha glucosidase inhibitors on type 2 diabetes
      patients between Asian and Caucasian.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy of glycemic control and insulin secretion of
      alpha glucosidase inhibitors (AGI) on type 2 diabetes patients between Asian and
      Caucasian. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The MEDLINE(r), EMBASE(r), CENTRAL
      were searched and qualified studies in Asian and Caucasian population comparing
      AGI treatment with placebo or other oral anti-diabetic drugs in type 2 diabetic
      patients were included. Totally 58 qualified studies were included. When AGI
      treatment was compared with placebo, a significant difference in HbA1c decline
      from baseline favoring AGI treatment was found in Asian (weighted mean difference
      (WMD), -0.50%; 95% CI, -0.66% to -0.34%) and in Caucasian a significant
      difference in HbA1c decline favoring AGI treatment was also found (WMD, -0.68%;
      95% CI, -0.76% to -0.60%). In Asian, fasting plasma glucose was reduced with AGI
      treatment compared with placebo (WMD, -0.53 mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.91 to -0.14
      mmol/L) and in Caucasian there was also a significant difference in FPG changes
      favoring AGI therapy (WMD, -0.88 mmol/L; 95% CI, -1.00 to -0.77 mmol/L). Studies
      in Asian showed a significant difference in fasting insulin changes favoring AGI
      treatment (WMD, -0.78 uU/ml; 95% CI, -0.96 to -0.59 uU/ml). While in Caucasian
      fasting insulin was decreased without significance with AGI treatment (WMD-1.24
      uU/ml; 95% CI, -2.51 to 0.04 uU/ml). Body weight was decreased with AGI treatment
      in Asian (WMD, -1.00 kg; 95% CI, -1.69 to -0.31 kg) and was also decreased with
      AGI treatment in Caucasian (WMD, -0.73 kg; 95% CI, -1.13 to -0.33 kg).
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: According to results from this meta-analysis, the
      efficacy in glucose lowering, body weight reduction and insulin secretion
      decreasing of AGI treatment in Asian were comparable with those in Caucasian.

PMID- 24236132
TI  - Vertical profiles of bacteria in the tropical and subarctic oceans revealed by
      pyrosequencing.
AB  - Community composition of Bacteria in the surface and deep water layers were
      examined at three oceanic sites in the Pacific Ocean separated by great distance,
      i.e., the South China Sea (SCS) in the western tropical Pacific, the Costa Rica
      Dome (CRD) in the eastern tropical Pacific and the western subarctic North
      Pacific (SNP), using high throughput DNA pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.
      Bioinformatic analysis rendered a total of 143600 high quality sequences with an
      average 11967 sequences per sample and mean read length of 449 bp. Phylogenetic
      analysis showed that Proteobacteria dominated in all shallow and deep waters,
      with Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria the two most abundant
      components, and SAR11 the most abundant group at family level in all regions.
      Cyanobacteria occurred mainly in the surface euphotic layer, and the majority of
      them in the tropical waters belonged to the GpIIa family including
      Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus, whilst those associated with Cryptophytes and
      diatoms were common in the subarctic waters. In general, species richness (Chao1)
      and diversity (Shannon index H') were higher for the bacterial communities in the
      intermediate water layers than for those in surface and deep waters. Both NMDS
      plot and UPGMA clustering demonstrated that bacterial community composition in
      the deep waters (500 m ~2000 m) of the three oceanic regions shared a high
      similarity and were distinct from those in the upper waters (5 m ~100 m). Our
      study indicates that bacterial community composition in the DOC-poor deep water
      in both tropical and subarctic regions were rather stable, contrasting to those
      in the surface water layers, which could be strongly affected by the fluctuations
      of environmental factors.

PMID- 24236133
TI  - Biomonitoring of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in transgenic
      Arabidopsis using the mammalian pregnane X receptor system: a role of pectin in
      pollutant uptake.
AB  - Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants damaging to
      human health and the environment. Techniques to indicate PCB contamination in
      planta are of great interest to phytoremediation. Monitoring of dioxin-like PCBs
      in transgenic plants carrying the mammalian aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has
      been reported previously. Herein, we report the biomonitoring of non-dioxin-like
      PCBs (NDL-PCBs) using the mammalian pregnane X receptor (PXR). In the transgenic
      Arabidopsis designated NDL-PCB Reporter, the EGFP-GUS reporter gene was driven by
      a promoter containing 18 repeats of the xenobiotic response elements, while PXR
      and its binding partner retinoid X receptor (RXR) were coexpressed. Results
      showed that, in live cells, the expression of reporter gene was insensitive to
      endogenous lignans, carotenoids and flavonoids, but responded to all tested NDL
      PCBs in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Two types of putative PCB
      metabolites, hydroxy- PCBs and methoxy- PCBs, displayed different activation
      properties. The vascular tissues seemed unable to transport NDL-PCBs, whereas
      mutation in QUASIMODO1 encoding a 1,4-galacturonosyltransferase led to reduced
      PCB accumulation in Arabidopsis, revealing a role for pectin in the control of
      PCB translocation. Taken together, the reporter system may serve as a useful tool
      to biomonitor the uptake and metabolism of NDL-PCBs in plants. 

PMID- 24236134
TI  - Breastfeeding and its prospective association with components of the GH-IGF-Axis,
      insulin resistance and body adiposity measures in young adulthood--insights from
      linear and quantile regression analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding may lower chronic disease risk by long-term effects on
      hormonal status and adiposity, but the relations remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To
      prospectively investigate the association of breastfeeding with the growth
      hormone- (GH) insulin-like growth factor- (IGF) axis, insulin sensitivity, body
      composition and body fat distribution in younger adulthood (18-37 years). DESIGN:
      Data from 233 (54% female) participants of a German cohort, the Dortmund
      Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study, with
      prospective data on infant feeding were analyzed. Multivariable linear as well as
      quantile regression were performed with full breastfeeding (not: <= 2, short: 3
      17, long: >17 weeks) as exposure and adult IGF-I, IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) 
      1, -2, -3, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fat mass
      index, fat-free mass index, and waist circumference as outcomes. RESULTS: After
      adjustment for early life and socio-economic factors, women who had been
      breastfed longer displayed higher adult IGFBP-2 (p(trend) = 0.02) and lower
      values of HOMA-IR (p(trend) = 0.004). Furthermore, in women breastfeeding
      duration was associated with a lower mean fat mass index (p(trend) = 0.01), fat
      free mass index (p(trend) = 0.02) and waist circumference (p(trend) = 0.004) in
      young adulthood. However, there was no relation to IGF-I, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3
      (all p(trend) > 0.05). Associations for IGFBP-2 and fat mass index were more
      pronounced at higher, for waist circumference at very low or high percentiles of
      the distribution. In men, there was no consistent relation of breastfeeding with
      any outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that breastfeeding may have long-term,
      favorable effects on extremes of adiposity and insulin metabolism in women, but
      not in men. In both sexes, breastfeeding does not seem to induce programming of
      the GH-IGF-axis.

PMID- 24236135
TI  - Plasma concentrations predict aortic expression of growth-arrest-specific protein
      6 in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
AB  - AIMS: The tyrosine kinase receptor Axl is expressed in the vasculature, and
      growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) is its ligand. Plasma Gas6 levels have
      been shown to be associated with endothelial dysfunction markers and
      cardiovascular events. We set out to determine the plasma Gas6 levels in patients
      undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and investigate the expression
      of Gas6 and Axl in the aorta. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunoassays were used to
      investigate plasma Gas6 levels in CABG patients (n = 19) and control subjects (n
      = 20). The expression of Gas6 and Axl in the injured aorta were examined by
      reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions, real-time reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reactions, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining.
      Plasma Gas6 levels were significantly lower in CABG patients than in matched
      control subjects. In CABG patients, plasma Gas6 levels were negatively correlated
      with fasting glucose, E-selectin, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels.
      The levels predicted the operative mortality rate and were positively correlated
      with plasma soluble Axl (sAxl) levels and Gas6 expression in the aorta. Moreover,
      Gas6 expression was positively correlated with Axl expression in the aorta.
      CONCLUSION: We concluded that plasma Gas6 is associated with fasting glucose,
      endothelial dysfunction markers, sAxl values, and vascular Gas6 expression in
      CABG patients, and it predicts the operative mortality of these patients. These
      findings suggest that the Gas6/Axl system is crucial in vascular biology.

PMID- 24236136
TI  - Copper promotes TFF1-mediated Helicobacter pylori colonization.
AB  - The trefoil peptides (TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3) are a family of small highly conserved
      proteins that play an essential role in epithelial regeneration within the
      gastrointestinal tract, where they are mainly expressed. TFF1 expression is
      strongly induced after mucosal injury and it has been proposed that tff1
      functions as a gastric tumor suppressor gene. Several studies confirm that tff1
      expression is frequently lost in gastric cancer because of deletions, mutations
      or methylation of the tff1 promoter. Infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
      results in chronic gastritis and it can lead to the development of gastric or
      duodenal ulcers. Moreover, it is known that there is a strong link to the
      development of gastric cancer. It has been shown that H. pylori interacts with
      the dimeric form of TFF1 and that the rough form of lipopolysaccharide mediates
      this interaction. We have previously reported that the carboxy-terminus of TFF1
      is able to specifically bind copper ions (Cu) and that Cu binding favours the
      homodimerization of the peptide, thus enhancing its motogenic activity. Here, we
      report that the Cu-TFF1 cuprocomplex promotes adherence of H. pylori to
      epithelial cells. Adherence of H. pylori to gastric adenocarcinoma cells, AGS AC1
      cells, induced to hyper-express TFF1 was enhanced compared to noninduced cells.
      Copper further promoted this interaction. A H. pylori mutant unable to bind TFF1
      did not show enhanced infection of induced cells. Cu treatment induced a
      thickening of the mucus layer produced by the colorectal adenocarcinoma mucus
      secreting, goblet cells, HT29-E12 and promoted H. pylori colonisation. Finally,
      SPR analysis shows that the C-terminus of TFF1, involved in the binding of
      copper, is also able to selectively bind H. pylori RF-LPS. 

PMID- 24236137
TI  - Public health response systems in-action: learning from local health departments'
      experiences with acute and emergency incidents.
AB  - As part of their core mission, public health agencies attend to a wide range of
      disease and health threats, including those that require routine, acute, and
      emergency responses. While each incident is unique, the number and type of
      response activities are finite; therefore, through comparative analysis, we can
      learn about commonalities in the response patterns that could improve predictions
      and expectations regarding the resources and capabilities required to respond to
      future acute events. In this study, we interviewed representatives from more than
      120 local health departments regarding their recent experiences with real-world
      acute public health incidents, such as infectious disease outbreaks, severe
      weather events, chemical spills, and bioterrorism threats. We collected highly
      structured data on key aspects of the incident and the public health response,
      particularly focusing on the public health activities initiated and community
      partners engaged in the response efforts. As a result, we are able to make
      comparisons across event types, create response profiles, and identify functional
      and structural response patterns that have import for future public health
      preparedness and response. Our study contributes to clarifying the complexity of
      public health response systems and our analysis reveals the ways in which these
      systems are adaptive to the character of the threat, resulting in differential
      activation of functions and partners based on the type of incident. Continued and
      rigorous examination of the experiences of health departments throughout the
      nation will refine our very understanding of what the public health response
      system is, will enable the identification of organizational and event inputs to
      performance, and will allow for the construction of rich, relevant, and practical
      models of response operations that can be employed to strengthen public health
      systems. 

PMID- 24236139
TI  - Good days, bad days: wind as a driver of foraging success in a flightless
      seabird, the southern rockhopper penguin.
AB  - Due to their restricted foraging range, flightless seabirds are ideal models to
      study the short-term variability in foraging success in response to
      environmentally driven food availability. Wind can be a driver of upwelling and
      food abundance in marine ecosystems such as the Southern Ocean, where wind regime
      changes due to global warming may have important ecological consequences.
      Southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) have undergone a dramatic
      population decline in the past decades, potentially due to changing environmental
      conditions. We used a weighbridge system to record daily foraging mass gain (the
      difference in mean mass of adults leaving the colony in the morning and returning
      to the colony in the evening) of adult penguins during the chick rearing in two
      breeding seasons. We related the day-to-day variability in foraging mass gain to
      ocean wind conditions (wind direction and wind speed) and tested for a
      relationship between wind speed and sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA).
      Foraging mass gain was highly variable among days, but did not differ between
      breeding seasons, chick rearing stages (guard and creche) and sexes. It was
      strongly correlated between males and females, indicating synchronous changes
      among days. There was a significant interaction of wind direction and wind speed
      on daily foraging mass gain. Foraging mass gain was highest under moderate to
      strong winds from westerly directions and under weak winds from easterly
      directions, while decreasing under stronger easterly winds and storm conditions.
      Ocean wind speed showed a negative correlation with daily SSTA, suggesting that
      winds particularly from westerly directions might enhance upwelling and
      consequently the prey availability in the penguins' foraging areas. Our data
      emphasize the importance of small-scale, wind-induced patterns in prey
      availability on foraging success, a widely neglected aspect in seabird foraging
      studies, which might become more important with increasing changes in climatic
      variability. 

PMID- 24236138
TI  - Cognitive impairment, depression, comorbidity of the two and associated factors
      among the early sixties in a rural Korean community.
AB  - This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of cognitive impairment,
      depression, and comorbidity of the two conditions and related factors in subjects
      aged in early 60s. This cross-sectional study included 3,174 inhabitants aged 60
      64 years old in a rural area of Korea. Cognitive function was evaluated by the
      Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K), and depression was
      measured using the short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). The
      overall prevalence of cognitive impairment (MMSE-K <= 24) was 17.4%, that of
      depression was 26.0% (GDS-15 >= 8), and the co-morbidity was 7.1%. Female gender,
      living with one housemate, and high GDS-15 score were significantly associated
      with increased cognitive impairment. Employment status and more years of
      schooling were associated with a decreased probability of cognitive impairment.
      Increased depression was significantly associated with bereavement and receiving
      benefits from the Medical Aid Program. Employed status, more years of schooling,
      and higher MMSE-K scores were significantly associated with decreased depression.
      The risk of comorbidity was associated with bereavement and receipt of Medical
      Aid benefits (odds ratio[OR], 1.85; 95% confidence interval[CI], 1.26-2.71; OR,
      5.02; 95% CI, 2.37-10.63; respectively). Employment and more years of schooling
      were associated with a lower risk of comorbidity (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34-0.62, P
      trend <0.01). The correlated factors for cognitive impairment, depression, and
      comorbidity of the two conditions were similar, and employment status and years
      of schooling were associated with all three conditions.

PMID- 24236140
TI  - Using effort to measure reward value of faces in children with autism.
AB  - According to one influential account, face processing atypicalities in autism
      reflect reduced reward value of faces, which results in limited attention to
      faces during development and a consequent failure to acquire face expertise.
      Surprisingly, however, there is a paucity of work directly investigating the
      reward value of faces for individuals with autism and the evidence for diminished
      face rewards in this population remains equivocal. In the current study, we
      measured how hard children with autism would work to view faces, using an
      effortful key-press sequence, and whether they were sensitive to the differential
      reward value of attractive and unattractive faces. Contrary to expectations,
      cognitively able children with autism did not differ from typically developing
      children of similar age and ability in their willingness to work to view faces.
      Moreover, the effort expended was strongly positively correlated with facial
      attractiveness ratings in both groups of children. There was also no evidence of
      atypical reward values for other, less social categories (cars and inverted
      faces) in the children with autism. These results speak against the possibility
      that face recognition difficulties in autism are explained by atypical reward
      value of faces. 

PMID- 24236141
TI  - A meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled treatment trials for depression
      and anxiety in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychopharmacotherapy currently constitutes the first-line treatment
      for depression and anxiety in Parkinson's disease (PD) however the efficacy of
      antidepressant treatments in PD is unclear. Several alternative treatments have
      been suggested as potentially more viable alternatives including dopamine
      agonists, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and cognitive behavioural
      therapy (CBT). METHOD: A meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials
      for depression and/or anxiety in PD was conducted to systematically examine the
      efficacy of current treatments for depression and anxiety in PD. RESULTS: Nine
      trials were included. There was only sufficient data to calculate a pooled effect
      for antidepressant therapies. The pooled effect of antidepressants for depression
      in PD was moderate but non-significant (d = .71, 95% CI = -1.33 to 3.08). The
      secondary effect of antidepressants on anxiety in PD was large but also non
      significant (d = 1.13, 95% CI = -.67 to 2.94). Two single-trials of non
      pharmacological treatments for depression in PD resulted in significant large
      effects; Omega-3 supplementation (d = .92, 95% CI = .15 to 1.69) and CBT (d =
      1.57, 95% CI = 1.06 to 2.07), and warrant further exploration. CONCLUSIONS: There
      remains a lack of controlled trials for both pharmacological and non
      pharmacological treatments for depression and anxiety in PD which limits the
      conclusions which can be drawn. While the pooled effects of antidepressant
      therapies in PD were non-significant, the moderate to large magnitude of each
      pooled effect is promising. Non-pharmacological approaches show potential for
      depression in PD however more research is required.

PMID- 24236142
TI  - Evaluation of the appropriate perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in Italy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The appropriate use of antibiotics prophylaxis in the prevention and
      reduction in the incidence of surgical site infection is widespread. This study
      evaluates the appropriateness of the prescription of antibiotics prophylaxis
      prior to surgery amongst hospitalized patients in the geographic area of
      Avellino, Caserta, and Naples (Italy) and the factors associated with a poor
      adherence. METHODS: A sample of 382 patients admitted to 23 surgical wards and
      undergoing surgery in five hospitals were randomly selected. RESULTS:
      Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis was appropriate in 18.1% of cases. The
      multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with
      hypoalbuminemia, with a clinical infection, with a wound clean were more likely
      to receive an appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis. Compared with patients with an
      American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >=4, those with a score of 2
      were correlated with a 64% reduction in the odds of having an appropriate
      prophylaxis. The appropriateness of the timing of prophylactic antibiotic
      administration was observed in 53.4% of the procedures. Multivariate logistic
      regression model showed that such appropriateness was more frequent in older
      patients, in those admitted in general surgery wards, in those not having been
      underwent an endoscopic surgery, in those with a higher length of surgery, and in
      patients with ASA score 1 when a score >=4 was chosen as the reference category.
      The most common antibiotics used inappropriately were ceftazidime, sultamicillin,
      levofloxacin, and teicoplanin. CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions are needed
      to improve perioperative appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis.

PMID- 24236143
TI  - Low 2D:4D values are associated with video game addiction.
AB  - Androgen-dependent signaling regulates the growth of the fingers on the human
      hand during embryogenesis. A higher androgen load results in lower 2D:4D (second
      digit to fourth digit) ratio values. Prenatal androgen exposure also impacts
      brain development. 2D:4D values are usually lower in males and are viewed as a
      proxy of male brain organization. Here, we quantified video gaming behavior in
      young males. We found lower mean 2D:4D values in subjects who were classified
      according to the CSAS-II as having at-risk/addicted behavior (n = 27) compared
      with individuals with unproblematic video gaming behavior (n = 27). Thus,
      prenatal androgen exposure and a hyper-male brain organization, as represented by
      low 2D:4D values, are associated with problematic video gaming behavior. These
      results may be used to improve the diagnosis, prediction, and prevention of video
      game addiction.

PMID- 24236144
TI  - Diet reconstruction and resource partitioning of a Caribbean marine mesopredator
      using stable isotope bayesian modelling.
AB  - The trophic ecology of epibenthic mesopredators is not well understood in terms
      of prey partitioning with sympatric elasmobranchs or their effects on prey
      communities, yet the importance of omnivores in community trophic dynamics is
      being increasingly realised. This study used stable isotope analysis of (15)N and
      (13)C to model diet composition of wild southern stingrays Dasyatis americana and
      compare trophic niche space to nurse sharks Ginglymostoma cirratum and Caribbean
      reef sharks Carcharhinus perezi on Glovers Reef Atoll, Belize. Bayesian stable
      isotope mixing models were used to investigate prey choice as well as viable Diet
      Tissue Discrimination Factors for use with stingrays. Stingray delta(15)N values
      showed the greatest variation and a positive relationship with size, with an
      isotopic niche width approximately twice that of sympatric species. Shark species
      exhibited comparatively restricted delta(15)N values and greater delta(13)C
      variation, with very little overlap of stingray niche space. Mixing models
      suggest bivalves and annelids are proportionally more important prey in the
      stingray diet than crustaceans and teleosts at Glovers Reef, in contrast to all
      but one published diet study using stomach contents from other locations.
      Incorporating gut contents information from the literature, we suggest diet
      tissue discrimination factors values of Delta(15)N ~ 2.70/00 and Delta(13)C ~
      0.90/00 for stingrays in the absence of validation experiments. The wide trophic
      niche and lower trophic level exhibited by stingrays compared to sympatric sharks
      supports their putative role as important base stabilisers in benthic systems,
      with the potential to absorb trophic perturbations through numerous opportunistic
      prey interactions.

PMID- 24236145
TI  - "Fish-in-net", a novel method for cell immobilization of Zymomonas mobilis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inorganic mesoporous materials exhibit good biocompatibility and
      hydrothermal stability for cell immobilization. However, it is difficult to
      encapsulate living cells under mild conditions, and new strategies for cell
      immobilization are needed. We designed a "fish-in-net" approach for encapsulation
      of enzymes in ordered mesoporous silica under mild conditions. The main objective
      of this study is to demonstrate the potential of this approach in immobilization
      of living cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Zymomonas mobilis cells were
      encapsulated in mesoporous silica-based materials under mild conditions by using
      a "fish-in-net" approach. During the encapsulation process, polyethyleneglycol
      was used as an additive to improve the immobilization efficiency. After
      encapsulation, the pore size, morphology and other features were characterized by
      various methods, including scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption
      desorption analysis, transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Furthermore, the capacity of ethanol
      production by immobilized Zymomonas mobilis and free Zymomonas mobilis was
      compared. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, Zymomonas mobilis cells were
      successfully encapsulated in mesoporous silica-based materials under mild
      conditions by the "fish-in-net" approach. Encapsulated cells could perform normal
      metabolism and exhibited excellent reusability. The results presented here
      illustrate the enormous potential of the "fish-in-net" approach for
      immobilization of living cells.

PMID- 24236146
TI  - Subjective visual vertical and postural performance in healthy children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Verticality is essential in our life, especially for postural
      stability. Subjective vertical as well as postural stability depends on different
      sensorial information: visual, vestibular and somesthesic. They help to build the
      spatial referentials and create a central representation of verticality. Children
      are more visuo-dependant than adults; however, we did not find any study focusing
      on how children develop their sense of verticality. METHODS: WE STUDIED TWO
      GROUPS OF SUBJECTS: 10 children (from 6 to 8 years) and 12 young adults. We
      recorded postural stability with a Techno Concept plateform and perception of
      subjective visual vertical in the following conditions: while adjusting the
      vertical in the dark or with visual perturbation, while fixating the vertical
      bar, and with eyes closed. RESULTS: Children are more instable than adults in
      terms of postural parameters, and also while performing a double task, especially
      when no visual references are present. They also present a higher variability and
      lower accuracy than adults in reporting their perception of true vertical
      reference. DISCUSSION: Children might have limited attentional resources, and
      focus their attention on the more demanding task, corresponding to the U-shaped
      non-linear model.

PMID- 24236147
TI  - Role of peripheral inflammatory markers in postoperative cognitive dysfunction
      (POCD): a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is common following
      cardiac and non-cardiac surgery, but the pathogenic mechanisms remain unknown.
      Many studies suggest that an inflammatory response is a key contributor to POCD.
      The current meta-analysis shows that the levels of peripheral inflammatory
      markers are associated with POCD. METHODS: An online search was performed to
      identify peer-reviewed studies without language restriction that measured
      peripheral inflammatory markers of patients with and without POCD, using PubMed,
      ScienceDirect, SinoMed and the National Knowledge Infrastructure database.
      Extracted data were analyzed with STATA (version 12).The standardized mean
      difference (SMD) and the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated for each
      outcome using a random effect model. Tests of heterogeneity assessment of bias,
      and meta-regression were performed in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 13
      studies that measured the concentrations of peripheral inflammatory markers were
      included. The current meta-analysis found significantly higher concentrations of
      S-100beta(SMD[95%CI]) (1.377 [0.423, 2.331], p-value < 0.001, N [POCD/non-POCD]
      =178/391, 7 studies), and interleukin(IL)-6 (SMD[95%CI]) (1.614 [0.603,2.624], p
      value < 0.001, N[POCD/non-POCD] = 91/99, 5 studies), but not of neuron specific
      enolase, interleukin-1beta, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha , in POCD compared
      with patients without POCD. In meta-regression analyses, a significant positive
      association was found between the SMD and the preoperative interleukin-6
      peripheral blood concentration in patients with POCD (Coef.= 0.0587, p
      value=0.038, 5 studies). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that POCD is indeed
      correlated with the concentrations of peripheral inflammatory markers,
      particularly interleukin-6 and S-100beta.

PMID- 24236148
TI  - A simple alkaline method for decellularizing human amniotic membrane for cell
      culture.
AB  - Human amniotic membrane is a standard substratum used to culture limbal
      epithelial stem cells for transplantation to patients with limbal stem cell
      deficiency. Various methods were developed to decellularize amniotic membrane,
      because denuded membrane is poorly immunogenic and better supports repopulation
      by dissociated limbal epithelial cells. Amniotic membrane denuding usually
      involves treatment with EDTA and/or proteolytic enzymes; in many cases additional
      mechanical scraping is required. Although ensuring limbal cell proliferation,
      these methods are not standardized, require relatively long treatment times and
      can result in membrane damage. We propose to use 0.5 M NaOH to reliably remove
      amniotic cells from the membrane. This method was used before to lyse cells for
      DNA isolation and radioactivity counting. Gently rubbing a cotton swab soaked in
      NaOH over the epithelial side of amniotic membrane leads to nearly complete and
      easy removal of adherent cells in less than a minute. The denuded membrane is
      subsequently washed in a neutral buffer. Cell removal was more thorough and
      uniform than with EDTA, or EDTA plus mechanical scraping with an electric
      toothbrush, or n-heptanol plus EDTA treatment. NaOH-denuded amniotic membrane did
      not show any perforations compared with mechanical or thermolysin denuding, and
      showed excellent preservation of immunoreactivity for major basement membrane
      components including laminin alpha2, gamma1-gamma3 chains, alpha1/alpha2 and
      alpha6 type IV collagen chains, fibronectin, nidogen-2, and perlecan. Sodium
      hydroxide treatment was efficient with fresh or cryopreserved (10% dimethyl
      sulfoxide or 50% glycerol) amniotic membrane. The latter method is a common way
      of membrane storage for subsequent grafting in the European Union. NaOH-denuded
      amniotic membrane supported growth of human limbal epithelial cells, immortalized
      corneal epithelial cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. This simple, fast
      and reliable method can be used to standardize decellularized amniotic membrane
      preparations for expansion of limbal stem cells in vitro before transplantation
      to patients. 

PMID- 24236149
TI  - Analysis of morphological parameters to differentiate rupture status in anterior
      communicating artery aneurysms.
AB  - In contrast to size, the association of morphological characteristics of
      intracranial aneurysms with rupture has not been established in a systematic
      manner. We present an analysis of the morphological variables that are associated
      with rupture in anterior communicating artery aneurysms to determine site
      specific risk variables. One hundred and twenty-four anterior communicating
      artery aneurysms were treated in a single institution from 2005 to 2010, and CT
      angiograms (CTAs) or rotational angiography from 79 patients (42 ruptured, 37
      unruptured) were analyzed. Vascular imaging was evaluated with 3D Slicer(c) to
      generate models of the aneurysms and surrounding vasculature. Morphological
      parameters were examined using univariate and multivariate analysis and included
      aneurysm volume, aspect ratio, size ratio, distance to bifurcation, aneurysm
      angle, vessel angle, flow angle, and parent-daughter angle. Multivariate logistic
      regression revealed that size ratio, flow angle, and parent-daughter angle were
      associated with aneurysm rupture after adjustment for age, sex, smoking history,
      and other clinical risk factors. Simple morphological parameters such as size
      ratio, flow angle, and parent-daughter angle may thus aid in the evaluation of
      rupture risk of anterior communicating artery aneurysms. 

PMID- 24236151
TI  - Joint attention without gaze following: human infants and their parents
      coordinate visual attention to objects through eye-hand coordination.
AB  - The coordination of visual attention among social partners is central to many
      components of human behavior and human development. Previous research has focused
      on one pathway to the coordination of looking behavior by social partners, gaze
      following. The extant evidence shows that even very young infants follow the
      direction of another's gaze but they do so only in highly constrained spatial
      contexts because gaze direction is not a spatially precise cue as to the visual
      target and not easily used in spatially complex social interactions. Our
      findings, derived from the moment-to-moment tracking of eye gaze of one-year-olds
      and their parents as they actively played with toys, provide evidence for an
      alternative pathway, through the coordination of hands and eyes in goal-directed
      action. In goal-directed actions, the hands and eyes of the actor are tightly
      coordinated both temporally and spatially, and thus, in contexts including manual
      engagement with objects, hand movements and eye movements provide redundant
      information about where the eyes are looking. Our findings show that one-year
      olds rarely look to the parent's face and eyes in these contexts but rather
      infants and parents coordinate looking behavior without gaze following by
      attending to objects held by the self or the social partner. This pathway,
      through eye-hand coupling, leads to coordinated joint switches in visual
      attention and to an overall high rate of looking at the same object at the same
      time, and may be the dominant pathway through which physically active toddlers
      align their looking behavior with a social partner. 

PMID- 24236152
TI  - Double deception: ant-mimicking spiders elude both visually- and chemically
      oriented predators.
AB  - Biological mimicry is often multimodal, in that a mimic reinforces its
      resemblance to another organism via different kinds of signals that can be
      perceived by a specific target audience. In this paper we describe a novel
      scenario, in which a mimic deceives at least two distinct audiences, each of
      which relies primarily on a different sensory modality for decision-making. We
      have previously shown that Peckhamia picata, a myrmecomorphic spider that
      morphologically and behaviorally resembles the ant Camponotus nearcticus,
      experiences reduced predation by visually-oriented jumping spiders. Here we
      report that Peckhamia also faces reduced aggression from spider-hunting sphecid
      wasps as well as from its model ant, both of which use chemical cues to identify
      prey. We also report that Peckhamia does not chemically resemble its model ants,
      and that its total cuticular hydrocarbons are significantly lower than those of
      the ants and non-mimic spiders. Although further studies are needed to clarify
      the basis of Peckhamia's chemically-mediated protection, to our knowledge, such
      'double deception,' in which a single organism sends misleading visual cues to
      one set of predators while chemically misleading another set, has not been
      reported; however, it is likely to be common among what have until now been
      considered purely visual mimics. 

PMID- 24236150
TI  - Transforming growth factor beta inhibits platelet derived growth factor-induced
      vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via Akt-independent, Smad-mediated
      cyclin D1 downregulation.
AB  - In adult tissue, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exist in a differentiated
      phenotype, which is defined by the expression of contractile proteins and lack of
      proliferation. After vascular injury, VSMC adopt a synthetic phenotype associated
      with proliferation, migration and matrix secretion. The transition between
      phenotypes is a consequence of the extracellular environment, and in particular,
      is regulated by agonists such as the pro-differentiating cytokine transforming
      growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and the pro-proliferative cytokine platelet derived
      growth factor (PDGF). In this study, we investigated the interplay between
      TGFbeta and PDGF with respect to their ability to regulate VSMC proliferation.
      Stimulation of human aortic VSMC with TGFbeta completely blocked proliferation
      induced by all isoforms of PDGF, as measured by DNA synthesis and total cell
      number. Mechanistically, PDGF-induced Cyclin D1 mRNA and protein expression was
      inhibited by TGFbeta. TGFbeta had no effect on PDGF activation of its receptor
      and ERK1/2, but inhibited Akt activation. However, constitutively active Akt did
      not reverse the inhibitory effect of TGFbeta on Cyclin D1 expression even though
      inhibition of the proteasome blocked the effect of TGFbeta. siRNA against Smad4
      completely reversed the inhibitory effect of TGFbeta on PDGF-induced Cyclin D1
      expression and restored proliferation in response to PDGF. Moreover, siRNA
      against KLF5 prevented Cyclin D1 upregulation by PDGF and overexpression of KLF5
      partially reversed TGFbeta-induced inhibition of Cyclin D1 expression. Taken
      together, our results demonstrate that KLF5 is required for PDGF-induced Cyclin
      D1 expression, which is inhibited by TGFbeta via a Smad dependent mechanism,
      resulting in arrest of VSMCs in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. 

PMID- 24236153
TI  - Spo0A differentially regulates toxin production in evolutionarily diverse strains
      of Clostridium difficile.
AB  - Clostridium difficile is an important pathogen of humans and animals,
      representing a significant global healthcare problem. The last decade has seen
      the emergence of epidemic BI/NAP1/027 and ribotype 078 isolates, associated with
      the onset of more severe disease and higher rates of morbidity and mortality.
      However, little is known about these isolates at the molecular level, partly due
      to difficulties in the genetic manipulation of these strains. Here we report the
      development of an optimised Tn916-mediated plasmid transfer system, and the use
      of this system to construct and complement spo0A mutants in a number of different
      C. difficile strain backgrounds. Spo0A is a global regulator known to control
      sporulation, but may also be involved in the regulation of potential virulence
      factors and other phenotypes. Recent studies have failed to elucidate the role of
      Spo0A in toxin A and toxin B production by C. difficile, with conflicting data
      published to date. In this study, we aimed to clarify the role of Spo0A in
      production of the major toxins by C. difficile. Through the construction and
      complementation of spo0A mutants in two ribotype 027 isolates, we demonstrate
      that Spo0A acts as a negative regulator of toxin A and toxin B production in this
      strain background. In addition, spo0A was disrupted and subsequently complemented
      in strain 630Deltaerm and, for the first time, in a ribotype 078 isolate,
      JGS6133. In contrast to the ribotype 027 strains, Spo0A does not appear to
      regulate toxin production in strain 630Deltaerm. In strain JGS6133, Spo0A appears
      to negatively regulate toxin production during early stationary phase, but has
      little effect on toxin expression during late stationary phase. These data
      suggest that Spo0A may differentially regulate toxin production in
      phylogenetically distinct C. difficile strain types. In addition, Spo0A may be
      involved in regulating some aspects of C. difficile motility. 

PMID- 24236154
TI  - Description of the protocols for randomized controlled trials on cancer drugs
      conducted in Spain (1999-2003).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of randomized controlled clinical
      trials (RCT) on cancer drugs conducted in Spain between 1999 and 2003 based on
      their protocols. METHODS: We conducted an observational retrospective cohort
      study to identify the protocols of RCTs on cancer drugs authorized by the Agencia
      Espanola del Medicamento y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) (Spanish Agency for
      Medicines and Medical Devices) during 1999-2003. A descriptive analysis was
      completed and the association between variables based on the study setting and
      sponsorship were assessed. RESULTS: We identified a total of 303 protocols, which
      included 176,835 potentially eligible patients. Three-quarter of the studies were
      internationally-based, 61.7% were phase III, and 76.2% were sponsored by
      pharmaceutical companies. The most frequently assessed outcomes were response
      rate (24.7%), overall survival (20.7%), and progression-free survival (14.5%). Of
      all protocols, 10.6% intended to include more than 1000 patients (mean: 2442, SD:
      2724). Compared with their national counterparts, internationally-based studies
      were significantly larger (p<0.001) and were more likely to implement centralized
      randomization (p<0.001), blinding of the intervention (p<0.001), and survival as
      primary outcome (p<0.001). Additionally, most internationally-based studies were
      sponsored by pharmaceutical companies (p<0.01). In a high percentage of
      protocols, the available information was not explicit enough to assess the
      validity of each trial. Compared to other European countries, the proportion of
      Spanish cancer drugs protocols registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (7%) was
      lower. CONCLUSION: RCTs on cancer drugs conducted in Spain between 1999 and 2003
      were more likely to be promoted by pharmaceutical companies rather than by non
      profit national groups. The former were more often part of international studies,
      which generally had better methodological quality than national ones. There are
      some worldwide on-going initiatives that aim to increase the transparency and
      quality of future research.

PMID- 24236155
TI  - Speaker sex influences processing of grammatical gender.
AB  - Spoken words carry linguistic and indexical information to listeners.
      Abstractionist models of spoken word recognition suggest that indexical
      information is stripped away in a process called normalization to allow
      processing of the linguistic message to proceed. In contrast, exemplar models of
      the lexicon suggest that indexical information is retained in memory, and
      influences the process of spoken word recognition. In the present study native
      Spanish listeners heard Spanish words that varied in grammatical gender
      (masculine, ending in -o, or feminine, ending in -a) produced by either a male or
      a female speaker. When asked to indicate the grammatical gender of the words,
      listeners were faster and more accurate when the sex of the speaker "matched" the
      grammatical gender than when the sex of the speaker and the grammatical gender
      "mismatched." No such interference was observed when listeners heard the same
      stimuli, but identified whether the speaker was male or female. This finding
      suggests that indexical information, in this case the sex of the speaker,
      influences not just processes associated with word recognition, but also higher
      level processes associated with grammatical processing. This result also raises
      questions regarding the widespread assumption about the cognitive independence
      and automatic nature of grammatical processes. 

PMID- 24236156
TI  - Effects of dietary phosphate on adynamic bone disease in rats with chronic kidney
      disease--role of sclerostin?
AB  - High phosphate intake is known to aggravate renal osteodystrophy along various
      pathogenetic pathways. Recent studies have raised the possibility that
      dysregulation of the osteocyte Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is also
      involved in chronic kidney disease (CKD)-related bone disease. We investigated
      the role of dietary phosphate and its possible interaction with this pathway in
      an experimental model of adynamic bone disease (ABD) in association with CKD and
      hypoparathyroidism. Partial nephrectomy (Nx) and total parathyroidectomy (PTx)
      were performed in male Wistar rats. Control rats with normal kidney and
      parathyroid function underwent sham operations. Rats were divided into three
      groups and underwent pair-feeding for 8 weeks with diets containing either 0.6%
      or 1.2% phosphate: sham 0.6%, Nx+PTx 0.6%, and Nx+PTx 1.2%. In the two Nx+PTx
      groups, serum creatinine increased and blood ionized calcium decreased compared
      with sham control group. They also presented hyperphosphatemia and reduced serum
      parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels.
      Fractional urinary excretion of phosphate increased in Nx+PTx 1.2% rats despite
      lower PTH and FGF23 levels than in sham group. These biochemical changes were
      accompanied by a decrease in bone formation rates. The Nx+PTx 1.2% group had
      lower bone volume (BV/TV), higher osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis, and higher
      SOST and Dickkopf-1 gene expression than the Nx+PTx 0.6% group. Nx+PTx 0.6% rat
      had very low serum sclerostin levels, and Nx+PTx 1.2% had intermediate sclerostin
      levels compared with sham group. Finally, there was a negative correlation
      between BV/TV and serum sclerostin. These results suggest that high dietary
      phosphate intake decreases bone volume in an experimental model of CKD-ABD,
      possibly via changes in SOST expression through a PTH-independent mechanism.
      These findings could have relevance for the clinical setting of CKD-ABD in
      patients who low turnover bone disease might be attenuated by optimal control of
      phosphate intake and/or absorption. 

PMID- 24236157
TI  - The BtaF trimeric autotransporter of Brucella suis is involved in attachment to
      various surfaces, resistance to serum and virulence.
AB  - The adhesion of bacterial pathogens to host cells is an event that determines
      infection, and ultimately invasion and intracellular multiplication. Several
      evidences have recently shown that this rule is also truth for the intracellular
      pathogen Brucella. Brucella suis displays the unipolar BmaC and BtaE adhesins,
      which belong to the monomeric and trimeric autotransporter (TA) families,
      respectively. It was previously shown that these adhesins are involved in
      bacterial adhesion to host cells and components of the extracellular matrix
      (ECM). In this work we describe the role of a new member of the TA family of B.
      suis (named BtaF) in the adhesive properties of the bacterial surface. BtaF
      conferred the bacteria that carried it a promiscuous adhesiveness to various ECM
      components and the ability to attach to an abiotic surface. Furthermore, BtaF was
      found to participate in bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells and was required
      for full virulence in mice. Similar to BmaC and BtaE, the BtaF adhesin was
      expressed in a small subpopulation of bacteria, and in all cases, it was detected
      at the new pole generated after cell division. Interestingly, BtaF was also
      implicated in the resistance of B. suis to porcine serum. Our findings emphasize
      the impact of TAs in the Brucella lifecycle. 

PMID- 24236159
TI  - Lifelong obesity in a polygenic mouse model prevents age- and diet-induced
      glucose intolerance- obesity is no road to late-onset diabetes in mice.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Visceral obesity holds a central position in the concept of the
      metabolic syndrome characterized by glucose intolerance in humans. However, until
      now it is unclear if obesity by itself is responsible for the development of
      glucose intolerance. METHODS: We have used a novel polygenic mouse model
      characterized by genetically fixed obesity (DU6) and addressed age- and high fat
      diet-dependent glucose tolerance. RESULTS: Phenotype selection over 146
      generations increased body weight by about 2.7-fold in male 12-week DU6 mice
      (P<0.0001) if compared to unselected controls (Fzt:DU). Absolute epididymal fat
      mass was particularly responsive to weight selection and increased by more than 5
      fold (P<0.0001) in male DU6 mice. At an age of 6 weeks DU6 mice consumed about
      twice as much food if compared to unselected controls (P<0.001). Absolute food
      consumption was higher at all time points measured in DU6 mice than in Fzt:DU
      mice. Between 6 and 12 weeks of age, absolute food intake was reduced by 15% in
      DU6 mice (P<0.001) but not in Fzt:DU mice. In both mouse lines feeding of the
      high fat diet elevated body mass if compared to the control diet (P<0.05). In
      contrast to controls, DU6 mice did not display high fat diet-induced increases of
      epididymal and renal fat. Control mice progressively developed glucose
      intolerance with advancing age and even more in response to the high fat diet. In
      contrast, obese DU6 mice did neither develop a glucose intolerant phenotype with
      progressive age nor when challenged with a high fat diet.
      CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our results from a polygenic mouse model demonstrate
      that genetically pre-determined and life-long obesity is no precondition of
      glucose intolerance later in life.

PMID- 24236158
TI  - The anti-tumor effects and molecular mechanisms of suberoylanilide hydroxamic
      acid (SAHA) on the aggressive phenotypes of ovarian carcinoma cells.
AB  - Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), such as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid
      (SAHA), have been shown to act selectively on gene expression, and are potent
      inducers of growth arrest, differentiation and apoptosis in various types of
      cancers in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-tumor
      effects and molecular mechanisms of SAHA on the aggressive phenotypes of ovarian
      carcinoma. Two pairs of cell lines (SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP; HO8910 and HO8910-PM)
      were exposed to SAHA treatment, and the effects on acetyl-Histone H3 and H4
      expression levels were analyzed and compared against the aggressive behaviors of
      ovarian carcinoma. Our results showed that SAHA suppressed proliferation in both
      a concentration- and time-dependent manner in all four cell lines; induced S/G2
      arrest in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells; and conversely, induced G1 arrest in HO8910
      and HO8910-PM cells. SAHA treatment induced apoptosis and reduced migration,
      invasion and lamellipodia formation in the ovarian carcinoma cells; furthermore,
      SAHA decreased expression of Cyclin B1 and CDC2P34 mRNA, and downregulated
      CDC2P34, Erk1/2, CyclinB1 and MMP-9 proteins. In contrast, SAHA increased
      expression of Caspase-3, p21 and p53 mRNA, and upregulated acetyl-Histones H3 and
      H4, Caspase-8, and p53 proteins. Basal acetylation of histone H3 and H4 was
      higher in ovarian carcinoma compared to normal ovarian tissues and benign ovarian
      tumors, and in borderline tumor than in normal ovarian tissues, and was
      positively correlated with differentiation and expression of the proliferative
      marker, Ki-67 (P < 0.05). We suggest that SAHA may suppress growth, migration and
      invasion in ovarian carcinoma cells, including cisplatin-resistant or highly
      invasive ovarian cells, by promoting histone acetylation and modulating their
      phenotype-related molecules. As such, aberrant acetylation of histone H3 and H4
      may play an important role in the carcinogenesis and differentiation of ovarian
      carcinoma. 

PMID- 24236160
TI  - Association of diabetes in pregnancy with child weight at birth, age 12 months
      and 5 years--a population-based electronic cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examines the effect of diabetes in pregnancy on offspring
      weight at birth and ages 1 and 5 years. METHODS: A population-based electronic
      cohort study using routinely collected linked healthcare data. Electronic medical
      records provided maternal diabetes status and offspring weight at birth and ages
      1 and 5 years (n = 147,773 mother child pairs). Logistic regression models were
      used to obtain odds ratios to describe the association between maternal diabetes
      status and offspring size, adjusted for maternal pre-pregnancy weight, age and
      smoking status. FINDINGS: We identified 1,250 (0.9%) pregnancies with existing
      diabetes (27.8% with type 1 diabetes), 1,358 with gestational diabetes (0.9%) and
      635 (0.4%) who developed diabetes post-pregnancy. Children whose mothers had
      existing diabetes were less likely to be large at 12 months (OR: 0.7 (95%CI: 0.6,
      0.8)) than those without diabetes. Maternal diabetes was associated with high
      weight at age 5 years in children whose mothers had a high pre-pregnancy weight
      tertile (gestational diabetes, (OR:2.1 (95%CI:1.25-3.6)), existing diabetes
      (OR:1.3 (95%CI:1.0 to 1.6)). CONCLUSION: The prevention of childhood obesity
      should focus on mothers with diabetes with a high maternal pre-pregnancy weight.
      We found little evidence that diabetes in pregnancy leads to long term obesity
      'programming'.

PMID- 24236162
TI  - Application of the UK foresight obesity model in Ireland: the health and economic
      consequences of projected obesity trends in Ireland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the scale of the current obesity epidemic and associated health
      consequences there has been increasing concern about the economic burden placed
      on society in terms of direct healthcare costs and indirect societal costs. In
      the Republic of Ireland these costs were estimated at ?1.13 billion for 2009. The
      total direct healthcare costs for six major obesity related conditions (coronary
      heart disease & stroke, cancer, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and knee
      osteoarthritis) in the same year were estimated at ?2.55 billion. The aim of this
      research is to project disease burden and direct healthcare costs for these
      conditions in Ireland to 2030 using the established model developed by the Health
      Forum (UK) for the Foresight: Tackling Obesities project. METHODOLOGY: Routine
      data sources were used to derive incidence, prevalence, mortality and survival
      for six conditions as inputs for the model. The model utilises a two stage
      modelling process to predict future BMI rates, disease prevalence and costs.
      Stage 1 employs a non-linear multivariate regression model to project BMI trends;
      stage 2 employs a microsimulation approach to produce longitudinal projections
      and test the impact of interventions upon future incidence of obesity-related
      disease. RESULTS: Overweight and obesity are projected to reach levels of 89% and
      85% in males and females respectively by 2030. This will result in an increase in
      the obesity related prevalence of CHD & stroke by 97%, cancers by 61% and type 2
      diabetes by 21%. The direct healthcare costs associated with these increases will
      amount to ?5.4 billion by 2030. A 5% reduction in population BMI levels by 2030
      is projected to result in ?495 million less being spent in obesity-related direct
      healthcare costs over twenty years. DISCUSSION: These findings have significant
      implications for policy, highlighting the need for effective strategies to
      prevent this avoidable health and economic burden.

PMID- 24236161
TI  - Impaired antibody response to influenza vaccine in HIV-infected and uninfected
      aging women is associated with immune activation and inflammation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aging and HIV infection are independently associated with excessive
      immune activation and impaired immune responses to vaccines, but their
      relationships have not been examined. METHODS: For selecting an aging population
      we enrolled 28 post-menopausal women including 12 healthy volunteers and 16 HIV
      infected women on antiretroviral treatment with <100 HIV RNA copies/ml. Antibody
      titers to trivalent influenza vaccination given during the 2011-2012 season were
      determined before and 4 weeks after vaccination. RESULTS: Seroprotective
      influenza antibody titers (>= 1:40) were observed in 31% HIV(+) and 58% HIV
      uninfected women pre-vaccination. Following vaccination, magnitude of antibody
      responses and frequency of seroprotection were lower in HIV(+) (75%) than in HIV(
      ) (91%) women. Plasma IL-21, the signature cytokine of T follicular helper cells
      (Tfh), and CD4 T cell IL-21R were upregulated with seroconversion (>= 4 fold
      increase in antibody titer). Post-vaccine antibody responses were inversely
      correlated with pre-vaccination plasma TNFalpha levels and with activated CD4 T
      cells, including activated peripheral (p)Tfh. Plasma TNFalpha levels were
      correlated with activated pTfh cells (r=0.48, p=0.02), and inversely with the
      post-vaccination levels of plasma IL-21 (r=-0.53, p=0.02). In vitro TNFalpha
      blockade improved the ability of CD4 T cells to produce IL-21 and of B cells to
      secrete immunoglobulins, and addition of exogenous IL-21 to cell cultures
      enhanced B cell function. Higher frequencies of activated and exhausted CD8 T and
      B cells were noted in HIV(+) women, but these markers did not show a correlation
      with antibody responses. CONCLUSIONS: In aging HIV-infected and uninfected women,
      activated CD4 and pTfh cells may compromise influenza vaccine-induced antibody
      response, for which a mechanism of TNFalpha-mediated impairment of pTfh-induced
      IL-21 secretion is postulated. Interventions aimed at reducing chronic
      inflammation and immune activation in aging, HIV-infected patients may improve
      their response to vaccines.

PMID- 24236163
TI  - Quantifying cancer absolute risk and cancer mortality in the presence of
      competing events after a myotonic dystrophy diagnosis.
AB  - Recent studies show that patients with myotonic dystrophy (DM) have an increased
      risk of specific malignancies, but estimates of absolute cancer risk accounting
      for competing events are lacking. Using the Swedish Patient Registry, we
      identified 1,081 patients with an inpatient and/or outpatient diagnosis of DM
      between 1987 and 2007. Date and cause of death and date of cancer diagnosis were
      extracted from the Swedish Cause of Death and Cancer Registries. We calculated
      non-parametric estimates of absolute cancer risk and cancer mortality accounting
      for the high non-cancer competing mortality associated with DM. Absolute cancer
      risk after DM diagnosis was 1.6% (95% CI=0.4-4%), 5% (95% CI=3-9%) and 9% (95%
      CI=6-13%) at ages 40, 50 and 60 years, respectively. Females had a higher
      absolute risk of all cancers combined than males: 9% (95% CI=4-14), and 13% (95%
      CI=9-20) vs. 2% (95%CI= 0.7-6) and 4% (95%CI=2-8) by ages 50 and 60 years,
      respectively) and developed cancer at younger ages (median age =51 years,
      range=22-74 vs. 57, range=43-84, respectively, p=0.02). Cancer deaths accounted
      for 10% of all deaths, with an absolute cancer mortality risk of 2% (95%CI=1
      4.5%), 4% (95%CI=2-6%), and 6% (95%CI=4-9%) by ages 50, 60, and 70 years,
      respectively. No gender difference in cancer-specific mortality was observed
      (p=0.6). In conclusion, cancer significantly contributes to morbidity and
      mortality in DM patients, even after accounting for high competing DM mortality
      from non-neoplastic causes. It is important to apply population-appropriate,
      validated cancer screening strategies in DM patients. 

PMID- 24236164
TI  - A conserved pre-block interaction motif regulates potassium channel activation
      and N-type inactivation.
AB  - N-type inactivation occurs when the N-terminus of a potassium channel binds into
      the open pore of the channel. This study examined the relationship between
      activation and steady state inactivation for mutations affecting the N-type
      inactivation properties of the Aplysia potassium channel AKv1 expressed in
      Xenopus oocytes. The results show that the traditional single-step model for N
      type inactivation fails to properly account for the observed relationship between
      steady state channel activation and inactivation curves. We find that the
      midpoint of the steady state inactivation curve depends in part on a secondary
      interaction between the channel core and a region of the N-terminus just proximal
      to the pore blocking peptide that we call the Inactivation Proximal (IP) region.
      The IP interaction with the channel core produces a negative shift in the
      activation and inactivation curves, without blocking the pore. A tripeptide motif
      in the IP region was identified in a large number of different N-type
      inactivation domains most likely reflecting convergent evolution in addition to
      direct descent. Point mutating a conserved hydrophobic residue in this motif
      eliminates the gating voltage shift, accelerates recovery from inactivation and
      decreases the amount of pore block produced during inactivation. The IP
      interaction we have identified likely stabilizes the open state and positions the
      pore blocking region of the N-terminus at the internal opening to the
      transmembrane pore by forming a Pre-Block (P state) interaction with residues
      lining the side window vestibule of the channel. 

PMID- 24236165
TI  - Ordinal-level phylogenomics of the arthropod class Diplopoda (millipedes) based
      on an analysis of 221 nuclear protein-coding loci generated using next-generation
      sequence analyses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ancient and diverse, yet understudied arthropod class Diplopoda,
      the millipedes, has a muddled taxonomic history. Despite having a cosmopolitan
      distribution and a number of unique and interesting characteristics, the group
      has received relatively little attention; interest in millipede systematics is
      low compared to taxa of comparable diversity. The existing classification of the
      group comprises 16 orders. Past attempts to reconstruct millipede phylogenies
      have suffered from a paucity of characters and included too few taxa to
      confidently resolve relationships and make formal nomenclatural changes. Herein,
      we reconstruct an ordinal-level phylogeny for the class Diplopoda using the
      largest character set ever assembled for the group. METHODS: Transcriptomic
      sequences were obtained from exemplar taxa representing much of the diversity of
      millipede orders using second-generation (i.e., next-generation or high
      throughput) sequencing. These data were subject to rigorous orthology selection
      and phylogenetic dataset optimization and then used to reconstruct phylogenies
      employing Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood optimality criteria.
      Ancestral reconstructions of sperm transfer appendage development (gonopods),
      presence of lateral defense secretion pores (ozopores), and presence of
      spinnerets were considered. The timings of major millipede lineage divergence
      points were estimated. RESULTS: The resulting phylogeny differed from the
      existing classifications in a number of fundamental ways. Our phylogeny includes
      a grouping that has never been described (Juliformia+Merocheta+Stemmiulida), and
      the ancestral reconstructions suggest caution with respect to using spinnerets as
      a unifying characteristic for the Nematophora. Our results are shown to have
      significantly stronger support than previous hypotheses given our data. Our
      efforts represent the first step toward obtaining a well-supported and robust
      phylogeny of the Diplopoda that can be used to answer many questions concerning
      the evolution of this ancient and diverse animal group.

PMID- 24236166
TI  - Production of the first effective hyperimmune equine serum antivenom against
      Africanized bees.
AB  - Victims of massive bee attacks become extremely ill, presenting symptoms ranging
      from dizziness and headache to acute renal failure and multiple organ failure
      that can lead to death. Previous attempts to develop specific antivenom to treat
      these victims have been unsuccessful. We herein report a F(ab)(')(2)-based
      antivenom raised in horse as a potential new treatment for victims of multiple
      bee stings. The final product contains high specific IgG titers and is effective
      in neutralizing toxic effects, such as hemolysis, cytotoxicity and myotoxicity.
      The assessment of neutralization was revised and hemolysis, the primary toxic
      effect of these stings, was fully neutralized in vivo for the first time.

PMID- 24236167
TI  - Magnesium sulfate protects against the bioenergetic consequences of chronic
      glutamate receptor stimulation.
AB  - Extracellular glutamate is elevated following brain ischemia or trauma and
      contributes to neuronal injury. We tested the hypothesis that magnesium sulfate
      (MgSO4, 3 mM) protects against metabolic failure caused by excitotoxic glutamate
      exposure. Rat cortical neuron preparations treated in medium already containing a
      physiological concentration of Mg(2+) (1 mM) could be segregated based on their
      response to glutamate (100 uM). Type I preparations responded with a decrease or
      small transient increase in oxygen consumption rate (OCR). Type II neurons
      responded with >50% stimulation in OCR, indicating a robust response to increased
      energy demand without immediate toxicity. Pre-treatment with MgSO4 improved the
      initial bioenergetic response to glutamate and ameliorated subsequent loss of
      spare respiratory capacity, measured following addition of the uncoupler FCCP, in
      Type I but not Type II neurons. Spare respiratory capacity in Type I neurons was
      also improved by incubation with MgSO4 or NMDA receptor antagonist MK801 in the
      absence of glutamate treatment. This finding indicates that the major difference
      between Type I and Type II preparations is the amount of endogenous glutamate
      receptor activity. Incubation of Type II neurons with 5 uM glutamate prior to
      excitotoxic (100 uM) glutamate exposure recapitulated a Type I phenotype. MgSO4
      protected against an excitotoxic glutamate-induced drop in neuronal ATP both with
      and without prior 5 uM glutamate exposure. Results indicate that MgSO4 protects
      against chronic moderate glutamate receptor stimulation and preserves cellular
      ATP following treatment with excitotoxic glutamate. 

PMID- 24236168
TI  - Daily sitting time and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantify the association between daily total sitting and all-cause
      mortality risk and to examine dose-response relationships with and without
      adjustment for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. METHODS: Studies published
      from 1989 to January 2013 were identified via searches of multiple databases,
      reference lists of systematic reviews on sitting and health, and from authors'
      personal literature databases. We included prospective cohort studies that had
      total daily sitting time as a quantitative exposure variable, all-cause mortality
      as the outcome and reported estimates of relative risk, or odds ratios or hazard
      ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Two authors independently extracted the
      data and summary estimates of associations were computed using random effects
      models. RESULTS: Six studies were included, involving data from 595,086 adults
      and 29,162 deaths over 3,565,569 person-years of follow-up. Study participants
      were mainly female, middle-aged or older adults from high-income countries; mean
      study quality score was 12/15 points. Associations between daily total sitting
      time and all-cause mortality were not linear. With physical activity adjustment,
      the spline model of best fit had dose-response HRs of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98-1.03),
      1.02 (95% CI: 0.99-1.05) and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02-1.08) for every 1-hour increase
      in sitting time in intervals between 0-3, >3-7 and >7 h/day total sitting,
      respectively. This model estimated a 34% higher mortality risk for adults sitting
      10 h/day, after taking physical activity into account. The overall weighted
      population attributable fraction for all-cause mortality for total daily sitting
      time was 5.9%, after adjusting for physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Higher amounts
      of daily total sitting time are associated with greater risk of all-cause
      mortality and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity appears to attenuate the
      hazardous association. These findings provide a starting point for identifying a
      threshold on which to base clinical and public health recommendations for overall
      sitting time, in addition to physical activity guidelines.

PMID- 24236169
TI  - The development of the mental representations of the magnitude of fractions.
AB  - We investigated the development of the mental representation of the magnitude of
      fractions during the initial stages of fraction learning in grade 5, 6 and 7
      children as well as in adults. We examined the activation of global fraction
      magnitude in a numerical comparison task and a matching task. There were global
      distance effects in the comparison task, but not in the matching task. This
      suggests that the activation of the global magnitude representation of fractions
      is not automatic in all tasks involving magnitude judgments. The slope of the
      global distance effect increased during early fraction learning and declined by
      adulthood, demonstrating that the development of the fraction global distance
      effect differs from that of the integer distance effect. 

PMID- 24236170
TI  - Linkage to HIV, TB and non-communicable disease care from a mobile testing unit
      in Cape Town, South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV counseling and testing may serve as an entry point for non
      communicable disease screening. OBJECTIVES: To determine the yield of newly
      diagnosed HIV, tuberculosis (TB) symptoms, diabetes and hypertension, and to
      assess CD4 count testing, linkage to care as well as correlates of linkage and
      barriers to care from a mobile testing unit. METHODS: A mobile unit provided
      screening for HIV, TB symptoms, diabetes and hypertension in Cape Town, South
      Africa between March 2010 and September 2011. The yield of newly-diagnosed cases
      of these conditions was measured and clients were followed-up between January and
      November 2011 to assess linkage. Linkage to care was defined as accessing care
      within one, three or six months post-HIV diagnosis (dependent on CD4 count) and
      one month post-diagnosis for other conditions. Clinical and socio-demographic
      correlates of linkage to care were evaluated using Poisson regression and
      barriers to care were determined. RESULTS: Of 9,806 clients screened, the yield
      of new diagnoses was: HIV (5.5%), TB suspects (10.1%), diabetes (0.8%) and
      hypertension (58.1%). Linkage to care for HIV-infected clients, TB suspects,
      diabetics and hypertensives was: 51.3%, 56.7%, 74.1% and 50.0%. Only disclosure
      of HIV-positive status to family members or partners (RR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.04-6.3,
      p=0.04) was independently associated with linkage to HIV care. The main barrier
      to care reported by all groups was lack of time to access a clinic. CONCLUSION:
      Screening for HIV, TB symptoms and hypertension at mobile units in South Africa
      has a high yield but inadequate linkage. After-hours and weekend clinics may
      overcome a major barrier to accessing care.

PMID- 24236172
TI  - Osteoblast CFTR inactivation reduces differentiation and osteoprotegerin
      expression in a mouse model of cystic fibrosis-related bone disease.
AB  - Low bone mass and increased fracture risk are recognized complications of cystic
      fibrosis (CF). CF-related bone disease (CFBD) is characterized by uncoupled bone
      turnover--impaired osteoblastic bone formation and enhanced osteoclastic bone
      resorption. Intestinal malabsorption, vitamin D deficiency and inflammatory
      cytokines contribute to CFBD. However, epidemiological investigations and animal
      models also support a direct causal link between inactivation of skeletal cystic
      fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), the gene that when mutated causes CF,
      and CFBD. The objective of this study was to examine the direct actions of CFTR
      on bone. Expression analyses revealed that CFTR mRNA and protein were expressed
      in murine osteoblasts, but not in osteoclasts. Functional studies were then
      performed to investigate the direct actions of CFTR on osteoblasts using a CFTR
      knockout (Cftr-/-) mouse model. In the murine calvarial organ culture assay, Cftr
      /- calvariae displayed significantly less bone formation and osteoblast numbers
      than calvariae harvested from wildtype (Cftr+/+) littermates. CFTR inactivation
      also reduced alkaline phosphatase expression in cultured murine calvarial
      osteoblasts. Although CFTR was not expressed in murine osteoclasts, significantly
      more osteoclasts formed in Cftr-/- compared to Cftr+/+ bone marrow cultures.
      Indirect regulation of osteoclastogenesis by the osteoblast through
      RANK/RANKL/OPG signaling was next examined. Although no difference in receptor
      activator of NF-kappaB ligand (Rankl) mRNA was detected, significantly less
      osteoprotegerin (Opg) was expressed in Cftr-/- compared to Cftr+/+ osteoblasts.
      Together, the Rankl:Opg ratio was significantly higher in Cftr-/- murine
      calvarial osteoblasts contributing to a higher osteoclastogenesis potential. The
      combined findings of reduced osteoblast differentiation and lower Opg expression
      suggested a possible defect in canonical Wnt signaling. In fact, Wnt3a and PTH
      stimulated canonical Wnt signaling was defective in Cftr-/- murine calvarial
      osteoblasts. These results support that genetic inactivation of CFTR in
      osteoblasts contributes to low bone mass and that targeting osteoblasts may
      represent an effective strategy to treat CFBD.

PMID- 24236171
TI  - The first modern human dispersals across Africa.
AB  - The emergence of more refined chronologies for climate change and archaeology in
      prehistoric Africa, and for the evolution of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), now
      make it feasible to test more sophisticated models of early modern human
      dispersals suggested by mtDNA distributions. Here we have generated 42 novel
      whole-mtDNA genomes belonging to haplogroup L0, the most divergent clade in the
      maternal line of descent, and analysed them alongside the growing database of
      African lineages belonging to L0's sister clade, L1'6. We propose that the last
      common ancestor of modern human mtDNAs (carried by "mitochondrial Eve") possibly
      arose in central Africa ~180 ka, at a time of low population size. By ~130 ka two
      distinct groups of anatomically modern humans co-existed in Africa: broadly, the
      ancestors of many modern-day Khoe and San populations in the south and a second
      central/eastern African group that includes the ancestors of most extant
      worldwide populations. Early modern human dispersals correlate with climate
      changes, particularly the tropical African "megadroughts" of MIS 5 (marine
      isotope stage 5, 135-75 ka) which paradoxically may have facilitated expansions
      in central and eastern Africa, ultimately triggering the dispersal out of Africa
      of people carrying haplogroup L3 ~60 ka. Two south to east migrations are
      discernible within haplogroup LO. One, between 120 and 75 ka, represents the
      first unambiguous long-range modern human dispersal detected by mtDNA and might
      have allowed the dispersal of several markers of modernity. A second one, within
      the last 20 ka signalled by L0d, may have been responsible for the spread of
      southern click-consonant languages to eastern Africa, contrary to the view that
      these eastern examples constitute relicts of an ancient, much wider distribution.

PMID- 24236173
TI  - Five year nationwide incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment requiring
      surgery in Korea.
AB  - PURPOSE: To define the incidence and demographic characteristics of
      rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) requiring surgery in Korea. DESIGN:
      Nationwide population-based retrospective study. METHODS: Patients who underwent
      surgery for RRD from 2007 to 2011 were retrospectively identified using the
      diagnostic code for RRD and the surgical codes for retinal detachment surgeries
      in the national claim database. The average incidence rate of RRD during the 5
      year period was estimated using the population data of the 2010 Census in Korea.
      RESULTS: A total of 24,928 surgically treated RRD cases were identified. The
      average incidence of surgery requiring RRD was 10.39 cases per 100,000 person
      years [95% confidence interval (CI), 10.26-10.52). The incidence in men (11.32
      cases per 100,000 person-years; 95% CI: 11.13-11.51) was significantly higher
      than that in women (9.47 cases per 100,000 person-years; 95% CI: 9.29-9.64)
      (p<0.001). The incidence of surgery requiring RRD showed a bimodal distribution
      across age groups, with one peak (28.55 cases per 100,000 person-years; 95% CI:
      27.46-29.67) representing patients between 65 and 69 years of age and the second
      peak (approximately 8.5 per 100,000 person-years) representing patients between
      20 and 29 years of age. The male-to-female ratio was approximately 1.0 for the
      peak-incidence age groups, whereas the ratio was higher for the other age groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of RRD in the Korean population was similar to that
      reported previously, with the peak incidence being lower than that in the
      Caucasian population. The age-specific RRD incidence pattern in Korea followed a
      bimodal distribution.

PMID- 24236174
TI  - Effects of interval and continuous exercise training on CD4 lymphocyte apoptotic
      and autophagic responses to hypoxic stress in sedentary men.
AB  - Exercise is linked with the type/intensity-dependent adaptive immune responses,
      whereas hypoxic stress facilitates the programmed death of CD4 lymphocytes. This
      study investigated how high intensity-interval (HIT) and moderate intensity
      continuous (MCT) exercise training influence hypoxia-induced apoptosis and
      autophagy of CD4 lymphocytes in sedentary men. Thirty healthy sedentary males
      were randomized to engage either HIT (3-minute intervals at 40% and 80%VO2max,
      n=10) or MCT (sustained 60%VO2max, n=10) for 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 5
      weeks, or to a control group that did not received exercise intervention (CTL,
      n=10). CD4 lymphocyte apoptotic and autophagic responses to hypoxic exercise (HE,
      100 W under 12%O2 for 30 minutes) were determined before and after various
      regimens. The results demonstrated that HIT exhibited higher enhancements of
      pulmonary ventilation, cardiac output, and VO2 at ventilatory threshold and peak
      performance than MCT did. Before the intervention, HE significantly down
      regulated autophagy by decreased beclin-1, Atg-1, LC3-II, Atg-12, and LAMP-2
      expressions and acridine orange staining, and simultaneously enhanced apoptosis
      by increased phospho-Bcl-2 and active caspase-9/-3 levels and phosphotidylserine
      exposure in CD4 lymphocytes. However, five weeks of HIT and MCT, but not CTL,
      reduced the extents of declined autophagy and potentiated apoptosis in CD4
      lymphocytes caused by HE. Furthermore, both HIT and MCT regimens manifestly
      lowered plasma myeloperoxidase and interleukin-4 levels and elevated the ratio of
      interleukin-4 to interferon-gamma at rest and following HE. Therefore, we
      conclude that HIT is superior to MCT for enhancing aerobic fitness. Moreover,
      either HIT or MCT effectively depresses apoptosis and promotes autophagy in CD4
      lymphocytes and is accompanied by increased interleukin-4/interferon-gamma ratio
      and decreased peroxide production during HE.

PMID- 24236175
TI  - Characterization of the vaginal microbiota among sexual risk behavior groups of
      women with bacterial vaginosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) remains elusive. BV may
      be more common among women who have sex with women (WSW). The objective of this
      study was to use 454 pyrosequencing to investigate the vaginal microbiome of WSW,
      women who have sex with women and men (WSWM), and women who have sex with men
      (WSM) with BV to determine if there are differences in organism composition
      between groups that may inform new hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of BV.
      METHODS: Vaginal swab specimens from eligible women with BV at the Mississippi
      State Department of Health STD Clinic were used. After DNA extraction, 454
      pyrosequencing of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene sequences was performed. Sequence
      data was classified using the Ribosomal Database Program classifer. Complete
      linkage clustering analysis was performed to compare bacterial community
      composition among samples. Differences in operational taxonomic units with an
      abundance of >= 2% between risk behavior groups were determined. Alpha and beta
      diversity were measured using Shannon's Index implemented in QIIME and Unifrac
      analysis, respectively. RESULTS: 33 WSW, 35 WSWM, and 44 WSM were included. The
      vaginal bacterial communities of all women clustered into four taxonomic groups
      with the dominant taxonomic group in each being Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae,
      Prevotella, and Sneathia. Regarding differences in organism composition between
      risk behavior groups, the abundance of Atopobium (relative ratio (RR)=0.24; 95%CI
      0.11-0.54) and Parvimonas (RR=0.33; 95%CI 0.11-0.93) were significantly lower in
      WSW than WSM, the abundance of Prevotella was significantly higher in WSW than
      WSWM (RR=1.77; 95%CI 1.10-2.86), and the abundance of Atopobium (RR=0.41; 95%CI
      0.18-0.88) was significantly lower in WSWM than WSM. Overall, WSM had the highest
      diversity of bacterial taxa. CONCLUSION: The microbiology of BV among women in
      different risk behavior groups is heterogeneous. WSM in this study had the
      highest diversity of bacterial taxa. Additional studies are needed to better
      understand these differences.

PMID- 24236176
TI  - Purpose in life predicts better emotional recovery from negative stimuli.
AB  - Purpose in life predicts both health and longevity suggesting that the ability to
      find meaning from life's experiences, especially when confronting life's
      challenges, may be a mechanism underlying resilience. Having purpose in life may
      motivate reframing stressful situations to deal with them more productively,
      thereby facilitating recovery from stress and trauma. In turn, enhanced ability
      to recover from negative events may allow a person to achieve or maintain a
      feeling of greater purpose in life over time. In a large sample of adults (aged
      36-84 years) from the MIDUS study (Midlife in the U.S.,
      http://www.midus.wisc.edu/), we tested whether purpose in life was associated
      with better emotional recovery following exposure to negative picture stimuli
      indexed by the magnitude of the eyeblink startle reflex (EBR), a measure
      sensitive to emotional state. We differentiated between initial emotional
      reactivity (during stimulus presentation) and emotional recovery (occurring after
      stimulus offset). Greater purpose in life, assessed over two years prior,
      predicted better recovery from negative stimuli indexed by a smaller eyeblink
      after negative pictures offset, even after controlling for initial reactivity to
      the stimuli during the picture presentation, gender, age, trait affect, and other
      well-being dimensions. These data suggest a proximal mechanism by which purpose
      in life may afford protection from negative events and confer resilience is
      through enhanced automatic emotion regulation after negative emotional
      provocation. 

PMID- 24236177
TI  - A shortened Barnes maze protocol reveals memory deficits at 4-months of age in
      the triple-transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that manifests as
      memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. Animal models of Alzheimer's
      disease have been instrumental in understanding the underlying pathological
      mechanism and in evaluation of potential therapies. The triple transgenic (3 *
      Tg) mouse model of AD is unique because it recapitulates both pathologic
      hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease--amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
      The earliest cognitive deficits in this model have been shown at 6-m of age by
      most groups, necessitating aging of the mice to this age before initiating
      evaluation of the cognitive effects of therapies. To assess cognitive deficits in
      the 3 * Tg mice, originally we employed a typical Barnes maze protocol of 15
      training trials, but found no significant deficits in aged mice. Therefore, we
      shortened the protocol to include only 5 training trials to increase difficulty.
      We found cognitive deficits using this protocol using mainly measures from the
      probe day, rather than the training trials. This also decreased the effort
      involved with data analysis. We compared 3 * Tg and wild-type mice at 4-m- and 15
      m of age using both the original, long training, and the short training
      paradigms. We found that differences in learning between 3 * Tg and wild-type
      mice disappeared after the 4(th) training trial. Measures of learning and memory
      on the probe day showed significant differences between 3 * Tg and wild-type mice
      following the short, 5-training trial protocol but not the long, 15-training
      trial protocol. Importantly, we detected cognitive dysfunction already at 4-m of
      age in 3 * Tg mice using the short Barnes-maze protocol. The ability to test
      learning and memory in 4-m old 3 * Tg mice using a shortened Barnes maze protocol
      offers considerable time and cost savings and provides support for the
      utilization of this model at pre-pathology stages for therapeutic studies.

PMID- 24236178
TI  - Genetic deletion of afadin causes hydrocephalus by destruction of adherens
      junctions in radial glial and ependymal cells in the midbrain.
AB  - Adherens junctions (AJs) play a role in mechanically connecting adjacent cells to
      maintain tissue structure, particularly in epithelial cells. The major cell-cell
      adhesion molecules at AJs are cadherins and nectins. Afadin binds to both nectins
      and alpha-catenin and recruits the cadherin-beta-catenin complex to the nectin
      based cell-cell adhesion site to form AJs. To explore the role of afadin in
      radial glial and ependymal cells in the brain, we generated mice carrying a
      nestin-Cre-mediated conditional knockout (cKO) of the afadin gene. Newborn afadin
      cKO mice developed hydrocephalus and died neonatally. The afadin-cKO brain
      displayed enlarged lateral ventricles and cerebral aqueduct, resulting from
      stenosis of the caudal end of the cerebral aqueduct and obliteration of the
      ventral part of the third ventricle. Afadin deficiency further caused the loss of
      ependymal cells from the ventricular and aqueductal surfaces. During development,
      radial glial cells, which terminally differentiate into ependymal cells,
      scattered from the ventricular zone and were replaced by neurons that eventually
      covered the ventricular and aqueductal surfaces of the afadin-cKO midbrain.
      Moreover, the denuded ependymal cells were only occasionally observed in the
      third ventricle and the cerebral aqueduct of the afadin-cKO midbrain. Afadin was
      co-localized with nectin-1 and N-cadherin at AJs of radial glial and ependymal
      cells in the control midbrain, but these proteins were not concentrated at AJs in
      the afadin-cKO midbrain. Thus, the defects in the afadin-cKO midbrain most likely
      resulted from the destruction of AJs, because AJs in the midbrain were already
      established before afadin was genetically deleted. These results indicate that
      afadin is essential for the maintenance of AJs in radial glial and ependymal
      cells in the midbrain and is required for normal morphogenesis of the cerebral
      aqueduct and ventral third ventricle in the midbrain. 

PMID- 24236179
TI  - Endothelial nitric oxide synthase regulates white matter changes via the
      BDNF/TrkB pathway after stroke in mice.
AB  - Stroke induced white matter (WM) damage is associated with neurological
      functional deficits, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In
      this study, we investigate whether endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)
      affects WM-damage post-stroke. Adult male wild-type (WT) and eNOS knockout (eNOS(
      /-)) mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion. Functional
      evaluation, infarct volume measurement, immunostaining and primary cortical cell
      culture were performed. To obtain insight into the mechanisms underlying the
      effects of eNOS(-/-) on WM-damage, measurement of eNOS, brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB in vivo and in vitro were also
      performed. No significant differences were detected in the infarction volume,
      myelin density in the ipsilateral striatal WM-bundles and myelin-based protein
      expression in the cerebral ischemic border between WT and eNOS(-/-) mice.
      However, eNOS(-/-) mice showed significantly: 1) decreased functional outcome,
      concurrent with decreases of total axon density and phosphorylated high-molecular
      weight neurofilament density in the ipsilateral striatal WM-bundles. Correlation
      analysis showed that axon density is significantly positive correlated with
      neurological functional outcome; 2) decreased numbers of oligodendrocytes /
      oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the ipsilateral striatum; 3) decreased
      synaptophysin, BDNF and TrkB expression in the ischemic border compared with WT
      mice after stroke (n = 12/group, p<0.05). Primary cortical cell culture confirmed
      that the decrease of neuronal neurite outgrowth in the neurons derived from eNOS(
      /-) mice is mediated by the reduction of BDNF/TrkB (n = 6/group, p<0.05). Our
      data show that eNOS plays a critical role in WM-damage after stroke, and eNOS(-/
      )-induced decreases in the BDNF/TrkB pathway may contribute to increased WM
      damage, and thereby decrease functional outcome.

PMID- 24236180
TI  - Characterization of Enterococcus faecalis phage IME-EF1 and its endolysin.
AB  - Enterococcus faecalis is increasingly becoming an important nosocomial infection
      opportunistic pathogen. E. faecalis can easily obtain drug resistance, making it
      difficult to be controlled in clinical settings. Using bacteriophage as an
      alternative treatment to drug-resistant bacteria has been revitalized recently,
      especially for fighting drug-resistant bacteria. In this research, an E. faecalis
      bacteriophage named IME-EF1 was isolated from hospital sewage. Whole genomic
      sequence analysis demonstrated that the isolated IME-EF1 belong to the
      Siphoviridae family, and has a linear double-stranded DNA genome consisting of
      57,081 nucleotides. The IME-EF1 genome has a 40.04% G+C content and contains 98
      putative coding sequences. In addition, IME-EF1 has an isometric head with a
      width of 35 nm to 60 nm and length of 75 nm to 90 nm, as well as morphology
      resembling a tadpole. IME-EF1 can adsorb to its host cells within 9 min, with an
      absorbance rate more than 99% and a latent period time of 25 min. The endolysin
      of IME-EF1 contains a CHAP domain in its N-terminal and has a wider bactericidal
      spectrum than its parental bacteriophage, including 2 strains of vancomycin
      resistant E. faecalis. When administrated intraperitoneally, one dose of IME-EF1
      or its endolysin can reduce bacterial count in the blood and protected the mice
      from a lethal challenge of E. faecalis, with a survival rate of 60% or 80%,
      respectively. Although bacteriophage could rescue mice from bacterial challenge,
      to the best of our knowledge, this study further supports the potential function
      of bacteriophage in dealing with E. faecalis infection in vivo. The results also
      indicated that the newly isolated bacteriophage IME-EF1 enriched the arsenal
      library of lytic E. faecalis bacteriophages and presented another choice for
      phage therapy in the future.

PMID- 24236181
TI  - Role of exercise in the management of diabetes mellitus: the global scenario.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exercise training programs have emerged as a useful therapeutic
      regimen for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Majority of the
      Western studies highlighted the effective role of exercise in T2DM. Therefore,
      the main aim was to focus on the extent, type of exercise and its clinical
      significance in T2DM in order to educate the clinicians from developing
      countries, especially in Asians. METHODS: Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus, ISI Web
      of Knowledge and Google scholar were searched using the terms "type 2 diabetes
      mellitus," "type 2 DM," "exercise," and/or "physical activity," and "type 2
      diabetes mellitus with exercise." Only clinical or human studies published in
      English language between 2000 and 2012 were included. Certain criteria were
      assigned to achieve appropriate results. RESULTS: Twenty five studies met the
      selected criteria. The majority of the studies were randomized controlled trial
      study design (65%). Most of the aerobic exercise based studies showed a
      beneficial effect in T2DM. Resistance exercise also proved to have positive
      effect on T2DM patients. Minimal studies related to other types of exercises such
      as yoga classes, joba riding and endurance-type exercise were found. On the other
      hand, United States of America (USA) showed strong interest of exercise
      management towards T2DM. CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise is more common in clinical
      practice compared to resistance exercise in managing T2DM. Treatment of T2DM with
      exercise training showed promising role in USA. A large number of researches are
      mandatory in the developing countries for incorporating exercise in the effective
      management of T2DM.

PMID- 24236182
TI  - Runx3-mediated transcriptional program in cytotoxic lymphocytes.
AB  - The transcription factor Runx3 is highly expressed in CD8(+) T and NK cytotoxic
      lymphocytes and is required for their effective activation and proliferation but
      molecular insights into the transcription program regulated by Runx3 in these
      cells are still missing. Using Runx3-ChIP-seq and transcriptome analysis of wild
      type vs. Runx3(-/-) primary cells we have now identified Runx3-regulated genes in
      the two cell types at both resting and IL-2-activated states. Runx3-bound genomic
      regions in both cell types were distantly located relative to gene transcription
      start sites and were enriched for RUNX and ETS motifs. Bound genomic regions
      significantly overlapped T-bet and p300-bound enhancer regions in Runx3
      expressing Th1 helper cells. Compared to resting cells, IL-2-activated CD8(+) T
      and NK cells contain three times more Runx3-regulated genes that are common to
      both cell types. Functional annotation of shared CD8(+) T and NK Runx3-regulated
      genes revealed enrichment for immune-associated terms including lymphocyte
      activation, proliferation, cytotoxicity, migration and cytokine production,
      highlighting the role of Runx3 in CD8(+) T and NK activated cells. 

PMID- 24236184
TI  - Molecular typing of lung adenocarcinoma on cytological samples using a multigene
      next generation sequencing panel.
AB  - Identification of driver mutations in lung adenocarcinoma has led to development
      of targeted agents that are already approved for clinical use or are in clinical
      trials. Therefore, the number of biomarkers that will be needed to assess is
      expected to rapidly increase. This calls for the implementation of methods
      probing the mutational status of multiple genes for inoperable cases, for which
      limited cytological or bioptic material is available. Cytology specimens from 38
      lung adenocarcinomas were subjected to the simultaneous assessment of 504
      mutational hotspots of 22 lung cancer-associated genes using 10 nanograms of DNA
      and Ion Torrent PGM next-generation sequencing. Thirty-six cases were
      successfully sequenced (95%). In 24/36 cases (67%) at least one mutated gene was
      observed, including EGFR, KRAS, PIK3CA, BRAF, TP53, PTEN, MET, SMAD4, FGFR3,
      STK11, MAP2K1. EGFR and KRAS mutations, respectively found in 6/36 (16%) and
      10/36 (28%) cases, were mutually exclusive. Nine samples (25%) showed concurrent
      alterations in different genes. The next-generation sequencing test used is
      superior to current standard methodologies, as it interrogates multiple genes and
      requires limited amounts of DNA. Its applicability to routine cytology samples
      might allow a significant increase in the fraction of lung cancer patients
      eligible for personalized therapy. 

PMID- 24236183
TI  - High-fat diet reduces the formation of butyrate, but increases succinate,
      inflammation, liver fat and cholesterol in rats, while dietary fibre counteracts
      these effects.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes and risk factors associated to
      the metabolic syndrome. Consumption of dietary fibres has been shown to have
      positive metabolic health effects, such as by increasing satiety, lowering blood
      glucose and cholesterol levels. These effects may be associated with short-chain
      fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly propionic and butyric acids, formed by
      microbial degradation of dietary fibres in colon, and by their capacity to reduce
      low-grade inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether dietary fibres, giving
      rise to different SCFAs, would affect metabolic risk markers in low-fat and high
      fat diets using a model with conventional rats for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Conventional rats were administered low-fat or high-fat diets, for 2, 4
      or 6 weeks, supplemented with fermentable dietary fibres, giving rise to
      different SCFA patterns (pectin - acetic acid; guar gum - propionic acid; or a
      mixture - butyric acid). At the end of each experimental period, liver fat,
      cholesterol and triglycerides, serum and caecal SCFAs, plasma cholesterol, and
      inflammatory cytokines were analysed. The caecal microbiota was analysed after 6
      weeks. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Fermentable dietary fibre decreased weight gain,
      liver fat, cholesterol and triglyceride content, and changed the formation of
      SCFAs. The high-fat diet primarily reduced formation of SCFAs but, after a longer
      experimental period, the formation of propionic and acetic acids recovered. The
      concentration of succinic acid in the rats increased in high-fat diets with time,
      indicating harmful effect of high-fat consumption. The dietary fibre partly
      counteracted these harmful effects and reduced inflammation. Furthermore, the
      number of Bacteroides was higher with guar gum, while noticeably that of
      Akkermansia was highest with the fibre-free diet.

PMID- 24236185
TI  - Exploring risk perception and attitudes to miscarriage and congenital anomaly in
      rural Western Kenya.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding the socio-cultural context and perceptions of adverse
      pregnancy outcomes is important for informing the best approaches for public
      health programs. This article describes the perceptions, beliefs and health
      seeking behaviours of women from rural western Kenya regarding congenital
      anomalies and miscarriages. METHODS: Ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were
      undertaken in a rural district in western Kenya in September 2010. The FGDs
      included separate groups consisting of adult women of childbearing age,
      adolescent girls, recently pregnant women, traditional birth attendants and
      mothers of children with a birth defect. Participants were selected purposively.
      A deductive thematic framework approach using the questions from the FGD guides
      was used to analyse the transcripts. RESULTS: There was substantial overlap
      between perceived causes of miscarriages and congenital anomalies and these were
      broadly categorized into two groups: biomedical and cultural. The biomedical
      causes included medications, illnesses, physical and emotional stresses, as well
      as hereditary causes. Cultural beliefs mostly related to the breaking of a taboo
      or not following cultural norms. Mothers were often stigmatised and blamed
      following miscarriage, or the birth of a child with a congenital anomaly. Often,
      women did not seek care following miscarriage unless there was a complication.
      Most reported that children with a congenital anomaly were neglected either
      because of lack of knowledge of where care could be sought or because these
      children brought shame to the family and were hidden from society. CONCLUSION:
      The local explanatory model of miscarriage and congenital anomalies covered many
      perceived causes within biomedical and cultural beliefs. Some of these fuelled
      stigmatisation and blame of the mother. Understanding of these beliefs, improving
      access to information about the possible causes of adverse outcomes, and greater
      collaboration between traditional healers and healthcare providers may help to
      reduce stigma and increase access to formal healthcare providers.

PMID- 24236186
TI  - Genetic variation of human papillomavirus type 16 in individual clinical
      specimens revealed by deep sequencing.
AB  - Viral genetic diversity within infected cells or tissues, called viral
      quasispecies, has been mostly studied for RNA viruses, but has also been
      described among DNA viruses, including human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)
      present in cervical precancerous lesions. However, the extent of HPV genetic
      variation in cervical specimens, and its involvement in HPV-induced
      carcinogenesis, remains unclear. Here, we employ deep sequencing to
      comprehensively analyze genetic variation in the HPV16 genome isolated from
      individual clinical specimens. Through overlapping full-circle PCR, approximately
      8-kb DNA fragments covering the whole HPV16 genome were amplified from HPV16
      positive cervical exfoliated cells collected from patients with either low-grade
      squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) or invasive cervical cancer (ICC). Deep
      sequencing of the amplified HPV16 DNA enabled de novo assembly of the full-length
      HPV16 genome sequence for each of 7 specimens (5 LSIL and 2 ICC samples).
      Subsequent alignment of read sequences to the assembled HPV16 sequence revealed
      that 2 LSILs and 1 ICC contained nucleotide variations within E6, E1 and the non
      coding region between E5 and L2 with mutation frequencies of 0.60% to 5.42%. In
      transient replication assays, a novel E1 mutant found in ICC, E1 Q381E, showed
      reduced ability to support HPV16 origin-dependent replication. In addition,
      partially deleted E2 genes were detected in 1 LSIL sample in a mixed state with
      the intact E2 gene. Thus, the methods used in this study provide a fundamental
      framework for investigating the influence of HPV somatic genetic variation on
      cervical carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 24236187
TI  - Increased numbers of circulating CD8 effector memory T cells before
      transplantation enhance the risk of acute rejection in lung transplant
      recipients.
AB  - The effector and regulatory T cell subpopulations involved in the development of
      acute rejection episodes in lung transplantation remain to be elucidated. Twenty
      seven lung transplant candidates were prospectively monitored before
      transplantation and within the first year post-transplantation. Regulatory, Th17,
      memory and naive T cells were measured in peripheral blood of lung transplant
      recipients by flow cytometry. No association of acute rejection with number of
      peripheral regulatory T cells and Th17 cells was found. However, effector memory
      subsets in acute rejection patients were increased during the first two months
      post-transplant. Interestingly, patients waiting for lung transplant with levels
      of CD8(+) effector memory T cells over 185 cells/mm(3) had a significant
      increased risk of rejection [OR: 5.62 (95% CI: 1.08-29.37), p=0.04]. In
      multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender the odds ratio for rejection
      was: OR: 5.89 (95% CI: 1.08-32.24), p=0.04. These data suggest a correlation
      between acute rejection and effector memory T cells in lung transplant
      recipients. The measurement of peripheral blood CD8(+) effector memory T cells
      prior to lung transplant may define patients at high risk of acute lung
      rejection. 

PMID- 24236188
TI  - Regional control of Drosophila gut stem cell proliferation: EGF establishes GSSC
      proliferative set point & controls emergence from quiescence.
AB  - Adult stem cells vary widely in their rates of proliferation. Some stem cells are
      constitutively active, while others divide only in response to injury. The
      mechanism controlling this differential proliferative set point is not well
      understood. The anterior-posterior (A/P) axis of the adult Drosophila midgut has
      a segmental organization, displaying physiological compartmentalization and
      region-specific epithelia. These distinct midgut regions are maintained by
      defined stem cell populations with unique division schedules, providing an
      excellent experimental model with which to investigate this question. Here, we
      focus on the quiescent gastric stem cells (GSSCs) of the acidic copper cell
      region (CCR), which exhibit the greatest period of latency between divisions of
      all characterized gut stem cells, to define the molecular basis of differential
      stem cell activity. Our molecular genetic analysis demonstrates that the
      mitogenic EGF signaling pathway is a limiting factor controlling GSSC
      proliferation. We find that under baseline conditions, when GSSCs are largely
      quiescent, the lowest levels of EGF ligands in the midgut are found in the CCR.
      However, acute epithelial injury by enteric pathogens leads to an increase in EGF
      ligand expression in the CCR and rapid expansion of the GSSC lineage. Thus, the
      unique proliferative set points for gut stem cells residing in physiologically
      distinct compartments are governed by regional control of niche signals along the
      A/P axis. 

PMID- 24236189
TI  - TGFbetas modulate permeability of the blood-epididymis barrier in an in vitro
      model.
AB  - The blood-epididymis barrier (BEB) is formed by epithelial tight junctions
      mediating selective permeability of the epididymal epithelium. Defective barrier
      function can disturb the balance of the epididymal milieu, which may result in
      infertility. The stroma of the epididymis contains high amounts of cytokines of
      the TGFbeta family of unknown function. We screened possible effects of all three
      TGFbeta isoforms on paracellular tightness in a BEB in vitro model based on the
      strongly polarized mouse epididymal epithelial MEPC5 cells in the transwell
      system. In this model we found a robust transepithelial electrical resistance
      (TER) of about 840 Omega x cm(2). Effects on the paracellular permeability were
      evaluated by two methods, TER and FITC-Dextran-based tracer diffusion assays.
      Both assays add up to corresponding results indicating a time-dependent
      disturbance of the BEB differentially for the three TGFbeta isoforms
      (TGFbeta3>TGFbeta1>TGFbeta2) in a TGFbeta-receptor-1 kinase- and Smad-dependent
      manner. The tight junction protein claudin-1 was found to be reduced by the
      treatment with TGFbetas, whereas occludin was not influenced. Epididymal
      epithelial cells are predominantly responsive to TGFbetas from the basolateral
      side, suggesting that TGFbeta may have an impact on the epididymal epithelium
      from the stroma in vivo. Our data show for the first time that TGFbetas decrease
      paracellular tightness in epididymal epithelial cells, thus establishing a novel
      mechanism of regulation of BEB permeability, which is elementary for sperm
      maturation and male fertility.

PMID- 24236190
TI  - Impact of pregnancy-associated malaria on infant malaria infection in southern
      Benin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infants of mothers with placental Plasmodium falciparum infections at
      delivery are themselves more susceptible to malaria attacks or to infection in
      early life. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To assess the impact of either the
      timing or the number of pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) infections on the
      incidence of parasitemia or malaria attacks in infancy, we followed 218 mothers
      through pregnancy (monthly visits) up to delivery and their infants from birth to
      12 months of age (fortnightly visits), collecting detailed clinical and
      parasitological data. After adjustment on location, mother's age, birth season,
      bed net use, and placental malaria, infants born to a mother with PAM during the
      third trimester of pregnancy had a significantly increased risk of infection (OR
      [95% CI]: 4.2 [1.6; 10.5], p = 0.003) or of malaria attack (4.6 [1.7; 12.5], p =
      0.003). PAM during the first and second trimesters had no such impact. Similarly
      significant results were found for the effect of the overall number of PAM
      episodes on the time to first parasitemia and first malaria attack (HR [95% CI]:
      2.95 [1.58; 5.50], p = 0.001 and 3.19 [1.59; 6.38], p = 0.001) respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the importance of protecting
      newborns by preventing repeated episodes of PAM in their mothers.

PMID- 24236191
TI  - Reduced prevalence of malaria infection in children living in houses with window
      screening or closed eaves on Bioko Island, equatorial Guinea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that fewer mosquitoes enter houses
      which are screened or have closed eaves. There is little evidence about the
      effect on malaria infection in humans that changes in house construction may
      have. This study examines the impact of protective housing improvements on
      malaria infection on Bioko Island. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Data from the
      annual malaria indicator surveys between 2009 and 2012 were used to assess trends
      in housing characteristics and their effect on RDT confirmed malaria infection in
      household members. Odds ratios were adjusted for socio-economic status of the
      household.22726 children between the ages of 2 and 14 years were tested for P.
      falciparum. Prevalence of infection in those living in houses with open eaves was
      23.0% compared to 18.8% for those living in houses with closed eaves (OR = 0.81,
      95% CI 0.67 - 0.98). The prevalence of infection for children in screened houses
      was 9.1% versus 20.1% for those living in unscreened houses (OR = 0.44, 95% CI
      0.27 - 0.71). The proportion of houses with closed eaves increased from 66.0% in
      2009 to 74.3% in 2012 (test for trend p = 0.01). The proportion of screened
      houses remained unchanged over time at 1.3%. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: As a
      malaria control intervention, house modification has the advantages that it is
      not affected by the growing threat of insecticide resistance; it protects all
      household members equally and at all times while indoors; and it offers
      protection against a number of vector borne diseases. The study provides evidence
      in support of efforts to regulate or encourage housing improvements which impede
      vector access into residences as part of an integrated vector control approach to
      complement existing measures which have been only partially successful in
      reducing malaria transmission in some parts of Bioko.

PMID- 24236192
TI  - Behaviour of a new composite mesh for the repair of full-thickness abdominal wall
      defects in a rabbit model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Composite biomaterials designed for the repair of abdominal wall
      defects are composed of a mesh component and a laminar barrier in contact with
      the visceral peritoneum. This study assesses the behaviour of a new composite
      mesh by comparing it with two latest-generation composites currently used in
      clinical practice. METHODS: Defects (7x5cm) created in the anterior abdominal
      wall of New Zealand White rabbits were repaired using a polypropylene mesh and
      the composites: Physiomesh(TM); Ventralight(TM) and a new composite mesh with a
      three-dimensional macroporous polyester structure and an oxidized
      collagen/chitosan barrier. Animals were sacrificed on days 14 and 90 postimplant.
      Specimens were processed to determine host tissue incorporation, gene/protein
      expression of neo-collagens (RT-PCR/immunofluorescence), macrophage response (RAM
      11-immunolabelling) and biomechanical resistance. On postoperative days 7/14,
      each animal was examined laparoscopically to quantify adhesions between the
      visceral peritoneum and implant. RESULTS: The new composite mesh showed the
      lowest incidence of seroma in the short term. At each time point, the mesh
      surface covered with adhesions was greater in controls than composites. By day
      14, the implants were fully infiltrated by a loose connective tissue that became
      denser over time. At 90 days, the peritoneal mesh surface was lined with a stable
      mesothelium. The new composite mesh induced more rapid tissue maturation than
      Physiomesh(TM), giving rise to a neoformed tissue containing more type I
      collagen. In Ventralight(TM) the macrophage reaction was intense and
      significantly greater than the other composites at both follow-up times. Tensile
      strengths were similar for each biomaterial. CONCLUSIONS: All composites showed
      optimal peritoneal behaviour, inducing good peritoneal regeneration and scarce
      postoperative adhesion formation. A greater foreign body reaction was observed
      for Ventralight(TM). All composites induced good collagen deposition accompanied
      by optimal tensile strength. The three-dimensional macroporous structure of the
      new composite mesh may promote rapid tissue regeneration within the mesh.

PMID- 24236193
TI  - Prognostic importance and therapeutic implications of PAK1, a drugable protein
      kinase, in gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma is a lethal cancer with rising
      incidence, yet the molecular biomarkers that have strong prognostic impact and
      also hold great therapeutic promise remain elusive. We used a data mining
      approach and identified the p21 protein-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), an oncogene
      and drugable protein kinase, to be among the most promising targets for GEJ
      adenocarcinoma. Immunoblot analysis and data mining demonstrated that PAK1
      protein and mRNA were upregulated in cancer tissues compared to the noncancerous
      tissues. Immunohistochemistry revealed PAK1 overexpression in 72.6% of primary
      GEJ adenocarcinomas (n = 113). A step-wise increase in PAK1 levels was noted from
      paired normal epithelium, to atypical hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma. PAK1
      overexpression in tumor was associated with lymph node (LN) metastasis (P<0.001),
      advanced tumor stage (P<0.001), large tumor size (P = 0.006), residual surgical
      margin (P = 0.033), and unfavorable overall survival (P<0.001). Multivariate
      analysis showed PAK1 overexpression is an independent high-risk prognostic
      predictor (P<0.001). Collectively, PAK1 is overexpressed during tumorigenic
      progression and its upregulation correlates with malignant properties mainly
      relevant to invasion and metastasis. PAK1 expression could serve as a prognostic
      predictor that holds therapeutic promise for GEJ adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 24236194
TI  - Prediction and characterization of small non-coding RNAs related to secondary
      metabolites in Saccharopolyspora erythraea.
AB  - Saccharopolyspora erythraea produces a large number of secondary metabolites with
      biological activities, including erythromycin. Elucidation of the mechanisms
      through which the production of these secondary metabolites is regulated may help
      to identify new strategies for improved biosynthesis of erythromycin. In this
      paper, we describe the systematic prediction and analysis of small non-coding
      RNAs (sRNAs) in S. erythraea, with the aim to elucidate sRNA-mediated regulation
      of secondary metabolite biosynthesis. In silico and deep-sequencing technologies
      were applied to predict sRNAs in S. erythraea. Six hundred and forty-seven
      potential sRNA loci were identified, of which 382 cis-encoded antisense RNA are
      complementary to protein-coding regions and 265 predicted transcripts are located
      in intergenic regions. Six candidate sRNAs (sernc292, sernc293, sernc350,
      sernc351, sernc361, and sernc389) belong to four gene clusters (tpc3, pke, pks6,
      and nrps5) that are involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Deep
      sequencing data showed that the expression of all sRNAs in the strain HL3168 E3
      (E3) was higher than that in NRRL23338 (M), except for sernc292 and sernc361
      expression. The relative expression of six sRNAs in strain M and E3 were
      validated by qRT-PCR at three different time points (24, 48, and 72 h). The
      results showed that, at each time point, the transcription levels of sernc293,
      sernc350, sernc351, and sernc389 were higher in E3 than in M, with the largest
      difference observed at 72 h, whereas no signals for sernc292 and sernc361 were
      detected. sernc293, sernc350, sernc351, and sernc389 probably regulate iron
      transport, terpene metabolism, geosmin synthesis, and polyketide biosynthesis,
      respectively. The major significance of this study is the successful prediction
      and identification of sRNAs in genomic regions close to the secondary metabolism
      related genes in S. erythraea. A better understanding of the sRNA-target
      interaction would help to elucidate the complete range of functions of sRNAs in
      S. erythraea, including sRNA-mediated regulation of erythromycin biosynthesis. 

PMID- 24236197
TI  - Recurrent chromosome 22 deletions in osteoblastoma affect inhibitors of the
      Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.
AB  - Osteoblastoma is a bone forming tumor with histological features highly similar
      to osteoid osteoma; the discrimination between the tumor types is based on size
      and growth pattern. The vast majority of osteoblastomas are benign but there is a
      group of so-called aggressive osteoblastomas that can be diagnostically
      challenging at the histopathological level. The genetic aberrations required for
      osteoblastoma development are not known and no genetic difference between
      conventional and aggressive osteoblastoma has been reported. In order to identify
      recurrent genomic aberrations of importance for tumor development we applied
      cytogenetic and/or SNP array analyses on nine conventional and two aggressive
      osteoblastomas. The conventional osteoblastomas showed few or no acquired genetic
      aberrations while the aggressive tumors displayed heavily rearranged genomes. In
      one of the aggressive osteoblastomas, three neighboring regions in chromosome
      band 22q12 were homozygously deleted. Hemizygous deletions of these regions were
      found in two additional cases, one aggressive and one conventional. In total, 10
      genes were recurrently and homozygously lost in osteoblastoma. Four of them are
      functionally involved in regulating osteogenesis and/or tumorigenesis. MN1 and
      NF2 have previously been implicated in the development of leukemia and solid
      tumors, and ZNRF3 and KREMEN1 are inhibitors of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling
      pathway. In line with deletions of the latter two genes, high beta-catenin
      protein expression has previously been reported in osteoblastoma and aberrations
      affecting the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway have been found in other bone lesions,
      including osteoma and osteosarcoma. 

PMID- 24236195
TI  - Glycated hemoglobin independently predicts stroke recurrence within one year
      after acute first-ever non-cardioembolic strokes onset in A Chinese cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hyperglycemia is related to stroke. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) can
      reflect pre-stroke glycaemia status. However, the information on the direct
      association between HbA1c and recurrence after non-cardioembolic acute ischemic
      strokes is rare and there is no consistent conclusion. METHODS: The ACROSS-China
      database comprised of 2186 consecutive first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients
      with baseline HbA1c values. After excluding patients who died from non-stroke
      recurrence and patients lost to follow up, 1817 and 1540 were eligible for 3
      month and 1-year analyses, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression was
      performed to evaluate the associations between HbA1c and 3-month and 1-year
      stroke recurrence. RESULTS: The HbA1c values at admission were divided into 4
      levels by quartiles: Q1 (<5.5%); Q2 (5.5 to <6.1%); Q3 (6.1% to <7.2%); and Q4
      (>= 7.2%). The cumulative recurrence rates were 8.3% and 11.0% for 3 months and 1
      year, respectively. In multivariate analyses, when compared with Q1, the adjusted
      hazard ratios (AHRs) were 2.83 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-6.26) in Q3 and
      3.71(95% CI 1.68-8.21) in Q4 for 3-month stroke recurrence; 3.30 (95% CI 1.31
      8.34) in Q3 and 3.35 (95% CI 1.36-8.21) in Q4 for 1-year stroke recurrence.
      Adding fasting plasma glucose in the multivariate analyses did not modify the
      association: AHRs were 2.75 (95% CI 1.24-6.11) in Q3 and 3.67 (95% CI 1.59-8.53)
      in Q4 for 3-month analysis; AHRs were 3.08 (95% CI 1.10-8.64) in Q3 and 3.31(95%
      CI 1.35-8.14) in Q4 for 1-year analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A higher "normal" HbA1c
      level reflecting pre-stroke glycaemia status independently predicts stroke
      recurrence within one year after non-cardioembolic acute ischemic stroke onset.
      HbA1c is recommended as a routine test in acute ischemic stroke patients.

PMID- 24236196
TI  - Differential regulation of disheveled in a novel vegetal cortical domain in sea
      urchin eggs and embryos: implications for the localized activation of canonical
      Wnt signaling.
AB  - Pattern formation along the animal-vegetal (AV) axis in sea urchin embryos is
      initiated when canonical Wnt (cWnt) signaling is activated in vegetal
      blastomeres. The mechanisms that restrict cWnt signaling to vegetal blastomeres
      are not well understood, but there is increasing evidence that the egg's vegetal
      cortex plays a critical role in this process by mediating localized "activation"
      of Disheveled (Dsh). To investigate how Dsh activity is regulated along the AV
      axis, sea urchin-specific Dsh antibodies were used to examine expression,
      subcellular localization, and post-translational modification of Dsh during
      development. Dsh is broadly expressed during early sea urchin development, but
      immunolocalization studies revealed that this protein is enriched in a punctate
      pattern in a novel vegetal cortical domain (VCD) in the egg. Vegetal blastomeres
      inherit this VCD during embryogenesis, and at the 60-cell stage Dsh puncta are
      seen in all cells that display nuclear beta-catenin. Analysis of Dsh post
      translational modification using two-dimensional Western blot analysis revealed
      that compared to Dsh pools in the bulk cytoplasm, this protein is differentially
      modified in the VCD and in the 16-cell stage micromeres that partially inherit
      this domain. Dsh localization to the VCD is not directly affected by disruption
      of microfilaments and microtubules, but unexpectedly, microfilament disruption
      led to degradation of all the Dsh pools in unfertilized eggs over a period of
      incubation suggesting that microfilament integrity is required for maintaining
      Dsh stability. These results demonstrate that a pool of differentially modified
      Dsh in the VCD is selectively inherited by the vegetal blastomeres that activate
      cWnt signaling in early embryos, and suggests that this domain functions as a
      scaffold for localized Dsh activation. Localized cWnt activation regulates AV
      axis patterning in many metazoan embryos. Hence, it is possible that the VCD is
      an evolutionarily conserved cytoarchitectural domain that specifies the AV axis
      in metazoan ova. 

PMID- 24236198
TI  - Comparative xylose metabolism among the Ascomycetes C. albicans, S. stipitis and
      S. cerevisiae.
AB  - The ascomycetes Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Scheffersomyces
      stipitis metabolize the pentose sugar xylose very differently. S. cerevisiae
      fails to grow on xylose, while C. albicans can grow, and S. stipitis can both
      grow and ferment xylose to ethanol. However, all three species contain highly
      similar genes that encode potential xylose reductases and xylitol dehydrogenases
      required to convert xylose to xylulose, and xylulose supports the growth of all
      three fungi. We have created C. albicans strains deleted for the xylose reductase
      gene GRE3, the xylitol dehydrogenase gene XYL2, as well as the gre3 xyl2 double
      mutant. As expected, all the mutant strains cannot grow on xylose, while the
      single gre3 mutant can grow on xylitol. The gre3 and xyl2 mutants are efficiently
      complemented by the XYL1 and XYL2 from S. stipitis. Intriguingly, the S.
      cerevisiae GRE3 gene can complement the Cagre3 mutant, while the ScSOR1 gene can
      complement the Caxyl2 mutant, showing that S. cerevisiae contains the enzymatic
      capacity for converting xylose to xylulose. In addition, the gre3 xyl2 double
      mutant of C. albicans is effectively rescued by the xylose isomerase (XI) gene of
      either Piromyces or Orpinomyces, suggesting that the XI provides an alternative
      to the missing oxido-reductase functions in the mutant required for the xylose
      xylulose conversion. Overall this work suggests that C. albicans strains
      engineered to lack essential steps for xylose metabolism can provide a platform
      for the analysis of xylose metabolism enzymes from a variety of species, and
      confirms that S. cerevisiae has the genetic potential to convert xylose to
      xylulose, although non-engineered strains cannot proliferate on xylose as the
      sole carbon source. 

PMID- 24236199
TI  - Dopamine and pain sensitivity: neither sulpiride nor acute phenylalanine and
      tyrosine depletion have effects on thermal pain sensations in healthy volunteers.
AB  - Based on animal studies and some indirect clinical evidence, dopamine has been
      suggested to have anti-nociceptive effects. Here, we investigated directly the
      effects of increased and decreased availability of extracellular dopamine on pain
      perception in healthy volunteers. In Study 1, participants ingested, in separate
      sessions, a placebo and a low dose of the centrally acting D2-receptor antagonist
      sulpiride, intended to increase synaptic dopamine via predominant pre-synaptic
      blockade. No effects were seen on thermal pain thresholds, tolerance, or temporal
      summation. Study 2 used the acute phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion (APTD)
      method to transiently decrease dopamine availability. In one session participants
      ingested a mixture that depletes the dopamine amino acid precursors,
      phenylalanine and tyrosine. In the other session they ingested a nutritionally
      balanced control mixture. APTD led to a small mood-lowering response following
      aversive thermal stimulation, but had no effects on the perception of cold, warm,
      or pain stimuli. In both studies the experimental manipulation of dopaminergic
      neurotransmission was successful as indicated by manipulation checks. The results
      contradict proposals that dopamine has direct anti-nociceptive effects in acute
      experimental pain. Based on dopamine's well-known role in reward processing, we
      hypothesize that also in the context of pain, dopamine acts on stimulus salience
      and might play a role in the initiation of avoidance behavior rather than having
      direct antinociceptive effects in acute experimental pain. 

PMID- 24236200
TI  - The role of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 on the stromal cell-derived factor
      1/CXCR4 system in oral cancer.
AB  - We have demonstrated that blocking CXCR4 may be a potent anti-metastatic therapy
      for CXCR4-related oral cancer. However, as CXCR4 antagonists are currently in
      clinical use to induce the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells, continuous
      administration as an inhibitor for the metastasis may lead to persistent
      leukocytosis. In this study, we investigated the novel therapeutic downstream
      target(s) of the SDF-1/CXCR4 system, using B88-SDF-1 cells, which have an
      autocrine SDF-1/CXCR4 system and exhibit distant metastatic potential in vivo.
      Microarray analysis revealed that 418 genes were upregulated in B88-SDF-1 cells.
      We identified a gene that is highly upregulated in B88-SDF-1 cells, metabotropic
      glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), which was downregulated following treatment with
      1,1' -[1,4-Phenylenebis(methylene)]bis-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane
      octahydrochloride (AMD3100), a CXCR4 antagonist. The upregulation of mGluR5 mRNA
      in the SDF-1/CXCR4 system was predominately regulated by the Ras-extracellular
      signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway. Additionally, the growth of B88-SDF-1
      cells was not affected by the mGluR5 agonist (S)-3,5-DHPG (DHPG) or the mGluR5
      antagonists 2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP) and 3-((2-Methyl-1,3
      thiazol-4-yl)ethynyl)pyridine (MTEP). However, we observed that DHPG promoted B88
      SDF-1 cell migration, whereas both MPEP and MTEP inhibited B88-SDF-1 cell
      migration. To assess drug toxicity, the antagonists were intraperitoneally
      injected into immunocompetent mice for 4 weeks. Mice injected with MPEP (5 mg/kg)
      and MTEP (5 mg/kg) did not exhibit any side effects, such as hematotoxicity,
      allergic reactions or weight loss. The administration of antagonists
      significantly inhibited the metastasis of B88-SDF-1 cells to the lungs of nude
      mice. These results suggest that blocking mGluR5 with antagonists such as MPEP
      and MTEP could prevent metastasis in CXCR4-related oral cancer without causing
      side effects. 

PMID- 24236201
TI  - Platelet P2Y12 is involved in murine pulmonary metastasis.
AB  - The involvement of platelets in tumor progression is well recognized. The
      depletion of circulating platelets or pharmacologic inhibitors of platelet
      activation decreases the metastatic potential of circulating tumor cells in
      metastasis mouse models. The platelet ADP receptor P2Y12 amplifies the initial
      hemostatic responses activated by a variety of platelet agonists and stabilizes
      platelet aggregation, playing a crucial role in granule secretion, integrin
      activation and thrombus formation. However, the relationship between P2Y12 and
      tumor progression is not clear. In our study, the Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC)
      spontaneous metastatic mouse model was used to evaluate the role of P2Y12 in
      metastasis. The results demonstrated that P2Y12 deficiency significantly reduced
      pulmonary metastasis. Further studies indicated that P2Y12 deficiency diminished
      the ability of LLC cells to induce platelet shape change and release of active
      TGFbeta1 by a non-contact dependent mechanism resulting in a diminished, platelet
      induced EMT-like transformation of the LLC cells, and that transformation
      probably is a prerequisite of LLC cell metastasis. Immunohistochemical analyses
      indicated an obvious P2Y12 deficiency related attenuation of recruitment of
      VEGFR1+ bone marrow derived cell clusters, and extracellular matrix fibronectin
      deposition in lungs, which presumably are required for pre-metastatic niche
      formation. In contrast to the LLC cells, non-epithelial melanoma B16 cells
      induced platelet aggregation in a cell number and P2Y12-dependent manner. Also, a
      platelet induced EMT-like transformation of B16 cells is dependent on P2Y12. In
      agreement with the LLC cell model, platelet P2Y12 deficiency also results in
      significantly less lung metastasis in the B16 melanoma experimental metastasis
      model. These results demonstrate that P2Y12 is a safe drug target for anti
      thrombotic therapy, and that P2Y12 may serve as a new target for inhibition of
      tumor metastasis. 

PMID- 24236202
TI  - Ambient air pollution associated with suppressed serologic responses to
      Pneumocystis jirovecii in a prospective cohort of HIV-infected patients with
      Pneumocystis pneumonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ambient air pollution (AAP) may be associated with increased risk for
      Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). The mechanisms underlying this association remain
      uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To determine if real-life exposures to AAP are associated
      with suppressed IgM antibody responses to P. jirovecii in HIV-infected (HIV+)
      patients with active PCP, and to determine if AAP, mediated by suppressed
      serologic responses to Pneumocystis, is associated with adverse clinical
      outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in HIV+ patients
      residing in San Francisco and admitted to San Francisco General Hospital with
      microscopically confirmed PCP. Our AAP predictors were ambient air concentrations
      of particulate matter of < 10 um in diameter (PM10) and < 2.5 um in diameter
      (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) measured
      immediately prior to hospital admission and 2 weeks prior to admission. Our
      primary outcomes were the IgM serologic responses to four recombinant P.
      jirovecii major surface glycoprotein (Msg) constructs: MsgC1, MsgC3, MsgC8, and
      MsgC9. RESULTS: Elevated PM10 and NO2 exposures immediately prior to and two
      weeks prior to hospital admission were associated with decreased IgM antibody
      responses to P. jirovecii Msg. For exposures immediately prior to admission,
      every 10 ug/m(3) increase in PM10 was associated with a 25 to 35% decrease in IgM
      responses to Msg (statistically significant for all the Msg constructs), and
      every 10 ppb increase in NO2 was associated with a 19-45% decrease in IgM
      responses to Msg (statistically significant for MsgC8 and MsgC9). Similar
      findings were seen with exposures two weeks prior to admission, but for fewer of
      the Msg constructs. CONCLUSIONS: Real life exposures to PM10 and NO2 were
      associated with suppressed IgM responses to P. jirovecii Msg in HIV+ patients
      admitted with PCP, suggesting a mechanism of immunotoxicity by which AAP
      increases host susceptibility to pulmonary infection.

PMID- 24236203
TI  - Clinical features and factors associated with severity and fatality among
      patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome Bunyavirus infection in
      Northeast China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2009, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV)
      was identified as a novel member of the genus phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae
      family in China. The detailed clinical features of cases with SFTSV infection
      have not been well described, and the risk factors for severity among patients
      and fatality among severe patients remain to be determined. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL
      FINDINGS: Clinical and laboratory features of 115 hospitalized patients with
      SFTSV infection during the period from June 2010 to December 2011 in Northeast
      China were retrospectively reviewed. We assessed the risk factors associated with
      severity in confirmed cases and fatality in severe cases by multivariate
      analysis. One hundred and three (89.6%) of 115 patients presented with multiple
      organ dysfunction, and 22 (19.1%) of 115 proceeded to the stage of life
      threatening multiple organ failure. Of the 115 patients, 14 fatalities (12.2%)
      were reported. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the independent predictors
      of risk for severity were: albumin <= 30 g/l (OR, 8.09; 95% CI, 2.58-25.32), APTT
      >= 66 seconds (OR, 14.28; 95% CI, 3.28-62.24), sodium <= 130 mmol/l (OR, 5.44;
      95% CI, 1.38-21.40), and presence of neurological manifestations (OR, 7.70; 95%
      CI, 1.91-31.12). Among patients with severe disease, presence of acute lung
      injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (HR, 4.59; 95% CI, 1.48-14.19) and
      disseminated intravascular coagulation (HR, 4.24; 95% CI, 1.38-13.03) were
      independently associated with fatality. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: SFTSV infection
      may present with more severe symptoms and laboratory abnormalities than hitherto
      reported. Due to infection with a novel bunyavirus, the patients may sufferer
      multiple organ dysfunction and die of multiple organ failure. In the clinical
      assessment of any case of SFTS, independent factors relating to prognosis need to
      be taken into account by clinicians.

PMID- 24236204
TI  - AKIP1 expression modulates mitochondrial function in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes.
AB  - A kinase interacting protein 1 (AKIP1) is a molecular regulator of protein kinase
      A and nuclear factor kappa B signalling. Recent evidence suggests AKIP1 is
      increased in response to cardiac stress, modulates acute ischemic stress
      response, and is localized to mitochondria in cardiomyocytes. The mitochondrial
      function of AKIP1 is, however, still elusive. Here, we investigated the
      mitochondrial function of AKIP1 in a neonatal cardiomyocyte model of
      phenylephrine (PE)-induced hypertrophy. Using a seahorse flux analyzer we show
      that PE stimulated the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in
      cardiomyocytes. This was partially dependent on PE mediated AKIP1 induction,
      since silencing of AKIP1 attenuated the increase in OCR. Interestingly, AKIP1
      overexpression alone was sufficient to stimulate mitochondrial OCR and in
      particular ATP-linked OCR. This was also true when pyruvate was used as a
      substrate, indicating that it was independent of glycolytic flux. The increase in
      OCR was independent of mitochondrial biogenesis, changes in ETC density or
      altered mitochondrial membrane potential. In fact, the respiratory flux was
      elevated per amount of ETC, possibly through enhanced ETC coupling. Furthermore,
      overexpression of AKIP1 reduced and silencing of AKIP1 increased mitochondrial
      superoxide production, suggesting that AKIP1 modulates the efficiency of electron
      flux through the ETC. Together, this suggests that AKIP1 overexpression improves
      mitochondrial function to enhance respiration without excess superoxide
      generation, thereby implicating a role for AKIP1 in mitochondrial stress
      adaptation. Upregulation of AKIP1 during different forms of cardiac stress may
      therefore be an adaptive mechanism to protect the heart. 

PMID- 24236205
TI  - The antiepileptic drug levetiracetam suppresses non-convulsive seizure activity
      and reduces ischemic brain damage in rats subjected to permanent middle cerebral
      artery occlusion.
AB  - The antiepileptic drug Levetiracetam (Lev) has neuroprotective properties in
      experimental stroke, cerebral hemorrhage and neurotrauma. In these conditions,
      non-convulsive seizures (NCSs) propagate from the core of the focal lesion into
      perilesional tissue, enlarging the damaged area and promoting epileptogenesis.
      Here, we explore whether Lev neuroprotective effect is accompanied by changes in
      NCS generation or propagation. In particular, we performed continuous EEG
      recordings before and after the permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery
      (pMCAO) in rats that received Lev (100 mg/kg) or its vehicle immediately before
      surgery. Both in Lev-treated and in control rats, EEG activity was suppressed
      after pMCAO. In control but not in Lev-treated rats, EEG activity reappeared
      approximately 30-45 min after pMCAO. It initially consisted in single spikes and,
      then, evolved into spike-and-wave and polyspike-and-wave discharges. In Lev
      treated rats, only rare spike events were observed and the EEG power was
      significantly smaller than in controls. Approximately 24 hours after pMCAO, EEG
      activity increased in Lev-treated rats because of the appearance of polyspike
      events whose power was, however, significantly smaller than in controls. In rats
      sacrificed 24 hours after pMCAO, the ischemic lesion was approximately 50%
      smaller in Lev-treated than in control rats. A similar neuroprotection was
      observed in rats sacrificed 72 hours after pMCAO. In conclusion, in rats
      subjected to pMCAO, a single Lev injection suppresses NCS occurrence for at least
      24 hours. This electrophysiological effect could explain the long lasting
      reduction of ischemic brain damage caused by this drug. 

PMID- 24236206
TI  - The caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide decreases phosphatidylglycerol levels
      and inhibits calcium-induced differentiation in mouse keratinocytes.
AB  - Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) has been found localized in low-density caveolin-rich
      membrane microdomains. Our previous study suggested that PLD2 and aquaporin 3
      (AQP3) interact in these domains to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation and
      promote differentiation by cooperating to produce phosphatidylglycerol. To
      examine the effect of membrane microdomain localization on the PLD2/AQP3
      signaling module and keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, we treated
      mouse keratinocytes with 3 uM cell-permeable caveolin-1 scaffolding domain
      peptide or a negative control peptide and stimulated cell differentiation using a
      moderately elevated extracellular calcium concentration (125 uM) to maximally
      promote differentiation and phosphatidylglycerol production. Cell proliferation,
      differentiation, total PLD activity, phosphatidylglycerol levels, and AQP3
      activity were monitored. The caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide itself had no
      effect on phosphatidylglycerol levels or keratinocyte proliferation or
      differentiation but prevented the changes induced by a moderately elevated
      calcium concentration, whereas a negative control did not. The caveolin-1
      scaffolding domain peptide had little effect on total PLD activity or glycerol
      uptake (AQP3 activity). We conclude that the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain
      peptide disrupts the functional association between AQP3 and PLD2 and prevents
      both the inhibited proliferation and the stimulated differentiation in response
      to elevated extracellular calcium levels. The interaction of caveolin-1 and PLD2
      is indirect (i.e., lipid mediated); together with the proliferation-promoting
      effects of caveolin-1 knockout on epidermal keratinocytes, we propose that the
      caveolin-1 scaffolding domain pepetide exerts a dominant-negative effect on
      caveolin-1 to alter lipid rafts in these cells. 

PMID- 24236207
TI  - Adaptations in muscle activity to induced, short-term hindlimb lameness in
      trotting dogs.
AB  - Muscle tissue has a great intrinsic adaptability to changing functional demands.
      Triggering more gradual responses such as tissue growth, the immediate responses
      to altered loading conditions involve changes in the activity. Because the
      reduction in a limb's function is associated with marked deviations in the gait
      pattern, understanding the muscular responses in laming animals will provide
      further insight into their compensatory mechanisms as well as help to improve
      treatment options to prevent musculoskeletal sequelae in chronic patients.
      Therefore, this study evaluated the changes in muscle activity in adaptation to a
      moderate, short-term, weight-bearing hindlimb lameness in two leg and one back
      muscle using surface electromyography (SEMG). In eight sound adult dogs that
      trotted on an instrumented treadmill, bilateral, bipolar recordings of the m.
      triceps brachii, the m. vastus lateralis and the m. longissimus dorsi were
      obtained before and after lameness was induced. Consistent with the unchanged
      vertical forces as well as temporal parameters, neither the timing nor the level
      of activity changed significantly in the m. triceps brachii. In the ipsilateral
      m. vastus lateralis, peak activity and integrated SEMG area were decreased, while
      they were significantly increased in the contralateral hindlimb. In both sides,
      the duration of the muscle activity was significantly longer due to a delayed
      offset. These observations are in accordance with previously described kinetic
      and kinematic changes as well as changes in muscle mass. Adaptations in the
      activity of the m. longissimus dorsi concerned primarily the unilateral activity
      and are discussed regarding known alterations in trunk and limb motions. 

PMID- 24236208
TI  - Trophoblast cell fusion and differentiation are mediated by both the protein
      kinase C and a pathways.
AB  - The syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta is an epithelial barrier that
      interacts with maternal blood and is a key for the transfer of nutrients and
      other solutes to the developing fetus. The syncytiotrophoblast is a true
      syncytium and fusion of progenitor cytotrophoblasts is the cardinal event leading
      to the formation of this layer. BeWo cells are often used as a surrogate for
      cytotrophoblasts, since they can be induced to fuse, and then express certain
      differentiation markers associated with trophoblast syncytialization. Dysferlin,
      a syncytiotrophoblast membrane repair protein, is up-regulated in BeWo cells
      induced to fuse by treatment with forskolin; this fusion is thought to occur
      through cAMP/protein kinase A-dependent mechanisms. We hypothesized that
      dysferlin may also be up-regulated in response to fusion through other pathways.
      Here, we show that BeWo cells can also be induced to fuse by treatment with an
      activator of protein kinase C, and that this fusion is accompanied by increased
      expression of dysferlin. Moreover, a dramatic synergistic increase in dysferlin
      expression is observed when both the protein kinase A and protein kinase C
      pathways are activated in BeWo cells. This synergy in fusion is also accompanied
      by dramatic increases in mRNA for the placental fusion proteins syncytin 1,
      syncytin 2, as well as dysferlin. Dysferlin, however, was shown to be dispensable
      for stimulus-induced BeWo cell syncytialization, since dysferlin knockdown lines
      fused to the same extent as control cells. The classical trophoblast
      differentiation marker human chorionic gonadotropin was also monitored and
      changes in the expression closely parallel that of dysferlin in all of the
      experimental conditions employed. Thus different biochemical markers of
      trophoblast fusion behave in concert supporting the hypothesis that activation of
      both protein kinase C and A pathways lead to trophoblastic differentiation. 

PMID- 24236210
TI  - Cadmium mimics estrogen-driven cell proliferation and prolactin secretion from
      anterior pituitary cells.
AB  - Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal of considerable occupational and environmental
      concern affecting wildlife and human health. Recent studies indicate that Cd,
      like other heavy metals, can mimic effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) involving E2
      receptor (ER) activation. Lactotrophs, the most abundant cell type in anterior
      pituitary gland, are the main target of E2, which stimulates cell proliferation
      and increases prolactin secretion through ERalpha. The aim of this work was to
      examine whether Cd at nanomolar concentrations can induce cell proliferation and
      prolactin release in anterior pituitary cells in culture and whether these
      effects are mediated through ERs. Here we show that 10 nM Cd was able to
      stimulate lactotroph proliferation in anterior pituitary cell cultures from
      female Wistar rats and also in GH3 lactosomatotroph cell line. Proliferation of
      somatotrophs and gonadotrophs were not affected by Cd exposure. Cd promoted cell
      cycle progression by increasing cyclins D1, D3 and c-fos expression. Cd enhanced
      prolactin synthesis and secretion. Cd E2-like effects were blocked by the pure
      ERs antagonist ICI 182,780 supporting that Cd acts through ERs. Further, both Cd
      and E2 augmented full-length ERalphaexpression and its 46 kDa-splicing variant.
      In addition, when co-incubated Cd was shown to interact with E2 by inducing
      ERalpha mRNA expression which indicates an additive effect between them. This
      study shows for the first time that Cd at nanomolar concentration displays
      xenoestrogenic activities by inducing cell growth and stimulating prolactin
      secretion from anterior pituitary cells in an ERs-dependent manner. Cd acting as
      a potent xenoestrogen can play a key role in the aetiology of different
      pathologies of the anterior pituitary and in estrogen-responsive tissues which
      represent considerable risk to human health. 

PMID- 24236209
TI  - Machine-based morphologic analysis of glioblastoma using whole-slide pathology
      images uncovers clinically relevant molecular correlates.
AB  - Pathologic review of tumor morphology in histologic sections is the traditional
      method for cancer classification and grading, yet human review has limitations
      that can result in low reproducibility and inter-observer agreement. Computerized
      image analysis can partially overcome these shortcomings due to its capacity to
      quantitatively and reproducibly measure histologic structures on a large-scale.
      In this paper, we present an end-to-end image analysis and data integration
      pipeline for large-scale morphologic analysis of pathology images and demonstrate
      the ability to correlate phenotypic groups with molecular data and clinical
      outcomes. We demonstrate our method in the context of glioblastoma (GBM), with
      specific focus on the degree of the oligodendroglioma component. Over 200 million
      nuclei in digitized pathology slides from 117 GBMs in the Cancer Genome Atlas
      were quantitatively analyzed, followed by multiplatform correlation of nuclear
      features with molecular and clinical data. For each nucleus, a Nuclear Score (NS)
      was calculated based on the degree of oligodendroglioma appearance, using a
      regression model trained from the optimal feature set. Using the frequencies of
      neoplastic nuclei in low and high NS intervals, we were able to cluster patients
      into three well-separated disease groups that contained low, medium, or high
      Oligodendroglioma Component (OC). We showed that machine-based classification of
      GBMs with high oligodendroglioma component uncovered a set of tumors with strong
      associations with PDGFRA amplification, proneural transcriptional class, and
      expression of the oligodendrocyte signature genes MBP, HOXD1, PLP1, MOBP and
      PDGFRA. Quantitative morphologic features within the GBMs that correlated most
      strongly with oligodendrocyte gene expression were high nuclear circularity and
      low eccentricity. These findings highlight the potential of high throughput
      morphologic analysis to complement and inform human-based pathologic review. 

PMID- 24236211
TI  - Increased cell surface free thiols identify effector CD8+ T cells undergoing T
      cell receptor stimulation.
AB  - Recognition of peptide Major Histocompatibility Complexes (MHC) by the T cell
      receptor causes rapid production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in naive
      CD8(+) T cells. Because ROI such as H2O2 are membrane permeable, mechanisms must
      exist to prevent overoxidation of surface proteins. In this study we used
      fluorescently labeled conjugates of maleimide to measure the level of cell
      surface free thiols (CSFT) during the development, activation and differentiation
      of CD8(+) T cells. We found that during development CSFT were higher on CD8 SP
      compared to CD4 SP or CD4CD8 DP T cells. After activation CSFT became elevated
      prior to division but once proliferation started levels continued to rise. During
      acute viral infection CSFT levels were elevated on antigen-specific effector
      cells compared to memory cells. Additionally, the CSFT level was always higher on
      antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells in lymphoid compared to nonlymphoid organs.
      During chronic viral infection, CSFT levels were elevated for extended periods on
      antigen-specific effector CD8(+) T cells. Finally, CSFT levels on effector CD8(+)
      T cells, regardless of infection, identified cells undergoing TCR stimulation.
      Taken together these data suggest that CD8(+) T cells upregulate CSFT following
      receptor ligation and ROI production during infection to prevent overoxidation of
      surface proteins. 

PMID- 24236212
TI  - Abnormal error monitoring in math-anxious individuals: evidence from error
      related brain potentials.
AB  - This study used event-related brain potentials to investigate whether math
      anxiety is related to abnormal error monitoring processing. Seventeen high math
      anxious (HMA) and seventeen low math-anxious (LMA) individuals were presented
      with a numerical and a classical Stroop task. Groups did not differ in terms of
      trait or state anxiety. We found enhanced error-related negativity (ERN) in the
      HMA group when subjects committed an error on the numerical Stroop task, but not
      on the classical Stroop task. Groups did not differ in terms of the correct
      related negativity component (CRN), the error positivity component (Pe),
      classical behavioral measures or post-error measures. The amplitude of the ERN
      was negatively related to participants' math anxiety scores, showing a more
      negative amplitude as the score increased. Moreover, using standardized low
      resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) we found greater activation of
      the insula in errors on a numerical task as compared to errors in a non-numerical
      task only for the HMA group. The results were interpreted according to the
      motivational significance theory of the ERN. 

PMID- 24236214
TI  - Age-related expression of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in the
      gastric mucosa of young pigs.
AB  - To date few studies have addressed the development and function of the porcine
      gastric mucosal immune system and this is a major limitation to understanding the
      immunopathogenesis of infections occurring in young pigs. The polymeric
      immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) mediates the transport of secretory
      immunoglobulins until luminal surface of the gut mucosa and the aim of this study
      was to investigate the time course of pIgR expression and to determine its
      localization in three functionally different porcine gastric sites during the
      suckling period and after weaning. An additional goal was to investigate the time
      course expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in relation to pIgR expression.
      Gastric samples were collected from the cardiac-to-oxyntic transition (Cd), the
      oxyntic (Ox), and the pyloric (Py) regions in 84 pigs, slaughtered before weaning
      (14, 21 and 28 days of age; 23, 23 and 19 pigs, respectively) and 14 days post
      weaning (42 days of age, 23 pigs). PIgR was expressed in the mucosa of all the
      three gastric sites, and its transcript levels were modulated during suckling and
      after weaning, with regional differences. PIgR expression increased linearly
      during suckling (P=0.019) and also increased post-weaning (P=0.001) in Cd, it
      increased post-weaning in Py (P=0.049) and increased linearly during suckling in
      Ox (P=0.036). TLRs expression was also modulated during development: in Cd, TLR2
      increased linearly during suckling (P=0.003); in Ox, TLR2 decreased after weaning
      (P=0.038) while TLR4 increased linearly during suckling(P=0.008). The expression
      of TLR2, 3 and 4 in Ox was positively correlated with pIgR expression (P<0.001).
      Importantly, both pIgR protein and mRNA were localized, by immunohistochemistry
      and in situ hybridization, respectively, in the gastric glands of the lamina
      propria. These results indicate that pIgR is actively synthesized in the gastric
      mucosa and suggest that pIgR could play a crucial role in gastric mucosal immune
      defense of growing pigs. 

PMID- 24236213
TI  - The Drosophila gypsy insulator supports transvection in the presence of the
      vestigial enhancer.
AB  - Though operationally defined as cis-regulatory elements, enhancers can also
      communicate with promoters on a separate homolog in trans, a mechanism that has
      been suggested to account for the ability of certain alleles of the same gene to
      complement one another in a process otherwise known as transvection. This homolog
      pairing dependent process is facilitated in Drosophila by chromatin-associated
      pairing proteins, many of which remain unknown and their mechanism of action
      uncharacterized. Here we have tested the role of the gypsy chromatin insulator in
      facilitating pairing and communication between enhancers and promoters in trans
      using a transgenic eGFP reporter system engineered to allow for targeted
      deletions in the vestigial Boundary Enhancer (vgBE) and the hsp70 minimal
      promoter, along with one or two flanking gypsy elements. We found a modest 2.5-3x
      increase in eGFP reporter levels from homozygotes carrying an intact copy of the
      reporter on each homolog compared to unpaired hemizygotes, although this behavior
      was independent of gypsy. However, detectable levels of GFP protein along the DV
      wing boundary in trans-heterozygotes lacking a single enhancer and promoter was
      only observed in the presence of two flanking gypsy elements. Our results
      demonstrate that gypsy can stimulate enhancer-promoter communication in trans
      throughout the genome in a context-dependent manner, likely through modulation of
      local chromatin dynamics once pairing has been established by other elements and
      highlights chromatin structure as the master regulator of this phenomenon. 

PMID- 24236215
TI  - Adaptation aftereffects in vocal emotion perception elicited by expressive faces
      and voices.
AB  - The perception of emotions is often suggested to be multimodal in nature, and
      bimodal as compared to unimodal (auditory or visual) presentation of emotional
      stimuli can lead to superior emotion recognition. In previous studies,
      contrastive aftereffects in emotion perception caused by perceptual adaptation
      have been shown for faces and for auditory affective vocalization, when adaptors
      were of the same modality. By contrast, crossmodal aftereffects in the perception
      of emotional vocalizations have not been demonstrated yet. In three experiments
      we investigated the influence of emotional voice as well as dynamic facial video
      adaptors on the perception of emotion-ambiguous voices morphed on an angry-to
      happy continuum. Contrastive aftereffects were found for unimodal (voice)
      adaptation conditions, in that test voices were perceived as happier after
      adaptation to angry voices, and vice versa. Bimodal (voice + dynamic face)
      adaptors tended to elicit larger contrastive aftereffects. Importantly,
      crossmodal (dynamic face) adaptors also elicited substantial aftereffects in
      male, but not in female participants. Our results (1) support the idea of
      contrastive processing of emotions (2), show for the first time crossmodal
      adaptation effects under certain conditions, consistent with the idea that
      emotion processing is multimodal in nature, and (3) suggest gender differences in
      the sensory integration of facial and vocal emotional stimuli. 

PMID- 24236216
TI  - AglQ is a novel component of the Haloferax volcanii N-glycosylation pathway.
AB  - N-glycosylation is a post-translational modification performed by members of all
      three domains of life. Studies on the halophile Haloferax volcanii have offered
      insight into the archaeal version of this universal protein-processing event. In
      the present study, AglQ was identified as a novel component of the pathway
      responsible for the assembly and addition of a pentasaccharide to select Asn
      residues of Hfx. volcanii glycoproteins, such as the S-layer glycoprotein. In
      cells deleted of aglQ, both dolichol phosphate, the lipid carrier used in Hfx.
      volcanii N-glycosylation, and modified S-layer glycoprotein Asn residues only
      presented the first three pentasaccharide subunits, pointing to a role for AglQ
      in either preparing the third sugar for attachment of the fourth pentasaccharide
      subunit or processing the fourth sugar prior to its addition to the lipid-linked
      trisaccharide. To better define the precise role of AglQ, shown to be a soluble
      protein, bioinformatics tools were recruited to identify sequence or structural
      homologs of known function. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments guided by these
      predictions identified residues important for AglQ function. The results obtained
      point to AglQ acting as an isomerase in Hfx. volcanii N-glycosylation. 

PMID- 24236219
TI  - Correction: Sox-2 Positive Neural Progenitors in the Primate Striatum Undergo
      Dynamic Changes after Dopamine Denervation.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. e66377 in vol. 8.].

PMID- 24236217
TI  - Structural insights for activation of retinal guanylate cyclase by GCAP1.
AB  - Guanylyl cyclase activating protein 1 (GCAP1), a member of the neuronal calcium
      sensor (NCS) subclass of the calmodulin superfamily, confers Ca(2+)-sensitive
      activation of retinal guanylyl cyclase 1 (RetGC1) upon light activation of
      photoreceptor cells. Here we present NMR assignments and functional analysis to
      probe Ca(2+)-dependent structural changes in GCAP1 that control activation of
      RetGC. NMR assignments were obtained for both the Ca(2+)-saturated inhibitory
      state of GCAP1 versus a GCAP1 mutant (D144N/D148G, called EF4mut), which lacks
      Ca(2+) binding in EF-hand 4 and models the Ca(2+)-free/Mg(2+)-bound activator
      state of GCAP1. NMR chemical shifts of backbone resonances for Ca(2+)-saturated
      wild type GCAP1 are overall similar to those of EF4mut, suggesting a similar main
      chain structure for assigned residues in both the Ca(2+)-free activator and
      Ca(2+)-bound inhibitor states. This contrasts with large Ca(2+)-induced chemical
      shift differences and hence dramatic structural changes seen for other NCS
      proteins including recoverin and NCS-1. The largest chemical shift differences
      between GCAP1 and EF4mut are seen for residues in EF4 (S141, K142, V145, N146,
      G147, G149, E150, L153, E154, M157, E158, Q161, L166), but mutagenesis of EF4
      residues (F140A, K142D, L153R, L166R) had little effect on RetGC1 activation. A
      few GCAP1 residues in EF-hand 1 (K23, T27, G32) also show large chemical shift
      differences, and two of the mutations (K23D and G32N) each decrease the
      activation of RetGC, consistent with a functional conformational change in EF1.
      GCAP1 residues at the domain interface (V77, A78, L82) have NMR resonances that
      are exchange broadened, suggesting these residues may be conformationally
      dynamic, consistent with previous studies showing these residues are in a region
      essential for activating RetGC1. 

PMID- 24236218
TI  - Crossmodal integration of conspecific vocalizations in rhesus macaques.
AB  - Crossmodal integration of audio/visual information is vital for recognition,
      interpretation and appropriate reaction to social signals. Here we examined how
      rhesus macaques process bimodal species-specific vocalizations by eye tracking,
      using an unconstrained preferential looking paradigm. Six adult rhesus monkeys
      (3M, 3F) were presented two side-by-side videos of unknown male conspecifics
      emitting different vocalizations, accompanied by the audio signal corresponding
      to one of the videos. The percentage of time animals looked to each video was
      used to assess crossmodal integration ability and the percentages of time spent
      looking at each of the six a priori ROIs (eyes, mouth, and rest of each video)
      were used to characterize scanning patterns. Animals looked more to the congruent
      video, confirming reports that rhesus monkeys spontaneously integrate conspecific
      vocalizations. Scanning patterns showed that monkeys preferentially attended to
      the eyes and mouth of the stimuli, with subtle differences between males and
      females such that females showed a tendency to differentiate the eye and mouth
      regions more than males. These results were similar to studies in humans
      indicating that when asked to assess emotion-related aspects of visual speech,
      people preferentially attend to the eyes. Thus, the tendency for female monkeys
      to show a greater differentiation between the eye and mouth regions than males
      may indicate that female monkeys were slightly more sensitive to the socio
      emotional content of complex signals than male monkeys. The current results
      emphasize the importance of considering both the sex of the observer and
      individual variability in passive viewing behavior in nonhuman primate research. 

PMID- 24236220
TI  - Shape-correlated Deformation Statistics for Respiratory Motion Prediction in 4D
      Lung.
AB  - 4D image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for free-breathing lungs is challenging
      due to the complicated respiratory dynamics. Effective modeling of respiratory
      motion is crucial to account for the motion affects on the dose to tumors. We
      propose a shape-correlated statistical model on dense image deformations for
      patient-specic respiratory motion estimation in 4D lung IGRT. Using the shape
      deformations of the high-contrast lungs as the surrogate, the statistical model
      trained from the planning CTs can be used to predict the image deformation during
      delivery verication time, with the assumption that the respiratory motion at both
      times are similar for the same patient. Dense image deformation fields obtained
      by diffeomorphic image registrations characterize the respiratory motion within
      one breathing cycle. A point-based particle optimization algorithm is used to
      obtain the shape models of lungs with group-wise surface correspondences.
      Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is adopted in training to maximize the
      linear correlation between the shape variations of the lungs and the
      corresponding dense image deformations. Both intra- and inter-session CT studies
      are carried out on a small group of lung cancer patients and evaluated in terms
      of the tumor location accuracies. The results suggest potential applications
      using the proposed method.

PMID- 24236221
TI  - Characterization of Image Quality for 3D Scatter Corrected Breast CT Images.
AB  - The goal of this study was to characterize the image quality of our dedicated,
      quasi-monochromatic spectrum, cone beam breast imaging system under scatter
      corrected and non-scatter corrected conditions for a variety of breast
      compositions. CT projections were acquired of a breast phantom containing two
      concentric sets of acrylic spheres that varied in size (1-8mm) based on their
      polar position. The breast phantom was filled with 3 different concentrations of
      methanol and water, simulating a range of breast densities (0.79-1.0g/cc);
      acrylic yarn was sometimes included to simulate connective tissue of a breast.
      For each phantom condition, 2D scatter was measured for all projection angles.
      Scatter-corrected and uncorrected projections were then reconstructed with an
      iterative ordered subsets convex algorithm. Reconstructed image quality was
      characterized using SNR and contrast analysis, and followed by a human observer
      detection task for the spheres in the different concentric rings. Results show
      that scatter correction effectively reduces the cupping artifact and improves
      image contrast and SNR. Results from the observer study indicate that there was
      no statistical difference in the number or sizes of lesions observed in the
      scatter versus non-scatter corrected images for all densities. Nonetheless,
      applying scatter correction for differing breast conditions improves overall
      image quality.

PMID- 24236222
TI  - Co-registration of high resolution MRI scans with partial brain coverage in non
      human primates.
AB  - Dynamic structural and functional remodeling of the Central Nervous System occurs
      throughout the lifespan of the organism from the molecular to the systems level.
      MRI offers several advantages to observe this phenomenon: it is non-invasive and
      non-destructive, the contrast can be tuned to interrogate different tissue
      properties and imaging resolution can range from cortical columns to whole brain
      networks in the same session. To measure these changes reliably, functional maps
      generated over time with high resolution fMRI need to be registered accurately.
      This article presents a new method for the automatic registration of thin
      cortical MR volumes that are aligned with the functional maps. These acquisitions
      focus on the primary somato-sensory cortex, a region in the anterior parietal
      part of the brain, responsible for fine touch and proprioception. Currently,
      these slabs are acquired in approximately the same orientation from acquisition
      to acquisition and then registered by hand. Because they only cover a small
      portion of the cortex, their direct automatic registration is difficult. To
      address this issue, we propose a method relying on an intermediate image,
      acquired with a surface coil that covers a larger portion of the head to which
      the slabs can be registered. Because images acquired with surface coils suffer
      from severe intensity attenuation artifact, we also propose a method to register
      these. The results from data sets obtained with 3 squirrel monkeys show a
      registration accuracy of 30 micrometers.).

PMID- 24236223
TI  - A Pico Projector Source for Confocal Fluorescence and Ophthalmic Imaging.
AB  - A Pico digital light projector has been implemented as an integrated illumination
      source and spatial light modulator for confocal imaging. The target is
      illuminated with a series of rapidly projected lines or points to simulate
      scanning. Light returning from the target is imaged onto a 2D rolling shutter
      CMOS sensor. By controlling the spatio-temporal relationship between the rolling
      shutter and illumination pattern, light returning from the target is spatially
      filtered. Confocal retinal, fluorescence, and Fourier-domain optical coherence
      tomography implementations of this novel imaging technique are presented.

PMID- 24236224
TI  - Automatic classification of scar tissue in late gadolinium enhancement cardiac
      MRI for the assessment of left-atrial wall injury after radiofrequency ablation.
AB  - Radiofrequency ablation is a promising procedure for treating atrial fibrillation
      (AF) that relies on accurate lesion delivery in the left atrial (LA) wall for
      success. Late Gadolinium Enhancement MRI (LGE MRI) at three months post-ablation
      has proven effective for noninvasive assessment of the location and extent of
      scar formation, which are important factors for predicting patient outcome and
      planning of redo ablation procedures. We have developed an algorithm for
      automatic classification in LGE MRI of scar tissue in the LA wall and have
      evaluated accuracy and consistency compared to manual scar classifications by
      expert observers. Our approach clusters voxels based on normalized intensity and
      was chosen through a systematic comparison of the performance of multivariate
      clustering on many combinations of image texture. Algorithm performance was
      determined by overlap with ground truth, using multiple overlap measures, and the
      accuracy of the estimation of the total amount of scar in the LA. Ground truth
      was determined using the STAPLE algorithm, which produces a probabilistic
      estimate of the true scar classification from multiple expert manual
      segmentations. Evaluation of the ground truth data set was based on both inter-
      and intra-observer agreement, with variation among expert classifiers indicating
      the difficulty of scar classification for a given a dataset. Our proposed
      automatic scar classification algorithm performs well for both scar localization
      and estimation of scar volume: for ground truth datasets considered easy,
      variability from the ground truth was low; for those considered difficult,
      variability from ground truth was on par with the variability across experts.

PMID- 24236225
TI  - Non-Mydriatic Confocal Retinal Imaging Using a Digital Light Projector.
AB  - A digital light projector is implemented as an integrated illumination source and
      scanning element in a confocal non-mydriatic retinal camera, the DLP-Cam. To
      simulate scanning, a series of illumination lines are rapidly projected on the
      retina. The backscattered light is imaged onto a 2-dimensional rolling shutter
      CMOS sensor. By temporally and spatially overlapping the illumination lines with
      the rolling shutter, confocal imaging is achieved. This approach enables a low
      cost, flexible, and robust design with a small footprint. Qualitative image
      comparison with commercial non-mydriatic SLOs and fundus cameras shows comparable
      fine vessel visibility and contrast.

PMID- 24236226
TI  - Towards Visual-Search Model Observers for Mass Detection in Breast Tomosynthesis.
AB  - We are investigating human-observer models that perform clinically realistic
      detection and localization tasks as a means of making reliable assessments of
      digital breast tomosynthesis images. The channelized non-prewhitening (CNPW)
      observer uses the background known exactly task for localization and detection.
      Visual-search observer models attempt to replicate the search patterns of trained
      radiologists. The visual-search observer described in this paper utilizes a two
      phase approach, with an initial holistic search followed by directed analysis and
      decision making. Gradient template matching is used for the holistic search, and
      the CNPW observer is used for analysis and decision making. Spherical masses were
      embedded into anthropomorphic breast phantoms, and simulated projections were
      made using ray-tracing and a serial cascade model. A localization ROC study was
      performed on these images using the visual-search model observer and the CNPW
      observer. Observer performance from the two computer observers was compared to
      human observer performance. The visual-search observer was able to produce area
      under the LROC curve values similar to those from human observers; however, more
      research is needed to increase the robustness of the algorithm.

PMID- 24236227
TI  - Voxel-Wise Displacement as Independent Features in Classification of Multiple
      Sclerosis.
AB  - We present a method that utilizes registration displacement fields to perform
      accurate classification of magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the brain acquired
      from healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
      Contrary to standard approaches, each voxel in the displacement field is treated
      as an independent feature that is classified individually. Results show that when
      used with a simple linear discriminant and majority voting, the approach is
      superior to using the displacement field with a single classifier, even when
      compared against more sophisticated classification methods such as adaptive
      boosting, random forests, and support vector machines. Leave-one-out cross
      validation was used to evaluate this method for classifying images by disease, MS
      subtype (Acc: 77%-88%), and age (Acc: 96%-100%).

PMID- 24236228
TI  - Automatic Segmentation of Right Ventricle on Ultrasound Images Using Sparse
      Matrix Transform and Level Set.
AB  - An automatic framework is proposed to segment right ventricle on ultrasound
      images. This method can automatically segment both epicardial and endocardial
      boundaries from a continuous echocardiography series by combining sparse matrix
      transform (SMT), a training model, and a localized region based level set. First,
      the sparse matrix transform extracts main motion regions of myocardium as
      eigenimages by analyzing statistical information of these images. Second, a
      training model of right ventricle is registered to the extracted eigenimages in
      order to automatically detect the main location of the right ventricle and the
      corresponding transform relationship between the training model and the SMT
      extracted results in the series. Third, the training model is then adjusted as an
      adapted initialization for the segmentation of each image in the series. Finally,
      based on the adapted initializations, a localized region based level set
      algorithm is applied to segment both epicardial and endocardial boundaries of the
      right ventricle from the whole series. Experimental results from real subject
      data validated the performance of the proposed framework in segmenting right
      ventricle from echocardiography. The mean Dice scores for both epicardial and
      endocardial boundaries are 89.1%+/-2.3% and 83.6+/-7.3%, respectively. The
      automatic segmentation method based on sparse matrix transform and level set can
      provide a useful tool for quantitative cardiac imaging.

PMID- 24236229
TI  - AUTOMATED ANATOMICAL LABELING OF THE CEREBRAL ARTERIES USING BELIEF PROPAGATION.
AB  - Labeling of cerebral vasculature is important for characterization of anatomical
      variation, quantification of brain morphology with respect to specific vessels,
      and inter-subject comparisons of vessel properties and abnormalities. We propose
      an automated method to label the anterior portion of cerebral arteries using a
      statistical inference method on the Bayesian network representation of the vessel
      tree. Our approach combines the likelihoods obtained from a random forest
      classifier trained using vessel centerline features with a belief propagation
      method integrating the connection probabilities of the cerebral artery network.
      We evaluate our method on 30 subjects using a leave-one-out validation, and show
      that it achieves an average correct vessel labeling rate of over 92%.

PMID- 24236230
TI  - Biodistribution Study of Nanoparticle Encapsulated Photodynamic Therapy Drugs
      Using Multispectral Imaging.
AB  - Photodynamictherapy (PDT) uses a drug called a photosensitizer that is excited by
      irradiation with a laser light of a particular wavelength, which generates
      reactive singlet oxygen that damages the tumor cells. The photosensitizer and
      light are inert; therefore, systemic toxicities are minimized in PDT. The
      synthesis of novel PDT drugs and the use of nanosized carriers for
      photosensitizers may improve the efficiency of the therapy and the delivery of
      the drug. In this study, we formulated two nanoparticles with and without a
      targeting ligand to encapsulate phthalocyanines 4 (Pc 4) molecule and compared
      their biodistributions. Metastatic human head and neck cancer cells (M4e) were
      transplanted into nude mice. After 2-3 weeks, the mice were injected with Pc 4,
      Pc 4 encapsulated into surface coated iron oxide (IO-Pc 4), and IO-Pc 4
      conjugated with a fibronectin-mimetic peptide (FMP-IO-Pc 4) which binds
      specifically to integrin beta1. The mice were imaged using a multispectral
      camera. Using multispectral images, a library of spectral signatures was created
      and the signal per pixel of each tumor was calculated, in a grayscale
      representation of the unmixed signal of each drug. An enhanced biodistribution of
      nanoparticle encapsulated PDT drugs compared to non-formulated Pc 4 was observed.
      Furthermore, specific targeted nanoparticles encapsulated Pc 4 has a quicker
      delivery time and accumulation in tumor tissue than the non-targeted
      nanoparticles. The nanoparticle-encapsulated PDT drug can have a variety of
      potential applications in cancer imaging and treatment.

PMID- 24236231
TI  - Sleep and epilepsy.

PMID- 24236232
TI  - Postoperative venous thromboembolism prophylaxis by general surgeons in a
      developing country: a survey.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the most common preventable cause of hospital
      death. Several audits in the west have demonstrated that appropriate
      thromboprophylaxis is not being offered to a large number of surgical patients.
      Similar audits are lacking in the Indian population, and a perception exists
      among Indian surgeons that Indian patients are not susceptible to VTE. Hence we
      undertook a survey to analyze the existing knowledge and practice of VTE
      prophylaxis amongst general surgeons in India. A questionnaire-based survey was
      conducted on 100 active general surgeons. We found that 97% of surgeons had
      encountered VTE in their practice, and 49% had encountered mortality from
      pulmonary embolism. 64% of surgeons do not routinely score patients
      preoperatively for their VTE risk, and only 33% reported the presence of an
      institute-based protocol for the same. There was a wide disparity in the
      prophylaxis methods used for each risk group, particularly in the moderate-risk
      group. These findings suggest the need for adoption of institute-based protocols
      for prophylaxis and the evolution of Indian guidelines for VTE prophylaxis. 

PMID- 24236233
TI  - Smiling in pain: explorations of its social motives.
AB  - Studies of facial responses during experimental and clinical pain have revealed a
      surprising phenomenon, namely, that a considerable number of individuals respond
      with a smile. So far, it is not known why smiling occurs during pain. It is
      possible that the "smile of pain" is socially motivated (e.g., reinforcing social
      bonds while undergoing an unpleasant experience). The present studies were
      conducted in an attempt to address the role of social motives in smiling during
      pain. In two studies, we varied the quantitative (level of sociality) and
      qualitative (properties of the relationship between interactants) components of
      the situations in which participants received painful stimulation. Participants'
      faces were video-recorded and the occurrence of smiling was assessed. The
      occurrence of smiling differed depending on stimulus intensity and the properties
      of the relationship between interactants. Smiling occurred more often during the
      painful compared to nonpainful stimulation. Whereas the presence of a stranger
      (experimenter) reduced the smiling behavior, the presence of an intimate other
      increased it. Slight variations in the level of sociality, however, had no effect
      on the degree of smiling. Social motives possibly aimed at strengthening social
      bonds and thus ensuring social support appear to underlie smiling during pain. 

PMID- 24236234
TI  - A Longitudinal Study of Changes in Thyroid Related Hormones among Pregnant Women
      Residing in an Iodine Deficient Urban Area.
AB  - Problem Statement. Thyroid gland in women undergoes functional changes during
      pregnancy. A few studies have described such changes in pregnant women residing
      in iodine deficient areas. Objective. To document these changes in pregnant women
      residing in Lahore, a low iodine intake urban area of Pakistan. Patients and
      Methods. In 254 pregnant women, data of FT4, FT3, and TSH during the first and
      subsequent trimesters were obtained and compared with those of 110 nonpregnant
      women. These hormones were determined in serum by radioimmunoassay (RIA)
      techniques using commercial kits. Results. Compared to nonpregnant women mean FT4
      level was decreased, and FT3 and TSH increased significantly (P < 0.05) in
      pregnant women. A negative correlation of FT4 with TSH was observed in all three
      trimesters. Serum FT3 was positively correlated with TSH only during the third
      trimester. As a function of gestation time, FT4 levels progressively decreased,
      and FT3 and TSH levels increased significantly (one-way ANOVA F = 108.2, 17.3,
      and 44.8, resp.; all P < 0.05) exhibiting thyroid gland adaptations. Conclusion.
      Pregnancy is associated with significant alterations in thyroid function due to
      low iodine intake in women residing in study area. The compensated thyroid
      function poses a risk of thyroid failure in a number of pregnant women. 

PMID- 24236235
TI  - The effect of varicocelectomy on sperm parameters in subfertile men with clinical
      varicoceles who have asthenozoospermia or teratozoospermia with normal sperm
      density.
AB  - Background. To compare preoperative and postoperative sperm parameters such as
      sperm count, motility, and morphology in patients with normal sperm concentration
      with teratozoospermia and asthenozoospermia. Materials and Methods. Hundred and
      six patients with varicocele associated with male infertility over a 5-year
      period were included into the study. Pre- and postvaricocelectomy seminal fluid
      parameters evaluation according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria
      was performed at 4-6-month intervals. Results. One hundred and six patients met
      the criteria. The mean age of patients was 24.53 +/- 8.13. The mean duration of
      infertility was 3.6 years (range: 1.5-6.3). Only the sperm motility of patients
      with normospermia showed a significant improvement postoperatively. Conclusions.
      No significant improvement in sperm morphology may be obtained in patients with
      clinical varicocele and preoperative normospermia. 

PMID- 24236236
TI  - Activation of the NF kappa B Pathway Enhances AhR Expression in Intestinal Caco-2
      Cells.
AB  - Recent data suggest that apart from its well-known role in the regulation of
      xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, AhR is also involved in inflammation. However,
      the influence of inflammation on AhR expression remains unknown. Here, we
      demonstrated that proinflammatory conditions induced by either PMA or IL-1 beta
      enhance AhR expression in Caco-2 cells. This was associated with an increase in
      AhR promoter activity. By means of directed mutagenesis experiments and the use
      of proteasome inhibitors, we demonstrated that inflammation-induced AhR
      expression involved the NF kappa B pathway but not AP-1. Moreover, conditioned
      media from PMA-treated Caco-2 cells were also able to induce AhR expression, and
      this induction was repressed by anti-IL-1 beta blocking antibodies. Similar
      results were obtained with conditioned media from PMA-treated THP-1 cells. Taken
      together, these data suggest that AhR could be involved in vivo in an
      inflammatory loop. AhR was recently suspected to be implicated in inflammatory
      bowel disease. Our results support this hypothesis and suggest that AhR could be
      a new target for inflammatory bowel disease patient management. 

PMID- 24236238
TI  - Emotional and cognitive empathy in first-year medical students.
AB  - Objectives. Doctors' empathy towards their patients is considered important for
      treatment outcome. However, during medical school there might be a decline in
      empathy called "hardening of the heart." This study evaluated the cognitive and
      emotional empathy in medical students and investigated the influence of a
      preference for a specialty and students attachment styles. Methods. 126 first
      year medical students were included and completed the Reading the Mind in the
      Eyes Test revised version (RME-R), the Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES),
      and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Adult Attachment Questionnaire
      (ECR-R). Results. Students identified 22 +/- 4.30 of 36 photographs in the RME-R
      test correctly (norm: 26). The female students' mean BEES total score was 51.1 +/
      17.1 and the male students' 27.2 +/- 22.6; P < 0.0001. The female students' mean
      BEES score was significantly (P = 0.0037) below the female norm of 60. Students
      who preferred a specialty with continuity of patient care scored significantly
      higher in the BEES (P = 0.014). A more avoidant attachment style was associated
      with a lower BEES score (P = 0.021). Conclusion. The students showed low
      emotional and cognitive empathy scores and an avoidant attachment style. This
      supports the inclusion of specific training in cognitive and emotional empathy in
      medical education. 

PMID- 24236237
TI  - Processing of damaged DNA ends for double-strand break repair in mammalian cells.
AB  - Most DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs)formed in a natural environment have chemical
      modifications at or near the ends that preclude direct religation and require
      removal or other processing so that rejoining can proceed. Free radical-mediated
      DSBs typically bear unligatable 3'-phosphate or 3'-phosphoglycolate termini and
      often have oxidized bases and/or abasic sites near the break. Topoisomerase
      mediated DSBs are blocked by covalently bound peptide fragments of the
      topoisomerase. Enzymes capable of resolving damaged ends include polynucleotide
      kinase/phosphatase, which restores missing 5'-phosphates and removes 3'
      phosphates; tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterases I and II (TDP1 and TDP2), which remove
      peptide fragments of topoisomerases I and II, respectively, and the Artemis and
      Metnase endonucleases, which can trim damaged overhangs of diverse structure.
      TDP1 as well as APE1 can remove 3'-phosphoglycolates and other 3' blocks, while
      CtIP appears to provide an alternative pathway for topoisomerase II fragment
      removal. Ku, a core DSB joining protein, can cleave abasic sites near DNA ends.
      The downstream processes of patching and ligation are tolerant of residual
      damage, and can sometimes proceed without complete damage removal. Despite these
      redundant pathways for resolution, damaged ends appear to be a significant
      barrier to rejoining, and their resolution may be a rate-limiting step in repair
      of some DSBs..

PMID- 24236239
TI  - Blastomyces dermatitidis Yeast Lysate Antigen Combinations: Antibody Detection in
      Dogs with Blastomycosis.
AB  - The systemic fungal infection, blastomycosis, which infects both humans and
      animals has presented a diagnostic challenge for clinicians for many years. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of Blastomyces
      dermatitidis yeast lysate antigens with respect to antibody detection in dogs
      with blastomycosis. Lysate antigens were prepared from B. dermatitidis isolates T
      58 and T-66 (dogs, Tennessee) and WI-R and WI-J (dogs, Wisconsin). Based on
      results obtained from a preliminary comparative study, five combinations of these
      isolates and one individual isolate were tested against 92 serum specimens from
      dogs with culture-proven or histologically-confirmed blastomycosis, using the
      indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mean absorbance values
      obtained from the sera ranged from 0.905 with the individual T-58 antigen to
      1.760 using an antigen combination (T-58 + T-66 + WI-R). All of the 6 antigenic
      preparations were able to detect antibody in the serum specimens, but the antigen
      combinations detected antibody to a higher degree than the individual antigen.
      This study provides evidence that combinations of the yeast lysate reagents seem
      to be more efficacious for antibody detection in dog sera, but our laboratory is
      continuing to evaluate antigen lysate combinations for detection of antibodies in
      blastomycosis. 

PMID- 24236240
TI  - Curcumin attenuation of lipopolysaccharide induced cardiac hypertrophy in
      rodents.
AB  - To study the ameliorating effects of curcumin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced
      cardiac hypertrophy, mice were assigned to 4 groups (3 males and 3 females in
      each group): (A) control, (B) curcumin: 100  MU g/kg of body weight by
      intraperitoneal route (IP), (C) LPS: 60 mg/kg (IP), and (D) LPS + curcumin: both
      at previously stated concentrations by IP route. All mice were sacrificed as 12
      hr and 24 hrs groups accordingly after LPS injection. The hearts were collected,
      photographed for cardiomegaly, and weighed to compare heart weight/brain weight
      (HW/BW) in mg/mg. For immunohistochemistry, the tissue sections were exposed to
      histone H3, H4 and acetylated histone H3, H4 antibody. LPS induced a significant
      increase in histone acetylation as shown by intense staining. In curcumin + LPS
      treated mice nuclear staining was similar to the control group indicating that
      curcumin traversed the histone acetylation activity of the LPS. To further check
      the mechanism of action of curcumin, p300 protein acetylation levels were
      analyzed. This study suggests that the probable mechanism of action of curcumin
      is via the reduction of p300 HAT activity. 

PMID- 24236241
TI  - Waiting for innovations in periodontal disease diagnosis.

PMID- 24236243
TI  - Determination of levels of nitric oxide in smoker and nonsmoker patients with
      chronic periodontitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor in periodontal diseases. The
      pathogenesis of periodontal diseases may be affected by alterations of the
      inflammatory response by smoke. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous, colorless, highly
      reactive, short-lived free radical with a pivotal role in the regulation of
      various physiological and pathological mechanisms in the body. It is important in
      host defense and homeostasis, on the one hand, whereas, on the other hand, it
      modulates the inflammatory response in periodontitis, leading to harmful effects.
      The aim of this study was to assess the levels of NO in both the serum and saliva
      of smokers and nonsmokers having chronic periodontitis and to compare them with
      periodontally healthy controls. METHODS: SIXTY SUBJECTS PARTICIPATED IN THE STUDY
      AND WERE DIVIDED INTO THREE GROUPS: group I, healthy nonsmoking subjects; group
      II, nonsmoking patients with chronic periodontitis; group III, smoking patients
      with chronic periodontitis. Each group consisted of twenty subjects. The
      biochemical estimation of NO in the collected serum and in the saliva was
      performed using the Griess colorimetric reaction. RESULTS: The results showed
      that the mean value of the salivary and serum NO was greater in group II than in
      group I, and also greater in group III than in group II. CONCLUSIONS: NO appears
      to play an important and rather complex role in the immuno-inflammatory process
      and in the remodeling and maintenance of osseous structures. It is therefore
      logical that modulation of this mediator has potential for the treatment of a
      number of inflammatory conditions including periodontal disease.

PMID- 24236242
TI  - Changes in the fractal dimension of peri-implant trabecular bone after loading: a
      retrospective study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess bony trabecular changes potentially caused by loading stress
      around dental implants using fractal dimension analysis. METHODS: Fractal
      dimensions were measured in 48 subjects by comparing radiographs taken
      immediately after prosthesis delivery with those taken 1 year after functional
      loading. Regions of interest were isolated, and fractal analysis was performed
      using the box-counting method with Image J 1.42 software. Wilcoxon signed-rank
      test was used to analyze the difference in fractal dimension before and after
      implant loading. RESULTS: The mean fractal dimension before loading (1.4213+/
      0.0525) increased significantly to 1.4329+/-0.0479 at 12 months after loading
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fractal dimension analysis might be helpful in detecting
      changes in peri-implant alveolar trabecular bone patterns in clinical situations.

PMID- 24236244
TI  - The combined effect of dismantling for steam sterilization and aging on the
      accuracy of spring-style mechanical torque devices.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the combined effect of dismantling before
      sterilization and aging on the accuracy (+/-10% of the target torque) of spring
      style mechanical torque devices (S-S MTDs). METHODS: Twenty new S-SMTDs from two
      different manufacturers (Nobel Biocare and Straumann: 10 of each type) were
      selected and divided into two groups, namely, case (group A) and control (group
      B). For sterilization, 100 cycles of autoclaving were performed in 100 sequences.
      In each sequence, 10 repetitions of peak torque values were registered for aging.
      To measure and assess the output of each device, a Tohnichi torque gauge was used
      (P<0.05). RESULTS: Before steam sterilization, all of the tested devices stayed
      within 10% of their target values. After 100 cycles of steam sterilization and
      aging with or without dismantling of the devices, the Nobel Biocare devices
      stayed within 10% of their target torque. In the Straumann devices, despite the
      significant difference between the peak torque and target torque values, the
      absolute error values stayed within 10% of their target torque. CONCLUSION:
      Within the limitations of this study, there was no significant difference between
      the mean and absolute value of error between Nobel Biocare and Straumann S-S
      MTDs.

PMID- 24236245
TI  - Salivary soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B
      ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio in periodontal disease and health.
AB  - PURPOSE: The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK)/RANK ligand
      (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system plays a significant role in
      osteoclastogenesis, activation of osteoclasts, and regulation of bone resorption.
      This study aimed to evaluate the use of the salivary soluble RANKL (sRANKL)/OPG
      ratio as a diagnostic marker for periodontitis in nonsmokers. METHODS: Twenty
      five patients with chronic periodontitis and 25 individuals with a healthy
      periodontium were enrolled in this study. Samples containing 5 mL of unstimulated
      saliva were obtained from each subject. Salivary sRANKL and OPG concentrations
      were determined using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical
      analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 18.0. RESULTS: The levels of sRANKL and
      OPG were detectable in all of the samples. Positive relationships were found
      between the plaque index and clinical attachment level and both the salivary
      concentration of sRANKL and the salivary sRANKL/OPG ratio (P<0.05). The salivary
      concentration of sRANKL and the sRANKL/OPG ratio were significantly higher in the
      periodontitis group than in the healthy group (P=0.004 and P=0.001,
      respectively). In contrast, the OPG concentration showed no significant
      differences between the groups (P=0.455). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest
      that the salivary sRANKL/OPG ratio may be helpful in the screening and diagnosis
      of periodontitis. However, longitudinal studies with larger populations are
      needed to confirm these results.

PMID- 24236246
TI  - Comparative volumetric and clinical evaluation of peri-implant sulcular fluid and
      gingival crevicular fluid.
AB  - PURPOSE: Peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) has a production mechanism similar to
      gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). However, limited research has been performed
      comparing their behavior in response to inflammation. Hence, the aim of the
      present study was to comparatively evaluate PISF and GCF volume with varying
      degrees of clinical inflammatory parameters. METHODS: Screening of patients was
      conducted. Based on the perimucosal inflammatory status, 39 loaded implant sites
      were selected from 24 patients, with equal numbers of sites in healthy, peri
      implant mucositis, and peri-implantitis subgroups. GCF collection was done from
      age- and sex-matched dentate patients, selected with gingival inflammatory status
      corresponding to the implant sites. Assessment of the inflammatory status for
      dental/implant sites was performed using probing depth (PD), plaque
      index/modified plaque index (PI/mPI), gingival index/simplified gingival index
      (GI/sGI), and modified sulcular bleeding index (BI). Sample collection was done
      using standardized absorbent paper strips with volumetric evaluation performed
      via an electronic volume quantification device. RESULTS: Positive correlation of
      the PISF and GCF volume was seen with increasing PD and clinical inflammatory
      parameters. A higher correlation of GCF with PD (0.843) was found when compared
      to PISF (0.771). PISF expressed a higher covariation with increasing grades of
      sGI (0.885), BI (0.841), and mPI (0.734), while GCF established a moderately
      positive correlation with GI (0.694), BI (0.696), and PI (0.729). CONCLUSIONS:
      Within the limitations of this study, except for minor fluctuations, GCF and PISF
      volumes demonstrated a similar nature and volumetric pattern through increasing
      grades of inflammation, with PISF showing better correlation with the clinical
      parameters.

PMID- 24236247
TI  - Segmental osteotomy for mobilization of dental implant.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this work is to evaluate a surgical technique for
      mobilization of mal posed dental implant in anterior area. METHODS: A 38-year-old
      patient consulted our unit for esthetic dissatisfaction with the implant
      treatment of a central incisor. An implant was observed in 11 and 21, where 11
      was 3 mm above the ideal limit, with excessive vestibular angulation. The choice
      was made to perform a segmental osteotomy and mobilize the bone block and the
      implant down and forward; a bone block extracted from the mandibular ramus was
      installed between the implant block and the bed to stabilize the segment.
      RESULTS: After 4 months, a conventional fixed prosthesis was created and the
      esthetic result achieved was close to what the patient wanted, with no need for
      further surgery. The surgical condition was stabilized and maintained for the
      long-time and no complications how necrosis, infection or bone defects was
      present. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the procedure is efficient, and the
      biological arguments in favor of the procedure are discussed.

PMID- 24236250
TI  - A letter of condolences.

PMID- 24236248
TI  - Safety and Feasibility of Topical Application of Limonene as a Massage Oil to the
      Breast.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limonene, a major component in citrus oil, has demonstrated anti
      cancer effects in preclinical mammary cancer models. However, the effective oral
      dose translates to a human dose that may not be feasible for chronic dosing. We
      proposed to evaluate topical application of limonene to the breast as an
      alternative dosing strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a mouse
      disposition study to determine whether limonene would be bio available in the
      mammary tissue after topical application. SKH-1 mice received topical or oral
      administration of limonene in the form of orange oil every day for 4 weeks.
      Plasma and mammary pads were collected 4 hrs after the final dosing. We also
      conducted an exploratory clinical study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of
      topically applied limonene in the form of orange oil to the breast. Healthy women
      were recruited to apply orange oil containing massage oil to their breasts daily
      for four weeks. Safety and feasibility were assessed by reported adverse events,
      clinical labs, and usage compliance. Pre and post-intervention nipple aspirate
      fluid (NAF) and plasma were collected for limonene concentration determination.
      RESULTS: The mouse disposition study showed that topical and oral orange oil
      administration resulted in similar mammary tissue disposition of limonene with no
      clinical signs of toxicity. In the clinical study, the topical application of
      limonene containing massage oil to the breast was found to be safe with high
      levels of usage compliance for daily application, although NAF and plasma
      limonene concentrations were not significantly changed after the massage oil
      application. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies showed that limonene is bio available in
      mammary tissue after topical orange oil application in mice and this novel route
      of administration to the breast is safe and feasible in healthy women.

PMID- 24236249
TI  - Maternal Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy Loss: Awaiting Firm Recommendations on
      Testing and Treatment.

PMID- 24236251
TI  - Prosody processing of korean language in stroke patients: a preliminary study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hemispheric contributions to prosody recognitions
      and interference effects of semantic processing on prosody for stroke patients by
      using the Korean language. METHODS: Ten right hemisphere damaged patients (RHD),
      nine left hemisphere damaged patients (LHD), and eleven healthy controls (HC)
      participated. In pure prosody recognition task, four semantically neutral
      sentences were selected and presented in both sad and happy prosodies. In
      interference task, participants listened to emotionally intoned sentences in
      which the semantic contents were congruent or incongruent with prosody.
      Participants were asked to rate the valence of prosody while ignoring the
      semantic contents, and thus, reaction time and accuracy were estimated. RESULTS:
      In pure prosody recognition task, RHD showed low accuracy as compared to HC
      (p=0.013), and the tendency of group response showed that RHD performed worse
      than HC and LHD with regards to accuracy and reaction time. In interference task,
      analysis of accuracy revealed a significant main effect of groups (p=0.04), and
      the tendency implied that RHD is less accurate as compared to LHD and HC. The RHD
      took longer reaction times than HC in congruent and incongruent items (p<0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Right hemispheric laterality to prosody processing of Korean language
      in stroke patients was observed. Interference effects of semantic contents to
      prosody processing were not observed, which suggested unique characteristics of
      prosody for Korean language. These results could be referred as preliminary data
      for future researches on Korean languages.

PMID- 24236252
TI  - Contributing factors analysis for the changes of the gross motor function in
      children with spastic cerebral palsy after physical therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors which contribute to the improvements of the
      gross motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy after physical
      therapy. METHODS: The subjects were 45 children with spastic cerebral palsy with
      no previous botulinum toxin injection or operation history within 6 months. They
      consisted of 24 males (53.3%) and 21 females (46.7%), and the age of the subjects
      ranged from 2 to 6 years, with the mean age being 41+/-18 months. The gross motor
      function was evaluated by Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-88 at the time of
      admission and discharge, and then, the subtractions were correlated with
      associated factors. RESULTS: The GMFM-88 was increased by 7.17+/-3.10 through
      52+/-16 days of physical therapy. The more days of admission, the more
      improvements of GMFM-88 were attained. The children with initial GMFM-88 values
      in the middle range showed more improvements in GMFM-88 (p<0.05). The children
      without dysphagia and children with less spasticity of lower extremities also
      showed more improvements in GMFM-88 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We can predict the
      improvements of the gross motor function after physical therapy according to the
      days of admission, initial GMFM-88, dysphagia, and spasticity of lower
      extremities. Further controlled studies including larger group are necessary.

PMID- 24236253
TI  - Treatment Effects of Ultrasound Guide Selective Nerve Root Block for Lower
      Cervical Radicular Pain: A Retrospective Study of 1-Year Follow-up.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term effects and advantages of ultrasound (US)
      guided selective cervical nerve root block with fluoroscopy (FL)-guided
      transforaminal block. METHODS: From March 2009 to November 2012, 162 patients
      received steroid injections for lower cervical radicular pain. A total of 114
      patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All procedures were performed by using
      US or FL. We compared the intravascular injections during the procedure with the
      effects and functional scales at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure between
      the two groups. Successful treatments occurred when patients obtained significant
      pain reliefs (as measured by >50% improvements in the verbal numerical scale
      [VNS] score and >40% improvements in the neck disability index [NDI] score) and
      reported a patient satisfaction score of 3 or 4 points at 12 months after the
      injection. Image analysis of intravascular injection and chart review were
      performed. Logistic regression was performed to reveal the correlations between
      successful treatments and variables (patient's age, gender, duration of the
      disease, cause, injection method, and radiologic finding). RESULTS: The VNS and
      NDI improved 3 months after the injection and continued to improve until 12
      months for both groups. But there were no statistical differences in changes of
      VNS, NDI, and effectiveness between these two groups. The proportion of patients
      with successful treatment is illustrated as 62.5% in US-guided group and 58% in
      FL-guided group at 12 months. There were no significant differences between the
      groups or during follow-up periods. Three cases of the intravascular injections
      were done in FL-guided group. CONCLUSION: The US-guided selective cervical nerve
      root blocks are facilitated by identifying critical vessels at unexpected
      locations relative to the foramen and to protect injury to such vessels, which is
      the leading cause of reported complications from FL-guided transforaminal blocks.
      On treatment effect, significant long-term improvements in functions and pain
      reliefs were observed in both groups after the intervention. However, significant
      differences were not observed between the groups. Therefore, the US-guided
      selective cervical nerve root block was shown to be as effective as the FL-guided
      transforaminal block in pain reliefs and functional improvements, in addition to
      the absence of radiation and protection vessel injury at real-time imaging.

PMID- 24236254
TI  - Effects of subacromial bursa injection with corticosteroid and hyaluronidase
      according to dosage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of subacromial bursa injection with steroid
      according to dosage and to investigate whether hyaluronidase can reduce steroid
      dosage. METHODS: Thirty patients with periarticular shoulder disorder were
      assigned to receive subacromial bursa injection once a week for two consecutive
      weeks. Ten patients (group A) underwent subacromial bursa injection with
      triamcinolone 20 mg; another group of ten patients (group B) with hyaluronidase
      1,500 IU and triamcinolone 20 mg; and the other ten patients (group C) with
      triamcinolone 40 mg. We examined the active range of motion (AROM) of the
      shoulder joint, visual analogue scale (VAS), and shoulder disability
      questionnaire (SDQ) at study entry and every week until 1 week after the 2nd
      injection. RESULTS: All groups showed statistically significant improvements in
      VAS after 1st and 2nd injections. When comparing the degree of improvement in
      VAS, there were statistically significant differences between groups C and A or
      B, but not between groups A and B. SDQ was statistically significantly improved
      only in groups B and C, as compared to pre-injection. There were statistically
      significant differences in improvement of SDQ after the 2nd injection between
      groups C and A or B. Statistically significant improvements in AROM were shown in
      abduction (groups B and C) and in flexion (group C only). CONCLUSION: Repeated
      high-dose (40 mg) steroid injection was more effective in terms of pain relief
      and functional improvements of shoulder joint than medium-dose (20 mg) steroid
      injection in periarticular disorder. Hyaluronidase seems to have little additive
      effect on subacromial bursa injection for reducing the dosage of steroid.

PMID- 24236255
TI  - Spinal mobility, vertebral squaring, pulmonary function, pain, fatigue, and
      quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships between spinal mobility, pulmonary
      function, structural change of the spine, pain, fatigue, and quality of life
      (QOL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Thirty-six patients
      with AS were recruited. Their spinal mobility was examined through seven physical
      tests: modified Schober test, lateral bending, chest expansion, occiput to wall,
      finger to ground, bimalleolar distance, and range of motion (ROM) of the spine.
      Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) was performed using a spirometer, and vertebral
      squaring was evaluated through the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal
      Score (mSASSS). QOL, disease activity, functional capacity, and fatigue were
      evaluated by SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease
      Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index
      (BASFI), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) scale,
      respectively. Perceived physical condition and degree of pain were assessed using
      10 cm visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Participants showed reduced spinal
      mobility, which was negatively correlated with mSASSS. PFT results showed reduced
      forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) and
      increased FEV1/FVC. Reduced FEV1 and FVC showed positive correlations with
      reduced spinal mobility and a negative relationship with mSASSS. Perceived
      physical condition and degree of pain were both significantly related to the SF
      36, BASDAI, BASFI, and MAF scores. CONCLUSION: This study shows that both reduced
      spinal mobility and radiographic changes in the vertebral body may have a
      predictive value for pulmonary impairment in patients with AS. Likewise, pain and
      perceived physical condition may play an important role in the QOL, functional
      capacity, and fatigue level of these patients.

PMID- 24236256
TI  - Ultrasonographic evaluation of therapeutic effects of complex decongestive
      therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography as a follow-up tool for
      evaluating the effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT) in breast
      cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). METHODS: Twenty patients with BCRL were
      enrolled in this study. All patients had undergone therapy in the CDPT program
      for 2 weeks. Soft tissue thickness of both the affected and unaffected upper limb
      was measured before and after CDPT. The measurements were taken at 3 points (the
      mid-point between the medial and lateral epicondyles at the elbow level, 10 cm
      proximal and 10 cm distal to the elbow) with and without pressure. We then
      calculated the compliance of soft tissue before and after CDPT. Circumferences of
      both the affected and unaffected upper limb were also measured before and after
      CDPT at the 3 defined points. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of the CDPT program, the
      circumference and soft tissue thickness of the unaffected upper limb did not
      significantly change. In the affected upper limb, the circumference was
      significantly reduced in the 3 point, when compared with measurements taken prior
      to treatment. Additionally, soft tissue thickness was significantly reduced at
      the elbow and 10 cm proximal to the elbow. After CDPT, compliance at each of the
      3 points had increased, but this trend was not significantly different.
      CONCLUSION: Our results showed that arm circumference and ultrasonography-derived
      soft tissue thickness was useful as a way of assessing therapeutic effects of
      CDPT.

PMID- 24236257
TI  - Long-term effects of complex decongestive therapy in breast cancer patients with
      arm lymphedema after axillary dissection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term effects of complex decongestive therapy
      (CDT) on edema reduction in breast cancer-related lymphedema patients after
      axillary dissection, according to the initial volume of edema. METHODS: A
      retrospective review of 57 patients with unilateral arm after an axillary
      dissection for breast cancer was performed. The patients, treated with two weeks
      of CDT and self-administered home therapy, were followed for 24 months. Arm
      volume was serially measured by using an optoelectronic volumeter prior to and
      immediately after CDT; and there were follow-up visits at 3, 6, 12, and 24
      months. Patients were divided into two groups according to the percent excess
      volume (PEV) prior to CDT: group 1, PEV<20% and group 2, PEV>=20%. RESULTS: In
      group 1, mean PEV before CDT was 11.4+/-5.0% and 14.1+/-10.6% at 24 months after
      CDT with no significant difference. At the end of CDT, PEV was 28.8+/-15.7% in
      group 2, which was significantly lower than the baseline (41.9+/-19.6%). The
      reduction of PEV was maintained for 24 months in group 2. CONCLUSION: The long
      term effects of CDT were well-maintained for 24 months, but there was a
      difference in progression of PEV between the two groups. The patients with more
      initial PEV showed significant volume-reducing effects of CDT. In patients with
      less initial PEV, the severity of lymphedema did not progress to higher grades.

PMID- 24236258
TI  - Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version VISA-P Questionnaire for Patellar
      Tendinopathy in Adolescent Elite Volleyball Athletes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To translate the English Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment for
      patellar tendinopathy (VISA-P) questionnaire into a Korean version and to
      determine the reliability and validity of the Korean version. METHODS: The
      English VISA-P questionnaire was translated into Korean according to the
      internationally recommended guidelines. Then, 28 adolescent elite volleyball
      athletes (average age, 16 years; range, 14 to 19 years) were asked to complete
      the questionnaire three times (before examination, after examination, and 1 week
      later) for reliability. They were evaluated through a physical examination and
      ultrasonography to diagnosis patellar tendinopathy. RESULTS: The internal
      consistency of the VISA-P questionnaire by Cronbach's alpha was 0.80 for the
      first, 0.78 for the second, and 0.79 for the third assessment. The intraclass
      correlation coefficient (ICC) between the first and second assessments was 0.97.
      The ICC between the second and third assessments was 0.96. The mean VISA-P scores
      were 67.6+/-15.7 for the patellar tendinopathy group (n=23) and 92.6+/-8.6 for
      the normal group (n=5). There were significantly lower VISA-P scores in the
      patellar tendinopathy group compared to the normal group. CONCLUSION: The
      translated Korean version VISA-P questionnaire has good internal consistency,
      test-retest reliability and validity. In addition, this study indicated that most
      adolescent elite volleyball athletes had patellar tendon problems. Therefore, the
      Korean version VISA-P is a useful self-administered outcome score of athletes
      with patellar tendinopathy.

PMID- 24236259
TI  - Degenerative changes of spine in helicopter pilots.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between whole body vibration (WBV)
      induced helicopter flights and degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar
      spine. METHODS: We examined 186 helicopter pilots who were exposed to WBV and 94
      military clerical workers at a military hospital. Questionnaires and interviews
      were completed for 164 of the 186 pilots (response rate, 88.2%) and 88 of the 94
      clerical workers (response rate, 93.6%). Radiographic examinations of the
      cervical and the lumbar spines were performed after obtaining informed consent in
      both groups. Degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spines were
      determined using four radiographs per subject, and diagnosed by two independent,
      blinded radiologists. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in general and
      work-related characteristics except for flight hours and frequency between
      helicopter pilots and clerical workers. Degenerative changes in the cervical
      spine were significantly more prevalent in the helicopter pilots compared with
      control group. In the cervical spine multivariate model, accumulated flight hours
      (per 100 hours) was associated with degenerative changes. And in the lumbar spine
      multivariate model, accumulated flight hours (per 100 hours) and age were
      associated with degenerative changes. CONCLUSION: Accumulated flight hours were
      associated with degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spines in
      helicopter pilots.

PMID- 24236260
TI  - Grisel syndrome: pathophysiological evidence from magnetic resonance imaging
      findings.
AB  - Grisel syndrome is a condition of uncertain etiology characterized by a non
      traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation following an infection in the head and neck
      region. Although first described in 1830, the exact pathophysiology of Grisel
      syndrome remains unclear. We present a case of atlantoaxial subluxation after
      acute lymphadenitis diagnosed with a dynamic computed tomography (CT) and
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A previously healthy 9-year-old male patient
      presented with torticollis of sudden onset. Dynamic CT and MR imaging showed
      rotary atlantoaxial subluxation and inflammation surrounding the cervical spinal
      ligaments. A follow-up MRI of the cervical spine, taken 3 weeks after the onset
      of symptoms, showed a complete resolution of subluxation and inflammation
      surrounding the cervical spinal ligaments. In this case report, we support the
      hypothesis that an inflammation-induced laxity of the cervical ligaments is the
      pathologic key to Grisel syndrome using radiologic findings. 

PMID- 24236261
TI  - Anterior cervical osteophytes causing Dysphagia and paradoxical vocal cord motion
      leading to dyspnea and dysphonia.
AB  - Anterior cervical osteophytes are common and usually asymptomatic in elderly
      people. Due to mechanical compressions, inflammations, and tissues swelling of
      osteophytes, patients may be presented with multiple complications, such as
      dysphagia, dysphonia, dyspnea, and pulmonary aspiration. Paradoxical vocal cord
      motion is an uncommon disease characterized by vocal cord adductions during
      inspiration and/or expiration. This condition can create shortness of breath,
      wheezing, respiratory stridor or breathy dysphonia. We report a rare case
      demonstrating combined symptoms of dyspnea, dysphonia as well as dysphagia at the
      same time in a patient with asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophytes. Moreover,
      this is the first report demonstrating that anterior osteophytes can be a
      possible etiological factor for paradoxical vocal cord motion that induces
      serious respiratory symptoms. 

PMID- 24236262
TI  - Intractable abdominal pain in a patient with spinal cord injury: a case report.
AB  - Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) may experience several types of chronic
      pains. Abdominal pain in patients with SCI has gained limited attention and
      little is yet known about its characteristics and mechanisms. It often has been
      regarded as visceral pain associated with constipation and distention.
      Neuropathic pains localized in the abdomen have rarely been reported. We
      experience a case of intractable abdominal pain in a patient with SCI, neither of
      visceral pathology nor of musculoskeletal origin. The nature of pain fulfilled
      the diagnostic criteria for neuropathic pains. The pain was therefore regarded as
      neuropathic and managed accordingly. The first- and second-line oral drugs
      available were being performed, unfortunately, adequate pain control was not
      achieved. We tried an intrathecal lidocaine injection as another treatment
      option, and the injection had considerable effects. 

PMID- 24236263
TI  - Thoracic infectious spondylitis after surgical treatments of herniated lumbar
      intervertebral disc.
AB  - The postoperative infectious spondylitis has been reported to occur among every
      1% to 12%. It is difficult to early diagnose in some cases. If the diagnosis is
      delayed, it can be a life-threatening condition. We report a 32-year-old male
      patient with postoperative infectious spondylitis. He had surgical treatments for
      traumatic intervertebral disc herniations in L3-4 and L4-5. Three weeks after
      surgery, he complained for fever and paraplegia. Cervicothoracic magnetic
      resonance imaging showed the collapsed T2 and T3 vertebral body with changes of
      bone marrow signal intensity. Moreover, it showed anterior and posterior epidural
      masses causing spinal cord compressions which suggested infectious spondylitis.
      After the use of antibiotics and surgical decompressions T2-T3, his general
      conditions were improved and muscle power of lower extremities began to be
      gradually restored. However, we could not identify the exact organisms that may
      be the cause of infectious spondylitis. It could be important that the infectious
      spondylitis, which is presented away from the primary operative level, should be
      observed in patients with fevers of unknown origin and paraplegia. 

PMID- 24236264
TI  - Application of percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty using the navigable disc
      decompression device in patient of cervical herniated intervertebral disc: a case
      report.
AB  - Recent years, various percutaneous procedures including cervical nucleoplasty
      have been developed for disc decompressions to relieve radicular pains caused by
      disc herniations. We report the application of percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty
      (PCN) by using the navigable disc decompression device in two patients of
      cervical herniated intervertebral discs (HIVD). A 38-year-old female diagnosed
      with C4-C5 disc extrusion with bilateral C5 roots impingement received
      nucleoplasty twice at C4-C5 disc level. After second procedure, her pain was
      improved from 6-7/10 to 1-2/10 by visual analog scale (VAS). The second case, a
      51-year-male was diagnosed with C6-C7 disc extrusion with right C7 roots
      impingement and received the procedure at C6-C7 disc level. The pain improved
      from 8/10 to 3-4/10 by VAS. Successfully, we decompressed cervical herniated
      discs in 2 HIVD patients without major complications. The PCN with the navigable
      device will be recommended as an alternative treatment method for cervical HIVD. 

PMID- 24236265
TI  - Supplementary motor area syndrome and flexor synergy of the lower extremities.
AB  - Clinical presentation of supplementary motor area (SMA) syndrome includes
      complete akinesia of the contralateral side of the body and mutism, with
      secondary recovery of neurologic deficit. Multi-joint coordination is frequently
      impaired following the development of a brain lesion and is generally restricted
      by abnormal patterns of muscle activation within the hemiparetic limb, clinically
      termed muscle synergies. However, no work to date has confirmed this observation
      with the aid of objective methods, such as gait analysis, and the development of
      reflex pattern has not been suggested as a possible cause. We describe two
      unusual cases of flexor synergy after tumor resection of SMA lesions. 

PMID- 24236266
TI  - Multiple cranial neuropathies without limb involvements: guillain-barre syndrome
      variant?
AB  - Acute multiple cranial neuropathies are considered as variant of Guillain-Barre
      syndrome, which are immune-mediated diseases triggered by various cases. It is a
      rare disease which is related to infectious, inflammatory or systemic diseases.
      According to previous case reports, those affected can exhibit almost bilateral
      facial nerve palsy, then followed by bulbar dysfunctions (cranial nerves IX and
      X) accompanied by limb weakness and walking difficulties due to motor and/or
      sensory dysfunctions. Furthermore, reported cases of the acute multiple cranial
      neuropathies show electrophysiological abnormalities compatible with the typical
      Guillain-Barre syndromes (GBS). We recently experienced a patient with a benign
      infectious disease who subsequently developed symptoms of variant GBS. Here, we
      describe the case of a 48-year-old male patient who developed multiple symptoms
      of cranial neuropathy without limb weakness. His laboratory findings showed a
      positive result for anti-GQ1b IgG antibody. As compared with previously described
      variants of GBS, the patient exhibited widespread cranial neuropathy, which
      included neuropathies of cranial nerves III-XII, without limb involvement or
      ataxia. 

PMID- 24236267
TI  - Syringomyelia coexisting with guillain-barre syndrome.
AB  - Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and syringomyelia are diseases of different
      entities. GBS is an acute post-infectious autoimmune disease which is mediated by
      autoantibodies against the myelin of peripheral nerves. Syringomyelia is a
      chronic disease characterized by a cavity extending longitudinally inside the
      spinal cord. A 67-year-old man is being hospitalized due to severe numbness and
      ascending weakness in all limbs. On neurological examination, the motor power of
      all limbs are decreased and show absence of deep tendon reflexes (DTRs). The
      patient is being diagnosed with GBS on the basis of the acute clinical course,
      nerve conduction studies of segmental demyelinating polyneuropathy, and a finding
      of albuminocytologic dissociation in the cerebrospinal fluid. The patient is
      presented with a new set of symptoms thereafter, which composes of sensory
      changes in the upper extremities, the urinary dysfunction including frequency and
      residual urine, spastic bilateral lower extremities, and increased reflexes of
      the knee and the biceps at follow-up examinations. The spinal magnetic resonance
      imaging in the sagittal section revealed a syrinx cavity between the fifth
      cervical and the first thoracic vertebral segment in the cord. The somatosensory
      evoked potential show sensory pathway defects between both the brachial plexus
      and the brain stem. Thus, this patient is being diagnosed with both GBS and
      syringomyelia. We report a case of symptomatic syringomyelia coexisting with GBS.
      Since the GBS is presented with a progressive muscle weakness and reduced DTRs,
      the muscle weakness and stiffness in the extremities suggests a concurrent
      syringomyelia might be easily overlooked. 

PMID- 24236268
TI  - Recurrent cerebral infarction caused by mobile aortic arch thrombus refractory to
      warfarin therapy.
AB  - The mobile thrombus in the aortic arch is a rare condition, which becomes rarer
      when associated with cerebral infarction, resulting in disabling complications.
      Transesophageal echocardiography is useful for detecting the source of thrombi in
      the heart and aortic arch. Here, we report a case of a patient who suffered from
      recurrent cerebral infarction four times during the previous 18 months due to
      mobile thrombus in the aortic arch despite anticoagulant therapy. The thrombus
      with rocking motion (9.6 and 8 mm) was laid in the top of the aortic arch, and
      surgical resection was not allowed due to the location. We began anticoagulation
      therapy initially with heparin followed by a combination of warfarin, aspirin,
      and atorvastatin with an international normalized ratio between 2 and 3. The size
      of the aortic thrombi was significantly decreased by 3 mm and stabilized after 18
      months. 

PMID- 24236271
TI  - Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for the Treatment of Emotion Dysregulation and
      Trauma Symptoms in Self-Injurious and Suicidal Adolescent Females: A Pilot
      Programme within a Community-Based Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
AB  - Background. The literature suggests a link between childhood trauma and
      maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, including nonsuicidal self-injury
      (NSSI) and suicidality. We assessed the impact of a pilot dialectical behaviour
      therapy (DBT) programme on reducing trauma-related symptoms and improving
      emotional regulation, suicidality, and NSSI in adolescents. Methods. Six
      adolescents attending a community mental health service received 26 weeks of DBT,
      together with a parent. Independent assessors collected measures on each
      participant at baseline, posttreatment, and three-month followup. We implemented
      further improvements over past research with the use of adolescent-specific
      outcome measures as well as independent assessment of treatment integrity, noted
      as problematic in previous studies, using videotapes. Results. Firstly,
      adolescents reported a decrease in trauma-based symptoms, suicidality, and NSSI
      following participation in the DBT programme that was maintained at the three
      month followup. Secondly, adolescents also reported improved emotion regulation
      immediately following treatment, and this was maintained, albeit more moderately,
      three months later. Given the burgeoning demand on mental health services, it is
      notable that five of the six adolescents were discharged from the service
      following the DBT intervention. Conclusions. The results of this pilot programme
      suggest that DBT has the potential to improve the symptoms of this at-risk
      population. 

PMID- 24236272
TI  - Working memory training in patients with chronic schizophrenia: a pilot study.
AB  - Background. There is evidence that patients with schizophrenia suffer from
      decline in working memory performance with consequences for psychosocial outcome.
      Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of a computerized working memory training
      program (BrainStim) in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods. Twenty-nine
      inpatients with chronic schizophrenia were assigned to either the intervention
      group receiving working memory training (N = 15) or the control group without
      intervention (N = 14). Training was performed four times a week for 45 minutes
      during four weeks under neuropsychological supervision. At baseline and followup
      all participants underwent neuropsychological testing. Results. Pre-post
      comparisons of neuropsychological measures showed improvements in visual and
      verbal working memories and visual short-term memory with small and large effect
      sizes in the intervention group. In contrast, the control group showed decreased
      performance in verbal working memory and only slight changes in visual working
      memory and visual and verbal short-term memories after 4 weeks. Analyses of
      training profiles during application of BrainStim revealed increased performance
      over the 4-week training period. Conclusions. The applied training tool BrainStim
      improved working memory and short-term memory in patients with chronic
      schizophrenia. The present study implies that chronic schizophrenic patients can
      benefit from computerized cognitive remediation training of working memory in a
      clinical setting. 

PMID- 24236273
TI  - Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for the DSM-5 of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Female
      Adolescents: Diagnostic and Clinical Correlates.
AB  - Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is included as conditions for further study in the
      DSM-5. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the proposed diagnostic criteria
      and the diagnostic and clinical correlates for the validity of a diagnostic
      entity. The authors investigated the characteristics of NSSI disorder and the
      proposed diagnostic criteria. A sample of 73 female inpatient adolescents and 37
      nonclinical adolescents (aged 13 to 19 years) was recruited. Patients were
      classified into 4 groups (adolescents with NSSI disorder, adolescents with NSSI
      without impairment/distress, clinical controls without NSSI, and nonclinical
      controls). Adolescents were compared on self-reported psychopathology and
      diagnostic cooccurrences. Results indicate that adolescents with NSSI disorder
      have a higher level of impairment than adolescents with other mental disorders
      without NSSI. Most common comorbid diagnoses were major depression, social
      phobia, and PTSD. There was some overlap of adolescents with NSSI disorder and
      suicidal behaviour and borderline personality disorder, but there were also
      important differences. Results further suggest that the proposed DSM-5 diagnostic
      criteria for NSSI are useful and necessary. In conclusion, NSSI is a highly
      impairing disorder characterized by high comorbidity with various disorders,
      providing further evidence that NSSI should be a distinct diagnostic entity. 

PMID- 24236274
TI  - Cognitive aspects of hyperactivity and overactivity in preadolescents with
      tourette syndrome.
AB  - Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) is a common comorbidity in
      children with Tourette syndrome (TS). However, motor restlessness and high levels
      of sensorimotor activation or "overactivity" may be a feature of TS rather than a
      distinct ADHD comorbidity. The link between overactivity and ADHD in TS has yet
      to be established and in particular between adult and preadolescent
      manifestations. The current study furthers this understanding of ADHD features in
      TS by investigating the relationship between cognitive and behavioral aspects of
      ADHD and TS. The style of planning (STOP) overactivity scale was compared in
      preadolescent (n = 17) and adult (n = 17) samples. The STOP overactivity scale
      measures the characteristic overactive style of planning in everyday life. The
      aims of the study were twofold as follows: (1) to see if an overactive style was
      present in adolescents as well as in adults, and (2) to see if this overactive
      style correlated with hyperactivity, impulsivity, or perfectionism. Results
      suggest that overactivity may be a better description of the hyperactivity
      manifestations in TS. Behavioral components of overactivity were present in
      preadolescents while the cognitive components were more frequent in adults.
      Overactivity relates at the same time to perfectionism and impulsivity. 

PMID- 24236275
TI  - The Effect of Family Factors on Intense Alcohol Use among European Adolescents: A
      Multilevel Analysis.
AB  - In Europe use of alcohol by adolescents is a large and increasing problem. The
      aim of this study is to examine the effects of family factors such as structure,
      social control, affluence, and negative life events on adolescents' risky alcohol
      use. Data on alcohol use and family factors were obtained from the International
      Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD-2). Using multilevel analysis, it was found
      that overall, complete family and high social control by parents were lowering
      the intense alcohol use whereas negative life events in the family and high
      family affluence were increasing youngsters' intense alcohol use. Differences
      between regions of Europe were present for all family factors except affluence.
      Namely, in Northern Europe the impact of family structure and social control on
      intense alcohol use was stronger than that in other regions (e.g., Western
      Europe, Mediterranean, and Postsocialist countries). Also, in Northern Europe
      where the proportion of adolescents who have not experienced negative life events
      is the highest, the impact of negative life events on intense alcohol use was
      stronger; that is, negative life events increased the alcohol use. We conclude
      that family plays a significant role in adolescents' risky alcohol use. 

PMID- 24236276
TI  - Social anxiety, tremor severity, and tremor disability: a search for clinically
      relevant measures.
AB  - Background. While social anxiety has been reported among essential tremor (ET)
      patients, very little is known about the relation between self-report measures of
      social anxiety, tremor severity and disability, and cognition. Methods. Sixty
      three individuals diagnosed with ET took part in a comprehensive study examining
      neurocognition and behavioral functioning. A psychiatric diagnostic interview,
      three social anxiety questionnaires, and an idiographic-based behavioral
      assessment to pinpoint anxiety provoking situations and related distress were
      completed. Results. Thirty percent of the participants met diagnostic criteria
      for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Social anxiety questionnaires were negligibly
      related to tremor severity and disability. Idiographic behavioral assessment of
      subjective distress was moderately related to resting tremor severity and
      disability and strongly related to social anxiety questionnaires scores. Only one
      cognitive variable was related to tremor severity. Conclusions. These findings
      suggest that (a) self-report measures of social anxiety with ET patients may
      underestimate distress; (b) emphasis on tremor severity may be misleading; (c)
      tremor disability may be a more sensitive and functional measure related to
      cognition and effect; (d) SAD is wide spread and does not appear to be related to
      dysregulated executive function; and (e) development of an ET-specific measure of
      social anxiety is called for. 

PMID- 24236277
TI  - Trends in Video Game Play through Childhood, Adolescence, and Emerging Adulthood.
AB  - This study explored the relationship between video gaming and age during
      childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood. It also examined whether "role
      incompatibility," the theory that normative levels of substance use decrease
      through young adulthood as newly acquired adult roles create competing demands,
      generalizes to video gaming. Emerging adult video gamers (n = 702) recruited from
      video gaming contexts in New York City completed a computer-assisted personal
      interview and life-history calendar. All four video gaming indicators-days/week
      played, school/work day play, nonschool/work day play, and problem play-had
      significant curvilinear relationships with age. The "shape" of video gaming's
      relationship with age is, therefore, similar to that of substance use, but video
      gaming appears to peak earlier in life than substance use, that is, in late
      adolescence rather than emerging adulthood. Of the four video gaming indicators,
      role incompatibility only significantly affected school/work day play, the
      dimension with the clearest potential to interfere with life obligations. 

PMID- 24236278
TI  - Dimensions of Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill in the General Population
      Stability and Change over Time at Urban and Rural Sites.
AB  - Items measuring attitudes toward the mentally ill can be limited in relevance to
      a particular period or place. The main objective of the study was to provide
      evidence toward a questionnaire that was short and psychometrically stable over
      time and geography, and that could be used within comprehensive mental health
      surveys of general populations. Four rural samples, Lofoten 1983 (n = 470), 1990
      (n = 947), 2000 (n = 864), and Valdres 2010 (n = 772), and two urban samples,
      Oslo 1990 (n = 948) and 2000 (n = 467), were used to test this. The questionnaire
      was self-administered with fixed questions and response alternatives. Using the
      three Lofoten and the two Oslo samples, the stability of the factor analytic
      structure of 19 attitude items was established. In all analyses, there was a
      clear leveling off after three factors. The 13 highest loading items on these
      three factors were used in a new rural region, Valdres, in 2010. The three
      established factors/dimensions, named Distance, Demands, and Positive, seemed to
      be reasonably stable within a variety of Norwegian samples. On the other hand,
      the analyses were different enough to recommend researchers and politicians to be
      careful when comparing absolute levels of the suggested indexes across different
      locations and at different points in time. 

PMID- 24236279
TI  - Impact of Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games upon the Psychosocial Well-Being
      of Adolescents and Young Adults: Reviewing the Evidence.
AB  - Introduction. For many people, the online environment has become a significant
      arena for everyday living, and researchers are beginning to explore the
      multifaceted nature of human interaction with the Internet. The burgeoning global
      popularity and distinct design features of massively multiplayer online role
      playing games (MMORPGs) have received particular attention, and discourses about
      the phenomenon suggest both positive and negative impact upon gamer health. Aim.
      The purpose of this paper was to critically appraise the research literature to
      determine if playing MMORPGs impacts upon the psychosocial well-being of
      adolescents and young adults. Method. Initial searches were conducted on nine
      databases spanning the years 2002 to 2012 using key words, such as online gaming,
      internet gaming, psychosocial, and well-being, which, in addition to hand
      searching, identified six studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria
      for this review. Results. All six studies strongly associated MMORPG playing with
      helpful and harmful impact to the psychosocial well-being of the populations
      under study; however due to the methodologies employed, only tentative
      conclusions may be drawn. Conclusion. Since both helpful and harmful effects were
      reported, further multidisciplinary research is recommended to specifically
      explore the clinical implications and therapeutic potentialities of this modern,
      growing phenomenon. 

PMID- 24236280
TI  - Future Intent to Run and Running Performance of Students Exposed to a Traditional
      versus an Autonomy Supportive Motivational Running Program.
AB  - Background. The study's primary purpose was to investigate whether an autonomy
      supportive motivational climate in a running program would increase future
      running intent among high school students. A secondary purpose was to examine
      whether the program would increase individual performance in the Cooper 12-minute
      run. Methods. Students participated in a 4-month running intervention program
      which included four timed runs, one per month, and a future intent questionnaire
      prior to the start of the timed runs and following the last run. Results.
      Factorial repeated measures ANOVA revealed significance regarding future intent
      (P = .026) at both schools. Factorial repeated measures ANOVA indicated
      differences between the runs at both schools (P < .001). Paired samples t-tests
      were conducted to look at significance with paired runs. Results revealed
      significance in two of the six pairs at the treatment school, notably between the
      first and last timed runs (P = .004). Only one pair was found to be significant
      (P < .001) with the control school. Conclusion. At both schools, the overall
      number of laps increased as well as future intent to run scores. The results do
      not support evidence of a greater effect from the autonomy supportive environment
      over a traditional environment. 

PMID- 24236281
TI  - Screening for Bipolar Disorder Symptoms in Depressed Primary Care Attenders:
      Comparison between Mood Disorder Questionnaire and Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32).
AB  - Objective. To describe the prevalence of patients who screen positive for bipolar
      disorder (BD) symptoms in primary care comparing two screening instruments: Mood
      Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ) and Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32). Participants.
      Adult patients presenting to their primary care practitioners for any cause and
      reporting current depression symptoms or a depressive episode in the last 6
      months. Methods. Subjects completed MDQ and HCL-32, and clinical diagnosis was
      assessed by a psychiatrist following DSM-IV criteria. Depressive symptoms were
      evaluated in a subgroup with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results. A
      total of 94 patients were approached to participate and 93 completed the survey.
      Among these, 8.9% screened positive with MDQ and 43.0% with HCL-32. MDQ positive
      had more likely features associated with BD: panic disorder and smoking habit (P
      < .05). The best test accuracy was performed by cut-off 5 for MDQ (sensitivity =
      .91; specificity = .67) and 15 for HCL-32 (sensitivity = .64; specificity = .57).
      Higher total score of PHQ-9 was related to higher total scores at the screening
      tests (P < .001). Conclusion. There is a significant prevalence of bipolar
      symptoms in primary care depressed patients. MDQ seems to have better accuracy
      and feasibility than HCL-32, features that fit well in the busy setting of
      primary care. 

PMID- 24236282
TI  - Cognitive performance in a subclinical obsessive-compulsive sample 1: cognitive
      functions.
AB  - Individuals who are not clinically diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder
      (OCD) but still display obsessive-compulsive (OC) tendencies may show cognitive
      impairments. The present study investigated whether there are subgroups within a
      healthy group showing characteristic cognitive and emotional performance levels
      similar to those found in OCD patients and whether they differ from OCD subgroups
      regarding performance levels. Of interest are those cases showing subclinical
      symptomatology. The results revealed no impairments in the subclinical OC
      participants on the neuropsychological tasks, while evidence suggests that there
      exist high and low scores on two standardised clinical instruments (Yale-Brown
      Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Cognitive Assessment Instrument of Obsessions and
      Compulsions) in a healthy sample. OC symptoms may diminish the quality of life
      and prolong sustainable return to work. It may be that occupational
      rehabilitation programmes are more effective in rectifying subclinical OC
      tendencies compared to the often complex symptoms of diagnosed OCD patients. The
      relationship between cognitive style and subclinical OC symptoms is discussed in
      terms of how materials and information might be processed. Although subclinical
      OC tendencies would not seem to constitute a diagnosis of OCD, the quality of
      treatment programmes such as cognitive behavioural therapy can be improved based
      on the current investigation. 

PMID- 24236283
TI  - Struggling on my own: a cognitive perspective on frequent attenders' conception
      of life and their interaction with the healthcare system.
AB  - Different studies reveal that a large percentage of people frequently attending
      healthcare not only suffer from diffuse somatic symptoms but also from
      psychological distress and difficulties in dealing with everyday life. Even
      though they are not always diagnosed with psychiatric disease, questions arise
      about their mental health. The study aims at describing frequent attenders'
      conceptions of life, and as a result their health, from a cognitive perspective.
      A qualitative content analysis of in-depth interviews was carried out with nine
      service users in primary healthcare. The findings reveal that participants
      experience themselves as inadequate and as being a burden for others, by whom
      they experience rejection, in different ways. In order to take part in community
      with others the person develops compensatory strategies that aim at concealing
      their inadequacies, thus also preventing them from sharing their suffering with
      others. The consequence is that the persons become even more alienated as they
      start to relate to others through a facade and furthermore are unable to either
      improve their health or obtain adequate care. It can be concluded that these
      patients need to be taken seriously in order to prevent further psychological
      suffering. 

PMID- 24236284
TI  - The Relationship between the UPPS-P Impulsivity Dimensions and Nonsuicidal Self
      Injury Characteristics in Male and Female High-School Students.
AB  - The present study investigated the association between nonsuicidal self-injury
      characteristics, functions, and the UPPS-P impulsivity-related traits in high
      school students using self-report questionnaires. More than 17% of the 613
      students engaged in at least one type of NSSI behavior. Compared to male
      students, female students engaged more often in cutting and less in head banging.
      All NSSI behaviors were significantly related to Negative and Positive Urgency,
      that is, the tendency to act impulsive in the presence of negative/positive
      affect. Interactions between different UPPS-P impulsivity dimensions did not
      increase the percentage of explained variance in the different NSSI behaviors.
      Furthermore, severe cutting was negatively related to Lack of Premeditation.
      Different NSSI functions showed differential relationships with the five UPPS-P
      impulsivity dimensions. 

PMID- 24236285
TI  - Factors associated with readmission of patients at a university hospital
      psychiatric ward in iran.
AB  - Objectives. Readmission has a major role in the reduction of the quality of life
      and the increase in the years of lost life. The main objectives of this study
      were to answer to the following research questions. (a) What was the readmission
      rate? (b) What were the social, demographic, and clinical characteristics of
      patients admitted to the Psychiatric Emergency Service at Nour University
      Hospital, affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran?
      (c) What were the effective factors on readmission? Method. This cross-sectional
      study was conducted on a total number of 3935 patients who were admitted to
      Isfahan University Hospital Psychiatric Ward in Isfahan, Iran, from 2004 to 2010.
      Gender, age, marital status, education, self-report history of previous
      admission, type of psychiatric disorder, substance misuse, suicide, and the
      length of the current psychiatric disorder were collected from the registered
      medical files of patients. The data were analysed using the negative binomial
      regression model. Results. We found that factors such as psychiatric anxiety
      disorder, bipolar I, bipolar II, psychotic disorder, depression, and self report
      history of previous admission were statistically significant in the number of
      readmissions using the negative binomial model. Conclusion. Readmission to the
      psychiatric ward is mainly predictable by the type of diagnosis and psychosocial
      supports. 

PMID- 24236286
TI  - The effect of withdrawal and intake of nicotine on smokers' ability to ignore
      distractors in a number parity decision task.
AB  - Nicotine's attention enhancing effects are often attributed to enhancement of
      stimulus filtering by the attention networks. We investigated distractibility in
      20 abstinent cigarette smokers (9 hours overnight; phase 1) and tested them again
      after smoking one cigarette (phase 2). Their performance was compared to 20
      nonsmokers (no nicotine intake). In an auditory number parity decision task,
      participants had to make a forced choice "odd" or "even" decision about centrally
      presented numbers between 2 and 9, while ignoring laterally presented preceding
      or simultaneous novel distractors. In phase 1, distractors that preceded goal
      stimuli slowed reaction times (RTs) more than simultaneously presented
      distractors in both groups. In phase 2, nicotine intake speeded RTs in smokers in
      all conditions and reduced RT variability for simple number decisions and
      simultaneous distractors. Overall, there was a nonsignificant trend for smokers
      to be less accurate than nonsmokers. Accuracy in the simultaneous distractor
      condition decreased in both groups in phase 2. We argue that the observed
      nicotine-induced improvements on behavioral performance primarily reflect
      enhancement of top-down control of attention. 

PMID- 24236287
TI  - Negative Symptoms of Psychosis Correlate with Gene Expression of the Wnt/beta
      Catenin Signaling Pathway in Peripheral Blood.
AB  - Genes in the Wnt (wingless)/ beta -catenin signaling pathway have been implicated
      in schizophrenia pathogenesis. No study has examined this pathway in the broader
      context of psychosis symptom severity. We investigated the association between
      symptom severity scores and expression of 25 Wnt pathway genes in blood from 19
      psychotic patients. Significant correlations between negative symptom scores and
      deshivelled 2 (DVL2) (r adj = -0.70; P = 0.0008) and glycogen synthase kinase 3
      beta (GSK3B) (r adj = 0.48; P = 0.039) were observed. No gene expression levels
      were associated with positive symptoms. Our findings suggest that the Wnt
      signaling pathway may harbor biomarkers for severity of negative but not positive
      symptoms. 

PMID- 24236288
TI  - From sociocultural disintegration to community connectedness dimensions of local
      community concepts and their effects on psychological health of its residents.
AB  - In a series of community mental health promotion studies in Lofoten, Norway, the
      concept of sociocultural integration is used to describe properties of a local
      community that are related to people's psychological health. Starting with
      Durkheim's description of a cohesive society, we compare different concepts that
      are related to sociocultural integration, for example, sense of community, social
      capital, and social cohesion. We then examine the relationship of various
      individual oriented social psychological concepts to sociocultural integration.
      These concepts often share theoretical and operational definitions. The concept
      of sociocultural integration in the Lofoten studies was proved to be very
      valuable in understanding how the properties of a community can affect people's
      mental health and their social psychological properties. It has also shown its
      value in the planning of mental health services and demonstrating its success in
      concrete community-based mental health promotion projects. Thus they could make
      important contributions to further studies and actions in local communities where
      the intersection between the individual, their social network, and their local
      community occurs. 

PMID- 24236289
TI  - Involving the family in the care and treatment of women with postpartum
      psychosis: Swedish psychiatrists' experiences.
AB  - The aim of the study was to describe Swedish psychiatrists' experiences of
      involving the family in the treatment of women with postpartum psychosis. A
      qualitative design was used, and semistructured qualitative research interviews
      were conducted with nine psychiatrists from the south of Sweden. Data were
      analysed using qualitative content analysis. Four categories were found: the
      family as a resource, the family as coworkers, preparing the family for the
      future, and the family as a burden. The result showed that the psychiatrists
      considered the family to be a resource to which they devoted a great deal of care
      and effort. It was particularly important to involve the partner, informing about
      the course of the illness and the steps that need to be taken in the event of a
      relapse and reducing any guilt feelings. The psychiatrists instilled confidence
      and hope for a future of health and further child bearing. The family members'
      limited understanding of the treatment may impede the involvement of the family.
      Conclusion of the study was that the goal for family involvement was to
      facilitate the women's care and treatment. Further studies are needed to provide
      suggestions on how to develop family involvement in the care of women suffering
      from postpartum psychosis. 

PMID- 24236290
TI  - Age differences in the association of severe psychological distress and
      behavioral factors with heart disease.
AB  - Few studies have examined the risk factors of serious psychological distress
      (SPD) and behavioral factors for heart disease separately stratified as young (18
      44 years), middle aged (45-64 years), and elderly (65 years or older). A total of
      3,540 adults with heart disease and 37,703 controls were selected from the 2005
      California Health Interview Survey. Data were weighted to be representative and
      adjusted for potential undercoverage and nonresponse biases. Multiple logistic
      regression models were used to estimate the associations of the factors with
      heart disease at different ages. The prevalence of SPD was 8% in cases and 4% in
      controls, respectively. For young adults, SPD and higher federal poverty level
      (FPL) were associated with an increased risk of heart disease while for middle
      aged adults, SPD, past smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity, male, and
      unemployment were associated with an increased risk of heart disease. In
      addition, SPD, past smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity, male,
      unemployment, White, and lower FPL were associated with an increased risk of
      heart disease in elderly. Our findings indicate that risk factors for heart
      disease vary across all ages. Intervention strategies that target risk reduction
      of heart disease may be tailored accordingly. 

PMID- 24236291
TI  - Evaluation of NK cell function by flowcytometric measurement and impedance based
      assay using real-time cell electronic sensing system.
AB  - Although real-time cell electronic sensing (RT-CES) system-based natural killer
      (NK) cytotoxicity has been introduced, it has not been evaluated using human
      blood samples. In present study, we measured flowcytometry based assay (FCA) and
      RT-CES based NK cytotoxicity and analyzed degranulation activity (CD107a) and
      cytokine production. In 98 healthy individuals, FCA with peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at effector to target (E/T) ratio of 32 revealed 46.5
      +/- 2.6% cytolysis of K562 cells, and 23.5 +/- 1.1% of NK cells showed increased
      degranulation. In RT-CES system, adherent NIH3T3 target cells were resistant to
      basal killing by PBMC or NK cells. NK cell activation by adding IL-2 demonstrated
      real-time dynamic killing activity, and lymphokine-activated PBMC (E/T ratio of
      32) from 15 individuals showed 59.1 +/- 6.2% cytotoxicity results after 4 hours
      incubation in RT-CES system. However, there was no significant correlation
      between FCA and RT-CES cytotoxicity. After K562 target cell stimulation, PBMC
      produced profound proinflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines/chemokines
      including IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, MIP-1 alpha beta , IFN- gamma , and TNF- alpha , and
      cytokine/chemokine secretion was related to flowcytometry-based NK cytotoxicity.
      These data suggest that RT-CES and FCA differ in sensitivity, applicability and
      providing information, and further investigations are necessary in variable
      clinical conditions. 

PMID- 24236293
TI  - Design and validation of an augmented reality system for laparoscopic surgery in
      a real environment.
AB  - PURPOSE: This work presents the protocol carried out in the development and
      validation of an augmented reality system which was installed in an operating
      theatre to help surgeons with trocar placement during laparoscopic surgery. The
      purpose of this validation is to demonstrate the improvements that this system
      can provide to the field of medicine, particularly surgery. METHOD: Two
      experiments that were noninvasive for both the patient and the surgeon were
      designed. In one of these experiments the augmented reality system was used, the
      other one was the control experiment, and the system was not used. The type of
      operation selected for all cases was a cholecystectomy due to the low degree of
      complexity and complications before, during, and after the surgery. The technique
      used in the placement of trocars was the French technique, but the results can be
      extrapolated to any other technique and operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Four
      clinicians and ninety-six measurements obtained of twenty-four patients (randomly
      assigned in each experiment) were involved in these experiments. The final
      results show an improvement in accuracy and variability of 33% and 63%,
      respectively, in comparison to traditional methods, demonstrating that the use of
      an augmented reality system offers advantages for trocar placement in
      laparoscopic surgery.

PMID- 24236294
TI  - Is delayed pressure urticaria associated with increased systemic release of
      sCD40L?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of soluble CD40 Ligand (sCD40L) were found in serum
      but not in plasma of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CU). What is
      important is that sCD40L has proinflammatory properties, and its elevated plasma
      level may indicate increased risk of cardiovascular events. These observations
      should stimulate further evaluation of sCD40L in different forms of urticaria.
      AIM: In the present study, sCD40L plasma level was investigated in delayed
      pressure urticaria (DPU). METHODS: As platelets are predominant and variable
      sources of sCD40L, we investigated sCD40L concentration in platelet-poor plasma
      (PPP), which seems the best way to minimize the potential contribution of these
      cells to the ligand level. RESULTS: Plasma sCD40L concentration was significantly
      increased in the DPU group compared to the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: It
      seems that DPU is associated with increased systemic release of sCD40L, which is
      believed to derive predominantly from activated platelets. The present study as
      well as the earlier contributions suggest that distinct cells activity, including
      platelets, may be identified in different types of urticaria.

PMID- 24236292
TI  - Role of gap junctions and hemichannels in parasitic infections.
AB  - In vertebrates, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs) are proteins that form gap
      junction channels and/or hemichannels located at cell-cell interfaces and cell
      surface, respectively. Similar channel types are formed by innexins in
      invertebrate cells. These channels serve as pathways for cellular communication
      that coordinate diverse physiologic processes. However, it is known that many
      acquired and inherited diseases deregulate Cx and/or Panx channels, condition
      that frequently worsens the pathological state of vertebrates. Recent evidences
      suggest that Cx and/or Panx hemichannels play a relevant role in bacterial and
      viral infections. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of Cx- and Panx
      based channels in parasitic infections of vertebrates. In this review, available
      data on changes in Cx and gap junction channel changes induced by parasitic
      infections are summarized. Additionally, we describe recent findings that suggest
      possible roles of hemichannels in parasitic infections. Finally, the possibility
      of new therapeutic designs based on hemichannel blokers is presented. 

PMID- 24236295
TI  - Immunization with a neural-derived peptide protects the spinal cord from
      apoptosis after traumatic injury.
AB  - Apoptosis is one of the most destructive mechanisms that develop after spinal
      cord (SC) injury. Immunization with neural-derived peptides (INDPs) such as A91
      has shown to reduce the deleterious proinflammatory response and the amount of
      harmful compounds produced after SC injury. With the notion that the
      aforementioned elements are apoptotic inducers, we hypothesized that INDPs would
      reduce apoptosis after SC injury. In order to test this assumption, adult rats
      were subjected to SC contusion and immunized either with A91 or phosphate
      buffered saline (PBS; control group). Seven days after injury, animals were
      euthanized to evaluate the number of apoptotic cells at the injury site.
      Apoptosis was evaluated using DAPI and TUNEL techniques; caspase-3 activity was
      also evaluated. To further elucidate the mechanisms through which A91 exerts this
      antiapoptotic effects we quantified tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). To
      also demonstrate that the decrease in apoptotic cells correlated with a
      functional improvement, locomotor recovery was evaluated. Immunization with A91
      significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells and decreased caspase-3
      activity and TNF-alpha concentration. Immunization with A91 also improved the
      functional recovery of injured rats. The present study shows the beneficial
      effect of INDPs on preventing apoptosis and provides more evidence on the
      neuroprotective mechanisms exerted by this strategy.

PMID- 24236296
TI  - Practical guidance for implementing predictive biomarkers into early phase
      clinical studies.
AB  - The recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) coapprovals of several
      therapeutic compounds and their companion diagnostic devices (FDA News Release,
      2011, 2013) to identify patients who would benefit from treatment have led to
      considerable interest in incorporating predictive biomarkers in clinical studies.
      Yet, the translation of predictive biomarkers poses unique technical, logistic,
      and regulatory challenges that need to be addressed by a multidisciplinary team
      including discovery scientists, clinicians, biomarker experts, regulatory
      personnel, and assay developers. These issues can be placed into four broad
      categories: sample collection, assay validation, sample analysis, and regulatory
      requirements. In this paper, we provide a primer for drug development teams who
      are eager to implement a predictive patient segmentation marker into an early
      clinical trial in a way that facilitates subsequent development of a companion
      diagnostic. Using examples of nucleic acid-based assays, we briefly review common
      issues encountered when translating a biomarker to the clinic but focus primarily
      on key practical issues that should be considered by clinical teams when planning
      to use a biomarker to balance arms of a study or to determine eligibility for a
      clinical study. 

PMID- 24236298
TI  - A quantitative analysis of the impact on chromatin accessibility by histone
      modifications and binding of transcription factors in DNase I hypersensitive
      sites.
AB  - It is known that chromatin features such as histone modifications and the binding
      of transcription factors exert a significant impact on the "openness" of
      chromatin. In this study, we present a quantitative analysis of the genome-wide
      relationship between chromatin features and chromatin accessibility in DNase I
      hypersensitive sites. We found that these features show distinct preference to
      localize in open chromatin. In order to elucidate the exact impact, we derived
      quantitative models to directly predict the "openness" of chromatin using histone
      modification features and transcription factor binding features, respectively. We
      show that these two types of features are highly predictive for chromatin
      accessibility in a statistical viewpoint. Moreover, our results indicate that
      these features are highly redundant and only a small number of features are
      needed to achieve a very high predictive power. Our study provides new insights
      into the true biological phenomena and the combinatorial effects of chromatin
      features to differential DNase I hypersensitivity. 

PMID- 24236297
TI  - Evaluating the importance of the carotid chemoreceptors in controlling breathing
      during exercise in man.
AB  - Only the carotid chemoreceptors stimulate breathing during hypoxia in Man. They
      are also ideally located to warn if the brain's oxygen supply falls, or if
      hypercapnia occurs. Since their discovery ~80 years ago stimulation, ablation,
      and recording experiments still leave 3 substantial difficulties in establishing
      how important the carotid chemoreceptors are in controlling breathing during
      exercise in Man: (i) they are in the wrong location to measure metabolic rate
      (but are ideally located to measure any mismatch), (ii) they receive no known
      signal during exercise linking them with metabolic rate and no overt mismatch
      signals occur and (iii) their denervation in Man fails to prevent breathing
      matching metabolic rate in exercise. New research is needed to enable recording
      from carotid chemoreceptors in Man to establish whether there is any factor that
      rises with metabolic rate and greatly increases carotid chemoreceptor activity
      during exercise. Available evidence so far in Man indicates that carotid
      chemoreceptors are either one of two mechanisms that explain breathing matching
      metabolic rate or have no importance. We still lack key experimental evidence to
      distinguish between these two possibilities. 

PMID- 24236299
TI  - Establishing an Imaging Protocol for Detection of Vascularity within the Median
      Nerve Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound.
AB  - This preclinical study was conducted to develop discrete sonographic
      instrumentation settings and also safe contrast dosing that would consistently
      demonstrate perineural vascularity along the median nerve. This set of imaging
      studies was conducted with a convenience cohort of young adult female monkeys
      (Macaca fascicularis). Sonographic equipment settings and dosing were refined
      throughout the imaging series to ensure consistent contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      imaging. A mechanical index of 0.13 was consistently used for imaging. Perineural
      vessels were imaged with a suspension solution of 0.04 mL Definity/0.96 mL saline
      introduced over 5 minutes for a total dose of 0.8 mL of contrast solution.
      Blinded studies of high and low dose contrast, along with saline injections, were
      correctly identified by two experienced sonographers. This preclinical study
      established adequate equipment settings and dosing that allowed for a valid
      demonstration of vascularity surrounding the median nerve.

PMID- 24236300
TI  - MicroRNA: A New Player for Cancer Chemoprevention.

PMID- 24236301
TI  - Cross-device automated prostate cancer localization with multiparametric MRI.
AB  - Prostate cancer localization using supervised classification techniques has
      aroused considerable interest in medical imaging community in recent years.
      However, it is crucial to have an accurate training data set for supervised
      classification techniques. Since different devices with, e.g., different
      protocols and/or field strengths cause different intensity profiles, each
      device/protocol must have an accompanying training data set, which is very costly
      to obtain. It is highly desirable to adapt the existing classifier(s) trained for
      one device/protocol to help classify data coming from another device/protocol. In
      this paper, we propose a novel method that has the ability to design classifiers
      obtained from one imaging protocol and/or MRI device to be used on a data set
      from another protocol and/or imaging device. As an example problem, we consider
      prostate cancer localization with multiparametric MRI. We show that simple
      normalization techniques such as z-score are not sufficient for cross-device
      automated cancer localization. On the other hand, the method we have originally
      developed based on relative intensity allows us to successfully use a classifier
      obtained from one device to be applied on a test patient imaged with another
      device. Proposed method also allows us to employ T2-weighted MR images directly
      instead of an additional step to normalize T2-weighted images usually performed
      in an ad hoc manner when T2 maps are not available. To demonstrate the
      effectiveness of the proposed method, we use a multiparametric MRI data set
      acquired from 18 biopsy-confirmed cancer patients with two separate scanners: 1)
      1.5-T (Excite HD) GE and 2) 1.5-T (Achieva) Philips Healthcare scanners. A
      comprehensive visual, quantitative, and statistical analysis of the results show
      that methods we have developed allow us to: 1) perform cross-device automated
      classification and 2) use T2-weighted images without an ad hoc subject-specific
      normalization.

PMID- 24236302
TI  - Author's reply: To PMID 23070631.

PMID- 24236303
TI  - Author's reply: To PMID 23086804.

PMID- 24236304
TI  - Author's reply: To PMID 23531873.

PMID- 24236305
TI  - Author's reply: To PMID 21911318.

PMID- 24236306
TI  - Night shifts and breast cancer, occupational asthma.

PMID- 24236307
TI  - Author's reply: To PMID 23531869.

PMID- 24236308
TI  - Author's reply: To PMID 23531868.

PMID- 24236309
TI  - Author's reply: To PMID 23395706.

PMID- 24236310
TI  - Abstracts of the 62nd Annual Scientific Session of the American College of
      Cardiology. March 9-11, 2013. San Francisco, California, USA.

PMID- 24236311
TI  - Fieldwork: The great outdoors.

PMID- 24236312
TI  - Precautionary measures.

PMID- 24236313
TI  - Data deadline.

PMID- 24236314
TI  - Keep asking.

PMID- 24236315
TI  - Parasitic infections: Time to tackle cryptosporidiosis.

PMID- 24236316
TI  - Global change: Ecology must evolve.

PMID- 24236317
TI  - [Drugs of a Baroque monastery pharmacy].
AB  - This paper deal with a manuscript from the years 1714-1720, originating most
      probably from the hospital of the Brothers of Mercy in Nove Mesto nad Metuji. it
      contains the records of the hospital pharmacy about the drugs prepared for both
      patients and monks who operated this hospital. The included drugs were mainly
      intended for elderly males. The manuscript lists about fifteen hundred drugs and
      more than three hundred active ingredients, of which about two thirds were of
      plant origin. The paper presents the compositions of more important drugs and
      partly deals also with their preparation.

PMID- 24236319
TI  - [Hand surgery. Dorsal capsulodesis in chronic SL instability].

PMID- 24236320
TI  - [Hand surgery. Fractures of the dorsal finger base end member].

PMID- 24236321
TI  - Surveillance snapshot: myomectomies and hysterectomies performed for uterine
      fibroids at military health facilities, active component service women, U.S.
      Armed Forces, 2000-2012.

PMID- 24236322
TI  - Surveillance snapshot: Births, active component service women, U.S. Armed Forces,
      2001-2012.

PMID- 24236324
TI  - Telemedicine: winners and losers.

PMID- 24236323
TI  - The health of healthcare, Part II: patient healthcare has cancer.
AB  - In this article, we make the etiologic diagnosis for a sick patient named
      Healthcare: the cancer of greed. When we explore the two forms of this cancer-
      corporate and bureaucratic--we find the latter is the greater danger to We the
      Patients. The "treatments" applied to patient Healthcare by the Congressional
      "doctors" have consistently made the patient worse, not better. At the core of
      healthcare's woes is the government's diversion of money from healthcare services
      to healthcare bureaucracy. As this is the root cause, it is what we must address
      in order to cure, not sedate or palliate, patient Healthcare.

PMID- 24236325
TI  - [Comparative analysis of a new human cell line 4BL karyotype at long-term
      cultivation. Ploidy of chromosomal set].
AB  - Long-term cultivation of human cells, including stem cells, can lead to
      substantial transformation of the karyotype and occurrence of genetic
      instability. The aim of this research was a comparative cytogenetic study of the
      karyotype of a new human stem cell line 4BL at 160 and 205 passages. The absence
      of 10 and 13 pairs of chromosomes and the monosomy of chromosomes 4, 8, 10, 11,
      13, 15, 17, 21, X were observed; also six regular marker chromosomes were
      detected. Chromosomes 1, 15 and 21 are involved in translocations t(l;11),
      t(5;15), t(12; 15), t(16;21). Modal class of the karyotype is within 41-43
      chromosomes at both 160 and 205 passages. The frequency of polyploid cells have
      been increased from 2.8% at 160 passage up to 36% at 205 passage. Cells with a
      near-haploid karyotype were not detected at 205 passage (in contrast to 24.6% at
      160 passages) and a decline of the level of premature separation of chromatids
      was observed. We assume stabilization of karyotype of the cell line 4BL at 205
      passage and consider that further research is needed to predict the direction of
      karyotypic evolution of these cells in vitro.

PMID- 24236326
TI  - Progress towards poliomyelitis eradication: Afghanistan, January 2012-August
      2013.

PMID- 24236327
TI  - Estimating meningitis hospitalization rates for sentinel hospitals conducting
      surveillance of invasive bacterial vaccine preventable diseases.

PMID- 24236328
TI  - Drug approvals voluntarily withdrawn.

PMID- 24236329
TI  - Cattle drug's sales suspended after lameness reports.

PMID- 24236331
TI  - Bighorn sheep may be at risk for TSEs.

PMID- 24236330
TI  - Investigation follows dog illnesses, deaths in Ohio.

PMID- 24236332
TI  - Meeting of the WHO expert working group on surveillance of influenza antiviral
      susceptibility, Geneva, July 2013.

PMID- 24236333
TI  - Global routine vaccination coverage, 2012.

PMID- 24236334
TI  - WHO advisory committee on immunization and vaccine related implementation
      research (IVIR, formerly QUIVER): executive summary report of 7th meeting.

PMID- 24236335
TI  - Social conflict in Latin America sparked by inequality, says new UNDP report.

PMID- 24236336
TI  - Medical devices; ophthalmic devices; classification of the scleral plug. Final
      rule.
AB  - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is classifying the scleral plug
      into class II (special controls), and exempting the scleral plugs composed of
      surgical grade stainless steel (with or without coating in gold, silver, or
      titanium) from premarket notification (510(k)) and continuing to require
      premarket notification (510(k)) for all other scleral plugs in order to provide a
      reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. The scleral plug
      is a prescription device used to provide temporary closure of a scleral incision
      during an ophthalmic surgical procedure.

PMID- 24236337
TI  - Schedules of controlled substances: temporary placement of three synthetic
      phenethylamines into Schedule I. Final order.
AB  - The Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is issuing
      this final order to temporarily schedule three synthetic phenethylamines into the
      Controlled Substances Act (CSA) pursuant to the temporary scheduling provisions
      of 21 U.S.C. 811(h). The substances are 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2
      methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-NBOMe; 2C-I-NBOMe; 25I; Cimbi-5), 2-(4-chloro-2,5
      dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-NBOMe; 2C-C-NBOMe; 25C; Cimbi
      82), and 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B
      NBOMe; 2C-B-NBOMe; 25B; Cimbi-36) [hereinafter 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B
      NBOMe]. This action is based on a finding by the Deputy Administrator that the
      placement of these synthetic phenethylamines and their optical, positional, and
      geometric isomers, salts and salts of isomers in schedule I of the CSA is
      necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety. As a result of this
      order, the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions
      applicable to schedule I controlled substances will be imposed on persons who
      handle (manufacture, distribute, dispense, import, export, engage in research,
      conduct instructional activities, and possess), or propose to handle these
      synthetic phenethylamines.

PMID- 24236338
TI  - Recent Advances in the Surgery and Adjuvant Treatment of Lung Cancer: Tribute to
      Robert J. Ginsberg.

PMID- 24236339
TI  - [Planar cell polarity in polycystic kidney disease].

PMID- 24236340
TI  - [Kidney volume and renal function in ADPKD].

PMID- 24236341
TI  - [ADPKD and hypertension: recent evidence].

PMID- 24236342
TI  - [Liver cysts: influence of liver cysts on the quality of life and the treatment
      for liver cysts].

PMID- 24236343
TI  - [Management of cysts infection in ADPKD].

PMID- 24236344
TI  - [Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) therapy on a patient with polycystic
      kidney disease].

PMID- 24236345
TI  - [Early diagnosis in ADPKD: toward early treatment].

PMID- 24236346
TI  - [Basic research and clinical aspect in ARPDK: new insight].

PMID- 24236347
TI  - [Mechanism of cystic bile duct dilatation in relation to biliary infection].

PMID- 24236348
TI  - [A case of nephrotic syndrome and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
      associated with MSSA infection].

PMID- 24236349
TI  - [A case of anti-GBM glomerulonephritis and membranous nephropathy in a patient
      with primary biliary cirrhosis].

PMID- 24236350
TI  - [A case of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-negative necrotizing
      glomerulonephritis (GN) superimposed on mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)].

PMID- 24236351
TI  - Perspectives.

PMID- 24236352
TI  - A special issue in memory of Andrew Szczeklik.

PMID- 24236353
TI  - Cognitive regulatory control therapies.
AB  - Cognitive regulatory control processes play an essential but typically
      unappreciated role in maintaining mental health. The purpose of the current paper
      is to identify this role and demonstrate how cognitive-behavioral and related
      techniques can compensate for impairments. Impaired cognitive regulation
      contributes to the overly intense emotional states present in anxiety disorders,
      depression, and personality disorders; progression of adaptive hypomania to
      mania; expression of psychosis in the conscious and awake state; dominance of
      immature defense mechanisms in borderline and other personality disorders. A wide
      variety of standard (monitoring, reappraisal, response inhibition, relaxation
      training) and more novel (suppression therapy, willful detachment, cost-benefit
      analysis, normalization, mature defense mechanism training) cognitive-behavioral
      and related techniques can be applied to compensate for cognitive regulatory
      control impairments, and their success probably aligns with this capacity.

PMID- 24236355
TI  - Process and technique factors associated with patient ratings of session safety
      during psychodynamic psychotherapy.
AB  - This study investigates the relationships between patient ratings of in-session
      safety with psychotherapeutic techniques and process. Ninety-four participants
      received Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (STDP) at a university-based clinic.
      Patient experiences of therapeutic process were self-assessed early in treatment
      using the Session Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ Stiles, 1980). Techniques
      implemented in session were identified using the Comparative Psychotherapy
      Process Scale (CPPS: Hilsenroth et al., 2005). Alliance was evaluated with the
      Combined Alliance Short Form-Patient Version (CASF-P; Hatcher and Barends, 1996).
      Safety significantly correlated with session depth, smoothness, and positivity.
      Safety was significantly related to the interaction of psychodynamic
      interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral techniques, but to neither individual
      subscale Safety significantly correlated with CASF-P Total, Confident
      Collaboration, and Bond. Patient experiences of safety are consistent with
      exploration and depth of session content. Integration of some CB techniques
      within a psychodynamic model may facilitate a sense of safety. Safety is notably
      intertwined with the therapeutic relationship.

PMID- 24236354
TI  - Pragmatic psychodynamic psychotherapy for a patient with depression and breast
      cancer: functional MRI evaluation of treatment effects.
AB  - Time-limited psychodynamic psychotherapy is garnering empirical support as an
      intervention for clinical depression. However, research is needed to examine the
      efficacy of psychodynamic approaches among patients presenting with diverse
      psychiatric and medical problems. This case study examined the efficacy of eight
      sessions of pragmatic psychodynamic psychotherapy (PPP) in treating a woman with
      major depression and breast cancer. Pre- to posttreatment assessment indicated
      significant reductions in depression and weekly assessment indicated increased
      environmental reward was associated with reduced depression. Secondary aims
      involved piloting a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task as a
      neurobiological indicator of depression attenuation as a function of PPP. This
      assessment was conducted to explore alternative means of evaluating treatment
      responsiveness and addressing the problem of arbitrary metrics in measuring
      change. Clinical and assessment implications are discussed, with a focus on
      innovative approaches to evaluate treatment outcome and behavioral and
      neurobiological mechanisms of change associated with PPP.

PMID- 24236356
TI  - Psychotherapeutic implications of self disorders in schizophrenia.
AB  - The ways terms are defined have a significant impact on psychotherapeutic theory,
      research, and practice. This paper will provide the definitions of and conceptual
      distinctions among terms that have emerged from embodied and embedded approaches
      to the self and its disorders. First, it will offer the distinctions regarding
      conceptual definitions of disembodiment and hyperreflexivity to differentiate
      these from other psychopathological configurations and normal conditions. Second,
      it will present disturbances of the self that arise in the consensual processes
      of establishing intersubjectivity and manifest themselves in narratives. Third,
      the paper will present the principles of possible psychotherapeutic interventions
      for persons with schizophrenia. The conclusion states that both ontological
      (structural) as well as ontogenetic (autobiographical) aspects should be
      considered in the hermeneutic process of understanding patients. Content should
      be a significant element of this latter analysis.

PMID- 24236357
TI  - Containing psychotic patients with fragile boundaries: a single-session group
      case study.
AB  - This case study describes a single group psychotherapy session of six individuals
      suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective illness, which was characterized
      by numerous manifestations of fragile Ego boundaries. Based on these
      illustrations of fragile Ego boundaries, we explore some of the group's core
      therapeutic actions against psychosis. We discuss how the group (1) provides
      access to a structuring auxiliary Ego, (2) acts as a containing object by
      establishing firm boundaries and by mentalizing patients' psychotic productions,
      and (3) may become a solid object representation introjected by individuals
      wrestling with porous Ego boundaries and a poor sense of self. We conclude that,
      in addition to the known role of group therapy in increasing mature defenses,
      developing insight and providing social support, the group promotes healthier Ego
      boundaries, and eventually improves self-differentiation, and also tolerance to
      interpersonal proximity. This case study clarifies group therapy dynamics with
      individuals suffering from psychosis.

PMID- 24236358
TI  - What have we learnt about war?

PMID- 24236359
TI  - Economic sanctions and child health.

PMID- 24236360
TI  - IPPNW in Hiroshima: a call to end 'the curse of nuclear fission'.

PMID- 24236361
TI  - The psychic malignancy of the Afghan War.

PMID- 24236362
TI  - The biomedicalisation of war and military remains: US nuclear worker compensation
      in the 'post-Cold War'.
AB  - This paper analyses the recent legislation and administration of United States
      nuclear worker compensation--the Energy Employees Occupational Illness
      Compensation Programme Act (EEOICPA)--in order to show the domestic impacts of
      war and the social order that has been established to respond to the Cold War
      legacy of occupational exposures, illness, and death. Examining the
      epistemological politics and material effects of compensation, an insufficiently
      analysed aspect of the Cold War, I argue that the system designed to redress the
      occupational exposures of nuclear workers accomplishes something else: obscuring
      the ethical problem of misinformation and missing data from the Cold War era;
      mobilising an industry of knowledge and market-economic opportunities in the
      arena of biomedical exposure assessment and dose reconstruction for parts of the
      former US nuclear complex; and, lastly, dematerialising and depoliticising
      geographies of the Cold War and its differential impacts through an
      individualistic epidemiological reprocessing of radiation exposures. The paper
      shows how the general claims procedure, combined with two methods mandated by
      EEOICPA--dose reconstruction and the probability of causation--effectively de
      link workers from each other, and worksites from homes, pin compensation to a
      cost-benefit logic, implicate genuine scientific complexity and uncertainty in an
      ongoing denial of the toxic legacies of war, and ethically undermine the social
      justice aims of the legislation. The article ends by considering some of the ways
      that US nuclear workers have responded to living as the remains of both US bomb
      production and the compensation system.

PMID- 24236363
TI  - Someone to watch over me: exposure to war events and trust in the armed forces in
      Israel as factors in war-related stress.
AB  - This study examined the role of trust in the national armed and security forces
      in Israel as a potential protective factor in post-war stress symptoms, alongside
      other known correlates such as exposure to war events, sense of danger, and
      demographics. A cluster sample of 870 residents of the town of Kiryat-Shemona in
      Israel participated in this correlational study. The town was under heavy bombing
      during the second Lebanon war, and data collection took place about a year after
      the end of the war. Our results suggest that while sense of danger and exposure
      to war events are the strongest correlates of stress related symptoms, trust in
      the armed forces was negatively correlated with stress, even after controlling
      for demographics; therefore supporting our hypothesis. Theoretical,
      methodological and practical implications are discussed in light of our findings.

PMID- 24236364
TI  - Time trends in MB-PB ratio among untreated leprosy patients attending a referral
      hospital in UP, India during 2001 to 2010.
AB  - Secular trends in incidence of leprosy serve as a powerful tool in determining
      progress in reaching eradication. However, the interpretation of these trends
      must take into account both operational and epidemiological factors. A study was
      done to assess a time trend in the ratios of MB & PB from 2001 to 2010 based on
      the leprosy patients registered in a referral hospital in UP, India. Data were
      analyzed based on the gender, age and residence. Regardless of these factors, MB
      proportion shows no significant trends. These findings are discussed and it is
      concluded that we are no more close to eradication as compared to the status over
      a decade ago. Hence, much greater efforts will be required to promote early
      detections of MB cases, whether children or adults, male or female.

PMID- 24236365
TI  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis: approach to development of improved strategies for
      disease control through vaccination and immunodiagnosis.
AB  - Tuberculosis is a major health problem throughout the world causing large number
      of deaths, more than that from any other single infectious disease. Estimates
      till date ascertain the fact that Tuberculosis (TB) is continuing to be the
      leading cause of death worldwide. The infection from single infectious agent
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis is killing about 3 million individuals every year and
      accounts for around 18.5% of all deaths in adults between the age group of 15 and
      65. An average of 1.79 billion people, which constitutes roughly one-third of the
      world's population, is infected with the causative agent M. tuberculosis and is
      at risk of developing the disease. This situation highlights the relative
      shortcomings of the current treatment and diagnosis strategies for TB and the
      limited effectiveness of public health systems, particularly in resource-poor
      countries where the main TB burden lies. The timely identification of persons
      infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rapid laboratory confirmation of
      tuberculosis are two key factors for the treatment and prevention of the disease.
      Novel molecular assays for diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing offer
      several potential advantages over the above methods including faster turnaround
      times, very sensitive and specific detection of nucleic acids, and minimal, or
      possibly no, prior culture. The need for new technologies for rapid diagnosis of
      tuberculosis is clear. Most studies of mycobacterial immunity attributes focus on
      proliferation of T cells, production of cytokines and cytolytic activity. A
      proper vaccine for tuberculosis can be developed by using a combination of
      antigens and adjuvants capable of inducing appropriate and long-lasting T cell
      immunity. Development of new vaccines against TB should include some important
      aspects learned from BCG use such as mucosal routes of immunization;
      revaccination of BCG immunized subjects, booster immunization and prime-boost
      strategy with wild-type BCG, and other vaccine candidates. Here, we review
      current and future strategies toward the rational design of novel vaccines
      against TB, as well as the progress made thus far, and the hurdles that need to
      be overcome in the near and distant future.

PMID- 24236366
TI  - Multiple nerve abscesses on cutaneous radial nerve--a case of pure neural
      leprosy.
AB  - Leprosy is a unique infectious disease due to varied spectrum of clinical signs
      it exhibits. Pure neural leprosy (PNL) is an unusual form of leprosy and accounts
      for 4-8% of all leprosy cases. It can manifest as a simple tingling sensation to
      complex and tragic motor paralysis. Here we report a case of PNL involving
      isolated cutaneous radial nerve as multiple abscesses along the course of the
      nerve. To the best of our knowledge, this is rarest presentation of pure neural
      leprosy.

PMID- 24236368
TI  - Vulnerability, risk, and qualitative methodologies.

PMID- 24236367
TI  - Non pitting edema, arthritis and ichthyosis; presenting manifestation of leprosy.
AB  - Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
      Predominantly involving skin and nerves and having classic clinical description,
      the diagnosis may be clear-cut in majority of patients but may be challenging in
      others. Non-pitting edema, ichthyosis and arthritis are uncommon in leprosy and
      very rare in tuberculoid type where the diagnosis may be challenging unlike
      relatively clear-cut clinical picture in lepromatous type. Musculoskeletal
      manifestation is seen in 1-5% of cases and usually associated with reactional
      states where again the diagnosis sometimes becomes evident. High index of
      suspicion is therefore recommended in patients with unexplained systemic illness
      especially in endemic areas. Herein we report a young male with non pitting edema
      and symmetric peripheral arthritis involving all four limbs, and ichthyosis as
      presenting manifestation of borderline leprosy where the neuro-cutaneous
      manifestation developed two months after the said presenting features and in
      absence of a reactional state.

PMID- 24236369
TI  - Health inequities experienced by Aboriginal children with respiratory conditions
      and their parents.
AB  - Asthma and allergies are common conditions among Aboriginal children and
      adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess the health and health-care
      inequities experienced by affected children and by their parents. Aboriginal
      research assistants conducted individual interviews with 46 Aboriginal children
      and adolescents who had asthma and/or allergies (26 First Nations, 19 Metis, 1
      Inuit) and 51 parents or guardians of these children and adolescents. Followup
      group interviews were conducted with 16 adolescents and 25 parents/ guardians.
      Participants reported inadequate educational resources, environmental
      vulnerability, social and cultural pressures, exclusion, isolation, stigma,
      blame, and major support deficits. They also described barriers to health-service
      access, inadequate health care, disrespectful treatment and discrimination by
      health-care providers, and deficient health insurance. These children,
      adolescents, and parents recommended the establishment of culturally appropriate
      support and education programs delivered by Aboriginal peers and health
      professionals.

PMID- 24236370
TI  - Infant-feeding among low-income women: the social context that shapes their
      perspectives and experiences.
AB  - This article explores the perspectives of low-income women in order to better
      understand the social context that shapes their infant-feeding perspectives and
      experiences. The authors used purposive sampling to conduct 3 focus groups with
      19 women who were formula-feeding their infants in 1 urban and 2 rural
      communities in the eastern region of the island of Newfoundland in Canada.
      Elements of the social context for infant-feeding included the prevalence of
      myths and misinformation about breastfeeding; cultural expectations about infant
      behaviour; the postnatal experience, including the medicalization of birth and
      breastfeeding; partner support and child-care workload; cultural stigma of
      breastfeeding; and a moralizing ideology that equates breastfeeding with "good
      mothering. "The authors discuss the implications of the findings from a nursing
      and public health perspective, offering 7 recommendations for how nurses and
      health professionals might better support women and their families.

PMID- 24236371
TI  - Decolonizing sexual health nursing with Aboriginal women.
AB  - Nurses striving to provide quality health care for and with Indigenous
      individuals and communities in Australia face particular challenges. Past and
      present discriminatory or non-responsive health-care practices and policies have
      caused many Aboriginal women and their families to mistrust health-care
      professionals and practices. It is vital that nurses develop culturally safe and
      respectful ways of working in partnership with Aboriginal colleagues and clients.
      The author discusses how nurses in both Canada and Australia have drawn on
      critical and postcolonial feminist theories, Indigenous epistemologies and
      methodologies, and models of cultural safety to develop a more responsive,
      decolonizing approach to health care and training. Two practice examples from the
      Australian context highlight both the challenges and the benefits of
      incorporating decolonizing approaches into practice. The similarities in and
      differences between situations reveal a clear need for responsive and flexible
      decolonizing approaches.

PMID- 24236372
TI  - Impact of the global economic crisis on the health of unemployed autoworkers.
AB  - A phenomenological investigation was undertaken to examine the effects of the
      2008-09 global economic recession on the health of unemployed blue-collar
      autoworkers in the Canadian province of Ontario between September and November
      2009. A total of 22 men and 12 women took part. Participants completed a
      quantitative demographic and financial questionnaire. The qualitative aspect of
      the study consisted of a phenomenological component comprising semi-structured
      focus group sessions lasting 2 to 2.5 hours. The number of years employed ranged
      from 2 to 31.7 with a mean of 15 +/- 8. Participants reported high levels of
      stress, anxiety, and depression; increased physical pain and discomfort; changes
      in weight and sexual function; and financial hardships, including inability to
      purchase prescribed medications. The authors conclude that unemployment
      associated with the global recession has negative health effects on autoworkers
      in Ontario.

PMID- 24236373
TI  - Conducting research with criminalized women in an incarcerated setting: the
      researcher's perspective.
AB  - Although women incarcerated by the criminal justice system encounter significant
      challenges to their health, there has been little research focusing on their
      health practices. To contribute to the research literature on the health
      experiences of criminalized women, the authors conducted a multi-method study as
      part of a program of research exploring the health promotion and health-literacy
      skills of women in conflict with the law. Conducting research in an incarcerated
      setting posed unique challenges and ethical dilemmas that problematized each
      phase of data collection. The authors share their experiences as health
      researchers conducting research in an incarcerated setting and with criminalized
      women. They document some of the challenges, successes, and valuable lessons
      learned during the research process in the hope that by sharing their knowledge
      with other health researchers they will support future studies with criminalized
      women.

PMID- 24236374
TI  - Evaluating nurses' use of HOBIC in home care.
AB  - Health Outcomes for Better Information and Care (HOBIC), a program funded by the
      Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, introduces a collection of
      evidence-based clinical outcome measures reflective of nursing care. The authors
      report on an evaluation of the experiences of nurse early adopters of HOBIC in
      home care. The findings reveal challenges and nuances associated with the
      introduction of HOBIC and the use of supporting technologies in the delivery of
      home nursing care. Future implementation efforts should focus on optimizing the
      usability of technology and the usefulness of HOBIC in nursing practice. In
      addition, efforts need to be directed at supporting the full integration and use
      of HOBIC outcome data by nurses and management personnel to inform practice
      directions.

PMID- 24236375
TI  - Smoking prevention among youth: a multipronged approach involving parents,
      schools, and society.
AB  - The purpose of this research was to examine the perspectives of professionals on
      youth smoking prevention. The researchers used a qualitative descriptive design
      with a purposive sample of 9 professionals consisting of elementary school
      teachers, public health nurses, and tobacco control experts from non-governmental
      organizations. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were
      analyzed for themes. The view of the participants was that although parents have
      the main responsibility for educating their children about smoking, a
      multipronged approach, which also includes school and society more generally,
      will have the greatest effect. The need for a comprehensive, multifaceted,
      multichannel approach might explain why single smoking prevention interventions
      are often ineffective. Public health nurses are in a prime position to foster and
      support parents' smoking prevention interventions with their children and to
      advocate for strong tobacco control social policy and best practice for smoking
      prevention curricula in schools.

PMID- 24236376
TI  - Nurses' intention to support informed decision-making about breast cancer
      screening with mammography: a survey.
AB  - There is growing interest in informed decision-making about breast cancer
      screening with mammography and growing advocacy for the provision of balanced
      information about potential benefits and harms. The authors report on a survey
      evaluating nurses' intention to support women targeted by the Quebec Breast
      Cancer Screening Program in making informed decisions about breast cancer
      screening with mammography. Of the 840 questionnaires completed, 618 were
      included in the data analysis. The mean +/- standard deviation score for
      intention was 1.7 +/- 1.2 on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from -3 to +3,
      indicating strong intention to support the targeted women. Perceived behavioural
      control was the theory-based variable most strongly associated with intention,
      followed by attitude and social norm. These results can be used to develop
      interventions to train nurses in integrating informed decision-making about
      breast cancer screening with mammography into their practice and to design
      relevant decision support tools.

PMID- 24236377
TI  - Self-efficacy in romantic relationships: prediction of relationship attitudes and
      outcomes.
AB  - Three studies examine discriminant and predictive validity of a self-report
      measure of self -efficacy in romantic relationships (Self-Efficacy in Romantic
      Relationships; SERR). Study 1 indicates SERR scores predict relationship anxiety
      and expectations of relationship success when general self-efficacy, self-esteem,
      social desirability, and efficacy beliefs about relating to specific relationship
      partners are considered. Study 2 indicates SERR scores predict later relationship
      satisfaction and commitment when relationship type and length are considered.
      Study 3 indicates that SERR scores predict later relationship outcomes when other
      self-efficacy indicators are considered. The SERR assesses broad feelings of
      relationship self-efficacy, independent of specific relationships or partners.

PMID- 24236378
TI  - Distinguishing source of autonomy support in relation to workers' motivation and
      self-efficacy.
AB  - The purpose was to investigate the relationship between autonomy support by
      managers and co-workers and employees' work motivation and self-efficacy in two
      studies. In Study 1, a sample of 343 Swedish workers completed surveys, and in
      Study 2, we followed up with a subsample of 98 workers one year later. As in
      previous studies, managers support of autonomy was significantly positively
      related to workers' outcomes. However, the results of Study 1 also showed that co
      worker autonomy support was related to these outcomes over and above the effects
      of manager support. Study 2 showed that changes in autonomy support from co
      workers during one year significantly predicted motivation and self-efficacy one
      year later, while change in support from managers was unrelated to outcomes
      later. These findings provide evidence for the importance of both vertical and
      horizontal sources of support.

PMID- 24236379
TI  - The emotional and attitudinal consequences of religious hypocrisy: experimental
      evidence using a cognitive dissonance paradigm.
AB  - We explored the emotional and attitudinal consequences of personal attitude
      behavior discrepancies using a religious version of the hypocrisy paradigm. We
      induced cognitive dissonance in participants (n = 206) by making them feel
      hypocritical for advocating certain religious behaviors that they had not
      recently engaged in to their own satisfaction. In Experiment 1, this resulted in
      higher levels of self-reported guilt and shame compared to the control condition.
      Experiment 2 further showed that a religious self-affirmation task eliminated the
      guilt and shame. In Experiment 3, participants boosted their religious attitudes
      as a result of dissonance, and both religious and non-religious self-affirmation
      tasks eliminated this effect. The findings provide evidence that dissonance
      induced through religious hypocrisy can result in guilt and shame as well as an
      attitude bolstering effect, as opposed to the attitude reconciliation effect that
      is prevalent in previous dissonance research.

PMID- 24236380
TI  - Stereotype threat and lift effects in motor task performance: the mediating role
      of somatic and cognitive anxiety.
AB  - The aim of this investigation was to replicate the stereotype threat and lift
      effects in a motor task in a neutral sex-typed activity, using somatic and
      cognitive anxiety as key mediators of these phenomena. It was hypothesized that
      an ingroup/outgroup social categorization based on gender would have distinctive
      effects for female and male participants. A total of 161 French physical
      education students were randomly assigned to three threat conditions--no threat,
      female threat, and male threat--thus leading to a 3 x 2 (threat by gender)
      design. The analyses revealed a stereotype lift effect on the performances for
      both male and female participants, as well as a stereotype threat effect only for
      female participants. They also indicated that somatic anxiety had a mediating
      effect on the performance of female participants targeted by a negative
      stereotype, but that it had a facilitating effect on their performance. The
      stereotype threat and lift effects on motor tasks were replicated in a neutral
      sex-typed activity and somatic anxiety seems to have a facilitating mediating
      effect of the relationships between the gender-conditions (control or female
      threat) interaction and free-throw performance. The model used to distinguish
      somatic and cognitive anxiety appeared to be a relevant means of explaining the
      stereotype threat and lift mechanisms.

PMID- 24236381
TI  - The power of change: interpersonal attraction as a function of attitude
      similarity and attitude alignment.
AB  - Does attitude alignment predict attraction? Would you like a stranger more who
      shifts her/his attitudes to more closely align with yours? In pairs, participants
      (N = 77) discussed social issues about which they disagreed and received false
      feedback on whether the partner engaged in attitude alignment (shifted her/his
      attitudes toward the participant's attitude) following discussion. Participants
      also received false feedback about the proportion of similarity to the partner on
      a set of issues (i.e., 25%, 50%, or 75%). Participants reported greater
      attraction to partners who engaged in attitude alignment and who were more
      similar. Moreover, similarity and attitude alignment interacted. Similarity
      predicted attraction when attitude alignment did not occur, but did not predict
      attraction when attitude alignment did occur. Finally, partner attitude alignment
      led to participant attitude alignment, and perceived reasoning ability mediated
      the attitude alignment-attraction relationship.

PMID- 24236383
TI  - Happy summer!

PMID- 24236382
TI  - Testing the BIAS map model: the positive effects of perceiving weakness and
      harmony in powerful out-groups.
AB  - Two experimental studies were used to test predictions derived from the BIAS map
      model. While the first experiment manipulated the perception of power in the out
      group (the USA), the second manipulated the perceived harmony of the
      relationships between this out-group and the participants' own national group.
      The results confirmed the hypotheses derived from the model. The manipulation of
      power affected the perception of competence, thus affecting emotions and
      behavioral dispositions towards out-group members. The manipulation of perceived
      harmony of intergroup interests had a similar effect, but was not mediated by
      changes in the attribution of competence, but of warmth. Attitudes did not play a
      significant role in the prediction of emotions and behavioral intentions.

PMID- 24236384
TI  - Oral and maxillofacial pathology case of the month. Erythema migrans (ectopic
      migratory glossitis/ectopic geographic tongue).

PMID- 24236386
TI  - From poster child to good health.

PMID- 24236385
TI  - Be smart and be aware.

PMID- 24236387
TI  - Time is a gift.

PMID- 24236388
TI  - My experience with oral cancer.

PMID- 24236389
TI  - Oral health care in cancer patients: you can make a difference!
AB  - Dentists are in a unique position to care for cancer patients before, during and
      after treatment. This paper outlines foundational knowledge highlighting the
      dentist's role in the management of patients treated with chemotherapy for
      various types of cancer as well as those who receive radiation therapy for cancer
      of the head and neck. The value of the dentist in a multidisciplinary team
      approach to cancer care is stressed along with specific treatment modalities to
      improve patient comfort and quality of life.

PMID- 24236390
TI  - Living in limbo: Ethics and experience in a conversation about persistent oral
      lesions.
AB  - This case report presents a conversation that the authors had with a patient who
      is suffering from oral lichen planus and oral cancer. The reason that the authors
      approached the patient for an interview was to find out why he decided to enroll
      in an experimental study related to his oral cancer. The patient reported that it
      was "the waiting" that led him to enroll in this study--that is, the pressure of
      waiting for oral cancer to reemerge was simply unbearable, and enrolling in this
      experimental study enabled him to take a more proactive approach to his illness.
      The authors view this "waiting" as a "limbo experience" and reflect on the
      implications of this limbo experience for dental ethics and research ethics.

PMID- 24236391
TI  - CAT of the month. Risk of developing alveolar osteitis post-operatively following
      dental extraction is positively correlated to smoking (UT CAT #2470).

PMID- 24236392
TI  - Value for your profession. Building a strong online presence--any why it's so
      important.

PMID- 24236393
TI  - [Strange circumstances...].

PMID- 24236394
TI  - [Home care: tact and tactics].
AB  - This article deals with home care for people suffering from mental disorders or
      cognitive impairments. When caregivers look after these patients, they have to
      reconcile different requirements, which can sometimes be in tension with each
      other: winning and retaining the confidence of patients who do not always easily
      accept help; facilitating their autonomy or limiting their loss of autonomy;
      protecting them, ensuring their safety while acting in their best interests.
      Combining these different goals, entails encouraging them in what they want to
      achieve whilst intervening when they endanger themselves. As a result caregivers
      need tact and diplomatic skills. But these are insufficient when it is necessary
      to protect the patient against their will. In particular when they are living in
      their own home they are far less constrained by social norms and so practical
      compromises become necessary. In discussing these practises, the article explores
      the notion of "ruse" which we consider as both a form of practical problem
      solving and as a deception. After introducing several forms of "trick" used in
      caring, the article considers whether such practices are compatible with care
      ethics.

PMID- 24236395
TI  - [Caring: searching for consensus or principle of necessary conflict?].
AB  - By dint of habits, the demand of consensus substitute the poison for the remedy.
      The consensus sounds the death knell for the ethics. Pursuing (striving towards)
      the unity, the consensus demonizes the conflict and seek explicitly a way to
      eliminate it regarding its visible chaos. A contrario, dissensus assures, by the
      fertile link of speech, the ethic blow of the "living-together" concept. Thereby,
      a "double-je" appears, able to say "Here I am" to the other, whoever it is,
      looming or vulnerable. Dissensus signs the emancipation, the unfold of the
      subject and point at surpassing oneself. The displaying process goes through an
      ipseity reasoning which emerges from otherness, free itself from the latter, to
      finally return to it in terms of solicitude: to live with, against and for the
      other. This work tries to show the dissensus as a sound and required conflict,
      which guarantees an opening ethics, a path of excellence for the one who are
      concerned by the best thing a human being can offer: caring.

PMID- 24236396
TI  - [Encountering the subject in the health field: a human care theory based on lived
      experience].
AB  - Dominated by a bio-mechanistic paradigm, Western health systems are suffering
      from numerous problems. One such problem is the lack of consideration for lived
      experiences and the complexity and depth of meaning that characterize them. We
      accordingly emphasize in this text the importance of talking a deep look at the
      experiences of the cared-for Subject and changing the viewpoint on his or her
      problems. We defend this viewpoint with the help of a few ideas borrowed from
      Georges Canguilhem. We then refer to a socio-phenomenological approach inspired
      by the work of Alfred Schutz which allows us to better grasp people's lived
      experiences. We thus rehabilitate the Subject by proposing a human care theory
      that focuses on its' relationship(s) with the body, others, time and space, as
      well as on self-referent identity labels that give meaning to one's existence.
      This study is a theoretical reflection on human care that considers professional
      collaboration and interdisciplinarity, and that does not ignore the concrete
      practices of stakeholders and professionals.

PMID- 24236397
TI  - [The links between research and practice: knowledge transfer, the use of evidence
      based data and the renewal of practices].
AB  - Nurses in clinical settings still do not fully rely on scientific knowledge to
      guide their practices and only rarely resort to the literature to find answers to
      their questions or clinical concerns. The sustainable implementation of projects
      that use knowledge founded on scientific evidence presents an important challenge
      that nursing research must address. The goal of this article is to present a
      strategy adopted by the Reseau infirmier et partenaires de soins (RI-PS) of the
      Universite de Montreal (Quebec). The strategy's aim is to promote the optimal and
      perennial use of scientific knowledge in clinical settings and to incorporate the
      use of best practices based on scientific evidence to their operating procedure.
      First, we will present a brief overview of the evolution of nursing research and
      its impacts, followed by an inventory of the success factors of the use of
      scientific knowledge in practical settings, and finally the presentation of a
      model, Implementation Science, on which the RI-PS strategy relies for its
      projects. We also outline the network and one of its developments, the knowledge
      transfer portal and healthcare partners (PES).

PMID- 24236398
TI  - [What a tracheostomy changes in a child with a neuromuscular disease].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The severe course of certain early onset neuromuscular disorders
      may lead to the indication of a tracheostomy for a child, a step that parents
      dread. Previous publications report that families in this situation face
      particular difficulties and need to develop new strategies of organization and
      adaptation in order to cope with the new context of life. OBJECTIVES: The aim of
      this study is identifying, through the mother's eye, what changes implies
      tracheostomy for the child and his family. METHOD: A qualitative study using semi
      strutured interviews was performed to the mothers of tracheostomized children
      affected with a severe neuromuscular disorder. RESULTS: The study revealed four
      main consequences: tracheostomy immediatly led to a feeling of security for the
      mother; the need of ventilation during the day increased the quotidian
      difficulties, in particular concerning social activities; tracheostomy enhanced
      social stigmatization; finally, tracheostomy requires that parents are
      specifically trained to be able to perform high level of paramedical care, what
      leads to a lack of autonomy and the complexity of burden for caregivers.
      CONCLUSION: Whenever respiratory insufficiency becomes very severe and there is
      not ventilatory autonomy, tracheostomy, synonimous of life, has as main
      inconvenient the need of handling different machines, what becomes a significant
      difficulty in the daily life. In the transition before/ after the tracheotomy,
      the nurse plays a key role in the evolution of the health care function of
      parents.

PMID- 24236399
TI  - [Parent's social representations of preschool childrens' weight and lifestyle].
AB  - BACKGROUND: For preschool children aged four-five years, parents play a key role
      in the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Social representations is central to
      understanding the choice of health behaviours promoted by the parent in their
      child's life. OBJECTIVE: To describe the social representations of parents with
      respect to the weight and lifestyle of children aged four to five. METHODS: In
      their descriptive qualitative study, two semi-structured interviews were
      conducted with a purposive sample of 14 parents who had either normal weight or
      (overweight or obese) children aged four to five until data saturation was
      achieved. The collected data was analyzed using inductive analysis. RESULTS: Some
      parents view weight as a health issue while others consider a chubby appearance
      as normal for child aged four to five. All participating parents view lifestyle
      as a demanding challenge. CONCLUSION: The results provide guidance for developing
      healthy lifestyle strategies that are consistent with parental obligations.

PMID- 24236400
TI  - [Research and training in midwifery by means of an interactive delivery
      simulator].
AB  - This article is a reflective starting point within the framework of research on
      interactive delivery simulators. The objective is to open the perspective within
      our field to a set of concepts that allow us to create a base of reflection
      toward the goal of developing a theoretical framework with which to analyse and
      conceptualize activities with a delivery Simulator. The simulator SIMone is
      proposed as a means of analysis through general economic and philosophic
      approaches, by connecting simulation, teaching, the notion of instrument and
      technique.

PMID- 24236401
TI  - [Contributions and difficulties of experienced nursing participating in a journal
      club: a qualitative research analysis].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This article presents the impact of a journal club on expert nurses
      working in a hospital. AIM: This study describes the input of a journal club and
      the difficulties encountered by experienced nurses in pain management and
      palliative care. METHOD: Seven nurses participated in a written survey containing
      two questions about contributions and difficulties pertaining to their
      participation to a journal clubs. A qualitative inductive content analysis was
      used to organize and condense the collected data. FINDINGS: 127 meaning units
      were identified. The contributions were grouped in six categories: knowledge,
      discussion, professional assertiveness, reflection, theory-practice link and
      positive impulse. The difficulties were grouped in three categories: missing
      scientific knowledge, emotional impact and organization. Trusting and respectful
      interaction with peers promoted the integration of scientific knowledge. The
      results suggest that journal clubs' have an impact on nurses' professional
      assertiveness and are incentive to read scientific articles. CONCLUSION: Journal
      clubs are an interesting mean to initiate experienced nurses to read and
      critically appraise scientific articles.

PMID- 24236402
TI  - Nanoscale damping characteristics of boron nitride nanotubes and carbon nanotubes
      reinforced polymer composites.
AB  - This study compares the damping behavior of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and
      carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcement in PLC, a biodegradable copolymer. The
      damping behavior of PLC composites reinforced with 2 wt % or 5 wt % nanotube
      filler is evaluated by nanodynamic mechanical analysis (NanoDMA). The addition of
      2 wt % CNT leads to the greatest enhancement in damping (tan delta) behavior.
      This is attributed to pullout in CNTs because of lower interfacial shear strength
      with the polymer matrix and a more effective sword-in-sheath mechanism as opposed
      to BNNTs which have bamboo-like nodes. BNNTs however have a superior distribution
      in the PLC polymer matrix enabling higher contents of BNNT to further enhance the
      damping behavior. This is in contrast with CNTs which agglomerate at higher
      concentrations, thus preventing further improvement at higher concentrations. It
      is observed that for different compositions, tan delta values show no significant
      changes over varying dynamic loads or prolonged cycles. This shows the ability of
      nanotube mechanisms to function at varying strain rates and to survive long
      cycles. 

PMID- 24236403
TI  - Type-II histone deacetylases: elusive plant nuclear signal transducers.
AB  - Since the beginning of the 21st century, numerous studies have concluded that the
      plant cell nucleus is one of the cellular compartments that define the
      specificity of the cellular response to an external stimulus or to a specific
      developmental stage. To that purpose, the nucleus contains all the enzymatic
      machinery required to carry out a wide variety of nuclear protein post
      translational modifications (PTMs), which play an important role in signal
      transduction pathways leading to the modulation of specific sets of genes. PTMs
      include protein (de)acetylation which is controlled by the antagonistic
      activities of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs).
      Regarding protein deacetylation, plants are of particular interest: in addition
      to the RPD3-HDA1 and Sir2 HDAC families that they share with other eukaryotic
      organisms, plants have developed a specific family called type-II HDACs (HD2s).
      Interestingly, these HD2s are well conserved in plants and control fundamental
      biological processes such as seed germination, flowering or the response to
      pathogens. The aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge regarding
      this fascinating, but still poorly understood nuclear protein family. 

PMID- 24236404
TI  - Regulation of natural competence by the orphan two-component system sensor kinase
      ChiS involves a non-canonical transmembrane regulator in Vibrio cholerae.
AB  - In Vibrio cholerae, 41 chitin-inducible genes, including the genes involved in
      natural competence for DNA uptake, are governed by the orphan two-component
      system (TCS) sensor kinase ChiS. However, the mechanism by which ChiS controls
      the expression of these genes is currently unknown. Here, we report the
      involvement of a novel transcription factor termed 'TfoS' in this process. TfoS
      is a transmembrane protein that contains a large periplasmic domain and a
      cytoplasmic AraC-type DNA-binding domain, but lacks TCS signature domains.
      Inactivation of tfoS abolished natural competence as well as transcription of the
      tfoR gene encoding a chitin-induced small RNA essential for competence gene
      expression. A TfoS fragment containing the DNA-binding domain specifically bound
      to and activated transcription from the tfoR promoter. Intracellular TfoS levels
      were unaffected by disruption of chiS and coexpression of TfoS and ChiS in
      Escherichia coli recovered transcription of the chromosomally integrated
      tfoR::lacZ gene, suggesting that TfoS is post-translationally modulated by ChiS
      during transcriptional activation; however, this regulation persisted when the
      canonical phosphorelay residues of ChiS were mutated. The results presented here
      suggest that ChiS operates a chitin-induced non-canonical signal transduction
      cascade through TfoS, leading to transcriptional activation of tfoR. 

PMID- 24236405
TI  - Total synthesis of quinaldopeptin and its analogues.
AB  - The first total synthesis of quinaldopeptin (1) was accomplished. Our approach to
      the synthesis of 1 includes the solid-phase peptide synthesis of the linear
      decapeptide 4 followed by macrocyclization and introduction of the quinoline
      chromophores 2 at a late stage of the synthesis. As for the preparation of 4, a
      fragment coupling approach was applied considering the C2 symmetrical structure
      of 1. Chromophore analogues 22 and 23 and desmethyl analogue 27 were also
      prepared in a manner similar to the synthesis of 1. Synthetic 1 exhibits a strong
      cytotoxicity with the IC50 value of 3.2 nM. On the other hand, the activity of 23
      and 27 was largely reduced. 

PMID- 24236406
TI  - Naturally split inteins assemble through a "capture and collapse" mechanism.
AB  - Split inteins are a class of naturally occurring proteins that carry out protein
      splicing in trans. The chemical mechanism of protein trans-splicing is well
      understood and has been exploited to develop several powerful protein engineering
      technologies. Split intein chemistry is preceded by efficient molecular
      recognition between two protomers that become intertwined in their bound state.
      It is currently unclear how this unique topology is achieved upon fragment
      association. Using biophysical techniques in conjunction with protein engineering
      methods, including segmental isotopic labeling, we show that one split intein
      fragment is partly folded, while the other is completely disordered. These
      polypeptides capture each other through their disordered regions and form an
      ordered intermediate with native-like structure at their interface. This
      intermediate then collapses into the canonical intein fold. This mechanism
      provides insight into the evolutionary constraints on split intein assembly and
      should enhance the development of split intein-based technologies. 

PMID- 24236407
TI  - Formulation and characterization of hydrophilic drug diclofenac sodium-loaded
      solid lipid nanoparticles based on phospholipid complexes technology.
AB  - To successfully prepare the diclofenac sodium (DS)-loaded solid lipid
      nanoparticles (SLNs), phospholipid complexes (PCs) technology was applied here to
      improve the liposolubility of DS. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with
      phospholipid complexes (PCs) were prepared by the modified emulsion/solvent
      evaporation method. DS could be solubilized effectively in the organic solvents
      with the existence of phospholipid and apparent partition coefficient of DS in
      PCs increased significantly. X-ray diffraction analysis suggested that DS in PCs
      was either molecularly dispersed or in an amorphous form. However, no significant
      difference was observed between the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT
      IR) spectra of physical mixture and that of PCs. Particles with small sizes,
      narrow polydispersity indexes and high entrapment efficiencies could be obtained
      with the addition of PCs. Furthermore, according to the transmission electron
      microscopy, a core-shell structure was likely to be formed. The presence of PCs
      caused the change of zeta potential and retarded the drug release of SLNs, which
      indicated that phospholipid formed multilayers around the solid lipid core of
      SLNs. Both FT-IR and differential scanning calorimetry analysis also illustrated
      that some weak interactions between DS and lipid materials might take place
      during the preparation of SLNs. In conclusion, the model hydrophilic drug-DS can
      be formulated into the SLNs with the help of PCs.

PMID- 24236408
TI  - Transition metal complexes of 3-amino-1-nitroguanidine as laser ignitible primary
      explosives: structures and properties.
AB  - 3-Amino-1-nitroguanidine (ANQ, 2) was synthesized via hydrazinolysis of
      nitroguanidine. By dissolving 2 in solutions containing transition metal salts,
      several complexes M(2+)(ANQ)2X2(H2O)y with M(2+) = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn as well as
      M(ANQ)2X(H2O)y with M = Ag could be isolated. In these cases, nitrate as well as
      perchlorate and chloride served as the respective anions X. Additionally, the ANQ
      complexes of Co, Ni, and Ag with dinitramide as the anion were synthesized from
      ANQ and silver dinitramide and by reacting the cobalt and nickel ANQ perchlorate
      complexes with ammonium dinitramide. The crystal structures of all described
      complexes were determined by low temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
      Additionally, they were characterized using IR spectroscopy and elemental
      analysis. The decomposition temperatures were determined by differential scanning
      calorimetry and the sensitivities toward impact and friction were assessed using
      a BAM drophammer and a BAM friction tester (BAM = Bundesanstalt fur
      Materialforschung und -prufung). Additionally, the sensitivity toward
      electrostatic discharge was determined on a small-scale ESD device. The potential
      use of the nitrate, dinitramide and perchlorate containing species as primary
      explosives was investigated in a laser ignition test. 

PMID- 24236410
TI  - Two cases of Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis: clinical features and mutation
      analysis of the U2HR and EPS8L3 genes.

PMID- 24236411
TI  - Informatics grand challenges in multi-institutional comparative effectiveness
      research.

PMID- 24236409
TI  - Cervical cancer and the global health agenda: Insights from multiple policy
      analysis frameworks.
AB  - Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women globally,
      with an estimated 88% of deaths occurring in the developing world. Available
      technologies have dramatically reduced mortality in high-income settings, yet
      cervical cancer receives considerably little attention on the global health
      policy landscape. The authors applied four policy-analysis frameworks to
      literature on global cervical cancer to explore the question of why cervical
      cancer may not be receiving the international attention it may otherwise warrant.
      Each framework explores the process of agenda setting and discerns factors that
      either facilitate or hinder policy change in cases where there is both a clear
      problem and a potential effective solution. In combination, these frameworks
      highlight a number of crucial elements that may be needed to raise the profile of
      cervical cancer on global health agendas, including improving local (national or
      sub-national) information on the condition; increasing mobilisation of affected
      civil society groups; framing cervical cancer debates in ways that build upon its
      classification as a non-communicable disease (NCD) and an issue of women's
      rights; linking cervical cancer screening to well-funded services such as those
      for HIV treatment in some countries; and identifying key global policy windows of
      opportunity to promote the cervical cancer agenda, including emerging NCD global
      health discussions and post-2015 reviews of the Millennium Development Goals. 

PMID- 24236412
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of robotic gynecologic surgery.

PMID- 24236415
TI  - Improving the efficiency and outcomes of medical care.

PMID- 24236414
TI  - Observational studies versus randomized trials: squaring off.

PMID- 24236416
TI  - Improving healthcare efficiency.

PMID- 24236417
TI  - Stakeholder engagement in comparative effectiveness research: how will we measure
      success?
AB  - Stakeholder engagement in comparative effectiveness research continues to gain
      national attention. While various methods are used to gather stakeholder
      expertise and form recommendations, evaluation of the stakeholder experience is
      often missing. The lack of evaluation prohibits assessing how effective and
      meaningful engagement practices are for enhancing research efforts and limits the
      ability to identify areas for future improvement. We propose that an evaluation
      plan of engagement processes be developed before stakeholder involvement begins
      and be required as part of a request for proposal or research grant where
      stakeholder input is being sought. Furthermore, we recommend the inclusion of six
      meta-criteria that represent normative goals of multiple studies: respect, trust,
      legitimacy, fairness, competence and accountability. To aid in the development of
      future evaluations, we have developed definitions for and matched specific
      examples of measuring each meta-criterion to serve a guide for others in the
      field. 

PMID- 24236418
TI  - Involving the public in systematic reviews: a narrative review of organizational
      approaches and eight case examples.
AB  - This paper reviews the recent literature on public involvement in the systematic
      review process. We examine how relevant organizations involve the public in their
      review processes and how the public are involved in individual reviews. We
      identified nine surveys or reports of public involvement in systematic reviews at
      an organizational level and eight examples of public involvement in individual
      reviews. The public was found to be involved in the following stages of the
      review process: topic prioritization; refining the scope of the review;
      suggesting, locating and appraising the literature; interpreting findings; and
      writing up the review. Numerous tensions, facilitating strategies and
      recommendations for good practice were identified. Future research directions are
      delineated. 

PMID- 24236419
TI  - Struggling to bring clinical prediction rules to the point of care: missed
      opportunities to impact patient care.
AB  - Clinical prediction rules can help clinicians make personalized and complex
      decisions at the point of care. They have the potential to improve patient care
      outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, but remain underutilized. There are a
      number of well-derived and validated clinical prediction rules. Few, however,
      have been studied by means of an impact analysis or successfully integrated into
      provider workflow. A heavily identified area of opportunity for integration is
      the electronic health record. There are, however, a number of barriers to
      adoption at both the infrastructure and organizational levels. Research efforts
      should focus on impact analysis and how to successfully implement existing, well
      validated clinical prediction rules into daily practice. Recommendations include
      emphasis on a collaborative framework, using existing technologies, and
      utilization of usability and workflow integration methodology. 

PMID- 24236420
TI  - Principles for planning and conducting comparative effectiveness research.
AB  - AIMS: To develop principles for planning and conducting comparative effectiveness
      research (CER). METHODS: Beginning with a modified existing list of health
      technology assessment principles, we developed a set of CER principles using
      literature review, engagement of multiple experts and broad stakeholder feedback.
      RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Thirteen principles and actions to fulfill their intent are
      proposed. Principles include clarity of objectives, transparency, engagement of
      stakeholders, consideration of relevant perspectives, use of relevant
      comparators, and evaluation of relevant outcomes and treatment heterogeneity.
      Should these principles be found appropriate and useful, CER studies should be
      audited for adherence to them and monitored for their impact on care management,
      patient relevant outcomes and clinical guidelines.

PMID- 24236421
TI  - A tall order on a tight timeframe: stakeholder perspectives on comparative
      effectiveness research using electronic clinical data.
AB  - BACKGROUND & SIGNIFICANCE: The AcademyHealth Electronic Data Methods Forum aims
      to advance the national dialogue on the use of electronic clinical data (ECD) for
      comparative effectiveness research (CER), patient-centered outcomes research, and
      quality improvement by facilitating exchange and collaboration among eleven
      research projects and external stakeholders. AcademyHealth conducted a mixed
      method needs assessment with the Electronic Data Methods Forum's key stakeholders
      to assess: stakeholder views on developing new infrastructure for CER using ECD;
      current gaps in knowledge with respect to CER; and expectations for a learning
      health system. METHODS: AcademyHealth conducted 50 stakeholder interviews between
      August 2011 and November 2011 with participants from the following seven
      stakeholder groups: government, business/payer, industry, healthcare delivery,
      patient/consumer, nonprofit/policy and research. With input from key
      collaborators, AcademyHealth designed a semi-structured interview guide and a
      short survey. Reviewers used the qualitative data analysis software NVivo to code
      the transcripts and to identify and manage complex concepts. Quantitative data
      from the questionnaire has been integrated with the final analysis as relevant.
      RESULTS: The analysis of recurring concepts in the interviews focus on five
      central themes: stakeholders have substantial expectations for CER using ECD,
      both with respect to addressing the limitations of traditional research studies,
      and generating meaningful evidence for decision-making and improving patient
      outcomes; stakeholders are aware of many challenges related to implementing CER
      with ECD, including the need to develop appropriate governance, assess and manage
      data quality, and develop methods to address confounding in observational data;
      stakeholders continue to struggle to define 'patient-centeredness' in CER using
      ECD, adding complexity to attaining this goal; stakeholders express that
      improving translation and dissemination of CER, and how research can be 'useful'
      at the point of care, can help mitigate negative perceptions of the CER 'brand';
      and stakeholders perceive a need for a substantial 'culture shift' to facilitate
      collaborative science and new ways of conducting biomedical and outcomes
      research. Many stakeholders proposed approaches or solutions they felt might
      address the challenges identified.

PMID- 24236422
TI  - Treatment pattern by hormone receptors and HER2 status in patients with
      metastatic breast cancer in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy (EU-5):
      results from a physician survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The differences in country-specific treatment patterns across Europe
      for metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients have not been extensively studied.
      This study compared the treatment choices in aggregate, as well as by biomarker
      status, between various lines of therapy in clinical practice in the EU-5
      countries among newly diagnosed mBC patients. MATERIALS & METHODS: The IMS
      LifeLinkTM Oncology Analyzer database, based on surveys of practicing
      oncologists, was used to identify mBC patients aged >=21 years. In this database,
      sample-level data are projected to national-level estimates for each country
      using a sample projection technique. RESULTS: The prevalence of hormone receptors
      (71-74%) is quite similar across different countries, while HER2 overexpression
      varies from 22 (France) to 34% (Italy); chemotherapy combined with HER2-targeted
      medicine was the mainstay of treatment for HER2(+) patients. The use of HER2
      targeted medicine and bevacizumab greatly varied: while they were most frequently
      used in France, they were least frequently used in the UK. Fewer treatment
      options existed for triple-negative patients and patients with HER2(+) disease
      following trastuzumab treatment. Chemotherapy was the treatment choice for triple
      negative patients, as these patients do not respond to hormonal therapy and HER2
      targeted medicine. CONCLUSION: This study found that, while a trastuzumab-based
      regimen is the preferred option for treating HER2(+) mBC patients in the EU-5,
      variations in this personalized medicine approach exist between different EU-5
      countries. However, fewer treatment options exist for triple-negative and HER2(+)
      patients after trastuzumab treatment, highlighting the unmet need for these
      patient subgroups.

PMID- 24236423
TI  - The association between psychiatric diseases, psychotropic drugs and the risk of
      incident rosacea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychological conditions, such as traumatic events or stress, have
      been discussed controversially as aetiological factors for rosacea. OBJECTIVES:
      To assess the association between diagnosed depression, other affective disorders
      or schizophrenia and subsequent incident rosacea. We further aimed at evaluating
      the possible role of various psychotropic drugs within this association. METHODS:
      We conducted a matched case-control study of psychiatric diseases and incident
      rosacea, stratified by exposure to various psychotropic drugs, using the UK-based
      General Practice Research Database. Cases had a first diagnosis of rosacea
      recorded between 1995 and 2009. Each case was matched to one control on age, sex,
      general practice and years of history on the database. RESULTS: A history of
      depression or other affective disorders was not associated with an increased risk
      of developing rosacea; lithium was the only antidepressant drug that
      significantly altered this association. Current long-term use of lithium was
      associated with a decreased odds ratio (OR) of 0.58 [95% confidence interval (CI)
      0.38-0.88] among people without a schizophrenia diagnosis (with or without
      affective disorders), compared with people not exposed to lithium. Patients with
      diagnosed schizophrenia revealed a decreased rosacea risk (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.60
      0.91), independent of antipsychotic drug use. CONCLUSIONS: Depression or other
      affective disorders were not associated with incident rosacea, whereas patients
      with schizophrenia were at a decreased risk of this skin disease in our study
      population. The materially decreased risk of rosacea among people with chronic
      lithium exposure may lead to new insights into the pathomechanism of rosacea.

PMID- 24236424
TI  - Isolation of a new butenolide from the South China Sea gorgonian coral
      Subergorgia suberosa.
AB  - Chemical investigation on the South China Sea gorgonian coral Subergorgia
      suberosa has led to the isolation of one new butenolide (5R)-5-(1-ethoxypropyl)-5
      hydroxy-3,4-dimethylfuran-2(5H)-one (1) as a pair of inseparable epimers, along
      with two known butenolides (S)-5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-propylfuran-2(5H)-one (2)
      and (S)-5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one (3). Their structures
      including absolute configurations were determined unambiguously by detailed
      analyses of spectroscopic data and by comparison with the available literature.
      Compounds 1-3 exhibited moderate antifouling activities against the settlement of
      Balanus amphitrite larvae, whereas compound 4, the acetyl derivative of 3, showed
      no antifouling activity at the concentrations up to 25 MUg/mL.

PMID- 24236425
TI  - Neutrophils: neglected players in viral diseases.
AB  - Increasing evidence has shown that neutrophils are able to crosstalk with various
      immune cells and have paradoxical roles in pathogen infections. However, the role
      of neutrophils in viral infections remains poorly defined. Here, the various
      roles that neutrophils play in viral infections and in host immunity are
      discussed. Various activation mechanisms of neutrophils following virus
      interactions and the consequences that affect disease pathogenesis are also
      addressed. Such knowledge not only could be used in the development of tools for
      clinical management but would also value-add to the current understanding of
      innate immunity in viral infections and disease pathogenesis. 

PMID- 24236426
TI  - Importance of the assessment of coenzyme Q10, alpha-tocopherol and oxidative
      stress for the diagnosis and therapy of infertility in men.
AB  - Male infertility is one of the most stressful factors of couples, being present
      in about 40% cases. It is usually caused by a low number of sperm
      (oligozoospermia) or poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia). The sperm motility
      is used as an indicator of semen quality and male infertility. To the impairment
      of male reproduction health can contribute genetic, nutritional and environmental
      factors, smoking and drugs. It is well documented that excessive reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) production decreases sperm motility, impairs sperm function,
      damages the morphology of spermatozoa (1, 2). To the decreased sperm motility
      contribute also disturbances of sperm mitochondrial function and energy
      production, low levels of coenzyme Q10 and carnitine, as well as sperm
      mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) defects. The origin of sperm
      dysfunction, however, is not well understood. BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has
      been established as a major factor in the pathogenesis of male infertility. Low
      level of coenzyme Q10 contributes to the decreased sperm motility, which plays a
      vital role in sperm mitochondrial energy production and neutralization of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS).The aim of the present study was to find out, if an
      assessment of coenzyme Q10-TOTAL (CoQ10-TOTAL), alpha-tocopherol, gamma
      tocopherol and oxidative stress could contribute to the diagnosis of infertility
      in men. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two groups of infertile men, according to sperm
      motility (a+b and b+c) were included in the study. CoQ10-TOTAL, alpha-tocopherol,
      gamma-tocopherol in plasma and seminal fluid, and parameter of oxidative stress
      (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS) in plasma were determined.
      RESULTS: Higher sperm density and decreased sperm pathology were found in group
      a+b vs b+c (class a and b - fast and weak forward motility, class c -
      nonprogressive motility). Concentrations of CoQ10-TOTAL and alpha-tocopherol were
      significantly increased in seminal fluid of groups a+b vs b+c, opposite results
      were estimated in plasma. Concentrations of gamma-tocopherol in plasma and
      seminal fluid of both groups were similar. Plasmatic TBARS concentrations were
      increased in both groups of infertile men. CONCLUSION: We suppose that
      incorporation of oxidative stress assessment, CoQ10-TOTAL and alpha-tocopherol
      concentrations in seminal fluid and plasma into routine andrology can play an
      important role for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of male infertility (Tab.
      1, Ref. 16).

PMID- 24236427
TI  - Evaluating the effectiveness of spleen autotransplantation into the liver and the
      omentum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Experimental research into the viability and functionality of splenic
      tissue placed in the liver and the omentum. METHODS: There were 4 groups in this
      study. First group: sham laparotomy, 2nd group: splenectomy, 3rd group:
      splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation into the greater omentum and 4th
      group: splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation into the liver. Blood levels
      of haemoglobin, leukocytes, thrombocytes, immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin
      M (IgM) and complement protein 3 (C3) were studied 1 day before and 6 weeks after
      the procedure. At the end of 6 weeks, scintigraphy was performed. Splenic tissue
      in the liver and the omentum were subjected to macroscopic and
      histopathologically. RESULTS: Pre- and postoperatively, no significant
      differences were found in terms of haematological and immunological measurements
      of groups I, III and IV. An increase in the numbers of thrombocytes and
      leukocytes and a decrease in the levels of IgG, IgM and C3 were observed in the
      postoperatively in group II.When the postoperative hematological and
      immunological values of the second group are compared to those of groups III and
      IV, the difference was significant in terms of levels of thrombocyte, leukocyte
      and IgM; insignificant in terms of levels of IgG and C3. In the microscopic and
      scintigraphic analyses the spleen tissue was found to be viable in all of the six
      rabbits in groups III and IV. CONCLUSIONS: The liver is a suitable organ for
      splenic autotransplantation (Tab. 6, Fig. 2, Ref. 17).

PMID- 24236428
TI  - Reduction of shock wave lithotripsy-induced renal tubular injury by tadalafil.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to examine whether administration of
      tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, has a protective effect in the
      prevention of renal injury in a rat model after Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL),
      with the assessment based on histopathologic examination and measurement of Heat
      Shock Protein 70 expression. METHODS: A total of 40 adult, male Sprague-Dawley
      rats were divided into five groups as follows; control group, group SN3, group
      SN7, group TSN3, TSN7. Both kidneys were evaluated regarding tubular damage,
      peritubular fibrosis and glomerular damage using light microscopy. We examined
      HSP-70 expression, which occurred in response to renal ischemic injury observed
      after SWL. The groups were compared between each other and with the control
      group. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found when the groups
      were compared using light microscopy for the changes in glomeruli. Tubular
      necrosis, loss of microvilli and peritubular fibrosis were less in Group TSN3 and
      Group TSN7 compared to Group SN3. Similarly, tubular necrosis, loss of microvilli
      and peritubular fibrosis were less in Group TSN3 and Group TSN7 compared to Group
      SN7. HSP-70 staining was less in Group TSN3 and Group TSN7 compared to Group SN3
      and Group SN7. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of light microscopy and HSP-70
      staining, we demonstrated that SWL could cause renal ischemia- reperfusion
      injury. Our results suggested that Tadalafil administration could prevent this
      SWL-related renal cell injury (Tab. 2, Fig. 5, Ref. 28).

PMID- 24236429
TI  - TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and oxidative stress during fracture healing with or without
      ankaferd.
AB  - AIMS: Whether ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) has a negative or positive effect on
      bone union during fracture healing is unknown. The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate the serum changes of oxidative stress markers, Tumor Necrosis Factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10)
      during fracture healing process with or without ABS application to bone fracture.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight rats were used as a control group (1) that was not
      subject to fracture. The remaining 48 rats were divided into six groups, 8 rats
      in each. The femoral shaft fracture was produced by cutting with bone-scissors.
      One ml of ABS was applied on the fracture region in groups 3 (7th day), 5 (21st
      day), and 7 (45th day) or saline instead of ABS on the fracture regions in groups
      2 (7th day), 4 (21st day), and 6 (45th day). Radiographs and above parameters
      were examined on post-fracture days 7, 21, and 45. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde and
      protein carbonyls were measured in high levels in the groups 2 and 4 with respect
      to control. Their levels did not change statistically in the experimental groups
      after ABS application. The values of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were elevated on 7th
      post-fracture day according to control, but were lower (by 11.86 % and 44.48 %)
      in the group 3 treated with ABS comparing to group 2. Radiographic examination
      indicated a low callus formation on fracture union in the femoral fractures of
      groups 3 and 5 treated with ABS. CONCLUSION: The present findings may suggest
      that ABS application seems to be ineffective on fracture union in early fracture
      healing period, except for bleeding control (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 26).

PMID- 24236430
TI  - Antioxidative effects of adrenomedullin and vascular endothelial growth factor on
      lung injury induced by skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adrenomedullin
      (AM) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on lung injury as a remote
      organ following skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomized into six groups
      (n=6). Laparotomy was performed in all groups under general anesthesia. Nothing
      else was done in Group S (Sham). Ischemia reperfusion group (Group I/R) underwent
      ischemia and reperfusion performed by clamping and declamping of the infrarenal
      abdominal aorta for 120 minutes, respectively. Group VEGF and Group AM received
      intravenous infusion of VEGF (0.8 MUg/kg) or AM (12 MUg /kg) respectively,
      without ischemia and reperfusion. Group IR+VEGF and Group IR+AM received
      intravenous infusion of VEGF (0.8 MUg/kg) or AM (12 MUg /kg) respectively
      immediately after 2 hours period of ischemia. At the end of reperfusion period.
      Lung tissue samples were taken for biochemical examination. Total oxidant status
      (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels in lung tissue were determined by
      using a novel automated method. p<0.05 was considered as statistically
      significant. RESULTS: TOS levels were significantly higher in Group I/R, when
      compared with groups S, AM and VEGF (p=0.004, p=0.011, p=0.017, respectively) and
      significantly lower in groups I/R+AM and I/R+VEGF, when compared with Group I/R
      (p=0.018, p=0.006, respectively). TAS levels were significantly higher in Group
      I/R, when compared with groups S, AM and VEGF (p=0.006 p=0.016, p=0.016,
      respectively) and significantly lower in Group I/R+AM, when compared with Group
      I/R (p=0.016). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that AM and VEGF acted
      effectively on the prevention of lung injury induced by skeletal muscle ischemia
      reperfusion injury in a rat model (Fig. 2, Ref. 30).

PMID- 24236431
TI  - Blood pressure impact on left ventricular geometry in chronic haemodialysis
      patients.
AB  - AIM: Left ventricular hypertrophy in chronic haemodialysis patients is
      multifactorial. Our aim was to evaluate retrospectively the relationship between
      24-h blood pressure monitoring and geometry and function of left ventricle (LV).
      Patients a methods: We examined 50 patients (men/women 33/17) treated by chronic
      haemodialysis (>3 months) aged 57.5 years (53-63; median, interquartile range).
      We measured blood pressure during 24 hours in short interdialytic period using
      Spacelab monitor 90217. Echocardiography was provided in short interdialytic
      period. RESULTS: Left ventricular mass index significantly correlated with SBP
      (tau-b=0.21; p=0.030; 95%CI 0.01-0.42), DBP (tau-b=0.23; p=0.018; 95%CI 0.04
      0.42) and MAP (tau-b =0.26; p=0.009; 95%CI 0.06-0.45). SBP, DBP, MAP and PP did
      add a significant information to the prediction of relative wall thickness. We
      did not find any relationship between BP and left ventricular ejection fraction,
      left ventricular enddiastolic diameter and left atrial size. CONCLUSION: We found
      out an important 24-hour blood pressure impact on left ventricular relative wall
      thickness and left ventricular mass index. Left ventricular ejection fraction,
      left ventricular enddiastolic diameter and left atrial size were not related to
      24-hour blood pressure. We did not find a relationship between blood pressure and
      left ventricular enddiastolic diameter. From all diastolic parameters the
      strongest association was found between systolic blood pressure in all three
      phases and ratio of peak early to late diastolic filling velocity (Tab. 5, Ref.
      19).

PMID- 24236432
TI  - Flow-mediated vasodilatation in the patients with anorexia nervosa.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare flow-mediated vasodilatation in patients with anorexia
      nervosa and healthy subjects. BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is present in
      the patients with anorexia nervosa. However, flow-mediated vasodilatation in the
      patients with anorexia nervosa in comparison with control subjects has not been
      yet evaluated. METHODS: Flow-mediated vasodilatation in the brachial artery was
      examined in 30 patients with anorexia nervosa admitted to metabolic care unit for
      realimentation and compared to 30 control subjects. RESULTS: The average age of
      the patients with mental anorexia was 25.0+/-5.2 compared to 25.5+/-4.5 years of
      the healthy control subjects (NS). BMI was in 14.0+/-1.7 kg/m2 in patients with
      anorexia nervosa comparing to 20.4+/-1.0 kg/m2 in the healthy control subjects
      (p<0.001). The baseline mean diameter of the right brachial artery was 0.33+/
      0.06 cm in the anorexia nervosa patients and 0.35+/-0.05 cm in the control
      subjects (NS). The absolute increase of brachial artery size after reactive
      hyperemia was 0.029+/-0.006 cm (9%) in the anorexia nervosa patients and 0.039+/
      0.006 cm (11 %) in the control subjects (p=0.002). After realimentation, the
      baseline mean diameter of the right brachial artery was comparable to the result
      before nutrition intervention - 0.34+/-0.05 cm but brachial artery increase due
      to reactive hyperemia was 0.036+/-0.05 cm (10.5 %). It was for 19 % higher
      compared to the first examination (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Flow-mediated
      vasodilatation is decreased in the patients with anorexia nervosa in comparison
      with the healthy control subjects and improves after realimentation (Tab. 1, Ref.
      20).

PMID- 24236433
TI  - Normalization of blood lactate as early end-point of polytrauma treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The main aim of the early treatment of polytrauma is recovery of
      patient's physiological functions. The early achievement of therapeutic goals,
      mainly adequate tissue perfusion and repayment of oxygen debt, are postulated.
      The aim of the study was to confirm whether blood lactate level as a quantifier
      of oxygen deficit, as well as normalization of blood lactate level within the
      first 24 hours, have an impact on the mortality and morbidity of seriously
      injured patients. METHODS: Sixty-nine mechanically ventilated patients with a
      severe trauma and organ dysfunction defined according to SOFA score and ISS >17,
      age >15 years, were enrolled into this retrospective study. 8 patients died
      within first 24 hours, 8 patients did not reach serum lactate level above 2
      mmol/l on admission to hospital. The hypothesis that normalization of serum
      lactate level within 24 hours is related to lower mortality and morbidity, was
      assessed. Reduced mortality and morbidity were represented by lower severity of
      multi-organ dysfunction, the highest SOFA score during hospitalization, lower
      incidence of sepsis, number of days in ICU and artificial ventilation. RESULTS:
      The association between severity of multi-organ failure (p=0.0006), mortality
      (p=0.0022) and repayment of oxygen debt was confirmed. Hypothesis of sepsis
      incidence was not confirmed (p=0.34). The association between number of days on
      artificial ventilation and number of days in ICU to repayment of oxygen debt was
      not confirmed either. Multivariate significant factors were age, GCS, ISS and
      SOFA score on patient's admission. CONCLUSION: The patients, who repaid oxygen
      debt within first 24 hours, have lower morbidity and mortality (Tab. 6, Ref. 19).

PMID- 24236434
TI  - Complete scrotal urinary bladder hernia with both ureters and small intestine
      presenting as dysuria, bilateral ureterohydronephrosis, and acute renal
      insufficiency.
AB  - We report a case of a complete scrotal bladder hernia with both ureters
      presenting as dysuria, bilateral ureterohydronephrosis, and acute renal
      insufficiency. A 37-year-old man with a recurrent large scrotal mass after two
      surgeries, suffering with small urinary symptoms as a dysuria and nocturia, was
      examined before the third surgery on an outpatient basis. Urological examination
      revealed a negative urine, bilateral large ureterohydronephrosis on USG, and
      serum creatinine 231-250 umol/l. CT displayed the urinary bladder completely
      herniated into the scrotum with distal parts of both ureters and small intestine,
      and bilateral large ureterohydronephrosis. After admission to urological
      department on retrograde cystography a completely herniation of the urinary
      bladder with residual urine more than 250 ml was confirmed. A permanent catheter
      was indwelled. The hernia was explored with urinary bladder repositioning.
      Because bilateral ureteral obstruction on USG did not retreat, a bilateral
      percutaneous nephrostomy was done. The patient's serum creatinine markedly
      improved, also hernia and ureterohydronephrosis was repaired with normally
      moisten without residual urine (Fig. 2, Ref. 26).

PMID- 24236435
TI  - A comparison of Ki 67 proliferative index in primary tumor and axillary
      metastatic lymph nodes with length of survival in patients with breast cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility to
      predict the histopathological features of breast and metastatic lymph nodes and
      survey and prognosis of patients and likelihood of being a predictive factor for
      treatment by using Ki67 immunohistochemical stain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 95
      patients who were admitted to Uludag University Medical Faculty, Department of
      General Surgery with a diagnosis of stage II-III breast cancer between dates May
      1997 and December 2002 were retrospectively evaluated with respect to breast
      cancer related prognostic factors treatments and last-control related data. Ki67
      immunohistochemical staining was performed to appropriate specimens using
      Streptavidin-biotin technique. Ki67 was reported as the proliferation index, and
      the number of stained nuclei were stated to be / 1000. RESULTS: In the evaluation
      of the lymph node by univariate analysis, we ascertained that duration of
      survival is shorter above the 227 cut-off value for Ki67 proliferative index.
      Length of survival of patients with tumor Ki67 proliferative index below 141 and
      with no distant metastasis was established to be better. Ki67 proliferative index
      in the lymph node was detected to increase more with increasing histological and
      nuclear grade, estrogen and progesterone receptor negativity and at stage III.
      CONCLUSION: Since numerous factors are effective on breast cancer, each patient
      and tumor behaves differently. A lot of prognostic factors are taken into account
      while treatment choice is determined. We may have information on the biological
      behavior of the tumor in patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy or
      axillary dissection in staining with Ki67 pattern (Tab. 5, Fig. 3, Ref. 13).

PMID- 24236436
TI  - Primary obstructed megaureter (POM) in children.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze the results of surgical and conservative
      treatment of non-refluxing POM. In the period 2000-2009, 45 children (52 ureters)
      were treated, the average age was 5.8 months (+/-10.33), 24 children (26 ureters)
      by surgery (I) and 21 children (26 ureters) by conservative means (II). The
      average follow-up period was 73.8 (+/-32.91) and 30.85 months (+/-23.1) resp.
      Urine examination, USG, DTPA99mTc, biochemical testing, micturating
      cystouretography in all patients were performed. Significant difference was
      present in the occurrence of hydronephrosis of 0th, 3rd and 4th grade, p10 mm,
      p<0.01; and in the occurrence of normal and prolonged time T 1/2, p<0.01. The
      health condition was adjusted in 13 (54.20 %), improved on DTPA99mTc in 5 (20.85
      %), non-improved in 3 (12.50 %), deteriorated in 1 (4.15 %) and unknown in 2 (8.3
      %) patients. In the IInd group a significant difference was in case of occurrence
      of hydronephrosis of 0th, 2nd and 3rd grade, (p<0.01, or p=0.037 and p=0.011) and
      in occurrence of normal ureter, with ureter 0-5 mm and dilated ureter 5-10 mm,
      p<0.01. The condition at the end of the follow-up period was assessed DTPA99mTc
      as adjusted in 11 (52.39 %) patients, improved in 6 (28.57 %), unimproved in 3
      (14.28 %) and no patient was assessed as having deteriorated and unknown in 1
      (4.76 %). CONCLUSION: In patients with an impaired separate kidney function,
      early surgical treatment helps to minimize damage to the kidney function and
      prevents future complications (Tab. 6, Fig. 3, Ref. 32).

PMID- 24236437
TI  - Surgical treatment of nervus pudendus.
AB  - An objective of our work was to clarify variations in pudendal nerve formation,
      as well as their possible impact on the clinical picture.Bilateral pudendal nerve
      course and formation was studied on 20 adult cadavers. Anterior approach was used
      in 15 of them, both posterior and anterior approaches were used in five of them.
      The prefixed type plexus formation was observed in eight cases (40 %). In these
      cases S1, S2 roots contributed to the formation of the pudendal nerve. In the
      postfixed type particularly the S3 root was dominant in two cases (66.7 %), and
      less the S4 root in one case (23.3 %) from three cases. Mostly the S2 root
      participated in its formation in 17 cases (85 %). The pudendal nerve branches run
      below the sacrospinous ligament on the level of the sacrospinous and
      sacrotuberous ligaments. The changes of the nerve and the branching therof were
      most evident from the anterior access below the sacrospinous ligament and in
      front of the sacrotuberous ligament. The inferior rectal nerve penetrating the
      sacrospinous ligament was seen in one case, it has risen from the pudendal nerve
      before entering the pudendal canal in four cases. The dorsal nerve of the penis
      has risen from the S1 root in two cases (10 %). We observed its branching before
      entering the pudendal canal in 15 cases (75 %). It has divided in the pudendal
      canal in other cases. This description may be useful particularly for the
      pudendal nerve block and the nerve saving surgeries directed on the relevant
      region (Fig. 8, Ref. 24).

PMID- 24236438
TI  - The recurrent primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma.
AB  - AIM: Describe a patient with multiple recurrences of the primary recurrent
      liposarcoma. CLINICAL CASE: A 60-years-old man complained of weight loss (BMI
      18.4) with a palpable huge retroperitoneal tumour, which displaced left kidney,
      and was confirmed on USG and CT. Laboratory examination showed anaemia and
      pathological blood tests. Chest X-ray initially showed a negative finding. A
      complete transperitonealy surgical extirpation of the tumour with left side
      nephrectomy was performed on June 28, 2007. The tumour mass weight was 1900 g. It
      was lying on the posterior face of the kidney in diameters 170x120x120 mm,
      completely capsulated by thin grey-pink capsula with peripheral fat tissue on the
      section grey-pink, lobulary shaped, in 3/4 parts with central necrotic changes.
      Histopathologically was confirmed the primary dedifferentiated (non-lipogenous)
      liposarcoma low grade of malignancy. Nephrectomy specimen was confirmed as age
      related finding. There was no evidence of positives surgical margins. Despite
      oncological and surgical treatment, followed repeated recurrence with eight
      transperitoneal surgeries in the retroperitoneum and abdomen with extirpation of
      the metastases, left side hemicolectomy, splenectomy and repeated extirpation
      tumour metastases from abdomen and radix mesenterii. Last tumour weighed 2900
      grams. Patient died on January 9, 2011, after the eight surgeries on multiorgans
      failure due to hemorrhagic shock and persistent atrial fibrilaton by
      cardiopulmonary insufficiency. As a speciality, he was treated without
      transfusion because as Jehovah's witness he refused blood derivates. CONCLUSION:
      Despite complex surgical and oncological treatment, the prognosis in patient with
      recurrent liposarcoma was fatal (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 50).

PMID- 24236439
TI  - Alterations in paraoxonase-1 activity.

PMID- 24236440
TI  - The proteome differences - new trend of placenta examination.

PMID- 24236441
TI  - Comparison of thoracic auscultation, clinical score, and ultrasonography as
      indicators of bovine respiratory disease in preweaned dairy calves.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnostic tools for bovine respiratory disease diagnosis include
      clinical inspection, thoracic auscultation, and ultrasonography. HYPOTHESIS:
      Thoracic auscultation and clinical examination have limitations in the detection
      of lung consolidation in dairy calves. ANIMALS: Prospective cohort of 106
      preweaned calves from 13 different dairy herds (10 with a history of active
      bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves and 3 without suspected BRD problems).
      METHODS: Each preweaned calf was clinically inspected using the Wisconsin calf
      respiratory scoring chart (CRSC) and treatment history was noted. Systematic
      thoracic auscultation and ultrasonography then were performed, the latter
      focusing on lung consolidation. Mortality was recorded over a 30-day period.
      RESULTS: A total of 56 of 106 calves had ultrasonographic evidence of lung
      consolidation. The sensitivity of thoracic auscultation to detect consolidation
      was 5.9% (range, 0-16.7%). Only 41.1% (23/33) of calves with consolidated lungs
      had been treated previously by the producers. When adding CRSC and previous BRD
      treatment by the producer, sensitivity of detection increased to 71.4% (40/56).
      The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.809 (95% CI,
      0.721-0.879) for the number of areas within the lungs with consolidation and
      0.743 (95% CI, 0.648-0.823) for the maximal depth of consolidation as predictors
      of death within 1 month after examination. These were not significantly different
      (P = .06). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study shows that thoracic
      auscultation is of limited value in diagnosing lung consolidation in calves.
      Ultrasonographic assessment of the thorax could be a useful tool to assess BRD
      detection efficiency on dairy farms.

PMID- 24236442
TI  - Development of dual-setting calcium phosphate cement using absorbable polymer.
AB  - Calcium phosphate cements used as bone substitutes generally have low mechanical
      strength compared with the bones of the human body. To solve these needs, we have
      incorporated hydrogels in the manufacture of samples made of alpha-tricalcium
      phosphate (alpha-TCP) cement, developing a system of dual-setting cement. This
      study aimed to produce composite materials by combining alpha-TCP powder and
      hydrogels. The composites were prepared using the synthesized powder and four
      different formulations of hydrogels, using either poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) or
      poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-co-acrylic acid), with either azobisisobutyronitrile
      or ammonium persulfate as initiator. The properties of all composites were
      evaluated through measuring compressive strength and apparent density and through
      X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The composites showed
      compressive strengths of around 24 MPa. Soaking the samples in simulated body
      fluid formed a layer of hydroxyapatite-like crystals on the surface of some
      samples, showing the bioactivity of the newly developed cements and their
      potential use as biomaterial.

PMID- 24236443
TI  - Pathways to adulthood and their precursors and outcomes.
AB  - Norway has an extensive welfare system which may provide adolescents with many
      options and high levels of flexibility in terms of pathways to adulthood. This
      study aimed to describe Norwegian developmental pathways to adulthood, including
      changes in role statuses (such as living situations, education, work,
      marriage/cohabitation and parenthood) from 16 to 30 years of age, and their
      precursors and outcomes. Repeated measures latent class analysis of longitudinal
      data from 998 Norwegian individuals indicated three main pathways to adulthood
      among women and men. In both sexes, most individuals undertook a long period of
      education and postponed family formation. However, some individuals started
      working early, a group of women established families with partners and children
      early, and a group of men remained primarily single between 16 and 30 years of
      age. Furthermore, the results show that pathways to adulthood in Norway are
      surprisingly similar to pathways in other countries such as the US, UK and
      Finland. The results indicate that pathways to adulthood are influenced by social
      reproduction factors in a country with high levels of welfare benefits as well.
      In addition, the results suggest that pathways involving living with a partner
      and either higher education or work are associated with high life satisfaction at
      age 30.

PMID- 24236445
TI  - Multiphoton microscopic imaging of human normal and cancerous oesophagus tissue.
AB  - In this paper, microstructures of human oesophageal submucosa are evaluated using
      multiphoton microscopy, based on two-photon excited fluorescence and second
      harmonic generation. The content and distribution of collagen, elastic fibers and
      cancer cells in normal and cancerous submucosa layer have been distinctly
      obtained and briefly discussed. The variation of these components is very
      relevant to the pathology in oesophagus, especially in early oesophageal cancer.
      Our results further indicate that the multiphoton microscopy technique has the
      potential application in vivo in clinical diagnosis and monitoring of early
      oesophageal cancer. 

PMID- 24236444
TI  - PSK1 regulates expression of SOD1 involved in oxidative stress tolerance in
      yeast.
AB  - The Per-ARNT-Sim (PAS) domain serine/threonine kinase PAS kinase is involved in
      energy flux and protein synthesis. In yeast, PSK1 and PSK2 are two partially
      redundant PASK homologs. We recently generated PSK2 deletion mutant and showed
      that Psk2 acts as a nutrient-sensing protein kinase to modulate Ultradian clock
      coupled respiratory oscillation in yeast. Here, we show that deletion of PSK1
      increased the sensitivity of yeast cells to oxidative stress (H2 O2 treatment)
      and partially inhibited cell growth; however, the growth of the PSK2-deleted
      mutant was similar to that of the wild type. Superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) mRNA
      and protein levels were lower in PSK1-deletion mutant than the wild type. The
      mRNA levels of stress response genes CTT1, HSP104, ATH1, NTH1 and SOD2 were
      similar in both the PSK1-deleted mutant and wild-type yeast. Furthermore,
      intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was noted in PSK1
      deleted mutant. These results suggest that PSK1 induces SOD1 expression to
      protect against oxidative stress in yeast.

PMID- 24236446
TI  - Proton pump inhibitors as a possible cause of vitiligo: an in vivo and in vitro
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder of melanocytes.
      Recently, some clinical reports have suggested that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
      may worsen vitiligo, but their effects on melanocytes have yet to be elucidated.
      OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of PPIs on melanogenesis in vivo and in
      vitro. METHODS: We examined the effect of PPIs on melanogenesis in B16 murine
      melanoma cells by measuring melanin content and tyrosinase (TYR) activity. TYR
      and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) were monitored by western blotting.
      Finally, a PPI was applied to zebrafish embryos to investigate its in vivo effect
      on pigmentation. RESULTS: In agreement with our clinical experience of worsened
      vitiligo after PPI treatment, PPIs decreased both melanin content and TYR
      activity. Western blotting showed that PPIs decreased TYR and TRP-1 protein
      levels. In the zebrafish test, PPIs inhibited body pigmentation in a dose
      dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the functional
      inhibition of melanization by PPIs may induce or aggravate vitiligo lesions in
      genetically predisposed patients.

PMID- 24236448
TI  - Prospective review of a single center's general pediatric neurosurgical
      intraoperative and postoperative complication rates.
AB  - OBJECT: The authors conducted a study to compare the complication rate (CR) of
      pediatric neurosurgical procedures in a general neurosurgery department to the
      CRs that are reported in the literature and to establish a baseline of CR for
      further targeted improvement of quality neurosurgical care. METHODS: The authors
      analyzed the prospectively collected data from a complication registration of
      1000 consecutive pediatric neurosurgical procedures in 581 patients from the
      beginning of the registration in January 2004 through August 2008. A pediatric
      neurosurgeon was involved in 50.5% of the procedures. All adverse events (AEs)
      from induction of anesthesia until 30 days postoperatively were recorded.
      RESULTS: Overall, 229 complications were counted in 202 procedures. The overall
      CR was 20.2%, with a 2.7% intraoperative CR and a 17.5% postoperative CR. Tumor
      surgery was associated with the highest CR (32.7%), followed by CSF disorders
      (21.8%). The mortality rate was 0.3%. An unplanned return to the operating room
      in relation to an AE happened in 10.5% of all procedures and in 52% of procedures
      associated with AEs, the majority of which were related to CSF disorders.
      CONCLUSIONS: The CR in pediatric neurosurgical procedures was significant, and
      more than half of the patients with an AE required a repeat surgical procedure.
      Analysis of CRs should be a prerequisite for the prevention of complications and
      for the development of targeted interventions to reduce the CR (for example,
      infection rates).

PMID- 24236447
TI  - Establishment of a multidisciplinary concussion program: impact of
      standardization on patient care and resource utilization.
AB  - OBJECT: Recent legislation and media coverage have heightened awareness of
      concussion in youth sports. Previous work by the authors' group defined
      significant variation of care in management of children with concussion. To
      address this variation, a multidisciplinary concussion program was established
      based on a uniform management protocol, with emphasis on community outreach via
      traditional media sources and the Internet. This retrospective study evaluates
      the impact of standardization of concussion care and resource utilization before
      and after standardization in a large regional pediatric hospital center. METHODS:
      This retrospective study included all patients younger than 18 years of age
      evaluated for sports-related concussion between January 1, 2007, and December 31,
      2011. Emergency department, sports medicine, and neurosurgery records were
      reviewed. Data collected included demographics, injury details, clinical course,
      Sports Concussion Assessment Tool-2 (SCAT2) scores, imaging, discharge
      instructions, and referral for specialty care. The cohort was analyzed comparing
      patients evaluated before and after standardization of care. RESULTS: Five
      hundred eighty-nine patients were identified, including 270 before
      standardization (2007-2011) and 319 after standardization (2011-2012).
      Statistically significant differences (p < 0.0001) were observed between the 2
      groups for multiple variables: there were more girls, more first-time
      concussions, fewer initial presentations to the emergency department, more
      consistent administration of the SCAT2, and more consistent supervision of return
      to play and return to think after adoption of the protocol. CONCLUSIONS: A
      combination of increased public awareness and legislation has led to a 5-fold
      increase in the number of youth athletes presenting for concussion evaluation at
      the authors' center. Establishment of a multidisciplinary clinic with a
      standardized protocol resulted in significantly decreased institutional resource
      utilization and more consistent concussion care for this growing patient
      population.

PMID- 24236449
TI  - Association of cerebellopontine angle atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors with
      acute facial nerve palsy in infants.
AB  - Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) are highly malignant CNS tumors found
      almost exclusively in childhood. Although essentially universally fatal when
      incompletely resected, prompt diagnosis followed by early chemoradiation can
      improve outcomes. An AT/RT can occur extraaxially at the cerebellopontine angle
      (CPA) and cause acute cranial nerve deficits as the presenting sign. The authors
      report a series of 3 children who presented with isolated acute facial nerve
      palsies and in whom subsequent diagnosis of a CPA AT/RT was made. The authors
      propose that in young children whose presenting symptom is an acute facial nerve
      palsy with a CPA tumor, AT/RT should be highly suspected. 

PMID- 24236450
TI  - Identification of a novel frame-shift mutation in PRSS1 gene in Han patients with
      autoimmune pancreatitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To detect mutations of trypsinogen gene (PRSS1) in patients with
      autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and to determine the underlying pathogenesis.
      METHODS: DNA sequencing was used to detect full-length of PRSS1, cystic fibrosis
      transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and pancreatic secretory trypsin
      inhibitor (SPINK1) genes mutations in an AIP family and a sporadic case and 520
      normal controls. Furthermore, a mutant-expressing system was constructed for
      functional confirmation. RESULTS: For the first time, we report a deletion
      mutation at exon 2 of PRSS1 gene (IVS 2 +56_60 del CCCAG) which encoded a
      truncated PRSS1 protein without trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP). Vitro
      functional study suggested the identified mutation would result in loss of PRSS1
      activity. Mutant trypsinogen activated at a faster rate than wild-type
      trypsinogen in the autoactivation experiment. Histopathologic examination
      revealed the ratio of IgG4/IgG-positive plasma cells exceeded 0.455 in pancreas,
      and the patients responded to glucocorticoids. CONCLUSION: PRSS1: IVS 2 +56_60
      del CCCAG is a noval mutant which may contribute to AIP pathogenesis.

PMID- 24236451
TI  - Pleiotropic effects of HDL: towards new therapeutic areas for HDL-targeted
      interventions.
AB  - Plasma levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and of
      apolipoprotein A-I are inversely correlated with the incidence of coronary heart
      disease. According to the HDL hypothesis, raising HDL cholesterol is expected to
      lead to a decrease of coronary heart disease risk. The stringent requirement for
      proving or refuting this hypothesis is that the causal pathway between the
      therapeutic intervention and a hard clinical end-point obligatory passes through
      HDL. The lack of positive clinical results in several recent HDL trials should be
      interpreted in light of the poor HDL specificity of the drugs that were
      investigated in these trials. Nevertheless, the results of Mendelian
      randomization studies further raise the possibility that the epidemiological
      relationship between HDL cholesterol and coronary artery disease might reflect
      residual confounding. HDL are circulating multimolecular platforms that exert
      divergent functions: reverse cholesterol transport, antiinflammatory effects,
      anti-oxidative effects, immunomodulatory effects, improved endothelial function,
      increased endothelial progenitor cell number and function, antithrombotic
      effects, and potentiation of insulin secretion and improvement of insulin
      sensitivity. Pleiotropic effects of HDL might be translated in clinically
      significant effects in strategically selected therapeutic areas that are not
      directly related to native coronary artery disease. In this review, four new
      therapeutic areas for HDL-targeted diseases are presented: critical illness,
      allograft vasculopathy and vein graft atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus,
      and heart failure. The strategic selection of these therapeutic areas is not only
      based on specific functional properties of HDL but also on significant pre
      clinical and clinical data that support this choice.

PMID- 24236452
TI  - Endothelial remodelling and intracellular calcium machinery.
AB  - Rather being an inert barrier between vessel lumen and surrounding tissues,
      vascular endothelium plays a key role in the maintenance of cardiovascular
      homeostasis. The de-endothelialization of blood vessels is regarded as the early
      event that results in the onset of severe vascular disorders, including
      atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, brain stroke, and aortic aneurysm.
      Restoration of the endothelial lining may be accomplished by the activation of
      neighbouring endothelial cells (ECs) freed by contact inhibition and by
      circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Intracellular Ca(2+) signalling
      is essential to promote wound healing: however, the molecular underpinnings of
      the Ca(2+) response to injury are yet to be fully elucidated. Similarly, the
      components of the Ca(2+) toolkit that drive EPC incorporation into denuded
      vessels are far from being fully elucidated. The present review will survey the
      current knowledge on the role of Ca(2+) signalling in endothelial repair and in
      EPC activation. We propose that endothelial regeneration might be boosted by
      intraluminal release of specific Ca(2+) channel agonists or by gene transfer
      strategies aiming to enhance the expression of the most suitable Ca(2+) channels
      at the wound site. In this view, connexin (Cx) channels/hemichannels and store
      operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) stand amid the most proper routes to therapeutically
      induce the regrowth of denuded vessels. Cx stimulation might trigger the
      proliferative and migratory behaviour of ECs facing the lesion site, whereas
      activation of SOCE is likely to favour EPC homing to the wounded vessel. 

PMID- 24236453
TI  - Vitamin K2-enhanced liver regeneration is associated with oval cell expansion and
      up-regulation of matrilin-2 expression in 2-AAF/PH rat model.
AB  - Normal liver has a great potential of regenerative capacity after partial
      hepatectomy. In clinic, however, most patients receiving partial hepatectomy are
      usually suffering from chronic liver diseases with severely damaged hepatocyte
      population. Under these conditions, activation of hepatic progenitor cell (oval
      cell in rodents) population might be considered as an alternative mean to enhance
      liver functional recovery. Vitamin K2 has been shown to promote liver functional
      recovery in patients with liver cirrhosis. In this study, we explored the
      possibility of vitamin K2 treatment in activating hepatic oval cell for liver
      regeneration with the classic 2-acetamido-fluorene/partial hepatectomy (2-AAF/PH)
      model in Sprague-Dawley rats. In 2-AAF/PH animals, vitamin K2 treatment induced a
      dose-dependent increase of liver regeneration as assessed by the weight ratio of
      remnant liver versus whole body and by measuring serum albumin level. In
      parallel, a drastic expansion of oval cell population as assessed by anti-OV6 and
      anti-CK19 immunostaining was noticed in the periportal zone of the remnant liver.
      Since matrilin-2 was linked to oval cell proliferation and liver regeneration
      after partial hepatectomy, we assessed its expression at both the mRNA and
      protein levels. The results revealed a significant increase after vitamin K2
      treatment in parallel with the expansion of oval cell population. Consistently,
      knocking down matrilin-2 expression in vivo largely reduced vitamin K2-induced
      liver regeneration and oval cell proliferation in 2-AAF/PH animals. In
      conclusion, these data suggest that vitamin K2 treatment enhances liver
      regeneration after partial hepatectomy, which is associated with oval cell
      expansion and matrilin-2 up-regulation. 

PMID- 24236455
TI  - BST-2 expression in human hepatocytes is inducible by all three types of
      interferons and restricts production of hepatitis C virus.
AB  - Bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST-2, also known as tetherin, CD317, or
      HM1.24) has recently been identified as a host restriction factor against diverse
      families of enveloped viruses. However, the effects of BST-2 on the life cycle of
      hepatitis C virus (HCV), an enveloped RNA virus, remain unclear and
      controversial. Here we demonstrated that human hepatocytes including Huh7.5.1
      cells, primary human hepatocytes (PHHs), and HepG2 cells constitutively expressed
      low to moderate levels of endogenous BST-2 on the cell surface, which could be
      robustly up-regulated by all three types of interferons (IFNs) such as IFN-alpha,
      IFN-gamma, and IFN-lambda. IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma showed a synergistic effect in
      induction of BST-2 expression on human hepatocytes. Over-expression of BST-2 by
      BST-2-expressing vector transfection or up-regulation of BST-2 by IFN stimulation
      markedly suppressed HCV production, whereas shRNA-mediated depletion of
      endogenous BST-2 significantly enhanced HCV production in infected Huh7.5.1
      cells. IFN-mediated anti-HCV activity was partially but significantly diminished
      by shRNA-mediated knockdown of BST-2 expression, indicating that BST- 2
      upregulation is directly involved in IFN-mediated inhibition of HCV production.
      We also found that both BST-2 and HCV core co-localized with intracellular lipid
      droplets (LDs), suggesting that BST-2-HCV interaction may take place around LDs
      as LDs constitute an important intracellular organelle for HCV assembly and
      replication. Taken together, our data suggest that BST-2 is a host restriction
      factor against HCV, and induction of BST-2 in hepatocytes could be one of the
      mechanisms by which current HCV standard therapy (IFN-alpha plus ribavirin)
      achieves a sustained virological response (SVR). 

PMID- 24236456
TI  - Inhibition of topoisomerase I by anti-cancer drug altered the endometrial
      cyclicity and receptivity.
AB  - Topoisomerase I (topo I) is an essential nuclear enzyme involved in virtually all
      aspects of gene expression, and is the target of the anti-cancer drugs-
      camptothecin (CPT) and its derivatives. Improvement of the survival rates of
      young women with cancer has led to the consideration of the effects of long-term
      chemotherapy on their fertility. The effect of anticancer drugs on ovarian
      function was previously investigated; however, no reports are available
      concerning their effect on the endometrium, whose integrity is an important
      factor in embryo implantation. Here we used a rat animal model to investigate the
      expression and activity of topo I in the various physiologic phases of the
      endometrium and the influence of CPT on its integrity and receptivity. The
      results show, for the first time, that the endometrial topo I level and activity
      are influenced by the physiologic phases of the endometrium (estrous cycle) and
      correlate with the estrogen blood concentration. Treatment with the anti-cancer
      drug CPT caused histological disruption of the endometrium and deleterious effect
      on its cyclicity. Moreover, CPT treatment significantly reduced the implantation
      rate of embryos, suggesting alteration in the receptivity of the endometrium.
      These results suggest that topo I is important for maintaining the normal
      physiologic cyclicity and functionality of the endometrium in rats. Anti-cancer
      agents that target topo I severely impair estrous cycle progression and
      endometrial integrity and receptivity, emphasizing the importance of addressing
      the effect of chemotherapy on the endometrial functionality. 

PMID- 24236454
TI  - Novel adjunctive therapies for the treatment of tuberculosis.
AB  - Despite significant efforts to control tuberculosis (TB), the disease remains a
      major global threat, with an estimated 8.6 million new cases and 1.3 million
      deaths in 2012 alone. Significant treatment challenges include HIV co-infection,
      the dramatic rise of multidrug-resistant TB and the vast reservoir of latently
      infected individuals, who will develop active disease years after the initial
      infection. The long duration of chemotherapy also remains a major barrier to
      effective large scale treatment of TB. Significant advances are being made in the
      development of shorter and effective TB drug regimens and there is growing
      evidence that host-directed and "non-antimicrobial" pathogen-directed therapies,
      could serve as novel approaches to enhance TB treatments. This review highlights
      the rationale for using these therapies and summarizes some of the progress in
      this field. 

PMID- 24236457
TI  - Chemoprevention gene therapy (CGT) of pancreatic cancer using perillyl alcohol
      and a novel chimeric serotype cancer terminator virus.
AB  - Conditionally replication competent adenoviruses (Ads) that selectively replicate
      in cancer cells and simultaneously express a therapeutic cytokine, such as
      melanoma differentiation associated gene- 7/Interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24), a
      Cancer Terminator Virus (CTV-M7), hold potential for treating human cancers. To
      enhance the efficacy of the CTV-M7, we generated a chimeric Ad.5 and Ad.3
      modified fiber bipartite CTV (Ad.5/3-CTV-M7) that can infect tumor cells in a
      Coxsackie Adenovirus receptor (CAR) independent manner, while retaining high
      infectivity in cancer cells containing high CAR. Although mda-7/IL-24 displays
      broad-spectrum anticancer properties, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
      cells display an intrinsic resistance to mda-7/IL-24-mediated killing due to an
      mda-7/IL-24 mRNA translational block. However, using a chemoprevention gene
      therapy (CGT) approach with perillyl alcohol (POH) and a replication incompetent
      Ad to deliver mda-7/IL-24 (Ad.mda-7) there is enhanced conversion of mda-7/IL-24
      mRNA into protein resulting in pancreatic cancer cell death in vitro and in vivo
      in nude mice containing human PDAC xenografts. This combination synergistically
      induces mda-7/IL-24-mediated cancer-specific apoptosis by inhibiting anti
      apoptotic Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 protein expression and inducing an endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) stress response through induction of BiP/GRP-78, which is most
      evident in chimeric-modified non-replicating Ad.5/3- mda-7- and CTV-M7-infected
      PDAC cells. Moreover, Ad.5/3-CTV-M7 in combination with POH sensitizes therapy
      resistant MIA PaCa-2 cell lines over-expressing either Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL to mda
      7/IL-24-mediated apoptosis. Ad.5/3-CTV-M7 plus POH also exerts a significant
      antitumor 'bystander' effect in vivo suppressing both primary and distant site
      tumor growth, confirming therapeutic utility of Ad.5/3-CTV-M7 plus POH in PDAC
      treatment, where all other current treatment strategies in clinical settings show
      minimal efficacy. 

PMID- 24236458
TI  - The molecular basis of notch signaling regulation: a complex simplicity.
AB  - The Notch receptors have attracted considerable attention for their ability to
      control cellular functions that regulate embryo development and tissue
      homeostasis. Notch receptors act by controlling the expression of a specific set
      of target genes. If Notch signaling system can be so simple, and yet so complex
      in its pleiotropic effects, then a sophisticated network of regulatory mechanisms
      is required to maintain the control over the initiation, activity and termination
      of this signaling pathway. A multitude of regulatory mechanisms has been
      discovered that controls the interaction of Notch receptors with their ligands,
      the assembling of a Notch transcriptional activation complex and the termination
      of Notch signals. The intracellular and extracellular domains of the Notch
      receptors are synthesized as single proteins, pairing with each other during
      their trafficking through the exocytotic route. The mechanisms operating in the
      phase preceding the generation of the heterodimeric signal-competent Notch
      receptors can be as elaborate and physiologically important as those operating
      downstream of Notch receptor activation. These regulatory mechanisms, which are
      essential to understand the role of Notch signaling in human physiology and
      pathology are reviewed here. 

PMID- 24236459
TI  - Hypothalamic mTOR: the rookie energy sensor.
AB  - Optimal cellular function and therefore organism's survival is determined by the
      sensitive and accurate convergence of energy and nutrient abundance to cell
      growth and division. Among other factors, this integration is coupled by the
      target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway, which is able to sense nutrient, energy and
      oxygen availability and also growth factor signaling. Indeed, TOR signaling
      regulates cell energy homeostasis by coordinating anabolic and catabolic
      processes for survival. TOR, named mTOR in mammals, is a conserved
      serine/threonine kinase that exists in two different complexes, mTORC1 and
      mTORC2. Recently, studies are suggesting that alterations of those complexes
      promote disease and disrupted phenotypes, such as aging, obesity and related
      disorders and even cancer. The evidences linking mTOR to energy and metabolic
      homeostasis included the following. At central level mTOR regulates food intake
      and body weight being involved in the mechanism by which signals such as leptin
      and ghrelin exert its effects. At peripheral level it influences adipogenesis and
      lipogenesis in different tissues including the liver. Noteworthy chronic
      nutritional activation of mTOR signaling has been implicated in the development
      of beta cell mass expansion and on insulin resistance. Understanding of mTOR and
      other molecular switches, such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), as well as
      their interrelationship is crucial to know how organisms maintain optimal
      homeostasis. This review summarizes the role of hypothalamic TOR complex in
      cellular energy sensing, evidenced in the last years, focusing on the metabolic
      pathways where it is involved and the importance of this metabolic sensor in
      cellular and whole body energy management. Understanding the exact role of
      hypothalamic mTOR may provide new cues for therapeutic intervention in diseases. 

PMID- 24236460
TI  - The protein-protein interaction-mediated inactivation of PTEN.
AB  - PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10, 10q23.3) is the
      dominant phosphatase responsible for the dephosphorylation of the 3-position
      phosphate from the inositol ring of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 triphosphate
      (PIP3), and thereby directly antagonizes the actions mediated by
      Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase (PI3K). PI3K functions in numerous pathways and
      cellular processes, including tumourigenesis. Therefore, mechanisms regulating
      PTEN function, either positively or negatively are of great interest not only to
      oncogenesis but also to other aspects of human health. Since its discovery in
      1997, PTEN has been one of the most-heavily studied tumour suppressors and has
      been the subject of numerous reviews. Most investigations and reviews center on
      PTEN's function and its regulation. While the regulation of PTEN function via
      genetic and/or epigenetic mechanisms has been extensively studied, the impact of
      protein-protein interaction on PTEN function remains less clear. Recent research
      has revealed that PTEN can be specifically inhibited by its interaction with
      other proteins, which are collectively termed PTEN-negative regulators (PTENNRs).
      This review will summarize our current understanding on the protein network that
      influences PTEN function with a specific focus on PTEN-NRs. 

PMID- 24236461
TI  - Alkaloids as aldose reductase inhibitors, with special reference to berberine.
AB  - Aldose reductase is the rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway that leads to
      conversion of glucose to sorbitol. Its increased activity, which results in
      abnormal activation of the polyol pathway, is implicated in the development of
      long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. Different plant species and their
      active components have shown potent in vitro and in vivo aldose reductase
      inhibitory activity. Among different phyto-constituents, alkaloids that contain
      isoquinoline/bis(isoquinoline)and related ring structures (such as berberine,
      palmatine, coptisine, and jateorrhizine) have shown very potent aldose reductase
      inhibitory activity. The structural activity relationship has revealed the
      importance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups of
      isoquinoline/bis(isoquinoline)for binding to an enzyme. The dioxymethylene group
      in the D ring (hydrophobic group) of these alkaloids binds tightly to the site
      adjacent to the anionic binding site (active site), while the methoxyl groups
      (polar) bind to the site adjacent to the nicotinamide ring of the coenzyme. On
      the basis of these findings, it may be proposed that the presence of
      isoquinoline/bis(isoquinoline)ring structures is the most important requirement
      for alkaloids to behave as potent aldose reductase inhibitors. Thus, other plants
      may also be screened for the same activity. The present review discusses these
      isoquinoline/bis(isoquinoline)-based alkaloids as aldose reductase inhibitors
      that may be used to manage diabetic complications and may substitute for the
      chemically synthesized aldose reductase inhibitors.

PMID- 24236462
TI  - Gathering data from older adults via proxy respondents: research challenges.

PMID- 24236464
TI  - From methods to policy: past as prologue: how comparative effectiveness research
      became patient-centered outcomes research.

PMID- 24236465
TI  - Maximizing health through the rapidly developing fields of comparative and cost
      effectiveness.
AB  - Lieven Annemans is a Full Professor of Health Economics at Ghent University and
      Brussels University (Belgium) and cofounder of the Interuniversity Centre for
      Health Economics Research. He is Past-President of the International Society for
      PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes Research, a member of the Flemish Council for
      Health and Wellbeing (advising the Minister of Health), and an external expert to
      the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre, the Belgian health technology
      assessment body. He has 20 years experience in health-economic evaluations of
      pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics and preventive
      health actions in various medical areas. He is author of the book 'Health
      economics for noneconomists: an introduction to the concepts, methods and
      pitfalls of health economic evaluations' and of the recent report 'Towards
      valuable innovation in the EU' (a background report to the EU council of
      ministers of health). His main research interests are epidemiological models,
      health technology assessment, retrospective/prospective health-economic
      evaluations and physician payment systems. He has published approximately 150
      papers in peer-reviewed journals, presented approximately 300 posters/papers at
      scientific conferences, and has given approximately 500 lectures and trainings on
      health economics and health technology assessment. 

PMID- 24236466
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of biologic antirheumatic therapies in rheumatoid
      arthritis after failure to respond to a first TNF inhibitor.
AB  - Evaluation of: Gomez-Reino JJ, Maneiro JR, Ruiz J et al. Comparative
      effectiveness of switching to alternative tumour necrosis factor (TNF)
      antagonists versus switching to rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
      who failed previous TNF antagonists: the MIRAR Study. Ann. Rheum. Dis.
      doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-201324 (2012) (Epub ahead of print). Rheumatoid
      arthritis is a chronic immune-mediated disease affecting approximately 1% of the
      population. The prognosis of this chronic condition has considerably improved
      over the past decade with the earlier use of antirheumatic drugs and the
      introduction of new biologic therapies. Current treatment guidelines recommend
      using these agents after a failed response to conventional disease-modifying
      antirheumatic drugs, but the relative positioning of the various available
      biologic agents is not yet well established. All biologic agents have been proven
      to be superior to placebo in large trials, but only very few randomized
      controlled trials have compared directly competing therapeutic options. This
      article evaluates the effectiveness of rituximab compared with an alternative TNF
      antagonist (anti-TNF) in rheumatoid arthritis patients who experienced a previous
      failed response to anti-TNF. The results of this large observational cohort study
      suggest that rituximab offers a greater benefit on rheumatoid arthritis disease
      activity than alternative monoclonal anti-TNFs. 

PMID- 24236467
TI  - Anti-VEGF therapies for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - Evaluation of: Martin DF, Maguire MG, Fine SL et al. Ranibizumab and bevacizumab
      for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration two-year results.
      Ophthalmology 119(7), 1388-1398 (2012). Age-related macular degeneration is the
      leading cause of blindness in European-derived populations. Recently, drugs have
      been developed that not only reduce the risk of vision loss, but can actually
      improve visual acuity. This article provides a summary of a recent comparative
      effectiveness trial evaluating two of these drugs. The study found that visual
      acuity outcomes were similar for the two drugs and that monthly dosing provided a
      slight advantage over as-needed treatment. The role of long-term differences in
      retinal thickening, geographic atrophy and potential differences in serious
      adverse events between the two drugs need further research. 

PMID- 24236468
TI  - Comparing methods of respiratory event detection during the treatment of
      obstructive sleep apnea.
AB  - Renewed focus on comparative effectiveness research presents a unique opportunity
      to develop optimal clinical management pathways for patients with obstructive
      sleep apnea. With this momentum comes the challenge of measuring treatment effect
      on sleep-disordered breathing, especially in large, multisite studies. In
      laboratory polysomnography, the current gold standard sleep assessment of
      obstructive sleep apnea severity, is costly and imposes significant participant
      burden. Alternatives include home unattended sleep testing and overnight pulse
      oximetry recording. Research studies using positive airway pressure treatment
      have the additional option of using the information recorded by the patient's
      positive airway pressure device to assess treatment effectiveness. Recent
      research has shown relatively good agreement between manual identification of
      residual respiratory events in overnight in-laboratory polysomnography and the
      automatic event detection utilized in positive airway pressure machines. In
      addition to assessing the effects of interventions on sleep disordered breathing,
      obstructive sleep apnea-related comparative effectiveness studies need to assess
      the impact of the interventions on patient burden, cost of therapy, timeliness of
      care, improved quality of life and other clinically relevant outcomes. 

PMID- 24236469
TI  - Drug-eluting versus bare-metal coronary stents: where are we now?
AB  - Drug-eluting stents have dramatically reduced the risk of restenosis, but
      concerns of an increased risk of stent thrombosis have provided uncertainty about
      their use. Recent studies have continued to show improved procedural and clinical
      outcomes with drug-eluting stents both in the setting of acute coronary syndromes
      and stable coronary artery disease. Newer generation drug-eluting stents
      (especially everolimus-eluting stents) have been shown to be not only efficacious
      but also safe with reduced risk of stent thrombosis when compared with bare-metal
      stents, potentially changing the benchmark for stent safety from bare-metal
      stents to everolimus-eluting stents. While much progress is being made in the
      development of bioabsorbable polymer stents, nonpolymer stents and bioabsorbable
      stent technology, it remains to be seen whether these stents will have superior
      safety and efficacy outcomes compared with the already much improved rates of
      revascularization and stent thrombosis seen with newer generation stents
      (everolimus-eluting stents and resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents). 

PMID- 24236470
TI  - The utilization of telephone follow-up in the advanced cancer population: a
      review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Palliative cancer patients often require clinic or hospital follow-up
      after any treatment intervention they may have received. This is typically done
      in person at either a hospital or a clinic. In these advanced cancer patients,
      this may be burdensome and result in attrition. Telephone follow-up is becoming
      more frequently used as an adjunct to clinical follow-up. It can be conducted for
      both clinical trials, as well as interventional purposes. The purpose of this
      study was to review the literature and examine the utility and effectiveness of
      telephone follow-up in the advanced cancer population. METHODS: A literature
      search was conducted on Medline (1980 - April week 4 2012), Embase (1980 - week
      17 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (April 2012) and
      CINAHL (1981-July 31 2012). RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were identified that
      were published between 2001 and 2011. All studies were in the clinical trial
      setting. Studies that utilized telephone follow-up in the advanced cancer
      population, as well as studies that compared the feasibility of telephone follow
      up with hospital follow-up, were included in this review. Follow-up at week 4
      (month 1) was the most common interval for patient contact. Information collected
      during the contact varied with the study; however, the most commonly used tool
      was the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System. Other information included analgesic
      diary, patient feedback, satisfaction with the care and post-treatment side
      effects, along with a variety of quality of life questionnaires. Some studies
      provided information to the patient about protocols for care, advice and coping
      strategies. Attrition was common even with the use of telephone contact in place
      of clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION: Telephone follow-up is a feasible alternative
      to traditional hospital follow-ups for assessment of symptom palliation. There
      are fewer burdens on the patient, allowing for a better maintenance of quality of
      life and lower rates of attrition in clinical trials. Patients had an overall
      positive opinion of the use of this alternative approach with no common
      disadvantages. A combination of follow-up strategies, such as clinic follow-up
      and telephone contact for those not attending, may result in a more comprehensive
      assessment.

PMID- 24236471
TI  - What do researchers say about proposed Medicare claims public use files?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medicare claims data sets have been used widely in outcomes research
      over the last decade. In 2010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
      established a program to create de-identified basic standalone public use files
      (PUFs) from Medicare claims data, each one containing claims information from a
      5% sample of beneficiaries. METHODS: We conducted a series of structured key
      informant interviews with research stakeholders to compile recommendations that
      would guide the creation of these PUFs. In this paper, we describe the interview
      methodology and present our findings. Fifteen researchers, representing a range
      of clinical health services and health policy expertise, were interviewed.
      RESULTS: All respondents supported the use of Medicare claims in comparative
      effectiveness research and responded favorably to the creation of PUFs for this
      purpose. The interviews resulted in administrative-, technical- and content
      related recommendations, some of which led to important changes in the PUFs.
      DISCUSSION: A primary trade-off in the development of the proposed PUFs involved
      assuring maximum research utility of the files while assuring security of
      beneficiaries' protected health information. Protection of protected health
      information was considered a requirement. Given this constraint, the proposed
      PUFs may be most useful for two primary activities in comparative effectiveness
      research: first, working through the beginning stages of a research project; and
      second, examining high-level questions.

PMID- 24236472
TI  - Ongoing measures to enhance the efficiency of prescribing of proton pump
      inhibitors and statins in The Netherlands: influence and future implications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple reforms have recently been introduced in The Netherlands to
      improve prescribing efficiency. These include preference pricing policies for
      multiple sourced products, guidelines, and quality and efficiency targets, as
      well as regular pharmacotherapy meetings. OBJECTIVES: Assess the influence of
      these multiple measures on prescribing efficiency. METHODS: Retrospective
      observational study of all reimbursed prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors
      and statins between 2000 and 2010 using the Genees-en hulpmiddelen Informatie
      Project (Health Insurance) database. Utilization measured in defined daily doses.
      Narrative review of reforms. RESULTS: Reimbursed expenditure for the proton pump
      inhibitors fell by 58% in 2010 versus 2000 despite a threefold increase in
      utilization, helped by increasing utilization of generic omeprazole at only 2% of
      the prepatent loss price in 2010. Similarly, reimbursed expenditure for the
      statins fell by 14% in 2010 versus 2000 despite a 3.8-fold increase in
      utilization. Again, this was helped by increasing utilization of generic
      simvastatin at only 2% of the prepatent loss originator price. CONCLUSION:
      Multiple supply and demand measures, including the preference pricing policy,
      appear to have appreciably enhanced proton pump inhibitor and statin prescribing
      efficiency, providing examples to other countries.

PMID- 24236473
TI  - Possible ways to enhance renin-angiotensin prescribing efficiency: Republic of
      Serbia as a case history?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple reforms have been instigated across Europe to enhance
      prescribing efficiency. Supply-side reforms in the Republic of Serbia include
      measures to lower the price of generics and originators, with demand-side
      measures including patient copayments and prescribing restrictions. Specific
      measures for renin-angiotensin inhibitor drugs include a 50% copayment for
      angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) versus approximately 50 cents per
      prescription for established angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), as
      there is no perceived difference in effectiveness between the two classes.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of these measures on ARB utilization, as well
      as reimbursed prices of ACEIs and ARBs over time. METHOD: Observational
      retrospective case study of all ambulatory care patients in the Republic of
      Serbia's Health Insurance Fund database who were dispensed at least one ACEI or
      ARB alone or in combination (fixed dose combination [FDC]) between 2005 and 2011.
      Utilization measured in defined daily doses (DDDs) and only reimbursed
      expenditure (overall and expenditure/DDD) as Health Insurance perspective.
      RESULTS: There was a 1.8-fold increase in renin-angiotensin inhibitor drug
      utilization, rising to 207.4 DDDs/1000 inhabitants per day in 2011. This is
      driven principally by a 19.6-fold increase in ACEI FDCs. There was only limited
      utilization of ARBs at just 2% of total renin-angiotensin inhibitor drugs in
      2011. Reimbursed expenditure increased 2.54-fold due to an appreciable increase
      in ACEI FDC utilization at approximately twice the cost of ACEIs in recent years.
      Alongside this, we noted considerable differences in expenditure/DDD for
      different ACEIs. CONCLUSION & FUTURE PERSPECTIVE: High patient copayments for
      ARBs appreciably limited their utilization in Serbia, which mirrors the findings
      from other studies. Potential future measures to enhance prescribing efficiency
      include reference pricing for ACEIs based on the lowest price of an established
      ACEI. In addition, reference pricing for FDCs should be based on the reference
      price of the individual components combined. This builds on recent reforms
      restricting the reimbursement of FDCs until 3 months after individual components
      have been prescribed separately.

PMID- 24236476
TI  - The global landscape of stem cell clinical trials.
AB  - AIM: To provide a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials (CTs) listed in
      worldwide registries involving new applications for stem cell-based treatments
      and account for the role of industry. MATERIALS & METHODS: We developed a data
      set of 4749 stem cell CTs up to 2013 in worldwide registries. We defined 1058
      novel CTs (i.e., trials that were not observational in nature; did not involve an
      established stem cell therapy for an established indication, such as
      hematopoietic stem cells for leukemia; and did not investigate supportive
      measures). Based on trial descriptions, we manually coded these for eight
      additional elements. RESULTS: Our analysis details the characteristics of novel
      stem cell CTs (e.g., stem cell types being tested, disease being targeted, and
      whether interventions were autologous or allogeneic), geotemporal trends, and
      private sector involvement as sponsor or collaborator. CONCLUSION: The field is
      progressing at a steady pace with emerging business models for stem cell
      therapeutics. However, therapeutic rhetoric must be tempered to reflect current
      clinical and research realities.

PMID- 24236475
TI  - Nanoliposomes protect against AL amyloid light chain protein-induced endothelial
      injury.
AB  - CONTEXT: A newly-recognized pathogenic mechanism underlying light chain
      amyloidosis (AL) involves endothelial dysfunction and cell injury caused by
      misfolded light chain proteins (LC). Nanoliposomes (NL) are artificial
      phospholipid vesicles that could attach to misfolded proteins and reduce tissue
      injury. OBJECTIVE: To test whether co-treatment with NL reduces LC-induced
      endothelial dysfunction and cell death. METHODS: Abdominal subcutaneous adipose
      arterioles from 14 non-AL subjects were cannulated; dilator response to
      acetylcholine and papaverine were measured at baseline and following 1-hour
      exposure to LC (20 ug/mL, 2 purified from AL subjects' urine, 1 from human
      recombinant LC [AL-09]) +/- NL (phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol/phosphatidic acid
      70/25/5 molar ratio) or NL alone. Human aortic artery endothelial cells (HAEC)
      were exposed to Oregon Green-labeled LC +/- NL for 24 hours and intracellular LC
      and apoptosis (Hoechst stain) were measured. Circular dichroism spectroscopy was
      performed on AL-09 LC +/- NL to follow changes in secondary structure and protein
      thermal stability. RESULTS: LC caused impaired dilation to acetylcholine that was
      restored by NL (control - 94.0 +/- 1.8%, LC - 65.0 +/- 7.1%, LC + NL - 95.3 +/-
      1.8%, p <= 0.001 LC versus control or LC + NL). NL protection was inhibited by L
      NG-nitroarginine methyl ester. NL increased the beta sheet structure of LC,
      reduced endothelial cell internalization of LC and protected against LC-induced
      endothelial cell death. CONCLUSIONS: LC induced human adipose arteriole
      endothelial dysfunction and endothelial cell death, which were reversed by co
      treatment with NL. This protection may partly be due to enhancing LC protein
      structure and reducing LC internalization. Nanoliposomes represent a promising
      new class of agents to ameliorate tissue injury from protein misfolding diseases
      such as AL.

PMID- 24236477
TI  - Maternal hyperglycemia according to IADPSG criteria as a predictor of perinatal
      complications in women with gestational diabetes: a retrospective observational
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between abnormal maternal glucose
      levels according to International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study
      Groups (IADPSG) criteria and perinatal complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Retrospective observational study of data of 492 women in singleton pregnancy and
      gestational diabetes (GDM) diagnosed according to WHO criteria. Perinatal outcome
      and maternal characteristics were compared between normo- and hyperglycemic
      patients using IADPSG criteria and odds ratios calculated for particular
      outcomes. RESULTS: Maternal fasting hyperglycemia (>=5.1 mmol/L) was associated
      with significantly higher proportion of birth weight >= 4000 g (19.3% versus
      9.7%, p = 0.004, OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3-3.8), gestational insulin therapy (27.7%
      versus 9.1%, p < 0.001, OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 2.3-6.5), poor long-term metabolic
      control (HbA1c at diagnosis >= 6.5% [48 mmol/mol]: 19.9% versus 4.6%, p < 0.001,
      OR: 5.2; 95% CI: 2.5-10.9). Pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI >= 30 kg/m(2), 26.0%
      versus 11.9%, p < 0.001, OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.6-4.3) and positive family history of
      diabetes (45.2% versus 30.8%, p < 0.002, OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.7) was more
      frequent in women with fasting hyperglycemia. Two-hour post-load hyperglycemia
      was only associated with increased prevalence of gestational hypertension (5.1%
      versus 11.4%, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Women with fasting but not 2-h
      hyperglycemia according to IADPSG criteria are at significantly elevated risk of
      perinatal complications.

PMID- 24236478
TI  - Assessment of genomic damage and repair on human lymphocytes by paint thinner in
      vitro.
AB  - Paint thinners are organic-solvent complex mixtures frequently used by car
      painters around the world in industries and shops. Some studies have revealed the
      oxidative effect induced by thinner inhalation; however, its genotoxic effect is
      poorly studied. The aim of this study was to assess the cytotoxicity, genomic
      damage and DNA repair in vitro induced by commercial paint thinner 0.14 in human
      lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity was determined by cell-viability analysis with trypan
      blue after 4 h treatment with different thinner concentrations (0.025 to 1.2
      uL/mL). Genomic damage was evaluated by means of the alkaline single-cell gel
      electrophoresis (SCGE; pH > 13) in treated cultures after 1 h with three low
      cytotoxic thinner concentrations (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 uL/mL). In order to evaluate
      the genomic DNA repair, one set of SCGE slides was prepared immediately after
      treatment, and another one was prepared after 4 h of liquid-holding recovery. A
      significant level of cytotoxicity was observed over the entire concentration
      range of paint thinner in lymphocytes (F = 175.98; p <= 0.001). In the SCGE %
      tail DNA assessment, a significant increase of lymphocyte genomic damage was
      evidenced (F = 72.32; p < 0.001). In addition, we found a significant decrease in
      the % tail DNA in thinner-treated cells after liquid-holding recovery period (all
      p < 0.05), demonstrating that DNA primary lesions induced by low-cytotoxic
      thinner concentrations are efficiently repaired. In conclusion, thinner
      components induce cytotoxicity and genomic damage in human lymphocytes under the
      study conditions, possibly by oxidative and alkylative DNA damage.

PMID- 24236479
TI  - Overlapping effects of genetic variation and epigenetics on drug response:
      challenges of pharmacoepigenomics.

PMID- 24236480
TI  - Novel nonsynonymous variants associated with blood pressure control in response
      to antihypertensives and their impact on cardiovascular outcomes.

PMID- 24236481
TI  - Genetic scoring to predict antihypertensive drug response using gene variants
      associated with hypertension.

PMID- 24236482
TI  - Specific HLA types are associated with antiepileptic drug-induced Stevens-Johnson
      syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in Japanese subjects.
AB  - AIM: This preliminary study investigated genomic biomarkers for Stevens-Johnson
      syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), related to three
      antiepileptic drugs, zonisamide, phenobarbital and phenytoin. PATIENTS & METHODS:
      HLA class I and HLA-DRB1 loci were genotyped for Japanese patients with
      zonisamide-, phenobarbital- or phenytoin-induced SJS/TEN (n = 12, 8 and 9,
      respectively) and for healthy Japanese volunteers (n = 2878). RESULTS: Carrier
      frequencies of HLA-A*02:07 in patients with zonisamide-induced SJS/TEN and in the
      general Japanese population were 41.7 and 6.81%, respectively. Carrier
      frequencies of HLA-B*51:01 in patients with phenobarbital- and phenytoin-induced
      SJS/TEN and in controls were 75.0, 55.6 and 15.2%, respectively. HLA-A*02:07 and
      HLA-B*51:01, in a dominant model, were significantly associated with zonisamide-
      and phenobarbital-induced SJS/TEN, respectively (Pc = 0.0176 and 0.0042,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that HLA-A*02:07 and HLA-B*51:01 are
      potential biomarkers for zonisamide- and phenobarbital-induced SJS/TEN,
      respectively, in Japanese individuals.

PMID- 24236484
TI  - Gene-wide tagging study of the effects of common genetic polymorphisms in the
      alpha subunits of the GABA(A) receptor on epilepsy treatment response.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to identify the effect of SNPs in the alpha-subunits of GABAA
      receptors on epilepsy treatment outcomes by using a gene-wide tagging method.
      MATERIALS & METHODS: There were 720 epileptic patients included in the present
      study. A total of 136 tagging SNPs in GABRA1, GABRA2, GABRA3, GABRA4, GABRA5 and
      GABRA6 were genotyped by Illumina((r))GoldenGate((r)) Genotyping platform.
      Clinical information, such as prescribed antiepileptic drugs, height, weight,
      epilepsy syndrome classification, etiology, number of attacks, renal function and
      liver function were collected. The associations between SNPs and epilepsy
      treatment outcomes were analyzed using SAS((r)) version 9.1.3. Both multivariate
      logistic regression and multifactor dimensionality reduction analyses were
      performed. RESULTS: The results of single gene effects did not remain significant
      after Bonferroni's corrections. Further multivariate logistic regression and
      multifactor dimensionality reduction analyses of interactions between these genes
      showed that under adjustment of clinical factors, the epilepsy treatment outcomes
      were significantly associated with the genotype combinations of GABRA1 rs6883877,
      GABRA2 rs511310 and GABRA3 rs4828696 (p < 0.0001; adjusted r(2) = 0.149).
      CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that genetic variants in the alpha subunits of
      GABA(A) receptors may interactively affect the treatment responses of
      antiepileptic drugs. Further replication using an independent sample collection
      would be essential to confirm our findings.

PMID- 24236483
TI  - Issues surrounding the health economic evaluation of genomic technologies.
AB  - AIM: Genomic interventions could enable improved disease stratification and
      individually tailored therapies. However, they have had a limited impact on
      clinical practice to date due to a lack of evidence, particularly economic
      evidence. This is partly because health economists are yet to reach consensus on
      whether existing methods are sufficient to evaluate genomic technologies. As
      different approaches may produce conflicting adoption decisions, clarification is
      urgently required. This article summarizes the methodological issues associated
      with conducting economic evaluations of genomic interventions. MATERIALS &
      METHODS: A structured literature review was conducted to identify references that
      considered the methodological challenges faced when conducting economic
      evaluations of genomic interventions. RESULTS: Methodological challenges related
      to the analytical approach included the choice of comparator, perspective and
      timeframe. Challenges in costing centered around the need to collect a broad
      range of costs, frequently, in a data-limited environment. Measuring outcomes is
      problematic as standard measures have limited applicability, however, alternative
      metrics (e.g., personal utility) are underdeveloped and alternative approaches
      (e.g., cost-benefit analysis) underused. Effectiveness data quality is weak and
      challenging to incorporate into standard economic analyses, while little is known
      about patient and clinician behavior in this context. Comprehensive value of
      information analyses are likely to be helpful. CONCLUSION: Economic evaluations
      of genomic technologies present a particular challenge for health economists. New
      methods may be required to resolve these issues, but the evidence to justify
      alternative approaches is yet to be produced. This should be the focus of future
      work in this field.

PMID- 24236485
TI  - Genome-wide association study in NSAID-induced acute urticaria/angioedema in
      Spanish and Han Chinese populations.
AB  - AIM: Acute urticaria/angioedema (AUA) induced by cross-intolerance to NSAIDs is
      the most frequent clinical entity in hypersensitivity reactions to drugs. In this
      work, we conducted a genome-wide association study in Spanish and Han Chinese
      patients suffering from NSAID-induced AUA. MATERIALS & METHODS: A whole-genome
      scan was performed on a total of 232 cases (112 Spanish and 120 Han Chinese) with
      NSAID-induced AUA and 225 unrelated controls (124 Spanish and 101 Han Chinese).
      RESULTS: Although no polymorphism reached genome-wide significance, we obtained
      suggestive associations for three clusters in the Spanish group (RIMS1, BICC1 and
      RAD51L 1) and one region in the Han Chinese population (ABI3BP). Five regions
      showed suggestive associations after meta-analysis: HLF, RAD51L1, COL24A1, GalNAc
      T13 and FBXL7. A majority of these genes are related to Ca(2+), cAMP and/or P53
      signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: The associations described were different from
      those related to the metabolism of arachidonic acid and could provide new
      mechanisms underlying NSAID-induced AUA.

PMID- 24236487
TI  - Fruit flies as a powerful model to drive or validate pain genomics efforts.
AB  - Chronic pain is a disabling condition that persists even after normal healing
      processes are complete and presents considerable physical, psychological and
      financial burdens for patients globally. However, current analgesic treatments do
      not meet clinical needs. Here, we review genomic and pharmacogenomic studies of
      pain in humans and nociception in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and
      provide evidence supporting the use of fly genetics to compliment genome-wide and
      pharmacogenomic studies of human conditions, such as pain. Combining genomic and
      pharmacogenomic techniques to study chronic pain in humans with functional
      genomic assessment in model organisms may provide molecular rationale for
      developing more personalized or improving generalized chronic pain therapies. 

PMID- 24236486
TI  - Variability in histamine receptor genes HRH1, HRH2 and HRH4 in patients with
      hypersensitivity to NSAIDs.
AB  - AIM: Histamine plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.
      Genetic variations in histamine receptors (HRH) may influence the expression of
      allergic diseases. This study analyzes the association between HRH variants and
      NSAID hypersensitivity reactions. PATIENTS & METHODS: The authors analyzed copy
      number variations (CNVs) and common functional SNPs in genes HRH1, HRH2 and HRH4
      in 442 unrelated patients with hypersensitivity to NSAIDs and in 414 healthy
      unrelated controls. RESULTS: The authors identified, both in patients and control
      subjects, individuals carrying CNVs in HRH genes. The most common genotype
      corresponded to two copies of each gene, but carriers of one or three copies of
      HRH1 (5% of individuals), HRH2 (1.1%) and HRH4 genes (0.9%) were also identified.
      CONCLUSION: For the first time, we describe CNVs in human HRH genes. Neither
      common functional SNPs in HRH genes nor CNVs influenced the risk of developing
      hypersensitivity to NSAIDs.

PMID- 24236488
TI  - Pediatric perspective on pharmacogenomics.
AB  - The advances in high-throughput genomic technologies have improved the
      understanding of disease pathophysiology and have allowed a better
      characterization of drug response and toxicity based on individual genetic make
      up. Pharmacogenomics is being recognized as a valid approach used to identify
      patients who are more likely to respond to medication, or those in whom there is
      a high probability of developing severe adverse drug reactions. An increasing
      number of pharmacogenomic studies are being published, most include only adults.
      A few studies have shown the impact of pharmacogenomics in pediatrics,
      highlighting a key difference between children and adults, which is the
      contribution of developmental changes to therapeutic responses across different
      age groups. This review focuses on pharmacogenomic research in pediatrics,
      providing examples from common pediatric conditions and emphasizing their
      developmental context. 

PMID- 24236489
TI  - Opening Pandora's box in the UK: a hypothetical pharmacogenetic test for
      clozapine.
AB  - Clozapine is a uniquely efficacious antipsychotic drug in treatment-resistant
      schizophrenia. Its use is restricted due to adverse effects including a rare but
      dangerous reduction in neutrophils (agranulocytosis) and the mandatory
      hematological monitoring this entails in many countries. We review the
      statistical, ethical and legal issues arising from a hypothetical pharmacogenetic
      test for clozapine, using the UK as an exemplary case for consideration. Our key
      findings include: a consideration of the probabilistic results that a
      pharmacogenetic test may return; the impact on drug licensing; and the potential
      for pharmacogenetic tests for clozapine being used without consent under the UK's
      legal framework. We make recommendations regarding regulatory changes applicable
      to the special case of pharmacogenetic testing in clozapine treatment. 

PMID- 24236490
TI  - u-opioid receptor gene variant OPRM1 118 A>G: a summary of its molecular and
      clinical consequences for pain.
AB  - The human u-opioid receptor variant 118 A>G (rs1799971) has become one of the
      most analyzed genetic variants in the pain field. At the molecular level, the
      variant reduces opioid receptor signaling efficiency and expression, the latter
      probably via a genetic-epigenetic interaction. In experimental settings, the
      variant was reproducibly associated with decreased effects of exogenous opioids.
      However, this translates into very small clinical effects (meta-analysis of 14
      studies: Cohen's d = 0.096; p = 0.008), consisting of slightly higher opioid
      dosing requirements in peri- and post-operative settings. An effect can neither
      be maintained for chronic analgesic therapy nor for opioid side effects. It seems
      unlikely that further studies will reveal larger effect sizes and, therefore,
      further analyses appear unwarranted. Thus, due to its small effect size, the SNP
      is without major clinical relevance as a solitary variant, but should be regarded
      as a part of complex genotypes underlying pain and analgesia. 

PMID- 24236492
TI  - Isolation and identification of flavonoids from Coreopsis lanceolata L. petals.
AB  - The methanol extract of Coreopsis lanceolata L. petals was acid-hydrolysed, and
      7,3',4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavanone (1) and 6,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyaurone
      (leptosidin) (2) were successfully isolated. The structure of compound 1 is
      designated to flavanone based on X-ray crystallographic analysis and NMR
      spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 showed high-antioxidant effects based on
      diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay (94.3% scavenging rate) and
      superoxide dismutase-like activity assay (23.9% inhibition rate). 

PMID- 24236493
TI  - Finally! The structural secrets of a HD-GYP phosphodiesterase revealed.
AB  - The major sessility-motility lifestyle change and additional fundamental aspects
      of bacterial physiology, behaviour and morphology are regulated by the secondary
      messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). Although the c-di-GMP metabolizing enzymes
      and many receptors have been readily characterized upon discovery, the HD-GYP
      domain c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase family remained underinvestigated. In this
      issue of Molecular Microbiology, Bellini et al. provide an important step towards
      functional and structural characterization of the previously neglected HD-GYP
      domain family by resolving the crystal structure of PmGH, a catalytically active
      family member from the thermophilic bacterium Persephonella marina. The crystal
      structure revealed a novel tri-nuclear catalytic iron centre involved in c-di-GMP
      binding and catalysis and provides the structural basis to subsequently
      characterize in detail the catalytic mechanism of hydrolysis of c-di-GMP to GMP
      by HD-GYP domains.

PMID- 24236494
TI  - A life-course perspective on stigma-handling: resilience in persons of restricted
      growth narrated in life histories.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to explore how personal and contextual
      experiences throughout the life course are recollected as having influenced the
      development of stigma-handling strategies among people associated with disability
      and stigma. The article describes the development of stigma handling among ageing
      persons of restricted growth in order to avert negative effects, develop
      resilience, strengthen the self and support a positive identity. METHOD:
      Qualitative retrospective interviews were conducted with ten persons - seven
      women and three men aged between 45 and 65 years - of short stature. Their
      narratives are analysed from a life-course perspective and the results presented
      under two main themes: the development of strategies during different stages of
      life, and the use of general non-stage-bound strategies. RESULTS: The study shows
      how stigma-handling has evolved from childhood to become, by adult years,
      refined, contextualised strategies demonstrating human resilience. The analysis
      documents the impact of human agency on personal lives and the subjects' efforts
      and strengths in handling adversity. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate how the
      "insider perspective" reveals the individual's resources, resilience and
      strategies and provides an important perspective for the rehabilitation setting.
      Implications for Rehabilitation The study document human agency, resilience and
      strength in a life course perspective among people of restricted growth faced
      with stigmatization. The efforts and stigma handling strategies developed during
      the life course, such as withdrawal, humour, ignoring and positive thinking, are
      important tools to be recognized with relevance for other patient groups. The
      "insider perspective" revealing the potentialities and strength of human agency
      and resilience, should be further explored within the field of rehabilitation.

PMID- 24236495
TI  - Comparison of three instruments to assess changes of motor impairment in acute
      hemispheric stroke: the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS), the National
      Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Canadian Neurological Scale
      (CNS).
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose was to compare the performance of three representative
      instruments to measure changes of motor recovery with acute hemispheric stroke.
      METHOD: In 41 consecutive patients with acute hemispheric infarction, motor
      recovery was assessed within 3 days of onset and then every 2 weeks until the
      12th week with the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS), the National
      Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) and the Canadian Neurological Scale
      (CNS). We analyzed the relationships among the corresponding subscales of the
      three instruments with the Spearman's rank correlation method, and compared their
      responsiveness by plotting the temporal profiles of scores of each instrument and
      by testing the significance of changes over time with the Friedman test. RESULTS:
      High correlations were observed among the three instruments at each examination
      point. However, the SIAS scores were more widely dispersed at the same NIHSS and
      CNS scores. Friedman test revealed that the scores changed significantly during
      the observation period with the SIAS and the CNS but not with the NIHSS. The
      changes were detected later with the CNS than with the SIAS. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although the assessment results with the three instruments were highly inter
      correlated, the SIAS performed better with respect to responsiveness to changes.
      Implication for Rehabilitation When providing rehabilitation services to patients
      with stroke, it is important to document objectively the level of their
      impairment from the acute stage and during the entire course of rehabilitation
      with standardized instrument, and to predict their functional outcomes as early
      and accurately as possible. This study therefore compared three representative
      instruments with established psychometric properties, the SIAS, the NIHSS and the
      CNS, with respect to their ability to document motor impairment and their
      responsiveness to recovery in patients with acute hemispheric stroke.

PMID- 24236496
TI  - Prevalence of joint contractures and muscle weakness in people with multiple
      sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of joint contracture (limited passive
      range of joint motion) and muscle weakness in a population with multiple
      sclerosis (MS). A secondary aim was to establish normative data of functional
      tests of mobility and balance of people with MS who are still ambulant. DESIGN:
      Cross-sectional study. SETTING: People with MS living in metropolitan Sydney,
      Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 330 people with MS living in metropolitan Sydney,
      Australia were randomly sampled on 23 July 2009 from the MS Australia register
      and invited to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Passive range of motion of
      large joints of the limbs and muscle strength. Tests of walking and balance were
      also conducted. RESULTS: 156 people (109 females, 47 males; mean age 54.2 years;
      mean time since diagnosis 14.9 years) agreed to participate and were assessed.
      Fifty-six per cent (56%) of participants had contracture in at least one major
      joint of upper or lower limb. The most common site of contracture was the ankle
      (43.9%). Seventy per cent (70%) of participants had muscle weakness in one or
      more muscle groups. As muscle weakness, joint contractures were present at early
      stage of MS and the prevalence was associated with the progression of the
      disease. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that in addition to muscle weakness joint
      contractures are highly prevalent among people with MS, especially in the ankle
      joint. This implicates that prevention of contracture is crucial in providing
      rehabilitation to people with MS.

PMID- 24236497
TI  - Life situation of adults with congenital limb reduction deficiency in Sweden.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the current life situation of adults with congenital limb
      reduction deficiencies (CLRD), living in Sweden, regarding their main daily
      occupation, leisure activities and self-reported general health. METHODS: A cross
      sectional survey was conducted using a study-specific questionnaire, sent by
      post. Hundred and seventeen persons with different extent, forms and levels of
      CLRD (mean age 33 years) responded to the questionnaire. RESULTS: Work or study
      was the main occupation for 86% of the participants and 50% had completed a
      college or university education. About 7% were unemployed and 3% were on sick
      leave. The participants were highly involved in social and physical activities
      during leisure time. The majority reported good or very good general health.
      CONCLUSION: This study is the first investigation of the life situation of adults
      with CLRD described with a perspective from Swedish society. The participants
      were educated and worked to a great extent, which corresponds well to the Swedish
      population as a whole. Further research is needed, especially with a focus on the
      internal perspective of life situation, different aspects of work capacity,
      occurences of strain injuries and the benefit of assistive devices among adults
      with CLRD. Implications for Rehabilitation People with CLRD require a health care
      system with a multi-professional rehabilitation team offering regular contact
      during their life time. Educational system offering study counselling on all
      education levels (from primary school to university) is an important type of
      support for people with any kind of deficiency, in order to find suitable
      education and profession. Work is of importance for an acceptable life situation.
      Rehabilitation for people with CLRD should emphasise facilitating their ability
      to work, through engagement in individual personal capacity and self-efficacy.
      The majority of people with CLRD are users of prostheses and assistive devices.
      The benefits of the devices are basic but the rehabilitation should also include
      aspects of usability and use worthiness for individuals in performing their daily
      activities.

PMID- 24236498
TI  - Alkene oxyalkylation enabled by merging rhenium catalysis with hypervalent
      iodine(III) reagents via decarboxylation.
AB  - Rhenium-catalyzed oxyalkylation of alkenes is described, where hypervalent
      iodine(III) reagents derived from widely occurring aliphatic carboxylic acids
      were used as, for the first time, not only an oxygenation source but also an
      alkylation source via decarboxylation. The reaction also features a wide
      substrate scope, totally regiospecific difunctionalization, mild reaction
      conditions, and ready availability of both substrates. Mechanistic studies
      revealed a decarboxylation/radical-addition/cation-trapping cascade operating in
      the reaction. 

PMID- 24236499
TI  - Phase diagrams and solvate structures of binary mixtures of glymes and Na salts.
AB  - We prepared a series of binary mixtures composed of selected Na salts and glymes
      (tetraglyme, G4, and pentaglyme, G5) with different salt concentrations and
      anionic species ([X](-): [N(SO2CF3)2](-) = [TFSA](-), [N(SO2F)2](-) = [FSA](-),
      ClO4(-), PF6(-)) and studied the effects of concentration, anionic structure, and
      glyme chain length on their phase diagrams and solvate structures. The phase
      diagrams clearly illustrate that all the mixtures form 1:1 complexes, [Na(G4 or
      G5)1][X]. The thermal stability of the equimolar mixtures was drastically
      improved in comparison with those of diluted systems, indicating that all the
      glyme molecules coordinate to Na(+) cations to form equimolar complexes. Single
      crystal X-ray crystallography revealed that [Na(G5)1][X] forms characteristic
      solvate structures in the crystalline state irrespective of the paired anion
      species. A comparison of the solvate structures of the glyme-Na complexes with
      those of the glyme-Li complexes suggests that the ionic radii of the coordinated
      alkali-metal cations have substantial effects on the resulting solvate
      structures. The Raman bands of the complex cations were assigned by quantum
      chemical calculations. Concentration dependencies of cationic and anionic Raman
      spectra show good agreement with the corresponding phase diagrams. In addition,
      the Raman spectra of the 1:1 complexes strongly suggest that the glymes
      coordinate to Na(+) cation in the same way in both liquid and crystalline states.
      However, the aggregated structure in the crystalline state is broken by melting,
      which is accompanied by a change in the anion coordination. 

PMID- 24236501
TI  - Commentary: Adult-born neurons with unique GABAergic synapses.

PMID- 24236500
TI  - Construction and evaluation of a self rating scale for stress-induced exhaustion
      disorder, the Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale.
AB  - Prolonged stress (>= six months) may cause a condition which has been named
      exhaustion disorder (ED) with ICD-10 code F43.8. ED is characterised by
      exhaustion, cognitive problems, poor sleep and reduced tolerance to further
      stress. ED can cause long term disability and depressive symptoms may develop.
      The aim was to construct and evaluate a self-rating scale, the Karolinska
      Exhaustion Disorder Scale (KEDS), for the assessment of ED symptoms. A second aim
      was to examine the relationship between self-rated symptoms of ED, depression,
      and anxiety using KEDS and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). Items
      were selected based on their correspondence to criteria for ED as formulated by
      the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW), with seven response
      alternatives in a Likert-format. Self-ratings performed by 317 clinically
      assessed participants were used to analyse the scale's psychometric properties.
      KEDS consists of nine items with a scale range of 0-54. Receiver operating
      characteristics analysis demonstrated that a cut-off score of 19 was accompanied
      by high sensitivity and specificity (each above 95%) in the discrimination
      between healthy subjects and patients with ED. Reliability was satisfactory and
      confirmatory factor analysis revealed that ED, depression and anxiety are best
      regarded as different phenomena. KEDS may be a useful tool in the assessment of
      symptoms of Exhaustion Disorder in clinical as well as research settings. There
      is evidence that the symptom clusters of ED, anxiety and depression,
      respectively, reflect three different underlying dimensions. 

PMID- 24236502
TI  - A case of Bjornstad syndrome caused by novel compound heterozygous mutations in
      the BCS1L gene.

PMID- 24236503
TI  - An inorganic chromophore based on a molecular oxide supported metal carbonyl
      cluster: [P2W17O61{Re(CO)3}3{ORb(H2O)}(MU3-OH)]9-.
AB  - A polyoxometalate-supported trirhenium carbonyl cluster, mimicking metal oxide
      supported interfacial dyadic structures, has been synthesized and characterized.
      Multiple techniques, including computational and transient absorption
      spectroscopy, have been applied to characterize the charge-transfer dynamics
      occurring at the interfaces of this "double cluster". The stepwise kinetics of
      charge separation and recombination has been thoroughly investigated. 

PMID- 24236504
TI  - Opening the black box: outcomes of interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal
      (AM) and non-host genotypes of Medicago depend on fungal identity, interplay
      between P uptake pathways and external P supply.
AB  - We investigated the physiology that underlies the influence of arbuscular
      mycorrhizal (AM) colonization on outcomes of interactions between plants. We grew
      Medicago truncatula A17 and its AM-defective mutant dmi1 in intragenotypic (two
      plants per pot of the same genotype, x2) or intergenotypic (one plant of each
      genotype, 1 + 1) combinations, inoculated or not with Rhizophagus irregularis
      (formerly Glomus intraradices) or Gigaspora margarita. We measured plant growth,
      colonization, contributions of AM and direct P uptake pathways using (32)P, and
      expression of plant Pi transporter genes at two levels of P supply. A17 (x2)
      responded positively to inoculation only at low P. The response was enhanced with
      1 + 1 even at high P where colonization in A17 was reduced. With R. irregularis P
      uptake by the AM pathway was unaffected by P supply, whereas with G. margarita,
      the AM pathway was lower at high P, and direct uptake higher. Gene expression
      varied and was unrelated to P uptake through the two pathways. There was no
      evidence of plant control of P uptake via R. irregularis at high P but there was
      via G. margarita. Importantly, growth responses of plant genotypes grown alone
      did not predict outcomes of intergenotypic interactions.

PMID- 24236505
TI  - Proline-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of syn- and anti-1,3-diamines.
AB  - A general organocatalytic strategy for asymmetric synthesis of both syn/anti-1,3
      diamines has been developed. The strategy employs proline-catalyzed sequential
      alpha-amination and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) olefination of aldehydes as the
      key step where syn-1,3-diamine was obtained as the most favorable product. 

PMID- 24236506
TI  - Probing interfacial interactions using core-satellite plasmon rulers.
AB  - Understanding molecular interactions at the interfaces of nanoparticles is
      fundamentally important because they determine the stability, affinity,
      functionality, and assembly of nanoparticles. However, probing the governing
      intermolecular forces at the interfaces, particularly for the nanoparticles
      dispersed in solution, remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate that the
      interfacial interactions between citrate-capped gold nanoparticles and various
      molecular functional groups can be probed using a plasmon ruler, based on a well
      defined core-satellite nanoassembly structure. Different nature of the
      interactions causes a subtle change in the interparticle distance, and the change
      is sensitively measured as a shift in the plasmon coupling band of the core
      satellite nanoassemblies. Molecular interactions including covalent bonding,
      hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and van der Waals interactions are
      explored. 

PMID- 24236507
TI  - Human health and transgenic crops symposium introduction.

PMID- 24236508
TI  - Discrepancies among three laboratory methods for Clostridium difficile detection
      and a proposal for their optimal use.
AB  - Clostridium difficile is the major cause of nosocomial diarrhoea. Several
      detection methods are available for the laboratory diagnosis of C. difficile, but
      these vary in terms of sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we compared
      the performance of three following laboratory tests to detect C. difficile: in
      house real-time PCR aiming for toxin B gene (tcdB), EIA for detection of toxins A
      and B (Premier Toxins A & B) and C. difficile culture in selective medium
      (bioMerieux). Our results were grouped into three categories as follows: (1) C.
      difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD); (2) asymptomatic carriers; and (3)
      negative results. Among the 113 patients included in the study, 9 (8.0%) were
      classified as CDAD, 19 (16.8%) were asymptomatic carriers, 76 (67.2%) had
      negative results and 9 (8.0%) could not be categorized (positive test for C.
      difficile toxins only). PCR was found to be the most sensitive diagnostic test in
      our study, with the potential to be used as a screening method for C. difficile
      colonization/CDAD. Diagnosis of CDAD would be better performed by a combination
      of PCR and EIA tests.

PMID- 24236509
TI  - Healthcare cost impact of biological drugs compared with traditional systemic
      treatments in psoriasis: a cohort analysis in the French insurance database.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biological drugs have dramatically improved the management of
      moderate to severe psoriasis. Little is known about their economic impact in
      daily clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the
      costs of biological drugs, in term of health resources consumption, and to
      compare it with costs induced by traditional systemic treatments. METHODS: This
      cohort study was built from the French health insurance database in the Midi
      Pyrenees area (2.8 million inhabitants, South West of France). We compared health
      care costs between 'exposed' patients treated with biological drugs (adalimumab,
      etanercept, infliximab or ustekinumab) and 'unexposed' patients defined as
      patients who received traditional systemic treatments (phototherapy, acitretin,
      methotrexate or cyclosporin) during a 6-month period. RESULTS: A total of 1924
      patients met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-nine patients were 'exposed', whereas
      1855 patients were 'unexposed'. 'Exposed' patients had a mean total healthcare
      cost of 8107? vs. 1678? (P < 0.001) for 'unexposed' patients. They had higher
      costs concerning inpatient admission, medication and consultations including
      dermatology consultations, laboratory, non-medical care and transportation.
      Biological drug prescription was associated with an increase in the use of anti
      infective drugs and with a reduction in the use of psychoactive drugs.
      CONCLUSION: The mean total health care expenditure in patients treated with
      biological drugs was five times higher as compared with patients treated with
      traditional systemic treatments. The limitation of the study is the short
      duration of follow-up comprising a loading dose period for some biological drugs.
      This may have contributed to an overestimation of drug-related costs.

PMID- 24236510
TI  - N-terminus of IpaB provides a potential anchor to the Shigella type III secretion
      system tip complex protein IpaD.
AB  - The type III secretion system (T3SS) is an essential virulence factor for
      Shigella flexneri , providing a conduit through which host-altering effectors are
      injected directly into a host cell to promote uptake. The type III secretion
      apparatus (T3SA) is composed of a basal body, external needle, and regulatory tip
      complex. The nascent needle is a polymer of MxiH capped by a pentamer of invasion
      plasmid antigen D (IpaD). Exposure to bile salts (e.g., deoxycholate) causes a
      conformational change in IpaD and promotes recruitment of IpaB to the needle tip.
      It has been proposed that IpaB senses contact with host cell membranes,
      recruiting IpaC and inducing full secretion of T3SS effectors. Although the steps
      of T3SA maturation and their external triggers have been identified, details of
      specific protein interactions and mechanisms have remained difficult to study
      because of the hydrophobic nature of the IpaB and IpaC translocator proteins.
      Here, we explored the ability for a series of soluble N-terminal IpaB peptides to
      interact with IpaD. We found that DOC is required for the interaction and that a
      region of IpaB between residues 11-27 is required for maximum binding, which was
      confirmed in vivo. Furthermore, intramolecular FRET measurements indicated that
      movement of the IpaD distal domain away from the protein core accompanied the
      binding of IpaB11-226. Together, these new findings provide important new insight
      into the interactions and potential mechanisms that define the maturation of the
      Shigella T3SA needle tip complex and provide a foundation for further studies
      probing T3SS activation.

PMID- 24236511
TI  - Influence of immunohistochemistry on the final diagnosis of breast biopsies.
AB  - AIMS: Because of the introduction of mammography screening programmes in Europe,
      the number of breast biopsies performed is increasing. We investigated the
      influence of immunohistochemistry (IHC) on the final diagnosis of breast biopsies
      by comparing the primary diagnoses (based on the results of haematoxylin and
      eosin staining only) with the final diagnoses (based on the additional
      information provided by IHC). METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed the breast
      biopsies which were performed at the University of Halle-Wittenberg between 2006
      and 2010 and for which the pathologist requested IHC for making the final
      diagnosis. According to the B-categorization scheme, the primary diagnosis
      changed in 37 of a total of 429 biopsies (8.6%). In 18 of these biopsies (48.6%)
      the category changed from B1-B2 to B3-B5 or vice versa, which would imply a
      different work-up. Only 77% of the primary diagnoses of breast cancer in situ
      were confirmed. CONCLUSION: IHC has a considerable influence on the final
      diagnosis of breast biopsies in several situations, including those in which the
      biopsied women are at risk of inadequate therapeutic intervention. The influence
      is particularly notable among those biopsies for which IHC is performed in order
      to assess the suspicion of breast cancer in situ.

PMID- 24236513
TI  - Complex questions command complex analyses: comparative effectiveness of drug
      treatment strategies in atrial fibrillation.

PMID- 24236514
TI  - European collaboration on relative effectiveness will move into the next phase.

PMID- 24236515
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research in liver transplantation: crossing the cost
      and quality chasm.

PMID- 24236517
TI  - From methods to policy: Quantifying the impact of comparative effectiveness
      research: let us avoid the mistakes of the past.

PMID- 24236518
TI  - Data acquisition, tumor heterogeneity and precision medicine: future challenges
      for oncologic comparative effectiveness research.

PMID- 24236519
TI  - Use of relative effectiveness information in reimbursement and pricing decisions
      in Europe.
AB  - Although comparative effectiveness has received considerable attention recently -
      especially in the USA - it is not a new concept. In Europe, it has been applied
      for some time now in the pricing and reimbursement processes of many countries.
      Each one uses it in its own way, however, with variations in the precise
      definition and the role it plays in the process. It remains to be seen whether
      the implementation of comparative effectiveness becomes more harmonized and
      whether it will be integrated better with the registration process. Regardless of
      the extent to which it is standardized, obtaining the data will remain a
      substantial hurdle, both methodologically and operationally. Everyone wants
      comparative effectiveness information but no one knows quite how to make it
      happen. 

PMID- 24236520
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research in spine surgery.
AB  - Degenerative spine disorders are a significant cause of patient morbidity and are
      a prominent factor in healthcare costs in many countries. Pressure for healthcare
      cost control and the desire for improved outcomes have led to an expanding
      emphasis on evidence-based medicine methodologies in spine research.
      Determination of the optimal treatment paradigm for many common degenerative
      spinal disorders has proven difficult and comparative effectiveness research is
      increasingly being employed to examine these clinical dilemmas. The Swedish Spine
      Registry and the Registry of the Scoliosis Research Society are two of the long
      standing databases compiling data for spine patients. Spine surgery professional
      organizations have recently taken a prominent role in assembling procedural- and
      diagnosis-based registries, specifically addressing therapeutic outcomes for
      spine patients. As healthcare systems continue to evolve, comparative
      effectiveness research driven by spine registries may better elucidate the
      appropriate clinical choices for patients with these challenging illnesses. 

PMID- 24236521
TI  - Pros and cons of pragmatic clinical trials.
AB  - Traditional randomized controlled trials are the 'gold standard' for evaluating
      health interventions and are typically designed to maximize internal validity,
      often at the cost of limited generalizability. Pragmatic randomized controlled
      trials should be designed with a conscious effort to generate evidence with a
      greater external validity by making the research question as similar as possible
      to the questions faced by clinical decision-makers (i.e., patients and their
      families, physicians, policy makers and administrators) and then answer that
      question with rigor. Clarity and transparency about the specifics of the research
      question are the keys to designing, as well as interpreting, any clinical trial. 

PMID- 24236522
TI  - Matching study designs to disability-related comparative effectiveness research
      questions.
AB  - Comparative effectiveness research can help patients with disabilities; their
      caregivers and providers determine which healthcare choices are beneficial and
      will most reduce limitations and barriers, and improve quality of life. Well
      designed comparative effectiveness research will be critical as the number of
      working-age adults affected by disability grows in the future, along with
      disability-related health expenditures. To better address the need for high
      quality and informative research on the effectiveness of interventions for people
      with disabilities, the authors conducted a comprehensive review of existing
      standards for assessing evidence quality, collecting input from a wide range of
      experts and policy makers to determine the type of evidence needed for informing
      disability-related decision-making and the applicability of existing standards to
      disability research. This review article presents methodological and design
      issues for researchers to consider when addressing disability-related comparative
      effectiveness research questions. 

PMID- 24236523
TI  - Incidence of skeletal morbidity rates over time in patients with multiple myeloma
      related bone disease as reported in randomized trials employing bone-modifying
      agents.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this review was to investigate if advances in bone-targeted
      therapies have decreased the incidence of skeletal morbidity rates over time in
      patients with multiple myeloma-related bone disease. METHODS: A literature search
      was conducted over the OvidSP platform in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials to identify Phase III results from bone-targeted
      therapy trials in patients with multiple myeloma. The skeletal morbidity rate was
      the end point of interest, and for each study, a mean year of enrollment ([start
      of enrollment + end of enrollment]/2) was calculated. RESULTS: A total of eight
      study arms were identified, with only two placebo arms; therefore, a weighted
      linear regression was not feasible and only intervention treatment arms were
      analyzed. A statistically significant downward trend in the skeletal morbidity
      rate was observed in all intervention arms. CONCLUSION: The incidence of skeletal
      morbidity rates has decreased significantly over time in patients with multiple
      myeloma.

PMID- 24236524
TI  - Adverse events across generations of bone-modifying agents in patients with solid
      tumor cancers reported in Phase III randomized trials.
AB  - AIMS: The objective of this study is to compare adverse events experienced among
      different bone-modifying agents. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to
      identify Phase III bisphosphonate and bone-modifying agent trials reporting
      adverse effects. Thirty-seven adverse events of interest were identified for six
      different treatment options. Weighted linear regression modeling was performed on
      the adverse event proportions with treatment groups, normalized through applying
      natural log transformations. RESULTS: There were significant differences in
      adverse events of vomiting (p = 0.045) and osteonecrosis of the jaw (p = 0.017),
      and combined item events of nausea/vomiting (p = 0.048), hematological and
      lymphatic system toxicities (p = 0.020), and any respiratory system problem (p =
      0.023) between bone-modifying agent and placebo trials. The significant
      toxicities were observed even after adjusting for the two confounding factors of
      age and primary cancer site. CONCLUSION: While adverse effects are consistently
      experienced more frequently in patients receiving bone-modifying agents when
      compared with placebos, we find that the majority of individual side effects are
      not significantly more frequent in patients receiving bone-modifying agents
      compared with placebo.

PMID- 24236527
TI  - Analysis of essential oil constituents of three Dasymaschalon species
      (Annonaceae) from Vietnam.
AB  - The compositions of essential oils of the leaves and stem barks of three
      Vietnamese species of Dasymaschalon J. D. Hooker & Thomson. (Annonaceae) were
      determined by means of gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry. Dasymaschalon longiusculum (Ban) yielded oils in which the major
      components were alpha-pinene (28.9% and 12.5%, respectively), beta-pinene (26.5%
      and 13.3%, respectively), beta-myrcene (12.0% and 6.0%, respectively) for the
      leaf and stem. The main compounds of the leaf and stem oils of Dasymaschalon
      glaucum Merr. & Chun. were alpha-pinene (14.4% and 10.5%, respectively), beta
      pinene (14.4% and 10.3%, respectively) and bicycloelemene (5.2% and 30.0%,
      respectively). The essential oil of Dasymaschalon robinsonii Jovet-Ast was
      different, mainly comprising alpha-copaene (12.7% and 16.6%, respectively),
      germacrene B (11.3% and 7.5%, respectively), delta-cadinene (5.6% and 5.3%,
      respectively) for the leaf and stem. 

PMID- 24236526
TI  - Diagnostic yield of cytologic analysis of pericardial effusion in dogs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pericardial effusion cytology is believed by many to be of limited
      value, yet few studies have evaluated its diagnostic utility. OBJECTIVES: To
      determine the diagnostic utility of cytologic analysis of pericardial effusion in
      dogs and to determine if consideration of additional data could improve the
      diagnostic yield. ANIMALS: Two hundred and fifty-nine dogs with cytologic
      analysis of pericardial effusion performed between April 1990 and June 2012.
      METHODS: Electronic medical records from a university teaching hospital were
      retrospectively reviewed; signalment, complete blood count, serum biochemistry,
      cytologic analysis of pericardial effusion, and echocardiographic data were
      recorded. Cytology was classified as diagnostic (infectious or neoplastic) or
      nondiagnostic (hemorrhagic or other) and groups were compared with multiple
      Student's t-tests. RESULTS: Cytology was grouped as nondiagnostic (92.3%) or
      diagnostic (7.7%) and characterized as hemorrhagic (90%), neoplastic (4.6%),
      infectious (3.1%), or other (2.3%). Overall cytologic analysis of pericardial
      effusion diagnostic utility was 7.7% and increased to 20.3% if the effusion
      hematocrit (HCT) <10%; echocardiographic evidence of a mass did not result in a
      significant increase in the diagnostic utility. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL
      IMPORTANCE: The diagnostic utility of cytologic analysis of canine pericardial
      effusion is variable depending on the underlying etiology. In this group of dogs,
      the diagnostic yield of cytologic analysis was greater for pericardial effusion
      samples in which the HCT was less than 10%.

PMID- 24236528
TI  - Psychometric validation of the Women's Health Questionnaire in menopausal women.
AB  - The objective of this study was to adapt the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ)
      to women who speak Turkish and are from the Turkish culture, and to assess the
      validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the scale. A convenience
      sample of women undergoing the menopausal transition or in the postmenopausal
      period was recruited at one primary health care center in Erzurum, Turkey. The
      researchers selected consecutive women who applied to the center for health care
      services. Three hundred sixty-six women were asked to participate in the study
      and to complete the WHQ during their appointment at the health care center in
      2010. In the assessment of construct validity, nine factors were identified:
      depressed mood; menstrual symptoms; somatic symptoms; anxiety/fears;
      attractiveness; sexual behaviour; vasomotor symptoms; memory; and sleep problems.
      The nine factors explained 56.5% of the total variance. The overall internal
      reliability coefficient of this scale was 0.80. Evidence of the validity,
      reliability, and acceptability of the questionnaire was provided in this study.
      The Turkish version of the questionnaire is easy to understand and allows
      evaluation of women's quality of life for various purposes. 

PMID- 24236529
TI  - Design of innovated lipid-based floating beads loaded with an antispasmodic drug:
      in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation.
AB  - CONTEXT: Drotaverine hydrochloride (DRT) is used to treat gastrointestinal spasms
      accompanied with diarrhoea. Hence, the drug suffers from brief residence in the
      highly moving intestine during diarrhoea which leads to poor bioavailability and
      frequent dosing. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to extend DRT residence in the
      stomach. METHODS: Calcium alginate floating beads were prepared using sodium
      alginate, isopropylmyristate (oil), and Gelucire(r) 43/01 (lipid) adopting
      emulsion gelation technique. The beads were evaluated for their floating ability,
      DRT entrapment efficiency and in-vitro release. Gelucire(r) 43/01 /oil-based
      beads of the selected formula were coated using ethylcellulose and different
      plasticizers as polyethylene glycol 400 and triethyl citrate to retard the drug
      release. The coated beads were re-characterized. Finally, the best formulae were
      investigated for their in-vivo floating ability in dogs besides their delivery to
      the systemic circulation compared to drug powder in human volunteers. RESULTS:
      Incorporation of Gelucire(r) 43/01 to oil-based beads enhanced the in-vitro
      performance of the beads. Coated beads prepared using drug:sodium alginate ratio
      of 1:3 (w/w), 20% (w/v) isopropylmyristate, 20% (w/v) Gelucire(r) 43/01 showed
      promising in-vitro performance. The beads floated for 12 h in the dogs' stomach
      and produced three-fold increase of the total amount of DRT absorbed within 24 h
      compared to that of DRT powder. CONCLUSIONS: Gelucire(r) 43/01
      /isopropylmyristate-based calcium alginate floating beads coated with
      ethylcellulose using either PEG 400 or TEC as plasticizers proved to be a
      successful dosage form in extending DRT release.

PMID- 24236530
TI  - Use of a modified transfixation pin cast for treatment of comminuted phalangeal
      fractures in horses.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To (1) report a modified transfixation pin cast technique, using
      dorsal recumbency for fracture reduction, distal positioning of the pins in the
      epiphysis and distal metaphysis, and a hybrid cast, combining plaster of Paris
      (POP) and fiberglass casting, and (2) report outcome in 11 adult horses. STUDY
      DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Adult horses (n = 11) with comminuted phalangeal
      fractures. METHODS: Horses were anesthetized and positioned in dorsal recumbency.
      The phalangeal fracture was reduced by limb traction using a cable attached to
      the hoof. Screw fixation in lag fashion of fracture fragments was performed when
      possible. Transfixation casting was performed using two 6.3 mm positive profile
      centrally threaded pins with the 1st pin placed in the epiphysis of the
      metacarpus/tarsus at the center of, or slightly proximal to, the condylar fossa
      and the 2nd one 3-4 cm proximal. A hybrid cast was applied. RESULTS: Forelimbs
      were involved in 9 horses and the hind limb in 2. Pins were maintained for a
      minimum of 6 weeks. No pin loosening was observed at the time of removal (6-8
      weeks). A pony fractured the distal aspect of the metacarpus at the proximal pin.
      Nine horses survived (82%); none of the horses developed septic arthritis despite
      the distal location of the distal pin, close to the fetlock joint. CONCLUSION:
      This modified transfixation pin casting technique was associated with good pin
      longevity and could reduce the risk of secondary pin hole fractures and pin
      loosening.

PMID- 24236531
TI  - In vitro umbilical cord wrapping and torsion: possible cause of umbilical blood
      flow occlusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Intrapartum fetal heart rate decelerations and bradycardia are often
      attributed to umbilical cord occlusion without knowing the anatomic basis of that
      occlusion. We hypothesized that umbilical cord twisting while looped around fetal
      parts could occlude blood flow. METHODS: Using an in vitro preparation, human
      umbilical cord veins were perfused at one end with water at approximately 40 cm
      H2O. The cords were looped around pipes that approximated the diameter of fetal
      body or limb parts, after which the perfused segment of cord was twisted until
      water flow stopped. The number of rotations needed to stop perfusion was recorded
      for each length of twisted cord (4, 6 and 8 cm) and for each pipe diameter.
      RESULTS: There were 21 completed studies. All cords demonstrated that a
      decreasing number of twists were needed to stop venous flow as the segment
      twisted became shorter (from 8 to 4 cm). For each segment length, the number of
      twists required to stop flow decreased as the pipe diameter narrowed. CONCLUSION:
      This model demonstrates that a wrapped umbilical cord, particularly with a short
      segment between the placental insertion and the fetal body part, may be
      predisposed to cord occlusion in response to fetal rotation.

PMID- 24236532
TI  - Acetylcholinesterase inhibition effects of marine fungi.
AB  - CONTEXT: To this day, there are no reports that marine compounds isolated from
      microorganisms of the Lianyungang area of China have been used for the treatment
      of Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE: The present study was to isolate fungi from
      the sea sediment of the Lianyungang area and screen for acetylcholineseterase
      inhibition activities of ethyl acetate extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fungi
      were isolated from the sea sediment and fermented. After centrifugation, the
      supernate was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was then
      fractionated into five fractions. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities of
      the ethyl acetate extracts and five sub-fractions were tested at a concentration
      of 500 MUg/mL with the Ellman's method. RESULTS: Forty-three marine fungi were
      isolated; 15 extracts inhibited acetylcholinestrease >50% and 3 extracts
      inhibited the acetylcholinesterase >80% at the concentration of 500 MUg/mL. The 3
      extracts (L1705, S1101, SH0701) inhibited AChE dose-dependently with IC50 values
      of 11.3 +/- 1.2, 72.1 +/- 2.3, and 7.8 +/- 2.8 MUg/mL, respectively. After the
      extract of SH0701 was fractionated into five fractions, the ethyl acetate
      fraction possessed the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity with an
      inhibition rate of 71.55% at the concentration of 10 MUg/mL. The fungus SH0701
      was identified as Aspergillus ochraceus SH0701 according to morphology and
      molecular identification. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The present results
      indicates that some ethyl acetate extracts of marine fungi isolated from
      Lianyungang area of China could inhibit AChE potently. Therefore, some novel AChE
      inhibitors might exist in those extracts.

PMID- 24236534
TI  - Multiregion shear thinning for subsequent static self-thickening in chitosan
      graft-polyacrylamide aqueous solution.
AB  - A special shear thinning phenomenon followed by static self-thickening in
      chitosan-graft-polyacrylamide (GPAM) aqueous solutions was investigated. This
      multiregion shear thinning can be defined as the first stage of the recently
      reported shear induced self-thickening (SIT) in our previous work. The three
      thinning regions (labeled as N1, N2, and N3) are considered very important, and
      they can reflex the complex variations of intermolecular interactions among and
      inside the aggregates in solution with increasing shear rate. To verify this
      multiregion shear thinning, a critical concentration of GPAM for this three
      region shear thinning was first investigated. Shear recovery tests with the
      maximal shear rates located in the N1-N3 were carried out to ascertain the
      crucial role of shear thinning in SIT. The mechanisms of these three shear
      thinning regions were proposed based on the dependence of shear rheological
      behavior on various conditions in each region, including GPAM concentration,
      grafting ratio, temperature, added hydrogen bonding breaker, and salt. The above
      results confirm that N1 is due to the breakage of the interactions among hydrogen
      bonding aggregates, while N2 and N3 are attributed to the progressive destruction
      of the aggregates. As the first stage of SIT, shear thinning can markedly break
      the original aggregate and expose additional hydrogen bonding stickers to reform
      more aggregates with bigger size, resulting in the final higher viscosity. 

PMID- 24236533
TI  - Cross-coupling of remote meta-C-H bonds directed by a U-shaped template.
AB  - meta-C-H arylation and methylation of 3-phenylpropanoic acid and phenolic
      derivatives were developed using an easily removable nitrile template. The
      combination of a weakly coordinating U-shaped template and mono-protected amino
      acid ligand was crucial for the cross-coupling of C-H bonds with organoborons. 

PMID- 24236535
TI  - Accurate quantitation of D+ fetomaternal hemorrhage by flow cytometry using a
      novel reagent to eliminate granulocytes from analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quantitation of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) is performed to
      determine the dose of prophylactic anti-D (RhIG) required to prevent D
      immunization of D- women. Flow cytometry (FC) is the most accurate method.
      However, maternal white blood cells (WBCs) can give high background by binding
      anti-D nonspecifically, compromising accuracy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Maternal
      blood samples (69) were sent for FC quantitation of FMH after positive Kleihauer
      Betke test (KBT) analysis and RhIG administration. Reagents used were BRAD-3
      fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC; anti-D), AEVZ5.3-FITC (anti-varicella zoster
      [anti-VZ], negative control), anti-fetal hemoglobin (HbF)-FITC, blended two-color
      reagents, BRAD-3-FITC/anti-CD45-phycoerythrin (PE; anti-D/L), and BRAD-3
      FITC/anti-CD66b-PE (anti-D/G). PE-positive WBCs were eliminated from analysis by
      gating. Full blood counts were performed on maternal samples and female donors.
      RESULTS: Elevated numbers of neutrophils were present in 80% of patients. Red
      blood cell (RBC) indices varied widely in maternal blood. D+ FMH values obtained
      with anti-D/L, anti-D/G, and anti-HbF-FITC were very similar (r = 0.99, p <
      0.001). Correlation between KBT and anti-HbF-FITC FMH results was low (r =
      0.716). Inaccurate FMH quantitation using the current method (anti-D minus anti
      VZ) occurred with 71% samples having less than 15 mL of D+ FMH (RBCs) and
      insufficient RhIG calculated for 9%. Using two-color reagents and anti-HbF-FITC,
      approximately 30% patients had elevated F cells, 26% had no fetal cells, 6% had D
      FMH, 26% had 4 to 15 mL of D+ FMH, and 12% patients had more than 15 mL of D+
      FMH (RBCs) requiring more than 300 MUg of RhIG. CONCLUSION: Without accurate
      quantitation of D+ FMH by FC, some women would receive inappropriate or
      inadequate anti-D prophylaxis. The latter may be at risk of immunization leading
      to hemolytic disease of the newborn.

PMID- 24236537
TI  - Electromagnetic fields (UHF) increase voltage sensitivity of membrane ion
      channels; possible indication of cell phone effect on living cells.
AB  - The effects of ultra high frequency (UHF) nonionizing electromagnetic fields
      (EMF) on the channel activities of nanopore forming protein, OmpF porin, were
      investigated. The voltage clamp technique was used to study the single channel
      activity of the pore in an artificial bilayer in the presence and absence of the
      electromagnetic fields at 910 to 990 MHz in real time. Channel activity patterns
      were used to address the effect of EMF on the dynamic, arrangement and dielectric
      properties of water molecules, as well as on the hydration state and arrangements
      of side chains lining the channel barrel. Based on the varied voltage sensitivity
      of the channel at different temperatures in the presence and absence of EMF, the
      amount of energy transferred to nano-environments of accessible groups was
      estimated to address the possible thermal effects of EMF. Our results show that
      the effects of EMF on channel activities are frequency dependent, with a maximum
      effect at 930 MHz. The frequency of channel gating and the voltage sensitivity is
      increased when the channel is exposed to EMF, while its conductance remains
      unchanged at all frequencies applied. We have not identified any changes in the
      capacitance and permeability of membrane in the presence of EMF. The effect of
      the EMF irradiated by cell phones is measured by Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
      in artificial model of human head, Phantom. Thus, current approach applied to
      biological molecules and electrolytes might be considered as complement to
      evaluate safety of irradiating sources on biological matter at molecular level.

PMID- 24236539
TI  - Day length dependent restructuring of the leaf transcriptome and metabolome in
      potato genotypes with contrasting tuberization phenotypes.
AB  - Recent advances have defined some of the components of photoperiodic signalling
      that lead to tuberization in potato including orthologues of FLOWERING LOCUS T
      (StSP6A) and CYCLING DOF FACTOR (StCDF1). The aim of the current study is to
      investigate the molecular basis of permissive tuber initiation under long days in
      Solanum tuberosum Neo-Tuberosum by comparative analysis with an obligate short
      day S. tuberosum ssp. Andigena accession. We show that the Neo-Tuberosum
      accession, but not the Andigena, contains alleles that encode StCDF1 proteins
      modified in the C-terminal region, likely to evade long day inhibition of StSP6A
      expression. We also identify an allele of StSP6A from the Neo-Tuberosum
      accession, absent in the Andigena, which is expressed under long days. Other leaf
      transcripts and metabolites that show different abundances in tuberizing and non
      tuberizing samples were identified adding detail to tuberization-associated
      processes. Overall, the data presented in this study highlight the subtle
      interplay between components of the clock-CONSTANS-StSP6A axis which collectively
      may interact to fine-tune the timing of tuberization.

PMID- 24236540
TI  - Average and local structural origins of the optical properties of the nitride
      phosphor La(3-x)Ce(x)Si6N11 (0 < x <= 3).
AB  - Structural intricacies of the orange-red nitride phosphor system La(3
      x)Ce(x)Si6N11 (0 < x <= 3) have been elucidated using a combination of state-of
      the art tools, in order to understand the origins of the exceptional optical
      properties of this important solid-state lighting material. In addition, the
      optical properties of the end-member (x = 3) compound, Ce3Si6N11, are described
      for the first time. A combination of synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and
      neutron scattering is employed to establish site preferences and the rigid nature
      of the structure, which is characterized by a high Debye temperature. The high
      Debye temperature is also corroborated from ab initio electronic structure
      calculations. Solid-state (29)Si nuclear magnetic resonance, including
      paramagnetic shifts of (29)Si spectra, are employed in conjunction with low
      temperature electron spin resonance studies to probes of the local environments
      of Ce ions. Detailed wavelength-, time-, and temperature-dependent luminescence
      properties of the solid solution are presented. Temperature-dependent quantum
      yield measurements demonstrate the remarkable thermal robustness of luminescence
      of La2.82Ce0.18Si6N11, which shows little sign of thermal quenching, even at
      temperatures as high as 500 K. This robustness is attributed to the highly rigid
      lattice. Luminescence decay measurements indicate very short decay times (close
      to 40 ns). The fast decay is suggested to prevent strong self-quenching of
      luminescence, allowing even the end-member compound Ce3Si6N11 to display bright
      luminescence.

PMID- 24236538
TI  - AT-101 downregulates BCL2 and MCL1 and potentiates the cytotoxic effects of
      lenalidomide and dexamethasone in preclinical models of multiple myeloma and
      Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia.
AB  - Multiple myeloma, the second most common haematological malignancy in the U.S.,
      is currently incurable. Disruption of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by BCL2 and
      MCL1 upregulation is observed in >80% of myeloma cases and is associated with an
      aggressive clinical course. Remarkably, there is no approved drug with the
      ability to target BCL2 or MCL1. Thus, we investigated the anti-tumour effects of
      a pan-BCL2 inhibitor, AT-101, which has high binding specificity for BCL2 and
      MCL1 in preclinical models of plasma cell cancers (Multiple myeloma and
      Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia). Gene expression and immunoblot analysis of six
      plasma cell cancer models showed upregulation of BCL2 family members. AT-101 was
      able to downregulate BCL2 and MCL1 in all plasma cell cancer models and induced
      apoptotic cell death in a caspase-dependent manner by altering mitochondrial
      membrane permeability. This cytotoxic effect and BCL2 downregulation were further
      potentiated when AT-101 was combined with lenalidomide/dexamethasone (LDA).
      NanoString nCounter mRNA quantification and Ingenuity Pathways Analysis revealed
      differential changes in the CCNA2, FRZB, FYN, IRF1, PTPN11 genes in LDA-treated
      cells. In summary, we describe for the first time the cellular and molecular
      events associated with the use of AT-101 in combination with
      lenalidomide/dexamethasone in preclinical models of plasma cell malignancy. 

PMID- 24236541
TI  - Vitamin D deficiency is associated with mortality in patients with advanced liver
      cirrhosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic liver disease is the fifth most common cause of mortality in
      Europe. Recently, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk
      of mortality in the general population. As patients with advanced liver disease
      frequently exhibit vitamin D deficiency, we assessed for a possible association
      of vitamin D deficiency with survival in a cohort of patients with advanced liver
      disease. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with liver cirrhosis (median age, 58 years;
      range, 19-76 years; 66% male; Child-Pugh stage C, 46%) were included in our
      prospective single-centre survival study. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D
      concentrations were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The optimal cut
      off was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier
      analysis. Chi-square statistics and multivariate binary logistic regression
      analysis were also conducted. RESULTS: Median serum vitamin D levels were 8.2
      ng/mL (range <4.0-95.8 ng/mL). Overall, 48% of patients (31/65) died during a 24
      month follow-up period. ROC analysis determined a vitamin D level of 6.0 ng/mL as
      optimal cut-off for discriminating survivors from nonsurvivors. Kaplan-Meier
      analysis of survival confirmed low vitamin D levels as significant predictor of
      death (P = 0.012). Finally, multivariate analysis identified low vitamin D levels
      (OR = 6.3; 95% CI, 1.2-31.2; P = 0.012) and MELD scores (OR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2
      1.7; P < 0.001) as independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: Low vitamin D
      levels are associated with increased mortality in patients with advanced liver
      disease. Thus, serum levels of vitamin D might represent a critical marker of
      survival in advanced liver cirrhosis.

PMID- 24236542
TI  - The viability of nitrone-alkene (3 + 2) cycloadditions in alkaloid biosynthesis.
AB  - Although evidence has mounted in recent years for the biosynthetic relevance of
      [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, other cycloadditions have received much less
      attention. Herein we used density functional theory (DFT) calculations to assess
      the viability of nitrone-alkene (3 + 2) cycloaddition reactions proposed to occur
      during the biosynthesis of several alkaloid natural products (flueggines and
      virosaines). The results of our calculations indicate that these reactions have
      low enough intrinsic barriers and diastereoselectivity that they can proceed
      without enzymatic intervention. 

PMID- 24236543
TI  - Bladder cancer stem cells: biological and therapeutic perspectives.
AB  - Bladder cancer stem cell research is rapidly expanding based on the knowledge of
      cancer stem cells from various cancer types and normal stem cells as models. In
      various cancer types, cancer stem cells have been implicated in therapeutic
      resistance and relapse after initial therapy. Understanding how cancer stem cells
      differ from bulk cancer cells and how cancer stem cells contribute to relapse and
      resistance are essential to develop novel therapeutics to target cancer stem
      cells effectively. Here we review the latest information on bladder cancer stem
      cells, their biological characteristics, including their response to treatment,
      recurrence, immune context and technical problems encountered in bladder cancer
      stem cell research. 

PMID- 24236544
TI  - Wetting states on circular micropillars with convex sidewalls after liquids
      contact groove base.
AB  - It is considered that the Cassie-Baxter wetting state should be transitioned to
      that of the Wenzel state if a water drop has contact with the base of a roughness
      groove. However, in recent tests on the leaf surfaces of three lotus varieties,
      we found that the transition did not occur. To explore the reason behind this, in
      this work we model the corresponding surface structures as circular micropillars
      with convex sidewalls, and derive an angle inequality for judging transition from
      Cassie-Baxter to Wenzel States. We also consider the transition on spherical
      microparticles, as well as that on circular micropillars with straight sidewalls.
      Finally, we validate the angle inequality through pressing tests on three lotus
      varieties and spherical microballs. 

PMID- 24236545
TI  - Subclinical ketosis in dairy cows: prevalence and risk factors in grazing
      production system.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Subclinical ketosis
      (SCK) between 4 and 19 days in milk (DIM) in a grazing production system and
      investigate the importance of potential risk factors for SCK. This cross
      sectional study was conducted in dairy cows (n = 107), which had more of two
      parities. The concentration of beta-hydroxybutyric (BHB) in blood was quantified
      through a hand-held meter. Potential risk factors evaluated were calving interval
      (CI), milk yield in previous lactation, metritis, dystocia, calf sex (male),
      parity (<=3 vs. >=4) and pre-partum body condition score (BCS <= 3.5 vs. >=3.75).
      Prevalence of SCK was 10.3% (95% CI 4.7-15) between 4 and 19 DIM. Risk factors
      identified were the occurrence of both metritis and pre-partum BCS >= 3.75. Cows
      with metritis had 4.9 (95% CI 1.17-20.98) times more risk of developing SCK than
      cows without metritis. And the cows with pre-partum BCS >= 3.75 had 5.25 (95% CI
      1.32-21.11) times more risk of developing SCK than cows with pre-partum BCS <=
      3.5. Metritis could induce a lower feed intake and promote the development of
      SCK. High pre-partum BCS could induce a greater mobilization of body reserves
      altering liver function and aggravating post-partum NEB. The results are
      indicative of the expected prevalence of SCK in grazing production system.
      Factors associated could help to identify cattle at risk of SCK and improve the
      management of strategies to limit the effects. 

PMID- 24236547
TI  - Antibacterial activity of gemini quaternary ammonium salts.
AB  - A series of gemini quaternary ammonium salts (chlorides and bromides), with
      various hydrocarbon chain and spacer lengths, were tested. These compounds
      exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative
      bacteria and were not mutagenic. The strongest antibacterial effect was observed
      for TMPG-10 Cl (against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and TMPG-12 Br
      (against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 and
      clinical ESBL(+) isolate 434) surfactants. These compounds inhibited the adhesion
      of Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984 to a polystyrene surface and eradicated
      biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa PAO1. The activity of studied compounds was
      dependent on hydrocarbon chain length.

PMID- 24236548
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research and the regulation of drugs, biologics and
      devices.

PMID- 24236546
TI  - DNA recognition of 5-carboxylcytosine by a Zfp57 mutant at an atomic resolution
      of 0.97 A.
AB  - The Zfp57 gene encodes a KRAB (Kruppel-associated box) domain-containing C2H2
      zinc finger transcription factor that is expressed in early development. Zfp57
      protein recognizes methylated CpG dinucleotide within GCGGCA elements at multiple
      imprinting control regions. In the previously determined structure of the mouse
      Zfp57 DNA-binding domain in complex with DNA containing 5-methylcytosine (5mC),
      the side chains of Arg178 and Glu182 contact the methyl group via hydrophobic and
      van der Waals interactions. We examined the role of Glu182 in recognition of 5mC
      by mutagenesis. The majority of mutants examined lose selectivity of methylated
      (5mC) over unmodified (C) and oxidative derivatives, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5
      formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC), suggesting that the side chain of
      Glu182 (the size and the charge) is dispensable for methyl group recognition but
      negatively impacts the binding of unmodified cytosine as well as oxidized
      derivatives of 5mC to achieve 5mC selectivity. Substitution of Glu182 with its
      corresponding amide (E182Q) had no effect on methylated DNA binding but gained
      significant binding affinity for 5caC DNA, resulting in a binding affinity for
      5caC DNA comparable to that of the wild-type protein for 5mC. We show
      structurally that the uncharged amide group of E182Q interacts favorably with the
      carboxylate group of 5caC. Furthermore, introducing a positively charged arginine
      at position 182 resulted in a mutant (E182R) having higher selectivity for the
      negatively charged 5caC. 

PMID- 24236549
TI  - Are patient portals one key to unlocking the door for engaging patients in their
      healthcare?

PMID- 24236551
TI  - From methods to policy: Primum non nocere: reconciling patient-centered outcomes
      with evidence-based care.

PMID- 24236552
TI  - Interview: access to richer data promises to usher in a new era of insight into
      patient heterogeneity.

PMID- 24236553
TI  - The impact of mammography screening on breast cancer incidence.
AB  - Evaluation of: Bleyer A, Welch HG. Effect of three decades of screening
      mammography on breast-cancer incidence. N. Engl. J. Med. 377, 1998-2005 (2012).
      Mammography screening must advance the time of diagnosis of breast cancer to be
      able to reduce the rate of death from breast cancer. This article examined the
      temporal effects of mammography on the stage-specific incidence of breast cancer
      in the USA from 1976 through to 2008. Despite substantial increases in the number
      of cases of early-stage breast cancer, only a marginal reduction was observed in
      the number of cases presenting with late-stage breast cancer. These results
      provide convincing evidence that mammography screening entails a substantial risk
      of detecting tumors that would not have become symptomatic during a woman's
      lifetime if no screening had taken place. To improve the effectiveness of
      screening mammography, more knowledge is needed on the natural history of breast
      cancer, especially the risk of progression from in situ to invasive breast
      cancer. 

PMID- 24236554
TI  - Stakeholder engagement for comparative effectiveness research in cancer care:
      experience of the DEcIDE Cancer Consortium.
AB  - Stakeholder input is a critical component of comparative effectiveness research.
      To ensure that the research activities of the Developing Evidence to Inform
      Decisions about Effectiveness (DEcIDE) Network, supported by the Agency for
      Healthcare Research and Quality, translate into the greatest impact for everyday
      practice and policy-making in cancer, we were tasked with soliciting stakeholder
      input regarding priority areas in cancer-related comparative effectiveness
      research for the DEcIDE Cancer Consortium. Given the increasing emphasis on
      stakeholder engagement in research, many investigators are facing a similar task,
      yet there is limited literature to guide such efforts, particularly in cancer
      care. To help fill this gap, we present our approach to operationalizing
      stakeholder engagement and discuss it in the context of other recent developments
      in the area. We describe challenges encountered in convening stakeholders from
      multiple vantage points to prioritize topics and strategies used to mitigate
      these barriers. We offer several recommendations regarding how to best solicit
      stakeholder input to inform comparative effectiveness research in cancer care.
      These recommendations can inform other initiatives currently facing the
      challenges of engaging stakeholders in priority setting for cancer. 

PMID- 24236555
TI  - Unresolved tensions in consumer engagement in CER: a US research perspective.
AB  - Efforts to engage patients and consumers in comparative effectiveness research
      (CER) in the USA are still in the early stages, and the outcomes of these
      partnerships have yet to be fully understood or realized. Our work assisting
      federal agencies and national organizations who engage patients and consumers in
      CER reveal three unresolved tensions around the representation of the patient
      experience in the research process, the culture of research and capacity to
      partner with patients and consumers, and the conflict between the methodological
      approaches to CER and the outcomes of interest to patients and caregivers.
      Several approaches to address these tensions have emerged, yet resolving these
      tensions will require addressing many system-level challenges and building an
      evidence base for consumer engagement in CER. 

PMID- 24236556
TI  - Comparing medical treatments for Crohn's disease.
AB  - The drugs available for inflammatory bowel disease are aminosalicylates,
      antibiotics, steroids, immunosuppressors and biologics. The effectiveness of
      these drugs has been evaluated in many randomized clinical trials, mainly versus
      placebo. Few studies have been conducted comparing the different drugs among
      themselves, owing to the methodological problems raised by comparative trials,
      such as sample size and blindness. This review focuses mainly on the randomized
      clinical trials that have compared different treatments. Of course comparisons
      are mainly between drugs used in a particular setting (mild, moderate and severe
      disease). However, on many occasions there is no homogeneity in these clinical
      settings, and therefore the results are difficult to interpret. 

PMID- 24236557
TI  - Comparing radial and femoral access for coronary angiography and interventions.
AB  - Cardiac catheterization and coronary intervention via the radial approach is
      increasingly adopted as the preferred vascular access to avoid transfemoral
      vascular complications. Recent clinical trials have confirmed that radial access
      reduces vascular complications and local bleeding with similar procedural
      efficacy. Transradial access has inherent technical challenges, including smaller
      vessel size of the radial artery, arterial spasm and tortuosity involving the
      radial and subclavian arteries, which may undermine the procedural success of
      this approach. A number of strategies have been reported to minimize
      complications of radial access, including the use of hydrophilic introducer
      sheaths and smaller sheath sizes, administration of nitroglycerin and
      unfractionated heparin during the procedure, patent hemostasis of the radial
      artery and careful patient selection. Operators experienced in transradial
      percutaneous coronary intervention can achieve comparable clinical outcomes to
      the transfemoral approach and minimize vascular complications. Radial artery
      access is likely to become widely accepted as the preferred percutaneous coronary
      intervention approach. 

PMID- 24236558
TI  - Study design elements for rigorous quasi-experimental comparative effectiveness
      research.
AB  - Quasi-experiments are likely to be the workhorse study design used to generate
      evidence about the comparative effectiveness of alternative treatments, because
      of their feasibility, timeliness, affordability and external validity compared
      with randomized trials. In this review, we outline potential sources of
      discordance in results between quasi-experiments and experiments, review study
      design choices that can improve the internal validity of quasi-experiments, and
      outline innovative data linkage strategies that may be particularly useful in
      quasi-experimental comparative effectiveness research. There is an urgent need to
      resolve the debate about the evidentiary value of quasi-experiments since equal
      consideration of rigorous quasi-experiments will broaden the base of evidence
      that can be brought to bear in clinical decision-making and governmental policy
      making. 

PMID- 24236559
TI  - The value of linking hospital discharge and mortality data for comparative
      effectiveness research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Linkage of US state hospital discharge records to state death
      certificate records offers the possibility of tracking long-term mortality
      outcomes across large, diverse patient populations, which may be useful for
      comparative effective analyses. AIM: To demonstrate the value of linking state
      community hospital discharge data to vital statistics death files for research by
      conducting a comparative effectiveness analysis. METHODS: Linked Patient
      Discharge Data and Vital Statistics Death Files from the California Office of
      Statewide Health Planning and Development were used to compare survival rates for
      patients with an elective repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm who received open
      aneurysm repair (OAR) versus endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The sample
      consisted of 13,652 hospitalized patients who underwent an OAR or EVAR for
      abdominal aortic aneurysm between 1 July 2000 and 31 January 2006. Patients were
      matched using propensity scores (8966 patients in the matched sample). In
      hospital, 30-day, 1-year and 5-year mortality rates were compared between the OAR
      and EVAR populations, before and after propensity score matching. RESULTS: We
      found a few data anomalies (92 out of 13,652), primarily in patients' sex and
      date of death. The analysis revealed that in the matched cohort, in-hospital and
      30-day postdischarge mortality rates were significantly lower following EVAR than
      OAR; however, consistent with previous clinical trials, differences in the 1- and
      5-year rates were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The study
      demonstrates that linked US state discharge and mortality data can be a valuable
      resource for comparative effectiveness analyses. In particular, this approach may
      be useful when generally available data sets such as Medicare claims data limit
      the generalizability of findings. Policy-makers and others should consider
      greater investments in these data.

PMID- 24236560
TI  - Dissemination and implementation of comparative effectiveness evidence: key
      informant interviews with Clinical and Translational Science Award institutions.
AB  - AIM: To identify ongoing practices and opportunities for improving national
      comparative effectiveness research (CER) translation through dissemination and
      implementation (D&I) via NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Award
      (CTSA) institutions. MATERIALS & METHODS: Key informant interviews were conducted
      with 18 CTSA grantees sampled to represent a range of D&I efforts. RESULTS &
      CONCLUSIONS: The institutional representatives endorsed fostering CER translation
      nationally via the CTSA Consortium. However, five themes emerged from the
      interviews as barriers to CER D&I: lack of institutional awareness, insufficient
      capacity, lack of established D&I methods, confusion among stakeholders about
      what CER actually is and limited funding opportunities. Interviewees offered two
      key recommendations to improve CER translation: development of a centralized
      clearing house to facilitate the diffusion of CER D&I resources and methods
      across CTSA institutions; and formalization of the national CTSA network to
      leverage existing community engagement relationships and resources for the
      purpose of adapting and disseminating robust CER evidence locally with providers,
      patients and healthcare systems.

PMID- 24236561
TI  - Patterns of treatment, healthcare utilization and costs by lines of therapy in
      metastatic breast cancer in a large insured US population.
AB  - AIM: Metastatic breast cancer guidelines contain multiple lines of treatment and
      regimens; however, little data on therapeutic patterns and costs is available
      from real-world clinical practice. This descriptive study reports chemotherapy
      and biologic use, healthcare utilization and costs by line of therapy in a large
      insured US population. MATERIALS & METHODS: Adult women with newly diagnosed
      metastatic breast cancer (between 2005 and 2009) were identified from
      MarketScan(r) databases containing medical and pharmacy claims of >40 million
      enrollees insured with >100 US health plans. Descriptive statistics were reported
      for use, duration and mean per patient per month costs across four lines of
      therapy. RESULTS: Out of 7767 patients identified (mean [standard deviation] age
      = 58.2 [12] years), >=50% received a subsequent line of therapy across the four
      lines (line 2: n = 4077; line 3: n = 2033; line four: n = 1059). The top two
      chemotherapies were paclitaxel and capecitabine in lines one and two, and
      paclitaxel and gemcitabine in lines three and four. The top two biologics were
      trastuzumab and bevacizumab across the multiple lines of treatments. Duration
      (mean, standard deviation and median days) varied across multiple lines of
      treatments: 162.7, 176.9 and 108.0 in line one; 147.5, 146.7 and 99.0 in line
      two; 139.9, 131.1 and 99.0 in line three; and 130.9, 123.4 and 94.0 in line four,
      respectively. Mean per patient per month costs decreased with increasing follow
      up from US$13,147 (<6 months) to US$11,610 (7-12 months) to US$10,219 (12-24
      months) to US$9,192 (24-36 months) to US$7,384 (>36 months). Cumulative costs
      increased with follow-up, from US$78,882 (<6 months) to US$443,062 (>36 months).
      CONCLUSION: Longer follow-up, regardless of number of lines of therapy, was
      associated with higher cumulative, but lower monthly, costs. Delaying progression
      and improving survival with more individualized treatment regimens may help slow
      the rate of increasing long-term costs of metastatic breast cancer treatment and
      care.

PMID- 24236563
TI  - Transition to dialysis: controversies in its timing and modality [corrected].

PMID- 24236566
TI  - Antimicrobial metabolites from a novel halophilic actinomycete Nocardiopsis
      terrae YIM 90022.
AB  - A quinoline alkaloid 1 and five known compounds (2-6) were isolated from a novel
      halophilic actinomycete Nocardiopsis terrae YIM 90022, and their structures were
      determined by spectroscopic studies as 4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide
      (1), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), N-acetyl-anthranilic acid (3), indoly-3
      carboxylic acid (4), cyclo(Trp-Gly) (5) and cyclo(Leu-Ala) (6). Compound 1 was
      isolated from natural resources for the first time. Compounds 1 and 3 showed
      antimicrobial activities against some plant pathogens. 

PMID- 24236567
TI  - Signalling pathways in succinate dehydrogenase B-associated renal carcinoma.
AB  - AIMS: Renal tumours have recently been described in association with mutations in
      the gene encoding the B subunit of succinate dehydrogenase, a mitochondrial Krebs
      cycle and electron transport chain enzyme (SDHB-associated renal cell
      carcinomas). The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of different
      signalling pathways in the pathogenesis of these tumours. METHODS AND RESULTS: We
      used immunohistochemistry and antibodies against phospho-specific epitopes to
      examine the activity of three potential signalling pathways in tumour cells of
      three genetically confirmed cases of SDHB-associated renal cell carcinomas. We
      found no evidence supporting a role for either the mTOR [p-mTOR (Ser2448), p-S6
      riboprotein (Ser235/236)] or hypoxia-inducible (carbonic anhydrase 9 and EGFR)
      pathways. However, there was immunohistochemical reactivity for phosphorylated
      AMP-dependent kinase (p-AMPK Thr172) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)
      phosphorylation (p-GSK3 Ser12), and nuclear expression of cyclin D1. CONCLUSIONS:
      We suggest that these tumours may arise through a mechanism involving ATP
      depletion, activation of AMPK, and induction of cyclin D1, and that this may be a
      unique pathway of tumour development that has the potential for therapeutic
      intervention in these rare tumours.

PMID- 24236568
TI  - Osthole induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human hepatocellular
      carcinoma HepG2 cells.
AB  - CONTEXT: Osthole [7-methoxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) coumarin] isolated from the
      fruit of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss, one of the commonly used Chinese medicines
      listed in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica in the Han Dynasty, had
      remarkable antiproliferative activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma
      HepG2 cells in culture. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of osthole
      on cell growth, nuclear morphology, cell cycle distribution, and expression of
      apoptosis-related proteins in HepG2 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxic
      activity of osthole was determined by the MTT assay at various concentrations
      ranging from 0.004 to 1.0 umol/ml in HepG2 cells. Cell morphology was assessed by
      Hoechst staining and fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis and cell-cycle
      distribution was determined by annexin V staining and flow cytometry. Apoptotic
      protein levels were assessed by Western blot. RESULTS: Osthole exhibited
      significant inhibition of the survival of HepG2 cells and the half inhibitory
      concentration (IC50) values were 0.186, 0.158 and 0.123 umol/ml at 24, 48 and 72
      h, respectively. Cells treated with osthole at concentrations of 0, 0.004, 0.02,
      0.1 and 0.5 MUmol/ml showed a statistically significant increase in the G2/M
      fraction accompanied by a decrease in the G0/G1 fraction. The increase of
      apoptosis induced by osthole was correlated with down-regulation expression of
      anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and up-regulation expression of pro-apoptotic Bax
      and p53 proteins. CONCLUSION: Osthole had significant growth inhibitory activity
      and the pro-apoptotic effect of osthole is mediated through the activation of
      caspases and mitochondria in HepG2 cells. Results suggest that osthole has
      promising therapeutic potential against hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 24236569
TI  - The effect of planned baby care education given to primiparous mothers on
      maternal attachment and self-confidence levels.
AB  - This study was conducted to examine the effect of planned baby care education on
      maternal attachment and self-confidence levels in primiparous mothers. The
      research was carried out using a pre-test, post-test, quasi-experimental design
      with a control group. In the intervention group, mothers were given planned baby
      care education and an education booklet. Both the median maternal attachment
      score and the mean self-confidence score increased by statistically significant
      levels in the intervention group, whereas there were no significant differences
      in the control group. It is recommended that primiparous mothers in particular
      should receive education regarding baby care. 

PMID- 24236570
TI  - Clinical predictors of postoperative hemoglobin drift.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The decision to transfuse red blood cells in surgical patients should
      be based on multiple clinical variables, rather than on isolated hemoglobin (Hb)
      measurements alone. An important but often unrecognized clinical variable is the
      postoperative downward drift in Hb concentration (Hb drift), but the etiology,
      predictors, and time course of Hb drift are not well understood. STUDY DESIGN AND
      METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected for patients who did not receive
      postoperative transfusion. Initially, 11 common surgical procedures from one
      institution (n=3179) were compared to assess clinical predictors of Hb drift.
      Data were analyzed in detail for two procedures associated with a large Hb drift
      (Whipple [n=82] and lumbar spinal fusion [n=74]), to determine the clinical
      predictors and temporal pattern of postoperative Hb drift. RESULTS: Surgical
      procedures with greater intraoperative intravenous (IV) fluid and blood
      requirements had greater postoperative Hb drift. The maximum Hb drifts after the
      Whipple and spinal fusion procedures were -2.5 +/- 1.1 g/dL (occurring on Day 4,
      p<0.0001) and -1.8 +/- 2 g/dL (on Day 3, p<0.0001), respectively. After the
      nadir, a 0.6 g/dL upward Hb drift (p<0.0001) occurred after both procedures,
      resulting in a total drift after Whipple and spinal fusion of -1.9 +/- 1.2 g/dL
      (p<0.0001) and -1.3 +/- 1.2 g/dL (p<0.0001), respectively. Type of surgery
      (p=0.03), intraoperative blood loss (p=0.003), and a positive perioperative fluid
      balance (p=0.0008) were independent predictors of Hb drift. CONCLUSIONS:
      Postoperative Hb drift was greater after surgical procedures with greater
      intraoperative IV fluid and blood requirements. Recognition of Hb drift may be an
      important facet of perioperative patient blood management.

PMID- 24236571
TI  - Transition structures of the ene reactions of cyclopropene.
AB  - The transition structures for the ene reactions of cyclopropene with ethylene,
      propene, and cyclopropene have been located with ab initio molecular orbital
      calculations and the 6-31G* basis set and by DFT calculations with the Becke3LYP
      functional and the 6-31G* basis set. Several of the transition structures have
      also been located with CASSCF calculations. Energies of all stationary points
      were also evaluated with second-order Moller-Plesset theory using the RHF/6-31G*
      optimized geometry. The geometries of each transition structure and the
      energetics of each reaction are discussed and compared to the ene reaction of
      propene with ethylene. Calculations show that the cyclopropene ene reactions have
      much lower activation barriers than the propene-ethylene ene reaction, in
      agreement with experimental results. The transition structures have varying
      degrees of asynchronicity. The stabilities of the possible radical intermediates
      for each reaction are reflected in the geometries of the transition structures.
      The relief of strain in a cyclopropene, when acting as the enophile, accounts for
      the energetic differences in these reactions. The endo transition structure for
      the dimerization is lower in energy than the exo transition structure by 2.7
      kcal/mol at the Becke3LYP/6-31G* + ZPE level of theory. Secondary orbital overlap
      of a CH bond of the enophile with the pi-system at the central carbon of the ene
      is proposed to account for the preference for the endo transition structure.
      Barely stable diradical intermediates have been found for both endo and exo
      cyclopropene dimerization reactions, but it is likely that they are artifacts of
      the current level of theory. 

PMID- 24236572
TI  - Lipid membrane association of myelin proteins and peptide segments studied by
      oriented and synchrotron radiation circular dichroism spectroscopy.
AB  - Myelin-specific proteins are either integral or peripheral membrane proteins
      that, in complex with lipids, constitute a multilayered proteolipid membrane
      system, the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath surrounds the axons of nerves and
      enables rapid conduction of axonal impulses. Myelin proteins interact intimately
      with the lipid bilayer and play crucial roles in the assembly, function, and
      stability of the myelin sheath. Although myelin proteins have been investigated
      for decades, their structural properties upon membrane surface binding are still
      largely unknown. In this study, we have used simplified model systems consisting
      of synthetic peptides and membrane mimics, such as detergent micelles and/or
      lipid vesicles, to probe the conformation of peptides using synchrotron radiation
      circular dichroism spectroscopy (SRCD). Additionally, oriented circular dichroism
      spectroscopy (OCD) was employed to examine the orientation of myelin peptides in
      macroscopically aligned lipid bilayers. Various representative peptides from the
      myelin basic protein (MBP), P0, myelin/oligodencrocyte glycoprotein, and
      connexin32 (cx32) were studied. A helical peptide from the central immunodominant
      epitope of MBP showed a highly tilted orientation with respect to the membrane
      surface, whereas the N-terminal cytoplasmic segment of cx32 folded into a helical
      structure that was only slightly tilted. The folding of full-length myelin basic
      protein was, furthermore, studied in a bicelle environment. Our results provide
      information on the conformation and membrane alignment of important membrane
      binding peptides in a membrane-mimicking environment, giving novel insights into
      the mechanisms of membrane binding and stacking by myelin proteins. 

PMID- 24236573
TI  - Weight maintenance over 12 months after weight loss resulting from participation
      in a 12-week randomised controlled trial comparing all meal provision to self
      directed diet in overweight adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The results of weight maintenance after initial weight loss are
      reported infrequently, although, when they have been reported, the outcomes are
      generally poor and weight regain is common. METHODS: After an initial 12-week
      randomised intervention comparing all meal provision against a self-directed
      energy restriction, participants re-consented to participate in a follow-on
      study. Participants were given the option to choose to continue with the same
      dietary intervention (either all meal provision (provided free of charge) or self
      directed diet) or change to the other diet for a further 12 weeks. Participants
      were followed up at 4-weekly intervals during both intervention periods (a total
      of 24 weeks), with a final follow up at 12 months. RESULTS: Eighty-five out of 86
      individuals who completed the original 12-week randomised phase chose to continue
      on to the follow-up study. No significant differences in further weight loss
      between groups (P = 0.138) [mean (SEM): -3.4% (1.1%) for all meal provision only;
      -3.4% (0.6%) self-directed then all meal provision; -1.1% (1.2%) all meal
      provision then self-directed] were seen after a further 12 weeks. Meal provision
      for a total of 24 weeks resulted in 67% of individuals losing at least 10% body
      weight. The groups switching from self-directed dieting to meal provision (or
      vice versa) were the only groups to have a lower mean weight at 12 months than at
      the start of the follow-on study. CONCLUSIONS: Structured support for 24 weeks
      followed by 28 weeks of self-care can result in weight maintenance, with initial
      weight loss maintained at 12 months from enrolling on a 12-week weight loss
      intervention, with a 12-week follow-on period.

PMID- 24236574
TI  - Medium-chain sugar amphiphiles: a new family of healthy vegetable oil structuring
      agents.
AB  - Vegetable oils are frequently structured to enhance their organoleptic and
      mechanical properties. This is usually achieved by increasing the net amount of
      saturated and/or trans fatty acids in the oil. With the risk of coronary heart
      diseases associated with these fatty acids, the food industry is looking for
      better alternatives. In this context, the medium-chain dialkanoates of low
      calorie sugars (sugar alcohol dioctanoates) are investigated as a healthy
      alternative structuring agent. Precursors of sugar amphiphiles, being FDA
      approved GRAS materials, exhibited high cell viability at a concentration ~50
      MUg/mL. They readily formed nanoscale multilayered structures in an oil matrix to
      form a coherent network at low concentrations (1-3 wt %/v), which immobilized a
      wide range of oils (canola, soybean, and grapeseed oils). The structuring
      efficiency of sugar amphiphiles was computed in terms of mechanical, thermal, and
      structural properties and found to be a function of its type and concentration.

PMID- 24236575
TI  - The in vitro genotoxic effect of Tucuma (Astrocaryum aculeatum), an Amazonian
      fruit rich in carotenoids.
AB  - Tucuma (Astrocaryum aculeatum) is an Amazonian fruit that presents high levels of
      carotenoids and other bioactive compounds such as quercetin. The extracts of
      tucuma peel and pulp present strong antioxidant activity which illustrate an
      elevated concentration that causes cytotoxic effects in human peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs). This study performed additional investigations to
      analyze the potential genotoxic effects of the tucuma extracts on PBMCs. The
      genotoxicity was evaluated by DNA fragmentation, Comet assay, and chromosomal
      instability G-band assays. The acute tucuma extract treatment showed
      genoprotective effects against DNA denaturation when compared with untreated PBMC
      cells. However, in the experiments with 24 and 72 h treatments to tucuma
      treatments, we observed low genotoxicity through a concentration of 100 MUg/mL,
      some genotoxic effects related to intermediary concentrations (100-500 MUg/mL),
      and more pronounced genotoxic effects on higher tucuma extract concentrations.
      After 24 h of treatment, the reactive oxygen species were similar among
      treatments and PBMC control groups. However, the caspase-1 activity related to
      the apoptosis and pyroptosis process increased significantly in higher tucuma
      concentrations. In summary, tucuma extracts, despite their higher antioxidant
      content and antioxidant activity, would present PBMCs genotoxic effects that are
      dependent on concentration and time exposition. These results need to be
      considered in future in vitro and in vivo studies of tucuma effects.

PMID- 24236577
TI  - Probiotics for childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis.
AB  - A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to investigate the quantity
      and quality of the current evidence regarding the effect of different probiotic
      strains in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) in
      children and adolescents. CONCLUSION: Probiotics are more effective than placebo
      in the treatment of patients with abdominal pain-related FGID, especially with
      respect to patients with irritable bowel syndrome. To date, however, probiotics
      have not proved effective for children with functional constipation.

PMID- 24236576
TI  - NMDA receptors and the L-arginine-nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate
      pathway are implicated in the antidepressant-like action of the ethanolic extract
      from Tabebuia avellanedae in mice.
AB  - Bark infusion of Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb is consumed in tropical
      America folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases, including depressive
      disorders. It was recently demonstrated that the extract from this plant has
      antidepressant properties. The present study was aimed at investigating the
      contribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and the L-arginine-nitric
      oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cGMP) pathway to the
      antidepressant-like action of the ethanolic extract from T. avellanedae (EET) in
      the tail suspension test (TST). The anti-immobility effect of the extract (30
      mg/kg, orally [p.o.]) was prevented by pretreatment of mice with NMDA (0.1
      pmol/site, intracerebroventicular [i.c.v.]), L-arginine (750 mg/kg,
      intraperitoneally [i.p.]), and sildenafil (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Additionally, the
      combination of MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg, p.o.), 7-nitroindazole (25 mg/kg, i.p.), and
      1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (30 pmol/site, i.c.v.) with a
      subeffective dose of EET (1 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a synergistic antidepressant
      like effect in the TST, without causing significant alterations in the locomotor
      activity. Moreover, the administration of an effective dose of EET (30 mg/kg,
      p.o.) produced a reduction in NOx levels in the cerebral cortex. Conversely, a
      subeffective dose of EET (1 mg/kg, p.o.) caused no changes in the cortical NOx
      levels. Results suggest that the antidepressant-like effect of EET in the TST is
      dependent on a blockade of NMDA receptor activation and inhibition of NO-cGMP
      synthesis, significantly extending literature data about the antidepressant-like
      action of this plant and reinforcing the notion that this plant may be useful in
      the management of depressive disorders.

PMID- 24236578
TI  - One-pot synthesis of 7,9-dialkylpurin-8-one analogues: broad substrate scope.
AB  - The one-pot and direct synthesis of 7,9-dialkylpurin-8-one analogues with broad
      substrate scope has been developed. This copper-catalyzed C-H oxidation reaction
      could avoid multistep synthesis of quaternary ammonium salts and expand the scope
      of halogenated alkanes. Moreover, benzimidazole derivatives are also applicable
      in the catalytic system. 

PMID- 24236579
TI  - Let us not be unfair to asexuals: their ephemerality may be explained by neutral
      models without invoking any evolutionary constraints of asexuality.
AB  - Phylogenetic studies typically demonstrate lower evolutionary ages of clones,
      relative to their sexual ancestors. This has often been attributed to heightened
      extinction risk of asexual organisms. We previously criticized such
      interpretations and demonstrated that the life span of clones is ultimately
      limited by neutral drift depending on the rate at which new clones are spawned
      into an asexual community of a finite size. Therefore, it is important to
      investigate whether the natural rates of such influxes are sufficiently high to
      account for the relative ephemerality of clones without assuming their increased
      extinction rate. I applied the neutral clonal turnover model to phylogenies of
      polyploid asexual ferns and simulated the coalescent trees over a wide range of
      demographic structures and sampling schemes. On parameterizing the model with
      biologically relevant estimates of population sizes and plant polyploidization
      rates, simulated clonal assemblages appeared younger than their sexual
      counterparts even in the absence of selection against clones. Therefore,
      differences observed between the ages of sexual and clonal lineages may be
      explained by the neutral clonal turnover. Researchers should consider the
      possibility that natural clones may get lost by neutral drift before their fate
      could eventually be affected by any long-term constraints of asexuality. 

PMID- 24236580
TI  - Should all patients with asthma receive statins?

PMID- 24236581
TI  - The bronchial microbiome and asthma phenotypes.

PMID- 24236582
TI  - Socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and asthma in youth.

PMID- 24236583
TI  - The yin and yang of indoor airborne exposures to endotoxin.

PMID- 24236584
TI  - Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for lymphoma:
      the final frontier.

PMID- 24236585
TI  - The lung microbiome and viral-induced exacerbations of chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease: new observations, novel approaches.

PMID- 24236586
TI  - Carbon monoxide in small doses--a good thing?

PMID- 24236587
TI  - Microbial airway colonization: a cause of asthma and pneumonia?

PMID- 24236588
TI  - Various approaches to clinically related research can yield helpful insight. A
      personal perspective.
AB  - Attending two recent meetings (the joint American Physician Scientists
      Association, American Society of Clinical Investigation, and Association of
      American Physicians meeting and the American Thoracic Society meeting) and
      listening to state of the art presentations, viewing research posters, and
      interacting with young scientists about so much new and exciting human research
      rekindled my thoughts about how one could now begin research. For me this
      occurred, with excellent mentoring and supervision, as first a descriptive
      "looking" approach to identify host immunity components in a variety of animal
      models and then manipulating these models to mimic disease processes, focusing on
      the respiratory tract and innate immunity. Next, we moved to characterize these
      host immunity components in normal humans, before applying these to in vitro and
      clinical illness situations for patients. The intent of this research sequence
      was to better describe and manipulate immunopathology relevant to disease. A
      bench-to-patient approach, mostly descriptive and "looking," was the path. I have
      illustrated these steps with applicable references. Now seems such a crucial time
      to further scientific knowledge and to foster personalized medicine, despite a
      period of financial restraint. We need discussion of ways to best approach
      "looking" for still unknown basic information about the human respiratory system.
      Two special examples are identifying the still unknown cells in human lung tissue
      and their functions and manipulating the extensive respiratory microbiome. 

PMID- 24236589
TI  - An unusual retrocardiac density.

PMID- 24236590
TI  - Assessing adherence to inhaled medication in difficult-to-treat asthma.

PMID- 24236591
TI  - Reply: Assessing adherence to inhaled medication in difficult-to-treat asthma.

PMID- 24236593
TI  - Reply: Moving forward in sepsis research.

PMID- 24236592
TI  - Moving forward in sepsis research.

PMID- 24236594
TI  - The dynamics of polymicrobial biofilms.

PMID- 24236595
TI  - Obesity paradox?

PMID- 24236596
TI  - Pulmonary metastasis from urothelial carcinoma showing progressive multiple
      cystic lesions.

PMID- 24236597
TI  - Fat in fibrosis.

PMID- 24236598
TI  - Temporal trends in use of sildenafil among pediatric patients.

PMID- 24236601
TI  - Interbronchial fistula by endobronchial tuberculosis.

PMID- 24236602
TI  - Effect of Er:YAG laser irradiation on bonding property of zirconia ceramics to
      resin cement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether or not an erbium: yttrium
      aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser could improve the bonding property of zirconia
      ceramics to resin cement. BACKGROUND DATA: Surface treatments can improve the
      bonding properties of dental ceramics. However, little is known about the effect
      of Er:YAG laser irradiated on zirconia ceramics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens
      of zirconia ceramic pieces were made, and randomly divided into 11 groups
      according to surface treatments, including one control group (no treatment), one
      air abrasion group, and nine Er:YAG laser groups. The laser groups were
      subdivided by applying different energy intensities (100, 200, or 300 mJ) and
      irradiation times (5, 10, or 15 sec). After surface treatments, ceramic pieces
      had their surface morphology observed, and their surface roughness was measured.
      All specimens were bonded to resin cement. Shear bond strength was measured after
      the bonded specimens were stored in water for 24 h, and additionally aged by
      thermocycling. Statistical analyses were performed using one way analysis of
      variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test for shear bond strength, and Dunnett's t test
      for surface roughness, with alpha=0.05. RESULTS: Er:YAG laser irradiation changed
      the morphological characteristics of zirconia ceramics. Higher energy intensities
      (200, 300 mJ) could roughen the ceramics, but also caused surface cracks. There
      were no significant differences in the bond strength between the control group
      and the laser groups treated with different energy intensities or irradiation
      times. Air abrasion with alumina particles induced highest surface roughness and
      shear bond strength. CONCLUSIONS: Er:YAG laser irradiation cannot improve the
      bonding property of zirconia ceramics to resin cement. Enhancing irradiation
      intensities and extending irradiation time have no benefit on the bond of the
      ceramics, and might cause material defect.

PMID- 24236603
TI  - Exploring the potential of hierarchical generalized linear models in animal
      breeding and genetics.

PMID- 24236604
TI  - Linear and Poisson models for genetic evaluation of tick resistance in cross-bred
      Hereford x Nellore cattle.
AB  - Cattle resistance to ticks is measured by the number of ticks infesting the
      animal. The model used for the genetic analysis of cattle resistance to ticks
      frequently requires logarithmic transformation of the observations. The objective
      of this study was to evaluate the predictive ability and goodness of fit of
      different models for the analysis of this trait in cross-bred Hereford x Nellore
      cattle. Three models were tested: a linear model using logarithmic transformation
      of the observations (MLOG); a linear model without transformation of the
      observations (MLIN); and a generalized linear Poisson model with residual term
      (MPOI). All models included the classificatory effects of contemporary group and
      genetic group and the covariates age of animal at the time of recording and
      individual heterozygosis, as well as additive genetic effects as random effects.
      Heritability estimates were 0.08 +/- 0.02, 0.10 +/- 0.02 and 0.14 +/- 0.04 for
      MLIN, MLOG and MPOI models, respectively. The model fit quality, verified by
      deviance information criterion (DIC) and residual mean square, indicated fit
      superiority of MPOI model. The predictive ability of the models was compared by
      validation test in independent sample. The MPOI model was slightly superior in
      terms of goodness of fit and predictive ability, whereas the correlations between
      observed and predicted tick counts were practically the same for all models. A
      higher rank correlation between breeding values was observed between models MLOG
      and MPOI. Poisson model can be used for the selection of tick-resistant animals.

PMID- 24236605
TI  - Direct and maternal genetic effects for preweaning growth in Retinta cattle
      estimated by a longitudinal approach throughout the calving trajectory of the
      cow.
AB  - The direct and maternal genetic effects were estimated for the preweaning growth
      of Retinta calves with a multitrait model across parities, using a longitudinal
      approach with random regression models (RRM). The 120 (P120) and 180 days (P180)
      weights (5972 calves) were considered as different traits in each calving. The
      heritability of direct effect across parities was on average 0.37 for P120 and
      0.58 for P180, slightly higher than the estimates by univariate (0.30 and 0.56)
      and bivariate models (0.30 and 0.51, respectively). The heritability for maternal
      effects was 0.16 for P120 and 0.26 for P180 and very similar by uni- (0.16 and
      0.23) and multivariate model (0.16 and 0.22, respectively). The correlation
      between direct and maternal effects by RRM showed a pronounced antagonism -0.64
      for P120 and -0.78 for P180), likewise uni- (-0.62 and -0.72) and multivariate
      case (-0.64 and -0.74, respectively). The preweaning weights should be considered
      as different traits across parities, because the genetic correlations were
      different from unity. The RRM also allowed us to estimate all the parameters
      throughout the calving trajectory of the cow. The use of multiple traits RRM
      across parities can provide very useful information for the breeding programmes. 

PMID- 24236606
TI  - Genetic background of claw disorders in the course of lactation and their
      relationships with type traits.
AB  - Random regression threshold animal models were applied to binary longitudinal
      claw disorder data for studying genetic parameters of all claw disorders (ACD),
      as well as to claw disorders divided into different categories: non-purulent claw
      disorders (NPCD), purulent claw disorders (PCD), dermatitis digitalis (DD), sole
      ulcer (SU), phlegmona (PH), laminitis (LAM) and interdigital hyperplasia (IH) in
      the course of lactation. Claw disorder data were obtained from 26,651 Holstein
      cows kept in 15 large-scale contract herds in the region of Thuringia over a
      period of 5 years from 2007 to 2012. If a cow had one or more entries of the same
      disorder, for example, sole ulcer, within an interval of 30 days, she was scored
      with a '1', and otherwise, she received a score of '0' for healthy.
      Heritabilities for the same disorder were relatively stable between DIM 50 and
      DIM 300, but they tended to increase in early and late lactation. Highest
      heritabilities in the range from 0.20 to 0.34 were estimated for IH, and lowest
      heritabilities were realized for LAM (~ 0.05). Genetic correlations for same
      traits between different DIMs were high for adjacent test days, but close to zero
      for distant test days. The relationship between the sire EBVs for claw disorders
      and official sire EBVs for the type traits 'foot angle' was slightly antagonistic
      with correlation coefficients in the range from 0.05 (DD) to 0.33 (PH).
      Correlations between lactation EBVs for hock quality, rear leg rear view and the
      feet and leg index with EBVs for claw disorders were slightly favourable and
      ranged between -0.01 (rear leg rear view correlated with SU) and -0.43 (hock
      quality correlated with PH). Regarding daily EBVs for claw disorders, the
      strongest correlation coefficient was of value -0.46 (LAM early in lactation
      correlated with the feet and leg index). Genetic parameters from the random
      regression model were verified by applying a single-trait repeatability model.
      Correlation coefficients between lactation EBVs from the random regression model
      and lactation EBVs from the repeatability model for the same claw disorder were
      close to 1. Correlations were lower between EBVs from single test days and
      lactation EBVs from the repeatability models, with a minimal value of 0.58 for
      PCD measured at day 20.

PMID- 24236607
TI  - Genetic parameters of pelt character, feed efficiency and size traits in Finnish
      blue fox (Vulpes lagopus).
AB  - Pelt character traits (size, quality, colour clarity, darkness) are important
      economic traits in blue fox breeding. Better feed efficiency (FE) is another
      economically important and new breeding goal for fur animals. The purpose of this
      study was to determine the correlations between pelt character traits, FE and
      size traits and to estimate genetic parameters for pelt character traits. Pelt
      size (pSIcm ) had a high positive genetic correlation with animal grading size
      (gSI), final body weight (BWFin), body length and daily gain (DG), and a moderate
      correlation with body condition score (BCS). Animal body length and BCS
      (describing fatness) were considered as genetically different traits. Genetic
      correlations between pelt quality and size traits were estimated without
      precision and did not differ from zero, but colour clarity (pCL) had a low
      antagonistic genetic correlation with FE. Pelt size and DG had a favourable
      genetic correlation with FE but a fairly high unfavourable genetic correlation
      with dry matter feed intake. The current emphasis on selection for larger animal
      and pelt size improves FE indirectly, but selection for larger pelt size favours
      fast-growing and fat individuals and simultaneously increases feed intake. The
      detected genetic connections between FE, size, feed intake and pCL should be
      taken into account in the Finnish blue fox breeding programme.

PMID- 24236608
TI  - Interplay between heritability, genetic correlation and economic weighting in a
      selection index with and without genomic information.
AB  - The availability of genomic information demands proper evaluation on how the kind
      (phenotypic versus genomic) and the amount of information influences the
      interplay of heritability (h(2)), genetic correlation (r(GiGj)) and economic
      weighting of traits with regard to the standard deviation of the index (sigmaI).
      As sigmaI is directly proportional to response to selection, it was the chosen
      parameter for comparing the indices. Three selection indices incorporating
      conventional and genomic information for a two trait (i and j) breeding goal were
      compared. Information sources were chosen corresponding to pig breeding
      applications. Index I incorporating an own performance in trait j served as
      reference scenario. In index II, additional information in both traits was
      contributed by a varying number of full-sibs (2, 7, 50). In index III, the
      conventional own performance in trait j was combined with genomic information for
      both traits. The number of animals in the reference population (NP = 1000, 5000,
      10,000) and thus the accuracy of GBVs were varied. With more information included
      in the index, sigmaI became more independent of r(GiGj), h(j)(2) and relative
      economic weighting. This applied for index II (more full-sibs) and for index III
      (more accurate GBVs). Standard deviations of index II with seven full-sibs and
      index III with NP = 1000 were similar when both traits had the same heritability.
      If the heritability of trait j was reduced (h(j)(2) = 0.1), sigmaI of index III
      with NP = 1000 was clearly higher than for index II with seven full-sibs. When
      enhancing the relative economic weight of trait j, the decrease in sigmaI of the
      conventional full-sib index was much stronger than for index III. Our results
      imply that NP = 1000 can be considered a minimum size for a reference population
      in pig breeding. These conclusions also hold for comparing the accuracies of the
      indices.

PMID- 24236609
TI  - Genomewide association for a dominant pigmentation gene in sheep.
AB  - Most published genomewide association studies (GWAS) in sheep have investigated
      recessively inherited monogenic traits. The objective here was to assess the
      feasibility of performing GWAS for a dominant trait for which the genetic basis
      was already known. A total of 42 Manchega and Rasa Aragonesa sheep that segregate
      solid black or white coat pigmentation were genotyped using the SNP50 BeadChip.
      Previous analysis in Manchegas demonstrated a complete association between the
      pigmentation trait and alleles of the MC1R gene, setting an a priori expectation
      for GWAS. Multiple methods were used to identify and quantify the strength of
      population substructure between black and white animals, before allelic
      association testing was performed for 49,034 SNPs. Following correction for
      substructure, GWAS identified the most strongly associated SNP (s26449) was also
      the closest to the MC1R gene. The finding was strongly supported by the
      permutation tree-based random forest (RF) analysis. Importantly, GWAS identified
      unlinked SNP with only slightly lower p-values than for s26449. Random forest
      analysis indicated these were false positives, suggesting interpretation based on
      both approaches was beneficial. The results indicate that a combined analytical
      approach can be successful in studies where a modest number of animals are
      available and substantial population stratification exists.

PMID- 24236610
TI  - On the origin of the Slovenian Cika cattle.
AB  - In 2002, it was discovered that several Cika cattle in the mountain areas of
      Slovenia had escaped the official policy of cross-breeding. Here, we report a
      genetic characterization to assess their status as autochthonous breed. We
      compared genotypes for 14 microsatellite markers in 150 Cika cattle individuals
      with data from 16 Central European cattle breeds. We show that Cika cattle are
      genetically as diverse as other Eastern Alpine breeds, are more diverse than
      Austrian Simmental but less than the Balkan Busha cattle. STRUCTURE analysis
      showed Pinzgauer admixture in several individuals but also indicated a unique
      genetic identity for Cika. This analysis also allowed a selection of the most
      genetically pure Cika individuals as assessed by the panel of microsatellites.
      These original Cika cattle form an Eastern Alpine breed cluster together with
      Pinzgauer and Pustertaler cattle. Cika cattle should be considered as an
      authentic and valuable genetic resource, which offers clear opportunities for
      sustainable agriculture and landscape conservation in marginal and mountain
      areas. 

PMID- 24236612
TI  - Rapid biomimetic mineralization of hydroxyapatite-g-PDLLA hybrid microspheres.
AB  - Hydroxyapatite-graft-poly(D,L-lactide) (HA-g-PDLLA) nanoparticles were
      synthesized here to fabricate hybrid microspheres with diameter in the range of
      150-200 MUm by emulsion solvent evaporation techniques. The as-obtained
      microspheres were treated with alkaline solution in order to selectively degrade
      the PDLLA layer which covered on the surface of hybrid microspheres and instead
      to generate a dense coating of HA nanoparticles. The hybrid microspheres with
      enriched HA nanoparticles on the surface were further immersed in simulated body
      fluid (SBF) solution to evaluate the bone-forming ability of the bioactive hybrid
      microspheres via the in vitro biomimetic mineralization process. The resultant
      microspheres were analyzed by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray
      powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and
      thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to understand the nucleation and growth of
      bioactive calcium phosphate (Ca-P) crystals as a function of surface treatment.
      Results in this work clearly demonstrated that the existing HA nanoparticles on
      the surface of hybrid microspheres after alkaline treatment greatly affect the
      growth of the bone-like Ca-P crystals in SBF solutions. The biomimetic hybrid
      microspheres were found to be excellent candidates for use as injectable
      scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

PMID- 24236613
TI  - Virulence and transferability of resistance determinants in a novel Klebsiella
      pneumoniae sequence type 1137 in China.
AB  - A study was designed to characterize three carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella
      pneumoniae isolated from pediatric patients in China. Molecular characterization
      was done using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing for blaVIM, blaNDM,
      blaIMP, blaKPC, blaCTX-Ms, blaOXAs, blaTEMs, and blaSHV; plasmid-mediated
      quinolone resistance determinants; aminoglycoside resistance determinants;
      multilocus sequencing typing; plasmid replicon typing; addiction; and virulence
      factors. Kp32 belonged to the newly described sequence type 1137, were positive
      for aac(6')-Ib-suzhou, qnrA1, qnrB4, qnrS1, aac(6')-Ib, rmtB, armA, blaSHV-12,
      blaCTX-M-15, blaKPC-2, and blaIMP-4; contained IncA/C plasmids that tested
      positive for K1 capsular antigens, the ccdAB (coupled cell division locus)
      addiction system and the wabG, ureA, rmpA, magA, allS, fimH, and the aerobactin
      virulence factors. However, the others belonged to clone ST11, and were positive
      for aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrB4, blaCTX-M-14, blaSHV-11, aac(6')-Ib, rmtB, and blaKPC-2;
      contained IncFIA plasmids that tested positive for K2 capsular antigens, the
      vagCD addiction system and the uge, wabG, ureA, kfuBC, rpmA, and fimH virulence
      factors. ST1137 had more virulence factors than the comparative strains ST11. The
      blaKPC-2 gene was located on the IncFIA and IncA/C replicon groups of plasmids.
      An analysis of the genetic environment of blaKPC-2 gene has demonstrated that the
      blaKPC-2 gene was always associated with one of the Tn4401 isoforms (a or b). Our
      study suggested that K. pneumoniae carbapenemases being found in virulent K.
      pneumoniae should be emphasized, as this will eventually become a global health
      threat. 

PMID- 24236614
TI  - Delicate balance between functionally required flexibility and aggregation risk
      in a beta-rich protein.
AB  - Susceptibility to aggregation is general to proteins because of the potential for
      intermolecular interactions between hydrophobic stretches in their amino acid
      sequences. Protein aggregation has been implicated in several catastrophic
      diseases, yet we still lack in-depth understanding about how proteins are
      channeled to this state. Using a predominantly beta-sheet protein whose folding
      has been explored in detail, cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1 (CRABP1),
      as a model, we have tackled the challenge of understanding the links between a
      protein's natural tendency to fold, 'breathe', and function with its propensity
      to misfold and aggregate. We identified near-native dynamic species that lead to
      aggregation and found that inherent structural fluctuations in the native
      protein, resulting in opening of the ligand-entry portal, expose hydrophobic
      residues on the most vulnerable aggregation-prone sequences in CRABP1. CRABP1 and
      related intracellullar lipid-binding proteins have not been reported to aggregate
      inside cells, and we speculate that the cellular concentration of their open,
      aggregation-prone conformations is sufficient for ligand binding but below the
      critical concentration for aggregation. Our finding provides an example of how
      nature fine-tunes a delicate balance between protein function, conformational
      variability, and aggregation vulnerability and implies that with the evolutionary
      requirement for proteins to fold and function, aggregation becomes an unavoidable
      but controllable risk. 

PMID- 24236615
TI  - Discovery of two novel beta-glucosidases from an Amazon soil metagenomic library.
AB  - An Amazon soil microbial community metagenomic fosmid library was functionally
      screened for beta-glucosidase activity. Contig analysis of positive clones
      revealed the presence of two ORFs encoding novel beta-glucosidases, AmBGL17 and
      AmBGL18, from the GH3 and GH1 families, respectively. Both AmBGL17 and AmBGL18
      were functionally identified as beta-glucosidases. The enzymatic activity of
      AmBGL17 was further characterized. AmBGL17 was tested with different substrates
      and showed highest activity on pNPbetaG substrate with an optimum temperature of
      45  degrees C and an optimum pH of 6. AmBGL17 showed a Vmax of 116 mM s(-1) and
      Km of 0.30 +/- 0.017 mM. This is the first report of beta-glucosidases from an
      Amazon soil microbial community using a metagenomic approach. 

PMID- 24236616
TI  - Using Mendelian randomization to assess and develop clinical interventions:
      limitations and benefits.

PMID- 24236617
TI  - Is sertraline plus transcranial direct current stimulation the future of
      effective depression treatment?

PMID- 24236619
TI  - From methods to policy: understanding what works: evaluating the evidence with
      both eyes open.

PMID- 24236620
TI  - Interview: comparative effectiveness research and challenges to healthcare reform
      in the Middle East and USA.

PMID- 24236621
TI  - Antiretroviral therapy in primary HIV infection.
AB  - Evaluation of: SPARTAC Trial Investigators, Fidler S, Porter K et al. Short
      course antiretroviral therapy in primary HIV infection. N. Engl. J. Med. 368, 207
      217 (2013). The timing of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in patients who present
      with primary HIV infection is uncertain. This paper compared three strategies:
      ART for 48 weeks; ART for 12 weeks; or no therapy in 366 patients with primary
      HIV infection. They showed that 48 weeks of ART significantly reduced the risk of
      needing definitive therapy (after a median follow-up of 4.2 years). However, the
      median delay in needing to start definitive therapy (61 weeks) is not
      significantly greater than the amount of treatment given (48 weeks) to achieve
      this result, suggesting that the clinical benefit of immediate ART in primary HIV
      infection is not yet clear. 

PMID- 24236622
TI  - Strategies for multivessel revascularization in patients with diabetes.
AB  - Evaluation of: Farkouh ME, Domanski M, Sleeper LA et al. Strategies for
      multivessel revascularization in patients with diabetes. N. Engl. J. Med. 367,
      2375-2384 (2012). The FREEDOM trial enrolled 1900 patients with diabetes and
      multivessel coronary disease to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with
      drug-eluting stents or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In the drug
      eluting stents arm, 94% were treated with the first-generation drug-eluting
      stents. The median duration of follow-up among survivors was 3.8 years. The
      primary outcome, a composite of death from any cause, nonfatal myocardial
      infarction or nonfatal stroke, occurred more frequently in the PCI group, with 5
      year rates of 26.6% in the PCI group and 18.7% in the CABG group, a statistically
      significant relative-risk reduction of 30%. Stroke rates were significantly
      higher in the CABG group, with 5-year rates of 2.4% in the PCI group and 5.2% in
      the CABG group. 

PMID- 24236623
TI  - Paying the doctor: evidence-based decisions at the point-of-care and the role of
      fee-for-service incentives.
AB  - This article develops a framework for understanding how financial and
      nonfinancial incentives can complicate point-of-care decision-making by
      physicians, leading to the overuse or underuse of healthcare services. By
      examining the types of decisions that clinicians and patients make at the point
      of-care, the framework clarifies how incentives can distort physicians' decisions
      about testing, diagnosis and treatment, as well as efforts to enhance patient
      adherence. The analysis highlights contributing factors that promote and impede
      evidence-based decision-making, using examples from the 'Choosing Wisely'
      program. It concludes with a summary of how the existing fee-for-service payment
      system in the USA may contribute to the problems of over- and under-testing,
      diagnosis and treatment, highlighted through the efforts of Choosing Wisely. 

PMID- 24236624
TI  - Paying more wisely: effects of payment reforms on evidence-based clinical
      decision-making.
AB  - This article reviews the recent research, policy and conceptual literature on the
      effects of payment policy reforms on evidence-based clinical decision-making by
      physicians at the point-of-care. Payment reforms include recalibration of
      existing fee structures in fee-for-service, pay-for-quality, episode-based
      bundled payment and global payments. The advantages and disadvantages of these
      reforms are considered in terms of their effects on the use of evidence in
      clinical decisions made by physicians and their patients related to the
      diagnosis, testing, treatment and management of disease. The article concludes
      with a recommended pathway forward for improving current payment incentives to
      better support evidence-based decision-making. 

PMID- 24236625
TI  - Management options for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a
      regional perspective on value.
AB  - Use of comparative effectiveness information in local healthcare decisions can be
      confounded by variations in practice, barriers to access and population
      demographics. The New England Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council
      was convened as a public deliberative panel that considers evidence on the
      comparative clinical effectiveness and comparative value of a variety of
      therapeutic interventions. The council is tasked with making summary judgments on
      the evidence and recommendations for applying the evidence in medical and drug
      coverage policy, as well as initiating educational efforts for patients and
      clinicians. The New England Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council met
      in June 2012 to discuss management options for attention-deficit/hyperactivity
      disorder, guided by a recent comparative effectiveness review from the Agency for
      Healthcare Research and Quality and supplementary economic analyses conducted by
      the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review. This article summarizes the
      deliberations and reflects on lessons learned regarding use of region-specific
      economic analyses to guide decision-making. 

PMID- 24236626
TI  - Modernizing the systematic review process to inform comparative effectiveness:
      tools and methods.
AB  - Systematic reviews are being increasingly used to inform all levels of
      healthcare, from bedside decisions to policy-making. Since they are designed to
      minimize bias and subjectivity, they are a preferred option to assess the
      comparative effectiveness and safety of healthcare interventions. However,
      producing systematic reviews and keeping them up-to-date is becoming increasingly
      onerous for three reasons. First, the body of biomedical literature is expanding
      exponentially with no indication of slowing down. Second, as systematic reviews
      gain wide acceptance, they are also being used to address more complex questions
      (e.g., evaluating the comparative effectiveness of many interventions together
      rather than focusing only on pairs of interventions). Third, the standards for
      performing systematic reviews have become substantially more rigorous over time.
      To address these challenges, we must carefully prioritize the questions that
      should be addressed by systematic reviews and optimize the processes of research
      synthesis. In addition to reducing the workload involved in planning and
      conducting systematic reviews, we also need to make efforts to increase the
      transparency, reliability and validity of the review process; these aims can be
      grouped under the umbrella of 'modernization' of the systematic review process. 

PMID- 24236627
TI  - Priority setting for health in emerging markets.
AB  - The use of health technology assessment research in emerging economies is
      becoming an increasingly important tool to determine the uses of health spending.
      As low- and middle-income countries' gross domestic product grows, the funding
      available for health has increased in tandem. There is growing evidence that
      comparative effectiveness research and cost-effectiveness can be used to improve
      health outcomes within a predefined financial space. The use of these evaluation
      tools, combined with a systematized process of priority setting, can help inform
      national and global health payers. This review of country institutions for health
      technology assessment illustrates two points: the efforts underway to use
      research to inform priorities are widespread and not confined to wealthier
      countries; and many countries' efforts to create evidence-based policy are
      incomplete and more country-specific research will be needed. Further evidence
      shows that there is scope to reduce these gaps and opportunity to support better
      incorporation of data through better-defined priority-setting processes. 

PMID- 24236628
TI  - Robotic and standard open radical prostatectomy: oncological and quality-of-life
      outcomes.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the USA.
      Use of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for the management of
      localized prostate cancer has increased dramatically in recent years. This review
      focuses on comparing quality of life following RARP versus retropubic radical
      prostatectomy. RARP is associated with improved perioperative outcomes, such as
      reduced blood loss and fewer transfusions. In addition, cancer control after RARP
      versus retropubic radical prostatectomy is equivalent, with similar incidences of
      positive surgical margins and comparable early oncological outcomes. RARP appears
      to provide advantages in recovery of continence, potency and quality of life
      compared with retropubic radical prostatectomy; however, methodological
      limitations exist in current literature. 

PMID- 24236629
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of antiarrhythmic drugs on cardiovascular
      hospitalization and mortality in atrial fibrillation.
AB  - AIM: To assess, through a systematic review, evidence for the effects of
      antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) on cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization and mortality.
      MATERIALS & METHODS: English language articles were identified using MEDLINE,
      EMBASE and the Cochrane Clinical Trial Registry and were screened for study
      applicability and methodological quality. RESULTS: Out of 3526 identified
      studies, 38 were selected for analysis (19 evaluated individual AADs, 13 compared
      rate- versus rhythm-control strategies, and 6 evaluated multiple AADs but did not
      report outcomes for individual agents). None of the studies examining individual
      AADs employed the CV hospitalization end point used in ATHENA (the reference
      trial). There were no head-to-head comparisons of individual AADs on CV
      hospitalization. Most high-quality studies used multidrug rate- versus rhythm
      control strategies. CONCLUSION: Assessment of the comparative effectiveness of
      individual AADs on CV hospitalization and mortality end points is not possible
      with the current evidence.

PMID- 24236630
TI  - Engaging hard-to-reach patients in patient-centered outcomes research.
AB  - AIMS: This study aimed to identify methods to engage hard-to-reach patients in
      the research process. MATERIALS & METHODS: With funding from the Patient-Centered
      Outcomes Research Institute (Washington, DC, USA), the University of Maryland
      (MD, USA) conducted 20 focus groups and one individual interview. The sample
      consisted of six groups of hard-to-reach patients, two groups of healthcare
      providers who work with hard-to-reach patients and two groups of surrogates of
      hard-to-reach patients. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: In order to make patient-centered
      outcomes research more meaningful to patients and their caregivers, patient
      centered outcomes research should be conducted with a focus on building and
      maintaining trust, which is achieved via pre-engagement with communities and
      continuous engagement of study participants and their communities.

PMID- 24236631
TI  - Is a comparative clinical trial for breast cancer tumor markers to monitor
      disease recurrence warranted? A value of information analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer tumor markers are used by some clinicians to screen for
      disease recurrence risk. Since there is limited evidence of benefit, additional
      research may be warranted. AIM: To assess the potential value of a randomized
      clinical trial of breast tumor marker testing in routine follow-up of high-risk,
      stage II-III breast cancer survivors. MATERIALS & METHODS: We developed a
      decision-analytic model of tumor marker testing plus standard surveillance every
      3-6 months for 5 years. The expected value of sample information was calculated
      using probabilistic simulations and was a function of: the probability of
      selecting the optimal monitoring strategy with current versus future information;
      the impact of choosing the nonoptimal strategy; and the size of the population
      affected. RESULTS: The value of information for a randomized clinical trial
      involving 9000 women was US$214 million compared with a cost of US$30-60 million
      to conduct such a trial. The probability of making an alternate, nonoptimal
      decision and choosing testing versus no testing was 32% with current versus
      future information from the trial. The impact of a nonoptimal decision was
      US$2150 and size of population impacted over 10 years was 308,000. The value of
      improved information on overall survival was US$105 million, quality of life
      US$37 million and test performance US$71 million. CONCLUSION: Conducting a
      randomized clinical trial of breast cancer tumor markers appears to offer a good
      societal return on investment. Retrospective analyses to assess test performance
      and evaluation of patient quality of life using tumor markers may also offer
      valuable areas of research. However, alternative investments may offer even
      better returns in investments and, as such, the trial concept deserves further
      study as part of an overall research-portfolio evaluation.

PMID- 24236632
TI  - Short-term effectiveness of smoking-cessation treatment on respiratory function
      and CEA level.
AB  - AIM: Tobacco smoke contains many chemicals that are harmful and cause
      carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to confirm the relationship between
      smoking and changes in respiratory functional and laboratory parameters
      comparing, in particular, smoking-cessation treatment's outcomes between smokers
      who reduce tobacco consumption (reducers) and smokers who quit completely
      (quitters). MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 181 current smokers were
      prospectively enrolled. All of the participants completed a sociodemographic
      questionnaire and underwent 3 months of varenicline plus nicotine-replacement
      therapy combined with basic counseling. Laboratory tests and clinical and lung
      function parameters were evaluated at entry and after 3 months of therapy. After
      3 months of smoking-cessation treatment, subjects were sorted into two subgroups:
      quitters and reducers. RESULTS: After 3 months of combined therapy, 56% of the
      subjects (101 patients) stopped smoking; the remaining patients reduced.
      Significant improvements in pulmonary-function tests (especially in the 25-75%
      forced expiratory volume testing) were recorded. The most significant
      improvements were obtained in quitters: carboxyhemoglobin was reduced by 1.06%,
      the average expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of vital capacity increased by 16%
      from predicted, mean serum CEA level decreased by 1.83 ng/ml, heart rate
      decreased by approximately 16 beats/min on average and forced 1 s expiratory flow
      increased by 2.57% from predicted. The Fagerstrom scores showed a positive
      correlation with the corresponding blood carboxyhemoglobin levels. CONCLUSION:
      Just 3 months of smoking-cessation treatment achieved significant improvements in
      lung-function parameters and a decrease in serum CEA, mostly in subjects who
      totally quit smoking. This result confirms the effectiveness of our smoking
      cessation treatment and suggests the utility of the selected parameters as tools
      to motivate and monitor patients.

PMID- 24236635
TI  - A new flavonoid from the aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata.
AB  - A new flavonoid, 7,8-dimethoxy-2'-hydroxy-5-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyloxyflavone
      (1), along with 15 known flavonoids (2-16), was isolated from the aerial parts of
      Andrographis paniculata Nees. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of
      chemical and spectroscopic analyses. Most of them have uncommon O-substitution
      patterns involving 5-, 7-, 8-, 2'-, 3'-, 4'- and 5'-O-substituents. The
      antiproliferative effects of these flavonoids against human leukaemia HL-60 cells
      were investigated. Among them, 13 was the most active, displaying potent
      antiproliferative activity with IC50 of 3.50 MUM. The structure-activity
      relationships of these isolated compounds were discussed.

PMID- 24236636
TI  - Mechanism-based inactivation of cytochromes by furan epoxide: unraveling the
      molecular mechanism.
AB  - Drugs carrying an unsaturated C?C center (such as furans) form reactive epoxide
      metabolites and cause irreversible mechanism-based inactivation (MBI) of
      cytochrome P450 (CYP450) activity, through covalent modification of amino acid
      residues. Though this reaction is confirmed to take place in the active site of
      CYPs, the details of the reactions of furan (epoxidation and epoxide ring
      opening), the conditions under which MBI may occur, the residues involved, the
      importance of the heme center, etc. have yet to be explored. A density functional
      theory (DFT) study was carried out (i) to elucidate the reaction pathways for the
      generation of furan epoxide metabolite from furan ring by the model oxidant Cpd I
      (iron(IV)-oxo heme-porphine radical cation, to mimic the catalytic domain of
      CYPs) and (ii) to explore different reactions of the furan epoxide metabolite.
      The energy profiles of the competitive pathways and the conditions facilitating
      MBI of CYPs by the reactive epoxide metabolite are reported. The rate-determining
      step for the overall metabolic pathway leading to MBI was observed to be the
      initial epoxidation, requiring ~12 kcal/mol under the enzymatic conditions. The
      covalent adducts (inactivator complexes) are highly stable (~-46 to -70 kcal/mol)
      and may be formed due to the reaction between furan epoxide and nucleophilic
      amino acid residues such as serine/threonine, preferably after initial activation
      by basic amino acids. 

PMID- 24236637
TI  - Dual functions of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha for the commitment of mouse
      embryonic stem cells toward a neural lineage.
AB  - Embryonic stem (ES) cells are useful for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of
      cell fate decision in the early development of mammals. It has been shown that
      aggregate culture of ES cells efficiently induces neuroectoderm differentiation.
      However, the molecular mechanism that leads to selective neural differentiation
      in aggregate culture is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the
      oxygen-sensitive hypoxia-inducible transcription factor, Hif-1alpha, is an
      essential regulator for neural commitment of ES cells. We found that a hypoxic
      environment is spontaneously established in differentiating ES cell aggregates
      within 3 days, and that this time window coincides with Hif-1alpha activation. In
      ES cells in adherent culture under hypoxic conditions, Hif-1alpha activation was
      correlated with significantly greater expression of neural progenitor-specific
      gene Sox1 compared with ES cells in adherent culture under normoxic conditions.
      In contrast, Hif-1alpha-depleted ES cell aggregates showed severe reduction in
      Sox1 expression and maintained high expression of undifferentiated ES cell marker
      genes and epiblast marker gene Fgf5 on day 4. Notably, chromatin immune
      precipitation assay and luciferase assay showed that Hif-1alpha might directly
      activate Sox1 expression. Of additional importance is our finding that
      attenuation of Hif-1alpha resulted in an increase of BMP4, a potent inhibitor of
      neural differentiation, and led to a high level of phosphorylated Smad1. Thus,
      our results indicate that Hif-1alpha acts as a positive regulator of neural
      commitment by promoting the transition of ES cell differentiation from the
      epiblast into the neuroectoderm state via direct activation of Sox1 expression
      and suppressing endogenous BMP signaling. 

PMID- 24236639
TI  - Respiration during sleep in children with therapy-resistant enuresis.
AB  - AIM: Although there is a known association between enuresis and snoring or sleep
      apnoeas, respiration during sleep has not been thoroughly studied in enuretic
      children. This study was performed with the aim of filling this gap in our
      knowledge. METHODS: Thirty-four children with therapy-resistant enuresis, but no
      history of heavy snoring or sleep apnoeas, underwent sleep registrations,
      including standard electroencephalography (EEG) and electrooculography (EOG) as
      well as registration of oxygen saturation, respiratory effort and nasal air flow.
      To assess nasal airway patency, rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry were
      performed before and after nasal decongestion. RESULTS: The children were found
      to have a higher than expected apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI), due to a high
      frequency of hypopnoeas. They were also noted to have a tendency for respiratory
      arousals. Standard polysomnographic variables were normal. CONCLUSION: We provide
      baseline data of nocturnal respiration in enuretic children. The children were
      found to have subclinical signs of disordered respiration. This may be one of the
      explanations for their high arousal thresholds.

PMID- 24236640
TI  - The transcription factor ATOH8 is regulated by erythropoietic activity and
      regulates HAMP transcription and cellular pSMAD1,5,8 levels.
AB  - ATOH8 has previously been shown to be an iron-regulated transcription factor,
      however its role in iron metabolism is not known. ATOH8 expression in HEK293
      cells resulted in increased endogenous HAMP mRNA levels as well as HAMP promoter
      activity. Mutation of the E-box or SMAD response elements within the HAMP
      promoter significantly reduced the effects of ATOH8, indicating that ATOH8
      activates HAMP transcription directly as well as through bone morphogenic protein
      (BMP) signalling. In support of the former, Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays
      provided evidence that ATOH8 binds to E-box regions within the HAMP promoter
      while the latter was supported by the finding that ATOH8 expression in HEK293
      cells led to increased phosphorylated SMAD1,5,8 levels. Liver Atoh8 levels were
      reduced in mice under conditions associated with increased erythropoietic
      activity such as hypoxia, haemolytic anaemia, hypotransferrinaemia and
      erythropoietin treatment and increased by inhibitors of erythropoiesis. Hepatic
      Atoh8 mRNA levels increased in mice treated with holo transferrin, suggesting
      that Atoh8 responds to changes in plasma iron. ATOH8 is therefore a novel
      transcriptional regulator of HAMP, which is responsive to changes in plasma iron
      and erythroid activity and could explain how changes in erythroid activity lead
      to regulation of HAMP. 

PMID- 24236642
TI  - A systematic review of the factors associated with interest in predictive genetic
      testing for obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the future, it may be possible for individuals to take a genetic
      test to determine their genetic predisposition towards developing lifestyle
      related chronic diseases. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to
      identify the factors associated with an interest in having predictive genetic
      testing for obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease amongst unaffected
      adults. METHODS: Ovid Medline, PsycINFO and EMBASE online databases were searched
      using predefined search terms. Publications meeting the inclusion criteria
      (English language, free-living adult population not selected as a result of their
      disease diagnosis, reporting interest as an outcome, not related to a single gene
      inherited disease) were assessed for quality and content. Narrative synthesis of
      the results was undertaken. RESULTS: From the 2329 publications retrieved, eight
      studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Overall, the
      evidence base was small but of positive quality. Interest was associated with
      personal attitudes towards disease risk and the provision of information about
      genetic testing, shaped by perceived risk of disease and expected outcomes of
      testing. The role of demographic factors was investigated with largely
      inconclusive findings. CONCLUSIONS: Interest in predictive genetic testing for
      obesity, type II diabetes or heart disease was greatest amongst those who
      perceived the risk of disease to be high and/or the outcomes of testing to be
      beneficial.

PMID- 24236638
TI  - Physiological and environmental control of yeast prions.
AB  - Prions are self-perpetuating protein isoforms that cause fatal and incurable
      neurodegenerative disease in mammals. Recent evidence indicates that a majority
      of human proteins involved in amyloid and neural inclusion disorders possess at
      least some prion properties. In lower eukaryotes, such as yeast, prions act as
      epigenetic elements, which increase phenotypic diversity by altering a range of
      cellular processes. While some yeast prions are clearly pathogenic, it is also
      postulated that prion formation could be beneficial in variable environmental
      conditions. Yeast and mammalian prions have similar molecular properties. Crucial
      cellular factors and conditions influencing prion formation and propagation were
      uncovered in the yeast models. Stress-related chaperones, protein quality control
      deposits, degradation pathways, and cytoskeletal networks control prion formation
      and propagation in yeast. Environmental stresses trigger prion formation and
      loss, supposedly acting via influencing intracellular concentrations of the prion
      inducing proteins, and/or by localizing prionogenic proteins to the prion
      induction sites via heterologous ancillary helpers. Physiological and
      environmental modulation of yeast prions points to new opportunities for
      pharmacological intervention and/or prophylactic measures targeting general
      cellular systems rather than the properties of individual amyloids and prions. 

PMID- 24236643
TI  - HNA-3 gene frequencies in Brazilians and a new polymerase chain reaction
      restriction fragment length polymorphism method for HNA-3a/3b genotyping.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HNA-3 antigens are the result of a rs2288904 single-nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) in the CTL2, and the HNA-3a and HNA-3b variants are encoded by
      a guanine and adenine at Nucleotide Position 461. Anti-HNA-3 are involved in
      severe transfusion-related acute lung injury reactions and in neonatal alloimmune
      neutropenia. Since the distribution of the HNA-3 system was unknown in South
      Americans, in this study we determined the frequency of the HNA-3 alleles in
      Brazilians. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: DNA of 500 blood donors, 120 Xikrin
      Amerindians, 74 Japanese individuals, and 124 African Brazilians were genotyped
      for rs2288904 by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length
      polymorphism assay. The PCR product was digested with enzyme Taq(alpha) 1,
      specific to nucleotide guanine (HNA-3a). RESULTS: The results showed that the
      frequencies of the HNA-3a/HNA-3b alleles were 0.81/0.19 in blood donors,
      1.00/0.00 in Amerindians, 0.63/0.37 in Japanese, and 0.85/0.15 in African
      Brazilians. All 81 individuals genotyped as HNA-3a/a did not present the SNP
      c.457T by molecular sequencing. CONCLUSION: The frequencies of HNA-3 genotypes in
      Brazilian blood donors is similar to that described in Caucasians; however, all
      Amerindians were HNA-3a/a, African Brazilians showed a lower frequency of HNA
      3b/b, and Japanese had a higher prevalence of HNA-3b/b, suggesting that they may
      be at risk for developing anti-HNA-3a alloantibodies.

PMID- 24236645
TI  - Heritabilities and genetic correlations between fetlock, hock and stifle
      osteochondrosis and fetlock osteochondral fragments in Hanoverian Warmblood
      horses.
AB  - The main objective of this study is to estimate genetic parameters for
      osteochondrosis (OC) and osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in fetlock, hock and
      stifle joints as well as for palmar or plantar osteochondral fragments (POFs) and
      dorsodistal osteochondral fragments (DOFs) in fetlock joints. For this purpose,
      the results of a standardized radiographic examination of 7396 Hanoverian
      Warmblood horses were used. Heritabilities and genetic correlations were
      estimated using residual maximum likelihood (REML) under a linear animal model.
      Heritability estimates for OC at the different joints were at 0.17-0.34, for OCD
      at 0.16-0.46, for POFs at 0.19 and for DOFs at 0.22 after transformation onto the
      liability scale. For osteochondral fragments (OFs), lower heritabilities were
      estimated, especially in fetlock joints. POFs were genetically negatively
      correlated with OC in each joint. The size of the heritability estimates
      indicates that the prevalence of these radiographic findings can be reduced by
      breeding measures. However, differentiation among the different clinical entities
      is crucial to avoid underestimation of heritabilities. The analysis of genetic
      parameters performed in this study indicates that OC and OCD in fetlock, OC and
      OCD in hock, OC and OCD in stifle joints, POFs of the hindlimbs and DOFs may be
      treated as different traits. 

PMID- 24236644
TI  - Corticomedullary differentiation and maturational arrest in thymomas.
AB  - AIMS: Morphological complexity hampers the histological classification of
      thymomas. Our aim was to determine whether the use of novel differentiation and
      maturation markers of cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (cTECs and
      mTECs) might provide an approach to understanding the underlying biology of these
      tumours. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-seven thymomas were studied by
      immunohistochemistry. The cortical markers used were B5T, PRSS16, and cathepsin
      V. The medullary markers used were CD40, claudin-4, AIRE, and desmin. Involucrin
      and cytokeratin 10 were used to study terminal mTEC maturation. Irrespective of
      histological subtype, most thymomas contained distinct areas with cortical and
      medullary differentiation. Type B1, type B2 and type AB thymomas showed marked bi
      lineage differentiation, with lack of terminal mTEC maturation in type AB. Type
      AB thymomas were unique in showing areas where cells with either cortical or
      medullary differentiation were intimately 'mixed' at the single-cell level. Type
      B3 and type A thymomas showed only abortive lineage differentiation and
      maturation. CONCLUSIONS: Thymomas show highly characteristic patterns of bi
      lineage TEC differentiation that reflect the histological subtypes recognized by
      the WHO classification. We hypothesize that thymomas arise from thymic precursor
      cells with different cortical and/or medullary maturation defects.

PMID- 24236646
TI  - Increased dairy consumption differentially improves metabolic syndrome markers in
      male and female adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Effects of dairy consumption on metabolic health and adiposity are
      inconsistent. Most clinical trials have investigated dairy intake, frequently
      during caloric restriction, in overweight or obese populations but not in a
      metabolic syndrome population. We investigated the effect of increased dairy
      intake without caloric restriction on anthropometrics, plasma lipids, and glucose
      in typically low-dairy consumers who met the National Cholesterol Education
      Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) metabolic syndrome criteria.
      METHODS: Male (n=14) and female (n=23) adults (54.1 +/- 9.7 years) with metabolic
      syndrome were randomized to consume low-fat dairy (LFD) (10 oz of 1% milk, 6 oz
      of nonfat yogurt, 4 oz of 2% cheese) or carbohydrate control (CNT) (1.5-oz
      granola bar and 12 oz of 100% juice) foods for 6 weeks in a crossover study
      design. Anthropometrics, metabolic syndrome parameters, insulin resistance, and
      parathyroid hormone were measured. Body composition was analyzed by a dual-energy
      X-ray absorptiometry scan for a subset of subjects (n=22). RESULTS: LFD modulated
      metabolic syndrome parameters differently according to gender. Following LFD, men
      had lower glucose (95.4 +/- 9.1 vs. 98.9 +/- 10.6 mg/dL, P=0.048), whereas women
      had lower body weight (BW), waist circumference, and body mass index (P<0.01)
      compared to CNT. Women also had lower energy intake following LFD compared to
      CNT. Increases in phosphorus (a dairy nutrient) were negatively correlated with
      decreases in BW (r=-0.537; P<0.01) and body fat in women (r=-0.593, P<0.025),
      whereas the decreases in energy intake had no correlation with anthropometrics.
      CONCLUSIONS: Three dairy servings/day promoted small but significant improvements
      differentially by gender in a metabolic syndrome population.

PMID- 24236647
TI  - The onset of childhood amnesia in childhood: a prospective investigation of the
      course and determinants of forgetting of early-life events.
AB  - The present research was an examination of the onset of childhood amnesia and how
      it relates to maternal narrative style, an important determinant of
      autobiographical memory development. Children and their mothers discussed unique
      events when the children were 3 years of age. Different subgroups of children
      were tested for recall of the events at ages 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 years. At the
      later session they were interviewed by an experimenter about the events discussed
      2 to 6 years previously with their mothers (early-life events). Children aged 5,
      6, and 7 remembered 60% or more of the early-life events. In contrast, children
      aged 8 and 9 years remembered fewer than 40% of the early-life events. Overall
      maternal narrative style predicted children's contributions to mother-child
      conversations at age 3 years; it did not have cross-lagged relations to memory
      for early-life events at ages 5 to 9 years. Maternal deflections of the
      conversational turn to the child predicted the amount of information children
      later reported about the early-life events. The findings have implications for
      our understanding of the onset of childhood amnesia and the achievement of an
      adult-like distribution of memories in the school years. They highlight the
      importance of forgetting processes in explanations of the amnesia. 

PMID- 24236648
TI  - Immunosuppression for pancreas transplantation with an emphasis on antibody
      induction strategies: review and perspective.
AB  - A review of recent literature was performed to identify trends and evaluate
      outcomes with respect to immunosuppression in pancreas transplantation (PTX). In
      the past decade, the majority of PTXs were performed with depleting antibody
      induction, particularly in the setting of either calcineurin inhibitor
      minimization, corticosteroid withdrawal or both. Maintenance immunosuppression
      consisted of predominantly tacrolimus (TAC)/mycophenolatemofetil,
      TAC/mycophenolic acid or TAC/sirolimus with or without corticosteroids. Depending
      on PTX category, donor and recipient risk factors, case mix and immunosuppressive
      regimen, the 1-year incidence of acute rejection has decreased to 5-20%. Current
      1-year rates of immunological pancreas graft loss range between 1.8 and 6%.
      Depleting antibody induction and either TAC/mycophenolatemofetil or TAC/sirolimus
      maintenance therapy with early steroid withdrawal have become the mainstay of
      immunosuppression in PTX. However, the development of non-nephrotoxic,
      nondiabetogenic, and nongastrointestinal toxic regimens is highly desirable to
      improve quality of life in all solid organ transplant recipients. 

PMID- 24236649
TI  - Study on human intestinal bacterium Blautia sp. AUH-JLD56 for the conversion of
      arctigenin to (-)-3'-desmethylarctigenin.
AB  - Arctium lappa L. (A. lappa) is a popularly used vegetable as well as herbal
      medicine. Human intestinal microflora was reported to convert arctiin, the lignan
      compound with highest content in the dried fruits of Arctium lappa, to a series
      of metabolites. However, the specific bacterium responsible for the formation of
      3'-desmethylarctigenin (3'-DMAG), the most predominant metabolite of arctiin by
      rat or human intestinal microflora, has not been isolated yet. In the present
      study, we isolated one single bacterium, which we named Blautia sp. AUH-JLD56,
      capable of solely biotransforming arctiin or arctigenin to (-)-3'-DMAG. The
      structure of the metabolite 3'-DMAG was elucidated by electrospray ionization
      mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy. The biotransforming kinetics and maximum biotransforming capacity
      of strain AUH-JLD56 was investigated. In addition, the metabolite 3'-DMAG showed
      significantly higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging
      activity than that of the substrate arctigenin at the concentrations tested. 

PMID- 24236650
TI  - Characterization of amyloid formation by glucagon-like peptides: role of basic
      residues in heparin-mediated aggregation.
AB  - Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have been reported to play a significant role in
      amyloid formation of a wide range of proteins/peptides either associated with
      diseases or native biological functions. The exact mechanism by which GAGs
      influence amyloid formation is not clearly understood. Here, we studied two
      closely related peptides, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) and glucagon-like
      peptide 2 (GLP2), for their amyloid formation in the presence and absence of the
      representative GAG heparin using various biophysical and computational
      approaches. We show that the aggregation and amyloid formation by these peptides
      follow distinct mechanisms: GLP1 follows nucleation-dependent aggregation,
      whereas GLP2 forms amyloids without any significant lag time. Investigating the
      role of heparin, we also found that heparin interacts with GLP1, accelerates its
      aggregation, and gets incorporated within its amyloid fibrils. In contrast,
      heparin neither affects the aggregation kinetics of GLP2 nor gets embedded within
      its fibrils. Furthermore, we found that heparin preferentially influences the
      stability of the GLP1 fibrils over GLP2 fibrils. To understand the specific
      nature of the interaction of heparin with GLP1 and GLP2, we performed all-atom MD
      simulations. Our in silico results show that the basic-nonbasic-basic (B-X-B)
      motif of GLP1 (K28-G29-R30) facilitates the interaction between heparin and
      peptide monomers. However, the absence of such a motif in GLP2 could be the
      reason for a significantly lower strength of interaction between GLP2 and
      heparin. Our study not only helps to understand the role of heparin in inducing
      protein aggregation but also provides insight into the nature of heparin-protein
      interaction. 

PMID- 24236651
TI  - Cerebral vascular malformations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.
AB  - OBJECT: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a hereditary disorder
      characterized by mucocutaneous telangiectasias, frequent nosebleeds, and visceral
      arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Few reports have outlined the prevalence of
      the various cerebral vascular malformations found in patients with HHT. The
      authors set out to define the prevalence of cerebral vascular malformations in a
      population of HHT patients who underwent imaging with 3-T imaging (MRI/MR
      angiography [MRA]) of the brain. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively
      collected data was carried out using a database of 372 HHT patients who were seen
      and examined at the Georgia Regents University HHT Center and screened with 3-T
      MRI/MRA. Data were tabulated for numbers and types of vascular malformations in
      this population. RESULTS: Arteriovenous malformations were identified in 7.7%,
      developmental venous anomalies in 4.3%, and cerebral aneurysms in 2.4% of HHT
      patients. The HHT AVMs tended to be supratentorial, small, and cortical in this
      series, findings consistent with other recent studies in the literature. An
      arteriovenous fistula, cavernous malformation, and capillary telangiectasia were
      identified in 0.5%, 1%, and 1.9% of HHT patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Few
      studies have investigated the prevalence of the various vascular malformations
      found in HHT patients screened with 3-T MRI/MRA of the brain. Hereditary
      hemorrhagic telangiectasia AVMs are more likely to be multiple and have a
      tendency toward small size and cortical location. As such, they are often treated
      using a single-modality therapy.

PMID- 24236653
TI  - Molecular genetics of paragangliomas of the skull base and head and neck region:
      implications for medical and surgical management.
AB  - Paragangliomas are rare, slow-growing tumors that frequently arise in the head
      and neck, with the carotid bodies and temporal bone of the skull base being the
      most common sites. These neoplasms are histologically similar to
      pheochromocytomas that form in the adrenal medulla and are divided into
      sympathetic and parasympathetic subtypes based on functionality. Skull base and
      head and neck region paragangliomas (SHN-PGs) are almost always derived from
      parasympathetic tissue and rarely secrete catecholamines. However, they can cause
      significant morbidity by mass effect on various cranial nerves and major blood
      vessels. While surgery for SHN-PG can be curative, postoperative deficits and
      recurrences make these lesions challenging to manage. Multiple familial syndromes
      predisposing individuals to development of paragangliomas have been identified,
      all involving mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase complex of mitochondria.
      Mutations in this enzyme lead to a state of "pseudohypoxia" that upregulates
      various angiogenic, survival, and proliferation factors. Moreover, familial
      paraganglioma syndromes are among the rare inherited diseases in which genomic
      imprinting occurs. Recent advances in gene arrays and transcriptome/exome
      sequencing have identified an alternate mutation in sporadic SHN-PG, which
      regulates proto-oncogenic pathways independent of pseudohypoxia-induced factors.
      Collectively these findings demonstrate that paragangliomas of the skull base and
      head and neck region have a distinct genetic signature from sympathetic-based
      paragangliomas occurring below the neck, such as pheochromocytomas.
      Paragangliomas serve as a unique model of primarily surgically treated neoplasms
      whose future will be altered by the elucidation of their genomic complexities. In
      this review, the authors present an analysis of the molecular genetics of SHN-PG
      and provide future directions in patient care and the development of novel
      therapies. 

PMID- 24236652
TI  - Lesion analysis for cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy: comparison and correlation
      with clinical outcomes.
AB  - OBJECT: Cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy are lesioning surgeries with
      demonstrated benefit for medically intractable psychiatric illnesses. They
      represent significant refinements of the prefrontal lobotomy used from the 1930s
      through the 1950s. However, the associations between anatomical characterization
      of these lesions and outcome data are not well understood. To elucidate these
      procedures and associations, the authors sought to define and compare the
      neuroanatomy of cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy and to test a method that uses
      neuroanatomical data and voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) to reveal
      potential refinements to modern psychiatric neurosurgical procedures. METHODS: T1
      weighted MR images of patients who had undergone cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy
      were segmented and registered onto the Montreal Neurological Institute T1
      weighted template brain MNI152. Using an atlas-based approach, the authors
      calculated, by case, the percentage of each anatomical structure affected by the
      lesion. Because of the infrequency of modern lesion procedures and the
      requirement for higher-resolution clinical imaging, the sample size was small.
      The pilot study correlated cingulotomy and limbic leucotomy lesion
      characteristics with clinical outcomes for patients with obsessive-compulsive
      disorder. For this study, preoperative and postoperative Yale-Brown Obsessive
      Compulsive Scale scores for 11 cingulotomy patients and 8 limbic leucotomy
      patients were obtained, and lesion masks were defined and compared anatomically
      by using an atlas-based method. Statistically significant voxels were
      additionally calculated by using VLSM techniques that correlated lesion
      characteristics with postoperative scores. RESULTS: Mean lesion volumes were 13.3
      ml for cingulotomy and 11.8 ml for limbic leucotomy. As expected, cingulotomy was
      isolated to the anterior cingulum. The subcaudate tractotomy portion of limbic
      leucotomy additionally affected Brodmann area 25, the medial orbitofrontal
      cortex, and the nucleus accumbens. Initial results indicated that the
      dorsolateral regions of the cingulotomy lesion and the posteroventral regions of
      the subcaudate tractotomy lesion were associated with improved postoperative Yale
      Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores. CONCLUSIONS: Cingulotomy and limbic
      leucotomy are lesioning surgeries that target pathological circuits implicated in
      psychiatric disease. Lesion analysis and VLSM contextualize outcome data and have
      the potential to be useful for improving lesioning neurosurgical procedures.

PMID- 24236654
TI  - Surgery for insular low-grade glioma: predictors of postoperative seizure
      outcome.
AB  - OBJECT: Although a number of recent studies on the surgical treatment of insular
      low-grade glioma (LGG) have demonstrated that aggressive resection leads to
      increased overall patient survival and decreased malignant progression, less
      attention has been given to the results with respect to tumor-related epilepsy.
      The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of volumetric,
      histological, and intraoperative neurophysiological factors on seizure outcome in
      patients with insular LGG. METHODS: The authors evaluated predictors of seizure
      outcome with special emphasis on both the extent of tumor resection (EOR) and the
      tumor's infiltrative pattern quantified by computing the difference between the
      preoperative T2- and T1-weighted MR images (DeltaVT2T1) in 52 patients with
      preoperative drug-resistant epilepsy. RESULTS: The 12-month postoperative seizure
      outcome (Engel class) was as follows: seizure free (Class I), 67.31%; rare
      seizures (Class II), 7.69%; meaningful seizure improvement (Class III), 15.38%;
      and no improvement or worsening (Class IV), 9.62%. Poor seizure control was more
      common in patients with a longer preoperative seizure history (p < 0.002) and
      higher frequency of seizures (p = 0.008). Better seizure control was achieved in
      cases with EOR >= 90% (p < 0.001) and DeltaVT2T1 < 30 cm(3) (p < 0.001). In the
      final model, DeltaVT2T1 proved to be the strongest independent predictor of
      seizure outcome in insular LGG patients (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: No or little
      postoperative seizure improvement occurs mainly in cases with a prevalent
      infiltrative tumor growth pattern, expressed by high DeltaVT2T1 values, which
      consequently reflects a smaller EOR.

PMID- 24236655
TI  - Pure arterial malformations of the posterior cerebral artery.

PMID- 24236656
TI  - Cerebrospinal fluid leak.

PMID- 24236657
TI  - Risks of common complications in deep brain stimulation surgery: management and
      avoidance.
AB  - OBJECT: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is increasingly prominent in the
      treatment of various disorders refractory to medication. Despite the procedure's
      efficacy, the community at large continues to be hesitant about presumed
      associated risks. The main object of this study was to assess the incidence of
      various surgical complications occurring both during and after DBS device
      implantation in a large population of patients with movement disorders in an
      effort to better quantify patient risk, define management plans, and develop
      methods for risk avoidance. A second aim was to corroborate the low procedural
      complication risk of DBS reported by others, which in light of the procedure's
      efficacy is needed to promote its widespread acceptance. METHODS: All patients
      who had undergone new DBS device implantation surgery between 2002 and 2010 by a
      single surgeon were entered into a database after being verified by cross
      referencing manufacturer implantation records. All surgical records and charts
      were reviewed to identify intraoperative, perioperative, and long-term surgical
      complications, including any characteristics predictive of an adverse event.
      RESULTS: Seven hundred twenty-eight patients received 1333 new DBS electrodes and
      1218 new internal pulse generators (IPGs) in a total of 1356 stereotactic
      procedures for the treatment of movement disorders. Seventy-eight percent of the
      patients had staged lead and IPG implantations. Of the 728 patients, 452 suffered
      from medically refractory Parkinson disease; in the other patients, essential
      tremor (144), dystonia (64), mixed disease (30), and other hyperkinetic movement
      disorders (38) were diagnosed. Severe intraoperative adverse events included
      vasovagal response in 6 patients (0.8%), hypotension in 2 (0.3%), and seizure in
      2 (0.3%). Postoperative imaging confirmed asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage
      (ICH) in 4 patients (0.5%), asymptomatic intraventricular hemorrhage in 25
      (3.4%), symptomatic ICH in 8 (1.1%), and ischemic infarction in 3 (0.4%),
      associated with hemiparesis and/or decreased consciousness in 13 (1.7%). Long
      term complications of DBS device implantation not requiring additional surgery
      included hardware discomfort in 8 patients (1.1%) and loss of desired effect in
      10 (1.4%). Hardware-related complications requiring surgical revision included
      wound infections in 13 patients (1.7%), lead malposition and/or migration in 13
      (1.7%), component fracture in 10 (1.4%), component malfunction in 4 (0.5%), and
      loss of effect in 19 (2.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The authors confirmed that the overall
      risk of both procedure- and hardware-related adverse events is acceptably low.
      They offer advice on how to avoid the most common complications.

PMID- 24236658
TI  - Decompressive craniectomy.

PMID- 24236659
TI  - Complications with cranial perforators.

PMID- 24236660
TI  - Surgical outcomes of the minimum anterior and posterior combined transpetrosal
      approach for resection of retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas with complicated
      conditions.
AB  - OBJECT: Retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas are surgically challenging tumors.
      Retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas with complicated conditions such as large
      diameter, major calcification, or significant extension to the third ventricle or
      posterior fossa present surgical challenges; moreover, recurrent retrochiasmatic
      craniopharyngiomas are particularly formidable challenges. Although the
      transpetrosal approach to retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas published by Hakuba
      in 1985 can provide unique advantageous exposure of the retrochiasmatic area to
      allow safe neurovascular dissection and facilitate radical tumor removal, the
      procedure is viewed as complicated and time consuming and has a high risk of
      damaging hearing functions. The authors have modified Hakuba's technique to
      minimize petrosectomy and reduce surgical complications and have applied this
      modified approach to retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas with complicated
      conditions. In this study, the authors describe their technique and surgical
      outcomes to elucidate the role of this modified transpetrosal approach for
      retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas with complicated conditions. This is the first
      study to report surgical outcomes of the transpetrosal approach for
      retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2011, the minimum
      anterior and posterior combined (MAPC) transpetrosal approach, which is a
      modification of Hakuba's transpetrosal approach, was applied in 16 cases of
      retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas with complicated conditions. Eight cases were
      recurrent tumors, 4 had previously received radiotherapy, 11 had a large
      diameter, 10 had large calcification, 15 had superior extension of the tumor into
      the third ventricle, and 10 had a posterior extension of the tumor that
      compressed the midbrain and pons. In all 16 patients, more than 2 of these
      complicated conditions were present. The follow-up duration ranged from 0.8 to
      12.5 years (mean 5.3 years). Surgical outcomes assessed were the extent of
      resection, surgical complications, visual function, endocrinological status, and
      neuropsychological function. Five-year and 10-year recurrence-free survival rates
      were also calculated. RESULTS: Gross-total or near-total resection was achieved
      in 15 cases (93.8%). Facial nerve function was completely maintained in all 16
      patients. Serviceable hearing was preserved in 15 cases (93.8%). Visual function
      improved in 13 out of 14 cases (92.9%) that had visual disturbance before
      surgery. None of the patients experienced deterioration of their visual function.
      Twelve cases had endocrinological deficit and received hormonal replacement
      before surgery. New endocrinological deficit occurred in 2 cases (12.5%).
      Neuropsychological function was maintained in 14 cases (87.5%) and improved in 1
      case (6.3%). One case that had received previous conventional radiotherapy
      treatment showed a gradual decline in neuropsychological function. The 5-year and
      10-year recurrence-free survival rates were both 86.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The authors
      obtained good results by using the MAPC transpetrosal approach for the removal of
      retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas with complicated conditions. The MAPC
      transpetrosal approach should be considered as a therapeutic option for selected
      cases of retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas with complicated conditions.

PMID- 24236661
TI  - Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy: what's in a name?

PMID- 24236662
TI  - Use of circulating tumor cell technology (CELLSEARCH) for the diagnosis of
      malignant pleural effusions.
AB  - RATIONALE: Cytological analysis of pleural effusions (PEs) has a sensitivity of
      approximately 60%. We hypothesized that the CELLSEARCH technology (Janssen
      Research and Development, Huntingdon Valley, PA) currently used to detect
      circulating tumor cells could be adapted for the identification of tumor cells in
      PEs. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, observational study. Pleural
      fluid from subjects with undiagnosed PEs were analyzed by CELLSEARCH technology,
      which uses an epithelial cell adhesion molecule antibody-based capture
      system/cytokeratin antibodies to identify tumor cells. Subjects were
      prospectively monitored by periodic chart review to determine the etiology of the
      PE. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two subjects were analyzed.
      A malignant etiology was established in 81 subjects. The median number of
      "positive" pleural epithelial cells (PECs) detected per milliliter of pleural
      fluid was 6 in the benign group. The number of PECs was 52 in the malignant
      nonepithelial group (NS) and 526 in the malignant epithelial group (P < 0.001).
      Unlike blood, there was a baseline number of "positive" cells in benign pleural
      fluids; however, any cutoff greater than 852 positive cells/ml had 100%
      specificity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.86.
      Nine percent of our cancer cases had high numbers of PECs (>280/ml) but a
      negative or nondefinitive cancer diagnosis by cytology. CONCLUSIONS: The pleural
      CELLSEARCH assay may serve as a valuable addition to traditional cytology and
      provide useful information regarding the diagnosis of malignant effusions. Major
      advantages include that it is well standardized, relatively inexpensive, has a
      rapid turnaround, and is easily available. Our data support the conduct of
      additional studies of this approach to assist in the diagnosis of malignant PEs.

PMID- 24236663
TI  - Personality traits and personality disorders in older women: an explorative study
      between normal development and psychopathology.
AB  - The relationships between Axis II personality disorders (DSM-IV) and the Five
      Factor Model (FFM) were explored in older women. The sample consists of 90
      participants (M = 72.29 years, SD = 7.10) who were administered the NEO-Five
      Factor Inventory and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire. The highest
      prevalence of A and C clusters and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder was
      observed. Also, elevated neuroticism and decreased agreeableness and openness
      appear as valuable traits in the description of psychopathology. The study of
      maladaptive personality functioning within an aging population can be described
      with the same traits that underlie normal personality functioning, extending the
      range of psychopathology to a dimensional approach. 

PMID- 24236664
TI  - A 38 nt region and its flanking sequences within gag of Friend murine leukemia
      virus are crucial for splicing at the correct 5' and 3' splice sites.
AB  - The genome of the Friend murine leukemia virus (Fr-MLV) contains a 5' splice site
      (5'ss) located at 205 nt and a 3'ss located at 5489 nt. In our previous studies,
      it was shown that if the HindIII-BglII (879-1904 bp) fragment within gag is
      deleted from the proA8m1 vector, which carries the entire Fr-MLV sequence, then
      cryptic splicing of env-mRNA occurs. Here, attempts were made to identify the
      genomic segment(s) in this region that is/are essential to correct splicing.
      First, vectors with a serially truncated HindIII-BglII fragment were constructed.
      The vector, in which a 38 bp fragment (1612-1649 bp) is deleted or reversed in
      proA8m1, only produced splice variants. It was found that a 38 nt region within
      gag contains important elements that positively regulate splicing at the correct
      splice sites. Further analyses of a series of vectors carrying the 38 bp fragment
      and its flanking sequences showed that a region (1183-1611 nt) upstream of the 38
      nt fragment also contains sequences that positively or negatively influence
      splicing at the correct splice sites. The SphI-NdeI (5140-5400 bp) fragment just
      upstream of the 3'ss was deleted from vectors that carried the 38 bp fragment and
      its flanking sequences, which yielded correctly spliced mRNA; interestingly,
      these deleted vectors showed cryptic splicing. These findings suggest that the
      5140-5400 nt region located just upstream of the 3'ss is required for the
      splicing function of the 38 nt fragment and its flanking sequences. 

PMID- 24236665
TI  - Fertility and sexual function in long-term survivors of haematological
      malignancy: using patient-reported outcome measures to assess a neglected area of
      need in the late effects clinic.
AB  - Problems of sexual function and fertility in long-term survivors (>=5 years) of
      haematological malignancy are often neglected in clinic. Our centre carried out a
      questionnaire study in this population addressing patient-perceived fertility and
      sexual function. 718 patients responded (56% of those invited; 39% Hodgkin, 45%
      non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 16% acute leukaemia). Respondent women were more likely to
      remain childless than a normal control population. Self-reported infertility was
      more likely in men than women [odds ratio (OR) 1.77, P = 0.001]. Myeloablative
      therapy increased the likelihood of childlessness (OR 2.48, P = 0.004). Few
      attended fertility support services (12%). 24% of men banked sperm and 29% of
      these used the sample, of which 46% resulted in successful pregnancy. Fertility
      clinic attendance and sperm storage was more likely post-1990 (OR 4.05, P <
      0.001; OR 5.05, P < 0.001 respectively). Reporting a negative impact of cancer on
      sexual function was more common in women than men (OR 2.20, P < 0.001), and
      increased with current age and age at diagnosis (by 3-4% per year, P <= 0.001)
      but decreased with longer follow-up (by 2%/year, P = 0.005). Patients on anti
      depressants and those reporting cancer-related body change/appearance concerns
      more frequently reported a negative impact (P < 0.04 and P < 0.03 respectively).
      These self-reported outcomes confirm literature findings, suggest improvement
      over time, but highlight a need for involvement of support services.

PMID- 24236666
TI  - Noncontiguous lumbar vertebral hemangiomas treated by posterior decompression,
      intraoperative kyphoplasty, and segmental fixation.
AB  - Vertebral hemangiomas are benign lesions and are often asymptomatic. Most
      vertebral hemangiomas that cause cord compression and neurological symptoms are
      located in the thoracic spine and involve a single vertebra. The authors report
      the rare case of lumbar hemangiomas in a 60-year-old woman presenting with severe
      back pain and rapidly progressive neurological signs attributable to 2
      noncontiguous lesions. After embolization of the feeding arteries, no improvement
      was noted. Thus, the authors performed open surgery using a combination of
      posterior decompression, intraoperative kyphoplasty, and segmental fixation. The
      patient experienced relief from back and leg pain immediately after surgery. At 3
      months postoperatively, her symptoms and neurological deficits had improved
      completely. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of 2
      noncontiguous extensive lumbar hemangiomas presenting with neurological symptoms
      managed by such combined treatment. The combined management seems to be an
      effective method for treating symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas. 

PMID- 24236667
TI  - Unilateral pedicle screw fixation through a tubular retractor via the Wiltse
      approach compared with conventional bilateral pedicle screw fixation for single
      segment degenerative lumbar instability: a prospective randomized study.
AB  - OBJECT: Treatment of patients with single-segment degenerative lumbar instability
      using unilateral pedicle screw fixation can achieve stability and fusion rates
      similar to those of bilateral pedicle screw fixation. The aim of this study was
      to analyze the clinical outcome of using unilateral pedicle screw fixation
      through a tubular retractor via the Wiltse approach to treat single-segment
      degenerative lumbar instability. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with
      single-segment, low-grade, degenerative lumbar instability were randomly assigned
      to treatment with either unilateral (n = 20) or bilateral (n = 19) pedicle screw
      fixation. In the unilateral group, patients underwent unilateral posterior lumbar
      interbody fusion (PLIF) and ipsilateral pedicle screw fixation through a tubular
      retractor via the Wiltse approach. In the bilateral group, patients underwent
      modified bilateral PLIF with bilateral pedicle screw fixation via the posterior
      midline approach. During follow-up, patients were evaluated using a visual analog
      scale (VAS), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry
      Disability Index. RESULTS: The unilateral group had a shorter operative duration
      (p < 0.05) and less blood loss (p < 0.001). All patients completed more than 2
      years of follow-up (mean 36 months). In general, the time trends in improvement
      on the VAS and JOA differed slightly between the groups through 2 years, but no
      significant difference in back pain VAS score or leg pain VAS score was found
      between these 2 groups at the 2-year follow-up. Complete bone fusion was shown on
      CT in all patients at the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral pedicle screw
      fixation through a tubular retractor via the Wiltse approach appears to be as
      safe and effective as bilateral pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of
      single-segment degenerative lumbar instability.

PMID- 24236668
TI  - Spine surgery referrals redirected through a multidisciplinary care pathway:
      effects of nonsurgeon triage including MRI utilization.
AB  - OBJECT: The Saskatchewan Spine Pathway (SSP) was introduced to improve quality
      and access to care for patients with low-back and leg pain in the province. There
      is very limited data regarding the efficacy of nonsurgeon triage of surgical
      referrals. The objective of this early implementation study was to determine how
      the SSP affects utilization of MRI and spine surgery. METHODS: The authors
      performed a retrospective analysis of 87 consecutive patients with low-back and
      leg pain who were initially referred to a spine surgeon but were instead
      redirected to the SSP clinic between May 1, 2011, and November 30, 2011. The SSP
      clinic triaged patients into 2 groups: Group A (nonsurgical management) and Group
      B (referred back to the spine surgeon). The SSP classification was modified from
      the classification proposed by Hall et al. Pain and disability were scored by
      pain-related visual analog scale, modified Oswestry Disability Index, and EuroQol
      5D. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (Group A, 71.3%) were discharged after patient
      education, self-care advice, and/or referral for additional mechanical therapies.
      Although only 25 patients (Group B, 28.7%) were directed back to the surgeon, the
      final percentage (12.6%) offered surgery was similar to that of historic controls
      (15%). Total MRI utilization was significantly lower in Group A (25.8%) than
      Group B (92.0%) (p < 0.0001). Nonsurgeon triage captured all red flags detected
      by the surgeon. Patients in Group B were much more likely to have a leg-dominant
      pain (p = 0.0088) and had significantly higher Oswestry Disability Index (p =
      0.0121) and EuroQol-5D mobility (p = 0.0484) scores. CONCLUSIONS: The SSP
      significantly reduced MRI utilization and referrals seen by the surgeon for
      nonoperative care. Although this early implementation study suggests potential
      for cost savings, a more rigorous analysis of outcomes, costs, and patient
      satisfaction is required.

PMID- 24236669
TI  - A new alarm point of transcranial electrical stimulation motor evoked potentials
      for intraoperative spinal cord monitoring: a prospective multicenter study from
      the Spinal Cord Monitoring Working Group of the Japanese Society for Spine
      Surgery and Related Research.
AB  - OBJECT: Although multimodal intraoperative spinal cord monitoring provides
      greater accuracy, transcranial electrical stimulation motor evoked potential
      (TcMEP) monitoring became the gold standard for intraoperative spinal cord
      monitoring. However, there is no definite alarm point for TcMEPs because a
      multicenter study is lacking. Thus, based on their experience with 48 true
      positive cases (that is, a decrease in potentials followed by a new neurological
      motor deficit postoperatively) encountered between 2007 and 2009, the authors set
      a 70% decrease in amplitude as the alarm point for TcMEPs. METHODS: A total of
      959 cases of spinal deformity, spinal cord tumor, and ossification of the
      posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) treated between 2010 and 2012 are included
      in this prospective multicenter study (18 institutions). These institutions are
      part of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research monitoring
      working group and the study group on spinal ligament ossification. The authors
      prospectively analyzed TcMEP variability and pre- and postoperative motor
      deficits. A 70% decrease in amplitude was designated as the alarm point. RESULTS:
      There were only 2 false-negative cases, which occurred during surgery for
      intramedullary spinal cord tumors. This new alarm criterion provided high
      sensitivity (95%) and specificity (91%) for intraoperative spinal cord monitoring
      and favorable accuracy, except in cases of intramedullary spinal cord tumor.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first prospective multicenter study to investigate
      the alarm point of TcMEPs. The authors recommend the designation of an alarm
      point of a 70% decrease in amplitude for routine spinal cord monitoring,
      particularly during surgery for spinal deformity, OPLL, and extramedullary spinal
      cord tumor.

PMID- 24236670
TI  - New monoterpene glycosides from the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa and their
      potential anti-inflammatory activity.
AB  - The methanol extract of the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa afforded two new
      monoterpene glycosides, paeoniside A (1) and paeoniside B (2), and three known
      monoterpene glycosides, paeoniflorin (3), benzoylpaeoniflorin (4) and 4-O-methyl
      paeoniflorin (5). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic
      means including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 1-5 were found to be active
      against cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 enzymes. 

PMID- 24236671
TI  - Should high-flux hemodialysis be replaced by online hemodiafiltration for
      treating end-stage renal disease patients?

PMID- 24236672
TI  - Patient preferences in diabetes care: overcoming barriers using new strategies.

PMID- 24236673
TI  - Atypical antipsychotics for older adults: are they safe and effective as we once
      thought?

PMID- 24236674
TI  - Children's electronic health records: has the tipping point arrived?

PMID- 24236676
TI  - The complexities of comparative effectiveness research on devices: the case of
      robotic-assisted surgery for prostate cancer.

PMID- 24236677
TI  - Interview: European collaboration in relative effectiveness assessment: the use
      of patient registries and development of common guidelines.
AB  - Wim Goettsch is currently the Project Leader of Work Package 5 of the European
      Network of Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) Joint Action 2 (2012-2015).
      EUnetHTA is a network of the health technology assessment organizations in Europe
      responsible for advising or deciding on the national reimbursement of
      pharmaceuticals and other health technologies. In this work package, rapid joint
      assessments of the relative effectiveness of pharmaceuticals are piloted between
      more than 25 health technology assessment organizations around Europe. These
      pilots are based on the methodology that was developed in a similar work package
      in EUnetHTA JA1 (2010-2012), of which Dr Goettsch was also the Project Leader.
      Until the beginning of 2013, Dr Goettsch was the Deputy Secretary of the
      Medicinal Products Reimbursement Committee at Dutch Healthcare Insurance Board
      (CVZ). The Dutch Medicinal Products Reimbursement Committee advises the Dutch
      Minister of Health on whether new drugs need to be included in the basic
      insurance package. Before joining CVZ, he worked as a research manager for the
      PHARMO Institute (Utrecht, The Netherlands) and was responsible for the
      coordination of numerous pharmacoepidemiological and outcomes studies for
      international offices of pharmaceutical companies, such as AstraZeneca, Novartis,
      Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline. Dr Goettsch has approximately 50 publications in peer
      reviewed international journals. 

PMID- 24236678
TI  - Cemented versus cementless total hip arthroplasty: is a hybrid the most cost
      effective?
AB  - Total hip arthroplasty is an extremely successful operation by almost any
      measure. As the population in the developed world ages, it is also becoming a
      very popular operation, with nearly 500,000 replacements predicted in the USA by
      2030. As more hip replacements need to be performed, the cost will become more of
      an issue. The debate between the effectiveness of implant types, cemented or
      cementless, has been ongoing for years. Although largely decided in the USA, in
      favor of cementless implants, the discussion in the UK continues. There are many
      studies arguing in favor of implants using cement and for those not using cement.
      Ultimately, the best implant is the one that is most comfortable in the hands of
      the surgeon implanting it. Financial factors must be considered, however, and the
      more information available, the better to help surgeons decide what is best for
      their patients.

PMID- 24236679
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of telehealth in the management of chronic conditions.
AB  - Telehealth has the potential to improve the management of chronic health
      conditions but there are still limited data on its effectiveness and cost
      effectiveness in routine practice. A questionnaire study nested within a
      pragmatic randomized controlled trial estimated costs and outcomes for management
      of patients in England who had heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease, or diabetes. Patients received telehealth support and usual care or
      usual care only. The study perspective was that of the health system. Incremental
      cost per quality-adjusted life year of telehealth when added to usual care was
      L79,000. In this setting, telehealth had a low probability of being a cost
      effective addition to standard care for patients with the chronic conditions.

PMID- 24236680
TI  - When is evidence sufficient for decision-making? A framework for understanding
      the pace of evidence adoption.
AB  - Translation of medical evidence into practice has not kept pace with the growth
      of medical technology and knowledge. We present three case studies--statins, drug
      eluting stents and bone marrow transplantation for breast cancer--to propose a
      framework for describing five factors that may influence the rate of adoption.
      The factors are: validity, reliability and maturity of the science available
      before widespread adoption; communication of the science; economic drivers;
      patients' and physicians' ability to apply published scientific findings to their
      specific clinical needs; and incorporation into practice guidelines.

PMID- 24236681
TI  - Room for improvement in breast cancer clinical trial design: taking advantage of
      the preoperative setting.
AB  - Achieving approval of new oncologic drugs in breast cancer (BC) is lengthy and
      costly. After approval in a randomized Phase III trial in metastatic BC, an agent
      is then evaluated in stage I-III BC. It can take a decade for drug approval in
      early-stage BC, given the large sample size and long follow-up to detect
      improvements in disease-free or overall survival. One way to reduce this time
      period is conducting preoperative trials. In neoadjuvant BC trials, improvements
      in pathologic complete response in randomized trials of chemotherapy with and
      without a new agent can lead to accelerated approval. In exploratory
      investigational new drug trials, such as Phase 0 trials, new drugs can be
      evaluated for a limited time prior to traditional dose escalation trials. The US
      FDA has released guidelines for utilization of preoperative trials. The goal is
      to administer a new agent to the right subset of BC patients quicker and more
      effectively. 

PMID- 24236683
TI  - A conceptual model of the multiple stages of communication necessary to support
      patient-centered care.
AB  - Patient-centered care requires that both healthcare providers and patients have
      access to comparative effectiveness research (CER), which provides direct
      comparisons of the risks and benefits of available clinical options. However,
      insufficient attention has been paid to developing the comprehensive
      communication systems necessary to ensure that CER reaches patients and
      healthcare providers. In this review, we propose a model of the multiple stages
      of CER communication necessary for patient-centered care and review the existing
      research and gaps in knowledge relevant to each stage. These stages include:
      promotion of the underlying concepts and value of CER; translation of CER
      results; dissemination of CER results; and utilization of the results of CER in
      shared decision-making between patients and providers. A comprehensive approach
      to CER communication is necessary to ensure that the growing interest in and
      availability of CER is able to support a more patient-centered model of
      healthcare. 

PMID- 24236682
TI  - Use of community-based participatory research in primary care to improve
      healthcare outcomes and disparities in care.
AB  - Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has emerged to bridge the gap
      between research and primary-care practice through community engagement and
      social action to increase health equity. It is widely acknowledged that access to
      high-quality primary care services is important to the overall health of a
      community. Here, CBPR studies in a primary care setting are reviewed to assess
      the use of CBPR associated with common health problems seen in primary care such
      as access to care and disparities in chronic disease management across vulnerable
      populations. CBPR involves building relationships with local communities,
      determining areas of need and establishing priorities for health concerns.
      Studies showing improved access to care for a Hispanic population, reduced asthma
      symptoms and weight loss are highlighted. 

PMID- 24236684
TI  - 90Y radioembolization versus chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular
      carcinoma: an analysis of comparative effectiveness.
AB  - Locoregional catheter-based therapies for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC) include conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE), drug-eluting
      bead chemoembolization and yttrium-90 ((90)Y) radioembolization. Although current
      guidelines recommend cTACE for inoperable HCC, comparative effectiveness of drug
      eluting bead chemoembolization and (90)Y radioembolization in the management of
      HCC remains undefined due to the lack of data evaluating safety and effectiveness
      among these therapies. A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out
      for studies examining comparative effectiveness of cTACE and (90)Y based on
      objective tumor response and overall patient survival. Further data on efficacy,
      safety, toxicity and cost-effectiveness was also examined. The National Cancer
      Institute Levels of Evidence for Cancer Treatment Studies provided a useful
      framework for the critical understanding and stratification of current evidence
      on locoregional therapy for unresectable HCC. Based on current retrospective
      cohort studies, evidence for similar efficacy and safety between cTACE and (90)Y
      radioembolization was demonstrated. Further prospective, randomized studies are
      required to validate these observations and to analyze cost-effectiveness of
      these interventions in unresectable HCC patients for definitive recommendations
      to be made. 

PMID- 24236686
TI  - What do providers, payers and patients need from comparative effectiveness
      research on diagnostics? The case of HER2/Neu testing in breast cancer.
AB  - AIMS: Comparing effectiveness of diagnostic tests is one of the highest
      priorities for comparative effectiveness research (CER) set by the Institute of
      Medicine. Our study aims to identify what information providers, payers and
      patients need from CER on diagnostics, and what challenges they encounter
      implementing comparative information on diagnostic alternatives in practice and
      policy. MATERIALS & METHODS: Using qualitative research methods and the example
      of two alternative protocols for HER2 testing in breast cancer, we conducted
      interviews with 45 stakeholders: providers (n = 25) from four academic and eight
      nonacademic institutions, executives (n = 13) from five major US private payers
      and representatives (n = 7) from two breast cancer patient advocacies. RESULTS:
      The need for additional scientific evidence to determine the preferred HER2
      protocol was more common for advocates than payers (100 vs 54%; p = 0.0515) and
      significantly more common for advocates than providers (100 vs 40%; p = 0.0077).
      The availability of information allowing assessment of the implementation impact
      from alternative diagnostic protocols on provider institutions may mitigate the
      need for additional scientific evidence for some providers and payers (24 and
      46%, respectively). The cost-effectiveness of alternative protocols from the
      societal perspective is important to payers and advocates (69 and 71%,
      respectively) but not to providers (0%; p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0001). The lack of
      reporting laboratory practices is a more common implementation challenge for
      payers and advocates (77 and 86%, respectively) than for providers (32%). The
      absence of any mechanism for patient involvement was recognized as a challenge by
      payers and advocates (69 and 100%, respectively) but not by providers (0%; p =
      0.0001 and p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Comparative implementation research is needed
      to inform the stakeholders considering diagnostic alternatives. Transparency of
      laboratory practices is an important factor in enabling implementation of CER on
      diagnostics in practice and policy. The incongruent views of providers versus
      patient advocates and payers on involving patients in diagnostic decisions is a
      concerning challenge to utilizing the results of CER.

PMID- 24236688
TI  - Syndrome-associated soft tissue tumours.
AB  - Soft tissue neoplasms may be associated with a variety of genetic disorders and
      malformation syndromes, especially when they arise in children, adolescents and
      early adulthood. This review summarizes the principal histopathological types of
      soft tissue tumours which occur in various syndromes, with an emphasis on
      pathological features, genetic aspects and considerations for the diagnostic
      pathologist. 

PMID- 24236685
TI  - Using a population-based observational cohort study to address difficult
      comparative effectiveness research questions: the CEASAR study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While randomized controlled trials represent the highest level of
      evidence we can generate in comparative effectiveness research, there are
      clinical scenarios where this type of study design is not feasible. The
      Comparative Effectiveness Analyses of Surgery and Radiation in localized prostate
      cancer (CEASAR) study is an observational study designed to compare the
      effectiveness and harms of different treatments for localized prostate cancer, a
      clinical scenario in which randomized controlled trials have been difficult to
      execute and, when completed, have been difficult to generalize to the population
      at large. METHODS: CEASAR employs a population-based, prospective cohort study
      design, using tumor registries as cohort inception tools. The primary outcome is
      quality of life after treatment, measured by validated instruments. Risk
      adjustment is facilitated by capture of traditional and nontraditional
      confounders before treatment and by propensity score analysis. RESULTS: We have
      accrued a diverse, representative cohort of 3691 men in the USA with clinically
      localized prostate cancer. Half of the men invited to participate enrolled, and
      86% of patients who enrolled have completed the 6-month survey. CONCLUSION:
      Challenging comparative effectiveness research questions can be addressed using
      well-designed observational studies. The CEASAR study provides an opportunity to
      determine what treatments work best, for which patients, and in whose hands.

PMID- 24236689
TI  - Cobalt(III) diazabutadiene precursors for metal deposition: nanoparticle and thin
      film growth.
AB  - We report the synthesis and characterization of a family of cobalt(III) metal
      precursors, based around cyclopentadienyl and diazabutadiene ligands. The
      molecular structure of the complexes cyclopentadienyl-Cobalt(III)(N,N'
      dicyclohexyl-diazabutadiene) (2c) and cyclopentadienyl-Cobalt(III)(N,N'-dimesityl
      diazabutadiene) (2d) are described, as determined by single crystal X-ray
      diffraction analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis of the complexes highlighted the
      isopropyl derivative CpCo((i)Pr2-dab) (2a) as a possible cobalt metal chemical
      vapor deposition (CVD) precursor. Atmospheric pressure CVD (AP-CVD) was employed
      using precursor 2a to synthesize thin films of metallic cobalt on silicon
      substrates under an atmosphere of hydrogen (H2). Analysis of the thin films
      deposited at substrate temperatures of 250  degrees C, 275  degrees C, 300 
      degrees C, 325  degrees C, and 350  degrees C, respectively, by scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveal temperature dependent
      growth features: films grown at 325 and 350  degrees C are continuous and pinhole
      free, whereas those films grown at substrate temperatures of 250  degrees C, 275 
      degrees C, and 300  degrees C consist of crystalline nanoparticles. Powder X-ray
      diffraction (PXRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) all show the films
      to be high purity metallic cobalt. Raman spectroscopy has also been used to prove
      the absence of cobalt silicides at the substrate/thin film interface. 

PMID- 24236690
TI  - Ratios of regulatory T cells/T-helper 17 cells and transforming growth factor
      beta1/interleukin-17 to be associated with the development of hepatitis B virus
      associated liver cirrhosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of the
      regulatory T cells (Treg)/T-helper (Th) 17 cells and transforming growth factor
      beta1 (TGF-beta1)/interleukin-17 (IL-17) ratios with the survival and disease
      progression in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated liver cirrhosis
      (LC). METHODS: The frequencies of Treg and Th17 cells were analyzed in 28
      patients with HBV-LC, 70 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 20 normal
      controls (NC) by flow cytometry. The levels of cytokines related to Treg/Th17
      differentiation, including IL-10, TGF-beta1, IL-17, and IL-23, were measured by
      ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with NC, Treg cells were significantly increased in CHB
      patients and slightly increased in HBV-LC patients, whereas Th17 cells were
      markedly increased both in patients with CHB and HBV-LC. HBV-LC patients,
      especially the nonsurvival ones, manifested a profound decrease in the Treg/Th17
      ratio, which was negatively correlated with Child-Pugh and model of end-stage
      liver disease scores. Serum IL-10, TGF-beta1, IL-17, and IL-23 levels were all
      significantly higher in HBV-LC patients than in NC. In addition, the TGF-beta1/IL
      17 ratio was also markedly increased in patients with HBV-LC, especially in
      nonsurvival and decompensated liver cirrhosis patients, and positively correlated
      with total bilirubin, Child-Pugh, and model of end-stage liver disease scores.
      CONCLUSIONS: The decreased Treg/Th17 ratio and increased TGF-beta1/IL-17 ratio
      may be associated with the survival and disease progression in HBV-LC patients,
      and both of the two ratios can be used independently to predict the prognosis and
      disease progression of HBV-LC patients.

PMID- 24236691
TI  - Current understanding of the process of tooth formation: transfer from the
      laboratory to the clinic.
AB  - Teeth are typical examples of organs in which genes determine the progress of
      development from initiation to the final shape, size and structure, whereas
      environmental factors play a minor role. Advances in gene technology over the
      last three decades have led to powerful novel methods to explore the mechanisms
      of embryonic development. Today we know a few hundred genes that regulate tooth
      development, and mutations in dozens of these genes have been shown to cause
      aberrations in tooth development in mice and/or humans. The functions of an
      increasing number of genes in tooth development have been discovered using
      genetically modified mouse models. We are now beginning to understand the
      'programme' underlying the process of tooth formation. Key components of the
      programme are signals mediating communication between cells and complex gene
      regulatory networks in which the signal pathways are integrated. Understanding
      the mechanisms of tooth development at the level of genes, cells and molecules
      will lay the basis for new ways to prevent and treat dental defects and diseases.
      Over the last decade knowledge about dental stem cells has accumulated rapidly
      and novel stem cell technologies have been developed. Combining stem cell
      research with knowledge on the mechanisms of tooth development may open up novel
      possibilities for clinical tooth regeneration.

PMID- 24236694
TI  - Abstracts of the 6th Trends in Medical Mycology. October 11-14, 2013. Copenhagen,
      Denmark.

PMID- 24236692
TI  - Pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in 1360 Italian children: comorbidities and
      determinants of severity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) is highly prevalent
      and rapidly evolving during childhood. General practitioners may not be fully
      aware of the nature and severity of symptoms experienced by patients and might
      underestimate the prevalence of moderate or severe disease. Thus, the relevance
      of early diagnosis and intervention may be overlooked. OBJECTIVES: To investigate
      the severity of pollen-induced AR and its determinants in Italian children
      referred to allergy specialists and who had never received specific immunotherapy
      (SIT). METHODS: Children (age 4-18 yr) affected by pollen-induced AR who had
      never undergone SIT were recruited between May 2009 and June 2011 in 16 pediatric
      outpatient clinics in 14 Italian cities. Recruited children's parents answered
      standardized questionnaires on atopic diseases (International Study of Allergy
      and Asthma in Childhood, Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma, Global
      Initiative for Asthma). The children underwent skin-prick test (SPT) with several
      airborne allergens and six food allergens. Information on socio-demographic
      factors, parental history of allergic diseases, education, perinatal events,
      breastfeeding, nutrition and environmental exposure in early life was collected
      through an informatics platform shared by the whole network of clinical centers
      (AllergyCARDTM). RESULTS: Among the 1360 recruited patients (68% males, age 10.5
      +/- 3.4 yr), 695 (51%) had moderate-to-severe AR, 533 (39%) asthma, and 325
      (23.9%) oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Reported onset of pollen-induced AR was on
      average at 5.3 +/- 2.8 yr, and its mean duration from onset was 5.2 +/- 3.3 yr.
      Only 6.2% of the patients were pollen-monosensitized, and 84.9% were sensitized
      to >=3 pollens. A longer AR duration was significantly associated with moderate
      to-severe AR symptoms (p 0.004), asthma (p 0.030), and OAS comorbidities (p <
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide study may raise awareness of the severity of
      pollen-induced AR among Italian children who have never received pollen SIT. The
      strong association between pollen-induced AR duration and several markers of
      disease severity needs replication in longitudinal studies, while suggesting that
      countrywide initiatives for earlier diagnosis and intervention should be planned.

PMID- 24236695
TI  - The evolution of laparoscopy in abdominal surgery: a meta-analysis of the effect
      on infectious outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has been recommended as an effective strategy
      because of its advantages in decreasing abdominal surgical site infections
      (SSIs). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of laparoscopy on
      superficial and organ/space SSIs compared with open surgery in hollow-viscus
      procedures over time. STUDY DESIGN: Data on SSIs from randomized-controlled
      trials (RCTs) evaluating open versus laparoscopic abdominal surgeries were
      extracted from the Cochrane Database Reviews. Re-analysis of these data was
      performed to assess infections. Heterogeneity was also explored. A subgroup
      analysis was performed according to elective/emergency surgery status. RESULTS:
      Data from 72 RCTs including 8218 patients were collected (4116 patients in the
      laparoscopic group and 4102 patients in the open group). For superficial SSI, the
      pooled RD was -4.4% (95% CI: -5.4% to -3.3%), which indicated a lower risk in the
      laparoscopic group. For organ/space SSI, the pooled RD was 0.5% (95% CI: -0.1% to
      1%), which indicated similar rates between the groups. Changes in SSI frequency
      had occurred over time. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery significantly decreases
      the risk of superficial SSI but does not affect the risk of organ/space SSI.
      Experience with technique improves outcomes.

PMID- 24236696
TI  - Early musical training is linked to gray matter structure in the ventral premotor
      cortex and auditory-motor rhythm synchronization performance.
AB  - Evidence in animals and humans indicates that there are sensitive periods during
      development, times when experience or stimulation has a greater influence on
      behavior and brain structure. Sensitive periods are the result of an interaction
      between maturational processes and experience-dependent plasticity mechanisms.
      Previous work from our laboratory has shown that adult musicians who begin
      training before the age of 7 show enhancements in behavior and white matter
      structure compared with those who begin later. Plastic changes in white matter
      and gray matter are hypothesized to co-occur; therefore, the current study
      investigated possible differences in gray matter structure between early-trained
      (ET; <7) and late-trained (LT; >7) musicians, matched for years of experience.
      Gray matter structure was assessed using voxel-wise analysis techniques
      (optimized voxel-based morphometry, traditional voxel-based morphometry, and
      deformation-based morphometry) and surface-based measures (cortical thickness,
      surface area and mean curvature). Deformation-based morphometry analyses
      identified group differences between ET and LT musicians in right ventral
      premotor cortex (vPMC), which correlated with performance on an auditory motor
      synchronization task and with age of onset of musical training. In addition,
      cortical surface area in vPMC was greater for ET musicians. These results are
      consistent with evidence that premotor cortex shows greatest maturational change
      between the ages of 6-9 years and that this region is important for integrating
      auditory and motor information. We propose that the auditory and motor
      interactions required by musical practice drive plasticity in vPMC and that this
      plasticity is greatest when maturation is near its peak. 

PMID- 24236697
TI  - Age group and individual differences in attentional orienting dissociate neural
      mechanisms of encoding and maintenance in visual STM.
AB  - Selective attention biases the encoding and maintenance of representations in
      visual STM (VSTM). However, precise attentional mechanisms gating encoding and
      maintenance in VSTM and across development remain less well understood. We
      recorded EEG while adults and 10-year-olds used cues to guide attention before
      encoding or while maintaining items in VSTM. Known neural markers of spatial
      orienting to incoming percepts, that is, Early Directing Attention Negativity,
      Anterior Directing Attention Negativity, and Late Directing Attention Positivity,
      were examined in the context of orienting within VSTM. Adults elicited a set of
      neural markers that were broadly similar in preparation for encoding and during
      maintenance. In contrast, in children these processes dissociated. Furthermore,
      in children, individual differences in the amplitude of neural markers of
      prospective orienting related to individual differences in VSTM capacity,
      suggesting that children with high capacity are more efficient at selecting
      information for encoding into VSTM. Finally, retrospective, but not prospective,
      orienting in both age groups elicited the well-known marker of visual search
      (N2pc), indicating the recruitment of additional neural circuits when orienting
      during maintenance. Developmental and individual differences differentiate
      seemingly similar processes of orienting to perceptually available
      representations and to representations held in VSTM. 

PMID- 24236698
TI  - Acoustic noise improves visual perception and modulates occipital oscillatory
      states.
AB  - Perception is a multisensory process, and previous work has shown that
      multisensory interactions occur not only for object-related stimuli but also for
      simplistic and apparently unrelated inputs to the different senses. We here
      compare the facilitation of visual perception induced by transient (target
      synchronized) sounds to the facilitation provided by continuous background noise
      like sounds. Specifically, we show that continuous acoustic noise improves visual
      contrast detection by systematically shifting psychometric curves in an amplitude
      dependent manner. This multisensory benefit was found to be both qualitatively
      and quantitatively similar to that induced by a transient and target synchronized
      sound in the same paradigm. Studying the underlying neural mechanisms using
      electric neuroimaging (EEG), we found that acoustic noise alters occipital alpha
      (8-12 Hz) power and decreases beta-band (14-20 Hz) coupling of occipital and
      temporal sites. Task-irrelevant and continuous sounds thereby have an amplitude
      dependent effect on cortical mechanisms implicated in shaping visual cortical
      excitability. The same oscillatory mechanisms also mediate visual facilitation by
      transient sounds, and our results suggest that task-related sounds and task
      irrelevant background noises could induce perceptually and mechanistically
      similar enhancement of visual perception. Given the omnipresence of sounds and
      noises in our environment, such multisensory interactions may affect perception
      in many everyday scenarios. 

PMID- 24236700
TI  - Dietary therapies for eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB  - Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) represents a prevalent chronic esophageal
      disorder. Since the condition was first described, its pathophysiology has been
      known to have an immune-allergic origin, but the high response rate to dietary
      therapies based on feeding patients exclusively with amino acid-based elemental
      formulas (with complete elimination of table foods) has clearly established EoE
      as a particular form of food allergy. Nevertheless, the management of EoE in
      clinical practice remains widely heterogeneous, with topical steroids being a
      therapeutic mainstay. However, a growing body of evidence points to dietary
      therapy as an effective treatment option for both children and adults with EoE,
      as this approach is capable of achieving a sustained symptomatic and histological
      response without resorting to drugs. This article reviews the available data on
      the major types of dietary therapy for EoE, including elemental formula diets,
      skin allergy testing-directed elimination diets and empirical elimination diets
      based on common food allergens. 

PMID- 24236699
TI  - Magnetoencephalographic activity related to conscious perception is stable within
      individuals across years but not between individuals.
AB  - Studies indicate that conscious perception is related to changes in neural
      activity within a time window that varies between 130 and 320 msec after stimulus
      presentation, yet it is not known whether such neural correlates of conscious
      perception are stable across time. Here, we examined the generalization across
      time within individuals and across different individuals. We trained
      classification algorithms to decode conscious perception from neural activity
      recorded during binocular rivalry using magnetoencephalography (MEG). The
      classifiers were then used to predict the perception of the same participants
      during different recording sessions either days or years later as well as between
      different participants. No drop in decoding accuracy was observed when decoding
      across years compared with days, whereas a large drop in decoding accuracy was
      found for between-participant decoding. Furthermore, underlying percept-specific
      MEG signals remained stable in terms of latency, amplitude, and sources within
      participants across years, whereas differences were found in all of these domains
      between individuals. Our findings demonstrate that the neural correlates of
      conscious perception are stable across years for adults, but differ across
      individuals. Moreover, the study validates decoding based on MEG data as a method
      for further studies of correlations between individual differences in perceptual
      contents and between-participant decoding accuracies. 

PMID- 24236701
TI  - The effects of antipsychotic switching on diabetes in chronic schizophrenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with severe mental illness have a 20-year life-expectancy
      shortfall. The majority of antipsychotic medications are associated with obesity
      and heightened diabetes risk. People with severe mental illness less frequently
      achieve benchmarked diabetes care, often attributed to poor adherence, lower
      clinical attendance and documented medical biases in treatment. This case is
      presented to highlight the profound effect medication change can have on diabetes
      control. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old man with a 42-year history of schizophrenia
      had required clozapine treatment for the preceding 14 years. Type 2 diabetes and
      obesity occurred within 4 years of clozapine instigation. Glycaemic control had
      been continuously poor, despite frequent contact with diabetes services and
      multiple medications, including insulin at a dose exceeding 200 IU daily. Request
      for consideration of antipsychotic review and close interaction with the
      psychiatry team was initiated at the diabetes outpatient clinic. A gradual
      medication switch from clozapine to aripiprazole was associated with a reduction
      in HbA(1c) from 80 to 50 mmol/mol (9.5 to 6.7%) over 4 months, associated with a
      weight loss of 10 kg. Over the ensuing 2 years, the improvement in HbA(1c) has
      endured, with total weight loss of 13 kg and halving of insulin requirements.
      CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the benefits of engagement between
      endocrinologists and psychiatrists to achieve the shared goal of improved
      physical health in severe mental illness. Greater interdisciplinary collaboration
      will help bridge the life-expectancy gap in severe mental illness and may assist
      in preventing disabling diabetes complications in this vulnerable patient group.

PMID- 24236702
TI  - Effects of malondialdehyde modification on the in vitro digestibility of soy
      protein isolate.
AB  - Soy protein isolate (SPI) was modified by lipid peroxidation product
      malondialdehyde (MDA), and the in vitro digestibility of modified SPI was
      investigated. Results indicated that incubation with increasing MDA concentration
      resulted in significant carbonyl group generation and loss of free amino groups
      of SPI. Fluorescence loss of natural tryptophan and formation of Schiff base were
      observed. Noncovalent interaction between molecules was enhanced and became the
      main force that led to the solubility reduction of MDA-modified SPI. Differential
      scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that SPI had higher thermal stability and
      lower total calorimetric enthalpy after MDA pretreatment. Electrophoresis showed
      that beta-conglycinin was more sensitive to MDA modification. In vitro digestion
      indicated that MDA could induce non-disulfide covalent polymer of SPI, which
      could not be digested by pepsin and pancreatin. beta subunits of beta-conglycinin
      became more resistant to digestion with increasing MDA concentration. Evaluation
      of the free amino acid profile in the digests indicated that MDA-modified SPI had
      deteriorating nutritive quality. 

PMID- 24236703
TI  - Welcome to Pharmaceutical Patent Analyst. Foreword.

PMID- 24236704
TI  - A peek inside the launch issue.

PMID- 24236705
TI  - Role of patent analysis in corporate R&D.

PMID- 24236706
TI  - A brief history of generic substitution in the USA.

PMID- 24236707
TI  - The America Invents Act: summarizing the statute.

PMID- 24236708
TI  - Patent protection in Europe of pharmaceuticals found to have a further medical
      indication.

PMID- 24236710
TI  - 'Raising the bar' of patentability.
AB  - The EPO has faced the public perception that the barrier to patenting is too low
      and that patent quality has deteriorated. With this in mind, the EPO has
      initiated a process of strategic renewal called 'raising the bar' with a view to
      improving the quality of patents and streamlining the grant procedure. This
      article discusses the changes to the European Patent Convention rules and how
      these changes aim to improve the quality of granted European patents. 

PMID- 24236712
TI  - The impact of effective patents on future innovations in nanomedicine.
AB  - The success of nanomedicine is dependent upon an effective protection of IP
      rights. Unfortunately, the US nanomedicine patent system is dysfunctional because
      long R&D procedures as well as the patent pendency are insufficiently taken into
      account. This could be solved by changing the patent-protection starting point
      and increasing the capacity of the US PTO. The nanotechnology industry also
      suffers from overlapping patents. This could be avoided by improving the
      expertise of the PTO, using a more accurate definition of nanotechnology and
      devising a generally accepted nomenclature that enhances prior-art searches. To
      avoid disputes, inference practices and strategic patenting can be used. In the
      case of a dispute, parties can fall back on re-examination, cross-licensing and
      patent litigation. Cross-licensing agreements are recommended since they allows
      parties to access technology, create synergies and exclude third-party
      competitors. Solving the patent problems in the nanotechnology industry is a
      necessary step for future success. 

PMID- 24236713
TI  - Review of companies and drug classes in the 2007-2011 antihypertensive patent
      literature.
AB  - Hypertension, defined as elevated systolic blood pressure and/or diastolic blood
      pressure generally greater than 140/90 mmHg, is a significant risk factor for
      cardiovascular outcomes such as arterial aneurysm, myocardial infarction and
      stroke, and for nonvascular conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. The
      prevalence of the disease is rapidly increasing both in the USA and in the rest
      of the world. Hypertension can be managed to a degree through behavioral changes
      (e.g., reduction in salt intake and loss of excess body weight). When lifestyle
      changes fail, pharmacological therapy provides benefits, with combination drug
      therapy often required for many patients to reach their blood pressure-reduction
      goals. Approximately one-third of hypertensive patients who seek treatment fail
      to reach their goals, either because they are resistant to drug therapy or stop
      treatment due to side-effect issues. A medical need exists for new
      antihypertensive agents with improved risk-benefit profiles. However, within the
      past decade, the economics of bringing a new antihypertensive agent to market
      have become challenging due to the plethora of generic drugs available, the
      advent of polypharmacology, and the difficulty of identifying agents that are
      better than the standard of care. Only a few new mechanistic classes of
      antihypertensive agents have been recently approved, suggesting a lack of
      innovation within the industry. In this review, we describe the results of a
      survey of drug companies and drug classes in the 2007-2009 antihypertensive
      patent literature and comment on the current state of innovation in
      antihypertensive drug discovery. 

PMID- 24236714
TI  - Antibody-drug conjugates in tumor therapy.
AB  - Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for tumor therapy contain a cytotoxic drug
      conjugated to a monoclonal antibody (mAb) across a linker. A homing device, the
      mAb enables the recognition of tumor cells by binding to tumor-specific antigens.
      The linker is usually cleaved inside the tumor cell or close to the cell surface
      according to a well-designed chemical mechanism or upon in vivo degradation of
      the immunoglobulin moiety. The potent drug load is then released exerting its
      cytotoxic activity within the target cell or in its close proximity (bystander
      effect). This concept enables a highly selective approach to minimize side
      effects for the patient. In August 2011, Seattle Genetics' ADC Adcetris(r)
      (brentuximab vedotin) was approved by the US FDA. This review gives background
      information on this interesting new technology and presents the relevant, recent
      patents in this research area. patents by Seattle Genetics, Immunogen and Biotest
      are discussed owing to their eminent contribution and relevance to the field. 

PMID- 24236715
TI  - Current trends in the development of histone deacetylase inhibitors: a review of
      recent patent applications.
AB  - Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have become an important target for the treatment of
      cancer and other diseases. Currently, more than ten HDAC inhibitors have entered
      clinical studies and two of them have already reached the market. The hydroxamic
      acid derivative SAHA (also known as vorinostat or Zolinza(r)) and the cyclic
      depsipeptide FK228 (romidepsin or Istodax(r)) have gained approval from the US
      FDA for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Nevertheless, there has been
      a continuous effort aimed at discovering a new generation of clinical candidates
      with improved pharmaceutical properties. This review provides a summary of the
      most recent patents published from mid-2009 to mid-2011. 

PMID- 24236716
TI  - Na+/K+-ATPase and cancer.
AB  - The sodium pump, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, could be an important target for the
      development of anticancer drugs as it serves as a versatile signal transducer,
      plays a key role in cell adhesion and has abnormal expression and activity that
      are implicated in the development and progression of different cancers. Several
      publications have reported differing expression of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha- and
      beta-subunits in malignant tissues compared with their normal tissue
      counterparts, thus offering a powerful diagnostic tool. A growing number of
      patent applications claim the invention or discovery of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase
      inhibitors (e.g., cardiac glycosides) to be used to effectively treat certain
      cancers that are refractory to conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The
      aims of this review are to provide an overview of the most significant patents
      that highlight Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase as a valuable target in anticancer therapy and
      which report on novel Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitors and ligands designed as
      potential anticancer agents. 

PMID- 24236720
TI  - Computational medicinal chemistry for rational drug design: Identification of
      novel chemical structures with potential anti-tuberculosis activity.
AB  - Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a
      common infectious disease with high mortality and morbidity. The increasing
      prevalence of drug-resistant strains of TB presents a major public health
      problem. Due to the lack of effective drugs to treat these drug-resistant
      strains, the discovery or development of novel anti-TB drugs is important.
      Computer-aided drug design has become an established strategy for the
      identification of novel active chemicals through a combination of several drug
      design tools. In this review, we summarise the current chemotherapy for TB,
      describe attractive target proteins for the development of antibiotics against
      TB, and detail several computational drug design strategies that may contribute
      to the further identification of active chemicals for the treatment of not only
      TB but also other diseases.

PMID- 24236722
TI  - Prospects for developing new antibacterials targeting bacterial type IIA
      topoisomerases.
AB  - The modulation of DNA topology by DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, both of which
      are type IIA topoisomerases and found in most bacteria, is a function vital to
      DNA replication, repair and decatenation. Despite the potential for resistance
      development, DNA gyrase and/or topoisomerase IV have been proven to be and remain
      highly attractive targets in antibacterial drug discovery due to their potential
      for dual targeting. The search for new GyrA and/or ParC inhibitors that can
      overcome the increasing spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria has been
      successfully focused in the last decades on the modification of the known
      fluoroquinolone scaffold as primarily guided by ligand-based design via classical
      structure-activity relationship studies and the optimisation of physicochemical
      properties. This focus has resulted in several novel fluoroquinolones that have
      been introduced into clinical practice since 2000, and several of these new
      compounds are currently in different phases of clinical trials. Due to increasing
      resistance to fluoroquinolones, a significant part of DNA gyrase research has
      shifted to the discovery of new GyrB and/or ParE inhibitors, which are commonly
      identified through fragment-based design as well as virtual screening techniques
      and structure-based hit optimisation programs. This research often results in
      lead compounds with potent inhibitory activity and promising antibacterial
      activity profiles. Nevertheless, it is important to understand how different
      physicochemical properties (e.g., logD and total polar surface area) and
      different structural motifs influence the compounds' permeability to ensure the
      efficient discovery of potent, small-molecule antibacterials particularly against
      Gram-negative strains.

PMID- 24236723
TI  - Filling the pipeline - new drugs for an old disease.
AB  - Tuberculosis is a major global health problem. In the middle of the last century
      several laboratories identified, developed and synthesized several substances
      which were active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of the
      disease. In the 1980s the standard oral treatment regimen was introduced with
      isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. In combination with the DOTS
      strategy it was possible treat TB within 6-8 months. But with the emergence of
      drug resistant strains, the formerly successful regiment became ineffective for
      MDR and XDR TB patients. Even more alarming, the rapidly increasing HIV epidemic
      also increases the number of HIV-related TB. Facing these facts, it became
      evident that novel strategies and antibiotics were needed to treat the new forms
      of TB. But over the last 60 years no novel TB drug was developed or even in the
      drug pipeline. But during the last ten years several novel substances have been
      developed to combat the deadly disease. For the first time in decades the TB drug
      pipeline is filled again with several promising compounds and many of them have
      reached Phase II and Phase III clinical trials. Several laboratories and
      companies all over the world currently are developing and evaluating these
      substances. This review presents novel substances, which were for the first time
      exclusively developed for TB such as bedaquilines, nitroimidazoles and the
      diamine SQ109. We also summarize the present knowledge about enzymes and
      biosynthesis pathways which offer potential targets for drug discovery against M.
      tuberculosis.

PMID- 24236724
TI  - Next generation biofilm inhibitors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Synthesis and
      rational design approaches.
AB  - The bacterial biofilms and the emergence of multiple drug resistance have become
      a major threat for current medical treatment of nosocomial infections. It has
      been estimated that about 65-80% of microbial infections in the developed
      countries are associated with biofilms. Given the prominence of biofilms in
      infectious diseases, increasing efforts toward the development of small molecules
      that will modulate bacterial biofilm development and maintenance is on the rise.
      Till date, marine natural products have shown a tremendous potential as pharma
      leads and also given new skeletons which would be used as biofilm/QS inhibitors.
      Medically relevant biofilm forming bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa which
      is most frequently isolated bacteria in nosocomial infection is believed to be a
      model organism for biofilm studies. Hence, in this review, we have highlighted
      the development of small molecules that inhibit and/or disperse bacterial
      biofilms of P. aeruginosa in particular. Additionally, the rational design
      approaches as well as synthetic methodologies along with biological studies has
      been accounted in this article.

PMID- 24236725
TI  - Docking and PLS studies on a set of thiophenes RNA polymerase inhibitors against
      Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus lives in commensalism with the majority of the population,
      being recognized as an important pathogen in patients with chronic liver diseases
      and can cause a deadly infection. The use of antibiotics as rifampin for the
      chemotherapy of infections caused by S. aureus has resulted in the selection of
      mutants with resistance. In an attempt to combat resistant strains new research
      is continuously conducted, as example searching new biological targets or new
      inhibitors such as tiophenes derivatives that can inhibit the RNA polymerase
      enzyme. This work investigated the set of tiophenes, selected from of literature
      and with RNA polymerase enzyme inhibitory activity of S. aureus. After seeking
      further information on existing scientific literature, the compounds under study
      were applied the methodologies of PLS, docking and calculation of Molecular
      Interaction Fields (MIFs) using Pentacle and VolSurf programmes. In addition, a
      comparison was made with two tiophenes synthesized in our laboratory and which
      have been tested against the bacteria. Docking studies showed that active
      compounds had more interactions with the amino acids on active site when compared
      with rifampicin. The best model obtained in PLS, considering two LVs (latent
      variables), after leave-one-outvalidation, exhibited the statistical parameters
      qcv(2) = 0.68 and r(2) = 0.85. External prediction model presented a rext(2) =
      0.67. The obtained model through PLS analyses was able to predict the behavior of
      compounds synthesized by us. So we extract structural features important for the
      activity of these compounds. In this paper, first we discussed the topics: S.
      aureus, tiophenes, RNA polymerase, docking and QSAR methodologies. Then we have
      selected a series of 56 tiophenes from literature, which have their biological
      activity tested against the RNA polymerase enzyme of S. aureus. The compounds
      were subsequently carried out for Partial Least Squares (PLS) Analysis.

PMID- 24236726
TI  - Structure-and-mechanism-based design and discovery of type II Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis dehydroquinate dehydratase inhibitors.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis, a lethal
      infection disease that attacks the lungs. Now it becomes the major global health
      risk because of very long latent period, the persistent increase of new cases,
      and the emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains.
      Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of new, safe and more
      efficient tuberculosis drugs. The shikimate pathway has been considered as the
      attractive drug target due to its essentiality in algae, higher plants, bacteria,
      and fungi, but absence from mammals. In this review, we focus on the recent
      development of a wide variety of inhibitors of type II Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      dehydroquinate dehydratase, the third enzyme of this pathway. The structural and
      mechanistic features of the enzyme for the design and discovery of the inhibitors
      have been described. The key factors on the structure, binding, and affinity of
      the inhibitors have been also highlighted. This may direct the further
      development of type II Mycobacterium tuberculosis dehydroquinate dehydratase
      inhibitors as potent tuberculosis drugs.

PMID- 24236721
TI  - Progress in the discovery of treatments for C. difficile infection: A clinical
      and medicinal chemistry review.
AB  - Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, Gram-positive pathogen that causes C.
      difficile infection, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. The
      incidence of C. difficile infection in developed countries has become
      increasingly high due to the emergence of newer epidemic strains, a growing
      elderly population, extensive use of broad spectrum antibiotics, and limited
      therapies for this diarrheal disease. Because treatment options currently
      available for C. difficile infection have some drawbacks, including cost,
      promotion of resistance, and selectivity problems, new agents are urgently needed
      to address these challenges. This review article focuses on two parts: the first
      part summarizes current clinical treatment strategies and agents under clinical
      development for C. difficile infection; the second part reviews newly reported
      anti-difficile agents that have been evaluated or reevaluated in the last five
      years and are in the early stages of drug discovery and development. Antibiotics
      are divided into natural product inspired and synthetic small molecule compounds
      that may have the potential to be more efficacious than currently approved
      treatments. This includes potency, selectivity, reduced cytotoxicity, and novel
      modes of action to prevent resistance.

PMID- 24236727
TI  - Designing type II topoisomerase inhibitors: A molecular modeling approach.
AB  - Nosocomial infections are produced by pathogens with the ability to persist in
      hospital environments and with the propensity to develop resistance to diverse
      antimicrobials. In order to tackle resistance, it has been pointed as good
      strategy to select resilient drug targets that are evolutionally constrained to
      design drugs less susceptible to develop resistance. Molecular modeling can help
      to fulfill this goal by providing a rationalization of the observed resistance at
      the molecular level and, suggesting modifications on existing drugs or in the
      design of new ones to overcome the problem. The present report focus on type II
      topoisomerases, a clinical validated target for antibacterials and describe
      diverse modes of intervention including, inhibition of their ATPase function,
      stabilization of the cleavage complex or prevention of DNA strand hydrolysis.
      Moreover, the origin of resistance is also rationalized on the base of ligand
      target interactions. Finally, efforts are described to circumvent the effect of
      non-susceptible strains by the design of new drugs based on existing ones, like
      the case of diones that act through the same mechanism as quinolones or the newly
      released quinole-carbonitrile derivatives that inhibit type II topoisomerases
      through a new mechanism.

PMID- 24236728
TI  - New synthetic antibiotics for the treatment of Enterococcus and Campylobacter
      infection.
AB  - Bacterial resistance to antibiotics, particularly to multiple drug resistant
      antibiotics, is becoming cause for significant concern. The only really viable
      course of action is to discover new antibiotics with novel mode of actions. This
      review focuses on antibiotic resistance mechanisms of Enterococcus and
      Campylobacter, and new antibacterial agents against Enterococcus and
      Campylobacter through de novo or semi- synthesis in the period from 2003 until
      mid- 2013.

PMID- 24236730
TI  - Editorial: Nosocomial infections: an increasing challenge to medicinal chemistry.

PMID- 24236729
TI  - Structure guided design of biotin protein ligase inhibitors for antibiotic
      discovery.
AB  - Biotin protein ligase (BPL) represents a promising target for the discovery of
      new antibacterial chemotherapeutics. Here we review the central role of BPL for
      the survival and virulence of clinically important Staphylococcus aureus in
      support of this claim. X-ray crystallography structures of BPLs in complex with
      ligands and small molecule inhibitors provide new insights into the mechanism of
      protein biotinylation, and a template for structure guided approaches to the
      design of inhibitors for antibacterial discovery. Most BPLs employ an ordered
      ligand binding mechanism for the synthesis of the reaction intermediate biotinyl
      5'-AMP from substrates biotin and ATP. Recent studies reporting chemical analogs
      of biotin and biotinyl-5'-AMP as BPL inhibitors that represent new classes of
      anti-S. aureus agents are reviewed. We highlight strategies to selectively
      inhibit bacterial BPL over the mammalian equivalent using a 1,2,3-triazole
      isostere to replace the labile phosphoanhydride naturally present in biotinyl-5'
      AMP. A novel in situ approach to improve the detection of triazole-based
      inhibitors is also presented that could potentially be widely applied to other
      protein targets.

PMID- 24236731
TI  - Nitrogen fixation and respiratory electron transport in the cyanobacterium
      Cyanothece under different light/dark cycles.
AB  - Incompatibility of nitrogen fixation and oxygen production compels unicellular
      diazotrophic cyanobacteria to perform photosynthesis during daytime and restrict
      nitrogen fixation to nighttime. The marine diazotroph Cyanothece BG 043511 was
      grown in continuous culture under three light/dark regimes (16L : 8D, 12L : 12D,
      and 8L : 16D h); we monitored nitrogen fixation and potential photosynthetic
      efficiency simultaneously online to reveal how their temporal separation is
      affected by different LD regimes. An increase in nitrogen fixation rate at night
      coincided with a rise in pulse-amplitude modulated fluorescence, indicating that
      the enhanced respiratory electron transport to fuel diazotrophy affects the
      oxidation state of the plastoquinone pool. This may offer an alternative approach
      to assess instantaneous nitrogen fixation activity. Regardless of photoperiod,
      the maximum rate of nitrogen fixation was conserved at about 20 h after the onset
      of the light. Consequently, nitrogen fixation rates peaked at different moments
      in the dark: relatively early in the 16L : 8D cycle, at midnight in 12L : 12D,
      and relatively late in 8L : 16D. Under 16L : 8D, nitrogen fixation extended into
      the light, demonstrating the functional plasticity of nitrogen fixation in
      Cyanothece. Highest daily amounts of nitrogen fixed were obtained in 12L : 12D,
      which is consistent with the natural LD cycle of subtropical latitudes in which
      Cyanothece thrives. 

PMID- 24236733
TI  - Surgery versus surveillance of small renal masses: a call for comparative
      effectiveness research in the management of kidney tumors.

PMID- 24236732
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide induces cell volume increase and migration of dendritic cells.
AB  - Migration of dendritic cells (DCs) plays an important role in T-cell-mediated
      adaptive immune responses. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sensed by Toll-like receptor
      4 (TLR4) serves as a signal for DC migration. We analyzed LPS-induced DC volume
      changes preceding the directed movement towards chemoattractants. Treatment with
      LPS resulted in rapid, prolonged cell swelling in wild-type (WT), but not in
      TLR4(-/-) bone marrow-derived (BM) DCs indicating that TLR4 signaling is
      essential for LPS-induced swelling. As a consequence, LPS-treatment enhanced the
      migratory activity along a chemokine (CCL21)-gradient in WT, but not in TLR4
      deficient BMDCs suggesting that the LPS/TLR4-induced swelling response
      facilitates DC migration. Moreover, the role of calcium-activated potassium
      channels (K(Ca) 3.1) as putative regulators of immune cell volume regulation and
      migration was analyzed in LPS-challenged BMDCs. We found that the LPS-induced
      swelling of K(Ca) 3.1-deficient DCs was impaired when compared to WT DCs.
      Accordingly, the LPS-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) detected in WT DCs was
      reduced in K(Ca) 3.1-deficient DCs. Finally, directed migration of LPS-challenged
      K(Ca) 3.1-deficient DCs was low compared to WT DCs indicating that activation of
      K(Ca) 3.1 is involved in LPS-induced DC migration. These findings suggest that
      both TLR4 and K(Ca) 3.1 contribute to the migration of LPS-activated DCs as an
      important feature of the adaptive immune response.

PMID- 24236734
TI  - Comparing swabs for diagnosing chlamydia and gonorrhea in women: recent findings.

PMID- 24236735
TI  - An old tool may fix a new problem: early utilization of 24-h esophageal pH
      monitoring may reduce unnecessary proton-pump inhibitor use and improve outcomes.

PMID- 24236736
TI  - Using observational studies for comparative effectiveness: finding quality with
      GRACE.

PMID- 24236738
TI  - From methods to policy: Enthusiasm for rapid-learning health systems exceeds the
      current standards for conducting it.

PMID- 24236739
TI  - Interview: A private sector life in comparative effectiveness research. Interview
      with Robert W Dubois.
AB  - Robert W Dubois joined the National Pharmaceutical Council (Washington, DC, USA)
      in October 2010 as its Chief Science Officer. In this role, he oversees the
      National Pharmaceutical Council's research on policy issues related to
      comparative effectiveness research, as well as on how health outcomes are valued.
      Dr Dubois has cofounded and led various healthcare research organizations in
      developing quality research with practical application. Throughout his career, Dr
      Dubois' primary interest has centered on defining 'what works' in healthcare and
      finding ways for that evidence to inform healthcare decision-making. He is a
      recognized expert in the areas of defining best practice, disease management and
      appropriateness of care. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles on
      comparative effectiveness, evidence-based medicine, the development of practice
      guidelines and determining the optimal use of high-cost medical services. Dr
      Dubois received his AB from Harvard College (MA, USA), his MD from the Johns
      Hopkins School of Medicine (MD, USA) and his PhD in Health Policy from the RAND
      Graduate School (CA, USA). In addition, he is the associate editor of the Journal
      of Comparative Effectiveness Research and is on the editorial board for Health
      Affairs. 

PMID- 24236740
TI  - Low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer: results of the first
      screening round.
AB  - Evaluation of: National Lung Screening Trial Research Team, Church TR, Black WC,
      Aberle DR et al. Results of initial low-dose computed tomographic screening for
      lung cancer. N. Engl. J. Med. 368, 1980-1991 (2013). In 2011, the US NLST trial
      demonstrated that mortality from lung cancer can be reduced by using low-dose
      computed tomography (LDCT) screening rather than chest x-ray (CXR) screening.
      This paper from the US NLST research team focuses on the results of the initial
      round of LDCT for lung cancer. A total of 53,439 participants were included and
      randomly assigned to LDCT screening (n = 26,715) or CXR screening (n = 26,724).
      In total, 27.3% of the participants in the LDCT group and 9.2% in the CXR group
      had a positive screening result. As a result, 3.8% (LDCT group) and 5.7% (CXR
      group) of these subjects were diagnosed with lung cancer. The sensitivity (93.8%)
      and specificity (73.4%) for lung cancer were higher for LDCT compared with CXR
      screening; 73.5 and 91.3%, respectively. 

PMID- 24236741
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of intravenous and inhaled magnesium in acute asthma.
AB  - Evaluation of: Goodacre S, Cohen J, Bradburn M et al. Intravenous or nebulised
      magnesium sulphate versus standard therapy for severe acute asthma (3Mg trial): a
      double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Lancet Respir. Med. 1, 293-300 (2013).
      Acute exacerbations of asthma are common. The current recommended treatment
      approach to managing an acute asthma exacerbation is to administer a short-acting
      inhaled beta2-agonist (SABA). SABAs are rapidly effective but may not provide the
      bronchodilation needed to restore adequate lung function. Consequently, in severe
      acute asthma exacerbations, despite a standard approach to treatment including
      SABAs, hospitalization is common. Magnesium is a bronchodilator that may provide
      additional benefit to SABAs in managing acute asthma exacerbations. In this
      article, the comparative effectiveness of inhaled and intravenous magnesium in
      addition to standard therapy is evaluated in the management of severe acute
      asthma exacerbations. Although neither inhaled nor intravenous magnesium achieved
      the protocol-specified benefits, intravenous magnesium was associated with fewer
      hospitalizations and a trend for greater improvement in the symptom of
      breathlessness than inhaled magnesium. 

PMID- 24236742
TI  - Compassion as the foundation of patient-centered care: the importance of
      compassion in action.
AB  - The Institute of Medicine defines patient-centered care as "providing care that
      is respectful of, and responsive to, individual patient preferences, needs and
      values, and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions." What is
      missing in this definition is an explicit emphasis on compassion. This
      perspective article draws on the experience of Planetree (CT, USA), a not-for
      profit organization that partners with healthcare establishments to drive
      adoption of patient-centered care principles and practices by connecting
      healthcare professionals with the voices and perspectives of the patients and
      family members who utilize their services. Across hundreds of focus groups
      facilitated by Planetree, patients and their loved ones emphasize that paramount
      among their needs, preferences and values are compassionate human interactions.
      For care to be truly patient-centered, a foundation of compassion is essential.
      Reports from patients and the media, and research from healthcare systems around
      the world demonstrate the fallacy of assuming that compassion is a current or
      prevalent feature of the care experience. Concurrently, a growing evidence base
      highlights the supreme importance of compassion in driving high-quality, high
      value care. However, good intentions are not sufficient for delivering
      compassionate care. Drawing on the experiences of exemplary patient-centered
      hospitals (recognized as such following a rigorous culture audit to determine
      fulfillment of the criteria for formal recognition as a Designated(r) Patient
      Centered Hospital [Planetree]), this paper explores practical approaches for
      embedding compassion in healthcare delivery and organizational culture to meet
      patients' expressed desires for empathic and respectful human interactions. 

PMID- 24236743
TI  - Engaging older adults in their transitional care: what more needs to be done?
AB  - Multiple studies reveal that the healthcare needs of chronically ill older adults
      are poorly managed and often have devastating consequences. This paper examines
      available evidence related to improving care management and outcomes in this
      vulnerable patient group. Findings reinforce the need for enhanced patient
      engagement and suggest comparative effectiveness research as an important and
      immediate path to optimize patient-clinician partnerships. An ongoing study in
      care management is described as an example of such comparative effectiveness
      research. An overview of the barriers to implementation of evidence-based
      strategies related to health literacy, shared decision-making and accountability
      for self-management is provided, followed by a set of recommendations designed to
      facilitate comparative effectiveness research that advances engagement of high
      risk older adults and their family caregivers. 

PMID- 24236744
TI  - New challenges for comparative effectiveness in oncology: choice of primary end
      points for randomized clinical trials.
AB  - Recent advances have led to a steady improvement in cancer treatments. The
      increasing number of therapeutic options and the corresponding improvement in
      outcomes pose a number of challenges for comparative effectiveness research in
      oncology. This review is focused on the choice of primary end points and their
      interpretation in randomized clinical trials that are designed to inform patients
      and clinicians on the relative benefits of cancer therapies. We discuss end
      points that directly measure clinical benefit as well as end points that are
      thought to be surrogates for clinical benefit. Particular attention is given to
      the issues associated with the use of overall survival as the primary end point
      in randomized clinical trials. 

PMID- 24236745
TI  - Identification of topics for comparative effectiveness systematic reviews in the
      field of cancer imaging.
AB  - AIM: With rapid innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in cancer
      care, comparative effectiveness reviews (CERs) are essential to inform clinical
      practice and guide future research. However, the optimal means to identify
      priority CER topics are uninvestigated. We aimed to devise a transparent and
      reproducible process to identify ten to 12 CER topics in the area of cancer
      imaging relevant to a wide range of stakeholders. MATERIALS & METHODS:
      Environmental scans and explicit prioritization criteria supported interactions
      (email communications, web-based discussions and live teleconferences) with
      experts and stakeholders culminating in a three-phase deductive exercise for
      prioritization of CER topics. RESULTS: We prioritized 12 CER topics in breast,
      lung and gastrointestinal cancers that addressed screening, diagnosis, staging,
      monitoring and evaluating response to treatment. CONCLUSION: Our project
      developed and implemented a transparent and reproducible process for research
      prioritization and topic nomination that can be further refined to improve the
      relevance of future CERs.

PMID- 24236746
TI  - Using modeling to inform patient-centered care choices at the end of life.
AB  - AIM: Advance directives are often under-informed due to a lack of disease
      specific prognostic information. Without well-informed advance directives
      patients may receive default care that is incongruent with their preferences. We
      aimed to further inform advance care planning in patients with severe chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease by estimating outcomes with alternative advance
      directives. METHODS: We designed a Markov microsimulation model estimating
      outcomes for patients choosing between the Full Code advance directive
      (permitting invasive mechanical ventilation), and the Do Not Intubate directive
      (only permitting noninvasive ventilation). RESULTS: Our model estimates Full Code
      patients have marginally increased one-year survival after admission for severe
      respiratory failure, but are more likely to be residing in a nursing home and
      have frequent rehospitalizations for respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Patients
      with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may consider these potential
      tradeoffs between survival, rehospitalizations and institutionalization when
      making informed advance care plans and end-of-life decisions. We highlight
      outcomes research needs for variables most influential to the model's outcomes,
      including the risk of complications of invasive mechanical ventilation and
      failing noninvasive mechanical ventilation.

PMID- 24236747
TI  - Flow cytometric identification of 76 patients with biclonal disease among 5523
      patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) and its genetic
      characterization.
AB  - Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) identifies rare cases of biclonal disease in
      chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). By MFC, we identified 76 patients with
      biclonal disease in a cohort of 5523 CLL patients (1.4%). Fluorescence in situ
      hybridization and chromosome banding analysis revealed five and six cases,
      respectively, with two different cytogenetic aberrations due to clonal evolution.
      Two different B-cell receptor rearrangements and IGHV subtypes were more frequent
      in biclonal than in monoclonal CLL by MFC (37.1% vs. 2.7%; P < 0.001). Patients
      with biclonal CLL by MFC showed a trend to a shorter time to treatment than
      monoclonal CLL (P = 0.080).

PMID- 24236748
TI  - Thermosensitive AB4 four-armed star PNIPAM-b-HTPB multiblock copolymer micelles
      for camptothecin drug release.
AB  - Thermo-sensitive poly(N-isoproplacrylamide)m-block-hydroxyl-terminated
      polybutadiene-block-poly(N-isoproplacrylamide)m (PNIPAMm-b-HTPB-b-PNIPAMm, m = 1
      or 2) block copolymers, AB4 four-armed star multiblock and linear triblock
      copolymers, were synthesized by ATRP with HTPB as central blocks, and
      characterization was performed by (1)H NMR, Fourier transform infrared, and size
      exclusion chromatography. The multiblock copolymers could spontaneously assemble
      into more regular spherical core-shell nanoscale micelles than the linear
      triblock copolymer. The physicochemical properties were detected by a surface
      tension, nanoparticle analyzer, transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic
      light scattering, and UV-vis measurements. The multiblock copolymer micelles had
      lower critical micelle concentration than the linear counterpart, TEM size from
      100 to 120 nm, and the hydrodynamic diameters below 150 nm. The micelles
      exhibited thermo-dependent size change, with low critical solution temperature of
      about 33-35  degrees C. The characteristic parameters were affected by the
      composition ratios, length of PNIPAM blocks, and molecular architectures. The
      camptothecin release demonstrated that the drug release was thermo-responsive,
      accompanied by the temperature-induced structural changes of the micelles. MTT
      assays were performed to evaluate the biocompatibility or cytotoxicity of the
      prepared copolymer micelles.

PMID- 24236749
TI  - Lack of adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines for nontuberculous
      mycobacterial lung disease.
AB  - RATIONALE: The 2007 American Thoracic Society (ATS) and Infectious Diseases
      Society of America (IDSA) recommend that patients with pulmonary nontuberculous
      mycobacterial (PNTM) disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) or M.
      abscessus be treated with a macrolide-based multidrug antibiotic regimen until
      sputum culture negative for 1 year. After 6 years, the degree of adherence to
      recommended guidelines among physicians remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe
      antibiotic treatment practices among physicians treating patients with PNTM in
      the United States. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of 1,286 U.S.
      physicians was contacted in December 2011 through January 2012; 582 of the
      responding physicians were treating patients with PNTM and were eligible to
      participate. Physicians were asked to extract medical record data on the last
      four patients they treated in the past year with PNTM disease from either MAC or
      M. abscessus. Treatment patterns were assessed for all patients by NTM species
      and physician specialty, and compared with the 2007 recommended ATS/IDSA
      guidelines. MAIN RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 349 physicians on 915
      patients with PNTM, including 744 (81%) with MAC and 174 (19%) with M. abscessus;
      3 patients were positive for both. Physicians treated 76 (44%) patients with M.
      abscessus and 411 (55%) patients with MAC. Only 13% of antibiotic regimens
      prescribed to patients with MAC met ATS/IDSA guidelines, 56% did not include a
      macrolide, and 16% were for macrolide monotherapy. Among patients with M.
      abscessus, 64% of regimens prescribed did not include a macrolide. CONCLUSIONS:
      Adherence to the 2007 ATS/IDSA guidelines for treating PNTM disease is poor.
      Across all physician specialties evaluated, suboptimal or potentially harmful
      antibiotic regimens were commonly prescribed.

PMID- 24236750
TI  - Aspirin resistance in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetic patients exhibit platelet hyperreactivity, which renders
      them resistant to antithrombotic treatments. We aimed to investigate the
      prevalence and predictors of aspirin resistance in diabetic patients. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: A total of 93 diabetic and 37 non-diabetic participants were
      included into the study. Aspirin resistance was measured with a whole-blood
      desktop platelet function analyzer (PFA-100) with an epinephrine agonist.
      RESULTS: Altogether 41.9% patients with DM were aspirin non-responders. Aspirin
      resistance was observed in 43.2% of non-diabetic patients (p = 0.89). Presence of
      diabetes mellitus had no effect on aspirin response (RR 0.95 (95% CI 0.44-2.05),
      p = 0.89) in the whole study population. Hypercholesterolemia was the only
      predictor of aspirin resistance in multivariate analysis in diabetic patients (RR
      3.09 (95% CI 1.17-8.16), p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of aspirin
      resistance is comparable in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
      Hypercholesterolemia is the only independent predictor of aspirin resistance in
      diabetic patients.

PMID- 24236751
TI  - Determinants of endothelial dysfunction in patients with non-alcoholic
      steatohepatitis.

PMID- 24236752
TI  - Commentary: acetaldehyde and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in colon.
AB  - Elamin and colleagues in this issue report that acetaldehyde activates Snail, a
      transcription factor involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, in an
      intestinal epithelium. Snail mediates acetaldehyde-induced tight junction
      disruption and increase in paracellular permeability. Results of this study and
      other previous studies raise several important questions. This commentary
      addresses these questions by discussing the acetaldehyde concentration in colon,
      disruption of epical junctional complexes in the intestinal epithelium by
      acetaldehyde, and the consequence of long-term exposure to acetaldehyde on
      colonic epithelial regeneration, carcinogenesis, and metastases. The precise role
      of acetaldehyde in colonic epithelial modifications and promotion of colorectal
      cancers still remains to be understood. 

PMID- 24236753
TI  - Temporal regularity facilitates higher-order sensory predictions in fast auditory
      sequences.
AB  - Does temporal regularity facilitate prediction in audition? To test this, we
      recorded human event-related potentials to frequent standard tones and infrequent
      pitch deviant tones, pre-attentively delivered within isochronous and
      anisochronous (20% onset jitter) rapid sequences. Deviant tones were repeated,
      either with high or low probability. Standard tone repetition sets a first-order
      prediction, which is violated by deviant tone onset, leading to a first-order
      prediction error response (Mismatch Negativity). The response to highly probable
      deviant repetitions is, however, attenuated relative to less probable
      repetitions, reflecting the formation of higher-order sensory predictions.
      Results show that temporal regularity is required for higher-order predictions,
      but does not modulate first-order prediction error responses. Inverse solution
      analyses (Variable Resolution Electrical Tomography; VARETA) localized the error
      response attenuation to posterior regions of the left superior temporal gyrus. In
      a control experiment with a slower stimulus rate, we found no evidence for higher
      order predictions, and again no effect of temporal information on first-order
      prediction error. We conclude that: (i) temporal regularity facilitates the
      establishing of higher-order sensory predictions, i.e. 'knowing what next', in
      fast auditory sequences; (ii) first-order prediction error relies predominantly
      on stimulus feature mismatch, reflecting the adaptive fit of fast deviance
      detection processes. 

PMID- 24236754
TI  - Post-injection sciatic neuropathy in a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intramuscular injection is a common route parenteral used in
      primates. METHODS: A cynomolgus macaque was evaluated for acute lameness and
      atrophy of the left leg with no evidence of trauma. RESULTS: History revealed
      ketamine injection 12 days prior. CONCLUSIONS: Histologic examination supported
      traumatic injection neuropathy due to intramuscular injection.

PMID- 24236755
TI  - Recent insights into the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy and treatments.
AB  - Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) encompasses a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders
      related to liver failure. The development of HE can have a profound impact on
      mortality as well as quality of life for patients and carers. Ammonia is central
      in the disease process contributing to alteration in neurotransmission, oxidative
      stress, and cerebral edema and astrocyte swelling in acute liver failure.
      Inflammation in the presence of ammonia coactively worsens HE. Inflammation can
      result from hyperammonemic responses, endotoxemia, innate immune dysfunction or
      concurrent infection. This review summarizes the current processes implicated in
      the pathogenesis of HE, as well as current and potential treatments. Treatments
      currently focus on reducing inflammation and/or blood ammonia levels and provide
      varying degrees of success. Optimization of current treatments and initial
      testing of novel therapies will provide the basis of improvement of care in the
      near future. 

PMID- 24236756
TI  - Editorial for the virtual issue on synthetic inorganic chemistry.

PMID- 24236757
TI  - Iridium-based lab-on-a-molecule for Hg2+ and ClO- with two distinct light-up
      emissions.
AB  - The nonemissive iridium complex 2 is a lab-on-a-molecule for the highly selective
      detection of Hg(2+) and ClO(-) among 33 analytes using its oxime residues as
      reactive units. At pH 5, chemodosimeter 2 responds to Hg(2+) by dehydration,
      whereas at pH 8, it is oxidized by ClO(-), resulting in 450- and 235-fold
      emission increases, respectively, at two distinct wavelengths. 

PMID- 24236758
TI  - Dividing the spoils: role of pyrazine ligands and perchlorate counterions in the
      magnetic properties of bis(pyrazine)diperchloratecopper(II), [Cu(pz)2](ClO4)2.
AB  - A complete first-principles bottom-up computational study of the magnetic
      properties of [Cu(pz)2](ClO4)2 is presented. A remarkable agreement is observed
      in the whole range of temperatures between simulated and experimental magnetic
      susceptibility data. Interestingly, the simulated heat capacity values show an
      anomaly close to the Neel temperature of 4.21 K associated with a transition from
      a two-dimensional (2D) antiferromagnet to a three-dimensional (3D) ordered state.
      The antiferromagnetic behavior of [Cu(pz)2](ClO4)2 is due to a 2D magnetic
      topology owing to two antiferromagnetic J(AB) interactions through pyrazine
      ligands. Although presenting a very similar molecular arrangement, the numerical
      values of the two magnetically significant J(AB) couplings differ by 25% (-10.2
      vs -7.3 cm(-1)). This difference can be ascribed to three main contributions: (i)
      the central pyrazine ring shearing-like distortion, (ii) the effect of the
      orientation of the perchlorate counterions, and (iii) a hitherto unrecognized
      skeleton-counterion cooperation arising from different hydrogen bonding
      contributions in the two most significant J(AB) couplings. The impact of the
      orientation of the perchlorate counterions is disclosed by comparison to J(AB)
      studies using structurally similar ligands but with different electronegativity
      (namely, BF4(-), BCl4(-), and BBr4(-)). Pyrazine ligands and perchlorate
      counterions prove to be noninnocent.

PMID- 24236759
TI  - Pentanuclear heterometallic {Ni2Ln3} (Ln = Gd, Dy, Tb, Ho) assemblies. Single
      molecule magnet behavior and multistep relaxation in the dysprosium derivative.
AB  - The reaction between Ln(III) chloride and NiCl2.4H2O salts in presence of a
      multidentate sterically unencumbered ligand, (E)-2,2'-(2-hydroxy-3-((2
      hydroxyphenylimino)methyl)-5-methylbenzylazanediyl)diethanol (LH4) leads to the
      synthesis of four isostructural pentanuclear hetereometallic complexes
      [Ni2Dy3(LH)4]Cl (1), [Ni2Gd3(LH)4]Cl (2), [Ni2Tb3(LH)3(LH2)]Cl2 (3), [Ni2 Ho3
      (LH)3 (LH2)]Cl2 (4) with unprecedented topology. Here the two compounds 1 are 2
      are monocationic and crystallize in chiral space group, P2(1)2(1)2(1) whereas
      compounds 3 and 4 are dicationic and crystallize in achiral space group P2(1)/n.
      The total metal framework, {Ni2Ln3} unit is held by four triply deprotonated
      ligands [LH](3-) in 1 and 2 whereas in case of 3 and 4 three triply deprotonated
      [LH](3-) and one doubly deprotonated [LH2](2-) ligands are involved. In these
      complexes both the lanthanide ions and the nickel(II) ions are doubly bridged and
      the bridging is composed of oxygen atoms derived from either phenolate or
      ethoxide groups. The analysis of SQUID measurements reveal a high magnetic ground
      state and a slow relaxation of the magnetization with two relaxation regimes for
      1. For the thermally activated regime we found an effective energy barrier of
      U(eff) = 85 K. Micro Hall probe loop measurements directly proof the single
      molecule magnet (SMM) nature of 1 with a blocking temperature of T(B) = 3 K and
      an open hysteresis for sweep rates faster than 50 mT/s.

PMID- 24236760
TI  - Cu(I) thiolate reactivity with dioxygen: the formation of Cu(II) sulfinate and
      Cu(II) sulfonate species via a Cu(II) thiolate intermediate.
AB  - Cu(I)(Py2NS) (1) is formed by addition of Cu(I) to a solution of the pyridyl
      thiol ligand N-(2-mercaptopropyl)-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (Py2NSH).
      Oxidation of complex 1 by air leads to the formation of Cu(II) sulfinate and
      Cu(II) sulfonate complexes, providing a model for the oxidative degeneration of
      copper-sulfur enzymes. Crystal structures were obtained for two Cu(II) sulfinate
      complexes, [Cu(II)2(Py2NSO2)2](BF4)2.2(CH3)2CO (4a) and [Cu(II)2(Py2NSO2)2(OTf)2]
      (4b), which were further characterized by UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy and cyclic
      voltammetry. Furthermore, two Cu(II) sulfonate complexes with the proposed
      formulas Cu(II)2(Py2NSO3)2(BF4)2 (5a) and Cu(II)2(Py2NSO3)2(OTf)2 (5b) have been
      isolated and characterized. Monitoring the oxidation of 1 by UV-vis indicates
      that the oxidation proceeds via a dinuclear Cu(II) MU-thiolate complex (3); as an
      intermediate an octanuclear mixed-valent Cu(I)4Cu(II)4 cluster with formula
      [Cu(I)4Cu(II)4(Py2NS)4(MU-OH)2(CH3CN)6](ClO4)6.2CH3CN (2) was isolated and
      characterized by X-ray single crystal structure determination. 

PMID- 24236761
TI  - Phototherapy with artificial light suppresses dextran sulfate sodium-induced
      colitis in a mouse model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Medical treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
      requires chronic administration and causes side effects. Recently, anti
      inflammatory effects of phototherapy were reported in animal models. The present
      study evaluated whether phototherapy improves dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)
      induced colitis in a mouse model of IBD. METHODS: Mice were divided into four
      equal groups: Control, DSS, DSS + light low (LL), and DSS + light high (LH)
      groups. Normal fluorescent light intensity in the Control and DSS groups was 200
      lux. Artificial light intensities were as follows: DSS + LL group, 1000 lux; DSS
      + LH group, 2500 lux. After administering phototherapy for 7 days, we evaluated
      disease activity index (DAI), histological score, colon length/weight, serum 1,25
      dihydroxyvitamin D(3) level, and serum and colonic cytokines in the mice.
      RESULTS: DAI and histological scores were significantly lower in the DSS + LL
      group than in the DSS group (both, P < 0.05). Colon length and weight were
      significantly higher in the DSS + LL group than in the DSS group (both, P <
      0.05). Serum interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-17 in the DSS + LL group were
      significantly lower, and serum and colonic IL-10 were significantly higher in the
      DSS + LL group than in the DSS group (all, P < 0.05). Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin
      D(3) levels in the DSS + LH group were significantly increased compared with
      those in the DSS + LL and DSS groups. CONCLUSION: Artificial light phototherapy
      suppressed DSS-induced colitis in mice by suppression of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines and promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

PMID- 24236762
TI  - High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) and serum soluble receptor for advanced
      glycation end products (sRAGE) in children affected by vernal
      keratoconjunctivitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic disease affecting
      conjunctiva even though the immunopathogenetic mechanisms underlying this
      inflammation are unclear. The aim of our study is to investigate serum levels of
      HMGB1 and circulating sRAGE in children affected by VKC before and after
      treatment with cyclosporine A (CsA) eye drops and in a group of healthy children.
      METHODS: Twenty-four children affected by VKC aged between 5 and 12 yrs of life
      were enrolled at the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and
      Immunology, 'Sapienza' University of Rome. Twenty-four healthy children without
      atopy, ocular, and systemic disease, cross-matched for sex and age to patients
      affected by VKC, represented the controls. All children affected by VKC were
      treated with CsA 1% eye drops for 4 wks, and blood samples were collected before
      and 2 wks after the end of treatment while the controls underwent to a single
      blood sample at the time of enrollment. RESULTS: Serum basal levels of HMGB1 and
      sRAGE were higher in children with VKC when compared with controls while, in
      patients affected by VKC, no difference was detected between atopic and non
      atopic, and between ANA-positive and ANA-negative children. A significant
      reduction in serum HMGB1 and sRAGE levels was detected after the therapy while
      CsA serum levels were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Our study gives a support to the
      definition of VKC as a systemic inflammation in which HMGB1 and its soluble
      receptors could play a role.

PMID- 24236763
TI  - Representation, control, or reasoning? Distinct functions for theory of mind
      within the medial prefrontal cortex.
AB  - The medial pFC (mPFC) is frequently reported to play a central role in Theory of
      Mind (ToM). However, the contribution of this large cortical region in ToM is not
      well understood. Combining a novel behavioral task with fMRI, we sought to
      demonstrate functional divisions between dorsal and rostral mPFC. All conditions
      of the task required the representation of mental states (beliefs and desires).
      The level of demands on cognitive control (high vs. low) and the nature of the
      demands on reasoning (deductive vs. abductive) were varied orthogonally between
      conditions. Activation in dorsal mPFC was modulated by the need for control,
      whereas rostral mPFC was modulated by reasoning demands. These findings fit with
      previously suggested domain-general functions for different parts of mPFC and
      suggest that these functions are recruited selectively in the service of ToM. 

PMID- 24236764
TI  - Age-related and genetic modulation of frontal cortex efficiency.
AB  - The dorsolateral pFC (DLPFC) is a key region for working memory. It has been
      proposed that the DLPFC is dynamically recruited depending on task demands. By
      this view, high DLPFC recruitment for low-demanding tasks along with weak DLPFC
      upregulation at higher task demands reflects low efficiency. Here, the fMRI BOLD
      signal during working memory maintenance and manipulation was examined in
      relation to aging and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val(158)Met status in a
      large representative sample (n = 287). The efficiency hypothesis predicts a
      weaker DLPFC response during manipulation, along with a stronger response during
      maintenance for older adults and COMT Val carriers compared with younger adults
      and COMT Met carriers. Consistent with the hypothesis, younger adults and met
      carriers showed maximal DLPFC BOLD response during manipulation, whereas older
      adults and val carriers displayed elevated DLPFC responses during the less
      demanding maintenance condition. The observed inverted relations support a link
      between dopamine and DLPFC efficiency. 

PMID- 24236765
TI  - The role of the cerebellum in dynamic changes of the sense of body ownership: a
      study in patients with cerebellar degeneration.
AB  - The sense of the body is deeply rooted in humans, and it can be experimentally
      manipulated by inducing illusions in at least two aspects: a subjective feeling
      of ownership and a proprioceptive sense of limb position. Previous studies mapped
      these different aspects onto anatomically distinct neuronal regions, with the
      ventral premotor cortex processing subjective experience of ownership and the
      inferior parietal lobule processing proprioceptive calibration. Lines of evidence
      suggest an involvement also of the cerebellum, but its precise role is not clear
      yet. To investigate the contribution of the cerebellum in the sense of body
      ownership, we applied the rubber-hand illusion paradigm in 28 patients affected
      by neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxia, selectively involving the cerebellum, and
      in 26 age-matched control participants. The rubber hand illusion is established
      by synchronous stroking of the participants' real unseen hand and a visible fake
      hand. Short asynchronous stroking does not bring about the illusion. We tested
      the subjective experience of the illusion, evaluated through a questionnaire and
      the proprioceptive drift of the real unseen hand toward the viewed rubber hand.
      In patients with cerebellar ataxia, we observed reduced sense of the subjective
      illusory experience specifically after synchronous stroking. In contrast, the
      proprioceptive drift was enhanced after synchronous and after asynchronous
      stimulation. These findings support the contention that the mechanisms underlying
      the presence of the illusion and the proprioceptive drift may be differently
      affected in different conditions. Impairment of the subjective sense of the
      illusion in cerebellar patients might hint at an involvement of cerebellar
      premotor networks, whereas the proprioceptive drift typically associated with
      synchronous stroking appears to rely on other circuits, likely involving the
      cerebellum and the parietal regions. 

PMID- 24236766
TI  - Medial prefrontal theta oscillations track the time course of interference during
      selective memory retrieval.
AB  - Memory retrieval is often challenged by other irrelevant competing memories that
      cause interference. This phenomenon is typically studied with the retrieval
      practice paradigm in which a category cue (e.g., Fruits) is presented together
      with an item-specific cue (e.g., Or::). Presentation of the category cue usually
      induces interference by reactivating competing memories (e.g., Banana, Apple,
      etc.), which is thought to be solved by means of inhibition, leading to retrieval
      induced forgetting of these competing memories. Previous studies associated
      interference with an increase in medial prefrontal theta band (4-8 Hz)
      oscillations, but these studies could not disentangle the interference from the
      inhibition processes. We here used a retrieval practice procedure in which the
      category cue was presented before the item-specific cue to disentangle the
      interference from the inhibition signal. Furthermore, a competitive retrieval
      condition was contrasted with a noncompetitive condition. At a behavioral level,
      retrieval-induced forgetting was found in the competitive but not in the
      noncompetitive condition. At a neural level, presentation of the category cue
      elicited higher levels of theta power in the competitive condition, when compared
      with the noncompetitive retrieval condition. Importantly, this difference was
      localized to the ACC, which has been associated with the detection and mediation
      of interference. Additionally, theta power decreased upon presentation of the
      item-specific cue, and this difference was related to later forgetting. Our
      results therefore disentangle, for the first time, interference and inhibition in
      episodic memory retrieval and suggest that theta oscillations track the fine
      grained temporal dynamics of interference during competitive memory retrieval. 

PMID- 24236767
TI  - Monocular advantage for face perception implicates subcortical mechanisms in
      adult humans.
AB  - The ability to recognize faces accurately and rapidly is an evolutionarily
      adaptive process. Most studies examining the neural correlates of face perception
      in adult humans have focused on a distributed cortical network of face-selective
      regions. There is, however, robust evidence from phylogenetic and ontogenetic
      studies that implicates subcortical structures, and recently, some investigations
      in adult humans indicate subcortical correlates of face perception as well. The
      questions addressed here are whether low-level subcortical mechanisms for face
      perception (in the absence of changes in expression) are conserved in human
      adults, and if so, what is the nature of these subcortical representations. In a
      series of four experiments, we presented pairs of images to the same or different
      eyes. Participants' performance demonstrated that subcortical mechanisms, indexed
      by monocular portions of the visual system, play a functional role in face
      perception. These mechanisms are sensitive to face-like configurations and afford
      a coarse representation of a face, comprised of primarily low spatial frequency
      information, which suffices for matching faces but not for more complex aspects
      of face perception such as sex differentiation. Importantly, these subcortical
      mechanisms are not implicated in the perception of other visual stimuli, such as
      cars or letter strings. These findings suggest a conservation of phylogenetically
      and ontogenetically lower-order systems in adult human face perception. The
      involvement of subcortical structures in face recognition provokes a
      reconsideration of current theories of face perception, which are reliant on
      cortical level processing, inasmuch as it bolsters the cross-species continuity
      of the biological system for face recognition. 

PMID- 24236769
TI  - Germinal mosaicism in a sample of families with Duchenne/Becker muscular
      dystrophy with partial deletions in the DMD gene.
AB  - Germinal mosaicism should be considered when estimating the recurrence risk in
      families with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (D/BMD). Germinal mosaicism,
      however, has not been assessed in Mexican families with deletions in the DMD
      gene. To determine the distribution of deletions in the two hot spots and the
      proportion of de novo and transmitted deletions, we analyzed 153 individuals with
      D/BMD and a DMD partial deletion and 322 of their maternal female relatives.
      Predilection for the distal hot spot was observed in 112 families (73%), while
      gene dosage analysis of female relatives of D/BMD patients identified germinal
      mosaicism deletions in at least 11.6% of the patients' families, thought to
      result from de novo mutations. Recurrence risk due to germinal mosaicism
      justifies carrier detection in maternal female relatives and prenatal diagnosis
      in mothers of individuals with apparently de novo DMD deletions. 

PMID- 24236768
TI  - Audiovisual speech integration does not rely on the motor system: evidence from
      articulatory suppression, the McGurk effect, and fMRI.
AB  - Visual speech influences the perception of heard speech. A classic example of
      this is the McGurk effect, whereby an auditory /pa/ overlaid onto a visual /ka/
      induces the fusion percept of /ta/. Recent behavioral and neuroimaging research
      has highlighted the importance of both articulatory representations and motor
      speech regions of the brain, particularly Broca's area, in audiovisual (AV)
      speech integration. Alternatively, AV speech integration may be accomplished by
      the sensory system through multisensory integration in the posterior STS. We
      assessed the claims regarding the involvement of the motor system in AV
      integration in two experiments: (i) examining the effect of articulatory
      suppression on the McGurk effect and (ii) determining if motor speech regions
      show an AV integration profile. The hypothesis regarding experiment (i) is that
      if the motor system plays a role in McGurk fusion, distracting the motor system
      through articulatory suppression should result in a reduction of McGurk fusion.
      The results of experiment (i) showed that articulatory suppression results in no
      such reduction, suggesting that the motor system is not responsible for the
      McGurk effect. The hypothesis of experiment (ii) was that if the brain activation
      to AV speech in motor regions (such as Broca's area) reflects AV integration, the
      profile of activity should reflect AV integration: AV > AO (auditory only) and AV
      > VO (visual only). The results of experiment (ii) demonstrate that motor speech
      regions do not show this integration profile, whereas the posterior STS does.
      Instead, activity in motor regions is task dependent. The combined results
      suggest that AV speech integration does not rely on the motor system. 

PMID- 24236770
TI  - Increased intestinal permeability to oral chromium (51 Cr) -EDTA in human Type 2
      diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In animal models of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, permeability of the
      intestine is increased because of impairment of tight junction proteins, allowing
      translocation of bacterial endotoxin and resulting in low-grade systemic
      inflammation. This has yet to be demonstrated in humans. The objective of this
      study was the demonstration of increased intestinal permeability in human Type 2
      diabetes. METHODS: We examined intestinal permeability using chromium ((51) Cr)
      EDTA urinary recovery in twenty well-controlled men with Type 2 diabetes compared
      with control subjects matched for age, gender and BMI. RESULTS: Intestinal
      permeability was significantly increased (P = 0.002) in the diabetic group and
      was correlated to increased levels of systemic inflammatory markers high
      sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.694, P = 0.001), interleukin 6 (r = 0.548,
      P = 0.012) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (r = 0.564, P = 0.010). CONCLUSION:
      This is the first demonstration that increased intestinal permeability may be a
      feature of human Type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 24236771
TI  - Turn-on persistent luminescence probe based on graphitic carbon nitride for
      imaging detection of biothiols in biological fluids.
AB  - Herein, we present a novel strategy based on a "turn-on" persistent luminescence
      imaging chemical system of graphitic carbon nitride for detecting biothiols in
      biological fluids. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as persistent luminescence
      probe is fabricated via a new procedure based on pyrolysis of guanidine
      hydrochloride under ambient atmospheric conditions. The prepared g-C3N4
      nanosheets give intensively long-persistent luminescence that can avoid
      interference from biological media such as tissue autofluorescence and scattering
      light. The original persistent luminescence of g-C3N4 turns off due to the
      adsorption of silver ion (Ag(+)) onto g-C3N4 materials with an electron transfer
      process. The presence of biothiols induces the onset of persistent luminescence
      emission by interrupting the quenching interaction, thereby turning on the
      imaging probe. The approach exhibits high specificity and high sensitivity to
      biothiols with low detection limit for cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and
      glutathione (GSH) with 6.4, 8.1, and 9.6 nM, respectively. It is also
      successfully applied for imaging detection of biothiols in human urine, plasma,
      and cell lysates, demonstrating its great value of practical application in
      biological systems. 

PMID- 24236772
TI  - Computational studies of the electronic absorption spectrum of [(2,2';6',2"
      terpyridine)-Pt(II)-OH] [7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane] complex.
AB  - The electronic excitation spectrum of the [(2,2';6',2"-terpyridine)-platinum(II)
      OH] [7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane] ([Pt(trpy)OH]TCNQ) complex has been
      studied at the linear-response approximate coupled-cluster singles and doubles
      (CC2) level using triple-zeta basis sets augmented with polarization functions
      (TZVP). The calculated ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrum of the
      [Pt(trpy)OH]TCNQ complex is compared with the UV-vis spectrum measured for
      [Pt(tbtrpy)OH]TCNQ (tbtrpy = 4,4',4"-(t)Bu3-2,2';6',2"-terpyridine) in
      dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) solution. The UV-vis spectrum is also compared with the
      calculated UV-vis spectra of [Pt(trpy)OH](+) and of the neutral and negatively
      charged TCNQ species. In contrast to previous interpretations, the CC2
      calculations suggest that the [Pt(trpy)OH]TCNQ complex is dissociated into
      [Pt(trpy)OH](+) and TCNQ(-) when dissolved in CH2Cl2. The computed electronic
      excitation energies of [Pt(trpy)OH](+) provide information about the charge
      transfer excitations between the Pt(II) metal center and the ligands. The UV-vis
      spectra were also calculated at the linear-response time-dependent density
      functional theory (TDDFT) level using the B3LYP, BHLYP, and CAM-B3LYP functionals
      in combination with TZVP quality basis sets. For the TCNQ species, the TDDFT
      calculations yield slightly smaller excitation energies than obtained at the CC2
      level, whereas for [Pt(trpy)OH](+) the CC2 excitation energies are slightly
      smaller than the TDDFT ones. For the [Pt(trpy)OH]TCNQ complex, the B3LYP
      calculations yield spurious low-lying excited states rendering the spectral
      assignment using B3LYP data difficult. The low-energy part of the electronic
      excitation spectrum for the [Pt(trpy)OH]TCNQ complex calculated at the BHLYP and
      CAM-B3LYP levels is reminiscent of the CC2 one because the larger amount of
      Hartree-Fock exchange and the long-range correction of the potential blue shifts
      the excitation energies. 

PMID- 24236773
TI  - Harmony and BLyS in Europe and the UK.

PMID- 24236774
TI  - Emerging patents for cancer-targeted nanomedicines.

PMID- 24236775
TI  - Unitary European Patent.

PMID- 24236776
TI  - US patent reform 2011: a few things to remember.

PMID- 24236778
TI  - IP issues facing researchers by Gino D'Oca.
AB  - Patents are clearly one of the main drivers of innovation in pharmaceutical and
      medical R&D. It is increasingly important for researchers at the sharp end to be
      familiar with the ins and outs of the patenting process. In this feature a panel
      of experts from academia and industry discuss their experiences of analyzing the
      patent landscape and preparing applications. Interview conducted by Gino D'Oca,
      Managing Commissioning Editor. 

PMID- 24236780
TI  - PDK1 inhibitors.
AB  - PDK1 is a key member of the AGC protein kinase family. It plays an important role
      in a variety of cellular functions, leading to the activation of the PI3K
      signaling pathway, an event often associated with the onset and progression of
      several human cancers. Numerous recent observations suggest that PDK1 inhibitors
      may provide novel opportunities for the development of effective classes of
      therapeutics. On these premises, recent years have witnessed an increased effort
      by medicinal chemists to develop novel scaffolds to derive potent and selective
      PDK1 inhibitors. The intent of this review is to update the reader on the recent
      patent literature, covering applications published between June 2008 and
      September 2011 that report on PDK1 inhibitors. 

PMID- 24236781
TI  - Pharmacological therapies for cataract and refractive errors: landscaping niches
      of ocular drug patenting.
AB  - We have used a focused and comprehensive ophthalmology patent database to
      characterize the international patenting landscape dedicated to the
      pharmacological treatment of cataract, corneal opacities and dystrophies, and
      complicated refractive errors. A total of 201 disclosures related to cataract or
      corneal clouding (published between 1982 and 2011), and 99 documents (published
      between 1991 and 2011) related to refractive or geometry errors were identified.
      Current applications for the treatment or prevention of primary cataract have
      ceased to address diabetic cataract specifically through the inhibition of
      glycation-specific mechanisms. The most innovative approaches for pharmacotherapy
      of the lens focus on phase separation inhibitors, modulators of the TGF-beta
      pathway, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition. Patenting for the prevention of
      secondary cataracts as a delayed complication of intraocular lens insertion
      follows similar routes. For keratoconus, progressive myopia and Avellino corneal
      dystrophy, the focus remains on efficiently stabilizing the corrected shape of
      the cornea in the course of orthokeratology treatments. We expect future
      patenting in the fields of our investigation to concentrate more heavily on
      molecular medicine, in close lockstep with biotechnology and genetic testing. 

PMID- 24236782
TI  - Kinase inhibitors for CNS diseases: an analysis of the recent patent literature.
AB  - Protein kinases (PKs), as members of an important target class in current
      pharmaceutical research, have been mostly exploited so far in therapeutic areas
      such as oncology and inflammation. However, basic research on some PKs as key
      components of molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and
      neuroprotection may translate into new medicines for CNS diseases in the next few
      years. This review is an account of recent patents dealing with kinase inhibitors
      primarily designed for CNS indications. CNS-directed patents on kinase modulators
      published after 2008 were surveyed using SciFinder((r)) and public patent search
      engines. Some PK targets, such as GSK-3beta, CDK5, ROCK and p38alpha MAPK,
      continue to attract interest even though a clinical proof-of-concept is yet to be
      attained in a CNS setting. Less established PKs such as LRRK2, MLK, PAK and DAPK
      1 hold promise as valuable targets of the future. 

PMID- 24236784
TI  - Curcumin suppresses doxorubicin-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the
      inhibition of TGF-beta and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in triple-negative breast
      cancer cells.
AB  - Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by a lack of expression of the
      estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and epidermal growth factor
      receptor 2 (HER 2). Therefore, targeted therapy agents may not be used, and
      therapy is largely limited to chemotherapy. Doxorubicin treatment consequently
      acquires undesired malignance characteristics [i.e., epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT) and multi-drug resistance]. Our results illustrated that
      doxorubicin triggered EMT and resulted in the acquisition of a mesenchymal
      phenotype in TNBC cells. Moreover, we found that transforming growth factor-beta
      (TGF-beta) and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways were acquired for doxorubicin-induced
      EMT. Interestingly, we found that curcumin suppressed doxorubicin-induced EMT.
      Curcumin reversed doxorubicin-induced morphological changes, inhibited
      doxorubicin-induced downregulation of E-cadherin expressions, and inhibited
      doxorubicin-induced upregulation of vimentin expression. We also found that
      curcumin inhibited doxorubicin-induced EMT by inhibiting the TGF-beta and
      PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Moreover, curcumin enhanced the antiproliferative
      effects of doxorubicin in TNBC cells. In summary, our results suggest that
      doxorubicin in combination with curcumin may be a potential therapy for TNBC.

PMID- 24236785
TI  - With a little help from EphA3 and polysialic acid: ectodomain shedding of NCAM is
      gaining momentum.

PMID- 24236786
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of combination osteoanabolic and antiresorptive therapy
      for osteoporosis: an update.

PMID- 24236788
TI  - From methods to policy: Misdiagnosis: an emerging priority for comparative
      effectiveness research.

PMID- 24236789
TI  - Interview: achieving STEEEP healthcare: a journey supported by comparative
      effectiveness research.

PMID- 24236790
TI  - Role of electronic health records in comparative effectiveness research.

PMID- 24236791
TI  - The SPECTRUM of findings in treatment options for recurrent/metastatic head and
      neck cancer.
AB  - Evaluation of: Vermorken JB, Stohlmacher-Williams J, Davidenko I et al. Cisplatin
      and fluorouracil with or without panitumumab in patients with recurrent or
      metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SPECTRUM): an open-label
      Phase 3 randomised trial. Lancet Oncol. 14(8), 697-710 (2013). In recent decades,
      significant progress has been achieved in the biological understanding of
      squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and the role of human
      papillomavirus (HPV) has become more evident. The EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling
      pathway represents the main target of the new therapeutic agents currently in
      development and has proven to be efficacious in locally advanced SCCHN. The role
      of HPV in recurrent and metastatic disease for predicting response to EGFR
      monoclonal antibodies is still unknown. Today, cetuximab, an anti-EGFR monoclonal
      antibody, is the only targeted therapy approved for the treatment of SCCHN in
      patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, in association with platinum-based
      chemotherapy. The identification of novel tumor targets has stimulated the search
      for other anti-EGFR agents with a more favorable side-effect profile, such as
      aspanitumumab, but the SPECTRUM study failed to meet its primary end point,
      stipulating the need to test these agents in clinical trials with a more
      appropriate choice of study end point. Overall survival, considered a gold
      standard, may be difficult to interpret if treatment only takes place in a small
      subinterval of overall survival, therefore, progression-free survival should be
      used as a surrogate end point for regulatory approval. 

PMID- 24236792
TI  - R-CHOP every 21 days for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: still the standard of
      care?
AB  - Evaluation of: Cunningham D, Hawkes EA, Jack A et al. Rituximab plus
      cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone in patients with
      newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a Phase 3 comparison
      of dose intensification with 14-day versus 21-day cycles. Lancet 381(9880), 1817
      1826 (2013). Therapy of newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is largely
      unchanged for the past 30 years. Investigators have evaluated if modification of
      the schedule of drug administration may have a positive effect on outcomes. This
      article focuses on a recent Phase III clinical trial, which compared every 2-
      versus 3-week administration of chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed
      diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The trial found that there was no significant
      difference between the two dosing schedules. We evaluate the data from this and
      other trials, and give our recommendations for future studies. 

PMID- 24236793
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research in practice: the Drug Effectiveness Review
      Project experience.
AB  - AIM: Assess the effect of the Drug Effectiveness Review Project's comparative
      effectiveness research findings on prescribing behavior independently and in
      conjunction with a Medicaid preferred drug list. METHOD: We queried prescription
      drug claims and enrollment information from the 2001-2008 Medicaid Analytic
      eXtract and Medicaid Statistical Information System for 17 states using a
      Wilcoxon signed rank test design to evaluate the effects of the Drug
      Effectiveness Review Project's report release and preferred drug list
      implementation on ACE inhibitor prescribing behavior at a state level. The
      primary outcome of interest was the percentage of ACE inhibitor prescriptions
      that are defined as 'differentiated' based on the content of the Drug
      Effectiveness Research Program report. RESULTS: The use of differentiated ACE
      inhibitors increased significantly in states that participated in the Drug
      Effectiveness Research Program and subsequently implemented a preferred drug list
      (p < 0.05, one-tailed). However, there was no significant change in utilization
      in nonparticipating states or in states that participated but did not
      subsequently implement a preferred drug list. CONCLUSION: Although the
      publication of comparative effectiveness research findings may not directly
      influence practice, a preferred drug list can align utilization with clinical
      evidence. The states that participate in the Drug Effectiveness Review Project
      and use preferred drug lists have greater utilization of higher quality drugs,
      making the combination an effective strategy to translate comparative
      effectiveness research into practice.

PMID- 24236795
TI  - Bayesian data analysis in observational comparative effectiveness research:
      rationale and examples.
AB  - Many comparative effectiveness research and patient-centered outcomes research
      studies will need to be observational for one or both of two reasons: first,
      randomized trials are expensive and time-consuming; and second, only
      observational studies can answer some research questions. It is generally
      recognized that there is a need to increase the scientific validity and
      efficiency of observational studies. Bayesian methods for the design and analysis
      of observational studies are scientifically valid and offer many advantages over
      frequentist methods, including, importantly, the ability to conduct comparative
      effectiveness research/patient-centered outcomes research more efficiently.
      Bayesian data analysis is being introduced into outcomes studies that we are
      conducting. Our purpose here is to describe our view of some of the advantages of
      Bayesian methods for observational studies and to illustrate both realized and
      potential advantages by describing studies we are conducting in which various
      Bayesian methods have been or could be implemented. 

PMID- 24236794
TI  - Generic atypical antipsychotic drugs in Belgium: their influence and
      implications.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Generic atypical antipsychotic drugs should be a focus of attention
      given their expenditure. However, there is a recognized need to tailor
      treatments. There were no specific measures in Belgium to enhance the prescribing
      of oral risperidone following generics in January 2008. Prescribing restrictions
      have remained for long-acting risperidone injections throughout. OBJECTIVE:
      Assess changes in risperidone utilization before and after oral generics were
      reimbursed, as well as the utilization and expenditure of the various risperidone
      preparations. METHOD: Principally a retrospective observational study and
      interrupted time series design. RESULTS: As expected, no increased utilization of
      oral risperidone after generics. Both originator and generic oral risperidone
      prescribed, with the originator reducing its price. Generic risperidone was 59%
      below prepatent loss prices by September 2012. CONCLUSION: Authorities cannot
      rely on a 'spill over' of learning from other disease areas to affect changes in
      physician prescribing habits. Specific measures are needed to encourage generic
      risperidone where appropriate. However, their influence will be limited by the
      complexity of the disease area.

PMID- 24236796
TI  - Oncology training programs: are we doing comparative effectiveness research
      justice?
AB  - Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is defined as an assessment of all
      available options for a specific medical condition, with intent to estimate
      effectiveness in specific subpopulations. Medical professionals must receive
      training in CER, including its general goals, the 'toolbox' necessary to perform
      CER and its design. Oncologic training programs are currently not doing justice
      to CER: a rationale for conducting CER has been proposed, funding from the US
      government is available, but encouragement from oncologic residencies and
      fellowships is minimal. Encouragement to train oncologic physicians in CER is
      limited by a few factors, including inadequate emphasis on evidence weighing, and
      no explicit mention of factors key to CER in the Accreditation Council for
      Graduate Medical Education guidelines. As residency program requirements
      transition to milestone-based curricula and evaluations, explicit recommendations
      regarding CER and patient-centered outcomes research should be implemented for
      all programs. Upper level trainees who have reached milestones related to CER
      will be competitive applicants for research funding. 

PMID- 24236797
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research in localized prostate cancer treatment.
AB  - Prostate-specific antigen testing has dramatically increased the incidence of
      localized prostate cancer. Most men with localized cancer attempt curative
      therapy, usually with surgery or radiation. However, there is uncertainty about
      whether and how to best treat these cancers. No published controlled trials have
      directly compared surgery against radiation or either treatment against active
      surveillance. Given the indolent nature of prostate cancer and the substantial
      risks of treatment-related harms, the effects of cancer and treatment on quality
      of life are important patient-centered outcomes. Comparative effectiveness
      research, using observational cohorts, claims data and simulation models, enables
      comparisons of treatments that have not been studied in controlled trials and
      captures real-world outcomes data to better support informed decision-making. 

PMID- 24236799
TI  - The emerging relevance of heterogeneity of treatment effect in clinical care: a
      study using stage IV prostate cancer as a model.
AB  - AIM: Heterogeneity of treatment effect (HTE) occurs when patient factors modify a
      treatment's effect on health outcomes due to interactions between these factors
      and the treatment. This article reviews evidence regarding HTE in stage IV
      prostate cancer (S4PC). METHOD: A systematic literature review was conducted in
      the MEDLINE and PubMed databases. Inclusion criteria required that articles
      examine the treatment-related impact of HTE factors on survival, adverse events
      or health-related quality of life in S4PC patients. The quality of evidence was
      graded good, fair or poor based on Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
      guidelines. RESULTS: The search identified 2659 articles, of which 92 met the
      inclusion/exclusion criteria. HTE in S4PC was studied for biologic factors
      including age, race, clinical signs/symptoms, measures of S4PC disease severity,
      genetic factors, laboratory data, prior treatment, concurrent medications and
      comorbidities. Nonbiologic factors that were studied included social, geographic
      and dietary factors. Age and race seldom showed any correlation with S4PC
      outcomes. CONCLUSION: Diverse biologic and nonbiologic factors contribute to HTE
      in S4PC. This review in S4PC also provides an approach for examining HTE for
      other medical conditions. Ultimately, such knowledge can help oncologists
      prescribe more personalized medicine, help patients make more informed treatment
      choices, and inform policy-making and treatment coverage decisions.

PMID- 24236798
TI  - Shared decision-making and comparative effectiveness research for patients with
      chronic conditions: an urgent synergy for better health.
AB  - Chronic conditions are the most important cause of morbidity, mortality and
      health expense in the USA. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) seeks to
      provide evidence supporting the relative value of alternative courses of action.
      This research often concludes with estimates of the likelihood of desirable and
      undesirable outcomes associated with each option. Patients with chronic
      conditions should engage with their clinicians in deciding which of these options
      best fits their goals and context. In practicing shared decision-making (SDM),
      clinicians and patients should make use of CER to inform their deliberations. In
      these ways, SDM and CER are interrelated. SDM translates CER into patient
      centered practice, while CER provides the backbone evidence about options and
      outcomes in SDM interventions. In this review, we explore the potential for a SDM
      CER synergy in improving healthcare for patients with chronic conditions. 

PMID- 24236801
TI  - Quaternized chitosan-coated nanofibrous implants loaded with gossypol prepared by
      electrospinning and their efficacy against Graffi myeloid tumor.
AB  - Nanofibrous poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) (coPLA) or coPLA/poly(ethylene glycol)
      implants loaded with plant polyphenolic compound gossypol (GOS) with anti-tumor
      activity were fabricated by electrospinning. Implants containing quaternized
      chitosan (QCh) were prepared by coating of the obtained fibrous materials with a
      thin film of cross-linked QCh. The morphology of the implants and chemical
      composition of the implant surface were studied by means of scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In vitro
      cytotoxicity assay showed that GOS-loaded nanofibrous implants, both non-coated
      and QCh-coated displayed about two-fold higher inhibitory activity against Graffi
      tumor cells than that of free GOS at the 72nd h of incubation. As evidenced by
      the performed fluorescence microscopy analyses and SEM observations, the anti
      tumor activity of the fibrous implants was mainly due to induction of apoptosis.
      The experiments in which the implants containing both QCh and GOS were placed
      locally into the tumor site after the tumor extirpation showed an increase in the
      survival rate and a lower rate of recurrence in the operative field and of
      metastases in regional lymph nodes. In this case, 40% of hamsters were alive on
      the 45th day of implantation and they did not show any clinical sign of
      recurrence in the operative field and metastases in the regional lymph nodes. 

PMID- 24236802
TI  - Cardiac iron overload assessed by T2* magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac
      function in regularly transfused myelodysplastic syndrome patients.

PMID- 24236803
TI  - Systematic approach to determination of maximum achievable capture capacity via
      leaching and carbonation processes for alkaline steelmaking wastes in a rotating
      packed bed.
AB  - Accelerated carbonation of basic oxygen furnace slag (BOFS) coupled with cold
      rolling wastewater (CRW) was performed in a rotating packed bed (RPB) as a
      promising process for both CO2 fixation and wastewater treatment. The maximum
      achievable capture capacity (MACC) via leaching and carbonation processes for
      BOFS in an RPB was systematically determined throughout this study. The leaching
      behavior of various metal ions from the BOFS into the CRW was investigated by a
      kinetic model. In addition, quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) using the
      Rietveld method was carried out to determine the process chemistry of carbonation
      of BOFS with CRW in an RPB. According to the QXRD results, the major mineral
      phases reacting with CO2 in BOFS were Ca(OH)2, Ca2(HSiO4)(OH), CaSiO3, and
      Ca2Fe1.04Al0.986O5. Meanwhile, the carbonation product was identified as calcite
      according to the observations of SEM, XEDS, and mappings. Furthermore, the MACC
      of the lab-scale RPB process was determined by balancing the carbonation
      conversion and energy consumption. In that case, the overall energy consumption,
      including grinding, pumping, stirring, and rotating processes, was estimated to
      be 707 kWh/t-CO2. It was thus concluded that CO2 capture by accelerated
      carbonation of BOFS could be effectively and efficiently performed by coutilizing
      with CRW in an RPB. 

PMID- 24236804
TI  - Coexistence of inflammatory hepatocellular adenomas with HNF1alpha-inactivated
      adenomas: is there an association?
AB  - AIMS: To report the coexistence of inflammatory hepatocellular adenoma (IHCA) and
      HNF1alpha-inactivated HCA (H-HCA) in cases from a multicentre study. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: We report nine cases with the coexistence of IHCA and H-HCA; eight
      occurred in women, and one in a man. The numbers of nodules and the sizes of the
      largest and smallest HCAs were variable. In one case, the nodules of the two
      different subtypes were discovered at different times. In all women, HCAs were
      histologically typical, regardless of their subtype, whereas H-HCA in the man
      differed histologically from classic H-HCA. CONCLUSIONS: These cases suggest that
      a predisposition to develop multiple adenomas, hypothetically caused by a 'benign
      tumorigenic field effect', although common to all HCAs, may result in different
      genotypes and phenotypes. Although this is rare, it is expected that more cases
      with the coexistence of different genotypes will emerge, owing to progress in the
      use of specific immunohistochemical approaches.

PMID- 24236805
TI  - Template for reporting results of biomarker testing of specimens from patients
      with carcinoma of the breast.

PMID- 24236806
TI  - Family ecological predictors of physical activity parenting in low-income
      families.
AB  - Physical activity (PA) parenting, or strategies parents use to promote PA in
      children, has been associated with increased PA in children of all ages,
      including preschool-aged children. However, little is known about the
      circumstances under which parents adopt such behaviors. This study examined
      family ecological factors associated with PA parenting. Low-income parents (N =
      145) of preschool-aged children (aged 2 to 5 years) were recruited from five Head
      Start centers in upstate New York. Guided by the family ecological model (FEM),
      parents completed surveys assessing PA parenting and relevant family and
      community factors. Hierarchical regression analysis identified independent
      predictors of PA parenting. Parent depressive symptoms, life pressures that
      interfere with PA and perceived empowerment to access PA resources were
      associated with PA parenting. Community factors, including neighborhood play
      safety and social capital, were not independently associated with PA parenting in
      the multivariate model. Together, family ecological factors accounted for a large
      proportion of the variance in PA parenting (R (2) = .37). Findings highlight the
      need to look beyond cognitive predictors of PA parenting in low-income families
      and to examine the impact of their broader life circumstances including
      indicators of stress. 

PMID- 24236807
TI  - Evaluation of an intervention to increase self-efficacy for independent exercise
      in cardiac rehabilitation.
AB  - Adherence to independent exercise is an essential outcome of cardiac
      rehabilitation (CR), yet limited theory-based interventions to improve adherence
      exist. This study tested the effects of an intervention based on Bandura's
      conceptualization of self-efficacy. The self-efficacy coaching intervention
      (SCI), a supplement to standard care, was designed to increase self-efficacy for
      independent exercise and independent exercise behavior in CR. We examined whether
      the SCI vs. attention control (AC) resulted in improved exercise self-efficacy
      (ESE), barriers self-efficacy (BARSE), and minutes of independent exercise for CR
      participants (n = 65). While between-group differences did not reach significance
      (p > .10) for any of the outcome measures, significant within-group changes were
      noted in BARSE scores and independent exercise (p < .001) for the SCI group.
      Change in independent exercise for the AC group was also significant (p =. 006).
      Further study is needed to explore whether short-term changes translate into
      maintenance of independent exercise participation after program completion. 

PMID- 24236809
TI  - Change in positive affect during outpatient cardiac rehabilitation predicts vital
      exhaustion in patients with coronary heart disease.
AB  - Vital exhaustion is an acknowledged psychosocial risk factor of incident coronary
      heart disease (CHD) and recurrent CHD events. Little is known about trajectories
      in vital exhaustion in patients with CHD and the factors predicting this change.
      We hypothesized that vital exhaustion would decrease during outpatient cardiac
      rehabilitation and that an increase in positive affect over time would be
      associated with decreased vital exhaustion at discharge from cardiac
      rehabilitation. We also explored the role of the patient's sex in this context.
      Vital exhaustion was reduced during outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, especially
      in patients who experienced an increase in positive affect over time (p < .001).
      This relationship was significant in men (p < .001) but not in women (p = .11). 

PMID- 24236808
TI  - Nocturnal blood pressure non-dipping, posttraumatic stress disorder, and sleep
      quality in women.
AB  - Women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have poor sleep quality and
      increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Non-dipping of nocturnal blood
      pressure may be an explanatory factor for the relationship between sleep and CVD
      found in previous research. The current study was designed to determine if non
      dipping nocturnal blood pressure was associated with trauma exposure, PTSD
      diagnosis, PTSD symptoms, and sleep quality in a sample of women. Participants
      completed 24 hours of ABPM and self-report questionnaires. Non-dipping was
      defined as less than 10% reduction in blood pressure during sleep. The frequency
      of non-dippers did not differ by diagnostic status (d = .15). However, non
      dippers endorsed more traumatic event categories (d = .53), more PTSD
      hyperarousal symptoms (d = .53), poorer overall sleep quality (d = .59), more
      frequent use of sleep medication (d = .62), greater sleep-related daytime
      dysfunction (d = .58), and longer sleep onset latencies (d = .55) than dippers.
      Increased attention to nocturnal blood pressure variation may be needed to
      improve blood pressure control in trauma-exposed women. 

PMID- 24236810
TI  - The effects of a peer modeling intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness
      parameters and self-efficacy in obese adolescents.
AB  - Inconsistencies exist in the assessment and interpretation of peak VO2 in the
      pediatric obese population, as cardiorespiratory fitness assessments are effort
      dependent and psychological variables prevalent in this population must be
      addressed. This study examined the effect of a peer modeling intervention on
      cardiorespiratory fitness performance and task self-efficacy in obese youth
      completing a maximal treadmill test. Forty-nine obese (BMI >= 95th percentile for
      age and sex) youth were randomized to an experimental (received an intervention)
      or to a control group. The outcome variables were mean and variability
      cardiorespiratory fitness (peak VO2, heart rate, duration, respiratory exchange
      ratio), rating of perceived exertion, and task self-efficacy scores. Irrespective
      of whether a mean or variability score was used, receiving the intervention was
      associated with non-significant trends in fitness parameters and task self
      efficacy over time, favoring the experimental group. Cardiorespiratory fitness
      and task self-efficacy were moderately correlated at both time points. To
      elucidate the aforementioned findings, psychosocial factors affecting obese youth
      and opportunities to modify the peer modeling intervention should be considered.
      Addressing these factors has the potential to improve standard of care in a
      clinical setting regarding pretest patient education. 

PMID- 24236811
TI  - Disease control in patients with asthma is associated with alexithymia but not
      with depression or anxiety.
AB  - This observational cohort study investigated the relationship between
      alexithymia, coping strategies, anxiety, depression, pulmonary function, and
      disease control in bronchial asthma (BA) patients who attended a tertiary care
      center between December 2010 and November 2011. Participants (N = 117) were
      administered self-report scales measuring anxiety, depression, alexithymia, and
      coping strategies. Pulmonary function expressed as forced expiratory volume in
      the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow rate
      over the middle 50% of the FVC (FEF25-75) as% predicted and FEV1/FVC as%,
      fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in ppb and the Asthma Control Test (ACT)
      were recorded. A hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two clusters of patients
      with different FEV1 values (p < .001) and alexithymia scores (p < .001). The
      cluster with lower FEV1 and higher alexithymia used more maladaptive coping
      strategies (p < .05), and had lower ACT scores (p < .05). Alexithymia was
      significantly associated with the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms (p
      < .001 for each comparison). In BA patients, alexithymia was associated with
      worse pulmonary function and disease control and a more frequent use of
      maladaptive coping strategies. These results support a multidimensional approach
      to asthmatic patients, including psychoeducational and behavioral interventions
      aimed at reducing maladaptive coping strategies. 

PMID- 24236812
TI  - Recognition of facially expressed emotions in patients with fibromyalgia
      syndrome.
AB  - The study investigated the ability to identify facially expressed emotions in
      fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and its association with clinical parameters. Thirty
      five FMS patients and 35 healthy controls accomplished a face recognition task.
      Additionally, pain severity, alexithymia, depression, anxiety, psychiatric co
      morbidity and medication use were assessed. The patients displayed reduced task
      performance in terms of more misclassifications of emotional expressions than
      controls. Pain severity, alexithymia, depression and anxiety were inversely
      related to recognition performance, with pain severity accounting for the largest
      portion of test score variance. Psychiatric co-morbidity and medication had no
      impact on performance. The study documented impaired emotion recognition in FMS,
      which may contribute to the interpersonal difficulties and reduced social
      functioning related to this condition. As potential mechanisms mediating the
      occurrence of the deficits, altered affective processing due to interoceptive
      impairment as well as interference of central nervous nociceptive activity with
      cognitive and emotional processing are discussed. 

PMID- 24236814
TI  - Continuous infusion of propofol or intermittent bolus of tiletamine-zolazepam in
      feline night monkeys (Aotus infulatus).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although commonly used, dissociative anesthesia results in
      unsatisfactory and long recovery periods. The intravenous anesthetic propofol
      seems to be the most advantageous solution. The objectives of this study were to
      investigate the required infusion rate of propofol to maintain surgical
      anesthesia and to compare it to tiletamine-zolazepam in Aotus infulatus. METHODS:
      Eight healthy feline night monkeys were anesthetized with propofol (PRO) or
      tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) during 60 minutes. Cardiopulmonary parameters, arterial
      blood gases and lactate and quality and times to recovery were determined.
      RESULTS: Mean infusion rate of propofol was 0.53 +/- 0.10 mg/kg/minute.
      Cardiopulmonary effects did not show marked differences between groups. Times for
      hanging, ventral recumbency, and normal ambulation were lower in PRO.
      Establishment of desirable anesthetic depth was easier, recovery quality was
      superior, and lactate levels were lower in PRO. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with
      tiletamine-zolazepam, minor post-anesthetic adverse events should be expected
      with propofol anesthesia, as well as faster and better anesthetic recovery.

PMID- 24236815
TI  - Methylation of a CpG site near the ALDH1A2 gene is associated with loss of
      control over drinking and related phenotypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) may be influenced
      by epigenetics processes such as DNA methylation, but the identification of DNA
      methylation patterns associated with AUDs has largely been limited to a handful
      of candidate genes. METHODS: Participants were hazardous drinkers from the local
      community (n = 309). All participants completed a baseline clinical interview in
      which they reported on their loss of control over drinking. A subsample
      participated in an ethanol (EtOH) infusion experiment (n = 50). DNA was extracted
      from saliva samples and assayed on the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation27 DNA
      Analysis BeadChip. RESULTS: We identified significant associations between loss
      of control over drinking and DNA methylation at multiple CpG sites. In follow-up
      analyses of one of our top results, a CpG site near the ALDH1A2 gene, we found
      that methylation was negatively associated with rate of intoxication and self
      reported feelings of intoxication, consistent with the view that DNA methylation
      at ALDH1A2 may be associated with changes in alcohol metabolism. CONCLUSIONS:
      While these findings require replication, they provide evidence that DNA
      methylation at multiple CpG sites is associated with loss of control over
      drinking. It may be useful to examine DNA methylation patterns using several
      related phenotypes to establish the biological coherence of results and to help
      prioritize markers for further study.

PMID- 24236816
TI  - Dlx1 transcription factor regulates dendritic growth and postsynaptic
      differentiation through inhibition of neuropilin-2 and PAK3 expression.
AB  - Dlx1, a member of the homeobox domain transcriptional factors, is expressed in a
      subset of interneurons and is involved in their differentiation. To understand
      the roles of Dlx1 in dendritic and postsynaptic differentiation, we manipulated
      Dlx1 expression in both excitatory pyramidal neurons and inhibitory interneurons
      in hippocampal culture. Exogenous expression of Dlx1 in pyramidal neurons, which
      lack endogenous Dlx1, resulted in reduced complexity of dendritic arborization.
      This effect was dependent on the DNA-binding motif of Dlx1. Dlx1 overexpression
      also induced prominent reduction of spine density, but with mild suppression in
      the formation of postsynaptic densities. To confirm the roles of endogenous Dlx1,
      we knocked down Dlx1 in interneurons and found enhanced dendritic growth. By
      manipulating the expression of possible downstream effectors of Dlx1, neuropilin
      2 and p21-activated kinase 3, we provided evidence for the involvement of these
      two signaling molecules in Dlx1-dependent regulation of dendritic
      differentiation. Our experimental data support the idea that Dlx1 expression in
      developing interneurons specifically suppresses two important downstream
      regulators, leading to the characteristic morphology of Dlx1-expressing
      interneurons with less branched dendrites and few dendritic spines.

PMID- 24236818
TI  - The role of metastasectomy in renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - Despite significant advances in the systemic treatment of metastatic renal cell
      carcinoma, long-term survival remains low. A potential way to improve outcomes in
      selected cases is the use of metastasectomy, which is part of the multimodal
      treatment of this disease. Although the evidence supporting this approach is
      limited, we believe it is a reasonable option for certain patients. This review
      summarizes the evidence supporting this approach. 

PMID- 24236819
TI  - Improving surgical outcomes in renal cell carcinoma involving the inferior vena
      cava.
AB  - Radical nephrectomy with tumor thrombectomy remains the mainstay of treatment in
      renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava extension. Despite the rapid
      improvements experienced in perioperative care in recent years, this intervention
      still often results in significant morbidity and mortality. A deeper
      understanding of salient features of this complex operation provides a valuable
      insight into the clinical mechanisms underlying the variations observed in
      surgical outcomes. The 'operation profile' serves not only as a basis for making
      an adequate prognostic assessment, but also creates a platform from which
      'innovative' strategies for improving quality and safety can be made. The present
      review aims to set a 'profile' for radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy,
      and to propose a number of strategies that may reduce the complication rates of
      this intervention. 

PMID- 24236820
TI  - Medical approaches to non-melanoma skin cancer.
AB  - Medical therapy represents an alternative treatment approach that can be
      considered for some forms of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). In selected cases,
      topical treatments are preferable to invasive procedures, especially in the case
      of multifocal lesions, unclear lesion edges, risk of keloids, surgical risk
      factors and localization in some areas such as the face and decolletage, as the
      cosmetic outcomes are generally excellent. In the case of advanced and metastatic
      NMSC, molecularly targeted therapy represents a reasonably promising alternative
      to classical cytotoxic chemotherapy. Based on the existing literature and the
      authors' experience, this paper analyzes and discusses the mechanisms of action,
      formulations, official and off-label indications, efficacy, side effects and
      contraindications of medical treatments that are utilized in the treatment of
      NMSC, including 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac, ingenol mebutate,
      resiquimod, piroxicam, dobesilate, betulinic acid, vismodegib, cetuximab,
      gefitinib and cytotoxic chemotherapy. 

PMID- 24236821
TI  - Melanoma patient self-detection: a review of efficacy of the skin self
      examination and patient-directed educational efforts.
AB  - Early detection of cutaneous melanoma results in reduced morbidity and mortality.
      Although screening by physicians has been shown effective, the role of skin self
      examination (SSE) in melanoma secondary prevention is less well studied. Various
      methods and educational strategies have been implemented to empower patients to
      perform efficacious SSEs. Patient demographics play an important role in their
      likelihood to examine their own skin and ability to detect melanoma. Visual aids
      such as total body photography and dermoscopy, which have improved physician
      exams, are becoming elements accessible to patients for augmentation of self
      exam. This review examines the literature of SSE in melanoma detection. 

PMID- 24236823
TI  - The role of Gliadel wafers in the treatment of high-grade gliomas.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor. Standard
      treatment includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Prognosis is dismal with
      an average survival of approximately 1 year. Gliadel wafers are one treatment
      option, working as a source for local chemotherapy delivery. Their use is
      controversial with questionable survival benefit and potential side effects. We
      reviewed the literature in an effort to clarify their role in the treatment of
      high-grade gliomas. A systematic PubMed search was performed using the keywords
      'Gliadel', 'carmustine' or 'BCNU wafers' in newly diagnosed high-grade glioma
      patients. Treatment regimen, and median survival were analyzed. Adverse event
      ratio was calculated by computing the number of adverse events in a study per
      patient receiving carmustine wafers. Nineteen studies with 795 patients were
      included in our review. Survival was 8.7-22.6 months with a mean overall survival
      (OS) of 16.2 months (control survival is approximately 14 months with surgery and
      adjuvant chemoradiotherapy). Adverse event ratio using Gliadel wafersin control
      group. Complication rate was 42.7%. Gliadel wafers may marginally increase
      survival and local control in newly diagnosed GBM patients but are associated
      with a high complication rate; therefore, we do not recommend using Gliadel
      wafers in patients with GBM. Further research may be warranted once a safer
      alternative to Gliadel wafers has been introduced. 

PMID- 24236822
TI  - Tyrosine kinase inhibition: a therapeutic target for the management of chronic
      phase chronic myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematologic neoplasm with a progressive,
      ultimately terminal, disease course. In most cases, CML arises owing to the
      aberrant formation of a chimeric gene for a constitutively active tyrosine
      kinase. Inhibition of the signaling activity of this kinase has proved to be a
      highly successful treatment target, transforming the prognosis of patients with
      CML. New tyrosine kinase inhibitors continue to improve the management of CML,
      offering alternative options for those resistant to or intolerant of standard
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Here we review the pathobiology of CML and explore
      emerging strategies to optimize the management of chronic-phase CML, particularly
      first-line treatment. 

PMID- 24236824
TI  - Golgi protein 73, not Glypican-3, may be a tumor marker complementary to alpha
      Fetoprotein for hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of serum Golgi
      protein 73 (GP73) and Glypican-3 (GPC-3) as tumor markers for diagnosis of
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A total of 257 subjects were enrolled
      and consisted of 61 healthy controls, 32 hepatitis B virus carriers, 80 cirrhosis
      patients, and 84 HCC patients. Diagnosis was performed based on established
      clinical procedure. Serum GP73, GPC-3, and alpha-fetoprotein were measured.
      Receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to determine the
      sensitivity and specificity of each serum marker and their combinations. RESULT:
      Serum GP73 levels were significantly increased in HCC patients. No significant
      differences were observed between GP73 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as markers for
      HCC diagnosis. However, GP73 was more sensitive than AFP in the diagnosis of
      small HCC. A combination of GP73 and AFP tests increased the sensitivity and
      specificity for HCC diagnosis. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of combined
      test was 0.93 compared with 0.88 for GP73 and 0.90 for AFP alone. GPC-3 tests
      were negative in all 84 HCC patients. The AUC for GPC-3 is 0.43, indicating that
      serum GPC-3 was not an effective tumor marker for HCC diagnosis. CONCLUSION:
      Serum GP73 is a potential tumor marker for HCC diagnosis, especially for
      differential diagnosis of small HCC and cirrhosis. The combination of GP73 and
      AFP is more sensitive than AFP alone. Serum GPC-3 does not appear to be an
      effective tumor marker for HCC diagnosis.

PMID- 24236826
TI  - An 11-year-old girl with up to 19,200 coughs per day: broadening therapeutic
      strategies.
AB  - An 11-year-old girl was transferred to the Universidad de Chile Clinical Hospital
      after 2.5 months of persistent and unresponsive treatment for coughlike spasms.
      On arrival, the frequency of symptoms was 1 cough every 4 s, which disappeared
      during sleep. A multidisciplinary examination excluded allergic, viral,
      respiratory, epileptic, and other more usual causes of similar conditions. Two
      diagnoses (psychogenic cough and transient vocal tic disorder) and a mixed
      intervention were proposed leading to resolution in 12 days of treatment. No
      recurrence of symptoms was observed during several evaluations within 12 months
      of medical follow-up. An association between the 2 diagnoses is proposed and
      discussed. 

PMID- 24236825
TI  - Epidemiology of urticaria in infants and young children in Germany--results from
      the German LISAplus and GINIplus Birth Cohort Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although urticaria is considered one of the most frequent skin
      diseases, reliable epidemiologic data are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the
      incidence and cumulative prevalence of urticaria in infants and children up to
      age of 10, to characterize the relationship of specific IgE levels (food and
      inhalative allergens) with urticaria, and to monitor the joint occurrence of
      urticaria with other diseases, such as eczema, asthma, and hay fever. METHODS:
      The study population consisted of two prospective birth cohort studies: the
      LISAplus and GINIplus studies. Information on physician-diagnosed urticaria,
      asthma, eczema, or hay fever was collected using self-administered questionnaires
      completed by the parents. Blood samples were drawn, and specific immunoglobulin E
      measured at 2 (only LISAplus), 6 and 10 yr of age. RESULTS: The incidence of
      urticaria was approximately 1% per year of age. The cumulative prevalence of
      urticaria in children up to the age of 10 yr was 14.5% for boys and 16.2% for
      girls. Cumulative prevalence of urticaria at the age of ten was significantly (p
      < 0.05) associated with allergic sensitization to peanut, soy, and wheat flour,
      but not with inhalant allergens. Both a parental history of atopy/urticaria and
      the children's diagnosis of asthma, eczema, and hay fever were strongly related
      (p < 0.0001) to the occurrence of urticaria. CONCLUSIONS: Urticaria is a frequent
      event during childhood, with highest incidence in infants and preschool children.
      Comorbidity with atopic disease is high.

PMID- 24236827
TI  - Trabecular meshwork bradykinin receptors: mRNA levels, immunohistochemical
      visualization, signaling processes pharmacology, and linkage to IOP reduction.
AB  - PURPOSE: To localize mRNA and protein of bradykinin (BK) receptors, BK precursor
      polypeptide (kininogen) mRNA, and to study functional biochemical pharmacology of
      the signal transduction processes mediated by B2-receptors in isolated human
      trabecular meshwork (h-TM) cells. Intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects of
      2 kinins were also investigated. METHODS: Previously documented procedures were
      utilized throughout these studies. RESULTS: Kinninogen mRNA was most abundant in
      TM, ciliary body (CB), and optic nerve head and appeared elevated in glaucomatous
      h-TM tissue. High levels of B2-receptor mRNA were found in the sclera, iris, TM,
      and CB. B2-receptor subtype protein was localized in cells of the monkey and h
      TM, and the treatment of isolated h-TM cells with transforming growth factor
      beta2 (5 ng/mL) caused significant (P<0.04) downregulation of B2-receptor mRNA.
      In isolated primary h-TM cells, BK (EC50=0.8+/-0.2 nM; n=19) and Met-Lys-BK
      (EC50=6.5+/-1.5 nM) mobilized intracellular Ca(2+) and induced the release of
      prostaglandins (PGs) that was blocked by 2 B2-receptor antagonists [HOE-140; (S)
      WIN-64338]. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, bromfenac, abolished BK-induced PGs
      production. BK concentration dependently increased cell impedance, and it
      significantly (P<0.05) decreased h-TM cell volume in vitro. Intravitreal (ivt)
      administration of BK (50 MUg), but not a B1-agonist (Sar-[D-Phe(9)]-Des-Arg(9)
      BK; also at 50 MUg), efficaciously lowered IOP (22.9% to 37% from baseline) of
      Dutch-Belted rabbits that naturally have high IOPs (27-28 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: BK
      activates multiple signal transduction pathways in h-TM cells via B2-receptors
      that also mediate IOP reduction as observed in rabbits following ivt
      administration of BK. These ocular hypotensive effects of BK may be
      physiologically important and suggest a novel therapeutic potential of BK-related
      B2-agonists.

PMID- 24236828
TI  - Efficacy and safety of low-dose otelixizumab anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in
      preserving C-peptide secretion in adolescent type 1 diabetes: DEFEND-2, a
      randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-centre study.
AB  - AIMS: Phase III DEFEND-2 investigated whether otelixizumab (3.1 mg over 8 days)
      preserved C-peptide secretion in patients with new-onset Type 1 diabetes,
      focusing on adolescents (12-17 years). METHODS: One hundred and seventy-nine
      patients (54 adolescents) were randomized to otelixizumab or placebo. The primary
      endpoint was change in 2-h mixed-meal-stimulated C-peptide area under the curve
      at month 12. Enrolment was suspended in April 2011 following negative efficacy
      results from DEFEND-1. DEFEND-2 terminated early after 12 months' efficacy and
      safety follow-up. RESULTS: Change from baseline C-peptide was not significantly
      different [? = -0.09 nmol/l (95% CI -0.17 to 0; P = 0.051)]. No differential C
      peptide effect was seen for otelixizumab in adolescents and more adverse events
      were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy and tolerability of otelixizumab was similar
      to DEFEND-1. The 3.1-mg dose was non-efficacious in adults and adolescents.
      Further investigation of the mechanism of action seen at higher doses and
      therapeutic window is required. Clinical Trials Registry No: NCT 00763451.

PMID- 24236829
TI  - A contemporary analysis of induction immunosuppression in pediatric lung
      transplant recipients.
AB  - There is an increasing trend in the use of induction immunosuppression in
      children undergoing lung transplantation (LTx). To evaluate the effect of this
      practice on survival, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) was queried
      from 1987 to 2012, restricting analysis to transplant patients 6-17 years old
      from 2001 to 2012, who received no induction (NONE) or induction (INDUCED) with
      the contemporary agents of basiliximab, alemtuzumab, thymoglobulin,
      antilymphocyte globulin (ALG), or antithymocyte globulin (ATG). Of 23 951 lung
      transplants, 330 met inclusion criteria with 177 (54%) being INDUCED. Of the
      INDUCED agents, 121 (68%) were basiliximab, 3 (2%) alemtuzumab, and 53 (30%)
      ALG/ATG/thymoglobulin. The mean patient age was 13.6 (SD = 3.2) and 14 (SD = 3.0)
      years for the INDUCED and NONE groups, respectively. The median survival in the
      INDUCED group was 77.4 months (95% CI: 46.1, 125.6) compared with 50.8 months
      (95% CI: 42.9, 61.3) for the NONE (log-rank P-value = 0.3601). The most common
      cause of death was due to allograft failure or pulmonary complications with only
      one patient dying from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. The
      estimated hazard ratio for INDUCED versus NONE was 0.859 (95% CI: 0.620, 1.191; P
      = 0.3618); there were no significant confounders or effect modifiers among the
      demographic and clinical variables. In conclusion, antibody-based induction
      immunosuppression with contemporary agents had a trend toward a protective, but
      not statistically significant, effect in 6- to 17-year-old patients.

PMID- 24236830
TI  - Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria phenotype cells and leucocyte subset
      telomere length in childhood acquired aplastic anaemia.
AB  - The significance of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH(pos) ) cells and
      leucocyte subset telomere lengths in paediatric aplastic anaemia (AA) is unknown.
      Among 22 children receiving immunosuppressive therapy (IST) for AA, 73% (16/22)
      were PNH(pos) , of whom 94% achieved at least a partial response (PR) to IST;
      11/16 (69%) achieved complete response (CR). Only 2/6 (33%) PNH(neg) patients
      achieved PR. PNH(pos) patients were less likely to fail IST compared to PNH(neg)
      patients (odds ratio 0.033; 95% confidence interval 0.002-0.468; P = 0.012).
      Children with AA had short granulocyte (P = 7.8 * 10(-9) ), natural killer cell
      (P = 6.0 * 10(-4) ), naive T lymphocyte (P = 0.002) and B lymphocyte (P = 0.005)
      telomeres compared to age-matched normative data. 

PMID- 24236831
TI  - Current patenting trends for biologics versus small molecules.

PMID- 24236832
TI  - Focus, medicinal chemistry, informatics: towards the pharmaceutical patentome.

PMID- 24236833
TI  - Reaction to the Brustle decision.

PMID- 24236834
TI  - How high is too high for the threshold on patent utility?

PMID- 24236835
TI  - Chemistry and the law.
AB  - The Chemistry and the Law Division of the American Chemical Society met in San
      Diego in March 2012. The divisional meeting was attended by patent attorneys,
      patent analysts and scientists who are all united by the business need to
      effectively deal with patent prosecution, patent research, litigation and
      licensing. This report highlights some of the presentations from the divisional
      sessions. 

PMID- 24236836
TI  - The transatlantic divide: how divisional and continuing patent application filing
      practice differs between the USA and Europe.
AB  - In this article we compare patent application 'fragmentation' strategies in the
      USA and Europe. Recent changes in European law restricting the timeframe in which
      divisional applications may be filed now make adopting a US-style approach in
      Europe virtually impossible. Life-science originator companies must therefore use
      foresight to direct the filing of appropriate divisional applications to meet the
      narrowed window of opportunity in Europe. 

PMID- 24236837
TI  - US patent reform: a European perspective.
AB  - This article describes a significant change in US patent practice that will see
      it become more aligned with the patent practice in most if not all of the rest of
      the world. This change follows recent legislation in the US that has transformed
      the manner in which the USPTO treats issues as fundamental as the date of an
      invention, and also opens the way for more economical challenges to the validity
      of patents after grant. 

PMID- 24236840
TI  - Chemical structure searching: taking it to the next level.
AB  - Chemical structure searching can be challenging. The most common question in a
      searcher's mind is, "is my search comprehensive?" What he least wishes to hear
      from a client is, "why did you miss this?" This article will discuss ways of
      expanding the scope of structure searches conducted in the pharmaceutical
      industry. Patent offices commonly search a broad 'core' structure in the context
      of a drug indication (e.g., thyroid cancer) or a drug's mechanism of action
      (e.g., PDE5 inhibitors). Other approaches include patent citation searching of
      relevant references, the use of pharmaceutical pipeline databases and
      inventor/assignee-based searches. During analysis of the results, it can be
      useful for an analyst to include such references in the report (e.g., as
      'reference of possible interest'), while also indicating which techniques were
      used to retrieve them. Regardless of whether these additional search techniques
      provide further relevant references, the search report is still more
      comprehensive and, therefore, less likely to omit relevant art. 

PMID- 24236841
TI  - Supplementary Protection Certificates for medicinal products: where are we now
      and what challenges lay ahead?
AB  - In Europe, Supplementary Protection Certificates have been available for human
      and veterinary medicinal products since 1993. Although certain fundamental issues
      surrounding them have been resolved, questions still remain about their scope and
      whether they can be obtained at all for some products. This article explores
      where we are now and what challenges lay ahead. 

PMID- 24236843
TI  - Glucokinase activators.
AB  - In this review we highlight recently disclosed progress in the field of small
      molecule activators of the human glucokinase enzyme. Several of the reported
      chemotypes possess structural features that diverge from known leads; some of
      these modifications appear to be specifically designed to modulate tissue
      selectivity or discrete parameters of enzyme function (e.g., S0.5 v Vmax). This
      review will inform the reader of the extent of continued effort being directed
      toward discovery of a first-in-class drug for Type II diabetes mellitus that
      functions through this target. Patents were selected from those published in
      December 2009 up to November 2011; foreign filings were translated where possible
      to understand the claims and biological techniques utilized to characterize the
      reported glucokinase activators. Overall, there appears to be a recent trend
      leading to reduced patent filings for small-molecule glucokinase activators.
      There are many possible explanations for this trend; however, it is likely that
      the field has reached maturity and that the downturn of new disclosures
      represents the transition of many of these programs to the clinic. 

PMID- 24236842
TI  - GPR119 agonists 2009-2011.
AB  - The increasing incidence of Type II diabetes mellitus worldwide continues to
      attract the attention and resources of the pharmaceutical industry in the pursuit
      of more effective therapies for blood glucose control. New approaches that
      compare favorably with classical medicaments while avoiding hypoglycemic episodes
      or waning effectiveness are paramount. Recent advances toward this end have been
      realized based on the biology of the glucagon like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R).
      This beta-cell-expressed GPCR has the ability to promote insulin release in a
      glucose-dependent fashion, and has been shown to elicit improved glycemic control
      and preservation of beta-cell mass. Direct activation of GLP1R utilizing peptide
      mimetics has been achieved; however, attempts to access the biology of this
      receptor via small-molecule approaches have thus far been elusive. In this
      context, GPR119 has emerged as a tractable new alternative to GLP1R. GPR119 is
      another GPCR expressed on the beta-cell, which, like GLP1R, signals in a glucose
      dependent manner. Moreover, GPR119-mediated increases in GLP-1 and other
      incretins upon activation in the intestine further increase the insulinotropic
      activity of the beta-cell. The early success in identifying small-molecule
      agonists of the GPR119 has prompted a rapid increase in the number of patent
      applications filed in the last few years. In this review we provide a
      comprehensive summary of all patent activity in this field that has appeared
      within the 2009-2011 timeframe. 

PMID- 24236844
TI  - The A to Z of pharmaceutical cocrystals: a decade of fast-moving new science and
      patents.
AB  - From aspirin to zoledronic acid, pharmaceutical cocrystals emerged in the past
      decade as a promising new weapon in the arsenal of drug development. Resurgence
      of interest in multicomponent crystal compositions has led to significant
      advances in the science of cocrystal design and discovery. These advances have
      built upon crystal engineering, which provides a deep understanding of
      supramolecular interactions between molecules that govern crystal packing and
      physicochemical properties of crystalline materials. Concomitantly, the patent
      landscape of pharmaceutical cocrystals developed rapidly in the last decade. This
      review presents a broad survey of patents issued in the area of pharmaceutical
      cocrystals. In addition, the review contains analyses of key patents in the area
      involving compositions and methodologies. Along the way, the main events of the
      past decade representing a renaissance of cocrystals of pharmaceutical materials
      are chronicled. Future directions in the area are discussed in light of key
      pending patent applications and recent publications of seminal interest. 

PMID- 24236845
TI  - Orexin receptor antagonists.
AB  - The orexin neuropeptides bind to two G protein-coupled receptors, orexin-1 and 
      2. Small-molecule antagonism of the receptors has potential therapeutic utility
      in a number of areas, most notably insomnia, for which the most advanced dual
      orexin receptor antagonist has now completed clinical trials. The purpose of this
      article is to comprehensively review small-molecule orexin antagonist patent
      activity during the period 2009-2011. 

PMID- 24236847
TI  - Enhanced cadmium resistance and accumulation in Pseudomonas putida KT2440
      expressing the phytochelatin synthase gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
AB  - Phytochelatins (PCs) are cysteine-rich peptides with high binding affinity for
      toxic metals. Expressing the PC synthase gene (PCS) in plant growth-promoting
      bacteria may enhance its metal resistance and accumulation, consequently
      increasing phytoremediation efficiency in heavy metal pollution. In this study,
      PCS from Schizosaccharomyces pombe was cloned and expressed in Pseudomonas putida
      KT2440, which was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR through an increase in SpPCS mRNA
      expression level when induced by 20 MUmol of CdCl2 in the transformed Ps. putida
      cells. The recombined strain KT2440-SpPCS exhibited enhanced Cd, Ag and Hg
      resistance. Compared with the original strain, KT2440-SpPCS also displayed a
      threefold to fivefold increase in Cd accumulation (14.32 MUmol g(-1) to 17.38
      MUmol g(-1) ; dry weight) when grown in 30 and 50 MUmol CdCl2 , along with an
      increase in nonprotein thiols. Further experiments showed significantly enhanced
      germination rates and growth of wheat seeds in 0.1 mmol to 1.0 mmol Cd when
      inoculated with KT2440-SpPCS. This study shows potential use of Ps. putida KT2440
      SpPCS in plants to construct a symbiotic system for an enhanced phytoremediation
      of heavy metal-contaminated environments. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:
      The symbiotic system of using plant growth-promoting bacteria Pseudomonas putida
      to express phytochelatin synthase gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe together in
      plants resulted in high heavy metal resistance and high accumulation capacity,
      suggesting potential enhancement in phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated
      environments.

PMID- 24236848
TI  - Longitudinal associations among fathers' perception of coparenting, partner
      relationship quality, and paternal stress during early childhood.
AB  - This study examined the longitudinal and concurrent associations among fathers'
      perceptions of partner relationship quality (happiness, conflict), coparenting
      (shared decision making, conflict), and paternal stress. The sample consisted of
      6,100 children who lived with both biological parents at 24 and 48 months in the
      Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort data set. The results showed that
      there are significant and concurrent associations between fathers' perceptions of
      the coparenting relationship and paternal stress, and between partner
      relationship quality and paternal stress. There was also a positive direct
      longitudinal association between partner relationship conflict and paternal
      stress. However, we found only one longitudinal cross-system mediation effect:
      fathers' perception of coparenting conflict at 48 months mediated the association
      between partner relationship conflict at 24 months and paternal stress at 48
      months. The family practice implications of these findings are discussed.

PMID- 24236849
TI  - Analysis of quantitative trait loci in mice suggests a role of Enoph1 in stress
      reactivity.
AB  - Significant progress in elucidating the genetic etiology of anxiety and
      depression has been made during the last decade through a combination of human
      and animal studies. In this study, we aimed to discover genetic loci linked with
      anxiety as well as depression in order to reveal new candidate genes. Therefore,
      we initially tested the behavioral sensitivity of 543 F2 animals derived from an
      intercross of C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ mice in paradigms for anxiety and depression.
      Next, all animals were genotyped with 269 microsatellite markers with a mean
      distance of 5.56 cM. Finally, a Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis was
      carried out, followed by selection of candidate genes. The QTL analysis revealed
      several new QTL on chromosome 5 with a common core interval of 19 Mb. We further
      narrowed this interval by comparative genomics to a region of 15 Mb. A database
      search and gene prioritization revealed Enoph1 as the most significant candidate
      gene on the prioritization list for anxiety and also for depression fulfilling
      our selection criteria. The Enoph1 gene, which is involved in polyamine
      biosynthesis, is differently expressed in parental strains, which have different
      brain spermidine levels and show distinct anxiety and depression-related
      phenotype. Our result suggests a significant role in polyamines in anxiety and
      depression-related behaviors.

PMID- 24236850
TI  - CDC's winnable battles: improved nutrition, physical activity, and decreased
      obesity.

PMID- 24236851
TI  - Fragmentation of positively-charged biological ions activated with a beam of high
      energy cations.
AB  - First results are reported on the fragmentation of multiply protonated
      polypeptide ions produced in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)
      with a beam of high-energy cations as a source of activation. The ion beam is
      generated with a microwave plasma gun installed on a benchtop Q Exactive mass
      spectrometer. Precursor polypeptide ions are activated when trapped inside the
      collision cell of the instrument (HCD cell), and product species are detected in
      the Orbitrap analyzer. Upon exposure to the beam of air plasma cations (~100 MUA,
      5 s), model precursor species such as multiply protonated angiotensin I and
      ubiquitin dissociated across a variety of pathways. Those pathways include the
      cleavages of C-CO, C-N as well as N-Calpha backbone bonds, accordingly manifested
      as b/y, a, and c/z fragment ion series in tandem mass spectra. The fragmentation
      pattern observed includes characteristic fragments of collision-induced
      dissociation (CID) (b/y/a fragments) as well as electron capture/transfer
      dissociation (ECD, ETD) (c/z fragments), suggesting substantial contribution of
      both vibrational and electronic excitation in our experiments. Besides backbone
      cleavages, notable amounts of nondissociated precursor species were observed with
      reduced net charge, formed via electron or proton transfer between the colliding
      partners. Peaks corresponding to increased charge states of the precursor ions
      were also detected, which is the major distinctive feature of ion beam
      activation. 

PMID- 24236852
TI  - Exploring a Dutch paradox: an ethnographic investigation of gay men's mental
      health.
AB  - Despite the Netherlands' reputation as a world leader with respect to gay rights,
      homosexual Dutch men have much higher rates of mood disorders, anxiety disorders
      and suicide attempts than heterosexual Dutch men. Epidemiologists report similar
      disparities elsewhere in Western Europe and North America. These findings have
      been the focus of a blossoming psychological literature, inspired by minority
      stress theory and deploying quantitative methods. Our investigation aims to
      complement this body of work by adopting an ethnographic approach. Drawing from
      fieldwork conducted in the Netherlands from 2009 to 2010, we explore
      sociocultural and contextual factors that have received relatively little
      attention with respect to gay mental health. In the Netherlands - considered a
      model for gay equality - how can one understand high rates of psychiatric
      disorders among gay men? This study points to heteronormativity, complex dynamics
      involving long-term relationships and processes within gay subcultures as key
      issues. Notwithstanding their putative socioeconomic, legal and political
      equality, gay men struggled - at various stages of the life cycle - with
      internalised norms that they found difficult to fulfil. The desire to embody
      these ideals, and structural constraints in meeting them, could be potent sources
      of disappointment and distress. 

PMID- 24236853
TI  - Positioning of leukocyte subsets in the portal and lobular compartments of
      hepatitis C virus-infected liver correlates with local chemokine expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is characterized by
      infiltration of a mixed population of leukocytes into portal tracts and
      infiltration almost exclusively by CD8+ T cells into lobules of the liver. This
      pattern of leukocyte recruitment is likely to be orchestrated in a cell-specific
      fashion by local chemokine expression. METHODS: Portal or lobular tissues were
      isolated by laser capture microdissection from 17 liver biopsy specimens to
      examine regional gene expression of a panel of chemokine ligands and receptors.
      The biopsies were also stained immunohistochemically to enumerate regional cell
      numbers. RESULTS: Expression of multiple chemokine ligands and receptors was
      evident, although few correlated with leukocyte numbers. In the lobule,
      expression of CXCL10 correlated with T-cell subsets (CD3+, P = 0.0002; CD4+, P =
      0.0053; and CD8+, P = 0.0061), as did CCL5 (CD3+, P = 0.0005; CD8+, P = 0.0199)
      and CCL3 (CD3+, P = 0.0016; CD8+, P = 0.008). In the portal tracts, expression of
      CXCL10 and CCL5 was correlated with CD8+ T-cell numbers (P = 0.0040 and P =
      0.0114, respectively), whereas CXCL13 was strongly correlated with CD20+ B-cell
      numbers (P < 0.0001). CXCR3 expression correlated with CD3+ and CD4+ T cells (P <
      0.0001 and P = 0.0208, respectively), CCR5 with CD8+ T cells (P < 0.0001), and
      CXCR5 with CD20+ B-cell infiltration (P = 0.0022). CONCLUSION: CXCR3, CCR5, and
      CXCR5 and their ligands form key elements of the "zip code" responsible for
      regional localization of specific lymphocyte subsets in the HCV-infected liver.

PMID- 24236854
TI  - Contribution of the NS1 gene of H7 avian influenza virus strains to pathogenicity
      in chickens.
AB  - Using reverse genetics (rg), we generated two reassortant viruses carrying the
      NS1 gene of two closely related HPAIV and LPAIV H7N1 variants (designated rgH7N7
      HP(HPNS1) and rgH7N7 HP(LPNS1), respectively) in the backbone of the HP H7N7
      strain A/Chicken/Netherlands/621557/03 (rgH7N7 HP). Comparison of these
      reassortants allowed us to determine the effect of amino acid differences in the
      nuclear export and nucleolar localization sequences of NS1 on pathogenesis in
      chickens. Compared to rgH7N7 HP(LPNS1), a delay in weight gain and an increase in
      mortality were observed for rgH7N7 HP(HPNS1). Furthermore, an increase in viral
      load in brains, lungs, and cloacal swabs, as well as an increased induction of
      mRNA for type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines in brains, were
      observed for rgH7N7 HP(HPNS1). Comparison of rgH7N7 HP(LPNS1) with the backbone
      strain rgH7N7 HP allowed us to examine differences in pathogenesis due to
      differences in NS1 alleles. rgH7N7 HP, which contained allele A of NS1 showed a
      higher in vitro replication rate and proved to be more virulent than the isogenic
      virus carrying allele B of NS1(rgH7N7 HP(LPNS1)). In addition, higher virus
      accumulation in the lungs and brains, and an increased induction of host gene
      responses, especially in the brains, were found for rgH7N7 HP compared to rgH7N7
      HP(LPNS1). No large differences were observed in type I interferon expression in
      the lungs of chickens infected with any of the viruses, suggesting that
      differences in virulence due to differences in NS1 could be related to
      differences in the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vital organs such
      as the brains.

PMID- 24236857
TI  - Nanostructured aqueous lithium-ion conductors formed by the self-assembly of
      imidazolium-type zwitterions.
AB  - In the present study, we have synthesized a room-temperature ionic liquid by
      mixing imidazolium-type zwitterions with lithium
      bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. We constructed nanostructured aqueous lithium
      ion conductors having hexagonal, lamellar, and bicontinuous cubic structures by
      the self-assembly of this amphiphilic ionic liquid. These nanostructured lithium
      ion conductors exhibited an assembled-structure dependent lithium-ion conduction
      behavior. The introduction of highly ordered and well-defined liquid crystal
      structures into room-temperature ionic liquid radically changes the conduction
      mechanism from diffusion to hopping. 

PMID- 24236855
TI  - Mucosal adjuvants for influenza virus-like particle vaccine.
AB  - To find an effective mucosal adjuvant for influenza virus-like particles (VLPs),
      we compared the effects of known adjuvants Alum, CpG DNA, monophosphoryl lipid A
      (MPL), poly IC, gardiquimod, and cholera toxin (CT). Mice that were intranasally
      immunized with Alum, CpG, MPL, and CT adjuvanted VLPs showed higher levels of
      antibodies in both sera and mucosa. Hemagglutination inhibition and virus
      neutralizing activities were enhanced in groups adjuvanted with Alum, MPL, or CT.
      Influenza virus specific long-lived cells secreting IgG and IgA antibodies were
      found at high levels both in bone marrow and spleen in the Alum, CpG and CT
      adjuvanted groups. A similar level of protection was observed among different
      adjuvanted groups, except the CT adjuvant that showed a higher efficacy in
      lowering lung viral loads after challenge. Alum and CT adjuvants differentially
      increased influenza VLP-mediated activation of dendritic cells and splenocytes in
      vitro, supporting the in vivo pattern of antibody isotypes and cytokine
      production. These results suggest that Alum, MPL, or CpG adjuvants, which have
      been tested clinically, can be developed as an effective mucosal adjuvant for
      influenza VLP vaccines.

PMID- 24236856
TI  - Innate immune mechanisms in Japanese encephalitis virus infection: effect on
      transcription of pattern recognition receptors in mouse neuronal cells and brain
      tissue.
AB  - Very little information is available on the role of innate immune mechanisms in
      Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection. This study was designed to
      investigate the role of all Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) in JEV infection
      in a mouse neuronal cell line in comparison to events that occur in vivo, using
      JEV infected suckling and adult mice. Analysis of mRNA expression was carried out
      using RT-PCR for detection of PRR genes and their downstream pathway genes, while
      a PCR array technique was used to examine the complete transcription analysis.
      Amongst the various innate immune receptors, TLR3 gene exhibited differential
      expression in JEV-infected Neuro2a, in suckling mice and adult mouse brain cells
      but not in uninfected control cells. The downstream events of TLR3 were confirmed
      by increased mRNA expression of IRF3 and interferon-beta in JEV-infected Neuro2a
      cells and suckling mice brain tissue. To confirm the functional significance of
      this observation, TLR3 gene silencing experiments were carried using specific
      siRNA in Neuro2a cells. The results revealed a significant enhancement of JEV
      replication in TLR3 gene silenced JEV-infected Neuro2a cells, thereby suggesting
      that TLR3 serves a protective role against JEV. The expression levels of other
      PRRs varied. JEV-infected adult mice showed significant upregulation of TLR2 and
      MDA5 as compared to JEV-infected suckling mice and Neuro2a cells. In addition,
      upregulation of Myd88 and IRF7 was also noted in adult mice. These observations,
      coupled with the fact that adult mice infected with JEV exhibited longer survival
      rates, suggests that the host antiviral TLR2 response seen in adult mice was
      eventually countered by the virus by using MDA5 receptor. Our findings suggest
      that different PRRs appear to be involved in JEV infection in Neuro2a cells and
      brains of suckling and adult mice.

PMID- 24236858
TI  - A forward osmosis-membrane distillation hybrid process for direct sewer mining:
      system performance and limitations.
AB  - This study demonstrates the robustness and treatment capacity of a forward
      osmosis (FO)-membrane distillation (MD) hybrid system for small-scale
      decentralized sewer mining. A stable water flux was realized using a laboratory
      scale FO-MD hybrid system operating continuously with raw sewage as the feed at
      water recovery up to 80%. The hybrid system also showed an excellent capacity for
      the removal of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs), with removal rates ranging
      from 91 to 98%. The results suggest that TrOC transport through the FO membrane
      is governed by "solute-membrane" interaction, whereas that through the MD
      membrane is strongly correlated to TrOC volatility. Concentrations of organic
      matter and TrOCs in the draw solution increased substantially as the water
      recovery increased. This accumulation of some contaminants in the draw solution
      is attributed to the difference in their rejection by the FO and MD systems. We
      demonstrate that granular activated carbon adsorption or ultraviolet oxidation
      could be used to prevent contaminant accumulation in the draw solution, resulting
      in near complete rejection (>99.5%) of TrOCs. 

PMID- 24236859
TI  - N-acetylcysteine in contrast-induced acute kidney injury: clinical use against
      principles of evidence-based clinical medicine!
AB  - Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is one of the most widely discussed
      and debated topic in cardiovascular medicine and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the
      most widely used pharmacological agent assessed in clinical trials for offering
      renal protection against CI-AKI. Results of these clinical trials are though
      split between those that favor its use and vice versa. In this brief
      communication we discuss the latest research advances regarding the use of NAC
      against CI-AKI. Recent clinical evidence and overview of in-depth statistical
      analyses of relevant clinical trials and their meta-analyses do not support the
      use of NAC in prophylaxis against CI-AKI. Adequate hydration before and after
      contrast media exposure, along with avoidance of nephrotoxic drugs, remains the
      recommended prophylaxis against CI-AKI. 

PMID- 24236860
TI  - The emerging science of consciousness: mind, brain, and the human experience.

PMID- 24236861
TI  - The thinking ape: the enigma of human consciousness.
AB  - What is the origin and nature of consciousness? If consciousness is common to
      humans and animals alike, what are the defining traits of human consciousness?
      Moderated by Steve Paulson, executive producer and host of To the Best of Our
      Knowledge, Nobel laureate psychologist Daniel Kahneman, philosopher David
      Chalmers, expert in primate cognition Laurie Santos, and physician-scientist
      Nicholas Schiff discuss what it means to be conscious and examine the human
      capacities displayed in cognitive, aesthetic, and ethical behaviors, with a focus
      on the place and function of the mind within nature. The following is an edited
      transcript of the discussion that occurred October 10, 2012, 7:00-8:15 PM, at the
      New York Academy of Sciences in New York City.

PMID- 24236862
TI  - How can we construct a science of consciousness?
AB  - This chapter gives an overview of the projects facing a science of consciousness.
      Such a science must integrate third-person data about behavior and brain
      processes with first-person data about conscious experience. Empirical projects
      for integrating these data include those of contrasting conscious and unconscious
      processes, investigating the contents of consciousness, finding neural correlates
      of consciousness, and eventually inferring underlying principles connecting
      consciousness with physical processes. These projects are discussed with
      reference to current experimental research on consciousness. Some obstacles that
      a science of consciousness faces are also discussed. 

PMID- 24236863
TI  - The mystery of memory: in search of the past.
AB  - A universal fascination with how we remember, forget, and create false memories
      cuts across the arts and sciences, as do the questions of how and where memories
      are formed and preserved. Moderated by Steve Paulson, executive producer and host
      of To the Best of Our Knowledge, novelist and comparative literature professor
      Andre Aciman (City University of New York), neuroscientist Joseph LeDoux (New
      York University), psychologist Daniel Schacter (Harvard University), and
      historian of science and medicine Alison Winter (University of Chicago) discuss
      how memory impacts our perception of ourselves, the development of personality,
      and the ability to construct and reconstruct our past experience. The following
      is an edited transcript of the discussion that occurred November 14, 2012, 7:00
      8:15 PM, at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York City.

PMID- 24236864
TI  - How memoirists mold the truth.

PMID- 24236866
TI  - Becoming conscious: the science of mindfulness.
AB  - Many of us go through our daily lives on autopilot, not fully aware of our
      conscious experiences. In a discussion moderated by Steve Paulson, executive
      producer and host of To the Best of Our Knowledge, neuroscientists Richard
      Davidson and Amishi Jha and clinical mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn explore
      the role of consciousness in mental and physical health, how we can train our
      minds to be more flexible and adaptable, and cutting-edge neuroscience findings
      about the transformation of consciousness through mindfulness and contemplative
      practice. The following is an edited transcript of the discussion that occurred
      February 6, 2013, 7:00-8:15 PM, at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York
      City.

PMID- 24236865
TI  - Music and the mind: the magical power of sound.
AB  - Music has been a wonderful tool to investigate the interconnection between brain
      science, psychology, and human experience. Moderated by Steve Paulson, executive
      producer and host of To the Best of Our Knowledge, cognitive neuroscientist and
      musician Jamshed Bharucha, music therapy pioneer Concetta Tomaino, jazz pianist
      Vijay Iyer, and physician musician Charles Limb discuss the neurological basis of
      creativity and aesthetic judgment and the capacity of music to elicit specific
      emotions and to heal the body. The following is an edited transcript of the
      discussion that occurred December 12, 2012, 7:00-8:15 PM, at the New York Academy
      of Sciences in New York City.

PMID- 24236867
TI  - Foreword to the emerging science of consciousness: mind, brain, and the human
      experience.

PMID- 24236868
TI  - Poly(thymine)-templated fluorescent copper nanoparticles for ultrasensitive label
      free nuclease assay and its inhibitors screening.
AB  - Noble-metal fluorescent nanoparticles have attracted considerable interest on
      account of their excellent properties and potential applicable importance in many
      fields. Particularly, we recently found that poly(thymine) (poly T) could
      template the formation of fluorescent copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), offering
      admirable potential as novel functional biochemical probes. However, exploration
      of poly T-templated CuNPs for application is still at a very early stage. We
      report herein for the first example to develop a novel ultrasensitive label-free
      method for the nuclease (S1 nuclease as a model system) assay, and its inhibitors
      screening using the poly T-templated fluorescent CuNPs. In this assay, the signal
      reporter of poly T of 30 mer (T30) kept the original long state in the absence of
      nuclease, which could effectively template the formation of fluorescent CuNPs. In
      the presence of nuclease, poly T was digested to mono- or oligonucleotide
      fragments with decrease of fluorescence. The proposed method was low-cost and
      simple in its operation without requirement for complex labeling of probe DNA or
      sophisticated synthesis of the fluorescent compound. The assay process was very
      rapid with only 5 min for the formation of fluorescent CuNPs. The capabilities
      for target detection from complex fluids and screening of nuclease inhibitors
      were verified. A high sensitivity exhibited with a detectable minimum
      concentration of 5 * 10(-7) units MUL(-1) S1 nuclease, which was about 1-4 orders
      of magnitude more sensitive than the developed approaches. 

PMID- 24236870
TI  - The curious case of Yasmin((r)): when does a generic's label induce doctors to
      practice a patented method of use?

PMID- 24236871
TI  - Recent European legal developments on second medical uses and dosage regimes.

PMID- 24236869
TI  - An alternative approach to estimate age-related mortality of kidney transplant
      recipients compared to the general population: results in favor of old-to-old
      transplantations.
AB  - Compared to dialysis, kidney transplantation appears to be the best treatment for
      chronic kidney failure, even for older aged patients. Nevertheless, the
      individual benefit of transplanting elderly patients has to be balanced against
      the corresponding increase in the number of patients awaiting grafts. We analyzed
      the excess mortality related to kidney transplant recipients by taking into
      account the expected mortality of the general population (additive regression
      model for relative survival). We applied this method to a cohort of patients who
      received a first deceased-donor kidney transplant between 1998 and 2009 in France
      (DIVAT, n = 3641). Overall 10-year mortality was 13%. As expected, recipient age
      was the main risk factor associated with overall mortality. In contrast,
      recipient age was no longer significantly associated with the excess of mortality
      related to kidney transplant status by subtracting the expected mortality of the
      general population. Delayed graft function (DGF), pretransplantation
      immunization, and past history of diabetes appeared as the main risk factors of
      this higher mortality rate. Our results constitute a strong argument in favor of
      kidney transplantation, regardless of the patient's age. Preventing DGF may be
      more effective for decreasing the risk of death specifically attributable to the
      disease.

PMID- 24236872
TI  - The Mayo v. Prometheus decision.

PMID- 24236874
TI  - Are natural products and medical diagnostic tests still eligible for patents in
      the USA?
AB  - In 2010, the biotechnology and molecular diagnostics industries were shocked by
      the decision from a US District Court to the effect that isolated endogenous DNA
      and diagnostic tests based on newly discovered DNA sequences were not eligible
      for US patents. The case related to the BRCA1/2 genes for breast and ovarian
      cancer. On appeal, the decision was almost entirely overturned. However, in March
      2012, the US Supreme Court vacated the appeal court decision and instructed the
      appeals court to rehear the case in the light of its very recent decision, which
      suggested that products of nature and their obvious uses should not be
      patentable. This commentary explores the points at issue. 

PMID- 24236877
TI  - 'Reference composition' not 'lead compound': recent developments in case law for
      obviousness of pharmaceutical composition claims.
AB  - For most chemical compound claims, the obviousness analysis begins with the
      identification of a 'lead compound'. Pursuant to a recent decision from the
      Federal Circuit, a similar framework is now applicable for pharmaceutical
      composition claims. In Unigene Labs v. Apotex (2011), the obviousness analysis
      for a claim covering a bioequivalent nasal spray was said to start with the
      identification of the 'reference composition'. The court reasoned that while a
      person of ordinary skill in the art would typically be motivated to develop a
      bioequivalent of a given US FDA-approved reference composition, such a new
      composition may still be non-obvious if the prior art does not teach which
      bioequivalent among a large number of possible formulations is the best or which
      ingredient(s) may be substituted for others. A review of the case law reveals
      that the "reference composition" framework is neither entirely new nor
      universally applicable to all obviousness challenges to pharmaceutical
      composition claims. Even so, the Unigene decision appears to signal the court's
      preference for this framework and will likely employ it wherever it is
      appropriate to do so. 

PMID- 24236878
TI  - How do patent rights affect regulatory approvals and data exclusivity rights for
      pharmaceuticals in the EU?
AB  - This article sheds light on the relationship, or rather, absence of a
      relationship, between patent rights and regulatory approval procedures in the EU.
      The principle of 'patent linkage' has long been recognized and applied by
      regulatory authorities in the USA. The European Commission, however, opposes the
      idea of linking patent rights to marketing authorizations and pricing and
      reimbursement decisions. This position is grounded in Article 126 of Directive
      2001/83 and is expected not to change anytime soon, given the clear reaffirmation
      thereof in the recent Sector Inquiry Report and Transparency Directive Proposal.
      Therefore, the European Medicines Agency or national authorities are not
      permitted to refuse approval and, likely, pricing and reimbursement of a generic
      when the innovative reference product is still protected by a patent. The
      authors, however, advocate that there are strong legal arguments for patent
      holders to challenge regulatory decisions that did not respect their patent
      rights before the competent national courts. 

PMID- 24236879
TI  - Differentiating stem cell patents.
AB  - Stem cells are defined by their capability for both self-renewal through cell
      division and for producing a lineage capable of differentiating into one or more
      specialized cell types. Stem cells are found both in adult tissues and in the
      developing embryo. While embryonic stem cells are able to differentiate into each
      and every cell type, adult stem cells are generally only able to form the cell
      types of the organ from which they originate. Stem cells are essential for the
      renewal and repair of human tissues and have been at the centre of research into
      regenerative medicine. They have also emerged as a valuable tool for drug
      discovery and development. Strong patent protection is a crucial driver of
      investment into new stem cell technologies. However, their special nature has
      created a number of uncertainties. In particular, the biological potential of
      embryonic stem cells to create new human life raised ethical concerns and caused
      boundaries to be set on the scope of patentability. The bar has been set at
      different places in the USA, Europe and Canada. Careful assessment of the options
      for protection in these jurisdictions is necessary in order to manage risk and
      maximize rewards. This article provides an overview of the patentability of stem
      cells with a focus on recent developments regarding embryonic, adult and induced
      pluripotent stem cells. 

PMID- 24236880
TI  - Obtaining, challenging and enforcing pharmaceutical patents under the America
      Invents Act.
AB  - The America Invents Act (AIA) will affect how intellectual property rights for
      pharmaceutical innovations are obtained, challenged and enforced. For example,
      the AIA allows pharmaceutical companies to take a more uniform approach in
      seeking patent protection worldwide. Post-grant and inter partes review
      procedures in the USPTO will allow patents to be challenged by pharmaceutical
      interests at a lower cost than that of litigation in US courts, and should
      improve the quality of patents as a whole. Provisions in the AIA incentivize
      pharmaceutical companies to monitor the published applications and patents of
      competitors, and to make prompt challenges to patentability where appropriate,
      promoting the integrity of the intellectual property landscape.

PMID- 24236881
TI  - Patent term extensions: issues, challenges and implications for pharmaceuticals.
AB  - The standard term of a patent is 20 years from the date of filing. However, the
      time required for a pharmaceutical product to pass through research and
      development, and clinical trials to obtain regulatory approval can often be more
      than 10 years. This effectively shortens the life of the patent leaving the
      patentee with little or no monopoly over the pharmaceutical product by the time
      it reaches market. The solution to this loss of patent monopoly in many countries
      is to provide an extension to compensate for loss of patent term due to obtaining
      regulatory approval of a product. This article provides a summary of some of the
      issues, challenges and implications of patent term extensions in various
      countries. 

PMID- 24236882
TI  - Clearing the fog: patenting trends for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - This article asks, "What can Network Patent AnalysisTM (NPA) tell us about
      developments in the treatment of this serious condition?" Patents filed for the
      treatment of Alzheimer's disease have been analyzed by NPA. NPA is an unique
      patent analysis method that maps the 'collective intelligence' of the patent
      applicants to group and rank patents, technologies and patent applicants. A
      search for Alzheimer's disease patents identified approximately 24,000 patents,
      to which we added 24,000 citationally connected patents. NPA identified the
      leading 2,153 patents in the combined 48,000 patents and grouped most of these
      2153 patents into 23 subject clusters. The 23 clusters of patents fall into two
      major groupings: drugs targeted to the beta-amyloid protein ('amyloid grouping');
      and drugs targeted to the Tau/serotonin and other alternative pathways ('Tau
      grouping'). Filing activity for the 2153 strongest patents peaked between the
      year 2000 and 2005. This, along with the broad range of subject matter in the
      patent clusters, suggests that Alzheimer's disease treatments are still
      undergoing strong development. 

PMID- 24236883
TI  - Novel serine protease inhibitors.
AB  - The pursuit of serine protease inhibitors as anticoagulants and anti-hepatitis C
      virus drugs continues to be an active area of research. Compounds such as P1-P3
      macrocyclic peptides and linear peptides have been registered as potent hepatitis
      C virus protease inhibitors and compounds such as phenylglycinamide derivatives,
      substituted biaryls, tetrahydroquinoline derivatives, arylpropionamides,
      arylacrylamides, arylpropynamides, arylmethylurea analogs and peptides as factor
      XIa inhibitors. Given the recent US FDA approval of telaprevir and boceprevir for
      the treatment of hepatitis C virus, the development of new serine protease
      inhibitors is likely to be one of the hottest areas in the pharmaceutical
      industry. This review covers the patent literature on serine protease inhibitors
      during the period between 2009 and 2010. 

PMID- 24236884
TI  - Triple monoamine uptake inhibitors.
AB  - Agents interfering with the reuptake of catecholamines and tryptamines are well
      known drugs capable of treating serious illnesses, including depression, pain and
      dependence. Further therapeutic applications and use have been tested and an
      increase in the variety of the chemical templates has been achieved in the last
      few years. This review attempts to give an organic overview of molecules capable
      of simultaneously interfering with the reuptake of all the three major monoamine
      neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine/noradrenaline and serotonin). 

PMID- 24236885
TI  - Small molecules as pro-apoptotic anticancer agents.
AB  - The quest for potent and selective targeted therapies in anticancer research is
      taking advantage of apoptosis-related mechanisms of action to identify a number
      of novel clinical candidates. This review is chemically focused on small
      molecules and deals with five target families that influence caspase-dependent
      apoptosis: caspase-3, Bcl-2 and IAP protein family members, p53 and the
      proteasome. Each target class is briefly described at first in terms of its
      involvement and relevance in tumor initiation and progression. Drug candidates
      currently undergoing clinical trials are then presented for each target class,
      followed by a quick summary of target-modulating chemotypes that have appeared in
      patent literature since 2006. Finally, future trends likely to become significant
      in apoptosis-targeted cancer therapies are presented and discussed. 

PMID- 24236887
TI  - Physically based groundwater vulnerability assessment using sensitivity analysis
      methods.
AB  - A general physically based method is presented to assess the vulnerability of
      groundwater to external pressures by numerical simulation of groundwater flow.
      The concept of groundwater vulnerability assessment considered here is based on
      the calculation of sensitivity coefficients for a user-defined groundwater state
      for which we propose several physically based indicators. Two sensitivity
      analysis methods are presented: the sensitivity equation method and the adjoint
      operator method. We show how careful selection of a method can significantly
      minimize the computational effort. An illustration of the general methodology is
      presented for the Herten aquifer analog (Germany). This application to a simple,
      yet insightful, case demonstrates the potential use of this general and
      physically based vulnerability assessment method to complex aquifers. 

PMID- 24236889
TI  - Bifunctional oligodeoxynucleotide/antagomiR constructs: evaluation of a new tool
      for microRNA silencing.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are fine-tuners in cellular processes, including those of the
      immune response. To study their functions and effects in immune cells, it is
      necessary to achieve specific silencing of individual miRNAs. To date,
      introduction of antisense microRNAs (antagomiRs) into primary cells is based on
      electroporation, lipofection, and viral vectors. However, these techniques often
      compromise viability, proliferative capacity, and differentiation. Furthermore,
      efficiency varies depending on the cell type and some are not suitable for in
      vivo approaches. To overcome these limitations we exploited the property of
      phosphorothioate (PTO)-modified DNA oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) to enter cells
      with high efficacy: we developed and evaluated ODN/antagomiR constructs that
      consist of a PTO-ODN carrier covalently linked to a fully methylated antagomiR
      RNA sequence. Using these constructs, we achieved transfection efficiency of
      approximately 99% in leukocytes-in particular, in B lymphocytes that are hard to
      transfect with other methods. Our data demonstrate that miRNA silencing by the
      antagomiR portion of the constructs was specific and efficient, which could be
      further confirmed by an increase in target protein under silencing conditions.
      The constructs were successfully tested in human B cells, plasmacytoid dendritic
      cells, monocytes, and monocyte-derived dendritic cells, thus demonstrating their
      versatility. Moreover, introduction of stimulatory CpG sequences into the ODN
      portion conveys immune stimulatory quality when intended. Thus, bifunctional
      ODN/antagomiR constructs represent a highly efficient, versatile, and easy-to
      handle tool to manipulate cellular miRNA expression levels and to allow the
      subsequent investigation of specific miRNA functions.

PMID- 24236888
TI  - Differential role of D1 and D2 receptors in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus
      in controlling ethanol drinking and food intake: possible interaction with local
      orexin neurons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA), acting in various mesolimbic
      brain regions, is well known for its role in promoting motivated behaviors,
      including ethanol (EtOH) drinking. Indirect evidence, however, suggests that DA
      in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus (PF/LH) has differential effects on EtOH
      consumption, depending on whether it acts on the DA 1 (D1) or DA 2 (D2) receptor
      subtype, and that these effects are mediated in part by local peptide systems,
      such as orexin/hypocretin (OX) and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), known to
      stimulate the consumption of EtOH. METHODS: The present study in brain-cannulated
      Sprague-Dawley rats measured the effects of dopaminergic compounds in the PF/LH
      on drinking behavior in animals trained to consume 7% EtOH and also on local
      peptide mRNA expression using digoxigenin-labeled in situ hybridization in EtOH
      naive animals. RESULTS: Experiments 1 and 2 showed that the D1 agonist SKF81297
      (10.8 nmol/side) in the PF/LH significantly increased food intake, while tending
      to increase EtOH intake, and the D1 antagonist SCH23390 significantly decreased
      EtOH intake without affecting food intake. In contrast, the D2 agonist
      quinelorane (6.2 nmol/side) in the PF/LH significantly reduced EtOH consumption,
      while the D2 antagonist sulpiride increased it. Experiments 3 and 4 revealed
      differential effects of PF/LH injection of the DA agonists on local OX mRNA,
      which was increased by the D1 agonist and decreased by the D2 agonist. These DA
      agonists had no impact on MCH expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results support a
      stimulatory role of the PF/LH D1 receptor in promoting the consumption of both
      EtOH and food, in contrast to a suppressive effect of the D2 receptor on EtOH
      drinking. They further suggest that these receptors affect consumption, in part,
      through local OX-expressing neurons. These findings provide new evidence for the
      function of PF/LH DA receptor subtypes in controlling EtOH and food intake.

PMID- 24236890
TI  - MicroRNA-29b modulates Japanese encephalitis virus-induced microglia activation
      by targeting tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3.
AB  - Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) virus, is the
      leading cause of encephalitis in Asia. Microglial activation is one of the key
      events in JEV-induced neuroinflammation. Although the various microRNAs (miRNAs)
      has been shown to regulate microglia activation during pathological conditions
      including neuroviral infections, till date, the involvement of miRNAs in JEV
      infection has not been evaluated. Hence, we sought to evaluate the possible role
      of miRNAs in mediating JEV-induced microglia activation. Initial screening
      revealed significant up-regulation of miR-29b in JEV-infected mouse microglial
      cell line (BV-2) and primary microglial cells. Furthermore, using bioinformatics
      tools, we identified tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, a negative
      regulator of nuclear factor-kappa B signaling as a potential target of miR-29b.
      Interestingly, in vitro knockdown of miR-29b resulted in significant over
      expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, and subsequent
      decrease in nuclear translocation of pNF-kappaB. JEV infection in BV-2 cell line
      elevated inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and pro-inflammatory
      cytokine expression levels, which diminished after miR-29b knockdown.
      Collectively, our study demonstrates involvement of miR-29b in regulating JEV-
      induced microglial activation.

PMID- 24236891
TI  - Rice consumption and urinary concentrations of arsenic in US adults.
AB  - Exposure to inorganic arsenic in the general population occurs mainly from
      drinking water and food sources. This study examined the association between rice
      consumption and urinary concentrations of arsenic in US adults, aged 20-85 years,
      in the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Significantly
      higher geometric means of creatinine-corrected urinary concentrations of total
      arsenic (TAs) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) were found in participants who
      consumed rice more than twice per week, compared to the reference group.
      Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant
      association between rice consumption and urinary concentrations of TAs [odds
      ratio (OR) = 1.51 (1.08, 2.09)] and DMA [OR = 2.24 (1.57, 3.21)] after adjustment
      for demographic variables, seafood intake (the main source of organic arsenic),
      and source of drinking water. Furthermore, significant variations in rice
      consumption and urinary concentrations of arsenic were observed in different
      racial groups. This study demonstrated that rice consumption contributed to
      inorganic arsenic exposure in US adults.

PMID- 24236892
TI  - MALDI-TOF MS for identification of porcine Brachyspira species.
AB  - The aim of this study consisted in evaluating MALDI-TOF MS as a tool for the
      identification of the genus Brachyspira (B.) and its relevant species for the pig
      industry. First, a database was created with 30 control strains, and superspectra
      for five different porcine Brachyspira species were calculated. In a second step,
      67 field isolates were investigated using MALDI-TOF MS, and results were compared
      to those obtained using nox gene-based RFLP (reference method) and biochemical
      tests. Among the 67 field isolates, five different Brachyspira species were
      detected using nox gene-based RFLP analysis. MALDI-TOF MS analysis correctly
      assigned all isolates to the genus Brachyspira and identified all isolates from
      B. hyodysenteriae (29/29), B. pilosicoli (11/11), B. intermedia (4/4) and B.
      innocens (11/11). In terms of B. murdochii, MALDI-TOF MS assigned one of 12
      isolates ambiguously as B. innocens/B. murdochii. The results of this study
      indicate that MALDI-TOF MS facilitates the diagnosis of swine dysentery and
      porcine intestinal spirochaetosis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Current
      methods for the discrimination of pathogenic Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and
      Brachyspira pilosicoli from Brachyspira species with low pathogenic potential
      have proven to be laborious and time-consuming and are therefore not suitable for
      routine diagnostics. This study describes the evaluation of MALDI-TOF MS for the
      identification of different porcine Brachyspira species in routine diagnostic
      laboratories. The results suggest that MALDI-TOF MS is an effective method for
      the identification of porcine Brachyspira spp. and accelerates diagnosis of swine
      dysentery and porcine intestinal spirochaetosis.

PMID- 24236894
TI  - The importance of proper administration and interpretation of neuropsychological
      baseline and postconcussion computerized testing.
AB  - Media coverage, litigation, and new legislation have resulted in a heightened
      awareness of the prevalence of sports concussion in both adult and youth
      athletes. Baseline and postconcussion testing is now commonly used for the
      assessment and management of sports-related concussion in schools and in youth
      sports leagues. With increased use of computerized neurocognitive sports
      concussion testing, there is a need for standards for proper administration and
      interpretation. To date, there has been a lack of standardized procedures by
      which assessments are administered. More specifically, individuals who are not
      properly trained often interpret test results, and their methods of
      interpretation vary considerably. The purpose of this article is to outline
      factors affecting the validity of test results, to provide examples of misuse and
      misinterpretation of test results, and to communicate the need to administer
      testing in the most effective and useful manner. An increase in the quality of
      test administration and application may serve to decrease the prevalence of
      invalid test results and increase the accuracy and utility of baseline test
      results if an athlete sustains a concussion. Standards for test use should model
      the American Psychological Association and Centers for Disease Control and
      Prevention guidelines, as well as the recent findings of the joint position paper
      on computerized neuropsychological assessment devices. 

PMID- 24236893
TI  - Infections and their role in childhood asthma inception.
AB  - The association of early-onset wheezing with common viral and bacterial
      infections has raised significant interest in the role of infections in childhood
      asthma inception. This article serves to review these relationships among
      infections, host factors, and asthma inception in childhood. 

PMID- 24236895
TI  - Circumstances, experiences and processes surrounding women's entry into sex work
      in India.
AB  - Evidence suggests that in India, the early stages of a woman's career as a sex
      worker may be an important period to target for HIV and sexually transmitted
      infection prevention. Before such an intervention is designed and implemented, it
      is necessary to first understand the life circumstances of women at the start of
      their sex work careers. We performed a review to bring together available
      literature pertaining to entry into sex work in India and to highlight knowledge
      gaps. We found that historical traditions of dedication into sex work, financial
      insecurity, family discord, violence and coercion, and desire for financial
      independence are commonly reported reasons for entering into sex work. We also
      found that families and the broader sex worker community play an important role
      in the early stages of a woman's sex work career. We suggest that HIV-prevention
      programmes in India would substantially benefit from a deeper understanding of
      the life circumstances of new and young women sex workers. Further research
      should be conducted focusing on family and community involvement in women's entry
      into sex work, and on the important period of time after a woman's first
      commercial sex encounter, but before self-identification as a sex worker. 

PMID- 24236896
TI  - The t(14;18)(q32;q21)/IGH-MALT1 translocation in gastrointestinal extranodal
      marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma).
AB  - AIMS: Studies have indicated that the t(14;18)(q32;q21)/IGH-MALT1 translocation
      is present in extranodal marginal zone lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid
      tissue (MALT lymphoma). However, only a few studies have investigated the
      incidence of t(14;18)/IGH-MALT1 in primary gastrointestinal MALT lymphomas or in
      diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL). The overall significance of t(14;18)/IGH
      MALT1 in gastrointestinal MALT lymphomas is not clear. We examined 41
      gastrointestinal MALT lymphoma and 23 DLBCL cases, with the aim of further
      understanding the role of t(14;18)/IGH-MALT1 in these diseases. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) assays for the detection of
      t(14;18)/IGH-MALT1 and t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, along with immunostaining
      and histological evaluations, were performed on selected cases. Of the 64
      analysed cases, one gastric MALT lymphoma and one colonic MALT lymphoma were
      positive for t(14;18)/IGH-MALT1. CONCLUSIONS: We describe what are, to our
      knowledge, the first reported primary colonic MALT lymphoma carrying
      t(14;18)(q32;q21)/IGH-MALT1, and one of the few reported cases of gastric MALT
      lymphoma with this translocation. As this translocation is seen in only a few
      gastrointestinal MALT lymphomas, it is not useful as a diagnostic marker for
      routine clinical services. Although these findings suggest that t(14;18)/IGH
      MALT1 is a rare molecular event in gastrointestinal MALT lymphomas and DLBCLs,
      further studies to elucidate the role of this genetic alteration in these
      diseases are indicated.

PMID- 24236897
TI  - The relationship between metformin therapy and sleep quantity and quality in
      patients with Type 2 diabetes referred for potential sleep disorders.
AB  - AIMS: Given that sleep disorders are known to be related to insulin resistance,
      and metformin has favourable effects on insulin resistance and on ventilatory
      drive, we sought to determine whether metformin therapy was related to sleep
      variables in a group of patients with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective, observational study of our centre's database for patients referred
      for potential sleep disorders and then compared metformin-treated patients with
      those not treated with the drug. All study patients had undergone the same
      standard polysomnographic procedure. A multivariate analysis was performed to
      establish whether or not there was an independent relationship between metformin
      use and sleep variables (after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, neck
      circumference, cumulated risk factors and insulin use). RESULTS: We studied 387
      patients (mean +/- sd age: 58.4 +/- 10.8 years), of whom 314 had been treated
      with metformin. Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were higher in metformin
      treated patients than in patients not treated with metformin [total sleep time: 6
      h 39 min vs. 6 h 3 min, respectively (P = 0.002); sleep efficiency: 77.9 +/- 12.3
      vs. 71.5 +/- 17.2%, respectively (P = 0.003)]. These differences persisted after
      adjustment for covariates and were observed even although metformin users had a
      higher BMI than did non-users (median 37.5 vs. 34.8 kg/m(2) ; P = 0.045).
      CONCLUSION: We showed that metformin therapy is associated with a longer sleep
      duration and better sleep efficiency. Randomized clinical trials are needed to
      confirm metformin's favourable effect on sleep quality and quantity.

PMID- 24236898
TI  - The background to this themed issue on neuropeptides.
AB  - A meeting of the British Pharmacological Society in association with the European
      Neuropeptide Club and Americal Summer Neuropeptide Conference in June 2012 led to
      this themed issue on neuropetides. A wide range of neuropeptides are discussed,
      in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions, with respect to their
      upstream and downstream pathways. It is clear, at this point in time, that
      targeting neuropeptides has therapeutic potential in pathologies ranging from
      migraine to obesity. It is also clear from the reviews in this issue of the
      British Journal of Pharmacology that there is still so much to learn. LINKED
      ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Neuropeptides. To view the
      other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue
      7.

PMID- 24236899
TI  - Connecting type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer's disease.

PMID- 24236901
TI  - Prolonged-release fampridine improves walking in a proportion of patients with
      multiple sclerosis.
AB  - Fampridine is indicated to improve walking in adult multiple sclerosis (MS)
      patients. Indications vary between countries and the prescribing neurologist
      should be aware of the labeling and indication in his own country. The prolonged
      release formulation of 4-aminopyridine has reduced the risk of seizure to a level
      near the intrinsic MS risk, and the risk can be further minimized if it
      emphasized that patients should not exceed the recommended dose of 10 mg twice a
      day, should not catch up on missed doses and should not divide, crush or chew
      tablets. It is imperative to check the renal function before and during treatment
      and make sure the patient does not get concomitant medications affecting the
      renal elimination. The use of fampridine is considered safe, and the side effects
      are often mild and acceptable. Approximately one-third of MS patients treated
      with fampridine will experience an improvement of their walking speed above 20%
      on the timed 25-foot walk test (T25FW), which is considered to be clinically
      relevant. 

PMID- 24236902
TI  - Effects of rotigotine transdermal system on non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's
      disease: an overview.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, involving
      the dopaminergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic and cholinergic systems. In
      addition to its cardinal motor symptoms, PD is associated with a diverse range of
      non-motor symptoms (NMS) that may be more important than motor symptoms. Although
      there is evidence for a dopaminergic contribution for several NMS in PD, NMS have
      been underrecognized and undertreated by clinicians. There is evidence that
      dopaminergic therapy, including dopamine agonists, may alleviate some NMS, such
      as anxiety and depression. This review focuses on published data on the effects
      of the non-ergoline dopaminergic agonist rotigotine transdermal system in the
      treatment of NMS in patients with PD. Data on the effects of orally administered
      non-ergoline agonists, including ropinirole and pramipexole, on NMS are also
      summarized. 

PMID- 24236903
TI  - Increasing awareness of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
AB  - Epilepsy affects about 1 in 130 people in the UK and most have a normal life
      expectancy. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a - probably
      heterogeneous - condition where patients with epilepsy die suddenly, almost
      certainly during a seizure and with no other identified cause of death. The
      mechanism(s) of SUDEP remain uncertain, but with a growing international
      scientific interest, there is reason to be optimistic that eventually most of the
      likely several causes will be identified. Increasing awareness of SUDEP has
      generated efforts to understand the underlying pathophysiology of SUDEP better to
      direct the search for effective preventative measures. This review addresses the
      epidemiology of SUDEP, its possible underlying mechanisms, risk factors, clinical
      implications and future directions for research. 

PMID- 24236904
TI  - Understanding the spectrum of temporal lobe epilepsy: contributions for the
      development of individualized therapies.
AB  - Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a subtype of epilepsy in which individuals
      present with seizure semiology and electroencephalographic characteristics that
      point to an ictal onset in mesial temporal structures. The diagnosis of TLE
      involves different etiologies, the most common being hippocampal sclerosis, but
      up to 20% of TLE patients have no detectable structural lesions on modern MRIs. A
      variability of antiepileptic drug response and surgical prognosis is observed in
      TLE. The understanding of the differences among patients with TLE can facilitate
      the development of individualized and more efficient therapeutics. In this study,
      we will address the recent contributions of neuroimaging, neurophysiology,
      genetics and histopathology to the comprehension of the spectrum of TLE with and
      without MRI signs of hippocampal sclerosis and how the advances in these areas
      have helped to improve surgical treatments. 

PMID- 24236905
TI  - Understanding the relationship between smoking and pain.
AB  - This review provides an overview of evidence regarding several key mechanisms
      pertinent to understanding the co-occurrence of smoking dependence and pain, both
      potentially costly conditions, and highlights treatment implications and future
      research directions. We describe each of pain and smoking dependence and
      introduce a revised integrative reciprocal model that explains their co
      occurrence. We then provide a selective review of evidence pertinent to direct
      and indirect pathways between variables postulated in the model. We also provide
      general recommendations for improving assessment and treatment of smokers with
      clinically significant pain. We conclude with a targeted agenda for future
      investigation of the co-occurrence of smoking and pain. Empirical efforts
      directed at testing postulates of the proposed integrative model may yield a
      better understanding of the nature of the relationship between these prevalent
      and costly health conditions as well as evidence-based preventive and treatment
      strategies for people who experience nicotine dependence and pain-related
      disability. 

PMID- 24236906
TI  - Psychiatric consultations and therapy recommendations following a suicide attempt
      in a general hospital and their associations with selected parameters in a 1-year
      period.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to determine the frequency and distribution of suicide
      attempts according to the patients' characteristics and type of suicide attempt
      as well as the method of treatment proposed by the consultation-liaison service
      in a general hospital. METHODS: This retrospective naturalistic study covers a 1
      year period (2012), during which 51 suicide attempters were hospitalised in the
      Charite Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Germany. The following data were
      analysed: method of suicide, account of prior psychiatric history and medication,
      as well as the acute psychiatric diagnosis and treatment - including
      pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: Most of the patients were diagnosed with a psychiatric
      illness. Major depressive disorder was the most frequent diagnosis in
      consultation. Treatment recommendations more often entailed further psychiatric
      treatment than medication. In the cases where medication was indeed given,
      benzodiazepines were the most frequently prescribed. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the
      suicide attempters needed further therapy in psychiatric hospitals. A specialised
      pharmacotherapy (antidepressants, mood stabilisers) was rarely recommended by the
      psychiatric consultation service. The psychiatric consultation and therapy
      recommendations are important in guiding future acute treatment procedures.

PMID- 24236907
TI  - Sex and age differences in symptoms in borderline personality symptomatology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Variations in the symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) as
      a function of sex and age remain unclear. In this study, we examined sex and age
      differences with regard to various symptoms encountered in BPD. METHODS: Using a
      compilation of four samples, all cross-sectional from the same recruitment site
      and with identical self-report measures for borderline personality symptomatology
      (BPS), we examined sex- and age-related differences with regard to borderline
      personality among 1,503 primary care patients. RESULTS: Men and women did not
      differ significantly in their overall scores or rates of BPS. With regard to sex
      differences in symptoms among respondents with substantial BPS, engagement in
      sexually abusive relationships was more common among women than men. Overall
      scores and rates of BPS were greater among younger respondents compared to older
      respondents. With regard to age differences among those with substantial BPS,
      self-cutting and scratching were more common in younger individuals whereas
      finding life dull and meaningless was more common among older individuals.
      CONCLUSIONS: There appear to be few overall symptomatic differences among
      individuals with borderline personality with regard to sex and age.

PMID- 24236908
TI  - The prevalence and recognition rate of delirium in hospitalized elderly patients
      in Turkey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Delirium is frequently observed, but generally under recognized in
      elderly hospitalized patients. The aims of this study were to determine the
      prevalence of delirium in elderly patients hospitalized at a university hospital,
      and to determine the recognition rate by hospital staff during hospitalization.
      METHODS: The study included 108 consecutive patients aged >= 65 years that were
      hospitalized in the medical and surgical inpatient departments at Baskent
      University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. All the patients were evaluated using the
      Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) upon admission and Confusion Assessment
      Method (CAM) on a daily basis during hospitalization. Written documents and
      consultation requests from psychiatry and/or neurology departments were reviewed
      for recognition of delirium by hospital staff. RESULTS: Among the 108 patients in
      the study, delirium was noted in 18 (16.7%) during their hospital stay.
      Consultation from psychiatry or neurology departments was requested for 5 of the
      18 patients, only 1 with a delirium diagnosis, indicating that 17 of the cases
      (94.4%) were not recognized by their primary physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The
      delirium non-recognition rate in elderly hospitalized patients was very high. We
      think that hospital staff must be trained to recognize the symptoms of delirium
      and identify high-risk patients.

PMID- 24236909
TI  - iRGD conjugated TPGS mediates codelivery of paclitaxel and survivin shRNA for the
      reversal of lung cancer resistance.
AB  - Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the major obstacles in tumor treatment.
      Herein, we reported an active targeting strategy with peptide-mediated
      nanoparticles deep into tumor parenchyma, which iRGD conjugated d-alpha
      tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) mediated codelivery of
      paclitaxel (PTX) and survivin shRNA (shSur) for the reversal of lung cancer
      resistance. Pluronic P85-polyethyleneimine/TPGS complex nanoparticles
      incorporated with iRGD-TPGS conjugate codelivering PTX and shSur systems (iPTPNs)
      could induce effective cellular uptake, RNAi effects, and cytotoxicity on A549
      and A549/T cells. In particular, iPTPNs showed superiority in biodistribution,
      survivin expression, tumor apoptosis, and antitumor efficacy by simultaneously
      exerting an enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and iRGD mediated
      active targeting effects. iPTPNs significantly enhanced the accumulation of PTX
      and shSur, down-regulated survivin expression, and induced cell apoptosis in
      tumor tissue. The in vivo antitumor efficacy showed the tumor volume of iPTPNs
      group (10 mg/kg) was only 12.7% of the Taxol group. Therefore, the iRGD mediated
      PTX and shSur codelivery system could be a very powerful approach for the
      reversal and therapy of lung cancer resistance. 

PMID- 24236910
TI  - Cervical auscultation as an adjunct to the clinical swallow examination: a
      comparison with fibre-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.
AB  - This prospective, single-blinded study investigated the validity and reliability
      of cervical auscultation (CA) under two conditions; (1) CA-only, using isolated
      swallow-sound clips, and (2) CSE + CA, using extra clinical swallow examination
      (CSE) information such as patient case history, oromotor assessment, and the same
      swallow-sound clips as condition one. The two CA conditions were compared against
      a fibre-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) reference test. Each CA
      condition consisted of 18 swallows samples compiled from 12 adult patients
      consecutively referred to the FEES clinic. Patients' swallow sounds were
      simultaneously recorded during FEES via a Littmann E3200 electronic stethoscope.
      These 18 swallow samples were sent to 13 experienced dysphagia clinicians
      recruited from the UK and Australia who were blinded to the FEES results. Samples
      were rated in terms of (1) if dysphagic, (2) if the patient was safe on
      consistency trialled, and (3) dysphagia severity. Sensitivity measures ranged
      from 83-95%, specificity measures from 50-92% across the conditions. Intra-rater
      agreement ranged from 69-97% total agreement. Inter-rater reliability for
      dysphagia severity showed substantial agreement (rs = 0.68 and 0.74). Results
      show good rater reliability for CA-trained speech-language pathologists.
      Sensitivity and specificity for both CA conditions in this study are comparable
      to and often better than other well-established CSE components.

PMID- 24236911
TI  - Moving beyond behaviour-only assessment: incorporating biomarkers to improve the
      early detection and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders.
AB  - This paper presents a response to the Camarata (2014) lead article regarding the
      accuracy and effectiveness of early identification and early intervention for
      young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). While Caramata focused
      heavily on the challenges of behavioural screening for ASD, we believe that he
      has overlooked the potential that the identification of ASD biomarkers may have
      for the early detection of the disorder. We propose that the discovery of
      biomarkers, particularly those that may be used in conjunction with behavioural
      screening, may provide an important next step in reliably detecting and
      accurately diagnosing ASD in the early years. This would have important clinical
      implications in terms of providing early intervention, which may alter the
      developmental path for the child.

PMID- 24236912
TI  - Predicting reading outcomes in the classroom using a computer-based phonological
      awareness screening and monitoring assessment (Com-PASMA).
AB  - The screening and monitoring of phonological awareness (PA) in the classroom is
      of great importance to the early identification and prevention of reading
      disorder. This study investigated whether a time-efficient computer-based PA
      screening and monitoring assessment (Com-PASMA) could accurately predict end-of
      year reading outcomes for 5-year-old children in the first year of schooling. A
      longitudinal design was employed where the Com-PASMA was used to measure the PA
      ability of 95 5-year-old children at the start, middle, and end of the first year
      of school. Of this group, 21 children presented with spoken language impairment.
      Reading outcomes were formally measured after 1 year of schooling. School-entry
      measures of PA using the Com-PASMA (p < .001), in conjunction with language
      ability (p = .004), accounted for 68.9% of the variance in end-of-year word
      decoding ability. Sensitivity and specificity calculations demonstrated that the
      Com-PASMA was 92% accurate at school-entry, and 94% accurate by the middle of the
      school year in predicting reading outcomes at 6-years of age. Results suggest
      that a time-efficient computer-based method of screening and monitoring PA can
      support the early identification of reading difficulties in the first year of
      schooling.

PMID- 24236914
TI  - Ordered mesoporous carbon electrodes for Li-O2 batteries.
AB  - Ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) with highly ordered pore channels was applied as
      an oxygen-side electrode for a Li-O2 battery. To evaluate the effect of the pore
      channel size on battery performance, we employed OMCs possessing two different
      pore sizes (6 and 17 nm). When cycled at a current density of 200 mA g(-1)carbon,
      the OMC electrodes reduced polarization in the oxygen evolution reaction by 0.1 V
      compared to those consisting of conventional super P carbon electrode. X-ray
      diffraction and transmission electron microscopy of the discharged oxygen
      electrodes provided evidence for the formation of amorphous Li2O2, a product of
      the oxygen reduction reaction, inside the OMC pores rather than on the electrode
      surface as in the case of the super P electrode. The OMC electrodes were also
      effective at high current densities (500 mA g(-1)carbon and 1000 mA g(-1)carbon).

PMID- 24236913
TI  - Posterior parietal cortex is critical for the encoding, consolidation, and
      retrieval of a memory that guides attention for learning.
AB  - Within most contemporary learning theories, reinforcement prediction error, the
      difference between the obtained and expected reinforcer value, critically
      influences associative learning. In some theories, this prediction error
      determines the momentary effectiveness of the reinforcer itself, such that the
      same physical event produces more learning when its presentation is surprising
      than when it is expected. In other theories, prediction error enhances attention
      to potential cues for that reinforcer by adjusting cue-specific associability
      parameters, biasing the processing of those stimuli so that they more readily
      enter into new associations in the future. A unique feature of these latter
      theories is that such alterations in stimulus associability must be represented
      in memory in an enduring fashion. Indeed, considerable data indicate that altered
      associability may be expressed days after its induction. Previous research from
      our laboratory identified brain circuit elements critical to the enhancement of
      stimulus associability by the omission of an expected event, and to the
      subsequent expression of that altered associability in more rapid learning. Here,
      for the first time, we identified a brain region, the posterior parietal cortex,
      as a potential site for a memorial representation of altered stimulus
      associability. In three experiments using rats and a serial prediction task, we
      found that intact posterior parietal cortex function was essential during the
      encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of an associability memory enhanced by
      surprising omissions. We discuss these new results in the context of our previous
      findings and additional plausible frontoparietal and subcortical networks.

PMID- 24236916
TI  - Communicating the needs of businesses to patent analysts.

PMID- 24236915
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid in cats.
AB  - Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), or vorinostat, is a histone deacetylase
      inhibitor approved for use as chemotherapy for lymphoma in humans. The goal of
      this study was to establish pharmacological parameters of SAHA in cats. Our
      interest in treating cats with SAHA is twofold: as an anticancer chemotherapeutic
      and as antilatency therapy for feline retroviral infections. Relying solely on
      data from studies in other animals would be inappropriate as SAHA is partially
      metabolized by glucuronidation, which is absent in feline metabolism. SAHA was
      administered to cats intravenously (2 mg/kg) or orally (250 mg/m2, ~17 mg/kg) in
      a cross-over study design. Clinically, SAHA was well tolerated at these dosages
      as no abnormalities were noted following administration. The pharmacokinetics of
      SAHA in cats was found to be similar to that of dogs, but the overall serum drug
      exposure was much less than that of humans at an equivalent dose. The
      pharmacodynamic effect of an increase in acetylated histone proteins in blood was
      detected after both routes of administration. An increased oral dose of 60 mg
      SAHA/kg administered to one animal resulted in a surprisingly modest increase in
      peak drug concentration, suggesting possible saturation of absorption kinetics.
      This study provides a foundation for future studies of the clinical efficacy of
      SAHA in treating feline disease.

PMID- 24236917
TI  - Patents and the US FDA's definition of 'cocrystal': an ordinary and customary
      meaning?

PMID- 24236918
TI  - Additional protection for second medical uses of known drugs?

PMID- 24236919
TI  - Patentability of stem cells in Europe following the Brustle decision.

PMID- 24236920
TI  - The patent-regulatory regime in Canada.

PMID- 24236921
TI  - Big Pharma vs India's Patent Office.

PMID- 24236924
TI  - Building structure-activity insights through patent mining.
AB  - One gap in current patent-mining practice is the lack of tools to build SAR
      knowledge. Here, we report a novel technique that enabled us to derive useful SAR
      information from the exemplified structures of a series of patents. In our
      approach, exemplified chemical structures were extracted from patent documents.
      They were grouped into structural series based on similarity and binding mode,
      after which the R-group table was generated. By analyzing R-group usages over
      time, we were able to build insights into SAR of a structural series, even though
      the biological activities were not available. 

PMID- 24236925
TI  - Learning from practice: compulsory licensing cases and access to medicines.
AB  - In March 2012, India issued its first compulsory license for a kidney cancer
      drug. India is one of several countries that have applied the flexibility
      incorporated in the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of IP rights. It is
      expected that the importance of compulsory licenses may grow in the future due to
      the loss of generic drugs sources after the introduction of pharmaceutical
      product patents in India, the continuing high prevalence of epidemics, such as of
      HIV/AIDS, in developing countries and the increase in noncommunicable diseases in
      these nations. This article analyses the effectiveness and feasibility of
      compulsory licenses to ameliorate access to medicines based on the historical,
      factual and legal backgrounds of case examples, such as in Thailand,
      Canada/Rwanda and India. It addresses challenges and controversial questions,
      such as the interpretation of the compulsory licensing conditions, the questions
      surrounding a systematic use of compulsory licenses and the lack of economic
      incentives for generic pharmaceutical companies' participation to export drugs to
      countries without manufacturing capacities. Lessons from the cases discussed and
      implications for policymakers are outlined. 

PMID- 24236926
TI  - Inhalation therapy to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
AB  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease of the pulmonary
      vascular system, which may lead to right-heart failure or early death in the
      absence of effective treatment. The current therapy for PAH mainly includes
      phosphodiesterase inhibitors, prostanoids and endothelin receptor antagonists.
      These, however, have adverse effects when administered via conventional routes.
      There is a clear and critical need for the development of a novel delivery system
      that can efficiently deliver the drug to lung vasculature and minimize adverse
      effects. This article summarizes the inhalation devices and recent patents in the
      area of inhalable therapy for the treatment of PAH. Various patents are discussed
      that describe the application of inhalable therapy to target lung vasculature and
      to reduce dose-related side effects in PAH treatment. Entry of some inhalable
      delivery approaches into clinical trials is the result of progress in inhalable
      therapies for the treatment of PAH. 

PMID- 24236927
TI  - Innovative IPV from attenuated Sabin poliovirus or newly designed alternative
      seed strains.
AB  - This article gives an overview of the patent literature related to innovative
      inactivated polio vaccine (i-IPV) based on using Sabin poliovirus strains and
      newly developed alternative recombinant poliovirus strains. This innovative
      approach for IPV manufacturing is considered to attribute to the requirement for
      affordable IPV in the post-polio-eradication era, which is on the horizon.
      Although IPV is a well-established vaccine, the number of patent applications in
      this field was seen to have significantly increased in the past decade.
      Currently, regular IPV appears to be too expensive for universal use. Future
      affordability may be achieved by using alternative cell lines, alternative virus
      seed strains, improved and optimized processes, dose sparing, or the use of
      adjuvants. A relatively short-term option to achieve cost-price reduction is to
      work on regular IPV, using wild-type poliovirus strains, or on Sabin-IPV, based
      on using attenuated poliovirus strains. This price reduction can be achieved by
      introducing efficiency in processing. There are also multiple opportunities to
      work on dose sparing, for example, by using adjuvants or fractional doses.
      Renewed interest in this field was clearly reflected in the number and diversity
      of patent applications. In a later stage, several innovative approaches may
      become even more attractive, for example the use of recombinant virus strains or
      even a totally synthetic vaccine. Currently, such work is mainly carried out by
      research institutes and universities and therefore clinical data are not
      available. 

PMID- 24236928
TI  - New antibacterial agents: patent applications published in 2010.
AB  - This review summarizes patent applications from 2010 for small molecules for
      which there is a claim of antibacterial activity. The primary criterion for
      inclusion in this analysis was reporting of cellular antibacterial activity data
      (MICs) for at least one compound. Patent applications are reviewed according to
      their biological target and antibacterial class. Protein synthesis inhibitors
      disclosed in this period include inhibitors of the 50S ribosome subunit
      (oxazolidinones, macrolides/ketolides and pleuromutilins), 30S ribosome subunit
      (aminoglycosides and tetracyclines) and nonribosomal targets (PDF inhibitors).
      DNA synthesis inhibitors include inhibitors of GyrA/ParC and GyrB/ParE. Cell
      envelope disruptors disclosed in 2010 cover both inhibitors of cell-envelope
      synthesis (LpxC inhibitors, beta-lactams and glycopeptides), as well as membrane
      disruptors (lipopeptides and polymyxins). Other antibacterial classes covered in
      this review include rifamycins and antibacterial peptides. Patent applications
      for compounds aimed at overcoming resistance mechanisms (efflux inhibitors and
      beta-lactamase inhibitors) are also described. 

PMID- 24236929
TI  - Oncolytic virus therapies.
AB  - Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy currently represents one of the most promising
      approaches to cancer treatment for their dual anticancer mechanisms: direct lysis
      of cancer cells (oncolytic feature) and activation of the immunosystem (cancer
      vaccine aspect). The latter demonstrates the advantage of a multi-target approach
      against multiple tumor-associated antigens. Since the 2005 SFDA (the Chinese FDA)
      approval for the clinical use of OncorineTM, the first human OV-based cancer
      treatment, more than 200 patents have been filed worldwide and several Phase I/II
      studies have been conducted. This patent review analyzes patents and clinical
      studies of the most promising OV products to highlight the pros and cons of this
      innovative anticancer approach, which is currently being tested in several
      cancers (i.e., hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma and glioblastoma) by systemic
      as well as intratumoral injection. Clinical results, although effective only for
      a limited period of time, are encouraging. Combined treatments with radio or
      chemotherapeutic protocols are also in progress. 

PMID- 24236931
TI  - Genetic differentiation of southeast Baltic populations of sea trout inferred
      from single nucleotide polymorphisms.
AB  - Sea trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta) is a migratory form of brown trout common in
      the Baltic Sea. Nine populations from the southeast Baltic (Poland; Lithuania;
      Denmark, Bornholm; Estonia and Russia) were genotyped using iPLEX Gold technology
      (Sequenom) with 62 informative SNPs. A diagnostic panel of 23 SNPs was applied to
      estimate genetic differentiation and assess the population structure of Baltic
      sea trout. The highest level of pairwise FST differences was observed between the
      Russian (East Gulf of Finland) and Polish (Baltic main basin) populations. The
      lowest differences were between the two Polish and the Polish and Lithuanian
      populations. A genetic similarity was noted between the Estonian Riguldi River
      and Danish Bornholm populations, and this finding was supported by a Bayesian and
      factorial correspondence analysis. Diversity within populations was highest for
      populations from Estonia and lowest for the Lithuanian population. Genetic
      structure analysis indicated that individuals from the nine populations were
      clustered into four groups. 

PMID- 24236932
TI  - Evaluation of time course and predicting factors of progression of paroxysmal or
      persistent atrial fibrillation to permanent atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate time course and predictors of progression of paroxysmal
      or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) to permanent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We
      included 460 patients referred for paroxysmal (n = 337) or persistent (n = 123)
      AF between 1994 and 2012. Mean follow-up was 13.2 +/- 6.5 years. AF progression
      rate was 3.7% per year, 19.7% at 5 years, and 38.1% at 10 years. Lone AF was
      diagnosed in 217 patients (47%). Predictors of permanent AF were: age, persistent
      AF, left atrial (LA) size, left ventricular-fractional shortening (LV-FS), lack
      of antiarrhythmic (AA) drugs, VVI pacing (P < 0.001 for all), and valvular
      disease (P < 0.02). Independent predictors were age (P < 0.001), persistent AF (P
      < 0.001), LA diameter (P < 0.005), lack of AA drugs (P < 0.005), and VVI pacing
      (P < 0.01). When adjusted at means of covariates, persistent AF and age >75 years
      remained highly significant (P < 0.01). LA dimension >50 mm was highly
      significant at univariate model (P < 0.001) but to a lesser extent when adjusted
      (P < 0.05). In patients with paroxysmal AF-with age <75 years-on AA drugs,
      progression rate to permanent AF was 6.5% at 5 years and 23.7% at 10 years. Among
      four predictors (age, LA size, LV-FS, and VVI pacing), only age (P < 0.01) and LA
      size (P < 0.005) remained independently significant, but LA size was not
      significant when adjusted. CONCLUSIONS: Progression to permanent AF is a slow
      process. Aging, LA size, VVI pacing, lack of AA therapy, and a persistent form of
      AF independently increased the progression to permanent AF.

PMID- 24236933
TI  - On the new analytical solution for a well in Cartesian coordinates with MODFLOW
      comparisons.
AB  - In this paper, the comparison process of Batu (2012) generalized three
      dimensional well hydraulics solution for confined aquifers in Cartesian
      coordinates with MODFLOW is presented. First, a brief description of Batu (2012)
      solution along with the governing equations and some of its key features are
      described. The final average drawdown expression in an observation well is given
      with the conversion expressions from Cartesian to radial coordinates. A
      generalized comparison using Batu (2012), Hantush (1964), and MODFLOW (Harbaugh
      et al. 2000), for vertical wells in horizontally isotropic aquifers, that is, ayx
      = Ky /Kx  = 1, is presented. Comparisons are also presented with Batu (2012) and
      MODFLOW for horizontally anisotropic aquifers, that is, ayx  ? 1. After that
      comparisons are presented for horizontal wells between Batu (2012) and MODFLOW. 

PMID- 24236934
TI  - Food allergy and food-based therapies in neurodevelopmental disorders.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
      (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental disorders which occur in childhood and may persist
      into adulthood. Although the etiology of these disorders is largely unknown,
      genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in the development
      of ASD and ADHD. Allergic immune reactions, in prenatal and postnatal phases, are
      examples of these environmental factors, and adverse reactions to foods are
      reported in these children. In this review, we address the clinical and
      preclinical findings of (food) allergy in ASD and ADHD and suggest possible
      underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, opportunities for nutritional interventions
      in neurodevelopmental disorders are provided. 

PMID- 24236935
TI  - Diabetes mellitus: novel insights, analysis and interpretation of pathophysiology
      and complications management with imidazole-containing peptidomimetic
      antioxidants.
AB  - Patients suffering from the severe complications associated with both insulin-
      (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM): nephropathy,
      retinopathy, neuropathy, and atherosclerosis are still largely left without a
      prospect of an efficient treatment. Chronic hyperglycaemia, the primary clinical
      manifestation of diabetes, is associated with development of certain of the
      diabetic complications. The accelerated formation of advanced glycation end
      products (AGEs) due to elevated glycemia has repeatedly been reported as a
      central pathogenic factor in the development of diabetic microvascular
      complications. Glucose and alpha-dicarbonyl compounds chemically attach to
      proteins and nucleic acids without the aid of enzymes. Initially, chemically
      reversible Schiff base and Amadori product adducts form in proportion to glucose
      concentration. The major biological effects of excessive nonenzymatic
      glycosylation are leading to increased free radical production and compromised
      free radical inhibitory and scavenger systems, inactivation of enzymes;
      inhibition of regulatory molecule binding; crosslinking of glycosylated proteins
      and trapping of soluble proteins by glycosylated extracellular matrix (both may
      progress in the absence of glucose); decreased susceptibility to proteolysis;
      abnormalities of nucleic acid function; altered macromolecular recognition and
      endocytosis; and increased immunogenicity. The discovery of chemical agents that
      can inhibit deleterious glycation reactions is potentially of great therapeutic
      benefit to all diabetes-associated pathologies. This study demonstrates the
      progress in development of patented carnosine mimetics resistant in formulations
      to enzymatic hydrolysis with human carnosinases that are acting as a universal
      form of antioxidant, deglycating and transglycating agents that inhibit sugar
      mediated protein cross-linking, chelate or inactivate a number of transition
      metal ions (including ferrous and copper ions), possess lipid peroxidase type of
      activity and protection of antioxidant enzymes from inactivation (such as in a
      case of superoxide dismutase). Carnosine biological mimetics react with
      methylglyoxal and they are described in this study as a glyoxalase mimetics. The
      imidazole-containing carnosine biological mimetics can react with a number of
      deleterious aldehydic products of lipid peroxidation and thereby suppress their
      toxicity. Carnosine and carcinine can also react with glycated proteins and
      inhibit advanced glycation end product formation. These studies indicate a
      therapeutic role for imidazole-containing antioxidants (non-hydrolized carnosine,
      carcinine, D-carnosine, ophthalmic prodrug N-acetylcarnosine, leucyl
      histidylhidrazide and patented formulations thereof) in therapeutic management
      strategies for Type 2 Diabetes. 

PMID- 24236936
TI  - Factor structure of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery for children:
      a brief report supplement.
AB  - The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRNB) is the first factor
      analyzed neuropsychological battery and consists of three batteries for young
      children, older children, and adults. Halstead's original factor analysis
      extracted four factors from the adult version of the battery, which were the
      basis for his theory of biological intelligence. These factors were called
      Central Integrative Field, Abstraction, Power, and Directional. Since this
      original analysis, Reitan's additions to the battery, and the development of the
      child versions of the test, this factor-analytic research continued. An
      introduction and the adult literature are reviewed in Ross, Allen, and Goldstein
      ( in press ). In this supplemental article, factor-analytic studies of the HRNB
      with children are reviewed. It is concluded that factor analysis of the HRNB or
      Reitan-Indiana Neuropsychological Battery with children does not replicate the
      extensiveness of the adult literature, although there is some evidence that when
      the traditional battery for older children is used, the factor structure is
      similar to what is found in adult studies. Reitan's changes to the battery appear
      to have added factors including language and sensory-perceptual factors. When
      other tests and scoring methods are used in addition to the core battery,
      differing solutions are produced. 

PMID- 24236937
TI  - An analysis of select emerging executive skills in perinatally HIV-1-infected
      children.
AB  - This study examined the effect of perinatal HIV-1 infection on emerging executive
      skills in children (n = 161) ages 8 to 12 years. HIV-positive (n = 76) and HIV
      negative (n = 85) children were eligible to participate. The HIV-positive
      children included those who had experienced a CDC Class C event (greater
      severity, n = 22) and those who were HIV-positive but who had not experienced a
      CDC Class C event (less severity, n = 54). Measures of emerging executive
      functions completed by the children included subtests from the Developmental
      Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY), the Trail-Making Test-Part B, and a
      subtest from the Woodcock-Johnson Battery-Revised. Ratings of executive functions
      were obtained from caretakers using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive
      Functions. Generalized estimating equations methods, discriminate analyses, and
      global deficit score analyses were performed to determine whether differences
      emerged between the three clinical groups while using strict controls. The
      present results revealed significant group differences in unadjusted mean scores
      measuring executive functioning. However, such differences did not remain
      statistically significant when moderating variables were taken into consideration
      in the models. The apparent deficit in executive functioning for the HIV-positive
      children was found to be largely due to differential psychosocial and
      environmental factors rather than HIV disease and its severity, and in this
      cohort, the effects of HIV-1 infection on emerging executive functions appeared
      to be negligible when controlling for treatment and moderating psychosocial
      variables. 

PMID- 24236938
TI  - Performance and specificity rates in the Test of Memory Malingering: an
      investigation into pediatric clinical populations.
AB  - Symptom validity tests are becoming standard as an effort measure during
      pediatric neuropsychological assessment. An important component of symptom
      validity test use is understanding limitations of these measures and how select
      clinical groups may have difficulty with them. Research has begun to clarify the
      limits of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) with diverse childhood diagnoses.
      This study compared TOMM scores of children (N = 86) classified with common
      childhood disorders. Findings suggest that a substantial proportion of children
      performed below the recommended cutoff score of 45 on Trial 2 and attained varied
      specificity rates. This included children with conduct disorders (85%), affective
      disorders (92%), traumatic brain injury (83%), attention-deficit hyperactivity
      disorder (93%), learning disabilities (100%), and pervasive developmental
      disorder (88%). The group with the most children scoring below the cutoff was
      children with intellectual disabilities (76%). This finding is consistent with
      some of the adult research suggesting that very limited cognitive ability may
      compromise TOMM performance. Caution may be necessary when drawing conclusions
      about test-taking effort based on the recommended TOMM cutoff scores when
      evaluating children with disabilities. 

PMID- 24236939
TI  - The influence of effort on neuropsychological performance in children: is
      performance on the TOMM indicative of neuropsychological ability?
AB  - The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) is a measure of effort that has
      traditionally been utilized with adults but is being increasingly used with
      children, though it is not yet entirely clear what suboptimal TOMM performance
      means in terms of neuropsychological test scores. The purpose of this study was
      to investigate whether performance on the TOMM can be used as a predictive marker
      for neuropsychological performance in children. Participants (N = 75) completed
      the TOMM, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition, Wisconsin Card
      Sorting Test (WCST), Children's Memory Test, and Delis-Kaplan Executive Function
      System Trails. Results revealed significant correlations between age, education
      level, IQ, and many of the neuropsychological measures administered, indicating
      that as children's TOMM scores increase, so do their cognitive performances.
      Children were subsequently divided into two groups: optimal effort and suboptimal
      effort, based on their TOMM Trial 2 scores. Results suggest significant
      differences in IQ performance and WCST Failure to Maintain Set; however, there
      were no differences in regard to any other neuropsychological measures
      administered. It was also found that a larger proportion of the younger children
      (aged 6 to 10 years old) scored below the TOMM cutoff compared with older
      children. This study illustrates that although correlations exist, suboptimal
      effort on the TOMM may not predict poorer performance on a neuropsychological
      evaluation in children as has been reported in other studies. 

PMID- 24236940
TI  - Risky decision making in smoking and nonsmoking college students: examination of
      Iowa Gambling Task performance by deck type selections.
AB  - The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) is used to assess risky decision making in clinical
      and nonclinical populations. Recent studies have begun to assess performance on
      the IGT not by number of advantageous and disadvantageous selections, but rather
      by the pattern of performance on each of the four individual decks (A, B, C, and
      D). The present study sought to further examine deck selection patterns among
      smoking and nonsmoking college students, as mixed results have been found on the
      IGT in nicotine and as a function of substance satiation level. Participants were
      136 undergraduates (48 male; mean age 19.24 years), of whom 70 were nonsmokers.
      Thirty-one smokers abstained from smoking overnight. Performance on the IGT was
      broken into two blocks (Trials 1-40, Trials 41-100) for each of the four decks.
      Abstinent smokers selected more from Deck A on Block 2 than the ad libitum
      smokers. No group or block differences were found for Decks B or C. Selections
      from Deck D increased as the task progressed, regardless of smoking status. Ad
      libitum smokers preferred Deck B to Deck A on Block 2. The results provide some
      evidence that nicotine satiation level affects IGT deck selections among smokers.

PMID- 24236941
TI  - The value of embedded measures in detecting suboptimal effort in children: an
      investigation into the WISC-IV Digit Span and CMS Verbal Memory subtests.
AB  - The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) is a measure of test-taking effort that has
      traditionally been utilized with adults but more recently has demonstrated
      utility with children. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether
      commonly used neuropsychological measures can be used as embedded measures in
      detecting effort during testing. Participants (N = 75) who completed
      neuropsychological evaluations including the TOMM, Wechsler Intelligence Scale
      for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) Digit Span, Children's Memory Scale (CMS)
      Verbal Memory, and other neuropsychological measures were divided into two
      groups: Optimal Effort and Suboptimal Effort, based on their TOMM Trial 2 scores.
      Digit Span findings suggest a useful standard score of <= 70 resulted in optimal
      cutoff scores, yielding specificity of 94% and sensitivity of 44%. The CMS Verbal
      Memory Recall > Recognition scores did not appear as valuable indicating a
      discrepancy of 20+ points were required for specificity to attain optimal scores
      of 90% and sensitivity of 11%. This study illustrates the WISC-IV may have good
      utility in determining optimal effort; however, the CMS may not be as functional.

PMID- 24236942
TI  - Are fine-motor impairments a defining feature of nonverbal learning disabilities
      in children?
AB  - The most commonly used model of nonverbal learning disabilities (NVLD) is the
      Rourke model. This model includes bilateral deficits in psychomotor skills as a
      primary neuropsychological deficit. Extant studies have identified attentional
      issues as one of the components seen in many children with NVLD. Forty-five
      children divided into three groups completed a battery of tests including
      psychomotor skills. Groups were defined as children with NVLD, children with
      attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder-Predominantly Inattentive type, and
      typically developing children. No significant differences were found among the
      groups on measures of motor speed. Furthermore, the means were not in the
      expected direction, as children with NVLD actually performed faster than
      typically developing children. This finding suggests that measures of motor speed
      should not be solely used to identify children with NVLD and that more research
      is needed to clearly identify appropriate diagnostic criteria. 

PMID- 24236943
TI  - Does size matter? An investigation into the Rey Complex Figure in a pediatric
      clinical sample.
AB  - The Rey Complex Figure Test (RCF) copy requires visuoconstructional skills and
      significant attentional, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Most scoring
      schemes codify a subset of the details involved in figure construction. Research
      is unclear regarding the meaning of figure size. The research hypothesis of our
      inquiry is that size of the RCF copy will have neuropsychological significance.
      Data from 95 children (43 girls, 52 boys; ages 6-18 years) with behavioral and
      academic issues revealed that larger figure drawings were associated with higher
      RCF total scores and significantly higher scores across many neuropsychological
      tests including the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Second Edition (WIAT-II)
      Word Reading (F = 5.448, p = .022), WIAT-II Math Reasoning (F = 6.365, p = .013),
      Children's Memory Scale Visual Delay (F = 4.015, p = .048), Trail-Making Test
      Part A (F = 5.448, p = .022), and RCF Recognition (F = 4.862, p = .030). Results
      indicated that wider figures were associated with higher cognitive functioning,
      which may be part of an adaptive strategy in helping facilitate accurate and
      relative proportions of the complex details presented in the RCF. Overall, this
      study initiates the investigation of the RCF size and the relationship between
      size and a child's neuropsychological profile. 

PMID- 24236944
TI  - The importance of assessing for abuse and neglect in children with chronic health
      conditions referred for neuropsychological evaluation.
AB  - Chronic childhood illnesses have been demonstrated to negatively impact family
      functioning by introducing new or additive stress on all members of the family
      system, as well as by increasing financial burden and social isolation. Although
      these factors have not necessarily been shown to have a direct causal effect on
      increased rates of abuse in children with chronic illnesses, these children have
      nonetheless been demonstrated to be at greater risk for neglect and physical and
      sexual abuse. Children with chronic health care needs are increasingly likely to
      be referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Thorough assessment of
      maltreatment would be a valuable addition to all neuropsychological evaluations
      of children presenting with chronic health conditions. 

PMID- 24236945
TI  - Neuropsychological profiles and subsequent diagnoses of children with early life
      insults: do caregiver reports suggest deficits?
AB  - Many types of early life events can cause cerebral dysfunction; however, not all
      children have medical records or neurologic imaging documenting brain injuries.
      Rather, many neuropsychologists base their findings on caregiver reports
      describing possible early brain insults. Neuropsychological studies suggest that
      brief perinatal cyanosis and/or childhood neglect may negatively affect cognitive
      functioning. Should the mere suggestion of these events from caregiver reports be
      enough to suggest deficits? This study examines four groups of children: those
      with (1) reported nuchal cord compression with brief cyanosis, (2) reported
      childhood neglect, (3) reported history of both, and (4) reported history of
      none. It was hypothesized that based on the literature of these populations,
      children who present at an evaluation with the report of these insults would also
      present cognitive deficits. Results revealed no significant difference in
      intellect, memory, or academic abilities. A significant difference was shown
      between groups during the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test Failure to Maintain Set, as
      groups with a history of neglect had lower scores. A history of childhood neglect
      also suggested an increased risk for subsequent emotional/behavioral diagnoses.
      These findings suggest that although the profiles range between low-average and
      average, reports of early life insults can flag potential deficits in a child's
      neuropsychological profile. 

PMID- 24236946
TI  - Triheptanoin partially restores levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates
      in the mouse pilocarpine model of epilepsy.
AB  - Triheptanoin, the triglyceride of heptanoate, is anticonvulsant in various
      epilepsy models. It is thought to improve energy metabolism in the epileptic
      brain by re-filling the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle with C4-intermediates
      (anaplerosis). Here, we injected mice with [1,2-(13) C]glucose 3.5-4 weeks after
      pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) fed either a control or triheptanoin
      diet. Amounts of metabolites and incorporations of (13) C were determined in
      extracts of cerebral cortices and hippocampal formation and enzyme activity and
      mRNA expression were quantified. The percentage enrichment with two (13) C atoms
      in malate, citrate, succinate, and GABA was reduced in hippocampal formation of
      control-fed SE compared with control mice. Except for succinate, these reductions
      were not found in triheptanoin-fed SE mice, indicating that triheptanoin
      prevented a decrease of TCA cycle capacity. Compared to those on control diet,
      triheptanoin-fed SE mice showed few changes in most other metabolite levels and
      their (13) C labeling. Reduced pyruvate carboxylase mRNA and enzyme activity in
      forebrains and decreased [2,3-(13) C]aspartate amounts in cortex suggest a
      pyruvate carboxylation independent source of C-4 TCA cycle intermediates. Most
      likely anaplerosis was kept unchanged by carboxylation of propionyl-CoA derived
      from heptanoate. Further studies are proposed to fully understand triheptanoin's
      effects on neuroglial metabolism and interaction.

PMID- 24236948
TI  - Low level of inflammatory marker in hyperhomocysteinemic patients on statin
      therapy.
AB  - Inflammatory processes including increased activation of chemokines play an
      important role in atherogenesis. Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia have
      increased risk for cardiovascular events that potentially involve enhanced
      inflammation. Statins may have anti-inflammatory actions at least partly
      independent on their lipid-lowering effects. In the present study we examined the
      association between statins and chemokine levels in patients with
      hyperhomocysteinemia. Our major findings were (i) patients with
      hyperhomocysteinemia on statin treatment (n = 14) have significantly lower plasma
      levels of the CXC chemokine epithelial neutrophil activating peptide (ENA)-78
      compared to hyperhomocysteinemic patients not on statin treatment (n = 8). In
      fact, levels of ENA-78 in statin-treated patients did not differ from those of
      healthy controls (n = 17); (ii) plasma levels of ENA-78 and growth-related
      oncogene (GRO)alpha correlated with levels of LDL-cholesterol and homocysteine;
      (iii) in contrast, plasma levels of the CC chemokine monocyte chemoattractant
      peptide (MCP)-1 were similar between statin-users, non-statin users and controls,
      and did not correlate with levels of LDL-cholesterol or homocysteine; and (iv) in
      vitro studies showed that simvastatin significantly reduced release of ENA-78,
      GROalpha and MCP-1 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in healthy controls (n
      = 7) in a concentration-dependent manner, without affecting release of RANTES.
      Our data may suggest that ENA-78 and GROalpha may be involved in the inflammatory
      arm of atherogenesis in patients with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease,
      with potential down-regulatory effect of statins.

PMID- 24236949
TI  - Who writes, whose rights, and who's right? Issues in authorship.

PMID- 24236950
TI  - Retention, burnout and the future of nursing.

PMID- 24236947
TI  - GluN2C/GluN2D subunit-selective NMDA receptor potentiator CIQ reverses MK-801
      induced impairment in prepulse inhibition and working memory in Y-maze test in
      mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite ample evidence supporting the N-methyl-D
      aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction hypothesis of schizophrenia, progress in
      the development of effective therapeutics based on this hypothesis has been
      limited. Facilitation of NMDA receptor function by co-agonists (D-serine or
      glycine) only partially alleviates the symptoms in schizophrenia; other means to
      facilitate NMDA receptors are required. NMDA receptor sub-types differ in their
      subunit composition, with varied GluN2 subunits (GluN2A-GluN2D) imparting
      different physiological, biochemical and pharmacological properties. CIQ is a
      positive allosteric modulator that is selective for GluN2C/GluN2D-containing NMDA
      receptors (Mullasseril et al.). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The effect of systemic
      administration of CIQ was tested on impairment in prepulse inhibition (PPI),
      hyperlocomotion and stereotypy induced by i.p. administration of MK-801 and
      methamphetamine. The effect of CIQ was also tested on MK-801-induced impairment
      in working memory in Y-maze spontaneous alternation test. KEY RESULTS: We found
      that systemic administration of CIQ (20 mg.kg-1, i.p.) in mice reversed MK-801
      (0.15 mg.kg-1, i.p.)-induced, but not methamphetamine (3 mg.kg-1, i.p.)-induced,
      deficit in PPI. MK-801 increased the startle amplitude to pulse alone, which was
      not reversed by CIQ. In contrast, methamphetamine reduced the startle amplitude
      to pulse alone, which was reversed by CIQ. CIQ also partially attenuated MK-801-
      and methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion and stereotyped behaviours.
      Additionally, CIQ reversed the MK-801-induced working memory deficit in
      spontaneous alternation in a Y-maze. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Together, these
      results suggest that facilitation of GluN2C/GluN2D-containing receptors may serve
      as an important therapeutic strategy for treating positive and cognitive symptoms
      in schizophrenia.

PMID- 24236952
TI  - A neuropsychological investigation of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System.
AB  - Despite a strong historical association between frontal lobe lesions and
      executive dysfunction, questions remain regarding the neuropsychological
      characterization of specific regions within the prefrontal cortex, as well as the
      utility of some executive function measures. The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function
      System (D-KEFS; Delis, Kaplan, & Kramer, 2001) has gained popularity as a
      collection of executive function tests, but its sensitivity and specificity for
      detecting focal frontal lobe dysfunction remain uncertain. The current study
      investigated performances of patients with focal ventromedial prefrontal cortex
      (vmPFC, n = 13), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC, n = 14), and nonfrontal
      (NF, n = 18) lesions on the entire D-KEFS battery. We also obtained IQ data from
      conventional measures (the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition and
      Fourth Edition, WAIS-III/IV). On six D-KEFS indices, patients with dlPFC lesions
      performed lower than patients with vmPFC and NF lesions. On three other indices,
      the performances of the dlPFC group were lower than those of the NF group, but
      did not differ from those of the vmPFC group. However, none of these between
      group differences were statistically significant after full-scale IQ and
      processing speed were controlled for, suggesting that the observed weaknesses in
      patients with dlPFC lesions were not specific to executive functions. Patients
      with vmPFC and NF lesions could not be differentiated based on their performances
      on any D-KEFS measures. While some D-KEFS measures show promise in
      differentiating patients with dlPFC lesions, the clinical advantage of using the
      D-KEFS over more traditional measures is not empirically compelling. 

PMID- 24236953
TI  - Childlessness in Nigeria: perceptions and acceptability.
AB  - Childlessness has major psychological and social implications for affected
      persons, especially in settings where fertility is highly valued. While a number
      of studies have documented how childlessness is perceived in these societies and
      the multitude of adverse consequences suffered by affected individuals, studies
      have not made a clear distinction between voluntary and involuntary childlessness
      in these settings. Using focus-group discussions from three Nigerian communities,
      this study explores societal perception and acceptance of childlessness in
      Nigeria, focusing on both voluntary and involuntary childlessness. Findings show
      that not having children, whether voluntarily or not, contributes to a kind of
      invisibility and poverty in Nigeria. Regardless of the reason, voluntary
      childlessness evoked strong negative feelings among discussants. The study also
      shows the broad definition given to voluntary childlessness in Nigeria as
      including individuals that are childless because they chose to stay with an
      infertile partner and also those who could not have biological children and chose
      not to adopt. Childlessness is not yet embraced in Nigeria, where pronatalist
      culture is still very strong. However, the study noted a more tolerant attitude
      to involuntary childlessness, suggesting possible changes in perceptions of the
      condition. Policy and programme implications of the findings are discussed. 

PMID- 24236954
TI  - Vesicular glutamate transporter 2 is required for the respiratory and
      parasympathetic activation produced by optogenetic stimulation of
      catecholaminergic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of mice in vivo.
AB  - Catecholaminergic neurons of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM-CA neurons;
      C1 neurons) contribute to the sympathetic, parasympathetic and neuroendocrine
      responses elicited by physical stressors such as hypotension, hypoxia,
      hypoglycemia, and infection. Most RVLM-CA neurons express vesicular glutamate
      transporter (VGLUT)2, and may use glutamate as a ionotropic transmitter, but the
      importance of this mode of transmission in vivo is uncertain. To address this
      question, we genetically deleted VGLUT2 from dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-expressing
      neurons in mice [DbetaH(Cre/0) ;VGLUT2(flox/flox) mice (cKO mice)]. We compared
      the in vivo effects of selectively stimulating RVLM-CA neurons in cKO vs. control
      mice (DbetaH(Cre/0) ), using channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2-mCherry) optogenetics. ChR2
      mCherry was expressed by similar numbers of rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM)
      neurons in each strain (~400 neurons), with identical selectivity for
      catecholaminergic neurons (90-99% colocalisation with tyrosine hydroxylase). RVLM
      CA neurons had similar morphology and axonal projections in DbetaH(Cre/0) and cKO
      mice. Under urethane anesthesia, photostimulation produced a similar pattern of
      activation of presumptive ChR2-positive RVLM-CA neurons in DbetaH(Cre/0) and cKO
      mice. Photostimulation in conscious mice produced frequency-dependent respiratory
      activation in DbetaH(Cre/0) mice but no effect in cKO mice. Similarly,
      photostimulation under urethane anesthesia strongly activated efferent vagal
      nerve activity in DbetaH(Cre/0) mice only. Vagal responses were unaffected by
      alpha1 -adrenoreceptor blockade. In conclusion, two responses evoked by RVLM-CA
      neuron stimulation in vivo require the expression of VGLUT2 by these neurons,
      suggesting that the acute autonomic responses driven by RVLM-CA neurons are
      mediated by glutamate. 

PMID- 24236956
TI  - Consensus paper of the WFSBP task force on biological markers: biological markers
      for alcoholism.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This article presents an overview of the current literature on
      biological markers for alcoholism, including markers associated with the
      pharmacological effects of alcohol and markers related to the clinical course and
      treatment of alcohol-related problems. Many of these studies are well known,
      while other studies cited are new and still being evaluated. METHODS: In this
      paper we first describe known biomarkers of alcohol-related disorders, review
      their features and the problems involved in their use. We then consider future
      developments on biomarkers and their possible impact on the field. RESULTS: More
      recent findings cited include the work on type 7 adenylcyclase (AC) polymorphism
      and its lower expression levels in female alcoholics. Neuroimaging studies
      involving biomarkers have also reported brain volume reductions of gray and white
      matter, including amygdala and subcortical regions in alcoholic patients, while a
      high association between the copy number variations (CNVs) in 6q14.1/5q13.2 and
      alcohol dependence has more recently been identified in genetic studies.
      CONCLUSIONS: In addition to their possible importance for diagnosis, biomarkers
      may have utility for predicting prognosis, progression of the disorder, the
      development of new treatments, and monitoring treatment effects. Although such
      findings should be verified in independent studies, the search for new biomarkers
      is continuing. Several potential candidate biomarkers have been found recently in
      blood, imaging, and genetic studies with encouraging results.

PMID- 24236957
TI  - Transmission mode desorption electrospray ionization (TM-DESI) for simultaneous
      analysis of potential inorganic and organic components of radiological dispersion
      devices (RDDs).
AB  - Transmission mode desorption electrospray ionization (TM-DESI) coupled to an ion
      trap mass spectrometer capable of source collision-induced dissociation (CID) was
      used to completely analyze radiological dispersion device components. Source CID
      significantly enhanced the signal for metal ions by reducing adducts while
      eliminating chemical noise from background molecules through extensive
      fragmentation. Source CID spectra yielded reasonably accurate isotopic ratios for
      the metals studied. By switching the source CID on and off between scans, all
      major constituents in mixtures of simulated radionuclides and explosives were
      simultaneously observed. These results indicate that TM-DESI/ion trap technology
      could be a powerful on-site tool for nuclear forensics. 

PMID- 24236959
TI  - Botulinum toxin injection and phenol nerve block for reduction of end-of-life
      pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Injectable antispasticity agents have been utilized for the reduction
      of pain. However, there are no reports of its use for end-of-life pain. PATIENT
      CASE: A 62-year-old female with a history of progressive left frontotemporal
      glioblastoma status post gross total resection, radiation, and chemotherapy
      presented to the physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) clinic for
      management of spastic quadriplegia and pain. At the time of presentation to the
      PM&R clinic she was no longer eligible for further cancer treatment. The patient
      had been declining neurologically with cognitive changes, weakness, and
      increasing spasticity. The patient had an Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale
      (ESAS) pain score of 8/10 at her visit, as reported by her husband. She exhibited
      mild to moderate spasticity during the exam. Cognitively, she was unable to
      follow commands and would fluctuate between being awake for a few minutes and
      sleeping during the exam. She was not on any oral muscle relaxants and none were
      started due to her state of hypoarousal. Nine days after the initial consultation
      she received 700 units of onabotulinum toxin into her bilateral upper limbs and
      left thigh and a phenol nerve block to her left tibial nerve. At a follow-up
      visit 28 days later in the palliative care clinic, the ESAS pain score was 0. The
      patient died 51 days post-injection. CONCLUSION: The case report demonstrates the
      use of injectable antispasticity agents in the reduction of end-of-life pain in a
      glioblastoma patient.

PMID- 24236958
TI  - The impact on the family carer of motor neurone disease and intervention with
      noninvasive ventilation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND) has a profound effect on
      the functioning and well-being of both the patient and their family, with studies
      describing an increase in carer burden and depression as the disease progresses.
      AIM: This study aimed to assess whether patient use of noninvasive ventilation
      (NIV) impacted on their family carer, and to explore other sources of carer
      burden. DESIGN: The study used qualitative interviews and scaled measures of
      carer health and well-being completed at three monthly intervals until patient
      end of life. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen family carers were followed up over a period
      ranging from one month to two years. RESULTS: NIV was perceived as having little
      impact on carer burden. The data however highlighted a range of sources of other
      burdens relating to the physical strain of caring. The Medical Outcomes Study
      Short Form (SF-36 Health Survey) Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores were
      considerably below that of the Mental Component Summary (MCS) score at baseline
      and at all following time points. Carers described the physical effort associated
      with patient care and role change; the challenge inherent in having time away;
      and problems relating to the timing of equipment and service delivery.
      CONCLUSIONS: NIV can be recommended to patients without concerns regarding
      increasing carer burden. The predominant source of burden described related to
      the physical impact of caring for a patient with MND. Services face challenges if
      this physical burden is to be reduced by providing equipment at an optimal time
      and successfully coordinating their input.

PMID- 24236960
TI  - Ischemic postconditioning in human DCD kidney transplantation is feasible and
      appears safe.
AB  - Ischemic postconditioning may improve outcome after kidney transplantation. We
      performed a pilot study to assess feasibility and safety of ischemic
      postconditioning in human donation-after-circulatory-death kidney
      transplantation. Twenty patients were included. Primary outcome was rate of
      serious adverse events. Secondary outcomes were incidence of DGF and renal
      function at 3 months. Data were compared to a historical control group (n = 40).
      Furthermore, we performed a paired kidney analysis using the contralateral kidney
      (n = 11). Donor age and serum creatinine were higher in the experimental group
      compared with historical control: 57.7 (20-71) vs. 51.5 (24-74) years (P = 0.01)
      and 79 (40-156) MUmol/l vs. 64 (25-115) MUmol/l (P = 0.047). Postconditioning
      could be applied all times. One complication, a venous tear, occurred related to
      postconditioning. The experimental group experienced more DGF (85% vs. 63%) (P =
      0.07). Serum creatinine at month 3 was 166 (109-331) MUmol/l vs. 159 (81-279)
      MUmol/l (P = 0.71). Paired kidney analysis showed no significant differences in
      DGF (72.2% vs. 54.5%, P = 0.66) and serum creatinine 199 (90-473) MUmol/l vs. 184
      (117-368) MUmol/l (P = 0.76). This is the first report of applying IPoC in human
      kidney transplantation. Although IPoC is feasible and appears to be safe, no
      benefit in terms of reduced DGF or better renal function was observed (Dutch
      trial registry number NTR 3117).

PMID- 24236961
TI  - A cross-sectional study of glycaemic control, complications and psychosocial
      functioning among 18- to 35-year-old adults with type 1 diabetes.
AB  - AIMS: To describe the level of glycaemic control, complications and psychosocial
      functioning and the relationships between these variables in the under-researched
      group of younger adults with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Local electronic health
      records provided data on age, gender, disease duration, HbA1c and complications
      for 710 younger adults (18-35 years) with type 1 diabetes. A questionnaire with
      wide-ranging psychometric scales was used to measure various aspects of
      psychosocial functioning: the burden of diabetes-related problems, well-being,
      self-esteem, perceived competence in managing diabetes, perceived autonomy
      support from health professionals and self-management motivations. Furthermore,
      patients reported weekly self-monitored blood glucose measurements and insulin
      administration. Associations between HbA1c , complication and psychosocial
      indicators were tested using linear and logistic regression models, adjusted
      stepwise for confounders, including age, gender, diabetes duration, continuous
      subcutaneous insulin infusion, smoking and BMI. RESULTS: In total, 406 (57%)
      participants responded. The responders had a mean age of 27.1 (5.1) years, a mean
      diabetes duration of 13.5 (7.9) years and an HbA1c of 66 mmol/mol (8.2%), with
      similar values for both genders (P = 0.87). Complications were observed among
      women more commonly than among men (31.6 vs. 18.8%, P < 0.01), and high distress
      levels were more prevalent among women compared with men (51.2 vs. 31.9%, P <
      0.0001). Except for perceived autonomy support, the psychosocial variables were
      all associated with HbA1c (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of poor
      glycaemic control, early complications and psychosocial distress require health
      promoting interventions tailored to the interrelated clinical and psychosocial
      needs of younger adults with type 1 diabetes.

PMID- 24236962
TI  - US patent law and the attorney-client privilege.

PMID- 24236963
TI  - Why pharmaceutical scientists need to keep an eye on Bowman v. Monsanto.

PMID- 24236964
TI  - Roche v. Cipla litigation.

PMID- 24236968
TI  - Biosimilars: impact of differences with Hatch-Waxman.
AB  - A comparison of the Hatch-Waxman Act for approval of small-molecule
      pharmaceuticals with the Biological Price Competition and Innovation Act for
      approval of biosimilars provides insight into the market entry and patent
      litigation for biosimilars. Key differences between the two statutes include a
      longer period of statutory exclusivity for biosimilars, no 30-month stay for a
      reference product sponsor upon initiation of litigation, and no 180-day market
      exclusivity period for the first filer of an application for approval of a
      biosimilar in the absence of interchangeability. These differences will focus the
      incentive to settle any patent litigation on the risk of invalidity and/or
      noninfringement of the reference product sponsor's patents. A biosimilar
      applicant should develop the best case for invalidity and/or noninfringement of
      these patents, identify third-party patents and develop a freedom to operate
      strategy, and file for patents on production, formulation, or use of the
      biosimilar. 

PMID- 24236969
TI  - Ontology-based content analysis of US patent applications from 2001-2010.
AB  - Ontology-based semantic text analysis methods allow to automatically extract
      knowledge relationships and data from text documents. In this review, we have
      applied these technologies for the systematic analysis of pharmaceutical patents.
      Hierarchical concepts from the knowledge domains of chemical compounds, diseases
      and proteins were used to annotate full-text US patent applications that deal
      with pharmacological activities of chemical compounds and filed in the years 2001
      2010. Compounds claimed in these applications have been classified into their
      respective compound classes to review the distribution of scaffold types or
      general compound classes such as natural products in a time-dependent manner.
      Similarly, the target proteins and claimed utility of the compounds have been
      classified and the most relevant were extracted. The method presented allows the
      discovery of the main areas of innovation as well as emerging fields of patenting
      activities - providing a broad statistical basis for competitor analysis and
      decision-making efforts. 

PMID- 24236970
TI  - Towards the ophthalmology patentome: a comprehensive patent database of ocular
      drugs and biomarkers.
AB  - We are currently building a database of all patent documents that contain
      substantial information related to pharmacology, drug delivery, tissue
      technology, and molecular diagnostics in ophthalmology. The goal is to establish
      a 'patentome', a body of cleaned and annotated data where all text-based,
      chemistry and pharmacology information can be accessed and mined in its context.
      We provide metrics on patent convention treaty documents, which demonstrate that
      ocular-related patenting has shown stronger growth than general patent
      cooperation treaty patenting during the past 25 years, and, while the majority of
      applications of this type have always provided substantial biological data, both
      data support and objections by patent examiners have been increasing since 2006
      2007. Separately, we present a case study of chemistry information extraction
      from patents published during the 1950s and 1970s, which reveal compounds with
      corneal anesthesia potential that were never published in the peer-reviewed
      literature. 

PMID- 24236971
TI  - Patent term extension in Japan: challenges still lay ahead even after the 2011
      revision.
AB  - Japan has a patent term extension (PTE) system similar to supplemental protection
      certificates in Europe and PTEs in the USA; however, the Japanese PTE system is
      different in many aspects. It is relatively known that it is not so difficult to
      obtain multiple PTEs, but as a matter of fact it can be challenging. Recently,
      the Supreme Court of Japan issued important decisions relating to multiple PTEs,
      followed by revision to the Japan Patent Office's Examination Guidelines.
      Further, calculation of an extended term is also an issue in obtaining a PTE in
      Japan, which is different from those of European supplemental protection
      certificates or US PTE systems. The Japanese court also held an important
      decision in this regard, particularly, how clinical trial outside Japan may be
      considered in the calculation of extended patent right. Additional recent court
      decisions issued in terms of PTE matter are introduced. 

PMID- 24236972
TI  - SGLT inhibitors: a novel target for diabetes.
AB  - Inhibiting sodium-glucose co-transporters (SGLT1/SGLT2), which have a key role in
      the absorption of glucose in the kidney and/or GI tract has been proposed as a
      novel therapeutic strategy for diabetes. Thus, screening and patenting of
      chemical compounds for SGLT1/SGLT2 gets more importance in the development of new
      drugs in diabetes. Several companies are developing SGLT inhibitors, some of
      which are now in various stages of clinical development. Some molecules in the
      pipeline, including dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, ASP1941, BI10773, LX4211,
      RG7201 and TS071, are at various stages of drug development. This patent review
      presents the overall progress carried out in the development of SGLT inhibitors
      over the last decade with the active participation of various pharmaceutical
      companies. This class of drug is anticipated to have a large impact on diabetes
      field and predicting to attain a blockbuster status. 

PMID- 24236973
TI  - Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5-positive allosteric modulators for the
      treatment of schizophrenia (2004-2012).
AB  - The mGlu5, a class C G-protein-coupled receptor and member of the group I mGlu
      receptor family, has been demonstrated to play a role in a number of therapeutic
      areas within the CNS, including schizophrenia, dementia, epilepsy, cognition,
      drug abuse, and fragile X syndrome. Small-molecule modulation of mGlu5 via
      positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) is being pursued as a promising approach
      for the treatment of schizophrenia and has been validated preclinically in a
      number of animal models. This article provides a brief historical overview of
      mGlu5 PAMs in the primary literature followed by a comprehensive overview of the
      patent literature since 2004. Schizophrenia is a complex disorder and although no
      mGlu5 PAMs have progressed into clinical trials in patients, the target continues
      to show promise as an attractive non-dopaminergic therapy. The successful
      development of mGlu5 PAMs for clinical testing must address several issues,
      including challenges associated with 'molecular switches', allosteric-agonist
      activity and stimulus bias. 

PMID- 24236974
TI  - Pharmacological chaperones for enzyme enhancement therapy in genetic diseases.
AB  - Pharmacological chaperone therapy (PCT) is a rather new approach consisting in
      targeting incorrectly folded proteins by small molecules, thus, facilitating the
      correct folding of the protein and inducing a recovery of its functionality. Many
      diseases result from mutations on specific genes; this patent review focuses on
      those pathologies where PCT has a potential application for enzymatic
      enhancement. Rare diseases are the main area where PCT has been applied and the
      most advanced compounds are aiming to cure lysosomal storage disorders such as
      Fabry, Pompe or Gaucher. Until now, most compounds used as pharmacological
      chaperones were based on substrate-like chemical structures but recently new
      nonsubstrate-like and non-inhibitory compounds have been disclosed for Gaucher
      and Pompe diseases. This initiates a new era for pharmacological chaperones with
      more diverse chemical structures and binding modes. This review covers the
      patents relating to enzyme enhancement on pharmacological chaperone therapy. Only
      an update is presented for Gaucher disease, where PCT is highly applied and
      recently reviewed. 

PMID- 24236975
TI  - The oral delivery of peptides and proteins: established versus recently patented
      approaches.
AB  - Over the past 30 years there has been significant research into technologies that
      promote the delivery of high molecular weight, poor membrane-permeable compounds
      across the gut. Most work has concentrated on the delivery of peptides and
      proteins. However, technologies have also been applied to compounds such as
      poorly membrane-permeable small molecules, heparin and oligonucleotides. Much of
      this research has been characterized by early promise with many systems showing
      positive results in animal studies. Success in man has proven more elusive. In
      2011, however, the oral delivery of peptides took one step closer to commercial
      reality when Tarsa Therapeutics announced that it had achieved positive Phase III
      data for oral recombinant salmon calcitonin. This article reviews the current
      development status of oral delivery systems for peptides and proteins and
      examines recent patent activity in this field based mainly on US patents issued
      in the last 2-3 years. 

PMID- 24236978
TI  - Facile synthesis of hierarchical networks composed of highly interconnected V2O5
      nanosheets assembled on carbon nanotubes and their superior lithium storage
      properties.
AB  - Hierarchical networks with highly interconnected V2O5 nanosheets (NSs) anchored
      on skeletons of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are prepared by a facile hydrothermal
      treatment and a following calcination for the first time. Benefiting from these
      unique structural features, the as-prepared CNT@V2O5 material shows dramatically
      excellent electrochemical performance with remarkable long cyclability (137-116
      mA h g(-1) after 400 cycles) at various high rates (20 C to 30 C) and very good
      rate capability for highly reversible lithium storage. The excellent
      electrochemical performance suggests its promising use as a cathode material for
      future lithium-ion batteries. 

PMID- 24236977
TI  - Chronic methylphenidate exposure during adolescence reduces striatal synaptic
      responses to ethanol.
AB  - Dopamine (DA) plays an important role in integrative functions contributing to
      adaptive behaviors. In support of this essential function, DA modulates synaptic
      plasticity in different brain areas, including the striatum. Many drugs used for
      cognitive enhancement are psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate (MPH), which
      enhance DA levels. MPH treatment is of interest during adolescence, a period of
      enhanced neurodevelopment during which the DA system is in a state of flux.
      Recent epidemiological studies report the co-abuse of MPH and ethanol in
      adolescents and young adults. Although repeated MPH treatment produces enduring
      changes that affect subsequent behavioral responses to other psychostimulants,
      few studies have investigated the interactions between MPH and ethanol. Here we
      addressed whether chronic therapeutic exposure to MPH during adolescence
      predisposed mice to an altered response to ethanol and whether this was
      accompanied by altered DA release and striatal plasticity. C57BL/6J mice were
      administered MPH (3-6 mg/kg/day) via the drinking water between post-natal days
      30 and 60. Voltammetry experiments showed that sufficient brain MPH
      concentrations were achieved during adolescence in mice to increase the DA
      clearance in adulthood. The treatment also increased long-term depression and
      reduced the effects of ethanol on striatal synaptic responses. Although the
      injection of 0.4 or 2 g/kg ethanol dose-dependently decreased locomotion in
      control mice, only the higher dose decreased locomotion in MPH-treated mice.
      These results suggested that the administration of MPH during development
      promoted long-term effects on synaptic plasticity in forebrain regions targeted
      by DA. These changes in plasticity might, in turn, underlie alterations in
      behaviors controlled by these brain regions into adulthood.

PMID- 24236979
TI  - Natural products for Alzheimer's disease therapy: basic and application.

PMID- 24236980
TI  - Nature as a source of metabolites with cholinesterase-inhibitory activity: an
      approach to Alzheimer's disease treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, being
      responsible for high healthcare costs and familial hardships. Despite the efforts
      of researchers, no treatment able to delay or stop AD progress exists. Currently,
      the available treatments are only symptomatic, cholinesterase inhibitors being
      the most widely used drugs. Here we describe several natural compounds with
      anticholinesterase (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) activity and
      also some synthetic compounds whose structures are based on those of natural
      compounds. KEY FINDINGS: Galantamine and rivastigmine are two cholinesterase
      inhibitors used in therapeutics: galantamine is a natural alkaloid that was
      extracted for the first time from Galanthus nivalis L., while rivastigmine is a
      synthetic alkaloid, the structure of which is modelled on that of natural
      physostigmine. Alkaloids include a high number of compounds with
      anticholinesterases activity at the submicromolar range. Quinones and stilbenes
      are less well studied regarding cholinesterase inhibition, although some of them,
      such as sargaquinoic acid or (+)-alpha-viniferin, show promising activity. Among
      flavonoids, flavones and isoflavones are the most potent compounds. Xanthones and
      monoterpenes are generally weak cholinesterase inhibitors. SUMMARY: Nature is an
      almost endless source of bioactive compounds. Several natural compounds have
      anticholinesterase activity and others can be used as leader compounds for the
      synthesis of new drugs.

PMID- 24236981
TI  - Alkaloids as a source of potential anticholinesterase inhibitors for the
      treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the key enzyme in the
      breakdown of acetylcholine, is currently the main pharmacological strategy
      available for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this sense, many alkaloids isolated
      from natural sources, such as physostigmine, have been long recognized as acetyl-
      and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors. Since the approval of galantamine
      for the treatment of AD patients, the search for new anticholinesterase alkaloids
      has escalated, leading to promising candidates such as huperzine A. This review
      aims to summarize recent advances in current knowledge on alkaloids as AChE and
      BChE inhibitors, highlighting structure-activity relationship (SAR) and docking
      studies. KEY FINDINGS: Natural alkaloids belonging to the
      steroidal/triterpenoidal, quinolizidine, isoquinoline and indole classes, mainly
      distributed within Buxaceae, Amaryllidaceae and Lycopodiaceae, are considered
      important sources of alkaloids with anti-enzymatic properties. Investigations
      into the possible SARs for some active compounds are based on molecular modelling
      studies, predicting the mode of interaction of the molecules with amino acid
      residues in the active site of the enzymes. Following this view, an increasing
      interest in achieving more potent and effective analogues makes alkaloids good
      chemical templates for the development of new cholinesterase inhibitors. SUMMARY:
      The anticholinesterase activity of alkaloids, together with their structural
      diversity and physicochemical properties, makes them good candidate agents for
      the treatment of AD.

PMID- 24236982
TI  - Berberis aetnensis and B. libanotica: a comparative study on the chemical
      composition, inhibitory effect on key enzymes linked to Alzheimer's disease and
      antioxidant activity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study involves for the first time the evaluation of Berberis
      aetnensis C. Presl. and Berberis libanotica Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneid. roots for
      anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties, with the aim to search compounds
      possibly useful for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Samples
      were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and
      butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The antioxidant activity was assayed by 2,2
      diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and beta-carotene bleaching tests. Berberine
      and palmatine were isolated by flash chromatography and identified by
      spectrometric methods as main constituents. Non-polar compounds were analysed by
      gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. KEY FINDINGS:
      Extracts, fractions and isolated compounds inhibited AChE and BChE to varying
      degrees. The methanol fractions exhibited the strongest AChE inhibitory activity
      with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50 ) of 7.6 and 16.9 MUg/ml for B. aetnensis
      and B. libanotica, respectively. The alkaloid fraction of B. aetnensis inhibited
      AChE (IC50 of 24.5 MUg/ml) and possessed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50
      value of 2.2 MUg/ml in beta-carotene-bleaching test after 30 min of incubation).
      Berberine was more potent of palmatine against AChE (IC50 of 2.2 and 7.4 MUg/ml,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These findings raise the possibility of developing B.
      aetnensis and B. libanotica as a promising candidate for the treatment of AD.

PMID- 24236983
TI  - Pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with dicaffeoylquinic acids attenuates the reduced
      expression of nicotinic receptors, elevated level of oxidative stress and
      enhanced apoptosis caused by beta-amyloid peptide.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This in vitro investigation was designed to examine potential
      neuroprotection by dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQAs) extracted from a traditional
      Chinese medicinal herb herba erigerontis and their effects against the toxicity
      induced by beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta25-35 ). METHODS: The neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y
      cell line was treated with Abeta or 3, 4-diCQA, 3, 5-diCQA or 4, 5-diCQA. 3-(4, 5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction was
      assayed by spectrophotometrical method, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) on
      the basis of the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance, the activity of
      superoxide dismutase by the xanthine oxidase procedure, the frequency of
      apoptosis by flow cytometry, and the levels of alpha3 and alpha7 nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit proteins by Western blotting. KEY
      FINDINGS: When the cells were exposed to Abeta25-35 , MTT reduction declined,
      oxidative stress and apoptosis were enhanced, and the expression of alpha3 and
      alpha7 nAChR subunit proteins was lowered. Expression of the alpha7 nAChR subunit
      protein was increased by all three diCQAs, and the level of alpha3 was increased
      by 3, 5-diCQA and 4, 5-diCQA. Significantly, pretreatment with diCQAs attenuated
      the neurotoxic effects of Abeta25-35 , a neuroprotective effect in which the
      upregulation of alpha7 and alpha3 nAChR may be involved. CONCLUSION: The diCQAs
      exert a protective effect on Abeta-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and a
      potential underlying mechanism involving stimulation of nAChRs.

PMID- 24236984
TI  - Impact of caffeic acid on aluminium chloride-induced dementia in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Literature favours the in vitro neuroprotective role of caffeic acid,
      a naturally derived polyphenolic compound. This study was aimed to investigate
      the role of caffeic acid in experimental model of Alzheimer's disease. METHODS:
      Firstly, caffeic acid was tested for in vitro anticholinesterase potential using
      rat brain homogenate. Later, in vivo antidementia activity of caffeic acid was
      assessed against aluminium chloride (AlCl3 )-induced dementia in rats.
      Behavioural (Morris water maze test) and brain biochemical parameters
      (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity,
      glutathione (GSH) and nitrite levels) were assessed to correlate the cognitive
      function with cholinergic transmission and oxidative stress. KEY FINDINGS: Rats
      administered with caffeic acid showed improved cognitive function in Morris water
      maze test. The antidementia activity of caffeic acid was confirmed by the
      reduction in brain AChE activity and nitrite levels. Further, caffeic acid
      corrected the diminished level of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, GSH and
      GST in brain. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the antidementia activity of
      caffeic acid against AlCl3 -induced dementia in rats. The outcome of present
      study offers a wider scope to screen caffeic acid against neurodegeneration
      associated disorders.

PMID- 24236985
TI  - Trehalose rescues Alzheimer's disease phenotypes in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is well characterized by the accumulated
      Abeta plaque in hippocampus and cerebral cortex concomitant with markedly reduced
      study and learning ability. Trehalose, a natural disaccharide, has been shown to
      have neural protective properties and exhibited therapeutic effects in animal
      models of several neural degenerative disorders. However, the effect of trehalose
      on AD pathology remains largely unknown. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the
      effects of trehalose in APP/PS1 transgenic mice through behaviour tests and
      biochemical analyses. KEY FINDINGS: We found that the impaired cognitive and
      learning ability was improved and Abeta deposit in hippocampus was reduced.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that trehalose could be a potential
      therapeutic drug for the treatment of AD.

PMID- 24236986
TI  - Influence of the formulation on the maximum tolerated doses of brain targeted
      nanoparticles of gallic acid by oral administration in Wistar rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of
      pure gallic acid (GA) and its Tween 80 coated chitosan nanoparticles (cGANP) on
      the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) using Wistar rats. METHODS: The animals were
      administered with increasing doses (dose increasing rate = 10%) of GA and cGANP
      orally for 28 consecutive days until the MTD was found. The animals were
      monitored for bodyweight, weight indices, behavioural, biochemical and
      histopathological changes. KEY FINDINGS: The MTD was found to be 750 mg/kg for GA
      and was increased to 825 mg/kg for cGANP, which indicated a significantly greater
      tolerance of cGANP. Slight behavioural and biochemical changes were observed
      above the MTD. At the MTD no significant behavioural, biochemical,
      histopathological changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The brain targeted
      nanoparticles displayed considerable improvement in the tolerance profile of the
      drug as compared with the free drug.

PMID- 24236987
TI  - In-vitro stability and metabolism of a tacrine-silibinin codrug.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A tacrine-silibinin codrug showed promising results in
      pharmacological and toxicity testing, superior to an equimolar mixture of tacrine
      and silibinin. The aim of this study was to get more information about its
      stability, possible degradation products, metabolites, and especially its active
      principle in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The stability of the codrug was analysed
      under in-vitro assay conditions. Additionally, its metabolism was investigated
      using pooled human liver microsomes. Metabolites were identified via liquid
      chromatography-high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
      Furthermore, the influence of one of the main cleavage products, tacrine hemi
      succinamide, on viability and mitochondria of hepatic stellate cells was
      analysed. KEY FINDINGS: The codrug remained stable in culture medium (Dulbecco's
      modified Eagle's medium) over an incubation period of 24 h, whereas exposition to
      microsomal enzymes led to rapid cleavage of the ester bond to form silibinin and
      a tacrine hemi succinamide. In addition, glucuronidated metabolites of both
      silibinin and the codrug were detected. For the tacrine hemi succinamide, no
      effects were observed with regard to cell viability and mitochondrial impairment.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study helps understand and interpret previous results
      concerning the effects and the absence of toxicity of the tacrine-silibinin
      codrug and supplies important information for further identification of the
      active principles of the codrug in vivo.

PMID- 24236988
TI  - Sex-dependent long-term effects of adolescent exposure to THC and/or MDMA on
      neuroinflammation and serotoninergic and cannabinoid systems in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Many young people consume ecstasy as a recreational drug
      and often in combination with cannabis. In this study, we aimed to mimic human
      consumption patterns and investigated, in male and female animals, the long-term
      effects of Delta(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 3,4
      methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on diverse neuroinflammation and neurotoxic
      markers. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Male and female Wistar rats were chronically
      treated with increasing doses of THC and/or MDMA during adolescence. The effects
      of THC and/or MDMA on glial reactivity and on serotoninergic and cannabinoid
      systems were assessed by immunohistochemistry in the hippocampus and parietal
      cortex. KEY RESULTS: THC increased the area staining for glial fibrilar acidic
      protein in both sexes. In males, both drugs, either separately or in combination,
      increased the proportion of reactive microglia cells [ionized calcium binding
      adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1)]. In contrast, in females, each drug, administered
      alone, decreased of this proportion, whereas the combination of both drugs
      resulted in a 'normalization' to control values. In males, MDMA reduced the
      number of SERT positive fibres, THC induced the opposite effect and the group
      receiving both drugs did not significantly differ from the controls. In females,
      MDMA reduced the number of SERT positive fibres and the combination of both drugs
      counteracted this effect. THC also reduced immunostaining for CB1 receptors in
      females and this effect was aggravated by the combination with MDMA. CONCLUSIONS
      AND IMPLICATIONS: Adolescent exposure of rats to THC and/or MDMA induced long
      term, sex-dependent neurochemical and glial alterations, and revealed
      interactions between the two drugs. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a
      themed section on Cannabinoids 2013. To view the other articles in this section
      visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-6.

PMID- 24236990
TI  - Low mortality and low rate of perceived and documented arrhythmias after Cox maze
      III surgery for atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To report a long-term single-site experience of the cut-and-sew Cox
      maze III procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: A total of 232
      consecutive patients underwent the Cox maze III procedure for symptomatic therapy
      refractory AF, with concomitant surgery in 34 patients. Follow-up data were
      obtained from electrocardiograms, patient visits, questionnaires, and medical
      files. RESULTS: There were 103 patients (44%) with paroxysmal AF during 8.8 +/-
      6.5 years and 129 patients (56%) with nonparoxysmal AF for 7.3 +/- 6.7 years. The
      preoperative New York Heart Association class was better in patients with
      paroxysmal AF (P < 0.0001); the left ventricular ejection fraction was 59 +/- 7%
      versus 56 +/- 8%, P = 0.003, and the left atrial area 24 +/- 6 versus 27 +/- 6
      cm(2) , P = 0.01. Early and late postoperative adverse events occurred at similar
      rates. Four patients from each group died of reasons unrelated to surgery. The
      mean follow-up was 66 +/- 42 (5-155) months. In total, 184/229 (80%) patients
      were free of documented AF/atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia (AF/AFl/AT) off
      antiarrhythmic drugs (AA) and 189/229 (83%) on or off AA. The hazard ratio (HR)
      for paroxysmal versus nonparoxysmal AF patients regarding documented AF/AFl/AT
      was 0.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4-1.4; P = 0.40). For patients without
      versus with concomitant surgery, the corresponding HR was 0.4 (95% CI 0.2-0.8; P
      = 0.008). Of 197 patients (89%) responding to the questionnaire, 41 had sought
      care for symptoms of arrhythmia, 29 of whom had documented AF/AFl/AT, whereas
      another six had other arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: Cut-and-sew Cox maze III surgery
      provided long-lasting high efficacy, also in patients with nonparoxysmal AF of
      long duration and/or concomitant surgery, and was associated with low rates of
      subsequent adverse events.

PMID- 24236989
TI  - Review article: vitamin D and inflammatory bowel diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is traditionally associated with bone metabolism. The
      immunological effects of vitamin D have increasingly come into focus. AIM: To
      review the evidence supporting a role of vitamin D in inflammatory bowel
      diseases. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed on PubMed using the terms
      'crohn's disease' 'ulcerative colitis' and 'vitamin D'. RESULTS: Vitamin D
      deficiency is common in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) (16-95%)
      including those with recently diagnosed disease. Evidence supports immunological
      role of vitamin D in IBD. In animal models, deficiency of vitamin D increases
      susceptibility to dextran sodium sulphate colitis, while 1,25(OH)2 D3 ameliorates
      such colitis. One prospective cohort study found low predicted vitamin D levels
      to be associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease (CD). Limited data
      also suggest an association between low vitamin D levels and increased disease
      activity, particularly in CD. In a large cohort, vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL)
      was associated with increased risk of surgery (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.5) in CD and
      hospitalisations in both CD (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-2.7) and UC (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7
      3.1). A single randomised controlled trial demonstrated that vitamin D
      supplementation may be associated with reduced frequency of relapses in patients
      with CD compared with placebo (13% vs. 29%, P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: There is
      growing epidemiological evidence to suggest a role for vitamin D deficiency in
      the development of IBD and also its influence on disease severity. The possible
      therapeutic role of vitamin D in patients with IBD merits continued
      investigation.

PMID- 24236992
TI  - The mediating effects of coping on the stress and health relationships among
      nursing students: a structural equation modelling approach.
AB  - AIMS: To test the impact of stress on psychological and physical health, and
      examine the mediating effects of coping on the stress-health relationships among
      nursing students. BACKGROUND: Stress is associated with various physical and
      psychological symptoms in nursing students. Numerous studies examined the
      relationships among stress, coping and health; nevertheless, a mechanism of
      coping has not been fully explored in Thai nursing students. DESIGN: This study
      adopted a cross-sectional, descriptive correlational research design. METHODS: A
      convenience sample of 335 nursing students were recruited from a University in
      Thailand from 2005-2007. We used self-reported questionnaires to collect
      information; and analysed data using descriptive statistics and structural
      equation modelling. RESULTS: Nursing students with high levels of stress reported
      poorer physical health and higher psychological distress. Stress had a stronger
      effect and explained more variances on psychological distress than on poor
      physical health. The partial mediation of coping was observed. Specifically,
      77.00% of the effects of stress on poor physical health and 11.30% on
      psychological distress were mediated by coping. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this
      study contributes to the nursing science and has implications to nursing
      practice. Stress among nursing students should be monitored and effectively
      managed to prevent deleterious effects on their health. Nursing interventions
      focusing on coping skill training could be developed and delivered. Future
      research may examine the effectiveness of the interventions and/or to further
      explore variables associated with psychological distress in nursing students.

PMID- 24236993
TI  - Bioavailability of morphine, methadone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone following
      buccal administration in cats.
AB  - Buccal administration of buprenorphine is commonly used to treat pain in cats. It
      has been argued that absorption of buprenorphine through the buccal mucosa is
      high, in part due to its pKa of 8.24. Morphine, methadone, hydromorphone, and
      oxymorphone have a pKa between 8 and 9. This study characterized the
      bioavailability of these drugs following buccal administration to cats. Six
      healthy adult female spayed cats were used. Buccal pH was measured prior to drug
      administration. Morphine sulfate, 0.2 mg/kg IV or 0.5 mg/kg buccal; methadone
      hydrochloride, 0.3 mg/kg IV or 0.75 mg/kg buccal; hydromorphone hydrochloride,
      0.1 mg/kg IV or 0.25 mg/kg buccal; or oxymorphone hydrochloride, 0.1 mg/kg IV or
      0.25 mg/kg buccal were administered. All cats received all treatments. Arterial
      blood was sampled immediately prior to drug administration and at various times
      up to 8 h thereafter. Bioavailability was calculated as the ratio of the area
      under the time-concentration curve following buccal administration to that
      following IV administration, each indexed to the administered dose. Mean +/- SE
      (range) bioavailability was 36.6 +/- 5.2 (12.7-49.5), 44.2 +/- 7.9 (18.7-70.5),
      22.4 +/- 6.9 (6.4-43.4), and 18.8 +/- 2.0 (12.9-23.5)% for buccal administration
      of morphine, methadone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone, respectively.
      Bioavailability of methadone was significantly higher than that of oxymorphone. 

PMID- 24236995
TI  - Investigation of the putative associations between dairy consumption and
      incidence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
AB  - A growing body of evidence suggests a possible relationship between the
      consumption of dairy products and the incidence of diabetes. A positive
      correlation between the early introduction of dairy in infancy and the incidence
      of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in genetically predisposed infants has been suggested by
      studies on rodents and humans. However, the lines of evidence supporting this
      association, including epidemiological studies and the observation of antibodies
      to bovine serum albumin, beta-casein and bovine insulin in the serum of patients
      with T1D, are not without controversy. On the other hand, an inverse relationship
      between the consumption of dairy foods and the development of metabolic syndrome
      and/or type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been implied by epidemiological studies. Several
      dairy components, especially milk proteins, are believed to play a role in the
      beneficial effect of dairy consumption on glucose regulation by modulation of
      incretin hormones. Other dietary factors have also been associated with the
      incidence of T1D and T2D, indicating that dairy foods might be only one among
      many dietary agents possibly implicated in the development of diabetes. The
      present paper critically reviews the evidence and plausible mechanisms for the
      putative associations between dairy food consumption and incidence of T1D and
      T2D. 

PMID- 24236994
TI  - Leveraging electronic health records to develop measurements for processes of
      care.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of data in electronic health records (EHRs)
      for measuring processes of care among primary care physicians (PCPs) and examine
      the relationship between these measures and clinical outcomes. DATA SOURCES/STUDY
      SETTING: EHR data from 15,370 patients with diabetes, 49,561 with hypertension,
      in a group practice serving four Northern California counties. STUDY
      DESIGN/METHODS: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multilevel analyses of the
      relationships between processes of care variables and factor scales with control
      of hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure (BP), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) among
      patients with diabetes and BP among patients with hypertension. PRINCIPAL
      FINDINGS: Volume of e-messages, number of days to the third-next-available
      appointment, and team communication emerged as reliable factors of PCP processes
      of care in EFA (Cronbach's alpha=0.73, 0.62, and 0.91). Volume of e-messages was
      associated with higher odds of LDL control (<=100) (OR=1.13, p<.05) among
      patients with diabetes. Frequent in-person visits were associated with better BP
      (OR=1.02, p<.01) and LDL control (OR=1.01, p<.01) among patients with diabetes,
      and better BP control (OR=1.04, p<.01) among patients with hypertension.
      CONCLUSIONS: The EHR offers process of care measures which can augment patient
      reported measures of patient-centeredness. Two of them are significantly
      associated with clinical outcomes. Future research should examine their
      association with additional outcomes.

PMID- 24236996
TI  - An overview on chemical composition, bioactivity and processing of leaves of
      Cinnamomum tamala.
AB  - Dried leaves of Cinnamomum tamala, also known as Indian bay leaves, are a lesser
      known spice used in the Indian subcontinent. It imparts a warm, peppery, clove
      cinnamon like flavor to a variety of food preparations. Besides food
      applications, the leaves have also been traditionally used for curing a number of
      ailments and for other perceived health benefits. They find mention in the
      Aurvedic, Yunani, and other traditional medicinal literature. This review
      summarizes the effect of Cinnamomum tamala leaves on biological systems such as
      immune system, gastro-intestinal tract, liver and its antioxidant, antidiabetic,
      anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity. Chemical components
      that may be responsible for its flavor as well as bioactivity, have also been
      discussed. 

PMID- 24236997
TI  - A critical review on the spray drying of fruit extract: effect of additives on
      physicochemical properties.
AB  - Spray drying accomplishes drying while particles are suspended in the air and is
      one method in the family of suspended particle processing systems, along with
      fluid-bed drying, flash drying, spray granulation, spray agglomeration, spray
      reaction, spray cooling, and spray absorption. This drying process is unique
      because it involves both particle formation and drying. The present paper reviews
      spray drying of fruit extracts, such as acai, acerola pomace, gac, mango, orange,
      cactus pear, opuntia stricta fruit, watermelon, and durian, and the effects of
      additives on physicochemical properties such as antioxidant activity, total
      carotenoid content, lycopene and beta-carotene content, hygroscopy, moisture
      content, volatile retention, stickiness, color, solubility, glass transition
      temperature, bulk density, rehydration, caking, appearance under electron
      microscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. The literature clearly demonstrates
      that the effect of additives and encapsulation play a vital role in determining
      the physicochemical properties of fruit extract powder. The technical
      difficulties in spray drying of fruit extracts can be overcome by modifying the
      spray dryer design. It also reveals that spray drying is a novel technology for
      converting fruit extract into powder form. 

PMID- 24236998
TI  - Polysaccharides in Lentinus edodes: isolation, structure, immunomodulating
      activity and future prospective.
AB  - Lentinus edodes has been valued as edible and medical resources. Polysaccharides
      have been known to be the most potent antitumor and immunomodulating substance in
      Lentinus edodes. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the
      polysaccharides isolated from Lentinus edodes, including extraction and
      purification methods, chemical structure and chain conformation, the effects on
      innate and adaptive immunity and their mechanism, relationship between structure
      and function, and the future prospects. 

PMID- 24236999
TI  - Review of the regulation of veterinary drugs and residues in South Africa.
AB  - The food safety risk analysis framework of the FAO/WHO is used in the review of
      veterinary drug and residue regulation in South Africa to determine possible
      inefficiencies within this system. Results indicate that a variety of challenges
      relating to the processes of risk assessment, management, and communication do
      exist, although these occur within a fragmented system of legislation, functions,
      and structures. Addressing these challenges therefore requires a change to a more
      collaborative and integrated system. It is indicated that for such a change, the
      underlying challenges of inadequate horizontal communication, poor
      conceptualization, and awareness of functions of the system are required to be
      dealt with. 

PMID- 24237000
TI  - Perspectives on the utilization of aquaculture coproduct in Europe and Asia:
      prospects for value addition and improved resource efficiency.
AB  - Aquaculture has often been criticized for its environmental impacts, especially
      efficiencies concerning global fisheries resources for use in aquafeeds among
      others. However, little attention has been paid to the contribution of coproducts
      from aquaculture, which can vary between 40% and 70% of the production. These
      have often been underutilized and could be redirected to maximize the efficient
      use of resource inputs including reducing the burden on fisheries resources. In
      this review, we identify strategies to enhance the overall value of the harvested
      yield including noneffluent processing coproducts for three of the most important
      global aquaculture species, and discuss the current and prospective utilization
      of these resources for value addition and environmental impact reduction. The
      review concludes that in Europe coproducts are often underutilized because of
      logistical reasons such as the disconnected nature of the value chain, and
      perceived legislative barriers. However, in Asia, most coproducts are used, often
      innovatively but not to their full economic potential and sometimes with possible
      human health and biosecurity risks. These include possible spread of diseased
      material and low traceability in some circumstances. Full economic and
      environmental appraisal is long overdue for the current and potential strategies
      available for coproduct utilization. 

PMID- 24237001
TI  - Prebiotics: application in bakery and pasta products.
AB  - The concept of functional foods has markedly moved toward gastrointestinal
      health. The prebiotic approach aims at achieving favorable milieu in the human
      gut by stimulating beneficial bacteria. Several food products act as substrates
      for the application of prebiotic substances and bakery products are one such
      category. The trend of increasing consumption of bakery products justifies the
      choice of using them as vehicles for delivering the prebiotic compounds. Apart
      from the health benefits, the prebiotic compounds also have nutritional and
      technological effects in the food matrix. In addition to increasing the fiber
      content, the candidate prebiotics also affect the rheology and final quality of
      bakery products. The prebiotic compounds are selected accordingly to confer
      desirable properties in the final product. The health advantages of prebiotics
      being well established, the technological advantages in bakery products such as
      bread and biscuits and extruded product such as pasta are discussed elaborately. 

PMID- 24237002
TI  - Epidemiological evidence linking tea consumption to human health: a review.
AB  - Tea has been widely consumed around the world for thousands of years and drinking
      tea is a daily habit for people of all ages. Tea is a major source of flavonoids,
      which have become well known as antioxidants. Tea also contains caffeine and
      theanine, which have been found to associate with health benefits. Many animal
      and epidemiological studies have been conducted to investigate the link between
      tea consumption and human health. However, common questions that arise about tea
      consumption include: whether all teas are the same, why drinking tea is linked
      with health benefits, how do the different ways of tea preparation impact on
      availability of tea components, how much and how long a person should consume tea
      to obtain health benefits, and whether there is any negative health effect
      associated with drinking tea. To answer these questions, this paper outlines the
      tea components and their link to human health, discusses major factors affecting
      availability of tea components in a tea cup, and reviews the latest
      epidemiological evidence linking tea consumption to human health.

PMID- 24237003
TI  - Probiotics: a comprehensive approach toward health foods.
AB  - Food products containing probiotics and prebiotics are an important development
      in Health foods, which enhance health promoting microbial flora in the intestine.
      Probiotic refers to viable microorganism that promotes or support a beneficial
      balance of the autochthonous microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract.
      A number of genera of bacteria (and yeast) are used as probiotics, including
      Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, and
      Enterococcus, but the main species believed to have probiotic characteristics are
      Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium spp., and L. casei. Probiotics can
      reduce diarrheal incidence, lactose intolerance, lower serum cholesterol,
      stimulate the immune system, control infections, act as antibiotics, suppress
      tumors, and protect against colon or bladder cancer by maintaining a healthy
      intestinal microflora balance. Lactic acid bacteria produce biopreservatives such
      as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins that are used to retard both
      spoilage and the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Food, particularly dairy products
      are considered as an ideal vehicle for delivering probiotic bacteria to the human
      gastrointestinal tract. Cereals being rich source of prebiotics such as beta
      glucan and arabinoxylan, galacto-, and fructooligosaccharides are considered for
      development of probiotic foods. Good manufacturing practices must be applied in
      the manufacture of probiotic foods with quality assurance, and shelf-life
      conditions established. 

PMID- 24237004
TI  - Incidence, patient satisfaction, and perceptions of post-surgical pain: results
      from a US national survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: During the past two decades, professional associations, accrediting
      bodies, and payors have made post-surgical pain treatment a high priority. In
      light of the disappointing findings in previous surveys, a survey was conducted
      to assess patient perceptions and characterize patient experiences/levels of
      satisfaction with post-surgical pain management. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:
      Survey included a random sample of US adults who had undergone surgery within 5
      years from the survey date. Participants were asked about their concerns before
      surgery, severity of perioperative pain, pain treatments, perceptions about post
      surgical pain and pain medications, and satisfaction with treatments they
      received. RESULTS: Of the 300 participants, ~86% experienced pain after surgery;
      of these, 75% had moderate/extreme pain during the immediate post-surgical
      period, with 74% still experiencing these levels of pain after discharge. Post
      surgical pain was the most prominent pre-surgical patient concern, and nearly
      half reported they had high/very high anxiety levels about pain before surgery.
      Approximately 88% received analgesic medications to manage pain; of these, 80%
      experienced adverse effects and 39% reported moderate/severe pain even after
      receiving their first dose. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Key study limitations include the
      relatively small population size, potential for recall bias associated with the
      14-month average time delay from surgery date to survey date, and the inability
      to account for influences of type of surgery and intraoperative
      anesthetic/analgesic use on survey results. CONCLUSIONS: Despite heightened
      awareness and clinical advancements in pain management, there has been little
      improvement in post-surgical analgesia as measured by this survey of post
      surgical patients.

PMID- 24237005
TI  - Measuring protein-ligand interactions using liquid sample desorption electrospray
      ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - We have previously shown that liquid sample desorption electrospray ionization
      mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) is able to measure large proteins and noncovalently
      bound protein complexes (to 150 kDa) (Ferguson et al., Anal. Chem. 2011, 83, 6468
      6473). In this study, we further investigate the application of liquid sample
      DESI-MS to probe protein-ligand interactions. Liquid sample DESI allows the
      direct formation of intact protein-ligand complex ions by spraying ligands toward
      separate protein sample solutions. This type of "reactive" DESI methodology can
      provide rapid information on binding stiochiometry, selectivity, and kinetics, as
      demonstrated by the binding of ribonuclease A (RNaseA, 13.7 kDa) with cytidine
      nucleotide ligands and the binding of lysozyme (14.3 kDa) with acetyl chitose
      ligands. A higher throughput method for ligand screening by liquid sample DESI
      was demonstrated, in which different ligands were sequentially injected as a
      segmented flow for DESI ionization. Furthermore, supercharging to enhance analyte
      charge can be integrated with liquid sample DESI-MS, without interfering with the
      formation of protein-ligand complexes. 

PMID- 24237007
TI  - Temperature management and modern post-cardiac arrest care.

PMID- 24237008
TI  - Sexual practices, identities and health among women who have sex with women in
      Lesotho - a mixed-methods study.
AB  - Despite the high prevalence of HIV and STIs among women in Africa and the growing
      literature on HIV and STIs among women who have sex with women, research on the
      sexual health of women who have sex with women in Africa is scant. This study
      used mixed methods to describe sexual identity, practices and health among women
      who have sex with women in Lesotho. Most respondents (48%) described themselves
      as lesbian, 29% as bisexual and 23% as heterosexual. Almost half (45%) had
      disclosed their same-sex attraction to family, but only 25% had done so with
      healthcare workers. A total of 8% reported having HIV. Self-reported HIV was
      associated with having three or more male partners, having male and female
      partners at the same time and having a history of STIs. Gender norms, the
      criminalisation of homosexuality, varied knowledge of, and access to, safer-sex
      strategies, and mixed experiences of HIV/STI testing and sexual healthcare
      provided social and structural contexts for HIV- and STI-related vulnerability. 

PMID- 24237009
TI  - Neutropenia associated with antihuman neutrophil antibodies following allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

PMID- 24237010
TI  - Clinical monosensitivity to salmon and rainbow trout: a case report.

PMID- 24237011
TI  - "I want to know more about who we are": new directions for research with older
      lesbians.
AB  - Previous literature has consistently discussed reoccurring issues with conducting
      research in the gay and lesbian community and, for the purposes of this article,
      particularly the older lesbian community. Issues with sampling, including gaining
      access, ethical considerations, and conceptual definitions are ongoing struggles
      repeated within the literature. This article provides the experience of a
      research team in conducting such research and presents the viable solutions and
      ongoing barriers, as well as newer considerations that future research must take
      into account. In addition, this article provides the viewpoint of 189 older
      lesbians on the future research needs within their community. 

PMID- 24237015
TI  - Engineering the MEP pathway enhanced ajmalicine biosynthesis.
AB  - The 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway genes encoding DXR and MECS
      from Taxus species and STR from Catharanthus roseus were used to genetically
      modify the ajmalicine biosynthetic pathway in hairy root cultures of C. roseus.
      As expected, the STR-overexpressed root cultures showed twofold higher
      accumulation of ajmalicine than the control. It was important to discover that
      overexpression of the single DXR or MECS gene from the MEP pathway also
      remarkably enhanced ajmalicine biosynthesis in transgenic hairy root cultures,
      and this suggested that engineering the MEP pathway by overexpression of DXR or
      MECS promoted the metabolic flux into ajmalicine biosynthesis. The transgenic
      hairy root cultures with co-overexpression of DXR and STR or MECS and STR had
      higher levels of ajmalicine than those with overexpression of a single gene alone
      such as DXR, MECS, and STR. It could be concluded that transgenic hairy root
      cultures harboring both DXR/MECS and STR possessed an increased flux in the
      terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthetic pathway that enhanced ajmalicine yield,
      which was more efficient than cultures harboring only one of the three genes. 

PMID- 24237016
TI  - The duty of disclosure in the post-Therasense landscape.

PMID- 24237017
TI  - Devising a patent strategy to protect the IP of biologics in light of
      ambiguities, loopholes and pitfalls in the regulatory scheme.

PMID- 24237006
TI  - Targeted temperature management at 33 degrees C versus 36 degrees C after cardiac
      arrest.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unconscious survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have a high
      risk of death or poor neurologic function. Therapeutic hypothermia is recommended
      by international guidelines, but the supporting evidence is limited, and the
      target temperature associated with the best outcome is unknown. Our objective was
      to compare two target temperatures, both intended to prevent fever. METHODS: In
      an international trial, we randomly assigned 950 unconscious adults after out-of
      hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac cause to targeted temperature
      management at either 33 degrees C or 36 degrees C. The primary outcome was all
      cause mortality through the end of the trial. Secondary outcomes included a
      composite of poor neurologic function or death at 180 days, as evaluated with the
      Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale and the modified Rankin scale. RESULTS:
      In total, 939 patients were included in the primary analysis. At the end of the
      trial, 50% of the patients in the 33 degrees C group (235 of 473 patients) had
      died, as compared with 48% of the patients in the 36 degrees C group (225 of 466
      patients) (hazard ratio with a temperature of 33 degrees C, 1.06; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.89 to 1.28; P=0.51). At the 180-day follow-up, 54% of the
      patients in the 33 degrees C group had died or had poor neurologic function
      according to the CPC, as compared with 52% of patients in the 36 degrees C group
      (risk ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.16; P=0.78). In the analysis using the
      modified Rankin scale, the comparable rate was 52% in both groups (risk ratio,
      1.01; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.14; P=0.87). The results of analyses adjusted for known
      prognostic factors were similar. CONCLUSIONS: In unconscious survivors of out-of
      hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac cause, hypothermia at a targeted
      temperature of 33 degrees C did not confer a benefit as compared with a targeted
      temperature of 36 degrees C. (Funded by the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation and
      others; TTM ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01020916.).

PMID- 24237018
TI  - Supplementary protection certificates on reformulations and new uses after
      Neurim: where do we go from here?

PMID- 24237019
TI  - Navigating the maze of IP/regulatory rights in the EU: the complex interaction
      between the SPC and Pediatric Regulations.

PMID- 24237020
TI  - Diagnostic claims post-Mayo and Myriad: the pile-up begins.

PMID- 24237022
TI  - The changing relationship between patent owners and researchers.

PMID- 24237023
TI  - The ITC as an attractive patent litigation forum for the biotechnology and
      pharmaceutical industry.

PMID- 24237026
TI  - Learning from practice: compulsory licensing cases and access to medicines.
AB  - Compulsory license is one of the safeguards that international IP law provides to
      address the undesired effects of pharmaceutical patents on access to important
      medicines. This article looks into three important case examples to analyze the
      mechanism's effectiveness and feasibility: the first uses of the newer compulsory
      license regime established in 2003 under the WTO legislative framework to export
      medicines to third countries, which lack pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities;
      and further, the first compulsory license grant in India in March 2012. The case
      analyses are based on the historical, factual and legal background. They reveal
      the main challenges of the 2003 WTO regime, including the lack of economic
      incentives for the generic pharmaceutical companies' participation. In the case
      of India's compulsory license grant, the article takes as in depth look into
      possible reasons for the reluctance to use the safeguard until recently, and the
      important aspects and implications of the Indian authorization to manufacture and
      sell a generic version of a patented cancer drug. 

PMID- 24237027
TI  - Oligonucleotides for upregulating gene expression.
AB  - Over the recent decade oligonucleotides have become an important new class of
      molecules, allowing therapeutic intervention through targets previously thought
      'undruggable'. One of the new avenues opened up by oligonucleotide-based drugs
      was specific gene upregulation, which, historically, has been difficult to
      achieve using small-molecule drugs. This article will focus on patents covering
      this important development in the oligonucleotide field and highlight the
      different mechanisms through which the oligonucleotide-mediated gene upregulation
      can work, including inhibition of activity of natural antisense transcripts,
      interaction with promoter binding sites of noncoding regulatory RNAs, blocking of
      regulatory and/or miRNA binding sites in 3' UTRs, blocking splice
      inhibitor/enhancer sites or blocking interactions with polycomb repressive
      complex 2. Understanding the particular mechanism through which an
      oligonucleotide drug exerts its effects is highly important in drug development,
      as it determines the design of the drug molecule. 

PMID- 24237028
TI  - The patent situation concerning the treatment of diseases associated with
      autoantibodies directed against G-protein-coupled receptors.
AB  - Agonist-like autoantibodies against receptors of the G-protein-coupled signal
      cascade have been identified as the pathogenic principle for a variety of
      diseases, especially those of the heart and vascular system. Consequently, the
      elimination or neutralization of such autoantibodies is an advised goal for
      causal therapeutic intervention. This article provides a short, noncomplete
      overview about remarkable developmental strategies and technical solutions for
      the therapy of diseases, associated with G-protein-coupled receptor
      autoantibodies. According to the immunoglobulin nature of the therapeutic target,
      several strategies are possible, such as the use of the autoantibody epitope
      sequences as competitors or binding molecules for specific autoantibody
      elimination by apheresis. Complete immunoglobulin elimination, as is currently
      being tested in autoantibody-positive cardiomyopathy patients, would be a
      nonspecific solution as would the use of immunosuppressant agents. The use of
      autoantibody-binding molecules on an aptamer basis for neutralization or
      elimination is a newly developed specific therapeutic option. 

PMID- 24237029
TI  - Monoclonal antibodies based on hybridoma technology.
AB  - Based on the size and scope of the present global market for medicine, monoclonal
      antibodies (mAbs) have a very promising future, with applications for cancers
      through autoimmune ailments to infectious disease. Since mAbs recognize only
      their target antigens and not other unrelated proteins, pinpoint medical
      treatment is possible. Global demand is dramatically expanding. Hybridoma
      technology, which allows production of mAbs directed against antigens of interest
      is therefore privileged. However, there are some pivotal points for further
      development to generate therapeutic antibodies. One is selective generation of
      human mAbs. Employment of transgenic mice producing human antibodies would
      overcome this problem. Another focus is recognition sites and conformational
      epitopes in antigens may be just as important as linear epitopes, especially when
      membrane proteins such as receptors are targeted. Recognition of intact
      structures is of critical importance for medical purposes. In this review, we
      describe patent related information for therapeutic mAbs based on hybridoma
      technology and also discuss new advances in hybridoma technology that facilitate
      selective production of stereospecific mAbs. 

PMID- 24237032
TI  - Recent patents on stimuli responsive hydrogel drug delivery system.
AB  - Hydrogels are cross-linked hydrophilic polymer structures that imbibe large
      quantities of water or biological fluids. Hydrogels are an upcoming class of
      polymer-based controlled release drug delivery systems, embracing numerous
      biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Hydrogels are swellable polymeric
      materials, and are being widely investigated as a carrier for drug delivery
      systems. Besides exhibiting swelling-controlled drug release, hydrogels also show
      stimuli responsive changes in their structural network and hence leading to the
      drug release. The present manuscript is concerned with the classification, method
      of preparation; application in drug deliveryand FDA approved market products of
      hydrogels with the patent review on hydrogel composition and its manufacturing
      process. It also highlights recent advances in hydrogel drug delivery especially
      stimuli-responsive hydrogel and its patents. This patent review is useful in the
      synthesis methods of hydrogel drug delivery and its application. 

PMID- 24237030
TI  - Targeting inflammation: multiple innovative ways to reduce prostaglandin E2.
AB  - The PGE2 pathway is important in inflammation-driven diseases and specific
      targeting of the inducible mPGES-1 is warranted due to the cardiovascular
      problems associated with the long-term use of COX-2 inhibitors. This review
      focuses on patents issued on methods of measuring mPGES-1 activity, on drugs
      targeting mPGES-1 and on other modulators of free extracellular PGE2
      concentration. Perspectives and conclusions regarding the status of these drugs
      are also presented. Importantly, no selective inhibitors targeting mPGES-1 have
      been identified and, despite the high number of published patents, none of these
      drugs have yet made it to clinical trials. 

PMID- 24237033
TI  - Gastroprotective effects (in rodents) of a flavonoid rich fraction obtained from
      Syngonanthus macrolepsis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Syngonanthus macrolepis, popularly known in Brazil as 'sempre-vivas',
      is a plant from the family Eriocaulaceae, it is found in the states of Minas
      Gerais and Bahia. The species contains a variety of constituents, including
      flavonoids with gastroprotective effect. In this work, a flavonoid-rich fraction
      (Sm-FRF) obtained from scapes of S. macrolepis was investigated for preventing
      gastric ulceration in mice and rats. METHODS: The activity was evaluated in
      models of induced gastric ulcer (absolute ethanol, stress, non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs and pylorus ligation). The cytoprotective mechanisms of the Sm
      FRF in relation to sulfhydryl (SH) groups, nitric oxide (NO) and antioxidant
      enzymes were also evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: The Sm-FRF (100 mg/kg, p.o.)
      significantly reduced gastric injury in all models, and did not alter gastric
      juice parameters after pylorus ligation. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate
      significant gastroprotective activity for the Sm-FRF, which probably involves the
      participation of both SH groups and the antioxidant system. Both are integral
      parts of the gastrointestinal mucosa's cytoprotective mechanisms against
      aggressive factors.

PMID- 24237034
TI  - ICD lead parameters, performance, and adverse events following continuous-flow
      LVAD implantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in the months following continuous-flow
      left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) implantation are common and associated
      with increased morbidity and mortality. We sought to evaluate for changes in
      implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) performance following LVAD
      implantation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the ICD interrogation reports
      and medical records of patients who received a continuous-flow LVAD at the
      University of Chicago Medical Center between January 2008 and December 2010.
      Patients who did not have an ICD prior to LVAD implantation were excluded.
      RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included. Median right ventricular lead sensing
      amplitude decreased from 10.0 (interquartile range 7.6-13.6) mV prior to LVAD to
      7.9 (5.9-9.3) mV after LVAD implantation (P < 0.01). Significant reductions in
      sensing threshold were associated with smaller lead diameters, smaller pace/sense
      electrode surface areas, and Medtronic ICD leads (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis,
      MN, USA). Lead impedance and capture threshold did not change significantly. ICD
      related adverse events occurred in 30% of patients and led to ICD modification in
      18% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of a continuous-flow LVAD is
      associated with changes in the performance of preexisting ICDs. ICD-related
      adverse events were encountered following LVAD implantation in this cohort, and
      at times resulted in invasive and noninvasive ICD system modification. Reductions
      in ICD sensing threshold after LVAD implantation may adversely affect ICD
      function. Formal ICD interrogation in addition to the regular follow-up testing
      is warranted post-LVAD.

PMID- 24237035
TI  - Adjuvant potential of low dose all-trans retinoic acid during oral typhoid
      vaccination in Zambian men.
AB  - There is an urgent need to identify ways of enhancing the mucosal immune response
      to oral vaccines. Rotavirus vaccine protection is much lower in Africa and Asia
      than in industrialized countries, and no oral vaccine has efficacy approaching
      the best systemic vaccines. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) up-regulates
      expression of alpha4beta7 integrin and CCR9 on lymphocytes in laboratory animals,
      increasing their gut tropism. The aim of this study was to establish the
      feasibility of using ATRA as an oral adjuvant for oral typhoid vaccination. In
      order to establish that standard doses of oral ATRA can achieve serum
      concentrations greater than 10 nmol/l, we measured ATRA, 9-cis and 13-cis
      retinoic acid in serum of 14 male volunteers before and 3 h after 10 mg ATRA. We
      then evaluated the effect of 10 mg ATRA given 1 h before, and for 7 days
      following, oral typhoid vaccine in eight men, and in 24 men given various control
      interventions. We measured immunoglobulin (Ig)A directed against
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)and protein preparations of vaccine antigens in whole gut
      lavage fluid (WGLF) and both IgA and IgG in serum, 1 day prior to vaccination and
      on day 14. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] C(max) was 26.2 (11.7-39.5) nmol/l,
      with no evidence of cumulation over 8 days. No adverse events were observed.
      Specific IgA responses to LPS (P = 0.02) and protein (P = 0.04) were enhanced in
      WGLF, but no effect was seen on IgA or IgG in serum. ATRA was well absorbed, well
      tolerated and may be a promising candidate oral adjuvant.

PMID- 24237036
TI  - Large-scale quantification of single amino-acid variations by a variation
      associated database search strategy.
AB  - Global quantification of the single amino-acid variations (SAAVs) is essential to
      investigate the roles of SAAVs in disease progression. However, few efforts have
      been made on this issue due to the lack of high -throughput approach. Here we
      presented a strategy by integration of the stable isotope dimethyl labeling with
      variation-associated database search to globally quantify the SAAVs at the first
      time. A protein database containing 87,745 amino acid variant sequences and
      73,910 UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot canonical protein entries was constructed for
      database search, and higher energy collisional dissociation combined with
      collision-induced dissociation fragmentation modes were applied to improve the
      quantification coverage of SAAVs. Compared with target proteomics in which only a
      few sites could be quantified, as many as 282 unique SAAVs sites were quantified
      between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and normal human liver tissues by our
      strategy. The variation rates in different samples were evaluated, and some
      interesting SAAVs with significant increase normalized quantification ratios,
      such as T1406N in CPS1 and S197R in HTATIP2, were observed to highly associate
      with HCC progression. Therefore, the newly developed strategy enables the large
      scale comparative analysis of variations at the protein level and holds a
      promising future in the research related to variations.

PMID- 24237037
TI  - Randomised clinical trial: individualised vs. weight-based dosing of azathioprine
      in Crohn's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Azathioprine (AZA), a pro-drug metabolised to the active metabolites
      6-tioguanine nucleotides (6TGN), is a steroid-sparing therapy for Crohn's disease
      (CD). AIM: To investigate whether AZA therapy is optimised by individualised
      dosing based on thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity and 6TGN
      concentrations. METHODS: This multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled
      trial compared the efficacy and safety of weight-based vs. individualised AZA
      dosing in inducing and maintaining remission in adults and children with steroid
      treated CD. The primary outcome was clinical remission (CR) at 16 weeks. In the
      weight-based arm, subjects received 2.5 mg/kg/day. In the individualised dosing
      arm, the initial AZA dose was 1.0 mg/kg/day (if intermediate TPMT) or 2.5
      mg/kg/day (if normal TPMT). Starting at week 5, the dose was adjusted to target
      6TGN concentrations of 250-400 pmol/8 * 10(8) red blood cells (RBC), or to a
      maximal dose of 4 mg/kg/day. RESULTS: After randomising 50 subjects, the trial
      was stopped prematurely due to insufficient enrolment. In intention-to-treat
      analysis, CR rates at week 16 were 40% in the individualised arm vs. 16% in the
      weight-based arm (P = 0.11). In per-protocol (PP) analysis, week 16 CR rates were
      60% in the individualised arm and 25% in the weight-based arm (P = 0.12). At week
      16, median 6TGN concentrations in PP remitters and nonremitters were 216 and 149
      pmol/8 * 10(8) RBC respectively (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Despite trends favouring
      individualised over weight-based AZA dosing, there were no statistically
      significant differences in efficacy, likely due to low statistical power and
      inability to achieve the target 6TGN concentrations in the individualised arm.
      [Clinicaltrials.Gov Identifier Nct00113503].

PMID- 24237038
TI  - The association between biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and structural changes
      in the brain in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biochemical changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could reflect
      pathophysiological processes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is still
      not clear how these processes correlate with grey matter (GM) volume and
      microstructural changes in the brain. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship
      between CSF biomarkers and structural brain changes in AD. DESIGN AND SETTING:
      Cross-sectional study in a memory clinic-based sample. SUBJECTS: A total of 78
      subjects were included in the study: 22 with subjective cognitive impairment
      (SCI), 35 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 21 with AD. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Voxel-wise correlations between CSF biomarkers, including beta
      amyloid42 (Abeta42), tau phosphorylated at position threonine 181 and total tau
      protein, and GM volume, self-diffusion fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean
      diffusivity (MD) maps using voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial
      statistical analyses. FA and MD maps were obtained using diffusion tensor
      imaging. RESULTS: In the whole sample (patients with SCI, MCI and AD), there was
      positive correlation between GM volume and Abeta42 concentration, and negative
      correlation with total tau protein. Higher FA was only related to higher
      concentration of Abeta42. MD showed significant negative correlation with Abeta42
      and positive correlation with T-tau levels. The majority of brain regions with
      significant correlation with CSF biomarkers overlapped with the default mode
      network and extended to the adjacent white matter. CONCLUSIONS: Early AD
      pathological changes can be detected with voxel-based morphometric analysis and
      diffusion tensor imaging measurements. Furthermore, there was an association
      between CSF AD biomarkers and structural brain changes in areas related to the
      default mode network.

PMID- 24237039
TI  - 3-Azatetracyclo[5.2.1.1(5,8).0(1,5)]undecane derivatives: from wild-type
      inhibitors of the M2 ion channel of influenza A virus to derivatives with potent
      activity against the V27A mutant.
AB  - We have synthesized and characterized a series of compounds containing the 3
      azatetracyclo[5.2.1.1(5,8).0(1,5)]undecane scaffold designed as analogues of
      amantadine, an inhibitor of the M2 proton channel of influenza A virus.
      Inhibition of the wild-type (WT) M2 channel and the amantadine-resistant A/M2
      S31N and A/M2-V27A mutant ion channels were measured in Xenopus oocytes using two
      electrode voltage clamp (TEV) assays. Most of the novel compounds inhibited the
      WT ion channel in the low micromolar range. Of note, several compounds inhibited
      the A/M2 V27A mutant ion channel, one of them with submicromolar IC50. None of
      the compounds was found to inhibit the S31N mutant ion channel. The antiviral
      activity of three novel dual WT and A/M2-V27A channels inhibitors was confirmed
      by influenza virus yield assays. 

PMID- 24237040
TI  - Exploring the sensitivity of speech-in-noise tests for noise-induced hearing
      loss.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recently, the digit triplet test was shown to be a sensitive speech-in
      noise test for early high-frequency hearing loss in noise-exposed workers. This
      study investigates if a further improvement is achieved when using a closed set
      of consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) speech items with the same vowel, and/or a low
      pass (LP) filtered version of the standard speech-shaped noise. DESIGN: Speech
      reception thresholds in noise were gathered for the digit triplet, CVC, and
      CVC_LP test and compared to the high-frequency pure-tone average (PTA). STUDY
      SAMPLE: 118 noise-exposed workers showing a wide range of high-frequency hearing
      losses. RESULTS: For the 84 Dutch-speaking participants, the CVC test showed an
      increased measurement error and a decreased between-subject variation, leading to
      a weaker correlation with the PTA2,3,4,6 (R = 0.64) and thus a lower sensitivity
      compared to the digit triplet test (R = 0.86). However, the use of LP-filtered
      noise resulted in a sensitivity improvement (R = 0.79 versus R = 0.64) due to the
      large increase in between-subject spread. Similar trends were found for the 34
      French-speaking workers. CONCLUSIONS: Using CVC words with the same vowel could
      not increase the sensitivity to detect isolated high-frequency hearing loss. With
      LP-filtered noise, test sensitivity improved, but it did not surpass the original
      digit triplet test.

PMID- 24237041
TI  - Effect of companding on speech recognition in quiet and noise for listeners with
      ANSD.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study assesses the effect of companding on speech
      perception in quiet and noise for listeners with auditory neuropathy spectrum
      disorder (ANSD). DESIGN: Speech perception was assessed using speech reception
      threshold in noise (SRTn) for sentences and consonant identification in quiet and
      at different signal-to-noise ratios (15, 10, 5, and 0 dB SNR). STUDY SAMPLE: Ten
      ANSD listeners and normal-hearing listeners participated in the study. RESULTS:
      ANSD listeners required significantly higher SRTn when compared to the normal
      hearing listeners. Companding reduced SRTn more significantly in listeners with
      ANSD, but for normal-hearing listeners there was only a marginal reduction. In
      the consonant identification task, ANSD listeners performed poorer than normal
      hearing listeners in quiet and noise. Companding improved consonant
      identification in quiet and at 15 dB SNR for listeners with ANSD, whereas no
      improvement was observed in normal-hearing listeners. CONCLUSION: Results of the
      present study demonstrate that companding improved speech perception in quiet and
      noise for ANSD listeners. The amount of improvement is higher at higher SNRs. In
      normal-hearing listeners, companding showed marginal improvement in both quiet
      and noise. The findings are discussed for rehabilitation of ANSD listeners by
      hearing aids which incorporate the companding strategy.

PMID- 24237042
TI  - Effect of chitosan on Salmonella Typhimurium in broiler chickens.
AB  - Public concern with the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly
      among foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, has been challenging the poultry
      industry to find alternative means of control. The purposes of the present study
      were to evaluate in vitro and in vivo effects of chitosan on Salmonella enterica
      serovar Typhimurium (ST) infection in broiler chicks. For in vitro crop assay
      experiments, tubes containing feed, water, and ST were treated with either saline
      as a control or 0.2% chitosan. The entire assay was repeated in three trials. In
      two independent in vivo trials, 40 broiler chicks were assigned to an untreated
      control diet or dietary treatment with 0.2% chitosan for 7 days (20 broiler
      chicks/treatment). At day 4, chicks were challenged with 2*105 colony-forming
      units (CFU) ST/bird. In a third in vivo trial, 100 broiler chicks were assigned
      to untreated control diet or dietary treatment with 0.2% chitosan for 10 days (50
      broiler chicks/treatment) to evaluate ST horizontal transmission. At day 3, 10
      birds were challenged with 105 CFU ST/bird, and the remaining nonchallenged birds
      (n=40) were kept in the same floor pen. In all three in vitro trials, 0.2%
      chitosan significantly reduced total CFU of ST at 0.5 and 6 h postinoculation
      compared with control (p<0.05). In two in vivo trials, at 7 days, dietary 0.2%
      chitosan significantly reduced total CFU of recovered ST in the ceca in both
      experiments. Dietary 0.2% chitosan significantly reduced total ST CFU recovered
      in the ceca of horizontally challenged birds in the third in vivo trial. Chitosan
      at 0.2% significantly reduced the CFU of recovered ST in vitro and in vivo,
      proving to be an alternative tool to reduce crop, ceca, and consequently carcass
      ST contamination as well as decreasing the amount of ST shed to the environment.

PMID- 24237043
TI  - Efficiency of U.S. dialysis centers: an updated examination of facility
      characteristics that influence production of dialysis treatments.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the relative efficiency of dialysis facilities in the
      United States and identify factors that are associated with efficiency in the
      production of dialysis treatments. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Medicare cost
      report data from 4,343 free-standing dialysis facilities in the United States
      that offered in-center hemodialysis in 2010. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional,
      facility-level retrospective database analysis, utilizing data envelopment
      analysis (DEA) to estimate facility efficiency. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION
      METHODS: Treatment data and cost and labor inputs of dialysis treatments were
      obtained from 2010 Medicare Renal Cost Reports. Demographic data were obtained
      from the 2010 U.S. Census. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Only 26.6 percent of facilities
      were technically efficient. Neither the intensity of market competition nor the
      profit status of the facility had a significant effect on efficiency. Facilities
      that were members of large chains were less likely to be efficient. Cost and
      labor savings due to changes in drug protocols had little effect on overall
      dialysis center efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of free-standing dialysis
      facilities in the United States were functioning in a technically inefficient
      manner. As payment systems increasingly employ capitation and bundling
      provisions, these institutions will need to evaluate their efficiency to remain
      competitive.

PMID- 24237044
TI  - Response: Domino liver transplantation as a valuable option.

PMID- 24237045
TI  - Solution processable benzooxadiazole and benzothiadiazole based D-A-D molecules
      with chalcogenophene: field effect transistor study and structure property
      relationship.
AB  - We present here the physicochemical characterization of a series of D-A-D type
      molecules which comprise benzooxadiazole (BDO) and benzothiadiazole (BDT) core
      symmetrically linked to two aromatic-heterols (furan (F), thiophene (T) and
      selenophene (Se)) at 4 and 7-positions. The molecular structures of four
      compounds 2 (T-BDO-T), 3 (Se-BDO-Se), 5 (T-BDT-T), and 6 (Se-BDT-Se) were
      determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The combination of chalcogen
      atoms of benzochalcogenadiazole and chalcogenophene in D-A-D molecules has
      significant impact on their molecular packing in crystal structures. Structural
      analyses and theoretical calculations showed that all the molecules are nearly
      planar. Crystal structures of 2, 3, 5, and 6 showed significant short range
      interactions such as pi...pi, CH...pi, S...pi, Se...pi, N...H, O...H, S...H,
      Se...H, S...O, and Se...N interactions, which influence crystal packing and
      orientation of the capped aromatic-heterol rings with respect to the central BDO
      or BDT unit. The pi-stacking interactions have been observed via intermolecular
      overlap of the donor with acceptor units of the adjacent molecules which
      facilitate the charge transport process. Good thermal stability and solubility in
      common organic solvents make them good candidate for flexible electronics.
      Interestingly, the molecules 2, 3, and 6 have the propensity to form ordered
      crystallites when sheared during the drying process in the thin films. Devices
      based on these solution processable all organic FETs demonstrated hole mobility
      as high as 0.08 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and Ion/Ioff ratio of 10(4). 

PMID- 24237048
TI  - The process and utility of classification and regression tree methodology in
      nursing research.
AB  - AIM: This paper presents a discussion of classification and regression tree
      analysis and its utility in nursing research. BACKGROUND: Classification and
      regression tree analysis is an exploratory research method used to illustrate
      associations between variables not suited to traditional regression analysis.
      Complex interactions are demonstrated between covariates and variables of
      interest in inverted tree diagrams. DESIGN: Discussion paper. DATA SOURCES:
      English language literature was sourced from eBooks, Medline Complete and CINAHL
      Plus databases, Google and Google Scholar, hard copy research texts and retrieved
      reference lists for terms including classification and regression tree* and
      derivatives and recursive partitioning from 1984-2013. DISCUSSION: Classification
      and regression tree analysis is an important method used to identify previously
      unknown patterns amongst data. Whilst there are several reasons to embrace this
      method as a means of exploratory quantitative research, issues regarding quality
      of data as well as the usefulness and validity of the findings should be
      considered. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING RESEARCH: Classification and regression tree
      analysis is a valuable tool to guide nurses to reduce gaps in the application of
      evidence to practice. With the ever-expanding availability of data, it is
      important that nurses understand the utility and limitations of the research
      method. CONCLUSION: Classification and regression tree analysis is an easily
      interpreted method for modelling interactions between health-related variables
      that would otherwise remain obscured. Knowledge is presented graphically,
      providing insightful understanding of complex and hierarchical relationships in
      an accessible and useful way to nursing and other health professions.

PMID- 24237049
TI  - Low-cost silicone imaging casts for zebrafish embryos and larvae.
AB  - Due to their size and optical clarity, zebrafish embryos have long been
      appreciated for their usefulness in time-lapse confocal microscopy. Current
      methods of mounting zebrafish embryos and larvae for imaging consist mainly of
      mounting in low percentage, low melting temperature agarose in a Petri dish.
      Whereas imaging methods have advanced greatly over the last two decades, the
      methods for mounting embryos have not changed significantly. In this article, we
      describe the development and use of 3D printed plastic molds. These molds can be
      used to create silicone casts and allow embryos and larvae to be mounted with a
      consistent and reproducible angle, and position in X, Y, and Z. These molds are
      made on a 3D printer and can be easily and cheaply reproduced by anyone with
      access to a 3D printer, making this method accessible to the entire zebrafish
      community. Molds can be reused to create additional casts, which can be reused
      after imaging. These casts are compatible with any upright microscope and can be
      adapted for use on an inverted microscope, taking the working distance of the
      objective used into account. This technique should prove to be useful to any
      researcher imaging zebrafish embryos.

PMID- 24237050
TI  - Ultrasound-mediated destruction of LHRHa-targeted and paclitaxel-loaded lipid
      microbubbles for the treatment of intraperitoneal ovarian cancer xenografts.
AB  - Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) is a promising technique to
      facilitate the delivery of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. However, the process
      typically uses nonspecific microbubbles, leading to low tumor-to-normal tissue
      uptake ratio and adverse side effects. In this study, we synthesized the LHRH
      receptor-targeted and paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded lipid microbubbles (TPLMBs) for
      tumor-specific binding and enhanced therapeutic effect at the tumor site. An
      ovarian cancer xenograft model was established by injecting A2780/DDP cells
      intraperitoneally in BALB/c nude mice. Microscopic imaging of tumor sections
      after intraperitoneal injection of TPLMBs showed effective binding of the
      microbubbles with cancer cells. Ultrasound mediated destruction of the
      intraperitoneally injected TPLMBs yielded a superior therapeutic outcome in
      comparison with other treatment options. Immunohistochemical analyses of the
      dissected tumor tissue further confirmed the increased tumor apoptosis and
      reduced angiogenesis. Our experiment suggests that ultrasound-mediated
      intraperitoneal administration of the targeted drug-loaded microbubbles may be a
      useful method for the treatment of ovarian cancer. 

PMID- 24237051
TI  - Oil-isolated hydrogel microstructures for sensitive bioassays on-chip.
AB  - Multiplexed, sensitive, and on-chip molecular diagnostic assays are essential in
      both clinical and research settings. In past work, running reactions in nanoliter
      to femtoliter-sized volumes such as microwells or droplets has led to
      significant increases in detection sensitivities. At the same time, hydrogels
      have emerged as attractive scaffolds for bioassays due to their nonfouling,
      flexible, and aqueous properties. In this paper, we combine these concepts and
      develop a novel platform in which hydrogel compartments are used as individually
      confined reaction volumes within a fluorinated oil phase. We fabricate functional
      and versatile hydrogel microstructures in microfluidic channels that are
      physically isolated from each other using a surfactant-free fluorinated oil
      phase, generating picoliter- to nanoliter-sized immobilized aqueous reaction
      compartments that are readily functionalized with biomolecules. In doing so, we
      achieve monodisperse reaction volumes with an aqueous interior while exploiting
      the unique chemistry of a hydrogel, which provides a solid and porous binding
      scaffold for biomolecules and is impenetrable to oil. Furthermore, our
      lithographically defined reaction volumes are readily customized with respect to
      geometry and chemistry within the same channel, allowing rational tuning of the
      confined reaction volume on a post-to-post basis without needing to use
      surfactants to maintain stability. We design and implement a multiplexed signal
      amplification assay in which gel-bound enzymes turn over small molecule substrate
      into fluorescent product in the oil-confined gel compartment, providing
      significant signal enhancement. Using short (20 min) amplification times, the
      encapsulation scheme provides up to 2 orders of magnitude boost of signal in
      nucleic acid detection assays relative to direct labeling and does not suffer
      from any cross-talk between the posts. We ultimately demonstrate up to 57-fold
      increase in nucleic acid detection sensitivity compared to a direct labeling
      scheme. 

PMID- 24237052
TI  - Impaired hepatic and intestinal ATP-binding cassette transporter G5/8 was
      associated with high exposure of beta-sitosterol and the potential risks to blood
      brain barrier integrity in diabetic rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Plant sterols are thought to treat hypercholesterolemia via
      inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the contribution of impaired ATP-binding cassette transporter G5/8
      (ABCG5/8) expression by diabetes to the increased beta-sitosterol (BS) exposure
      and impact of increased BS on integrity of blood-brain barrier (BBB). METHODS:
      Basal BS level in tissues of streptozotocin-inducted rats and ABCG5/8 protein
      levels in liver and intestine were investigated; pharmacokinetics of BS was
      studied following oral dose; and primarily cultured rat brain microvessel
      endothelial cells (rBMECs) were used to study BS transportation across BBB and
      effect of BS on BBB integrity. KEY FINDINGS: Diabetic rats showed greatly
      upgraded basal levels of BS in plasma, intestine, cerebral and hippocampus,
      accompanied by impairment of ABCG5/8 protein expression in liver and intestine.
      Pharmacokinetics studies demonstrated higher AUC0-48 and Cmax , and lower faecal
      recoveries of BS after oral administration, indicating enhancement of absorption
      or efflux impairment. In-vitro data showed increased ratio of BS/cholesterol in
      high levels BS-treated rBMECs was associated with increased BBB permeability of
      some biomarkers including BS itself. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired ABCG5/8 protein
      expression by diabetes led to increase in BS exposure, which may be harmful to
      BBB function.

PMID- 24237054
TI  - Better protection for patentees: preliminary injunctions in the EU for
      pharmaceutical patent matters.

PMID- 24237053
TI  - Beta-lactam hypersensitivity in children with cystic fibrosis: a study in a
      specialized pediatric center for cystic fibrosis and drug allergy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Beta-lactam hypersensitivity (HS) is suspected in 5-12% of the
      children, but proven in only 10-15% of those children, based on skin and
      challenge tests results. In contrast, 30-60% of patients with cystic fibrosis
      (CF) are diagnosed allergic to beta-lactams, based mainly on the clinical history
      of the patients. OBJECTIVES: To confirm or rule out a suspected beta-lactam HS in
      CF children and to determine the prevalences of suspected and confirmed beta
      lactam HS in those children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children with CF and suspected
      beta-lactam HS were explored by means of skin and challenge tests with the
      suspected and alternate beta-lactams. The results in CF children were compared
      with those reported in the literature in non- CF children. RESULTS: Eight of the
      701 CF children followed in our center between 1990 and 2011 (1.14%), and 11
      other children from other centers were explored for suspected beta-lactam HS.
      Beta-lactam HS was diagnosed in nine of these children (47.3%). Based on the
      results in the children followed in our center, the prevalence of beta-lactam HS
      was 0.71% (5/701) in CF children vs. a mean estimated prevalence of 1-1.5% in the
      general pediatric population. CONCLUSION: Our results contrast with those of most
      previous studies. Although half of the CF children with suspected beta-lactam HS
      were truly allergic to beta-lactams, the general prevalence of beta-lactam HS in
      CF children was very low. This may result from tolerance induced by frequent
      and/or prolonged treatments with beta-lactams.

PMID- 24237055
TI  - Different rules, different results: patent litigation after In re Baxter.

PMID- 24237056
TI  - Supreme Court of India rejects Novartis' cancer drug patent.

PMID- 24237059
TI  - Legitimate patent extension or patent system abuse?
AB  - This article examines strategies used by innovators in the pharmaceutical
      industry in order to extend the legal monopolies available to them in order to
      prevent generic sales of their products for as long as possible. We examine
      patent procurement strategies in which secondary patents are filed for
      developments relating to a specific active ingredient. Another strategy adopted
      by innovators has involved the registration and de-registration of particular
      drug formulations in order to influence the relevant dates for calculating both
      patent term extensions and also the term of regulatory data exclusivity. We
      conclude that, in all cases, while the letter of the law has been complied with,
      in certain cases, readers may conclude that the spirit of the law has not been
      complied with. We expect that over the next 5-10 years, patent granting
      authorities and national courts will increasingly scrutinize these types of
      activities in order to ensure ethical behavior on the part of all stakeholders. 

PMID- 24237060
TI  - Challenges to obtaining good pharmaceutical patents in Japan: 2009 and beyond.
AB  - The Japanese patent practice does not allow patents for medical activities as
      such, but only protects product inventions relating to pharmaceutical subject
      matter. However, recently, the Japanese Examination Guidelines have been amended
      to protect inventions, in which patentable features are only found in
      administration/dosage, thereby substantially protecting medical activities. In
      this review article, the revised Examination Guidelines are reviewed and
      explained from various aspects of view. Enablement/written description (support)
      requirements, which are important factors in obtaining reasonable patent scope of
      coverage, are further reviewed in terms of comparison among trilateral offices
      (USPTO, EPO and Japanese Patent Office). Recent court decisions are also reviewed
      for creating proper IP strategies in the field of pharmaceutical inventions. 

PMID- 24237061
TI  - Current trends in the development of wound dressings, biomaterials and devices.
AB  - Wound management covers all aspects of patient care from initial injury,
      treatment of infection, fluid loss, tissue regeneration, wound closure to final
      scar formation and remodeling. There are many wound-care products available
      including simple protective layers, hydrogels, metal ion-impregnated dressings
      and artificial skin substitutes, which facilitate surface closure. This review
      examines recent developments in wound dressings, biomaterials and devices.
      Particular attention is focused on the design and manufacture of hydrogel-based
      dressings, their polymeric constituents and chemical modification. Finally,
      topical negative pressure and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are considered. Current
      wound-management strategies can be expensive, time consuming and labor intensive.
      Progress in the multidisciplinary arena of wound care will address these issues
      and be of immense benefit to patients, by improving both clinical outcomes and
      their quality of life. 

PMID- 24237063
TI  - Newer glucocorticosteroids and corticosteroid resistance reversal in asthma.
AB  - Inflammation is the hallmark of asthma. Glucocorticosteroids inhibit this
      inflammation and are the mainstay of therapy in asthma, however, they suffer from
      their own drawbacks. They possess high potency but their continued use has a
      negative influence on health. Hence, quest for a steroid with good potency but
      without the undesirable effects is ongoing. Besides, steroid resistance is a
      problem in a substantial proportion of severe asthmatics. Deeper insight into the
      molecular mechanism of this refractoriness has led to the successful trial of
      certain drugs to overcome this problem. This review attempts to discuss some of
      the patents related to improved glucocorticoids and those agents that have the
      potential to restore steroid sensitivity in severe asthmatics. 

PMID- 24237062
TI  - New immunological approaches in treating and diagnosing CNS diseases.
AB  - The immune system evolved to launch effective and specific responses against
      pathogens. A key feature of this defense mechanism is its ability to
      differentiate between self and nonself. However, in autoimmune diseases, the
      host's immune system fails to discriminate self versus foreign. The CNS is
      further protected by the blood-brain barrier. In spite of its 'immune privilege,'
      the brain is not protected from autoimmunity; perhaps paradoxically
      xenoantibodies can be used to treat neurological diseases. We describe patents
      covering treatment methods for CNS diseases with suspected or demonstrated
      autoimmune etiology. These include multiple sclerosis and, Alzheimer's and
      Parkinson's disease. The goal is to less invasively, yet efficiently, treat
      neurological diseases. Although autoimmune responses are often detrimental,
      recent studies have begun to harness, boost and induce immune responses as a
      mechanism of treatment. The patents discussed herein highlight new treatments for
      Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and seizure disorders. 

PMID- 24237064
TI  - Prostaglandin EP4 antagonists.
AB  - Prostaglandin antagonists, with their pharmacological effects, are well-known
      drugs capable of treating widely diffused illnesses, including pain and
      inflammation disorders. In recent years, a major research focus has been devoted
      to the identification of agents able to selectively antagonize each receptor with
      which prostaglandins interact. This review attempts to give a broad overview of
      molecules capable of selectively blocking the prostaglandin PGE2 EP4 receptor.
      Further therapeutic applications and uses have also been disccussed, including
      the first drug candidate to have reached clinical trials within the last few
      years. 

PMID- 24237065
TI  - The central question of type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) represents a significant global epidemic with more than 285
      million people affected worldwide. Regulating glycemia in T2D patients can be
      partially achieved with currently available treatment, but intensive research
      during the last decades have led to the discovery of modified compounds or new
      targets that could represent great hope for safe and effective treatment in the
      future. Among them, targets in the CNS that are known to control feeding and body
      weight have been also shown to exert glucoregulatory actions, and could be a key
      in the development of a new generation of drugs in the field of T2D. Such drugs
      would be of great interest since they can be used both in the treatment of
      diabetes and obesity. This patent review aims to establish an overview of recent
      patents disclosing new therapeutic opportunities targeting peripheral, as well as
      central targets for the treatment of T2D. 

PMID- 24237068
TI  - The usefulness of plasma histamine and different tryptase cut-off points in the
      diagnosis of peranaesthetic hypersensitivity reactions.
AB  - Anaesthetic hypersensitivity reactions can be IgE- or not IgE-mediated and are a
      challenge to find the causal agent. Histamine and tryptase determination are
      classically considered useful in the diagnosis of these reactions. The aim of our
      study was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of plasma histamine and different
      cut-off points of serum tryptase. METHODS: Patients suffering a reaction
      suggestive of hypersensitivity during general anaesthesia in Clinica Universidad
      de Navarra (2008-2012) were included. Serum tryptase and plasma histamine were
      measured at the time of the reaction and 2 h later. Baseline tryptase was also
      determined. Four to eight weeks after the reaction an allergological study was
      performed to all the drugs or products involved in the reaction. RESULTS: Sixty
      five patients suffered an immediate hypersensitivity reaction during the period
      of the study. Thirty-seven patients (20 male) with median age 48 years (12-79)
      were included because they completed allergological study, and histamine and
      tryptase were correctly obtained. Elevated plasma histamine was observed in 34
      cases (92%). Tryptase exceeded twice the basal values in 10 patients (31%). Using
      different cut-off points of tryptase, the number of patients with elevated
      tryptase would be 15 patients (41%) for a cut-off point of 5 MUg/L; 12 patients
      (32%) for a cut-off point of 8.23 MUg/L; nine patients (24%) for 10.5 MUg/L; and
      eight patients (22%) for 11.4 MUg/L. The median tryptase level for the IgE
      mediated reactions was 9.0 MUg/L (2-70 MUg/L) and 4.0 MUg/L (3-13 MUg/L) in non
      IgE-mediated reactions (P < 0.01). Median tryptase levels were higher in more
      severe reactions (grade 2 or 3) in comparison with grade 1. The best ratio for
      serum-tryptase-during-reaction/basal-serum-tryptase to discriminate between IgE
      and non-IgE reactions was 2.0. CONCLUSION: The best criterion for discriminating
      IgE- and non IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions in anaesthesia was a
      tryptase value exceeding twice the basal one.

PMID- 24237069
TI  - Proposal for establishment of the UK Cranial Reconstruction Registry (UKCRR).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing utilisation of decompressive craniectomy for traumatic
      brain injury and stroke has led to an increase in the number of cranioplasties
      undertaken. Cranioplasty is also undertaken following excision of tumours
      originating from or invading the skull vault, removal of bone flaps due to post
      operative infection, and decompressive craniectomy for the management of rarer
      causes of brain oedema and/or refractory intracranial hypertension. The existing
      literature which mainly consists of single-centre, retrospective studies, shows a
      significant variation in practice patterns and a wide range of morbidity. There
      also exists a need to measure the outcome as perceived by the patients themselves
      with patient reported outcome measures (PROMs; functional outcome, quality of
      life, satisfaction with cosmesis). In the UK, the concept of long-term
      surveillance of neurosurgical implants is well established with the UK shunt
      registry. Based on this background, we propose to establish the UK Cranial
      Reconstruction Registry (UKCRR). AIM: The overarching aim of the UKCRR is to
      collect high-quality data about cranioplasties undertaken across the UK and
      Ireland in order to improve outcomes for patients. METHODS: Any patient
      undergoing reconstruction of the skull vault with autologous bone, titanium, or
      synthetic material in participating units will be eligible for inclusion. Data
      will be submitted directly by participating units to the Outcome Registry
      Intervention and Operation Network secure platform. A Steering Committee will be
      responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and running of the UKCRR.
      OUTCOME MEASURES: These will include re-operation due to a cranioplasty-related
      issue, surgical site infection, re-admission due to a cranioplasty-related issue,
      unplanned post-operative escalation of care, adverse events, length of stay in
      admitting unit, destination at discharge from admitting unit, mortality at
      discharge from admitting unit, neurological status and PROMs during routine
      follow-up. CONCLUSION: The UKCRR will be an important pillar in the ongoing
      efforts to optimise the outcomes of patients undergoing cranioplasty.

PMID- 24237070
TI  - Efficacy and safety of telaprevir and boceprevir in patients with hepatitis C
      genotype 1: a meta-analysis.
AB  - WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Two NS3/4A protease inhibitors (PIs), telaprevir and
      boceprevir, were recently approved in the United States. The primary objective
      was to compare the efficacy and safety of triple therapies including either PI to
      dual therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1; the secondary
      objective was to conduct subgroup analyses to make comparisons based on patients'
      race. METHODS: Published and unpublished RCTs were selected if they: (i) had
      patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, (ii) compared triple therapies
      (telaprevir or boceprevir + peg-interferon + ribavirin) and dual therapy (peg
      interferon + ribavirin) and (iii) measured the outcome using sustained virologic
      response (SVR). RESULTS: A total of 4421 patients from 10 evaluated articles were
      included in the meta-analysis. Overall, triple therapy was significantly
      associated with a higher achievement of SVR than dual therapy: (i) telaprevir
      based triple therapy in treatment-naive patients (relative risk [RR] = 1.62; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.47-1.78), (ii) telaprevir-based triple therapy in
      treatment-experienced patients (RR = 3.85; 95% CI, 3.03-4.90), (iii) boceprevir
      based triple therapy in treatment-naive patients (PR = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.56-1.86)
      and (iv) boceprevir-based triple therapy in treatment-experienced patients (RR =
      2.98; 95% CI, 2.29-3.87). Although black and non-black patients demonstrated the
      higher rates of achieving SVR with triple therapy compared to dual therapy, the
      rates of SVR were still lower among black patients than among non-black patients.
      Patients on triple therapies had the significantly increased incidences of
      treatment discontinuation attributable to adverse events and serious adverse
      events when compared to dual therapy, especially treatment-experienced patients.
      WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS: Regarding achieving SVR, triple therapies including
      either PI are superior to dual therapy for both treatment-naive and treatment
      experienced patients.

PMID- 24237071
TI  - Proteomic studies related to genetic determinants of variability in protein
      concentrations.
AB  - Genetic variation has multiple effects on the proteome. It may influence the
      expression level of proteins, modify their sequences through single nucleotide
      polymorphisms, the occurrence of allelic variants, or alternative splicing (ASP)
      events. This perspective paper summarizes the major effects of genetic
      variability on protein expression and isoforms and provides an overview of
      proteomics techniques and methods that allow studying the effects of genetic
      variability at different levels of the proteome. The paper provides an overview
      of recent quantitative trait loci studies performed to explore the effect of
      genetic variation on protein expression (pQTL). Finally it gives a perspective
      view on advances in proteomics technology and the role of the Chromosome-Centric
      Human Proteome Project (C-HPP) by creating large-scale resources that may
      facilitate performing more comprehensive pQTL experiments in the future. 

PMID- 24237073
TI  - Immunohistochemical characterization of novel murine monoclonal antibodies
      against human placenta-specific 1.
AB  - Human PLAC1 (placenta-specific 1) is a new member of cancer-testis antigens with
      212 amino acids, and its expression is restricted to placenta and at much lower
      levels to testis. Recently, ectopic expression of the PLAC1 transcript has been
      demonstrated in a wide range of human tumors and cancer cell lines with a
      proposed function in tumor cell growth. No monoclonal anti-PLAC1 antibody
      applicable to immunohis-tochemical staining is available so far. To better
      understand the PLAC1 expression and localization, we aimed to produce monoclonal
      antibodies (mAbs) against the extracellular region of PLAC1. Mice were immunized
      with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal 11 amino acids of PLAC1
      conjugated with a carrier protein. Hybridomas were produced by standard protocol
      and screened for positive reactivity by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
      Reactivity of final two clones was then assessed by Western blotting (WB),
      immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Both clones showed a
      specific immunostaining pattern in human term placenta as the positive control.
      Reactivity was mostly localized to the cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblasts. One of
      the clones showed an excellent staining signal in breast, ovary, and prostate
      cancer cell lines. Importantly, no reactivity was observed with human lymph node
      cells or prostate. None of the mAbs were able to detect PLAC1 in Western blot.
      Based on the present results, these mAbs can be used for detection of PLAC1 in
      IHC and ICC techniques. 

PMID- 24237074
TI  - Take your time.

PMID- 24237075
TI  - Lung cancer: let's try for prevention and cure.

PMID- 24237076
TI  - Vitamin D and tuberculosis.

PMID- 24237079
TI  - The utility of genetics in inherited cancer.

PMID- 24237080
TI  - The Angelina Jolie effect.

PMID- 24237081
TI  - Vitamin D and tuberculosis: hope or hype?

PMID- 24237082
TI  - Pathways to enhancing the quality of stroke care through national data monitoring
      systems for hospitals.

PMID- 24237083
TI  - Immigration screening for latent tuberculosis infection.

PMID- 24237084
TI  - Immigration screening for latent tuberculosis infection.

PMID- 24237085
TI  - Think before you insert an intravenous catheter.

PMID- 24237086
TI  - Epidemiology of tuberculosis and levels of vitamin D in Australia: person, place
      and time.

PMID- 24237087
TI  - Liaise with pathologists to refine understanding of the prostate-specific antigen
      test.

PMID- 24237088
TI  - Re-treating bleeding hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia with bevacizumab.

PMID- 24237089
TI  - Sotalol-associated cardiogenic shock in a patient with asymptomatic transient
      rate-related cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 24237090
TI  - Amanita phalloides poisoning and treatment with silibinin in the Australian
      Capital Territory and New South Wales.

PMID- 24237091
TI  - Reinforcing the iodine message for pregnant women in Australia.

PMID- 24237092
TI  - Psychotropic medication in pregnancy.

PMID- 24237093
TI  - Dealing with disclosure in patients with borderline personality traits.

PMID- 24237095
TI  - Difficult but necessary conversations--the case for advance care planning.
AB  - Many patients at the end of life receive care that is inappropriate or futile
      and, if given the opportunity to discuss their care preferences well ahead of
      death, may well have chosen to forgo such care. Advance care planning (ACP) is a
      process of making decisions about future health care for patients in consultation
      with clinicians, family members and important others, and to safeguard such
      decisions if patients were to lose decisional capacity. Although ACP has existed
      as an idea for decades, acceptance and operationalisation of ACP within routine
      practice has been slow, despite evidence of its benefits. The chief barriers have
      been social and personal taboos about discussing the dying process, avoidance by
      medical professionals of responsibility for initiating, coordinating and
      documenting discussions about ACP, absence of robust and standardised procedures
      for recording and retrieving ACP documents across multiple care settings, and
      legal and ethical concerns about the validity of such documents. For ACP to
      become part of mainstream patient-centred care, accountable clinicians working in
      primary care, hospitals and nursing homes must effectively educate colleagues and
      patients about the purpose and mechanics of ACP, mandate ACP for all eligible
      patients, document ACP in accessible formats that enable patient wishes to
      accurately guide clinical management, devise methods for reviewing ACP decisions
      when clinically appropriate, and evaluate congruence between expressed patient
      wishes and actual care received. Public awareness campaigns coupled with
      implementation of ACP programs sponsored by collaborations between hospital and
      health services, Medicare locals and residential care facilities will be needed
      in making system-wide ACP a reality. 

PMID- 24237096
TI  - Preoperative cardiac evaluation and management of patients undergoing elective
      non-cardiac surgery.
AB  - Perioperative cardiac complications are a common cause of death and major
      morbidity in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Preoperative evaluation and
      medical optimisation can improve outcomes, although the evidence base is limited.
      Evidence of effectiveness is strongest for prophylactic use of beta-blockers in
      high-risk patients and aspirin in patients with coronary artery disease.
      Particular challenges arise among patients with heart failure or valvular heart
      disease or those receiving antithrombotic therapy for coronary artery stents or
      atrial fibrillation. Close liaison between general practitioners, surgeons,
      anaesthetists and cardiologists is needed for optimising preoperative management
      and subsequent clinical outcomes in high-risk patients. 

PMID- 24237097
TI  - Lung cancer in Victoria: are we making progress?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify areas to improve patient management in lung cancer, which
      remains the greatest cause of death from cancer in Australia. DESIGN AND SETTING:
      Retrospective survey of all cases of lung cancer reported to the Victorian Cancer
      Registry from 1 January to 30 June 2003 and followed up for 5 years. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Patient and disease characteristics, investigations, staging,
      treatment, cause of death, survival. RESULTS: 841 patients were included. Smoking
      data were available for 799, of whom 63 (7.9%) had never smoked. Of 655 non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases, 198 (30.2%) were treated with curative intent,
      125 (19.1%) by surgery and 73 (11.1%) by radiotherapy with or without
      chemotherapy. Only 7 (6.9%) of surgical patients with complete R0 resection had
      adjuvant chemotherapy. Of 101 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cases, a third had
      limited stage disease which was mostly treated with curative intent by
      chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. Patients whose cases were discussed at
      a multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) were significantly more likely to receive
      anticancer treatment and had longer survival; on multivariate analysis, MDM
      discussion was an independent prognostic factor. Compared with a similar survey
      10 years earlier, the median age of patients diagnosed with lung cancer had
      increased by almost 3 years, the proportion of affected men decreased and
      adenocarcinoma was more frequent, while 10% of patients continued to have no
      pathologically confirmed diagnosis and 26% continued to receive no anticancer
      treatment. The number of patients with NSCLC who went on to a definitive surgical
      procedure fell with no detriment to survival, which likely reflected better
      staging with the introduction of positron emission tomography scanning.
      CONCLUSIONS: Opportunities to improve patient management included increasing the
      proportion with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis and greater use of
      postsurgical adjuvant chemotherapy. A high proportion of patients received no
      treatment, with underuse of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Critically, the low
      rate of case discussions at MDMs needs to increase. However, effective strategies
      are required to identify cases early, as over two-thirds currently present with
      incurable disease.

PMID- 24237098
TI  - Preventing breast and ovarian cancers in high-risk BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation
      carriers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of the use of cancer risk-reducing measures
      among Australian BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. DESIGN, SETTING AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Prospective follow-up of female carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2
      mutations who had no personal history of cancer and were enrolled in a multiple
      case breast cancer family cohort study (kConFab). Data, including cancer events
      and uptake of risk-reducing surgery and medication were collected by self-report
      at cohort entry and 3 yearly thereafter. Surgery was confirmed from pathology and
      medical records. Women were followed up from enrolment until cancer diagnosis,
      date of last follow-up, or death. Data were collected from 3 November 1997 to 21
      May 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uptake of risk-reducing surgery and/or
      medication. RESULTS: Of 175 BRCA1 and 150 BRCA2 mutation carriers (median age, 37
      years at cohort enrolment), 69 (21%) underwent risk-reducing mastectomy, 125
      (38%) underwent risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and nine (3%)
      participated in a clinical trial of risk-reducing medication, during 2447 person
      years of follow-up (median follow-up, 9 years). Sixty-eight women (21%) reported
      incident cancers, including 52 breast cancers and nine ovarian cancers (defined
      in this article as high-grade serous cancers of the ovary, fallopian tube or
      peritoneum). CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable scope to increase the uptake of
      cancer risk-reducing measures in Australian BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.
      These findings should drive (i) future research into the factors contributing to
      low uptake in Australia and (ii) changes to policy and practice to help better
      translate genetic knowledge into reductions in cancer incidence.

PMID- 24237099
TI  - Low awareness of adverse drug reaction reporting systems: a consumer survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine levels of public awareness of consumer adverse drug
      reaction (ADR) reporting systems in Australia. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS:
      Cross-sectional study conducted in 2012 of residents of the Hunter Valley region
      of New South Wales, who participated in a computer-assisted telephone interview
      (CATI), and a national sample, who completed an online Pureprofile survey. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of respondents experiencing ADRs; the type of
      medicine involved; whether participants reported the adverse event and to whom;
      awareness and use of existing consumer ADR reporting mechanisms. RESULTS: There
      were 2484 CATI respondents and 2497 Pureprofile respondents. Side effects with
      medicines were very common (46.3% of respondents), most relating to prescription
      medicines (88.4%). Among respondents who had experienced a side effect, 84.6%
      reported the event to a health care professional, most often a general
      practitioner. Awareness of consumer ADR reporting schemes was low (10.4%). Of 217
      respondents who had experienced a side effect and were aware of consumer
      reporting schemes, 46 (21.2%) had reported an ADR using one of these schemes.
      CONCLUSIONS: Consumers can contribute to our understanding of medicines safety,
      but there is low awareness of available reporting systems. Some consumers aware
      of ADR self-reporting systems appear prepared to use them, but promotion of and
      education on how to use reporting systems are required. Significant resources may
      be needed to support an enhanced consumer reporting scheme.

PMID- 24237100
TI  - Chiropractic Observation and Analysis Study (COAST): providing an understanding
      of current chiropractic practice.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: COAST (Chiropractic Observation and Analysis Study) aimed to describe
      the clinical practices of chiropractors in Victoria, Australia. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional study using the BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health)
      methods for general practice. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 180 chiropractors in
      active clinical practice in Victoria were randomly selected from the list of 1298
      chiropractors registered on Chiropractors Registration Board of Victoria. Twenty
      four chiropractors were ineligible, 72 agreed to participate, and 52 completed
      the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Each participating chiropractor documented
      encounters with up to 100 consecutive patients. For each chiropractor-patient
      encounter, information collected included patient health profile, patient reasons
      for encounter, problems and diagnoses, and chiropractic care. RESULTS: Data were
      collected on 4464 chiropractor-patient encounters from 52 chiropractors between
      11 December 2010 and 28 September 2012. In most (71%) encounters, patients were
      aged 25-64 years; 1% of encounters were with infants (age < 1 year; 95% CI, 0.3%
      3.2%). Musculoskeletal reasons for encounter were described by patients at a rate
      of 60 per 100 encounters (95% CI, 54-67 encounters) and maintenance and wellness
      or check-up reasons were described at a rate of 39 per 100 encounters (95% CI, 33
      47 encounters). Back problems were managed at a rate of 62 per 100 encounters
      (95% CI, 55-71 encounters). The most frequent care provided by the chiropractors
      was spinal manipulative therapy and massage. CONCLUSIONS: A range of conditions
      are managed by chiropractors in Victoria, Australia, but most commonly these
      conditions are musculoskeletal-related. These results can be used by stakeholders
      of the chiropractic profession in workforce development, education and health
      care policy.

PMID- 24237101
TI  - Antimicrobial stewardship in Victorian hospitals: a statewide survey to identify
      current gaps.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities currently
      being undertaken at Victorian hospitals, identifying gaps when assessed against
      the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care criteria for
      effective AMS. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A survey open to all Victorian
      health services, conducted between January and March 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Availability of the endorsed prescribing guidelines, antimicrobial prescribing
      policies, formularies, approval systems for restricted antimicrobials, procedures
      for postprescription review, auditing and selective reporting of sensitivities.
      RESULTS: Response rates were 96.4% for public health services and 67.7% for
      private hospitals. Guidelines were available at all public and 88.1% of private
      hospitals, and 90.6% of public metropolitan, 45.7% of public regional and 21.4%
      of private hospitals had antimicrobial prescribing policies. Antimicrobial
      approval systems were used in 93.8% of public metropolitan, 17.3% of public
      regional and 4.8% of private hospitals. Prescribing audits were conducted by
      62.5% of public metropolitan, 35.8% public regional and 52.4% of private
      hospitals. Nearly all hospitals had selective laboratory reporting of
      antimicrobial sensitivities. Few hospitals had dedicated funding for AMS
      personnel. CONCLUSIONS: We identified wide differences between hospital AMS
      activities. Additional support for AMS is particularly required in the public
      regional and private hospital sectors, principally in the key areas of policy
      development, antimicrobial approval systems, prescription review and auditing.
      Further research is required to develop recommendations for implementation of AMS
      within the regional and private hospital settings.

PMID- 24237103
TI  - A budding surprise from the joint.

PMID- 24237102
TI  - The sources of pharmaceuticals for problematic users of benzodiazepines and
      prescription opioids.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe benzodiazepine and prescription opioid use by clients of
      drug treatment services and the sources of pharmaceuticals they use. DESIGN:
      Structured face-to-face interviews on unsanctioned use of benzodiazepines and
      prescription opioids were conducted between January and July 2008. PARTICIPANTS:
      Convenience sample of treatment entrants who reported regular (an average of >= 4
      days per week) and unsanctioned use of benzodiazepines and/or prescription
      opioids over the 4 weeks before treatment entry. SETTING: Drug treatment services
      in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Participant demographics, characteristics of recent substance use, substance use
      trajectories, and sources of pharmaceuticals. RESULTS: Two hundred and four
      treatment entrants were interviewed. Prescription opioids were predominantly
      obtained from non-prescribed sources (78%, 84/108). In contrast, medical
      practitioners were the main source for benzodiazepines (78%, 113/144). Forging of
      prescriptions was extremely uncommon. A mean duration of 6.3 years (SD, 6.6
      years) for benzodiazepines and 4.4 years (SD, 5.7 years) for prescription opioids
      was reported between first use and problematic use--a substantial window for
      intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Medical practitioners are an important source of
      misused pharmaceuticals, but they are not the main source of prescription
      opioids. This has implications for prescription drug monitoring in Australia:
      current plans (to monitor only Schedule 8 benzodiazepines and prescription
      opioids) may have limited effects on prescription opioid users who use non
      prescribed sources, and the omission of most benzodiazepines from monitoring
      programs may represent a lost opportunity for reducing unsanctioned use of
      benzodiazepines and associated harm.

PMID- 24237104
TI  - Are global health leaders effectively strengthening local public health systems?

PMID- 24237105
TI  - A difficult conversation.

PMID- 24237108
TI  - Finding our way through the maze.

PMID- 24237109
TI  - Comparative phenotypic and genotypic characterization of temporally related
      nontyphoidal Salmonella isolated from human clinical cases, pigs, and the
      environment in North Carolina.
AB  - Nontyphoidal Salmonella infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant (AMR)
      strains are of great public health concern. We compared the phenotypic and
      genotypic relationships among temporally and spatially related AMR Salmonella
      isolates (n=1058) representing several predominant serovars, including Salmonella
      Typhimurium, Salmonella Typhimurium var. 5-, Salmonella Derby, Salmonella
      Heidelberg, Salmonella Muenchen, Salmonella Schwarzengrund, and Salmonella Rissen
      of human clinical cases (n=572), pig (n=212), and farm environment (n=274) origin
      in North Carolina. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the
      broth microdilution method, and genotypic resistance determinants, including
      class I and II integrons, were identified. Overall, Salmonella isolates exhibited
      the highest frequency of resistance to tetracycline (50%), followed by
      sulfisoxazole (36%) and streptomycin (27%). We identified 16 different
      antimicrobial resistance genes, including extended spectrum and AmpC beta
      lactamases-producing genes (bla(TEM), bla(PSE), and bla(CMY-2)), in all the beta
      lactam- and cephalosporin-resistant Salmonella isolates from humans, pigs, and
      the environment. Class I integrons of 1-kb and 1.2-kb size were identified from
      all the three sources (humans, 66%; pigs, 85%; environment, 58%), while Class II
      integrons of 2-kb size were identified only in pig (10%) and environmental (19%)
      isolates. We detected genotypic similarity between Salmonella Typhimurium
      isolated from humans, pigs, and the environment while serovars Derby, Heidelberg,
      and Muenchen exhibited genotypic diversity. Detection of AMR Salmonella isolates
      from humans, pigs, and the environment is a concern for clinicians and
      veterinarians to mitigate the dissemination of AMR Salmonella strains.

PMID- 24237111
TI  - Learning Need of Chinese Patients before Undergoing Elective Percutaneous
      Coronary Intervention.
AB  - Abstract This study aimed to determine the learning needs of Chinese patients
      going for elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in order to design
      nurse led education programs. A self-administered survey was completed by a total
      of 395 patients prior to the procedure. Face-to-face communication was chosen by
      343 (86.8%) patients as the most preferred way of education. Doctor-in-charge was
      ranked as the most wanted educator by 372 (94.2%) patients, including 191 (45.4%)
      patients who chose both doctor-in-charge and nurse-in-charge. Interventional
      cardiologist was preferred by patients with higher education more than those with
      lower education (63.6% vs. 48.1%, p<0.05). Learning items such as self-rescue on
      heart attack, efficiency of PCI and post-procedural medication were regarded as
      the most important, which could be affected by age, gender and educational level.
      These findings would help to develop patient preferred programs that involve
      brief communications with doctors and more structured education activities led by
      nurses.

PMID- 24237110
TI  - Common variable immunodeficiency revisited: normal generation of naturally
      occurring dendritic cells that respond to Toll-like receptors 7 and 9.
AB  - Patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) have reduced numbers and
      frequencies of dendritic cells (DCs) in blood, and there is also evidence for
      defective activation through Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Collectively, these
      observations may point to a primary defect in the generation of functional DCs.
      Here, we measured frequencies of plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and myeloid DCs (mDCs)
      in peripheral blood of 26 CVID patients and 16 healthy controls. The results show
      that the patients have reduced absolute counts of both subsets. However, the
      decreased numbers in peripheral blood were not reflected in reduced frequencies
      of CD34(+) pDC progenitors in the bone marrow. Moreover, studies at the single
      cell level showed that DCs from CVID patients and healthy controls produced
      similar amounts of interferon-alpha or interleukin-12 and expressed similar
      levels of activation markers in response to human cytomegalovirus and ligands for
      TLR-7 and TLR-9. The study represents the most thorough functional
      characterization to date, and the first to assess bone marrow progenitor output,
      of naturally occurring DCs in CVID. In conclusion, it seems unlikely that CVID is
      secondary to insufficient production of naturally occurring DCs or a defect in
      their signalling through TLR-7 or TLR-9. 

PMID- 24237112
TI  - Do provider service networks result in lower expenditures compared with HMOs or
      primary care case management in Florida's Medicaid program?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of Florida's Medicaid Demonstration 4 years
      post-implementation on per member per month (PMPM) Medicaid expenditures and
      whether receiving care through HMOs versus provider service networks (PSNs) in
      the Demonstration was associated with PMPM expenditures. DATA: Florida Medicaid
      claims from two fiscal years prior to implementation of the Demonstration
      (FY0405, FY0506) and the first four fiscal years after implementation (FY0607
      FY0910) from two urban Demonstration counties and two urban non-Demonstration
      counties. STUDY DESIGN: A difference-in-difference approach was used to compare
      changes in enrollee expenditures before and after implementation of the
      Demonstration overall and specifically for HMOs and PSNs. DATA EXTRACTION: Claims
      data were extracted for enrollees in the Demonstration and non-Demonstration
      counties and collapsed into monthly amounts (N = 26,819,987 person-months).
      PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Among SSI enrollees, the Demonstration resulted in lower
      increases in PMPM expenditures over time ($40) compared with the non
      Demonstration counties ($186), with Demonstration PSNs lowering PMPM expenditures
      by $7 more than HMOs. Savings were also seen among TANF enrollees but to a lesser
      extent. CONCLUSIONS: The Medicaid Demonstration in Florida appears to result in
      lower PMPM expenditures. Demonstration PSNs generated slightly greater reductions
      in expenditures compared to Demonstration HMOs. PSNs appear to be a promising
      model for delivering care to Medicaid enrollees.

PMID- 24237113
TI  - Early trajectory of psychiatric symptoms after traumatic brain injury:
      relationship to patient and injury characteristics.
AB  - Psychiatric disturbance is common and disabling after traumatic brain injury
      (TBI). Few studies have investigated the trajectory of psychiatric symptoms in
      the first 6 months postinjury, when monitoring and early treatment might prevent
      persistent difficulties. The aim of this study was to examine the trajectory of
      psychiatric symptoms 1-6 months post-TBI, the patient/injury characteristics
      associated with changes, and characteristics predictive of persisting symptoms. A
      secondary analysis was performed on data from a clinical trial with three data
      collection points. Across eight centers, 872 participants with complicated mild
      to severe TBI were administered the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) at 30, 90, and
      180 days postinjury. Mixed-effects models were used to assess longitudinal
      changes in the BSI Global Severity Index (GSI). Multi-variate logistic regression
      was used to assess predictors of clinically significant GSI elevations persisting
      to 6 months post-TBI. In general, GSI scores improved over time. Women improved
      faster than men; race/ethnicity was also significantly associated with rate of
      change, with Hispanics showing the most and African Americans the least
      improvement. Clinically significant psychiatric symptoms (caseness) occurred in
      42% of the sample at 6 months, and more than one type of symptom was common.
      Significant predictors of caseness included African American race, age from 30 to
      60 years, longer post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) duration, pre-TBI unemployment, and
      pre-TBI risky alcohol use. Findings indicate that psychiatric symptoms are common
      in the first 6 months post-TBI and frequently extend beyond the depression and
      anxiety symptoms that may be most commonly screened. Patients with longer PTA and
      preinjury alcohol misuse may need more intensive monitoring for symptom
      persistence.

PMID- 24237114
TI  - Recent advances in immunotherapy for allergic diseases.
AB  - Allergic diseases are a major health problem worldwide. The therapeutic
      approaches to treat allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic asthma (AA) fall in three
      major categories. The first step is allergen avoidance, or reduction of exposure
      to the offending allergen(s). The second and most widely used therapeutic
      practice is the prescription of relevant medication to reduce symptoms. The third
      therapeutic element is specific allergy vaccination, also known as allergen
      specific immunotherapy. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only
      etiologic treatment of allergic disorders that can alter the natural course of
      the disease. In this review, recent advances in immunotherapy and relevant
      patents are presented. General vaccine modifications could be applied for any
      type of allergen. New specific modifications in allergic vaccines have been
      developed for a variety of allergies such as house dust mites, horse, cat,
      parvalbumin and from birch, ragweed and parietaria pollen. 

PMID- 24237115
TI  - Tuning the observability of surface plasmon in silica-gold raspberry shaped
      nanoparticles using cuprous oxide shell.
AB  - A raspberry shaped silica-gold nanoparticle system has been coated with a cuprous
      oxide shell using a simple wet chemical approach. The optical properties of such
      particles depend on thin dielectric shell material, and we calculate far-field
      scattering and extinction of cuprous oxide coated silica-gold composite. In
      accordance with our theoretical findings, for ultrasmall gold nanoparticles
      (AuNPs < 5 nm) attached over silica, the localized surface plasmon resonance
      (LSPR) peak is completely suppressed after Cu2O coating. The cloaking
      (nonobservability) of the LSPR peak in extinction spectra has been explained via
      calculation of contribution from absorbance (<10%) and scattering (>90%) in the
      composite nanostructure. For larger particles (>5 nm), the traditional red-shift
      of the plasmon peak (from 532 to 588 nm) is still significant due to the large
      dielectric constant (approx. 8.0 @ 600 nm) of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) coating. A
      complete and controlled suppression of LSPR in small sized gold nanoparticles due
      to high dielectric refractory oxide shell could play a significant role in
      plasmon derived applications. 

PMID- 24237116
TI  - Determination of equine fetal sex by Doppler ultrasonography of the gonads.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY: The identification of fetal sex in horses by
      location of the genital tubercle between 55 and 70 days of pregnancy is hampered
      by the large amount of allantoic fluid, extensive fetal movements and the
      extremely long umbilical cord; however, reliable results have been achieved by
      ultrasonographic evaluation of the fetal gonads at 110-150 days of pregnancy.
      OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to diagnose the sex of equine fetuses using
      B-mode and/or colour Doppler transrectal ultrasonography in fetuses of different
      ages. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study comparing 2 methods of determining
      fetal sex. METHODS: The evaluations were performed in 86 mares at 90-180 days of
      pregnancy using transrectal B-mode and colour Doppler mode ultrasonography.
      Fetuses that had gonads with a homogeneous texture and a thin central
      longitudinal echogenic line were considered to be male. Females were identified
      by the presence of gonads with a central circular echogenic structure surrounded
      by a hypoechogenic external halo. RESULTS: Using B-mode ultrasonography, it was
      possible to determine the sex of 75% of the males, while determination of sex
      based on differences between the medullary and cortical layers of the ovary
      allowed 91.1% of females to be correctly identified. Using Doppler
      ultrasonography, 100% of males were successfully identified, while characteristic
      vascularisation of the female gonad could be detected in 98% of the evaluated
      female fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Colour Doppler ultrasonography combined with B-mode
      ultrasonography allows the determination of fetal sex with greater accuracy than
      B-mode ultrasonography alone, particularly for the identification of the male
      gonad. The use of Doppler ultrasonography enables the identification of sex in
      older fetuses.

PMID- 24237117
TI  - Patentability of biologics in Canada: beyond patentable subject matter.

PMID- 24237118
TI  - Uncertainty regarding exemption from infringement for studies after approval, or
      not required, by the US FDA.

PMID- 24237119
TI  - Will the refusal of patent protection for Glivec(r) discourage future
      pharmaceutical innovation in India?

PMID- 24237120
TI  - University of Colorado licences out vaccine composition.

PMID- 24237121
TI  - Association of University Technology Managers Asia 2013 conference.
AB  - The Association of University Technology Managers is a nonprofit association of
      technology managers and business executives who manage IP. This year's Asian
      meeting was held in Japan for the first time. A number of participants and
      delegates not only from Asia but also from all over the world attended, and had a
      number of sessions dealing with R&D in universities, and IP derived from this. 

PMID- 24237124
TI  - Post-Therasense inequitable conduct: a pharmaceutical perspective.
AB  - This article explores the policies behind and recent changes to the inequitable
      conduct defense in US patent law. Recognizing problems with the doctrine, the
      Federal Circuit clarified and heightened the underlying materiality and intent to
      deceive standards for inequitable conduct in its landmark Therasense decision in
      2011. The doctrine underwent further reform later that year with the enactment of
      the America Invents Act, which, among other changes, created a supplemental
      examination mechanism by which a patentee can obtain PTO consideration of
      previously nondisclosed information and, subject to some limitations, inoculate
      itself from inequitable conduct challenges relating to the prior nondisclosure.
      This article discusses the present and future practical impact of these changes
      on patent litigation involving the pharmaceutical industry. 

PMID- 24237125
TI  - Small-molecule inhibitors of IkappaB kinase (IKK) and IKK-related kinases.
AB  - The transcription factors NF-kappaB and IFN control important signaling cascades
      and mediate the expression of a number of important pro-inflammatory cytokines,
      adhesion molecules, growth factors and anti-apoptotic survival proteins. IkappaB
      kinase (IKK) and IKK-related kinases (IKKepsilon and TBK1) are key regulators of
      these biological pathways and, as such, modulators of these enzymes may be useful
      in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. We have reviewed the most
      recent IKK patent literature (2008-2012), added publications of interest
      overlooked in previous patent reviews and identified all the players involved in
      small-molecule inhibitors of the IKKs. This will provide the reader with a
      decisive summary of the IKK arena, a field that has reached maturity over a
      decade of research. 

PMID- 24237126
TI  - Nanocoatings on implantable medical devices.
AB  - The global medical device industry has experienced significant growth over the
      past 5 years. The surge of patent publications in the field bears testimony to
      this fact. The advent of nanotechnology has opened up newer unexplored vistas in
      the field of medical devices. This review summarizes patents employing the
      principles of nanotechnology in the formulation of coatings for implantable
      medical devices. Patents selected have at least one entity or structure with
      dimensions in the nanometer range, which results in a therapeutic value addition.
      The strategies reviewed pertain to tackling issues such as restenosis and
      thrombosis in addition to improving the overall acceptability of the implantable
      medical device, particularly those placed in the vasculature. 

PMID- 24237127
TI  - Recent patents and emerging therapeutics for HIV infections: a focus on protease
      inhibitors.
AB  - The inclusion of protease inhibitors (PIs) in highly active antiretroviral
      therapy has significantly improved clinical outcomes in HIV-1-infected patients.
      To date, PIs are considered to be the most important therapeutic agents for the
      treatment of HIV infections. Despite high anti-HIV-1 potency, poor oral
      bioavailability of PIs has been a major concern. For achieving therapeutic
      concentrations, large doses of PIs are administered, which results in
      unacceptable systemic toxicities. Such severe and long-term toxicities
      necessitate the development of safer and potentially promising PIs. Recently,
      considerable attention has been paid to the development of newer compounds
      capable of inhibiting wild-type and resistant HIV-1 protease. Some of these PIs
      have displayed potent HIV-1 protease inhibitory activity. In this review, we have
      made an attempt to provide an overview on clinically approved and newly
      developing PIs, and related recent patents in the development of novel PIs. 

PMID- 24237128
TI  - Lipoidal soft hybrid biocarriers in pharmacotherapeutics.
AB  - The competition hike in the pharmaceutical market, the reduction in the fresh
      chemical-entity pipelines of pharmaceutical organization, the unwanted boost up
      in the cost for developing new chemical entities and the popularity of generics
      have all contributed to the effort to move ahead with newer drug-delivery systems
      that are aimed to provide optimized performance. Nanosized lipoidal soft hybrid
      biocarriers offer promise for safe, effective and targeted pharmacotherapeutics.
      The possibilities have risen by virtue of their ability of intracellular entry,
      biocompatible composition, precise control on drug release, targeted drug
      delivery, compatibility with a wide range of therapeutic compounds and
      flexibility in their routes of administration. Vesicles are lipoidal soft hybrid
      biocarrier-based membrane models developed to mimic the biological membrane,
      making them superior to other carriers by virtue of their biocompatibility and
      biodegradability. These features of vesicular carriers make them suitable for
      therapeutic as well as diagnostic applications. The aim of the present
      compilation is to briefly summarize the applications and developments in
      vesicular drug delivery through the patents issued in the past decade. 

PMID- 24237130
TI  - Effect of disease states on alpha1 -adrenoceptor binding and signal transduction
      parameters in isolated perfused heart: quantification by pharmacokinetic
      pharmacodynamic modelling.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To employ a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling approach for
      analysing the effect of experimental endotoxemia and mild hypoxia on alpha1 
      adrenoceptor (alpha1 AR) binding and signal transduction. METHODS: In Langendorff
      perfused rat hearts, phenylephrine was continuously infused, and [(3) H]-prazosin
      was injected as single dose (infused over 1 min). Simultaneous analysis of the
      time courses of prazosin outflow concentration and inotropic response (left
      ventricular developed pressure) using an agonist-antagonist interaction model and
      nonlinear regression allowed to estimate receptor affinity, as well as the
      parameters of the operational model of agonism. KEY FINDINGS: Both endotoxemia
      and hypoxia, significantly reduced the maximum response achievable in the system
      to 67% and 49% of the control group mean, respectively. In addition, endotoxemia
      decreased the efficiency of stimulus-response coupling and increased the
      steepness of the stimulus-response curve. In both disease models, no change in
      receptor affinity and density were found. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed the
      causes of reduced alpha1 AR-mediated inotropic responsiveness in endotoxemia and
      hypoxia. In contrast with traditional dose-response studies, it was possible to
      quantify separately the underlying changes in alpha1 AR binding and signal
      transduction.

PMID- 24237132
TI  - Incorporation of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging function into
      NaYF4:Yb/Tm upconversion nanoparticles for in vivo trimodal bioimaging.
AB  - Rational design and fabrication of multimodal imaging nanoprobes are of great
      significance for in vivo imaging. Here we report the fabrication of a multishell
      structured NaYF4:Yb/Tm@NaLuF4@NaYF4@NaGdF4 nanoprobe via a seed-mediated
      epitaxial growth strategy for upconversion luminescence (UCL), X-ray computed
      tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) trimodal imaging. Hexagonal phase
      NaYF4:Yb/Tm is used as the core to provide UCL, while the shell of NaLuF4 is
      epitaxially grown on the core not only to provide an optically inert layer for
      enhancing the UCL but also to serve as a contrast agent for CT. The outermost
      NaGdF4 shell is fabricated as a thin layer to give the high longitudinal
      relaxivity (r1) desired for MR imaging. The transition shell layer of NaYF4 not
      only provides an interface to facilitate the formation of NaGdF4 shell but also
      inhibits the energy transfer from inner upconversion activator to surface
      paramagnetic Gd(3+) ions. The fabricated multishell structured nanoprobe shows
      intense near-infrared UCL, high r1 value of 3.76 mM(-1) s(-1), and in vitro CT
      contrast effect. The multishell structured nanoprobe offers great potential for
      in vivo UCL/CT/MR trimodal imaging. Further covalent bonding of folic acid makes
      the multishell structured nanoprobe promising for in vivo targeted UCL imaging of
      tumor-bearing mice. 

PMID- 24237137
TI  - Catalytic direct beta-arylation of simple ketones with aryl iodides.
AB  - Herein we report a direct beta-arylation of simple ketones with widely available
      aryl iodides, combining palladium-catalyzed ketone oxidation, aryl-halide
      activation, and conjugate addition through a single catalytic cycle. Simple
      cyclic ketones with different ring-sizes, as well as acyclic ketones, can be
      directly arylated at the beta-position with complete site-selectivity and
      excellent functional group tolerance. 

PMID- 24237133
TI  - Allotransplantation of kidney from unrelated living donor with loin pain
      haematuria syndrome.

PMID- 24237131
TI  - Signaling pathways controlling skeletal muscle mass.
AB  - The molecular mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle maintenance involve interplay
      between multiple signaling pathways. Under normal physiological conditions, a
      network of interconnected signals serves to control and coordinate hypertrophic
      and atrophic messages, culminating in a delicate balance between muscle protein
      synthesis and proteolysis. Loss of skeletal muscle mass, termed "atrophy", is a
      diagnostic feature of cachexia seen in settings of cancer, heart disease, chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease, and burns. Cachexia increases the
      likelihood of death from these already serious diseases. Recent studies have
      further defined the pathways leading to gain and loss of skeletal muscle as well
      as the signaling events that induce differentiation and post-injury regeneration,
      which are also essential for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass. In this
      review, we summarize and discuss the relevant recent literature demonstrating
      these previously undiscovered mediators governing anabolism and catabolism of
      skeletal muscle.

PMID- 24237138
TI  - Proteomic analysis of yeast mutant RNA exosome complexes.
AB  - The yeast exosome is a conserved multiprotein complex essential for RNA
      processing and degradation. The complex is formed by a nine-subunit core that
      associates with two hydrolytic 3'-5' exoribonucleases. Although catalytically
      inert, the assembly of this nine-subunit core seems to be essential for the
      exosome activity, as mutations in regions that do not directly bind RNA or are
      not in the active sites of the exonucleases impair the function of the complex.
      Previously isolated mutations in the exosome core subunit Rrp43p have been shown
      to negatively affect the function of the complex. With the aim of investigating
      the effect of these mutations on the complex stability and activity, Rrp43p and
      its mutant forms were purified by means of the TAP method. Mass spectrometry
      analyses showed that lower amounts of the exosome subunits are copurified with
      the mutant Rrp43p proteins. Additionally, by decreasing the stability of the
      exosome, other nonspecific protein interactions are favored (the data have been
      deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000580). Exosome copurified
      with mutant Rrp43p exhibited increased exonuclease activity, suggesting higher
      dissociation constants for these mutant complexes. Therefore, data reported here
      indicate that complexes containing a mutant Rrp43p exhibit decreased stability
      and provide information on additional protein interactions. 

PMID- 24237139
TI  - Caregiver roles in families affected by Huntington's disease: a qualitative
      interview study.
AB  - AIM: The objective of this study was to explore family caregivers' experiences
      with the impact of Huntington's disease (HD) on the family structure and roles in
      the family. METHODOLOGY: We interviewed 15 family caregivers in families affected
      by HD, based on a semi-structured interview guide. The participants were
      recruited through hospital departments and a lay organisation for HD in Norway.
      Data from the interviews were analysed with systematic text condensation.
      RESULTS: Huntington's disease could have a substantial impact on the family
      system, the shape of roles among family members and the hierarchical order
      between spouses, partners, and parents and children. The relationship between
      spouses and partners changed during the course of the disease. A reciprocal
      relationship was difficult to maintain, as the role as carer overshadowed other
      roles. Children of an affected parent could compensate for impairments by taking
      on adult responsibilities, and in some families, a child had the role as main
      caregiver. The increasing need for care could cause conflicts between the role as
      family member and family caregiver. The burden of care within the family could
      fragment and isolate the family. CONCLUSIONS: Huntington's disease has a major
      impact on family systems. Caregiver roles are shaped by impairments in the
      affected family member and corresponding dynamic adoption and change in roles
      within the family. Making assessments of the family structure and roles,
      professionals may understand more about how to care for and support individuals
      in their role as family members and caregivers in different stages of the disease
      and family life cycle.

PMID- 24237141
TI  - Structure and functions of syndecans in vertebrates.
AB  - Syndecans constitute a family of transmembrane proteoglycans that perform
      multiple functions during development, damage repair, tumor growth, angiogenesis,
      and neurogenesis. Through mediating binding of a great number of extracellular
      ligands to their receptors, these proteoglycans trigger a cascade of reactions
      regulating, thereby, various processes in a cell: cytoskeleton formation,
      proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and migration. In fibroblasts,
      syndecans are responsible for cell adhesion by modulating functions of integrins
      through interaction with fibronectin at the external side of a cell and with
      cytoskeleton and signaling molecules inside the cell. The extracellular domain of
      syndecans is subjected to periodic shedding from the cell membrane. This process
      may be stimulated in response to inflammation, tissue damage, and other
      pathological manifestations. Cleaved domain may act as either competitive
      inhibitor or activator of signaling cascades. This review summarizes and analyzes
      the available data regarding structure, main biochemical properties, and
      functions of syndecans in vertebrates. 

PMID- 24237142
TI  - Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis. structure of cytochrome c-cardiolipin complex.
AB  - One of the functions of cytochrome c in living cells is the initiation of
      apoptosis by catalyzing lipid peroxidation in the inner mitochondrial membrane,
      which involves cytochrome c bound with acidic lipids, especially cardiolipin. In
      this paper the results of studies of cytochrome c-cardiolipin complex structure
      carried out by different authors mainly on unilamellar cardiolipin-containing
      phospholipid liposomes are critically analyzed. The principal conclusion from the
      published papers is that cytochrome c-cardiolipin complex is formed by attachment
      of a cytochrome c molecule to the membrane surface via electrostatic interactions
      and the subsequent penetration of one of the fatty-acid cardiolipin chains into
      the protein globule, this being associated with hydrophobic interactions that
      break the >Fe.*.S(Met80) coordinate bond and giving rise to appearance of
      cytochrome c peroxidase activity. Nevertheless, according to data obtained in our
      laboratory, cytochrome c and cardiolipin form spherical nanoparticles in which
      protein is surrounded by a monolayer of cardiolipin molecules. Under the action
      of cooperative forces, the protein in the globule expands greatly in volume, its
      conformation is modified, and the protein becomes a peroxidase. In extended
      membranes, such as giant monolayer liposomes, and very likely in biological
      membranes, the formation of nanospheres of cytochrome c-cardiolipin complex
      causes fusion of membrane sections and dramatic chaotization of the whole
      membrane structure. The subsequent disintegration of the outer mitochondrial
      membrane is accompanied by cytochrome c release from the mitochondria and
      triggering of a cascade of programmed cell death reactions. 

PMID- 24237140
TI  - The Pseudomonas syringae effector HopF2 suppresses Arabidopsis immunity by
      targeting BAK1.
AB  - Pseudomonas syringae delivers a plethora of effector proteins into host cells to
      sabotage immune responses and modulate physiology to favor infection. The P.
      syringae pv. tomato DC3000 effector HopF2 suppresses Arabidopsis innate immunity
      triggered by multiple microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMP) at the plasma
      membrane. We show here that HopF2 possesses distinct mechanisms for suppression
      of two branches of MAMP-activated MAP kinase (MAPK) cascades. In addition to
      blocking MKK5 (MAPK kinase 5) activation in the MEKK1 (MAPK kinase kinase
      1)/MEKKs-MKK4/5-MPK3/6 cascade, HopF2 targets additional component(s) upstream of
      MEKK1 in the MEKK1-MKK1/2-MPK4 cascade and the plasma membrane-localized receptor
      like cytoplasmic kinase BIK1 and its homologs. We further show that HopF2
      directly targets BAK1, a plasma membrane-localized receptor-like kinase that is
      involved in multiple MAMP signaling. The interaction between BAK1 and HopF2 and
      between two other P. syringae effectors, AvrPto and AvrPtoB, was confirmed in
      vivo and in vitro. Consistent with BAK1 as a physiological target of AvrPto,
      AvrPtoB and HopF2, the strong growth defects or lethality associated with ectopic
      expression of these effectors in wild-type Arabidopsis transgenic plants were
      largely alleviated in bak1 mutant plants. Thus, our results provide genetic
      evidence to show that BAK1 is a physiological target of AvrPto, AvrPtoB and
      HopF2. Identification of BAK1 as an additional target of HopF2 virulence not only
      explains HopF2 suppression of multiple MAMP signaling at the plasma membrane, but
      also supports the notion that pathogen virulence effectors act through multiple
      targets in host cells. 

PMID- 24237143
TI  - Bioinformatics analysis of protein interaction networks: statistics, topologies,
      and meeting the standards of experimental biologists.
AB  - In recent years, bioinformatics analyses of protein networks have allowed
      researchers to obtain exceptional theoretical predictions and subsequent
      experimental confirmations. The current view is that protein networks are scale
      free networks and have a topology analogous to that of transport networks, the
      Internet, and social networks. However, an alternative hypothesis exists in which
      protein networks and scale-free networks possess significantly different
      properties. In this work, we show that existing information is insufficient to
      describe protein networks as scale-free networks. 

PMID- 24237144
TI  - Directed evolution and characterization of atrazine chlorohydrolase variants with
      enhanced activity.
AB  - Atrazine chlorohydrolase (AtzA, EC 3.8.1.8) has attracted widespread interests as
      it catalyzes conversion of toxic atrazine to nontoxic hydroxyatrazine and can be
      used in the biodegradation of atrazine. To facilitate this application, a
      Haematococcus pluvialis-based method was applied to screen AtzA variants from a
      random mutagenesis library. Eight variants with enhanced enzyme activity were
      obtained. They showed 2.7- to 5.0-fold increase in specific activity compared
      with the wild type. Sequencing revealed that the two most active variants
      contained single substitution at Val12 and Leu395, respectively, while several
      improved variants contained substitutions at the four sites of Met315, His399,
      Asn429, and Val466 simultaneously, indicating that these residues contribute to
      the enzyme activity of AtzA. Kinetic analysis showed that five variants decreased
      the Km value 0.6- to 0.9-fold, whereas all the variants increased the catalytic
      efficiency (kcat/Km value) 2.5- to 4.1-fold compared to the wild type. The
      modeled three-dimensional structure showed that AtzA is comprised of a typical
      (beta/alpha)8 domain of the amidohydrolase superfamily and a dual beta-sheet
      domain. An iron ion and five ligand-binding residues are located in the beta
      barrel core of the (beta/alpha)8 domain. Some substituted residues are involved
      in hydrogen bond formation in the (beta/alpha)8-neighboring beta-sheet. 

PMID- 24237145
TI  - Improvement of the efficiency of transglycosylation catalyzed by alpha
      galactosidase from Thermotoga maritima by protein engineering.
AB  - At high concentrations of p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside (pNPGal) as a
      substrate, its hydrolysis catalyzed by alpha-galactosidase from Thermotoga
      maritima (TmGalA) is accompanied by transglycosylation resulting in production of
      a mixture of (alpha1,2)-, (alpha1,3)-, and (alpha1,6)-p-nitrophenyl (pNP)
      digalactosides. Molecular modeling of the reaction stage preceding the formation
      of the pNP-digalactosides within the active site of the enzyme revealed amino
      acid residues which modification was expected to increase the efficiency of
      transglycosylation. Upon the site-directed mutagenesis to the predicted
      substitutions of the amino acid residues, genes encoding the wild type TmGalA and
      its mutants were expressed in E. coli, and the corresponding enzymes were
      isolated and tested for the presence of the transglycosylating activity in
      synthesis of different pNP-digalactosides. Three mutants, F328A, P402D, and
      G385L, were shown to markedly increase the total transglycosylation as compared
      to the wild type enzyme. Moreover, the F328A mutant displayed an ability to
      produce a regio-isomer with the (alpha1,2)-bond at yield 16-times higher than the
      wild type TmGalA. 

PMID- 24237146
TI  - Proteasomes in the brain of beta2-microglobulin knockout mice.
AB  - MHC class I molecules play an important role in synaptic plasticity of the
      mammalian nervous system. Proteolytic complexes (proteasomes) produce
      oligopeptides that are presented on cell surfaces in complexes with MHC class I
      molecules and regulate many cellular processes beside this. The goal of the
      present work was to study peculiarities in functioning of proteasomes and
      associated signaling pathways along with evaluation of NeuN and gFAP expression
      in different sections of the brain in mice with knockout of beta2-microglobulin,
      a constituent of MHC class I molecules. It was found that the frontal cortex and
      the brainstem, structures with different ratio of NeuN and gFAP expression, are
      characterized by opposite changes in the proteasome pool under constant total
      proteasome levels in B2m-knockout mice in comparison with those in control
      animals. ChTL-activity as well as expression of LMP7 immune subunit and PA28
      regulator of proteasomes was elevated in the cortex of B2m-knockout mice, while
      these indicators were decreased in the brainstem. The concentrations of the
      signaling molecules nNOS and HSP70 in B2m-knockout mice were increased in the
      cortex, while being decreased in the brainstem, and this indicates the
      possibility of control of expression of the LMP7 subunit and the regulator PA28
      by these molecules. Changes in the proteasome pool observed in striatum of B2m
      knockout mice are similar to those observed in the brainstem. At the same time,
      the cerebellum is characterized by a specific pattern of proteasome functioning
      in comparison with that in all other brain structures. In cerebellum the
      expression of immune subunits LMP7 and LMP2 and the regulator PA28 was increased,
      while expression of regulator PA700 was decreased. Deficiency of NeuN and gFAP
      was revealed in most brain compartments of B2m-knockout mice. Thus, increased
      expression of the above-mentioned immune subunits and the proteasome regulator
      PA28 in the cortex and cerebellum may compensate disturbances revealed in the
      brain structures and the absence of MHC class I molecules. Apparently, this
      promotes production of peptides necessary for cell-to-cell interactions and
      maintains nervous system plasticity in B2m-knockout mice. 

PMID- 24237147
TI  - 3-O-methoxyimino group inhibits interactions between progestins and blood
      transcortin.
AB  - The interactions between E- and Z-isomers of 3-O-methoxyimino-pregn-4-ene-20-one
      and its 17alpha-hydroxy derivative and transcortin from human blood were
      investigated. The substitution of the progesterone 3-oxo group for a 3-O
      methoxyimino group was shown to diminish the affinity of the steroid for
      transcortin by approximately one order of magnitude irrespective of the
      substituent's orientation. The data suggests that progesterone derivatives
      substituted thereby must have higher bioavailability compared to progesterone and
      must not significantly affect the biodynamics of glucocorticoid in vivo. 

PMID- 24237148
TI  - Inhibition of Mn(2+)-induced error-prone DNA synthesis with Cd(2+) and Zn(2+).
AB  - Bivalent metal cations are key components in the reaction of DNA synthesis. They
      are necessary for all DNA polymerases, being involved as cofactors in catalytic
      mechanisms of nucleotide polymerization. It is also known that in the presence of
      Mn2+ the accuracy of DNA synthesis is considerably decreased. The findings of
      this work show that Cd2+ and Zn2+ selectively inhibit the Mn2+-induced error
      prone DNA polymerase activity in extracts of cells from human and mouse tissues.
      Moreover, these cations in low concentrations also can efficiently inhibit the
      activity of homogeneous preparations of DNA polymerase iota (Pol iota), which is
      mainly responsible for the Mn2+-induced error-prone DNA polymerase activity in
      cell extracts. Using a primary culture of granular cells from postnatal rat
      cerebellum, we show that low concentrations of Cd2+ significantly increase cell
      survival in the presence of toxic Mn2+ doses. Thus, we have shown that in some
      cases low concentrations of Cd2+ can display a positive influence on cells,
      whereas it is widely acknowledged that this metal is not a necessary microelement
      and is toxic for organisms. 

PMID- 24237149
TI  - Disaccharide 1-phosphate polymers of some representatives of the Bacillus
      subtilis group.
AB  - Disaccharide 1-phosphate polymers as well as teichoic acids of various structures
      have been found in the cell walls of the representatives of the Bacillus subtilis
      group, namely Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii VKM B-720 and VKM B-916, B.
      subtilis VKM B-517, and Bacillus vallismortis VKM B-2653(T). Disaccharide 1
      phosphate polymers are composed of repeating units of the following structure: -P
      4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1->6)-alpha-D-Galp-(1-, the N-acetylglucosamine residues are
      partially acetylated at positions O3 and O6 (VKM B-720 and VKM B-916); -P-4)-beta
      D-Glcp-(1->6)-alpha-D-GlcpNAc-(1-, the glucopyranose residues are partially
      acetylated at positions O2 or O3 (VKM B-517); -P-6)-alpha-D-GlcpNH3(+)/alpha-D
      GlcpNAc-(1->2)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-, the N-acetylglucosamine residues are partially
      deacetylated (VKM B-2653(T)). The structures of the two last disaccharide 1
      phosphate polymers have not been reported so far for Gram-positive bacteria. The
      teichoic acids in the studied strains are O-D-alanyl-1,5-poly(ribitol phosphates)
      substituted with beta-D-glucopyranose (VKM B-517, VKM B-720, VKM B-916) or 2
      acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose (VKM B-2653(T)). The structures of the
      phosphate-containing polymers have been studied by chemical methods and by NMR
      spectroscopy. 

PMID- 24237150
TI  - Mitochondria are targets for the antituberculosis drug rifampicin in cultured
      epithelial cells.
AB  - Rifampicin is a widely used drug for antituberculosis therapy. Its target is the
      bacterial RNA polymerase. After entry into the human or mammalian organism,
      rifampicin is accumulated in cells of epithelial origin (kidneys, liver, lungs)
      where it induces apoptosis, necrosis, and fibrosis. The purpose of this study was
      to determine the intracellular mechanisms leading to rifampicin-induced
      pathological changes and cell death. We analyzed the survival and state of the
      chondriome of cultured epithelial cells of the SPEV line under the influence of
      rifampicin. Our data show that the drug induces pronounced pathological changes
      in the network and ultrastructure of mitochondria, and their dysfunction results
      in excessive production of reactive oxygen species and release of cytochrome c.
      These data suggest the initiation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis.
      Simultaneously, we observed inhibition of cell proliferation and changes in
      morphology of the epithelial cells toward fibroblast-like appearance, which could
      indicate induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Thus, mitochondria are
      the main potential target for rifampicin in cells of epithelial origin. We
      suggest that similar mechanisms of pathological changes can be induced in vivo in
      organs and tissues accumulating rifampicin during chemotherapy of bacterial
      infectious diseases. 

PMID- 24237151
TI  - Structural characterization of enzymatically synthesized dextran and
      oligosaccharides from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1426 dextransucrase.
AB  - Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1426 dextransucrase synthesized a high molecular
      mass dextran (>2 * 10(6) Da) with ~85.5% alpha-(1->6) linear and ~14.5% alpha-(1
      >3) branched linkages. This high molecular mass dextran containing branched alpha
      (1->3) linkages can be readily hydrolyzed for the production of enzyme-resistant
      isomalto-oligosaccharides. The acceptor specificity of dextransucrase for the
      transglycosylation reaction was studied using sixteen different acceptors. Among
      the sixteen acceptors used, isomaltose was found to be the best, having 89%
      efficiency followed by gentiobiose (64%), glucose (30%), cellobiose (25%),
      lactose (22.5%), melibiose (17%), and trehalose (2.3%) with reference to maltose,
      a known best acceptor. The beta-linked disaccharide, gentiobiose, showed
      significant efficiency for oligosaccharide production that can be used as a
      potential prebiotic. 

PMID- 24237152
TI  - Ozone-induced oxidative modification of fibrinogen molecules.
AB  - Ozone-induced oxidation of fibrinogen has been investigated. The conversion of
      oxidized fibrinogen to fibrin catalyzed either by thrombin or by a reptilase-like
      enzyme, ancistron, in both cases is accompanied by production of gels
      characterized by a higher weight/length ratio of fibrils in comparison with the
      native fibrin gels. IR spectra of the D and E fragments isolated from unoxidized
      and oxidized fibrinogen suggest a noticeable transformation of functional groups
      by oxidation. A decrease in content of N-H groups in the peptide backbone and in
      the number of C-H bonds in aromatic structures, as well as a decrease in the
      intensity of the C-H valence vibrations in aliphatic fragments CH2 and CH3 were
      found. The appearance in the differential spectra of the D fragments of rather
      intense peaks in the interval of 1200-800 cm(-1) clearly indicates the
      interaction of ozone with amino acid residues of methionine, tryptophan,
      histidine, and phenylalanine. Comparison of the differential spectra for the D
      and E fragments suggests that fibrinogen fragment D is more sensitive to the
      oxidant action than fragment E. Using EPR spectroscopy, differences are found in
      the spectra of spin labels bound with degradation products of oxidized and
      unoxidized fibrinogen, the D and E fragments, caused by structural and dynamical
      modifications of the protein molecules in the areas of localization of the spin
      labels. The relationship between the molecular mechanism of oxidation of
      fibrinogen and its three-dimensional structure is discussed.

PMID- 24237153
TI  - Comparative study of biochemical properties of glucoamylases from the filamentous
      fungi Penicillium and Aspergillus.
AB  - Here we report the first isolation to homogeneous forms of two glucoamylases from
      the fungus Penicillium verruculosum and their study in comparison with known
      glucoamylases from Aspergillus awamori and Aspergillus niger. Genes that encode
      glucoamylases from P. verruculosum were cloned and expressed in the fungus
      Penicillium canescens, and the recombinant glucoamylases were obtained with
      subsequent study of their molecular weights, isoelectric points, optimal
      temperature and pH values, and stability. The catalytic activities of the
      recombinant glucoamylases were determined in relation to soluble potato starch.
      Changes in molecular mass distribution and content of low molecular weight
      products during starch hydrolysis by glucoamylases from P. verruculosum, A.
      awamori, and A. niger were studied. An exo-depolymerization mechanism was
      established to be the pathway for destruction of starch by the glucoamylases. 

PMID- 24237154
TI  - Why do primordial germ cells migrate through an embryo and what does it mean for
      biological evolution?
AB  - An explanation of the role of primordial germ cell (PGC) migration during
      embryogenesis is proposed. According to the hypothesis, various PGCs during their
      migrations through an early embryo are contacting with anlagen of organs and
      acquiring nonidentical organ specificities. An individual PGC gets such an organ
      specificity, which corresponds to specificity of the first anlage with which this
      PGC has the first contact. As a result, the cellular descendants of PGCs (oocytes
      or spermatocytes) will express nonidentical organ-specific receptors, hence
      becoming functionally heterogeneous. Therefore, each clone of germ cells becomes
      capable of recognizing specifically the molecular signals that correspond only to
      "its" organ of the body. Such signals are produced by the body's organ when it
      functions in an extreme mode. Signals from the "exercising" organ of the body are
      delivered to the gonad only via the brain retransmitter, which is composed of
      neurons grouped as virtual organs of a homunculus. Homunculi are so-called
      somatotopic maps of the skeletomotor and other parts of the body represented in
      the brain. Signals, as complexes of regulatory RNAs and proteins, are transported
      from the "exercising" organ of the body to the corresponding virtual organ of the
      homunculus where they are processed and then forwarded to the gonad. The organ
      specific signal will be selectively recognized by certain gametocytes according
      to their organ specificity, and then it will initiate the directed epimutation in
      the gametocyte genome. The nonrandomness of the gene order in chromosomes, that
      is the synteny and genetic map, is controlled by the so-called creatron that
      consolidates the soma and germline into a united system, providing the
      possibility of evolutionary responses of an organism to environmental influences.

PMID- 24237156
TI  - Systematic review of the psychometric properties and theoretical grounding of
      instruments evaluating self-care in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - AIM: To determine the psychometric properties and theoretical grounding of
      instruments that evaluate self-care behaviour or barriers in people with type 2
      diabetes. BACKGROUND: There are many instruments designed to evaluate self-care
      behaviour or barriers in this population, but knowledge about their psychometric
      validation processes is lacking. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: We
      conducted a search for psychometric or validation studies published between
      January 1990-December 2012. We carried out searches in Pubmed, CINAHL, PsycINFO,
      ProQuolid, BibliPRO and Google SCHOLAR to identify instruments that evaluated
      self-care behaviours or barriers to diabetes self-care. REVIEW METHODS: We
      conducted a systematic review with the following inclusion criteria: Psychometric
      or clinimetric validation studies that included patients with type 2 diabetes
      (exclusively or partially) and which analysed self-care behaviour or barriers to
      self-care and proxies like self-efficacy or empowerment, from a multidimensional
      approach. Language: Spanish or English. Two authors independently assessed the
      quality of the studies and extracted data using Terwee's proposed criteria:
      psychometrics properties, dimensionality, theoretical ground and population used
      for validation through each included instrument. RESULTS: Sixteen instruments
      achieved the inclusion criteria for the review. We detected important
      methodological flaws in many of the selected instruments. Only the Self
      management Profile for Type 2 Diabetes and Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale met
      half of Terwee's quality criteria. CONCLUSION: There are no instruments for
      identifying self-care behaviours or barriers elaborated with a strong validation
      process. Further research should be carried out to provide patients, clinicians
      and researchers with valid and reliable instruments that are methodologically
      solid and theoretically grounded.

PMID- 24237157
TI  - In vitro evaluation of a novel autologous aortic valve (biovalve) with a
      pulsatile circulation circuit.
AB  - We have used in-body tissue architecture technology to develop an autologous
      valved conduit with intact sinuses of Valsalva (biovalve). In this study, we
      fabricated three different forms of biovalves and evaluated their function in
      vitro using a mock circulation model to determine the optimal biovalve form for
      aortic valve replacement. A cylindrical mold for biovalve organization was placed
      in a dorsal subcutaneous pouch of a goat, and the implant that was encapsulated
      with connective tissue was extracted 2 months later. The cylindrical mold was
      removed to obtain the biovalve (16 mm inside diameter) that consisted of pure
      connective tissue. The biovalve was connected to a pulsatile mock circulation
      system in the aortic valve position. The function of the three biovalves
      (biovalve A: normal leaflets with the sinuses of Valsalva; biovalve B: extended
      leaflets with the sinuses of Valsalva; biovalve C: extended leaflets without the
      sinuses of Valsalva) was examined under pulsatile flow conditions using saline.
      In addition, the mock circuit was operated continuously for 40 days to evaluate
      the durability of biovalve C. The regurgitation rate (expressed as a percent of
      the mean aortic flow rate during diastole) was 46% for biovalve A but only 3% for
      biovalves B and C. The durability test demonstrated that even after biovalve C
      pulsated more than four million times (heart rate, 70 bpm; mean flow rate, 5.0
      L/min; mean aortic pressure, 92 mm Hg), stable continuous operation was possible
      without excessive reduction of the flow rate or bursting. The developed biovalve
      demonstrated good function and durability in this initial in vitro study. 

PMID- 24237155
TI  - Functional evaluation of the role of C-type lectin domain family 16A at the
      chromosome 16p13 locus.
AB  - The type 1 diabetes-associated 16p13 locus contains the CLEC16A gene. Its
      preferential immune cell expression suggests involvement in autoimmunity. Given
      its elevated expression in dendritic and B cells - known professional antigen
      presenting cells (APCs) - we hypothesize that C-type lectin domain family 16
      member A (CLEC16A) may be involved in T cell co-stimulation and consequent
      activation and proliferation. We also sought to identify CLEC16A's subcellular
      localization. The effect of the CLEC16A knock-down (KD) on B cell co-stimulation
      and activation of T cells was tested in human lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) by
      co-culture with CD4(+) T cells. T cell activation and proliferation were
      determined by flow-cytometric analysis of CD69 and CD25 expression and
      carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) dilution, respectively. CLEC16A
      subcellular localization in K562 cells was examined by immunofluorescence. We
      show that the CLEC16A KD did not affect the tested indices of lymphoblastoid cell
      line (LCL) APC capacity. Additionally, the percentage of activated T cells
      following LCL co-culture was not affected significantly by the CLEC16A KD. T
      cells co-cultured with KD or control LCLs also exhibited similar cell division
      profiles. CLEC16A co-localized with an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker,
      suggesting that it may be an ER protein. In conclusion, CLEC16A may not be
      involved in T cell co-stimulation. Additional studies on CLEC16A, accounting for
      its ER localization, are needed to uncover its biological role. 

PMID- 24237158
TI  - Rhamnolipid biosurfactant and soy protein act as effective stabilizers in the
      aggregation and transport of palladium-doped zerovalent iron nanoparticles in
      saturated porous media.
AB  - Palladium-doped nanosized zerovalent iron (Pd-NZVI) particles can contribute to
      the transformation of chlorinated solvents and various other contaminants into
      innocuous products. To make Pd-NZVI an effective in situ subsurface remediation
      agent, these particles need to migrate through a targeted contaminated area.
      However, previous studies have reported very limited mobility of these particles
      in the groundwater environment and attributed it to rapid aggregation and
      subsequent pore plugging. In this study, we systematically investigated the
      influence of selected natural and nontoxic organic macromolecules (carboxymethyl
      cellulose, rhamnolipid biosurfactants, and soy protein) on the aggregation and
      transport behavior of bare and coated Pd-NZVI. Aggregation behavior was
      investigated using dynamic light scattering by monitoring the evolution of
      hydrodynamic diameter as a function of time, whereas transport behavior was
      investigated by conducting water-saturated sand-packed column experiments. While
      bare Pd-NZVI is prone to rapid aggregation, we observed good colloidal stability
      and concurrent enhanced transport of Pd-NZVI coated with carboxymethyl cellulose,
      rhamnolipid biosurfactants, and soy protein. Each surface modifier performed well
      at lower ionic strength (IS) (10 mM NaHCO3), and one of the rhamnolipid surface
      modifiers (JBR215) significantly enhanced transport of 150 mg/L Pd-NZVI at
      concentrations as low as 10 mg/L total organic carbon. However, an increase in
      the solution IS induced significant Pd-NZVI aggregation with a simultaneous
      decrease in the transport potential in accordance with the DLVO (Derjaguin,
      Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek) theory of colloidal stability. Nonetheless, at the
      highest IS (300 mM NaHCO3) investigated, the mobility of rhamnolipid-coated Pd
      NZVI is significantly higher than that of Pd-NZVI coated with the other surface
      modifiers, suggesting that biosurfactants may be the most suitable surface
      modifiers in field application. Overall, this study emphasizes how stabilization
      of Pd-NZVI with natural macromolecules such as rhamnolipids can improve the
      transport potential of these reactive nanoparticles in subsurface remediation
      applications at concentrations significantly lower than those of other commonly
      used polymers. 

PMID- 24237159
TI  - Overexpression of stress-inducible OsBURP16, the beta subunit of
      polygalacturonase 1, decreases pectin content and cell adhesion and increases
      abiotic stress sensitivity in rice.
AB  - Polygalacturonase (PG), one of the hydrolases responsible for cell wall pectin
      degradation, is involved in organ consenescence and biotic stress in plants. PG1
      is composed of a catalytic subunit, PG2, and a non-catalytic PG1beta subunit.
      OsBURP16 belongs to the PG1beta-like subfamily of BURP-family genes and encodes
      one putative PG1beta subunit precursor in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Transcription
      of OsBURP16 is induced by cold, salinity and drought stresses, as well as by
      abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Analysis of plant survival rates, relative ion
      leakage rates, accumulation levels of H2 O2 and water loss rates of leaves showed
      that overexpression of OsBURP16 enhanced sensitivity to cold, salinity and
      drought stresses compared with controls. Young leaves of Ubi::OsBURP16 transgenic
      plants showed reduced cell adhesion and increased cuticular transpiration rate.
      Mechanical strength measurement of Ubi::OsBURP16 plants showed that reduced force
      was required to break leaves as compared with wild type. Transgenic rice showed
      enhanced PG activity and reduced pectin content. All these results suggested that
      overexpression of OsBURP16 caused pectin degradation and affected cell wall
      integrity as well as transpiration rate, which decreased tolerance to abiotic
      stresses. 

PMID- 24237161
TI  - High-throughput extraction of beta-carotene from Blakeslea trispora based on a
      newly developed setup.
AB  - Rapid and efficient extraction of bioactive compounds from biomass for sample
      analysis presents one of the major challenges in high-productive strain screening
      and bioprocess development. In this work, a high-throughput method based on a new
      setup was developed for the extraction of beta-carotene from Blakeslea trispora.
      After the cell was completely disrupted by high-throughput machinery grinding,
      beta-carotene was completely extracted by chloroform and dimethylsulfoxide (1:1,
      v/v). According to the experimental results, the newly developed high-throughput
      extraction (HTPE) method could simultaneously process 96 samples within 30 Min,
      and only 5-mL solvent was used for each sample. The sufficient extraction of beta
      carotene by the HTPE method, which was confirmed by the conventional reference
      extraction method, further demonstrated that the newly developed HTPE method was
      more efficient and economical than the methods developed previously for the
      extraction of beta-carotene. 

PMID- 24237162
TI  - Proposals to broaden the UK bolar defence.

PMID- 24237160
TI  - Design and synthesis of 1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3
      dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile (citalopram) analogues as novel probes for
      the serotonin transporter S1 and S2 binding sites.
AB  - The serotonin transporter (SERT) is the primary target for antidepressant drugs.
      The existence of a high affinity primary orthosteric binding site (S1) and a low
      affinity secondary site (S2) has been described, and their relation to
      antidepressant pharmacology has been debated. Herein, structural modifications to
      the N, 4, 5, and 4' positions of (+/-)citalopram (1) are reported. All of the
      analogues were SERT-selective and demonstrated that steric bulk was tolerated at
      the SERT S1 site, including two dimeric ligands (15 and 51). In addition, eight
      analogues were identified with similar potencies to S-1 for decreasing the
      dissociation of [(3)H]S-1 from the S1 site via allosteric modulation at S2. Both
      dimeric compounds had similar affinities for the SERT S1 site (Ki = 19.7 and 30.2
      nM, respectively), whereas only the N-substituted analogue, 51, was as effective
      as S-1 in allosterically modulating the binding of [(3)H]S-1 via S2. 

PMID- 24237163
TI  - Parallel imports in the enlarged EU: the specific mechanism.

PMID- 24237164
TI  - US Supreme Court rules on landmark gene patent case.

PMID- 24237165
TI  - Practical implications of the unitary patent system in Europe.

PMID- 24237166
TI  - WIPO Re:Search: a consortium catalyzing research and product development for
      neglected tropical diseases.

PMID- 24237169
TI  - A new patent-based approach for technology mapping in the pharmaceutical domain.
AB  - The key factor in decision-making is the quality of information collected and
      processed in the problem analysis. In most cases, patents represent a very
      important source of information. The main problem is how to extract such
      information from the huge corpus of documents with a high recall and precision,
      and in a short time. This article demonstrates a patent search and classification
      method, called Knowledge Organizing Module, which consists of creating, almost
      automatically, a pool of patents based on polysemy expansion and homonymy
      disambiguation. Since the pool is done, an automatic patent technology
      landscaping is provided for fixing the state of the art of our product, and
      exploring competing alternative treatments and/or possible technological
      opportunities. An exemplary case study is provided, it deals with a patent
      analysis in the field of verruca treatments. 

PMID- 24237170
TI  - Modulating Ca2+ release by the IP3R/Ca2+ channel as a potential therapeutic
      treatment for neurological diseases.
AB  - Recent research into neurodegenerative disorders found that their pathogeneses
      have a link to the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R). This is
      encouraging, because despite extensive efforts, researchers have not fully
      understood the pathophysiologies of those disorders, and have yet to find the
      cure. The IP3R provides a possible point of convergence that new therapeutic
      drugs can target. This review highlights patents that manipulate activities of
      the IP3R. They generally involve the use of peptides designed from the amino acid
      sequences of IP3R-binding proteins, and of buffers that limit the availability of
      its ligand, IP3. Additionally, one of them details the use of a chromophore
      conjugated small synthetic molecule to directly inhibit the IP3R in a highly
      spatiotemporally specific manner. Although many of them have only been tested in
      vitro or are in the early stages of in vivo application, more research-effective
      therapies for neurodegenerative diseases can hopefully be developed. 

PMID- 24237171
TI  - Engineered antibody variable and constant domains as therapeutic candidates.
AB  - Monoclonal antibodies have been successfully used for the therapy of various
      diseases. However, because of their large size (~150 kD), many limitations have
      also been found during their development and manufacture. The use of antibody
      fragments with smaller sizes is one of the strategies to overcome these
      limitations. Antibody heavy chain variable domains (12~15 kD) have already been
      widely used for the development of variable domain-based engineered antibody
      domains (termed V-based eAds) targeting different antigens. Recently, antibody
      second heavy chain constant domains (~12 kD) were proposed as novel scaffolds for
      library construction and selection of specific binders termed constant domain
      based eAds (C-based eAds) as novel candidate therapeutics, which might also
      confer additional crystallizable fragment functions. Both V- and C-based eAds are
      promising therapeutic candidates. This review summarizes progress in the
      development of eAds, and discusses the related patents and their potential
      applications. 

PMID- 24237172
TI  - Inhaled antibiotics to treat lung infection.
AB  - The development of inhaled antibiotics to treat lung infection is an active
      field, with four approved products in the USA and more in the late stages of
      clinical development. The efficacies of TOBI(r) tobramycin (Novartis) and
      Cayston(r) aztreonam lysate (Gilead), the approved inhaled antibiotics for cystic
      fibrosis (CF) patients colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, have been well
      documented. Recent approvals for a second-generation tobramycin solution,
      Bethkis(r), and a tobramycin powder formulation in a dry-powder inhaler (DPI),
      TOBI Podhaler(r), indicate that the inhaled antibiotic marketplace in CF is
      becoming very competitive. Other indications are also receiving interest. While
      there have been a number of recent reviews from a clinical, technical or
      regulatory perspective in the field of inhaled antibiotics, as well as others
      focused on a specific product or data from a recent clinical trial, there have
      not been any that describe the patent coverage of these products. This review
      addresses that missing piece. 

PMID- 24237173
TI  - Lipid-based nanocarriers for drug delivery and targeting: a patent survey of
      methods of production and characterization.
AB  - Among the colloidal vectors proposed for the controlled delivery and targeting of
      drugs and other biologically active compounds, lipid-based nanocarriers are
      acquiring an increasing role due to a number of peculiar technological and
      physical features. Solid lipid nanoparticles, lipid nanocapsules, nanostructured
      lipid carriers, and drug-lipid conjugates are all examples of how it can be
      possible to combine the properties of the more acknowledged liposomal systems,
      such as biocompatibility and biodegradability, with the stability and
      compositional flexibility, distinctive of polymeric nanosystems. This article
      introduces recent patents, filed in years 2007-2013, that deal with novel or
      amended methods of production of the various types of lipid-based nanocarriers.
      Although a significant gap still remains between basic research and patenting
      activity in this field, many of the proposed methods can attain an industrial
      value. Furthermore, the critical analysis of these patents further supports the
      position that a general revision of patenting systems at an international level
      would be necessary for nanosized pharmaceutical systems. 

PMID- 24237175
TI  - Acquisition and diversification of tendrilled leaves in Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae)
      involved changes in expression patterns of SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM),
      LEAFY/FLORICAULA (LFY/FLO), and PHANTASTICA (PHAN).
AB  - Leaves have undergone structural modifications over evolutionary time, and
      presently exist in many forms. For instance, in Fabaceae and Bignoniaceae, leaf
      parts can be modified into tendrils. Currently, no data are available on genic
      control of tendrilled leaf development outside Fabaceae. Here, we conducted a
      detailed study of three representatives of Bignonieae: Amphilophium
      buccinatorium, Dolichandra unguis-cati, and Bignonia callistegioides, bearing
      multifid, trifid, and simple-tendrilled leaves, respectively. We investigated the
      structure of their petioles, petiolules, leaflets, and tendrils through
      histological analyses. Additionally, the expression of SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM),
      PHANTASTICA (PHAN), and LEAFY/FLORICAULA (LFY/FLO) during leaf development was
      analyzed by in situ hybridizations. Tendrils share some anatomical similarities
      with leaflets, but not with other leaf parts. Transcripts of both STM and LFY/FLO
      were detected in leaf primordia, associated with regions from which leaflets and
      tendril branches originate. PHAN expression was found to be polarized in branched
      tendrils, but not in simple tendrils. In Bignonieae, tendrils are modified
      leaflets that, as a result of premature completion of development, become
      bladeless organs. Bignonieae leaves develop differently from those of peas, as
      both LFY/FLO and STM are expressed in developing leaves of Bignonieae. Moreover,
      PHAN is probably involved in tendril diversification in Bignonieae, as it has
      distinct expression patterns in different leaf types. 

PMID- 24237176
TI  - Attitudes towards female genital mutilation: an integrative review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immigration and globalization processes have contributed to the
      international dissemination of practices such as female genital mutilation.
      Between 100 and 400 million girls and women have been genitally mutilated, and
      every year 3 million girls are at risk of being subjected to female genital
      mutilation. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe the attitudes
      towards the practice of female genital mutilation in relation to different health
      systems and the factors that favour its discontinuation. METHODS: An integrative
      review was performed of publications from the period 2006 to 2013 included in the
      MedLine, PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, CINAHL and CUIDEN databases. RESULTS: We
      selected 16 studies focusing on diverse contexts that assessed the attitudes of
      both men and women regarding the perpetuation of this practice. Ten corresponded
      to studies conducted in countries of residence. Several areas of investigation
      were explored (factors contributing to the continuation of female genital
      mutilation, factors contributing to its discontinuation, feelings about the
      health system). LIMITATIONS: It is possible that the relevant studies may not
      have been included given the limitations of the literature review and the
      invisibility of the phenomenon studied. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrates the
      strong social pressure to which women are subjected as regards the practice of
      female genital mutilation. However, many other factors can contribute to eroding
      beliefs and arguments in favour of this practice, such as the globalization,
      culture and social environment of countries in the West. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING
      AND HEALTH POLICY: Nurses occupy an essential position in detecting and combating
      these practices.

PMID- 24237177
TI  - Comparison of primary vaccination regimes for equine influenza: working towards
      an evidence-based regime.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Vaccination is crucial to the control of equine
      influenza (EI). The study was conducted in an effort to lay the groundwork for
      achieving international harmonisation of regulatory requirements based on
      scientific evidence of performance of different vaccination regimes. OBJECTIVES:
      To evaluate the effectiveness of 3 different primary vaccination regimes:
      vaccination with the minimal intervals permitted by the racing authorities;
      vaccination in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and vaccination
      with the longest intervals permitted by the racing authorities. STUDY DESIGN:
      Randomised, prospective clinical trial. METHODS: The 55 seronegative unvaccinated
      horses in this study were subdivided by age and randomly allocated one of the 3
      vaccination regimes. All groups were sampled each time a group was vaccinated and
      3-5 weeks post vaccination. Horses were vaccinated with a subunit immune
      stimulating complex-based vaccine (Equip FT). Antibodies against EI were measured
      by single radial haemolysis. RESULTS: Lengthening the vaccination intervals
      increased the immunity gaps between first (V1) and second (V2) doses, and V2 and
      third dose (V3) but did not inhibit the response to V2 and V3. The response to V2
      and V3 was similar irrespective of the regime. Poor responders to V1 were
      identified in all age groups included in this study but the greatest number of
      poor responders was among the yearlings. The 2- and 3-year-old horses responded
      better to vaccination than the weanlings or yearlings. CONCLUSIONS: Longer
      vaccination intervals permitted by racing authorities increase the periods of
      susceptibility to EI but they may facilitate strategic vaccination prior to times
      of increased risk of exposure to virus. The study provides the type of evidence
      based data necessary to commence meaningful discussion of international
      harmonisation of EI vaccination requirements.

PMID- 24237179
TI  - Digestive vacuole membrane in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes:
      relevance to templated nucleation of hemozoin.
AB  - Crystallization of the malaria pigment hemozoin sequesters the toxic heme
      byproduct of hemoglobin digestion in Plasmodium -infected red blood cells (RBCs).
      Recently, we applied electron and X-ray imaging and diffraction methods to
      elucidate this process. We observed crystals oriented with their {100} faces at
      the inner membrane surface of the digestive vacuole (DV) of Plasmodium falciparum
      in parasitized RBCs. Modeling of the soft X-ray tomographic (SXT) images of a
      trophozoite-stage parasite indicated a 4-16 nm DV membrane thickness, suggesting
      a possible role for lipid multilayers. Here, we reanalyzed the trophozoite SXT
      images quantitatively via X-ray absorption to map the DV membrane thickness.
      Making use of the chemical structure and crystal density of the lipid, we found,
      predominantly, a bilayer 4.2 nm thick, and the remainder was interpreted as
      patches ~8 nm thick. Image analysis of electron micrographs also yielded a 4-5 nm
      DV membrane thickness. The DV lipid membrane is thus mainly a bilayer, so induced
      hemozoin nucleation occurs primarily via the inner of the membrane's two
      leaflets. We argue that such a leaflet embodying mono- and di-acyl lipids with
      appropriate OH or NH bearing head groups may catalyse hemozoin nucleation by
      stereochemical and lattice match to the {100} crystal face, involving a two
      dimensional nucleation aggregate of ~100 molecules. 

PMID- 24237178
TI  - Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in chronic pathologic canine testes.
AB  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles was performed
      in seven healthy dogs without a history of reproductive pathology and with
      histologically confirmed normal testes and in 42 dogs with chronic scrotal
      anomalies. All dogs underwent orchiectomy and histological examination.
      Enhancement patterns and perfusion parameters (peak intensity and regional blood
      flow) of testes of healthy dogs and testes with chronic lesions were compared.
      Fourteen non-pathologic and 60 pathologic testes were considered. Forty testes
      were neoplastic (24 interstitial cell tumours, 9 seminomas, 7 Sertoli cell
      tumours), 20 were non-neoplastic (16 testicular degenerations, 2 chronic
      orchitis, 1 testicular atrophy, 1 interstitial cell hyperplasia). In healthy
      dogs, the contrast medium flow had a rapid homogeneous wash-in and wash-out, with
      a short peak phase. With contrast ultrasound, testes that were inhomogeneous with
      a hyperenhancing pattern were associated with neoplasia (sensitivity: 87.5%,
      specificity: 100%). Lesions with persistent inner vessels and a hypo-to-isoechoic
      background were significantly associated with seminomas (sensitivity: 77.8%,
      specificity: 100%). Testes with non-neoplastic lesions were characterized by a
      scant/moderate homogeneous enhancement. Perfusion parameters were higher in
      neoplastic lesions. Contrast ultrasound was a feasible diagnostic tool in the
      assessment of testicular lesions, with hyperenhancement being an important
      feature in the diagnosis of malignancy. 

PMID- 24237180
TI  - Enabling forbidden processes: quantum and solvation enhancement of nitrate anion
      UV absorption.
AB  - We present simulated electronic absorption spectra of isolated and solvated
      nitrate anion in the UV region, focusing primarily on the absorption into the
      first absorption band around 300 nm. This weak absorption band in this spectral
      region is responsible for the generation of NOx in the polar areas or OH(*)
      radicals in the hydrosphere. The 300 nm absorption band is symmetrically strongly
      forbidden and coupling of at least two vibrational modes is needed to allow the
      transition in the isolated nitrate anion. Further symmetry breaking is provided
      by solvation. In this study we model the absorption spectra of nitrate-water
      clusters using the combined reflection principle path integral molecular dynamics
      (RP-PIMD) method. Condensed phase UV spectra are modeled within a cluster
      continuum model. The calculated spectra are compared with experimental bulk phase
      measurements and reasonable agreement is found. We also provide a benchmarking of
      the DFT functionals to be used for a description of the electronically excited
      states of solvated nitrate anion. 

PMID- 24237181
TI  - Pelvic ultrasound findings in prepubertal girls with precocious adrenarche born
      appropriate for gestational age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Precocious adrenarche (PA) refers to the clinical onset of excess
      androgen in girls before the age of 8. It is associated with an increased risk of
      functional ovarian hyperandrogenism after puberty. PA may be associated with
      polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We compared pelvic ultrasound (US) findings of
      girls with PA born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) to healthy body mass
      index (BMI)-matched peers to determine whether US findings in AGA-born PA girls
      are associated with PCOS antecedents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross
      sectional study on 56 AGA-born girls with PA (6.9 +/- 0.6 years) and 33 BMI
      matched prepubertal AGA-born peers (7.1 +/- 1.0 years). Hormonal data,
      homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), insulin sensitivity
      index (ISIcomp ) and pelvic US findings were compared. Associations of pelvic US
      findings with clinical and metabolic data were investigated. RESULTS: Precocious
      adrenarche girls had greater height and bone age-adjusted uterine length (UL; P =
      0.01) and UL standard deviation score (SDS) (P = 0.02) than BMI-matched peers.
      Mean ovarian volume (MOV), MOV SDS, uterine volume, uterine cross-sectional area
      and ovarian morphology were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). MOV and MOV
      SDS correlated with ISIcomp (r = -0.683, P < 0.001; r = -0.760, P < 0.001;
      respectively). Correlations of pelvic US findings with other biochemical data did
      not reach significance (P > 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that
      in girls with PA, ISIcomp had the most significant effect on MOV SDS (R(2) =
      0.731, beta = -4.784, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate for gestational age
      born PA girls have greater UL measurements than AGA-born BMI-matched peers. In
      AGA-born girls with PA, decreasing insulin sensitivity is strongly and
      independently associated with an increase in MOV. Longitudinal follow-up of our
      cohort after menarche will allow us to establish how many AGA-born girls with PA
      will ultimately develop PCOS.

PMID- 24237182
TI  - Characterization of vascular disruption and blood-spinal cord barrier
      permeability following traumatic spinal cord injury.
AB  - Significant vascular changes occur subsequent to spinal cord injury (SCI), which
      contribute to progressive pathophysiology. In the present study, we used female
      Wistar rats (300-350 g) and a 35-g clip-compression injury at T6 to T7 to
      characterize the spatial and temporal vascular changes that ensue post-SCI.
      Before sacrifice, animals were injected with vascular tracing dyes (2% Evans Blue
      (EB) or fluorescein isothiocyanate/Lycopersicon esculentum agglutinin [FITC-LEA])
      to assess blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) integrity or vascular architecture,
      respectively. Spectrophotometry of EB tissue showed maximal BSCB disruption at 24
      h postinjury, with significant disruption observed until 5 days postinjury
      (p<0.01). FITC-LEA-identified functional vasculature was dramatically reduced by
      24 h. Similarly, RECA-1 immunohistochemistry showed a significant decrease in the
      number of vessels at 24 h postinjury, compared to uninjured animals (p<0.01),
      with slight increases in endogenous revascularization by 10 days postinjury.
      White versus gray matter (GM) quantification showed that GM vessels are more
      susceptible to SCI. Finally, we observed an endogenous angiogenic response
      between 3 and 7 days postinjury: maximal endothelial cell proliferation was
      observed at day 5. These data indicate that BSCB disruption and endogenous
      revascularization occur at specific time points after injury, which may be
      important for developing effective therapeutic interventions for SCI.

PMID- 24237183
TI  - In vitro performance analysis of a novel pulsatile diagonal pump in a simulated
      pediatric mechanical circulatory support system.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate the pump performance of the third
      generation Medos diagonal pump, the Deltastream DP3, on hemodynamic profile and
      pulsatility in a simulated pediatric mechanical circulatory support (MCS) system.
      The experimental circuit consisted of a Medos Deltastream DP3 pump head and
      console (MEDOS Medizintechnik AG, Stolberg, Germany), a 14-Fr Terumo TenderFlow
      Pediatric arterial cannula and a 20-Fr Terumo TenderFlow Pediatric venous return
      cannula (Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), and 3 ft of tubing with an internal
      diameter of in. for both arterial and venous lines. Trials were conducted at flow
      rates ranging from 250 mL/min to 1000 mL/min (250-mL/min increments) and
      rotational speeds ranging from 1000 to 4000 rpm (1000-rpm increments) using human
      blood (hematocrit 40%). The postcannula pressure was maintained at 60 mm Hg by a
      Hoffman clamp. Real-time pressure and flow data were recorded using a Labview
      based acquisition system. The pump provided adequate nonpulsatile and pulsatile
      flow, created more hemodynamic energy under pulsatile mode, and generated higher
      positive and negative pressures when the inlet and outlet of the pump head,
      respectively, were clamped. After the conversion from nonpulsatile to pulsatile
      mode, the flow rates and the rotational speeds increased. In conclusion, the
      novel Medos Deltastream DP3 diagonal pump is able to supply the required flow
      rate for pediatric MCS, generate adequate quality of pulsatility, and provide
      surplus hemodynamic energy output in a simulated pediatric MCS system. 

PMID- 24237184
TI  - TGF-alpha gene variations and increased susceptibility of gastric cancer in an
      Eastern Chinese Han population.
AB  - Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) correlates with deep invasion,
      advanced stage and poor prognosis in gastric cancer. Genetic variants in the 3'
      untranslated region (UTR) of TGF-alpha gene may influence the stability and post
      transcriptional regulation of mRNA and contribute to gastric cancer
      predisposition. To test this hypothesis, we genotyped five polymorphisms in 3'UTR
      (rs3771527, rs503314, rs473698, rs3732253 and rs538118) and one in 3' near region
      (rs11466306) of the TGF-alpha gene by polymerase chain reaction-ligation
      detection reaction methods (PCR-LDR). We found that GA/AA genotype of rs11466306
      in the 3' near gene could increase the risk of overall gastric cancer (adjusted
      OR = 1.499, 95%CI: 1.101-2.041), compared to the wild homozygous GG genotype.
      Meanwhile, the risk effect was more obvious in the intestinal gastric cancer and
      gastric noncardia cancer (adjusted OR = 1.682, 95%CI: 1.188-2.380; adjusted OR =
      1.495, 95%CI: 1.072-2.086, respectively), but not for the diffuse type and
      gastric cardia cancer (p > 0.05). CT/TT genotype for rs3732253 in the 3' UTR was
      associated with increased risk of intestinal gastric cancer (adjusted OR = 1.464,
      95%CI: 1.036-2.069), compared to their wild homozygous genotypes. These findings
      indicate that potentially functional TGF-alpha gene variant may contribute to the
      risk of intestinal gastric cancer and/or gastric noncardia cancer and could be
      used as molecular markers for detecting intestinal gastric cancer and/or gastric
      noncardia cancer in Chinese Han population.

PMID- 24237185
TI  - A new technique for subtotal (cranial wedge) ostectomy in the treatment of
      impinging/overriding spinous processes: description of technique and outcome of
      25 cases.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Surgical management for overriding spinous
      processes of the thoracolumbar vertebrae (SPs) is often favoured when
      conservative therapies have failed, pathology is severe, or in competition horses
      constrained by drug withdrawal periods. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether subtotal
      (cranial wedge) ostectomy represents an effective treatment for overriding SPs,
      with short surgery time and low complication rates, maintains the contour of the
      spine and produces a functionally and cosmetically better outcome than previously
      reported surgical techniques for management of overriding/impinging SPs. STUDY
      DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: A new technique is described and records
      were retrieved for 25 cases that had undergone the procedure at Newmarket Equine
      Hospital between 2009 and 2011. Case records were evaluated for anamnesis,
      clinical findings and details of surgical and post operative management. Outcome
      of surgery was assessed by telephone questionnaire with owners, relating to both
      functional and cosmetic results. RESULTS: Of cases treated using the described
      technique, 78.9% had resolution of clinical signs and returned to full work and a
      further 18.2% were improved. Outcome was unrelated to number of SPs resected or
      mean radiographic grade of impingement. Cosmetic outcome was described as
      excellent in 81.8% and good in the remainder. Surgery time ranged from 20 to 70
      (median 30) min and there were no intra- or post operative complications.
      CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previously described amputation techniques, subtotal
      (cranial wedge) ostectomy removes only impinging portions of SPs. General
      anaesthesia and lateral recumbency facilitate access and enable a short surgery
      time. The procedure maintains the contour of the back and has fewer
      complications, but produces functional outcomes similar to more invasive
      procedures.

PMID- 24237186
TI  - Whole-body vibration training increases physical fitness measures without
      alteration of inflammatory markers in older adults.
AB  - This study investigated in older adults whether whole-body vibration (WBV)
      training results in significant increases of physical fitness measures without
      alterations in markers of inflammation. Sixteen volunteers completed a WBV
      programme 3 d.wk(-1) during 9 weeks. The programme consisted of lower and upper
      body unloaded static and dynamic exercises. Training improved significantly
      several tests which evaluate physical fitness, such as 30-s chair stand, arm curl
      or chair sit and reach test. There was a significant increase in maximal
      voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) between pre- and post-training conditions.
      Muscle power values, reached at 20, 40 and 60% MVIC, were also significantly
      greater after training. However, mRNA or protein levels for C-reactive protein,
      interleukin-6, interleukin-1beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10
      did not significantly differ from basal values. Our data confirm the usefulness
      of WBV training for counteracting the loss of muscle strength associated with
      sarcopenia in older adults and show that WBV training could be a safe training
      method which induces no inflammatory effects.

PMID- 24237187
TI  - Oxidative stress reduced by a green tea concentrate and Capsicum combination:
      synergistic effects.
AB  - Reactive oxygen species that are produced by aerobic metabolism and signaling
      cascades have the potential to play important roles in maintaining homeostatic
      redox and cell proliferation. When the balance between the production and
      elimination of reactive oxygen species is perturbed toward production, the result
      is oxidative stress. High levels of oxidative stress are a general characteristic
      of cancer. The altered redox state within a tumor microenvironment confers a
      growth advantage through increased proliferation rates, evasion of apoptosis, and
      increased resistance to therapeutic compounds. We have tested a synergistic
      combination of green tea-Camellia sinensis-concentrate and powdered Capsicum
      powder (TeaFenseTM/Capsol-TTM) as a dietary supplement to reduce oxidative stress
      as an approach to elimination of malignant cells. Here, we demonstrate that the
      green tea-powdered Capsicum mixture effectively reduces levels of oxidative
      stress in both cancer (HeLa) and noncancer (MCF-10A) cells as determined from
      measurements of levels of the oxidative stress indicator Nrf-2 by western blot
      analysis. Nrf-2 is a transcription factor that controls an antioxidant response
      element. Increased expression of Nrf-2 is linked to high levels of oxidative
      stress and vice versa. Based on levels of Nrf-2, the mixture of green tea
      concentrate plus powdered Capsicum reduced oxidative stress by more than 50%
      compared with 15% by the green tea concentrate alone.

PMID- 24237188
TI  - Purified dry extract of Paullinia cupana (guarana) (PC-18) for chemotherapy
      related fatigue in patients with solid tumors: an early discontinuation study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Paullinia cupana (guarana) is an Amazonian plant that has been
      previously shown to be effective in treating chemotherapy-related fatigue (CRF)
      in patients with breast cancer. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a purified
      dry extract of P. cupana (PC-18) in patients with various solid tumors treated
      with chemotherapy. METHODS: We included 40 patients with solid tumors who showed
      increases in their Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) questionnaire scores after 1
      week of systemic chemotherapy. PC-18 was administered at 37.5 mg by mouth two
      times per day (PO bid), starting after 1 week of chemotherapy, for 3 weeks
      (induction phase). Patients who had an improvement in or stabilization of their
      BFI scores were randomized to receive either PC-18 at the same dose or placebo
      for the following 3 weeks (maintenance phase). RESULTS: After PC-18 treatment,
      the BFI fatigue scores improved or stabilized in 36 out of the 40 patients (mean
      BFI score difference = 2.503; 95% confidence interval: 1.716-3.375, p = .0002).
      Three weeks after randomization (16 patients on PC-18 and 17 on placebo), we
      observed no significant differences in the BFI, Functional Assessment of Chronic
      Illness Therapy, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep
      Quality Index scores between patients randomized to PC-18 versus placebo.
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the PC-18 extract may be effective for the
      treatment of CRF in patients with a variety of solid tumors. A conditioning
      effect, which was observed in patients who had a beneficial effect of PC-18 on
      CRF, may explain the better than expected fatigue scores of the placebo-treated
      patients.

PMID- 24237189
TI  - Protective effect of Psidium guajava leaf extract on altered carbohydrate
      metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - Psidium guajava is an important plant of high medicinal value and has been used
      in traditional systems of medicine against various ailments. The antidiabetic
      effect of the ethanolic extract of Psidium guajava leaves and also its protective
      effect on altered glucose metabolism was evaluated in streptozotocin (stz)
      induced diabetic rat model. Diabetes was induced in rats by means of
      intraperitoneal injection of 50-mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) of stz. Diabetes
      induced rats were randomly divided into two groups. One group of rats was treated
      with Psidium guajava leaf extract at a dosage of 300-mg/kg b.wt. and the other
      group of rats was treated with the standard drug glyclazide at a dosage of 5
      mg/kg b.wt. for 30 days. The blood glucose levels, plasma insulin, Hb, HbA1c were
      measured. The effect on the drug on altered glucose metabolizing enzymes were
      also studied. Treatment with Psidium guajava extract showed a significant
      reduction in blood glucose and HbA1c levels and a significant increase in plasma
      insulin levels. The drug also significantly restored the activities of
      carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes. This suggests that the potential antidiabetic
      effect of the ethanolic extract of the Psidium guajava leaves may be due to the
      presence of flavonoids and other phenolic components present in the drug.

PMID- 24237190
TI  - Chromium supplementation for menstrual cycle-related mood symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) afflicts ~7% of reproductive
      age women resulting in impaired relationships, diminished overall quality of
      life, and disability-adjusted life years lost on par with other major psychiatric
      disorders. Response to pharmacological treatment is inadequate in ~50% of women
      with PMDD. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study is to evaluate the effects of
      a novel approach-short-term chromium supplementation-on menstrual cycle-related
      mood and physical symptoms. METHODS: Five women were studied under single-blind
      conditions in a private clinical setting (2 of them were referred specifically
      for treatment-resistant menstrual-related symptoms); 6 women completed a double
      blind crossover study of chromium plus placebo versus chromium plus sertraline in
      a university clinical research setting. Treatments were administered from mid
      cycle to onset of menses in 1-month intervals. Symptom ratings were obtained by
      self-report, using daily symptom checklists, and by clinical assessment, using
      the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Clinical
      Global Impressions (CGI) scale. RESULTS: Overall, chromium treatment was
      associated with reduced mood symptoms and improved overall health satisfaction in
      most participants. In some cases, chromium alone was associated with marked
      clinical improvement; in others, chromium plus an antidepressant resulted in
      greater improvement than either chromium alone or an antidepressant alone.
      CONCLUSION: These preliminary observations suggest that chromium may be a useful
      monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for women suffering from significant menstrual
      cycle-related symptoms. Larger, controlled studies are needed to evaluate the
      efficacy of chromium treatment in this patient population.

PMID- 24237191
TI  - An in vivo study examining the antiinflammatory effects of chamomile,
      meadowsweet, and willow bark in a novel functional beverage.
AB  - The antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of polyphenols are well
      documented in vitro but there are few human studies. A herbal beverage composed
      of chamomile, meadowsweet, and willow bark (CMW) was developed and tested for its
      antiinflammatory effect in a cohort of healthy adults (n = 20) during a 4-week
      intervention. Subjects were randomised to either the treatment (TG) or placebo
      group (PG). The three herbs under study, which have been used in traditional and
      alternative medicine, were delivered in a berry extract matrix. This berry
      extract was used as a control in the experiment. The objective was to assess the
      herbs' effects on systemic inflammation and joint function by examining
      circulating cytokines and mechanical joint flexibility. Blood serum was analyzed
      for cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNFalpha. There was an average decrease of
      21.7% IL-1beta in the treatment group, whereas the decrease seen in the placebo
      group was 3% but these were not statistically significant. Quartile analysis
      based on baseline production of TNFalpha demonstrated a decrease in the treatment
      group's IL-6 levels. This group showed improvements in mechanical joint function
      and pain upon movement of joints specific to the knee and lower back. Overall, no
      significant antiinflammatory effects were seen. The evidence is therefore
      inconclusive and further investigations are required using a larger cohort with
      some degree of elevated inflammatory activity.

PMID- 24237192
TI  - The CARE guidelines: consensus-based clinical case report guideline development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A case report is a narrative that describes, for medical, scientific,
      or educational purposes, a medical problem experienced by one or more patients.
      Case reports written without guidance from reporting standards are insufficiently
      rigorous to guide clinical practice or to inform clinical study design. PRIMARY
      OBJECTIVE: Develop, disseminate, and implement systematic reporting guidelines
      for case reports. METHODS: We used a three-phase consensus process consisting of
      (a) pre-meeting literature review and interviews to generate items for the
      reporting guidelines; (b) a face-to-face consensus meeting to draft the reporting
      guidelines; and (c) post-meeting feedback, review, and pilot testing, followed by
      finalization of the case report guidelines. RESULTS: This consensus process
      involved 27 participants and resulted in a 13-item checklist-a reporting
      guideline for case reports. The primary items of the checklist are title, key
      words, abstract, introduction, patient information, clinical findings, timeline,
      diagnostic assessment, therapeutic interventions, follow-up and outcomes,
      discussion, patient perspective, and informed consent. CONCLUSIONS: We believe
      the implementation of the CARE (CAse REport) guidelines by medical journals will
      improve the completeness and transparency of published case reports and that the
      systematic aggregation of information from case reports will inform clinical
      study design, provide early signals of effectiveness and harms, and improve
      healthcare delivery.

PMID- 24237193
TI  - An evidence-based systematic review of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) by the
      Natural Standard Research Collaboration.
AB  - An evidence-based systematic review of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) by the
      Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data
      available in the scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading
      rationale. This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical
      trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history,
      pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and
      dosing.

PMID- 24237194
TI  - Optimization protocol for storage of goldfish (Carassius auratus) embryos in
      chilled state.
AB  - A series of five experiments were conducted to explore suitable conditions for
      storing of goldfish embryos in a chilled state. The factors studied were embryo
      stage, storage temperature, physiological saline solutions and goldfish
      artificial coelomic fluid (GFACF) medium, antibiotics (penicillin and
      streptomycin), antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C), buffer (Hepes, Tris) and BSA
      (bovine serum albumin). First, goldfish embryos at eight developmental stages
      were incubated in aerated and dechlorinated tap water at 0  degrees C for 24 h.
      Result shows that early developmental stages were most sensitive to chilling.
      Heartbeat-stage goldfish embryos were chilled at 0, 4 or 8  degrees C for up to
      72 h in water, and chilled storage was possible only for up to 18, 24 and 48 h at
      0, 4 and 8  degrees C, respectively, without a decrease in viability. Chilling of
      goldfish embryos at 8  degrees C in GFACF medium and Dettlaff's solution instead
      of water and other physiological saline solutions prolonged their viability (p <
      0.01). Nevertheless, viability of chilled embryos in GFACF medium was slightly,
      but non-significantly, higher than in Dettlaff's solution. Supplementation of the
      GFACF medium with antibiotics, Hepes or BSA increased the viability of chilled
      embryos, but the tested vitamin E analogue Trolox, vitamin C or Tris
      concentration had no effect on embryo viability. The outcome of this series of
      experiments shows that heartbeat-stage goldfish embryos could be chilled for 60 h
      in GFACF supplemented with 25 mm Hepes, 100 U/ml penicillin, 10 MUg/l
      streptomycin and 1 g/l BSA in such a way that embryonic development does not
      proceed, and viability is not lost.

PMID- 24237195
TI  - High-throughput virtual screening identifies novel N'-(1-phenylethylidene)
      benzohydrazides as potent, specific, and reversible LSD1 inhibitors.
AB  - Lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) plays an important role in regulating
      histone lysine methylation at residues K4 and K9 on histone H3 and is an
      attractive therapeutic target in multiple malignancies. Here we report a
      structure-based virtual screen of a compound library containing ~2 million small
      molecular entities. Computational docking and scoring followed by biochemical
      screening led to the identification of a novel N'-(1-phenylethylidene)
      benzohydrazide series of LSD1 inhibitors with hits showing biochemical IC50s in
      the 200-400 nM range. Hit-to-lead optimization and structure-activity
      relationship studies aided in the discovery of compound 12, with a Ki of 31 nM.
      Compound 12 is reversible and specific for LSD1 as compared to the monoamine
      oxidases shows minimal inhibition of CYPs and hERG and inhibits proliferation and
      survival in several cancer cell lines, including breast and colorectal cancer.
      Compound 12 may be used to probe LSD1's biological role in these cancers. 

PMID- 24237196
TI  - Regulation and therapeutic strategies of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal metabolism in heart
      disease.
AB  - 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), a reactive aldehyde, is generated from
      polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in biological membranes. Reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) generated during oxidative stress react with PUFAs to form
      aldehydes like 4-HNE, which inactivates proteins and DNA by forming hybrid
      covalent chemical addition compounds called adducts. The ensuing chain reaction
      results in cellular dysfunction and tissue damage. It includes a wide spectrum of
      events ranging from electron transport chain dysfunction to apoptosis. In
      addition, 4-HNE directly depresses contractile function, enhances ROS formation,
      modulates cell signaling pathways, and can contribute to many cardiovascular
      diseases, including atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury,
      heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. Therefore, targeting 4-HNE could help reverse
      these pathologies. This review will focus on 4-HNE generation, the role of 4-HNE
      in cardiovascular diseases, cellular targets (especially mitochondria), processes
      and mechanisms for 4-HNE-induced toxicity, regulation of 4-HNE metabolism, and
      finally strategies for developing potential therapies for cardiovascular disease
      by attenuating 4-HNEinduced toxicity.

PMID- 24237197
TI  - Expanding the cleft phenotype: the dental characteristics of unaffected parents
      of Australian children with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aetiology of isolated clefts of the lip and/or palate remains
      obscure. Unaffected family members are treated as if their genetic risks are
      equivalent and low. Given the number of genes associated with both clefting and
      dental anomalies, the hypothesis that such anomalies contribute to the cleft
      phenotype should be explored. AIM: To describe the dental characteristics of
      parents of children with non-syndromic cleft lip +/- palate. DESIGN: Unaffected
      parents of Australian children with a cleft of the lip +/- palate underwent
      dental examination including radiographs, photographs, and impressions. Dental
      anomalies were identified. RESULTS: Data were available on 101 parents (49 males,
      52 females). Fifty-one participants had at least one dental anomaly. Twelve
      (11.8%) individuals had congenital absence of teeth, with seven missing multiple
      teeth. The tooth most commonly missing was the upper right lateral incisor. Five
      subjects (4.9%) had microdontia (upper lateral incisor most commonly affected).
      Four subjects (4.0%) had supernumerary teeth. Enamel defects were present in 27
      (26.7%) cases with the incisors (46.8%) followed by premolars (24.2%) most
      affected. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports previous work suggesting that
      'unaffected' parents of children with clefts of the lip +/- palate may present
      with dental anomalies.

PMID- 24237198
TI  - Are self-reported risk-taking behavior and helmet use associated with injury
      causes among skiers and snowboarders?
AB  - Over the last 10 years, ski helmet use has steadily increased worldwide.
      According to the "risk compensation theory," however, studies found that up to
      one third of skiers and snowboarders self-reported to engage in more risk taking
      when wearing a ski helmet. Therefore, to evaluate whether self-reported risk
      taking and ski helmet use affect accident causes on ski slopes, more than 2000
      injured skiers and snowboarders were interviewed during the 2011/2012 winter
      season about accident causes and potential intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors.
      Chi-square tests revealed that ski helmet use did not significantly differ
      between self-reported risky and cautious people (81% vs 83%). Multivariate
      regression analysis revealed younger age groups [odds ratios (ORs) 1.8-1.9, P <
      005], male sex (OR 2.4, P < 0.001), Austrian nationality (2.2, P < 0.001), higher
      skill level (1.7, P < 0.001), and off-slope skiing (OR 2.2, P = 0.060) to be
      predictive for a risky behavior on ski slopes. Neither the use of skis or
      snowboards nor accident causes were significantly associated with a riskier
      behavior on ski slopes. In conclusion, self-reported risk-taking behavior and ski
      helmet use seem not to be associated with accident causes leading to an injury
      among recreational skiers and snowboarders.

PMID- 24237199
TI  - From protein complexes to subunit backbone fragments: a multi-stage approach to
      native mass spectrometry.
AB  - Native mass spectrometry (MS) is becoming an important integral part of
      structural proteomics and system biology research. The approach holds great
      promise for elucidating higher levels of protein structure: from primary to
      quaternary. This requires the most efficient use of tandem MS, which is the
      cornerstone of MS-based approaches. In this work, we advance a two-step
      fragmentation approach, or (pseudo)-MS(3), from native protein complexes to a set
      of constituent fragment ions. Using an efficient desolvation approach and
      quadrupole selection in the extended mass-to-charge (m/z) range, we have
      accomplished sequential dissociation of large protein complexes, such as
      phosporylase B (194 kDa), pyruvate kinase (232 kDa), and GroEL (801 kDa), to
      highly charged monomers which were then dissociated to a set of multiply charged
      fragmentation products. Fragment ion signals were acquired with a high
      resolution, high mass accuracy Orbitrap instrument that enabled highly confident
      identifications of the precursor monomer subunits. The developed approach is
      expected to enable characterization of stoichiometry and composition of
      endogenous native protein complexes at an unprecedented level of detail. 

PMID- 24237202
TI  - The concept of shared mental models in healthcare collaboration.
AB  - AIM: To report an analysis of the concept of shared mental models in health care.
      BACKGROUND: Shared mental models have been described as facilitators of effective
      teamwork. The complexity and criticality of the current healthcare system
      requires shared mental models to enhance safe and effective patient/client care.
      Yet, the current concept definition in the healthcare literature is vague and,
      therefore, difficult to apply consistently in research and practice. DESIGN:
      Concept analysis. DATA SOURCES: Literature for this concept analysis was
      retrieved from several databases, including CINAHL, PubMed and MEDLINE (EBSCO
      Interface), for the years 1997-2013. METHODS: Walker and Avant's approach to
      concept analysis was employed and, following Paley's guidance, embedded in extant
      theory from the team literature. RESULTS: Although teamwork and collaboration are
      discussed frequently in healthcare literature, the concept of shared mental
      models in that context is not as commonly found but is increasing in appearance.
      Our concept analysis defines shared mental models as individually held knowledge
      structures that help team members function collaboratively in their environments
      and are comprised of the attributes of content, similarity, accuracy and
      dynamics. CONCLUSION: This theoretically grounded concept analysis provides a
      foundation for a middle-range descriptive theory of shared mental models in
      nursing and health care. Further research concerning the impact of shared mental
      models in the healthcare setting can result in development and refinement of
      shared mental models to support effective teamwork and collaboration.

PMID- 24237203
TI  - Benzimidazole-based ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probes for acidic pH in
      live cells and tissues.
AB  - Many aspects of cell metabolism are controlled by acidic pH. We report a new
      family of small molecule and ratiometric two photon (TP) probes derived from
      benzimidazole (BH1-3 and BH1L) for monitoring acidic pH values. These probes are
      characterized by a strong two-photon excited fluorescence, a marked blue-to-green
      emission color change in response to pH, pKa values ranging from 4.9 to 6.1, a
      distinctive isoemissive point, negligible cytotoxicity, and high photostability,
      thereby allowing quantitative analysis of acidic pH. Moreover, we show that BH1L
      optimized as a lysosomal-targeted probe allows for direct, real-time estimation
      of the pH values inside lysosomal compartments in live cells as well as in living
      mouse brain tissues through the use of two-photon microscopy. These findings
      demonstrate that these probes will find useful applications in biomedical
      research. 

PMID- 24237204
TI  - High-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of carbon dynamics in
      mycorrhizas formed by an obligately myco-heterotrophic orchid.
AB  - Mycorrhiza formation represents a significant carbon (C) acquisition alternative
      for orchid species, particularly those that remain achlorophyllous through all
      life stages. As it is known that orchid mycorrhizas facilitate nutrient transfer
      (most notably of C), it has not been resolved if C transfer occurs only after
      lysis of mycorrhizal structures (fungal pelotons) or also across the mycorrhizal
      interface of pre-lysed pelotons. We used high-resolution secondary ion mass
      spectrometry (nanoSIMS) and labelling with enriched (13) CO2 to trace C
      transfers, at subcellular scale, across mycorrhizal interfaces formed by
      Rhizanthella gardneri, an achlorphyllous orchid. Carbon was successfully traced
      in to the fungal portion of orchid mycorrhizas. However, we did not detect C
      movement across intact mycorrhizal interfaces up to 216 h post (13) CO2
      labelling. Our findings provide support for the hypothesis that C transfer from
      the mycorrhizal fungus to orchid, at least for R. gardneri, likely occurs after
      lysis of the fungal peloton. 

PMID- 24237205
TI  - Time of change within the journal.

PMID- 24237206
TI  - Are waves of relational assumptions eroding traditional analysis?
AB  - The author designates as 'traditional' those elements of psychoanalytic
      presumption and practice that have, in the wake of Fordham's legacy, helped to
      inform analytical psychology and expand our capacity to integrate the shadow. It
      is argued that this element of the broad spectrum of Jungian practice is in
      danger of erosion by the underlying assumptions of the relational approach, which
      is fast becoming the new establishment. If the maps of the traditional landscape
      of symbolic reference (primal scene, Oedipus et al.) are disregarded, analysts
      are left with only their own self-appointed authority with which to orientate
      themselves. This self-centric epistemological basis of the relationalists leads
      to a revision of 'analytic attitude' that may be therapeutic but is not
      essentially analytic. This theme is linked to the perennial challenge of
      balancing differentiation and merger and traced back, through Chasseguet-Smirgel,
      to its roots in Genesis. An endeavour is made to illustrate this within the
      Journal convention of clinically based discussion through a commentary on
      Colman's (2013) avowedly relational treatment of the case material presented in
      his recent Journal paper 'Reflections on knowledge and experience' and through an
      assessment of Jessica Benjamin's (2004) relational critique of Ron Britton's
      (1989) transference embodied approach. 

PMID- 24237207
TI  - On the impact of words: interpretation, empathy and affect regulation.
AB  - This paper offers a contribution towards furthering our understanding of a theme
      more usually associated with the Freudian tradition, namely the role and function
      of words as action, particularly in relation to the representational process and
      its somatic roots. Some reference to neuroscience research will be offered in
      this respect. It also considers the value of differentiating Empathy from
      Empathism, as defined by the Italian psychoanalyst Stefano Bolognini who
      distinguishes informing complementary countertransference from states of over
      concordance. Two analytic sessions taken from the intensive analysis of a deeply
      deprived late-latency child showing violent behaviour are provided with the aim
      of illustrating the application of these concepts. It is argued that, given the
      same elaboration of the countertransference and the adequate empathic position on
      the part of the analyst, the difference in the outcome of the interpretation was
      made by the specific use of words-in this case the use or not of the personal
      pronoun-in the two sessions. As the case material is taken from the clinical work
      of a supervisee, some elements regarding the supervisory situation are also
      discussed in the paper. 

PMID- 24237208
TI  - Out of the body: embodiment and its vicissitudes.
AB  - Body-mind dualism and the consequent neglect of the body of the analyst can have
      important negative effects on the analytical process leading all too often to
      misinterpretations of the analysand's verbal and non-verbal communications and to
      disturbances of analytical temporality. This is intensified when we are dealing
      with individuals where disembodiment and states of psychic deadness are central
      features. The paper explores the philosophical roots of the idea of a disembodied
      mind and the way in which this impacts our relationship with the world. While
      Andre Green's concept of the dead mother and disturbances in the sense of self
      agency have been held to play an important role in states of psychic deadness, I
      suggest that it is rather disturbances in the sense of body ownership and of the
      body image which are more central. The paper then discusses the particular kinds
      of countertransference that can be evoked in the analyst when we find ourselves
      dealing with this type of patient and suggests how we can use our embodied
      countertransference to become aware of and elaborate our own feelings of deadness
      in order to overcome the loss of temporality that is characteristic of such
      states. This is illustrated with reference to my work with a young man with a
      masochistic perversion and a severe disturbance of the body image with an
      accompanying profound sense of psychic deadness. 

PMID- 24237209
TI  - The King of Norway: negative individuation, the hero myth and psychopathic
      narcissism in extreme violence and the life of Anders Behring Breivik.
AB  - The paper discusses negative individuation and the hero myth as developmental
      concepts. It is suggested that in negative individuation healthy psychological
      development is hindered and goes astray. Aggression then becomes the central
      psychic system. Repressed anger is the core element in psychopathic narcissism
      (Diamond) and malignant narcissism (Kernberg). Both Diamond and Kernberg extend
      narcissistic personality structure to antisocial, psychopathic personality in an
      effort to better understand extreme violence. According to Freud, love (libido)
      and hate (the death drive) are the major motivational systems in the human
      psyche. In contrast to Freud, Jung sees libido as a life force in general, not
      simply as a sexual drive. Jung writes about evil and the shadow but does not
      present a comprehensive theory of the negative development of an individual's
      life. The concept of negative individuation connects the shadow and the death
      drive with psychopathology, psychiatry and psychotherapy. In this paper, I
      explore these concepts in the light of contemporary affect theory according to
      Kernberg. I also ask how ideology is tied to extreme violence and how it is
      possible that narcissistic personality structures can lead to such radically
      different outcomes as were manifested in the lives of Anders Behring Breivik and
      Steve Jobs. 

PMID- 24237210
TI  - James Astor in conversation with Warren Colman.
AB  - In this interview with Warren Colman, James Astor speaks about his development as
      a Jungian analyst from his own experience of personal analysis in the 1960s to
      his recent retirement from clinical practice. The discussion covers his long
      association with Michael Fordham, the child analytic training at the SAP, the
      infant observation seminars with Fordham and Gianna Henry through which Fordham
      was able to make new discoveries about infant development, his experience of
      supervision with Donald Meltzer and the development of his own thinking through a
      series of papers on the analytic process, supervision and the relation between
      language and truth. The interview concludes with reflections about the legacy of
      Michael Fordham and the future of analytic work. 

PMID- 24237216
TI  - Editorial: Cancer immunotherapy: does an increasing arsenal of tools point to
      more fruitful avenues for research?

PMID- 24237217
TI  - Therapeutic vaccines explored in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - Traditional anti-cancer therapies (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy) have
      limited effectiveness in curbing progression of advanced tumors. However, with
      advances in immunology and molecular biology in the last two decades, the
      prognosis of cancer immunotherapy has improved. An emerging therapy is the cancer
      vaccine as adjunctive therapy. The purpose of this paper is to review this
      therapeutic modality for non-small cell lung cancer.

PMID- 24237218
TI  - HPV-specific immunotherapy: key role for immunomodulators.
AB  - Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among women worldwide. The
      prime causal factor of the disease is a persistent infection with human
      papillomavirus (HPV) with individuals failing to mount a sufficient immune
      response against the virus. Despite the current success of HPV16- and 18-specific
      prophylactic vaccination, established HPV infections and associated neoplasia
      require therapeutic vaccines with the induction of cellular immunity. The
      sustained expression of early proteins E6 and E7 from major oncogenic HPV
      genotypes in cervical lesions are ideal targets for the design of
      immunotherapeutic strategies. These strategies, particularly subunit vaccines,
      may require additional help from immunomodulators to enhance HPV-specific
      cellular responses. This review discusses recent studies, published since 2008,
      relating to immunotherapeutic strategies against HPV that include
      immunomodulators. These immunomodulators fall within the category of toll-like
      receptor adjuvants for innate immune activation, adjuvants directly contributing
      to adaptive immunity, such as cytokines and costimulatory molecules, and those
      that target tumor-induced immunosuppressive mechanisms. Using a combination of
      these strategies with delivery-based approaches may be most beneficial for the
      success of therapeutic vaccines against HPV-induced neoplasia in the clinic.

PMID- 24237219
TI  - Poxvirus-based vaccines for cancer immunotherapy: new insights from combined
      cytokines/co-stimulatory molecules delivery and "uncommon" strains.
AB  - Poxvirus-based vaccines have a long record of efficacy as both anti-tumour agents
      and vectors for gene therapy in different human tumour models. Interestingly,
      several studies of these vaccines have now entered the clinical evaluation phase
      for safety and effectiveness. A desirable outcome of antigen specific cancer
      immunotherapy is the disruption of host self-tolerance against endogenous tumour
      associated antigens (TAAs). Nonetheless, recent studies have found reductions in
      vaccine efficacy due to host anti-vaccine immune reactions. Thus, newer
      approaches bringing together poxvirus-based vaccination and immunostimulation are
      being developed, and new poxvirus strains are being examined in tumour therapy
      studies. Our review summarizes the current knowledge on the efficacy of poxvirus
      based vaccination on human tumours, with a particular focus on approaches aimed
      at increasing innate and specific immune responses. Special attention will be
      devoted to the new poxvirus strains that are currently under consideration for
      tumour therapy; the current knowledge on clinical trials and outcomes will also
      be reviewed.

PMID- 24237220
TI  - CCL21 and IFNgamma recruit and activate tumor specific T cells in 3D scaffold
      model of breast cancer.
AB  - Effective elicitation of endogenous immunity is associated with improved
      prognosis for cancer patients. Clinical evidence in hematological and solid
      cancers shows that intratumoral injection of immunostimulatory genes primes and
      augments endogenous T cell responses. The ability of pro-inflammatory
      chemokines/cytokines to facilitate migration/activation of antigen-presenting
      cells (APC) and lymphocytes prompted our modeling of intratumoral delivery of a
      chemokine/cytokine combination for breast cancer treatment. Here, we demonstrate
      that expression of chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) and interferon gamma (IFNgamma) in
      tumors improves tumor specific T cell recruitment to tumor and activation in the
      tumor milieu. IFNgamma and CCL21 were delivered into tumor cells via plasmids,
      and transfected cells were seeded to form spheroids on three-dimensional (3D)
      chitosan-alginate (CA) scaffolds. Co-expression of CCL21 and IFNgamma, as
      evidenced by qRT-PCR and ELISA, induced increased recruitment, binding, and
      infiltration of anti-neu (p98) peptide specific T cells into the breast tumors as
      determined by SEM and immunofluorescence assays. The co-expression promoted
      recruitment of only p98 T cells, but not naive T cells, demonstrating an antigen
      restricted activation. Furthermore, the co-expression impacted T helper (Th) cell
      immunity, promoting an increase in secretion of pro-inflammatory Th-associated
      cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte
      (CTL)-associated protease, Granzyme B (GzB). Therefore, 3D CA scaffolds may be a
      useful breast cancer tumor microenvironment model to evaluate T cell function.
      Further characterization of CCL21-IFNgamma mediated anti-tumor immunity will
      potentially benefit the development of chemokine/cytokine combination platforms
      as anti-cancer agents.

PMID- 24237222
TI  - Application of dsRNA in cancer immunotherapy: current status and future trends.
AB  - Cancer cells create a microenvironment that prevents tumor rejection by the
      host's immune system. The activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) can
      elicit an innate immune response and guide the adaptive immune response to
      overcome this. dsRNA analogs can trigger TLR3, RIG-I, MDA5, NLRP3 and several
      other PRRs to induce not only robust immune response against cancer but also
      programmed cell death. This review focuses on the signal pathways activated by
      dsRNA and examines examples of their clinical application in cancer treatment.

PMID- 24237221
TI  - Chemical metabolic inhibitors for the treatment of blood-borne cancers.
AB  - Tumor cells, including leukemic cells, remodel their bioenergetic system in favor
      of aerobic glycolysis. This process is called "the Warburg effect" and offers an
      attractive pharmacological target to preferentially eliminate malignant cells. In
      addition, recent results show that metabolic changes can be linked to tumor
      immune evasion. Mouse models demonstrate the importance of this metabolic
      remodeling in leukemogenesis. Some leukemias, although treatable, remain
      incurable and resistance to chemotherapy produces an elevated percentage of
      relapse in most leukemia cases. Several groups have targeted the specific
      metabolism of leukemia cells in preclinical and clinical studies to improve the
      prognosis of these patients, i.e. using L-asparaginase to treat pediatric acute
      lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Additional metabolic drugs that are currently being
      used to treat other diseases or tumors could also be exploited for leukemia,
      based on preclinical studies. Finally, we discuss the potential use of several
      metabolic drugs in combination therapies, including immunomodulatory drugs
      (IMiDs) or immune cell-based therapies, to increase their efficacy and reduce
      side effects in the treatment of hematological cancers.

PMID- 24237223
TI  - The need for improvement of the treatment of advanced and metastatic cervical
      cancer, the rationale for combined chemo-immunotherapy.
AB  - The prognosis of patients with metastatic cervical cancer is poor with a median
      survival of 8-13 months. Despite the potency of chemotherapeutic drugs, this
      treatment is rarely curative and should be considered palliative only. The last
      decades, targeted therapies such as immunotherapy have emerged as an attractive
      option for the treatment of these patients. Immunotherapy can consist of
      different modalities such as monoclonal antibodies, adoptive lymphocyte transfer
      and vaccines, which all are intended to augment the antitumor immune responses in
      cancer patients. The available evidence indicates that both active and adoptive
      immunotherapeutical strategies are quite effective against small tumor burdens,
      but are usually insufficient to eradicate the disease in patients with advanced
      stages of different kinds of cancer, despite strong induction of tumor-specific
      immune responses. Although chemotherapy and immunotherapy have not shown to be
      curative as single modalities, accumulating evidence suggests that combinations
      of these treatments hold potential for improved clinical outcomes in advanced
      stages of cancer. Therefore, the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy is
      no longer considered incompatible, because of the emerging insight that certain
      chemotherapy-based cancer treatments may activate the immune system against the
      tumor through several molecular and cellular mechanisms. Chemotherapeutic agents
      and immunotherapy may thus be synergistic and enhance the clinical response. In
      this review, we show the rationale for combined chemo-immunotherapeutic
      strategies, and summarize recent data from clinical trials performed in patients
      with different types of cancer. Challenges such as the selection of the optimal
      dose and treatment schedule, will be discussed as well as the identification of
      immune-specific biomarkers. Furthermore, we evaluated the long-term clinical
      outcomes of patients with advanced cervical cancer treated with HPV16 E6/E7 SLP
      vaccination with or without chemotherapy. Finally, the future of vaccination
      therapy in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer is
      discussed.

PMID- 24237224
TI  - Ex vivo-activated MHC-unrestricted immune effectors for cancer adoptive
      immunotherapy.
AB  - Adoptive immunotherapy is considered a promising strategy for the treatment of
      metastatic tumors and current research efforts are directed to define the optimal
      approach and facilitate the transferability from preclinical to clinical
      settings. Among several approaches it is possible to schematically distinguish
      strategies based on either MHC-restricted or MHC-unrestricted immune effectors.
      The first are mainly based on the infusion of tumor-specific T lymphocytes
      capable of recognizing determined MHC-restricted tumor associated antigens (TAA)
      through their T cell receptor. MHC-unrestricted approaches do not target specific
      tumor associated antigens and are mainly mediated by effectors of the innate
      immune system, like natural killer (NK) cells or NKT cells, first barrier against
      pathogens and tumorigenesis processes, or by ex vivo activated lymphocytes like
      cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells. MHC-unrestricted effectors are usually more
      abundant than TAA-specific precursors and easier to expand. Furthermore their
      activity is not restricted to precise HLA-haplotypes, not limited to a single
      tumor histotype and could overcome downregulation of MHC molecules operated by
      tumor cells as immune escape mechanism. In this review we will discuss the main
      cancer immunotherapy strategies based on MHC-unrestricted immune effectors. The
      topic will be approached from the angle of ex vivo expansion protocols in
      clinical prospective, as well as potential approaches to favorably modulate their
      functions.

PMID- 24237227
TI  - Submucous Cleft Palate: A Systematic Review of Surgical Management Based on
      Perceptual and Instrumental Analysis.
AB  - Objective: Submucous cleft palate (SMCP) is a congenital condition associated
      with abnormal development of the soft palate musculature. In a proportion of
      cases, this results in velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), the treatment for
      which includes pharyngeal flap surgery, pharyngoplasty, and palate
      reconstruction. The aim of this paper is to determine whether there is
      superiority of one or more types of surgical procedure over the others in
      improving speech in patients with VPI secondary to SMCP. Methodology: Nine
      databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, were searched between inception and
      January 2013 to identify articles published relating to the surgical management
      of SMCP. Only studies that reported outcome measures for postoperative speech
      were included in the systematic review. Results: Twenty-six studies analyzing the
      outcomes of surgery for VPI in patients with SMCP met the inclusion criteria. In
      these studies, speech outcomes were measured either in a binary fashion (i.e.,
      normal speech or evidence of VPI) or using scales of VPI severity. Of the 26
      studies, only two utilized blinded speech assessment, and 12 included both
      preoperative and postoperative speech assessment. Conclusions: The review found
      little evidence to support any specific surgical intervention. This is in large
      part due to the inclusion of mixed etiologies within study populations and the
      lack of unbiased validated preoperative and postoperative speech assessment.
      Further methodologically rigorous studies need to be conducted to provide a
      secure evidence base for the surgical management of SMCP.

PMID- 24237226
TI  - Congenital platelet disorder and type I von Willebrand disease presenting as
      prolonged bleeding after cleft lip and palate repair.
AB  - Cleft lip and palate can be associated with coagulopathy. Here, we report the
      first known case of congenital platelet disorder and von Willebrand disease
      presenting as prolonged bleeding after cleft lip and palate repair. After
      identifying the underlying pathology, platelet infusions and aminocaproic acid
      were given to decrease bleeding from a second surgical procedure. Whole exome
      sequencing identified a von Willebrand factor gene mutation, an adenine to
      guanine substitution at the c.475A location. A high index of suspicion should be
      had for coagulopathy in patients with syndromic cleft lip and palate. 

PMID- 24237225
TI  - The immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic organosulfur
      compounds in cancer chemoprevention.
AB  - Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries as a prophylactic and
      therapeutic medicinal agent. Importantly, garlic has been suggested to have both
      cancer-preventive potential as well as significant enhancing effects on the
      immune system. While these observations are supported experimentally both in
      vitro and in vivo, the impact of garlic in assisting the immune system in the
      prevention of cancer still lacks experimental confirmation. Studies addressing
      the immunomodulatory effects of garlic reveal conflicting data as to pro- or anti
      inflammatory responses depending on the particular experimental set-ups and the
      garlic preparation used (i.e. garlic extract versus chemically pure garlic
      compounds). Here we provide an overview of the chemistry of the major garlic
      organosulfur compounds, summarize the current understanding and propose a link
      between the immunomodulating activity of garlic and the prevention of cancer. We
      hypothesize that garlic rather elicits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative
      responses that aid in priming the organism towards eradication of an emerging
      tumor.

PMID- 24237228
TI  - CPCJ 50th Anniversary Editorial Board Commentary: Ethics and Health Policy-Then
      and Now.
AB  - To celebrate the 50th year of the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal we look back
      to where we started in 1964, where we are now, and speculate about directions for
      the future in a Then and Now editorial series. This editorial examines 50 years
      of social, policy, and regulatory changes that broaden the responsibility for
      research integrity to include the investigator, the journal editorial review
      process, and institutional oversight. Internationally recognized standards for
      authorship, publication of recognizable cases and images, and confidentiality of
      peer-review are addressed in the context of the history of the CPCJ. As we look
      to the future, the core principles will continue to guide the endeavor of
      research involving human subjects while adhering to our obligations to protect
      the interests of the people we serve. 

PMID- 24237229
TI  - Otitis media with effusion: experiences of children with cleft palate and their
      parents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the views of children with cleft palate and their parents
      about daily life with otitis media with effusion and associated hearing loss.
      DESIGN: A qualitative study. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data
      from parents. Participatory techniques, including activities on a tablet
      computer, were used to collect data from children. Framework analysis was applied
      to interview transcripts. SETTING: Two English cleft units. PARTICIPANTS: A
      purposive sample of parents of 37 children aged 0 to 11 years with experience of
      otitis media with effusion. Their children also took part if aged 6 to 11 years
      (n = 22). RESULTS: Themes related to the following: (1) emotions (frustration,
      anger, sadness, happiness, anxiety), (2) educational experiences (struggling at
      school, having to sit at the front of the class, requiring extra support, missing
      lessons for appointments or due to ear infections), (3) social interactions
      (isolation, communication, reliance on siblings, participation in activities).
      CONCLUSIONS: A number of areas of interviewees' everyday life were affected by
      the presence of otitis media with effusion. Parents may need to be forewarned
      about the possible ongoing nature of this condition and its impact on a child's
      social and emotional experiences. Children may also benefit from age-appropriate
      information about otitis media with effusion and its treatment, including
      information on hearing tests, to help reduce any anxiety.

PMID- 24237230
TI  - Mechanical model of vertical nanowire cell penetration.
AB  - Direct access into cells' interiors is essential for biomolecular delivery, gene
      transfection, and electrical recordings yet is challenging due to the cell
      membrane barrier. Recently, molecular delivery using vertical nanowires (NWs) has
      been demonstrated for introducing biomolecules into a large number of cells in
      parallel. However, the microscopic understanding of how and when the nanowires
      penetrate cell membranes is still lacking, and the degree to which actual
      membrane penetration occurs is controversial. Here we present results from a
      mechanical continuum model of elastic cell membrane penetration through two
      mechanisms, namely through "impaling" as cells land onto a bed of nanowires, and
      through "adhesion-mediated" penetration, which occurs as cells spread on the
      substrate and generate adhesion force. Our results reveal that penetration is
      much more effective through the adhesion mechanism, with NW geometry and cell
      stiffness being critically important. Stiffer cells have higher penetration
      efficiency, but are more sensitive to NW geometry. These results provide a guide
      to designing nanowires for applications in cell membrane penetration. 

PMID- 24237231
TI  - Compulsory licensing issues and trends in Asia.

PMID- 24237232
TI  - Compulsory pharmaceutical patent licensing in Brazil: the controversy of public
      interest.

PMID- 24237233
TI  - Writing a good patent application.

PMID- 24237234
TI  - South Africa pushes new IP policy.

PMID- 24237235
TI  - Insights into the role of patents in R&D.
AB  - Pharmaceutical Patent Analyst has called on a group of international experts to
      explore key themes relating to intellectual property within the context of the
      fields of medical and pharmaceutical science. Topics include a reflection on how
      worrying the patent cliff really is, and adapting to life beyond it; to the ways
      in which social media is affecting how lawyers share information, and steps for
      protecting IP against the risks posed by hacking and cybersurveillance. We hope
      you enjoy these insightful contributions. Commissioned and edited by Gino D'Oca,
      Head of Commissioning. 

PMID- 24237238
TI  - The skilled person: an evolving concept.
AB  - The skilled person is a concept central to patent law, underpinning the analysis
      of obviousness, sufficiency, claim construction, novelty, added matter and
      priority. Identifying such a person correctly, particularly the level of skill
      and the common general knowledge that they should possess, is critical to
      determining whether a patent is valid and/or infringed and has significant
      implications for the pharmaceutical industry. However, the concept can be
      difficult to define. Once referred to as 'The man on the Clapham omnibus' of
      patent law, the skilled person is a technician who is skilled in the art yet
      wholly devoid of imagination. Nevertheless, his attributes and knowledge, which
      are context-dependent and vary from art to art, are continually evolving. This
      article will look at the evolution of the skilled person, focusing on the
      implications for the future of pharmaceutical patents and patent litigation. 

PMID- 24237239
TI  - Evergreening by whom? A review of secondary patents for omeprazole.
AB  - Evergreening, or the practice of technology developers to retain legal protection
      over valuable drugs beyond the normal patent term, is a well known practice by
      originators of successful drugs. Generic competitors also attempt similar
      strategies for commercial reasons. In this paper we look at secondary US and
      European patents in relation to the 'blockbuster' drug omeprazole (e.g.,
      Prilosec(r) by AstraZeneca among other brands), with these secondary patents
      selected because they refer to the 'omeprazole' in either the title, abstract,
      Derwent Title or first claim. We find that 485 patents meet this criteria, with
      only 29% owned by the drugs originator (or known subsidiaries or predecessors).
      AstraZeneca was also the leading applicant by a number of measures, including
      grant ratio, number of patents filed, forward citation count, family member count
      and claim breadth. 

PMID- 24237240
TI  - Patented nanomedicines for the treatment of brain tumors.
AB  - Patients affected by malignant brain tumors present an extremely poor prognosis,
      notwithstanding improvements in surgery techniques and therapeutic protocols.
      Brain tumor treatment has been principally hampered by limited drug delivery
      across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). An efficacious chemotherapeutic treatment
      requires a pharmacological agent that can penetrate the BBB and target neoplastic
      cells. Nanotechnology involves the design, synthesis and characterization of
      materials that have a functional organization in at least one dimension on the
      nanometer scale. Nanoparticle systems can represent optimal devices for delivery
      of various drugs into the brain across the BBB. Nanoparticle drug-delivery
      systems can also be used to provide targeted delivery of drugs, improve
      bioavailability and sustain release of drugs for systemic delivery. In this
      patent review, the recent studies of certain nanoparticle systems in treatment of
      brain tumors are summarized. Common nanoparticles systems include polymeric
      nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles. Various patents
      of nanoparticle systems able to across the BBB to target brain tumors are also
      reported and discussed. 

PMID- 24237241
TI  - Discussion of PARP inhibitors in cancer therapy.
AB  - Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) are a family of enzymes that play a very
      important role in preserving the integrity of the genome. Recently, PARP
      inhibitors have been shown to enhance the therapeutic ratio in cancer patients
      due to their specific targeting of homologous recombination repair-defective
      tumors, through a synthetic lethal interaction. Researchers are also presently
      investigating novel strategies for the treatment of sporadic cancers by combining
      PARP inhibitors with other DNA-damaging agents. This review will focus on
      recently patented PARP inhibitors and literature that supports the reported
      claims presented in these patents. The patents reviewed were categorized into two
      groups: PARP inhibitors as a single-agent or in combination with other agents for
      the treatment of various types of cancer. These compounds are currently in
      clinical trials and, if successful, can greatly impact therapeutic index in
      cancer therapy. 

PMID- 24237242
TI  - Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5-negative allosteric modulators for the
      treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders (2009-July 2013).
AB  - Negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) have
      been actively pursued for over a decade as a potential treatment for anxiety,
      depression, substance abuse, pain, levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's
      disease, fragile X Syndrome, autism, gastroesophageal reflux disease and lower
      urinary-tract disorders. This article begins with an introduction of preclinical
      validation of potential therapies for psychiatric and neurological disorders, and
      of clinical results, followed by a comprehensive overview of the mGlu5-negative
      allosteric modulator patent applications published between 2009 and July 2013,
      with a focus on the analysis of structure and in silico CNS drug-like properties
      of example compounds and disclosed data. Given positive results in proof-of
      concept studies in humans for certain indications such as levodopa-induced
      dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease, fragile X Syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux
      disease, migraine and anxiety, and the soaring chemical diversity among the mGlu5
      negative allosteric modulators, there is reason to believe that a drug will
      emerge from this therapeutic class in the near future. 

PMID- 24237244
TI  - Clinical and endocrine correlates of circulating sclerostin levels in patients
      with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - AIM: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) increases fragility fractures due to low
      bone mass, micro-architectural alterations and decreased bone formation.
      Sclerostin is expressed by osteocytes and inhibits osteoblastic bone formation.
      We evaluated serum sclerostin levels in T1DM and their association with bone
      mineral density (BMD), bone turnover, glycaemic control and physical activity.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 128 men and premenopausal women
      with long-standing T1DM (mean age 43.4 +/- 8.8 years, diabetes duration 22.4 +/-
      9.5 years) and 77 age-, BMI (Body Mass Index) and gender-matched healthy
      individuals were evaluated. RESULTS: Serum sclerostin levels were higher in T1DM
      compared with controls, irrespective of gender (male 0.55 +/- 0.17 vs 0.49 +/-
      0.12 ng/ml, P = 0.046; female 0.52 +/- 0.19 ng/ml vs 0.43 +/- 0.12 ng/ml, P =
      0.012). Partial correlation analysis adjusted for age and gender revealed a
      positive correlation between serum sclerostin levels and BMD at lumbar spine and
      femoral neck in T1DM and between BMD at lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip
      in controls. Bone turnover markers, parathyroid hormone, calcium and vitamin D
      did not correlate with serum sclerostin levels in T1DM or controls. Physical
      activity was not associated with serum sclerostin levels. A multivariate analysis
      revealed that only the interaction of T1DM and age affects serum sclerostin
      levels but not T1DM alone. The influence of age on serum sclerostin levels was
      more pronounced in T1DM compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Sclerostin serum
      levels were increased in patients with T1DM, and the positive correlation of age
      with serum sclerostin levels was stronger in T1DM. There was no effect of serum
      sclerostin levels on markers of bone metabolism and they do not explain the
      detrimental effects of T1DM on BMD.

PMID- 24237245
TI  - Radiation of the Nod-independent Aeschynomene relies on multiple allopolyploid
      speciation events.
AB  - * The semi-aquatic legumes belonging to the genus Aeschynomene constitute a
      premium system for investigating the origin and evolution of unusual symbiotic
      features such as stem nodulation and the presence of a Nod-independent infection
      process. This latter apparently arose in a single Aeschynomene lineage. But how
      this unique Nod-independent group then radiated is not yet known. * We have
      investigated the role of polyploidy in Aeschynomene speciation via a case study
      of the pantropical A. indica and then extended the analysis to the other Nod
      independent species. For this, we combined SSR genotyping, genome
      characterization through flow cytometry, chromosome counting, FISH and GISH
      experiments, molecular phylogenies using ITS and single nuclear gene sequences,
      and artificial hybridizations. * These analyses demonstrate the existence of an
      A. indica polyploid species complex comprising A. evenia (C. Wright) (2n = 2x =
      20), A. indica L. s.s. (2n = 4x = 40) and a new hexaploid form (2n = 6x = 60).
      This latter contains the two genomes present in the tetraploid (A. evenia and A.
      scabra) and another unidentified genome. Two other species, A. pratensis and A.
      virginica, are also shown to be of allopolyploid origin. * This work reveals
      multiple hybridization/polyploidization events, thus highlighting a prominent
      role of allopolyploidy in the radiation of the Nod-independent Aeschynomene.

PMID- 24237246
TI  - A novel method for the immobilization of a thermostable fungal chitinase and the
      properties of the immobilized enzyme.
AB  - The recombinant thermostable fungal chitinase of Thermomyces lanuginosus was
      immobilized on the phenyl Sepharose matrix, and the properties of the immobilized
      chitinase were studied. The immobilized enzyme was optimally active at pH 6.0 and
      50  degrees C and showed improved activity in the acidic range of pH values when
      compared with the soluble enzyme. The recombinant thermostable immobilized enzyme
      showed remarkable thermostability at 50  degrees C by retaining about 45% of the
      activity for more than 6 H. The KM and Vmax values were 1.3 mM and 4.5 mol/min/mg
      of protein, respectively. Both the free and immobilized forms of the enzymes were
      inhibited significantly by Ag(+) but behaved similarly to various other metal
      ions, detergents, and additives. The immobilized enzyme was stable for at least 1
      month at 4  degrees C. 

PMID- 24237247
TI  - Long-term survival in horses with strangulating obstruction of the small
      intestine managed without resection.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Although many studies have described results after
      small intestinal resection and anastomosis in horses, few have described the
      outcome in horses with strangulating lesions managed without resection.
      OBJECTIVES: To examine short- and long-term recoveries in horses with
      strangulated small intestine that was judged to be viable during surgery and not
      resected. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of case records. METHODS: Data
      were reviewed from all cases (35 horses) with colic caused by small intestinal
      strangulation that underwent surgery between 1996 and 2011 at 2 university
      hospitals and that were managed without resection by 2 surgeons who used a
      clinical grading system to assess intestinal viability. Kaplan-Meier analyses
      were used to examine long-term survival. RESULTS: Survival to discharge from the
      hospital was 100%, and post operative complications developed in 11 horses (31%).
      Three horses (8.6%) required repeat coeliotomy because of persistent pain with or
      without reflux, and they responded favourably to decompression of distended
      intestine. Ten horses died after discharge, and 12 were still alive at follow-up
      from 20 to 192 months after surgery. Information was available on 13 horses after
      discharge, but these were eventually lost to follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analyses
      yielded a median survival probability of 120 months. CONCLUSIONS: A subjective
      method of assessing small intestinal viability in strangulated small intestine in
      horses, as used in this study, could reduce the need for resection and
      anastomosis, with the associated complications and costs. Also, the favourable
      post operative course in these horses provides strong evidence that early
      referral could avoid the need for resection and improve survival. The numbers of
      horses with the most severe changes that were not resected were too small to
      allow a conclusion that such segments should be left in place, and additional
      criteria might be needed to guide that decision in such cases.

PMID- 24237248
TI  - Self-assembly of nanoparticle arrays for use as mirrors, sensors, and antennas.
AB  - The self-assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) at liquid-liquid interfaces (LLIs) has
      recently emerged as a promising platform for tunable optical devices, sensors,
      and catalysis. There are numerous advantages for such platforms when compared to
      more conventional solid-state counterparts. For example, they do not need
      engineering, self-assemble if proper conditions are provided, are self-healing,
      are practically nondegrading, and are easily renewable. Furthermore, they have
      the added benefit of being able to facilitate the interactions of analytes
      dissolved in often-inaccessible environments. In this Perspective, we highlight
      some important recent developments in understanding the mechanisms and
      applications of self-assembly of NPs at LLIs for use as mirrors and sensors.
      Finally, we explore future directions in this field, focusing on NP arrays with
      electrotunable properties assembled at a LLI, which has been one of the driving
      forces for developing such technologies. 

PMID- 24237249
TI  - Life cycle assessment of vehicle lightweighting: a physics-based model of mass
      induced fuel consumption.
AB  - Lightweighting is a key strategy used to improve vehicle fuel economy. Replacing
      conventional materials (e.g., steel) with lighter alternatives (e.g., aluminum,
      magnesium, and composites) decreases energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG)
      emissions during vehicle use, but often increases energy consumption and GHG
      emissions during materials and vehicle production. Assessing the life-cycle
      benefits of mass reduction requires a quantitative description of the mass
      induced fuel consumption during vehicle use. A new physics-based method for
      estimating mass-induced fuel consumption (MIF) is proposed. We illustrate the
      utility of this method by using publicly available data to calculate MIF values
      in the range of 0.2-0.5 L/(100 km 100 kg) based on 106 records of fuel economy
      tests by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 2013 model year vehicles.
      Lightweighting is shown to have the most benefit when applied to vehicles with
      high fuel consumption and high power. Use of the physics-based model presented
      here would place future life cycle assessment studies of vehicle lightweighting
      on a firmer scientific foundation. 

PMID- 24237250
TI  - Enhancing effects of electron-withdrawing groups and metallic ions on halogen
      bonding in the YC6F4X...C2H8N2 (X = Cl, Br, I; Y = F, CN, NO2, LiNC+, NaNC+)
      complex.
AB  - Halogen-bonding interactions are highly directional intermolecular interactions
      that are often important in crystal engineering. In this work, the second-order
      Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) calculations and the quantum theory of
      "atoms in molecules" (QTAIM) and noncovalent interaction (NCI) studies were
      carried out on a series of X...N halogen bonds between substituted
      haloperfluoroarenes C6F4XY (X = Cl, Br, I; Y = F, CN, NO2) as bond donors and 1,2
      diaminoethane as bond acceptor. Our research supports earlier work that electron
      withdrawing substituents produce an enhancement effect on the size of the sigma
      hole and the maximum positive electrostatic potentials (VS,max), which further
      strengthens the halogen bonding. The metallic ion M(+) (M(+) = Li(+), Na(+)) has
      the ability to enhance the size of both the sigma-hole and VS,max value with the
      formation of [MNCC6F4X](+), resulting in more electronic charge transfer away
      from the halogen atom X and an increase in the strength of the halogen bond. It
      is found that the values of V(S,max) at the sigma-holes are linear in relation to
      the halogen-bonded interaction energies and the halogen-bonding interaction
      distance, indicating that the electrostatic interaction plays a key role in the
      halogen-bonding interactions. The values of V(S,max) at the sigma-holes are also
      linear in relation to the electron density rho(b), its Laplacian nabla(2)rhob,
      and -Gb/Vb of XB, indicating that the topological properties (rhob, nabla(2)rhob)
      and energy properties (Gb, Vb) at the BCPs are correlated with the electrostatic
      potentials.

PMID- 24237251
TI  - Evolution of a genetic diagnosis.
AB  - Understanding the relationship between genotype and phenotype has become an
      integral part of the diagnosis and management of patients with inherited
      arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies. Given the existence of background noise, the
      majority of genetic testing results should be incorporated into clinical decision
      making as probabilistic, rather than deterministic, in the diagnosis and
      management of inherited arrhythmias. This case report captures multiple snapshots
      of clinical care in the evolution of a diagnosis of a single patient,
      highlighting the need for repeated phenotypic and genotypic assessment for both
      the patient and their family. 

PMID- 24237252
TI  - Comparative effects of pulsatile and nonpulsatile flow on plasma fibrinolytic
      balance in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.
AB  - In the brain, the components of the fibrinolytic system, tissue plasminogen
      activator (tPA) and its endogenous inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1
      (PAI-1), regulate various neurophysiological and pathological responses.
      Fibrinolytic balance depends on PAI-1 and tPA concentrations. The objective of
      this study is to compare the effects of pulsatile and nonpulsatile perfusion on
      fibrinolytic balance in children undergoing pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass
      (CPB). Plasma PAI-1 antigen and tPA antigen were measured in 40 children (n = 20
      pulsatile and n = 20 nonpulsatile group). Plasma samples (1.5 mL) were collected
      (i) prior to incision, (ii) 1 h after CPB, and (iii) 24 h after CPB. PAI-1 and
      tPA levels were measured at each time point. PAI-1 and tPA levels were
      significantly increased at 1 h after CPB, followed by a decrease at 24 h.
      Nonpulsatile but not pulsatile CPB lowered PAI-1 : tPA ratio significantly at 24
      h (median PAI-1 : tPA ratio 4.63 +/- 0.83:1.98 +/- 0.48, P = 0.03, for the
      nonpulsatile group and 4.50 +/- 0.92:3.56 +/- 1.28, P = 0.2, for the pulsatile
      group). These results suggest that pulsatile flow maintains endogenous
      fibrinolytic balance after pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass. Further studies are
      needed to define the clinical significance of these differences. 

PMID- 24237253
TI  - Erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 erythroleukemic cells by
      monochloramine.
AB  - The induction of leukemic cell differentiation is a hopeful therapeutic modality.
      We studied the effects of monochloramine (NH2Cl) on erythroleukemic K562 cell
      differentiation, and compared the effects observed with those of U0126 and
      staurosporine, which are known inducers of erythroid and megakaryocytic
      differentiation, respectively. CD235 (glycophorin) expression, a marker of
      erythroid differentiation, was significantly increased by NH2Cl and U0126, along
      with an increase in cd235 mRNA levels. Other erythroid markers such as gamma
      globin and CD71 (transferrin receptor) were also increased by NH2Cl and U0126. In
      contrast, CD61 (integrin beta3) and CD42b (GP1balpha) expression, markers of
      megakaryocytic differentiation, was increased by staurosporine, but did not
      change significantly by NH2Cl and U0126. NH2Cl retarded cell proliferation
      without a marked loss of viability. When ERK phosphorylation (T202/Y204) and
      CD235 expression were compared using various chemicals, a strong negative
      correlation was observed (r = -0.76). Paradoxically, NH2Cl and staurosporine, but
      not U0126, induced large cells with multiple or lobulated nuclei, which was
      characteristic to megakaryocytes. NH2Cl increased the mRNA levels of gata1 and
      scl, decreased that of gata2, and did not change those of pu.1 and klf1. The
      changes observed in mRNA expression were different from those of U0126 or
      staurosporine. These results suggest that NH2Cl induces the bidirectional
      differentiation of K562. Oxidative stress may be effective in inducing leukemic
      cell differentiation.

PMID- 24237254
TI  - Specific IgG and IgA of common foods in Chinese children with eczema: friend or
      foe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Specific immunoglobulins G and A (IgG and IgA) for common food items
      have been extensively measured as surrogate markers of food allergy, and dietary
      avoidance based on the test results advocated. AIM: We reviewed the prevalence of
      specific food IgG and IgA in children with eczema and evaluated outcome of
      dietary avoidance in these children. METHODS: Specific immunoglobulins of 96 food
      items were measured for 30 consecutive atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and
      disease severity [SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) and Nottingham eczema
      severity score (NESS)], Children Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), skin
      hydration (SH), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), topical corticosteroid and oral
      antihistamine usage were evaluated. Twenty seven of these patients received
      dietary avoidance advice based on IgG and IgA data. General acceptability of
      treatment (GAT) was documented at the end of 3 months. RESULTS: There were
      generally no correlations among levels of IgG or IgA of the 96 food items and
      disease severity, quality of life, SH or TEWL. Two-third patients reported very
      good or good and one-third reported fair or poor GAT following dietary avoidance
      advice. There was no difference in any clinical parameters between the two groups
      following dietary avoidance. Patient with lower sunflower seed IgA (p = 0.043),
      casein IgG (p = 0.041), milk IgG (p = 0.037) or whey IgG (p = 0.014) had improved
      SCORAD and objective SCORAD following dietary advice. CONCLUSION: Children with
      AD are sensitized to many food allergens via IgG and IgA mechanisms. Levels of
      food IgG or IgA do not seem to correlate with any clinical parameters in AD.
      Subjectively, two third of patients accepted dietary manipulations as very good
      or good for their AD. Objectively, dietary avoidance had few clinical effects on
      the clinical parameters. Sensitization should not be generalized to mean allergy
      to common food.

PMID- 24237255
TI  - Does a boar's season of birth determine semen parameters and reproductive
      performance?
AB  - This article studies the effect of a boar's birth season and breed on semen
      parameters and its further reproductive performance. Research material consisted
      of 72 boars from three breeds (24 Polish Large White PLW, 24 Polish Landrace PL,
      24 Duroc * Pietrain D * P). During the whole period of the study, selected semen
      parameters were analysed: semen volume, spermatozoa concentration, total number
      of spermatozoa, total number of motile spermatozoa, number of insemination doses
      and also reproductive indicators: farrowing rate, total born litter size, total
      number of piglets born live and still, and average piglet weight. Boars born in
      the winter and summer months demonstrated the highest spermatozoa concentrations
      (383.25 and 392.37 * 10(6)/ml), total number of spermatozoa (91.75 and 93.21 *
      10(9)), total number of motile spermatozoa (76.10 and 77.99 * 10(9)) and number
      of insemination doses (24.53 and 24.89; p <= 0.01). Statistically lower values
      for these parameters were observed for boars born in the spring and especially in
      autumn (p <= 0.01). The significant impact of birth season on farrowing rate (p
      <= 0.05) and average piglet weight (p <= 0.05) was confirmed for PLW boars. For
      the PL breed, only the total number of piglets born live was proven to be
      significantly affected (p <= 0.05). No impact of birth season was shown on semen
      quality or reproductive performance for D * P boars. In our study, we showed that
      the birth season of a boar had a more impact on the level of semen parameters,
      and less on the reproductive performance indicators. The results indicated that
      both the quality of semen and reproductive performance varied in terms of the
      study factors, as well as between individual breeds of boars involved in the
      experiment.

PMID- 24237257
TI  - Synthesis and reactivity of two-coordinate Ni(I) alkyl and aryl complexes.
AB  - Reaction of [(IPr)Ni(MU-Cl)]2 (1-Cl; IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6
      diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) with ClMg{CH(SiMe3)2}.Et2O affords
      (IPr)Ni{CH(SiMe3)2} (2), a two-coordinate Ni(I) alkyl complex. An analogous two
      coordinate aryl derivative, (IPr)Ni(dmp) (dmp = 2,6-dimesitylphenyl), can be
      similarly prepared from Li(dmp) and 1-Cl. Reaction of 2 with alkyl bromides gives
      the three-coordinate Ni(II) alkyl halide complex (IPr)Ni{CH(SiMe3)2}Br. Evidence
      for a radical mechanism is presented to explain the reaction of 2 with alkyl
      halides. 

PMID- 24237258
TI  - Delivering good service: personal resources, job satisfaction and nurses'
      'customer' (patient) orientation.
AB  - AIMS: To explore the complex relationships between nurses' personal resources,
      job satisfaction and 'customer' (patient) orientation. BACKGROUND: Previous
      research has shown that nursing is highly intensive, emotionally charged work,
      which affects nurses' job performance and their customer orientation as well as
      patient or 'customer' satisfaction. This study contributes to the literature by
      examining how nurses' personal resources relate to their personal satisfaction
      and customer orientation and the relationships between them. Specifically, this
      study explores the effects of two facets of emotional labour (deep acting and
      surface acting), empathic concern, self-efficacy and emotional exhaustion on
      personal job satisfaction and customer orientation. We also test the moderating
      effects of inauthenticity and emotional contagion. DESIGN: A quantitative survey.
      METHOD: Data were collected through a self-completion questionnaire administered
      to a sample of 159 Australian nurses, in a public teaching hospital, in 2010. The
      data were analysed using Partial Least Square analysis. RESULTS: Partial Least
      Square analysis indicates that the final model is a good fit to the data
      (Goodness of Fit = 0.51). Deep acting and surface acting have different effects
      (positive and negative) on job satisfaction and 'customer' orientation, self
      efficacy has a positive effect on both and emotional exhaustion has a positive
      effect on customer orientation and a negative effect on job satisfaction. The
      moderating effects of emotional contagion and empathic concern, in the final
      model, are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the complex interactions between
      personal resources, job satisfaction and customer orientation helps to increase
      service providers' (nurses in this study) personal satisfaction and 'customer'
      orientation particularly in difficult contexts.

PMID- 24237260
TI  - Adaptation of reproductive phenology to climate change with ecological feedback
      via dominance hierarchies.
AB  - Phenological shifts belong to the most commonly observed biological responses to
      recent climate change. It is, however, often unclear how these shifts are linked
      to demography and competitive interactions. We develop an eco-evolutionary model
      to study adaptation of timing of reproduction in organisms with social dominance
      hierarchies. We focus on residential birds with winter flocks, where success in
      competition for territories among offspring depends on ranking given by prior
      residence. We study the effects of environmental change on breeding population
      densities, ensuing selection pressures and long-term evolutionary equilibria. We
      consider changes in food peak date, in winter survival, in total reproductive
      output and in the width of the food distribution. We show that the evolutionarily
      stable hatching date will advance with increasing winter survival and
      reproductive output since these parameters increase habitat saturation and post
      fledging competition. Increasing the length of the breeding season also selects
      for earlier hatching date due to the reduced costs for producing offspring with
      high ranking. Our analysis shows that there is little correlation between short
      term and long-term population responses across different scenarios of
      environmental change. However, short-term population growth consistently predicts
      selection for earlier reproduction. Hence, the model identifies changed breeding
      population density as a key factor to understanding phenological adaptation in
      systems with prior residence advantages. While selection for change in
      reproductive phenology is often explained by changed seasonal variation in
      environmental variables, such as food abundance, we show that environmental
      change without apparent effects on seasonality can critically affect phenological
      adaptation. Such factors can mask or even override influences of changed
      seasonality on phenology. The model thus offers a conceptually new set of
      explanations for understanding phenological and demographic trends in a changing
      climate. 

PMID- 24237261
TI  - Mercator: a fast and simple web server for genome scale functional annotation of
      plant sequence data.
AB  - Next-generation technologies generate an overwhelming amount of gene sequence
      data. Efficient annotation tools are required to make these data amenable to
      functional genomics analyses. The Mercator pipeline automatically assigns
      functional terms to protein or nucleotide sequences. It uses the MapMan 'BIN'
      ontology, which is tailored for functional annotation of plant 'omics' data. The
      classification procedure performs parallel sequence searches against reference
      databases, compiles the results and computes the most likely MapMan BINs for each
      query. In the current version, the pipeline relies on manually curated reference
      classifications originating from the three reference organisms (Arabidopsis,
      Chlamydomonas, rice), various other plant species that have a reviewed SwissProt
      annotation, and more than 2000 protein domain and family profiles at InterPro,
      CDD and KOG. Functional annotations predicted by Mercator achieve accuracies
      above 90% when benchmarked against manual annotation. In addition to mapping
      files for direct use in the visualization software MapMan, Mercator provides
      graphical overview charts, detailed annotation information in a convenient web
      browser interface and a MapMan-to-GO translation table to export results as GO
      terms. Mercator is available free of charge via
      http://mapman.gabipd.org/web/guest/app/Mercator. 

PMID- 24237262
TI  - Cellular level classification of breast cancer through proteomic markers using
      nanochannel array sensors.
AB  - Aims: A nanochannel-based sensor for cellular level classification of breast
      cancer metastasis has been designed. Our approach to the classification of cell's
      likelihood to metastasize is based on screening for levels of expression of
      specific proteomic biomarkers associated with breast cancer stem cells. Materials
      & methods: Proteomic activity for four breast cancer cell lines for three
      specific markers (PDGFR, ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3) was quantified. The nanochannel
      sensor is an electrochemical immunoassay and comprises of alumina nanochannel
      arrays integrated on to a gold microelectronic platform. The sensor operates on
      the principle of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results & conclusion:
      Test cell lysate samples from SUM159 invasive, SUM159 noninvasive, HC1143 and
      DCIS cell lines were classified as those having a high likelihood of metastases
      based on the levels of proteomic activity evaluated against the three key
      markers. The lowest proteomic activity measured was 0.1 ng/ml with PDGFR, 100
      ng/ml with ALDH1A1 and 100 ng/ml with ALDH1A3, correlating to the detection of
      unit stem cell count. Original submitted 9 November 2012; Revised submitted 29
      July 2013.

PMID- 24237264
TI  - Zigzag inversion domain boundaries in indium zinc oxide-based nanowires:
      structure and formation.
AB  - Existing models for the crystal structure of indium zinc oxide (IZO) and indium
      iron zinc oxide (IFZO) conflict with electron microscopy data. We propose a model
      based on imaging and spectroscopy of IZO and IFZO nanowires and verify it using
      density functional theory. The model features a {121 [symbol: see text]} "zigzag"
      layer, which is an inversion domain boundary containing 5-coordinate indium
      and/or iron atoms. Higher [symbol: see text] values are observed for greater
      proportion of iron. We suggest a mechanism of formation in which the basal
      inclusion and the zigzag diffuse inward together from the surface of the
      nanowire.

PMID- 24237265
TI  - Hair cycle control by leptin as a new anagen inducer.
AB  - Our purpose is to clarify the physiological role of leptin in hair cycle as
      leptin reportedly causes activation of Stat3, which is indispensable for hair
      cycling. While hair follicles in dorsal skin of 5-week-old C57/BL6 mice had
      progressed to late anagen phase, those in dorsal skin of 5-week-old leptin
      receptor deficient db/db mice remained in the first telogen and later entered the
      anagen at postnatal day 40, indicating that deficiency in leptin receptor
      signalling delayed the second hair cycle progression. Next, we shaved dorsal
      hairs on wild-type mice at postnatal 7 weeks and injected skin with mouse leptin
      or a mock. After 20 days, although mock injection showed no effect, hair growth
      occurred around leptin injection area. Human leptin fragment (aa22-56) had
      similar effects. Although the hair cycle of ob/ob mice was similar to that of
      wild-type mice, injection of mouse leptin on ob/ob mice at postnatal 7 weeks
      induced anagen transition. Immunohistochemically, leptin is expressed in hair
      follicles from catagen to early anagen in wild-type mice, suggesting that leptin
      is an anagen inducer in vivo. Phosphorylation of Erk, Jak2 and Stat3 in human
      keratinocytes was stimulated by leptin and leptin fragment. In addition, RT-PCR
      and ELISA showed that the production of leptin by human dermal papilla cells
      increased under hypoxic condition, suggesting that hypoxia in catagen/telogen
      phase promotes leptin production, preparing for entry into the next anagen. In
      conclusion, leptin, a well-known adipokine, acts as an anagen inducer and
      represents a new player in hair biology.

PMID- 24237263
TI  - Macrophages offer a paradigm switch for CNS delivery of therapeutic proteins.
AB  - AIMS: Active targeted transport of the nanoformulated redox enzyme, catalase, in
      macrophages attenuates oxidative stress and as such increases survival of
      dopaminergic neurons in animal models of Parkinson's disease. Optimization of the
      drug formulation is crucial for the successful delivery in living cells. We
      demonstrated earlier that packaging of catalase into a polyion complex micelle
      ('nanozyme') with a synthetic polyelectrolyte block copolymer protected the
      enzyme against degradation in macrophages and improved therapeutic outcomes. We
      now report the manufacture of nanozymes with superior structure and therapeutic
      indices. METHODS: Synthesis, characterization and therapeutic efficacy of optimal
      cell-based nanoformulations are evaluated. RESULTS: A formulation design for drug
      carriers typically works to avoid entrapment in monocytes and macrophages
      focusing on small-sized nanoparticles with a polyethylene glycol corona (to
      provide a stealth effect). By contrast, the best nanozymes for delivery in
      macrophages reported in this study have a relatively large size (~ 200 nm), which
      resulted in improved loading capacity and release from macrophages. Furthermore,
      the cross-linking of nanozymes with the excess of a nonbiodegradable linker
      ensured their low cytotoxicity, and efficient catalase protection in cell
      carriers. Finally, the 'alternatively activated' macrophage phenotype (M2)
      utilized in these studies did not promote further inflammation in the brain,
      resulting in a subtle but statistically significant effect on neuronal
      regeneration and repair in vivo. CONCLUSION: The optimized cross-linked nanozyme
      loaded into macrophages reduced neuroinflammatory responses and increased
      neuronal survival in mice. Importantly, the approach for nanoformulation design
      for cell-mediated delivery is different from the common requirements for
      injectable formulations.

PMID- 24237266
TI  - Rationally designed nucleobase and nucleotide coordinated nanoparticles for
      selective DNA adsorption and detection.
AB  - Nanomaterials for DNA adsorption are useful for sequence-specific DNA detection.
      Current materials for DNA adsorption employ electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic
      interaction, or pi-pi stacking, none of which can achieve sequence specificity.
      Specificity might be improved by involving hydrogen bonding and metal
      coordination. In this work, a diverse range of nucleobase/nucleotide (adenine,
      adenosine, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), and
      guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP)) coordinated materials containing various metal
      ions (Au(III), Ag(I), Ce(III), Gd(III), and Tb(III)) are prepared. In most cases,
      nanoparticles are formed. These materials have different surface charges, and
      positively charged particles only show nonspecific DNA adsorption. Negatively
      charged materials give different adsorption kinetics for different DNA sequences,
      where complementary DNA homopolymers are adsorbed faster than other sequences.
      Therefore, the bases in the coordinated materials can still form base pairs with
      the DNA. The adsorption strength is mainly controlled by the metal ions, where Au
      shows the strongest adsorption while lanthanides are weaker. These materials can
      be used as sensors for DNA detection and can also deliver DNA into cells with no
      detectable toxicity. By tuning the nanoparticle formulation, enhanced detection
      can be achieved. This study is an important step toward rational design of
      materials to achieve specific interactions between biomolecules and synthetic
      nanoparticle surfaces. 

PMID- 24237267
TI  - A novel safety assessment strategy for non-intentionally added substances (NIAS)
      in carton food contact materials.
AB  - One of the main challenges in food contact materials research is to prove that
      the presence of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) is not a safety issue.
      Migration extracts may contain many unknown substances present at low
      concentrations. It is difficult and time-consuming to identify all these
      potential NIAS and concurrently to assess their health risk upon exposure,
      whereas the health relevance at low exposure levels might not even be an issue.
      This paper describes a scientifically based, but pragmatic safety assessment
      approach for unknown substances present at low exposure levels in food contact
      matrices. This complex mixture safety assessment strategy (CoMSAS) enables one to
      distinguish toxicologically relevant from toxicologically less relevant
      substances, when related to their respective levels of exposure, and allows one
      to focus on the substances of potential health concern. In particular, substances
      for which exposure will be below certain thresholds may be considered not of
      health relevance in case specific classes of substances are excluded. This can
      reduce the amount of work needed for identification, characterisation and
      evaluation of unknown substances at low concentration. The CoMSAS approach is
      presented in this paper using a safety assessment of unknown NIAS that may
      migrate from three carton samples. 

PMID- 24237268
TI  - Thermochemical factors affecting the dehalogenation of aromatics.
AB  - Halogenated aromatics are one of the largest chemical classes of environmental
      contaminants, and dehalogenation remains one of the most important processes by
      which these compounds are degraded and detoxified. The thermodynamic constraints
      of aromatic dehalogenation reactions are thus important for understanding the
      feasibility of such reactions and the redox conditions necessary for promoting
      them. Accordingly, the thermochemical properties of the (poly)fluoro-,
      (poly)chloro-, and (poly)bromobenzenes, including standard enthalpies of
      formation, bond dissociation enthalpies, free energies of reaction, and the redox
      potentials of Ar-X/Ar-H couples, were investigated using a validated density
      functional protocol combined with continuum solvation calculations when
      appropriate. The results highlight the fact that fluorinated aromatics stand
      distinct from their chloro- and bromo- counterparts in terms of both their
      relative thermodynamic stability toward dehalogenation and how different
      substitution patterns give rise to relevant properties, such as bond strengths
      and reduction potentials. 

PMID- 24237269
TI  - Antifungal activity of biogenic tellurium nanoparticles against Candida albicans
      and its effects on squalene monooxygenase gene expression.
AB  - In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activity of biogenic tellurium
      nanoparticles (Te NPs) against Candida albicans (ATCC14053). In addition, the
      effect of these biogenic NPs on squalene monooxygenase activity and the squalene
      monooxygenase gene (ERG1) expression level was evaluated. Squalene monooxygenase
      is an important enzyme involved in the synthesis of ergosterol, cholesterol, and
      phytosterols. Because of the importance of the noted compound, the squalene
      monooxygenase gene could be considered a good antifungal target. Results showed
      that biogenic Te NPs had antifungal effect against C. albicans. The minimal
      fungicidal concentration-minimal inhibitory concentration ratios of the biogenic
      Te NPs revealed that these NPs exhibited fungicidal effects against the test
      strain. The results of an enzyme assay using quantitative high-performance liquid
      chromatography showed squalene accumulation in C. albicans cells because of
      enzyme inhibition. Real-time PCR analysis showed an increase in the expression of
      the ERG1 gene in C. albicans cells, which were treated with Te NPs (0.2 mg/mL).
      It is conclution that Te NPs can inhibit the squalene monooxygenase enzyme, and,
      as a result, this inhibition phenomenon can cause an increase in the expression
      level of the ERG1 gene. This is the first report of the anti-Candida effect of
      biogenic Te NPs and its possible mechanisms. 

PMID- 24237270
TI  - Development of fine motor skills in preterm infants.
AB  - Fine motor skills are related to functioning in daily life and at school. We
      reviewed the status of knowledge, in preterm children, on the development of fine
      motor skills, the relation with gross motor skills, and risk factors for impaired
      fine motor skills. We searched the past 15 years in PubMed, using ['motor skills'
      or 'fine motor function' and 'preterm infant'] as the search string. Impaired
      gross and fine motor skills are among the most frequently occurring problems
      encountered by preterm children who do not develop cerebral palsy. The prevalence
      is around 40% for mild to moderate impairment and 20% for moderate impairment.
      Fine motor skill scores on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children are about
      0.62 of a standard deviation lower compared with term children. Risk factors for
      fine motor impairments include moderately preterm birth (odds ratio [OR] 2.0)
      and, among very preterm children (<32 wk gestation), intra-uterine growth
      restriction (ORs 2-3), inflammatory conditions (late-onset sepsis and necrotizing
      enterocolitis, ORs 3-5), and dexamethasone therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia
      (OR 2.7). A better understanding of factors that play a role in the development
      of and recovery from brain injury could guide future intervention attempts aimed
      at improving fine motor skills of preterm children.

PMID- 24237271
TI  - Typical and atypical development of reaching and postural control in infancy.
AB  - Successful reaching requires postural control, either by active regulation or by
      postural support. The present paper reviews literature on typical and atypical
      development of reaching and postural control during infancy. Typically, reaching
      movements end in grasping around 4 months of age. Initially, reaches are
      characterized by large variation, including many trajectory corrections. During
      the first year, the movements get increasingly straight and smooth. Reaching in
      low-risk preterm infants is initially characterized by advanced development, but
      minor impairments may emerge in the second half of infancy. In high-risk preterm
      infants, development of reaching is characterized by delay and non-optimal
      reaching performance. Typical development of postural adjustments is
      characterized by variation and an increasing ability to adapt the variable
      repertoire to the specifics of the situation. The latter is facilitated by an
      increasing role of anticipatory mechanisms in the second half of infancy.
      Atypically developing infants may have a reduced repertoire and usually have
      difficulties in adapting postural adjustments. In infancy, most reaching
      movements are performed during sitting. The postural challenge of sitting may
      interfere in particular with the development of reaching in atypically developing
      infants. The practical implications of this suggestion are discussed.

PMID- 24237272
TI  - Separate visual systems for perception and action: a framework for understanding
      cortical visual impairment.
AB  - The visual control of skilled goal-directed movements requires transformations of
      incoming visual information that are quite different from those required for
      visual perception. These differences in the required computations have led to the
      emergence of dedicated visuomotor modules in the dorsal visual stream of the
      cerebral cortex that are quite separate from the networks in the ventral visual
      stream that mediate our conscious perception of the world. Although the
      identification and selection of goal objects and an appropriate course of action
      depends on the perceptual machinery of the ventral stream and associated
      cognitive modules in the temporal and frontal lobes, the execution of the
      subsequent goal-directed action is mediated by dedicated online control systems
      in the dorsal stream and associated motor areas. This functional distinction can
      provide a useful framework for interpreting the range of perceptual and
      visuomotor deficits observed in children with cortical visual impairment. 

PMID- 24237273
TI  - Visual control of manual actions: brain mechanisms in typical development and
      developmental disorders.
AB  - Some key stages in the development of manual actions have been discussed in this
      supplement based on the idea of the dorsal cortical stream as the pathway for
      translating visual information into action control. We argue that visual
      information, transmitted through specialized visuomotor dorsal-stream modules, is
      required in the control of manual actions for selecting and attending to the
      target object of the action, translating visual spatial information into motor
      programmes and planning a coordinated sequence of actions so as to reach an
      optimal end-state. In typical development, we illustrate dorsal-stream processing
      through results on the use of stereoscopic information to guide infants' reaches,
      and changes in target selection and detailed kinematics of reaches depending on
      age, object size, and reaching in darkness (when dorsal-stream information
      rapidly decays). We hypothesize 'dorsal-stream vulnerability' as a widespread
      feature of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, Williams syndrome, and
      children born very preterm. Such deficits, identified as abnormal visuomanual
      actions, are seen in bimanual coordination, visual guidance of action in the
      'postbox' task, and failures in motor planning for end-state comfort. We discuss
      the possible application of these approaches to a wider range of disorders
      including developmental coordination disorder.

PMID- 24237274
TI  - Visuospatial and visuomotor deficits in preterm children: the involvement of
      cerebellar dysfunctioning.
AB  - One of the more consistent findings in follow-up studies of preterm children is a
      deficit in visuospatial and visuomotor skills. Impairment of the dorsal visual
      stream and basal ganglia damage have been hypothesized to underlie this deficit.
      However, given recent findings of impaired cerebellar development in preterm
      children without lesions to this structure, and the involvement of the cerebellum
      in visuospatial and visuomotor functioning, we argue the cerebellum should be
      included in models relating impaired development of brain networks to
      visuospatial and visuomotor deficits in this population. Here, we review the
      current literature on impaired cerebellar development in preterm children, and
      suggest possible underlying mechanisms. 

PMID- 24237275
TI  - Reorganization of visual fields after periventricular haemorrhagic infarction:
      potentials and limitations.
AB  - Visual functions are often impaired in preterm infants with periventricular
      haemorrhagic infarction, because of the involvement of the region where the optic
      radiations are located. In some cases an unexpected sparing of the visual fields
      has been described, and related to the plasticity of thalamo-cortical afferents
      that are supposedly able to bypass the lesion when it occurs in the early third
      trimester of gestation. We systematically reviewed the literature in the field to
      determine the limits and potentials of this type of reorganization. We found four
      studies meeting our criteria, from which we extracted case reports on 19
      individuals with intraventricular haemorrhagic infarction. Eleven of the 19 did
      not have visual field defects, five had a bilateral visual field defect, and the
      remaining three had a unilateral visual field defect. The involvement of the
      optic radiations was often associated with normal visual fields as only one of
      the four individuals with damaged optic radiations showed visual field defects.
      Conversely, the presence of basal ganglia/thalamus involvement apparently
      prevented such reorganization, as the only two individuals with unilateral field
      restriction and available magnetic resonance imaging data both showed
      abnormalities in those structures. Consistent with this, we report on a further
      individual in which visual field restriction was associated with abnormal
      tractography on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Overall, this review supports
      the existence of effective mechanisms of plastic reorganization that allow a
      rewiring of geniculo-calcarine connections with restoration of full field vision
      but which are hindered by the involvement of the basal ganglia and thalamus. 

PMID- 24237276
TI  - Pathophysiological mechanisms of impaired limb use and repair strategies for
      motor systems after unilateral injury of the developing brain.
AB  - The corticospinal tract (CST) is important for limb control. In humans, it begins
      developing prenatally but CST connections do not have a mature pattern until
      about 6 months of age and its capacity to evoke muscle contraction does not
      mature until mid-adolescence. An initially bilateral projection is subsequently
      refined, so that most ipsilateral CST connections are eliminated. Unilateral
      brain damage during refinement leads to bilateral developmental impairments. The
      damaged side develops sparse and weak contralateral spinal connections and the
      non-involved hemisphere maintains its ipsilateral projection to develop an
      aberrant bilateral spinal projection. In a kitten model of unilateral spastic
      cerebral palsy, we replicate key features of the CST circuit changes: robust
      bilateral CST projections from the non-involved hemisphere, sparse contralateral
      connections from the affected hemisphere, and motor impairments. We discuss the
      role of activity-dependent synaptic competition in development of bilateral CSTs
      and consider several experimental strategies for restoring a more normal pattern
      of CST connections from the damaged and non-involved sides. We highlight recent
      results stressing the importance of combined repair of CST axons, restoration of
      a more normal motor cortex motor representation, and key involvement of spinal
      cholinergic interneurons in restoring skilled motor function.

PMID- 24237277
TI  - Pathophysiology of impaired hand function in children with unilateral cerebral
      palsy.
AB  - Unilateral spastic cerebral palsy, caused by damage to the developing central
      nervous system, is characterized by motor impairments mainly lateralized to one
      side of the body, with hand impairments greatly contributing to functional
      limitations. The integrity of the motor areas and the corticospinal tract (CST)
      is often compromised. The specific etiology may drastically influence subsequent
      development of CST pathways. Here we describe the pathophysiology underlying
      impaired upper extremity function, with particular emphasis on the relation
      between CST damage and hand function. We also describe the resulting sensory and
      motor deficits, with an emphasis on studies of precision grip, which highlight
      impairments in motor execution, sensorimotor integration, motor planning, and
      bimanual coordination beyond dexterity impairments. We show that the type and
      extent of early brain damage and/or CST reorganization is highly predictive of
      the severity of these impairments. We discuss the clinical implications of these
      findings, including the intriguing possibility that the specific pathophysiology
      is predictive of treatment outcomes. We suggest that a 'one-treatment fits all
      approach' may be insufficient, and that future rehabilitation efforts will be
      best guided by closely relating treatment efficacy with the specific
      pathophysiology. 

PMID- 24237278
TI  - Upper limb activity in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: the role
      of vision in movement strategies.
AB  - This article reviews the capacity of children with unilateral spastic cerebral
      palsy (USCP) to (re)organize the available degrees of freedom and to use visual
      information in interceptive actions during motion with either the impaired or the
      less-impaired hand. Atypical reaching movements, such as increased trunk movement
      or slower wrist velocity, are considered adaptive coordination patterns that are
      the result of a change in the constraints. It is argued that manipulation of the
      task context facilitates children with USCP to enhance performance. For example,
      when reducing the time available to intercept a ball, the children are found to
      exceed their usual maximum walking speed and to increase range of motion of the
      elbow. In addition, the children appear to rely on a visual information strategy
      similar to typically developing children ('bearing angle'), although more
      variability is observed when using the impaired arm. The implications for
      interventions are, it should be recognized, that these children adapt to the
      impairment by reorganizing the movement system and that this process can be
      influenced by changing the task context. Attention should be paid to the
      importance of using correct visual cues for initiation and guidance of
      interceptive actions, which may be provoked by using external visual triggers. 

PMID- 24237279
TI  - Impaired motor planning and motor imagery in children with unilateral spastic
      cerebral palsy: challenges for the future of pediatric rehabilitation.
AB  - Compromised action performance is one of the most characteristic features of
      children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP). Current rehabilitation
      efforts predominantly aim to improve the capacity and performance of the affected
      arm. Recent evidence, however, suggests that compromised motor planning may also
      negatively affect performance of activities of daily living. In this paper we
      will first discuss the recent evidence for this motor planning deficit, followed
      by studies on motor imagery in this population. Motor imagery is an experimental
      approach in which the contents of the motor plan become overt. Converging
      evidence indicates a compromised motor imagery ability in USCP. As the neural
      structures of both motor planning and motor imagery overlap, rehabilitation by
      motor imagery training may alleviate motor problems in USCP. Increasing evidence
      for this approach exists in older adults with stroke. We conclude this review
      with recommendations on such a training approach for children with USCP.

PMID- 24237280
TI  - Does goal setting in activity-focused interventions for children with cerebral
      palsy influence treatment outcome?
AB  - Today, treatment for children with cerebral palsy predominantly aims at improving
      the children's possibilities to perform everyday activities in their natural
      environment. The activities in focus for intervention are often expressed as
      specific goals, frequently defined in a collaborative goal-setting process
      between professionals and parents. The role of goal setting to improve the
      outcome of the intervention has not been shown in the literature so far. Thus,
      the aim of this systematic review was to explore if goal setting has an impact on
      treatment outcome assessed by standardized measures. CINAHL and MEDLINE were
      searched from January 2000 to October 2012, resulting in a final selection of 13
      articles, six of which were randomized controlled trials. Methodological quality
      was assessed and study characteristics were analysed descriptively. Subject
      characteristics, type of intervention/s, frequency, and intensity of therapy
      varied largely. Outcome was assessed by standardized outcome measures as well as
      evaluated through aspects of goal attainment. Most studies showed robust within
      group changes according to study-appropriate standardized measures, whereas the
      between-group comparisons exhibited less consistent differences in outcome. The
      review does not provide support for a positive effect of goal setting per se on
      treatment outcome. Studies that specifically measure the effect of goal setting
      on treatment outcome are needed. 

PMID- 24237281
TI  - Is developmental coordination disorder a fundamental cause of inactivity and poor
      health-related fitness in children?
AB  - Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common, neurodevelopmental
      disorder of children that results in significant impairment in everyday
      activities of living. Over the past two decades, a large body of work has
      documented associations between DCD, physical inactivity, and poor health-related
      fitness. The exact nature of these relations, however, has been relatively little
      studied. In this paper, we ask whether the balance of evidence supports the
      proposition that DCD is a fundamental cause of inactivity and poor fitness. To
      address this question, we apply Hill's criteria for causation. We conclude that
      the evidence is consistent with, and reasonably supportive of, this proposition,
      but does not exclude alternative explanations. 

PMID- 24237282
TI  - Neural correlates of developmental coordination disorder.
AB  - AIM: To review neuroimaging studies in children with developmental coordination
      disorder (DCD) systematically. Because only a few studies addressed this, we
      broadened our search and included neuroimaging studies in children with perinatal
      adversities and motor impairment without cerebral palsy. METHOD: Two searches
      were performed in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science addressing (1)
      neuroimaging in DCD and (2) neuroimaging in children with perinatal adversities
      and motor impairment. RESULTS: Five studies in children with DCD were identified.
      Four functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies showed that children
      with DCD activate multiple brain areas differently than controls. One diffusion
      tensor imaging study indicated that the internal capsule in children with DCD
      showed differences. The second search identified seven studies: three showed that
      white matter abnormalities and severe abnormalities on MRI were related to motor
      impairment; four were unable to demonstrate similar relationships.
      INTERPRETATION: Data on neuroimaging in DCD are scarce; data available suggest
      that multiple brain areas are involved in the neuropathophysiology of DCD. Motor
      impairment in children with perinatal adversities is related especially to white
      matter abnormalities and severe abnormalities on MRI. We hypothesize that in some
      children with DCD the neural substrate mimics that of cerebral palsy. More
      neuroimaging studies are needed to understand the neural correlates of DCD
      better.

PMID- 24237283
TI  - Neural correlates of paediatric dysgraphia.
AB  - Writing is an important skill that is related both to school performance and to
      psychosocial outcomes such as the child's self-esteem. Deficits in handwriting
      performance are frequently encountered in children with developmental
      coordination disorder. This review focuses on what is known about the neural
      correlates of atypical handwriting in children. Knowledge of the neural
      correlates is derived from studies using clinical case designs (e.g. lesion
      studies), studies using neuroimaging, and assessment of minor neurological
      dysfunction. The two functional imaging studies suggest a contribution of
      cortical areas and the cerebellum. The largest study indicated that cortical
      areas in all regions of the brain are involved (frontal, temporal, parietal, and
      occipital). The two lesion studies confirmed cerebellar involvement. The findings
      of the study on minor neurological dysfunction in children with writing problems
      correspond to the imaging results. The limited data on the neural substrate of
      paediatric dysgraphia suggest that at least a subset of the children with
      dysgraphia have dysfunctions in extensive supraspinal networks. In others,
      dysfunction may be restricted to either the cerebellum or specific cortical
      sites. 

PMID- 24237284
TI  - Noise, variability, and motor performance in developmental coordination disorder.
AB  - Variability and noise are a natural part of the neuromuscular system, and can
      occur at multiple levels. However, excessive neural noise in the motor system
      makes the problem of control much harder. Disruption of basic sensory inputs will
      exacerbate the problem, impacting one's sense of position in space (or body
      schema) and the ability of the motor system to predict its own dynamics. So
      called predictive control is fundamental to movement efficiency and accuracy, but
      has been shown to be poorly developed in children with motor problems like
      developmental coordination disorder. These children manifest a core deficit in
      predictive control, which is expressed by high levels of variability across
      tasks, and at the level of movement kinematics, for example patterns of inter
      limb coordination. As such, they rely heavily on feedback mechanisms to exert
      control, the outcome being slower and more laboured movements, and reduced
      responsiveness to changes in the environment. We discuss these issues of high
      variability and noise in developmental coordination disorder in relation to motor
      prediction, and with an eye to remediation. Issues of task scheduling and use of
      augmented feedback are important considerations for therapists when treating
      these children. 

PMID- 24237285
TI  - Mastery of manual skills: recent insights into typical and atypical development
      of manual ability.

PMID- 24237286
TI  - CuI-catalyzed C1-alkynylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) by A3 reaction
      with tunable iminium ions.
AB  - A CuI-catalyzed A(3) (amines, aldehydes and alkynes) reaction of
      tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs), aldehydes, and alkynes to give C1-alkynylated
      THIQ products (endo-yne-THIQs) was developed. This redox neutral C1-alkynylation
      of THIQs, which was conducted under mild conditions, has a broad scope for the
      used aldehydes and alkynes. It was proposed that the A(3) reaction first
      generates in situ exo-iminium ions, which then isomerize to endo-iminium ions and
      react with copper acetylides to give the endo alkynylated THIQs (endo-yne-THIQs).

PMID- 24237287
TI  - The quality of mental health information commonly searched for on the Internet.
AB  - Previous research has reviewed the quality of online information related to
      specific mental disorders. Yet, no comprehensive study has been conducted on the
      overall quality of mental health information searched for online. This study
      examined the first 20 search results of two popular search engines-Google and
      Bing-for 11 common mental health terms. They were analyzed using the DISCERN
      instrument, an adaptation of the Depression Website Content Checklist (ADWCC),
      Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level readability measures, HONCode
      badge display, and commercial status, resulting in an analysis of 440 web pages.
      Quality of Web site results varied based on type of disorder examined, with
      higher quality Web sites found for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and
      dysthymia, and lower quality ratings for phobia, anxiety, and panic disorder Web
      sites. Of the total Web sites analyzed, 67.5% had good or better quality content.
      Nearly one-third of the search results produced Web sites from three entities:
      WebMD, Wikipedia, and the Mayo Clinic. The mean Flesch Reading Ease score was
      41.21, and the mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score was 11.68. The presence of
      the HONCode badge and noncommercial status was found to have a small correlation
      with Web site quality, and Web sites displaying the HONCode badge and commercial
      sites had lower readability scores. Popular search engines appear to offer
      generally reliable results pointing to mostly good or better quality mental
      health Web sites. However, additional work is needed to make these sites more
      readable.

PMID- 24237288
TI  - Facebook photo activity associated with body image disturbance in adolescent
      girls.
AB  - The present study examined the relationship between body image and adolescent
      girls' activity on the social networking site (SNS) Facebook (FB). Research has
      shown that elevated Internet "appearance exposure" is positively correlated with
      increased body image disturbance among adolescent girls, and there is a
      particularly strong association with FB use. The present study sought to
      replicate and extend upon these findings by identifying the specific FB features
      that correlate with body image disturbance in adolescent girls. A total of 103
      middle and high school females completed questionnaire measures of total FB use,
      specific FB feature use, weight dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, thin ideal
      internalization, appearance comparison, and self-objectification. An appearance
      exposure score was calculated based on subjects' use of FB photo applications
      relative to total FB use. Elevated appearance exposure, but not overall FB usage,
      was significantly correlated with weight dissatisfaction, drive for thinness,
      thin ideal internalization, and self-objectification. Implications for eating
      disorder prevention programs and best practices in researching SNSs are
      discussed.

PMID- 24237289
TI  - Artefactual responses of mesophyll conductance to CO2 and irradiance estimated
      with the variable J and online isotope discrimination methods.
AB  - Studies with the variable J method have reported that mesophyll conductance (gm )
      rapidly decreases with increasing intercellular CO2 partial pressures (Ci ) or
      decreasing irradiance. Similar responses have been suggested with the online
      isotope discrimination method, although with less consistency. Here we show that
      even when the true gm is constant, the variable J method can produce an
      artefactual dependence of gm on Ci or irradiance similar to those reported in
      previous studies for any of the following factors: day respiration and
      chloroplastic CO2 photocompensation point are estimated with Laisk method; Ci or
      electron transport rate is positively biased; net photosynthetic rate is
      negatively biased; insufficient NADPH is assumed while insufficient ATP limits
      RuBP regeneration. The isotopic method produces similar artefacts if
      fractionation of carboxylation or Ci is positively biased or Delta(13) negatively
      biased. A non-zero chloroplastic resistance to CO2 movement results in a
      qualitatively different dependence of gm on Ci or irradiance and this dependence
      is only sensitive at low Ci . We thus cannot rule out the possibility that
      previously reported dependence of gm on Ci or irradiance is a methodological
      artefact. Recommendations are made to take advantage of sensitivities of the
      variable J and isotopic methods for estimating gm . 

PMID- 24237290
TI  - Welcome to the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research.
AB  - As the Senior Editors of the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research (JCER)
      we are delighted to present you with the first issue of this exciting new
      publication, focusing on the socially and clinically impactful field of
      comparative effectiveness research (CER). 

PMID- 24237293
TI  - From methods to policy: the intended and unintended consequences of comparative
      effectiveness research.

PMID- 24237291
TI  - Comparing treatments for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

PMID- 24237294
TI  - AcademyHealth and the future of comparative effectiveness research: making sure
      evidence matters.
AB  - Dr Lisa Simpson is the president and CEO of AcademyHealth, and its advocacy arm,
      the Coalition for Health Services Research. A nationally recognized health policy
      researcher and pediatrician, Dr Simpson is a passionate advocate for the
      translation of research into policy and practice. Before joining AcademyHealth,
      Dr Simpson was director of the Child Policy Research Center at Cincinnati
      Children's Hospital Medical Center and Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of
      Health Policy and Clinical Effectiveness, Department of Pediatrics, University of
      Cincinnati (OH, USA). She served as the Deputy Director of the Agency for
      Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) from 1996 to 2002. She previously served
      on the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Comparative Effectiveness Research
      Priorities and the Committee on Highly Effective Clinical Services. Dr Simpson is
      a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program National Advisory
      Council and the AHRQ Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Steering
      Committee. Dr Simpson's research focuses on improving the performance of the
      healthcare system and includes studies of the quality and safety of care, the
      role of health information technology in improving the quality of care, health
      and healthcare disparities, and the health policy and system response to
      childhood obesity. Dr Simpson earned her undergraduate and medical degrees at
      Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland), a master's in public health at the University
      of Hawaii (HI, USA), and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in health services
      research and health policy at the University of California, San Francisco (CA,
      USA). 

PMID- 24237295
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research and measuring the level of pharmaceutical
      innovation in the EU.
AB  - Over the past 50 years, medicines have made a huge contribution to improving the
      health status of populations. However, the level of pharmaceutical innovation
      varies widely, ranging from breakthrough treatments for life-threatening diseases
      to minor modifications of medicines that have been on the market for some time.
      Once innovative medicines approach the market, a system of measuring the level of
      innovation should be established. This perspective describes the current
      situation, the challenges and initiatives, and formulates recommendations for a
      coordinated EU action to measure the level of pharmaceutical innovation. In our
      opinion, comparative effectiveness research needs to play a central role in
      measuring the level of pharmaceutical innovation. 

PMID- 24237296
TI  - Clinical practice change requires more than comparative effectiveness evidence:
      abdominal aortic aneurysm management in the USA.
AB  - Adoption of healthcare innovations frequently outpaces the evidence of
      effectiveness. Endovascular repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms in the
      USA demonstrates how comparative effectiveness research without evidence-based
      reimbursement changes may fail to influence clinical practice. Randomized
      controlled trials for small abdominal aortic aneurysms demonstrate no lasting
      benefits of EVAR or open surgical repair (OSR) compared with surveillance, and
      for large abdominal aortic aneurysms demonstrate no lasting survival benefit of
      EVAR over OSR, and do show poorer durability and higher costs for EVAR.
      Nonetheless, >50% of elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs in the USA use
      EVAR. Factors that may be driving the high use of EVAR include patient
      preference, surgeons' desire to appear 'up-to-date' in the procedures they offer,
      higher hourly surgeon reimbursement for EVAR than OSR, and the expansion of
      physician specialties able to perform abdominal aortic aneurysm repair from only
      vascular surgeons with OSR, to vascular surgeons and interventional
      radiologists/cardiologists with EVAR. By comparison, in Canada, where government
      health insurance restricts EVAR coverage to high surgical risk patients, only
      approximately 25% of abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs are performed using EVAR.
      Country-specific cost studies and a prospective population-based study collecting
      detailed clinical data to identify patient subgroups that truly benefit from a
      particular management strategy are needed to inform policy regarding EVAR
      availability and reimbursement. 

PMID- 24237297
TI  - Multiple myeloma preparative regimens for high-dose therapy and autologous
      transplantation: what's new?
AB  - High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation remains a
      standard procedure in relatively young and selected older patients with multiple
      myeloma. High-dose melphalan has remained the chemotherapeutic agent of choice
      based on earlier prospective randomized trials. Despite investigations involving
      different combinations of chemotherapeutics, radiation and novel agents with and
      without melphalan, none of these alternative preparative regimens have
      demonstrated superiority to high-dose melphalan used as a single agent in
      multiple published studies. In this article, we review the published literature
      regarding preparative regimens used in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing
      autologous stem cell transplantation. 

PMID- 24237298
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research in obstructive sleep apnea: bridging gaps
      between efficacy studies and clinical practice.
AB  - Comparative effectiveness research encompasses research that compares two
      interventions to each other, and takes place in real-world settings without
      strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, according to the established standard of
      care. There is a need for comparative evaluations of the treatments for
      obstructive sleep apnea, a disease associated with increased cardiovascular risk,
      stroke and metabolic derangement. This article reviews the recent, representative
      literature that addresses obstructive sleep apnea intervention and treatment,
      paradigms for diagnosis and randomized control trials addressing the efficacy of
      interventions, in an effort to demonstrate examples of both traditional
      observational and randomized control trials, as well as to illustrate the
      considerable overlap between some traditional studies and comparative
      effectiveness research. Despite methodological challenges, the potentially large
      clinical and public health impact of obstructive sleep apnea, accompanied by
      considerable cost, mandates that randomized controlled trials and comparative
      effectiveness research be systematically applied to identify both the efficacy
      and effectiveness of alternative diagnosis and treatment strategies. 

PMID- 24237300
TI  - A double-blind randomized controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose
      oral interferon-alpha in preventing hepatitis C relapse.
AB  - Low-dose oral interferon could exert immune-modulating effects in human. We
      conducted a clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of oral interferon-alpha
      in preventing hepatitis C relapse. Totally 169 genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C
      patients having achieved end-of-therapy virological clearance were randomized to
      receive interferon-alpha lozenge 500 IU/day (n=59), 1,500 IU/day (n=53), or
      placebo (n=57) for 24 weeks. Overall, no significant differences were found for
      the relapse rates in the 3 groups (P>0.05). However, in patients with fibroindex
      1.4-1.7, relapse occurred in 1/12 (8.3%) 500 IU-group patients versus 9/21
      (42.9%) patients of the other groups (P=0.05). In 158 patients receiving at least
      4 weeks of oral interferon, significantly higher platelet count was found at the
      end of trial in the 500 IU group (P=0.003). In thrombocytopenic patients, a
      significantly expedited recovery of platelet count was found in the 500 IU group
      (P=0.002). No drug-related severe adverse events were reported. In conclusion, at
      500 IU/day, oral interferon exerted a borderline suppression effect of
      virological relapse in chronic hepatitis C patients with mild liver fibrosis.
      Additionally, it significantly expedited platelet count recovery after the end of
      peginterferon therapy. 

PMID- 24237301
TI  - Interferon-gamma-induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction by NF
      kappaB/HIF-1alpha pathway.
AB  - Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plays an important role in intestinal barrier
      dysfunction. However, the mechanisms are not fully understood. As hypoxia
      inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a critical determinant response to hypoxia and
      inflammation, which has been shown to be deleterious to intestinal barrier
      function, we hypothesized that IFN-gamma induces loss of barrier function through
      the regulation of HIF-1alpha activation and function. In this study, we detected
      the expressions of HIF-1alpha and tight junction proteins in IFN-gamma-treated
      T84 intestinal epithelial cell line. IFN-gamma led to an increase of HIF-1alpha
      expression in time- and dose-dependent manners but did not change the expression
      of HIF-1beta. The IFN-gamma-induced increase in HIF-1alpha was associated with an
      activation of NF-kappaB. Treatment with the NF-kappaB inhibitor,
      pyrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC), significantly suppressed the activation of NF
      kappaB and the expression of HIF-1alpha. In addition, IFN-gamma also increased
      intestinal epithelial permeability and depletion of tight junction proteins;
      inhibition of NF-kappaB or HIF-1alpha prevented the increase in intestinal
      permeability and alteration in tight junction protein expressions. Interestingly,
      we demonstrated that a significant portion of IFN-gamma activation NF-kB and
      modulation tight junction expression is mediated through HIF-1alpha. Taken
      together, this study suggested that IFN-gamma induced the loss of epithelial
      barrier function and disruption of tight junction proteins, by upregulation of
      HIF-1alpha expression through NF-kappaB pathway. 

PMID- 24237302
TI  - Gonadal status and outcome of bariatric surgery in obese men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity-related hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (OrHH) occurs in over
      40% of morbidly obese men. Obesity-related hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism may
      reduce the beneficial effects of bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE: To assess the
      impact of OrHH on the outcome of bariatric surgery in men. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Observational study with measurement of serum gonadal hormones, and assessment of
      body composition, glucose, lipid and bone metabolism during the first year after
      bariatric surgery in 13 men with OrHH (free testosterone (free T) <225 pmol/l)
      and 11 age-matched eugonadal morbidly obese men (free T > 225 pmol/l). RESULTS:
      Serum free T was inversely related to body weight (R = -0.65, P < 0.0001) and
      rose gradually after bariatric surgery, in eugonadal as well as in OrHH men, by
      30 pmol/l for every 10 kg loss of weight. In three patients, serum free T
      remained within the hypogonadal range despite substantial weight loss. Gonadal
      hormone status prior to surgery did not affect the 1-year outcome of surgery.
      CONCLUSION: Obesity-related hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism is a reversible
      condition in the majority of obese men. It does not reduce the efficacy of
      bariatric surgery. Preoperative weight-adjusted normal values are recommended to
      avoid an incorrect diagnosis of hypogonadism in obese men.

PMID- 24237303
TI  - Towards reaching the target: clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells for
      diabetic foot ulcers.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold great promise for therapeutic application in
      non-healing ulcers and tissue regeneration because of their multi-lineage
      differentiation potential. MSCs delivered may migrate to the sites of injury and
      improve wound healing by stimulating angiogenesis and promoting
      revascularization. The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing
      worldwide. It is associated with peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial
      occlusive disease (PAOD), which predispose patients to develop non-healing foot
      ulcers following minor trauma. A high rate of amputation exists among diabetic
      patients due to non-healing foot ulcers, which are a significant burden for the
      society despite new therapeutic protocols developed. In recent years, stem cell
      transplantation has been considered as a new therapeutic option for diabetic foot
      ulcers (DFUs). The regeneration potential of MSCs has been demonstrated in the
      experimental and clinical trials. Here we review the potential efficacy and
      systematic use of MSCs for the treatment of non-healing DFUs, current advances,
      MSC delivery systems, and possible options to enhance the therapeutic potential
      of stem cell for wound healing.

PMID- 24237304
TI  - Effects of Si/Al ratio on the distribution of framework Al and on the rates of
      alkane monomolecular cracking and dehydrogenation in H-MFI.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Si/Al ratio on the
      locations of exchangeable cations in H-MFI and on the monomolecular cracking and
      dehydrogenation reactions of n-butane. On the basis of UV-visible spectroscopic
      analysis of Co(II) exchanged into MFI, it was inferred that the fraction of
      Co(II) (and, by extension, Bronsted protons) located at channel intersections
      relative to straight and sinusoidal channels increases with increasing Al
      content. Concurrently, turnover frequencies for all monomolecular reactions, and
      the selectivities to dehydrogenation versus cracking and to terminal cracking
      versus central cracking, generally increased. The changes in selectivity with Al
      content are consistent with the finding that the transition-state geometry for
      dehydrogenation is bulky and resembles a product state, and should therefore
      exhibit a stronger preference to occur at channel intersections relative to
      cracking. Increases in turnover frequencies are attributed partly to increases in
      intrinsic activation entropies that compensate for concurrent increases in
      intrinsic activation energies, most strongly for dehydrogenation and terminal
      cracking, resulting in increased selectivity to these reactions at higher Al
      content. This interpretation contrasts with the view that intrinsic activation
      barriers are constant. It is also observed that isobutene inhibits the rate of n
      butane dehydrogenation. Theoretical calculations indicate that this effect
      originates from adsorption of isobutene at the channel intersections. Because
      cracking reaction rates are not affected by the presence of isobutene, this
      result suggests that the preference of dehydrogenation to occur at channel
      intersections is much stronger than the preference for cracking to occur at these
      locations. 

PMID- 24237305
TI  - NF-kappaB mediated miR-21 regulation in cardiomyocytes apoptosis under oxidative
      stress.
AB  - Oxidative stress, defined as an excess production of reactive oxygen species
      (ROS), is shown to play an important role in the pathophysiology of cardiac
      remodeling including cell death and contractile dysfunction. Therefore, the
      balance between ROS production and removal of excess ROS is essential in
      maintaining the redox state and homeostasis balance in the cell. The increased
      ROS further activates nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), a redox-sensitive
      transcription factor and promotes cell death. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have
      been identified as critical regulators of various pathophysiological processes of
      cardiac remodeling; however, NF-kappaB-mediated miRNA's role in cardiomyocytes
      under oxidative stress remains undetermined. The miR-21 has been implicated in
      diverse cardiac remodeling; but, NF-kappaB-mediated miR-21 modulation in
      oxidative stress is currently unknown. Neonatal cardiomyocytes were transfected
      with IkappaBalpha mutant, miR-21 mimetic, and inhibitors separately, and were
      challenged with H2O2. The target gene, programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), ROS
      activity, and NF-kappaB translocation were analyzed. Our results indicated that
      NF-kappaB positively regulated miR-21 expression under oxidative stress, and
      PDCD4 was a direct target for miR-21. NF-kappaB further regulated the expression
      of PDCD4 in H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, H2O2-induced ROS activity
      and cardiomyocytes apoptosis were partly protected by overexpression of miR-21
      and displayed an important role in ROS-mediated cardiomyocytes injury. We
      evaluated a critical role of NF-kappaB-mediated miR-21 modulation in H2O2-induced
      oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes by targeting PDCD4. Our data may provide a new
      insight of miR-21's role in cardiac diseases primarily mediated by ROS.

PMID- 24237306
TI  - Nitrate reductase-mediated early nitric oxide burst alleviates oxidative damage
      induced by aluminum through enhancement of antioxidant defenses in roots of wheat
      (Triticum aestivum).
AB  - * Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule involved in the
      physiological processes of plants. The role of NO release in the tolerance
      strategies of roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under aluminum (Al) stress was
      investigated using two genotypes with different Al resistances. * An early NO
      burst at 3 h was observed in the root tips of the Al-tolerant genotype Jian-864,
      whereas the Al-sensitive genotype Yang-5 showed no NO accumulation at 3 h but an
      extremely high NO concentration after 12 h. Stimulating NO production at 3 h in
      the root tips of Yang-5 with the NO donor relieved Al-induced root inhibition and
      callose production, as well as oxidative damage and ROS accumulation, while
      elimination of the early NO burst by NO scavenger aggravated root inhibition in
      Jian-864. * Synthesis of early NO in roots of Jian-864 was mediated through
      nitrate reductase (NR) but not through NO synthase. Elevated antioxidant enzyme
      activities were induced by Al stress in both wheat genotypes and significantly
      enhanced by NO donor, but suppressed by NO scavenger or NR inhibitor. * These
      results suggest that an NR-mediated early NO burst plays an important role in Al
      resistance of wheat through modulating enhanced antioxidant defense to adapt to
      Al stress.

PMID- 24237307
TI  - Illness experiences in middle-aged adults with early-stage knee osteoarthritis:
      findings from a qualitative study.
AB  - AIM: To understand the illness experiences of middle-aged adults with early knee
      osteoarthritis. BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes
      of lower limb disability in middle-aged adults and older people. Nurses lack
      understanding of the illness experiences of middle-aged patients who were
      confirmed to have early knee osteoarthritis and of how they manage the disease in
      Taiwan. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive design was applied. METHODS:
      Participants with knee osteoarthritis, aged 40-55 years, were recruited by
      purposive sampling (n = 17). The data were collected through semi-structured
      interviews from July-December 2010. All interview transcripts were analysed using
      qualitative inductive content analysis to identify key themes. FINDINGS: Illness
      experiences of the seventeen participants were classified into three major
      themes: (i) unfamiliarity with osteoarthritis; (ii) effects on daily life; and
      (iii) protection and alleviation. The three main themes occurred repeatedly and
      affected the life experiences of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates
      that patients with osteoarthritis have insufficient knowledge related to disease
      process and they do not know how to cope effectively. They need healthcare
      providers to supply them with adequate osteoarthritis disease information. Nurses
      should also develop interventions in their practices and guide patients to use
      suitable techniques to improve the functional status of their knee joint(s).

PMID- 24237310
TI  - Choledochoduodenal fistula after biliary metallic stent placement for pancreatic
      cancer.

PMID- 24237311
TI  - Artificial biometric finger driven by shape-memory alloy wires.
AB  - This paper presents the design and testing of an artificial finger based partly
      on biomechanics. The prototype was manufactured in acrylonitrile butadiene
      styrene plastic using a rapid prototyping three-dimensional printer. The flexing
      of the finger was realized by Ni-Ti shape-memory alloy (SMA) wires with diameters
      of 0.3 mm, activated by resistive heating. The results obtained show the new
      prototype to be superior in performance, mainly in terms of angles of rotation of
      the phalanges, compared with some SMA fingers discussed in the literature.

PMID- 24237309
TI  - Biological functionalization of drug delivery carriers to bypass size
      restrictions of receptor-mediated endocytosis independently from receptor
      targeting.
AB  - Targeting of drug carriers to cell-surface receptors involved in endocytosis is
      commonly used for intracellular drug delivery. However, most endocytic receptors
      mediate uptake via clathrin or caveolar pathways associated with <=200-nm
      vesicles, restricting carrier design. We recently showed that endocytosis
      mediated by intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), which differs from
      clathrin- and caveolae-mediated pathways, allows uptake of nano- and
      microcarriers in cell culture and in vivo due to recruitment of cellular
      sphingomyelinases to the plasmalemma. This leads to ceramide generation at
      carrier binding sites and formation of actin stress-fibers, enabling engulfment
      and uptake of a wide size-range of carriers. Here we adapted this paradigm to
      enhance uptake of drug carriers targeted to receptors associated with size
      restricted pathways. We coated sphingomyelinase onto model (polystyrene) submicro
      and microcarriers targeted to clathrin-associated mannose-6-phosphate receptor.
      In endothelial cells, this provided ceramide enrichment at the cell surface and
      actin stress-fiber formation, modifying the uptake pathway and enhancing carrier
      endocytosis without affecting targeting, endosomal transport, cell-associated
      degradation, or cell viability. This improvement depended on the carrier size and
      enzyme dose, and similar results were observed for other receptors (transferrin
      receptor) and cell types (epithelial cells). This phenomenon also enhanced tissue
      accumulation of carriers after intravenous injection in mice. Hence, it is
      possible to maintain targeting toward a selected receptor while bypassing natural
      size restrictions of its associated endocytic route by functionalization of drug
      carriers with biological elements mimicking the ICAM-1 pathway. This strategy
      holds considerable promise to enhance flexibility of design of targeted drug
      delivery systems. 

PMID- 24237312
TI  - Role of nitrite in the photochemical formation of radicals in the snow.
AB  - Photochemical reactions in snow can have an important impact on the composition
      of the atmosphere over snow-covered areas as well as on the composition of the
      snow itself. One of the major photochemical processes is the photolysis of
      nitrate leading to the formation of volatile nitrogen compounds. We report
      nitrite concentrations determined together with nitrate and hydrogen peroxide in
      surface snow collected at the coastal site of Barrow, Alaska. The results
      demonstrate that nitrite likely plays a significant role as a precursor for
      reactive hydroxyl radicals as well as volatile nitrogen oxides in the snow.
      Pollution events leading to high concentrations of nitrous acid in the atmosphere
      contributed to an observed increase in nitrite in the surface snow layer during
      nighttime. Observed daytime nitrite concentrations are much higher than values
      predicted from steady-state concentrations based on photolysis of nitrate and
      nitrite indicating that we do not fully understand the production of nitrite and
      nitrous acid in snow. The discrepancy between observed and expected nitrite
      concentrations is probably due to a combination of factors, including an
      incomplete understanding of the reactive environment and chemical processes in
      snow, and a lack of consideration of the vertical structure of snow. 

PMID- 24237313
TI  - Agreement between children aged 5-6 years and their mothers in rating child oral
      health-related quality of life.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have assessed parent-child agreement on ratings of school
      aged children's OHRQoL. There are, however, no studies on children younger than 7
      years of age. AIMS: The aim was to assess the agreement between children aged 5-6
      years and their mothers regarding child's oral health-related quality of life
      (OHRQoL). DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 298 mother-child
      pairs (MCP), seeking the pediatric dental screening at the Dental School,
      University of Sao Paulo, completed the Brazilian version of the Scale of Oral
      Health Outcomes for 5-year-old children (SOHO-5), validated for children aged 5-6
      years in Brazil. Agreement between total and items' scores was assessed using
      comparison and correlation analyses, by comparing the mean directional
      differences and by computing the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values,
      respectively. RESULTS: The mean directional difference in the total scores was
      0.13 (CI 95% -0.076; 0.338) and therefore not significant for MCP. The mean
      absolute difference for MCP was 1.26, representing 11% of the maximum possible
      score. The ICC for total score was 0.84 (CI 95% 0.798; 0.867) for MCP.
      CONCLUSIONS: Mothers do rate their young children's OHRQoL similarly to
      children's self-reports. When assessing OHRQoL of children aged 5-6 years,
      mothers may be reliable proxies for their young children.

PMID- 24237314
TI  - FairyTALE: a high-throughput TAL effector synthesis platform.
AB  - Recombinant transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) have been effectively
      used for genome editing and gene regulation applications. Due to their remarkable
      modularity, TALEs can be tailored to specifically target almost any user-defined
      DNA sequences. Here, we introduce fairyTALE, a liquid phase high-throughput TALE
      synthesis platform capable of producing TALE-nucleases, activators, and
      repressors that recognize DNA sequences between 14 and 31 bp. It features a
      highly efficient reaction scheme, a flexible functionalization platform, and
      fully automated robotic liquid handling that enable the production of hundreds of
      expression-ready TALEs within a single day with over 98% assembly efficiency at a
      material cost of just $5 per TALE. As proof of concept, we synthesized and tested
      90 TALEs, each recognizing 27 bp, without restrictions on their sequence
      composition. 96% of these TALEs were found to be functional, while sequencing
      confirmation revealed that the nonfunctional constructs were all correctly
      assembled. 

PMID- 24237315
TI  - R&D transformation and value-based innovation.

PMID- 24237316
TI  - A framework for pharmaceutical value-based innovations.
AB  - The rapidity of change and increasing complexity of today's healthcare
      environment dictates that pharmaceutical companies refine their drug development
      process to ensure that products provide maximal value to consumers. Innovation
      should receive the support and encouragement it deserves but the balance between
      cost of therapy and enhanced benefits to the end users, the patients, must not be
      compromised. The health or quality-of-life outcomes that therapies are likely to
      achieve need to be clearly stated for patients so they know what to expect before
      beginning treatment. A drug development program that incorporates principles of
      'patient-centered medicine' early on can help define the true value of a health
      technology. This demands not only demonstrating value as measured by actual
      patient experience and patient-reported outcomes, but understanding the unmet
      needs of multiple stakeholders: what is their perception of what represents
      value? What factors impact healthcare coverage decisions? In this paper, we
      describe an illustrative framework designed to weave 'patient-centric' medical
      and real-world evidence into the phases of research and development. This
      evidence and value development framework works iteratively, providing useful
      insights parallel to product development from early phase to life-cycle
      management while forming a progressive evidence chain throughout the phases of
      research and development. This in turn leads to the creation of value-based
      innovation with robust foundational evidence for clinical decisions, postlaunch
      coverage and reimbursement evaluations. 

PMID- 24237317
TI  - Integrating scientific and real-world evidence within and beyond the drug
      development process.
AB  - Newly developed healthcare treatments face a complex environment with many
      stakeholders who can accelerate or decelerate adoption, most notably the
      healthcare system payers. Understanding and integrating their needs earlier in
      clinical development will ensure a smoother transition from bench to bedside.
      This paper describes a new approach to shaping a more effective complementary
      process of 'value' evidence generation both in and outside the clinical drug
      development process. We propose that biopharmaceutical companies consider
      bringing new solutions to market by marshaling cross-functional approaches to
      what we term an evidence-definition phase, evidence-generation phase and evidence
      translation phase to drug and technology research and development. The
      organization of ongoing discovery, evaluation and translation with a 'real-
      world' perspective should provide a more streamlined approach to ensure both
      regulatory and eventual marketplace success. 

PMID- 24237318
TI  - Integrating new approaches for clinical development: translational research and
      relative effectiveness.
AB  - Translational research and relative effectiveness are being incorporated into
      drug development programs to meet the demands for more robust evidence generation
      to support the value of new therapies. Translational research includes
      translating basic research into clinical practice, controlled clinical trials
      into potential clinical implications, evidence-based guidelines into routine
      clinical practice and standard practices into population health. These research
      concepts link with real-world outcomes, and feed into each other to improve the
      efficiency of research. Translational research can run into road blocks in terms
      of conveying the added or comparative value of research or during adoption into
      clinical practice. Understanding these roadblocks and developing solutions are
      important for success. Comparative effectiveness research can be a useful
      research technique to accomplish many translational medicine goals. These studies
      generally include heterogeneous patient populations and evaluate outcomes of
      relevance to payers and health technology assessors. Comparative effectiveness
      research can be used in drug development; different methodologies may be useful
      in different phases. In this article, suggestions and examples of successful use
      of comparative effectiveness studies are provided. Translational research and
      comparative effectiveness research, although clearly independent concepts, can
      provide a focused approach to drug development, resulting in products entering
      the market that bring added benefit to patients and the healthcare system
      overall. 

PMID- 24237319
TI  - Nucleopalladation triggering the oxidative Heck reaction: a general strategy to
      diverse beta-indole ketones.
AB  - A simple and efficient palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling between 2-alkynyl
      anilines and allylic alcohols is described by using cheap and green dioxygen as
      the oxidant. These cross-couplings have a large functional group tolerance and
      are of higher reactivity toward electron nonbaised allylic alcohols. The
      resultant beta-indole ketones are readily converted to pharmaceutically
      significant beta-indole alcohol/amine and pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. 

PMID- 24237320
TI  - Reinforcement of teeth with simulated coronal fracture and immature weakened
      roots using resin composite cured by a modified layering technique.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the strengthening effect of
      resin composite, cured by a modified layering protocol, for teeth with simulated
      coronal fracture and weakened immature roots. METHODS: Fifty maxillary teeth were
      decoronated and their apices sectioned to standardize the length to 12 mm.
      Prepared teeth were equally distributed into five groups. Group 1VF root apices
      were flared with Pesso drills up to size 6. The roots were flared until a dentin
      thickness of only 1 +/- 0.2 mm remained. Root ends were filled with mineral
      trioxide aggregate. The canals were backfilled with Vertise Flow following a
      modified layering protocol using two light-transmitting posts size 6 and 3. Next,
      a DT light post size 2 was cemented using the same material. Groups 2TS/MF and
      3ED/PF were prepared and cured in the same way as group 1VF but filled with
      Clearfil Tri-S Bond/Majesty Flow and ED Primer II/Panavia F2.0 respectively.
      Group 4UF was similarly prepared but left unfilled (control). In group 5NW, roots
      were unflared but similarly filled as in group 3ED/PF. After 24 hours of storage,
      the fracture load was measured. The degree of cure for each tested material was
      indirectly measured using microhardness at different root levels (cervical,
      middle, and apical). Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance
      followed by Newman-Keuls post hoc test. RESULTS: Fracture load results revealed
      that groups 1VF and 2TS/MF had no statistically significant difference from group
      5NW (p>0.05). For each tested material, no significant difference was found among
      microhardness values at different root levels. CONCLUSION: It may be possible to
      reinforce the teeth with coronal fracture and immature weakened roots to be
      comparable with unweakened ones when composite is applied and cured by the
      modified layering technique.

PMID- 24237321
TI  - Synthesis and reactivity of a transient, terminal nitrido complex of rhodium.
AB  - Irradiation of rhodium(II) azido complex [Rh(N3){N(CHCHPtBu2)2}] allowed for the
      spectroscopic characterization of the first reported rhodium complex with a
      terminal nitrido ligand. DFT computations reveal that the unpaired electron of
      rhodium(IV) nitride complex [Rh(N){N(CHCHPtBu2)2}] is located in an antibonding
      Rh-N pi* bond involving the nitrido moiety, thus resulting in predominant N
      radical character, in turn providing a rationale for its transient nature and
      observed nitride coupling to dinitrogen. 

PMID- 24237323
TI  - Personal profile: interview with Richard Barker.

PMID- 24237322
TI  - Glucose inhibits root meristem growth via ABA INSENSITIVE 5, which represses PIN1
      accumulation and auxin activity in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Glucose functions as a hormone-like signalling molecule that modulates plant
      growth and development in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the role of glucose in
      root elongation remains elusive. Our study demonstrates that high concentrations
      of glucose reduce the size of the root meristem zone by repressing PIN1
      accumulation and thereby reducing auxin levels. In addition, we verified the
      involvement of ABA INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) in this process by showing that abi5-1 is
      less sensitive to glucose than the wild type, whereas glucose induces ABI5
      expression and the inducible overexpression of ABI5 reduces the size of the root
      meristem zone. Furthermore, the inducible overexpression of ABI5 in PIN1::PIN1
      GFP plants reduces the level of PIN1-GFP, but glucose reduces the level of PIN1
      GFP to a lesser extent in abi5-1 PIN1::PIN1-GFP plants than in the PIN1::PIN1-GFP
      control, suggesting that ABI5 is involved in glucose-regulated PIN1 accumulation.
      Taken together, our data suggest that ABI5 functions in the glucose-mediated
      inhibition of the root meristem zone by repressing PIN1 accumulation, thus
      leading to reduced auxin levels in roots. 

PMID- 24237324
TI  - Dynamic solvation and coupling of the hydration shell of Zn(II)-substituted
      cytochrome c in the presence of guanidinium ions.
AB  - The fluorescence Stokes shift (FSS) response of Zn(II)-substituted cytochrome c
      (ZnCytc) is transformed from a monotonic red-shifting response in water to a
      bidirectional response with much slower time constants in the presence of low
      concentrations of guanidinium (Gdm(+)) ions. The FSS response in water observed
      over the 100 ps to 10 ns range has two exponential components with time constants
      of 135 ps and 1.6 ns that account for a total shift of 30 cm(-1), about one-half
      of the solvation reorganization energy. In contrast, in the presence of only 0.25
      M Gdm(+), the FSS response initially shifts 21 cm(-1) to the blue with a 820 ps
      time constant and then shifts 60 cm(-1) back to the red with a 3.5 ns time
      constant. The effect of Gdm(+) on the FSS response effectively saturates at 1.0
      M, well below the 1.75 M midpoint of the two-state unfolding transition. These
      results establish that the FSS response in ZnCytc includes a significant
      contribution from the surrounding hydration shell, which assumes a perturbed
      hydrogen-bonding network owing to the binding of Gdm(+) ions to the protein
      surface. The blue-shifting part of the FSS response arises from a light-induced
      conformational change that expands the protein- and solvent-derived cavity around
      the excited-state Zn(II) porphyrin. This non-polar part of the solvation response
      is enhanced in the presence of Gdm(+) because the protein/solvent surroundings of
      the Zn(II) porphyrin are effectively more flexible than in water. The enhanced
      flexibility in the presence of Gdm(+) increases the amplitudes and accordingly
      lengthens the correlation time scales for the protein and hydration-shell
      fluctuations that contribute to the FSS response.

PMID- 24237325
TI  - Optimization of carboxylate-terminated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-mediated
      cisplatin formulation.
AB  - Abstract Cisplatin is mainly used in the treatment of ovarian, head and neck and
      testicular cancer. Poor solubility and non-specific interactions causes hurdles
      in the development of successful cisplatin formulation. There were few reports on
      poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer-cisplatin complexes for anticancer treatment.
      But the earlier research was mainly focused on therapeutic effect of PAMAM
      dendrimer-cisplatin complex, with less attention paid on the formulation
      development of these complexes. Objective of the present study is to optimize and
      validate the carboxylate-terminated, EDA core PAMAM dendrimer-based cisplatin
      formulation with respect to various variables such as dendrimer core, generation,
      drug entrapment, purification, yield, reproducibility, stability, storage and in
      vitro release. Dendrimer-cisplatin complex was prepared by an efficient method
      which significantly increases the % platinum (Pt) content along with the product
      yield. Dendrimers showed reproducible (~27%) platinum loading by weight.
      Variation in core and generations does not produce significant change in the % Pt
      content. Percentage Pt content of dendrimeric formulation increases with increase
      in drug/dendrimer mole ratio. Formulation with low drug/dendrimer mole ratio
      showed delayed release compared to the higher drug/dendrimer mole ratio; these
      dendrimer formulations are stable in room temperature. In vitro release profiles
      of the stored dendrimer-cisplatin samples showed comparatively slow release of
      cisplatin, which may be due to formation of strong bond between cisplatin and
      dendrimer. This study will contribute to create a fine print for the formulation
      development of PAMAM dendrimer-cisplatin complexes. 

PMID- 24237326
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and efficiency of brain targeting of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1
      given as Nao-Qing microemulsion.
AB  - Nao-Qing solution has been shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of
      acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The purpose of this study was to improve the
      pharmacokinetics and brain uptake of Nao-Qing, administered as an oil-in-water
      microemulsion. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given Nao-Qing microemulsion by
      intranasal or intragastric routes. Samples of blood, brain, heart, liver, lung
      and kidney were collected at pre-determined time intervals, and the contents of
      ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 (active ingredients of the Nao-Qing microemulsion) were
      analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed
      that contents of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 in Nao-Qing microemulsion was 8475.13
      +/- 54.61 MUg/ml and 6633.42 +/- 527.27 MUg/ml, respectively, and that the
      particle size, pH and viscosity of the microemulsion were 19.9 +/- 5.07 nm, 6.1
      and 3.056 * 10(-3 )Pas, respectively. Absorption of ginsenoside Rg1 was higher
      than that of ginsenoside Rb1, which was barely detectable after intragastric
      administration; furthermore, the concentration of ginsenoside Rg1 in blood and
      other tissues at each time point was lower for intragastric than for intranasal
      administration. Compared with intragastric administration, intranasal
      administration resulted in a shorter tmax (0.08 versus 1 h), a higher Cmax (16.65
      versus 11.29 MUg/ml), and a higher area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)
      (592.91 versus 101.70 MUgch/ml) in the brain. The relative rates of uptake (Re)
      and the ratio of peak concentration (Ce) in the brain were 126.31% and 147.48%
      for ginsenoside Rg1, respectively. These data illustrate that intranasal
      administration can promote the absorption of drugs in Nao-Qing microemulsion and
      achieve fast effect.

PMID- 24237327
TI  - Development of phyllanthin-loaded self-microemulsifying drug delivery system for
      oral bioavailability enhancement.
AB  - Phyllanthin, a poorly water-soluble herbal active component from Phyllanthus
      amarus, exhibited a low oral bioavailability. This study aims at formulating self
      microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) containing phyllanthin and
      evaluating their in-vitro and in-vivo performances. Excipient screening was
      carried out to select oil, surfactant and co-surfactant. Formulation development
      was based on pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and characteristics of resultant
      microemulsions. Influences of dilution, pH of media and phyllanthin content on
      droplet size of the resultant emulsions were studied. The optimized phyllanthin
      loaded SMEDDS formulation (phy-SMEDDS) and the resultant microemulsions were
      characterized by viscosity, self-emulsification performance, stability,
      morphology, droplet size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. In-vitro
      dissolution and oral bioavailability in rats of phy-SMEDDS were studied and
      compared with those of plain phyllanthin. Phy-SMEDDS consisted of
      phyllanthin/Capryol 90/Cremophor RH 40/Transcutol P (1.38:39.45:44.38:14.79) in %
      w/w. Phy-SMEDDS could be emulsified completely within 6 min and formed fine
      microemulsions, with average droplet range of 27-42 nm. Phy-SMEDDS was robust to
      dilution and pH of dilution media while the resultant emulsion showed no phase
      separation or drug precipitation after 8 h dilution. The release of phyllanthin
      from phy-SMEDDS capsule was significantly faster than that of plain phyllanthin
      capsule irrespective of pH of dissolution media. Phy-SMEDDS was found to be
      stable for at least 6 months under accelerated condition. Oral absorption of
      phyllanthin in rats was significantly enhanced by SMEDDS as compared with plain
      phyllanthin. Our study indicated that SMEDDS for oral delivery of phyllanthin
      could be an option to enhance its bioavailability.

PMID- 24237328
TI  - Spray drying formulation of albendazole microspheres by experimental design. In
      vitro-in vivo studies.
AB  - Both an experimental design and optimization techniques were carried out for the
      development of chitosan-pectin-carboxymethylcellulose microspheres to improve the
      oral absorption of albendazole as a model drug. The effect of three different
      factors (chitosan, pectin and carboxy methyl cellulose concentrations) was
      studied on five responses: yield, morphology, dissolution rate at 30 and 60 min,
      and encapsulation efficiency of the microspheres. During the screening phase, the
      factors were evaluated in order to identify those which exert a significant
      effect. Simultaneous multiple response optimizations were then used to find out
      experimental conditions where the system shows the most adequate results. The
      optimal conditions were found to be: chitosan concentration, 1.00% w/v, pectin
      concentration 0.10% w/v and carboxymethylcellulose concentration 0.20% w/v. The
      bioavailability of the loaded drug in the optimized microspheres was evaluated in
      Wistar rats which showed an area under curve (AUC) almost 10 times higher than
      the pure drug.

PMID- 24237329
TI  - Life quality and health in adolescents and emerging adults with epilepsy during
      the years of transition: a scoping review.
AB  - AIMS: The aims of this study were to (1) search the literature in order to
      identify the challenges facing adolescents and emerging adults with epilepsy; and
      (2) categorize these issues within both the framework of the International
      Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and an empirical model
      of quality of life (QOL) in childhood epilepsy. METHOD: We systematically
      searched PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE and Web of Science for studies reporting on QOL
      and health identified in people with epilepsy aged 12 to 29 years. Studies were
      limited to those that were published in the last 20 years in English, presenting
      the patient perspective. Data were extracted and charted using a descriptive
      analytical method. Identified issues were classified according to the ICF and QOL
      frameworks. RESULTS: Fifty four studies were identified. Another 62 studies with
      potentially useful information were included as an addendum. The studies
      highlight a range of psychosocial issues emphasizing peer acceptance, social
      isolation, and feelings of anxiety, fear, and sadness. INTERPRETATION: The ICF
      and QOL constructs represent useful starting points in the analytical
      classification of the potential challenges faced by adolescents with epilepsy.
      Progress is needed on fully classifying issues not included under these
      frameworks. We propose to expand these frameworks to include comorbidities,
      impending medical interventions, and concerns for future education, employment,
      marriage, dignity, and autonomy.

PMID- 24237330
TI  - Genomics: from persons to populations and back again.

PMID- 24237331
TI  - The cancer epigenome.

PMID- 24237333
TI  - Wheat genomics and the ambitious targets for future wheat production.

PMID- 24237332
TI  - Viruses: unlocking the greatest biodiversity on Earth.

PMID- 24237334
TI  - Understanding salmonid biology from the Atlantic salmon genome.

PMID- 24237335
TI  - The Green Revolution 2.0: the potential of algae for the production of biofuels
      and bioproducts.

PMID- 24237336
TI  - Livestock and the promise of genomics.
AB  - The emergence of the middle class in countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, and
      China is resulting in increasing global demand for animal-based food products.
      This increase represents a unique opportunity for Canadian livestock producers to
      export their products to new markets and expand Canada's reputation as a global
      provider of safe and highest quality food items. This article has two major
      themes. First, current Canadian contributions to livestock genomics in the cattle
      and swine industries are outlined. Second, important future opportunities are
      discussed, including the high throughput collection of phenotypic data,
      development of environmentally friendly livestock, emergence of decision support
      software, and the use of Web 2.0. Through the use of genomic technologies,
      livestock producers can not only ensure that the nutritional demands of Canada
      are secured, but also play a pivotal role in ensuring the rest of the world is
      fed as well. Furthermore, investment through initiatives led by Genome Canada has
      ensured that Canada is favorably positioned to contribute cutting-edge solutions
      to meet this global challenge. Ultimately, genomic-based innovations will enable
      producers to increase efficiency, lower production costs, decrease the use of
      prophylactics, and limit the expenditure of resources. 

PMID- 24237337
TI  - The impact of a moderate chronic temperature increase on spleen immune-relevant
      gene transcription depends on whether Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are stimulated
      with bacterial versus viral antigens.
AB  - Exposure to elevated temperature is an inherent feature of Atlantic cod (Gadus
      morhua) sea-cage culture in some regions (e.g., Newfoundland) and may also become
      an increasingly prevalent challenge for wild fish populations because of
      accelerated climate change. Therefore, understanding how elevated temperatures
      impacts the immune response of this commercially important species may help to
      reduce the potential negative impacts of such challenges. Previously, we
      investigated the impacts of moderately elevated temperature on the antiviral
      responses of Atlantic cod (Hori et al. 2012) and reported that elevated
      temperature modulated the spleen transcriptome response to polyriboinosinic
      polyribocytidylic acid (pIC, a viral mimic). Herein, we report a complementary
      microarray study that investigated the impact of the same elevated temperature
      regime on the Atlantic cod spleen transcriptome response to intraperitoneal (IP)
      injection of formalin-killed Aeromonas salmonicida (ASAL). Fish were held at two
      different temperatures (10  degrees C and 16  degrees C) prior to immune
      stimulation and sampled 6 and 24 h post-injection (HPI). In this experiment, we
      identified 711 and 666 nonredundant ASAL-responsive genes at 6HPI and 24HPI,
      respectively. These included several known antibacterial genes, including
      hepcidin, cathelicidin, ferritin heavy subunit, and interleukin 8. However, we
      only identified 15 differentially expressed genes at 6HPI and 2 at 24HPI (FDR 1%)
      when comparing ASAL-injected fish held at 10  degrees C versus 16  degrees C. In
      contrast, the same comparisons with pIC-injected fish yielded 290 and 339
      differentially expressed genes (FDR 1%) at 6HPI and 24HPI, respectively. These
      results suggest that moderately elevated temperature has a lesser effect on the
      Atlantic cod spleen transcriptome response to ASAL (i.e., the antibacterial
      response) than to pIC (i.e., antiviral response). Thus, the impacts of high
      temperatures on the cod's immune response may be pathogen dependent. 

PMID- 24237338
TI  - Effects of introgression on the genetic population structure of two ecologically
      and economically important conifer species: lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var.
      latifolia) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana).
AB  - Forest trees exhibit a remarkable range of adaptations to their environment, but
      as a result of frequent and long-distance gene flow, populations are often only
      weakly differentiated. Lodgepole and jack pine hybridize in western Canada, which
      adds the opportunity for introgression through hybridization to contribute to
      population structure and (or) adaptive variation. Access to large sample size,
      high density SNP datasets for these species would improve our ability to resolve
      population structure, parameterize introgression, and separate the influence of
      demography from adaptation. To accomplish this, 454 transcriptome reads for
      lodgepole and jack pine were assembled using Newbler and MIRA, the assemblies
      mined for SNPs, and 1536 SNPs were selected for typing on lodgepole pine, jack
      pine, and their hybrids (N = 536). We identified population structure using both
      Bayesian clustering and discriminate analysis of principle components.
      Introgressed SNP loci were identified and their influence on observed population
      structure was assessed. We found that introgressed loci resulted in increased
      differentiation both within lodgepole and jack pine populations. These findings
      are timely given the recent mountain pine beetle population expansion in the
      hybrid zone, and will facilitate future studies of adaptive traits in these
      ecologically important species. 

PMID- 24237339
TI  - Association analysis for feed efficiency traits in beef cattle using preserved
      haplotypes.
AB  - This study reports a genome wide scan for chromosome regions and their haplotypes
      that significantly associated with average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake
      (DMI), and residual feed intake (RFI) in beef cattle. The study used data from
      597 Angus, 450 Charolais, and 616 crossbred beef cattle, and the Illumina Bovine
      SNP50 beadchip. Extended haplotype homozygosity was used to identify chromosome
      regions that had been recently selected for in the three groups of animals. Such
      regions in the crossbreds were tested for association with ADG, DMI, and RFI. At
      false discovery rates of 5% and 10%, there were six and eight chromosome regions
      showing significant associations with the traits, respectively. At nominal
      significance levels (at least P < 0.05), 23 regions with a total number of 31
      haplotypes were found significantly associated with at least one of the three
      traits. The proportion of phenotypic variance explained by these 23 regions
      varied depending on the trait; the highest proportion for ADG, DMI, and RFI was
      13.50%, 9.92%, and 2.64%, respectively. Most of the haplotypes affected single
      traits, except for GAA (BTA4), GCG (BTA7), and TAGT (BTA12) that affected
      multiple traits. Thirty-six quantitative trait loci for 16 production traits,
      from the current literature, covered fully or in part the 23 chromosome regions.
      The findings from this study might be an important contribution to the current
      knowledge of the beef cattle genome and to the effective identification of
      causative genes associated with important traits in cattle. 

PMID- 24237340
TI  - Whole genome sequencing of Gir cattle for identifying polymorphisms and loci
      under selection.
AB  - Genetic variation in Gir cattle (Bos indicus) has so far not been well
      characterized. In this study, we used whole genome sequencing of three Gir bulls
      and a pooled sample from another 11 bulls to identify polymorphisms and loci
      under selection. A total of 9 990 733 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and
      604 308 insertion/deletions (indels) were discovered in Gir samples, of which
      62.34% and 83.62%, respectively, are previously unknown. Moreover, we detected 79
      putative selective sweeps using the sequence data of the pooled sample. One of
      the most striking sweeps harbours several genes belonging to the cathelicidin
      gene family, such as CAMP, CATHL1, CATHL2, and CATHL3, which are related to
      pathogen- and parasite-resistance. Another interesting region harbours genes
      encoding mitogen-activated protein kinases, which are involved in directing
      cellular responses to a variety of stimuli, such as osmotic stress and heat
      shock. These findings are particularly interesting because Gir is resistant to
      hot temperatures and tropical diseases. This initial selective sweep analysis of
      Gir cattle has revealed a number of loci that could be important for their
      adaptation to tropical climates. 

PMID- 24237341
TI  - Metagenomic analysis of an anaerobic alkane-degrading microbial culture:
      potential hydrocarbon-activating pathways and inferred roles of community
      members.
AB  - A microbial community (short-chain alkane-degrading culture, SCADC) enriched from
      an oil sands tailings pond was shown to degrade C6-C10 alkanes under methanogenic
      conditions. Total genomic DNA from SCADC was subjected to 454 pyrosequencing,
      Illumina paired-end sequencing, and 16S rRNA amplicon pyrotag sequencing; the
      latter revealed 320 operational taxonomic units at 5% distance. Metagenomic
      sequences were subjected to in-house quality control and co-assembly, yielding
      984 086 contigs, and annotation using MG-Rast and IMG. Substantial nucleotide and
      protein recruitment to Methanosaeta concilii, Syntrophus aciditrophicus, and
      Desulfobulbus propionicus reference genomes suggested the presence of closely
      related strains in SCADC; other genomes were not well mapped, reflecting the
      paucity of suitable reference sequences for such communities. Nonetheless, we
      detected numerous homologues of putative hydrocarbon succinate synthase genes
      (e.g., assA, bssA, and nmsA) implicated in anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation,
      suggesting the ability of the SCADC microbial community to initiate methanogenic
      alkane degradation by addition to fumarate. Annotation of a large contig revealed
      analogues of the ass operon 1 in the alkane-degrading sulphate-reducing bacterium
      Desulfatibacillum alkenivorans AK-01. Despite being enriched under methanogenic
      fermentative conditions, additional metabolic functions inferred by COG profiling
      indicated multiple CO(2) fixation pathways, organic acid utilization, hydrogenase
      activity, and sulphate reduction.

PMID- 24237342
TI  - Microbial community and potential functional gene diversity involved in anaerobic
      hydrocarbon degradation and methanogenesis in an oil sands tailings pond.
AB  - Oil sands tailings ponds harbor large amounts of tailings resulting from surface
      mining of bitumen and consist of water, sand, clays, residual bitumen, and
      hydrocarbon diluent. Oxygen ingress in these ponds is limited to the surface
      layers, causing most hydrocarbon degradation to be catalyzed by anaerobic,
      methanogenic microbial communities. This causes the evolution of large volumes of
      methane of up to 10(4) m(3)/day. A pyrosequencing survey of 16S rRNA amplicons
      from 10 samples obtained from different depths indicated the presence of a wide
      variety of taxa involved in anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation and methanogenesis,
      including the phyla Proteobacteria, Euryarchaeota, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria,
      Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes. Metagenomic sequencing of DNA isolated from one
      of these samples indicated a more diverse community than indicated by the 16S
      rRNA amplicon survey. Both methods indicated the same major phyla to be present.
      The metagenomic dataset indicated the presence of genes involved in the three
      stages of anaerobic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation, including genes for enzymes
      of the peripheral (upper), the central (lower), and the methanogenesis pathways.
      Upper pathway genes showed broad phylogenetic affiliation (Proteobacteria,
      Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria), whereas lower pathway genes were mostly
      affiliated with the Deltaproteobacteria. Genes for both hydrogenotrophic and
      acetotrophic methanogenesis were also found. The wide variety of taxa involved in
      initial hydrocarbon degradation through upper pathways may reflect the variety of
      residual bitumen and diluent components present in the tailings pond. 

PMID- 24237343
TI  - Neuregulin 1-alpha regulates phosphorylation, acetylation, and alternative
      splicing in lymphoblastoid cells.
AB  - Neuregulins (NRGs) are signaling molecules involved in various cellular and
      developmental processes. Abnormal expression and (or) genomic variations of some
      of these molecules, such as NRG1, have been associated with disease conditions
      such as cancer and schizophrenia. To gain a comprehensive molecular insight into
      possible pathways/networks regulated by NRG1-alpha, we performed a global
      expression profiling analysis on lymphoblastoid cell lines exposed to NRG1-alpha.
      Our data show that this signaling molecule mainly regulates coordinated
      expression of genes involved in three processes: phosphorylation, acetylation,
      and alternative splicing. These processes have fundamental roles in proper
      development and function of various tissues including the central nervous system
      (CNS)--a fact that may explain conditions associated with NRG1 dysregulations
      such as schizophrenia. The data also suggest NRG1-alpha regulates genes (FBXO41)
      and miRNAs (miR-33) involved in cholesterol metabolism. Moreover, RPN2, a gene
      already shown to be dysregulated in breast cancer cells, is also differentially
      regulated by NRG1-alpha treatment.

PMID- 24237345
TI  - Family-based exome-sequencing approach identifies rare susceptibility variants
      for lithium-responsive bipolar disorder.
AB  - Bipolar disorder (BD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by the occurrence
      of at least two episodes of clinically disturbed mood including mania and
      depression. A vast literature describing BD studies suggests that a strong
      genetic contribution likely underlies this condition; heritability is estimated
      to be as high as 80%. Many studies have identified BD susceptibility loci, but
      because of the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity observed across individuals,
      very few loci were subsequently replicated. Research in BD genetics to date has
      consisted of classical linkage or genome-wide association studies, which have
      identified candidate genes hypothesized to present common susceptibility
      variants. Although the observation of such common variants is informative, they
      can only explain a small fraction of the predicted BD heritability, suggesting a
      considerable contribution would come from rare and highly penetrant variants. We
      are seeking to identify such rare variants, and to increase the likelihood of
      being successful, we aimed to reduce the phenotypic heterogeneity factor by
      focusing on a well-defined subphenotype of BD: excellent response to lithium
      monotherapy. Our group has previously shown positive response to lithium therapy
      clusters in families and has a consistent clinical presentation with minimal
      comorbidity. To identify such rare variants, we are using a targeted exome
      capture and high-throughput DNA sequencing approach, and analyzing the entire
      coding sequences of BD affected individuals from multigenerational families. We
      are prioritizing rare variants with a frequency of less than 1% in the population
      that segregate with affected status within each family, as well as being
      potentially highly penetrant (e.g., protein truncating, missense, or frameshift)
      or functionally relevant (e.g., 3'UTR, 5'UTR, or splicing). By focusing on rare
      variants in a familial cohort, we hope to explain a significant portion of the
      missing heritability in BD, as well as to narrow our current insight on the key
      biochemical pathways implicated in this complex disorder. 

PMID- 24237344
TI  - Public attitudes towards genomic risk profiling as a component of routine
      population screening.
AB  - Including low penetrance genomic variants in population-based screening might
      enable personalization of screening intensity and follow up. The application of
      genomics in this way requires formal evaluation. Even if clinically beneficial,
      uptake would still depend on the attitudes of target populations. We developed a
      deliberative workshop on two hypothetical applications (in colorectal cancer and
      newborn screening) in which we applied stepped, neutrally-framed, information
      sets. Data were collected using nonparticipant observation, free-text comments by
      individual participants, and a structured survey. Qualitative data were
      transcribed and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Eight workshops were
      conducted with 170 individuals (120 colorectal cancer screening and 50 newborn
      screening for type 1 diabetes). The use of information sets promoted informed
      deliberation. In both contexts, attitudes appeared to be heavily informed by
      assessments of the likely validity of the test results and its personal and
      health care utility. Perceived benefits included the potential for early
      intervention, prevention, and closer monitoring while concerns related to costs,
      education needs regarding the probabilistic nature of risk, the potential for
      worry, and control of access to personal genomic information. Differences between
      the colorectal cancer and newborn screening groups appeared to reflect different
      assessments of potential personal utility, particularly regarding prevention. 

PMID- 24237347
TI  - Proceedings of a Meeting "Genomics: The Power and the Promise", 27-28 November
      2012, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

PMID- 24237348
TI  - Liquid-phase combinatorial library synthesis: recent advances and future
      perspectives.
AB  - Liquid-phase combinatorial library synthesis is commonly developed into the
      viable alternatives or adjunct across the broad spectrum of polymer-supported
      organic chemistry. It includes the use of soluble polymer supports in the
      combinatorial synthesis of peptides and small-molecular library compounds which
      act as catalyst and reagent supports. It also includes high throughput biological
      screening with generation and evaluation of chemical leads for drug discovery
      development. In this review, liquid-phase combinatorial library synthesis is
      shown as the most efficient method of choice for the synthesis of most of the
      combinatorial library compounds with specific approaches from different groups
      that state potentials of solution-phase combinatorial synthesis.

PMID- 24237349
TI  - The effect of self-efficacy, depression and symptom distress on employment status
      and leisure activities of liver transplant recipients.
AB  - AIM: To examine the effect of self-efficacy, subjective work ability, depression
      and symptom distress on and to provide a description of, the employment and
      leisure activities of liver transplant recipients. BACKGROUND: Return to work and
      leisure activities have become an important aspect of life for liver transplant
      recipients worldwide. An investigation of the factors that influence the
      employment status and leisure activities has been recommended as a means to help
      transplant recipients restore their productivity. DESIGN: This was a cross
      sectional, descriptive and correlational study in 2010. METHODS: A convenience
      sampling method was used. Data were collected using a set of questionnaires that
      were administered retrospectively. A total of 106 liver transplant patients were
      included in this study. RESULTS: The post-transplantation employment rate was
      45.2%. The positive predictors of employment were higher subjective work ability
      and higher symptom distress. Gender (female), monthly family income (<US $2,000),
      depression and unemployment pre-transplantation were negatively associated with
      employment status. Of the 106 patients, 62 (58.5%) were in the low-diversity
      group (score of less than 3) of leisure activities. Monthly family income of <US
      $2,000 was associated with a low diversity of participation in leisure
      activities. CONCLUSION: Subjective work ability and symptom distress were
      positive predictors of employment, while depression was a negative predictor.
      Nurses in the transplant team should focus on increasing a sense of confidence,
      decreasing depressive symptoms and monitoring the severity of symptoms to improve
      the employment status of liver transplant recipients.

PMID- 24237350
TI  - Comparison of permanganate preoxidation and preozonation on algae containing
      water: cell integrity, characteristics, and chlorinated disinfection byproduct
      formation.
AB  - Aqueous suspensions of Microcystis aeruginosa were preoxidized with either ozone
      or permanganate and then subjected to chlorination under conditions simulating
      drinking water purification. The impacts of the two oxidants on the algal cells
      and on the subsequent production of dissolved organic matter and disinfection
      byproducts were investigated. Preozonation dramatically increased disinfection
      byproduct formation during chlorination, especially the formation of
      haloaldehydes, haloacetonitriles, and halonitromethanes. Preoxidation with
      permanganate had much less effect on disinfection byproduct formation.
      Preozonation destroyed algal cell walls and cell membranes to release
      intracellular organic matter (IOM), and less than 2.0% integrated cells were left
      after preozonation with the dosage as low as 0.4 mg/L. Preoxidation with
      permanganate mainly released organic matter adsorbed on the cells' surface
      without causing any damage to the cells' integrity, so the increase in byproduct
      formation was much less. More organic nitrogen and lower molecular weight
      precursors were produced in a dissolved phase after preozonation than
      permanganate preoxidation, which contributes to the significant increase of
      disinfection byproducts after preozonation. The results suggest that permanganate
      is a better choice than ozone for controlling algae derived pollutants and
      disinfection byproducts. 

PMID- 24237351
TI  - Assessment of dietary exposure to flavouring substances via consumption of
      flavoured teas. Part II: transfer rates of linalool and linalyl esters into Earl
      Grey tea infusions.
AB  - The assessment of dietary exposure via the consumption of flavoured foods is a
      key element of the safety evaluation of flavouring substances. Linalyl acetate
      and linalool are the major flavouring substances in Earl Grey teas; the objective
      of this study was to determine their transfer rates from the tea leaves into the
      tea beverage upon preparation of a hot water infusion. Spiking experiments
      revealed a transfer rate of 66% for linalool. In contrast, the transfer rate for
      linalyl acetate was only 1.9%; in turn, the hydrolysis product linalool (17.0%)
      and a spectrum (19.9%) of degradation and rearrangement products (monoterpene
      alcohols, esters and hydrocarbons) were present in the tea beverage. The transfer
      rates were shown to be proportional to the length of the infusion. The impact of
      the hot water treatment on the enantiomeric compositions of linalyl acetate and
      linalool was determined, and structure-dependent experiments were performed by
      variation of the acyl and the alcohol moiety of the monoterpene ester.
      Comparative dietary exposure assessments demonstrated the need to take correction
      factors based on the experimentally determined transfer rates into account. Based
      on tea consumption data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey
      (2000/2001), the exposure to linalyl acetate ranges from 0.2 mg day(-1) (average)
      to 1.8 mg day(-1) (high). The corresponding values for linalool are 4.2 mg day(
      1) (average) and 46.6 mg day(-1) (high). The exposure of linalool via consumption
      of the tea beverage is approximately 26 times higher than that of linalyl
      acetate, although in the flavoured tea leaves the median content of linalyl
      acetate is approximately 1.8 times higher than that of linalool.

PMID- 24237352
TI  - Ethanol production using a newly isolated Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain
      directly assimilating intact inulin with a high degree of polymerization.
AB  - An inulin-degrading strain L610, which was competent to directly convert inulin
      into ethanol, was isolated and identified as a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      according to physiological and phylogenetic analysis. Ion chromatography results
      showed that isolate L610 could assimilate the intact inulin completely without
      acidic or enzymatic pretreatment in contrast to the previously reported strains
      of S. cerevisiae, which could only ferment the fructo-oligosaccharides with a
      degree of polymerization less than 15. Strain L610 yielded 37.2 g/L ethanol
      within 48 H at a shake flask level under the evaluated culture conditions (11%
      inulin, 0.4% yeast extract, and 0.05% MgSO4 at 30  degrees C and pH 6.0). The
      conversion efficiency of inulin-type sugar to ethanol was 60% of the theoretical
      ethanol yield. Strain L610 produced 40.0 g/L of ethanol when directly fermented
      in Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) powder suspension within 24 H,
      which was higher than the reported data, 28.9 g/L, produced by S. cerevisiae KCCM
      50549. 

PMID- 24237354
TI  - Assessment of berberine as a multi-target antimicrobial: a multi-omics study for
      drug discovery and repositioning.
AB  - Postgenomics drug development is undergoing major transformation in the age of
      multi-omics studies and drug repositioning. Rather than applications solely in
      personalized medicine, omics science thus additionally offers a better
      understanding of a broader range of drug targets and drug repositioning.
      Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in many medicinal plants. We report
      here a whole genome microarray study in tandem with proteomics techniques for
      mining the plethora of targets that are putatively involved in the antimicrobial
      activity of berberine against Escherichia coli. We found DNA replication/repair
      and transcription to be triggered by berberine, indicating that nucleic acids, in
      general, are among its targets. Our combined transcriptomics and proteomics multi
      omics findings underscore that, in the presence of berberine, cell wall or cell
      membrane transport and motility-related functions are also specifically
      regulated. We further report a general decline in metabolism, as seen by
      repression of genes in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, energy production,
      and conversion. An involvement of multidrug efflux pumps, as well as reduced
      membrane permeability for developing resistance against berberine in E. coli was
      noted. Collectively, these findings offer original and significant leads for
      omics-guided drug discovery and future repositioning approaches in the
      postgenomics era, using berberine as a multi-omics case study.

PMID- 24237355
TI  - miR-429 identified by dynamic transcriptome analysis is a new candidate biomarker
      for colorectal cancer prognosis.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant gastrointestinal cancer. Efforts
      for preventive and personalized medicine have intensified in the last decade with
      attention to novel forms of biomarkers. In the present study, microRNA and
      genetic analyses were performed in tandem for differential transcriptome
      profiling between primary tumors with or without nodes or distant metastases.
      Serial Test Cluster (STC) analysis demonstrated that 20 genes and two microRNAs
      showed distinctive expression patterns associated with the tumor, node, and
      metastasis (TNM) stage. The selected target genes were characterized by GO and
      Pathway analysis. A microRNA-target gene network analysis showed that miR-429
      resided in the center of the network, indicating that miR-429 might serve
      important roles in the development of CRC. Real-time PCR and tissue microarrays
      showed that miR-429 had a dynamic expression pattern during the CRC progression
      stage, and was significantly downregulated in stage II and stage III clinical
      progression. The low expression of miR-429 was correlated with poor prognosis for
      CRC. Taken together, miR-429 warrant further clinical translation research as a
      candidate biomarker for CRC prognosis. Additional downstream targets and
      attendant gene function also need to be discerned to design a sound critical path
      to personalized medicine for persons susceptible to, or diagnosed with CRC.

PMID- 24237356
TI  - Masticatory muscle sleep background electromyographic activity is elevated in
      myofascial temporomandibular disorder patients.
AB  - Despite theoretical speculation and strong clinical belief, recent research using
      laboratory polysomnographic (PSG) recording has provided new evidence that
      frequency of sleep bruxism (SB) masseter muscle events, including grinding or
      clenching of the teeth during sleep, is not increased for women with chronic
      myofascial temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The current case-control study
      compares a large sample of women suffering from chronic myofascial TMD (n = 124)
      with a demographically matched control group without TMD (n = 46) on sleep
      background electromyography (EMG) during a laboratory PSG study. Background EMG
      activity was measured as EMG root mean square (RMS) from the right masseter
      muscle after lights out. Sleep background EMG activity was defined as EMG RMS
      remaining after activity attributable to SB, other orofacial activity, other
      oromotor activity and movement artefacts were removed. Results indicated that
      median background EMG during these non-SB event periods was significantly higher
      (P < 0.01) for women with myofascial TMD (median = 3.31 MUV and mean = 4.98 MUV)
      than for control women (median = 2.83 MUV and mean = 3.88 MUV) with median
      activity in 72% of cases exceeding control activity. Moreover, for TMD cases,
      background EMG was positively associated and SB event-related EMG was negatively
      associated with pain intensity ratings (0-10 numerical scale) on post-sleep
      waking. These data provide the foundation for a new focus on small, but
      persistent, elevations in sleep EMG activity over the course of the night as a
      mechanism of pain induction or maintenance. 

PMID- 24237358
TI  - Changes in masticatory function after injection of botulinum toxin type A to
      masticatory muscles.
AB  - This study examined changes in masticatory function after botulinum toxin type A
      (BTX-A) injection using objective and subjective tests during 12 weeks. Also, we
      compared differences in masticatory function between group in which only masseter
      muscle (M group) was injected and group in which masseter and temporal muscle (M
      T group) were injected. Forty subjects were assigned into two groups; M group (n
      = 20) and the M-T group (n = 20). The Meditoxin((r)) was used as BTX-A injection.
      The mixing ability index (MAI) was used as the objective indicator, and visual
      analogue scale (VAS) and food intake ability (FIA) index were used as subjective
      indicators. Overall, the masticatory function drastically declined after 4 weeks
      and gradually recovered with time. Compared with the pre-injection state, the
      masticatory function decreased by 89.2% (MAI), 12.2% (FIA) and 32.2% (VAS) 4
      weeks after the injection (P < 0.05). When the results between M group and M-T
      group were compared, scores of VAS and FIA were significantly different 4 weeks
      after the injection (P < 0.05), but the MAI score showed no significant
      difference between two groups. In conclusion, this study showed that masticatory
      function was significantly decreased after BTX-A injection into the masticatory
      muscle after 4 and 8 weeks from injection. However, masticatory efficiency
      measured using MAI could completely recover after 12 weeks. Furthermore, after 8
      weeks from the injection, the masticatory function measured after injection into
      only the masseter muscle was similar to that measured after injection into both
      masseter and temporal muscle. 

PMID- 24237357
TI  - Management of sleep-time masticatory muscle activity using stabilisation splints
      affects psychological stress.
AB  - To treat sleep bruxism (SB), symptomatic therapy using stabilisation splints (SS)
      is frequently used. However, their effects on psychological stress and sleep
      quality have not yet been examined fully. The objective of this study was to
      clarify the effects of SS use on psychological stress and sleep quality. The
      subjects (11 men, 12 women) were healthy volunteers. A crossover design was used.
      Sleep measurements were performed for three consecutive days or longer without
      (baseline) or with an SS or palatal splint (PS), and data for the final day were
      evaluated. We measured masseter muscle activity during sleep using portable
      electromyography to evaluate SB. Furthermore, to compare psychological stress
      before and after sleep, assessments were made based on STAI-JYZ and the
      measurement of salivary chromogranin A. To compare each parameter among the three
      groups (baseline, SS and PS), Friedman's and Dunn's tests were used. From the
      results of the baseline measurements, eight subjects were identified as high
      group and 15 as low group. Among the high group, a marked decrease in the number
      of bruxism events per hour and an increase in the difference in the total STAI Y
      1 scores were observed in the SS group compared with those at baseline (P <
      0.05). No significant difference was observed in sleep stages. SS use may be
      effective in reducing the number of SB events, while it may increase
      psychological stress levels, and SS use did not apparently influence sleep
      stages. 

PMID- 24237359
TI  - Impacts of wearing complete dentures on bolus transport during feeding in elderly
      edentulous.
AB  - Prosthetic treatment with dentures is often required for the elderly who have
      reduced swallowing function. Therefore, it is important to understand the
      relationship between denture-wearing and feeding function from the perspective of
      swallowing. To clarify changes in bolus transport during feeding in elderly
      edentulous patients with or without complete dentures. Subjects were 15 elderly
      edentulous volunteers who were treated with maxillary and mandibular complete
      dentures. The test food was 10 g of minced agar jelly containing barium sulphate
      with a particle diameter of 4.0-5.6 mm. Lateral videofluoroscopy was performed to
      assess the position of the leading edge of the bolus, the bolus volume in each
      area at swallow onset, bolus transit time and the mandibular position during
      pharyngeal swallowing. There were significant changes between the bolus transport
      with and without dentures. Without dentures, the leading edge of the bolus at
      swallow onset fell from the valleculae area to the hypopharynx, and the bolus
      volume in the hypopharynx increased. Bolus transit time increased in the oral
      cavity, valleculae and hypopharynx. The mandibular position shifted
      anterosuperior direction. The results arose owing to anatomical changes in the
      oral and pharyngeal structure and the following functional changes: poor food
      manipulation, poor bolus formation and delayed swallowing reflex. Removing
      dentures in elderly edentulous individuals influences bolus transport during
      feeding, resulting in the exacerbation of the reduced swallowing reserve capacity
      that accompanies ageing, and may increase the risk of dysphagia. 

PMID- 24237360
TI  - Effect of dentist's clinical experience on treatment satisfaction of a complete
      denture.
AB  - The relationship between the prosthodontic experience of dentists and
      satisfaction of complete denture wearers remains unknown. To investigate whether
      a prosthodontist's clinical experience affects treatment satisfaction of a
      complete denture wearer. From April 2004 to July 2006, we conducted a randomised
      controlled trial at two centres, including 74 edentulous patients; of these, 32
      and 30 were randomly allocated to the ED or ID group, respectively. All the
      patients rated their satisfaction with dentures, including general satisfaction
      and satisfaction of chewing ability, speaking, cleaning, stability, retention,
      comfort and aesthetics. These satisfaction ratings were measured by a 100-mm
      visual analog scale (VAS). Perceived chewing ability to foods, divided into five
      grades, was measured using a questionnaire. The mastication index (MI) was
      calculated for each grade. General satisfaction and satisfaction of speaking,
      stability and retention were significantly higher in the ED than in the ID group
      (P = 0.049, 0.003, 0.019 and 0.041, respectively). No significant difference
      existed between the MI of the ED (71.3 +/- 18.4) and ID group (64.1 +/- 16.53).
      However, the perceived chewing ability of grade 5 food, whose texture was the
      hardest among all the grades, was significantly higher in the ED group than in
      the ID group. Within its limitations, this study showed that a clinician's
      prosthodontic experience affects a complete denture wearer's satisfaction
      ratings. 

PMID- 24237361
TI  - Study of a centrifugal blood pump in a mock loop system.
AB  - An implantable centrifugal blood pump (ICBP) is being developed to be used as a
      ventricular assist device (VAD) in patients with severe cardiovascular diseases.
      The ICBP system is composed of a centrifugal pump, a motor, a controller, and a
      power supply. The electricity source provides power to the controller and to a
      motor that moves the pump's rotor through magnetic coupling. The centrifugal pump
      is composed of four parts: external conical house, external base, impeller, and
      impeller base. The rotor is supported by a pivot bearing system, and its impeller
      base is responsible for sheltering four permanent magnets. A hybrid
      cardiovascular simulator (HCS) was used to evaluate the ICBP's performance. A
      heart failure (HF) (when the heart increases beat frequency to compensate for
      decrease in blood flow) was simulated in the HCS. The main objective of this work
      is to analyze changes in physiological parameters such as cardiac output, blood
      pressure, and heart rate in three situations: healthy heart, HF, and HF with left
      circulatory assistance by ICBP. The results showed that parameters such as aortic
      pressure and cardiac output affected by the HF situation returned to normal
      values when the ICBP was connected to the HCS. In conclusion, the test results
      showed satisfactory performance for the ICBP as a VAD.

PMID- 24237362
TI  - Creation of artificial luciferases for bioassays.
AB  - The present study demonstrates the creation of artificial luciferases (ALuc) for
      bioassays, inspired by a sequence alignment of copepod luciferases. Extraction of
      the consensus amino acids from the alignment enabled us to generate a series of
      ALucs with unique optical properties and sequential identities that are clearly
      different from those of any existing copepod luciferase. For example, some ALucs
      exhibited heat stability, dramatically prolonged optical intensities, broad full
      width at half-maximum, and strong optical intensities. The practical suitability
      of the luciferases as an optical readout was examined in diverse bioassays,
      including mammalian two-hybrid assays, live cell imaging, single-chain probes,
      bioluminescent capsules, and bioluminescent antibodies. We further determine the
      physical properties of ALucs through bioinformatic analysis and finally discuss
      detailed issues on the unique properties of ALucs. The present study shows how to
      create the artificial enzymes with excellent optical properties for bioassays and
      encourages researchers to fabricate their own unique artificial enzymes with
      designed properties and functionalities. 

PMID- 24237363
TI  - The quality of life and social support in significant others of patients with
      breast cancer--a longitudinal study.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the quality of life (QOL)
      and received social support from the network and nurses in significant others of
      breast cancer patients and identify factors predicting negative changes in their
      QOL within 6 months. The quasi-random longitudinal study conducted for the breast
      cancer patients and their significant others. Patients were quasi-randomised to
      supportive intervention group (via telephone at baseline and face-to-face at
      follow-up) and control group. This paper reports results of significant others (N
      = 165). The QOL data were collected using the Quality of Life Index - Cancer
      Version (QLI-CV). Support from network in aid increased the risk of negative
      changes in health and functioning. Retired significant others had a greater risk
      of more negative changes in their global and in socio-economic QOL than other.
      Relatives had a smaller risk to negative changes both in their global and in
      their family QOL than spouses/partners/boyfriends of patients with breast cancer.
      QOL of the significant others should be supported more intensively and enhanced
      by the use of individually tailored methods on the basis of significant others
      and their family needs. 

PMID- 24237364
TI  - Dispersal, niche breadth and population extinction: colonization ratios predict
      range size in North American dragonflies.
AB  - Species' range sizes are shaped by fundamental differences in species' ecological
      and evolutionary characteristics, and understanding the mechanisms determining
      range size can shed light on the factors responsible for generating and
      structuring biological diversity. Moreover, because geographic range size is
      associated with a species' risk of extinction and their ability to respond to
      global changes in climate and land use, understanding these mechanisms has
      important conservation implications. Despite the hypotheses that dispersal
      behaviour is a strong determinant of species range areas, few data are available
      to directly compare the relationship between dispersal behaviour and range size.
      Here, we overcome this limitation by combining data from a multispecies dispersal
      experiment with additional species-level trait data that are commonly
      hypothesized to affect range size (e.g. niche breadth, local abundance and body
      size.). This enables us to examine the relationship between these species-level
      traits and range size across North America for fifteen dragonfly species. Ten
      models based on a priori predictions about the relationship between species
      traits and range size were evaluated and two models were identified as good
      predictors of species range size. These models indicated that only two species'
      level traits, dispersal behaviour and niche breadth were strongly related to
      range size. The evidence from these two models indicated that dragonfly species
      that disperse more often and further had larger North American ranges. Extinction
      and colonization dynamics are expected to be a key linkage between dispersal
      behaviour and range size in dragonflies. To evaluate how extinction and
      colonization dynamics among dragonflies were related to range size we used an
      independent data set of extinction and colonization rates for eleven dragonfly
      species and assessed the relationship between these populations rates and North
      American range areas for these species. We found a negative relationship between
      North American range size and species' extinction-to-colonization ratios. Our
      results indicate that metapopulation dynamics act to shape the extent of species'
      continental distributions. These population dynamics are likely to interact with
      dispersal behaviour, particularly at species range margins, to determine range
      limits and ultimately species range sizes. 

PMID- 24237365
TI  - Detection of factor XIII-A is a valuable tool for distinguishing dendritic cells
      and tissue macrophages in granuloma annulare and necrobiosis lipoidica.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Factor XIII subunit A (FXIII-A) is used as a diagnostic marker in a
      wide range of dermatological diseases ranging from inflammatory lesions to
      malignancies, although neither the cell types responsible for its expression nor
      the mechanism(s) resulting in its local accumulation in pathological conditions
      have been characterized. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to gain information
      on the cells showing an immunohistochemical reaction for FXIII-A and answer the
      question whether macrophages and/or dendritic cells are labelled for FXIII-A.
      METHODS: We carried out our studies on samples of granuloma annulare (GA) and
      necrobiosis lipoidica (NL), the prime examples for granulomatous skin lesions
      with a non-infectious background in which extracellular matrix remodelling is a
      key feature without any sign of malignant transformation. We used markers for
      macrophages and dendritic cells in combination with the detection of FXIII-A in
      double labelling immunohistochemical reactions. RESULTS: We demonstrated that
      FXIII-A positivity clearly distinguishes macrophages (CD163+/FXIII-A+) from
      dendritic cells (CD11c+/FXIII-A-) not only in the normal dermis as previously
      described by Zaba et al. (J Clin Invest 2007; 117: 2517-2525) but also in the
      pathological conditions of GA and NL. Detecting the expression of DC-SIGN/CD209
      and mannose receptor molecules on FXIII-A+ macrophages we confirmed that FXIII-A
      is expressed in the alternatively activated macrophages. However, while DC
      SIGN/CD209 was invariably expressed on FXIII-A+ cells both in normal and
      pathological conditions of GA/NL (98.7% vs. 93.5/96%), mannose receptor was only
      partially coexpressed with FXIII-A (94.8% vs. 74.7/52.2%), suggesting that FXIII
      A+ macrophages do not represent a homogenous population. CONCLUSIONS: FXIII-A
      selectively marks macrophages and distinguishes them from dendritic cells. The
      presence of FXIII-A is not a disease-specific marker but indicates a possible
      common mechanism of macrophage activation in various dermatological diseases.

PMID- 24237366
TI  - Direct beta-functionalization of cyclic ketones with aryl ketones via the merger
      of photoredox and organocatalysis.
AB  - The direct beta-coupling of cyclic ketones with aryl ketones has been achieved
      via the synergistic combination of photoredox catalysis and organocatalysis.
      Diaryl oxymethyl or aryl-alkyl oxymethyl radicals, transiently generated via
      single-electron reduction of ketone precursors, readily merge with beta-enaminyl
      radical species, generated by photon-induced enamine oxidation, to produce gamma
      hydroxyketone adducts. Experimental evidence indicates that two discrete reaction
      pathways can be operable in this process depending upon the nature of the ketyl
      radical precursor and the photocatalyst. 

PMID- 24237367
TI  - Newly marketed medications present unique challenges for nonrandomized
      comparative effectiveness analyses.

PMID- 24237368
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research for molecular imaging.

PMID- 24237370
TI  - From methods to policy: a 'one-size-fits-all' policy ignores patient
      heterogeneity.

PMID- 24237371
TI  - Interview: Setting up NICE International.
AB  - Kalipso Chalkidou is the founding director of the NICE's international program
      helping governments build technical and institutional capacity for using evidence
      to inform health policy. She is interested in how comparative effectiveness
      evidence, combined with local expertise and local institutions, can drive
      scientific and legitimate healthcare resource allocation decisions. She has been
      involved in the Chinese rural health reform and also in national health reform
      projects in Colombia, Turkey and the Middle East, working with the World Bank,
      Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Department For International Development
      (DFID) and the Inter-American Development Bank, as well as national governments.
      She holds a doctorate on the molecular biology of prostate cancer from the
      University of Newcastle (UK), an MD with Honors from the University of Athens
      (Greece) and is an honorary senior lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and
      Tropical Medicine (UK), a senior advisor on international policy at the Center
      for Medical Technology Policy (MD, USA) and a visiting faculty member at the
      Johns Hopkins Berman Institute for Bioethics (MD, USA). Between 2007 and 2008,
      she spent a year at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health as a Harkness
      Fellow in Health Policy and Practice, studying how comparative effectiveness
      research can inform policy and US government drug pricing policies. 

PMID- 24237372
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in hypertension.
AB  - Hypertension is a chronic problem in the USA and there are three main ways to
      block the renin-angiotensin system: direct renin inhibitors, angiotensin
      converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
      This article is a summary of a direct comparative effectiveness review of direct
      comparative trials in patients with hypertension. In patients with hypertension,
      ACEIs and ARBs provide similar blood pressure effects and no differences were
      seen in final health outcomes. ARBs have less ACE-induced cough and fewer
      withdrawals due to adverse events. Direct renin inhibitors versus ACE inhibitors
      or ARBs have not been extensively studied and their role is less clear.

PMID- 24237373
TI  - Propensity score models in observational comparative effectiveness studies:
      cornerstone of design or statistical afterthought?
AB  - Propensity score models are increasingly used in observational comparative
      effectiveness studies to reduce confounding by covariates that are associated
      with both a study outcome and treatment choice. Any such potentially confounding
      covariate will bias estimation of the effect of treatment on the outcome, unless
      the distribution of that covariate is well-balanced between treatment and control
      groups. Constructing a subsample of treated and control subjects who are matched
      on estimated propensity scores is a means of achieving such balance for
      covariates that are included in the propensity score model. If, during study
      design, investigators assemble a comprehensive inventory of known and suspected
      potentially confounding covariates, examination of how well this inventory is
      covered by the chosen dataset yields an assessment of the extent of bias
      reduction that is possible by matching on estimated propensity scores. These
      considerations are explored by examining the designs of three recently published
      comparative effectiveness studies. 

PMID- 24237374
TI  - Using health technology assessment for informing coverage decisions in Thailand.
AB  - This article aims to illustrate and critically analyze the results from the 1
      year experience of using health technology assessment (HTA) in the development of
      the Thai Universal Coverage health benefit package. We review the relevant
      documents and give a descriptive analysis of outcomes resulting from the
      development process in 2009-2010. Out of 30 topics nominated by stakeholders for
      prioritization, 12 were selected for further assessment. A total of five new
      interventions were recommended for inclusion in the benefit package based on
      value for money, budget impact, feasibility and equity reasons. Different
      stakeholders have diverse interests and capabilities to participate in the
      process. In conclusion, HTA is helpful for informing coverage decisions for
      health benefit packages because it enhances the legitimacy of policy decisions by
      increasing the transparency, inclusiveness and accountability of the process.
      There is room for improvement of the current use of HTA, including providing
      technical support for patient representatives and civic groups, better
      communication between health professionals, and focusing more on health promotion
      and disease prevention. 

PMID- 24237375
TI  - The role of private industry in pragmatic comparative effectiveness trials.
AB  - Comparative effectiveness research (CER) includes pragmatic clinical trials
      (PCTs) to address 'real-world' effectiveness. CER interest would be expected to
      stimulate biopharmaceutical manufacturer PCT investment; however, this does not
      seem to be the case. In this article we identify all industry-sponsored PCT
      studies from 1996 to 2010; analyze them across a variety of characteristics,
      including sponsor, research question, design, comparators and results; and
      suggest methodological and policy changes to spur future manufacturer PCT
      investment. Nine 'naturalistic', head-to-head versus standard of care or similar
      agent PCTs were identified. Two included a 'usual care' arm. Chronic care trials'
      length averaged 12 months (range: 6-24 months), six of which reported equivocal
      or no difference in effectiveness; results of two chronic and the single acute
      care PCTs favored the sponsor drug. None reported the sponsor drug inferior. Of
      seven that evaluated utilization or costs, six reported no differences and four
      of five studies comparing brand-generic drugs reported no difference. Whereas
      private investment in PCTs is in the public interest, manufacturers apparently
      have not yet seen the business case. To induce investment, we propose several
      methodological and regulatory policy innovations designed to reduce business risk
      by decreasing outcome variability and increasing trial efficiency, flexibility
      and market applicability. 

PMID- 24237377
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of different angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
      on the risk of hospitalization in patients with heart failure.
AB  - AIMS: Existing randomized controlled trials do not address the comparative
      effectiveness of different angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) on
      hospitalization due to heart failure (HF)-hospitalization in patients with HF. We
      sought to examine the effect of four ACEIs on HF-hospitalization in a large real
      world HF population. METHODS: The study was a retrospective analysis of a
      national cohort of patients with HF identified from the Department of Veterans
      Affairs (TX, USA). A multiple propensity score analysis was used to balance 47
      baseline patient characteristics between the different ACEIs. The effect of
      different ACEIs on time to HF-hospitalization was assessed using the multiple
      propensity score-weighted multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS:
      The study included 139,994 patients with 69.50% (97,293) on lisinopril, 21.79%
      (30,503) on fosinopril, 8.41% (11,775) on captopril and 0.30% (423) on enalapril.
      Propensity scores balanced nearly all differences between different ACEIs groups.
      Enalapril (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.800; 95% CI: 0.492-1.297), fosinopril (HR: 0.971;
      95% CI: 0.877-1.074), and lisinopril (HR: 1.005; 95% CI: 0.918-1.101) when
      compared with captopril were found to have similar effectiveness in reducing HF
      hospitalizations. CONCLUSION: In patients with HF, we found that the four ACEIs
      are equally effective in reducing HF-hospitalization in day-to-day practice.

PMID- 24237376
TI  - Tying comparative effectiveness information to decision-making and the future of
      comparative effectiveness research designs: the case for antipsychotic drugs.
AB  - The outcome of comparative effectiveness research on antipsychotic drugs,
      specifically the National Institute of Mental Health-funded CATIE trial, has
      raised questions regarding the value of second-generation antipsychotic drugs and
      has sparked a debate regarding their accessibility through public insurance. We
      reviewed the evidence on the impact of access restrictions for antipsychotic
      drugs in Medicaid programs and found that such restrictions resulted in increases
      in overall costs and a possible decline in the quality of care. We attribute this
      unwanted outcome to limitations in comparative effectiveness research designs
      that fail to inform either clinical or policy decision-making. We enumerate these
      limitations and illustrate the potential for more innovative comparative
      effectiveness research designs that may be in line with clinical decision-making
      using an original analysis of the CATIE trial data. The value of genomic
      information in enabling better trial design is also discussed. 

PMID- 24237379
TI  - Identification of nuclear proteins in soybean under flooding stress using
      proteomic technique.
AB  - Flooding stress restricts soybean growth, it results in decrease the production.
      In this report, to understand how nuclear proteins in soybean affected by
      flooding, abundance changes of those proteins was analyzed. Nuclear proteins were
      extracted from the root tips of soybean treated with or without flooding stress.
      The extracted proteins were analyzed using a label-free quantitative proteomic
      technique. Of a total of 94 nuclear proteins that were found to be responsive to
      flooding, the 19 and 75 proteins were increased and decreased, respectively. The
      identified flooding-responsive proteins were functionally classified, revealing
      that 8 increased proteins changed in protein synthesis, posttranslational
      modification, and protein degradation, while 34 decreased proteins were involved
      in transcription, RNA processing, DNA synthesis, and chromatin structure
      maintenance. Among these proteins, those whose levels changed more than 10 fold
      included two poly ADP-ribose polymerases and a novel G-domain-containing protein
      that might be involved in RNA binding. The mRNA expression levels of these three
      proteins indicated a similar tendency to their protein abundance changes. These
      results suggest that acceleration of protein poly-ADP-ribosylation and
      suppression of RNA metabolism may be involved in root tip of soybean under
      flooding stress. 

PMID- 24237380
TI  - Dynamic covalent bond based on reversible photo [4 + 4] cycloaddition of
      anthracene for construction of double-dynamic polymers.
AB  - Dynamic covalent bonds supplied by reversible anthracene dimerization were
      combined with pillar[5]arene/imidazole host-guest interactions to construct
      double-dynamic polymers. Heating such polymers (in solution or as a gel) led to
      depolymerization by dissociation of either the host-guest complexes alone or the
      complexes and the anthracene dimers, depending on the extent of heating. The
      polymers reformed readily upon cooling or irradiation. 

PMID- 24237381
TI  - Paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease who received infliximab
      experienced improved growth and bone health.
AB  - AIM: Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a high prevalence of
      growth retardation and low bone mineral density (BMD). This retrospective study
      investigated whether the start of infliximab treatment (IFX) was associated with
      improvement of growth and bone health. METHODS: Anthropometry, BMD and bone
      markers were measured 1 year before and after the start of IFX treatment in 33
      patients (51% males), with a median age of 13.5 years at baseline. Outcomes were
      growth with treatment and indicators of improved bone health. RESULTS: Twenty-one
      children (64%) experienced a positive catch-up growth after IFX. Height standard
      deviation scores (SDS) were significantly higher in children in remission.
      Treatment with IFX was associated with a statistically significant increase in 25
      hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD, p = 0.01). IFX had no influence on BMD. Children
      with low BMD < -2 had significantly higher inflammation scores, lower body mass
      index, weight, height SDS and 25-ODH after IFX. CONCLUSION: After treatment with
      IFX, children with IBD improved significantly in weight, with the majority
      achieving positive catch-up growth. Bone mass tended to remain static with time
      of treatment with IFX, despite a significant increase in 25-OHD. Improved
      nutritional status positively predicts improved bone mineralisation.

PMID- 24237382
TI  - Essential role of the plasmid hik31 operon in regulating central metabolism in
      the dark in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.
AB  - The plasmid hik31 operon (P3, slr6039-slr6041) is located on the pSYSX plasmid in
      Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. A P3 mutant (DeltaP3) had a growth defect in the dark
      and a pigment defect that was worsened by the addition of glucose. The glucose
      defect was from incomplete metabolism of the substrate, was pH dependent, and
      completely overcome by the addition of bicarbonate. Addition of organic carbon
      and nitrogen sources partly alleviated the defects of the mutant in the dark.
      Electron micrographs of the mutant revealed larger cells with division defects,
      glycogen limitation, lack of carboxysomes, deteriorated thylakoids and
      accumulation of polyhydroxybutyrate and cyanophycin. A microarray experiment over
      two days of growth in light-dark plus glucose revealed downregulation of several
      photosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, energy metabolism genes; and an
      upregulation of cell envelope and transport and binding genes in the mutant.
      DeltaP3 had an imbalance in carbon and nitrogen levels and many sugar catabolic
      and cell division genes were negatively affected after the first dark period. The
      mutant suffered from oxidative and osmotic stress, macronutrient limitation, and
      an energy deficit. Therefore, the P3 operon is an important regulator of central
      metabolism and cell division in the dark.

PMID- 24237383
TI  - Differential cadmium and zinc distribution in relation to their physiological
      impact in the leaves of the accumulating Zygophyllum fabago L.
AB  - Cadmium and zinc share many similar physiochemical properties, but their
      compartmentation, complexation and impact on other mineral element distribution
      in plant tissues may drastically differ. In this study, we address the impact of
      10 MUm Cd or 50 MUm Zn treatments on ion distribution in leaves of a
      metallicolous population of the non-hyperaccumulating species Zygophyllum fabago
      at tissue and cell level, and the consequences on the plant response through a
      combined physiological, proteomic and metabolite approach. Micro-proton-induced X
      ray emission and laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry analyses
      indicated hot spots of Cd concentrations in the vicinity of vascular bundles in
      response to Cd treatment, essentially bound to S-containing compounds as revealed
      by extended X-ray absorption fine structure and non-protein thiol compounds
      analyses. A preferential accumulation of Zn occurred in vascular bundle and
      spongy mesophyll in response to Zn treatment, and was mainly bound to O/N
      ligands. Leaf proteomics and physiological status evidenced a protection of
      photosynthetically active tissues and the maintenance of cell turgor through
      specific distribution and complexation of toxic ions, reallocation of some
      essential elements, synthesis of proteins involved in photosynthetic apparatus or
      C-metabolism, and metabolite synthesis with some specificities regarding the
      considered heavy metal treatment.

PMID- 24237384
TI  - Retraction. A new antifungal labdane diterpene from the leaves of Saraca indica.
AB  - A new labdane diterpene, along with 10 known sterols and flavonoids, was isolated
      from the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of Saraca indica. The chemical
      structure of the new compound was identified as 6,9-epoxy marrubiinic acid on the
      basis of spectroscopic analyses including two-dimensional NMR. The antimicrobial
      potential of the new compound was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram
      negative bacteria as well as fungi. It showed a significant antifungal activity
      against Geotrichum candidum with MIC 0.48 MUg/mL. It also showed potential
      cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines with IC50 ranging from 1.07 to 1.29
      MUg/well.

PMID- 24237385
TI  - Shedding light on the single-molecule magnet behavior of mononuclear Dy(III)
      complexes.
AB  - General requirements for obtaining Dy(III) single-molecule magnets (SMM) were
      studied by CASSCF+RASSI calculations on both real and model systems. A set of 20
      Dy(III) complexes was considered using their X-ray crystal structure for our
      calculations. Theoretical results were compared with their experimental slow
      relaxation data, and general conclusions about the calculated key parameters
      related with SMM behavior are presented. The effect of the coordination geometry
      and nature of ligands is discussed based on calculations on real and model
      systems. We found two different patterns to exhibit SMM behavior: the first one
      leads to the largest axial anisotropy in complexes showing heterolepticity of the
      ligand environment (more important than symmetric requirements), while the second
      one corresponds to sandwich-shaped complexes with a smaller anisotropy. Thus,
      most existing mononuclear zero-field SMMs adopting a heteroleptic coordination
      mode mixing neutral and anionic ligands present the same pattern in the
      electrostatic potential induced by their ligands, with a lower potential island
      related to the presence of neutral ligands inside a high potential background
      related with anionic groups. The existence of different electrostatic regions
      caused by the ligands induces a preferential orientation to reduce the electron
      repulsion for the electron density of the Dy(III) cations, resulting in the
      magnetic anisotropy. 

PMID- 24237386
TI  - Changes in insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion with the sodium glucose
      cotransporter 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin.
AB  - AIM: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group study
      assessed the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition by
      dapagliflozin on insulin sensitivity and secretion in subjects with type 2
      diabetes mellitus (T2DM), who had inadequate glycemic control with metformin
      (with or without an insulin secretagogue). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-four
      subjects were randomized to receive dapagliflozin 5 mg or matching placebo once
      daily for 12 weeks. Subjects continued stable doses of background antidiabetes
      medication throughout the study. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by measuring
      the glucose disappearance rate (GDR) during the last 40 min of a 5-h
      hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamp. Insulin secretion was determined as the acute
      insulin response to glucose (AIRg) during the first 10 min of a frequently
      sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Where noted, data were adjusted for
      baseline values and background antidiabetes medication. RESULTS: An adjusted mean
      increase from baseline in GDR (last observation carried forward), at Week 12, was
      observed with dapagliflozin (7.98%) versus a decrease with placebo (-9.99%). The
      19.97% (95% confidence interval 5.75-36.10) difference in GDR versus placebo was
      statistically significant (P=0.0059). A change from baseline in adjusted mean
      AIRg of 15.39 mU/L min was observed with dapagliflozin at Week 12, versus -12.73
      mU/L min with placebo (P=0.0598). Over 12 weeks, numerical reductions from
      baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, and body
      weight were observed with dapagliflozin (-0.38%, -0.39 mmol/L, and -1.58%,
      respectively) versus slight numerical increases with placebo (0.03%, 0.26 mmol/L,
      and 0.62%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T2DM and inadequate
      glycemic control, dapagliflozin treatment improved insulin sensitivity in the
      setting of reductions in HbA1c and weight.

PMID- 24237387
TI  - Poincare plot quantification for assessing glucose variability from continuous
      glucose monitoring systems and a new risk marker for hypoglycemia: application to
      type 1 diabetes patients switching to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Poincare plot (PCP) is a valuable tool for describing glucose
      variability (GV) from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) but remains only visual
      and qualitative. The aim of this work was to validate metrics for the geometry of
      the PCP in type 1 diabetes and to apply them to the study of a series of patients
      switching to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: We reviewed the CGM profiles of 44 patients with type 1 diabetes. A
      subgroup (n=13) used CGM before and after 6 months on CSII. Additionally, we
      prospectively collected seven recordings from healthy controls. The new PCP
      metrics were correlated with hypoglycemia and classical GV indices and were
      compared between groups. RESULTS: SDs related to the PCP fitting ellipse (SD1,
      SD2) and area and shape of the fitting ellipse (SFE) were all higher in diabetes
      patients than in the controls and decreased significantly on CSII. SD1
      represented short-term GV and was equivalent to continuous overlapping net
      glycemic action (CONGA). SD2 represented long-term GV and correlated with the SD
      of glucose levels (r >= 0.98), mean of daily differences (r >= 0.91), and mean
      amplitude of glycemic excursions (r >= 0.88). SFE correlated positively with
      CONGA at 1 h but not with the other indices and was inversely correlated with
      hypoglycemic episodes (Spearman's rho=-0.42), independently of the coefficient of
      variation and the Low Blood Glucose Index in a multivariate analysis (partial r=
      0.34). CONCLUSIONS: PCP metrics are correlated with known GV indices and may be
      used for the study of CGM recording series in type 1 diabetes. SFE is a new risk
      marker for hypoglycemia.

PMID- 24237388
TI  - Evaluation of stochastic adjustment for glucose sensor bias during closed-loop
      insulin delivery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In outpatient studies of closed-loop insulin delivery systems, it is
      not typically practical to obtain blood glucose measurements for an outcome
      measure. Using a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device as both part of the
      intervention and as the outcome in a clinical trial can give a biased estimate of
      the treatment effect. A stochastic adjustment has been proposed to correct this
      problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed Monte Carlo simulations to assess
      the performance of the stochastic adjustment in various scenarios where the CGM
      device was used passively and when it was used to inform insulin delivery. The
      resulting bias for using CGM to estimate the percentage of glucose values inside
      a target range was compared with and without the proposed stochastic adjustment.
      RESULTS: CGM bias for estimating the percentage of glucose values 70-180 mg/dL
      ranged from -6% to +4% in the various scenarios studied. In some circumstances,
      stochastic adjustment did indeed reduce this CGM bias. However, in other
      circumstances, stochastic adjustment made the bias worse. Stochastic adjustment
      tended to underestimate the true percentage of glucose values in range for most,
      but not all, scenarios considered in these simulations. CONCLUSIONS: Stochastic
      adjustment is not a general solution to the problem of CGM bias. The proposed
      adjustment relies on an implicit assumption that usually does not hold. The
      appropriate level of adjustment depends on how efficacious the closed-loop system
      is, which is not typically known in practice.

PMID- 24237389
TI  - Characterizing the plasticity of nitrogen metabolism by the host and symbionts of
      the hydrothermal vent chemoautotrophic symbioses Ridgeia piscesae.
AB  - Chemoautotrophic symbionts of deep sea hydrothermal vent tubeworms are known to
      provide their hosts with all their primary nutrition. While studies have examined
      how chemoautotrophic symbionts provide the association with nitrogen, fewer have
      examined if symbiont nitrogen metabolism varies as a function of environmental
      conditions. Ridgeia piscesae tubeworms flourish at Northeastern Pacific vents,
      occupy a range of microhabitats, and exhibit a high degree of morphological
      plasticity [e.g. long-skinny (LS) and short-fat (SF) phenotypes] that may relate
      to environmental conditions. This plasticity affords an opportunity to examine
      whether symbiont nitrogen metabolism varies among host phenotypes. LS and SF R.
      piscesae were recovered from the Axial and Main Endeavour Field hydrothermal
      vents. Nitrate and ammonium were quantified in Ridgeia blood, and the expression
      of key nitrogen metabolism genes, as well as stable nitrogen isotope ratios, was
      quantified in host branchial plume and symbiont-containing tissues. Nitrate and
      ammonium were abundant in the blood of both phenotypes though environmental
      ammonium concentrations were, paradoxically, lowest among individuals with the
      highest blood ammonium. Assimilatory nitrate reductase transcripts were always
      below detection, though in both LS and SF R. piscesae symbionts, we observed
      elevated expression of dissimilatory nitrate reductase genes, as well as symbiont
      and host ammonium assimilation genes. Site-specific differences in expression,
      along with tissue stable isotope analyses, suggest that LS and SF Ridgeia
      symbionts are engaged in both dissimilatory nitrate reduction and ammonia
      assimilation to varying degrees. As such, it appears that environmental
      conditions -not host phenotype-primarily dictates symbiont nitrogen metabolism. 

PMID- 24237390
TI  - Hope and the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior: replication
      and extension of prior findings.
AB  - The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior (IPTS; Joiner, 2005)
      posits that suicidal behavior occurs when an individual has a desire for death
      (due to the combination of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness)
      in addition to an acquired capacity for suicide, which is present when the
      individual has a low fear of death and high pain tolerance. Previous research has
      demonstrated an expected negative relation between trait hope and perceived
      burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness, as well as a more perplexing finding
      that hope is positively associated with the acquired capability. In a sample of
      230 college students, measures of the three components of the IPTS were
      administered, along with measures of hope, depression, and painful and/or
      provocative events. Hierarchical regression analyses replicated the previously
      found associations between hope and burdensomeness and belongingness while
      controlling for depression and demographic variables. The positive association
      between hope and acquired capacity was also replicated, but a mediation analysis
      demonstrated that the effect was statistically accounted for by distress
      tolerance. The results further support the incremental validity of hope as a
      consideration in suicide risk assessments and suggest that hope may serve as a
      protective factor with respect to suicidal desire. 

PMID- 24237391
TI  - A randomised study of a diet intervention to maintain consistent rectal volume
      for patients receiving radical radiotherapy to the prostate.

PMID- 24237392
TI  - Multimodal treatment with ALL-like chemotherapy, Auto-SCT and radiotherapy for
      lymphoblastic lymphoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recommended treatment for lymphoblastic lymphomas, a highly
      aggressive, relatively rare lymphoma entity predominantly seen in teenagers and
      young adults, includes acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)-like induction
      chemotherapy. Whether these patients should be consolidated with maintenance
      chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplantation (Auto-SCT) and the use of
      radiotherapy are matters of debate. METHODS: We reviewed treatment and outcome
      for 25 consecutive patients above the age of 15 years with lymphoblastic lymphoma
      (T-lineage; T-LBL, n = 19; B-lineage; B-LBL, n = 6) seen at a single center
      during a 12-year period (1999-2011). Patients were given an ALL-like chemotherapy
      induction regimen, and responding patients were consolidated with Auto-SCT and
      local radiotherapy when applicable. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 33 years
      (range 15-65). Seventeen of the T-LBL patients had a mediastinal mass, three
      patients had central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Chemotherapy with
      intensified CNS prophylaxis induced an overall response rate of 92% (CR 84%, PR
      8%). In total 23/25 (92%) patients underwent Auto-SCT in first remission while 13
      of 14 eligible patients with mediastinal involvement received local radiotherapy.
      Twenty percent of the patients had hepatotoxicity grade 3-4 and 32%
      thromboembolic events (TE). Two patients (8%) died of treatment-related toxicity.
      One patient had progressive disease and died of lymphoma. Three patients have
      relapsed, but two of these (both B-LBL) are currently alive in second CR after
      Allo-SCT. With a median follow-up of 98 months (range 1-163) the 5- and 8-year
      PFS and OS are 76% and 84%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combined intensive ALL
      like induction and early consolidation chemotherapy followed by Auto-SCT and
      local radiation therapy resulted in high sustained cure rates.

PMID- 24237393
TI  - 3T MRI improves the detection of transmantle sign in type 2 focal cortical
      dysplasia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Type 2 focal cortical dysplasia (FCD2) is one of the main causes of
      refractory partial epilepsy, but often remains overlooked by MRI. This study
      aimed to elucidate whether 3T MRI offers better detection and characterization of
      FCD2 than 1.5T, using similar coils and acquisition time. METHODS: Two
      independent readers reviewed the 1.5T and 3T MR images of 25 patients with
      histologically proven FCD2. For both magnetic fields, the ability to detect a
      lesion was analyzed. We compared the identification of each of the five criteria
      typical of FCD2 (cortical thickening, blurring, cortical signal changes,
      subcortical signal changes, and "transmantle" sign) and artifacts, using a four
      point scale (0-3). Interobserver reliability for lesion detection was calculated.
      KEY FINDINGS: Seventeen lesions (68%) were detected at 3T, two of which were
      overlooked at 1.5T. Interobserver reliability was better at 3T (kappa = 1) than
      at 1.5T (kappa = 0.83). The transmantle sign was more clearly identified at 3T
      than 1.5T (mean visualization score: 1.72 vs. 0.56; p = 0.002). SIGNIFICANCE: The
      use of 3T MRI in patients suspected of type 2 FCD improves the detection rate and
      the lesion characterization owing to the transmantle sign being more clearly seen
      at 3T. This point is of interest, since this feature is considered as an MR
      signature of FCD2.

PMID- 24237396
TI  - Clinical variability and additional mutations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
      patients with p.N352S mutations in TARDBP.

PMID- 24237394
TI  - Placement of deep brain electrodes in the dog using the Brainsight frameless
      stereotactic system: a pilot feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) together with concurrent EEG recording
      has shown promise in the treatment of epilepsy. A novel device is capable of
      combining these 2 functions and may prove valuable in the treatment of epilepsy
      in dogs. However, stereotactic implantation of electrodes in dogs has not yet
      been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of implanting
      stimulating and recording electrodes in the brain of normal dogs using the
      Brainsight system and to evaluate the function of a novel DBS and recording
      device. ANIMALS: Four male intact Greyhounds, confirmed to be normal by clinical
      and neurologic examinations and hematology and biochemistry testing. METHODS: MRI
      imaging of the brain was performed after attachment of fiducial markers. MRI
      scans were used to calculate trajectories for electrode placement in the thalamus
      and hippocampus, which was performed via burr hole craniotomy. Postoperative CT
      scanning was performed to evaluate electrode location and accuracy of placement
      was calculated. Serial neurologic examinations were performed to evaluate
      neurologic deficits and EEG recordings obtained to evaluate the effects of
      stimulation. RESULTS: Electrodes were successfully placed in 3 of 4 dogs with a
      mean accuracy of 4.6 +/- 1.5 mm. EEG recordings showed evoked potentials in
      response to stimulation with a circadian variation in time-to-maximal amplitude.
      No neurologic deficits were seen in any dog. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:
      Stereotactic placement of electrodes is safe and feasible in the dog. The
      development of a novel device capable of providing simultaneous neurostimulation
      and EEG recording potentially represents a major advance in the treatment of
      epilepsy.

PMID- 24237397
TI  - Mobile health is worth it! Economic benefit and impact on health of a population
      based mobile screening program in new Mexico.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HABITS for Life was a 3-year initiative to broadly deliver a
      statewide biometric and retinal screening program via a mobile unit throughout
      New Mexico at no charge to participants. The program goal-to identify health risk
      and improve population health status-was tested over a 3-year period. Value to
      participants and impact to the healthcare system were measured to quantify impact
      and value of investing in prevention at the community level. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We used the Mobile Health Map Return-on-Investment Calculator, a mobile
      screening unit, biometric screening, retinography, and community coordination.
      Our systems included satellite, DSL, and 3G connectivity, a Tanita(r) (Arlington
      Heights, IL) automated body mass index-measuring scale, the Cholestec(r)
      (AlereTM, Waltham, MA) system for biomarkers and glycosylated hemoglobin, a Canon
      (Melville, NY) CR-1 Mark II camera, and the Picture Archiving Communication
      System. RESULTS: In this report for the fiscal year 2011 time frame, 6,426
      individuals received biometric screening, and 5,219 received retinal screening. A
      15:1 return on investment was calculated; this excluded retinal screening for the
      under-65 year olds, estimated at $10 million in quality-adjusted life years
      saved. Statistically significant improvement in health status evidenced by
      sequential screening included a decrease in total cholesterol level (p=0.002)
      (n=308) and an increase in high-density lipoprotein level after the first and
      second screening (p=0.02 and p=0.01, respectively), but a decrease in mean random
      glucose level was not statistically significant (p=0.62). Retinal results
      indicate 28.4% (n=1,482) with a positive/abnormal finding, of which 1.79% (n=93)
      required immediate referral for sight-threatening retinopathy and 27% (n=1,389)
      required follow-up of from 3 months to 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Screening programs
      are cost-effective and provide value in preventive health efforts. Broad use of
      screening programs should be considered in healthcare redesign efforts. Community
      based screening is an effective strategy to identify health risk, improve access,
      provide motivation to change health habits, and improve physical status while
      returning significant value.

PMID- 24237398
TI  - Development, characterization, and cellular adhesion of poly(L-lactic
      acid)/poly(caprolactone triol) membranes for potential application in bone tissue
      regeneration.
AB  - Poly(L-lactide)/poly(caprolactone triol) (PLLA/PCL-T) membranes were prepared by
      solution casting in 100/0, 90/10, and 70/30 (w/w) ratios. The membranes were
      analyzed by dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and
      mechanical tests. The thermal analysis showed that the 90/10 and 70/30
      preparations were partly miscible systems. The glass transition temperature (Tg )
      of PLLA decreases as the PCL-T concentration increases, which implies that PCL-T
      has a plasticizer function. An in vitro study with osteoblastic cells isolated
      from the calvariae of rats was performed in all preparations. The results
      obtained in this study showed that the addition of PCL-T to the PLLA matrix
      modifies its mechanical, thermal, and biological properties. These blends could
      be useful for tissue engineering for bone applications.

PMID- 24237399
TI  - Positive selection drives accelerated evolution of mosquito salivary genes
      associated with blood-feeding.
AB  - The saliva of bloodsucking animals contains dozens to hundreds of proteins that
      counteract their hosts' haemostasis, inflammation and immunity. It was previously
      observed that salivary proteins involved in haematophagy are much more divergent
      in their primary sequence than those of housekeeping function, when comparisons
      were made between closely related organisms. While this pattern of evolution
      could result from relaxed selection or drift, it could alternatively be the
      result of positive selection driven by the intense pressure of the host immune
      system. We investigated the polymorphism of five different genes associated with
      blood-feeding in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae and obtained evidence in four
      genes for sites with signatures of positive selection. These results add salivary
      gland genes from bloodsucking arthropods to the small list of genes driven by
      positive selection. 

PMID- 24237400
TI  - Preparation and characterization of methylene blue nanoparticles for Alzheimer's
      disease and other tauopathies.
AB  - Methylene blue (MB) has been shown to slow down the progression of the
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies; however distribution of MB into
      the brain is limited due its high hydrophilicity. In this study, we aimed to
      prepare novel hydrophobic glutathione coated PLGA nanoparticles to improve
      bioavailability of MB in the brain. Glutathione coated poly-(lactide-co
      glycolide) (PLGA-b-PEG) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared and tested in two
      different cell culture models of AD expressing microtubule associated protein tau
      (tau). The NPs showed a particle size averaging 136.5+/-4.4nm, which is suitable
      for the blood brain barrier (BBB) permeation. The in vitro release profile of the
      NPs exhibited no initial burst release and showed sustained drug release for up
      to 144 hours. Interestingly, treatment of newly formulated MB-NPs showed a potent
      reduction in both endogenous and over expressed tau protein levels in human
      neuroblastoma SHSY-5Y cells expressing endogenous tau and transfected HeLa cells
      over-expressing tau protein, respectively. Furthermore, in vitro BBB TranswellTM
      study showed significantly higher permeation of MB-NP compared to the MB solution
      through the co culture of rat brain endothelial 4 (RBE4) and C6 astrocytoma cells
      (p<0.05). The proposed MB loaded nanoparticles could provide a more effective
      treatment option for AD and many other related disorders.

PMID- 24237401
TI  - CO2 enrichment at treeline: help or hindrance for trees on the edge?

PMID- 24237402
TI  - Patient engagement: the critical catalyst to health reform in the USA.

PMID- 24237404
TI  - Cautious optimism regarding the impact of comparative effectiveness research on
      decision-making.

PMID- 24237405
TI  - Interview: Health technology assessment in Asia: an emerging trend.
AB  - Bong-min Yang, PhD (in economics), is Professor and former Dean of the School of
      Public Health at the Seoul National University, South Korea. Professor Yang has
      led research and written many papers in health economics and healthcare systems
      in Korea and Asia. His recent research and publications focus on the field of
      economic evaluation and outcomes research. He played a key role in the
      introduction of a formal health technology assessment system within Korean
      healthcare. He is currently serving as Executive Director, Institute of Health
      and Environment, Seoul National University. In addition to his research and
      publications, Professor Yang is Associate Editor for Journal of Comparative
      Effectiveness Research, is co-editor-in-chief for Value in Health Regional
      Issues, and is currently chair of the Management Advisory Board of Value in
      Health and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Medical Economics.
      He has been a policy consultant to China, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia,
      Taiwan, Thailand and India. He has also worked as a short-term consultant at the
      WHO, ADB, UNDP and the World Bank. For the Korean government, he served as
      Chairperson of the Health Insurance Reform Committee, and Chairperson of the Drug
      Pricing and Reimbursement Committee. He is currently serving as Chair of the
      International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research-Asia Consortium,
      and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Society of
      Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research. 

PMID- 24237403
TI  - From efficacy to effectiveness: lessons learned from the Practice-Based
      Opportunities for Weight Reduction (POWER) trial.

PMID- 24237406
TI  - Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic thromboprophylactic strategies in atrial
      fibrillation.
AB  - Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (SPAF) has traditionally been confined
      to aspirin and warfarin therapy. Based on CHADS2 scoring it was clearly
      delineated when aspirin and warfarin would be used in individual patients, but
      many patients had to forgo recommended therapy due to contraindications or
      adverse events. There has recently been a paradigm shift in SPAF, with new and
      promising options on the horizon. These emerging strategies include dual
      antiplatelet therapy, direct thrombin inhibition, factor Xa inhibition and
      mechanical prophylaxis therapy. With each of these aforementioned approaches
      there are moderate to large clinical trials that assess the comparative
      effectiveness of these approaches in direct comparative trials. From an Ovid
      MEDLINE search from 1950 to present, we systematically identified 15 randomized
      trials comparing two thromboprophylactic drugs, devices or procedures for SPAF.
      Specific mechanical, pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic advantages and
      disadvantages are also reviewed. 

PMID- 24237407
TI  - A translation table for patient-centered comparative effectiveness research:
      guidance to improve the value of research for clinical and health policy decision
      making.
AB  - This article provides background and context for a series of papers stemming from
      a collaborative effort by Outcome Sciences, Inc., the National Pharmaceutical
      Council and the Center for Medical Technology Policy to use a stakeholder-driven
      process to develop a decision tool to select appropriate methods for comparative
      effectiveness research. The perceived need and origins of the 'translation table'
      concept for method selection are described and the legislative history and role
      of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute are reviewed. The article
      concludes by stressing the significance of this effort for future health services
      and clinical research, and the importance of consulting end-users--patients,
      providers, payers and policy-makers--in the process of defining research
      questions and approaches to them.

PMID- 24237408
TI  - Which design for which question? An exploration toward a translation table for
      comparative effectiveness research.
AB  - In this paper, we explore the relative value that different methods offer in
      answering some stereotypical comparative effectiveness research questions with
      the goal of informing development of a 'translation table'--a selection tool for
      choosing appropriate methods for specific comparative effectiveness research
      questions. This paper was written as a parallel effort to Greenfield and Kaplan
      (also in this volume) to support the endeavor described in the manuscript by
      Tunis et al. (also in this volume). Originally based on four cases, the current
      article has been shortened to two cases for the current discussion. These cases
      represent research priorities proposed to orient the work of the Patient-Centered
      Outcomes Research Institute, comparative clinical effectiveness and comparative
      health services.

PMID- 24237410
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research: a view from the other side of the pond.

PMID- 24237409
TI  - Incorporating stakeholder perspectives in developing a translation table
      framework for comparative effectiveness research.
AB  - This project used a stakeholder-driven process to understand the factors that
      drive the selection of study designs for comparative effectiveness research
      (CER). The project assembled a diverse stakeholder committee to explore the basis
      of a translation framework and gathered input through surveys, interviews and an
      in-person meeting. Stakeholders recommended different study designs for the CER
      topic areas and identified different outcomes as the most important outcomes to
      study in each area. During the discussions, stakeholders described a variety of
      factors that influenced their study design recommendations. The stakeholder
      activities resulted in the identification of several key themes, including the
      need to have a highly specific detailed research question before discussing
      appropriate designs and the need to use multiple studies, potentially of
      different designs, to address the CER topic areas. The insights and themes from
      this project may inform efforts to develop a translation table. 

PMID- 24237413
TI  - Selective C-2 alkylation of tryptophan by a Pd(II)/norbornene-promoted C-H
      activation reaction.
AB  - A palladium(II)-catalyzed norbornene-mediated regioselective alkylation at the C
      2 indole position of N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)-protected (S)-tryptophan ethyl
      ester is reported. The protocol employs mild reaction conditions and is tolerant
      of a range of functional groups. The reaction proceeds without racemization at
      the stereogenic center of the amino acid. 

PMID- 24237414
TI  - Extragenital subcutaneous cellular angiofibroma of the elbow.

PMID- 24237415
TI  - N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed cyclotetramerization of acrylates.
AB  - N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) were found to catalyze the unprecedented
      cyclotetramerization of acrylates, producing the trisubstituted cyclopentenones
      in moderate yields. The proton or deuterium adducts of the deoxy-Breslow
      intermediate derived from NHC and two molecules of methyl acrylate were obtained.
      A reaction mechanism involving the new umpolung/cyclization sequence is proposed.

PMID- 24237416
TI  - Identification of regulated genes conferring resistance to high concentrations of
      glyphosate in a new strain of Enterobacter.
AB  - Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that inhibits 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3
      phosphate synthase (EPSPS) activity. Most plants and microbes are sensitive to
      glyphosate. However, transgenic-resistant crops that contain a modified epsps
      obtained from the resistant microbes have been commercially successful and
      therefore, new resistance genes and their adaptive regulatory mechanisms are of
      great interest. In this study, a soil-borne, glyphosate-resistant bacterium was
      selected and identified as Enterobacter. The EPSPS in this strain was found to
      have been altered to a resistant one. A total of 42 differentially expressed
      genes (DEGs) in the glyphosate were screened using microarray techniques. Under
      treatment, argF, sdhA, ivbL, rrfA-H were downregulated, whereas the transcripts
      of speA, osmY, pflB, ahpC, fusA, deoA, uxaC, rpoD and a few ribosomal protein
      genes were upregulated. Data were verified by quantitative real-time PCR on
      selected genes. All transcriptional changes appeared to protect the bacteria from
      glyphosate and associated osmotic, acidic and oxidative stresses. Many DEGs may
      have the potential to confer resistance to glyphosate alone, and some may be
      closely related to the shikimate pathway, reflecting the complex gene interaction
      network for glyphosate resistance. 

PMID- 24237417
TI  - Counting the cost: estimating the burden of child mental health.
AB  - The publication of the first report from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study
      (Murray & Lopez, 1996) radically changed evaluations of the public health
      significance of mental disorders. Before that time, diseases were typically
      ranked in terms of their impact on premature mortality. The GBD Study added
      estimates of impact on disability, and in so doing highlighted the huge public
      health burden attendant on poor mental health. 

PMID- 24237418
TI  - School exclusion is a mental health issue.

PMID- 24237420
TI  - Dynamic breathing of CO2 by hydrotalcite.
AB  - The carbon cycle of carbonate solids (e.g., limestone) involves weathering and
      metamorphic events, which usually occur over millions of years. Here we show that
      carbonate anion intercalated layered double hydroxide (LDH), a class of
      hydrotalcite, undergoes an ultrarapid carbon cycle with uptake of atmospheric CO2
      under ambient conditions. The use of (13)C-labeling enabled monitoring by IR
      spectroscopy of the dynamic exchange between initially intercalated (13)C-labeled
      carbonate anions and carbonate anions derived from atmospheric CO2. Exchange is
      promoted by conditions of low humidity with a half-life of exchange of ~24 h.
      Since hydrotalcite-like clay minerals exist in Nature, our finding implies that
      the global carbon cycle involving exchange between lithosphere and atmosphere is
      much more dynamic than previously thought.

PMID- 24237419
TI  - Copper-transporting ATPase is important for malaria parasite fertility.
AB  - Homeostasis of the trace element copper is essential to all eukaryotic life.
      Copper serves as a cofactor in metalloenzymes and catalyses electron transfer
      reactions as well as the generation of potentially toxic reactive oxygen species.
      Here, we describe the functional characterization of an evolutionarily highly
      conserved, predicted copper-transporting P-type ATPase (CuTP) in the murine
      malaria model parasite Plasmodium berghei. Live imaging of a parasite line
      expressing a fluorescently tagged CuTP demonstrated that CuTP is predominantly
      located in vesicular bodies of the parasite. A P. berghei loss-of-function mutant
      line was readily obtained and showed no apparent defect in in vivo blood stage
      growth. Parasite transmission through the mosquito vector was severely affected,
      but not entirely abolished. We show that male and female gametocytes are abundant
      in cutp(-) parasites, but activation of male microgametes and exflagellation were
      strongly impaired. This specific defect could be mimicked by addition of the
      copper chelator neocuproine to wild-type gametocytes. A cross-fertilization assay
      demonstrated that female fertility was also severely abrogated. In conclusion, we
      provide experimental genetic and pharmacological evidence that a healthy copper
      homeostasis is critical to malaria parasite fertility of both genders of
      gametocyte and, hence, to transmission to the mosquito vector. 

PMID- 24237421
TI  - The native production of the sesquiterpene isopterocarpolone by Streptomyces sp.
      RM-14-6.
AB  - We report the production, isolation and structure elucidation of the
      sesquiterpene isopterocarpolone from an Appalachian isolate Streptomyces species
      RM-14-6. While isopterocarpolone was previously put forth as a putative plant
      metabolite, this study highlights the first native bacterial production of
      isopterocarpolone and the first full characterisation of isopterocarpolone using
      1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI mass spectrometry. Considering the
      biosynthesis of closely related metabolites (geosmin or 5-epiaristolochene), the
      structure of isopterocarpolone also suggests the potential participation of one
      or more unique enzymatic transformations. In this context, this work also sets
      the stage for the elucidation of potentially novel bacterial biosynthetic
      machinery. 

PMID- 24237423
TI  - The absence of a metal-on-metal bearing does not preclude the formation of a
      destructive pseudotumor in the hip--a case report.

PMID- 24237422
TI  - Different diagnostic properties of C-reactive protein, real-time PCR, and
      histopathology of frozen and permanent sections in diagnosis of periprosthetic
      joint infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are several diagnostic tests for periprosthetic
      joint infection (PJI). We evaluated the properties of preoperative serum C
      reactive protein (CRP), real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and
      histopathological evaluation of frozen and permanent sections in clinical cases
      with culture-positive PJI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 63 joints involving 86
      operations were analyzed using serum CRP measurement prior to operation and
      tissue samples were collected intraoperatively for real-time PCR and
      histopathology. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio of
      positive test results (PLR), and likelihood ratio of negative test results (NLR)
      for each test in relation to positive microbiological culture results as the gold
      standard. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis with serum CRP
      were 90% and 85%, respectively. The corresponding values for real-time PCR and
      histopathology of frozen and paraffin tissue sections were 90% and 45%, 71% and
      89%, and 90% and 87%, respectively. Serum CRP had a PLR of 5.8 and an NLR of
      0.12, and real-time PCR had a PLR of 1.6 and an NLR of 0.18. The corresponding
      figures for frozen tissue sections were 6.6 and 0.32, and those for paraffin
      sections were 7.1 and 0.11, respectively. INTERPRETATION: The results suggest
      that real-time PCR and histopathology of frozen sections is a good combination.
      The former is suitable for screening, with its high sensitivity and good NLR,
      while the latter is suitable for definitive diagnosis of infection, with its
      excellent specificity and good PLR.

PMID- 24237424
TI  - Monoblock all-polyethylene tibial components have a lower risk of early revision
      than metal-backed modular components.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: With younger patients seeking reconstructions and the
      activity-based demands placed on the arthroplasty construct, consideration of the
      role that implant characteristics play in arthroplasty longevity is warranted. We
      therefore evaluated the risk of early revision for a monoblock all-polyethylene
      tibial component compared to a metal-backed modular tibial construct with the
      same articular geometry in a sample of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). We
      evaluated risk of revision in younger patients (< 65 years old) and in older
      patients (>= 65 years old). METHOD: Fixed primary TKAs with implants from a
      single manufacturer, performed between April 2001 and December 2010, were
      analyzed retrospectively. Patient characteristics, surgeon, hospital, procedure,
      and implant characteristics were compared according to tibial component type
      (monoblock all-polyethylene vs. metal-backed modular). All-cause revisions and
      aseptic revisions were evaluated. We used descriptive statistics and Cox
      regression models. RESULTS: 27,657 TKAs were identified, 2,306 (8%) with
      monoblock and 25,351 (92%) with modular components. In adjusted models, the risk
      of early all-cause revision (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.5, 95% confidence interval
      (CI): 0.3-0.8) and aseptic revision (HR = 0.6, CI: 0.3-1.2) was lower for the
      monoblock cohort than for the modular cohort. In older patients, the early risk
      of all-cause revision was 0.6 (CI: 0.4-1.0) for the monoblock cohort compared to
      the modular cohort. In younger patients, the adjusted risk of all-cause revision
      (HR = 0.3, CI: 0.1-0.7) and of aseptic revision (HR = 0.3, CI: 0.1-0.7) were
      lower for the monoblock cohort than for the modular cohort. INTERPRETATION:
      Overall, monoblock tibial constructs had a 49% lower early risk of all-cause
      revision and a 41% lower risk of aseptic revision than modular constructs. In
      younger patients with monoblock components, the early risk of revision for any
      cause was even lower.

PMID- 24237425
TI  - Toll-like receptors in human chondrocytes and osteoarthritic cartilage.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Degenerating cartilage releases potential danger signals
      that react with Toll-like receptor (TLR) type danger receptors. We investigated
      the presence and regulation of TLR1, TLR2, and TLR9 in human chondrocytes.
      METHODS: We studied TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 mRNA (qRT-PCR) and receptor
      proteins (by immunostaining) in primary mature healthy chondrocytes, developing
      chondrocytes, and degenerated chondrocytes in osteoarthritis (OA) tissue sections
      of different OARSI grades. Effects of a danger signal and of a pro-inflammatory
      cytokine on TLRs were also studied. RESULTS: In primary 2D-chondrocytes, TLR1 and
      TLR2 were strongly expressed. Stimulation of 2D and 3D chondrocytes with a TLR1/2
      specific danger signal increased expression of TLR1 mRNA 1.3- to 1.8-fold, TLR2
      mRNA 2.6- to 2.8-fold, and TNF-alpha mRNA 4.5- to 9-fold. On the other hand, TNF
      alpha increased TLR1 mRNA] expression 16-fold, TLR2 mRNA expression 143- to 201
      fold, and TNF-alpha mRNA expression 131- to 265-fold. TLR4 and TLR9 mRNA
      expression was not upregulated. There was a correlation between worsening of OA
      and increased TLR immunostaining in the superficial and middle cartilage zones,
      while chondrocytes assumed a CD166(*) progenitor phenotype. Correspondingly, TLR
      expression was high soon after differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to
      chondrocytes. With maturation, it declined (TLR2, TLR9). INTERPRETATION: Mature
      chondrocytes express TLR1 and TLR2 and may react to cartilage matrix/chondrocyte
      derived danger signals or degradation products. This leads to synthesis of pro
      inflammatory cytokines, which stimulate further TLR and cytokine expression,
      establishing a vicious circle. This suggests that OA can act as an
      autoinflammatory disease and links the old mechanical wear-and-tear concept with
      modern biochemical views of OA. These findings suggest that the chondrocyte
      itself is the earliest and most important inflammatory cell in OA.

PMID- 24237426
TI  - [t030 is the most common spa type among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus strains isolated from Turkish hospitals].
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most frequent agents causing hospital
      infections. S.aureus has a great ability to adapt itself to variety of conditions
      and successful clones can be epidemic and even pandemic by its ability spread
      from one continent to another. The aims of this study were to detect spa types of
      397 methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from 12 centers in
      different geographical regions of Turkey from 2006 to 2008, and to investigate
      their clonality by PFGE and MLST typing. Additionally, 91 MRSA from four of those
      12 centers isolated during 2011 were also studied for their spa types. PFGE
      profiles indicated the presence of a major pulsotype, namely pulsotype A with a
      rate of 91.4% (363/397), followed by pulsotype B (n= 18, 4.5%) and pulsotype C
      (n= 11, 2.8%). Among isolates tested 363 (91.4%) were SCCmec type III, 30 (7.6%)
      were SCCmec type IV. Sequence analysis of representative isolates revealed that
      ST239 (85.1%) was the most common MLST type followed by two MLST types ST737
      (4%), and ST97 (2.8%), both SCCmec type IV. Two isolates were ST80 with SCCmec
      type IV. Of 397 isolates, 338 (85.1%) were t030, followed by t005 (2.5%) and t632
      (2%). Among MRSA isolated during 2011, 64 (70.3%) of 91 were t030, 4 (4.4%) were
      t005, 2 (2.2%) were t015, and 2 (2.2%) were t1094. Among centers the t030
      prevalence of 2006-2008 isolates ranged from 59-100%. The highest t030 prevalence
      was found in Ankara (100%) and lowest in Trabzon (59%) provinces which are
      located at central and northestern Anatolia, respectively. In Istanbul province,
      the prevalence of t030 was 94.5% among 2006-2008 isolates which decreased to
      55.5% among 2011 isolates. Also a decrease in t030 rates was observed among
      samples from Konya and Trabzon but not from Aydin. Our results showed that the
      most common MRSA clone in Turkey is ST 239-SCCmec type III, t030 which persisted
      during the six years of the study period. Presence of PVL toxin gene was tested
      by PCR and 5 (3%) isolates found to be positive, of them two were SCCmec Type IV
      ST80 and three were SCCmec Type III-ST239. This study is the largest
      epidemiological survey ever done in Turkey which showed presence of a hospital
      Turkish clone TR09 (ST239-SCCmecIII-t030) and a community clone TR10 (ST737
      SCCmecIV-t005) largely disseminated in Turkey.

PMID- 24237427
TI  - [Investigation of plasmid mediated AmpC beta-lactamases among Escherichia coli
      and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from blood cultures].
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and types of plasmid
      mediated AmpC (pAmpC) beta-lactamase enzymes in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella
      pneumoniae strains isolated from blood cultures of hospitalized patients in Dokuz
      Eylul University Hospital between 2007 and 2012. A total of 261 isolates which
      consisted of 184 E.coli (70.5%) and 77 K.pneumoniae (29.5%) were included in the
      study. All isolates were resistant to cefotaxime and/or ceftazidime but
      susceptible to imipenem. Cefoxitin resistance was investigated as an indicator of
      AmpC type enzymes. A total of 57 (21.8%) isolates which were cefoxitin-resistant
      (32 E.coli, 25 K.pneumoniae), were screened for pampC genes by a multiplex
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Additionally, 10 of each cefoxitin
      susceptible isolates per year were chosen randomly and screened by the same PCR
      assay to detect the presence of ACC enzymes, which can not hydrolyze cefoxitin.
      Positive PCR results were confirmed by sequence analysis. Plasmid analysis and
      macrorestriction analysis were performed for pampC-positive isolates. The
      presence of pAmpC enzymes has been shown in 9.4% (3/32) of cefoxitin-resistant
      E.coli, and 8% (2/25) of cefoxitin-resistant K.pneumoniae strains. It was noted
      that there were no strains producing this enzyme isolated in 2007 and 2008,
      however the prevalence of pAmpC was detected as 1.6% in 2009 (one ACT-1 producing
      K.pneumoniae), increasing to 4.8% in 2011 (one ACT-1 producing K.pneumoniae) and
      6.4% in 2012 (three CMY-2 producing E.coli). These enzymes were found to be
      carried on 81 kb size plasmids in K.pneumoniae isolates and on a 9 kb size
      plasmid in E.coli isolates. Macrorestriction analysis indicated that two of the
      three CMY-2 producing E.coli had the same PFGE (Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis)
      pattern. If these two strains are considered as identical, it can be concluded
      that the prevalence of pAmpC was low in the strains isolated between 2007-2012
      (4/261; 1.5%) in our institution. On the other hand, the increasing prevalence of
      pAmpC in 2011 and 2012 should be considered as a warning for the implementation
      of infection control measures and monitorization of the prevalence in order to
      prevent the dissemination of pAmpC. As far as the current literature is
      concerned, this is the first study that demonstrated the presence of the ACT-1
      enzyme in K.pneumoniae isolates in Turkey.

PMID- 24237428
TI  - [Distribution of blaOXA genes in Acinetobacter baumannii strains: a multicenter
      study].
AB  - Acinetobacter baumannii is the most important agent of nosocomial infections
      within the Acinetobacter genus. This gram-negative coccobacillus is intrinsically
      resistant to many antibiotics used in antimicrobial therapy, and capable of
      developing resistance including carbapenems. The objective of this study was to
      develop a multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) kit for OXA
      subgroups in A.baumannii, and to investigate the distribution of OXA subgroups in
      A.baumannii strains isolated from geographically different regions of Turkey. A
      total of 834 A.baumannii clinical isolates collected from different state and
      university medical centers in 13 provinces (Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Bolu, Elazig,
      Erzurum, Isparta, Istanbul, Kahramanmaras, Konya, Sakarya, Van) between 2008
      2011, were included in the study. The isolates were identified by conventional
      methods and automated systems [Vitek2 (bioMerieux, ABD) and Phoenix (BD
      Diagnostic, MD)]. The susceptibility profiles of the isolates were studied with
      automated systems and standard disc diffusion method. All samples were subjected
      to qPCR to detect blaOXA-51-like, blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-58-like genes. A
      conventional PCR method was also used to detect blaOXA-24-like gene. The
      resistance rates observed during the study period were as follows: 96.8% for
      amoxicillin-clavulanate, 86.8% for ciprofloxacin, 74.7% for gentamicin, 71.7% for
      amikacin, 73.5% for cefaperozone-sulbactam, 72.1% for imipenem and 73% for
      meropenem. Six hundred and two (72.2 %) isolates were resistant to both imipenem
      and meropenem. Colistin was found to be the most effective antibiotic against
      A.baumannii isolates with 100% susceptibility rate. All isolates were positive
      for blaOXA-51-like, however blaOXA-24-like gene could not be demonstrated in any
      isolate. Total positivity rates of blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-58-like genes were
      found as 53.7% and 12.5%, respectively, while these rates were 74.4% and 17.3% in
      carbapenem-resistant isolates, respectively. Twenty-five isolates were positive
      for both blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-58-like genes. All of the carbapenem-resistant
      isolates have OXA type genes with the exception of blaOXA-24-like gene. The
      positivity rates for blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-58-like genes varied for each
      center. In addition, there was a decrease in the frequency of blaOXA-58-like
      gene, however both blaOXA-23-like gene and carbapenem resistance rates increased
      during the study period. In conclusion, high rates of resistance to carbapenems
      were also remarkable but A.baumannii strains keep on sensitivity to colistin.
      Both blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-58-like genes were shown to be widespread in
      carbapenem-resistant A.baumannii clinical isolates. However, blaOXA-23-like gene
      positive strains were increased throughout the study. Currently, multiplex qPCR
      is the best way for rapid diagnosis of resistant bacteria for prevention of
      hospital-acquired infections. The multiplex qPCR kit developed in this study
      could be useful for rapid diagnosis and identify the frequencies of blaOXA-23
      like, blaOXA-51-like and blaOXA-58-like genes in carbapenem-resistant A.baumannii
      clinical isolates.

PMID- 24237429
TI  - [Antibiotic resistance patterns of Escherichia coli strains isolated from urine
      cultures in Turkey: a meta-analysis].
AB  - Escherichia coli is the most frequently isolated microorganism from both
      community-acquired and nosocomial urinary tract infections in Turkey. A large
      number of studies concerning antibiotic susceptibility of E.coli have been
      published from different centers throughout the country. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the antibiotic resistance patterns of E.coli strains isolated
      from urine cultures by a meta-analysis in published medical literature between
      the years of 1996-2012 in Turkey. The study was planned and conducted in
      accordance with the declaration of PRISMA and describes the methods of literature
      search, the determining criteria for inclusion and evaluation of articles, data
      collection and statistical analysis. To find the published series Google Scholar
      and PubMed international databases were used to access published manuscripts
      evaluated according to the determined criteria for acceptance and rejection. For
      each study, general data and antibiotic resistance rates were collected as a
      common unit. Publications considered as lacking in appropriate content was
      eliminated from the study. Statistical analysis of the data obtained were 95%
      confidence intervals, and p<= 0.05 value was considered as significant
      difference. A total of 228 articles were found to be published during 1996-2012
      period, while 101 of them were included in the meta-analysis according to the
      eligibility criteria. The analyses indicated that nitrofurantoin and piperacillin
      resistance rates have been decreased, whereas ciprofloxacin, cefepime, co
      trimoxazole and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positivity rates have
      been increased during the study period. The increases in the rates of
      ciprofloxacin and cefepime resistance and and ESBL production were statistically
      significant (p< 0.05). A significant reduction in resistance rates for ampicilin,
      amoxicillin-clavulanate, and amikacin was noted in pediatric patients between
      2002-2012. Ceftriaxone, imipenem, gentamicin and amikacin resistance were not
      homogenous between the geographical regions, and statistically significant
      differences were observed for amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefuroxime and
      ciprofloxacin resistance rates (p< 0.05). Antibiotic resistance rates, except for
      imipenem, in bacterial strains, isolated from hospitalized patients were found
      significantly higher in strains obtained from outpatients. The differences
      between those groups were significant in terms of ampicilin, amoxicillin
      clavulanate, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin,
      ciprofloxacin, amikacin and cefepime resistances (p< 0.05). It has been noted
      that antibiotic resistance patterns of E.coli strains isolated from urine
      cultures between 1996-2012 demonstrated significant variability, and many studies
      were based only on laboratory data. The results of this meta-analysis
      demonstrated that the resistance rates in commonly-used antibiotics for empirical
      therapy were high. In conclusion, information obtained by systematic evaluation
      of national data will be valuable for the determination of optimal antibiotic
      regimens and in prevention of unnecessary antibiotic use.

PMID- 24237430
TI  - [Evaluation of a hospital outbreak related to carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa].
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen that causes
      opportunistic infections and hospital outbreaks. During October 2012, carbapenem
      resistant P.aeruginosa strains with similar antibiotic resistance patterns, were
      isolated from specimens sent from the intensive care and plastic surgery units in
      our hospital. Thus a hospital outbreak was suspected. The microbiology laboratory
      database was retrospectively searched and all strains of P.aeruginosa isolated
      during the four month period, starting with the initial carbapenem-resistant
      strain in August 2012, was evaluated as a hospital outbreak. The aim of this
      study was to define the outbreak by investigating the clonal relationship between
      the strains, to detect the potential environmental sources and to evaluate the
      period of the outbreak, risk factors and the efficiency of infection control
      measures. The study was conducted between August-November 2012. Twenty patients
      with carbapenem-resistant P.aeruginosa (CRPA) positive cultures were included in
      the study. The control group consisted of 22 patients with carbapenem-susceptible
      P.aeruginosa (CSPA) positive cultures. The clonal relationship between 26 CRPA
      strains was studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The PFGE results
      indicated that CRPA strains in our hospital were not related to a single clone,
      however, there were four major clones composed of four to eight strains. Logistic
      regression analysis indicated that the risk increased 15.7 fold (95% CI: 1.19
      207.76) by the use of carbapenem, 76.8 fold (95% CI: 2.03-2901.30) by surgical
      procedures and 0.787 fold (95% CI: 0.63-0.97) by the duration of hospital stay.
      Surveillance cultures from health-care personel and the environment performed in
      course of the outbreak, yielded no growth of a strain with the similar antibiotic
      resistance pattern. The spread of CRPA has been controlled by the use of
      effective precautionary measures, regressing the isolate number to 0-1
      strain/month. Since CRPA infections have high mortality and lack therapeutic
      alternatives, they should be regarded among the priorities of the infection
      control programmes. This study has enabled to test the effectiveness of the
      infection control program, to make plans for the possible future outbreaks and to
      train the staff.

PMID- 24237431
TI  - [Investigation of baseline antiviral resistance in treatment-naive chronic
      hepatitis B cases].
AB  - Naturally-occurring mutations associated with resistance to nucleoside/nucleotide
      analogues (NA) can be detected in a group of treatment-naive individuals
      chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Genotypic resistance testing
      prior to the initiation of NA therapy may facilitate the selection of optimal
      drug regime and help to prevent early emergence of clinical resistance. In this
      study, presence of resistance mutations in treatment-naive individuals with
      chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was investigated in Hacettepe University Hospital, a
      referral center in Ankara province, Turkey. A total of 42 patients (17 female, 25
      male; age range: 18-62 years) diagnosed as CHB were enrolled in the study with
      informed consent. All of the patients were negative for hepatitis C and D viruses
      and human immunodeficiency virus coinfections, and none had a history of
      interferon or NA treatment. HBV viral load, HBV markers and hepatic enzymes in
      patients were determined via standardized commercial assays. For the detection of
      NA resistance mutations, a partial sequence of approximately 250 nucleotides,
      harboring the frequently-observed sites for NA resistance was amplified via
      nested PCR and characterized by direct sequencing of the amplicons. The sequences
      were handled and interpreted for the presence of mutations via various softwares
      and a web-based virtual phenotyping tool. Well-characterized sequences were
      obtained in 30 out of 42 samples (71.4%). All circulating HBV strains were
      observed as genotype D. Nucleotide variations were detected in 19 individuals
      (63.5%) that comprise silent mutations without amino acid substitution in 8
      (26.6%), mutations with undetermined significance in 7 (23.3%) and mutations
      associated with NA resistance in 3 (10%) patients. Mutations conferring
      resistance to entecavir + lamivudine (S202G, M204V, L180M, T184N) were identified
      in one patient whereas L180P, A181Q and A194V substitutions associated with
      probable lamivudin + adefovir and tenofovir resistance, respectively, were
      detected in other patients. All patients with resistance mutations were HBsAg and
      HBeAg positive, anti-HBe negative and had viral loads exceeding 3 x 10(7) IU/ml.
      In two patients, the route for HBV transmission was vertical. Since no follow-up
      samples were available from individuals with resistance mutations, alterations in
      serological markers, viral load and mutation patterns could not be monitored. In
      conclusion, the presence of NA resistance mutations were revealed in treatment
      naive CHB cases in a referral hospital in Turkey. The impact and cost-effectivity
      of detecting naturally-occurring resistance mutations for clinical follow-up
      prior to the antiviral therapy need to be elucidated by prospective studies.

PMID- 24237432
TI  - [Investigation of the presence of human metapneumovirus in patients with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma and its relationship with the attacks].
AB  - Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), an enveloped RNA virus classified in
      Paramyxoviridae family, was first characterized in 2001 from children with acute
      respiratory tract infection. Recent studies have suggested hMPV to play a role in
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma attacks. The aims of this
      study were to investigate the frequency of hMPV in patients with COPD and asthma,
      its effects on the severity of the attacks and the relationship between
      demographical and clinical factors. A total of 123 patients, including 66 with
      COPD (45 were in attack and 21 were stable) and 57 with asthma (33 were in attack
      and 24 were under control) diagnosed according to the criteria of Global
      Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and the Global Strategy for
      Asthma Management and Prevention, respectively, were included in the study.
      Nasopharyngeal lavage samples collected from all of the patients have been
      evaluated for the presence of hMPV-RNA by using a reverse transcriptase
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting F gene region of the virus. hMPV-RNA
      positivity rates in patients with COPD and asthma were observed as 30.3% (20/66)
      and 31.6% (18/57), respectively, and the difference between the groups were not
      statistically significant (p= 1.00). When patients were compared according to
      their disease status, hMPV was detected in 31.1% (14/45) of patients with COPD
      attack and 28.6% of stable patients (p> 0.05). These rates were found as 36.4%
      (12/33) and 25% (6/24) in patients with asthma attack and controlled asthma,
      respectively (p> 0.05). Although the virus detection rates in patients with COPD
      and asthma attacks (26/78; 33.3%) were higher than the patients with
      stable/controlled disease (12/45; 26.7%), the difference was not found as
      statistically significant (p= 0.57). The detection rate of hMPV-RNA was 26.1% in
      patients who can be treated at home and hospital without any need of intensive
      care and mechanical ventilation, while this rate was 36.4% in patients with COPD
      attack who require intensive care and mechanical ventilation (p= 0.67).
      Similarly, hMPV-RNA was detected more frequently in asthma patients with moderate
      and severe attacks (45%) than in patients with mild attacks (23.1%); however this
      difference was also not statistically significant (p= 0.28). No association of
      hMPV-RNA detection and demographical and clinical characteristics (age, gender,
      medical history, smoking status, allergy, COPD severity, asthma severity, the
      severity of attacks, using inhaled steroid, fever) of the patients could be
      demonstrated (p> 0.05), except the severity of the disease in patients with
      asthma (p= 0.02). In conclusion, further studies with large number of cases are
      needed to elucidate the role of hMPV in the occurrence and severity of COPD and
      asthma attacks.

PMID- 24237433
TI  - [Determination of hepatitis C virus genotypes among hepatitis C patients in
      Eastern Black Sea Region, Turkey].
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the major cause of transfusion-associated hepatitis, is
      an important public health problem in the world as well as in Turkey. HCV is
      grouped as six distinct genotypes and a large number of closely-related subtypes.
      Genotyping of HCV is an important tool for providing epidemiological data,
      prediction of prognosis, and optimization of antiviral therapy. This study was
      carried out to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes in hepatitis C
      patients residing in different provinces of the Eastern Black Sea Region, Turkey.
      A total of 304 HCV-RNA positive cases (151 male, 153 female; age range: 11-93
      years, mean age: 55.2 +/- 13.3 years) who were admitted to the Molecular
      Microbiology Unit of Department of Medical Microbiology, Karadeniz Technical
      University Faculty of Medicine, between January 2009 to December 2012, were
      included in the study. HCV genotypes were detected in plasma samples of the
      patients by using commercial assays [INNO-LiPA HCV II (Innogenetics, Belgium) or
      Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II (Abbott Molecular Inc, USA)]. Due to the
      ambiguous genotyping results in some samples with these methods, an in-house
      multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with genotype-specific primers
      was also used in the study. Similar to the previous reports from Turkey, our
      results showed that four HCV genotypes (1, 2, 3, and 4) prevailed in the Eastern
      Black Sea Region and the predominant genotype and subtype were genotype 1 (92.8%)
      and 1b (87.5%), respectively. Distribution of genotypes were observed to vary
      according to the province. Prevalences of subtype 1a, genotype 2, 3, and 4 were
      noted as 5.3%, 1.6%, 4.9%, and 0.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the samples from
      Giresun, Gumushane and Bayburt provinces, which are relatively less immigrated,
      had higher genotype 1, and the prevalence rates in the region was affected by the
      presence of non-citizen residents. This study is the first report on distribution
      of HCV genotypes in chronic hepatitis C patients living in the provinces of
      Eastern Black Sea Region. Moreover, genotype-specific multiplex PCR assay could
      be useful in resolving certain methodological problems such as "ghost bands"
      encountered in line probe assay (LiPA) and multiple genotypes (including genotype
      4) observed in real-time PCR during the characterization of HCV genotypes seen in
      Turkey.

PMID- 24237434
TI  - [Investigation of Pneumocystis jirovecii in clinical specimens by different
      methods].
AB  - Pneumocystis jirovecii causes pneumonia in premature, newborn or malnourished
      children, as well as in immunocompromised subjects such as chemotherapy
      receiving, transplant and AIDS patients. Since the mortality and morbidity rates
      of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in these patients were high, rapid and accurate
      diagnosis is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic
      value of Giemsa staining (GS), direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) assay, (1->3)
      beta-D-Glucan (BDG) test and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the
      detection of P.jirovecii in clinical specimens. A total of 100 PCP-suspected
      patients with underlying diseases who were followed-up in outpatient and
      inpatient clinics of our hospital between December 2008-July 2010 were included
      in the study. All the patients (66 male, 34 female; mean age: 42.04 years) were
      under long-term immunosuppressive drug therapy due to their hematological
      malignancies, kidney transplantation, neutropenia or chronic diseases.
      Respiratory samples [86 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), 8 endotracheal aspirate, 1
      nasotracheal aspirate, 3 pleural, 2 lung biopsy samples] obtained from the
      patients have been studied with GS (Merck, Germany), DFA (Pneumo Cel, Cellabs,
      Australia) and PCR (primers targeting MSG gene, LightCycler, Roche, USA), while
      serum samples (n= 100) with BDG (Fungitell, ACC Inc, USA) and PCR methods. In BAL
      samples two were found positive by GS, DFA and PCR, and six were positive only by
      PCR, yielding a total positivity in 8 (8%) samples. All of the sera were negative
      with PCR, however 29 of them were positive (> 80 pg/ml), five were equivocal (61
      79 pg/ml) and 66 were negative (< 60 pg/ml) with BDG test. Eight patients with
      positive results in BAL-PCR were also positive with BDG test. Although the
      agreement between GS and DFA was high (kappa= 1), it was observed as low between
      PCR and DFA (kappa= 0.38), DFA and BDG (kappa= 0.07), BAL-PCR and BDG (kappa=
      0.28). DFA taken as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity values of
      GS, PCR and BDG methods were calculated as 100% and 100%; 100% and 93%; 100% and
      67%, respectively. In the ROC analysis performed for BDG test, with DFA and BAL
      PCR taken as the gold standards, the sensitivity, specificity and cut-off values
      of BDG were estimated as 100%, 93.9% and 494 pg/ml, and 100%, 72.8% and 62 pg/ml,
      respectively. Our data indicated that, overall specificity was high (100%) when
      using GS and DFA tests together, while the sensitivity has been elevated to 93%
      with the additional use of PCR and BDG tests, in the diagnosis of PCP-suspected
      patients. In conclusion, combination of all these tests should be performed for
      the laboratory diagnosis of P.jirovecii.

PMID- 24237435
TI  - [Evaluation of imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases: the use of
      polymerase chain reaction in diagnosis].
AB  - Malaria affecting almost half of the world population continues to be an
      important health problem. Although domestic malaria cases have been decreasing in
      Turkey recently, cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum have increased due to the
      frequent travelling to Africa. The aims of this study were to evaluate
      demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings in cases with
      falciparum malaria who attended to our clinic in 2012-2013 period, and the impact
      of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis. Nine patients evaluated were
      all male with a mean age of 34.3 (age range: 18-48) years, with the history of
      travel to Africa. Six cases did not take prophylaxis against malaria and other
      three cases used insufficient time. Mean duration of symptoms after return was
      18.4 (range: 1-75) days, and the patients were admitted to the clinic within a
      mean of 5.2 (range: 1-15) days. Two patients had leucopenia, two patients had
      anemia, and eight patients had thrombocytopenia on admission. Alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT) levels in four cases and total bilirubin levels of six
      cases were over upper normal limits. Definitive diagnosis of cases was performed
      with the detection of ring and/or gametocytes forms of the parasite in Giemsa
      stained peripheral blood smears. Furthermore, samples from seven patients were
      studied by nested PCR by using genus (Plasmodium rPLU 1 and 5) and species (rFAL
      1 and 2, rVIV 1 and 2, rMAL 1 and 2, rOVA 1 and 2) specific primers. All of these
      seven samples yielded positive results with primers specific for P.falciparum
      ssrRNA. In the treatment, arthemeter/lumefantrin and doxycycline combination was
      used in seven patients, while intravenous artesunate and doxycycline combination
      was given to two patients, resulting with complete cure. Mean duration for the
      resolving of fever was 3.3 days, and mean duration for clearing the parasitemia
      from peripheral blood was 4.9 days. Initial ALT values and the duration of fever
      resolution (-796; p= 0.010), as well as the duration of parasitemia and initial
      thrombocyte counts (-797; p= 0.010) were negatively- correlated. It was concluded
      that, providing sufficient information on malaria and prophylaxis to people
      travelling to the endemic areas are crutial for protection. Moreover, in endemic
      areas for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, patients with fever and
      thrombocytopenia should be questioned in detail about the travel history, and
      peripheral blood smears should be examined in terms of malaria, since their
      clinical features are similar. Plasmodium PCR should be considered as one of the
      alternative diagnostic method in malaria, especially in cases with inconclusive
      microscopy.

PMID- 24237436
TI  - [In vitro activity of ceftaroline to MRSA isolates: a multicenter study].
AB  - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging pathogen that
      cause severe community- and hospital-acquired infections. Studies continue on
      searching alternatives due to the limited number of therapeutic options in MRSA
      infections. Ceftaroline is a wide-spectrum new generation cephalosporin which has
      been begun to be used in treatment of skin and respiratory tract infections
      caused by MRSA. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of
      ceftaroline against MRSA strains isolated from various clinical specimens in
      microbiology laboratories of seven hospitals located at different provinces
      (Bolu, Samsun, Rize, Tekirdag, Sakarya, Amasya, Osmaniye) of Turkey. A total of
      192 MRSA isolates (89 skin/wound/abscess, 38 blood, 36 respiratory tract, 29
      urine/sterile body fluids/catheter) were included in the study, and ceftaroline
      susceptibilities of the strains were detected by broth microdilution method. MIC
      values of 181 (94.3%) isolates were determined as <= 1 ug/ml meaning of
      susceptible according to the criteria of CLSI, and MIC values of 11 (5.7%)
      isolates were found as 2 ug/mL indicating intermediate susceptibility. The range
      of MIC values of the isolates was found between 0.25-2 ug/ml. The rates of
      intermediate isolates have varied between 0-12.5% from the participating centers.
      MIC50 and MIC90 values of all the isolates were determined as 0.5 ug/ml and 1
      ug/ml, respectively. No significant differences were found between the centers in
      terms of mean MIC values (p> 0.05). MIC50 and MIC90 values in Samsun and Bolu
      isolates were found to be the same with the whole group, however, MIC50 and MIC90
      were 0.5 ug/ml and 0.5 ug/ml in Amasya isolates and 1 ug/ml and 1 ug/ml in Rize,
      Tekirdag, Osmaniye and Sakarya isolates, respectively. When evaluating MIC50 and
      MIC90 values and isolation rates of intermediate strains according to the
      specimen types, there were no significant differences (p> 0.05). Susceptibility
      rates to ceftaroline and the distribution profiles of MIC values of the isolates
      obtained from seven centers of Turkey have been detected similar with the
      previous American and European reports. With this study, initial data on the
      activity of ceftaroline against MRSA were obtained from Turkey. These preliminary
      findings indicate that ceftaroline is effective even on Turkish isolates and can
      be a suitable treatment in cases requiring wide-spectrum antimicrobiotic use,
      however further large-scaled studies are needed. 

PMID- 24237437
TI  - [Serotype distribution and antibiotic susceptibilities of Streptococcus
      pneumoniae causing acute exacerbations and pneumonia in children with chronic
      respiratory diseases].
AB  - This study aimed to investigate serotype distribution and antimicrobial
      resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates obtained from children with
      chronic respiratory diseases admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of acute
      exacerbations between 2008-2010 at Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
      Sixty one S.pneumoniae strains isolated from the respiratory samples of patients
      were studied for erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracyline, trimethoprim
      sulphametoxazole (TMP-SMX), vancomycin, levofloxacin susceptibilities by disk
      diffusion method; MIC values of penicillin and ceftriaxone were determined by E
      test (AB Biodisk, Sweden). Results were evaluated according to the CLSI
      standards. The erythromycin-clindamycin double disc method was applied for the
      detection of macrolide resistance phenotypes. The presence of macrolide
      resistance genes, ermB, mef(A)/(E), ermTR were determined by PCR using specific
      primers for each gene. The serotypes were determined by multiplex PCR using
      specific primers for 40 different serotypes. According to CLSI criteria,
      penicillin resistance in S.pneumoniae isolates were found to be 8.2% (5/61) and
      intermediate resistance rate was 54% (33/61) for oral penicillin. Penicillin
      resistance were found to be only 1.6% (1/61) for parenteral penicillin.
      Resistance rates of erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracyline, TMP-SMX were detected
      as 55.8%, 46%, 47.5% and 67.2%; respectively. No resistance was detected to
      vancomycin and levofloxacin. Constitutive macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B
      (cMLSB) phenotype and M phenotype were observed in 82.4% (n= 28) and 17.6% (n= 6)
      of the macrolide resistant isolates, respectively. Inducible macrolide
      lincosamide-streptogramin B (iMLSB) phenotype was not detected. The macrolid
      resistance genotypes, ermB, mef(A)/(E), were positive 50% and 14.7%;
      respectively. Both ermB and mef(A)/(E) genes were detected 35.3% of the macrolid
      resistant isolates. None of the isolates were positive for ermTR gene. The most
      common S.pneumoniae serotypes were determined as serotype 19F, 23F and 6,
      furthermore penicillin (34%, 15.7% and 18.4%, respectively) and macrolide (38.2%,
      20.6% and 14.7%, respectively) resistance rates of those serotypes were found
      relatively high. Serotype covarage of 7-, 10-, 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal
      vaccines and 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine were 65%, 67%, 69%, and 78.6%,
      respectively. In our country, use of the vaccines with these coverage rates has
      been observed to be effective in children exposed to intensive use of antibiotics
      with chronic lung disease.

PMID- 24237438
TI  - [Determination of Salmonella serotypes by conventional and molecular methods].
AB  - Determination of Salmonella enterica serotypes is crucial for epidemiological
      studies. Salmonella serotypes are defined on the basis of somatic (O) and
      flagellar (H) antigens, both of which are present in the cell wall of Salmonella.
      The aim of this study was to compare the results of molecular serotyping obtained
      by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) with conventional serotyping
      results. Conventional serotyping has been performed in Ministry of Health Refik
      Saydam Hygiene Center as part of the National Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenes
      Surveillance Network (UEPLA). A total of 100 Salmonella strains, thay comprise 14
      different serotypes by the reference laboratory have been investigated by using
      specific primers for Salmonella serogroups (A, B, C1, D and E) and Vi antigen
      gene clusters via mPCR method. Serotypes have been determined by applying four
      sequential mPCR targeting the fliC and fliB genes encoding the H1 antigens (H1:
      a, -b, -d, -g,m, -i, -r, -z10) and H2 antigen complexes (H2: 1,2, -1,5, -1,6, 
      1,7 and H: enx, enz15). The results of mPCR showed 100% consistency with the
      serogroups determined by the conventional method. Both sensitivity and
      specificity of mPCR according to each serogroups were found to be 100%. Results
      of serotyping that have been determined with the molecular antigenic formula
      showed accurate results for 2 (2%), probable results for 91 (91%) and incomplete
      formula for 7 (7%) isolates. Molecular serotyping results of the most common
      isolated Salmonella serotypes of which S.Enteritidis, S.Typhimurium and
      S.Paratyphi from clinical microbiology laboratories have been determined as
      probable results. Antigenic formula of these serotypes that detected using mPCR
      were considered to be consistent with the results of conventional serotyping when
      interpreted with epidemiologic data. The sensitivity of mPCR to identify S.Typhi
      which have been determined as accurate result with molecular serotyping was 100%
      for serogrouping and serotyping. Multiplex PCR is cheaper and faster for the
      serotyping of strains isolated in clinical laboratories, compared to the
      conventional methods. However since it is not possible to detect all serotypes by
      using molecular typing, this technique can not be currently considered as an
      alternative for conventional serotyping. Nevertheless molecular typing could be
      beneficial in providing the preliminary results earlier.

PMID- 24237439
TI  - [Investigation of Chlamydia trachomatis seropositivity in patients with cervical
      cancer].
AB  - Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent bacterial pathogen causing sexually
      transmitted diseases worldwide. Many studies emphasize that chlamydial infections
      may play role as a cofactor in cervical cancers caused by high risk human
      papillomavirus types. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of
      antibodies specific for C.trachomatis in patients with cervical cancer in order
      to detect the frequency of chlamydial infections. A total of 77 patients
      diagnosed as cervical cancer who have undergone surgery and on treatment at
      Oncology Institute of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine were included in the study,
      together with 20 healthy women as the control group. Serum samples obtained from
      patient and control groups were investigated by a commercial
      microimmunofluorescence kit (Orgenium Laboratories, Finland) for the detection of
      C.trachomatis IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies. All of the control subjects (mean age:
      30.25 +/- 6.4 years) were found seronegative, however the seropositivity rate
      detected in patients with cervical cancer was 9.1% (7/77). Serological data were
      interpreted as previous infections in four patients with single IgG positivity
      (titers: 1/16 in three and 1/32 in one patient), acute infections in two patients
      with IgG + IgM positivity (titers: IgG 1/64 and IgM 1/64 for both patients), and
      chronic infection in one patient with IgG + IgA positivity (titers: IgG 1/128 and
      IgA 1/20). The mean age of seven seropositive patients was 53.88 +/- 12.1 years,
      and three of them had antibodies against FGK, three against BDE and one against
      CHIJ serogroups of C.trachomatis. None of the cases had the history of sexually
      transmitted disease. No statistically significance was found between patient and
      control groups regarding C.trachomatis IgG, IgA and IgM seropositivity (for IgG;
      p= 0.339, for IgA; p= 1.000, for IgM; p= 1.000). However, it was thought that the
      statistical evaluations may not be conclusive due to the small number of study
      groups. In conclusion further studies with large numbers of cases are needed to
      understand the role of chlamydia infections in the development of cervical
      cancer. 

PMID- 24237440
TI  - [Evaluation of zygomycosis cases by pooled analysis method reported from Turkey].
AB  - Zygomycosis is a rapidly-progressive invasive fungal disease with high mortality
      rates. Mucor, Rhizopus, Rhizomucor and Absidia species classified in Mucorales
      order, are the main causative agents of zygomycosis. Uncontrolled diabetes,
      hematologic malignancies, long term corticosteroid use and immunosuppressive
      therapies are the main predisposing factors for mucormycosis. In this study, we
      aimed to evaluate the mucormycosis cases from Turkey published in national and
      international databases in the last 17 years by means of age, gender, co
      morbidities, signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods, therapeutic modalities, and
      mortality rate by pooling analysis. In our study, two national
      (http://uvt.ulakbim.gov.tr, http://www.turkmedline.net) and two international
      (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, http://apps.webofknowledge.com) databases were used. A
      total of 64 manuscript (34 from national and 30 from international databases)
      published between 1995 and 2012, which were eligible for the study criteria and
      accessible as full text were included in the study. A total of 151 mucormycosis
      patients (71 female, 80 male; mean age: 45.4 +/- 21.4 years) from these studies,
      with definitive diagnosis of invasive fungal infections according to the criteria
      of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) have been
      evaluated. Of 151 patients 91 (60%) were diagnosed as rhinocerebral, 42 (%27.8)
      were sinoorbital, 7 (4.6%) were pulmonary, 6 (3.9%) were disseminated, 3 (1.9%)
      were skin, and 2 (1.3%) were gastrointestinal mycormycosis. The most common
      symptoms and signs were; swelling of eye and face (n= 95, 63%), fever (n= 72,
      48%), nasal obstruction (n= 60, 40%), headache (n= 58, 38%) and opthtalmoplegia
      (n= 48, 32%). The most common co-morbidity was diabetes (49%) followed by
      hematological malignancies (39.7%). Mycological cultures were performed for 82
      patients, and fungal growth were detected in the clinical specimens of 51 cases.
      The distribution of strains isolated in culture were as follows: Mucor spp. (n=
      19, 37.2%), Rhizopus spp. (n= 13, 25.5%), Zygomycetes (n= 9, 17.6%), Rhizopus
      oryzae (n= 4, 7.8%), Rhizopus spp. + yeast (n= 3, 5.9%), Rhizomucor spp. (n= 2,
      3.9%) and Rhizosporium spp. (n= 1, 1.9%). In 133 patients, histopathological
      investigation and in 126 patients radiological examinations were performed for
      diagnosis. Both surgical debridement and antifungal therapy were employed in 115
      patients. Four patients had received only surgical debridement and 30 only
      antifungal therapies. Classical amphotericin B (AMP-B) therapy for 77 cases,
      liposomal AMP-B for 60 cases, liposomal AMP-B + posaconazole for six cases and
      lipid complex AMP-B for two cases have been started as antifungal therapies.
      Total mortality rate was detected as 54.3% (82/151). In conclusion, despite new
      diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents, mortality rates in mucormycosis are
      still very high. For the management, mucormycosis should be considered early in
      risky patients, and surgical debridement together with effective antifungal
      therapy should be applied as soon as possible. 

PMID- 24237441
TI  - [The first metronidazole-resistant Bacteroides species isolated at Marmara
      University Hospital: Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron].
AB  - Bacteroides species, the predominant constituents of the human intestinal
      microbiota can cause serious intraabdominal and postoperative wound infections
      and bacteremia. Moreover, these bacteria are more resistant to antimicrobial
      agents than the other anaerobes. The limited number of the antimicrobials, such
      as carbapenems, beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors and nitroimidazoles are
      highly effective in eliminating Bacteroides. However, a few metronidazole
      resistant isolates have been reported from several countries recently. The nim
      genes (nim A-G) are suggested to be responsible for the majority of the
      metronidazole resistance. Here, we describe a metronidazole-resistant Bacteroides
      thetaiotaomicron isolated from a blood culture. A gram-negative obligate
      anaerobic rod was isolated from the postoperative 5th day blood culture of a 62
      year-old male patient with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas head. The strain was
      identified as B.thetaiotaomicron by using a combination of conventional tests and
      commercially available biochemical kits. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was
      performed by agar dilution method. The resistance genes were investigated by
      means of PCR using specific primer pairs for nim gene. The purified PCR product
      was sequenced and analyzed by comparison of the consensus sequences with GenBank
      sequences. The MIC for metronidazole was 16 mg/L. Although the strain was
      intermediate according the CLSI criteria, it was resistant (> 4 mg/L) according
      to EUCAST criteria. The isolate was nim gene positive, and nucleotide sequencing
      of the PCR product shared 100% similarity with nimE gene (emb |AM042593.1 |). On
      the other hand the isolate was susceptible to carbapenems and sulbactam
      ampicillin. Following administration of ampicillin-sulbactam, the patient's fever
      disappeared after 24 hours. The clinical condition improved considerably and he
      was discharged at day 8. The patient was followed up at the medical oncology
      clinic; however he died due to disease progression six months after surgery.
      Since anaerobic bacteremia is associated with high mortality rate, prompt
      diagnosis and proper management are critical. The studies on Bacteroides
      bacteremia have revealed adverse outcomes in patients receiving antibiotics to
      which the bacterium was resistant. In the present case, the metronidazole
      resistant organism would be reported as susceptible according to CLSI breakpoint
      value and on account of this result the treatment might lead to clinical failure.
      Therefore EUCAST MIC values seem to be more rational in case of Bacteroides
      antibiotic susceptibility testing. 

PMID- 24237442
TI  - [Healthcare-associated Neisseria meningitidis W135 conjunctivitis].
AB  - Neisseria meningitidis is an unusual pathogen among the causes of acute bacterial
      conjunctivitis. Meningococcal conjunctivitis may present as primary or secondary
      infection, while primary meningococcal conjunctivitis may emerge as invasive or
      non-invasive forms. N.meningitidis W135 strain is not common in Turkey, and is
      rarely reported as the cause of meningitis. Moreover, no cases of conjunctivitis
      due to N.meningitidis W135 were reported from Turkey. In this report a case of
      N.meningitidis W135 conjunctivitis has been presented who acquired the infection
      from another patient with meningococcal meningitis by close contact in the
      hospital environment. A 2-month-old male infant was admitted to our hospital with
      poor health condition, feeding difficulty and weight loss. He was hospitalized in
      intensive care unit and fluid replacement started due to severe dehydration. The
      infant had stigmata of Down's Syndrome, and since conjunctivitis were detected on
      physical examination, swab samples were obtained from both eyes for direct
      microscopic examination and cultivation. Abundant lekocytes and gram-negative
      diplococci were observed in Gram-stained smears, and bacterial growth were
      detected in the culture from left eye samples. The isolate have been identified
      as N.meningitidis by conventional microbiological methods, and serotyping of the
      isolate yielded W135 strain. The infant was treated with systemic cefotaxime and
      ampicillin-sulbactam, together with topical tobramycin and gentamycin. Since no
      symptoms of meningitis appeared during the follow-ups, the case was diagnosed as
      non-invasive primary meningococcal conjunctivitis. Investigation for a probable
      source revealed that the infant had close contact with a six-year-old boy with
      high fever, unconsciousness and vomiting a week ago in the outpatient clinic of
      Tekirdag State Hospital. N.meningitidis was also isolated from the cerebrospinal
      fluid culture of probable index case with meningitis and identified as W135
      strain by serotyping. Both strains isolated from these cases were found similar
      according to their phenotypical characteristics, however genotyping could not be
      performed. Since no other sources of exposure could be found, it was concluded
      that the infant with conjunctivitis acquired the bacteria from the other patient
      during their shared hospital visit. This patient is the first N.meningitidis W135
      conjunctivitis case reported from Turkey. 

PMID- 24237443
TI  - [Fungal keratitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum: first report from Turkey].
AB  - Fungal keratitis, an eye infection with poor prognosis, is difficult to treat and
      can lead to loss of vision. Among filamentous fungi Scedosporium spp. rarely lead
      to fungal keratitis. Here we present a case of keratitis caused by Scedosporium
      apiospermum. A 61-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with the
      complaints of right eye pain and decreased vision after a foreign body trauma to
      the right eye. The patient was diagnosed as keratitis by biomicroscopic
      examination. Conjunctival swabs collected from both eyes were inoculated onto
      sheep blood agar, chocolate agar, eosin methylene blue agar and Sabouraud
      dextrose agar. Corneal scrapings from the right eye were inoculated onto the same
      solid media by "C-streak" method, and in brain-heart-infusion broth by immersion.
      While gram-stained smears of conjunctival swabs showed no significant finding,
      smears of corneal scrapings revealed abundant neutrophils and profuse septate
      hyphae. Fungal keratitis was diagnosed and topical enhanced amphotericin B (0.5
      mg/ml) therapy was initiated with netilmicin sulfate and oxytetracycline HCl plus
      polymyxin B sulfate. At the 10th day of therapy a mold growth was detected in
      corneal scraping cultures and was identified microscopically as S.apiospermum.
      Based on the relevant literature, therapy was changed to enhanced topical
      voriconazole (2 mg/ml) applied hourly, plus systemic voriconazole administration.
      At the third day of treatment, reduction of epithelial defect and decline in the
      focus of keratitis were observed. In the following days, however, a progression
      occurred in the focus of keratitis and 5% natamycin ophthalmic suspension was
      added to the therapy. Since the patient did not respond to any of the medical
      treatments, therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty was planned; yet, the patient
      refused the operation and was discharged with her own request. As far as the
      local literature was concerned, this is the first report of keratitis caused by
      S.apiospermum in Turkey. Though a very rare causative agent of keratitis,
      S.apiospermum is generally resistant to antifungal therapy and often require
      surgical treatment. Especially in patients with predisposing factors, this
      organism should be kept in mind as a potential causative agent and relevant
      microbiological examinations should be performed. 

PMID- 24237444
TI  - [Three cases of fungemia caused by Blastoschizomyces capitatus].
AB  - Blastoschizomyces capitatus is a rare fungal pathogen that may lead to severe and
      fatal systemic infections especially in immunosuppressive individuals.
      B.capitatus strains have also been reported as the cause of hospital-acquired
      infections and outbreaks. In this report, three fungemia cases caused by
      B.capitatus with hematologic malignancies have been presented. The first case was
      a 20-year-old female with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the second was a 26-year
      old female with B-cell malignant lymphoma and the third was a 7-year-old male
      with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. All of the patients have been receiving
      chemotherapy, and treated with antibacterial and antifungal agents due to
      neutropenia. The blood cultures obtained from the second and third patients
      yielded B.capitatus although they were under empirical caspofungin therapy. Those
      patients have been treated with voriconazole and amphotericin B after the
      identification of B.capitatus, and clinical improvement were noted during their
      follow-up. However the first patient who was also under caspofungin therapy had
      died just before the isolation of B.capitatus from her blood culture.
      Conventional mycological methods [macroscopic and microscopic morphology, germ
      tube test, urea hydrolysis, carbohydrate assimilation tests (API 20C AUX;
      BioMerieux, France), growth temperature, cycloheximide sensitivity] were used for
      the identification of the isolates. The strains were identified as B.capitatus
      with the characteristics of annelloconidia formation, urease negativity,
      carbohydrate utilization, growth at 45 degrees C and resistance to cycloheximide.
      Antifungal susceptibilities of isolates were determined by using microdilution
      method (for amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole,
      ketoconazole) and E-test (for caspofungin). Minimum inhibitory concentration
      (MIC) values of the three B.capitatus strains were detected as 0.25, 0.125, 0.032
      ug/ml for amphotericin B; 2, 2, 16 ug/ml for fluconazole; 0.064, 0.032, 0.032
      ug/ml for itraconazole and 0.125, 0.064, 0.064 ug/ml for ketoconazole,
      respectively, while MIC values of all strains were 0.032 ug/ml for voriconazole
      and > 32 ug/ml for caspofungin. Since B.capitatus strains were isolated from the
      cases within about 15 days -sequentially-, the genotypes of the isolates were
      determined by repetitive sequence-based PCR (DiversiLab System; BioMerieux,
      France) to investigate the similarity rates. The results of analysis indicated
      97% similarity between two (case 1 and 2) strains and 94.9% similarity in one
      strain (case 3) of B.capitatus, however the transmission route could not be
      clarified due to the absence of environmental sampling. In conclusion,
      B.capitatus should also be considered as a cause of systemic fungal infections in
      immunocompromised patients. Determination of the in vitro antifungal
      susceptibilities of clinical B.capitatus strains may contribute to the
      therapeutic approaches and epidemiological data. 

PMID- 24237445
TI  - Eosinophilic fasciitis associated with hypereosinophilia, abnormal bone-marrow
      karyotype and inversion of chromosome 5.
AB  - We report the case of a male patient presenting with eosinophilia, pulmonary
      oedema and eosinophilic fasciitis (EF). He had the classic clinical appearance
      and magnetic resonance imaging of EF. Cytogenetic analysis of the bone marrow
      revealed a previously undescribed pericentric inversion of chromosome 5. Overall,
      the presentation was consistent with a diagnosis of chronic eosinophilic
      leukaemia, not otherwise specified (CEL-NOS). Dermatologists should consult a
      haematologist in cases of EF, in order to rule out possible haematological
      malignancies. 

PMID- 24237446
TI  - Outcomes of patients with fludarabine-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a
      population-based study from a well-defined geographic region.
AB  - Patients with fludarabine-refractory (FR) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
      receive novel agents in pivotal, non-randomised phase-2 trials. Understanding
      outcome of FR-CLL in health-care may provide important contextual information.
      Records from 1301 patients (Stockholm-Cancer-Registry 1991-2010) identified 92 FR
      patients; bulky lymph-nodes (BFR-group), double-refractory (DR-group), or Others'
      group for outcome-analysis. Median age was 69 years 67% had Rai-stage III/IV with
      median 3 prior therapies. Overall response-rate was 20%; significantly lower in
      BFR (8%, p = 0.01) and DR (20%, p = 0.01) than in 'Others' (31%). Time-to
      treatment-failure (months) was significantly longer in 'Others' (9.2) than in
      BFR/DR (5.3/4.4) (p < 0.01) and significantly longer (p < 0.05) in antibody
      treated patients (9.1) compared to other regimens (5.2). Early-death occurred in
      5%, >= grade III-infections in 20%. Median overall-survival (OS) was 18 months;
      29 in BFR vs. 13 in DR (p = 0.054). Male sex was the only prognostic factor on OS
      (p = 0.01, HR 2.2, multivariate-Cox-regression). Our results, without external
      referrals, facilitate interpretation of non-randomised trials/novel drugs in
      advanced-stage-CLL.

PMID- 24237447
TI  - Oncogenic deregulation of NKL homeobox gene MSX1 in mantle cell lymphoma.
AB  - NKL homeobox gene MSX1 is physiologically expressed during embryonic
      hematopoiesis. Here, we detected MSX1 overexpression in three examples of mantle
      cell lymphoma (MCL) and one of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by screening 96
      leukemia/lymphoma cell lines via microarray profiling. Moreover, in silico
      analysis identified significant overexpression of MSX1 in 3% each of patients
      with MCL and AML, confirming aberrant activity in subsets of both types of
      malignancies. Comparative expression profiling analysis and subsequent functional
      studies demonstrated overexpression of histone acetyltransferase PHF16 together
      with transcription factors FOXC1 and HLXB9 as activators of MSX1 transcription.
      Additionally, we identified regulation of cyclin D1/CCND1 by MSX1 and its
      repressive cofactor histone H1C. Fluorescence in situ hybridization in MCL cells
      showed that t(11;14)(q13;q32) results in detachment of CCND1 from its
      corresponding repressive MSX1 binding site. Taken together, we uncovered
      regulators and targets of homeobox gene MSX1 in leukemia/lymphoma cells,
      supporting the view of a recurrent genetic network that is reactivated in
      malignant transformation.

PMID- 24237448
TI  - Lenalidomide consolidation and maintenance therapy after autologous stem cell
      transplant for multiple myeloma induces persistent changes in T-cell homeostasis.
AB  - Whether the efficacy of lenalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) is
      due to direct tumor toxicity only or to additional immunomodulatory effects is
      unclear. We studied the effect of lenalidomide treatment on T-cell immune
      reconstitution in patients with MM who had undergone autologous peripheral blood
      stem cell transplant (ASCT). Twenty-nine newly diagnosed patients with MM
      received induction therapy followed by high-dose melphalan and ASCT. After ASCT,
      11 patients received lenalidomide consolidation therapy for 2 months followed by
      maintenance therapy until disease progression. The remaining 18 patients received
      no treatment. Serial analysis of thymic output, as given by numbers of T-cell
      receptor excision circles (sjTRECs), and T-cell phenotyping was performed until
      18 months post-ASCT. Lenalidomide impaired long-term thymic T-cell
      reconstitution, decreased CD4 + and CD8 + CD45RA + CCR7 - effector-terminal T
      cell absolute counts and increased CD4 + CD25 + CD127 - /low regulatory T-cells.
      Lenalidomide consolidation and long-term maintenance therapy, administered post
      ASCT, may have a potentially negative impact on immune surveillance.

PMID- 24237449
TI  - Central nervous system involvement in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: uncommon
      manifestation with undefined therapeutic management.

PMID- 24237450
TI  - Hybridization and adaptation to introduced balloon vines in an Australian
      soapberry bug.
AB  - Contemporary adaptation of plant feeding insects to introduced hosts provides
      clear cases of ecologically based population divergence. In most cases the
      mechanisms permitting rapid differentiation are not well known. Here we study
      morphological and genetic variation associated with recent shifts by the
      Australian soapberry bug Leptocoris tagalicus onto two naturalized Neotropical
      balloon vines, Cardiospermum halicacabum and C. grandiflorum that differ in time
      since introduction. Our results show that these vines have much larger fruits
      than the native hosts (Whitewood tree -Atalaya hemiglauca- and Woolly Rambutan 
      Alectryon tomentosus-) and that bugs living on them have evolved significantly
      longer beaks and new allometries. Genetic analyses of mitochondrial haplotypes
      and amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) markers indicate that the
      lineage of bugs on the annual vine C. halicacabum, the older introduction, is
      intermediate between the two subspecies of L. tagalicus found on native hosts.
      Moreover, where the annual vine and Whitewood tree co-occur, the morphology and
      genomic composition of the bugs are similar to those occurring in allopatry.
      These results show that hybridization provided the genetic elements underlying
      the strongly differentiated 'Halicacabum bugs'. In contrast, the bugs feeding on
      the recently introduced perennial balloon vine (C. grandiflorum) showed no
      evidence of admixture, and are genetically indistinguishable from the nearby
      populations on a native host. 

PMID- 24237451
TI  - The impact of intermediate time between chemotherapy and hypofractionated
      radiotherapy to the radiation induced skin toxicity for breast adjuvant
      treatment.
AB  - To evaluate the impact of intermediate time between chemotherapy and radiotherapy
      (ITCR) to skin toxicity for a hypofractionated irradiation schedule. Forty-four
      patients with stage I-II invasive breast cancer receiving postoperative
      radiotherapy (RT) after lumpectomy and axillary dissection were studied. All
      patients received RT with 6 MV linear accelerator (LINAC) with a total tumor dose
      of 53 Gy (Equivalent dose-EQD2- 60 Gy), 2.65 Gy per fraction, in 20 fractions.
      All patients received six cycles of cyclophosphamide methotrexate fluorouracil
      chemotherapy i.v. every 21 days. Acute and late effects and cosmetic results were
      assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and
      Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (EORTC/RTOG) Rating System. The mean follow-up
      was 7 years. The spearman rho test showed that there was a significant
      correlation between short ITCR and acute skin toxicity 3 months post RT, by means
      of acute radiation induced morbidity. None of the related late-toxicity
      parameters was correlated with the ITCR. However, there was significantly higher
      acute toxicity when the ITCR was less than 20 days (p < 0.05). We may suggest
      that when a hypofractionated irradiation schedule is used for breast cancer
      patients, then the ITCR should be more than 20 days from chemotherapy.

PMID- 24237452
TI  - Hypothermic machine perfusion versus cold storage in the rescuing of livers from
      non-heart-beating donor rats.
AB  - The aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of cold storage (CS) and
      hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) methods of preserving grafts excised from non
      heart-beating donors that had suffered 45 minutes of warm ischemia. We developed
      a new solution for HMP to use in liver transplantation, based on BES, gluconate,
      and polyethylene glycol (BGP-HMP solution). After 24 h of HMP or CS, livers were
      reperfused at 37 degrees C with Krebs-Henseleit solution with added dextran. For
      both procedures, portal pressure and flow were measured and the intrahepatic
      resistance (IR) was calculated. The pH oscillations and enzyme activities (LDH,
      AST, and ALT) were evaluated for the perfusion buffer during normothermic
      reperfusion. O2 consumption of the liver, glycogen production, and bile flow were
      also measured during the normothermic reperfusion period. Portal flow and IR
      showed statistical differences (P < 0.05) between the two groups (n = 5). HMP
      with BGP-HMP solution resulted in higher values of portal flow and lower IR than
      CS with HTK solution. Enzyme release after 90 min of reperfusion did not show
      statistical differences between groups. With regard to bile flow and O2
      consumption, livers preserved by both processes were able to produce bile, but
      livers preserved with HMP were able to take up more O2 than livers preserved by
      CS.

PMID- 24237453
TI  - Bismuth-halide oxidative addition and bismuth-carbon reductive elimination in
      platinum complexes containing chelating diphosphine ligands.
AB  - Reaction of BiX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) with [PtMe2(P-P)], (1a, P-P = dppm; 1b, P-P =
      dppe), occurs easily to yield a mixture of platinum(II) complexes [PtMeX(P-P)],
      2, and [PtX2(P-P)], 3, and the binuclear complex [Pt2Me2(MU-X)(MU-dppm)2]X, 4. On
      the basis of (31)P NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy, a mechanism is proposed in which
      the rate determining step is conversion of the yellowish Pt(II)-BiX3 adduct
      BiI3.[PtMe2(dppm)], A, into the Pt(IV)-Bi(III) intermediate [PtMe2(BiX2)X(P-P)],
      IM1. Density functional theory (DFT) studies suggest that intermediate IM1 may be
      formed in acetone solution which undergoes the Bi-C reductive elimination process
      before formation of complexes 2 and 3. The structures of intermediates IM1 were
      theoretically determined using DFT calculations. In dilute acetone solution, as
      monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy, the oxidative addition processes follow first
      order kinetics. The overall reaction is slower for heavier halide. 

PMID- 24237454
TI  - A keloid edge precut, preradiotherapy method in large keloid skin graft
      treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Keloids are scars that extend beyond the borders of the original
      wound. They are difficult to cure because of their high recurrence rate,
      particularly in large keloids that require skin grafts. This article describes a
      study to compare the effectiveness of a new technique, a combination precut,
      preradiotherapy method, with the conventional surgical method of keloid skin
      graft treatment. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with chest wall keloids were
      treated from April 2005 to June 2011. Twenty-nine patients were treated with
      conventional surgery and radiotherapy. Keloids were removed from these patients,
      and their wounds were closed with skin grafts. If the grafts survived well,
      radiotherapy was applied, and the sutures were removed. Twenty-four patients were
      treated using the novel precut, preradiotherapy method. An incision was made down
      to the subcutaneous layer around the edge of the keloid, and radiotherapy was
      applied on the following day. Then the keloid was removed, and the wound was
      closed using a skin graft. Radiotherapy was applied for the second time when the
      graft was found to have survived. Patients underwent follow-up examinations 6 and
      12 months after surgery. The scar at the operation site and aesthetic
      satisfaction were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The recurrence rate was 55.2%
      in the conventional group and 16.7% in the precut group, a significant difference
      (chi(2)  = 6.73, p < .01). There was a significant difference in aesthetic
      satisfaction between the two groups, with 48.3% in the conventional group rating
      their satisfaction as poor versus 8.3% in the precut group (chi(2)  = 7.50, p <
      .01). CONCLUSION: The precut, preradiotherapy strategy may be a promising
      treatment option for patients with large keloids that require excision and skin
      graft repair.

PMID- 24237456
TI  - MicroRNA levels are modulated in Aedes aegypti after exposure to Dengue-2.
AB  - To define microRNA (miRNA) involvement during arbovirus infection of Aedes
      aegypti, we mined deep sequencing libraries of Dengue type 2 (DENV2)-exposed
      mosquitoes. Three biological replicates for each timepoint [2, 4 and 9 days post
      exposure (dpe)] and treatment group allowed us to remove the outliers associated
      with sample-to-sample variability. Using edgeR (R Bioconductor), designed for use
      with replicate deep sequencing data, we determined the log fold-change (logFC) of
      miRNA levels [18-23 nucleotides (nt)]. The number of significantly modulated
      miRNAs increased from <= 5 at 2 and 4 dpe to 23 unique miRNAs by 9 dpe. Putative
      miRNA targets were predicted by aligning miRNAs to the transcriptome, and the
      list was reduced to include the intersection of hits found using the Miranda,
      PITA, and TargetScan algorithms. To further reduce false-positives, putative
      targets were validated by cross-checking them with mRNAs reported in recent DENV2
      host response transcriptome reports; 4076 targets were identified. Of these, 464
      gene targets have predicted miRNA-binding sites in 3' untranslated regions.
      Context-specific target functional groups include proteins involved in transport,
      transcriptional regulation, mitochondrial function, chromatin modification and
      signal transduction processes known to be required for viral replication and
      dissemination. The miRNA response is placed in context with other vector host
      response studies by comparing the predicted targets with those of transcriptome
      studies. Together, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that profound
      and persistent changes to gene expression occur in DENV2-exposed mosquitoes.

PMID- 24237458
TI  - Kinetic studies of the epimerization of diastereomeric pyrylium salts.
AB  - Chiral pyrylium salts are almost unknown in the literature, and none that are
      epimerizable have been reported prior to our work. Herein, we report two new
      epimerizable pyryliums and the kinetics of the diastereomeric equilibration of
      these and one other example. All of these required a careful analysis of the (1)H
      NMR spectrum to identify the stereoisomers, particularly for one of them. The
      temporal evolution of the relative isomeric concentrations was determined through
      acquisition of progressive NMR spectra. The base-catalyzed isomerization kinetics
      were successfully modeled as sequential, pseudo-first-order reactions that
      transition through a long-lived intermediate. These results suggest that the
      pseudobase intermediate is the operative catalyst when epimerizations are
      initiated with amines with pK(a) 7.4 or greater. Given the bulky nature of the
      operative acid (pyrylium) and base (pseudobase), the rate of these epimerizations
      is sensitive to steric bulk in the pyrylium. Thus, the reaction kinetics slow by
      a factor of 25 when substituents are placed at the ortho versus para position on
      the pyrylium cyclohexane ring. This is likely due to the difficulty of pseudobase
      attack at the sterically crowded pyrylium acidic hydrogen position.

PMID- 24237457
TI  - Arterial thromboembolism in 250 cats in general practice: 2004-2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Population characteristics and outcome of cats with arterial
      thromboembolism (ATE) managed in general practice (GP) have been poorly
      described. HYPOTHESIS: Cats with ATE presenting to GP are usually euthanized at
      presentation, but survival times >1 year are possible. ANIMALS: Cats with ATE
      managed by 3 GP clinics in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Records of cases
      presenting to GP over a 98-month period (2004-2012) were reviewed. Cats with an
      antemortem diagnosis of limb ATE were included. Outcome information was obtained.
      RESULTS: Over 98 months, 250 cats were identified with ATE. Prevalence was
      approximately 0.3%. At presentation, 153 cats (61.2%) were euthanized, with 68/97
      (70.1%) of the remaining cats (27.2% of the total population) surviving >24 hours
      after presentation. Of these, 30/68 (44.1%) survived for at least 7 days.
      Hypothermia (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.002-2.07; P = .049) and management by Clinic 2
      (HR, 5.53; 95% CI, 1.23-24.8; P = .026) were independent predictors of 24-hour
      euthanasia or death. For cats surviving >24 hours, hypothermia (HR, 2.25; 95% CI,
      1.12-4.48; P = .021) and failure to receive aspirin, clopidogrel, or both (HR,
      8.26; 95% CI, 1.39-50; P = .001) were independent predictors of euthanasia or
      death within 7 days. For cats that survived >=7 days, median survival time was 94
      (95% CI, 42-164) days, with 6 cats alive 1 year after presentation. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although 153/250 cats were euthanized at presentation, 6 cats survived >12
      months. No factors were identified that predicted euthanasia on presentation.

PMID- 24237459
TI  - Observations of families in structured interactions: parenting therapists provide
      reliable ratings of mothers' parenting.
AB  - The reliability of observations of parenting by parenting therapists was
      assessed. An important predictor of externalizing behavior in children is quality
      of parenting. Data were videotapes of structured interactions in families with a
      child age 8-12 years referred to the evidence based Parent Management Training
      Oregon (PMTO) treatment program for child behavior problems. The therapists had
      clinical PMTO training but no training in systematic observation. PMTO
      observational coders with specific coder training were included as a reference
      for the therapists. Five therapists and two coders observed videotapes of 10
      families and performed global evaluations of mothers' parenting skills. They used
      the coder's impression measure used in PMTO research. Scores were analyzed in a
      generalizability theory framework for the two groups of observers separately.
      Both observer types reliably rank-ordered the mothers and assessed the level of
      parenting skills. PMTO therapists without coder training provided reliable
      ratings of parenting constructs relevant to the clinical PMTO program in a manner
      comparable to that of the trained reference coders.

PMID- 24237460
TI  - Using comparative effectiveness research to inform decision-making: is there a
      role of economic evaluation?

PMID- 24237461
TI  - New approach presented in Norway for large-scale cancer screening programs.

PMID- 24237462
TI  - From methods to policy: actions speak louder than words.

PMID- 24237463
TI  - Comparative effectiveness research from the perspective of a surgeon-scientist.

PMID- 24237464
TI  - Novel lytics, novel imaging: a new treatment strategy in stroke?
AB  - Intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase is one of the few evidence-based acute
      ischemic stroke treatments. Efficacy is time dependent and not all patients
      treated within the 4.5 h license derive benefit. The lytic agent tenecteplase has
      theoretical benefits. In the Phase II study by Parsons and colleagues,
      tenecteplase was superior to alteplase across imaging and safety outcomes for
      patients selected using specific imaging criteria. We review the evidence for
      thrombolysis, experience with tenecteplase and compare this study with others
      that have used similar designs for the investigation of novel stroke lytic
      agents.

PMID- 24237465
TI  - Roflumilast as add-on therapy to conventional inhalers in COPD: a cost
      effectiveness analysis.
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory
      disease that is mainly linked to smoking and is associated with significant
      medical and economic burdens. For example, in the USA the estimated direct costs
      are US$29.5 billion, whereas at the EU level these costs are estimated to amount
      to approximately 56% of the costs related to respiratory diseases. COPD is
      characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea and productive
      cough, which are progressive and further worsen during exacerbation of the
      disease. It is also associated with an abnormal lung function decline and with an
      increasing rate of exacerbations, the latter being responsible for most of the
      related direct costs. The existing inhaled therapies such as long-acting
      anticholinergics, long-acting beta2 agonists and inhaled corticosteroids are not
      always able to improve the disease outcome, and therefore other more effective
      therapies are needed; roflumilast is a recent example of such a therapy, being
      authorized for use in patients with severe and very severe COPD (i.e., with a
      forced expiratory volume in 1 s of <50% predicted) based on its ability to
      significantly reduce the exacerbation rate and the severity of respiratory
      symptoms.

PMID- 24237466
TI  - Optimizing the design of pragmatic trials: key issues remain.
AB  - Clinical trials have largely focused on whether an intervention can work. To
      ensure valid and powerful testing of this hypothesis, trials attempt to maximize
      the effect of the intervention of interest, controlling other factors that can
      confound comparisons. The benefits observed in these studies are often not
      sustained once the treatment is used in routine care, leaving regulators,
      practitioners and patients with a paucity of reliable evidence to assist decision
      making. Attempts to address this need have led to 'pragmatic trials' that
      prioritize applicability of findings to real-world practice by minimizing design
      features that produce less pertinent information. Minimizing biases in this
      pragmatic context remains a very difficult task, however. This paper reviews some
      of these challenges and highlights specific aspects of design that must be
      approached with a pragmatic attitude. 

PMID- 24237467
TI  - Assessing the impact of systematic reviews on future research: two case studies.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate the impact of systematic reviews on research funded by the
      Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) through Evidence-based Practice
      Centers (EPCs), and to identify barriers to and facilitators for the effects of
      these documents on future research. METHODS & MATERIALS: Two AHRQ systematic
      reviews were selected as case studies to evaluate their impact on future
      research. Key citations generated by these reports were identified through ISI
      Web of Science and PubMed Central and traced forward to identify effects on
      subsequent studies through citation analysis from updated systematic reviews on
      the topics. Requests for applications and program announcements from the NIH
      Guide for Grants and Contracts website were reviewed and dissemination data were
      obtained from AHRQ. Finally, interviews were conducted with 13 key informants to
      help identify short-, medium- and long-term impacts of the EPC reviews. RESULTS:
      The measurable impact of the two EPC reviews is demonstrably greater on short
      term outcomes (greater awareness of the issues) than on medium-term (e.g., the
      generation of new knowledge) or long-term outcomes (e.g., changes in patient
      practice or health outcomes). Factors such as the topic and the timing of the
      report relative to the development of the field may explain the impact of these
      two AHRQ reports. The degree to which the new research can be directly attributed
      to the AHRQ reviews remains unclear. Key informants discussed several benefits
      stemming from the EPC reports, including providing a foundation for the research
      community on which to build, heightening awareness of the gaps in knowledge,
      increasing the quality of research and sparking new directions of research.
      However, the degree to which these reports were influential hinged on several
      factors including marketing efforts, the very nature of the reports and other
      influences external to the EPC domain. CONCLUSIONS: The findings outlined in this
      article illustrate the importance of numerous factors influencing future
      research: the breadth, specificity and readiness of the topic for more research,
      ongoing developments in the field, availability of funding and active engagement
      of champions. AHRQ and the EPCs may be able to improve the likelihood of impact
      by creating more targeted products, planning for and expanding dissemination
      activities, improving the readability and other attributes of the reports
      themselves, and actively involving funders early on and throughout the process of
      creating and publishing the reviews.

PMID- 24237468
TI  - Comparing treatments for endometriosis-related pain symptoms in patients with
      migraine without aura.
AB  - Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder defined by the presence of endometrial
      like tissue outside the uterus. Several studies have found an epidemiological
      correlation between endometriosis and migraine, probably due to the association
      of both diseases with female hormones. Progestins or combined oral contraceptives
      are the first-line medical therapy in women with endometriosis; however, it is
      well known that in some women the use of combined oral contraceptives could
      exacerbate migraine. This observation poses a challenge to clinicians who must
      concomitantly treat endometriosis-related symptoms and migraine. This review
      summarizes the available literature on the medical treatment of endometriosis in
      women suffering concomitant migraine without aura until March 2012. Due to the
      lack of available studies on this topic, it is difficult to draw definitive
      conclusions. Further studies evaluating hormonal therapies are needed; in
      particular, progestin therapy should be reconsidered in women with migraine and
      concomitant endometriosis. 

PMID- 24237470
TI  - [Standard prescriptions for extemporaneously produced medicinal preparations in
      pharmacies VI. Collection Neues Rezeptur-Formularium].
AB  - The paper deals with the content of the collection Neues Rezeptur-Formularium
      (NRF) and some prescriptions potentially usable in innovations and
      standardization of prescriptions for extemporaneously produced medicinal
      preparations in pharmacies in the Czech Republic. Another possible use of NRF in
      the Czech Republic consists in the revision of the National Section of the Czech
      Pharmacopoeia.

PMID- 24237471
TI  - A combination of grapefruit seed extract and concentrated cranberry juice as a
      potential antimicrobial preservative for the improvement of microbiological
      stability of hypromellose gel.
AB  - Aqueous hypromellose gels are not microbiologically stable - they show signs of
      microorganism growth during storage. To extend the shelf-life of the gels,
      antimicrobial preservatives are needed. Some substances of plant origin are known
      for their antimicrobial properties, and thus they may be used as an alternative
      to synthetic preservatives. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the
      microbiological stability of aqueous hypromellose gel and the effectiveness of
      natural substances - grapefruit seed extract (GSE), concentrated cranberry juice,
      and a combination thereof - on the antimicrobial protection of the gel. The
      evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of GSE and cranberry juice showed that
      their antimicrobial effects differed. Both cranberry juice and GSE inhibited the
      growth of the standard gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, but the effect
      of GSE was significantly stronger. Candida albicans was sensitive only to GSE.
      For this reason, in order to affect all the microorganisms studied, either a
      combination of 0.7% GSE and 10% cranberry juice, or 5% GSE alone may be used. The
      combination of GSE and cranberry juice was effective only in acidic medium (pH
      being 2.5-5), while the antimicrobial effect of GSE was not dependent on the pH
      value.

PMID- 24237472
TI  - [Evaluation of liberation of caffeine from dermal semisolids drugs].
AB  - The paper deals with formulation of caffeine into dermal semisolid dosage forms -
      hydrogels. Caffeine was chosen as a model drug because its properties can be
      successfully used just in hydrogels. Protective and tranquilization effects can
      be used in the preparations for sunbathing, and its lipolytic and regenerative
      effect can be used for the treatment of androgenic alopecia or cellular
      bioprotection. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of different
      concentrations of chitosan and caffeine on the liberation of gels. Besides,
      stability of the prepared samples was evaluated by means of the evaluation of
      their rheological parameters. Based on the obtained results, there was determined
      the optimal drug concentration - caffeine 0.2% (w/w) and also the gel forming
      substance - chitosan 2.3% (w/w).

PMID- 24237473
TI  - [Influence of temperature and concentration of a surfactant on pharmaceutical
      availability].
AB  - This study aimed to analyze the influence of surfactant concentration and
      temperature on drug liberation from hydrogels and their flow properties. The
      surfactant benzethonium chloride (BZCl) was used in concentrations of 0.01, 0.1
      and 0.5 % (w/w), while the drug chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (CHX) was used in a
      concentration of 0.1 % (w/w). Chitosan (CHIT) in 2.5 % (w/w) concentration was
      used as a gel-creating substance. The drug and surfactant liberation were
      evaluated within the temperature range of 25-40  degrees C. The largest amounts
      of both of them were liberated at the temperature of 40  degrees C. Through the
      concentration changes it was possible to obtain statistically significant
      differences (P < 0.05) between the liberation of CHX and BZCl. An analysis of the
      flow properties revealed that the character of the plastic system was not
      influenced by the changing concentration of the surfactant. The experimental
      results led to the conclusion that the optimum composition of the gel was as
      follows: 2.5 % (w/w) CHIT + 0.1 % (w/w) CHX + 0.01 % (w/w) BZCl.

PMID- 24237474
TI  - [Perception of body weight by pharmacists and pharmaceutical laboratory
      assistants in Slovakia I].
AB  - The paper presents the results of a questionnaire poll carried out in the workers
      in pharmacies in the Slovak Republic in the year 2012. Altogether 1,884
      questionnaires were distributed, of which 492 (26.1%) were returned. The poll
      aimed to find the perception of and attitudes to overweight and obesity in
      pharmacists and pharmaceutical laboratory assistants. The average BMI values in
      pharmacists were 25.08, in pharmaceutical laboratory assistants 24.86. Overweight
      and/or obesity were recorded in 36.6% of respondents, BMI 25 was found in 5.2 %
      men and 33.7% women. An absence of a chronic disease was reported in 61.8% of
      respondents, and 38.8% of respondents reported medication - most frequently
      administration of antihistamines, hormones of the thyroid gland, and
      antihypertensive drugs. In 220 (44.7%) of respondents, overweight/obesity existed
      in the family. Physical exercise carried out more than 3 times a week was
      reported by 9.6% of respondents. Drinking regime was evaluated as good in 52.1%
      of respondents, and 14.6% of participants compensated stress with food.

PMID- 24237475
TI  - [Perception of body weight by pharmacists and pharmaceutical laboratory
      assistants in Slovakia II].
AB  - The paper presents the results of a questionnaire poll carried out in the workers
      in pharmacies in the Slovak Republic in the year 2012. A number of 250
      respondents (50.8%) were satisfied with their weight, 242 (49.2%) were not
      satisfied; 190 (38.6%) of them attempted to decrease the weight, 52 (10.6%) did
      not; 94 persons (49.5 %) attempted to decrease weight more than 3 times. 110
      respondents (57.9%) actively searched for the possibilities of treatment of
      overweight and obesity. The most frequent source of information was the Internet
      (64; 57.7%). Only 43 (22.6%) participants decided to solve their problem of
      overweight/obesity in cooperation with an expert. As many as 127 (66.8%)
      respondents stated that the physician did not draw their attention to the need of
      decreasing their weight. The most widely used method of slimming in the workers
      in pharmacies was modification of eating habits (162, 84.4%). A number of 108
      (56.8%) respondents reported that they were able to maintain the loss of weight.

PMID- 24237476
TI  - Psychiatric symptomatology and health-related quality of life in children and
      adolescents with alopecia areata.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a very limited amount of data available regarding the
      relationship between alopecia areata (AA) and psychiatric morbidity and quality
      of life (QoL) in children and adolescents. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was
      to determine the psychiatric state and health-related quality of life (HRQL) of
      children and adolescents with AA, as well as their relationships with clinical
      parameters. METHODS: The sample consisted of 74 children with AA aged 8-18 years.
      Questionnaires were used to evaluate the psychiatric status and HRQL of the
      patients. The study and control groups were divided into child and adolescent
      groups to exclude the effect of puberty on psychological condition. RESULTS: In
      the child group, patients had higher state anxiety and trait anxiety scores; they
      also had lower parent-rated psychosocial and total area HRQL scores than the
      controls did. In addition, the depression score was prone to show a positive
      relationship with having AA in the children. In the adolescent group, however,
      only the state anxiety score had a significant association with AA. All of the
      parent-rated HRQL scores were also prone to being lower compared with controls in
      this age group. Regarding determinants of HRQL, prolonged disease duration and
      later disease onset had positive effects, whereas severity of scalp involvement,
      trait anxiety and depression had negative effects, for the sample as a whole.
      CONCLUSIONS: Alopecia areata is associated with poor psychiatric status and QoL,
      especially in childhood. The impact of the disease on QoL occurs through both
      clinical and psychiatric parameters.

PMID- 24237477
TI  - Three-dimensional imaging of whole mouse models: comparing nondestructive X-ray
      phase-contrast micro-CT with cryotome-based planar epi-illumination imaging.
AB  - In this study, we compare two evolving techniques for obtaining high-resolution
      3D anatomical data of a mouse specimen. On the one hand, we investigate cryotome
      based planar epi-illumination imaging (cryo-imaging). On the other hand, we
      examine X-ray phase-contrast micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) using
      synchrotron radiation. Cryo-imaging is a technique in which an electron
      multiplying charge coupled camera takes images of a cryo-frozen specimen during
      the sectioning process. Subsequent image alignment and virtual stacking result in
      volumetric data. X-ray phase-contrast imaging is based on the minute refraction
      of X-rays inside the specimen and features higher soft-tissue contrast than
      conventional, attenuation-based micro-CT. To explore the potential of both
      techniques for studying whole mouse disease models, one mouse specimen was imaged
      using both techniques. Obtained data are compared visually and quantitatively,
      specifically with regard to the visibility of fine anatomical details. Internal
      structure of the mouse specimen is visible in great detail with both techniques
      and the study shows in particular that soft-tissue contrast is strongly enhanced
      in the X-ray phase images compared to the attenuation-based images. This
      identifies phase-contrast micro-CT as a powerful tool for the study of small
      animal disease models. 

PMID- 24237478
TI  - Association between reduced kidney function and clinical outcomes after ischaemic
      stroke with atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause up to 50% of
      cardioembolic strokes and its effects may be exacerbated by chronic kidney
      disease. Our aim was to investigate the influence of reduced renal function on
      death, disability and stroke recurrence in stroke patients with AF in China.
      METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with ischaemic stroke and AF who
      were admitted within 1 month of stroke onset between January 2003 and February
      2007 were consecutively enrolled. Patients were classified as having a reduced
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or normal eGFR, and clinical
      characteristics, functional outcomes and stroke recurrence were compared between
      the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients were analyzed in the study, of
      whom 105 (45.9%) had reduced eGFR. These patients were more likely to be female,
      non-smokers and non-drinkers than were patients in the normal eGFR group (all P
      <= 0.002). Patients with reduced eGFR showed approximately 2-fold higher risk of
      death at 3, 6 and 12 months after stroke onset than did patients with normal eGFR
      (all P <= 0.042), after adjusting for age, sex and stroke severity on admission.
      However, the two groups showed similar 1-year cumulative stroke recurrence (P =
      0.331, log rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced eGFR was independently associated
      with increased risk of death in patients with ischaemic stroke and AF. The
      association between reduced eGFR and risk of stroke recurrence needs to be
      explored in larger studies.

PMID- 24237479
TI  - Autism and developmental profiles in preschoolers: stability and change over
      time.
AB  - AIM: Increasing numbers of young children are now being diagnosed with autism
      spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to analyse developmental trajectories
      in a representative group of preschool children with ASD. METHOD: In a
      naturalistic study, 208 preschool children with different subtypes of ASD were
      followed over a 2-year period. Their trajectories, as regards persistence of ASD
      diagnoses, developmental/intellectual levels, adaptive functioning and expressive
      speech, were monitored. RESULTS: Developmental profiles showed considerable
      change over time, especially in children with atypical autism and in those with
      developmental delay/borderline intellectual functioning at their first
      assessment. Approximately 50% of the children were found to have intellectual
      disability (ID) at follow-up and, of these, the majority had severe ID. This was
      in contrast to the first assessment by the referral team when ID had rarely been
      mentioned or discussed. CONCLUSION: Changes in developmental profiles during
      preschool years are common in children with ASD. This implies that reassessments,
      covering different developmental areas, are needed. Such follow-up assessments
      prior to the start of school will yield a more valid estimation of the child's
      general cognitive level and a more accurate ASD diagnosis and thus form a better
      basis for realistic educational planning and intervention.

PMID- 24237480
TI  - Claims for compensation after alleged birth asphyxia: a nationwide study covering
      15 years.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze compensation claims with neurological sequela or death
      following alleged birth asphyxia. DESIGN: A cohort study. SETTING: A nationwide
      study in Norway. SAMPLE: All claims made to The Norwegian System of Compensation
      to Patients (NPE) concerning sequela related to alleged birth asphyxia, between
      1994 and 2008. A total of 315 claims of which 161 were awarded compensation.
      METHODS: Examination of hospital records, experts' assessments and the decisions
      made by the NPE, the appeal body and courts of law. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Characteristics of deliveries resulting in intrapartum asphyxia and causes of
      substandard care categorized in eight groups. RESULTS: In the 161 compensated
      cases, 107 children survived (96 with neurological sequela), and 54 children
      died. Human error was a frequent reason of substandard care, seen as inadequate
      fetal monitoring (50%), lack of clinical knowledge and skills (14%),
      noncompliance with clinical guidelines (11%), failure in referral for senior
      medical help (10%) and error in drug administration (4%). System errors were
      registered in only 3%, seen as poor organization of the department, lack of
      guidelines and time conflicts. The health personnel held responsible for
      substandard care was an obstetrician in 49% and a midwife in 46%. CONCLUSIONS:
      Substandard care is common in birth asphyxia, and human error is the cause in
      most cases. Inadequate fetal monitoring and lack of clinical knowledge and skills
      are the most frequent reasons for compensation after birth asphyxia.

PMID- 24237481
TI  - Phylogenetic constraints on elemental stoichiometry and resource allocation in
      heterotrophic marine bacteria.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of evolutionary
      history to variation in the biomass stoichiometry and underlying biochemical
      allocation patterns of heterotrophic marine bacteria. We hypothesized that
      phylogeny significantly constrains biochemical allocation strategy and elemental
      composition among taxa of heterotrophic marine bacteria. Using a 'common-garden'
      experimental design, we detected significant interspecific variation in
      stoichiometry, macromolecule allocation and growth rate among 13 strains of
      marine Proteobacteria. However, this variation was not well explained by 16S rRNA
      phylogenetic relationships or differences in growth rate. Heterotrophic bacteria
      likely experience C-limitation when consuming resources in Redfield proportions,
      which consequently decouples growth rate from allocation to rRNA and biomass P
      content. Accordingly, overall bacterial C : nutrient ratios (C : P = 77, C : N =
      4.9) were lower than Redfield proportions, whereas the average N : P ratio of 17
      was consistent with the Redfield ratio. Our results suggest that strain-level
      diversity is an important driver of variation in the C : N : P ratios of
      heterotrophic bacterial biomass and that the potential importance of non-nucleic
      acid pools of P warrants further investigation. Continued work clarifying the
      range and controls on the stoichiometry of heterotrophic marine bacteria will
      help improve understanding and predictions of global ocean C, N and P dynamics. 

PMID- 24237482
TI  - Effectiveness of healthy relationships video-group-A videoconferencing group
      intervention for women living with HIV: preliminary findings from a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Expanded access to efficacious interventions is needed for women
      living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLH) in the United States. Availability
      of "prevention with (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV)] positives" interventions
      in rural/remote and low HIV prevalence areas remains limited, leaving WLH in
      these communities few options for receiving effective behavioral interventions
      such as Healthy Relationships (HR). Offering such programs via videoconferencing
      groups (VGs) may expand access. This analysis tests the effectiveness of HR-VG
      (versus wait-list control) for reducing sexual risk behavior among WLH and
      explores intervention satisfaction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this randomized
      controlled trial unprotected vaginal/anal sex occasions over the prior 3 months
      reported at the 6-month follow-up were compared across randomization groups
      through zero-inflated Poisson regression modeling, controlling for unprotected
      sex at baseline. Seventy-one WLH were randomized and completed the baseline
      assessment (n=36 intervention and n=35 control); 59 (83% in each group) had
      follow-up data. RESULTS: Among those who engaged in unprotected sex at 6-month
      follow-up, intervention participants had approximately seven fewer unprotected
      occasions than control participants (95% confidence interval 5.43-7.43).
      Intervention participants reported high levels of satisfaction with HR-VG; 84%
      reported being "very satisfied" overall. CONCLUSIONS: This study found promising
      evidence for effective dissemination of HIV risk reduction interventions via VGs.
      Important next steps will be to determine whether VGs are effective with other
      subpopulations of people living with HIV (i.e., men and non-English speakers) and
      to assess cost-effectiveness. Possibilities for using VGs to expand access to
      other psychosocial and behavioral interventions and reduce stigma are discussed.

PMID- 24237483
TI  - Transglutamination allows production and characterization of native-sized
      ELPylated spider silk proteins from transgenic plants.
AB  - In the last two decades it was shown that plants have a great potential for
      production of specific heterologous proteins. But high cost and inefficient
      downstream processing are a main technical bottleneck for the broader use of
      plant-based production technology especially for protein-based products, for
      technical use as fibres or biodegradable plastics and also for medical
      applications. High-performance fibres from recombinant spider silks are,
      therefore, a prominent example. Spiders developed rather different silk materials
      that are based on proteins. These spider silks show excellent properties in terms
      of elasticity and toughness. Natural spider silk proteins have a very high
      molecular weight, and it is precisely this property which is thought to give them
      their strength. Transgenic plants were generated to produce ELPylated recombinant
      spider silk derivatives. These fusion proteins were purified by Inverse
      Transition Cycling (ITC) and enzymatically multimerized with transglutaminase in
      vitro. Layers produced by casting monomers and multimers were characterized using
      atomic force microscopy (AFM) and AFM-based nanoindentation. The layered
      multimers formed by mixing lysine- and glutamine-tagged monomers were associated
      with the highest elastic penetration modulus. 

PMID- 24237484
TI  - Unusual nonrefractile eosinophilic crystal in breast ducts in a patient with
      invasive mucinous carcinoma.
AB  - A 72-year-old, G4P2 white woman presented with a recent abnormal mammogram
      showing a nodule at 8 o'clock of her right breast and indeterminate calcification
      in the subareolar region. An initial stereotactic core followed by wide local
      excision and sentinel node biopsy showed a pT1aN0(sn)M(na) low-grade invasive
      mucinous carcinoma. In dilated benign ducts, adjacent to the carcinoma, numerous
      eosinophilic, nonrefractile crystals were identified.

PMID- 24237485
TI  - How does emotion influence different creative performances? The mediating role of
      cognitive flexibility.
AB  - Cognitive flexibility is proposed to be one of the factors underlying how
      positive emotions can improve creativity. However, previous works have seldom set
      up or empirically measured an independent index to demonstrate its mediating
      effect, nor have they investigated its mediating role on different types of
      creative performances, which involve distinct processes. In this study, 120
      participants were randomly assigned to positive, neutral or negative affect
      conditions. Their levels of cognitive flexibility were then measured by a switch
      task. Finally, their creative performances were calibrated by either an open
      ended divergent thinking test or a closed-ended insight problem-solving task. The
      results showed that positive emotional states could reduce switch costs and
      enhance both types of creative performances. However, cognitive flexibility
      exhibited a full mediating effect only on the relationship between positive
      emotion and insight problem solving, but not between positive emotion and
      divergent thinking. Divergent thinking was instead more associated with arousal
      level. These results suggest that emotions might influence different creative
      performances through distinct mechanisms. 

PMID- 24237486
TI  - Improvement in lupus pernio with the successive use of pulsed dye laser and
      nonablative fractional resurfacing.

PMID- 24237487
TI  - Uncommon presentations of primary systemic necrotizing vasculitides: the Great
      Masquerades.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Systemic vasculitides are great masqueraders and at times their
      presenting manifestations can be very different from the usual recognized
      patterns. Such uncommon presentations of granulomatosis with polyangiitis
      (Wegener's granulomatosis), classical polyarteritis nodosa and unclassifiable
      vasculitides are described here with the relevant review of literature. METHODS:
      All patients diagnosed as having systemic vasculitides and classified as having
      granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis), classic
      polyarteritis nodosa, microscopic polyangiitis and unclassifiable vasculitis
      according to EMEA consensus methodology and followed up prospectively from June
      2007 to December, 2011 were included. Details of uncommon presentations of these
      disorders were identified. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients with systemic
      vasculitides were seen under our rheumatology services during this period. These
      included 45 patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's
      granulomatosis), 18 with classic polyarteritis nodosa, five with microscopic
      polyangiitis, four with Churg-Strauss syndrome and seven with unclassifiable
      vasculitis. The uncommon presentations of granulomatosis with polyangiitis were a
      tumefactive subcutaneous mass in the thigh; prostatomegaly with obstructive
      uropathy and advanced renal failure; and predominant gastrointestinal (GI)
      vasculitis with thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy at presentation. The uncommon
      manifestations of classic polyarteritis nodosa were secondary antiphospholipid
      antibody syndrome and Budd-Chiari syndrome. One patient with massive lower GI
      bleeding required surgical resection of the large bowel which showed isolated
      necrotizing granulomatous GI vasculitis. Single organ vasculitis of the GI tract
      was diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic necrotizing vasculitides may present with
      uncommon manifestations and a high index of suspicion is required for early
      diagnosis and prompt treatment to prevent adverse outcomes.

PMID- 24237489
TI  - Editorial: Review changes.

PMID- 24237488
TI  - Cadherin-12 contributes to tumorigenicity in colorectal cancer by promoting
      migration, invasion, adhersion and angiogenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cadherin 12 (CDH12), which encodes a type II classical cadherin from
      the cadherin superfamily, may mediate calcium-dependent cell adhesion. It has
      been demonstrated that CDH12 could play an important role in the invasion and
      metastasis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma. We decided to investigate the
      relationship between CDH12 expression level and clinicopathologic variables in
      colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients and to explore the functions of CDH12 in
      tumorigenesis in CRC. METHODS: The expression levels of CDH12 in colorectal
      carcinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Real-time PCR and
      Western Blot were used to screen CDH12 high-expression cell lines. CCK-8 assay
      was used to detect the proliferation ability of CRC cells being transfected by
      shRNAs against CDH12. The wound assay and transwell assay were performed to test
      migration and invasion ability. The importance of CDH12 in cell-cell junctions
      was detected by cell adhesion assay and cell aggregation assay. Endothelial tube
      formation assay was used to test the influence of CDH12 on angiogenesis. RESULTS:
      Statistical analysis of clinical cases revealed that the positive rate of CDH12
      was higher in the CRC tumor tissues compared with the adjacent non-tumor tissues.
      The expression levels of CDH12 in CRC patients are significantly correlated with
      invasion depth. Consistently, the ability of proliferation, migration and
      invasion were suppressed when CDH12 was decreased in CRC cells transfected with
      shRNAs. Cell adhesion assay and cell aggregation assay presented that tumor cells
      tend to disperse with the lack of CDH12. Endothelial tube formation assay showed
      that down-regulation of CDH12 could obviously inhibit the process of
      angiogenesis, implying that CDH12 may play an important role in tumor metastasis
      CONCLUSION: Our results showed that CDH12 promotes proliferation, migration,
      invasion, adhesion and angiogenesis, suggesting that CDH12 may be an oncogene in
      colorectal cancer. CDH12 is expected to become a new diagnostic and prognostic
      marker and a novel target of the treatment of colorectal cancer.

PMID- 24237490
TI  - Generation of massive entanglement through an adiabatic quantum phase transition
      in a spinor condensate.
AB  - We propose a method to generate massive entanglement in a spinor Bose-Einstein
      condensate from an initial product state through an adiabatic sweep of the
      magnetic field across a quantum phase transition induced by competition between
      the spin-dependent collision interaction and the quadratic Zeeman effect. The
      generated many-body entanglement is characterized by the experimentally
      measurable entanglement depth in the proximity of the Dicke state. We show that
      the scheme is robust to practical noise and experimental imperfection and under
      realistic conditions it is possible to generate genuine entanglement for hundreds
      of atoms. 

PMID- 24237491
TI  - Geometry-induced Casimir suspension of oblate bodies in fluids.
AB  - We predict that a low-permittivity oblate body (disk-shaped object) above a thin
      metal substrate (plate with a hole) immersed in a fluid of intermediate
      permittivity will experience a metastable equilibrium (restoring force) near the
      center of the hole. Stability is the result of a geometry-induced transition in
      the sign of the force, from repulsive to attractive, that occurs as the disk
      approaches the hole--in planar or nearly planar geometries, the same material
      combination yields a repulsive force at all separations, in accordance with the
      Dzyaloshinskii-Lifshitz-Pitaevskii condition of fluid-induced repulsion between
      planar bodies. We explore the stability of the system with respect to rotations
      and lateral translations of the disks and demonstrate interesting transitions
      (bifurcations) in the rotational stability of the disks as a function of their
      size. Finally, we consider the reciprocal situation in which the disk-plate
      materials are interchanged and find that in this case the system also exhibits
      metastability. The forces in the system are sufficiently large to be observed in
      experiments and should enable measurements based on the diffusion dynamics of the
      suspended bodies.

PMID- 24237492
TI  - Matter-wave interferometry of a levitated thermal nano-oscillator induced and
      probed by a spin.
AB  - We show how the interference between spatially separated states of the center of
      mass (c.m.) of a mesoscopic harmonic oscillator can be evidenced by coupling it
      to a spin and performing solely spin manipulations and measurements (Ramsey
      interferometry). We propose to use an optically levitated diamond bead containing
      a nitrogen-vacancy center spin. The nanoscale size of the bead makes the motional
      decoherence due to levitation negligible. The form of the spin-motion coupling
      ensures that the scheme works for thermal states so that moderate feedback
      cooling suffices. No separate control or observation of the c.m. state is
      required and thereby one dispenses with cavities, spatially resolved detection,
      and low-mass-dispersion ensembles. The controllable relative phase in the Ramsey
      interferometry stems from a gravitational potential difference so that it
      uniquely evidences coherence between states which involve the whole nanocrystal
      being in spatially distinct locations. 

PMID- 24237493
TI  - Simple hardy-like proof of quantum contextuality.
AB  - Contextuality and nonlocality are two fundamental properties of nature. Hardy's
      proof is considered the simplest proof of nonlocality and can also be seen as a
      particular violation of the simplest Bell inequality. A fundamental question is:
      Which is the simplest proof of contextuality? We show that there is a Hardy-like
      proof of contextuality that can also be seen as a particular violation of the
      simplest noncontextuality inequality. Interestingly, this new proof connects this
      inequality with the proof of the Kochen-Specker theorem, providing the missing
      link between these two fundamental results, and can be extended to an arbitrary
      odd number n of settings, an extension that can be seen as a particular violation
      of the n-cycle inequality. 

PMID- 24237494
TI  - Experimental recovery of a qubit from partial collapse.
AB  - We describe and implement a method to restore the state of a single qubit, in
      principle perfectly, after it has partially collapsed. The method resembles the
      classical Hahn spin echo but works on a wider class of relaxation processes, in
      which the quantum state partially leaves the computational Hilbert space. It is
      not guaranteed to work every time, but successful outcomes are heralded. We
      demonstrate, using a single trapped ion, a better performance from this recovery
      method than can be obtained employing projection and postselection alone. The
      demonstration features a novel qubit implementation that permits both partial
      collapse and coherent manipulations with high fidelity. 

PMID- 24237495
TI  - Gaussian error correction of quantum states in a correlated noisy channel.
AB  - Noise is the main obstacle for the realization of fault-tolerant quantum
      information processing and secure communication over long distances. In this
      work, we propose a communication protocol relying on simple linear optics that
      optimally protects quantum states from non-Markovian or correlated noise. We
      implement the protocol experimentally and demonstrate the near-ideal protection
      of coherent and entangled states in an extremely noisy channel. Since all real
      life channels are exhibiting pronounced non-Markovian behavior, the proposed
      protocol will have immediate implications in improving the performance of various
      quantum information protocols. 

PMID- 24237496
TI  - Dynamically disordered quantum walk as a maximal entanglement generator.
AB  - We show that the entanglement between the internal (spin) and external (position)
      degrees of freedom of a qubit in a random (dynamically disordered) one
      dimensional discrete time quantum random walk (QRW) achieves its maximal possible
      value asymptotically in the number of steps, outperforming the entanglement
      attained by using ordered QRW. The disorder is modeled by introducing an extra
      random aspect to QRW, a classical coin that randomly dictates which quantum coin
      drives the system's time evolution. We also show that maximal entanglement is
      achieved independently of the initial state of the walker, study the number of
      steps the system must move to be within a small fixed neighborhood of its
      asymptotic limit, and propose two experiments where these ideas can be tested. 

PMID- 24237497
TI  - Experimental bit commitment based on quantum communication and special
      relativity.
AB  - Bit commitment is a fundamental cryptographic primitive in which Bob wishes to
      commit a secret bit to Alice. Perfectly secure bit commitment between two
      mistrustful parties is impossible through asynchronous exchange of quantum
      information. Perfect security is however possible when Alice and Bob split into
      several agents exchanging classical and quantum information at times and
      locations suitably chosen to satisfy specific relativistic constraints. Here we
      report on an implementation of a bit commitment protocol using quantum
      communication and special relativity. Our protocol is based on [A. Kent, Phys.
      Rev. Lett. 109, 130501 (2012)] and has the advantage that it is practically
      feasible with arbitrary large separations between the agents in order to maximize
      the commitment time. By positioning agents in Geneva and Singapore, we obtain a
      commitment time of 15 ms. A security analysis considering experimental
      imperfections and finite statistics is presented.

PMID- 24237498
TI  - Optimally designed quantum transport across disordered networks.
AB  - We establish a general mechanism for highly efficient quantum transport through
      finite, disordered 3D networks. It relies on the interplay of disorder with
      centrosymmetry and a dominant doublet spectral structure and can be controlled by
      the proper tuning of only coarse-grained quantities. Photosynthetic light
      harvesting complexes are discussed as potential biological incarnations of this
      design principle. 

PMID- 24237499
TI  - Dynamical steady States in driven quantum systems.
AB  - We derive dynamical equations for a driven, dissipative quantum system in which
      the environment-induced relaxation rate is comparable to the Rabi frequency,
      avoiding assumptions on the frequency dependence of the environmental coupling.
      When the environmental coupling varies significantly on the scale of the Rabi
      frequency, secular or rotating wave approximations break down. We avoid these
      approximations, yielding dynamical steady states which account for the
      interaction between driven quantum dots and their phonon environment. The theory,
      which is motivated by recent experimental observations, qualitatively and
      quantitatively describes the transition from asymmetric unsaturated resonances at
      weak driving to population inversion at strong driving. 

PMID- 24237500
TI  - Information thermodynamics on causal networks.
AB  - We study nonequilibrium thermodynamics of complex information flows induced by
      interactions between multiple fluctuating systems. Characterizing nonequilibrium
      dynamics by causal networks (i.e., Bayesian networks), we obtain novel
      generalizations of the second law of thermodynamics and the fluctuation theorem,
      which include an informational quantity characterized by the topology of the
      causal network. Our result implies that the entropy production in a single system
      in the presence of multiple other systems is bounded by the information flow
      between these systems. We demonstrate our general result by a simple model of
      biochemical adaptation. 

PMID- 24237501
TI  - Nonadditive entropies yield probability distributions with biases not warranted
      by the data.
AB  - Different quantities that go by the name of entropy are used in variational
      principles to infer probability distributions from limited data. Shore and
      Johnson showed that maximizing the Boltzmann-Gibbs form of the entropy ensures
      that probability distributions inferred satisfy the multiplication rule of
      probability for independent events in the absence of data coupling such events.
      Other types of entropies that violate the Shore and Johnson axioms, including
      nonadditive entropies such as the Tsallis entropy, violate this basic consistency
      requirement. Here we use the axiomatic framework of Shore and Johnson to show how
      such nonadditive entropy functions generate biases in probability distributions
      that are not warranted by the underlying data. 

PMID- 24237502
TI  - Gamma-ray-burst beaming and gravitational-wave observations.
AB  - Using the observed rate of short-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) it is possible
      to make predictions for the detectable rate of compact binary coalescences in
      gravitational-wave detectors. We show that the nondetection of mergers in the
      existing LIGO/Virgo data constrains the beaming angles and progenitor masses of
      gamma-ray bursts, although these limits are fully consistent with existing
      expectations. We make predictions for the rate of events in future networks of
      gravitational-wave observatories, finding that the first detection of a neutron
      star-neutron-star binary coalescence associated with the progenitors of short
      GRBs is likely to happen within the first 16 months of observation, even in the
      case of only two observatories (e.g., LIGO-Hanford and LIGO-Livingston) operating
      at intermediate sensitivities (e.g., advanced LIGO design sensitivity, but
      without signal recycling mirrors), and assuming a conservative distribution of
      beaming angles (e.g., all GRBs beamed within theta(j) = 30 degrees ). Less
      conservative assumptions reduce the waiting time until first detection to a
      period of weeks to months, with an event detection rate of >/~10/yr.
      Alternatively, the compact binary coalescence model of short GRBs can be ruled
      out if a binary is not seen within the first two years of operation of a LIGO
      Hanford, LIGO-Livingston, and Virgo network at advanced design sensitivity. We
      also demonstrate that the gravitational wave detection rate of GRB triggered
      sources (i.e., those seen first in gamma rays) is lower than the rate of
      untriggered events (i.e., those seen only in gravitational waves) if theta(j)?30
      degrees , independent of the noise curve, network configuration, and observed GRB
      rate. The first detection in gravitational waves of a binary GRB progenitor is
      therefore unlikely to be associated with the observation of a GRB.

PMID- 24237503
TI  - Cosmic evolution from phase transition of three-dimensional flat space.
AB  - Flat space cosmology spacetimes are exact time-dependent solutions of three
      dimensional gravity theories, such as Einstein gravity or topologically massive
      gravity. We exhibit a novel kind of phase transition between these cosmological
      spacetimes and the Minkowski vacuum. At sufficiently high temperature, (rotating)
      hot flat space tunnels into a universe described by flat space cosmology. 

PMID- 24237504
TI  - New limits on primordial black hole dark matter from an analysis of Kepler source
      microlensing data.
AB  - We present new limits on the allowed masses of a dark matter (DM) halo consisting
      of primordial black holes (PBH) (or any other massive compact halo object). We
      analyze two years of data from the Kepler satellite, searching for short-duration
      bumps caused by gravitational microlensing. After removing background events
      consisting of variable stars, flare events, and comets or asteroids moving
      through the Kepler field, we find no microlensing candidates. We measure the
      efficiency of our selection criteria by adding millions of simulated microlensing
      lensing events into the Kepler light curves. We find that PBH DM with masses in
      the range 2 * 10(-9) M[Symbol: see text] to 10(-7)M[Symbol: see text] cannot make
      up the entirety of the DM in the Milky Way. At the low-mass end, this decreases
      the allowed mass range by more than an order of magnititude.

PMID- 24237505
TI  - From full stopping to transparency in a holographic model of heavy ion
      collisions.
AB  - We numerically simulate planar shock wave collisions in anti-de Sitter space as a
      model for heavy ion collisions of large nuclei. We uncover a crossover between
      two different dynamical regimes as a function of the collision energy. At low
      energies the shocks first stop and then explode in a manner approximately
      described by hydrodynamics, in close similarity with the Landau model. At high
      energies the receding fragments move outwards at the speed of light, with a
      region of negative energy density and negative longitudinal pressure trailing
      behind them. The rapidity distribution of the energy density at late times around
      midrapidity is not approximately boost invariant but Gaussian, albeit with a
      width that increases with the collision energy. 

PMID- 24237506
TI  - eta and eta' mixing from lattice QCD.
AB  - We present a lattice QCD computation of eta and eta' masses and mixing angles,
      for the first time controlling continuum and quark mass extrapolations. The
      results for M(eta) = 551(8)(stat) (6)(yst) MeV and M(eta') =
      1006(54)(stat)(38)(syst)(+61)(ex) MeV are in excellent agreement with experiment.
      Our data show that the mixing in the quark flavor basis can be described by a
      single mixing angle of O = 46(1)(stat)(3)(syst) degrees  indicating that the eta'
      is mainly a flavor singlet state.

PMID- 24237508
TI  - Magnetic susceptibility of strongly interacting matter across the deconfinement
      transition.
AB  - We propose a method to determine the total magnetic susceptibility of strongly
      interacting matter by lattice QCD simulations and present numerical results for
      the theory with two light flavors, which suggest a weak magnetic activity in the
      confined phase and the emergence of strong paramagnetism in the deconfined, quark
      gluon plasma phase. 

PMID- 24237510
TI  - Bayesian approach to spectral function reconstruction for Euclidean quantum field
      theories.
AB  - We present a novel approach to the inference of spectral functions from Euclidean
      time correlator data that makes close contact with modern Bayesian concepts. Our
      method differs significantly from the maximum entropy method (MEM). A new set of
      axioms is postulated for the prior probability, leading to an improved
      expression, which is devoid of the asymptotically flat directions present in the
      Shanon-Jaynes entropy. Hyperparameters are integrated out explicitly, liberating
      us from the Gaussian approximations underlying the evidence approach of the
      maximum entropy method. We present a realistic test of our method in the context
      of the nonperturbative extraction of the heavy quark potential. Based on hard
      thermal-loop correlator mock data, we establish firm requirements in the number
      of data points and their accuracy for a successful extraction of the potential
      from lattice QCD. Finally we reinvestigate quenched lattice QCD correlators from
      a previous study and provide an improved potential estimation at T=2.33T(C).

PMID- 24237511
TI  - Decisive test of color coherence in proton-nucleus collisions at the LHC.
AB  - Proton-nucleus collisions (p+A) at LHC energies provide a rigorous test of color
      glass condensate (CGC), a model proposed to describe the high energy limit of
      quantum chromodynamics. In the CGC the average multiplicity of charged particles
      at midrapidity in p+A collisions depends logarithmically on the number of
      participants, N(part). In contrast, the wounded nucleon model of independent
      nucleon-nucleon scatterings, verified at RHIC energies, predicts that
      multiplicity in p+A depends linearly on N(part). We argue that the dependence of
      mean multiplicity on N(part) in p+A collisions at LHC energies can single out a
      model of particle production, thus offering a stringent test of the CGC and the
      wounded nucleon model. Based on this observation we propose a novel experimental
      test of color coherence in p+A collisions.

PMID- 24237512
TI  - Scattering-free optical levitation of a cavity mirror.
AB  - We demonstrate the feasibility of levitating a small mirror using only radiation
      pressure. In our scheme, the mirror is supported by a tripod where each leg of
      the tripod is a Fabry-Perot cavity. The macroscopic state of the mirror is
      coherently coupled to the supporting cavity modes allowing coherent interrogation
      and manipulation of the mirror motion. The proposed scheme is an extreme example
      of the optical spring, where a mechanical oscillator is isolated from the
      environment and its mechanical frequency and macroscopic state can be manipulated
      solely through optical fields. We model the stability of the system and find a
      three-dimensional lattice of trapping points where cavity resonances allow for
      buildup of optical field sufficient to support the weight of the mirror. Our
      scheme offers a unique platform for studying quantum and classical optomechanics
      and can potentially be used for precision gravitational field sensing and quantum
      state generation. 

PMID- 24237513
TI  - Luminescence of oxygen atoms stimulated by metastable helium at cryogenic
      temperatures.
AB  - We present investigations of the afterglow of oxygen-helium gas mixtures at
      cryogenic temperatures. The cooling of a helium jet containing trace amounts of
      oxygen after passing through a radio frequency discharge zone led to the
      observation of strong emissions from atomic oxygen. The effect results from the
      increasing efficiency of energy transfer from metastable helium atoms and
      molecules to oxygen impurities in the cold dense helium vapor. This effect might
      find an application for the detection of small quantities of the impurities in
      helium gas. 

PMID- 24237514
TI  - Dipolar confinement-induced resonances of ultracold gases in waveguides.
AB  - We develop a nonperturbative theoretical framework to treat collisions with
      generic anisotropic interactions in quasi-one-dimensional geometries. Our method
      avoids the limitations of pseudopotential theory and allows us to include
      accurately long-range anisotropic interactions. For ultracold dipolar collisions
      in a harmonic waveguide we predict dipolar confinement-induced resonances (DCIRs)
      which are attributed to different angular momentum states. The analytically
      derived resonance condition reveals in detail the interplay of the confinement
      with the anisotropic nature of the dipole-dipole interactions. The results are in
      excellent agreement with ab initio numerical calculations confirming the
      robustness of the presented approach. The exact knowledge of the positions of
      DCIRs may pave the way for the experimental realization of, e.g., Tonks-Girardeau
      like or super-Tonks-Girardeau-like phases in effective one-dimensional dipolar
      gases.

PMID- 24237515
TI  - Origin of collision-induced molecular orientation.
AB  - Collision-induced rotational angular momentum orientation is a fundamental
      property of molecular scattering, which is sensitive to the balance between
      attractive and repulsive forces at play during collision. Here, we quantify a new
      mechanism leading to orientation, which is purely quantum mechanical in origin.
      Although the new mechanism is quite general, and will operate more widely in
      atomic and molecular scattering, it is observed here for impulsive hard shell
      collisions, for which the orientation vanishes classically. The quantum mechanism
      can thus be studied in isolation from other processes. The orientation is
      proposed to originate from the nonlocal nature of the quantum mechanical
      collision encounter. 

PMID- 24237516
TI  - Experimental evidence of twin fast metastable H(2(2)S) atoms from dissociation of
      cold H2 induced by electrons.
AB  - We report the direct detection of two metastable H(2^{2}S) atoms coming from the
      dissociation of a single cold H(2) molecule, in coincidence measurements. The
      molecular dissociation was induced by electron impact in order to avoid
      limitations by the selection rules governing radiative transitions. Two
      detectors, placed close to the collision center, measure the neutral metastable
      H(2(2)S) through a localized quenching process, which mixes the H(2^{2}S) state
      with the H(2^{2}P), leading to a Lyman-alpha detection. Our data show the
      accomplishment of a coincidence measurement which proves for the first time the
      existence of the H(2(2)S)-H(2(2)S) dissociation channel.

PMID- 24237517
TI  - Noncompeting channel approach to pair creation in supercritical fields.
AB  - The Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations are solved on a space-time grid to study the
      strong-field induced pair creation process for bosons and fermions from the
      vacuum. If the external field is sufficiently strong to induce bound states that
      are embedded in the negative energy continuum, a complex scaling technique of the
      Hamiltonian can predict the longtime behavior of the dynamics. In the case of
      multiple bound states this technique predicts the occurrence of a new collective
      time scale. The longtime behavior of the pair creation is not determined by a
      single (most important) channel, but collectively by the sum of all individual
      widths of the embedded states. 

PMID- 24237518
TI  - Adaptive quantum state tomography improves accuracy quadratically.
AB  - We introduce a simple protocol for adaptive quantum state tomography, which
      reduces the worst-case infidelity [1-F(rho,rho)] between the estimate and the
      true state from O(1/sqrt[N]) to O(1/N). It uses a single adaptation step and just
      one extra measurement setting. In a linear optical qubit experiment, we
      demonstrate a full order of magnitude reduction in infidelity (from 0.1% to
      0.01%) for a modest number of samples (N ~ 3 * 10(4)).

PMID- 24237519
TI  - Spectral engineering of slow light, cavity line narrowing, and pulse compression.
AB  - More than 4 orders of magnitude of cavity-linewidth narrowing in a rare-earth-ion
      doped crystal cavity, emanating from strong intracavity dispersion caused by off
      resonant interaction with dopant ions, is demonstrated. The dispersion profiles
      are engineered using optical pumping techniques creating significant
      semipermanent but reprogrammable changes of the rare-earth absorption profiles.
      Several cavity modes are shown within the spectral transmission window. Several
      possible applications of this phenomenon are discussed. 

PMID- 24237520
TI  - Multimode plasmon excitation and in situ analysis in top-down fabricated
      nanocircuits.
AB  - We experimentally demonstrate synthesis and in situ analysis of multimode
      plasmonic excitations in two-wire transmission lines supporting a symmetric and
      an antisymmetric eigenmode. To this end we irradiate an incoupling antenna with a
      diffraction-limited excitation spot exploiting a polarization- and position
      dependent excitation efficiency. Modal analysis is performed by recording the far
      field emission of two mode-specific spatially separated emission spots at the far
      end of the transmission line. To illustrate the power of the approach we
      selectively determine the group velocities of symmetric and antisymmetric
      contributions of a multimode ultrafast plasmon pulse.

PMID- 24237521
TI  - Experimental observation of a fundamental length scale of waves in random media.
AB  - Waves propagating through a weakly scattering random medium show a pronounced
      branching of the flow accompanied by the formation of freak waves, i.e.,
      extremely intense waves. Theory predicts that this strong fluctuation regime is
      accompanied by its own fundamental length scale of transport in random media,
      parametrically different from the mean free path or the localization length. We
      show numerically how the scintillation index can be used to assess the scaling
      behavior of the branching length. We report the experimental observation of this
      scaling using microwave transport experiments in quasi-two-dimensional resonators
      with randomly distributed weak scatterers. Remarkably, the scaling range extends
      much further than expected from random caustics statistics. 

PMID- 24237522
TI  - Molecular dynamics simulation of the motion of colloidal nanoparticles in a
      solute concentration gradient and a comparison to the continuum limit.
AB  - Chemical-mechanical transduction mechanisms which can actuate the movement of
      colloids through liquids are highly sought after as engines to propel
      miniaturized micro- and nanobots. One mechanism involves harnessing the long
      range van der Waals attractive forces between the colloid and solute molecules
      dissolved in the liquid around the particle. If a concentration gradient of this
      solute is applied across the particle, then the imbalance in the van der Waals
      attraction drives the particle towards the higher concentration of solute. We
      present a molecular dynamics simulation using Lennard-Jones interactions between
      molecules of the solvent, solute, and colloid cluster which include short-range
      repulsive and long-range attractive potentials. The simulations demonstrate that
      a solute gradient can propel nanosized colloids, and that the velocity decreases
      with the colloid size. The solute-colloid short-range repulsive interactions are
      observed to be restricted to a region of specifically adsorbed solutes on the
      particle surface which are symmetrically adsorbed and do not contribute to the
      motion. The size of this region provides a cutoff for a continuum level
      description of the motion, and with this cutoff, continuum calculations are in
      excellent agreement with the molecular dynamics simulation results, completing a
      description of the propulsion from the nano- to the microscale. 

PMID- 24237509
TI  - Measurement of the differential cross section dsigma/d(costheta(t)) for Top-Quark
      Pair Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV.
AB  - We report a measurement of the differential cross section dsigma/d(costheta(t))
      for top-quark pair production as a function of the top-quark production angle in
      proton-antiproton collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV. This measurement is performed
      using data collected with the CDF II detector at the Tevatron, corresponding to
      an integrated luminosity of 9.4 fb(-1). We employ the Legendre polynomials to
      characterize the shape of the differential cross section at the parton level. The
      observed Legendre coefficients are in good agreement with the prediction of the
      next-to-leading-order standard-model calculation, with the exception of an excess
      linear-term coefficient a(1) = 0.40 +/- 0.12, compared to the standard-model
      prediction of a(1)=0.15(-0.03)(+0.07).

PMID- 24237523
TI  - Transition of planar Couette flow at infinite Reynolds numbers.
AB  - An outline of the state space of planar Couette flow at high Reynolds numbers
      (Re<10^{5}) is investigated via a variety of efficient numerical techniques. It
      is verified from nonlinear analysis that the lower branch of the hairpin vortex
      state (HVS) asymptotically approaches the primary (laminar) state with increasing
      Re. It is also predicted that the lower branch of the HVS at high Re belongs to
      the stability boundary that initiates a transition to turbulence, and that one of
      the unstable manifolds of the lower branch of HVS lies on the boundary. These
      facts suggest HVS may provide a criterion to estimate a minimum perturbation
      arising transition to turbulent states at the infinite Re limit. 

PMID- 24237524
TI  - Nanobubble collapse on a silica surface in water: billion-atom reactive molecular
      dynamics simulations.
AB  - Cavitation bubbles occur in fluids subjected to rapid changes in pressure. We use
      billion-atom reactive molecular dynamics simulations on a 163,840-processor
      BlueGene/P supercomputer to investigate damage caused by shock-induced collapse
      of nanobubbles in water near an amorphous silica surface. Collapse of an empty
      bubble generates a high-speed nanojet, which causes pitting on the silica
      surface. We find pit radii are close to bubble radii, and experiments also
      indicate linear scaling between them. The gas-filled bubbles undergo partial
      collapse and, consequently, the damage on the silica surface is mitigated.

PMID- 24237525
TI  - Coherent-radiation spectroscopy of few-femtosecond electron bunches using a
      middle-infrared prism spectrometer.
AB  - Modern, high-brightness electron beams such as those from plasma wakefield
      accelerators and free-electron laser linacs continue the drive to ever-shorter
      bunch durations. In low-charge operation (~20 pC), bunches shorter than 10 fs are
      reported at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). Though suffering from a loss
      of phase information, spectral diagnostics remain appealing as compact, low-cost
      bunch duration monitors suitable for deployment in beam dynamics studies and
      operations instrumentation. Progress in middle-infrared (MIR) imaging has led to
      the development of a single-shot, MIR prism spectrometer to characterize the
      corresponding LCLS coherent beam radiation power spectrum for few-femtosecond
      scale bunch length monitoring. In this Letter, we report on the spectrometer
      installation as well as the temporal reconstruction of 3 to 60 fs-long LCLS
      electron bunch profiles using single-shot coherent transition radiation spectra.

PMID- 24237526
TI  - Pressurized H2 RF cavities in ionizing beams and magnetic fields.
AB  - A major technological challenge in building a muon cooling channel is operating
      rf cavities in multitesla external magnetic fields. We report the first proof-of
      principle experiment of a high pressure gas-filled rf cavity for use with intense
      ionizing beams and strong external magnetic fields. rf power consumption by beam
      induced plasma is investigated with hydrogen and deuterium gases with pressures
      between 20 and 100 atm and peak rf gradients between 5 and 50 MV/m. The low
      pressure case agrees well with an analytical model based on electron and ion
      mobilities. Varying concentrations of oxygen gas are investigated to remove free
      electrons from the cavity and reduce the rf power consumption. Measurements of
      the electron attachment time to oxygen and rate of ion-ion recombination are also
      made. Additionally, we demonstrate the operation of the gas-filled rf cavity in a
      solenoidal field of up to 3 T, finding no major magnetic field dependence. All
      these results indicate that a high pressure gas-filled cavity is a viable
      technology for muon ionization cooling.

PMID- 24237507
TI  - Observation of the decay B(c)(+) -> B(s)(0)pi+.
AB  - The result of a search for the decay B(c)(+) -> B(s)(0) pi+ is presented, using
      the B(s)(0) -> D(s)(-)pi+ and B(s)(0) -> J/psi O channels. The analysis is based
      on a data sample of pp collisions collected with the LHCb detector, corresponding
      to an integrated luminosity of 1 fb(-1) taken at a center-of-mass energy of 7
      TeV, and 2 fb(-1) taken at 8 TeV. The decay B(c)(+) -> B(s)(0)pi+ is observed
      with significance in excess of 5 standard deviations independently in both decay
      channels. The measured product of the ratio of cross sections and branching
      fraction is [sigma(B(c)(+))/sigma(B(s)(0))] * B(B(c)(+)-> B(s)(0)pi+) = [2.37 +/-
      0.31 (stat)+/- 0.11 (syst)(-0.13)(+0.17)(tau(B)(c)(+)))] * 10(-3), in the
      pseudorapidity range 2<eta(B)<5, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the
      second is systematic, and the third is due to the uncertainty on the B(c)(+)
      lifetime. This is the first observation of a B meson decaying to another B meson
      via the weak interaction.

PMID- 24237527
TI  - Evidence of resonant surface-wave excitation in the relativistic regime through
      measurements of proton acceleration from grating targets.
AB  - The interaction of laser pulses with thin grating targets, having a periodic
      groove at the irradiated surface, is experimentally investigated. Ultrahigh
      contrast (~10(12)) pulses allow us to demonstrate an enhanced laser-target
      coupling for the first time in the relativistic regime of ultrahigh intensity
      >10(19) W/cm(2). A maximum increase by a factor of 2.5 of the cutoff energy of
      protons produced by target normal sheath acceleration is observed with respect to
      plane targets, around the incidence angle expected for the resonant excitation of
      surface waves. A significant enhancement is also observed for small angles of
      incidence, out of resonance.

PMID- 24237528
TI  - Focusing of an explosive plasma expansion in a transverse magnetic field.
AB  - The dynamics of a laser ablation plasma expanding in an external magnetic field
      have been investigated with imaging interferometry and shadowgraphy. The
      diagnostics reveal a new interaction mechanism, namely, the redirection of the
      explosive plasma expansion into a converging flow. A comparison with three
      dimensional ideal magnetohydrodynamic simulation results supports the observation
      that the efficient lateral plasma confinement causes the plasma to converge on
      the axis and initiate a directed flow. The resulting collimated flow propagates
      across the magnetic field in a kinetic regime, which cannot be modeled within the
      same framework. 

PMID- 24237529
TI  - Dynamic circulation in a complex plasma.
AB  - The dynamic circulation of dust particles in a cylindrical complex plasma is
      studied experimentally. A levitated cloud of charged dust particles rotates
      around an axis in an ion flow induced by the coupling of applied magnetic field
      with the electric field due to plasma density gradient. The vertical and
      horizontal cross sections of the cloud reveal the dynamic circulation with
      helical trajectories of dust particles with meridional ascending motion near the
      axis. The dust particles in the center bottom in the cloud remain near a
      stagnation point and act like tea leaves in a teacup as described by Einstein in
      1926. 

PMID- 24237530
TI  - Realization of the Hofstadter Hamiltonian with ultracold atoms in optical
      lattices.
AB  - We demonstrate the experimental implementation of an optical lattice that allows
      for the generation of large homogeneous and tunable artificial magnetic fields
      with ultracold atoms. Using laser-assisted tunneling in a tilted optical
      potential, we engineer spatially dependent complex tunneling amplitudes. Thereby,
      atoms hopping in the lattice accumulate a phase shift equivalent to the Aharonov
      Bohm phase of charged particles in a magnetic field. We determine the local
      distribution of fluxes through the observation of cyclotron orbits of the atoms
      on lattice plaquettes, showing that the system is described by the Hofstadter
      model. Furthermore, we show that for two atomic spin states with opposite
      magnetic moments, our system naturally realizes the time-reversal-symmetric
      Hamiltonian underlying the quantum spin Hall effect; i.e., two different spin
      components experience opposite directions of the magnetic field. 

PMID- 24237531
TI  - Realizing the Harper Hamiltonian with laser-assisted tunneling in optical
      lattices.
AB  - We experimentally implement the Harper Hamiltonian for neutral particles in
      optical lattices using laser-assisted tunneling and a potential energy gradient
      provided by gravity or magnetic field gradients. This Hamiltonian describes the
      motion of charged particles in strong magnetic fields. Laser-assisted tunneling
      processes are characterized by studying the expansion of the atoms in the
      lattice. The band structure of this Hamiltonian should display Hofstadter's
      butterfly. For fermions, this scheme should realize the quantum Hall effect and
      chiral edge states. 

PMID- 24237532
TI  - Meron ground state of Rashba spin-orbit-coupled dipolar bosons.
AB  - We study the effects of dipolar interactions on a Bose-Einstein condensate with
      synthetically generated Rashba spin-orbit coupling. The dipolar interaction we
      consider includes terms that couple spin and orbital angular momentum in a way
      perfectly congruent with the single-particle Rashba coupling. We show that this
      internal spin-orbit coupling plays a crucial role in the rich ground-state phase
      diagram of the trapped condensate. In particular, we predict the emergence of a
      thermodynamically stable ground state with a meron spin configuration. 

PMID- 24237533
TI  - Quantum quasicrystals of spin-orbit-coupled dipolar bosons.
AB  - We study quasi-two-dimensional dipolar Bose gases in which the bosons experience
      a Rashba spin-orbit coupling. We show that the degenerate dispersion minimum due
      to the spin-orbit coupling, combined with the long-range dipolar interaction, can
      stabilize a number of quantum crystalline and quasicrystalline ground states.
      Coupling the bosons to a fermionic species can further stabilize these phases. We
      estimate that the crystalline and quasicrystalline phases should be detectable in
      realistic dipolar condensates, e.g., dysprosium, and discuss their symmetries and
      excitations. 

PMID- 24237534
TI  - Nonequilibrium quantum magnetism in a dipolar lattice gas.
AB  - We report on the realization of quantum magnetism using a degenerate dipolar gas
      in an optical lattice. Our system implements a lattice model resembling the
      celebrated t-J model. It is characterized by a nonequilibrium spinor dynamics
      resulting from intersite Heisenberg-like spin-spin interactions provided by
      nonlocal dipole-dipole interactions. Moreover, due to its large spin, our
      chromium lattice gases constitute an excellent environment for the study of
      quantum magnetism of high-spin systems, as illustrated by the complex spin
      dynamics observed for doubly occupied sites. 

PMID- 24237535
TI  - From classical to quantum glasses with ultracold polar molecules.
AB  - We study the dynamics of a bilayer system of ultracold polar molecules, which
      exhibits classical and quantum glassy behavior, characterized by long tails in
      the relaxation time and dynamical heterogeneity. In the proposed setup, quantum
      fluctuations are of the order of thermal fluctuations and the degree of
      frustration can be tuned by the interlayer distance. We discuss the possible
      observation of a glassy anomalous diffusion and dynamical heterogeneity in
      experiment using internal degrees of freedom of the molecules in combination with
      optical detection. 

PMID- 24237536
TI  - Artificial graphene with tunable interactions.
AB  - We create an artificial graphene system with tunable interactions and study the
      crossover from metallic to Mott insulating regimes, both in isolated and coupled
      two-dimensional honeycomb layers. The artificial graphene consists of a two
      component spin mixture of an ultracold atomic Fermi gas loaded into a hexagonal
      optical lattice. For strong repulsive interactions, we observe a suppression of
      double occupancy and measure a gapped excitation spectrum. We present a
      quantitative comparison between our measurements and theory, making use of a
      novel numerical method to obtain Wannier functions for complex lattice
      structures. Extending our studies to time-resolved measurements, we investigate
      the equilibration of the double occupancy as a function of lattice loading time. 

PMID- 24237537
TI  - Measurement of elastic waves induced by the reflection of light.
AB  - The reflection of light from the surface of an elastic solid gives rise to
      various types of elastic waves that propagate inside the solid. The weakest waves
      are generally those that are generated by the radiation pressure acting during
      the reflection of the light. Here, we present the first quantitative measurement
      of such light-pressure-induced elastic waves inside an ultrahigh-reflectivity
      mirror. Amplitudes of a few picometers were observed at the rear side of the
      mirror with a displacement-measuring conical piezoelectric sensor when laser
      pulses with a fluence of 1 J/cm(2) were reflected from the front side of the
      mirror.

PMID- 24237538
TI  - Coexistence of scale-invariant states in incompressible elastomers.
AB  - Cavitation and sulcification of soft elastomers are two examples of
      thresholdless, nonlinear instabilities that evade detection by linearization. I
      show that the onset of such instabilities can be understood as a kind of phase
      coexistence between multiple scale-invariant states, and I constructively
      enumerate the possible scale-invariant states of incompressible rubber in two
      dimensions. Whereas true phases (like the affine deformations of rubber) are
      homogeneous, the alternatives are inhomogeneous. In terms of the thermodynamics
      of solids, both classes of states must generally be given equal consideration. 

PMID- 24237539
TI  - Translational and rotational diffusion in water in the Gigapascal range.
AB  - First measurements of the self-dynamics of liquid water in the GPa range are
      reported. The GPa range has here become accessible through a new setup for the
      Paris-Edinburgh press specially conceived for quasielastic neutron scattering
      studies. A direct measurement of both the translational and rotational diffusion
      coefficients of water along the 400 K isotherm up to 3 GPa, corresponding to the
      melting point of ice VII, is provided and compared with molecular dynamics
      simulations. The translational diffusion is observed to strongly decrease with
      pressure, though its variation slows down for pressures higher than 1 GPa and
      decouples from that of the shear viscosity. The rotational diffusion turns out to
      be insensitive to pressure. Through comparison with structural data and molecular
      dynamics simulations, we show that this is a consequence of the rigidity of the
      first neighbors shell and of the invariance of the number of hydrogen bonds of a
      water molecule under high pressure. These results show the inadequacy of the
      Stokes-Einstein-Debye equations to predict the self-diffusive behavior of water
      at high temperature and high pressure, and challenge the usual description of hot
      dense water behaving as a simple liquid.

PMID- 24237540
TI  - Cooperative assembly of magic number C60-Au complexes.
AB  - We report the assembly of magic number (C60)m-(Au)n complexes on the Au(111)
      surface. These complexes have a unique structure consisting of a single atomic
      layer Au island wrapped by a self-selected number (seven, ten, or twelve) of
      C(60) molecules. The smallest structure consisting of 7 C60 molecules and 19 Au
      atoms, stable up to 400 K, has a preferred orientation on the surface. We propose
      a globalized metal-organic coordination mechanism for the stability of the
      (C(60))(m)-(Au)n complexes.

PMID- 24237541
TI  - Rotation of a single acetylene molecule on Cu(001) by tunneling electrons in STM.
AB  - We study the elementary processes behind one of the pioneering works on scanning
      tunneling microscope controlled reactions of single molecules [Stipe et al.,
      Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 1263 (1998)]. Using the Keldysh-Green function approach for
      the vibrational generation rate in combination with density functional theory
      calculations to obtain realistic parameters we reproduce the experimental
      rotation rate of an acetylene molecule on a Cu(100) surface as a function of bias
      voltage and tunneling current. This combined approach allows us to identify the
      reaction coordinate mode of the acetylene rotation and its anharmonic coupling
      with the C-H stretch mode. We show that three different elementary processes, the
      excitation of C-H stretch, the overtone ladder climbing of the hindered
      rotational mode, and the combination band excitation together explain the
      rotation of the acetylene molecule on Cu(100).

PMID- 24237542
TI  - Interacting living polymers confined between two surfaces.
AB  - We present predictions on the equilibrium behavior of solutions of living
      polymers confined in a gap between surfaces, including the ensuing potential of
      mean force between those surfaces (the disjoining potential). We highlight the
      occurrence of a transition upon narrowing the gap, which arises from a
      cooperative simultaneous increase of the local density and degree of
      polymerization. At this transition, many properties of the confined solution,
      including the disjoining potential, change by orders of magnitude over a minute
      change of the surface separation. These results were obtained owing to two
      extensions to a previously introduced self-consistent field-propagator formalism.
      (i) We derive this formalism from a free-energy functional of the distribution of
      chain lengths and configurations. This enables evaluation of thermodynamic
      properties, including the disjoining potential. (ii) We solved for a system
      confined between two surfaces.

PMID- 24237543
TI  - Magnetic-field-tuned Aharonov-Bohm oscillations and evidence for non-Abelian
      anyons at nu = 5/2.
AB  - We show that the resistance of the nu = 5/2 quantum Hall state, confined to an
      interferometer, oscillates with the magnetic field consistent with an Ising-type
      non-Abelian state. In three quantum Hall interferometers of different sizes,
      resistance oscillations at nu = 7/3 and integer filling factors have the magnetic
      field period expected if the number of quasiparticles contained within the
      interferometer changes so as to keep the area and the total charge within the
      interferometer constant. Under these conditions, an Abelian state such as the (3,
      3, 1) state would show oscillations with the same period as at an integer quantum
      Hall state. However, in an Ising-type non-Abelian state there would be a rapid
      oscillation associated with the "even-odd effect" and a slower one associated
      with the accumulated Abelian phase due to both the Aharonov-Bohm effect and the
      Abelian part of the quasiparticle braiding statistics. Our measurements at nu =
      5/2 are consistent with the latter.

PMID- 24237544
TI  - Proposal for a phonon laser utilizing quantum-dot spin states.
AB  - We propose a nanoscale realization of a phonon laser utilizing phonon-assisted
      spin flips in quantum dots to amplify sound. Owing to a long spin relaxation
      time, the device can be operated in a strong pumping regime, in which the
      population inversion is close to its maximal value allowed under Fermi
      statistics. In this regime, the threshold for stimulated emission is unaffected
      by spontaneous spin flips. Considering a nanowire with quantum dots defined along
      its length, we show that a further improvement arises from confining the phonons
      to one dimension, and thus reducing the number of phonon modes available for
      spontaneous emission. Our work calls for the development of nanowire-based, high
      finesse phonon resonators. 

PMID- 24237545
TI  - Ultrahigh bandwidth spin noise spectroscopy: detection of large g-factor
      fluctuations in highly-n-doped GaAs.
AB  - We advance all optical spin noise spectroscopy (SNS) in semiconductors to
      detection bandwidths of several hundred gigahertz by employing a sophisticated
      scheme of pulse trains from ultrafast laser oscillators as an optical probe. The
      ultrafast SNS technique avoids the need for optical pumping and enables nearly
      perturbation free measurements of extremely short spin dephasing times. We apply
      the technique to highly-n-doped bulk GaAs where magnetic field dependent
      measurements show unexpected large g-factor fluctuations. Calculations suggest
      that such large g-factor fluctuations do not necessarily result from extrinsic
      sample variations but are intrinsically present in every doped semiconductor due
      to the stochastic nature of the dopant distribution. 

PMID- 24237547
TI  - Quantum theory of magnetoelectromotive instability in nanoelectromechanical
      systems with positive differential conductance.
AB  - We consider dc-electronic transport through a nanowire suspended between two
      normal-metal leads in the presence of an external magnetic field. We show the
      very mechanism through which such a system, whose stationary current-voltage
      characteristic is essentially characterized by positive differential conductance,
      becomes unstable with respect to an onset of self-excited oscillations in
      electrical transport and mechanical vibrations. The self-excitation mechanism is
      based on the correlation between the occupancy of the quantized spin-split
      electronic energy levels inside the nanowire and the velocity of the nanowire
      with the crucial influence of strong enough retardation effects in magnetomotive
      coupling coming from mechanical vibrations. 

PMID- 24237546
TI  - Diffusion-limited current in organic metal-insulator-metal diodes.
AB  - An analytical expression for the diffusion current in organic metal-insulator
      metal diodes is derived. The derivation is based on the classical diffusion
      theory of Schottky, with adaptations to account for the absence of doping, a
      built-in voltage due to asymmetric contacts, and band bending at the Ohmic
      contact. The commonly observed deviation of the ideality factor from unity (~1.2)
      is characteristic of diffusion-limited currents in undoped organic
      semiconductors. Summing with the classical space-charge limited current provides
      a full analytic description of the current as a function of voltage, temperature
      and layer thickness.

PMID- 24237548
TI  - Topological insulators with SU(2) Landau levels.
AB  - We construct continuum models of 3D and 4D topological insulators by coupling
      spin-1/2 fermions to an SU(2) background gauge field, which is equivalent to a
      spatially dependent spin-orbit coupling. Higher dimensional generalizations of
      flat Landau levels are obtained in the Landau-like gauge. The 2D helical Dirac
      modes with opposite helicities and 3D Weyl modes with opposite chiralities are
      spatially separated along the third and fourth dimensions, respectively. Stable
      2D helical Fermi surfaces and 3D chiral Fermi surfaces appear on open boundaries,
      respectively. The charge pumping in 4D Landau level systems shows quantized 4D
      quantum Hall effect. 

PMID- 24237549
TI  - Tunable band topology reflected by fractional quantum Hall States in two
      dimensional lattices.
AB  - Two-dimensional lattice models subjected to an external effective magnetic field
      can form nontrivial band topologies characterized by nonzero integer band Chern
      numbers. In this Letter, we investigate such a lattice model originating from the
      Hofstadter model and demonstrate that the band topology transitions can be
      realized by simply introducing tunable longer-range hopping. The rich phase
      diagram of band Chern numbers is obtained for the simple rational flux density
      and a classification of phases is presented. In the presence of interactions, the
      existence of fractional quantum Hall states in both |C| = 1 and |C| > 1 bands is
      confirmed, which can reflect the band topologies in different phases. In
      contrast, when our model reduces to a one-dimensional lattice, the ground states
      are crucially different from fractional quantum Hall states. Our results may
      provide insights into the study of new fractional quantum Hall states and
      experimental realizations of various topological phases in optical lattices.

PMID- 24237550
TI  - Topological superconductivity and Majorana fermions in RKKY systems.
AB  - We consider quasi-one-dimensional Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) systems in
      proximity to an s-wave superconductor. We show that a 2k(F) peak in the spin
      susceptibility of the superconductor in the one-dimensional limit supports
      helical order of localized magnetic moments via RKKY interaction, where k(F) is
      the Fermi wave vector. The magnetic helix is equivalent to a uniform magnetic
      field and very strong spin-orbit interaction (SOI) with an effective SOI length
      1/2k(F). We find the conditions to establish such a magnetic state in atomic
      chains and semiconducting nanowires with magnetic atoms or nuclear spins.
      Generically, these systems are in a topological phase with Majorana fermions. The
      inherent self-tuning of the helix to 2k(F) eliminates the need to tune the
      chemical potential.

PMID- 24237551
TI  - Doping-dependent photon scattering resonance in the model high-temperature
      superconductor HgBa2CuO4+delta revealed by Raman scattering and optical
      ellipsometry.
AB  - We study the model high-temperature superconductor HgBa(2)CuO(4+delta) with
      electronic Raman scattering and optical ellipsometry over a wide doping range.
      The dependence of the resonant Raman cross section on the incident photon energy
      changes drastically as a function of doping, in a manner that corresponds to a
      rearrangement of the interband optical transitions seen with ellipsometry. This
      doping-dependent Raman resonance allows us to reconcile the apparent discrepancy
      between Raman and x-ray detection of magnetic fluctuations in superconducting
      cuprates. Intriguingly, the strongest variation occurs across the doping level
      where the antinodal superconducting gap appears to reach its maximum.

PMID- 24237552
TI  - Proposed measurement of spatial correlations at the Berezinski-Kosterlitz
      Thouless transition of superconducting thin films.
AB  - The Berezinski-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition is a unique two-dimensional phase
      transition, separating two phases with exponentially and power-law decaying
      correlations, respectively. In disordered systems, these correlations propagate
      along favorable paths, with the transition marking the point where global
      coherence is lost. Here we propose an experimental method to probe locally these
      particular paths in superconducting thin films, which exhibit this transition,
      and demonstrate theoretically that close to the transition the coherence
      propagates along a ramified network, reminiscent of a percolation transition. We
      suggest and calculate experimentally accessible quantities that can shed light on
      the spatial correlations in the system as it approaches the critical point. This
      approach can be applicable to a variety of phase transitions in disordered
      systems. 

PMID- 24237553
TI  - Absence of static loop-current magnetism at the apical oxygen site in
      HgBa2CuO4+delta from NMR.
AB  - The simple structure of HgBa(2)CuO(4+delta) (Hg1201) is ideal among cuprates for
      study of the pseudogap phase as a broken symmetry state. We have performed (17)O
      nuclear magnetic resonance on an underdoped Hg1201 crystal with a transition
      temperature of 74 K to look for circulating loop currents proposed theoretically
      and inferred from neutron scattering. The narrow spectra preclude static local
      fields in the pseudogap phase at the apical site, suggesting that the moments
      observed with neutrons are fluctuating. The nuclear magnetic resonance frequency
      shifts are consistent with a dipolar field from the Cu(2+) site.

PMID- 24237554
TI  - Transverse spin Seebeck effect versus anomalous and planar Nernst effects in
      Permalloy thin films.
AB  - Transverse magnetothermoelectric effects are studied in Permalloy thin films
      grown on MgO and GaAs substrates and compared to those grown on suspended SiN(x)
      membranes. The transverse voltage along platinum strips patterned on top of the
      Permalloy films is measured versus the external magnetic field as a function of
      the angle and temperature gradients. After the identification of the contribution
      of the planar and anomalous Nernst effects, we find an upper limit for the
      transverse spin Seebeck effect, which is several orders of magnitude smaller than
      previously reported.

PMID- 24237556
TI  - Magnetic dephasing in mesoscopic spin glasses.
AB  - We have measured universal conductance fluctuations in the metallic spin glass
      Ag:Mn as a function of temperature and magnetic field. From this measurement, we
      can access the phase coherence time of the electrons in the spin glass. We show
      that this phase coherence time increases with both the inverse of the temperature
      and the magnetic field. From this, we deduce that decoherence mechanisms are
      still active even deep in the spin glass phase. 

PMID- 24237555
TI  - Spin-1/2 XXZ chain system Cs2CoCl4 in a transverse magnetic field.
AB  - Comparing high-resolution specific heat and thermal expansion measurements to
      exact finite-size diagonalization, we demonstrate that Cs(2)CoCl(4) for a
      magnetic field along the crystallographic b axis realizes the spin-1/2 XXZ chain
      in a transverse field. Exploiting both thermal as well as virtual excitations of
      higher crystal-field states, we find that the spin chain is in the XY limit with
      an anisotropy J(z)/J[perpindicular] ~ 0.12, substantially smaller than previously
      believed. A spin-flop Ising quantum phase transition occurs at a critical field
      of MU(0)H(b)(cr) ~ 2 T before around 3.5 T the description in terms of an
      effective spin-1/2 chain becomes inapplicable.

PMID- 24237557
TI  - Electric control of exchange bias training.
AB  - Voltage-controlled exchange bias training and tunability are introduced.
      Isothermal voltage pulses are used to reverse the antiferromagnetic order
      parameter of magnetoelectric Cr(2)O(3), and thus continuously tune the exchange
      bias of an adjacent CoPd film. Voltage-controlled exchange bias training is
      initialized by tuning the antiferromagnetic interface into a nonequilibrium state
      incommensurate with the underlying bulk. Interpretation of these hitherto
      unreported effects contributes to new understanding in electrically controlled
      magnetism.

PMID- 24237558
TI  - Striped spin liquid crystal ground state instability of kagome antiferromagnets.
AB  - The Dirac spin liquid ground state of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg kagome
      antiferromagnet has potential instabilities. This has been suggested as the
      reason why it does not emerge as the ground state in large-scale numerical
      calculations. However, previous attempts to observe these instabilities have
      failed. We report on the discovery of a projected BCS state with lower energy
      than the projected Dirac spin liquid state which provides new insight into the
      stability of the ground state of the kagome antiferromagnet. The new state has
      three remarkable features. First, it breaks spatial symmetry in an unusual way
      that may leave spinons deconfined along one direction. Second, it breaks the U(1)
      gauge symmetry down to Z(2). Third, it has the spatial symmetry of a previously
      proposed "monopole" suggesting that it is an instability of the Dirac spin
      liquid. The state described herein also shares a remarkable similarity to the
      distortion of the kagome lattice observed at low Zn concentrations in Zn
      paratacamite and in recently grown single crystals of volborthite suggesting it
      may already be realized in these materials.

PMID- 24237559
TI  - Explosive electromagnetic radiation by the relaxation of a multimode magnon
      system.
AB  - Microwave emission from a parametrically pumped ferrimagnetic film of yttrium
      iron garnet was studied versus the magnon density evolution, which was detected
      by Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy. It has been found that the shutdown
      of external microwave pumping leads to an unexpected effect: The conventional
      monotonic decrease of the population of parametrically injected magnons is
      accompanied by an explosive behavior of electromagnetic radiation at the magnon
      frequency. The developed theory shows that this explosion is caused by a
      nonlinear energy transfer from parametrically driven short-wavelength dipolar
      exchange magnons to a long-wavelength dipolar magnon mode effectively coupled to
      an electromagnetic wave. 

PMID- 24237560
TI  - Optically induced coupling of two magnetic dopant spins by a photoexcited hole in
      a Mn-doped InAs/GaAs quantum dot.
AB  - We report evidence of a photoinduced coupling between two spins provided by Mn
      dopants in their neutral acceptor state A(0) in a single InAs/GaAs quantum dot.
      The coupling occurs due to simultaneous exchange interactions between each of the
      two dopant spins and a photocreated hole. Microphotoluminescence spectroscopy
      achieved both in longitudinal and perpendicular magnetic fields reveals the
      splitting of the four spin configurations |J(1) = +/- 1,J(2) = +/- 1} due to the
      2A(0)-hole exchange interaction. We obtain a comprehensive interpretation of the
      experimental data with a simplified spin Hamiltonian model, which more
      specifically shows that the hole-mediated coupling is similar to a epsilon(12)-70
      MUeV exchange interaction between both A(0) spins.

PMID- 24237561
TI  - Ultrawideband dispersion control of a metamaterial surface for perfectly-matched
      layer-like absorption.
AB  - Narrow bandwidth is a fundamental issue plaguing practical applications of
      metamaterial absorbers. In this Letter, we show that by deliberately controlling
      the dispersion and dissipation of a metamaterial, an ultrawideband perfect
      metamaterial absorber with complex-valued constitutive parameters strictly
      satisfying the modified model of a perfectly matched layer, can be achieved. The
      nearly perfect power absorption, better than 99%, was experimentally observed in
      an unprecedented bandwidth of 39%, approaching the theoretical Rozanov limit. We
      expect a wide range of applications to emerge from this general concept. 

PMID- 24237562
TI  - Persistent photoconductivity in strontium titanate.
AB  - Persistent photoconductivity was observed in strontium titanate (SrTiO(3)) single
      crystals. When exposed to sub-bandgap light (2.9 eV or higher) at room
      temperature, the free-electron concentration increases by over 2 orders of
      magnitude. After the light is turned off, the enhanced conductivity persists for
      several days, with negligible decay. From positron lifetime measurements, the
      persistent photoconductivity is attributed to the excitation of an electron from
      a titanium vacancy defect into the conduction band, with a very low recapture
      rate.

PMID- 24237563
TI  - Measurement of a photoinduced transition from a nonordered phase to a transient
      ordered phase in the organic quantum-paraelectric compound
      dimethyltetrathiafulvalene-dibromodichloro-p-benzoquinone using femtosecond laser
      irradiation.
AB  - We report a new photoinduced transition from a nonordered phase to a transient
      ordered phase with symmetry breaking in an organic charge-transfer compound,
      dimethyltetrathiafulvalene (DMTTF)-dibromodichloro-p-benzoquinone
      (2,6QBr(2)Cl(2)), which is a neutral compound located near the neutral-ionic
      phase boundary and shows quantum paraelectricity at low temperatures. By an
      irradiation of a femtosecond laser pulse, an ionic domain consisting of ~40
      molecules is introduced into the neutral lattice per photon, giving rise to
      coherent molecular oscillations with fractional charge modulations over ~400
      molecules. This response is due to the recovery of ferroelectric nature from the
      quantum paraelectricity by a photoinjection of an ionic domain with a large
      dipole moment.

PMID- 24237564
TI  - Energy loss at propagating jamming fronts in granular gas clusters.
AB  - We explore the initial moments of impact between two dense granular clusters in a
      two-dimensional geometry. The particles are composed of solid CO(2) and are
      levitated on a hot surface. Upon collision, the propagation of a dynamic "jamming
      front" produces a distinct regime for energy dissipation in a granular gas in
      which the translational kinetic energy decreases by over 90%. Experiments and
      associated simulations show that the initial loss of kinetic energy obeys a power
      law in time DeltaE = -Kt(3/2), a form that can be predicted from kinetic
      arguments.

PMID- 24237565
TI  - Patchy particle model for vitrimers.
AB  - Vitrimers--a recently invented new class of polymers--consist of covalent
      networks that can rearrange their topology via a bond shuffling mechanism,
      preserving the total number of network links. We introduce a patchy particle
      model whose dynamics directly mimic the bond exchange mechanism and reproduce the
      observed glass-forming ability. We calculate the free energy of this model in the
      limit of strong (chemical) bonds between the particles, both via the Wertheim
      thermodynamic perturbation theory and using computer simulations. The system
      exhibits an entropy-driven phase separation between a network phase and a dilute
      cluster gas, bringing new insight into the swelling behavior of vitrimers in
      solvents.

PMID- 24237566
TI  - Fluid mixing by curved trajectories of microswimmers.
AB  - We consider the tracer diffusion D(rr) that arises from the run-and-tumble motion
      of low Reynolds number swimmers, such as bacteria. Assuming a dilute suspension,
      where the bacteria move in uncorrelated runs of length lambda, we obtain an exact
      expression for D(rr) for dipolar swimmers in three dimensions, hence explaining
      the surprising result that this is independent of lambda. We compare D(rr) to the
      contribution to tracer diffusion from entrainment.

PMID- 24237567
TI  - Geometrical optics of dense aerosols: forming dense plasma slabs.
AB  - Assembling a freestanding, sharp-edged slab of homogeneous material that is much
      denser than gas, but much more rarefied than a solid, is an outstanding
      technological challenge. The solution may lie in focusing a dense aerosol to
      assume this geometry. However, whereas the geometrical optics of dilute aerosols
      is a well-developed field, the dense aerosol limit is mostly unexplored. Yet
      controlling the geometrical optics of dense aerosols is necessary in preparing
      such a material slab. Focusing dense aerosols is shown here to be possible, but
      the finite particle density reduces the effective Stokes number of the flow, a
      critical result for controlled focusing. 

PMID- 24237568
TI  - Origin of overstretching transitions in single-stranded nucleic acids.
AB  - We combined single-molecule force spectroscopy with nuclear magnetic resonance
      measurements and molecular mechanics simulations to examine overstretching
      transitions in single-stranded nucleic acids. In single-stranded DNA and single
      stranded RNA there is a low-force transition that involves unwinding of the
      helical structure, along with base unstacking. We determined that the high-force
      transition that occurs in polydeoxyadenylic acid single-stranded DNA is caused by
      the cooperative forced flipping of the dihedral angle formed between four atoms,
      O5'-C5'-C4'-C3' (gamma torsion), in the nucleic acid backbone within the
      canonical B-type helix. The gamma torsion also flips under force in A-type
      helices, where the helix is shorter and wider as compared to the B-type helix,
      but this transition is less cooperative than in the B type and does not generate
      a high-force plateau in the force spectrums of A-type helices. We find that a
      similar high-force transition can be induced in polyadenylic acid single-stranded
      RNA by urea, presumably due to disrupting the intramolecular hydrogen bonding in
      the backbone. We hypothesize that a pronounced high-force transition observed for
      B-type helices of double stranded DNA also involves a cooperative flip of the
      gamma torsion. These observations suggest new fundamental relationships between
      the canonical structures of single-and double-stranded DNA and the mechanism of
      their molecular elasticity. 

PMID- 24237569
TI  - Temporal networks: slowing down diffusion by long lasting interactions.
AB  - Interactions among units in complex systems occur in a specific sequential order,
      thus affecting the flow of information, the propagation of diseases, and general
      dynamical processes. We investigate the Laplacian spectrum of temporal networks
      and compare it with that of the corresponding aggregate network. First, we show
      that the spectrum of the ensemble average of a temporal network has identical
      eigenmodes but smaller eigenvalues than the aggregate networks. In large networks
      without edge condensation, the expected temporal dynamics is a time-rescaled
      version of the aggregate dynamics. Even for single sequential realizations,
      diffusive dynamics is slower in temporal networks. These discrepancies are due to
      the noncommutability of interactions. We illustrate our analytical findings using
      a simple temporal motif, larger network models, and real temporal networks. 

PMID- 24237570
TI  - Comment on "quantum Szilard engine".
AB  - A Comment on the Letter by S. W. Kim et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 070401 (2011).
      The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.

PMID- 24237571
TI  - Kim et al. reply.

PMID- 24237572
TI  - Comment on "Friction between a viscoelastic body and a rigid surface with random
      self-affine roughness".
AB  - A Comment on the Letter by Q. Li, M. Popov, A. Dimaki, A. E. Filippov, S.
      Kurschner, and V. L. Popov, Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 034301 (2013). The authors of
      the Letter offer a Reply.

PMID- 24237573
TI  - Li et al. reply.

PMID- 24237574
TI  - Comment on "Percolation transitions are not always sharpened by making networks
      interdependent".
AB  - A Comment on the Letter by S. W. Son, P. Grassberger, and M. Paczuski, Phys. Rev.
      Lett. 107, 195702 (2011). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.

PMID- 24237575
TI  - Son, Grassberger, and Paczuski reply.

PMID- 24237576
TI  - Dense nuclei segmentation based on graph cut and convexity-concavity analysis.
AB  - With the rapid advancement of 3D confocal imaging technology, more and more 3D
      cellular images will be available. However, robust and automatic extraction of
      nuclei shape may be hindered by a highly cluttered environment, as for example,
      in fly eye tissues. In this paper, we present a novel and efficient nuclei
      segmentation algorithm based on the combination of graph cut and convex shape
      assumption. The main characteristic of the algorithm is that it segments nuclei
      foreground using a graph-cut algorithm with our proposed new initialization
      method and splits overlapping or touching cell nuclei by simple convexity and
      concavity analysis. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can
      segment complicated nuclei clumps effectively in our fluorescent fruit fly eye
      images. Evaluation on a public hand-labelled 2D benchmark demonstrates
      substantial quantitative improvement over other methods. For example, the
      proposed method achieves a 3.2 Hausdorff distance decrease and a 1.8 decrease in
      the merged nuclei error per slice. 

PMID- 24237577
TI  - Pregnancy outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with
      imatinib mesylate: short report from a developing country.
AB  - Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is challenging in patients who want
      to conceive. We followed 809 patients with CML treated with imatinib mesylate
      (IM). We observed outcomes in 90 pregnancies from 61 patients (21 females, 40
      males) who conceived while on IM. Information was obtained on duration of
      exposure to IM, pregnancy termination and congenital abnormalities. Hematologic
      and cytogenetic responses were also recorded. Twenty-eight pregnancies occurred
      among females, while 62 were reported from male patients. Among female patients,
      19 (67.9%) pregnancies were uneventful while six (21.4%) ended in adverse events.
      Only 12 (57%) females reported their pregnancies. Three (4.4%) adverse events
      were reported from male patients. Pregnancy is an important part of life in our
      young patients due to cultural and societal pressures. It is paramount to counsel
      pregnant patients to switch to drugs with no adverse effect on the developing
      fetus. However, lack of communication is a major factor preventing physicians
      from counseling patients about conception.

PMID- 24237578
TI  - Pleural effusions in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma: clinical predictors and
      associations with outcome.
AB  - Pleural effusions are common in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). However, little is known
      about their prognostic significance. One hundred and ten patients with HL who
      presented to the University of Rochester from 1 January 2003 to 12 December 2010
      were reviewed. Pleural effusions were evaluated on review of diagnostic-quality
      computed tomography (CT) scans. Pleural effusions were present in 26/110
      patients: 1/7 (14%) stage I, 11/61 (18%) stage II, 3/18 (17%) stage III and 11/24
      (46%) stage IV, and 25/91 (27%) patients had mediastinal involvement, 16/38 (42%)
      patients had extranodal involvement (any) and 5/14 (35%) patients had E lesions
      (direct extension to extranodal tissue). Unilateral and bilateral pleural
      effusions were equally prevalent. Survival analysis demonstrated decreased
      overall survival for patients with pleural effusions of borderline significance
      for stage I-IV (p = 0.055) but failed to show significance for patients with
      stage I-III (p = 0.115). Increasing stage, any extranodal involvement and bulky
      mediastinal disease were each predictive of pleural effusions. The presence of
      pleural effusion at presentation may be predictive of inferior survival for
      patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.

PMID- 24237579
TI  - Rho and Rap guanosine triphosphatase signaling in B cells and chronic lymphocytic
      leukemia.
AB  - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells proliferate predominantly in niches in
      the lymph nodes, where signaling from the B cell receptor (BCR) and the
      surrounding microenvironment are critical for disease progression. In addition,
      leukemic cells traffic constantly from the bloodstream into the lymph nodes,
      migrate within lymphatic tissues and egress back to the bloodstream. These
      processes are driven by chemokines and their receptors, and depend on changes in
      cell migration and integrin-mediated adhesion. Here we describe how Rho and Rap
      guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) contribute to both BCR signaling and
      chemokine receptor signaling, particularly by regulating cytoskeletal dynamics
      and integrin activity. We propose that new inhibitors of BCR-activated kinases
      are likely to affect CLL cell trafficking via Rho and Rap GTPases, and that
      upstream regulators or downstream effectors could be good targets for therapeutic
      intervention in CLL.

PMID- 24237580
TI  - Drug development for exceptionally rare metabolic diseases: challenging but not
      impossible.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We studied to what extent the level of scientific knowledge on
      exceptionally rare metabolic inherited diseases and their potential orphan
      medicinal products is associated with sponsors deciding to apply for an orphan
      designation at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European
      Medicines Agency (EMA). METHODS: All metabolic diseases with a genetic cause and
      prevalence of less than 10 patients per 1 million of the population were selected
      from the 'Orphanet database of Rare diseases'. The outcome of interest was the
      application for an orphan designation at FDA or EMA. The level of publicly
      available knowledge of the disease and drug candidate before an orphan
      designation application was defined as whether the physiological function
      corresponding with the pathologic gene and initiation of the pathophysiological
      pathway was known, whether an appropriate animal study was identified for the
      disease, whether preclinical proof of concept was ascertained and the
      availability of data in humans. Other determinants included in the study were
      metabolic disease class, the prevalence of the disease, prognosis and time of
      first description of the disease in the literature. Univariate relative risks
      (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of an orphan designation application
      were calculated for each of these determinants. In addition, a multivariate Cox
      regression analysis was conducted (Forward LR). RESULTS: In total, 166 rare
      metabolic genetic diseases were identified and included in the analysis. For only
      42 (25%) of the diseases an orphan designation application was submitted at
      either FDA or EMA before January 2012. The multivariate analysis identified
      preclinical proof of concept of a potential medicinal product as major knowledge
      related determinant associated with an orphan designation application (RRadj 3.9,
      95% CI 1.9-8.3) and confirmed that prevalence of the disease is also associated
      with filing an application for an orphan designation (RRadj 2.8, 95% CI 1.4-5.4).
      CONCLUSION: For only one out of four known exceptionally rare metabolic inherited
      diseases sponsors applied for an orphan designation at FDA or EMA. These
      applications were found to be associated with the prevalence of the rare disease
      and the level of available scientific knowledge on the proof of concept linking
      possible drug candidates to the disease of interest.

PMID- 24237581
TI  - Do preoperative fear avoidance model factors predict outcomes after lumbar disc
      herniation surgery? A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) surgery is usually recommended when
      conservative treatments fail to manage patients' symptoms. However, many patients
      undergoing LDH surgery continue to report pain and disability. Preoperative
      psychological factors have shown to be predictive for postoperative outcomes. Our
      aim was to systematically review studies that prospectively examined the
      prognostic value of factors in the Fear Avoidance Model (FAM), including back
      pain, leg pain, catastrophizing, anxiety, fear-avoidance, depression, physical
      activity and disability, to predict postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing
      LDH surgery. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review of prospective
      studies that measured any FAM factors preoperatively to predict postoperative
      outcomes for patients undergoing LDH surgery. Our search databases included
      PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. We assessed the quality of each included study
      using a certain quality assessment list. Degree of agreement between reviewers on
      quality assessment was examined. Results related to FAM factors in the included
      studies were summarized. RESULTS: Thirteen prospective studies met our inclusion
      criteria. Most studies were considered high quality. Heterogeneity was present
      between the included studies in many aspects. The most common FAM factors
      examinered were baseline pain, disability and depression. In, general,
      depression, fear-avoidance behaviors, passive pain coping, and anxiety FAM
      factors appeared to have negative influence on LDH surgical outcome. Baseline
      back pain and leg pain appeared to have differing prognostic value on LDH
      surgical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: FAM factors seem to influence LDH surgical
      outcomes. Patients with high levels of depression, anxiety and fear-avoidance
      behaviors are more likely to have poor outcomes following LDH surgery.
      Conversely, high levels of leg pain, but not back pain seem to be predictor for
      favorable LDH surgery outcome. More research is needed to determine the exact
      role of FAM factors on LDH surgical outcome and the value for screening for these
      factors.

PMID- 24237582
TI  - Treatment options for patients with multiple sclerosis who have a suboptimal
      response to interferon-beta therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the first-line disease-modifying therapies
      (DMTs) interferon beta and glatiramer acetate have a favourable benefit-to-risk
      profile, they are only partially effective for treating relapsing-remitting
      multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The optimization of treatment in patients who do not
      show a maximum response to first-line therapy is critical for achieving the best
      long-term outcomes. Treatment strategies for patients with a suboptimal response
      include switching to another first-line DMT or a second-line DMT. Natalizumab and
      fingolimod are approved for RRMS with high disease activity in the European Union
      and Canada. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search for articles published
      between 1990 and April 2012 was undertaken. RESULTS: This review discusses key
      clinical and safety data for fingolimod and natalizumab, particularly in the
      patient subgroups for whom these treatments are approved. Benefit-to-risk
      profiles, including first-dose cardiovascular effects associated with fingolimod
      and the risk of progressive multifocal encephalopathy with natalizumab, are
      discussed. CONCLUSION: A descriptive comparison of fingolimod and natalizumab is
      provided in the context of the decision-making process of how and when to switch
      patients who have a suboptimal response to first-line therapy.

PMID- 24237583
TI  - Reliability and Validity of the Persian HIT-6 Questionnaire in Migraine and
      Tension-type Headache.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) measures the impact headaches in a 1
      month period. We validated the Persian translation of HIT-6, compared the HIT-6
      psychometric analysis between migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) patients,
      and evaluated the capability of HIT-6 to differentiate between TTH, chronic
      migraine, and episodic migraine. METHODS: Qualified participants, including 274
      patients diagnosed with migraine or TTH, were required to complete HIT-6, SF
      36v2, and a symptoms questionnaire on their first visit. At 3 and 8 weeks from
      first visit, participants completed HIT-6. Internal consistency (Cronbach's
      alpha) and test-retest reproducibility (Pearson's correlation coefficient) were
      used to assess reliability. Convergent validity was also assessed. RESULTS:
      Tension-type headache, episodic, and chronic migraines included 24.5%, 61.9%, and
      13.6% of the participants, respectively. Internal consistency among all patients,
      TTH, and migraine in the first visit were 0.74, 0.77, and 0.73, respectively.
      Test-retest reliability for HIT-6 between visit 1 and 2 showed a moderate level
      of correlation (r = 0.50). Convergent validity and also item total correlation
      were acceptable. There was no significant difference in HIT-6 total score between
      TTH and migraine. CONCLUSION: Persian HIT-6 is a valid and reliable questionnaire
      for the evaluation of headache. However, it cannot differentiate between chronic
      migraine, episodic migraine, and TTH in Iranian population.

PMID- 24237584
TI  - BrpSPL9 (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis SPL9) controls the earliness of heading
      time in Chinese cabbage.
AB  - The leafy heads of cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa
      ssp. pekinensis), Brussels sprouts (B. oleracea ssp. gemmifera) and lettuce
      (Lactuca sativa) comprise extremely incurved leaves that are edible vegetable
      products. The heading time is important for high quality and yield of these
      crops. Here, we report that BrpSPL9-2 (B. rapa ssp. pekinensis SQUAMOSA PROMOTER
      BINDING-LIKE 9-2), a target gene of microRNA brp-miR156, controls the heading
      time of Chinese cabbage. Quantitative measurements of leaf shapes, sizes, colour
      and curvature indicated that heading is a late adult phase of vegetative growth.
      During the vegetative period, miR156 levels gradually decreased from the seedling
      stage to the heading one, whereas BrpSPL9-2 and BrpSPL15-1 mRNAs increased
      progressively and reached the highest levels at the heading stage. Overexpression
      of a mutated miR156-resistant form of BrpSPL9-2 caused the significant earliness
      of heading, concurrent with shortening of the seedling and rosette stages. By
      contrast, overexpression of miR156 delayed the folding time, concomitant with
      prolongation of the seedling and rosette stages. Morphological analysis reveals
      that the significant earliness of heading in the transgenic plants overexpressing
      BrpSPL9-2 gene was produced because the juvenile phase was absent and the early
      adult phase shortened, whereas the significant delay of folding in the transgenic
      plants overexpressing Brp-MIR156a was due to prolongation of the juvenile and
      early adult phases. Thus, miR156 and BrpSPL9 genes are potentially important for
      genetic improvement of earliness of Chinese cabbage and other crops. 

PMID- 24237585
TI  - The Nordic medical birth registers--a potential goldmine for clinical research.
AB  - The Nordic medical birth registers have long been used for valuable clinical
      research. Their collection of data for more than four decades offers unusual
      possibilities for research across generations. At the same time, serum and
      blotting paper blood samples have been stored from most neonates. Two large
      cohorts (approximately 100 000 births) in Denmark and Norway have been described
      by questionnaires, interviews and collection of biological samples (blood, urine
      and milk teeth), as well as a systematic prospective follow-up of the offspring.
      National patient registers provide information on preceding, underlying and
      present health problems of the parents and their offspring. Researchers may, with
      permission from the national authorities, obtain access to individualized or
      anonymized data from the registers and tissue-banks. These data allow for
      multivariate analyses but their usefulness depends on knowledge of the specific
      registers and biological sample banks and on proper validation of the registers.

PMID- 24237586
TI  - What do multiple sclerosis patients and their caregivers perceive as unmet needs?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a major impact on the physical,
      psychological and social life of patients and their families. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the different perceptions of patients and caregivers about
      management of MS, particularly about the same items, to gather information to
      ameliorate the care of patients. METHODS: We evaluated what MS patients and
      caregivers perceive as unmet needs and compared patients' opinions with
      caregivers' opinions using a multidimensional questionnaire. The questionnaire
      was specifically designed for the study, taking into account different aspects of
      the global care perceived by patients and care givers, such as information about
      MS, medical treatment and rehabilitation, patients' relationships with medical
      staff and their psychological and social life. RESULTS: We administered the
      questionnaire to 497 patients and 206 caregivers. Results showed that the
      majority of participants were satisfied with medical staff but expressed a desire
      that staff be more forthcoming with information about MS. As for medical
      treatment concerns, more patients found there to be useful a multidisciplinary
      approach than caregivers did. Both required psychological support for patients
      but patients felt a greater need for it at the time of diagnosis, whereas
      caregivers felt it was required post-diagnosis. Both reported significant strains
      on patient relationships at work but no effect on other social interactions.
      CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of MS patient needs, starting from the point
      of view of patients and caregivers, could have a great impact on quality of life
      and on management of the disease.

PMID- 24237588
TI  - Theoretical study on the mechanism of stereoselective synthesis of
      oxazolidinones.
AB  - Oxazolidinones can be synthesized through an organocatalytic cascade reaction of
      stable sulfur ylides and nitro-olefins. This process, sequentially catalyzed by
      thiourea and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), is theoretically studied using
      density functional theory by the continuum solvation model. It is shown that the
      rate- and stereoselectivity-determining step is the addition reaction of sulfur
      ylide to the nitro-olefin with two competing reaction channels. One channel is
      where the nitro-cyclopropane is generated first and then converted into
      isoxazoline N-oxide through a DMAP-catalyzed rearrangement. The other channel is
      the direct generation of the isoxazoline N-oxide intermediate. DMAP plays an
      important role in the reaction as a nucleophilic catalyst. The mechanism for the
      important rearrangement reaction proposed by Xiao et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008,
      130, 6946-6948) is not appropriate as the reaction energy barrier is too high; a
      10-step mechanism determined by our theoretical calculations is more feasible as
      the energy barrier is becoming much less than that by Xiao. It is the first time
      that the Hofmann rearrangement involved in the cascade organocatalysis is
      confirmed by theoretical calculations. Our result of the stereoselectivity for
      the synthesis of oxazolidinones is in good agreement with the experiment. 

PMID- 24237587
TI  - Genome-wide identification of Thellungiella salsuginea microRNAs with putative
      roles in the salt stress response.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs are key regulators of plant growth and development with
      important roles in environmental adaptation. The microRNAs from the halophyte
      species Thellungiella salsuginea (salt cress), which exhibits extreme salt stress
      tolerance, remain to be investigated. The sequenced genome of T. salsuginea and
      the availability of high-throughput sequencing technology enabled us to discover
      the conserved and novel miRNAs in this plant species. It is interesting to
      identify the microRNAs from T. salsuginea genome wide and study their roles in
      salt stress response. RESULTS: In this study, two T. salsuginea small RNA
      libraries were constructed and sequenced using Solexa technology. We identified
      109 miRNAs that had previously been reported in other plant species. A total of
      137 novel miRNA candidates were identified, among which the miR* sequence of 26
      miRNAs was detected. In addition, 143 and 425 target mRNAs were predicted for the
      previously identified and Thellungiella-specific miRNAs, respectively. A quarter
      of these putative targets encode transcription factors. Furthermore, numerous
      signaling factor encoding genes, defense-related genes, and transporter encoding
      genes were amongst the identified targets, some of which were shown to be
      important for salt tolerance. Cleavage sites of seven target genes were validated
      by 5' RACE, and some of the miRNAs were confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis. The
      expression levels of 26 known miRNAs in the roots and leaves of plants subjected
      to NaCl treatment were determined by Affymetrix microarray analysis. The
      expression of most tested miRNA families was up- or down-regulated upon NaCl
      treatment. Differential response patterns between the leaves and roots were
      observed for these miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that diverse set of
      miRNAs of T. salsuginea were responsive to salt stress and could play an
      important role in the salt stress response.

PMID- 24237589
TI  - Melancholic and reactive depression: a reappraisal of old categories.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The dominant diagnostic model of the classification of depression
      today is unitarian; however, since Kurt Schneider (1920) introduced the concept
      of endogenous depression and reactive depression, the binary model has still
      often been used on a clinical basis. Notwithstanding this, to our knowledge,
      there have been no collective data on how psychiatrists differentiate these two
      conditions. We therefore conducted a survey to examine how psychiatrists in Japan
      differentiate patients with major depressive disorder who present mainly with
      melancholic features and those with reactive features. METHODS: Three case
      scenarios of melancholic and reactive depression, and one-in-between were
      prepared. These cases were designed to present with at least 5 symptoms listed in
      the DSM-IV-TR with severity being mild. We have sent the questionnaires regarding
      treatment options and diagnosis for those three cases on a 7-point Likert scale
      (1 = "not appropriate", 4 = "cannot tell", and 7 = "appropriate"). Five hundred
      and two psychiatrists from over one hundred hospitals and community clinics
      throughout Japan have participated in this survey. RESULTS: The melancholic case
      resulted significantly higher than the reactive case on either antidepressants
      (mean +/- SD: 5.9 +/- 1.2 vs. 3.6 +/- 1.7, p < 0.001), hypnotics (mean +/- SD:
      5.5 +/- 1.1 vs. 5.0 +/- 1.3, p < 0.001), and electroconvulsive therapy (mean +/-
      SD: 1.5 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.6, p < 0.001). On the other hand, the reactive case
      resulted in significantly higher scores compared to the melancholic case and the
      one- in-between cases in regards to psychotherapy (mean +/- SD: 4.9 +/- 1.4 vs.
      4.3 +/- 1.4 vs. 4.7 +/- 1.5, p < 0.001, respectively). Scores for informing
      patients that they suffered from "depression" were significantly higher in the
      melancholic case, compared to the reactive case (mean +/- SD: 4.7 +/- 1.7 vs. 2.2
      +/- 1.4, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Japanese psychiatrists distinguish between
      major depressive disorder with melancholic and reactive features, and thus choose
      different treatment strategies regarding pharmacological treatment and
      psychotherapy.

PMID- 24237590
TI  - Unipolar voltage abnormality is associated with greater left ventricular
      dysfunction in ischemic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Following myocardial infarction (MI), left ventricular function is
      determined by cardiac remodeling occurring in both infarcted and noninfarcted
      myocardium (NIM). Unipolar voltage mapping may detect remodeling changes in NIM
      that are associated with the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We aimed
      to identify (1) unipolar voltage characteristics in patients with chronic MI, and
      (2) association of voltage abnormalities with degree of left ventricular
      dysfunction (LVD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Two groups of patients with ischemic
      cardiomyopathy (ICM) who underwent LV endocardial mapping during catheter
      ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) between January 2010 and December 2012
      were studied. The first group (19 males) had mild to moderate LVD (M-LVD, LVEF
      >35%) and was matched for age, sex, infarction size, and infarction location with
      10 males who had severe LVD (S-LVD, LVEF <35%). Both bipolar and unipolar
      endocardial abnormal voltage areas were measured and compared between groups.
      Abnormal bipolar area was comparable in both groups (30 +/- 8% in the S-LVD group
      vs 28 +/- 8% in the M-LVD group; P = 0.5). Total abnormal unipolar voltage area
      was significantly larger in the S-LVD group (57 +/- 14% vs 43 +/- 13%; P = 0.02).
      The abnormal unipolar voltage area within the normal bipolar voltage area was
      greater in the S-LVD group (26 +/- 11% vs 15 +/- 16%; P = 0.03). In receiver
      operating characteristic curve analysis, an 18.0% cut-off value for abnormal
      unipolar area within NIM identified severe LVD, with 90% sensitivity and 79%
      specificity (area under the curve 0.821). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ICM and
      severe LVD have larger areas of unipolar voltage abnormality in the noninfarcted
      tissue than patients with M-LVD.

PMID- 24237591
TI  - Establishment of transgenic silkworms expressing GAL4 specifically in the
      haemocyte oenocytoid cells.
AB  - Insect haemocytes play significant roles in innate immunity. The silkworm, a
      lepidopteran species, is often selected as the model for studies into the
      functions of haemocytes in immunity; however, our understanding of the role of
      haemocytes remains limited because the lack of haemocyte promoters for transgene
      expression makes genetic manipulations difficult. In the present study, we aimed
      to establish transgenic silkworm strains expressing GAL4 in their haemocytes.
      First, we identified three genes with strong expression in haemocytes, namely,
      lp44, Haemocyte Protease 1 (HP1) and hemocytin. Transgenic silkworms expressing
      GAL4 under the control of the putative promoters of these genes were then
      established and expression was examined. Although GAL4 expression was not
      detected in haemocytes of HP1-GAL4 or hemocytin-GAL4 strains, lp44-GAL4 exhibited
      a high level of GAL4 expression, particularly in oenocytoids. GAL4 expression was
      also detected in the midgut but in no other tissues, indicating that GAL4
      expression in this strain is mostly oenocytoid-specific. Thus, we have identified
      a promoter that enables oenocytoid expression of genes of interest. Additionally,
      the lp44-GAL4 strain could also be used for other types of research, such as the
      functional analysis of genes in oenocytoids, which would facilitate advances in
      our understanding of insect immunity. 

PMID- 24237592
TI  - Laser therapy of onychomycosis.
AB  - Since 2010 the FDA has approved laser systems as capable of producing a
      "temporary increase in clear nails" in patients with onychomycosis. Fungal
      eradication is probably mediated by heat in infrared laser systems; their
      efficacy has been confirmed thermographically, histologically and in electron
      microscopy. Another approach to decontaminate the nail organ is to disrupt fungi
      and spores by q-switched pulse applications. Recently specific combinations of
      wavelengths have been tested for their ability to disrupt the mitochondrial
      transmembrane potential at physiological temperatures by generating ATP and ROS.
      While clinically extremely high clearance rates of approximately 87.5-95.8 % have
      been reported, in-vitro investigations have failed to confirm the clearance. The
      variety of systems and advised parameters hampers a systematic evaluation.
      Recommendations for safe and practical treatment protocols, informed consent
      items, and combination with conventional treatment options are all areas of
      active work. Currently there is a lack of data concerning the long-term efficacy
      of laser therapy of onychomycosis; certified treatment protocols are needed. 

PMID- 24237593
TI  - Si-RNA mediated knockdown of CELF1 gene suppressed the proliferation of human
      lung cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the
      world, with metastasis as the main reason for the mortality. CELF1 is an RNA
      binding protein controlling the post-transcriptional regulation of genes related
      to cell survival. As yet, there is little knowledge of CELF1 expression and
      biological function in lung cancer. This study investigated the expression levels
      of CELF1 in lung cancer tissues and the biological function of CELF1 in lung
      cancer cells. METHODS: CELF1 mRNA expression was determined in lung cancer and
      normal tissues, and the relationship between the expression level of CELF1 and
      clinicopathological parameters was evaluated. The biological function of CELF1 in
      A549 and H1299 lung cancer cell lines growth was examined. RESULTS: The
      expression of CELF1 was higher in human lung cancer tissues compared with the
      normal lung tissue. Lentiviral-mediated transfection of CELF1 siRNA effectively
      silenced the expression of CELF1 in both A549 and H1299 cells. Moreover, CELF1
      knockdown markedly reduced the survival rate of lung cancer cells. Colony
      formation assays revealed a reduction in the number and size of lung cancer cell
      colonies from CELF1 knockdown. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that CELF1 may
      have significant roles in the progression of lung cancer, and suggested that
      siRNA mediated silencing of CELF1 could be an effective tool in lung cancer
      treatment.

PMID- 24237594
TI  - Differentiation between sediment and hypolimnion methanogen communities in humic
      lakes.
AB  - The traditional view of carbon cycling within the pelagic zone of freshwater
      lakes has consisted of methane production within the anoxic sediment, followed by
      diffusive flux and ebullition through the water column. Methanogenic archaea have
      been shown to be present within the water columns of freshwater lakes; however,
      little is known about whether these methanogenic communities are distinct from
      those in the sediment or how these communities change over space and time. We
      used the methanogen-specific phylogenetic marker mcrA to perform a 3-year study
      focusing on the community structure of methanogens within the sediment and anoxic
      hypolimnion water layer of five humic lakes in WI, USA. The hypolimnion and
      sediment communities were distinct in composition, richness and phylogenetic
      diversity. Hypolimnion communities displayed a temporally stable biogeographical
      pattern among lakes, which was driven by both lake-specific environmental
      variables and barriers to dispersal. We conclude that the hypolimnion comprised
      communities of methanogens that are distinct from those in the sediment,
      differentiated among lakes, and likely have unique ecological roles and
      evolutionary trajectories in these anaerobic environments. 

PMID- 24237595
TI  - Role of flavohaemoprotein Hmp and nitrate reductase NarGHJI of Corynebacterium
      glutamicum for coping with nitrite and nitrosative stress.
AB  - The influence of nitrate and nitrite on growth of Corynebacterium glutamicum
      under aerobic conditions in shake flasks was analysed. When dissolved oxygen
      became limiting at higher cell densities, nitrate was reduced almost
      stoichiometrically to nitrite by nitrate reductase (NarGHJI). The nitrite
      concentration also declined slowly, presumably as a result of several reactions
      including reduction to nitric oxide by a side-activity of nitrate reductase. The
      flavohaemoglobin gene hmp was most strongly upregulated (19-fold) in the presence
      of nitrite. Hmp is known to catalyse the oxygen-dependent oxidation of nitric
      oxide to nitrate and, in the absence of oxygen, with a much lower rate the
      reduction of nitric oxide to nitrous oxide. A Deltahmp mutant showed strong
      growth defects under aerobic conditions in the presence of nitrate, nitrite and
      the NO-donating reagent sodium nitroprusside, but also under anaerobic nitrate
      respiring conditions. Therefore, Hmp is likely to be responsible for nitric oxide
      conversion to either nitrate or nitrous oxide in C. glutamicum. The results
      suggest that a cyclic nitrate-nitrite conversion takes place in C. glutamicum
      under microaerobic conditions.

PMID- 24237596
TI  - Biomarkers for intracellular pathogens: establishing tools as vaccine and
      therapeutic endpoints for visceral leishmaniasis.
AB  - Visceral leishmaniasis in South Asia is a serious disease affecting children and
      adults. Acute visceral leishmaniasis develops in only a fraction of those
      infected individuals, the majority being asymptomatic with the potential to
      transmit infection and develop disease. We followed 56 individuals characterized
      as being asymptomatic by seropositivity with rk39 rapid diagnostic test in a
      hyperendemic district of Bangladesh to define the utility of Leishmania-specific
      antibodies and DNA in identifying infection. At baseline, 54 of the individuals
      were seropositive with one or more quantitative antibody assays and antibody
      levels persisted at follow up. Most seropositive individuals (47/54) tested
      positive by quantitative PCR at baseline, but only 16 tested positive at follow
      up. The discrepancies among the different tests may shed light on the dynamics of
      asymptomatic infections of Leishmania donovani, as well as underscore the need
      for standard diagnostic tools for active surveillance as well as assessing the
      effectiveness of prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. 

PMID- 24237597
TI  - Reconsidering policy of casualty evacuation in a remote mass-casualty incident.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Inappropriate distribution of casualties in mass-casualty incidents
      (MCIs) may overwhelm hospitals. This study aimed to review the consequences of
      evacuating casualties from a bus accident to a single peripheral hospital and
      lessons learned regarding policy of casualty evacuation. METHODS: Medical records
      of all casualties relating to evacuation times, injury severity, diagnoses,
      treatments, resources utilized and outcomes were independently reviewed by two
      senior trauma surgeons. In addition, four senior trauma surgeons reviewed impact
      of treatment provided on patient outcomes. They reviewed the times for the
      primary and secondary evacuation, injury severity, diagnoses, surgical
      treatments, resources utilized, and the final outcomes of the patients at the
      point of discharge from the tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-one survivors
      were transferred to the closest local hospital; four died en route to hospital or
      within 30 minutes of arrival. Twenty-seven casualties were evacuated by air from
      the local hospital within 2.5 to 6.15 hours to Level I and II hospitals.
      Undertriage of 15% and overtriage of seven percent were noted. Four casualties
      did not receive treatment that might have improved their condition at the local
      hospital. CONCLUSIONS: In MCIs occurring in remote areas, policy makers should
      consider revising the current evacuation plan so that only immediate unstable
      casualties should be transferred to the closest primary hospital. On site
      Advanced Life Support (ALS) should be administered to non-severe casualties until
      they can be evacuated directly to tertiary care hospitals. First responders must
      be trained to provide ALS to non-severe casualties until evacuation resources are
      available.

PMID- 24237598
TI  - NK cells from an AML patient have recovered in remission and reached comparable
      cytolytic activity to that of a healthy monozygotic twin mediated by the single
      chain triplebody SPM-2.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The capacity of patient's Natural Killer cells (NKs) to be activated
      for cytolysis is an important prerequisite for the success of antibody-derived
      agents such as single-chain triplebodies (triplebodies) in cancer therapy. NKs
      recovered from AML patients at diagnosis are often found to be reduced in
      peripheral blood titers and cytolytic activity. Here, we had the unique
      opportunity to compare blood titers and cytolytic function of NKs from an AML
      patient with those of a healthy monozygotic twin. The sibling's NKs were compared
      with the patient's drawn either at diagnosis or in remission after chemotherapy.
      The cytolytic activities of NKs from these different sources for the patient's
      autologous AML blasts and other leukemic target cells in conjunction with
      triplebody SPM-2, targeting the surface antigens CD33 and CD123 on the AML cells,
      were compared. METHODS: Patient NKs drawn at diagnosis were compared to NKs drawn
      in remission after chemotherapy and a sibling's NKs, all prepared from PBMCs by
      immunomagnetic beads (MACS). Redirected lysis (RDL) assays using SPM-2 and
      antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays using the therapeutic
      antibody RituximabTM were performed with the enriched NKs. In addition, MACS
      sorted NKs were analyzed for NK cell activating receptors (NCRs) by flow
      cytometry, and the release of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma from blood samples of both
      siblings after the addition of the triplebody were measured in ELISA-assays.
      RESULTS: Patient NKs isolated from peripheral blood drawn in remission produced
      comparable lysis as NKs from the healthy twin against the patient's autologous
      bone marrow (BM) blasts, mediated by SPM-2. The NCR receptor expression profiles
      on NKs from patient and twin were similar, but NK cell titers in peripheral blood
      were lower for samples drawn at diagnosis than in remission. CONCLUSIONS:
      Peripheral blood NK titers and ex vivo cytolytic activities mediated by
      triplebody SPM-2 were comparable for cells drawn from an AML patient in remission
      and a healthy twin. If these results can be generalized, then NKs from AML
      patients in remission are sufficient in numbers and cytolytic activity to make
      triplebodies promising new agents for the treatment of AML.

PMID- 24237599
TI  - Dermoscopic nevus patterns in skin of colour: a prospective, cross-sectional,
      morphological study in individuals with skin type V and VI.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most of the knowledge on the prevailing dermoscopic patterns of
      acquired melanocytic nevi (AMV) is based on studies in Caucasians, while little
      research focuses on the dermoscopic variability in nevi in skin of colour.
      OBJECTIVE: To analyse the prevalent dermoscopic nevus patterns in subjects with a
      skin type (ST) V and VI. METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional, morphological
      study was conducted in six clinics with enrolment of consecutive individuals with
      a ST V or VI. Digital dermoscopic images of selected representative AMN were
      assessed for dermoscopic colours, morphological patterns and pigment
      distribution. RESULTS: Analysis of 300 nevi from subjects with ST V and VI
      revealed significant differences in the nevus pattern between these two groups.
      The majority of nevi in ST V revealed a reticular pattern, whereas persons with
      ST VI more frequently exhibited a structureless pattern. Black, blue and grey
      were more frequent in ST VI, whereas the vast majority of nevi in ST V
      individuals showed dark brown colour. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides new
      insights into the nevus pattern in individuals with a dark pigmentary trait,
      which may aid the diagnosis and management of nevi in this patients group.

PMID- 24237600
TI  - Delayed migration of hyaluronic acid fillers: a new complication?

PMID- 24237601
TI  - Clinical characterization of epilepsy of unknown cause in cats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of feline epilepsy of unknown cause (EUC) requires a
      thorough diagnostic evaluation, otherwise the prevalence of EUC could be
      overestimated. HYPOTHESIS: Feline EUC is a clinically defined disease entity,
      which differs from feline hippocampal necrosis by the absence of magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) signal alteration of the hippocampus. The objectives of
      this study were (1) to evaluate the prevalence of EUC in a hospital population of
      cats by applying well-defined inclusion criteria, and (2) to describe the
      clinical course of EUC. ANIMALS: Eighty-one cats with recurrent seizures.
      METHODS: Retrospective study--medical records were reviewed for cats presented
      for evaluation of recurrent seizures (2005-2010). Inclusion criteria were a
      defined diagnosis based on laboratory data, and either MRI or histopathology.
      Final outcome was confirmed by telephone interview with the owner. Magnetic
      resonance images were reviewed to evaluate hippocampal morphology and signal
      alterations. RESULTS: Epilepsy of unknown cause was diagnosed in 22% of cats with
      epilepsy. Physical, neurologic, and laboratory examinations, and either 1.5 T MRI
      and cerebrospinal fluid analysis or postmortem examination failed to identify an
      underlying cause. Cats with EUC had a higher survival rate (P < .05) and seizure
      remission occurred frequently (44.4%). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A
      detailed clinical evaluation and diagnostic imaging with MRI is recommended in
      any cat with recurrent seizures. The prognosis of cats with normal MRI findings
      and a clinical diagnosis of EUC are good. Standardized imaging guidelines should
      be established to assess the hippocampus in cats.

PMID- 24237602
TI  - Salivary cortisol levels, but not salivary alpha-amylase levels, are elevated in
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis irrespective of depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Stress is recognized as an important factor in the etiology of
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, we explored multiple aspects of stress in
      RA patients. METHODS: Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were measured as
      markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and sympatho
      adrenomedullary system activity, respectively. Depression was assessed by the
      Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and short-term analysis of the heart rate
      variability (HRV) was performed to evaluate the autonomic nervous system.
      RESULTS: The salivary cortisol levels of the RA patients were significantly
      higher than those of the normal controls (NC; 0.12 +/- 0.162 MUg/dL vs. 0.068 +/-
      0.052 MUg/dL, P = 0.006). There was no difference in salivary alpha-amylase
      levels between the RA and the NC. The BDI levels of the RA patients were
      significantly higher than the NC (13.7 +/- 8.9 vs. 6.4 +/- 6.9, P < 0.001).
      Depression was more prevalent in RA patients than in the NC. The salivary
      cortisol levels were still significantly higher in the RA than the NC after
      controlling BDI by logistic regression analysis (P = 0.002). There was no
      significant difference in the HRV of RA patients and the NC. The evaluation of
      relationship between stress measures and disease activity markers of RA revealed
      that only BDI was positively correlated with the visual analogue pain scale.
      CONCLUSION: Salivary cortisol levels and the BDI of RA patients were higher than
      those of the NC, and elevated salivary cortisol levels were independent of
      depression. However, the level of stress may not be correlated with disease
      activity in RA.

PMID- 24237603
TI  - Head trauma sustained under the influence of alcohol is a predictor for future
      traumatic brain injury: a long-term follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hazardous drinking may result in recurrent head trauma.
      It was investigated whether head trauma sustained under the influence of alcohol
      is a predictor of future traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: All subjects with
      head trauma (n = 827) brought to the emergency room at Oulu University Hospital
      during 1999 were identified and followed up until death or the end of 2009. The
      National Hospital Discharge Register and hospital charts were used to identify
      TBIs during the follow-up and Kaplan-Meier curves and the Cox proportional
      hazards model were used to characterize predictors of TBI. RESULTS: During the
      total follow-up of 7386 person-years, 52/827 subjects sustained a new head trauma
      with TBI and the risk of TBI was significantly (P = 0.005) higher amongst
      subjects who had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the index
      trauma in 1999. New TBI occurred under the influence of alcohol in 30/52 cases
      (57.7%). An alcohol-related index trauma [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.51, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 1.38-4.56, P < 0.01] and history of TBI (HR 3.39, 95% CI
      1.32-8.72, P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for subsequent TBI after
      adjustment for sex and age. A history of harmful drinking was also a significant
      risk factor (adjusted HR 10.37, 95% CI 5.53-19.43, P < 0.001). In the subset of
      396 patients having an index head trauma without TBI, this being alcohol related
      was also a significant risk factor for subsequent TBI after adjustment for sex,
      age and history of TBI (HR 3.54, 95% CI 1.36-9.18, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Even
      head trauma without TBI under the influence of alcohol implies an elevated risk
      of subsequent TBI. A brief intervention to reduce hazardous drinking is needed to
      prevent TBI.

PMID- 24237604
TI  - A comparative study on the anti-inflammatory effects of single oral doses of
      naproxen and its hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-releasing derivative ATB-346 in rats with
      carrageenan-induced synovitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly
      prescribed agents for arthritic patients, although gastric effects limit their
      long-term use. Considering the reported gastric safety of hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
      releasing NSAIDs, in addition to the anti-inflammatory effects of H2S
      administration to rats with synovitis, we decided to evaluate the effects of the
      H2S-releasing naproxen derivative ATB-346 in this animal model. METHODS: Male
      Wistar rats were anesthetized with inhalatory halothane and pre-treated with
      equimolar oral doses of either naproxen (0.3, 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg) or ATB-346 (0.48,
      1.6, 4.8, or 16 mg/kg) 30 min before the i.art. injection of 7.5 mg of
      carrageenan (CGN) into the right knee joint cavity. Joint swelling and pain score
      were assessed after 1, 3 and 5 h, and tactile allodynia after 2 and 4 h. After
      the last measurement, the joint cavity lavages were performed for counting of the
      recruited leukocytes. The drugs (at the highest doses) were also tested for their
      gastric effects by evaluating macroscopical damage score and neutrophil
      recruitment (measured as myeloperoxidase - MPO activity) in the stomachs 5 h
      after administration of the drugs. In addition, the serum naproxen
      pharmacokinetic profiles of both compounds, administered at the highest equimolar
      doses, were obtained during the first 6 h after dosing. RESULTS: At the two
      highest tested doses, both naproxen and ATB-346 reduced edema and pain score
      (measured 3 and 5 h after CGN; P < 0.001). Tactile allodynia was similarly
      inhibited by ~45% 4 h after CGN by both naproxen (at 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg) and ATB
      346 (at 1.6 and 4.8 mg/kg; P < 0.001), as well as leukocyte infiltration.
      Naproxen (but not ATB-346) induced significant gastric damage and, despite the
      increased gastric MPO activity by ~130% in the naproxen-, but not in the ATB-346
      treated rats, this effect was of no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The
      presence of a H2S-releasing moiety in the ATB-346 structure does not impair the
      antiinflammatory activity of the parent compound in rats with CGN-induced
      synovitis. In addition, released H2S may account for the absence of deleterious
      gastric effects, thus making of ATB-346 a potentially useful therapeutic
      alternative to traditional naproxen for treatment of patients with arthritis.

PMID- 24237605
TI  - Funding innovation for treatment for rare diseases: adopting a cost-based
      yardstick approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Manufacturers justify the high prices for orphan drugs on the basis
      that the associated R&D costs must be spread over few patients. The proliferation
      of these drugs in the last three decades, combined with high prices commonly in
      excess of $100,000 per patient per year are placing a substantial strain on the
      budgets of drug plans in many countries. Do insurers spend a growing portion of
      their budgets on small patient populations, or leave vulnerable patients without
      coverage for valuable treatments? We suggest that a third option is present in
      the form of a cost-based regulatory mechanism. METHODS: This article explores the
      use of a cost-based price control mechanism for orphan drugs, adapted from the
      standard models applied in utilities regulation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A rate
      of-return style model, employing yardsticked cost allocations and a modified two
      stage rate of return calculation could be effective in setting a new standard for
      orphan drugs pricing. This type of cost-based pricing would limit the costs faced
      by insurers while continuing to provide an efficient incentive for new drug
      development.

PMID- 24237606
TI  - Inducible expression of a fusion gene encoding two proteinase inhibitors leads to
      insect and pathogen resistance in transgenic rice.
AB  - Plant proteinase inhibitors (PIs) are considered as candidates for increased
      insect resistance in transgenic plants. Insect adaptation to PI ingestion might,
      however, compromise the benefits received by transgenic expression of PIs. In
      this study, the maize proteinase inhibitor (MPI), an inhibitor of insect serine
      proteinases, and the potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor (PCI) were fused into a
      single open reading frame and introduced into rice plants. The two PIs were
      linked using either the processing site of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1B
      precursor protein or the 2A sequence from the foot-and-mouth disease virus
      (FMDV). Expression of each fusion gene was driven by the wound- and pathogen
      inducible mpi promoter. The mpi-pci fusion gene was stably inherited for at least
      three generations with no penalty on plant phenotype. An important reduction in
      larval weight of Chilo suppressalis fed on mpi-pci rice, compared with larvae fed
      on wild-type plants, was observed. Expression of the mpi-pci fusion gene confers
      resistance to C. suppressalis (striped stem borer), one of the most important
      insect pest of rice. The mpi-pci expression systems described may represent a
      suitable strategy for insect pest control, better than strategies based on the
      use of single PI genes, by preventing insect adaptive responses. The rice plants
      expressing the mpi-pci fusion gene also showed enhanced resistance to infection
      by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, the causal agent of the rice blast disease. Our
      results illustrate the usefulness of the inducible expression of the mpi-pci
      fusion gene for dual resistance against insects and pathogens in rice plants. 

PMID- 24237607
TI  - Acute tryptophan depletion - converging evidence for decreasing central nervous
      serotonin synthesis in rodents and humans.

PMID- 24237609
TI  - Sparganosis presenting as a mammographic abnormality.

PMID- 24237608
TI  - Circulating miR-30a, miR-126 and let-7b as biomarker for ischemic stroke in
      humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, plasma miRNAs have been reported as biomarkers for various
      diseases. However, the knowledge on the association of plasma miRNAs with
      ischemic stroke is still lacking. In this study, we investigated whether plasma
      concentrations of miR-30a, miR-126 and let-7b may be biomarkers for ischemic
      stroke in humans. METHODS: One hundred ninety seven patients with ischemic stroke
      were recruited and their blood samples were collected at 24 h, 1 week, 4 weeks,
      24 weeks and 48 weeks after symptoms onset, and fifty healthy volunteers were
      selected as control. Levels of miRNA were quantified by quantitative real-time
      PCR. Relative expression level of miRNA was calculated using 2(-DeltaDeltact)
      method. The ability to distinguish the ischemic stroke group from control group
      was characterized by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area
      under ROC curve (AUC) was calculated. RESULTS: Circulating miR-30a and miR-126
      levels were markedly down-regulated in all patients with ischemic stroke until 24
      weeks. However, circulating let-7b was lower in patients with large-vessel
      atherosclerosis than healthy volunteers, whereas circulating let-7b had higher
      level in patients with other kinds of ischemic stroke until 24 weeks. Among all
      patients, circulating miRNAs levels returned to normal 48 weeks after symptom
      onset. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the
      areas under the curve (AUC) of plasma miR-30a were 0.91, 0.91, 0.92 and 0.93, the
      miR-126 were 0.92, 0.94, 0.93 and 0.92, and let-7b were 0.93, 0.92, 0.92 and 0.91
      at 24 h, 1 w, 4 w and 24 w, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that
      miR-30a, miR-126 and let-7b might be useful biomarkers for ischemic stroke in
      humans.

PMID- 24237610
TI  - EP42675, a synthetic parenteral dual-action anticoagulant: pharmacokinetics,
      pharmacodynamics, and absence of interactions with antiplatelet drugs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: EP42675 is a first-in-class, synthetic, parenteral, anticoagulant
      combining in a single molecule a direct thrombin inhibitor and an indirect factor
      Xa(FXa) inhibitor. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and
      pharmacodynamics of EP42675 and its interaction with aspirin, clopidogrel, and
      unfractionated heparin (UFH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In study 1, healthy male
      subjects were administered intravenously single-ascending doses (1-10 mg) of
      EP42675 or placebo. In study 2, healthy male subjects were administered
      intravenously a single dose of 5 mg EP42675 on day 1 followed by oral
      administration of aspirin (100 mg) and clopidogrel (75 mg) once daily from day 8
      to 21. On day 15, a second dose of 5 mg EP42675 was administered, and subjects
      were then randomized to receive a single dose of UFH (30 or 60 IU kg(-1) ) or
      placebo. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Mild bleedings were the only drug-related
      adverse events. EP42675 pharmacokinetics were dose-proportional and characterized
      by a low clearance, a small volume of distribution, a long terminal half-life.
      EP42675 pharmacodynamics were characterized by a long-lasting, dose-dependent
      increase in activated clotting time, ecarin clotting time, thrombin time, anti
      FXa activity, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and a
      decrease in endogenous thrombin potential, measured by a thrombin generation
      test. Dose-dependent additive effects were seen with UFH on coagulation tests.
      EP42675 had no additive effect on the inhibition of platelet aggregation induced
      by aspirin and clopidogrel. These results warrant further clinical development of
      this new class of anticoagulant.

PMID- 24237611
TI  - Tumor-dependent increase of serum amino acid levels in breast cancer patients has
      diagnostic potential and correlates with molecular tumor subtypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malignancies induce changes in the levels of serum amino acids (AA),
      which may offer diagnostic potential. Furthermore, changes in AA levels are
      associated with immune cell function. In this study, serum AA levels were studied
      in breast cancer patients versus patients with benign breast lesions. METHODS: In
      a prospective study, serum levels of 15 AA were measured by high performance
      liquid chromatography before and after surgery in 41 breast cancer patients
      (BrCA) and nine patients with benign breast lesions (healthy donors, HD). Results
      were analyzed in relation to clinical tumor data and tested against immunological
      flow cytometry data. Principal component analysis was performed and the accuracy
      of AA levels as a potential diagnostic tool was tested. RESULTS: Pre- but not
      postoperative serum AA levels were increased in BrCA in eight out of 15 AA
      compared with HD. Serum AA levels were highest in the most aggressive (basal
      like) as compared with the least aggressive tumor subtype (luminal A). A
      principal component (PC1) of all measured AA correlated with a mainly pro
      inflammatory immune profile, while a second one (PC2, selectively considering AA
      preoperatively differing between HD and BrCA) could predict health state with an
      area under the curve of 0.870. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer shows a tumor-dependent
      impact on serum AA levels, which varies with intrinsic tumor subtypes and is
      associated with a pro-inflammatory state. Serum AA levels need further evaluation
      as a potential diagnostic tool.

PMID- 24237612
TI  - Acute safety and efficacy of a novel multipolar irrigated radiofrequency ablation
      catheter for pulmonary vein isolation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: "Single shot" ablation devices to treat symptomatic atrial
      fibrillation have been engineered over the last years. Safety and efficacy also
      includes subclinical complications only detected with esophageal endoscopy or
      cerebral MRI in asymptomatic patients. We studied the acute efficacy and safety
      profile of a novel multipolar irrigated RF ablation catheter (nMARQTM). METHODS
      AND RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using
      the novel ablation device. Patient baseline and procedural characteristics were
      documented. Efficacy of PVI was identified using only the nMARQTM catheter. All
      patients underwent postablation endoscopic evaluation of the esophagus to
      document thermal damage and cerebral MRI (diffusion weight imaging, attenuated
      diffusion coefficient-map) to document incidence and number of silent cerebral
      lesions (SCL). Effective PVI was achieved in 98% of targeted PVs in a mean
      procedure time of 133 minutes. A mean of 4.8, 60-second RF applications, per PV
      was needed for effective PVI. No clinical procedure-associated complications were
      noted. Esophageal temperature increase >40.5  degrees C was noted in 22 (51%)
      patients and 14 of these had thermal esophageal lesions on endoscopic evaluation.
      A total of 26 SCLs were noted in 14 patients (33%; 1.9/patient; mean diameter of
      2.3 mm, 88% of lesions were <=3 mm). CONCLUSIONS: PVI using the novel irrigated
      RF multipolar ablation device (nMARQTM) appears to be acutely effective. No
      clinical complications were identified. A high incidence of SCL (33%) and thermal
      esophageal lesions (33%) bears caution and further studies on long-term efficacy
      and safety are needed.

PMID- 24237613
TI  - Identification and characterization of the three homeologues of a new sucrose
      transporter in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sucrose transporters (SUTs) play important roles in regulating the
      translocation of assimilates from source to sink tissues. Identification and
      characterization of new SUTs in economically important crops such as wheat
      provide insights into their role in determining seed yield. To date, however,
      only one SUT of wheat has been reported and functionally characterized. The
      present study reports the isolation and characterization of a new SUT, designated
      as TaSUT2, and its homeologues (TaSUT2A, TaSUT2B and TaSUT2D) in hexaploid wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.). RESULTS: TaSUT2A and TaSUT2B genes each encode a protein
      with 506 amino acids, whereas TaSUT2D encodes a protein of 508 amino acids. The
      molecular mass of these proteins is predicted to be ~ 54 kDA. Topological
      analysis of the amino acid sequences of the three homeologues revealed that they
      contain 12 transmembrane spanning helices, which are described as distinct
      characteristic features of glycoside-pentoside-hexuronide cation symporter family
      that includes all known plant SUTs, and a histidine residue that appears to be
      localized at and associated conformationally with the sucrose binding site. Yeast
      SUSY7/ura3 strain cells transformed with TaSUT2A, TaSUT2B and TaSUT2D were able
      to uptake sucrose and grow on a medium containing sucrose as a sole source of
      carbon; however, our subcellular localization study with plant cells revealed
      that TaSUT2 is localized to the tonoplast. The expression of TaSUT2 was detected
      in the source, including flag leaf blade, flag leaf sheath, peduncle, glumes,
      palea and lemma, and sink (seed) tissues. The relative contributions of the three
      genomes of wheat to the total expression of TaSUT2 appear to differ with tissues
      and developmental stages. At the cellular level, TaSUT2 is expressed mainly in
      the vein of developing seeds and subepidermal mesophyll cells of the leaf blade.
      CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that TaSUT2 is a new wheat SUT protein. Given
      that TaSUT2 is localized to the tonoplast and sucrose is temporarily stored in
      the vacuoles of both source and sink tissues, our data imply that TaSUT2 is
      involved in the intracellular partitioning of sucrose, particularly between the
      vacuole and cytoplasm.

PMID- 24237614
TI  - EBR1 genomic expansion and its role in virulence of Fusarium species.
AB  - Genome sequencing of Fusarium oxysporum revealed that pathogenic forms of this
      fungus harbour supernumerary chromosomes with a wide variety of genes, many of
      which likely encode traits required for pathogenicity or niche specialization.
      Specific transcription factor gene families are expanded on these chromosomes
      including the EBR1 family (Enhanced Branching). The significance of the EBR1
      family expansion on supernumerary chromosomes and whether EBR1 paralogues are
      functional is currently unknown. EBR1 is found as a single copy in F.graminearum
      and other fungi but as multiple paralogues in pathogenic F.oxysporum strains.
      These paralogues exhibit sequence and copy number variation among different host
      specific strains and even between more closely related strains. Relative
      expression of the EBR1 paralogues depends on growth conditions and on the
      presence of the single EBR1 gene in the core genome. Deletion of EBR1 in the core
      genome in different F.oxysporum strains resulted in impaired growth, reduced
      pathogenicity and slightly reduced biocontrol capacities. To identify genes
      regulated by EBR1, the transcriptomes of wild-type and Deltaebr1 strains were
      compared for both F.oxysporum and F.graminearum. These studies showed that in
      both species, EBR1 regulates genes involved in general metabolism as well as
      virulence.

PMID- 24237616
TI  - Combined effects of resource heterogeneity and simulated herbivory on plasticity
      of clonal integration in a rhizomatous perennial herb.
AB  - Previous lines of investigation assuming potential advantage of clonal
      integration generally have neglected its plasticity in complex heterogeneous
      environments. Clonal plants adaptively respond to abiotic heterogeneity (patchy
      resource distribution) and herbivory-induced heterogeneity (within-clone
      heterogeneity in ramet performance), but to date little is known about how
      resource heterogeneity and simulated herbivory jointly affect the overall
      performance of clones. Partial damage within a clone caused by herbivory might
      create herbivory-induced heterogeneity in a resource-homogeneous environment, and
      might also decrease or increase the extent of heterogeneity under resource
      heterogeneous conditions. We conducted a greenhouse experiment in which target
      ramets of Leymus chinensis segments within homogeneous or heterogeneous nutrient
      treatments were subject to clipping (0% or 75% shoot removal). In homogeneous
      environments with high (9:9) nutrient availability, ramet biomass of L. chinensis
      with intact or severed rhizomes is 0.70 or 0.69 g. Conversely, target-ramet
      biomass with intact rhizomes is obviously lower than that of the severed target
      ramets in the homogeneous environments with medium (5:5) and low (1:1) nutrient
      availability. High resource availability and the presence of herbivory can
      alleviate negative effects of rhizome connection under homogeneous conditions, by
      providing copious resource or creating herbivory-induced heterogeneity
      respectively. Herbivory tolerance of clonal fragments with connected rhizomes was
      higher than that of fragments with severed rhizomes under heterogeneous
      conditions. These findings confirmed the unconditional advantage of clonal
      integration on reproduction under the combined influence of resource
      heterogeneity and simulated herbivory. Moreover, our results made clear the
      synergistically interactive effects of resource heterogeneity and simulated
      herbivory on costs and benefits of clonal integration. This will undoubtedly
      advance our understanding on the plasticity of clonal integration under complex
      environmental conditions. 

PMID- 24237615
TI  - No evidence for zoonotic transmission of H3N8 canine influenza virus among US
      adults occupationally exposed to dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The zoonotic potential of H3N8 canine influenza virus (CIV) has not
      been previously examined; yet considering the popularity of dogs as a companion
      animal and the zoonotic capabilities of other influenza viruses, the public
      health implications are great. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence
      of antibodies against CIV among a US cohort. DESIGN: A cross-sectional
      seroepidemiological study was conducted between 2007 and 2010. SETTING:
      Recruitments primarily occurred in Iowa and Florida. Participants were enrolled
      at dog shows, or at their home or place of employment. SAMPLE: Three hundred and
      four adults occupationally exposed to dogs and 101 non-canine-exposed
      participants completed a questionnaire and provided a blood sample. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Microneutralization and neuraminidase inhibition assays were performed
      to detect human sera antibodies against A/Canine/Iowa/13628/2005(H3N8). An enzyme
      linked lectin assay (ELLA) was adapted to detect antibodies against a recombinant
      N8 neuraminidase protein from A/Equine/Pennsylvania/1/2007(H3N8). RESULTS: For
      all assays, no significant difference in detectable antibodies was observed when
      comparing the canine-exposed subjects to the non-canine-exposed subjects.
      CONCLUSION: While these results do not provide evidence for cross-species CIV
      transmission, influenza is predictably unpredictable. People frequently exposed
      to ill dogs should continually be monitored for novel zoonotic CIV infections.

PMID- 24237618
TI  - Irregular gout.

PMID- 24237617
TI  - Impact of a mobile phone and web program on symptom and functional outcomes for
      people with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety and stress: a randomised
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mobile phone-based psychological interventions enable real time self
      monitoring and self-management, and large-scale dissemination. However, few
      studies have focussed on mild-to-moderate symptoms where public health need is
      greatest, and none have targeted work and social functioning. This study reports
      outcomes of a CONSORT-compliant randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the
      efficacy of myCompass, a self-guided psychological treatment delivered via mobile
      phone and computer, designed to reduce mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety and
      stress, and improve work and social functioning. METHOD: Community-based
      volunteers with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety and/or stress (N = 720) were
      randomly assigned to the myCompass program, an attention control intervention, or
      to a waitlist condition for seven weeks. The interventions were fully automated,
      without any human input or guidance. Participants' symptoms and functioning were
      assessed at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up, using the
      Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale.
      RESULTS: Retention rates at post-intervention and follow-up for the study sample
      were 72.1% (n = 449) and 48.6% (n = 350) respectively. The myCompass group showed
      significantly greater improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress
      and in work and social functioning relative to both control conditions at the end
      of the 7-week intervention phase (between-group effect sizes ranged from d = .22
      to d = .55 based on the observed means). Symptom scores remained at near normal
      levels at 3-month follow-up. Participants in the attention control condition
      showed gradual symptom improvement during the post-intervention phase and their
      scores did not differ from the myCompass group at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:
      The myCompass program is an effective public health program, facilitating rapid
      improvements in symptoms and in work and social functioning for individuals with
      mild-to-moderate mental health problems. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New
      Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12610000625077.

PMID- 24237619
TI  - Pulsed dye laser for the treatment of acquired progressive lymphangioma.

PMID- 24237620
TI  - Adapting lung cancer symptom investigation and referral guidelines for general
      practitioners in Australia: reflections on the utility of the ADAPTE framework.
AB  - RATIONALE: The ADAPTE framework was established to enhance efficiency in
      guideline development and to facilitate adaptation of high-quality clinical
      practice guidelines for a local context. It offers guideline developers a
      systematic methodology for guideline adaptation; however, the feasibility and
      usability of the process has not been widely evaluated. AIM: A pragmatic approach
      was undertaken throughout the evaluation of the ADATPE process throughout the
      development of a guide for general practitioners in Australia regarding the
      initial investigation of symptoms of lung cancer. At each step of the framework
      all members of the project team leading the development process reflected on the
      steps outlined in the ADAPTE. The reflections were collated into a lesson-learned
      log and analysed following completion of the project. RESULTS: Several
      opportunities for improvement were identified to improve usability and
      practicability of the ADAPTE framework. These items were both specific, in
      response to using steps and tools, and general issues concerned with the overall
      ADAPTE framework. Key challenges to using ADAPTE, highlighted in this study, were
      the lack of clarity about efficiency of the guideline adaptation process, level
      of assumed knowledge and expertise, and requirement of resources. In response to
      these challenges, modifications to the ADAPTE have been recommended. CONCLUSION:
      The ADAPTE framework offers an attractive alternative to de novo guideline
      synthesis in circumstances where high-quality, compatible guidelines already
      exist. Pending further evaluation, the modifications identified in this study may
      be applied to future versions of ADAPTE to improve usability and feasibility of
      the framework.

PMID- 24237621
TI  - Geographic information systems and logistic regression for high-resolution
      malaria risk mapping in a rural settlement of the southern Brazilian Amazon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Brazil, 99% of the cases of malaria are concentrated in the Amazon
      region, with high level of transmission. The objectives of the study were to use
      geographic information systems (GIS) analysis and logistic regression as a tool
      to identify and analyse the relative likelihood and its socio-environmental
      determinants of malaria infection in the Vale do Amanhecer rural settlement,
      Brazil. METHODS: A GIS database of georeferenced malaria cases, recorded in 2005,
      and multiple explanatory data layers was built, based on a multispectral Landsat
      5 TM image, digital map of the settlement blocks and a SRTM digital elevation
      model. Satellite imagery was used to map the spatial patterns of land use and
      cover (LUC) and to derive spectral indices of vegetation density (NDVI) and
      soil/vegetation humidity (VSHI). An Euclidian distance operator was applied to
      measure proximity of domiciles to potential mosquito breeding habitats and gold
      mining areas. The malaria risk model was generated by multiple logistic
      regression, in which environmental factors were considered as independent
      variables and the number of cases, binarized by a threshold value was the
      dependent variable. RESULTS: Out of a total of 336 cases of malaria, 133 positive
      slides were from inhabitants at Road 08, which corresponds to 37.60% of the
      notifications. The southern region of the settlement presented 276 cases and a
      greater number of domiciles in which more than ten cases/home were notified. From
      these, 102 (30.36%) cases were caused by Plasmodium falciparum and 174 (51.79%)
      cases by Plasmodium vivax. Malaria risk is the highest in the south of the
      settlement, associated with proximity to gold mining sites, intense land use,
      high levels of soil/vegetation humidity and low vegetation density. CONCLUSIONS:
      Mid-resolution, remote sensing data and GIS-derived distance measures can be
      successfully combined with digital maps of the housing location of (non-)
      infected inhabitants to predict relative likelihood of disease infection through
      the analysis by logistic regression. Obtained findings on the relation between
      malaria cases and environmental factors should be applied in the future for land
      use planning in rural settlements in the Southern Amazon to minimize risks of
      disease transmission.

PMID- 24237622
TI  - Changes in mental state associated with prison environments: a systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop an understanding of the stability of mental health during
      imprisonment through review of existing research evidence relating physical
      prison environment to mental state changes in prisoners. METHOD: A systematic
      literature search was conducted looking at changes in mental state and how this
      related to various aspects of imprisonment and the prison environment. RESULTS:
      Fifteen longitudinal studies were found, and from these, three broad themes were
      delineated: being imprisoned and aspects of the prison regime; stage of
      imprisonment and duration of sentence; and social density. Reception into prison
      results in higher levels of psychiatric symptoms that seem to improve over time;
      otherwise, duration of imprisonment appears to have no significant impact on
      mental health. Regardless of social density, larger prisons are associated with
      poorer mental state, as are extremes of social density. CONCLUSION: There are
      large gaps in the literature relating prison environments to changes in mental
      state; in particular, high-quality longitudinal studies are needed. Existing
      research suggests that although entry to prison may be associated with
      deterioration in mental state, it tends to improve with time. Furthermore,
      overcrowding, ever more likely as prison populations rise, is likely to place a
      particular burden on mental health services.

PMID- 24237623
TI  - Direct identification of pathogens from positive blood cultures using matrix
      assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
AB  - In recent years, matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight
      (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) has proved a rapid and reliable method for the
      identification of bacteria and yeasts that have already been isolated. The
      objective of this study was to evaluate this technology as a routine method for
      the identification of microorganisms directly from blood culture bottles (BCBs),
      before isolation, in a large collection of samples. For this purpose, 1000
      positive BCBs containing 1085 microorganisms have been analysed by conventional
      phenotypic methods and by MALDI-TOF MS. Discrepancies have been resolved using
      molecular methods: the amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene or the
      Superoxide Dismutase gene (sodA) for streptococcal isolates. MALDI-TOF predicted
      a species- or genus-level identification of 81.4% of the analysed microorganisms.
      The analysis by episode yielded a complete identification of 814 out of 1000
      analysed episodes (81.4%). MALDI-TOF identification is available for clinicians
      within hours of a working shift, as oppose to 18 h later when conventional
      identification methods are performed. Moreover, although further improvement of
      sample preparation for polymicrobial BCBs is required, the identification of more
      than one pathogen in the same BCB provides a valuable indication of unexpected
      pathogens when their presence may remain undetected in Gram staining.
      Implementation of MALDI-TOF identification directly from the BCB provides a rapid
      and reliable identification of the causal pathogen within hours.

PMID- 24237625
TI  - Epidemic gasoline exposures following Hurricane Sandy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Major adverse climatic events (MACEs) in heavily-populated areas
      can inflict severe damage to infrastructure, disrupting essential municipal and
      commercial services. Compromised health care delivery systems and limited
      utilities such as electricity, heating, potable water, sanitation, and housing,
      place populations in disaster areas at risk of toxic exposures. Hurricane Sandy
      made landfall on October 29, 2012 and caused severe infrastructure damage in
      heavily-populated areas. The prolonged electrical outage and damage to oil
      refineries caused a gasoline shortage and rationing unseen in the USA since the
      1970s. This study explored gasoline exposures and clinical outcomes in the
      aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. METHODS: Prospectively collected, regional poison
      control center (PCC) data regarding gasoline exposure cases from October 29, 2012
      (hurricane landfall) through November 28, 2012 were reviewed and compared to the
      previous four years. The trends of gasoline exposures, exposure type, severity of
      clinical outcome, and hospital referral rates were assessed. RESULTS: Two-hundred
      and eighty-three gasoline exposures were identified, representing an 18 to 283
      fold increase over the previous four years. The leading exposure route was
      siphoning (53.4%). Men comprised 83.0% of exposures; 91.9% were older than 20
      years of age. Of 273 home-based calls, 88.7% were managed on site. Asymptomatic
      exposures occurred in 61.5% of the cases. However, minor and moderate toxic
      effects occurred in 12.4% and 3.5% of cases, respectively. Gastrointestinal
      (24.4%) and pulmonary (8.4%) symptoms predominated. No major outcomes or deaths
      were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Hurricane Sandy significantly increased gasoline
      exposures. While the majority of exposures were managed at home with minimum
      clinical toxicity, some patients experienced more severe symptoms. Disaster plans
      should incorporate public health messaging and regional PCCs for public health
      promotion and toxicological surveillance.

PMID- 24237624
TI  - Performance on the Frontal Assessment Battery is sensitive to frontal lobe damage
      in stroke patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) is a brief battery of six
      neuropsychological tasks designed to assess frontal lobe function at bedside
      [Neurology 55:1621-1626, 2000]. The six FAB tasks explore cognitive and
      behavioral domains that are thought to be under the control of the frontal lobes,
      most notably conceptualization and abstract reasoning, lexical verbal fluency and
      mental flexibility, motor programming and executive control of action, self
      regulation and resistance to interference, inhibitory control, and environmental
      autonomy. METHODS: We examined the sensitivity of performance on the FAB to
      frontal lobe damage in right-hemisphere-damaged first-ever stroke patients based
      on voxel-based lesion-behavior mapping. RESULTS: Voxel-based lesion-behavior
      mapping of FAB performance revealed that the integrity of the right anterior
      insula (BA13) is crucial for the FAB global composite score, for the FAB
      conceptualization score, as well as for the FAB inhibitory control score.
      Furthermore, the FAB conceptualization and mental flexibility scores were
      sensitive to damage of the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG; BA9). Finally, the
      FAB inhibitory control score was sensitive to damage of the right inferior
      frontal gyrus (IFG; BA44/45). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that several
      FAB scores (including composite and item scores) provide valid measures of right
      hemispheric lateral frontal lobe dysfunction, specifically of focal lesions near
      the anterior insula, in the MFG and in the IFG.

PMID- 24237626
TI  - Amino acid substitutions in gyrA and parC associated with quinolone resistance in
      nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella isolates.
AB  - This study was undertaken to identify and characterize amino acid substitutions
      in gyrA and parC related with quinolone resistance of 27 nalidixic acid-resistant
      (NaR) Salmonella isolates collected in poultry slaughterhouses in Korea. A total
      of 51 Salmonella isolates were detected from 44.8% (47/105) of the total samples
      from 15 poultry slaughterhouses examined, among which 27 (52.9%) NaR isolates
      were detected while ciprofloxacin (Cip) resistance was not present in the
      isolates. These 27 NaR isolates of DNA sequencing revealed that it contained
      three types of gyrA mutations in only D87 codon. Mutations in the D87 codon
      resulted in substitutions to G in most of the isolates, but D87Y and D87N
      exchanges were also detected. Although Cip resistance was absent, reduced
      susceptibility characterized by mutations in gyrA was apparent among Salmonella
      isolates from poultry slaughterhouses in Korea. 

PMID- 24237627
TI  - Characterization of a novel DUF1618 gene family in rice.
AB  - Domain of unknown function (DUF) proteins represent a number of gene families
      that encode functionally uncharacterized proteins in eukaryotes. For example,
      DUF1618 family members in plants possess a 56-199-amino acid conserved domain and
      this family has not been described previously. Here, we report the
      characterization of 121 DUF1618 genes identified in the rice genome. Based on
      phylogenetic analysis, the rice DUF1618 family was divided into two major groups,
      each group consisting of two clades. Most DUF1618 genes with close phylogenetic
      relationships are located in gene clusters on the chromosomes, indicating that
      gene duplications increased the number of DUF1618 genes. A search for DUF1618
      genes in genomic and/or expressed sequence tag databases for 35 other plant
      species showed that DUF1618 genes are only present in several monocot plants,
      suggesting that DUF1618 is a new gene family that originated after the dicot
      monocot divergence. Based on public microarray databases, most rice DUF1618 genes
      are expressed at relatively low levels. Further experimental analysis showed that
      the transcriptional levels of some DUF1618 genes varied in different cultivars,
      and some responded to stress and hormone conditions, suggesting their important
      roles for development and fitness in rice (Oryza sativa L.). 

PMID- 24237629
TI  - Information literacy: perceptions of Brazilian HIV/AIDS researchers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Information literacy has evolved with changes in lifelong learning.
      Can Brazilian health researchers search for and use updated scientific
      information? OBJECTIVES: To describe researchers' information literacy based on
      their perceptions of their abilities to search for and use scientific information
      and on their interactions with libraries. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews and
      focus group conducted with six Brazilian HIV/AIDS researchers. Analyses comprised
      the assessment of researchers as disseminators, their interactions with
      librarians, their use of information and communication technology and language.
      RESULTS: Interviewees believed they were partially qualified to use databases.
      They used words and phrases that indicated their knowledge of technology and
      terminology. They acted as disseminators for students during information
      searches. Researchers' abilities to interact with librarians are key skills,
      especially in a renewed context where libraries have, to a large extent, changed
      from physical spaces to digital environments. DISCUSSION: Great amounts of
      information have been made available, and researchers' participation in courses
      does not automatically translate into adequate information literacy. Librarians
      must help research groups, and as such, librarians' information literacy-related
      responsibilities in Brazil should be redefined and expanded. CONCLUSIONS:
      Students must develop the ability to learn quickly, and librarians should help
      them in their efforts. Librarians and researchers can act as gatekeepers for
      research groups and as information coaches to improve others' search abilities.

PMID- 24237628
TI  - Simultaneous subchronic exposure to selenium and diazinon as possible risk factor
      for osteoporosis in adult male rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis and its main health outcome, fragility fractures, are
      large and escalating health problems. Skeletal damage may be the critical result
      of low-level prolonged exposure to several xenobiotics in the general population,
      but the mechanisms of their adverse effects are not clearly understood. The
      current study was aimed to investigate the possible ability of simultaneous
      subchronic peroral administration of selenium (Se) and diazinon (DZN) to induce
      changes in bone of adult male rats.In our study, twenty 1-month-old male Wistar
      rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups. In the first group,
      young males were exposed to 5 mg Na2SeO3/L and 40 mg of DZN/L in drinking water,
      for 90 days. Ten 1-month-old males without Se and DZN intoxication served as a
      control group. At the end of the experiment, macroscopic and microscopic
      structures of the femurs were analysed using analytical scales, sliding
      instrument, and polarized light microscopy. RESULTS: The body weight, femoral
      length and cortical bone thickness were significantly decreased in rats
      simultaneously exposed to Se and DZN (P < 0.05). These rats also displayed
      different microstructure in the middle part of the compact bone where vascular
      canals expanded into central area of substantia compacta. The canals occurred
      only near endosteal surfaces in rats from the control group. Additionally, a
      smaller number of primary and secondary osteons, as well as a few resorption
      lacunae were observed near endosteal surfaces in rats simultaneously administered
      to Se and DZN. The resorption lacunae as typical structures of bone resorption
      manifestation are connected with an early stage of osteoporosis.
      Histomorphometric analysis revealed that area, perimeter, maximum and minimum
      diameters of primary osteons' vascular canals were significantly increased (P <
      0.05) in the Se-DZN-exposed rats. On the other hand, all measured variables of
      Haversian canals and secondary osteons were considerable reduced (P < 0.05) in
      these rats. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous subchronic peroral exposure to Se and DZN
      induces changes in macroscopic and microscopic structures of the femurs in adult
      male rats, and also it can be considered as possible risk factor for
      osteoporosis. The current study contributes to the knowledge on damaging impact
      of several xenobiotics on the bone.

PMID- 24237630
TI  - Hibernoma mimicking metastasis on positron emission tomography-computed
      tomography imaging: a misleading finding in oncologic patient follow-up.

PMID- 24237631
TI  - Medical marijuana for epilepsy: winds of change.

PMID- 24237632
TI  - Report of a parent survey of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis use in pediatric
      treatment-resistant epilepsy.
AB  - Severe childhood epilepsies are characterized by frequent seizures,
      neurodevelopmental delays, and impaired quality of life. In these treatment
      resistant epilepsies, families often seek alternative treatments. This survey
      explored the use of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis in children with treatment
      resistant epilepsy. The survey was presented to parents belonging to a Facebook
      group dedicated to sharing information about the use of cannabidiol-enriched
      cannabis to treat their child's seizures. Nineteen responses met the following
      inclusion criteria for the study: a diagnosis of epilepsy and current use of
      cannabidiol-enriched cannabis. Thirteen children had Dravet syndrome, four had
      Doose syndrome, and one each had Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and idiopathic epilepsy.
      The average number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) tried before using cannabidiol
      enriched cannabis was 12. Sixteen (84%) of the 19 parents reported a reduction in
      their child's seizure frequency while taking cannabidiol-enriched cannabis. Of
      these, two (11%) reported complete seizure freedom, eight (42%) reported a
      greater than 80% reduction in seizure frequency, and six (32%) reported a 25-60%
      seizure reduction. Other beneficial effects included increased alertness, better
      mood, and improved sleep. Side effects included drowsiness and fatigue. Our
      survey shows that parents are using cannabidiol-enriched cannabis as a treatment
      for their children with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Because of the increasing
      number of states that allow access to medical cannabis, its use will likely be a
      growing concern for the epilepsy community. Safety and tolerability data for
      cannabidiol-enriched cannabis use among children are not available. Objective
      measurements of a standardized preparation of pure cannabidiol are needed to
      determine whether it is safe, well tolerated, and efficacious at controlling
      seizures in this pediatric population with difficult-to-treat seizures. 

PMID- 24237633
TI  - Phase I/II clinical trial using HLA-A24-restricted peptide vaccine derived from
      KIF20A for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We previously developed an immunotherapy treatment utilizing a cancer
      vaccine reagent KIF20A-66 in order to treat pancreatic cancer. KIF20A-66 is HLA
      A24-restricted epitope peptide derived from KIF20A, a member of kinesin super
      family protein 20A that is significantly transactivated in pancreatic cancer. In
      this report, we further demonstrated non-randomized, open-label, single centered
      phase I/II clinical trial of immunotherapy using the KIF20A-66 peptide for the
      patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Vaccination was performed to
      the patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, in whom gemcitabine-based therapy
      had failed. In phase I study, KIF20A-66 peptide was subcutaneously injected
      weekly in a dose-escalation manner (doses of 1.0 and 3.0 mg/body, 6 patients/1
      cohort). After safety was assessed, phase II study was conducted using 3.0 mg of
      KIF20A-66 peptide. RESULTS: KIF20A-66 peptide vaccination was well tolerated in
      the doses we examined and tumor responses after 1 month of the treatment were
      evaluated. Among 29 patients who completed one course of the treatment at least,
      stable disease (SD) was found in 21 cases, while progressive disease (PD) was
      found in 8 cases, indicating that the disease control rate was 72%. Objective
      tumor shrinkage was observed in 8 cases, including 1 case of complete response
      (CR). The median survival time (MST) and progression free survival time (PFS)
      were 142 days and 56 days, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that
      overall survival of the patients was significantly prolonged, compared to the
      historical controls of 9 cases with unmatched HLA in the same hospital (MST: 83
      days), as well as 81 cases in our and other hospitals (MST: 63 days). CONCLUSION:
      The patients vaccinated with KIF20A-66 peptide had better prognosis than the
      control group with best supportive care (BSC). Thus, we concluded that KIF20A-66
      vaccination is significantly effective as an immunotherapy against advanced
      pancreatic cancer. KIF20A-66 peptide was well tolerable in the dose of either 1.0
      mg or 3.0 mg/body, and effectively induced peptide-specific response of cytotoxic
      T lymphocyte (CTL). Further clinical study using this peptide is a promising
      approach for advanced pancreatic cancer to achieve high potential benefit for
      better prognosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR, number UMIN000004919.

PMID- 24237634
TI  - Influence of neighbourhood purchasing power on breastfeeding at four months of
      age: a Swedish population-based cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parental socioeconomic status (SES) is an important determinant in
      child health, influencing beneficial factors such as breastfeeding. A better
      understanding of the influence of neighbourhood-level SES measures, relating to
      spatial determinants, might lead to targeted actions to promote breastfeeding
      during infancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study analysis the association between
      breastfeeding at four months of age and neighbourhood purchasing power, taking
      account of individual-level variables including maternal age, smoking and
      parental level of education. Data were obtained from a prospective population-
      based cohort study recruited from birth in 2007-2008 in the Halland region,
      southwestern Sweden. Questionnaire data on the individual-level variables and the
      outcome variable of breastfeeding at four months (yes/no) were used (n=2,407).
      Each mother was geo-coded with respect to her residential parish (there are 61
      parishes in the region) and then stratified by parish-level household purchasing
      power. It emerged that four neighbourhood characteristics were reasonable to use,
      viz. <10%, 10-19%, 20-29% and >= 30% of the resident families with low purchasing
      power. RESULTS: The proportion of mothers not breastfeeding at four months of age
      showed a highly significant trend across the neighbourhood strata (p=0.00004):
      from 16.3% (< 10% with low purchasing power) to 29.4% (>= 30% with low purchasing
      power), yielding an OR of 2.24 (95% confidence interval: 1.45-3.16). After
      adjusting for the individual-level variables, the corresponding OR=1.63 (1.07
      2.56) was significant and the trend across the strata was still evident (p=0.05).
      A multi-level analysis estimated that, in the neighbourhoods with >= 30% of the
      families with low purchasing power, 20% more mothers than expected, taking
      account of the individual-level factors, reported no breastfeeding at four months
      of age (>= 95% posterior probability of an elevated observed-to-expected ratio).
      CONCLUSION: The neighbourhood purchasing power provided a spatial determinant of
      low numbers of mothers breastfeeding at four months of age, which could be
      relevant to consider for targeted actions. The elevated observed-to-expected
      ratio in the neighbourhoods with the lowest purchasing power points toward a
      possible contextual influence.

PMID- 24237635
TI  - Are the specialized bird ticks, Ixodes arboricola and I. frontalis, competent
      vectors for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato?
AB  - Our study tested whether two European bird-specialized ticks, Ixodes arboricola
      and I. frontalis, can act as vectors in the transmission cycles of Borrelia
      burgdorferi s.l. The ticks have contrasting ecologies but share songbird hosts
      (such as the great tit, Parus major) with the generalist I. ricinus which may
      therefore act as a bridging vector. In the first phase of the experiment, we
      obtained Borrelia-infected ornithophilic nymphs by exposing larvae to great tits
      that had previously been exposed to I. ricinus nymphs carrying a community of
      genospecies (Borrelia garinii, valaisiana, afzelii, burgdorferi s.s.,
      spielmanii). Skin samples showed that birds selectively amplified B. garinii and
      B. valaisiana. The spirochetes were transmitted to the ornithophilic ticks and
      survived moulting, leading to infection rates of 16% and 27% in nymphs of I.
      arboricola and I. frontalis respectively. In the second phase, pathogen-free
      great tits were exposed to the Borrelia-infected ornithophilic nymphs. None of
      these ticks were able to infect the birds, as indicated by the tissue samples.
      Analysis of xenodiagnostic I. ricinus larvae found no evidence for co-feeding or
      systemic transmission of B. burgdorferi s.l. These outcomes do not support the
      occurrence of enzootic cycles of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. involving songbirds
      and their specialized ornithophilic ticks. 

PMID- 24237636
TI  - Genomic architecture of ecologically divergent body shape in a pair of sympatric
      crater lake cichlid fishes.
AB  - Determining the genetic bases of adaptations and their roles in speciation is a
      prominent issue in evolutionary biology. Cichlid fish species flocks are a prime
      example of recent rapid radiations, often associated with adaptive phenotypic
      divergence from a common ancestor within a short period of time. In several
      radiations of freshwater fishes, divergence in ecomorphological traits -
      including body shape, colour, lips and jaws - is thought to underlie their
      ecological differentiation, specialization and, ultimately, speciation. The Midas
      cichlid species complex (Amphilophus spp.) of Nicaragua provides one of the few
      known examples of sympatric speciation where species have rapidly evolved
      different but parallel morphologies in young crater lakes. This study identified
      significant QTL for body shape using SNPs generated via ddRAD sequencing and
      geometric morphometric analyses of a cross between two ecologically and
      morphologically divergent, sympatric cichlid species endemic to crater Lake
      Apoyo: an elongated limnetic species (Amphilophus zaliosus) and a high-bodied
      benthic species (Amphilophus astorquii). A total of 453 genome-wide informative
      SNPs were identified in 240 F2 hybrids. These markers were used to construct a
      genetic map in which 25 linkage groups were resolved. Seventy-two segregating
      SNPs were linked to 11 QTL. By annotating the two most highly supported QTL
      linked genomic regions, genes that might contribute to divergence in body shape
      along the benthic-limnetic axis in Midas cichlid sympatric adaptive radiations
      were identified. These results suggest that few genomic regions of large effect
      contribute to early stage divergence in Midas cichlids.

PMID- 24237638
TI  - The limitations of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for analysis of Yersinia
      enterocolitica isolates.
AB  - This study describes the analysis of 432 isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica by
      pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). PFGE had a high level of discrimination
      with biotype 1A isolates (Simpson's Diversity Index 0.997), but with the
      clinically important biotypes 2, 3 and 4, the discriminatory ability of PFGE was
      so low as to severely limit its usefulness (DI <0.6). For biotypes 2, 3 and 4,
      79% or more of isolates of each biotype were of just three different PFGE
      profiles. Because of this, four known outbreaks of yersiniosis would not have
      been identified by PFGE analysis. However, a previously unrecognized potential
      outbreak of yersiniosis caused by biotype 4 isolates was identified on the basis
      of a rare PFGE genotype with spatial and temporal clustering. We conclude that
      PFGE has a very limited application to the genotyping of Y. enterocolitica
      biotypes 2, 3 and 4, and inferences based on finding indistinguishable PFGE
      profiles among cases or between cases and sources need to be substantiated using
      alternative typing tools, or strong epidemiological evidence. 

PMID- 24237639
TI  - Educational programming in undergraduate and graduate academic curricula: friend
      or foe to accelerating evidence-based practice?

PMID- 24237637
TI  - Functional characterization of an ornithine cyclodeaminase-like protein of
      Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In plants, proline synthesis occurs by two enzymatic steps starting
      from glutamate as a precursor. Some bacteria, including bacteria such as
      Agrobacterium rhizogenes have an Ornithine Cyclodeaminase (OCD) which can
      synthesize proline in a single step by deamination of ornithine. In A.
      rhizogenes, OCD is one of the genes transferred to the plant genome during the
      transformation process and plants expressing A. rhizogenes OCD have developmental
      phenotypes. One nuclear encoded gene of Arabidopsis thaliana has recently been
      annotated as an OCD (OCD-like; referred to here as AtOCD) but nothing is known of
      its function. As proline metabolism contributes to tolerance of low water
      potential during drought, it is of interest to determine if AtOCD affects proline
      accumulation or low water potential tolerance. RESULTS: Expression of AtOCD was
      induced by low water potential stress and by exogenous proline, but not by the
      putative substrate ornithine. The AtOCD protein was plastid localized. T-DNA
      mutants of atocd and AtOCD RNAi plants had approximately 15% higher proline
      accumulation at low water potential while p5cs1-4/atocd double mutants had 40%
      higher proline than p5cs1 at low water potential but no change in proline
      metabolism gene expression which could directly explain the higher proline level.
      AtOCD overexpression did not affect proline accumulation. Enzymatic assays with
      bacterially expressed AtOCD or AtOCD purified from AtOCD:Flag transgenic plants
      did not detect any activity using ornithine, proline or several other amino acids
      as substrates. Moreover, AtOCD mutant or over-expression lines had normal
      morphology and no difference in root elongation or flowering time, in contrast to
      previous report of transgenic plants expressing A. rhizogenes OCD. Metabolite
      analysis found few differences between AtOCD mutants and overexpression lines.
      CONCLUSIONS: The Arabidopsis OCD-like protein (AtOCD) may not catalyze ornithine
      to proline conversion and this is consistent with observation that three residues
      critical for activity of bacterial OCDs are not conserved in AtOCD. AtOCD was,
      however, stress and proline induced and lack of AtOCD expression increased
      proline accumulation by an unknown mechanism which did not require expression of
      P5CS1, the main enzyme responsible for stress-induced proline synthesis from
      glutamate. The results suggest that AtOCD may have function distinct from
      bacterial OCDs.

PMID- 24237640
TI  - Surgical treatment of ingrown toe nail: the Monaldi technique, a new simple
      proposal.

PMID- 24237641
TI  - A review of FDA-approved treatment options in bipolar depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/INTRODUCTION: Herein we review the evidence supporting Food and Drug
      Administration (FDA) approved and emerging treatments for bipolar depression.
      METHODS: A PubMed search of all English-language articles published up to July
      2013 was conducted. The search terms were quetiapine, olanzapine-fluoxetine,
      olanzapine, lurasidone, ketamine, modafinil/armodafinil, and lamotrigine. The
      search was augmented with a manual review of relevant article reference lists, as
      well as posters presented at national and international meetings. Articles
      selected for review were based on the adequacy of sample size, the use of
      standardized diagnostic instruments, validated assessment measures, and overall
      manuscript quality. RESULTS: Olanzapine-fluoxetine combination (OFC), quetiapine,
      and lurasidone are FDA-approved for the acute treatment of bipolar depression.
      Lurasidone is the most recently approved agent for bipolar depression. Olanzapine
      fluoxetine combination and quetiapine are approved as single modality therapies
      while lurasidone is approved as a monotherapy and as an adjunct to lithium or
      divalproex. The overall effect size of the 3 treatments in mitigating depressive
      symptoms is similar. Clinically significant weight gain and metabolic disruption
      as well as sedation are significant limitations of OFC and quetiapine. The
      minimal propensity for weight gain as well as the metabolic neutrality of
      lurasidone in the bipolar population is a clinically significant advantage.
      Evidence also supports lamotrigine with compelling evidence as an adjunct to
      lithium and in recurrence prevention paradigm; suggested evidence also exists for
      ketamine and modafinil/armodafinil; notwithstanding, these treatments remain
      investigational. CONCLUSION: Relatively few agents are FDA-approved for bipolar
      depression. The selection and sequencing of agents in bipolar depression should
      give primacy to those agents that are FDA-approved. Further refinement of the
      selection process will need to pay careful attention to the relative hazards of
      weight gain and metabolic disruption in this highly susceptible population. Other
      agents with differential mechanisms (eg, ketamine) offer a promising alternative
      in bipolar depression.

PMID- 24237642
TI  - Retrospective chart review on exposure to psychotropic medications associated
      with neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between neuroleptic malignant syndrome
      (NMS) and levels of antipsychotic exposure. METHOD: Electronic health record data
      systematically screened from a large mental health service provider in southeast
      London provided 67 NMS cases which were individually matched with 254 controls on
      age, gender, and primary psychiatric diagnosis. Data on psychotropic agents,
      combinations, dose, and dose change of antipsychotic prescriptions over the
      preceding 5 (oral agents) or 15 days (depot agents) were extracted and compared
      between groups using conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: NMS was
      associated with higher number of antipsychotic agents used, use of first
      generation agents or aripiprazole, use of first-generation agents only or cross
      generation agents, and higher mean and maximum daily doses. In further analyses,
      associations with antipsychotics type remained significant when adjusted for
      dose, but those with dose were attenuated following adjustment for type. The
      specific use of haloperidol, aripiprazole, depot flupentixol, and benzodiazepines
      was independently associated with NMS. Non-white ethnicity was also found to be
      associated with NMS. CONCLUSION: NMS was primarily associated with type of
      antipsychotic and polypharmacy rather than overall dose. Variation in risk by
      ethnicity requires further research.

PMID- 24237644
TI  - Transition of care in inflammatory bowel disease: mind the gap! Theory, practice
      and recommendations for an Australian context.

PMID- 24237643
TI  - Induction of pro-inflammatory response of the placental trophoblast by Plasmodium
      falciparum infected erythrocytes and TNF.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum placental malaria is characterized by the
      sequestration of infected erythrocytes (IEs) in the placental intervillous space
      via adherence to chondroitin sulphate A (CSA), production of inflammatory
      molecules, and leukocytes infiltration. Previous reports suggest that the
      syncytiotrophoblast (ST) immunologically responds to IEs contact. This study
      explores the inflammatory response induced in BeWo cells by adherence of IEs and
      TNFstimulation. METHODS: A non-syncitialized BeWo cells (trophoblast model) were
      used to evaluate its response to CSA-adherents IEs (FCB1csa, FCB2csa, FCR3csa,
      3D7csa) and TNF stimulation. Expression of membrane ICAM-1 (mICAM-1) receptor in
      BeWo cells was quantified by flow cytometry and the IL-8, IL-6 and soluble ICAM-1
      (sICAM-1) concentrations were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay
      (ELISA) in BeWo stimulated supernatants. RESULTS: BeWo cells stimulated with TNF
      and CSA-adherents IEs of FCB1csa and 3D7csa (strains with higher adhesion)
      increase the expression of ICAM-1 on the surface of cells and the secretion of
      immune factors IL-8, IL-6 and sICAM-1. This inflammatory response appears to be
      related to the level of adherence of IEs because less adherent strains do not
      induce significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that BeWo cells responds to
      CSA-IEs and to TNF favouring a placental pro-inflammatory environment, evidenced
      by increases in the expression of membrane mICAM-1 and release of soluble ICAM-1,
      as well as the IL-8 and IL-6 secretion. The expression of ICAM-1 in BeWo cells
      might be associated to an increase in leukocyte adhesion to the trophoblast
      barrier, promoting greater inflammation, while the sICAM-1 release could be a
      protection mechanism activated by trophoblastic cells, in order to regulate the
      local inflammatory response.

PMID- 24237645
TI  - Multifocal motor neuropathy and muscle hypertrophy.
AB  - Multifocal motor neuropathy is frequently an asymmetrical neuropathy
      predominantly affecting the upper limbs. Patients present with weakness,
      fasciculations and distal muscle wasting. Hypertrophy of muscles is very
      infrequently reported. We present two cases of multifocal motor neuropathy with
      upper limb muscle hypertrophy and discuss possible pathophysiological mechanisms.
      Botulinum toxin may be useful to alleviate cramp. 

PMID- 24237646
TI  - Gemcitabine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy.
AB  - Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a microvascular occlusive disorder
      characterised by platelet aggregation, thrombocytopenia and end-organ damage. It
      is commonly idiopathic, although several drug classes, including cytotoxic
      chemotherapy, have been implicated. Several of cases of gemcitabine-induced TMA
      have been documented with incidence likely to increase with the escalating use of
      gemcitabine. We report the cases of two patients who developed TMA while on
      gemcitabine chemotherapy. 

PMID- 24237647
TI  - Denosumab-induced hypocalcaemia in high bone turnover states of malignancy and
      secondary hyperparathyroidism from renal failure.
AB  - Denosumab, an anti-resorptive treatment for osteoporosis and skeletal metastases
      from solid tumours, can cause hypocalcaemia. The incidence may be higher than
      previously reported due to varying serum calcium cut-off and timing of
      measurement. The following cases illustrate patients at risk of hypocalcaemia
      despite supplementation. These populations, with underlying high bone turnover
      from metastatic bone disease or secondary hyperparathyroidism due to renal
      failure, may require closer monitoring of calcium levels post-denosumab
      administration. 

PMID- 24237648
TI  - Impact of the 2009 Melbourne heatwave on a major public hospital.
AB  - In the week following the onset of the 2009 heatwave in Melbourne, Australia, The
      Alfred Hospital observed a significant increase in total hospital admissions
      (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.11, P = 0.046), emergency department
      presentations (IRR 1.15, P < 0.01) and general medical admissions (IRR 1.81, P <
      0.01). Under the general medical unit there was a rise in the number of deaths
      (IRR 3.9, P < 0.01), and patients with a broad range of disorders, particularly
      of the endocrine/metabolic (IRR 2.2, P < 0.01), circulatory (IRR 1.9, P < 0.01)
      and genitourinary (IRR 2.6, P < 0.01) systems. 

PMID- 24237649
TI  - Teaching Junior Medical Officers safe and effective prescribing.
AB  - Medication errors are an iatrogenic threat to patient safety, and recently
      graduated Junior Medical Officers (JMOs) are a common source of these errors. A
      ward-based, physician-led, small-group interactive teaching session was developed
      to improve JMOs competence in prescribing. The ability of JMOs to detect problems
      in mock medication charts before and after the teaching session was assessed,
      with the majority improving after the intervention, a result sustained on re
      testing later in the year. The teaching sessions were well received by JMOs. 

PMID- 24237650
TI  - Demonstrable professionalism: linking patient-centred care and revalidation.
AB  - The move by the Medical Board of Australia to commence a conversation with the
      medical profession about revalidation reflects that patient-centred care is at
      the heart of good medical practice. Patients judge their doctors' commitment to
      them based on whether their individual interactions with doctors meet their
      needs. We argue that ensuring that doctors are continuing to perform at a level
      that the community regards as acceptable is a demonstration of an individual
      doctor's professionalism and thus their commitment to patient-centred care. This
      impacts on the profession as a whole, which needs to commit to what we call
      'demonstrable professionalism'--the ongoing and active demonstration of
      performance that the community regards as acceptable. This needs to be supported
      by organisations in which doctors work, reflecting the importance of
      organisational context to clinical practice. Revalidation processes thus need
      both to reflect the work of doctors and be meaningful to the community. The move
      to consider revalidation of doctors by regulatory authorities should not be seen
      by the profession as a threat, but more as an opportunity to demonstrate the
      profession's commitment to patient-centred care.

PMID- 24237651
TI  - Antibodies to Australian bat lyssavirus in an asymptomatic bat carer.

PMID- 24237652
TI  - Cost of misdiagnosing difficult asthma.

PMID- 24237653
TI  - Management dilemmas in a case of angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor function
      during pregnancy.

PMID- 24237654
TI  - Improving the logic and rigour of delirium trials.

PMID- 24237656
TI  - Combined analysis of the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment on mortality from
      hypovolemic shock secondary to obstetric hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstetric hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality,
      particularly in low-resource settings where women face significant delays in
      accessing definitive treatment. The Non-pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) is a
      first-aid device to stabilize women in hypovolemic shock secondary to obstetric
      hemorrhage. Prior studies on the effectiveness of the NASG have suffered from
      small sample sizes and insufficient statistical power. We sought to generate a
      summary effect estimate of this intervention by combining data from all previous
      quasi-experimental studies. METHODS: Five quasi-experimental studies that tested
      the NASG as treatment for hypovolemic shock secondary to obstetric hemorrhage at
      the tertiary care facility level were included in the analysis. We evaluated
      heterogeneity of effect across studies and calculated pooled odds ratios. We also
      conducted a subgroup analysis among women in the most severe condition. RESULTS:
      Participant characteristics were similar across studies with some variation in
      hemorrhage etiology. Median blood loss was at least 50% lower in the intervention
      group than the control group. The pooled odds ratio suggested that NASG
      intervention was associated with a 38% significantly reduced odds of mortality
      among the overall sample, and a 59% significantly reduced odds of mortality among
      the most severe women. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this combined analysis
      suggest that NASG intervention is associated with a reduced odds of death for
      women with hypovolemic shock secondary to obstetric hemorrhage. Further research
      should focus on application of the NASG at the community or primary health care
      level, and utilize a more robust methodology.

PMID- 24237655
TI  - Impact of a 4q25 genetic variant in atrial flutter and on the risk of atrial
      fibrillation after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF) following catheter
      ablation of atrial flutter (Afl) would be helpful to facilitate targeted
      arrhythmia monitoring and anti-coagulation strategies. A single nucleotide
      polymorphism, rs2200733, is strongly associated with AF. We sought to
      characterize the association between rs2200733 and prevalent Afl and to determine
      if the variant could predict AF after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: We performed a genetic association study of 295 patients with Afl and/or
      AF and 469 controls using multivariable logistic regression. The variant was then
      assessed as a predictor of incident AF after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation in 87
      consecutive typical Afl patients with Cox proportional hazards models. The
      rs2200733 rare allele was associated with an adjusted 2.06-fold increased odds of
      isolated Afl (95% CI: 1.13-3.76, P = 0.019) and an adjusted 2.79-fold increased
      odds of a combined phenotype of AF and Afl (95% CI: 1.81-4.28, P < 0.001).
      Following catheter ablation for Afl, carrier status of rs2200733 failed to
      predict an increased risk of AF either among all subjects (adjusted HR: 0.94; 95%
      CI: 0.58-1.53, P = 0.806) or among those with isolated Afl (adjusted HR: 1.29;
      95% CI: 0.51-3.26, P = 0.585). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that Afl,
      whether occurring in isolation or along with AF, is associated with the rs2200733
      AF risk allele. Genetic carrier status of rs2200733 failed to predict an
      increased risk of incident or recurrent AF following catheter ablation for Afl.
      These findings suggest that the causal mechanism associated with rs2200733 is
      germane to both AF and Afl.

PMID- 24237657
TI  - Cervical cancer screening: a prospective cohort study of the effects of
      historical patient compliance and a population-based informatics prompted
      reminder on screening rates.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of historical
      screening compliance with the effectiveness of patient reminder letters on
      cervical cancer screening rates. METHOD: Using population-based informatics
      systems, women with no cervical cancer screening in the prior 3 years were
      identified in two primary care clinics, Mayo Family Clinic Northeast (NE; n =
      1613) and Northwest (NW; n = 1088). Patients were divided into two compliance
      groups: overdue/unknown screening status at study start or previously compliant.
      The NE Clinic sent reminder letters over a 6 months window to patients eligible
      for screening at the study start or during the study that were also identified as
      employees/dependents (E/D). There were 795 intervention (NE Clinic E/D patients)
      and 1906 control subjects. Using an intent-to-treat analysis, differences in
      screening rates were assessed. RESULTS: A higher unadjusted screening rate was
      observed for the E/D group than the non-E/D group at both sites (32.7 versus
      18.2% at NW, P < 0.001; 39.0 versus 14.7% at NE, P < 0.001). For the historically
      compliant group, unadjusted screening rates were higher for those who received
      letters (E/D subjects at NE) versus those who did not (E/D subjects at NW; 56.1
      versus 44.5%, P = 0.01). No difference was observed between E/D subjects at NE
      (received letters) and NW (no letters) for the overdue/unknown group (27.4 versus
      25.9%, P = 0.62). There was no difference in screening rates for non-E/D subjects
      at NE versus at NW (none of whom received letters) for both the compliant (24.2
      versus 30.6%, P = 0.18) and the overdue/unknown groups (11.9 versus 13.0%, P =
      0.59). Multivariate logistic regression models showed a significant overall
      effect of E/D status (P = 0.006), compliance group (P < 0.001), and the
      interaction between clinic site and E/D status (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Among
      insured women, reminder letters appear to improve cervical cancer screening rates
      for those with a history of screening compliance. Reminder letters appear
      insufficient to motivate women if screening is overdue. Further investigation of
      the cohort of women overdue for screening is needed to develop interventions to
      successfully target this group.

PMID- 24237658
TI  - An exact approach for studying cargo transport by an ensemble of molecular
      motors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intracellular transport is crucial for many cellular processes where
      a large fraction of the cargo is transferred by motor-proteins over a network of
      microtubules. Malfunctions in the transport mechanism underlie a number of
      medical maladies.Existing methods for studying how motor-proteins coordinate the
      transfer of a shared cargo over a microtubule are either analytical or are based
      on Monte-Carlo simulations. Approaches that yield analytical results, while
      providing unique insights into transport mechanism, make simplifying assumptions,
      where a detailed characterization of important transport modalities is difficult
      to reach. On the other hand, Monte-Carlo based simulations can incorporate
      detailed characteristics of the transport mechanism; however, the quality of the
      results depend on the number and quality of simulation runs used in arriving at
      results. Here, for example, it is difficult to simulate and study rare-events
      that can trigger abnormalities in transport. RESULTS: In this article, a semi
      analytical methodology that determines the probability distribution function of
      motor-protein behavior in an exact manner is developed. The method utilizes a
      finite-dimensional projection of the underlying infinite-dimensional Markov
      model, which retains the Markov property, and enables the detailed and exact
      determination of motor configurations, from which meaningful inferences on
      transport characteristics of the original model can be derived. CONCLUSIONS:
      Under this novel probabilistic approach new insights about the mechanisms of
      action of these proteins are found, suggesting hypothesis about their behavior
      and driving the design and realization of new experiments.The advantages provided
      in accuracy and efficiency make it possible to detect rare events in the motor
      protein dynamics, that could otherwise pass undetected using standard simulation
      methods. In this respect, the model has allowed to provide a possible explanation
      for possible mechanisms under which motor proteins could coordinate their motion.

PMID- 24237660
TI  - Postradiation cutaneous angiosarcoma of the breast: a diagnosis to keep in mind.

PMID- 24237659
TI  - Lessons from the modular organization of the transcriptional regulatory network
      of Bacillus subtilis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional level is a
      fundamental process in prokaryotes. Among the different kind of mechanisms
      modulating gene transcription, the one based on DNA binding transcription
      factors, is the most extensively studied and the results, for a great number of
      model organisms, have been compiled making it possible the in silico construction
      of their corresponding transcriptional regulatory networks and the analysis of
      the biological relationships of the components of these intricate networks, that
      allows to elucidate the significant aspects of their organization and evolution.
      RESULTS: We present a thorough review of each regulatory element that constitutes
      the transcriptional regulatory network of Bacillus subtilis. For facilitating the
      discussion, we organized the network in topological modules. Our study highlight
      the importance of sigma factors, some of them acting as master regulators which
      characterize modules by inter- or intra-connecting them and play a key role in
      the cascades that define relevant cellular processes in this organism. We
      discussed that some particular functions were distributed in more than one module
      and that some modules contained more than one related function. We confirm that
      the presence of paralogous proteins confers advantages to B. subtilis to adapt
      and select strategies to successfully face the extreme and changing environmental
      conditions in which it lives. CONCLUSIONS: The intricate organization is the
      product of a non-random network evolution that primarily follows a hierarchical
      organization based on the presence of transcription and sigma factor, which is
      reflected in the connections that exist within and between modules.

PMID- 24237661
TI  - Deep subsurface sulfate reduction and methanogenesis in the Iberian Pyrite Belt
      revealed through geochemistry and molecular biomarkers.
AB  - The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB, southwest of Spain), the largest known massive
      sulfide deposit, fuels a rich chemolithotrophic microbial community in the Rio
      Tinto area. However, the geomicrobiology of its deep subsurface is still
      unexplored. Herein, we report on the geochemistry and prokaryotic diversity in
      the subsurface (down to a depth of 166 m) of the Iberian Pyritic belt using an
      array of geochemical and complementary molecular ecology techniques. Using an
      antibody microarray, we detected polymeric biomarkers (lipoteichoic acids and
      peptidoglycan) from Gram-positive bacteria throughout the borehole. DNA
      microarray hybridization confirmed the presence of members of methane oxidizers,
      sulfate-reducers, metal and sulfur oxidizers, and methanogenic Euryarchaeota. DNA
      sequences from denitrifying and hydrogenotrophic bacteria were also identified.
      FISH hybridization revealed live bacterial clusters associated with microniches
      on mineral surfaces. These results, together with measures of the geochemical
      parameters in the borehole, allowed us to create a preliminary scheme of the
      biogeochemical processes that could be operating in the deep subsurface of the
      Iberian Pyrite Belt, including microbial metabolisms such as sulfate reduction,
      methanogenesis and anaerobic methane oxidation. 

PMID- 24237663
TI  - Characterization of single 1.8-nm Au nanoparticle attachments on AFM tips for
      single sub-4-nm object pickup.
AB  - This paper presents a novel method for the attachment of a 1.8-nm Au nanoparticle
      (Au-NP) to the tip of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe through the
      application of a current-limited bias voltage. The resulting probe is capable of
      picking up individual objects at the sub-4-nm scale. We also discuss the
      mechanisms involved in the attachment of the Au-NP to the very apex of an AFM
      probe tip. The Au-NP-modified AFM tips were used to pick up individual 4-nm
      quantum dots (QDs) using a chemically functionalized method. Single QD blinking
      was reduced considerably on the Au-NP-modified AFM tip. The resulting AFM tips
      present an excellent platform for the manipulation of single protein molecules in
      the study of single protein-protein interactions. 

PMID- 24237662
TI  - A comparative study of clinical Aeromonas dhakensis and Aeromonas hydrophila
      isolates in southern Taiwan: A. dhakensis is more predominant and virulent.
AB  - Aeromonas dhakensis, often phenotypically identified as Aeromonas hydrophila, is
      an important human pathogen. The present study aimed to compare the clinical and
      biological features of A. dhakensis and A. hydrophila isolates from human wounds.
      A total of 80 Aeromonas wound isolates collected between January 2004 and April
      2011 were analysed. The species was identified by the DNA sequence matching of
      rpoD and gyrB (or rpoB if necessary). Most of the Aeromonas isolates were
      identified as A. dhakensis (37, 46.3%), and 13 (16.3%) as A. hydrophila. Both
      species alone can cause severe skin and soft-tissue infections. More A. dhakensis
      isolates were found in wounds exposed to environmental water (32.4% vs 0%, p
      0.042). More biofilm formation was noted among A. dhakensis isolates (mean
      optical density at 570 nm, 1.23 +/- 0.09 vs 0.78 +/- 0.21, p 0.03). The MICs of
      ceftriaxone, imipenem and gentamicin for A. dhakensis isolates were higher (p
      <0.0001, <0.04, and <0.01, respectively). The survival rates of Caenorhabditis
      elegans co-incubated with A. dhakensis from day 1 to day 3 were lower than those
      of worms infected with A. hydrophila in liquid toxicity assays (all p values
      <0.01). Isolates of A. dhakensis exhibited more cytotoxicity, as measured by the
      released leucocyte lactate dehydrogenase levels in human normal skin fibroblast
      cell lines (29.6 +/- 1.2% vs 20.6 +/- 0.6%, p <0.0001). The cytotoxin gene ast
      was primarily present in A. hydrophila isolates (100% vs 2.7%, p <0.0001). In
      summary, A. dhakensis is the predominant species among Aeromonas wound isolates,
      and more virulent than A. hydrophila.

PMID- 24237664
TI  - UBL1 of Fusarium verticillioides links the N-end rule pathway to extracellular
      sensing and plant pathogenesis.
AB  - Fusarium verticillioides produces fumonisin mycotoxins during colonization of
      maize. Currently, molecular mechanisms underlying responsiveness of
      F.verticillioides to extracellular cues during pathogenesis are poorly
      understood. In this study, insertional mutants were created and screened to
      identify genes involved in responses to extracellular starch. In one mutant, the
      restriction enzyme-mediated integration cassette disrupted a gene (UBL1) encoding
      a UBR-Box/RING domain E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the N-end rule pathway.
      Disruption of UBL1 in F.verticillioides (Deltaubl1) influenced conidiation,
      hyphal morphology, pigmentation and amylolysis. Disruption of UBL1 also impaired
      kernel colonization, but the ratio of fumonisin B1 per unit growth was not
      significantly reduced. The inability of a Deltaubl1 mutant to recognize an N-end
      rule degron confirmed involvement of UBL1 in the N-end rule pathway.
      Additionally, Ubl1 physically interacted with two G protein alpha subunits of
      F.verticillioides, thus implicating UBL1 in G protein-mediated sensing of the
      external environment. Furthermore, deletion of the UBL1 orthologue in
      F.graminearum reduced virulence on wheat and maize, thus indicating that UBL1 has
      a broader role in virulence among Fusarium species. This study provides the first
      linkage between the N-end rule pathway and fungal pathogenesis, and illustrates a
      new mechanism through which fungi respond to the external environment.

PMID- 24237665
TI  - Genomic inference accurately predicts the timing and severity of a recent
      bottleneck in a nonmodel insect population.
AB  - The analysis of molecular data from natural populations has allowed researchers
      to answer diverse ecological questions that were previously intractable. In
      particular, ecologists are often interested in the demographic history of
      populations, information that is rarely available from historical records.
      Methods have been developed to infer demographic parameters from genomic data,
      but it is not well understood how inferred parameters compare to true population
      history or depend on aspects of experimental design. Here, we present and
      evaluate a method of SNP discovery using RNA sequencing and demographic inference
      using the program deltaadeltai, which uses a diffusion approximation to the
      allele frequency spectrum to fit demographic models. We test these methods in a
      population of the checkerspot butterfly Euphydryas gillettii. This population was
      intentionally introduced to Gothic, Colorado in 1977 and has as experienced
      extreme fluctuations including bottlenecks of fewer than 25 adults, as documented
      by nearly annual field surveys. Using RNA sequencing of eight individuals from
      Colorado and eight individuals from a native population in Wyoming, we generate
      the first genomic resources for this system. While demographic inference is
      commonly used to examine ancient demography, our study demonstrates that our
      inexpensive, all-in-one approach to marker discovery and genotyping provides
      sufficient data to accurately infer the timing of a recent bottleneck. This
      demographic scenario is relevant for many species of conservation concern, few of
      which have sequenced genomes. Our results are remarkably insensitive to sample
      size or number of genomic markers, which has important implications for applying
      this method to other nonmodel systems. 

PMID- 24237667
TI  - Animal Disease Import Risk Analysis--a Review of Current Methods and Practice.
AB  - The application of risk analysis to the spread of disease with international
      trade in animals and their products, that is, import risk analysis (IRA), has
      been largely driven by the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement of the
      World Trade Organization (WTO). The degree to which the IRA standard established
      by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and associated guidance, meets
      the needs of the SPS agreement is discussed. The use of scenario trees is the
      core modelling approach used to represent the steps necessary for the hazard to
      occur. There is scope to elaborate scenario trees for commodity IRA so that the
      quantity of hazard at each step is assessed, which is crucial to the likelihood
      of establishment. The dependence between exposure and establishment suggests that
      they should fall within the same subcomponent. IRA undertaken for trade reasons
      must include an assessment of consequences to meet SPS criteria, but guidance is
      sparse. The integration of epidemiological and economic modelling may open a path
      for better methods. Matrices have been used in qualitative IRA to combine
      estimates of entry and exposure, and consequences with likelihood, but this
      approach has flaws and better methods are needed. OIE IRA standards and guidance
      indicate that the volume of trade should be taken into account, but offer no
      detail. Some published qualitative IRAs have assumed current levels and patterns
      of trade without specifying the volume of trade, which constrains the use of IRA
      to determine mitigation measures (to reduce risk to an acceptable level) and
      whether the principle of equivalence, fundamental to the SPS agreement, has been
      observed. It is questionable whether qualitative IRA can meet all the criteria
      set out in the SPS agreement. Nevertheless, scope exists to elaborate the current
      standards and guidance, so they better serve the principle of science-based
      decision-making.

PMID- 24237666
TI  - Evaluating area-level spatial clustering of Salmonella Enteritidis infections and
      their socioeconomic determinants in the greater Toronto area, Ontario, Canada
      (2007 - 2009): a retrospective population-based ecological study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There have been only a few region-level ecological studies conducted
      in Canada investigating enteric infections in humans. Our study objectives were
      to 1) assess the spatial clustering of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis
      (S. Enteritidis) human infections in the Greater Toronto Area, and 2) identify
      underlying area-level associations between S. Enteritidis infection rates and
      socioeconomic status (SES) indicators that might explain the clustering of
      infections. METHODS: Retrospective data on S. Enteritidis infections from 2007 to
      2009 were obtained from Ontario's reportable disease surveillance database and
      were grouped at the forward sortation area (FSA) - level. A spatial scan
      statistic was employed to identify FSA-level spatial clusters of high infection
      rates. Negative binomial regression was used to identify FSA-level associations
      between S. Enteritidis infection rates and SES indicators obtained from the 2006
      Census of Canada. Global Moran's I statistic was used to evaluate the final model
      for residual spatial clustering. RESULTS: A spatial cluster that included nine
      neighbouring FSAs was identified in downtown Toronto. A significant positive
      curvilinear relationship was observed between S. Enteritidis infection rates and
      FSA-level average number of children at home per census family. Areas with high
      and areas with low average median family income had higher infection rates than
      FSAs with medium average median family income. Areas with a high proportion of
      visible minority population had lower infection rates than FSAs with a medium
      proportion of visible minority population. The Moran's I statistic was not
      significant, indicating that no residual spatial autocorrelation was present
      after accounting for the SES variables in the final model. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      demonstrated that FSAs with high and low average median family income, medium
      proportion of visible minority population, and high average number of children at
      home per census family had the highest S. Enteritidis infection rates. These
      areas should be targeted when designing disease control and prevention programs.
      Future studies are needed in areas with high S. Enteritidis infection rates to
      identify sources of environmental contamination of the local food supply, to
      assess food safety practices at local food markets, retail stores, and
      restaurants, and to identify novel individual-level risk factors.

PMID- 24237668
TI  - Detection of common mutations in sporadic primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis
      by DNA mass spectrometry.

PMID- 24237669
TI  - Brief assessment of supine heart rate variability in normal weight, overweight,
      and obese females.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little research has been conducted on the heart rate variability
      (HRV) parameters in late adolescent females. The present study aimed to assess
      HRV time and frequency domain parameters in overweight and obese late adolescent
      females. Also to assess any possible correlation between HRV parameters and
      obesity indices in that particular age group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen
      minute period of standardized ECG recording was implemented to record HRV time
      and frequency parameters in 42 normotensive euglycemic female medical students
      aged (18-21 years); lean (n = 13), overweight (n = 13), and obese (n = 16). For
      the analysis of results, 2.5-minute data were used. RESULTS: Root mean squares of
      successive differences between adjacent RR intervals (rMSSD) and high-frequency
      (HF) power were significantly decreased in overweight and obese late adolescent
      females. Parameters reflecting sympathetic activity which include low-frequency
      (LF) power and LF/HF ratio showed significant increase in overweight group.
      Interestingly, LF power was significantly reduced in obese group while the LF/HF
      ratio was insignificantly different. No significant correlations were observed
      between HRV indices and parameters of total or visceral obesity in the study
      groups. CONCLUSION: HRV indices showed sympathetic hyperactivity in overweight
      late adolescent females and diminished sympathetic response in matching obese
      group. Both overweight and obese females showed decreased protective vagal
      influence on the heart.

PMID- 24237670
TI  - Insight into the mode of action of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as an
      herbicide.
AB  - 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was the first synthetic herbicide to be
      commercially developed and has commonly been used as a broadleaf herbicide for
      over 60 years. It is a selective herbicide that kills dicots without affecting
      monocots and mimics natural auxin at the molecular level. Physiological responses
      of dicots sensitive to auxinic herbicides include abnormal growth, senescence,
      and plant death. The identification of auxin receptors, auxin transport carriers,
      transcription factors response to auxin, and cross-talk among phytohormones have
      shed light on the molecular action mode of 2,4-D as a herbicide. Here, the
      molecular action mode of 2,4-D is highlighted according to the latest findings,
      emphasizing the physiological process, perception, and signal transduction under
      herbicide treatment. 

PMID- 24237671
TI  - In situ ruminal degradation of amino acids and in vitro protein digestibility of
      undegraded CP of dried distillers' grains with solubles from European ethanol
      plants.
AB  - The objectives of this study were to compare the in situ ruminal degradation of
      CP and amino acids (AAs) of dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS), and to
      estimate intestinal digestibility (ID) of undegradable crude protein (UDP) with
      the in vitro pepsin-pancreatin solubility of CP (PPS), using either DDGS samples
      (DDGS-s) or DDGS residues (DDGS-r) obtained after 16 h ruminal incubation.
      Thirteen samples originating from wheat, corn, barley and blends were studied.
      Lysine and methionine content of DDGS-s varied from 1.4 to 4.0 and 1.3 to 2.0
      g/16 g N, respectively. The milk protein score (MPS) of DDGS-s was low and ranged
      from 0.36 to 0.51, and lysine and isoleucine were estimated to be the most
      limiting AAs in DDGS-s and DDGS-r. DDGS-r contained slightly more essential AAs
      (EAAs) than did the DDGS-s. Rumen degradation after 16 h varied from 44% to 94%
      for CP, from 39% to 90% for lysine and from 35% to 92% for methionine. Linear
      regressions showed that the ruminal degradation of individual AAs can be
      predicted from CP degradation. The PPS of DDGS-s was higher than that of DDGS-r
      and it varied from 70% to 89% and from 47% to 81%, respectively. There was no
      significant correlation between the PPS of DDGS-s and PPS of DDGS-r (R 2=0.31).
      The estimated intestinally absorbable dietary protein (IADP) averaged 21%.
      Moderate correlation was found between the crude fibre (CF) content and PPS of
      DDGS-r (R 2=0.43). This study suggests an overestimation of the contribution of
      UDP of DDGS to digestible protein supply in the duodenum in some currently used
      protein evaluation systems. More research is required and recommended to assess
      the intestinal digestibility of AAs from DDGS. 

PMID- 24237672
TI  - In vitro-in vivo study on the effects of plant compounds on rumen fermentation,
      microbial abundances and methane emissions in goats.
AB  - Two in vitro and one in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the
      effects of a selection of plant compounds on rumen fermentation, microbial
      concentration and methane emissions in goats. Treatments were: control (no
      additive), carvacrol (CAR), cinnamaldehyde (CIN), eugenol (EUG), propyl propane
      thiosulfinate (PTS), propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO), diallyl disulfide
      (DDS), a mixture (40 : 60) of PTS and PTSO (PTS+PTSO), and bromochloromethane
      (BCM) as positive control with proven antimethanogenic effectiveness. Four doses
      (40, 80, 160 and 320 ul/l) of the different compounds were incubated in vitro for
      24 h in diluted rumen fluid from goats using two diets differing in starch and
      protein source within the concentrate (Experiment 1).The total gas production was
      linearly decreased (P<0.012) by all compounds, with the exception of EUG and
      PTS+PTSO (P>= 0.366). Total volatile fatty-acid (VFA) concentration decreased
      (P<= 0.018) only with PTS, PTSO and CAR, whereas the acetate:propionate ratio
      decreased (P<= 0.002) with PTS, PTSO and BCM, and a tendency (P=0.064) was
      observed for DDS. On the basis of results from Experiment 1, two doses of PTS,
      CAR, CIN, BCM (160 and 320 ul/l), PTSO (40 and 160 ul/l) and DDS (80 and 320
      ul/l) were further tested in vitro for 72 h (Experiment 2). The gas production
      kinetics were affected (P<= 0.045) by all compounds, and digested NDF (DNDF)
      after 72 h of incubation was only linearly decreased (P<= 0.004) by CAR and PTS.
      The addition of all compounds linearly decreased (P<= 0.009) methane production,
      although the greatest reductions were observed for PTS (up to 96%), DDS (62%) and
      BCM (95%). No diet-dose interaction was observed. To further test the results
      obtained in vitro, two groups of 16 adult non-pregnant goats were used to study
      in vivo the effect of adding PTS (50, 100 and 200 mg/l rumen content per day) and
      BCM (50, 100 and 160 mg/l rumen content per day) during the 9 days on methane
      emissions (Experiment 3). The addition of PTS and BCM resulted in linear
      reductions (33% and 64%, respectively, P<= 0.002) of methane production per unit
      of dry matter intake, which were lower than the maximum inhibition observed in
      vitro (87% and 96%, respectively). We conclude that applying the same doses in
      vivo as in vitro resulted in a proportional lower extent of methane decrease, and
      that PTS at 200 mg/l rumen content per day has the potential to reduce methane
      emissions in goats. Whether the reduction in methane emission observed in vivo
      persists over longer periods of treatments and improves feed conversion
      efficiency requires further research.

PMID- 24237673
TI  - Effect of supplementing coconut or krabok oil, rich in medium-chain fatty acids
      on ruminal fermentation, protozoa and archaeal population of bulls.
AB  - Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), for example, capric acid (C10:0), myristic
      (C14:0) and lauric (C12:0) acid, have been suggested to decrease rumen archaeal
      abundance and protozoal numbers. This study aimed to compare the effect of MCFA,
      either supplied through krabok (KO) or coconut (CO) oil, on rumen fermentation,
      protozoal counts and archaeal abundance, as well as their diversity and
      functional organization. KO contains similar amounts of C12:0 as CO (420 and 458
      g/kg FA, respectively), but has a higher proportion of C14:0 (464 v. 205 g/kg FA,
      respectively). Treatments contained 35 g supplemental fat per kg DM: a control
      diet with tallow (T); a diet with supplemental CO; and a diet with supplemental
      KO. A 4th treatment consisted of a diet with similar amounts of MCFA (i.e.
      C10:0+C12:0+C14:0) from CO and KO. To ensure isolipidic diets, extra tallow was
      supplied in the latter treatment (KO+T). Eight fistulated bulls (two bulls per
      treatment), fed a total mixed ration predominantly based on cassava chips, rice
      straw, tomato pomace, rice bran and soybean meal (1.5% of BW), were used. Both KO
      and CO increased the rumen volatile fatty acids, in particular propionate and
      decreased acetate proportions. Protozoal numbers were reduced through the
      supplementation of an MCFA source (CO, KO and KO+T), with the strongest reduction
      by KO. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays based on archaeal
      primers showed a decrease in abundance of Archaea when supplementing with KO and
      KO+T compared with T and CO. The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles
      of the rumen archaeal population did not result in a grouping of treatments.
      Richness indices were calculated from the number of DGGE bands, whereas community
      organization was assessed from the Pareto-Lorenz evenness curves on the basis of
      DGGE band intensities. KO supplementation (KO and KO+T treatments) increased
      richness and evenness within the archaeal community. Further research including
      methane measurements and productive animals should elucidate whether KO could be
      used as a dietary methane mitigation strategy.

PMID- 24237674
TI  - Environmental sensitivity differs between rabbit lines selected for reproductive
      intensity and longevity.
AB  - To better understand the mechanisms that allow some animals to sustain their
      productive effort in harsh environmental conditions, rabbit does from two
      selection lines (LP and V) were housed in normal (NC), nutritional (NF) or heat
      (HC) challenging environmental conditions from first to third partum. The LP line
      (n=85) was founded on reproductive longevity criteria by selecting does from
      commercial farms that had a minimum of 25 partum with more than 7.5 kits born
      alive per parity. Line V (n=79) was constituted from four specialised maternal
      lines into a composite synthetic line and then selected by litter size at weaning
      for 36 generations. Female rabbits in NC and NF environments were housed at
      normal room temperature (18 degrees C to 24 degrees C) and fed with control [11.6
      MJ digestible energy (DE)/kg dry matter (DM)] or low-energy diets (9.1 MJ DE/kg
      DM). HC does were housed at high room temperatures (25 degrees C to 35 degrees C)
      and fed the control diet. Female rabbits in the HC and NF environments ingested
      11.5% and 6% less DE than NC does, respectively (P<0.05). These differences
      between environments occurred in both lines, with the differences being higher
      for LP than for V does (+6%; P<0.05). Milk yield responses followed those of
      energy intake also being higher for LP does (+21.3 g/day; P<0.05). The
      environmental conditions did not affect the perirenal fat thickness (PFT), but a
      genotype by environment interaction was observed. In NC and HC, the PFT was
      higher for line V (+0.23 and +0.35 mm, respectively; P<0.05) than for LP does,
      but this was not the case at NF (-0.01 mm). Moreover, the PFT evolution was
      different between them. In the NC environment, LP does used the accreted PFT in
      late lactation (-0.29 mm), whereas V does did not (-0.08 mm). Conversely, in the
      HC environment, LP does showed a flat PFT evolution in late lactation, whereas V
      does accumulated PFT. In the NF environment, LP and V does had a similar PFT
      evolution. There was also a litter size reduction for V does of -2.59 kits total
      born in HC and -1.78 kits total born in NF environments, whereas this was not
      observed for LP does. The results for LP does indicate a direct use of DE
      ingested for reproduction with little PFT change, whereas V does actively use the
      PFT reserves for reproduction. 

PMID- 24237675
TI  - Ghrelin in the gastrointestinal tract and blood circulation of perinatal low and
      normal weight piglets.
AB  - Ghrelin, the 'hunger' hormone, is an endogenous growth hormone secretagogue that
      exerts a wide range of physiological functions. Its perinatal presence suggests
      that ghrelin might be involved in growth and metabolism processes during
      intrauterine and postnatal life. Intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) neonates
      have altered endocrine and metabolic pathways because of malnutrition during
      foetal development. These changes might include an altered gastrointestinal
      presence of ghrelin cells (GCs). As ghrelin is mainly secreted by the stomach,
      this altered presence might be reflected in its serum concentrations. Small-for
      gestational age (SGA) pigs appear to be a natural occurring model for IUGR
      children. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to investigate the presence
      of gastrointestinal GCs expressing active ghrelin in normal weight (NW) foetal
      and postnatal piglets compared with their SGA littermates using
      immunohistochemical analysis in combination with stereological methods. Second,
      total ghrelin serum concentrations of these piglets were analysed with a porcine
      radioactive immunoassay. In addition, the growth of the gastric pars fundica in
      the NW and SGA piglets was analysed stereologically. Corresponding with humans
      and rats, it was shown that opened- and closed-type immunoreactive GCs are
      distributed along the entire gastrointestinal tract of the perinatal NW and SGA
      piglets. However, in contrast to the rat's stomach, the porcine GCs do not
      disperse from the glandular base to the glandular neck during perinatal
      development. Furthermore, stereological analysis demonstrated that the NW
      neonates have a higher amount of gastric cells expressing active ghrelin compared
      with the SGA piglets that could result in higher milk consumption during the
      neonatal period. This finding is, however, not reflected in total serum ghrelin
      levels, which showed no difference between the NW and SGA piglets. Moreover, the
      stereological volume densities of the fundic layers demonstrate a similar growth
      pattern in the SGA and NW piglets. 

PMID- 24237676
TI  - Changes in back fat thickness during late gestation predict colostrum yield in
      sows.
AB  - Directing protein and energy sources towards lactation is crucial to optimise
      milk production in sows but how this influences colostrum yield (CY) remains
      unknown. The aim of this study was to identify associations between CY and the
      sow's use of nutrient resources. We included 37 sows in the study that were all
      housed, fed and managed similarly. Parity, back fat change (DeltaBF), CY and
      performance parameters were measured. We obtained sow serum samples 3 to 4 days
      before farrowing and at D1 of lactation following overnight fasting. These were
      analysed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), urea, creatinine,
      (iso)butyrylcarnitine (C4) and immunoglobulins G (IgG) and A (IgA). The colostrum
      samples collected 3, 6 and 24 h after the birth of the first piglet were analysed
      for their nutrient and immunoglobulins content. The technical parameters
      associated with CY were parity group (a; parities 1 to 3=value 0 v. parities 4 to
      7=value 1) and DeltaBF D85-D109 of gestation (mm) (b): CY (g)=4290-842a-113b. (R
      2=0.41, P<0.001). The gestation length (P<0.001) and the DeltaBF between D109 and
      D1 of lactation (P=0.050) were identified as possible underlying factors of the
      parity group. The metabolic parameters associated with CY were C4 at 3 to 4 days
      before farrowing (a), and 10logC4 (b) and 10logNEFA (c) at D1 of lactation: CY
      (g)=3582-1604a+1007b-922c (R 2=0.39, P=0.001). The colostrum composition was
      independent of CY. The negative association between CY and DeltaBF D85-D109 of
      gestation could not be further explained based on our data. Sows that were
      catabolic 1 week prior to farrowing seemed unable to produce colostrum to their
      full potential. This was especially the case for sows with parities 4 to 7,
      although they had a similar feed intake, litter birth weight and colostrum
      composition compared with parities 1 to 3 sows. In conclusion, this study showed
      that parity and the use of body fat and protein reserves during late gestation
      were associated with CY, indicating that proper management of the sow's body
      condition during late gestation could optimise the intrinsic capacity of the
      sow's CY. 

PMID- 24237677
TI  - Mathematical approaches to detect low concentrations in progesterone profiles.
AB  - There is a general need for higher objectivity and accuracy in describing the
      physiological fertility performance of dairy cows. To develop the alternative
      meaningful starting points for the selection of genetically superior dairy cows,
      this study focused on the detection of low progesterone concentrations, which are
      indicative of estrus events. Three mathematical approaches were used: one based
      on the exponentially weighted moving average control chart, and two threshold
      methods, which were developed in-house. Data were collected from one data set
      that included 97 insemination data of first-lactating Holstein dairy cows, and a
      second set that included 160 inseminations of primiparous and multiparous
      Holstein dairy cows. On the basis of these 2 data sets, and using a threshold of
      1.2 ng progesterone/ml skimmed milk, the sensitivity of the 3 models was high and
      ranged between 100% and 93.13%, with an error rate between 4% and 22.17%. The
      specificity varied between 97.92% and 99.93%. The average concentration levels of
      true-positive-detected progesterone measures were low and ranged between 0.18 and
      0.28 ng progesterone/ml skimmed milk (first data set) and 0.21 to 0.26 ng
      progesterone/ml skimmed milk (second data set). False-positive-detected low
      progesterone concentrations during estrus events were closely related to
      progesterone values around the 1.2 ng progesterone/ml skimmed milk threshold and
      the detecting rules of the control chart. Thus, we suggest that a threshold of
      0.8 ng progesterone/ml skimmed milk is indicative for luteal activity in defatted
      foremilk. By means of the three methods used, the detection of low progesterone
      concentrations was possible and it can be assumed that this is a good starting
      point for further studies (such as interval calculation) in this area. 

PMID- 24237678
TI  - Infrared thermography--a non-invasive tool to evaluate thermal status of neonatal
      pigs based on surface temperature.
AB  - Hypothermia is a major cause of mortality in neonatal pigs. Infrared (IR)
      thermography is a promising non-invasive method to assess thermal status, but has
      not been evaluated for use on neonatal pigs from birth. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the application of IR thermography as a non-invasive tool to estimate
      body temperature and assess the thermal status in newborn pigs by (1) estimating
      the relationship between surface temperature and rectal temperature (RT) in
      neonatal pigs; and (2) estimating the influence of air temperature (AT), birth
      weight and the time from birth on the relationship between surface temperature
      and RT. The method was evaluated on the basis of 1695 thermograms and 915 RTs on
      91 neonatal pigs born in loose farrowing pens with floor heating at 34 degrees C,
      and three different ATs (15 degrees C, 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C). Full-body
      thermograms of the back and the side of the pigs and RT were acquired at 11
      sampling times between birth and 48 h after birth. The maximum (IRmax), minimum,
      average of the full body and ear minimum IR surface temperatures were derived
      from the thermograms. IRmax had the highest correlation with RT (0.82) and was
      therefore used in the statistical analysis. The relation of RT by IRmax depended
      on time at: 0 h (slope: 0.20 degrees C, P<0.001), 0.25 h (slope: 0.42 degrees C,
      P<0.01), and 0.5 and 1 h after birth (slope: 0.68 degrees C, P<0.001). After the
      1st hour (1.5 to 48 h) the relation of RT by IRmax was no longer affected by time
      (slope: 0.63 degrees C, P<0.001). The agreement between RT and IRmax was improved
      (P<0.001) after the 1st hour (RT-IRmax 0 to 1 h: 2.02 (1.44) degrees C; 1.5 to 48
      h: 0.95 (0.85) degrees C). IRmax below 30 degrees C was indicative of piglets
      having RT<32 degrees C (91.3%). The location of IRmax was identified
      predominantly at the base of the ears (27/50), other sites in the region of the
      head (12/50) and the axilla area (8/50). There was a small but significant effect
      of the angle as IRmax_side-IRmax_back: mean 0.20 degrees C (P<0.001). On the
      basis of the low difference between IRmax from back and side view thermograms,
      and the location of IRmax, the angle seems less important and thus the method has
      the potential to be used without the need for manual restraint of the pigs. On
      the basis of the results of this study, we propose that IRmax temperature from
      full-body thermograms has implication as a valid tool to assess the thermal
      status in neonatal piglets but not as an identical substitute for RT. 

PMID- 24237679
TI  - Effect of production system before the finishing period on carcass, meat and fat
      qualities of beef.
AB  - Twenty Gascon young bulls that had been reared either in intensive conditions
      (INT) (n=10) with early weaning at 3 to 4 months, or in a traditional extensive
      (EXT) system (n=10) with weaning at 7 months, were subjected to the same
      conditions during the 145-day finishing period. Production system before the
      finishing period did not affect conformation, dressing percentage or morphology
      of the carcass; nevertheless, tissue composition differed somewhat between the
      two groups. Display had a stronger effect on meat colour than did production
      system. Percentage of myoglobin was highest in INT (P<= 0.001), although meat
      texture and sensory quality did not differ between rearing conditions. EXT
      animals had darker, more yellow fat, a higher percentage of n-3 fatty acids (P<=
      0.001), a lower percentage of saturated fatty acids (P<= 0.05) and a lower n-6/n
      3 index (P<= 0.001) than did the INT-reared animals. Production system before the
      fattening period might modify some of the characteristics of commercial beef,
      especially those associated with fat.

PMID- 24237681
TI  - The natural history of pregnancies with a diagnosis of trisomy 18 or trisomy 13;
      a retrospective case series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trisomy 18 (T18) and trisomy 13 (T13) are the second and third
      commonest autosomal aneuploidy syndromes respectively. While specific aspects of
      affected pregnancies have been documented in the literature, few studies document
      the overall natural history of the trisomies. This study aimed to examine the
      natural history (including diagnosis, pregnancy outcome, complications and
      survival) of T18 and T13 pregnancies in a setting where termination of pregnancy
      for fetal abnormality is not available. METHODS: Cases were identified using
      birth registers, labour ward records, annual reports, medical records, ultrasound
      reports and reports from prenatal genetic testing. All identified T18 and T13
      pregnancies in the study region from 2001 to 2012 were included. Individual chart
      reviews were performed for each case. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 20.
      RESULTS: Forty-six T18 and twenty-four T13 pregnancies were identified. Most T18
      cases (65%) were diagnosed prenatally, while only one third (33%) of T13 cases
      were prenatally diagnosed. Only three T18 pregnancies and one T13 pregnancy were
      electively terminated. A proportion of undiagnosed infants were delivered by
      emergency caesarean section. 48% (T18) and 46% (T13) infants survived following
      birth, for a median of 1.5 days (T18) and 7 days (T13). One T13 infant is
      currently alive over one year of age. CONCLUSIONS: This large series provides
      information for professionals and women regarding the natural histories of
      trisomies 18 and 13. These pregnancies can go undiagnosed antenatally without
      routine anomaly scanning. While many fetuses die in-utero, postnatal survival is
      possible.

PMID- 24237682
TI  - Do malaria vector control measures impact disease-related behaviour and
      knowledge? Evidence from a large-scale larviciding intervention in Tanzania.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent efforts of accelerated malaria control towards the long-term
      goal of elimination had significant impacts in reducing malaria transmission.
      While these efforts need to be sustained over time, a scenario of low
      transmission could bring about changes in individual disease risk perception,
      hindering adherence to protective measures, and affecting disease-related
      knowledge. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential impact of a
      successful malaria vector control intervention on bed net usage and malaria
      related knowledge. METHODS: Dar es Salaam's Urban Malaria Control Program was
      launched in 2004 with the aim of developing a sustainable larviciding
      intervention. Larviciding was scaled-up using a stepped-wedge design. Cross
      sectional and longitudinal data were collected using a randomized cluster
      sampling design (2004-2008). Prevalence ratios (PR) for the effect of the
      larviciding intervention on bed net usage (N = 64,537) and household heads'
      knowledge of malaria symptoms and transmission (N = 11,254) were obtained from
      random effects regression models. RESULTS: The probability that individuals
      targeted by larviciding had used a bed net was reduced by 5% as compared to those
      in non-intervention areas (PR = 0.95; 95% credible intervals (CrI): 0.94-0.97)
      and the magnitude of this effect increased with time. Larviciding also led to a
      decline in household heads' knowledge of malaria symptoms (PR = 0.88; 95% CrI:
      0.83-0.92) but no evidence of effect on knowledge of malaria transmission was
      found. CONCLUSION: Successful control interventions could bring about further
      challenges to sustaining gains in reducing malaria transmission if not
      accompanied by strategies to avoid changes in individual knowledge and behaviour.
      This study points to two major research gaps. First, there is an urgent need to
      gather more evidence on the extent to which countries that have achieved
      significant decline in malaria transmission are also observing changes in
      individual behaviour and knowledge. Second, multidisciplinary assessments that
      combine quantitative and qualitative data, utilizing theories of health behaviour
      and theories of knowledge, are needed to optimize efforts of national malaria
      control programmes, and ultimately contribute to sustained reduction in malaria
      transmission.

PMID- 24237683
TI  - Stability scheme of ZnO-thin film resistive switching memory: influence of
      defects by controllable oxygen pressure ratio.
AB  - We report a stability scheme of resistive switching devices based on ZnO films
      deposited by radio frequency (RF) sputtering process at different oxygen pressure
      ratios. I-V measurements and statistical results indicate that the operating
      stability of ZnO resistive random access memory (ReRAM) devices is highly
      dependent on oxygen conditions. Data indicates that the ZnO film ReRAM device
      fabricated at 10% O2 pressure ratio exhibits the best performance. Transmission
      electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) of ZnO at different O2
      pressure ratios were investigated to reflect influence of structure to the stable
      switching behaviors. In addition, PL and XPS results were measured to investigate
      the different charge states triggered in ZnO by oxygen vacancies, which affect
      the stability of the switching behavior. 

PMID- 24237684
TI  - Rosen's (M,R) system in process algebra.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robert Rosen's Metabolism-Replacement, or (M,R), system can be
      represented as a compact network structure with a single source and three
      products derived from that source in three consecutive reactions. (M,R) has been
      claimed to be non-reducible to its components and algorithmically non-computable,
      in the sense of not being evaluable as a function by a Turing machine. If (M,R)
      like structures are present in real biological networks, this suggests that many
      biological networks will be non-computable, with implications for those branches
      of systems biology that rely on in silico modelling for predictive purposes.
      RESULTS: We instantiate (M,R) using the process algebra Bio-PEPA, and discuss the
      extent to which our model represents a true realization of (M,R). We observe that
      under some starting conditions and parameter values, stable states can be
      achieved. Although formal demonstration of algorithmic computability remains
      elusive for (M,R), we discuss the extent to which our Bio-PEPA representation of
      (M,R) allows us to sidestep Rosen's fundamental objections to computational
      systems biology. CONCLUSIONS: We argue that the behaviour of (M,R) in Bio-PEPA
      shows life-like properties.

PMID- 24237685
TI  - Prolonged non-survival in PICU: does a do-not-attempt-resuscitation order matter.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Etiologies of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) mortality are
      diverse. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of PICU mortality in a
      regional trauma center, and explore factors associated with prolonged non
      survival. METHODS: Demographic data of all PICU deaths in a regional trauma
      center were analyzed. Factors associated with prolonged nonsurvival (length of
      stay) were investigated with univariate log rank and multivariate Cox-Regression
      forward stepwise tests. RESULTS: There were 88 deaths (males 61%; infants 23%)
      over 10 years (median PICU stay = 3.5 days, interquartile range: 1 and 11 days).
      The mean annual mortality rate of PICU admissions was 5.8%. Septicemia with gram
      positive, gram negative and fungal pathogens were present in 13 (16%), 13 (16%)
      and 4 (5%) of these patients, respectively. Viruses were isolated in 25 patients
      (28%). Ninety percent of these 88 patients were ventilated, 75% required
      inotropes, 92% received broad spectrum antibiotic coverage, 32% received systemic
      corticosteroids, 56% required blood transfusion and 39% received anticonvulsants.
      Thirty nine patients (44%) had a DNAR (Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation) order with
      their deaths at the PICU. Comparing with non-trauma category, trauma patients had
      higher mortality score, no premorbid disease, suffered asystole preceding PICU
      admission and subsequent brain death. Oncologic conditions were the most
      prevalent diagnosis in the non-trauma category. There was no gunshot or asthma
      death in this series. Prolonged non-survival was significantly associated with
      DNAR, fungal infections, and mechanical ventilation but negatively associated
      with bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: Death in the PICU is a heterogeneous event that
      involves infants and children. Resuscitation was not attempted at the time of
      their deaths in nearly half of the patients in honor of parents' wishes. Parents
      often make DNAR decision when medical futility becomes evident. They could be
      reassured that DNAR did not mean "abandoning" care. Instead, DNAR patients had
      prolonged PICU stay and received the same level of PICU supports as patients who
      did not respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

PMID- 24237686
TI  - Fungal biology in Brazil.

PMID- 24237687
TI  - Epicardial/endocardial sinus node ablation after failed endocardial ablation for
      the treatment of inappropriate sinus tachycardia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Success of endocardial sinus node (SN) ablation for refractory
      inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is limited by the epicardial location of
      the SN and potential damage to the phrenic nerve (PN). An epicardial approach may
      overcome these limitations. METHODS AND RESULTS: IST patients who failed
      endocardial ablation underwent an epicardial approach. Percutaneous pericardial
      access was obtained with a double wire technique for PN protection (i.e., with a
      balloon catheter), if needed. Earliest sinus activation was mapped and ablated
      with remapping for changes in P-wave morphology or sinus rate. The endpoint was
      total SN ablation (patients with atrial pacing [AP]); otherwise the target was a
      >25% decrease in sinus rate and inversion of P-wave axis. Five patients (all
      female, age 36 +/- 4 years) underwent ablation. Two had prior AP, and 1 elected
      to have SN ablation and pacemaker during the same procedure. Three had prior
      endocardial ablation limited by PN proximity. Baseline sinus rate was 119 +/- 20
      bpm. After 35.2 +/- 21.3 lesions (22.4 +/- 21.7 epicardial, 12.8 +/- 21.3
      endocardial), 4 were in junctional rhythm, 1 in atrial rhythm at 90 bpm. This
      latter patient had symptom recurrence and underwent combined minimally invasive
      surgical/catheter SN cryoablation. Atrial tachycardia subsequently occurred and
      was successfully ablated. The only significant complication was pericarditis (3
      patients). At last follow-up (30.4 +/- 18.4 months), all had symptom resolution.
      Two were AP >99%, 1 was AP 54%. Two remain in ectopic atrial rhythm with
      controlled rates. CONCLUSIONS: Combined epicardial/endocardial SN ablation is a
      viable approach for patients with severely symptomatic IST after a failed
      endocardial attempt.

PMID- 24237688
TI  - Comparison of isolation rate of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in two different
      culture media, MKP and BSK-H.
AB  - The aim of the study was to evaluate two culture media for Borrelia burgdorferi
      sensu lato isolation from a 5 * 2 * 2 mm skin biopsy that was dissected into two
      pieces and inoculated into modified Kelly-Pettenkofer (MKP) and Barbour-Stoenner
      Kelly-H (BSK-H) medium. Samples were incubated at 33 degrees C for up to 9 weeks.
      Borrelia species was determined by MluI-restriction of whole genome or by MseI
      restriction of PCR product. We determined the proportion of isolation rate, 'slow
      growers', contaminated specimens and Borrelia species in the two media. In each
      of the two media 235 skin specimens were cultivated. We found 90/470 (19.1%)
      contaminated cultures (BSK-H 67/235, 28.5%; MKP 23/235, 9.8%; p <0.0001).
      Borrelia growth was ascertained in 59/235 (25.1%) BSK-H and 102/235 (43.4%) MKP
      cultures (p <0.0001); the corresponding values for non-contaminated cultures were
      59/168 (35.1%) and 102/212 (48.1%); (p 0.003). Fourteen specimens were positive
      only in BSK-H, 57 solely in MKP, and 43 in both culture media. Slow growth was
      present in 8/59 (13.6%) BSK-H and in 4/98 (4.1%) MKP positive cultures (p 0.019).
      Borrelia afzelii was identified in 44/51 (86.3%) BSK-H and in 88/98 (89.8%) MKP
      culture-positive samples; the corresponding findings for Boreelia garinii and B.
      burgdorferi sensu stricto were 6/51 (11.8%) and 9/98 (9.2%), and 1/51 (1.9%) and
      1/98 (1.0%), for BSK-H and MKP, respectively. Comparison of MKP and BSK-H medium
      for Borrelia culturing from skin specimens of European patients with erythema
      migrans revealed the advantage of MKP over BSK-H.

PMID- 24237689
TI  - Behavioural activation interventions for depressed individuals with a chronic
      physical illness: a systematic review protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is common in people with chronic physical illness and is
      associated with worse medical outcomes. Cognitive behavioural therapy and problem
      solving improve depression, although usually have small to moderate effects among
      people with chronic physical illness. Behavioural activation interventions for
      depression, which aim to increase positive reinforcement from the environment by
      encouraging individuals to increase pleasant/rewarding activities, have been
      reported to be equivalent to cognitive behavioural therapy. However, the
      effectiveness of behavioural activation interventions for depression in
      individuals with chronic physical illness is unclear. The aims of this systematic
      review are to identify the extent to which different forms of behavioural
      activation have been used as a treatment for depression in this population,
      examine the effectiveness of the interventions, and identify any adaptations
      which have been made specifically to the interventions for individuals with a
      range of chronic physical illnesses. METHODS/DESIGN: Electronic databases will be
      systematically searched using terms relevant to behavioural activation and
      depression, and the subset of studies in people with chronic physical illnesses
      will be identified by manual searching. References and citations of eligible
      studies will be searched and experts in this field will be contacted to identify
      additional papers. All study designs will be included in this review to allow for
      a more extensive identification of the extent of different forms of behavioural
      activation interventions. The different forms of behavioural activation and the
      specific chronic physical health conditions for which this intervention has been
      used will be reviewed narratively. For the effectiveness of the interventions, if
      sufficient randomised controlled trials have been undertaken the results will be
      meta-analysed. Non-randomised studies will be narratively synthesised and
      adaptations to the interventions will also be narratively reviewed. DISCUSSION:
      The findings will inform the design, development and subsequent evaluation of a
      behavioural activation intervention for depression in people with a chronic
      physical illness. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42013004500.

PMID- 24237690
TI  - Bio-integrated organic synthesis in industry: biocatalytic breakthroughs,
      industrial processes, emerging fields.

PMID- 24237691
TI  - Yohimbine enhancement of exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder: a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preclinical and clinical trials suggest that yohimbine may augment
      extinction learning without significant side effects. However, previous clinical
      trials have only examined adults with specific phobias. Yohimbine has not yet
      been investigated in the augmentation of exposure therapy for other anxiety
      disorders. METHODS: Adults (n = 40) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of social anxiety
      disorder were randomized to placebo or yohimbine HCl (10.8 mg) 1 hour before each
      of four exposure sessions. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, each
      treatment session, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: Yohimbine was
      well tolerated. Yohimbine augmentation, relative to placebo augmentation,
      resulted in faster improvement and better outcomes on self-report measures of
      social anxiety disorder severity (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, d = .53) and
      depressed mood severity (Beck Depression Inventory, d = .37) but not on the
      clinician-rated measures (Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale, d = .09;
      Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement Scale, d = .25). Between-group
      differences on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale were moderated by the level of
      fear reported at the end of an exposure exercise (end fear), such that the
      advantage of yohimbine over placebo was only evident among patients who reported
      low end fear. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide moderate support for yohimbine as
      a therapeutic augmentation strategy for exposure therapy in social anxiety
      disorder, one that may be especially effective when coupled with successful
      exposure experiences. Beneficial effects for yohimbine were readily evident for
      self-report measures but not for clinician-rated outcomes of social anxiety
      severity and improvement.

PMID- 24237692
TI  - Candida albicans: adapting to succeed.
AB  - In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Lu et al. (2013) report on the redundancy
      of signaling pathways controlling Candida albicans filamentation and
      pathogenicity. In the process, they provide important insight into how this
      normal commensal of humans adapts to different host microenvironments to become a
      highly successful opportunistic pathogen.

PMID- 24237693
TI  - The lectin ERGIC-53 goes viral.
AB  - The biosynthesis of fusion-competent envelope glycoproteins (GPs) is a crucial
      step in productive viral infection. In this issue, Klaus et al. (2013) identify
      the cargo receptor endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi intermediate compartment 53
      kDa protein (ERGIC-53) as a binding partner for viral GPs and a crucial cellular
      factor required for infectious virus production.

PMID- 24237694
TI  - TLR5 stops commensals in their tracks.
AB  - IgA antibodies help maintain intestinal immune homeostasis with resident
      commensal species; however, the precise mechanisms regulating IgA induction and
      the epitopes recognized by these antibodies remain incompletely understood. In
      this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Tyler et al. (2013) demonstrate that TLR5
      dependent induction of anti-flagellin antibodies prevents commensal association
      with the intestinal mucosa by limiting bacterial motility.

PMID- 24237695
TI  - Inflammasome-microbiota interplay in host physiologies.
AB  - Host defense responses against microbes are most often thought of in terms of
      effectors of microbial destruction. However, recent evidence demonstrates that
      the more complex interactions between the microbiota and innate immune
      mechanisms, such as the inflammasome-mediated response, cannot be readily
      explained within just the traditional paradigms of microbial killing mechanisms.
      In this review, the concepts of both resistance and tolerance are applied to
      inflammasome-microbiota interactions, and the various physiological consequences
      of this interplay, including roles in inflammation, tissue repair, tumorigenesis,
      and metabolism, are discussed. 

PMID- 24237696
TI  - Synergistic regulation of hyphal elongation by hypoxia, CO(2), and nutrient
      conditions controls the virulence of Candida albicans.
AB  - Candida albicans reversibly switches between yeast and hyphal morphologies, with
      hyphae being associated with virulence. Hyphal initiation and maintenance depend
      on host environment sensing. Hyphal maintenance in vitro requires chromatin
      remodeling of hypha-specific gene promoters, although disrupting chromatin
      remodeling does not disrupt C. albicans hyphal elongation and virulence during
      invasive infection. We find that the combination of hypoxia and high CO2, but
      neither condition alone, maintains hyphal elongation, even in mutants lacking the
      nutrient-responsive chromatin-remodeling pathway. Ume6, the transcriptional
      activator of hypha-specific genes, is stabilized via regulation by Ofd1, a prolyl
      hydroxylase family member inhibited by hypoxia, and by an uncharacterized pathway
      that senses high CO2. Virulence and hyphal elongation in vivo are attenuated only
      when the parallelly acting Ume6 stabilization and chromatin-remodeling pathways
      are both blocked. The evolution of redundant signaling pathways allowing C.
      albicans to adapt to varied host environments may explain this commensal's
      success as a pathogen.

PMID- 24237697
TI  - Type I interferon imposes a TSG101/ISG15 checkpoint at the Golgi for glycoprotein
      trafficking during influenza virus infection.
AB  - Several enveloped viruses exploit host pathways, such as the cellular endosomal
      sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, for their assembly and
      release. The influenza A virus (IAV) matrix protein binds to the ESCRT-I complex,
      although the involvement of early ESCRT proteins such as Tsg101 in IAV
      trafficking remain to be established. We find that Tsg101 can facilitate IAV
      trafficking, but this is effectively restricted by the interferon (IFN)
      stimulated protein ISG15. Cytosol from type I IFN-treated cells abolished IAV
      hemagglutinin (HA) transport to the cell surface in infected semi-intact cells.
      This inhibition required Tsg101 and could be relieved with deISGylases. Tsg101 is
      itself ISGylated in IFN-treated cells. Upon infection, intact Tsg101-deficient
      cells obtained by CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing were defective in the surface
      display of HA and for infectious virion release. These data support the IFN
      induced generation of a Tsg101- and ISG15-dependent checkpoint in the secretory
      pathway that compromises influenza virus release. 

PMID- 24237698
TI  - The intracellular cargo receptor ERGIC-53 is required for the production of
      infectious arenavirus, coronavirus, and filovirus particles.
AB  - Arenaviruses and hantaviruses cause severe human disease. Little is known
      regarding host proteins required for their propagation. We identified human
      proteins that interact with the glycoproteins (GPs) of a prototypic arenavirus
      and hantavirus and show that the lectin endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi
      intermediate compartment 53 kDa protein (ERGIC-53), a cargo receptor required for
      glycoprotein trafficking within the early exocytic pathway, associates with
      arenavirus, hantavirus, coronavirus, orthomyxovirus, and filovirus GPs. ERGIC-53
      binds to arenavirus GPs through a lectin-independent mechanism, traffics to
      arenavirus budding sites, and is incorporated into virions. ERGIC-53 is required
      for arenavirus, coronavirus, and filovirus propagation; in its absence, GP
      containing virus particles form but are noninfectious, due in part to their
      inability to attach to host cells. Thus, we have identified a class of pathogen
      derived ERGIC-53 ligands, a lectin-independent basis for their association with
      ERGIC-53, and a role for ERGIC-53 in the propagation of several highly pathogenic
      RNA virus families.

PMID- 24237699
TI  - HIV-1 induces the formation of stable microtubules to enhance early infection.
AB  - Stable microtubule (MT) subsets form distinct networks from dynamic MTs and
      acquire distinguishing posttranslational modifications, notably detyrosination
      and acetylation. Acting as specialized tracks for vesicle and macromolecular
      transport, their formation is regulated by the end-binding protein EB1, which
      recruits proteins that stabilize MTs. We show that HIV-1 induces the formation of
      acetylated and detyrosinated stable MTs early in infection. Although the MT
      depolymerizing agent nocodazole affected dynamic MTs, HIV-1 particles localized
      to nocodazole-resistant stable MTs, and infection was minimally affected. EB1
      depletion or expression of an EB1 carboxy-terminal fragment that acts as a
      dominant-negative inhibitor of MT stabilization prevented HIV-1-induced stable MT
      formation and suppressed early viral infection. Furthermore, we show that the HIV
      1 matrix protein targets the EB1-binding protein Kif4 to induce MT stabilization.
      Our findings illustrate how specialized MT-binding proteins mediate MT
      stabilization by HIV-1 and the importance of stable MT subsets in viral
      infection. 

PMID- 24237700
TI  - Modeling virus- and antibody-specific factors to predict human immunodeficiency
      virus neutralization efficiency.
AB  - Efforts to prevent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection would
      benefit from understanding the factors that govern virus neutralization by
      antibodies. We present a mechanistic model for HIV-1 neutralization that includes
      both virus and antibody parameters. Variations in epitope integrity on the viral
      envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer and Env reactivity to bound antibody influence
      neutralization susceptibility. In addition, we define an antibody-specific
      parameter, the perturbation factor (PF), that describes the degree of
      conformational change in the Env trimer required for a given antibody to bind.
      Minimally perturbing (low-PF) antibodies can efficiently neutralize viruses with
      a broad range of Env reactivities due to fast on-rates and high affinity for Env.
      Highly perturbing (high-PF) antibodies inhibit only viruses with reactive
      (perturbation-sensitive) Envs, often through irreversible mechanisms. Accounting
      for these quantifiable viral and antibody-associated parameters helps to predict
      the observed profiles of HIV-1 neutralization by antibodies with a wide range of
      potencies. 

PMID- 24237701
TI  - Intestinal microbial diversity during early-life colonization shapes long-term
      IgE levels.
AB  - Microbial exposure following birth profoundly impacts mammalian immune system
      development. Microbiota alterations are associated with increased incidence of
      allergic and autoimmune disorders with elevated serum IgE as a hallmark. The
      previously reported abnormally high serum IgE levels in germ-free mice suggests
      that immunoregulatory signals from microbiota are required to control basal IgE
      levels. We report that germ-free mice and those with low-diversity microbiota
      develop elevated serum IgE levels in early life. B cells in neonatal germ-free
      mice undergo isotype switching to IgE at mucosal sites in a CD4 T-cell- and IL-4
      dependent manner. A critical level of microbial diversity following birth is
      required in order to inhibit IgE induction. Elevated IgE levels in germ-free mice
      lead to increased mast-cell-surface-bound IgE and exaggerated oral-induced
      systemic anaphylaxis. Thus, appropriate intestinal microbial stimuli during early
      life are critical for inducing an immunoregulatory network that protects from
      induction of IgE at mucosal sites.

PMID- 24237702
TI  - Innate and adaptive immunity interact to quench microbiome flagellar motility in
      the gut.
AB  - Gut mucosal barrier breakdown and inflammation have been associated with high
      levels of flagellin, the principal bacterial flagellar protein. Although several
      gut commensals can produce flagella, flagellin levels are low in the healthy gut,
      suggesting the existence of control mechanisms. We find that mice lacking the
      flagellin receptor Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) exhibit a profound loss of
      flagellin-specific immunoglobulins (Igs) despite higher total Ig levels in the
      gut. Ribotyping of IgA-coated cecal microbiota showed Proteobacteria evading
      antibody coating in the TLR5(-/-) gut. A diversity of microbiome members
      overexpressed flagellar genes in the TLR5(-/-) host. Proteobacteria and
      Firmicutes penetrated small intestinal villi, and flagellated bacteria breached
      the colonic mucosal barrier. In vitro, flagellin-specific Ig inhibited bacterial
      motility and downregulated flagellar gene expression. Thus, innate-immunity
      directed development of flagellin-specific adaptive immune responses can modulate
      the microbiome's production of flagella in a three-way interaction that helps to
      maintain mucosal barrier integrity and homeostasis.

PMID- 24237703
TI  - Microbial modulation of energy availability in the colon regulates intestinal
      transit.
AB  - Gut microbiota contribute to host metabolic efficiency by increasing energy
      availability through the fermentation of dietary fiber and production of short
      chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colon. SCFAs are proposed to stimulate secretion
      of the proglucagon (Gcg)-derived incretin hormone GLP-1, which stimulates insulin
      secretion (incretin response) and inhibits gastric emptying. We find that germ
      free (GF) and antibiotic-treated mice, which have severely reduced SCFA levels,
      have increased basal GLP-1 levels in the plasma and increased Gcg expression in
      the colon. Increasing energy supply, either through colonization with
      polysaccharide-fermenting bacteria or through diet, suppressed colonic Gcg
      expression in GF mice. Increased GLP-1 levels in GF mice did not improve the
      incretin response but instead slowed intestinal transit. Thus, microbiota
      regulate the basal levels of GLP-1, and increasing these levels may be an
      adaptive response to insufficient energy availability in the colon that slows
      intestinal transit and allows for greater nutrient absorption.

PMID- 24237704
TI  - Human cytomegalovirus tegument protein pUL83 inhibits IFI16-mediated DNA sensing
      for immune evasion.
AB  - Nuclear sensing of viral DNA has emerged as an essential step in innate immune
      responses against herpesviruses. Here, we provide mechanistic insight into host
      recognition of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and subsequent immune evasion by this
      prominent DNA virus. We establish that the interferon-inducible protein IFI16
      acts as a nuclear DNA sensor following HCMV infection, binding viral DNA and
      triggering expression of antiviral cytokines via the STING-TBK1-IRF3 signaling
      pathway. The HCMV tegument protein pUL83 inhibits this response by interacting
      with the IFI16 pyrin domain, blocking its oligomerization upon DNA sensing and
      subsequent immune signals. pUL83 disrupts IFI16 by concerted action of its N- and
      C-terminal domains, in which an evolutionarily conserved N-terminal pyrin
      association domain (PAD) binds IFI16. Additionally, phosphorylation of the N
      terminal domain modulates pUL83-mediated inhibition of pyrin aggregation.
      Collectively, our data elucidate the interplay between host DNA sensing and HCMV
      immune evasion, providing targets for restoring antiviral immunity.

PMID- 24237705
TI  - Kin-bias, breeding site selection and female fitness in a cannibalistic
      Neotropical frog.
AB  - Resource availability influences sexual selection within populations and
      determines whether behaviours such as territoriality or resource sharing are
      adaptive. In Thoropa taophora, a frog endemic to the Atlantic Coastal Rainforest
      of Brazil, males compete for and defend limited breeding sites while females
      often share breeding sites with other females; however, sharing breeding sites
      may involve costs due to cannibalism by conspecific tadpoles. We studied a
      breeding population of T. taophora to determine (i) whether this species exhibits
      polygynous mating involving female choice for territorial males and limited
      breeding resources; (ii) whether limited breeding resources create the potential
      for male-male cooperation in defence of neighbouring territories; and (iii)
      whether females sharing breeding sites exhibit kin-biased breeding site choice,
      possibly driven by fitness losses due to cannibalism among offspring of females
      sharing sites. We used microsatellites to reconstruct parentage and quantify
      relatedness at eight breeding sites in our focal population, where these sites
      are scarce, and in a second population, where sites are abundant. We found that
      at localities where the appropriate sites for reproduction are spatially limited,
      the mating system for this species is polygynous, with typically two females
      sharing a breeding site with a male. We also found that females exhibit negative
      kin-bias in their choice of breeding sites, potentially to maximize their
      inclusive fitness by avoiding tadpole cannibalism of highly related kin. Our
      results indicate that male territorial defence and female site sharing are likely
      important components of this mating system, and we propose that kinship-dependent
      avoidance in mating strategies may be more general than previously realized.

PMID- 24237706
TI  - The MAPKK FgMkk1 of Fusarium graminearum regulates vegetative differentiation,
      multiple stress response, and virulence via the cell wall integrity and high
      osmolarity glycerol signaling pathways.
AB  - Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases play crucial roles in regulating fungal
      development, growth and pathogenicity, and in responses to the environment. In
      this study, we characterized a MAP kinase kinase FgMkk1 in Fusarium graminearum,
      the causal agent of wheat head blight. Phenotypic analyses of the FgMKK1 mutant
      (DeltaFgMKK1) showed that FgMkk1 is involved in the regulation of hyphal growth,
      pigmentation, conidiation, deoxynivalenol biosynthesis and virulence of F.
      graminearum. DeltaFgMKK1 also showed increased sensitivity to cell wall-damaging
      agents, and to osmotic and oxidative stresses, but exhibited decreased
      sensitivity to the fungicides iprodione and fludioxonil. In addition, the mutant
      revealed increased sensitivity to a biocontrol agent, Trichoderma atroviride.
      Western blot assays revealed that FgMkk1 positively regulates phosphorylation of
      the MAP kinases Mgv1 and FgOs-2, the key component in the cell wall integrity
      (CWI) and high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) signalling pathway respectively. Yeast
      two-hybrid assay indicated that Mgv1 interacts with a transcription factor
      FgRlm1. The FgRLM1 mutant (DeltaFgRLM1) showed increased sensitivity to cell wall
      damaging agents and exhibited decreased virulence. Taken together, our data
      indicated that FgMkk1 is an upstream component of Mgv1, and regulates vegetative
      differentiation, multiple stress response and virulence via the CWI and HOG
      signalling pathways. FgRlm1 may be a downstream component of Mgv1 in the CWI
      pathway in F. graminearum. 

PMID- 24237707
TI  - Investigating the effects of conscientiousness on daily stress, affect and
      physical symptom processes: a daily diary study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Higher conscientiousness (C) predicts better health outcomes. Recent
      research suggests that stress may play an important role in explaining this
      relationship. The current study aimed to establish whether C moderates the
      relationship between daily hassle appraisals, daily affect, and physical
      symptoms. DESIGN AND METHODS: A daily diary design was used, where participants
      (N = 103) completed a baseline measure of C followed by a 14-day daily diary,
      providing daily details of hassles (primary and secondary appraisals) experienced
      as well as positive and negative affect and physical symptoms. RESULTS:
      Hierarchical linear modelling revealed that Total C (as well as two facets of C:
      Order and Industriousness) moderated the relationship between stress appraisals
      and positive affect. Specifically, the negative association between the daily
      appraisal of hassles as stressful (i.e., where perceived demands outweighed
      perceived resources) and positive affect was stronger for lower and average
      levels of C, Order, and Industriousness. No significant moderated effects were
      found for negative affect or physical symptoms. The Order facet was also found to
      be an important factor predicting attrition. CONCLUSIONS: The current study
      provided evidence that C and two of its facets can moderate the relationship
      between hassle appraisal and positive affect. C may exert part of its influence
      on health by modifying the effects of daily stressors. STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTION:
      What is already known on this subject? Conscientiousness has a significant
      positive effect on longevity and health status. While the performance of health
      behaviours may partially account for this relationship, evidence suggests that it
      does not fully mediate the effect. Research has begun to look at stress as a
      possible additional explanatory variable, and there is evidence that
      Conscientiousness moderates the relationship between stress and health
      behaviours. What does this study add? Shows that Conscientiousness and two of its
      facets (Order and Industriousness) moderate the relationship between hassle
      appraisal and positive affect. Highlights the importance of studying lower order
      facets of personality in health research. Suggests that Conscientiousness may
      exert part of its influence on health by modifying the effects of daily
      stressors.

PMID- 24237708
TI  - The effect of RFC G80A polymorphism in Cretan children with acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia and its interaction with MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The association between the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia
      (ALL) in children and enzymes involved in the folate metabolism has been under
      investigation lately. The reduced folate carrier gene (RFC) encodes reduced
      folate carrier, a protein that transports into the cell both folate and
      methotrexate, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug, has been proved polymorphic
      at position 80 (G->A). The role of this polymorphism in childhood ALL and its
      interaction with other enzymes of the folate metabolic pathway, including MTHFR,
      has been examined in different populations with diverse results. METHODS: In the
      present case-control study, 35 children with ALL and 48 healthy adult blood
      donors, all originating from the island of Crete (Greece), were screened for the
      presence of the RFC G80A polymorphism, using PCR/RFLP techniques. The effect on
      ALL risk and methotrexate-induced toxicities, along with the role of gene-gene
      interactions in our population, were examined. RESULTS: No significant
      association was observed between the RFC G80A genotypes and either the
      development of ALL or the presence of adverse events. However, a significant
      association was detected between the MTHFR A1298C/ RFC G80A genotype and a
      nonpredisposition for ALL (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that gene
      gene interactions in childhood ALL may be of prognostic value in our population.

PMID- 24237710
TI  - Diversity characterization and association analysis of agronomic traits in a
      Chinese peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) mini-core collection.
AB  - Association mapping is a powerful approach for exploring the molecular basis of
      phenotypic variations in plants. A peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) mini-core
      collection in China comprising 298 accessions was genotyped using 109 simple
      sequence repeat (SSR) markers, which identified 554 SSR alleles and phenotyped
      for 15 agronomic traits in three different environments, exhibiting abundant
      genetic and phenotypic diversity within the panel. A model-based structure
      analysis assigned all accessions to three groups. Most of the accessions had the
      relative kinship of less than 0.05, indicating that there were no or weak
      relationships between accessions of the mini-core collection. For 15 agronomic
      traits in the peanut panel, generally the Q + K model exhibited the best
      performance to eliminate the false associated positives compared to the Q model
      and the general linear model-simple model. In total, 89 SSR alleles were
      identified to be associated with 15 agronomic traits of three environments by the
      Q + K model-based association analysis. Of these, eight alleles were repeatedly
      detected in two or three environments, and 15 alleles were commonly detected to
      be associated with multiple agronomic traits. Simple sequence repeat allelic
      effects confirmed significant differences between different genotypes of these
      repeatedly detected markers. Our results demonstrate the great potential of
      integrating the association analysis and marker-assisted breeding by utilizing
      the peanut mini-core collection. 

PMID- 24237709
TI  - Increased leg blood flow and improved femoral artery shear patterns in metabolic
      syndrome after a diet and exercise programme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Altered vascular shear profiles may contribute to the development of
      atherosclerosis. Physical activity promotes anti-atherogenic shear patterns,
      resulting in reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Adults with metabolic syndrome
      (MetSyn) are at increased risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular
      disease. Thus, we hypothesized that conduit artery antegrade shear rate (ASR)
      would increase and retrograde shear rate (RSR) and oscillatory shear indices
      (OSI) would decrease in MetSyn patients (n = 16, 51 +/- 2 years) after
      participation in a diet and exercise programme (DEP). METHODS: Blood flow
      (Doppler ultrasound, brachial and femoral arteries) was measured, and shear rates
      were calculated in MetSyn patients before and after 12 weeks of DEP
      participation. In addition, plasma samples were collected to measure atherogenic
      markers. RESULTS: Diet and exercise programme participation increased resting leg
      blood flow and femoral artery ASR (P <= 0.05), and tended to decrease OSI (P =
      0.09); RSR did not change (P>0.05). No changes in resting arm blood flow or ASR
      were observed (P>0.05), and both RSR and OSI increased after participation
      (P<=0.05). DEP participation reduced plasma vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM)
      1 (P = 0.03), with a trend for reduced intercellular cell adhesion molecule(ICAM)
      1 (P = 0.09) (i.e. atherogenic markers). CONCLUSION: Modest changes in diet and
      physical activity result in limb-specific improvements in vascular shear profiles
      and reduced systemic markers of atherosclerotic risk in MetSyn patients. These
      data provide novel physiologic insight into adaptations that may limit the
      progression of atherosclerosis in patients with MetSyn.

PMID- 24237711
TI  - Calculating risks: the power and pitfalls of registry data.
AB  - COMMENTARY ON: Schoenfeld AJ, Carey PA, Cleveland AW III, et al. Patient factors,
      comorbidities, and surgical characteristics that increase mortality and
      complication risk after spinal arthrodesis: a prognostic study based on 5,887
      patients. Spine J 2013;13:1171-79 (in this issue).

PMID- 24237712
TI  - End-plate measurements as early markers of disc degeneration and herniation.

PMID- 24237713
TI  - Fouladi responds.

PMID- 24237714
TI  - Comparison of encapsulated versus nonencapsulated (14) C-urea breath test for the
      detection of Helicobacter pylori infection: a scintigraphy study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: (14) C-urea breath test ((14) C-UBT) is considered as "gold
      standard" for detection of active gastric H. pylori infection. However, till date
      no comparative study using encapsulated and non-encapsulated (14) C-UBT protocols
      has been conducted in same subjects in identical conditions. We monitored gastric
      fate of capsule containing (14) C-urea with real time display and compared
      sensitivities of these protocols at different time points of breath collection.
      METHODS: Non-encapsulated (14) C-UBT was performed using 74 kBq of (14) C-urea in
      100 dyspeptic patients by collecting breath samples at 10, 15 and 20 minutes.
      Thereafter, within 2 days a gelatin capsule containing (14) C-urea along with 6.0
      MBq of (99m) Tc-diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid was administered to each
      patient for real time display of capsule movement and its fate in
      gastrointestinal tract by gamma camera. Simultaneously, breath samples were
      collected for (14) CO2 measurement during image acquisition. RESULTS: Employing
      non-encapsulated (14) C-UBT, 74 out of 100 dyspeptic patients were found to be H.
      pylori positive. Discordant (14) C-UBT results were obtained in 4/74 (5.4%) cases
      using these two protocols. By employing encapsulated and nonencapsulated (14) C
      UBT protocols, sensitivities of (14) C-UBT were found to be 90.5 versus 98.6% at
      10 and 91.8 versus 97.2% at 15 minutes respectively; while these were 94.6 versus
      100, 90.7 versus 98.6 and 83.7 versus 93.2% considering any one, two or all three
      positive values respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Incomplete/non-resolution of (14) C
      urea capsule in stomach during the phase of breath collections appears to
      decrease sensitivity of encapsulated (14) C-UBT as compared to nonencapsulated
      protocol for detection of H. pylori infection.

PMID- 24237715
TI  - Ultrastructural morphogenesis of an amphibian iridovirus isolated from Chinese
      giant salamander (Andrias davidianus).
AB  - Haemorrhagic disease of Chinese giant salamanders (Andrias davidianus) (CGSs) is
      an emerging condition caused by an iridovirus of the genus Ranavirus within the
      family Iridoviridae. Several studies have described different biological
      properties of the virus, but some aspects of its replication cycle, including
      ultrastructural alterations, remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to
      describe the morphogenesis of Chinese giant salamander iridovirus (GSIV) in an
      epithelioma papulosum cyprinid (EPC) cell line at the ultrastructural level.
      Cells were infected with GSIV at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10 and
      examined at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 84 and 96 h post infection. GSIV entered
      EPC cells by endocytosis or fusion after adsorption to the cell membrane.
      Following uncoating, the viral cores translocated to the nucleus and the virus
      began to replicate. Different stages of virus self-assembly were observed in the
      slightly electron-lucent viromatrix near the cell nucleus. In the late phase of
      virus infection, most nucleocapsids were mature and formed a typical icosahedral
      shape and aggregated in pseudocrystalline array at the viromatrix or were budding
      at the plasma membrane. Virus infection was readily detected by electron
      microscopy before cytopathic effect appeared in cell culture. The EPC cell line
      represents a suitable in-vitro model for study of GSIV morphogenesis and
      characterization of the GSIV replication cycle.

PMID- 24237716
TI  - The integrated evaluation of the results of oncoplastic surgery for locally
      advanced breast cancer.
AB  - The optimal surgical management of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) remains
      undefined. The aim of the study was to obtain long-term results of oncoplastic
      surgery in terms of overall survival, loco-regional recurrence, and quality of
      life in case of LABC. Prospective cohort study enrolled 60 patients with stage
      III breast cancer. Forty-two (70%) patients received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy,
      28 patients were considered suitable for surgery as initial treatment option.
      Type II oncoplastic surgery was performed for all patients: hemimastectomy and
      breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap - for 29 (48.3%), lumpectomy -
      31 (51.7%), and reconstruction with subaxillary flap for four (6.7%), with
      bilateral reduction mammoplasty - 14 (23.3%) and with J-plastic - 13 (21.7%)
      patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy followed surgery for all,
      except one, patients. Sequential radiotherapy was administered for all patients.
      The mean period of follow-up was 86 months. Postoperative morbidity rate was 5%.
      Local-regional recurrence was detected in six (10%) patients. After reoperation
      no local relapse was diagnosed. However, three of these patients had systemic
      dissemination of the disease. Distant metastasis was detected in 23 (38.3%)
      patients. Distant metastasis-free survival at 5 years was 61.7%. Fourteen
      patients died (23.3%). A total of 87.2% of the patients had good and excellent
      esthetic outcome. Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery can be proposed for
      selected patients with LABC with acceptable complication, local recurrence rate,
      and good esthetic results.

PMID- 24237717
TI  - Is muscle strength ratio a criterion for diagnosis of site-specific muscle loss?
AB  - AIM: Recently, data have questioned the homogenous model of sarcopenia, and
      suggest that the loss of muscle mass could occur in a site-specific manner. It is
      unclear, however, whether a muscle strength ratio can be used to assess age
      related, site-specific muscle loss. The purpose of the present study was to
      investigate the relationship between the age-related loss of thigh muscle, muscle
      function and gait performance. METHODS: A total of 55 men aged 18-79 years had
      muscle thickness (MTH) measured by ultrasound at three sites on the anterior (30%
      and 50% of thigh length) and posterior (70% of thigh length) aspects of the
      thigh. MTH ratios were calculated to assess the site-specific muscle loss
      (anterior 30% : posterior 70% MTH [A30:P70] and anterior 50% :posterior 70% MTH
      [A50:P70]). Walking performance, maximum isometric knee extension/flexion, toe
      grasping and handgrip strength were measured. RESULTS: Age was inversely
      correlated with the ratios of A30:P70 (r=-0.332) and A50:P70 (r=-0.466). There
      were no significant correlations between the A30:P70 and A50:P70 ratios, and
      height and bodyweight. The A30 : P70 and A50 : P70 ratios were also not
      correlated with maximal walking speed. However, the A50:P70 ratio was
      significantly correlated with zig-zag walking (r=-0.350) and handgrip strength
      (r=0.334). In addition, these MTH ratios were also correlated with knee extension
      (r=0.309 and r=0.405), flexion (r=0.306 and r=0.412) and toe-grasping strength
      (r=0.265 and r=0.336). After adjusting for physical activity, the MTH ratios were
      still not correlated with ratio of muscle strength. CONCLUSION: Strength ratios
      did not correlate with MTH ratios. Our cross-sectional analysis suggests that age
      related site-specific muscle loss could assess the decrease in absolute muscular
      strength, but not the ratio of muscle strength.

PMID- 24237718
TI  - Effectiveness of a parental training programme in enhancing the parent-child
      relationship and reducing harsh parenting practices and parental stress in
      preparing children for their transition to primary school: a randomised
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Entering primary school is an important childhood milestone, marking
      the beginning of a child's formal education. Yet the change creates a time of
      vulnerability for the child, the parents and the parent-child relationship.
      Failure to adjust to the transition may place the family in a psychologically
      devastating position. The aims of this study were to test the effectiveness of a
      parental training programme in enhancing the parent-child relationship and
      decreasing parental stress by reducing harsh parenting in preparing children for
      the transition to primary school. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial
      incorporating a two-group pre-test and repeated post-test was conducted in one of
      the largest public housing estates in Hong Kong. A total of 142 parents were
      recruited, with 72 parents randomly assigned to the experimental group and 70 to
      the control group. Harsh parenting practices, parent-child relationships and
      parental stress were assessed. RESULTS: In comparison to parents in the control
      group, those in the experimental group engaged in less harsh parenting practices
      and reported better parent-child relationships. However, parental stress scores
      did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study
      addressed a gap in the literature by examining the effectiveness of the training
      programme for enhancing parent-child relationship and decreasing parental stress
      at the time of a child's transition to primary school. The findings from this
      study provide empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the parental training
      programme and highlight the significance of parenting in promoting a smooth
      transition for children from kindergarten to primary 1. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01845948.

PMID- 24237719
TI  - Ordered mesoporous silica prepared by quiescent interfacial growth method -
      effects of reaction chemistry.
AB  - Acidic interfacial growth can provide a number of industrially important
      mesoporous silica morphologies including fibers, spheres, and other rich shapes.
      Studying the reaction chemistry under quiescent (no mixing) conditions is
      important for understanding and for the production of the desired shapes. The
      focus of this work is to understand the effect of a number of previously untested
      conditions: acid type (HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4), acid content, silica precursor type
      (TBOS and TEOS), and surfactant type (CTAB, Tween 20, and Tween 80) on the shape
      and structure of products formed under quiescent two-phase interfacial
      configuration. Results show that the quiescent growth is typically slow due to
      the absence of mixing. The whole process of product formation and pore
      structuring becomes limited by the slow interfacial diffusion of silica source.
      TBOS-CTAB-HCl was the typical combination to produce fibers with high order in
      the interfacial region. The use of other acids (HNO3 and H2SO4), a less
      hydrophobic silica source (TEOS), and/or a neutral surfactant (Tweens) facilitate
      diffusion and homogenous supply of silica source into the bulk phase and give
      spheres and gyroids with low mesoporous order. The results suggest two distinct
      regions for silica growth (interfacial region and bulk region) in which the rate
      of solvent evaporation and local concentration affect the speed and dimension of
      growth. A combined mechanism for the interfacial bulk growth of mesoporous silica
      under quiescent conditions is proposed. 

PMID- 24237720
TI  - Causes and outcomes of asymptomatic gross haematuria in children.
AB  - AIM: Although asymptomatic gross haematuria (GHU) is relatively common in
      children, its causes and clinical outcomes are not clearly defined. METHODS:
      Children with asymptomatic GHU were examined and work-up was performed. Patients
      with recurrent GHU with proteinuria, or significant proteinuria, were considered
      for renal biopsy. RESULTS: The male : female ratio of all patients was 190:75,
      and the median age at onset of GHU was 6.4 years. Patients were grouped according
      to abnormalities on initial evaluation as follows: idiopathic (50%), proteinuria
      (21%), hypercalciuria (14%), sonographic abnormality (7%), hypocomplementaemia
      (4%), familial (3%), and bleeding tendency (2%). Of patients with idiopathic GHU,
      38% had a single episode, and of these, 34% had persistent microscopic
      haematuria, which resolved on follow-up. Late onset proteinuria was accompanied
      in 11% of patients with recurrent GHU. Nutcracker syndrome was diagnosed in one
      patient with recurrent idiopathic GHU. Of patients with recurrent GHU, 89% had no
      proteinuria on follow-up, and GHU and microscopic haematuria resolved in 97% and
      89%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our work-up protocol was useful for diagnosis and
      follow-up planning. Asymptomatic GHU in children was most commonly the idiopathic
      form. Overall, long-term prognosis appears to be benign; however, careful follow
      up is essential.

PMID- 24237721
TI  - When genes move farther than offspring: gene flow by male gamete dispersal in the
      highly philopatric bat species Thyroptera tricolor.
AB  - For species characterized by philopatry of both sexes, mate selection represents
      an important behaviour for inbreeding avoidance, yet the implications for gene
      flow are rarely quantified. Here, we present evidence of male gamete-mediated
      gene flow resulting from extra-group mating in Spix's disc-winged bat, Thyroptera
      tricolor, a species which demonstrates all-offspring philopatry. We used
      microsatellite and capture-recapture data to characterize social group structure
      and the distribution of mated pairs at two sites in southwestern Costa Rica over
      four breeding seasons. Relatedness and genetic spatial autocorrelation analyses
      indicated strong kinship within groups and over short distances (<50 m),
      resulting from matrilineal group structure and small roosting home ranges (~0.2
      ha). Despite high relatedness among-group members, observed inbreeding
      coefficients were low (FIS  = 0.010 and 0.037). Parentage analysis indicated
      mothers and offspring belonged to the same social group, while fathers belonged
      to different groups, separated by large distances (~500 m) when compared to
      roosting home ranges. Simulated random mating indicated mate choice was not based
      on intermediate levels of relatedness, and mated pairs were less related than
      adults within social groups on average. Isolation-by-distance (IBD) models of
      genetic neighbourhood area based on father-offspring distances provided direct
      estimates of mean gamete dispersal distances (r^) > 10 roosting home range
      equivalents. Indirect estimates based on genetic distance provided even larger
      estimates of r^, indicating direct estimates were biased low. These results
      suggest extra-group mating reduces the incidence of inbreeding in T. tricolor,
      and male gamete dispersal facilitates gene flow in lieu of natal dispersal of
      young. 

PMID- 24237722
TI  - Improvement of peripheral nerve defects using a silicone conduit filled with
      hepatocyte growth factor.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess local effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on
      peripheral nerve repair in a rat sciatic nerve transection model. STUDY DESIGN:
      Sixty male, healthy, white Wistar rats were randomized into 4 experimental
      groups: In the sham-operated group, sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. In
      the transected control group, the left sciatic nerve was transected. In the
      silicone graft group (SIL), a 10-mm defect was made and bridged using a silicone
      tube. The graft was filled with phosphate-buffered saline in the SIL group and
      with HGF in the SIL/HGF group. RESULTS: Behavioral testing, sciatic nerve
      functional study, gastrocnemius muscle mass measurement, and morphometric indices
      found earlier regeneration of axons in the SIL/HGF than in the SIL group (P <
      .05). Immunohistochemical study clearly found more positive location of reactions
      to S-100 in the SIL/HGF group than in the SIL group. CONCLUSIONS: HGF may have
      clinical implications for the surgical management of patients after facial nerve
      transection.

PMID- 24237723
TI  - SAPHO (synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis): a multidisciplinary
      approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to suggest a model for inquiry and treatment
      of patients with undiagnosed multiple inflammatory reactions. STUDY DESIGN: A
      retrospective study was performed using 43 patient records from patients with
      chronic osteomyelitis of the jaw, treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Clinic at
      Sodersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden. The diagnoses primary chronic osteomyelitis
      (PCO) or secondary chronic osteomyelitis (SCO) were eventually made, according to
      symptoms and course of disease. RESULTS: A total of 85% of the PCO patients
      fulfilled the criteria of the disorder SAPHO (synovitis-acne-pustulosis
      hyperostosis-osteitis). The difficulty of settling on the diagnosis, as well as
      the length and diversity of treatment, was extreme. After treatments became
      multidisciplinary, time between diagnosis and cure was halved. CONCLUSIONS: In
      order to improve diagnostics and treatment of patients with chronic inflammatory
      disease of the jaw, a structured plan for examination and treatment is proposed.

PMID- 24237724
TI  - Efficacy of aloe vera gel as an adjuvant treatment of oral submucous fibrosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Definitive therapy is not defined for the management of oral submucous
      fibrosis (OSMF). This study evaluated the efficacy of aloe vera gel as an
      adjuvant treatment of OSMF. STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled,
      parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 subjects with OSMF
      divided into medicinal treatment (submucosal injection of hyaluronidase and
      dexamethasone, n = 30) and surgical treatment (n = 30) categories. Each category
      was randomly divided into groups A (with aloe vera, n = 15 per category) and B
      (without aloe vera, n = 15 per category). Follow-up assessment for various
      symptoms was performed, and results were analyzed using paired and unpaired
      Student t tests. RESULTS: The group receiving aloe vera had a significant
      improvement in most symptoms of OSMF (P < .01) compared with the non-aloe vera
      group, in both the medicinal and surgical categories. CONCLUSIONS: Aloe vera gel
      was effective as an adjuvant in treatment of OSMF.

PMID- 24237725
TI  - Expression and localization of osteopontin, homing cell adhesion molecule/CD44,
      and integrin alphavbeta3 in pleomorphic adenoma, polymorphous low-grade
      adenocarcinoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Osteopontin (OPN) plays a role in tumor progression. This study aimed
      to determine the expression of OPN, CD44, and integrin alphavbeta3 in pleomorphic
      adenoma (PA), polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA), and adenoid cystic
      carcinoma (ACC). STUDY DESIGN: Immunohistochemistry was used to semiquantify the
      level of expression of OPN and its receptors in normal salivary glands (NSG; n =
      20), PA (n = 20), PLGA (n = 16), and ACC (n = 22). RESULTS: OPN expression was
      increased in PLGA and intermediate-/high-grade ACC compared with PA and NSG
      (median scores, 6, 5, 4, and 4, respectively). CD44 expression was reduced in PA,
      PLGA, and ACC. OPN expression levels were moderately correlated with CD44 in
      PLGA. Integrin alphavbeta3 was not expressed in PA and ACC and was seen in only 1
      case of PLGA. CONCLUSIONS: OPN is expressed in salivary gland tumors but does not
      correlate well with CD44 and alphavbeta3.

PMID- 24237726
TI  - Oral mucosa optical biopsy by a novel handheld fluorescent confocal microscope
      specifically developed: technologic improvements and future prospects.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This pilot study evaluated the baseline effectiveness of a novel
      handheld fluorescent confocal microscope (FCM) specifically developed for oral
      mucosa imaging and compared the results with the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Four
      different oral sites (covering the mucosa of the lip and of the ventral tongue,
      the masticatory mucosa of the gingiva, and the specialized mucosa of the dorsal
      tongue) in 6 healthy nonsmokers were imaged by an FCM made up of a confocal
      fiberoptic probe ergonomically designed for in vivo oral examination, using light
      at the wavelength of 457 nm able to excite the fluorophore acriflavine
      hydrochloride, topically administered. In total, 24 mucosal areas were examined.
      RESULTS: The FCM was able to distinctly define epithelial cells, bacterial
      plaque, and inflammatory cells and to image submucosal structures by detecting
      their intrinsic fluorescence. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with other devices, this
      FCM allowed the user to image each oral site at higher magnification, thus
      resulting in a clearer view.

PMID- 24237727
TI  - Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT): a clinicopathologic and
      immunohistochemical study and comparison with dental follicles containing CEOT
      like areas.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and scanning
      electron microscopic features of 19 cases of calcifying epithelial odontogenic
      tumor (CEOT) in comparison to 4 cases of dental follicles containing CEOT-like
      areas (DF-CEOT). STUDY DESIGN: A collaborative Latin American retrospective
      study. RESULTS: CEOT and DF-CEOT showed a slight predilection for females, mostly
      affecting the posterior mandible. CEOTs were classified as epithelium-rich (8
      cases), amyloid-rich (4), and calcification-rich (3), and 4 cases showed similar
      proportion of the 3 components. DF-CEOTs contained odontogenic epithelium,
      amyloid, calcification, and clear cells. Epithelial cells were positive for
      cytokeratins CK5 and CK19, E-cadherin, and syndecan 1 (CD138), and focally for
      amyloid A. In CEOT, amyloid was positive for CD138 and amyloid A, and
      calcification for CK5, CD138, and amyloid A. In DF-CEOT, calcification was
      positive for amyloid A. CEOT showed higher Ki-67 protein and minichromosome
      maintenance complex component 2 (MCM-2) labeling indices than did DF-CEOT. In
      scanning electron microscopy, CEOT calcified material resembled bone in the 3
      cases classified as calcification-rich. CONCLUSIONS: CEOT and DF-CEOT showed
      histomorphologic and immunohistochemical similarities, and the histogenetic
      significance of these features should be further studied.

PMID- 24237728
TI  - Movement of the patient and the cone beam computed tomography scanner: objectives
      and possible solutions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed (1) to determine whether scanner arm rotation causes
      significant movement of the head restraint and (2) to measure patient movement
      and its variation during the scan. STUDY DESIGN: The iCAT scanner and a high
      speed camera were used. The 40 patients were divided into 2 groups: the open-eyed
      group and the blindfolded group. RESULTS: The mean level of head restraint
      movement was 0.130 mm, with a significantly higher level at the beginning,
      probably owing to the accelerating arm. Mean movement of patients was 1.135 mm
      and 1.119 mm in the open-eyed and blindfolded groups, respectively. Patient
      movement was also significantly higher at the beginning of the scan, when noise
      and vibrations are likely to surprise the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Patient
      instruction and a dry-run scan should be done by clinicians. Manufacturers should
      consider separating the seat and head restraint from the rest of the scanner to
      avoid vibration transfer.

PMID- 24237729
TI  - Evaluation of image quality parameters of representative intraoral digital
      radiographic systems.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare imaging properties of 20
      intraoral digital systems objectively. STUDY DESIGN: Using a direct current x-ray
      source and a radiographic phantom, a series of radiographs was made from the
      lowest exposure time until the sensor saturated. Images were captured and stored.
      Incident exposures were measured using a radiation meter. Gray scale, spatial
      resolution, and contrast/detail detectability were evaluated. Presence of 7
      distinct steps spanning the gray levels from 0 to 255 was used to define the
      exposure latitude. An "optimal" exposure, the lowest exposure where maximum
      spatial resolution and contrast/detail detectability were achieved, was
      determined. RESULTS: The systems varied greatly in latitude, "optimal" exposure,
      and image quality. This may not be readily apparent to the naked eye or when
      clinical images are compared. CONCLUSIONS: Objective assessment of image quality
      with a quality assurance tool makes it possible to evaluate and compare the
      various intraoral digital systems.

PMID- 24237730
TI  - Angina presenting as orofacial pain: a case report.

PMID- 24237731
TI  - Characterization and management of exfoliative cheilitis: a single-center
      experience.
AB  - Exfoliative cheilitis (EC) is a rare inflammatory condition affecting the
      vermilion of the lips and characterized by production of a thick keratin scale.
      Given the limited available data, the approach to optimal management of EC
      remains unclear. The objective of this retrospective study was to characterize
      the clinical features, management, and outcomes of a series of patients with EC.
      Fifteen patients with a median age of 59 years and a female-to-male ratio of 2:1
      were diagnosed with EC from 2000 to 2010. Parafunctional lip licking (53%) and a
      history of psychiatric disorders (40%) were common. Ten patients (66%) returned
      for follow-up, with an overall response rate (partial or complete) of 80% at a
      median of 2 months, most frequently associated with the use of topical
      calcineurin inhibitors or moisturizing agents. Management of EC with topical
      calcineurin inhibitors and moisturizing agents is associated with clinical
      improvement, but prospective trials are needed. 

PMID- 24237732
TI  - Evaluation of the literature: evidence assessment tools for clinicians.
AB  - The progressive improvement in the quality of scientific articles has led to an
      increase in difficulty in reading and interpreting them so that now clinical
      knowledge and experience must be complemented by methodological, statistical and
      computer skills. The aim of this article is to offer practitioners the tools, the
      simplest keys, that will allow them to understand and critically judge the
      results of scientific studies. The "peer-review" process of a clinical article
      submitted to a journal is described and the Science Citation Index and the Impact
      Factor are presented to the reader as essential instruments to evaluate a
      specific article's impact and the impact of a given journal on the scientific
      world, respectively. An article should be evaluated on the basis of some key
      issues which include, at least, an assessment of methodological aspects, a
      critical analysis of the statistical component and a proper understanding of the
      clinical impact of the study outcomes. The standard approach for evaluating the
      quality of individual studies is based on a hierarchical grading system of
      research design which represents an essential tool to identify the strength of
      the evidence of an article. Many different biases may affect the reliability of
      study results. Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) and Systematic Reviews (SRs) are
      able to minimize the number of biases and thus are at the highest level of the
      scale of evidence representing the final steps of a treatment's "career."
      Finally, moving from research to clinical practice, attention on the clinical
      impact of study's outcomes is of paramount importance as the literature contains
      studies (including RCTs) that present statistically significant results but
      which, from the clinical standpoint, are only relatively or not at all
      significant. Clinical Practice Guidelines represent a useful tool for
      practitioners assisting the decision-making process when choosing the most
      appropriate treatment for their patients. 

PMID- 24237733
TI  - Evidence supports the impact of smoking cessation protocols in periodontal
      therapy.

PMID- 24237734
TI  - An evaluation of a systematic review for dysphagia in head/neck cancer.

PMID- 24237735
TI  - Low-fluoride toothpastes may not lead to dental fluorosis but may not control
      caries development. Standard fluoride toothpastes can control caries development
      but may lead to dental fluorosis.

PMID- 24237736
TI  - Clinical oral examinations may not be predictive of dysplasia or oral squamous
      cell carcinoma.

PMID- 24237737
TI  - Pregnancy is associated with various degrees of increased gingival inflammation
      in healthy women.

PMID- 24237738
TI  - Coronally advanced flaps (CAF) plus connective tissue graft (CTG) is the gold
      standard for treatment of Miller class I and II gingival defects.

PMID- 24237739
TI  - Behavioral interventions may reduce dental anxiety and increase acceptance of
      dental treatment in dentally fearful adults.

PMID- 24237740
TI  - Dentists who participate in a practice-based research network may adopt less
      invasive approaches to treating dental caries.

PMID- 24237741
TI  - Replacement of dental restorations in patients with subjective health impairment
      has limited effect on self-reported changes of health.

PMID- 24237742
TI  - The re-establishment of a papilla may be difficult when there is no tooth
      involved in the implant-borne fixed restorations of the anterior maxilla.

PMID- 24237743
TI  - 10- and 20-percent benzocaine gels are effective for the temporary relief of
      toothache and are well-tolerated.

PMID- 24237744
TI  - Visual screening for oral cancer may reduce oral cancer mortality in high-risk
      adult populations through early diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 24237745
TI  - The efficacy of fluoride on root caries progression may be dose-dependent.

PMID- 24237746
TI  - Smoking is an independent risk factor for the development of oral candidiasis
      (OC) in HIV-1 infected persons.

PMID- 24237747
TI  - Patients with both oral leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis had a higher rate
      of malignant transformation compared to patients with oral leukoplakia or oral
      submucous fibrosis alone.

PMID- 24237748
TI  - Middle-aged (45 to 64 years) persons may have different factors associated with
      root caries than older adults (>= 65).

PMID- 24237749
TI  - Predictors of hyperlactataemia among children presenting with malaria in a low
      transmission area in The Gambia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyperlactataemia and metabolic acidosis are important risk factors
      for malaria death, but measuring lactate at the point of care is not financially
      viable in many resource-poor settings. This study aimed to identify combinations
      of routinely available parameters that could identify children at high risk of
      hyperlactataemia. METHODS: Using data from a study of Gambian children aged six
      months to 16 years with severe or uncomplicated malaria, logistic regression
      modelling with a forward stepwise model selection process was used to develop a
      predictive model for hyperlactataemia from routinely available demographic,
      clinical and laboratory parameters. Potential predictors of hyperlactataemia
      considered for the modelling process were patient characteristics (age, sex,
      prior use of anti-malarials, and weight percentile for age), respiratory symptoms
      (deep breathing, irregular respiration, use of accessory muscles of respiration,
      lung crepitations, grunting respiration, cough, and age-specific respiratory
      rate), other clinical parameters recorded at presentation (duration of symptoms,
      Blantyre coma score, number of convulsions prior to admission, axillary
      temperature, dehydration, severe prostration, splenomegaly) and laboratory
      measures from blood tests (percentage parasitaemia, white cell count, lymphocyte
      count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, platelet count, haemoglobin level, blood
      glucose level). RESULTS: 495 children were included, and 68 (14%) had laboratory
      confirmed hyperlactataemia (lactate > 7 mmol/L). Four features were independently
      associated with increased hyperlactataemia risk in a multivariable age- and sex
      adjusted model: lower Blantyre score (odds ratio (OR) compared to score 5 = 2.68
      (95% CI, 1.03-6.96) for score 3-4 and 6.18 (95% CI, 2.24-17.07) for score 0-2, p
      = 0.001), higher percentage parasitaemia (OR = 1.07 (1.03-1.11) per 0031%
      increase, p < 0.001), high respiratory rate for age (OR = 3.09 (1.50-6.38) per
      unit increase, p = 0.002), and deep breathing (OR = 2.81 (1.20-6.60), p = 0.02).
      Cross-validated predictions from the final model achieved area under the receiver
      operating characteristic curve of 0.83. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified
      predictors of hyperlactataemia requiring only simple bedside clinical examination
      and blood film examination that can be carried out in resource-limited settings
      to quickly identify children at risk of dangerously raised lactate. A simple
      spreadsheet tool implementing the final model is supplied as supplementary
      material.

PMID- 24237750
TI  - The automation of routine light transmission platelet aggregation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The investigation of platelet function by aggregometry requires
      specialist equipment and is labour intensive. We have developed an automated
      platelet aggregation method on a routine coagulation analyser. METHODS: We used a
      CS-2000i (Sysmex) with prototype software to perform aggregation in platelet-rich
      plasma (PRP), using the following agonists: ADP (0.5-10 MUm), epinephrine (0.5-10
      MUm), collagen (0.5-10 mg/MUL), ristocetin (0.75-1.25 mg/mL) and arachidonic acid
      (0.12-1.0 mm). Platelet agonists were from Hyphen Biomed, and an AggRAM
      aggregometer (Helena Biosciences) was used as the reference instrument. RESULTS:
      CS-2000i reaction cuvette stirrer speed was found to influence reaction
      sensitivity and was optimized to 800 rpm. There were no clinically significant
      changes in aggregation response when the PRP platelet count was 150-480 x 10(9)
      /L, but below this there were changes in the maximum amplitude (MA) and slope
      (rate). Dose response with each of the agonists was comparable between CS-2000i
      and an AggRAM aggregometer and normal subjects receiving antiplatelet drugs.
      Aggregation imprecision was similar on both the CS-2000i and AggRAM systems, with
      a cv for 2-5 MUm ADP MA and slope varying between 3-12%. CONCLUSION: Our
      preliminary studies indicated that optimal sensitivity using the CS-2000i was
      obtained with a reaction cuvette stirrer speed of 800 rpm and a PRP platelet
      count of 200-300 x 10(9) /L; aggregation with a PRP count <100 x 10(9) /L showed
      poor sensitivity. Imprecision and detection of antiplatelet drug effects was
      similar between the CS-2000i and AggRAM. These data demonstrate that CS-2000i is
      comparable to a stand-alone aggregometer, although CS-2000i has the advantages of
      walk-away technology and also required a smaller sample volume than the AggRAM
      (44% less).

PMID- 24237751
TI  - Is topical zinc effective in the treatment of melasma? A double-blind randomized
      comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Zinc plays a role in skin health, and preliminary data
      have shown its beneficial effects for melasma. We compared the effect of topical
      zinc with that of hydroquinone as the standard treatment on severity of melasma.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-three women with melasma were randomized to receive
      zinc sulfate 10% or hydroquinone 4% solutions once daily for 2 months. They were
      followed for an additional 3 months while using sunscreen. The severity of
      melasma was assessed at baseline and at 2 and 5 months using the Melasma Area and
      Severity Index (MASI). RESULTS: Eighty-two patients completed the study. The MASI
      score fell significantly in both groups, but a greater decrease was seen in those
      who received hydroquinone (43.5 +/- 15.5% vs 18.6 +/- 20.8%, p < .001).
      Postinflammatory pigmentation occurred in 5.2% of the zinc group and irritation
      in 30.9% of the hydroquinone group. CONCLUSION: Topical zinc therapy is not
      highly effective in reducing the severity of melasma, but further trials are
      needed to determine whether adding zinc to current topical treatments could
      improve treatment response.

PMID- 24237752
TI  - The effect of individual education on patients' physical activity capacity after
      myocardial infarction.
AB  - The present study aims to determine the effects of individual education and
      counselling given to first-time myocardial infarction patients, including its
      effect on compliance with treatment. The sample comprised 90 patients, 45 in the
      intervention and 45 in the control group, selected by sequential sampling from
      first-time myocardial infarction patients. Data were collected between April and
      November 2008 by means of patient information form, International Physical
      Activity Questionnaire, 6 min walk test, Modified Borg Scale, Morisky Medication
      Adherence Scale and Canadian Cardiovascular Society Angina Grade Classification.
      In the intervention group more improvement was observed in comparison with the
      control group in terms of frequency of physical activity, body mass index and
      waist circumference. It was observed that the intervention group's metabolic
      equivalent of task values and 6 min walk test distance increased more in
      comparison with the control group 3 months after baseline, and there was a
      statistically significant difference. The results indicated that individual
      education and counselling provided to patients having experienced acute
      myocardial infarction increased functional capacity by providing patients with
      advice on how to lose weight and by improving compliance with treatment through
      physical activity behaviours (frequency and duration). 

PMID- 24237754
TI  - Management of the endoplasmic reticulum stress by activation of the heat shock
      response in yeast.
AB  - In yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, accumulation of misfolded proteins in the
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes ER stress and activates the unfolded protein
      response (UPR), which is mediated by Hac1p. The heat shock response (HSR)
      mediated by Hsf1p, mainly regulates cytosolic processes and protects the cell
      from stresses. Here, we find that a constitutive activation of the HSR could
      increase ER stress resistance in both wild-type and UPR-deficient cells.
      Activation of HSR decreased UPR activation in the WT (as shown by the decreased
      HAC1 mRNA splicing). We analyzed the genome-wide transcriptional response in
      order to propose regulatory mechanisms that govern the interplay between UPR and
      HSR and followed up for the hypotheses by experiments in vivo and in vitro.
      Interestingly, we found that the regulation of ER stress response via HSR is (1)
      only partially dependent on over-expression of Kar2p (ER resident chaperone
      induced by ER stress); (2) does not involve the increase in protein turnover via
      the proteasome activity; (3) is related to the oxidative stress response. From
      the transcription data, we also propose that HSR enhances ER stress resistance
      mainly through facilitation of protein folding and secretion. We also find that
      HSR coordinates multiple stress-response pathways, including the repression of
      the overall transcription and translation. 

PMID- 24237755
TI  - Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and chemotherapy-related tumor
      marker expression in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The chemotherapy resistance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      remains a clinic challenge and is closely associated with several biomarkers
      including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ( Drugs 72(Suppl 1):28-36,
      012.), p53 ( Med Sci Monit 11(6):HY11-HY20, 2005.) and excision repair cross
      complementing gene 1 (ERCC1) ( J Thorac Oncol 8(5):582-586, 2013.).
      Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is the best non
      invasive surrogate for tumor biology with the maximal standardized uptake values
      (SUVmax) being the most important paradigm. However, there are limited data
      correlating FDG-PET with the chemotherapy resistant tumor markers. The purpose of
      this study was to determine the correlation of chemotherapy related tumor marker
      expression with FDG-PET SUVmax in NSCLC. METHODS: FDG-PET SUVmax was calculated
      in chemotherapy naive patients with NSCLC (n=62) and immunohistochemical analysis
      was performed for EGFR, p53 or ERCC1 on the intraoperative NSCLC tissues. Each
      tumor marker was assessed independently by two pathologists using common grading
      criteria. The SUVmax difference based on the histologic characteristics, gender,
      differentiation, grading and age as well as correlation analysis among these
      parameters were performed. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was further
      performed to determine the primary predictor for SUVmax and the receiver
      operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to detect the
      optimized sensitivity and specificity for SUVmax in suggesting chemotherapy
      resistant tumor markers. RESULTS: The significant tumor type (P=0.045),
      differentiation (P=0.021), p53 (P=0.000) or ERCC1 (P=0.033) positivity dependent
      differences of SUVmax values were observed. The tumor differentiation is
      significantly correlated with SUVmax (R=-0.327), tumor size (R=-0.286), grading
      (R=-0.499), gender (R=0.286) as well as the expression levels for p53 (R= -0.605)
      and ERCC1 (R=-0.644). The expression level of p53 is significantly correlated
      with SUVmax (R=0.508) and grading (R=0.321). Furthermore, multiple stepwise
      regression analysis revealed that p53 expression was the primary predictor for
      SUVmax. When the cut-off value of SUVmax was set at 5.15 in the ROC curve
      analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of SUVmax in suggesting p53 positive
      NSCLC were 79.5% and 47.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests
      that SUVmax of primary tumor on FDG-PET might be a simple and good non-invasive
      method for predicting p53-related chemotherapy resistance in NSCLC when we set
      the cu-off value of SUVmax at 5.15.

PMID- 24237757
TI  - Metabolic cost of locomotion during treadmill walking with blood flow
      restriction.
AB  - We explored whether interval walking with blood flow restriction (BFR) increases
      net metabolic cost of locomotion in healthy young men at their optimal walking
      speed. We also determined whether decreased walking economy resulting from BFR
      might be accompanied by an increase in ventilation relative to VO2 and VCO2 .
      Finally, we examined possible relationships between the changes in ratings of
      perceived exertion (RPE) and those obtained in minute ventilation (VE ) during
      walking with BFR. Eighteen healthy men (age: 22.5 +/- 3.4 years) performed graded
      treadmill exercise to assess VO2max . In a randomized fashion, participants also
      performed five bouts of 3-min treadmill exercise with and without BFR at their
      optimal walking speed. Walking with BFR elicited an overall increase in net VO2
      (10.4%) compared with that seen in the non-BFR condition (P<0.05). The
      participants also demonstrated greater VE and VE /VO2 values while walking with
      BFR (P<0.05). Conversely, VE /VCO2 was similar between conditions at each walking
      bout. We found no significant correlation between the changes in VE and RPE
      induced by walking with BFR (r = 0.38, P>0.05). Our results indicate that (i) BFR
      decreases net walking economy in healthy young men, even at their optimal walking
      speed; (ii) heightened ventilatory drive may explain a small proportion of BFR
      effects on walking economy; and (iii) the ventilatory responses to BFR walking
      may be largely independent of changes in perceived exertion and are likely
      matched to the flux of CO2 between muscles and respiratory centres.

PMID- 24237756
TI  - A study based on records taken at time of hoof trimming reveals a strong
      association between the IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1)
      gene and sole hemorrhage in Holstein cattle.
AB  - Feet and leg problems have a major effect on the well-being and lifespan of the
      dairy cow and thus are economically important to the dairy farmer. Apart from
      approaches using genetic selection for classical traits from conformation
      scoring, attempts for genetic improvement can be based either on records of
      individual disease cases or on records of disorder status at time of hoof
      trimming. In this study, 1,962 first-lactation cows were subjected to hoof
      trimming with an assessment of disorder status for sole hemorrhage as a binary
      trait. Cows were from 7 large commercial herds in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
      (northeastern Germany) that had similar housing with cubicles, slatted flooring,
      little use of straw for bedding, and total mixed ration feeding. Cows were
      trimmed and assessed once, focusing on cows in the first half of the lactation.
      Herds were visited at intervals to enable recording of cohorts at a similar stage
      of lactation. Each cohort or herd-visit included between 31 and 165 cows.
      Additional measurements included body weight, back fat thickness, and body
      condition at time of trimming. Further data on dairy production, conformation
      scores, and reproductive performance were merged after collection of records had
      finished. The DNA extracted from blood of 1,183 cows was used for analysis with a
      custom-made array of 384 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The SNP were
      selected according to results from the literature for effects in classical
      conformation traits, from biochemical pathway analysis, and from comparative
      analysis of putative candidate genes in cattle, pigs, and sheep. Selection of
      cohorts of cows for SNP chip analysis was such that cohorts with extreme
      frequencies of disorders and cohorts with slightly deviating housing systems were
      excluded in this first step. The results from a mixed threshold model analysis
      with genotype included as a fixed effect and accounting for relationships among
      animals revealed that the intronic SNP rs29017173 (A/G) within the IQ motif
      containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1, Bos taurus autosome 21) was
      significantly associated with disorder status. Back-transformed means of disorder
      status for the 3 genotypes were 0.37 (AA), 0.52 (AG), and 0.56 (GG). Using the
      full data set of 1,962 cows, including the less-suitable cohorts, gave back
      transformed means of 0.51 (AA), 0.58 (AG), and 0.62 (GG). As SNP rs29017173 is
      included on the Illumina BovineSNP50 DNA Analysis BeadChip (Illumina Inc., San
      Diego, CA), a sample of 2,394 artificial insemination sires from the German
      calibration sample for genomic selection from birth years 1998 to 2003 was
      studied for possible correlated effects. The A/G polymorphism of SNP rs29017173
      studied here was also associated with substantial effects for feet and leg traits
      from the classical conformation score system. Selection using this polymorphism
      will be facilitated by the fact that the same allele is favored for all traits
      with substantial effects. 

PMID- 24237758
TI  - Impact of structural heart disease on the acute complication rate in atrial
      fibrillation ablation: results from the German Ablation Registry.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Catheter ablation (CA) has emerged as a widespread therapeutic
      option in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Currently, no safety data
      with regard to the impact of the underlying structural heart diseases (SHD) are
      available. We sought to assess the risk for acute and long-term complications
      during CA of AF in relation to underlying SHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included
      6,211 patients in a prospective registry undergoing CA of AF in 41 nationwide
      centers. All patients were divided into 4 groups according to the underlying
      heart disease: No SHD (69.4%), hypertensive heart disease (HHD) (12.0%), coronary
      artery disease (CAD) (15.1%), and cardiomyopathy (CM) (3.6%). In univariate
      analysis, patients with HHD had an overall complication rate of 7.28%, whereas
      patients without an SHD had a significantly lower rate of 6.01% (P < 0.01).
      Multivariate analysis revealed that HHD (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.97 [95%
      confidence interval (CI): 1.02-3.83], P = 0.0442) and age (years; OR: 1.04 [95%
      CI: 1.01-1.07], P = 0.0155) were independent predictors of severe, nonfatal
      complications and death. Other SHD including CAD (OR: 1.48 (0.73-3.00), P =
      0.2797) and CM (OR: 2.37 [0.70-7.99], P = 0.1630) failed to reach statistical
      significance. Male sex was protective (OR: 0.47 [95% CI: 0.27-0.81], P = 0.0062).
      CONCLUSION: In general, CA of AF has a low number of severe complications. In our
      prospective registry HHD emerged as an independent predictor of severe, nonfatal
      complications during AF ablation but other SHD including CAD and CM did not. The
      influence of HHD on the complication rate should be considered in patient
      selection.

PMID- 24237759
TI  - Mini-Mental State Examination subscores indicate visuomotor deficits in
      Alzheimer's disease patients: A cross-sectional study in a Dutch population.
AB  - AIM: In diagnostics of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the Mini-Mental State
      Examination (MMSE) questionnaire is frequently used to test cognitive decline.
      The final subtest of the MMSE, in which patients have to copy two interlocking
      pentagons, tests a variety of visuomotor functions. Recent imaging studies
      suggest that visuomotor function could decline in early stage AD, as a result of
      degeneration of the brain networks involved. The goal of the present study was to
      compare memory and visuomotor function in AD patients, reflected by the MMSE
      subscores for orientation, recall and interlocking pentagons. METHODS: The MMSE
      subscores for orientation, recall and interlocking pentagons of 125 AD patients
      was extracted from their medical history. Patients were divided into three groups
      based on disease duration. Using related-samples Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, the
      performance between subtests using normalized subscores was compared within each
      group. RESULTS: In all three groups, the subscores of recall and interlocking
      pentagons were significantly lower than orientation. No differences were found
      between the subscores of recall and interlocking pentagons. CONCLUSIONS: The
      presented data suggest that memory function and visuomotor function are equally
      impaired in the present study population. This could indicate that visuomotor
      dysfunction might be a more important clinical feature of AD than is currently
      assumed. This knowledge can be used to develop new tests and markers for AD
      reflecting deficits in visuomotor functions, such as quantification of eye and
      hand movements.

PMID- 24237760
TI  - Identification accuracy and diversity reproducibility associated with internal
      transcribed spacer-based fungal taxonomic library preparation.
AB  - This study investigated analytical parameters that are inherently relevant to
      identifying and quantifying fungal communities based on polymerase chain reaction
      amplicons. Specifically, we evaluated the accuracy of the BLASTn-based
      identification for internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences generated from
      pure cultures, and quantified the reproducibility of relative abundances as well
      as alpha and beta diversity measurements using duplicated environmental samples.
      The BLASTn-based method produced accurate fungal identification for the pure
      culture sequences at the genus rank. Percentages of the sequences assigned to
      correct genera were 99.8%, 99.8% and 99.9% for Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium
      cladosporioides and Epicoccum nigrum respectively. These fractions were smaller
      for Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium chrysogenum, which have dual
      nomenclatures or sibling species that are indistinguishable by ITS sequences. Our
      duplicate environmental analyses demonstrated that alpha diversity and relative
      abundance levels were reproducible (r(2)  > 0.9), that variability decreases with
      increased sequence quantity, and that the differences in distinct environmental
      samples were larger than differences in replicate samples (beta diversity). These
      results serve to better characterize the identification and quantification limits
      of ITS-based fungal taxonomic studies, and demonstrate that while diversity
      quantification is reproducible, limitations in ITS-based taxonomic identification
      and dual nomenclature conventions are current barriers to identification
      accuracy. 

PMID- 24237761
TI  - Why mosaic? Gene expression profiling of African cassava mosaic virus-infected
      cassava reveals the effect of chlorophyll degradation on symptom development.
AB  - Cassava mosaic disease, caused by cassava begomoviruses, is the most serious
      disease for cassava in Africa. However, the pathogenesis of this disease is
      poorly understood. We employed high throughput digital gene expression profiling
      based on the Illumina Solexa sequencing technology to investigate the global
      transcriptional response of cassava to African cassava mosaic virus infection. We
      found that 3,210 genes were differentially expressed in virus-infected cassava
      leaves. Gene ontology term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway
      analysis indicated that genes implicated in photosynthesis were most affected,
      consistent with the chlorotic symptoms observed in infected leaves. The
      upregulation of chlorophyll degradation genes, including the genes encoding
      chlorophyllase, pheophytinase, and pheophorbide a oxygenase, and downregulation
      of genes encoding the major apoproteins in light-harvesting complex II were
      confirmed by qRT-PCR. These findings, together with the reduction of chlorophyll
      b content and fewer grana stacks in the infected leaf cells, reveal that the
      degradation of chlorophyll plays an important role in African cassava mosaic
      virus symptom development. This study will provide a road map for future
      investigations into viral pathogenesis. 

PMID- 24237762
TI  - PFAPA syndrome: clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in a large single
      centre cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to describe clinical and laboratory features and
      disease outcome in a single-centre cohort of patients with PFAPA syndrome
      (Periodic Fever, Aphtous stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenitis) and to test
      performance of diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms. METHODS: Patients
      fulfilling criteria were selected from the fever clinic population. Prospective
      follow-up together with recruitment of newly diagnosed patients followed pre
      defined guidelines. Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms and definitions of
      outcome and therapy response were formulated. Paired blood samples during febrile
      and afebrile periods were compared. RESULTS: Out of 176 patients referred for
      suspected periodic fever 125 children fulfilled criteria. Their age at onset was
      23 months, median episode duration 3.5 days at 4-week intervals. Fever was
      associated with pharyngitis (91%), cervical adenitis (78%) and aphtae (41%).
      Among therapeutic options, episodic prednisone proved to be the most common first
      line treatment. Administered to 77 patients, it reduced symptoms in 94%.
      Tonsillectomy led to the full symptom resolution in all 18 patients. Forty-six
      patients reached disease remission. CONCLUSIONS: Distribution of typical
      symptoms, response to therapies and disease outcome in a large patient cohort
      were documented. We offer diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms that have proven
      effective during this prospective trial. Our findings support the general belief
      of benign nature of this aetiologically unclear condition, despite proportion of
      patients having persistent disease for years. Maintenance of normal findings in
      afebrile intervals, striking response to a single dose of prednisone and normal
      growth and development together with spontaneous tendency towards prolongation of
      afebrile intervals are important confirmatory features of PFAPA syndrome.

PMID- 24237763
TI  - Expression of calgranulin A/B heterodimer after acute inhalation of endotoxin:
      proteomic approach and validation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The acute inhalation of endotoxin mimicks several aspects of the
      inflammation related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of
      the current study was to identify and to validate biomarkers of endotoxin-induced
      airways' inflammation. METHODS: The cellular count in the induced-sputum, was
      measured before and after an inhalation of 20 mcg endotoxin, in 8 healthy
      volunteers. A proteomic analysis was applied to identify the more relevant
      proteins expression, before measurement by ELISA. The amplitude and the
      repeatability of the markers were evaluated among another population of 12
      healthy subjects. RESULTS: There was a significant rise of viable cells (p
      <0.01), macrophages (p <0.05), and neutrophils (p <0.02) 24 hours after endotoxin
      inhalation, and of neutrophils (p <0.02) and lymphocytes (p <0.05) at 6 hours.
      Among the highest amplitude responses, the two dimensional electrophoretic
      separation shown proteolytic activity and overexpression of protein spots. By
      MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, the last were identified as calgranulin A and B. The
      expression of the bioactive A/B heterodimeric complex was confirmed by ELISA both
      in the sputum (p <0.01) and at the blood level (p <0.01). The intra-subject
      repeatability of the sputum calgranulin A/B was highly significant (p <0.0001).
      CONCLUSION: In healthy subjects, the inhalation of endotoxin induced expression
      of sputum calgranulin A/B that could be a biomarker of the endotoxin
      response/exposure.

PMID- 24237765
TI  - The dynamical study of O(1D) + HCl(v = 0, j = 0) reaction at hyperthermal
      collision energies.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: The quasi-classical trajectory calculations for O(1D) + HCl -> OH +
      Cl (R1) and O(1D) + HCl -> ClO + H (R2) reactions have been performed at
      hyperthermal collision energies (60.0, 90.0, and 120.0 kal/mol) on the 1A' state.
      Reaction probabilities and integral cross sections are calculated. The product
      rotational distributions for the two channels, and the product rotational
      alignment parameters are investigated. Also, the alignment and the orientation of
      the products have been predicted through the angular distribution functions
      (concerning the initial/final velocity vector, and the product rotational angular
      momentum vector). To have a deeper understanding of the natures of the vector
      correlation between reagent and product relative velocities, a natural
      generalization of the differential cross section __PDDCS00, is calculated.
      RESULTS: The OH + Cl channel is the main product channel and is observed to have
      essentially isotropic rotational distributions. The ClO + H channel is found to
      be clearly rotationally polarized. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamical, especially the
      stereodynamical characters are quite different for the two channels of the title
      reaction. Most reactions occur directly, except for R2 reaction at the collision
      energies of 60.0 and 120.0 kcal/mol. The alignment and orientation effects are
      weak/strong for R1/R2 reaction. The well structure on the potential energy
      surface and hyperthermal collision energies might result in the dynamical
      effects.

PMID- 24237764
TI  - Association of resting heart rate with cardiovascular function: a cross-sectional
      study in 522 Finnish subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High resting heart rate (HR) is associated with increased
      cardiovascular risk in general populations, possibly due to elevated blood
      pressure (BP) or sympathetic over-activity. We studied the association of resting
      HR with cardiovascular function, and examined whether the hemodynamics remained
      similar during passive head-up tilt. METHODS: Hemodynamics were recorded using
      whole-body impedance cardiography and continuous radial pulse wave analysis in
      522 subjects (age 20-72 years, 261 males) without medication influencing HR or
      BP, or diagnosed diabetes, coronary artery, renal, peripheral arterial, or
      cerebrovascular disease. Correlations were calculated, and results analysed
      according to resting HR tertiles. RESULTS: Higher resting HR was associated with
      elevated systolic and diastolic BP, lower stroke volume but higher cardiac output
      and work, and lower systemic vascular resistance, both supine and upright (p <
      0.05 for all). Subjects with higher HR also showed lower supine and upright
      aortic pulse pressure and augmentation index, and increased resting pulse wave
      velocity (p < 0.001). Upright stroke volume decreased less in subjects with
      highest resting HR (p < 0.05), and cardiac output decreased less in subjects with
      lowest resting HR (p < 0.009), but clear hemodynamic differences between the
      tertiles persisted both supine and upright. CONCLUSIONS: Supine and upright
      hemodynamic profile associated with higher resting HR is characterized by higher
      cardiac output and lower systemic vascular resistance. Higher resting HR was
      associated with reduced central wave reflection, in spite of elevated BP and
      arterial stiffness. The increased cardiac workload, higher BP and arterial
      stiffness, may explain why higher HR is associated with less favourable prognosis
      in populations.

PMID- 24237766
TI  - Use of vital wheat gluten in aquaculture feeds.
AB  - SUMMARY: In aquaculture, when alternative protein sources of Fish Meal (FM) in
      diets are investigated, Plant Proteins (PP) can be used. Among them, Vital Wheat
      Gluten (VWG) is a proteinaceous material obtained from wheat after starch
      extraction. "It is mainly composed of two types of proteins, gliadins and
      glutenins, which confer specific visco-elasticity that's to say ability to form a
      network providing suitable binding. This will lead to specific technological
      properties that are notably relevant to extruded feeds". Besides these
      properties, VWG is a high-protein ingredient with an interesting amino-acid
      profile. Whereas it is rather low in lysine, it contains more sulfur amino acids
      than other PP sources and it is high in glutamine, which is known to improve gut
      health and modulate immunity. VWG is a protein source with one of the highest
      nitrogen digestibility due to a lack of protease inhibitor activity and to the
      lenient process used to make the product. By this way, addition of VWG in diet
      does not adversely affect growth performance in many fish species, even at a high
      level, and may secure high PP level diets that can induce health damages.

PMID- 24237768
TI  - Sharps injuries and reporting practices of U.S. dermatologists.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sharps injuries pose considerable risk to physicians. We examined
      prevalence and rates of reporting of sharps injuries of dermatologists and
      dermatology trainees, focusing on motivations for and barriers to reporting. We
      identified types of procedures carrying highest risk. OBJECTIVE: To characterize
      the factors influencing sharps injuries and reporting practices. METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: Current dermatology residents, fellows, and practicing dermatologists
      were surveyed using an anonymous electronic survey regarding needlestick
      injuries. RESULTS: Of 336 dermatologist respondents (26.5% response rate
      [336/1,268]), 286 (85.1%) reported having had a sharps injury; 116 (40.6%) had
      occurred within the past year. Sixty-eight injuries occurred during surgery
      (58.6%), and 106 were perceived to be self-inflicted (91.4%). Physicians most
      likely to report recent sharps injuries were trainees (26/41, 63.4%),
      dermatologic surgeons (24/64, 37.5%), and medical dermatologists (3/11, 27.3%).
      One hundred eighty-three (64%) respondents reported having ever had a sharps
      injury that went unreported. Dermatologists at academic institutions were more
      likely to report injuries than those in solo (odds ratio [OR] = 2.97, P = .23) or
      group (OR=2.29, P < .001) practice. CONCLUSIONS: Sharps injuries are common among
      dermatologists. Underreporting is common and places providers and patients at
      risk of blood-borne illnesses.

PMID- 24237767
TI  - Protein detection through different platforms of immuno-loop-mediated isothermal
      amplification.
AB  - Different immunoassay-based methods have been devised to detect protein targets.
      These methods have some challenges that make them inefficient for assaying ultra
      low-amounted proteins. ELISA, iPCR, iRCA, and iNASBA are the common immunoassay
      based methods of protein detection, each of which has specific and common
      technical challenges making it necessary to introduce a novel method in order to
      avoid their problems for detection of target proteins. Here we propose a new
      method nominated as 'immuno-loop-mediated isothermal amplification' or 'iLAMP'.
      This new method is free from the problems of the previous methods and has
      significant advantages over them. In this paper we also offer various
      configurations in order to improve the applicability of this method in real-world
      sample analyses. Important potential applications of this method are stated as
      well. 

PMID- 24237769
TI  - Innocuous peripheral nerve stimulation shifts stimulus-response function of
      painful laser stimulation in man.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Electrical peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is discussed as an
      effective neuromodulatory treatment in chronic pain. This human experimental
      study hypothesized a rightward shift of stimulus-response function as a marker of
      antinociceptive and analgesic PNS effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Innocuous
      electrical PNS of the left superficial radial nerve trunk evoked paresthesia on
      the left hand dorsum in 29 healthy volunteers. In this innervation area, laser
      stimulation was performed before, during, and after PNS. Ten different laser
      intensities ranging between perception and tolerance thresholds were applied.
      Cortical laser-evoked potentials (LEP) were recorded, and perceptual ratings were
      documented. Data were analyzed in low, medium, and high laser intensity
      categories. Stimulus-response functions were calculated. Laser detection and pain
      thresholds were interpolated. RESULTS: Interpolated laser thresholds after
      logarithmic regression were not different from measured thresholds. Laser pain
      threshold increased during and after PNS. LEP amplitude decreased at medium and
      high intensities under PNS. Ratings transiently decreased during PNS at medium
      and high laser intensities. CONCLUSIONS: Modulation of laser pain threshold,
      perceptual ratings, and LEP indicates a rightward shift of stimulus-response
      function under PNS. These data emphasize antinociceptive and analgesic effects of
      PNS in an experimental human model and support its clinical neuromodulative
      relevance.

PMID- 24237770
TI  - Fast in vitro methods to determine the speed of action and the stage-specificity
      of anti-malarials in Plasmodium falciparum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent whole cell in vitro screening campaigns identified thousands
      of compounds that are active against asexual blood stages of Plasmodium
      falciparum at submicromolar concentrations. These hits have been made available
      to the public, providing many novel chemical starting points for anti-malarial
      drug discovery programmes. Knowing which of these hits are fast-acting compounds
      is of great interest. Firstly, a fast action will ensure rapid relief of symptoms
      for the patient. Secondly, by rapidly reducing the parasitaemia, this could
      minimize the occurrence of mutations leading to new drug resistance mechanisms.An
      in vitro assay that provides information about the speed of action of test
      compounds has been developed by researchers at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in Spain.
      This assay also provides an in vitro measure for the ratio between parasitaemia
      at the onset of drug treatment and after one intra-erythrocytic cycle (parasite
      reduction ratio, PRR). Both parameters are needed to determine in vitro killing
      rates of anti-malarial compounds. A drawback of the killing rate assay is that it
      takes a month to obtain first results. METHODS: The approach described in the
      present study is focused only on the speed of action of anti-malarials. This has
      the advantage that initial results can be achieved within 4-7 working days, which
      helps to distinguish between fast and slow-acting compounds relatively quickly.
      It is expected that this new assay can be used as a filter in the early drug
      discovery phase, which will reduce the number of compounds progressing to
      secondary, more time-consuming assays like the killing rate assay. RESULTS: The
      speed of action of a selection of seven anti-malarial compounds was measured with
      two independent experimental procedures using modifications of the standard
      [3H]hypoxanthine incorporation assay. Depending on the outcome of both assays,
      the tested compounds were classified as either fast or non-fast-acting.
      CONCLUSION: The results obtained for the anti-malarials chloroquine, artesunate,
      atovaquone, and pyrimethamine are consistent with previous observations,
      suggesting the methodology is a valid way to rapidly identify fast-acting anti
      malarial compounds. Another advantage of the approach is its ability to
      discriminate between static or cidal compound effects.

PMID- 24237771
TI  - Dantrolene suppresses ventricular ectopy and arrhythmogenicity with acute
      myocardial infarction in a langendorff-perfused pacing-induced heart failure
      rabbit model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Dantrolene prevents arrhythmogenic Ca(2+) release during heart
      failure (HF). However, direct evidence to support its antiarrhythmic effects in
      failing hearts with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is lacking. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: HF was induced by right ventricular pacing (312 beats/min, 4 weeks) in
      19 rabbits. AMI was induced by coronary artery ligation in rabbits surviving
      chronic pacing (n = 17). The hearts were quickly excised and Langendorff-perfused
      for simultaneous membrane potential and intracellular Ca(2+) (Cai ) optical
      mapping when ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred or 4 hours after AMI. The VF
      inducibility was defined as the ability to provoke sustained VF (>2 minutes) by
      pacing. Dantrolene (10 MUM) was administered after baseline studies. Spontaneous
      VF occurred in 5 rabbits (SVF group). The ventricular premature beat (VPB) burden
      was significantly higher in the SVF group than the non-SVF group (P < 0.05).
      Dantrolene suppressed VPB burden (P = 0.03) and prolonged action potential
      duration (APD; P < 0.05) to reduce VF inducibility (P < 0.05). However,
      dantrolene shortened immediate postshock APD50 even if VF storm was suppressed.
      CONCLUSION: In failing hearts with AMI, VPB burden plays a pivotal role in SVF
      occurrence. Dantrolene suppresses VPBs and/or prolongs repolarization to inhibit
      spontaneous VF and reduce VF inducibility.

PMID- 24237772
TI  - Emergency department bane--dental pain used to obtain narcotics.

PMID- 24237773
TI  - Segmental alveolar split combined with dental extractions and osteotome sinus
      floor intrusion in posterior maxilla using BMP-2/ACS allograft for alveolar
      reconstruction: technical note and report of three cases.
AB  - The present report is of 3 patients who underwent a new technique for the
      posterior maxilla. After multiple dental extractions, the segment's alveolar was
      split to widen it, and the sinus floor was intruded using an osteotome to
      lengthen the alveolar height and then grafted with a bone morphogenetic protein
      2/absorbable allograft without primary wound closure. Implant placement occurred
      4 months later, followed by prosthetic restoration. 

PMID- 24237774
TI  - Zygomatic surface marker-assisted surgical navigation: a new computer-assisted
      navigation method for accurate treatment of delayed zygomatic fractures.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe a new method of zygomatic surface marker navigation to treat
      delayed unilateral zygomatic fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The computed
      tomography (CT) data for 6 patients were obtained before surgery and imported
      into the surgical planning software. After 3-dimensional (3D) construction and
      segmentation, 3D cylindrical-shaped objects in stereolithographic format were
      placed in position and merged with the data from the fractured segments to mark
      the area for surface reduction. Data from the unaffected side were used to guide
      the reduction data for the segments with markers. During surgery, the surface
      markers were marked by drilling holes in the fractured bones in a process guided
      by the surgical navigation plan established before osteotomy. The segments were
      then reduced to the predetermined places using the positions of the hole markers
      as guides. 3D image comparisons and axial CT measurements were used to evaluate
      navigation accuracy and bone symmetry. RESULTS: Six patients with unilateral
      delayed zygomatic fractures were treated using this approach. The mean deviation
      between the postoperative 3D images and the reduction navigation plan for the 6
      patients was +1.24 mm and -1.4 mm. The mean width deviation between the affected
      and unaffected sides was 1.28 mm, and the mean eminence deviation was 1.22 mm.
      All patients were followed up for at least 3 months and experienced no obvious
      complications. CONCLUSIONS: Zygomatic surface marker-assisted surgical navigation
      can simplify the navigation planning for surgery and avoid the complex protocols
      needed to create the surgical templates. The navigation accuracy was acceptable,
      and all 6 patients obtained good facial symmetry.

PMID- 24237775
TI  - Craniofacial approaches and reconstruction in skull base surgery: techniques for
      the oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
AB  - Skull base surgery (SBS) is considered the standard of care in treating benign
      and malignant lesions of the cranial base. SBS is a multidisciplinary team
      approach used to treat these complex lesions that may have intracranial
      extension. SBS can be broken down into 3 steps. Transfacial access is performed,
      followed by resection with sound oncologic principles, and then reconstruction of
      the cranial base and facial structures. Functional and esthetic concerns must be
      addressed by the surgeons. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons frequently perform
      elective facial osteotomies and treat victims of cranial base trauma. These same
      principles can be applied to SBS as a part of the skull base team. 

PMID- 24237776
TI  - A paradigm shift in orthognathic surgery? A comparison of navigation, computer
      aided designed/computer-aided manufactured splints, and "classic" intermaxillary
      splints to surgical transfer of virtual orthognathic planning.
AB  - PURPOSE: Advances in computers and imaging have permitted the adoption of 3
      dimensional (3D) virtual planning protocols in orthognathic surgery, which may
      allow a paradigm shift when the virtual planning can be transferred properly. The
      purpose of this investigation was to compare the versatility and precision of
      innovative computer-aided designed and computer-aided manufactured (CAD/CAM)
      surgical splints, intraoperative navigation, and "classic" intermaxillary
      occlusal splints for surgical transfer of virtual orthognathic planning. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: The protocols consisted of maxillofacial imaging, diagnosis, virtual
      orthognathic planning, and surgical planning transfer using newly designed
      CAD/CAM splints (approach A), navigation (approach B), and intermaxillary
      occlusal splints (approach C). In this prospective observational study, all
      patients underwent bimaxillary osteotomy. Eight patients were treated using
      approach A, 10 using approach B, and 12 using approach C. These techniques were
      evaluated by applying 13 hard and 7 soft tissue parameters to compare the virtual
      orthognathic planning (T0) with the postoperative result (T1) using 3D
      cephalometry and image fusion (DeltaT1 vs T0). RESULTS: The highest precision
      (DeltaT1 vs T0) for the maxillary planning transfer was observed with CAD/CAM
      splints (<0.23 mm; P > .05) followed by surgical "waferless" navigation (<0.61
      mm, P < .05) and classic intermaxillary occlusal splints (<1.1 mm; P < .05). Only
      the innovative CAD/CAM splints kept the condyles in their central position in the
      temporomandibular joint. However, no technique enables a precise prediction of
      the mandible and soft tissue. CONCLUSIONS: CAD/CAM splints and surgical
      navigation provide a reliable, innovative, and precise approach for the transfer
      of virtual orthognathic planning. These computer-assisted techniques may offer an
      alternate approach to the use of classic intermaxillary occlusal splints.

PMID- 24237777
TI  - Comparing cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive and conventional subcuticular skin
      sutures for maxillofacial incisions--a prospective randomized trial considering
      closure time, wound morbidity, and cosmetic outcome.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare octyl-2-cyanoacrylate (2-OCA) tissue adhesive with
      subcuticular suture for the closure of incisions in the maxillofacial region to
      determine 1) whether it is faster than traditional subcuticular suturing, 2)
      whether the number and length of incisions affect closure time, 3) wound
      morbidity, 4) patient satisfaction outcome, and 5) cosmetic outcome. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: In a prospective randomized clinical trial, 29 patients were allocated
      to 1 of 2 groups for the closure of skin incisions using 2-OCA or conventional
      subcuticular skin sutures. Postoperative follow-up evaluated wound healing at 5
      to 10 days and at 3 months. Assessment of cosmetic outcome was performed by a
      plastic surgeon using a modified Hollander Wound Evaluation Scale and a validated
      visual analog scale. Comparisons between groups were performed using the Student
      t test and chi(2) test. RESULTS: Twenty incisions in 14 patients were closed with
      2-OCA and 20 incisions in 15 patients were closed with subcuticular sutures. Mean
      time of closure was significantly (P < .005) faster with 2-OCA at 69.50 +/- 33.39
      seconds compared with 379.00 +/- 75.39 seconds in the suture group. There was no
      significant difference in wound complications between the 2 groups; also, there
      was no significant difference in patient satisfaction and cosmetic outcome of
      scars at the 3-month follow-up between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: 2-OCA tissue
      adhesive is an excellent alternative to sutures for effective, reliable, and
      faster skin closure of maxillofacial incisions.

PMID- 24237778
TI  - Frontal meningioma incidentally detected in the routine preoperative assessment
      of tongue cancer: a case report and literature review.
AB  - Recent advances in diagnostic tools, such as computed tomography and magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI), have provided clinicians with the opportunity to detect
      asymptomatic meningiomas. This report describes a case of frontal convexity
      meningioma detected incidentally at MRI during the preoperative assessment of
      tongue cancer. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this case report is the
      first regarding the successful treatment of tongue cancer in a patient with
      incidental meningioma. The incidence, perioperative management, and various
      imaging tests to detect meningiomas are discussed, with a review of the
      literature. 

PMID- 24237779
TI  - Large carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland: a case report and
      review of literature.
AB  - Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is one of the most common benign tumors of the parotid
      gland. PA usually grows slowly and is painless. Surgery is necessary for treating
      PA. Facial palsy, salivary fistula, and Frey syndrome have been reported as
      complications of tumor resection. PA can transform into a carcinoma ex
      pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) over time and as it enlarges. This report describes a
      case of a large CXPA that transformed from a PA that had developed over 17 years
      and caused withdrawal from social contact because fear of surgery made the
      patient refuse treatment. The tumor gradually enlarged without any pain for a
      decade, but rapid growth and bleeding began a year before admission.
      Postoperative facial function and local control of the tumor were excellent, but
      the patient required adjuvant chemotherapy for lung and mediastinum lymph node
      metastasis leading to dyspnea from tracheal stenosis. This case indicates the
      importance of adequate explanation and advice when choosing therapy for PA,
      especially given the risk of a PA transforming to a CXPA. 

PMID- 24237780
TI  - Conventional treatment after myocardial infarction in routine clinical practice
      results in regression of left common carotid intima-media thickness.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the effect of standard medical treatment on the
      progression of atherosclerosis after a myocardial infarction, in an ordinary
      clinical setting, by measuring the right and left common carotid intima-media
      thickness (IMT). The first investigation took place 3-12 months after the index
      event; the second took place 3.3-8.2 years after the first. In both
      investigations, the right and left carotid arteries of 102 patients were examined
      with an ultrasound duplex scanner. Common carotid IMT and calculated cross
      sectional intima-media area (cIMa) were measured on both sides. More than 90% of
      the patients were treated with aspirin, beta-blockers and statins. In the first
      investigation, IMT and cIMa were significantly greater on the left side compared
      to the right (IMT: 0.83 +/- 0.22 and 0.74 +/- 0.18 mm, P<0.001; cIMa: 18.2 +/-
      5.2 and 16.3 +/- 5.1 mm(2) , P<0.001). In the second investigation, IMT on the
      left side was significantly reduced compared to the first investigation (0.79 +/-
      0.22 and 0.83 +/- 0.22 mm, P<0.05) with a corresponding tendency towards a
      decrease in cIMa on the same side. In our study, conventional medical treatment
      after a myocardial infarction in ordinary clinical routines resulted in
      regression of the common carotid IMT on the left side. The significant side
      difference in IMT emphasizes the importance of where and how the carotid IMT is
      measured in studies using this surrogate end point.

PMID- 24237781
TI  - Evaluation of the fully automated hematological analyzer Mindray BC 6800:
      comparison with Horiba ABX Pentra DX120.

PMID- 24237785
TI  - Review of contributions from HDSSs to research in sexual and reproductive health
      in low- and middle-income countries.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contributions of the INDEPTH Network of health and
      demographic surveillance system (HDSS) members to research efforts and
      interventions on reproductive health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
      METHODS: Review of peer-reviewed published papers on sexual and reproductive
      health (SRH) that use the HDSS framework through (i) an online search for
      publications using terminology related to HDSS, HIV, Maternal health, adolescent
      sexual and reproductive health, family planning/contraceptives and fertility, and
      (ii) asking INDEPTH member centres for information on their published papers on
      SRH publications that used the HDSS framework. A paper was included in the review
      only if it used HDSS data, dealt with SRH issues, and had been published in a
      peer-reviewed international journal. RESULTS: Most of the papers in the review
      focused on HIV, maternal health, family planning and adolescent sexual and
      reproductive health (ASRH). Generally, people are knowledgeable about HIV. School
      attendance considerably delays entry into motherhood and reduces the probability
      of entering into early marriage or sexual union. The general decline in maternal
      mortality over the last decade is partly due to better access to emergency
      obstetric services, improved education of women and reduction in fertility.
      CONCLUSION: Sexual and reproductive health is a significant public health need,
      yet little research has been published in this area to inform policy. The HDSS
      framework is ideal for SRH research, as it offers the advantage to track and
      monitor progress of relevant health and demographic indicators, especially in
      family planning, marriage and fertility studies.

PMID- 24237786
TI  - Obesity, diabetes and pneumonia: the menacing interface of non-communicable and
      infectious diseases.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To review current knowledge on the epidemiological, clinical and
      biological impact of the pandemic of obesity and diabetes on pneumonias. METHODS:
      We conducted a literature review using PubMed and EMBASE, supplemented by various
      sources. Given the disparate and fragmented nature of the literature, a formal
      systematic review was not possible. RESULTS: In 2008, globally 10% of men and 14%
      of women were obese and an estimated 371 million had diabetes; half undiagnosed
      and many obese. Numbers are rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries
      where the majority reside, but reliable data are lacking. The most frequent
      pneumonias in obesity and diabetes are tuberculosis, influenza and pneumococcal,
      staphylococcal and opportunistic pathogens. Diabetes impacts tuberculosis control
      and increases drug resistance and mortality. Mortality and morbidity from
      pneumococcal pneumonia and influenza are increased in obesity and diabetes. In
      addition to mechanical and physiological effects, there are considerable
      immunological abnormalities characterised by chronic, low-grade inflammation.
      Simultaneous up-regulation and dysregulation of both innate and adaptive immune
      responses impair control and killing of invading organisms. Prevention in those
      at risk is poorly practised, although screening for tuberculosis in diabetes is
      beginning in high-burden settings. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia is a threat globally in
      obesity and diabetes with increased incidence and severity of disease. There is
      uncertainty about whether vaccines are equally effective in those with obesity
      and diabetes. Increased epidemiological, clinical and biological knowledge will
      be crucial to face this 21st century challenge.

PMID- 24237787
TI  - The meaning of life and health experience for the Chinese elderly with chronic
      illness: a qualitative study from positive health philosophy.
AB  - Ageing and the concurrent prevalence of chronic disease in older adults produce a
      great burden and challenge for family, society and individuals. There is a
      definite need to build the science about caring for older Chinese adults from
      their perspective to inform health-care professionals. The aim of the study was
      to investigate the meaning of life and health experience of Chinese elderly with
      chronic illness and identify health potential from a positive perspective. A
      qualitative descriptive study was undertaken to interview 11 older adults ages 64
      92 in a day centre. In 2011, the data were collected and analysed by thematic
      analysis. Four interrelated themes indicated a rich meaning of life and health
      experience from the older adults: (i) happiness lies in contentment; (ii) sense
      of responsibility; (iii) letting nature take its course; (iv) and proactive self
      balance. These interrelated themes with partial conflict presented a dialectic
      meaning of life and were interpreted from traditional Chinese culture and
      compared with positive health philosophy. The significance of finding will
      encourage nursing practice work with clients and identify the potential and self
      help strength of the elderly. 

PMID- 24237784
TI  - Epidemiology of ocular surface squamous neoplasia in Africa.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology and an aetiological model of ocular
      surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in Africa. METHODS: Systematic and non
      systematic review methods were used. Incidence was obtained from the
      International Agency for Research on Cancer. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of
      Science and the reference lists of articles retrieved. Meta-analyses were
      conducted using a fixed-effects model for HIV and cigarette smoking and random
      effects for human papilloma virus (HPV). RESULTS: The incidence of OSSN is
      highest in the Southern Hemisphere (16 degrees  South), with the highest age
      standardised rate (ASR) reported from Zimbabwe (3.4 and 3.0 cases/year/100 000
      population for males and females, respectively). The mean ASR worldwide is 0.18
      and 0.08 cases/year/100 000 among males and females, respectively. The risk
      increases with exposure to direct daylight (2-4 h, OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.4 and
      >=5 h OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-3.1) and outdoor occupations (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1
      2.6). Meta-analysis also shows a strong association with HIV (6 studies: OR =
      6.17, 95% CI: 4.83-7.89) and HPV (7 studies: OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.27-5.49) but
      not cigarette smoking (2 studies: OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 0.94-2.09). The effect of
      atopy, xeroderma pigmentosa and vitamin A deficiency is unclear. CONCLUSIONS:
      Africa has the highest incidence of OSSN in the world, where males and females
      are equally affected, unlike other continents where male disease predominates.
      African women probably have increased risk due to their higher prevalence of HIV
      and HPV infections. As the survival of HIV-infected people increases, and given
      no evidence that anti-retroviral therapy (ART) reduces the risk of OSSN, the
      incidence of OSSN may increase in coming years.

PMID- 24237788
TI  - Attitude of elderly patients towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Greece.
AB  - AIM: Although researchers in several countries have investigated patients' points
      of view regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation, there has been no research
      investigating this issue in Greece. The present study aimed at identifying the
      attitude of older Greek patients regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
      METHODS: One basic questionnaire consisting of 34 questions was used in order to
      identify patients' opinions regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation in five
      different hospitals from June to November 2011. RESULTS: In total, 300
      questionnaires were collected. Although patients' knowledge regarding
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation was poor, most of them would like to be
      resuscitated in case they suffered an in-hospital cardiac arrest. Also, they
      believe that they should have the right to accept or refuse treatment. However,
      the legal and sociocultural norms in Greece do not support patients' choice for
      the decision to refuse resuscitation. The influence of several factors, such as
      their general health status or the underlying pathology, could lead patients to
      give a "do not attempt resuscitation" order. CONCLUSIONS: The attitudes of older
      Greek patients regarding resuscitation are not different from others', whereas
      the legal and sociocultural norms in Greece do not support patient choice in end
      of-life decisions, namely the decision to refuse resuscitation. We advocate the
      introduction of advanced directives, as well as the establishment and
      implementation of specific legislation regarding the ethics of resuscitation in
      Greece.

PMID- 24237789
TI  - Domain-general mediators of the relation between kindergarten number sense and
      first-grade mathematics achievement.
AB  - Domain-general skills that mediate the relation between kindergarten number sense
      and first-grade mathematics skills were investigated. Participants were 107
      children who displayed low number sense in the fall of kindergarten. Controlling
      for background variables, multiple regression analyses showed that both attention
      problems and executive functioning were unique predictors of mathematics
      outcomes. Attention problems were more important for predicting first-grade
      calculation performance, whereas executive functioning was more important for
      predicting first-grade performance on applied problems. Moreover, both executive
      functioning and attention problems were unique partial mediators of the
      relationship between kindergarten and first-grade mathematics skills. The results
      provide empirical support for developing interventions that target executive
      functioning and attention problems in addition to instruction in number skills
      for kindergartners with initial low number sense. 

PMID- 24237790
TI  - Study design: two long-term observational studies of the biosimilar filgrastim
      NivestimTM (Hospira filgrastim) in the treatment and prevention of chemotherapy
      induced neutropenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: NivestimTM (filgrastim) is a follow-on biologic agent licensed in the
      EU for the treatment of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia induced by
      myelosuppressive chemotherapy. NivestimTM has been studied in phase 2 and 3
      clinical trials where its efficacy and safety was found to be similar to its
      reference product, Neupogen(r). Follow-on biologics continue to be scrutinised
      for safety. We present a design for two observational phase IV studies that are
      evaluating the safety profile of NivestimTM for the prevention and treatment of
      febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy in
      general clinical practice. METHODS/DESIGN: The NEXT (Tolerance de Nivestim chez
      les patiEnts traites par une chimiotherapie anticancereuse cytotoXique en
      praTique courante) and VENICE (VErtraglichkeit von NIvestim unter zytotoxischer
      Chemotherapie in der Behandlung malinger Erkrankungen) trials are multicentre,
      prospective, longitudinal, observational studies evaluating the safety profile of
      NivestimTM in 'real-world' clinical practice. Inclusion criteria include patients
      undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy and receiving Nivestim as
      primary or secondary prophylaxis (NEXT and VENICE), or as treatment for ongoing
      FN (NEXT only). In accordance with European Union pharmacovigilance guidelines,
      the primary objective is to evaluate the safety of NivestimTM by gathering data
      on adverse events in all system organ classes. Secondary objectives include
      obtaining information on patient characteristics, efficacy of NivestimTM therapy
      (including chemotherapy dose intensity), patterns of use of NivestimTM, and
      physician knowledge regarding filgrastim prescription and the reasons for
      choosing NivestimTM. Data will be gathered at three visits: 1. At the initial
      inclusion visit, 2. At a 1-month follow-up visit, and 3. At the end of
      chemotherapy.Recruitment for VENICE commenced in July 2011 and in November 2011
      for NEXT. VENICE completed recruitment in July 2013 with 407 patients, and NEXT
      in September 2013 with 2123 patients. Last patient, last visit for each study
      will be December 2013 and March 2014 respectively. DISCUSSION: The NEXT and
      VENICE studies will provide long-term safety, efficacy and practice pattern data
      in patients receiving NivestimTM to support myelosuppressive chemotherapy in real
      world clinical practice. These data will improve our understanding of the
      performance of NivestimTM in patients encountered in the general patient
      population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NEXT NCT01574235, VENICE NCT01627990.

PMID- 24237792
TI  - Managing cancer-related fatigue in men with prostate cancer: a systematic review
      of non-pharmacological interventions.
AB  - The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the best available evidence
      informing the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for managing
      cancer-related fatigue in men treated for prostate cancer. This review considered
      experimental studies that included men with prostate cancer (regardless of
      staging, previous treatment or comorbidities), aged 18 years and over who were
      undergoing any treatment, or had completed any treatment for prostate cancer
      within the previous 12 months. Three interventions were identified for the
      management of cancer-related fatigue in men with prostate cancer. Evidence from
      five studies including 447 participants demonstrates the effectiveness of
      physical activity, both aerobic and resistance exercise, and from three studies
      including 153 participants suggesting the benefits of psychosocial interventions
      including education and cognitive behavioural therapy. Health professionals
      require knowledge of a range of effective interventions aimed at reducing cancer
      related fatigue in men with prostate cancer and should incorporate those
      interventions into their patient management. Although physical activity appears
      to show the greatest benefit, other non-pharmacological interventions such as
      education and cognitive behavioural therapy have demonstrated benefit and should
      also be considered as a strategy in treating this debilitating side effect of
      cancer and its treatment. 

PMID- 24237791
TI  - Co-targeting the PI3K/mTOR and JAK2 signalling pathways produces synergistic
      activity against myeloproliferative neoplasms.
AB  - Aberrant JAK2 signalling plays a central role in myeloproliferative neoplasms
      (MPN). JAK2 inhibitors have proven to be clinically efficacious, however, they
      are not mutation-specific and competent enough to suppress neoplastic clonal
      haematopoiesis. We hypothesized that, by simultaneously targeting multiple
      activated signalling pathways, MPN could be more effectively treated. To this end
      we investigated the efficacy of BEZ235, a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, alone and in
      combination with the JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, in different preclinical
      models of MPN. Single-agent BEZ235 inhibited the proliferation and induced cell
      cycle arrest and apoptosis of mouse and human JAK2V617F mutated cell lines at
      concentrations significantly lower than those required to inhibit the wild-type
      counterpart, and preferentially prevented colony formation from JAK2V617F knock
      in mice and patients' progenitor cells compared with normal ones. Co-treatment of
      BEZ235 and ruxolitinib produced significant synergism in all these in-vitro
      models. Co-treatment was also more effective than single drugs in reducing the
      extent of disease and prolonging survival of immunodeficient mice injected with
      JAK2V617F-mutated Ba/F3-EPOR cells and in reducing spleen size, decreasing
      reticulocyte count and improving spleen histopathology in conditional JAK2V617F
      knock-in mice. In conclusion, combined inhibition of PI3K/mTOR and JAK2
      signalling may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in MPN. 

PMID- 24237793
TI  - Exhaled nitric oxide is related to atopy, but not asthma in adolescents with
      bronchiolitis in infancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has been suggested as a
      non-invasive marker of eosinophilic inflammation in asthma, but lately rather as
      a biomarker of atopy than of asthma itself. Asthma after bronchiolitis is common
      up to early adolescence, but the inflammation and pathophysiology may differ from
      other phenotypes of childhood asthma. We aimed to assess if FeNO was different in
      children with former hospitalization for bronchiolitis and a control group, and
      to explore whether the role of FeNO as a marker of asthma, atopy or bronchial
      hyperresponsiveness (BHR) differed between these two groups of children. METHODS:
      The study included 108 of 131 children (82%) hospitalized for bronchiolitis in
      1997-98, of whom 82 (76%) had tested positive for Respiratory syncytial virus,
      and 90 age matched controls. The follow-up took place in 2008-2009 at 11 years of
      age. The children answered an ISAAC questionnaire regarding respiratory symptoms
      and skin prick tests, spirometry, methacholine provocation test and measurement
      of FeNO were performed. RESULTS: Analysed by ANOVA, FeNO levels did not differ
      between the post-bronchiolitis and control groups (p = 0.214). By multivariate
      regression analyses, atopy, height (p < 0.001 for both) and BHR (p = 0.034), but
      not asthma (p = 0.805) or hospitalization for bronchiolitis (p = 0.359), were
      associated with FeNO in the post-bronchiolitis and control groups. The
      associations for atopy and BHR were similar in the post-bronchiolitis and in the
      control group. CONCLUSION: FeNO did not differ between 11 year old children
      hospitalized for bronchiolitis and a control group. FeNO was associated with
      atopy, but not with asthma in both groups.

PMID- 24237794
TI  - Pseudoaneurysm originating from left ventricle aneurysm: an autopsy case and
      review of literature.
AB  - Rupture of the free wall of the left ventricle is a catastrophic complication of
      acute myocardial infarction. Rarely, free wall rupture is contained by overlying
      adherent pericardium, producing a pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle. In this
      report, a case of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm due to a previous myocardial
      infarction is described. A 55-year-old woman had a severe chest pain 11 months
      prior to death. No cardiac investigation was performed. Three days prior to
      death, she suffered from fatigue and weakness, and had a witnessed sudden cardiac
      death. At autopsy, a 8.5 * 10 * 8 cm pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle was
      found. There was severe coronary artery atherosclerosis. There were extensive
      adhesions between pericardium and pseudoaneurysm wall. The cause of death was
      attributed to heart failure and resulting arrhythmia. The case illustrates the
      rare event of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm first diagnosed at forensic
      autopsy. 

PMID- 24237795
TI  - Sheep shearing and sudden death.
AB  - A 29-year-old sheep shearer collapsed after walking across a shearing shed floor,
      holding his hand over an incised wound to his neck. Attempted resuscitation was
      unsuccessful. At the death scene fine arterial blood spatter was noted and at
      autopsy a single incised wound to the neck was observed, the patterned edges of
      which corresponded to the teeth of the shears. Dissection revealed injury to the
      underlying jugular vein and the mid portion of the common carotid artery. Death
      was attributed to blood loss from an incised wound of the left side of the neck.
      This case demonstrates the rare event of an accidental death related to the
      actions of a sheep. Although a relatively small animal, review of the
      circumstances and interviews with those present revealed that sudden and
      unexpected movement of the sheep during shearing had caused the shearer to lose
      control of his electrical shears resulting in a lethal incised wound to the neck.
      The blood spatter pattern at the scene was supportive of both witness
      descriptions and the findings at autopsy. 

PMID- 24237796
TI  - Estimation of stature by using lower limb dimensions in the Malaysian population.
AB  - Estimation of stature is an important step in developing a biological profile for
      human identification. It may provide a valuable indicator for an unknown
      individual in a population. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship
      between stature and lower limb dimensions in the Malaysian population. The sample
      comprised 100 corpses, which included 69 males and 31 females between the age
      range of 20-90 years old. The parameters measured were stature, thigh length,
      lower leg length, leg length, foot length, foot height and foot breadth. Results
      showed that the mean values in males were significantly higher than those in
      females (p < 0.05). There were significant correlations between lower limb
      dimensions and stature. Cross-validation of the equation on 100 individuals
      showed close approximation between known stature and estimated stature. It was
      concluded that lower limb dimensions were useful for estimation of stature, which
      should be validated in future studies. 

PMID- 24237797
TI  - Forensic investigation of suicide cases in major Greek correctional facilities.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: According to Greek legislation the medico-legal investigation of
      deaths occurring in prisons is mandatory. Furthermore, in cases of suicide or of
      suspected suicide the contribution of medico-legal investigation is of grave
      importance. The current paper addresses the medico-legal investigation of suicide
      cases in Greek correctional facilities and aims to describe the current
      situation. MATERIALS & METHODS: Our study consists of the meticulous research in
      the data records of major Greek correctional facilities, for the time period 1999
      2010. Official permission was obtained by the Hellenic Ministry of Justice, which
      provided us the access to the records. Data was also collected from the Piraeus
      Forensic Service, from the Department of Pathological Anatomy of the University
      of Athens and finally from our own records. Measures were taken to respect the
      anonymity of the cases. Data was collected for the social, penal, medical history
      as well as for the medico-legal investigation. RESULTS-CONCLUSIONS: It appears
      that 85.7% of suicide cases were transferred to the Prisoner's Hospital (p <
      0.0001), the forensic pathologist who conducted the PME did not perform scene
      investigation in none of the 70 suicide cases. In a total of 70 cases,
      histopathological examination, was requested only in 30 cases (42.9%). Hanging
      was the preferred method for those who committed suicide, followed by the
      poisoning due to psychoactive substances. Understanding the mistakes made during
      the forensic investigation of suicide cases inside correctional facilities is
      necessary, in order to prevent them from occurring again in the future, by
      implementing appropriate new policies and guidelines.

PMID- 24237798
TI  - Pattern and outcome of Cleistanthus collinus (Oduvanthalai) poisoning in a
      tertiary care teaching hospital in South India.
AB  - There is paucity of information on human studies about Cleistanthus collinus
      (Oduvanthalai) poisoning at global level. The present study was done to find out
      the pattern and outcomes with acute poisoning of this plant poison. Retrospective
      record based study was conducted among acute C. collinus (Oduvanthalai) poisoning
      cases admitted between January 2010 and December 2010 in a tertiary care teaching
      hospital in South India. A total of 51 cases were analyzed with 52.9% of them
      being females and 51% belonged to 21-40 years age group. Interpersonal conflict
      was the stressor for poisoning in 76% cases. Mortality rate was 17.6% with a
      median duration of 3.5 days from time of ingestion. Majority of the patients who
      died during hospitalization had ingested decoction (77.8%), and had neurological
      manifestations (77.8%), hypokalemia (77.8%), neutrophilia (66.7%), leucocyotosis
      (55.6%) and elevated blood urea (77.8%). It was found that lower potassium level,
      white blood cell and neutrophil count were significantly associated with
      mortality due to poisoning. 

PMID- 24237799
TI  - Acute fatal poisoning with Tolfenpyrad.
AB  - The authors present a fatal case of poisoning with Tolfenpyrad (TFP), a pesticide
      first approved in Japan in 2002. A man in his fifties was found dead in the
      supine position at his son's home and the small towel with a smell of naphthalene
      was found nearby. Forensic autopsy was unremarkable, except for a very small
      amount of light pink fluid in the stomach, with naphthalene odour. The
      toxicological analyses revealed the presence of TFP and its major metabolite PTCA
      (4-[4-[(4-chloro-3-ethyl-1-methylpyrazol-5-yl)carbonylaminomethyl]phenoxy]benzoic
      acid), together with naphthalene and methyl naphthalenes in the post-mortem
      sample, with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) respectively. The plasma concentrations
      of each substance were quantified as 1.97 MUg/ml (TFP), 2.88 MUg/ml (PTCA), 1.70
      MUg/ml (naphthalene), 0.67 MUg/ml (1-methyl naphthalene) and 1.44 MUg/ml (2
      methyl naphthalene). According to these results together with autopsy findings,
      the cause of his death was determined to be acute Tolfenpyrad poisoning. This is
      the first case report of fatal poisoning attributable to an intake of TFP
      product. 

PMID- 24237800
TI  - Medico-legal significance of the identification of offending snake in a fatal
      snake bite: a case report.
AB  - A 19 year old male was admitted to a tertiary care centre in Sri Lanka, with a
      history of snake bite while sleeping at night. A killed specimen of a snake was
      brought with the patient. It had been identified as a non-venomous snake by the
      doctor and handed over to relatives, with a comment to that effect. Patient had
      no clinical or laboratory evidence of envenoming on admission. Patient developed
      bilateral ptosis six hours after alleged snake bite, soon followed by respiratory
      paralysis and was treated with Indian polyvalent anti-venom serum. After 12 h of
      the bite, patient had developed hypotension that did not respond to ionotropes.
      Despite intensive management, patient had become deeply comatose and deceased 46
      h following the snake bite. Autopsy revealed features suggestive of disseminated
      intravascular coagulation. Since an allegation of medical negligence too had been
      levelled by the relations of the patient against the clinical staff, the buried
      specimen of the snake was recovered by police, on a judicial order, a week later.
      It was found to be almost completely disintegrated and only the scales and bones
      were remaining. According to the scale characters, the reconstructed specimen was
      identified as Indian krait (Bungarus caeruleus). Authentication of snake is
      important in investigating a death due to snake bite, especially when the snake
      was initially claimed to be a non-venomous snake. This case suggests the
      usefulness of forensic identification of species of the snake in investigating
      suspected snake bite cases. 

PMID- 24237801
TI  - Characteristics of cardiovascular deaths in forensic medical cases in Budapest,
      Vilnius and Tallinn.
AB  - Evaluation of the pathomorphological characteristics of cases involving natural
      and sudden cardiovascular death is essential for the determination of the cause
      of death. The main purpose of this study is to investigate sudden unexpected
      cardiovascular death and to study how different geographical climatic influences
      may affect cardiac mortality in three capitals: Budapest, Vilnius and Tallinn.
      There were 8482 (5753 male, 2729 female) cardiovascular deaths between 2005 and
      2009. The highest rate was observed in the age group between 71 and 80 years
      (35.17%) and 51-60 years (24.45%). The highest number of cardiovascular deaths
      occur in January (805/9.49%) and December (770/9.07%). Seasonal distribution was
      observed, with winter prevalence in Tallinn (279/3.20%) and spring prevalence in
      Vilnius (760/8.90%). Though in Vilnius and Budapest a great number of deaths
      occurred in winter and spring, any correlation with other factors (e.g. age,
      gender, BAC) was not statistically significant. Based on our results we can
      conclude that environmental-geographical parameters may affect natural
      cardiovascular death. Examination of pathological patterns and predisposing
      environmental parameters may help to improve prevention strategies. 

PMID- 24237802
TI  - Intracranial penetrating injury by screw driver: a case report and review of
      literature.
AB  - Penetrating injury to the head, with the exception of missile injuries is rare
      owing to thick calvarium. Orbital and temporal areas are comparatively vulnerable
      to penetrating injuries, due to their relative thinness. A case is presented in
      which a man killed his wife by forcefully thrusting a screw driver into her
      cranial cavity. The deceased presented to the hospital with the screw driver
      embedded in her head. She was declared as 'brought dead on arrival' at the
      emergency of the hospital. Pre-autopsy plain radiography and Computed Tomography
      (CT) of the head were done to assess the extent of brain damage. The peculiarity
      of this case lies in the fact that screw driver as a stabbing weapon in the head
      is very rarely used. In such cases, there is a need to perform radiography and CT
      with the weapon in-situ for better interpretation on injuries. In this paper role
      of radiography and CT in intra cranial penetration is discussed with review of
      literature. 

PMID- 24237803
TI  - Blood alcohol concentration of suicide victims by partial hanging.
AB  - During the investigated period, 2000-2007, 4249 suicides were reported in
      Slovenia, and 1061 autopsies of suicide deaths from the central, northwestern,
      and southwestern parts of Slovenia were conducted at the Institute of Forensic
      Medicine in Ljubljana. To identify a possible role of alcohol use in the
      selection of suicide method blood samples were collected during medicolegal
      autopsies of suicide victims in order to establish their blood alcohol
      concentration (BAC) level at the time of death. The study group consisted of 844
      suicide victims that used violent suicide methods and 174 suicide victims that
      used non-violent suicide methods. Out of the group with violent suicide methods
      184 (21.8%) suicide victims by partial hanging and 112 (13.3%) suicide victims by
      complete hanging were identified. The average age was higher in the group of
      suicide victims by partial hanging than in the group of suicide victims by
      complete hanging (p < 0.001; T = 3653; df = 294). The mean BAC was higher (T =
      1.604; df = 278; p < 0.05) in the group of suicide victims by partial hanging
      (0.57 g/kg; SD +/- 0.92) than in the group of suicide victims by complete hanging
      (0.40 g/kg; SD +/- 0.82). The proportion of BAC positive suicide victims with
      blood alcohol concentration above 0.1 g/kg at the time of death was higher in the
      group of suicide victims who used non-violent suicide methods in comparison to
      the group of suicide victims who used violent suicide methods (p < 0.001; chi(2)
      = 14.988, df = 1). Partial hanging was almost twice as common as complete
      hanging. Higher BAC in the group of suicide victims by partial hanging and more
      BAC positive suicide victims in the group who died by non-violent suicide methods
      could give indications about the role of alcohol in the selection of suicide
      method. 

PMID- 24237804
TI  - Fitness for detention in police custody: a practical proposal for improving the
      format of medical opinion.
AB  - Health issues among arrestees are a worldwide concern for which only local
      policies have been established. Physicians attending detainees in police custody
      are expected to decide whether the detainee's health status is compatible with
      detention in a police station and make any useful observations. A high degree of
      heterogeneity in the information collected by the physician and transmitted to
      the police has been observed. We analyzed the content and limitations of
      available documents and developed a model that could serve as a guide for any
      attending physician. The document presented here has been used in France on over
      50,000 occasions since June 2010. We developed a two-page template consisting of
      (1) a standard medical certificate to be sent to the authority who requested the
      doctor's attendance and (2) a confidential medical record, not sent to the
      requesting authority. We evaluated perceived health by the three global health
      indicators of the Minimum European Health Module and used DSM IV criteria for the
      evaluation of addictive disorders. In the case of recent traumatic injuries, the
      certificate has also included the collection of data on traumatic injuries and
      the contexts of their occurrence. The proposed certificate achieved several
      goals, by protecting the interests of the person examined, in case of poor
      conditions of arrest or detention, protecting doctors in cases of legal
      proceedings, and allowing epidemiological data to be collected. The certificate
      may also contribute to an international awareness of medical care for detainees
      in police custody. 

PMID- 24237805
TI  - The comparison of disposal attitudes towards forensic psychiatric patients among
      police officers, psychiatrists and community members in China.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand disposal attitudes towards forensic psychiatric patients
      among police officers, psychiatrists and community members in China. METHOD: 118
      community members, 121 psychiatrists and 105 police officers completed a
      questionnaire regarding disposal attitudes towards forensic psychiatric patients.
      RESULT: Surveyed respondents (87.4%) believed patients with mental disorders
      experienced discrimination, and 97.4% were in favor of providing livelihood
      security for them. Police officers (89.5%) agreed that patients with mental
      illness were more violent than the general population, which was significantly
      higher than 74.4% of psychiatrists (X(2) = 14.29, P = 0.000). Among three groups,
      the most preferred disposal option for those found not guilty by reason of
      insanity (NGRI) was to treat them in the custody of a forensic psychiatric
      hospital, such as an Ankang Hospital (86.9%). The respondents agreed (96.8%) that
      an independent review board should be established for disposing decisions for
      forensic psychiatric patients. The percentage who agreed that police officers,
      prosecutors, and judges should be included in the review board was significantly
      higher among police officers than among community members (x(2) = 6.60, P = 0.01;
      x(2) = 9.74, P = 0.002; x(2) = 7.38, P = 0.007). When asked, "who has the legal
      right to determine whether offenders with mental disorders should bear criminal
      responsibility", forensic psychiatrists and judges were the top two responders
      (79.5% and 63.4%, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that the
      majority of those surveyed, especially police officers, held that patients with
      mental illness were violent and should receive violence risk assessments.
      Although psychiatrists paid more attention to the rights of patients, they also
      lacked legal knowledge, similar to community members and police officers.
      Therefore, it is necessary to inform the public regarding mental health, and to
      provide legal knowledge.

PMID- 24237806
TI  - The effect of the prone maximal restraint position with and without weight force
      on cardiac output and other hemodynamic measures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prone maximal restraint (PMR) position has been used by law
      enforcement and emergency care personnel to restrain acutely combative or
      agitated individual. The position places the subject prone with wrists handcuffed
      behind the back and secured to the ankles. Prior work has indicated a reduction
      in inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter associated with this position when weight
      force is applied to the back. It is therefore possible that this position can
      negatively impact hemodynamic stability. OBJECTIVES: We sought to measure the
      impact of PMR with and without weight force on measures of cardiac function
      including vital signs, oxygenation, stroke volume (SV), IVC diameter, cardiac
      output (CO) and cardiac index (CI). METHODS: We conducted a randomized
      prospective cross-over experimental study of 25 healthy male volunteers (22-43
      years of age) placed in 5 different body positions: supine (SU), prone (PR),
      prone maximal restraint with no weight force (PMR-0), prone maximal restraint
      with 50 lbs added to the subject's back (PMR-50), and prone maximal restraint
      with 100 lbs added to the subject's back (PMR-100) for 3 min. Heart rate (HR),
      blood pressure (BP), and oxygenation saturation (O2 sat) were monitored. In
      addition, echocardiography was performed to measure left ventricular outflow
      tract diameter (LVOTD), and SV, CO, and CI were then calculated. Data were
      analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with pair-wise comparisons when
      appropriate to evaluate changes with each variable with respective positioning.
      RESULTS: Despite a small decrease in SV between SU and PMR positions, there were
      no statistically significant differences in CO between the 5 different positions.
      There were also no differences in CI between positions other than a small
      decrease when comparing SU and PMR-50 only (mean difference -0.39 L/stroke, p =
      0.005). There was no evidence of hemodynamic compromise in any of the PMR
      positions when evaluating HR, MAP or O2 sat. CONCLUSIONS: PMR with and without
      weight force did not result in any changes in CO or other evidence of
      cardiovascular or hemodynamic compromise.

PMID- 24237807
TI  - What is the appropriate approach in sex determination of hyoid bones?
AB  - The hyoid bone is characterized by sexually dimorphic features, enabling it to
      occasionally be used in the sex determination aspect of establishing the
      biological profile in skeletal remains. Based on a sample of 298 fused and non
      fused hyoid bones, the present paper compares several methodological approaches
      to sexing human hyoid bones in order to test the legitimacy of osteometrics-based
      linear discriminant equations and to explore the potentials of symbolic
      regression and methods of geometric morphometrics. In addition, two sets of
      published predictive models, one of which originated in an indigenous population,
      were validated on the studied sample. The results showed that the hyoid shape
      itself is a moderate sex predictor and a combination of linear measurements is a
      better representation of sex-related differences. The symbolic regression was
      shown to exceed the predictive powers of linear discriminant function analysis
      when two models based on a logistic and step regression reached 96% of correctly
      classified cases. There was a positive correlation between discriminant scores
      and an individual's age as the sex assessment was highly skewed in favour of
      males. This suggests that the human hyoid undergoes age-related modifications
      which facilitates determination of male bones and complicates determination of
      females in older individuals. The validation of discriminant equations by Komenda
      and Cerny (1990) and Kindschud et al. (2010) revealed that there are marked inter
      population and inter-sample differences which lessened the power to correctly
      determine female hyoid bones. 

PMID- 24237808
TI  - The subpubic angle in sex determination: anthropometric measurements and analyses
      on Anatolian Caucasians using multidetector computed tomography datasets.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The investigation of new anatomical criteria and
      revalidation of existing ones in sex determination for different populations are
      among main research foci of forensic anthropometry. In that context, the pelvis
      is the most extensively studied bone. A number of qualitative classifications,
      dimensional measurements and indices have been proposed for investigative
      anthropometry and forensic studies. Independent use of these parameters generally
      provided an accuracy rate of 70-75%. In this study, the accuracy rate of the
      subpubic angle in sex determination was investigated in living Anatolian
      Caucasians. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The subpubic angle was identified and measured
      on three-dimensional computed tomographic images of pelves. Data were obtained
      using 64-detector computed tomography (MDCT) with an isotrophic resolution of 500
      MUm. The sample included 66 males (41.6 +/- 14.9 years of age) and 43 females
      (41.1 +/- 14.2 years of age). Measurements were taken on a dedicated three
      dimensional image analysis workstation. The subpubic angle was electronically
      measured. The technique and methodology was validated on a standard skeletal
      model. Intraobserver agreement was analyzed with intraclass correlation
      coefficient, and intraobserver variability was evaluated with technical error of
      measurement (inter- and intra-observer TEM), relative technical error of
      measurement (rTEM) and coefficient of reliability (R) measures. The subpubic
      angle for the study group and for both sexes was reported as minimum-maximum
      (mean +/- SD). Independent-Samples T Test for equality of means was used to
      determine the difference between the two sexes regarding the subpubic angle. The
      correlation between the subpubic angle and the age of subjects were using Pearson
      Correlation Coefficients in males and in females. Logistic regression model was
      used to classify subjects according to their sex. Receiver operating
      characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine a cut-off value for
      further studies and to test the performance of the binary classification test.
      RESULTS: Intraclass correlation for the subpubic angle (0.990), TEM (1082), rTEM
      (1.492), and R (0.990) represented almost complete reliability and accuracy of
      the measurement method. The subpubic angle was between 48 degrees  and 81 degrees
      (65.9 degrees  +/- 7.2 degrees ) in males and was between 64 degrees  and 100
      degrees  (82.6 degrees  +/- 7.7 degrees ) in females. Statistically significant
      difference was found between males and females regarding the subpubic angle (p <
      0.0001). The subpubic angle was not significantly correlated with age in males (p
      = 0.953), or in females (r = 0.975). The accuracy of the subpubic angle in sex
      determination was 90.8%. With a cut-off value of 74 degrees , sensitivity of
      subpubic angle to detect female phenotype was 88% and its specificity was 95%.
      CONCLUSION: The subpubic angle is an accurate parameter in sex determination with
      high sensitivity and specificity.

PMID- 24237809
TI  - Atypical suicides or the first undiagnosed autoerotic deaths in Europe?
AB  - Autoerotic accidental deaths (AAD) are increasingly reported deaths occurring
      during solitary sexual rituals used to enhance sexual excitement. The majority of
      these fatalities involve hanging or other form of self-inflicted asphyxia. The
      German medical literature, with the first recognized AAD published in the early
      1900s, has antedated by decades the first significant AAD reports (1950-1953) in
      English. Early contributions in languages other than English and German are
      mostly overlooked in current AAD reviews, although AAD were recognised in some
      European countries as early as the 1940s and 1950s. For a variety of reasons, it
      is likely that, before the description of the first AAD in the medical
      literature, some asphyxia deaths have been classified as suicides with peculiar
      features, instead of as accidents resulting from life-threatening sexual
      practices. In the present study, we review and comment on three such atypical
      asphyxia deaths investigated in central Europe (Austria, Italy, Switzerland)
      during the period 1821 to 1927. The retrospective analysis of these cases
      revealed some circumstantial and individual features which nowadays could be
      linked to AAD, and disclosed the reluctance of medical examiners to analyse their
      motivational, and possibly sexual, background. The medico-legal approach to some
      autopsy findings of these cases also illustrates some controversial diagnostic
      issues regarding mechanical asphyxia, issues recurrently debated during the 19th
      century. 

PMID- 24237810
TI  - Autopsy proven causes of in hospital mortality in acute stroke.
AB  - To characterize discrepancies between the causes of death as determined by the
      clinician and autopsy findings in patients admitted with stroke, we
      retrospectively reviewed all autopsies on patients died with a diagnosis of
      stroke. Fifty-eight patients with a diagnosis of stroke died after admission to
      our tertiary medical center in the past ten years were autopsied. Strokes
      included ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes and subarachnoid hemorrhages.
      Thirty-five had complete autopsy and twenty-three patients had autopsy limited to
      brain only examination. We reviewed the autopsy findings and correlated them to
      the clinical diagnoses that were extracted from the clinical records. We looked
      particularly for major discrepancies that could have altered treatment
      strategies. Discrepancies between clinical diagnoses and autopsy findings were
      classified into major and minor using the Goldman et al. criteria. Only in three
      instances there were major discrepancies and therapy may have altered medical
      management in one of these. 

PMID- 24237811
TI  - Fatal cranial injury in an individual from Messina (Sicily) during the times of
      the Roman Empire.
AB  - Forensic and archaeological examinations of human skeletons can provide us with
      evidence of violence. In this paper, we present the patterns of two cranial
      lesions found on an adult male (T173) buried in a grave in the necropolis
      'Isolato 96', Messina, Sicily, dating back to the Roman Empire (1st century BC -
      1st century AD). The skull reveals two perimortem traumatic lesions, one produced
      by a sharp object on the right parietal bone and the other one on the left
      parietal bone, presumably the result of a fall. The interpretation of fracture
      patterns found in this cranium are an illustration of how forensic approaches can
      be applied with great benefit to archaeological specimens. 

PMID- 24237812
TI  - Lack of impairment due to confirmed codeine use prior to a motor vehicle
      accident: role of pharmacogenomics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We examined forensic serum toxicology and pharmacogenomics data from
      a woman on codeine shortly before she caused a motor vehicle accident. METHODS: A
      woman driving erratically collided with a parked car of a highway seriously
      injuring 2 men working to repair the parked vehicle. The woman tested positive
      for codeine, acetaminophen and barbital. She had been taking these medications
      for 20 years due to migraine headache. Serum toxicology and genotype analysis for
      cytochrome P450, UDP glucuronosyltransferase, and other metabolizing enzymes were
      measured. RESULTS: The woman was tried and convicted of driving under the
      influence resulting in bodily harm and was sentenced to 6 years. Toxicology
      results on peripheral blood showed a total and free codeine of 840 and 348 MUg/L,
      respectively, and total morphine of 20 MUg/L (17, 3, and 0 MUg/L for morphine-3
      glucuronide, morphine-6-glucuronide, and free morphine, respectively). She was
      heterozygous for CYP 2D6 *2/*4 (extensive/poor metabolism) and heterozygous for
      UGT 2B7 *1/*2 (extensive/ultra-rapid metabolism). The woman was also taking
      fluoxetine and bupropion which are strong inhibitors of CYP 2D6. CONCLUSIONS:
      Based on her genotype and phenotype and reports by the arresting officer, we
      suggest that the subject in question was not intoxicated by opiates at the time
      of her motor vehicle accident and may have been falsely incarcerated.

PMID- 24237813
TI  - Knowledge attitude and practice of pesticide use among agricultural workers in
      Puducherry, South India.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study the level of knowledge and practice related to pesticides
      and their adverse effects among agricultural workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      cross sectional study among 100 randomly selected agricultural workers, using or
      ever used pesticide within last one year was conducted in Puducherry, South
      India. The questionnaire was adapted from WHO field surveys of 'Exposure to
      Pesticides Standard Protocol' and similar studies. Data were collected by face to
      face interview. RESULTS: All the participants were male with mean age of 54.3
      yrs. While 70% of respondents perceived pesticide spraying affects a person's
      health, only 40% were aware that it affects the environment. Two thirds of the
      respondents (62%) were aware that pesticide enters the body through nose and
      affects lungs. Awareness on other modes of entry was less. Majority (76%) of them
      was aware of training programs conducted by government agriculture department on
      pest management. About 42% of farmers had good knowledge regarding pesticide.
      Between 40% and 70% of respondents were not using any protective equipments
      during pesticide spraying. Around 68% of farmers indiscriminately disposed empty
      containers while 48% buried the leftover pesticides. Significant association (p <
      0.05) was observed between knowledge of the farmers and their practices related
      to pesticides. CONCLUSION: Overall awareness of agricultural workers on pesticide
      was inadequate. Improper disposal of pesticides and its container can produce
      harm to the environment. The findings of the study emphasize the need to educate
      agricultural workers regarding safe and adequate use of pesticides to prevent
      health and environmental hazards.

PMID- 24237814
TI  - Suicide attempts involving power drills.
AB  - A 61-year-old man was found dead next to a power drill soiled with blood and bone
      dust. A 5 mm circular wound of the forehead corresponded to the size of the drill
      bit. Subarachnoid haemorrhage was present over the anterior pole of the left
      frontal lobe with a penetrating injury extending 75 mm into the frontal lobe
      white matter towards, but not involving, the basal ganglia. No major intracranial
      vessels had been injured and there was no significant intraparenchymal
      haemorrhage. Death was due to haemorrhage from self-inflicted stab wounds to the
      abdomen with an associated penetrating intracranial wound from a power drill.
      Deaths due to power drills are rare and are either accidents or suicides. Wounds
      caused by power drills may be mistaken for bullet entrance wounds, and the marks
      around a wound from the drill chuck as muzzle imprints. A lack of internal
      bevelling helps to distinguish the entrance wound from that due to a projectile.
      Significant penetration of the brain may occur without lethal injury. 

PMID- 24237815
TI  - Assessment of viable bacteria and bacterial DNA in blood and bloodstain specimens
      stored under various conditions.
AB  - Microbial forensic specimens that are collected at biocrime and bioterrorism
      scenes include blood, tissue, cloths containing biological fluids, swabs, water,
      soil, and aerosols. It is preferable that pathogens in such specimens are alive
      and kept in a steady state. Specimens may be stored for a prolonged period before
      analysis; therefore, it is important to understand the effect of the storage
      conditions on the pathogens contained within the specimens. In this study, we
      prepared blood and bloodstain specimens containing Gram-negative or -positive
      bacteria, stored the samples for 482 days under various conditions, and measured
      viable bacterial counts and total bacterial contents in the samples. Viable
      bacteria were preserved well in the samples stored at -30 and -80  degrees C, but
      were diminished or undetectable in the samples stored at 4  degrees C and room
      temperature. The total bacterial content was maintained in the blood samples
      stored at -30 and -80  degrees C and in the bloodstain samples stored under all
      temperature conditions, but decreased in the blood samples stored at 4  degrees C
      and room temperature. This study showed that the storage conditions affected
      viable bacteria and bacterial DNA and that freezing and drying were significant
      for their long-term storage. We provide important information for the storage of
      microbial forensic specimens. 

PMID- 24237816
TI  - Estimation of sex from the upper limb measurements of Sudanese adults.
AB  - Sex estimation is the first biological attribute needed for personal
      identification from mutilated and amputated limbs or body parts in medical-legal
      autopsies. Populations have different sizes and proportions that affect the
      anthropometric assessment of sex. Relatively few published works assess the
      accuracy of sex estimation from soft tissue measurements of upper limb parts,
      except for the hand and its components, but these studies involve a limited range
      of global populations. The current study aimed to assess the degree of sexual
      dimorphism in upper limb measurements and the accuracy of using these
      measurements for sex estimation in a contemporary adult Sudanese population. The
      upper arm length, ulnar length, wrist breadth, hand length, and hand breadth of
      240 right-handed Sudanese subjects (120 males and 120 females) aged between 25
      and 30 years were measured by international anthropometric standards. Demarking
      points, sexual dimorphism indices and discriminant functions were developed from
      200 subjects (100 males and 100 females) who composed the study group. All
      variables were sexually dimorphic. The ulnar length, wrist breadth and hand
      breadth significantly contributed to sex estimation. Forearm dimensions showed a
      higher accuracy for sex estimation than hand dimensions. Cross-validated sex
      classification accuracy ranged between 78.5% and 89.5%. The reliability of these
      standards was assessed in a test sample of 20 males and 20 females, and the
      results showed accuracy between 77.5% and 90%. This study provides new forensic
      standards for sex estimation from upper limb measurements of Sudanese adults. 

PMID- 24237817
TI  - A study of psychiatry morbidity and co-morbid physical illness among convicted
      and awaiting trial inmates in Jos prison.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Having a psychiatric diagnosis is still considered a major burden in
      life. In addition to dealing with stigma regarding mental illness, persons with
      severe mental illness have an added risk of having co-morbid medical illnesses
      that can further impair their already turbulent life. The importance of detecting
      co-morbid medical illnesses is to ensure a holistic treatment. This study
      assessed the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and co-morbid physical illness
      among convicted and awaiting trial inmates in Jos prison. METHOD: A cross
      sectional, descriptive study was carried out among 608 male inmates in Jos
      maximum security prison, Plateau State, Nigeria. They were screened with self
      administered GHQ-28 questionnaire and interviewed using CIDI. RESULTS: More than
      half (57%) of the studied subjects had a psychiatric disorder with substance use
      disorder as the commonest (48.7%) diagnosis. Physical co-morbidity was found in
      (18%) of the subjects with infectious disease (A00-A99) as the commonest source
      13 (3.7%) of physical co-morbidity among the subjects. A statistically
      significant relationship was found between psychiatric disorder and co-morbid
      physical illness (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The study showed a high rate of
      psychiatric morbidity and co-morbid physical illness with infectious disease
      being the commonest source of physical co-morbidity; and substance use disorder
      the commonest psychiatric disorder among the prison inmates.

PMID- 24237818
TI  - Epidemiology & preventive aspects of railway suicides and fatalities related to
      trespassing accidents.
AB  - PURPOSE: Suicide and trespass are major contributors to risk on the railway,
      resulting in around 170-180 fatalities per year in Lucknow region, as well as
      associated major disruption to the rail network. Lucknow is the capital city of
      the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. METHODS: The analysis included train
      pedestrian fatalities during 2007-2012. The data for 2007-2012 were collected
      from the autopsy reports of the university, case sheets from the hospital, the
      general prosecutor's investigations report and the inquest reports from police.
      RESULTS: The results show that the majority of victims were males. Half of the
      suicide victims were 20-39 years old. Accidents happened most frequently in
      situations when a person was walking on the tracks/in front of train (22.7%) or
      were crossing the tracks illegally (20.9%). Among all train-pedestrian
      fatalities, about half of the victims (42.8%) were intoxicated by alcohol. Female
      suicide victims suffered from mental health problems more frequently (55.8%) than
      male suicide victims. CONCLUSION: Overall, there is no reason to believe that
      train-pedestrian fatalities are unavoidable. By contrast, the effective
      prevention of railway suicides and accidents should be based on a systems
      approach involving effective measures introduces by several organisations such as
      government, railway organisations, various authorities (such as public health,
      education, enforcement, urban planning) and communities. Same measures can often
      be used to prevent both trespassing and suicides, even though their effectiveness
      may depend on the target group. In addition, there are measures specifically
      targeted to prevent either trespassing or suicides.

PMID- 24237819
TI  - Socioeconomic, demographic study on substance abuse among students of
      professional college in a southern town, Berhampur of Odisha state (India).
AB  - Currently there is an increasing trend of substance abuse in developing countries
      like India. This study attempted to identify the different predisposing factors,
      associated psycho-social and medical problems, prevalence and types of substance
      abuse in students. The study covered a cross-section of 720 students with an
      overall male to female ratio of 4.1:1. The majority of the sufferers were from
      middle socioeconomic class, aged between 15 and 19 years. Common substances of
      abuse were chewable tobacco and cannabis. The risk of abuse was more in
      hostellers hailing from broken families (62.5%). Friends had the highest
      influence (59%). Most of them (49.4%) tried multiple times to give up, but peer
      pressure (53%) compelled them to restart. In 60.8% cases the parents were
      completely unaware about this behavior. The commonly associated problems were
      psychological (34.3%) and medical (29.5%). Our study at the end points out major
      risk factors and their remedial measures to curb substance abuse. 

PMID- 24237820
TI  - Sudden death of a young woman attributed to diabetic ketoacidosis.
AB  - A young woman's death at home was attributed to new onset diabetic ketoacidosis
      with subsequent litigation supported by several expert consultants, despite a
      history and postmortem findings inconsistent with this diagnosis. More thorough
      tissue study of the heart and analysis of the circumstances led to a credible
      explanation of the entire scenario. 

PMID- 24237821
TI  - The value of 100% retrospective peer review in a forensic pathology practice.
AB  - Peer review in forensic pathology practice has become an important cornerstone of
      continuous quality improvement. Although there are several components to an
      effective and transparent peer review process, one of the most essential is the
      review of completed reports. The autopsy report may be reviewed prospectively
      (report reviewed before sign out) or retrospectively (report reviewed after sign
      out). Prospective reviews are more likely to be performed on criminal or
      criminally suspicious cases, pediatric and SIDS deaths and high profile cases.
      Retrospective reviews on the other hand are performed on a proportion of all
      other signed-out routine medico-legal cases. The actual percentage varies by
      jurisdiction since there are no agreed minimum standards. Manpower and workload
      factors appear to be critical to determining what percentage of cases are
      reviewed retrospectively. The objective of this report is to present a mechanism
      by which a 100% retrospective review policy has been implemented, how it
      integrates with quality management protocols, the outcomes of the reviews and
      what challenges remain to improve compliance with key quality indicators
      especially turn around time (TAT) statistics. 

PMID- 24237822
TI  - Pilot study on doctors working in departments of forensic medicine in German
      speaking areas.
AB  - Several directors of institutes of forensic and legal medicine in German-speaking
      areas have noticed a lack of young doctors with specialty qualifications (full
      board certification) in forensic medicine during recent years. The pilot study
      was intended to brainstorm the possible reasons for this shortage, by carrying
      out a survey of doctors working in departments of forensic medicine, paying
      particular attention to job satisfaction and opinions as to why there are fewer
      forensic specialists. We sent the link to an online questionnaire to all members
      of the societies of forensic medicine in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
      Altogether, 129 respondents completed the questionnaire and were included in the
      study. Slightly more men than women replied; the mean age of all respondents was
      41. Most respondents had completed their specialty training and worked full-time.
      In general, participants were moderately satisfied with their careers. Men
      reported greater career success than women, as determined by objective criteria.
      Career support was considered to be suboptimal. For most of the respondents, the
      level of enjoyment of working in forensic medicine was either higher than or
      approximately the same as the level recalled from five years earlier. Possible
      reasons for the lack of qualified doctors in forensic medicine institutes are the
      non-availability of both senior posts and specialty training posts. Career
      opportunities in forensic medicine are not considered to be attractive. 

PMID- 24237823
TI  - Estimation of postmortem time based on aorta narrowing in CT imaging.
AB  - Computed tomography (CT) in forensic medicine is commonly used in determination
      of cause of death. Here, we show that the information provided by CT may also be
      of value for estimation of time after death. The relationship between abdominal
      aorta narrowing just below the diaphragm and time after death was examined in 140
      cases. Aorta narrowing was defined using a flatness ratio, which was calculated
      by dividing the shorter axis of the aorta by the longer axis. Time after death
      was classified into 6 time periods. The flatness ratio gradually and
      significantly decreased with increased postmortem time, showing increased aorta
      narrowing with increased time after death. A further examination of aorta
      narrowing in 15 autopsy cases in which CT images were taken at two postmortem
      times gave similar findings. The results of the study suggest that aorta
      narrowing in postmortem CT imaging may be used to estimate time after death. 

PMID- 24237824
TI  - Survey of factors related to criminal behavior in a sample of Iranian substance
      abusers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Many countries including Iran have a high rate of substance abuse. It
      is essential for public health and law enforcement strategies to know the causes
      and consequences of substance abuse and its relation to crimes. METHODS: In a
      prospective case-control study, covering a period of one year starting from March
      21, 2010, 125 cases with criminal behavior and 125 cases with no history of
      criminal behavior were studied. RESULTS: Eight percent of our studied population
      had a previous history of psychological disorder. Most of our cases were
      cigarette users (78.4%). Forty-two cases had a history of alcohol abuse (16.8%).
      Modern drugs were the most common type of drugs (56%) being used. Multivariate
      analysis using logistic regression revealed that criminal behavior was correlated
      with divorce (RR = 5.35; 95% CI = 1.59-16.01; P = 0.023), history of alcohol use
      (RR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.11-6.22; P = 0.027), history of psychological disorder (RR
      = 4.97; 95% CI = 1.44-17.20; P = 0.011), Modern drug use (RR = 4.86; 95% CI =
      2.01-11.76; P = 0.001) and starting drug abuse at an early age (RR = 0.94; 95% CI
      = 0.88-0.99; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for criminal behavior among
      substance abusers include being divorced, history of alcohol abuse, history of
      psychological disorder, modern drug abuse and starting drug abuse at an early
      age.

PMID- 24237825
TI  - Electrocardiographic changes in attempted-hanging.

PMID- 24237826
TI  - Medical, social, and law characteristics of intoxicant's users medically examined
      in police custody.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There are no studies on medically examined persons in custody which
      specifically focus on identifying dependence profiles among users of intoxicants.
      Nonetheless, the characterisation of dependence profiles for intoxicants such as
      alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines and their by-products is a
      medical necessity in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective,
      monocentric, open-ended study conducted by structured questionnaire was carried
      out on detainees who admitted to having taken an intoxicant/s (tobacco, alcohol,
      drugs or illegal substances). Social, legal and medical data were collected. The
      aim of the study was to explore characteristics of these persons in police
      custody. RESULTS: 817 questionnaires were examined. More than one-third have a
      dependence on at least one substance. 37.7% were dependant of tobacco, 86.5% of
      drinkers, 24.7% of cannabis users. Of these, 90.1% were from men with a mean age
      of 29.4 years, 40% from individuals living alone, 25.7% from persons with no
      financial means and 19.6% from homeless persons. 10% were believed to be
      suffering from mental illness, 7.2% were thought to be asthmatic, 3% to have a
      chronic infection, and 2.9% to have epilepsy. 36.2% reportedly received
      treatment, 37.5% of which included benzodiazepine and 20.3% opiate substitution
      therapy. Incidence of psychological and psychiatric disorders is close to 10% of
      intoxicant detainees. DISCUSSION: In this study, some of the stated pathologies
      occur in ratios similar to those in other published results. But, there is a
      high, and probably underestimated, prevalence of psychological and psychiatric
      disorders in this population of detainees reporting exposure to intoxicant or
      illegal substances.

PMID- 24237827
TI  - Patterns of infant mortality in Kuwait from 2003 to 2006.
AB  - Infant death is often tragic, particularly in the Arab World, where infants,
      especially males, are supposed to carry their family's names due to ancient
      cultural traditions. The conditions and events that may be associated with infant
      death are extremely varied. Infants may die from either congenital disorders or
      natural diseases, or may pass away as a consequence of a complicated delivery.
      Infants are also victims of accidents and violence such as homicides. The main
      aim of this study was to investigate the reported medico legal cases of infant
      mortality in Kuwait due to natural and un-natural causes between 2003 and 2006.
      The average IMR rate in Kuwait during the study period was better than the IMR
      average for developing countries and the IMR average for the world during the
      same study period. In general, these figures for Kuwait are even better than the
      average for Middle East and North Africa. More medico- legal cases were reported
      for deaths among Kuwaiti infants in 2004, 2005 and 2006 compared to non Kuwaiti
      infants. More Kuwaiti infants died due to RTA and domestic accidents. In
      contrast, only non Kuwaiti infant died from infanticide. 

PMID- 24237828
TI  - Forensic and population genetic analyses of eighteen non-CODIS miniSTR loci in
      the Korean population.
AB  - We analyzed the variation of eighteen miniSTR loci in 411 randomly chosen
      individuals from Korea to increase the probability that a degraded sample can be
      typed, as well as to provide an expanded and reliable population database. Six
      multiplex PCR systems were developed (multiplex I: D1S1677, D2S441 and D4S2364;
      multiplex II: D10S1248, D14S1434 and D22S1045; multiplex III: D12S391, D16S3253
      and D20S161; multiplex IV: D3S4529, D8S1115 and D18S853; multiplex V: D6S1017,
      D11S4463 and D17S1301; multiplex VI: D5S2500, D9S1122 and D21S1437). Allele
      frequencies and forensic parameters were calculated to evaluate the suitability
      and robustness of these non-CODIS miniSTR systems. No significant deviation from
      Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations were observed, except for D4S2364,
      D5S2500 and D20S161 loci. A multidimensional scaling plot based on allele
      frequencies of the six miniSTR loci (D1S1677, D2S441, D4S2364, D10S1248, D14S1434
      and D22S1045) showed that Koreans appeared to have most genetic affinity with
      Chinese and Japanese than to other Eurasian populations compared here. The
      combined probability of match calculated from the 18 miniSTR loci was 2.902 * 10(
      17), indicating a high degree of polymorphism. Thus, the 18 miniSTR loci can be
      suitable for recovering useful information for analyzing degraded forensic
      casework samples and for adding supplementary genetic information for a variety
      of analyses involving closely related individuals where there is a need for
      additional genetic information. 

PMID- 24237829
TI  - Uncertain testamentary capacity.
AB  - This letter illustrates the significance of the legal rules that resolve
      uncertainty in assessments of testamentary capacity. 

PMID- 24237830
TI  - Fatal intimate partner violence against women in Portugal: a forensic medical
      national study.
AB  - Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important cause of women's health and socio
      familial severe problems, the most extreme being the victims' homicide. This is
      the first nationwide Portuguese autopsy-based and judicial-proven study about
      female intimate partner homicide. At least 62 women over 15 years old were killed
      by current or former men-intimate partners, corresponding to an IPV-related
      female mortality rate of 0.44/100.000 women; intimate partner violence was the
      reason of homicide in 60.8% of all autopsied women. The typical Portuguese victim
      showed to be a young adult woman, employed, killed by a current husband in a long
      term relationship, usually with children in common and with a history of previous
      IPV. The typical Portuguese perpetrator showed to be older than the victim,
      employed, owning a firearm and without criminal records. At the time of the fatal
      event 59.7% of the relationships were current. In 57.9% of the former
      relationships women were killed during the 1st year after its terminus. Near half
      of the perpetrators attempted or committed suicide afterward. Most women were
      killed by gunshot wounds (45.2%), especially in the thorax (48.4%), with multiple
      fatal injuries; 56.5% also presented non-fatal injuries. The detection of prior
      IPV and the risk evaluation seems to be fundamental to decrease these fatal
      outcomes, but also, the prevention of perpetrators' alcohol abuse and carrying
      weapons. This work emphasizes the need to deepen the research on this issue,
      aiming to contribute to prevent both fatal and non-fatal IPV-related cases. 

PMID- 24237831
TI  - Assessment of knowledge about, attitudes toward, and awareness of a forensic
      medicine course among medical students at the University of Dammam.
AB  - AIM: This study assesses the knowledge about, awareness of, and attitudes toward
      forensic medicine and the forensic medicine undergraduate course among medical
      students at the University of Dammam in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. METHOD: We
      conducted a cross-sectional study of 143 fourth-year students. We used a
      structured, self-administered questionnaire containing 10 items relating to
      forensic medicine to assess the knowledge about, awareness of, and attitudes
      toward forensic medicine and the forensic medicine undergraduate course. RESULTS:
      The results showed inadequate knowledge about, poor attitudes toward, and limited
      awareness of the importance of the forensic medicine course among medical
      students. Media had an effect on the students as they are a major source of
      forensic science information among medical students. CONCLUSION: The forensic
      medicine undergraduate course is important for medical students. We recommended
      that it be taught at the undergraduate level because it is the only academic
      source for forensic medicine that physicians may encounter in their careers.
      Teaching how to conduct an autopsy is important and has a positive role in
      medical education, and the forensic medicine curriculum must include instruction
      on autopsies, both from theoretical and practical perspectives. Medical
      institutes must take responsibility to increase awareness about the effect of
      media on medical education.

PMID- 24237832
TI  - Post-burning fragmentation of calcined bone: implications for remains recovery
      from fatal fire scenes.
AB  - This research assesses how short term delays in time-until-recovery can affect
      the quality and quantity of burnt bone recovered from a fatal fire scene.
      Knowledge of trends in post-burning remains fragmentation will enable
      investigators to prioritise remains recovery and implement recovery protocols
      appropriately. By comparing calcined bone fragments recovered 0, 24, 56 and 168 h
      (1 week) after experimental burns, this research describes remains fragmentation
      over time. Sus scrofa (domestic pig) limbs were burnt in a series of wood fuelled
      fires with calcined remains recovered at the specified time intervals. Bone
      fragments were sorted into 12 size based categories and the proportional weight
      of each category compared to observe differences in fragmentation over time.
      Results reveal marked increases in fragmentation when recovery is delayed by 24 h
      but less change in fragmentation between 24 and 56 h delay when breakage is
      reduced in the larger fragments. Between 56 and 168 h delay large increases in
      fragmentation occurred across all fragment sizes. These results indicate that
      short term recovery delays (24 h) can be detrimental to remains condition, but if
      remains recovery cannot be completed soon after the fire intermediate delays (56
      h) are less significant. Longer term delays (168 h) are again potentially highly
      detrimental. 

PMID- 24237833
TI  - Suicidal hanging in Kuwait: retrospective analysis of cases from 2010 to 2012.
AB  - Suicide is an important health hazard worldwide. We retrospectively analyzed the
      autopsy records of the Institute of Forensic Medicine between 2010 and 2012 to
      document the characteristics of fatalities resulting from hanging in Kuwait. Upon
      analysis of death scene investigation and autopsy reports together with the
      information gathered from the police, the cases of hanging fatalities of suicidal
      origin were selected. A retrospective study was carried out on 118 suicidal
      hanging cases autopsied at Forensic Medicine Center in Kuwait (from 2010 to
      2012). Of these cases, 86 (73%) were males and 32 females (27%). There was an
      increasing trend of hanging among ages between 21 and 50 years (87.3%) and the
      third decade had the highest number of victims (about 43%) between all age
      groups. Local Kuwaiti nationals comprised a small proportion of cases (7 persons,
      5.9%), while the others were foreigners working in Kuwait with an Indian
      precedence (54 persons, 54.8%), followed by other 12 different nationalities
      representing 39.3% of the cases. In conclusion, there was a decreasing trend of
      suicide by hanging in Kuwait from 44 cases in 2010 to 25 cases in 2012. 

PMID- 24237834
TI  - Toxicology, circumstances and pathology of deaths from acute alcohol toxicity.
AB  - Alcohol consumption makes a large contribution to premature mortality. In order
      to extend our understanding of the characteristics, circumstances, toxicology and
      pathology of alcohol toxicity deaths, all cases presenting to the Department of
      Forensic Medicine Sydney between 1/1/1997-31/12/2011 with blood alcohol
      concentrations (BACs) >=0.300 g/100 ml and where the direct cause of death was
      acute alcohol toxicity were retrieved (n = 83). The mean age was 47.2 yrs and
      77.1% were male. The majority (81.9%) of deaths occurred in a home environment,
      and did not vary across month or day of the week. In 91.6% of cases, a history of
      alcoholism or heavy alcohol consumption was reported. None were in any form of
      substance dependence treatment at the time of death. The mean BAC was 0.420 g/100
      ml (range 0.300-0.741 g/100 ml). In 33.7% of cases, other substances were
      detected, predominantly diazepam (28.9%). BACs did not vary significantly by
      gender, age or BMI. Urine/BAC ratios of >1.25 were seen in 6/43 cases where both
      samples were available. Cardiac disease was noted in 75.9% of cases and hepatic
      disease in 91.6%. The only alcohol-related organic brain syndrome pathology
      identified at autopsy was vermal cerebellar degeneration. 

PMID- 24237835
TI  - A comparison of ABAcard((r)) p30 and RSIDTM-Semen test kits for forensic semen
      identification.
AB  - The screening and confirmatory tests available to a forensic laboratory allow
      evidence to be examined for the presence of bodily fluids. With the majority of
      evidence being submitted involving sexual assaults, it is important to have
      confirmatory tests for the identification of semen that are straightforward,
      quick, and reliable. The purpose of this study was to compare two commonly used
      semen identification kits utilized by forensic laboratories: ABAcard((r)) p30 and
      Rapid Stain Identification of Human Semen (RSIDTM-Semen). These kits were
      assessed with aged semen stains, fresh and frozen post-vasectomy semen, post
      coital samples collected on different substrates, post-vasectomy semen mixed with
      blood, saliva, and urine, a series of swabs collected at increasing time
      intervals after sexual intercourse, and multiple non-semen samples. The test kits
      were compared on the basis of sensitivity, specificity, and the cost and time
      effectiveness of each protocol. Overall, both semen identification tests
      performed well in the studies. Both kits proved specificity for identifying
      semen, however the ABAcard((r)) p30 test surpassed the RSIDTM-Semen test in
      sensitivity, cost per test, and simplified test protocol. 

PMID- 24237836
TI  - Adverse event analysis in fatal cases of influenza A (H1N1) - a lesson from
      Poland.
AB  - During pandemic of influenza A (H1N1) in 2009 the relationship between mortality
      and medical errors, especially delayed antiviral treatment initiation, was
      highlighted in many studies. Our study was based on 5 fatal cases of pandemic
      influenza A (H1N1) hospitalized in Poland between November 2009 and February
      2011. The material included data from medical documentation as well as
      testimonies from medical personnel and patients' families recorded during on
      going lawsuits alleging medical malpractice. The risk factors of adverse events
      were: lack of typical symptoms, lack of detailed medical history, clinical
      masking of a "trivial" illness, doctors' ignorance and insufficient knowledge,
      several physicians treating the same patient during hospitalization.
      Recommendations for improving management of pandemic infectious disease include:
      an effective, quick and detailed system of information about the epidemiological
      threat, clear indication of units with diagnostic and medical possibilities,
      rational health policy and national system of closed claims and adverse event
      analysis. 

PMID- 24237837
TI  - Difficulties in personal identification caused by unreliable dental records.
AB  - This paper demonstrates a case of personal identification that initially seemed
      straightforward, mainly because complete and comprehensive antemortem dental
      records of a missing person were made available for analysis. Skeletal remains
      were found and the skull (most crucial for human identification) was delivered
      for analysis. Comparative analysis of antemortem and postmortem dental records
      excluded identification, while the results of superimposition (simultaneously
      performed by another team member) revealed sufficient concordant points to
      establish identity. The results caused confusion and additional information was
      required. The need for more evidence resulted in delivery of elements of the
      postcranial skeleton. Identification was finally achieved when concordant points
      were established in a comparison of antemortem X-rays and the humerus. Team
      members concluded that the dental records were in fact not adequate and that
      mistakes in numbering the teeth (superior canine instead inferior canine and
      right and left premolars) were considered to be the initial reason a positive
      identification had not been made. The authors conclude that a multidisciplinary
      approach is crucial to making a positive identification and that caution should
      be exercised when carrying out personal identification from dental records alone.
      The need to adequately train police officers to collect and preserve dental
      evidence is also emphasized. 

PMID- 24237838
TI  - Fatal crocodile attack.
AB  - Attacks on human beings by various animals leading to varied types of injuries
      and even death in some cases are not uncommon. Crocodile attacks on humans have
      been reported from a number of countries across the globe. Deaths in such attacks
      are mostly due to mechanical injuries or drowning. Bites by the crocodiles often
      cause the limbs to be separated from the body. The present case refers to an
      incident of a fatal attack by a crocodile on a 35 years old female where only the
      mutilated head of the female was recovered. Multiple lacerated wounds over the
      face and scalp along with fracture of the cranial bones was detected on autopsy.
      Two distinct bite marks in the form of punched in holes were noted over the
      parietal and frontal bones. Injuries on the head with its traumatic amputation
      from the body were sufficient to cause death. However, the presence of other
      fatal injuries on the unrecovered body parts could not be ruled out. 

PMID- 24237839
TI  - The assessment of lens opacity postmortem and its implication in forensics.
AB  - Visual impairment, mostly due to cataracts, has been demonstrated to be an
      important factor associated with traffic accidents. Although vision screening is
      standard procedure during licensing in order to prevent motor vehicle accidents,
      an eye exam is not typically administered after an accident has already occurred.
      Postmortem assessment of lens opacity in victims of car accidents would provide
      helpful information for attesting to the liability of the parties in specific
      accidents, determining the circumstances of the accident, and developing
      preventive measures for both drivers and pedestrians alike. In this paper, we
      explore the use of different methods and their limitations for assessing lens
      opacity postmortem. We discuss the possible use and benefits of a simple, but as
      yet untested method: retrobulbar translucency. The method would be based on the
      recording of shadows formed by opaque regions of the lens while the eye is
      illuminated from the back with a rigid source of light. The efficacy and
      objectivity of the method, its reproducibility, and the inter- and intra-observer
      error should be tested before implementing such a technique to be regularly used
      to determine lens opacity in cadavers. 

PMID- 24237840
TI  - Patterned genital injury in cases of sexual assault.

PMID- 24237841
TI  - Answer to the comments made by Prof Chariot to our original paper 'patterned
      genital injury in cases of rape - a case-control study'.

PMID- 24237842
TI  - A single case report lacking details does not equal a mimic of abusive head
      trauma.

PMID- 24237843
TI  - Significance of descriptive statistics in forensic anthropology research.

PMID- 24237844
TI  - Aluminum & cardiac arrhythmias; occupational medicine aspect of a case report.

PMID- 24237845
TI  - Mobitz type II second-degree atrioventricular block with narrow QRS and
      junctional extrasystoles: what is the mechanism?
AB  - A 74-year-old man underwent an electrophysiological study because of Mobitz type
      II second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block with narrow QRS and frequent
      junctional extrasystoles. During the study, there were very frequent single His
      bundle depolarizations with multiple coupling intervals that reproduce the ECG
      findings. In this case, some His bundle extrasystoles result in retrograde
      concealed conduction and prolonged local refractoriness in the AV node that
      manifest as block of the next atrial impulse. 

PMID- 24237846
TI  - An investigation of economic costs of schizophrenia in two areas of China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a severe psychotic disorder characterized by
      significant disturbances in thinking, perception, emotions and behavior. Even if
      it is not a very frequent disorder, but it is the most burdensome and costly
      illnesses worldwide. The total population was approximate 1.3 billion and there
      are approximate 8 million schizophrenic patients in China. Despite the wide
      ranging financial and social burdens associated with schizophrenia, but there
      have been few cost-of-illness studies of this illness in China. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the economic cost of schizophrenic patients in China. METHODOLOGY: 356
      schizophrenic patients who met with DSM-IV criteria were enrolled and
      investigated with the Economic Burden Questionnaire(EBQ), 299 schizophrenic
      patients completed the study for 12 months. All the data were combined and
      classified by researcher. EBQ include all kinds of cost such as direct cost,
      indirect cost and total cost as well. It was filled in by patients and their
      close caregivers. Comparison of cost was made between not only out-patients and
      in-patients but also urban patients and rural patients. Multiple stepwise
      regression analysis was made to identify the main influence factors of total
      cost. RESULTS: (i) The per case per annum total costs, direct costs and indirect
      costs of schizophrenia amounted to US$2586.21, US$862.81(33.4%) and
      US$1723.40(66.6%) respectively. The per case total cost, direct cost and direct
      medical cost of in-patients were more higher than out-patients (P < 0.05). (ii)
      There was significant difference in per case per annum total cost, direct cost,
      direct medical cost, cost due to lost working-days and disability between urban
      and rural schizophrenic patients (P < 0.05), the former is higher than the
      latter. (iii) The results of multivariate stepwise regression analysis show that
      five variables were significantly correlated with higher cost: professional
      status(cadre), diagnostic subtype(residual schizophrenia), urban or rural
      patients(urban patients), in-patients or out-patients(in-patients) and researcher
      centre(southern center). The standardized regression coefficient were 0.308,
      0.218, 0.212, 0.156 and 0.149 respectively, the correlation of determination R
      square was 0.2741, F = 15.651, P < 0.0000. These characteristics explain 27.41%
      of the variability in the total cost. CONCLUSION: (i) Economic cost of
      schizophrenia were serious, we must pay close attention to it. (ii) The indirect
      cost are the majority of the total cost. The cost of urban patients are more
      higher than the cost of rural patients, the cost of in-patients are more higher
      than the cost of out-patients.

PMID- 24237847
TI  - Perioperative outcomes in patients with rheumatoid versus osteoarthritis for
      total hip arthroplasty: a population-based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Little is known about perioperative outcomes among the subset of
      patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) for a diagnosis of rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA) rather than osteoarthritis (OA). We sought to 1) identify the
      prevalence of RA in patients undergoing THA, 2) compare their demographics to
      those being operated on for OA, 3) determine differences in perioperative
      outcomes and 4) analyse if RA represents an independent risk factor for
      complications, mortality, utilisation of resources, increased length of stay and
      cost. METHODS: Entries of patients who underwent elective THA between 2006 and
      2010 were identified in a national database and subgrouped according to presence
      of a concurrent diagnosis of RA. Differences in demographics and perioperative
      outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: We identified 157,775 entries for patients who
      underwent THA between 2006 and 2010. RA was present in 3.42% (n=5,400). Patients
      in the group RA were on average younger [RA: 63.94 years vs. OA: 65.64 years;
      p<0.0001] and more likely female [RA: 75.47% vs. OA: 56.09%; p<0.0001]. While
      mortality was not statistically different, perioperative pulmonary and infectious
      complications occurred more frequently in RA patients. Compared with OA,
      multivariate logistic regression revealed higher overall odds for complications
      [OR=1.15 (CI 1.05;1.25), p=0.0037], need for mechanical ventilation [OR=1.42 (CI
      1.01;2.00), p=0.0414], transfusion [OR=1.35 (CI 1.26;1.44), p<0.0001], prolonged
      hospitalisation [OR=1.16 (CI 1.08;1.23), p<0.0001] and increased hospital charges
      [OR=1.17 (CI 1.09;1.26), p<0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: In THA patients suffering from
      RA, perioperative risk for complications and utilization of health care resources
      continues to be increased compared to OA patients.

PMID- 24237848
TI  - Evaluating the impact of depression, anxiety & autonomic function on health
      related quality of life, vocational functioning and health care utilisation in
      acute coronary syndrome patients: the ADVENT study protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent and co-morbid in acute
      coronary syndrome patients. Somatic and cognitive subtypes of depression and
      anxiety in acute coronary syndrome have been shown to be associated with
      mortality although their association with patient outcomes is unknown, as are the
      mechanisms that underpin these associations. We are conducting a prospective
      cohort study which aims to examine in acute coronary syndrome patients: (1) the
      role of somatic subtypes of depression and anxiety as predictors of health
      related quality of life outcomes; (2) how somatic subtypes of depression and
      anxiety relate to long term vocational functioning and healthcare utilisation;
      and (3) the role of the autonomic nervous system assessed by heart rate
      variability as a moderator of these associations. METHODS: Patients are being
      screened after index admission for acute coronary syndrome at a single, high
      volume centre, MonashHeart, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia. The inclusion
      criterion is all patients aged > 21 years old and fluent in English admitted to
      MonashHeart, Monash Health with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. The
      primary outcome is mean health related quality of life (Short Form-36) Physical
      and Mental Health Summary scores at 12 and 24 months in subtypes with somatic
      symptoms of depression and anxiety. Depressive domains are assessed by the Beck
      Depression Inventory II and the Cardiac Depression Scale. Anxiety is measured
      using the Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Crown Crisp Phobic
      Anxiety questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include clinical variables, healthcare
      service utilisation and vocational functioning. DISCUSSION: This manuscript
      presents the protocol for a prospective cohort study which will investigate the
      role of somatic subtypes of depression and anxiety as predictors of health
      related quality of life, long-term vocational functioning and health service use,
      and the role of the autonomic nervous system in moderating these associations.
      Findings from the study have the potential to inform more effective
      pharmacological, psychological and behavioural interventions and better guide
      health policy on the use of health care resources.

PMID- 24237849
TI  - Proteomic characterization of serine hydrolase activity and composition in normal
      urine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serine hydrolases constitute a large enzyme family involved in a
      diversity of proteolytic and metabolic processes which are essential for many
      aspects of normal physiology. The roles of serine hydrolases in renal function
      are largely unknown and monitoring their activity may provide important insights
      into renal physiology. The goal of this study was to profile urinary serine
      hydrolases with activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) and to perform an in
      depth compositional analysis. METHODS: Eighteen healthy individuals provided
      random, mid-stream urine samples. ABPP was performed by reacting urines (n = 18)
      with a rhodamine-tagged fluorophosphonate probe and visualizing on SDS-PAGE.
      Active serine hydrolases were isolated with affinity purification and identified
      on MS-MS. Enzyme activity was confirmed with substrate specific assays. A
      complementary 2D LC/MS-MS analysis was performed to evaluate the composition of
      serine hydrolases in urine. RESULTS: Enzyme activity was closely, but not
      exclusively, correlated with protein quantity. Affinity purification and MS/MS
      identified 13 active serine hydrolases. The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and
      calcium channel (TRPV5) regulators, tissue kallikrein and plasmin were identified
      in active forms, suggesting a potential role in regulating sodium and calcium
      reabsorption in a healthy human model. Complement C1r subcomponent-like protein,
      mannan binding lectin serine protease 2 and myeloblastin (proteinase 3) were also
      identified in active forms. The in-depth compositional analysis identified 62
      serine hydrolases in urine independent of activity state. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      identified luminal regulators of electrolyte homeostasis in an active state in
      the urine, which suggests tissue kallikrein and plasmin may be functionally
      relevant in healthy individuals. Additional serine hydrolases were identified in
      an active form that may contribute to regulating innate immunity of the urinary
      tract. Finally, the optimized ABPP technique in urine demonstrates its
      feasibility, reproducibility and potential applicability to profiling urinary
      enzyme activity in different renal physiological and pathophysiological
      conditions.

PMID- 24237851
TI  - Quality of life in non-melanoma skin cancer--the skin cancer quality of life
      (SCQoL) questionnaire.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Disease-specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaires are
      increasingly used to provide patient-reported out-come measures in both malignant
      and non-malignant disease. OBJECTIVE: To create, validate and test the
      psychometrics of the Skin Cancer Quality of Life (SCQoL), which was designed to
      measure health-related QoL in patients with non-melanoma skin cancer affecting
      any area and undergoing any therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The SCQoL was
      developed in a stepwise approach. Three pilot studies (testing content and face
      validity) and psychometric testing (scale structure, reliability, domains and
      known-groups validity, concurrent and convergent validity) were conducted. Rasch
      analyses were performed on the final questionnaire. RESULTS: The initial 10-item
      questionnaire was reduced to 9 items following interviews and inter-item
      correlations. The nine item scale was confirmed by Item Response Theory (IRT) and
      internal consistency. Differential Item Functioning (DIF) was found for a single
      item, but the effect was small. CONCLUSION: The final 9-item SCQoL is
      unidimensional and consists of 3 domains covering function, emotions and control.
      Furthermore there is one single global item. The total score range from 0 to 27.
      Higher score denote a greater impairment of the QoL.

PMID- 24237850
TI  - Micronutrients supplementation and nutritional status in cognitively impaired
      elderly persons: a two-month open label pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a widespread problem in elderly people and is
      associated with cognitive decline. However, interventional studies have produced
      ambiguous results. For this reason, we wanted to determine the effect of
      micronutrient supplementation on blood and tissue levels and on general
      nutritional status in persons with mild or moderate cognitive impairment.
      METHODS: We performed a 2-month, open-label trial, administering a daily
      micronutrient supplement to 42 memory clinic patients with mild cognitive
      deficits. Blood levels of antioxidants, zinc, and B vitamins were determined
      before and after supplementation. In addition, we assessed metabolic markers for
      B vitamins and intracellular (buccal mucosa cell [BMC]) antioxidant levels.
      Nutritional status was assessed by using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).
      RESULTS: Blood levels of B vitamins, folic acid, lutein, beta-carotene, alpha
      carotene, and alpha-tocopherol increased significantly. Decreases in homocysteine
      levels and the thiamine pyrophosphate effect and an increase in
      holotranscobalamin were observed. We found no increase in intracellular
      antioxidant levels of BMC. The MNA score in subjects at risk for malnutrition
      increased significantly, mainly owing to better perception of nutritional and
      overall health status. CONCLUSIONS: Micronutrient supplementation improved serum
      micronutrient status, with improved metabolic markers for B vitamins but not for
      intracellular antioxidant status, and was associated with improved self
      perception of general health status. Our data underline the necessity of
      determining micronutrient status and support the use of additional assessments
      for general health and quality of life in nutritional supplementation trials.

PMID- 24237852
TI  - [Results or pelvi-perineal rehabilitation in patients with pelvic floor
      dyssynergia].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pelvic floor dyssynergia (PPD) is a common cause of outlet
      obstruction constipation. Treatment for this condition is based on pelvi-perineal
      re-education (PPR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of PPR on
      patients with PPD METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of PPD were included. The
      study was conducted between 2010 and 2011. PPR was performed by specialized
      kinesiologists. Prior and after treatment a constipation questionnaire was
      performed (KESS) (scale from 0 to 39 points, a higher score is associated with
      more symptom severity). KESS score before and after PPR were compared. Mann
      Whitney-Wilcoxon rank sum test for paired samples was used for statistical
      analysis, p value <0,05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: Thirteen patients
      were included (11 women), mean age 44.3 years old (r: 18-76). Mean total KESS
      score prior and after PPR were 19.6 (SD: 5.8) and 12.6 (DS: 63), respectively
      (P=.002). Frequency of bowel movements, stool consistency, abdominal pain and
      abdominal bloating did not present statistically significant changes before and
      after treatment. Use of laxatives, enemas and/or digitations, as well as
      unsuccessful evacuation, feelings of incomplete evacuation improved
      significantly. Total evacuation time (before 1.53 vs after 1; P=.012) and
      difficult evacuation causing painful efforts (before 2.08 vs after 1.07; P=.001)
      also decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: PPR in patients with PPD, significantly
      improves the symptoms of obstructive constipation, mainly with respect to
      mechanical assistance and difficult evacuation.

PMID- 24237853
TI  - Choosing surgery as a specialty: opinions of medical students about surgery and
      surgeons.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Since the number of applicants to residencies in general surgery in
      Argentina seems to be decreasing, we designed this work with the objective of
      studying the factors considered undesirable by students when choosing surgery as
      a specialty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March and April 2012, one-hundred
      students were surveyed with a structured questionnaire with true/false binary
      answers in an observational case-control design. The survey contained 26
      statements that made reference to characteristics of surgery as a specialty, or
      about the personality and lifestyle of surgeons, as they could be perceived by
      students. As a control group the same survey was applied to 20 surgeons who were
      in contact with the students and that could represent a role model for them
      during their rotation in surgery. RESULTS: Comparison between students and
      surgeons showed no difference in most answers, except in "surgery has poor
      reimbursement" (OR: 8,9; P=.0001), "there is not enough job demand" (OR: 8,1;
      P=.015), "surgery restrains intellectual development" (OR: 17,5; P=.014),
      "surgeons have too many non-scheduled activities" (OR: 9,36; P=.024), "they have
      a limited patient-physician relationship" (OR: 3,61; P=.009), "they have little
      time for family" (OR: 4,27; P=.036) and "they are exposed to infectious diseases"
      (OR: 5,90; P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: Women would be as interested as men in working
      as surgeons; a remarkable fact when considering that the surgical specialties
      have been predominantly filled by men. The fact that surgeons mostly coincide
      with the views of students means that role models should be reviewed to promote
      vocations.

PMID- 24237855
TI  - Insomnia and accidents: cross-sectional study (EQUINOX) on sleep-related home,
      work and car accidents in 5293 subjects with insomnia from 10 countries.
AB  - The link between sleepiness and the risk of motor vehicle accidents is well
      known, but little is understood regarding the risk of home, work and car
      accidents of subjects with insomnia. An international cross-sectional survey was
      conducted across 10 countries in a population of subjects with sleep
      disturbances. Primary care physicians administered a questionnaire that included
      assessment of sociodemographic characteristics, sleep disturbance and accidents
      (motor vehicle, work and home) related to sleep problems to each subject.
      Insomnia was defined using the International Classification of Sleep Disorders
      (ICSD-10) criteria. A total of 5293 subjects were included in the study, of whom
      20.9% reported having had at least one home accident within the past 12 months,
      10.1% at least one work accident, 9% reported having fallen asleep while driving
      at least once and 4.1% reported having had at least one car accident related to
      their sleepiness. All types of accident were reported more commonly by subjects
      living in urban compared to other residential areas. Car accidents were reported
      more commonly by employed subjects, whereas home injuries were reported more
      frequently by the unemployed. Car accidents were reported more frequently by
      males than by females, whereas home accidents were reported more commonly by
      females. Patients with insomnia have high rates of home accidents, car accidents
      and work accidents related to sleep disturbances independently of any adverse
      effects of hypnotic treatments. Reduced total sleep time may be one factor
      explaining the high risk of accidents in individuals who complain of insomnia. 

PMID- 24237854
TI  - Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 modulates cytokine induction from toll like
      receptor activated, but not rhinovirus infected, primary human airway smooth
      muscle.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Virus-induced exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
      (COPD) are a significant health burden and occur even in those receiving the best
      current therapies. Rhinovirus (RV) infections are responsible for half of all
      COPD exacerbations. The mechanism by which exacerbations occur remains undefined,
      however it is likely to be due to virus-induced inflammation. Given that
      phophodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors have an anti-inflammatory effect in patients
      with COPD they present a potential therapy prior to, and during, these
      exacerbations. METHODS: In the present study we investigated whether the PDE4
      inhibitor piclamilast (10(-6) M) could alter RV or viral mimetic (5 MUg/mL of
      imiquimod or poly I:C) induced inflammation and RV replication in primary human
      airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) and bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC). The
      mediators IL-6, IL-8, prostaglandin E2 and cAMP production were assayed by ELISA
      and RV replication was assayed by viral titration. RESULTS: We found that in
      ASMCs the TLR3 agonist poly I:C induced IL-8 release was reduced while induced IL
      6 release by the TLR7/8 agonist imiquimod was further increased by the presence
      of piclamilast. However, in RV infected ASMCs, virus replication and induced
      mediator release were unaltered by piclamilast, as was also found in HBECs. The
      novel findings of this study reveal that although PDE inhibitors may not
      influence RV-induced cytokine production in ASMCs and replication in either ASMCs
      or HBECs, they have the capacity to be anti-inflammatory during TLR activation by
      modulating the induction of these chemotactic cytokines. CONCLUSION: By
      extrapolating our in vitro findings to exacerbations of COPD in vivo this
      suggests that PDE4 inhibitors may have beneficial anti-inflammatory properties
      when patients are infected with bacteria or viruses other than RV.

PMID- 24237856
TI  - Antimicrobial resistance: a global view from the 2013 World Healthcare-Associated
      Infections Forum.
AB  - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now a global threat. Its emergence rests on
      antimicrobial overuse in humans and food-producing animals; globalization and
      suboptimal infection control facilitate its spread. While aggressive measures in
      some countries have led to the containment of some resistant gram-positive
      organisms, extensively resistant gram-negative organisms such as carbapenem
      resistant enterobacteriaceae and pan-resistant Acinetobacter spp. continue their
      rapid spread. Antimicrobial conservation/stewardship programs have seen some
      measure of success in reducing antimicrobial overuse in humans, but their reach
      is limited to acute-care settings in high-income countries. Outside the European
      Union, there is scant or no oversight of antimicrobial administration to food
      producing animals, while evidence mounts that this administration leads directly
      to resistant human infections. Both horizontal and vertical infection control
      measures can interrupt transmission among humans, but many of these are costly
      and essentially limited to high-income countries as well. Novel antimicrobials
      are urgently needed; in recent decades pharmaceutical companies have largely
      abandoned antimicrobial discovery and development given their high costs and low
      yield. Against this backdrop, international and cross-disciplinary collaboration
      appears to be taking root in earnest, although specific strategies still need
      defining. Educational programs targeting both antimicrobial prescribers and
      consumers must be further developed and supported. The general public must
      continue to be made aware of the current scale of AMR's threat, and must perceive
      antimicrobials as they are: a non-renewable and endangered resource. 

PMID- 24237857
TI  - Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome in cystic fibrosis: presentation, outcome
      and management in a tertiary hospital (2007-2012).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) can result in distal intestinal obstruction
      syndrome (DIOS) due to inspissated mucus. This paper describes the
      clinicopathological characteristics of adult CF patients with DIOS and assesses
      risk factors for surgery. METHODS: A retrospective audit of CF patients at the
      Alfred Hospital from January 2007 to February 2012 was carried out. Patients who
      had 'bowel obstruction or constipation' were abstracted from the database, and
      medical records were reviewed for a diagnosis of DIOS. RESULTS: Forty-five
      encounters of 35 patients were extracted. Twenty-five (83%) patients were
      homozygous for the delta F508 mutations, 29 (85%) had pancreatic insufficiency
      and 15 (44%) had a lung transplant. Patients presented with abdominal pain (96%
      of encounters), nausea (76% of encounters) and vomiting (67% of encounters).
      Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 20 episodes. Compared with CT,
      abdominal X-ray had a sensitivity of 63% (95% confidence interval (CI) 30-89%)
      and specificity of 33% (95% CI 8-70%) for detecting DIOS with obstruction. Forty
      one (91%) encounters resolved with medical management within 2-3 days. Three
      patients required surgical intervention in four episodes. Previous laparotomy
      (odds ratio (OR) 28.5, 95% CI 1.3-624, P=0.03) and history of meconium ileus (OR
      14, 95% CI 1-192, P<0.05) were statistically significant predictors of
      progression to surgical management. CONCLUSION: In most patients with DIOS, the
      obstruction resolves with medical management. Early consultation with a CF
      service, assessment for a surgical abdomen and involvement of surgeons where
      appropriate is recommended. A history of previous laparotomy is a risk factor for
      the need for surgical intervention.

PMID- 24237859
TI  - Heart rate recovery: autonomic determinants, methods of assessment and
      association with mortality and cardiovascular diseases.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiac
      autonomic dysfunction seems to be related to the genesis of several CVDs and is
      also linked to the increased risk of mortality in CVD patients. The
      quantification of heart rate decrement after exercise - known as heart rate
      recovery (HRR) - is a simple tool for assessing cardiac autonomic activity in
      healthy and CVD patients. Furthermore, since The Cleveland Clinic studies, HRR
      has also been used as a powerful index for predicting mortality. For these
      reasons, in recent years, the scientific community has been interested in
      proposing methods and protocols to investigate HRR and understand its underlying
      mechanisms. The aim of this review is to discuss current knowledge about HRR,
      including its potential primary and secondary physiological determinants, as well
      as its role in predicting mortality. Published data show that HRR can be modelled
      by an exponential curve, with a fast and a slow decay component. HRR may be
      influenced by population and exercise characteristics. The fast component mainly
      seems to be dictated by the cardiac parasympathetic reactivation, probably
      promoted by the deactivation of central command and mechanoreflex inputs
      immediately after exercise cessation. On the other hand, the slow phase of HRR
      may be determined by cardiac sympathetic withdrawal, possibly via the
      deactivation of metaboreflex and thermoregulatory mechanisms. All these pathways
      seem to be impaired in CVD, helping to explain the slower HRR in such patients
      and the increased rate of mortality in individuals who present a slower HRR. 

PMID- 24237858
TI  - Cohort profile: risk evaluation of cancers in Chinese diabetic individuals: a
      longitudinal (REACTION) study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate whether abnormal glucose metabolism (diabetes and
      prediabetes) is associated with increased risk for cancer in the Chinese
      population and to identify factors that modify the risk of cancer among
      individuals with abnormal glucose metabolism. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2012, 259
      657 community-dwelling adults, aged 40 years and older, were recruited from 25
      centers across mainland China to participant in the baseline survey of the
      REACTION study, with follow-up investigations performed 3, 5, and 10 years later.
      Detailed questionnaires about lifestyles, physical and biochemical measurement,
      bio-samples including serum, urine, and whole blood for DNA extraction were
      collected for all the participants. RESULTS: The mean +/- standard deviation (SD)
      age of this cohort was 57 +/- 10 years. And the prevalence of pre-existing and
      newly diagnosed diabetes was 10.32% and 10.57%, respectively. A total of 4511
      prevalent cancer cases (988 men and 3523 women) were identified, the prevalence
      was 1.79. Compared to those with normal glucose metabolism, men with diabetes had
      a significantly lower adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) of stomach cancer (PR: 0.38,
      95% CI: 0.16-0.89), and women with diabetes had significantly higher adjusted PRs
      of cancer of all sites (PR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.20-1.56), and cancer of the breast
      (PR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.21-2.00), the endometrium (PR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.16-2.15), and
      the thyroid (PR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.03-2.27). CONCLUSION: The multi-center REACTION
      study has captured a broad range of data on physical, psychological and metabolic
      function as well as health status, biochemical and lifestyle information in 259
      657 adults from the general population across the China.

PMID- 24237860
TI  - Prevalence and clustering of soil-transmitted helminth infections in a tribal
      area in southern India.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence, spatial patterns and clustering in the
      distribution of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, and factors
      associated with hookworm infections in a tribal population in Tamil Nadu, India.
      METHODS: Cross-sectional study with one-stage cluster sampling of 22 clusters.
      Demographic and risk factor data and stool samples for microscopic ova/cysts
      examination were collected from 1237 participants. Geographical information
      systems mapping assessed spatial patterns of infection. RESULTS: The overall
      prevalence of STH was 39% (95% CI 36%-42%), with hookworm 38% (95% CI 35-41%) and
      Ascaris lumbricoides 1.5% (95% CI 0.8-2.2%). No Trichuris trichiura infection was
      detected. People involved in farming had higher odds of hookworm infection (1.68,
      95% CI 1.31-2.17, P < 0.001). In the multiple logistic regression, adults (2.31,
      95% CI 1.80-2.96, P < 0.001), people with pet cats (1.55, 95% CI 1.10-2.18, P =
      0.011) and people who did not wash their hands with soap after defecation (1.84,
      95% CI 1.27-2.67, P = 0.001) had higher odds of hookworm infection, but gender
      and poor usage of foot wear did not significantly increase risk. Cluster
      analysis, based on design effect calculation, did not show any clustering of
      cases among the study population; however, spatial scan statistic detected a
      significant cluster for hookworm infections in one village. CONCLUSION: Multiple
      approaches including health education, improving the existing sanitary practices
      and regular preventive chemotherapy are needed to control the burden of STH in
      similar endemic areas.

PMID- 24237861
TI  - Predictors for replanning in loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
      patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiation therapy: a prospective
      observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Replanning in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been
      reported to improve quality of life and loco-regional control in patients with
      nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Determination of the criteria for replanning is,
      however, urgently needed. We conducted a prospective study to determine when and
      for what type of patients is replanning preferred through weekly repeat computed
      tomography (CT) imaging during the course of IMRT. METHODS: We recruited 20
      patients who were diagnosed as having loco-regionally advanced, non-metastatic
      stage III or IVa NPC and treated with concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy
      (CRT) using IMRT. Patients received CT simulation (sim-CT) and plain magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) plus diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) weekly for five
      consecutive weeks. The gross tumor volume (GTV) and clinical target volume (CTV)
      were delineated and recorded weekly based on the CT-CT fusion. The relationship
      between GTV/CTV reduction and clinical characteristics of the patients were
      assessed using Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: GTV and CTV decreased during
      the treatment by 36.03 mL (range, 10.91-98.82 mL) and 76.79 mL (range, 33.94
      125.14 mL), respectively, after 25 fractions of treatment. The percentage
      reductions from their initial volume were 38.4% (range, 25.3-50.7%) and 11.8%
      (range, 6.7-18.3%), respectively. The greatest reductions in GTV and CTV were
      observed at the fourth week (i.e., upon completion of 20 fractions), compared to
      pre-treatment sim-CT. Weight loss and CTV reduction were significantly correlated
      with pre-treatment body mass index (BMI ) (r =0.58, P =0.012, and r =0.48, P
      =0.046, respectively). However, no significant correlation was observed between
      CTV reduction and initial tumor volume. In addition, GTV reduction was not
      significantly correlated with pre-treatment tumor volume (P =0.65), but
      negatively correlated with pre-treatment tumor apparent diffusion coefficient
      (ADC) values (r = -0.46, P =0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the
      most appropriate replanning time is after 20 fractions of treatment, and pre
      treatment BMI and ADC are potential predictive factors for the determination of
      replanning during IMRT.

PMID- 24237863
TI  - Birth prevalence for congenital limb defects in the northern Netherlands: a 30
      year population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reported birth prevalences of congenital limb defects (CLD) vary
      between countries: from 13/10,000 in Finland for the period 1964-1977 to
      30.4/10,000 births in Scotland from 1964-1968. Epidemiological studies permit the
      timely detection of trends in CLD and of associations with other birth defects.
      The aim of this study is to describe the birth prevalence of CLD in the northern
      Netherlands. METHODS: In a population-based, epidemiological study we
      investigated the birth prevalences of CLD for 1981-2010. Data were collected by
      the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies in the northern Netherlands
      (EUROCAT-NNL). We excluded malpositions, club foot, and dislocation/dysplasia of
      hips or knees. Trends were analysed for the 19-year period 1992-2010 using chi2
      tests, as well as CLD association with anomalies affecting other organs. RESULTS:
      The birth prevalence of CLD was 21.1/10,000 births for 1981-2010. There was an
      overall decrease in non-syndromic limb defects (P = 0.023) caused by a decrease
      in the prevalence of non-syndromic syndactyly (P < 0.01) in 1992-2010. Of 1,048
      children with CLD, 55% were males, 57% had isolated defects, 13% had multiple
      congenital anomalies (MCA), and 30% had a recognised syndrome. The upper:lower
      limb ratio was 2:1, and the left:right side ratio was 1.2:1. Cardiovascular and
      urinary tract anomalies were common in combination with CLD (37% and 25% of cases
      with MCA). Digestive-tract anomalies were significantly associated with CLD (P =
      0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The birth prevalence of CLD in the northern Netherlands was
      21.1/10,000 births. The birth prevalence of non-syndromic syndactyly dropped from
      5.2/10,000 to 1.1/10,000 in 1992-2010.

PMID- 24237864
TI  - The overall program effects of California's 3-Tier Assessment System pilot on
      crashes and mobility among senior drivers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In 2007, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
      undertook a pilot study of the 3-Tier Assessment System, the purpose of which was
      to examine, in a large-scale real-time public agency setting, the effectiveness
      of this method for both reducing the crash risk of individual drivers and for
      extending the safe driving years of Californian drivers of all ages. METHOD: The
      3-Tier Assessment System consisted of tiered series of screening tools
      incorporated into the in-office driver's license renewal process. These screening
      tools identified drivers with various kinds of functional limitations (physical,
      visual, and cognitive/perceptual), that might impact safe driving. Paired with
      the screening tools were educational materials designed to improve drivers'
      knowledge of their own limitations, including compensating techniques. The
      present study is a population-based evaluation of the effects of the pilot on
      subsequent crash risk and mobility outcomes (including delicensure) of
      participating drivers age 70 and older. Pilot participants were compared with two
      control groups processed according to standard California DMV license renewal
      procedures. Because the 3-Tier Assessment System was designed to identify
      limitations normally associated with aging, the present analyses focus on drivers
      age 70 and older. However, it should be emphasized that during the 3-Tier pilot
      the screening tools were applied to drivers of all ages. RESULTS: There were two
      main findings. First, there were no consistent, statistically significant
      differences between the pilot and control groups in crash risk in the two years
      following screening. Second, pilot participants experienced statistically
      significant effects on mobility. These effects included delays in time to
      complete their license renewal, an increase in the number of assigned license
      restrictions, and an increase in the number of customers failing to renew their
      driving privilege. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, suggestions for further
      research are made. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: None.

PMID- 24237865
TI  - Sustainability of community-based fall prevention programs: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fall prevention programs may be implemented but not sustained. We
      conducted a systematic review to identify any theories, models, frameworks,
      influencing factors or interventions for sustaining fall prevention programs in
      the community. METHODS: Peer-reviewed publications describing, investigating, or
      evaluating program sustainability were accessed. A narrative review was conducted
      to compare and synthesize study findings. RESULTS: Nineteen publications were
      included. Three conceptual frameworks were identified describing how programs may
      be better sustained. While ongoing financial support and the participation of
      older people were commonly reported influences, other factors specific to the
      type of program and setting were also reported. Planning, training, and
      collaboration between program stakeholders may facilitate sustainable programs.
      IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Organizations can use these findings when planning for
      sustainable programs. However more robust empirical studies are needed to confirm
      the value of conceptual frameworks, the critical factors and most effective
      interventions for sustaining community-based fall prevention programs.

PMID- 24237862
TI  - A systems biology view of blood vessel growth and remodelling.
AB  - Blood travels throughout the body in an extensive network of vessels - arteries,
      veins and capillaries. This vascular network is not static, but instead
      dynamically remodels in response to stimuli from cells in the nearby tissue. In
      particular, the smallest vessels - arterioles, venules and capillaries - can be
      extended, expanded or pruned, in response to exercise, ischaemic events,
      pharmacological interventions, or other physiological and pathophysiological
      events. In this review, we describe the multi-step morphogenic process of
      angiogenesis - the sprouting of new blood vessels - and the stability of vascular
      networks in vivo. In particular, we review the known interactions between
      endothelial cells and the various blood cells and plasma components they convey.
      We describe progress that has been made in applying computational modelling,
      quantitative biology and high-throughput experimentation to the angiogenesis
      process. 

PMID- 24237866
TI  - Ambulatory cell phone injuries in the United States: an emerging national
      concern.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the past 15 years, the use of cell phones has increased 8-fold
      in the United States. Cell phone use has been shown to increase crash risks for
      drivers, but no systematic analyses have described injuries related to ambulatory
      cell phone use. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe and
      quantitate injuries and deaths among persons using cell phones while walking.
      METHODS: We searched the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS)
      for emergency department (ED) reports of injuries related to phone use. The cases
      that returned were screened initially using words that would eliminate cases
      unlikely to be related to cell phone use and walking, possibly linked to
      distraction. The resulting cases were randomized and evaluated for consistency
      with predetermined case definitions by two authors blinded to the dates of the
      incidents. Cases that were disagreed upon were evaluated in a second screening by
      both authors for final case determination. National ED visit rates were estimated
      based on NEISS sampling methods. Annual variations were analyzed using linear
      regression with a restricted maximum likelihood approach. RESULTS: Our screening
      process identified 5,754 possible cases that occurred between 2000 and 2011, and
      310 were agreed on as cases of cell-phone-induced distraction. The majority of
      the patients were female (68%) and 40 years of age or younger (54%). The primary
      mechanism of injury was a fall (72%), and most patients were treated and released
      from the ED (85%). No patients died from their injuries while they were in the
      ED. Linear modeling by year revealed a statistically significant increase in
      distraction injury rates over the years of study (p<0.001 for trend).
      CONCLUSIONS: The number of ED visits by ambulatory persons injured while being
      distracted by cell phone use has been increasing. More research is needed to
      determine the risks associated with walking and talking on a cell phone and to
      develop strategies for intervention. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Cell phone use
      continues to increase both at home and outdoor environments. The use of smart
      phones, with their more enticing features, increases the likelihood of
      distraction-induced injuries even more. Manufacturers should consider the
      addition of tools or applications on smart phones to remind users to remain alert
      to outside auditory stimuli that herald external hazards and to encourage them to
      not use these devices while engaged in other activities.

PMID- 24237867
TI  - Pedestrians' estimates of their own nighttime conspicuity are unaffected by
      severe reductions in headlight illumination.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: At night pedestrians tend to overestimate their conspicuity to
      oncoming drivers, but little is known about factors affecting pedestrians'
      conspicuity estimates. This study examines how headlamp intensity and
      pedestrians' clothing influence judgments of their own conspicuity. METHOD: Forty
      eight undergraduate students estimated their own conspicuity on an unilluminated
      closed road by walking in front of a stationary vehicle to the point at which
      they judged that they were just recognizable to the driver. Unknown to the
      participants, high beam intensity was manipulated between subjects by placing
      neutral density filters on the headlamps. RESULTS: Estimated conspicuity
      distances did not significantly vary with changes in headlamp intensity even when
      only 3% of the illumination from the headlamps was present. PRACTICAL
      APPLICATIONS: These findings underscore the need to educate pedestrians about the
      visual challenges that drivers face at night and the need to minimize
      pedestrians' exposure to traffic flow at night.

PMID- 24237868
TI  - Outcomes associated with breach and fulfillment of the psychological contract of
      safety.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The study investigated the outcomes associated with breach and
      fulfillment of the psychological contract of safety. METHOD: The psychological
      contract of safety is defined as the beliefs of individuals about reciprocal
      employer and employee safety obligations inferred from implicit or explicit
      promises. When employees perceive that safety obligations promised by the
      employer have not been met, a breach of the psychological contract occurs, termed
      employer breach of obligations. The extent to which employees fulfill their
      safety obligations to the employer is termed employee fulfillment of obligations.
      Structural equation modeling was used to test a model of safety that investigated
      the positive and negative outcomes associated with breach and fulfillment of the
      psychological contract of safety. Participants were 424 health care workers
      recruited from two hospitals in the State of Victoria, Australia. RESULTS:
      Following slight modification of the hypothesized model, a good fitting model
      resulted. Being injured in the workplace was found to lower perceptions of trust
      in the employer and increase perceptions of employer breach of safety
      obligations. Trust in the employer significantly influenced perceived employer
      breach of safety obligations such that lowered trust resulted in higher
      perceptions of breach. Perceptions of employer breach significantly impacted
      employee fulfillment of safety obligations with high perceptions of breach
      resulting in low employee fulfillment of obligations. Trust and perceptions of
      breach significantly influenced safety attitudes, but not safety behavior.
      Fulfillment of employee safety obligations significantly impacted safety
      behavior, but not safety attitudes. Implications of these findings for safety and
      psychological contract research are explored. A positive emphasis on social
      exchange relationships in organizations will have positive outcomes for safety
      climate and safety behavior.

PMID- 24237869
TI  - Production output pressure and coal mine fatality seasonal variations in China,
      2002-2011.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The death rate per million tons (DRPMT) is considered as the key
      index to the quality of coal mine safety management. The index for 2002-2011
      revealed a marked improvement in China coal mine safety management during the 10
      year period. However, when seasonally adjusted, the 2002-2011 fatality data
      showed a strong seasonal variation trend. This was reasonably consistent for the
      10 years, which suggests that it was always the weak link in Chinese coal mine
      safety management over that time. However, the overall annual decrease in DRPMT
      was not reflected by any noticeable improvement in the seasonal occurrence of
      fatal coal mine accidents in China. METHOD: This paper focuses on this issue,
      first by analyzing the seasonal fluctuation of fatal accident statistics, then by
      investigating whether there was a parallel trend in China production output
      pressure. Finally an error correction model (ECM) was established to analyze the
      relationship between seasonal fatality rates and the pressure to increase coal
      production output, and revealed a close relationship between the two. PRACTICAL
      APPLICATIONS: Firstly, the finding of this paper can help coal mine companies
      arrange their production planning more rationally, and decrease the fatalities'
      seasonal variations. Secondly, this paper is also helpful for the government to
      improve their regulation policies, to control the frequency of seasonal coal mine
      disasters.

PMID- 24237870
TI  - Introducing a multivariate model for predicting driving performance: the role of
      driving anger and personal characteristics.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Maladaptive driving is an important source of self-inflicted
      accidents and this driving style could include high speeds, speeding violations,
      and poor lateral control of the vehicle. The literature suggests that certain
      groups of drivers, such as novice drivers, males, highly motivated drivers, and
      those who frequently experience anger in traffic, tend to exhibit more
      maladaptive driving patterns compared to other drivers. Remarkably, no coherent
      framework is currently available to describe the relationships and distinct
      influences of these factors. METHOD: We conducted two studies with the aim of
      creating a multivariate model that combines the aforementioned factors, describes
      their relationships, and predicts driving performance more precisely. The studies
      employed different techniques to elicit emotion and different tracks designed to
      explore the driving behaviors of participants in potentially anger-provoking
      situations. Study 1 induced emotions with short film clips. Study 2 confronted
      the participants with potentially anger-inducing traffic situations during the
      simulated drive. RESULTS: In both studies, participants who experienced high
      levels of anger drove faster and exhibited greater longitudinal and lateral
      acceleration. Furthermore, multiple linear regressions and path-models revealed
      that highly motivated male drivers displayed the same behavior independent of
      their emotional state. The results indicate that anger and specific risk
      characteristics lead to maladaptive changes in important driving parameters and
      that drivers with these specific risk factors are prone to experience more anger
      while driving, which further worsens their driving performance. Driver trainings
      and anger management courses will profit from these findings because they help to
      improve the validity of assessments of anger related driving behavior.

PMID- 24237871
TI  - A comparative analysis of occupational health and safety risk prevention
      practices in Sweden and Spain.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Scandinavian countries such as Sweden implemented the occupational
      health and safety (OHS) measures in the European Directive 89/391/EEC earlier
      than other European counties, including Spain. In fact, statistics on workplace
      accident rates reveal that between 2004 and 2009, there were considerably fewer
      accidents in Sweden than in Spain. METHOD: The objective of the research
      described in this paper was to reduce workplace accidents and to improve OHS
      management in Spain by exploring the OHS practices in Sweden. For this purpose,
      an exploratory comparative study was conducted, which focused on the
      effectiveness of the EU directive in both countries. The study included a cross
      sectional analysis of workplace accident rates and other contextual indicators in
      both national contexts. A case study of 14 Swedish and Spanish companies
      identified 14 differences in the preventive practices implemented. These
      differences were then assessed with a Delphi study to evaluate their contribution
      to the reduction of workplace accidents and their potential for improving health
      and safety management in Spain. RESULTS: The results showed that there was
      agreement concerning 12 of the 14 practices. Finally, we discuss opportunities of
      improvement in Spanish companies so that they can make their risk management
      practices more effective. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The findings of this
      comparative study on the implementation of the European Directive 89/391/EEC in
      both Sweden and Spain have revealed health and safety managerial practices which,
      if properly implemented, could contribute to improved work conditions and
      accident statistics of Spanish companies. In particular, the results suggest that
      Spanish employers, safety managers, external prevention services, safety deputies
      and Labour Inspectorates should consider implementing streamlined internal
      preventive management, promoting the integration of prevention responsibilities
      to the chain of command, and preventing health and safety management from
      becoming a mere exchange of documents. The authors also encourage future research
      studies to use the methodology presented to compare and assess the European
      Directive 89/391/EEC implementation in other European countries.

PMID- 24237872
TI  - Exploring the risk factors associated with the size and severity of roadway
      crashes in Riyadh.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recently, growing concern has been shifting toward the necessity of
      improving traffic safety in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). KSA has a unique
      traffic safety problem in that: (a) it can be classified as a developed country
      in terms of the magnitude and quality of the roadway networks available and its
      compatibility with international standards; however, (b) it can also be
      considered a developing country as the rate of increase in the number of road
      crashes is substantial compared with relevant figures of other developing
      countries and other countries of the Gulf region. Hence, more research efforts
      are still needed. OBJECTIVES: This paper examines the nature and causes of fatal
      and serious traffic crashes in KSA so that solutions and/or future studies can be
      suggested. METHOD: Data from 11,545 reported fatal and injury traffic crashes
      that occurred in Riyadh (the capital of KSA) during the period 2004-2011 were
      analyzed by alternative and complementary methods. A logistic regression model
      was estimated and the results revealed that crash reason (speeding), damages in
      public property, day of the week, crash location (non-intersection location), and
      point of collision (head-on) were the significant variables affecting the binary
      target variable (fatal and non-fatal crashes). Additionally, the structural
      equation modeling approach was developed to identify and quantify the impacts of
      significant variables influencing crash size (e.g., no. of injuries, no. of
      vehicles involved in the crash). Crash size is one of the important indices that
      measure the level of safety of transportation facilities. RESULTS: The results
      showed that road factor was the most significant factor affecting the size of the
      crash followed by the driver and environment factors. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY:
      Considering the results of this study, practical suggestions on how to improve
      traffic safety in KSA are also presented and discussed.

PMID- 24237873
TI  - How perceptions of experience-based analysis influence explanations of work
      accidents.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This article looks into how perceptions of experience-based
      analysis (EBA) influence causal explanations of accidents given by managers and
      workers in the chemical industry (n=409) and in the nuclear industry (n=222).
      METHOD: The approach is based on the model of naive explanations of accidents
      (Kouabenan, 1999, 2006, 2009), which recommends taking into account explanations
      of accidents spontaneously given by individuals, including laypersons, not only
      to better understand why accidents occur but also to design and implement the
      most appropriate prevention measures. The study reported here describes the
      impact of perceptions about EBA (perceived effectiveness, personal commitment,
      and the feeling of being involved in EBA practices) on managers' and workers'
      explanations of accidents likely to occur at the workplace. RESULTS: The results
      indicated that both managers and workers made more internal explanations than
      external ones when they perceived EBA positively. Moreover, the more the
      participants felt involved in EBA, were committed to it, and judged it effective,
      the more they explained accidents in terms of factors internal to the workers.
      PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Recommendations are proposed for reducing defensive
      reactions, increasing personal commitment to EBA, and improving EBA
      effectiveness.

PMID- 24237874
TI  - Is more engaging safety training always better in reducing accidents? Evidence of
      self-selection from Chilean panel data.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The recent events in Chile involving 33 miners who were trapped and
      rescued in the San Jose mine led the government to strongly promote occupational
      safety and health (OSH) training. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding
      which type of training is the most effective in reducing accidents. METHOD: The
      "engagement hypothesis" claims that traditional classrooms are rather ineffective
      and that only a strong student involvement may generate meaningful results, but
      the empirical evidence is inconclusive. To contribute to this debate, we claim
      that the selection of the training method may be contingent on the firm's OSH
      capabilities and commitment. Firms with fewer (greater) capabilities may
      optimally self-select less (more) engaging training methods. RESULTS:
      Accordingly, based on panel data from 2003 to 2009 for a representative sample of
      2,787 Chilean firms, the engagement hypothesis initially appears to be supported;
      however, after correcting for self-selection bias, it loses most of its
      significance. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Chilean policymakers are strongly advised to
      expand OSH training.

PMID- 24237875
TI  - Travel-related behaviors, opinions, and concerns of U.S. adult drivers by
      race/ethnicity, 2010.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The U.S. population is shifting to become both older and more
      racially and ethnically diverse. Our current understanding of U.S. drivers'
      travel-related needs and concerns by race/ethnicity is limited. METHODS: Data
      from the 2010 HealthStyles survey, an annual, cross-sectional, national mail
      panel survey of persons ages 18 years or older living in the United States, were
      used to calculate weighted percentages of travel-related behaviors, opinions, and
      concerns by race/ethnicity. Logistic regression was used to explore associations
      between race/ethnicity and specific travel-related concerns, while adjusting for
      other demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Adequate transportation alternatives
      to driving were reported by a greater percentage of persons in certain minority
      groups compared to whites (Hispanic: 34.7%; white: 23.4%). Concern for the
      availability of alternatives to driving in the future was greater among minority
      groups (black: 57.7%; Hispanic: 47.3%; other: 50.9%) compared to whites (37.5%).
      Additionally, among persons with a household income of $25,000+, minorities were
      generally more likely than whites to report concern about having alternative
      transportation options to driving, whereas concern was consistently high among
      all racial/ethnic groups for those earning less than $25,000 annually. In each
      racial/ethnic group, more than 10% of persons reported not knowing how they would
      get around if they could no longer drive. CONCLUSIONS: Important variations by
      race/ethnicity in both travel behaviors and concerns for adequate alternatives to
      driving were found, revealing the need for further research to better understand
      reasons for these differences and to identify ways to meet the transportation
      needs of the changing U.S. population demographics. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Further
      research on adequate alternatives to driving and transportation needs is needed.

PMID- 24237876
TI  - Physical activity level and its clinical correlates in chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decreased physical activity is associated with higher mortality in
      subjects with COPD. The aim of this study was to assess clinical characteristics
      and physical activity levels (PALs) in subjects with COPD. METHODS: Seventy-three
      subjects with COPD (67 +/- 7 yrs, 44 female) with one-second forced expiratory
      volume percentage (FEV1%) predicted values of 43 +/- 16 were included. The ratio
      of total energy expenditure (TEE) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) was used to
      define the physical activity level (PAL) (PAL = TEE/RMR). TEE was assessed with
      an activity monitor (ActiReg), and RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry.
      Walking speed (measured over 30-meters), maximal quadriceps muscle strength, fat
      free mass and systemic inflammation were measured as clinical characteristics.
      Hierarchical linear regression was applied to investigate the explanatory values
      of the clinical correlates to PAL. RESULTS: The mean PAL was 1.47 +/- 0.19, and
      92% of subjects were classified as physically very inactive or sedentary. The
      walking speed was 1.02 +/- 0.23 m/s, the quadriceps strength was 31.3 +/- 11.2
      kg, and the fat-free mass index (FFMI) was 15.7 +/- 2.3 kg/m2, identifying 42% of
      subjects as slow walkers, 21% as muscle-weak and 49% as FFM-depleted. The
      regression model explained 45.5% (p < 0.001) of the variance in PAL. The FEV1%
      predicted explained the largest proportion (22.5%), with further improvements in
      the model from walking speed (10.1%), muscle strength (7.0%) and FFMI (3.0%).
      Neither age, gender nor systemic inflammation contributed to the model.
      CONCLUSIONS: Apart from lung function, walking speed and muscle strength are
      important correlates of physical activity. Further explorations of the
      longitudinal effects of the factors characterizing the most inactive subjects are
      warranted.

PMID- 24237877
TI  - Reference management software for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: an
      exploration of usage and usability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reference management software programs enable researchers to more
      easily organize and manage large volumes of references typically identified
      during the production of systematic reviews. The purpose of this study was to
      determine the extent to which authors are using reference management software to
      produce systematic reviews; identify which programs are used most frequently and
      rate their ease of use; and assess the degree to which software usage is
      documented in published studies. METHODS: We reviewed the full text of systematic
      reviews published in core clinical journals indexed in ACP Journal Club from 2008
      to November 2011 to determine the extent to which reference management software
      usage is reported in published reviews. We surveyed corresponding authors to
      verify and supplement information in published reports, and gather frequency and
      ease-of-use data on individual reference management programs. RESULTS: Of the 78
      researchers who responded to our survey, 79.5% reported that they had used a
      reference management software package to prepare their review. Of these, 4.8%
      reported this usage in their published studies. EndNote, Reference Manager, and
      RefWorks were the programs of choice for more than 98% of authors who used this
      software. Comments with respect to ease-of-use issues focused on the integration
      of this software with other programs and computer interfaces, and the sharing of
      reference databases among researchers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite underreporting of
      use, reference management software is frequently adopted by authors of systematic
      reviews. The transparency, reproducibility and quality of systematic reviews may
      be enhanced through increased reporting of reference management software usage.

PMID- 24237878
TI  - Protein profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a candidate biomarker
      for Behcet's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the pathophysiology of Behcet's disease (BD) and find
      biomarkers for the disease, we analysed protein profiles of peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs). METHODS: Proteins, extracted from PBMCs, were
      comprehensively analysed in 16 patients with BD, 16 patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA), 12 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 16 healthy control
      subjects (HC) by 2-dimensional differential gel electrophoResis (2D-DIGE).
      Differently expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: 563
      protein spots were detected. We completely discriminated between the BD and HC
      groups, between the BD and RA groups, and between the BD and CD groups by
      multivariate analysis of intensity of 23, 35, and 1 spots, respectively. The
      spots contributing to the differences included proteins related to cytoskeleton,
      transcription/translation, T cell activation, bone turnover, regulating
      apoptosis, and microbial infection. Intensity of 3 spots (tyrosine-protein
      phosphatase non-receptor type 4, threonine synthase-like 2, and beta-actin)
      provided area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) of 0.889
      for discrimination between the BD group and the non-BD groups. Informatively,
      intensity of the above 1 spot completely discriminated the CD group from the
      other groups (AUROC 1.000). This spot, identified as beta-actin, had different pI
      from the above beta-actin-spot probably due to different post-translational
      modification. CONCLUSIONS: PBMC protein profiles, especially the profile of the 3
      spots, would be candidate biomarkers for BD. The latter beta-actin subtype would
      be useful for discriminating inflammatory bowel diseases from BD and other
      diseases. The identified proteins may play important roles in the pathophysiology
      of BD.

PMID- 24237879
TI  - Intranasal dexmedetomidine vs midazolam for premedication in children undergoing
      complete dental rehabilitation: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was designed to
      evaluate the use of intranasally administered dexmedetomidine vs intranasal
      midazolam as a premedication in children undergoing complete dental
      rehabilitation. METHODS: Seventy-two children of American Society of
      Anesthesiology classification (ASA) physical status (I & II), aged 3-6 years,
      were randomly assigned to one of two equal groups. Group M received intranasal
      midazolam (0.2 mg.kg(-1)), and group D received intranasal dexmedetomidine (1
      MUg.kg(-1)). The patients' sedation status, mask acceptance, and hemodynamic
      parameters were recorded by an observer until anesthesia induction. Recovery
      conditions, postoperative pain, and postoperative agitation were also recorded.
      RESULTS: The median onset of sedation was significantly shorter in group M 15 (10
      25) min than in group D 25 (20-40) min (P = 0.001). Compared with the children in
      group M, those in group D were significantly more sedated when they were
      separated from their parents (77.8% vs 44.4%, respectively) (P = 0.002).
      Satisfactory compliance with mask application was 58.3% in group M vs 80.6% in
      group D (P = 0.035). The incidences of postoperative agitation and shivering were
      significantly lower in Group D compared with group M. Thirteen children (36.1%)
      in group M, showed signs of nasal irritation with teary eyes, and none of these
      signs was seen in the children in group D (P = 0.000). There were no incidences
      of bradycardia, hypotension, in either of the groups during study observation.
      CONCLUSION: Intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 MUg.kg(-1)) is an effective and safe
      alternative for premedication in children; it resulted in superior sedation in
      comparison to 0.2 mg.kg(-1) intranasal midazolam. However, it has relatively
      prolonged onset of action.

PMID- 24237881
TI  - Fusion-optimized intervals (FOI): a new method to achieve the narrowest QRS for
      optimization of the AV and VV intervals in patients undergoing cardiac
      resynchronization therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Optimization of atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV)
      intervals may improve cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response but is a
      complex task. Fusion with intrinsic conduction may increase the benefit of CRT.
      The aim was to describe fusion-optimized intervals (FOI), a new method of
      optimizing CRT based on QRS duration. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-six
      consecutive patients with preserved AV conduction who received CRT were
      prospectively included. The AV interval was optimized by searching the narrowest
      QRS obtained within the fusion band during left ventricular (LV) pacing. The VV
      interval was then adjusted, comparing QRS duration in simultaneous biventricular,
      LV preexcitation (-30 milliseconds), right ventricular (RV) preexcitation (-30
      milliseconds) and LV-only pacing. A substudy in 31 patients evaluated the
      invasive LV +dP/dtmax . The best fusion-optimized AV interval was 136 +/- 30
      milliseconds during atrial sensing and 192 +/- 35 milliseconds during atrial
      pacing. The best QRS was obtained with simultaneous biventricular pacing in 28
      patients (37%), LV preexcitation in 22 (29%), LV-only in 20 (26%), and RV
      preexcitation in 6 (8%). Baseline QRS was shortened more by FOI (59 +/- 19
      milliseconds) than by nominal settings (40 +/- 21 milliseconds; P < 0.001). Sixty
      five patients (86%) showed >10% shortening of the baseline QRS with FOI; none
      prolonged the QRS duration by FOI compared to nominal settings. All
      echocardiographic asynchrony parameters were corrected by FOI. Baseline +dP/dtmax
      improvement was greater in FOI (127 +/- 95 mmHg/seconds) than in nominal settings
      (102 +/- 71 mmHg/seconds; P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The FOI method is feasible,
      further reduces QRS duration, and improves acute hemodynamic response compared to
      nominal programming of CRT.

PMID- 24237880
TI  - Diet and toenail arsenic concentrations in a New Hampshire population with
      arsenic-containing water.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the contribution of dietary sources of arsenic
      to an individual's total exposure, particularly in populations with exposure via
      drinking water. Here, the association between diet and toenail arsenic
      concentrations (a long-term biomarker of exposure) was evaluated for individuals
      with measured household tap water arsenic. Foods known to be high in arsenic,
      including rice and seafood, were of particular interest. METHODS: Associations
      between toenail arsenic and consumption of 120 individual diet items were
      quantified using general linear models that also accounted for household tap
      water arsenic and potentially confounding factors (e.g., age, caloric intake,
      sex, smoking) (n = 852). As part of the analysis, we assessed whether
      associations between log-transformed toenail arsenic and each diet item differed
      between subjects with household drinking water arsenic concentrations <1 MUg/L
      versus >=1 MUg/L. RESULTS: As expected, toenail arsenic concentrations increased
      with household water arsenic concentrations. Among the foods known to be high in
      arsenic, no clear relationship between toenail arsenic and rice consumption was
      detected, but there was a positive association with consumption of dark meat
      fish, a category that includes tuna steaks, mackerel, salmon, sardines, bluefish,
      and swordfish. Positive associations between toenail arsenic and consumption of
      white wine, beer, and Brussels sprouts were also observed; these and most other
      associations were not modified by exposure via water. However, consumption of two
      foods cooked in water, beans/lentils and cooked oatmeal, was more strongly
      related to toenail arsenic among those with arsenic-containing drinking water
      (>=1 MUg/L). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that diet can be an important
      contributor to total arsenic exposure in U.S. populations regardless of arsenic
      concentrations in drinking water. Thus, dietary exposure to arsenic in the US
      warrants consideration as a potential health risk.

PMID- 24237882
TI  - Nurse burnout: personal and environmental factors as predictors.
AB  - The aim of this study is to investigate the level of burnout of clinical nurses
      and to examine the influence of personal and environmental factors on nurse
      burnout. A total of 717 full-time nurses from six hospitals in Tianjin, China,
      completed five questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout
      Inventory, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Practice Environment Scale of the
      Nursing Work Index and the Nurse Job Stressor Scale. The participants had
      moderate levels of emotional exhaustion (mean score 23.95 +/- 11.11) and
      depersonalization (mean score 7.90 +/- 6.58) and a high level of reduced personal
      accomplishment (mean score 27.51 +/- 10.96). Both personal and environmental
      factors were correlated with nurse burnout; however, personal factors played
      bigger roles in predicting personal accomplishment, whereas environmental factors
      played bigger roles in predicting emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. In
      order to reduce nurse job burnout effectively, administrators should pay more
      attention to the improvement of nurses' self-efficacy and professional nursing
      practice environment and the reduction of stressors. 

PMID- 24237883
TI  - Structural updates of alignment of protein domains and consequences on
      evolutionary models of domain superfamilies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Influx of newly determined crystal structures into primary structural
      databases is increasing at a rapid pace. This leads to updation of primary and
      their dependent secondary databases which makes large scale analysis of
      structures even more challenging. Hence, it becomes essential to compare and
      appreciate replacement of data and inclusion of new data that is critical between
      two updates. PASS2 is a database that retains structure-based sequence alignments
      of protein domain superfamilies and relies on SCOP database for its hierarchy and
      definition of superfamily members. Since, accurate alignments of distantly
      related proteins are useful evolutionary models for depicting variations within
      protein superfamilies, this study aims to trace the changes in data in between
      PASS2 updates. RESULTS: In this study, differences in superfamily compositions,
      family constituents and length variations between different versions of PASS2
      have been tracked. Studying length variations in protein domains, which have been
      introduced by indels (insertions/deletions), are important because theses indels
      act as evolutionary signatures in introducing variations in substrate
      specificity, domain interactions and sometimes even regulating protein stability.
      With this objective of classifying the nature and source of variations in the
      superfamilies during transitions (between the different versions of PASS2),
      increasing length-rigidity of the superfamilies in the recent version is
      observed. In order to study such length-variant superfamilies in detail, an
      improved classification approach is also presented, which divides the
      superfamilies into distinct groups based on their extent of length variation.
      CONCLUSIONS: An objective study in terms of transition between the database
      updates, detailed investigation of the new/old members and examination of their
      structural alignments is non-trivial and will help researchers in designing
      experiments on specific superfamilies, in various modelling studies, in linking
      representative superfamily members to rapidly expanding sequence space and in
      evaluating the effects of length variations of new members in drug target
      proteins. The improved objective classification scheme developed here would be
      useful in future for automatic analysis of length variation in cases of updates
      of databases or even within different secondary databases.

PMID- 24237884
TI  - Optical tomographic imaging of near infrared imaging agents quantifies disease
      severity and immunomodulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in
      vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model
      that captures many of the hallmarks of human multiple sclerosis (MS), including
      blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, inflammation, demyelination and axonal
      destruction. The standard clinical score measurement of disease severity and
      progression assesses functional changes in animal mobility; however, it does not
      offer information regarding the underlying pathophysiology of the disease in real
      time. The purpose of this study was to apply a novel optical imaging technique
      that offers the advantage of rapid imaging of relevant biomarkers in live
      animals. METHODS: Advances in non-invasive fluorescence molecular tomographic
      (FMT) imaging, in combination with a variety of biological imaging agents, offer
      a unique, sensitive and quantifiable approach to assessing disease biology in
      living animals. Using vascular (AngioSense 750EX) and protease-activatable
      cathepsin B (Cat B 680 FAST) near infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging agents to
      detect BBB breakdown and inflammation, respectively, we quantified brain and
      spinal cord changes in mice with relapsing-remitting PLP139-151-induced EAE and
      in response to tolerogenic therapy. RESULTS: FMT imaging and analysis techniques
      were carefully characterized and non-invasive imaging results corroborated by
      both ex vivo tissue imaging and comparison to clinical score results and
      histopathological analysis of CNS tissue. FMT imaging showed clear differences
      between control and diseased mice, and immune tolerance induction by antigen
      coupled PLGA nanoparticles effectively blocked both disease induction and
      accumulation of imaging agents in the brain and spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Cat B
      680 FAST and AngioSense 750EX offered the combination best able to detect disease
      in both the brain and spinal cord, as well as the downregulation of disease by
      antigen-specific tolerance. Non-invasive optical tomographic imaging thus offers
      a unique approach to monitoring neuroinflammatory disease and therapeutic
      intervention in living mice with EAE.

PMID- 24237886
TI  - Sternal elevation before passing bars: a technique for improving visualization
      and facilitating minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair in adult patients.

PMID- 24237885
TI  - Aprotinin, but not epsilon-aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid, exerts
      neuroprotection against excitotoxic injury in an in vitro neuronal cell culture
      model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Lack of availability of aprotinin has resulted in increased clinical
      use of the alternative antifibrinolytic agents, epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA)
      and tranexamic acid (TXA), which are known to be associated with an increased
      risk of seizures. In contrast, aprotinin has previously been demonstrated to be
      neuroprotective through suppression of excitotoxicity-mediated neuronal
      degeneration via the extracellular plasminogen/plasmin system. This study
      compares the effect of antifibrinolytic agents on neuronal and mixed
      glial/neuronal cell cultures. METHODS: Mixed cortical cultures containing
      neuronal and glial cells were prepared from fetal mice and plated on a layer of
      confluent astrocytes from postnatal pups. A primary neuronal culture was obtained
      from the same gestational stage and plated in multiwall vessels. Slowly triggered
      excitotoxicity was induced by 24-hour exposure to 12.5 mM N-methyl-D-aspartate
      (NMDA). Apoptotic neuronal cell death was induced by exposure of primary neural
      cultures to 24 hours of serum deprivation. RESULTS: Compared with NMDA alone, no
      significant changes in cell death were observed for any dose of TXA or EACA in
      mixed cultures. Conversely, a clinical dose of aprotinin significantly reduced
      cell death by -31% on average. Aprotinin reduced apoptotic neuronal cell death
      from 75% to 37.3%, and to 34.1% at concentrations of 100 and 200 kIU/mL,
      respectively, and significantly decreased neuronal nuclear damage. These
      concentrations of aprotinin significantly inhibited caspase 9 and 3/7
      activations; 250 kIU/mL aprotinin exerted maximal protection on primary cortical
      neurons. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to aprotinin, EACA and TXA exert no protective
      effect against excitotoxic neuronal injury that can occur during cardiac surgery.

PMID- 24237887
TI  - Nonablative fractional resurfacing for the treatment of iatrogenic
      hypopigmentation.

PMID- 24237889
TI  - Controlling antimicrobial resistance: Interfering in the process of natural
      selection.

PMID- 24237890
TI  - The influence of whole body vibration on the central and peripheral
      cardiovascular system.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological changes of the
      cardiovascular system in response to whole body vibration during quiet standing
      and identify whether there is a greater influence on the central or peripheral
      cardiovascular system. Twenty healthy participants (12 male and 8 female) were
      assessed over two separate testing sessions for changes in peripheral skin
      temperature, peripheral venous function, blood flow velocity in the dorsalis
      pedis artery, blood pressure and heart rate during quiet standing with 40 Hz 1.9
      mm synchronous vibration. Vibration exposure totalled 5 min in 1 min increments
      with 5 min recovery during each testing session. There were no significant
      changes in heart rate, blood pressure or peripheral skin temperature. Significant
      results were obtained for blood flow velocity with increases from 0.5 + 0.2 cm.s(
      1) at baseline to 1 + 0.2 cm.s(-1) during vibration, returning to baseline levels
      during the recovery period. Due to the absence of changes in heart rate, blood
      pressure or lower leg and foot temperature, the change in blood flow velocity can
      be attributed to changes in peripheral vascular function. The results suggest a
      high level of sensitivity of the peripheral vascular system to vibration
      exposure; therefore, further studies should be completed to ascertain the
      physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of vibration on the peripheral
      vascular system.

PMID- 24237891
TI  - Portal biliopathy: multidisciplinary management and outcomes of treatment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Portal biliopathy (PB) is a rare condition in which portal
      hypertension because of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction can lead to biliary
      abnormalities, with some patients developing obstructive jaundice. At present,
      there is no international consensus on the management of PB. We present the
      experience of an Australian tertiary referral hospital with the diagnosis and
      management of PB, and compare this with reported international experience.
      METHODS: The records of nine patients presenting with PB between June 2003 and
      March 2012 were reviewed and analysed. RESULTS: All patients had portal
      hypertension because of portal vein thrombosis, with seven patients showing
      cavernous transformation of the portal vein. Biliary abnormality presented with
      jaundice (3/9), abdominal pain (2/9) or without symptoms (3/9). All patients
      developed a cholestatic pattern of liver function tests (LFTs). First-line
      endoscopic management was employed in 7 of 8 symptomatic patients. Four patients
      required endoscopic management alone (sphincterotomy alone (1/9), single stent
      (2/9), repeated stent changes (1/9) ), while four required second-line surgical
      intervention (portosystemic shunt (1/9), bilioenteric anastomosis (3/9) ). All
      patients were well, with stable LFTs, at median 18-month follow-up, with two
      patients undergoing regular stent changes, and the remainder requiring no further
      intervention. CONCLUSION: PB can be managed successfully with endoscopic therapy
      as the first-line option, but a multidisciplinary approach is necessary, with
      second-line surgical intervention often required. We recommend a management
      algorithm similar to that presented in the UK PB literature, and confirm that
      bilioenteric anastomosis can be performed successfully without prior portal
      decompression.

PMID- 24237892
TI  - Who is responsible for the public's health? The role of the alcohol industry in
      the WHO global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

PMID- 24237893
TI  - Unrecorded alcohol: significant neglected challenges.

PMID- 24237894
TI  - The role of the comparison group in epidemiology and general limitations.

PMID- 24237895
TI  - Alcohol as a panacea: Limitations of observational studies.

PMID- 24237896
TI  - Response to commentaries.

PMID- 24237897
TI  - Commentary on Heckman et al. (2013): Negative affect increases craving-Questions
      about the relationship of affect, craving and smoking.

PMID- 24237898
TI  - Commentary on Wang et al. (2013): Time to test the mechanisms of alcohol outlet
      density effects.

PMID- 24237899
TI  - Commentary on Tuithof et al. (2013): Implications of the DSM-5 revision for the
      analysis of persistence/remission of alcohol use disorder.

PMID- 24237900
TI  - Commentary on Heron et al. (2013): Findings on associations between conduct
      problem trajectories, early risk factors and adolescent cannabis use-how do they
      fit with existing theories?

PMID- 24237901
TI  - Commentary on Rosenthal et al. (2013): Buprenorphine implant-new hopes, old
      questions.

PMID- 24237903
TI  - The degradation (by distinct pathways) of human D-amino acid oxidase and its
      interacting partner pLG72--two key proteins in D-serine catabolism in the brain.
AB  - Human D-amino acid oxidase (EC 1.4.3.3; hDAAO) is a peroxisomal flavoenzyme
      significantly enriched in the mammalian brain. hDAAO has been proposed to play
      (with serine racemase; EC 5.1.1.18) an essential role in the catabolism of D
      serine, an 'atypical' key signalling molecule that acts as allosteric activator
      of the N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor (NMDAr). hDAAO and its
      interacting partner pLG72 have been related to schizophrenia, a highly disabling
      psychiatric disorder in which a dysfunction of NMDA-mediated neurotransmission is
      widely assumed to occur. We previously demonstrated that the D-serine cellular
      concentration depends on hDAAO and pLG72 expression levels and that newly
      synthesized hDAAO interacts with its modulator in the cytosol, being
      progressively destabilized and inactivated. To obtain insight into the mechanisms
      regulating cellular D-serine levels, we investigated the degradation pathways of
      hDAAO and pLG72 in U87 glioblastoma cells stably expressing enhanced yellow
      fluorescent protein-hDAAO (peroxisomal), hDAAO-enhanced yellow fluorescent
      protein (cytosolic) or pLG72-enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (mitochondrial)
      proteins. hDAAO is a long-lived protein: the peroxisomal fraction of this
      flavoprotein is degraded via the lysosomal/endosomal pathway (and blocking this
      pathway increases the cellular hDAAO activity and decreases D-serine levels),
      whereas the cytosolic portion is ubiquitinated and targeted to the proteasome. By
      contrast, pLG72 shows a rapid turnover (t(1/2) ~ 25-40 min) and is degraded via
      the proteasome system, albeit not ubiquitinated. Overexpression of pLG72
      increases the turnover of hDAAO, in turn playing a protective role against
      excessive D-serine depletion.

PMID- 24237904
TI  - SNPMeta: SNP annotation and SNP metadata collection without a reference genome.
AB  - The increase in availability of resequencing data is greatly accelerating SNP
      discovery and has facilitated the development of SNP genotyping assays. This, in
      turn, is increasing interest in annotation of individual SNPs. Currently, these
      data are only available through curation, or comparison to a reference genome.
      Many species lack a reference genome, but are still important genetic models or
      are significant species in agricultural production or natural ecosystems. For
      these species, it is possible to annotate SNPs through comparison with cDNA, or
      data from well-annotated genes in public repositories. We present SNPMeta, a tool
      which gathers information about SNPs by comparison with sequences present in
      GenBank databases. SNPMeta is able to annotate SNPs from contextual sequence in
      SNP assay designs, and SNPs discovered through genotyping by sequencing (GBS)
      approaches. However, SNPs discovered through GBS occur throughout the genome,
      rather than only in gene space, and therefore do not annotate at high rates.
      SNPMeta can therefore be used to annotate SNPs in nonmodel species or species
      that lack a reference genome. Annotations generated by SNPMeta are highly
      concordant with annotations that would be obtained from a reference genome. 

PMID- 24237906
TI  - Unveiling the remodeled atrium: lessons from the early recurrence of atrial
      fibrillation.

PMID- 24237905
TI  - Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms from the transcriptome of an
      organism with a whole genome duplication.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The common ancestor of salmonid fishes, including rainbow trout
      (Oncorhynchus mykiss), experienced a whole genome duplication between 20 and 100
      million years ago, and many of the duplicated genes have been retained in the
      trout genome. This retention complicates efforts to detect allelic variation in
      salmonid fishes. Specifically, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection is
      problematic because nucleotide variation can be found between the duplicate
      copies (paralogs) of a gene as well as between alleles. RESULTS: We present a
      method of differentiating between allelic and paralogous (gene copy) sequence
      variants, allowing identification of SNPs in organisms with multiple copies of a
      gene or set of genes. The basic strategy is to: 1) identify windows of unique
      cDNA sequences with homology to each other, 2) compare these unique cDNAs if they
      are not shared between individuals (i.e. the cDNA is homozygous in one individual
      and homozygous for another cDNA in the other individual), and 3) give a "SNP
      score" value between zero and one to each candidate sequence variant based on six
      criteria. Using this strategy we were able to detect about seven thousand
      potential SNPs from the transcriptomes of several clonal lines of rainbow trout.
      When directly compared to a pre-validated set of SNPs in polyploid wheat, we were
      also able to estimate the false-positive rate of this strategy as 0 to 28%
      depending on parameters used. CONCLUSIONS: This strategy has an advantage over
      traditional techniques of SNP identification because another dimension of
      sequencing information is utilized. This method is especially well suited for
      identifying SNPs in polyploids, both outbred and inbred, but would tend to be
      conservative for diploid organisms.

PMID- 24237907
TI  - Postoperative hemorrhage risk after outpatient dermatologic surgery procedures.

PMID- 24237908
TI  - Moving on....

PMID- 24237909
TI  - Transforming preventive medicine science, practice, education, and policy:
      looking back at the last 20 years of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

PMID- 24237910
TI  - Notes from the field: planting, nurturing, and watching things grow.
AB  - Editors' Note: We invited a sample of AJPM's Editorial Board, supplement guest
      editors, and longtime colleagues and contributors to share their experiences and
      impressions of the impact of AJPM on their respective domains. We were
      particularly fond of Ken Powell's analogy to being "tenders of the planted seed"-
      as planters, weeders, and harvesters--watching and nurturing the growth of AJPM,
      and have elected to lead with his commentary.

PMID- 24237911
TI  - Biomarkers of tobacco smoke exposure and asthma severity in adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tobacco biomarkers including serum cotinine and urinary 4
      (methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) have been used in research
      settings. PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to examine the association of
      cotinine and NNAL with asthma outcomes in the U.S. adult population. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional design was used, using data from the National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2008, with participants aged >20 years with
      self-reported asthma (N=456). Past-year asthma exacerbations and emergency
      room/urgent care visits for asthma were examined. Analyses were conducted in
      2013. RESULTS: Among adult asthmatics, 50.3% reported a past-year asthma attack
      (61.8% smokers, 46.6% nonsmokers, p=0.029). Among these, 24.7% reported a past
      year emergency/urgent visit for asthma (34.7% smokers, 20.1% nonsmokers,
      p=0.034). Median concentrations of cotinine and creatinine-adjusted NNAL
      (NNAL/Cr) were significantly higher in those with a past-year asthma attack (0.43
      ng/mL and 7.28 pg/mL) than in those without (0.06 ng/mL and 2.26 pg/mL), and
      highest in those with past-year emergency/urgent visits (0.93 ng/mL and 28.14
      pg/mL). Among nonsmokers, increasing levels of log cotinine or log NNAL/Cr,
      adjusted for demographics, were significantly associated with past-year asthma
      exacerbation (log cotinine OR=1.46 [95% CI=1.1, 1.92]; log NNAL/Cr OR=1.42 [95%
      CI=1.07, 1.88]) and past-year emergency/urgent visit (log cotinine OR=1.95 [95%
      CI=1.32, 2.88]; log NNAL/Cr OR=1.58 [95% CI=1.23, 2.02]). Among smokers,
      increasing biomarker levels were not significantly associated with either
      outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based cross-sectional analysis, increased
      cotinine and NNAL were found to be associated with asthma exacerbation and
      healthcare use in nonsmokers with asthma. If these findings are confirmed in
      prospective studies, these biomarkers might be candidates for clinical indicators
      of risk of asthma.

PMID- 24237912
TI  - Customer responses to mandatory menu labeling at full-service restaurants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2010, Philadelphia enacted a menu-labeling law requiring full
      service restaurant chains to list values for calories, sodium, fat, and
      carbohydrates for each item on all printed menus. PURPOSE: The goal of the study
      was to determine whether purchase decisions at full-service restaurants varied
      depending on the presence of labeling. METHODS: In August 2011, this cross
      sectional study collected 648 customer surveys and transaction receipts at seven
      restaurant outlets of one large full-service restaurant chain. Two outlets had
      menu labeling (case sites); five outlets did not (control sites). Outcomes
      included differences in calories and nutrients purchased and customers' reported
      use of nutrition information when ordering. Data were analyzed in 2012. RESULTS:
      Mean age was 37 years; 60% were female; 50% were black/African-American and
      reported incomes >=$60,000. Customers purchased food with approximately 1600 kcal
      (food plus beverage, 1800 kcal); 3200 mg sodium; and 35 g saturated fat. After
      adjustment for confounders, customers at labeled restaurants purchased food with
      151 fewer kilocalories (95% CI=-270, -33); 224 mg less sodium (95% CI=-457, +8);
      and 3.7 g less saturated fat (95% CI=-7.4, -0.1) compared to customers at
      unlabeled restaurants (or 155 less kilocalories from food plus beverage, 95% CI=
      284, -27). Those reporting that nutrition information affected their order
      purchased 400 fewer food calories, 370 mg less sodium, and 10 g less saturated
      fat. CONCLUSIONS: Mandatory menu labeling was associated with better food choices
      among a segment of the public dining at full-service restaurants. Consumer
      education on the availability and use of nutrition information may extend the
      impact of menu labeling.

PMID- 24237913
TI  - Local health department activities to ensure access to care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Local health departments (LHDs) can play an important role in linking
      people to personal health services and ensuring the provision of health care when
      it is otherwise unavailable. However, the extent to which LHDs are involved in
      ensuring access to health care in its jurisdictions is not well known. PURPOSE:
      To provide nationally representative estimates of LHD involvement in specific
      activities to ensure access to healthcare services and to assess their
      association with macro-environment/community and LHD capacity and process
      characteristics. METHODS: Data used were from the 2010 National Profile of Local
      Health Departments Study, Area Resource Files, and the Association of State and
      Territorial Health Officials' 2010 Profile of State Public Health Agencies
      Survey. Data were analyzed in 2012. RESULTS: Approximately 66.0% of LHDs
      conducted activities to ensure access to medical care, 45.9% to dental care, and
      32.0% to behavioral health care. About 28% of LHDs had not conducted activities
      to ensure access to health care in their jurisdictions in 2010. LHDs with higher
      per capita expenditures and larger jurisdiction population sizes were more likely
      to provide access to care services (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial
      variation in LHD engagement in activities to ensure access to care. Differences
      in LHD capacity and the needs of the communities in which they are located may
      account for this variation. Further research is needed to determine whether this
      variation is associated with adverse population health outcomes.

PMID- 24237914
TI  - Triple tobacco screen: opportunity to help families become smokefree.
AB  - BACKGROUND: American Academy of Pediatrics policy recommends that pediatricians
      document environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure of a child at every visit.
      The extent to which pediatricians adhere to this policy, however, is unknown.
      PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to examine the extent to which pediatricians
      screen parents for tobacco use and home- and car-related smoking rules. Further,
      the potential association between factors associated with pediatrician inquiry
      into parental tobacco use and rules is examined. METHODS: Post-visit exit
      interviews were conducted in ten pediatric practices between June 2009 and March
      2011 with parents whose children had been seen by a healthcare provider. Parents
      were considered to have been given the "triple tobacco screen" if they reported
      being asked by a pediatric healthcare provider about their smoking behavior,
      smokefree home rules, and smokefree car rules. Bivariate analysis and
      multivariable logistic regression was done to explore factors associated with
      parents being given any component of the triple tobacco screening. Data were
      analyzed between March 2012 and February 2013. RESULTS: Of 9145 parents
      interviewed, 20% of the parents reported being asked at least one question from
      the triple tobacco screen, and only 9% reported being asked all three questions.
      Overall, 17% of parents reported being asked about their smoking status, 16%
      about smokefree home rules, and 11% about smokefree car rules. Few smoking
      parents (23%) and fewer nonsmoking parents (19%) were screened about their
      tobacco use and behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians infrequently addressed ETS
      exposure of children among parents who do and do not smoke. Substantial missed
      opportunities may exist to counsel smokers and reduce ETS exposure of children in
      the most common exposure locations-the home and car.

PMID- 24237915
TI  - A content analysis of popular smartphone apps for smoking cessation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smartphone applications (apps) are increasingly available for smoking
      cessation. PURPOSE: This study examined the content of popular apps for smoking
      cessation for both iPhone and Android operating systems in February 2012.
      METHODS: A total of 252 smoking-cessation apps were identified for the iPhone and
      148 for the Android. Across both operating systems, the most popular apps were
      identified (n=47 for the iPhone and n=51 for the Android) and analyzed for their
      (1) approach to smoking cessation and (2) adherence to an index based on the U.S.
      Public Health Service's Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treating Tobacco Use and
      Dependence. Where available, apps were coded for frequency of downloads. The
      analysis took place in 2012. RESULTS: Overall, popular apps have low levels of
      adherence, with an average score of 12.9 of a possible 42 on the Adherence Index.
      No apps recommended calling a quitline, and only a handful of apps recommended
      using approved medications (4.1%). Android apps in the sample were downloaded
      worldwide between 310,800 and 1,248,000 times per month. For both the iPhone and
      Android, user ratings were positively associated with scores on the Adherence
      Index. For the iPhone, display order was also positively associated with scores
      on the Adherence Index. CONCLUSIONS: Apps could be improved by better integration
      with the Clinical Practice Guidelines and other evidence-based practices.

PMID- 24237917
TI  - The trauma of politics: a surgeon general's perspective.

PMID- 24237916
TI  - The Ask-Advise-Connect approach for smokers in a safety net healthcare system: a
      group-randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because smoking has a profound impact on socioeconomic disparities in
      illness and death, it is crucial that vulnerable populations of smokers be
      targeted with treatment. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all
      patients be asked about their smoking at every visit and that smokers be given
      brief advice to quit and referred to treatment. PURPOSE: Initiatives to
      facilitate these practices include the 5A's (ask, advise, assess, assist,
      arrange) and Ask-Advise-Refer (AAR). Unfortunately, primary care referrals are
      low, and most smokers referred fail to enroll. This study evaluated the efficacy
      of the Ask-Advise-Connect (AAC) approach to linking smokers with treatment in a
      large, safety net public healthcare system. DESIGN: The study design was a pair
      matched group-randomized trial with two treatment arms. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Ten
      safety net clinics in Houston TX. INTERVENTION: Clinics were randomized to AAC
      (n=5; intervention) or AAR (n=5; control). Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) were
      trained to assess and record the smoking status of all patients at all visits in
      the electronic health record. Smokers were given brief advice to quit. In AAC,
      the names and phone numbers of smokers who agreed to be connected were sent
      electronically to the Texas quitline daily, and patients were proactively called
      by the quitline within 48 hours. In AAR, smokers were offered a quitline referral
      card and encouraged to call on their own. Data were collected between June 2010
      and March 2012 and analyzed in 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome
      was impact, defined here as the proportion of identified smokers that enrolled in
      treatment. RESULTS: The impact (proportion of identified smokers who enrolled in
      treatment) of AAC (14.7%) was significantly greater than the impact of AAR
      (0.5%), t(4)=14.61, p=0.0001, OR=32.10 (95% CI=16.60, 62.06). CONCLUSIONS: The
      AAC approach to aiding smoking cessation has tremendous potential to reduce
      tobacco-related health disparities.

PMID- 24237918
TI  - A partnership of two U.S. research networks to improve public health.

PMID- 24237919
TI  - Public health research implementation and translation: evidence from practice
      based research networks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research on how best to deliver efficacious public health strategies
      in heterogeneous community and organizational contexts remains limited. Such
      studies require the active engagement of public health practice settings in the
      design, implementation, and translation of research. Practice-based research
      networks (PBRNs) provide mechanisms for research engagement, but until now they
      have not been tested in public health settings. PURPOSE: This study uses data
      from participants in 14 public health PBRNs and a national comparison group of
      public health agencies to study processes influencing the engagement of public
      health settings in research implementation and translation activities. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional network analysis survey was fielded with participants in public
      health PBRNs approximately 1 year after network formation (n=357) and with a
      nationally representative comparison group of U.S. local health departments not
      participating in PBRNs (n=625). Hierarchic regression models were used to
      estimate how organizational attributes and PBRN network structures influence
      engagement in research implementation and translation activities. Data were
      collected in 2010-2012 and analyzed in 2012. RESULTS: Among PBRN participants,
      both researchers and practice agencies reported high levels of engagement in
      research activities. Local public health agencies participating in PBRNs were two
      to three times more likely than nonparticipating agencies to engage in research
      implementation and translation activities (p<0.05). Participants in less densely
      connected PBRN networks and in more peripheral locations within these networks
      reported higher levels of research engagement, greater perceived benefits from
      engagement, and greater likelihood of continued participation. CONCLUSIONS: PBRN
      networks can serve as effective mechanisms for facilitating research
      implementation and translation among public health practice settings.

PMID- 24237920
TI  - Factors affecting evidence-based decision making in local health departments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data indicating the extent to which evidence-based decision making
      (EBDM) is used in local health departments (LHDs) are limited. PURPOSE: This
      study aims to determine use of decision-making processes by New York State LHD
      leaders and upper-level staff and identify facilitators and barriers to the use
      of EBDM in LHDs. METHODS: The New York Public Health Practice-Based Research
      Network implemented a mixed-methods study in 31 LHDs. There were 20 individual
      interviews; five small-group interviews (two or three participants each); and two
      focus groups (eight participants each) conducted with people who had decision
      making authority. Information was obtained about each person's background and
      position, decision-making responsibilities, how decisions are made within their
      LHD, knowledge and experience with EBDM, use of each step of the EBDM process,
      and barriers and facilitators to EBDM implementation. Data were collected from
      June to November 2010 and analyzed in 2011. RESULTS: Overall, participants
      supported EBDM and expressed a desire to increase their department's use of it.
      Although most people understood the concept, a relatively small number had
      substantial expertise and experience with its practice. Many indicated that they
      applied EBDM unevenly. Factors associated with use of EBDM included strong
      leadership; workforce capacity (number and skills); resources; funding and
      program mandates; political support; and access to data and program models
      suitable to community conditions. CONCLUSIONS: EBDM is used inconsistently in
      LHDs in New York. Despite knowledge and interest among LHD leadership, the LHD
      capacity, resources, appropriate programming, and other issues serve as
      impediments to EBDM and optimal implementation of evidence-based strategies.

PMID- 24237921
TI  - Local public health resource allocation: limited choices and strategic decisions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Local health department leaders are expected to improve the health of
      their populations as they "use and contribute to" the evidence base for practice,
      but effectively providing and utilizing data and evidence for local public health
      decision making has proven difficult. PURPOSE: This study was conducted in 2011
      and initiated by Washington State's public health practice-based research network
      to identify factors influencing local resource allocation and programmatic
      decisions among public health leaders facing severe funding losses. METHODS:
      Quantitative data informed sampling for the collection of interview data.
      Qualitative methods were used to capture diverse insights of Washington State's
      local public health leaders in making decisions regarding resource allocation.
      RESULTS: Local decision-making authority was perceived as greatly restricted by
      what public health activities were legally mandated and the categoric nature of
      funding sources, even as some leaders exercised deliberate strategic approaches.
      One's workforce and board of health were also influential in making decisions
      regarding resource allocations. Challenges were expressed regarding making use of
      data and research evidence for decision making. Data were analyzed in 2011-2012.
      CONCLUSIONS: Programmatic mandates, funding restrictions, local stakeholders, and
      workforce capacity appear to trump factors such as research evidence and
      perceived community need in public health resource allocation. Study findings
      highlight tensions between the literature descriptions of what "should" influence
      decision making in local public health and the realities of practice.
      Advancements in practice-based research and evidence-based decision making,
      however, provide opportunities for strengthening the development of evidence and
      research translation for local decision making to maximize resources and promote
      effective service provision.

PMID- 24237922
TI  - Tax levy financing for local public health: fiscal allocation, effort, and
      capacity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Local health departments (LHDs) rely on a wide variety of funding
      sources, and the level of financing is associated with both LHD performance in
      essential public health services and population health outcomes. Although it has
      been shown that funding sources vary across LHDs, there is no evidence regarding
      the relationship between fiscal allocation (local tax levy); fiscal effort (tax
      capacity); and fiscal capacity (community wealth). PURPOSE: The purpose of this
      study is to analyze local tax levy support for LHD funding. Three research
      questions are addressed: (1) What are tax levy trends in LHD fiscal allocation?
      (2) What is the role of tax levy in overall LHD financing? and (3) How do local
      community fiscal capacity and fiscal effort relate to LHD tax levy fiscal
      allocation? METHODS: This study focuses on 74 LHDs eligible for local tax levy
      funding in Minnesota. Funding and expenditure data for 5 years (2006 to 2010)
      were compiled from four governmental databases, including the Minnesota
      Department of Health, the State Auditor, the State Demographer, and the
      Metropolitan Council. Trends in various funding sources and expenditures are
      described for the time frame of interest. Data were analyzed in 2012. RESULTS:
      During the 2006-2010 time period, total average LHD per capita expenditures
      increased 13%, from $50.98 to $57.63. Although the overall tax levy increase in
      Minnesota was 25%, the local tax levy for public health increased 5.6% during the
      same period. There is a direct relationship between fiscal effort and LHD
      expenditures. CONCLUSIONS: Local funding reflects LHD community priorities and
      the relative importance in comparison to funding other local programs with tax
      dollars. In Minnesota, local tax levy support for local public health services is
      not keeping pace with local tax support for other local government services.
      These results raise important questions about the relationship between tax levy
      resource effort, resource allocation, and fiscal capacity as they relate to
      public health spending in local communities.

PMID- 24237923
TI  - Diabetes education: quality improvement interventions through health departments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As the burden of diabetes continues to overwhelm the public health
      system, there is increased demand on local health departments (LHDs) to improve
      public health services. Quality improvement (QI) techniques have been shown to be
      an effective means to improve the delivery of services by LHDs. PURPOSE: To
      evaluate the extent to which the adoption of organizational QI strategies
      influences the delivery and outreach of diabetes self-management education (DSME)
      services provided by LHDs. METHODS: A change facilitation model that included QI
      team development and on-site QI training and facilitation was delivered to six
      LHDs that provide DSME, during 2010-2011. After training, each LHD developed and
      implemented a QI project to improve the outreach and delivery of DSME services.
      Pre- and post-intervention surveys were administered to evaluate the extent of
      change in DSME outreach and delivery. Data were analyzed in 2011. RESULTS: The
      number of individuals who completed an entire course of DSME increased by >100%,
      and 14% more diabetics attended DSME on a monthly basis. Half of LHDs reported
      receiving increased numbers of referrals per month, and 15% more healthcare
      providers referred diabetic patients to the LHD for DSME. CONCLUSIONS:
      Participation in Community Outreach and Change for Diabetes Management (COACH
      4DM) led to improvements in the LHD QI infrastructure, and in the outreach and
      delivery of services to diabetic patients. The techniques used during COACH 4DM
      are applicable to a wide variety of contexts and may be an effective tool to
      improve the delivery of other clinical and community preventive services.

PMID- 24237924
TI  - The Team Science Toolkit: enhancing research collaboration through online
      knowledge sharing.

PMID- 24237926
TI  - Walking cadence and cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents: NHANES, 2005
      2006.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peak cadence (steps/minute) has been presented as an indicator of
      children's and adolescents' best natural daily effort. PURPOSE: The goal of the
      study was to determine the relationship between peak walking cadence and
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in children and adolescents. METHODS:
      Data from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey on
      accelerometer, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, BMI, and blood pressure from
      1817 children and adolescents (aged 8-18 years) were analyzed in 2012.
      Participants were stratified based on CVD risk factors (0, 1, and >=2) and age (8
      11, 12-15, and 16-18 years). Age-specific trends were evaluated in peak 1-minute
      cadence (steps/minute recorded for the highest single minute in a day) and peak
      30-minute and 60-minute cadence (average of the highest steps/minute recorded for
      the specified number of minutes, not necessarily consecutive) across strata.
      RESULTS: Across ascending age groups, peak 1-minute, 30-minute, and 60-minute
      cadence ranged from 123 to 111, 87 to 82, and 74 to 68 steps/minute,
      respectively. Peak 60-minute cadence means trended lower across groups of
      children with higher numbers of risk factors (p=0.02) in the age group 8-11
      years; means similarly trended lower for all peak cadence indicators (all p for
      trend <0.01) in the age group 12-15 years; analogous trends were also significant
      in the age group 16-18 years. CONCLUSIONS: Results varied with age; however,
      children and adolescents who on average had higher peak cadence indicators tended
      to have fewer CVD risk factors. These cross-sectional data suggest that a simple
      indicator of best natural daily effort may play an important role in early
      progression of unfavorable cardiometabolic health.

PMID- 24237925
TI  - Trends and geographic patterns in drug-poisoning death rates in the U.S., 1999
      2009.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug poisoning mortality has increased substantially in the U.S. over
      the past 3 decades. Previous studies have described state-level variation and
      urban-rural differences in drug-poisoning deaths, but variation at the county
      level has largely not been explored in part because crude county-level death
      rates are often highly unstable. PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to use small
      area estimation techniques to produce stable county-level estimates of age
      adjusted death rates (AADR) associated with drug poisoning for the U.S., 1999
      2009, in order to examine geographic and temporal variation. METHODS: Population
      based observational study using data on 304,087 drug-poisoning deaths in the U.S.
      from the 1999-2009 National Vital Statistics Multiple Cause of Death Files
      (analyzed in 2012). Because of the zero-inflated and right-skewed distribution of
      drug-poisoning death rates, a two-stage modeling procedure was used in which the
      first stage modeled the probability of observing a death for a given county and
      year, and the second stage modeled the log-transformed drug-poisoning death rate
      given that a death occurred. Empirical Bayes estimates of county-level drug
      poisoning death rates were mapped to explore temporal and geographic variation.
      RESULTS: Only 3% of counties had drug-poisoning AADRs greater than ten per
      100,000 per year in 1999-2000, compared to 54% in 2008-2009. Drug-poisoning AADRs
      grew by 394% in rural areas compared to 279% for large central metropolitan
      counties, but the highest drug-poisoning AADRs were observed in central
      metropolitan areas from 1999 to 2009. CONCLUSIONS: There was substantial
      geographic variation in drug-poisoning mortality across the U.S.

PMID- 24237927
TI  - Health literacy: an opinionated perspective.

PMID- 24237928
TI  - Strategies to prevent weight gain in adults: a systematic review.
AB  - CONTEXT: A Healthy People 2020 objective is to increase the prevalence of healthy
      weight adults in the U.S. A systematic review of the effectiveness and safety of
      strategies to prevent weight gain in adults was performed. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION:
      MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL,
      PsycINFO, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through June 2012. Two reviewers
      independently reviewed titles, abstracts, and articles. Trials and observational
      studies with at least 1 year of follow-up that reported on strategies to prevent
      weight gain or maintain weight were included. Data were abstracted on weight,
      adherence, safety, and quality-of-life outcomes. The quantity, quality, and
      consistency of the evidence were graded, with a focus on studies' risks of bias,
      consistency of results across studies, how directly the question of interest was
      addressed, and precision of results. A meaningful difference and a significant
      threshold (p<0.05) were used to identify effective strategies. Evidence was
      synthesized qualitatively. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Twenty-two studies (11 trials and
      11 observational studies) involving 480,142 participants were included. The
      strength of evidence is low for all strategies, but effective approaches may
      include low-fat diets, eating fewer meals prepared away from home, eating more
      fruits and vegetables, monitoring heart rate during exercise, and participation
      in group lifestyle sessions with reminder text messages. Safety and quality of
      life were rarely reported. CONCLUSIONS: Although the evidence is not strong,
      there may be effective strategies to prevent weight gain.

PMID- 24237930
TI  - Anesthetic considerations for neonates undergoing modified Blalock-Taussig shunt
      and variations.
AB  - The first Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt was reported in 1944, and during the last 70
      years, the procedure has evolved with the development of new materials and
      devices, and surgical approaches. It has, however, remained central to the
      palliation of neonates with complex congenital heart disease. The indications
      have expanded from the original aim of alleviating cyanosis and the
      pathophysiological results of chronic hypoxemia. They now include lesions with
      single ventricles, and rehabilitation of small pulmonary arteries. The physiology
      and hemodynamics of BT shunt circulations are very complex, and adverse
      hemodynamic events can be difficult to recognize. The consequences of shunt
      failure can be fatal, and the mortality (3-15%) and morbidity remain
      distressingly high even in the current era. Neonates undergoing BT shunt
      procedures or undergoing noncardiac surgery with this anatomy are challenging for
      the anesthesiologists to manage. There is a significant incidence of
      periprocedural cardiac arrest, often related to myocardial ischemia. A clear
      understanding of the anatomy and physiology is important. Any discussion of BT
      shunt in the current era has to include consideration of hypoplastic left heart
      syndrome and 'single ventricle' physiology. 

PMID- 24237929
TI  - Topical diltiazem before transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy of the
      prostate: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Injection of local anaesthetic agents around the prostatic nerve
      bundles during transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) biopsy of the prostate has
      shown to reduce the pain associated with the procedure. It has been shown that
      some of the discomfort associated with the procedure is secondary to spasm of the
      anal sphincter. Topical diltiazem can relax the anal sphincter. Our aim was to
      evaluate the use of topical diltiazem cream as an adjunct to periprostatic nerve
      block in reducing pain associated with TRUS-guided prostatic biopsy. METHOD:
      Between September 2009 and September 2010, 114 patients were enrolled in the
      trial (from two centres). Patients undergoing TRUS biopsy of prostate were
      randomized into diltiazem and placebo groups. Patients were asked to fill out a
      questionnaire at the end of the procedure. The questionnaire enquired about
      discomfort associated with various parts of the procedure using a 10-cm visual
      analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: For discomfort due to the presence of the probe,
      pain during the biopsy and overall pain prior to leaving the department, mean VAS
      was higher for the placebo group, but the difference was not statistically
      significant. CONCLUSION: Diltiazem cream has a better side effect profile than
      glyceryl trinitrate cream and is better tolerated. Although we have demonstrated
      trends favouring diltiazem use as an adjunct to local anaesthetic in TRUS biopsy
      of the prostate, this did not reach a statistically significant level. The pain
      scores associated with TRUS biopsy in our cohort were lower than those in the
      published literature. This phenomenon might have contributed to the results
      observed in this trial.

PMID- 24237931
TI  - Enhancing person-centred communication in NICU: a comparative thematic analysis.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Aims of this article were (a) to explore how parents of
      premature infants experience guided family-centred care (GFCC), and (b) to
      compare how parents receiving GFCC versus standard care (SC) describe nurse
      parent communication in the neonatal intensive care unit. BACKGROUND: Family
      centred care (FCC) is acknowledged as fundamental to supporting parents of
      premature infants, and communication is central to this practice. Accordingly,
      nurses need good communication skills. GFCC is an intervention developed to
      improve nurse-parent communication in the neonatal intensive care unit. This
      intervention helps nurses to realize person-centred communication as an approach
      to optimize contemporary practice. DESIGN: Our qualitative study had a
      descriptive and comparative design using semi-structured interviews to explore
      the parent's experience of GFCC. METHODS: We conducted 10 dyad interviews with
      parents (n = 20) and two individual interviews with mothers of premature infants
      (n = 2). Parents in the intervention group versus SC group were 13 versus 9.
      Thematic analysis was applied. FINDINGS: GFCC was generally experienced as
      supportive. Three interrelated themes were identified that illustrated how the
      intervention helped parents cope as persons, parents and couples: (a) discovering
      and expressing emotions, (b) reaching a deeper level of communication, and (c)
      obtaining mutual understanding. In contrast, SC communication was more
      superficial and less structured. Factors such as inaccessibility of nurses,
      inability to ask for assistance and parent popularity impaired successful
      communication. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our study suggested that
      compared to SC, GFCC provided structured delivery of supportive communication
      between nurses and parents of premature infants. The intervention promoted the
      discovery of the parents' individual preferences and concerns, which enabled more
      focused communication, and set the stage for better nurse-parent and parent
      parent understanding. We recommend GFCC as a method to improve communication in
      the neonatal intensive care unit.

PMID- 24237932
TI  - Identification of the IGF1/PI3K/NF kappaB/ERK gene signalling networks associated
      with chemotherapy resistance and treatment response in high-grade serous
      epithelial ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy remains a major impediment
      in the treatment of serous epithelial ovarian cancer. The objective of this study
      was to use gene expression profiling to delineate major deregulated pathways and
      biomarkers associated with the development of intrinsic chemotherapy resistance
      upon exposure to standard first-line therapy for ovarian cancer. METHODS: The
      study cohort comprised 28 patients divided into two groups based on their varying
      sensitivity to first-line chemotherapy using progression free survival (PFS) as a
      surrogate of response. All 28 patients had advanced stage, high-grade serous
      ovarian cancer, and were treated with standard platinum-based chemotherapy.
      Twelve patient tumours demonstrating relative resistance to platinum chemotherapy
      corresponding to shorter PFS (< eight months) were compared to sixteen tumours
      from platinum-sensitive patients (PFS > eighteen months). Whole transcriptome
      profiling was performed using an Affymetrix high-resolution microarray platform
      to permit global comparisons of gene expression profiles between tumours from the
      resistant group and the sensitive group. RESULTS: Microarray data analysis
      revealed a set of 204 discriminating genes possessing expression levels which
      could influence differential chemotherapy response between the two groups. Robust
      statistical testing was then performed which eliminated a dependence on the
      normalization algorithm employed, producing a restricted list of differentially
      regulated genes, and which found IGF1 to be the most strongly differentially
      expressed gene. Pathway analysis, based on the list of 204 genes, revealed
      enrichment in genes primarily involved in the IGF1/PI3K/NF kappaB/ERK gene
      signalling networks. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified pathway specific
      prognostic biomarkers possibly underlying a differential chemotherapy response in
      patients undergoing standard platinum-based treatment of serous epithelial
      ovarian cancer. In addition, our results provide a pathway context for further
      experimental validations, and the findings are a significant step towards future
      therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 24237933
TI  - Biomechanical comparison of menisci from different species and artificial
      constructs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Loss of meniscal tissue is correlated with early osteoarthritis but
      few data exist regarding detailed biomechanical properties (e.g. viscoelastic
      behavior) of menisci in different species commonly used as animal models. The
      purpose of the current study was to biomechanically characterize bovine, ovine,
      and porcine menisci (each n = 6, midpart of the medial meniscus) and compare
      their properties to that of normal and degenerated human menisci (n = 6) and two
      commercially available artificial scaffolds (each n = 3). METHODS: Samples were
      tested in a cyclic, minimally constraint compression-relaxation test with a
      universal testing machine allowing the characterization of the viscoelastic
      properties including stiffness, residual force and relative sample compression. T
      tests were used to compare the biomechanical parameters of all samples.
      Significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Throughout cyclic testing
      stiffness, residual force and relative sample compression increased significantly
      (p < 0.05) in all tested meniscus samples. From the tested animal meniscus
      samples the ovine menisci showed the highest biomechanical similarity to human
      menisci in terms of stiffness (human: 8.54 N/mm +/- 1.87, cycle 1; ovine: 11.24
      N/mm +/- 2.36, cycle 1, p = 0.0528), residual force (human: 2.99 N +/- 0.63,
      cycle 1 vs. ovine 3.24 N +/- 0.13, cycle 1, p = 0.364) and relative sample
      compression (human 19.92% +/- 0.63, cycle 1 vs. 18.72% +/- 1.84 in ovine samples
      at cycle 1, p = 0.162). The artificial constructs -as hypothesized- revealed
      statistically significant inferior biomechanical properties. CONCLUSIONS: For
      future research the use of ovine meniscus would be desirable showing the highest
      biomechanical similarities to human meniscus tissue. The significantly different
      biomechanical properties of the artificial scaffolds highlight the necessity of
      cellular ingrowth and formation of extracellular matrix to gain viscoelastic
      properties. As a consequence, a period of unloading (at least partial weight
      bearing) is necessary, until the remodeling process in the scaffold is sufficient
      to withstand forces during weight bearing.

PMID- 24237934
TI  - Enhanced expression of the central survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein during
      the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
AB  - The identification of new components implicated in the pathogenesis of
      osteoarthritis (OA) might improve our understanding of the disease process. Here,
      we investigated the levels of the survival of motor neuron (SMN) expression in OA
      cartilage considering the fundamental role of the SMN protein in cell survival
      and its involvement in other stress-associated pathologies. We report that SMN
      expression is up-regulated in human OA compared with normal cartilage, showing a
      strong correlation with the disease severity, a result confirmed in vivo in an
      experimental model of the disease. We further show that the prominent
      inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha) are critical inducers of SMN
      expression. This is in marked contrast with the reported impaired levels of SMN
      in spinal muscular atrophy, a single inherited neuromuscular disorder
      characterized by mutations in the smn gene whereas OA is a complex disease with
      multiple aetiologies. While the precise functions of SMN during OA remain to be
      elucidated, the conclusions of this study shed light on a novel
      pathophysiological pathway involved in the progression of OA, potentially
      offering new targets for therapy.

PMID- 24237935
TI  - Comment on 'Ankylosing spondylitis: how diagnostic and therapeutic delay have
      changed over the last six decades'.

PMID- 24237938
TI  - The evolving role of nurses in primary care medical settings.
AB  - The role of nurses in primary care is understudied. The purpose of this study was
      to describe the current registered nurse (RN) role in three Primary Care Networks
      (PCNs) in western Canada and to identify opportunities for optimal utilization of
      RNs in these settings. Case study methodology included interviews and document
      review. Although the RN role evolved during the study, most RNs focused on
      chronic disease management. Role ambiguity was evident between nurses and with
      interprofessional team members. Relationships of RNs to other providers,
      particularly physicians, impacted the enactment of the nursing role. Other
      barriers to role enactment included physician fee-for-service remuneration,
      management structures and processes, lack of access to electronic medical records
      and lack of previous opportunities to apply primary health-care education in the
      practice setting. Further work is needed to optimize the RN role in primary care
      to ensure maximum impact for patients, providers and the health system overall. 

PMID- 24237937
TI  - Effectiveness of an intervention for prevention and treatment of burnout in
      primary health care professionals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Burnout syndrome is an important health problem that affects many
      professionals and must be addressed globally, with both organizational measures
      and personal interventions. Burnout of health professionals can be prevented in
      order to avoid personal, familial, and social consequences, as well as
      repercussions for patients. METHODS/DESIGN: This work describes a protocol for a
      controlled, pragmatic, randomized clinical trial in 2 parallel groups:
      intervention and control. All health professionals from 7 health care centers
      will form the intervention group, and all health professionals from 7 different
      health care centers will form the control group. The intervention group will
      receive 16 hours of training at their work place. The Maslach's burnout
      inventory, the Cuestionario de Desgaste Profesional Medico or the Cuestionario de
      Desgaste Profesional de Enfermeria, and the 28-item Goldberg's General Health
      Questionnaire, validated for our setting, will be used as measurement tools.
      Change in the average scores from the Maslach's burnout inventory emotional
      exhaustion scale will be compared between the intervention and control groups,
      measured as intention-to-treat, and the intervention will be considered effective
      if a minimum decrease of 20% is achieved. DISCUSSION: Due to the deleterious
      consequences of burnout syndrome for people suffering from it and for the
      organization where they work, it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of
      certain interventions for its prevention. Organizational measures are important
      for preventing burnout syndrome, but so is providing professionals with coping
      strategies, as this group intervention intends to do. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on June 10, 2013. ClinicalTrials.gov
      Identifier: NCT01870154.

PMID- 24237936
TI  - Dual-acting stapled peptides target both HIV-1 entry and assembly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previously, we reported the conversion of the 12-mer linear and cell
      impermeable peptide CAI to a cell-penetrating peptide NYAD-1 by using an i,i + 4
      hydrocarbon stapling technique and confirmed its binding to the C-terminal domain
      (CTD) of the HIV-1 capsid (CA) protein with an improved affinity (K(d) ~ 1 MUM)
      compared to CAI (K(d) ~ 15 MUM). NYAD-1 disrupts the formation of both immature-
      and mature-like virus particles in in vitro and cell-based assembly assays. In
      addition, it displays potent anti-HIV-1 activity in cell culture against a range
      of laboratory-adapted and primary HIV-1 isolates. RESULTS: In this report, we
      expanded the study to i,i + 7 hydrocarbon-stapled peptides to delineate their
      mechanism of action and antiviral activity. We identified three potent
      inhibitors, NYAD-36, -66 and -67, which showed strong binding to CA in NMR and
      isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies and disrupted the formation of
      mature-like particles. They showed typical alpha-helical structures and
      penetrated cells; however, the cell penetration was not as efficient as observed
      with the i,i + 4 peptides. Unlike NYAD-1, the i,i + 7 peptides did not have any
      effect on virus release; however, they impaired Gag precursor processing. HIV-1
      particles produced in the presence of these peptides displayed impaired
      infectivity. Consistent with an effect on virus entry, selection for viral
      resistance led to the emergence of two mutations in the gp120 subunit of the
      viral envelope (Env) glycoprotein, V120Q and A327P, located in the conserved
      region 1 (C1) and the base of the V3 loop, respectively. CONCLUSION: The i,i + 7
      stapled peptides derived from CAI unexpectedly target both CA and the V3 loop of
      gp120. This dual-targeted activity is dependent on their ability to penetrate
      cells as well as their net charge. This mechanistic revelation will be useful in
      further modifying these peptides as potent anti-HIV-1 agents.

PMID- 24237939
TI  - Dapagliflozin compared with other oral anti-diabetes treatments when added to
      metformin monotherapy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
AB  - AIMS: Indirect evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was used to
      estimate the effect of dapagliflozin, a new agent with a novel mechanism of
      action (SGLT-2 inhibition), relative to other anti-diabetes therapies after 1
      year of treatment. METHODS: A systematic literature review and Bayesian network
      meta-analysis (NMA) of RCTs involving anti-diabetes treatments added to metformin
      were conducted. RCTs enrolling subjects with type 2 diabetes inadequately
      controlled on metformin monotherapy were included. Comparators included
      dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, thiazolidinediones (TZDs),
      sulphonylureas, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues and dapagliflozin.
      Outcomes of interest were mean change from baseline HbA1c, weight and systolic
      blood pressure, and incidence of hypoglycaemia. RESULTS: From 4270 abstracts, six
      RCTs were included in the primary analysis; no RCTs involving GLP-1 analogues met
      primary inclusion criteria. All RCTs were actively controlled with
      sulphonylureas. The mean change in HbA1c from baseline was similar across
      comparators. The treatment effect (95% credible interval) of dapagliflozin on
      HbA1c was -0.08% (-0.25, 0.10) relative to DPP-4 inhibitors, -0.02% (-0.24, 0.21)
      relative to TZDs and 0.00% (-0.16, 0.16) relative to sulphonylureas. Non
      sulphonylureas showed significantly lower risk of hypoglycaemia relative to
      sulphonylureas. Dapagliflozin had a significant effect on weight change: the
      relative difference was -2.74 kg (-5.35, -0.10) compared with DPP-4 inhibitors,
      and -4.67 kg (-7.03, -2.35) compared with sulphonylureas. Systolic blood pressure
      was not meta-analysed due to infrequent reporting. CONCLUSION: Compared with DPP
      4 inhibitors, TZDs and sulphonylureas, dapagliflozin offers similar HbA1c control
      after 1 year, with similar or reduced risk of hypoglycaemia and the additional
      benefit of weight loss, when added to metformin.

PMID- 24237941
TI  - A comparative study of the anatomy of adipose tissue in areas with and without
      raised lesions of cellulite using magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cellulite is considered a noninflammatory phenomenon characterized by
      alterations to the skin surface, with depressed and raised lesions. Few studies
      have evaluated subcutaneous fat in patients with cellulite, and there is no
      information about the anatomy of raised lesions. METHODS: Sixty women with raised
      cellulite lesions were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
      Cellulite grade was evaluated using the Cellulite Severity Scale (CSS). Raised
      cellulite lesions were marked and compared with control areas on the opposite
      side of the body (buttocks, abdomen, and upper thighs). RESULTS: Mean age was
      39.3 +/- 11.0 years and average body mass index (BMI) was 25.4 +/- 4.1 kg/m(2) .
      There were no differences between the raised lesions and the control areas in the
      anatomy of the fat lobes and their size. CSS scores were higher in older patients
      and in those with higher BMI. Patients with higher BMI had more fat lobes.
      CONCLUSIONS: The anatomy of subcutaneous fat was similar in raised and control
      areas for shape, size, and thickness. Higher CSS scores were found in older
      patients and those with higher BMI.

PMID- 24237940
TI  - Non-invasive hepatic biomarkers (ELF and CK18) in people with type 2 diabetes:
      the Edinburgh type 2 diabetes study.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Type 2 diabetes is an established risk factor for the presence
      and progression of fatty liver. Little is known about the distributions and
      correlates of hepatic non-invasive biomarkers in community-based populations with
      diabetes, unselected for liver disease. We aimed to identify the distribution of,
      and metabolic risk factors associated with serum cytokeratin-18 (CK18) and the
      Enhanced Liver Fibrosis score (ELF), in a large, representative cohort of people
      with type 2 diabetes (the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study, ET2DS). METHODS: Nine
      hundred and thirty-nine ET2DS participants, aged 60-74 years underwent physical
      examination including ultrasound for assessment of liver fat. Representative
      subgroups were assessed for markers of chronic liver disease (CK18 and ELF).
      RESULTS: CK18 values ranged from 29-993 U/L (median 102, IQR 76-137 U/L) and ELF
      scores ranged from 6.9-11.6 (mean 8.9, SD 0.8). Statistically significant
      associations were found between both biomarkers and a number of metabolic risk
      factors. Neither CK18 nor ELF was consistently or strongly associated with
      established hepatic risk factors (alcohol excess, hepatotoxic medication use and
      positive immunology titres). CONCLUSIONS: We identified the distribution of CK18
      and ELF in a large cohort of older people with type 2 diabetes and showed that
      these markers are associated with an adverse metabolic risk factor profile,
      although much of the variation in biomarkers remained unexplained. Prospective
      studies are required to determine the extent to which CK18 and/or ELF predict the
      development of symptomatic liver disease and to identify additional risk factors
      which may influence the development of advanced liver disease in people with type
      2 diabetes.

PMID- 24237942
TI  - 100 top-cited scientific papers in limb prosthetics.
AB  - Research has tremendously contributed to the developments in both practical and
      fundamental aspects of limb prosthetics. These advancements are reflected in
      scientific articles, particularly in the most cited papers. This article aimed to
      identify the 100 top-cited articles in the field of limb prosthetics and to
      investigate their main characteristics. Articles related to the field of limb
      prosthetics and published in the Web of Knowledge database of the Institute for
      Scientific Information (ISI) from the period of 1980 to 2012. The 100 most cited
      articles in limb prosthetics were selected based on the citation index report.
      All types of articles except for proceedings and letters were included in the
      study. The study design and level of evidence were determined using Sackett's
      initial rules of evidence. The level of evidence was categorized either as a
      systematic review or meta-analysis, randomized controlled trial, cohort study,
      case-control study, case series, expert opinion, or design and development. The
      top cited articles in prosthetics were published from 1980 to 2012 with a
      citation range of 11 to 90 times since publication. The mean citation rate was
      24.43 (SD 16.7) times. Eighty-four percent of the articles were original
      publications and were most commonly prospective (76%) and case series studies
      (67%) that used human subjects (96%) providing level 4 evidence. Among the
      various fields, rehabilitation (47%), orthopedics (29%), and sport sciences (28%)
      were the most common fields of study. The study established that studies
      conducted in North America and were written in English had the highest citations.
      Top cited articles primarily dealt with lower limb prosthetics, specifically, on
      transtibial and transradial prosthetic limbs. Majority of the articles were
      experimental studies. 

PMID- 24237943
TI  - Inferring protein-protein interaction complexes from immunoprecipitation data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protein-protein interactions in cells are widely explored using small
      scale experiments. However, the search for protein complexes and their
      interactions in data from high throughput experiments such as immunoprecipitation
      is still a challenge. We present "4N", a novel method for detecting protein
      complexes in such data. Our method is a heuristic algorithm based on Near
      Neighbor Network (3N) clustering. It is written in R, it is faster than model
      based methods, and has only a small number of tuning parameters. We explain the
      application of our new method to real immunoprecipitation results and two
      artificial datasets. We show that the method can infer protein complexes from
      protein immunoprecipitation datasets of different densities and sizes. FINDINGS:
      4N was applied on the immunoprecipitation dataset that was presented by the
      authors of the original 3N in Cell 145:787-799, 2011. The test with our method
      shows that it can reproduce the original clustering results with fewer manually
      adapted parameters and, in addition, gives direct insight into the complex
      complex interactions. We also tested 4N on the human "Tip49a/b" dataset. We
      conclude that 4N can handle the contaminants and can correctly infer complexes
      from this very dense dataset. Further tests were performed on two artificial
      datasets of different sizes. We proved that the method predicts the reference
      complexes in the two artificial datasets with high accuracy, even when the number
      of samples is reduced. CONCLUSIONS: 4N has been implemented in R. We provide the
      sourcecode of 4N and a user-friendly toolbox including two example calculations.
      Biologists can use this 4N-toolbox even if they have a limited knowledge of R.
      There are only a few tuning parameters to set, and each of these parameters has a
      biological interpretation. The run times for medium scale datasets are in the
      order of minutes on a standard desktop PC. Large datasets can typically be
      analyzed within a few hours.

PMID- 24237944
TI  - Preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis.

PMID- 24237945
TI  - EUS-guided pancreatic duct drainage: ready for prime time?

PMID- 24237946
TI  - Not so NICE to be serrated.

PMID- 24237947
TI  - Enteral stents: from esophagus to colon.
AB  - Because of significant advances in endoscopic techniques and the development of
      high-quality stents, endoscopic enteral stent placement is increasingly being
      performed for the management of malignant GI obstruction. Palliative stenting is
      now routinely performed for malignant esophageal, gastric, duodenal, and colon
      obstruction. In addition to palliative indications, preoperative stenting in the
      colon may be performed as a bridge to surgery to achieve immediate decompression
      and convert an emergent surgery into an elective, 1-stage procedure.The realm of
      enteral stenting has recently expanded to include management of benign conditions
      such as leaks, fistulas, and benign strictures in the GI tract. Further research
      is required to study the use of enteral stents in benign conditions and to
      adequately compare endoscopic stent placement with surgical intervention.
      Promising new technologies such as biodegradable stents and drug-eluting stents
      also require further investigation. With continued innovation in endoscopic
      techniques and stenting devices, the field of enteral stenting is likely to
      expand further, with an increase in indications and improvement in outcomes.

PMID- 24237948
TI  - Novel method of stent insertion for malignant lower rectal obstruction with
      proximal releasing delivery system (with video).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-expandable metal stents are an alternative to preoperative and
      palliative colostomy for patients with malignant colorectal obstruction. However,
      self-expandable metal stent placement is considered unsuitable or contraindicated
      for patients with malignant lower rectal obstruction within 5 cm of the anal
      verge because the exposed stent portion can irritate the distal rectum and cause
      anal pain and a foreign body sensation. OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience
      with 6 patients with malignant lower rectal obstruction who underwent stent
      insertion with a proximal releasing delivery system (PRDS). DESIGN: Prospective
      clinical series outcome study. SETTING: A tertiary-care referral university
      hospital. PATIENTS: This study involved all patients at our center who had a
      malignant lower rectal obstruction within 5 cm of the anal verge caused by rectal
      cancer and bladder cancer. INTERVENTION: Uncovered stent with the PRDS with
      endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Technical and
      clinical success rate, adverse event rate, and stent migration rate. RESULTS: All
      stents were placed at the expected location. Technical and clinical success rates
      were 100%. Two patients reported anal pain, which was controlled with analgesics.
      One case of tumor ingrowth occurred after 5 months and was treated with
      reinsertion of a stent with the PRDS. After stent insertion, the patients
      received chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, or conservative care. LIMITATIONS:
      Small number of patients and no comparison group. Further prospective,
      randomized, controlled trials are needed. CONCLUSIONS: Uncovered stent insertion
      with the PRDS is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment for the patient with
      malignant lower rectal obstruction within 5 cm from the anal verge.

PMID- 24237949
TI  - Novel EUS-guided gastrojejunostomy technique using a new double-balloon enteric
      tube and lumen-apposing metal stent (with videos).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgical gastrojejunostomy is associated with relatively high
      morbidity and mortality rates. However, current experimental EUS-guided
      gastrojejunostomy information is limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel EUS
      guided gastrojejunostomy technique using a new enteric balloon and lumen-apposing
      metal stent. DESIGN: Animal experiment. SETTING: Animal laboratory at a referral
      center. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: In 5 pigs, gastrojejunostomies were created
      under EUS guidance. Fully covered lumen-apposing stents were placed between the
      stomach and the jejunum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Technical success and adverse
      events of EUS-guided gastrojejunostomy. RESULTS: All stents, with 1 exception,
      were successfully deployed without any adverse events. The mean time to stent
      placement was 44.2 minutes (range 28-64 minutes). All animals showed normal
      eating behavior without signs of infection for 1 month after the procedure.
      Endoscopic imaging of the stomach site showed the stent to be patent and stable,
      without dislodgment, in all of the pigs. Necropsy showed complete adhesion
      between the stomach and the jejunum wall. LIMITATIONS: Pilot study. CONCLUSIONS:
      Creation of an EUS-guided gastrojejunostomy by using a novel enteric balloon and
      metal stent appears to be promising as a minimally invasive treatment.

PMID- 24237950
TI  - Endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection: the space between.

PMID- 24237951
TI  - Endoscopic appearance of duodenal mucosa in GI leishmaniasis.

PMID- 24237952
TI  - A technique for skin-level gastrostomy tube placement after gastrostomy tube
      dislodgement.

PMID- 24237953
TI  - Response.

PMID- 24237954
TI  - Cyanoacrylate injection to treat recurrent bleeding from Dieulafoy's lesion.

PMID- 24237955
TI  - Prevalence and management of post-transplant anemia in long-term follow-up of
      Chinese kidney transplant recipients: a single-center report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-transplant anemia (PTA) has long been a less-recognized
      complication in kidney transplant recipients, and its prevalence also tends to be
      underestimated. This study sought to evaluate the prevalence, management, and
      risk factors of PTA from a group of long-term follow-up Chinese kidney transplant
      recipients. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four adult kidney transplant
      recipients were followed up at Fuzhou General Hospital, China, and
      retrospectively studied. RESULTS: PTA prevalence at transplant and at 5-yearly
      time points after transplantation were 45.5%, 10.7%, 9.6%, 14.8%, 13.5%, and
      19.6%, respectively. Overall, 38.3% of patients had been anemic at least once
      during the follow-up period, and 42% of these patients had recurrent anemia.
      Correlation analysis indicated that hemoglobin levels were associated with graft
      function. No correlations between anemia and age, gender, immunosuppressive
      regimens, or antihypertensive agents were observed. Binary logistic regression
      analysis suggested that serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were associated
      with the diagnosis of anemia at 1 year post-transplant. At 5 years post
      transplant, only serum creatinine concentrations correlated with anemia. Although
      iron drugs are frequently used, erythropoietin was rarely administered in those
      anemic patients suffering poor graft function that necessitated such therapies.
      CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PTA is noticeably high, and impaired kidney graft
      function seemed to be the major risk factor for anemia. There is an urgent need
      to improve current PTA management and to establish modified guidelines for this
      common complication in kidney transplant recipients.

PMID- 24237956
TI  - Contemporary issues in nursing: patient safety, decision-making and social
      support in challenging economic times.

PMID- 24237957
TI  - Testing the reliability of the Fall Risk Screening Tool in an elderly ambulatory
      population.
AB  - AIM: To identify and test the reliability of a fall risk screening tool in an
      ambulatory outpatient clinic. BACKGROUND: The Fall Risk Screening Tool (Albert
      Lea Medical Center, MN, USA) was scripted for an interview format. METHOD: Two
      interviewers separately screened a convenience sample of 111 patients (age >= 65
      years) in an ambulatory outpatient clinic in a northeastern US city. RESULT: The
      interviewers' scoring of fall risk categories was similar. There was good
      internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.834-0.889) and inter-rater reliability
      [intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) = 0.824-0.881] for total, Risk Factor
      and Client's Health Status subscales. The Physical Environment scores indicated
      acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.742) and adequate
      reliability (ICC = 0.688). Two Physical Environment items (furniture and medical
      equipment condition) had low reliabilities [Kappa (K) = 0.323, P = 0.08; K = 
      0.078, P = 0.648), respectively. CONCLUSION: The scripted Fall Risk Screening
      Tool demonstrated good reliability in this sample. Rewording two Physical
      Environment items will be considered. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: A
      reliable instrument such as the scripted Fall Risk Screening Tool provides a
      standardised assessment for identifying high fall risk patients. This tool is
      especially useful because it assesses personal, behavioural and environmental
      factors specific to community-dwelling patients; the interview format also
      facilitates patient-provider interaction.

PMID- 24237958
TI  - Family-paid caregivers in hospital health care in China.
AB  - AIM: The aims of this study were to identify the attitudes and perceptions of
      nurses towards family-paid caregivers, to examine the roles of caregivers in
      hospital bedside nursing care and to describe the supervision of family-paid
      caregivers by nurses. BACKGROUND: The inadequacy of nurse staffing and the
      Chinese tradition emphasising family responsibility have established family-paid
      caregivers as an important workforce for inpatient bedside nursing care in China.
      DESIGN: This was a descriptive study combining qualitative interviews with a
      quantitative cross-sectional questionnaire survey. METHODS: Six nurses were
      interviewed and 209 family-paid caregivers were surveyed. RESULTS: According to
      the respondents, patients relied on the caregivers to receive assistance and care
      during hospitalization and family-paid caregivers were involved in most of the
      bedside nursing care. CONCLUSIONS: The heavy workload of nurses and staffing
      inadequacy have led to a severe need for caregivers to provide bedside nursing
      care within hospitals in China. The roles of family-paid caregivers need to be
      defined and closely monitored. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Proper
      management of the caregivers should be strengthened and the hospital nursing
      workforce encouraged to take over bedside nursing care as essential strategies
      for improving nursing care quality and the patients' satisfaction with the
      hospitals.

PMID- 24237959
TI  - Letter to the editor: the role of participatory leadership in enhancing EBN.

PMID- 24237960
TI  - Letter to the editor: the impact of leadership styles on nurses' satisfaction.

PMID- 24237961
TI  - Coagulation and the surgical neonate.
AB  - Both coagulopathy and abnormal thrombosis can complicate the anesthetic and
      surgical management of neonatal patients; however, the patterns of bleeding and
      thrombosis in neonates differ from those in adults or older children. Severe
      coagulopathic bleeding most commonly occurs during heart surgery and almost
      certainly contributes to morbidity and mortality in this population. Such severe
      bleeding is rare during other surgery; the exception is babies presenting to the
      operating room with established coagulopathy secondary to severe sepsis.
      Alternatively, pathological thrombosis will mainly occur in association with
      indwelling vascular access devices or surgically created vascular shunts. There
      are important differences between the coagulation system in neonates and older
      patients. The implication of this is that therapies established in other patient
      groups will not be optimal for neonates without adaptation. While evidence from
      high-quality clinical trials is rarely available, an understanding of how
      coagulation in neonates differs can help to guide practice. This review will
      discuss important differences between the coagulation system of neonates and
      older patients and how these relate to newer models of coagulation. The emphasis
      will be on issues likely to impact on perioperative care. In particular, the
      management of severe bleeding, the manipulation of coagulation during heart
      surgery, and the management of coagulopathy in septic neonates will be discussed
      in detail. 

PMID- 24237962
TI  - The effects of acute and chronic exercise on PGC-1alpha, irisin and browning of
      subcutaneous adipose tissue in humans.
AB  - Irisin was first identified as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma
      co-activator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) dependent myokine with the potential to induce
      murine brown-fat-like development of white adipose tissue. In humans, the
      regulatory effect of training on muscle FNDC5 mRNA expression and subsequently
      irisin levels in plasma is more controversial. We recruited 26 inactive men (13
      normoglycaemic and normal weight, controls; and 13 slightly hyperglycaemic and
      overweight, pre-diabetes group) aged 40-65 years for a 12-week intervention of
      combined endurance and strength training with four sessions of training per week.
      Before and after the 12-week intervention period, participants were exposed to an
      acute endurance workload of 45 min at 70% of VO(2max), and muscle biopsies were
      taken prior to and after exercise. Skeletal muscle mRNA for PGC1A and FNDC5
      correlated and both PGC1A and FNDC5 mRNA levels increased after 12 weeks of
      training in both control and pre-diabetes subjects. Circulating irisin was
      reduced in response to 12 weeks of training, and was increased acutely (~1.2
      fold) just after acute exercise. Plasma concentration of irisin was higher in pre
      diabetes subjects compared with controls. There was little effect of 12 weeks of
      training on selected browning genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue. UCP1 mRNA did
      not correlate with FNDC5 expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue or skeletal
      muscle or with irisin levels in plasma. We observed no enhancing effect of long
      term training on circulating irisin levels, and little or no effect of training
      on browning of subcutaneous white adipose tissue in humans.

PMID- 24237963
TI  - Wide QRS complex tachycardia in a patient with a biventricular implantable
      cardioverter defibrillator: what is the mechanism?

PMID- 24237964
TI  - Dispersal, landscape and travelling waves in cyclic vole populations.
AB  - Travelling waves (TW) are among the most striking ecological phenomena emerging
      in oscillating populations. Despite much theory, understanding how real-world TW
      arise remains a challenge for ecology. Herein, we analyse 16-year time series of
      cyclic vole populations collected at 314 localities covering 2500 km2 in France.
      We found evidence for a linear front TW spreading at a speed of 7.4 km year(-1)
      along a north-west/south-east direction and radiating away from a major landscape
      discontinuity as predicted by recent theory. The spatial signature of vole
      dispersal was assessed using genetic data collected at 14 localities. Both data
      sets were handled using similar autocorrelation approaches. Our results revealed
      a remarkable congruence of the spatial extent and direction of anisotropy of both
      demographic and genetic structures. Our results constitute the first empirical
      evidence that effective dispersal is limited in the direction of TW while most of
      the individual exchanges occur along the wave front. 

PMID- 24237965
TI  - Suppression of the immune system as a critical step for bone formation from
      allogeneic osteoprogenitors implanted in rats.
AB  - The surface marker profile of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) suggests that they
      can escape detection by the immune system of an allogeneic host. This could be an
      optimal strategy for bone regeneration applications, where off-the-shelf cells
      could be implanted to heal bone defects. However, it is unknown how pre
      differentiation of MSCs to an osteogenic lineage, a means of improving bone
      formation, affects their immunogenicity. Using immunohistological techniques in a
      rat ectopic implantation model, we demonstrate that allogeneic osteoprogenitors
      mount a T cell- and B cell-mediated immune response resulting in an absence of in
      vivo bone formation. Suppression of the host immune response with daily
      administration of an immunosuppressant, FK506, is effective in preventing the
      immune attack on the allogeneic osteoprogenitors. In the immunosuppressed
      environment, the allogeneic osteoprogenitors are capable of generating bone in
      amounts similar to those of syngeneic cells. However, using osteoprogenitors from
      one of the allogeneic donors led to newly deposited bone that was attacked by the
      host immune system, despite the continued administration of the
      immunosuppressant. This suggests that, although using an immunosuppressant can
      potentially suppress the immune attack on the allogeneic cells, optimizing the
      dose of the immunosuppressant may be crucial to ensure bone formation within the
      allogeneic environment. Overall, allografts comprising osteoprogenitors derived
      from allogeneic MSCs have the potential to be used in bone regeneration
      applications.

PMID- 24237967
TI  - Variation in postpartum contraceptive method use: results from the Pregnancy Risk
      Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The National Survey of Family Growth has been a primary data source
      for trends in US women's contraceptive use. However, national-level data may mask
      differences in contraceptive practice resulting from variation in local policies
      and norms. STUDY DESIGN: We used the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System,
      a survey of women who are 2-4 months postpartum. Information on women's current
      method was available for 18 reporting areas from 2000 to 2009. Using the two most
      recent years of data, we computed the weighted proportion of women using specific
      contraceptive methods according to payment for delivery (Medicaid or private
      insurance) and examined differences across states. We used log binomial
      regression to assess trends in method use in 8 areas with consecutive years of
      data. RESULTS: Across states, there was a wide range of use of female
      sterilization (7.0-22.6%) and long-acting reversible contraception (LARC; 1.9
      25.5%). Other methods, like vasectomy and the patch/ring, had a narrower range of
      use. Women with Medicaid-paid deliveries were more likely to report female
      sterilization, LARC and injectables as their method compared to women with
      private insurance. LARC use increased >=18% per year, while use of injectables
      and oral contraceptives declined by 2.5-10.6% annually. CONCLUSIONS: The
      correlation in method-specific prevalence within states suggests shared social
      and medical norms, while the larger variation across states may reflect both
      differences in norms and access to contraception for low-income women. Surveys of
      postpartum women, who are beginning a new segment of contraceptive use, may
      better capture emerging trends in US contraceptive method mix. IMPLICATIONS:
      There is considerable variation in contraceptive method use across states, which
      may result from differences in state policies and funding for family planning
      services, local medical norms surrounding contraceptive practice, and women's and
      couples' demand or preference for different methods.

PMID- 24237968
TI  - A comparison of alfaxalone and propofol on intraocular pressure in healthy dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of alfaxalone and propofol on intraocular (IOP)
      pressure in the canine eye. ANIMALS STUDIED: Twenty-three healthy adult dogs.
      PROCEDURES: Dogs were randomized to receive intravenous propofol (n = 11) or
      alfaxalone (n = 12) until loss of jaw tone, 20 min after intravenous
      premedication (acepromazine 0.02-0.03 mg/kg and hydromorphone 0.05-0.1 mg/kg).
      IOP was measured at baseline (BL), 20 min postpremedication (postpremed), loss of
      jaw tone (postinduct), and immediately following orotracheal intubation
      (postintub). Between- and within-treatment effects were analyzed with two-way and
      one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni's post hoc test, respectively. P
      < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: No significant IOP differences were
      detected between alfaxalone or propofol groups at any time point (P > 0.05).
      Propofol: IOP did not change between BL (15.5 +/- 2.7 mmHg) and postpremed (16.2
      +/- 3.6 mmHg, P > 0.05), or postinduct (19.1 +/- 5.2 mmHg) and postintub (21.0 +/
      4.6 mmHg, P > 0.05), but differed significantly between BL and postinduct (P <
      0.0001), and postintub (P < 0.0001). Alfaxalone: IOP did not change between BL
      (15.7 +/- 2.8 mmHg) and postpremed (15.3 +/- 4.1 mmHg, P > 0.05), or postinduct
      (19.2 +/- 4.9 mmHg) and postintub (20.5 +/- 4.5 mmHg, P > 0.05), but differed
      significantly between BL and postinduct (P < 0.01), and postintub (P < 0.0001).
      CONCLUSIONS: These data show a potentially clinically significant increase in IOP
      following induction with propofol or alfaxalone, but no difference between
      agents.

PMID- 24237966
TI  - Molecular adaptation of telomere associated genes in mammals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Placental mammals display a huge range of life history traits,
      including size, longevity, metabolic rate and germ line generation time. Although
      a number of general trends have been proposed between these traits, there are
      exceptions that warrant further investigation. Species such as naked mole rat,
      human and certain bat species all exhibit extreme longevity with respect to body
      size. It has long been established that telomeres and telomere maintenance have a
      clear role in ageing but it has not yet been established whether there is
      evidence for adaptation in telomere maintenance proteins that could account for
      increased longevity in these species. RESULTS: Here we carry out a molecular
      investigation of selective pressure variation, specifically focusing on telomere
      associated genes across placental mammals. In general we observe a large number
      of instances of positive selection acting on telomere genes. Although these
      signatures of selection overall are not significantly correlated with either
      longevity or body size we do identify positive selection in the microbat species
      Myotis lucifugus in functionally important regions of the telomere maintenance
      genes DKC1 and TERT, and in naked mole rat in the DNA repair gene BRCA1.
      CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the multifarious selective pressures acting
      across the mammal phylogeny driving lineage-specific adaptations of telomere
      associated genes. Our results show that regardless of the longevity of a species,
      these proteins have evolved under positive selection thereby removing increased
      longevity as the single selective force driving this rapid rate of evolution.
      However, evidence of molecular adaptations specific to naked mole rat and Myotis
      lucifugus highlight functionally significant regions in genes that may alter the
      way in which telomeres are regulated and maintained in these longer-lived
      species.

PMID- 24237969
TI  - Type 2 diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for intestinal resection in patients
      with superior mesenteric vein thrombosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The most serious complication of acute mesenteric vein
      thrombosis (MVT) is acute intestinal ischaemia requiring intestinal resection or
      causing death. Risk factors for this complication are unknown. To identify risk
      factors for severe intestinal ischaemia leading to intestinal resection in
      patients with acute MVT. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed consecutive
      patients seen between 2002 and 2012 with acute MVT in 2 specialized units.
      Patients with cirrhosis were excluded. We compared patients who required
      intestinal resection to patients who did not. RESULTS: Among 57 patients, a local
      risk factor was identified in 14 (24%) patients, oral contraceptive use in 16
      (29%), and at least one or more other systemic prothrombotic condition in 25
      (44%). Five (9%) patients had diabetes mellitus (DM), 33 (58%) had overweight or
      obesity, 9 (18%) had hypertriglyceridemia and 10 (19%) had arterial hypertension.
      Eleven patients (19%) underwent intestinal resection. DM was significantly
      associated with intestinal resection (P = 0.02) while local factors or
      prothrombotic conditions were not. Computed tomography (CT) scans performed at
      diagnosis found that occlusion of second order radicles of the superior
      mesenteric vein was more frequently observed in patients who underwent intestinal
      resection (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: In acute MVT, patients with underlying DM
      have an increased risk of requiring intestinal resection. Neither local factors
      nor systemic prothrombotic conditions are associated with intestinal resection.
      When CT scan shows the preservation of second order radicles of the superior
      mesenteric vein, the risk of severe resection is low.

PMID- 24237970
TI  - Primate lentiviral Nef proteins deregulate T-cell development by multiple
      mechanisms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A nef gene is present in all primate lentiviral genomes and is
      important for high viral loads and progression to AIDS in human or experimental
      macaque hosts of HIV or SIV, respectively. In these hosts, infection of the
      thymus results in a decreased output of naive T cells that may contribute to the
      development of immunodeficiency. We have previously shown that HIV-1 subtype B
      Nef proteins can block human T-cell development. However, the underlying
      mechanism(s) and the conservation of this Nef function between different groups
      of HIV and SIV remained to be determined. RESULTS: We investigated whether
      reduction of thymic output is a conserved function of highly divergent lentiviral
      Nef proteins including those from both types of human immunodeficiency viruses
      (HIV-1 and HIV-2), their direct simian counterparts (SIVcpz, SIVgor and SIVsmm,
      respectively), and some additional SIV strains. We found that expression of most
      of these nef alleles in thymocyte progenitors impaired T-cell development and
      reduced thymic output. For HIV-1 Nef, binding to active p21 protein (Cdc42/Rac)
      activated kinase (PAK2) was a major determinant of this function. In contrast,
      selective disruption of PAK2 binding did not eliminate the effect on T-cell
      development of SIVmac239 Nef, as was shown by expressing mutants in a newly
      discovered PAK2 activating structural motif (PASM) constituted by residues I117,
      H121, T218 and Y221, as well as previously described mutants. Rather, down
      modulation of cell surface CD3 was sufficient for reduced thymic output by SIVmac
      Nef, while other functions of SIV Nefs contributed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      indicate that primate lentiviral Nef proteins impair development of thymocyte
      precursors into T cells in multiple ways. The interaction of HIV-1 Nef with
      active PAK2 by HIV-1 seem to be most detrimental, and downregulation of CD3 by
      HIV-2 and most SIV Nef proteins sufficient for reduced thymic output. Since the
      reduction of thymic output by Nef is a conserved property of divergent
      lentiviruses, it is likely to be relevant for peripheral T-cell depletion in
      poorly adapted primate lentiviral infections.

PMID- 24237971
TI  - Development of the hematopoietic system and disorders of hematopoiesis that
      present during infancy and early childhood.
AB  - This article reviews the ontogeny of hematopoiesis (embryonic/fetal/newborn
      phases) and its regulation and provides examples of the disorders of
      hematopoiesis that present in the newborn or infant and their pathophysiology.
      Many of these disorders are discussed in depth in other articles of this issue. 

PMID- 24237974
TI  - Hematologic manifestations of systemic disease (including iron deficiency, anemia
      of inflammation and DIC).
AB  - A complete blood cell count (CBC) is a frequent test sent to aid in the
      diagnostic evaluation of ill patients. Not uncommonly hematologic abnormalities
      may be the first sign of an underlying systemic disorder. The astute clinician
      needs to understand how systemic disease can affect the CBC to direct further
      diagnostic investigations. This article focuses on the 2 most common acquired
      anemias including iron deficiency and anemia of inflammation as well as
      disseminated intravascular coagulation. 

PMID- 24237972
TI  - The inherited bone marrow failure syndromes.
AB  - Molecular pathogenesis may be elucidated for inherited bone marrow failure
      syndromes (IBMFS). The study and presentation of the details of their molecular
      biology and biochemistry is warranted for appropriate diagnosis and management of
      afflicted patients and to identify the physiology of the normal hematopoiesis and
      mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Several themes have emerged within each subsection
      of IBMFS, including the ribosomopathies, which include ribosome assembly and
      ribosomal RNA processing. The Fanconi anemia pathway has become interdigitated
      with the familial breast cancer syndromes. In this article, the diseases that
      account for most IBMFS diagnoses are analyzed. 

PMID- 24237973
TI  - Acquired aplastic anemia in children.
AB  - This article provides a practice-based and concise review of the etiology,
      diagnosis, and management of acquired aplastic anemia in children. Bone marrow
      transplantation, immunosuppressive therapy, and supportive care are discussed in
      detail. The aim is to provide the clinician with a better understanding of the
      disease and to offer guidelines for the management of children with this uncommon
      yet serious disorder. 

PMID- 24237975
TI  - Abnormalities of the erythrocyte membrane.
AB  - Primary abnormalities of the erythrocyte membrane are characterized by clinical,
      laboratory, and genetic heterogeneity. Among this group, hereditary spherocytosis
      patients are more likely to experience symptomatic anemia. Treatment of
      hereditary spherocytosis with splenectomy is curative in most patients. Growing
      recognition of the long-term risks of splenectomy has led to re-evaluation of the
      role of splenectomy. Management guidelines acknowledge these considerations and
      recommend discussion between health care providers, patient, and family. The
      hereditary elliptocytosis syndromes are the most common primary disorders of
      erythrocyte membrane proteins. However, most elliptocytosis patients are
      asymptomatic and do not require therapy. 

PMID- 24237977
TI  - Thalassemias.
AB  - The thalassemia syndromes are hemoglobin disorders that result from significantly
      reduced or absent synthesis of either the alpha- or beta-globin chains. The
      result is a chronic hemolytic anemia with ineffective erythropoiesis and bone
      marrow overstimulation. This article reviews current diagnostic approaches,
      complications, and disease management of thalassemia. 

PMID- 24237978
TI  - Evaluation and treatment of transfusional iron overload in children.
AB  - Red blood cell transfusions are increasingly used in the management of various
      anemias, including thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Because the body lacks
      physiologic mechanisms for removing excess iron, transfusional iron overload is a
      common complication in children receiving regular transfusions. Iron chelation is
      necessary to remove the excess iron that causes injury to the heart, liver, and
      endocrine organs. Three chelators, deferoxamine, deferasirox, and deferiprone,
      are currently available in the United States. When choosing a chelator regimen,
      patients, parents, and providers may consider a variety of factors, including the
      severity of iron overload, administration schedule, and adverse effect profile. 

PMID- 24237976
TI  - Sickle cell disease in childhood: from newborn screening through transition to
      adult medical care.
AB  - Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the name for a group of related blood disorders
      caused by an abnormal hemoglobin molecule that polymerizes on deoxygenation. SCD
      affects the entire body, and the multisystem pathophysiology begins in infancy.
      Thanks to prognostic and therapeutic advancements, some forms of SCD-related
      morbidity are decreasing, such as overt stroke. Almost all children born with SCD
      in developed nations now live to adulthood, and lifelong multidisciplinary care
      is necessary. This article provides a broad overview of SCD in childhood, from
      newborn screening through transition to adult medical care. 

PMID- 24237979
TI  - Developmental hemostasis: clinical implications from the fetus to the adolescent.
AB  - The coagulation system involves a dynamic group of procoagulation and
      anticoagulation proteins that appear early in fetal life and whose levels change
      throughout childhood and into the teenage years. This process is called
      developmental hemostasis. Developmental hemostasis creates unique challenges for
      clinicians affecting the diagnosis and treatment of coagulation disorders during
      early childhood. The objective of this review is to assist pediatricians in
      understanding the coagulation system in fetal life and childhood and to provide
      guidance for interpreting basic coagulation testing, which will result in an
      improved ability to diagnose and treat patients with hemostatic and thrombotic
      disorders. 

PMID- 24237980
TI  - Inherited abnormalities of coagulation: hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and
      beyond.
AB  - Bleeding disorders are broadly classified into primary and secondary hemostatic
      defects. Primary hemostatic disorders (disorders of platelets and von Willebrand
      factor) mainly result in mucocutaneous bleeding symptoms such as epistaxis,
      menorrhagia, petechiae, easy bruising, and bleeding after dental and surgical
      interventions. Secondary hemostatic disorders (congenital or acquired
      deficiencies of coagulation factors) typically manifest with delayed, deep
      bleeding into muscles and joints. This article provides a generalized overview of
      the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory abnormalities, and
      molecular basis of inherited abnormalities of coagulation with a focus on
      hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and rare inherited coagulation disorders. 

PMID- 24237981
TI  - Pediatric thrombophilia.
AB  - Pediatric thrombosis and thrombophilia are increasingly recognized and studied.
      In this article, both the inherited and acquired factors for the development of
      thrombosis in neonates and children are categorized using the elements of
      Virchow's triad: stasis, hypercoagulable state, and vascular injury. The
      indications and rationale for performing thrombophilia testing are described.
      Also included are discussions on who, how, when, and why to test. Finally,
      recommendations for the use of contraceptives for adolescent females with a
      family history of thrombosis are outlined. 

PMID- 24237982
TI  - Antithrombotic therapies: anticoagulation and thrombolysis.
AB  - Pediatric deep vein thrombosis is an increasingly recognized phenomenon,
      especially with advances in treatment and supportive care of critically ill
      children and with better diagnostic capabilities. High-quality evidence and
      uniform management guidelines for antithrombotic treatment, particularly
      thrombolytic therapy, remain limited. Optimal dosing, intensity and duration
      strategies for anticoagulation as well as thrombolytic regimens that maximize
      efficacy and safety need to be determined through well-designed clinical trials
      using use of a risk-stratified approach. 

PMID- 24237983
TI  - Inherited disorders of platelet function.
AB  - Inherited platelet function disorders are of variable severity and unknown
      frequency and may be difficult to diagnose. Nevertheless, they are increasingly
      recognized as an important cause of bleeding in pediatrics, particularly in
      adolescent girls with menorrhagia, where they may be more common than von
      Willebrand disease. This article reviews the presentation of these disorders,
      summarizes the most common types of platelet function disorders, discusses the
      challenges in diagnostic testing, and details treatment and supportive care
      options. 

PMID- 24237984
TI  - Diagnosis and management of autoimmune cytopenias in childhood.
AB  - The diagnosis and management of children with autoimmune cytopenias can be
      challenging. Children can present with immune-mediated destruction of a single
      cell lineage or multiple cell lineages, including platelets (immune
      thrombocytopenia [ITP]), erythrocytes (autoimmune hemolytic anemia), and
      neutrophils (autoimmune neutropenia). Immune-mediated destruction can be primary
      or secondary to a comorbid immunodeficiency, malignancy, rheumatologic condition,
      or lymphoproliferative disorder. Treatment options generally consist of
      nonspecific immune suppression or modulation. This nonspecific approach is
      changing as recent insights into disease biology have led to targeted therapies,
      including the use of thrombopoietin mimetics in ITP and sirolimus for cytopenias
      associated with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome. 

PMID- 24237986
TI  - Transfusion and hemovigilance in pediatrics.
AB  - Hemovigilance is an essential part of the transfusion process and is defined as
      surveillance procedures covering the whole transfusion chain, from collection of
      blood and its components, intended to collect and assess information on
      unexpected or undesirable effects resulting from the therapeutic use of labile
      blood products and to prevent their occurrence or recurrence. The UK surveillance
      scheme has collected data for 16 years and is a model demonstrating how
      information on adverse incidents can be used to improve patient safety,
      influencing the management of donors and improved education and training for the
      many people involved in the transfusion process. 

PMID- 24237985
TI  - HUS and TTP in Children.
AB  - This review describes the epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, clinical
      causes, treatment, and long-term prognosis of pediatric patients who present with
      thrombotic microangiopathy. The focus is on hemolytic uremic syndrome and
      thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, the most common phenotypes of thrombotic
      microangiopathy. 

PMID- 24237987
TI  - Blood banking/immunohematology: special relevance to pediatric patients.
AB  - Blood banking/immunohematology is an area of laboratory medicine that involves
      the preparation of blood and blood components for transfusion as well as the
      selection and monitoring of those components following transfusion. The
      preparation, modification, and indications of both traditional and newer products
      are described in this review, along with special considerations for neonates,
      patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, those with sickle
      cell disease, and others. Immunohematological techniques are critical in the
      provision of blood and blood products and are briefly discussed. 

PMID- 24237988
TI  - Pediatric therapeutic apheresis: rationale and indications for plasmapheresis,
      cytapheresis, extracorporeal photopheresis, and LDL apheresis.
AB  - Apheresis refers to the removal of a component of the blood and is performed
      using a group of medical technologies in which peripheral blood is processed by
      an instrument that separates the various components. The selected component is
      isolated while the remainder is returned to the patient. The rationale behind
      therapeutic apheresis is to remove the pathogenic components from the
      circulation. Apheresis is also used for peripheral hematopoietic progenitor cell
      collection. The procedure can be safely performed in most children with
      modifications to account for smaller pediatric blood volumes. 

PMID- 24237989
TI  - Pediatric hematology.

PMID- 24237990
TI  - Longitudinal evaluation of dementia care in German nursing homes: the
      "DemenzMonitor" study protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Germany, the number of people with dementia living in nursing
      homes is rapidly increasing. Providing adequate care for their special needs is a
      challenge for institutions and their staff members. Because of the growing number
      of people with dementia, changes to the conceptual orientation of nursing homes
      have occurred. These changes include specialized living arrangements and
      psychosocial interventions recommended for people with dementia. Until now, the
      provision of dementia care and its association to the residents' behavior and
      quality of life is not well investigated in Germany. The purpose of this study is
      to describe the provision of dementia care and to identify resident- as well as
      facility-related factors associated with residents behavior and quality of life.
      METHODS/DESIGN: The DemenzMonitor study is designed as a longitudinal study that
      is repeated annually. Data will be derived from a convenience sample consisting
      of nursing homes across Germany. For the data collection, three questionnaires
      have been developed that measure information on the level of the nursing home,
      the living units, and the residents. Data collection will be performed by staff
      members from the nursing homes. The data collection procedure will be supervised
      by a study coordinator who is trained by the research team. Data analysis will be
      performed on each data level using appropriate techniques for descriptions and
      comparisons as well as longitudinal regression analysis. DISCUSSION: The
      DemenzMonitor is the first study in Germany that assesses how dementia care is
      provided in nursing homes with respect to living arrangements and recommended
      interventions. This study links the acquired data with residents' outcome
      measurements, making it possible to evaluate different aspects and concepts of
      care.

PMID- 24237992
TI  - Chronic expanding hematoma in the retroperitoneal space: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic expanding hematoma is a rare condition that develops after
      surgery, trauma, or injury. It can also develop at any location in the body in
      the absence of trauma. Clinical findings and various diagnostic imaging
      modalities can aid in the differential diagnosis of this condition. In general,
      hematomas are naturally reabsorbed and rarely cause serious problems. However,
      hematomas that develop slowly without a history of trauma, surgery, or bleeding
      disorders could be difficult to differentiate from soft tissue neoplasms. In the
      present case, we describe a patient, without any history or physical evidence of
      trauma, who exhibited a large chronic expanding hematoma in the retroperitoneal
      space that resulted in hydronephrosis because of the pressure exerted on the left
      ureter. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old man presented to our hospital with a
      swollen lesion in the left flank. A mass, 19 cm in diameter, was detected in the
      retroperitoneal space by computed tomography. We suspected the presence of a
      chronic expanding hematoma, soft tissue tumor, or left renal artery aneurysm.
      Surgical treatment was performed. However, postoperative histopathological
      examination indicated that the mass was a nonmalignant chronic expanding
      hematoma. No recurrence was observed during a 2-year follow-up period.
      CONCLUSION: In patients without a history of trauma who present slowly growing
      masses, the differential diagnosis should include chronic expanding hematoma in
      addition to cysts and soft tissue tumors. Moreover, the use of magnetic resonance
      imaging and computed tomography is essential to differentiate between chronic
      expanding hematoma and soft tissue tumors.

PMID- 24237993
TI  - Trace metal enrichments in nearshore sediments and accumulation in mussels
      (Modiolus capax) along the eastern coast of Baja California, Mexico:
      environmental status in 1995.
AB  - The biogeochemistry of trace metals in nearshore sediments and mussel was studied
      at 15 stations along a 1000 km long transect paralleling the west coast of the
      Gulf of California (GOC). Total trace metal (Me) and enrichment factor (EF(Me))
      values in sediments were low due to negligible anthropogenic influence in the
      region. Past copper mining, however, near Santa Rosalia caused concentrations of
      Pb, Mn, Co, Zn and Cu which were 10-3.3*10(3) times greater than the average for
      the rest of the transect. Mussels also showed relatively high trace metal
      concentrations at the Santa Rosalia stations, but the variability in the spatial
      distribution was low and had undefined trends. Our results show that, with the
      exception of Co and Cu, the contamination caused by the copper mine affected
      sediments to a greater extent than mussels.

PMID- 24237991
TI  - Heterogeneous echogenicity of the underlying thyroid parenchyma: how does this
      affect the analysis of a thyroid nodule?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heterogeneous echogenicity of the thyroid gland has been associated
      with diffuse thyroid disease and benign and malignant nodules can coexist with
      diffuse thyroid disease. Underlying heterogeneous echogenicity might make it
      difficult to differentiate between benign and malignant nodules on US. Thus, the
      aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of underlying thyroid
      echogenicity on diagnosis of thyroid malignancies using US. METHODS: A total of
      1,373 patients who underwent US-guided fine needle aspiration of 1,449 thyroid
      nodules from June 2009 to August 2009 were included. The diagnostic performance
      of US assessment for thyroid nodules was calculated and compared according to
      underlying thyroid echogenicity. The diagnostic performance of US assessments in
      the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy according to the underlying parenchymal
      echogenicity was compared using a logistic regression with the GEE (generalized
      estimating equation) method. Each US feature of malignant and benign thyroid
      nodules was analyzed according to underlying echogenicity to evaluate which
      feature affected the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Among the 1,449 nodules, 325
      (22.4%) were malignant and 1,124 (77.6%) were benign. Thyroid glands with
      heterogeneous echogenicity showed significantly lower specificity, PPV, and
      accuracy compared to thyroid glands with homogeneous echogenicity, 76.3% to
      83.7%, 48.7% to 60.9%, and 77.6% to 84.4%, respectively (P=0.009, 0.02 and 0.005,
      respectively). In benign thyroid nodules, microlobulated or irregular margins
      were more frequently seen in thyroid glands with heterogeneous echogenicity than
      in those with homogenous echogenicity (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Heterogeneous
      echogenicity of the thyroid gland significantly lowers the specificity, PPV, and
      accuracy of US in the differentiation of thyroid nodules. Therefore, caution is
      required during evaluation of thyroid nodules detected in thyroid parenchyma
      showing heterogeneous echogenicity.

PMID- 24237994
TI  - Persistent organic pollutants in benthic and pelagic organisms off Adelie Land,
      Antarctica.
AB  - The concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB),
      pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE) were described
      in benthic and pelagic species collected off Adelie Land, Antarctica. Strong
      differences were observed among species, with reduced PeCB and HCB levels in
      benthic species, and elevated PCB levels in the Antarctic yellowbelly rockcod,
      the Antarctic sea urchin and the snow petrel. Lower-chlorinated congeners were
      predominant in krill; penta-PCBs in benthic organisms; hexa- and hepta-PCBs in
      seabirds and cryopelagic fish. This segregation may result from sedimentation
      process, specific accumulation and excretion, and/or biotransformation processes.
      The presence of PBDEs in Antarctic coastal organisms may originate from
      atmospheric transport and partly from a contamination by local sources. Although
      POP levels in Antarctic marine organisms were substantially lower than in Arctic
      and temperate organisms, very little is known about their toxic effects on these
      cold-adapted species, with high degree of endemism. 

PMID- 24237995
TI  - History of human activity in coastal southern Brazil from sediment.
AB  - This study reports results of analysis of sediment cores collected from the Patos
      Lagoon estuary. This estuary receives materials from land runoff into Patos and
      Mirim lagoons and from exchange with the adjacent South Atlantic Ocean through a
      narrow inlet. Sediment from these sources is mostly natural, but additional
      contributions associated with source/activities related to the port of Rio
      Grande. The aim of this study was to estimate rates of accumulation of the
      sediments and to assess the significance of metal inputs from these activities
      relative to natural inputs. Our results indicate an average sedimentation rate of
      0.3 cm/yr and that the transport of suspended solids from offshore sources into
      the estuary was enhanced after the deepening of the channel and construction of
      the breakwaters (in the early 1900). Results for metal accumulation in these
      sediments suggest that there have been only minor enrichments which can be
      attributed to anthropogenic sources.

PMID- 24237996
TI  - Three dimensional marine seismic survey has no measurable effect on species
      richness or abundance of a coral reef associated fish community.
AB  - Underwater visual census was used to determine the effect of a three dimensional
      seismic survey on the shallow water coral reef slope associated fish community at
      Scott Reef. A census of the fish community was conducted on six locations at
      Scott Reef both before and after the survey. The census included small site
      attached demersal species belonging to the family Pomacentridae and larger roving
      demersal species belonging to the non-Pomacentridae families. These data were
      combined with a decade of historical data to assess the impact of the seismic
      survey. Taking into account spatial, temporal, spatio-temporal and observer
      variability, modelling showed no significant effect of the seismic survey on the
      overall abundance or species richness of Pomacentridae or non-Pomacentridae. The
      six most abundant species were also analysed individually. In all cases no
      detectable effect of the seismic survey was found on the abundance of these fish
      species at Scott Reef. 

PMID- 24237997
TI  - Development, coinfection, and the syndemics of pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa.
AB  - Notable among gaps in the achievement of the global health Millennium Development
      Goals (MDG) are shortcomings in addressing maternal health, an issue addressed in
      the fifth MDG. This shortfall is particularly acute in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA),
      where over half of all maternal deaths occur each year. While there is not as yet
      a comprehensive understanding of the biological and social causes of maternal
      death in SSA, it is evident that poverty, gendered economic marginalization,
      social disruptions, hindered access to care, unevenness in the quality of care,
      illegal and clandestine abortions, and infections are all critical factors.
      Beyond these factors, this paper presents a review of the existing literature on
      maternal health in SSA to argue that syndemics constitute a significant
      additional source of maternal morbidity and mortality in the region. Increasing
      focus on the nature, prevention, and treatment of syndemics, as a result, should
      be part and parcel of improving maternal health in SSA. 

PMID- 24238002
TI  - Quantifying soft tissue loss in facial aging: a study in women using magnetic
      resonance imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Facial aging involves changes in the facial skeleton and soft
      tissues. There is limited quantitative data on soft tissue aging of the face.
      OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to quantify and compare
      facial soft tissue loss over time. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two thousand thirty
      seven MRI scans from 58 women divided into young, middle-aged, and older groups
      were screened. A blinded radiologist used MRI to measure the temporal,
      infraorbital, and medial and lateral cheek areas. RESULTS: The mean thickness of
      the subcutaneous tissue in the temporal area was 12.3, 8.4, and 8.9 mm in the
      young, middle-aged, and older groups, respectively (p < .001). A mean difference
      of 1.6 mm was seen between the young and middle-aged groups and 2.2 mm between
      the young and older group (p < .001) in the infraorbital area, 3.3 mm between the
      young and middle-aged groups and 3.2 mm between the young and older group in the
      medial cheeks (p < .001), and 2.4 mm between the young and middle-aged groups and
      2.4 mm between the young and older group in the lateral cheeks (p = .01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Facial soft tissue undergoes significant deterioration over time,
      with the most dramatic changes between the ages of 30 and 60 in the temporal,
      infraorbital, and lateral and medial cheek areas. Soft tissue augmentation and
      volume correction in these areas may be an effective strategy for facial
      rejuvenation.

PMID- 24238004
TI  - Perspectives on integrated behavioral health care.

PMID- 24238003
TI  - Critical care nurses' experiences of helicopter transfers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intensive care is conducted in intensive care units (ICUs), and also
      during the transportation of critically ill people. AIM: The aim of the study was
      to describe critical care nurses' (CCNs) experiences of nursing critically ill
      patients during helicopter transport. PARTICIPANTS: Seven CCNs, five women and
      two men participated in this study. DESIGN: Seven participants from two centres
      in Sweden were recruited. The design uses an inductive, qualitative approach with
      data collected by means of qualitative interviews with seven CCNs. METHODS: The
      interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to qualitative thematic
      content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in one theme which is safe
      nursing care, but sometimes feeling afraid and six categories as follows:
      experiencing the care environment as an ICU with limited space; a loud
      environment complicates communication; planning and checking to minimize risks;
      experience and good co-operation; facing the dilemma of allowing relatives to
      accompany the patient or not; feeling the patient's and their own fear.
      CONCLUSION: CCNs plan for the transportation and control of patients to improve
      patient safety, but can sometimes feel afraid. Good co-operation is necessary.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The possibilities for CCNs to provide effective
      nursing care in helicopters are good, although in some cases limited by the
      environmental conditions.

PMID- 24237998
TI  - Delirium in acute promyelocytic leukemia patients: two case reports.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Delirium is a frequently misdiagnosed and inadequately treated
      neuropsychiatric complication most commonly observed in terminally ill cancer
      patients. To our knowledge this is the first report describing delirium in two
      patients aged less than 60 years and enrolled in an intensive chemotherapeutic
      protocol for acute promyelocytic leukemia. CASE PRESENTATION: Two female
      Caucasian acute promyelocytic leukemia patients aged 46 and 56 years developed
      delirium during their induction treatment with all-trans retinoic acid and
      idarubicin. In both cases symptoms were initially attributed to all-trans
      retinoic acid that was therefore immediately suspended. In these two patients
      several situations may have contribute to the delirium: in patient 1 a previous
      psychiatric disorder, concomitant treatments with steroids and benzodiazepines, a
      severe infection and central nervous system bleeding while in patient 2 steroid
      treatment and isolation. In patient 1 delirium was treated with short-term low
      doses of haloperidol while in patient 2 non-pharmacologic interventions had a
      beneficial role. When the diagnosis of delirium was clear, induction treatment
      was resumed and both patients completed their therapeutic program without any
      relapse of the psychiatric symptoms. Both patients are alive and in complete
      remission as far as their leukemia is concerned. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that
      patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia eligible to intensive chemotherapy
      should be carefully evaluated by a multisciplinary team including psychiatrists
      in order to early recognize symptoms of delirium and avoid inadequate treatments.
      In case of delirium, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions may
      be considered.

PMID- 24238000
TI  - Lack of access to health care for African indigents: a social exclusion
      perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lack of access to health care is a persistent condition for most
      African indigents, to which the common technical approach of targeting
      initiatives is an insufficient antidote. To overcome the standstill, an
      integrated technical and political approach is needed. Such policy shift is
      dependent on political support, and on alignment of international and national
      actors. We explore if the analytical framework of social exclusion can contribute
      to the latter. METHODS: We produce a critical and evaluative account of the
      literature on three themes: social exclusion, development policy, and indigence
      in Africa-and their interface. First, we trace the concept of social exclusion as
      it evolved over time and space in policy circles. We then discuss the relevance
      of a social exclusion perspective in developing countries. Finally, we apply this
      perspective to Africa, its indigents, and their lack of access to health care.
      RESULTS: The concept of social exclusion as an underlying process of structural
      inequalities has needed two decades to find acceptance in international policy
      circles. Initial scepticism about the relevance of the concept in developing
      countries is now giving way to recognition of its universality. For a variety of
      reasons however, the uptake of a social exclusion perspective in Africa has been
      limited. Nevertheless, social exclusion as a driver of poverty and inequity in
      Africa is evident, and manifestly so in the case of the African indigents.
      CONCLUSION: The concept of social exclusion provides a useful framework for
      improved understanding of origins and persistence of the access problem that
      African indigents face, and for generating political space for an integrated
      approach.

PMID- 24238001
TI  - The work environment of haemodialysis nurses and its impact on patients'
      outcomes.
AB  - The aims of this study were to assess haemodialysis nurses' work environment and
      investigate the correlation between work environment and patients' outcomes. A
      cross-sectional study was conducted at the 11 public hospital-based haemodialysis
      units of the 5th Regional Health Authority of Greece. The Practice Environment
      Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) was used to assess work environment.
      Nurses were asked to report the frequency of a series adverse events and errors.
      Study population consisted of 133 nurses (response rate 89.3%). The overall PES
      NWI scored just < 2.5 (Mean = 2.48, standard deviation = 0.34) indicating a non
      favourable haemodialysis workplace. Nurse-physician Relations, nurse manager
      ability and nursing foundations for quality of care were the most favourable
      aspects of work environment. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified
      that hypotension (odds ratio (OR) = 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.1-0.9,
      P = 0.03), venous needle disconnection (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03-0.65, P = 0.012)
      and patient fall (OR = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.001-0.51, P = 0.018) were associated with
      a non-favourable work environment. Findings have important implications for
      improvement of haemodialysis work environment and enhancement of patients'
      safety. 

PMID- 24238006
TI  - Feasibility evaluation of an interpersonal and social rhythm therapy group
      delivery model.
AB  - The effectiveness of psychotherapies, such as interpersonal and social rhythm
      therapy (IPSRT), is supported by randomized controlled trials. These trials
      provide minimal direction regarding feasibility of psychotherapy delivery models.
      The study purpose was to identify factors facilitating implementation and
      sustainability of an IPRST group for patients with bipolar disorder. Qualitative
      data were assessed by the normalization process model (NPM). The results
      demonstrate feasibility of implementation with experienced clinicians, program
      coordination, and leadership support. Sustainability challenges include aftercare
      groups, space, and clinician time. The NPM provides a useful framework for
      evaluation of factors influencing the feasibility of psychotherapy delivery
      models. 

PMID- 24238005
TI  - Concept analysis: resilience.
AB  - This paper will systematically analyze the concept of resilience using an
      integrated review of literature. The historical perspective, attributes,
      antecedents, and consequences of resilience will be reviewed. A theoretical and
      operational definition will be provided. The Walker and Avant method will be used
      to describe the cases. Finally, the use of concept map will capture the
      relationships among the attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical
      indicators through clustering and chaining. 

PMID- 24238010
TI  - Psychosocial outcomes in young adults with cancer: emotional distress, quality of
      life and personal growth.
AB  - This study aimed at assessing the psychosocial adjustment, specifically the
      emotional distress, quality of life (QOL) and personal growth, in a sample of 36
      Portuguese young adults with cancer and 435 healthy controls. Cancer patients
      scored significantly lower than controls in the role, cognitive and social
      domains of QOL and in personal growth. Cancer patients scored significantly lower
      than off-treatment survivors in the role domain of QOL and personal growth.
      Cancer patients revealed QOL and personal growth difficulties. These issues need
      to be considered in the psychosocial intervention within adolescents and young
      adults' oncology care. 

PMID- 24237999
TI  - Remission in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with etanercept monotherapy:
      clinical practice and clinical trial experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess, in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and in clinical
      practice, an association of time to remission and baseline disease activity with
      both induction of remission and sustained remission in etanercept-treated
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Data from an RCT (Trial of
      Etanercept and Methotrexate with Radiographic Patient Outcomes [TEMPO]; n=682)
      and an observational registry (Rheumatoid Arthritis DMARD Intervention and
      Utilization Study [RADIUS II]; n=4341) were used to evaluate disease activity
      (Clinical Disease Activity Index [CDAI] score) over time in patients initiating
      etanercept (monotherapy or with methotrexate). CDAI remission (CDAI<=2.8) and
      sustained remission (>=6 months) were determined through year 3 by treatment
      group, study, time to remission, and disease severity. RESULTS: Patients from
      TEMPO and RADIUS II who received etanercept monotherapy showed similar CDAI
      remission rates (39% and 35%, respectively, at 3 years). Among patients who
      received etanercept with methotrexate, remission rates were 54% and 36%,
      respectively. Remission occurred more rapidly in TEMPO than RADIUS II perhaps
      from differences in compliance, patient populations, or sequence of combination
      therapy initiation. Generally, more patients with lower baseline CDAI scores
      achieved remission than those with higher scores. Continued remission appeared
      more likely in patients achieving remission earlier in the course of their
      therapy (0-6 months). CONCLUSIONS: Remission by year 3 in etanercept-treated
      (with and without methotrexate) patients with RA occurred in >=35% of patients in
      both an RCT (TEMPO) and a clinical practice setting (RADIUS II), and more
      frequently in those with lower baseline disease severity. Patients with lower RA
      disease activity were more likely to reach remission. Continued remission may be
      more likely in patients who achieved remission earlier.

PMID- 24238007
TI  - Using community-based participatory research to explore social determinants of
      women's mental health and barriers to help-seeking in three urban, ethnically
      diverse, impoverished, and underserved communities.
AB  - Depression and anxiety are significant mental health issues that affect urban,
      ethnically diverse, impoverished women disproportionately. This study sought to
      identify social determinants of mental health and barriers to help-seeking for
      this population. Using community based participatory research and focus groups,
      sixty-one Black, Hispanic, and White women identified economic, family, cultural,
      and neighborhood issues as perceived determinants of their depression/anxiety.
      They identified practical, psychosocial, and cultural barriers to their help
      seeking behavior. These results can promote women's health by fostering an
      understanding of social factors as perceived determinants of depression/anxiety
      and shaping practice and policy initiatives that foster positive aggregate
      outcomes. 

PMID- 24238009
TI  - Childhood sibling and peer relationships of perpetrators of child sexual abuse.
AB  - Maltreatment by parents inhibits a child's ability to form relationships with
      other children. Given that many sex offenders experienced parental abuse,
      investigation of their relationships with siblings and peers could provide new
      directions for early childhood interventions. Interview transcripts of 23
      community-dwelling perpetrators of sexual abuse against children were examined in
      this secondary data analysis. Ages of participants ranged from 20s to 70s, and
      education ranged from GED to PhD. Phenomenological analysis revealed that neither
      sibling nor peer relationships adequately promoted participants' capacity for
      developing and maintaining healthy relationships in adulthood. Until societal
      preventive actions and early clinical interventions are more successful, the
      crime of child sexual abuse will continue to be far too common. 

PMID- 24238011
TI  - Daily life dialogue assessment in psychiatric care-face validity and inter-rater
      reliability of a tool based on the International Classification of Functioning,
      Disability and Health.
AB  - This article describes the development of an assessment tool based on the
      International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) adapted
      to a psychiatric nursing context where both the patient and the nurse assess the
      patient's ability to participate in various spheres of life. The aim was to test
      psychometric properties, focusing on face validity and inter-rater reliability.
      Three Swedish expert groups participated. Analysis of inter-rater reliability was
      conducted through simulated patient cases. The results of an unweighted kappa
      value of 0.38, a linear weighted kappa value of 0.65 and a quadratic weighted
      kappa value of 0.73 were considered as acceptable when using simulated patient
      cases. 

PMID- 24238012
TI  - The phenomena of auditory hallucination as described by Indonesian people living
      with schizophrenia.
AB  - This study was a phenomenological inquiry of the experience of auditory
      hallucinations as described by 13 Indonesian people diagnosed with schizophrenia.
      The interviewees included 6 men and 7 women and they were aged between 19 and 56
      years. Four themes emerged from this study: feeling more like a robot than a
      human being; voices of contradiction--a point of confusion; tattered
      relationships and family disarray; and normalizing the presence of voices as part
      of everyday life. The findings of this study have the potential to contribute to
      new understandings of how people live with and manage auditory hallucinations and
      so enhance client-centered nursing care.

PMID- 24238013
TI  - Exploration of the burnout syndrome occurrence among mental health nurses in
      Cyprus.
AB  - Nurses' work-related stress might be associated with psychiatric symptoms,
      leading to altered professional attitudes. The aim of this study was to explore
      the levels of burnout and associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms among
      Greek-Cypriot psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs). A descriptive
      correlational design with cross-sectional comparisons was applied. A sample of
      226 PMHNs was used. Participants reported low levels of burnout. However, 10% of
      them manifested clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms. Emotional
      exhaustion and depersonalization were associated with depressive (r=0.562,
      p<0.0001, and r=0.616, p<0.0001, respectively) and anxiety (r=0.394, p<0.0001,
      and r=0.448, p<0.0001, respectively) symptoms. Further research investigating the
      biological aetiopathology of these psychological alterations is warranted. 

PMID- 24238008
TI  - Pioneering the psychiatric nurse role in foster care.
AB  - Older youth served in the foster care system have elevated rates of mental health
      disorders and are high users of mental health services, yet concerns have been
      raised about the quality of this care. This paper describes the details of a
      psychiatric nurse's work within a multidisciplinary team to address gaps in care
      for older youth with psychiatric disorders. We describe the process, outcomes,
      and lessons learned in developing and piloting a psychiatric nurse intervention
      for older youth in the foster care system as part of a multidimensional treatment
      foster care program. Our experiences support further work to develop a role for
      nursing to improve the quality of mental health treatment in foster care. 

PMID- 24238014
TI  - Quality of work life as a predictor of nurses' intention to leave units,
      organisations and the profession.
AB  - AIM: To examine the relationships between quality of work life (QWL) and nurses'
      intention to leave their unit (ITLunit), organisation (ITLorg) and profession
      (ITLpro). BACKGROUND: The high turnover rate among nurses presents a major
      challenge to health care systems across the globe. QWL plays a significant role
      in nurses' turnover. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was
      conducted via purposive sampling of 1283 hospital nurses and administering the
      Chinese version of the Quality of Nursing Work Life scale (C-QNWL), a three-ITL
      type scale questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire for individual- and
      work-related variables. Descriptive data, correlations, and ordinal regression
      models were analyzed. RESULTS: QWL predicted ITLpro and ITLorg better than
      ITLunit. Three QWL dimensions (work arrangement and workload, nursing staffing
      and patient care, and work-home life balance) were significantly predictive of
      all three ITL measures. However, the dimension of teamwork and communication was
      only predictive for ITLunit, not for ITLorg and ITLpro. CONCLUSIONS: Different
      patterns of QWL dimensions are predictive of ITLunit, ITLorg, and ITLpro.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The study provides important information to
      nurse administrators about the aspects of QWL that most commonly lead nurses to
      leave their units, organisations, and even the profession itself.

PMID- 24238016
TI  - Related flavonoids cause cooperative inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum
      Ca2+ ATPase by multimode mechanisms.
AB  - Flavonoids are group of plant-derived hydroxylated polycyclic molecules found in
      fruit and vegetables. They are known to bio-accumulate within humans and are
      considered to have beneficial health effects, including cancer chemoprotection.
      One mechanism proposed to explain this is that they are able to induce apoptosis
      in cancer cells by inhibiting a variety of kinases and also the Ca2+ ATPase. An
      investigation was undertaken with respect to the mechanism of inhibition for
      three flavonoids: quercetin, galangin and 3,6 dihydroxyflavone (3,6-DHF). Each
      inhibited the Ca2+ ATPase with K(i) values of 8.7, 10.3 and 5.4 MUM,
      respectively, showing cooperative inhibition with n ~ 2. Given their similar
      structures, the flavonoids showed several differences in their mechanisms of
      inhibition. All three flavonoids stabilized the ATPase in the E1 conformation and
      reduced [32P]-ATP binding. However, both galangin and 3,6-DHF increased the
      affinity of Ca2+ for the ATPase by decreasing the Ca2+-dissociation rate
      constant, whereas quercetin had little effect. Ca2+-induced changes in tryptophan
      fluorescence levels were reduced in the presence of 3,6-DHF and galangin (but not
      with quercetin), indicating that Ca2+-associated changes within the transmembrane
      helices are altered. Both galangin and quercetin reduced the rates of ATP
      dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, whereas 3,6-DHF did not.
      Modelling studies suggest that flavonoids could potentially bind to two sites:
      one directly where nucleotides bind within ATP binding site and the other at a
      site close by. We hypothesize that interactions of these two neighbouring sites
      may account for both the cooperative inhibition and the multimode mechanisms of
      action seen with related flavonoids.

PMID- 24238019
TI  - [Focus on health care resources].

PMID- 24238022
TI  - [Health insurance expenses for children in the first five years of life - a
      cohort-based analysis].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The development of paediatrics is characterised by several changes
      in the past few years, concerning, in particular holistic treatments or
      preventive check-ups, but also the transfer of treatment from the inpatient to
      the outpatient sector. There are no reference values for assessing emerging
      health insurance expenses. The aim of this study was to obtain a frame of
      reference for the costs of the treatment for neonates, infants, and young
      children using the example of the expenditures of one health insurance fund.
      METHODS: The individual health insurance expenditures were analysed for the first
      five years of life of children insured with the AOK PLUS in Saxony, Germany, in
      2005. Costs of hospital treatment, ambulatory care, remedies, tools, medicines
      and care were included. RESULTS: The costs per insured child and year amounted to
      approximately 1,277 Euro (N = 11,147), with the highest costs arising in the
      first two years. 858 Euro were spent annually for an "average" child; 5,691 Euro
      per year incurred for a child with special medical needs. DISCUSSION: The present
      cost analysis describes both the height and structure of a health insurance's
      spendings on children within the first five years of their life in consideration
      of regional medical care offers. The question of whether this analysis provides
      valid reference values for other health insurances or other service areas will
      have to be answered by other analyses.

PMID- 24238023
TI  - [The costs of new drugs compared to current standard treatment].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Until AMNOG came into effect Germany had free pricing of new drugs.
      Our exemplary work investigates the costs of new drugs that were licensed in the
      two years prior to AMNOG, and compares them to the costs of standard treatment
      that has been used in pivotal trials. Also, the important components of
      pharmaceutical prices will be illustrated. METHOD: We retrospectively analysed
      the European Public Assessment Reports of proprietary medicinal products that the
      European Medicinal Agency initially approved in 2009 and 2010 and that were
      tested against an active control in at least one pivotal trial. RESULTS: If the
      standard treatment was a generic, the average pharmacy retail price of new drugs
      was 7.4 times (median 7.1) higher than that of standard treatment. If the
      standard treatment was an originator drug the average price was 1.4 times (median
      1.2) higher than that of the new drug. There was no clear correlation of an
      increase in costs for new drugs and their "grade of innovation" as rated
      according to the criteria of Fricke. Our study shows that prices of new drugs
      must be linked to the evidence of comparative benefit; since German drug pricing
      is complex, cost saving effects obtained thereby will depend on a range of other
      rules and decisions.

PMID- 24238015
TI  - Facilitative plant interactions and climate simultaneously drive alpine plant
      diversity.
AB  - Interactions among species determine local-scale diversity, but local
      interactions are thought to have minor effects at larger scales. However,
      quantitative comparisons of the importance of biotic interactions relative to
      other drivers are rarely made at larger scales. Using a data set spanning 78
      sites and five continents, we assessed the relative importance of biotic
      interactions and climate in determining plant diversity in alpine ecosystems
      dominated by nurse-plant cushion species. Climate variables related with water
      balance showed the highest correlation with richness at the global scale.
      Strikingly, although the effect of cushion species on diversity was lower than
      that of climate, its contribution was still substantial. In particular, cushion
      species enhanced species richness more in systems with inherently impoverished
      local diversity. Nurse species appear to act as a 'safety net' sustaining
      diversity under harsh conditions, demonstrating that climate and species
      interactions should be integrated when predicting future biodiversity effects of
      climate change. 

PMID- 24238021
TI  - [Which chronic diseases are associated with frequent attending of ambulatory
      medical care in the elderly population in Germany? - A study based on statutory
      health insurance data].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frequent attenders utilise a high proportion of medical services and
      therefore produce relatively high costs. Questions of utility and adequacy and,
      also, about the reasons for high use arise. The authors report the results of a
      study on the association between morbidity of the elderly and various forms of
      frequent attendance in ambulatory medical care in Germany. METHODS: The study is
      based on claims data of all policyholders aged 65 and over of a statutory health
      insurance company operating nationwide in Germany in 2004 (n = 123,224).
      Utilisation was analysed by the number of contacts with practices of physicians
      working in the ambulatory medical care sector and by the number of different
      practices contacted. Criteria for frequent attendance were >= 50 contacts with
      practices or contacts with >= 10 individual practices or >= 3 practices of the
      same discipline per year. We analysed prevalences and relative risks for frequent
      attendance for 46 chronic diseases. RESULTS: Frequent attendance in ambulatory
      medical care among the elderly is related to both severe somatic and psychic
      diagnoses. Five chronic diseases showed the highest relative risks for all types
      of frequent attendance in general: urinary incontinence, anaemia, neuropathies,
      renal insufficiency, and cancer. Psychic syndromes mainly led to the utilisation
      of many different physicians. CONCLUSION: Frequent attendance in ambulatory
      medical care among the elderly is related to a large number of diseases, both
      somatic and psychic. Frequent attendance is a complex phenomenon which cannot be
      addressed by mono-dimensional approaches.

PMID- 24238018
TI  - A novel biomarker-based approach for the detection of asymptomatic brain injury
      during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) is a widely
      used method for studying of asymptomatic brain injury during catheter ablation of
      atrial fibrillation (AF). However, this technique lacks sensitivity for subtle or
      diffuse brain lesions. We investigated whether detection of the ablation-related
      brain injury can improve by assessment of a biomarker of brain damage-protein
      S100B. METHODS AND RESULTS: DW-MRI and assessment of S100B were performed in 58
      patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal or persistent
      AF 1 day before and after the procedure. We observed no symptomatic neurological
      complications. S100B levels increased after ablation above the upper reference
      limit of 105 ng/L in 3 patients. One of them developed a new ischemic lesion on
      the DW-MRI. No acute lesions emerged on DW-MRI in the patients with normal
      postablation S100B levels. CONCLUSION: Serial assessment of serum protein S100B
      may improve detection of asymptomatic acute brain injury in patients undergoing
      radiofrequency catheter ablation of AF. In our study, the incidence of these
      events was 1.7% when evaluated only by DW-MRI, but the incidence increased to 5%
      after employing the more sensitive biomarker-based approach.

PMID- 24238020
TI  - [Size and type of frequent use of ambulatory medical care among the elderly
      population in Germany: a study based on statutory health insurance data].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The authors report the results of a study on frequent attenders in
      ambulatory medical care among elderly people in Germany and on the factors
      related to frequent attendance such as age, sex, multi-morbidity and long-term
      care dependency. METHODS: The study was based on claims data of all policy
      holders aged 65 and over of a statutory health insurance company operating
      nationwide in Germany in 2004 (n=123,224). Utilisation was analysed by the number
      of contacts with practices of physicians working in the ambulatory medical care
      sector and by the number of different practices contacted. The criteria for
      frequent attendance included greater than or equal to 50 contacts and/or greater
      than or equal to 10 different practices contacted and/or greater than or equal to
      3 practices of the same discipline contacted within one year. Descriptive
      statistical analysis and logistic regression were used. RESULTS: 19% of the
      elderly were identified as frequent attenders, which corresponds to some 3.5
      million people in Germany. Two main types of frequent attendance were identified:
      one is characterised by very many contacts, old age, frequent presence of multi
      morbidity, and/or long-term care dependency. The other type is the younger, less
      frequently multi-morbid attender who is considerably less often dependent on long
      term care, and characterised by large numbers of contacted practices and/or
      practices of the same discipline. CONCLUSION: Frequent attendance is due to
      several factors. The problem of frequent attendance needs further research that
      is not exclusively based on claims data. We found a high rate of frequent
      attendance. Further research should clarify if this is to the benefit of elderly
      people.

PMID- 24238026
TI  - [Practice report: Structured training to improve quality of care in emergency
      medical service. On-scene supervision: A new approach to emergency medical
      service training in Wiesbaden and Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis?].
AB  - In recent years, the emergency medical services in Wiesbaden and the Rheingau
      Taunus district made great efforts to standardise structures. Since there are
      only few established procedures in the annual examinations for paramedics, there
      is reason to assume that treatment procedures for patients have not been
      standardised either. Materials and equipment are not handled uniformly, and
      employee satisfaction has significantly decreased over the last few years. To
      solve these problems, all paramedics undergo standardised and structured
      trainings. These training courses make use of the internationally accepted PHTLS
      (Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support) and AMLS (Advanced Life Support Medial)
      programmes. In addition, practising skills and handling the equipment as well as
      on-scene supervision is to be established in practical training sessions. 

PMID- 24238031
TI  - Biometry, keratometry, and calculation of intraocular lens power for the bald
      eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To document intraocular measurements and predict intraocular lens
      (IOL) power specific to the bald eagle. ANIMALS STUDIED: Eleven adult, captive
      bald eagles. PROCEDURES: Axial globe length (AGL), anterior chamber depth (ACD),
      crystalline lens thickness (CLT), and the distance from the cornea to the
      posterior lens capsule (CPLC) were measured in eight adult bald eagles using B
      mode with vector A-mode ultrasound. Keratometry was done on four eagles. Two
      estimates for postoperative anterior chamber depth (PACD) were obtained from four
      aphakic eyes from three eagles by measuring from the apex of the anterior cornea
      to the center of an imaginary line that would connect the remaining edges of the
      anterior lens capsule across the capsulorhexis (PACD1) and from the apex of the
      anterior cornea to halfway between the anterior and posterior lens capsule
      (PACD2). IOL strength was predicted using the Colenbrander, Binkhorst, and
      Fyodorov theoretical formulas. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD biometry for phakic eyes was
      AGL = 26.57 +/- 0.45 mm, ACD = 4.45 +/- 0.18 mm, CLT = 5.49 +/- 0.14 mm, and CPLC
      = 10.00 +/- 0.33 mm. Mean predicted PACD1 was 6.1 +/- 0.66 mm, and PACD2 was 6.4
      +/- 0.70 mm. Mean horizontal and vertical corneal refractive power was 39.91 +/-
      0.43 diopters (D) and 40.02 +/- 0.08 D, respectively. Calculated IOL power ranged
      from +16.4 to 17.4 D. CONCLUSIONS: Calculations using ultrasonographic biometry,
      keratometry, and theoretical IOL formulas suggest that the strength of an IOL
      necessary to return an aphakic bald eagle to emmetropia is between +16.4 and
      +17.4 D.

PMID- 24238024
TI  - [Medical journals as implicit role models for good multiple choice questions: to
      which degree have CME tests so far fulfilled formal quality criteria?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many clinicians, particularly those from university hospitals and
      associated teaching hospitals, use multiple-choice questions in different
      professional roles: as examiners for student assessment and as life-long learners
      in respect to the CME programmes of medical journals. For this group of
      physicians it might thus be desirable that medical journals serve as implicit
      role models for formulating high-quality multiple-choice questions. METHOD: 370
      multiple-choice questions taken from the 2011 volumes of three different medical
      journals were reviewed. A checklist consisting of 11 formal quality criteria, 5
      quality categories and one global criterion, taken from the literature and from
      the German Item Management System, was used. RESULTS: High-quality questions were
      found in the categories "language", "structure", and "signposting the question
      type." However, "application to cases or problems" and "analysis, interpretation,
      problem solving" were realised in less than 20 %, and "cues" were detected in
      almost half of the questions. A subgroup analysis showed different quality levels
      between the journals. CONCLUSIONS: To serve as role models for high-quality
      multiple-choice questions (MCQ) German medical journals should deliver formal
      quality criteria and good writing examples to their MCQ authors and ensure strict
      adherence to these criteria. The development of journal-independent formal
      standards might prove worthwhile.

PMID- 24238027
TI  - [Management of chronic heart failure - a systematic review of guidelines in the
      context of the DMP revision].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Disease Management Programmes (DMPs) are structured treatment
      programmes for chronic diseases. The DMP requirements are primarily derived from
      evidence-based guidelines. DMPs are regularly revised to ensure that they reflect
      current best practice and medical knowledge. The aim of this study was to assess
      the need for updating the German DMP module on heart failure by comparing it to
      relevant guidelines and identifying recommendations that should be revised.
      METHODS: We systematically searched for clinical guidelines on heart failure
      published in German, English or French, and extracted relevant guideline
      recommendations. All included guidelines were assessed for methodological
      quality. To identify revision needs in the DMP, we performed a synoptic analysis
      of the extracted guideline recommendations and DMP requirements. RESULTS: 27
      guidelines were included. The extracted recommendations covered all aspects of
      the management of heart failure. The comparison of guideline recommendations with
      DMP requirements showed that, overall, guideline recommendations were more
      detailed than DMP requirements, and that the guidelines covered topics not
      included in the DMP module. CONCLUSIONS: The DMP module is largely consistent
      with current guidelines on heart failure. We did not identify any need for
      significant revision of the DMP requirements. However, some specific
      recommendations of the DMP module could benefit from revision.

PMID- 24238017
TI  - Isolation with differentiation followed by expansion with admixture in the
      tunicate Pyura chilensis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pyura chilensis, a tunicate commercially exploited as food resource
      in Chile, is subject to management strategies, including restocking. The goal of
      this study was to examine the genetic structure of P. chilensis using information
      from a mitochondrial gene (Cytochrome Oxidase I, COI) and a nuclear gene
      (Elongation 1 alpha, EF1a), to characterize the geographic distribution of
      genetic diversity and differentiation, and to identify the main processes that
      have shaped it. We analyzed 268 and 208 sequences of COI and EF1a, respectively,
      from samples of eight local populations covering ca. 1800 km. RESULTS: For Pyura
      chilensis, partial sequences of the gene COI revealed three highly supported
      haplogroups that diverged 260000 to 470000 years ago. Two haplogroups currently
      are widely distributed and sympatric, while one is dominant only in Los Molinos
      (LM, 39 degrees 50'S). The two widespread COI haplogroups underwent a geographic
      expansion during an interglacial period of the Late Pleistocene ca. 100000 years
      ago. The nuclear gene was less divergent and did not resolve the COI haplogroups.
      Bayesian clustering of the nuclear gene's SNPs revealed that individuals from the
      two widespread COI haplogroups were mostly assigned to two of the three detected
      clusters and had a marked degree of admixture. The third cluster predominated in
      LM and showed low admixture. Haplotypic diversity of both genes was very high,
      there was no isolation by distance, and most localities were genetically
      undifferentiated; only LM was consistently differentiated with both genes
      analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Pyura chilensis has less genetic structure than expected
      given its life history, which could be a consequence of dispersal on ship hulls.
      The only differentiated local population analyzed was LM. Coincidentally, it is
      the one furthest away from main maritime routes along the coast of Chile.The use
      of mitochondrial and nuclear markers allowed detection of divergent mitochondrial
      haplogroups in P. chilensis, two of which revealed nuclear admixture. The genetic
      structure of P. chilensis has likely been shaped by Pleistocene's climatic effect
      on sea level leading to population contraction with isolation, followed by
      geographic range expansions with concomitant secondary contact and admixture.

PMID- 24238034
TI  - Testing the psychometric properties of the Brisbane Practice Environment Measure
      using Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis in an
      Australian registered nurse population.
AB  - A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and the construct validity and
      reliability of the Brisbane Practice Environment Measure in an Australian sample
      of registered nurses were examined. Nurses were randomly selected from the
      database of an Australian nursing organization. The original 33 items of the
      Brisbane Practice Environment Measure were utilized to inform the psychometric
      properties using confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.938 for
      the total scale and ranged 0.657-0.887 for the subscales. A five-factor structure
      of the measure was confirmed, chi(2)  = 944.622, (P < 0.01), chi(2) /d.f. ratio =
      2.845, Tucker Lewis Index 0.929, Root Mean Square Error = 0.061 and Comparative
      Fit Index = 0.906. The selected 28 items of the measure proved reliable and valid
      in measuring effects of the practice environment upon Australian nurses. The
      implications are that regular measurement of the practice environment using these
      28 items might assist in the development of strategies which might improve job
      satisfaction and retention of registered nurses in Australia. 

PMID- 24238025
TI  - [Professionalism in general practice in Germany - a qualitative approximation].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pre- and postgraduate education is meant to be competency-based. Over
      the last two decades various competency frameworks have been published. One
      competency is professionalism, a definition of which has not yet been developed
      but is being discussed in the literature. The aim of this qualitative study is an
      approximation to professionalism among German general practitioners and general
      practitioner trainees. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted by interviewing
      seven pairs of GPs and their trainees. All interviews were recorded and
      transcribed. The analysis was performed according to Mayring supported by the
      software Atlas.ti. RESULTS: Four categories of professionalism emerged:
      responsibility towards patients, responsibility towards other professionals,
      responsibility towards the society and responsibility towards oneself.
      Professionalism was perceived as important for general practice in Germany. In
      addition, barriers of professional behaviour have been identified. CONCLUSION:
      The perception of professionalism among German GPs and GP trainees is in
      accordance with the frameworks of professionalism found in the literature. These
      results underline the need for conceptualising professionalism among general
      practice trainees in Germany.

PMID- 24238032
TI  - Effects of promethazine or dexamethasone pretreatment on mivacurium-induced
      histamine release in children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of pretreatment with either promethazine or
      dexamethasone on mivacurium-induced histamine release in children. METHODS:
      Eighty ASA I-II children (4-10 years of age) scheduled for tonsillectomy and/or
      adenoidectomy were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 20 per group) designated
      as either the rocuronium, mivacurium, dexamethasone (DXM), or promethazine group.
      Children in the DXM and promethazine groups were treated separately with
      intramuscular DXM 0.2 mg.kg(-1) or promethazine 0.5 mg.kg(-1) injections 60 min
      before operation. Radial artery blood samples were collected to quantify plasma
      histamine concentrations 1 min before and 1, 3, and 5 min after administration of
      the relaxant. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and skin flushing
      were recorded at the same time. RESULTS: No significant decreases in plasma
      histamine concentrations were observed between groups; however, more stable MAP
      and HR and less skin flushing were observed in DXM group participants compared
      with individuals in the mivacurium group (P < 0.05). By contrast, children in the
      promethazine group had significantly decreased plasma histamine concentrations
      and stable MAP and HR (without a significant increase in HR) compared with
      patients in mivacurium group. In addition, skin flushing was significantly
      decreased compared with that observed in the rocuronium group (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with promethazine significantly decreased mivacurium
      induced histamine release in children and provided stable hemodynamics during
      administration of anesthesia.

PMID- 24238033
TI  - An etiological reappraisal of pancytopenia - largest series reported to date from
      a single tertiary care teaching hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peripheral pancytopenia is not a disease by itself; rather it
      describes simultaneous presence of anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia
      resulting from a number of disease processes. Only a few systematic studies have
      been published on the topic of pancytopenia, although extensive studies have been
      done for its different etiological factors like aplastic anemia, megaloblastic
      anemia, leukemia, etc. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate for and to
      identify the causes of pancytopenia, to find out the frequency of different
      causes, to determine the incidence of pancytopenia in relation to sex and age and
      to compare our findings with those of other similar studies from this part of the
      world. METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted in the Department of
      Pathology of a teaching institute and a tertiary care hospital in southern
      Maharashtra, India, over a period of two years. All the patients referred to the
      central clinical laboratory for routine complete blood count (CBC) and peripheral
      smear (PS) examination, from both - the outpatient and the inpatient departments,
      were screened for pancytopenia. Of these, a total number of 250 cases that
      fulfilled the diagnostic criteria were selected.Detailed hematological
      investigations followed by bone marrow aspiration wherever indicated and possible
      were performed according to standard methods to ascertain the causes of
      pancytopenia. RESULTS: A definite male preponderance was observed, the male to
      female ratio being 2.6 : 1. The majority of cases were encountered in 3rd and 4th
      decades. Hypersplenism (29.2%), Infections (25.6%), Myelosuppressants (16.8%) and
      Megaloblastosis (13.2%) were the four most common causes in this large series on
      pancytopenia from a single centre in India. CONCLUSION: Detailed clinical history
      and meticulous physical examination along with baseline hematological
      investigations, provides invaluable information in the complete workup of
      pancytopenic patients, helping in systematic planning of further investigations
      to diagnose and ascertain the cause, avoiding a battery of unnecessary tests.

PMID- 24238035
TI  - MiR-27 orchestrates the transcriptional regulation of brown adipogenesis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) produces heat using chemical energy of
      lipids and glucose, a function induced by cold exposure or diet. The brown
      adipogenesis is tightly controlled in a coordinated interplay between several
      transcriptional factors. It is not known what enables and coordinates this robust
      program of concerted cooperation between the transcriptional factors and co
      regulators necessary for the brown adipogenesis. MATERIALS/METHODS: A. In vivo
      studies--we investigated the expression levels of miR-27a and b in mice after
      cold exposure. B. Using gene expression and functional studies together with high
      throughput imaging in primary preadipocytes, and cell culture models, we
      investigated the role of miR-27 in beige and brown adipogenesis. C. Using gene
      silencing and rescue experiments we dissected the molecular mechanisms of the miR
      27 action. RESULTS: After cold exposure, miR-27 is downregulated in BAT and
      subcutaneous white adipose tissue (SAT). MiR-27 is also downregulated during
      brown adipogenesis of primary preadipocytes in vitro, and it directly targets and
      negatively regulates the essential components of the brown transcriptional
      network: Prdm16, Pparalpha, Creb, and in part Pgc1beta. Together with its direct
      effect on Ppargamma, and indirect on Pgc1alpha, mir-27 decreases brown
      differentiation of cultured cells and of primary SAT preadipocytes. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results point to miR-27 as a central upstream regulator of the
      transcriptional network involved in beige and brown adipogenesis after cold
      exposure, and suggest miR-27 inhibition as a novel therapeutic approach for
      metabolic diseases aiming at increasing the beige/brown fat mass.

PMID- 24238037
TI  - Natural OX40L expressed on human T cell leukemia virus type-I-immortalized T cell
      lines interferes with infection of activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells
      by CCR5-utilizing human immunodeficiency virus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: OX40 ligand (OX40L) co-stimulates and differentiates T cells via
      ligation of OX40 that is transiently induced on T cells upon activation,
      resulting in prolonged T cell survival and enhanced cytokine production by T
      cells. This view has led to the targeting of OX40 as a strategy to boost antigen
      specific T cells in the context of vaccination. In addition, the ligation of OX40
      has also been shown to inhibit infection by CCR5-utilizing (R5) but not CXCR4
      utilizing (X4) human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) via enhancement of
      production of CCR5-binding beta-chemokines. It was reasoned that human T cell
      leukemia virus type-I (HTLV-1) immortalized T cell lines that express high levels
      of OX40L could serve as an unique source of physiologically functional OX40L. The
      fact that HTLV-1+ T cell lines simultaneously also express high levels of OX40
      suggested a potential limitation. RESULTS: Results of our studies showed that
      HTLV-1+ T cell lines bound exogenous OX40 but not OX40L, indicating that HTLV-1+
      T cell lines express an active form of OX40L but an inactive form of OX40. Anti
      OX40 non-blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb), but not blocking mAb, stained HTLV
      1+ T cell lines, suggesting that the OX40 might be saturated with endogenous
      OX40L. Functionality of the OX40L was confirmed by the fact that a
      paraformaldehyde (PFA)-fixed HTLV-1+ T cell lines inhibited the infection of
      autologous activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with R5 HIV-1
      which was reversed by either anti-OX40L blocking mAb or a mixture of neutralizing
      mAbs against CCR5-binding beta-chemokines. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, these results
      demonstrated that autologous T cell lines immortalized by HTLV-1 can be utilized
      as a conventional source of physiologically functional OX40L.

PMID- 24238038
TI  - Effects of Aedes aegypti salivary components on dendritic cell and lymphocyte
      biology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Saliva is a key element of interaction between hematophagous
      mosquitoes and their vertebrate hosts. In addition to allowing a successful blood
      meal by neutralizing or delaying hemostatic responses, the salivary cocktail is
      also able to modulate the effector mechanisms of host immune responses
      facilitating, in turn, the transmission of several types of microorganisms.
      Understanding how the mosquito uses its salivary components to circumvent host
      immunity might help to clarify the mechanisms of transmission of such pathogens
      and disease establishment. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to evaluate if
      increasing concentrations of A. aegypti salivary gland extract (SGE) affects bone
      marrow-derived DC differentiation and maturation. Lymphocyte proliferation in the
      presence of SGE was estimated by a colorimetric assay. Western blot and Annexin V
      staining assays were used to assess apoptosis in these cells. Naive and memory
      cells from mosquito-bite exposed mice or OVA-immunized mice and their respective
      controls were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Concentration-response curves
      were employed to evaluate A. aegypti SGE effects on DC and lymphocyte biology.
      DCs differentiation from bone marrow precursors, their maturation and function
      were not directly affected by A. aegypti SGE (concentrations ranging from 2.5 to
      40 MUg/mL). On the other hand, lymphocytes were very sensitive to the salivary
      components and died in the presence of A. aegypti SGE, even at concentrations as
      low as 0.1 MUg/mL. In addition, A. aegypti SGE was shown to induce apoptosis in
      all lymphocyte populations evaluated (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and B cells) through
      a mechanism involving caspase-3 and caspase-8, but not Bim. By using different
      approaches to generate memory cells, we were able to verify that these cells are
      resistant to SGE effects. CONCLUSION: Our results show that lymphocytes, and not
      DCs, are the primary target of A. aegypti salivary components. In the presence of
      A. aegypti SGE, naive lymphocyte populations die by apoptosis in a caspase-3- and
      caspase-8-dependent pathway, while memory cells are selectively more resistant to
      its effects. The present work contributes to elucidate the activities of A.
      aegypti salivary molecules on the antigen presenting cell-lymphocyte axis and in
      the biology of these cells.

PMID- 24238039
TI  - Presidential address: a new face for endocrine surgery.

PMID- 24238036
TI  - Ruxolitinib for myelofibrosis--an update of its clinical effects.
AB  - Myelofibrosis (MF), a Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative
      neoplasm, is characterized by progressive bone marrow fibrosis and ineffective
      hematopoiesis. Clinical hallmarks include splenomegaly, anemia, and debilitating
      symptoms. In 2 randomized phase III studies, the Janus kinase (JAK) 1/JAK2
      inhibitor ruxolitinib significantly improved splenomegaly and disease-related
      symptoms compared with placebo (Controlled Myelofibrosis Study with Oral JAK
      Inhibitor Treatment [COMFORT-I]) or best available therapy (COMFORT-II) in
      patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk MF. Although ruxolitinib therapy was
      associated with dose-dependent anemia and thrombocytopenia, these adverse events
      rarely led to treatment discontinuation. This update of the clinical effects of
      ruxolitinib in patients with MF was based on original articles and meeting
      abstracts published after the primary publication of the COMFORT trials in March
      2012. Long-term follow-up data from the COMFORT trials and clinical experience
      with ruxolitinib in unselected patient populations suggest that improvement of
      splenomegaly and symptoms is durable. Patients benefit from ruxolitinib therapy
      across subgroups defined by age, MF type, risk category, performance status, JAK2
      V617F mutation status, extent of splenomegaly, or presence of cytopenias. In
      COMFORT-I, platelet counts stabilized with dose adjustments, and hemoglobin
      levels gradually recovered to slightly below baseline after the first 8 to 12
      weeks of therapy. After initial increases, the need for red blood cell
      transfusions decreased to a level similar to that found in the placebo group. The
      2-year follow-up data from the COMFORT trials suggest that patients with
      intermediate-2 or high-risk MF receiving ruxolitinib therapy may have improved
      survival compared with those receiving no (placebo) or traditional therapy. 

PMID- 24238040
TI  - Is routine prophylactic central neck dissection indicated for low-risk papillary
      thyroid cancer: can we determine cost-effectiveness if we are unsure about its
      effectiveness and safety?

PMID- 24238041
TI  - A new tool: the same dilemma.

PMID- 24238042
TI  - Observation of clinically negative central compartment lymph nodes in papillary
      thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of prophylactic central neck dissection in the management of
      papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is controversial. We report our experience of an
      observational approach to the cN0 neck in PTC. METHODS: We reviewed 1,129
      patients with PTC who had total thyroidectomy between 1986 and 2005. In that
      group, 470 patients were pN1; 384 had benign nodes removed (pN0); and the
      remaining 275 had no nodes removed (pNx). The pNx group formed the cohort for
      this study. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 70 months, the 10-yr disease
      specific survival was 100%. We found 4 patients who had evidence of radioactive
      iodine uptake on scans performed during follow-up without diagnostic cytology.
      All subsequently received radioactive iodine and are considered disease free.
      Three patients had biopsy-proven lateral-neck recurrence and underwent neck
      dissection; 1 patient developed a low-level thyroglobulin suspicious for
      recurrence; and 1 patient had a subcentimeter level VI node suspicious for
      recurrence, which has been observed. Therefore, the rate of structural recurrence
      in the central neck was 0.4% (1/275), and the rate of reoperation on the central
      neck was 0. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that properly selected patients can
      be managed safely with observation of the central neck rather than prophylactic
      central neck dissection, which has a higher complication rate.

PMID- 24238043
TI  - Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) is a promising target for imaging
      and therapy in neuroendocrine tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ligands binding the somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) are useful
      for imaging and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), but not all tumors
      express high levels of these receptors. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      gene expression of new therapeutic targets in NETs relative to SSTR2. METHODS:
      RNA was extracted from 103 primary small bowel and pancreatic NETs, matched
      normal tissue, and 123 metastases. Expression of 12 candidate genes was measured
      by quantitative polymerase chain reaction normalized to internal controls;
      candidate gene expression was compared with SSTR2. RESULTS: Relative to normal
      tissue, primary NET expression of SSTR2, GPR98, BRS3, GIPR, GRM1, and OPRK1 were
      increased by 3, 8, 13, 13, 17, and 20-fold, respectively. Similar changes were
      found in metastases. Although most candidate genes showed lesser absolute
      expressions than SSTR2, absolute GIPR expression was closest to SSTR2 (mean dCT
      3.6 vs. 2.7, P = .01). Absolute OPRK1 and OXTR expression varied greatly by
      primary tumor type and was close to SSTR2 in small bowel NETs but not pancreatic
      NETs. CONCLUSION: Compared with the current treatment standard SSTR2, GIPR has
      only somewhat lesser absolute gene expression in tumor tissue but much lesser
      expression in normal tissue, making it a promising new target for NET imaging and
      therapy.

PMID- 24238044
TI  - Adrenalectomy for solid tumor metastases: results of a multicenter European
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We assessed the results of adrenalectomy for solid tumor metastases
      in 317 patients recruited from 30 European centers. METHODS: Patients with
      histologically proven adrenal metastatic disease and undergoing complete
      removal(s) of the affected gland(s) were eligible. RESULTS: Non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) was the most frequent tumor type followed by colorectal and renal
      cell carcinoma. Adrenal metastases were synchronous (<=6 months) in 73 (23%)
      patients and isolated in 213 (67%). The median disease-free interval was 18.5
      months. Laparoscopic resection was used in 46% of patients. Surgery was limited
      to the adrenal gland in 73% of patients and R0 resection was achieved in 86% of
      cases. The median overall survival was 29 months (95% confidence interval, 24.69
      33.30). The survival rates at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years were 80%, 61%, 42%, and 35%,
      respectively. Patients with renal cancer showed a median survival of 84 months,
      patients with NSCLC 26 months, and patients with colorectal cancer 29 months (P =
      .017). Differences in survival between metachronous and synchronous lesions were
      also significant (30 vs. 23 months; P = .038). CONCLUSION: Surgical removal of
      adrenal metastasis is associated with long-term survival in selected patients.

PMID- 24238045
TI  - MiR-34a and miR-483-5p are candidate serum biomarkers for adrenocortical tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas are common and many patients
      undergo adrenalectomy to exclude adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Recent studies
      have shown dysregulated microRNA (miRNA) expression in ACC. The objective of this
      study was to determine the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of measuring serum
      miRNAs in patients with benign and malignant adrenocortical neoplasms. METHOD:
      Five miRNAs were selected from miRNA profiling studies in ACC (miR-let-7d, -34a, 
      195, -214, and 483-5p). Total miRNA was extracted from serum samples in patients
      with malignant and benign adrenal neoplasms. miRNAs levels were measured by
      quantitative reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction and normalized to miR
      16. To determine if miRNAs were secreted from ACC cells, we measured miRNA levels
      in culture. RESULTS: Serum samples from 22 patients with cortical adenomas and 17
      patients with ACC were analyzed, and all 5 miRNAs were detected. We found greater
      levels of miR-34a (P = .001) and miR-483-5p (P = .011) in patients with ACC. The
      area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.81 for miR-34a and
      0.74 for miR-438-5p. MiR-34a and miR-483-5p levels in ACC cells were greater in
      the supernatant at 48 hours compared with intracellular levels. CONCLUSION: We
      show that dysregulated miRNAs in ACC are detectable in human serum samples. MiR
      34a and miR-483-5p are candidate serum biomarkers for distinguishing between
      benign and malignant adrenocortical tumors.

PMID- 24238046
TI  - Under-recognition of the benefits of parathyroidectomy leads to underdiagnosis of
      the disease.

PMID- 24238047
TI  - The relationship between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and central neck lymph
      node metastasis in North American patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that concurrent chronic lymphocytic
      thyroiditis (CLT) with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is associated with
      improved prognosis of the PTC, including decreased lymph node metastasis. We
      sought to assess the incidence of central nodal metastasis (CNM) in patients with
      PTC and concurrent CLT. METHODS: We studied 495 consecutive patients who
      underwent thyroidectomy with nodal excision for PTC. Pathology reports identified
      the presence of CLT and the extent of CNM. RESULTS: There were 226 patients (46%)
      with CLT and 220 (44%) with CNM. Patients with CLT were more often female (88%
      vs. 71%; P < .001) and had a younger median age (43 vs. 47 years; P = .03), a
      lesser incidence of CNM (35% vs. 52.4%; P < .001), and a greater incidence of
      pT1a (40% vs. 25%; P < .001) and pT1b (38% vs. 29%; P < .001) tumors.
      Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of CLT was associated with a 39%
      decreased odds of CNM after adjusting for age, gender, tumor size, PTC
      histopathologic subtype, and presence of lymphovascular invasion (odds ratio,
      0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.99; P = .046). Predicted probability
      modeling showed that all females with CLT and no suspicious nodal findings on
      ultrasonography had a 9-11% risk of CNM with pT1a tumors. CONCLUSION: Female
      patients of all ages with CLT and small PTCs have the least incidence of CNM.

PMID- 24238048
TI  - Operative intervention for recurrent adrenocortical cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) recurs despite apparent complete
      resection. We examined the survival and palliative benefit of resection for
      recurrent ACC. METHODS: A review of all patients undergoing operation for ACC
      between 1980 and 2010 at our institution was performed in which we compared
      resection with nonoperative therapy. RESULTS: Overall, 164 patients underwent
      operation for ACC, 125 of whom underwent a complete resection (R0). Recurrence
      occurred in 93 R0 patients (median, 15 months; range, 1.5-150 months). Symptoms
      at recurrence were present in 71% (66/93), including pain (34%) and hormone
      excess (43%). There were 67 patients who underwent reoperation for recurrence.
      Forty-eight of 67 patients underwent R0 resection for recurrence. Operative
      patients had a greater overall operative versus nonoperative management or no
      therapy (65 months vs 6 months, P < .01). Median survival for nonoperatively
      managed patients (226 days) and those undergoing no therapy (179 days) was less
      than for debulking (1,272 days, P = .002). R0 for recurrence (P = .005) and a
      disease-free interval >6 months (P < .001) were associated with survival after
      operation, whereas original tumor size (P = .47), grade (P = .8), and stage (P =
      .23) were not. Pain and hormonal symptoms improved in 84% of operative patients
      versus 29% of nonoperatively managed patients (P = .005). Debulking had similar
      symptomatic improvement to R0 resection (P = .52). CONCLUSION: Patients with
      recurrent ACC can benefit from operative intervention with improvement in
      survival and symptoms. Patients with a disease-free interval >6 months and
      complete resection are likely to benefit from resection of the recurrence, but
      the near universal improvement in symptoms may expand the criteria for operation
      in recurrent ACC.

PMID- 24238049
TI  - Cost analysis of thyroid lobectomy and intraoperative frozen section versus total
      thyroidectomy in patients with a cytologic diagnosis of "suspicious for papillary
      thyroid cancer".
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal operation for a patient with a thyroid nodule "suspicious
      for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC)" on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is unclear.
      This study examines the incremental cost-utility of thyroid lobectomy with
      intraoperative frozen section (thyroid lobectomy) versus total thyroidectomy.
      METHODS: Cost-utility analysis was performed for patients with a cytologic
      diagnosis of "suspicious for PTC" on FNA. Patients underwent either initial total
      thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy and, if needed, completion thyroidectomy. The
      incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR; US$/quality-adjusted-life-year [QALY]), was
      determined from a societal perspective. RESULTS: The base-case ICUR of thyroid
      lobectomy is $90,776/QALY, strongly favoring total thyroidectomy as a more cost
      effective modality. On sensitivity analyses, the model is sensitive to the
      accuracy of frozen section and to the rate of injury to the recurrent laryngeal
      nerve (RLN). Thyroid lobectomy is more cost-effective only if both frozen section
      and final pathology are benign in >=92% of patients (ICUR $47,959/QALY at 92%).
      With increasing rates of unilateral (>5%) or bilateral (>2%) RLN injury
      associated with total thyroidectomy, there is a trend toward thyroid lobectomy
      being more cost effective ($53,127 and $51,325/QALY, respectively). CONCLUSION:
      In our model, initial total thyroidectomy is cost-effective for patients with a
      single thyroid nodule suspicious for PTC on FNA. Our results strongly support
      total thyroidectomy for initial treatment; thyroid lobectomy is preferred only
      when complications reach unacceptable levels.

PMID- 24238050
TI  - Prospective analysis of coronary calcium in patients on dialysis undergoing a
      near-total parathyroidectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism and on dialysis are more
      likely to die of cardiovascular disease than the general population; and we have
      reported that near-total parathyroidectomy (NTPTX) reduces that mortality rate.
      Patients on dialysis experience an average of a 15% increase in coronary
      calcification yearly, contributing to cardiovascular death. Cardiac computed
      tomography (CT) enables objective measuring of coronary calcium. The purpose of
      our study was to determine the impact of NTPTX on coronary artery calcium score
      (CACS). METHODS: CACS measurement was performed in patients with stage 5 chronic
      kidney disease before and after NTPTX from 2001 to 2008. Demographics,
      morbidities, CACS, outcomes, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurements in
      follow-up (mean, 5.1 years) were maintained in an institutional review board
      approved prospective database. Of 31 patients, 19 (61%) returned for a follow-up
      coronary CT. RESULTS: Preoperative mean PTH level and CACS were 1,794 +/- 943
      pg/mL and 979 +/- 079, respectively; postoperatively, PTH and CACS were 321 +/-
      244 pg/mL (P < .001) and 1,285 +/- 1,577 (P = .044), respectively. CACS was
      stable or reduced (<10% per year) in 6 of 19 patients (32%), and 42% of patients
      (n = 8) had nearly undetectable (<1% per year) change in CACS after NTPTX. In
      patients with stable CACS, mean postoperative PTH was 251 versus 516 pg/mL in
      patients with increasing CACS (P = .02). In patients with recurrent
      hyperparathyroidism (PTH > 400) compared with patients with stable postoperative
      PTH, CACS increased by 804 +/- 1082 versus 16 +/- 84 (P = .02). CONCLUSION:
      Successful NTPTX with stable postoperative PTH levels is associated with
      stabilization of CACS in patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism
      undergoing hemodialysis, which could contribute to the improved survival seen
      after NTPTX.

PMID- 24238051
TI  - Ten percent tall cells confer the aggressive features of the tall cell variant of
      papillary thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The tall cell (TC) variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is
      more aggressive than classic PTC, but the percentage of TC necessary to diagnose
      this variant has been debated. We aimed to better determine what percentage of TC
      correlates with a more aggressive phenotype. METHODS: Cases from 2005 to 2010
      that were the TC variant of PTC or PTC with TC features were identified and
      compared with classic PTCs. All cases were reviewed to determine what percent, if
      any, of the tumors consisted of TC. RESULTS: One hundred forty-one cases of PTC
      were reviewed. Eighty-three cases had some TC component, and 58 cases had none.
      There were no differences in patient demographics. Tumors with >=10% TC had more
      extrathyroidal extension, angiolymphatic invasion, positive surgical margin, and
      lymph node involvement than classic PTC. There were more recurrences in patients
      with >=10% TC, but this was not significant. Similar findings were also observed
      with increasing percentages of TC. CONCLUSION: The aggressive features conferred
      by the presence of TC in PTCs occur with as little as 10% TC and are maintained
      with increasing percentages. Therefore, TC in a PTC should be reported if they
      comprise at least 10% of the tumor.

PMID- 24238052
TI  - The impact of surgical volume on patient outcomes following thyroid surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of indications for
      thyroidectomy on patient outcomes and to examine the impact of surgical volume on
      these outcomes. METHODS: The nationwide inpatient sample was used to identify all
      patients who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) between 2000 and 2009. We
      examined the effects of surgeon volume and hospital characteristics on predicting
      patient outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the
      effects of the indication for surgical care on postoperative outcomes. RESULTS:
      Overall, 46,261 procedures were identified. Patients with Graves disease had the
      highest postoperative complications (17.5%) compared to patients undergoing TT
      for other benign (13.9%) and malignant (13.2%) thyroid disease (P < .001). After
      stratification by surgeon volume, Graves disease was found to be a significant
      predictor of postoperative complications in surgeries performed by low- and
      intermediate-volume surgeons (P < .05). However, Graves disease was not a
      significant predictor of postoperative complications when performed by high
      volume surgeons (P = .81). Hospital volume had an inconsistent and marginal
      protective effect on postoperative outcomes. CONCLUSION: Surgery for Graves
      disease is associated with a higher risk for complications when performed by less
      experienced surgeons. This finding should prompt recommendations for increasing
      surgical specialization and referrals to high-volume surgeons in the management
      of Graves disease.

PMID- 24238053
TI  - Effect of reoperation on outcomes in papillary thyroid cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The influence of lymph node recurrences of papillary thyroid
      carcinoma (PTC) on overall prognosis is uncertain. We performed a population
      based, longitudinal analysis to evaluate the impact of reoperation on mortality.
      METHODS: Patients who underwent initial operation for PTC >1 cm were abstracted
      from the California Cancer Registry database (1999-2008). Reoperation was defined
      as any lymph node dissection after total or near-total thyroidectomy. RESULTS: Of
      the 11,986 patients included in the study, 222 (1.9%) underwent one or more
      reoperations. The median time to reoperation was 8.7 months, with 58.6% and 83.8%
      of reoperations being performed within 1 and 2 years of initial thyroidectomy,
      respectively. The mortality rate from PTC was 2.3% (271 patients). After we
      adjusted for age, sex, tumor size, stage, and radioactive iodine treatment, we
      found that reoperation was associated with an increased risk of all-cause
      mortality in patients >=45 years of age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.51, P < .05).
      Reoperation was associated with an increased risk of disease-specific mortality
      in both patients <45 (HR 6.22, P < .01) and >=45 (HR 2.49, P < .001). CONCLUSION:
      Reoperation is independently associated with mortality in PTC. Most reoperations
      are performed soon after initial thyroidectomy and likely reflect persistent
      rather than recurrent disease.

PMID- 24238054
TI  - A novel optical approach to intraoperative detection of parathyroid glands.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inadvertent removal of parathyroid glands is a challenge in endocrine
      operations. There is a critical need for a diagnostic tool that provides
      sensitive, real-time parathyroid detection during procedures. We have developed
      an intraoperative technique using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence for in vivo,
      real-time detection of the parathyroid regardless of its pathologic state.
      METHODS: NIR fluorescence was measured intraoperatively from 45 patients
      undergoing parathyroidectomy and thyroidectomy. Spectra were measured from the
      parathyroid and surrounding neck tissues during the operation with the use of a
      portable, probe-based fluorescence system at 785-nm excitation. Accuracy was
      evaluated by comparison with histology or visual recognition by the surgeon.
      RESULTS: NIR fluorescence detected the parathyroid in 100% of patients.
      Parathyroid fluorescence was stronger (1.2-18 times) than that of the thyroid
      with peak fluorescence at 822 nm. Surrounding tissues showed no auto
      fluorescence. Disease state did not affect the ability to discriminate
      parathyroid glands but may account for signal variability. CONCLUSION: NIR
      fluorescence spectroscopy can detect intraoperatively the parathyroid regardless
      of tissue pathology. The signal may be caused by calcium-sensing receptors
      present in the parathyroid. The signal strength and consistency indicates the
      simplicity and effectiveness of this method. Its implementation may limit
      operative time, decrease costs, and improve operative success rates.

PMID- 24238055
TI  - Development of a calcium-sensing receptor molecular imaging agent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is expressed by parathyroid cells and
      thyroid C-cells (from which medullary thyroid carcinoma [MTC] is derived). A
      molecular imaging agent localizing to the CaSR could improve the detection of
      parathyroids and MTC preoperatively or intraoperatively. We synthesized a novel
      compound containing a fluorine residue for potential future labeling and
      demonstrated that the compound inhibited CaSR function in vitro. METHODS: We
      synthesized compound M, a derivative of a known calcilytic compound, Calhex-231.
      Human embryonic kidney cells transfected with green-fluorescent protein-tagged
      CaSR or control vector were preincubated with compound M before the addition of
      calcium. Immunoblotting for total mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK:
      ERK1/2), activated MAPK (phosphorylated ERK1/2), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate
      dehydrogenase was performed. RESULTS: Synthesis of compound M was confirmed by
      mass spectrometry. Inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway by compound M was
      demonstrated in a dose-dependent manner by a decrease in phosphorylated ERK1/2
      with no change in total ERK1/2 levels. Compound M inhibited MAPK signaling
      slightly better than the parent compound. CONCLUSION: We have developed a novel
      molecule which demonstrates functional inhibition of CaSR and has a favorable
      structure for labeling. This compound appears to be appropriate for further
      development as a molecular imaging tool to enhance the surgical treatment of
      parathyroid disease and MTC.

PMID- 24238057
TI  - Thyroid nodule evaluation: how much is too much?

PMID- 24238058
TI  - Potential role of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine induced MAGE-A4 expression in
      immunotherapy for anaplastic thyroid cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Melanoma antigen gene family (MAGE)-A4, a member of the cancer testis
      antigen family, has been reported in various cancers including melanoma, bladder,
      head and neck, oral, and lung, and is a potential target for T-cell-receptor
      based immunotherapy. Baseline expression levels of the MAGE-A4 gene in thyroid
      cancer cell lines have not been previously studied thoroughly. METHODS: Human
      thyroid cancer cell lines (8505c, HTh7, BCPAP, and TPC-1) were treated with
      either 10 MUmol/L 5'-azacytidine (Aza) or 10 MUmol/L 5-AZA-2'deoxycytidine (DAC)
      and evaluated for various MAGEA gene expression. Later melanoma cell lines A375
      and 8505c were treated with PLX4720 in combination with DAC and evaluated for
      MAGE-A4 expression. RESULTS: Only BCPAP cells expressed moderate levels of MAGE
      A3 and MAGE-A6 at baseline. Treatment with DAC/Aza induced the expression of MAGE
      A4 and MAGE-A1 in 8505c cells. PLX4720 treatment did not affect MAGE-A4
      expression in 8505c cells, but increased its expression in A375 cells. In
      contrast, addition of PLX4720 to DAC-treated 8505c cells decreased the previously
      induced MAGE-A4 expression by DAC in these cells. A similar decrease in MAGE-A4
      expression by DAC was also seen in 8505cBRAF(-/-) cells. Although DAC treatment
      resulted in demethylation of the MAGE-A4 promoter in 2 CpG sites, PLX addition to
      DAC did not affect the demethylation status. CONCLUSION: Demethylating agents
      increased the expression of MAGE genes in thyroid cancer cells. The effect of
      BRAFV600E inhibitors on MAGE-A4 expression suggest the role of downstream
      MEK/BRAF signaling in its expression apart from promoter demethylation being the
      sole requirement. Expression of MAGE-A4 may make immunotherapeutic intervention
      possible in selected patients with thyroid cancer.

PMID- 24238056
TI  - PTTG1 overexpression in adrenocortical cancer is associated with poor survival
      and represents a potential therapeutic target.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is associated with poor survival
      rates. The objective of the study was to analyze ACC gene expression profiling
      data for prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. METHODS: We profiled 44
      ACC and 4 normal adrenals on Affymetrix U133 Plus 2 expression microarrays.
      Pathway and transcriptional enrichment analysis was performed. Protein levels
      were determined by Western blot. Drug efficacy was assessed against ACC cell
      lines. Previously published expression datasets were analyzed for validation.
      RESULTS: Pathway enrichment analysis identified marked dysregulation of cyclin
      dependent kinases and mitosis. Overexpression of PTTG1, which encodes securin, a
      negative regulator of p53, was identified as a marker of poor survival. Median
      survival for patients with tumors expressing high PTTG1 levels (log2 ratio of
      PTTG1 to average beta-actin <-3.04) was 1.8 years compared with 9.0 years if
      tumors expressed lower levels of PTTG1 (P < .0001). Analysis of a previously
      published dataset confirmed the association of high PTTG1 expression with a poor
      prognosis. Treatment of 2 ACC cell lines with vorinostat decreased securin levels
      and inhibited cell growth (median inhibition concentrations of 1.69 MUmol/L and
      0.891 MUmol/L, for SW-13 and H295R, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of
      PTTG1 is correlated with poor survival in ACC. PTTG1/securin is a prognostic
      biomarker and warrants investigation as a therapeutic target.

PMID- 24238059
TI  - Timing of symptom improvement after parathyroidectomy for primary
      hyperparathyroidism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The timing of symptom improvement after parathyroidectomy for primary
      hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has not been well characterized. METHODS: This
      prospective study involved administering a questionnaire to patients with PHPT
      who underwent curative parathyroidectomy over an 11-month period. The
      questionnaire evaluated the frequency of 18 symptoms of PHPT on a 5-point Likert
      scale and was administered preoperatively and 1 week, 6 weeks, and 6 months
      postoperatively. RESULTS: Of 197 eligible patients, 132 (67%) participated in the
      study. The questionnaires were completed at a rate of 91%, 92%, and 86% at 1
      week, 6 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The most commonly
      reported preoperative symptoms were fatigue (98%), muscle aches (89%), and
      bone/joint pain (87%). Improvement in symptom severity occurred across all
      symptoms and was separated into three categories based on the timing of
      improvement. Fatigue and bone/joint pain demonstrated "Immediate Improvement"
      (>50% of patients reporting improvement by post-operative week 1), whereas the
      majority of symptoms showed peak improvement at 6 weeks ("Delayed Improvement").
      Symptoms categorized as "Continuous Improvement" were those showing progressive
      improvement up to 6 months postoperatively (polydipsia, headaches, and
      nausea/vomiting). CONCLUSION: Symptom improvement was most prominent 6 weeks
      postparathyroidectomy, although some symptoms showed continued improvement at 6
      months.

PMID- 24238060
TI  - Expansion of endocrine surgery fellowships: if we increase the supply is there
      demand?

PMID- 24238061
TI  - Graves' disease and thymic hyperplasia.

PMID- 24238062
TI  - Mesenchymal progenitor cells in mouse foetal liver regulate differentiation and
      proliferation of hepatoblasts.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatoblasts are somatic progenitor cells of the foetal liver
      that possess high proliferative capacity and bi-potency for differentiation into
      both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Although mesenchymal cells are known to be
      important for liver ontogeny, current understanding of their interaction with
      hepatoblasts remains obscure. Mesenchymal cell populations in the developing
      liver were purified and their potential to support proliferation and
      differentiation of hepatoblasts was examined. METHODS: Foetal liver cells were
      fractionated with a flow cytometer using antibodies against cell surface markers.
      Gene expression of mesenchymal-specific transcripts and morphological
      characteristics were analysed. The ability of the mesenchymal cells to support
      hepatoblast function was analysed using a transwell and direct coculture system.
      RESULTS: CD45(-) Ter119(-) CD71(-) Dlk1(mid) PDGFRalpha(+) cells from the mid
      foetal stage liver expressed the mesenchymal cell-specific transcription factors
      H2.0-like homeobox 1 and LIM homeobox 2 at high levels. Foetal mesenchymal cells
      make contact with hepatoblasts in vivo and possess the potential to differentiate
      into chondrocytes, osteocytes and adipocytes under appropriate cell culture
      conditions, indicating that these cells are possible candidates for mesenchymal
      stem/progenitor cells. Foetal mesenchymal cells expressed pleiotrophin,
      hepatocyte growth factor and midkine 1, which are involved in the growth of
      hepatoblasts. Using the coculture system with hepatoblasts and foetal mesenchymal
      cells, these cells were shown to support proliferation and maturation of
      hepatoblasts through indirect and direct interactions respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Dlk1(mid) PDGFRalpha(+) cells in non-haematopoetic fraction derived from the
      foetal liver exhibit mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell characteristics and have
      abilities to support proliferation and differentiation of hepatoblasts.

PMID- 24238065
TI  - Plaque-type glomuvenous malformations successfully treated using combined pulsed
      dye laser and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser.

PMID- 24238064
TI  - The impact of heat on mortality and morbidity in the Greater Metropolitan Sydney
      Region: a case crossover analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examined the association between unusually high
      temperature and daily mortality (1997-2007) and hospital admissions (1997-2010)
      in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan Region (GMR) to assist in the development of
      targeted health programs designed to minimise the public health impact of extreme
      heat. METHODS: Sydney GMR was categorized into five climate zones. Heat-events
      were defined as severe or extreme. Using a time-stratified case-crossover design
      with a conditional logistic regression model we adjusted for influenza epidemics,
      public holidays, and climate zone. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals
      were estimated for associations between daily mortality and hospital admissions
      with heat-event days compared to non-heat event days for single and three day
      heat-events. RESULTS: All-cause mortality overall had similar magnitude
      associations with single day and three day extreme and severe events as did all
      cardiovascular mortality. Respiratory mortality was associated with single day
      and three day severe events (95th percentile, lag0: OR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.04 to
      1.24). Diabetes mortality had similar magnitude associations with single day and
      three day severe events (95th percentile, lag0: OR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.03 to 1.46)
      but was not associated with extreme events. Hospital admissions for heat related
      injuries, dehydration, and other fluid disorders were associated with single day
      and three day extreme and severe events. Contrary to our findings for mortality,
      we found inconsistent and sometimes inverse associations for extreme and severe
      events with cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease hospital admissions.
      Controlling for air pollutants did not influence the mortality associations but
      reduced the magnitude of the associations with hospital admissions particularly
      for ozone and respiratory disease. CONCLUSIONS: Single and three day events of
      unusually high temperatures in Sydney are associated with similar magnitude
      increases in mortality and hospital admissions. The trend towards an inverse
      association between cardio-vascular admissions and heat-events and the strong
      positive association between cardio-vascular mortality and heat-events suggests
      these events may lead to a rapid deterioration in persons with existing cardio
      vascular disease resulting in death. To reduce the adverse effects of high
      temperatures over multiple days, and less extreme but more frequent temperatures
      over single days, targeted public health messages are critical.

PMID- 24238063
TI  - Autophagy maturation associated with CD38-mediated regulation of lysosome
      function in mouse glomerular podocytes.
AB  - Podocytes are highly differentiated glomerular epithelial cells that contribute
      to the glomerular barrier function of kidney. A role for autophagy has been
      proposed in maintenance of their cellular integrity, but the mechanisms
      controlling autophagy in podocytes are not clear. The present study tested
      whether CD38-mediated regulation of lysosome function contributes to autophagic
      flux or autophagy maturation in podocytes. Podocytes were found to exhibit a high
      constitutive level of LC3-II, a robust marker of autophagosomes (APs), suggesting
      a high basal level of autophagic activity. Treatment with the mTOR inhibitor,
      rapamycin, increased LC3-II and the content of both APs detected by Cyto-ID Green
      staining and autophagolysosomes (APLs) measured by acridine orange staining and
      colocalization of LC3 and Lamp1. Lysosome function inhibitor bafilomycin A1
      increased APs, but decreased APLs content under both basal and rapamycin-induced
      conditions. Inhibition of CD38 activity by nicotinamide or silencing of CD38 gene
      produced the similar effects to that bafilomycin A1 did in podocytes. To explore
      the possibility that CD38 may control podocyte autophagy through its regulation
      of lysosome function, the fusion of APs with lysosomes in living podocytes was
      observed by co-transfection of GFP-LC3B and RFP-Lamp1 expression vectors. A
      colocalization of GFP-LC3B and RFP-Lamp1 upon stimulation of rapamycin became
      obvious in transfected podocytes, which could be substantially blocked by
      nicotinamide, CD38 shRNA, and bafilomycin. Moreover, blockade of the CD38
      mediated regulation by PPADS completely abolished rapamycin-induced fusion of APs
      with lysosomes. These results indicate that CD38 importantly control lysosomal
      function and influence autophagy at the maturation step in podocytes. 

PMID- 24238066
TI  - Probability of remission of juvenile idiopathic arthritis following treatment
      with steroid joint injection.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Steroid joint injection is indicated as starting treatment for
      juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but its effect as single treatment has not been
      explored. Our aim was to estimate arthritis remission probability after single or
      repeated injections. METHODS: Conduct a retrospective analysis of inactive
      arthritis status, remission on medication and remission off medication,
      estimating cumulative probability and mean time to survival, from the first joint
      injection session to the last follow-up visit or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic
      drugs initiation. Remission and time to achieve remission status after single or
      repeated injections were compared. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients with 4-year
      medium follow-up and 254 treated joints, were reviewed. Eighty-three percent of
      the individuals had oligoarticular subtype and 57% had persistent oligoarticular
      course. Overall, 26% achieved remission off medication status, 4% remission on
      medication and 38% initiated disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Survival
      analysis resulted in mean time of achieving inactive disease status, remission on
      medication and off medication of 8, 11 and 56 months, respectively. The
      cumulative probability of remission off medication was 2% at 12 months, 8% at 24
      months and 18% at 36 months. Frequency of inactive disease, remission on
      medication and remission off medication status decreased proportionally following
      repeated joint injections in comparison with the frequency of the same status for
      those receiving single treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The dropout rates due to anti
      rheumatic drugs initiation indicated limited long-term benefits of intra
      articular steroids for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

PMID- 24238068
TI  - Limitations and consumer aspects of point-of-care in snake envenomation.

PMID- 24238067
TI  - Study protocol: translating and implementing psychosocial interventions in aged
      home care the lifestyle engagement activity program (LEAP) for life.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tailored psychosocial activity-based interventions have been shown to
      improve mood, behaviour and quality of life for nursing home residents.
      Occupational therapist delivered activity programs have shown benefits when
      delivered in home care settings for people with dementia. The primary aim of this
      study is to evaluate the effect of LEAP (Lifestyle Engagement Activity Program)
      for Life, a training and practice change program on the engagement of home care
      clients by care workers. Secondary aims are to evaluate the impact of the program
      on changes in client mood and behaviour. METHODS/DESIGN: The 12 month LEAP
      program has three components: 1) engaging site management and care staff in the
      program; 2) employing a LEAP champion one day a week to support program
      activities; 3) delivering an evidence-based training program to care staff.
      Specifically, case managers will be trained and supported to set meaningful
      social or recreational goals with clients and incorporate these into care plans.
      Care workers will be trained in and encouraged to practise good communication,
      promote client independence and choice, and tailor meaningful activities using
      Montessori principles, reminiscence, music, physical activity and play. LEAP
      Champions will be given information about theories of organisational change and
      trained in interpersonal skills required for their role. LEAP will be evaluated
      in five home care sites including two that service ethnic minority groups. A
      quasi experimental design will be used with evaluation data collected four times:
      6-months prior to program commencement; at the start of the program; and then
      after 6 and 12 months. Mixed effect models will enable comparison of change in
      outcomes for the periods before and during the program. The primary outcome
      measure is client engagement. Secondary outcomes for clients are satisfaction
      with care, dysphoria/depression, loneliness, apathy and agitation; and work
      satisfaction for care workers. A process evaluation will also be undertaken.
      DISCUSSION: LEAP for Life may prove a cost-effective way to improve client
      engagement and other outcomes in the community setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612001064897.

PMID- 24238069
TI  - Seasonal variation in the behaviour of a short-lived rodent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Short lived, iteroparous animals in seasonal environments experience
      variable social and environmental conditions over their lifetime. Animals can be
      divided into those with a "young-of-the-year" life history (YY, reproducing and
      dying in the summer of birth) and an "overwinter" life history (OW, overwintering
      in a subadult state before reproducing next spring).We investigated how
      behavioural patterns across the population were affected by season and sex, and
      whether variation in behaviour reflects the variation in life history patterns of
      each season. Applications of pace-of-life (POL) theory would suggest that long
      lived OW animals are shyer in order to increase survival, and YY are bolder in
      order to increase reproduction. Therefore, we expected that in winter and spring
      samples, when only OW can be sampled, the animals should be shyer than in summer
      and autumn, when both OW and YY animals can be sampled.We studied common vole
      (Microtus arvalis) populations, which express typical, intra-annual density
      fluctuation. We captured a total of 492 voles at different months over 3 years
      and examined boldness and activity level with two standardised behavioural
      experiments. RESULTS: Behavioural variables of the two tests were correlated with
      each other. Boldness, measured as short latencies in both tests, was extremely
      high in spring compared to other seasons. Activity level was highest in spring
      and summer, and higher in males than in females. CONCLUSION: Being bold in
      laboratory tests may translate into higher risk-taking in nature by being more
      mobile while seeking out partners or valuable territories. Possible explanations
      include asset-protection, with OW animals being rather old with low residual
      reproductive value in spring. Therefore, OW may take higher risks during this
      season. Offspring born in spring encounter a lower population density and may
      have higher reproductive value than offspring of later cohorts. A constant
      connection between life history and animal personality, as suggested by the POL
      theory, however, was not found. Nevertheless, correlations of traits suggest the
      existence of animal personalities. In conclusion, complex patterns of population
      dynamics, seasonal variation in life histories, and variability of behaviour due
      to asset-protection may cause complex seasonal behavioural dynamics in a
      population.

PMID- 24238070
TI  - Editorial for "methods for the isolation and analysis of rare cells".

PMID- 24238071
TI  - External ocular surface bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility
      patterns among pre-operative cataract patients at Mulago National Hospital in
      Kampala, Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endophthalmitis is a severe complication of cataract surgery which
      leads to high ocular morbidity and visual loss even with antibiotic treatment.
      Bacterial ocular floras are the implicated causative agents. This study was
      undertaken to evaluate the external ocular surface bacterial isolates and their
      antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among pre-operative cataract patients at
      Mulago National Hospital. METHODS: This cross sectional study enrolled
      consecutively 131 patients scheduled for routine cataract surgery in the
      Department of Ophthalmology at Mulago National Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.
      Eyelid margin and conjunctival swabs were collected and processed using standard
      microbiological procedures to identify bacterial isolates and their respective
      antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. RESULTS: Of 131 patients involved (mean
      age 63.3 +/- 14.5 years), 54.2% (71/131) were females. The eyelid margin and
      conjunctival samples were culture positive in 59.5% (78/138) and 45.8% (60/138)
      respectively. The most common organisms identified were Coagulase-negative
      Staphylococci (CoNS) [65.9% (91/138)] and Staphylococcus aureus [21.0% (29/138)].
      CoNS showed the highest resistance to tetracycline (58.2%, 53/91) and
      erythromycin (38.5%, 35/91), whereas in S. aureus the resistance to tetracycline
      and erythromycin were 55.2% (16/29) and 31.0% (9/29) respectively. Methicillin
      resistant CoNS (MRS) and Methicillin resistance S. aureus (MRSA) were 31.9%
      (29/91) and 27.6% (8/29) respectively. There were low resistance rates for CoNS,
      S. aureus and other bacterial isolates to ciprofloxacin (11.1%-24.2%), gentamicin
      (5.6-31.0%), tobramycin (17.2% -25.3%) and vancomycin (0.0%). CONCLUSION: CoNS
      and S. aureus are the most common bacterial isolates found on the external ocular
      surface of the pre-operative cataract patients. Ciprofloxacin, gentamicin,
      tobramycin and vancomycin showed the lowest resistance rates to all bacterial
      isolates, therefore may be used to reduce bacteria load in the conjunctiva sac
      among cataract patients prior to surgery.

PMID- 24238072
TI  - Effects of different mydriatics on intraocular pressure, pupil diameter, and
      ruminal and intestinal motility in healthy sheep.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of the administration of subconjunctival 1%
      atropine (SA), topical 1% atropine (A), 0.5% tropicamide (T), 1% homatropine (H),
      10% phenylephrine (P), and 2% ibopamine (I) on intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil
      diameter (PD), ruminal motility (RM) and intestinal motility (IM) in sheep.
      ANIMAL STUDIED: Ten spayed ewes of Santa Ines breed. PROCEDURES: Six experiments
      were performed separately at 1-week intervals. One eye was randomly selected and
      received one drop of A, T, H, P, I, or subconjunctival injection of atropine at 8
      a.m. On the following days, IOP and PD were evaluated every 8 h until the pupil
      returned to its normal diameter. Ruminal motility and intestinal motility were
      evaluated only within the first 13 h. RESULTS: The IOP did not change
      significantly in the treated eyes compared with the control eyes and baseline at
      any time point (P > 0.05). A longer-lasting pupil dilation was observed after the
      administration of A (96 h), SA (79 h), H (24 h), and T (24 h). Within the first
      30 min after treatment, RM and IM decreased, by 78% and 82% (H), 76% and 86%
      (SA), 46% and 58% (A), and 62% and 70% (T) (P < 0.001), respectively, with a
      tendency to return to baseline values following 13 h of drug administration. Both
      10% phenylephrine and 2% ibopamine did not have any effect on the parameters
      evaluated (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Topical and subconjunctival 1% atropine, 0.5%
      tropicamide, and 1% homatropine significantly reduced RM and IM, and induced
      pupil dilation but did not change IOP in eyes of healthy sheep. The
      sympathomimetics phenylephrine (10%) and ibopamine (2%) did not change the
      parameters evaluated.

PMID- 24238073
TI  - The effects of aromatherapy in relieving symptoms related to job stress among
      nurses.
AB  - Workplace-related stress has become today's most serious occupational hazard.
      Aromatherapy is a simple, convenient and non-invasive method of stress relief.
      There is little research regarding the efficacy of aromatherapy by means of
      inhaling essential oil in reducing workplace stress-related symptoms among
      nurses. Therefore, this study was to examine the effectiveness of lavender oil
      inhalation in reducing job stress-related symptoms among nurses. The 53 nurses in
      the experimental group pinned small bottles containing 3% lavender oil on the
      clothes of their right chests, whereas 57 participants in the control group
      pinned bottles with no lavender oil. Aromatherapy was shown to be effective in
      the reduction of the number of stress symptoms for 3 or 4 days. The stress
      symptoms of the experimental group decreased from 6.1 to 2.8 after aromatherapy
      was carried out (P = 0.126, 0.159, 0.035 and 0.026). This represented a
      significant decrease in stress, whereas the stress symptoms in the control group
      increased from 5.6 to 5.8. Hospital staff managers are still encouraged to
      include aromatherapy concepts and techniques in the continuing education of
      nursing staff. Concurrently, future research should focus on the possible side
      effects of aromatherapy to assure safety. 

PMID- 24238074
TI  - Cerebral blood flow in the neonate.
AB  - Ensuring adequate oxygenation of the developing brain is the cornerstone of
      neonatal critical care. Despite decades of clinical research dedicated to this
      issue of paramount importance, our knowledge and understanding regarding the
      physiology and pathophysiology of neonatal cerebral blood flow are still
      rudimentary. This review primarily focuses on currently available human clinical
      and experimental data on cerebral blood flow and autoregulation in the preterm
      and term infant. Limitations of systemic blood pressure values as surrogates for
      monitoring adequate cerebral oxygen delivery are discussed. Particular emphasis
      is placed on the high interindividual variability in cerebral blood flow values,
      vasoreactivity, and autoregulatory thresholds making the applications of
      normative values highly questionable. Technical and ethical difficulties to
      conduct such trials leave us with a near complete lack of knowledge on how
      pharmacological and surgical interventions impact on cerebral autoregulation. The
      ensemble of these works argues for the necessity of highly individualized care by
      taking advantage of continuous bedside monitoring of cerebral circulation. They
      also point to the urgent need for further studies addressing the exciting but
      difficult issue of cerebral blood flow autoregulation in the neonate. 

PMID- 24238075
TI  - Wide circumferential versus individual isolation of pulmonary veins using the
      endoscopic ablation system.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The endoscopic ablation system (EAS) allows for effective pulmonary
      vein isolation (PVI). The feasibility of wide circumferential as compared to
      individual PVI using the EAS has not been formally assessed. METHODS: Patients
      with paroxysmal or short-persistent atrial fibrillation were assigned to
      individual PVI (group A) or wide circumferential PVI (group B). In group B,
      circumferential PVI was attempted only if the ipsilateral inferior PV was
      visualized while the ablation system targeted the superior PV and vice versa.
      Otherwise, individual PVI was performed. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients were
      enrolled (Group A: 20 patients, age 61 +/- 7 years, LA-diameter 43 +/- 5 mm;
      Group B: 18 patients, age 62 +/- 10 years, LA-diameter 43 +/- 4 mm). In group A,
      20/20 (100%) right superior (RSPV) and inferior (RIPV) PVs, 18/19 (95%) left
      superior (LSPV) and inferior (LIPV) PVs, and 1/1 (100%) left common ostium (LCPV)
      were successfully isolated. First-pass success rate was 95%, 85%, 68%, and 95%
      for the RSPV, RIPV, LSPV, and LIPV, respectively. Touch-up radiofrequency
      ablation was required in 1/19 (5%) LSPV and LIPV. In group B, an attempt at
      circumferential PVI was feasible in 2/18 (11%) septal PVs and successful on first
      pass. Lateral circumferential PVI was attempted and successful on first-pass in
      7/13 (54%) LSPVs and LIPVs and 1/5 (20%) LCPVs. CONCLUSIONS: Using the EAS in
      patients with AF, separate isolation of individual PVs rather than wide
      circumferential PVI should be the preferred ablation strategy.

PMID- 24238076
TI  - Prevalence and related factors of anemia in HAART-naive HIV positive patients at
      Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anaemia is a common complication of infection with the human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and may have various causes. The aim of this study
      was to determine the prevalence and related factors of anemia in HAART-naive HIV
      positive Patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on HAART naive
      HIV positive patients at the Gondar University Hospital between September 2011
      and August 2012. Socio-demographic and immunohematological (hemoglobin and CD4+ T
      cells) data were collected carefully from the existing ART logbook and patient
      follow up cards. Anaemia was defined according to the WHO criteria. RESULTS: The
      overall prevalence of anaemia was 138 (35%). Female HAART naive HIV positive
      patients had significantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence of anaemia than males
      (62% Vs 38%). The prevalence of anaemia at different CD4 level was; 6 (4%) with
      CD4 count greater than 500 cells/MUL, 18 (13%) with a CD4 count of 350-500
      cells/MUL, 37 (27%) with a CD4 count of 200-349 cells/MUL, 44 (32%) with a CD4
      count of 100-199 cells/MUL, 14 (10%) with a CD4 count of 50-99 and 19 (14%) with
      CD4 count of less than 50 cells/MUL. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that one
      third of HAART naive HIV positive patients were anaemic and the increase in
      prevalence of anaemia with decreased CD4 cell count was statistically
      significant. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of anaemia in these
      patients are essential.

PMID- 24238077
TI  - Exploring hotspots of pneumococcal pneumonia and potential impacts of ejecta dust
      exposure following the Christchurch earthquakes.
AB  - The etiology of pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) is well-known. Yet, some events may
      increase its incidence. Natural disasters may worsen air quality, a risk factor
      for PP. We investigated spatial/spatio-temporal clustering of PP pre- and post
      earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand. The earthquakes resulted in deaths,
      widespread damage and liquefaction ejecta (a source of air-borne dust). We tested
      for clusters and associations with ejecta, using 97 cases (diagnosed 10/2008
      12/2011), adjusted for age and area-level deprivation. The strongest evidence to
      support the potential role of ejecta in clusters of PP cases was the: (1)
      geographic shift in the spatio-temporal cluster after deprivation adjustment to
      match the post-earthquake clusters and; (2) increased relative risk in the fully
      adjusted post-earthquake compared to the pre-earthquake cluster. The application
      of spatial statistics to study PP and ejecta are novel. Further studies to assess
      the long-term impacts of ejecta inhalation are recommended particularly in
      Christchurch, where seismic activity continues. 

PMID- 24238078
TI  - How to choose geographical units in ecological studies: proposal and application
      to campylobacteriosis.
AB  - In spatial epidemiology, the choice of an appropriate geographical unit of
      analysis is a key decision that will influence most aspects of the study. In this
      study, we proposed and applied a set of measurable criteria applicable for
      orienting the choice of geographical unit. Nine criteria were selected, covering
      many aspects such as biological relevance, communicability of results, ease of
      data access, distribution of exposure variables, cases and population, and shape
      of unit. These criteria were then applied to compare various geographical units
      derived from administrative, health services, and natural frameworks that could
      be used for the study of the spatial distribution of campylobacteriosis in the
      province of Quebec, Canada. In this study, municipality was the geographical unit
      that performed the best according to our assessment and given the specific
      objectives and time period of the study. Future research areas for optimizing the
      choice of geographical unit are discussed. 

PMID- 24238080
TI  - Why computational models are better than verbal theories: the case of nonword
      repetition.
AB  - Tests of nonword repetition (NWR) have often been used to examine children's
      phonological knowledge and word learning abilities. However, theories of NWR
      primarily explain performance either in terms of phonological working memory or
      long-term knowledge, with little consideration of how these processes interact.
      One theoretical account that focuses specifically on the interaction between
      short-term and long-term memory is the chunking hypothesis. Chunking occurs
      because of repeated exposure to meaningful stimulus items, resulting in the items
      becoming grouped (or chunked); once chunked, the items can be represented in
      short-term memory using one chunk rather than one chunk per item. We tested
      several predictions of the chunking hypothesis by presenting 5-6-year-old
      children with three tests of NWR that were either high, medium, or low in
      wordlikeness. The results did not show strong support for the chunking
      hypothesis, suggesting that chunking fails to fully explain children's NWR
      behavior. However, simulations using a computational implementation of chunking
      (namely CLASSIC, or Chunking Lexical And Sub-lexical Sequences In Children) show
      that, when the linguistic input to 5-6-year-old children is estimated in a
      reasonable way, the children's data are matched across all three NWR tests. These
      results have three implications for the field: (a) a chunking account can explain
      key NWR phenomena in 5-6-year-old children; (b) tests of chunking accounts
      require a detailed specification both of the chunking mechanism itself and of the
      input on which the chunking mechanism operates; and (c) verbal theories
      emphasizing the role of long-term knowledge (such as chunking) are not precise
      enough to make detailed predictions about experimental data, but computational
      implementations of the theories can bridge the gap. 

PMID- 24238079
TI  - Estimation of malaria incidence in northern Namibia in 2009 using Bayesian
      conditional-autoregressive spatial-temporal models.
AB  - As malaria transmission declines, it becomes increasingly important to monitor
      changes in malaria incidence rather than prevalence. Here, a spatio-temporal
      model was used to identify constituencies with high malaria incidence to guide
      malaria control. Malaria cases were assembled across all age groups along with
      several environmental covariates. A Bayesian conditional-autoregressive model was
      used to model the spatial and temporal variation of incidence after adjusting for
      test positivity rates and health facility utilisation. Of the 144,744 malaria
      cases recorded in Namibia in 2009, 134,851 were suspected and 9893 were
      parasitologically confirmed. The mean annual incidence based on the Bayesian
      model predictions was 13 cases per 1000 population with the highest incidence
      predicted for constituencies bordering Angola and Zambia. The smoothed maps of
      incidence highlight trends in disease incidence. For Namibia, the 2009 maps
      provide a baseline for monitoring the targets of pre-elimination. 

PMID- 24238081
TI  - Serologic markers for HBV, HCV and HIV in immigrants visiting the Athens'
      polyclinic of 'Doctors of the World - Greece'.

PMID- 24238082
TI  - Ageism in nursing.
AB  - AIM: Ageism in health care delivery and nursing poses a fundamental threat to
      health and society. In this commentary, implications of age discrimination are
      presented to generate an agenda for action in nursing management. BACKGROUND: In
      nations like the United States and the United Kingdom, nursing is an ageing
      profession caring for an ageing society where age discrimination takes many forms
      and has broad impact. EVALUATION: This commentary critically synthesizes the
      literature on ageism and relevant data on ageing societies for nurse managers and
      other leaders. KEY ISSUES: Investigations of ageism suggest that discrimination
      negatively affects health and results in poor health care experiences. Age
      discrimination is present in nursing, exacerbating workforce shortages and
      limiting the use of expertise within the profession. CONCLUSION: Nursing faces a
      future for which understanding ageing societies and ageism is essential. An
      agenda for the future is proposed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse
      managers possess the power to enact an agenda for combating ageism in health care
      and nursing.

PMID- 24238083
TI  - Research on clinical decision making: challenges for professional disciplines.

PMID- 24238084
TI  - Barriers to colorectal cancer screening in Hispanics in the United States: an
      integrative review.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancer killers in the U.S. despite
      the vast array of screening and detection methods available. The U.S. Hispanic
      population, in particular, reflects low rates of CRC screening. In order to get a
      comprehensive understanding of barriers to CRC screening in this population, an
      integrative review was performed in PubMed and CINAHL from 2002 to 2012; eight
      studies on various barriers to CRC screening among the U.S. Hispanic population
      were examined. Our findings recognized fear, cost, and lack of awareness as
      common barriers to CRC screening and more specific barriers applicable to the
      Hispanic population being low literacy/educational levels and lack of provider
      recommendations. Analysis indicated culturally-specific barriers to CRC screening
      among Hispanics, the largest being limited English proficiency. The review
      demonstrated a need for additional targeted approaches, awareness education, and
      provider training as ways to increase CRC screening in Hispanics. 

PMID- 24238085
TI  - Effectiveness of nurse-delivered patient education interventions on quality of
      life in outpatients: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nursing education is a crucial part of nursing practice; however,
      evidence regarding its impact on quality of life is lacking. No review has
      addressed the effects of overall nursing education interventions on the quality
      of life in a general outpatient population. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this
      study is to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-delivered education interventions
      compared with usual care with regard to the quality of life of outpatients.
      METHODS: A systematic search was performed to identify randomized controlled
      trials that examined the effects of nurse-delivered educational interventions on
      the quality of life of outpatients. The search was performed in December 2012 in
      the MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE (via Ovid), and CINAHL (via EBSCO) databases and
      was limited with regard to publication time and language. The studies were
      appraised according to methodological quality, and p values were extracted to
      determine the effectiveness of the interventions. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies
      were included in the review. Approximately 70% of the studies included showed no
      effects on quality of life. The studies that showed positive effects each used
      different types of interventions. A methodological appraisal revealed biases in
      most of the studies. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS: Because of an
      overall lack of effectiveness and heterogeneity between studies, no evidence for
      the effectiveness of nursing education interventions in outpatients was observed.
      Further studies should examine interventions that focus on quality of life using
      validated measures.

PMID- 24238086
TI  - Disaster evacuation for persons with special needs: a content analysis of
      information on YouTube.
AB  - Disaster preparedness is more complex for persons with chronic illness, who may
      require specific planning to address unique needs. Research suggests that advance
      preparation and evacuation during a disaster leads to better health outcomes.
      Individuals access, and rely on, health information via online sources. The
      purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to examine information that
      persons who may have special needs receive from an Internet based free sharing
      source, YouTube, related to disaster evacuation procedures. A content analysis of
      51 clips using the Health Literacy Skills Framework revealed themes related to
      quality and region. Findings suggested concerns such as errors, minimal
      information about management of conditions during evacuation, and lack of
      diversity. 

PMID- 24238087
TI  - Causes of mortality and pathological lesions observed post-mortem in red
      squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Great Britain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The red squirrel population in Great Britain has declined
      dramatically in recent decades, principally due to squirrelpox. Concern exists
      that red squirrels may become extinct nationally and, as there has been limited
      research in to diseases other than squirrelpox, this study aimed to identify
      additional causes of mortality. RESULTS: Post-mortem examinations on 163 red
      squirrels found dead on Isle of Wight (IoW) England, in Scotland and at other
      locations in Great Britain showed that 41.7% (n = 68) were killed by road traffic
      and 9.2% (n = 15) by predators, principally domestic cats and dogs. The overall
      male/female ratio was 1.08/1. Fleas were recorded on 34.9% of IoW squirrels and
      on 43.8% of Scottish squirrels but sucking lice and ixodid ticks were only seen
      on Scottish squirrels. Bacterial infections were significant, particularly in
      association with respiratory disease (n = 16); two squirrels died of Bordetella
      bronchiseptica bronchopneumonia. Cases of fatal exudative dermatitis (n = 5)
      associated with a lukM-positive clone of Staphylococcus aureus occurred only on
      the IoW. Toxoplasmosis (n = 12) was also confined to IoW where it was responsible
      for almost one tenth (9.5%) of all deaths. Hepatozoonosis was common, especially
      in IoW squirrels, but was not considered a primary cause of mortality. Hepatic
      capillariasis affected four IoW squirrels and one from Scotland. Fungal
      infections included oral candidiasis, adiaspiromycosis and pulmonary
      phaeohyphomycosis. Neoplastic conditions diagnosed were: pulmonary carcinoma,
      gastric spindle cell tumour, renal papillary adenoma and trichoepithelioma.
      Epidermal hyperplasia of unknown aetiology was seen in squirrels showing crusty
      lesions of the ear pinnae on IoW (n = 3) and Brownsea Island (n = 1), associated
      in two cases with cutaneous wart-like growths. Miscellaneous diagnoses included
      chylothorax, electrocution, intussusception, suspected cholecalciferol
      rodenticide poisoning and foetal death and mummification. No cases of squirrelpox
      were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Red squirrels in Britain suffer premature or
      unnatural mortality due to a number of conditions in addition to squirrelpox,
      many of which result, directly or indirectly, from human activities: road traffic
      trauma, pet predation, toxoplasmosis, trap injuries, rodenticide poisoning and
      electrocution accounted for 61% of all recorded mortality in this study. Red
      squirrels are also affected by several diseases of unknown aetiology which merit
      further research.

PMID- 24238089
TI  - Convergent evidence of brain overconnectivity in children with autism?
AB  - In this issue of Cell Reports, Keown et al. and Supekar et al. report widespread
      increases in brain connectivity in children with autism. These studies challenge
      the widely established theory of underconnectivity in autism, suggesting a more
      complicated picture of brain connectivity alterations. 

PMID- 24238088
TI  - Cyclophilin A from Schistosoma japonicum promotes a Th2 response in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a chronic infection, where the host immune
      response to the parasite changes from a predominantly Th1 to Th2 phenotype, when
      parasite enters the egg stage, restraining the host inflammatory immune responses
      to achieve a longer survival in the host. On the other hand, the development of
      Th2 responses causes immunopathological changes such as liver fibrosis. Therefore
      identification of schistosome-derived Th2 inducing molecules is important in the
      understanding of pathogenesis of schistosomiasis. A cyclophilin A homologue of
      Schistosoma japonicum was reported to be an egg-stage specific antigen, but its
      immunogenicity and immunoregulatory activities remain unknown. METHODS: We cloned
      and expressed the gene of cyclophilin A from Schistosoma japonicum (AY814078),
      named as SjCyP18 based on its molecular weight. The expression profiles in
      different stages of S. japonicum were examined by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence
      assay. The immunogenicity of SjCyP18 was measured by the presence of IgG in the
      sera from S. japonicum infected patients and animals, and the Th2-promting
      activities were examined by the subclass of immunoglobulins against SjCyP18 and
      by the IL-4 induction in T cells following footpad injection of SjCyP18. RESULTS:
      The cloned SjCyP18 has 65% homology with human or mouse cyclophilin A at the
      amino acid level. In contrast to reports as an egg-stage specific antigen, the
      gene was found to be expressed in all stages of S. japonicum. IgG responses
      against SjCyP18 were found in some S. japonicum infected patients and were
      significantly induced when infection become patent and produce eggs in infected
      mice. Furthermore, the Th2-promoting subclass of IgG1 was the predominant isotype
      in S. japonicum infected mice. More importantly, footpad injection of SjCyP18
      induced a greater production of IL-4 than that of IFN-gamma by lymphocytes
      compared to responses from PBS injection controls. CONCLUSION: The cyclophilin A
      homologue found in S. japonicum is immunogenic and promotes Th2 responses in vivo
      which may contribute to the establishment of chronic infection by schistosomes.

PMID- 24238090
TI  - Cerebral babesiosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome in a dog.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of cerebral babesiosis and acute respiratory
      distress syndrome (ARDS) in a dog. CASE SUMMARY: A 5-year-old male neutered
      Scottish Terrier was referred to the emergency department of the Ecole Nationale
      Veterinaire de Toulouse for evaluation of progressive dyspnea and clinical signs
      suggestive of central neurological disease. Thoracic radiographs showed a diffuse
      and heavy interstitial/alveolar lung pattern. Babesiosis was diagnosed based on
      blood smear evaluation. The dog died of cardiopulmonary arrest 6 hours after
      presentation. Cerebral babesiosis and ARDS were confirmed at necropsy. Major
      pathological findings included erythrocyte aggregation in the lungs, liver, and
      brain. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case report describes an unusual
      clinical presentation of Babesia canis canis infection, the most common species
      associated with babesiosis in Europe. In addition, this is to our knowledge the
      first case of Babesia-associated ARDS confirmed by histopathology in a dog.

PMID- 24238091
TI  - Noncosmetic skin-related procedures performed in the United States: an analysis
      of national ambulatory medical care survey data from 1995 to 2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Demand for dermatologic care is increasing alongside a known shortage
      of physicians in the dermatology workforce. Changes in the volume of dermatologic
      procedures over time and the physician specialties involved in skin-related
      procedural care are not well characterized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency
      of dermatologic procedures performed in the United States between 1995 and 2010
      and to analyze the changes in the procedures and physicians performing procedures
      over time. METHODS: The annual volume of skin-related procedures performed by
      physician specialties and the rate of procedures performed per physician was
      determined from data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS)
      between 1995 to 2004 and 2007 to 2010. RESULTS: Dermatologists and primary care
      physicians performed most procedures (54.7% and 19.5%, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: Dermatologists perform a larger volume of procedures than in the
      past, although the proportion of procedures performed by dermatologists is
      unchanged, and other physician specialties are performing more skin-related
      procedures to meet increasing demand.

PMID- 24238093
TI  - Long-term evaluation of antimalarials in a Dutch SLE cohort: intolerance and
      other reasons for non-use.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Antimalarials (AMs) have been demonstrated to reduce disease activity
      and prevent damage accrual in SLE. Recent guidelines advise prescribing AMs in
      all patients with SLE. We present data from the Amsterdam Lupus Cohort on use,
      reasons for non-use, and dosage related intolerance of AMs, as well as disease
      related variables associated with non-use. METHODS: AM use was assessed in all
      our SLE patients included in a longitudinal cohort study. Demographic and disease
      characteristics were compared between users and non-users of AMs. Daily dosages
      of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) according to lean body weight were calculated.
      RESULTS: Out of 190 SLE patients in the cohort, 139 (73.2%) were using AMs during
      their last visit, predominantly HCQ (136/139, 97.8%), while 92.1% (175/190) had
      ever used AMs. Daily dosage of HCQ was 400 mg in 115/136 (84.6%) patients.
      According to lean body weight, 119/136 (87.5%) had daily dosages of HCQ above the
      recommended 6.5 mg/kg. Patients did not use AMs (n=51) for the following reasons:
      intolerance (n=16), discontinued without a documented reason (n=11), never
      initiated (n=9), quiescent disease (n=7), contraindication (n=2), other (n=6).
      Only one patient discontinued HCQ due to AM-related retinopathy. Non-use of AMs
      was associated with a longer disease duration, higher damage accrual and a
      history of lupus nephritis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increased awareness of the
      importance of AM treatment in SLE, there is still room for improvement,
      especially in patients with lupus nephritis and/or long-standing disease. Daily
      dosages of hydroxychloroquine often exceeded recommendations from guidelines, but
      are generally well-tolerated.

PMID- 24238092
TI  - New phylogenomic data support the monophyly of Lophophorata and an Ectoproct
      Phoronid clade and indicate that Polyzoa and Kryptrochozoa are caused by
      systematic bias.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Within the complex metazoan phylogeny, the relationships of the three
      lophophorate lineages, ectoprocts, brachiopods and phoronids, are particularly
      elusive. To shed further light on this issue, we present phylogenomic analyses of
      196 genes from 58 bilaterian taxa, paying particular attention to the influence
      of compositional heterogeneity. RESULTS: The phylogenetic analyses strongly
      support the monophyly of Lophophorata and a sister-group relationship between
      Ectoprocta and Phoronida. Our results contrast previous findings based on rDNA
      sequences and phylogenomic datasets which supported monophyletic Polyzoa (=
      Bryozoa sensu lato) including Ectoprocta, Entoprocta and Cycliophora, Brachiozoa
      including Brachiopoda and Phoronida as well as Kryptrochozoa including
      Brachiopoda, Phoronida and Nemertea, thus rendering Lophophorata polyphyletic.
      Our attempts to identify the causes for the conflicting results revealed that
      Polyzoa, Brachiozoa and Kryptrochozoa are supported by character subsets with
      deviating amino acid compositions, whereas there is no indication for
      compositional heterogeneity in the character subsets supporting the monophyly of
      Lophophorata. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the support for Polyzoa,
      Brachiozoa and Kryptrochozoa gathered so far is likely an artifact caused by
      compositional bias. The monophyly of Lophophorata implies that the horseshoe
      shaped mesosomal lophophore, the tentacular feeding apparatus of ectoprocts,
      phoronids and brachiopods is, indeed, a synapomorphy of the lophophorate
      lineages. The same may apply to radial cleavage. However, among phoronids also
      spiral cleavage is known. This suggests that the cleavage pattern is highly
      plastic and has changed several times within lophophorates. The sister group
      relationship of ectoprocts and phoronids is in accordance with the interpretation
      of the eversion of a ventral invagination at the beginning of metamorphosis as a
      common derived feature of these taxa.

PMID- 24238095
TI  - From the Editor's perspective....

PMID- 24238094
TI  - Dovitinib induces mitotic defects and activates the G2 DNA damage checkpoint.
AB  - Dovitinib (TKI258; formerly CHIR-258) is an orally bioavailable inhibitor of
      multiple receptor tyrosine kinases. Interestingly, Dovitinib triggered a G2 /M
      arrest in cancer cell lines from diverse origins including HeLa, nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Single-cell analysis revealed that
      Dovitinib promoted a delay in mitotic exit in a subset of cells, causing the
      cells to undergo mitotic slippage. Higher concentrations of Dovitinib induced a
      G2 arrest similar to the G2 DNA damage checkpoint. In support of this, DNA damage
      was triggered by Dovitinib as revealed by gamma-H2AX and comet assays. The
      mitotic kinase CDK1 was found to be inactivated by phosphorylation in the
      presence of Dovitinib. Furthermore, the G2 arrest could be overcome by abrogation
      of the G2 DNA damage checkpoint using small molecule inhibitors of CHK1 and WEE1.
      Finally, Dovitinib-mediated G2 cell cycle arrest and subsequent cell death could
      be promoted after DNA damage repair was disrupted by inhibitors of poly(ADP
      ribose) polymerases. These results are consistent with the recent finding that
      Dovitinib can also target topoisomerases. Collectively, these results suggest
      additional directions for use of Dovitinib, in particular with agents that target
      the DNA damage checkpoint.

PMID- 24238096
TI  - Educational outreach visits to improve nurses' use of mechanical venous
      thromboembolism prevention in hospitalized medical patients.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in
      hospitalized medical patients. Evidence-based guidelines exist for preventing
      VTE; unfortunately, these guidelines are not always adhered to by clinicians. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, utility and clinical impact
      of an educational outreach visit (EOV) on nurses' provision of mechanical
      prophylaxis to hospitalized medical patients using a prospective, uncontrolled,
      before-and-after design. Nurses received a 1-to-1 educational session on
      mechanical VTE prevention by a trained nurse facilitator. The EOV intervention
      was designed by a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals using
      social marketing theory. Eighty-five of the 120 eligible nurses (71%) attended
      the EOV. The median length of each visit was 11.5 minutes (interquartile range
      [IQR], 10-15) and the median time spent arranging and conducting each visit was
      63 minutes (IQR, 49-85). Eighty-four (99%) of the 85 participants gave a verbal
      commitment to trial the new evidence-based mechanical VTE prevention practices.
      However, there were no measurable improvements in the proportion of patients risk
      assessed (-1.7% improvement; 95% confidence interval [CI], -7.0 to 10.3; P = .68)
      or provided appropriate mechanical prophylaxis (-0.3% improvement; 95% CI, -13.4
      to 14; P = .96). Researchers conclude that EOV should not be used to improve
      nurses' use of mechanical VTE prevention because it has no measurable impact on
      clinical practice and is resource intensive, requiring 4.5 minutes of preparation
      for every minute spent face to face with participants. Further research into the
      specific mechanism of action is required to explain the variability in clinical
      effect seen with this intervention.

PMID- 24238097
TI  - Improving glycemic control in the acute care setting through nurse education.
AB  - Patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of diabetes present unique
      challenges during an inpatient hospital stay to treat an acute or chronic
      illness. Upon review of current hospital practice, an interprofessional team
      embarked on a performance improvement project to improve outcomes for the complex
      medical-surgical diabetic patient. The methods detailed herein--a comprehensive
      education plan, preceptorship and peer accountability, active engagement and
      support by the unit nursing leadership team, and interprofessional collaboration-
      offer strategies any organization can implement to positively impact diabetes
      care.

PMID- 24238098
TI  - Patients' experiences and feelings before undergoing peripheral percutaneous
      transluminal angioplasty.
AB  - The use of interventional radiology as treatment has increased dramatically and
      peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is now a common indication for vascular
      interventions such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).(1) PAD
      seriously impairs quality of life, and patients experience a lack of control over
      the disease. The aim of this study was to identify patients who are predominantly
      anxious or calm before PTA treatment and to explore reasons for these feelings.
      The study includes both individual interviews, a shortened version of a Swedish
      Mood Adjective Check List (MACL), and an overall assessment of the perceived
      degree of calmness-anxiety. Forty-two patients were included in the study. The
      'anxious' group showed a significantly lower mood in all scales of the MACL
      compared with the 'calm' group. Reasons for feeling calm were a sense of being
      safe and high expectations. Reasons for feeling anxious were represented by a
      sense of despair and apprehension about the PTA. The main reason for feeling calm
      was related to trust in their caregivers and an ability to foresee upcoming
      events. The main reason for feeling anxious before the PTA was fear of a negative
      outcome and being unsure of treatment options. Greater knowledge and a better
      understanding of their disease and treatment options would support patients'
      ability to accept reasons for waiting before using invasive treatment. Moreover,
      this could decrease their anxiety and increase their feeling of being in control
      of their situation. 

PMID- 24238099
TI  - Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection for treatment of iatrogenic femoral pseudo
      aneurysm: a nursing protocol.
AB  - Femoral pseudo-aneurysm (FPA) is a pulsatile hematoma (false aneurysm) of the
      femoral artery that communicates with an artery through a disruption in the
      arterial wall. Most often, FPA develops after an injury or angiographic access to
      the femoral artery with bleeding into the adjacent tissue. FPA is an uncommon
      complication, but a very significant one, that can have serious consequences. FPA
      can initially present as a new thrill or bruit, a pulsatile hematoma, or marked
      pain and tenderness near the site of arterial puncture. Doppler flow imaging has
      been the mainstay of diagnosis. Ultrasound (US)-guided compression was the
      treatment of choice. However, it carries drawbacks including length of time to
      compress for adequate closure of the artery, discomfort to patients, high
      recurrence rate in patients receiving anticoagulation, femoral artery thrombosis,
      and a success rate of only 75% overall. An alternative to compression is US
      guided thrombin injection (UGTI) of the FPA. This is a safe procedure that can be
      done as an outpatient or in an office setting. This paper will provide nursing
      guidelines and rationale as well as a nursing protocol for the management of
      patients who undergo UGTI for FPA.

PMID- 24238100
TI  - Review of an article: Protamine does not increase risk of stroke in patients with
      elective carotid stenting by Jennifer S. McDonald, PhD; David F. Kallmes, MD;
      Giuseppe Lanzino, MD; Harry J. Cloft, MD, PhD (Stroke 2013;44:2028-30).

PMID- 24238101
TI  - Probiotics for infantile colic: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infantile colic is a common paediatric condition which causes
      significant parental distress. Increased intestinal coliform colonization in
      addition to alteration in Lactobacillus abundance and distribution may play an
      important role in its pathogenesis. The objectives of this systematic review are
      to evaluate the efficacy of probiotic supplementation in the reduction of crying
      time and successful treatment of infantile colic. METHODS: Literature searches
      were conducted of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
      Trials. Only randomized controlled trials enrolling term, healthy infants with
      colic were included. A meta-analysis of included trials was performed utilizing
      the Cochrane Collaboration methodology. RESULTS: Three trials that enrolled 220
      breastfed infants met inclusion criteria, of which 209 infants were available for
      analysis. Two of the studies were assessed as good quality. Lactobacillus reuteri
      (strains-American Type Culture Collection Strain 55730 and DSM 17 938) was the
      only species utilized in the therapeutic intervention. Two of the trials were
      industry funded. Probiotic supplementation compared to simethicone or placebo
      significantly and progressively shortened crying times to 7 days reaching a
      plateau at three weeks post initiation of therapy [mean difference -56.03
      minutes; 95% CI (-59.92, -52.15)]. Similarly, probiotics compared to placebo
      significantly increased the treatment success of infantile colic with a relative
      risk (RR) of 0.06; 95% CI (0.01, 0.25) and a number needed to treat of 2.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although L. reuteri may be effective as a treatment strategy for
      crying in exclusively breastfed infants with colic, the evidence supporting
      probiotic use for the treatment of infant colic or crying in formula-fed infants
      remains unresolved. Results from larger rigorously designed studies will help
      draw more definitive conclusions.

PMID- 24238103
TI  - Ocular findings and reference values for selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests in
      the macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) and southern rockhopper penguin
      (Eudyptes chrysocome).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe ophthalmic examination findings and standard diagnostic
      test results in 2 penguin species. ANIMALS STUDIED: Macaroni & Southern
      Rockhopper Penguins. PROCEDURE: Complete ophthalmic examinations including
      Schirmer tear test (STT), modified phenol red thread test (PTT), tonometry, and
      echobiometry were performed on penguins housed at the Detroit Zoo. Mean and
      standard deviation of ophthalmic tests are reported and compared for significance
      using two sample t-tests with significance set at P < 0.05. Correlations between
      variables were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS:
      Cataracts were the most common finding, present in 64% of Macaroni Penguins, and
      68% of Rockhopper Penguins. There were anterior segment anomalies in all eyes
      with cataracts consistent with lens-induced uveitis. The mean modified PTT for
      the Macaronis was 24.7 +/- 6.37 mm/15 s and 25.1 +/- 7.07 mm/15 s in the
      Rockhoppers. The mean STT value for the Macaronis was 12.1 +/- 5.43 mm/min and
      11.0 +/- 3.96 mm/min in the Rockhoppers. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) for the
      Macaronis was 21.9 +/- 7.05 mmHg measured by applanation tonometry and 29.1 +/-
      7.16 mmHg using rebound tonometry. The Rockhoppers had a mean IOP of 20.0 +/-
      5.77 mmHg and 24.1 +/- 5.09 mmHg for applanation and rebound tonometry,
      respectively. In both populations, there was a significant difference in IOP
      measurement between the two instruments. In the Macaroni penguins, the presence
      of cataracts correlated significantly with increased age and lower IOP readings.
      Anterior chamber distance and axial globe length were significantly greater in
      males than in females in both penguin species.

PMID- 24238102
TI  - Ets-1 regulates intracellular glutathione levels: key target for resistant
      ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is characterized by high rates of metastasis and
      therapeutic resistance. Many chemotherapeutic agents rely on the induction of
      oxidative stress to cause cancer cell death, thus targeting redox regulation is a
      promising strategy to overcome drug resistance. METHODS: We have used a
      tetracycline-inducible Ets-1 overexpression model derived from 2008 ovarian
      cancer cells in the present study. To examine the role of Ets-1 in glutathione
      regulation we have measured intracellular reactive oxygen species and glutathione
      levels, as well as glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity. Glutathione synthesis
      was limited using transsulfuration or Sx(c)- pathway blocking agents, and
      glutamate release was measured to confirm Sx(c)- blockade. Cell viability
      following drug treatment was assessed via crystal violet assay. Oxidative stress
      was induced through glucose oxidase treatment, which produces hydrogen peroxide
      by glucose oxidation. The protein expressions of redox-related factors were
      measured through western blotting. RESULTS: Overexpression of Ets-1 was
      associated with decreased intracellular ROS, concomitantly with increased
      intracellular GSH, GPX antioxidant activity, and Sx(c)- transporter activity.
      Under basal conditions, inhibition of the transsulfuration pathway resulted in
      decreased GSH levels and GPX activity in all cell lines, whereas inhibition of
      Sx(c)- by sulfasalazine decreased GPX activity in Ets-1-expressing cells only.
      However, under oxidative stress the intracellular GSH levels decreased
      significantly in correlation with increased Ets-1 expression following
      sulfasalazine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we have identified a role for
      proto-oncogene Ets-1 in the regulation of intracellular glutathione levels, and
      examined the effects of the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine on glutathione
      depletion using an ovarian cancer cell model. The findings from this study show
      that Ets-1 mediates enhanced Sx(c)- activity to increase glutathione levels under
      oxidative stress, suggesting that Ets-1 could be a promising putative target to
      enhance conventional therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 24238104
TI  - Web-based self-management with and without coaching for type 2 diabetes patients
      in primary care: design of a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-management is recognized as the cornerstone of overall diabetes
      management. Web-based self-management programs have the potential of supporting
      type 2 diabetes patients with managing their diabetes and reducing the workload
      for the care provider, where the addition of online coaching could improve
      patient motivation and reduce program attrition. This study aims to test the
      hypothesis that a web-based self-management program with coaching will prove more
      effective on improving patient self-management behavior and clinical outcome
      measures than a web-based self-management program without coaching. METHODS: The
      effects of a web-based self-management program with and without coaching will be
      tested with a nested randomized controlled trial within a healthcare group in the
      Netherlands. In one year 220 type 2 diabetes patients will be randomized into an
      intervention group (n = 110) or a control group (n = 110). The control group will
      receive only the online self-management program. The intervention group will
      receive the online self-management program and additional online coaching.
      Participants will be followed for one year, with follow-up measurements at 6 and
      12 months. DISCUSSION: The intervention being tested is set to support type 2
      diabetes patients with their diabetes self-management and is expected to have
      beneficial effects on self-care activities, well being and clinical outcomes.
      When proven effective this self-management support program could be offered to
      other health care groups and their type 2 diabetes patients in the Netherlands.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: Nederlands Trial Register NTR4064.

PMID- 24238105
TI  - The relationship between head and neck position and endotracheal tube intracuff
      pressure in the pediatric population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, there has been a change in clinical practice
      with a transition to the use of cuffed instead of uncuffed endotracheal tubes
      (ETTs) in pediatric patients. These changes have led to concerns regarding unsafe
      intracuff pressures in pediatric patients, which may result in postoperative
      morbidity. To avoid these issues, it is generally suggested that the intracuff
      pressure be maintained at <=30 cmH2 O. The current study prospectively assesses
      the changes in intracuff pressure related to alterations in head and neck
      position in pediatric patients. METHODS: Patients less than 18 years of age,
      undergoing surgery, requiring endotracheal intubation with a cuffed ETT were
      eligible for inclusion. No alteration in the technique of anesthetic induction or
      maintenance was required for the study. Following endotracheal intubation and
      inflation of the cuff with the head and neck in a neutral position, the intracuff
      pressure was measured. The intracuff pressure was then subsequently measured with
      the head turned to the right, head turned to the left, head and neck flexed, and
      head and neck extended. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included in the
      study resulting in a total of 1000 intracuff pressure readings. When compared to
      the neutral position, the intracuff pressure increased in 545 instances (68.1%)
      with changes in position of the head and neck. An increase in intracuff pressure
      was noted more frequently and to the greatest degree with head and neck flexion.
      The pressure decreased in 153 instances (19.1%), most frequently with neck
      extension. CONCLUSION: Significant changes in the intracuff pressure occur with
      changes in head and neck position. In several cases, this resulted in a
      significant increase in the intracuff pressure. For prolonged cases with the head
      and neck turned from the neutral position, the intracuff pressure should be
      measured following patient positioning to ensure that the intracuff pressure is
      within the clinically recommended range.

PMID- 24238106
TI  - The American Journal of Reproductive Immunology: last printed issue.

PMID- 24238107
TI  - Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for repeated IVF/ICSI failure and
      unexplained infertility: a systematic review and a meta-analysis.
AB  - Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been introduced empirically into IVF/ICSI
      programs with the hopes of improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) success.
      However, the effects of IVIG have been inconsistent. We investigated the effects
      of IVIG on hard outcomes, including implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate,
      live birth rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate per embryo transferred.
      The PubMed, EMBASE, and CNKI databases were searched up to June of 2013 and 10
      studies were included. Case-controlled studies comparing IVIG with placebo in
      IVF/ICSI women and/or unexplained infertility were included. Using fixed and
      random effects models, the pooled risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs) were calculated. The use of IVIG was significantly associated with a higher
      implantation rate and RR was 2.708 (95%CI: 1.302-5.629) compared with the
      placebo. The clinical pregnancy rate and the live birth rate were significantly
      increased in patients randomized to IVIG; RR was 1.475 (95%CI: 1.191-1.825) for
      the clinical pregnancy rate and RR was 1.616 (95%CI: 1.243-2.101) for the live
      birth rate. Moreover, the miscarriage rate was significantly less in patients
      randomized to IVIG (0.352, 95%CI: 0.168-0.738), but the live birthrate per embryo
      transferred was not (2.893; 95%CI: 0.810-10.331) less. Our results strongly
      support that IVIG is a useful treatment option for women undergoing repeated IVF
      failure. 

PMID- 24238109
TI  - [Epidemiology of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer in the period 1988-2012 in
      the material of the Otolaryngology Clinic of the Bialystok Medical University].
AB  - Malignant tumour is the second cause of death in Poland, behind cardiovascular
      disease. 26% of men and 23% of women die of it. Head and neck tumours are the
      fifth most frequent group of malignant tumours. These are mostly squamous cell
      carcinomas. The carcinogenic factors of tobacco smoke play an indisputable role
      in the pathogenesis of these tumours. AIM OF WORK: Analysis comprising: number of
      patients, sex and age, site and stage of the primary tumour (T), clinical
      assessment of neck lymph nodes (N). The results underwent statistical analysis.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 1313 patients who underwent surgery in
      the period 1988-2012 in the Otolaryngology Clinic in Bialystok (1199 men and 114
      women, aged 32-86 years). RESULTS: In the study group the proportion of men was
      91.3% and women 8.7%. Histopathological verification confirmed squamous cell
      carcinomas in 99%. The primary tumour was most often located in the supraglottic
      area of the larynx (48.0%) and its clinical stage was T3 (33.5%). T1 tumours were
      statistically significantly more frequently found in the glottis and T4 tumours -
      in the hypopharynx and in the transglottic area. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
      were found in 52.4% of the patients, most often N2 (37.4%). The highest
      percentage of patients with lymph node reaction was found in the youngest group
      (76.6%) and the lowest - in the eldest group (30.0%). Swollen lymph nodes were
      statistically relevantly more frequent in patients with supraglottic or
      hypopharynx tumour.

PMID- 24238108
TI  - IL-23 induces IL-22 and IL-17 production in response to Chlamydia muridarum
      genital tract infection, but the absence of these cytokines does not influence
      disease pathogenesis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Chlamydia trachomatis infections are a significant cause of
      reproductive tract pathology. Protective and pathological immune mediators must
      be differentiated to design a safe and effective vaccine. METHODS: Wild-type mice
      and mice deficient in IL-22 and IL-23 were infected intravaginally with Chlamydia
      muridarum, and their course of infection and oviduct pathology were compared.
      Local genital tract and draining lymph node immune responses were also examined
      in IL-23-deficient mice. RESULTS: IL-22- and IL-23-deficient mice exhibited
      normal susceptibility to infection and oviduct pathology. IL-23 was required for
      the development of a Chlamydia-specific Th17 response in the lymph nodes and for
      production of IL-22 and IL-17 in the genital tract. However, influx of Th1 and
      innate immune cells was not compromised in the absence of IL-23. CONCLUSION: IL
      22 and IL-23 play either redundant or minimal roles in the pathogenesis of
      Chlamydia infection in the mouse model. Induction of Th17-associated cytokines by
      a Chlamydia vaccine should be avoided as these responses are not central to
      resolution of infection and have pathologic potential.

PMID- 24238110
TI  - [The treatment of malignant neoplasms of the external ear canal and temporal bone
      in the Department of Otolaryngology and Oncological Laryngology in Bydgoszcz].
AB  - INTRODUCTION, MATERIAL AND METHODS, AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluation of the methods
      and results of treatment of 19 cases of malignant tumors of the external auditory
      meatus and/or temporal bone was performed. RESULTS: In 10 cases planoepithelial
      carcinoma was diagnosed; in 7 cases basocellulare carcinoma; in 1 case
      rhabdomyosarcoma; and in 1 case malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor were
      histopathologically established. In stage T1 were 8 cases, in T2 - 7, in T3 - 1
      and in T4 3 patients were stated based upon clinical and radiological (HRCT and
      MRI) examination. Three patients in T4 stage were qualified to palliative
      therapy. In 2 cases radical mastoidectomy was performed, 8 patients underwent
      partial temporal bone resection. In 6 cases removal of cartilaginous and osseous
      external auditory meatus was done. In 9 cases local recurrence of tumor was
      observed during 2 years after surgery. The last 7 cases are under oncological
      observation. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion we stressed that patients with malignant
      tumors of this region are treated in late stages of the disease; it is a main
      cause of poor diagnosis.

PMID- 24238111
TI  - [Evaluation of results of using new Baha((r)) abutment and new surgical technique
      without soft tissue reduction].
AB  - The aim of this study is the evaluation of results of using new Baha abutment
      covered by hydroxyapatite (Baha((r)) BA400, Cochlear Ltd.) which enables new
      surgical technique without soft tissue reduction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The
      results of treatment of 9 adult patients were compared with results of 126
      patients implanted earlier by standard technique with soft tissue reduction.
      RESULTS: In analyzed group we find: slight shortening of time of surgery, similar
      results of implant stability (RFA) before sound processor connection, very good
      cosmetic results in 6 patients, some soft tissue overhanging in 2 and retraction
      pocket formation and inflammation (Holgers 2) in 1, no numbness and pain in
      operated area in all operated. CONCLUSIONS: New Baha abutment covered by
      hydroxyapatite (Baha((r)) BA400) enables to safely use new surgical technique
      without soft tissue reduction. In authors' opinion the most important benefit
      from this technique is limited bleeding during operation, reduction of using of
      coagulation and less risk of lesion of nerves and numbness or pain after
      operation. This technique required less time, but the need of measuring of soft
      tissue and choosing of proper abutment cause longer preoperative time, so the
      time of all procedure is only slightly shorter. The esthetic results and healing
      process confirm the advantage of technique without soft tissue reduction over
      standard technique. However in patients with a thick soft tissue there is a risk
      of soft tissue overhanging, so in such cases it is better to make a partial soft
      tissue reduction.

PMID- 24238112
TI  - [Facial nerve neurinomas].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of diagnostic, surgical technique, treatment results
      facial nerve neurinomas and its comparison with literature was the main purpose
      of this study. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Seven cases of patients (2005-2011) with
      facial nerve schwannomas were included to retrospective analysis in the
      Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Warsaw. All patients were
      assessed with history of the disease, physical examination, hearing tests,
      computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, electronystagmography.
      Cases were observed in the direction of potential complications and recurrences.
      RESULTS: Neurinoma of the facial nerve occurred in the vertical segment (n=2),
      facial nerve geniculum (n=1) and the internal auditory canal (n=4). The symptoms
      observed in patients were analyzed: facial nerve paresis (n=3), hearing loss
      (n=2), dizziness (n=1). Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography
      allowed to confirm the presence of the tumor and to assess its staging.
      Schwannoma of the facial nerve has been surgically removed using the middle fossa
      approach (n=5) and by antromastoidectomy (n=2). Anatomical continuity of the
      facial nerve was achieved in 3 cases. In the twelve months after surgery, facial
      nerve paresis was rated at level II-III degrees  HB. There was no recurrence of
      the tumor in radiological observation. CONCLUSION: Facial nerve neurinoma is a
      rare tumor. Currently surgical techniques allow in most cases, the radical
      removing of the lesion and reconstruction of the VII nerve function. The rate of
      recurrence is low. A tumor of the facial nerve should be considered in the
      differential diagnosis of nerve VII paresis.

PMID- 24238113
TI  - [Response changes of inner ear observed after middle ear surgery].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Relationship beetwen middle ear surgery and function of the inner ear
      is known. This problem is often discussed in determination of hearing improvement
      after otosurgery. AIM: Usefulness of the click evoked otoacoustic emissions
      (CEOAE) in evaluation of the inner ear function and effectiveness of
      tympanoplasties is discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of 70
      individuals operated on middle ear problems was performed. Patients were divided
      into four groups of otosurgeries: stapedoplasty, myringoplasty, type II
      tympanoplasty, type III tympanoplasty. Otoacoustic emissions and pure tones
      audiometry were performed before middle ear surgery and 3 months after ear
      operation. RESULTS: In all established groups improvement in ABG (air bone gap)
      was observed. Improvement of bone conduction thresholds in the ranges of 5dB was
      observed in individuals with otosclerosis and type I and type III tympanoplasty.
      Patients with type II tympanoplasty developed no changes of bone conduction
      threashold after otosurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Behind routine audiometric diagnostics
      otoacoustic emissions can be useful in postoperative evaluation of effectiveness
      of middle ear surgery (especially in patients operated on otosclerosis and in
      individuals with chronic otitis media with intact ossicular chain).

PMID- 24238114
TI  - [Anterior commissure status in patients with larynx cancer].
AB  - AIM OF THE WORK: Assessment of directions and ways of cancer spreading in the
      anterior commissure of the larynx, depending on the tumor location, age, sex of
      patients in a clinical trial and in microscopic serial section study. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: The study included 50 larynx preparations obtained from open partial
      and total laryngectomies (F-7; M-43). For the assessment of larynx anterior
      commissure microscopic status 28 larynx preparations with macroscopic free
      anterior commissure were used. For study of the directions and ways of tumor
      spreading in the anterior commissure served 22 larynx with macroscopic
      infiltration of anterior commissure. Anterior Commissure (AC) and TNM
      classifications was used to determine the location and tumor stage. Larynx
      anterior commissure was extracted and divided into 3 subregions: supraglottic,
      glottic and subglottic. RESULTS: The direction and the way of cancer propagation
      in larynx anterior commissure structures is dependent on morphological changes
      that occur with aging. Cancer spreads in the anterior commissure along the fibers
      anchoring voice muscle within the Broyles ligament and is seen in tumor cells
      microembolism. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cancer of the larynx without
      macroscopically visible neoplastic lesions in the anterior commissure, cannot be
      excluded its microinfilration. Changed with age anterior commissure' Broyles
      ligament by the process of neovascularization and ossification is not an
      effective protection against the spread of cancer. Directions and the ways of
      cancer spread in the anterior commissure is similar in men and women. AC
      classification can be important in qualifying patients for organ preservation
      surgery and should be supplemented by an additional AC4 degree, taking into
      account subglottic changes in the anterior commissure of the larynx.

PMID- 24238115
TI  - Aneurysmal bone cyst of maxilla with ectopic molar tooth - a case report.
AB  - Aneurysmal cysts of bone are rare non-neoplastic, locally aggressive lesion of
      bone with propensity for rapid growth, affecting mainly the long bones and spine.
      It rarely occurs in the head and neck region and within the head and neck
      mandible (especially the molar areas) is common. Aneurysmal cyst of bone
      involving the maxilla in the first decade of life is even rarer. We report a case
      of giant aneurysmal bone cyst of maxilla in eight-year-old male with ectopic
      molar tooth within the cyst. Is endoscopic excision possible? Endoscopic excision
      of the cyst was done successfully and no recurrence was noted even after 1 year
      of follow up. 

PMID- 24238116
TI  - [Laryngeal actinomycosis - a case report and the review of the literature].
AB  - We report a case of a 20-year-old man who presented with discreet dysphagia for
      several months. Indirect laryngoscopy showed a swollen, reddened, thickened
      epiglottis and smooth, thickened, injected mucosa of aryepiglottic folds and
      postcricoid region. Thorough work-up was undertaken to exclude specific and non
      specific infectious diseases, neoplasm, vascular disorders, immunodeficiency
      syndrome. Histology revealed actinomycotic colonies in biopsy specimen taken from
      the epiglottis. The inflammation was resolving gradually during long-term
      antibiotic-therapy. Actinomycosis should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis in unclear long-lasting inflammation of the supraglottis. The course of
      untreated actinomycosis can be fatal which is connected with progressive
      dissemination of the process and secondary abscesses formation in the lungs,
      liver and brain. 

PMID- 24238117
TI  - Humoral and cellular responses to a non-adjuvanted monovalent H1N1 pandemic
      influenza vaccine in hospital employees.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The efficacy of the H1N1 influenza vaccine relies on the induction of
      both humoral and cellular responses. This study evaluated the humoral and
      cellular responses to a monovalent non-adjuvanted pandemic influenza A/H1N1
      vaccine in occupationally exposed subjects who were previously vaccinated with a
      seasonal vaccine. METHODS: Sixty healthy workers from a respiratory disease
      hospital were recruited. Sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were
      obtained prior to and 1 month after vaccination with a non-adjuvanted monovalent
      2009 H1N1 vaccine (Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine Panenza, Sanofi
      Pasteur). Antibody titers against the pandemic A/H1N1 influenza virus were
      measured via hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and microneutralization assays.
      Antibodies against the seasonal HA1 were assessed by ELISA. The frequency of IFN
      gamma-producing cells as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation specific to
      the pandemic virus A/H1N peptides, seasonal H1N1 peptides and seasonal H3N2
      peptides were assessed using ELISPOT and flow cytometry. RESULTS: At baseline,
      6.7% of the subjects had seroprotective antibody titers. The seroconversion rate
      was 48.3%, and the seroprotection rate was 66.7%. The geometric mean titers
      (GMTs) were significantly increased (from 6.8 to 64.9, p < 0.05). Forty-nine
      percent of the subjects had basal levels of specific IFN-gamma-producing T cells
      to the pandemic A/H1N1 peptides that were unchanged post-vaccination. CD4+ T cell
      proliferation in response to specific pandemic A/H1N1 virus peptides was also
      unchanged; in contrast, the antigen-specific proliferation of CD8+ T cells
      significantly increased post-vaccination. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a
      cellular immune response that is cross-reactive to pandemic influenza antigens
      may be present in populations exposed to the circulating seasonal influenza virus
      prior to pandemic or seasonal vaccination. Additionally, we found that the
      pandemic vaccine induced a significant increase in CD8+ T cell proliferation.

PMID- 24238119
TI  - Parastomal hernia is an independent risk factor for incisional hernia in patients
      with end colostomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia (IH) is the most frequent complication after
      abdominal operation, with an incidence of 11-20% and up to 35% in risk groups.
      Known risk groups for IH are abdominal aortic aneurysm and obesity. Our
      hypothesis is that parastomal hernia (PH) might also represent a risk factor for
      developing IH. Identifying risk factors can help determine the need for
      preventive measures such as primary mesh augmentation. METHODS: In a multicenter
      cross-sectional study, all patients who were operated between 2002 and 2010 by
      means of a Hartmann procedure or abdominoperineal resection were invited for a
      follow-up visit to our outpatient clinic. Primary outcome measures were the
      prevalence of IH and PH. All possible risk factors for IH were scored. A physical
      examination was performed and, when available, computed tomography was scored for
      IH and PH. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were seen in the outpatient clinic.
      The median follow-up was 49 months (range, 30-75). IH had a prevalence of 37.1%,
      and PH had a prevalence of 52.3% during physical examination. On CT the
      prevalence was even greater, ie, 48.3% and 52.9%. IH and PH were both present in
      the same patient in 30% of all examined and in 35.6% after CT examination. PH was
      found to be a risk factor for IH on univariate and multivariate logistic
      regression analyses of variance, with an odds ratio of 7.2 (95% confidence
      interval 3.3-15.7). In addition, an emergency operation was found to be a risk
      factor for IH with an odds ratio of 5.8 in the multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION:
      Patients with a PH have a 7 times greater chance of developing an IH compared to
      patients without PH.

PMID- 24238118
TI  - Evaluation of a web-based intervention to reduce antibiotic prescribing for LRTI
      in six European countries: quantitative process analysis of the GRACE/INTRO
      randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance, there is a pressing
      need for worldwide implementation of effective interventions to promote more
      prudent prescribing of antibiotics for acute LRTI. This study is a process
      analysis of the GRACE/INTRO trial of a multifactorial intervention that reduced
      antibiotic prescribing for acute LRTI in six European countries. The aim was to
      understand how the interventions were implemented and to examine effects of the
      interventions on general practitioners' (GPs') and patients' attitudes. METHODS:
      GPs were cluster randomised to one of three intervention groups or a control
      group. The intervention groups received web-based training in either use of the C
      reactive protein (CRP) test, communication skills and use of a patient booklet,
      or training in both. GP attitudes were measured before and after the intervention
      using constructs from the Theory of Planned Behaviour and a Website Satisfaction
      Questionnaire. Effects of the interventions on patients were assessed by a post
      intervention questionnaire assessing patient enablement, satisfaction with the
      consultation, and beliefs about the risks and need for antibiotics. RESULTS: GPs
      in all countries and intervention groups had very positive perceptions of the
      intervention and the web-based training, and felt that taking part had helped
      them to reduce prescribing. All GPs perceived reducing prescribing as more
      important and less risky following the intervention, and GPs in the communication
      groups reported increased confidence to reduce prescribing. Patients in the
      communication groups who received the booklet reported the highest levels of
      enablement and satisfaction and had greater awareness that antibiotics could be
      unnecessary and harmful. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the interventions
      should be broadly acceptable to both GPs and patients, as well as feasible to
      roll out more widely across Europe. There are also some indications that they
      could help to engender changes in GP and patient attitudes that will be helpful
      in the longer-term, such as increased awareness of the potential disadvantages of
      antibiotics and increased confidence to manage LRTI without them. Given the
      positive effects of the booklet on patient beliefs and attitudes, it seems
      logical to extend the use of the patient booklet to all patients.

PMID- 24238120
TI  - The influence of a contemporaneous portal and hepatic artery revascularization
      protocol on biliary complications after liver transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to compare the impact of sequential and contemporaneous
      revascularizations of portal vein and hepatic artery on biliary complications in
      patients undergoing liver transplantation. METHODS: We reviewed 184 patients who
      underwent liver transplantation in our center, and categorized them into
      different groups based on the duration of time between the portal venous and
      hepatic arterial reperfusion: >10 minutes in the sequential portal and hepatic
      artery revascularization group (SPA; n = 56), and within 1 minute in the
      contemporaneous portal and hepatic artery revascularization group (CPA; n =
      121).The other patients with an interval from 1-10 minutes (n = 7) were excluded.
      This study then compared the outcomes between the SPA and CPA groups. RESULTS:
      Cold ischemic time (mean +/- standard deviation) for the SPA and CPA groups were
      561 +/- 150 vs 577 +/- 187 minutes, respectively (P = .53). The incidence of
      biliary complications for the SPA and CPA groups were 14/56 and 11/121,
      respectively (25% vs 9%; P = .005). By the Clavien-Dindo Classification of
      Surgical Complications, the biliary complications in SPA group tended to be more
      severe compared with the CPA group (grade I, 0% vs 0%; II, 14% vs 36%; IIIa, 71%
      vs 64%; IIIb, 7% vs 0%; IV, 7% vs 0%; P = .10). Among biliary complications, the
      incidence of nonanatomic strictures was greater in the SPA group (9% vs 2%; P =
      .03), whereas the difference was not significant for anastomotic strictures (P =
      .054). Except for a lower serum albumin level in the SPA group 1 day after liver
      transplantation (P < .001), there are no differences in post-transplant liver
      function or renal function at 1, 7, and 30 days after transplantation.
      CONCLUSION: The CPA protocol can decrease the incidence of biliary complications
      substantially after liver transplantation and should replace the SPA protocol
      used by some centers in liver transplantation.

PMID- 24238121
TI  - Pre-existing hypercoagulability in patients undergoing potentially curative
      cancer resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is a new point-of-care test
      that allows a rapid and comprehensive evaluation of coagulation. We were among
      the first to show that ROTEM identifies baseline hypercoagulability in 40% of
      patients with intra-abdominal malignancies and that hypercoagulability persists
      for >=1 month after resection. The purpose of this follow-up study was to confirm
      and extend these observations to a larger population in outpatient preoperative
      clinics. The hypothesis is that pre-existing hypercoagulability is present in
      patients undergoing surgery for malignant disease and that coagulation status
      varies by tumor type. METHODS: After informed consent, preoperative blood samples
      were drawn from patients undergoing exploratory laparotomies for intra-abdominal
      malignancies and analyzed with ROTEM. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were enrolled,
      including 72 with a confirmed pathologic diagnosis and 10 age-matched controls
      with benign disease. The most common cancers involved the pancreas (n = 23; 32%),
      esophagus (n = 19; 26%), liver (n = 12; 17%), stomach (n = 7; 10%), and bile
      ducts (n = 5; 7%). Preoperative hypercoagulability was detected in 31% (n = 22);
      these patients were more likely to have lymphovascular invasion (88% vs 50%; P =
      .011), perineural invasion (77% vs 36%; P = .007), and stage III/IV disease (80%
      vs 62%; P = .039). More patients with pancreatic tumors (9/23, 39%) were
      hypercoagulable than with esophageal (3/19, 16%) or liver (2/13, 15%, P = .034)
      tumors. When only resectable malignancies were considered, clot formation was
      more rapid (low clot formation time, high alpha) with enhanced maximum clot
      strength (high maximum clot firmness) in pancreatic versus esophageal or liver
      cancers and in all cancers versus those with benign disease. CONCLUSION:
      Preoperative hypercoagulability can be identified with ROTEM and is associated
      with lymphovascular/perineural invasion and advanced-staged disease in cancer.
      Compared with other tumor types, pancreatic adenocarcinomas have the greatest
      risk for hypercoagulability.

PMID- 24238122
TI  - Increased number of metastatic lymph nodes in adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of
      Vater as a prognostic factor: a proposal of new nodal classification.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the number of metastatic lymph nodes in most
      gastrointestinal carcinomas is correlated inversely with prognosis, the
      prognostic value of the number of metastatic lymph nodes in ampullary
      adenocarcinoma has not been well characterized. METHODS: Lymph node metastasis
      was assessed in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database in 1,057
      ampullary adenocarcinomas that were operatively resected and for which at least
      12 lymph nodes were examined. A complex pattern of survival versus extent of
      lymph node metastasis was captured by censored local regression. The impact of
      the extent of lymph nodes metastasis on survival was investigated by use of the K
      adaptive partitioning algorithm to identify the most significant cut-off points
      of metastatic lymph nodes affecting survival. RESULTS: Two significant cut-off
      points (0 and 2) for the metastatic lymph node segregated patients into 3 groups
      with clinically important differences in median survival: patients with no
      metastatic lymph node (477 cases) had a median survival of 91 months, patients
      with 1-2 metastatic lymph nodes (279 cases) had a median survival of 29 months,
      whereas patients with >=3 metastatic Lymph nodes (301 cases) had a median
      survival of 19 months (P < .0001). These results were validated with additional
      single institution dataset (318 cases, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The present
      results suggest that the nodal classification of ampullary adenocarcinoma should
      be categorized N0 (no metastatic lymph node), N1 (1-2 metastatic lymph nodes),
      and N2 (>=3 metastatic lymph nodes).

PMID- 24238123
TI  - Sporadic nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: prognostic significance
      of incidental diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sporadic nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs)
      are increasingly diagnosed as incidentalomas, and their resection is usually
      recommended. The prognostic significance of this diagnosis feature is poorly
      studied, and management of these tumors remains controversial. Clinical,
      pathologic characteristics and outcome of resected incidentally diagnosed NF-PNET
      (Inc) were compared with resected symptomatic NF-PNET (Symp) to better assess
      their biologic behavior and tailor their management. METHODS: From 1994 to 2010,
      108 patients underwent resection for sporadic nonmetastatic NF-PNET. Diagnosis
      was considered as incidental in patients with no abdominal symptoms or symptoms
      unlikely to be related to tumor mass. Patients with Inc were compared with
      patients with Symp, regarding demographics, postoperative course, pathology, and
      disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: Of the 108 patients, 65 (61%) had
      incidentally diagnosed tumors. Pancreas-sparing pancreatectomies
      (enucleation/central pancreatectomy) were performed more frequently in Inc (62%
      vs 30%, P = .001). Inc tumors were more frequently <20 mm (65% vs 42%, P = .019),
      staged T1 (62% vs 33%, P = .0001), node negative (85% vs 60%; P = .005), and
      grade 1 (66% vs 33%, P = .0001). One postoperative death occurred in the Inc
      group, and postoperative morbidity was similar between the two groups (60% vs
      65%, P = .59). DFS was substantially better in the Inc group (5-year DFS = 92% vs
      82%, P = .0016). CONCLUSION: Incidentally diagnosed NF-PNETs are associated with
      less aggressive features compared with symptomatic lesions but cannot always be
      considered to be benign. Operative resection remains recommended for most.
      Incidentally diagnosed NF-PNET may be good candidates for pancreas-sparing
      pancreatectomies.

PMID- 24238124
TI  - Repeat pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal cancer recurrence in the remnant
      pancreas after initial pancreatectomy: is it worthwhile?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical implications of repeat completion pancreatectomy for
      recurrent pancreatic cancer in the remnant pancreas after initial pancreatectomy
      have not been clarified. We retrospectively analyzed our patients and evaluated
      the clinical implications of repeat pancreatectomy for isolated local recurrence
      in the remnant pancreas after initial resection for pancreatic cancer. METHODS:
      One-hundred seventy patients who had recurrence of pancreatic cancer out of 326
      patients who had initially undergone resection for pancreatic cancer were
      included in this study. Sixty-seven of 170 recurrent patients were diagnosed as
      having isolated local recurrence of pancreatic cancer. Eleven of these 67
      patients with isolated local recurrence only in the remnant pancreas underwent
      repeat pancreatectomy. Characteristics and operative outcomes for these 11
      patients with repeat pancreatectomy were analyzed and evaluated in comparison
      with other recurrent patients. RESULTS: Among 170 patients with recurrence after
      initial resection for pancreatic cancer, the median survival time was 78.2 and
      20.3 months after initial resection, in the repeat pancreatectomy group and the
      unresectable group, respectively (P < .001), and the 2- and 5-year survival
      probability rates after initial resection were 91%, and 82% vs 42%, and 13%,
      respectively. Among 67 patients with isolated local recurrence, the median
      survival time after repeat resection or diagnosis of recurrence was 25.0 and 9.3
      months, and the 2- and 5-year survival probability rates after repeat resection
      or diagnosis of recurrence were and 61% and 46% vs 19% and 6.2% in the repeat
      pancreatectomy group and the unresectable group, respectively (P < .01). There
      was no difference in survivals between the unresectable isolated local recurrence
      group and the unresectable nonlocal recurrence group. CONCLUSION: Repeat
      pancreatectomy might bring about beneficial effects on prognosis in selected
      patients with isolated local recurrence in the remnant pancreas after initial
      pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer without increased operative morbidity or
      mortality.

PMID- 24238125
TI  - Cytoskeleton-associated protein 2 is a potential predictive marker for risk of
      early and extensive recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after operative
      resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: De principe transplantation is an attractive strategy for the
      treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The most important
      issue for this strategy is how to predict the risk of early and extensive
      recurrence. The present study aimed to identify a molecule associated with early
      and extensive recurrence of HCC after resection. METHODS: Differentially
      expressed genes were screened by DNA microarray analysis with the use of 12 HCC
      samples from patients who had different clinical courses based on the timing and
      extent of recurrence after operative resection. Furthermore, the obtained results
      were validated in 60 independent samples by quantitative real-time reverse
      transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was performed to
      assess gene expression at the protein level. RESULTS: Microarray analysis and
      quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed
      cytoskeleton-associated protein 2 (CKAP2) as a candidate gene associated with
      early and extensive recurrence of HCC after resection. This observation was
      confirmed through examination of independent set samples, in which patients with
      greater-level CKAP2 mRNA expression exhibited shorter recurrence-free survival.
      Immunohistochemistry showed CKAP2 protein expression was associated with early
      (<=3 years) and extensive recurrence (beyond Milan criteria) after operative
      resection. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical CKAP2 expression might be a potential
      biologic marker for identifying HCC patients at risk of early and extensive
      recurrence after operative resection.

PMID- 24238126
TI  - Laparoscopic versus open gastrectomy for gastric cancer: long-term oncologic
      results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data are lacking regarding the oncologic safety of laparoscopic
      gastrectomy (LG) for the treatment of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was
      to compare the long-term outcomes of LG with open gastrectomy (OG) for the
      treatment of gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 1,874 patients underwent
      curative distal or total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma between May 2003
      and December 2009 and were included in this retrospective study. Recurrence-free
      survival and recurrence pattern were compared according to each tumor stage, and
      a subgroup analysis was performed in advanced gastric cancer patients who
      underwent D2 lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Of 1,874 patients, 816 were treated with
      OG and 1,058 with LG. No differences were observed in recurrence-free survival
      rates between the LG and the OG groups for any tumor stage. The number of
      harvested lymph nodes was similar between the two groups when analyzed according
      to tumor progression, operative procedure, and extent of lymphadenectomy. There
      were no differences between the 2 groups when we compared recurrence patterns
      after stratifying for tumor stage. The subgroup analysis in advanced gastric
      cancer patients who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy showed that there was no
      difference in the recurrence-free survival rates for any tumor stage between the
      2 groups. Multivariate analysis indicated that the type of operative approach did
      not influence recurrence in either early or advanced gastric cancer patients.
      CONCLUSION: LG for gastric cancer is an oncologically safe procedure with
      comparable long-term outcomes with OG.

PMID- 24238127
TI  - Renoprotective effect of sitagliptin against hypertensive nephropathy induced by
      chronic administration of L-NAME in rats: role of GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor.
AB  - The present study was undertaken to assess the possible protective effects of
      sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4-inhibitor (DPP4), against Nomega-nitro-L
      arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced hypertensive nephropathy in rats.
      Hypertension was induced in adult rats by administration of L-NAME for 6 weeks.
      Rats were treated with sitagliptin (10mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg/day) for six weeks.
      Chronic L-NAME administration resulted in depletion of serum nitric oxide (NO)
      associated with elevation in the mean arterial pressure. When compared with the
      control group; serum urea, serum creatinine, albuminuria, urinary N-acetyl-beta-d
      glucosaminidase (NAG) level and renal tissue malondialdhyde (MDA) content were
      significantly elevated, while creatinine clearance, serum level of glucagon like
      peptide-1 (GLP-1) as well as renal tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
      glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were signifcantly decreased in L-NAME
      treated group. Renal expression of mRNA for eNOS and GLP-1 receptors were reduced
      in the L-NAME treated group as compared with the control group. Treatment with
      sitagliptin (10mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) successfully ameliorated the deleterious
      effects of L-NAME on the all tested parameters. Our study indicates a novel
      protective effect of sitagliptin against L-NAME induced hypertensive nephropathy.
      An effect which is mediated through, increasing serum level of GLP-1,
      upregulation of GLP-1 receptors, which in turn, lead to induction of expression
      eNOS, increased serum NO level, tandem with decreased lipid perodixation and
      restore the antioxidant defense mechanisms. It is worth mentioning that the
      effects produced by sitaglipin (30 mg/kg) were superior to the effects obtained
      by the lower dose.

PMID- 24238128
TI  - MR imaging techniques of the bowel.
AB  - Due to advances in technology, magnetic resonance is an increasingly popular
      method for evaluating the small bowel and colon because of the lack of radiation,
      wealth of information provided by the images, and growing demand from
      gastroenterologists, surgeons, and oncologists. Careful attention to proper
      technique, however, is necessary to obtain high-quality images. Factors that need
      to be considered for successful magnetic resonance of the bowel include method
      for administration of oral or rectal contrast, patient positioning, need for
      antiperistaltic medication, and imaging sequences and planes. 

PMID- 24238129
TI  - MR imaging of the small bowel in Crohn disease.
AB  - MR enterography has an established role in evaluating patients with Crohn disease
      providing essential complementary information to clinical assessment, and as an
      indispensible adjunct to clinical tools such as colonoscopy. MR enterography
      examinations can establish the diagnosis of Crohn disease, evaluate disease
      activity and complications, and assess treatment response, thus providing support
      for clinical decision-making. Currently, MR imaging findings are highly
      predictive of tissue inflammation and can be used clinically to guide clinical
      care. 

PMID- 24238130
TI  - MR colonography in inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - MR colonography has a high diagnostic accuracy for detecting Crohn disease (CD)
      activity and determining the extent and severity of lesions. In the setting of
      stricturing CD, MR colonography can provide a detailed map of the lesions, which
      is useful for clinical decision making. MR colonography can be used as an
      alternative to conventional colonoscopy in the setting of CD, or as a
      complementary tool in selected patients with ulcerative colitis. This article
      reviews the spectrum of MR colonography findings in colonic inflammatory bowel
      disease and discusses the potential applications and limitations of MR
      colonography. 

PMID- 24238131
TI  - New magnetic resonance imaging modalities for Crohn disease.
AB  - Magnetic resonance (MR) enterography has an increasing role in the evaluation of
      the small bowel in patients with Crohn disease. MR enterography is accurate for
      disease assessment and can influence the choice of therapy. Functional sequences
      may increase the role of MR enterography in Crohn disease. Techniques such as
      high-resolution MR enterography, diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast
      enhanced MR imaging, magnetization transfer, and MR motility imaging may allow
      better assessment of disease extent, activity, and severity. Quantitative
      analysis using these advanced techniques as well as the standard techniques may
      provide methods for evaluating and following the disease in the future. 

PMID- 24238132
TI  - Noninflammatory conditions of the small bowel.
AB  - Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been playing an evolving role in evaluating
      noninflammatory small-bowel conditions, such as tumors and malabsorption
      syndrome. MR imaging has shown to be superior to other diagnostic methods in
      identifying tumors of the small bowel. MR enterography and MR enteroclysis are
      both valid for studying noninflammatory conditions of the small intestine,
      although MR enteroclysis may be considered the modality of choice because of its
      accuracy in the diagnosis of small-bowel neoplasms. Intraluminal and extraluminal
      MR findings, combined with contrast-agent enhancement and functional information,
      help to make an accurate diagnosis and consequently to characterize small-bowel
      diseases. 

PMID- 24238133
TI  - Magnetic resonance colonography for screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
AB  - Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in
      Europe and the United States, and a major cause of mortality. Early detection of
      colorectal cancer and its precursors reduces mortality and morbidity, and a
      minimally invasive screening tool is essential for high patient acceptance and
      participation. To achieve this goal, computed tomographic colonography and
      magnetic resonance (MR) colonography have been introduced. A wide variety of
      methods of bowel preparation, colon distension, and imaging exists for MR
      colonography. This article presents an up-to-date overview of the status of MR
      colonography in screening for colorectal cancer, and its diagnosis. 

PMID- 24238134
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging of rectal and anal cancer.
AB  - Magnetic resonance imaging plays a pivotal role in the imaging and staging of
      rectal and anal carcinomas. Rectal adenocarcinomas and anal squamous cell
      carcinomas behave differently, and are staged and treated differently. This
      article attempts to explain these 2 entities, which share the same regions of
      interest, in a comprehensive manner. 

PMID- 24238135
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging of perianal fistulas.
AB  - Perianal fistulization is the result of a chronic inflammation of the perianal
      tissues. A wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from simple to
      complex fistulas, can be seen, the latter especially in patients with Crohn
      disease. Failure to detect secondary tracks and hidden abscesses may lead to
      therapeutic failure, such as insufficient response to medical treatment and
      relapse after surgery. Currently, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the
      preferred technique for evaluating perianal fistulas and associated
      complications. Initially used most often in the preoperative setting, MR imaging
      now also plays an important role in evaluating the response to medical therapy. 

PMID- 24238137
TI  - Bowel imaging.

PMID- 24238138
TI  - Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma involving the gastrointestinal tract:
      analysis of clinical features and outcomes from the Asia Lymphoma Study Group.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the most common extranasal
      sites in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL). However, data regarding ENKTL
      involving the GI tract are relatively scarce. Thus, we performed a multicenter,
      multinational retrospective study to analyze clinical features and treatment
      outcomes of ENKTL involving the GI tract. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with
      ENKTL involving the GI tract diagnosed in twelve participating centers between
      1991 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed from five Asian countries. RESULTS:
      The analysis of 81 patients with ENKTL involving the GI tract revealed that more
      than 60% of patients presented as advanced disease with B symptoms. 55 patients
      (68%) had GI manifestations including abdominal pain (n = 26, 32%), GI tract
      bleeding (n = 17, 21%) and bowel perforation (n = 12, 15%). The most common GI
      site was the small intestine, including the jejunum and ileum (n = 57, 70.3%).
      There were 34 patients (42%) who received systemic chemotherapy while 33 patients
      (41%) underwent surgery plus chemotherapy. However, 35 patients (43%) died due to
      disease progression, and treatment-related mortality including sepsis occurred in
      17 patients (21%). Thus, the median overall survival was 7.8 months (95%
      Confidence interval: 3.9 - 11.7 months). Patients who could undergo surgery plus
      chemotherapy showed a trend of better survival than those treated with
      chemotherapy alone. CONCLUSION: Overall, the data indicated that ENKTL involving
      the GI tract has a dismal prognosis despite active treatment including
      chemotherapy and surgery. Thus, more effective treatment strategies are required
      for this disease entity.

PMID- 24238139
TI  - Bacterial communities and syntrophic associations involved in anaerobic oxidation
      of methane process of the Sonora Margin cold seeps, Guaymas Basin.
AB  - SUMMARY: The Sonora Margin cold seeps present on the seafloor a patchiness
      pattern of white microbial mats surrounded by polychaete and gastropod beds.
      These surface assemblages are fuelled by abundant organic inputs sedimenting from
      the water column and upward-flowing seep fluids. Elevated microbial density was
      observed in the underlying sediments. A previous study on the same samples
      identified anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) as the potential dominant
      archaeal process in these Sonora Margin sediments, probably catalysed by three
      clades of archaeal anaerobic methanotrophs (ANME-1, ANME-2 and ANME-3) associated
      with bacterial syntrophs. In this study, molecular surveys and microscopic
      observations investigating the diversity of Bacteria involved in AOM process, as
      well as the environmental parameters affecting the composition and the
      morphologies of AOM consortia in the Sonora Margin sediments were carried out.
      Two groups of Bacteria were identified within the AOM consortia, the
      Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus SEEP SRB-1a group and a Desulfobulbus-related group.
      These bacteria showed different niche distributions, association specificities
      and consortia architectures, depending on sediment surface communities,
      geochemical parameters and ANME-associated phylogeny. Therefore, the syntrophic
      AOM process appears to depend on sulphate-reducing bacteria with different
      ecological niches and/or metabolisms, in a biofilm-like organic matrix.

PMID- 24238141
TI  - Be a professional philanthropist.

PMID- 24238142
TI  - It takes a village to communicate the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and
      MyPlate.

PMID- 24238140
TI  - Asymmetric segregation of template DNA strands in basal-like human breast cancer
      cell lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Stem or progenitor cells from healthy tissues have the
      capacity to co-segregate their template DNA strands during mitosis. Here, we set
      out to test whether breast cancer cell lines also possess the ability to
      asymmetrically segregate their template DNA strands via non-random chromosome co
      segregation, and whether this ability correlates with certain properties
      attributed to breast cancer stem cells (CSCs). We quantified the frequency of
      asymmetric segregation of template DNA strands in 12 human breast cancer cell
      lines, and correlated the frequency to molecular subtype, CD44+/CD24-/lo
      phenotype, and invasion/migration ability. We tested if co-culture with human
      mesenchymal stem cells, which are known to increase self-renewal, can alter the
      frequency of asymmetric segregation of template DNA in breast cancer. RESULTS: We
      found a positive correlation between asymmetric segregation of template DNA and
      the breast cancer basal-like and claudin-low subtypes. There was an inverse
      correlation between asymmetric segregation of template DNA and Her2 expression.
      Breast cancer samples with evidence of asymmetric segregation of template DNA had
      significantly increased invasion and borderline significantly increased migration
      abilities. Samples with high CD44+/CD24-/lo surface expression were more likely
      to harbor a consistent population of cells that asymmetrically segregated its
      template DNA; however, symmetric self-renewal was enriched in the CD44+/CD24-/lo
      population. Co-culturing breast cancer cells with human mesenchymal stem cells
      expanded the breast CSC pool and decreased the frequency of asymmetric
      segregation of template DNA. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer cells within the basal
      like subtype can asymmetrically segregate their template DNA strands through non
      random chromosome segregation. The frequency of asymmetric segregation of
      template DNA can be modulated by external factors that influence expansion or
      self-renewal of CSC populations. Future studies to uncover the underlying
      mechanisms driving asymmetric segregation of template DNA and dictating cell fate
      at the time of cell division may explain how CSCs are maintained in tumors.

PMID- 24238143
TI  - Setting strategic direction for complex publicly funded foodservice systems:
      application of multicriteria decision analysis.

PMID- 24238144
TI  - Perspectives about family meals from single-headed and dual-headed households: a
      qualitative analysis.
AB  - Cross-sectional and longitudinal research has shown that family meals are
      protective for adolescent healthful eating behaviors. However, little is known
      about what parents think of these findings and whether parents from single- vs
      dual-headed households have differing perspectives about the findings. In
      addition, parents' perspectives regarding barriers to applying the findings on
      family meals in their own homes and suggestions for more widespread adoption of
      the findings are unknown. The current study aimed to identify single- and dual
      headed household parents' perspectives regarding the research findings on family
      meals, barriers to applying the findings in their own homes, and suggestions for
      helping families have more family meals. The current qualitative study included
      59 parents who participated in substudy of two linked multilevel studies-EAT 2010
      (Eating and Activity in Teens) and Families and Eating and Activity in Teens (F
      EAT). Parents (91.5% female) were racially/ethnically and socioeconomically
      diverse. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results from the
      current study suggest that parents from both single- and dual-headed households
      have similar perspectives regarding why family meals are protective for healthful
      eating habits for adolescents (eg, provides structure/routine, opportunities for
      communication, connection), but provide similar and different reasons for
      barriers to family meals (eg, single-headed=cost vs dual-headed=lack of
      creativity) and ideas and suggestions for how to increase the frequency of family
      meals (eg, single-headed=give fewer options vs dual-headed=include children in
      the meal preparation). Findings can help inform public health intervention
      researchers and providers who work with adolescents and their families to
      understand how to approach discussions regarding reasons for having family meals,
      barriers to carrying out family meals, and ways to increase family meals
      depending on family structure. 

PMID- 24238145
TI  - Council on Future Practice Visioning Report and consensus agreement for moving
      forward the continuum of dietetics education, credentialing, and practice.

PMID- 24238146
TI  - Avoiding ethical and legal issues in practice settings.

PMID- 24238147
TI  - What are the current guidelines for pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

PMID- 24238148
TI  - Time-to-diagnosis and symptoms of myeloma, lymphomas and leukaemias: a report
      from the Haematological Malignancy Research Network.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prior to diagnosis, patients with haematological cancers often have
      multiple primary care consultations, resulting in diagnostic delay. They are less
      likely to be referred urgently to hospital and often present as emergencies. We
      examined patient perspectives of time to help-seeking and diagnosis, as well as
      associated symptoms and experiences. METHODS: The UK's Haematological Malignancy
      Research Network (http://www.hmrn.org) routinely collects data on all patients
      newly diagnosed with myeloma, lymphoma and leukaemia (>2000 annually; population
      3.6 million). With clinical agreement, patients are also invited to participate
      in an on-going survey about the circumstances leading to their diagnosis
      (presence/absence of symptoms; type of symptom(s) and date(s) of onset; date
      medical advice first sought (help-seeking); summary of important experiences in
      the time before diagnosis). From 2004-2011, 8858 patients were approached and
      5038 agreed they could be contacted for research purposes; 3329 requested and
      returned a completed questionnaire. The duration of the total interval (symptom
      onset to diagnosis), patient interval (symptom onset to help-seeking) and
      diagnostic interval (help-seeking to diagnosis) was examined by patient
      characteristics and diagnosis. Type and frequency of symptoms were examined
      collectively, by diagnosis and compared to UK Referral Guidelines. RESULTS:
      Around one-third of patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis. In those with
      symptoms, the median patient interval tended to be shorter than the diagnostic
      interval across most diseases. Intervals varied markedly by diagnosis: acute
      myeloid leukaemia being 41 days (Interquartile range (IQR) 17-85), diffuse large
      B-cell lymphoma 98 days (IQR 53-192) and myeloma 163 days (IQR 84-306). Many
      symptoms corresponded to those cited in UK Referral Guidelines, but some were
      rarely reported (e.g. pain on drinking alcohol). By contrast others, absent from
      the guidance, were more frequent (e.g. stomach and bowel problems). Symptoms such
      as tiredness and pain were common across all diseases, although some specificity
      was evident by sub-type, such as lymphadenopathy in lymphoma and bleeding and
      bruising in acute leukaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Pathways to diagnosis are varied and
      can be unacceptably prolonged, particularly for myeloma and some lymphomas. More
      evidence is needed, along with interventions to reduce time-to-diagnosis, such as
      public education campaigns and GP decision-making aids, as well as refinement of
      existing Referral Guidelines.

PMID- 24238149
TI  - Acute dyskinesia, myoclonus, and akathisa in an adolescent male abusing
      quetiapine via nasal insufflation: a case study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the benefits of antipsychotic pharmacotherapy can be
      pronounced, many patients develop unwanted adverse effects including a variety of
      movement disorders. Compared with the traditional antipsychotics, the atypical
      antipsychotics have a decreased risk for associated movement disorders. Drug
      induced movement disorders can occur, however, and the risk of adverse events can
      increase significantly when medications are abused. CASE PRESENTATION: We
      describe the case of a 13-year-old male who presented to an emergency department
      with acute movement disorders after nasal insufflation of crushed quetiapine. The
      patient was admitted and successfully treated for neuroleptic toxicity with
      intravenous antihistamine pharmacotherapy. His primary care provider and
      psychiatrist were notified of the abuse, quetiapine was discontinued, and the
      patient was discharged and referred to a drug and alcohol awareness and abuse
      program. CONCLUSIONS: The abuse of quetiapine has unfortunately become more
      common. This unique case report of acute movement disorders following nasal
      insufflation of quetiapine highlights the need for heightened vigilance when
      prescribing quetiapine and for increased awareness and education regarding
      medication-abuse.

PMID- 24238151
TI  - Pre-eclampsia affects cord blood NK cell expression of activation receptors and
      serum cytokine levels but not CB monocyte characteristics.
AB  - PROBLEM: Maternal immunopathology in pre-eclampsia is well studied; however, less
      is known regarding the immunological effects on the newborns. Increased
      inflammation and activation of immune cells at the fetal-maternal interface in
      pre-eclampsia could influence the neonatal immune compartment. METHOD OF STUDY:
      Monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells from cord blood (CB) of children with pre
      eclamptic or healthy mothers were analyzed by flow cytometry for surface markers
      and intracellular cytokines. In addition, serum cytokine profiles were
      investigated using ELISA or cytometric bead array. RESULTS: Neonates born to pre
      eclamptic mothers had an inflammatory serum cytokine profile. While CB monocyte
      characteristics seemed unaffected, CB NK cells from pre-eclamptic pregnancies had
      higher NKp30, but borderline lower NKG2D expression. CONCLUSION: In utero
      inflammatory priming of neonatal innate immunity taking place in pre-eclamptic
      pregnancies might influence specific NK cell functions in newborns.

PMID- 24238150
TI  - Predicting tissue specific transcription factor binding sites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies of gene regulation often utilize genome-wide predictions of
      transcription factor (TF) binding sites. Most existing prediction methods are
      based on sequence information alone, ignoring biological contexts such as
      developmental stages and tissue types. Experimental methods to study in vivo
      binding, including ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq, can only study one transcription
      factor in a single cell type and under a specific condition in each experiment,
      and therefore cannot scale to determine the full set of regulatory interactions
      in mammalian transcriptional regulatory networks. RESULTS: We developed a new
      computational approach, PIPES, for predicting tissue-specific TF binding. PIPES
      integrates in vitro protein binding microarrays (PBMs), sequence conservation and
      tissue-specific epigenetic (DNase I hypersensitivity) information. We demonstrate
      that PIPES improves over existing methods on distinguishing between in vivo bound
      and unbound sequences using ChIP-seq data for 11 mouse TFs. In addition, our
      predictions are in good agreement with current knowledge of tissue-specific TF
      regulation. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a systematic map of computationally predicted
      tissue-specific binding targets for 284 mouse TFs across 55 tissue/cell types.
      Such comprehensive resource is useful for researchers studying gene regulation.

PMID- 24238152
TI  - Sodium thiosulfate for the treatment of calcinosis secondary to juvenile
      dermatomyositis.
AB  - We report the successful use of sodium thiosulfate in a patient with juvenile
      dermatomyositis complicated by ulcerative skin disease and progressive
      calcinosis. This therapy may have a role in improving calcinosis, even if more
      studies are necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of this treatment in
      juvenile dermatomyositis-related calcinosis. 

PMID- 24238153
TI  - Pediatric brainstem gangliogliomas show BRAF(V600E) mutation in a high percentage
      of cases.
AB  - Brainstem gangliogliomas (GGs), often cannot be resected, have a much poorer
      prognosis than those located in more common supratentorial sites and may benefit
      from novel therapeutic approaches. Therapeutically targetable BRAF c.1799T>A
      (p.V600E) (BRAF(V600E) ) mutations are harbored in roughly 50% of collective GGs
      taken from all anatomical sites. Large numbers of pediatric brainstem GGs,
      however, have not been specifically assessed and anatomic-and age-restricted
      assessment of genetic and biological factors are becoming increasingly important.
      Pediatric brainstem GGs (n = 13), non-brainstem GGs (n = 11) and brainstem
      pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) (n = 8) were screened by standard Sanger DNA
      sequencing of BRAF exon 15. Five of 13 (38%) pediatric GG harbored a definitive
      BRAF(V600E) mutation, with two others exhibiting an equivocal result by this
      method. BRAF(V600E) was also seen in five of 11 (45%) non-brainstem GGs and one
      of eight (13%) brainstem PAs. VE1 immunostaining for BRAF(V600E) showed
      concordance with sequencing in nine of nine brainstem GGs including the two cases
      equivocal by Sanger. The equivocal brainstem GGs were subsequently shown to
      harbor BRAF(V600E) using a novel, more sensitive, RNA-sequencing approach,
      yielding a final BRAF(V600E) mutation frequency of 54% (seven of 13) in brainstem
      GGs. BRAF(V600E) -targeted therapeutics should be a consideration for the high
      percentage of pediatric brainstem GGs refractory to conventional therapies.

PMID- 24238155
TI  - American Academy of Dermatology Choosing Wisely List: helping dermatologists and
      their patients make smart decisions about their care and treatment.

PMID- 24238154
TI  - Subconjunctival hibernoma in a dog.
AB  - A 10-year-old, castrated male, German Shepherd mixed-breed dog was presented to
      Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center for evaluation of a
      subconjunctival swelling in the ventral fornix of the left orbit. The owner
      elected to pursue excision of the mass 2 years after initial consultation
      following a sudden change in the size and color of the lesion. An excisional
      biopsy was performed, and the mass along with its associated capsule were
      submitted to the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin for
      histopathologic evaluation, which confirmed the diagnosis of a hibernoma.
      Fourteen months following excision, the patient showed no evidence of tumor
      regrowth.

PMID- 24238156
TI  - Meta-analysis of psoriasis, cardiovascular disease, and associated risk factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The possible connection between psoriasis with cardiovascular disease
      and associated risk factors has been implied, but inconsistent results have been
      reported. OBJECTIVE: We sought to create an overview and statistical summary of
      the previous literature with elucidating subgroup analysis. METHODS: This was a
      meta-analysis of observational studies using random effect statistics. A
      systematic search of observational studies of psoriasis as study variable and
      cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors as outcome, published before
      October 25, 2012, was conducted. RESULTS: Of 835 references in the original
      search, 75 relevant articles were identified. We included 503,686 cases and
      29,686,694 controls. Psoriasis was associated with cardiovascular disease in
      total (odds ratio [OR] 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-1.7), ischemic heart
      disease (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2-1.9), peripheral vascular disease (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2
      1.8), atherosclerosis (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.1-1.2), diabetes (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.5
      2.5), hypertension (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.6-2.0), dyslipidemia (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.4
      1.7), obesity by body mass index (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.4-2.2), obesity by abdominal
      fat (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.3), and the metabolic syndrome (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2
      2.8), but not associated with cerebrovascular disease (OR 1.1; 95% CI 0.9-1.3)
      and cardiovascular mortality (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.4-2.2). The strongest associations
      were seen in hospital-based studies and psoriatic arthritis. Population-based
      studies did not show significant associations, with the exception of
      dyslipidemia. LIMITATIONS: The heterogeneity of the studies makes clinical
      interpretation challenging. CONCLUSIONS: In aggregate, psoriasis was associated
      with ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors. The association was
      only significant for hospital-based studies, except for dyslipidemia, which was
      also significant in population-based studies.

PMID- 24238157
TI  - The modern minor: consent and decision-making in pediatric dermatology.

PMID- 24238158
TI  - Dermatologists' blind side: the ethical implications of in-house dermatopathology
      laboratories.

PMID- 24238159
TI  - Guidelines of care for the management of primary cutaneous melanoma.

PMID- 24238160
TI  - Mortality after dermatologic surgery for nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients aged
      80 years and older.

PMID- 24238161
TI  - Life expectancy after Mohs micrographic surgery in patients aged 80 years and
      older.

PMID- 24238162
TI  - Possible reconsideration of the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score.

PMID- 24238163
TI  - Follicular mucinosis in childhood.

PMID- 24238164
TI  - Invited reply to "Possible reconsideration of the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index
      (NAPSI) score".

PMID- 24238165
TI  - Primum non nocere, or treat the patient, not the disease.

PMID- 24238166
TI  - Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome: a picture is
      worth a thousand words.

PMID- 24238167
TI  - Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome and toxic
      epidermal necrolysis: an uncommon confounding oral mucosal overlap.

PMID- 24238168
TI  - Dysphagia, a major early manifestation in DRESS syndrome.

PMID- 24238169
TI  - Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome and
      dysphagia: a noteworthy association.

PMID- 24238170
TI  - The protective effect of sunscreens, vitamin E 6% cream, and betamethasone 0.1%
      cream on solar-simulating radiation-induced erythema and neutrophil influx.

PMID- 24238171
TI  - Using a diagnostic score when reporting the long-term sequelae of the drug
      reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome.

PMID- 24238172
TI  - Reply to: "Using a diagnostic score when reporting the long-term sequelae of the
      drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms".

PMID- 24238173
TI  - Scleromyxedema: a novel therapeutic approach.

PMID- 24238174
TI  - Liposuction for axillary hyperhidrosis.

PMID- 24238175
TI  - Emperipolesis is not pathognomonic for Rosai-Dorfman disease: rhinoscleroma
      mimicking Rosai-Dorfman disease, a clinical series.

PMID- 24238176
TI  - Dermatology urgent care clinic: a survey of referring physician satisfaction.

PMID- 24238177
TI  - Acrylic nail curing UV lamps: high-intensity exposure warrants further research
      of skin cancer risk.

PMID- 24238178
TI  - Intralesional interferon alfa-2b for refractory, recurrent squamous cell
      carcinoma of the face.

PMID- 24238179
TI  - Photoprotection: part I. Photoprotection by naturally occurring, physical, and
      systemic agents.
AB  - The acute and chronic consequences of ultraviolet radiation on human skin are
      reviewed. An awareness of variations in naturally occurring photoprotective
      agents and the use of glass, sunglasses, and fabric can lead to effective
      protection from the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiation. New systemic
      agents, including Polypodium leucotomos, afamelanotide, and antioxidants have
      potential as photoprotective agents. 

PMID- 24238180
TI  - Photoprotection: part II. Sunscreen: development, efficacy, and controversies.
AB  - In addition to the naturally occurring, physical, and systemic photoprotective
      agents reviewed in part I, topical ultraviolet radiation filters are an important
      cornerstone of photoprotection. Sunscreen development, efficacy, testing, and
      controversies are reviewed in part II of this continuing medical education
      article. 

PMID- 24238183
TI  - Dermoscopy of giant molluscum contagiosum.

PMID- 24238184
TI  - Chronic pruritic nipple in a 75-year-old woman.

PMID- 24238185
TI  - At-home chiropody as an alternative/complementary treatment for palmoplantar
      keratoderma.

PMID- 24238186
TI  - Allergic contact dermatitis caused by a blood pressure cuff.

PMID- 24238187
TI  - Fixed drug eruption occurring in vitiliginous skin.

PMID- 24238188
TI  - Toxic epidermal necrolysis-like acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus successfully
      treated with a single dose of etanercept: report of three cases.

PMID- 24238189
TI  - Bowen disease of the vulva successfully treated with intraarterial infusion
      chemotherapy.

PMID- 24238190
TI  - Onychomadesis during bullous pemphigoid.

PMID- 24238191
TI  - Comedonal Darier disease: report of 2 cases.

PMID- 24238192
TI  - Papular xanthomas with destructive arthritis.

PMID- 24238193
TI  - ER/PR positive epidermotropic primary cutaneous eccrine carcinoma as a cutaneous
      manifestation of MEN 2B.

PMID- 24238194
TI  - Extended eosinophilic pustular folliculitis with reactive bone marrow
      hypereosinophilia responsive to combined treatment with indomethacin, dapsone,
      and narrow-band UVB phototherapy.

PMID- 24238195
TI  - Intralymphatic histiocytosis in association with severe osteoarthritis of the
      shoulder.

PMID- 24238196
TI  - Cutaneous plasmablastic lymphoma in a nonimmunocompromised patient.

PMID- 24238197
TI  - Use of alternative and complementary therapies in labor and delivery care: a
      cross-sectional study of midwives' training in Catalan hospitals accredited as
      centers for normal birth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and
      complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) during pregnancy is increasing.
      Scientific evidence for CAM and CAT in the field of obstetrics mainly covers pain
      relief in labor. Midwives are responsible for labor and delivery care: hence,
      their knowledge of CAM and CAT is important. The aims of this study are to
      describe the professional profile of midwives who provide care for natural
      childbirth in Catalan hospitals accredited as centers for normal birth, to assess
      midwives' level of training in CAT and their use of these therapies, and to
      identify specific resources for CAT in labor wards. METHODS: A descriptive, cross
      sectional, quantitative method was used to assess the level of training and use
      of CAT by midwives working at 28 hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, accredited as
      public normal birth centers. RESULTS: Just under a third of midwives (30.4%)
      trained in CAT after completion of basic training. They trained in an average of
      5.97 therapies (SD 3.56). The number of CAT in which the midwives were trained
      correlated negatively with age (r = - 0.284; p < 0.001) and with their time
      working at the hospital in years (r = - 0.136; p = 0.036). Midwives trained in
      CAT considered that the following therapies were useful or very useful for pain
      relief during labor and delivery: relaxation techniques (64.3%), hydrotherapy
      (84.8%) and the application of compresses to the perineum (75.9%). The
      availability of resources for providing CAT during normal birth care varied
      widely from center to center. CONCLUSIONS: Age may influence attitudes towards
      training. It is important to increase the number of midwives trained in CAM for
      pain relief during childbirth, in order to promote the use of CAT and ensure
      efficiency and safety. CAT resources at accredited hospitals providing normal
      childbirth care should also be standardized.

PMID- 24238198
TI  - Transpositional modification of the posterior auricular pull-through flap: a new
      twist.

PMID- 24238199
TI  - Orthokeratology: does it live up to expectations?

PMID- 24238200
TI  - Myopia control in children through refractive therapy gas permeable contact
      lenses: is it for real?
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of orthokeratology as a nonsurgical
      treatment for myopia in children with alternate methods, such as soft contact
      lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, and spectacles, throughout multiple studies.
      DESIGN: Perspective with literature review. METHODS: Analysis of recent studies
      to determine the safety and effectiveness of orthokeratology versus soft contact
      lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, and spectacles in children. RESULTS: In all
      of the studies reviewed, the use of orthokeratology lenses proved to reduce
      myopia, to improve visual acuity, and, with the exception of the SMART study, to
      reduce the rate of axial elongation. Orthokeratology has been shown to be as
      effective as other methods in treating myopia and to be more effective at
      treating axial elongation. There were no major adverse events in any of the
      studies comparing orthokeratology with other methods of myopia treatment.
      CONCLUSIONS: Studies show that the use of orthokeratology is a safe and
      efficacious nonsurgical treatment for myopia and that it is capable of slowing
      axial elongation, making it an effective myopic treatment for children.

PMID- 24238201
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23876863.

PMID- 24238202
TI  - Surgical results of a muscle transposition procedure for abducens palsy without
      tenotomy and muscle splitting.

PMID- 24238203
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23677137.

PMID- 24238204
TI  - Posterior capsule opacification with the iMics1 NY-60 and AcrySof SN60WF 1-piece
      hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses: 3-year results of a randomized trial.

PMID- 24238205
TI  - Endothelial keratoplasty: prospective, randomized, masked clinical trial
      comparing an injector with forceps for tissue insertion.

PMID- 24238206
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23522354.

PMID- 24238207
TI  - Incidence of pineal gland cyst and pineoblastoma in children with retinoblastoma
      during the chemoreduction era.

PMID- 24238208
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23876864.

PMID- 24238209
TI  - Endophthalmitis isolates and antibiotic susceptibilities: a 10-year review of
      culture-proven cases.

PMID- 24238210
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23540710.

PMID- 24238211
TI  - Antimicrobial activity of untypical lipid compounds in the cuticular and internal
      lipids of four fly species.
AB  - AIMS: This article describes the qualitative and quantitative analyses of
      untypical compounds in the cuticular and internal lipids of four dipteran
      species. For isolated compounds, antimicrobial activity against 18 reference
      strains of bacteria and fungi was determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study,
      gas chromatography (GC) combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to
      analyse the surface and internal compounds of four fly species. Seven untypical
      compounds from both pre-imaginal and imaginal stages of examined insects were
      identified. Azelaic acid (AA) was the most abundant, while phenylacetic and
      phenylpropionic acids occurred in lower concentration. Minor quantities of
      sebacic acid, 2-methyl-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, tocopherol acetate and trace
      amounts of 2,4-decadienal were also detected. Tocopherol acetate was found only
      in cuticular lipids of Musca domestica larvae. Each compound was tested against
      several species of fungi and bacteria by determining minimal inhibitory
      concentration (MIC). Human pathogenic fungi were also investigated.
      Phenylpropionic acid showed the greatest antifungal activity. Bacterial strains
      were insensitive to the presence of identified compounds, apart from 2,4
      decadienal which strongly inhibited bacterial growth. CONCLUSIONS: This is the
      first time that the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of
      untypical compounds in the cuticular and internal lipids of four fly species has
      been analysed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Determination of untypical
      compounds and their antimicrobial activity can effectively contribute to the
      knowledge concerning insect defence mechanisms.

PMID- 24238213
TI  - Late adverse events after enhanced and unenhanced MRI and CT: a prospective
      study.
AB  - Prospective evaluation of frequency of late and very late adverse events in
      patients undergoing enhanced or unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or
      computed tomography (CT). The imaging procedure was performed according to the
      protocols of the department. All patients were contacted 3 days after their
      imaging procedure for the occurrence of late adverse events (LAEs) and a month
      later for the occurrence of very late adverse events (VLAEs) using a structured
      questionnaire. A total of 1042 (71%) among 1473 patients completed both the 3-day
      and 1-month questionnaire. The incidence of LAEs was significantly higher in the
      enhanced MRI (38%) and CT (27%) groups than unenhanced MRI (20%) and CT (16%)
      groups. The frequency of nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain and diarrhoea was
      significantly higher in the enhanced MRI group than in the MRI control group,
      while taste sensation was reported more frequent in the enhanced CT group than in
      the CT control group. The incidence of VLAEs was significantly higher in the
      enhanced CT (21%) than unenhanced CT group (13%). The same LAEs and VLAEs were
      reported in all four groups. LAEs and VLAEs were reported more often in patients
      with allergy in both the enhanced and unenhanced groups. The incidence of LAEs
      and VLAEs was higher in the enhanced groups than in the unenhanced groups. The
      most reported adverse events in the enhanced groups were also reported in the
      unenhanced groups. Patients with allergy reported LAE and VLAE more often. This
      suggests that adverse events may not always be caused by the contrast media. 

PMID- 24238212
TI  - Mek inhibition results in marked antitumor activity against metastatic melanoma
      patient-derived melanospheres and in melanosphere-generated xenografts.
AB  - One of the key oncogenic pathways involved in melanoma aggressiveness,
      development and progression is the RAS/BRAF/MEK pathway, whose alterations are
      found in most patients. These molecular anomalies are promising targets for more
      effective anti-cancer therapies. Some Mek inhibitors showed promising antitumor
      activity, although schedules and doses associated with low systemic toxicity need
      to be defined. In addition, it is now accepted that cancers can arise from and be
      maintained by the cancer stem cells (CSC) or tumor-initiating cells (TIC),
      commonly expanded in vitro as tumorspheres from several solid tumors, including
      melanoma (melanospheres). Here, we investigated the potential targeting of MEK
      pathway by exploiting highly reliable in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical models of
      melanomas based on melanospheres, as melanoma initiating cells (MIC) surrogates.
      MEK inhibition, through PD0325901, provided a successful strategy to affect
      survival of mutated-BRAF melanospheres and growth of wild type-BRAF
      melanospheres. A marked citotoxicity was observed in differentated melanoma cells
      regardless BRAF mutational status. PD0325901 treatment, dramatically inhibited
      growth of melanosphere-generated xenografts and determined impaired tumor
      vascularization of both mutated- and wild type-BRAF tumors, in the absence of
      mice toxicity. These results suggest that MEK inhibition might represent a valid
      treatment option for patients with both mutated- or wild type-BRAF melanomas,
      affecting tumor growth through multiple targets. 

PMID- 24238214
TI  - Effect of Crown to Implant Ratio and Anatomical Crown Length on Clinical
      Conditions in a Single Implant: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the long-term
      influence of the crown-to-implant (C/I) ratio and anatomical crown length on
      clinical conditions around Astra single dental implants placed in the premolar
      and molar regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six subjects were selected from
      patients who had been treated with single Astra implants for replacement of
      missing premolars and molars. The peri-implant marginal bone level change was
      assessed 1 year after functional loading and 6 years after functional loading. To
      predict the peri-implant marginal bone level change using clinical and
      radiographic data, a multiple linear regression model was applied. The Wilcoxon
      rank sum test was used to analyze difference median in technical complications.
      RESULTS: The C/I ratio and anatomical crown length were not associated with peri
      implant marginal bone loss or changes in the bone level at 6 years (p = .48, p =
      .31). However, the modified plaque index, modified sulcus bleeding index, and
      smoking status influenced the peri-implant marginal bone loss (p < .05, r(2)  =
      0.54). In addition, the patient with technical complication group did show
      significantly increased anatomical crown length (p < .05) CONCLUSIONS: The higher
      C/I ratio and anatomical crown length did not increase the risk of peri-implant
      marginal bone loss during 6 years of functional loading. In addition, higher
      anatomical crown lengths are associated with higher technical complications.

PMID- 24238216
TI  - Fatalities in wingsuit BASE jumping.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze fatality data associated with wingsuit use in an
      international case series of fixed-object sport parachuting (BASE jumping) to
      identify incident and injury mechanisms and to form a basis for potential
      prevention measures and future safety recommendations. METHODS: A descriptive
      epidemiological study was performed of fatal injury events occurring in wingsuit
      BASE jumping. Fatalities (n = 180) were sequentially analyzed assessing human,
      equipment, and environmental factors from 1981 to 2011. Main outcome measures
      included descriptions of typical fatal incident and injury mechanisms. RESULTS:
      Of the 180 fatal events, 39 (22%) were related to use of wingsuits; 38 (97%)
      launched from cliffs and 1 (3%) from a building. Of the 39 fatalities, 19 (49%)
      were caused from cliff strikes, 18 (46%) from ground impact, and 1 (3%) from a
      building strike. Thirty-eight (97%) of the fatalities were male. During 2002 to
      2007 there was a total of 61 BASE jumping deaths, 10 (16%) of which were related
      to the use of wingsuits, whereas during 2008 to 2011 there was a total 59 fatal
      events, of which 29 (49%) were related to the use of wingsuits. Seventeen
      fatalities (39%) were attributed to wingsuit path miscalculation. In the first 8
      months of 2013, 17 of 19 (90%) fatalities were wingsuit related. Most fatalities
      occurred between April and October, reflecting a seasonal increase in activity in
      the northern hemisphere summer. CONCLUSIONS: Wingsuit-related BASE jump
      fatalities appear to be increasing as wingsuit BASE jumping increases in
      popularity. Most fatalities are attributed to cliff or ground impact, and are
      mostly the result of flying path miscalculation.

PMID- 24238215
TI  - Profile of infective endocarditis observed from 2003 - 2010 in a single center in
      Italy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to provide a contemporary picture of the
      epidemiologic, clinical, microbiologic characteristics and in-hospital outcome of
      infective endocarditis (IE) observed in a single center in Italy. METHODS: We
      performed a retrospective study of patients with definite or probable IE observed
      at the "L. Sacco" Hospital in Milan, Italy, from January 1, 2003 through December
      31, 2010. RESULTS: 189 episodes of IE in 166 patients were included. The mean
      number of incident IE in the study period was of 1.27 (range 0.59-1.76) cases per
      1000 patients admitted. The median age of the cohort was 57 (interquartile range,
      43-72) years, 63% were male and 62.5% had native valve IE. Twenty-six percent
      were active intravenous drug users (IVDU), 29% had a health care-associated IE
      and 5% chronic rheumatic disease. Twenty-nine percent of the cases occurred in
      patients affected by chronic liver disease and 19% in HIV positive subjects.
      Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (30%), followed by
      streptococci. The mitral (34%) and aortic (31%) valves were involved most
      frequently. The following complications were common: stroke (19%), non-stroke
      embolizations (25%), heart failure (26%) and intracardiac abscess (9%). Surgical
      treatment was frequently employed (52%) but in hospital mortality remained high
      (17%). Health care-associated IE and complications were independently associated
      with an increased risk of in-hospital death, while surgery was associated with
      decreased mortality. CONCLUSION: S. aureus emerged as the leading causative
      organism of IE in a University hospital in northern Italy. Our study confirmed
      the high in-hospital mortality of IE, particularly if health care associated, and
      the protective role of surgery.

PMID- 24238217
TI  - Effect of caffeine intake on finger cold-induced vasodilation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of caffeine
      intake on finger cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD). METHODS: Ten healthy men
      underwent 6 experimental trials characterized by control (NCAFF) or caffeine
      intake (CAFF) via chewing gum (300 mg of caffeine) while resting on a chair or
      performing submaximal (70% maximal oxygen consumption) or maximal (100% maximal
      oxygen consumption) treadmill exercise (Bruce protocol) followed by immersion of
      the middle finger in a water bath (5 degrees C) for 20 minutes. Finger
      temperature (Tf ) and time parameters of the first CIVD cycle and post-test
      norepinephrine were measured. RESULTS: Exercise duration for submaximal and
      maximal exercise was 8.9 +/- 0.9 and 12.4 +/- 0.8 minutes, respectively. CAFF had
      no effect on Tf, but exercise increased minimal Tf in NCAFF (9.08 +/- 1.27
      degrees C, 13.02 +/- 2.13 degrees C, and 13.25 +/- 1.63 degrees C in rest,
      submaximal, and maximal exercise, respectively) and CAFF (8.76 +/- 1.39 degrees
      C, 12.50 +/- 1.91 degrees C, and 12.79 +/- 1.20 degrees C). Maximal Tf was
      significantly higher in NCAFF (15.98 +/- 1.04 degrees C, 16.18 +/- 1.56 degrees
      C, and 15.14 +/- 1.52 degrees C) than in CAFF (13.56 +/- 1.19 degrees C, 15.52 +/
      1.31 degrees C, and 14.39 +/- 1.43 degrees C), resulting in a significant
      difference between minimal and maximal Tf in rest (NCAFF, 6.89 +/- 1.56 degrees C
      and CAFF, 4.79 +/- 1.23 degrees C), but not in exercise conditions. CAFF had no
      effect on CIVD time responses, but exercise significantly shortened CIVD onset
      and peak time compared with rest in both NCAFF and CAFF. Norepinephrine
      concentration was significantly greater in CAFF (290.6 +/- 113.0 pg/mL, 278.1 +/-
      91.4 pg/mL, and 399.8 +/- 125.5 pg/mL) than NCAFF (105.6 +/- 29.5 pg/mL, 199.6 +/
      89.6 pg/mL, and 361.5 +/- 171.3 pg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine intake before
      finger immersion in cold water does not result in a thermogenic effect and
      adversely affects CIVD responses, whereas exercise modifies CIVD temperature and
      time responses.

PMID- 24238218
TI  - Halomonas sulfidaeris-dominated microbial community inhabits a 1.8 km-deep
      subsurface Cambrian Sandstone reservoir.
AB  - A low-diversity microbial community, dominated by the gamma-proteobacterium
      Halomonas sulfidaeris, was detected in samples of warm saline formation porewater
      collected from the Cambrian Mt. Simon Sandstone in the Illinois Basin of the
      North American Midcontinent (1.8 km/5872 ft burial depth, 50 degrees C, pH 8, 181
      bars pressure). These highly porous and permeable quartz arenite sandstones are
      directly analogous to reservoirs around the world targeted for large-scale
      hydrocarbon extraction, as well as subsurface gas and carbon storage. A new
      downhole low-contamination subsurface sampling probe was used to collect in situ
      formation water samples for microbial environmental metagenomic analyses.
      Multiple lines of evidence suggest that this H. sulfidaeris-dominated subsurface
      microbial community is indigenous and not derived from drilling mud microbial
      contamination. Data to support this includes V1-V3 pyrosequencing of formation
      water and drilling mud, as well as comparison with previously published microbial
      analyses of drilling muds in other sites. Metabolic pathway reconstruction,
      constrained by the geology, geochemistry and present-day environmental conditions
      of the Mt. Simon Sandstone, implies that H. sulfidaeris-dominated subsurface
      microbial community may utilize iron and nitrogen metabolisms and extensively
      recycle indigenous nutrients and substrates. The presence of aromatic compound
      metabolic pathways suggests this microbial community can readily adapt to and
      survive subsurface hydrocarbon migration. 

PMID- 24238221
TI  - Differences in ocular parameters between diurnal and nocturnal raptors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish and compare normal ocular parameters between and within
      diurnal and nocturnal raptor groups. ANIMALS STUDIED: Eighty-eight ophthalmically
      normal raptors of six nocturnal and 11 diurnal species were studied. PROCEDURE:
      Tear production was measured using Schirmer tear test (STT) and phenol red thread
      test (PRTT), and applanation tonometry was conducted. Ultrasonographic
      measurements of axial length (AL), mediolateral axis (ML), vitreous body (VB),
      and pecten length (PL) were recorded, and conjunctival cultures were obtained.
      RESULTS: A weak correlation (R = 0.312, P = 0.006) was found between PRTT and
      STT. Tear production was significantly lower in nocturnal species (P < 0.001),
      but no difference was observed in intraocular pressure (IOP). VB and PL were
      significantly longer in diurnals (P < 0.001 and P = 0.021, respectively), and no
      significant difference was observed in AL and ML. When comparing results within
      these groups, there was a significant difference between most species for all
      parameters except IOP. Fifty-one percent of the examined raptors were positive
      for mycology or bacteriology, either on culture or PCR. The most common
      infectious agent isolated was Staphylococcus spp. CONCLUSIONS: Phenol red thread
      test and STT are both valid methods to measure tear production; however, a
      separate baseline must be determined for each species using these methods, as the
      results of one method cannot be extrapolated to the other. Due to significant
      differences observed within diurnal and nocturnal species, it appears that a more
      intricate division should be used when comparing these parameters for raptors,
      and the classification of diurnal or nocturnal holds little significance in the
      baseline of these data.

PMID- 24238220
TI  - Amino-terminal fragments of laminin gamma2 chain retract vascular endothelial
      cells and increase vascular permeability.
AB  - Laminin gamma2 (Lmgamma2) chain, a subunit of laminin-332, is a typical molecular
      marker of invading cancer cells, and its expression correlates with poor
      prognosis of cancer patients. It was previously found that forced expression of
      Lmgamma2 in cancer cells promotes their invasive growth in nude mice. However,
      the mechanism of the tumor-promoting activity of Lmgamma2 remains unknown. Here
      we investigated the interaction between Lmgamma2 and vascular endothelial cells.
      When treated with an N-terminal proteolytic fragment of gamma2 (gamma2pf), HUVECs
      became markedly retracted or shrunken. The overexpression of Lmgamma2 or
      treatment with gamma2pf stimulated T-24 bladder carcinoma cells to invade into
      the HUVEC monolayer and enhanced their transendothelial migration in vitro.
      Moreover, gamma2pf increased endothelial permeability in vitro and in vivo. As
      the possible mechanisms, gamma2pf activated ERK and p38 MAPK but inactivated Akt
      in HUVECs. Such effects of gamma2pf led to prominent actin stress fiber formation
      in HUVECs, which was blocked by a ROCK inhibitor. In addition, gamma2pf induced
      delocalization of VE-cadherin and beta-catenin from the intercellular junction.
      As possible receptors, gamma2pf interacted with heparan sulfate proteoglycans on
      the surface of HUVECs. Moreover, we localized the active site of gamma2pf to the
      N-terminal epidermal growth factor-like repeat. These data suggest that the
      interaction between gamma2pf and heparan sulfate proteoglycans induces
      cytoskeletal changes of endothelial cells, leading to the loss of endothelial
      barrier function and the enhanced transendothelial migration of cancer cells.
      These activities of Lmgamma2 seem to support the aberrant growth of cancer cells.

PMID- 24238219
TI  - Expression analysis and in silico characterization of intronic long noncoding
      RNAs in renal cell carcinoma: emerging functional associations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intronic and intergenic long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging
      gene expression regulators. The molecular pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma
      (RCC) is still poorly understood, and in particular, limited studies are
      available for intronic lncRNAs expressed in RCC. METHODS: Microarray experiments
      were performed with custom-designed arrays enriched with probes for lncRNAs
      mapping to intronic genomic regions. Samples from 18 primary RCC tumors and 11
      nontumor adjacent matched tissues were analyzed. Meta-analyses were performed
      with microarray expression data from three additional human tissues (normal
      liver, prostate tumor and kidney nontumor samples), and with large-scale public
      data for epigenetic regulatory marks and for evolutionarily conserved sequences.
      RESULTS: A signature of 29 intronic lncRNAs differentially expressed between RCC
      and nontumor samples was obtained (false discovery rate (FDR) < 5%). A signature
      of 26 intronic lncRNAs significantly correlated with the RCC five-year patient
      survival outcome was identified (FDR < 5%, p-value <= 0.01). We identified 4303
      intronic antisense lncRNAs expressed in RCC, of which 22% were significantly (p <
      0.05) cis correlated with the expression of the mRNA in the same locus across RCC
      and three other human tissues. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of those loci pointed
      to 'regulation of biological processes' as the main enriched category. A module
      map analysis of the protein-coding genes significantly (p < 0.05) trans
      correlated with the 20% most abundant lncRNAs, identified 51 enriched GO terms (p
      < 0.05). We determined that 60% of the expressed lncRNAs are evolutionarily
      conserved. At the genomic loci containing the intronic RCC-expressed lncRNAs, a
      strong association (p < 0.001) was found between their transcription start sites
      and genomic marks such as CpG islands, RNA Pol II binding and histones
      methylation and acetylation. CONCLUSION: Intronic antisense lncRNAs are widely
      expressed in RCC tumors. Some of them are significantly altered in RCC in
      comparison with nontumor samples. The majority of these lncRNAs is evolutionarily
      conserved and possibly modulated by epigenetic modifications. Our data suggest
      that these RCC lncRNAs may contribute to the complex network of regulatory RNAs
      playing a role in renal cell malignant transformation.

PMID- 24238223
TI  - Editorial overview. System immunology.

PMID- 24238222
TI  - Child, neglect and oral health.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite advancements in oral health policies, dental caries still a
      problem. The lack of parents/caregiver's care regarding child's oral health,
      which characterizes neglect, may lead to a high prevalence of caries. Therefore,
      the objective of this study was to analyze the relation between dental caries and
      neglect in five year-old children. METHODS: Quantitative study performed in two
      different moments. First, the children underwent oral examinations and physical
      inspection. Then, a semi-structured interview was performed with parents of
      children with high and low caries rate. RESULTS: In all, 149 physical inspections
      and oral exams were performed. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth -
      dmf-t was 2.75 (SD 2.83); 16 children had extremely high values (dmf-t >= 7), 85
      intermediate values (1 <= dmf-t >= 6) and 48 extremely low (dmf-t = 0). Nearly
      all caregivers were female (96.7%; n = 29), mostly mothers (93.3%; n = 28).
      Associations were found between caries experience and reason of the last
      consultation (p = 0.011), decayed teeth and child's oral health perception (p =
      0.001). There was a trend towards a significant association between general
      health and decayed teeth (p = 0.079), general hygiene and caries experience (p =
      0.083), and caries experience and number of times the child brushes the teeth (p
      = 0.086). CONCLUSION: There's a relation between caries experience and children's
      oral health perception by caregivers, as well as between caries experience and
      children's access to dental care. There is a trend towards association between
      caries experience and risk factors suggestive of neglect.

PMID- 24238226
TI  - Screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT scans.

PMID- 24238225
TI  - The DIAMOND initiative: implementing collaborative care for depression in 75
      primary care clinics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The many randomized trials of the collaborative care model for
      improving depression in primary care have not described the implementation and
      maintenance of this model. This paper reports how and the degree to which
      collaborative care process changes were implemented and maintained for the 75
      primary care clinics participating in the DIAMOND Initiative (Depression
      Improvement Across Minnesota-Offering a New Direction). METHODS: Each clinic was
      trained to implement seven components of the model and participated in ongoing
      evaluation and facilitation activities. For this study, assessment of clinical
      process implementation was accomplished via completion of surveys by the
      physician leader and clinic manager of each clinic site at three points in time.
      The physician leader of each clinic completed a survey measure of the presence of
      various practice systems prior to and one and two years after implementation.
      Clinic managers also completed a survey of organizational readiness and the
      strategies used for implementation. RESULTS: Survey response rates were 96% to
      100%. The systems survey confirmed a very high degree of implementation (with
      large variation) of DIAMOND depression practice systems (mean of 24.4 +/- 14.6%)
      present at baseline, 57.0 +/- 21.0% at one year (P = <0.0001), and 55.9 +/- 21.3%
      at two years. There was a similarly large increase (and variation) in the use of
      various quality improvement strategies for depression (mean of 29.6 +/- 28.1% at
      baseline, 75.1 +/- 22.3% at one year (P = <0.0001), and 74.6 +/- 23.0% at two
      years. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that under the right circumstances,
      primary care clinics that are prepared to implement evidence-based care can do so
      if financial barriers are reduced, effective training and facilitation are
      provided, and the new design introduces the specific mental models, new care
      processes, and workers and expertise that are needed. Implementation was
      associated with a marked increase in the number of improvement strategies used,
      but actual care and outcomes data are needed to associate these changes with
      patient outcomes and patient-reported care.

PMID- 24238224
TI  - The planarian regeneration transcriptome reveals a shared but temporally shifted
      regulatory program between opposing head and tail scenarios.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Planarians can regenerate entire animals from a small fragment of the
      body. The regenerating fragment is able to create new tissues and remodel
      existing tissues to form a complete animal. Thus different fragments with very
      different starting components eventually converge on the same solution. In this
      study, we performed an extensive RNA-seq time-course on regenerating head and
      tail fragments to observe the differences and similarities of the transcriptional
      landscape between head and tail fragments during regeneration. RESULTS: We have
      consolidated existing transcriptomic data for S. mediterranea to generate a high
      confidence set of transcripts for use in genome wide expression studies. We
      performed a RNA-seq time-course on regenerating head and tail fragments from 0
      hours to 3 days. We found that the transcriptome profiles of head and tail
      regeneration were very different at the start of regeneration; however, an
      unexpected convergence of transcriptional profiles occurred at 48 hours when head
      and tail fragments are still morphologically distinct. By comparing
      differentially expressed transcripts at various time-points, we revealed that
      this divergence/convergence pattern is caused by a shared regulatory program that
      runs early in heads and later in tails.Additionally, we also performed RNA-seq on
      smed-prep(RNAi) tail fragments which ultimately fail to regenerate anterior
      structures. We find the gene regulation program in response to smed-prep(RNAi) to
      display the opposite regulatory trend compared to the previously mentioned share
      regulatory program during regeneration. Using annotation data and comparative
      approaches, we also identified a set of approximately 4,800 triclad specific
      transcripts that were enriched amongst the genes displaying differential
      expression during the regeneration time-course. CONCLUSION: The regeneration
      transcriptome of head and tail regeneration provides us with a rich resource for
      investigating the global expression changes that occurs during regeneration. We
      show that very different regenerative scenarios utilize a shared core
      regenerative program. Furthermore, our consolidated transcriptome and annotations
      allowed us to identity triclad specific transcripts that are enriched within this
      core regulatory program. Our data support the hypothesis that both conserved
      aspects of animal developmental programs and recent evolutionarily innovations
      work in concert to control regeneration.

PMID- 24238227
TI  - Scedosporium aurantiacum brain abscess after near-drowning in a survivor of a
      tsunami in Japan.
AB  - Many victims of the tsunami that occurred following the Great East Japan
      Earthquake on March 11, 2011 developed systemic disorders owing to aspiration
      pneumonia. Herein, we report a case of tsunami lung wherein Scedosporium
      aurantiacum was detected in the respiratory tract. A magnetic resonance image of
      the patient's head confirmed multiple brain abscesses and lateral right ventricle
      enlargement. In this case report, we describe a potential refractory multidrug
      resistant infection following a tsunami disaster. 

PMID- 24238228
TI  - Development of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis following exposure to dust after
      the Great East Japan Earthquake.
AB  - We report a unique case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis that developed 3 weeks
      after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent tsunami. The patient had
      inhaled dust repeatedly while visiting her devastated neighborhood without
      wearing a protective mask. Five weeks after the earthquake, lung samples taken
      from the patient showed foreign particle deposition; however, her serum was
      negative for GM-CSF autoantibody. The patient's clinical symptoms resolved
      following whole lung lavage. We conclude that inhalation of fine dust particles
      after natural disasters may cause the onset of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. 

PMID- 24238229
TI  - Importance of clinical epidemiology research in studies on respiratory diseases.
AB  - Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has generated great interest since the 1990s and
      many physicians worldwide have based their clinical practice on this idea. Its
      underlying concepts include a diverse array of findings from clinical
      epidemiological research. In western countries, many clinical databases of
      clinical epidemiology are in circulation. Clinical epidemiological research using
      these data in western countries constitutes the majority worldwide. However,
      because race, lifestyle, culture, etc., differ among western countries and Japan,
      it is difficult to apply the results of clinical epidemiological research
      obtained in Japan to western countries. Unfortunately, there is no large-scale
      database for respiratory diseases prevalent in Japan. Many specialists agree with
      the opinion that it is necessary to collect medical information specific to the
      Japanese population and analyze the clinical data. KiHAC (Kinki Hokuriku Airway
      Disease Conference) was established in September 2001 with the aim of generating
      evidence through clinical epidemiological research for airway diseases by
      targeting physicians practicing respiratory medicine, pediatrics, and
      otorhinolaryngology, primarily in the Kinki and Hokuriku regions located in the
      central to western parts of Japan. As a part of the KiHAC, clinical research
      societies will attempt to cooperate with each other to make joint research
      possible and to share and utilize information, in addition to further promoting
      clinical research in the field of respiratory medicine. 

PMID- 24238230
TI  - Can preoperative imaging studies accurately predict the occurrence of bullae or
      blebs? Correlation between preoperative radiological and intraoperative findings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiological findings of patients with primary spontaneous
      pneumothorax (PSP) undergoing surgery have not been well analyzed. The aim of
      this study was to evaluate the accuracy of imaging studies for predicting the
      presence of emphysema-like changes (ELCs) detectable during surgery. METHODS:
      Ninety-three PSP patients who underwent surgery from September 2005 to October
      2009 were included in the study. We analyzed preoperative chest radiographic and
      computed tomographic (CT) findings, and compared the findings with intraoperative
      detection of ELCs. Chest radiographic findings were analyzed by classifying the
      PSP size into three categories: small, moderate, and complete. RESULTS: Seventy
      six of the 93 patients (82%) had ELCs detected during surgery. The size of the
      PSP on a radiograph was significantly correlated with the presence of ELCs
      (p=0.0121). Preoperative CT revealed 64 of the 76 ELCs (sensitivity, 84%;
      specificity, 100%; accuracy, 87%). Twenty-nine patients without ELCs detected by
      preoperative CT were analyzed separately. In this group, a larger PSP size also
      increased the likelihood of ELCs being present (p=0.0049). Seven patients (8%)
      experienced a recurrence after surgery. No factor could significantly predict
      recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Chest CT analysis alone was associated with a false
      negative rate of about 15% for ELCs. Combining the analysis of chest radiographic
      and CT findings could improve sensitivity.

PMID- 24238231
TI  - A change in the number of CCSP(pos)/SPC(pos) cells in mouse lung during
      development, growth, and repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Putative resident stem/progenitor cells have been identified in the
      bronchoalveolar duct junction (BADJ) of the murine lung. However, the
      contribution of stem cells expressing both Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP)
      and pro-surfactant protein C (SP-C) to the repair and maintenance of normal
      homeostasis is still unclear. In this study, we identified and then quantified
      CD45(neg)/CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cell numbers in normal and lung-injured mice.
      METHODS: Normal lung tissues of fetal, newborn, and adult mice were used to
      evaluate lung progenitor cells during development and growth. Mice treated with
      naphthalene were used for the bronchiolar epithelium injury model, and mice
      treated with bleomycin were used for the alveolar epithelium injury model. These
      lung tissues were stained with CD45, CCSP, and SP-C antibodies by
      immunofluorescence. The number of lung progenitor cells was counted as
      CD45(neg)/CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cells by flow cytometry. RESULTS: CCSP(pos)/SP
      C(pos) epithelial cells in the BADJ were identified from E18 to 7 months after
      birth. The percentage of CD45(neg)/CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cells was relatively
      stable to 7 months (between 0.3+/-0.04% and 1.28+/-0.11%). When lungs were
      treated with naphthalene, the proliferation of CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cells was
      observed as patches of double-positive cells and preceded the recovery of
      bronchioles. In contrast, when lungs were treated with bleomycin, the
      proliferation of CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos) cells was observed, but the type II alveolar
      epithelial cells never recovered to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: CCSP(pos)/SP-C(pos)
      lung cells were stable until 7 months after birth. These cells in the BADJ
      primarily regenerate bronchiolar epithelial cells and not alveolar epithelial
      cells.

PMID- 24238233
TI  - Habitual physical activity score as a predictor of the 6-min walk test distance
      in healthy adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is a simple, inexpensive test of
      functional exercise capacity. The 6MWT distance (6MWD) in healthy adults varies
      geographically, emphasizing the need for population-specific reference equations.
      The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influences of the
      habitual physical activity (HPA) score and other anthropometric and demographic
      parameters on the variability of the 6MWD among healthy adults and to propose a
      reference equation. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional,
      observational study. The 6MWT was conducted in a 30-m hospital corridor on 201
      healthy volunteers, 125 men and 76 women, aged 20-60 years. The HPA in the
      previous 6 months was assessed using Baecke's questionnaire. Univariate analysis
      followed by multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze the
      significance levels of different probable predictors. RESULTS: The 6MWD was
      significantly greater in more active than in less active subjects (663.8+/-55.4m
      vs. 599.9+/-67.8m, p<0.001). The regression analysis showed that the subject's
      age in years (p=0.017), gender (p=0.006), height in cm (p=0.004), weight in kg
      (p<0.001), total activity score (TS) (p<0.001), and absolute difference in heart
      rate before and after exercise (p<0.001) could explain 48.9% of the variability
      in the 6MWD in healthy adults. CONCLUSIONS: The HPA score is probably the most
      appropriate variable to include in the reference equation predicting the 6MWD in
      healthy adults from the Indian subcontinent.

PMID- 24238232
TI  - Targeted reduction of CCR4+ cells is sufficient to suppress allergic airway
      inflammation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is characterized by allergic airway inflammation
      involving C-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4)-positive Th2 cells. As such, we
      hypothesize that the disease can be alleviated by targeted-elimination of CCR4+
      cells. Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)-PE38, a TARC fused the
      exotoxin fragment PE38 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has been shown to efficiently
      kill CCR4+ cells by delivering the exotoxin fragment PE38 into CCR4+ cells. To
      test our hypothesis, we examined whether TARC-PE38 could suppress allergic airway
      inflammation in a mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic airway
      inflammation. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of TARC-PE38 on the major
      characteristics of HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. Airway
      hyperresponsiveness, lung histopathology, lung Th1/Th2 cell populations, and
      concentrations of Th1/Th2 cytokines in the lungs were assessed in HDM-sensitized
      and challenged mice in the presence and absence of TARC-PE38. RESULTS: TARC-PE38
      efficiently suppressed allergic airway inflammation by significantly reducing
      airway hyperresponsiveness, the overall area of inflammation, and goblet cell
      hyperplasia. In HDM-sensitized and challenged mice, TARC-PE38 specifically
      reduced the numbers of CCR4+ cells. This reduction was associated with a
      significant decrease in the production of Th2 cytokines in the airway,and a
      decrease in the number of leukocytes, including macrophages, eosinophils and
      lymphocytes, within the subepithelial area of the lungs and airway lumen. TARC
      PE38 had noeffect on Th1 cells. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the elimination
      of CCR4+ cells via TARC-PE38 treatment is sufficient to control allergic airway
      inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness.

PMID- 24238234
TI  - Use of macrolides in the 2009 H1N1 virus infection outbreak: a survey of general
      practices in Japan.

PMID- 24238235
TI  - Consensus statement for the diagnosis and treatment of drug-induced lung
      injuries.

PMID- 24238236
TI  - Massive calcinosis and severe osteoporosis in paediatric-onset overlap syndrome.

PMID- 24238237
TI  - [Lung tumors: an evolving histopathology!].

PMID- 24238238
TI  - [2014 classification of lung carcinomas: latest entities and clinical
      implications. Introduction].

PMID- 24238239
TI  - [2014 classification of lung carcinomas: latest entities and clinical
      implications. Case 1: Poorly differentiated non small cell lung carcinoma:
      interpretation of small biopsy specimens].

PMID- 24238240
TI  - [2014 classification of lung carcinomas: latest entities and clinical
      implications. Case 2: Basaloid carcinoma].

PMID- 24238241
TI  - [2014 classification of lung carcinomas: latest entities and clinical
      implications. Case 3. Sarcomatoid carcinoma, pleiomorphic type].

PMID- 24238242
TI  - [2014 classification of lung carcinomas: latest entities and clinical
      implications. Case 4: Pleural metastasis of sarcomatoid carcinoma].

PMID- 24238243
TI  - [2014 classification of lung carcinomas: latest entities and clinical
      implications. Case 5: Lymph node metastasis of an atypical carcinoid].

PMID- 24238244
TI  - [2014 classification of lung carcinomas: latest entities and clinical
      implications. Case 6: Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma combined].

PMID- 24238245
TI  - [2014 classification of lung carcinomas: latest entities and clinical
      implications. Case 7: Pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinomas].

PMID- 24238246
TI  - [2014 classification of lung carcinomas: latest entities and clinical
      implications. Case 8: Pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinomas].

PMID- 24238247
TI  - [Anal verruciform xanthoma in a transplant background for primary hyperoxaluria.
      Anal verruciform xanthoma after a combined hepato-renal transplantation].
AB  - We report a case of anal verruciform xanthoma in a patient who underwent a
      combined liver and kidney transplantation for primary hyperoxaluria. Verruciform
      xanthoma is a rare and benign lesion arising in oral cavity and genital mucosa.
      It is characterized pathologically by papillary epithelial hyperplasia and
      aggregates of foamy macrophages in connective tissue papillae. This condition,
      whose pathogenesis remains unclear, has been reported in immunosuppressive
      background or associated with underlying dermatosis. We report here the second
      case of anal verruciform xanthoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of
      verruciform xanthoma in association with primary hyperoxaluria.

PMID- 24238248
TI  - [Fetal cytomegalovirus infection diagnosed on autopsy: a case report].
AB  - The cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common maternal-fetal transmission
      infectious disease. The diagnosis of this infection is rarely made on antenatal
      sonographic signs. Pathological examination could, in this case, make etiologic
      diagnosis. We report the case of a terminated pregnancy, at the term of 19 weeks
      of gestation, occurring in a 31-year-old woman. The sonography found a terminated
      pregnancy with anamnios. Histological examination of samples of fetal internal
      organs showed intranuclear inclusions, compatible with CMV infection. The main
      objective of our work is to emphasize the value of histological examination in
      the diagnosis of fetal death etiology. Moreover, we will discuss the benefit of
      antenatal screening of CMV maternal infection. 

PMID- 24238249
TI  - [A "lymph node" of the hepatic hilum].

PMID- 24238250
TI  - [An unusual endobronchial tumor].

PMID- 24238252
TI  - [Warty pigmented papules in an infant].

PMID- 24238251
TI  - [Very rare cause of diffuse goiter].

PMID- 24238253
TI  - [Subcutaneous lesion of a newborn].

PMID- 24238254
TI  - [About a prevalent cervical node metastasis].

PMID- 24238255
TI  - [Very rare parotidian tumor].

PMID- 24238256
TI  - Retinal nerve fibre layer cross-sectional area, neuroretinal rim area and body
      mass index.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine associations between body mass index, neuroretinal rim area
      and retinal nerve fibre layer cross-sectional area (RNFLCRA) in a population
      based setting. METHODS: The Central India Eye and Medical Study is a population
      based study performed in a rural region of Central India. The study included 4711
      subjects (aged 30 + years). A detailed ophthalmic and medical examination was
      performed. Inclusion criteria for this study were an intra-ocular pressure <=21
      mmHg, open anterior chamber angles and an axial length <=26.5 mm. Neuroretinal
      rim area and RNFLCRA were measured by confocal laser scanning tomography.
      RESULTS: The study included 3959 subjects fulfilling the inclusion criteria.
      Larger neuroretinal rim area (mean: 1.63 +/- 0.32 mm(2) ) was significantly (p =
      0.004) associated with a higher body mass index after adjusting for larger disc
      area (p < 0.001), younger age (p < 0.001), lower intraocular pressure (p <
      0.001), and hyperopic refractive error (p < 0.001). Larger retinal nerve fibre
      layer cross-sectional area (mean:1.29 +/- 0.39 mm(2) ) was significantly
      associated with higher body mass index (p = 0.001) after adjusting for younger
      age (p < 0.001), shorter axial length (p < 0.001), larger optic disc area (p <
      0.001), taller body height (p < 0.001) and male gender (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS:
      In a rural Central Indian population, neuroretinal rim area and RNFLCRA as
      surrogates of the optic nerve fibres were related to a higher body mass index.
      Because body mass index is associated with cerebrospinal fluid pressure, the
      higher cerebrospinal fluid pressure may be associated with a larger neuroretinal
      rim area. It may vaguely point towards an association between cerebrospinal fluid
      pressure and glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

PMID- 24238257
TI  - Entering a new era for Chemopshere.

PMID- 24238258
TI  - Development of a system dynamics model for financially sustainable management of
      municipal watermain networks.
AB  - This paper develops causal loop diagrams and a system dynamics model for
      financially sustainable management of urban water distribution networks. The
      developed causal loop diagrams are a novel contribution in that it illustrates
      the unique characteristics and feedback loops for financially self-sustaining
      water distribution networks. The system dynamics model is a mathematical
      realization of the developed interactions among system variables over time and is
      comprised of three sectors namely watermains network, consumer, and finance. This
      is the first known development of a water distribution network system dynamics
      model. The watermains network sector accounts for the unique characteristics of
      watermain pipes such as service life, deterioration progression, pipe breaks, and
      water leakage. The finance sector allows for cash reserving by the utility in
      addition to the pay-as-you-go and borrowing strategies. The consumer sector
      includes controls to model water fee growth as a function of service performance
      and a household's financial burden due to water fees. A series of policy levers
      are provided that allow the impact of various financing strategies to be
      evaluated in terms of financial sustainability and household affordability. The
      model also allows for examination of the impact of different management
      strategies on the water fee in terms of consistency and stability over time. The
      paper concludes with a discussion on how the developed system dynamics water
      model can be used by water utilities to achieve a variety of utility short and
      long-term objectives and to establish realistic and defensible water utility
      policies. It also discusses how the model can be used by regulatory bodies,
      government agencies, the financial industry, and researchers. 

PMID- 24238259
TI  - Comparisons between abiotic nitration and biotransformation reactions of phenolic
      micropollutants in activated sludge.
AB  - The transformation of selected phenolic substances was investigated during
      biological wastewater treatment. A main emphasis was put on the relevance of
      abiotic processes leading to toxic nitrophenolic transformation products (TPs).
      Due to their environmental relevance, the antiseptic ortho-phenylphenol (OPP),
      the plastics additive bisphenol A (BPA) and the psychoactive drug dextrorphan
      have been studied. Batch experiments confirmed that nitro- and nitroso-phenolic
      TPs can be formed under acidic conditions when nitrite is present. HNO2, N2O3 and
      NO and NO2 radicals are likely involved in the abiotic process. It was found that
      the process was promoted by the freezing of water samples, since this can lead to
      an unexpected pH drop. However, under conditions present at wastewater treatment
      plants (neutral pH, low nitrite concentrations), the formation of appreciable
      concentrations is rather unlikely through this process, since HNO2 concentrations
      are extremely low and NO and NO2 radicals will also react with other wastewater
      constituents. Thus, the transformation of phenolic substances such as OPP and BPA
      is mainly caused by biotic transformation. In addition to hydroxylation as a
      common reaction under aerobic conditions, the formation of sulfate conjugates was
      detected with the original compounds as well as with nitrophenolic TPs.
      Therefore, even when nitro-phenolic substances are formed it is likely that they
      are further transformed to sulfate conjugates. In raw wastewater and WWTP
      effluent nitrated BPA and NO2-dextrorphan were not detected. Only nitro-OPP was
      found in the influent of a WWTP with 2.3 ng/L, but it was not identified in the
      WWTP effluents. The concentrations of dextrorphan increased slightly during WWTP
      passage, possibly due to the cleavage of the glucuronide-conjugate, its human
      metabolite form, or demethylation of the prodrug dextromethorphan.

PMID- 24238260
TI  - Effect of sludge retention time on the biological performance of anaerobic
      membrane bioreactors treating corn-to-ethanol thin stillage with high lipid
      content.
AB  - The potential of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) for the treatment of
      lipid rich corn-to-ethanol thin stillage was investigated at three different
      sludge retention times (SRT), i.e. 20, 30 and 50 days. The membrane assisted
      biomass retention in AnMBRs provided an excellent solution to sludge washout
      problems reported for the treatment of lipid rich wastewaters by granular sludge
      bed reactors. The AnMBRs achieved high COD removal efficiencies up to 99% and
      excellent effluent quality. Although higher organic loading rates (OLRs) up to
      8.0 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) could be applied to the reactors operated at shorter SRTs,
      better biological degradation efficiencies, i.e. up to 83%, was achieved at
      increased SRTs. Severe long chain fatty acid (LCFA) inhibition was observed at 50
      days SRT, possibly caused by the extensive dissolution of LCFA in the reactor
      broth, inhibiting the methanogenic biomass. Physicochemical mechanisms such as
      precipitation with divalent cations and adsorption on the sludge played an
      important role in the occurrence of LCFA removal, conversion, and inhibition. 

PMID- 24238261
TI  - Population pharmacokinetic-pharmacogenetic model of tacrolimus in the early
      period after kidney transplantation.
AB  - As tacrolimus has a rather narrow therapeutic range and high individual
      variability in its pharmacokinetics, it is important to determine the cause of
      the variation in tacrolimus pharmacokinetics. The purpose of this study was to
      establish a population pharmacokinetic-pharmacogenetic model of tacrolimus and
      identify covariates that affect pharmacokinetic parameters to prevent
      fluctuations in the tacrolimus trough concentration during the early period after
      transplantation. Data from 1501 trough concentrations and 417 densely collected
      concentrations were compiled from 122 patients who were on post-operative days 10
      20 and analysed with a nonlinear mixed-effect model. The first-order conditional
      estimation (FOCE) with interaction method was used to fit the model using the
      NONMEM program. Clinical/laboratory data were also collected for the same period,
      and CYP3A5 and ABCB1 genotypes were analysed for use in modelling from all
      included patients. An empirical Bayesian approach was used to estimate individual
      pharmacokinetic profiles. A one-compartment model with first absorption and
      elimination and lag time best described the data. The estimated population mean
      of clearance (CL/F), volume of distribution (V/F) and absorption rate (Ka ) were
      21.9 L/hr, 205 L, and 3.43/hr, respectively, and the lag time was fixed at 0.25
      hr. Clearance increased with days after transplantation and decreased with
      CYP3A5*3/*3 about 18.4% compared with CYP3A5*1 carriers (p < 0.001). A population
      pharmacokinetic model was developed for tacrolimus in early post-kidney
      transplantation recipients to identify covariates that affect tacrolimus
      pharmacokinetics. Post-operative days and CYP3A5 genotype were confirmed as
      critical factors of tacrolimus pharmacokinetics. 

PMID- 24238262
TI  - Influence of d-glutamine and d-glutamic acid sequences in optical peptide probes
      targeted against the cholecystokinin-2/gastrin-receptor on binding affinity,
      specificity and pharmacokinetic properties.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Image-based diagnosis of tumours can be advanced and improved by
      targeted strategies addressing malignant molecular structures. A promising
      molecular target is the cholecystokinin-2-receptor (CCK2R) which can be targeted
      by high-affinity peptides called minigastrins. Here we present how the imaging
      properties of minigastrins tagged with near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) dyes can
      be modulated by the introduction of different spacer sequences. We identify
      interactions of different probe variants with regard to target affinity,
      specificity and pharmacokinetic properties to optimize early detection of CCK2R
      expressing tumours under clinical conditions. METHODS: Two minigastrin probes
      with the same near-infrared hemicyanine fluorescence dye (DY-754) for signalling
      and the same CCK2R-binding peptide A-Y-G-W-M/Nle-N-F-amide but different spacers
      were designed as follows: 'QE' with three alternating d-glutamines and d-glutamic
      acids and 'bivQ' with two minigastrins, each preceded by three d-glutamines. They
      were tested for affinity and specificity in vitro on CCK2R-expressing and CCK2R
      non-expressing cells. In vivo imaging was conducted with subcutaneous tumour
      bearing nude mice after i.v. probe injection (54 to 108 nmol/kg) and under
      competitive conditions with non-fluorescent minigastrin (n = 5/group). We also
      assessed probe biodistribution as well as NIRF distribution in tumour sections.
      RESULTS: Both probes showed high affinity and specificity to CCK2R-expressing
      cells in vitro. In vivo tumour-to-background contrasts (tumour/background ratios
      (TBRs) of around 6) enabled identification of CCK2R-expressing tumours by both
      probes with low accumulation in CCK2R-negative tumours (TBR of around 2).
      Specificity of the in vivo accumulation, revealed by competition, was higher for
      QE. Besides renal retention, probe uptake into organs was very low. CONCLUSION:
      The properties of optical minigastrin probes can be specifically modified by the
      introduction of spacer sequences. A spacer of six hydrophilic amino acids
      increases affinity. A mix of d-glutamic and d-glutamine acids increased target-to
      background contrast. Multimerization could not increase affinity but supposedly
      lowered stability. The probe QE is a promising candidate for clinical evaluation
      in terms of diagnosis of CCK2R-expressing tumours.

PMID- 24238263
TI  - Functions of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase family in
      Ganoderma lucidum: an essential role in ganoderic acid biosynthesis regulation,
      hyphal branching, fruiting body development, and oxidative-stress resistance.
AB  - Ganoderma lucidum has drawn worldwide interest with regard to its secondary
      metabolism and pharmaceutical activity. However, the development of such research
      has been limited because of a lack of basic biological knowledge. Nicotinamide
      adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (Nox) have recently been highlighted
      because of the many important biological roles in plants and animals; however,
      the exact functions of Nox are still not fully understood in fungi. In this
      study, we identified two Nox isoforms (NoxA and NoxB) and a regulator, NoxR. RNA
      interference was used, and silencing of the Nox isoforms and NoxR expression
      indicated a central role for these genes in hyphal branching, fruiting body
      development, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, ROS resistance and
      ganoderic acid biosynthesis regulation. Further mechanistic investigation
      revealed that Nox-generated ROS elevated cytosolic Ca(2+) levels by activating a
      plasma membrane Ca(2+) influx pathway, thereby inducing the Ca(2+) signal pathway
      to regulate ganoderic acid biosynthesis and hyphal branching. Importantly, our
      results highlight the Nox functions in signal crosstalk between ROS and Ca(2+),
      and these findings provide an excellent opportunity to identify the potential
      pathway linking ROS networks to calcium signalling in fungi and suggest that
      plants, animals and fungi share a conserved signal-crosstalk mechanism.

PMID- 24238264
TI  - Congenital adrenal hyperplasia pearls you should know--globally.

PMID- 24238265
TI  - Pregnancy attitudes, contraceptive service utilization, and other factors
      associated with Los Angeles homeless youths' use of effective contraception and
      withdrawal.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand the associations of contraceptive
      service utilization (ie, accessing condoms or birth control), pregnancy
      attitudes, and lifetime pregnancy history among male and female homeless youth in
      relation to use of effective contraception and withdrawal. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Between October 2011 and February 2012, homeless youth (14-27 years
      old) from 2 drop-in centers in Los Angeles (N = 380) were recruited and completed
      a questionnaire. The data in this paper are restricted to those who reported
      vaginal sex at last sex (N = 283). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analyses examined
      history of foster care, sexual abuse, exchange sex, pregnancy, lifetime
      homelessness duration, current living situation, contraceptive service
      utilization, and pregnancy attitudes in predicting use of effective contraception
      and withdrawal at last sex. RESULTS: Over 62% of females and 43% of males report
      having ever been pregnant or impregnating someone. There are no gender-based
      differences in pregnancy attitudes; 21% agree they would like to become pregnant
      within the year. Additionally, there are no gender-based differences in reported
      contraceptive use at last vaginal sex. In the multivariable model, high school
      education, contraceptive service utilization (Relative Risk Ratio [RRR]: 4.0),
      and anti-pregnancy attitudes (RRR: 1.3) are significant positive predictors of
      using effective contraception; anti-pregnancy attitudes (RRR: 1.2) and gender
      (RRR: 0.3) are significantly associated with using withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS:
      Health professionals should acknowledge that some homeless youth desire
      pregnancy; for those that do not, access to effective contraception is important.
      Programs must continue to promote pregnancy prevention, and include discussions
      of healthy pregnancy habits for pregnancy-desiring youth.

PMID- 24238266
TI  - Study of the sexuality and demand for gynecologic services by high school
      students in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the sexual and reproductive profile and demand for
      gynecologic services by high school girls in the city of Rio de Janeiro. DESIGN:
      Cross-sectional study carried out by administration of a questionnaire filled in
      by the respondents on their own, given to students at 3 high schools with
      different socioeconomic profiles: private, state, and federal. The questions
      covered socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, and demand for
      gynecologic services. The data were analyzed by the Yates chi-square test and
      Student t-test, with P < .05. SETTING: Three high schools in the city of Rio de
      Janeiro. INTERVENTIONS: None. PARTICIPANTS: Female high school students. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE: Age, race, socioeconomic level, parents' schooling, and sexual
      activity. RESULTS: A total of 418 students participated, 122 from a private
      school, 165 from a state public school, and 131 from a federal public school. The
      state school students were predominantly black and had the lowest socioeconomic
      level, with their parents having the fewest average years of schooling. They also
      reported the most sexual partners, pregnancies, and abortions. Their
      characteristics differed significantly from those of the private and federal
      school students, which were similar to each other. The average age of first
      sexual activity was similar for all the respondents and the first visit to a
      gynecologist occurred significantly later among the state school students.
      CONCLUSIONS: The more frequent pregnancies and abortions by the state school
      students can be a consequence of the lower demand for or insufficient access to
      gynecologic services, depriving these students of the necessary care to promote
      sexual and reproductive health. This demonstrates the need for public policies
      that promote and facilitate access to routine preventive gynecologic care by low
      income adolescent girls.

PMID- 24238267
TI  - Satisfaction with and intention to continue Depo-Provera versus the Mirena IUD
      among post-partum adolescents through 12 months of follow-up.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: No prior study has directly compared satisfaction with Depo
      Provera to the Mirena intra-uterine device (IUD) among post-partum parous
      adolescents. Our aim was to make this comparison among post-partum adolescents at
      3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. PARTICIPANTS: Post-partum/parous adolescents
      (aged 20 and younger) choosing either Depo-Provera or the Mirena IUD as their
      method of contraception. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal survey. SETTING: The
      adolescent clinic at the Truman Medical Center, Kansas City Missouri. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE: Satisfaction with and intention to continue the chosen method at
      3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: Sixty-six post
      partum/parous adolescents were recruited, 37 choosing the Mirena IUD and 29
      choosing Depo-Provera for contraception. The 2 groups had similar baseline
      characteristics. There was no statistically significant difference in overall
      satisfaction with Depo-Provera versus the Mirena IUD at 3, 6, or 12 months of
      follow-up. For both contraceptive methods, unpredictable bleeding was most
      unacceptable at 6 months of follow-up but the trend was only statistically
      significant for Depo-Provera. For Depo-Provera, there was a significantly lower
      proportion of participants actually continuing the method at 12 months (42.9%)
      relative to the proportion who at 6 months had expressed an intention to continue
      (80.0%; P = .01). This trend was not seen for the Mirena IUD. CONCLUSION: Among
      post-partum/parous adolescents, overall subjective satisfaction with Depo-Provera
      and the Mirena IUD is similarly high over 12 months of follow-up. With Depo
      Provera, however, there appears to be a disconnect between intention to continue
      at 6 months and actual continuation at 12 months.

PMID- 24238268
TI  - Urogenital myiasis by Cordylobia anthropophaga.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cordylobia anthropophaga is one of the most common agents of
      urogenital myiasis in African tropical regions. A case of vulvar myiasis due to
      the larvae of Cordylobia anthropophaga in a 16-year-old female is presented with
      a systematic review of the literature. CASE: A 16-year-old female with a history
      of recent journey to Senegal presented with a vulvar boil-like inflammatory
      lesion. A living insect larva was extracted from the lesion. It was identified as
      a Cordylobia anthropophaga larva. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of vulvar
      myiasis must be considered if vulvar boil-like inflammatory papules are found,
      essentially in travelers to and from endemic countries. The diagnosis is mainly
      clinical and its management consists of the extraction of the larva.

PMID- 24238269
TI  - Caspase-1 activation is increased with human labour in foetal membranes and
      myometrium and mediates infection-induced interleukin-1beta secretion.
AB  - PROBLEM: Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is
      involved in human parturition, especially in the context of infection-induced
      preterm birth. Caspase-1 is a key component of inflammasomes, which are activated
      upon infection to trigger the maturation of IL-1beta. METHOD OF STUDY: To
      determine the effect of human labour on caspase-1 activation in human foetal
      membranes and myometrium. In addition, the mechanisms by which inflammasome
      activation regulates IL-1beta production were also be assessed. RESULTS: Higher
      caspase-1 gene and protein expression were detected in foetal membranes
      myometrium obtained from term labouring women when compared with samples taken
      from non labouring women. Lipopolysaccharide induced the transcription and
      secretion of IL-1beta from foetal membranes and myometrium; both events were
      dependent on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). However, levels of extracellular
      IL-1beta were greatly increased by subsequent treatment with the potassium-proton
      ionophore Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or nigericin; an effect that was dependent
      on active caspase-1. Additionally, ATP induced IL-1beta secretion via the
      purinergic P2X7 receptor, whereas the pannexin-1 channel was required for
      nigericin induced IL-1beta secretion. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results
      demonstrate that caspase-1 activation is increased with human labour in foetal
      membranes and myometrium, and is required for infection-induced IL-1beta
      secretion.

PMID- 24238270
TI  - Investigating the clinical potential for 14-3-3 zeta protein to serve as a
      biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recently, 14-3-3 zeta protein was identified as a potential serum
      biomarker of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The goal of this study was to
      investigate the clinical potential of 14-3-3 zeta protein for monitoring EOC
      progression compared with CA-125 and HE4. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up study.
      SETTING: University of Pecs Medical Center Department of Obstetrics and
      Gynecology/Oncology (Pecs, Hungary). POPULATION: Thirteen EOC patients with
      advanced stage (FIGO IIb-IIIc) epithelial ovarian cancer that underwent radical
      surgery and received six consecutive cycles of first line chemotherapy
      (paclitaxel, carboplatin) in 21-day intervals. METHODS: Pre- and post
      chemotherapy computed tomography (CT) scans were performed. Serum levels of CA
      125, HE4, and 14-3-3 zeta protein were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA) and quantitative electrochemiluminescence assay (ECLIA). MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum levels of CA-125, HE4, and 14-3-3 zeta protein, as well
      as lesion size according to pre- and post-chemotherapy CT scans. RESULTS: Serum
      levels of CA-125 and HE4 were found to significantly decrease following
      chemotherapy, and this was consistent with the decrease in lesion size detected
      post-chemotherapy. In contrast, 14-3-3 zeta protein levels did not significantly
      differ in healthy postmenopausal patients versus EOC patients. CONCLUSIONS:
      Determination of CA-125 and HE4 serum levels for the determination of the risk of
      ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) represents a useful tool for the prediction
      of chemotherapy efficacy for EOC patients. However, levels of 14-3-3 zeta protein
      were not found to vary significantly as a consequence of treatment. Therefore we
      question if 14-3-3 zeta protein is a reliable biomarker, which correlates with
      the clinical behavior of EOC.

PMID- 24238271
TI  - Ultrasound definition of polycystic ovarian morphology: good news and bad news.

PMID- 24238272
TI  - Reply of the authors.

PMID- 24238273
TI  - Slightly lower incidence of ectopic pregnancies in frozen embryo transfer cycles
      versus fresh in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles: a retrospective
      cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence of ectopic pregnancies (EPs) in fresh and
      frozen/thawed cycles. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study on the incidence of
      EPs in all fresh IVF cycles from January 2002 until December 2012. This was
      compared with the incidence of tubal pregnancies in patients undergoing transfer
      of frozen/thawed embryos during the same time period. SETTING: The IVF program at
      Fertility Center, AZ Jan Palfijn, Gent, Belgium. PATIENT(S): A total of 11,831
      patients undergoing IVF (i.e., the entire population of the IVF Center) were
      retrospectively analyzed. INTERVENTION(S): The IVF cycles, fresh IVF-ET,
      frozen/thawed ET. Laparoscopy for treatment of EP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):
      Primary end point: incidence of EPs in both groups. Secondary end points:
      clinical pregnancy rate (PR), rate of EPs per clinical pregnancy. RESULT(S): In
      the fresh IVF cycle group, 10,046 patients underwent oocyte retrieval; 9,174 of
      them had an ET; 2,243 of these patients had a clinical pregnancy. Of these, 43
      (0.47%) appeared to have an ectopic localization of their pregnancy. In the group
      of the patients undergoing frozen/thawed ET (1,785 patients) there were 467
      pregnancies and 6 ectopic implants (0.34%). The incidence of the EPs per
      established clinical pregnancy was 1.92% for the fresh vs. 1.28% for the
      frozen/thawed cycles. CONCLUSION(S): No significant difference could be
      demonstrated on the incidence of EP in fresh IVF cycles vs. frozen/thawed cycles
      in a large cohort of patients.

PMID- 24238274
TI  - Haplotypes and polymorphisms of the ANXA5 nontranslated region in Japanese and
      European women with recurrent miscarriage and in controls.

PMID- 24238275
TI  - Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a second primary tumor displaying Bednar and
      fibrosarcomatous subtypes.

PMID- 24238276
TI  - Factors affecting pleural fluid adenosine deaminase level and the implication on
      the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous
      pleural effusion (TPE). This study aims to determine the factors affecting
      pleural fluid ADA levels and to establish the optimal ADA levels for diagnosis of
      TPE for different age groups. METHODS: This was a retrospective study from
      January 2007 to October 2011. One hundred and sixty patients who had pleural
      fluid ADA performed for investigation of pleural effusion were analyzed.
      Variables examined included demographics, pleural fluid characteristics and
      peripheral blood counts. The ADA cut-offs according to age were selected using
      the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The mean pleural
      fluid ADA was significantly higher in the TPE group (100 +/- 35 IU/L) compared to
      non TPE patients (30 +/- 37 IU/L). There was significant correlation between
      pleural fluid ADA and age, pleural fluid protein, LDH, and fluid absolute
      lymphocyte count. The strongest correlation was seen with age (r = -0.621). For
      patients <= 55 years old the ROC for ADA had area under curve (AUC) of 0.887. A
      pleural fluid ADA of 72 IU/L had sensitivity of 95.1%, specificity of 87.5%,
      positive predictive value (PPV) of 95.1% and negative predictive value (NPV) of
      87.5% for the diagnosis of TPE. For patients > 55 years old the AUC is 0.959. ADA
      of 26 IU/L had a sensitivity of 94.7%, specificity of 80.4%, PPV of 62% and NPV
      of 97.8%. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant negative correlation between
      pleural fluid ADA and age. For older patients, a lower ADA cut-off should be used
      to exclude TPE.

PMID- 24238278
TI  - Long-term follow-up of sacral neuromodulation for lower urinary tract
      dysfunction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report our long-term experience of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for
      various lower urinary tract dysfunctions but with a focus on efficacy, safety, re
      interventions and degree of success. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a single
      tertiary referral centre study that included 217 patients (86% female) who
      received an implantable pulse generator (IPG) (InterstimTM, Medtronic,
      Minneapolis, USA) between 1996 and 2010. Success was considered if the initial
      >=50% improvement in any of primary voiding diary variables persisted compared
      with baseline, but was further stratified. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow
      up was 46.88 months. Success and cure rates were ~70% and 20% for urgency
      incontinence, 68% and 33% for urgency frequency syndrome and 73% and 58% for
      idiopathic retention. In those patients with an unsuccessful therapy outcome, the
      mean time to failure was 24.6 months after implantation. There were 88 (41%)
      patients who had at least one device or treatment related surgical re
      intervention. The re-intervention rate was 1.7 per patient with most of them
      (47%) occurring <=2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: SNM appears effective in the
      long-term with a success rate after definitive IPG implant of ~70% and complete
      cure rates ranging between 20% and 58% depending on indication. Patients with
      idiopathic retention appear to do best. The re-intervention rate is high with
      most occurring <=2 years of implantation. It is likely that with the newer
      techniques used, efficacy and re-intervention rates will improve.

PMID- 24238277
TI  - Enhanced susceptibility of B lymphoma cells to measles virus by Epstein-Barr
      virus type III latency that upregulates CD150/signaling lymphocytic activation
      molecule.
AB  - Measles virus (MV) is one of the candidates for the application of oncolytic
      virotherapy (OVT). Although an advanced clinical study has been reported on a T
      cell lymphoma, the potential of MV OVT against B-cell lymphomas remains to be
      clarified. We found that an EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell line, a model
      for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma cells
      bearing type III latency were highly susceptible to the cytolysis induced by an
      MV vaccine strain CAM-70. As analyzed by EBV-positive and -negative counterparts
      of the same cytogenetic background, type III EBV latency, not type I, was shown
      to augment the susceptibility of B lymphoma cells to MV-induced cytolysis. Cell
      surface levels of CD150/signaling lymphocytic activation molecule, a receptor of
      MV, were upregulated in B lymphoma cell lines with type III EBV latency by 3.8
      fold, on average. The cytolytic activity of CD150-tropic WT MV was akin to that
      of CD46- and CD150-tropic CAM-70, suggesting that CD150 is critical for the
      susceptibility to MV-induced cytolysis. Among EBV-encoded genes, latent membrane
      protein 1 was responsible for the CD150 upregulation. It was notable that the
      majority of B lymphoma cell lines of type III EBV latency showed higher
      susceptibility to the non-Edmonston-derived CAM-70 than to the Edmonston-derived
      Schwarz strain. This is the first report indicating the potential of non
      Edmonston MV strain for the application of OVT. Furthermore, a cellular regulator
      of MV replication was implicated that functions in a vaccine strain-specific
      fashion. Altogether, the MV OVT should serve as an alternative therapy against
      EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with type III EBV latency. 

PMID- 24238279
TI  - Agreement between Histomorphometry and Microcomputed Tomography to Assess Bone
      Microarchitecture of Dental Implant Sites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Histomorphometry and microcomputed tomography (microCT) have been
      used in implant studies but need better understanding before being used as
      equivalent methods. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the
      agreement between 2D (histomorphometry) and 3D (microCT) reference methods for
      assessing jawbone microarchitecture in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-four
      bone specimens from 32 patients were obtained during implant placement and
      examined by microCT, followed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and histomorphometric
      analysis. The morphometric parameters included bone volume density (BV/TV), bone
      surface fraction (BS/TV), bone surface density, trabecular thickness, trabecular
      number, and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). Bland-Altman plots were used for
      pairwise agreement analysis between the equivalent 3D and 2D parameters, and
      complemented with Mountain plots. The association between the two methods was
      tested using Pearson's correlation followed by Passing-Bablok regression.
      RESULTS: Systematic bias was observed in all Bland-Altman and Mountain plots,
      including constant bias for BV/TV and Tb.Sp, and proportional bias for all other
      parameters. Significant correlation was found for BV/TV (r = 0.80; p < .001) and
      BS/TV (r = 0.44; p = .003), and the Passing-Bablok regression showed constant
      bias for BV/TV and proportional bias for BS/TV. CONCLUSION: Because of the poor
      agreement between measures obtained by histomorphometry and microCT, these
      methods should not be used interchangeably for jawbones.

PMID- 24238280
TI  - Postoperative pain relief using intermittent intrapleural analgesia following
      thoracoscopic anterior correction for progressive adolescent idiopathic
      scoliosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic anterior scoliosis instrumentation is a safe and viable
      surgical option for corrective fusion of progressive adolescent idiopathic
      scoliosis (AIS) and has been performed at our centre on 205 patients since 2000.
      However, there is a paucity of literature reporting on or examining optimum
      methods of analgesia following this type of surgery. A retrospective study was
      designed to present the authors' technique for delivering intermittent local
      anaesthetic boluses via an intrapleural catheter following thoracoscopic
      scoliosis surgery; report the pain levels that may be expected and any adverse
      effects associated with the use of intrapleural analgesia, as part of a combined
      postoperative analgesia regime. METHODS: Records for 32 patients who underwent
      thoracoscopic anterior correction for AIS were reviewed. All patients received an
      intrapleural catheter inserted during surgery, in addition to patient-controlled
      opiate analgesia and oral analgesia. After surgery, patients received a bolus of
      0.25% bupivacaine every four hours via the intrapleural catheter. Patient's
      perceptions of their pain control was measured using the visual analogue pain
      scale scores which were recorded before and after local anaesthetic
      administration and the quantity and time of day that any other analgesia was
      taken, were also recorded. RESULTS: 28 female and four male patients (mean age
      14.5 +/- 1.5 years) had a total of 230 boluses of local anaesthetic administered
      in the 96 hour period following surgery. Pain scores significantly decreased
      following the administration of a bolus (p < 0.0001), with the mean pain score
      decreasing from 3.66 to 1.83. The quantity of opiates via patient-controlled
      analgesia after surgery decreased steadily between successive 24 hours intervals
      after an initial increase in the second 24 hour period when patients were
      mobilised. One intrapleural catheter required early removal due to leakage; there
      were no other associated complications with the intermittent intrapleural
      analgesia method. CONCLUSIONS: Local anaesthetic administration via an
      intrapleural catheter is a safe and effective method of analgesia following
      thoracoscopic anterior scoliosis correction. Post-operative pain following
      anterior thoracic scoliosis surgery can be reduced to 'mild' levels by combined
      analgesia regimes.

PMID- 24238281
TI  - Clinical and serological findings associated with the expression of ITGAL, PRF1,
      and CD70 in systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - We determined the expression of Integrin alpha L chain (ITGAL), Perforin 1
      (PRF1), and CD70 and studied the associations with laboratory and clinical
      parameters. CD4+ T cells were isolated from 35 SLE patients and 30 healthy
      controls. The transcript levels of ITGAL, PRF1, and CD70 were quantified by real
      time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The SLE patients
      had significantly elevated transcript levels of ITGAL (18.61+/-22.17 vs. 7.33+/
      9.17, p=0.042), PRF1 (21.67+/-26.34 vs. 10.67+/-11.65, p=0.039), and CD70 (1.45+/
      1.63 vs. 0.67+/- 0.28, p=0.011). Patients with anti-microsomal and/or anti
      thyroglobulin antibodies showed high levels of ITGAL (33.41+/-30.14 vs. 13.58+/
      16.43, p=0.044; and 34.01+/-27.66 vs. 11.90+/-16.17, p=0.007, respectively). No
      association was seen either for the typical antibodies of SLE or for the disease
      activity. Although ITGAL, PRF1, and CD70 are overexpressed in SLE CD4+ T cells,
      their expression is not linked to the typical clinical and serological parameters
      associated with the disease. The role that ITGAL may play in autoimmune
      thyroiditis deserves further investigation. 

PMID- 24238282
TI  - Imidacloprid induced histological and biochemical alterations in liver of female
      albino rats.
AB  - Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide being used extensively for crop
      protection and pet flea control programmes. The effect of repeated oral
      administration of two doses of imidcloprid (1/10th and 1/50th of LD50 of
      imidacloprid) on liver of female albino rat was assessed. Histological
      examination of liver revealed that imidacloprid (1/10th of LD50) treatment
      resulted in dilations of central vein and sinusoids between hepatocytes however
      imidacloprid (1/50th of LD50) treatment did not induce histopathological changes
      in liver. Non significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity was
      observed in imidacloprid treated rats. Liver aspartate aminotransferase level
      showed significant increase in higher dose of imidacloprid. Additionally,
      significant increases in plasma levels of aspatate aminotransferase (AST),
      alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were observed in
      the treated rats. The results suggest that the higher doses of imidacloprid at
      1/10th of LD50 is hepatotoxic as compared to lower dose of 1/50th of LD50 of
      imidacloprid. 

PMID- 24238283
TI  - Digestive enzymes activity in subsequent generations of Cameraria ohridella
      larvae harvested from horse chestnut trees after treatment with imidacloprid.
AB  - In the present study we describe the effect of chloronicotinoid pesticide
      (imidacloprid) on the digestive enzymes activity of the Cameraria ohridella
      larvae after lasting 1 year sublethal exposure to imidacloprid pesticide.
      Caterpillars - L4 stage (fourth instar, hyperphagic tissue-feeding phase) - were
      collected from chemically protected white horse chestnut trees 1 year after
      imidacloprid treatment, and compared with caterpillars collected from non-treated
      trees in a previous study. Enzymes activity of alpha-amylase, disaccharidases,
      glycosidases and proteases was assayed. The presence of pesticide in ingested
      food changed the digestive enzymes profile of caterpillars. The analysis of
      correlations between different digestive enzymes showed many significant
      correlations (P<0.05) among glycolytic activities like beta-glucosidase and alpha
      galactosidase activities. Statistically significant correlations for proteolytic
      activity were found between trypsin and chymotrypsin activity and aminopeptidase
      activity that occurred only in the 1st generation. PCA distinguished five primary
      components with eigenvalues higher than 1, from which the first two explain
      almost 59% of analyzed results. Surprisingly, in the pesticide treated groups
      significantly higher activities of sucrase and lactase in relation to control
      were found. In general, glycosidase (alpha-glucosidase, beta-glucosidase and beta
      galactosidase) activities showed a similar pattern of activity in different
      generations. These results contrast with those obtained with control larvae,
      where significant differences in activities of alpha-glucosidase, beta
      glucosidase and beta-galactosidase may result from the different quantity and
      quality food intake by subsequent generations of larvae. No inter-generation
      differences in total proteolytic activity were observed in treated larvae. The
      absolute value of total proteolytic activity was higher than that in the control
      group. The pesticide present in the vascular system of the horse chestnut tree
      significantly affected some of the digestive enzymes activities and - in
      consequence - also interrelationships between enzymes, what may affect the food
      digestion.

PMID- 24238284
TI  - Changes in the activity and the expression of detoxification enzymes in silkworms
      (Bombyx mori) after phoxim feeding.
AB  - Silkworm (Bombyx mori) is an economically important insect. However, non-cocoon
      caused by chemical insecticide poisoning has largely hindered the development of
      sericulture. To explore the roles of detoxification enzymes in B. mori after
      insecticide poisoning, we monitored the activity changes of cytochrome P450
      monooxygenase, glutathione-S-transferase, and carboxylesterase in B. mori midgut
      and fatbody after phoxim feeding. At the same time, the expression levels of
      detoxification enzyme-related genes were also determined by real-time
      quantitative PCR. Compare to the control levels, the activity of P450 in the
      midgut and fatbody was increased to 1.72 and 6.72 folds; the activity of GST was
      no change in midgut, and in fatbody increased to 1.11 folds; the activity of
      carboxylesterase in the midgut was decreased to 0.69 folds, and in fatbody
      increased to 1.13 folds. Correspondingly, the expression levels of detoxifying
      enzyme genes CYP6ae22, CYP9a21, GSTo1 and Bmcce were increased to 15.99, 3.32,
      1.86 and 2.30 folds in the midgut and to 3.58, 1.84, 2.14 and 4.21 folds in the
      fatbody after phoxim treatment. These results demonstrated the important roles of
      detoxification enzymes in phoxim metabolism. In addition, the detected activities
      of such enzymes were generally lower than those in cotton bollworms (Helicoverpa
      armigera), which may contribute to the high susceptibility of B. mori to
      insecticides. Our findings laid the foundation for further investigations of the
      molecular mechanisms of organophosphorus pesticide metabolism in B. mori. 

PMID- 24238285
TI  - Effect of chronic exposure to prometryne on oxidative stress and antioxidant
      response in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).
AB  - The effects of the triazine herbicide prometryne, commonly present in surface and
      ground waters, on oxidative stress and antioxidant status of common carp
      (Cyprinus carpio) were investigated. Fish were exposed to sublethal
      concentrations of prometryne (0.51, 8, and 80MUg/l) for 14, 30, and 60 days.
      Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase
      (GR), as well as levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) were
      assessed in brain, gill, intestine, liver, and muscle. After 14 days exposure,
      decreased GR activity in brain was observed for all prometryne-exposed groups
      compared with the controls. Changes were observed in SOD activity in brain and
      gill after 30 days in all exposure groups. Changes in CAT activity were observed
      only at the highest concentration (80MUg/l) in liver and intestine after 60 days.
      The observed effects on carp antioxidant systems may be a defense against
      oxidative damage. The study demonstrated changes in antioxidant parameters and
      the importance of evaluating the potential long-term risk to fish of prometryne,
      at environmentally realistic concentrations (0.51MUg/l). The results suggest that
      antioxidant responses may have potential as biomarkers for monitoring residual
      triazine herbicides in aquatic environments.

PMID- 24238286
TI  - Metabolism of quizalofop and rimsulfuron in herbicide resistant grain sorghum.
AB  - Studies were conducted to determine if herbicide metabolism is an additional
      mechanism that could explain the resistance of ACCase- and ALS-resistant grain
      sorghum to quizalofop and rimsulfuron, respectively. ACCase- and ALS-resistant
      and -susceptible genetic lines were grown under controlled conditions and treated
      at the 4-leaf stage with (14)C-labeled quizalofop and rimsulfuron. Plants were
      harvested at 3, 5, and 7d after treatments. In the ACCase metabolism experiment,
      resistant grain sorghum transformed 88% of quizalofop-ethyl to quizalofop while
      91% of the inactive was converted to active form by the susceptible plants 3DAT.
      By 7DAT, all inactive quizalofop-ethyl was converted to active quizalofop. In the
      ALS metabolism study, two distinct metabolites were produced from rimsulfuron.
      Metabolism rate was similar between resistant lines (TX430R and N223R) in all
      harvest dates except at 7 DAT; however, more rapid metabolism were observed when
      resistant were compared with the susceptible genotypes (TX430S and N223S). The
      percentage of recovered rimsulfuron 3DAT corresponded to 80% and 83% in the
      resistant compared to 87% in the susceptible grain sorghum. At 5DAT, metabolism
      was near steady in all sorghum plants but by 7DAT, resistant genotypes
      metabolized 4-12% more than the susceptible sorghum. Metabolism of rimsulfuron in
      ALS-resistant grain sorghum is an added mechanism that could help elevate the
      level of rimsulfuron resistance. 

PMID- 24238288
TI  - Transcriptional characteristics of gene expression in the midgut of domestic
      silkworms (Bombyx mori) exposed to phoxim.
AB  - Silkworm (Bombyx mori) is not only an economically important insect but also a
      model system for lepidoptera. As a vital organ of digestion and nutrient
      absorption, the midgut of insects also serves as the first physiological barrier
      to chemical pesticides. In this study, microarray was performed to profile the
      gene expression changes in the midgut of silkworms exposed to phoxim. After 24h
      of phoxim exposure (4.0MUg/mL), 266 genes displayed at least 2.0-fold changes in
      expression levels. Among them, 192 genes were up-regulated, and 74 genes were
      down-regulated. The most significant changes were 14.88-fold up-regulation and
      23.36-fold down-regulation. According to gene ontology annotation and pathway
      analysis, differentially expressed genes were mainly classified into different
      groups based on their potential involvements in detoxification, immunne response,
      stress response, energy metabolism and transport. Particularly, the transcription
      levels of detoxification-related genes were up-regulated, such as cytochrome
      P450s, esterases and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), indicating increased
      detoxification activity in the midgut. Our study provides new insights into the
      molecular mechanism of pesticide metabolism in the midgut of insects, which may
      promote the development of highly efficient insecticides. 

PMID- 24238287
TI  - Differences between the succinate dehydrogenase sequences of isopyrazam sensitive
      Zymoseptoria tritici and insensitive Fusarium graminearum strains.
AB  - Forty-one Zymoseptoria tritici strains isolated in Luxembourg between 2009 and
      2010 were highly sensitive towards the new succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor
      (SDHI) isopyrazam, with concentrations inhibiting fungal growth by 50% (EC50)
      ranging from 0.0281 to 4.53MUM, whereas 41 Fusarium graminearum strains isolated
      in Europe and Northern America between 1969 and 2009 were insensitive with the
      average rate of inhibition converging towards 28% with increasing isopyrazam
      concentration. Seven isolates of both species covering the range of isopyrazam
      sensitivities observed in the present study were selected for the sequencing of
      the subunits B, C and D of the succinate dehydrogenase (sdh) gene. Predicted sdh
      amino acid sequences of subunits B, C and D were identical among F. graminearum
      strains. By comparing with fungal strains where resistance towards SDHIs was
      previously reported, three variations were unique to F. graminearum; B-D130N
      located in the iron-sulfur cluster [2Fe-2S], B-A275T located in the [3Fe-4S]
      cluster and an additional S at amino acid position 83-84 of sdhC, probably
      modifying structurally the ubiquinone binding site and therefore the biological
      activity of the fungicide. No variation was found among the Z. tritici strains in
      subunits B and D. Two variations were observed within the subunit C sequences of
      Z. tritici strains: C-N33T and C-N34T. The difference in EC50 values between Z.
      tritici strains with the NN and TT configuration was non-significant at P=0.289.
      Two outliers in the Z. tritici group with significantly higher EC50 values that
      were not related to mutations in the sdhB, sdhC, or sdhD were detected. The role
      of isopyrazam for the control of F. graminearum and Z. tritici in Luxembourg is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24238289
TI  - Treatment with the herbicide TOPIK induces oxidative stress in cereal leaves.
AB  - Leaf disks as well as intact 7-day-old plants of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum
      L., cv. Mironovskaya 808), winter rye (Secale cereale L., cv. Estafeta
      Tatarstana), and maize (Zea mays L., cv. Kollektivnyi 172MV), were treated with
      the aryloxyphenoxypropionate class herbicide TOPIK, concentrate-emulsion (active
      ingredient is clodinafop-propargyl (CP), 8-800MUg/L), and the effects of short
      term action (up to 3h) and long-term aftereffect (up to 3days) on physiological
      and biochemical indices related to oxidative stress development were studied. The
      herbicide induced changes, predominantly increases in lipid peroxidation (LPO)
      intensity, superoxide anion O2(-) generation, total antioxidant activity (AOA),
      and catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) activity, although the
      response by plants was nonlinear and depended on the herbicide concentration and
      duration of treatment. The highest level of generation of O2(-) was observed in
      the leaves of maize and winter wheat treated by 800MUg/L CP, both in the short-
      and long-term. As TOPIK concentration increased, so too did LPO and AOA in
      leaves, confirming the presence of oxidative stress in the cells of all three
      cereals. Antioxidant enzymes were most active in winter rye and wheat, and least
      active in maize indicating a protective antioxidant mechanism in the first two
      cereals. 

PMID- 24238290
TI  - Inhibition of acetylcholinesterases of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus
      xylophilus, by phytochemicals from plant essential oils.
AB  - To understand the nematicidal mode of action of phytochemicals derived from plant
      essential oils against the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), we
      evaluated 97 compounds (49 monoterpenes, 17 phenylpropenes, 16 sesquiterpenes,
      and 15 sulfides) for their inhibitory effects on B. xylophilus
      acetylcholinesterases (BxACEs). In the primary inhibition assay using B.
      xylophilus crude protein, more than 50% BxACE inhibition activity was observed
      with 3 monoterpenes, (+)-alpha-pinene, (-)-alpha-pinene, and 3-carene; 2
      phenylpropenes, omicron-anisaldehyde, and coniferyl alcohol; and 1 sesquiterpene,
      cis-nerolidol. Other compounds showed moderate or weak inhibitory activity. The
      inhibitory activities against 3 recombinant BxACEs were subsequently estimated
      using the identified active compounds in a primary inhibition assay. (+)-alpha
      Pinene showed the strongest inhibition of BxACE-1 followed by 3-carene, coniferyl
      alcohol, (-)-alpha-pinene, o-anisaldehyde, and cis-nerolidol. The half maximal
      inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of (+)-alpha-pinene, 3-carene, o
      anisaldehyde, cis-nerolidol, and (-)-alpha-pinene against BxACE-2 were found to
      be 0.64, 1.41, 8.18, 8.53, 15.28, and 18.03mM, respectively. Coniferyl alcohol
      showed the strongest inhibition of BxACE-3 followed by (+)-alpha-pinene and cis
      nerolidol. 

PMID- 24238291
TI  - Sublethal exposures of diazinon alters glucose homostasis in Wistar rats:
      Biochemical and molecular evidences of oxidative stress in adipose tissues.
AB  - Disorder of glucose homeostasis is one of the most important complications
      following exposure to organophosphorous (OPs) pesticides. Regarding the
      importance of adipose tissue in regulating blood glucose and the role of
      oxidative stress in toxicity of OPs and in the continue of our previous works, in
      the present study we focused on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), glucose
      transporter type 4 (GLUT4), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of
      activated B cells (Nf-kappaB) in a sublethal model of toxicity by diazinon as a
      common OPs. Following time-course study of various doses of diazinon in impairing
      blood glucose, dose of 70mg/kg/day was found the optimum. Animals were treated
      for 4 weeks and after gavage of glucose (2g/kg), the glucose change was evaluated
      at time-points of 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180min to identify oral glucose tolerance
      test (GTT). In addition, serum insulin was measured in fasting condition. In
      adipose tissue, oxidative stress markers including reactive oxygen species (ROS),
      nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and TNFalpha were
      evaluated. The mRNA expression of GLUT4, Nf-kappaB and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate
      dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were also determined by real time reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Diazinon at dose of 70mg/kg/day impaired GTT
      and diminished insulin level while augmented ROS, NADPH oxidase, and TNFalpha.
      The GLUT4 mRNA expression was amplified by diazinon while unlikely, the
      expression of Nf-kappaB gene did not change. On the basis of biochemical and
      molecular findings, it is concluded that diazinon impairs glucose homeostasis
      through oxidative stress and related proinflammatory markers in a way to result
      in a reduced function of insulin inside adipose tissue. Although, diazinon
      interfered with pancreatic influence on the adipose tissue most probably via
      stimulation of muscarinic receptors, current data are not sufficient to introduce
      adipose tissue as a target organ to OPs toxicity. Considering the potential of
      OPs to accumulate in adipose tissue, it seems a good candidate organ for future
      studies. Although, hyperglycemia was not induced by diazinon but increased AUC0
      180min leads us to the point that diazinon induces kind of instability in glucose
      homostasis and diabetes.

PMID- 24238292
TI  - Inhibitory effect of esterified lactoferin and lactoferrin against tobacco mosaic
      virus (TMV) in tobacco seedlings.
AB  - The inhibitory effects of esterified lactoferrin (ELF) and lactoferrin (LF)
      against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in tobacco seedlings and the underlying
      mechanism were investigated. ELF and LF significantly inhibited viral infection
      and TMV multiplication in tobacco plants. ELF showed a higher inhibition effect
      against TMV than LF treatment in a dose and time-dependent way. Moreover, ELF
      induced a higher increase in the levels of transcription of pathogenesis-related
      (PR) protein genes [acidic PRs (PR-1a, PR-2, PR-3, PR-5) and basic PR-1] and
      defense-related enzymes [phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5), and 5-epi
      aristolochene synthase (EAS, EC 2.5.1.35)] both locally and systemically, in
      correlation with the induction of resistance against tobacco mosaic virus.
      Furthermore, ELF also induced accumulation of salicylic acid, SA 2-O-beta-D
      glucoside and H2O2. These results suggested that ELF and LF could control TMV
      incidence and the mechanism might attribute to activate the expression of a
      number of defense genes.

PMID- 24238293
TI  - Screening of lethal genes for feeding RNAi by leaf disc-mediated systematic
      delivery of dsRNA in Tetranychus urticae.
AB  - To identify genes that kill Tetranychus urticae when knocked down via RNA
      interference (RNAi), several lethal genes were screened by the systemic delivery
      of dsRNA via leaf disc feeding. Four candidate genes (beta subunit of coatomer
      protein complex, T-COPB2; M1 metalloprotease, T-M1MP; Ribosomal protein S4, T
      RPS4; A subunit of V-ATPase, T-VATPase) and a control gene (EGFP) were tested for
      RNAi. All dsRNAs that permeated the leaf disc (ca. 15-mm diameter) were detected
      at 12h post-treatment, indicating that dsRNA could move through vascular tissues.
      To evaluate RNAi toxicity, mortalities were assessed for 120h following treatment
      with dsRNA. Treatment with T-COPB2, T-M1MP, T-RPS4 and T-VATPase dsRNAs caused
      65.4%, 15.9%, 36.1% and 21.1% mortalities at 120h post-treatment, respectively.
      Reduction of all target gene transcripts following dsRNA treatment was confirmed
      by quantitative PCR, demonstrating that dsRNA feeding-based RNAi could indeed
      kill T. urticae. In summary, dsRNA delivery via leaf disc is an effective system
      to screen for lethal genes. Furthermore, some genes, such as T-COPB2, T-M1MP, T
      RPS4 and T-VATPase, can be used to establish an RNAi-based control system against
      T. urticae. 

PMID- 24238294
TI  - The IL-6 response to Chlamydia from primary reproductive epithelial cells is
      highly variable and may be involved in differential susceptibility to the
      immunopathological consequences of chlamydial infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis infection results in reproductive damage in
      some women. The process and factors involved in this immunopathology are not well
      understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of primary human cellular
      responses to chlamydial stress response proteases and chlamydial infection to
      further identify the immune processes involved in serious disease sequelae.
      RESULTS: Laboratory cell cultures and primary human reproductive epithelial
      cultures produced IL-6 in response to chlamydial stress response proteases
      (CtHtrA and CtTsp), UV inactivated Chlamydia, and live Chlamydia. The magnitude
      of the IL-6 response varied considerably (up to 1000 pg ml(-1)) across different
      primary human reproductive cultures. Thus different levels of IL-6 production by
      reproductive epithelia may be a determinant in disease outcome. Interestingly, co
      culture models with either THP-1 cells or autologous primary human PBMC generally
      resulted in increased levels of IL-6, except in the case of live Chlamydia where
      the level of IL-6 was decreased compared to the epithelial cell culture only,
      suggesting this pathway may be able to be modulated by live Chlamydia. PBMC
      responses to the stress response proteases (CtTsp and CtHtrA) did not
      significantly vary for the different participant cohorts. Therefore, these
      proteases may possess conserved innate PAMPs. MAP kinases appeared to be involved
      in this IL-6 induction from human cells. Finally, we also demonstrated that IL-6
      was induced by these proteins and Chlamydia from mouse primary reproductive cell
      cultures (BALB/C mice) and mouse laboratory cell models. CONCLUSIONS: We have
      demonstrated that IL-6 may be a key factor for the chlamydial disease outcome in
      humans, given that primary human reproductive epithelial cell culture showed
      considerable variation in IL-6 response to Chlamydia or chlamydial proteins, and
      that the presence of live Chlamydia (but not UV killed) during co-culture
      resulted in a reduced IL-6 response suggesting this response may be moderated by
      the presence of the organism.

PMID- 24238295
TI  - Growth of Korean preterm infants in a family-centered tradition during early
      infancy: the influence of health risks, maternal employment, and the sex of
      infants.
AB  - AIM: The physical growth of mild preterm infants (<32 weeks of gestation at
      birth) needs to be explored in terms of bio-sociocultural factors considering the
      sociocultural aspects of child-care practice. METHODS: A retrospective cohort
      study was conducted with 238 Korean mild preterm infants from birth up to 6
      months of corrected age regarding four of the biological and sociocultural
      factors such as health risks (at birth and discharge), maternal employment
      status, and the infant sex. RESULTS: There were four noteworthy findings on
      growth variation in Korean mild preterm infants during early infancy: (i) the
      secular trend of intrauterine growth; (ii) the cumulative adverse effects of four
      risk factors; (iii) the possible burden of maternal employment if insufficient
      support; and (iv) the possibility of the cultural favoritism to male infants
      regardless of the modern industrialized society. CONCLUSION: The study suggests
      that, in a modern society, while mild preterm infants could sustain typical fetal
      growth, the early postnatal growth may vary based on health risks and
      sociocultural circumstances related to child-bearing and -rearing practices
      surrounding them.

PMID- 24238296
TI  - Ocular perfusion pressure in glaucoma.
AB  - This review article discusses the relationship between ocular perfusion pressure
      and glaucoma, including its definition, factors that influence its calculation
      and epidemiological studies investigating the influence of ocular perfusion
      pressure on the prevalence, incidence and progression of glaucoma. We also list
      the possible mechanisms behind this association, and discuss whether it is
      secondary to changes in intraocular pressure, blood pressure or both. Finally, we
      describe the circadian variation of ocular perfusion pressure and the effects of
      systemic and topical medications on it. We believe that the balance between IOP
      and BP, influenced by the autoregulatory capacity of the eye, is part of what
      determines whether an individual will develop optic nerve damage. However,
      prospective, longitudinal studies are needed to better define the role of ocular
      perfusion pressure in the development and progression of glaucoma. 

PMID- 24238297
TI  - The impact of genomic variability on gene expression in environmental
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.
AB  - Environmental Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains are crucially important, as they
      represent the large pool from which domesticated industrial yeasts have been
      selected, and vineyard strains can be considered the genetic reservoir from which
      industrial wine strains with strong fermentative behaviour are selected. Four
      vineyard strains with different fermentation performances were chosen from a
      large collection of strains isolated from Italian vineyards. Their genomes were
      sequenced to identify how genetic variations influence gene expression during
      fermentation and to clarify the evolutionary relationship between vineyard
      isolates and industrial wine strains. RNA sequencing was performed on the four
      vineyard strains, as well as on the industrial wine yeast strain EC1118 and on
      the laboratory strain S288c, at two stages of fermentation. We showed that there
      was a large gene cluster with variable promoter regions modifying gene expression
      in the strains. Our results indicate that it is the evolvability of the yeast
      promoter regions, rather than structural variations or strain-specific genes,
      that is the main cause of the differences in gene expression. This promoter
      variability, determined by variable tandem repeats and a high number of single
      nucleotide polymorphisms together with 49 differentially expressed transcription
      factors, explained the strong phenotypic differences in the strains. 

PMID- 24238298
TI  - Reduced beta2-glycoprotein I protects macrophages from ox-LDL-induced foam cell
      formation and cell apoptosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reduced beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2-GPI) is a free thiol-containing
      form of beta2-GPI that displays a powerful effect in protecting endothelial cells
      from oxidative stress-induced cell death. The present study aims to investigate
      the effect of beta2-GPI or reduced beta2-GPI on ox-LDL-induced foam cell
      formation and on cell apoptosis and to determine the possible mechanisms.
      METHODS: The RAW264.7 macrophage cell line was selected as the experimental
      material. Oil red O staining and cholesterol measurement were used to detect
      cholesterol accumulation qualitatively and quantitatively, respectively. Flow
      cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. Real-time quantitative PCR was used
      to detect the mRNA expression of the main proteins that are associated with the
      transport of cholesterol, such as CD36, SRB1, ABCA1 and ABCG1. Western blot
      analysis was used to detect the protein expression of certain apoptosis-related
      proteins, such as caspase-9, caspase-3, p38 MAPK/p-p38 MAPK and JNK/p-JNK.
      RESULTS: Beta2-GPI or reduced beta2-GPI decreased ox-LDL-induced cholesterol
      accumulation (96.45 +/- 8.51 MUg/mg protein vs. 114.35 +/- 10.38 MUg/mg protein,
      p < 0.05;74.44 +/- 5.27 MUg/mg protein vs. 114.35 +/- 10.38 MUg/mg protein, p <
      0.01) and cell apoptosis (30.00 +/- 5.10% vs. 38.70 +/- 7.76%, p < 0.05; 20.66 +/
      2.50% vs. 38.70 +/- 7.76%, p < 0.01), and there are significant differences
      between beta2-GPI and reduced beta2-GPI (p < 0.05). Reduced beta2-GPI decreased
      the ox-LDL-induced expression of CD36 mRNA and ABCA1 mRNA (p < 0.05), as well as
      CD36, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, p-p38 MAPK and p-JNK proteins (p <
      0.05 or p < 0.01). Beta2-GPI did not significantly decrease the expression of
      ABCA1 mRNA and the p-p38 MAPK protein. CONCLUSIONS: Both beta2-GPI and reduced
      beta2-GPI inhibit ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation and cell apoptosis, and the
      latter exhibits a stronger inhibition effect. Both of these glycoproteins reduce
      the lipid intake of macrophages by downregulating CD36 as well as protein
      expression. Reduced beta2-GPI inhibits cell apoptosis by reducing the ox-LDL
      induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK, and the amount of cleaved caspase-3
      and caspase-9. Beta2-GPI does not inhibit the ox-LDL-induced phosphorylation of
      p38 MAPK.

PMID- 24238299
TI  - Brain responses to body image stimuli but not food are altered in women with
      bulimia nervosa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research into the neural correlates of bulimia nervosa (BN)
      psychopathology remains limited. METHODS: In this functional magnetic resonance
      imaging study, 21 BN patients and 23 healthy controls (HCs) completed two
      paradigms: (1) processing of visual food stimuli and (2) comparing their own
      appearance with that of slim women. Participants also rated food craving and
      anxiety levels. RESULTS: Brain activation patterns in response to food cues did
      not differ between women with and without BN. However, when evaluating themselves
      against images of slim women, BN patients engaged the insula more and the
      fusiform gyrus less, compared to HCs, suggesting increased self-focus among women
      with BN whilst comparing themselves to a 'slim ideal'. In these BN patients,
      exposure to food and body image stimuli increased self-reported levels of
      anxiety, but not craving. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that women with BN
      differ from HCs in the way they process body image, but not in the way they
      process food stimuli.

PMID- 24238300
TI  - The effect of temperature on the viability of human mesenchymal stem cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Impaction allograft with cement is a common technique used in
      revision hip surgeries for the last 20 years. However, its clinical results are
      inconsistent. Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded
      onto allograft can enhance bone formation. This in vitro study investigates
      whether the increase in temperature related to the polymerisation of bone cement
      will affect the viability of human MSCs. METHODS: The viability of human MSCs was
      measured after incubating them at temperatures of 38 degrees C, 48 degrees C and
      58 degrees C; durations 45 seconds, 80 seconds and 150 seconds. A control group
      was kept at 37 degrees C and 5% carbon dioxide for the duration of the
      investigation (7 days). During the course of the study the human MSCs were
      analysed for cell metabolic activity using the alamarBlueTM assay, cell viability
      using both Trypan Blue dye exclusion and calcein staining under fluorescent
      microscopy, and necrosis and apoptosis using Annexin V and propidium iodide for
      flow cytometric analysis. A one-way analysis of variance with a priori Dunnett's
      test was used to indicate the differences between the treatment groups, when
      analysed against the control. This identified conditions with a significant
      difference in cell metabolic activity (alamarBlueTM) and cell viability (Trypan
      Blue). RESULTS: Results showed that cell metabolism was not severely affected up
      to 48 degrees C/150 seconds, while cells in the 58 degrees C group died. Similar
      results were shown using Trypan Blue and calcein analysis for cell viability. No
      significant difference in apoptosis and necrosis of the cells was observed when
      human MSCs treated at 48 degrees C/150 seconds were compared with the control
      group. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that human MSCs seeded onto allograft can
      be exposed to temperatures up to 48 degrees C for 150 seconds. Exposure to this
      temperature for this time period is unlikely to occur during impaction allograft
      surgery when cement is used. Therefore, in many situations, the addition of human
      MSCs to cemented impaction grafting may be carried out without detrimental
      effects to the cells. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that this can
      enhance new bone formation and repair the defects in revision situations.

PMID- 24238301
TI  - Epidemiological features and risk factors associated with the spatial and
      temporal distribution of human brucellosis in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human brucellosis incidence in China has been increasing dramatically
      since 1999. However, epidemiological features and potential factors underlying
      the re-emergence of the disease remain less understood. METHODS: Data on human
      and animal brucellosis cases at the county scale were collected for the year 2004
      to 2010. Also collected were environmental and socioeconomic variables.
      Epidemiological features including spatial and temporal patterns of the disease
      were characterized, and the potential factors related to the spatial
      heterogeneity and the temporal trend of were analysed using Poisson regression
      analysis, Granger causality analysis, and autoregressive distributed lag (ADL)
      models, respectively. RESULTS: The epidemic showed a significantly higher spatial
      correlation with the number of sheep and goats than swine and cattle. The disease
      was most prevalent in grassland areas with elevation between 800-1,600 meters.
      The ADL models revealed that local epidemics were correlated with comparatively
      lower temperatures and less sunshine in winter and spring, with a 1-7 month lag
      before the epidemic peak in May. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that human
      brucellosis tended to occur most commonly in grasslands at moderate elevation
      where sheep and goats were the predominant livestock, and in years with cooler
      winter and spring or less sunshine.

PMID- 24238302
TI  - Abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance, and oxidized low-density lipoproteins in
      Latino adolescents.
AB  - Abdominal obesity and insulin resistance (IR) place youth at higher risk for
      premature cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the underlying mechanisms are not
      clear. In adults, abdominal obesity and IR contribute to the oxidation of low
      density lipoprotein (LDL). Whether similar mechanisms are operational in Latino
      adolescents is unknown. Therefore, we determined whether IR and abdominal
      adiposity are associated with higher oxLDL concentrations in Latino adolescents.
      Data from 123 Latino adolescents (16.3 +/- 2.5 years; female = 74) were used for
      the present analysis. Participants were assessed for waist circumference, fasting
      serum oxLDL, and insulin sensitivity by the whole body insulin sensitivity index.
      In separate linear regression models adjusting for age and sex, both waist
      circumference and insulin sensitivity were significant predictors of oxLDL (beta
      = 1.9; p = 0.002; R2 = 0.13, beta = -1.7; p = 0.006; R2 = 0.11, respectively).
      When insulin sensitivity and waist circumference were included in the same model,
      both remained independent predictors of oxLDL (beta = 1.7; p = 0.016 and, beta = 
      1.5; p = 0.055, respectively; R2 = 0.16). These results suggest that insulin
      resistance and abdominal adiposity are associated with higher levels of LDL
      oxidation which may be a mechanism contributing to increased CVD risk in Latino
      adolescents. 

PMID- 24238303
TI  - The association between PFOA, PFOS and serum lipid levels in adolescents.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Dyslipidemia in children is associated with accelerated
      atherosclerosis and earlier cardiovascular disease development. Environmental
      exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
      have been shown to be associated with dyslipidemia in adults. However, there are
      few general population studies examining this association in children or
      adolescents. In this context, we examined the association between serum PFOA and
      PFOS levels and dyslipidemia in a nationally representative sample of US
      adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 815 participants
      ?18 years of age from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999
      2008. The main outcome was dyslipidemia, defined as total cholesterol >170 mg/dL,
      low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >110 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol (HDL-C) <40 mg/dL or triglycerides >150 mg/dL. RESULTS: We found that
      serum PFOA and PFOS were positively associated with high total cholesterol and
      LDL-C, independent of age, sex, race-ethnicity, body mass index, annual household
      income, physical activity and serum cotinine levels. Compared to subjects in
      quartile 1 (referent), the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence
      interval) for high total cholesterol among children in quartile 4 was 1.16 (1.05
      2.12) for PFOA and 1.53 (1.11-1.64) for PFOS. PFOA and PFOS were not
      significantly associated with abnormal HDL-C and triglyceride levels. DISCUSSION:
      Our findings indicate that serum PFOA and PFOS are significantly associated with
      dyslipidemia in adolescents, even at the lower "background" exposure levels of
      the US general population.

PMID- 24238304
TI  - The fate of sulfur during rapid pyrolysis of scrap tires.
AB  - The fate of sulfur during rapid pyrolysis of scrap tires at temperatures from 673
      to 1073K was investigated. Sulfur was predominant in the forms of thiophenic and
      inorganic sulfides in raw scrap tires. In the pyrolysis process, sulfur in
      organic forms was unstable and decomposed, leading to the sulfur release into tar
      and gases. At 673 and 773K, a considerable amount of sulfur was distributed in
      tar. Temperature increasing from 773 to 973K promoted tar decomposition and
      facilitated sulfur release into gases. At 1073K, the interactions between
      volatiles and char stimulated the formation of high-molecular-weight sulfur
      containing compounds. After pyrolysis, almost half of the total content of sulfur
      in raw scrap tires still remained in the char and was mostly in the form of
      sulfides. Moreover, at temperatures higher than 873K, part of sulfur in the char
      was immobilized in the sulfates. In the pyrolysis gases, H2S was the main sulfur
      containing gas. Increasing temperature stimulated the decomposition of organic
      polymers in scrap tires and more H2S was formed. Besides H2S, other sulfur
      containing gases such as CH3SH, COS and SO2 were produced during the rapid
      pyrolysis of scrap tires. 

PMID- 24238305
TI  - PCDD/DF and co-planar PCB emissions from crematories in Japan.
AB  - Japan implemented dioxin emission guidelines for crematories in 2000, but the
      effects of the new guidelines have not been fully evaluated. In this study,
      concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs/DFs) and co
      planar polychlorinated biphenyls (co-PCBs) were measured in flue gas, fly ash,
      and bottom ash (mainly bone) from several crematories as a follow-up
      investigation. Total concentrations (O2 12% normalized) of PCDDs/DFs and co-PCBs
      in flue gas ranged from 4.2 to 540 ng/mN(3), and toxic equivalent concentrations
      ranged from 0.000053 to 11 ng-TEQ/mN(3). Based on these measurements, the average
      emission factor was estimated to be 1400 ng-TEQ/body. This is approximately one
      third the emission factor recorded in 1999. The emission factor distributions
      from 1999 and our study in 2007 were log-normally distributed. Emission factors
      were significantly lower in 2007 than in 1999, which suggests that the guidelines
      have been effective in reducing dioxin emissions. Meanwhile, toxic equivalent
      concentrations in fly ash ranged from 0.014 to 13 ng-TEQ g(-1). Higher dioxin
      concentrations in fly ash were observed in facilities that used a heat exchanger
      as a flue-gas cooling device. Because the concentrations of PCDDs/DFs and co-PCBs
      in flue gas were also elevated after heat exchangers during the investigation of
      PCDD/DF- and co-PCB-removal behaviors, secondary formation of PCDDs/DFs and co
      PCBs on heat exchanger surfaces unambiguously occurred.

PMID- 24238306
TI  - Noninvasive k3 estimation method for slow dissociation PET ligands: application
      to [11C]Pittsburgh compound B.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, we reported an information density theory and an analysis
      of three-parameter plus shorter scan than conventional method (3P+) for the
      amyloid-binding ligand [11C]Pittsburgh compound B (PIB) as an example of a non
      highly reversible positron emission tomography (PET) ligand. This article
      describes an extension of 3P + analysis to noninvasive '3P++' analysis (3P + plus
      use of a reference tissue for input function). METHODS: In 3P++ analysis for
      [11C]PIB, the cerebellum was used as a reference tissue (negligible specific
      binding). Fifteen healthy subjects (NC) and fifteen Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      patients participated. The k3 (index of receptor density) values were estimated
      with 40-min PET data and three-parameter reference tissue model and were compared
      with that in 40-min 3P + analysis as well as standard 90-min four-parameter (4P)
      analysis with arterial input function. Simulation studies were performed to
      explain k3 biases observed in 3P++ analysis. RESULTS: Good model fits of 40-min
      PET data were observed in both reference and target regions-of-interest (ROIs).
      High linear intra-subject (inter-15 ROI) correlations of k3 between 3P++ (Y-axis)
      and 3P + (X-axis) analyses were shown in one NC (r2 = 0.972 and slope = 0.845)
      and in one AD (r2 = 0.982, slope = 0.655), whereas inter-subject k3 correlations
      in a target region (left lateral temporal cortex) from 30 subjects (15 NC + 15
      AD) were somewhat lower (r2 = 0.739 and slope = 0.461). Similar results were
      shown between 3P++ and 4P analyses: r2 = 0.953 for intra-subject k3 in NC, r2 =
      0.907 for that in AD and r2 = 0.711 for inter-30 subject k3. Simulation studies
      showed that such lower inter-subject k3 correlations and significant negative k3
      biases were not due to unstableness of 3P++ analysis but rather to inter-subject
      variation of both k2 (index of brain-to-blood transport) and k3 (not completely
      negligible) in the reference region. CONCLUSIONS: In [11C]PIB, the applicability
      of 3P++ analysis may be restricted to intra-subject comparison such as follow-up
      studies. The 3P++ method itself is thought to be robust and may be more
      applicable to other non-highly reversible PET ligands with ideal reference
      tissue.

PMID- 24238307
TI  - Over-the-scope clip for closure of persistent post-esophagectomy gastric conduit
      fistula.

PMID- 24238308
TI  - A double-blind, block-randomized, placebo-controlled trial to identify the
      chemical assistance effect of mesna submucosal injection for gastric endoscopic
      submucosal dissection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous animal studies and a pilot clinical trial demonstrated that
      submucosal injection of a thiol compound called mesna could chemically soften
      connective tissues and thus facilitate endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether mesna injection could reduce procedural times for
      gastric ESD. DESIGN: Double-blind, block-randomized, controlled trial. SETTING:
      University hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 101 patients with superficial gastric
      cancer indicated for ESD were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the mesna
      or control (saline solution) group. INTERVENTION: Traditional ESD was performed
      with a single bolus injection of mesna or saline solution. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS: Time for submucosal dissection (TSD). RESULTS: En bloc resection
      was achieved for all lesions in the mesna group (53/53) and 51 of 52 lesions
      (98.08%) in the control group. TSD was not statistically different between the
      groups (18.62 +/- 13.9 [mean +/- SD] minutes for the mesna group and 24.58 +/-
      24.55 [mean +/- SD] minutes for the control group; P = .128), and there were
      fewer time-consuming cases (times over 30 minutes) in the mesna group compared
      with controls (7/53 vs 15/52; P = .049). Multivariate regression analysis
      demonstrated that use of mesna, specimen size, and the presence of fibrous scars
      were significantly correlated with TSD (P < .05). LIMITATIONS: Single-center
      study. CONCLUSION: TSD was not significantly different between the mesna and
      control injection groups, but multivariate analysis indicated that mesna
      injection reduced procedural challenges associated with the submucosal
      dissection. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000003786.).

PMID- 24238309
TI  - Suck-ligate-unroof-biopsy by using a detachable 20-mm loop for the diagnosis and
      therapy of small subepithelial tumors (with video).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and therapy of subepithelial tumors (SETs) can be
      challenging. OBJECTIVE: Proof-of-concept evaluation of the suck-ligate-unroof
      biopsy (SLUB) technique for small (<2 cm), non-pedunculated SETs. DESIGN: Pilot
      feasibility study. SETTING: Tertiary-care referral center. PATIENTS: Twenty-three
      patients (median age 60 years) meeting the inclusion criteria after preliminary
      EUS. INTERVENTION: SET ligation was performed with a detachable 20-mm loop
      deployed through an 18-mm diameter, soft, oblique, transparent, cap attachment.
      The SLUB technique comprised (1) suction to draw the SET into the cap; (2)
      ligation below the SET, confirmation by repeat EUS; (3) unroofing of the
      overlying mucosa with a needle-knife; and (4) biopsy specimens taken from the
      exposed tumor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Technical success, histology and/or
      immunohistochemistry yield, adverse events, completeness of resection. RESULTS:
      SLUB was attempted on 24 SETs and was technically successful in all. Location was
      the stomach (n = 19), small bowel (n = 1), colon (n = 2), and rectum (n = 2).
      Median size by EUS was 10 mm (range 6-15 mm). Biopsy specimens provided an
      immunohistologic diagnosis in all cases: GI stromal tumor (n = 5), leiomyoma (n =
      8), carcinoid tumor (n = 5), Vanek's tumor (n = 2), granuloma (n =1), and
      pancreatic heterotopia (n = 3). Follow-up endoscopy and EUS in 13 patients showed
      well-healed scars with no residual tumor, including all 9 patients with
      premalignant neoplastic lesions. The only adverse event was self-limited pain in
      2 patients. LIMITATIONS: Single center, single operator, small sample size.
      CONCLUSIONS: Loop ligation of small, non-pedunculated SETs is feasible by using a
      cap attachment for suction. Unroofing after ligation is safe and provides
      sufficient tissue for immunohistochemistry. Ligation combined with unroofing
      appears to lead to complete ablation by ischemia and tumor enucleation.

PMID- 24238310
TI  - Dental Implant Macro-Design Features Can Impact the Dynamics of Osseointegration.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical performance of two
      dental implant types possessing a different macro-design in the in vivo pig
      model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Titanium Aadva(TM) implants (GC, Tokyo, Japan) were
      compared with OsseoSpeed(TM) implants (Astra, Molndal, Sweden), with the Aadva
      implant displaying significant larger inter-thread dimensions than the OsseoSpeed
      implant. Implants were installed in the parietal bone of 12 domestic pigs and
      left for healing for either 1 or 3 months. Implant osseointegration was evaluated
      by quantitative histology (bone volume relative to the tissue volume [BV/TV];
      bone-to-implant contact [BIC]) for distinct implant regions (collar, body, total
      implant length) with specific implant thread features. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney
      nonparametric test with alpha = 0.05 was performed. RESULTS: An inferior amount
      of bone enveloping the Aadva implant compared with the OsseoSpeed implant was
      observed, in particular at the implant body part with its considerable inter
      thread gaps (p < .05). Concomitantly, the Aadva macro-design negatively affected
      the amount of bone in direct contact with the implant for this specific implant
      part (p < .05), and resulted in an overall impaired implant osseointegration at
      the initial healing stage (total implant length; 1-month healing; p < .05).
      CONCLUSION: Although the Aadva implant displayed a clinically acceptable level of
      osseointegration, the findings demonstrate that implant macro-design features can
      impact the dynamics of implant osseointegration. Consideration of specific
      implant macro-design features should be made relative to the biological and
      mechanical microenvironment.

PMID- 24238311
TI  - The diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia: A systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Acute mesenteric ischemia is an infrequent cause of abdominal pain in
      emergency department (ED) patients; however, mortality for this condition is
      high. Rapid diagnosis and surgery are key to survival, but presenting signs are
      often vague or variable, and there is no pathognomonic laboratory screening test.
      A systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature was performed
      to determine diagnostic test characteristics of patient symptoms, objective
      signs, laboratory studies, and diagnostic modalities to help rule in or out the
      diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia in the ED. METHODS: In concordance with
      published guidelines for systematic reviews, the medical literature was searched
      for relevant articles. The Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy
      Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) for systematic reviews was used to evaluate the overall
      quality of the trials included. Summary estimates of diagnostic accuracy were
      computed by using a random-effects model to combine studies. Those studies
      without data to fully complete a two-by-two table were not included in the meta
      analysis portion of the project. RESULTS: The literature search identified 1,149
      potentially relevant studies, of which 23 were included in the final analysis.
      The quality of the diagnostic studies was highly variable. A total of 1,970
      patients were included in the combined population of all included studies. The
      prevalence of acute mesenteric ischemia ranged from 8% to 60%. There was a pooled
      sensitivity for l-lactate of 86% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 73% to 94%) and
      a pooled specificity of 44% (95% CI = 32% to 55%). There was a pooled sensitivity
      for D-dimer of 96% (95% CI = 89% to 99%) and a pooled specificity of 40% (95% CI
      = 33% to 47%). For computed tomography (CT), we found a pooled sensitivity of 94%
      (95% CI = 90% to 97%) and specificity of 95% (95% CI = 93% to 97%). The positive
      likelihood ratio (+LR) for a positive CT was 17.5 (95% CI = 5.99 to 51.29), and
      the negative likelihood ratio (-LR) was 0.09 (95% CI = 0.05 to 0.17). The pooled
      operative mortality rate for mesenteric ischemia was 47% (95% CI = 40% to 54%).
      Given these findings, the test threshold of 2.1% (below this pretest probability,
      do not test further) and a treatment threshold of 74% (above this pretest
      probability, proceed to surgical management) were calculated. CONCLUSIONS: The
      quality of the overall literature base for mesenteric ischemia is varied. Signs,
      symptoms, and laboratory testing are insufficiently diagnostic for the condition.
      Only CT angiography had adequate accuracy to establish the diagnosis of acute
      mesenteric ischemia in lieu of laparotomy.

PMID- 24238313
TI  - The effect of medical trainees on pediatric emergency department flow: a discrete
      event simulation modeling study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Providing patient care and medical education are both important
      missions of teaching hospital emergency departments (EDs). With medical school
      enrollment rising, and ED crowding becoming an increasing prevalent issue, it is
      important for both pediatric EDs (PEDs) and general EDs to find a balance between
      these two potentially competing goals. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine
      how the number of trainees in a PED affects patient wait time, total ED length of
      stay (LOS), and rates of patients leaving without being seen (LWBS) for PED
      patients overall and stratified by acuity level as defined by the Pediatric
      Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) using discrete event simulation (DES)
      modeling. METHODS: A DES model of an urban tertiary care PED, which receives
      approximately 40,000 visits annually, was created and validated. Thirteen
      different trainee schedules, which ranged from averaging zero to six trainees per
      shift, were input into the DES model and the outcome measures were determined
      using the combined output of five model iterations. RESULTS: An increase in LOS
      of approximately 7 minutes was noted to be associated with each additional
      trainee per attending emergency physician working in the PED. The relationship
      between the number of trainees and wait time varied with patients' level of
      acuity and with the degree of PED utilization. Patient wait time decreased as the
      number of trainees increased for low-acuity visits and when the PED was not
      operating at full capacity. With rising numbers of trainees, the PED LWBS rate
      decreased in the whole department and in the CTAS 4 and 5 patient groups, but it
      rose in patients triaged CTAS 3 or higher. A rising numbers of trainees was not
      associated with any change to flow outcomes for CTAS 1 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results of this study demonstrate that trainees in PEDs have an impact mainly on
      patient LOS and that the effect on wait time differs between patients presenting
      with varying degrees of acuity. These findings will assist PEDs in finding a
      balance between providing high-quality medical education and timely patient care.

PMID- 24238312
TI  - Patient demographic and health factors associated with frequent use of emergency
      medical services in a midsized city.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To optimize health care utilization, health outcomes, and costs,
      research is needed to improve an understanding of frequent users of emergency
      health services. Frequent use of emergency services is associated with high costs
      of health care and may be indicative of challenges accessing, or poor outcomes
      of, health care. Patient demographics and health factors related to frequent use
      of the emergency medical services (EMS) system of a midsized city were
      identified. Study findings will aid in the development of targeted interventions
      to improve population health. METHODS: The authors reviewed 9-1-1 call dispatch
      data and Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) EMS records from 2008 through
      2010. Frequent use was defined as six or more EMS incidents in the 23-month
      period. Analyses used census data to compare demographics of EMS users to their
      population distribution and examined differences in demographics and health
      problems of frequent EMS users compared to nonfrequent users. RESULTS: Frequent
      EMS users (n = 1,969) had a range of six to 199 EMS incidents (mean = 11.2)
      during the observation period, and although they accounted for only 1.5% of EMS
      users, they were involved in 12.0% of incidents. Frequent users, compared to
      nonfrequent users and to the population, were more likely to be male, African
      American, and 45 years of age or older. Of frequent users, the modal age group
      was 45 to 54 years, accounting for 29.7% of frequent users, which represented
      twice this age group's population distribution. Furthermore, this age group had
      the greatest overrepresentation of males (63.0% of frequent users) and was the
      peak age group for incidents related to substance abuse (28.0% of frequent users'
      incidents in this age group). Frequent users, compared to nonfrequent users, had
      lower levels of incidents related to trauma (5.1% vs. 16.7%) and higher levels of
      medical incidents (94.8% vs. 82.9%). As proportions of EMS incidents among
      frequent versus nonfrequent users, respiratory, mental health, and seizure
      related incidents were highest in the youngest age groups; substance abuse
      related incidents were highest in those middle-aged (35 to 44 and 45 to 54
      years). Of health problems, behavioral health (mental health or substance use)
      contributed most to frequent EMS use (23.4% of frequent users' incidents). Across
      all incidents, 65.8% of frequent users had indications of behavioral health
      problems, representing 6.6-fold higher odds than nonfrequent users (22.5%).
      Frequent compared to nonfrequent users also had higher levels of select chronic
      conditions (diabetes, 39.9% vs. 14.6%; asthma, 40.9% vs. 13.4%; and HIV, 9.1% vs.
      2.4%), with unadjusted odds almost four to seven times higher. CONCLUSIONS: The
      study findings revealed the major role of chronic somatic and behavioral health
      problems in frequent EMS use and that rates of frequent use were highest among
      those middle-aged, African American, and male. These results suggest the need for
      coordination of EMS with community-based, integrated medical and behavioral
      health services to improve access and use of preventive services, with
      implications for health outcomes and costs. This study demonstrates the value of
      EMS patient data in identifying at-risk populations and informing novel, targeted
      approaches to public health interventions.

PMID- 24238314
TI  - Comparison of the "real-life" diagnostic value of two recently published
      electrocardiogram methods for the differential diagnosis of wide QRS complex
      tachycardias.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic values of the aVR lead or "Vereckei algorithm," and
      the lead II R-wave peak time (RWPT) criterion, recently devised for the
      differential diagnosis of wide QRS complex tachycardias (WCTs), were compared.
      METHODS: A total of 212 WCTs (142 ventricular tachycardias [VTs], 62
      supraventricular tachycardias [SVT], and eight preexcitation SVTs) from 145
      patients with proven electrophysiologic diagnoses were retrospectively analyzed
      by seven examiners blinded to the electrophysiologic diagnoses. RESULTS: The
      overall test accuracy of the Vereckei algorithm was superior to that of the RWPT
      criterion (84.3% vs. 79.6%; p = 0.0003). The sensitivity of the Vereckei
      algorithm for VT diagnosis was greater than that of RWPT criterion (92.4% vs.
      79.1%; p < 0.0001). The negative predictive value (NPV) for the Vereckei
      algorithm was also greater (77.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 73.6% to 82.1%)
      than that of the RWPT criterion (61.6%; 95% CI = 57.6% to 65.6%). The specificity
      of the Vereckei algorithm was lower than that of the RWPT criterion (64.7% vs.
      80.9%; p < 0.0001). The positive predictive value (PPV) was also lower for the
      Vereckei algorithm (86.4%; 95% CI = 84.4% to 88.4%) than for the RWPT criterion
      (90.9%; 95% CI = 89.1% to 92.8%). Incorrect diagnoses made by the Vereckei
      algorithm were mainly due to misdiagnosis of SVT as VT (65.7% of cases), and
      those made by the RWPT criterion were due to the more dangerous misdiagnosis of
      VT as SVT (72.5% of cases). CONCLUSIONS: The Vereckei algorithm was superior in
      overall test accuracy, sensitivity, and NPV for VT diagnosis and inferior in
      specificity and PPV to the RWPT criterion. All of these parameters were lower in
      "real life" than those reported by the original authors for each of the
      particular electrocardiographic methods.

PMID- 24238315
TI  - A cost-effectiveness analysis comparing a clinical decision rule versus usual
      care to risk stratify children for intraabdominal injury after blunt torso
      trauma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Recently a clinical decision rule (CDR) to identify children at very
      low risk for intraabdominal injury needing acute intervention (IAI) following
      blunt torso trauma was developed. Potential benefits of a CDR include more
      appropriate abdominal computed tomography (CT) use and decreased hospital costs.
      The objective of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of implementing
      the CDR compared to usual care for the evaluation of children with blunt torso
      trauma. The hypothesis was that compared to usual care, implementation of the CDR
      would result in lower CT use and hospital costs. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness
      decision analytic model was constructed comparing the costs and outcomes of
      implementation of the CDR to usual care in the evaluation of children with blunt
      torso trauma. Probabilities from a multicenter cohort study of children with
      blunt torso trauma were derived; estimated costs were based on those at the study
      coordinating site. Outcome measures included missed IAI, number of abdominal CT
      scans, total costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Sensitivity
      analyses varying imputed probabilities, costs, and scenarios were conducted.
      RESULTS: Using a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 children with blunt torso trauma,
      the base case model projected that the implementation of the CDR would result in
      0.50 additional missed IAIs, a total cost savings of $54,527, and 104 fewer
      abdominal CT scans compared to usual care. The usual care strategy would cost
      $108,110 to prevent missing one additional IAI. Findings were robust under
      multiple sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to usual care,
      implementation of the CDR in the evaluation of children with blunt torso trauma
      would reduce hospital costs and abdominal CT imaging, with a slight increase in
      the risk of missed intraabdominal IAI.

PMID- 24238316
TI  - Risk factors of significant pain syndrome 90 days after minor thoracic injury:
      trajectory analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective was to identify the risk factors of clinically
      significant pain at 90 days in patients with minor thoracic injury (MTI)
      discharged from the emergency department (ED). METHODS: A prospective,
      multicenter, cohort study was conducted in four Canadian EDs from November 2006
      to November 2010. All consecutive patients aged 16 years or older with MTI were
      eligible at discharge from EDs. They underwent standardized clinical and
      radiologic evaluations at 1 and 2 weeks, followed by standardized telephone
      interviews at 30 and 90 days. A pain trajectory model characterized groups of
      patients with different pain evolutions and ascertained specific risk factors in
      each group through multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In this cohort of 1,132
      patients, 734 were eligible for study inclusion. The authors identified a pain
      trajectory that characterized 18.2% of the study population experiencing
      clinically significant pain (>3 of 10) at 90 days after a MTI. Multivariate
      modeling found two or more rib fractures, smoking, and initial oxygen saturation
      below 95% to be predictors of this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: To the
      authors' knowledge, this is the first prospective study of trajectory modeling to
      detect risk factors associated with significant pain at 90 days after MTI. These
      factors may help in planning specific treatment strategies and should be
      validated in another prospective cohort.

PMID- 24238317
TI  - Value of point-of-care ketones in assessing dehydration and acidosis in children
      with gastroenteritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Children with gastroenteritis often develop dehydration with
      metabolic acidosis. Serum ketones are frequently elevated in this population. The
      goal was to determine the relationship between initial serum ketone concentration
      and both the degree of dehydration and the magnitude of acidosis. METHODS: This
      was a secondary analysis of a prospective trial of crystalloid administration for
      rapid rehydration. Children 6 months to 6 years of age with gastroenteritis and
      dehydration were enrolled. A point-of-care serum ketone (beta-hydroxybutyrate)
      concentration was obtained at the time of study enrollment. The relationship
      between initial serum ketone concentration and a prospectively assigned and
      previously validated clinical dehydration score, and serum bicarbonate
      concentration, was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 188 patients were enrolled. The
      median serum ketone concentration was elevated at 3.1 mmol/L (interquartile range
      [IQR] = 1.2 to 4.6 mmol/L), and the median dehydration score was consistent with
      moderate dehydration. A significant positive relationship was found between serum
      ketone concentration and the clinical dehydration score (Spearman's rho = 0.22, p
      = 0.003). Patients with moderate dehydration had a higher median serum ketone
      concentration than those with mild dehydration (3.6 mmol/L vs. 1.4 mmol/L, p =
      0.007). Additionally, the serum ketone concentration was inversely correlated
      with serum bicarbonate concentration (rho = -0.26, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Children with gastroenteritis and dehydration have elevated serum ketone
      concentrations that correlate with both degree of dehydration and magnitude of
      metabolic acidosis. Point-of-care serum ketone measurement may be a useful tool
      to inform management decisions at the point of triage or in the initial
      evaluation of children with gastroenteritis and dehydration.

PMID- 24238318
TI  - Use of butterfly needles to draw blood is independently associated with marked
      reduction in hemolysis compared to intravenous catheter.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Hemolysis of blood samples drawn in the emergency department (ED) is
      a common problem that can interfere with timely diagnosis and appropriate
      treatment. The objective of this study was to identify the smallest number of
      remediable factors that independently increases the risk of hemolysis to design
      an effective strategy to address this issue. METHODS: This was a prospective,
      observational, cross-sectional study of blood specimens obtained by ED staff in
      an urban, academic, adult ED in a tertiary care center. The staff member who drew
      the specimen recorded data on a standardized data collection instrument about
      device (intravenous [IV] catheter or butterfly needle), needle size, anatomic
      site, fullness of collection tube, tourniquet time, and difficulty of
      venipuncture. Specimens were sent to the laboratory by a vacuum-powered tube
      system. A standard automated process that measures free hemoglobin was used to
      identify hemolysis. A multivariable logistic regression and a tabular analysis
      stratified by device were performed. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals
      (CIs) were calculated around the odds ratios (ORs) and around the difference
      between hemolysis rates. RESULTS: Data were collected on 5,118 blood specimens.
      There were 4,513 specimens with complete data on all characteristics of the blood
      draw included in the analyses. The overall hemolysis rate was 12.5% (95% CI =
      11.6% to 13.5%), 14.6% in blood drawn from IV catheters and 2.7% from butterfly
      needles (difference = 11.9%; 95% CI = 10.2% to 13.4%). Device was the strongest
      independent predictor of hemolysis (OR = 7.7; 95% CI = 4.9 to 12.0). In specimens
      drawn by IV catheter, hemolysis was significantly higher when blood was drawn
      from locations other than the antecubital fossa, with small-gauge catheters,
      collection tubes <= half full, tourniquet time >= 1 minute, and difficult
      venipuncture. In contrast, none of these factors was associated with hemolysis
      when blood was drawn by butterfly needle. CONCLUSIONS: The device used to collect
      blood was the strongest independent predictor of hemolysis in blood samples drawn
      in the ED in this study. This finding suggests that the most effective strategy
      to reduce the rate of hemolysis in the ED is to use butterfly needles for
      phlebotomy rather than IV catheters.

PMID- 24238319
TI  - Generalizability of a simple approach for predicting hospital admission from an
      emergency department.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective was to test the generalizability, across a range of
      hospital sizes and demographics, of a previously developed method for predicting
      and aggregating, in real time, the probabilities that emergency department (ED)
      patients will be admitted to a hospital inpatient unit. METHODS: Logistic
      regression models were developed that estimate inpatient admission probabilities
      of each patient upon entering an ED. The models were based on retrospective
      development (n = 4,000 to 5,000 ED visits) and validation (n = 1,000 to 2,000 ED
      visits) data sets from four heterogeneous hospitals. Model performance was
      evaluated using retrospective test data sets (n = 1,000 to 2,000 ED visits). For
      one hospital the developed model also was applied prospectively to a test data
      set (n = 910 ED visits) coded by triage nurses in real time, to compare results
      to those from the retrospective single investigator-coded test data set. RESULTS:
      The prediction models for each hospital performed reasonably well and typically
      involved just a few simple-to-collect variables, which differed for each
      hospital. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) ranged from
      0.80 to 0.89, R(2) correlation coefficients between predicted and actual daily
      admissions ranged from 0.58 to 0.90, and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit
      statistics of model accuracy had p > 0.01 with one exception. Data coded
      prospectively by triage nurses produced comparable results. CONCLUSIONS: The
      accuracy of regression models to predict ED patient admission likelihood was
      shown to be generalizable across hospitals of different sizes, populations, and
      administrative structures. Each hospital used a unique combination of predictive
      factors that may reflect these differences. This approach performed equally well
      when hospital staff coded patient data in real time versus the research team
      retrospectively.

PMID- 24238321
TI  - Decreasing length of stay in the emergency department with a split emergency
      severity index 3 patient flow model.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There has been a steady increase in emergency department (ED) patient
      volume and wait times. The desire to maintain or decrease costs while improving
      throughput requires novel approaches to patient flow. The break-out session
      "Interventions to Improve the Timeliness of Emergency Care" at the June 2011
      Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference "Interventions to Assure Quality
      in the Crowded Emergency Department" posed the challenge for more research of the
      split Emergency Severity Index (ESI) 3 patient flow model. A split ESI 3 patient
      flow model divides high-variability ESI 3 patients from low-variability ESI 3
      patients. The study objective was to determine the effect of implementing a split
      ESI 3 flow model has on patient length of stay (LOS) for discharged patients.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review at an urban academic ED seeing
      over 70,000 adult patients a year. Cases consisted of adults who presented from 9
      a.m. to 11 p.m. from June 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011, and were discharged.
      Controls were patients who presented on the same times and days, but in 2010.
      Visit descriptors included age, race, sex, ESI score, and first diagnosis. The
      first diagnosis was coded based on methods used by the Agency for Healthcare
      Research and Quality to codify International Classification of Diseases, ninth
      version, into disease groups. Linear models compared log-transformed LOS for
      cases and controls. A front-end ED redesign involved creating guidelines to split
      ESI 3 patients into low and high variability, a hybrid sort/triage registered
      nurse, an intake area consisting of an internal results waiting room, and a
      treatment area for patients after initial assessment. The previous low-acuity
      area (ESI 4s and 5s) began to see low-variability ESI 3 patients as well. This
      was done without additional beds. The intake area was staffed with an attending
      emergency physician (EP), a physician assistant (PA), three nurses, two medical
      technicians, and a scribe. RESULTS: There was a 5.9% decrease, from 2.58 to 2.43
      hours, in the geometric mean of LOS for discharged patients from 2010 to 2011
      (95% confidence interval CI = 4.5% to 7.2%; 2010, n = 20,215; 2011, n = 20,653).
      Abdominal pain was the most common diagnostic grouping (2010, n = 2,484; 2011, n
      = 2,464) with a reduction in LOS of 12.9%, from 4.37 to 3.8 hours (95% CI = 10.3%
      to 15.3%). CONCLUSIONS: A split ESI 3 patient flow model improves door-to
      discharge LOS in the ED.

PMID- 24238320
TI  - Developing emergency department-based education about emergency contraception:
      adolescent preferences.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective was to identify adolescent preferences for emergency
      department (ED)-based education about emergency contraception. METHODS: This was
      a cross-sectional computerized survey, using adaptive conjoint analysis (ACA).
      Patients were eligible if they were females ages 14 through 19 years old and were
      seeking care in one of two urban EDs. Patients were excluded if they were too ill
      to participate in the survey or if they were non-English speaking. Participants
      completed a computerized survey that used ACA, a technique that can be used to
      assess patients' relative preferences for services. ACA uses the individual's
      answers to update and refine questions through trade-off comparisons, so that
      each respondent answers a customized set of questions. The survey assessed
      preferences for the following attributes of emergency contraception education:
      who should deliver the education, if anyone (e.g., nurse, doctor); how the
      education should be delivered (e.g., by a person or via video); how often the
      education should be offered if patients were to frequent the ED (e.g., every time
      or only when asking for it); length (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes); and chief
      complaint that would trigger the education (e.g., headache or stomach pain).
      RESULTS: A total of 223 patients were enrolled (37.2% at Hospital 1 and 62.8% at
      Hospital 2). The mean (+/-SD) age of the participants was 16.1 (+/-1.3) years.
      Just over half (55%) reported a history of sexual activity; 8% reported a history
      of pregnancy. Overall, the participants preferred education that was delivered by
      a person, specifically a doctor or nurse. They preferred a slightly longer
      education session and preferred education directed at patients seeking care in
      the ED for complaints potentially related to sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS:
      Adolescents have specific preferences for how education about emergency
      contraception would best serve their needs. This information can inform
      clinicians as they work to improve adolescents' knowledge about pregnancy
      prevention and emergency contraception in particular.

PMID- 24238322
TI  - Understanding the direction of bias in studies of diagnostic test accuracy.
AB  - Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests is a critical part of emergency
      medicine (EM). In evaluating a study of diagnostic test accuracy, emergency
      physicians (EPs) need to recognize whether the study uses case-control or cross
      sectional sampling and account for common biases. The authors group biases in
      studies of test accuracy into five categories: incorporation bias, partial
      verification bias, differential verification bias, imperfect gold standard bias,
      and spectrum bias. Other named biases are either equivalent to these biases or
      subtypes within these broader categories. The authors go beyond identifying a
      bias and predict the direction of its effect on sensitivity and specificity,
      providing numerical examples from published test accuracy studies. Understanding
      the direction of a bias may permit useful inferences from even a flawed study of
      test accuracy.

PMID- 24238323
TI  - Reply to comment on 'Ankylosing spondylitis: how diagnostic and therapeutic delay
      have changed over the last six decades' E. Feldtkeller, A. Zeller, M. Rudwaleit.

PMID- 24238324
TI  - Retinal layers measurements in healthy eyes and in eyes receiving silicone oil
      based endotamponade.
AB  - PURPOSE: To characterize the concordance/symmetry of each retinal layers in
      individuals without macular pathology and to further characterize the
      localization of inner retinal thinning in eyes receiving silicone oil-based
      endotamponade. METHODS: Retinal layers of one hundred eyes of 50 individuals
      without macular pathology were imaged using spectral domain optical coherence
      tomography (SD-OCT) and manually segmented using ImageJ software (developed by
      Wayne Rasband, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA). In the second part of the study,
      retrospective analysis of 3028 cases of pars plana vitrectomy in University Eye
      Hospital Cologne, Germany, was conducted, retrieving nine patients with silicone
      oil-based endotamponade with no macular condition interfering retinal layers
      measurements. These patients had retinal detachment not involving the macula due
      to various conditions. In these patients, retinal layer segmentation was
      performed and compared with the fellow eye. RESULTS: There is a moderate-to-high
      concordance for all retinal layers between the right and the left eye of the same
      individual. In eyes receiving silicone oil-based endotamponade, the inner retinal
      layers become subsequently thinner. Ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers
      contribute most to this thinning, that is, 0.537 +/- 0.096 mm(3) compared with
      0.742 +/- 0.117 mm(3) ; p = 0.006. Outer retinal layers were not affected by
      silicone oil-based endotamponade (p = 0.439 for the differences of calculated
      outer retinal layers). CONCLUSION: Ganglion cell and inner retinal layers become
      subsequently thinner after the use of silicone oil-based endotamponade. This
      study advocates the use of spectral domain optical coherence tomography for
      patient management with silicone oil endotamponade to early detect subsequent
      retinal thinning.

PMID- 24238325
TI  - Comparison of malignant skin tumor thickness and relative depth of invasion
      estimates from preoperative MR-microscopy and pathological evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumor thickness and relative depth of invasion are prognostic
      parameters considered when developing treatment plans for malignant skin tumors.
      Although conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques cannot identify
      small tumors, use of microscopy coils considerably improves spatial resolution.
      Some studies have shown that this technique is efficacious in preoperative
      assessment of relative depth of invasion; however, its ability to provide
      accurate measurements of tumor thickness remains unconfirmed. OBJECTIVE: The
      purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative MR
      microscopy in determining tumor thickness and relative depth of invasion of
      malignant skin tumors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Magnetic resonance images of
      malignant skin tumors in seven female patients (six with basal cell carcinoma and
      one with malignant melanoma) were obtained using a 1.5 T system and a 47-mm or 23
      mm microscopy coil. Tumors were then excised, fixed, dehydrated, embedded, and
      stained with hematoxylin and eosin. We then compared MR-microscopy and pathology
      values for thickness and relative depth of invasion of each tumor. RESULTS: Both
      techniques produced similar measurements of tumor thickness and relative depth of
      invasion. CONCLUSIONS: MR-microscopy is very useful for accurate preoperative
      estimation of not only relative depth of invasion, but also thickness of
      malignant skin tumors.

PMID- 24238326
TI  - Assessment of esophageal dysfunction and symptoms during and after a standardized
      test meal: development and clinical validation of a new methodology utilizing
      high-resolution manometry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the absence of major dysmotility, esophageal manometry with water
      swallows rarely explains the causes of esophageal symptoms and disease. This
      methodology development study assessed esophageal function and symptoms during a
      test meal in patients with reflux symptoms and asymptomatic controls. The impact
      of this approach on manometric diagnosis and clinical outcome was reviewed.
      METHODS: 18 patients with reflux symptoms and 10 healthy volunteers underwent
      high resolution manometry (HRM) with 5 mL water swallows, 200 mL water drink, and
      standardized solid test meal followed by 10 min postprandial observation. The
      number of symptoms associated with esophageal dysfunction (SAD) divided by total
      symptoms (dysfunction symptom index [D-SI]) was calculated. Ambulatory reflux pH
      monitoring was performed. Final diagnosis and clinical outcome were documented at
      2 years. KEY RESULTS: Meal intake took longer in patients than controls (552 vs
      339 s) and this was associated with a higher number of ineffective swallows in
      this group (51% vs 28%; p < 0.001). No swallowing problems occurred with water
      swallows but 12/18 (66%) patients had SAD during either the meal or postprandial
      observations with D-SI >50% in 9/12 (75%). Compared with water swallows,
      manometric classification was altered in 12/18 (67%) and clinical diagnosis was
      altered in 7/18 (39%) patients due to test meal observations. CONCLUSIONS &
      INFERENCES: A novel methodology for the detection of symptomatic dysmotility
      during a test meal and postprandial observation is presented. This technique
      increased the diagnostic yield of esophageal dysfunction in patients presenting
      with reflux symptoms. Long-term follow-up indicated that these observations can
      guide effective clinical management.

PMID- 24238327
TI  - Novel antilisterial bacteriocin licheniocin 50.2 from Bacillus licheniformis
      VPS50.2 isolated from soil sample.
AB  - AIM: To isolate and characterize bacteriocin, licheniocin 50.2, from soil
      bacteria identified as Bacillus licheniformis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The strain B.
      licheniformis VPS50.2 was identified as bacteriocin producer, effective against
      Gram-positive bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and beta-haemolytic streptococci. The start of
      bacteriocin production coincides with the beginning of sporulation. Ammonium
      sulfate precipitation, chloroform extraction and ultrafiltration were used for
      bacteriocin purification. MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry of purified sample
      detected the protein with molecular mass of 3253.209 Da. N-terminal sequencing
      recognized first 15 amino acids with the sequence: W E E Y N I I X Q L G N K G Q.
      We named the newly characterized bacteriocin as subclass II.3 bacteriocin,
      licheniocin 50.2. The bacteriocin activity was insensitive to lysozyme and
      proteinase K, heat stable after incubation at 100 degrees C for 30 min and over
      wide range of pH (2-12). MICs of crude bacteriocin extract were determined for L.
      monocytogenes and MRSA. Time-kill study showed that licheniocin had bactericidal
      effect to L. monocytogenes. CONCLUSION: A novel, thermostable, pH-tolerant
      bacteriocin active against Gram-positive bacteria was isolated. SIGNIFICANCE AND
      IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Attributes of new, stable licheniocin 50.2 make it a
      promising agent for application as biopreservative in food industry.

PMID- 24238328
TI  - Skin disorders in overweight and obese patients and their relationship with
      insulin.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide in recent years.
      Some authors have described skin conditions associated with obesity, but there is
      little evidence on the association between insulin levels and such disorders.
      OBJECTIVE: To describe the skin disorders present in overweight and obese
      patients and analyze their association with insulin levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      The study included nondiabetic male and female patients over 6 years of age who
      were seen at our hospital between January and April 2011. All the patients were
      evaluated by a dermatologist, who performed a physical examination, including
      anthropometry, and reviewed their medical history and medication record; fasting
      blood glucose and insulin were also measured. The patients were grouped according
      to degree of overweight or obesity and the data were compared using analysis of
      variance or the chi(2) test depending on the type of variable. The independence
      of the associations was assessed using regression analysis. RESULTS: In total,
      109 patients (95 adults and 13 children, 83.5% female) were studied. The mean
      (SD) age was 38 (14) years and the mean body mass index was 39.6+/-8 kg/m(2). The
      skin conditions observed were acanthosis nigricans (AN) (in 97% of patients),
      skin tags (77%), keratosis pilaris (42%), and plantar hyperkeratosis (38%).
      Statistically significant associations were found between degree of obesity and
      AN (P=.003), skin tags (P=.001), and plantar hyperkeratosis. Number of skin tags,
      AN neck severity score, and AN distribution were significantly and independently
      associated with insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: AN and skin tags should be
      considered clinical markers of hyperinsulinemia in nondiabetic, obese patients.

PMID- 24238329
TI  - Clinical characteristics of patients with cutaneous melanoma according to
      variants in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with cutaneous melanoma who are carriers of polymorphisms
      in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) have distinctive clinical
      characteristics. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical
      characteristics associated with differing degrees of functional impairment of the
      melanocortin 1 receptor, as determined by the number and type (R and r) of MC1R
      polymorphisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 1044 consecutive patients with
      melanoma diagnosed in our hospital after January 2000 were selected from the
      melanoma database. These patients were divided into 3 groups according to a score
      based on nonsynonymous MC1R polymorphisms. The frequencies of epidemiologic,
      phenotypic, and histologic variables and personal and family history of cancer
      were compared. RESULTS: Patients with a score of 3 or more were more likely to
      develop melanoma before the age of 50 years (odds ratio [OR]=1.47), have a tumor
      on the head or neck (OR=3.04), have a history of basal cell carcinoma or
      cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (OR=1.70), have atypical nevi (OR=1.74), and
      have nevi associated with the melanoma (OR=1.87). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a
      scoring system for MC1R polymorphisms allowed us to identify associations between
      the degree of functional impairment of the melanogenesis pathway and the clinical
      characteristics of the patients and melanoma presentation.

PMID- 24238330
TI  - Pachydermodactyly in a patient with generalized anxiety disorder and tics.

PMID- 24238331
TI  - Hypopigmented macules in a young man. Hypopigmented mycoses fungoides.

PMID- 24238332
TI  - Re-irradiation of spinal column metastases by IMRT: impact of setup errors on the
      dose distribution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study investigates the impact of an automated image guided
      patient setup correction on the dose distribution for ten patients with in-field
      IMRT re-irradiation of vertebral metastases. METHODS: 10 patients with spinal
      column metastases who had previously been treated with 3D-conformal radiotherapy
      (3D-CRT) were simulated to have an in-field recurrence. IMRT plans were generated
      for treatment of the vertebrae sparing the spinal cord. The dose distributions
      were compared for a patient setup based on skin marks only and a Cone Beam CT
      (CBCT) based setup with translational and rotational couch corrections using an
      automatic robotic image guided couch top (Elekta - HexaPODTM IGuide(r) - system).
      The biological equivalent dose (BED) was calculated to evaluate and rank the
      effects of the automatic setup correction for the dose distribution of CTV and
      spinal cord. RESULTS: The mean absolute value (+/- standard deviation) over all
      patients and fractions of the translational error is 6.1 mm (+/-4 mm) and 2.7
      degrees  (+/-1.1 mm) for the rotational error. The dose coverage of the 95%
      isodose for the CTV is considerable decreased for the uncorrected table setup.
      This is associated with an increasing of the spinal cord dose above the tolerance
      dose. CONCLUSIONS: An automatic image guided table correction ensures the
      delivery of accurate dose distribution and reduces the risk of radiation induced
      myelopathy.

PMID- 24238333
TI  - Anaerobic degradation of homocyclic aromatic compounds via arylcarboxyl-coenzyme
      A esters: organisms, strategies and key enzymes.
AB  - Next to carbohydrates, aromatic compounds are the second most abundant class of
      natural organic molecules in living organic matter but also make up a significant
      proportion of fossil carbon sources. Only microorganisms are capable of fully
      mineralizing aromatic compounds. While aerobic microbes use well-studied
      oxygenases for the activation and cleavage of aromatic rings, anaerobic bacteria
      follow completely different strategies to initiate catabolism. The key enzymes
      related to aromatic compound degradation in anaerobic bacteria are comprised of
      metal- and/or flavin-containing cofactors, of which many use unprecedented
      radical mechanisms for C-H bond cleavage or dearomatization. Over the past
      decade, the increasing number of completed genomes has helped to reveal a large
      variety of anaerobic degradation pathways in Proteobacteria, Gram-positive
      microbes and in one archaeon. This review aims to update our understanding of the
      occurrence of aromatic degradation capabilities in anaerobic microorganisms and
      serves to highlight characteristic enzymatic reactions involved in (i) the anoxic
      oxidation of alkyl side chains attached to aromatic rings, (ii) the carboxylation
      of aromatic rings and (iii) the reductive dearomatization of central arylcarboxyl
      coenzyme A intermediates. Depending on the redox potential of the electron
      acceptors used and the metabolic efficiency of the cell, different strategies may
      be employed for identical overall reactions. 

PMID- 24238334
TI  - IRF4 provides rations for cytotoxic CD8(+) T cell soldiers.
AB  - The transcription factor IRF4 is known to be essential for differentiation of
      effector CD4(+) T cell subsets. In this issue, Yao et al. (2013) identify IRF4 as
      a regulator of checkpoints in the final steps and maintenance of CD8(+) T cell
      effector differentiation. 

PMID- 24238335
TI  - Septic shock: on the importance of being tolerant.
AB  - A study by Figueiredo et al. (2013) in this issue of Immunity demonstrates that
      administration of anthracyclines induces autophagy in vivo and has a powerful
      protective effect in a mouse model of sepsis. 

PMID- 24238336
TI  - The bipolar role of miR-466l in inflammation.
AB  - Special proresolving mediators (SPMs) limit the intensity of inflammation;
      however, their regulation is poorly understood. In this issue of Immunity, Li et
      al. (2013) describe bipolar roles for miR-466l in the promotion of inflammation
      and the induction of SPMs. 

PMID- 24238337
TI  - A sting in the tale of TH2 immunity.
AB  - Allergies are widely considered misguided Th2 cell responses. In this issue, Palm
      et al. (2013) and Marichal et al. (2013) show that mice mount anti-venom Th2 cell
      responses that share components of the "allergic" response but confer protection.

PMID- 24238339
TI  - The polycomb protein Ezh2 regulates differentiation and plasticity of CD4(+) T
      helper type 1 and type 2 cells.
AB  - After antigen encounter by CD4(+) T cells, polarizing cytokines induce the
      expression of master regulators that control differentiation. Inactivation of the
      histone methyltransferase Ezh2 was found to specifically enhance T helper 1 (Th1)
      and Th2 cell differentiation and plasticity. Ezh2 directly bound and facilitated
      correct expression of Tbx21 and Gata3 in differentiating Th1 and Th2 cells,
      accompanied by substantial trimethylation at lysine 27 of histone 3 (H3K27me3).
      In addition, Ezh2 deficiency resulted in spontaneous generation of discrete IFN
      gamma and Th2 cytokine-producing populations in nonpolarizing cultures, and under
      these conditions IFN-gamma expression was largely dependent on enhanced
      expression of the transcription factor Eomesodermin. In vivo, loss of Ezh2 caused
      increased pathology in a model of allergic asthma and resulted in progressive
      accumulation of memory phenotype Th2 cells. This study establishes a functional
      link between Ezh2 and transcriptional regulation of lineage-specifying genes in
      terminally differentiated CD4(+) T cells. 

PMID- 24238338
TI  - The spleen in local and systemic regulation of immunity.
AB  - The spleen is the main filter for blood-borne pathogens and antigens, as well as
      a key organ for iron metabolism and erythrocyte homeostasis. Also, immune and
      hematopoietic functions have been recently unveiled for the mouse spleen,
      suggesting additional roles for this secondary lymphoid organ. Here we discuss
      the integration of the spleen in the regulation of immune responses locally and
      in the whole body and present the relevance of findings for our understanding of
      inflammatory and degenerative diseases and their treatments. We consider whether
      equivalent activities in humans are known, as well as initial therapeutic
      attempts to target the spleen for modulating innate and adaptive immunity. 

PMID- 24238340
TI  - The protein ATG16L1 suppresses inflammatory cytokines induced by the
      intracellular sensors Nod1 and Nod2 in an autophagy-independent manner.
AB  - The peptidoglycan sensor Nod2 and the autophagy protein ATG16L1 have been linked
      to Crohn's disease (CD). Although Nod2 and the related sensor, Nod1, direct
      ATG16L1 to initiate anti-bacterial autophagy, whether ATG16L1 affects Nod-driven
      inflammation has not been examined. Here, we uncover an unanticipated autophagy
      independent role for ATG16L1 in negatively regulating Nod-driven inflammatory
      responses. Knockdown of ATG16L1 expression, but not that of ATG5 or ATG9a,
      specifically enhanced Nod-driven cytokine production. In addition, autophagy
      incompetent truncated forms of ATG16L1 regulated Nod-driven cytokine responses.
      Mechanistically, we demonstrated that ATG16L1 interfered with poly-ubiquitination
      of the Rip2 adaptor and recruitment of Rip2 into large signaling complexes. The
      CD-associated allele of ATG16L1 was impaired in its ability to regulate Nod
      driven inflammatory responses. Overall, these results suggest that ATG16L1 is
      critical for Nod-dependent regulation of cytokine responses and that disruption
      of this Nod1- or Nod2-ATG16L1 signaling axis could contribute to the chronic
      inflammation associated with CD. 

PMID- 24238341
TI  - Plasticity of leukocytic exudates in resolving acute inflammation is regulated by
      MicroRNA and proresolving mediators.
AB  - The magnitude and duration of acute inflammation are controlled by active
      resolution programs involving specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs; resolvins
      and maresins) and microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we report that miR-466l was
      temporally regulated in murine exudate-infiltrating leukocytes. Neutrophil miR
      466l overexpression in vivo promoted initiation of inflammation that anteceded
      macrophage expression of this miRNA, which accelerated resolution when
      overexpressed. In macrophages, miR-466l overexpression increased prostanoids and
      SPMs (e.g., resolvin D1 [RvD1] and RvD5), which enhanced resolution. RvD1, RvD2,
      maresin 1 (MaR1), and apoptotic neutrophils reduced miR-466l expression within
      human macrophages, a feedback regulation that most likely prepares for
      homeostasis. miR-466l was upregulated in peripheral blood of sepsis patients, and
      its increase correlated with nonsurvival from sepsis. SPMs and miR-466l regulated
      transcription factors activator protein 1 and nuclear factor kappaB1 in miRNA
      biogenesis. These results demonstrate pivotal roles for SPMs and miR-466l in
      dynamic leukocyte plasticity during resolution of acute inflammatory responses. 

PMID- 24238342
TI  - Lung airway-surveilling CXCR3(hi) memory CD8(+) T cells are critical for
      protection against influenza A virus.
AB  - Inducing memory CD8(+) T cells specific for conserved antigens from influenza A
      virus (IAV) is a potential strategy for broadly protective vaccines. Here we show
      that memory CD8(+) T cells in the airways played an important role in early
      control of IAV. Expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 was critical for
      memory CD8(+) T cells to populate the airways during the steady state and
      vaccination approaches were designed to favor the establishment of memory CD8(+)
      T cells in the airways. Specifically, we found that interleukin-12 (IL-12)
      signaling shortly after immunization limited CXCR3 expression on memory CD8(+) T
      cells. Neutralization of IL-12 or adjuvants that did not induce high amounts of
      IL-12 enhanced CXCR3 expression, sustained airway localization of memory CD8(+) T
      cells, and resulted in superior protection against IAV. 

PMID- 24238344
TI  - Predictors of quality of life in patients with heart failure.
AB  - AIM: To understand quality of life (QOL) and the effects of sociodemographics,
      disease severity, physical symptoms (dyspnea and fatigue), and depression on QOL
      of heart failure (HF) patients in Taiwan. METHODS: Adult HF patients with history
      of cerebral vascular accident, myocardial infarction within the previous 6
      months, major diseases, concurrent cancers, and coexisting terminal diseases,
      cognitive impairments, or residence in institutions, were excluded in this study.
      Quality of life, physical symptoms, and depression were measured by the Minnesota
      Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, Pulmonary Function Status and Dyspnea
      Questionnaire, and Brief Symptom Inventory depression subscale, respectively.
      Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine the correlations of
      demographics, disease severity, physical symptoms, and depression with QOL in HF
      patients. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-three HF patients (64.2 +/- 12.7 years,
      78.2% male, 36.1% NYHA III/IV) were recruited in the study. In the final
      regression model, age, duration of HF, physical symptoms, and depression had a
      significant impact on global QOL, ultimately accounting for 37.6% of the variance
      of QOL. CONCLUSION: Age, duration of HF, physical symptoms, and depression are
      important predictors of QOL in HF patients. Interventions targeting physical
      symptoms and depression are expected to improve QOL of HF patients.

PMID- 24238343
TI  - Self-antigen-driven activation induces instability of regulatory T cells during
      an inflammatory autoimmune response.
AB  - Stable Foxp3 expression is crucial for regulatory T (Treg) cell function. We
      observed that antigen-driven activation and inflammation in the CNS promoted
      Foxp3 instability selectively in the autoreactive Treg cells that expressed high
      amounts of Foxp3 before experimental autoimmune encephalitis induction. Treg
      cells with a demethylated Treg-cell-specific demethylated region in the Foxp3
      locus downregulated Foxp3 transcription in the inflamed CNS during the induction
      phase of the response. Stable Foxp3 expression returned at the population level
      with the resolution of inflammation or was rescued by IL-2-anti-IL-2 complex
      treatment during the antigen priming phase. Thus, a subset of fully committed
      self-antigen-specific Treg cells lost Foxp3 expression during an inflammatory
      autoimmune response and might be involved in inadequate control of autoimmunity.
      These results have important implications for Treg cell therapies and give
      insights into the dynamics of the Treg cell network during autoreactive CD4(+) T
      cell effector responses in vivo. 

PMID- 24238345
TI  - Robotic kidney transplantation with intraoperative regional hypothermia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel and reproducible technique of robotic kidney
      transplantation (RKT) that requires no repositioning, and permits intraoperative
      regional hypothermia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A GelPOINTTM (Applied Medical, Santa
      Ranchero, CA, USA) access port was used for delivery of ice-slush and
      introduction of the graft kidney. The new RKT technique using ice-slush has been
      performed in 39 patients. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 3 months all of the
      grafts functioned. There was a marked reduction in pain and analgesic requirement
      compared with patients undergoing open KT, with a propensity towards quicker
      graft recovery and lower complication rate. CONCLUSION: RKT has been shown to be
      safe and feasible in patients undergoing living-donor related KT. A prospective
      trial is underway to assess outcomes definitively.

PMID- 24238346
TI  - Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a web-based intervention with mobile phone
      support to treat depressive symptoms in adults with diabetes mellitus type 1 and
      type 2: design of a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A diagnosis of diabetes mellitus types 1 or 2 doubles the odds of a
      comorbid depressive disorder. The combined diseases have a wide range of adverse
      outcomes, such as a lower quality of life, poorer diabetes outcomes and increased
      healthcare utilisation. Diabetes patients with depression can be treated
      effectively with psychotherapy, but access to psychological care is limited. In
      this study we will examine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a newly
      developed web-based intervention (GET.ON Mood Enhancer Diabetes) for people with
      diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms. METHODS/DESIGN: A two-arm randomised
      controlled trial will be conducted. Adults with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) with
      increased depression scores (> 22 on the German version of the Center for
      Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)) will be included. Eligible
      participants will be recruited through advertisement in diabetes patient journals
      and via a large-scale German health insurance company. The participants will be
      randomly assigned to either a 6-week minimally guided web-based self-help program
      or an online psychoeducation program on depression. The study will include 260
      participants, which will enable us to detect a statistically significant
      difference with a group effect size of d = 0.35 at a power of 80% and a
      significance level of p = 0.05. The primary outcome measure will be the level of
      depression as assessed by the CES-D. The secondary outcome measures will be:
      diabetes-specific emotional distress, glycaemic control, self-management
      behaviour and the participants' satisfaction with the intervention. Online self
      assessments will be collected at baseline and after a 2 months period, with
      additional follow-up measurements 6 and 12 months after randomisation. The data
      will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis and per protocol. In addition, we
      will conduct an economic evaluation from a societal perspective. DISCUSSION: If
      this intervention is shown to be cost-effective, it has considerable potential
      for implementing psychological care for large numbers of people with diabetes and
      comorbid depression in routine practice and improve health outcomes. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS): DRKS00004748.

PMID- 24238347
TI  - Analysis of fluorescent reporters indicates heterogeneity in glucose uptake and
      utilization in clonal bacterial populations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed at investigating heterogeneity in the
      expression of metabolic genes in clonal populations of Escherichia coli growing
      on glucose as the sole carbon source. Different metabolic phenotypes can arise in
      these clonal populations through variation in the expression of glucose
      transporters and metabolic enzymes. First, we focused on the glucose transporters
      PtsG and MglBAC to analyze the diversity of glucose uptake strategies. Second, we
      analyzed phenotypic variation in the expression of genes involved in
      gluconeogenesis and acetate scavenging (as acetate is formed and excreted during
      bacterial growth on glucose), which can reveal, for instance, phenotypic
      subpopulations that cross-feed through the exchange of acetate. In these
      experiments, E. coli MG1655 strains containing different transcriptional GFP
      reporters were grown in chemostats and reporter expression was measured with flow
      cytometry. RESULTS: Our results suggest heterogeneous expression of metabolic
      genes in bacterial clonal populations grown in glucose environments. The two
      glucose transport systems exhibited different level of heterogeneity. The
      majority of the bacterial cells expressed the reporters for both glucose
      transporters MglBAC and PtsG and a small fraction of cells only expressed the
      reporter for Mgl. At a low dilution rate, signals from transcriptional reporters
      for acetyl-CoA synthetase Acs and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase Pck indicated
      that almost all cells expressed the genes that are part of acetate utilization
      and the gluconeogenesis pathway, respectively. Possible co-existence of two
      phenotypic subpopulations differing in acs expression occurred at the threshold
      of the switch to overflow metabolism. The overflow metabolism results in the
      production of acetate and has been previously reported to occur at intermediate
      dilution rates in chemostats with high concentration of glucose in the feed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the heterogeneous expression of reporters for genes
      involved in glucose and acetate metabolism raises new question whether different
      metabolic phenotypes are expressed in clonal populations growing in continuous
      cultures fed on glucose as the initially sole carbon source.

PMID- 24238349
TI  - Presenteeism and pain: psychosocial and demographic correlates of employment and
      disability.

PMID- 24238348
TI  - Evaluation of prediction models for the staging of prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are dilemmas associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of
      prostate cancer which has lead to over diagnosis and over treatment. Prediction
      tools have been developed to assist the treatment of the disease. METHODS: A
      retrospective review was performed of the Irish Prostate Cancer Research
      Consortium database and 603 patients were used in the study. Statistical models
      based on routinely used clinical variables were built using logistic regression,
      random forests and k nearest neighbours to predict prostate cancer stage. The
      predictive ability of the models was examined using discrimination metrics,
      calibration curves and clinical relevance, explored using decision curve
      analysis. The N = 603 patients were then applied to the 2007 Partin table to
      compare the predictions from the current gold standard in staging prediction to
      the models developed in this study. RESULTS: 30% of the study cohort had non
      organ-confined disease. The model built using logistic regression illustrated the
      highest discrimination metrics (AUC = 0.622, Sens = 0.647, Spec = 0.601), best
      calibration and the most clinical relevance based on decision curve analysis.
      This model also achieved higher discrimination than the 2007 Partin table (ECE
      AUC = 0.572 & 0.509 for T1c and T2a respectively). However, even the best
      statistical model does not accurately predict prostate cancer stage. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study has illustrated the inability of the current clinical variables and
      the 2007 Partin table to accurately predict prostate cancer stage. New biomarker
      features are urgently required to address the problem clinician's face in
      identifying the most appropriate treatment for their patients. This paper also
      demonstrated a concise methodological approach to evaluate novel features or
      prediction models.

PMID- 24238350
TI  - New policing role for pharmacists undermines partnership with prescribers.

PMID- 24238351
TI  - Upscheduling of hydrocodone: convenience and access vs patient safety measures.

PMID- 24238352
TI  - Better late than never: time to up-schedule hydrocodone combination products.

PMID- 24238353
TI  - The downside of upscheduling.

PMID- 24238354
TI  - Among disparate views, scales tipped by the ethics of system integrity.

PMID- 24238355
TI  - PTSD and pain: exploring the impact of posttraumatic cognitions in veterans
      seeking treatment for PTSD.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous research has demonstrated a significant relationship between
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pain. While several models attempt to
      explain this relationship, significant questions remain regarding factors that
      may play a role in this interaction. The purpose of this study was to determine
      whether posttraumatic cognitions mediate the relationship between PTSD and pain.
      DESIGN: The sample comprised 136 veterans who presented to the VA Ann Arbor
      Health Care System seeking evaluation and treatment in the PTSD clinic.
      Participants completed the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, the Posttraumatic
      Cognitions Inventory, and Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, along with other
      assessments as part of their evaluation. RESULTS: This study showed that the
      majority of patients (86.8%) reported some problems with pain. Further, the
      findings indicate that there is a significant relationship between PTSD severity
      and pain severity. Posttraumatic cognitions were not related to the level of pain
      experienced, but they were related to pain interference in this population.
      CONCLUSIONS: In particular, negative cognitions regarding the self were
      associated with the level of pain-related interference, and partially mediated
      the relationship between PTSD and pain. The clinical implications of these
      findings are discussed.

PMID- 24238356
TI  - Features of urate deposition in patients with gouty arthritis of the foot using
      dual-energy computed tomography.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate features of urate deposition in gout and the
      association between these features and attacks of gouty arthritis using dual
      energy computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Dual-energy CT scans of both feet were
      performed in 80 consecutive patients with gout and 22 with asymptomatic
      hyperuricemia. RESULTS: Overall, 333 areas of urate deposition were found in
      patients with gout. The most commonly affected sites were the first
      metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ; 57/333), the distal area of the first toe
      (59/333) and the calcaneal bone (61/333). For episodes of the first MPJ
      arthritis, urate deposits in the flexor pollicis longus muscle tendon (P = 0.02),
      as well as solitary and punctate depositions (P = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively)
      were positively related to the acute attacks. For episodes of arthritis around
      the ankle, deposits in the area, including the talus and inferior tibia, were
      associated with attacks of arthritis at the ankle (P = 0.02); additionally,
      deposits in the flexor tendon adjacent to the inferior tibia (P < 0.01) and a
      punctiform conformation were significantly associated with attacks of arthritis
      (P = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis showed that deposits around the first
      MPJ (OR = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.32, 8.17) or around the talus and inferior tibia (OR =
      2.83, 95% CI: 1.11, 7.15) would increase the risk of an attack of arthritis.
      CONCLUSIONS: Dual-energy CT imaging can be used to detect and analyze the
      features of urate deposition in patients with gout. Specific features of the
      deposits appeared to be associated with acute attacks of gouty arthritis.

PMID- 24238358
TI  - The association and predictive value analysis of metabolic syndrome combined with
      resting heart rate on cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in the general Chinese
      population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the extent of associations
      of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and
      resting heart reate (HR), and to evaluate the predictive value of MetS combined
      with HR on CAN in a large sample derived from a Chinese population. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We conducted a large-scale, population-based, cross-sectional study to
      explore the relationships of CAN with MetS and resting HR. This study included
      2092 participants aged 30-80 years, and a total of 387 subjects were diagnosed
      with CAN in our dataset. The associations of CAN with MetS and resting HR were
      assessed by a multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analysis (using subjects
      without CAN as a reference group) after controlling for potential confounding
      factors. The predictive performance of resting HR and MetS was evaluated using
      the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: A
      tendency toward increased CAN prevalence with increasing resting HR was reported
      (p for trend < 0.001). MLR analysis showed that MetS and resting HR were very
      significantly and independently associated with CAN (beta = 0.495 for MetS and
      beta = 0.952 for HR, P < 0.001 for both). Resting HR alone and combined with MetS
      (MetS-HR) strongly predicted CAN (AUC = 0.719, P < 0.001 for resting HR and AUC =
      0.735, P < 0.001 for MetS-HR). CONCLUSION: Our findings signify that MetS and
      resting HR were very significantly and independently associated with CAN in the
      general Chinese population. Resting HR and MetS-HR both have a high value in
      predicting CAN in the general population.

PMID- 24238357
TI  - Effects of a combination of amlodipine and imipenem on 42 clinical isolates of
      Acinetobacter baumannii obtained from a teaching hospital in Guangzhou, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clonal spread of Acinetobacter baumannii is a global problem, and
      carbapenems, such as imipenem, remain the first-choice agent against A.
      baumannii. Using synergy to enhance the antibiotic activity of carbapenems could
      be useful. Here, amlodipine (AML) was tested alone and with imipenem against A.
      baumannii isolates. METHODS: Forty-two isolates of A. baumannii were collected.
      Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) assessed the genetic relationship of the
      isolates. The resistance phenotypes were determined using disc diffusion. The
      minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the drugs were determined by broth
      microdilution. The combined effects of the drugs were determined by a
      checkerboard procedure. Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) was determined using the MBL
      Etest. RESULTS: Forty-two A. baumannii isolates were collected from 42 patients
      who were mostly older than 65 years and had long inpatient stays (>= 7 days). A.
      baumannii was mostly recovered from the respiratory system (N = 35, 83.3%). Most
      patients (N = 27, 64.3%) received care in intensive care units (ICUs). Disc
      diffusion testing demonstrated that A. baumannii susceptibility to polymyxin B
      was 100%, while susceptibility to other antimicrobial agents was less than 30%,
      classifying the isolates into 10 MDR and 32 XDR strains. MLST grouped the A.
      baumannii isolates into 4 existing STs and 6 new STs. STn4 carried allele G1,
      with a T -> C mutation at nt3 on the gpi111 locus. STn5 carried allele A1,
      possessing A -> C mutations at nt156 and nt159 on the gltA1 locus. ST195 and
      ST208 accounted for 68.05% (29/42) of the isolates. Clonal relation analysis
      showed that ST195 and ST208 belonged to clonal complex (CC) 92. The inhibitory
      concentration of imipenem ranged from 0.5 to 32 MUg/ml, and that of AML ranged
      from 40 to 320 MUg/ml. In combination, the susceptibility rate of A. baumannii
      isolates increased from 16.7% to 54.8% (P = 0.001). In the checkerboard
      procedure, half of the isolates (N = 21, 50.0%) demonstrated synergy or partial
      synergy with the drug combination. The MBL Etest revealed that 1 A. baumannii
      strain (N = 1, 2.4%) produced MBL. CONCLUSIONS: CC92 was the major clone
      spreading in our hospital. AML improved the activity of imipenem against A.
      baumannii isolates in vitro but did not inhibit MBL.

PMID- 24238360
TI  - Control design for the SISO system with the unknown order and the unknown
      relative degree.
AB  - For the uncertain system whose order, relative degree and parameters are unknown
      in the control design, new research is still in need on the parameter tuning and
      close-loop stability. During the last 10 years, much progress is made in the
      application and theory research of the active disturbance rejection control
      (ADRC) for the uncertain system. In this study, the necessary and sufficient
      conditions are established for building the ADRC for the minimum-phase system and
      the open-loop stable system when the plant parameters, orders and relative
      degrees are unknown, the corresponding ideal dynamics are analyzed, and the
      theoretical results are verified by the simulations. Considering the wide
      application and the long history of the PID/PI controller, a method is given to
      design ADRC quickly based on the existing (generalized or conventional) PID/PI
      controller. A plenty of simulations are made to illustrate this PID/PI-based
      design method and the corresponding close-loop performances. The simulation
      examples include the minimum/nonminimum-phase plants, the stable/integrating
      plants, the high/low-order plant, and the plants with time delays. Such plants
      are from a wider scope than the theoretical result, and representative of many
      kinds of the industrial processes. That leads to a new way to simplify the ADRC
      design via absorbing the engineering experience in designing the PID/PI
      controller. 

PMID- 24238359
TI  - Locomotor and postural development of wild chimpanzees.
AB  - Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives and their positional repertoire
      likely includes elements shared with our common ancestor. Currently, limitations
      exist in our ability to correlate locomotor anatomy with behavioral function in
      the wild. Here we provide a detailed description of developmental changes in
      chimpanzee locomotion and posture. Fieldwork was conducted on wild chimpanzees at
      Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda. The large size of the Ngogo chimpanzee
      community permitted cross-sectional analysis of locomotor and postural changes
      across many individuals. Chimpanzee positional behavior proceeds developmentally
      through a number of distinct stages, each characterized by its own loading
      regime. Infants principally used their upper limbs while moving; the loading
      environment changed to more hindlimb dominated locomotion as infants aged.
      Infants displayed more diversity in their forms of positional behavior than
      members of any other age-sex class, engaging in behaviors not habitually
      exhibited by adults. While the most common locomotor mode for infants was torso
      orthograde suspensory locomotion, a large shift toward quadrupedal locomotion
      during infancy occurred at three years of age, when rates of this behavior
      increased. Overall, the most dramatic transition in positional behavior occurred
      during juvenility (at approximately five years), with the advent of complete
      independent locomotion. Juveniles decreased the amount of time they spent
      clinging and in torso-orthograde suspensory locomotion and increased their time
      spent sitting and walking and running quadrupedally compared with younger
      individuals. Juvenility marked the age at which quadrupedal walking became the
      most frequent locomotor behavior, but quadrupedal walking did not encompass the
      majority of locomotor time until individuals reached adolescence. Relative to all
      younger individuals, adolescent chimpanzees (10-13 years) experienced a further
      increase in the amount of time they walked quadrupedally. Locomotor behavior did
      not reach adult form until adolescence, closer to the time of epiphyseal fusion
      than previously thought. These findings provide new data to make predictions
      about how behavioral transitions influence skeletal change. 

PMID- 24238361
TI  - A hybrid disturbance rejection control solution for variable valve timing system
      of gasoline engines.
AB  - A novel solution for electro-hydraulic variable valve timing (VVT) system of
      gasoline engines is proposed, based on the concept of active disturbance
      rejection control (ADRC). Disturbances, such as oil pressure and engine speed
      variations, are all estimated and mitigated in real-time. A feed-forward
      controller was added to enhance the performance of the system based on a simple
      and static first principle model, forming a hybrid disturbance rejection control
      (HDRC) strategy. HDRC was validated by experimentation and compared with an
      existing manually tuned proportional-integral (PI) controller. The results show
      that HDRC provided a faster response and better tolerance of engine speed and oil
      pressure variations. 

PMID- 24238362
TI  - Dopamine signaling in food addiction: role of dopamine D2 receptors.
AB  - Dopamine (DA) regulates emotional and motivational behavior through the
      mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. Changes in DA signaling in mesolimbic
      neurotransmission are widely believed to modify reward-related behaviors and are
      therefore closely associated with drug addiction. Recent evidence now suggests
      that as with drug addiction, obesity with compulsive eating behaviors involves
      reward circuitry of the brain, particularly the circuitry involving dopaminergic
      neural substrates. Increasing amounts of data from human imaging studies,
      together with genetic analysis, have demonstrated that obese people and drug
      addicts tend to show altered expression of DA D2 receptors in specific brain
      areas, and that similar brain areas are activated by food-related and drug
      related cues. This review focuses on the functions of the DA system, with
      specific focus on the physiological interpretation and the role of DA D2 receptor
      signaling in food addiction.

PMID- 24238364
TI  - Effect of pulsed light on structural and physiological properties of Listeria
      innocua and Escherichia coli.
AB  - AIMS: The application of broad-spectrum intense light pulses is an innovative
      nonthermal technology for the decontamination of packaging materials, liquids or
      foodstuffs. The objective of this study was the fundamental investigation of the
      cellular impact of a pulsed light treatment on Listeria innocua and Escherichia
      coli. METHODS AND RESULTS: Flow cytometry in combination with different
      fluorescent stains, conventional plate count technique and a viability assay were
      applied to investigate the effects of a pulsed light treatment on the
      physiological properties of L. innocua and E. coli. The results showed that loss
      of cultivability occurred at considerably lower fluences than the shutdown of
      cellular functions such as the depolarization of cell membranes, the loss of
      metabolic, esterase and pump activities or the occurrence of membrane damage.
      Therefore, a considerable proportion of cells appeared to have entered the viable
      but nonculturable (VBNC) state after the pulsed light treatment. A high
      percentage of L. innocua was able to maintain certain cellular vitality functions
      after storage overnight, whereas a further decrease in vitality was observed in
      case of E. coli. The loss of culturability was on the other hand directly
      accompanied by the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damages,
      which were assessed by the ROS-sensitive probe DCFH-DA and RAPD-PCR,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A significant discrepancy between conventional plate
      counts and different viability staining parameters was observed, which shows that
      a pulsed light treatment does not cause an immediate shutdown of vitality
      functions even when the number of colony-forming units already decreased for more
      than 6 log10 sample(-1) . Oxidative stress with concomitant damage to the DNA
      molecule showed to be directly responsible for the loss of cultivability due to
      pulsed light rather than a direct rupture of cell membranes or inactivation of
      intracellular enzymes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presented
      results suggest an UV light-induced photochemical rather than a photothermal or
      photophysical inactivation of bacterial cells by pulsed light under the applied
      experimental conditions. Flow cytometry in combination with different viability
      stains proved to be a suitable technique to gain deeper insight into the cellular
      response of bacteria to inactivation processes like a pulsed light treatment.

PMID- 24238363
TI  - CREB and FoxO1: two transcription factors for the regulation of hepatic
      gluconeogenesis.
AB  - Liver plays a major role in maintaining glucose homeostasis in mammals. Under
      fasting conditions, hepatic glucose production is critical as a source of fuel to
      maintain the basic functions in other tissues, including skeletal muscle, red
      blood cells, and the brain. Fasting hormones glucagon and cortisol play major
      roles during the process, in part by activating the transcription of key enzyme
      genes in the gluconeogenesis such as phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)
      and glucose 6 phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6Pase). Conversely, gluconeogenic
      transcription is repressed by pancreatic insulin under feeding conditions, which
      effectively inhibits transcriptional activator complexes by either promoting post
      translational modifications or activating transcriptional inhibitors in the
      liver, resulting in the reduction of hepatic glucose output. The transcriptional
      regulatory machineries have been highlighted as targets for type 2 diabetes drugs
      to control glycemia, so understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms for
      transcription circuits for hepatic gluconeogenesis is critical in the potential
      development of therapeutic tools for the treatment of this disease. In this
      review, the current understanding regarding the roles of two key transcriptional
      activators, CREB and FoxO1, in the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenic program is
      discussed.

PMID- 24238365
TI  - High levels of genetic diversity in Nosema ceranae within Apis mellifera
      colonies.
AB  - Nosema ceranae is a widespread honeybee parasite, considered to be one of the
      pathogens involved in the colony losses phenomenon. To date, little is known
      about its intraspecific genetic variability. The few studies on N. ceranae
      variation have focused on the subunits of ribosomal DNA, which are not ideal for
      this purpose and have limited resolution. Here we characterized three single copy
      loci (Actin, Hsp70 and RPB1) in three N. ceranae isolates from Hungary and
      Hawaii. Our results provide evidence of unexpectedly high levels of intraspecific
      polymorphism, the coexistence of a wide variety of haplotypes within each bee
      colony, and the occurrence of genetic recombination in RPB1. Most haplotypes are
      not shared across isolates and derive from a few frequent haplotypes by a reduced
      number of singletons (mutations that appear usually just once in the sample),
      which suggest that they have a fairly recent origin. Overall, our data indicate
      that this pathogen has experienced a recent population expansion. The presence of
      multiple haplotypes within individual isolates could be explained by the
      existence of different strains of N. ceranae infecting honeybee colonies in the
      field which complicates, and must not be overlooked, further analysis of host
      parasite interactions.

PMID- 24238366
TI  - Measurement of skin and target dose in post-mastectomy radiotherapy using 4 and 6
      MV photon beams.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For patients with high risk breast cancer and mastectomy,
      radiotherapy is the treatment of choice to improve survival and local control.
      Target dose is mainly limited due to skin reactions. The feasibility of using 4
      MV beams for chest wall treatment was studied and compared to standard 6 MV bolus
      radiotherapy. METHODS: Post-mastectomy IMRT was planned on an Alderson-phantom
      using 4 and 6 MV photon beams without/with a 0.5 cm thick bolus. Dose was
      measured using TLDs placed at 8 locations in 1 and 3 mm depth to represent skin
      and superficial target dose, respectively. RESULTS: 4 MV and 6 MV beams with
      bolus perform equally regarding target coverage. The minimum and mean superficial
      target dose for the 6 MV and 4 MV were 93.0% and 94.7%, and 93.1% and 94.4%,
      respectively. Regarding skin dose the 4 MV photon beam was advantageous. The
      minimum and mean skin dose for the 6 MV and 4 MV was 76.7% and 81.6%, and 69.4%
      and 72.9%, respectively. The TPS was able to predict dose in the build-up region
      with a precision of around 5%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of 4 MV photon beams are a
      good alternative for treating the thoracic wall without the need to place a bolus
      on the patient. The main limitation of 4 MV beams is the limited dose rate.

PMID- 24238367
TI  - Sex-for-Crack exchanges: associations with risky sexual and drug use niches in an
      urban Canadian city.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While crack cocaine has been associated with elevated sexual risks
      and transmission of HIV/STIs, particularly in the context of street-based sex
      work, few empirical studies have examined correlates of direct sex-for-crack
      exchanges. This study longitudinally examined the correlates of sex-for-crack
      exchanges and associated effects on sexual risk outcomes among street-based
      female sex workers (SW) who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS: Data were
      drawn from a prospective cohort of street-based SWs (2006-2008), restricted to
      those who smoke crack cocaine. Multivariable generalized estimating equations
      (GEE) were employed to examine the correlates of exchanging sex for crack. A
      confounding model using GEE quasi-Poisson regression modeled the independent
      effect of exchanging sex for crack on number of clients/week. RESULTS: Of 206
      SWs, 101 (49%) reported sex-for-crack exchanges over 18 months of follow-up. In
      multivariable GEE analyses, sharing a crack pipe with a client (aOR = 1.98;
      95%CI: 1.27-3.08) and smoking crack in a group of strangers (e.g., in an alley or
      crackhouse) (aOR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.13-2.58) were independently correlated with
      sex-for-crack exchanges. In our confounding model, exchanging sex for crack (aIRR
      = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.07-1.69) remained significantly associated with servicing a
      greater number (>10) of clients/week. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal elevated
      sexual- and drug- risk patterns among those who exchange sex for crack. The
      physical and social environment featured prominently in our results as a driver
      of sex-for-crack exchanges, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive multilevel
      approaches to harm reduction, STI and HIV prevention that address SWs'
      environment, individual level factors, and the interplay between them.

PMID- 24238368
TI  - Stretch-dependent smooth muscle differentiation in the portal vein-role of actin
      polymerization, calcium signaling, and microRNAs.
AB  - The mechanical forces acting on SMC in the vascular wall are known to regulate
      processes such as vascular remodeling and contractile differentiation. However,
      investigations to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of mechanotransduction in
      smooth muscle have been hampered by technical limitations associated with
      mechanical studies on pressurized small arteries, due primarily to the small
      amount of available tissue. The murine portal vein is a relatively large vessel
      showing myogenic tone that in many respects recapitulates the properties of small
      resistance vessels. Studies on stretched portal veins to elucidate mechanisms of
      mechanotransduction in the vascular wall have shown that stretch-sensitive
      regulation of contractile differentiation is mediated via Rho-activation and
      actin polymerization, while stretch-induced growth is regulated by the MAPK
      pathway. In this review, we have summarized findings on mechanotransduction in
      the portal vein with focus on stretch-induced contractile differentiation and the
      role of calcium, actin polymerization and miRNAs in this response. 

PMID- 24238369
TI  - Bimanual examination of the retrieved specimen and regional hypothermia during
      robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a novel technique for reducing positive
      surgical margin and achieving pelvic cooling.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel method of achieving pelvic hypothermia during
      robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and a modification of technique
      allowing immediate organ retrieval for intraoperative examination and targeted
      frozen-section biopsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Intracorporeal cooling and
      extraction (ICE) consists of a modification of the standard RARP technique with
      the use of the GelPOINTTM (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA), a
      hand access platform, which allows for delivery of ice-slush and rapid specimen
      extraction without compromising pneumoperitoneum. RESULTS: The ICE technique
      reproducibly achieves a temperature of 15  degrees C in the pelvic cavity with no
      obvious body temperature change. Adopting this technique during RARP, there was
      an absolute risk reduction by 26.6% in positive surgical margin rate in patients
      with pT3a disease when compared with similar patients undergoing conventional
      RARP (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The ICE technique eliminates the potential handicap
      of decreased tactile sensation for oncological margins, especially in the high
      risk patients. This technique allows the surgeon to immediately examine the
      surgical specimen after resection, and with the aid of frozen-section pathology
      determine if further resection is required. A prospective trial is underway in
      our centre to evaluate the effects of this novel technique on postoperative
      outcomes.

PMID- 24238370
TI  - Chronic migraine in women is associated with insulin resistance: a cross
      sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Migraine is a common neurological disorder. It can be
      divided into episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM), based on headache
      frequency. Some studies have shown that insulin sensitivity is impaired in
      migraine; moreover, hypertension, diabetes and obesity are common in patients
      with CM. The aim of this study was to assess serum glucose, insulin levels and
      insulin resistance (IR) in a sample of episodic migraineurs, chronic migraineurs
      and non-pain healthy controls. METHODS: Eighty-three women with EM, 83 with CM
      and 83 healthy controls were recruited. Headache was diagnosed according to the
      latest International Classification of Headache Disorders 2 criteria. Waist
      circumference, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure were measured. Checked
      metabolic parameters included fasting glucose, the 2 h 75 g oral glucose
      tolerance test (2 h OGTT), serum HbA1c, blood lipid profile, C-reactive protein
      and prolactin. The homeostasis model assessment formula was used to calculate IR.
      RESULTS: A significant prevalence of IR in CM was observed (P = 0.002). No
      significant associations were found with fasting glycaemia, the 2 h OGTT, HbA1c,
      blood lipid profile, C-reactive protein, prolactin and waist circumference.
      Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m(2)) was associated with an increased risk of CM [odds ratio
      (OR) 2.4]. When the outcome of interest was the association between IR and
      obesity, the OR was significantly increased compared with IR alone (OR = 13.2).
      CONCLUSION: This may suggest that CM is associated with IR status, particularly
      when it is in partnership with obesity.

PMID- 24238372
TI  - Dermoscopy-assisted sclerotherapy for spider leg veins.

PMID- 24238371
TI  - Use of withdrawal (coitus interruptus) for both pregnancy and HIV prevention
      among young adults in Rakai, Uganda.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although understudied in the context of AIDS, use of withdrawal
      (coitus interruptus) with or in place of other prevention methods affects
      exposure to both pregnancy and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIM: We used
      mixed methods to assess use of withdrawal among 15-24-year-olds in a rural
      Ugandan setting with considerable HIV prevalence. METHODS: We measured withdrawal
      reporting among (i) sexually active 15-24-year-olds enrolled in a quantitative
      community survey (n = 6,722) and (ii) in-depth qualitative interview participants
      systematically selected from the latest round of the community survey (N = 60).
      Respondents were asked about family planning and HIV prevention practices,
      including a direct question about withdrawal in the in-depth interviews. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were reports of current use of
      withdrawal on the quantitative survey (general question about family planning
      methods) and reports of current or recent use withdrawal in qualitative
      interviews (specific question about withdrawal). Qualitative interviews also
      probed for factors associated with withdrawal use. RESULTS: Although less than 1%
      of quantitative survey participants spontaneously named withdrawal as their
      current family planning method, 48% of qualitative interview respondents reported
      current or lifetime use of withdrawal. Withdrawal was often used as a pleasurable
      alternative to condoms, when condoms were not available, and/or as a
      "placeholder" method before obtaining injectable contraception. A few respondents
      described using withdrawal to reduce HIV risk. CONCLUSION: Qualitative findings
      revealed widespread withdrawal use among young adults in Rakai, mainly as a
      condom alternative. Thus, withdrawal may shape exposure to both pregnancy and
      HIV. Future behavioral surveys should assess withdrawal practices directly--and
      separately from other contraceptives and HIV prevention methods. Further clinical
      research should further document withdrawal's association with HIV risk.

PMID- 24238373
TI  - Introduction to special issue on tumor ablation.

PMID- 24238375
TI  - How to set up a successful tumor ablation practice.
AB  - Tumor ablation services have increased in prevalence across the country and can
      now be found in modern health care systems of all sizes. These services have
      become an integral part of the coordinated multidisciplinary approach to patient
      care that must take place at any oncologic center of excellence. However,
      building a reputable tumor ablation practice at an institutional level can be a
      very difficult task as there are many financial, political, and material
      considerations that must be addressed during the early phases of operation to
      ensure its success. This article discusses each of these considerations in turn
      and provides insight into ways to overcome the inherent challenges faced when
      bringing all of the necessary elements together to create a thriving tumor
      ablation practice at an institutional level. 

PMID- 24238374
TI  - Tumor ablation: common modalities and general practices.
AB  - Tumor ablation is a minimally invasive technique that is commonly used in the
      treatment of tumors of the liver, kidney, bone, and lung. During tumor ablation,
      thermal energy is used to heat or cool tissue to cytotoxic levels (less than -40
      degrees C or more than 60 degrees C). An additional technique is being developed
      that targets the permeability of the cell membrane and is ostensibly nonthermal.
      Within the classification of tumor ablation, there are several modalities used
      worldwide: radiofrequency, microwave, laser, high-intensity focused ultrasound,
      cryoablation, and irreversible electroporation. Each technique, although similar
      in purpose, has specific and optimal indications. This review serves to discuss
      general principles and technique, reviews each modality, and discusses modality
      selection. 

PMID- 24238376
TI  - Preparation for percutaneous ablation procedures.
AB  - Percutaneous tumor ablation is now commonly used to treat a wide range of focal
      tumors. Patients eligible for ablation often have complex medical problems that
      preclude them from receiving other treatments. The interventional radiologist
      needs to perform a careful clinical evaluation of each patient before the
      procedure to determine which patients are suitable candidates for treatment and
      to identify patients who may be at a higher risk for complications. The clinical
      consultation also provides an opportunity to prepare the patient for the ablation
      and to appropriately plan the procedure. In this article, we discuss key
      components of the consultation and concepts regarding patient evaluation and
      preparation for a tumor ablation procedure. 

PMID- 24238377
TI  - "How we do it" - a practical approach to hepatic metastases ablation techniques.
AB  - Secondary liver malignancies are associated with significant mortality and
      morbidity if left untreated. Colorectal cancer is the most frequent origin of
      hepatic metastases. A multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of hepatic
      metastases includes medical, surgical, radiation and interventional oncology. The
      role of interventional oncology in the management of hepatic malignancies
      continues to evolve and applies to a large and continuous spectrum of metastatic
      disease, from the relatively small solitary metastasis to larger tumors and
      multifocal liver disease. Within the past 10 years, several publications of
      percutaneous image-guided ablation indicated the effectiveness and safety of this
      minimally invasive therapy for selected patients with limited number (arguably up
      to 4 metastases) of relatively small (less than 5cm) hepatic metastases.
      Different image-guided procedures such radiofrequency, microwave, and laser cause
      thermal ablation and coagulation necrosis or cell death of the target tumor.
      Cryoablation, causing cell death via cellular freezing, has also been used.
      Recently, irreversible electroporation, a nonthermal modality, has also been used
      for liver tumor ablation. In the following section, we review the different liver
      ablation techniques, as well as indications for ablation, specific patient
      preparations, and different "tricks of the trade" that we use to achieve safe and
      effective liver tumor ablation. We also discuss appropriate imaging and clinical
      patient follow-up and potential complications of liver tumor ablation. 

PMID- 24238378
TI  - Renal tumor ablation.
AB  - Percutaneous, image-guided ablation for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an
      important treatment option for many patients. With more than 60,000 new cases
      every year and nearly three-fourths of those presenting as stage 1A, minimally
      invasive, nephron-sparing therapies have become the standard of care. Stage 1 A
      (<4cm, organ confined) disease presents the best scenario for percutaneous
      ablation. Various other factors influence the decision-making tree, such as
      patient age, life expectancy, comorbid condition, renal function, and the risk of
      metachronous lesions. Preparation aims at minimizing risks and has been discussed
      in detail. Computed tomography guidance remains the best option, and conscious
      sedation is adequate for most cases. Ultrasound and more recently magnetic
      resonance guidance are becoming viable alternatives. Whether radiofrequency or
      cryoablation are chosen, a margin of at least 5mm and up to 10mm is recommended.
      Various maneuvers required for optimum outcome, including hydrodissection and
      preoperative embolization are also discussed. Most renal ablations can be
      performed on an outpatient basis. Reasons to admit include complications, high
      risk patients, and the need for symptom management. Follow-up aims at (1)
      ensuring complete ablation and (2) monitoring against a metachronous lesion. For
      the former, a 3-month contrast computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging
      is required and for the latter an annual examination is recommended. Though
      partial nephrectomy remains the gold standard, image-guided, percutaneous
      ablation for RCC can result in very similar outcomes. Over the last 10 years,
      there have been numerous studies reporting the efficacy and safety of ablation,
      and more recently, long-term studies have confirmed those numbers. Overall, the
      efficacy for percutaneous ablation for RCC stands at 90%-95% with a complication
      rate of 6%-7%. The most important factors for positive outcome are patient or
      tumor selection and operator experience. 

PMID- 24238379
TI  - Percutaneous lung tumor ablation.
AB  - Percutaneous thermal ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for primary or
      secondary malignancies of the lung. Currently, 3 different modalities are
      available: radiofrequency, microwave, and cryoablation. Radiofrequency ablation
      remains to date the most developed although the other 2 modalities have their own
      distinct advantages. Percutaneous ablation can be used for treatment of stage 1
      and 2 non-small cell lung carcinoma either alone or in combination with other
      therapies. Specifically, their noninvasive nature allows them to be used on
      patients who are otherwise deemed nonoperable. Percutaneous ablation can also be
      used to treat stage 3a non-small cell lung carcinoma in carefully selected
      patients. With nonlung primaries, percutaneous ablation can be used to control
      limited pulmonary metastasis, recurrences after alternative treatments, or to
      provide pain relief. Although the long-term data for percutaneous ablation is
      still being investigated, their noninvasive nature and efficacy will ensure their
      viability and evolution in the future. In this article we review the indications
      for percutaneous ablation, evaluation of the potential patient, an overview of
      the ablation options currently available, procedural details, potential
      complications, and expected results and follow-up. 

PMID- 24238380
TI  - Ablation of musculoskeletal metastases: pain palliation, fracture risk reduction,
      and oligometastatic disease.
AB  - Thermal ablation is an effective, minimally invasive alternative to conventional
      therapies in the palliation of painful musculoskeletal metastases and an emerging
      approach to obtain local tumor control in the setting of limited metastatic
      disease. Various thermal ablation technologies have been applied to bone and soft
      tissue tumors and may be used in combination with percutaneous cement
      instillation for skeletal lesions with or at risk for pathologic fracture. This
      article reviews current practices of percutaneous ablation of musculoskeletal
      metastases with an emphasis on radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation of
      painful skeletal metastases. 

PMID- 24238381
TI  - Image-guided ablation of adrenal tumors.
AB  - Adrenal neoplasms are a frequently encountered lesion, seen in approximately 4%
      6% of patients undergoing diagnostic imaging studies. Although benign,
      nonfunctioning adenomas are the most common neoplasms of the adrenal, other
      primary tumors that affect the gland include myelolipomas, cortisol-producing
      adenomas, aldosteronomas, pheochromocytomas, and adrenocortical carcinomas. In
      addition, the adrenal gland is a common site of metastatic disease. Because the
      overall patient clinical picture varies with each one of these entities, there
      are a range of treatment options for adrenal tumors. Although surgical resection
      has been well described, the increased detection of incidental adrenal lesions
      because of widespread use of medical imaging and the need to treat patients with
      multiple comorbidities by using less invasive techniques has drawn greater
      attention to percutaneous ablative treatment of adrenal neoplasms. The purpose of
      this article is to review these techniques, which include percutaneous
      radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, microwave ablation, and chemical ablation.

PMID- 24238382
TI  - Radiofrequency ablation for breast cancer.
AB  - Although breast-conserving therapy or mastectomy remains the gold standard for
      breast cancer treatment, minimally invasive alternatives to surgery are becoming
      more attractive for select patient populations. Advances in technology, reduced
      morbidity, improved cosmesis, and the ability to provide treatment in an
      outpatient setting are some of the advantages of image-guided therapy.
      Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been investigated because of its relatively low
      cost, low morbidity, and favorable technical success rates (76%-100% in published
      series). Image guidance during ablation involves the use of real-time ultrasound
      or magnetic resonance imaging to target the tumor and monitor the adequacy of
      ablation. Tumor size, location, histologic type, and reliable visualization under
      ultrasound (or other imaging modalities) are important to determine patient
      eligibility and procedural planning. In patients with localized breast cancer who
      decline surgery or are not candidates for surgery, RFA alone, or in combination
      with hormonal therapy, or followed by conventional radiation therapy with or
      without chemotherapy may prove to be viable treatment options. In patients with
      locally advanced or metastatic disease, RFA may be suitable for palliation of
      larger symptomatic tumors. Additional studies with long-term patient follow-up
      are necessary to better understand response to RFA and to determine its future
      role in the treatment algorithm for breast cancer. 

PMID- 24238383
TI  - Irreversible electroporation: ready for prime time?
AB  - Image-guided ablation has evolved rapidly in the past decade into a competitive
      technique for treating focal solid malignancies. However, as they rely mainly on
      thermal energy, such as radiofrequency or microwave, many tumors close to
      sensitive organs, such as ducts, bowel, and nerves, still remain nonablatable
      owing to the risk of thermal injury. Irreversible electroporation is a novel
      ablation modality that relies largely on a nonthermal mechanism to induce cell
      death, and therefore may overcome many of the shortcomings of thermal ablation.
      Emerging preclinical data as well as early clinical experience is showing promise
      for this technique in treating a variety of tumors including periportal liver
      masses, pancreatic cancer, perihilar renal tumors, prostate cancer, and other
      soft tissue tumors. However, practical limitations remain for irreversible
      electroporation, and its complete cancer and location-specific safety and
      efficacy profiles are still largely unknown. We therefore review what is known
      for this new ablation modality based on preclinical and preliminary clinical
      data, and discuss its emerging indications as well as technical challenges. 

PMID- 24238384
TI  - Image-guided fusion and navigation: applications in tumor ablation.
AB  - Navigation technology and multimodality image fusion represent an important
      development in interventional radiology. It is a rapidly developing field with
      great promise for improving, optimizing, and refining our workflow, especially
      for performing complex and difficult biopsies and ablations. It can potentially
      reduce procedure time, radiation dose, and complications while enhancing
      procedure accuracy and effectiveness. Additionally, such techniques are likely to
      greatly benefit less experienced operators and shorten the long learning curve to
      mastery of conventional procedures. Here, we describe different aspects of
      currently available image-guided fusion devices including the types of clinically
      available technological platforms (electromagnetic vs optical fusion) used to
      fuse prior and real-time images; pretest planning software; and advantages and
      limitations reported in preclinical and emerging clinical studies. Much
      refinement and development still needs to be performed for both the tracking
      systems and preablation software predictability, but this is anticipated as
      substantial research within the framework of multiple academic industrial
      partnerships is ongoing. 

PMID- 24238385
TI  - Acute pain services; an Egyptian experience.

PMID- 24238386
TI  - Utilizing novel diversity estimators to quantify multiple dimensions of microbial
      biodiversity across domains.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microbial ecologists often employ methods from classical community
      ecology to analyze microbial community diversity. However, these methods have
      limitations because microbial communities differ from macro-organismal
      communities in key ways. This study sought to quantify microbial diversity using
      methods that are better suited for data spanning multiple domains of life and
      dimensions of diversity. Diversity profiles are one novel, promising way to
      analyze microbial datasets. Diversity profiles encompass many other indices,
      provide effective numbers of diversity (mathematical generalizations of previous
      indices that better convey the magnitude of differences in diversity), and can
      incorporate taxa similarity information. To explore whether these profiles change
      interpretations of microbial datasets, diversity profiles were calculated for
      four microbial datasets from different environments spanning all domains of life
      as well as viruses. Both similarity-based profiles that incorporated phylogenetic
      relatedness and naive (not similarity-based) profiles were calculated. Simulated
      datasets were used to examine the robustness of diversity profiles to varying
      phylogenetic topology and community composition. RESULTS: Diversity profiles
      provided insights into microbial datasets that were not detectable with classical
      univariate diversity metrics. For all datasets analyzed, there were key
      distinctions between calculations that incorporated phylogenetic diversity as a
      measure of taxa similarity and naive calculations. The profiles also provided
      information about the effects of rare species on diversity calculations.
      Additionally, diversity profiles were used to examine thousands of simulated
      microbial communities, showing that similarity-based and naive diversity profiles
      only agreed approximately 50% of the time in their classification of which sample
      was most diverse. This is a strong argument for incorporating similarity
      information and calculating diversity with a range of emphases on rare and
      abundant species when quantifying microbial community diversity. CONCLUSIONS: For
      many datasets, diversity profiles provided a different view of microbial
      community diversity compared to analyses that did not take into account taxa
      similarity information, effective diversity, or multiple diversity metrics. These
      findings are a valuable contribution to data analysis methodology in microbial
      ecology.

PMID- 24238387
TI  - Recurrent involuntary imagery in people who stutter and people who do not
      stutter.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare intrusive memories in groups of people who do (PWS), and
      who do not (PWNS), stutter. METHOD: Twenty-one participants who stuttered and 21
      matched controls were given a semi-structured interview which explored imagery in
      speaking situations. The data were analyzed using a Content Analysis approach.
      Other outcome measures were the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression
      Inventory, the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, Symptom Scale: Self-Report
      Version. RESULTS: Significantly more stuttering participants than control
      participants indicated both recurrent imagery and associated memories. Content
      Analysis revealed themes of disfluency, anxiety, negative social evaluation, self
      focus and pressure to speak that were common to both groups' reports. Additional
      themes of helplessness, shame, sadness and frustration were found only in the
      images and memories of the stuttering group. No group differences were evident
      for the number of sensory modalities involved in images and memories, or for
      ratings of their vividness or strength of associated emotions, or on self-reports
      of depression, anxiety and trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent imagery about events in
      childhood is a potent factor in the memories of PWS. It is worth modifying
      interventions that have been successfully applied for treating social anxiety for
      use with people who stutter. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: After reading this article,
      participants will be able to: (a) identify the role of intrusive memories in
      psychiatric disorders and stuttering; (b) investigate how DSM criteria can be
      employed with people who stutter; (c) employ anxiety instruments used for
      assessing psychiatric disorders for stuttering; (d) distinguish between the
      intrusive memories experienced by people who stutter, and people who do not
      stutter; (e) apply treatments for intrusive memories in psychiatric disorders to
      work with people who stutter.

PMID- 24238388
TI  - Emotional reactivity and regulation in preschool-age children who stutter.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study experimentally investigated behavioral correlates of
      emotional reactivity and emotion regulation and their relation to speech
      (dis)fluency in preschool-age children who do (CWS) and do not (CWNS) stutter
      during emotion-eliciting conditions. METHOD: Participants (18 CWS, 14 boys; 18
      CWNS, 14 boys) completed two experimental tasks (1) a neutral ("apples and leaves
      in a transparent box," ALTB) and (2) a frustrating ("attractive toy in a
      transparent box," ATTB) task, both of which were followed by a narrative task.
      Dependent measures were emotional reactivity (positive affect, negative affect),
      emotion regulation (self-speech, distraction) exhibited during the ALTB and the
      ATTB tasks, percentage of stuttered disfluencies (SDs) and percentage of non
      stuttered disfluencies (NSDs) produced during the narratives. RESULTS: Results
      indicated that preschool-age CWS exhibited significantly more negative emotion
      and more self-speech than preschool-age CWNS. For CWS only, emotion regulation
      behaviors (i.e., distraction, self-speech) during the experimental tasks were
      predictive of stuttered disfluencies during the subsequent narrative tasks.
      Furthermore, for CWS there was no relation between emotional processes and non
      stuttered disfluencies, but CWNS's negative affect was significantly related to
      nonstuttered disfluencies. CONCLUSIONS: In general, present findings support the
      notion that emotional processes are associated with childhood stuttering.
      Specifically, findings are consistent with the notion that preschool-age CWS are
      more emotionally reactive than CWNS and that their self-speech regulatory
      attempts may be less than effective in modulating their emotions. EDUCATIONAL
      OBJECTIVES: The reader will be able to: (a) communicate the relevance of studying
      the role of emotion in developmental stuttering close to the onset of stuttering
      and (b) describe the main findings of the present study in relation to previous
      studies that have used different methodologies to investigate the role of emotion
      in developmental stuttering of young children who stutter.

PMID- 24238389
TI  - Nonword repetition and nonword reading abilities in adults who do and do not
      stutter.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the present study a nonword repetition and a nonword reading task
      were used to investigate the behavioral (speech accuracy) and speech kinematic
      (movement variability measured as lip aperture variability index; speech
      duration) profiles of groups of young adults who do (AWS) and do not stutter
      (control). METHOD: Participants were 9 AWS (8 males, Mean age=32.2, SD=14.7) and
      9 age- and sex-matched control participants (Mean age=31.8, SD=14.6). For the
      nonword repetition task, participants were administered the Nonword Repetition
      Test (Dollaghan & Campbell, 1998). For the reading task, participants were
      required to read out target nonwords varying in length (6 vs. 11 syllables).
      Repeated measures analyses of variance were conducted to compare the groups in
      percent speech accuracy for both tasks; only for the nonword reading task, the
      groups were compared in movement variability and speech duration. RESULTS: The
      groups were comparable in percent accuracy in nonword repetition. Findings from
      nonword reading revealed a trend for the AWS to show a lower percent of accurate
      productions compared to the control group. AWS also showed significantly higher
      movement variability and longer speech durations compared to the control group in
      nonword reading. Some preliminary evidence for group differences in practice
      effect (seen as differences between the early vs. later 5 trials) was evident in
      speech duration. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest differences between AWS and
      control groups in phonemic encoding and/or speech motor planning and production.
      Findings from nonword repetition vs. reading highlight the need for careful
      consideration of nonword properties. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: At the end of this
      activity the reader will be able to: (a) summarize the literature on nonword
      repetition skills in adults who stutter, (b) describe processes underlying
      nonword repetition and nonword reading, (c) summarize whether or not adults who
      stutter differ from those who do not in the behavioral and kinematic markers of
      nonword reading performance, (d) discuss future directions for research.

PMID- 24238390
TI  - Stuttering prevalence, incidence and recovery rates depend on how we define it:
      comment on Yairi & Ambrose' article Epidemiology of stuttering: 21st century
      advances.

PMID- 24238391
TI  - Defining stuttering for research purposes.
AB  - This is a response to a Letter to the Editor entitled "Stuttering prevalence,
      incidence and recovery rates depend on how we define it: Comment on Yairi &
      Ambrose' article Epidemiology of Stuttering: 21st Century advances" by Paul
      Brocklehurst (2013). The criticism was directed specifically toward Yairi and
      Ambrose' conclusions, based on review of recent studies, regarding the incidence
      and prevalence of stuttering. In this response, Brocklehurst's arguments and
      suggestions of criteria for incidence research are discussed and negated. 

PMID- 24238392
TI  - PROPER I: frequency and appropriateness of psychotropic drugs use in nursing home
      patients and its associations: a study protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nursing home patients with dementia use psychotropic drugs longer and
      more frequently than recommended by guidelines implying psychotropic drugs are
      not always prescribed appropriately. These drugs can have many side effects and
      effectiveness is limited. Psychotropic drug use between nursing home units varies
      and is not solely related to the severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms. There is
      growing evidence indicating that psychotropic drug use is associated with
      environmental factors, suggesting that the prescription of psychotropic drugs is
      not only related to (objective) patient factors. However, other factors related
      to the patient, elderly care physician, nurse and the physical environment are
      only partially identified. Using a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative
      research, this study aims to understand the nature of psychotropic drug use and
      its underlying factors by identifying: 1) frequency and appropriateness of
      psychotropic drug use for neuropsychiatric symptoms in nursing home patients with
      dementia, 2) factors associated with (appropriateness of) psychotropic drug use.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional mixed methods study. For the quantitative study,
      patients with dementia (n = 540), nursing staff and elderly care physicians of 36
      Dementia Special Care Units of 12 nursing homes throughout the Netherlands will
      be recruited. Six nursing homes with high average rates and six with low average
      rates of psychotropic drug use, based on a national survey about frequency of
      psychotropic drug use on units, will be included. Psychotropic drugs include
      antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and anti
      dementia drugs. Appropriateness will be measured by an instrument based on the
      Medication Appropriateness Index and current guidelines for treatment of
      neuropsychiatric symptoms. Factors associated to psychotropic drug use, related
      to the patient, elderly care physician, nurse and physical environment, will be
      explored using multilevel regression analyses. For the qualitative study, in
      depth interviews with staff will be held and analyzed to identify and explore
      other unknown factors. DISCUSSION: This study will provide insight into factors
      that are associated with the frequency and appropriateness of psychotropic drug
      use for neuropsychiatric symptoms. Understanding psychotropic drug use and its
      associations may contribute to better dementia care.

PMID- 24238393
TI  - Good cognitive performances in a child with Prader-Willi syndrome.
AB  - We report the case of a child affected by Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) with good
      cognitive performances and without relevant behavioral abnormalities.The
      diagnosis of PWS, suspected on the basis of clinical features and past history,
      was confirmed by DNA methylation analysis. Additional genetic testing revealed a
      maternal uniparental disomy. Intellectual profile was analyzed by WISC-III and
      Raven's Progressive Matrices CPM, while the behavior was evaluated by K-SADS-PL
      and Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 to the parents.WISC-III test showed a Total
      Intelligence Quotient (T-IQ = 79) at the border level for age. The Verbal
      Intelligence Quotient (V-IQ) showed a lower score than the Performance
      Intelligence Quotient (P-IQ) (78 and 85, respectively). Raven's Matrices CPM
      showed an intelligence level at 75-90 degrees  percentile for age. Concerning
      behavioral evaluation, a difficulty in impulse control was observed, with
      persistent but controllable search for food, without a clear psychopathological
      meaning. Also according to K-SADS-PL no areas of psychopathological dimensions
      were detected. In conclusion, in presence of consisting clinical features of PWS
      and high diagnostic suspicion, the diagnosis of PWS should be considered even in
      presence of a borderline IQ and in absence of psychopathological abnormalities. 

PMID- 24238394
TI  - Protein conformational transitions at the liquid-gas interface as studied by
      dilational surface rheology.
AB  - Experimental results on the dynamic dilational surface elasticity of protein
      solutions are analyzed and compared. Short reviews of the protein behavior at the
      liquid-gas interface and the dilational surface rheology precede the main
      sections of this work. The kinetic dependencies of the surface elasticity differ
      strongly for the solutions of globular and non-globular proteins. In the latter
      case these dependencies are similar to those for solutions of non-ionic
      amphiphilic polymers and have local maxima corresponding to the formation of the
      distal region of the surface layer (type I). In the former case the dynamic
      surface elasticity is much higher (>60 mN/m) and the kinetic dependencies are
      monotonical and similar to the data for aqueous dispersions of solid
      nanoparticles (type II). The addition of strong denaturants to solutions of
      bovine serum albumin and beta-lactoglobulin results in an abrupt transition from
      the type II to type I dependencies if the denaturant concentration exceeds a
      certain critical value. These results give a strong argument in favor of the
      preservation of the protein globular structure in the course of adsorption
      without any denaturants. The addition of cationic surfactants also can lead to
      the non-monotonical kinetic dependencies of the dynamic surface elasticity
      indicating destruction of the protein tertiary and secondary structures. The
      addition of anionic surfactants gives similar results only for the protein
      solutions of high ionic strength. The influence of cationic surfactants on the
      local maxima of the kinetic dependencies of the dynamic surface elasticity for
      solutions of a non-globular protein (beta-casein) differs from the influence of
      anionic surfactants due to the heterogeneity of the charge distribution along the
      protein chain. In this case one can use small admixtures of ionic surfactants as
      probes of the adsorption mechanism. The effect of polyelectrolytes on the kinetic
      dependencies of the dynamic surface elasticity of protein solutions is weaker
      than the effect of conventional surfactants but exceeds the error limits.

PMID- 24238395
TI  - Gemini surfactants from natural amino acids.
AB  - In this review, we report the most important contributions in the structure,
      synthesis, physicochemical (surface adsorption, aggregation and phase behaviour)
      and biological properties (toxicity, antimicrobial activity and biodegradation)
      of Gemini natural amino acid-based surfactants, and some potential applications,
      with an emphasis on the use of these surfactants as non-viral delivery system
      agents. Gemini surfactants derived from basic (Arg, Lys), neutral (Ser, Ala,
      Sar), acid (Asp) and sulphur containing amino acids (Cys) as polar head groups,
      and Geminis with amino acids/peptides in the spacer chain are reviewed. 

PMID- 24238396
TI  - High-throughput genotyping assay for the large-scale genetic characterization of
      Cryptosporidium parasites from human and bovine samples.
AB  - The epidemiological study of human cryptosporidiosis requires the
      characterization of species and subtypes involved in human disease in large
      sample collections. Molecular genotyping is costly and time-consuming, making the
      implementation of low-cost, highly efficient technologies increasingly necessary.
      Here, we designed a protocol based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for the high
      throughput genotyping of a panel of 55 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) selected
      as markers for the identification of common gp60 subtypes of four Cryptosporidium
      species that infect humans. The method was applied to a panel of 608 human and 63
      bovine isolates and the results were compared with control samples typed by
      Sanger sequencing. The method allowed the identification of species in 610
      specimens (90.9%) and gp60 subtype in 605 (90.2%). It displayed excellent
      performance, with sensitivity and specificity values of 87.3 and 98.0%,
      respectively. Up to nine genotypes from four different Cryptosporidium species
      (C. hominis, C. parvum, C. meleagridis and C. felis) were detected in humans; the
      most common ones were C. hominis subtype Ib, and C. parvum IIa (61.3 and 28.3%,
      respectively). 96.5% of the bovine samples were typed as IIa. The method performs
      as well as the widely used Sanger sequencing and is more cost-effective and less
      time consuming.

PMID- 24238397
TI  - Effects of and satisfaction with short message service reminders for patient
      medication adherence: a randomized controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is critical for patient treatment. This study
      involved evaluating how implementing Short Message Service (SMS) reminders
      affected patient medication adherence and related factors. METHODS: We used a
      structured questionnaire to survey outpatients at three medical centers. Patients
      aged 20 years and older who were prescribed more than 7 days of a prescription
      medication were randomized into SMS intervention or control groups. The
      intervention group received daily messages reminding them of aspects regarding
      taking their medication; the control group received no messages. A phone follow
      up was performed to assess outcomes after 8 days. Data were collected from 763
      participants in the intervention group and 435 participants in the control group.
      RESULTS: After participants in the intervention group received SMS reminders to
      take medication or those in the control group received no messages, incidences of
      delayed doses were decreased by 46.4 and 78.8% for those in the control and
      intervention groups, respectively. The rate of missed doses was decreased by
      90.1% for participants in the intervention group and 61.1% for those in the
      control group. We applied logistic regression analysis and determined that
      participants in the intervention group had a 3.2-fold higher probability of
      having a decrease in delayed doses compared with participants in the control
      group. Participants in the intervention group also showed a 2.2-fold higher
      probability of having a decrease in missed doses compared with participants in
      the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of SMS significantly affected the rates of
      taking medicine on schedule. Therefore, daily SMS could be useful for reminding
      patients to take their medicine on schedule.

PMID- 24238398
TI  - Rapidly metastasizing malignant melanoma characterized by a rare BRAF mutation
      not responding to vemurafenib.

PMID- 24238399
TI  - Injection of a chemical castration agent, zinc gluconate, into the testes of cats
      results in the impairment of spermatogenesis: a potentially irreversible
      contraceptive approach for this species?
AB  - Male sterilization by chemical agents is a nonsurgical contraceptive approach
      designed to induce azoospermia and, therefore, infertility. Intratesticular
      injection of zinc gluconate for sterilization of dogs has been described, but its
      use in cats remains limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate,
      by light and transmission electron microscopy, the efficacy of a single
      intratesticular injection of a zinc gluconate solution (Testoblock) as a
      sterilant for male cats. Twelve sexually mature mixed breed cats were allocated
      at random into two groups (control = 6; treated = 6) and given a single injection
      into each testis of either isotonic saline or zinc gluconate, respectively.
      Histopathologic and ultrastructural evaluation was assessed at 120 days
      postinjection. Histopathologic changes were not detected in the testes from the
      control group. However, histologic evaluation of the treated group revealed
      atrophic and dilated seminiferous tubules, a decrease in the number of germ
      cells, and incomplete spermatogenesis. Sertoli cells had various degrees of
      cytoplasmic vacuolization. Intertubular tissue revealed active fibroblasts,
      collagen deposition, and inflammatory cells. The diameter of seminiferous
      tubules, epithelial height and tubular area were reduced (P < 0.05) in the
      treated group compared with controls. Azoospermia occurred in 8 of the 11 treated
      cats (73%). Ultrastructural evaluation of Leydig cells revealed loss of nuclear
      chromatin, increased smooth endoplasmatic reticulum, and mitochondria
      degeneration. Intratesticular injection of zinc gluconate solution impaired
      spermatogenesis in cats and has great potential as a permanent sterilant in this
      species. 

PMID- 24238400
TI  - Amount of maternal body fat significantly affected the quality of isolated mouse
      preimplantation embryos and slowed down their development.
AB  - The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of maternal obesity on the
      quality and developmental capabilities of in vivo-derived preimplantation
      embryos. A two-generation dietary model, based on mice overfeeding during
      intrauterine and early postnatal development, was used to produce four types of
      female animals: with physiological (7%-8%), slightly elevated (8%-11%), highly
      elevated (>11%), and low (<7%) amounts of body fat. Spontaneously ovulating
      females (5-6 weeks old) were mated with male animals and subjected to embryo
      isolation at Day 4. Stereomicroscopical evaluation of collected embryos showed
      that the amount of maternal body fat did not affect the average number of
      collected embryos per dam. However, significant differences were found in the
      stage-distribution of isolated embryos: dams with highly elevated body fat and
      dams with low fat delivered decreased numbers of blastocysts and increased
      numbers of lower-stage or degenerated embryos compared with dams with
      physiological or slightly elevated fat value. Fluorescence staining showed that
      blastocysts isolated from dams with high and low percentage of body fat contained
      significantly higher numbers of dead cells. Most of such dead cells were of
      apoptotic origin. In contrast, the amount of maternal body fat did not affect
      blastocyst growth-the average numbers of cells per blastocyst were comparable in
      all groups. In conclusion, highly elevated or decreased amount of maternal body
      fat slowed down the development and negatively affected the quality of naturally
      in vivo-derived preimplantation embryos. No negative effect of slightly elevated
      fat was observed.

PMID- 24238401
TI  - Effect of flunixin meglumine or prostaglandin E2 treatment 15 days after breeding
      on fertility in Saanen does.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine the effects of timely injections of
      flunixin meglumine (FM) or vaginal application of prostaglandin E2 (PgE2) on
      pregnancy, fertility, fecundity, and prolificacy rates in Saanen goats. One
      hundred and sixty-three nonlactating Saanen does were treated with a flugestone
      acetate (20 mg)-containing intravaginal sponge for 12 days. They also received
      eCG (400 IU) and a PGF2alpha analogue (50 MUg) 10 days after progestagen priming.
      Does detected in estrus were mated and assigned randomly to one of three
      treatment groups. The PgE2 group (N = 40) received PgE2 (2.5 mg) intravaginally
      15 days after mating. The FM group (N = 54) received flunixin meglumine (total
      dose, 100 mg) intramuscularly 15 days after mating. Flunixin meglumine was
      administered at 9:00 AM. Animals in the control group (N = 69) received no
      treatment. Pregnancy was diagnosed using transrectal ultrasonography (B-mode at 8
      MHz) 30 days after mating. The pregnancy rate was significantly greater (P <
      0.01) after 30 days in goats treated with PgE2 and also in the control group than
      in those treated with FM (67.5%, 59.4%, and 42.5%, respectively). The pregnancy
      rate did not differ between the PgE2 and the control group. The pregnancy and
      fertility rate were lowest in the FM group compared with the other groups. There
      was no significant difference in the prolificacy rate among experimental groups.
      In conclusion, our results showed that FM administration during a late luteal
      phase is detrimental to early pregnancy in goats. 

PMID- 24238402
TI  - Bioinformatic analysis to find small molecules related to rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory
      disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks
      flexible (synovial) joints. AIMS: Our aim is to explore the change of gene
      expression profile in patients with RA, and investigate the underlying mechanism
      of the pathogenesis and progression of RA. METHODS: We downloaded the dataset
      GSE2053 from Gene Expression Omnibus database and screened the differentially
      expressed genes by analyzing the profiles between RA and normal cells with
      bioinformatics methods. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) function analysis and
      Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were used to
      screen GO and the significantly changed signaling pathways in RA cells with the
      Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). RESULTS:
      By bioinformatics methods, we obtained the metabolic pathway changed in the cells
      of patients with RA, and explored small molecule drugs that can restore these
      changes. CONCLUSIONS: These results may provide a new approach for explore the
      pathogenesis of RA and a new breakthrough in the medical treatment of patients
      with RA.

PMID- 24238403
TI  - Pattern of HIV testing and multiple sexual partnerships among men who have sex
      with men in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a hidden but emerging population
      susceptible to HIV infection against a background of rapidly increasing HIV
      prevalence in China. Low HIV testing levels and multiple partnerships among MSM
      are two major contributing factors to HIV transmission. METHODS: We conducted a
      cross-sectional survey among 447 Chinese MSM in Changsha and Tianjin cities from
      November to December 2011 using an anonymous questionnaire. We aim to investigate
      (1) the trend of HIV testing rates among Chinese MSM during 2009 to 2011; and (2)
      the patterns of multiple sexual relationships with male, female and commercial
      partners. RESULTS: The self-reported past-12-months HIV testing level among
      Chinese MSM increased from 16.6% in 2009 to 46.3% in 2010 and 58.6% in 2011
      (chi(2) = 173.49, p < 0.001). Compared with men who have tested for HIV, the
      never-tested MSM were generally younger, never married, students, and more likely
      to have unprotected anal intercourse with non-commercial male partners.
      Furthermore, 21.3% (56/263) MSM reported having multiple regular male and female
      sexual partnerships and 6.2% (16/257) reported having commercial male partners in
      the past six months. However, individuals who were never-tested for HIV are
      consistently less likely to engage in multiple sexual relationships. CONCLUSIONS:
      HIV testing rates have increased substantially among Chinese MSM in the period
      2009-2011, although significant barriers to testing remain. Multiple sexual
      partnerships, and especially bisexual behaviours, are common among Chinese MSM.

PMID- 24238404
TI  - Changing monsoon patterns, snow and glacial melt, its impacts and adaptation
      options in northern India: setting the stage.
AB  - To set the stage of this special issue this paper gives a short introduction to
      the sensitivity to climate change of the main bio-physical processes in the
      Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalayas. It also describes the socio-economic setting of
      the Ganges basin in northern India as the main focal point of the impact and
      adaptation studies in this special issue. 

PMID- 24238405
TI  - Cytokine signaling-1 suppressor is inducible by IL-1beta and inhibits the
      catabolic effects of IL-1beta in chondrocytes: its implication in the paradoxical
      joint-protective role of IL-1beta.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although IL-1beta is believed to be crucial in the pathogenesis of
      osteoarthritis (OA), the IL-1beta blockade brings no therapeutic benefit in human
      OA and results in OA aggravation in several animal models. We explored the role
      of a cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) suppressor as a regulatory modulator of IL
      1beta signaling in chondrocytes. METHODS: Cartilage samples were obtained from
      patients with knee OA and those without OA who underwent surgery for femur-neck
      fracture. SOCS1 expression in cartilage was assessed with immunohistochemistry.
      IL-1beta-induced SOCS1 expression in chondrocytes was analyzed with quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot. The effect of SOCS1 on IL-1beta
      signaling pathways and the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and
      aggrecanase-1 was investigated in SOCS1-overexpressing or -knockdown
      chondrocytes. RESULTS: SOCS1 expression was significantly increased in OA
      cartilage, especially in areas of severe damage (P < 0.01). IL-1beta stimulated
      SOCS1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent pattern (P < 0.01). The IL-1beta
      induced production of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4 (aggrecanase-1, a
      disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4) was affected by
      SOCS1 overexpression or knockdown in both SW1353 cells and primary human
      articular chondrocytes (all P values < 0.05). The inhibitory effects of SOCS1
      were mediated by blocking p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and nuclear factor
      kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation, and by downregulating transforming growth factor
      beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that
      SOCS1 is induced by IL1-beta in OA chondrocytes and suppresses the IL-1beta
      induced synthesis of matrix-degrading enzymes by inhibiting IL-1beta signaling at
      multiple levels. It suggests that the IL-1beta-inducible SOCS1 acts as a negative
      regulator of the IL-1beta response in OA cartilage.

PMID- 24238406
TI  - Looks like smoking, is it smoking?: children's perceptions of cigarette-like
      nicotine delivery systems, smoking and cessation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alternative cigarette-like nicotine delivery systems have been met
      with diverse opinions. One concern has been for the effect on children. We
      investigate whether children can differentiate tobacco cigarette smoking from use
      of a nicotine inhaler and electronic cigarette. Their opinions on these devices
      was also of interest. METHODS: Two structured focus groups and twelve individual
      interviews were conducted with twenty Maori and Pacific children (6-10 years old)
      in low socioeconomic areas in Auckland, New Zealand. Children viewed short video
      clips on an iPad that demonstrated an actor smoking a tobacco cigarette, sucking
      a lollipop or using an electronic cigarette or a nicotine inhaler. RESULTS:
      Children did not recognise the inhaler or electronic cigarette. Some children did
      however notice anomalies in the 'smoking' behaviour. Once told about the products
      the children were mostly positive about the potential of the inhaler and
      electronic cigarette to assist smokers to quit. Negative perceptions were
      expressed, including views about the ill health effects associated with continued
      nicotine intake and the smoker's inability to quit. CONCLUSIONS: In a context
      unfamiliar with electronic cigarettes or nicotine inhalers, such as New Zealand,
      children may misperceive use of these products as smoking. Once these products
      are more common and the purpose of them is known, seeing people use them should
      normalise quitting behaviour, something the children were very supportive of.

PMID- 24238407
TI  - [Coverage errors of five shade guide systems to vital natural teeth].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the coverage errors (CE) of five different shade guides in
      anterio vital natural teeth of selected people. METHODS: Anterior vital natural
      teeth were measured with Crystaleye spectrophotometer, color coordinates of the
      teeth and five shade guides A (VITA Classical), B (VITA 3D-Master), C
      (Chromascop), D (Shofu Vintage Halo NCC) and E (Noritake)were analyzed with the
      supporting software. The CE of the five shade guide systems to natural teeth were
      evaluated in cervical, body and incisal regions, and difference in CE among shade
      guides was determined. RESULTS: In the cervical region, shade guide A had the
      maximal CE value (3.09 +/- 0.97) and shade guide D had the minimal CE value (1.62
      +/- 0.75).In the body region, CE of shade guide B (1.65 +/- 0.64) and shade guide
      D (1.52 +/- 0.74) were lower than those of shade guides A (2.04 +/- 0.80), C
      (2.04 +/- 0.90) and E (2.02 +/- 0.84) (P < 0.05).In the incisal part, all CE were
      below 2.00, and again shade guide A had the maximal CE value (1.81 +/- 0.86) and
      shade guide D had the minimal CE value (1.28 +/- 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Within the
      limitation of the study, shade guide D had better color coverage of natural teeth
      in cervical, body and incisal regions.

PMID- 24238408
TI  - [Effect of hydrogen peroxide with different pH values on the color, translucency
      and laser-induced fluorescence of human dentin].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 30% hydrogen peroxide(HP) with different
      pH values on color, translucency and laser-induced fluorescence of human dentin.
      METHODS: Sixty dentin specimens from crown of mandibular third molars were
      randomly assigned into four groups (n = 15) and treated with acidic 30% HP,
      neutral 30% HP, alkaline 30% HP and deionized water (control group),
      respectively. The bleaching process was 0.5 h*4 times, and time points for
      measuring were baseline (0), 0.5, 1 and 2 h. A colorimeter was employed to
      measure the L(*), a(*), b(*) coordinates of dentin against white, black and
      yellow background. Then the parameters of translucency, masking effects, chroma
      and whiteness were calculated. The dentinal laser-induced Raman/fluorescence
      spectra was recorded by a Raman spectrometer and the fluorescence intensity(FI)
      and FI% were calculated. RESULTS: DeltaFI of acidic, neutral, alkaline 30% HP at
      2 h were 9960.03 +/- 2037.74, 8502.09 +/- 1413.86, 8554.29 +/- 1986.19. And
      DeltaFI% were 84.60 +/- 3.43, 84.89 +/- 5.19, 86.72 +/- 2.65, respectively.
      Repeated measure of ANOVA revealed that all parameters in the bleaching groups
      were significantly influenced by time (P < 0.001). Compared with control group,
      bleaching resulted significant change of DeltaTP, Deltachroma, Deltawhiteness,
      DeltaL(*), Deltaa(*), Deltab(*), DeltaE, DeltaFI and DeltaFI% (P < 0.001). There
      was no significant difference between three bleaching groups on DeltaTP,
      Deltamasking effects, Deltachroma, Deltawhiteness, DeltaL(*), Deltab(*), DeltaE,
      DeltaFI and DeltaFI%. Correlation analysis demonstrated that FI was associated
      with chroma, a(*), b(*) and whiteness, respectively, and DeltaFI was associated
      with DeltaTP, Deltamasking effects, Deltawhiteness, Deltachroma, Deltab(*) and
      DeltaE. CONCLUSIONS: 30% HP with different pH values could result in the same
      change of the color, translucency and laser-induced fluorescence of human
      dentin.Laser-induced fluorescence was associated with dentinal color and
      translucency, which might be a novel way to investigate the bleaching mechanism
      of dentin.

PMID- 24238409
TI  - [Preliminary study on tactile function of implant-supported single crowns].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To measure passive tactile threshold of implant-supported single
      crowns (ISSC) in six orthogonal orientations, to analyze impact factors, and to
      guide the occlusal adjustment in a personalized manner. METHODS: The passive
      tactile thresholds of 24 implant-supported single crowns (5 maxillary anterior
      teeth, 7 maxillary posterior teeth and 12 mandibular posterior teeth) from 19
      ISSC patients (8 men and 11 women, from 25 years old to 56 years old) were
      measured in six orthogonal orientations (four horizontal orientations of labial
      or buccal, lingual, mesial and distal, and two axial orientations of apical and
      coronal) using a digital test system for tactile function of teeth.SPSS 19.0 for
      windows was used to analyze impact factors, using double-sided test, with a
      significance level of 0.05. Paired-samples t test was used to test the difference
      between implant-supported single crowns and the controlled natural teeth, and
      between different time points. One-way ANOVA was used to test the difference
      between different orientations, maxilla-mandibular anterior-posterior, and men
      women. RESULTS: The passive tactile thresholds of ISSC and control teeth were
      (1282 +/- 709) and (40 +/- 40) mN respectively. The difference was of statistical
      significance (P < 0.001). The passive tactile thresholds of buccal-lingual,
      mesial-distal and axial of ISSC were (1334 +/- 696), (1102 +/- 605) and (1412 +/-
      791) mN respectively, of which, the difference between mesial-distal and axial
      was of statistical significance (P < 0.05). The passive tactile thresholds of
      ISSC of maxillary anterior teeth, posterior teeth and mandibular posterior teeth
      were (1003 +/- 616), (1302 +/- 620) and (1386 +/- 769) mN respectively, of which,
      the difference between maxillary anterior teeth and posterior teeth was of
      statistical significance (P < 0.05). The passive tactile thresholds of ISSC of
      men and women were (1751 +/- 784) and (946 +/- 393) mN respectively, the
      difference was of statistical significance (P < 0.001). The passive tactile
      thresholds of ISSC of one-week and one-month after wearing the teeth were (1421
      +/- 826) and (1411 +/- 814) mN respectively, the difference was of no statistical
      significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The passive tactile threshold of ISSC was
      more than 65 times as much as that of the natural teeth. There was statistical
      significance between different orientations, between maxillary anterior and
      posterior teeth, and between men and women. No statistical significance was found
      between maxillary and madibular posterior teeth and between one-week and one
      month after wearing the teeth.

PMID- 24238410
TI  - [Effect of hydrofluoric acid etching time and resin bonding on the flexural
      strength of lithium disilicate glass ceramic].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of hydrofluoric acid(HFA) etching time and resin
      bonding on the flexural strength of IPS e.max(r) Press glass ceramic, and
      evaluate the efficacy of resin cements to seal the cracks of the etched ceramic.
      METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-five bars (25.0 mm*3.0 mm*2.0 mm) were made from
      IPS e.max(r) Press ingots using lost-wax, hot-pressed ceramic fabrication
      technology and randomly divided into five groups, forty-five each.In each group,
      the surfaces of ceramic bars were etched by 9.5% HFA gel for 0, 20, 40, 60 and
      120 s respectively. Three specimens from each group were selected to observe the
      microstructure by the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Then
      each group were randomly subdivided into two subgroups (n = 20).One subgroup were
      coverd with a thin (approximately 0.1 mm) layer of resin cement (Variolink N),
      whereas the other subgroup remained unaltered.Half of the specimens were stored
      in 37 degrees C water bath for 24 h and the other half went through thermocycle
      10 000 times before 3-point bending test to determine their flexural
      strength.Interfaces between resin cement and etched ceramic were examined with FE
      SEM. RESULTS: FE-SEM results showed that etching with HFA resulted in
      preferential dissolution of glass ceramic, and partially supported crystals
      within the glass matrix were lost with the increasing of etching time.FE-SEM
      indicated that resin cement sealed the cracks and defects and bonded tightly to
      etched ceramic surface. The mean flexural strength values of group 0, 20, 40, 60
      and 120 s were (384 +/- 33), (347 +/- 43), (330 +/- 53), (327 +/- 67) , and (317
      +/- 41) MPa respectively. The mean flexural strength of each group except group 0
      s increased significantly to (420 +/- 31), (435 +/- 50), (400 +/- 39), and (412
      +/- 58) MPa respectively after the application of resin cement. CONCLUSIONS:
      Overtime HFA etching could have a wakening effect on IPS e.max(r) Press glass
      ceramic. The application of dual-curing resin cement can compensate the strength
      loss of the etched glass ceramic.

PMID- 24238412
TI  - [Comparative analysis of the relationship between of chronic periodontitis
      patients' compliance and clinical efficacy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of patients' compliance on clinical parameters
      in patients with chronic periodontitis during periodontal maintenance therapy
      period. METHODS: Chronic periodontitis patients who had completed non-surgical
      periodontal basic treatment were incorporated into the periodontal maintenance
      therapy(PMT). Clinical examination was performed in the baseline and each
      quarterly recall, over 3-year period. Clinical parameters including number of
      teeth, probing depth(PD), attachment loss(AL) level and bleeding on probing(BOP),
      were recorded. According to the number of PMT visit, the patients were classified
      into three groups:regular complier(RC); erratic complier(EC); non-complier(NC).
      The final parameters(three years later) were obtained by outpatient follow-up and
      telephone interviews. The data were calculated for the pecentage of sites with PD
      4-5 mm, PD >= 6 mm, AL 4-5 mm, AL >= 6 mm, BOP, and the number of tooth loss per
      patient and the rates of progression of periodontitis.Statistical analyses
      including ANOVA test and Chi-square test were performed by SPSS 16.0 software
      package. RESULTS: The percentage of clinical parameters in RC [AL 4-5 mm :(14.8
      +/- 5.0)%, AL >= 6 mm: (9.3 +/- 3.1)%, BOP: (22.8 +/- 4.2)%] were significantly
      decreased compared with that at baseline [AL 4-5 mm:(19.0 +/- 6.0)%, AL >= 6 mm:
      (10.6 +/- 3.1)%, BOP:(30.3 +/- 5.6)%] (P < 0.01). There was significant
      difference between RC and NC [AL 4-5mm:(43.3 +/- 1.3)%, AL >= 6 mm:(31.3 +/-
      1.7)%, BOP (91.5 +/- 5.4)%] (P < 0.01), and between RC and EC[AL 4-5 mm: (18.9 +/
      6.7)%, AL >= 6 mm: (12.6 +/- 5.4)%, BOP:(38.4 +/- 5.2)%] (P < 0.05). The
      progression rate of periodontitis [19.1% (4/21) at subject level, 0.7% (434/61
      362) at site level] and tooth loss (1.0) was significantly lower in RC compared
      with EC and NC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Regular periodontal maintenance enables the
      patients with chronic periodontitis to maintain long-term efficacy.

PMID- 24238411
TI  - [Long-term clinical and hematologic effects of non-surgical treatment on
      aggressive periodontitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term effects of non-surgical treatment on
      clinical and hematologic states of patients with generalized aggressive
      periodontitis (GAgP). METHODS: Patients with GAgP (n = 25) and healthy controls
      (n = 28) were recruited. The clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD),
      bleeding index (BI), attachment loss (AL) were examined and recorded. Blood cell
      variables, including white blood cells (WBC), leukocyte, neutrophil, and
      lymphocyte counts, as well as serum triglycerides, fasting glucose and protein
      parameters, including total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin/globulin
      ratio (A/G), were analyzed. Twenty-five GAgP patients received non-surgical
      treatment and the clinical and blood parameters 3 to 7 years after treatment were
      re-evaluated. Clinical and hematological parameters of the two groups were
      compared. Comparisons of clinical and hematologic parameters pre- and post
      treatment in GAgP group were performed through one-way ANOVA and paired-t test.
      RESULTS: Elevated white blood cells, neutrophil numbers and serum total protein,
      globulin levels were observed in patients with GAgP compared to controls[(6.3 +/-
      2.0)*10(9)cell/L vs.(5.4 +/- 1.0)*10(9)cell/L, (4.1 +/- 1.8)*10(9) cell/L vs.(3.0
      +/- 0.9)*10(9) cell/L, (78.2 +/- 4.4) g/L vs. (75.6 +/- 4.6) g/L and (29.3 +/-
      3.8) g/L vs.(26.5 +/- 3.9) g/L respectively, P < 0.05]. A/G ratio was lower in
      the GAgP group than in the control group (1.7 +/- 0.2 vs.1.9 +/- 0.3, P < 0.01).
      Three to seven years after periodontal treatment, the reduction of PD and BI was
      observed in GAgP group(P < 0.05). There were significant decreases of WBC count,
      neutrophil count, serum total protein and globulin level, and significant
      increases of albumin level and A/G at 3 to 7 years after treatment(P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Non-surgical treatment may have long-term beneficial effect on the
      periodontal clinical status and hematologic parameters of generalized aggressive
      periodontitis.

PMID- 24238413
TI  - [Microscopic Raman spectral characteristics and diagnostic value of pathological
      lip minor salivary glands affected in primary Sjogren's syndrome].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Raman spectral characteristics of the pathological
      lip minor salivary glands affected in primary Sjogren's syndrome. METHODS: Thirty
      pathological samples and 30 normal samples were collected in this study. The
      samples were examined by Raman microscope.Support vector machine(SVM) was
      employed to analyze the data and establish the classification model. RESULTS: The
      spectra of pathological tissues was different from the controls in proteins,
      nucleic acids, lipids and glycogen skeleton. The sensitivity, specificity and
      accuracy of the model established by SVM on the training sets were all 92.0%
      (92/100), but the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the model established
      by SVM on the testing sets were 69.2% (37/53), 100.0% (37/37) and 82.0% (73/89)
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was significant difference in Raman spectra
      between the pathological and normal lip salivary glands, and the classification
      model established by SVM could discriminate the pathological glands from the
      normal ones.

PMID- 24238414
TI  - [Expression of microRNA-31 and its clinicopathologic significance in oral
      squamous cell carcinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of microRNA-31 and its association with
      clinicopathologic features in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: The
      expression level of microRNA-31 in 62 cases of OSCC and matched non-tumor
      adjacent tissue specimens was examined using stem-loop real-time PCR. The
      relationship between the expression of microRNA-31 and its clinicopathologic
      features of OSCC was analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of microRNA-31 was
      significantly higher in the tumor tissues than that in the adjacent tissues (P <
      0.05).Up-regulated microRNA-31 expression was associated with the lymph node
      metastasis (P < 0.05) and cell differentiation (P < 0.05) in OSCC patients.No
      significant association was found between the expression of microRNA-31 and
      gender, age, lymph node metastasis, tumor size and location.Receiver operator
      characteristic curve (ROC) of microRNA-31 about cell differentiation resulted in
      a diagnostic sensitivity of 70.4% and specificity of 89.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The up
      regulated level of microRNA-31 expression may be related to the pathogenesis of
      OSCC.

PMID- 24238415
TI  - [Expression of quorum-sensing related genes during Enterococcus faecalis biofilm
      formation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the expression of the quorum
      sensing related genes during Enterococcus faecalis(Ef) biofilm formation.
      METHODS: Ef biofilms model was established in vitro and film formation process
      was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours
      respectively.Quantification of biofilms was achieved by staining with crystal
      violet.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method was used to detect the
      expression of fsrB, gelE and sprE genes in the process of Ef biofilm formation.
      RESULTS: A lot of live and dead bacteria unevenly distributed in Ef biofilm. The
      quantity of biofilms increased with time within 24 hours and was 0 h:0.00 +/-
      0.00, 6 h:1.09 +/- 0.13, 12 h:2.10 +/- 0.79, 24 h:3.30 +/- 0.13, which was
      significantly different among the 4 time period(P < 0.05). The quantity of
      biofilm at 48 h(3.51 +/- 0.01) increased slightly compared with 24 h(3.30 +/-
      0.13) , but did not show significant difference.Quantitative real-time PCR showed
      that the expression of quorum-sensing related fsrB increased with time within 24
      hours and was 0 h:9.98 +/- 0.46, 6 h:23.45 +/- 1.13, 12 h:47.30 +/- 2.49, 24 h:
      331.30 +/- 2.18, which was significantly different among the 4 time period(P <
      0.05). The expression of gelE was 0 h: 6.54 +/- 0.73, 6 h: 14.26 +/- 1.24, 12 h:
      37.47 +/- 2.35, 24 h:264.80 +/- 5.10(P < 0.05). The expression of sprE was 0 h:
      7.72 +/- 0.74, 6 h: 21.15 +/- 0.96, 12 h:49.87 +/- 3.18, 24 h:441.89 +/- 7.74,
      which was significantly different among the 4 time period(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      The fsrB, gelE and sprE genes are closely related to the biofilm formation in Ef.

PMID- 24238416
TI  - [Identification of mutation in PAX9 gene in a Mongolian family with non-syndromic
      oligodontia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mutation in transcription factor paired box gene
      PAX9 in a mongolian family with non-syndromic oligodontia. METHODS: Peripheral
      blood was collected from 17 core family members (9 unaffected, 8 affected) in
      this Mongolian family with non-syndromic oligodontia. Mutation in exons of PAX9
      gene was identified by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: A point
      mutation c.87G > C at position 87 in exon 4 of PAX9 was identified from 8
      affected members in the family, which were G/C heterozygous.While the 9 healthy
      members in the family were homozygous for C which was consistent with normal
      reference sequence in the GenBank(accession number: NC_000014). CONCLUSIONS: The
      mutation of c.87G > C (p. Ala240Pro) in exon 4 of PAX9 was likely to cause the
      non-syndromic oligodontia in this Mongolian family.

PMID- 24238417
TI  - [An experimental study on mineral triozide aggregate and calcium hydroxide-based
      paste applied to direct pulp capping in rat].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the volume change of rat root following direct pulp
      capping with mineral triozide aggregate(MTA) and calcium hydroxide-based paste
      (Vitapex) . METHODS: Sixty-four female, 1-month-old Wistar rats were randomly
      divided into 4 groups, MTA group, Vitapex group, model group and control group,
      16 rats in each group. The right maxillary first molar was taken as experimental
      tooth and control tooth. The exposed pulp was capped separately with MTA and
      calcium hydroxide after the pulp had been exposed mechanically, while nothing
      done to the control group. Using micro-CT and three-dimensional reconstruction
      techniques, the volume change of rat root was evaluated at 1, 2, 4 weeks and 6
      weeks after direct pulp capping. The data were analyzed by an way ANOVA analysis
      followed by a LSD-t test. RESULTS: The root volume in the MTA group[(1.08 +/-
      0.07), (1.32 +/- 0.18) mm(3)] was significantly smaller than that in the Vitapex
      group[(1.28 +/- 0.16), (1.59 +/- 0.18) mm(3)] at 2 and 4 weeks after operation (P
      < 0.05) . At the sixth week , there was no significant difference between the MTA
      group [(1.36 +/- 0.03) mm(3)] and the Vitapex group[(1.61 +/- 0.31) mm(3)] (P >
      0.05) . The root volume in the MTA group and Vitapex group was significantly
      larger than that in the model group [(0.87 +/- 0.09), (1.01 +/- 0.17) , (1.02 +/-
      0.25) mm(3)] from the second to sixth week after operation (P < 0.05) .
      CONCLUSIONS: MTA and Vitapex can effectively promote root formation and growth
      and can be used as biological pulp-capping material.

PMID- 24238418
TI  - [Recommendation on improving the formulation and statistical methods of fistula
      post-palatoplasty incidence].

PMID- 24238419
TI  - [Clinical application of two kinds of flaps taken from the transverse cervical
      vessels system].

PMID- 24238420
TI  - [Temporomandibular joint reconstruction retrospect and prospect].

PMID- 24238421
TI  - [The 7th national conference of prosthodontics].

PMID- 24238422
TI  - [Proceedings of national symposium on postgraduates education in stomatology].

PMID- 24238423
TI  - Antibiotic resistance--a call to arms for primary healthcare providers.

PMID- 24238424
TI  - A framework for the non-antibiotic management of upper respiratory tract
      infections: towards a global change in antibiotic resistance.
AB  - Antibiotic resistance has become a critical health issue on a global scale, with
      much of the problem resulting from inappropriate use of antibiotics in primary
      care. To change this practice, the global respiratory infection partnership has
      formulated a pentagonal (five P) framework for the non-antibiotic management of
      upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) - one of the most common conditions in
      primary care for which antibiotics are prescribed. The framework presents the
      rationale for focusing on URTIs to promote antibiotic stewardship in primary care
      and elaborates on five key areas to focus on to bring about change: policy,
      prevention, prescribers, pharmacy and patients. The ultimate aim is to adopt a
      patient-centred symptomatic management strategy using a flexible framework that
      can be adapted across countries to create a consistent global approach to change
      behaviour. 

PMID- 24238425
TI  - Sore throat: effective communication delivers improved diagnosis, enhanced self
      care and more rational use of antibiotics.
AB  - The majority of throat infections are of viral origin and resolve without
      antibiotic treatment. Despite this, antibiotic use for sore throat infections
      remains high, partly because it is difficult to determine when antibiotics may be
      useful, on the basis of physical findings alone. Antibiotics may be beneficial in
      bacterial throat infections under certain clinical and epidemiological
      circumstances; however, even many of those infections in which bacteria play a
      role do resolve just as quickly without antibiotics. Furthermore, non-medical
      factors such as patient expectations and patient pressure are also important
      drivers of antibiotic use. To address these issues, a behavioural change is
      required that can be facilitated by improved communication between primary
      healthcare providers and patients. In this article, we provide doctors, nurses
      and pharmacy staff, working in primary care or in the community, with a
      structured approach to sore throat management, with the aim of educating and
      empowering patients to self-manage their condition. The first component of this
      approach involves identifying and addressing patients' expectations and concerns
      with regard to their sore throat and eliciting their opinion on antibiotics. The
      second part is dedicated to a pragmatic assessment of the severity of the
      condition, with attention to red-flag symptoms and risk factors for serious
      complications. Rather than just focusing on the cause (bacterial or viral) of the
      upper respiratory tract infections as a rationale for antibiotic use, healthcare
      providers should instead consider the severity of the patient's condition and
      whether they are at high risk of complications. The third part involves
      counselling patients on effective self-management options and providing
      information on the expected clinical course. Such a structured approach to sore
      throat management, using empathetic, non-paternalistic language, combined with
      written patient information, will help to drive patient confidence in self-care
      and encourage them to accept the self-limiting character of the illness -
      important steps towards improving antibiotic stewardship in acute throat
      infections. 

PMID- 24238426
TI  - Comment on: "Marek et al. CT scan-detected pneumoperitoneum: an unreliable
      predictor of intra-abdominal injury in blunt trauma. Injury (2013) [Epub ahead of
      print]".

PMID- 24238427
TI  - Diaphragm motion and lung function prediction in patients operated for lung
      cancer--a pilot study on 27 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The influence of the diaphragm motion to the accuracy of
      postoperative lung function prediction after the lung resction is still
      debatable. METHODS: Prospective study that included 27 patients who underwent a
      lung resection for cancer. Diaphragm movements were assessed radiographically and
      by ultrasonography before the operation and postoperatively, with the lung fully
      expanded. The relationship between the diaphragm movements and differences
      between ppo FEV1 and measured postoperative FEV1, was analysed by expressing
      diaphragm movements as preoperative diaphragm amplitudes, preoperative
      postoperative amplitude differences or in relation to fixed intrathoracic
      distances. RESULTS: The mean difference between preoperative and postoperative
      diaphragm amplitudes of the diseased side was 2.42 +/- 1.25 cm and 2.11 +/- 2.04
      cm when measured radiographically and by ultra sound respectively (p > 0.05). A
      significant positive correlation was found for the entire group only between the
      patients' height and the differences ppo FEV1 - actual FEV1: the prediction was
      more unprecise in taller patients. With the cut-off value of 550 ml for
      differences between ppo FEV1 and actual FEV1, a significant inverse correlation
      was found only if the preoperative ipsilateral diaphragm amplitude was presented
      as a percentage of the preoperative apex-base distance in inspiration. For right
      sided tumours, the greater the difference between preoperative and postoperative
      ipsilateral diaphragm amplitudes, the greater discrepancy between predicted and
      actual postoperative FEV1. For left-sided tumours, inverse correlation existed if
      the preoperative diaphragm amplitude was presented as a percentage of the
      preoperative distance apex-base. CONCLUSION: Diaphragm movements influence the
      accuracy of the postoperative lung function prediction.

PMID- 24238428
TI  - Diagnostic challenges of composite colorectal tumors of adenoma-mantle cell
      lymphoma type.
AB  - Composite intestinal tumors of adenoma-lymphoma type are rare. To our knowledge 1
      tumor showing this association has been previously reported, the histologic
      diagnosis being made retrospectively. We report the case of an 80-year old male
      patient complaining for epigastric pain, rectorrhagia, diarrhea, and weight loss.
      At endoscopy, a rectal lesion (3 cm) of villous low-grade dysplasia adenoma type
      was detected. Due to persistence of symptoms, new gastro- and coloscopies were
      performed, the biopsies showing low-grade dysplasia adenomas (right colon, and
      rectum) and an abundant lymphoid infiltrate (gastroduodenal anastomosis, small
      intestine, sigmoid, right and left colon, transverse colon, and rectum) of mantle
      cell lymphoma type, the rectal polyp being composed of both tumor types. The
      muscularis mucosa was focally infiltrated by the lymphoma, the bulk of the
      lymphoma being submucosal. After the treatment of 8 mini-cyclophosphamide,
      hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin, prednisone cures, lymphoma persisted. On endoscopic
      ultrasound examination, after the 6 cures of bendamustine following the
      cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin, prednisone treatment, the signal
      of the rectal villous lesion disappeared in the peripheral layers, including of
      the muscular layer, suggestive of an invasive lesion or persistence of lymphoma.
      Biopsies confirmed the persistence of the rectal adenoma with low and high-grade
      adenoma, without lymphoma. In conclusion, the biopsic diagnosis of composite
      intestinal tumors of adenoma-mantle cell lymphoma type may be challenging, the
      bulk of the lymphoma being submucosal as in the present case. Although the
      malignant tumor treatment is the priority in such cases, the effects of
      chemotherapy on the evolution of benign tumors such as adenomas should be
      carefully assessed.

PMID- 24238429
TI  - Transcriptomic analysis of genetically defined autism candidate genes reveals
      common mechanisms of action.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Austism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous behavioral
      disorder or condition characterized by severe impairment of social engagement and
      the presence of repetitive activities. The molecular etiology of ASD is still
      largely unknown despite a strong genetic component. Part of the difficulty in
      turning genetics into disease mechanisms and potentially new therapeutics is the
      sheer number and diversity of the genes that have been associated with ASD and
      ASD symptoms. The goal of this work is to use shRNA-generated models of genetic
      defects proposed as causative for ASD to identify the common pathways that might
      explain how they produce a core clinical disability. METHODS: Transcript levels
      of Mecp2, Mef2a, Mef2d, Fmr1, Nlgn1, Nlgn3, Pten, and Shank3 were knocked-down in
      mouse primary neuron cultures using shRNA constructs. Whole genome expression
      analysis was conducted for each of the knockdown cultures as well as a mock
      transduced culture and a culture exposed to a lentivirus expressing an anti
      luciferase shRNA. Gene set enrichment and a causal reasoning engine was employed
      to identify pathway level perturbations generated by the transcript knockdown.
      RESULTS: Quantification of the shRNA targets confirmed the successful knockdown
      at the transcript and protein levels of at least 75% for each of the genes. After
      subtracting out potential artifacts caused by viral infection, gene set
      enrichment and causal reasoning engine analysis showed that a significant number
      of gene expression changes mapped to pathways associated with neurogenesis, long
      term potentiation, and synaptic activity. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates
      that despite the complex genetic nature of ASD, there are common molecular
      mechanisms that connect many of the best established autism candidate genes. By
      identifying the key regulatory checkpoints in the interlinking transcriptional
      networks underlying autism, we are better able to discover the ideal points of
      intervention that provide the broadest efficacy across the diverse population of
      autism patients.

PMID- 24238431
TI  - Testicular migration chronology: do the right and the left testes migrate at the
      same time? Analysis of 164 human fetuses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if the right and the left testes migrate at the same time
      during the human fetal period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 164 human fetuses
      (328 testes) ranging in age from 12 to 35 weeks post-conception. The fetuses were
      carefully dissected with the aid of a stereoscopic lens at *16/25. The abdomen
      and pelvis were opened to identify and expose the urogenital organs. Testicular
      position was classified as: (a) Abdominal, when the testis was proximal to the
      internal ring; (b) Inguinal, when it was found between the internal and external
      inguinal rings); and (c) Scrotal, when it was inside the scrotum. RESULTS: The
      testes were abdominal in 71% of the cases, inguinal in 9.41%, and scrotal in
      19.81%. There was asymmetry in testicular migration in nine cases (5.5%). In
      three of these nine cases, one testis was situated in the abdomen and the other
      in the inguinal canal; in another three one testis was situated in the abdomen
      and the other in the scrotum, and in the remaining three, one testis was in the
      inguinal canal and the other in the scrotum. In five of the nine cases of
      asymmetry, the right testis completed the migration first, but this was not
      statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Asymmetry in testicular migration is a
      rare event, accounting for <6% of the cases. The right testis seems to complete
      migration first.

PMID- 24238430
TI  - Phosphatidylglycerol homeostasis in glycerol-phosphate auxotrophs of
      Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The balanced synthesis of membrane phospholipids, fatty acids and
      cell wall constituents is a vital facet of bacterial physiology, but there is
      little known about the biochemical control points that coordinate these
      activities in Gram-positive bacteria. In Escherichia coli, the glycerol-phosphate
      acyltransferase (PlsB) plays a key role in coordinating fatty acid and
      phospholipid synthesis, but pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus have a different
      acyltransferase (PlsY), and the headgroup of the major membrane phospholipid,
      phosphatidylglycerol (PtdGro), is used as a precursor for lipoteichoic acid
      synthesis. RESULTS: The PlsY acyltransferase in S. aureus was switched off by
      depriving strain PDJ28 (DeltagpsA) of the required glycerol supplement. Removal
      of glycerol from the growth medium led to the rapid cessation of phospholipid
      synthesis. However, the continued utilization of the headgroup caused a reduction
      in PtdGro coupled with the accumulation of CDP-diacylglycerol and phosphatidic
      acid. PtdGro was further decreased by its stimulated conversion to cardiolipin.
      Although acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) and malonyl-CoA accumulated, fatty acid
      synthesis continued at a reduced level leading to the intracellular accumulation
      of unusually long-chain free fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: The cessation of new
      phospholipid synthesis led to an imbalance in membrane compositional homeostasis.
      PtdGro biosynthesis was not coupled to headgroup turnover leading to the
      accumulation of pathway intermediates. The synthesis of cardiolipin significantly
      increased revealing a stress response to liberate glycerol-phosphate for PtdGro
      synthesis. Acyl-ACP accumulation correlated with a decrease in fatty acid
      synthesis; however, the coupling was not tight leading to the accumulation of
      intracellular fatty acids.

PMID- 24238432
TI  - Incidence of cholesterol in periapical biopsies among adolescent and elderly
      patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cholesterol clefts are common histologic findings in periapical
      biopsies; they have a reported incidence in periapical periodontitis of up to
      44%. Cholesterol crystals are also recognized in advanced atherosclerotic plaques
      in humans. Male sex, genetic abnormalities, and age have been associated with
      advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Among these nonmodifiable risk factors, age is
      the most dominant. The aim of the study was to evaluate if age is also linked to
      cholesterol deposition in periapical periodontitis. METHODS: The database of
      biopsy reports obtained between 2006 and 2009 was searched for specimens
      diagnosed as radicular cysts or periapical granulomas. Only data relating to
      biopsies obtained from adolescent (13-21 years old) and elderly (over 60 years
      old) patients were selected. The biopsies were examined by a pathologist under a
      light microscope (Zeiss, Jena, Germany) at magnifications of 40*-200*. The
      available material was scanned for the presence of cholesterol clefts and foamy
      cells in radicular cysts and granulomas. RESULTS: A total of 41 specimens were
      collected in the adolescent group and 48 specimens in the elderly group over a 4
      year period. A higher incidence of cholesterol was found in the elderly group
      compared with that in the adolescent group (odds ratio = 6.857). CONCLUSIONS: The
      highly significant incidence of cholesterol deposits in periapical biopsies among
      elderly patients may be a possible cause for the lack of repair. The mechanism
      for cholesterol accumulation is probably similar to the process leading to
      atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Statin administration may be
      advantageous for the treatment of persistent lesions. A clinician should be aware
      of the risk for persistent lesions after endodontic treatment in elderly
      patients.

PMID- 24238433
TI  - Rubber dam use during post placement influences the success of root canal-treated
      teeth.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Salivary leakage after root canal therapy is of great concern and
      can lead to failure of the endodontic therapy. The aim of this study was to
      investigate whether the use of a rubber dam (RD) during post placement impacts
      the success of root canal-treated teeth. METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews of
      185 patients with an average recall of 2.7 years were assessed for the incidence
      of a new periapical lesion (periapical index score >2) after root canal therapy
      and post placement. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence
      or absence of an RD clamp in the verification radiograph during post placement.
      RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (30 teeth) had a post placed with the use of an RD,
      and 159 patients (174 teeth) had a post placed without an RD. In the non-RD
      group, 128 (73.6%) teeth were considered successful at follow-up. In the RD
      group, 28 (93.3%) teeth were considered successful at follow-up. Based on the
      bivariate GEE model, the difference in success between these 2 groups was
      statistically significant (P = .035). CONCLUSIONS: The use of an RD during
      prefabricated post placement provides a significantly higher success rate of root
      canal-treated teeth. Using an RD is already considered a standard of care for
      nonsurgical root canal therapy; in addition, using an RD during restorative
      procedures that involve open teeth should also become a standard of care.

PMID- 24238434
TI  - Evaluation of the reliability and accuracy of using cone-beam computed tomography
      for diagnosing periapical cysts from granulomas.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and
      accuracy of cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging against the
      histopathologic diagnosis for the differential diagnosis of periapical cysts
      (cavitated lesions) from (solid) granulomas. METHODS: Thirty-six periapical
      lesions were imaged using CBCT scans. Apicoectomy surgeries were conducted for
      histopathological examination. Evaluator 1 examined each CBCT scan for the
      presence of 6 radiologic characteristics of a cyst (ie, location, periphery,
      shape, internal structure, effects on surrounding structure, and perforation of
      the cortical plate). Not every cyst showed all radiologic features (eg, not all
      cysts perforate the cortical plate). For the purpose of finding the minimum
      number of diagnostic criteria present in a scan to diagnose a lesion as a cyst,
      we conducted 6 receiver operating characteristic curve analyses comparing CBCT
      diagnoses with the histopathologic diagnosis. Two other independent evaluators
      examined the CBCT lesions. Statistical tests were conducted to examine the
      accuracy, inter-rater reliability, and intrarater reliability of CBCT images.
      RESULTS: Findings showed that a score of >=4 positive findings was the optimal
      scoring system. The accuracies of differential diagnoses of 3 evaluators were
      moderate (area under the curve = 0.76, 0.70, and 0.69 for evaluators 1, 2, and 3,
      respectively). The inter-rater agreement of the 3 evaluators was excellent (alpha
      = 0.87). The intrarater agreement was good to excellent (kappa = 0.71, 0.76, and
      0.77). CONCLUSIONS: CBCT images can provide a moderately accurate diagnosis
      between cysts and granulomas.

PMID- 24238435
TI  - Prognostic factors of clinical outcomes in endodontic microsurgery: a prospective
      study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This prospective study examined the potential prognostic factors of
      endodontic microsurgery and compared the predictors of an isolated endodontic
      lesion with those of both an isolated endodontic lesion and an endodontic
      periodontal lesion. METHODS: Data were collected from the Microscope Center of
      the Department of Conservative Dentistry at the Dental College of Yonsei
      University, Seoul, Korea, between March 2001 and March 2011. A total number of
      584 teeth were included, and all clinical procedures were performed by a single
      operator (E.K.). The evaluation was performed at least 1 year after surgery. For
      statistical analysis of the predisposing factors, the chi-square test and
      logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: Of the 584 cases treated, 431 cases
      came for recall after a period of at least 12 months. Sex (female), tooth
      position (anterior), arch type (maxilla), and lesion type (isolated endodontic
      lesion) were found to have a positive effect on surgical outcome. With regards to
      isolated endodontic lesions, the tooth position (anterior), arch type (maxilla),
      and type of restoration (single/splinted crown, short bridge, and removable
      partial denture abutment) were found to be pure positive predictors. CONCLUSIONS:
      In endodontic microsurgery, it is likely that preoperative factors, particularly
      the tooth position and arch type, have a greater influence on the healing outcome
      than intra- and post-operative factors.

PMID- 24238436
TI  - MicroRNAs: new insights into the pathogenesis of endodontic periapical disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the
      periradicular tissues caused by the host's immune response to infection of the
      root canal system. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play an important role
      in the regulation of inflammation and the immune response; however, their role in
      the pathogenesis of endodontic periapical disease has not been explored. The
      purpose of this study was to examine the differential expression of miRNAs in
      diseased periapical tissues as compared with healthy controls. METHODS: We first
      compared miRNA profiles in diseased periapical tissues collected from patients
      undergoing endodontic surgery with those of healthy pulps by using microarray
      analyses. The target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were identified
      by using miRWalk and PubMed. Selected miRNAs linked to inflammation and the
      immune response were then confirmed in a separate cohort of diseased and healthy
      tissues by using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
      Healthy pulps and periodontal ligaments were used as controls. Data were
      normalized to the level of SNORD 44, which served as an endogenous control.
      RESULTS: Of the 381 miRNAs identified by using microarray, 24 miRNAs were down
      regulated in diseased periapical tissues compared with controls (n = 13) (P <
      .003). The down-regulation of 7 miRNAs was confirmed from 9 selected miRNAs by
      using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (n = 19) (P < .05). Target
      genes of these miRNAs include key mediators in the immune and inflammatory
      response such as interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and transforming
      growth factor-beta. CONCLUSIONS: These findings offer new insight into the
      pathogenesis of endodontic disease and have the potential to impact the
      development of new methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of apical
      periodontitis.

PMID- 24238437
TI  - Volumetric changes in apical radiolucencies of endodontically treated teeth
      assessed by cone-beam computed tomography 1 year after orthograde retreatment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) allows us to assess in 3
      dimensions the location and size of periapical radiolucencies. We aimed to assess
      by CBCT scans the volumetric changes of periapical radiolucencies in
      endodontically treated teeth 1 year after orthograde retreatment. METHODS: Forty
      five root-filled teeth with persistent apical periodontitis requiring endodontic
      orthograde retreatment from 37 individuals were included in the study. The
      research protocol was approved by the VU University Medical Center Amsterdam
      ethics committee (2007/265), and the participants signed a letter of consent. We
      made 2 CBCT scans for every patient, the first one before retreatment and the
      second one a year later. Two observers measured independently the volume of
      radiolucencies on CBCT images by using the AMIRA software. The intraclass
      correlation coefficient was used to evaluate interobserver agreement, and the
      Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to assess pretreatment and post-treatment
      volume size. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.994 and
      0.998 for the scans before retreatment and 1 year after, respectively. The recall
      rate was 78% for the teeth and 73% for the patients. The volumetric change in
      periapical radiolucencies 1 year after retreatment was statistically significant
      (z = -3.112, P < .005). The volume of periapical radiolucencies reduced in 20
      teeth (57%), remained unchanged in 8 (23%), and increased in 7 (20%).
      CONCLUSIONS: One year after endodontic orthograde retreatment, the volume of
      periapical radiolucencies reduced significantly in 57% of the teeth.

PMID- 24238438
TI  - The dynamics of periapical lesions in endodontically treated teeth that are left
      without intervention: a longitudinal study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The long-term dynamics of periapical lesions in endodontically
      treated teeth is not fully elucidated, thus presenting a clinical dilemma
      regarding the need for an intervention. The aim of the study was to
      retrospectively evaluate the long-term dynamics of periapical lesions that were
      left without intervention in endodontically treated teeth. METHODS: Periapical
      status surveys of patients treated in a public dental clinic were retrospectively
      evaluated for the presence of periapical lesions in endodontically treated
      coronally restored teeth. The dynamics of the included periapical lesions was
      evaluated based on the periapical index (PAI) score changes between 2 consecutive
      periapical surveys of at least a 4-year interval. The influence of various
      factors on lesion dynamics was statistically evaluated. RESULTS: The study cohort
      consisted of 74 patients with a total of 200 endodontically treated teeth having
      periapical lesions that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Fifty-seven (28.5%)
      lesions remained unchanged, 103 (51.5%) lesions worsened (PAI score increased),
      and 40 (20%) lesions improved (PAI score decreased). Poor root canal filling and
      poor restoration were found to adversely affect the long-term dynamics of the
      periapical lesions (P < .05). Age, sex, and the presence of a post had no
      statistically significant influence on lesion dynamics (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Poor root canal filling and poor restoration may adversely affect the long-term
      dynamics of periapical lesions that are left without intervention in
      endodontically treated teeth. Therefore, in cases of poor root canal filling or
      poor restoration, further intervention may be indicated.

PMID- 24238439
TI  - Morphology of mandibular first molars analyzed by cone-beam computed tomography
      in a Korean population: variations in the number of roots and canals.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the root and canal
      morphology of the mandibular first molars in a Korean population of Mongolian
      origin by retrospective analysis of a large number of cone-beam computed
      tomography (CBCT) images. METHODS: A total of 976 subjects with bilateral
      mandibular first molars were examined by using in vivo CBCT methods. The number
      and configuration of roots, the number of root canals, and the canal
      configuration based on Vertucci's classification were determined. RESULTS:
      Overall, 25.82% of examined molars had 3 roots, 73.51% had 2 roots, and 0.67% had
      1 root. The incidence of fourth canal was 50.36%. A right-sided predominance was
      noted for extra distal roots (P < .001), whereas a left-sided predominance was
      observed for extra distal canals (P < .001). No significant sex-related
      differences were shown for their prevalence. The bilateral prevalence rate was
      69.13% for extra distal roots and 78.08% for extra distolingual (DL) canals. In
      the mesial roots, type IV canal was the most frequent (76.86% for 2-rooted molars
      and 72.96% for 3-rooted molars). In the distal roots, type l was the most common
      (66.62% for 2-rooted molars and 99.40%-100% for 3-rooted molars). The incidence
      of 2 canals in distobuccal roots, first reported in this study, was 0.15%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Among mandibular first molars, there is a high prevalence of a
      separate DL root and/or a separate DL canal, and such molars commonly have 4
      canals in the Korean population. CBCT is a useful tool for determining root and
      canal morphology.

PMID- 24238440
TI  - Location and dimensions of the mental foramen: a radiographic analysis by using
      cone-beam computed tomography.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The mental foramen (MF) is an important landmark in dentistry.
      Knowledge of its position is central to perform block anesthesia of the mental
      nerve or to avoid nerve damage during surgical procedures in the premolar area of
      the mandible. The present radiographic study aimed at evaluating the location and
      dimension of the MF and measuring distances to neighboring structures by using
      limited cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: Sagittal, axial, and
      coronal CBCT images of 142 patients (26 bilateral and 116 unilateral cases) were
      retrospectively screened to determine the location of the MF with respect to
      adjacent teeth and to take linear measurements of the size of the MF and its
      distances to the upper and lower borders of the mandible. In addition, the course
      and angulation of the mental canal exiting the MF were assessed. RESULTS: The
      majority of MF (56%) were located apically between the 2 premolars, and another
      35.7% of MF were positioned below the second premolar. On average, the MF was
      localized 5.0 mm from the closest root of the adjacent tooth (range, 0.3-9.8 mm).
      The mean size of the MF showed a height of 3.0 mm and a length of 3.2 mm;
      however, individual cases showed large differences in height (1.8-5.1 mm) and in
      length (1.8-5.5 mm). All mental canals exiting the MF demonstrated an upward
      course in the coronal plane, with 70.1% of the mental canal presenting an
      anterior loop (AL) in the axial view. The mean extension of AL in cases with an
      AL was 2.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: This study is consistent with previous radiographic
      studies regarding size and location of MF and distances between MF and adjacent
      anatomic structures. The assessed bilateral cases showed a high intraindividual
      concordance for certain features when comparing right and left sides.

PMID- 24238441
TI  - Micro-computed tomography analysis of the root canal anatomy and prevalence of
      oval canals in mandibular incisors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to describe the anatomy of the mandibular incisors
      by using micro-computed tomography. METHODS: Mandibular incisors (n = 340) were
      scanned at 19-MUm voxel size resolution, and the numbers of canals were
      classified according to Vertucci classification, as well as the major and minor
      diameters of the root and root canals, presence of oval canals, and three
      dimensional analysis of the apical third were also measured. Data were presented
      in terms of median and range for each anatomic classification. RESULTS: Overall,
      the specimens had 1 root canal (N = 257). The second most prevalent anatomy was
      Vertucci type III (N = 56). These anatomies represent 92% of the sample. The
      medians of the major diameter at the 1-, 2-, and 3-mm level of the most prevalent
      anatomies were 0.36, 0.39, and 0.47 mm for type I and 0.41, 0.51, and 0.66 mm for
      type III, respectively. The apical volume appears to be constant among these
      anatomies (0.63 and 0.59 mm(3)). Oval canals were found at the 1-mm apical level,
      with a prevalence of 16.7% for Vertucci type I and 37.5% for Vertucci type III.
      The presence of oval canals increased at the 3-mm apical level to 32.4% and 76.2%
      for Vertucci type I and III classifications, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Type I
      and III configurations represent 92% of the mandibular incisors studied. Within
      these anatomic configurations, oval-shaped canals in the apical third were not
      uncommon and more prevalent in the type III anatomy.

PMID- 24238442
TI  - A survey of patients' preferences for the treatment of teeth with apical
      periodontitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This research aimed to investigate the preference of patients in
      Toronto, Canada for management of a tooth affected by painful apical
      periodontitis when considering its retention via root canal treatment (RCT) and
      its extraction followed by no replacement, replacement with an implant-supported
      crown, fixed, or removable partial prostheses. METHODS: Data were collected
      through a mail-out survey of the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry
      patients, which was complemented by a convenience sample of patients in 10
      community practices in Toronto (n = 1000, response rate = 43%). Participants were
      asked to select their general preference for anterior and posterior teeth with
      apical periodontitis between saving the tooth or extraction and their specific
      preference for tooth retention via RCT or extraction. By using bivariate and
      logistic regression analyses, we applied the Gelberg-Andersen Behavioral Model
      for Vulnerable Populations to the preference questions to understand the
      influential factors (P <= .05). RESULTS: Participants' specific preference for
      tooth retention via RCT was slightly but significantly lower than their general
      preference (anterior tooth, 93.7% versus 97.2%; posterior tooth, 83.8% versus
      89.6%; P < .005). Higher annual income, previous RCT, functional dentition,
      good/excellent self-rated oral health, and regular dental visits were associated
      with higher preferences for tooth retention in response to different questions.
      CONCLUSIONS: The high preference for retaining a tooth in general was moderated
      by the specific consideration of RCT to retain the tooth. When RCT and extraction
      are viable options, patients should be advised about the treatment options in an
      impartial manner and encouraged to communicate their preferences.

PMID- 24238443
TI  - Alveolar bone width preservation after decoronation of ankylosed anterior
      incisors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the alteration of alveolar ridge
      dimensions after decoronation procedures in children and adolescents at least 1
      year after surgery. METHODS: Twelve children who underwent decoronation of
      ankylosed maxillary anterior incisors with at least 1 year after surgery follow
      up were recalled for reevaluation. All decoronations were performed when the
      ankylosed teeth were submerged 1-1.5 mm. During the recall appointment,
      impressions of the upper arch were obtained. The bucco-palatal alveolar
      dimensions of the decoronated teeth were measured on the cast at the mid
      mesiodistal distance from the missing tooth and were compared with the distance
      from the contralateral healthy incisor. RESULTS: Overall, 12 children (9 male and
      3 female) were reevaluated up to 82 months after decoronation (mean, 49.58 +/- 24
      months). The mean age of the patients at the time of trauma was 9.83 +/- 2.8
      years. The average bucco-palatal dimension of the alveolar ridge at the mid
      decoronation area was 9 +/- 1 mm compared with 10.17 +/- 0.9 mm at the
      contralateral homologous tooth (difference of 1.67 +/- 1.12, P = .004). The
      findings show a positive statistical correlation between the duration of the
      follow-up period and the bucco-palatal dimension of the alveolar ridge (P =
      .027). CONCLUSIONS: Although decoronation of ankylosed young permanent incisors
      resulted in a decrease in the bucco-palatal dimension with time, it did not
      prevent additional alveolar growth that occurs with age in a developing child and
      thus may help maintain the alveolar bone ridge width, height, and continuity and
      assist in future rehabilitation with less invasive ridge augmentation procedures
      required for implant placement.

PMID- 24238444
TI  - Symmetry of root and root canal morphology of maxillary and mandibular molars in
      a white population: a cone-beam computed tomography study in vivo.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to use cone-beam computed
      tomography (CBCT) to analyze root canal anatomy and symmetry of maxillary and
      mandibular first and second molar teeth of a white population. METHODS: A total
      of 201 patients who required CBCT examinations as part of their dental diagnosis
      and treatment were enrolled in the present study. Overall, 596 healthy,
      untreated, well-developed maxillary and mandibular molar teeth (161 maxillary
      first molars, 157 maxillary second molars, 117 mandibular first molars, and 161
      mandibular second molars) were examined by CBCT to establish the symmetry in root
      and canal anatomy between right and left sides in the same patient by evaluating
      the number of roots and root canals and the root canal configuration. RESULTS:
      Three separate roots with 3 separate canals was the normal anatomy of maxillary
      first and second molars. Most mandibular first and second molars had 2 separate
      roots, and the majority had 3 canals. In the present study, first molars, both
      maxillary and mandibular, exhibited greater asymmetry than the second molars.
      Maxillary first molars were found to be symmetrical in 71.1% of patients, whereas
      maxillary second molars were symmetrical in 79.6%. The remaining 28.9% and 20.4%
      of patients, respectively, showed asymmetry. Around 30% of the mandibular first
      molars and 20% of the mandibular second molars showed asymmetry. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results of the present study reported a percentage of symmetry that varied from
      70%-81%. These variations in symmetry should be taken in high consideration when
      treating 2 opposite molars in the same patient, because their anatomy may be
      different in up to 30% of the cases.

PMID- 24238445
TI  - Histologic characterization of engineered tissues in the canal space of closed
      apex teeth with apical periodontitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the capacity of endodontic
      regenerative procedures combining an induced blood clot, platelet-rich plasma
      (PRP), and bone marrow aspirate (BMA) to regenerate dental pulp in canine closed
      apex necrotic teeth. METHODS: Apical periodontitis was induced in 20 upper and
      lower premolars of 2 dogs. After biomechanical preparation, enlargement to a #60
      file, and disinfection with a triantibiotic paste for 28 days, the roots were
      randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups: blood clot (BC), BC + PRP gel, BC + BMA
      gel, and BC + BMA/PRP gel. Negative controls were also included. After a 3-month
      follow-up period, the animals were killed. RESULTS: Histologic analysis showed
      the presence of newly formed vital tissues (connective, cement-like, and bone
      like tissue) in 23 of the 32 treated roots (71.87%). There was no statistically
      significant difference between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: New vital
      tissues were formed and characterized as connective, cementum-like, or bone-like,
      but not as pulp-like tissue; PRP and/or BMA did not improve the tissue ingrowth.

PMID- 24238446
TI  - Antiosteoclastogenic activity of silicate-based materials antagonizing receptor
      activator for nuclear factor kappaB ligand-induced osteoclast differentiation of
      murine marcophages.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study investigated whether calcium silicate cement extract
      exerted antiosteoclastogenic actions in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages cultured
      with receptor activator for nuclear factor kappaB (RANKL). METHODS: The RAW 264.7
      macrophage cell was treated with RANKL to osteoclastogenesis. Then, cell
      viability, cell death, and cathepsin K expression were examined. RESULTS: The
      silicon (Si)-inhibited RANKL-induced formation of osteoclasts during the
      osteoclast differentiation process. It was also found that >=4 mmol/L Si reduced
      RANKL-enhanced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in a dose
      dependent manner. Furthermore, Si diminished the expression and secretion of
      cathepsin K elevated by RANKL and was concurrent with the inhibition of TRAF6
      induction and nuclear factor kappaB activation. CONCLUSIONS: The current report
      shows that silicate abrogated RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by retarding
      osteoclast differentiation. The Si can modulate every cell through dose-dependent
      in vitro RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis, such as the proliferation and fusion
      of preosteoclasts, and the function of osteoclasts. Therefore, silicate-based
      materials may be a potential therapeutic agent targeting osteoclast
      differentiation in bone defects.

PMID- 24238447
TI  - Influence of 2 cryopreservation methods to induce CCL-13 from dental pulp cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cryopreservation preserves periodontal ligament cells but has a
      lower success rate with dental pulp cells (DPCs) because it causes inflammation.
      There are 2 well-known cryopreservation methods that reduce inflammation, slow
      freezing and rapid freezing, but the effects of the 2 methods on inflammation are
      not well-established. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the
      2 different cryopreservation methods on CCL-13 induction from DPCs by using
      microarrays, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blotting, enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).
      METHODS: In this study, the concentration of cryoprotectant was fixed, and the
      methods compared differed with respect to freezing speed. Initially we screened
      the DPCs of cryopreserved teeth with expression microarrays, and CCL-13 was
      identified as a differentially expressed gene involved in generalized
      inflammation. We then compared the expression of CCL-13 after exposing teeth to
      the 2 cryopreservation methods by using real-time PCR, Western blot, enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay, and CLSM. RESULTS: Expression of CCL-13 was up
      regulated significantly only in the rapid freezing group, except in measurements
      made by real-time PCR. CLSM analysis also confirmed this up-regulation visually.
      CONCLUSIONS: Rapid freezing increased the expression of CCL-13 in DPCs compared
      with slow freezing. Understanding the inflammatory effect of cryopreservation
      should help to establish an optimal cryoprofile to minimize inflammation of DPCs
      and reduce the need for endodontic treatment.

PMID- 24238448
TI  - Leptin receptor is up-regulated in inflamed human dental pulp.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: After leptin receptor (LEPR) identification in hematopoietic,
      immune system, and other tissues, a role for leptin regulating inflammation and
      immune response has been accepted. This study aims to describe the possible
      expression of LEPR in healthy human dental pulp and to compare it with LEPR
      expression in inflamed human dental pulp. METHODS: Twenty-one pulp samples were
      obtained from freshly extracted caries-free and restoration-free human third
      molars. In 7 third molars (inflamed pulp group), inflammation was experimentally
      induced before extraction. Pulp samples were processed, and LEPR expression was
      determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the amount of
      LEPR protein was analyzed by immunoblot. RESULTS: All healthy and inflamed dental
      pulp samples expressed LEPR. Western blot analysis of human dental pulp revealed
      the presence of a protein with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 120
      kDa, which corresponds to the estimated molecular weight of LEPR. The expression
      of LEPR mRNA was confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction
      analysis, and the size of the amplified fragment (338 base pairs for LEPR and 194
      base pairs for cyclophilin) was assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The
      relative amount of LEPR in inflamed pulps was approximately 50% higher than in
      healthy pulps (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of LEPR in human dental pulp
      tissues has been demonstrated for the first time. The up-regulation of LEPR
      expression in inflamed pulp samples suggests that leptin can play a role in
      inflammatory and local immune responses in human dental pulp.

PMID- 24238449
TI  - Stress generation during self-adjusting file movement: minimally invasive
      instrumentation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments may produce a
      well- tapered root canal with a low tendency of aberrations, these are generally
      perceived to have a high fracture risk during use and may produce significant
      forces on root dentin during instrumentation, which may induce a dentinal defect
      or crack in the apical part of the root. This study compared mathematically the
      stress generated by the Self-Adjusting File (ReDent-Nova, Ra'anana, Israel) with
      conventional rotary instruments during the movement of 3 NiTi endodontic file
      designs in a curved root canal. METHODS: Stresses were calculated using finite
      element analysis. Three file designs with tip size ISO #20 were used in this
      study. Finite element models of ProFile #20/.06 (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues,
      Switzerland) (a constant tapered shaft), ProTaper Universal F1 (Dentsply
      Maillefer) (a progressively changing taper shaft), and SAF 1.5 mm (a mesh shaft)
      were activated within a curved root canal model. The stress generations resulting
      from the simulated shaping movement were evaluated in the apical root dentin
      area. RESULTS: The SAF induced the lowest von Mises stress concentration and the
      lowest tensile principal stress component in root dentin. The calculated stress
      values from ProTaper Universal F1 and ProFile #20/.06 were approximately 8 to 10
      times bigger than that of the SAF. CONCLUSIONS: Stress levels during shaping and
      the susceptibility to apical root cracks after shaping vary with instrument
      design. The design of the SAF may produce minimal stress concentrations in the
      apical root dentin during shaping of the curved canal, which may increase the
      chance of preservation of root dentin integrity with a reduced risk of dentinal
      defects and apical root cracking.

PMID- 24238450
TI  - The number of bleaching sessions influences pulp tissue damage in rat teeth.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hydrogen peroxide tooth bleaching is claimed to cause alterations
      in dental tissue structures. This study investigated the influence of the number
      of bleaching sessions on pulp tissue in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were
      studied in 5 groups (groups 1S-5S) of 10 each, which differed by the number (1-5)
      of bleaching sessions. In each session, the animals were anesthetized, and 35%
      hydrogen peroxide gel was applied to 3 upper right molars. Two days after the
      experimental period, the animals were killed, and their jaws were processed for
      light microscope evaluation. Pulp tissue reactions were scored as follows: 1, no
      or few inflammatory cells and no reaction; 2, <25 cells and a mild reaction; 3,
      between 25 and 125 cells and a moderate reaction; and 4, 125 or more cells and a
      severe reaction. Results from each experimental group were compared between
      groups and within groups to the corresponding unbleached upper left molars and
      analyzed for significant differences using the Kruskal-Wallis test (P < .05).
      RESULTS: All tissue sections showed significant bleaching-induced changes in the
      dental pulp. After 1 bleaching session, necrotic tissue in the pulp horns and
      underlying inflammatory changes were observed. The extent and intensity of these
      changes increased with the number of bleaching sessions. After 5 sessions, the
      changes included necrotic areas in the pulp tissue involving the second third of
      the radicular pulp and intense inflammation in the apical third. CONCLUSIONS: The
      number of bleaching sessions directly influenced the extent of pulp damage.

PMID- 24238451
TI  - Evaluation of a new nickel-titanium system to create the glide path in root canal
      preparation of curved canals.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Nickel-titanium rotary instruments recently have been introduced
      with the purpose of creating an initial glide path. The purpose of this study was
      to compare the maintenance of canal anatomy, the occurrence of apical
      transportation, and the working time observed using mechanised instrumentation
      with the new G-File rotary system (Micro-Mega, Besancon Cedex, France) with those
      observed using instrumentation with the PathFile system (Dentsply Maillefer,
      Ballaigues, Switzerland) and manual instrumentation with K-type files (Micro
      Mega) to create a glide path in curved root canals. METHODS: The mesial canals of
      45 mandibular molars (with curvature angles between 25 degrees  and 35 degrees )
      were selected. The specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups with 15 canals
      each, and canal preparations were performed by an endodontist using #12-17 G-File
      rotary instruments (group GF), #13-16-19 PathFile rotary instruments (group PF),
      and #10-15-20 K-type stainless steel manual files (group M). A digital double
      radiographic technique was used to determine apical transportation and the change
      in the angle of curvature. The working time was also calculated. RESULTS: No
      statistically significant differences in the angle of canal curvature and apical
      transportation were found between the groups. However, concerning the working
      time, specimens from the group who underwent canal preparation using #12-17 G
      File rotary instruments achieved significantly lower mean values when compared
      with the other 2 groups, whereas the group who underwent canal preparation using
      the #10-15-20 K-type stainless steel manual files had the highest values.
      CONCLUSIONS: The G-File rotary instruments, the PathFile system, and the manual
      instruments did not have any influence on the occurrence of apical transportation
      nor did they produce a change in the angle of canal curvature. The G-File
      instruments seemed to be the most rapid system in creating a safe glide path.

PMID- 24238452
TI  - Cyclic fatigue resistance of K3, K3XF, and twisted file nickel-titanium files
      under continuous rotation or reciprocating motion.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: New designs and alloys and different motions have been introduced
      to increase the cyclic fatigue (CF) resistance of nickel-titanium (NiTi) files.
      The aim of this study was to compare the CF resistance of K3 (SybronEndo, Orange,
      CA), K3XF (SybronEndo), and TF (SybronEndo) files under continuous rotation and
      reciprocating motion. METHODS: A total of 210 files (30-tip diameter, 0.06 fixed
      taper), 60 K3, 60 K3XF, and 90 TF files, were divided into 7 groups (30 files
      each): K3-C, K3XF-C, and TF1-C were rotated at 300 rpm; TF2-C was rotated at 500
      rpm; and K3-R, K3XF-R, and TF1-R were used in a reciprocating motion. CF
      resistance was tested in stainless steel, curved canals (60 degrees , r = 3 mm)
      until fracture, and the time to fracture was recorded. The mean half-life, beta,
      and eta were calculated for each group and were compared with Weibull analysis.
      RESULTS: The probability of a longer mean life was greater under reciprocating
      motion for all of the files (100% for K3, 87% for K3XF, and 99% for TF). Under
      continuous rotation, K3XF was more resistant than K3 and TF. TF lasted
      significantly longer than K3. TF was more resistant to CF when rotated at 300 rpm
      instead of 500 rpm. Under reciprocating motion, there were no significant
      differences between K3XF and TF mean lives, but both were significantly longer
      than the K3 mean life (78% for TF and 86% for K3XF). CONCLUSIONS: Reciprocating
      motion and R-phase increase CF resistance.

PMID- 24238453
TI  - Effect of agitation of EDTA with 808-nanometer diode laser on removal of smear
      layer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Near-infrared diode lasers can be used for several applications,
      which range from disinfection to smear layer removal in endodontics. This study
      evaluated the efficacy of agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser on
      removal of the smear layer. METHODS: Sixty extracted human maxillary central
      incisor teeth were instrumented up to ProTaper F4 (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballagues,
      Switzerland) and then randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 10 for each group)
      according to the different final irrigating protocols as follows: 5% sodium
      hypochlorite for 120 seconds performed with the NaviTip (Dentsply Maillefer,
      Ballaigues, Switzerland) (control group); 15% EDTA for 120 seconds performed with
      the NaviTip; and agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser for 10, 20, 30,
      and 40 seconds. Specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope, and
      open dentinal tubules were counted using Adobe Photoshop software (Adobe Systems,
      San Jose, CA). The data were analyzed with 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey
      post hoc tests (P = .05). RESULTS: The number of open dentinal tubules was higher
      in the middle thirds than in the apical thirds. The differences between the
      apical and middle thirds were statistically significant (P < .05). Statistically
      significant differences were also found between the control group and the other
      groups in both the middle and apical thirds of the root canals (P < .05).
      CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm
      diode laser for 20 seconds was effective in removing the smear layer in the
      apical thirds of root canals.

PMID- 24238454
TI  - Effect of torsional loading of nickel-titanium instruments on cyclic fatigue
      resistance.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of torsional
      preload on the cyclic fatigue life of nickel-titanium rotary instruments.
      METHODS: ProFile (#25/0.06) (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and
      ProTaper (F1; Dentsply Maillefer) were used. Each file was preloaded at 4
      conditions (ie, no preloading and 25%, 50%, and 75% of mean ultimate torsional
      strength) of torsional prestress before the fatigue test. The torsional preloads
      were applied by securing 5 mm of the file tip while keeping the file straight,
      rotating it clockwise until the preset torque, and then returning to the original
      position. This motion was repeated until a preset number (10, 30, or 50) of
      repetitions were reached (n = 12). After torsional preloading, the number of
      cycles to failure was evaluated in a simulated canal. Data were analyzed using 2
      way analysis of variance and the Duncan post hoc comparison. The fractured
      fragment surfaces were examined under a scanning electron microscope for the
      topographic features of fractured instruments. RESULTS: For both instruments,
      there was a significant effect because of the extent of torsional preloads. The
      50% and 75% torsionally preloaded ProFile and all ProTaper preloading groups had
      a higher number of cycles to failure than the other group(s). There was little
      difference in the lateral view appearance between new and torsionally preloaded
      files. After cyclic fatigue testing, all preloaded instruments showed numerous
      microcracks adjacent to the fracture site on lateral view examination. The
      microcracks did not seem to follow the machining grooves on the instrument
      surface but rather ran irregularly. CONCLUSIONS: The torsional preloads within
      the superelastic limit of the material may improve the cyclic fatigue resistance
      of nickel-titanium rotary instruments.

PMID- 24238455
TI  - Tooth discoloration after the use of new pozzolan cement (Endocem) and mineral
      trioxide aggregate and the effects of internal bleaching.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate tooth discoloration after the
      use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and to examine the effect of internal
      bleaching on discoloration associated with MTA. METHODS: Thirty-two teeth were
      endodontically treated. Three-millimeter plugs of MTA, ProRoot, Angelus, or
      Endocem were placed on the access cavities of 24 teeth. Eight teeth served as the
      control group. After 24 hours, the access cavities were restored, and the tooth
      color was recorded at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. After 12 weeks,
      the MTA materials were removed under a microscope, and an internal bleaching
      treatment was performed. After removal of the MTA materials and after a 1-week
      bleaching treatment, the color changes were measured, and the MTA-dentin
      interfaces were observed under a microscope. RESULTS: The ProRoot and Angelus
      groups displayed increasing discoloration during a period of 12 weeks. The
      discoloration associated with ProRoot and Angelus was observed at the MTA-dentin
      interface and on the interior surface of the dentin. However, the Endocem groups
      demonstrated no significant discoloration (P < .05). No marginal discoloration
      was observed around the material in the Endocem group. Removal of the discolored
      MTA was effective for resolving the discoloration in all of the experimental
      groups (P < .05). However, a subsequent internal bleaching treatment was not
      significantly effective compared with the removal of MTA. CONCLUSIONS: ProRoot
      and Angelus caused tooth discoloration. However, Endocem did not affect the
      contacting dentin surface. Removing the discolored MTA materials contributed more
      to resolving the tooth discoloration than post-treatment internal bleaching.

PMID- 24238456
TI  - Evaluation of pH and calcium ion release of a dual-cure bisphenol A ethoxylate
      dimethacrylate/mineral trioxide aggregate-based root-end filling material.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The incorporation of light-curable resins has been proposed for
      mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to improve its properties and reduce its setting
      time. The aim of the present study was to assess the pH and calcium ion release
      of an experimental bisphenol A ethoxylate dimethacrylate/MTA-based root-end
      filling material (E-MTA) in comparison with white MTA Angelus (Angelus, Londrina,
      PR, Brazil) (W-MTA) and to evaluate the influence of the addition of calcium
      chloride (CaCl2) on these properties. METHODS: Polyethylene tubes filled with the
      materials were immersed in deionized water for the measurement of pH (digital pH
      meter) and calcium release (atomic absorption spectrophotometry). The evaluations
      were performed at 3 and 24 hours and 7, 15, and 30 days. Data were measured using
      2-way repeated measures of variance followed by the Holm-Sidak method (P < .05).
      RESULTS: All materials presented a reduction in the pH and released calcium ions
      during the 30 days of the study. E-MTA showed a significantly lower calcium ion
      release capacity when compared with W-MTA (P < .05). The calcium release of E-MTA
      + 5% CaCl2 was similar to W-MTA (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The monomer bisphenol A
      ethoxylate dimethacrylate added to MTA formed a material with a lower capacity of
      calcium release than W-MTA despite maintaining a similar pH. However, the
      addition of CaCl2 improved the calcium release of this material.

PMID- 24238457
TI  - The validity of cone-beam computed tomography in measuring root canal length
      using a gold standard.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The distance between a coronal reference point and the major apical
      foramen is important for working length determination. The aim of this in vitro
      study was to determine the accuracy of root canal length measurements performed
      with cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans using a gold standard. METHODS:
      A total of 162 teeth (198 root canals) in 16 dry human dentulous mandibles were
      scanned using a 3DX-Accuitomo CBCT scanner (Morita 3DX; J Morita Mfg Corp, Kyoto,
      Japan). The root canal length was measured with CBCT data. All teeth were
      extracted atraumatically and endodontically accessed; the root canal length was
      measured blindly using a #10 K-file (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland)
      and served as the gold standard. RESULTS: The mean absolute difference of the
      CBCT-based root canal length from the gold standard was 0.46 mm (95% confidence
      interval, 0.41-0.50 mm). Only in 9 of 198 (4.5%) roots did the difference between
      the CBCT-based root canal length and the gold standard exceed 1 mm. CONCLUSIONS:
      CBCT-based root canal length measurements are accurate and reliable when compared
      with a gold standard.

PMID- 24238458
TI  - Physical properties of AH Plus with chlorhexidine and cetrimide.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The use of root canal filling materials with antibacterial activity
      could be considered beneficial to reduce any remaining microorganisms and prevent
      recurrent infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical
      properties of AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany) alone and mixed with
      1% or 2% chlorhexidine (CHX); 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.5% of cetrimide (CTR); and
      combinations of both. METHODS: Setting time, flow, solubility, and radiopacity of
      AH Plus and modified AH Plus were evaluated following the American National
      Standards Institute/American Dental Association's requirements (ANSI/ADA
      Specification No. 57/2000). Five samples of each material were tested for each
      property. The hypothesis of equality among groups was rejected by an analysis of
      variance test, and then a post hoc Tukey test was performed. RESULTS: AH Plus and
      modified AH Plus gave values that are within the required standards. Overall,
      results indicate that CTR increased setting time, but CHX alone and CHX + CTR
      reduced it. CHX increased the flow, whereas CTR reduced it, and their
      combinations gave intermediate values comparable with those of AH Plus.
      Concerning solubility, the weight loss in all samples was under the 3% limit set
      by the ANSI/ADA. In comparison with AH Plus alone, radiopacity gave slightly
      lower values with CHX, higher values with CTR, and similar values with
      combinations. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of CHX, CTR, and combinations of both to
      AH Plus did not alter the physical properties specified by ANSI/ADA requirements.

PMID- 24238459
TI  - In vitro assessment of torque and force generated by novel ProTaper Next
      Instruments during simulated canal preparation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess torque and force for
      simulated canal preparation with a new root canal instrument, ProTaper Next.
      METHODS: Six sets of ProTaper Next Instruments (X1-X5) were used to prepare 36
      artificial canals. Files were divided into 6 groups. Different settings of
      rotations per minute (250, 300, and 350 rpm) and numbers of in-and-out movements
      to reach working length (3 or 4 insertions [ins]) were applied in each group (250
      rpm/3 ins, 250 rpm/4 ins, 300 rpm/3 ins, 300 rpm/4 ins, 350 rpm/3 ins, and 350
      rpm/4 ins) by using an automated torque bench. Peak torques (Ncm) as well as
      positive and negative forces (N) were registered. Analysis of variance and Tukey
      post hoc tests were applied. Preliminary data for angle and stationary torque at
      failure were also obtained and compared with peak torque for each instrument.
      RESULTS: Significant differences in peak torque (P < .0001), positive force (P <
      .002), and negative force (P < .0001) were found for ProTaper Next instruments
      overall. X2 showed the highest torque with all settings. X5 showed the highest
      positive force in all groups. X1 and X2 showed the highest negative forces for
      all groups except for 350 rpm/4 ins. Significantly lower torque (P < .0001) and
      positive force (P < .007) were measured in the group 350 rpm/4 ins for all
      instruments except for X4. In contrast, X1 showed a significantly lower negative
      force for 350 rpm/4 ins. Torque at failure according to American Dental
      Association no. 28/ISO 36030-1 was lower for X1, X2, and X3 than torque during
      simulated canal preparation (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of
      this study, using ProTaper Next at 350 rpm and with 4 in-and-out movements
      resulted in lowest levels of peak torque as well as positive and negative forces.

PMID- 24238460
TI  - Detection of vertical root fractures in the presence of intracanal metallic post:
      a comparison between periapical radiography and cone-beam computed tomography.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This in vitro study compared cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)
      exam with different voxel sizes with digital periapical radiography in the
      detection of vertical root fractures in teeth with and without intracanal
      metallic posts. METHODS: Eighteen single-rooted human teeth were endodontically
      treated, prepared for cast metal posts, and artificially fractured. After
      positioning the teeth in dry mandibular sockets, the samples were subjected twice
      (with and without posts) to digital periapical radiography at 3 different angles
      and to CBCT examinations with 2 voxel sizes, 0.125 and 0.25 mm. The images were
      evaluated by 3 oral radiologists. Indices of sensitivity, specificity, and
      positive and negative predictive values, in addition to the areas under the
      receiver operating characteristic curves (accuracy), were calculated. Comparison
      of the accuracy of the imaging methods was assessed by using the chi(2) test.
      Comparison of the accuracy between teeth with and without posts was determined by
      using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: The accuracy of the imaging methods showed
      no significant differences (P = .08). The comparison between teeth with and
      without posts in each examination revealed significant differences for CBCT with
      a voxel of 0.125 mm (P = .04) and for periapical radiography (P = .04).
      CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were observed between CBCT and periapical
      radiography in the detection of vertical root fractures, except for teeth with
      metallic posts in images from CBCT with a voxel of 0.125 mm and in digital
      periapical radiography. Furthermore, voxel size did not significantly influence
      the diagnosis of vertical root fractures.

PMID- 24238461
TI  - Antibacterial efficacy of a human beta-defensin-3 peptide on multispecies
      biofilms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aggregation of mixed bacterial flora into sessile biofilms on
      root canal surfaces can be one of the causes of persistent apical periodontitis.
      The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of human beta
      defensin-3 (HBD3) peptide on multispecies biofilms by using confocal laser
      scanning microscopy. METHODS: Actinomyces naeslundii, Lactobacillus salivarius,
      Streptococcus mutans, and Enterococcus faecalis were cultured in a peptone-yeast
      glucose broth, and their culture suspensions were combined in equal proportions.
      The mixed bacteria were inoculated on sterile coverslips placed into the wells of
      tissue culture plates to permit the formation of mixed species biofilm. After
      incubation for 3 weeks, the samples were treated for 24 hours with saline
      (control), saturated calcium hydroxide solution (CH), 2% chlorhexidine solution
      (CHX), and 50 MUg/mL HBD3 solution. A commercial biofilm/viability assay kit was
      used to assess cell viability and analyze the 3-dimensional architecture of
      biofilms. The percentage of dead cells was determined from the ratio of
      biovolumes for the red subpopulation and the total biofilm. RESULTS: Three
      medication groups showed a significant reduction of biovolume within the biofilms
      compared with the control group (P < .001). The HBD3-treated biofilms had a
      higher percentage of dead cells than the other medication groups (P < .05). The
      CH and CHX groups showed higher levels of bactericidal activity than saline (P <
      .05), and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P > .05).
      CONCLUSIONS: HBD3 peptide exhibited more antibacterial activity against mature
      multispecies biofilms in vitro than either CH or CHX.

PMID- 24238462
TI  - In vitro fracture resistance of roots obturated with epoxy resin-based, mineral
      trioxide aggregate-based, and bioceramic root canal sealers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of
      teeth filled with 3 different endodontic sealers. METHODS: Seventy-five single
      rooted extracted mandibular premolars were decoronated to a length of 13 mm. The
      teeth were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 15 for each group). In group 1,
      the teeth were left unprepared and unfilled (negative control), and in group 2,
      the teeth were left unobturated (positive control). The rest of the roots were
      prepared by using the ProTaper System up to a master apical file size of F3:
      group 3, bioceramic sealer (Endosequence BC sealer) + gutta-percha; group 4,
      mineral trioxide aggregate-based sealer (Tech Biosealer Endo) + gutta-percha; and
      group 5, epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus Jet) + gutta-percha. All root
      specimens were stored for 2 weeks at 100% humidity to allow the complete setting
      of the sealers. Each specimen was then subjected to fracture testing by using a
      universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min(-1) until the root
      fractured. The force required to fracture each specimen was recorded, and the
      data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The fracture values of groups 3 and 5
      were significantly higher than those of group 4 (P < .05). There was no
      significant difference between groups 3 and 5 (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast
      to Tech Biosealer Endo, Endosequence BC and AH Plus Jet sealer increased the
      force to fracture in root-filled single-rooted premolar teeth.

PMID- 24238463
TI  - Cutting efficiency of conventional and martensitic nickel-titanium instruments
      for coronal flaring.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study aimed at evaluating the influence of rotational speed
      and number of uses on the cutting efficiency of 4 nickel-titanium coronal flaring
      instruments against 2 substrates, bovine dentin and acrylic blocks. METHODS:
      BioRaCe BR0, HyFlex CM1, ProFile OS#2, and ProTaper Sx were used in simulated
      lateral action against both substrates at 250 and 500 rpm up to 5 times,
      producing 5 notches in each block. Notch areas and lengths were measured under a
      stereomicroscope, and data were compared by using parametric tests (alpha =
      0.05). RESULTS: Against both substrates, HyFlex CM1 and ProFile OS#2 were the
      most and the least cutting efficient instruments, respectively (P < .05). Against
      acrylic, area and length values at 500 rpm were significantly higher than those
      at 250 rpm for all brands. Against dentin, significant differences were detected
      between 250 and 500 rpm for HyFlex CM1 and ProTaper Sx (area) and for BioRace
      BR0, HyFlex CM1, and ProTaper Sx (length). Regarding cutting efficiency loss,
      area and length for notches 1 and 2 (first notches) and 4 and 5 (last notches)
      were similar against acrylic. Against dentin, length values for notches 1 and 2
      were significantly higher than those for notches 4 and 5 in ProFile OS#2 and
      ProTaper Sx. A strong correlation was detected between the overall results
      obtained on acrylic and dentin for area and length (P < .0001), although further
      analysis showed that data against acrylic were a poor predictor of data against
      dentin after repeated use. CONCLUSIONS: HyFlex CM1 was the most cutting efficient
      instrument in lateral action. An increase in rotational speed improved the
      cutting efficiency. Results against acrylic showed a high correlation to data
      against dentin, but acrylic may not be a proper substrate when the intention is
      to assess cutting efficiency loss with repeated use.

PMID- 24238464
TI  - Clinically relevant dimensions of 3-rooted maxillary premolars obtained via high
      resolution computed tomography.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to characterize the dimensions of a selection of 3
      rooted maxillary premolars through high-resolution computed tomographic analysis
      considering measures of clinical interest for root canal treatment, such as root
      wall thickness, canal diameters, and distances between 2 canals in fused roots
      and between the root apex and foramen. METHODS: Fifteen 3-rooted human maxillary
      premolars extracted for therapeutic reasons were individually scanned using a
      high-resolution desktop high-resolution computed tomographic system. Starting
      from the apical foramen, the selected cross-sectional images corresponding to
      each millimeter of the roots were evaluated. Measures of clinical interest were
      determined using Image J software (version 1.41; National Institutes of Health,
      Bethesda, MD). RESULTS: Root wall thickness as thin as 0.4 and 0.6 mm was
      detected in the apical portion of buccal and palatal roots, respectively. In the
      cervical portion, buccal roots had narrower root walls (0.817-1.670 mm) compared
      with palatal roots (1.361-2.720 mm). In all thirds, the palatal canal was wider
      compared with the mesiobuccal and distobuccal canals. In the buccopalatal
      direction, all roots had thicker root walls toward the furcation, whereas in the
      mesiodistal direction the mesiobuccal and distobuccal roots had the thinnest
      walls along their distal and mesial aspects, respectively. Both buccal canals
      revealed dentin apposition 2 mm from the canal orifice, resulting in cervical
      constriction. Generally, the distance between the root apex and the foramen was
      greater in distobuccal roots in comparison with the others with a tendency for
      foramina to be eccentric. CONCLUSIONS: Three-rooted premolars are a clinical
      challenge not just because of their low frequency and difficulties regarding
      diagnosis and root canals access but also because of their fragile roots. These
      phenomena are critical in terms of the amount of dentin removed during the
      preparation of root canals and during post space preparation.

PMID- 24238465
TI  - Effect of acid etching procedures on the compressive strength of 4 calcium
      silicate-based endodontic cements.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of acid
      etching on the compressive strength of 4 calcium silicate-based cements. METHODS:
      One gram of each corresponding powder of ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental,
      Johnson City, TN), MTA Angelus (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil), and CEM cement
      (BioniqueDent, Tehran, Iran) and a 0.33-g aliquot of liquid were placed in a
      plastic mixing capsule that was then mechanically mixed for 30 seconds at 4500
      rpm in an amalgamator. For the preparation of Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur
      des-Fosses, France), the liquid provided was added to the powder within the
      plastic capsule supplied by the manufacturer and then mechanically mixed for 30
      seconds at 4500 rpm using the amalgamator. The resulting slurries were then
      placed incrementally into 40 cylindrical molds to give a total of 160 specimens
      that were incubated at 37 degrees C for a week. Twenty specimens of each material
      were then subjected to the acid etch procedure. The compressive strength of the
      samples was then calculated in megapascals using a universal testing machine. The
      results were then subjected to 2-way analysis of variance analysis of variance
      followed by the Tukey post hoc test. RESULTS: The application of acid etch
      significantly reduced (P < .0001) the compressive strength of Angelus MTA and CEM
      cement; however, it did not reduce the compressive strength of ProRoot MTA or
      Biodentine. Regardless of the acid etch application, Biodentine showed
      significantly higher compressive strength values than the other materials (P <
      .0001), whereas CEM cement had the lowest compressive strength values. There was
      no significant difference between CEM cement and MTA Angelus. The compressive
      strength of ProRoot MTA was significantly lower (P < .0001) than Biodentine but
      significantly higher (P < .0001) than MTA Angelus and CEM cement in both the test
      and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: When the application of acid etchants is
      required, Biodentine and ProRoot MTA seem to be better options than MTA Angelus
      or CEM cement.

PMID- 24238466
TI  - C-shaped maxillary permanent first molar: a case report and literature review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The C-shaped configuration is rare in the upper first molar.The
      purpose of this article is to present 2 cases diagnosed during endodontic therapy
      and perform a literature review of this anatomy in the upper first molar.
      METHODS: Endodontic therapy was performed by using a dental operating microscope
      and a cone-beam computed tomography analysis for better understanding of this
      anatomy. A literature search was conducted to identify and compare all the
      published cases of C-shaped upper first molar. RESULTS: Before the cases reported
      in this article, only 5 cases were available in the published literature. Three
      different types of C-shaped configurations in the upper first molar have been
      presented. CONCLUSIONS: The C-shaped maxillary first molar is a rare anatomic
      configuration. The use of the dental operating microscope may help in the
      endodontic therapy of these cases. Three types of C-shaped configurations have
      been reported; the fusion of the distobuccal root with the palatal root appears
      to be the most usual one.

PMID- 24238467
TI  - Concomitant horner and harlequin syndromes after inferior alveolar nerve block
      anesthesia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Intraoral anesthesia is probably the most commonly used procedure
      in dentistry. METHODS: Although inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) anesthesia
      is one of the safest procedures to anesthetize the mandibular teeth, side effects
      of IANB anesthesia can still give rise to potential risks for patients.
      Fortunately, most observed alterations are transient and self-limited. RESULTS:
      The complications of IANB anesthesia are varied in nature and could be
      specifically categorized into systemic, localized, and distant complications.
      When the complications occur around the orofacial structures including the
      temporomandibular joint, middle ear, facial skin, and the eye, which are away
      from the oral cavity, it can be defined as distant complications. However, to our
      best knowledge, the concomitant occurrence of neurologic phenomena such as Horner
      syndrome combined with cutaneous complications in a patient receiving IANB
      anesthesia has never been discussed. CONCLUSIONS: In this exceptional case, the
      unusual Horner syndrome manifestations related to unilateral ptosis, miosis, and
      anisocoria were simultaneously developed with skin ischemia, paresthesia, and
      asymmetric flushing after the administration of IANB anesthesia.

PMID- 24238468
TI  - Novel management of avulsed tooth by pulpal and periodontal regeneration.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The avulsion of anterior teeth of young children is a tragic
      occurrence and often presents an unparalleled challenge for the dentist.
      Reimplantation is the state-of-the-art treatment but may incur several
      complications, particularly with inappropriate posttraumatic management. METHODS:
      In this article we report the emergency and rehabilitation treatment of an
      avulsed maxillary anterior tooth by using platelet-rich fibrin. The
      osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties of platelet-rich fibrin were used
      to stimulate pulpal and periodontal regeneration. RESULTS: During follow-up, no
      clinical signs and symptoms were present. After the initial 6 months, no further
      bone loss and attachment loss were observed. The tooth remained functional and
      was aesthetically acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: When a tooth is avulsed, attachment
      damage and pulp necrosis occur. Viable periodontal ligament cells are often left
      on most of the root surface. If the periodontal ligament that is left attached to
      the root surface does not dry out, the consequences of tooth avulsion are usually
      minimal.

PMID- 24238470
TI  - Group therapy for people with bulimia nervosa: systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 25% of people with bulimia nervosa (BN) who undertake
      therapy are treated in groups. National guidelines do not discriminate between
      group and individual therapy, yet each has potential advantages and disadvantages
      and it is unclear how their effects compare. We therefore evaluated how group
      therapy for BN compares with individual therapy, no treatment, or other
      therapies, in terms of remission from binges and binge frequency. METHOD: We
      performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
      of group therapies for BN, following standard guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 10
      studies were included. Studies were generally small with unclear risk of bias.
      There was low-quality evidence of a clinically relevant advantage for group
      cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) over no treatment at therapy end. Remission
      was more likely with group CBT versus no treatment [relative risk (RR) 0.77, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 0.62-0.96]. Mean weekly binges were lower with group CBT
      versus no treatment (2.9 v. 6.9, standardized mean difference = -0.56, 95% CI 
      0.96 to -0.15). One study provided low-quality evidence that group CBT was
      inferior compared with individual CBT to a clinically relevant degree for
      remission at therapy end (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03-1.50); there was insufficient
      evidence regarding frequency of binges. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions could only be
      reached for CBT. Low-quality evidence suggests that group CBT is effective
      compared with no treatment, but there was insufficient or very limited evidence
      about how group and individual CBT compared. The risk of bias and imprecise
      estimates of effect invite further research to refine and increase confidence in
      these findings.

PMID- 24238469
TI  - Predictors of the resumption of menses in adolescent anorexia nervosa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The resumption of menses is an important indicator of recovery in
      anorexia nervosa (AN). Patients with early-onset AN are at particularly great
      risk of suffering from the long-term physical and psychological consequences of
      persistent gonadal dysfunction. However, the clinical variables that predict the
      recovery of menstrual function during weight gain in AN remain poorly understood.
      The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of several clinical
      parameters on the resumption of menses in first-onset adolescent AN in a large,
      well-characterized, homogenous sample that was followed-up for 12 months.
      METHODS: A total of 172 female adolescent patients with first-onset AN according
      to DSM-IV criteria were recruited for inclusion in a randomized, multi-center,
      German clinical trial. Menstrual status and clinical variables (i.e., premorbid
      body mass index (BMI), age at onset, duration of illness, duration of hospital
      treatment, achievement of target weight at discharge, and BMI) were assessed at
      the time of admission to or discharge from hospital treatment and at a 12-month
      follow-up. Based on German reference data, we calculated the percentage of
      expected body weight (%EBW), BMI percentile, and BMI standard deviation score
      (BMI-SDS) for all time points to investigate the relationship between different
      weight measurements and resumption of menses. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of the
      patients spontaneously began menstruating during the follow-up period. %EBW at
      the 12-month follow-up was strongly correlated with the resumption of menses. The
      absence of menarche before admission, a higher premorbid BMI, discharge below
      target weight, and a longer duration of hospital treatment were the most relevant
      prognostic factors for continued amenorrhea. CONCLUSIONS: The recovery of
      menstrual function in adolescent patients with AN should be a major treatment
      goal to prevent severe long-term physical and psychological sequelae. Patients
      with premenarchal onset of AN are at particular risk for protracted amenorrhea
      despite weight rehabilitation. Reaching and maintaining a target weight between
      the 15th and 20th BMI percentile is favorable for the resumption of menses within
      12 months. Whether patients with a higher premorbid BMI may benefit from a higher
      target weight needs to be investigated in further studies.

PMID- 24238471
TI  - Impact of age and obstacles on navigation precision and reaction time during
      blind navigation in dual-task conditions.
AB  - Navigation without vision is a skill that is often employed in our daily lives,
      such as walking in the dark at night. Navigating without vision to a remembered
      target has previously been studied. However, little is known about the impact of
      age or obstacles on the attentional demands of a blind navigation task. This
      study examined the impacts of age and obstacles on reaction time (RT) and
      navigation precision during blind navigation in dual-task conditions. The aims
      were to determine the effects of age, obstacles, and auditory stimulus location
      on RT and navigation precision in a blind navigation task. Ten healthy young
      adults (24.5+/-2.5 years) and ten healthy older adults (69.5+/-2.9 years)
      participated in the study. Participants were asked to walk to a target located 8m
      ahead. In half the trials, the path was obstructed with hanging obstacles.
      Participants performed this task in the absence of vision, while executing a
      discrete RT task. Results demonstrated that older adults presented increased RT,
      linear distance travelled (LDT), and obstacle contact; that obstacle presence
      significantly increased RT compared to trials with no obstacles; and that an
      auditory stimulus emitted early versus late in the path increased LDT. Results
      suggest that the attentional demands of blind navigation are higher in older than
      young adults, as well as when obstacles are present. Furthermore, navigation
      precision is affected by age and when participants are distracted by the
      secondary task early in navigation, presumably because the secondary task
      interferes with path estimation. 

PMID- 24238472
TI  - Vitamin D deficiency in type 2 diabetic patients with hypogonadism.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Both type 2 diabetes and secondary hypogonadism may be associated
      with low vitamin D levels. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate 25
      hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in type 2 diabetic males with and
      without hypogonadism. METHODS: We performed a case-control study among 122 male
      adults with type 2 diabetes, 51 with associated hypogonadism (Group 1) and 71
      with normal gonadal function (Group 2). One hundred age-matched nondiabetic males
      with normal gonadal function served as a control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Levels of 25(OH)D were assessed by a chemiluminescent immunoassay in all
      patients. Morning testosterone, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid hormones, fasting
      glucose, and hemoglobin A1c were also evaluated. RESULTS: The overall diabetic
      population showed a mean 25(OH)D concentration (22.3 +/- 6.09 ng/mL)
      significantly lower than the control group (34.3 +/- 7.2, P < 0.001), with 81% of
      diabetic patients presenting 25(OH)D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) or insufficiency (20
      29.9 ng/mL). The lowest 25(OH)D concentration was found in Group 1 (20.1 +/- 6.58
      ng/mL). Concentration of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in the 42 patients with
      hypogonadotropic hypogonadism as compared with the 9 patients with
      hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (19.4 +/- 7.06 vs. 23.8 +/- 6.11 ng/mL, P <
      0.001). No difference in erectile dysfunction (ED) prevalence between Group 1 and
      Group 2 was found, nor was there a correlation between the severity of ED and
      vitamin D levels (r = -0.10, P = 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that type
      2 diabetic patients with hypogonadism present lower 25(OH)D concentration and
      higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, compared with patients without
      hypogonadism. The finding that 25(OH)D concentrations were similar between type 2
      diabetic patients with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and those with normal
      gonadal function deserves further study.

PMID- 24238474
TI  - Lymphomatoid papulosis presenting as periarticular nodules - a rare variant.

PMID- 24238473
TI  - Analysis of the contribution of immunologically-detectable HER2, steroid
      receptors and of the "triple-negative" tumor status to disease-free and overall
      survival of women with epithelial ovarian cancer.
AB  - We assessed associations between steroid receptors including: estrogen-alpha,
      estrogen-beta, androgen receptor, progesterone receptor, the HER2 status and
      triple-negative epithelial ovarian cancer (ERalpha-/PR-/HER2-; TNEOC) status and
      survival in women with epithelial ovarian cancer. The study included 152 women
      with primary epithelial ovarian cancer. The status of steroid receptor and HER2
      was determined by immunohistochemistry. Disease-free and overall survival were
      calculated and compared with steroid receptor and HER2 status as well as
      clinicopathological features using the Cox Proportional Hazards model. A mean
      follow-up period of 43.6 months (interquartile range=41.4 months) was achieved
      where 44% of patients had serous tumor, followed by mucinous (23%), endometrioid
      (9%), mixed (9%), undifferentiated (8.5%) and clear cell tumors (5.3%). ER-alpha
      staining was associated with grade II-III tumors. Progesterone receptor staining
      was positively associated with a Body Mass Index>=25. Androgen receptor
      positivity was higher in serous tumors. In stand-alone analysis of receptor
      contribution to survival, estrogen-alpha positivity was associated with greater
      disease-free survival. However, there was no significant association between
      steroid receptor expression, HER2 status, or TNEOC status, and overall survival.
      Although estrogen-alpha, androgen receptor, progesterone receptor and the HER2
      status were associated with key clinical features of the women and pathological
      characteristics of the tumors, these associations were not implicated in
      survival. Interestingly, women with TNEOC seem to fare the same way as their
      counterparts with non-TNEOC. 

PMID- 24238475
TI  - Toward 3D graphene oxide gels based adsorbents for high-efficient water treatment
      via the promotion of biopolymers.
AB  - Recent studies showed that graphene oxide (GO) presented high adsorption
      capacities to various water contaminants. However, the needed centrifugation
      after adsorption and the potential biological toxicity of GO restricted its
      applications in wastewater treatment. In this study, a facile method is provided
      by using biopolymers to mediate and synthesize 3D GO based gels. The obtained
      hybrid gels present well-defined and interconnected 3D porous network, which
      allows the adsorbate molecules to diffuse easily into the adsorbent. The
      adsorption experiments indicate that the obtained porous GO-biopolymer gels can
      efficiently remove cationic dyes and heavy metal ions from wastewater. Methylene
      blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV), two cationic dyes, are chosen as model
      adsorbates to investigate the adsorption capability and desorption ratio;
      meanwhile, the influence of contacting time, initial concentration, and pH value
      on the adsorption capacity of the prepared GO-biopolymer gels are also studied.
      The GO-biopolymer gels displayed an adsorption capacity as high as 1100 mg/g for
      MB dye and 1350 mg/g for MV dye, respectively. Furthermore, the adsorption
      kinetics and isotherms of the MB were studied in details. The experimental data
      of MB adsorption fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the
      Langmuir isotherm, and the results indicated that the adsorption process was
      controlled by the intraparticle diffusion. Moreover, the adsorption data revealed
      that the porous GO-biopolymer gels showed good selective adsorbability to
      cationic dyes and metal ions.

PMID- 24238476
TI  - Organophosphorus pesticide and ester analysis by using comprehensive two
      dimensional gas chromatography with flame photometric detection.
AB  - Thirty-seven phosphorus (P)-containing compounds comprising organophosphorus
      pesticides and organophosphate esters were analyzed by using comprehensive two
      dimensional gas chromatography with flame photometric detection in P mode (GC *
      GC-FPD(P)), with a non-polar/moderately polar column set. A suitable modulation
      temperature and period was chosen based on experimental observation. A number of
      co-eluting peak pairs on the (1)D column were well separated in 2D space.
      Excellent FPD(P) detection selectivity, responding to compounds containing the P
      atom, produces clear 2D GC * GC plots with little interference from complex
      hydrocarbon matrices. Limits of detection (LOD) were within the range of 0.0021
      0.048 MUmol L(-1), and linear calibration correlation coefficients (R(2)) for all
      37 P-compounds were at least 0.998. The P-compounds were spiked in 2% diesel and
      good reproducibility for their response areas and retention times was obtained.
      Spiked recoveries were 88%-157% for 5 MUg L(-1) and 80%-138% for 10 MUg L(-1)
      spiked levels. Both (1)tR and (2)tR shifts were noted when the content of diesel
      was in excess of 5% in the matrix. Soil samples were analyzed by using the
      developed method; some P-compounds were positively detected. In general, this
      study shows that GC * GC-FPD(P) is an accurate, sensitive and simple method for P
      compound analysis in complicated environmental samples.

PMID- 24238478
TI  - Why we need narratives of healing and qualitative pain research.

PMID- 24238479
TI  - Healthcare expenses associated with multiple vs singleton pregnancies in the
      United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to document cost that is associated with
      multiple births vs singleton births in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: This was
      a retrospective cohort study that used a claims database. Women 19-45 years old
      with live-born infants from 2005-2010 were identified. Infant deliveries were
      identified by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical
      Modification diagnosis codes. The cost entailed all payment made by insurers and
      patients. For mothers, the cost included expenses from 27 weeks before delivery
      to 1 month after delivery. For infants, the cost contained all expenses until
      their first birthday. Adjusted cost was estimated by generalized linear models
      after adjustment for the potential confounding variables with a gamma
      distribution and a log link. RESULTS: The analysis included 437,924 eligible
      deliveries. Of them, 97.02% were singletons; 2.85% were twins, and 0.13% was
      triplets or more. Women with multiple pregnancies had higher systemic and
      localized comorbidities compared with women with singleton pregnancies (P <
      .0001). Twins and triplets or more were more likely to have stayed in a neonatal
      intensive care unit than were singletons (P < .0001). On average, adjusted total
      all-cause health care cost was $21,458 (95% confidence interval [CI], $21,302
      21,614) per delivery with singletons, $104,831 (95% CI, $103,402-106,280) with
      twins, and $407,199 (95% CI, $384,984-430,695) with triplets or more. CONCLUSION:
      Pregnancies with the delivery of twins cost approximately 5 times as much when
      compared with singleton pregnancies; pregnancies with delivery of triplets or
      more cost nearly 20 times as much.

PMID- 24238477
TI  - Clinical review: Lung imaging in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients--an
      update.
AB  - Over the past 30 years lung imaging has greatly contributed to the current
      understanding of the pathophysiology and the management of acute respiratory
      distress syndrome (ARDS). In the past few years, in addition to chest X-ray and
      lung computed tomography, newer functional lung imaging techniques, such as lung
      ultrasound, positron emission tomography, electrical impedance tomography and
      magnetic resonance, have been gaining a role as diagnostic tools to optimize lung
      assessment and ventilator management in ARDS patients. Here we provide an updated
      clinical review of lung imaging in ARDS over the past few years to offer an
      overview of the literature on the available imaging techniques from a clinical
      perspective.

PMID- 24238480
TI  - Type 2 Brugada pattern is suggestive but not diagnostic of the syndrome.

PMID- 24238481
TI  - Rapid spontaneous recovery after development of a spinal epidural hematoma: a
      case report.
AB  - Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a very rare clinical emergency. A
      permanent neurological deficit or even death may result if diagnosis and
      treatment are delayed. Many cases can be diagnosed upon detailed neurological
      examination and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Usually, surgery is required,
      but rarely, the condition may improve spontaneously. A 46-year-old male patient
      was admitted to our emergency department because of rapidly evolving severe
      paraplegia following development of sudden-onset neck pain. Spinal MR imaging
      detected an epidural hematoma compressing the spinal cord at the C5-T1 level.
      Clinical and radiological follow-up showed that the patient recovered
      spontaneously in 48 hours without any need for surgical treatment.

PMID- 24238482
TI  - Voltage attenuation of the electrocardiogram in Takotsubo syndrome: what ED
      physicians should consider.

PMID- 24238483
TI  - Antibiotics for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue
      infections: the challenge of outpatient therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are
      becoming increasingly prevalent in both community and hospital settings. Certain
      strains are notorious for causing skin and soft tissue infections in patients
      with no established risk factors. In this article, we report our findings on the
      dynamic antibiotic resistance pattern of MRSA and outpatient prescription trend
      for skin and soft tissue infections within our community. METHODS: We conducted a
      retrospective medical record review of 1876 patients evaluated in the emergency
      department of an urban community hospital from 2003 to 2012. Data regarding
      culture isolates and associated antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic treatment,
      site of specimen collection, age, race, and sex were collected and analyzed.
      RESULTS: Analysis of 1879 culture specimens yielded 2193 isolates. In some cases,
      a single specimen yielded polymicrobial growth. Staphylococcus aureus represented
      996 isolates (45.4%); 463 were methicillin-susceptible (21.1%) and 533 (24.3%)
      were methicillin-resistant. Most patients were prescribed a single- or poly-drug
      regimen of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, cephalexin, and clindamycin.
      Antimicrobial resistance analysis indicated that MRSA became increasingly
      resistant to the aforementioned antibiotics over time: 10% and 6% in 2012 vs 3.5%
      and 3.4% in 2007 for clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a particularly
      virulent, rapidly adaptive pathogen that is becoming increasingly difficult to
      combat with existing antibiotics. Care must be taken to ensure appropriate
      treatment and follow-up of patients with known MRSA infections.

PMID- 24238484
TI  - Addition of glucagon to adrenaline improves hemodynamics in a porcine model of
      prolonged ventricular fibrillation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cardiac arrest is a daunting medical emergency. The aim of the present
      study was to assess whether the combination of adrenaline and glucagon would
      improve initial resuscitation success, 48-hour survival, and neurologic outcome
      compared with adrenaline alone in a porcine model of ventricular fibrillation.
      METHODS: Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 20 healthy Landrace/Large White
      piglets, which were subsequently left untreated for 8 minutes. The animals were
      randomized to receive adrenaline alone (n = 10, group C) and adrenaline plus
      glucagon (n = 10, group G). All animals were resuscitated according to the 2010
      European Resuscitation Council guidelines. Hemodynamic variables were measured
      before arrest, during arrest and resuscitation, and during the first 60 minutes
      after return of spontaneous circulation. Survival and a neurologic alertness
      score were measured at 48 hours after return of spontaneous circulation. RESULTS:
      Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 8 animals (80%) from group C
      and 10 animals (100%) from group G (P = .198). A significant gradual increase in
      coronary perfusion pressure and diastolic aortic pressure over time, which
      started 1 minute after the onset of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, was observed.
      Three animals (30%) from group C and 9 animals (90%) from group G survived after
      48 hours (P = .006), whereas neurologic examination was significantly better in
      the animals of group G (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In this porcine model of
      prolonged ventricular fibrillation, the addition of glucagon to adrenaline
      improves hemodynamics during resuscitation and early postresuscitation period and
      may increase survival.

PMID- 24238485
TI  - The new Vancouver Chest Pain Rule using troponin as the only biomarker: an
      external validation study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To externally evaluate the accuracy of the new Vancouver Chest Pain
      Rule and to assess the diagnostic accuracy using either sensitive or highly
      sensitive troponin assays. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from 2 emergency
      departments (EDs) in Australia and New Zealand were analysed. Based on the new
      Vancouver Chest Pain Rule, low-risk patients were identified using
      electrocardiogram results, cardiac history, nitrate use, age, pain
      characteristics and troponin results at 2 hours after presentation. The primary
      outcome was 30-day diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including acute
      myocardial infarction, and unstable angina. Sensitivity, specificity, positive
      predictive values and negative predictive values were calculated to assess the
      accuracy of the new Vancouver Chest Pain Rule using either sensitive or highly
      sensitive troponin assay results. RESULTS: Of the 1635 patients, 20.4% had an ACS
      diagnosis at 30 days. Using the highly sensitive troponin assay, 212 (13.0%)
      patients were eligible for early discharge with 3 patients (1.4%) diagnosed with
      ACS. Sensitivity was 99.1% (95% CI 97.4-99.7), specificity was 16.1 (95% CI 14.2
      18.2), positive predictive values was 23.3 (95% CI 21.1-25.5) and negative
      predictive values was 98.6 (95% CI 95.9-99.5). The diagnostic accuracy of the
      rule was similar using the sensitive troponin assay. CONCLUSIONS: The new
      Vancouver Chest Pain Rule should be used for the identification of low risk
      patients presenting to EDs with symptoms of possible ACS, and will reduce the
      proportion of patients requiring lengthy assessment; however we recommend further
      outpatient investigation for coronary artery disease in patients identified as
      low risk.

PMID- 24238486
TI  - Hiatal hernia squeezing the heart to flutter.
AB  - An 80-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with failure to thrive
      and weakness for 14 days. Medical history was significant for polio. On admission
      her electrocardiogram showed atrial flutter, and cardiac enzymes were elevated.
      Echocardiogram revealed a high pulmonary artery pressure, but no other wall
      motion abnormalities or valvulopathies. Chest x-ray showed a large lucency likely
      representing a diaphragmatic hernia. Computed tomographic scan confirmed the
      hernia. Our patient remained in atrial flutter despite rate control, and
      thereafter surgery was consulted to evaluate the patient. She underwent hernia
      repair. After surgery, the patient was taken off rate control and monitored for
      72 hours; she did not have any episode of atrial flutter and was discharged with
      follow up in a week showing no arrhythmia. Her flutter was caused directly by the
      mechanical effect of the large hiatal hernia pressing against her heart, as the
      flutter resolved after the operation.

PMID- 24238487
TI  - Safe Haven Laws: lack of awareness, misinformation, and shortfalls in resident
      education.

PMID- 24238488
TI  - Relation of uric acid and contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing
      primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the ED.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive role of serum uric acid (SUA) levels
      measured in the emergency department (ED) to monitor contrast-induced nephropathy
      (CIN) and correlation with severity of nephropathy in patients undergoing primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHOD: The patients who were admitted
      to our ED and underwent primary PCI were enrolled retrospectively. Their baseline
      characteristics including SUA and creatinine levels in the ED and their
      creatinine levels 48 hours after PCI were noted. Nephropathy was graded as
      follows: grade 0, DeltaCr <=25% and <=0.5 mg/dL; grade 1, DeltaCr >25% but <=0.5
      mg/dL; and grade 2, DeltaCr >0.5 mg/dL. A multiple logistic regression analysis
      was used to define the independent predictors of CIN. RESULTS: Of a total of 744
      patients, CIN was observed in 12.5% (n = 93). Serum uric acid levels were
      significantly higher in the CIN (+) group compared with the CIN (-) group (6.09
      +/- 2.01 mg/dL vs 4.89 +/- 1.32 mg/dL, respectively; P < .001). Patients with
      grade 0 CIN had significantly lower SUA levels than did those with grades 1 and 2
      (4.89 +/- 1.32 mg/dL vs 5.88 +/- 1.99 and 6.41 +/- 2.02 mg/dL, respectively; P <
      .001), but there was no significant difference between grade 1 and grade 2 CIN
      cases in terms of SUA levels (5.88 +/- 1.99 mg/dL vs 6.41 +/- 2.02 mg/dL, P =
      .10). The cutoff value for SUA was 5.05 mg/dL for the prediction of CIN (area
      under the curve, 0.685; P < .001; sensitivity, 66%; specificity, 60%) in the
      population. CONCLUSIONS: The SUA level is a simple independent early predictor of
      CIN in patients who underwent primary PCI, and early detection may help prevent
      the progression of CIN.

PMID- 24238489
TI  - Utilizing left ventricular outflow tract velocity changes to predict fluid
      responsiveness in septic patients: a case report.
AB  - Toxin-mediated vasodilation in the sepsis syndrome can lead to end-organ
      dysfunction and shock. Assessing for fluid responsiveness and preload
      optimization with intravenous fluids is a central tenet in the management of
      sepsis. Aggressive fluid administration can lead to pulmonary edema and heart
      failure, whereas premature inotropic or vasopressor support can worsen organ
      perfusion. Inferior vena cava ultrasonography is commonly used to assess for
      fluid responsiveness but has multiple limitations.

PMID- 24238490
TI  - Current practice in the management of wound odour: an international survey.
AB  - AIM: To determine from a multi-disciplinary and international perspective current
      practice in the management of wound odour. BACKGROUND: Malodour is cited by
      patients and carers as one of the most distressing and socially isolating aspects
      of their wounds. The absence of a standardised approach to assessment and
      management underscores the need to collect baseline data to support guideline
      development. DESIGN: On-line survey. METHODS: A study specific questionnaire in
      English, Spanish, Italian and German was emailed to wound care organisations
      worldwide, palliative and oncology nursing organisations, and known contacts with
      a special interest in wound management, for distribution to members between
      December 2011 and February 2012. RESULTS: 1444 people from 36 countries
      responded. 12% assess odour with descriptive words being the most frequent form
      of assessment. Charcoal and silver based dressings were the most frequently used
      odour management agents, yet, only 48.4% and 23% respectively reported these as
      being very effective. Antimicrobial agents were cited as most effective but were
      not the most frequently used. 8% use aromatherapy oils direct to the wound, and
      74% combine a range of dressings to try and manage odour. Odour, pain and exudate
      management were the greatest wound management challenges facing patients and
      clinicians. 46.7% of respondents encounter patients with MFW on a monthly basis
      and 89% agreed there is a need to develop guidelines in this area. CONCLUSION: A
      'trial and error' approach to odour management exists with low overall
      satisfaction with current practice. There is a need for research and education on
      means to assess odour and odour management options.

PMID- 24238491
TI  - The rise and rise of the systematic review.

PMID- 24238492
TI  - PreImplantation factor (PIF) detection in maternal circulation in early pregnancy
      correlates with live birth (bovine model).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early identification of viable pregnancy is paramount for successful
      reproduction. Detection of specific signals from pre-implantation viable embryos
      in normal pregnancy circulation would indicate initiation of embryo-maternal
      interaction and create a continuum to accurately reflect embryo/fetal well-being
      post-implantation. Viable mammalian embryos secrete PreImplantation Factor (PIF),
      a biomarker which plays key, multi-targeted roles to promote implantation,
      trophoblast invasion and modulate maternal innate and adaptive immunity toward
      acceptance. Anti-PIF monoclonal antibody (mAb-based chemiluminescent ELISA)
      accurately detects PIF in singly cultured embryos media and its increased levels
      correlate with embryo development up to the blastocyst stage. Herein reported
      that PIF levels (ELISA) in early maternal serum correlate with pregnancy outcome.
      METHODS: Artificially inseminated (AI) blind-coded Angus cattle (N = 21-23) serum
      samples (day 10,15 & 20 post-AI) with known calf birth were blindly tested, using
      both non-pregnant heifers (N = 30) and steer serum as negative controls. Assay
      properties and anti-PIF monoclonal antibody specificity were determined by
      examining linearity, spike and recovery experiments and testing the antibody
      against 234 different circulating proteins by microarray. Endogenous PIF was
      detected using <3 kDa filter separation followed by anti-PIF mAb-based affinity
      chromatography and confirmed by ELISA and HPLC. PIF expression was established in
      placenta using anti-PIF mAb-based IHC. RESULTS: PIF detects viable pregnancy at
      day 10 post-AI with 91.3% sensitivity, reaching 100% by day 20 and correlating
      with live calf birth. All non-pregnant samples were PIF negative. PIF level in
      pregnant samples was a stringent 3 + SD higher as compared to heifers and steer
      sera. Assay is linear and spike and recovery data demonstrates lack of serum
      interference. Anti-PIF mAb is specific and does not interact with circulating
      proteins. Anti-PIF based affinity purification demonstrates that endogenous PIF
      is what ELISA detects. The early bovine placenta expresses PIF in the trophoblast
      layer. CONCLUSION: Data herein documents that PIF is a specific, reliable embryo
      derived biomarker conveniently detectable in early maternal circulation. PIF
      ELISA emerges as practical tool to detect viable early pregnancy from day 20 post
      AI.

PMID- 24238494
TI  - There are some big changes at Health Expectations.

PMID- 24238493
TI  - The epidemiology of sexually transmitted co-infections in HIV-positive and HIV
      negative African-Caribbean women in Toronto.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV disproportionately affects African-Caribbean women in Canada but
      the frequency and distribution of sexually transmitted infections in this
      community have not been previously studied. METHODS: We recruited women based on
      HIV status through a Toronto community health centre. Participants completed a
      socio-behavioural questionnaire using Audio Computer Assisted Self-Interview
      (ACASI) and provided blood for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C, herpes simplex
      virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and human
      cytomegalovirus (CMV) serology, urine for chlamydia and gonorrhea molecular
      testing and vaginal secretions for bacterial vaginosis (BV) and human
      papillomavirus (HPV). Differences in prevalence were assessed for statistical
      significance using chi-square. RESULTS: We recruited 126 HIV-positive and 291 HIV
      negative women, with a median age of 40 and 31 years, respectively (p < 0.001).
      Active HBV infection and lifetime exposure to HBV infection were more common in
      HIV-positive women (4.8% vs. 0.34%, p = 0.004; and 47.6% vs. 21.2%, p < 0.0001),
      as was a self-reported history of HBV vaccination (66.1% vs. 44.0%, p = 0.0001).
      Classical STIs were rare in both groups; BV prevalence was low and did not vary
      by HIV status. HSV-2 infection was markedly more frequent in HIV-positive (86.3%)
      than HIV-negative (46.6%) women (p < 0.0001). Vaginal HPV infection was also more
      common in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative women (50.8% vs. 22.6%, p < 0.0001)
      as was infection with high-risk oncogenic HPV types (48.4% vs. 17.3%, p <
      0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Classical STIs were infrequent in this clinic-based
      population of African-Caribbean women in Toronto. However, HSV-2 prevalence was
      higher than that reported in previous studies in the general Canadian population
      and was strongly associated with HIV infection, as was infection with hepatitis B
      and HPV.

PMID- 24238495
TI  - Effect of AZD1480 in an epidermal growth factor receptor-driven lung cancer
      model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: STAT3 plays a vital role in inducing and maintaining a pro
      carcinogenic inflammatory microenvironment and is reported to be a critical
      mediator of the oncogenic effects of EGFR mutations. STAT3 activation is mediated
      through JAK family kinases. We investigated the effect of the JAK1/2 inhibitor
      AZD1480 on lung tumors induced by an activating EGFR mutation. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Three EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant cell lines (RPC-9, PC
      9/Van-R and PC-9/ER3) established from PC-9 harboring an EGFR exon19 deletion
      mutation were used. Growth inhibition was measured using an MTT assay. Effects of
      AZD1480 were also evaluated in the xenograft model and in the EGFR transgenic
      mice model. Protein expressions were assessed by immunoblotting and
      immunohistochemistry. Group differences were compared using Student's t-test. To
      evaluate the efficacy of AZD1480 on survival, AZD1480 or vehicle was administered
      orally from 7 weeks of age of the transgenic mice. Overall survival curves were
      calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The sensitivities of resistant
      and parent cells to AZD1480 were similar in vitro. AZD1480 (30 or 50 mg/kg/day,
      per os) reduced angiogenesis and revealed significant tumor regression in a mouse
      xenograft model. Subsequently, the transgenic mice were treated with AZD1480 (30
      mg/kg/day) or vehicle alone. The numbers of lung tumors (long axis exceeding 1mm)
      in the AZD1480-treated group and control group were 0.37+/-0.18 and 2.25+/-0.53
      (p<0.001), respectively. AZD1480 treatment suppressed pSTAT3, pJAK1, pJAK2 and
      angiogenesis. The median survival time in the AZD1480-treated group (217 days)
      was significantly greater than that in the control group (106 days) (log-rank
      test, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: AZD1480 may be effective against lung tumors driven
      by an activating EGFR mutation.

PMID- 24238496
TI  - Pleural lavage cytology: where do we stand?
AB  - Although a malignant pleural effusion is considered a manifestation of an
      advanced stage disease not amenable to curative resection in patients with non
      small cell lung cancer, the same is not true in the case of the presence of
      malignant cells in the pleural cavity without an accompanying effusion,
      discovered incidentally during the operation with pleural lavage cytology (PLC).
      PLC is a diagnostic technique used to detect tumor cells and translate this
      finding to a prognostic index. Various reports have attempted to utilize the
      results of PLC and draw inferences regarding the origins of malignant cells in
      the pleural cavity, the association of these results with various disease
      characteristics and, most importantly, their impact on disease recurrence and
      survival. However, due to non-consistent techniques and protocols used to acquire
      the samples for cytological evaluation and assess their significance, results are
      inhomogeneous. Nevertheless, the entrance of malignant cells in the pleural
      cavity follows the rules posed by the natural disease process when discovered
      before pulmonary resection takes place, while surgical manipulations certainly
      play an important role in the case malignant cells are checked over after
      pulmonary resection. In addition, although the prognostic significance of a
      positive PLC result is indisputable and significantly decreases long-term
      survival in the majority of studies, this factor has not yet been incorporated
      into the TNM staging system. Lastly, some authors have advocated the use of some
      form of adjuvant treatment for those patients found with positive PLC results,
      based on the assumption that a curative resection followed by multiple pleural
      washings will not remove the entirety of the population of malignant cells
      present in the pleural space. 

PMID- 24238497
TI  - Good news for end stage renal disease patients.

PMID- 24238499
TI  - Twenty-year trends in major cardiovascular risk factors in hospitalized patients
      with acute myocardial infarction in Beijing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolaemia and current
      smoking are the strongest modifiable cardiovascular risk factors for acute
      myocardial infarction (AMI). We examined their changing trends over the last 20
      years. METHODS: The clinical data of 3498 patients hospitalized in Peking
      University People's Hospital with AMI from 1991 to 2010 were used. Information
      was collected regarding to patients' demographic data, cardiovascular risk
      factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and current
      smoking). To assess trends over time in the prevalence of risk factors, we
      categorized patients into four groups (1991 to 1995, 1996 to 2000, 2001 to 2005
      and 2006 to 2010). RESULTS: Highly significant increases were observed in the
      prevalence of hypertension from 40.8% to 55.6% for males and from 58.0% to 69.0%
      for females; and diabetes mellitus from 12.9% to 30.8% for males and from 23.0%
      to 42.3% for females. Similarly, the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia
      decreased from 53.1% to 30.7% for males and from 57.0% to 44.0% for females. The
      prevalence of current smoking decreased in females from 29.0% to 11.1%, but
      remained unchanged in males. In addition, the proportion of patients with more
      than three modifiable risk factors increased from 19.0% to 27.1% and the age at
      onset of AMI extended to younger as well as older individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The
      prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus are still increasing in patients
      with AMI in Beijing and although the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and
      current smoking decreased, high clustering of risk factors were commonly present.
      These adverse trends show a compelling need for more effective management of
      cardiovascular risk factors.

PMID- 24238498
TI  - Efficacy and safety of Changfu peritoneal dialysis solution: a multi-center
      prospective randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A multi-center large scale study is needed to confirm the efficacy
      and safety of domestic peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. Some researchers
      believe that 6 L/d is enough for adequate dialysis, but there is no multi-center
      prospective study on Chinese population to confirm this. In this study, we
      evaluated the efficacy and safety of domestic PD solution (Changfu) and its
      difference between 6 L and 8 L dosage. METHODS: Adult PD patients who had taken
      PD therapy for at least one month were selected and divided into four groups
      according to two dialysis solution brands and two dialysis dosages, i.e., 6 L
      dose with Changfu dialysis solution, 6 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution, 8 L
      dose with Changfu dialysis solution, and 8 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution.
      After 48 weeks, the changes of primary and secondary efficacy indices were
      compared between different types and different dosages. We also analyzed the
      changes of safety indices. RESULTS: Changes of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks
      between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of
      creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) from
      baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical
      differences; so did those of net ultrafiltration volume (nUF) and estimated
      glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Changes of nPCR from baseline to 48 weeks
      between 6 L and 8 L showed no statistical differences; so did those of nUF and
      eGFR. The decline of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks in 6 L group was more than
      that in 8 L group. Change of Ccr was similar. During the 48-week period, the mean
      Kt/V was above 1.7/w, and mean Ccr was above 50 L*1.73 m(-2)*w(-1). More adverse
      events were found in Changfu group before Changfu Corporation commenced
      technology optimization, and the statistical differences disappeared after that.
      CONCLUSIONS: The domestic PD solution (Changfu) was proven to be as effective as
      Baxter dialysis solution. During 48-week period, a dosage of 6 L/d was enough for
      these patients to reach adequate PD. Clinical study promotes technological
      optimization, further helps to improve the safety indices of the medical
      products.

PMID- 24238500
TI  - Reduction of atrial fibrillation in remotely monitored pacemaker patients:
      results from a Chinese multicentre registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many recipients of implantable cardiac electronic devices have atrial
      fibrillation (AF) occurrences after device implantation, even if there is no
      previous history of AF, and some of the episodes are asymptomatic. The purpose of
      this study was to evaluate trends in AF burden following early AF detection in
      patients treated with pacemakers equipped with automatic, daily Home Monitoring
      function. METHODS: Between February 2009 and December 2010, the registry
      recruited 701 pacemaker patients (628 dual-chamber, 73 biventricular devices) at
      97 clinical centers in China. Daily Home Monitoring data transmissions were
      analyzed to screen for the AF burden. In-office follow-ups were scheduled for 3
      and 6 months after implantation. Upon first AF (i.e., mode-switch) detection in a
      patient, screening of AF burden by Home Monitoring was extended for the next 180
      days. RESULTS: At least one episode of AF was observed in 22.9% of patients with
      dual-chamber pacemakers and in 28.8% of patients with biventricular pacemakers.
      The first AF detection in a patient occurred, on average, about 2 months before
      scheduled follow-up visits. In both pacemaker groups, mean AF burden decreased
      significantly (P < 0.05) over 180 days following first AF detection: from 12.0%
      to 2.5% in dual-chamber and from 12.2% to 0.5% in biventricular pacemaker
      recipients. The number of patients with an AF burden >10% per month was
      significantly reduced over 6 months of implantation in both dual chamber (38
      patients in the first month vs. 21 patients in month 6, P < 0.05) and
      biventricular (7 patients in the first month vs. 0 patient in months 4-6, P <
      0.05) pacemaker recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Automatic, daily Home Monitoring of
      patients treated with cardiac pacemakers allows early detection of AF, and there
      is a gradual and significant decrease in AF burden.

PMID- 24238501
TI  - Utility of echocardiographic tissue synchronization imaging to redirect left
      ventricular epicardial lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacing has
      demonstrated cardiac function improvement for treating congestive heart failure
      (HF). It has been documented that the placement of the left ventricular lead at
      the longest contraction delay segment has the optimal CRT benefit. This study
      described follow-up to surgical techniques for CRT as a viable alternative for
      patients with heart failure. METHODS: Between April 2007 and June 2012, a total
      of 14 consecutive heart failure patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA)
      Class III-IV underwent left ventricular epicardial lead placements via surgical
      approach. There were eight males and six females, aged 36 to 79 years ((59.6 +/-
      9.2) years). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was (33.6 +/-
      7.4)%. All patients were treated with left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony and
      underwent left ventricular epicardial lead placements via a surgical approach.
      Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography
      were used to assess changes in left heart function and dyssynchronic parameters.
      Also, echo was used to select the best site for left ventricular epicardial lead
      placement. RESULTS: Left ventricular epicardial leads were successfully implanted
      in the posterior or lateral epicardial wall without serious complications in all
      patients. All patients had reduction in NYHA score from III-IV preoperatively to
      II-III postoperatively. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD)
      decreased from (67.9 +/- 12.7) mm to (61.2 +/- 7.1) mm (P < 0.05), and LVEF
      increased from (33.6 +/- 7.4)% to (42.2 +/- 8.8)% (P < 0.05). Left ventricular
      intraventricular dyssynchrony index decreased from (148.4 +/- 31.6) ms to (57.3
      +/- 23.8) ms (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive surgical placement of
      the left ventricular epicardial lead is feasible, safe, and efficient. TDI can
      guide the epicardial lead placement to the ideal target location.

PMID- 24238502
TI  - Left atrial minimum volume by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography as an
      indicator of diastolic dysfunction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) maximum volume is becoming a prognostic biomarker
      for left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. However, we assessed LV
      diastolic function by measuring LA phasic volumes using real-time
      threedimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in patients with stable coronary artery
      disease (CAD). METHODS: Sixty-five stable CAD patients with normal LV ejection
      fraction (LVEF) were divided into three groups according to degree of coronary
      stenosis: control (n = 15) with <50% stenosis as control group, mildS (n = 25)
      with mild stenosis (50%-70%) and severeS (n = 25) with >70% stenosis. LA phasic
      volumes and function were evaluated and compared using RT3DE and two dimensional
      echocardiography (2DE). N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)
      levels were examined. The correlations of RT3DE-derived parameters with other
      conventional indices were analyzed. RESULTS: Significant correlations between
      RT3DE and 2DE for LA volume measurements were: control, r = 0.93; mildS, r =
      0.94; severeS, r = 0.90 (all P < 0.05). Patients with severe coronary stenosis
      presented higher NT-proBNP level, indices of LA minimum volume and volume before
      atrial contraction, but lower LA total emptying fraction (LAEF) and LAEFpassive.
      Significant correlations of RT3DE derived LA volume indices with E/E' (r = 0.695)
      and NF-proBNP (r = 0.630) level were found. CONCLUSIONS: RT3DE derived, LA
      indices correlate well with NT-proBNP level and may be superior to 2DE
      measurements for the evaluation of LV diastolic dysfunction. Enlargement of LA
      minimum volume in stable CAD patients without systolic dysfunction appears
      earlier and may be better correlated with LV diastolic function than that of LA
      maximum volume.

PMID- 24238503
TI  - Clinical values of intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence video
      angiography with Flow 800 software in cerebrovascular surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microscope-integrated near-infrared indocyanine green video
      angiography (ICG-VA) has been used in neurosurgery for a decade. This study aimed
      to assess the value of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) video angiography
      with Flow 800 software in cerebrovascular surgery and to discover its hemodynamic
      features and changes of cerebrovascular diseases during surgery. METHODS: A total
      of 87 patients who received ICG-VA during various surgical procedures were
      enrolled in this study. Among them, 45 cases were cerebral aneurysms, 25 were
      cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and 17 were moyamoya disease (MMD).
      A surgical microscope integrating an infrared fluorescence module was used to
      confirm the residual aneurysms and blocking of perforating arteries in aneurysms.
      Feeder arteries, draining veins, and normal cortical vessels were identified by
      the time delay color mode of Flow 800 software. Hemodynamic parameters were
      recorded. All data were analyzed by SPSS version 18.0 (SPSS Inc., USA). T-test
      was used to analyze the hemodynamic features of AVMs and MMDs, the influence on
      peripheral cortex after resection in AVMs, and superficial temporal artery to
      middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass in MMDs. RESULTS: The visual delay map
      obtained by Flow 800 software had more advantages than the traditional playback
      mode in identifying the feeder arteries, draining veins, and their relations to
      normal cortex vessels. The maximum fluorescence intensity (MFI) and the slope of
      ICG fluorescence curve of feeder arteries and draining veins were higher than
      normal peripheral vessels (MFI: 584.24+/-85.86 vs. 382.94 +/- 91.50, slope:
      144.95 +/- 38.08 vs. 69.20 +/- 13.08, P < 0.05). The arteriovenous transit time
      in AVM was significantly shorter than in normal cortical vessels ((0.60 +/- 0.27)
      vs. (2.08 +/- 1.42) seconds, P < 0.05). After resection of AVM, the slope of
      artery in the cortex increased, which reflected the increased cerebral flow. In
      patients with MMD, after STA-MCA bypass, cortex perfusion of corresponding
      branches region increased and local cycle time became shorter. CONCLUSION:
      Intraoperative ICG video angiography combined with hemodynamic parameter analysis
      obtained by Flow 800 software appears to be useful for intraoperative monitoring
      of regional cerebral blood flow in cerebrovascular disease.

PMID- 24238504
TI  - Screening of pathogenic genes in Chinese patients with arrhythmogenic right
      ventricular cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heritable
      cardiac disease predominantly caused by mutations in desmosomal protein genes.
      Previous genetic analyses of the Chinese ARVC population are limited to small
      size and restriction to a single gene. This study was aimed to investigate the
      genotype in a large series of Chinese patients with ARVC through comprehensively
      screening nine ARVC-causing genes. METHODS: A total of 100 unrelated ARVC
      patients and 300 age, gender and ethnicity matched healthy controls were
      genetically tested with multiplexing targeted resequencing for nine previously
      reported ARVC-causing genes, including plakophilin-2, desmoplakin, desmoglein-2,
      desmocollin-2, plakoglobin, transforming growth factor beta-3, transmembrane
      protein 43, desmin and Lamin A/C. RESULTS: Fifty-nine mutations were identified
      in 64% of the patients, among which, 93% were located in desmosomal protein
      genes. Plakophilin-2 mutations accounted for 54% of the total and 58% of the
      desmosomal mutations, with a truncating mutation type making up about 2/3 of the
      plakophilin-2 mutations. Only four mutations were found in non-desmosomal genes;
      two in transmembrane protein 43 and two in transforming growth factor beta-3. Two
      of them (one of each gene) appeared as single missense mutations. No mutation was
      identified in desmin or Lamin A/C. Multiple mutations were found in 23% of the
      patients, with plakophilin-2 being found in 57% of the multi-mutation carriers.
      CONCLUSIONS: Plakophilin-2 was the most common gene mutation that was identified
      in Chinese ARVC patients. Non-desmosomal genes should be added to desmosomal
      protein genes when performing molecular genetic screening in patients with
      suspected ARVC.

PMID- 24238505
TI  - Clinical and microbiological features of community-acquired and nosocomial
      bloodstream infections in the surgical department of a tertiary-care hospital in
      Beijing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) remain a major cause of morbidity and
      mortality in patients undergoing surgery. This study aimed at elucidating the
      clinical characteristics of community-acquired BSIs (CABs) and nosocomial BSIs
      (nBSIs) in patients admitted to the surgical wards of a teaching hospital in
      Beijing, China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study compared 191 episodes of BSIs
      in 4074 patients admitted to the surgical wards between January 2008 and December
      2011. Cases of BSIs were classified as CABs or nBSIs, and the characteristics,
      relevant treatments, and outcomes of CABs and nBSIs were compared. RESULTS: Of
      the 191 BSIs, 52 (27.2%) and 139 (72.8%) were CABs and nBSIs, respectively.
      Escherichia coli, coagulasenegative staphylococci, and Klebsiella spp, were the
      most frequently isolated microorganisms. There were significant differences
      between CABs and nBSIs with respect to the use of hormonal drugs, ventilation,
      acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II and American Society
      of Anesthesiologists scores, and prevalence of cancer (P < 0.05). Empirical
      antibacterial therapy did not decrease the crude mortality, but multivariate
      analysis showed that high APACHE II was independently associated with a risk of
      mortality (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.93-1.02 for APACHE II).
      CONCLUSIONS: We found significant differences in the clinical characteristics of
      surgical patients with CABs and nBSIs. The outcome of patients seems to be
      related to high APACHE II scores.

PMID- 24238506
TI  - Are there any disbenefits to patients in choosing laparoscopic gastrectomy by an
      expert in open gastrectomy? Aspects of surgical outcome and radicality of
      lymphadenectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There may be concerns over disbenefits to patients who have chosen to
      undergo laparoscopic gastrectomy by experts in open gastrectomy, considering the
      disparity between the level of proficiency in open gastrectomy, at which they are
      already experts, and that in laparoscopic gastrectomy, at which they are
      beginners. The aim of this study was to compare surgical radicality and outcomes
      between laparoscopic gastrectomy and open gastrectomy during the learning period
      of laparoscopic gastrectomy for a senior surgeon who was already an expert in
      open gastrectomy. METHODS: Data of short-term surgical outcomes were obtained
      from patients following laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) by a
      surgeon. The initial and following 30 experiences were grouped into LADG-I and
      LADG-II, respectively. Patients who underwent open distal subtotal gastrectomy
      (ODSG) and yet could have been candidates for LADG were grouped into ODSG. Known
      indicators of proficiency levels and the postoperative hospital course were
      compared. The consequences of extended lymphadenectomy, and the radicality of
      surgery by completing D2 lymphadenectomy were analyzed. RESULTS: The LADG group
      revealed longer operation time and less bleeding compared to the ODSG group (P <
      0.001). The number of retrieved lymph nodes and the rate of complications were
      not significantly different. In the LADG-I group, the D1+:D2 ratio was 4:1,
      showing significant differences from those in the LADG-II (0.36:1) and ODSG
      (0.16:1) groups (P < 0.001). The surgeon was able to complete D2 lymphadenectomy
      during LADG without significant change in the amount of bleeding and the rate of
      complications, but with a longer operation time (P = 0.009). The number of lymph
      nodes from the 12a station was not significantly different between the LADG and
      ODSG groups with D2 lymphadenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical outcomes were
      comparable between LADG and ODSG even during the learning period of LADG, and the
      equivalence of radicality in lymphadenectomy was soon achieved. As long as the
      surgeon can accept a long operation time, an expert in open gastrectomy should
      not refrain from performing laparoscopic gastrectomy in well selected patients
      because of concerns about disbenefits to patients from choosing laparoscopic
      gastrectomy over open gastrectomy.

PMID- 24238507
TI  - Monitoring the source of mesenchymal stem cells in patients after transplantation
      of mismatched-sex hematopoietic stem cells plus third-party cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In bone marrow transplant patients, the microenvironment in bone
      marrow is damaged after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Subsequent to allogenic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with clinically successful
      engraftments, the source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) remains controversial.
      To further verify the stimulatory effect of the simultaneous transplantation of
      cells from second donors on engraftment success for hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation in support of donor MSCs engraftments, the aim of this study is
      to monitor the dynamics of the engraftment of bone marrow-derived MSCs in
      patients after transplantation with mismatched-sex hematopoietic stem and third
      party cells. METHODS: In this study, the hematopoietic stem cells from 32
      clinical donors of different sexes that resulted in successful engraftments were
      selected for transplantation and were classified into three groups for research
      purposes: group A consisted of 14 cases of transplantation with bone marrow and
      recruited peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, group B contained 8
      cases of simultaneous re-transfusion of MSCs from the second donor, and group C
      contained 10 cases of simultaneous re-transfusion of umbilical blood from the
      second donor. The bone marrow from 32 patients with successful engraftments of
      hematopoietic transplantation were selected and sub-cultured with MSCs. Flow
      cytometry (FCM) was used to measure the expression of surface antigens on MSCs.
      Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) in combination with
      polymerase chain reaction amplification of short tandem repeats (STRPCR) was used
      to measure the engraftment status of fifth-generation MSCs in patients.
      Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed the sex origin of the fifth
      generation MSCs in 32 patients. Dynamic examinations were performed on patients
      receiving donor transplantations. RESULTS: The progenies of fifth-generation MSCs
      were successfully cultured in 32 cases. The results of FCM demonstrated that the
      expression levels of CD14+ and CD45+ cells were lower than 0.04% in the fifth
      generation MSCs. The analysis using DHPLC and FISH showed similar results. One
      patient from group B also received a temporary transplantation of MSCs from the
      donor. The MSCs in the remaining 31 patients all originated from the patients
      themselves. CONCLUSIONS: After transplantation, the MSCs present in patients
      originated from the host. In patients transplanted with MSCs from a second donor,
      the phenomenon of temporary chimerization of MSCs was observed.

PMID- 24238508
TI  - Familial tendency in aortic dissection: a value of screening relatives.

PMID- 24238509
TI  - Value of T cell receptor gamma alternate reading frame protein and keratin 5 in
      endometrial carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumors with different gene expression develop and progress in
      different ways. To deepen our understanding of the progression in endometrial
      cancer, and provide a useful tool for accurate diagnosis and prognosis
      assessment, we identified the new molecular prognostic markers in endometrial
      carcinoma and analyzed the relationship of them with clinical and pathological
      features of endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Ninety-four cases of endometrial
      endometrioid adenocarcinoma with complete data from the Peking University
      People's Hospital from 2000 to 2008 and 40 cases of normal endometrium were
      enrolled. Among these, 30 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma samples of
      different International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage were
      selected for further Agilent genome-wide microarray analysis. Significance
      analysis of microarrays (SAM) was used to identify genes that are significantly
      associated with tumor progress. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to identify the
      genes of interest in endometrial carcinoma and normal endometrium. The
      relationship between the genes and the age, clinical stage, histological grade,
      myometrium invaded depth, lymph node metastasis status, and the expression of ER,
      PR, P53, and PTEN were analyzed by chi(2) test. RESULTS: Analysis between FIGO
      1988 stage I and stage III identified a 362-gene "progress signature"; 171 down
      regulated and 191 up-regulated genes. Among the alterative genes, TARP (T cell
      receptor gamma alternate reading frame protein) and KRT5 (keratin 5) decreased
      3.57 fold and 5.8 fold in FIGO stage III patients. The expression of TARP in
      endometrial carcinoma increased compared to normal endometrium, while that of
      KRT5 decreased (P < 0.05). The expression of TARP and KRT5 decreased when stage,
      histological grading, myometrium invaded depth increased (P < 0.05). In the cases
      with lymph node metastasis, the expression of TARP decreased, while the
      expression of KRT5 did not differ (both P < 0.05) both. The expression of P53 had
      a negative relationship with the expression of KRT5 (P < 0.05), but not with the
      expression of TARP (P > 0.05). There was no correlation between the expression of
      TARP and KRT5 and the expression of ER, PR, PTEN (all P > 0.05). There was no
      significant difference in TARP and KRT5 expression in patients aged 50 or younger
      and patients older than 50 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of TARP and
      KRT5 was correlated with the progress of endometrial cancer and their role needs
      further study.

PMID- 24238510
TI  - Dynesys dynamic stabilization system for the lumbar degenerative disease: a
      preliminary report from China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dynesys dynamic stabilization system was first implanted in patients
      in 1994, and introduced to China in 2007. Therefore, it was a new technique for
      Chinese orthopedics and hence necessary to collect clinical data about Dynesys in
      China. The objective of this study was to report the preliminary results of
      Dynesys for the lumbar degenerative disease in China. METHODS: Twenty-seven
      patients were treated with the Dynesys between July 2007 and January 2009. The
      diagnosis included degenerative spondylolisthesis (12 cases), degenerative spinal
      stenosis (nine cases), and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (six cases).
      Back pain and leg pain were evaluated using 100-mm visual analog scales (VAS).
      The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to evaluate the patients' function.
      The intervertebral disc height and range of motion at the operative level were
      taken on radiographs. RESULTS: All the patients were followed-up, with an average
      of (22.40 +/- 4.23) months (range 15-32 months). VAS of back pain and leg pain
      were improved significantly (P < 0.05) at follow-up. The ODI scores were reduced
      from (62.58 +/- 12.01)% preoperatively to (15.01 +/- 5.71)% at follow-up (P <
      0.05). The preoperative mean height of the intervertebral disc was (11.21 +/-
      1.58) mm (range 8.5-13.8 mm) and mean was (10.10 +/- 1.78) mm (range 7.0-13.4 mm)
      at follow-up (P < 0.05). The mean range of motion of the implanted segment was
      (6.00 +/- 1.79) degrees  (range 2.5-9.3 degrees ) preoperatively and (5.47 +/-
      1.27) degrees  (range 2.9-7.8 degrees ) at follow-up (P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: The
      preliminary results of Dynesys for the lumbar degenerative disease in China are
      similar to the published results of other countries. It can significantly improve
      the clinic symptoms and preserved motion at the level of implantation. However,
      the long-term follow-up data need to be collected.

PMID- 24238511
TI  - Effects of sorafenib combined with chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation
      for large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prognosis of unresectable large hepatocellular carcinomas is
      poor. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of sorafenib combined with
      transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation in the
      treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas larger than 5 cm. METHODS: The treatment
      of 22 patients with large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas (5.0-16.5 cm)
      treated with sorafenib after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined
      with radiofrequency ablation between 2007 and 2011 was reviewed. The local
      effects, survival rates, toxicity, and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS:
      During a follow-up of 9-49 months, 19 patients died and three survived. The
      median overall survival was 32 months. The overall cumulative 12, 24, and 36
      month survival rates were 85.9%, 66.8%, and 23.5% respectively. Technical
      effectiveness was achieved in 12 out of 28 lesions (42.85%) at the first CT
      check. The median time to tumor progression was 21 months. The progression-free
      survival rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 90.9%, 72.0%, and 38.4%,
      respectively. Combined therapy was generally well tolerated. There was only one
      major procedure-related complication, biloma (4.5%). Sorafenib-related adverse
      events exceeding grade 3 were hand-foot skin reaction (2/22, 9.1%),
      gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1/22, 4.5%), and diarrhea (2/22, 9.1%). The absence
      of vascular invasion before treatment was found to be the best prognostic factor
      in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib combined with transcatheter
      arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation is a promising approach to
      the treatment of large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas. However, large
      scale randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the future role of this
      treatment.

PMID- 24238512
TI  - Famitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a single center study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Famitinib is a novel and potent multitargeting receptor tyrosine
      kinase inhibitor. The phase I clinical study showed that famitinib was well
      tolerated and had a broad anti-tumor spectrum. The purpose of this study was to
      examine the efficacy and safety of famitinib for the treatment of metastatic
      renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). METHODS: The data of famitinib in treating patients
      with mRCC from the single-center phases I and II clinical trials were analyzed.
      Famitinib was administered orally at the dose of 13-30 mg once daily until tumor
      progression, occurrence of intolerable adverse reactions or withdrawal of the
      informed consent. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients with mRCC were treated
      including 17 patients at a dose of 25 mg once daily, 4 patients at a dose of 27
      mg and 1 patient each at a dose of 13 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg, respectively. Twelve
      (50.0%) patients achieved partial response (PR) and 9 patients achieved stable
      disease (SD). Progressive disease was found in 3 (12.5%) patients. The disease
      control rate was 87.5%. The median follow-up time was 17.6 months; the median
      progression free survival (PFS) was 10.7 (95% CI 7.0-14.4) months; and the
      estimated median overall survival (OS) time was 33.0 (95% CI 8.7-57.3) months.
      The adverse drug reactions mainly included hypertension (54.1%), hand-foot skin
      reactions (45.8%), diarrhea (33.3%), mucositis (29.2%), neutropenia (45.8%),
      thrombocytopenia (29.2%), hyperlipidemia (41.7%) and proteinuria (41.7%). The
      incidence rate of grades 3 and 4 adverse events was low, mainly including
      hypertension 12.5%, hand-foot skin reactions 4.2%, neutropenia 4.2%,
      thrombocytopenia 4.2%, hyperlipidemia 4.2% and proteinuria 12.5%. CONCLUSIONS:
      Famitinib has significant anti-tumor activity in mRCC. The common adverse
      reactions are generally manageable.

PMID- 24238513
TI  - Total liquid ventilation reduces oleic acid-induced lung injury in piglets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients are susceptible to lung injury that does not
      respond to traditional therapies. Total liquid ventilation has been developed as
      an alternative ventilatory strategy for severe lung injury. The aim of this study
      is to investigate the effect of total liquid ventilation on oleic acid (OA)
      induced lung injury in piglets. METHODS: Twelve Chinese immature piglets were
      induced acute lung injury by OA. Twelve piglets were randomly treated with
      conventional gas ventilation (control group) or total liquid ventilation (study
      group) for 240 minutes. Samples for blood gas analysis were collected before, and
      at 60-minute intervals after OA-induced lung injury. The degree of lung injury
      was quantified by histologic examination. The inflammatory cells and the levels
      of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha in plasma, tissue and bronchoalveolar
      lavage were analyzed. RESULTS: Neutrophil and macrophage counts in
      bronchoalveolar lavage were significantly decreased in the study group (P <
      0.05). The total lung injury score was also reduced in the study group (P <
      0.05). The concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha in plasma,
      tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage were significantly reduced in the study group
      (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Total liquid ventilation reduces biochemical and
      histologic OA-induced lung injury in piglets.

PMID- 24238514
TI  - Recurrent double coronary artery-pulmonary fistulae one year after surgical
      ligation.

PMID- 24238515
TI  - Effect of refractive correction on ocular optical quality measurement using
      double-pass system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Optical Quality Analysis System II (OQAS, Visiometrics, Terrassa,
      Spain) that uses double-pass (DP) technique is the only commercially available
      device that allows objective measurement of ocular retinal image quality. This
      study aimed to evaluate the impact of spectacle lenses on the ocular optical
      quality parameters and the validity of the optometer within OQAS. METHODS:
      Seventy eyes of healthy volunteers were enrolled. Optical quality measurements
      were performed using OQAS with an artificial pupil diameter of 4.0 mm. Three
      consecutive measurements were obtained from spectacle correction corresponding to
      subjective refraction and from the OQAS built-in optometer separately. The
      modulation transfer function cutoff frequency, the Strehl ratio, the width of the
      point spread function (PSF) at 10% of its maximal height (PSF10), and the width
      of the PSF at 50% of its maximal height (PSF50) were analyzed. RESULTS: There was
      no significant difference in any of the parameters between the spectacle
      correction and the optometer correction (all P > 0.05, paired t-test). A good
      agreement was found between both the methods and a good intraobserver
      repeatability in both the correction methods. Difference in best focus between
      two methods was the only parameter associated significantly with optical quality
      parameter differences. Best focus difference, built-in optometer correction with
      or without external cylindrical lens, and age were associated significantly with
      PSF10 difference. No linear correlation between refractive status and optical
      quality measurement difference was observed. A hyperopic bias (best focus
      difference of (0.50 +/- 0.44) D) and a relatively better optical quality using
      spectacle correction in high myopia group were found. CONCLUSIONS: OQAS based on
      DP system is a clinically reliable instrument. In patients with high myopia,
      measurements using built-in optometer correction should be considered and
      interpreted with caution.

PMID- 24238516
TI  - Plasma levels of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 correlate with
      diagnosis and prognosis of glioma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is no validated blood biomarker available for glioma
      management. Invasive growth is the key feature of glioma. We assessed the
      clinical usefulness of plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1),
      which has less molecular weight than metalloproteinases, as a potential blood
      biomarker for glioma. METHODS: A total of 285 patients and 59 normal subjects
      were studied. Plasma concentration of TIMP-1 was measured with enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. Plasma TIMP-1 was compared between normal and glioma
      patients, between patients with different pathological grades, and between
      patients with different prognoses. Longitudinal changes in plasma TIMP-1 during
      treatment were also evaluated. Plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 level was
      also assayed and its clinical usefulness was compared with that of TIMP-1.
      RESULTS: Plasma TIMP-1 and MMP-9 were both increased in glioma patients compared
      with normal controls (TIMP-1: P < 0.001; MMP-9: P = 0.007). Plasma TIMP-1
      increases with increased tumor grade. In Grade IV gliomas, plasma TIMP-1
      significantly increased after "successful removal" of the tumor (paired samples t
      test, before operation vs. during chemotherapy without recurrence, t = -2.131, P
      = 0.038), but did not change significantly at the time of tumor recurrence
      (during chemotherapy without recurrence vs. after tumor recurrence, t = -0.652, P
      = 0.632). High plasma TIMP-1 level correlated with better survival in Grade IV
      glioma patients (hazard ratio: 0.550, 95% CI: 0.101-1.000, P = 0.036). In Grade
      IV gliomas, patients with higher plasma TIMP-1 had significantly longer survival
      time than those with lower plasma TIMP-1 level (25.23 vs. 18.95 months, log-rank
      P = 0.045). Plasma MMP-9 did not show significant association with either the
      pathological grade or the prognosis of glioma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma TIMP
      1 is associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of glioma patients. It appears
      to have better usefulness for guiding clinical decision making than plasma MMP-9.
      Further studies in an expanded patient population are needed to better define its
      clinical usefulness.

PMID- 24238517
TI  - Left ventricular free wall rupture during late mechanical reperfusion for acute
      myocardial infarction.

PMID- 24238518
TI  - Effect of epidural analgesia with 0.075% ropivacaine versus 0.1% ropivacaine on
      the maternal temperature during labor: a randomized controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A wealth of evidence has indicated that labor epidural analgesia is
      associated with an increased risk of hyperthermia and overt clinical fever.
      Recently, evidence is emerging that the epidural analgesia-induced fever is
      associated with the types of the epidural analgesia and the variations in the
      epidural analgesia will affect the incidence of fever. The aim of the present
      study was to investigate the effects of epidural analgesia with 0.075% or 0.1%
      ropivacaine on the maternal temperature during labor. METHODS: Two hundred
      healthy term nulliparas were randomly assigned to receive epidural analgesia with
      either 0.1% ropivacaine or 0.075% ropivacaine. Epidural analgesia was initiated
      with 10 ml increment of the randomized solution and 0.5 ug/ml sufentanyl after a
      negative test dose of 5 ml of 1.5% lidocaine, and maintained with 7 ml bolus
      doses of the above mentioned mixed analgesics every 30 minutes by the patient
      controlled epidural analgesia. The measurements included the maternal oral
      temperature, visual analog scale pain scores, labor events and neonatal outcomes.
      RESULTS: Epidural analgesia with 0.075% ropivacaine could significantly lower the
      mean maternal temperature at 4 hours after the initiation of analgesia and the
      oxytocin administration during labor compared with the one with 0.1% ropivacaine.
      Moreover, 0.075% ropivacaine treatment could provide satisfactory pain relief
      during labor and had no significant adverse effects on the labor events and
      neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Epidural analgesia with 0.075% ropivacaine may be
      a good choice for the epidural analgesia during labor.

PMID- 24238519
TI  - Eye-movement study during visual search in Chinese children with developmental
      dyslexia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a disorder in which children with
      normal intelligence and sensory abilities show learning deficits in reading.
      Abnormal eye movements have been found in DD. However, eye-movement abnormalities
      during visual search among Chinese children with DD remain unknown. We aimed to
      identify the eyemovement characteristics and search efficiency of Chinese
      children with DD during visual search for targets of different conceptual
      categories, under same-category conditions. METHODS: We compared 32 Chinese
      dyslexic children and 39 non-dyslexic children in visual search tasks, which were
      assessed using EyeLink II High-Speed Eye Tracker (SR Research Ltd., Canada).
      Letters, single Chinese characters, digits, Chinese phrases, figures and facial
      expressions were used as stimuli. Targets were similar to distractors in meaning,
      phonology and/or shape. RESULTS: A main effect of task on visual search scores
      and all eye-movement parameters were found. Search scores, average saccade
      amplitude and saccade distance were significantly smaller in the DD group than in
      the controls. An interaction between group and task was found for pupil diameter.
      CONCLUSIONS: Unlike normal readers, children with DD had a reduction in the
      visual attention span and search accuracy. Besides, children with DD could not
      increase their mental workload with increase in task difficulty. The conceptual
      category of the stimulus materials significantly impacts search speed, accuracy
      and eye-movement parameters.

PMID- 24238520
TI  - Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle
      aspiration in intrapulmonary lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration
      (EBUS-TBNA) is considered to have high value in the staging of mediastinal lymph
      nodes in lung cancer. The current study was conducted to investigate the
      diagnostic value of EBUS-TBNA in intrapulmonary lesions located near the central
      airway. METHODS: From September 2009 to March 2013, 66 patients with pulmonary
      masses located close to the central airways suspected to be lung cancer were
      accessed by EBUS-TBNA. Conventional bronchoscopic biopsy before EBUS-TBNA was
      nondiagnostic in all cases. If EBUS-TBNA did not result in a formal pathological
      diagnosis of malignancy, patients were subsequently referred for a surgical
      procedure. RESULTS: Among the 66 cases, 59 were confirmed as pulmonary
      malignancies by EBUS-TBNA, of which 48 cases were non-small cell lung cancer,
      nine were small cell lung cancer, and two were metastatic lung tumors. No
      evidence of malignancy was found by biopsy and histopathological examination in
      the other seven cases. Thoracoscopy or thoracotomy was subsequently undergone for
      them. Postoperative pathological examinations confirmed three cases of squamous
      cell carcinoma of the lung, one case of lymphoma, two cases of sclerosing
      hemangioma, and one case of pulmonary tuberculoma. The definitive diagnosis rate
      of EBUS-TBNA for intrapulmonary lesions near the central airway was 89.4%. The
      sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA in distinguishing benign from
      malignant intrapulmonary lesions were 93.7%, 100.0%, and 93.9%, respectively. The
      positive and negative predictive values were 100.0% and 42.9%, respectively. The
      EBUS-TBNA procedures were well-tolerated by all patients. No associated
      complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: For intrapulmonary lesions near the
      central airway highly suspected of cancer, EBUS-TBNA has satisfactory diagnostic
      value. However, the negative predictive value of this technique is low, so
      negative results obtained by EBUS-TBNA should be confirmed by other methods.

PMID- 24238521
TI  - Relationship between AQP4 expression and structural damage to the blood-brain
      barrier at early stages of traumatic brain injury in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although some studies have reported that aquaporin-4 (AQP4) plays an
      important role in the brain edema after traumatic brain injury (TBI), little is
      known about the AQP4 expression in the early stage of TBI, or about the
      correlation between the structural damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and
      angioedema. The aim of this project was to investigate the relationship between
      AQP4 expression and damage to the BBB at early stages of TBI. METHODS: One
      hundred and twenty healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into two
      groups: sham operation group (SO) and TBI group. The TBI group was divided into
      five sub-groups according to the different time intervals: 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24
      hours. The brains of the animals were taken out at different time points after
      TBI to measure brain water content. The cerebral edema and BBB changes in
      structure were examined with an optical microscopy (OM) and transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM), and the IgG content and AQP4 protein expression in traumatic
      brain tissue were determined by means of immunohistochemistry and Western
      blotting. The data were analyzed with SPSS 13.0 statistical software. RESULTS: In
      the SO group, tissue was negative for IgG, and there were no abnormalities in
      brain water content or AQP4 expression. In the TBI group, brain water content
      significantly increased at 6 hours and peaked at 24 hours following injury. IgG
      expression significantly increased from 1 to 6 hours following injury, and
      remained at a high level at 24 hours. Pathological observation revealed BBB
      damage at 1 hour following injury. Angioedema appeared at 1 hour, was gradually
      aggravated, and became obvious at 6 hours. Intracellular edema occurred at 3
      hours, with the presence of large glial cell bodies and mitochondrial swelling.
      These phenomena were aggravated with time and became obvious at 12 hours. In
      addition, microglial proliferation was visible at 24 hours. AQP4 protein
      expression were reduced at 1 hour, lowest at 6 hours, and began to increase at 12
      hours, showing a V-shaped curve. CONCLUSIONS: The angioedema characterized by BBB
      damage was the primary type of early traumatic brain edema. It was followed by
      mixed cerebral edema that consisted of angioedema and cellular edema and was
      aggravated with time. AQP4 expression was down-regulated during the angioedema
      attack, but AQP4 expression was upregulated during intracellular edema.

PMID- 24238522
TI  - Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 regulates tumor
      necrosis factor-induced interleukin-6 expression via human antigen R.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human antigen R (HuR) is a ubiquitously expressed member of the ELAV
      family, and has relatively high cytoplasmic abundance in lung tissue regenerating
      after injury. In this study, we investigated whether mitogen-activated protein
      kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) and HuR participate in the tumor
      necrosis factor (TNF)-induced expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6). METHODS: Human
      pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were treated with TNF following short
      interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of MK2 or HuR. Cell supernatants were
      collected to detect the mRNA and protein expression of IL-6 at different time
      points. The expression and half-life of IL-6 mRNA were then determined in cells
      that had been treated with actinomycin D. Finally, after knockdown of MK2, the
      cytoplasmic expression of HuR protein was analyzed using Western blotting.
      RESULTS: MK2 or HuR knockdown decreased both the mRNA and protein expression of
      IL-6 in TNF-stimulated cells. In MK2 knockdown cells, the half-life of IL-6 mRNA
      was reduced to 36 minutes, compared with 67 minutes in the control group. In HuR
      knockdown cells, the half-life of IL-6 mRNA decreased from 62 minutes to 24
      minutes. Further analysis revealed that knockdown of MK2 resulted in reduced HuR
      protein expression in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: MK2 regulates the TNF-induced
      expression of IL-6 by influencing the cytoplasmic levels of HuR.

PMID- 24238523
TI  - Receptor interacting protein 1 involved in ultraviolet B induced NIH3T3 cell
      apoptosis through expression of matrix metalloproteinases and reactive oxygen
      species production.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1), which plays a key role in
      apoptosis, cell survival and programmed cell necrosis, is one of the most
      important proteins in the RIP family. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate the roles of RIP1 in the apoptosis, the generation of reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) induced by
      ultraviolet B (UVB) in fibroblasts. METHODS: siRNA targeting RIP1 was used to
      silence RIP1 expression in the NIH3T3 fibroblasts. The mRNA and protein levels of
      MMP-1 and MMP-3, caspase-3 and -8 activities, and ROS activities were determined
      by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR),
      immunoblotting, caspase activity assay, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry.
      RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-3 were significantly
      increased in RIP1 deficient NIH3T3 cells at 24 hours after UVB treatment. At 24
      hours after exposure to UVB, RIP1 deficient NIH3T3 cells presented apoptotic
      morphology, and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased accompanied by
      pronounced increase in caspase-8 and -3 activities. ROS production was inhibited
      by UVB at 12 hours in RIP1 deficient NIH3T3 cells. CONCLUSION: RIP1 is involved
      in NIH3T3 cell damage induced by UVB via participating in the apoptosis,
      expression of MMPs and ROS production.

PMID- 24238524
TI  - Performance of the microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay in
      pyrazinamide susceptibility testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug susceptibility assay is very important in tuberculosis therapy.
      Pyrazinamide is a first line antituberculosis drug and diagnosis of its
      resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is difficult and time
      consuming by conventional methods. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the
      performance of the microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) assay in
      the detection of pyrazinamide resistance in M. tuberculosis relative to the
      conventional Wayne assay and Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) proportion method. METHODS:
      M. tuberculosis clinical isolates (n = 132) were tested by the MODS and the Wayne
      assay: the results were compared with those obtained by the LJ proportion method.
      Mutations in the gene were identified by direct sequencing of the pncA genes of
      all isolates in which pyrazinamide resistance was detected by any of the three
      methods. RESULTS: Compared to the LJ results, the sensitivity and specificity of
      the MODS assay were 97.8% and 96.5% respectively; the sensitivity and specificity
      of the Wayne assay were 87.0% and 97.7% respectively. Mutations in the pncA gene
      were found in 41 of 46 strains that were pyrazinamide resistant (3 tests), in 1
      of the 4 strains (LJ only), in 42 of 48 strains (at least 1 test), but no
      mutations in 1 strain sensitive according to the MODS assay only. The MODS assay,
      Wayne assay and LJ proportion method provided results in a median time of 6, 7
      and 26 days respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MODS assay offers a rapid, simple and
      reliable method for the detection of pyrazinamide resistance in M. tuberculosis
      and is an optimal alternative method in resource limited countries.

PMID- 24238525
TI  - Surveillance of drug-resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae and analysis of clinical
      features of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in childhood.

PMID- 24238526
TI  - Duct-to-mucosa versus invagination pancreaticojejunostomy after
      pancreaticoduodenectomy: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula remains one of the most common and
      troublesome complications following pancreaticoduodenectomy. No consensus exists
      regarding the optimal pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction technique to reduce
      this complication. We aimed to perform a systematic review comparing two commonly
      used techniques of pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction (duct-to-mucosa versus
      invagination), by meta-analysis and assessment of evidence quality. METHODS:
      Databases searched including The Cochrane Library, Medline, PubMed, Embase, etc.
      Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing duct-to-mucosa and invagination
      pancreaticojejunostomy were included. Outcomes of interest were pancreatic
      fistula rate, mortality, morbidity, reoperation and hospital stay. Pooled
      estimates were expressed as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference. RESULTS: From 321
      identified abstracts, four RCTs (467 patients; duct-to-mucosa: 232; invagination:
      235) were included. Pancreatic fistula rate (RR, 0.74; 95% confidence interval
      (CI): 0.24-2.28; P = 0.60), mortality (RR, 1.18; 95% CI: 0.39- 3.54; P = 0.77),
      morbidity (RR, 0.91; 95% CI: 0.69-1.21; P = 0.53), reoperation (RR, 1.09; 95% CI:
      0.54-2.22; P = 0.81) and hospital stay (mean difference, -1.78; 95% CI: -4.60
      1.04; P = 0.22) were similar between techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Duct-to-mucosa and
      invagination pancreaticojejunostomy are comparable with regards to assessed
      parameters. High-quality, large-volume, multi-center RCTs with standard outcome
      definitions are required.

PMID- 24238527
TI  - Old age security in rural China: there is a long way to go.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the current developments and challenges confronted
      by old age security in rural China. DATA SOURCES: This study is based on the data
      from PubMed, Elsevier, Wiley, EBSCO, EMBASE, SCI Expanded, ProQuest, Google, and
      CNKI which is the most informative database in Chinese. STUDY SELECTION: Articles
      were selected with the search terms "rural", "China", "old", "older", or "elder",
      "elderly", or "aged", "aging", "security", "culture", "value", "medical
      insurance" or "community based medical insurance" or "cooperative medical
      scheme". Related websites and yearbooks were searched as well. RESULTS: The socio
      economic development has made the burden of traditional care for the rural
      elderly heavier than ever, and new challenges are emerging in rural communities,
      such as poor economic, deteriorating natural environment and health crisis.
      CONCLUSIONS: The governments should improve the scale and caliber of rural old
      age security and strengthen regulations with great efforts in developing the
      rural economy and protecting the natural environment of rural communities.

PMID- 24238528
TI  - Association between clinical features and prognosis of patients with limb-shaking
      transient ischemic attack.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This review aims to illustrate the relationship between clinical
      features and the prognosis of patients with limb-shaking transient ischemic
      attack (LS-TIA). DATA SOURCES: Relevant articles published in two main Chinese
      medical periodical databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and China
      Science Periodical Database) from 1986 to June 2013 were identified with keywords
      "limb shaking" and "transient ischemic attack". STUDY SELECTION: Original
      articles and case reports about LS-TIA were selected. RESULTS: A total of 63
      cases collected from 19 articles were included in the pooled analysis. LS-TIA
      presented in two cerebrovascular diseases, of which atherosclerotic high-grade
      stenosis or occlusion in carotid artery system and moyamoya disease formed 95.2%
      and 4.8%, respectively. Of 63 patients, 11 (17.5%) were once misdiagnosed as
      epileptic and prescribed useless antiepilepsy drugs. The multivariable Logistic
      regression model showed a significant protective effect of patients with
      revascularization therapy on prognosis, compared with patients treated with drugs
      (odds ratio 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.74, P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic carotid
      artery system hypoperfusion can induce limb(s) shaking, followed by high
      possibility of ischemic stroke in the same brain territorial. Revascularization
      of the responsible artery may work better than conservative drug-based therapy.

PMID- 24238529
TI  - Role of mitochondria in the pathogenesis and treatment of glaucoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into the potential mechanism of mitochondria
      dysfunction in pathogenesis, progression and therapeutic management of glaucoma.
      DATA SOURCES: The data used in this review were mainly published in English from
      2000 to present obtained from PubMed. The search terms were "mitochondria",
      "glaucoma" and "trabecular meshwork" or "retinal ganglion cells". STUDY
      SELECTION: Articles studying the mitochondria-related pathologic mechanism and
      treatment of glaucoma were selected and reviewed. RESULTS: Mitochondrial
      dysfunction or injury was demonstrated in different eye tissue of glaucoma. A
      variety of potential injuries (light, toxic materials, oxidative injury,
      mechanical stress, aging, etc.) and the inherent DNA defects are deemed to cause
      mitochondrial structural and functional destruction in trabecular meshwork cells,
      retinal ganglion cells, etc. of glaucoma. In addition, various new experimental
      and therapeutic interventions were used to preserve mitochondrial function, which
      may be useful for protecting against optic nerve degeneration or reducing the
      death of retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Mitochondria play an
      important role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, various strategies targeting
      mitochondrial protection might provide a promising way to delay the onset of
      glaucoma or protect RGCs against glaucomatous damage.

PMID- 24238530
TI  - Atrial fibrillation in China.

PMID- 24238531
TI  - Clinical manifestations of imaging demonstrations of AIDS-related nervous system
      infections.

PMID- 24238532
TI  - Inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung combined with fungal
      infection.

PMID- 24238533
TI  - Treatments of disease relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation focusing
      on donor lymphocyte infusion.

PMID- 24238534
TI  - Effects of shensongyangxin capsule on heart rate turbulence and heart rate
      variability in chronic heart failure.

PMID- 24238535
TI  - Two-directional intercoronary communication: visualization of a very rare
      coronary anomaly and cause of ischemia.

PMID- 24238536
TI  - Genetic and phenotypic characteristics of six Chinese families with X-linked
      juvenile retinoschisis.

PMID- 24238537
TI  - Cilostazol reduces microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

PMID- 24238538
TI  - Still unsettled issue: antiplatelet therapy after stenting in patients taking
      oral anticoagulants.

PMID- 24238539
TI  - A case of myocardial abscess induced by Staphylococcus aureus with typical
      electrocardiogram of acute myocardial infarction.

PMID- 24238540
TI  - A case with non-typical clinical course of H7N9 avian influenza.

PMID- 24238541
TI  - A case of sarcoidosis with systemic sclerosis.

PMID- 24238542
TI  - P300 waveform and dopamine transporter availability: a controlled EEG and SPECT
      study in medication-naive patients with schizophrenia and a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reduced P300 event-related potential (ERP) amplitude and latency
      prolongation have been reported in patients with schizophrenia compared to
      healthy controls. However, the influence of antipsychotics (and dopamine) on ERP
      measures are poorly understood and medication confounding remains a possibility.
      METHOD: We explored ERP differences between 36 drug-naive patients with
      schizophrenia and 138 healthy controls and examined whether P300 performance was
      related to dopamine transporter (DAT) availability, both without the confounding
      effects of medication. We also conducted a random effects meta-analysis of the
      available literature, synthesizing the results of three comparable published
      articles and our local study. RESULTS: No overall significant difference was
      found in mean P300 ERP between patients and controls in latency or in amplitude.
      There was a significant gender effect, with females showing greater P300
      amplitude than males. A difference between patients and controls in P300 latency
      was evident with ageing, with latency increasing faster in patients. No effect of
      DAT availability on P300 latency or amplitude was detected. The meta-analysis
      computed the latency pooled standardized effect size (PSES; Cohen's d) of -0.13
      and the amplitude PSES (Cohen's d) of 0.48, with patients showing a significant
      reduction in amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the P300 ERP is not
      altered in the early stages of schizophrenia before medication is introduced, and
      the DAT availability does not influence the P300 ERP amplitude or latency. P300
      ERP amplitude reduction could be an indicator of the progression of illness and
      chronicity.

PMID- 24238543
TI  - Realising the potential of stem-cell research in Europe.

PMID- 24238544
TI  - Delivering action on preterm births.

PMID- 24238545
TI  - Ending female genital mutilation in the UK.

PMID- 24238546
TI  - Polio lessons 2013: Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

PMID- 24238547
TI  - Caring for preterm babies is a test of how we respond to our most vulnerable
      citizens.

PMID- 24238548
TI  - Doctors in Syria: saving the lifesavers.

PMID- 24238550
TI  - Global estimates of homicide risk related to intimate partner violence.

PMID- 24238551
TI  - Global estimates of homicide risk related to intimate partner violence - Authors'
      reply.

PMID- 24238552
TI  - Home visits: a strategy to improve newborn survival.

PMID- 24238553
TI  - Home visits: a strategy to improve newborn survival - Authors' reply.

PMID- 24238554
TI  - Home visits: a strategy to improve newborn survival.

PMID- 24238555
TI  - America's cancer care crisis--is Europe any better?

PMID- 24238556
TI  - Acute compartment syndrome after minor trauma in a patient with undiagnosed mild
      haemophilia B.

PMID- 24238557
TI  - The temporal and spatial profiles of cell loss following experimental spinal cord
      injury: effect of antioxidant therapy on cell death and functional recovery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced overproduction of
      endogenous deleterious substances triggers secondary cell death to spread damage
      beyond the initial injury site. Substantial experimental evidence supports
      reactive species (RS) as important mediators of secondary cell death after SCI.
      This study established quantitative temporal and spatial profiles of cell loss,
      characterized apoptosis, and evaluated the effectiveness of a broad spectrum RS
      scavenger - Mn (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP) and a
      combination of MnTBAP plus nitro-L-arginine to prevent cell loss and neurological
      dysfunction following contusion SCI to the rat spinal cord. RESULTS: By counting
      the number of surviving cells in spinal cord sections removed at 1, 6, 12, 24,
      48, 72 h and 1 week post-SCI and at 0 - 4 mm from the epicenter, the temporal and
      spatial profiles of motoneuron and glia loss were established. Motoneurons
      continued to disappear over a week and the losses decreased with increasing
      distance from the epicenter. Significant glia loss peaked at 24 to 48 h post-SCI,
      but only at sections 0-1.5 mm from the epicenter. Apoptosis of neurons,
      motoneurons and astrocytes was characterized morphologically by double immuno
      staining with cell-specific markers and apoptosis indicators and confirmed by
      transmission electron microscopy. DNA laddering, ELISA quantitation and caspase-3
      activation in the spinal cord tissue indicated more intense DNA fragments and
      greater caspase-3 activation in the epicenter than at 1 and 2 cm away from the
      epicenter or the sham-operated sections. Intraperitoneal treatment with MnTBAP +
      nitro-L-arginine significantly reduced motoneuron and cell loss and apoptosis in
      the gray and white matter compared with the vehicle-treated group. MnTBAP alone
      significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells and improved functional
      recovery as evaluated by three behavioral tests. CONCLUSIONS: Our temporal and
      spatial profiles of cell loss provide data bases for determining the time and
      location for pharmacological intervention. Our demonstration that apoptosis
      follows SCI and that MnTBAP alone or MnTBAP + nitro-L-arginine significantly
      reduces apoptosis correlates SCI-induced apoptosis with RS overproduction. MnTBAP
      significantly improved functional recovery, which strongly supports the important
      role of antioxidant therapy in treating SCI and the candidacy of MnTBAP for such
      treatment.

PMID- 24238558
TI  - Residual stress profiles in veneering ceramic on Y-TZP, alumina and ZTA
      frameworks: measurement by hole-drilling.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The residual stress profile developed within the veneering ceramic
      during the manufacturing process is an important predicting factor in chipping
      failures, which constitute a well-known problem with yttria-tetragonal-zirconia
      polycrystal (Y-TZP) based restorations. The objectives of this study are to
      measure and to compare the residual stress profile in the veneering ceramic
      layered on three different polycrystalline ceramic framework materials: Y-TZP,
      alumina polycrystal (AL) and zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA). METHODS: The
      stress profile was measured with the hole-drilling method in bilayered disk
      samples of 19 mm diameter with a 0.7 mm thick Y-TZP, AL or ZTA framework and a
      1.5mm thick layer of the corresponding veneering ceramic. RESULTS: The AL samples
      exhibited increasing compressive stresses with depth, while compressive stresses
      switching into interior tensile stresses were measured in Y-TZP samples. ZTA
      samples exhibited compressive stress at the ceramic surface, decreasing with
      depth up to 0.6mm from the surface, and then becoming compressive again near the
      framework. SIGNIFICANCE: Y-TZP samples exhibited a less favorable stress profile
      than those of AL and ZTA samples. Results support the hypothesis of the
      occurrence of structural changes within the Y-TZP surface in contact with the
      veneering ceramic to explain the presence of tensile stresses. Even if the
      presence of Y-TZP in the alumina matrix seems to negatively affect the residual
      stress profiles in ZTA samples in comparison with AL samples, the registered
      profiles remain positive in terms of veneer fracture resistance.

PMID- 24238559
TI  - Decitabine alters the expression of Mecp2 isoforms via dynamic DNA methylation at
      the Mecp2 regulatory elements in neural stem cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aberrant MeCP2 expression in brain is associated with
      neurodevelopmental disorders including autism. In the brain of stressed mouse and
      autistic human patients, reduced MeCP2 expression is correlated with Mecp2/MECP2
      promoter hypermethylation. Altered expression of MeCP2 isoforms (MeCP2E1 and
      MeCP2E2) is associated with neurological disorders, highlighting the importance
      of proper regulation of both isoforms. While known regulatory elements (REs)
      within the MECP2/Mecp2 promoter and intron 1 are involved in MECP2/Mecp2
      regulation, Mecp2 isoform-specific regulatory mechanisms are unknown. We
      hypothesized that DNA methylation at these REs may impact the expression of Mecp2
      isoforms. METHODS: We used a previously characterized in vitro differentiating
      neural stem cell (NSC) system to investigate the interplay between Mecp2 isoform
      specific expression and DNA methylation at the Mecp2 REs. We studied altered
      expression of Mecp2 isoforms, affected by global DNA demethylation and
      remethylation, induced by exposure and withdrawal of decitabine (5-Aza-2'
      deoxycytidine). Further, we performed correlation analysis between DNA
      methylation at the Mecp2 REs and the expression of Mecp2 isoforms after
      decitabine exposure and withdrawal. RESULTS: At different stages of NSC
      differentiation, Mecp2 isoforms showed reciprocal expression patterns associated
      with minor, but significant changes in DNA methylation at the Mecp2 REs.
      Decitabine treatment induced Mecp2e1/MeCP2E1 (but not Mecp2e2) expression at day
      (D) 2, associated with DNA demethylation at the Mecp2 REs. In contrast,
      decitabine withdrawal downregulated both Mecp2 isoforms to different extents at
      D8, without affecting DNA methylation at the Mecp2 REs. NSC cell fate commitment
      was minimally affected by decitabine under tested conditions. Expression of both
      isoforms negatively correlated with methylation at specific regions of the Mecp2
      promoter, both at D2 and D8. The correlation between intron 1 methylation and
      Mecp2e1 (but not Mecp2e2) varied depending on the stage of NSC differentiation
      (D2: negative; D8: positive). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the correlation
      between the expression of Mecp2 isoforms and DNA methylation in differentiating
      NSC, providing insights on the potential role of DNA methylation at the Mecp2 REs
      in Mecp2 isoform-specific expression. The ability of decitabine to induce
      Mecp2e1/MeCP2E1, but not Mecp2e2 suggests differential sensitivity of Mecp2
      isoforms to decitabine and is important for future drug therapies for autism.

PMID- 24238560
TI  - Understanding significant processes during work environment interventions to
      alleviate time pressure and associated sick leave of home care workers--a case
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ergonomic and work stress interventions rarely show long-term
      positive effect. The municipality participating in this study received orders
      from the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate due to an identified unhealthy level of
      time pressure, and responded by effectuating several work environment
      interventions. The study aim is to identify critical factors in the interaction
      between work environment interventions and independent rationalization measures
      in order to understand a potential negative interfering effect from concurrent
      rationalizations on a comprehensive work environment intervention. METHODS: The
      study, using a historic prospective mixed-method design, comprised 6 home care
      units in a municipality in Norway (138 respondents, response rate 76.2%; 17
      informants). The study included quantitative estimations, register data of sick
      leave, a time line of significant events and changes, and qualitative
      descriptions of employee appraisals of their work situation gathered through semi
      structured interviews and open survey responses. RESULTS: The work environment
      interventions were in general regarded as positive by the home care workers.
      However, all units were simultaneously subjected to substantial contextual
      instability, involving new work programs, new technology, restructurings, unit
      mergers, and management replacements, perceived by the home care workers to be
      major sources of stress. Findings suggest that concurrent changes induced through
      rationalization resulted in negative exposure effects that negated positive work
      environment intervention effects, causing an overall deteriorated work situation
      for the home care workers. CONCLUSIONS: Establishment and active utilization of
      communication channels from workers to managers are recommended in order to
      increase awareness of putative harmful and interruptive effects of
      rationalization measures.

PMID- 24238562
TI  - Decomposition of nitrotoluenes in wastewater by sonoelectrochemical and
      sonoelectro-Fenton oxidation.
AB  - Oxidative degradation of dinitrotoluene (DNT) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in
      wastewater was conducted using electrochemical and electro-Fenton processes
      respectively, combined with ultrasonic irradiation, wherein a synergistic effect
      is observed. Experiments were carried out to elucidate the influence of various
      operating variables on the sonoelectrolytic behavior, such as electrode
      potential, sonoelectrolytic temperature, acidity of wastewater, oxygen dosage,
      and dosage of ferrous ions. It deserves to note that the nitrotoluene
      contaminants could be completely decomposed by sonoelectro-Fenton method, wherein
      hydrogen peroxide was in situ generated from cathodic reduction of oxygen,
      supplied partially by anodic oxidation of water. During the sonoelectrolytic
      process, in spite of existence of degassing phenomenon, the high yield of
      hydrogen peroxide was produced due to the significantly enhanced mass transfer
      rate of oxygen toward the cathode, caused by ultrasonic irradiation. Because
      higher removal efficiency of DNTs and TNT obtained at ambient conditions, it is
      believed that the sonoelectrolytic method is potentially applied to dispose
      wastewater from toluene nitration processes.

PMID- 24238561
TI  - Prevalence of depression and associated risk factors among persons with type-2
      diabetes mellitus without a prior psychiatric history: a cross-sectional study in
      clinical settings in urban Nepal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a growing health problem in South Asia. Despite an
      increasing number of studies exploring causal pathways between diabetes and
      depression in high-income countries (HIC), the pathway between the two disorders
      has received limited attention in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). The aim
      of this study is to investigate the potential pathway of diabetes contributing to
      depression, to assess the prevalence of depression, and to evaluate the
      association of depression severity with diabetes severity. This study uses a
      clinical sample of persons living with diabetes sequelae without a prior
      psychiatric history in urban Nepal. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was
      conducted among 385 persons living with type-2 diabetes attending tertiary
      centers in Kathmandu, Nepal. Patients with at least three months of diagnosed
      diabetes and no prior depression diagnosis or family history of depression were
      recruited randomly using serial selection from outpatient medicine and endocrine
      departments. Blood pressure, anthropometrics (height, weight, waist and hip
      circumference) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured at the time of
      interview. Depression was measured using the validated Nepali version of the Beck
      Depression Inventory (BDI-Ia). RESULTS: The proportion of respondents with
      depression was 40.3%. Using multivariable analyses, a 1-unit (%) increase in
      HbA1c was associated with a 2-point increase in BDI score. Erectile dysfunction
      was associated with a 5-point increase in BDI-Ia. A 10 mmHg increase in blood
      pressure (both systolic and diastolic) was associated with a 1.4-point increase
      in BDI-Ia. Other associated variables included waist-hip-ratio (9-point BDI-Ia
      increase), at least one diabetic complication (1-point BDI-Ia increase),
      treatment non-adherence (1-point BDI-Ia increase), insulin use (2-point BDI-Ia
      increase), living in a nuclear family (2-point BDI-Ia increase), and lack of
      family history of diabetes (1-point BDI-Ia increase). Higher monthly income was
      associated with increased depression severity (3-point BDI-Ia increase per
      100,000 rupees, equivalent US$1000). CONCLUSIONS: Depression is associated with
      indicators of more severe diabetes disease status in Nepal. The association of
      depression with diabetes severity and sequelae provide initial support for a
      causal pathway from diabetes to depression. Integration of mental health services
      in primary care will be important to combat development of depression among
      persons living with diabetes.

PMID- 24238563
TI  - Treatment and 5-year survival in patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer: the
      Norwegian experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish the 5-year overall and prostate cancer-specific survival
      in 3486 patients with a new diagnosis of nonmetastatic prostate cancer recorded
      in the Norwegian Prostate Cancer Registry in 2004-2005. METHODS: The eligible
      patients were <=75 years old and had undergone radical prostatectomy (n = 895),
      high-dose radiotherapy with or without adjuvant hormonal therapy (n = 1339), or
      no local treatment (n = 1252). Kaplan-Meier estimates, Cox regression analyses,
      and competing risk methods were used. RESULTS: For all patients, the overall and
      prostate cancer-specific survival was 89.8% (95% confidence interval 88.8-90.8)
      and 96.5% (95% confidence interval 95.9-97.1), respectively. Less than 1% of the
      76 deaths in patients with low-risk tumors were from prostate cancer. Among the
      patients with high-risk tumors in the no local treatment group, 48% of the 207
      deaths were from prostate cancer compared with 33% of the 81 deaths in the
      radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy groups (P = .03). On multivariate
      analysis, local treatment (yes vs no), tumor risk category, and performance
      status were independently associated with prostate cancer survival, but age was
      not. No significant differences emerged between the radical prostatectomy and
      radiotherapy groups. A lack of local treatment and a reduced performance status
      were significantly associated with reduced prostate cancer-specific survival.
      CONCLUSION: Although based on only 5 years of observation, we have concluded that
      patients with low-risk tumors should be informed about the option of active
      surveillance. Patients with high-risk tumors run a risk of undertreatment if
      local treatment is not applied. The correct identification of tumor risk
      categories and comorbidity at the diagnosis of nonmetastatic prostate cancer
      remains a challenge for clinicians.

PMID- 24238564
TI  - Anatomy of the dorsal nerve of the penis, clinical implications.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To show the branching patterns and the anatomic variations of the
      dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) along the penile shaft, particularly the relation
      with the tunica albuginea. METHODS: The penises of 22 adult cadavers were
      dissected. The number and the diameters of the branches, the presence of
      anastomoses between the main trunks, the positioning of the nerves before
      entering the glans penis, and the presence of branches emerging from the body of
      the DNP and perforating the tunica albuginea were noted and photographed. The
      compartments where the anatomic findings were located were noted. RESULTS: The
      DNP was composed of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 main branches in 6 (27.3%), 6 (27.3%), 6
      (27.3%), 1 (4.5%), and 3 (13.6%) of 22 dissections, respectively. We could trace
      2, 3, 4, and 5 terminal branches of the DNP going into the glans penis in 4
      (18.2%), 8 (36.4%), 7 (31.8%), and 3 (13.6%) dissections, respectively. In 2
      dissections (9.1%), fine branches were present between the main trunks crossing
      the midline. Anastomosing branches between ipsilateral main trunks of the DNP
      were identified in 5 dissections (22.7%). In 16 (72.7%) dissections, branches
      emerging from the inferior aspect of the body of the DNP, which perforated the
      tunica albuginea, could be identified. CONCLUSION: The exact anatomic knowledge
      of the DNP is mandatory during penile reconstructive surgeries. The presence of
      branches perforating the tunica albuginea is the most important finding of this
      cadaveric study, together with the other documented variations, which must be
      taken into consideration during penile reconstructive surgeries.

PMID- 24238566
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24238569
TI  - Epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted therapy in squamous cell carcinoma of
      the penis: a report of 3 cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe 3 cases of advanced refractory penile cancer treated with
      targeted therapy against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: We identified 3 patients with advanced penile cancer who had disease
      progression after platinum chemotherapy refractory and who subsequently received
      EGFR-targeted therapy. Their tumor tissue was evaluated for expression of EGFR by
      immunohistochemistry and messenger ribonucleic acid quantitation and was also
      tested for the presence of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid by line
      hybridization. K-ras mutation was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction for 6
      mutations in codon 12 and 1 mutation in codon 13. RESULTS: One patient responded
      to cetuximab and remains disease-free 42 months after presentation. One patient
      responded to panitumumab, then suffered relapse. One other progressed through
      EGFR-targeted therapy. EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry was 1-2+ in all
      cases, and messenger ribonucleic acid expression ranged from 4.08 to 7.33. No K
      ras mutations or human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid was detected.
      CONCLUSION: We report 3 cases in which EGFR-targeted therapy was used to treat
      platinum-refractory penile cancer patients. Because 2 of the 3 had clinical
      benefit, future prospective trials of EGFR-targeted therapy in penile cancer are
      warranted.

PMID- 24238570
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24238571
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24238572
TI  - The fate of the remaining knee(s) or hip(s) in osteoarthritic patients undergoing
      a primary TKA or THA.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the fate of the remaining hip(s) and
      knee(s) following an initial total hip or knee arthroplasty in 5352 patients with
      idiopathic osteoarthritis who were followed for a minimum ten years (mean 17.8 +/
      5.7 years). Following an initial primary TKA, 46.0% of patients had a
      contralateral TKA, 2.3% had an ipsilateral THA and 1.3% had a contralateral THA.
      Following an initial primary THA, 30.5% of patients had a contralateral THA, 6.8%
      had an ipsilateral TKA and 2.9% had a contralateral TKA. Cox regression analysis
      demonstrated that BMI was the sole risk factor for a second THA, but both age
      less than sixty years and a higher BMI were significant factors for patients
      requiring an additional primary TKA. 

PMID- 24238573
TI  - Serum procalcitonin in Egyptian patients with acute meningitis and a negative
      direct cerebrospinal fluid examination.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To reduce the morbidity and mortality related to bacterial
      meningitis, it is important to discriminate bacterial meningitis from aseptic
      meningitis during the acute phase of the disease, when the clinical symptoms are
      often similar. OBJECTIVES: To test the reliability of serum procalcitonin (PCT)
      to discriminate bacterial meningitis from aseptic meningitis in patients who have
      a negative direct cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, and to evaluate the role
      of serum PCT to assess treatment efficacy compared with the total leukocyte count
      (TLC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with suspected acute meningitis and
      negative gram stains were included, and ten healthy persons were included as
      controls. According to the clinical examination and the CSF cytochemical analysis
      and cultures, the patients were divided into bacterial and aseptic groups. The
      measurements of serum PCT, ESR, CRP and TLC were performed. RESULTS: Patients in
      the bacterial group had a higher value of serum PCT at admission and at 3 days
      post-treatment than those in the aseptic group, with a highly significant
      difference between them. CONCLUSION: Serum PCT and, to a lesser extent, TLC had
      prognostic value in patients with acute meningitis, and PCT is more useful
      because it can be frequently measured for the diagnosis and follow-up of
      bacterial meningitis.

PMID- 24238575
TI  - Quality assurance for care of melanoma patients based on guideline-derived
      quality indicators and certification.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In 2013 the first German S-3 guidelines on the
      diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of melanoma were published in the framework
      of the German Guideline Program on Oncology. Quality indicators were developed at
      the same time as the guideline development process in order to implement the
      guideline recommendations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary,
      interprofessional working group developed quality indicators following a
      standardized process. RESULTS: Twelve quality indicators directly linked to
      guideline recommendations were generated and agreed on by consensus. They were
      integrated into the catalogue of requirements for dermato-oncological centers
      certified by the German Cancer Society. CONCLUSIONS: The close cooperation
      between the guideline group and commission for certification allowed the
      guideline contents to be implemented in the form of quality indicators in
      everyday clinical practice. Adherence to the guidelines is required and
      continuously evaluated as part of certification.

PMID- 24238574
TI  - The prognostic value of ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with
      thrombospondin type 1 repeats, member 13) deficiency in septic shock patients
      involves interleukin-6 and is not dependent on disseminated intravascular
      coagulation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin
      type 1 repeats, member 13) deficiency has been reported in patients with sepsis
      but its clinical relevance and pathophysiology remain unclear. Our objectives
      were to assess the clinical significance, prognostic value and pathophysiology of
      ADAMTS13 deficiency in patients with septic shock with and without disseminated
      intravascular coagulation (DIC). METHODS: This was a prospective monocenter
      cohort study of patients with septic shock. Von Willebrand Factor, ADAMTS13
      related parameters and plasma IL-6 concentration were measured at inclusion to
      the study. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the presence
      of ADAMT13 deficiency (<30%) or DIC. RESULTS: This study included 72 patients
      with a median age of 59 years (interquartile range (IQR) 50 to 71). Each of the
      included patients received vasopressors; 55 (76%) were under mechanical
      ventilation and 22 (33%) underwent renal replacement therapy. Overall, 19
      patients (26%) had DIC, and 36 patients had ADMTS13 deficiency (50%). Patients
      with DIC, ADAMTS13 deficiency or both were more severe at ICU admission.
      Mortality was higher in septic shock patients from group one. By multivariate
      analysis, Simplified Acute Physiology Score 2 (SAPS2) score (odds ratio (OR)
      1.11/point; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.24) and ADAMTS13 activity <30% (OR 11.86; 95% CI
      1.36 to 103.52) were independently associated with hospital mortality. There was
      no correlation between ADAMTS13 activity and the International Society for
      Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) score (rs = -0.97, P = 0.41) suggesting that
      ADAMTS13 functional deficiency and DIC were independent parameters. IL-6 level
      was higher in patients with ADAMTS13 activity <30% [895 (IQR 330 to 1843) pg/mL
      versus 83 (IQR 43 to 118), P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Septic shock was associated
      with a functional deficiency of ADAMTS13, independently of DIC. ADAMTS13
      functional deficiency is then a prognostic factor for mortality in septic shock
      patients, independently of DIC.

PMID- 24238576
TI  - How young is too young: ethical concerns in genital surgery of the transgender
      MTF adolescent.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: During the last decade, the age of youths presenting for gender
      confirmation has steadily fallen. Transgender adolescents are being treated with
      gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues and subsequently cross-sex hormones at
      early or midpuberty, with genital surgery as the presumed final step in treatment
      for female-affirmed (male-to-female) individuals. Despite the minimum age of 18
      as eligibility to undergo irreversible procedures, anecdotal reports show that
      vaginoplasties of female-affirmed patients under 18 have been performed by
      surgeons, thereby contravening the World Professional Association for Transgender
      Health Standards of Care. AIM: The purpose of this article is (i) to provide a
      review of salient factors regarding genital surgery in transgender adolescents;
      (ii) to review various ethical protocols for determining maturity in gender
      dysphoric individuals under 18; and (iii) to present a new systematic set of
      ethical principles largely derived from the surgical management of youths with
      disorders of sex development and adapted to the needs of transitioning
      adolescents. METHODS: A literature review of the topic was performed. Ethical
      guidelines derived from applied treatment protocols of children with disorders of
      sex development were written. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Progressing from the current
      state of ethical standards and clinical assumptions, a new development of ethical
      guidelines for genital surgery in the female-affirmed transgender adolescent was
      created. RESULTS: There were no controlled studies of vaginoplasties performed on
      female-affirmed adolescents under 18 years of age. A new set of ethical
      guidelines was created in order to support treatment professionals in their
      decision making process. CONCLUSIONS: Professionals across disciplines treating
      female-affirmed adolescents can utilize the proposed ethical guidelines to
      facilitate decision making on a case-by-case basis in order to protect both
      patients and practitioners. These guidelines may also be used in support of more
      open discussions and disclosures of surgical results that could further the
      advancement of treatment in this emerging population.

PMID- 24238577
TI  - Mortality from nonneoplastic skin disease in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mortality burden from nonneoplastic skin disease in the United
      States is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate mortality from nonneoplastic
      skin disease as underlying and contributing causes of death. METHODS: Population
      based death certificate data detailing mortality from nonneoplastic skin disease
      for years 1999 to 2009 were used to calculate absolute numbers of death and age
      adjusted mortality by year, patient demographics, and 10 most commonly reported
      diagnoses. RESULTS: Nonneoplastic skin diseases were reported as underlying and
      contributing causes of mortality for approximately 3948 and 19,542 patients per
      year, respectively. Age-adjusted underlying cause mortality (per 100,000 persons)
      were significantly greater (P < .0001) for patients who were black/African
      American (3.4), women (1.4), and residing in the South (1.6). Most deaths
      occurred in patients ages 65 years and older (34,248 total deaths). Common
      underlying causes of death included chronic ulcers (1789 deaths/y) and cellulitis
      (1348 deaths/y). LIMITATIONS: Errors in death certificate data and inability to
      adjust for patient-level confounders may limit the accuracy and generalizability
      of our results. CONCLUSION: Mortality from nonneoplastic skin disease is uncommon
      yet potentially preventable. The elderly bear the greatest burden of mortality
      from nonneoplastic skin disease. Chronic ulcers and cellulitis constitute
      frequent causes of death.

PMID- 24238579
TI  - Current Problems in Cancer. Bone tumors in children and young adults. Foreword.

PMID- 24238578
TI  - Prevalence of chronic kidney disease across levels of glycemia among adults in
      Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few population-based studies have examined the relationship between
      glycemic status and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in China. We examined the
      prevalence of CKD across categories of glycemia [diagnosed diabetes, undiagnosed
      diabetes (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] >= 126 mg/dL), prediabetes (FPG 100-126
      mg/dL) and normal glycemia (FPG <100 mg/dL)] among Chinese adults and assessed
      the relative contribution of dysglycemia (prediabetes and/or diabetes) to the
      burden of CKD. METHODS: 5,584 Chinese adults aged 20-79 years were selected from
      the Pudong New Area of Shanghai through a multistage random sampling. Demographic
      and lifestyle characteristics, anthropometry and blood pressure were measured.
      Biochemical assays included FPG, serum creatinine and lipids, urinary creatinine
      and albumin. Prevalence of albuminuria [urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)
      >= 30 mg/g], decreased kidney function and CKD (either decreased kidney function
      or albuminuria) across levels of glycemia were estimated. RESULTS: The prevalence
      of albuminuria, decreased kidney function and CKD each increased with higher
      glycemic levels (P < 0.001). Based on the MDRD Study equation, the unadjusted CKD
      prevalence was 30.9%, 28.5%, 14.1% and 9.2% in those with diagnosed diabetes,
      undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes and normoglycemia, respectively. The
      corresponding age-, gender- and hypertension-adjusted CKD prevalence were 25.8%,
      25.0%, 12.3% and 9.1%, respectively. In a multivariable analysis, the factors
      associated with CKD were hypertension (Odds ratio [OR] 1.70, 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: 1.42-2.03), dysglycemia (OR 1.65, 95% CI: 1.39-1.95), female
      gender (OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.25-1.75), higher triglycerides (OR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.08
      1.20 per mmol/L), higher body mass index (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05-1.10 per kg/m2),
      and older age (OR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01 -1.03 per year). The population attributable
      risks (PARs) associated with diabetes, prediabetes, dysglycemia (diabetes and
      prediabetes) and hypertension were 18.4%, 19.7%, 30.3% and 44.5% for CKD as
      defined by the MDRD study equation, and 15.8%, 24.4%, 29.2% and 10.0% with the
      CKD-EPI equation. Estimates of prevalence and ORs of the relative contribution of
      various risk factors to CKD obtained with the CKD-EPI equation were similar.
      CONCLUSIONS: As much as 30% of the CKD burden may be associated with dysglycemia
      among Chinese adults, independent of age, gender and hypertension status.
      Prevention and control of diabetes and prediabetes should be a high priority in
      reducing the CKD burden in China.

PMID- 24238580
TI  - Introduction: Malignant primary bone tumors in children and young adults.

PMID- 24238581
TI  - Clinical presentation of bone tumors in children and young adults.

PMID- 24238582
TI  - The pathophysiology of primary bone tumors in young adults and children.

PMID- 24238583
TI  - The role of imaging of malignant bone tumors in children and young adults.

PMID- 24238584
TI  - Surgery in malignant bone tumors.

PMID- 24238585
TI  - Radiation therapy in primary bone tumors for young patients.

PMID- 24238586
TI  - Standard chemotherapy for malignant bony tumors in children and young adults.

PMID- 24238587
TI  - Metastatic and recurrent bone primary bone cancers.

PMID- 24238588
TI  - Future directions for pediatric and young adult bone sarcoma.

PMID- 24238589
TI  - Survivorship in young patients with bone cancer.

PMID- 24238590
TI  - Evaluation of a cornstarch-based ultrasound gel alternative for low-resource
      settings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is an ideal imaging modality for low-resource settings
      given its portability, ease of use, and wide range of applications. Commercially
      available ultrasound gels may be unavailable or cost prohibitive in low-resource
      settings. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the quality of images obtained
      with an alternative ultrasound gel made from cornstarch and water in comparison
      with commercially available gel. METHODS: The cornstarch gel was made by heating
      water and cornstarch. The gel was used to obtain standard ultrasound images of
      the gallbladder, kidneys, bladder, heart, and neck vessels by the study
      investigators. Commercial gel was used as the control. Twenty-four ultrasound
      clips were shown to four blinded radiologists and two ultrasound-fellowship
      trained emergency department physicians. They rated the images on adequacy
      (yes/no) and graded the images detail, resolution, and quality using a continuous
      0-10 scale. RESULTS: A total of 144 video clips were shown to reviewers and 129
      data-collection sheets were returned. There was no statistical difference in the
      proportion of images deemed to be of adequate quality: cornstarch-based gel =
      0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-1.00) vs. commercially available gel =
      0.85 (95% CI 0.75-0.94) (p = 0.053). The cornstarch gel was superior to
      commercial gel on all three image parameters: detail (p = 0.002), resolution (p =
      0.018), and quality (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a gel made from
      cornstarch and water was an acceptable coupling medium and provided equally
      adequate images as compared with commercial ultrasound gel. This inexpensive gel
      made from ubiquitous materials can be an acceptable alternative to commercial gel
      in low-resource settings.

PMID- 24238591
TI  - Intercavernous carotid artery aneurysm.

PMID- 24238593
TI  - Cosmetic mydriasis.

PMID- 24238592
TI  - "Push as hard as you can" instruction for telephone cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation: a randomized simulation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The medical priority dispatch system (MPDS(r)) assists lay rescuers
      in protocol-driven telephone-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
      OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to clarify which CPR instruction leads to sufficient
      compression depth. METHODS: This was an investigator-blinded, randomized,
      parallel group, simulation study to investigate 10 min of chest compressions
      after the instruction "push down firmly 5 cm" vs. "push as hard as you can."
      Primary outcome was defined as compression depth. Secondary outcomes were
      participants exertion measured by Borg scale, provider's systolic and diastolic
      blood pressure, and quality values measured by the skill-reporting program of the
      Resusci((r)) Anne Simulator manikin. For the analysis of the primary outcome, we
      used a linear random intercept model to allow for the repeated measurements with
      the intervention as a covariate. RESULTS: Thirteen participants were allocated to
      control and intervention. One participant (intervention) dropped out after min 7
      because of exhaustion. Primary outcome showed a mean compression depth of 44.1
      mm, with an inter-individual standard deviation (SDb) of 13.0 mm and an intra
      individual standard deviation (SDw) of 6.7 mm for the control group vs. 46.1 mm
      and a SDb of 9.0 mm and SDw of 10.3 mm for the intervention group (difference:
      1.9; 95% confidence interval -6.9 to 10.8; p = 0.66). Secondary outcomes showed
      no difference for exhaustion and CPR-quality values. CONCLUSIONS: There is no
      difference in compression depth, quality of CPR, or physical strain on lay
      rescuers using the initial instruction "push as hard as you can" vs. the standard
      MPDS((r)) instruction "push down firmly 5 cm."

PMID- 24238594
TI  - Ring removal.

PMID- 24238595
TI  - We have compelling indications for antihypertensives, but not for parenteral
      anticoagulants.

PMID- 24238596
TI  - Adrenal insufficiency as the presenting feature in a patient with lung cancer.

PMID- 24238597
TI  - Bilateral luxatio erecta: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Luxatio erecta humeri or inferior dislocation of the glenohumeral
      joint is a rare presentation in the emergency department that is typically caused
      by a direct loading force on a fully abducted arm. This type of shoulder
      dislocation represents only 0.5% of all shoulder dislocations, making bilateral
      cases even more unique. OBJECTIVE: The authors report a case of bilateral luxatio
      erecta to highlight some of the key clinical signs and discuss proper methods of
      care. CASE REPORT: We report a case of bilateral luxatio erecta after a forward
      fall on a treadmill in a senior male patient. The patient grabbed onto the side
      rails of the treadmill such that his abducted arms received the entire force of
      the fall. These injuries were successfully reduced in the emergency department of
      our institution using a two-step approach for each: 1) conversion to anterior
      dislocation and 2) full reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Although shoulder dislocations
      remain a commonly seen injury in the emergency department, it is important to
      consider that not all dislocations are simply anterior. Signature signs of
      luxatio erecta are fixed abduction at the shoulder with elbow flexion and forearm
      pronation. The humeral head should be palpable inferior to the glenoid fossa. The
      most effective treatments for this injury involve sufficient muscle relaxation
      for reduction, a methodical approach to reduction, and appropriate
      immobilization.

PMID- 24238598
TI  - Revisiting the algorithm: are we causing more confusion?

PMID- 24238599
TI  - Physiologic effects of a new-generation conducted electrical weapon on human
      volunteers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) are used by law enforcement to
      restrain or repel potentially violent persons. The TASER X2 CEW is a next
      generation device with new technology, including new electrical waveform and
      output specifications. It has not previously been studied in humans. OBJECTIVE:
      The objective of this study was to evaluate the human physiologic effect of a new
      generation CEW. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational human study.
      Volunteers received a 10-s exposure via deployed probes from an X2 CEW in the
      abdomen and upper thigh. Measured data included vital signs; 12-lead
      electrocardiograms; and blood serum biomarkers before, immediately after, and 24
      h post exposure. Biomarkers measured included pH, lactate, potassium, creatine
      kinase (CK), and troponin-I. Real-time spirometry and echocardiography were
      performed before, during, and after the exposure. RESULTS: Ten volunteers
      completed the study. There were no important changes in vital signs or potassium.
      Median increase in lactate as a consequence of the exposure was 1.2 mg/dL (range
      0.6-2.8 mg/dL). Median change in pH was -0.031 (range -0.011 to -0.067). No
      subject had a positive troponin. Median change in CK at 24 h was 313 ng/mL (range
      -40 to 3418 ng/mL). There was no evidence of respiratory impairment. Baseline
      median minute ventilation was 14.2 L/min, increased to 21.6 L/min intra-exposure
      (p = 0.05), and remained elevated at 21.6 L/min post exposure (p = 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of dangerous physiology found in the measured
      parameters. The physiologic effects of the X2 CEW are similar to older-generation
      CEWs. We encourage further study to validate these results.

PMID- 24238600
TI  - Imaging endosomes and autophagosomes in whole mammalian cells using correlative
      cryo-fluorescence and cryo-soft X-ray microscopy (cryo-CLXM).
AB  - Cryo-soft X-ray tomography (cryo-SXT) is a powerful imaging technique that can
      extract ultrastructural information from whole, unstained mammalian cells as
      close to the living state as possible. Subcellular organelles including the
      nucleus, the Golgi apparatus and mitochondria have been identified by morphology
      alone, due to the similarity in contrast to transmission electron micrographs. In
      this study, we used cryo-SXT to image endosomes and autophagosomes, organelles
      that are particularly susceptible to chemical fixation artefacts during sample
      preparation for electron microscopy. We used two approaches to identify these
      compartments. For early and recycling endosomes, which are accessible to
      externally-loaded markers, we used an anti-transferrin receptor antibody
      conjugated to 10nm gold particles. For autophagosomes, which are not accessible
      to externally-applied markers, we developed a correlative cryo-fluorescence and
      cryo-SXT workflow (cryo-CLXM) to localise GFP-LC3 and RFP-Atg9. We used a stand
      alone cryo-fluorescence stage in the home laboratory to localise the cloned
      fluorophores, followed by cryo-soft X-ray tomography at the synchrotron to
      analyse cellular ultrastructure. We mapped the 3D ultrastructure of the endocytic
      and autophagic structures, and discovered clusters of omegasomes arising from
      'hotspots' on the ER. Thus, immunogold markers and cryo-CLXM can be used to
      analyse cellular processes that are inaccessible using other imaging modalities. 

PMID- 24238602
TI  - Is the skillset obtained in surgical simulation transferable to the operating
      theatre?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Simulated surgical training offers a safe and accessible way of
      learning surgical procedures outside the operating room. Training programs have
      been developed using simulated laboratories to train surgical trainees to
      proficiency outside the operating room. Despite the global enthusiasm among
      educators to enhance training through simulation-based learning, it remains to be
      elucidated whether the skill set obtained is transferrable to the operating room.
      METHODS: Using standardized search methods, the authors searched the Cochrane
      Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, and Web-Based Knowledge,
      as well as the reference lists of relevant articles, and retrieved all published
      randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: Sixteen randomized controlled trials
      involving 309 participants were identified to be suitable for qualitative
      analysis using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta
      Analyses guidelines. The mean Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials score
      was 16 (range, 12-22). The studies showed considerable clinical and methodologic
      diversity. Operative time improved consistently in all trials after training and
      was the only objective parameter measurable in the live setting. Studies that
      used the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills as their primary
      outcome showed improved scores in 80% of trials, and studies that used
      performance indicators to assess participants all showed improved scores after
      simulation training in all of the trials, with 88% showing statistical
      significance. CONCLUSIONS: The current literature consistently demonstrates the
      positive impact of simulation on operative time and predefined performance
      scores. However, these reproducible measures alone are insufficient to
      demonstrate transferability of skills from the laboratory to the operating room.
      The authors advocate a multimodal assessment, including metrics, the Objective
      Structured Assessment of Technical Skills, and critical step completion. This may
      provide a more complete assessment of operative performance. Only then can it be
      concluded that simulation skills are transferable to the live operative setting.

PMID- 24238603
TI  - Cutting too deep? Assessing the impact of a shorter surgery clerkship on
      students' clinical skills and knowledge.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of students
      completing an 8-week versus a 6-week surgery clerkship on an objective structured
      clinical examination (OSCE) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
      clinical science surgery examination. METHODS: One hundred fifteen students from
      the 8-week clerkship and 99 from the 6-week clerkship were included. Performance
      on a summative OSCE was assessed using behaviorally anchored checklists. NBME
      exams were graded using the NBME's standard scaled scores. Results were compared
      using 2-tailed, independent-samples, unequal-variance t tests. RESULTS: Mean OSCE
      scores for the 8-week and 6-week curricula were not statistically different. Mean
      NBME scores also did not statistically differ. Six-week students performed
      significantly better in the specific OSCE subdomains of blood pressure,
      orthostatic blood pressure, rectal exam, and fecal occult blood test.
      CONCLUSIONS: Overall OSCE and NBME exam performance did not differ between 8-week
      and 6-week surgery clerkship students.

PMID- 24238601
TI  - Structure and function of the human skin microbiome.
AB  - An abundant and diverse collection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses inhabits the
      human skin. These microorganisms vary between individuals and between different
      sites on the skin. The factors responsible for the unique variability of the skin
      microbiome are only partly understood, but results suggest that host genetic and
      environmental influences play a major role. Today, the steady accumulation of
      data describing the skin microbiome, combined with experiments designed to test
      the biological functions of surface microbes, has provided new insights into
      links between human physiology and skin microbiota. This review describes some of
      the current information regarding the skin microbiome and its impact on human
      health. Specifically, we summarize the present understanding of the function of
      microbe-host interactions on the skin and highlight some unique features that
      distinguish skin commensal organisms from pathogenic microbes. 

PMID- 24238604
TI  - The relationship between grit and resident well-being.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The well-being of residents in general surgery is an important factor
      in their success within training programs. Consequently, it is important to
      identify individuals at risk for burnout and low levels of well-being as early as
      possible. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that resident well
      being may be related to grit, a psychological factor defined as perseverance and
      passion for long-term goals. METHODS: One hundred forty-one residents across 9
      surgical specialties at 1 academic medical center were surveyed; the response
      rate was 84%. Perseverance was measured using the Short Grit Scale. Resident well
      being was measured with (1) burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and (2)
      psychological well-being using the Dupuy Psychological General Well-Being Scale.
      RESULTS: Grit was predictive of later psychological well-being both as measured
      by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (B = -.20, P = .05) and as measured by the
      Psychological General Well-Being Scale (B = .27, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Measuring
      grit may identify those who are at greatest risk for poor psychological well
      being in the future. These residents may benefit from counseling to provide
      support and improve coping skills.

PMID- 24238606
TI  - Anti-phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 antibody in patients with autoimmune
      hepatitis.
AB  - AIM: To identify a novel autoantibody specific to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and
      to evaluate its clinical significance. METHODS: Non-nuclear component protein
      extracted from normal human liver cell CyrohNHpes cultures that reacted with sera
      from AIH patients on a western blot was identified as an antigenic protein and
      subjected to N-terminal amino acid analysis to identify phosphoenolpyruvate
      carboxykinase 2 (PCK2). Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for anti-PCK2 antibody
      was conducted on sera samples from patients with AIH (n = 42), primary biliary
      cirrhosis (PBC; n = 48), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, n = 41), chronic
      hepatitis C (CHC, n = 20), drug-induced liver injury (DILI, n = 10), systemic
      lupus erythematosus (SLE, n = 16) and on sera samples from healthy volunteers (n
      = 30). Clinical findings were compared for AIH patients testing positive and
      negative for anti-PCK2 antibody. RESULTS: ELISA findings showed that mean anti
      PCK2 antibody titer in sera from AIH patients was significantly higher than in
      PBC, NASH, CHC, DILI and SLE patients, as well as in healthy volunteers. Anti
      PCK2 antibody was present in 50.0% (21/42) of AIH, 14.6% (7/48) of PBC, 4.9%
      (2/41) of NASH, and 10.0% (2/20) of CHC patients, 0% (0/10) of DILI, 12.5% (2/16)
      of SLE and in 3.3% (1/30) of healthy volunteers. The sensitivity, specificity and
      accuracy of using the detection of anti-PCK2 antibody in diagnosing AIH were
      50.0%, 91.5% and 83.1%, respectively. None of the AIH patients positive for anti
      PCK2 antibody showed characteristic clinical features. CONCLUSION: Although
      further investigations into the clinical usefulness are necessary, anti-PCK2 may
      have potential as a diagnostic marker for AIH.

PMID- 24238607
TI  - Morphological priming in child German.
AB  - Regular and irregular inflection in children's production has been examined in
      many previous studies. Yet, little is known about the processes involved in
      children's recognition of inflected words. To gain insight into how children
      process inflected words, the current study examines regular -t and irregular -n
      participles of German using the cross-modal priming technique testing 108
      monolingual German-speaking children in two age groups (group I, mean age: 8;4,
      group II, mean age: 9;9) and a control group of 72 adults. Although both age
      groups of children had the same full priming effect as adults for -t forms, only
      children of age group II showed an adult-like (partial) priming effect for -n
      participles. We argue that children (within the age range tested) employ the same
      mechanisms for regular inflection as adults but that the lexical retrieval
      processes required for irregular forms become more efficient when children get
      older.

PMID- 24238605
TI  - Reasons for institutionalization of people with dementia: informal caregiver
      reports from 8 European countries.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore reasons for institutionalization of people with dementia
      according to informal caregivers as well as variation in reasons between
      countries. DESIGN: An explorative cross-sectional study was conducted in 8
      European countries. SETTING: Per country, a minimum of 3 long term care
      facilities, offering care and accommodation as a package, participated in this
      study. Participating countries were selected to represent different geographic
      areas in Europe. PARTICIPANTS: Of the 791 informal caregivers involved in the
      RightTimePlaceCare project of people with dementia who were recently admitted to
      a long term care facility, 786 were included for this study. MEASUREMENTS: As
      part of a semistructured interview, informal caregivers were asked the main
      reason for institutionalization in an open-ended question. Answers were
      categorized according to a conventional coding approach. All reasons were then
      quantified and tested. RESULTS: Mainly patient-related reasons were stated, such
      as neuropsychiatric symptoms (25%), care dependency (24%), and cognition (19%).
      Neuropsychiatric symptoms were among the most often mentioned reasons in most
      countries. Besides patient-related reasons, caregiver burden and the inability of
      the informal caregiver to care for the patient were stated as reasons (both 15%).
      Further analyses showed countries differ significantly in reasons according to
      informal caregivers. Additionally, reasons were analyzed for spouses and child
      caregivers, showing that spouses more often stated reasons related to themselves
      compared with child-caregivers. CONCLUSION: Multiple reasons contribute to the
      institutionalization for people with dementia, with several factors that may
      influence why there were country differences. Variation in the organization of
      dementia care and cultural aspects, or the relationship between the informal
      caregiver and person with dementia may be factors influencing the reasons.
      Because of a wide variation in reasons between countries, no one-size-fits-all
      approach can be offered to guide informal caregivers when facing the possibility
      of institutionalization of the person with dementia.

PMID- 24238608
TI  - Sperm mitochondria in reproduction: good or bad and where do they go?
AB  - The mitochondrion is the major energy provider to power sperm motility. In
      mammals, aside from the nuclear genome, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) also
      contributes to oxidative phosphorylation to impact production of ATP by coding 13
      polypeptides. However, the role of sperm mitochondria in fertilization and its
      final fate after fertilization are still controversial. The viewpoints that sperm
      bearing more mtDNA will have a better fertilizing capability and that sperm mtDNA
      is actively eliminated during early embryogenesis are widely accepted. However,
      this may be not true for several mammalian species, including mice and humans.
      Here, we review the sperm mitochondria and their mtDNA in sperm functions, and
      the mechanisms of maternal mitochondrial inheritance in mammals. 

PMID- 24238609
TI  - Generation of hematopoietic stem cells from purified embryonic endothelial cells
      by a simple and efficient strategy.
AB  - Recent progress by versatile approaches supports the new hypothesis that multi
      potent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are directly formed from a rare population
      of endothelial cells in mid-gestation mouse embryos. This process is therefore
      known as the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT). Nevertheless, there
      is no functional evidence that documents the HSC transition from purified
      endothelial cells. In this study, we developed an OP9-DL1-based co-culture system
      that was able to facilitate the HSC specification and/or expansion in vitro of
      mouse embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) Tie2(+) cells remarkably. Then, the
      immunophenotypically defined endothelial cells were harvested by a combination of
      surface markers (Flk1(+)CD31(+)CD41(-)CD45(-)Ter119(-)) from the caudal half of
      E10.0-E11.0 mouse embryos. The transplantation of the endothelia/OP9-DL1 co
      cultures led to long-term, high-level, multi-lineage, and multi-organ
      hematopoietic reconstitution in the irradiated adult recipients. The induced HSC
      activity was initially observed at E10.5, and a significant increase was detected
      at E11.0, which suggests a temporally specific regulation. Taken together, for
      the first time, we provide functional evidence showing the HSC potential of
      purified embryonic endothelial cells, which is indispensable for the emerging EHT
      concept. Moreover, the newly defined co-culture system will aid the exploration
      of the key molecules governing the HSC transition from embryonic and even
      postnatal endothelial cells, which has enormous significance in basic and
      translational research. 

PMID- 24238610
TI  - Sequence diversity and enzyme activity of ferric-chelate reductase LeFRO1 in
      tomato.
AB  - Ferric-chelate reductase which functions in the reduction of ferric to ferrous
      iron on root surface is a critical protein for iron homeostasis in strategy I
      plants. LeFRO1 is a major ferric-chelate reductase involved in iron uptake in
      tomato. To identify the natural variations of LeFRO1 and to assess their effect
      on the ferric-chelate reductase activity, we cloned the coding sequences of
      LeFRO1 from 16 tomato varieties collected from different regions, and detected
      three types of LeFRO1 (LeFRO1(MM), LeFRO1(Ailsa) and LeFRO1(Monita)) with five
      amino acid variations at the positions 21, 24, 112, 195 and 582. Enzyme activity
      assay revealed that the three types of LeFRO1 possessed different ferric-chelate
      reductase activity (LeFRO1(Ailsa) > LeFRO1(MM) > LeFRO1(Monita)). The 112th amino
      acid residue Ala of LeFRO1 is critical for maintaining the high activity of
      ferric-chelate reductase, because modification of this amino acid resulted in a
      significant reduction of enzyme activity. Further, we showed that the combination
      of the amino acid residue Ile at the site 24 with Lys at the site 582 played a
      positive role in the enzyme activity of LeFRO1. In conclusion, the findings are
      helpful to understand the natural adaptation mechanisms of plants to iron
      limiting stress, and may provide new knowledge to select and manipulate LeFRO1
      for improving the iron deficiency tolerance in tomato. 

PMID- 24238611
TI  - MYPT1 sustains centromeric cohesion and the spindle-assembly checkpoint.

PMID- 24238612
TI  - Characterization and fine mapping of Glabrous rice 2 in rice.

PMID- 24238613
TI  - German translation of the Alberta Context Tool and two measures of research use:
      methods, challenges and lessons learned.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding the relationship between organizational context and
      research utilization is key to reducing the research-practice gap in health care.
      This is particularly true in the residential long term care (LTC) setting where
      relatively little work has examined the influence of context on research
      implementation. Reliable, valid measures and tools are a prerequisite for
      studying organizational context and research utilization. Few such tools exist in
      German. We thus translated three such tools (the Alberta Context Tool and two
      measures of research use) into German for use in German residential LTC. We point
      out challenges and strategies for their solution unique to German residential
      LTC, and demonstrate how resolving specific challenges in the translation of the
      health care aide instrument version streamlined the translation process of
      versions for registered nurses, allied health providers, practice specialists,
      and managers. METHODS: Our translation methods were based on best practices and
      included two independent forward translations, reconciliation of the forward
      translations, expert panel discussions, two independent back translations,
      reconciliation of the back translations, back translation review, and cognitive
      debriefing. RESULTS: We categorized the challenges in this translation process
      into seven categories: (1) differing professional education of Canadian and
      German care providers, (2) risk that German translations would become
      grammatically complex, (3) wordings at risk of being misunderstood, (4)
      phrases/idioms non-existent in German, (5) lack of corresponding German words,
      (6) limited comprehensibility of corresponding German words, and (7) target
      persons' unfamiliarity with activities detailed in survey items. Examples of each
      challenge are described with strategies that we used to manage the challenge.
      CONCLUSION: Translating an existing instrument is complex and time-consuming, but
      a rigorous approach is necessary to obtain instrument equivalence. Essential
      components were (1) involvement of and co-operation with the instrument
      developers and (2) expert panel discussions, including both target group and
      content experts. Equivalent translated instruments help researchers from
      different cultures to find a common language and undertake comparative research.
      As acceptable psychometric properties are a prerequisite for that, we are
      currently carrying out a study with that focus.

PMID- 24238614
TI  - Castration-induced testosterone deficiency increases fasting glucose associated
      with hepatic and extra-hepatic insulin resistance in adult male rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Testosterone deficiency is associated with insulin resistance.
      However, how testosterone deficiency affects insulin actions remains unclear. The
      aim of this study was to investigate the influence of castration-induced
      testosterone deficiency on the metabolic kinetics of glucose and to evaluate the
      hepatic and extra-hepatic insulin sensitivity, in advanced-age male Sprague
      Dawley (SD) rats. METHODS: Ten-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into
      three groups: (1) a control group (n = 10) in which the rats underwent sham
      castration (2) a castrated group (TD group for testosterone deficiency, n = 10)
      in which the rats underwent bilateral orchidectomy surgery and (3) a castrated
      group given testosterone propionate via intraperitoneal injection (25 mg/kg/day)
      to supplement androgen (TD + TP group, n = 10). At ten weeks after castration in
      the noted groups, all rats were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test
      (OGTT), a pyruvate tolerance test (PTT) and an insulin tolerance test (ITT).
      Twenty weeks following that treatment, all rats underwent a hyperinsulinemic
      euglycemic clamp procedure in conjunction with isotope--labeled glucose and
      glycerol tracer infusions. The rate of appearance (Ra) of glucose, glycerol and
      gluconeogenesis (GNG), hepatic glucose production and the rate of glucose
      disappearance (Rd) were assessed. Glucose uptake was determined by measuring the
      2-deoxy-D-14C-glucose in the gastrocnemius muscles. RESULTS: Ten weeks after
      castration in the TD group, the fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were
      significantly increased (p < 0.01), the glucose-- induced insulin secretion was
      impaired and ITT revealed a temporarily increased whole body insulin sensitivity
      compared with the control group; 30 weeks after castration, the Ra of glucose, Ra
      of glycerol, as well as the HGP and GNG were also increased (p < 0.01), while the
      exogenous glucose infusion rate and uptake glucose in the muscle markedly
      decreased (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Castration-induced testosterone deficiency
      primarily increases fasting blood glucose levels. The clamp experiments revealed
      a clear insulin resistance both at the hepatic and extra-hepatic levels.

PMID- 24238615
TI  - Cocaine withdrawal influences paternal behavior and associated central expression
      of vasopressin, oxytocin and tyrosine hydroxylase in mandarin voles.
AB  - Although the disruptive effects of cocaine on the maternal care are well known,
      little is known about paternal care in the context of cocaine abuse. Vasopressin
      (AVP), oxytocin (OT) and dopamine (DA) have been found to regulate paternal
      behavior and are also involved in cocaine abuse. Mandarin voles (Microtus
      mandarinus) are socially monogamous and display high levels of paternal care.
      Here, we investigated whether paternal behavior and associated central levels of
      AVP, OT and DA were altered following 24 h of withdrawal from 4 day
      administration of 20 mg/kg/day cocaine. Our data shows that vole fathers did not
      experience altered levels of locomotion during an open field test. However,
      compared to controls, cocaine attenuated licking/grooming and contact behavior
      and shortened the latency to crouching, contact and pup retrieval. Last, fewer
      AVP and OT immunoreactive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and more
      tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in the ventral tegmental area were
      observed in cocaine-treated fathers. These results indicate that cocaine
      withdrawal disturbs the expression of partial paternal behavior by altering
      central levels of AVP, OT and DA.

PMID- 24238617
TI  - A simplified mathematical model for thrombin generation.
AB  - A new phenomenological mathematical model based directly on laboratory data for
      thrombin generation and having a patient-specific character is described. A set
      of the solved equations for cell-based models of blood coagulation that can
      reproduce the temporal evolution of thrombin generation is proposed; such
      equations are appropriate for use in computational fluid dynamic (CFD)
      simulations. The initial values for the reaction rates are either taken from
      already existing model or experimental data, or they can obtained from simple
      reasoning under certain assumptions; it is shown that coefficients can be
      adjusted in order to fit a range of different thrombin generation curves as
      derived from thrombin generation assays. The behaviour of the model for different
      platelet concentration seems to be in good agreement with reported experimental
      data. It is shown that the reduced set of equations used represents to a good
      approximation a low-order model of the detailed mechanism and thus it can
      represent a cost-effective and-case specific mathematical model of coagulation
      reactions up to thrombin generation. 

PMID- 24238616
TI  - Effects of rabbit anti-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)
      immunoglobulins on alpha-MSH signaling related to food intake control.
AB  - Anti-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) polyclonal antibodies have
      been used for alpha-MSH neutralization in functional studies, but the results are
      sometime inconsistent with the antibody expected blocking properties. The present
      study aimed to determine if rabbit (Rb) anti-alpha-MSH immunoglobulins (Ig) may
      inhibit or enhance alpha-MSH signaling on melanocortin receptor type 4 (MC4R) and
      alpha-MSH-induced anorexigenic effect if presented as immune complexes with alpha
      MSH. Polyclonal Rb anti-alpha-MSH IgG were commercially available and their
      ability to bind alpha-MSH has been confirmed by the immunohistochemical detection
      of alpha-MSH neurons in the rat hypothalamus. In vitro assay of the cyclic
      adenosine mono-phosphate (cAMP) secreted by cells transfected with MC4R was
      performed to analyze effect of Rb IgG on alpha-MSH-induced cAMP production. We
      found that adding Rb IgG to alpha-MSH resulted in stimulation of cAMP detected at
      lower peptide concentrations as compared to alpha-MSH alone. To determine effects
      of Rb IgG on food intake, rats were injected into the arcuate hypothalamic
      nucleus with either alpha-MSH, Rb IgG alone or Rb IgG preincubated with alpha
      MSH. During 2 days after injections, food intake was increased in both groups of
      rats receiving Rb IgG. However, during following 4 days when food was restricted
      to 1h/day, only the Rb IgG group displayed higher food intake. Furthermore, after
      the refeeding, 24h food intake was lower in rats receiving Rb IgG - alpha-MSH
      immune complexes. This group of rats was also characterized by higher number of
      immunopositive neurons in the arcuate nucleus expressing alpha-MSH and agouti
      related protein but not tyrosine hydroxylase. Taken together, these results show
      that Rb anti-alpha-MSH antisera, although efficient for immunohistochemical
      detection of alpha-MSH, does not always display alpha-MSH blocking properties
      but, in contrast, may enhance alpha-MSH binding to MC4R and increase alpha-MSH
      anorexigenic effects when presented as immune complexes with the peptide.

PMID- 24238618
TI  - Variability of the autoregulation index decreases after removing the effect of
      the very low frequency band.
AB  - Dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) estimates show large between and within
      subject variability. Sources of variability include low coherence and influence
      of CO2 in the very low frequency (VLF) band, where dCA is active. This may lead
      to unreliable transfer function and autoregulation index (ARI) estimates. We
      tested whether variability of the ARI could be decreased by suppressing the
      effect of the VLF band through filtering. We also evaluated whether filtering had
      any effect on mean group differences between healthy subjects and acute stroke
      patients. Data from a recent mobilization stroke study were re-analyzed. Middle
      cerebral artery cerebral blood flow velocity (MCA-CBFV), mean arterial blood
      pressure (MABP) and end tidal PCO2 (PetCO2) were obtained in 16 healthy subjects
      and 27 acute ischemic stroke patients in the supine position. The ARI index was
      calculated from the transfer function (TF) by using spontaneous BP fluctuations.
      Three different filtering strategies were compared; no filtering (NF), a high
      pass filter at 0.04 Hz (Time Domain Filtering: TDF) and a high pass Transfer
      Function Filter (TFF) at 0.04 Hz. In addition, a simulation study was done to
      obtain further insight into the effects of the applied filters. The variability
      of the ARI index decreased significantly only with TFF in healthy subjects
      (standard deviation (left vs. right) after NF 2.28 vs. 2.36, after TDF 2.13 vs.
      2.31 after TFF 1.09 vs. 1.19, p<0.001). Variability was not significantly reduced
      in stroke patients. The mean ARI was significantly lower in stroke patients
      compared to healthy subjects after TFF (affected hemisphere 5.85+/-1.96 vs.
      7.13+/-1.09, non-affected hemisphere 5.96+/-1.64 vs. 7.31+/-1.19, p<0.01 for both
      hemispheres), but not after NF or TDF. The simulation study showed that TFF
      results in an overestimation of the ARI index at low ARI levels (0-3), but in
      correct estimates at higher ARI levels. Removing the effect of the VLF band with
      TFF results in less ARI variability in healthy subjects, and in more pronounced
      group differences between stroke patients and healthy subjects. This will improve
      diagnostic properties when using TFA for ARI calculation.

PMID- 24238619
TI  - Agreement between patient-reported and doctor-reported patient intervals and date
      of first symptom presentation in cancer diagnosis - a population-based
      questionnaire study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The concept of delay in cancer diagnosis has been a scientific issue
      for decades, and there is still no standardised and validated way to measure the
      time intervals. One of the intervals that are difficult to measure is the patient
      interval (i.e. the period from the patient's first symptom until the first
      presentation to the health care system) because dates of symptom onset and first
      presentation are difficult to establish precisely. Further, since patients may
      have another experience of the diagnostic pathway than e.g. the general
      practitioner (GP), a reasonable question remains whether patients and GPs agree
      on these important milestones. The objective of this study was to analyse the
      agreement between patient-reported and GP-reported patient intervals and date of
      first presentation of cancer-related symptom(s) to the GP. METHODS: On the basis
      of a cohort study, we included incident cancer patients from the former Aarhus
      County from 1 September, 2004 to 31 August, 2005. Both patients and GPs reported
      the length of the patient interval and the date of the first presentation to the
      GP with a cancer-related symptom measured by self-administered questionnaires.
      Agreement was measured using agreement-survival plots and Lin's concordance
      correlation coefficient (CCC). RESULTS: There was full agreement between GP- and
      patient-reported patient intervals in 21.0% of all the cancer cases. In 50.1% of
      cases, patients and GPs agreed about the patient interval within a margin of one
      month. There was full agreement between GP- and patient-reported date of first
      presentation in 37.5% of the cancer cases and within one week in 52.0% of all the
      cancer cases. Overall, the agreement on the length of the patient interval was
      poor (CCC=0.513), but better for patients presenting with alarm symptoms. The
      agreement was moderate between GP- and patient-reported dates of first
      presentation (CCC=0.924). CONCLUSION: We found that GPs systematically reported a
      longer patient interval than patients did. We found moderate agreement on
      reported date of first presentation of symptoms to the GP, meaning that the
      disagreement in reported patient interval is related to date of first symptom
      rather than date of first presentation to the GP.

PMID- 24238621
TI  - Keloid of the toe: Novel pressure treatment.

PMID- 24238620
TI  - ET-1-induced growth promoting responses involving ERK1/2 and PKB signaling and
      Egr-1 expression are mediated by Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase-II in vascular
      smooth muscle cells.
AB  - Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoactive peptide with a pathogenic role in
      vascular diseases, has been shown to induce the activation of ERK1/2, PKB and the
      expression of a transcriptional regulator, the early growth response 1 (Egr-1),
      key mediators of hypertrophic and proliferative responses in vascular smooth
      muscle cells (VSMC). We have demonstrated earlier that ET-1 requires H2O2
      generation to activate these signaling pathways and Ca2+, calmodulin (CaM) and
      Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), play a critical role to trigger
      H2O2-induced effects in VSMC. However, an involvement of CaMKII in mediating ET-1
      induced responses in VSMC remains unknown. Therefore, by utilizing
      pharmacological inhibitors of CaM, CaMKII, a CaMKII inhibitor peptide and CaMKII
      knockdown techniques, we have investigated the contribution of CaM and CaMKII in
      ET-1-induced ERK1/2 and PKB signaling, Egr-1 expression and hypertrophic and
      proliferative responses in VSMC. W-7 and calmidazolium, antagonists of CaM, as
      well as KN-93, an inhibitor of CaMKII activity, attenuated ET-1-induced ERK1/2
      and PKB phosphorylation. In addition, transfection of VSMC with a CaMKII
      inhibitory peptide suppressed ET-1-evoked ERK1/2 and PKB phosphorylation.
      Similarly, siRNA-mediated CaMKII silencing reduced ET-1-produced ERK1/2 and PKB
      phosphorylation. CaM and CaMKII blockade also significantly lowered the ET-1
      induced protein and DNA synthesis as well as Egr-1 expression. These findings
      demonstrate that CaMKII plays a critical role in ET-1-induced growth promoting
      signaling pathways as well as hypertrophic and proliferative responses in VSMC.

PMID- 24238622
TI  - Detrimental effect of cypermethrin treated nets on Culicoides populations
      (Diptera; Ceratopogonidae) and non-targeted fauna in livestock farms.
AB  - Bluetongue (BT) is an important disease of ruminants which exhibits its most
      severe clinical signs on cattle and especially on certain breeds of sheep. The
      known vectors of BT are small insects of the genus Culicoides (Diptera;
      Ceratopogonidae). Two species from this genus - Culicoides imicola and Culicoides
      obsoletus - play the major role in the transmission of the disease in Europe.
      Several prophylactic methods are used to avoid transmission; however, an easy and
      cost-effective preventive technique would be very useful for the control of the
      Culicoides populations near the animals. In the present study, the insecticide
      effect of cypermethrin treated nets on a Culicoides population was evaluated. A
      polyethylene net sprayed with 1L cypermethrin solution (1%) surrounding a UV
      light suction trap was placed at a cattle farm in Majorca (Balearic Islands).
      Collections of Culicoides and other fauna from the trap and floor around the net
      were compared with a control. Results showed no significant differences in the
      collection of Culicoides midges between the insecticide-treated net and the
      control. However, significant differences were observed in the collection of the
      non-target fauna between the treated net and the control, indicating that the
      dose used in the present trial was enough to kill most of the arthropods that
      contacted the net. The reasons for these equivocal findings and means to improve
      this technique for the control of Culicoides midges are discussed. 

PMID- 24238623
TI  - Enteromyxum leei infection in parrotfish, Sparisoma cretense: histopathological,
      morphological and molecular study.
AB  - Enteromyxum leei (Myxozoa) has been identified as the aetiological agent of
      morbidity and mortality in captive feral parrotfish, Sparisoma cretense held at
      the facilities of Cretaquarium, the public aquarium of the Hellenic Centre for
      Marine Research in Crete. The parasite caused substantial mortality to the
      parrotfish exceeding 60% over a period of 3.5 months. Here we describe the course
      of disease, the effects of the parasite on the host based on histopathological
      observations and we provide morphological and molecular data on the parasite. 

PMID- 24238624
TI  - Anemia amelioration by lactose infusion during trypanosomosis could be associated
      with erythrocytes membrane de-galactosylation.
AB  - African trypanosomosis is a potentially fatal disease that is caused by
      extracellular parasitic protists known as African trypanosomes. These parasites
      inhabit the blood stream of their mammalian hosts and produce a number of
      pathological features, amongst which is anemia. Etiology of the anemia has been
      partly attributed to an autoimmunity-like mediated erythrophagocytosis of de
      sialylated red blood cells (dsRBCs) by macrophages. Lactose infusion to infected
      animals has proven effective at delaying progression of the anemia. However, the
      mechanism of this anemia prevention is yet to be well characterized. Here, the
      hypothesis of a likely induced further modification of the dsRBCs was
      investigated. RBC membrane galactose (RBC m-GAL) and packed cell volume (PCV)
      were measured during the course of experimental trypanosomosis in mice infected
      with Trypanosoma congolense (stb 212). Intriguingly, while the membrane galactose
      on the RBCs of infected and lactose-treated mice (group D) decreased as a
      function of parasitemia, that of the lactose-untreated infected group (group C)
      remained relatively constant, as was recorded for the uninfected lactose-treated
      control (group B) animals. At the peak of infection, the respective cumulative
      percent decrease in PCV and membrane galactose were 30 and 185 for group D, and
      84 and 13 for group C. From this observed inverse relationship between RBCs
      membrane galactose and PCV, it is logical to rationalize that the delay of anemia
      progression during trypanosomosis produced by lactose might have resulted from an
      induction of galactose depletion from dsRBCs, thereby preventing their
      recognition by the macrophages. 

PMID- 24238627
TI  - [Use of the simulation in the clinical investigation].

PMID- 24238625
TI  - Alcohol consumption is inversely associated with stage 3 chronic kidney disease
      in middle-aged Taiwanese men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global public health burden,
      but there is limited understanding of the relationship of alcohol consumption
      with CKD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional multivariable study, all participants
      of a health check-up program in Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian
      Hospital in Taiwan from 2003 to 2009 (15,353 women and 11,900 men) were included
      for analysis. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was used to define CKD stage
      and history of alcohol consumption was obtained by self-reporting. Multivariable
      logistic regression analyses of gender-specific association of alcohol drinking
      with stage 3 CKD were conducted. A trend tests was conducted to check the dose
      response relationship of alcohol consumption with renal disease. A sensitivity
      test was conducted to rule out the likelihood of reverse causality. RESULTS: The
      prevalence of stage 3 CKD was lower in drinkers than non-drinkers (p < 0.001) and
      the percentage of drinkers with stage 3 CKD was less than that of non-drinkers.
      Multivariable analysis indicated that alcohol consumption was negatively
      associated with the presence of stage 3 CKD in men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for
      occasional drinking: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.59 ~ 0.78, p < 0.001; aOR for frequent
      drinking: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.35 ~ 0.63, p < 0.001). Advanced age, hypertension,
      anemia, BMI of at least 24, hyperuricemia, and proteinuria were also associated
      with stage 3 CKD in men. Trend tests indicated lower odds of having stage 3 CKD
      with increased alcohol consumption in both genders. Subgroup analyses and
      sensitivity tests also indicated the reverse association between alcohol
      consumption and stage 3 CKD in men regardless of age, diabetes status, and other
      risky behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption was inversely associated with
      stage 3 CKD in Taiwanese men. However, considering the potential of other health
      damage with alcohol consumption, the current results should be interpreted
      cautiously.

PMID- 24238626
TI  - Parental report of receipt of adolescent preventive health counseling services
      from pediatric providers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little is known about prevention-focused counseling health providers
      deliver to parents of adolescents. This study compared parental report of
      discussions with their adolescents' providers about a range of adolescent
      prevention topics. METHODS: Between June and November 2009, a questionnaire was
      provided to parents accompanying adolescents aged 11-18 on outpatient clinic
      visits. Parents indicated, anonymously, which of 22 prevention topics they
      remembered discussing with their adolescent's provider. Hierarchical logistic
      regression models were used to identify correlates of parental recall. RESULTS:
      Among the 358 participants, 83% reported discussing at least one prevention
      topic. More parents reported discussing general prevention topics than mental
      health or high-risk topics (e.g. sex). Adolescent gender, visit type, having a
      usual source of care, and parental beliefs about their adolescents' risk
      behaviors correlated with parental report of discussions about high-risk and
      mental health topics. CONCLUSION: Most parents recalled discussing one or more
      topics with their adolescent's health provider. However, parental report of
      discussions about topics linked to significant adolescent morbidity was low.
      PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Strategies to improve the frequency, timeliness and
      appropriateness of counseling services delivered to parents about adolescent
      preventive health are needed. Strategies that utilize decision support tools or
      patient education tools may be warranted.

PMID- 24238628
TI  - Radiation protection for an intraoperative X-ray source compared to C-arm
      fluoroscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) using the INTRABEAM((r)) system
      promises a flexible use regarding radiation protection compared to other
      approaches such as electron treatment or HDR brachytherapy with (192)Ir or
      (60)Co. In this study we compared dose rate measurements of breast- and Kypho
      IORT with C-arm fluoroscopy which is needed to estimate radiation protection
      areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C-arm fluoroscopy, breast- and Kypho-IORTs were
      performed using phantoms (silicon breast or bucket of water). Dose rates were
      measured at the phantom's surface, at 30 cm, 100 cm and 200 cm distance. Those
      measurements were confirmed during 10 Kypho-IORT and 10 breast-IORT patient
      treatments. RESULTS: The measured dose rates were in the same magnitude for all
      three paradigms and ranges from 20 MUSv/h during a simulated breast-IORT at two
      meter distance up to 64 mSv/h directly at the surface of a simulated Kypho-IORT.
      Those measurements result in a circle of controlled area (yearly doses >6 mSv)
      for each paradigm of about 4 m+/-2 m. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: All three paradigms
      show comparable dose rates which implies that the radiation protection is
      straight forward and confirms the flexible use of the INTRABEAM((r)) system.

PMID- 24238629
TI  - Marginal costing methods highlight the contributing cost of comorbid conditions
      in Medicare patients: a quasi-experimental case-control study of ischemic stroke
      costs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cost of illness studies are needed to provide estimates for input
      into cost-effectiveness studies and as information drivers to resource
      allocation. However, these studies often do not differentiate costs associated
      with the disease of interest and costs of co-morbidities. The goal of this study
      was to identify the 1-year cost of ischemic stroke compared to the annual cost of
      care for a comparable non-stroke group of South Carolina (SC) Medicare
      beneficiaries resulting in a marginal cost estimate. METHODS: SC data for 2004
      and 2005 were used to estimate the mean 12 month cost of stroke for 2,976
      Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for Ischemic Stroke in 2004. Using nearest
      neighbor propensity score matching, a control group of non-stroke beneficiaries
      were matched on age, gender, race, risk factors, and Charlson comorbidity index
      and their costs were calculated. Marginal cost attributable to ischemic stroke
      was calculated as the difference between these two adjusted cost estimates.
      RESULTS: The total cost estimated for SC stroke patients for 1 year (2004) was
      $81.3 million. The cost for the matched comparison group without stroke was $54.4
      million. Thus, the 2004 marginal costs to Medicare due to Ischemic stroke in SC
      are estimated to be $26.9 million. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate estimates of cost of
      care for conditions, such as stroke, that are common in older patients with a
      high rate of comorbid conditions require the use of a marginal costing approach.
      Over estimation of cost of care for stroke may lead to prediction of larger
      savings than realizable from important stroke treatment and prevention programs,
      which may damage the credibility of program advocates, and jeopardize long term
      funding support. Additionally, correct cost estimates are needed as inputs for
      valid cost-effectiveness studies. Thus, it is important to use marginal costing
      for stroke, especially with the increasing public focus on evidence-based
      economic decision making to be expected with healthcare reform.

PMID- 24238630
TI  - Effectiveness of a web-based treatment program using intensive therapeutic
      support for female patients with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and
      eating disorders not otherwise specified: study protocol of a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Disordered eating behavior and body dissatisfaction affect a large
      proportion of the Dutch population and account for severe psychological, physical
      and social morbidity. Yet, the threshold for seeking professional care is still
      high. In the Netherlands, only 7.5% of patients with bulimia nervosa and 33% of
      patients with anorexia nervosa are treated within the mental health care system.
      Easily accessible and low-threshold interventions, therefore, are needed
      urgently. The internet has great potential to offer such interventions. The aim
      of this study is to determine whether a web-based treatment program for patients
      with eating disorders can improve eating disorder psychopathology among female
      patients with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and eating disorders not
      otherwise specified. METHODS/DESIGN: This randomized controlled trial will
      compare the outcomes of an experimental treatment group to a waiting list control
      group. In the web-based treatment program, participants will communicate
      personally and asynchronously with their therapists exclusively via the internet.
      The first part of the program will focus on analyzing eating attitudes and
      behaviors. In the second part of the program participants will learn how to
      change their attitudes and behaviors. Participants assigned to the waiting list
      control group will receive no-reply email messages once every two weeks during
      the waiting period of 15 weeks, after which they can start the program. The
      primary outcome measure is an improvement in eating disorder psychopathology as
      determined by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes
      include improvements in body image, physical and mental health, body weight, self
      esteem, quality of life, and social contacts. In addition, the participants'
      motivation for treatment and their acceptability of the program and the
      therapeutic alliance will be measured. The study will follow the recommendations
      in the CONSORT statement relating to designing and reporting on RCTs. DISCUSSION:
      This study protocol presents the design of a RCT for evaluating the effectiveness
      of a web-based treatment program using intensive therapeutic support for female
      patients with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and eating disorders not
      otherwise specified. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol for this study is
      registered with the Netherlands Trial Registry NTR2415.

PMID- 24238632
TI  - Abstracts of the UK Stroke Forum 2013 Conference. December 3-5, 2013. Harrogate,
      North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

PMID- 24238631
TI  - Alterations in phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB)
      signaling: an endophenotype of lithium-responsive bipolar disorder?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Abnormalities of signal transduction are considered among the
      susceptibility factors for bipolar disorder (BD). These include changes in G
      protein-mediated signaling and subsequent modification of gene expression via
      transcription factors such as cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB).
      METHODS: We investigated levels of CREB in lymphoblasts from patients with BD,
      all responders to lithium prophylaxis (n = 13), and healthy control subjects (n =
      15). Phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) was measured by immunoblotting in subjects with
      BD (n = 15) as well as in their affected (n = 17) and unaffected (n = 18)
      relatives, and healthy controls (n = 16). RESULTS: Basal CREB levels were
      comparable in patients and control subjects and were not changed by lithium
      treatment. pCREB levels were increased in both patients and their relatives
      compared to controls (p = 0.003). Forskolin stimulation led to a 24% increase in
      pCREB levels in cells from healthy subjects (p = 0.002) but not in the other
      three groups. When using basal and stimulated pCREB levels as a biochemical
      phenotype in a preliminary linkage study, we found the strongest support for
      linkage in regions largely overlapping with those showing linkage with the
      clinical phenotype (3p, 6p, 16p, 17q, 19q, and 21q). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal pCREB
      signaling could be considered a biochemical phenotype for lithium-responsive BD.

PMID- 24238633
TI  - Early response to chemotherapy as an indicator for the management of germinoma
      like tumors of the pineal and/or suprasellar regions.
AB  - Recent advances in diagnostic imaging and experience with germinomas may allow
      for the differentiation of central nervous system germinomas from other tumors
      based on clinical information, without histological verification. We
      retrospectively analyzed clinically diagnosed germinoma-like tumors of the pineal
      and/or suprasellar regions. This was done to evaluate the efficacy of our
      strategy of defining germinoma-compatible tumors based on good responses to
      initial chemotherapy. The responses to chemotherapy and survival of 34
      consecutive patients with germinoma-like tumors who underwent initial treatment
      from July 2001 to October 2010 were analyzed. The minimum apparent diffusion
      coefficient (minADC) value and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were
      evaluated in recent patients. Twelve patients with histologically verified
      germinomas and 18 with germinoma-compatible tumors showed early logarithmic
      decreases in tumor volume in response to initial chemotherapy, typical low minADC
      values and typical MRS characteristics, including increased choline/creatine
      ratios, decreased N-acetylasparate/creatine ratios, and large lipid peaks. These
      patients had good progression-free survival. The other four patients, with
      histologically verified non-germinomas, showed no response to chemotherapy, and
      one patient with a pineoblastoma showed a similar minADC value and MRS
      characteristics to those of patients with germinomas. The response to initial
      chemotherapy can be used to distinguish germinoma-compatible tumors from non
      germinoma in patients with germinoma-like tumors of the pineal and/or suprasellar
      regions. The evaluation of minADC and proton MRS are useful for distinguishing
      germinomas from other tumors. However, a subset of non-germinomas may show
      similar characteristics to germinomas. The benefit of bypassing unnecessary
      surgical intervention can be achieved, at least in Asian populations with a high
      incidence of germinomas. 

PMID- 24238634
TI  - Evaluation of cerebrovascular reserve using xenon-enhanced CT scanning in
      patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery stenosis.
AB  - Cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) is an important prognostic factor in patients with
      major cerebral arterial steno-occlusive disease. However, few studies have
      examined CVR in symptomatic intracranial stenosis without ipsilateral
      extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis. This study sought to evaluate CVR
      in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis using xenon
      enhanced computed tomography (Xe/CT) with acetazolamide (ACZ) challenge. Twelve
      patients with symptomatic MCA stenosis were recruited. All patients were examined
      by Xe/CT to quantitatively measure resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) and received
      ACZ challenge to evaluate CVR. For resting CBF, no significant differences were
      found between the sides in four regions of interest. After the ACZ challenge
      test, the CVR was significantly different between hemispheres (ipsilateral versus
      contralateral CVR: 12.9 +/- 24.3% versus 28.0 +/- 16.8%, respectively; p=0.005)
      and in the MCA territory (ipsilateral versus contralateral CVR: 8.7 +/- 24.7%
      versus 29.3 +/- 24%, respectively; p=0.003). However, no significant differences
      in CVR were detected between cortical comparisons and white matter comparisons
      from the two sides. Thus, ACZ-challenge Xe/CT is useful for the measurement of
      CBF and CVR in these patients. Impaired CVR is an important characteristic of
      patients with symptomatic MCA stenosis.

PMID- 24238635
TI  - Remote cerebellar hemorrhage following supratentorial cerebrovascular surgery.
AB  - Three patients with remote cerebellar hemorrhage following supratentorial
      cerebrovascular surgery are presented. Remote cerebellar hemorrhage is a rare
      surgical complication that is most often associated with aneurysm clipping or
      temporal lobectomies. Bleeding occurs on the superior cerebellar cortex and is
      believed to be venous in origin. The precise pathogenesis of remote cerebellar
      hemorrhage has yet to be fully elucidated but is generally considered to be a
      consequence of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid loss causing caudal
      displacement of the cerebellum with resultant stretching of the supracerebellar
      veins. This case series will hopefully shed further light on the incidence,
      presentation, workup, and treatment of this particular complication of
      supratentorial surgery. 

PMID- 24238636
TI  - [Virtual library of Galicia].

PMID- 24238637
TI  - Cell death pathways.

PMID- 24238638
TI  - Coding warnings without interfering with dismounted soldiers' missions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Warnings are an effective way to communicate hazard, yet they can
      also increase task demand when presented to operators involved in real-world
      tasks. Furthermore, in military-related tasks warnings are often given in codes
      to avoid counter-intelligence, which may foster additional working memory load.
      BACKGROUND: Adherence to warnings in the military domain is crucial to promote
      safety and reduce accidents and injuries. The empirical question arises as to how
      aspects of coding the warning may interfere with the primary task the individual
      is currently performing and vice versa. METHOD: Six experimental conditions were
      designed to assess how warning-code storage format, response format, and
      increasing working memory demand (retention) affected both performance on the
      primary task and the rate of compliance to warnings, considered here as the
      secondary task. RESULTS: Results revealed that the combination of warning-code
      storage and response format affected compliance rate and the highest compliance
      occurred when warnings were presented as pictorials and responses were coded
      verbally. Contrary to the proposed hypotheses, warning storage format did not
      affect performance on the primary task, which was only affected by the level of
      working memory demand. Thus, the intra-modal warning storages did not interfere
      with the visual/spatial nature of the primary operational task. However, increase
      in working memory demand, by increasing the number of memorized warning codes,
      had an effect on both compliance rate and primary task performance. CONCLUSIONS:
      Rather than warning code storage alone, it is the coupling of warning storage and
      response format that has the most significant effect on compliance.

PMID- 24238639
TI  - Dasatinib in combination with fludarabine in patients with refractory chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia: a multicenter phase 2 study.
AB  - Resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in CLL is associated with
      overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins induced by signals from the
      microenvironment. In vitro, dasatinib effectively inhibits expression of anti
      apoptotic regulators and restores fludarabine sensitivity in activated CLL. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of one cycle of dasatinib monotherapy
      (100mg/day, days 1-28) followed by combination of dasatinib with fludarabine
      (40mg/m2/day, days 1-3 every 28 day) for a total of 6 cycles in fludarabine
      refractory CLL. The primary endpoint was overall response rate according to the
      IWCLL'08 criteria. 20 patients were enrolled: 18 completed at least one cycle of
      treatment of which 67% finished at least 2 cycles of combination treatment. 3 of
      these 18 patients reached a formal PR (16.7%). Majority of patients obtained some
      reduction in lymph node (LN) size. Most frequent toxicity was related to
      myelosuppression. NF-kappaB RNA expression levels of circulating CLL cells
      decreased whereas the levels of pro-apoptotic NOXA increased during treatment. In
      conclusion, dasatinib/fludarabine combination has modest clinical efficacy in
      fludarabine-refractory patients.

PMID- 24238640
TI  - Validation of the revised international prognostic scoring system (IPSS-R) in
      patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: a multicenter study.
AB  - The revised IPSS (IPSS-R) was developed aiming at a better prognostication,
      taking into account patients treated with best supportive care. We herein
      validated this model on the basis of data from 1314 patients who received BSC
      only as well as patients who underwent induction chemotherapy (n=214) or
      allogeneic transplantation (n=167). We could demonstrate a clear distinction of
      the IPSS-R risk categories with regard to survival and risk of AML evolution in
      all patient cohorts. When comparing IPSS-R, IPSS, WHO prognostic scoring system
      (WPSS) and Duesseldorf score, the best results regarding the ability to predict
      survival were obtained by the IPSS-R. 

PMID- 24238641
TI  - Penetrating defect of the ala nasi: combined reconstruction with a myocutaneous
      hinge- and paramedian forehead flap.

PMID- 24238642
TI  - Motion artifacts on coronary CT angiography images in patients with a pericardial
      effusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with a pericardial effusion can have a pendulum-like
      movement of the heart. No reports associate the presence of pericardial fluid
      with coronary CT angiography (CTA) images that are degraded by motion artifact.
      OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that patients with pericardial effusion have
      coronary CTA images compromised by motion artifacts, even when other known causes
      of motion artifact in coronary imaging are minimized. METHODS: Among the
      prospectively electrocardiogram-gated single heart beat 320-detector row coronary
      CTA studies performed from September 2009 to May 2013, 13 consecutive studies
      acquired with a heart rate <60 beats/min that indicate a pericardial effusion
      formed an effusion cohort. A control cohort included 13 studies with no
      pericardial fluid performed by the same CT scanner; these were pair-matched to
      the effusion cohort for heart rate, sex, age, and body mass index. All studies
      were free of arrhythmia and respiratory motion. Motion artifact was separately
      assessed (3-point scale) at 8 coronary segments by 2 cardiovascular imaging
      teams. RESULTS: The mean pericardial effusion volume for the effusion cohort was
      129 +/- 57 mL (range, 39-222 mL). Intra-observer/interobserver reproducibility of
      the motion artifact scores were good (kappa = 0.636-0.791). Motion artifacts were
      more frequently observed in the effusion cohort for the left circumflex (no,
      mild, severe artifact, 54%, 46%, 0% vs. 81%, 19%, 0%, respectively, for effusion
      vs. control; P = .039) and right coronary arteries (no, mild, severe artifact =
      41%, 44% 15% vs. 79%, 21%, 0%, respectively, for effusion vs control; P < .001),
      especially for the middle or distal segments. Larger effusion volumes were
      associated with more severe motion artifacts. CONCLUSION: Patients with
      pericardial effusion have coronary CTA images compromised by cardiac motion
      artifacts, particularly in the left circumflex and right coronary arteries.

PMID- 24238643
TI  - Factors in the management of feeding in nursery school children as perceived by
      their mothers in rural Bondo County, Kenya.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effects of malnutrition on health status and survival of children
      has been the subject of extensive research for several decades. Malnutrition
      affects physical growth, cognitive development of children, morbidity and
      mortality. The current study was an exploratory survey that focused on factors
      affecting feeding of nursery school children as perceived by their mothers in a
      rural setting in Usigu Division of Bondo County, Kenya. METHODS: The sampling
      frame was mothers whose children were in Kanyibok, Sanda and Usenge nursery
      schools. Purposive sampling methods were used to draw a total of 108 respondents.
      In a logistic regression model, bad management of feeding was the dependent
      variable while factors perceived to affect management of feeding were the
      independent variables. RESULTS: Married mothers were more likely to manage good
      feeding practices (OR, 0.34, 95% CI, 0.21-0.76; P = 0.022) relative to those who
      were single or widowed. Additional analyses showed that low education levels (OR,
      7.33, 95% CI, 3.37-12.91; P = 0.023), younger mothers (OR, 6.04, 95% CI, 3.22
      9.68; P = 0.029) and mothers engaged in business (OR, 4.02, 95% CI, 2.11-7.85; P
      = 0.027) increased their likelihood of not feeding the pre-school children.
      Majority of the children who ate the main meals in other houses belonged to young
      mothers in the age category of 15-29 years. Further analyses demonstrated that if
      the order of serving food was to the children first, then they had high
      likelihood of having good feeding relative to when the father was served first
      (OR, 0.22, 95% CI, 0.14-0.61; P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings,
      there is an urgent need for sensitization of the mothers on the management of
      feeding of these pre-school children in Bondo County. It is hoped that relevant
      interventions would then be designed with the view of managing children feeding
      in such rural settings as in Bondo County in Kenya.

PMID- 24238644
TI  - [Clinical stakes when switching from one antipsychotic to another].
AB  - Switching antipsychotics is more and more common in our clinical practice.
      Several reasons can explain this observation. We have more and more
      antipsychotics available on the market with different receptor binding profiles
      and also different tolerability issues. Usually, the reasons of the switch are
      the following: insufficient efficacy or problems of tolerance (weight gain,
      metabolic disorders, extrapyramidal symptoms, hyperprolactinemia, sedation,
      sexual dysfunction). So that the switch takes place without complications, it is
      essential for the clinician to have full knowledge of both the receptor binding
      profiles of the antipsychotics in question and their half-life. The clinician has
      to expect a dopaminergic rebound when the introduced antipsychotic has a lesser
      affinity for the dopaminergic D2 receptor than that which is withdrawn or if it
      is a partial agonist with a particularly long half-life. On the other hand, a
      histaminergic or cholinergic rebound can be expected if the new antipsychotic has
      a lesser affinity for these two receptors. In all these scenarios, a "plateau"
      switch will often be recommended. Now, if a faster switch is imperative, various
      medication strategies exist to try to decrease the impact of the rebound effects.

PMID- 24238645
TI  - Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome induced by neoplastic meningitis in a patient
      receiving maintenance hemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome is characterized by neurological
      symptoms resulting from cerebral edema, which occurs as a consequence of
      hemodialysis. Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome most often occurs in patients who
      have just started hemodialysis, during hemodialysis, or soon after hemodialysis;
      although it may also occur in patients who are under maintenance hemodialysis
      with pre-existing neurological disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old woman,
      who had been receiving maintenance hemodialysis for one year, was diagnosed with
      ovarian cancer by ascites cytological examination. Two years later, she reported
      severe headache and nausea during hemodialysis and was diagnosed with dialysis
      disequilibrium syndrome. Although brain images revealed mild hydrocephalus
      without any mass lesions, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells were
      detected in her cerebrospinal fluid. These findings indicated that DDS was
      induced by neoplastic meningitis due to ovarian cancer metastasis. CONCLUSION:
      Neoplastic meningitis should be considered and excluded in hemodialysis patients
      with dialysis disequilibrium syndrome and malignancy by cytological examination
      of the cerebrospinal fluid even if cerebral imaging shows no obvious lesions.
      This is the first reported case of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome induced by
      neoplastic meningitis in a patient receiving maintenance hemodialysis.

PMID- 24238646
TI  - Quantitative computed tomography-derived clusters: redefining airway remodeling
      in asthmatic patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma heterogeneity is multidimensional and requires additional
      tools to unravel its complexity. Computed tomography (CT)-assessed proximal
      airway remodeling and air trapping in asthmatic patients might provide new
      insights into underlying disease mechanisms. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study
      was to explore novel, quantitative, CT-determined asthma phenotypes. METHODS:
      Sixty-five asthmatic patients and 30 healthy subjects underwent detailed
      clinical, physiologic characterization and quantitative CT analysis. Factor and
      cluster analysis techniques were used to determine 3 novel, quantitative, CT
      based asthma phenotypes. RESULTS: Patients with severe and mild-to-moderate
      asthma demonstrated smaller mean right upper lobe apical segmental bronchus (RB1)
      lumen volume (LV) in comparison with healthy control subjects (272.3 mm(3) [SD,
      112.6 mm(3)], 259.0 mm(3) [SD, 53.3 mm(3)], 366.4 mm(3) [SD, 195.3 mm(3)],
      respectively; P = .007) but no difference in RB1 wall volume (WV). Air trapping
      measured based on mean lung density expiratory/inspiratory ratio was greater in
      patients with severe and mild-to-moderate asthma compared with that seen in
      healthy control subjects (0.861 [SD, 0.05)], 0.866 [SD, 0.07], and 0.830 [SD,
      0.06], respectively; P = .04). The fractal dimension of the segmented airway tree
      was less in asthmatic patients compared with that seen in control subjects (P =
      .007). Three novel, quantitative, CT-based asthma clusters were identified, all
      of which demonstrated air trapping. Cluster 1 demonstrates increased RB1 WV and
      RB1 LV but decreased RB1 percentage WV. On the contrary, cluster 3 subjects have
      the smallest RB1 WV and LV values but the highest RB1 percentage WV values. There
      is a lack of proximal airway remodeling in cluster 2 subjects. CONCLUSIONS:
      Quantitative CT analysis provides a new perspective in asthma phenotyping, which
      might prove useful in patient selection for novel therapies.

PMID- 24238647
TI  - Correlation of increased PARP14 and CCL26 expression in biopsies from children
      with eosinophilic esophagitis.

PMID- 24238648
TI  - Is reconstruction the best management strategy for anterior cruciate ligament
      rupture? A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing anterior cruciate
      ligament reconstruction versus non-operative treatment.
AB  - AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal clinical and cost
      effective strategy for managing people following ACL rupture. METHODS: A
      systematic review of the published (AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed,
      psycINFO and the Cochrane Library) and unpublished literature (OpenGrey, the WHO
      International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Current Controlled Trials and
      the UK National Research Register Archive) was conducted on April 2013. All
      randomised and non-randomised controlled trials evaluating clinical or health
      economic outcomes of isolated ligament reconstruction versus non-surgical
      management following ACL rupture were included. Methodological quality was
      assessed using the PEDro appraisal tool. When appropriate, meta-analysis was
      conducted to pool data. RESULTS: From a total of 943 citations, sixteen studies
      met the eligibility criteria. These included 1397 participants, 825 who received
      ACL reconstruction versus 592 who were managed non-surgically. The methodological
      quality of the literature was poor. The findings indicated that whilst
      reconstructed ACL offers significantly greater objective tibiofemoral stability
      (p<0.001), there appears limited evidence to suggest a superiority between
      reconstruction versus non-surgical management in functional outcomes. There was a
      small difference between the management strategies in respect to the development
      of osteoarthritis during the initial 20 years following index management strategy
      (Odds Ratio 1.56; p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The current literature is insufficient to
      base clinical decision-making with respect to treatment opinions for people
      following ACL rupture. Whilst based on a poor evidence, the current evidence
      would indicate that people following ACL rupture should receive non-operative
      interventions before surgical intervention is considered.

PMID- 24238649
TI  - Preliminary investigation of rate of torque development deficits following total
      knee arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess changes in maximal strength and rate of torque development
      (RTD) following TKA, and examine the relationships between these measures and
      physical function. METHODS: Thirty-five TKA patients and 23 controls completed
      isometric knee extensor torque testing preoperatively, 1, and 6 months after
      surgery. Maximal strength was calculated as the peak torque during a maximal
      voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensor muscles, peak RTD
      (RTD(peak)) was calculated as the maximum value from the 1st derivative of the
      isometric knee extension torque data, RTD(25%) and RTD(50%) were calculated as
      the change in force over the change in time from force onset to 25% and 50% MVIC.
      Physical function was measured using a timed-up-and-go (TUG) and stair climbing
      test (SCT). RESULTS: RTD was significantly lower in the TKA group, at all-time
      points, compared to the Controls. MVIC and RTD significantly decreased 1-month
      following surgery (p=0.000 for all measures). RTD(peak) measures added to linear
      regressions with strength improved the prediction of TUG scores (p=0.006) and the
      SCT scores (p=0.015) 1-month post-surgery. Adding RTD(50%) to the regression
      model, following MVIC, improved predicting both TUG (p=0.033) and SCT (p=0.024).
      At 6-months, the addition of RTD(25%) to the regression model, following MVIC,
      improved the prediction of TUG (p=0.037) and SCT (p=0.036). CONCLUSION: Following
      TKA, physical function is influenced by both the maximal strength and the rate of
      torque development of the knee extensors, and the prediction of function is
      improved with the addition of RTD compared to that of maximal strength alone.

PMID- 24238650
TI  - The effect of tourniquet use on fixation quality in cemented total knee
      arthroplasty a prospective randomized clinical controlled RSA trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A concern that arises with any change in technique is whether it
      affects the long-term implant stability. The objective of this study was to
      evaluate the early migration, measured by radiostereometric analysis (RSA), and
      the functional outcome of the TriathlonTM cemented knee prosthesis, operated on
      with or without a tourniquet. During the last decades RSA has emerged as a way to
      assess prosthetic fixation and long time prognosis. The method has been used
      extensively in both hip and knee arthroplasty. METHOD: This was a single centre
      prospective study including 60 patients randomized into two groups operated on
      either with or without tourniquet. RSA investigation was done within 2-3 days
      postoperatively after full weight bearing, and then at 3 months, 1 year and 2
      years postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups
      regarding the translation along or rotation around the three coordinal axes, or
      in maximum total point motion (MTPM). At 2 years the mean MTPM (SD) was 0.71 mm
      (0.64) for the tourniquet-group and 0.53 mm (0.21) for the non-tourniquet-group.
      CONCLUSIONS: The tibial tray of the TriathlonTM cemented knee prosthesis showed
      similar early stability whether operated on with or without tourniquet. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level I. ARTICLE SUMMARY: Article focus: A safety study for total knee
      replacement operated on with or without perioperative tourniquet regarding the
      prosthetic fixation. Strengths and limitations: Strength of this study is that it
      is a randomized prospective trial using an objective measuring tool. The sample
      size of 25-30 patients is reportedly sufficient for the screening of implants
      using RSA (1-3). TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials NCT01604382, Ethics
      Committee approval D-nr: 144/20085.

PMID- 24238651
TI  - Gait analysis of fixed bearing and mobile bearing total knee prostheses during
      walking: do mobile bearings offer functional advantages?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited previous findings have detailed biomechanical advantages
      following implantation with mobile bearing (MB) prostheses after total knee
      replacement (TKR) surgery during walking. The aim of this study was to compare
      three dimensional spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters during
      walking to examine whether MBs offer functional advantages over fixed bearing
      (FB) designs. METHODS: Sixteen patients undergoing primary unilateral TKR surgery
      were randomised to receive either a FB (n=8) or MB (n=8) total knee prosthesis.
      Eight age and gender matched controls underwent the same protocol on one
      occasion. A 12 camera Vicon system integrated with four force plates was used.
      Patients were tested pre-surgery and nine months post-surgery. RESULTS: No
      significant differences between FB and MB groups were found at any time point in
      the spatiotemporal parameters. The MB group was found to have a significantly
      reduced frontal plane knee range of motion (ROM) at pre-surgery than the FB group
      (FB=14.92+/-4.02 degrees ; MB=8.87+/-4.82 degrees ), with the difference not
      observed post-surgery. No further significant kinematic or kinetic differences
      were observed between FB and MB groups. Fixed bearing and MB groups both
      displayed spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic differences when compared to
      controls. Fixed bearing and MB groups differed from controls in six and five
      parameters at nine months post-surgery, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: No functional
      advantages were found in knees implanted with MB prostheses during walking, with
      both groups indicative of similar differences when compared to normal knee
      biomechanics following prosthesis implantation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

PMID- 24238652
TI  - Polyethylene particles in joint fluid and osteolysis in revision total knee
      arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the most frequent reasons for total knee arthroplasty late
      failure is osteolysis. It has been related to foreign body reaction to
      polyethylene particles. The aim of this study is to analyse the number, size and
      morphology of polyethylene particles in synovial fluid in total knee arthroplasty
      revision and correlate them to the pathology and the degree of osteolysis.
      METHODS: Synovial fluid was obtained in 12 patients before the revision total
      knee arthroplasty. Polyethylene particles were isolated and analysed through
      scanning electron microscopy. Samples of synovial tissue were analysed with
      optical microscopy while considering the parameters of particles and histiocytic
      infiltration. Osteolysis was analysed with plain radiography and the macroscopic
      aspect during surgery. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed a significant
      correlation between a high concentration of polyethylene particles in synovial
      fluid and a high degree of osteolysis. The concentration of particles in synovial
      fluid also showed a significant correlation with a high degree of particles and
      histiocytes in the histological analysis. There was a relationship between the
      size of particles and the degree of osteolysis. No relationship was found between
      the shape of the particles and the histological findings or the degree of
      osteolysis. CONCLUSIONS: In an "in vivo" TKA scenario, the presence of a high
      concentration of polyethylene particles in the synovial fluid seems to be the
      cause of a highly active foreign body histological reaction, with an increased
      number of histiocytes, which seems to be the cause of a significant degree of
      osteolysis around the implant.

PMID- 24238655
TI  - Toward a modern Mediterranean diet for the 21st century.

PMID- 24238656
TI  - Epigenetically regulated microRNAs in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder involving
      dysregulation of many biological pathways at multiple levels. Classical
      epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, and
      regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs), are among the major regulatory elements that
      control these pathways at the molecular level, with epigenetic modifications
      regulating gene expression transcriptionally and miRNAs suppressing gene
      expression posttranscriptionally. Epigenetic mechanisms and miRNAs have recently
      been shown to closely interact with each other, thereby creating reciprocal
      regulatory circuits, which appear to be disrupted in neuronal and glial cells
      affected by AD. Here, we review those miRNAs implicated in AD that are regulated
      by promoter DNA methylation and/or chromatin modifications and, which frequently
      direct the expression of constituents of the epigenetic machinery, concluding
      with the delineation of a complex epigenetic-miRNA regulatory network and its
      alterations in AD. 

PMID- 24238657
TI  - Thalamic diffusion differences related to cognitive function in white matter
      lesions.
AB  - Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) are related to cognitive deficits, probably
      due to a disruption of frontal-subcortical circuits. We explored thalamic
      diffusion differences related to white matter lesions (WMLs) and their
      association with cognitive function in middle-aged individuals. Ninety-six
      participants from the Barcelona-AsIA Neuropsychology Study were included.
      Participants were classified into groups based on low grade and high grade of
      periventricular hyperintensities (PVHs) and deep white matter hyperintensities
      (DWMHs). Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to study thalamic diffusion
      differences between groups. Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) values in significant
      areas were calculated for each subject and correlated with cognitive performance.
      Participants with high-grade PVHs and DWMHs showed lower FA thalamic values
      compared to those with low-grade PVHs and DWMHs, respectively. Decreased FA
      thalamic values in high-grade DWMHs, but not high-grade PVH, were related to
      lower levels of performance in psychomotor speed, verbal fluency, and
      visuospatial skills. Thalamic diffusion differences are related to lower
      cognitive function only in participants with high-grade DWMHs. These results
      support the hypothesis that fronto-subcortical disruption is associated with
      cognitive function only in DWMHs. 

PMID- 24238658
TI  - H5N1, a wealth of knowledge to improve pandemic preparedness.

PMID- 24238659
TI  - Four-year longitudinal impact evaluation of the Action for Children UK Neglect
      Project: outcomes for the children, families, Action for Children, and the UK.
AB  - Neglect has a devastating impact on children and is the most pervasive form of
      child maltreatment in the United Kingdom. The study purpose was to establish
      outcomes for neglected children following structured assessment and intervention
      to ascertain what worked and why it worked. This prospective cohort study
      included 85 cases of neglected children under 8 years of age from 7 centers
      across the United Kingdom. Data were collected between 2008 and 2012 through
      serial quantitative recording of the level of concern about neglect. Serial
      review of qualitative case-file data was undertaken for detail of assessment,
      interventions, and evidence of outcomes for the child. Data analysis was
      undertaken by paired t-test, Chi Square, descriptive statics for categorical
      data, and, for narrative data, identification of recurring factors and patterns,
      with correlation of presenting factors, interventions, and outcomes. Paired t
      test demonstrated significant decrease in overall Action for Children Assessment
      Tool scores between assessment (M=43.77, SD=11.09) and closing the case (M=35.47,
      SD=9.6, t(84)=6.77, p<0.01). Improvement in the level of concern about neglect
      was shown in 79% of cases, with only 21% showing no improvement. In 59% of cases,
      concern about neglect was removed completely. Use of the assessment tool fostered
      engagement by parents. The relationship between lack of parental engagement and
      children being taken into care was statistically significant, with a large effect
      size (chi(2) 10.66, df1, p=0.0001, OR=17.24). When parents refused or were unable
      to respond positively to the intervention, children benefited from an expedited
      move into care.

PMID- 24238660
TI  - [Microbiological profile of acute viral gastroenteritis attended in a paediatric
      department of an area with high vaccine cover against rotavirus].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vaccination against rotavirus has led to a significant decline of
      the disease. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the clinical and
      epidemiological features of the viral acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in an area with
      high immunization coverage against rotavirus. METHOD: A prospective
      microbiological evaluation was made of stool culture and Real Time Polymerase
      Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) to gastroenteric virus and genotyping of rotavirus
      strains in < 5 year-old with AGE episodes attended by or admitted to our hospital
      from November-March of 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients
      were included, with a mean age (standard deviation) of 19.1 (13.9) months. Stool
      culture was negative in 23 samples (45% of the samples analyzed), and it was
      identified a responsible microorganism in 70% by the RT-PCR (16 samples).
      Rotavirus was the most common isolated microorganism (53%), and G1[P8] the most
      frequent genotype. A co-infection was detected in 14% of samples (7 patients),
      and rotavirus and astrovirus were the most frequent etiological agents involved.
      CONCLUSIONS: Rotavirus, basically G1[P8], is the most common AGE responsible
      agent identified in our study. The use of RT-PCR enhances the AGE diagnostic
      sensitivity, and uncovers an important number of viral co-infections.

PMID- 24238661
TI  - Histological abnormalities induced by the electromyography needle.

PMID- 24238662
TI  - A structural model of mechanisms predicting depressive symptoms in women
      following childhood psychological maltreatment.
AB  - Two underlying mechanisms, emotion dysregulation and negative internalized
      beliefs, were examined as potential mediators of the association between
      childhood psychological maltreatment (PM) and depression in emerging adult women.
      PM was assessed as a multi-faceted construct including aspects of psychological
      abuse (e.g., corrupting) and psychological neglect (e.g., emotional
      unresponsiveness) that occurred by parents. Female undergraduates (n=771)
      completed anonymous, retrospective, self-report surveys assessing childhood PM,
      current depressive symptoms, emotion dysregulation (lack of emotional clarity and
      regulation strategies), and negative internalized beliefs (mistrust, shame, and
      defectiveness). Psychological maltreatment was represented as four subtypes of
      psychological abuse or neglectful behavior: Emotional Non-Responsiveness,
      Spurning/Terrorizing, Corrupting, and Demanding/Rigid (i.e., controlling
      behavior). Both emotion dysregulation and negative internalized beliefs
      significantly mediated the link between childhood PM and depressive symptoms,
      accounting for approximately 68% of the variance in symptomatology. Findings
      suggest the importance of focusing intervention on development of emotion
      regulation capacity including emotional awareness and regulatory strategies, as
      well as a focus on core negative beliefs including shame, defectiveness, and
      mistrust of others. Implications for future research are discussed. 

PMID- 24238663
TI  - "I have quality of life...but...": Exploring support needs important to quality
      of life in head and neck cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE OF RESEARCH: Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment disrupts quality of
      life and is associated with individualised supportive care needs. This study
      aimed to describe the support needs that affected the QoL of HNC patients, and to
      describe how patients coped with unmet support needs. METHODS: Qualitative, semi
      structured interviews were held with 8 participants previously treated for HNC.
      Participants were identified through snowball and convenience sampling methods.
      Interview data was analysed using content analysis (CA). Inductive CA was used to
      describe support needs and directed CA was guided by the stress appraisal and
      coping model to describe coping with unmet support needs. RESULTS: Support needs
      that affected QoL related to acute needs while undergoing treatment and support
      in coping with permanent treatment side effects. Coping with psychological
      stressors (i.e. depression and anxiety) affected QoL in the first six to twelve
      months following treatment. Coping was influenced by loss of access to the
      supportive hospital environment after treatment, and resulted in feelings of
      isolation post treatment. CONCLUSIONS: HNC patients drew support from
      professional and personal networks while undergoing treatment and post treatment.
      Patients described difficulties in coping with the side effects of treatment and
      accessing supportive care when away from the hospital setting. The transactional
      model of stress, appraisal and coping is useful in understanding the psychosocial
      outcomes of head and neck cancer; however conclusions from this study are limited
      by a small and homogenous sample.

PMID- 24238664
TI  - The stressors and vulnerabilities of young single childless women with breast
      cancer: a qualitative study.
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: Marital or partnership status is seldom investigated as
      a primary contributing factor to women's wellbeing after a diagnosis of breast
      cancer. It has been suggested, however, that single childless women with breast
      cancer may face unique stressors. This paper explores the stressors and
      vulnerabilities of young single childless women with a first episode of breast
      cancer. METHODS AND SAMPLE: A qualitative descriptive method was used. As part of
      a larger study examining fertility concerns of young childless women with first
      episode of breast cancer, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with
      10 single women. Recorded interviews were analysed using the framework approach.
      KEY RESULTS: Findings cover three main themes: partnership worries; fertility
      concerns; and views about emotional and practical support received. Partnership
      worries included concerns about having to undergo treatment without a partner to
      support them; the fear of rejection by potential partners; and feelings about the
      precious time lost in diagnosis and treatment. Fertility concerns included
      dilemmas about having children and feelings about the options of pursuing
      Assisted Reproductive Techniques. Views about the emotional and practical support
      received included the overall support received as well as perceptions about the
      attitudes of health professionals towards fertility issues. CONCLUSIONS: Findings
      indicate that single childless women with breast cancer face additional
      vulnerabilities and may benefit from tailored support from health care
      professionals and interventions specifically targeted at them.

PMID- 24238665
TI  - Genomic analysis of influenza A virus from captive wild boars in Brazil reveals a
      human-like H1N2 influenza virus.
AB  - Influenza is a viral disease that affects human and several animal species. In
      Brazil, H1N1, H3N2 and 2009 pandemic H1N1 A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza A viruses (IAV)
      circulate in domestic swine herds. Wild boars are also susceptible to IAV
      infection but in Brazil until this moment there are no reports of IAV infection
      in wild boars or in captive wild boars populations. Herein the occurrence of IAV
      in captive wild boars with the presence of lung consolidation lesions during
      slaughter was investigated. Lung samples were screened by RT-PCR for IAV
      detection. IAV positive samples were further analyzed by quantitative real-time
      PCR (qRRT-PCR), virus isolation, genomic sequencing, histopathology and
      immunohistochemistry (IHC). Eleven out of 60 lungs (18.3%) were positive for IAV
      by RT-PCR and seven out of the eleven were also positive for A(H1N1)pdm09 by qRRT
      PCR. Chronic diffuse bronchopneumonia was observed in all samples and IHC
      analysis was negative for influenza A antigen. Full genes segments of H1N2 IAV
      were sequenced using Illumina's genome analyzer platform (MiSeq). The genomic
      analysis revealed that the HA and NA genes clustered with IAVs of the human
      lineage and the six internal genes were derived from the H1N1pdm09 IAV. This is
      the first report of a reassortant human-like H1N2 influenza virus infection in
      captive wild boars in Brazil and indicates the need to monitor IAV evolution in
      Suidae populations. 

PMID- 24238666
TI  - Age-related and regional differences in the prevalence of hepatitis E virus
      specific antibodies in pigs in Germany.
AB  - An increasing number of acute autochthonous human hepatitis E virus (HEV)
      infections was noticed in Germany and other developed countries, most likely the
      result of a zoonotic virus transmission from pig, wild boar and deer. Currently
      there is still a lack of profound data concerning the actual prevalence of HEV
      specific antibodies in domestic pig herds in Germany, in particular for regions
      with high pig density, and its age-dependency. 2273 domestic pig sera were
      collected in 2011 mainly from Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony
      from areas having a high pig density. Initially, 420 randomly selected pig sera
      were tested in three commercially available and in two in-house HEV-antibody
      ELISAs. 43.6% (183/420) to 65.5% (275/420) of the sera were demonstrated to be
      reactive against human pathogenic HEV genotypes 1 and/or 3. The majority of sera
      reacted only weakly or not at all with the rat HEV antigen with very few sera
      showing a stronger reactivity to this antigen compared to the genotype 3 antigen.
      The results of all three HEV-IgG tests, i.e. the PrioCHECK((r)) HEV Ab porcine
      ELISA kit, the ID Screen((r)) Hepatitis E Indirect Multi-species ELISA kit and
      the genotype 3 in-house ELISA were in good accordance. Therefore, the remaining
      sera were tested using the PrioCHECK((r)) HEV Ab porcine ELISA kit. Samples with
      a borderline result were finally determined by application of the conjugate
      modified recomLine HEV IgG assay. A total of 1065 of the 2273 sera (46.9%) were
      found to be anti-HEV IgG-positive. While 38.4% (306/796) of fatteners (age
      between 3 and 9 months) exhibited HEV-specific antibodies, 51.4% (759/1477) of
      sows (age older than 9 months) exhibited anti-HEV antibodies (P<0.001). Fatteners
      kept in Southern Germany had a significantly higher HEV IgG prevalence compared
      to fatteners kept in the high pig density federal states North Rhine-Westphalia
      and Lower Saxony but also in German federal states with a low pig density. In
      conclusion, the present study clearly demonstrates that a high percentage of
      domestic pigs in Germany have had contact with HEV. Seroprevalence depends on the
      pig's age and herd origin with the most significant regional variations for
      fatteners. The presence of anti-HEV-free herds may indicate that it is feasible
      to establish and sustain HEV-free pig herds. HEV seroprevalence still depends on
      the assay used for testing. This demonstrates an urgent need for test validation.

PMID- 24238667
TI  - Comparison of multiple genes and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic space region for their
      capacity in high resolution melt curve analysis to differentiate Mycoplasma
      gallisepticum vaccine strain ts-11 from field strains.
AB  - Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is an important avian pathogen causing significant
      economic losses in the global poultry industry. In an attempt to compare and
      evaluate existing genotyping methods for differentiation of MG strains/isolates,
      high resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis was applied to 5 different PCR methods
      targeting vlhA, pvpA, gapA, mgc2 genes and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic space region
      (IGSR). To assess the discriminatory power of PCR-HRM of examined genes and IGSR,
      MG strains ts-11, F, 6/85 and S6, and, initially, 8 field isolates were tested.
      All MG strains/isolates were differentiated using PCR-HRM curve analysis and
      genotype confidence percentage (GCP) values of vlhA and pvpA genes, while only 0,
      3 and 4 out of 12 MG strains/isolates were differentiated using gapA, mgc2 genes
      and IGSR, respectively. The HRM curve analysis of vlhA and pvpA genes was found
      to be highly correlated with the genetic diversity of the targeted genes
      confirmed by sequence analysis of amplicons generated from MG strains. The
      potential of the vlhA and pvpA genes was also demonstrated for genotyping of 12
      additional MG strains from Europe and the USA. Results from this study provide a
      direct comparison between genes previously used in sequencing-based genotyping
      methods for MG strain identification and highlight the usefulness of vlhA and
      pvpA HRM curve analyses as rapid and reliable tools specially for diagnosis and
      differentiation of MG strains used here. 

PMID- 24238668
TI  - Characterisation of a type 1 Avian Paramyxovirus belonging to a divergent group.
AB  - Newcastle disease, induced by a type 1 Avian Paramyxovirus (APMV-1), is one of
      the most serious poultry diseases. APMV-1 are divided into two classes based on
      genetic analysis: class II strains have been recovered from wild or domestic
      birds and include virulent and avirulent isolates whereas class I strains have
      been mainly isolated from wild birds and are avirulent. Within class I, a new
      proposed genotype has recently been reported. The only full genome strain of this
      group is presently characterised from the point of view of codon usage with
      reference to class I and class II specificities. Class-specific residues were
      identified on HN and F proteins that are the two major proteins involved in cell
      attachment and pathogenicity. Comparison of protein patterns and codon usage for
      this newly identified APMV-1 strain indicates it is similar to class I viruses
      but contains a few characteristics close to the viruses of class II. Transmission
      of viruses from this recently identified divergent group from wild birds to
      domestic birds could have a major impact on the domestic poultry industry. 

PMID- 24238669
TI  - Flagellin and F4 fimbriae have opposite effects on biofilm formation and quorum
      sensing in F4ac+ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.
AB  - Bacteria that form biofilms are often highly resistant to antibiotics and are
      capable of evading the host immune system. To evaluate the role of flagellin and
      F4 fimbriae on biofilm formation by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), we
      deleted the fliC (encoding the major flagellin protein) and/or the faeG (encoding
      the major subunit of F4 fimbriae) genes from ETEC C83902. Biofilm formation was
      reduced in the fliC mutant but increased in the faeG mutant, as compared with the
      wild-type strain. The expression of AI-2 quorum sensing associated genes was
      regulated in the fliC and faeG mutants, consistent with the biofilm formation of
      these strains. But, deleting fliC and/or faeG also inhibited AI-2 quorum sensing
      activity. 

PMID- 24238671
TI  - Management of Spigelian hernia caused by necrobiotic fibroma of the uterus in a
      pregnant woman.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Spigelian hernias are a rare type of hernia through the Spigelian
      aponeurosis. Spigelian hernias are very uncommon and constitute only 0.12% of all
      abdominal wall hernias. These hernias are located in the aponeurosis of the
      internal oblique muscle and transverse abdominal muscle. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A
      30-year-old woman at 28 weeks' gestation was admitted to the obstetrics
      department due to pain and swelling in the anterior abdominal right region. On
      inspection, we suspected either a lipoma, a spontaneous hematoma, a tumor of the
      abdominal wall, or a Spigelian hernia. A Doppler USG and abdominal and pelvic
      Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed necrobiotic fibroma of the uterus in
      Spigelian hernia. The patient was started on dual analgesic and corticotherapy.
      Overall, the patient improved one week after the acute episode and had no further
      pain during her gynecologic follow-up. DISCUSSION: We have reported a first case
      of Spigelian hernia that was complicated by uterine fibroid. The clinical
      presentation varies, depending on the contents of the hernial sac and the degree
      of herniation. MRI is the preferred method for accurately identifying masses of
      the abdominal wall. Our treatment options were based on the extent of the acute
      phase reaction and the venous thrombosis. CONCLUSION: It is important to
      differentiate this rare Spigelian hernia from other hernias as the treatment for
      this hernia is medical rather than surgical. Before the final choice of treatment
      is made, digestive surgeons should bear this rare hernia in mind.

PMID- 24238670
TI  - Over-expression and characterization of NS3 and NS5A of Hepatitis C virus
      genotype 3a.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common and leading cause for liver
      cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies to treat HCV infection
      are shown to be partially effective and poorly tolerated. Therefore, ample
      efforts are underway to rationally design therapies targeting the HCV non
      structural proteins. Most of the work carried out in this direction has been
      focusing mainly on HCV genotype 1. Two direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs)
      Telaprevir and Boceprevir are being used against genotype 1a infection in
      combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin. Unfortunately these DAAs are
      not effective against genotype 3a. Considering the wide spread infection by HCV
      genotype 3a in developing countries especially South Asia, we have focused on the
      recombinant production of antiviral drug targets NS3 and NS5A from HCV genotype
      3a. These protein targets are to be used for screening of inhibitors. RESULTS:
      High-level expression of NS3 and NS5A was achieved at 25 degrees C, using ~1 and
      0.5 mM Isopropyl beta-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), respectively. Yields of
      the purified NS3 and NS5A were 4 and 1 mg per liter culture volume, respectively.
      Although similar amounts of purified NS3 were obtained at 25 and 14 degrees C,
      specificity constant (Kcat/Km) was somewhat higher at expression temperature of
      25 degrees C. Circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR)
      spectroscopy revealed that both NS3 and NS5A contain a mixture of alpha-helix and
      beta-sheet secondary structures. For NS3 protein, percentages of secondary
      structures were similar to the values predicted from homology modeling.
      CONCLUSIONS: NS3 and NS5A were over-expressed and using Nickel-affinity method
      both proteins were purified to ~ 95% purity. Yield of the purified NS3 obtained
      is four fold higher than previous reports. CD spectroscopy revealed that
      difference in activity of NS3 expressed at various temperatures is not related to
      changes in global structural features of the protein. Moreover, CD and FT-IR
      analysis showed that NS3 and NS5A contain both alpha-helical and beta-sheet
      structures and for NS5A, the proportion is almost equal. The production of NS3
      and NS5A in milligram quantities will allow their characterization by biophysical
      and biochemical means that will help in designing new strategies to fight against
      HCV infection.

PMID- 24238672
TI  - The need for burns teaching: a cross-sectional study to assess burns teaching in
      the United Kingdom.

PMID- 24238673
TI  - Youth tobacco exposure: the pediatrician's role in addressing a persistent
      problem.

PMID- 24238674
TI  - Rights and great responsibilities of academic pediatricians.
AB  - Abraham Jacobi, in his first address to the newly formed American Pediatric
      Society over 100 years ago, stated, "Questions of public hygiene and medicine are
      both professional and social. Thus, every physician is by destiny a citizen of
      the commonwealth with many rights and great responsibilities." Accordingly,
      pediatricians have rights and great responsibilities to advocate for children who
      may be at particularly high risk for adverse outcomes. Often, well-intentioned
      policies or interventions can have tragic unexpected consequence for these
      children. In many circumstances, policies are developed by providers,
      policymakers, and others who may act without sufficient information to understand
      how a particular policy might adversely affect vulnerable populations. Thus,
      academic pediatricians should fulfill their great responsibilities by identifying
      signals from the populations they serve that may indicate unintended consequences
      of policies, performing the highest quality research and discovery to evaluate
      these signals, and disseminating the information back to the appropriate decision
      makers to ensure that policies and interventions result in optimal outcomes for
      all children. 

PMID- 24238675
TI  - Girl? Interrupted.

PMID- 24238676
TI  - Cross-cultural training in pediatric residency: every encounter is a cross
      cultural encounter.

PMID- 24238678
TI  - Persistence of mental health problems in very young children investigated by US
      child welfare agencies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To document the persistence and predictors of mental health problems
      in children aged 12 to 18 months investigated for alleged maltreatment. METHODS:
      Data came from the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being
      (NSCAW II), a longitudinal study of youth 0 to 17.5 years referred to US child
      welfare agencies. These analyses involved children 12 to 18 months. Baseline
      sociodemographic, social services, developmental data, and health data were
      collected on children and caregivers. Potential social-emotional problems at
      baseline were assessed with the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional
      (BITSEA) scales. Outcomes were scores over the clinical cutoff on the Child
      Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 1.5-5 assessed at 18 months after study entry. RESULTS:
      The multivariable analyses showed that an elevated BITSEA score at baseline (odds
      ratio 9.18, 95% confidence interval 1.49, 56.64; P = .018) and living with a
      depressed caregiver (odds ratio 13.54, 95% confidence interval 2.50, 73.46; P =
      .003) were associated with CBCL scores in the clinical range at the 18-month
      follow-up. For children who scored both positive on the BITSEA and lived with a
      depressed caregiver, 62.5% scored positive on the CBCL compared to 10.7% of the
      children with one risk factor and 3.8% of the children with neither risk factor.
      Only 23.9% of children and/or their caregivers received any service. CONCLUSIONS:
      Data show considerable persistence of mental health problems in very young
      children that 2 factors could identify. Lack of services to these children is a
      tremendous missed opportunity for identification and treatment that could
      potentially prevent more serious mental health problems.

PMID- 24238679
TI  - The effect of primary care interventions on children's media viewing habits and
      exposure to violence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if brief primary care interventions can affect children's
      media viewing habits and exposure to violence. METHODS: English- and Spanish
      speaking parents of 2- to 12-year-old children presenting to a pediatric primary
      care clinic participated in a randomized controlled trial. There were 2
      intervention groups; one group viewed 5 minutes from the Play Nicely program and
      another received a handout, "Pulling the Plug on TV Violence." There were 2
      control groups; the primary control group received standard primary care, and the
      alternative control group viewed a program about obesity prevention. The outcome
      measure was parental report of changes in media viewing habits and changes in
      exposure to violence. RESULTS: A total of 312 of 443 parents who were randomized
      completed a 2-week follow-up survey. Compared with the primary control group,
      parents in the video intervention group were more likely to report a change in
      their children's media viewing habits (odds ratio [OR] 3.29; 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 1.66-6.51) and a change in their children's exposure to violence
      (OR 4.26; 95% CI 1.95-9.27). Compared with the primary control group, parents in
      the handout group were more likely to report a change in their children's media
      viewing habits (OR 4.35; 95% CI 2.20-8.60) and a change in their children's
      exposure to violence (OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.52-7.35). CONCLUSIONS: Brief primary care
      interventions can affect children's media viewing habits and children's exposure
      to violence. These results have implications for how to improve primary care
      services related to decreasing children's media exposure and violence prevention.

PMID- 24238677
TI  - Strict smoke-free home policies among smoking parents in pediatric settings.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine strict smoke-free home policies among smoking parents
      assessed in pediatric offices. METHODS: We analyzed baseline parental survey data
      from 10 control practices in a national trial of pediatric office-based tobacco
      control interventions (Clinical Effort Against Secondhand Smoke Exposure, CEASE).
      We used logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations to
      examine factors associated with strict smoke-free home policies. RESULTS:
      Subjects were 952 parents who were current smokers. Just over half (54.3%)
      reported strict smoke-free home policies. Few reported being asked (19.9%) or
      advised (17.1%) regarding policies by pediatricians. Factors associated with
      higher odds of policies were child 5 years or younger (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]
      2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53, 3.86), nonblack race/ethnicity (aORs
      2.17-2.60, 95% CIs 1.25-5.00), non-Medicaid (HMO/private (aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.31,
      2.58); self-pay/other aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.12, 2.78); well-child versus sick child
      visit (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.11, 2.34), fewer than 10 cigarettes per day (aOR 1.80,
      95% CI 1.31, 2.47), no other home smokers (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.26, 2.25), only
      father smoking (aOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.06, 2.83), and strict smoke-free car policy
      (aOR 3.51, 95% CI 2.19, 5.64). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of smoking parents did
      not have strict smoke-free home policies. Parents were less likely to report
      policies if they were heavier smokers, black, living with other smokers, or
      attending a sick child visit; if they did not have a young child or smoke-free
      car policy; if they had a child on Medicaid; and if anyone other than only the
      father smoked. Few pediatricians addressed or recommended strict smoke-free home
      policies in an office visit. The pediatric office encounter represents a
      currently missed opportunity to intervene regarding smoke-free homes,
      particularly for high-risk groups.

PMID- 24238680
TI  - Use of complementary and alternative medical therapies among youth with mental
      health concerns.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Use of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies is
      common among adults with mental health concerns, but little is known about CAM
      use among adolescents with mental health concerns. METHODS: Data from the 2007
      National Health Interview Survey were analyzed for youth from 7 to 17 years old.
      The study focused on 3 common mental health conditions: attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression. CAM therapy use
      was identified by criteria from the National Institutes of Health National Center
      for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. RESULTS: In a sample of 5651
      individuals, representing 7 million youth, with 1 or more mental health concerns
      in the past 12 months, 28.9% used 1 or more types of CAM therapy, excluding
      vitamins/minerals. In contrast, only 11.6% of those without mental health
      concerns reported CAM therapy use (P < .05). Among youth with 1 or more mental
      health conditions, the most commonly used CAM therapies were mind-body therapies
      (16.3%) and biologically based therapies (11%); use was higher for therapies that
      could be directly accessed (18.6%) than for therapies delivered in groups (11.8%)
      or through a health professional (10.2%). In the multivariable regression model,
      demographic factors significantly associated with CAM therapy use were higher
      household income, higher parental education, having other chronic health
      conditions, use of prescription medications, and difficulty affording mental
      health counseling. CONCLUSIONS: Readily accessible CAM therapies are commonly
      used by youth with ADHD, depression, and anxiety, particularly those who have
      comorbid chronic health conditions, receive prescription medications, and have
      difficulty affording counseling. Clinicians can use these data to guide inquiries
      and counseling. Researchers should explore the longitudinal relationship between
      access to coordinated care within a medical home and use of CAM therapies among
      youth with mental health concerns.

PMID- 24238681
TI  - Using tablet computers to teach evidence-based medicine to pediatrics residents:
      a prospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine if tablet computers-supported by a laboratory
      experience focused upon skill-development-would improve not only evidence-based
      medicine (EBM) knowledge but also skills and behavior. METHODS: We conducted a
      prospective cohort study where we provided tablet computers to our pediatric
      residents and then held a series of laboratory sessions focused on speed and
      efficiency in performing EBM at the bedside. We evaluated the intervention with
      pre- and postintervention tests and surveys based on a validated tool available
      for use on MedEdPORTAL. The attending pediatric hospitalists also completed
      surveys regarding their observations of the residents' behavior. RESULTS: All 38
      pediatric residents completed the preintervention test and the pre- and
      postintervention surveys. All but one completed the posttest. All 7 attending
      pediatric hospitalists completed their surveys. The testing, targeted to assess
      EBM knowledge, revealed a median increase of 16 points out of a possible 60
      points (P < .0001). We found substantial increases in individual resident's test
      scores across all 3 years of residency. Resident responses demonstrated
      statistically significant improvements in self-reported comfort with 6 out of 6
      EBM skills and statistically significant increases in self-reported frequencies
      for 4 out of 7 EBM behaviors. Attending pediatric hospitalists reported
      improvements in 5 of 7 resident behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: This novel approach for
      teaching EBM to pediatric residents improved knowledge, skills, and behavior
      through the introduction of a tablet computer and laboratory sessions designed to
      teach the quick and efficient application of EBM at the bedside.

PMID- 24238682
TI  - Integrating mental health services in primary care continuity clinics: a national
      CORNET study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pediatric continuity clinics integrate mental
      health (MH) services into care delivery; and to determine whether the level of MH
      integration is related to access to MH services, types of MH screening performed,
      self-efficacy, satisfaction with referral sites, and communication with the
      primary care provider. METHODS: Pediatric Residency Integrated Survey of Mental
      Health in Primary Care (PRISM_PC) is a newly designed cross-sectional, Web-based
      survey of continuity clinic directors participating in a national network of
      pediatric continuity clinics (CORNET). Definitions of MH models included
      integrated or nonintegrated MH models or traditional care. The survey included
      questions regarding access, screening that was performed at sites, comfort with
      MH management as well as provider satisfaction and communication with referral
      sites. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent (57 of 73) of CORNET site directors
      responded, representing input from 30% of US pediatric residency continuity
      programs. Thirty-five percent (n = 20) reported an integrated MH model while 65%
      (n = 37) reported a nonintegrated MH model. Seventy-nine percent screened for
      attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, 44% for behavioral-emotional issues,
      and 19% for pediatric depression. No differences were found in terms of screening
      or tools used on the basis of the level of MH integration. Those with integrated
      programs were more likely to have access to an on-site psychologist (P = .001) or
      psychiatrist (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Directors from one-third of training
      programs surveyed reported some level of MH integration in their primary care
      teaching clinics. Future studies are needed to compare patient and resident
      education outcomes between integrated and nonintegrated sites.

PMID- 24238683
TI  - Innovative online faculty development utilizing the power of social media.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Faculty development (FD) is important for continued professional
      development, but expense and distance remain challenging. These challenges could
      be minimized by the free and asynchronous nature of social media (SM). We sought
      to determine the utility and effectiveness of conducting a national online FD
      activity on Facebook by assessing participants' perceptions and use and
      facilitators' challenges. METHODS: An educational activity of a national FD
      program was managed on a closed Facebook group. Activities included postings of
      educational technology goals, abstracting an article, and commenting on peers'
      postings. Sources of quantitative data included the Facebook postings and the
      survey responses. Surveys before, after, and 6 months after the activity assessed
      knowledge, attitudes and self-reported behaviors. Sources of qualitative data
      were the open-ended survey questions and the content of the Facebook postings.
      RESULTS: All participants completed the FD activity and evaluations, yielding 38
      postings and 115 comments. Before the activity, 88% had a personal Facebook
      account, 64% were somewhat/very confident using Facebook, 77% thought SM would be
      useful for professional networking, and 12% had used it professionally. Six
      months after the activity, professional usage had increased to 35%. Continued use
      of Facebook for future presentations of this FD activity was recommended by 76%.
      Qualitative analysis yielded 12 types of Facebook postings and 7 themes related
      to using SM for FD. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting a national FD activity on Facebook
      yielded excellent participation rates and positive participant impressions, and
      it affected professional usage. Facebook may become an additional tool in the
      educator's toolbox for FD as a result of its acceptability and accessibility.

PMID- 24238684
TI  - Teaching and assessment of ethics and professionalism: a survey of pediatric
      program directors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires
      residency programs to provide instruction in and evaluation of competency in
      ethics and professionalism. We examined current practices and policies in ethics
      and professionalism in pediatric training programs, utilization of newly
      available resources on these topics, and recent concerns about professional
      behavior raised by social media. METHODS: From May to August 2012, members of the
      Association of Pediatric Program Directors identified as categorical program
      directors in the APPD database were surveyed regarding ethics and professionalism
      practices in their programs, including structure of their curricula, methods of
      trainee assessment, use of nationally available resources, and policies regarding
      social media. RESULTS: The response rate was 61% (122 of 200). Most pediatric
      programs continue to teach ethics and professionalism in an unstructured manner.
      Many pediatric program directors are unaware of available ethics and
      professionalism resources. Although most programs lack rigorous evaluation of
      trainee competency in ethics and professionalism, 30% (35 of 116) of program
      directors stated they had not allowed a trainee to graduate or sit for an
      examination because of unethical or unprofessional conduct. Most programs do not
      have formal policies regarding social media use by trainees, and expectations
      vary widely. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric training programs are slowly adopting the
      educational mandates for ethics and professionalism instruction. Resources now
      exist that can facilitate curriculum development in both traditional content
      areas such as informed consent and privacy as well as newer content areas such as
      social media use.

PMID- 24238685
TI  - Evidence-based milestones for surveillance of cognitive, language, and motor
      development.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fewer than half of the nation's pediatricians conduct systematic
      surveillance of young children's development. Because time and cost are among the
      barriers, our objective was to create a brief set of parent-report questions
      about cognitive, motor, and language milestones that is freely available and can
      be administered and scored quickly. METHODS: A team of experts developed
      candidate items after reviewing existing instruments and prior research. We
      selected final items based on statistical fit to a graded item response model
      developed and replicated in separate samples enrolled from primary care settings
      (n = 469 and 308, respectively). We then developed a 10-item form for each visit
      on the pediatric periodicity schedule. Combining our initial samples with 395
      families enrolled from referral clinics, we tested these forms' concurrent
      validity with respect to the ASQ-3 and parent reports of developmental diagnoses.
      RESULTS: A final set of 54 items displayed adequate fit to our statistical model
      regardless of race/ethnicity, education level, and child gender. Beginning at 4
      months, scores on 10-item forms displayed consistent associations with the ASQ-3,
      and all but the 60-month form detected parents' reports of developmental delay
      with adequate sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The Milestones is one
      element of the Survey of Well-being of Young Children (SWYC), a brief but
      comprehensive screening instrument for children under 5 years. The Milestones is
      a set of evidence-based items with individual normative data that are appropriate
      for pediatric surveillance. In addition, the scoring of 10-item Milestones forms
      may provide many advantages of a first level developmental screening instrument.

PMID- 24238686
TI  - Three questionnaires to detect psychosocial problems in toddlers: a comparison of
      the BITSEA, ASQ:SE, and KIPPPI.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Validated questionnaires can improve the identification of
      psychosocial problems in community pediatric services. Our aim was to assess
      which of 3 short questionnaires-the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional
      Assessment (BITSEA), the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional
      (ASQ:SE), and the KIPPPI (Brief Instrument Psychological and Pedagogical Problem
      Inventory)-was most suitable as a routine screening tool for identification among
      toddlers. METHODS: We included 2106 parents (response rate 81%) of children aged
      6, 14, or 24 months at routine well-child visits in 18 services across the
      Netherlands. Child health care professionals interviewed and examined children
      and parents. Parents were randomized to complete either the BITSEA or the KIPPPI;
      all filled out the ASQ:SE and the Child Behavior Checklist. For each
      questionnaire, we assessed the internal consistency, validity with Child Behavior
      Checklist-Total Problems Score (CBCL-TPS) as a criterion, and added value to
      identification compared to clinical assessment alone. RESULTS: Cronbach's alphas
      of the total scales varied between 0.46 to 0.91. At the ages of 6 and 14 months,
      none of the instruments studied had adequate validity. At the age of 24 months,
      only the BITSEA discriminated sufficiently between children with and without
      problems (sensitivity = 0.84 at specificity = 0.90), but not the other 2
      questionnaires (with sensitivity indices varying between 0.53 and 0.60 at similar
      specificity). The BITSEA at this age offered slightly higher added value to the
      identification of psychosocial problems by child health care professionals.
      CONCLUSIONS: For toddlers aged 6 and 14 months, no questionnaire is sufficiently
      valid to support the identification of psychosocial problems. The BITSEA is the
      best short tool for the early detection of psychosocial problems in 2-year-old
      children.

PMID- 24238687
TI  - Editorial: Advances in SLE--an innovative era for patients and clinicians.

PMID- 24238688
TI  - Assessment of disease activity, damage and quality of life in systemic lupus
      erythematosus: new aspects.
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem auto-immune disorder that
      results from a combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors. The
      heterogeneity of disease presentation and course in different individuals and the
      variability in the disease progression/fluctuations within the same patient have
      made finding a unifying assessment tool difficult. It is currently accepted that
      assessment of patients with SLE cannot be accomplished with a single index.
      Formal evaluation of three aspects of the disease, disease activity, disease
      damage and patient-related quality of life (QoL), is required. In the recent
      decade, the pathogenesis of SLE at the cellular and molecular levels has been the
      subject of much research. Robust assessment tools are needed to correlate the
      presence of various serological markers with disease activity. In addition,
      multiple clinical trials of new therapies have necessitated validated measures
      that can give a sensitive response index. This review focusses on the SLE
      assessment tools currently in use and their translational application in clinical
      research and trials. 

PMID- 24238689
TI  - Current management of lupus nephritis.
AB  - Despite decades of clinical research aimed at finding the most appropriate
      immunosuppressive regime, lupus nephritis (LN) remains one of the major disease
      manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a great impact on
      survival and quality of life. We start this review by defining the disease
      burden, the real-world challenges and the poor prognostic factors. We then
      discuss the current anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and biologic therapies, with
      special emphasis on the need for optimal global care. 

PMID- 24238690
TI  - Adherence to treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
AB  - Adherence is defined as "the extent to which a person's behaviour coincides with
      medical or health advice." Poor adherence to therapeutic regimens is a common and
      expensive problem in patients with chronic diseases including systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE) and is associated with a higher risk of flares, morbidity,
      hospitalisations and poor renal outcome. Non-adherence to the treatment is
      multifactorial for most patients and varies according to unintentional or
      intentional patterns. The rates of non-adherence in SLE patients range from 3% to
      76% depending on the assessment methods, which are all subject to limitations.
      Indeed, poor adherence to therapeutic regimens is difficult to evaluate. Two
      studies have shown that undetectable blood hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) concentration
      may be a simple, objective and reliable marker of non-adherence in SLE patients.
      The accurate diagnosis of non-adherence may prevent one from incorrectly
      interpreting disease manifestations as a lack of response. It may then avoid an
      unnecessary or even dangerous treatment escalation. 

PMID- 24238691
TI  - Biologics in SLE: towards new approaches.
AB  - In recent years the use of biologic therapies in the management of systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE) has increased, and a number of clinical trials have
      highlighted both the potential and the pitfalls in the development of such
      agents. Many investigators reported that the off-label use of rituximab seemed
      promising in patients with refractory disease, but randomised trials with this
      agent failed. Likewise, the theoretical appeal of the co-stimulation blocker
      abatacept could not be confirmed in two clinical trials. Various considerations
      and post hoc analyses nonetheless suggest that these two biologics might have a
      role in the treatment of SLE. The anti-B-lymphocyte stimulator (anti-Blys)
      antibody belimumab demonstrated efficacy and safety in two large randomised
      trials and became the first approved biologic for lupus. Use in clinical practice
      has increased slowly, in part, due to uncertainty over which patients should be
      treated with this agent and in what stage of the disease. Finally, several other
      biologic agents are currently in advanced stages of clinical development for SLE.
      The overall picture that emerges is one of optimism that advances in SLE therapy
      will be realised through the targeted use of an increasing number of biologics. 

PMID- 24238692
TI  - Paediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Paediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is usually more severe than
      its adult counterpart. In particular, there is a higher incidence of renal and
      central nervous system involvement. Specific measures to assess disease activity
      and damage have been implemented. The disease is very rare before the fifth
      birthday and therefore the onset of an SLE picture in the first years of life
      should lead to the suspicion of the presence of one of the rare monogenic
      diseases that causes SLE or of one of those congenital diseases that has been
      showed to be closely associated with the SLE. 

PMID- 24238693
TI  - Fatigue, health-related quality of life and other patient-reported outcomes in
      systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This chapter aims to evaluate current knowledge of the burden of
      systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on individual patients, with a particular
      focus on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), activities of daily living
      (ADLs), individual symptoms, such as fatigue and pain, work disability and
      employment. METHODOLOGY: A literature search was performed in Medline (PubMed)
      and a qualitative analysis was done of all publications relating to the burden of
      SLE (January 2000 to May 2010, updated in June 2013) matching the following
      inclusion criteria: prospective studies involving >=100 patients with SLE;
      studies focussing on QoL, ADL, function/disability, patient
      perceptions/experience of their illness, physical/psychological/social impact,
      unmet needs, work disability/employment status or specific signs/symptoms
      expected to impact on HRQoL/ADL; studies predominantly involving patients of
      Caucasian ethnicity; and studies based in Europe, North America or Australia.
      Studies in juvenile patients; studies of the impact of obesity; studies of non
      pharmacological interventions, dietary supplements or alternative medicines; and
      health-economic analyses were excluded. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The present
      literature analysis showed that SLE has a considerable impact on the HRQoL of
      patients and their ability to carry out normal daily activities, resulting in a
      high prevalence of disability. The HRQoL of patients with SLE is consistently
      lower than that of matched healthy control subjects or patients with other
      chronic diseases. Predictors of poor HRQoL in patients with SLE include older
      age, fatigue and the presence of co-morbid neurological or psychiatric disorders,
      particularly depression or anxiety. Conversely, clinical measures of disease
      activity and organ damage are poor indicators of patients' HRQoL. Even though
      current evidence gives an insight into the HRQoL in patients with SLE, there are
      still many areas where results need to be confirmed or clarified and therefore
      there is the need to conduct further studies including trials with HRQoL as a
      primary objective.

PMID- 24238694
TI  - Management of infection in systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised
      by abnormal autoantibody production and clearance. This immunological background
      has been suggested to play a role in the susceptibility of SLE patients to
      infection. Moreover, drugs (most of them immunosuppressive or immunomodulating
      agents) used in the treatment of moderate and severe lupus give rise to a
      tendency for infections, including opportunistic ones. Infections may mimic the
      exacerbations of SLE, leading to confusion over the diagnosis and appropriate
      treatment. Despite increased awareness of this problem, infections remain a major
      source of morbidity and mortality in SLE. There are various strategies which can
      be applied to try and reduce the risk of infection in SLE patients. Options
      include vaccinations, antibiotic/antiviral prophylaxis and intravenous
      immunoglobulins. 

PMID- 24238696
TI  - Demyelinating disease in SLE: is it multiple sclerosis or lupus?
AB  - Among the 12 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related central nervous system
      (CNS) syndromes defined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR),
      demyelinating syndrome and myelopathy are two of the less prevalent and more
      poorly understood ones. One important issue concerning demyelinating disease in
      SLE is that it can be easily misdiagnosed with other central nervous system
      demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). A clinically isolated
      neurological syndrome can be the presenting feature before other concomitant
      symptoms of SLE appear or definite MS is diagnosed. Although challenging, some
      diagnostic tests used in clinical practice and research may help to differentiate
      between these entities. These tests have improved the understanding of the
      pathogenesis in these diseases, but some points, such as the role of
      antiphospholipid antibodies in SLE-associated transverse myelitis, remain unclear
      and are a matter of ongoing debate. This review discusses clinical,
      pathophysiological, radiological and therapeutic concepts of demyelinating
      disease of the CNS in SLE, focussing on its differentiation from MS and its
      relation with other CNS demyelinating processes, such as transverse myelitis,
      optic neuritis and neuromyelitis optica. 

PMID- 24238695
TI  - Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: diagnosis and treatment.
AB  - Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) encompasses a wide range of dermatologic
      manifestations, which may or may not be associated with the development of
      systemic disease. Cutaneous lupus is divided into several sub-types, including
      acute CLE (ACLE), sub-acute CLE (SCLE) and chronic CLE (CCLE). CCLE includes
      discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), LE profundus (LEP), chilblain cutaneous lupus
      and lupus tumidus. The diagnosis of these diseases requires proper classification
      of the sub-type, through a combination of physical examination, laboratory
      studies, histology, antibody serology and occasionally direct immunofluorescence,
      while ensuring to exclude systemic disease. The treatment of cutaneous lupus
      consists of patient education on proper sun protection along with appropriate
      topical and systemic agents. Systemic agents are indicated in cases of
      widespread, scarring or treatment-refractory disease. In this chapter, we discuss
      issues in classification and diagnosis of the various sub-types of CLE, as well
      as provide an update on therapeutic management. 

PMID- 24238697
TI  - Pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with several forms of pulmonary
      hypertension. It can cause pulmonary hypertension through pulmonary
      thromboembolic disease, left heart disease and lung disease as well as causing an
      isolated pulmonary vasculopathy called pulmonary arterial hypertension. The true
      prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with lupus is not known
      but probably is no more than 1%. Currently, treatment for lupus-associated
      pulmonary arterial hypertension is with pulmonary vasodilators including
      phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists and prostacyclin
      analogues, as it is for other causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Case
      series suggest there may be a special role for immunosuppression in this rare
      group of patients. We present two brief case histories and summarise our
      experience over 15 years. Prognosis is better in lupus-associated pulmonary
      arterial hypertension than in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial
      hypertension, but unfortunately it remains a fatal condition in most patients. 

PMID- 24238699
TI  - The effectiveness of therapeutic exercise for joint hypermobility syndrome: a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is a heritable connective tissue
      disorder characterised by excessive range of movement at multiple joints
      accompanied by pain. Exercise is the mainstay of management yet its effectiveness
      is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To establish the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise
      for JHS. DESIGN: Systematic literature review. DATA SOURCES: A search of nine
      online databases, supplemented by a hand search and snowballing. STUDY
      ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS): People diagnosed with JHS
      (rather than asymptomatic generalised joint laxity); therapeutic exercise (of any
      type) used as an intervention; primary data reported; English language; published
      research. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Methodological quality was
      appraised by each reviewer using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists.
      Articles were then discussed collectively and disagreements resolved through
      debate. RESULTS: 2001 titles were identified. Four articles met the inclusion
      criteria, comprising one controlled trial, one comparative trial and two cohort
      studies. All studies found clinical improvements over time. However there was no
      convincing evidence that exercise was better than control or that joint-specific
      and generalised exercise differed in effectiveness. LIMITATIONS: The studies used
      heterogeneous outcome measures, preventing pooling of results. Only one study was
      a true controlled trial which failed to report between-group statistical analyses
      post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS: There is some
      evidence that people with JHS improve with exercise but there is no convincing
      evidence for specific types of exercise or that exercise is better than control.
      Further high quality research is required to establish the effectiveness of
      exercise for JHS.

PMID- 24238698
TI  - Managing lupus patients during pregnancy.
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an auto-immune disease, primarily affecting
      young females. Pregnancy in a woman with SLE remains a high-risk situation with
      higher maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity. Although live births are
      achieved in majority of the pregnancies, active disease and major organ
      involvement can negatively affect the outcomes. A higher risk of foetal loss, pre
      term birth, intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and neonatal lupus syndromes
      (NLSs) are major foetal issues. Mothers are faced with disease flares, pre
      eclampsia and other complications. Disease flares during SLE pregnancy pose the
      unique issue of recognition and differentiation between physiologic changes and
      disease state. Similarly, pre-eclampsia and lupus nephritis may lead to
      diagnostic confusion. Treatment choices during pregnancy are limited to a few
      safe drugs, further restricting the options. Refractory pregnancy loss associated
      with anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and complete heart block associated with
      anti-Ro antibodies remain unresolved issues. A multidisciplinary approach, with
      close monitoring, is essential for optimal outcomes. 

PMID- 24238700
TI  - Patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy can successfully self-manage, but with
      certain caveats: a qualitative study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Evidence has emerged supporting the value of loaded exercises for
      rotator cuff tendinopathy but there are barriers that might prevent
      implementation of this intervention in the real-world. The purpose of this study
      was to explore these potential barriers with participants involved in a pilot
      randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating a self-managed loaded exercise
      intervention. DESIGN: A qualitative study within the framework of a mixed methods
      design. Data were collected using individual interviews and analysed using the
      framework method. SETTING: One private physiotherapy clinic in northern England.
      PARTICIPANTS: Six patients and two physiotherapists were purposively sampled from
      those allocated to the self-managed exercise group within the RCT. RESULTS: Three
      themes were generated: (1) Expectations and preferences, (2) characteristics of
      an unsuccessful outcome, (3) characteristics of a successful outcome. Most
      patients expressed expectations contrary to the philosophy of a self-managed
      approach. But this did not serve as a barrier when the intervention was offered
      within a positive and supporting environment where patients understood the
      reasons for undertaking the exercise, effectively self-monitored and engaged with
      pro-active follow-up. An early and appreciable response to therapy was also a key
      factor influencing continuing engagement with the exercise programme. CONCLUSION:
      With certain caveats including the need to recognise and respond to individual
      characteristics, implement effective knowledge translation strategies and the
      need to engage with appropriately timed pro-active follow-up, the potential to
      implement programmes of self-managed loaded exercise for patients with rotator
      cuff tendinopathy in the real-world and in further research studies appears
      feasible but challenging.

PMID- 24238701
TI  - Magnetoreception: an unavoidable step for plant evolution?
AB  - The geomagnetic field (GMF) is steadily acting on living systems, and influences
      many biological processes. In animals, the mechanistic origin of the GMF effect
      has been clarified and cryptochrome has been suggested as a chemical
      magnetoreceptor. Here we propose a possible role for the GMF variations in plant
      evolution. 

PMID- 24238702
TI  - Two for all: receptor-associated kinases SOBIR1 and BAK1.
AB  - Leucine-rich repeat-receptor-like proteins (LRR-RLPs) are ubiquitous cell surface
      receptors lacking a cytoplasmic signalling domain. For most of these LRR-RLPs, it
      remained enigmatic how they activate cellular responses upon ligand perception.
      Recently, the LRR-receptor-like kinase (LRR-RLK) SUPPRESSOR OF BIR1-1 (SOBIR1)
      was shown to be essential for triggering defence responses by certain LRR-RLPs
      that act as immune receptors. In addition to SOBIR1, the regulatory LRR-RLK BRI1
      ASSOCIATED KINASE-1 (BAK1) is also required for LRR-RLP function. Here, we
      compare the roles of SOBIR1 and BAK1 as regulatory LRR-RLKs in immunity and
      development. BAK1 has a general regulatory role in plasma membrane-associated
      receptor complexes comprising LRR-RLPs and/or LRR-RLKs. By contrast, SOBIR1
      appears to be specifically required for the function of receptor complexes
      containing LRR-RLPs. 

PMID- 24238703
TI  - Long-term average spectra of adult Iranian speakers' voice.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Long-term average spectrum (LTAS) allows quantifying the voice
      quality and provides an overview of the mean spectral characteristics of a voice.
      The aims of this study were to survey normal spectral characteristics of Persian
      and investigate sex-related changes in the source characteristics of dynamic
      speech using LTAS. METHOD: Speech samples obtained from 30 male and 30 female
      Persian-speaking participants reading a text in habitual pitch and loudness
      level. At the LTAS window and using Praat software, the amplitude values were
      obtained at equal intervals of 160 Hz, ranging from 0 to 8 kHz. RESULTS: The main
      features of the average spectrum were as follows: peak in the region of 480 Hz
      with a reduction at higher frequencies, a 20 dB decline from 480 to 960 Hz, a
      flat region from 960 to 1920 Hz, a further decline from 1920 to 3040 Hz, and a
      further flat region from 3040 to 8000 Hz. In comparison to men, women revealed
      significant lower levels of amplitude at frequencies of 160 and 320 Hz and higher
      levels of amplitude at frequencies of 960, 3360, 3520, 3680, 3840, and 5920 Hz.
      CONCLUSION: The overall shape and gender-related energy distribution pattern of
      the LTAS of Persian were more similar to those of English than to those of
      Korean. The more phonetic differences between Persian and Korean compared with
      Persian and English might contribute to different spectral characteristics. The
      present study tried to clarify the spectral characteristics of Iranian male and
      female voices and focused on more breathy voice quality for women than men.

PMID- 24238704
TI  - Size and mass determination of silver nanoparticles in an aqueous matrix using
      asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled to inductively coupled plasma
      mass spectrometer and ultraviolet-visible detectors.
AB  - The powerful antibacterial properties of engineered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)
      have, in recent years, led to a great increase in their use in consumer products
      such as textiles and personal care products offers. This widespread and often
      indiscriminate use of nano-silver is inevitably increasing the probability that
      such materials be accidentally or deliberately lost into the environment. Once
      present in the environment the normally useful antibacterial properties of the
      silver may instead become a potential hazard to both man and the environment. In
      the face of such concerns it therefore desirable to develop easy, reliable and
      sensitive analytical methods for the determination of nano-sized silver in
      various matrices. This paper describes a method for the simultaneous
      determination of particles-size and mass-concentration of citrate-stabilized
      silver nano-particles in aqueous matrices by asymmetric flow field flow
      fractionation coupled to an ICP-mass spectrometer and UV/vis detector. In
      particular, this work has evaluated the use of pre-channel injections of mono
      dispersed silver nano-particles as a means of accurate size and mass-calibration.
      The suitability of the method as a means to generate accurate and reliable
      results was verified by determination of parameters such as precision under
      repeatability conditions, linearity, accuracy, recovery and analytical
      sensitivity. 

PMID- 24238705
TI  - Recovery of Peniophora cinerea laccase using aqueous two-phase systems composed
      by ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer and potassium phosphate salts.
AB  - Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) composed by UCON (ethylene oxide/propylene
      oxide copolymer) and potassium phosphate salts were for the first time evaluated
      in the recovery of Peniophora cinerea laccase from complex fermented medium. The
      ATPSs were obtained by combining the random copolymer UCON with KH2PO4, potassium
      phosphate buffer pH 7 or K2HPO4. According to the results, protein partition
      occurred predominantly toward the saline phase (bottom phase) of the ATPSs, while
      some contaminants such as pigments partitioned mainly to the top phase. In
      preliminary tests, it was found that the salt with the lowest pH value (KH2PO4,
      pH 4.6) stimulated the enzyme activity, while the other salts (pH between 7.0 and
      9.5) caused a strong inhibition. However, the salt inhibition was not observed in
      the equilibrium phases of the UCON-Potassium phosphate ATPSs. The laccase
      recovery was high for all the biphasic systems, but the highest value (134%) was
      obtained when using UCON combined with KH2PO4. When compared to conventional
      concentration and purification methods (lyophilization, ammonium sulfate
      precipitation, ultrafiltration, and ion exchange chromatography), ATPS was
      demonstrated to be an efficient alternative for P. cinerea laccase recovery from
      fermented medium. 

PMID- 24238706
TI  - A new N-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid modified core-shell silica phase for
      chelation ion chromatography of alkaline earth, transition and rare earth
      elements.
AB  - Bare core-shell silica (1.7MUm) has been modified with iminodiacetic acid
      functional groups via standard silane chemistry, forming a new N
      hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA) functionalised core-shell stationary
      phase. The column was applied in high-performance chelation ion chromatography
      and evaluated for the retention of alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal
      cations. The influence of nitric acid eluent concentration, addition of
      complexing agent dipicolinic acid, eluent pH and column temperature on the column
      performance was investigated. The efficiencies obtained for transition and heavy
      metal cations (and resultant separations) were comparable or better than those
      previously obtained for alternative fully porous silica based chelation
      stationary phases, and a similarly modified monolithic silica column, ranging
      from ~15 to 56MUm HETP. Increasing the ionic strength of the eluent with the
      addition of KNO3 (0.75M) and increasing the column temperature (70 degrees C)
      facilitated the isocratic separation of a mixture of 14 lanthanides and yttrium
      in under 12min, with HETP averaging 18MUm (7MUm for Ce(III)). 

PMID- 24238707
TI  - Development and validation of an extraction method for the determination of pro
      inflammatory eicosanoids in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - A simple method coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC
      MS/MS) was developed and validated for the extraction of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
      and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) from human plasma. The extraction protocol consisted of
      adding formic acid (10 MUL) and acetonitrile (140 MUL) to human plasma (50 MUL)
      and further injection of the supernatant (25 MUL) into the LC-MS/MS. The method
      was selective for PGE2 and LTB4 and the regression models, based on deuterated
      internal standards (30 ng mL(-1) PGE2-d4 and 40 ng mL(-1) LTB4-d4), were linear
      over the concentration range 1.0-50.0 ng mL(-1) with limits of detection (3 *
      sigmablank) and quantification (6 * sigmablank) of 0.5 ng mL(-1) and 1 ng mL(-1)
      for both eicosanoids. The recovery ranges were 95.1-104.7% for PGE2 and 86.4
      103.2% for LTB4. The developed method was successfully implemented on plasma
      samples from patients before and after exposure to certain anti-inflammatory
      treatment.

PMID- 24238708
TI  - Dithienyl benzothiadiazole derivatives: a new type of stationary phases for
      capillary gas chromatography.
AB  - Dithienyl benzothiadiazole (TBT) derivatives are characteristic of specific
      molecular structures and excellent thermal stability, offering the great
      potential for their use as stationary phases for capillary gas chromatography
      (GC). However, no related publications are available to date. Here we first
      report the exploration of two TBT derivatives, namely, 4,7-bis(5-dodecylthiophen
      2-yl) benzothiadiazole (TBT-C12, a new derivative), and 4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)
      benzothiadiazole (TBT), for the purpose. First, TBT-C12 and TBT were synthesized
      and statically coated onto capillary columns. Both of the as-prepared columns
      were characterized as nonpolar nature by the determined McReynolds constants. The
      results showed that both TBT-C12 and TBT columns achieved excellent separations
      for n-alkanes, esters and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the TBT
      C12 column exhibited better thermal stability (up to 280 degrees C) than the TBT
      column. Moreover, a comparative study between the TBT-type columns and a
      commercial column was also made, suggesting the better selectivity of the TBT
      type stationary phases toward n-alkanes and PAHs than that of the commercial one.
      Additionally, thermodynamic parameters suggested that the retention behaviors of
      n-alkanes and PAHs on the TBT-C12 column was mainly controlled by entropy change
      (DeltaS). In conclusion, this work demonstrates the excellent chromatographic
      performance of TBT derivatives as a new type of GC stationary phases and their
      potential in separation science. 

PMID- 24238709
TI  - High-resolution magic angle spinning description of the interaction states and
      their kinetics among basic solutes and functionalized silica materials.
AB  - Modeling of the interaction is crucial to understanding and predicting
      chromatography. However, the complexity and variety of the grafted motifs render
      the creation of an accurate model overwhelmingly challenging, so that most often
      the classification of column separation properties is described by monitoring the
      retention times of carefully selected control molecules. We analyzed here the
      characteristics of the interplay of compounds of basic nature by (1)H HRMAS NMR,
      which provide relevant descriptors for products with pharmaceutical properties,
      with chromatographic phases for Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography. Eight
      grafted silica phases were selected, differing to enhance specific structural
      properties (monomeric and polymeric grafts, endcapping or not, carbon content,
      alkyl with polar embedded group or alkyl bonded chain, chemical nature of end
      capping, native silica). These materials were put in interaction with five basic
      molecules, previously chosen as probes for the evaluation of efficient base
      deactivated liquid stationary phases using five theoretical molecular descriptors
      to cover a large scale of molecular volume, polar surface area, LogP, hydrogen
      bond donor capacity and finally hydrogen-bond acceptor capacity. (1)H HRMAS NMR
      was capable of describing qualitatively a wealth of interaction states,
      characterized both thermodynamically and kinetically. In one case (penbutolol) up
      to five interaction states could be differentiated. Variable temperature
      experiments revealed the complexity of the retention process on grafted silica as
      in some cases the kinetics of the interaction is shown to slow down on increasing
      the temperature. 

PMID- 24238710
TI  - Recent developments and future trends in solid phase microextraction techniques
      towards green analytical chemistry.
AB  - Solid phase microextraction find increasing applications in the sample
      preparation step before chromatographic determination of analytes in samples with
      a complex composition. These techniques allow for integrating several operations,
      such as sample collection, extraction, analyte enrichment above the detection
      limit of a given measuring instrument and the isolation of analytes from sample
      matrix. In this work the information about novel methodological and instrumental
      solutions in relation to different variants of solid phase extraction techniques,
      solid-phase microextraction (SPME), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and
      magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) is presented, including practical
      applications of these techniques and a critical discussion about their advantages
      and disadvantages. The proposed solutions fulfill the requirements resulting from
      the concept of sustainable development, and specifically from the implementation
      of green chemistry principles in analytical laboratories. Therefore, particular
      attention was paid to the description of possible uses of novel, selective
      stationary phases in extraction techniques, inter alia, polymeric ionic liquids,
      carbon nanotubes, and silica- and carbon-based sorbents. The methodological
      solutions, together with properly matched sampling devices for collecting
      analytes from samples with varying matrix composition, enable us to reduce the
      number of errors during the sample preparation prior to chromatographic analysis
      as well as to limit the negative impact of this analytical step on the natural
      environment and the health of laboratory employees. 

PMID- 24238711
TI  - A novel stop-flow two-dimensional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method
      for lipid analysis.
AB  - A novel on-line two dimensional liquid chromatography (2D LC) based on stop-flow
      mode coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) method was
      established to separate lipids in human plasma. Hydrophilic interaction liquid
      chromatography (HILIC) in the first dimension and reversed-phase liquid
      chromatography (RP LC) in the second dimension were used to separate the lipids
      into six fractions based on their polar head groups and further into peaks based
      on aliphatic chains, respectively. A new stop-flow interface with a trap column
      and an extra make-up flow was designed to construct this system and trap the
      components eluted from the first dimension. Moreover, the same length of
      analytical columns and similar flow rates were used in the first and second
      dimensions. Therefore, the new stop-flow 2D LC system can avoid the sensitivity
      decrease caused by the dilution effect, which is the shortcoming of comprehensive
      2D LC. Three hundred and seventy-two lipids were identified from plasma extract
      using this 2D LC coupled with ESI-MS in positive mode, and 88 more lipids were
      detected than one-dimensional RP LC analysis. Peak capacity of this stop-flow 2D
      LC was 415, which is similar to that of comprehensive 2D LC. The linearity,
      repeatability and sensitivity of this method were satisfactory, which
      demonstrated that this method was also suitable for quantitative analysis. All
      these results indicated that this on-line 2D LC method is powerful for
      qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex lipids. 

PMID- 24238712
TI  - Ion-pair ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic analysis of monoamines:
      peak-splitting at high flow rates.
AB  - The use of ion-pair ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled
      with electrochemical detection (ECD) is of great interest for the fast and
      sensitive determination of the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine,
      noradrenaline and serotonin in microdialysis samples. However, when applying high
      flow rates in ion-pair UHPLC, other peaks than the initial compound peaks appear
      on the chromatogram. This peak-splitting phenomenon is caused by disturbed ion
      pair retention mechanisms. The influence of several chromatographic parameters is
      investigated. Peak-splitting is delayed to higher flow rates when increasing the
      concentration of ion-pair reagent or buffering agent in the mobile phase, when
      decreasing the percentage of organic modifier in the mobile phase, when applying
      a stationary phase with a smaller amount of packing material or when increasing
      the separation temperature. One or a combination of these conditions can be
      applied to analyze the monoamine neurotransmitters using ion-pair UHPLC-ECD at
      high flow rates. 

PMID- 24238713
TI  - Synthesis of 3-fluorobenzoyl chloride functionalized magnetic sorbent for highly
      efficient enrichment of perfluorinated compounds from river water samples.
AB  - A novel type of magnetic nanoparticles, 3-fluorobenzoyl chloride functionalized
      magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2@FBC MNPs) was successfully synthesized. It was
      applied to the extraction and determination of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) by
      coupling with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem triple
      quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Due to the fluorous-fluorous
      interaction, the magnetic nanoparticles displayed excellent extraction
      performance for 6 PFCs, including perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA),
      perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA),
      perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and
      perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The UHPLC separation of PFCs was very quick and
      could be achieved within 6min. Various factors that may influence the magnetic
      solid-phase extraction (MSPE) efficiency, such as sorbent amount, desorption
      solvent, extraction time, pH value of water samples and sample volume, were
      investigated in detail. Under the optimum conditions, the linear ranges of six
      PFCs were 0.25-25ng/L with the limits of detection (S/N=3) ranging from 0.01 to
      0.06ng/L. Finally, the method was successfully applied to different river water
      samples, and the recoveries were in the range of 89.34-111.32%. These results
      indicated that the prepared Fe3O4@SiO2@FBC sorbents could efficiently enrich PFCs
      and that the proposed method is reliable. 

PMID- 24238714
TI  - Leaving buprenorphine treatment: patients' reasons for cessation of care.
AB  - Many opioid-dependent patients leave treatment prematurely. This study is a
      planned secondary analysis from a randomized trial of counseling for African
      Americans (N=297) entering buprenorphine treatment at one of two outpatient
      programs. This study examines: (1) whether patients' initial treatment duration
      intentions prospectively predict retention; and (2) patients' reasons for leaving
      treatment. Participants were queried about their treatment duration intentions at
      treatment entry, and their reasons for leaving treatment at 6-month follow-up. At
      baseline, 28.0% reported wanting to stay in buprenorphine treatment less than 6
      months, while 42.1% actually left buprenorphine treatment within 6 months.
      However, participants intending short-term buprenorphine at the outset were not
      at elevated risk of early treatment discontinuation (OR=1.15; p=.65).
      Participants attributed treatment cessation predominantly to conflicts with
      staff, involuntary discharge, and perceived inflexibility of the program. Future
      research should examine patient-centered models of buprenorphine treatment that
      could improve retention.

PMID- 24238716
TI  - Predictors of substance abuse treatment participation among homeless adults.
AB  - The current study focuses on the relationships among a trauma history, a
      substance use history, chronic homelessness, and the mediating role of recent
      emotional distress in predicting drug treatment participation among adult
      homeless people. We explored the predictors of participation in substance abuse
      treatment because enrolling and retaining clients in substance abuse treatment
      programs is always a challenge particularly among homeless people. Participants
      were 853 homeless adults from Los Angeles, California. Using structural equation
      models, findings indicated that trauma history, substance use history and
      chronicity of homelessness were associated, and were significant predictors of
      greater recent emotional distress. The most notable result was that recent
      emotional distress predicted less participation in current substance abuse
      treatment (both formal and self-help) whereas a substance use history alone
      predicted significantly more participation in treatment. Implications concerning
      treatment engagement and difficulties in obtaining appropriate dual-diagnosis
      services for homeless mentally distressed individuals are discussed. 

PMID- 24238715
TI  - Recovery among adolescents: models for post-treatment gains in drug abuse
      treatments.
AB  - Recovery among adolescents undergoing substance abuse treatment was modeled in
      terms of pre-treatment motivation, therapeutic relationships, psychological
      functioning, treatment retention, legal pressures, DSM diagnoses, and client
      demographics. To address between program differences, a within-covariance matrix,
      based on 547 youth, was used. Applicability of the results across treatment
      modalities was also examined. The data were from the NIDA-sponsored DATOS
      Adolescent study. Results from structural equation models (estimated using Mplus)
      indicated that higher pre-treatment motivation predicted stronger counselor and
      in-treatment peer relationships, better counselor relationships and retention
      predicted less illegal drug use at follow-up, and DSM diagnosis was important in
      the treatment process. Overall, illegal drug use at follow-up was associated with
      post-treatment alcohol consumption, cigarette use, condom nonuse, psychological
      distress, criminality, and school non-attendance. The results document the
      importance of motivation and therapeutic relationships on recovery, even when
      taking into account the relative effects of legal pressures, DSM diagnoses, and
      demographics.

PMID- 24238717
TI  - Criminal justice outcomes after engagement in outpatient substance abuse
      treatment.
AB  - The relationship between engagement in outpatient treatment facilities in the
      public sector and subsequent arrest is examined for clients in Connecticut, New
      York, Oklahoma and Washington. Engagement is defined as receiving another
      treatment service within 14 days of beginning a new episode of specialty
      treatment and at least two additional services within the next 30 days. Data are
      from 2008 and survival analysis modeling is used. Survival analyses express the
      effects of model covariates in terms of "hazard ratios," which reflect a change
      in the likelihood of outcome because of the covariate. Engaged clients had a
      significantly lower hazard of any arrest than non-engaged in all four states. In
      NY and OK, engaged clients also had a lower hazard of arrest for substance
      related crimes. In CT, NY, and OK engaged clients had a lower hazard of arrest
      for violent crime. Clients in facilities with higher engagement rates had a lower
      hazard of any arrest in NY and OK. Engaging clients in outpatient treatment is a
      promising approach to decrease their subsequent criminal justice involvement.

PMID- 24238718
TI  - The long-term effect of zinc soil contamination on selected free amino acids
      playing an important role in plant adaptation to stress and senescence.
AB  - Increased endogenous plant cytokinin (CK) content through transformation with an
      isopentyl transferase (ipt) gene has been associated with improved plant stress
      tolerance. The objective of this study is to determine amino acid changes
      associated with elevated CK production in ipt transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana
      tabacum L., cv. Wisconsin 38). Nontransformed (WT) and transformed tobacco plants
      with ipt gene controlled by senescence-activated promoter (SAG) were exposed to
      zinc soil contamination (tested levels Zn1=250, Zn2=500, Zn3=750 mg kg(-1) soil).
      The Zn effect on plant stress metabolism resulted in changes in levels of
      selected free amino acids playing an important role in adaptation to stress and
      plant senescence (alanine, leucine, proline, methionine and gamma-aminobutyrate)
      and differed for transformed and nontransformed tobacco plants. Analyses of amino
      acids confirmed that SAG tobacco plants had improved zinc tolerance compared with
      the WT plants. The enhanced Zn tolerance of SAG plants was associated with the
      maintenance of accumulation of proline, methionine and gamma-aminobutyrate. The
      concentrations of leucine and alanine did not show significant differences
      between plant lines.

PMID- 24238719
TI  - Effects of the neonicotinoid pesticide thiamethoxam at field-realistic levels on
      microcolonies of Bombus terrestris worker bumble bees.
AB  - Neonicotinoid pesticides are currently implicated in the decline of wild bee
      populations. Bumble bees, Bombus spp., are important wild pollinators that are
      detrimentally affected by ingestion of neonicotinoid residues. To date,
      imidacloprid has been the major focus of study into the effects of neonicotinoids
      on bumble bee health, but wild populations are increasingly exposed to
      alternative neonicotinoids such as thiamethoxam. To investigate whether
      environmentally realistic levels of thiamethoxam affect bumble bee performance
      over a realistic exposure period, we exposed queenless microcolonies of Bombus
      terrestris L. workers to a wide range of dosages up to 98 MUgkg(-1) in dietary
      syrup for 17 days. Results showed that bumble bee workers survived fewer days
      when presented with syrup dosed at 98 MUg thiamethoxamkg(-1), while production of
      brood (eggs and larvae) and consumption of syrup and pollen in microcolonies were
      significantly reduced by thiamethoxam only at the two highest concentrations (39,
      98 MUgkg(-1)). In contrast, we found no detectable effect of thiamethoxam at
      levels typically found in the nectars of treated crops (between 1 and 11 MUgkg(
      1)). By comparison with published data, we demonstrate that during an exposure to
      field-realistic concentrations lasting approximately two weeks, brood production
      in worker bumble bees is more sensitive to imidacloprid than thiamethoxam. We
      speculate that differential sensitivity arises because imidacloprid produces a
      stronger repression of feeding in bumble bees than thiamethoxam, which imposes a
      greater nutrient limitation on production of brood.

PMID- 24238720
TI  - Effects of chronic elevated ozone concentration on the redox state and fruit
      yield of red pepper plant Capsicum baccatum.
AB  - Ozone (O3) is one of the most harmful air pollutants to crops, contributing to
      high losses on crop yield. Tropospheric O3 background concentrations have
      increased since pre-industrial times reaching phytotoxic concentrations in many
      world regions. Capsicum peppers are the second most traded spice in the world,
      but few studies concerning the O3 effects in this genus are known. Thereby, the
      aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to elevated O3
      concentrations in red pepper plant Capsicum baccatum L. var. pendulum with
      especial considerations on the leaf redox state and fruit yield. Fifteen C.
      baccatum plants were exposed to O3 in open-top chambers during fruit ripening (62
      days) at a mean concentration of 171.6 ug/m(3) from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. We found
      that O3 treated plants significantly decreased the amount and the total weight of
      fruits, which were probably a consequence of the changes on leaf oxidative status
      induced by ozone exposure. Ozone exposed plants increased the reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) levels on the leaves, which may be associated with the observed
      decrease on the activity of enzymatic antioxidant defense system, as well with
      lower levels of polyphenol and reduced thiol groups. Enhanced ROS production and
      the direct O3 reaction lead to biomacromolecules damages as seen in the
      diminished chlorophyll content and in the elevated lipid peroxidation and protein
      carbonylation levels. Through a correlation analysis it was possible to observe
      that polyphenols content was more important to protect pepper plants against
      oxidative damages to lipids than to proteins.

PMID- 24238721
TI  - Effects of triclosan on reproductive prarmeters and embryonic development of sea
      urchin, Strongylocentrotus nudus.
AB  - Triclosan (TCS, 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), a broad-spectrum
      antibacterial agent, is commonly found in the aquatic environment. In this study,
      we investigated TCS toxicity with pertaining to gamete viability, fertilization,
      and embryogenesis up to pluteus stage of the sea urchin, (Strongylocentrotus
      nudus). When the sperm and eggs were exposed to TCS (0-3.0 MUM), the viability of
      sperm was significantly decreased at molarities higher than 1 MUM of TCS. In
      addition, for exposure of 2.0 MUM TCS the viability of eggs was not influenced
      and none of the sperm was viable. Fertilization rate was significantly decreased
      when sperm were exposed to 0.5 and 1 MUM of TCS (p<0.001) and no fertilization
      was observed for the exposure of 1.5 MUM of TCS. In embryonic development,
      embryos are treated with higher than 1.0 MUM levels of TCS displayed arrested
      development. For TCS, the EC50 and LOECs values were 1.8, 1.49 and 0.99 MUM and
      0.53, 0.62 and 0.39 MUM for sperm viability, fertilization rate, and larval
      development to pluteus, respectively. In the recovery test regarding normal
      development of arrested embryos based upon TCS exposure time, it was observed
      that embryos exposed to 1 MUM TCS for 15 h were normally recovered for normal
      development, while embryos with more than 30 h exposure were not recovered to
      normal larvae. Overall, the results of this study strongly suggest that the
      gametes and embryos of S. nudus can provide the basis for an effective bioassay,
      with a fast and sensitive means of evaluating TCS contamination in the marine
      ecosystem.

PMID- 24238722
TI  - Sequential therapy or triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection in Asians:
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori infection with
      triple therapy (TT) has declined in part to increased antibiotic resistance.
      Sequential therapy (ST) has shown promise in several meta-analyses. However, most
      of the studies included in previous meta-analyses were from Italy. The aim of
      this study was to compare the efficacy of ST with that of TT in Asia by
      performing a meta-analysis of studies from Asia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      performed a comprehensive literature search for studies comparing the efficacy of
      ST with TT. Randomised controlled trials investigated in the Asian population
      were included. The odds ratios (OR) of eradicating H. pylori infection after ST
      compared with TT were pooled. The eradication rates were considered both on an
      intention-to-treat (ITT) and on a per-protocol basis (PP). RESULTS: A total of
      nine studies provided data on 3074 adult patients. The odds ratio (OR) for
      eradication of H. pylori with ST compared with TT was 1.768 (95% CI: 1.476-2.117,
      P=0.000) for ITT analysis and 1.997 (95% CI: 1.607-2.480, P=0.000) for PP
      analysis. The pooled eradication rates of ITT analysis was 81.3% (95% CI: 76.5
      85.3) for the ST group and 70.8% (95% CI: 64.6-76.4) for the TT group. The pooled
      eradication rates of PP analysis was 87.6% (95% CI: 84.1-90.5) for the ST group
      and 77.1% (95% CI: 70.9-82.3) for the TT group. There was no difference in the
      rate of adverse events between ST and TT (OR 0.945, 95% CI: 0.874-1.238,
      P=0.658). CONCLUSION: ST appears to be better than TT in the eradication of H.
      pylori in Asia. These results suggest that ST may be a reasonable choice for
      first line therapy in Asia.

PMID- 24238723
TI  - Illuminating liver fibrosis with vitamin D.
AB  - Hepatic fibrosis results from the accumulation of extracellular matrix-producing
      myofibroblasts in the liver. The mechanisms leading to the activation of hepatic
      stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts have been well described. By contrast,
      few molecular pathways leading to myofibroblast deactivation have been
      documented. Recently, the vitamin D-VDR axis has been shown to modulate HSC
      activity through a complex mechanism involving epigenetic modifications induced
      by the SMAD pathway. 

PMID- 24238724
TI  - Effects of short-term storage on the motility, oxidative stress, and ATP content
      of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) sperm.
AB  - The effective short-term storage of semen is essential when processing multiple
      sperm samples and when semen must be transported from collection sites to
      hatcheries for the fertilization of ova, or to laboratories for cryopreservation.
      In the present study, the spermatozoa of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)
      were used to evaluate the effects of short-term storage on quality parameters
      (the percentage of motile cells and the total period of sperm motility),
      oxidative stress indices, and the ATP content. Spermatozoa cells exhibited >50%
      motility during 6 days of storage where the average total duration of sperm
      motility varied from 376.42 +/- 80.86 s initially to 19.28 +/- 10.96 s after 6
      days. No motile spermatozoa were recorded after 9 days of storage. The levels of
      oxidative stress indices (TBARS and CP) and antioxidant activity (SOD) increased
      significantly with the storage time. The ATP content also decreased significantly
      after 2 days of storage. The results of this study may facilitate successful
      reproduction management and cryopreservation protocols for this endangered fish.

PMID- 24238725
TI  - The effect of the number of transferred embryos, the interval between nuclear
      transfer and embryo transfer, and the transfer pattern on pig cloning efficiency.
AB  - To improve the efficiency of producing cloned pigs, we investigated the influence
      of the number of transferred embryos, the culturing interval between nuclear
      transfer (NT) and embryo transfer, and the transfer pattern (single oviduct or
      double oviduct) on cloning efficiency. The results demonstrated that transfer of
      either 150-200 or more than 200NT embryos compared to transfer of 100-150 embryos
      resulted in a significantly higher pregnancy rate (48 +/- 16, 50 +/- 16 vs. 29 +/
      5%, p<0.05) and average litter size (4.1 +/- 2.3, 7 +/- 3.6 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.5). In
      vitro culture of reconstructed embryos for a longer time (40 h vs. 20 h) resulted
      in higher (p<0.05) pregnancy rate (44 +/- 9 vs. 31 +/- 3%) and delivery rate (44
      +/- 9 vs. 25 +/- 9%). Furthermore, double oviductal transfer dramatically
      increased pregnancy rate (83 +/- 6 vs. 27+8%, p<0.05), delivery rate (75 +/- 2
      vs. 27+8%, p<0.05) and average litter size (6.5 +/- 2.8 vs. 2.6 +/- 1.2) compared
      to single oviductal transfer. Our study demonstrated that an improvement in pig
      cloning efficiency is achieved by adjusting the number and in vitro culture time
      of reconstructed embryos as well as the embryo transfer pattern.

PMID- 24238726
TI  - [Intra-abdominal hypertension: effects on the splanchnic circulation. Preliminary
      study in a model of ascites].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Intra-abdominal hypertension is defined as a rise in intra
      abdominal pressure leading to progressive dysfunction of the abdominal organs.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of intra-abdominal hypertension on the
      splanchnic circulation in a porcine animal model with a view to determining the
      diagnostic method of choice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 10 swine were
      divided into 2 groups: a control group and a group with an ascites pressure of
      20mmHg. Transvesical and transperitoneal intra-abdominal pressures were
      registered, and the correlation between the measurements obtained was determined.
      Concentrations of lactic acid, alanine aminotransferase, glucose and gastric
      mucosal pH were also obtained. We registered the mean arterial and abdominal
      perfusion pressures, and the correlation of the latter with gastric mucosal pH
      and lactic acid concentrations. The parameters were registered for a total of
      3hours. RESULTS: We observed a high correlation between transvesical and
      transperitoneal measurements of intra-abdominal pressure (R(2)=0.98). In the
      20mmHg pressure group, lactic acid concentrations increased significantly at
      180min (p<0.011). Gastric mucosal pH differed significantly between the 2 groups
      from the beginning of the study (p=0.004) and significantly decreased from 120min
      onward. Mean arterial and abdominal perfusion pressures gradually decreased
      during the trial, with early significant changes in the abdominal perfusion
      pressure (p=0.001), and a good correlation with the remaining study parameters.
      There were no significant changes in hepatic indicators. CONCLUSIONS: We believe
      the transvesical approach to be the technique of choice to determine intra
      abdominal pressure. Abdominal perfusion pressure is a sensitive marker of intra
      abdominal hypertension, and gastric mucosal pH is the first parameter to be
      affected.

PMID- 24238727
TI  - Comment on: High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in a United Kingdom urban
      morbidly obese population: Implications for testing and treatment.

PMID- 24238728
TI  - Bariatric surgery-induced weight loss: does it have any impact on serum cystatin
      C levels?

PMID- 24238729
TI  - Duodenal-jejunal bypass for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Chinese patients
      with an average body mass index<24 kg/m2.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is frequently reported that bariatric surgery often leads to
      resolution of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM). Limited experience with duodenal
      jejunal bypass (DJB) for the treatment of T2 DM has shown controversial results.
      We present the first study of DJB for T2 DM patients in China. The objective of
      this study was to evaluate the effects of DJB in nonobese Chinese patients with
      T2 DM. METHODS: From March 2009 to March 2011, a total of 10 T2 DM patients with
      an average body mass index (BMI) of 23.8 +/- 1.2 kg/m(2) were enrolled in the
      study. DJB was performed in all patients. BMI and glycometabolic parameters were
      collected at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Remission
      of T2 DM was defined as a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of<7% without
      diabetic medication. RESULTS: Remission of T2 DM was observed in 1 (10%) of 10 T2
      DM patients at 6 months. Without increasing antihyperglycemic agents, fasting
      plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, and HbA1c decreased
      significantly at each postoperative time point, compared with the preoperative
      baseline. BMI statistically decreased at 1 and 3 months, but did not reach
      statistical significance at 6, 12, and 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: DJB can improve
      glycemic control in nonobese T2 DM patients without significant weight loss but
      may not be effective enough to induce remission of T2 DM in nonobese Chinese
      patients. A larger sample size and more constrictive inclusion criteria may be
      required for better evaluation.

PMID- 24238730
TI  - Intestinal obstruction due to colonic volvulus in a patient with a previous
      bariatric surgery and intestinal malrotation.

PMID- 24238731
TI  - Metabolic surgery for diabetes mellitus after pancreatectomy.

PMID- 24238732
TI  - Management of gastrobronchial fistula after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric fistula (GF) is a serious complication after laparoscopic
      sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Furthermore, gastrobronchial fistula (GBF) may appear
      some time after a primary LSG. The objective of this study was to characterize
      GBF after LSG and establish standardized treatment procedures. METHODS: All
      patients undergoing surgery for GBF after LSG at a public university medical
      center in France between November 2004 and January 2013 were included in this
      study. Surgical and perioperative care was standardized. The primary efficacy
      criterion was the complication rate. Secondary efficacy criteria were the
      mortality rate, surgical data, types of complications, and the length of stay
      (LOS) in hospital. RESULTS: Six patients were treated for GBF after LSG: 2
      presented GBF after primary LSG performed in our institution and 4 had been
      referred by tertiary centers. The median (range) time to onset of GBF after LSG
      was 136 days (99-238 d). Preoperative refeeding was performed in 5 cases. The
      median time interval between the discovery of GBF and its surgical treatment was
      31 days (7-137 d). Five patients underwent simultaneous abdominal and thoracic
      procedures. The abdominal procedures consisted of total gastrectomy (n = 1) and
      60-cm Roux-en-Y gastrojejunal anastomosis (n = 6). There were no postoperative
      mortalities. Four postoperative complications occurred (66.6%), 2 of which were
      postoperative fistulas (33.3%) requiring revisional surgery. The median time to
      oral refeeding was 10 days (8-65 d) and the median LOS was 14 days (13-25 d).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our treatment of GBF is based on effective drainage with endoscopic
      procedures, allowing optimal preoperative refeeding before combined abdominal and
      thoracic surgery. For the abdominal procedure, we prefer a 60-cm Roux-en-Y
      gastrojejunal anastomosis to total gastrectomy, because the former is simpler and
      minimizes the long-term risk of postoperative malabsorption.

PMID- 24238734
TI  - A contextual clinical assessment for student midwives in Ireland.
AB  - Newly qualified midwives are required to be competent, safe practitioners
      providing high standards of care for mothers and babies. The role of educators is
      to teach for a sense of salience to enable students to meet this challenge with
      confidence and competence and to develop clinical reasoning skills. The
      difficulties of formulating an assessment that captures all these elements is
      challenging for all involved in midwifery education. Although the Objective
      Structured Clinical Skills Examination (OSCE) is a useful format for assessing
      aspects of practice, it does not capture the students' simultaneous interaction
      with a woman and her baby while performing routine care where a variety of issues
      can be assessed in a contextual way. In University College Cork, a clinical
      assessment has been developed whereby students perform an aspect of clinical care
      followed by a low-fidelity simulated pregnancy complication or emergency
      appropriate to the student's level of learning. The students demonstrate their
      level of knowledge and skills in a contextual environment. Assessment in practice
      is challenging for midwives and educators but is essential in determining fitness
      for entry into the profession. 

PMID- 24238733
TI  - Improvement in gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms after various bariatric
      procedures: review of the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the
      morbidly obese population is as high as 45%. The objective of this study was to
      compare the efficacy of various bariatric procedures in the improvement of GERD.
      METHODS: The Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database is a prospective database
      of patients who undergo bariatric surgery by a participant in the American
      Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence program. GERD is
      graded on a 6-point scale, from 0 (no history of GERD) to 5 (prior surgery for
      GERD). Patients with GERD severe enough to require medications (grades 2, 3, and
      4) from June 2007 to December 2009 are identified; the resolution of GERD is
      noted based on 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Of a total of 116,136 patients, 36,938
      patients had evidence of GERD preoperatively. After excluding patients undergoing
      concomitant hiatal hernia repair or fundoplication, there were 22,870 patients
      with 6-month follow-up. Mean age was 47.6+/-11.1 years, with an 82% female
      population. Mean BMI was 46.3+/-8.0 kg/m(2). Mean preoperative GERD score for
      patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) was 2.80+/-.56, and mean
      postoperative score was 1.33+/-1.41 (P<.0001). Similarly, adjustable gastric
      banding (AGB, 2.77+/-.57 to 1.63+/-1.37, P<.0001) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG,
      2.82+/-.57 to 1.85+/-1.40, P<.0001) had significant improvement in GERD score.
      GERD score improvement was best in RYGB patients (56.5%; 7955 of 14,078) followed
      by AGB (46%; 3773 of 8207) and SG patients (41%; 240 of 585). CONCLUSION: All
      common bariatric procedures improve GERD. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is superior to
      adjustable gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy in improving GERD. Also, the
      greater the loss in excess weight, the greater the improvement in GERD score.

PMID- 24238735
TI  - Associations between baccalaureate nursing students' perceptions of educational
      environment and HESI scores and GPA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Students' perceptions of their educational environment have been
      found to be related to their approaches to learning and learning outcomes.
      Educational environment is just beginning to be researched in nursing education
      with the vast majority of studies focusing on the clinical educational
      environment. Perception of educational environment has been shown to influence
      student implementation of a specific learning style and influences educational
      outcomes such as program completion and GPA. There is a need for sound research
      that explores the relationship, if any, between perceptions of environment and
      outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between baccalaureate nursing
      student (BSN) perception of educational environment (SPEE) and objective learning
      outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective correlational descriptive study. SETTING: Private
      School of Nursing in the Southwest. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 62
      graduating baccalaureate students. METHODS: All graduating BSN students were
      invited to complete the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM)
      through the online survey application Qualtrics. A total of 62 students completed
      the DREEM survey. These results were compared with each student's GPA and HESI
      score. RESULTS: A total of 62 students completed the survey for an overall
      response rate of 57%. There was no correlation between total SPEE and nursing
      grade point average (NGPA) or HESI exit scores. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study
      at this institution, it appears that students' performance was not influenced by
      SPEE. One of the major implications of this study is the possibility that an
      "acceptable" SPEE (one that is neither exceptional nor terrible) may not
      significantly influence student outcomes. Exploring this relationship has
      theoretical as well as practical implications as educators seek to determine the
      effectiveness of educational interventions. Student perception of learning
      environment is measured in various ways at the majority of institutions. It has
      been assumed that an educational environment that is ranked high by students
      result in increased learning. However, as the science of nursing education
      advances, educators need to determine if and how these perceptions relate to
      actual learning outcomes. As academicians, we need to be concerned with the
      relationship between learning outcomes and environment in order to create the
      most effective learning environment.

PMID- 24238737
TI  - Electrocardiographic ST-segment monitoring during controlled occlusion of
      coronary arteries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ischemia monitoring cannot always be performed by 12-lead ECG. Hence,
      the individual performance of the ECG leads is crucial. No experimental data on
      the ECG's specificity for transient ischemia exist. METHODS: In 45 patients a 19
      lead ECG was registered during a 1-minute balloon occlusion of a coronary artery
      (left anterior descending artery [LAD], right coronary artery [RCA] or left
      circumflex artery [LCX]). ST-segment shifts and sensitivity/specificity of the
      leads were measured. RESULTS: During LAD occlusion, V3 showed maximal ST-segment
      elevation (0.26mV [IQR 0.16-0.33mV], p=0.001) and sensitivity/specificity (88%
      and 80%). During RCA occlusion, III showed maximal ST-elevation (0.2mV [IQR 0.09
      0.26mV], p=0.004), aVF had the best sensitivity/specificity (85% and 68%). During
      LCX occlusion, V6 showed maximal ST-segment elevation (0.04mV [IQR 0.02-0.14mV],
      p=0.005), and sensitivity/specificity was (31%/92%) but could be improved
      (63%/72%) using an optimized cut-off for ischemia. CONCLUSION: V3, aVF and V6
      show the best performance to detect transient ischemia.

PMID- 24238738
TI  - Adsorption of selenite and selenate by nanocrystalline aluminum oxide, neat and
      impregnated in chitosan beads.
AB  - Nanocrystalline metal oxide impregnated chitosan beads (MICB) were successfully
      developed with nanocrystalline aluminum oxide (n-Al2O3) to form n-Al2O3
      impregnated chitosan beads (AICB). AICB were able to simultaneously adsorb
      inorganic aqueous selenite and selenate more effectively than n-Al2O3 or chitosan
      alone. For completeness, adsorption performance was also compared to n-TiO2, a
      widely studied adsorbent for selenium, and n-TiO2 impregnated chitosan beads
      (TICB). For the selenite system, n-Al2O3 was the primary active adsorbent
      responsible for removal as chitosan has a low affinity for selenite. For
      selenate, however, chitosan was the primary active adsorbent. The association
      constants for the adsorbent/adsorbate complexes and the relative amounts in which
      they are present supported this hypothesis. The association constants for
      selenate binding on n-Al2O3 and chitosan were 1.215 * 10(-2) and 3.048 * 10(-3),
      respectively, and the association constants for selenite binding on n-Al2O3 and
      chitosan were 1.349 * 10(-2) and 1.990 * 10(-4), respectively. For systems with
      coexisting selenite and selenate, AICB is potentially the most robust option as
      it maintained the most consistent performance regardless of fractionation of the
      selenium species. Kinetic studies and equilibrium isotherms were completed and
      effectively modeled using pseudo-second order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption
      theory, making it the first comprehensive systematic study of neat n-Al2O3 and
      AICB for selenium adsorption. pH significantly impacted adsorption due to changes
      in the adsorbent surface charge; increasing pH corresponded with decreasing
      adsorbent performance, beginning at approximately pH 6.5-7 for AICB. The trend in
      performance due to the effect of pH indicated that selenate binds to the amine
      group in chitosan, as suggested by other studies. In addition, increasing
      background sulfate concentration was found to negatively impact adsorption
      efficacy for both selenite, and more significantly, selenate, as sulfate is known
      to compete with selenium oxyanions due to their similar structures. The results
      indicate that, in order to maintain consistent removal in more realistic systems,
      a pre-treatment process to manage sulfate will be necessary as indicated for
      other adsorbents implemented for selenium adsorption in aqueous systems. 

PMID- 24238736
TI  - Smoking and microRNA dysregulation: a cancerous combination.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional gene regulators that are
      differentially expressed in several pathophysiological conditions including
      cancer. They impact the disease course by modulating an array of putative target
      gene(s). Interestingly, there is a strong correlation between the various miRNAs
      target(s) and the smoking-regulated genes in cancer. This review article provides
      an insight into the current status of smoking-induced miRNAs and their
      genetic/epigenetic regulation in smoking-associated cancers, with a major focus
      on lung cancer (LC). Furthermore, it discusses the role of miRNAs in smoking
      mediated oncogenic events in cancer and explores the diagnostic/prognostic
      potential of miRNA-based biomarkers and their efficacy as therapeutic targets. 

PMID- 24238739
TI  - Reevaluation of health risk benchmark for sustainable water practice through risk
      analysis of rooftop-harvested rainwater.
AB  - Health risk concerns associated with household use of rooftop-harvested rainwater
      (HRW) constitute one of the main impediments to exploit the benefits of rainwater
      harvesting in the United States. However, the benchmark based on the U.S. EPA
      acceptable annual infection risk level of <=1 case per 10,000 persons per year
      (<=10(-4) pppy) developed to aid drinking water regulations may be unnecessarily
      stringent for sustainable water practice. In this study, we challenge the current
      risk benchmark by quantifying the potential microbial risk associated with
      consumption of HRW-irrigated home produce and comparing it against the current
      risk benchmark. Microbial pathogen data for HRW and exposure rates reported in
      literature are applied to assess the potential microbial risk posed to household
      consumers of their homegrown produce. A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment
      (QMRA) model based on worst-case scenario (e.g. overhead irrigation, no pathogen
      inactivation) is applied to three crops that are most popular among home
      gardeners (lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes) and commonly consumed raw. The
      infection risks of household consumers attributed to consumption of these home
      produce vary with the type of produce. The lettuce presents the highest risk,
      which is followed by tomato and cucumber, respectively. Results show that the
      95th percentile values of infection risk per intake event of home produce are one
      to three orders of magnitude (10(-7) to 10(-5)) lower than U.S. EPA risk
      benchmark (<=10(-4) pppy). However, annual infection risks under the same
      scenario (multiple intake events in a year) are very likely to exceed the risk
      benchmark by one order of magnitude in some cases. Estimated 95th percentile
      values of the annual risk are in the 10(-4) to 10(-3) pppy range, which are still
      lower than the 10(-3) to 10(-1) pppy risk range of reclaimed water irrigated
      produce estimated in comparable studies. We further discuss the desirability of
      HRW for irrigating home produce based on the relative risk of HRW to reclaimed
      wastewater for irrigation of food crops. The appropriateness of the <=10(-4) pppy
      risk benchmark for assessing safety level of HRW-irrigated fresh produce is
      questioned by considering the assumptions made for the QMRA model. Consequently,
      the need of an updated approach to assess appropriateness of sustainable water
      practice for making guidelines and policies is proposed. 

PMID- 24238740
TI  - Are the intertidal fish highly resistant to UV-B radiation? A study based on
      oxidative stress in Girella laevifrons (Kyphosidae).
AB  - Sea chub, Girella laevifrons, is a coastal fish that inhabits high intertidal
      rockpools along the coast of Chile. The intertidal pools where the juveniles
      live, are an extreme environment with high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation,
      becoming harmful to the organisms, due to oxidative stress generated by reactive
      oxygen species. For this reason organisms develop adaptations that allow them to
      survive in this complex environment. The search of biomonitor species, sensitive
      to UV radiation is very important in aquatic ecosystems, mainly in the southern
      hemisphere where depletion of the ozone layer and the consequent increase of UV
      radiation, have become an environmental problem. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the effect of ultraviolet radiation in G. laevifrons and its possible
      use as UV-B radiation biomonitor specie in intertidal systems, which are very
      important for the Chilean fisheries. The effect of UV radiation exposure on
      juvenile G. laevifrons was measured through oxidative stress parameters.
      Catalase's activity increased with the time of exposure, unlike superoxide
      dismutase's activity which peaked at 2h, decreasing towards the 5th hour of
      irradiation. The superoxide dismutase activity in muscle tissue did not show
      significant differences. The lipid peroxidation and DNA damage increased in
      relation to exposition times. Tissue muscle's DNA damage was shown only at 5h of
      exposure. Significant differences between the two organs in the antioxidant
      capacity were observed, the liver of G. laevifrons exhibited the higher
      antioxidant capacity. It can be concluded that this specie exhibits effective
      protection mechanisms against UV radiation exposure and it is not appropriate
      specie as a biomonitor in intertidal systems. 

PMID- 24238741
TI  - In vivo and in vitro genotoxicity assessment of 2-methylisoborneol, causal agent
      of earthy-musty taste and odor in water.
AB  - The water eutrophication process by phosphorus and nitrogen allows cyanobacteria
      blooms which promote, among other effects, the generation and release of the
      metabolite 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) in the environment. This substance has been
      shown to be recalcitrant to conventional water treatment, degrading water
      quality. Considering the limited number of studies on the biological effects of 2
      MIB in eukaryotic organisms, the present study assessed the genotoxicity of 2-MIB
      using the in vitro comet assay and cytokinesis block-micronucleus (CBMN-Cytome)
      assay on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and the in vivo Drosophila
      melanogaster Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART). The results showed
      that 2-MIB (125, 250 and 500 ug/mL) was unable to induce gene and chromosome
      mutations or events associated with mitotic recombination in the SMART.
      Similarly, four different concentrations (7.5, 15, 30 and 60 ug/mL) of 2-MIB did
      not induce increments in frequencies of micronuclei, nuclear buds, and
      nucleoplasmatic bridges in the CBMN-Cytome assay. In the comet assay, the
      positive results were restricted to the highest dose, 60 ug/mL of 2-MIB. The
      results obtained may help evaluate the genotoxic profile of extracellular algal
      products.

PMID- 24238742
TI  - Development of a chronic, early life-stage sub-lethal toxicity test and recovery
      assessment for the tropical zooxanthellate sea anemone Aiptasia pulchella.
AB  - There is an urgent need to identify additional tropical marine species and
      develop sensitive sub-lethal and chronic toxicity test methods for routine
      ecotoxicology. The tropical symbiotic sea anemone Aiptasia pulchella is a
      suitable species for use in ecotoxicology and here we have assessed the effects
      of trace metal exposures on the development of asexually produced A. pulchella
      pedal lacerates to a juvenile stage. Concentrations of 55 ug/L for cadmium, 262
      ug/L for cobalt, 5 ug/L for copper, and 269 ug/L for zinc were estimated to
      inhibit normal development by 50 percent after 8-d exposures, and are among the
      most sensitive available toxicity estimates for marine organisms. This work
      illustrates the potential value of this species and sub-lethal toxicological
      endpoint for routine ecotoxicology in tropical marine environments.

PMID- 24238745
TI  - Application of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in neonates.
AB  - Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) uses the electrical activity of the
      diaphragm (Edi) as a neural trigger to synchronize mechanical ventilatory breaths
      with the patient's neural respiratory drive. Using this signal enables the
      ventilator to proportionally support the patient's instantaneous drive on a
      breath-by-breath basis. Synchrony can be achieved even in the presence of
      significant air leaks, which make this an attractive choice for invasive and non
      invasive ventilation of the neonate. This paper describes the Edi signal,
      neuroventilatory coupling, and patient-ventilator synchrony including the
      functional concept of NAVA. Safety features, NAVA terminology, and clinical
      application of NAVA to unload respiratory musculature are presented. The use of
      the Edi signal as a respiratory vital sign for conventional ventilation is
      discussed. The results of animal and adult studies are briefly summarized and
      detailed descriptions of all NAVA-related research in pediatric and neonatal
      patients are provided. Further studies are needed to determine whether NAVA will
      have significant impact on the overall outcomes of neonates. 

PMID- 24238743
TI  - Landmark matching based retinal image alignment by enforcing sparsity in
      correspondence matrix.
AB  - Retinal image alignment is fundamental to many applications in diagnosis of eye
      diseases. In this paper, we address the problem of landmark matching based
      retinal image alignment. We propose a novel landmark matching formulation by
      enforcing sparsity in the correspondence matrix and offer its solutions based on
      linear programming. The proposed formulation not only enables a joint estimation
      of the landmark correspondences and a predefined transformation model but also
      combines the benefits of the softassign strategy (Chui and Rangarajan, 2003) and
      the combinatorial optimization of linear programming. We also introduced a set of
      reinforced self-similarities descriptors which can better characterize local
      photometric and geometric properties of the retinal image. Theoretical analysis
      and experimental results with both fundus color images and angiogram images show
      the superior performances of our algorithms to several state-of-the-art
      techniques. 

PMID- 24238744
TI  - Transcriptome signatures of class I and III stress response deregulation in
      Lactobacillus plantarum reveal pleiotropic adaptation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To cope with environmental challenges bacteria possess sophisticated
      defense mechanisms that involve stress-induced adaptive responses. The canonical
      stress regulators CtsR and HrcA play a central role in the adaptations to a
      plethora of stresses in a variety of organisms. Here, we determined the CtsR and
      HrcA regulons of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 grown
      under reference (28 degrees C) and elevated (40 degrees C) temperatures, using
      ctsR, hrcA, and ctsR-hrcA deletion mutants. RESULTS: While the maximum specific
      growth rates of the mutants and the parental strain were similar at both
      temperatures (0.33 +/- 0.02 h(-1) and 0.34 +/- 0.03 h(-1), respectively), DNA
      microarray analyses revealed that the CtsR or HrcA deficient strains displayed
      altered transcription patterns of genes encoding functions involved in transport
      and binding of sugars and other compounds, primary metabolism, transcription
      regulation, capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis, as well as fatty acid
      metabolism. These transcriptional signatures enabled the refinement of the gene
      repertoire that is directly or indirectly controlled by CtsR and HrcA of L.
      plantarum. Deletion of both regulators, elicited transcriptional changes of a
      large variety of additional genes in a temperature-dependent manner, including
      genes encoding functions involved in cell-envelope remodeling. Moreover,
      phenotypic assays revealed that both transcription regulators contribute to
      regulation of resistance to hydrogen peroxide stress. The integration of these
      results allowed the reconstruction of CtsR and HrcA regulatory networks in L.
      plantarum, highlighting the significant intertwinement of class I and III stress
      regulons. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results enabled the refinement of the
      CtsR and HrcA regulatory networks in L. plantarum, illustrating the complex
      nature of adaptive stress responses in this bacterium.

PMID- 24238747
TI  - Toward lung protective ventilation during general anesthesia: a new challenge.

PMID- 24238746
TI  - Complete recovery after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with prolonged (59 min)
      mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mild therapeutic hypothermia and
      complex percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial
      infarction.
AB  - We report on a 68 years old survivor of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with
      favorable neurological outcome following prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation
      (CPR 59 min) until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) due to ST-elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI). The case demonstrates the beneficial effect of an
      optimal rescue chain including basic life support performed by trained
      bystanders, short response time of the emergency medical service, uninterrupted
      CPR during transportation using a mechanical chest compression system (LUCAS(r)),
      in combination with optimal intensive care management of cardiogenic shock after
      ROSC including multivessel emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and
      intravascular therapeutic hypothermia (Coolgard(r)-System).

PMID- 24238748
TI  - [Lower limb arterial disease and renal artery stenosis].
AB  - Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) refers to the atherosclerotic involvement of
      non-coronary and extracranial arteries, including visceral arteries, the aorta
      and its branches and the arteries of the limbs. PAD usually refers exclusively to
      atherosclerosis of the limbs (in particular the lower limbs). Age, male sex,
      smoking and diabetes, as well as hypertension and dyslipidemia, are the most
      relevant risk factors for the development of PAD. PAD is frequently associated
      with coronary heart disease and stroke. PAD patients have increased risk of
      developing cardiovascular complications (coronary disease, stroke) and total and
      cardiovascular mortality, even after adjustment by conventional risk factors.
      Despite this PAD exhibit a worse control of risk factors. This opens up an
      important opportunity to optimize their control, which can result in an
      improvement of the prognosis of patients with PAD. Ischemic nephropathy includes
      a constellation of disorders that are frequently associated: hypertension, renal
      failure and renal artery stenosis (RAS). RAS risk factors are similar to those of
      PAD. Recent studies have shown that renal revascularization is not associated
      with improvement in blood pressure control, preservation of renal function or
      reduction of cardiovascular events in most patients. Therefore, revascularization
      should be reserved for selected cases on an individual basis. In all cases, a
      strict control of vascular risk factors should be attempted.

PMID- 24238749
TI  - [Ischaemic heart disease].
AB  - In the year 2011, cardiovascular diseases were responsible of 31.2% of total
      deaths in Spain. The absolute number of cases of acute coronary syndrome in this
      year will be approximately 115,752 cases (95%CI: 114,822-116,687). The prevalence
      of stable angina in the population aged 25-74 years is 2.6% in men and 3.5% in
      women. Cardiovascular diseases were in the year 2011 the first cause of
      hospitalizations representing 14.1% of the total hospitalizations. Diagnose of
      ischaemic heart disease and acute myocardial infarction were responsible of
      110,950 and 50,064 hospitalizations, respectively. In the year 2003, the
      hospitalization rate was 314 while in the year 2011 was 237 per 100,000, a
      reduction of 24.4%. The average cost of hospitalization due to ischaemic heart
      disease in 1997 was 3,093.7euros while in the year 2011 was 7,028.71euros.
      Cardiovascular mortality rates have decreased from 2007 to 2011, showing a
      relative reduction of 7% in women and 8% in men. With regard to myocardial
      infarction, it was observed a relative reduction of 17% in men and 20% in women.
      According to EUROASPIREIII survey done in 8,966 patients with ischaemic heart
      disease in Europe, 17% of patients were still smokers, 35% were obese, 56% has
      uncontrolled blood pressure, 51% has raised blood cholesterol and 25% were
      diabetics. With regard to drugs utilisation, 91% were treated with antiplatelets
      agents, 80% with beta blockers, 71% with ACE inhibitors/ARBs.

PMID- 24238750
TI  - Weight-bearing asymmetries during Sit-To-Stand in patients with mild-to-moderate
      hip osteoarthritis.
AB  - The Sit-To-Stand (STS) transition is a mechanically demanding task that may pose
      particular challenges for individuals with lower limb osteoarthritis (OA).
      Biomechanical features of STS have been investigated in patients with OA, but not
      in patients with early stage hip OA. The purpose of this study was to explore
      inter-limb weight-bearing asymmetries (WBA) and selected kinematic and kinetic
      variables during STS in patients with mild-to-moderate hip OA compared with
      healthy controls. Twenty-one hip OA patients and 23 controls were included in the
      study. Sagittal and frontal plane kinematic and kinetic data were collected using
      an eight-camera motion analysis system synchronized with two force plates
      embedded in the floor. There were no distinctive biomechanical alterations in
      sagittal or frontal plane kinematics or kinetics, movement time, or time to reach
      peak ground reaction force (GRF) in hip OA patients compared with controls.
      However, the hip OA patients revealed a distinct pattern of WBA compared with the
      controls, in unloading their involved limb by 18.4% at peak GRF. These findings
      indicate that patients with early stage hip OA are not yet forced into a
      stereotypical movement strategy for STS; however, the observed pattern of WBA
      requires clinical attention. 

PMID- 24238751
TI  - Comparison of superficial surgical site infection between delayed primary and
      primary wound closures in ruptured appendicitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Delayed primary (DPC) and primary (PC) wound closures have been
      applied in ruptured appendicitis, but results were controversial. This study aims
      at comparing the rate of superficial surgical site infection (SSI) in ruptured
      appendicitis between DPC and PC. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of ruptured
      appendicitis was conducted between October 2006 and November 2009. Demographic,
      operative findings and postoperative infection data were retrieved. The
      superficial SSI rates between groups were compared using an exact test. An odds
      ratio of SSI was then estimated. RESULTS: One-hundred and twenty eight patients
      with ruptured appendicitis were eligible and their data were retrieved; 115 (90%)
      patients had received DPC and 13 (10%) patients had received PC. The SSI rate was
      much lower in PC patients than in DPC patients, i.e., 7.7% [95% confidence
      interval (CI): 0.02, 36.0] versus 27.8% (95% CI: 19.9, 37.0), respectively. There
      was an approximately 72% lower risk of SSI in the PC group than in the DPC group,
      but this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.18). CONCLUSION: Our study
      suggested that PC does not increase risk of SSI in low SSI risk patients with
      ruptured appendicitis. DPC should not be routinely done.

PMID- 24238752
TI  - Aortic root geometry in patients with aortic stenosis assessed by real-time three
      dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The authors hypothesized that aortic root geometry is different
      between bicuspid and tricuspid aortic stenosis (AS) that can be assessed using
      real-time three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography. The aims of
      this study were (1) to validate the accuracy of 3D transesophageal
      echocardiographic measurements of the aortic root against multidetector computed
      tomography as a reference, (2) to determine the difference of aortic root
      geometry between patients with tricuspid and bicuspid AS, and (3) to assess its
      impact on pressure recovery. METHODS: In protocol 1, 3D transesophageal
      echocardiography and contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography were
      performed in 40 patients. Multiplanar reconstruction was used to measure the
      aortic annulus, the sinus of Valsalva, and the sinotubular junction area, as well
      as the distance and volume from the aortic annulus to the sinotubular junction.
      In protocol 2, the same 3D transesophageal echocardiographic measurements were
      performed in patients with tricuspid AS (n = 57) and bicuspid AS (n = 26) and in
      patients without AS (n = 32). The energy loss coefficient was also measured in
      patients with AS. RESULTS: In protocol 1, excellent correlations of aortic root
      geometric parameters were noted between the two modalities. In protocol 2,
      compared with patients without AS, those with tricuspid AS had smaller both
      sinotubular junction areas and longitudinal distances, resulting in a 23%
      reduction of aortic root volume. In contrast, patients with bicuspid AS had
      larger transverse areas and longitudinal distances, resulting in a 30% increase
      in aortic root volume. The energy loss coefficient revealed more frequent
      reclassification from severe AS to moderate AS in patients with tricuspid AS
      (17%) compared with those with bicuspid AS (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional
      transesophageal echocardiography successfully revealed different aortic root
      morphologies between tricuspid and bicuspid AS, which have different impacts on
      pressure recovery.

PMID- 24238753
TI  - Age-related normal range of left ventricular strain and torsion using three
      dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is an
      emerging technology used to quantify left ventricular (LV) function. However, the
      accuracy and normal values of LV strain and twist using 3D STE have not been
      established in a large group of normal subjects. The aims of this study were to
      (1) to evaluate the accuracy of 3D STE analysis of LV strain against a cardiac
      magnetic resonance (CMR) reference and (2) to establish age-related normal values
      of LV strain and torsion using real-time 3D echocardiographic (RT3DE) images.
      METHODS: In protocol 1, RT3DE data sets and CMR images were acquired on the same
      day in 19 patients referred for clinically indicated CMR. Global LV longitudinal,
      circumferential, and radial strain was compared between the two modalities. In
      protocol 2, global and regional strain and twist and torsion were measured in 313
      healthy subjects using 3D STE. RESULTS: In protocol 1, good correlations for each
      LV strain component were noted between RT3DE imaging and CMR (r = 0.61-0.86, P <
      .001). In protocol 2, normal global longitudinal, circumferential, radial, and 3D
      strain were -20.3 +/- 3.2%, -28.9 +/- 4.6%, 88.0 +/- 21.8%, and -37.6 +/- 4.8%,
      respectively. A significant age dependency was observed for global longitudinal
      and 3D strain. Aging also affected LV torsion: the lowest values were found in
      children and adolescents, and values subsequently increased with age, while
      further aging was associated with a gradual reduction in basal rotation
      accompanied by an increase in apical rotation. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides
      initial validation of 3D strain analysis from RT3DE images and reference values
      of normal 3D LV strain and torsion. The age-related differences in LV strain and
      torsion may reflect myocardial maturation and aging.

PMID- 24238754
TI  - Identification of predictive biomarkers for early diagnosis of larynx carcinoma
      based on microRNA expression data.
AB  - The abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays a key role in tumorigenesis.
      In order to identify potential miRNA biomarkers for early diagnosis of larynx
      carcinoma, we employed a miRNA microarray technique and applied bioinformatic
      algorithms to characterize miRNA classifiers in early larynx carcinoma and normal
      esophageal mucosa tissue samples from 69 patients who were selected
      retrospectively for this study. We identified 47 miRNAs that were significantly
      differentially expressed in primary larynx tumor tissues compared to normal
      tissues using a SAM algorithm. Of these, 30 were up-regulated and 17 down
      regulated in early larynx cancer, including hsa-miR-657, which was overexpressed,
      and hsa-miR-1287, which was underexpressed. These two candidate miRNA biomarkers
      were combined as a single classifier to recognize the biological characteristics
      in early larynx carcinoma. Real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR
      validated the microarray results in both trial and test samples. The hsa-miR-657
      hsa-miR-1287 classifier displayed high sensitivity and specificity for
      discriminating between early larynx carcinoma and normal mucosa tissues,
      suggesting they may be suitable as potential predictive biomarkers for the early
      diagnosis of larynx carcinoma. 

PMID- 24238755
TI  - Why global risk scores fail to detect at-risk young women and men with acute
      coronary syndromes.

PMID- 24238756
TI  - Characteristics and evidence-based management of stable coronary artery disease
      patients in Canada compared with the rest of the world: insights from the CLARIFY
      registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous Canadian high vascular risk registries have demonstrated
      suboptimal goal-directed reductions in cardiovascular risk factors and
      underutilization of guideline-recommended therapies in part because of physician
      underestimation of cardiovascular risk. METHODS: The Prospective Observational
      Longitudinal Registry of Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease (CLARIFY)
      registry enrolled 33,438 stable coronary artery disease patients in 45 countries.
      In Canada, supplemental information was obtained specifying reasons that patients
      were not taking guideline-recommended medications. RESULTS: In Canada, 1232
      patients (9 provinces, 110 physicians) were enrolled and in comparison with the
      rest of the world, there were several differences in cardiovascular risk factors
      and medical history; in addition, the Canadian cohort had undergone less
      percutaneous coronary intervention, but more coronary artery bypass grafting.
      Among the Canadian cohort, many still continue to smoke (13%) and many do not
      meet secondary prevention targets for waist circumference (54%), body mass index
      (81%), physical activity (71%), cholesterol (43%), and systolic blood pressure
      (20%). Nevertheless, the use of guideline-recommended cardiovascular therapy was
      high and >90% reported partial/full financial coverage for medications. The
      number of patients not receiving guideline-recommended therapies because of
      apparent underestimation of risk was particularly low for antiplatelet agents
      (2%), beta-blockers (11%), and lipid-lowering therapies (1%). CONCLUSIONS:
      Canadian patients with stable coronary artery disease did not meet several
      guideline-recommended secondary prevention targets, despite high use of evidence
      based therapy, extensive financial coverage for these medications, and low
      physician underestimation of risk. Additional work is needed to identify and
      address the remaining barriers to effective risk factor control.

PMID- 24238758
TI  - Preventing cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention: have
      we been asleep at the switch?

PMID- 24238757
TI  - Sex- and gender-related risk factor burden in patients with premature acute
      coronary syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few contemporary data exist on traditional (TRF) and non-TRF (NTRF)
      burden in patients with premature acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS:
      Prevalence of TRFs and NTRFs were measured in 1015 young (55 years old or
      younger) ACS patients recruited from 26 centres in Canada, the United States, and
      Switzerland. Risk factors were compared across sex and family history categories,
      and against a sample of the general Canadian population based on the 2000-2001
      Canadian Community Health Survey. The 10- and 30-year risks of cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) were estimated using Framingham Risk Scores. RESULTS: Risk factors
      were more prevalent in premature ACS patients compared with the general
      population. Young women with a family history of coronary artery disease showed
      the greatest risk factor burden including TRFs of hypertension (67%),
      dyslipidemia (67%), obesity (53%), smoking (42%), and diabetes (33%), and NTRFs
      of anxiety (55%), low household income (44%), and depression (37%). The estimated
      median 10-year risk of CVD was 7% (interquartile range [IQR], 3%-9%) in women and
      13% (IQR, 7%-17%) in men, whereas the 30-year risk of CVD was 36% (IQR, 22%-49%)
      in women and 44% (IQR, 31%-57%) in men. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with premature ACS,
      especially women with a positive family history, are characterized by a very high
      risk factor burden that is poorly captured by 10-year risk estimates but better
      captured by 30-year estimates. Consideration of NTRFs and use of 30-year risk
      estimates might better estimate risk in young individuals and improve the
      prevention of premature ACS.

PMID- 24238759
TI  - Acute left main coronary occlusion caused by stent fracture, peri-stent aneurysm
      formation, and very-late stent thrombosis: revisiting the dark side of drug
      eluting stents.
AB  - A patient presented with acute distal left main occlusion as a result of very
      late stent thrombosis of 2 drug-eluting stents. Intravascular ultrasound imaging
      confirmed the presence of a peri-stent aneurysm coupled with malapposition at the
      site of a stent fracture, reflecting an abnormal vascular response to drug
      eluting stents. 

PMID- 24238760
TI  - Lenalidomide monotherapy in chemotherapy-naive, castration-resistant prostate
      cancer patients: final results of a phase II study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the activity of lenalidomide, which has
      antiangiogenic, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory properties, in chemotherapy
      naive, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients. PATIENTS: Patients
      received 25 mg/d lenalidomide for 21 days in 28-day cycles, until disease
      progression or unacceptable toxicity developed. Endpoints included overall
      response rate and clinical benefit (overall response + stable disease), toxicity,
      time to radiographic progression, and time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
      progression, overall survival, and quality of life. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients
      were enrolled in the study; of these, 77% (n = 25) had Gleason scores >= 7. The
      median age was 74 years (58-89 y), the median PSA level was 66 ng/mL (2-919
      ng/mL), and 5 of 32 patients (17%) had liver or lung involvement. The median
      number of lenalidomide cycles was 3 (1-16 cycles). Stable disease was seen in 20
      patients, for a clinical benefit rate of 63%. The median time to radiographic
      progression was 4 months (2-16 mo); the median overall survival was 20 months. Of
      27 PSA-evaluable patients, 13 (48%) had a decline in PSA level; 3 (11%) had > 50%
      PSA decrease; the median time to PSA progression was 3 months (2-9 mo). Grade 3/4
      hematologic toxicities were the most common adverse events without adverse impact
      on quality of life. Serious adverse events occurred in 14 patients (44%),
      including 1 patient (3%) with a rash definitely related to lenalidomide.
      CONCLUSION: Lenalidomide monotherapy demonstrates modest activity in chemotherapy
      naive CRPC.

PMID- 24238761
TI  - Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with microinvasive breast cancer: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the role of sentinel
      lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with microinvasive breast cancer. METHODS:
      We searched MEDLINE and ISI Web of Science to identify studies including patients
      with microinvasive breast cancer who underwent SLNB and reported the rate of
      sentinel-node positivity. We performed proportion meta-analysis using either
      fixed or random-effects model based on the between-study heterogeneity. FINDINGS:
      A total of 24 studies including 968 patients met the eligibility criteria. The
      summary estimate for the sentinel-node (SN) positivity rate was 3.2% (95%
      Confidence Interval (CI): 2.1%-4.6%), 4.0% (95% CI 2.7%-5.5%), and 2.9% (95% CI:
      1.6%-4.6%) for macrometastasis, micrometastasis and isolated tumor cells (ITC)
      respectively. Significant between-study heterogeneity was observed only in the
      meta-analysis of ITC positivity rate. INTERPRETATION: The amount of positive
      sentinel node in patients with proven microinvasive breast cancer is relatively
      low. As a result, the indications for SLNB in these patients should be probably
      individualized.

PMID- 24238762
TI  - Radiologic assessment of earliest, best, and plateau response of gastrointestinal
      stromal tumors to neoadjuvant imatinib prior to successful surgical resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To determine the timing of earliest, best and plateau response to
      neoadjuvant imatinib in patients with GIST. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this IRB
      approved retrospective study, we included all 20 patients (10 women; mean age 61
      years, range 30-83 years) with KIT-positive primary GIST who received neoadjuvant
      imatinib and underwent surgery between January 2001 and December 2012. Earliest
      (earliest time to partial response), best (percentage reduction in longest axial
      diameter [LAD] and volume correlated with RECIST 1.1 and volumetric criteria) and
      plateau (time point when there was <10% change in treatment response between two
      consecutive scans beyond best response) responses were analyzed on review of
      imaging. RESULTS: Median tumor size at baseline was 7.2 cm (range, 3.0-31.4 cm).
      Median duration of neoadjuvant imatinib was 32 weeks (IQR, 16-36 weeks). Partial
      response was noted in 16/20 patients (median interval = 16 weeks; IQR, 7-26
      weeks); 4/20 had stable disease. Median time to earliest PR was 16 weeks (IQR, 7
      26 weeks). At best response, median decrease in LAD and volume were 43% (IQR, 31
      48%) and 83% (IQR, 63-87%), (median interval = 28 weeks; IQR, 18-37 weeks), at
      which point 10 tumors were resected. Plateau response (45% [IQR, 35-45%] LAD
      reduction) was noted in the remaining 10 patients (median interval = 34 weeks;
      IQR, 26-41 weeks) before resection. Tumor size, location or risk category did not
      correlate with best response or time to best response. CONCLUSION: Best response
      to neoadjuvant imatinib was seen at 28 weeks irrespective of tumor size and
      location. Plateau response was seen at 34 weeks, beyond which further treatment
      may not be beneficial.

PMID- 24238763
TI  - Esophageal cancer in Iran; a population-based study regarding adequacy of cancer
      surgery and overall survival.
AB  - AIMS: Prognosis of esophageal cancer (EC) is poor. Population-based studies
      regarding EC survival and adequacy of cancer surgery (ACS) from developing
      countries are lacking. We aimed to evaluate EC patients' survival and ACS in a
      population-based setting for the first time from Iran. METHODS: We randomly
      selected 409 cases from all 3048 newly diagnosed EC patients who were registered
      in the nationwide cancer registry in calendar year 2005-2006 and followed them
      until 2009. An expert panel in Cancer Institute of Iran reviewed adequacy of
      esophageal cancer surgery on a national basis. RESULTS: Overall three-year
      survival rate was 17%. The median (95% CI) survival time of all patients and
      cases who underwent surgery alone were 8.5 (6.9-10.1) and 6.0 (3.1-8.9) months,
      respectively. The hospital mortality was 27.8% among the operated patients. Only
      6.8% of cases had documented free circumferential resection margin and merely
      4.0% of patients experienced resection of more than 15 lymph nodes during
      surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In Iran, the overall survival of EC patients with different
      treatment modalities are slightly less than those reported from high-income
      countries, but cases with surgery alone as the main treatment had worse outcome
      compared with their counterparts in developed countries. Surgery with curative
      intent has not been performed in most cases in Iran. It seems current clinical
      outcome of EC patients could be improved with surgical quality improvement and/or
      more use of chemoradiation in Iran.

PMID- 24238764
TI  - Infant sensitivity to speaker and language in learning a second label.
AB  - Two experiments examined when monolingual, English-learning 19-month-old infants
      learn a second object label. Two experimenters sat together. One labeled a novel
      object with one novel label, whereas the other labeled the same object with a
      different label in either the same or a different language. Infants were tested
      on their comprehension of each label immediately following its presentation.
      Infants mapped the first label at above chance levels, but they did so with the
      second label only when requested by the speaker who provided it (Experiment 1) or
      when the second experimenter labeled the object in a different language
      (Experiment 2). These results show that 19-month-olds learn second object labels
      but do not readily generalize them across speakers of the same language. The
      results highlight how speaker and language spoken guide infants' acceptance of
      second labels, supporting sociopragmatic views of word learning. 

PMID- 24238765
TI  - Neo-valvuloplasty for lymphatic supermicrosurgery.

PMID- 24238766
TI  - Response from the authors of 'Treatment of infantile haemangiomas with atenolol:
      comparison with a historical propranolol group'.

PMID- 24238767
TI  - [Important differences between faculties of medicine. Implications for family and
      community medicine].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if there are significant differences between universities
      in the proclivity to choose Family and Community Medicine (FCM), given the
      constraints imposed by the number of choice. To test the hypothesis that the
      Schools of Medicine that have the FCM as a compulsory subject in the degree (3 of
      27) had the highest preference for this specialty. DESIGN: Observational study on
      the data file of all the individuals taking the MIR examination between 2003 and
      2011. LOCATION: Spain. PARTICIPANTS: All those who sat the examinations called by
      MIR 2003-2011. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Position in the ranking of each candidate,
      elected position (specialty and center), post code of residence, sex, nationality
      and university in which they studied, and post code location for the residence
      chosen. RESULTS: The percentage electing FCM is highly correlated with the
      position in the ranking: 8% of graduates for the 'best' college, 46% for the
      worst. Very noticeable and consistent differences in the preparation for the MIR
      among the 27 medical schools. Ranking in the exam, female and foreigner, help
      predict the choice of FCM. The FCM compulsory curriculum from three universities
      does not seem to exert any influence. CONCLUSIONS: The convenient yardstick
      competition between the schools of medicine, FCM in their curriculum and the
      emphasis on the most attractive attributes of the specialty can contribute to the
      necessary renewal of FCM.

PMID- 24238768
TI  - Cough syncope.
AB  - Loss of consciousness following cough was first described in 1876 as "laryngeal
      vertigo" Since then, several hundred cases of what is now most commonly termed
      cough syncope have been reported, often in association with various medical
      conditions. Some early authors assumed this entity to be a form of epilepsy, but
      by the mid-20th century, general consensus reflected that post-tussive syncope
      was a consequence of markedly elevated intrathoracic pressures induced by
      coughing. A typical profile of the cough syncope patient emerging from the
      literature is that of a middle-aged, large-framed or overweight male with
      obstructive airways disease. Presumably, such an individual would be more likely
      to generate the extremely high intrathoracic pressures associated with cough
      induced fainting. The precise mechanism of cough syncope remains a matter of
      debate. Theories proposed include various consequences of the marked elevation of
      intrathoracic pressures induced by coughing: diminished cardiac output causing
      decreased systemic blood pressure and, consequently, cerebral hypoperfusion;
      increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure causing increased extravascular
      pressure around cranial vessels, resulting in diminished brain perfusion; or, a
      cerebral concussion-like effect from a rapid rise in CSF pressure. More recent
      mechanistic studies suggest a neurally mediated reflex vasodepressor-bradycardia
      response to cough. Since loss of consciousness is a direct and immediate result
      of cough, elimination of cough will eliminate the resultant syncopal episodes.
      Thus, the approach to the patient with cough syncope requires thorough evaluation
      and treatment of potential underlying causes of cough, as summarized in several
      recently published cough management guidelines. 

PMID- 24238769
TI  - Effect of indacaterol on arterial blood gases in patients suffering from acute
      exacerbation of COPD.
AB  - AIM: The administration of beta2-agonists to patients with airways obstruction
      often results in transient decrease in PaO2 despite concomitant bronchodilation.
      This effect is potentially dangerous for patients suffering from acute
      exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). In this study, we investigated the effect of
      indacaterol 150 MUg and 300 MUg on the arterial blood gas tensions of
      hospitalised patients with AECOPD. METHODS: We explored the acute effects on
      arterial blood gases and spirometry of two doses of indacaterol Breezhaler (150
      and 300 MUg) in 12 patients hospitalised because of an AECOPD in 2 non
      consecutive days under open-label, randomized, crossover conditions, with blind
      evaluation. Blood specimens were taken just before the inhalation and at 15, 30,
      60, 120, 240 and 360 min after inhalation of each treatment, and spirometry was
      performed at the same time points. RESULTS: Both doses of indacaterol did not
      cause significant changes in blood gases, although some patients with relatively
      well-preserved PaO2 presented transient episodes of oxygen desaturation that
      normalize spontaneously in a very short time. Moreover, they induced a
      significant mean increase in FEV1 and FVC, although the improvement caused by
      indacaterol 300 MUg was larger. CONCLUSIONS: Indacaterol up to 300 MUg is a
      potent bronchodilator that may induce small, transient decrease in PaO2 mainly in
      patients with relatively well-preserved PaO2. There appeared to be no clinical
      consequences of these PaO2 abnormalities in patients suffering from AECOPD.

PMID- 24238770
TI  - Contrasting breathing retraining and helium-oxygen during pulmonary
      rehabilitation in COPD: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breathing-retraining and helium-oxygen (heliox) have been used to
      improve exercise tolerance in COPD. We hypothesized that, in patients with COPD,
      exercise duration after exercise-training plus breathing-retraining and oxygen
      would be longer than after exercise-training plus heliox or after exercise
      training plus oxygen alone. We also explored the short-term maintenance of gains
      in exercise duration after using each technique. METHODS: Of 192 COPD patients
      recruited, 103 were randomly assigned to exercise-training plus heliox (n = 33),
      exercise-training plus breathing-retraining and oxygen (n = 35) and exercise
      training and oxygen (n = 35). FiO2 was 0.30 during testing and training in all
      groups. Patients exercised on a treadmill thrice-weekly for eight weeks. Before,
      at completion of training, and six-weeks later, patients underwent constant-load
      treadmill testing. RESULTS: At completion of training, improvements in exercise
      duration in the heliox and breathing-retraining groups were not significantly
      different. Compared to the exercise-training plus oxygen group, exercise duration
      improved more in the breathing-retraining group (P = 0.008) but not in the heliox
      group (P = 0.142). Hyperinflation was reduced with breathing-retraining plus
      oxygen compared to the other two groups. Six-weeks later, improvements in
      exercise duration were still greater with breathing-retraining than with exercise
      training (P = 0.015). In contrast, improvements in exercise duration with heliox
      did not differ from those in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In moderate-to
      severe COPD, exercise-training combined with either heliox or with breathing
      retraining yielded not significantly different improvements in exercise duration 
      with only the latter being superior to exercise-training. Six-weeks after
      training, these improvements were still greater after exercise-training plus
      breathing-retraining than after exercise-training. TRIAL REGISTRY:
      ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00123422.

PMID- 24238771
TI  - Cleaning sprays, household help and asthma among elderly women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is increasing evidence on the deleterious role in asthma of the
      use of household cleaning products in spray forms in adults. Household help might
      induce misclassification errors. The aim of the present analysis was to study
      associations between household exposure to cleaning sprays and current asthma in
      elderly women, taking into account household help. METHODS: A nested case-control
      survey on respiratory health was undertaken among a random sample of French women
      from the E3N study. Data were available for 570 women (235 with current asthma
      and 335 without asthma history; 68 years old on average, 59% never smokers).
      Three estimates of domestic exposure were used: 1) self-reported, 2) using
      principal component analysis, 3) a composite score for sprays. Associations
      between domestic exposures and asthma were assessed by logistic regression,
      adjusted for age, educational level, BMI and smoking status. Analyses were
      further stratified on household help in order to evaluate a potential
      misclassification bias. RESULTS: Among women without household help (n = 325), a
      significant association was observed between weekly use of at least one spray and
      current asthma (OR [95% CI]: 1.86[1.04-3.33]). No association was observed among
      women with household help. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly household use of cleaning sprays
      may have a deleterious effect on asthma. It is important to take into account
      household help to limit misclassification bias.

PMID- 24238772
TI  - Increased arterial stiffness in stable and severe asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation is related to disease progression in asthma.
      The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a marker for early
      atherosclerotic changes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the baPWV levels in
      patients with stable and severe asthma. METHODS: We examined baPWV, high
      sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), lung function parameters, and arterial
      blood gas analysis in patients with asthma and control subjects. 85 stable asthma
      patients and 85 severe asthmatics were investigated. 85 control subjects matched
      for age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and smoking status were recruited.
      RESULTS: The patients with severe asthma had increased baPWV and CRP compared
      with the patients with stable asthma and control subjects. Furthermore, baPWV was
      elevated in stable asthma compared with control subjects. There was a negative
      correlation between baPWV and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), after
      adjusting age, gender, BMI and smoking status (r = -0.414, p < 0.001). Similarly,
      baPWV was negatively correlated with FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = 
      0.431, p < 0.001). Although there was no correlation between CRP and baPWV in
      patients with stable asthma, CRP was positively correlated with baPWV in patients
      with severe asthma (r = 0.229, p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: baPWV tends to increase
      as pathogenic condition aggravated in asthma. In addition, elevated baPWV
      correlates with impaired lung function. Our observation suggests that baPWV is
      useful for early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in asthma.

PMID- 24238773
TI  - Can we identify patients with different illness schema following an acute
      exacerbation of COPD: a cluster analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) reduces hospital admissions following
      an acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) but
      adherence is known to be poor. Patients' illness perceptions may affect adherence
      to disease-management strategies but to date have not been explored following an
      exacerbation. The study aim is two-fold; firstly to prospectively explore
      acceptance and uptake of post-exacerbation PR and secondly to identify possible
      clusters of patients' illness perceptions following hospitalisation for an
      exacerbation of COPD. METHODS: Patients admitted to hospital with an exacerbation
      of COPD were recruited to a prospective observational study. Self-reported
      illness perceptions, mood, health status and self-efficacy were assessed.
      Acceptance and uptake of PR were recorded at six months. Cluster analysis of
      Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised data was used to establish groups of
      patients holding distinct beliefs. RESULTS: 128 patients were recruited.
      Acceptance and uptake of PR following an acute exacerbation was poor with only 9%
      (n = 11) completing the programme. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct
      groups: Cluster 1 'in control' (n = 52), Cluster 2 'disengaged' (n = 36) and
      Cluster 3 'distressed' (n = 40). Significant between-cluster differences were
      observed in mood, health status and self-efficacy (p < 0.01). Acceptance and
      uptake of PR did not differ between clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptance/uptake of
      post-exacerbation PR was found to be poor. Three distinct illness schema exist in
      patients following an acute exacerbation. This information may be useful in
      developing novel psychologically-informed interventions designed to reduce
      feelings of distress and perhaps facilitate a PR intervention for this vulnerable
      population.

PMID- 24238774
TI  - The gender-specific association between asthma and the need to smoke tobacco.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between multidimensional tobacco
      dependence and youths' asthma status with gender as an effect modifier.
      BACKGROUND: Despite the adverse respiratory effects, some adolescents with asthma
      smoke tobacco. Girls and boys have been shown to have different motivations for
      tobacco use. METHODS: Secondary analyses were conducted of data obtained from
      1248 adolescents who completed the British Columbia Youth Survey of Smoking and
      Health II. The sample was limited to youth who reported current or experimental
      tobacco use and who provided asthma status information. Tobacco dependence was
      assessed with the modified-Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire and four-dimension
      Adolescents' Need for Smoking Scale (ANSS), which assesses social dependence,
      physical dependence, emotional dependence, and sensory dependence on tobacco. All
      analyses were stratified by gender. RESULTS: The sample was 535 boys and 713
      girls who were 15.9 years of age (SD = 1.5), on average. Gender was associated
      with both self-reported asthma status and the physical dependence dimension of
      the ANSS. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that girls with asthma,
      compared with girls without asthma, had higher physical tobacco dependence
      scores, after adjusting for demographic and other factors. None of the tobacco
      dependence dimensions was associated with the asthma status of boys. CONCLUSIONS:
      Asthmatic girls who report smoking may be doing so because they develop physical
      dependence relatively quickly and lose their autonomy with respect to tobacco
      use. They may require significant support for smoking cessation, including
      cognitive behavioral therapy and nicotine replacement therapy.

PMID- 24238775
TI  - Tissue distribution of 35S-labelled perfluorobutanesulfonic acid in adult mice
      following dietary exposure for 1-5 days.
AB  - Perfluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride (PBSF) has been introduced as a replacement for
      its eight-carbon homolog perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride (POSF) in the
      manufacturing of fluorochemicals. Fluorochemicals derived from PBSF may give rise
      to perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) as a terminal degradation product.
      Although basic mammalian toxicokinetic data exist for PFBS, information on its
      tissue distribution has only been reported in one study focused on rat liver.
      Therefore, here we characterized the tissue distribution of PFBS in mice in the
      same manner as we earlier examined its eight-carbon homolog
      perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) to allow direct comparisons. Following dietary
      exposure of adult male C57/BL6 mice for 1, 3 or 5d to 16 mg (35)S-PFBS kg(-1) d(
      1), both scintillation counting and whole-body autoradiography (WBA) revealed the
      presence of PFBS in all of the 20 different tissues examined, demonstrating its
      ability to leave the bloodstream and enter tissues. After 5d of treatment the
      highest levels were detected in liver, gastrointestinal tract, blood, kidney,
      cartilage, whole bone, lungs and thyroid gland. WBA revealed relatively high
      levels of PFBS in male genital organs as well, with the exception of the testis.
      The tissue levels increased from 1 to 3 d of exposure but appeared thereafter to
      level-off in most cases. The estimated major body compartments were whole bone,
      liver, blood, skin and muscle. This exposure to PFBS resulted in 5-40-fold lower
      tissue levels than did similar exposure to PFOS, as well as in a different
      pattern of tissue distribution, including lower levels in liver and lungs
      relative to blood.

PMID- 24238776
TI  - Association of naturally occurring radionuclides in sludges from Drinking Water
      Treatment Plants previously optimized for their removal.
AB  - The raw water used in Drinking Water Treatment Plants (DWTPs) can present high
      values of naturally occurring radionuclides. In order to reduce this content, the
      routine working conditions of DWTPs were successfully modified. This meant that
      those radionuclides were accumulated in the sludges generated, whose radioactive
      content was frequently above the exemption levels. It therefore becomes necessary
      to assess the association of naturally occurring radionuclides in the sludges for
      their potential use as agricultural fertilizers. Two approaches were studied: (a)
      the effect of different sequential extraction methods applied to a selected
      sludge; and (b) the effect of the different contents of inorganic complexes
      dissolved in the input water on the composition of the sludges generated by two
      DWTPs with different origins of their input water. Uranium and radium were mainly
      associated with the carbonated and reducible fractions, while (210)Po and (228)Th
      were associated with the residual fraction. There were differences between the
      two speciation methods, but the order of bioavailable radionuclides was roughly
      the same: (226)Ra~(234,238)U>(228)Th>(210)Po. The major inorganic complexes
      content, mainly carbonate, in the raw water affected the radionuclide
      association. The greater the carbonate content in the raw water, the greater was
      the association of uranium and radium with the carbonated and easily reducible
      fractions. 

PMID- 24238777
TI  - To harm or not to harm? On the evolution and expression of virulence in group A
      streptococci.
AB  - Group A streptococci (GAS) cause three different types of infection (sensu lato)
      with distinct levels of virulence: asymptomatic colonization, superficial
      symptomatic infection, and invasive infection. To address why this pattern with
      several infection types has evolved, we combine mechanistic understanding from
      infection medicine with recent theory from evolutionary ecology. We propose that
      asymptomatic colonization and superficial symptomatic infection exploit different
      states of the host epithelium to maximize transmission between hosts in different
      epidemiological conditions, whereas the ability of the bacteria to cause invasive
      infection is a non-adaptive side effect of traits required for superficial
      symptomatic infection. 

PMID- 24238778
TI  - Treatment as prevention and cure towards global eradication of hepatitis C virus.
AB  - The availability of curative, direct-acting antiviral drugs against hepatitis C
      virus (HCV) sparks an ethical call for HCV eradication and provides essential
      tools to spearhead the effort. Challenges include increasing awareness of the
      chronic hepatitis C epidemic, garnering sufficient public, private, and
      governmental financial will to invest in the necessary resources, developing
      pangenotypic drug regimens for global application, and mitigating ethical
      concerns. To achieve these goals, stakeholders including clinicians, public
      health professionals, legislators, advocates, and industry can employ a variety
      of strategies such as increasing HCV screening, implementing treatment as
      prevention, and improving linkage to care, as well as developing innovative
      pricing and payment solutions, stimulating innovation through local drug
      development in high-prevalence regions, continuing vaccine development, and
      creating efficiencies in the marketing and distribution of educational materials
      and drug treatments. 

PMID- 24238779
TI  - Fledgling pathoconnectomics of psychiatric disorders.
AB  - Pathoconnectomics, the mapping of abnormal brain networks, is a popular current
      framework for the study of brain dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. In this
      review we evaluate the conceptual foundations of this framework, describe the
      construction and analysis of empirical models of brain networks or connectomes,
      and summarize recent reports of the large-scale whole-brain connectome
      organization of two candidate brain-network disorders, schizophrenia and autism.
      We consider the evidence for the abnormal brain-network nature of psychiatric
      disorders and find it inconclusive. For instance, although there is some evidence
      for more random whole-brain network organization in schizophrenia and autism,
      future studies need to determine if these and other observed brain-network
      abnormalities represent sufficient phenotypes of psychiatric disorders, in order
      to validate pathoconnectomics as a scientific and clinical framework. 

PMID- 24238780
TI  - Primate feedstock for the evolution of consonants.
AB  - The evolution of speech remains an elusive scientific problem. A widespread
      notion is that vocal learning, underlined by vocal-fold control, is a key
      prerequisite for speech evolution. Although present in birds and non-primate
      mammals, vocal learning is ostensibly absent in non-human primates. Here we argue
      that the main road to speech evolution has been through controlling the
      supralaryngeal vocal tract, for which we find evidence for evolutionary
      continuity within the great apes. 

PMID- 24238781
TI  - Attachment and alcohol use amongst athletes: the mediating role of
      conscientiousness and alexithymia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to explore the mediating effects of
      conscientiousness and alexithymia in the relationship between parental attachment
      style and alcohol use in a large sample of athletic young people. METHOD:
      Participants included 434 French sport sciences students. Alcohol use, parental
      attachment style, conscientiousness and alexithymia were assessed. The hypotheses
      were tested by using regression and bootstrapping mediation analyses. RESULTS:
      Maternal insecure attachment style is positively associated with alcohol use. The
      current study highlights a multiple pathway in this relationship. The results
      reveal the mediating effect of low conscientiousness and alexithymia between
      maternal insecure attachment and alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Athletes' alcohol use
      seems to be the result of a complex association of underlying psychological
      factors.

PMID- 24238782
TI  - Rate of progression from first use to dependence on cocaine or opioids: a cross
      substance examination of associated demographic, psychiatric, and childhood risk
      factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of demographic factors, psychiatric disorders, and childhood
      risk factors have been associated with cocaine dependence (CD) and opioid
      dependence (OD), but little is known about their relevance to the rate at which
      dependence develops. Identification of the subpopulations at elevated risk for
      rapid development of dependence and the risk factors that accelerate the course
      of dependence is an important public health goal. METHODS: Data were derived from
      cocaine dependent (n=6333) and opioid dependent (n=3513) participants in a multi
      site study of substance dependence. Mean age was approximately 40 and 40% of
      participants were women; 51.9% of cocaine dependent participants and 29.5% of
      opioid dependent participants self-identified as Black/African-American. The time
      from first use to dependence was calculated for each substance and a range of
      demographic, psychiatric, and childhood risk factors were entered into ordinal
      logistic regression models to predict the (categorical) transition time to CD and
      OD. RESULTS: In both the cocaine and opioid models, conduct disorder and
      childhood physical abuse predicted rapid development of dependence and alcohol
      and nicotine dependence diagnoses were associated with slower progression to CD
      or OD. Blacks/African Americans were at greater risk than European Americans to
      progress rapidly to OD. CONCLUSIONS: Only a subset of factors known to be
      associated with CD and OD predicted the rate at which dependence developed.
      Nearly all were common to cocaine and opioids, suggesting that sources of
      influence on the timing of transitions to dependence are shared across the two
      substances.

PMID- 24238784
TI  - [Impact of physical activity level on alexithymia and coping strategies in an
      over-40 multiple sclerosis population: a pilot study].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of physical
      activity on alexithymia and coping strategies among people with multiple
      sclerosis aged over 40. The hypotheses were that physical activity should have a
      protective effect on alexithymia, and more particularly, on "emotional
      identification" and could influence coping strategies because it can be
      considered as a distractive coping strategy. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients aged
      40 years or older were asked to complete a form including an identification sheet
      and standardized questionnaires: the Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire
      (version B), the Coping with Health Injuries and Problem Questionnaire, the
      Fatigue Impact Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: The
      participants with a high or moderate level of physical activity used "information
      research" as a coping strategy better than those who had a lower level of
      physical activity. They also analyzed their emotions better. The results revealed
      an association between these variables and anxiety, depression and fatigue.
      DISCUSSION: This study provides insight for future research about the impact of
      physical activity on multiple sclerosis.

PMID- 24238783
TI  - Brain potentials measured during a Go/NoGo task predict completion of substance
      abuse treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: U.S. nationwide estimates indicate that 50% to 80% of prisoners have
      a history of substance abuse or dependence. Tailoring substance abuse treatment
      to specific needs of incarcerated individuals could improve effectiveness of
      treating substance dependence and preventing drug abuse relapse. We tested
      whether pretreatment neural measures of a response inhibition (Go/NoGo) task
      would predict which individuals would or would not complete a 12-week cognitive
      behavioral substance abuse treatment program. METHODS: Adult incarcerated
      participants (n = 89; women n = 55) who volunteered for substance abuse treatment
      performed a Go/NoGo task while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded.
      Stimulus- and response-locked ERPs were compared between participants who
      completed (n = 68; women = 45) and discontinued (n = 21; women = 10) treatment.
      RESULTS: As predicted, stimulus-locked P2, response-locked error-related
      negativity (ERN/Ne), and response-locked error positivity (Pe), measured with
      windowed time-domain and principal component analysis, differed between groups.
      Using logistic regression and support-vector machine (i.e., pattern classifiers)
      models, P2 and Pe predicted treatment completion above and beyond other measures
      (i.e., N2, P300, ERN/Ne, age, sex, IQ, impulsivity, depression, anxiety,
      motivation for change, and years of drug abuse). CONCLUSIONS: Participants who
      discontinued treatment exhibited deficiencies in sensory gating, as indexed by
      smaller P2; error-monitoring, as indexed by smaller ERN/Ne; and adjusting
      response strategy posterror, as indexed by larger Pe. The combination of P2 and
      Pe reliably predicted 83.33% of individuals who discontinued treatment. These
      results may help in the development of individualized therapies, which could lead
      to more favorable, long-term outcomes.

PMID- 24238785
TI  - [2012 literature review on peripheral neuropathies: immune neuropathies
      (treatments excluded)].
AB  - In 2012, interest remains high in the field of dysimmune neuropathies, chiefly
      concerning Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). The pathophysiological mechanisms are
      now better known but electrophysiological criteria should be updated. The risk of
      GBS in H1N1 vaccination is now well evaluated. Nerve ultrasonography provides new
      prospects for diagnosis and follow-up of dysimmune neuropathies but cannot
      substitute for electrophysiology. This paper aims to present some noteworthy
      articles published in 2012 in the field of dysimmune neuropathies. 

PMID- 24238786
TI  - [Animal models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and their relevance for
      understanding the disease in humans].
AB  - Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathies (CMT) are inherited neuromuscular disorders
      caused by length-dependent neurodegeneration of peripheral nerves. More than 900
      mutations in 60 different genes are responsible for Charcot-Marie-Tooth
      neuropathy. Despite significant progress in therapeutic strategies, the disease
      remains incurable. The increasing number of genes linked to the disease, and
      their considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity renders the development of
      these strategies particularly challenging. In this context, cellular and animals
      models provide powerful tools. Efficient motor and sensory tests have been
      developed to assess the behavioral phenotype in transgenic animal models (rodents
      and fly). When these models reproduce a phenotype comparable to CMT, they allow
      therapeutic approaches and the discovery of modifiers and biomarkers. The
      majority of these models concern the demyelinating form (type 1) of the disease.
      The axonal form (type 2) is less common. Both forms can further be divided into
      multiple subtypes reflecting the heterogeneity of the disease. In this review, we
      describe the most convincing transgenic rodent and fly models of CMT and how some
      of them led to clinical trials. 

PMID- 24238787
TI  - Malnutrition in healthcare institutions: a review of the prevalence of under
      nutrition in hospitals and care homes since 1994 in England.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: One in four hospital patients in the UK are estimated to be
      affected by 'hospital malnutrition' (under-nutrition). There is a need for robust
      epidemiological data relating to the frequency, distribution and determinants of
      this clinical problem of public health importance. This review aims to undertake
      a narrative synthesis of data on the descriptive epidemiology of under-nutrition,
      and to address some of the methodological limitations. METHODS: A methodical
      review of literature was undertaken, tracking the reported prevalence and
      incidence of under-nutrition in hospital, in the UK, since 1994. RESULTS: The 16
      articles retrieved and reviewed demonstrate that nutrition in hospital is a long
      standing problem in UK hospitals and care homes. The existing literature is
      comprised mainly of cross-sectional surveys describing the prevalence of under
      nutrition in hospital which ranges from 11 to 45%. There is considerable
      heterogeneity in the published literature on hospital malnutrition (under
      nutrition) and very few studies either measure or have estimated incidence.
      CONCLUSIONS: Under-nutrition in hospital continues to be under-addressed, yet a
      major public health problem in the UK. Defining the descriptive epidemiology of
      this problem is one of the first steps towards understanding its aetiology or
      planning and evaluating appropriate prevention or treatment strategies.

PMID- 24238788
TI  - Monosodium glutamate intake is inversely related to the risk of hyperglycemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: In animal studies, monosodium glutamate (MSG) intake at a
      particular age has been found to increase the risk of insulin resistance and
      obesity. Inconsistent associations between MSG intake and overweight have been
      reported in humans. No population study has assessed the association between MSG
      intake and diabetes risk. This study aims to prospectively examine the
      association between MSG intake and hyperglycemia in a Chinese population.
      METHODS: We followed 1056 healthy adults aged 20 years and older from 2002 to
      2007. Dietary data were collected during home visits using a 3-day food record
      and a food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected at
      baseline and follow up. Hyperglycemia was defined as fasting plasma glucose >5.6
      mmol/l. RESULTS: During the follow-up we identified 125 cases of hyperglycemia.
      The highest quartile of MSG intake was associated with a lower risk of incident
      hyperglycemia, even after adjustment for a number of covariates, including
      dietary patterns. Comparing the highest with the lowest quartiles of MSG intake,
      the odds ratio (OR) for hyperglycemia was 0.30 (95% CI 0.13-0.66). There was a
      linear inverse association between MSG intake and change in blood glucose.
      CONCLUSION: This cohort study suggests that high MSG intake is associated with a
      decreased risk of hyperglycemia in Chinese adults.

PMID- 24238789
TI  - Consumption of oral hospital diets and percent adequacy of minerals in oncology
      patients as an indicative for the use of oral supplements.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Deficiencies in the consumption of foods and nutrients favor
      malnutrition in patients. Considering the recommendations for the ingestion of
      minerals, the content, consumption and percent adequacy of the minerals (Ca, Cu,
      Fe, Mg, Mn, K, P, Na, Zn and Se) were evaluated amongst oncology patients who
      received oral diets isolated or associated with an oral food complement (OFC),
      evaluating the need and composition of an oral supplement. METHODS: The mineral
      composition as determined by ICP-OES, and the food consumption of the patients
      served regular, bland and soft diets, were evaluated on six non-consecutive
      weekdays. Patients with increased nutritional needs received OFC. The
      consumptions were calculated by deducting the weight of the leftovers from the
      value served. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients took part of which 59.5% were men,
      the mean age was 57 +/- 15 years old, and 126 (77.3%), 27 (16.6%) and 10 (6.1%)
      were served the regular, bland and soft diets, respectively, with (23.0%), 8
      (30.7%) and 4 (40.0%) receiving the OFC. Patient consumption was lower when the
      regular (74.2 vs 79.7%) and soft (68.9 vs 74.2%) diets were combined with OFC.
      For all diets, less was consumed at the lunch (61.2%-65.7%) and dinner (39.9%
      62.8%) meals. Patients that received the OFC showed reduced meal consumption and
      higher Ca ingestion. The mineral contents of the diets were inadequate, with
      66.8% of the patients ingesting Na above the UL and K below the nutritional
      recommendation (100%). CONCLUSION: The diet consumption, isolated or associated
      with OFC was insufficient, and hence the exclusion of OFC and the inclusion of a
      mineral supplement (without P and Na) was indicated to adequate ingestion to the
      nutritional recommendations.

PMID- 24238790
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of everolimus for second-line treatment of metastatic renal
      cell carcinoma in Serbia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: New targeted therapeutics for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC)
      enable an increment in progression-free survival (PFS) ranging from 2 to 6
      months. Compared with best supportive care, everolimus demonstrated an additional
      PFS of 3 months in patients with mRCC whose disease had progressed on sunitinib
      and/or sorafenib. The only targeted therapy for mRCC currently reimbursed in
      Serbia is sunitinib. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the cost
      effectiveness and the budget impact of the introduction of everolimus in Serbia
      in comparison to best supportive care, for mRCC patients refractory to sunitinib.
      METHODS: A Markov model was designed corresponding with Serbian treatment
      protocols. A health care payer perspective was taken, including direct costs
      only. Treated and untreated cohorts were followed up over 18 cycles, each cycle
      lasting 8 weeks, which covered the lifetime horizon of mRCC patients refractory
      to the first-line treatment. Annual discounted rates of 1.5% for effectiveness
      and 3% for costs were applied. Transitions between health states were modeled by
      time-dependent probabilities extracted from published Kaplan-Meier curves of PFS
      and overall survival (OS). Utility values were obtained from the appraisals of
      other mRCC treatments. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were done
      to test the robustness and uncertainty of the base-case estimate. Lastly, the
      potential impacts of everolimus on the overall health care expenditures on annual
      and 4-year bases were estimated in the budget-impact analysis. RESULTS: The
      incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for everolimus was estimated at ?86,978 per
      quality-adjusted life-year. Sensitivity analysis identified the hazard
      multiplier, a statistical approximator of OS gain, as the main driver of
      everolimus cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, probabilistic sensitivity analyses
      revealed a wide 95% CI around the base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio
      estimate (?32,594-?425,258 per quality-adjusted life-year). Finally, an average
      annual budgetary impact of everolimus in first 4 years after its potential
      reimbursement would be around ?270,000, contributing to <1% of the total budget
      in Serbian oncology. CONCLUSIONS: Everolimus as a second-line treatment of mRCC
      is not likely to be a cost-effective option under the present conditions in
      Serbia, with a relatively limited impact on its budget in oncology. A major
      constraint on the estimation of the cost-effectiveness of everolimus relates to
      the uncertainty around the everolimus effect on extending OS. However, prior to a
      final decision on the acceptance/rejection of everolimus, reassessment of the
      whole therapeutic group might be needed to construct an economically rational
      treatment strategy within the mRCC field.

PMID- 24238791
TI  - Comparison of the efficacy of Lamivudine plus adefovir versus entecavir in the
      treatment of Lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and
      meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus infection remains 1 of the major health threats
      worldwide. Currently, lamivudine plus adefovir combination therapy or entecavir
      monotherapy is usually used for the treatment of patients with lamivudine
      resistant chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, there are few systematic
      comparisons between the efficacy of lamivudine plus adefovir and the efficacy of
      entecavir in the treatment of these patients. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this
      systematic study and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of lamivudine plus
      adefovir compared with entecavir for the treatment of patients with lamivudine
      resistant CHB. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PUBMED, Web of
      Science, WANFANG database, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,
      and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, were screened to obtain citations
      from January 1990 to January 2012 in this study. Data analysis was done by using
      the Review Manager Software 5.1. RESULTS: Eight studies were suitable for
      analysis. A total of 696 patients with lamivudine-resistant CHB were studied and
      grouped according to treatment: 341 patients in the entecavir group and 355
      patients in the lamivudine plus adefovir group. The results found that the rates
      of undetectable hepatitis B virus DNA levels, alanine aminotransferase
      normalization, hepatitis B e antigen loss, and hepatitis B e antigen
      seroconversion were not significantly different between the lamivudine plus
      adefovir group and the entecavir group. Moreover, the rate of adverse reactions
      was also not significantly different between the 2 groups. However, virologic
      breakthrough for the patients with lamivudine resistance was higher in the
      entecavir group than in the lamivudine plus adefovir group. CONCLUSIONS: For
      these CHB patients with lamivudine resistance, lamivudine plus adefovir was a
      better treatment option than entecavir alone.

PMID- 24238792
TI  - Evaluation of the effect of Naloxegol on cardiac repolarization: a randomized,
      placebo- and positive-controlled crossover thorough QT/QTc study in healthy
      volunteers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a common adverse effect
      associated with opioid use. Naloxegol is a PEGylated derivative of naloxone in
      clinical development as a once-daily oral treatment of OIC. OBJECTIVES: A
      thorough QT/QTc study was conducted, according to International Conference on
      Harmonisation E14 guidelines, to characterize the effect of naloxegol on cardiac
      repolarization. METHODS: In this randomized, positive- and placebo-controlled
      crossover study, healthy men received a single dose of naloxegol 25 mg
      (therapeutic dose), naloxegol 150 mg (supratherapeutic dose), moxifloxacin 400 mg
      (positive control), or placebo in 1 of 4 sequences (Williams Latin square
      design). The washout time between treatment periods was at least 5 days. Digital
      12-lead ECGs were recorded at baseline and at 10 time points over 24 hours after
      dosing in each treatment period. QT intervals were corrected for heart rate using
      the Fridericia formula (QTcF) and the Bazett formula (QTcB). RESULTS: A total of
      52 subjects were enrolled (mean age, 28 years), and 45 received all 4 treatments.
      The placebo-corrected, baseline-adjusted, mean increases in QTcF with naloxegol
      25 and 150 mg were both <5 msec at each time point, and all upper limits of the 2
      sided 90% CI were <10 msec. Similar findings were observed using QTcB; the upper
      limits of the 2-sided 90% CI were <10 msec at all time points after dosing with
      naloxegol 25 or 150 mg. With moxifloxacin 400 mg, mean QTcF was increased by a
      maximum of 11.1 msec (90% CI, 9.3-12.9 msec), supporting assay sensitivity.
      CONCLUSION: Naloxegol at 25 and 150 mg was not associated with QT/QTc interval
      prolongation in these healthy men, and at the proposed therapeutic dose of 25
      mg/d, naloxegol is not expected to have a clinically relevant effect on cardiac
      repolarization in patients with OIC. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01325415.

PMID- 24238793
TI  - [A big eyelid].

PMID- 24238794
TI  - Effects of shortening the dry period of dairy cows on milk production, energy
      balance, health, and fertility: a systematic review.
AB  - A dry period of 6-8 weeks for dairy cows is generally thought to maximise milk
      production in the next lactation. However, the value of such a long dry period is
      increasingly questioned. In particular, shortening the dry period shifts milk
      production from the critical period after calving to the weeks before calving.
      This shift in milk production could improve the energy balance (EB), health and
      fertility of dairy cows. The objective of this study was to systematically review
      the current knowledge on dry period length in relation to milk production, EB,
      fertility, and health of cows and calves. A meta-analysis was performed for
      variables where at least five studies were available. Overall, both shortening
      and omitting the dry period reduces milk production, increases milk protein
      percentage and tends to reduce the risk of ketosis in the next lactation.
      Individual studies reported an improvement of EB after a short or no dry period,
      compared with a conventional dry period. Shortening or omitting the dry period
      did not affect milk fat percentage and shortening the dry period did not alter
      the odds ratio for mastitis, metritis, or fertility measures in the next
      lactation. So, current evidence for an improvement of health and fertility of
      dairy cows is marginal and may be partly explained by the limited number of
      studies which have evaluated health and fertility in relation to dry period
      length, the limited number of animals in those studies and the variable responses
      reported.

PMID- 24238797
TI  - Securing poultry production from the ever-present Eimeria challenge.
AB  - The intestinal disease coccidiosis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus
      Eimeria, is one of the most important livestock diseases in the world. It has a
      high impact in the poultry industry where parasite transmission is favoured by
      high-density housing of large numbers of susceptible birds. Coccidiosis control
      in poultry is achieved by careful husbandry combined with in-feed anticoccidial
      drugs or vaccination with live parasites. However, outbreaks of coccidiosis still
      occur and subclinical infections, which significantly impact on productivity and
      food security, are common due to widespread drug resistance, high parasite
      prevalence, and environmental persistence. Herein, we review some recent
      approaches for the production of cheaper third generation vaccines, based on
      robust methods for identification of immunoprotective antigens and the use of
      transgenic Eimeria. 

PMID- 24238796
TI  - Functional connectomics from resting-state fMRI.
AB  - Spontaneous fluctuations in activity in different parts of the brain can be used
      to study functional brain networks. We review the use of resting-state functional
      MRI (rfMRI) for the purpose of mapping the macroscopic functional connectome.
      After describing MRI acquisition and image-processing methods commonly used to
      generate data in a form amenable to connectomics network analysis, we discuss
      different approaches for estimating network structure from that data. Finally, we
      describe new possibilities resulting from the high-quality rfMRI data being
      generated by the Human Connectome Project and highlight some upcoming challenges
      in functional connectomics. 

PMID- 24238798
TI  - Recycling of air pollution control residues from municipal solid waste
      incineration into lightweight aggregates.
AB  - This work focuses on the assessment of technological properties and on the
      leaching behavior of lightweight aggregates (LWA) produced by incorporating
      different quantities of air pollution control (APC) residues from municipal solid
      waste (MSW) incineration. Currently this hazardous waste has been mostly
      landfilled after stabilization/solidification. The LWA were produced by
      pelletizing natural clay, APC residues as-received from incineration plant, or
      after a washing treatment, a small amount of oil and water. The pellets were
      fired in a laboratory chamber furnace over calcium carbonate. The main
      technological properties of the LWA were evaluated, mainly concerning morphology,
      bulk and particle densities, compressive strength, bloating index, water
      adsorption and porosity. Given that APC residues do not own expansive (bloating)
      properties, the incorporation into LWA is only possible in moderate quantities,
      such as 3% as received or 5% after pre-washing treatment. The leaching behavior
      of heavy metals from sintered LWA using water or acid solutions was investigated,
      and despite the low acid neutralization capacity of the synthetic aggregates, the
      released quantities were low over a wide pH range. In conclusion, after a washing
      pre-treatment and if the percentage of incorporation is low, these residues may
      be incorporated into LWA. However, the recycling of APC residues from MSW
      incineration into LWA does not revealed any technical advantage. 

PMID- 24238799
TI  - Anaerobic digestion of autoclaved and untreated food waste.
AB  - Anaerobic digestion of autoclaved (160 degrees C, 6.2 bar) and untreated source
      segregated food waste (FW) was compared over 473 days in semi-continuously fed
      mesophilic reactors with trace elements supplementation, at organic loading rates
      (OLRs) of 2, 3, 4 and 6 kg volatile solids(VS)/m(3)d. Methane yields at all OLR
      were 5-10% higher for untreated FW (maximum 0.483+/-0.013 m(3) CH4/kg VS at 3 kg
      VS/m(3) d) than autoclaved FW (maximum 0.439+/-0.020 m(3) CH4/kg VS at 4 kg
      VS/m(3) d). The residual methane potential of both digestates at all OLRs was
      less than 0.110 m(3) CH4/kg VS, indicating efficient methanation in all cases.
      Use of acclimated inoculum allowed very rapid increases in OLR. Reactors fed on
      autoclaved FW showed lower ammonium and hydrogen sulphide concentrations,
      probably due to reduced protein hydrolysis as a result of formation of Maillard
      compounds. In the current study this reduced biodegradability appears to outweigh
      any benefit due to thermal hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic components.

PMID- 24238800
TI  - Environmental burdens in the management of end-of-life cathode ray tubes.
AB  - We compared the environmental burdens in the management of end-of life cathode
      ray tubes (CRTs) within two frameworks according to the different technologies of
      the production of televisions/monitors. In the first case, CRT recycling is
      addressed to the recovery of the panel and funnel glass for the manufacturing of
      new CRT screens. In the second case, where flat screen technology has replaced
      that of CRT, the recycling is addressed to the recovery of the glass cullet and
      lead for other applications. The impacts were evaluated according to the problem
      oriented methodology of the Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden
      University, Leiden, The Netherlands. Our data confirm that in both cases, the
      recycling treatment allows benefits to be gained for the environment through the
      recovery of the secondary raw materials. These benefits are higher for the "CRT
      technology" framework (1 kg CO2 saved per CRT) than for the "flat screen
      technology" (0.9 kg CO2 saved, per CRT, as the highest possible), mainly due to
      the high energy consumption for lead separation from the funnel glass.
      Furthermore, the recovery of yttrium from the fluorescent powders that are a
      residue of the recycling treatment would further improve the CO2 credit for both
      the frameworks considered, which would provide a further saving of about 0.75 kg
      CO2 per CRT, net of the energy and raw materials needed for the recovery.
      Overall, this study confirms that, even with a change in the destination of the
      recovered materials, the recycling processes provide a benefit for the
      environment: indeed the higher loads for the environment are balanced by avoiding
      the primary production of the recovered materials.

PMID- 24238801
TI  - Effects of thermobarical pretreatment of cattle waste as feedstock for anaerobic
      digestion.
AB  - Lab-scale experiments were conducted to assess the impact of thermobarical
      treatment of cattle waste on anaerobic digestion. Treatment was at temperatures
      of 140-220 degrees C in 20K steps for a 5-min duration. Methane yields could be
      increased by up to 58% at a treatment temperature of 180 degrees C. At 220
      degrees C the abundance of inhibitors and other non-digestible substances led to
      lower methane yields than those obtained from untreated material. In an extended
      analysis it could be demonstrated that there is a functional correlation between
      the methane yields after 30 days and the formation rate and methane yield in the
      acceleration phase. It could be proved in a regression of these correlation
      values that the optimum treatment temperature is 164 degrees C and that the
      minimum treatment temperature should be above 115 degrees C.

PMID- 24238802
TI  - Solid waste bin detection and classification using Dynamic Time Warping and MLP
      classifier.
AB  - The increasing requirement for Solid Waste Management (SWM) has become a
      significant challenge for municipal authorities. A number of integrated systems
      and methods have introduced to overcome this challenge. Many researchers have
      aimed to develop an ideal SWM system, including approaches involving software
      based routing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Radio-frequency
      Identification (RFID), or sensor intelligent bins. Image processing solutions for
      the Solid Waste (SW) collection have also been developed; however, during
      capturing the bin image, it is challenging to position the camera for getting a
      bin area centralized image. As yet, there is no ideal system which can correctly
      estimate the amount of SW. This paper briefly discusses an efficient image
      processing solution to overcome these problems. Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) was
      used for detecting and cropping the bin area and Gabor wavelet (GW) was
      introduced for feature extraction of the waste bin image. Image features were
      used to train the classifier. A Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) classifier was used
      to classify the waste bin level and estimate the amount of waste inside the bin.
      The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves was used to
      statistically evaluate classifier performance. The results of this developed
      system are comparable to previous image processing based system. The system
      demonstration using DTW with GW for feature extraction and an MLP classifier led
      to promising results with respect to the accuracy of waste level estimation
      (98.50%). The application can be used to optimize the routing of waste collection
      based on the estimated bin level. 

PMID- 24238803
TI  - [Pneumonia Severity Index in the emergency department and the use of a short-stay
      unit to improve outcome indicators in community-acquired pneumonia].

PMID- 24238804
TI  - A study of acoustic source generation mechanism of Magnetoacoustic Tomography.
AB  - Magnetoacoustic Tomography (MAT) is a non-invasive imaging modality for
      electrical conductivity with good contrast and high spatial resolution. We have
      analyzed the acoustic source generation mechanism of MAT and presented its
      physical model, including the simulations and experiments in this paper. In MAT,
      acoustic sources are generated in a conductive object placed in a static magnetic
      field. Pulsed current is injected into the object and produces a Lorentz force
      due to the static magnetic filed. Acoustic vibration was excited by the Lorentz
      force, and hence, ultrasound waves propagate in all directions and are collected
      with transducers placed around the object. The conductivity image can then be
      reconstructed with acoustic waves using some reconstruction algorithms. Because
      the acoustic source generation mechanism of MAT is the key problem of forward and
      inverse problems, we analyzed the physical process of acoustic source generation
      and presented the acoustic dipole source model according to the Lorentz force
      imposed on the object. In addition, computer simulations and experiments were
      also conducted. The results of simulations applying an acoustic dipole source
      model are consistent with experimental results. This study has cardinal
      significance for the accurate algorithm of MAT and provides a methodology and
      reference for acoustic source problems. 

PMID- 24238805
TI  - Development of laryngeal video stroboscope with laser marking module for dynamic
      glottis measurement.
AB  - Physicians clinically use laryngeal video stroboscope as an auxiliary instrument
      to test glottal diseases, and read vocal fold images and voice quality for
      diagnosis. As the position of vocal fold varies in each person, the proportion of
      the vocal fold size as presented in the vocal fold image is different, making it
      impossible to directly estimate relevant glottis physiological parameters, such
      as the length, area, perimeter, and opening angle of the glottis. Hence, this
      study designs an innovative laser projection marking module for the laryngeal
      video stroboscope to provide reference parameters for image scaling conversion.
      This innovative laser projection marking module to be installed on the laryngeal
      video stroboscope using laser beams to project onto the glottis plane, in order
      to provide reference parameters for scaling conversion of images of laryngeal
      video stroboscope. 

PMID- 24238807
TI  - Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity and applications of
      polyanilineTi(IV)arsenophosphate adsorbent for the analysis of organic and
      inorganic pollutants.
AB  - A novel polyaniline based composite cation exchange material has been synthesized
      by simple chemical route and characterized on the basis of sophisticated
      techniques. XRD and SEM analyses reveal the amorphous morphology of the material.
      The partition coefficient studies of different metal ions on the material were
      performed in DMW and diverse concentrations of HClO4 solutions. On the basis of
      high Kd values some significant separations of heavy toxic metal ions were
      achieved from synthetic mixtures as well as tap water samples by using columns of
      this exchanger. For the optimum adsorption of dye on the material, the effect of
      various parameters along with Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm were
      examined. The observed result of conducting measurement indicates that the
      material covers semiconductor range. The photochemical degradation of industrial
      dyes and antimicrobial activity were also investigated which show significant
      results than some of the known antibiotics. On the basis of good ion exchange
      capacity along with photochemical degradation and microbial activity,
      polyanilineTi(IV)arsenophosphate can be considered as an excellent conducting
      material for the treatment metal ions and degradation of organic pollutants. 

PMID- 24238806
TI  - Ion exchange membrane bioreactor for treating groundwater contaminated with high
      perchlorate concentrations.
AB  - Perchlorate contamination of groundwater is a worldwide concern. The most cost
      efficient treatment for high concentrations is biological treatment. In order to
      improve and increase the acceptance of this treatment, there is a need to reduce
      the contact between micro organisms in the treatment unit and the final effluent.
      An ion exchange membrane bioreactor (IEMB), in which treated water is separated
      from the bioreactor, was suggested for this purpose. In this study, the IEMB's
      performance was studied at a concentration as high as 250mgL(-1) that were never
      studied before. In the bioreactor, glycerol was used as a low cost and nontoxic
      carbon and energy source for the reduction of perchlorate to chloride. We found
      that high perchlorate concentrations in the feed rendered the anion exchange
      membrane significantly less permeable to perchlorate. However, the presence of
      bacteria in the bio-compartment significantly increased the flux through the
      membrane by more than 25% in comparison to pure Donnan dialysis. In addition, the
      results suggested minimal secondary contamination (<3mgCL(-1)) of the treated
      water with the optimum feed of carbon substrate. Our results show that IEMB can
      efficiently treat groundwater contaminated with perchlorate as high as 250mgL(
      1). 

PMID- 24238808
TI  - Fluorescence detection of trace TNT by novel cross-linking electropolymerized
      films both in vapor and aqueous medium.
AB  - Electropolymerized (EP) films with high fluorescent efficiency are introduced to
      the detection of trace 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Three electroactive materials
      TCPC, OCPC and OCz have been synthesized and their EP films have been
      demonstrated to be sensitive to TNT. Among them, the TCPC EP films have displayed
      the highest sensitivity to TNT in both vapor and aqueous medium, even in the
      natural water. It is proposed that the good performances would be caused by the
      following two factors: first, the cross-linking network of EP films can generate
      the cavities which benefit the TNT penetration, and remarkably increase the
      contact area between the EP films and TNT; second, the frontier orbits
      distribution leads the fast photo-induced electron transfer (PET) from the TCPC
      EP films to TNT. Our results prove that these EP films are promising TNT sensing
      candidates and provide a new method to prepare fluorescent porous films. 

PMID- 24238809
TI  - Synthesis, characterization and stability of Cr(III) and Fe(III) hydroxides.
AB  - Chromium is a common contaminant of soils and aquifers and constitutes a major
      environmental problem. In nature, chromium usually exists in the form of two
      oxidation states, trivalent, Cr(III), which is relatively innocuous for biota and
      for the aquatic environment, and hexavalent, Cr(VI) which is toxic, carcinogenic
      and very soluble. Accordingly, the majority of wastewater and groundwater
      treatment technologies, include a stage where Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III), in
      order to remove chromium from the aqueous phase and bind the element in the form
      of environmentally stable solid compounds. In the absence of iron the final
      product is typically of the form Cr(OH)3.xH2O whereas in the presence of iron the
      precipitate is a mixed Fe(1-x)Crx(OH)3 phase. In this study, we report on the
      synthesis, characterisation and stability of mixed (Fex,Cr1-x)(OH)3 hydroxides as
      compared to the stability of Cr(OH)3. We established that the plain Cr(III)
      hydroxide, abiding to the approximate molecular formula Cr(OH)3.3H2O, was
      crystalline, highly soluble, i.e. unstable, with a tendency to transform into the
      stable amorphous hydroxide Cr(OH)3(am) phase. Mixed Fe0.75Cr0.25(OH)3 hydroxides
      were found to be of the ferrihydrite structure, Fe(OH)3, and we correlated their
      solubility to that of a solid solution formed by plain ferrihydrite and the
      amorphous Cr(III) hydroxide. Both our experimental results and thermodynamic
      calculations indicated that mixed Fe(III)-Cr(III) hydroxides are more effective
      enhancers of groundwater quality, in comparison to the plain amorphous or
      crystalline Cr(III) hydroxides, the latter found to have a solubility typically
      higher than 50MUg/l (maximum EU permitted Cr level in drinking water), while the
      amorphous Cr(OH)3(am) phase was within the drinking water threshold in the range
      5.7<pH<11. In comparison, the mixed Fe0.75Cr0.25(OH)3 hydroxides studied were of
      extended stability in the 4.8<pH<13.5 range. 

PMID- 24238810
TI  - Multi-criteria assessment of community-based fluoride-removal technologies for
      rural Ethiopia.
AB  - Elevated concentrations of naturally-occurring fluoride in groundwater pose a
      serious health risk to millions of people living in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. In
      the absence of low-fluoride water resources of sufficient capacity, fluoride
      removal from drinking water is the accepted mitigation option. To date, five
      different community-level fluoride-removal technologies have been implemented in
      Ethiopia, although only a few units have been found in a functional state in the
      field. Which technology should be promoted and up-scaled is the subject of
      controversial debate amongst key stakeholders. This paper describes a multi
      criteria decision analysis exercise, which was conducted with the participation
      of stakeholders in Ethiopia during a one-day workshop, to assess in an objective
      and transparent manner the available technology options. Criteria for technology
      comparison were selected and weighted, thus enabling the participants to assess
      the advantages and disadvantages of the different technologies and hear the views
      of other stakeholders. It was shown that there is no single most-preferable,
      technical solution for fluoride removal in Ethiopia. Selection of the most
      suitable solution depends on location-specific parameters and on the relative
      importance given to different criteria by the stakeholders involved. The data
      presented in this paper can be used as reference values for Ethiopia. 

PMID- 24238811
TI  - Analysis of the ecotoxicity data submitted within the framework of the REACH
      Regulation: part 4. Experimental terrestrial toxicity assays.
AB  - This paper summarises the terrestrial ecotoxicity data submitted in the REACH
      registration dossiers and disseminated by ECHA. The analysis describes both the
      guidelines and the test species mostly used by registrants. REACH information
      requirements in relation to the effects on terrestrial organisms encompass three
      trophic levels; invertebrates, plants and micro-organisms, and the study of both
      long and short-term exposure. The results observed for soil invertebrates showed
      that on one hand there was a clear prevalence for testing on the species
      recommended by the standard test guidelines. On the other, the reporting included
      a large variety of species from very different families, demonstrating the
      feasibility for conducting toxicity tests on a number of relevant groups e.g. for
      species sensitivity distribution approaches. Standard toxicity testing with
      terrestrial plants under REACH follows a different approach and requires
      simultaneous testing on several species, using the same test conditions, adapted
      to each species, if needed. The test methods used to conduct the studies were
      only reported for 30% of cases. The most extensively reported test guidelines for
      terrestrial plants were OECD 208, ISO 11269-1 and ISO 11269-1. Information
      requirements for soil micro-organisms under REACH are related to the analysis of
      functional endpoints instead of on species or taxa. As recommended in REACH, OECD
      216 and OECD 217 were the most often used test methods for soil micro-organisms.
      But overall, the test method was reported for only about 40% of the experimental
      studies. Moreover, it is noted that information on potential effects on soil
      micro-organisms is available for a limited number of REACH registered substances.
      The assessment suggests that providing waiving justifications and collecting
      available information, which in many cases might be well used for covering
      standard REACH data requirements, have been the main approaches used by
      registrants for the first REACH registration deadline.

PMID- 24238812
TI  - Climate change impacts on hydropower in the Swiss and Italian Alps.
AB  - This paper provides a synthesis and comparison of methodologies and results
      obtained in several studies devoted to the impact of climate change on
      hydropower. By putting into perspective various case studies, we provide a
      broader context and improved understanding of climate changes on energy
      production. We also underline the strengths and weaknesses of the approaches used
      as far as technical, physical and economical aspects are concerned. Although the
      catchments under investigation are located close to each other in geographic
      terms (Swiss and Italian Alps), they represent a wide variety of situations which
      may be affected by differing evolutions for instance in terms of annual runoff.
      In this study, we also differentiate between run-of-river, storage and pumping
      storage power plants. By integrating and comparing various analyses carried out
      in the framework of the EU-FP7 ACQWA project, this paper discusses the complexity
      as well as current and future issues of hydropower management in the entire
      Alpine region. 

PMID- 24238813
TI  - Improving the policy application of footprint indicators to support Europe's
      transition to a one planet economy: the development of the EUREAPA tool.
AB  - Environmentally extended multi-regional input-output (EE-MRIO) models provide us
      with a wealth of data relating to consumption-based environmental impacts at a
      national level. The results can identify the categories of consumption and
      sectors of production that contribute most to environmental impact allowing
      policy makers to prioritise intervention into particular areas. However, these
      data are not readily accessible to policy makers and civil society, making it
      difficult to extract and communicate the important messages it contains. The web
      based tool - EUREAPA - was created as a usable, task-oriented interface to
      improve access to environmental and economic data held within a complex EE-MRIO
      model and make it more relevant to policy makers and civil society. The project
      team of scientists and IT specialists used an iterative, agile and participatory
      approach to engage potential end-users in the specification and testing of the
      tool. The engagement process identified two principal functions that were
      essential for the EUREAPA tool: viewing data and creating scenarios. The viewing
      data function allows users to analyse the wealth of data held within the model
      and present results from a range of perspectives. This helps to understand the
      causes of environmental pressure and identify priorities for policy intervention.
      The scenario function helps to communicate how changes in consumption and
      production might affect the future environmental impact of citizens of the EU,
      and facilitates long-term planning. Through this dialogue process the project has
      been able to ensure EUREAPA is relevant, user-friendly and fit-for-purpose. It is
      intended that EUREAPA will be adopted by policy makers and civil society as an
      important policy planning and assessment aid in the complex field of sustainable
      consumption and production. 

PMID- 24238814
TI  - Forgetting heart break: a fascinating case of transient left ventricular apical
      ballooning syndrome associated with dissociative amnesia.
AB  - Transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome (TLVABS), also known as
      takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is characterized by transient left ventricular
      dysfunction, electrocardiographic changes, and release of myocardial enzymes that
      mimic acute myocardial infarction in patients without angiographic evidence of
      coronary artery disease. Most patients are post-menopausal women and an emotional
      or physiologic stressor frequently precedes the presentation. Psychogenic or
      dissociative amnesia is a memory disorder characterized by sudden retrograde
      memory loss with inability to recall personal information said to occur for a
      period of time ranging from hours to years after a stressful event.
      Interestingly, the mechanism of both disorders has been linked to plasma
      elevation in catecholamines. Here we present the case of a 66-year-old female
      diagnosed with both TLVABS and dissociative amnesia following the sudden
      unexpected death of her sister. To our knowledge, this is surprisingly the first
      report of the co-occurrence of TLVABS and dissociative amnesia, two processes
      with a potential shared underlying etiology. 

PMID- 24238815
TI  - Quality improvement guidelines for percutaneous vertebroplasty.

PMID- 24238816
TI  - Dual-energy contrast-enhanced digital mammography in routine clinical practice in
      2013.
AB  - To date, analysis of the vascularisation of breast lesions mainly relies on MR
      imaging. However, the accessibility of MRI is sometimes limited and has led to
      the development of new means of imaging, such as dual-energy contrast-enhanced
      mammography, which provides data on the vascularisation of the breast along with
      the usual morphological information. The purpose of this paper is to present this
      new imaging technique as well as the recent references, illustrated by clinical
      reports derived from our everyday practice to focus on the advantages and
      disadvantages of this new breast exploration. Dual-energy contrast-enhanced
      mammography is a recent, seemingly promising technique, in the management of
      breast cancer. The main advantages consist of its easy installation, the good
      tolerance and the comfort in the interpretation of difficult to read mammograms.
      However, the indications and the role of dual-energy contrast-enhanced
      mammography still have to be determined within the diagnostic strategy of breast
      tumours. New studies are expected, especially to compare dual-energy contrast
      enhanced mammography with breast MRI. 

PMID- 24238817
TI  - [Critical care: working (much) more gain more, but not enough].

PMID- 24238818
TI  - Stratification and compartmentalisation of immunoglobulin responses to commensal
      intestinal microbes.
AB  - The gastrointestinal tract is heavily colonized with commensal microbes with the
      concentration of bacteria increasing longitudinally down the length of the
      intestine. Bacteria are also spatially distributed transversely from the
      epithelial surface to the intestinal lumen with the inner mucus layer normally
      void of bacteria. Maintenance of this equilibrium is extremely important for
      human health and, as the dominant immunoglobulin at mucosal sites, IgA influences
      mutualism between the host and its normal microbiota. In this review we focus on
      the links between immune and microbial geography of the mammalian intestinal
      tract. 

PMID- 24238819
TI  - Near-infrared fluorescence cholangiopancreatoscopy: initial clinical feasibility
      results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recent clinical propagation of targeted fluorescence agents
      brings a promising alternative in endoscopy by complementing visual disease
      detection with molecular biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: Development of near-infrared
      (NIR) fluorescence cholangiopancreatoscopy in real-time and validation of its
      clinical use. DESIGN: Feasibility study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center at a
      large university hospital. PATIENTS: Patients with pancreatic and biliary
      diseases. INTERVENTIONS: Routine cholangiopancreatoscopy with additional wide
      field NIR fluorescence imaging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: We adapted a miniature
      cholangioscope for real-time concurrent wide-field color and NIR fluorescence
      imaging. Illumination is provided through a custom-designed fiber bundle, and the
      acquired images are relayed via a dichroic beam splitter to 2 charge-coupled
      devices for simultaneous measurement. We characterize the sensitivity and
      resolution and demonstrate the clinical feasibility by detecting indocyanine
      green localization in 2 patients. RESULTS: A spatial optical resolution of
      approximately 50 MUm was achieved, and fluorescent dye concentrations of 17.3 nM
      could be detected. Elevated fluorescence signals were detected during clinical
      measurements, and biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of malignancy in both
      patients. LIMITATIONS: Feasibility study, limited number of patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that real-time wide-field fluorescence
      detection in the NIR range is possible in humans by using adapted endoscopes. The
      feasibility of detecting indocyanine green in the pancreatobiliary ducts is
      verified, suggesting that cancer screening at a molecular level might play an
      increasingly important role in the future.

PMID- 24238820
TI  - Eating epilepsy or feeding epilepsy in an infant.
AB  - A five month old infant is reported with Eating Epilepsy (feeding
      epilepsy/feeding related epilepsy). This is an uncommon type of reflex epilepsy
      in children, and should be considered if the history and investigations for
      gastro esophageal reflux and apparent life threatening event are negative. A
      clear stepwise history helps in diagnosis. 

PMID- 24238821
TI  - Status epilepsy in CCM with KRIT1 gene change.

PMID- 24238822
TI  - Do depressive symptoms have an impact on the effectiveness of lifestyle
      counseling in prevention of type 2 diabetes? One-year follow-up of FIN-D2D.
AB  - AIM: To examine whether depressive symptoms are associated with the effectiveness
      of lifestyle counseling on cardio-metabolic risk profile and glucose homeostasis
      during one-year follow-up in individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D).
      METHODS: A total of 10,149 individuals took part in the implementation project of
      the national diabetes prevention program (FIN-D2D) conducted in primary health
      care setting in Finland. At baseline, altogether 2798 non-diabetic individuals
      participated in the one-year follow-up, and 2275 of them had at least one group
      or individual counseling visit. RESULTS: 4.0% of the individuals (n=78) had
      depressive symptoms, while 96.0% (n=1889) were free of depressive symptoms at
      baseline. Individuals who had depressive symptoms had higher body mass index and
      waist circumference at baseline than individuals without depressive symptoms. In
      terms of changes in cardio-metabolic risk profile and glucose homeostasis the
      effectiveness of lifestyle counseling was parallel between individuals with and
      without depressive symptoms during the one-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:
      Effectiveness of lifestyle counseling did not differ between individuals with and
      without depressive symptoms. Individuals with depressive symptoms should not be
      excluded from lifestyle intervention programs.

PMID- 24238823
TI  - Using root cause analysis to promote critical thinking in final year Bachelor of
      Midwifery students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Midwives require well developed critical thinking to practice
      autonomously. However, multiple factors impinge on students' deep learning in the
      clinical context. Analysis of actual case scenarios using root cause analysis may
      foster students' critical thinking and application of 'best practice' principles
      in complex clinical situations. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of an
      innovative teaching strategy involving root cause analysis to develop students'
      perceptions of their critical thinking abilities. METHODS: A descriptive, mixed
      methods design was used. Final 3rd year undergraduate midwifery students (n=22)
      worked in teams to complete and present an assessment item based on root cause
      analysis. The cases were adapted from coroners' reports. After graduation, 17
      (77%) students evaluated the course using a standard university assessment tool.
      In addition 12 (54%) students provided specific feedback on the teaching strategy
      using a 16-item survey tool based on the domain concepts of Educational
      Acceptability, Educational Impact, and Preparation for Practice. Survey responses
      were on a 5-point Likert scale and analysed using descriptive statistics. Open
      ended responses were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: The majority of
      students perceived the course and this teaching strategy positively. The domain
      mean scores were high for Educational Acceptability (mean=4.3, SD=.49) and
      Educational Impact (mean=4.19, SD=.75) but slightly lower for Preparation for
      Practice (mean=3.7, SD=.77). Overall student responses to each item were positive
      with no item mean less than 3.42. Students found the root cause analysis
      challenging and time consuming but reported development of critical thinking
      skills about the complexity of practice, clinical governance and risk management
      principles. CONCLUSIONS: Analysing complex real life clinical cases to determine
      a root cause enhanced midwifery students' perceptions of their critical thinking.
      Teaching and assessment strategies to promote critical thinking need to be made
      explicit to students in order to foster ongoing development.

PMID- 24238824
TI  - Patellofemoral crepitation and clunk following modern, fixed-bearing total knee
      arthroplasty.
AB  - Patellar crepitation and clunk (PCC) is an important and modifiable complication
      of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We calculated the incidence of PCC using a
      modern fixed-bearing TKA prosthesis, assessed whether PCC is associated with knee
      range of motion, and determined if there were any radiographic variables
      associated with the development of PCC in this prosthetic design. Five hundred
      seventy primary TKAs were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 24 months (range 12
      81). Thirty-four knees developed PCC (6%); 6 required arthroscopic debridement.
      With each degree increase in the flexion angle, the likelihood of developing PCC
      increased by 4.2%. The incidence of PCC was low but increased with postoperative
      flexion >= 110 degrees . No radiographic parameters were associated with the
      development of PCC.

PMID- 24238825
TI  - Topical administration of tranexamic acid in primary total hip and total knee
      arthroplasty.
AB  - Major blood loss is a known potential complication in total hip and total knee
      arthroplasty. We conducted a prospective, stratified, randomized, double-blind,
      placebo-controlled trial that evaluated 100 patients undergoing total knee or
      total hip arthroplasty to evaluate the effect on blood loss using the topical
      application of tranexamic acid. Participants received either 2 g of topical
      tranexamic acid or the equivalent volume of placebo into the joint prior to
      surgical closure. Tranexamic acid resulted in a lower mean maximum decline in
      postoperative hemoglobin levels when compared to placebo (P = 0.013). Patients in
      the tranexamic acid group demonstrated an improved but non-significant reduction
      in the units of blood transfused compared to placebo (P = 0.423). There was no
      clinically significant increase in complications in the tranexamic acid group,
      including no incidence of venous thromboembolism.

PMID- 24238826
TI  - Molecular characterization of weaker variants of A and B in Indian population-
      the first report.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The ABO blood group system is extremely important
      blood group system in transfusion medicine and weaker variants of A and B are
      subgroups of the system. From a Country like India with 1.2 billion population
      sporadic reports detecting weaker variants of A and B serologically are
      published. Therefore the main objective of the present study is to identify
      weaker variants of A and B serologically and characterize them at molecular
      level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight samples which were referred to us for
      resolving discrepancies in forward and reverse grouping were first phenotype in
      our laboratory by standard serologic techniques for ABO blood groups. Molecular
      genotyping for the ABO locus was done by PCR-SSCP. Altered SSCP patterns were
      analysed by DNA sequencing. Sequencing of intron 6 and exons 1-5 was done in one
      sample each. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Nine rare alleles affecting the normal
      expression of A and B antigens have been identified among Indians. They were two
      Aw06, one A209, one Ax20, two O05, one O49, one O56 and one O19 alleles. This is
      the first report demonstrating molecular studies on weaker variants of A and B
      from India.

PMID- 24238827
TI  - Effects of Ureaplasma parvum lipoprotein multiple-banded antigen on pregnancy
      outcome in mice.
AB  - Ureaplasma spp. are members of the family Mycoplasmataceae and have been
      considered to be associated with chorioamnionitis and preterm delivery. However,
      it is unclear whether Ureaplasma spp. have virulence factors related to these
      manifestations. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the
      immunogenic protein multiple-banded antigen (MBA) from Ureaplasma parvum is a
      virulence factor for preterm delivery. We partially purified MBA from a type
      strain and clinical isolates of U. parvum, and also synthesized a diacylated
      lipopeptide derived from U. parvum, UPM-1. Using luciferase assays, both MBA-rich
      fraction MRF and UPM-1 activated the NF-kappaB pathway via TLR2. UPM-1
      upregulated IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12p35, TNF-alpha, MIP2, LIX, and iNOS in mouse
      peritoneal macrophage. MRF or UPM-1 was injected into uteri on day 15 of
      gestation on pregnant C3H/HeN mice. The intrauterine MRF injection group had a
      significantly higher incidence of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD; 38.5%) than the
      control group (14.0%). Interestingly, intrauterine injection of UPM-1 caused
      preterm deliveries at high concentration (80.0%). In contrast, a low
      concentration of UPM-1 induced a significantly higher rate of fetal deaths
      (55.2%) than the control group (14.0%). The placentas of the UPM-1 injection
      group showed neutrophil infiltration and increased iNOS protein expression. Our
      data indicate that MBA from the clinical isolate of U. parvum is a potential
      virulence factor for IUFD and preterm delivery in mice and that the N-terminal
      diacylated lipopeptide is essential for the initiation of inflammation. 

PMID- 24238828
TI  - Endoscopy-assisted posterior lumbar interbody fusion in a single segment.
AB  - Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) has been routinely performed for the
      treatment of lumbar segmental lesions. However, traditional PLIF procedures can
      result in a variety of approach-related morbidities. The purpose of this study
      was to determine the efficacy of endoscopy-assisted PLIF in lumbar arthrodesis.
      From July 2005 to May 2007, a total of 56 patients underwent PLIF, including 24
      endoscopy-assisted operations (endoscopic group) and 32 traditional open
      operations (open group). The perioperative data, clinical outcomes and
      radiographic results were compared. The intraoperative bleeding volume,
      postoperative drainage volume, intraoperative and postoperative allogeneic blood
      transfusion volumes, values for C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation
      rate on postoperative day 3 and postoperative hospitalization days were decreased
      in the endoscopic group (p<0.05), while the operative time was longer than that
      of the open group (p=0.026). According to the Visual Analog Scale for pain, the
      postoperative low back pain score in the endoscopic group was lower than that
      observed in the open group (p<0.05). In the endoscopic group, the excellent and
      good outcome rate was 87.5%, the incidence of complications was 8.3%, and the
      intervertebral fusion rate was 100%. There were no significant differences for
      these outcomes when compared with the open group (p>0.05). Endoscopy-assisted
      PLIF can achieve a clinical efficacy similar to that of traditional open
      operations while minimizing destruction to adjacent tissues. This technique is
      safe and is characterized by less bleeding, less tissue trauma, decreased
      postoperative pain, rapid recovery, and a shorter postoperative hospital stay. 

PMID- 24238829
TI  - Azo dyes and the blood-brain barrier: Robert Aird's novel concept in chronic
      neurological disease (1903-2000).
AB  - The well-established medical involvement of derivatives of the azo dye industry
      lent credibility to the 1935 announcement by Stanley Cobb of the use of vital
      brilliant red dye as an anticonvulsant. Although in the fullness of time clinical
      experience would discard this concept, nevertheless it was to give rise to Robert
      Aird who posited that the mechanism of action of this dye was due to its ability
      to decrease the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. In a very prolonged
      exploration of this concept, Aird concluded that blood-brain barrier permeability
      underlay the causation of a long list of chronic neurological conditions--a
      concept that was eventually abandoned. This article examines the details and the
      effects of this concept and its impact upon neurology.

PMID- 24238830
TI  - Levetiracetam following liver and kidney failure in late-onset anticonvulsant
      hypersensitivity syndrome.
AB  - Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome is an adverse drug reaction usually
      occurring from 1 to 8 weeks after exposure to antiepileptic drugs. It can
      threaten life by affecting the liver, kidneys, central nervous system or lungs.
      We present a 47-year-old patient treated with phenytoin, lamotrigine and clobazam
      for 7 years. He presented with hepatic and renal failure in relation to this
      syndrome demonstrated by renal biopsy. Prognosis was excellent due to an early
      diagnosis leading to cessation of the causative agents. Levetiracetam was started
      with a good response.

PMID- 24238831
TI  - Cell polarity signaling.
AB  - Cell polarity is a fundamental entity of living organisms. Cells must receive
      accurate decisions where to divide and along which plane, along which axis to
      grow, where to grow structures like flagellum or filopodium and how to
      differentially respond to external stimuli. In multicellular organisms cell
      polarity also regulates cell-cell communication, pattern formation and cell
      identity. In eukaryotes the RHO family of small G proteins have emerged as
      central regulators of cell polarity signaling. It is by now well established that
      ROPs, the plant specific RHO subfamily members, affect cell polarization. Work
      carried out over the last several years is beginning to reveal how ROPs are
      activated, how their activity is spatially regulated, through which effectors
      they regulate cell polarity and how they interact with hormonal signaling and
      other polarity determinants. The emerging picture is that while the mechanisms of
      cell polarity signaling are often unique to plants, the principles that govern
      cell polarization signaling can be similar. In this review, we provide an updated
      view of polarity signaling in plants, primarily focusing on the function of ROPs
      and how they interact with and coordinate different polarity determinants. 

PMID- 24238832
TI  - Prophylactic broad spectrum antibiotics as a new anti-myeloma therapy.
AB  - Multiple myeloma is a common, yet incurable, haematological neoplasm. The
      reciprocal communication between malignant plasma cells, other cell types, and
      the extracellular matrix in the bone marrow micro-eco system is mediated by cell
      cell and cell-matrix adhesion, as well as the production of different soluble
      factors, and is crucial for tumour growth and drug resistance. Inflammation and
      pro-inflammatory cytokines contribute to the clonal expansion of neoplastic
      plasmacytes. This extremely complex pathogenesis of multiple myeloma gives us the
      opportunity to promote numerous novel drugs and approaches based on the paradigm
      of targeted therapy. Immune dysfunction is a hallmark of multiple myeloma.
      Intrinsic and therapy-related immunosuppression leads to an increased risk of
      recurrent infection, the major cause of mortality. However, little data is
      available regarding the possible influence of infection on the biology and
      progression of multiple myeloma. Some authors have shown that pathogenic
      microorganisms can activate tool-like receptors on myeloma cells, as well as the
      robust production of pro-inflammatory cytokines; together these factors can
      contribute to myeloma growth, survival, and progression. Therefore, we proposed a
      simple, inexpensive, and new approach for anti-myeloma therapy that, to the best
      of our knowledge, is the first one concerning the prophylactic, long-term use of
      broad-spectrum antibiotics during the course of disease regardless of the chosen
      concomitant regimens. Prophylactic treatment with antibiotics should suppress the
      pro-inflammatory milieu produced during recurrent bacterial infections and
      prevent the activation of tool-like receptors on tumour cells, which are
      important factors responsible for tumour growth and survival in patients with
      multiple myeloma. 

PMID- 24238833
TI  - Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) 2013: Unveiling the
      pathogenic, clinical and diagnostic aspects.
AB  - In 2011 a new syndrome termed 'ASIA Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by
      Adjuvants' was defined pointing to summarize for the first time the spectrum of
      immune-mediated diseases triggered by an adjuvant stimulus such as chronic
      exposure to silicone, tetramethylpentadecane, pristane, aluminum and other
      adjuvants, as well as infectious components, that also may have an adjuvant
      effect. All these environmental factors have been found to induce autoimmunity by
      themselves both in animal models and in humans: for instance, silicone was
      associated with siliconosis, aluminum hydroxide with post-vaccination phenomena
      and macrophagic myofasciitis syndrome. Several mechanisms have been hypothesized
      to be involved in the onset of adjuvant-induced autoimmunity; a genetic favorable
      background plays a key role in the appearance on such vaccine-related diseases
      and also justifies the rarity of these phenomena. This paper will focus on
      protean facets which are part of ASIA, focusing on the roles and mechanisms of
      action of different adjuvants which lead to the autoimmune/inflammatory response.
      The data herein illustrate the critical role of environmental factors in the
      induction of autoimmunity. Indeed, it is the interplay of genetic susceptibility
      and environment that is the major player for the initiation of breach of
      tolerance.

PMID- 24238834
TI  - In vivo evaluation of the HeartWare MVAD Pump.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The current design trend for left ventricular assist devices (LVADs)
      is miniaturization, which aims to increase the treatable patient population and
      enable new treatment indications by reducing surgical trauma and the
      complications associated with device implantation. The MVAD Pump (HeartWare Inc,
      Framingham, MA) is a small, axial VAD that uses magnetic and hydrodynamic
      impeller technology and incorporates wide helical flow channels to minimize shear
      stress. In this study, we implanted the MVAD Pump in an ovine model to evaluate
      device hemocomaptiblity, biocompatibility, performance, and safety. METHODS: The
      MVAD Pump was implanted in an ovine model (n = 9) for 90 days. The pump was
      implanted through a thoracotomy and secured to the LV apex with a gimbaled sewing
      ring, which allowed for intraoperative adjustment of the insertion depth and
      angle of the inflow cannula. Serum analytes and coagulation parameters were
      analyzed at specific intervals throughout the study period. Pump flow, speed, and
      power were recorded daily to monitor device performance. Sheep were electively
      euthanized at 90 days for pathologic and histologic analysis. RESULTS: In this
      study, results demonstrated the safety, reliability, hemocompatability, and
      biocompatibility of the MVAD Pump. Nine animals were implanted for 90 +/- 5 days.
      No complications occurred during surgical implantation. Seven of the 9 animals
      survived until elective sacrifice. Each sheep that survived to the scheduled
      explant appeared physically normal, with no signs of cardiovascular or other
      organ compromise. The 2 sheep that were euthanized early showed no evidence of
      device-related issues. CONCLUSIONS: The MVAD Pump was successfully implanted
      through a thoracotomy and demonstrated excellent hemodynamic support with no
      device malfunctions throughout the study period.

PMID- 24238835
TI  - [Epidemiology of cerebrovascular disease in Spain].
AB  - In Spain, cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a very common cause of morbidity and
      hospitalization. They are the second leading cause of mortality in the general
      population, and the first in women. They also constitute a very high social
      spending, which is estimated to increase in coming years, due to the aging of our
      population. Data from the Hospital Morbidity Survey of the National Statistics
      Institute recorded, in 2011, 116,017 strokes and 14,933 transient ischemic
      attacks, corresponding, respectively, to an incidence of 252 and 32 events per
      100,000 people. In 2002, the cost of hospitalization for each stroke was
      estimated at ?3,047. The amount of total cost health care throughout the life of
      a stroke patient is calculated at ?43,129. Internationally, the direct costs of
      stroke constitute 3% of national health spending, this being similar amount in
      different countries around us. Hypertension was the cardiovascular risk factor
      (CVRF) more prevalent in both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, followed by
      dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Peripheral arterial disease and hypertension
      were more frequently associated with atherothrombotic events, atrial fibrillation
      with cardioembolic strokes, and obesity and high blood pressure to lacunar
      infarcts. In Spain, as showing several studies, we are far from optimal control
      of CVRF, especially in secondary prevention of stroke. According to the ICTUSCARE
      study, achieving recommended values was 17.6% in the case of hypertension, 29.8%
      in LDL-cholesterol, 74.9% of smoking, and 50.2% in diabetes mellitus. In this
      review, we analyze in detail the epidemiology, prevention and costs originated by
      CVD.

PMID- 24238836
TI  - [Aortic aneurysm].
AB  - Aortic aneurysm is one important cause of death in our country. The prevalence of
      abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) is around 5% for men older than 50 years of age.
      Some factors are associated with increased risk for AAA: age, hypertension,
      hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease and, in particular, smoking. The
      medical management of patients with an AAA includes cardiovascular risk
      treatment, particularly smoking cessation. Most of major societies guidelines
      recommend ultrasonography screening for AAA in men aged 65 to 75 years who have
      ever smoked because it leads to decreased AAA-specific mortality.

PMID- 24238837
TI  - Bilateral implant reconstruction does not affect the quality of postmastectomy
      radiation therapy.
AB  - To determine if the presence of bilateral implants, in addition to other anatomic
      and treatment-related variables, affects coverage of the target volume and dose
      to the heart and lung in patients receiving postmastectomy radiation therapy
      (PMRT). A total of 197 consecutive women with breast cancer underwent mastectomy
      and immediate tissue expander (TE) placement, with or without exchange for a
      permanent implant (PI) before radiation therapy at our center. PMRT was delivered
      with 2 tangential beams + supraclavicular lymph node field (50Gy). Patients were
      grouped by implant number: 51% unilateral (100) and 49% bilateral (97). The
      planning target volume (PTV) (defined as implant + chest wall + nodes), heart,
      and ipsilateral lung were contoured and the following parameters were abstracted
      from dose-volume histogram (DVH) data: PTV D95% > 98%, Lung V20Gy > 30%, and
      Heart V25Gy > 5%. Univariate (UVA) and multivariate analyses (MVA) were performed
      to determine the association of variables with these parameters. The 2 groups
      were well balanced for implant type and volume, internal mammary node (IMN)
      treatment, and laterality. In the entire cohort, 90% had PTV D95% > 98%,
      indicating excellent coverage of the chest wall. Of the patients, 27% had high
      lung doses (V20Gy > 30%) and 16% had high heart doses (V25Gy > 5%). No
      significant factors were associated with suboptimal PTV coverage. On MVA, IMN
      treatment was found to be highly associated with high lung and heart doses (both
      p < 0.0001), but implant number was not (p = 0.54). In patients with bilateral
      implants, IMN treatment was the only predictor of dose to the contralateral
      implant (p = 0.001). In conclusion, bilateral implants do not compromise coverage
      of the target volume or increase lung and heart dose in patients receiving PMRT.
      The most important predictor of high lung and heart doses in patients with
      implant-based reconstruction, whether unilateral or bilateral, is treatment of
      the IMNs. Refinement of radiation techniques in reconstructed patients who
      require comprehensive nodal irradiation is warranted. 

PMID- 24238838
TI  - Pu(V) transport through Savannah River Site soils - an evaluation of a conceptual
      model of surface- mediated reduction to Pu (IV).
AB  - Over the last fifteen years the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA,
      was selected as the site of three new plutonium facilities: the Mixed Oxide Fuel
      Fabrication Facility, Pit Disassembly and Conversion Facility, and the Pu
      Immobilization Plant. In order to assess the potential human and environmental
      risk associated with these recent initiatives, improved understanding of the fate
      and transport of Pu in the SRS subsurface environment is necessary. The
      hypothesis of this study was that the more mobile forms of Pu, Pu(V) and Pu(VI),
      would be reduced to the less mobile Pu(III/IV) oxidation states under ambient SRS
      subsurface conditions. Laboratory-scale dynamic flow experiments (i.e., column
      studies) indicated that Pu(V) was very mobile in SRS sediments. At higher pH
      values the mobility of Pu decreased and the fraction of Pu that became
      irreversibly sorbed to the sediment increased, albeit, only slightly. Conversely,
      these column experiments showed that Pu(IV) was essentially immobile and was
      largely irreversibly sorbed to the sediment. More than 100 batch sorption
      experiments were also conducted with four end-member sediments, i.e., sediments
      that include the chemical, textural, and mineralogical properties likely to exist
      in the SRS. These tests were conducted as a function of initial Pu oxidation
      state, pH, and contact time and consistently demonstrated that although Pu(V)
      sorbed initially quite weakly to sediments, it slowly, over the course of <33
      days, sorbed very strongly to sediments, to approximately the same degree as
      Pu(IV). This is consistent with our hypothesis that Pu(V) is reduced to the more
      strongly sorbing form of Pu, Pu(IV). These studies provide important experimental
      support for a conceptual geochemical model for dissolved Pu in a highly weathered
      subsurface environment. That is that, irrespective of the initial oxidation state
      of the dissolved Pu introduced into a SRS sediment system, Pu(IV) controls the
      environmental transport within a couple weeks and Pu strongly binds to the
      sediment, limiting its mobility. 

PMID- 24238839
TI  - Simultaneous detection of the feline lungworms Troglostrongylus brevior and
      Aelurostrongylus abstrusus by a newly developed duplex-PCR.
AB  - In addition to Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Strongylida: Angiostrongylidae),
      referred to as the feline lungworm, Troglostrongylus brevior (Strongylida:
      Crenosomatidae) has recently been identified as an agent of bronco-pulmonary
      infestations in cats. These two parasites have a similar biology, share
      ecological niches, potentially co-infesting cats, but are difficult to be
      differentiated due to the morphological similarities of their first-stage larvae
      (L1). This paper describes a molecular tool, based on single-step duplex
      polymerase chain reaction (duplex-PCR) on the ribosomal internal transcribed
      spacer 2 region (ITS-2) for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of T.
      brevior and A. abstrusus. L1 of both species were collected from faecal samples,
      morphologically identified, and single larval specimens isolated. An aliquot of
      faeces was used as a test sample for a case of mixed natural infestation. The
      duplex-PCR was performed using species-specific forward primer sets for the ITS-2
      region (i.e., A. abstrusus: 220bp; T. brevior: 370bp). The detection limit of the
      molecular assay was also assessed by serial dilutions of DNA from single larvae
      of both species (from ~ 4.0 to 4.0 * 10(-5) MUg/MUl). The duplex-PCR carried out
      on individual DNA samples was able to detect as low as 5.2 * 10(-3) MUg/MUl of
      DNA for A. abstrusus, 4.9 * 10(-3)MUg/MUl for T. brevior, and as low as 4.0 * 10(
      3) MUg/MUl for samples containing both species. Species-specific bands of the
      expected sizes and two bands were simultaneously amplified from the faecal sample
      containing both species. The phylogenetic analyses of the ITS-2 sequences here
      examined and those available for other metastrongyloids were concordant in
      clustering them with those of other Troglostrongylus brevior and A. abstrusus
      sequences available in GenBank database. This molecular approach proved to be
      effective and highly sensitive for the simultaneous detection of the two
      lungworms species and it might be used for molecular epidemiological studies and
      for monitoring therapeutic protocols.

PMID- 24238840
TI  - Diffusion weighted MR imaging and proton MR spectroscopy findings of central
      neurocytoma with pathological correlation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Three cases of histopathologically confirmed central neurocytoma (CN)
      are presented, emphasizing diagnostic imaging issues: conventional magnetic
      resonance imaging with Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion
      weighted imaging (DWI) findings of CN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients age ranged
      from 17 to 32 years, Imaging include a CT scan and MR examination with DWI and
      proton MRS on a 1.5-T system. DWI and subsequent apparent diffusion coefficient
      (ADC) were obtained in all. Single voxel MRS was performed prior to surgery using
      a point resolved spectroscopy sequence (PRESS) with short 35 ms and long echotime
      (TE) 144 ms, associated with a two-dimensional chemical Shift Imaging (2D-CSI)
      with 144 ms TE (one case). Histopathological examination included immunostaining
      with synaptophysin. RESULTS: With the long TE, a variable amount of glycine with
      markedly increased choline, very small to almost complete loss of N
      acetylaspartate and creatine, and inverted triplet of alanine-lactate were
      observed in all three patients. Increased glutamate and glutamine complex (Glx)
      was also observed in all with short TE. DWI demonstrated variable low ADC which
      appeared well correlated with the tumor signal intensity and cell density: the
      most homogeneous and highly dense cellular tumor with increased nucleus to
      cytoplasm ratio demonstrated the lower ADC. Histological pattern was typical in
      two cases and demonstrated an oligodendroglioma-like pattern in one case.
      Positivity for synaptophysin confirmed the neuronal origin in all. CONCLUSION:
      The demonstration within an intraventricular tumor of both glycine and alanine on
      MRS along with high choline, bulky Glx and restricted diffusion appear diagnostic
      of CN.

PMID- 24238841
TI  - Association of elevated plasma viscosity with small vessel occlusion in ischemic
      cerebral disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Elevated plasma viscosity (PV) is observed in patients with
      vascular risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus or arterial hypertension. In
      this study we investigated the association of plasma viscosity and the different
      clinical and radiological entities of cerebral ischemia. METHODS: PV of 465
      consecutively admitted patients with clinical symptoms of acute cerebral ischemia
      without radiological signs of bleeding was measured. Data is expressed as median
      [range] unless stated otherwise. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
      RESULTS: Patients with acute cerebral ischemia (TIA or Stroke) showed increased
      PV (TIA 1.27mPas [1.07-1.53], stroke 1.27mPas [1.07-1.56]) compared to patients
      without cerebral ischemia (Mimics) (1.23mPas [1.06-1.42]). The group with
      radiologically proven small vessel disease (SVD) had a significantly higher mean
      values of PV (1.29mPas [1.06-1.54]) compared to those with signs of large vessel
      disease or cardioembolic events (1.22mPas [1.07-1.56], p<0.001). Patients with
      chronic heart failure (p=0.007), arterial hypertension (p<0.001) and diabetes
      mellitus (p=0.002) had higher PV compared to patients without these
      cardiovascular risk factors. Hyperlipidemia or nicotine abuse showed no relation
      to PV. CONCLUSION: Elevated PV is not only associated TIA and Stroke but is also
      found in patients with radiological signs of cerebral SVD. High levels of PV
      could be an underestimated risk for TIA and Stroke and participate in the complex
      pathophysiology of SVD. Prospective observational and interventional studies are
      warranted for further evaluation of PV in neurological ischemic diseases.

PMID- 24238842
TI  - ADHD and relative risk of accidents in road traffic: a meta-analysis.
AB  - The present meta-analysis is based on 16 studies comprising 32 results. These
      studies provide sufficient data to estimate relative accident risks of drivers
      with ADHD. The overall estimate of relative risk for drivers with ADHD is 1.36
      (95% CI: 1.18; 1.57) without control for exposure, 1.29 (1.12; 1.49) when
      correcting for publication bias, and 1.23 (1.04; 1.46) when controlling for
      exposure. A relative risk (RR) of 1.23 is exactly the same as found for drivers
      with cardiovascular diseases. The long-lasting assertion that "ADHD-drivers have
      an almost fourfold risk of accident compared to non-ADHD-drivers", which
      originated from Barkley et al.'s study of 1993, is rebutted. That estimate was
      associated with comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and/or Conduct
      Disorder (CD), not with ADHD, but the assertion has incorrectly been maintained
      for two decades. The present study provides some support for the hypothesis that
      the relative accident risk of ADHD-drivers with comorbid ODD, CD and/or other
      conduct problems, is higher than that of ADHD-drivers without these
      comorbidities. The estimated RRs were 1.86 (1.27; 2.75) in a sample of ADHD
      drivers in which a majority had comorbid ODD and/or CD compared to 1.31 (0.96;
      1.81) in a sample of ADHD-drivers with no comorbidity. Given that ADHD-drivers
      most often seem to drive more than controls, and the fact that a majority of the
      present studies lack information about exposure, it seems more probable that the
      true RR is lower rather than higher than 1.23. Also the assertion that ADHD
      drivers violate traffic laws more often than other drivers should be modified:
      ADHD-drivers do have more speeding violations, but no more drunk or reckless
      driving citations than drivers without ADHD. All accident studies included in the
      meta-analysis fail to acknowledge the distinction between deliberate violations
      and driving errors. The former are known to be associated with accidents, the
      latter are not. A hypothesis that ADHD-drivers speed more frequently than
      controls because it stimulates attention and reaction time is suggested. 

PMID- 24238843
TI  - Brain activation in teenagers with isolated spelling disorder during tasks
      involving spelling assessment and comparison of pseudowords. fMRI study.
AB  - METHODS: The present study aimed at defining the specific traits of brain
      activation in teenagers with isolated spelling disorder in comparison with good
      spellers. fMRI examination was performed where the subject's task involved taking
      a decision 1/whether the visually presented words were spelled correctly or not
      (the orthographic decision task), and 2/whether the two presented letters strings
      (pseudowords) were identical or not (the visual decision task). Half of the
      displays showing meaningful words with an orthographic difficulty contained pairs
      with both words spelled correctly, and half of them contained one misspelled
      word. Half of the pseudowords were identical, half of them were not. The
      participants of the study included 15 individuals with isolated spelling disorder
      and 14 good spellers, aged 13-15. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the
      essential differences in brain activation between teenagers with isolated
      spelling disorder and good spellers were found in the left inferior frontal
      gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus and right cerebellum posterior lobe, i.e.
      structures important for language processes, working memory and automaticity of
      behaviour. CONCLUSION: Spelling disorder is not only an effect of language
      dysfunction, it could be a symptom of difficulties in learning and automaticity
      of motor and visual shapes of written words, rapid information processing as well
      as automating use of orthographic lexicon.

PMID- 24238844
TI  - Correction of distortion in distressed mothers' ratings of their preschool-aged
      children's Internalizing and Externalizing scale score.
AB  - Increased maternal psychopathology may bias mothers' ratings about child
      psychopathology. In this study we examined whether internalizing and
      externalizing behavior problems in young children were biased through maternal
      psychopathology. The clinical sample comprised 247 preschool-age patients who
      attended the Family Day Hospital in Munster, Germany. Internalizing and
      externalizing behavior problems were assessed by the CBCL/1.5-5, and maternal
      psychopathology was assessed by the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (GSI). Three
      theoretical perspectives were tested by comparing the model fit of three
      structural equation models, namely the accuracy, distortion, and combinatory
      model. All of the models aimed to integrate multi-informant ratings from mother,
      therapists, and kindergarten teachers, but differed in the question which paths
      had to be significant. The distortion model fit the data best and supported the
      notion that there was a psychopathology-related bias in mothers' ratings. On the
      basis of this finding, we developed correction formulas comparable to Muller and
      Furniss (2013), in order to statistically control for this distortion. We
      discussed post-hoc explanations about why mothers with increased psychopathology
      gave higher ratings on the CBCL/1.5-5, including a better recall of internalizing
      symptoms, less flexible and effective parenting, and more perceived distress by
      child externalizing behavior. 

PMID- 24238846
TI  - Is oxidative stress induced by iron status associated with gestational diabetes
      mellitus?
AB  - Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication in high
      risk populations, and is associated with increased perinatal and long term
      outcomes for both mothers and newborns. Both its prevention and early management
      can be reinforced by identifying risks factors, particularly those factors
      influencing glucose metabolism. On the other hand, several epidemiological
      studies have shown an increased oxidative stress (OS) in pregnant women with GDM.
      Elevated OS was also reported in pregnant women supplemented with iron, which can
      generate OS and may also influence insulin resistance. This review summarizes the
      current state of knowledge, highlighting the potential relationship between OS
      induced by iron status and the development of GDM. 

PMID- 24238845
TI  - Expression and significance of notch signaling pathway in salivary adenoid cystic
      carcinoma.
AB  - Notch signaling plays a role in stem cell biology, tumor formation, angiogenesis,
      and cell death. Targeting Notch pathway could serve as a therapeutic strategy in
      cancer. Little is known about the differential role of various components of the
      Notch pathway in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC). To investigate the
      association of the Notch pathway in AdCC carcinogenesis, we analyzed the Notch
      receptor (Notch-1, Notch-2, Notch-4) and Notch ligand (Jagged-1, Delta)
      expressions. The results showed elevated expression levels of all 5 proteins in
      AdCC tissue relative to normal salivary gland tissues. Jagged-1/Notch-2
      coexpression was significantly associated with increased patient survival rate.
      The elevated expression level of these Notch receptors and ligands in AdCC points
      to Notch signaling as a key player in AdCC pathogenesis. Our data provide
      evidence for a relationship between Jagged-1/Notch-2 coexpression and better
      overall patient survival with AdCC. Targeting Notch signaling pathway may provide
      therapeutic benefits for these patients. 

PMID- 24238847
TI  - Carotid artery stenting: the dust has not yet settled.

PMID- 24238848
TI  - Accuracy of dedicated risk scores in patients undergoing primary percutaneous
      coronary intervention in daily clinical practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Comparisons between dedicated risk scores in patients with ST-segment
      elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention (pPCI) in real-world clinical practice are scarce. The aim of this
      study was to assess the diagnostic performance of the Global Registry of Acute
      Coronary Events (GRACE), Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (PAMI),
      Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI), and Zwolle scores in STEMI patients
      undergoing pPCI in contemporary clinical practice. METHODS: This was a
      prospective cohort study of consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI
      between December 2009 and November 2010 in a high-volume tertiary referral
      centre. The outcomes assessed were major cardiovascular events (MACEs) and death
      within 30 days. The diagnostic accuracy of the scores was assessed using receiver
      operating characteristic curves, and scores were compared using the DeLong
      method. RESULTS: During the study period, 501 patients were included. Within 30
      days, 62 patients (12.4%) presented a MACE and 39 individuals (7.8%) died. All
      scores were statistically associated with death and MACE within 30 days (P <
      0.01). The c-statistic and 95% confidence intervals for 30-day mortality were:
      GRACE, 0.84 (0.78-0.90); TIMI, 0.81 (0.74-0.87); Zwolle, 0.80 (0.73-0.87); and
      PAMI, 0.75 (0.68-0.82) (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant
      difference regarding the accuracy of the TIMI, GRACE, and Zwolle scores for 30
      day mortality, but the GRACE score was superior to the PAMI score (P < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: The TIMI, GRACE, and Zwolle scores performed equally well as
      predictors of mortality in patients who underwent pPCI in current practice. These
      results suggest that these scores are suitable options for risk assessment in a
      real-world setting.

PMID- 24238849
TI  - Evaluation of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium in oral hospital diets.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Many trace elements are nutrients essential to humans, acting
      in the metabolism as constituents or as enzymatic co-factors. The iron, zinc,
      copper, manganese and selenium contents of hospital diets (regular, blend and
      soft) and of oral food complement (OFC) were determined, evaluating the adequacy
      of each element in relation to the nutritional recommendations (DRIs) and the
      percent contribution alone and with OFC. METHODS: Duplicate samples were taken of
      six daily meals and of the OFC on two non-consecutive days from a hospital in
      Belo Horizonte (MG, Brazil) in May and September of 2010 and January of 2011. The
      elements were determined by ICP OES. RESULTS: Of the diets, the soft diet showed
      the highest elements content. Offering the OFC was insufficient to provide
      adequate levels of the trace elements. CONCLUSION: The oral hospital diets were
      inadequate in relation to the RDAs for the trace elements studied and the use of
      the OFCs was insufficient to compensate the values.

PMID- 24238851
TI  - Radiation dose to the floor of mouth muscles predicts swallowing complications
      following chemoradiation in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: While radiation dose to the larynx and pharyngeal constrictors has
      been the focus of swallowing complications, the suprahyoid muscles, or floor of
      mouth (FoM) muscles, are critical for hyoid and laryngeal elevation and effective
      bolus diversion, preventing penetration and aspiration. We hypothesize that
      radiation dose to these muscles may be important in the development of dysphagia.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 46 patients with OPSCC treated with CRT and who
      underwent baseline swallowing evaluations and post-treatment videofluoroscopic
      swallowing studies (VFSS) from 2007 to 2010. Patients with abnormal penetration
      aspiration scores (PAS>2) served as the study population and patients with normal
      PAS scores (<= 2) served as the control cohort. Three suprahyoid muscles and two
      extrinsic tongue muscles were individually delineated and collectively referred
      to as the FoM muscles. Radiation dose-volume relationships for these muscles were
      calculated. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine
      parameters of significance between patients with normal or abnormal PAS scores. A
      multivariate regression analysis was subsequently performed to isolate the most
      statistically critical structures associated with abnormal PAS. RESULTS:
      Univariate analysis resulted in significance/borderline significance of multiple
      structures associated with abnormal PAS following irradiation. However, when a
      multivariate model was applied, only the mean dose to the floor of mouth and
      minimum dose to the geniohyoid were associated with post-radiation abnormal PAS.
      CONCLUSIONS: The dose and volume delivered to the collective FoM muscles may be
      associated with an increased risk of laryngeal penetration/aspiration to a
      greater degree than previously recognized organs at risk.

PMID- 24238850
TI  - Hyper- and hypometabolism are not related to nutritional status of patients on
      the waiting list for liver transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Metabolic disorders and malnutrition are well known conditions
      reported in patients with liver disease (LD), but the relationship between them
      are underexplored. So, the aim of this study was to assess the resting energy
      expenditure (REE) of these patients, identifying the prevalence of hyper- and
      hypometabolism. In addition, to evaluate whether malnutrition and clinical
      variables were associated with REE and metabolic disorders. METHODS: The REE was
      measured by indirect calorimetry and predicted by the Harris and Benedict formula
      (REEHB). Nutritional status was assessed by different methods. The etiology,
      severity and complications of LD were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 81
      patients were assessed. The measured REE was 1587.5 +/- 426.6 kcal. The REE was
      overestimated by the REEHB (REE:REEHB <0.8) in 7.4% and underestimated (REE:REEHB
      >1.2) in 24.7% of the patients. The REE was lower in malnourished patients (p <
      0.05). However, hyper- and hypometabolism were not associated with nutritional
      status (p > 0.05). The REE and hypermetabolism were not associated with LD, but
      hypometabolic patients had a higher prevalence of Child C, and had higher values
      for MELD, INR and total bilirubin (p < 0.05). After multiple regression analyses,
      the REE was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with intracellular body water,
      arm muscle area and serum glucose. Serum glucose was only significantly
      associated (p < 0.05) with hypermetabolism, and INR with hypometabolism.
      CONCLUSION: Changes in resting metabolism are present but not universal. The
      hypermetabolism was associated with extrahepatic factors, and hypometabolism with
      the severity of LD. Under these conditions in the clinical setting, calculated
      energy requirements using the HB formula should be adjusted.

PMID- 24238852
TI  - Work, work environments and other factors influencing nurse faculty intention to
      remain employed: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the role nurse faculty have in educating nurses, little is
      known about what influences their intention to remain employed (ITR) in academic
      settings. OBJECTIVES: Findings from a nurse faculty survey administered to test a
      conceptual model of factors hypothesized as influencing nurse faculty ITR are
      reported. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design was employed. SETTING: We
      included colleges and universities in Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: The
      population of Ontario nurse faculty who reported being employed as nurse faculty
      with the College of Nurses of Ontario (Canada) was included. Of the 1328 nurse
      faculty who were surveyed, 650 participated. METHODS: Participants completed a
      questionnaire with measures of work, work environment, job satisfaction, burnout
      and ITR. Regression analyses were conducted to test the model. RESULTS: Ten of 26
      independent variables explained 25.4% of variance in nurse faculty ITR for five
      years. These variables included: proximity to retirement, quality of
      relationships with colleagues, being employed full time, having dependents,
      satisfaction with work-life balance, quality of education, satisfaction with job
      status, access to financial support for education from organization, access to
      required human resources and being unionized. CONCLUSIONS: Although not all
      influencing factors are modifiable, academic leadership should develop strategies
      that encourage nurse faculty ITR. Strategies that support collegial relationships
      among faculty, increase the number of full time positions, promote work-life
      balance, engage faculty in assessing and strengthening education quality, support
      faculty choice between full-time and part-time work, and ensure adequate human
      resources required to teach effectively will lead to heightened nurse faculty
      ITR.

PMID- 24238853
TI  - ACL reconstruction in a teenage athlete with fibular hemimelia.
AB  - Fibular hemimelia exists as a rare cause of ACL insufficiency. This case report
      concerns the diagnosis and treatment of anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency
      in a teenage football player with fibular hemimelia. While ACL reconstruction has
      been described to allow activities of daily living in this patient population,
      this is the first report in the literature of anterior cruciate ligament
      reconstruction in an athlete with fibular hemimelia. We believe that ACL
      reconstruction is a viable and beneficial treatment option in the care of a
      symptomatic patient with congenital absence of the ACL and can allow athletes
      with this condition to return not only to their previous functional level, but
      also to their previous level of play. 

PMID- 24238854
TI  - Timing of diaphyseal femur fracture nailing: is the difference night and day?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Most hospitals are faced with reduced personnel, resources, and
      provider fatigue or shift changes when day turns to night. For these reasons,
      some have suggested that diaphyseal femur fractures should be fixed during the
      daytime. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the time of surgery
      affects the post-operative difference in femoral version (DFV) and femoral length
      (DFL) between the fixed and uninjured sides following intramedullary nailing
      (IMN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 10-year period, 340 patients underwent IMN
      of a diaphyseal femur fracture (AO types 32-A to C) with a post-operative
      computed tomography scanogram for version measurement. Demographic and surgical
      data, including time operated was collected. "Daytime" was defined as 7:00 AM to
      6:59 PM, while the remainder of the clock was "nighttime". Additionally, the
      night hours were split into 3 consecutive 4-h categories for further analysis.
      Stepwise, multivariate regressions were used to evaluate any effect of time of
      surgery on post-operative DFV or DFL. Other variables included in these
      statistical models were age, sex, mechanism of injury, open vs. closed fracture,
      trauma vs. non-trauma surgeon, and AO and Winquist classifications. RESULTS:
      Overall, 22.4% (76/340) of all fractures were fixed at night. The mean post
      operative DFV and DFL from the uninjured side in these patients was 8.9 degrees 
      and 4.1 mm, respectively, compared to 9.0 degrees  and 4.8 mm in those treated
      during the daytime. This difference was not statistically significant when
      accounting for other factors (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant
      difference in patients with >10 mm limb length discrepancy or >15 degrees DFV
      (p=1.0 for both). CONCLUSION: The time of day at which diaphyseal femur fractures
      are treated does not have an impact on post-operative femoral version or length.
      While certain other injuries may be better handled during daytime hours,
      acceptable IMN of mid-shaft femur fractures may be achieved during all hours at a
      level 1 trauma centre.

PMID- 24238855
TI  - Investigation of switch from ATM to ATR signaling at the sites of DNA damage
      induced by low and high LET radiation.
AB  - Upon induction of DNA damage by ionizing radiation (IR), members of the
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-like kinase family of proteins namely ataxia
      telangiectasia mutated (ATM), DNA-PKcs, and ATM- and Rad3-related (ATR) maintain
      genomic integrity by mounting DNA damage response (DDR). Recent reports suggest
      that activation of ATM and ATR are oppositely regulated by the length of single
      stranded overhangs generated during end processing by nucleases at the break
      sites. These stretches of single stranded overhangs hold the clue for the
      transition from ATM to ATR signaling at broken DNA ends. We investigated whether
      differential processing of breaks induced by low and high LET radiation augments
      the phenomenon of switching from ATM to ATR kinase and hence a concomitant NHEJ
      to HR transition at the sites of DNA damage. 82-6 human fibroblasts were
      irradiated with 1 or 2Gy of gamma-rays and particle radiation of increasing LET
      in order to increase the complexity and variability of DNA double strand breaks
      (DSB) structures. The activation kinetics of ATM and ATR kinases along with their
      downstream substrates were determined utilizing Western blotting and
      immunofluorescence techniques. Our data provide evidence of a potential switch
      from ATM to ATR kinase signaling in cells treated with gamma-rays at
      approximately 2h post irradiation, with induction and completion of resection
      denoted by Rad51 foci resolution kinetics and observed with a significant decline
      of phosphorylated ATR kinase 8h after IR. On the other hand, irradiation with
      high LET 600MeV/u (56)Fe (180keV/MUm) and 170MeV/u (28)Si (99keV/MUm) particles
      show a similar Rad51 foci decay kinetics, however, exhibiting prolonged
      resection, evident by the persistent phosphorylated ATM and ATR kinase until 24h
      post irradiation. This residual effect, however, was significantly reduced for
      250MeV/u (16)O particles of moderate LET (25keV/MUm) and absent for gamma-rays.
      Hence, our results support the hypothesis that the transition from ATM to ATR
      signaling at DNA break sites is extended for longer periods of time, indicated by
      sustained resection due to the complex type of damage induced, a hallmark of high
      LET radiation, which may contribute to its increased biological effectiveness. 

PMID- 24238856
TI  - Body mass index as a determinant of brown adipose tissue function in healthy
      children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether body mass index (BMI) percentile and ethnicity
      influence skin temperature overlying brown adipose tissue (BAT) depots in the
      supraclavicular region in healthy children. STUDY DESIGN: Infrared thermography
      measured supraclavicular region temperature (T(SCR)) at baseline and after
      exposure to a mild cool stimulus (single hand immersion in water at 20.1  degrees
      C) for 5 minutes in children aged 6-11 years (n = 55). The studies were
      undertaken in a normal school environment. RESULTS: BMI percentile and ethnicity
      were significant predictors of baseline T(SCR), with an inverse relationship
      between BMI percentile persisting after adjustment for ethnicity. Twenty-four
      children demonstrated a significant rise in T(SCR) after exposure to the cool
      stimulus. BMI percentile was a significant predictor of T(SCR) response, although
      there was no effect of ethnicity on T(SCR) change after exposure to the cool
      stimulus. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated a negative relationship between BMI
      percentile and both baseline T(SCR), colocating with the primary region of BAT,
      and the change in T(SCR) in response to the cool stimulus. Future studies aimed
      at determining the primary factors regulating BAT function in healthy children
      should be targeted at the goal of maintaining a healthy BMI trajectory during
      childhood.

PMID- 24238857
TI  - Incidence and Epidemiology of Intussusception among Infants in Ho Chi Minh City,
      Vietnam.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate rates of intussusception hospitalization among infants in
      Vietnam before the introduction of rotavirus vaccine. STUDY DESIGN: Between 2009
      and 2011, we identified intussusception hospitalizations among infants using the
      International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems,
      10th Revision, Clinical Modification code K56.1 at 2 large pediatric hospitals in
      Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam that treat most of the intussusception cases in the
      city. We reviewed all medical records to confirm a Brighton level 1 case
      definition for intussusception. RESULTS: We identified a total of 869
      intussusception cases in Ho Chi Minh City during the 3-year study period, for an
      annual rate of 296 per 100,000 infants. The mean age of intussusception was ~ 37
      weeks (8.6 months), with <2% of the cases occurring before age 15 weeks. Cases of
      intussusception were observed year-round in these hospitals with no evident
      seasonal pattern. Ultrasonography was used to diagnose most cases (97%), and
      reduction was performed by air enema in >95% of the cases, with only 1% of cases
      at 1 hospital and 5% at the other hospital requiring surgical intervention.
      Ultrasound diagnosis was confirmed by an independent radiologist in 94% of a
      randomly selected group of intussusception cases at 1 of the 2 hospitals. No
      mortality was reported. CONCLUSION: Vietnam has a substantially higher rate of
      intussusception in children aged >15 weeks compared with most other regions of
      the world. Most of our cases were diagnosed by ultrasound, and only a small
      proportion required surgical intervention with no fatalities, suggesting that the
      higher rates may be related in part to better and earlier detection of
      intussusception.

PMID- 24238858
TI  - At-risk children of at-risk parents: assessing common injuries to the children of
      teenage parents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the common injuries in the children of teenage parents seen
      in the emergency department (ED) of a large level I trauma center. STUDY DESIGN:
      We used admission records for guarantor age to assess common injuries. RESULTS:
      The majority of the patients were white, in the care of the mother, and suffered
      accidental injuries, with bruising and skin marks the most common. Although
      children born to teenage parents are at an increased risk for child abuse, the
      rate of abuse in this study sample remained low. Falls and ingested objects were
      the leading mechanisms of injury in these patients, who were generally evaluated
      and discharged from the ED. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the common injuries
      and mechanisms to better understand how injuries are sustained in this unique
      population. The results of this study can be used for educational purposes both
      in the ED and in classroom-based parenting classes. Prevention efforts for
      teenage parents should be geared toward teaching better supervision and improving
      home safety.

PMID- 24238859
TI  - Understanding the pediatric dermatology workforce shortage: mentoring matters.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To target pediatric dermatologists directly in order to evaluate
      their current demographics and the most important motivating factors that
      influenced their career choice. Pediatric dermatology is one of the pediatric
      subspecialties with an inadequate supply to meet current patient needs. STUDY
      DESIGN: A survey was designed to evaluate the training pathway, employment
      status, participation in teaching, and clinical practice characteristics of
      pediatric dermatologists. The survey was administered to attendants of the 2010
      Society for Pediatric Dermatology annual meeting. Any remaining board certified
      pediatric dermatologists who had not previously responded were queried via Survey
      Monkey. RESULTS: There was a 71% response rate. The majority chose a career in
      pediatric dermatology early, often prior to starting a dermatology residency. The
      vast majority of respondents noted mentorship as the most important influence on
      their decision to pursue a career in pediatric dermatology. The most common
      obstacles cited by respondents were financial hardship and resistance of some
      dermatology programs to accept applicants previously trained in pediatrics.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our survey provides evidence to support the importance of early
      exposure to the field and, most importantly, to committed pediatric
      dermatologists who can serve as mentors. This information may be helpful in
      approaching solutions to the workforce shortage in the field of pediatric
      dermatology.

PMID- 24238860
TI  - Early-life risk factors for childhood wheeze phenotypes in a high-risk birth
      cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To define longitudinal childhood wheeze phenotypes and identify their
      early-life risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Current wheeze was recorded 23 times up to
      age 7 years in a birth cohort at high risk for allergy (n = 620). Latent class
      analysis of wheeze responses identified 5 classes. Multinomial logistic
      regression estimated associations of probability-weighted wheezing classes with
      early-life factors. All phenotypes were compared with never/infrequent wheezers.
      RESULTS: Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) by 1 year (relative risk [RR],
      3.00; 95% CI, 1.58-5.70), childcare by 1 year (RR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.02-2.22), and
      higher body mass index (RR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.09-5.81) were associated with
      increased risk of early transient wheeze, whereas breastfeeding was protective
      (RR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.90). LRTI (RR, 6.54; 95% CI, 2.55-16.76) and
      aeroallergen sensitization (RR, 4.95; 95% CI, 1.74-14.02) increased the risk of
      early persistent wheeze. LRTI (RR, 5.31; 95% CI, 2.71-10.41), eczema (RR, 2.77;
      95% CI, 1.78-4.31), aeroallergen sensitization (RR, 5.60; 95% CI, 2.86-10.9), and
      food sensitization (RR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.56-4.94) increased the risk of
      intermediate-onset wheeze, whereas dog exposure at baseline (RR, 0.52; 95% CI,
      0.32-0.84) and first-born status (RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32-0.76) were protective.
      Heavy parental smoking at birth (RR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.02-9.88) increased the risk
      of late-onset wheeze, whereas breastfeeding reduced it (RR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12
      0.96). All wheeze classes except early transient had greater risk of wheeze at
      age 12 years compared with never/infrequent wheezers. CONCLUSION: We found
      distinct early-life risk factor profiles for each wheeze phenotype. These
      findings provide insight into possible wheeze mechanisms and have implications
      for identifying preventive strategies and addressing clinical management of early
      life wheeze.

PMID- 24238861
TI  - Impaired cognitive functioning in patients with tyrosinemia type I receiving
      nitisinone.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine cognitive functioning in patients with tyrosinemia type I
      treated with nitisinone and a protein-restricted diet. STUDY DESIGN: We performed
      a cross-sectional study to establish cognitive functioning in children with
      tyrosinemia type I compared with their unaffected siblings. Intelligence was
      measured using age-appropriate Wechsler Scales. To assess cognitive development
      over time, we retrieved sequential IQ scores in a single-center subset of
      patients. We also evaluated whether plasma phenylalanine and tyrosine levels
      during treatment was correlated with cognitive development. RESULTS: Average
      total IQ score in 10 patients with tyrosinemia type I receiving nitisinone was
      significantly lower compared with their unaffected siblings (71 +/- 13 vs 91 +/-
      13; P = .008). Both verbal and performance IQ subscores differed (77 +/- 14 vs 95
      +/- 11; P < .05 and 70 +/- 11 vs 87 +/- 15; P < .05, respectively). Repeated IQ
      measurements in a single-center subset of 5 patients revealed a decline in
      average IQ score over time, from 96 +/- 15 to 69 +/- 11 (P < .001). No
      significant association was found between IQ score and either plasma tyrosine or
      phenylalanine concentration. CONCLUSION: Patients with tyrosinemia type I treated
      with nitisinone are at risk for impaired cognitive function despite a protein
      restricted diet.

PMID- 24238862
TI  - A phase II/III, multicenter, safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic study of
      dexmedetomidine in preterm and term neonates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic profile of
      dexmedetomidine in preterm and full-term neonates >= 28 to <= 44 weeks
      gestational age. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-two intubated, mechanically ventilated
      patients (n = 42) were grouped by gestational age into group I (n = 18), >= 28 to
      <36 weeks, and group II (n = 24), >= 36 to <= 44 weeks. Within each age group,
      there were 3 escalating dose levels, including a loading dose (LD, MUg/kg)
      followed by a maintenance dose (MD, MUg . kg(-1) . h(-1)) for 6-24 hours: level
      1, 0.05 LD/MD; level 2, 0.1 LD/MD; and level 3, 0.2 LD/MD. The primary endpoint
      was the number of patients requiring sedation as determined by the Neonatal Pain,
      Agitation, Sedation Scale. RESULTS: During dexmedetomidine infusion, 5% of
      Neonatal Pain, Agitation, Sedation Scale scores were >3, indicating
      agitation/pain, with 4 patients (10%) requiring more sedation and 17 (40%)
      requiring more analgesia. Though there was significant variability in
      pharmacokinetic variables, group I appeared to have lower weight-adjusted plasma
      clearance (0.3 vs 0.9 L . h(-1) . kg(-1)) and increased elimination half-life
      (7.6 vs 3.2 hours) compared with group II. Fifty-six adverse events (AEs) were
      reported in 26 patients (62%); only 3 AEs (5%) were related to dexmedetomidine.
      There were no serious AEs and no AEs or hemodynamic changes requiring
      dexmedetomidine discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine is effective for
      sedating preterm and full-term neonates and is well-tolerated without significant
      AEs. Preterm neonates had decreased plasma clearance and longer elimination half
      life.

PMID- 24238863
TI  - Rehospitalization for childhood asthma: timing, variation, and opportunities for
      intervention.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the timing of pediatric asthma rehospitalization, variation
      in rate of rehospitalization across hospitals, and factors associated with
      rehospitalization at different intervals. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort
      analysis of 44,204 hospitalizations for children with asthma within 42 children's
      hospitals between July 2008 and June 2011. The main outcome measures were
      rehospitalization for asthma within 7, 15, 30, 60, 180, and 365 days of an index
      asthma admission. RESULTS: The rate of asthma rehospitalization ranged from 0.5%
      (n = 208) at 7 days to 17.2% (n = 7603) at 365 days. Black patients and patients
      with public insurance had higher odds of rehospitalization at 60 days and beyond
      (P <= .01 for both). Adolescents (12- to 18-year-old), patients with a diagnosis
      of a complex chronic condition, and patients with a prior year asthma admission
      had higher odds of rehospitalization at every time interval (P <= .001 for all).
      Significant hospital variation in case-mix adjusted rates of rehospitalization
      existed at each time interval (P <= .01 for all). Rates at 365 days were <= 10.9%
      for the top 10% of hospitals; if all hospitals achieved this rate, 36.6% of
      rehospitalizations might have been avoided. CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation in
      asthma rehospitalization rates exists across children's hospitals from 7 to 365
      days after an index admission. Racial/ethnic and economic disparities emerge at
      60 days. By 1 year, rehospitalizations account for 1 in 6 hospitalizations.
      Assessing asthma rehospitalizations at longer intervals may augment our current
      understanding of and approach to post-hospitalization care improvement.

PMID- 24238864
TI  - Self-reported prevalence and severity of xerostomia and its related conditions in
      individuals attending hospital for general health examinations.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, severity, and
      relationships between xerostomia and its related symptoms in individuals who
      attended hospital for general health examinations. Participants included 883 men
      and 618 women aged between 30 and 60 years. History of symptoms during the
      previous 6 months, current symptoms, and severity of current symptoms were
      evaluated using a questionnaire that included questions about xerostomia, burning
      mouth, taste disturbance, and oral malodor. The prevalence of xerostomia and its
      related symptoms was 60.2%; the prevalence of oral malodor was 52.3%, xerostomia
      33.0%, burning mouth 13.6%, and taste disturbance 12.5%. Men in their 30s and
      women in their 60s showed significantly higher prevalence and greater severity of
      xerostomia, burning mouth, and taste disturbance compared with their
      counterparts. The prevalence of xerostomia, burning mouth, and taste disturbance,
      and the severity of xerostomia increased significantly with age in women. The
      prevalence and severity of these four symptoms were significantly related and the
      association was the highest between burning mouth and taste disturbance. In
      conclusion, xerostomia and its related symptoms were highly prevalent at all
      ages. The prevalence and severity of these symptoms were closely related. 

PMID- 24238865
TI  - Mandibular coronoid fractures: treatment options.

PMID- 24238866
TI  - En bloc prefabrication of vascularized bioartificial bone grafts in sheep and
      complete workflow for custom-made transplants.
AB  - The aim of this pilot study was to determine, in a new experimental model,
      whether complex bioartificial monoblocs of relevant size and stability can be
      prefabricated in a defined three-dimensional design, in which the latissimus
      dorsi muscle serves as a natural bioreactor and the thoracodorsal vessel tree is
      prepared for axial construct perfusion. Eighteen sheep were included in the
      study, with six animals in each of three experimental groups. Vitalization of the
      beta-tricalcium phosphate-based constructs was performed by direct application of
      unmodified osteogenic material from the iliac crest (group A), in vivo
      application of nucleated cell concentrate (NCC) from bone marrow aspirate (group
      B), and in vitro cultivation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in a perfusion
      bioreactor system (group C). The contours of the constructs were designed
      digitally and transferred onto the bioartificial bone grafts using a titanium
      cage, which was bent over a stereolithographic model of the defined subvolume
      intraoperatively. At the end of the prefabrication process, only the axial
      vascularized constructs of group A demonstrated vital bone formation with
      considerable stability. In groups B and C, the applied techniques were not able
      to induce ectopic bone formation. The presented computer-assisted workflow allows
      the prefabrication of custom-made bioartificial transplants. 

PMID- 24238867
TI  - Association between affective temperaments and regional gray matter volume in
      healthy subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Affective temperaments such as cyclothymic and hyperthymic
      temperaments have been regarded as potential antecedents of bipolar disorder but
      the neural substrates underlying these temperaments have not been identified. The
      aim of this study is to determine whether these temperaments are associated with
      specific neural substrates in regional brain morphology in healthy subjects.
      METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional neuroimaging study of 60 healthy subjects
      (30 males and 30 females) with affective temperaments. All participants underwent
      the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to screen for the past
      and present psychiatric disorder. The scores of cyclothymic and hyperthymic
      temperaments were measured by the Temperament Scale of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and
      San Diego-Autoquestionnaire. We analyzed the association between voxel-based
      morphometry of the brain and these affective temperaments. RESULTS: Subjects
      classified as having high cyclothymic scores had a significantly larger gray
      matter volume of the left medial frontal gyrus (MFG) than low cyclothymic
      subjects. High hyperthymic males also had significantly larger gray matter volume
      of the left MFG than low hyperthymic males, but there was no difference in
      females. Subjects with both high cyclothymic and high hyperthymic temperaments
      demonstrated significantly larger gray matter volume of the left MFG than their
      counterparts. Region of interest analysis revealed that peaks of these clusters
      showed a significant positive correlation of the regional volume with temperament
      scores. LIMITATIONS: The subjects were relatively young and the number was
      relatively small. Due to the nature of a cross-sectional research design, we
      could not determine the causal relationship between temperament and the volume
      changes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that cyclothymic and hyperthymic
      temperaments in healthy subjects may have their morphological basis in the left
      MFG.

PMID- 24238868
TI  - Sex differences in cognitive functioning in patients with bipolar disorder who
      recently recovered from a first episode of mania: data from the Systematic
      Treatment Optimization Program for Early Mania (STOP-EM).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies investigating bipolar disorder (BD) showed that healthy
      patterns of sex differences in cognitive functioning are altered within this
      population, but is it unknown whether these alterations are present in BD
      patients early in their course of illness. METHODS: Patients with bipolar I
      disorder (36 males, 38 female), who had recently experienced their first manic or
      mixed episode were tested along with healthy controls (39 males, 59 females)
      similar in age, sex and premorbid IQ. Cognitive function was assessed through a
      comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. RESULTS: Significant group effects
      were found in a majority of administered tests (p<0.05) with patients performing
      worse than healthy controls. Significant sex effects (p<0.05) were observed on
      tasks of spatial working memory and sustained attention, with males performing
      better than females. No significant group by sex interaction was found in any of
      the tasks administered. LIMITATIONS: The cognitive battery employed in this study
      may not have been optimally sensitive in detecting sex differences. CONCLUSIONS:
      The results suggest that unlike patients with long standing multi-episode BD or
      schizophrenia, healthy cognitive sex differences are maintained in patients with
      early BD, following recovery from a first-episode of mania. These findings
      highlight the progressive nature of the illness and provide justification for an
      early intervention.

PMID- 24238870
TI  - The role of adult attachment style, birth intervention and support in
      posttraumatic stress after childbirth: a prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is converging evidence that between 1% and 3% of women develop
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth. Various vulnerability and
      risk factors have been identified, including mode of birth and support during
      birth. However, little research has looked at the role of adult attachment style
      in how women respond to events during birth. This study prospectively examined
      the interaction between attachment style, mode of birth, and support in
      determining PTSD symptoms after birth. METHOD: A longitudinal study of women
      (n=57) from the last trimester of pregnancy to three months postpartum. Women
      completed questionnaire measures of attachment style in pregnancy and measures of
      PTSD, support during birth, and mode of birth at three months postpartum.
      RESULTS: Avoidant attachment style, operative birth (assisted vaginal or
      caesarean section) and poor support during birth were all significantly
      correlated with postnatal PTSD symptoms. Regression analyses showed that avoidant
      attachment style moderated the relationship between operative birth and PTSD
      symptoms, where women with avoidant attachment style who had operative deliveries
      were most at risk of PTSD symptoms. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited to white
      European, cohabiting, primiparous women. Future research is needed to see if
      these findings are replicated in larger samples and different sociodemographic
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests avoidant attachment style may be a
      vulnerability factor for postpartum PTSD, particularly for women who have
      operative births. If replicated, clinical implications include the potential to
      screen for attachment style during pregnancy and tailor care during birth
      accordingly.

PMID- 24238869
TI  - Comparing factor structure of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ): In Italy
      sexual behavior is euphoric but in Asia mysterious and forbidden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The introduction of screening questionnaires, such as the Mood
      Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), has stimulated clinical and epidemiological studies
      on bipolar disorders. In this work, we studied the item response pattern of the
      MDQ in the Italian population and compared the results with those of the
      validation of the MDQ in Asian studies (Chinese and Korean), analyzing
      similarities and differences among the populations studied. METHODS: The sample
      was made up of 2278 participants, distributed as follows: 56.6% females, 50.8%
      living in the north-central Italy, and 33.7% living in rural areas. The factor
      analysis was run on the matrix of tetrachoric correlations. The psychometric
      properties of the MDQ were also studied using the Rasch logistic model. RESULTS:
      The parallel analysis found two significant components. The first includes
      symptoms referring to acceleration, danger and irritability as risky behaviors,
      social interaction problems and mental flow. The second includes symptoms
      referring to self-confidence and energy. With respect to the Korean/Chinese
      results, the Italian sample, item 11 ("much more sex"), appears related to self
      confidence and energy, while in Asia it is connected with items expressing risky
      behaviors and irritability. LIMITATIONS: Differences in the frequency of comorbid
      disorders in Asian and Italian populations should be considered. The results
      should be confirmed and compared with those of other populations. CONCLUSIONS:
      Cultural differences appear to be associated with a different symptomatic
      expression of bipolar spectrum disorders. Future research will investigate the
      role of gene-environment interaction in the genesis of these differences.

PMID- 24238871
TI  - Adaptation and validation of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) to
      Brazilian Portuguese.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety have been associated with a range of symptoms
      that often overlap. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) is a single
      instrument to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. This study aimed
      to adapt and validate the DASS-21 for use in the Brazilian Portuguese language.
      METHODS: The DASS-21 has been adapted following the translation-back translation
      methodology from English to Portuguese. 242 subjects completed the following
      assessments: the DASS-21, the Beck Depression Index (BDI), Beck Anxiety Index
      (BAI) and the Inventory of Stress Symptoms of Lipp (ISSL). RESULTS: The Kaiser
      Meyer-Olkin (KMO) result was .949, indicating that the adequacy of the model was
      high. Cronbach's alpha was .92 for the depression, .90 for the stress, and .86
      for the anxiety, indicating a good internal consistency for each subscale. The
      correlations between DASS scale and BDI scale, BAI scale and ISSL inventory were
      strong. The factorial analysis and distribution of factors among the subscales
      indicated that the structure of three distinct factors is adequate. LIMITATIONS:
      Older subjects over 65 years of age were not largely represented in this sample.
      A study specific to this elderly population should be conducted. Another
      limitation of the study was education level. The impact of low education in its
      applicability should be considered. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the
      validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the DASS-21 and add to the
      evidence of the DASS-21 quality and ability to assess emotional states
      separately, eliminating the use of different instruments to assess these states.

PMID- 24238872
TI  - Genetics of human gene expression.
AB  - A steadily growing number of studies have identified and characterized expression
      quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) in human cell-lines, primary cells, and tissues.
      This class of variation has been shown to play a role in complex traits,
      including disease. Here, we discuss how eQTLs have the potential to accelerate
      discovery of disease genes and functional mechanisms underlying complex traits.
      We discuss how context-specificity of eQTLs is being characterized at an
      unprecedented scale and breadth, and how this both informs on the intricacy of
      human genome function, and has important ramifications for elucidating function
      of genetic variants of interest, particularly for those contributing to disease. 

PMID- 24238874
TI  - A simplified approach for the reduction of specific closed anterior table frontal
      sinus fractures.
AB  - We describe a simplified approach to the management of closed anterior table
      fractures of the frontal sinus. Forty-seven patients were diagnosed with this
      type of fracture during a 3-year period. Of these, 6 had minimally-invasive
      periosteal raising of the anterior table through a small perieyebrow skin
      incision, and access to the fracture was through a small trephine or the edge of
      the fracture itself. We compared this with the more traditional approach of a
      coronal flap, which was associated with an increased duration of stay in hospital
      and the potential for neurological complications. Surgical intervention with a
      minimally-invasive trephine approach provides good cosmesis, minimal blood loss,
      intact neurological function, and rapid recovery. This makes it an important
      technique to consider in carefully selected patients.

PMID- 24238873
TI  - Genotype to phenotype via network analysis.
AB  - A prime objective of genomic medicine is the identification of disease-causing
      mutations and the mechanisms by which such events result in disease. As most
      disease phenotypes arise not from single genes and proteins but from a complex
      network of molecular interactions, a priori knowledge about the molecular network
      serves as a framework for biological inference and data mining. Here we review
      recent developments at the interface of biological networks and mutation
      analysis. We examine how mutations may be treated as a perturbation of the
      molecular interaction network and what insights may be gained from taking this
      perspective. We review work that aims to transform static networks into rich
      context-dependent networks and recent attempts to integrate non-coding RNAs into
      such analysis. Finally, we conclude with an overview of the many challenges and
      opportunities that lie ahead. 

PMID- 24238875
TI  - Role of medical thermography in treatment of Frey's syndrome with botulinum toxin
      A.
AB  - Frey syndrome classically causes gustatory sweating and facial flushing. We
      describe 2 cases in which medical thermography was used to investigate the
      symptoms. Images were taken after patients chewed a sialagogue and 2 weeks later
      they were given injections of botulinum toxin A. Images taken 4 weeks after
      treatment showed a considerable reduction in sweating and facial flushing, which
      was supported by the results of quality of life questionnaires completed before
      and after treatment. Medical thermography is much cleaner than the Minor's starch
      iodine test. It identifies areas of gustatory sweating, changes in temperature,
      and vascular changes, which potentially enable treatment to be targeted
      accurately.

PMID- 24238876
TI  - Percutaneous cryoablation of liver metastases from breast cancer: initial
      experience in 17 patients.
AB  - AIM: To assess the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of percutaneous
      cryoablation for the treatment of liver metastases from breast cancer. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: This study included 39 liver metastases in 17 female breast cancer
      patients who underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous cryoablation.
      The mean age of the cohort was 55 years (range 30-66 years). The tumour response
      was evaluated by CT performed before treatment, 1 month after treatment, and
      every 3 months thereafter. The European Organization for Research and Treatment
      of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to assess
      the patients' quality of life before, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after
      cryoablation. The primary endpoints were technique effectiveness, quality of
      life, and complications. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 92% with no
      major complication reported. At the 1-month follow-up, the primary technique
      effectiveness was 87.1% (34 of 39 tumours). At the 3-months follow-up, local
      tumour progression was observed in six of 39 lesions (15.4%). The 1-year survival
      from the time of cryoablation was 70.6%. The quality of life symptoms and
      functioning scales were preserved in patients alive at 3 months after
      cryoablation. The global quality of life, mean value of "pain" and "fatigue"
      between 3 months after cryoablation and prior to treatment showed statistically
      significant differences, but no clinical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoablation
      is a safe and effective ablative therapy, providing a high rate of local tumour
      control in breast cancer liver metastases.

PMID- 24238877
TI  - Cruciferous vegetables, glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms, and the risk of
      colorectal cancer among Chinese men.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the associations between cruciferous vegetable (CV) intake,
      GST gene polymorphisms, and colorectal cancer (CRC) in a population of Chinese
      men. METHODS: Using incidence density sampling, CRC cases (N = 340) diagnosed
      before December 31, 2010 within the Shanghai Men's Health Study were matched to
      noncases (N = 673). CV intake was assessed from a food frequency questionnaire
      and by isothiocyanate levels from spot urine samples. GSTM1 and GSTT1 were
      categorized as null (0 copies) versus non-null (1 or 2 copies). Conditional
      logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence
      intervals for the association between CV intake and GST gene variants with CRC,
      and statistical interactions were evaluated. RESULTS: CRC risk was not associated
      with CV intake, whether measured by self-report or by urinary isothiocyanate nor
      with GST gene variants. No statistical interactions were detected between CV
      intake and GST gene variants on the odds of CRC. Stratifying by timing of urine
      sample collection and excluding CRC cases diagnosed in the first 2 years did not
      materially alter the results. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides no evidence
      supporting the involvement of CV intake in the development of CRC in Chinese men.

PMID- 24238879
TI  - Differential natural organic matter fouling of ceramic versus polymeric
      ultrafiltration membranes.
AB  - Ceramic ultrafiltration membranes has drawn increasing attention in drinking
      water treatment sectors as an alternative to traditional polymeric counterparts,
      yet only limited information has been made available about the characteristics of
      ceramic membrane fouling by natural organic matter. The effects of solution
      chemistry including ionic strength, divalent ion concentration and pH on the flux
      behavior were comparatively evaluated for ceramic and polymeric ultrafiltration
      of synthetic water containing model natural organic matter. Filtration
      characteristics were further probed via resistance-in-series model analysis,
      fouling visualization using quantum dots, batch adsorption test, contact angle
      measurement, solute-membrane surface adhesion force measurement, and quantitative
      comparison of fouling characteristics between ceramic and polymeric membranes.
      The results collectively suggested that the effects of solution chemistry on
      fouling behavior of ceramic membranes were generally similar to polymeric
      counterparts in terms of trends, while the extent varied significantly depending
      on water quality parameters. Lower fouling tendency and enhanced cleaning
      efficiency were observed with the ceramic membrane, further promoting the
      potential for ceramic membrane application to surface water treatment. 

PMID- 24238878
TI  - Prediction of anaerobic biodegradability and bioaccessibility of municipal sludge
      by coupling sequential extractions with fluorescence spectroscopy: towards ADM1
      variables characterization.
AB  - Advanced dynamic anaerobic digestion models, such as ADM1, require both detailed
      organic matter characterisation and intimate knowledge of the involved metabolic
      pathways. In the current study, a methodology for municipal sludge
      characterization is investigated to describe two key parameters: biodegradability
      and bioaccessibility of organic matter. The methodology is based on coupling
      sequential chemical extractions with 3D fluorescence spectroscopy. The use of
      increasingly strong solvents reveals different levels of organic matter
      accessibility and the spectroscopy measurement leads to a detailed
      characterisation of the organic matter. The results obtained from testing 52
      municipal sludge samples (primary, secondary, digested and thermally treated)
      showed a successful correlation with sludge biodegradability and
      bioaccessibility. The two parameters, traditionally obtained through the
      biochemical methane potential (BMP) lab tests, are now obtain in only 5 days
      compared to the 30-60 days usually required. Experimental data, obtained from two
      different laboratory scale reactors, were used to validate the ADM1 model. The
      proposed approach showed a strong application potential for reactor design and
      advanced control of anaerobic digestion processes. 

PMID- 24238880
TI  - Evaluating the potential of improving residential water balance at building
      scale.
AB  - Earlier results indicated that, for an average household, self-sufficiency in
      water supply can be achieved by following the Urban harvest Approach (UHA), in a
      combination of demand minimization, cascading and multi-sourcing. To achieve
      these results, it was assumed that all available local resources can be
      harvested. In reality, however, temporal, spatial and location-bound factors pose
      limitations to this harvest and, thus, to self-sufficiency. This article
      investigates potential spatial and temporal limitations to harvest local water
      resources at building level for the Netherlands, with a focus on indoor demand.
      Two building types were studied, a free standing house (one four-people
      household) and a mid-rise apartment flat (28 two-person households). To be able
      to model yearly water balances, daily patterns considering household occupancy
      and presence of water using appliances were defined per building type. Three
      strategies were defined. The strategies include demand minimization, light grey
      water (LGW) recycling, and rainwater harvesting (multi-sourcing). Recycling and
      multi-sourcing cater for toilet flushing and laundry machine. Results showed that
      water saving devices may reduce 30% of the conventional demand. Recycling of LGW
      can supply 100% of second quality water (DQ2) which represents 36% of the
      conventional demand or up to 20% of the minimized demand. Rainwater harvesting
      may supply approximately 80% of the minimized demand in case of the apartment
      flat and 60% in case of the free standing house. To harvest these potentials,
      different system specifications, related to the household type, are required. Two
      constraints to recycle and multi-source were identified, namely i) limitations in
      the grey water production and available rainfall; and ii) the potential to
      harvest water as determined by the temporal pattern in water availability, water
      use, and storage and treatment capacities. 

PMID- 24238881
TI  - Urban water management to increase sustainability of cities.

PMID- 24238882
TI  - Macular morphology in patients with optic nerve head drusen and optic disc edema.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this study we investigated macular morphology, including individual
      retinal layers, in patients with optic nerve head drusen (ONHD) and optic disc
      edema (ODE) compared with healthy participants, using high-resolution spectral
      domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional,
      observational study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 67 patients with ONHD, 36 patients
      with ODE, and 57 healthy participants. METHODS: High-resolution spectral domain
      OCT (Copernicus [OPTOPOL Technology S.A., Zawiercie, Poland] 3-MUm resolution, 7
      * 7 * 2-mm volumetric scans) was used to image macula morphology. Average retinal
      nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was measured using a semiautomated method with
      manual correction of the internal limiting membrane, RNFL, and retinal pigment
      epithelium (RPE). Retinal and RNFL thicknesses were measured and analyzed in 3
      circular zones (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol). Individual
      retinal layers at the macula were quantified by analyzing tomograms using ImageJ
      (http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/; Accessed June 1, 2013). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Average retinal and individual retinal layer thickness in patients with ODE or
      ONHD, and healthy controls. RESULTS: Patients with ONHD had thicker retinae in
      the inner annulus compared with patients with ODE and controls (significant in
      the temporal segment compared with those with ODE [P = 0.013] and in the superior
      segment compared with controls [P = 0.05]). Patients with ONHD had a
      significantly thinner inner plexiform layer (IPL) (P = 0.02), nerve fiber layer
      (P = 0.05), and RPE (P = 0.0001), and thicker ganglion cell layer (P = 0.003) and
      outer plexiform layer (OPL) (P < 0.001) compared with controls. Patients with ODE
      demonstrated the thickest retina and RNFL in the outer annulus (significant in
      the inferior segment compared with controls, P = 0.02 for both) with significant
      thickening in the IPL (P = 0.004), OPL (P < 0.003), and outer segment layer (P <=
      0.02), and severe ganglion cell loss (P = 0.004) and RPE (P = 0.0001) thinning
      compared with healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that optic nerve
      diseases are associated with selective changes in different retinal layers in
      patients with ODE and ONHD. These findings may be of diagnostic value and could
      be taken into consideration in assessing patients and studying the pathogenesis
      of these conditions.

PMID- 24238883
TI  - Optical coherence tomography following percutaneous coronary intervention with
      Excimer laser coronary atherectomy.
AB  - The indications for Excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) have been refined
      in modern interventional practice. With the expanding role for optical coherence
      tomography (OCT) providing high-resolution intra-coronary imaging, this article
      examines the appearance of the coronary lumen after ELCA. Each indication for
      ELCA is discussed and illustrated with a clinical case, followed by detailed
      analysis of the OCT imaging pre and post ELCA. The aim of the article is to
      provide information to interventional cardiologists to facilitate decision making
      during PCI, when ELCA has been used as part of the interventional strategy. 

PMID- 24238884
TI  - Tattoos - an historical essay.

PMID- 24238885
TI  - Subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) without hypertension (HTN) may be a unique
      subtype of vascular dementia (VaD).
AB  - Although HTN is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of SVaD, about 20%
      of patients with SVaD do not have HTN. We hypothesize that SVaD without HTN may
      have strong risk factors other than HTN, and the study on this group can
      elucidate the risk factors for SVaD. We included 332 patients with SVaD from the
      database of the Clinical Research Center for Dementia of South Korea (CREDOS)
      study. Among them, 26.2% of patients (87 out of 332) had no history of HTN. We
      analyzed the differences in risk factors, clinical features, and survival time of
      SVaD according to HTN. Contrary to our expectations, SVaD without HTN had less
      known vascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and
      obesity. In addition, SVaD without HTN had different clinical features including
      less depression, focal neurological signs or symptoms and more features of
      disinhibition. However, although SVaD without HTN had less known vascular risk
      factors that can shorten survival times, the survival times did not differ
      according to the presence of HTN. SVaD without HTN may be a unique subtype of
      SVaD and can be a target group for studies of unknown risk factors for SVaD. 

PMID- 24238887
TI  - Comparison of the bioavailability of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3) and
      eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) in the rat.
AB  - Based on the results from a human study which showed significantly reduced
      incorporation of DPA compared with EPA into chylomicrons, this study was designed
      to test if dietary DPA was significantly less absorbed than EPA. Male Sprague
      Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups of six, and were fed a semi
      synthetic high fat diet (23.5% fat) for 9 days. The test omega 3 fatty acids (EPA
      and DPA, 250mg/animal/day, free fatty acid form) or olive oil (250mg/animal/day)
      were added to the high fat diet on days 5, 6 and 7. Dietary EPA and DPA appeared
      in the faeces on days 6, 7 and 8, with the total amount of DPA excreted being 4.6
      fold greater than that of EPA. The total amount of faecal fat did not differ
      significantly between the groups. At the conclusion of the study (day 9), it was
      found that liver DPA, EPA and total n-3 LC-PUFA levels were significantly
      increased by both DPA and EPA feeding compared with the olive oil fed control
      group. In the heart, DPA feeding increased the DPA content and both DPA and EPA
      feeding increased the total n-3 LC-PUFA levels. This study showed that DPA and
      EPA, both provided in free form, are metabolised differently, despite being
      chemically similar. 

PMID- 24238886
TI  - Mussel oligopeptides protect human fibroblasts from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
      induced premature senescence.
AB  - Mussel bioactive peptides have been viewed as mediators to maximize the high
      quality of life. In this study, the anti-aging activities of mussel oligopeptides
      were evaluated using H2O2-induced prematurely senescent MRC-5 fibroblasts. 3-(4,5
      Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow
      cytometry displayed that exposure to H2O2 led to the loss of cell viability and
      cell cycle arrest. In addition, H2O2 caused the elevation of senescence
      associated-beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) activity and formation of senescence
      associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF). It was found that pretreatment with
      mussel oligopeptides could significantly attenuate these properties associated
      with cellular senescence. Mussel oligopeptides also led to the increase of
      glutathione (GSH) level and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Deltapsim)
      recovery. In addition, mussel oligopeptides resulted in an improvement in
      transcriptional activity of peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1), nicotinamide
      phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). This study revealed that
      mussel oligopeptides could protect against cellular senescence induced by H2O2,
      and the effects were closely associated with redox cycle modulating and
      potentiating the SIRT1 pathway. These findings provide new insights into the
      beneficial role of mussel bioactive peptides on retarding senescence process. 

PMID- 24238888
TI  - Association of plasma viremia with HIV-1 RNA levels in cervicovaginal lavage
      secretions in HIV-1 seropositive ART naive women from Pune, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coherent drug/microbicide/vaccine development research would benefit
      through a precise knowledge of HIV dissemination and its persistence in the
      female genital tract. Understanding relationship between plasma viremia and
      cervicovaginal HIV shedding may help to unveil mechanisms underlying
      transmission, compartmentalization and pathogenesis. OBJECTIVES: To study the
      association between HIV-1 RNA levels in the plasma and CVL specimens. STUDY
      DESIGN: Whole blood, plasma and CVL specimens were collected from 36 ART naive
      HIV-1 seropositive women qualifying the study inclusion criteria. Absolute CD4
      counts, plasma and CVL HIV-1 RNA levels were estimated using commercially
      available kits (BD MultiSETTM Kit, Becton Dickinson, US and Abbott RT, Abbott
      Molecular, Germany). Correlation between plasma and CVL viral load was estimated
      by the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Additionally, the correlation
      between CVL viral load and absolute CD4 counts was studied. RESULTS: HIV-1 viral
      load in the CVL specimens was successfully quantified using the Abbott RT. Twenty
      seven of 36 women (75%) had detectable HIV-1 RNA levels in plasma and CVL
      specimens. The CVL viral load did not show any correlation with plasma viral load
      (rho=0.281, p=0.096) and showed a 'moderate correlation' (rho=-0.563, p=0.0004)
      with absolute CD4 counts. CONCLUSIONS: Albeit, the Abbott RT is designed for
      estimating plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, the study reports its use for estimating HIV
      1 RNA levels in the CVL specimens as well. In accordance with the previous
      studies, our results suggest that plasma and CVL viral load are not correlated
      and plasma viremia might not solely predict cervico vaginal HIV shedding.

PMID- 24238889
TI  - Dengue-4 false negative results by Panbio(r) Dengue Early ELISA assay in Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dengue is a serious public health problem in numerous countries. The
      ability to rapidly diagnosis dengue is important for patient triage and
      management. Detection of dengue viral protein, NS1, represents a new approach to
      dengue diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate if there are
      false negative results using the NS1 Ag rapid assay (Panbio((r)) Dengue Early
      ELISA) in two different epidemiological situations (epidemic and non-epidemic).
      STUDY DESIGN: 220 serum samples from patients with clinical symptoms of classical
      dengue fever were tested by NS1 antigen capture ELISA and Multiplex-Nested-PCR.
      RESULTS: In samples collected in a non-epidemic period we found a 100% agreement
      of ELISA and RT-PCR in dengue negative samples and 85% agreement of ELISA and RT
      PCR in dengue positive samples. But when we tested samples during an epidemic
      period (large DENV-4 outbreak) we found 15% false negative results (p<0.05) in
      dengue negative samples. CONCLUSIONS: Due to false negative results for DENV-4,
      the sole use of the Panbio((r)) Dengue Early ELISA assay as a screening method
      for monitoring circulating dengue serotypes must be reevaluated.

PMID- 24238890
TI  - Immediate stent recoil in an anastomotic vein graft lesion treated by cutting
      balloon angioplasty.
AB  - Saphenous vein graft (SVG) anastomotic lesions can have significant fibromuscular
      hyperplasia and may be resistant to balloon angioplasty alone. Stents have been
      used successfully to treat these lesions. There are no reports of immediate stent
      recoil following such treatment in the literature. We describe immediate and
      persistent stent recoil in an anastomotic SVG lesion even after initial and post
      deployment complete balloon dilatation of the stent and its successful treatment
      by cutting balloon angioplasty. 

PMID- 24238891
TI  - Cardiac amyloidosis: diagnosis using delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic
      resonance imaging sequences.

PMID- 24238892
TI  - Increased incidence of neonatal respiratory distress in infants with
      mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II, Hunter syndrome).
AB  - Records were reviewed on all patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter
      syndrome) seen at a single institution from 1999 to 2013 to identify those with a
      history of neonatal intensive care. Eleven of 34 patients were in a neonatal
      intensive care unit and all had respiratory distress with 8 diagnoses of
      respiratory distress syndrome and 3 of transient tachypnea of the newborn. None
      of the infants were premature; four were delivered by cesarean section. These
      findings suggest that respiratory distress is more commonly observed in neonates
      with MPS II than in the general population. This may reflect airway disease
      already present in this disorder at the time of birth. 

PMID- 24238893
TI  - The occurrence of adverse events potentially attributable to nursing care in
      medical units: cross sectional record review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ensuring the safety of hospitalized patients remains a major
      challenge for healthcare systems, and nursing services are at the center of
      hospital care. Yet our knowledge about safety of nursing care is quite limited.
      In fact, most earlier studies examined one, or at most two, indicators, thus
      presenting an incomplete picture of safety at an institutional or broader level.
      Furthermore, methodologies have differed from one study to another, making
      benchmarking difficult. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the
      frequencies of six adverse events widely considered in the literature to be
      nursing-sensitive outcomes and to estimate the degree to which these events could
      be attributed to nursing care. METHOD: Cross-sectional review of charts of 2699
      patients hospitalized on 22 medical units in 11 hospitals in Quebec, Canada. The
      events included: pressure sores, falls, medication administration errors,
      pneumonias, urinary infections, and inappropriate use of restraints. Experienced
      nurse reviewers abstracted patients' charts based on a grid developed for the
      study. RESULTS: Patient-level risk for at least one of these six adverse events
      was 15.3%, ranging from 9% to 28% across units. Of the 412 patients who
      experienced an event, 30% experienced two or more, for a total of 568 events. The
      risk of experiencing an adverse event with consequences was 6.2%, with a unit
      level range from 3.2% to 13.5%. Abstractors concluded that 76.8% of the events
      were attributable to nursing care. CONCLUSION: While the measurement approach
      adopted here has limitations stemming from reliance on review of documentation,
      it provided a practical means of assessing several nursing-sensitive adverse
      events simultaneously. Given that patient safety issues are so complex, tracking
      their prevalence and impact is important, as is finding means of evaluating
      progress in reducing them.

PMID- 24238894
TI  - Subjective dysphagia in older care home residents: a cross-sectional, multi
      centre point prevalence measurement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dysphagia has been found to be strongly associated with aspiration
      pneumonia in frail older people. Aspiration pneumonia is causing high
      hospitalization rates, morbidity, and often death. Better insight in the
      prevalence of (subjective) dysphagia in frail older people may improve its early
      recognition and treatment. OBJECTIVE: First, to assess the prevalence of
      subjective dysphagia in care home residents in the Netherlands. Second, to assess
      the associations of subjective dysphagia with potential risk factors of
      dysphagia. DESIGN: Retrospective data-analysis of a cross-sectional, multi-centre
      point prevalence measurement. SETTING: 119 care homes in the Netherlands.
      PARTICIPANTS: Data of 8119 care home residents aged 65 years or older were
      included and analyzed. METHODS: Subjective dysphagia was assessed by a resident's
      response to a dichotomous question with regard to experiencing swallowing
      problems. If a resident was not able to respond (e.g. residents with dementia or
      aphasia), the question was answered by the ward care provider, or the resident's
      file was consulted for registered swallowing complaints and/or dysphagia. Several
      residents' data were collected: gender, age, (number of) diseases, the presence
      of malnutrition, the Care Dependency Scale score, and the body mass index.
      RESULTS: Subjective dysphagia was found in 751 (9%) residents. A final model for
      subjective dysphagia after multivariate backward stepwise regression analysis
      revealed eight significant variables: age (B -0.022), Care Dependency Scale score
      (B -0.985), 'malnutrition' (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.31-1.90), 'comorbidity' (OR 1.07;
      95% CI 1.01-1.14), and the disease clusters 'dementia' (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.45
      0.66), 'nervous system disorder' (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.20-1.99), 'cardiovascular
      disease' (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.67-0.99) and 'cerebrovascular disease/hemiparesis'
      (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.45-2.10). CONCLUSION: It seems justified to conclude that
      subjective dysphagia is a relevant care problem in older care home residents in
      the Netherlands. Care Dependency Scale score, 'malnutrition', and the disease
      clusters 'dementia', 'nervous system disorder', and 'cerebrovascular
      disease/hemiparesis' were associated with the presence of subjective dysphagia in
      this study. Age, 'comorbidity' and 'cardiovascular disease' showed very small
      influence.

PMID- 24238895
TI  - Long-term effects of electrodermal biofeedback training on seizure control in
      patients with drug-resistant epilepsy: two case reports.
AB  - We report data from two patients, followed over 3 years after electrodermal
      biofeedback treatment. Patients were trained three times each week for four weeks
      to increase their sympathetic arousal using electrodermal biofeedback. This
      treatment was directed at enabling the patients to change their
      psychophysiological state as a countermeasure to prevent seizures. Both patients
      voluntarily kept a record of seizure frequency over the year preceding the
      treatment and continued to record their seizures for up to 3 years after the
      termination of biofeedback treatment. Both patients showed a marked reduction in
      seizure frequency (54.9% and 59.8%) during the month of biofeedback treatment.
      This improvement was maintained over the subsequent years. We highlight the
      therapeutic potential of biofeedback interventions that enable patients to
      volitionally control their state of physiological arousal in the management of
      drug-resistant epilepsy. 

PMID- 24238896
TI  - The ZEPHyR study: a randomized comparison of linezolid and vancomycin for MRSA
      pneumonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounts for 10
      40% of hospital-acquired pneumonia, and even more in intensive care units. The
      current guidelines for the treatment of MRSA nosocomial pneumonia include
      vancomycin and linezolid. The authors of 2 prospective randomized trials
      comparing vancomycin and linezolid in nosocomial pneumonia had concluded to the
      non-inferiority of linezolid. A slight superiority of linezolid was observed in
      the MRSA pneumonia subgroup, in terms of clinical success and survival, but no
      definite conclusion could be drawn. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was
      made to compare a fixed linezolid dose to dose-optimized vancomycin for the
      treatment of bacteriologically proven MRSA nosocomial pneumonia (ZEPHyR Study).
      RESULTS: Among the 165 patients treated by linezolid (57.6%) in the PP
      population, 95 were clinically cured at the end of the study, compared to 81 of
      the 174 patients treated by vancomycin (46.6%) (IC 95% of the difference 0.5%
      21.6%, P=0.042). Nephrotoxicity in the mITT population reached 8.4% in the
      linezolid group compared to 18.2% in the vancomycin group. CONCLUSION: LNZ was
      superior to vancomycin for the treatment of MRSA nosocomial pneumonia.

PMID- 24238897
TI  - Influence of respiratory substrate in carbon steel corrosion by a Sulphate
      Reducing Prokaryote model organism.
AB  - Sulphate Reducing Prokaryotes (SRP) are an important group of microorganisms
      involved in biocorrosion processes. Sulphide production is recognized as a
      fundamental cause of corrosion and nitrate is often used as treatment. The
      present work analyses the influence of respiratory substrates in the metal, from
      off-shore installations, SRP influenced corrosion, using Desulfovibrio
      desulfuricans ATTC 27774 as model organism, since this can switch from sulphate
      to nitrate. Open Circuit Potential over 6days in different conditions was
      measured, showing an increase around 200 and 90mV for the different media. Tafel
      plots were constructed allowing Ecorr and jcorr calculations. For SRP in sulphate
      and nitrate media Ecorr values of -824 and -728mV, and jcorr values of 2.5 and
      3.7MUAcm(-2), respectively, were attained indicating that in nitrate, the
      resultant corrosion rate is larger than in sulphate. Also, it is shown that the
      equilibrium of sulphide in the solution/gas phases is a key factor to the
      evolution of corrosion Nitrate prevents pitting but promotes general corrosion
      and increases the corrosion potential and iron dissolution 40 times when compared
      to sulphate. Our results demonstrate that nitrate injection strategy in oil
      fields has to be considered carefully as option to reduce souring and localized
      corrosion. 

PMID- 24238898
TI  - Impact of Desulfovibrio alaskensis biofilms on corrosion behaviour of carbon
      steel in marine environment.
AB  - Sulfate reducing prokaryotes are associated with the steel deterioration. They
      build heterogeneous biofilms, capable of accelerating corrosion processes. In
      this study metabolic activity and the biofilm development of Desulfovibrio
      alaskensis were correlated to electrochemical response of carbon steel surface.
      In the exponential growth phase sulfide concentration reached its maximum of
      about 10mM. This phenomenon was responsible for the parallel increase in the
      corrosion potential (Ecorr) up to -720mV (vs. SCE). Subsequently, during the
      intensive biofilm formation and development another Ecorr peak (-710mV vs. SCE)
      occurred. Decrease in Ecorr was registered during the biofilm maturation and kept
      stable, being 20mV lower than in the control. While carbon steel was protected
      from the microbial attachment and exposed to metabolic products, only one
      potential maximum (-730mV vs. SCE) was recorded. Here Ecorr variations coincided
      with sulfide concentration changes and kept at 120mV lower vs. the control.
      Weight loss examinations revealed corrosion rates, which did not exceed 0.05mm/y.
      Confocal microscopy suggested the importance of extracellular proteins in the
      biofilm formation. Above 150 proteins were detected in the EPS matrix. Surface
      effects of biofilm and metabolic products were visualised, revealing the role of
      attached microorganisms in the localised corrosion. 

PMID- 24238899
TI  - A systematic review of midwife-led interventions to address post partum post
      traumatic stress.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to systematically identify interventions that midwives could introduce
      to address post-traumatic stress in women following childbirth. METHODS: a search
      strategy was developed and relevant papers were identified from databases
      including Cinahl, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Maternity and Infant Care, MEDLINE,
      PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Key search terms used were post-traumatic stress,
      post partum, intervention, controlled trial and review. Papers eligible for
      inclusion were primary studies and reviews of research published from 2002-2012,
      focusing on interventions which could be implemented by midwives for the
      prevention and/or management of PTSD. For primary studies, RCTs, controlled
      clinical trials, and cohort studies with a control group were eligible. Eligible
      reviews were those with a specified search strategy and inclusion/exclusion
      criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using recognised frameworks.
      FINDINGS: six primary studies and eight reviews were eligible for inclusion. The
      majority of included studies or reviews focused on debriefing and/or counselling
      interventions; however the results were not consistent due to significant
      variation in methodological quality and use of dissimilar interventions. Two of
      the reviews considered the general management of post partum PTSD and one broadly
      covered anxiety during pregnancy and the post partum, incorporating a section on
      PTSD. The majority of women reported that the opportunity to discuss their
      childbirth experience was subjectively beneficial. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
      FOR PRACTICE: no evidence-based midwifery interventions were identified from this
      systematic review that can be recommended for introduction into practice to
      address PTSD. It is recommended that future research in this area should
      incorporate standardised interventions with similar outcome measures to
      facilitate synthesis of results. Further research on interventions used in non
      maternity populations is needed in order to confirm their usefulness in
      addressing post partum PTSD.

PMID- 24238900
TI  - Low birth weight and subsequent poor weight gain.

PMID- 24238901
TI  - The synthesis and biodistribution of [(11)C]metformin as a PET probe to study
      hepatobiliary transport mediated by the multi-drug and toxin extrusion
      transporter 1 (MATE1) in vivo.
AB  - In order to develop a new positron emission tomography (PET) probe to study
      hepatobiliary transport mediated by the multi-drug and toxin extrusion
      transporter 1 (MATE1), (11)C-labelled metformin was synthesized and then
      evaluated as a PET probe. [(11)C]Metformin ([(11)C]4) was synthesized in three
      steps, from [(11)C]methyl iodide. Evaluation by small animal PET of [(11)C]4
      showed that there was increased concentrations of [(11)C]4 in the livers of mice
      pre-treated with pyrimethamine, a potential inhibitor of MATEs, inhibiting the
      hepatobiliary excretion of metformin. Radiometabolite analysis showed that
      [(11)C]4 was not degraded in vivo during the PET scan. Biodistribution studies
      were undertaken and the organ distributions were extrapolated into a standard
      human model. In conclusion, [(11)C]4 may be useful as a PET probe to non
      invasively study the in vivo function of hepatobiliary transport and drug-drug
      interactions, mediated by MATE1 in future clinical investigations. 

PMID- 24238902
TI  - Design and synthesis of novel benzimidazole derivatives as phosphodiesterase 10A
      inhibitors with reduced CYP1A2 inhibition.
AB  - A novel class of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitors with reduced CYP1A2
      inhibition were designed and synthesized starting from 2-{[(1-phenyl-1H
      benzimidazol-6-yl)oxy]methyl}quinoline (1). Introduction of an isopropyl group at
      the 2-position and a methoxy group at the 5-position of the benzimidazole ring of
      lead compound 1 resulted in the identification of 2-{[(2-isopropyl-5-methoxy-1
      phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl)oxy]methyl}quinoline (25b), which exhibited potent
      PDE10A inhibitory activity with reduced CYP1A2 inhibitory activity compared to
      compound 1. 

PMID- 24238903
TI  - Benzyloxybenzylammonium chlorides: Simple amine salts that display anticonvulsant
      activity.
AB  - Several antiepileptic drugs exert their activities by inhibiting Na(+) currents.
      Recent studies demonstrated that compounds containing a biaryl-linked motif (Ar-X
      Ar') modulate Na(+) currents. We, and others, have reported that compounds with
      an embedded benzyloxyphenyl unit (ArOCH2Ar', OCH2=X) exhibit potent
      anticonvulsant activities. Here, we show that benzyloxybenzylammonium chlorides
      ((+)H3NCH2C6H4OCH2Ar' Cl(-)) displayed notable activities in animal seizure
      models. Electrophysiological studies of 4-(2'
      trifluoromethoxybenzyloxy)benzylammonium chloride (9) using embryonic cortical
      neurons demonstrated that 9 promoted both fast and slow inactivation of Na(+)
      channels. These findings suggest that the potent anticonvulsant activities of the
      earlier compounds were due, in part, to the benzyloxyphenyl motif and provide
      support for the use of the biaryl-linked pharmacophore in future drug design
      efforts. 

PMID- 24238904
TI  - Synthesis, cytotoxic evaluation and molecular docking study of 2-alkylthio-4
      (2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-aryl-thiazoles as tubulin polymerization inhibitors.
AB  - A series of cis-restricted 2-alkylthio-4-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-aryl-thiazole
      analogues of combretastatin A-4 were synthesized and investigated for inhibition
      of cell proliferation against three cancer cell lines, HT-29, MCF-7, and AGS, and
      a normal mouse fibroblastic cell line, NIH-3T3, using an MTT assay. The
      biological study showed that 2-(methylthio) substituted compounds showed little
      cytotoxic activity against the four cell lines. In contrast, the presence of the
      2-(benzylthio) group on the thiazole ring resulted in a significant improvement
      in cytotoxic activity relative to the 2-(methylthio) substituted derivatives.
      Furthermore, the inhibition of tubulin polymerization by some potent compounds
      was evaluated. All the compounds studied were moderate tubulin polymerization
      inhibitors. The flow cytometry analysis confirmed that the synthesized compounds
      led to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Docking simulation was performed to
      insert these compounds into the crystal structure of tubulin at the colchicine
      binding site to determine a probable binding model. 

PMID- 24238905
TI  - Percutaneous ilio-sacral screw insertion. fluoroscopic techniques.

PMID- 24238906
TI  - Gender, socioeconomic and ethnic/racial disparities in cardiovascular disease: a
      time for change.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates have declined steadily over the past
      few decades but gender, socioeconomic and ethnic/racial disparities have not.
      These disparities impede cardiovascular health care reaching all those in need.
      The origins of disparities in CVD are numerous and wide-ranging, having largely
      evolved from inequalities in society. Similarly, disparities in CVD,
      interventions and outcomes will also vary depending on the minority or
      disadvantaged group. For this reason, strategies aimed at reducing such
      disparities must be stratified according to the target group, while keeping in
      mind that these groups are not mutually exclusive. There is a pressing need to
      move beyond what can be inferred from traditional cardiovascular risk factor
      profiling toward implementation of interventions designed to address the needs of
      these populations that will eventuate in a reduction of disparities in morbidity
      and mortality from CVD. This will require targeted and sustainable actions. Only
      by ensuring timely and equitable access to care for all through increased
      awareness and active participation can we start to close the gap and deliver
      appropriate, acceptable and just care to all, regardless of gender, socioeconomic
      status or ethnicity/race. 

PMID- 24238907
TI  - Initial stability of press-fit acetabular components under rotational forces.
AB  - The primary goal of this study was to determine the initial press-fit stability
      in acetabular components without screw fixation. Mechanical testing was performed
      with the implantation of press-fit acetabular components in cadaveric specimens.
      No significant difference was found in load to failure testing between 1 and 2 mm
      of under-reaming. However, there was significant variability in bending forces
      required to create 150 MUm of micromotion ranging from 49.3 N to 214.4 N. This
      study shows that cups implanted in a press-fit fashion, which are felt to be
      clinically stable, have high degrees of variability in resisting load and may be
      at risk for loosening. There is a need for more objective intra-operative
      techniques to test cup stability.

PMID- 24238908
TI  - Involvement in meal preparation at home is associated with better diet quality
      among Canadian children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between home meal preparation involvement
      with diet quality and food group intake among children. METHODS: Grade 5 children
      aged 10-11 years (n = 3,398) were surveyed. Food intake was measured using the
      Harvard Youth/Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire, and diet quality was
      measured using the Diet Quality Index-International. Random effects regression
      models with children nested within schools were used to test for associations.
      RESULTS: Higher frequency of involvement in home meal preparation was associated
      with higher Diet Quality Index-International scores. Children who were involved
      in meal preparation daily ate 1 more serving/d of vegetables and fruit compared
      with children who never helped (P < .001). Similar significant differences,
      although small, were observed for intake of the other food groups. CONCLUSIONS
      AND IMPLICATIONS: Children who were more involved in home meal preparation also
      consumed healthier diets. Encouraging parents to involve their children in meal
      preparation could be a viable health promotion strategy.

PMID- 24238909
TI  - Few changes in food security and dietary intake from short-term participation in
      the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program among low-income Massachusetts
      adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine whether short-term participation in the Supplemental
      Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) affects food security and dietary quality
      among low-income adults recruited from a Massachusetts-wide emergency food
      hotline. METHODS: A 3-month, longitudinal study was conducted among 107 adults
      recruited at the time of SNAP application assistance. Outcomes included household
      food security (10-item US Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey Module),
      dietary intake (eg, grains, fruit) and diet quality (modified Alternate Healthy
      Eating Index). Data were analyzed using paired t tests and multivariable linear
      regression. RESULTS: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation was
      not associated with improved household food security over 3 months (P = .25).
      Compared with non-participants, SNAP participants increased refined grain intake
      by 1.1 serving/d (P = .02), from baseline to follow-up. No associations were
      observed with other foods, nutrients, or dietary quality. CONCLUSION AND
      IMPLICATIONS: Policies that simultaneously improve household food security and
      dietary quality should be implemented to support the health of low-income
      Americans participating in this crucial program.

PMID- 24238910
TI  - Impact of personal preference and motivation on fruit and vegetable consumption
      of WIC-participating mothers and children in Atlanta, GA.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of psychosocial and sociodemographic factors
      on consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) for women and children
      participating in the Atlanta Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
      Infants, and Children. METHODS: Participants (n = 249) were selected from 2
      Atlanta Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
      agencies. Data from this analysis were collected from in-person interviews. The
      dichotomous dependent variable was whether participants met recommended intakes
      for F&V. Independent variables were personal preference and motivation factors of
      F&V consumption, and sociodemographic factors. Bivariate analysis determined
      significant factors to include in logistic models. RESULTS: Only 27.7% of mothers
      and 44.2% of their oldest child consumed > 5 servings of F&V daily. Not knowing
      how to prepare F&Vs and spoilage of F&V before eating them were significantly
      related to F&V consumption of mothers. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Food storage
      and preparation resulted in significant differences in meeting criteria for F&V
      consumption. Future initiatives should include cooking classes and emphasize food
      preparation techniques.

PMID- 24238911
TI  - Differences between juvenile offenders with and without substance use problems in
      the prevalence and impact of risk and protective factors for criminal recidivism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the needs of substance-using juveniles in
      treatment aimed at reducing criminal recidivism. Therefore, we aimed to examine
      treatment needs of substance-using juvenile offenders. METHODS: Differences were
      examined between juvenile offenders who abstain from substance use (ASU; n=1974)
      and substance-using juvenile offenders without (SU; n=7000) and with substance
      use problems (SUP; n=3317), in the prevalence of risk/protective factors for
      criminal recidivism and strength of associations between risk/protective factors
      and criminal recidivism. We conducted secondary data analysis on recidivism risk
      assessments, collected with the Washington State Juvenile Court Assessment, and
      re-offending data. Analyses of variance and Partial correlations, adjusted for
      age, gender and ethnicity were applied, as well as Fisher's z tests and logistic
      regression analyses. RESULTS: Results showed that substance-using offenders,
      especially those with substance use problems, had more risk factors and less
      protective factors than ASU youths in the domains of school, use of free time,
      relationships, family, attitude, aggression and skills. The associations between
      most of the risk/protective factors and recidivism were stronger in the ASU group
      than in the SUP group. Substance use uniquely predicted recidivism, net of risk
      factors. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that general interventions for
      juvenile offenders addressing risk and protective factors with the aim to reduce
      recidivism may be less effective for offenders with substance use problems, and
      that substance use (problems) should be addressed, too.

PMID- 24238912
TI  - PCB contamination in fish community from the Gironde Estuary (France): blast from
      the past.
AB  - The contamination of the Gironde Estuary, southwest of France, by polychlorinated
      biphenyls (PCBs) was assessed using six fish of high ecological and economic
      importance as bioindicator species. The concentrations of 21 PCB congeners and
      total fat contents were determined in the muscle and liver of eels (Anguilla
      anguilla), seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), flounders (Platichthys flesus),
      meagres (Argyrosomus regius), mullets (Liza ramada), and soles (Solea vulgaris).
      In addition, information regarding the trophic ecology of the studied fish was
      obtained through the analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (i.e.,
      delta(13)C and delta(15)N) in muscle. Results revealed high PCB concentrations in
      fish compared to monitored European estuaries. The muscle of eels was by far the
      most contaminated fish flesh (Sigma7PCBs=1000+/-440 ng g(-1) on a dry weight
      basis), while the higher PCB concentrations in liver were measured in flounder
      (Sigma7PCBs=2040+/-1160 ng g(-1) d.w.). A quantile regression approach allowed to
      investigate the fate of PCBs in the Gironde estuarine fish assemblage, and
      revealed a general process of trophic magnification. Finally, most of the
      analysed fish presented PCB concentrations in muscle meat above the current
      European maximum limits for sea products, while the derived "Toxic Equivalent
      Quantity" (TEQ) revealed human health concerns only for high-fat fish
      consumption.

PMID- 24238914
TI  - Use of continuous and grab sample data for calculating total maximum daily load
      (TMDL) in agricultural watersheds.
AB  - Measuring the discharge of diffuse pollution from agricultural watersheds
      presents unique challenges. Flows in agricultural watersheds, particularly in
      Mediterranean climates, can be predominately irrigation runoff and exhibit large
      diurnal fluctuation in both volume and concentration. Flow and pollutant
      concentrations in these smaller watersheds dominated by human activity do not
      conform to a normal distribution and it is not clear if parametric methods are
      appropriate or accurate for load calculations. The objective of this study was to
      compare the accuracy of five load estimation methods to calculate pollutant loads
      from agricultural watersheds. Calculation of loads using results from discrete
      (grab) samples was compared with the true-load computed using in situ continuous
      monitoring measurements. A new method is introduced that uses a non-parametric
      measure of central tendency (the median) to calculate loads (median-load). The
      median-load method was compared to more commonly used parametric estimation
      methods which rely on using the mean as a measure of central tendency (mean-load
      and daily-load), a method that utilizes the total flow volume (volume-load), and
      a method that uses measure of flow at the time of sampling (instantaneous-load).
      Using measurements from ten watersheds in the San Joaquin Valley of California,
      the average percent error compared to the true-load for total dissolved solids
      (TDS) was 7.3% for the median-load, 6.9% for the mean-load, 6.9% for the volume
      load, 16.9% for the instantaneous-load, and 18.7% for the daily-load methods of
      calculation. The results of this study show that parametric methods are
      surprisingly accurate, even for data that have starkly non-normal distributions
      and are highly skewed. 

PMID- 24238913
TI  - The Freundlich adsorption isotherm constants and prediction of phosphorus
      bioavailability as affected by different phosphorus sources in two Kansas soils.
AB  - Phosphorus (P) adsorption onto soil constituents influences P bioavailability
      from both agronomic and environmental perspectives. In this study, the P
      availability from different P sources along with utility of Freundlich adsorption
      coefficients on the predictability of various crop growth parameters were
      assessed. Two soils were amended with 150mgPkg(-1) each from six different P
      sources comprised of manures from two types of ruminants animals, three types of
      monogastric animals, and inorganic P fertilizer. Corn (Zea mays) was grown and
      harvested seven times under greenhouse conditions to remove P from the P amended
      treatments. The application of all P sources reduced the value of Freundlich K
      and increased the value of Freundlich 1/n and equilibrium P concentration (EPC0)
      in both soils compared to the un-amended control before cropping. The swine (Sus
      scrofa) manure (HM) resulted in significant smaller values of Freundlich K and
      larger values of 1/n in the P deficient Eram-Lebo soil compared to other P
      sources while, the opposite was true for the turkey (Meleagris gallopava) litter
      (TL) in the Ulysses soil. The corn biomass, tissue P concentration and P uptake
      were significantly influenced by all P sources during the first harvest and the
      total P uptake during seven harvests in both soils compared to the control
      treatment. Both Freundlich coefficients had strong relationships with the
      aforementioned corn parameters in the P deficient Eram-Lebo soil while, strength
      of the association was weak or missing in the Ulysses soil which had optimum
      levels of antecedent P. 

PMID- 24238915
TI  - Evaluation of the efficiency of an experimental biocover to reduce BTEX emissions
      from landfill biogas.
AB  - Landfill emissions include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and, particularly,
      benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylene isomers (collectively called BTEX).
      The latter are the most common VOCs found in landfill biogas. BTEX affect air
      quality and may be harmful to human health. In conjunction with a study aiming to
      evaluate the efficiency of passive methane oxidizing biocovers, a complementary
      project was developed with the specific goal of evaluating the reduction in VOC
      emissions due to the installation of a biocover. One of the biocovers constructed
      at the Saint-Nicephore (Quebec, Canada) landfill site was instrumented for this
      purpose. The total BTEX concentration in the raw biogas ranged from 28.7 to
      65.4ppmv, and the measured concentration of BTEX in biogas emitted through the
      biocover ranged from below the limit of detection (BLD) to 2.1ppmv. The other
      volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) concentration varied from 18.8 to 40.4ppmv and
      from 0.8 to 1.2ppmv in the raw biogas and in the emitted biogas, respectively.
      The results obtained showed that the biocover effectiveness ranged from 67% to
      100% and from 96% to 97% for BTEX and OVOC, respectively. 

PMID- 24238916
TI  - Elucidation of the thermophilic phenol biodegradation pathway via benzoate during
      the anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste.
AB  - Anaerobic digestion makes it possible to valorize municipal solid waste (MSW)
      into biogas and digestate which are, respectively, a renewable energy source and
      an organic amendment for soil. Phenols are persistent pollutants present in MSW
      that can inhibit the anaerobic digestion process and have a toxic effect on
      microbiota if they are applied to soil together with digestate. It is then
      important to define the operational conditions of anaerobic digestion which allow
      the complete degradation of phenol. In this context, the fate of phenol during
      the anaerobic digestion of MSW at 55 degrees C was followed using an isotopic
      tracing approach ((13)C6-phenol) in experimental microcosms with inoculum from an
      industrial thermophilic anaerobic digester. With this approach, it was possible
      to demonstrate the complete phenol biodegradation into methane and carbon dioxide
      via benzoate. Benzoate is known to be a phenol metabolite under mesophilic
      conditions, but in this study it was found for the first time to be a phenol
      degradation product at thermophilic temperature. 

PMID- 24238917
TI  - Recent developments in assessment of long-term radionuclide behavior in the
      geosphere-biosphere subsystem.
AB  - Decisions on permitting, controlling and monitoring releases of radioactivity
      into the environment rely on a great variety of factors. Important among these is
      the prospective assessment of radionuclide behavior in the environment, including
      migration and accumulation among and within specific environmental media, and the
      resulting environmental and human health impacts. Models and techniques to
      undertake such assessments have been developed over several decades based on
      knowledge of the ecosystems involved, as well as monitoring of previous
      radionuclide releases to the environment, laboratory experiments and other
      related research. This paper presents developments in the assessment of radiation
      doses and related research for some of the key radionuclides identified as of
      potential significance in the context of releases to the biosphere from disposal
      facilities for solid radioactive waste. Since releases to the biosphere from
      disposal facilities involve transfers from the geosphere to the biosphere, an
      important aspect is the combined effects of surface hydrology, near-surface
      hydrogeology and chemical gradients on speciation and radionuclide mobility in
      the zone in which the geosphere and biosphere overlap (herein described as the
      geosphere-biosphere subsystem). In turn, these aspects of the environment can be
      modified as a result of environmental change over the thousands of years that
      have to be considered in radioactive waste disposal safety assessments. Building
      on the experience from improved understanding of the behavior of the key
      radionuclides, this paper proceeds to describe development of a generic
      methodology for representing the processes and environmental changes that are
      characteristic of the interface between the geosphere and the biosphere. The
      information that is provided and the methodology that is described are based on
      international collaborative work implemented through the BIOPROTA forum,
      www.bioprota.org. 

PMID- 24238918
TI  - Retention and chemical speciation of uranium in an oxidized wetland sediment from
      the Savannah River Site.
AB  - Uranium speciation and retention mechanisms onto Savannah River Site (SRS)
      wetland sediments was studied using batch (ad)sorption experiments, sequential
      extraction, U L3-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy,
      fluorescence mapping and MU-XANES. Under oxidized conditions, U was highly
      retained by the SRS wetland sediments. In contrast to other similar but much
      lower natural organic matter (NOM) sediments, significant sorption of U onto the
      SRS sediments was observed at pH < 4 and pH > 8. Sequential extraction indicated
      that the U species were primarily associated with the acid soluble fraction (weak
      acetic acid extractable) and organic fraction (Na-pyrophosphate extractable).
      Uranium L3-edge XANES spectra of the U-bound sediments were nearly identical to
      that of uranyl acetate. Based on fluorescence mapping, U and Fe distributions in
      the sediment were poorly correlated, U was distributed throughout the sample and
      did not appear as isolated U mineral phases. The primary oxidation state of U in
      these oxidized sediments was U(VI), and there was little evidence that the high
      sorptive capacity of the sediments could be ascribed to abiotic or biotic
      reduction to the less soluble U(IV) species or to secondary mineral formation.
      Collectively, this study suggests that U may be strongly bound to wetland
      sediments, not only under reducing conditions by reductive precipitation, but
      also under oxidizing conditions through NOM-uranium bonding. 

PMID- 24238919
TI  - Plutonium in wildlife and soils at the Maralinga legacy site: persistence over
      decadal time scales.
AB  - The mobility of plutonium (Pu) in soils, and its uptake into a range of wildlife,
      were examined using recent and ~25 year old data from the Taranaki area of the
      former Maralinga weapons test site, Australia. Since its initial deposition in
      the early 1960s, the dispersed Pu has been incorporated into the soil profile and
      food chain through natural processes, allowing for the study of Pu sequestration
      and dynamics in relatively undisturbed semi-arid conditions. The data indicate
      downward mobility of Pu in soil at rates of ~0.2-0.3 cm per year for the most
      mobile fraction. As a result, while all of the Pu was initially deposited on the
      ground surface, approximately 93% and 62% remained in the top 0-2 cm depth after
      25- and 50-years respectively. No large-scale lateral spreading of the Taranaki
      plume was observed. Pu activity concentrations in 0-1 cm soils with biotic crusts
      were not elevated when compared with nearby bare soils, although a small number
      of individual data suggest retention of Pu-containing particles may be occurring
      in some biotic crusts. Soil-to-animal transfer, as measured by concentration
      ratios (CRwo-soil), was 4.1E-04 (Geometric Mean (GM)) in mammals, which aligns
      well with those from similar species and conditions (such as the Nevada Test
      Site, US), but are lower than the GM of the international mammal data reported in
      the Wildlife Transfer Database (WTD). These lower values are likely due to the
      presence of a low-soluble, particulate form of the Pu in Maralinga soils.
      Arthropod concentration ratios (3.1E-03 GM), were similar to those from Rocky
      Flats, US, while values for reptiles (2.0E-02 GM) were higher than the WTD GM
      value which was dominated by data from Chernobyl. Comparison of uptake data
      spanning approximately 30 years indicates no decrease over time for mammals, and
      a potential increase for reptiles. The results confirm the persistence of
      bioavailable Pu after more than 50 years since deposition, and also the presence
      of larger-sized particles which currently affect CRwo-soil calculations, and
      which may serve as an ongoing source of bioavailable Pu as they are subjected to
      weathering into the future. 

PMID- 24238920
TI  - Increased intra-subject reaction time variability in the volitional control of
      movement in schizophrenia.
AB  - Increased Reaction Time (RT) studies intra-subject variability is an emerging and
      consistent finding in RT studies of schizophrenia. A group of 23 patients
      suffering from DSM-IV schizophrenia and a group of 23 age-matched control
      subjects performed two RT tasks requiring basic sensorimotor processing and
      engaging two different motor systems: the Finger Lift Reaction Time task and the
      Voluntary Saccade Reaction Time task. The Ex-Gaussian model was applied to the RT
      distributions measuring the mean (mu), and standard deviation (sigma) of a
      Gaussian component thought to reflect sensorimotor processing and an exponential
      component (tau), thought to reflect an intermediate decision process. In both
      tasks, a significantly larger RT intra-subject variability effectively
      dissociated patients from controls. RT intra-subject variability in the two tasks
      was highly correlated only for patients. Both sigma and tau were significantly
      higher in the patient group with tau being the best predictor of schizophrenia.
      Furthermore, only in the patient group were sigma and tau highly correlated
      between the two tasks. The results reflect a deficit in information processing
      that may not be confined to decision processes related to the frontal cortex;
      rather, they may indicate dysfunction in distributed neural networks modulating
      adaptive regulation of performance. 

PMID- 24238921
TI  - Identification of methylguanine methyltransferase polymorphisms as genetic
      markers of individual susceptibility to therapy-related myeloid neoplasms.
AB  - PURPOSE: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are pre-leukaemic haematopoietic stem
      cell disorders. Among them, 10-20% occur after chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy,
      and are called 'therapy-related MDS' (t-MDS). The aim of this study was to
      identify genetic markers in t-MDS. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 59 MDS
      patients (39 de novo MDS, 20 t-MDS) was studied. A total of 384 single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNP) selected among genes involved in DNA repair, drug metabolism
      and transport, signal transduction and oncogenesis, were genotyped using a custom
      made SNP chip. RESULTS: Two non-synonymous SNPs present in the methylguanine
      methyltransferase (MGMT) gene, in complete linkage disequilibrium, were
      significantly associated with t-MDS: rs2308321 and rs2308327, with a raw p value
      of 7.4 * 10(-5) and a corrected p value after Benjamini-Hochberg correction of
      0.014. Other associations tested between clinical and cytogenetic features and
      SNP chip gene variants gave corrected p values above 0.05. A validation cohort
      was separately constituted of 43 patients (24 de novo MDS, 19 t-MDS) and the two
      MGMT SNPs were genotyped; it confirmed a significant association between the
      variant allele of MGMT and t-MDS (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: We thus identified a
      putative marker of the risk to develop MDS after cancer treatment.

PMID- 24238923
TI  - Multimodal treatment strategies for elderly patients with head and neck cancer.
AB  - The population in developed countries is growing older and the number of elderly
      people annually diagnosed with head and neck cancers is expected to rapidly
      increase within the following decades, since these types of tumors are age
      dependent. The vast majority of older head and neck cancer patients present with
      locally advanced disease and multimodality treatment, including surgery,
      radiation and/or chemotherapy, is considered the best therapeutic option for
      these patients. However, several factors, including comorbidities, disabilities,
      frailty, and impaired functional status are considered to be more relevant
      criteria than chronological age per se for treatment planning. Therapeutic
      decisions are often complicated and demand the participation of many specialists.
      Advances in surgical and radiation techniques, along with the use of conventional
      chemotherapy and molecularly targeted agents, have improved treatment outcomes.
      The best-tailored individualized therapeutic option should be selected for these
      patients in order to avoid high toxicity and major functional deterioration.
      Still, more older-specific studies are needed in order to produce more definitive
      and applicable results. The aim of this review article is to investigate the
      multimodal treatment approaches for elderly patients with head and neck cancer. 

PMID- 24238922
TI  - Innate immune mechanisms in vitiligo: danger from within.
AB  - Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease of the skin in which melanocytes are destroyed
      by antigen-specific T cells, resulting in patchy depigmentation. Although
      adaptive immunity plays a clear role in disease progression, initiating factors
      are largely unknown. Many studies report that cellular stress pathways are
      dysregulated in melanocytes from vitiligo patients, suggesting that melanocyte
      intrinsic defects participate in disease pathogenesis. Recent studies reveal that
      melanocyte stress generates damage-associated molecular patterns that activate
      innate immunity, thus connecting stress to organ-specific inflammation. Genetic
      studies in vitiligo support a role for stress, innate immunity, and adaptive
      mechanisms. Here, we discuss advances in the field that highlight how cellular
      stress, endogenous danger signals, and innate immune activation promote the onset
      of vitiligo. 

PMID- 24238924
TI  - Fat crystallisation at oil-water interfaces.
AB  - This review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of lipid
      crystallisation at or in the vicinity of an interface in emulsified systems and
      the consequences regarding stability, structure and thermal behaviour.
      Amphiphilic molecules such as emulsifiers are preferably adsorbed at the
      interface. Such molecules are known for their ability to interact with
      triglycerides under certain conditions. In the same manner that inorganic
      crystals grown on an organic matrix see their nucleation, morphology and
      structure controlled by the underlying matrix, recent studies report a templating
      effect linked to the presence of emulsifiers at the oil/water interface.
      Emulsifiers affect fat crystallisation and fat crystal behaviour in numerous
      ways, acting as impurities seeding nucleation and, in some cases, retarding or
      enhancing polymorphic transitions towards more stable forms. This understanding
      is of crucial importance for the design of stable structures within emulsions,
      regardless of whether the system is oil or water continuous. In this paper,
      crystallisation mechanisms are briefly described, as well as recent technical
      advances that allow the study of crystallisation and crystal forms. Indeed, the
      study of the interface and of its effect on lipid crystallisation in emulsions
      has been limited for a long time by the lack of in-situ investigative techniques.
      This review also highlights reported interfacial effects in food and
      pharmaceutical emulsion systems. These effects are strongly linked to the
      presence of emulsifiers at the interface and their effects on crystallisation
      kinetics, and crystal morphology and stability. 

PMID- 24238926
TI  - Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials to head tap and cervical vestibular
      evoked myogenic potentials to air-conducted sounds in isolated internuclear
      ophthalmoplegia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The central pathways responsible for ocular vestibular evoked myogenic
      potentials (VEMPs) to forehead tapping remain to be determined. This study aimed
      to determine whether the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) carries the signals
      for ocular VEMPs (oVEMPs) in response to this mode of stimulation. METHODS:
      Twelve patients with isolated unilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) due
      to brainstem infarction underwent evaluation of the ocular tilt reaction (ocular
      torsion and skew deviation), tilt of the subjective visual vertical (SVV),
      cervical VEMPs (cVEMPs) in response to tone burst sound, and oVEMPs induced by
      tapping the forehead. RESULTS: Eight (67%) patients showed abnormal oVEMPs that
      included no wave formation (n=4) and decreased amplitude (n=3) in the lesion
      side, and bilaterally absent responses in the remaining patient. Furthermore, the
      patients showed diminished oVEMPs responses in the lesion side compared with
      normal side (6.0 +/- 5.6 vs. 11.7 +/- 5.5 MUV, paired t-test, p=0.001) and
      increased IADamp(%) of the oVEMPs compared with normal controls (43.6 +/- 41.2
      vs. 9.1 +/- 6.2, t-test, p=0.018). In contrast, cVEMPs were abnormal in only
      three (25%) patients, decreased (n=2) or no response in the lesion side. Eleven
      (92%) patients showed contraversive ocular tilt reaction or SVV tilt. CONCLUSION:
      Patients with INO frequently show impaired formation of ipsilesional oVEMPs in
      response to forehead tapping. The occasional abnormality and decreased amplitude
      of ipsilesional cVEMPs also suggest a modulatory pathway for the inhibitory
      sacculocollic reflex descending in the MLF. SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests
      that the MLF contains the fibers for the otolith-ocular reflex from the
      contralateral ear.

PMID- 24238925
TI  - Structural imaging in late-life depression: association with mood and cognitive
      responses to antidepressant treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Recent positron emission tomography studies of cerebral glucose
      metabolism have identified the functional neural circuitry associated with mood
      and cognitive responses to antidepressant treatment in late life depression
      (LLD). The structural alterations in these networks are not well understood. The
      present study used magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and voxel-based morphometry to
      evaluate the association between gray matter volumes and changes in mood symptoms
      and cognitive function with treatment with the antidepressant citalopram. DESIGN:
      Open-label trial with baseline brain MR scan. Mood and cognitive assessments
      performed at baseline and during citalopram treatment. SETTING: Outpatient
      clinics of an academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: 17 previously unmedicated
      patients age 55 years or older with a major depressive episode and 17 non
      depressed comparison subjects. INTERVENTION: 12-week trial of flexibly dosed
      citalopram. MEASUREMENTS: Gray matter volumes, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale,
      California Verbal Learning Test, Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System. RESULTS:
      In LLD, higher gray matter volumes in the cingulate gyrus, superior and middle
      frontal gyri, middle temporal gyrus, and precuneus was associated with greater
      mood improvement. Higher gray matter volumes in primarily frontal areas were
      associated with greater improvement in verbal memory and verbal fluency
      performance. CONCLUSIONS: Associations with antidepressant induced improvements
      in mood and cognition were observed in several brain regions previously
      correlated with normalization of glucose metabolism after citalopram treatment in
      LLD. Future studies will investigate molecular mechanisms underlying these
      associations (e.g., beta-amyloid, inflammation, glutamate).

PMID- 24238927
TI  - A radiograph positioning technique to evaluate prosthetic misfit and bone loss
      around implants.
AB  - A radiograph positioning device was developed to fit with commercially available
      film holders and implant systems. The device is indexed to the dental implant
      body and the adjacent dentition by using an implant placement driver and
      polyvinyl siloxane occlusal registration material. By fitting the device to a
      conventional film holder, accurate orthogonal radiographs can monitor changes in
      bone architecture and prosthetic misfit. 

PMID- 24238928
TI  - Radiation dosimetry of 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT studies in prostate cancer
      patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the Equivalent Doses (HTs) to highly exposed organs
      as well as the Effective Dose (ED) for (18)F-fluorocholine PET/CT scan in the
      follow-up of prostate cancer patients. METHODS: Fifty patients were administered
      with (18)F-fluorocholine. The activities in organs with the highest uptake were
      derived by region-of-interest (ROI) analysis. OLINDA/EXM1.0 and Impact software
      were used to assess ED for the administered (18)F-fluorocholine and CT scan,
      respectively, and the (18)F-fluorocholine and CT-scan EDs summed to yield the
      total ED for the PET/CT procedure. RESULTS: The calculated (18)F-fluorocholine
      and CT scans EDs based on ICRP Publication 103 were 5.2 mSv/300 MBq and 6.7 mSv,
      respectively. The (18)F-fluorocholine HTs to the liver, kidneys, spleen and
      pancreas were about threefold higher than those from the CT, which contributed a
      greater proportion of the total ED than the (18)F-fluorocholine did. CONCLUSIONS:
      For (18)F-fluorocholine PET/CT procedures, about 40% of the ED is contributed by
      administered (18)F-fluorocholine and 60% by the CT scan. The kidneys and liver
      were the highly exposed organs. Considering the large number of diagnostic
      procedures oncology patients undergo, radiation dosimetry is important in
      relation to the stochastic risk of such procedures.

PMID- 24238929
TI  - The inclusion of activities of daily living in flexor tendon rehabilitation: a
      survey.
AB  - Studies have shown that patients restricted to one-handed use due to trauma or
      surgery often have difficulty with activities of daily living (ADLs). In order to
      assess hand therapists' perspectives and practices regarding ADL assessment and
      intervention, a 21-item survey was e-mailed to members of the American Society of
      Hand Therapists (ASHT). Results of the survey indicate that the majority of hand
      therapists surveyed (97.5%) feel that ADL performance is an important part of
      hand therapy practice and that teaching adaptive strategies is a high priority in
      the early weeks of flexor tendon rehabilitation, but less than half (45.5%)
      actually provide a formal assessment of ADL performance in order to discover
      patients' ADL needs. Reasons for this discrepancy between beliefs and practices
      are explored through participants' comments in the survey. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b.

PMID- 24238930
TI  - Current practice patterns in conservative thumb CMC joint care: survey results.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive survey INTRODUCTION: Best practice for
      conservative clinical care pathways is not well outlined in the literature for
      patients with thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) pain. This self-report survey
      investigated the current practice patterns of assessments and conservative
      interventions for the painful thumb CMCJ among hand therapists. METHODS: An
      online survey was distributed to members of the American Society of Hand
      Therapists (ASHT). Questions were included about evaluation measures and
      intervention techniques used for this population. A descriptive analysis was
      completed of the results. RESULTS: A total of 23.5% of the ASHT membership
      responded to the survey. Results were categorized using the International
      Classification of Functioning and Disability domains as a framework. The survey
      results report varying use of evaluation measures, therapeutic interventions,
      including orthotic fabrication, joint protection and patient education all
      therapeutic interventional techniques, and modalities. CONCLUSION: Therapists use
      a comprehensive array of evaluation measures and interventions for body functions
      and structures in the care of thumb CMC pain. In contrast, more consistent use is
      needed of psychometrically-sound functional outcome measures that show change in
      activities and participation. This survey highlights areas to employ current
      evidence, as well as, future research should address environmental factors and
      personal factors for this population LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable.

PMID- 24238931
TI  - Biased processing of neutral facial expressions is associated with depressive
      symptoms and suicide ideation in individuals at risk for major depression due to
      affective temperaments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To elucidate whether abnormal facial emotion processing represents a
      vulnerability factor for major depression, some studies have explored deficits in
      emotion processing in individuals at familial risk for depression. Nevertheless,
      these studies have provided mixed results. However, no studies on facial emotion
      processing have been conducted in at-risk samples with early or attenuated signs
      of depression, such as individuals with affective temperaments who are
      characterized by subclinical depressive moods, cognitions, and behaviors that
      resemble those that occur in patients with major depression. METHODS: Presence
      and severity of depressive symptoms, affective temperaments, death wishes,
      suicidal ideation, and suicide planning were explored in 231 participants with a
      mean age 39.9 years (SD=14.57). Participants also completed an emotion
      recognition task with 80 emotional face stimuli expressing fear, angry, sad,
      happy, and neutral facial expressions. RESULTS: Participants with higher scores
      on affective temperamental dimensions containing a depressive component, compared
      to those with lower scores, reported more depressive symptoms, death wishes,
      suicide ideation and planning, and an increased tendency to interpret neutral
      facial expressions as emotional facial expressions; in particular, neutral facial
      expressions were interpreted more negatively, mostly as sad facial expressions.
      However, there were no group differences in identification and discrimination of
      facial expressions of happiness, sadness, fear, and anger. CONCLUSIONS: A
      negative bias in interpretation of neutral facial expressions, but not accuracy
      deficits in recognizing emotional facial expressions, may represent a
      vulnerability factor for major depression. However, further research is needed.

PMID- 24238932
TI  - Demographics, clinical characteristics and quality of life of Brazilian women
      with driving phobia.
AB  - Driving phobia is associated with serious consequences such as restriction of
      freedom, career impairments and social embarrassment. The main objective of this
      paper is to compare clinical characteristics and quality of life between women
      with driving phobia and women without this phobia. These factors were assessed
      using structured interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, scales and
      inventories. We accessed diagnoses, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms,
      anxiety traits, driving cognitions and quality of life. There was no difference
      between groups with regard to demographic data and driving history. Both groups
      were also equivalent in the number of traumatic events and accidents experienced
      while driving or riding. The fear of driving group showed higher state and trait
      anxiety scores. A high frequency of cognitive distortions can explain why people
      with driving phobia often engage in maladaptive safety behaviors in an attempt to
      protect themselves from unpredicted dangers when driving. Regarding quality of
      life, the control group had slightly higher scores on all subscales, but
      significant differences were observed for only three scales: "functional
      capacity", "social aspects", and "mental health". More studies with larger
      samples more instruments and other contexts are needed to further investigate the
      clinical characteristics and personality traits of people who have a fear of
      driving. 

PMID- 24238933
TI  - Phenomenology and correlates of insight in pediatric obsessive-compulsive
      disorder.
AB  - Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is marked by the presence of obsessions
      and/or compulsions that cause significant interference in an individual's life.
      Insight regarding symptoms in youth with OCD may affect accurate assessment,
      acceptance and motivation for treatment, tolerance of negative valence states
      (i.e., fear) and treatment outcome, so assessment of this construct and
      associated clinical characteristics is important. Accordingly, the current study
      sought to expand the literature on symptom insight by examining multi-informant
      ratings of insight from children, parents, and clinicians simultaneously and its
      relationship to varied clinical characteristics. One-hundred and ten treatment
      seeking youth with a primary diagnosis of OCD, aged 6-17, participated in the
      study along with a parent/guardian. The nature of symptom conviction, fixity of
      ideas, and perceptions about the cause of the problems were important indicators
      in assessing child insight and resulted in a comprehensive, psychometrically
      sound measure of insight. Insight was generally not strongly associated with
      clinical characteristics. Poor insight was moderately associated with less
      resistance of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, increased externalizing symptoms,
      and ordering symptoms. Overall, this study contributes further information into
      the nature and correlates of insight in youth with OCD, and provides a
      psychometrically sound approach for its assessment. 

PMID- 24238934
TI  - Stage migration in planning PET/CT scans in patients due to receive radiotherapy
      for non-small-cell lung cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study examined rates of tumor progression in treatment-naive
      patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as determined by repeat
      treatment-planning fluorine-18 ((18)F) fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: This
      study assessed patients who underwent PET/CT simulation for NSCLC stage II/III,
      radiation-naive, nonmetastatic NSCLC. It compared planning PET/CT with previous
      PET/CT images. Patients were analyzed for change in stage, treatment intent, or
      both. Progression was defined as a change in TNM status leading to upstaging, and
      standardized uptake value (SUV) velocity was defined as [(SUVscan2 -
      SUVscan1)/interscan interval in days]. RESULTS: Of 149 consecutive patients
      examined between April 2009 and April 2011, 47 had prior PET/CT scans and were
      included. The median age was 68 years. New nodal disease or metastatic disease
      was identified in 24 (51%) of 47 patients. Fourteen (30%) had evidence of
      extrathoracic metastatic disease; the remaining 10 (21%) had new nodal disease
      that required substantial alteration of treatment fields. At a scan interval of
      20 days, the rate of upstaging was 17%. SUV velocity was analyzed in the subset
      of patients who had their studies on the identical PET/CT scanner (n = 14).
      Nonupstaged patients had a mean SUV velocity of 0.074 units per day, compared
      with 0.11 units per day in patients that were upstaged by their second PET/CT
      scan (P = .020). CONCLUSION: Radiation treatment planning with hybrid PET/CT
      scans repeated within 120 days of an initial staging PET/CT scan identified
      significant upstaging in more than half of patients. For a subset of patients who
      underwent both scans on the same instrument, SUV velocity predicts upstaging, and
      the difference between those upstaged and those not was statistically
      significant.

PMID- 24238935
TI  - First-time fathers' experiences and needs during pregnancy and childbirth: a
      descriptive qualitative study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: to explore first-time fathers' experiences and needs during their
      wives' pregnancy and childbirth in Singapore. DESIGN AND SETTING: a descriptive
      qualitative was conducted. Participants were recruited from two obstetric wards
      in a tertiary hospital in Singapore from November to December 2012. Semi
      structured, face-to-face interviews were used to collect data and themes from the
      interviews were generated using thematic analysis. PARTICIPANTS: a purposive
      sample of 16 first-time fathers aged above 21 years who accompanied their wives
      throughout pregnancy and childbirth were recruited from the postnatal wards
      between one to three days after the birth of their children. FINDINGS: four
      themes emerged from 16 subthemes: (1) Emotional changes experienced; (2) Adaptive
      and supportive behaviours adopted; (3) Social support received and (4)
      Suggestions for improvement to the current maternity care. First-time fathers
      experienced a range of emotions from being happy and excited to feeling shocked
      and worried and to feeling calm. Adaptive and supportive behaviours were adopted
      to deal with the pregnancy changes and better support their wives. In the course
      of their transition to fatherhood, they also received support from their family,
      friends, workplaces and the health care professionals. Fathers suggested more
      information, timely, empathetic and professional care be given and a review to
      the current administrative/logistical policies. CONCLUSIONS: all fathers modified
      their behaviours for the sake of protecting their wives and unborn children.
      Support from their family, friends, workplaces and the health care professionals
      was invaluable and greatly appreciated. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: health care
      professionals can guide and support fathers by providing them with more
      information and preparing them for the unknown changes. Future studies are needed
      to develop intervention programme for fathers to improve their experiences and
      adaptive behaviours.

PMID- 24238936
TI  - Vibrational spectra, quantum chemical calculations and spectral assignments of
      1,1-difluoro-1-silacyclohexane.
AB  - Raman spectra of 1,1-difluoro-1-silacyclohexane as a liquid, and as a solid at 78
      K were recorded and depolarization data obtained. The infrared spectra of the
      vapour, liquid and amorphous and crystalline solids have been studied. In the low
      temperature IR and Raman spectra eight and three bands, respectively, were
      shifted a few cm(-1) when the sample crystallized. No bands vanished after
      crystallization in agreement with the assumption that only one conformer (chair)
      was present in all the states of aggregation. The compound exists in the stable
      chair conformation, whereas in the parent silacyclohexane a possible twist form
      should have more than 15 kJ mol(-1) higher energies than the chair, as derived
      from various calculations. The wavenumbers of the vibrational modes were
      calculated in the harmonic and anharmonic approximation employing B3LYP/cc-pVTZ
      calculations. The 27 A' and 21 A" fundamentals were assigned on the basis of the
      calculations, infrared vapour contours, Raman depolarization measurements and
      infrared and Raman band intensities. An average, relative deviation of 1.5% was
      found between the observed and the anharmonic wavenumbers for the 48 modes.

PMID- 24238937
TI  - Imaging of laryngeal trauma.
AB  - External laryngeal trauma is a rare but potentially life-threatening situation in
      the acutely injured patient. Trauma mechanism and magnitude, maximum focus of the
      applied force, and patient related factors, such as age and ossification of the
      laryngeal cartilages influence the spectrum of observed injuries. Their correct
      diagnosis and prompt management are paramount in order to avoid patient death or
      long-term impairment of breathing, swallowing and speaking. The current review
      provides a comprehensive approach to the radiologic interpretation of imaging
      studies performed in patients with suspected laryngeal injury. It describes the
      key anatomic structures that are relevant in laryngeal trauma and discusses the
      clinical role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) in the acute emergency situation. The added value of two
      dimensional multiplanar reconstructions (2D MPR), three-dimensional volume
      rendering (3D VR) and virtual endoscopy (VE) for the non-invasive evaluation of
      laryngeal injuries and for treatment planning is discussed. The clinical
      presentation, biomechanics of injury, diagnostic pitfalls and pearls, common and
      uncommon findings are reviewed with emphasis of fracture patterns, involvement of
      laryngeal joints, intra- and extralaryngeal soft tissue injuries, and
      complications seen in the acute emergency situation. The radiologic appearance of
      common and less common long-term sequelae, as well as treatment options are
      equally addressed. 

PMID- 24238938
TI  - Determination of the optimal energy level in spectral CT imaging for displaying
      abdominal vessels in pediatric patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the optimal energy level in contrast-enhanced spectral CT
      imaging for displaying abdominal vessels in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This retrospective study was institutional review board approved. 15
      children (8 males and 7 females, age range, 6-15 years, mean age 10.1+/-3.1
      years) underwent contrast-enhanced spectral CT imaging for diagnosing solid
      tumors in abdomen and pelvic areas were included. A single contrast-enhanced scan
      was performed using a dual energy spectral CT mode with a new split contrast
      injection scheme (iodixanol at 1-1.5 ml/kg dose. 2/3 first, 1/3 at 7-15 s after
      the first injection). 101 sets of monochromatic images with photon energies of 40
      140 keV with 1 keV interval were reconstructed. Contrast-noise-ratio (CNR) for
      hepatic portal or vein were generated and compared at every energy level to
      determine the optimal energy level to maximize CNR. 2 board-certified
      radiologists interpreted the selected image sets independently for image quality
      scores. RESULTS: CT values and CNR for the vessels increased as photon energy
      decreased from 140 to 40 keV: (CT value: 48.29-570.12 HU, CNR: 0.08-14.90) in the
      abdominal aorta, (58.48-369.73 HU, 0.64-5.87) in the inferior vena cava, and
      (58.48-369.73 HU, 0.06-6.96) in the portal vein. Monochromatic images at 40-50
      keV (average 42.0+/-4.67 keV) could display vessels above three levels clearly,
      and with excellent image quality scores of 3.17+/-0.58 (of 4) (k=0.50). The CNR
      values at the optimal energy level were significantly higher than those at 70
      keV, an average energy corresponding to the conventional 120 kVp for abdominal CT
      imaging. CONCLUSION: Spectral CT imaging provides a set of monochromatic images
      to optimize image quality and enhance vascular visibility, especially in the
      hepatic portal and vein systems. The best CNR for displaying abdominal vessels in
      children was obtained at 42 keV photon energy level.

PMID- 24238939
TI  - Dark blood versus bright blood T2 acquisition in cardiovascular magnetic
      resonance (CMR) for thalassaemia major (TM) patients: evaluation of feasibility,
      reproducibility and image quality.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of dark blood (DB) versus bright blood
      (BB) sequences. To assess the intra and inter-observer variability and inter
      study reproducibility between BB versus DB. To evaluate image quality level in
      the two sequences. METHODS: In a setting of 138 patients we performed CMR using
      cardiac gated Gradient-multiecho single breath-hold BB and DB sequences in the
      middle ventricular septum. Each acquisition was repeated during the same exam.
      Truncation method was used to account for background noise. Image quality (IQ)
      was assessed using a 5 point grading scale and image analysis was conducted by 2
      experienced observers. RESULTS: Compared with the conventional BB acquisition,
      the coefficient of correlation and significance of the DB technique was superior
      for intra-observer reproducibility (p<0.001), inter-observer reproducibility
      (p<0.001) and inter-study reproducibility (p<0.001). The variability is also
      lower for DB sequences for T2* values <14 ms. Assessment of artifacts showed a
      superior score for DB versus BB scans (4 versus 3, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Improvement in terms of inter observer and inter study variability using DB
      sequences was obtained. The greatest disparity between them was seen in inter
      study reproducibility and higher IQ in DB was seen. Study demonstrates better
      performance of DB imaging compared to BB in presence of comparable effectiveness.

PMID- 24238940
TI  - Characterization of LiBC by phase-contrast scanning transmission electron
      microscopy.
AB  - LiBC was used as a model compound for probing the applicability of phase-contrast
      (PC) imaging in an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope
      (STEM) to visualize lithium distributions. In the LiBC structure, boron and
      carbon are arranged to hetero graphite layers between which lithium is
      incorporated. The crystal structure is reflected in the PC-STEM images recorded
      perpendicular to the layers. The experimental images and their defocus dependence
      match with multi-slice simulations calculated utilizing the reciprocity
      principle. The observation that a part of the Li positions is not occupied is
      likely an effect of the intense electron beam triggering Li displacement. 

PMID- 24238941
TI  - Development of hedge operator based fuzzy divergence measure and its application
      in segmentation of chronic myelogenous leukocytes from microscopic image of
      peripheral blood smear.
AB  - This paper introduces a hedge operator based fuzzy divergence measure and its
      application in segmentation of leukocytes in case of chronic myelogenous leukemia
      using light microscopic images of peripheral blood smears. The concept of
      modified discrimination measure is applied to develop the measure of divergence
      based on Shannon exponential entropy and Yager's measure of entropy. These two
      measures of divergence are compared with the existing literatures and validated
      by ground truth images. Finally, it is found that hedge operator based divergence
      measure using Yager's entropy achieves better segmentation accuracy i.e., 98.29%
      for normal and 98.15% for chronic myelogenous leukocytes. Furthermore, Jaccard
      index has been performed to compare the segmented image with ground truth ones
      where it is found that that the proposed scheme leads to higher Jaccard index
      (0.39 for normal, 0.24 for chronic myelogenous leukemia). 

PMID- 24238942
TI  - Anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in patients with a history of
      chronic uveitis: five-year follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of long-term complications after cataract
      surgery with primary anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC IOL) implantation in
      uveitic patients and patients without a history of intraocular inflammation
      (control group). SETTING: Single-center private practice. DESIGN: Retrospective
      clinical study. METHODS: The study comprised patients who between November 2005
      and August 2010 had cataract extraction followed by AC IOL implantation because
      conventional placement was not possible. Outcome measures were the incidence of
      intraoperative and postoperative complications, preoperative corrected distance
      visual acuity (CDVA), and CDVA after 1 year. RESULTS: Of the 39 patients
      identified through electronic medical records, 17 (17 eyes) had a history of
      chronic uveitis and 22 (23 eyes) had no intraocular inflammatory disease. There
      were no significant differences in the incidence of intraoperative and
      postoperative complications between the 2 groups during follow-up (range 12 to 68
      months) (P=.702). Although uveitic eyes had a greater risk for epiretinal
      membrane formation, the incidence of uveitis flareups attributed to the IOL and
      deposits on IOL surfaces was comparable to that in the control group (P<.001).
      The CDVA improved significantly in both groups 1 year after surgery (P<.01 and
      P<.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: In uveitic eyes with inadequate capsule
      support, AC IOL implantation restored visual function without a significant
      increase in long-term postoperative complications compared with eyes that had no
      history of uveitis.

PMID- 24238943
TI  - Posterior capsule opacification with 3 intraocular lenses: 12-year prospective
      study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare posterior capsule opacification (PCO) with 3 intraocular
      lenses (IOLs) 12 years postoperatively. SETTING: St. Erik Eye Hospital,
      Stockholm, Sweden. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Patients having
      unilateral standard phacoemulsification were randomized to implantation of a
      round-edged heparin-surface-modified (HSM) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOL,
      a round-edged silicone IOL, or a sharp-edged hydrophobic acrylic IOL. The
      neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy rates and timing from surgery were recorded.
      Survival analysis was used to compare Nd:YAG rates. Retroillumination images were
      taken to evaluate PCO. RESULTS: After 12 years, there was no significant
      difference in the fraction or severity of PCO between the silicone IOL and
      acrylic IOL. The HSM PMMA IOL had a significantly higher PCO fraction than the
      silicone IOL (P<.05), but not more than the acrylic IOL. There was no difference
      in PCO severity between the HSM PMMA IOL and the other 2 IOLs. The silicone IOL
      had higher median capsulotomy-free survival (>150 months) than the acrylic IOL
      (108 months) and the HSM PMMA IOL (53 months). Overall survival without Nd:YAG
      capsulotomy did not differ between the acrylic and silicone IOLs or between the
      silicone and HSM PMMA IOLs; however, overall survival was significantly better
      with the acrylic IOL than with the HSM PMMA IOL (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: After 12
      years, there was no difference in PCO or overall survival without capsulotomy
      between the acrylic IOL and the silicone IOL. The HSM PMMA IOL had a
      significantly higher PCO fraction than the silicone IOL and lower overall
      survival than the acrylic IOL.

PMID- 24238944
TI  - Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of phacoemulsification in true
      exfoliation syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: To review the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of patients
      with true exfoliation syndrome of the lens capsule having phacoemulsification
      cataract surgery. SETTING: Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong. DESIGN:
      Case series. METHODS: Eyes of patients with true exfoliation syndrome diagnosed
      clinically or intraoperatively had standard phacoemulsification and intraocular
      lens (IOL) implantation. The anterior capsules removed during capsulorhexis were
      sent for histological confirmation. RESULTS: Twenty-four eyes of 18 patients were
      included. All eyes were confirmed to have true exfoliation syndrome by
      histological examination of the anterior lens capsule. Seven eyes (29.2%) had
      preexisting chronic glaucoma; 5 (20.8%) had laser iridotomy before the diagnosis.
      During phacoemulsification, all eyes had a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis
      without complications. Trypan blue staining was used during capsulorhexis in 11
      eyes (45.8%). Posterior capsule rupture occurred during lens chopping in 1 eye
      (4.2%). No loose zonular fibers or radial extension of capsulorhexis occurred.
      Capsular bag IOL implantation was successfully performed in all cases except the
      1 with a posterior capsule rupture, in which an anterior chamber IOL was
      implanted. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification was safely performed in eyes with
      true exfoliation syndrome. Trypan blue staining can be used to facilitate
      capsulorhexis creation. Ultrasound biomicroscopy or anterior segment optical
      coherence tomography may be useful in preoperative assessment of such cases. The
      disease may be associated with glaucoma and laser iridotomy.

PMID- 24238945
TI  - A study of the association between chronic superficial keratitis and
      polymorphisms in the upstream regulatory regions of DLA-DRB1, DLA-DQB1 and DLA
      DQA1.
AB  - Canine chronic superficial keratitis (CSK) is an inflammatory corneal disease
      that primarily occurs in German shepherd dogs (GSDs). Several studies support the
      hypothesis that CSK is an immune-mediated disease. To investigate the genetic
      factors associated with CSK development, the upstream regulatory regions (URRs)
      of the DLA-DRB, -DQA and -DQB genes were genotyped in 60 dogs, including 32 CSK
      animals. LD analysis identified two blocks (r(2)<=45), with two DLA-DRB1 and five
      DLA-DQB1 haplotypes. Analysis of DLA-URR alleles/haplotypes showed a significant
      association between DQB1*-154 [C/T] (p=0.016) and CSK, suggesting that the T
      variant may increase the risk for developing CSK disease (OR=3, 95% CI=1.25
      7.68). When haplotype associations were performed, the URR-DQB*CATT haplotype was
      significantly associated with CSK (p=0.016), increasing the risk of develop this
      disease over two-fold (OR=3, 95%, CI=1.25-7.68). These results showed that dogs
      homozygous at DRB1*69 [C/T] had a risk for developing CSK disease that was over
      four times the risk for heterozygotes. This genetic association supports the
      previous clinical, histological and pharmacological studies that suggest that CSK
      is an immune-mediated disease, and this association could potentially be used to
      identify susceptible animals.

PMID- 24238946
TI  - Immunochemical faecal occult blood tests for colorectal cancer screening: no time
      to lose.

PMID- 24238947
TI  - Cost effectiveness of newborn screening for cystic fibrosis: a simulation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early detection of cystic fibrosis (CF) by newborn screening (NBS)
      reduces the rate of avoidable complications. NBS protocols vary by jurisdiction
      and the cost effectiveness of these different protocols is debated. OBJECTIVE: To
      compare the cost effectiveness of various CF NBS options. METHODS: A Markov model
      was built to simulate the cost effectiveness of various CF-NBS options for a
      hypothetical CF-NBS program over a 5-year time horizon assuming its integration
      into an existing universal NBS program. NBS simulated options were based on a
      combination of tests between the two commonly used immunoreactive trypsinogen
      (IRT) cutoffs (96th percentile and 99.5th percentile) as first tier tests, and,
      as a second tier test, either a second IRT, pancreatic-associated protein (PAP)
      or CFTR mutation panels. CFTR mutation panels were also considered as an eventual
      third tier test. Data input parameters used were retrieved from a thorough
      literature search. Outcomes considered were the direct costs borne by the Quebec
      public health care system and the number of cases of CF detected through each
      strategy, including the absence of screening option. RESULTS: IRT-PAP with an IRT
      cutoff at the 96th percentile is the most favorable option with a ratio of
      CAD$28,432 per CF case detected. The next most favorable alternative is the IRT1
      IRT2 option with an IRT1 cutoff at the 96th percentile. The no-screening option
      is dominated by all NBS screening protocols considered. Results were robust in
      sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that NBS for cystic
      fibrosis is a cost-effective strategy compared to the absence of NBS. The IRT-PAP
      newborn screening algorithm with an IRT cutoff at the 96th percentile is the most
      cost effective NBS approach for Quebec.

PMID- 24238948
TI  - CAQI Common Air Quality Index--update with PM(2.5) and sensitivity analysis.
AB  - The CAQI or Common Air Quality Index was proposed to facilitate the comparison of
      air quality in European cities in real-time. There are many air quality indices
      in use in the world. All are somewhat different in concept and presentation and
      comparing air quality presentations of cities on the internet was virtually
      impossible. The CAQI and the accompanying website www.airqualitynow.eu and app
      were proposed to overcome this problem in Europe. This paper describes the logic
      of making an index, in particular the CAQI and its update with a grid for PM2.5.
      To assure a smooth transition to the new calculation scheme we studied the
      behaviour of the index before and after the changes. We used 2006 Airbase data
      from 31 urban background and 27 street stations all across Europe (that were
      monitoring PM2.5 in 2006). The CAQI characterises a city by a roadside and urban
      background situation. It also insists on a minimum number of pollutants to be
      included in the calculation. Both were deemed necessary to improve the basis for
      comparing one city to another. A sensitivity analysis demonstrates the
      comparative behaviour of the street and urban background stations and presents
      the sensitivity of the CAQI outcome to the pollutants included in its
      calculation. 

PMID- 24238949
TI  - Comparability of river quality assessment using macrophytes: a multi-step
      procedure to overcome biogeographical differences.
AB  - This paper exposes a new methodological approach to solve the problem of
      intercalibrating river quality national methods when a common metric is lacking
      and most of the countries share the same Water Framework Directive (WFD)
      assessment method. We provide recommendations for similar works in future
      concerning the assessment of ecological accuracy and highlight the importance of
      a good common ground to make feasible the scientific work beyond the
      intercalibration. The approach herein presented was applied to highly seasonal
      rivers of the Mediterranean Geographical Intercalibration Group for the
      Biological Quality Element Macrophytes. The Mediterranean Group of river
      macrophytes involved seven countries and two assessment methods with similar
      acquisition data and assessment concept: the Macrophyte Biological Index for
      Rivers (IBMR) for Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, and the
      River Macrophyte Index (RMI) for Slovenia. Database included 318 sites of which
      78 were considered as benchmarks. The boundary harmonization was performed for
      common WFD-assessment methods (all countries except Slovenia) using the median of
      the Good/Moderate and High/Good boundaries of all countries. Then, whenever
      possible, the Slovenian method, RMI was computed for the entire database. The
      IBMR was also computed for the Slovenian sites and was regressed against RMI in
      order to check the relatedness of methods (R(2)=0.45; p<0.00001) and to convert
      RMI boundaries into the IBMR scale. The boundary bias of RMI was computed using
      direct comparison of classification and the median boundary values following
      boundary harmonization. The average absolute class differences after
      harmonization is 26% and the percentage of classifications differing by half of a
      quality class is also small (16.4%). This multi-step approach to the
      intercalibration was endorsed by the WFD Regulatory Committee. 

PMID- 24238950
TI  - Environmental gradients and macroalgae in Mediterranean marshes: the case of Pego
      Oliva marsh (East Iberian Peninsula).
AB  - Although Mediterranean marshes have historically suffered high anthropogenic
      pressure, they have maintained their remarkable biodiversity. They are severely
      threatened but remain comparatively unexplored systems from the algological point
      of view. For example, most of the indexes proposed for monitoring ecological
      quality are based on diatoms and very few have explored the use of macroalgae.
      The Pego-Oliva marsh is located in the east of the Iberian Peninsula close to the
      Mediterranean coast with warm annual temperature and fairly high precipitation.
      The aims of this study were to ascertain the ecological variables that explained
      macroalgal distribution in the Pego-Oliva marsh and to assess their indicator
      value. Macroalgal biodiversity was seen to be high (50 taxa) despite the high
      nitrogen concentration of the marsh. All the environmental variables studied had
      a broad range of variation throughout the marsh, especially conductivity (500
      12290 MUS/cm), temperature (14.3-31.7  degrees C), nitrate (9.493-64.113 mg/L)
      and ammonium (0.004-0.814 mg/L). A clear gradient of conductivity and dissolved
      oxygen was observed from fresh to saltwater. Batrachospermum arcuatum, Calothrix
      parietina, Chaetophora tuberculosa, Draparnaldia mutabilis, Hildenbrandia
      angolensis and Leptolyngbya angustissima were seen to act as indicators of low
      conductivity and dissolved inorganic nitrogen, and high dissolved oxygen, while
      Calothrix pulvinata, Ulva intestinalis, Homoeothrix violacea, Phormidium
      tergestinum and Thorea violacea were indicators of high conductivity and low
      dissolved nitrogen habitats. Cladophora glomerata, Compsopogon coeruleus,
      Polysiphonia subtilissima and Ulva flexuosa are the most widespread species and
      have a broad ecological range. Irrigation ditches have high ammonium and low
      dissolved oxygen concentrations and host infrequently reported species like
      Kumanoa mahlacensis. The data presented confirm the usefulness of macroalgae for
      the ecological monitoring of marshes, while increasing our knowledge of the
      distribution and ecological range of some species. However, more experimental
      work is needed to know the tolerance range of species living in dynamic systems
      like Mediterranean marshes.

PMID- 24238951
TI  - Effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for depression in
      routine psychiatric care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Efficacy of guided Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT)
      for depression has been demonstrated in several randomised controlled trials.
      Knowledge on the effectiveness of the treatment, i.e. how it works when delivered
      within routine care, is however scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate
      the effectiveness of ICBT for depression. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study
      investigating all patients (N=1203) who had received guided ICBT for depression
      between 2007 and 2013 in a routine care setting at an outpatient psychiatric
      clinic providing Internet-based treatment. The primary outcome measure was the
      Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale-Self rated (MADRS-S). RESULTS: Patients
      made large improvements from pre-treatment assessments to post-treatment on the
      primary outcome (effect size d on the MADRS-S=1.27, 99% CI, 1.14-1.39).
      Participants were significantly improved in terms of suicidal ideation and sleep
      difficulties. Improvements were sustained at 6-month follow-up. LIMITATIONS:
      Attrition was rather large at 6-month follow-up. However, additional data was
      collected through telephone interviews with dropouts and advanced statistical
      models indicated that missing data did not bias the findings. CONCLUSIONS: ICBT
      for depression can be highly effective when delivered within the context of
      routine psychiatric care. This study suggests that the effect sizes are at least
      as high when the treatment is delivered in routine psychiatric care by qualified
      staff as when delivered in a controlled trial setting.

PMID- 24238952
TI  - General distress, hopelessness-suicidal ideation and worrying in adolescence:
      concurrent and predictive validity of a symptom-level bifactor model for clinical
      diagnoses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical disorders often share common symptoms and aetiological
      factors. Bifactor models acknowledge the role of an underlying general distress
      component and more specific sub-domains of psychopathology which specify the
      unique components of disorders over and above a general factor. METHODS: A
      bifactor model jointly calibrated data on subjective distress from The Mood and
      Feelings Questionnaire and the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale. The
      bifactor model encompassed a general distress factor, and specific factors for
      (a) hopelessness-suicidal ideation, (b) generalised worrying and (c) restlessness
      fatigue at age 14 which were related to lifetime clinical diagnoses established
      by interviews at ages 14 (concurrent validity) and current diagnoses at 17 years
      (predictive validity) in a British population sample of 1159 adolescents.
      RESULTS: Diagnostic interviews confirmed the validity of a symptom-level bifactor
      model. The underlying general distress factor was a powerful but non-specific
      predictor of affective, anxiety and behaviour disorders. The specific factors for
      hopelessness-suicidal ideation and generalised worrying contributed to predictive
      specificity. Hopelessness-suicidal ideation predicted concurrent and future
      affective disorder; generalised worrying predicted concurrent and future anxiety,
      specifically concurrent generalised anxiety disorders. Generalised worrying was
      negatively associated with behaviour disorders. LIMITATIONS: The analyses of
      gender differences and the prediction of specific disorders was limited due to a
      low frequency of disorders other than depression. CONCLUSIONS: The bifactor model
      was able to differentiate concurrent and predict future clinical diagnoses. This
      can inform the development of targeted as well as non-specific interventions for
      prevention and treatment of different disorders.

PMID- 24238953
TI  - Living alone, obesity, and smoking increase risk for suicide independently of
      depressive mood findings from the population-based MONICA/KORA Augsburg cohort
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suicide is strongly associated with mental disorders, particularly
      with depression. There is insufficient knowledge to what extent sociodemographic
      and behavioral characteristics contribute to suicide risk. METHODS: A population
      based cohort study on three independent cross-sectional MONICA/KORA Augsburg
      surveys with 12,888 subjects (6456 men, 6432 women) was followed up on average
      for 12.0 years. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, chronic disease
      conditions, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, depressive symptoms, personality
      type, and other psychodiagnostic parameters was assessed by standardized
      interviews. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to compute
      hazard ratios (HRs) as estimates of relative risks for suicide mortality.
      Additionally, population-attributable risks were calculated. RESULTS: Within the
      follow-up period, a total of 1449 persons had died, 38 of them by suicide.
      Although several variables were associated with increased risk in the basic
      analyses, only obesity (HR=2.73), smoking (HR=2.23), and living alone (HR=2.19)
      remained significantly associated with suicide additionally to male sex (HR=3.57)
      and depressed mood (HR=2.01) in a multivariate analysis. LIMITATIONS: The
      generalization of our findings to countries with different social, economic or
      cultural conditions may be questioned. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings extend the
      knowledge about sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors for suicide in the
      general population: Suicide prevention measures should not consider only subjects
      with mental disorders but also address other adverse conditions.

PMID- 24238954
TI  - Investigation of the marked and long-standing spatial inhomogeneity of the
      Hungarian suicide rate: a spatial regression approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the last century Hungary had astonishingly high suicide rates
      characterized by marked regional within-country inequalities, a spatial pattern
      which has been quite stable over time. AIMS: To explain the above phenomenon at
      the level of micro-regions (n=175) in the period between 2005 and 2011. METHODS:
      Our dependent variable was the age and gender standardized mortality ratio (SMR)
      for suicide while explanatory variables were factors which are supposed to
      influence suicide risk, such as measures of religious and political integration,
      travel time accessibility of psychiatric services, alcohol consumption,
      unemployment and disability pensionery. When applying the ordinary least squared
      regression model, the residuals were found to be spatially autocorrelated, which
      indicates the violation of the assumption on the independence of error terms and 
      accordingly - the necessity of application of a spatial autoregressive (SAR)
      model to handle this problem. According to our calculations the SARlag model was
      a better way (versus the SARerr model) of addressing the problem of spatial
      autocorrelation, furthermore its substantive meaning is more convenient. RESULTS:
      SMR was significantly associated with the "political integration" variable in a
      negative and with "lack of religious integration" and "disability pensionery"
      variables in a positive manner. Associations were not significant for the
      remaining explanatory variables. LIMITATIONS: Several important psychiatric
      variables were not available at the level of micro-regions. We conducted our
      analysis on aggregate data. CONCLUSION: Our results may draw attention to the
      relevance and abiding validity of the classic Durkheimian suicide risk factors -
      such as lack of social integration - apropos of the spatial pattern of Hungarian
      suicides.

PMID- 24238955
TI  - Epigenetics and depression: return of the repressed.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Epigenetics has recently emerged as a potential mechanism by which
      adverse environmental stimuli can result in persistent changes in gene
      expression. Epigenetic mechanisms function alongside the DNA sequence to modulate
      gene expression and ultimately influence protein production. The current review
      provides an introduction and overview of epigenetics with a particular focus on
      preclinical and clinical studies relevant to major depressive disorder (MDD).
      METHODS: PubMed and Web of Science databases were interrogated from January 1995
      up to December 2012 using combinations of search terms, including "epigenetic",
      "microRNA" and "DNA methylation" cross referenced with "depression", "early life
      stress" and "antidepressant". RESULTS: There is an association between adverse
      environmental stimuli, such as early life stress, and epigenetic modification of
      gene expression. Epigenetic changes have been reported in humans with MDD and may
      serve as biomarkers to improve diagnosis. Antidepressant treatments appear to
      reverse or initiate compensatory epigenetic alterations that may be relevant to
      their mechanism of action. LIMITATIONS: As a narrative review, the current report
      was interpretive and qualitative in nature. CONCLUSION: Epigenetic modification
      of gene expression provides a mechanism for understanding the link between long
      term effects of adverse life events and the changes in gene expression that are
      associated with depression. Although still a developing field, in the future,
      epigenetic modifications of gene expression may provide novel biomarkers to
      predict future susceptibility and/or onset of MDD, improve diagnosis, and aid in
      the development of epigenetics-based therapies for depression.

PMID- 24238956
TI  - "Every 'never' I ever said came true": transitions from opioid pills to heroin
      injecting.
AB  - This qualitative study documents the pathways to injecting heroin by users in
      Philadelphia and San Francisco before and during a pharmaceutical opioid pill
      epidemic. Data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews
      (conducted between 2010 and 2012) that were, conducted against a background of
      longer-term participant-observation, ethnographic studies of street-based drug
      users and dealers in Philadelphia (2007-12) and San Francisco (1994-2007, 2012).
      Philadelphia and San Francisco were selected for their contrasting political
      economies, immigration patterns and source type of heroin. In Philadelphia the
      ethnographers found heroin injectors, usually white users, who had started their
      opiate using careers with prescription opioids rather than transitioning from
      other drugs. In both Philadelphia and San Francisco, most of the young heroin
      injectors interviewed began, their drug-use trajectories with opioid pills-
      usually Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen), generic short acting oxycodone
      or, OxyContin (long-acting oxycodone)--before transitioning to heroin, usually by
      nasal inhalation (sniffing) or smoking at first, followed by injecting. While
      most of the Philadelphia users were born in the city or its suburbs and had
      started using both opioid pills and heroin there, many of the San Francisco users
      had initiated their pill and sometimes heroin use elsewhere and had migrated to
      the city from around the country. Nevertheless, patterns of transition of younger
      injectors were similar in both cities suggesting an evolving national pattern. In
      contrast, older users in both Philadelphia and San Francisco were more likely to
      have graduated to heroin injection from non-opiate drugs such as cannabis,
      methamphetamine and cocaine. Pharmaceutical opioid initiates typically reported
      switching to heroin for reasons of cost and ease-of-access to supply after
      becoming physically and emotionally dependent on opioid pills. Many expressed
      surprise and dismay at their progression to sniffing and subsequently to
      injecting heroin. Historically and structurally these users found themselves
      caught at the intersection of two major developments in the opiate supply: (1) an
      over 500% increase in opiate pill prescription from 1997 to 2005 resulting in
      easy access to diverted supplies of less stigmatized opiates than heroin and (2)
      a heroin supply glut, following the US entry of Colombian-sourced, heroin in the
      early 1990s, that decreased cost and increased purity at the retail level. A
      nationwide up-cycle of heroin use may be occurring among young inner city,
      suburban and rural youth fueled by widespread prescription opioid pill use.

PMID- 24238957
TI  - Timing sequence of multi-planar knee kinematics revealed by physiologic cadaveric
      simulation of landing: implications for ACL injury mechanism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Challenges in accurate, in vivo quantification of multi-planar knee
      kinematics and relevant timing sequence during high-risk injurious tasks pose
      challenges in understanding the relative contributions of joint loads in non
      contact injury mechanisms. Biomechanical testing on human cadaveric tissue, if
      properly designed, offers a practical means to evaluate joint biomechanics and
      injury mechanisms. This study seeks to investigate the detailed interactions
      between tibiofemoral joint multi-planar kinematics and anterior cruciate ligament
      strain in a cadaveric model of landing using a validated physiologic drop-stand
      apparatus. METHODS: Sixteen instrumented cadaveric legs, mean 45(SD 7) years (8
      female and 8 male) were tested. Event timing sequence, change in tibiofemoral
      kinematics (position, angular velocity and linear acceleration) and change in
      anterior cruciate ligament strain were quantified. FINDINGS: The proposed
      cadaveric model demonstrated similar tibiofemoral kinematics/kinetics as reported
      measurements obtained from in vivo studies. While knee flexion, anterior tibial
      translation, knee abduction and increased anterior cruciate ligament strain
      initiated and reached maximum values almost simultaneously, internal tibial
      rotation initiated and peaked significantly later (P<0.015 for all comparisons).
      Further, internal tibial rotation reached mean 1.8(SD 2.5) degrees , almost 63%
      of its maximum value, at the time that peak anterior cruciate ligament strain
      occurred, while both anterior tibial translation and knee abduction had already
      reached their peaks. INTERPRETATION: Together, these findings indicate that
      although internal tibial rotation contributes to increased anterior cruciate
      ligament strain, it is secondary to knee abduction and anterior tibial
      translation in its effect on anterior cruciate ligament strain and potential risk
      of injury.

PMID- 24238958
TI  - Cranial humerus translation, deltoid activation, adductor co-activation and
      rotator cuff disease - different patterns in rotator cuff tears, subacromial
      impingement and controls.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Arm adductor co-activation during abduction has been reported as a
      potential compensation mechanism for a narrow subacromial space in patients with
      rotator cuff dysfunction. We assessed differences in acromiohumeral distance at
      rest and the amount of humerus translation during active abduction and adduction
      in patients with rotator cuff tears (n=20) and impingement (n=30) and controls
      (n=10), controlled for deltoid, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi and teres
      major activation (electromyography). METHODS: During the acquirement of shoulder
      radiographs, subjects performed standardized isometric arm abduction and
      adduction tasks. EMG's were normalized between -1 and 1 using the "Activation
      Ratio", where low values express (pathologic) co-activation, e.g. adductor
      activation during abduction. FINDINGS: In patients with cuff tears mean rest
      acromiohumeral distance was 7.6mm (SD=1.6): 3.5mm narrower compared to patients
      with impingement (95%-CI: 2.4-4.5) and 1.3mm narrower compared to controls (95%
      CI: -0.1-2.7). Both during abduction and adduction tasks, cranial translation was
      observed with equal magnitudes for patients and controls, with average values of
      2.3 and 1.7mm, respectively. Where patients with cuff tears had lower adductor
      Activation Ratios (i.e. more adductor co-activation during abduction), no
      association between abductor/adductor muscle activation and acromiohumeral
      distance was found. INTERPRETATION: The subacromial space is narrower in patients
      with rotator cuff tears compared to patients with impingement and controls. We
      found additional subacromial narrowing during isometric abduction and, to a
      lesser amount, during adduction in all subjects and more adductor co-activation
      in patients with cuff tears. We found no association between subacromial space
      and activation of the deltoid and main adductors.

PMID- 24238959
TI  - How evidence-based medicine biases physicians against nutrition.
AB  - Medical students in the United States are taught little about nutrition and
      dietetics. Worse yet, their training biases them against the studies that show
      the power of dietary approaches to managing disease. The current approach to
      evidence-based medicine encourages physicians to ignore any information that does
      not come from a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Yet human beings
      cannot be blinded to a dietary intervention. As a result, physicians are biased
      toward drug treatments and against dietary interventions for the management of
      chronic disease. 

PMID- 24238960
TI  - Prospective, head-to-head comparison of quantitative coronary angiography,
      quantitative computed tomography angiography, and intravascular ultrasound for
      the prediction of hemodynamic significance in intermediate and severe lesions,
      using fractional flow reserve as reference standard (from the ATLANTA I and II
      Study).
AB  - The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of
      quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), coronary computed tomography angiography
      (CTA), and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) with fractional flow reserve (FFR)
      measurements. Eighty-five lesions (40% to 99% diameter stenosis) in 85 patients
      were prospectively interrogated by QCA, CTA, IVUS, and FFR. Minimal lumen
      diameter (MLD), percent diameter stenosis (%DS), minimal lumen area (MLA), and
      percent area stenosis (%AS) were measured. Correlation, receiver operating
      characteristic analysis, kappa statistics, and multivariable logistic regression
      was used to assess relation between anatomic measurements and FFR. Average age
      was 61.3 +/- 7.8; 62% were men. QCA-derived mean %DS was 55.3% +/- 19.5%; mean
      FFR 0.81 +/- 0.17; 27% had FFR <=0.75. QCA had the strongest correlation,
      followed by CTA and then IVUS for MLD (r = 0.67, 0.47, and 0.29, respectively)
      and for %DS (r = -0.63, -0.52, and -0.22, respectively); QCA-derived MLD had area
      under the curve of 0.96, with 95% sensitivity and 82% specificity. Cut-point,
      area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity for CTA-MLA and IVUS-MLA were
      3.11 mm(2), 0.86, 81%, and 81% and 2.68 mm(2), 0.75, 70%, and 80%. In
      multivariable analysis for each modality, MLD on QCA (odds ratio [OR]: 0.002),
      %AS on CTA (OR: 1.09) and MLA on IVUS (OR: 0.28) remained independent predictors.
      In conclusion, in intermediate-to-severe lesions, QCA-, CTA-, and IVUS-derived
      quantitative anatomic measurements correlated with FFR. CTA-derived cut-points
      were similar to respective measurements on QCA and IVUS and had similar or better
      diagnostic performance compared with IVUS.

PMID- 24238962
TI  - Programmed cell senescence during mammalian embryonic development.
AB  - Cellular senescence disables proliferation in damaged cells, and it is relevant
      for cancer and aging. Here, we show that senescence occurs during mammalian
      embryonic development at multiple locations, including the mesonephros and the
      endolymphatic sac of the inner ear, which we have analyzed in detail.
      Mechanistically, senescence in both structures is strictly dependent on p21, but
      independent of DNA damage, p53, or other cell-cycle inhibitors, and it is
      regulated by the TGF-beta/SMAD and PI3K/FOXO pathways. Developmentally programmed
      senescence is followed by macrophage infiltration, clearance of senescent cells,
      and tissue remodeling. Loss of senescence due to the absence of p21 is partially
      compensated by apoptosis but still results in detectable developmental
      abnormalities. Importantly, the mesonephros and endolymphatic sac of human
      embryos also show evidence of senescence. We conclude that the role of
      developmentally programmed senescence is to promote tissue remodeling and propose
      that this is the evolutionary origin of damage-induced senescence. 

PMID- 24238961
TI  - Senescence is a developmental mechanism that contributes to embryonic growth and
      patterning.
AB  - Senescence is a form of cell-cycle arrest linked to tumor suppression and aging.
      However, it remains controversial and has not been documented in nonpathologic
      states. Here we describe senescence as a normal developmental mechanism found
      throughout the embryo, including the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) and the neural
      roof plate, two signaling centers in embryonic patterning. Embryonic senescent
      cells are nonproliferative and share features with oncogene-induced senescence
      (OIS), including expression of p21, p15, and mediators of the senescence
      associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Interestingly, mice deficient in p21 have
      defects in embryonic senescence, AER maintenance, and patterning. Surprisingly,
      the underlying mesenchyme was identified as a source for senescence instruction
      in the AER, whereas the ultimate fate of these senescent cells is apoptosis and
      macrophage-mediated clearance. We propose that senescence is a normal programmed
      mechanism that plays instructive roles in development, and that OIS is an
      evolutionarily adapted reactivation of a developmental process. 

PMID- 24238963
TI  - Postsurgical propriospinal myoclonus emerging at wake to sleep transition.

PMID- 24238965
TI  - Insomnia symptoms, objectively measured sleep, and disease severity in chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease outpatients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances are known to have a negative impact on a range of
      clinical outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We examined
      the associations of insomnia symptoms and objectively measured sleep parameters
      to a composite score for body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and
      exercise capacity (BODE) index (a multidimensional index of COPD severity),
      arterial blood gases, nocturnal respiratory disturbances, periodic limb movements
      (PLM), psychologic distress, pain, age, and sex. METHODS: The sample comprised 73
      COPD outpatients (mean age, 63.6years; standard deviation {SD}, 7.5; range 47
      85years; 41.1% women). Insomnia symptoms were measured with the Bergen Insomnia
      Scale (BIS) and sleep efficiency (SE), slow-wave sleep (SWS), and total sleep
      time (TST) were assessed with clinical polysomnography (PSG). RESULTS: BODE index
      was positively associated with composite BIS score (P=.040). Patients with more
      severe COPD presented more complaints of nonrestorative sleep compared to
      patients with less severe COPD (P=.010). In multivariate analysis, the composite
      BIS score was independently associated with PLM (P<.001), nocturnal respiratory
      disturbances (P=.001), pain (P=.031), and psychologic distress (P=.044) but not
      with the BODE index. Objectively measured sleep variables were not associated
      with any of the health-related variables. CONCLUSION: Insomnia symptoms in COPD
      patients result from a wide range of health-related factors. More severe COPD may
      be associated with a subjective experience of nonrestorative sleep but not with
      objectively measured sleep variables.

PMID- 24238964
TI  - Agreement between stroke patients and family members for ascertaining pre-stroke
      risk for sleep apnea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ascertaining self-reported information about the risk for pre-stroke
      obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the acute stroke period is challenging as many
      stroke patients have deficits that hinder communication. We examined agreement
      between stroke patients without communication limitations and family members
      (proxy) in the pre-stroke risk for OSA. METHODS: Patient-proxy pairs (n=42) were
      interviewed independently as part of the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus
      Christi (BASIC) Project from May 2010 to April 2011. The Berlin questionnaire was
      used to measure a high risk for OSA defined as the presence of at least two of
      the following conditions: (1) snoring behaviors/witnessed apneas, (2) daytime
      sleepiness, and (3) hypertension or obesity. Patient-proxy agreement was assessed
      using a kappa coefficient. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of patients self
      identified as being at high risk for sleep apnea, and 45% of proxies identified
      patients as high risk. Patient-proxy agreement for high risk for pre-stroke OSA
      was fair (kappa=0.28) with better agreement for spouses and children proxies
      (kappa=0.38) than for other family members. Agreement also was fair for most
      individual questions. CONCLUSIONS: Spouse and child proxy use of the Berlin
      questionnaire may be an option to assess a patient's pre-stroke likelihood of
      sleep apnea. Whereas prospective studies of incident stroke in patients with and
      without objectively confirmed sleep apnea would require formidable resources, our
      results suggest that an alternative strategy may involve proxy use of the Berlin
      questionnaire in a retrospective study design.

PMID- 24238966
TI  - Schizophrenia and antipsychotic medication--better adherence, better outcomes?

PMID- 24238967
TI  - Desmoplastic fibroma arising in the distal phalanx of the great toe: a case
      report.
AB  - Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) of the bone is a rare locally aggressive tumor usually
      occurring in adolescents and young adults. These tumors most commonly occur in
      the mandibles and metaphyses of long bones but are extremely rare in small bones,
      often resulting in diagnostic problems. The occurrence of these tumors in the
      foot is especially limited. We report the clinical, radiographic, and histologic
      features of DF arising in the distal phalanx of the great toe and a review of the
      published data. 

PMID- 24238968
TI  - Midterm results of resection arthroplasty for forefoot deformities in patients
      with rheumatoid arthritis and the risk factors associated with patient
      dissatisfaction.
AB  - We investigated the midterm results of resection arthroplasty of all 5 metatarsal
      heads in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and forefoot deformity and analyzed
      the factors that affect patient satisfaction levels. Of 64 patients (1 male, 63
      females), 107 feet were treated with resection arthroplasty for forefoot
      deformity at our hospital from January 1992 to December 2005. The mean follow-up
      period was 5.8 +/- 3.1 years, with all patients having at least 1 year of follow
      up. Of the 64 patients, 75% were satisfied with the surgery. The mean score for
      the postoperative Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot lesser
      metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale was 75.0 +/- 15.8 points. Multivariate
      logistic regression analysis showed that patient-reported dissatisfaction was
      significantly associated with the recurrence of hammer toe deformity (odds ratio
      2.66, 95% confidence interval 1.07 to 6.97), shortening of the resection
      arthroplasty space (odds ratio 0.85 for a 1-unit increase, 95% confidence
      interval 0.74 to 0.96), and the recurrence of hallux valgus (odds ratio 1.04 for
      a 1-unit increase, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.09) during the postoperative
      period. From our results, interventions to prevent recurrence of hammer toe
      deformity, especially in toes with preoperative metatarsophalangeal joint
      dislocations, have been shown to be important in preventing complications and
      patient dissatisfaction after resection arthroplasty. 

PMID- 24238969
TI  - Implementing the lifelong personal health record in a regionalised health
      information system: the case of Lombardy, Italy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of personal health records (PHRs) can help people make better
      health decisions and improves the quality of care by allowing access to and use
      of the information needed to communicate effectively with others concerning their
      health care. OBJECTIVE: This work presents the lifelong PHR system of the
      Lombardy region as an example of the implementation of an e-health solution that
      is capable of providing personal clinical documents from a lifelong perspective,
      integrating different healthcare providers over a large territory. METHODS: The
      lifelong PHR is embedded in the regional healthcare information system of
      Lombardy, which is characterised by a large and heterogeneous territory, a large
      number of different healthcare providers and organisations, and a significant
      population. RESULTS: The lifelong PHR makes clinical documents available to
      healthcare professionals and citizens when needed, and it is automatically
      updated with all of the documents regarding a clinical event regardless of which
      healthcare provider is currently taking care of the patient. Present statistics
      show that the lifelong PHR has experienced a wide diffusion in a short period of
      time, and at the end of 2010, it was active for more than five million Lombardy
      citizens. Digital reports and e-prescription transactions have almost doubled
      since 2007 and have reached a coverage of almost 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The qualified
      and exhaustive collection of patient clinical data and documents should impact
      daily medical practice, as well as the care pathways and services provided to
      patients, and should help in the renewal of health assistance and the
      simplification of patients' access to care.

PMID- 24238970
TI  - Inter-observer reproducibility of back surface topography parameters allowing
      assessment of scoliotic thoracic gibbosity and comparison with two standard
      postures.
AB  - The objective of this work was to analyze the inter-observer reproducibility of
      an upright posture designed to bring out the thoracic humps by folding the upper
      limbs. The effect of this posture on back surface parameters was also compared
      with two standard radiological postures. A back surface topography was performed
      on 46 patients (40 girls and 6 boys) with a minimum of 15 degrees  Cobb angle on
      coronal spinal radiographs. Inter-observer reliability was evaluated using the
      typical error measurement (TEM) and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).
      Variations between postures were assessed using a Student's t test. The inter
      observer reproducibility is good enough for the three postures. The proposed
      posture leads to significant changes in the sagittal plane as well as in the
      identification of thoracic humps. This study shows the reproducibility of the
      proposed posture in order to explore the thoracic humps and highlights its
      relevance to explore scoliosis with back surface topography systems. 

PMID- 24238971
TI  - CXC receptor 4 and stromal cell-derived factor 1 in primary tumors and liver
      metastases of colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been determined that the chemokine receptor CXC receptor 4
      (CXCR4) and its ligand, stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), regulate several
      key processes in a wide variety of cancers. In this study, we investigate the
      possible role of SDF-1 (noncancerous liver tissue) and CXCR4 in liver metastases
      of colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine the expression of SDF-1 in
      noncancerous liver tissues of 16 CRC patients with liver metastasis and in normal
      liver tissues of six patients with benign liver disease. We also examined the
      expression of CXCR4 in cancerous tissues from primary and metastatic tumors.
      RESULTS: Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, CXCR4 expression
      in metastatic tumors tended to be higher than that in primary tumors (P = 0.16).
      High CXCR4 expression in a primary tumor was found to be related to an increased
      lymphatic invasion (P = 0.01), an advanced depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.07),
      and a decrease in the overall survival rate. The SDF-1 expression observed in
      noncancerous liver tissues of CRC with liver metastasis was significantly higher
      than that observed in normal liver tissues of benign liver disease (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: In CRC with liver metastasis, CXCR4 expression demonstrated
      associations with local progression, liver metastasis, and poor overall survival.

PMID- 24238972
TI  - Aging aggravates long-term renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model.
AB  - AIM: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) has been considered as the major cause of
      acute kidney injury and can result in poor long-term graft function. Functional
      recovery after IRI is impaired in the elderly. In the present study, we aimed to
      compare kidney morphology, function, oxidative stress, inflammation, and
      development of renal fibrosis in young and aged rats after renal IRI. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Rat models of warm renal IRI were established by clamping left
      pedicles for 45 min after right nephrectomy, then the clamp was removed, and
      kidneys were reperfused for up to 12 wk. Biochemical and histologic renal damage
      were assessed at 12 wk after reperfusion. The immunohistochemical staining of
      monocyte macrophage antigen-1 (ED-1) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF
      beta1) and messenger RNA level of TGF-beta1 in the kidney were analyzed. RESULTS:
      Renal IRI caused significant increases of malondialdehyde and 8
      hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels and a decrease of superoxide dismutase activity in
      young and aged IRI rats; however, these changes were more obvious in the aged
      rats. IRI resulted in severe inflammation and tubulointerstitial fibrosis with
      decreased creatinine (Cr) clearance and increased histologic damage in aged rats
      compared with young rats. Moreover, we measured the ratio of Cr clearance between
      young and aged IRI rats. It demonstrated that aged IRI rats did have poor Cr
      clearance compared with the young IRI rats. ED-1 and TGF-beta1 expression levels
      in the kidney were significantly higher in aged rats than in young rats after
      IRI. CONCLUSION: Aged rats are more susceptible to IRI-induced renal failure,
      which may associate with the increased oxidative stress, increased histologic
      damage, and increased inflammation and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Targeting
      oxidative stress and inflammatory response should improve the kidney recovery
      after IRI.

PMID- 24238973
TI  - Postconditioning of the small intestine: which is the most effective algorithm in
      a rat model?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mesenteric ischemia is a serious clinical condition requiring
      immediate surgical intervention. The unavoidable ischemic-reperfusion (IR) injury
      may be ameliorated using the appropriate postconditioning protocol. The aim of
      the present study was to investigate the optimal postconditioning algorithm in a
      rat model of intestinal ischemic-reperfusion injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male
      Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n = 10), one sham-operated, one IR,
      and three postconditioned groups, each with different protocols. The animals were
      subjected to 60 min of mesenteric ischemia, followed by 60 min of reperfusion.
      Postconditioning was applied at the onset of reperfusion using three different
      algorithms. Arterial pressure and mucosal microcirculation were monitored
      throughout the experiment. Mesenteric pH was determined at the early phase of
      reperfusion. Blood and tissue samples were taken at the end of reperfusion for
      histologic evaluation, serum lactate dehydrogenase, serum creatine kinase, serum
      tumor necrosis factor-alpha, serum interleukin-6, detailed mucosal antioxidant,
      and scavenger capacity assays. RESULTS: The shorter and intermediate length
      cycles of postconditioning enhanced mucosal microcirculation and redox state and
      significantly delayed the normalization of mesenteric pH. Furthermore, milder
      histopathologic lesions and lower concentrations of serum necroenzymes and
      proinflammatory cytokines were detected compared with the IR group. The
      protective effect of postconditioning using longer cycles could only be seen in a
      tendentious manner. CONCLUSIONS: In a rat model of intestinal ischemia
      reperfusion, the shorter and intermediate length cycles of postconditioning
      proved to be more effective than the use of longer cycles.

PMID- 24238975
TI  - The pelvifemoral rhythm in cam-type femoroacetabular impingement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that femoroacetabular impingement is a
      potentially important risk factor for the development of early idiopathic
      osteoarthritis in the nondysplastic hip. Understanding of affected joint
      kinematics is a basic prerequisite in the evaluation of mechanical disorders in a
      clinical and research oriented setting. The aim of the present study was to
      compare pelvifemoral kinematics between subjects diagnosed with femoroacetabular
      impingement and healthy controls. METHODS: The authors collected motion data of
      the femur and pelvis on a total of 43 hips - 19 cam impingement hips and 24
      healthy controls - using a validated electromagnetic tracking device. The
      pelvifemoral rhythm in supine position was defined during both active and passive
      hip flexion and statistically compared between both groups. FINDINGS: A
      significant increase in posterior pelvic rotation was observed during active hip
      flexion in the femoroacetabular impingement group compared with the control group
      (P<0.001). During passive hip flexion, however, posterior pelvic rotation between
      the impingement group and the controls did not differ significantly (P=0.628).
      INTERPRETATION: Posterior pelvic rotation during active high-end hip flexion is
      increased in femoroacetabular impingement, indicating the presence of an active
      compensational mechanism that decreases the extent of harmful joint conflict
      during high-flexion activities.

PMID- 24238974
TI  - Trophic effect of adipose tissue-derived stem cells on porcine islet cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which are widely known as
      multipotent progenitor cells, release several cytokines that support cell
      survival and repair. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ADSC
      secreted molecules could induce a trophic effect in pancreatic islet culture
      conditions in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We cocultured porcine islet cells
      with ADSCs using a transwell system for 48 h and evaluated the viability of islet
      cells. We also determined the concentration levels of cytokines and insulin in
      the supernatant of the culture medium. We used anti-vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF) and anti-interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antibodies to investigate the
      effect of VEGF and IL-6 on islet cells. RESULTS: ADSCs improved the viability of
      islet cells in the absence of cell-cell contact (P < 0.05). VEGF and IL-6 levels
      in the culture medium increased when islet cells were cocultured with ADSCs (P <
      0.05). Furthermore, inhibition of VEGF decreased the viability of islet cells (P
      < 0.05); however, inhibition of IL-6 did not affect islet cell viability.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that trophic factors, particularly VEGF,
      secreted by human ADSCs enhanced the survival and function of porcine islet
      cells.

PMID- 24238976
TI  - The effects of prosthetic ankle stiffness on ankle and knee kinematics,
      prosthetic limb loading, and net metabolic cost of trans-tibial amputee gait.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies of commercially-available trans-tibial prosthetic
      components have been unable to provide clear insight into the relationships
      between prosthetic mechanical properties and user performance (i.e., gait quality
      and energy expenditure), the understanding of which is key to improving
      prosthesis design and prescription. Many of these studies have been limited by
      not characterising the mechanical properties of the tested prostheses and/or only
      considered level walking at self-selected speeds. The aim of this study was to
      conduct a systematic investigation of the effects of ankle rotational stiffness
      on trans-tibial amputee gait during various walking conditions reflective of
      those encountered during daily ambulation. METHODS: Ankle and knee kinematics,
      prosthetic limb normal ground reaction forces, and net metabolic cost were
      measured in five traumatic unilateral trans-tibial amputees during treadmill
      walking on the level, a 5% incline and a 5% decline whilst using an experimental
      articulated prosthetic foot with four different rotational stiffness setups and
      without changes in alignment between conditions. FINDINGS: Overall, lower
      dorsiflexion stiffness resulted in greater prosthetic side dorsiflexion motion
      and sound side knee flexion, reduced normal ground reaction force during the
      loading phase of prosthetic stance and reduced net metabolic cost.
      INTERPRETATION: Few differences were observed with changes in plantarflexion
      stiffness, most likely due to the foot achieving early foot flat. Low
      dorsiflexion stiffness generally improved gait performance seemingly due to
      easier tibial progression during stance. However, observed differences were
      small, suggesting that a wider range of walking and stiffness conditions would be
      useful to fully explore these effects in future studies.

PMID- 24238977
TI  - Real-time feedback enhances forward propulsion during walking in old adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reduced propulsive function during the push-off phase of walking
      plays a central role in the deterioration of walking ability with age. We used
      real-time propulsive feedback to test the hypothesis that old adults have an
      underutilized propulsive reserve available during walking. METHODS: 8 old adults
      (mean [SD], age: 72.1 [3.9] years) and 11 young adults (age: 21.0 [1.5] years)
      participated. For our primary aim, old subjects walked: 1) normally, 2) with
      visual feedback of their peak propulsive ground reaction forces, and 3) with
      visual feedback of their medial gastrocnemius electromyographic activity during
      push-off. We asked those subjects to match a target set to 20% and 40% greater
      propulsive force or push-off muscle activity than normal walking. We tested young
      subjects walking normally only to provide reference ground reaction force values.
      FINDINGS: Walking normally, old adults exerted 12.5% smaller peak propulsive
      forces than young adults (P<0.01). However, old adults significantly increased
      their propulsive forces and push-off muscle activities when we provided
      propulsive feedback. Most notably, force feedback elicited propulsive forces that
      were equal to or 10.5% greater than those of young adults (+20% target, P=0.87;
      +40% target, P=0.02). With electromyographic feedback, old adults significantly
      increased their push-off muscle activities but without increasing their
      propulsive forces. INTERPRETATION: Old adults with propulsive deficits have a
      considerable and underutilized propulsive reserve available during level walking.
      Further, real-time propulsive feedback represents a promising therapeutic
      strategy to improve the forward propulsion of old adults and thus maintain their
      walking ability and independence.

PMID- 24238978
TI  - Biomechanical mechanisms of toe-out gait performance in people with and without
      knee osteoarthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Toe-out gait modification (increased toe-out angle) has been proposed
      to decrease medial knee joint loading and slow disease progression in patients
      with knee osteoarthritis. However, the manner in which toe-out gait modification
      is performed is unknown. The purposes of this study were to assess the
      biomechanical strategies of achieving a toe-out gait, and to compare these
      strategies between older individuals with knee osteoarthritis and young, healthy
      individuals. METHODS: Lower limb biomechanics were evaluated for ten patients
      with knee osteoarthritis and for ten young, healthy individuals during treadmill
      walking. Two trials, consisting of natural gait followed by a ten degree increase
      in toe-out angle were performed. Transverse plane rotations of the thigh, shank
      and foot segments were calculated and compared between walking conditions and
      groups. FINDINGS: External rotation changes with toe-out were significantly
      different between the thigh and shank, and thigh and foot (P<0.001), but not
      between the shank and foot (P=0.48). External rotation at each segment was not
      significantly different (P>0.05) between groups, with the exception of thigh
      rotation during natural gait (P=0.04). INTERPRETATION: Current findings suggest
      that increased toe-out gait is primarily achieved through rotation of the shank
      and foot, with less contribution from the thigh, and those individuals with knee
      osteoarthritis perform a toe-out gait biomechanically similar to young, healthy
      individuals. Gait modification programs should address individuals' limitations,
      such as joint stiffness, to ensure functional performance of toe-out gait
      modification.

PMID- 24238979
TI  - 'The midwives aren't allowed to tell you': perceived infant feeding policy
      restrictions in a formula feeding culture - the Feeding Your Baby Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to explore the expectations and experiences of postnatal mothers in
      relation to infant feeding, and to identify how care could be improved. DESIGN:
      this study used a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design. Data were
      collected through one to one in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus
      groups. SETTING: Tayside area of Eastern Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: seven focus
      group interviews (n=38 participants) and 40 semi-structured one-to-one interviews
      with mothers with a range of infant feeding experiences i.e. exclusively breast
      fed; started breast feeding but changed to formula milk before 16 weeks;
      exclusively formula fed; or who concurrently breast and formula fed their infant.
      FINDINGS: a principal theme of 'Mixed and missing messages' emerged,
      incorporating 'Conflicting advice', 'Information gaps' and 'Pressure to breast
      feed' with a secondary theme of 'Emotional costs'. Several problems were
      identified with how women were given information, how infant feeding discussions
      were held, and the type of support available after the infant is born. KEY
      CONCLUSIONS: there was a strong perception that some midwives are not 'allowed'
      to discuss or provide information on formula feeding, and the women reported
      feeling pressurised to breast feed. Current interpretation of guidance from the
      UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative may be restricting antenatal discussions about
      infant feeding. The combination of this partial preparation antenatally and
      postnatal support that was often inconsistent seems to incur a counter-productive
      emotional cost. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: at strategic, policy and practice
      levels the infant feeding message needs to change to encourage a more woman
      centred focus including discussions about the realities of all types of infant
      feeding. It is important that health providers continue to promote and support
      breast feeding; and that effective services are provided to women who wish to
      breast feed to help them to do so. However provision of information about all
      aspects of feeding is needed as well as support for women who do not wish to
      breast feed.

PMID- 24238980
TI  - Realities, difficulties, and outcomes for mothers choosing to breastfeed:
      primigravid mothers experiences in the early postpartum period (6-8 weeks).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to develop an understanding of primiparous women's experiences and
      challenges of breast feeding in the early postpartum period at two BFI accredited
      hospitals in the East Midlands in the UK that has lower rates of sustained breast
      feeding. DESIGN AND SETTING: a hermeneutic or interpretive phenomenology study
      was conducted across two hospitals in the East Midlands, UK. DATA COLLECTION: 22
      primigravid women completed a daily written diary maintained for six weeks post
      birth. In addition, interviews were conducted with 13 women, nine who had
      completed a diary and four who did not return a diary but wanted to be
      interviewed, providing 26 different women's perspectives on their breast feeding
      experiences either from a diary or interview. FINDINGS: three main themes emerged
      from the interviews and written diaries: (1) mothers experience a 'roller
      coaster' of emotions in relation to trying to establish breast feeding, (2)
      mothers perceive health care professionals as the 'experts' on breast feeding and
      (3) mothers had difficulties in breast feeding their infants in public, including
      in front of family and family and when away from their homes. CONCLUSIONS: women
      were ill prepared for the realities of breast feeding despite their antenatal
      intention to breast feed. Mothers had a preconceived idea that breast feeding
      would be 'natural' and without difficulty. When problems occurred, they perceived
      this to be a breast feeding problem and so choose artificial milk. Mothers
      require ongoing support to breast feed, especially in the early postpartum
      period, but more realistic messages about breast feeding need to be included.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: there is a clear need for antenatal education to focus
      on preparing women for the realities of breast feeding, including newborn
      behaviour, which may affect women's perceptions of breast feeding. Local health
      care professionals need to draw upon national breast feeding strategies but
      develop a localised approach in order to address the regional variance.

PMID- 24238981
TI  - Millennium development goals: all good things must come to an end, so what next?

PMID- 24238982
TI  - A complementary dual-modality verification for tumor tracking on a gimbaled linac
      system.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: For dynamic tracking of moving tumors, robust intra
      fraction verification was required, to assure that tumor motion was properly
      managed during the course of radiotherapy. A dual-modality verification system,
      consisting of an on-board orthogonal kV and planar MV imaging device, was
      validated and applied retrospectively to patient data. METHODS AND MATERIALS:
      Real-time tumor tracking (RTTT) was managed by applying PAN and TILT angular
      corrections to the therapeutic beam using a gimbaled linac. In this study,
      orthogonal X-ray imaging and MV EPID fluoroscopy was acquired simultaneously. The
      tracking beam position was derived from respectively real-time gimbals log files
      and the detected field outline on EPID. For both imaging modalities, the moving
      target was localized by detection of an implanted fiducial. The dual-modality
      tracking verification was validated against a high-precision optical camera in
      phantom experiments and applied to clinical tracking data from a liver and two
      lung cancer patients. RESULTS: Both verification modalities showed a high
      accuracy (<0.3mm) during validation on phantom. Marker detection on EPID was
      influenced by low image contrast. For the clinical cases, gimbaled tracking
      showed a 90th percentile error (E90) of 3.45 (liver), 2.44 (lung A) and 3.40 mm
      (lung B) based on EPID fluoroscopy and good agreement with XR-log file data by an
      E90 of 3.13, 1.92 and 3.33 mm, respectively, during beam on. CONCLUSION: Dual
      modality verification was successfully implemented, offering the possibility of
      detailed reporting on RTTT performance.

PMID- 24238984
TI  - Treatment of positional plagiocephaly--helmet or no helmet?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Positional plagiocephaly has attained widespread attention. There
      is a lot of data on helmet therapy available, but the natural course of the
      deformity has not been investigated in depth. The decision for or against helmet
      therapy can be controversial. This study examined the outcome of both options.
      METHODS: 128 infants were enrolled in this prospective, non-randomized,
      longitudinal study. 62 were treated with and 66 without a helmet. The initial
      cranial vault asymmetry index (modified CVAI) was determined at 6.3 and 6.2
      months of age (SD 1.44/2.14). Follow-up took place at the end of helmet therapy
      (age: 10.2 months, SD 1.77) or after 1 year (age: 18.5 months, SD 2.28)
      respectively. The outcome and the correlation of the changes to the initial
      asymmetry were compared. RESULTS: All infants showed a significant reduction of
      their plagiocephaly. Although children with helmet had more severe asymmetry
      initially, they showed significantly better improvement (68% vs. 31%). Only a
      weak correlation was found between the initial asymmetry and the amount of
      improvement in both groups. CONCLUSION: Despite concerns against helmet therapy
      (comfort, finances), it should be the treatment of choice for moderate to severe
      cases. Only mild cases (modified CVAI <= 6.5%) can be adequately treated by
      conservative, i.e. non-helmet, management.

PMID- 24238983
TI  - What patients consider important: temporal variations by early and late stage
      oral, oropharyngeal and laryngeal subsites.
AB  - Functional outcomes are of high priority to cancer patients and are relevant when
      considering treatment strategies. This study aimed to collate and analyse
      importance rankings of UW-QOL over time for patients treated with curative intent
      for primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma between 2000 and 2010, and to
      compare early and late stage oral, oropharyngeal and laryngeal subsites. There
      were 1614 patients comprising oral cavity 47% (751), oropharyngeal 24% (382),
      laryngeal 20% (320) and other HNC locations 10% (161). Items of importance
      remained relatively stable within clinical groups but there were notable
      differences between groups. For patients with early oral tumours no domain was
      especially dominant, whereas for late oral tumours swallowing, chewing, speech
      and saliva were selected more often. Swallowing and saliva were more important in
      oropharyngeal tumours, as was taste with more advanced oropharyngeal tumours.
      Speech and activity were important for those with early laryngeal tumours, as
      were swallowing and speech for more advanced laryngeal tumours. Swallowing and
      saliva were more important in advanced tumours for all sites. This data confirms
      the priority patients place on swallowing, chewing, speech, and saliva, therefore
      curative treatments should optimise these functions wherever possible and provide
      access to post-treatment interventions as required. 

PMID- 24238985
TI  - Immune characterization of long pentraxin 3 in pigs infected with influenza
      virus.
AB  - Long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a conserved pattern-recognition secreted protein and a
      host-defence-related component of the humoral innate immune system. The aim of
      the present study was to characterize swine PTX3 (SwPTX3) protein expression in
      influenza virus infected pigs. First, we performed in silico studies to evaluate
      the cross-reactivity of PTX3 human antibodies against SwPTX3. Secondly, we used
      in vitro analysis to detect SwPTX3 presence in swine bone marrow dendritic cells
      (SwBMDC) upon stimulation with different agents by Western blot and
      immunofluorescence. Finally, the levels of SwPTX3 were assessed in experimental
      infection of pigs with different strains of influenza virus. This is a novel
      study where the expression of SwPTX3 was evaluated in the context of a pathogen
      infection. The initial characterization of SwPTX3 in influenza virus infected
      pigs contributes to understand the role of PTX proteins in the immune response.

PMID- 24238986
TI  - Enzyme activities of aerobic lignocellulolytic bacteria isolated from wet
      tropical forest soils.
AB  - Lignocellulolytic bacteria have promised to be a fruitful source of new enzymes
      for next-generation lignocellulosic biofuel production. Puerto Rican tropical
      forest soils were targeted because the resident microbes decompose biomass
      quickly and to near-completion. Isolates were initially screened based on growth
      on cellulose or lignin in minimal media. 75 Isolates were further tested for the
      following lignocellulolytic enzyme activities: phenol oxidase, peroxidase, beta-d
      glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, beta-xylopyranosidase, chitinase, CMCase, and
      xylanase. Cellulose-derived isolates possessed elevated beta-d-glucosidase,
      CMCase, and cellobiohydrolase activity but depressed phenol oxidase and
      peroxidase activity, while the contrary was true of lignin isolates, suggesting
      that these bacteria are specialized to subsist on cellulose or lignin.
      Cellobiohydrolase and phenol oxidase activity rates could classify lignin and
      cellulose isolates with 61% accuracy, which demonstrates the utility of model
      degradation assays. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, all isolates belonged to
      phyla dominant in the Puerto Rican soils, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and
      Actinobacteria, suggesting that many dominant taxa are capable of the rapid
      lignocellulose degradation characteristic of these soils. The isolated genera
      Aquitalea, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, Gordonia, and Paenibacillus
      represent rarely or never before studied lignolytic or cellulolytic species and
      were undetected by metagenomic analysis of the soils. The study revealed a
      relationship between phylogeny and lignocellulose-degrading potential, supported
      by Kruskal-Wallis statistics which showed that enzyme activities of cultivated
      phyla and genera were different enough to be considered representatives of
      distinct populations. This can better inform future experiments and enzyme
      discovery efforts. 

PMID- 24238987
TI  - Pseudomonas aestusnigri sp. nov., isolated from crude oil-contaminated intertidal
      sand samples after the Prestige oil spill.
AB  - Strains VGXO14(T) and Vi1 were isolated from the Atlantic intertidal shore from
      Galicia, Spain, after the Prestige oil spill. Both strains were Gram-negative rod
      shaped bacteria with one polar inserted flagellum, strictly aerobic, and able to
      grow at 18-37 degrees C, pH 6-10 and 2-10% NaCl. A preliminary analysis of the
      16S rRNA and the partial rpoD gene sequences indicated that these strains
      belonged to the Pseudomonas genus but were distinct from any known Pseudomonas
      species. A polyphasic taxonomic approach including phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic,
      phenotypic and genotypic data confirmed that the strains belonged to the
      Pseudomonas pertucinogena group. In a multilocus sequence analysis, the
      similarity of VGXO14(T) and Vi1 to the closest type strain of the group,
      Pseudomonas pachastrellae, was 90.4%, which was lower than the threshold of 97%
      established to discriminate species in the Pseudomonas genus. The DNA-DNA
      hybridisation similarity between strains VGXO14(T) and Vi1 was 79.6%, but below
      70% with the type strains in the P. pertucinogena group. Therefore, the strains
      should be classified within the genus Pseudomonas as a novel species, for which
      the name Pseudomonas aestusnigri is proposed. The type strain is VGXO14(T) (=CCUG
      64165(T)=CECT 8317(T)). 

PMID- 24238988
TI  - Cell-specific expression and immunolocalization of nitric oxide synthase isoforms
      and soluble guanylyl cyclase alpha and beta subunits in postnatal porcine uteri.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the cellular expression and
      immunolocalization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and soluble guanylyl
      cyclase (sGC) subunits in postnatal porcine uteri. Immunohistochemical
      experiments showed that three isoforms of NOS were mainly localized in the
      uterine luminal and glandular epithelium and myometrium, and the intensity of
      immunostaining for iNOS and eNOS was increased gradually with temporal
      development of the postnatal uterus. In addition, sGC subunits, sGCalpha1 and
      beta, were present in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium, myometrium
      and stromal cells. The uterine NOS activity data showed that the total NOS and
      iNOS activities were significantly increased at postnatal days 21 and 35.
      Although constitutive NOS activity was increased at postnatal day 21, it
      decreased subsequently at postnatal day 35. Immunoblot analysis revealed that
      iNOS protein expression was significantly increased at postnatal days 21 and 35.
      Furthermore, sGCalpha1 protein expression was not significantly changed
      throughout days 7 to 35. Collectively, our findings suggest that NO/cGMP
      signaling is involved in the process of postnatal porcine uterine development. 

PMID- 24238989
TI  - Single administration of butylparaben induces spermatogenic cell apoptosis in
      prepubertal rats.
AB  - Parabens are p-hydroxybenzoic acid ester compounds widely used as preservatives
      in foods, cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceuticals. Some parabens, including
      butylparaben, exert an estrogenic activity as determined by in vitro estrogen
      receptor assay and in vivo uterotrophic assay, and adversely affect endocrine
      secretion and male reproductive function. We conducted a research study to
      evaluate the acute effects of butylparaben on testicular tissues of prepubertal
      rats. Three-week-old male rats (n=8) were given a single dose of 1000mg/kg
      butylparaben. The rats were sacrificed under anesthesia at 3, 6 and 24h after
      administration, and their testes were collected for histopathological
      examination. The study revealed progressive detachment and sloughing of
      spermatogenic cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules at 3h, and this
      effect was enhanced at 6h after administration. Thin seminiferous epithelia and
      wide tubular lumina were seen at 24h in the butylparaben-treated group, compared
      to the control. In order to clarify whether sloughed spermatogenic cells
      underwent apoptosis, TUNEL assay was carried out. We found a significant increase
      in the number of apoptotic spermatogenic cells in all the treated groups,
      compared to the controls and a maximal number of apoptotic cells were detected at
      6h after administration. In semithin sections, apoptotic cells were easily
      detected by their prominent basophilia and condensed chromatin, mainly found in
      spermatocytes. Ultrastructurally, the condensed chromatin and shrunken cytoplasm
      and nucleus, hallmarks of apoptotic cell death, were observed in butylparaben
      treated groups. These observations lead us to postulate that butylparaben,
      similar to other estrogenic compounds, also induces spermatogenic cell apoptosis.

PMID- 24238990
TI  - Hypercapnia affects the functional coupling of resting state
      electroencephalographic rhythms and cerebral haemodynamics in healthy elderly
      subjects and in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR) and coherence of resting state
      electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms are impaired in Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      patients. Here we tested the hypothesis that these two variables could be
      related. METHODS: We investigated VMR and coherence of resting state EEG rhythms
      in nine normal elderly (Nold) and in 10 amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
      subjects. Resting state eyes-closed EEG data were recorded at baseline pre-CO2
      (ambient air, 2 min), during 7% CO2/air mixture inhalation (hypercapnia, 90 s)
      and post-CO2 (ambient air, 2 min) conditions. Simultaneous frontal bilateral near
      infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was performed to assess VMR by cortical oxy- and
      deoxy-haemoglobin concentration changes. EEG coherence across all electrodes was
      computed at delta (2-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha 1 (8-10.5 Hz), alpha 2 (10.5-13
      Hz), beta 1 (13-20 Hz), beta 2 (20-30 Hz) and gamma (30-40 Hz) bands. RESULTS: In
      Nold subjects, 'total coherence' of EEG across all frequency bands and electrode
      pairs decreased during hypercapnia, with full recovery during post-CO2. Total
      coherence resulted lower in pre-CO2 and post-CO2 and presented poor reactivity
      during CO2 inhalation in MCI patients compared with Nold subjects. Hypercapnia
      increased oxy-haemoglobin and decreased deoxy-haemoglobin concentrations in both
      groups. Furthermore, the extent of changes in these variables during CO2
      challenge was correlated with the EEG coherence, as a reflection of neurovascular
      coupling. CONCLUSIONS: Hypercapnia induced normal frontal VMR that was detected
      by NIRS in both Nold and amnesic MCI groups, while it produced a reactivity of
      global functional coupling of resting state EEG rhythms only in the Nold group.
      SIGNIFICANCE: In amnesic MCI patients, global EEG functional coupling is
      basically low in amplitude and does not react to hypercapnia.

PMID- 24238991
TI  - Modulation of neck muscle activity induced by intra-oral stimulation in humans.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of painful electrical stimuli applied to
      intra-oral tissues around the teeth on the neck muscle activity in healthy
      humans. METHODS: Electromyographic (EMG) responses of the dorsal neck muscles
      evoked by intra-oral electrical stimulation were recorded before and after local
      anesthesia to the stimulus site in 17 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Inhibition of
      dorsal neck muscle EMG activities on average 80% compared to baseline level was
      observed with a latency around 50 ms after the electrical stimulation before
      anesthesia, and the EMG activity inhibition decreased after anesthesia of the
      intra-oral stimulus site. The perceived intensity of the electrical stimuli as
      scored on a visual analogue scale (VAS) was 6.1 +/- 0.4 cm before anesthesia and
      1.5 +/- 0.2 cm after anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Intra-oral stimulation can inhibit
      neck muscle activity. This modulation might be attributed mainly to nociceptive
      afferent nerves however, non-nociceptive fibers could also be responsible.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Intra-oral information including nociceptive activity can inhibit
      neck muscle activity. From a clinical viewpoint, the present findings demonstrate
      the neural connectivity between the trigeminal region and the cervical region
      raising the possibility that orofacial pain conditions could influence head, neck
      and shoulder activity.

PMID- 24238992
TI  - Cardiac myxoma with glandular elements: a clinicopathological and
      immunohistochemical study of five new cases with an emphasis on differential
      diagnosis.
AB  - This paper reported five new cases of cardiac myxoma with glandular components,
      known as glandular cardiac myxoma. The goals of this study were to analyze the
      clinicopathological features of this disease and to explore new features for
      differential diagnosis. The patient series included three women and two men. All
      tumors were located in the left atrium without invasion of the adjacent
      myocardium. Patients presented with cardiac-related or embolization symptoms.
      Histologically, neoplasms consisted of well-formed glandular structures and
      typical myxoma areas. No nuclear atypia, mitosis, or necrosis was identified in
      the glandular structures. Glandular lining cells were strongly positive for pan
      cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, CAM5.2 and cytokeratin 7, but were
      negative for some organ-specific markers, such as thyroid transcription factor-1,
      calretinin, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, gross cystic disease fluid
      protein, prostate-specific antigen, prostate-specific acid phosphatase,
      cytokeratin 20 and caudal type homeobox 2. In conclusion, glandular cardiac
      myxoma is a rare disease which shows characteristics similar to those of
      classical cardiac myxoma. Because of its rarity, glandular cardiac myxoma must be
      distinguished from adenocarcinoma metastatic to the heart. The combination of
      histopathological features and immunohistochemical profiles should improve the
      diagnostic accuracy of glandular cardiac myxoma. 

PMID- 24238993
TI  - Analysis of the combustion and pyrolysis of dried sewage sludge by TGA and MS.
AB  - In this study, the combustion and pyrolysis processes of three sewage sludge were
      investigated. The sewage sludge came from three wastewater treatment plants.
      Proximate and ultimate analyses were performed. The thermal behaviour of studied
      sewage sludge was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis with mass
      spectrometry (TGA-MS). The samples were heated from ambient temperature to 800 
      degrees C at a constant rate 10  degrees C/min in air (combustion process) and
      argon flows (pyrolysis process). The thermal profiles presented in form of TG/DTG
      curves were comparable for studied sludges. All TG/DTG curves were divided into
      three stages. The main decomposition of sewage sludge during the combustion
      process took place in the range 180-580  degrees C with c.a. 70% mass loss. The
      pyrolysis process occurred in lower temperature but with less mass loss. The
      evolved gaseous products (H2, CH4, CO2, H2O) from the decomposition of sewage
      sludge were identified on-line.

PMID- 24238994
TI  - The use of agricultural substrates to improve methane yield in anaerobic co
      digestion with pig slurry: effect of substrate type and inclusion level.
AB  - Anaerobic co-digestion of pig slurry with four agricultural substrates (tomato,
      pepper, persimmon and peach) was investigated. Each agricultural substrate was
      tested in co-digestion with pig slurry at four inclusion levels: 0%, 15%, 30% and
      50%. Inclusion levels consisted in the replacement of the volatile solids (VS)
      from the pig slurry with the VS from the agricultural substrate. The effect of
      substrate type and inclusion level on the biochemical methane potential (BMP) was
      evaluated in a batch assay performed at 35  degrees C for 100 days. Agricultural
      substrate's chemical composition was also analyzed and related with BMP.
      Additionally, Bacteria and Archaea domains together with the four main
      methanogenic archaeal orders were quantified using quantitative real-time TaqMan
      polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) at the end of the experiment to determine the
      influence of agricultural substrate on sludge's microbial composition. Results
      showed that vegetable substrates (pepper and tomato) had higher lipid and protein
      content and lower carbohydrates than fruit substrates (persimmon and peach).
      Among substrates, vegetable substrates showed higher BMP than fruit substrates.
      Higher BMP values were obtained with increasing addition of agricultural
      substrate. The replacement of 50% of VS from pig slurry by tomato and pepper
      increased BMP in 41% and 44%, respectively compared with pig slurry only. Lower
      increments in BMP were achieved with lower inclusion levels. Results from qPCR
      showed that total bacteria and total archaea gene concentrations were similar in
      all combinations tested. Methanomicrobiales gene concentrations dominated over
      the rest of individual archaeal orders.

PMID- 24238995
TI  - Thyroglossal duct papillary carcinoma in a 15-year old female and review of
      pediatric cases of thyroglossal duct carcinoma.
AB  - Thyroglossal duct carcinoma is rare, occurring in approximately 1% of
      thyroglossal duct cysts. Excluding this case report there have been 25 cases of
      adolescent thyroglossal duct carcinoma reported in the English literature thus
      far. Most of the pathology reported has been papillary or follicular carcinoma,
      leading to the question of whether or not to perform concurrent thyroidectomy.
      Based on our review of the pediatric cases of thyroglossal duct carcinoma we
      elected not to perform a concurrent thyroidectomy and recommend close follow-up
      to monitor for signs of future thyroid involvement. 

PMID- 24238996
TI  - Immunolocalization of Smurf1 in Hirano bodies.
AB  - The Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1) is one of the E3 ubiquitin
      ligases and is related to multiple biological processes. Despite the various
      roles played by this protein, there is no report on the function of Smurf1 in
      neurodegeneration. Hirano bodies (HBs) are intracellular structures within
      neuronal processes and were first described in the hippocampus of individuals
      with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the parkinsonism-dementia complex of Guam.
      In addition, the number of HBs increases in the brains of patients with
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared with age-matched non-demented control
      individuals. In this study, we immunohistochemically demonstrated that Smurf1
      localized in HBs in the brains of patients with AD by using plural anti-Smurf1
      antibodies, and Smurf1 co-localized with HBs marker proteins by using confocal
      microscopy. Moreover, we demonstrated that Smurf1 localized in HB-like F-actin
      aggregates in a cell culture system via treatment with the actin-stabilizing
      toxin jasplakinolide (jpk). Smurf1 represents a novel protein component of HBs,
      to be included in an expanding list of HB-associated proteins. 

PMID- 24238997
TI  - Abdominal paresthesia resembling restless legs syndrome successfully treated with
      iron supplement therapy: a case report.

PMID- 24238998
TI  - Contribution of cerebral vasospasm to delayed cerebral ischemia following
      aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PMID- 24238999
TI  - Interleukin 17A evoked mucosal damage is attenuated by cannabidiol and anandamide
      in a human colonic explant model.
AB  - Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) is a cytokine linked to inflammatory bowel disease. We
      investigated IL-17A expression in human colonic mucosa, whether IL-17A can elicit
      colonic mucosal damage in a human explant model and modulate gastrointestinal
      epithelial permeability in cell culture. We also tested if select cannabinoid
      ligands, shown to be protective in colitis models could attenuate damage caused
      by IL-17A. In addition, the ability of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and
      IL-1beta to modulate levels of IL-17A in the explant colitis model was also
      explored. IL-17A incubation caused significant mucosal epithelial and crypt
      damage which were attenuated following hydrocortisone treatment, and also reduced
      following anandamide or cannabidiol incubation. IL-17A-evoked mucosal damage was
      also associated with an increase in matrix metalloprotease activity. However, IL
      17A did not induce any significant changes in epithelial permeability in
      confluent Caco-2 cell monolayers over a 48h incubation period. IL-17A was located
      predominantly in human mucosal epithelium together with IL-17C, but both IL-17A
      and IL-17C were also expressed in the lamina propria and submucosa. Incubation of
      human colonic mucosal tissue or Caco-2 cells with pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF
      alpha and IL-1beta however did not alter IL-17A expression. These results
      indicate IL-17A has a widespread distribution in the human colon and the capacity
      to elicit mucosal damage which can be attenuated by cannabinoid ligands. 

PMID- 24239000
TI  - How effective are public health departments at preventing mortality?
AB  - This study estimates the causal impact of variation in the expenditures of
      California county departments of public health on all-cause mortality rates and
      the associated value of lives saved. Since the activities of county departments
      of public health are likely to affect mortality rates with a lag, Koyck
      distributed lag models are estimated using the Lewbel instrumental variables
      estimator. The findings show that an additional $10 per capita of public health
      expenditures reduces all-cause mortality by 9.1 deaths per 100,000. At current
      funding levels, the long-run annual number of lives saved by the presence of
      county departments of public health in California is estimated to be
      approximately 27,000 (26,937 lives, 95% confidence interval: [11,963, 41,911]).
      The annual value of these lives is estimated to be worth $212.8 billion using
      inflation-adjusted standard U.S. government estimates of the value of a
      statistical life ($7.9 million). 

PMID- 24239001
TI  - Putting together "Shattered Dreams": a program to reduce alcohol-related and
      distracted driving-related car crashes among adolescents.

PMID- 24239002
TI  - Chromogranin A is a T cell antigen in human type 1 diabetes.
AB  - Chromogranin A (ChgA) is a beta cell secretory granule protein and a peptide of
      ChgA, WE14, was recently identified as a ligand for diabetogenic CD4 T cell
      clones derived from the NOD mouse. In this study we compared responses of human
      CD4 T cells from recent onset type 1 diabetic (T1D) and control subjects to WE14
      and to an enzymatically modified version of this peptide. T cell responders to
      antigens were detected in PBMCs from study subjects by an indirect CD4 ELISPOT
      assay for IFN-gamma. T1D patients (n = 27) were recent onset patients within one
      year of diagnosis, typed for HLA-DQ8. Controls (n = 31) were either 1st degree
      relatives with no antibodies or from the HLA-matched general population cohort of
      DAISY/TEDDY. A second cohort of patients (n = 11) and control subjects (n = 11)
      was tested at lower peptide concentrations. We found that WE14 is recognized by T
      cells from diabetic subjects vs. controls in a dose dependent manner. Treatment
      of WE14 with transglutaminase increased reactivity to the peptide in some
      patients. This work suggests that ChgA is an important target antigen in human
      T1D subjects and that post-translational modification may play a role in its
      reactivity and relationship to disease. 

PMID- 24239004
TI  - Characterization of craniofacial sutures using the finite element method.
AB  - Characterizing the biomechanical behavior of sutures in the human craniofacial
      skeleton (CFS) is essential to understand the global impact of these
      articulations on load transmission, but is challenging due to the complexity of
      their interdigitated morphology, the multidirectional loading they are exposed to
      and the lack of well-defined suture material properties. This study aimed to
      quantify the impact of morphological features, direction of loading and suture
      material properties on the mechanical behavior of sutures and surrounding bone in
      the CFS. Thirty-six idealized finite element (FE) models were developed. One
      additional specimen-specific FE model was developed based on the morphology
      obtained from a uCT scan to represent the morphological complexity inherent in
      CFS sutures. Outcome variables of strain energy (SE) and von Mises stress
      (sigmavm) were evaluated to characterize the sutures' biomechanical behavior.
      Loading direction was found to impact the relationship between SE and
      interdigitation index and yielded varied patterns of sigmavm in both the suture
      and surrounding bone. Adding bone connectivity reduced suture strain energy and
      altered the sigmavm distribution. Incorporating transversely isotropic material
      properties was found to reduce SE, but had little impact on stress patterns. High
      resolution uCT scanning of the suture revealed a complex morphology with areas of
      high and low interdigitations. The specimen specific suture model results were
      reflective of SE absorption and sigmavm distribution patterns consistent with the
      simplified FE results. Suture mechanical behavior is impacted by morphologic
      factors (interdigitation and connectivity), which may be optimized for regional
      loading within the CFS. 

PMID- 24239003
TI  - Low-molecular-weight heparin for anti-coagulation after left ventricular assist
      device implantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-coagulation is required in patients with left ventricular assist
      devices (LVADs). We evaluated the feasibility of low-molecular-weight heparin
      (LMWH) for initiation of anti-coagulation and transitioning to oral anti
      coagulation after LVAD implantation. METHODS: This single-center study included
      78 consecutive patients who underwent either Thoratec HeartMate II LVAD (n = 27)
      or HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD, n = 51) implantation. The LMWHs
      enoxaparin (n = 50) and dalteparin (n = 28) were used. LMWH was started within 24
      hours post-operatively in 79.5% of patients. No anti-coagulation was given before
      starting LMWH therapy. LMWH activity was monitored by determination of anti
      factor Xa levels in plasma. RESULTS: The majority of patients (80.7%) had peak
      anti-Xa activity within the defined range of efficacy of 0.2 to 0.4 IU/ml by the
      second day of treatment. Mean effective peak anti-Xa activity was 0.28 +/- 0.06
      IU/ml. Mean duration of anti-coagulation with LMWH was 25.8 +/- 18 days. Ischemic
      strokes were observed in 3 patients (3.8%), with a total of 4 events. Three
      events occurred while on LMWH, and 1 event occurred during follow-up on oral anti
      coagulation. There was 1 fatal stroke. No pump thrombus was observed. Major
      bleeding was observed in 5 patients (6.4%), with a total of 6 events.
      Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common complication (n = 3). There were no
      fatal bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS: LMWH in the setting of LVAD shows rapid and
      constant biologic efficacy. Anti-coagulation with LMWH appears feasible after
      LVAD implantation. These findings support further evaluation of LMWH as an
      alternative to unfractionated heparin in this patient cohort.

PMID- 24239005
TI  - Functional properties of bone marrow-derived MSC-based engineered cartilage are
      unstable with very long-term in vitro culture.
AB  - The success of stem cell-based cartilage repair requires that the regenerate
      tissue reach a stable state. To investigate the long-term stability of tissue
      engineered cartilage constructs, we assessed the development of compressive
      mechanical properties of chondrocyte and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-laden three
      dimensional agarose constructs cultured in a well defined chondrogenic in vitro
      environment through 112 days. Consistent with previous reports, in the presence
      of TGF-beta, chondrocytes outperformed MSCs through day 56, under both free
      swelling and dynamic culture conditions, with MSC-laden constructs reaching a
      plateau in mechanical properties between days 28 and 56. Extending cultures
      through day 112 revealed that MSCs did not simply experience a lag in
      chondrogenesis, but rather that construct mechanical properties never matched
      those of chondrocyte-laden constructs. After 56 days, MSC-laden constructs
      underwent a marked reversal in their growth trajectory, with significant declines
      in glycosaminoglycan content and mechanical properties. Quantification of
      viability showed marked differences in cell health between chondrocytes and MSCs
      throughout the culture period, with MSC-laden construct cell viability falling to
      very low levels at these extended time points. These results were not dependent
      on the material environment, as similar findings were observed in a
      photocrosslinkable hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel system that is highly supportive
      of MSC chondrogenesis. These data suggest that, even within a controlled in vitro
      environment that is conducive to chondrogenesis, there may be an innate
      instability in the MSC phenotype that is independent of scaffold composition, and
      may ultimately limit their application in functional cartilage repair. 

PMID- 24239006
TI  - Open questions in lipid droplet biology.
AB  - Lipid droplets (LDs) have been the focus of intense research for the past decade
      because of their active engagement in lipid metabolism and relationship with
      diseases. In contrast to other intracellular organelles, LDs are composed of a
      mass of hydrophobic lipid esters that is covered with a phospholipid monolayer.
      The unique architecture makes the LD a formidable object to study by the methods
      available today, and many fundamental questions remain unanswered. This review
      focuses on some of those questions, such as how LDs form and grow, how proteins
      move to and from LDs, and how LDs are related to protein degradation; we will
      also discuss what is not known about LDs. We think that small LDs that have thus
      far eluded analysis are the key to resolving many of the above-mentioned
      questions. 

PMID- 24239007
TI  - The end of an old hypothesis: the pseudomonas signaling molecules 4-hydroxy-2
      alkylquinolines derive from fatty acids, not 3-ketofatty acids.
AB  - Groups of pathogenic bacteria use diffusible signals to regulate their virulence
      in a concerted manner. Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines
      (HAQs), including 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ) and 3,4-dihydroxy-2
      heptylquinoline (PQS), as unique signals. We demonstrate that octanoic acid is
      directly incorporated into HHQ. This finding rules out the long-standing
      hypothesis that 3-ketofatty acids are the precursors of HAQs. We found that HAQ
      biosynthesis, which requires the PqsABCD enzymes, proceeds by a two-step pathway:
      (1) PqsD mediates the synthesis of 2-aminobenzoylacetate (2-ABA) from
      anthraniloyl-coenzyme A (CoA) and malonyl-CoA, then (2) the decarboxylating
      coupling of 2-ABA to an octanoate group linked to PqsC produces HHQ, the direct
      precursor of PQS. PqsB is tightly associated with PqsC and required for the
      second step. This finding uncovers promising targets for the development of
      specific antivirulence drugs to combat this opportunistic pathogen. 

PMID- 24239009
TI  - Catalytic mechanism of stereospecific formation of cis-configured prenylated
      pyrroloindoline diketopiperazines by indole prenyltransferases.
AB  - Indole prenyltransferases AnaPT, CdpC3PT, and CdpNPT are known to catalyze the
      formation of prenylated pyrroloindoline diketopiperazines from tryptophan
      containing cyclic dipeptides in one-step reactions. In this study, we
      investigated the different stereoselectivities of these enzymes toward all the
      stereoisomers of cyclo-Trp-Ala and cyclo-Trp-Pro. The stereoselectivities of
      AnaPT and CdpC3PT mainly depend on the configuration of the tryptophanyl moiety
      in the substrates, and they usually introduce the prenyl moiety from the opposite
      sides. CdpNPT showed lower stereoselectivity, and the structure of the second
      amino acid moiety in the substrates is important for the stereospecificity in its
      enzyme catalysis. Moreover, we determined the crystal structure of AnaPT in
      complex with thiolodiphosphate and compared it with the known structures of
      CdpNPT. Our results clearly revealed the presence of an indole binding mode that
      has so far not been characterized. 

PMID- 24239008
TI  - Identification of an allosteric pocket on human hsp70 reveals a mode of
      inhibition of this therapeutically important protein.
AB  - Hsp70s are important cancer chaperones that act upstream of Hsp90 and exhibit
      independent anti-apoptotic activities. To develop chemical tools for the study of
      human Hsp70, we developed a homology model that unveils a previously unknown
      allosteric site located in the nucleotide binding domain of Hsp70. Combining
      structure-based design and phenotypic testing, we discovered a previously unknown
      inhibitor of this site, YK5. In cancer cells, this compound is a potent and
      selective binder of the cytosolic but not the organellar human Hsp70s and has
      biological activity partly by interfering with the formation of active oncogenic
      Hsp70/Hsp90/client protein complexes. YK5 is a small molecule inhibitor
      rationally designed to interact with an allosteric pocket of Hsp70 and represents
      a previously unknown chemical tool to investigate cellular mechanisms associated
      with Hsp70. 

PMID- 24239010
TI  - The neural basis for writing from dictation in the temporoparietal cortex.
AB  - Cortical electrical stimulation mapping was used to study neural substrates of
      the function of writing in the temporoparietal cortex. We identified the sites
      involved in oral language (sentence reading and naming) and writing from
      dictation, in order to spare these areas during removal of brain tumours in 30
      patients (23 in the left, and 7 in the right hemisphere). Electrostimulation of
      the cortex impaired writing ability in 62 restricted cortical areas (.25 cm2).
      These were found in left temporoparietal lobes and were mostly located along the
      superior temporal gyrus (Brodmann's areas 22 and 42). Stimulation of right
      temporoparietal lobes in right-handed patients produced no writing impairments.
      However there was a high variability of location between individuals. Stimulation
      resulted in combined symptoms (affecting oral language and writing) in fourteen
      patients, whereas in eight other patients, stimulation-induced pure agraphia
      symptoms with no oral language disturbance in twelve of the identified areas.
      Each detected area affected writing in a different way. We detected the various
      different stages of the auditory-to-motor pathway of writing from dictation:
      either through comprehension of the dictated sentences (word deafness areas),
      lexico-semantic retrieval, or phonologic processing. In group analysis,
      barycentres of all different types of writing interferences reveal a hierarchical
      functional organization along the superior temporal gyrus from initial word
      recognition to lexico-semantic and phonologic processes along the ventral and the
      dorsal comprehension pathways, supporting the previously described auditory-to
      motor process. The left posterior Sylvian region supports different aspects of
      writing function that are extremely specialized and localized, sometimes being
      segregated in a way that could account for the occurrence of pure agraphia that
      has long-been described in cases of damage to this region.

PMID- 24239011
TI  - Incentivising reproducible research.

PMID- 24239012
TI  - Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms and acute coronary syndrome: no
      association in a Mexican population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to establish the role of the TLR-4
      gene polymorphisms in individuals in risk of developing ACS. METHODS: The study
      included 457 Mexican patients with ACS and 283 control individuals. The TLR-4
      Asp299Gly and TLR-4 Thr399Ile single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped
      using 5' exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays on an 7900HT Fast real-time PCR
      system according to manufacturer's instructions (Applied Biosystems, Foster City,
      USA). RESULTS: The results obtained in this study showed that the frequency of
      the two polymorphisms (TLR-4 Asp299Gly and TLR-4 Thr399Ile) studied were similar
      between patients with ACS and healthy controls. Multiple logistic regression
      analysis showed that the largest risk factor for ACS development was given by
      smoking (11.88-fold increased risk), hypertension (4.32-fold increased risk),
      type II diabetes (3.44-fold increased risk), gender (2.32-fold increased risk),
      and dyslipidemia (1.52-fold increased risk). CONCLUSION: The Asp299Gly and
      Thr399Ile polymorphisms were not associated with susceptibility to ACS in the
      Mexican population.

PMID- 24239013
TI  - The economic value of enteral medical nutrition in the management of disease
      related malnutrition: a systematic review.
AB  - Economic evaluations for medical nutrition, such as oral nutritional supplements
      (ONS), are relatively uncommon compared with other health technologies, and
      represent an area that has not been reviewed so far. In this systematic review,
      economic evaluations of enteral medical nutrition in the management of disease
      related malnutrition (DRM) were reviewed and qualified to estimate the economic
      value. Initially, 481 studies were found, of which 37 full-text articles were
      assessed for eligibility and were rated on their quality using the Quality of
      Health Economic Studies (QHES) instrument. The final review focused on the high
      QHES quality economic evaluation studies. As both the studied medical nutrition
      intervention and the form of the economic evaluation varied, a quantitative
      synthesis (meta-analysis) was not attempted but a critical analysis and
      comparison of the individual study results were performed. ONS was the most
      studied intervention, covering several patient populations and different health
      care settings. Outcomes included cost savings (n = 3), no significant extra costs
      per unit of clinical and/or functional improvement (n = 1), or significantly
      higher costs per unit of clinical and/or functional improvement but still cost
      effective for the used threshold (n = 4). This review shows that the use of
      enteral medical nutrition in the management of DRM can be efficient from a health
      economic perspective.

PMID- 24239014
TI  - Infection prevention and control standards in assisted living facilities: are
      residents' needs being met?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assisted living facilities (ALFs) provide housing and care to persons
      unable to live independently, and who often have increasing medical needs.
      Disease outbreaks illustrate challenges of maintaining adequate resident
      protections in these facilities. OBJECTIVES: Describe current state laws on
      assisted living admissions criteria, medical oversight, medication
      administration, vaccination requirements, and standards for infection control
      training. METHODS: We abstracted laws and regulations governing assisted living
      facilities for the 50 states using a structured abstraction tool. Selected
      characteristics were compared according to the time period in which the
      regulation took effect. Selected state health departments were queried regarding
      outbreaks identified in assisted living facilities. RESULTS: Of the 50 states,
      84% specify health-based admissions criteria to assisted living facilities; 60%
      require licensed health care professionals to oversee medical care; 88%
      specifically allow subcontracting with outside entities to provide routine
      medical services onsite; 64% address medication administration by assisted living
      facility staff; 54% specify requirements for some form of initial infection
      control training for all staff; 50% require reporting of disease outbreaks to the
      health department; 18% specify requirements to offer or require vaccines to
      staff; 30% specify requirements to offer or require vaccines to residents. Twelve
      states identified approximately 1600 outbreaks from 2010 to 2013, with influenza
      or norovirus infections predominating. CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variation in
      how assisted living facilities are regulated in the United States. States may
      wish to consider regulatory changes that ensure safe health care delivery, and
      minimize risks of infections, outbreaks of disease, and other forms of harm among
      assisted living residents.

PMID- 24239015
TI  - Structure-anti-MRSA activity relationship of macrocyclic bis(bibenzyl)
      derivatives.
AB  - We synthesized a series of macrocyclic bis(bibenzyl) derivatives, including
      riccardin-, isoplagiochin- and marchantin-class structures, and evaluated their
      antibacterial activity towards methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (anti
      MRSA activity). The structure-activity relationships and the results of molecular
      dynamics simulations indicated that bis(bibenzyl)s with potent anti-MRSA activity
      commonly have a 4-hydroxyl group at the D-benzene ring and a 2-hydroxyl group at
      the C-benzene ring in the hydrophilic part of the molecule, and an unsubstituted
      phenoxyphenyl group in the hydrophobic part of the molecule containing the A-B
      benzene rings. Pharmacological characterization of the bis(bibenzyl) derivatives
      and 2-phenoxyphenol fragment 25, previously proposed as the minimum structure of
      riccardin C 1 for anti-MRSA activity, indicated that they have different action
      mechanisms: the bis(bibenzyl)s are bactericidal, while 25 is bacteriostatic,
      showing only weak bactericidal activity. 

PMID- 24239016
TI  - Synthesis and antitumor-evaluation of 1,3-selenazole-containing 1,3,4-thiadiazole
      derivatives.
AB  - A series of novel 1,3-selenazole-containing 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives bearing
      Schiff base moieties were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro
      antiproliferative activities against human breast cancer cell MCF-7 and mouse
      lymphocyte leukemia cell L1210 by CCK-8 assay. The majority of the compounds
      showed better activity against MCF-7 cell, compared with lead compound PCS. In
      particular, compound 6c was the most potent compound with IC50 value of 4.02 MUM.

PMID- 24239017
TI  - Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of alpha-substituted isonipecotic
      acid benzothiazole analogues as potent bacterial type II topoisomerase
      inhibitors.
AB  - The discovery and optimisation of a new class of benzothiazole small molecules
      that inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV are described.
      Antibacterial properties have been demonstrated by activity against DNA gyrase
      ATPase and potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis,
      Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophilus influenzae. Further refinements to the
      scaffold designed to enhance drug-likeness included analogues bearing an alpha
      substituent to the carboxylic acid group, resulting in excellent solubility and
      favourable pharmacokinetic properties. 

PMID- 24239018
TI  - Comprehending renin inhibitor's binding affinity using structure-based
      approaches.
AB  - The performance of several structure-based design (SBD) approaches in predicting
      the binding affinity of diverse small molecule inhibitors co-crystallized to
      human renin was assessed to ascertain the modeling tool and method of choice
      required when dealing with structure-based lead optimization projects. Most of
      the SBD approaches investigated here were able to provide qualitative guidance,
      but quantitative accuracy as well as decisive discrimination between [in]actives
      is still not within reach. Such an outcome suggests that the current methods need
      improvement to capture the overall physics of the binding phenomenon for
      consistent applications in a lead optimization setting. 

PMID- 24239019
TI  - Arteriovenous fistula survival and needling technique: long-term results from a
      randomized buttonhole trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We previously have shown that buttonhole needling is associated with
      a reduction in hematoma and postulated that buttonhole needling may increase long
      term survival of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate AVF survival and complications in buttonhole versus standard needling.
      STUDY DESIGN: Long-term follow up of a randomized controlled trial in which
      participants were randomly assigned to standard or buttonhole needling and
      followed up until the AVF was abandoned or the study end date. SETTING &
      PARTICIPANTS: 140 long-term hemodialysis patients in Calgary, Alberta.
      INTERVENTION: Buttonhole needling with median time of exposure to the
      intervention of 13.2 (IQR, 7.8-19.4) months. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: Patients
      were prospectively followed up for study outcomes. Median follow-up times were
      17.2 (IQR, 11.9-37.8) and 19.2 (IQR, 12.5-41.0) months for standard and
      buttonhole needling, respectively (P=0.2). The primary outcome was median access
      survival in months. Other outcomes included assisted and unassisted patency
      rates, rates of surgical and radiologic interventions, and time to abandonment
      (months) of buttonhole. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar. The
      primary outcome, median access survival, was similar in both groups: 16.0 (IQR,
      10.6-29.3) and 18.4 (IQR, 10.9-32.7) months for standard and buttonhole needling,
      respectively (P=0.2). There were 7 (10.1%) and 6 (8.6%) thromboses with standard
      and buttonhole needling, respectively (P=0.6). Median fistulogram rates were
      similar between techniques (P=0.2 with intention-to-treat analysis). Most
      patients (46 of 70) abandoned buttonhole needling by a median of 11.3 (IQR, 4.8
      18.2) months. Median time to first infection for buttonhole needling was 11.1
      (IQR, 4.9-30.0) months. There were no infections in standard needling of AVFs.
      LIMITATIONS: Findings are limited to patients needled by multiple hemodialysis
      nurses and not applicable to self-needlers. CONCLUSIONS: AVFs with buttonhole
      needling did not have improved survival. The lack of survival benefit and higher
      risk of infection should be noted when promoting buttonhole needling.

PMID- 24239020
TI  - Consanguinity in Saudi Arabia: a unique opportunity for pediatric kidney
      research.
AB  - Identification of disease-related genes is a critical step in understanding the
      molecular basis of disease and developing targeted therapies. The genetic study
      of diseases occurring in the offspring of consanguineous unions is a powerful way
      to discover new disease genes. Pediatric nephrology provides an excellent example
      because ~70% of cases of kidney disease in childhood are congenital with a likely
      genetic basis. This percentage is likely to be even higher in countries with a
      high consanguinity rate, such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, there are
      a number of challenges, such as cultural, legal, and religious restrictions, that
      should be appreciated before carrying out genetic research in a tradition-bound
      country. In this article, we discuss the background, opportunities, and
      challenges involved with this unique opportunity to conduct studies of such
      genetic disorders. Keys to success include collaboration and an understanding of
      local traditions and laws. 

PMID- 24239022
TI  - Respiratory outcomes for the tiniest or most immature infants.
AB  - Extremely low birth weight (<1000 g birth weight) or extremely preterm (<28 weeks
      of gestation) infants are surviving in greater numbers as neonatal care advances.
      Many of these survivors, especially those who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia,
      have more respiratory ill health in the first years after discharge home, reduced
      respiratory function and impaired exercise capacity throughout childhood and into
      adulthood compared with term-born controls. It is important to establish the long
      term respiratory outcomes for the tiniest or most immature survivors as they grow
      older, since they may contribute disproportionately to rates of chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory ill-health in adulthood.

PMID- 24239021
TI  - Guidelines to decrease unanticipated hospital admission following
      adenotonsillectomy in the pediatric population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tonsillectomy has become one of the most commonly performed
      surgical procedures in the pediatric-aged patient. Many of these children are
      diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although polysomnography is
      considered the gold standard, many practioners rely on the clinical examination
      and parental history. Nationwide Children's Hospital recently instituted
      pediatric adenotonsillectomy guidelines for hospital admission to help determine
      which patients should be done in main hospital OR vs. outpatient surgery
      facility. The main goal was to decrease unanticipated admissions. The secondary
      goal was to determine areas for practice improvement. METHODS: Using databases
      for the hospital, operating room, and otolaryngology, all cases with CPT codes
      42820, 42830, 42825, 42826, and 42821 were evaluated from October 2009 to August
      2012 in the main operating room and 2 outpatient surgery centers. Data for each
      unanticipated admission were reviewed to determine whether the criteria were met
      according to the developed guidelines. Fisher's exact test was applied to the
      unplanned admission rate before and after the institution of the guidelines. Non
      paired t-test and a Fisher's exact test were used for comparison of the
      demographic data between the two groups. RESULTS: Following the institution of
      the pediatric adenotonsillectomy guidelines, the number of unanticipated
      admissions decreased from an absolute number of 88 to 43. This represents a
      decrease from 2.38% to 1.44% (p=0.008). Forty-two percent of the unanticipated
      admissions prior to establishing guidelines were in patients who would have met
      criteria for admission based on the guidelines. This decreased to 30% after
      establishing the guidelines. CONCLUSION: We found that the institution of
      pediatric adenotonsillectomy guidelines for patients undergoing
      adenotonsillectomy significantly decreased the rate of unanticipated admission.
      However, there was still a significant percentage (30%) of unanticipated
      admissions due to non-compliance with the guidelines demonstrating the need for
      ongoing practice improvement.

PMID- 24239023
TI  - Kinematics and muscle activity of the head, lumbar and knee joints during 180
      degrees  turning and sitting down task in older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The "180 degrees  turning and sitting down task" is a very conscious
      movement that requires focusing on turning at the exact moment, and very few
      studies address on this topic in older adults. The purpose of the study was to
      compare kinematics and electromyography of the head, lumbar and knee joints
      during 180 degrees turning in older and young adults. METHODS: Twenty older
      adults and 20 younger adults were assessed. A 16-channel telemetry
      electromyography system with electrogoniometers and an inclinometer were used to
      record the head, lumbar and knee joint kinematic and electromyography data during
      the 180 degrees  turning. This movement had been further divided into 4 phases
      (braking, mid-stance, swing, and terminal loading) for analysis. FINDINGS: There
      were significant differences in the joint displacement and muscular activity
      among the different phases. Comparison between groups showed that the older
      adults group had less lateral lumbar flexion, less knee flexion and lower
      velocity of the head and knee flexion compared to young adults during turning.
      The electromyography data of the left biceps femoris, left gastrocnemius and left
      erector spinae muscles in the older adults group showed significantly higher
      levels than in the young adults. INTERPRETATION: Older adults need to adjust
      velocities of moving joints and increase the extensor synergy muscles of the back
      and the stance leg to provide posture stability. Kinematics and neuromuscular
      modulations of the head, lumbar and knee are required according to the various
      phases of the turn movements and change with aging.

PMID- 24239024
TI  - Biomechanical comparison of a two-level anterior discectomy and a one-level
      corpectomy, combined with fusion and anterior plate reconstruction in the
      cervical spine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Common fusion techniques for cervical degenerative diseases include
      two-level anterior discectomy and fusion and one-level corpectomy and fusion. The
      aim of the study was to compare via in-vitro biomechanical testing the effects of
      a two-level anterior discectomy and fusion and a one-level corpectomy and fusion,
      with anterior plate reconstruction. METHODS: Seven fresh frozen human cadaveric
      spines (C3-T1) were dissected from posterior musculature, preserving the
      integrity of ligaments and intervertebral discs. Initial biomechanical testing
      consisted of no-axial preload and 2Nm in flexion-extension, lateral bending and
      axial rotation. Thereafter, discectomies were performed at C4-5 and C5-6 levels,
      then two interbody cages and an anterior C4-C5-C6 plate was implanted. The
      flexibility tests were repeated and followed by C5 corpectomy and C4-C6 plate
      reconstruction. Biomechanical testing was performed again and statistical
      comparisons among the means of range of motion and axial rotation energy loss
      were investigated. FINDINGS: The two-level cage-plate construct had significantly
      lower range of motion than the one-level corpectomy-plate construct (P<=0.03).
      Axial rotation energy loss was significantly (P<=0.03) greater for the corpectomy
      plate construct than for the two-level cage-plate construct and the intact
      condition. INTERPRETATION: A two-level cage-plate construct provides greater
      stability in flexion, extension and lateral bending motions when compared to a
      one-level corpectomy-plate construct. A two-level cage-plate is more likely to
      maintain axial balance by reducing the energy lost in axial rotation.

PMID- 24239025
TI  - Evaluation of microbial diversity in sulfite-added and sulfite-free wine by
      culture-dependent and -independent methods.
AB  - The difference in microbiota including non-lactic acid bacteria, non-acetic acid
      bacteria, and wild yeast during winemaking and in the end-products between
      sulfite-added and sulfite-free wine, was investigated using polymerase chain
      reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and a culture
      dependent method. There were differences between the microorganisms detected by
      PCR-DGGE and those detected by the culture-dependent method, probably because of
      the selectivity of culture medium and the characteristics of PCR-based method. In
      both the red wine and white wine, the microbial diversity of the sulfite-added
      wine was lower than that of the sulfite-free wine during fermentation. Tatumella
      terrea was detected from the fermenting must by PCR-DGGE and by the culture
      dependent method, even though sulfite inhibited its growth to some extent. We
      confirmed that the addition of sulfite plays an important role in winemaking by
      inhibiting the growth of unexpected microorganisms, but on the other hand, it was
      revealed that some microorganisms can survive and grow in sulfite-added
      fermenting must. We also analyzed 15 samples of commercial wines by the PCR-DGGE
      method and detected various microorganisms. Among them, Sphingomonas sp.,
      Pseudozyma sp., Ochromonas sp. and Methylophilus sp. were found for the first
      time in wine as far as we know. We did not identify a specific microorganism that
      was detected only from wines without sulfite addition. Thus, the microbiota of
      end-products seemed to be influenced by other factors, such as filtration before
      bottling, the production equipment and the storage environment.

PMID- 24239026
TI  - Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation characterisation of water status of
      developing grains of maize (Zea mays L.) grown at different nitrogen levels.
AB  - Changes in water status of developing grains of maize (Zea mays L.) grown under
      different nitrogen levels were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
      spectroscopy. There were distinct changes in water status of grains due to the
      application of different levels of nitrogen (0, 120 and 180 kg N ha(-1)). A
      comparison of the grain developmental characteristics, composition and physical
      properties indicated that, not only the developmental characteristics like grain
      weight, grain number/ear, and rate of grain filling increased, but also bound
      water characterized by the T2 component of NMR relaxation increased with nitrogen
      application (50-70%) and developmental stages leading to maturation (10-60%). The
      consistency in the patterns of responses to free water and intermediate water to
      increasing levels of nitrogen application and grain maturity suggested that
      nitrogen application resulted in more proportion of water to both bound- and
      intermediate states and less in free state. These changes are further
      corroborated by the concomitant increases in protein and starch contents in
      grains from higher nitrogen treatments as macromolecules like protein and starch
      retain more amount of water in the bound state. The results of the changes in T2
      showed that water status during grain development was not only affected by
      developmental processes but also by nitrogen supply to plants. This study
      strongly indicated a clear nutrient and developmental stage dependence of grain
      tissue water status in maize.

PMID- 24239029
TI  - Isolated calcaneocuboid joint tuberculosis: a rare case report.
AB  - Tubercular arthritis affecting the foot is uncommon. Isolated calcaneocuboid
      joint tuberculosis has never been reported in the literature. Herein we report a
      case of 43-year-old male who presented with insidious onset pain in hindfoot of 4
      months duration. Radiograph revealed destruction of calcaneocuboid joint along
      with cuboid. Computed Tomography scan further consolidated the findings.
      Diagnosis was confirmed from aspiration from joint with culture of mycobacterium
      tuberculosis. Anti-tubercular chemotherapy was started and good clinical response
      was noted. We reported this case because of its rarity to involve calcaneocuboid
      joint and the excellent outcome with medical treatment. 

PMID- 24239027
TI  - Urinary concentrations of aquaporin-1 and perilipin-2 in patients with renal cell
      carcinoma correlate with tumor size and stage but not grade.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the trends in urine aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and perilipin 2
      (PLIN2) concentrations in patients with clear cell and papillary renal cell
      carcinoma (RCC), we determined the relationship between the urine concentration
      of these biomarkers and tumor size, grade, and stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      biomarker concentrations were determined by sensitive and specific Western blot
      procedures normalized to the urine creatinine excretion. The analysis included 61
      patients undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy for clear cell or papillary
      RCC and 43 age- and sex-matched control patients. Relationships between urine
      biomarker concentrations and tumor size, stage, and grade were assessed. RESULTS:
      Patients with RCC had 35-fold and 9-fold higher median urinary AQP1 and PLIN2
      concentrations, respectively, compared with controls. Both tumor markers
      decreased after tumor resection to concentrations equivalent to those of
      controls. The sensitivity and specificity were both 100% for AQP1 and 92% and
      100%, respectively, for PLIN2. A significant linear correlation was found between
      the tumor size and the prenephrectomy AQP1 (Spearman coefficient 0.78, P <.001)
      and PLIN2 (Spearman coefficient 0.69, P <.001) concentrations. A correlation was
      found for both markers with tumor stage (overall P = .030), when the stage was
      dependent primarily on the tumor size (stages T1 and T2), but not with stage T3,
      which reflected extrarenal spread. Neither marker showed a significant
      correlation with tumor grade. CONCLUSION: AQP1 and PLIN2 were significantly
      increased in patients with clear cell and papillary RCC compared with controls.
      The preoperative urinary concentrations of these markers reflected the tumor size
      and stage.

PMID- 24239028
TI  - AKAP signaling complexes: pointing towards the next generation of therapeutic
      targets?
AB  - A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) streamline signal transduction by localizing
      signaling enzymes with their substrates. Great strides have been made in
      elucidating the role of these macromolecular signaling complexes as new binding
      partners and novel AKAPs are continually being uncovered. The mechanics and
      dynamics of these multi-enzyme assemblies suggest that AKAP complexes are viable
      targets for therapeutic intervention. This review will highlight recent advances
      in AKAP research focusing on local signaling events that are perturbed in
      disease. 

PMID- 24239030
TI  - Interim versus standard methadone treatment: a benefit-cost analysis.
AB  - A benefit-cost analysis was conducted as part of a clinical trial in which newly
      admitted methadone patients were randomly assigned to interim methadone (IM;
      methadone without counseling) for the first 4 months of 12 months of methadone
      treatment or 12 months of methadone with one of two counseling conditions.
      Health, residential drug treatment, criminal justice costs, and income data in
      2010 dollars were obtained at treatment entry, and 4- and 12-month follow-up from
      200 participants and program costs were obtained. The net benefits of treatment
      were greater for the IM condition but controlling for the baseline variables
      noted above, the difference between conditions in net monetary benefits was not
      significant. For the combined sample, there was a pre- to post-treatment net
      benefit of $1470 (95% CI: -$625; $3584) and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.5 (95% CI:
      0.8, 2.3), but using our conservative approach to calculating benefits, these
      values were not significant.

PMID- 24239032
TI  - Chronic nonspecific low back pain: rehabilitation.

PMID- 24239031
TI  - [Knowledge about radon and its associated risk perception in France].
AB  - PURPOSE: Radon exposure is a major environmental risk in health. It remains badly
      known by the general population. It is the second cause of lung cancer, after
      tobacco smoking. The aim of this cross-sectional general population survey was to
      describe radon exposure risk knowledge and the socioeconomic factors related to
      this knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Cancer Barometer survey 2010
      questioned the French population about its knowledge of radon as such and as
      health risk factor. This survey was a two-stage random sampling with computer
      assisted telephone interview that was performed from April 3, 2010 to August 7,
      2010 on a sample of 3,359 people aged 15 to 75 years old. RESULTS: Among people
      aged 15 to 75 years old, only one in five knows that radon is a natural gas
      coming from the ground. This knowledge is more frequent among people living in an
      area that is directly concerned by radon, among men and increases with age, with
      the level of education and the level of income. Radon risk remains still widely
      underestimated by the general public, including in areas concerned by this risk.
      When people were confronted with radon exposure, few intended to remedy by
      improving their home. CONCLUSION: The success of prevention initiatives implies
      the support and the collaboration of various national and local actors. To
      improve their impact for the prevention of lung cancers, it could be more
      effective to couple these actions with prevention messages on tobacco.

PMID- 24239034
TI  - Does the presence of the fibronectin-aggrecan complex predict outcomes from
      lumbar discectomy for disc herniation?
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Protein biomarkers associated with lumbar disc disease have
      been studied as diagnostic indicators and therapeutic targets. Recently, a
      cartilage degradation product, the fibronectin-aggrecan complex (FAC) identified
      in the epidural space, has been shown to predict response to lumbar epidural
      steroid injection in patients with radiculopathy from herniated nucleus pulposus
      (HNP). PURPOSE: Determine the ability of FAC to predict response to
      microdiscectomy for patients with radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation
      STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Single-center prospective consecutive cohort study. PATIENT
      SAMPLE: Patients with radiculopathy from HNP with concordant symptoms to MRI who
      underwent microdiscectomy. OUTCOMES MEASURES: Oswestry disability index (ODI) and
      visual analog scores (VAS) were noted at baseline and at 3-month follow-up.
      Primary outcome of clinical improvement was defined as patients with both a
      decrease in VAS of at least 3 points and ODI >20 points. METHODS: Intraoperative
      sampling was done via lavage of the excised fragment by ELISA for presence of
      FAC. Funding for the ELISA was provided by Cytonics, Inc. RESULTS: Seventy-five
      patients had full complement of data and were included in this analysis. At 3
      month follow-up, 57 (76%) patents were "better." There was a statistically
      significant association of the presence of FAC and clinical improvement (p=.017)
      with an 85% positive predictive value. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC)
      curve plotting association of FAC and clinical improvement demonstrates an area
      under the curve (AUC) of 0.66+/-0.08 (p=.037). Subset analysis of those with
      weakness on physical examination (n=48) plotting the association of FAC and
      improvement shows AUC on ROC of 0.81+/-0.067 (p=.002). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who
      are "FAC+" are more likely to demonstrate clinical improvement following
      microdiscectomy. The data suggest that the inflammatory milieu plays a
      significant role regarding improvement in patients undergoing discectomy for
      radiculopathy in lumbar HNP, even in those with preoperative weakness. The FAC
      represents a potential target for treatment in HNP.

PMID- 24239033
TI  - Effect of placenta previa on neonatal respiratory disorders and amniotic lamellar
      body counts at 36-38weeks of gestation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pregnancies with placenta previa are significantly associated with
      preterm delivery and cesarean section. Therefore particular attention should be
      paid to the incidence of neonatal respiratory disorders in pregnancies with
      placenta previa. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship
      between placenta previa and neonatal respiratory disorders, including respiratory
      distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), and to
      evaluate the impact of placenta previa on the amniotic lamellar body count (LBC)
      values. METHODS: We analyzed the data from 186 registered elective cesarean cases
      without fetal or maternal complications at 36-38weeks of gestation. Amniotic
      fluid samples were analyzed immediately without centrifugation, and the LBC was
      measured using a platelet channel on the Sysmex XE-2100. RESULTS: RDS was present
      in four neonates (2.2%) and TTN in 12 neonates (6.5%). The rate of TTN was
      significantly higher and the LBC values were significantly lower in the placenta
      previa group than in the control group (P=0.002 and P=0.024). The adjusted odds
      ratio for neonatal TTN was 7.20 (95% confidence interval: 6.58-7.88) among
      females with placenta previa. In placenta previa, warning bleeding was a
      significant factor protecting against neonatal respiratory disorders (P=0.046).
      CONCLUSIONS: Placenta previa in itself is a risk factor for neonatal TTN. When an
      elective cesarean section is performed in cases with uncomplicated placenta
      previa, special care should be taken to monitor for neonatal TTN even at 36
      38weeks of gestation.

PMID- 24239035
TI  - [Gynaecology and obstetrics in Basse-Normandy: demographic perspectives in 15
      years].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The French population is growing and ageing. In this context, it is
      important to consider the future of gynecologists and obstetricians in Basse
      Normandie. The aim of this study was to perform an overview of the demographics
      of practitioners and estimate the retirements. We also try to project the need of
      trainees for the next years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a demographic
      and workload survey among 142 practitioners and 35 trainees. We detailed
      retirements and arrivals of this population. RESULTS: By 2025, nearly two-thirds
      of practitioners in 2012 will retire, including 100% of medical gynecologists.
      Otherwise, there will be a lack of 1 to 2 practitioners per year. We also noted
      the tendance of feminization (86%) and the wish of a multi-practice in public
      hospital (86%). CONCLUSION: A reflection about the health planning will be
      necessary in order to answer the demographics difficulty in the region. We will
      have to take into account the future retirements and also the specific situations
      in each area.

PMID- 24239036
TI  - [Factors predicting unsuccessful labor induction with dinoprostone in post-term
      pregnancy with unfavorable cervix].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify predictive factors for unsuccessful induction of labor
      within 24hours after dinoprostone insertion in post-term pregnancy with
      unfavorable cervix. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 325
      singleton pregnancies with a diagnosis of post-term pregnancy and unfavorable
      cervix (Bishop score<6) during the period January 2012-Decembre 2012. Patients
      were classified into 2 groups: successful labor, defined as cervical ripening,
      within 24hours after dinoprostone insertion (Group R; n=248; 76.3 %) or failure
      group (Group E; n=77; 23.7 %). Antepartum and perpartum characteristics of women
      were compared. RESULTS: Nulliparity (74.0 versus 56.0 %; OR=2.23; 95 % CI: 1.27
      4.00; P=0.005), gestational age <=41 SA+4 (53.2 versus 33.9 %; OR=2.22; 95 % CI:
      1.32-3.74; P=0.003) and history of dilatation and curettage (27.3 versus 10.5 %;
      OR=3.19; 95 % CI: 1.66-6.11; P=0.0005) were significantly associated with
      unsuccessful induction of labor. Bishop score was significantly higher in Group R
      (3.6 versus 1.9; P=0.001). Also, consistency (74.0 versus 44.4 %; OR=3.57; 95 %
      CI: 2.04-6.40; P<10(-5)) and absence of dilatation of the cervix (59.7 versus
      23.0 %; OR=4.97; 95 % CI: 2.89-8.56; P<10(-6)) were identified as significant
      predictive factors for unsuccessful induction of labor. CONCLUSION: Nulliparity,
      gestational age <=41 SA+4, history of dilatation and curettage and Bishop score,
      in particular consistency and dilatation, are correlated with failure of cervical
      ripening in post-term pregnancy with unfavorable cervix.

PMID- 24239037
TI  - Simultaneous determination of trihalomethanes and organochlorine pesticides in
      water samples by direct immersion-headspace-solid phase microextraction.
AB  - In this study the extraction conditions for the simultaneous extraction of
      volatile (trihalomethanes - THM) and semi-volatile (organochlorine pesticides)
      compounds from water samples by direct immersion-headspace-solid phase
      microextraction (DI-HS-SPME) were optimized and compared. The extraction
      efficiencies of the proposed DI-HS-SPME and traditional SPME modes were also
      compared. The separation and detection were performed by gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry in SIM mode (GC-MS-SIM). The variables evaluated were extraction
      time, extraction temperature and added volume of aqueous NaCl solution at 20%
      (m/v). Central composite designs were carried out to determine the optimal
      extraction conditions for each SPME mode. The optimal condition for the DI-HS
      SPME mode was 80min of total extraction time (64min at 70 degrees C in DI-SPME
      mode and 16min at 12 degrees C in HS-SPME mode) with 5mL of 20% (m/v) NaCl
      solution. The SPME extraction modes were compared and the DI-HS-SPME produced
      excellent results for both volatile and semi-volatile compounds. This represents
      a promising alternative for the analysis of matrices that contain compounds with
      very different ranges of volatility. The analytical figures of merit were
      evaluated and good results were obtained using this procedure for both classes of
      compounds studied. The limit of quantitation ranged from 0.02 to 2.0MUgL(-1) for
      organochlorine pesticides and from 0.30 to 0.77MUgL(-1) for THM. 

PMID- 24239038
TI  - Highly crosslinked polymeric monoliths with various C6 functional groups for
      reversed-phase capillary liquid chromatography of small molecules.
AB  - Three crosslinking monomers, i.e., 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate (HDDMA),
      cyclohexanediol dimethacrylate (CHDDMA) and 1,4-phenylene diacrylate (PHDA), were
      used to synthesize highly cross-linked monolithic capillary columns for reversed
      phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) of small molecules. Selection of porogen type
      and concentration was investigated in detail. Isocratic elution of alkylbenzenes
      at a flow rate of 300nL/min was performed using HDDMA and CHDDMA monolithic
      columns. Gradient elution of alkylbenzenes using all three monolithic columns
      showed good separations. Optimized monoliths synthesized from all three
      crosslinking monomers possessed high permeabilities. Poly(HDDMA) monoliths
      demonstrated column efficiencies up to 86,000 plates/m. Column preparation of
      poly(HDDMA) monolithic columns was highly reproducible; the relative standard
      deviation (RSD) values (n=3) for run-to-run and column-to-column were less than
      0.26% and 0.70%, respectively, based on retention times of alkylbenzenes. 

PMID- 24239039
TI  - Simultaneous determination of allantoin and glycolic acid in snail mucus and
      cosmetic creams with high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet
      detection.
AB  - A new methodology for simultaneous quantitative analysis of allantoin and
      glycolic acid in snail mucus and cosmetic creams was developed. HPLC separation
      was achieved a Synergi-Hydro RP column within 7min using isocratic elution with
      potassium phosphate (pH 2.7; 10mM) at a flow rate of 0.7mL/min at 30 degrees C.
      Sample pretreatment was performed by dilution of mucus or cosmetic cream in the
      elution buffer, heating at 60 degrees C for 20min, adjusting the pH to 2.9 and
      purification with hexane extraction. Linearity was determined with spiked samples
      and the LLOQ values of 0.0125 and 0.2500mg/mL were determined for allantoin and
      glycolic acid, respectively. Accuracy and intra- and inter-day repeatability were
      studied at three levels of concentrations (0.04, 0.08 and 0.16mg/mL for allantoin
      and 0.1, 1.5 and 4.0mg/mL for glycolic acid) using spiked mucus and cream base
      samples; mean values of recovery were in the range of 96.81-102.42% in all
      matrices tested, whereas the respective RSDs (%Relative Standard Deviation) were
      less than 3.04% in all cases. Spiked mucus and cream samples were stable
      (RSD<4.16 and relative error<4.34%) at room temperature and at 4 degrees C for 1
      week and at -18 degrees C for 6 months; samples were also stable after three
      freeze-thaw cycles. The method was applied to the analysis of different lots of
      snail mucus, and of three commercial creams containing snail mucus. 

PMID- 24239040
TI  - Oriented immobilization of peptide-N-glycosidase F on a monolithic support for
      glycosylation analysis.
AB  - In this paper, we report on a novel oriented peptide-N-glycosidase F (PNGase F)
      immobilization approach onto methacrylate based monolithic support for rapid,
      reproducible and efficient release of the N-linked carbohydrate moieties from
      glycoproteins. The glutathione-S-transferase-fusion PNGase F (PNGase F-GST) was
      expressed in Escherichia coli using regular vector technology. The monolithic
      pore surface was functionalized with glutathione via a succinimidyl-6-(iodoacetyl
      amino)-hexanoate linker and the specific affinity of GST toward glutathione was
      utilized for the oriented coupling. This novel immobilization procedure was
      compared with reductive amination technique commonly used for non-oriented enzyme
      immobilization via primary amine functionalities. Both coupling approaches were
      compared using enzymatic treatment of several glycoproteins, such as ribonuclease
      B, fetuin and immunoglobulin G followed by MALDI/MS and CE-LIF analysis of the
      released glycans. Orientedly immobilized PNGase F via GST-glutathione coupling
      showed significantly higher activity, remained stable for several months, and
      allowed rapid release of various types of glycans (high-mannose, core
      fucosylated, sialylated, etc.) from glycoproteins. Complete protein
      deglycosylation was obtained as fast as in several seconds when using flow
      through immobilized microreactors. 

PMID- 24239041
TI  - Neurocutaneous melanosis in children with giant congenital melanocytic nevi.
AB  - Twenty-four children with giant congenital melanocytic nevi underwent brain MRI
      at 1.5 T scanner. Melanin deposits in the brain were found in seven children
      (29.2%) located in temporal lobes, thalamus, cerebellum, and pons. One patient
      showed leptomeningeal involvement. Six patients were asymptomatic, and one had
      epilepsy. As opposed to previous reports, localization of skin nevi on anterior
      part of trunk was correlated to central nervous system involvement. In all
      patients with brain involvement skin nevi showed picture of compound nevus with
      neurofibromatic component. 

PMID- 24239042
TI  - I-SCAN targeted versus random biopsies in Barrett's oesophagus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accuracy and effectiveness of targeted oesophageal biopsies in
      Barrett's oesophagus to detect dysplasia using new magnification techniques are
      unknown. Aim of this study was to investigate whether the combined use of acetic
      acid, magnification and electronic filters allows the same accuracy as the four
      quadrant random biopsies pattern; pathologist interobserver agreement both in low
      grade and high grade dysplasia was also assessed. METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive
      patients newly diagnosed with Barrett's oesophagus were enrolled in a prospective
      study from a single endoscopy unit. Biopsies were evaluated by the local
      pathologist and by an expert pathologist from another pathology unit. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Dysplasia detection rate and interobserver agreement for the
      histologic diagnosis of dysplasia. RESULTS: The use of acetic acid, magnification
      and electronic filters showed an unacceptably low dysplasia detection rate by the
      two pathologists (9.2% and 5.5% for targeted biopsies, respectively). The
      interobserver agreement for low grade dysplasia between pathologists was low
      (Cohen's K weighted=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: In an average setting, the standard four
      quadrant method should still be preferred, along with the implementation of a
      routine second evaluation by an expert pathologist.

PMID- 24239043
TI  - IL-2 is a gradually proved potential therapeutic target for hepatocellular
      carcinoma.

PMID- 24239045
TI  - Dysbiosis--a consequence of Paneth cell dysfunction.
AB  - The complex community of colonizing microbes inhabiting the mucosal surfaces of
      mammals is vital to homeostasis and normal physiology in the host. When the
      composition of this microbiota is unfavorably altered, termed dysbiosis, the host
      is rendered more susceptible to a variety of chronic diseases. In the mammalian
      small intestine, specialized secretory epithelial cells, named Paneth cells,
      produce a variety of secreted antimicrobial peptides that fundamentally influence
      the composition of the microbiota. Recent investigations have identified numerous
      genetic and environmental factors that can disrupt normal Paneth cell function,
      resulting in compromised antimicrobial peptide secretion and consequent
      dysbiosis. These findings suggest that Paneth cell dysfunction should be
      considered a common cause of dysbiosis. 

PMID- 24239044
TI  - A simple rule to personalize standard dual therapy across all genotypes in naive
      chronic hepatitis C patients: the TT4 randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapid and early virological responses to peginterferon-alpha and
      ribavirin are predictive of sustained virological response (SVR) in hepatitis C
      virus (HCV) infection. We aimed at finding a simple rule to determine the
      shortest duration of dual therapy for all HCV genotypes, obtained by multiplying
      time to Initial Viral Response, IVR (first undetectable HCV-RNA) by 4 (Tailored
      Therapy-4, or TT4). METHOD: 267 naive HCV-infected patients with compensated
      liver disease were randomized (2:1) to the TT4 (n=180) or current standard-of
      care (SoC, n=87) and received peginterferon-alpha plus ribavirin. Patients with
      HCV-RNA decrease <=2log10 at week 12 or detectable HCV-RNA at week 24
      discontinued treatment. RESULTS: Both groups had comparable baseline
      characteristics, SVR rates were similar in the whole population (60.6% vs. 60.9%)
      and within each genotype subgroup (G1: 46.6% vs. 55.6%; G2: 90.2% vs. 94.4%; G3:
      74.1% vs. 58.3%; G4: 45.8% vs. 33.3%). Relapse rate was higher in G1-TT4 than G1
      SoC. Treatment duration in SVR patients was shorter in TT4 compared to SoC, both
      overall [25+/-15 vs. 36+/-12.1 weeks], and for subgroups: G1 [35.3+/-16.7 vs.
      47.3+/-2.6 weeks], G2 [18.3+/-7.5 vs. 24+/-2.8 weeks], G3 [15.2+/-8.7 vs. 22.8+/
      3 weeks] and G4 [26.9+/-13 vs. 48 weeks]. CONCLUSIONS: In HCV-naive patients, TT4
      rule treatment yields similar SVR rates compared to SoC but with shorter
      treatment duration and remarkable cost reduction.

PMID- 24239046
TI  - Negative regulatory receptors of the IL-1 family.
AB  - The IL-1 family of ligands and receptors has a central role in both innate and
      adaptive immune responses and is tightly controlled by antagonists, decoy
      receptors, scavengers, dominant negative molecules, miRNAs and other mechanisms,
      acting extracellularly or intracellularly. During evolution, the development of
      multiple mechanisms of negative regulation reveals the need for tight control of
      the biological consequences of IL-1 family ligands in order to balance local and
      systemic inflammation and limit immunopathology. Indeed, studies with gene
      targeted mice for negative regulators and genetic studies in humans provide
      evidence for their non-redundant role in controlling inflammation, tissue damage
      and adaptive responses. In addition, studies have revealed the need of negative
      regulation of the IL-1 family not only in disease, but also in homeostatic
      conditions. In this review, the negative regulation mediated by decoy receptors
      are presented and include IL-1R2 and IL-IL-18BP as well as atypical receptors,
      which include TIR8/SIGIRR, IL-1RAcPb, TIGIRR-1 and IL-1RAPL. Particular emphasis
      is given to IL-1R2, since its discovery is the basis for the formulation of the
      decoy paradigm, now considered a general strategy to counter the primary
      inflammatory activities of cytokines and chemokines. Emphasis is also given to
      TIR8, a prototypical negative regulatory receptor having non-redundant roles in
      limiting inflammation and adaptive responses. 

PMID- 24239047
TI  - Prevalence of autotransporters in Escherichia coli: what is the impact of
      phylogeny and pathotype?
AB  - Autotransporter (AT) proteins are widespread surface-exposed or secreted factors
      in Escherichia coli. Several ATs have been correlated with pathogenesis or
      specific phylogenetic lineages. Therefore, an application as biomarkers for
      individual extraintestinal pathogenic E.coli (ExPEC) or intestinal pathogenic
      E.coli (IPEC) has been proposed. To put this assumption on a solid foundation, we
      analyzed 111 publicly available E. coli genome sequences and screened them
      bioinformatically for the presence of 18 ATs. We determined the highest AT
      prevalence per strain in phylogroup B2 isolates and showed that AT distribution
      correlates rather with phylogenetic lineages than with pathotypes. Although a
      strict dependence between AT prevalence and pathotype was not observed, EspP,
      EhaA, and EhaG cluster with IPEC of phylogroup B1 and E, respectively, whereas
      UpaH is predominantly present in ExPEC of phylogroup B2. Furthermore, PicU, SepA,
      UpaB, UpaI, and UpaJ were associated with phylogroup B2. We detected UpaI and its
      positional ortholog EhaC in 93% of the E.coli strains tested. This AT variant is
      thus the most prevalent in E.coli irrespective of pathotype or phylogenetic
      background. Compared with the ATs UpaB, UpaC, and UpaJ of uropathogenic E.coli
      strain 536, UpaI had redundant functions, contributing to autoaggregation,
      biofilm formation, and binding to extracellular matrix proteins. The functional
      redundancy and wide distribution of ATs among pathogenic and non-pathogenic
      E.coli indicates that ATs cannot generally be regarded as specific biomarkers and
      virulence factors. Our results demonstrate that phylogeny has a bigger impact on
      the distribution of AT variants in E.coli than initially thought, especially in
      ExPEC. 

PMID- 24239048
TI  - Neural circuitry of masked emotional face processing in youth with bipolar
      disorder, severe mood dysregulation, and healthy volunteers.
AB  - Youth with bipolar disorder (BD) and those with severe, non-episodic irritability
      (severe mood dysregulation, SMD) show face-emotion labeling deficits. These
      groups differ from healthy volunteers (HV) in neural responses to emotional
      faces. It is unknown whether awareness is required to elicit these differences.
      We compared activation in BD (N=20), SMD (N=18), and HV (N=22) during "Aware" and
      "Non-aware" priming of shapes by emotional faces. Subjects rated how much they
      liked the shape. In aware, a face (angry, fearful, happy, neutral, blank oval)
      appeared (187 ms) before the shape. In non-aware, a face appeared (17 ms),
      followed by a mask (170 ms), and shape. A Diagnosis-by-Awareness-by-Emotion ANOVA
      was not significant. There were significant Diagnosis-by-Awareness interactions
      in occipital regions. BD and SMD showed increased activity for non-aware vs.
      aware; HV showed the reverse pattern. When subjects viewed angry or neutral
      faces, there were Emotion-by-Diagnosis interactions in face-emotion processing
      regions, including the L precentral gyrus, R posterior cingulate, R superior
      temporal gyrus, R middle occipital gyrus, and L medial frontal gyrus. Regardless
      of awareness, BD and SMD differ in activation patterns from HV and each other in
      multiple brain regions, suggesting that BD and SMD are distinct developmental
      mood disorders.

PMID- 24239050
TI  - Dysnatremias in patients with kidney disease.
AB  - Dysnatremias are among the most common electrolyte disorders in clinical
      medicine. Recent studies have shown that individuals with chronic kidney disease
      also are afflicted by these electrolyte disorders. Furthermore, their presence
      imparts an increased risk of mortality. In this review, we discuss studies in
      experimental animals and in humans that have attempted to establish the
      mechanisms responsible for limiting urinary dilution and urinary concentration in
      progressive kidney disease. The clinical implications of these disorders in water
      excretion are discussed in the setting of optimal water intake as kidney disease
      progresses. This review emphasizes the management of patients with chronic kidney
      disease who have marked abnormalities in serum sodium concentrations and gives
      specific recommendations for modifications in renal replacement therapy
      prescription in hyponatremic patients with end-stage renal disease. 

PMID- 24239049
TI  - Gaining insight into adolescent vulnerability for social anxiety from
      developmental cognitive neuroscience.
AB  - Social anxiety disorder (SAD) markedly impairs daily functioning. For
      adolescents, SAD can constrain typical development precisely when social
      experiences broaden, peers' opinions are highly salient, and social approval is
      actively sought. Individuals with extreme, impairing social anxiety fear
      evaluation from others, avoid social interactions, and interpret ambiguous social
      cues as threatening. Yet some degree of social anxiety can be normative and non
      impairing. Furthermore, a temperament of behavioral inhibition increases risk for
      SAD for some, but not all adolescents with this temperament. One fruitful
      approach taken to understand the mechanisms of social anxiety has been to use
      neuroimaging to link affect and cognition with neural networks implicated in the
      neurodevelopmental social reorientation of adolescence. Although initial
      neuroimaging studies of adolescent SAD and risk for SAD underscored the role of
      fear-processing circuits (e.g., the amygdala and ventral prefrontal cortex),
      recent work has expanded these circuits to include reward-processing structures
      in the basal ganglia. A growing focus on reward-related neural circuitry holds
      promise for innovative translational research needed to differentiate impairing
      from normative social anxiety and for novel ways to treat adolescent SAD that
      focus on both social avoidance and social approach. 

PMID- 24239051
TI  - Diagnostic tests and treatment options in glomerular disease: 2014 update.
AB  - Glomerular diseases historically have been challenging disorders to comprehend
      and treat for patients and physicians alike. Kidney biopsy is the gold standard
      of diagnosis, but the link between pathophysiology and the histologic
      representation of kidney injury has remained elusive in many of these diseases.
      As a result, treatment of glomerular disease usually involves therapies that are
      not specific to disease pathogenesis, such as blockade of the renin-angiotensin
      aldosterone system and various immunosuppression regimens. Recent research has
      resulted in greater insight into some glomerular diseases, leading to the hope
      that new diagnostic tests and treatments targeting disease-specific mechanisms
      are on the horizon. We review recent progress on the understanding, diagnosis,
      and treatment of 4 glomerular diseases: immunoglobulin A nephropathy, focal
      segmental glomerulosclerosis, the C3 glomerulopathies, and idiopathic membranous
      nephropathy. 

PMID- 24239052
TI  - Therapeutic education in coronary heart disease: position paper from the Working
      Group of Exercise Rehabilitation and Sport (GERS) and the Therapeutic Education
      Commission of the French Society of Cardiology.
AB  - Cardiovascular mortality has decreased over the past 25 years, largely because of
      acute coronary syndrome care and preventive actions. Nevertheless, the rate of
      coronary heart disease remains high, with an annual risk of 4.7% (cardiac
      mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke). Cardiovascular risk factor management
      must be a priority in primary and secondary prevention, to improve the prognosis
      of this severe disease, in which absence of symptoms does not mean benignity. The
      current goals of therapeutic patient education are smoking cessation, regular
      physical activity, a cardioprotective (Mediterranean) diet, management of stress,
      good treatment adherence (which improves compliance), judicious use of the care
      system and help with occupational reintegration. Current and future programmes
      must be in accordance with the Haute Autorite de Sante recommendations published
      in 2007. 

PMID- 24239053
TI  - Promises and limitations of hitchhiking mapping.
AB  - Building the connection between genetic and phenotypic variation is an important
      'work in progress', and one that will enable proactive diagnosis and treatment in
      medicine, promote development of environment-targeted varieties in agriculture,
      and clarify the limits of species adaptation to changing environments in
      conservation. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and genome wide association
      (GWA) studies have recently been allied to an additional focus on 'hitchhiking'
      (HH) mapping--using changes in allele frequency due to artificial or natural
      selection. This older technique has been popularized by the falling costs of high
      throughput sequencing. Initial HH-resequensing experiments seem to have found
      many thousands of polymorphisms responding to selection. We argue that this
      interpretation appears too optimistic, and that the data might in fact be more
      consistent with dozens, rather than thousands, of loci under selection. We
      propose several developments required for sensible data analyses that will fully
      realize the great power of the HH technique, and outline ways of moving forward.

PMID- 24239054
TI  - Response to "Jones L., Jones J., Martin C., Platt S., Response to Cross-sectional
      study of ethnic differences in the utility of area deprivation measures to target
      socioeconomically deprived individuals".

PMID- 24239055
TI  - Invited commentary on Death of a child and parental wellbeing in old age:
      evidence from Taiwan.

PMID- 24239056
TI  - Factors associated with perceived stigma of epilepsy in Croatia: a study using
      the revised Epilepsy Stigma Scale.
AB  - PURPOSE: It is believed that a large number of factors influence feelings of
      stigma, but their relative contribution is not yet entirely clear. Most studies
      to date were conducted using the Epilepsy Stigma Scale (ESS); only one used a
      revised version of the ESS (rESS). The following study aims to determine factors
      contributing to epilepsy stigma in outpatients with chronic epilepsy in Croatia,
      and to analyze some psychometric properties of the Croatian translation of the
      rESS. METHODS: Alongside standard testing for validity of the scale, a simulation
      model of the original ESS (smESS) was created. This model, which does not include
      a grading Likert 0-3 scale, was compared with the rESS. RESULTS: In total, 159
      out of 298 subjects (53%) reported feeling stigmatised, with 136 (45%) mild to
      moderately and 23 (8%) highly. Internal consistency of the Croatian translation
      of the rESS was 0.887. Feelings of stigma were significantly associated with age
      <= 50 years, younger age of epilepsy onset, more than 50 seizures to date,
      generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and a shorter seizure-free period. Multiple
      stepwise regression showed number of seizures to date as a significant variable
      (Beta=0.246). By adapting data into the smESS significant associations with
      younger age and age of epilepsy onset were lost. Internal consistency of the
      smESS was 0.849. CONCLUSIONS: The Croatian translation of the rESS has been
      proved to be a suitable instrument for diagnosing epilepsy stigma. The results of
      our model point to the possibility that the rESS might be more sensitive than the
      original ESS.

PMID- 24239057
TI  - Clinical, electrophysiological and magnetic resonance findings in a family with
      hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies caused by a novel PMP22
      mutation.
AB  - Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is a disorder
      mainly caused by a 1.5-Mb deletion at 17p11.2-12 (and in some rare cases by point
      mutations) and clinically associated with recurrent painless palsies. Here, we
      performed electrophysiological (motor, sensory and terminal latency index), MRI
      and genetic studies in a family referred for ulnar neuropathy with pain.
      Surprisingly, we found typical neurophysiological features of HNPP (prolongation
      of distal motor latencies and diffuse SNCV slowing with significant slowing of
      motor nerve conduction velocities). Besides, the proband presented conduction
      block in left ulnar, left median and both peroneal nerves. MRI findings were
      consistent with an underlying neuropathy. Molecular studies identified a novel
      frameshift mutation in PMP22 confirming the diagnosis of HNPP. Our data suggest
      that neurophysiological studies are essential to characterize underdiagnosed HNPP
      patients referred for peripheral neuropathy. Our experience shows that MRI could
      be a complementary tool for the diagnosis of these patients. 

PMID- 24239058
TI  - Outcome of children with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive juvenile
      myasthenia gravis following thymectomy.
AB  - Most evidence supporting the benefit of thymectomy in juvenile myasthenia gravis
      (JMG) is extrapolated from adult studies, with only little data concerning
      paediatric populations. Here we evaluate the outcome of children with generalized
      JMG who underwent thymectomy between 1996 and 2010 at 2 tertiary paediatric
      neurology referral centres in the United Kingdom. Twenty patients (15 female, 5
      male), aged 13months to 15.5years (median 10.4years) at disease onset, were
      identified. Prior to thymectomy, disease severity was graded as IIb in 3, III in
      11, and IV in 6 patients according to the Osserman classification. All
      demonstrated positive anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody titres. All
      patients received pyridostigmine and 14 received additional steroid therapy.
      Transternal thymectomy was performed at the age of 2.7-16.6years (median
      11.1years). At the last follow-up (10months to 10.9years, median 2.7years, after
      thymectomy), the majority of children demonstrated substantial improvement,
      although some had required additional immune-modulatory therapies. About one
      third achieved complete remission. The postoperative morbidity was low. No
      benefit was observed in one patient with thymoma. We conclude that thymectomy
      should be considered as a treatment option early in the course of generalised
      AChR antibody-positive JMG. 

PMID- 24239059
TI  - Anoctamin 5 muscular dystrophy associated with a silent p.Leu115Leu mutation
      resulting in exon skipping.
AB  - We report a 45year-old patient with an asymmetrical proximal muscle weakness
      affecting the quadriceps muscle of the right leg starting at the age of 32years.
      CK was 25-fold increased. MRI of the legs showed signs of fatty degeneration more
      pronounced in the right side. Biopsy of a thigh muscle showed dystrophic pattern
      and amyloid deposition in blood vessel walls. The coding region and exon/intron
      boundaries of the ANO5 gene were amplified and sequenced. The common c.191dupA
      mutation and a silent novel p.Leu115Leu (c.345G>A) variant were identified. This
      silent variant was listed neither in the LOVD database nor in the SNP database.
      To evaluate the pathogenicity of the novel silent mutation in ANO5, cDNA analysis
      was performed that demonstrated skipping of exon 6. So far, no case with a silent
      mutation leading to abnormal splicing has been identified in Anoctamin 5 muscular
      dystrophy. Present findings emphasize that cDNA analysis should be done if a
      silent variant is not annotated in the databases. In Anoctamin 5 muscular
      dystrophy a molecular diagnosis is even more important as protein investigation
      through Western blotting or immunohistochemistry is not yet established. 

PMID- 24239060
TI  - Novel TPM3 mutation in a family with cap myopathy and review of the literature.
AB  - Cap myopathy is a rare congenital myopathy characterized by the presence of caps
      within muscle fibres and caused by mutations in ACTA1, TPM2 or TPM3. Thus far,
      only three cases with TPM3-related cap myopathy have been described. Here, we
      report on the first autosomal dominant family with cap myopathy in three
      generations, caused by a novel heterozygous mutation in the alpha-tropomyosin
      slow-encoding gene (TPM3; exon 4; c.445C>A; p.Leu149Ile). The three patients
      experienced first symptoms of muscle weakness in childhood and followed a slowly
      progressive course. They presented generalized hypotrophy and mild muscle
      weakness, elongated face, high arched palate, micrognathia, scoliosis and
      respiratory involvement. Intrafamilial variability of skeletal deformities,
      respiratory involvement and mild cardiac abnormalities was noted. Muscle MRI
      revealed a recognizable pattern of fatty muscle infiltration and masseter muscle
      hypertrophy. Subsarcolemmal caps were present in 6-10% of the fibres and
      immunoreactive with anti-tropomyosin antibodies. We conclude that the MRI-pattern
      of muscle involvement and the presence of masseter muscle hypertrophy in cap
      myopathy may guide molecular genetic diagnosis towards a mutation in TPM3.
      Regular respiratory examinations are important, even if patients have no
      anamnestic clues. We compare our findings to all cases of cap myopathy with
      identified mutations (n=11), thus far reported in the literature. 

PMID- 24239061
TI  - A case of mobile aortic arch thrombus with systemic embolisation--a management
      dilemma.
AB  - We report the case of splenic infarct secondary to embolisation from a polypoid
      17 mm*10 mm thoracic aorta thrombi in a 60 year-old female. The management and
      prognostic value of thoracic aorta thrombi are poorly defined in literature. This
      patient was successfully treated with oral anticoagulation as opposed to surgical
      intervention. Repeat transoesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography
      have demonstrated marked reduction in thrombi size with no further embolic event.

PMID- 24239062
TI  - Attributed meanings and strategies to prevent challenging behaviors of
      hospitalized children with autism: two perspectives.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Understanding is limited of the meaning attributed to behaviors of
      children with autism spectrum disorder and strategies used to prevent challenging
      behaviors in the context of hospitalization. METHODS: This qualitative study
      consisted of two focus groups (n = 10; five mothers and five health care
      providers [HCPs]). Transcripts were analyzed using the qualitative method of
      narrative inquiry. RESULTS: The meaning attributed to behaviors by the mothers
      and the HCPs differed. The mothers attributed behaviors to the child's
      communication of frustration, hyperactivity, and self-calming. The HCPs
      attributed challenging behaviors to self-stimulation and child aggression.
      Strategies to prevent behaviors also differed. Mothers focused on preparation
      prior to hospitalization and attempts to partner with HCPs. HCPs identified fewer
      strategies and consulted mothers for strategies to manage challenging behaviors.
      DISCUSSION: HCP and parent collaboration could lead to strategies to increase
      supports for children with autism spectrum disorder in the hospital to decrease
      their frustration and challenging behaviors.

PMID- 24239063
TI  - The neuroimmune basis of fatigue.
AB  - The exact nature and pathophysiology of fatigue remain largely elusive despite
      its high prevalence in physically ill patients. Studies on the relationship
      between the immune system and the central nervous system provide a new
      perspective on the mechanisms of fatigue. Inflammatory mediators that are
      released by activated innate immune cells at the periphery and in the central
      nervous system alter the metabolism and activity of neurotransmitters, generate
      neurotoxic compounds, decrease neurotrophic factors, and profoundly disturb the
      neuronal environment. The resulting alterations in fronto-striatal networks
      together with the activation of insula by inflammatory interoceptive stimuli
      underlie the many dimensions of fatigue including reduced incentive motivation,
      decreased behavioral flexibility, uncertainty about usefulness of actions, and
      awareness of fatigue. 

PMID- 24239064
TI  - Risk factors for levofloxacin resistance in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia from
      respiratory tract in a regional hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a bacterial pathogen associated with
      health-care associated infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
      Members of the fluoroquinolone drug class are frequently used to treat S.
      maltophilia infection; however, S. maltophilia resistance to fluoroquinolones,
      especially levofloxacin, has been increasing. METHODS: We sought to identify risk
      factors associated with levofloxacin resistance using a case-control study. We
      examined sputum from 76 S. maltophilia-positive patients admitted to our hospital
      between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Case groups were defined as patients
      who had S. maltophilia infections resistant to levofloxacin, and control groups
      were defined as patients who had S. maltophilia infections susceptible to
      levofloxacin treatment. Patient information including demographics, previous
      antibiotic use, and other traits were recorded. In addition, S. maltophilia
      isolates from patient sputum were assessed for antibiotic resistance as well as
      for the presence of genes associated with drug resistance. RESULTS: Previous
      antibiotic treatment with first- or second-generation cephalosporin was found
      more often in the levofloxacin-susceptible group; by contrast, previous
      piperacillin/tazobactam treatment occurred more often in the levofloxacin
      resistant group. Three genes associated with drug resistance, including SmeA,
      SmeD, and SpgM were not significantly different between these groups. CONCLUSION:
      Piperacillin/tazobactam treatment is associated with subsequent isolation of
      levofloxacin-resistant S. maltophilia from the respiratory tract.

PMID- 24239065
TI  - Risk factors of community-onset urinary tract infections caused by plasmid
      mediated AmpC beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The AmpC beta-lactamase (AmpC)-producing Enterobacteriaceae emerged
      worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors of community
      onset urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by plasmid-mediated AmpC-producing
      Enterobacteriaceae. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed as community-onset UTIs
      caused by Enterobacteriaceae in a tertiary-care teaching hospital from December
      2010 to January 2012 were included. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)
      producing isolates were excluded. We identified plasmid-mediated AmpC-producing
      Enterobacteriaceae both phenotypically (by disk potentiation test and double-disk
      synergy test) and genotypically (by Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      assay). The demographic data, clinical characteristics, and risk factors of
      acquisition were described. RESULTS: Among the 323 non-ESBL-producing
      Enterobacteriaceae identified in community-onset UTIs, 50 isolates were
      phenotypically positive for AmpC. Escherichia coli was the most common AmpC
      producing organism (60%), followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (8%), and Enterobacter
      cloacae and Proteus mirabilis (6% for each species). The independent risk factors
      for acquisition of AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae included prior history of
      cerebral vascular accident [odds ratio (OR) = 2.014; 95% confidence interval (CI)
      = 1.007-4.031; p = 0.0048], and prior use of fluoroquinolones (OR = 4.049; 95% CI
      = 1.759-9.319; p = 0.001) and cephamycin (OR = 9.683; 95% CI = 2.007-45.135; p =
      0.004). AmpC-producing isolates were multidrug resistant. Carbapenems, cefepime,
      and piperacillin/tazobactam had the best in vitro efficacy. The most commonly
      identified plasmid-mediated AmpC gene was bla(CIT), followed by
      bla(DHA)/bla(EBC), and bla(MOx). CONCLUSION: For community-onset UTIs, AmpC
      producing Enterobacteriaceae should be suspected in those with prior history of
      cerebral vascular accident and prior use of antimicrobials. To treat these
      multiple-resistant isolates, carbapenems, cefepime, and piperacillin/tazobactam
      may be considered.

PMID- 24239066
TI  - Modeling fish biological responses to contaminants and natural variability in
      estuaries.
AB  - Understanding the factors that influence biological responses to contaminants has
      long been a major goal in marine environmental research. Seven estuarine sites
      along the Portuguese coast were sampled over a year, and different biological
      responses of Pomatoschistus microps and Atherina presbyter were determined:
      superoxide dismutase, catalase, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, glutathione S
      transferase, metallothioneins, lipid peroxidation, RNA:DNA ratio and condition
      factor K. Generalized linear models (GLM) were developed for each biological
      variable per species in relation to sediment chemical characterization (metals
      and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration) and environmental conditions
      (month, site, water temperature, salinity, depth and mud percentage in the
      sediment). GLM varied in explanatory power and in the set of predictor variables
      included in the models. Environmental factors were frequently selected as
      predictor variables. Individual metals concentration and sediment quality
      guidelines (integrating all metals) were the major contaminants explaining
      biological variability. Accordingly, models for metallothioneins and lipid
      peroxidation had highest explanatory power. Species-specific responses and
      dataset size were the basis of observed differences between GLM for the two
      species. 

PMID- 24239067
TI  - Negative effects of ocean acidification on two crustose coralline species using
      genetically homogeneous samples.
AB  - We evaluated acidification effects on two crustose coralline algal species common
      to Pacific coral reefs, Lithophyllum kotschyanum and Hydrolithon samoense. We
      used genetically homogeneous samples of both species to eliminate
      misidentification of species. The growth rates and percent calcification of the
      walls of the epithallial cells (thallus surface cells) of both species decreased
      with increasing pCO2. However, elevated pCO2 more strongly inhibited the growth
      of L. kotschyanum versus H. samoense. The trend of decreasing percent
      calcification of the cell wall did not differ between these species, although
      intercellular calcification of the epithallial cells in L. kotschyanum was
      apparently reduced at elevated pCO2, a result that might indicate that there are
      differences in the solubility or density of the calcite skeletons of these two
      species. These results can provide knowledge fundamental to future studies of the
      physiological and genetic mechanisms that underlie the response of crustose
      coralline algae to environmental stresses.

PMID- 24239068
TI  - Stigmatization of people with drug dependence in China: a community-based study
      in Hunan province.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug abuse remains a serious problem in China, and has become a major
      threat to public health and social security. Since the issuance and enforcement
      of the new Anti-Drug law in 2008, the community has become the primary site for
      drug rehabilitation. However, the attitudes of members in community toward the
      people with drug use disorders are unclear. METHODS: A random sample of household
      respondents was studied in two communities in Hunan province in China. A total of
      848 individuals participated (response rate 83.7%). Respondents initially were
      asked a set of questions about their knowledge about dug dependence, and then
      were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 vignette conditions. Three vignettes described
      different type of drug dependence meeting diagnostic criteria, and the fourth
      depicted a "normal person." RESULTS: Poor knowledge of drug dependence was
      common. Negative attitudes towards drug dependent people were widespread. Most
      respondents believed that drug dependence was caused by the person's own weak
      will (82.0%) and own hedonistic lifestyle (81.3%), and should be punished as
      illegal behavior (80.4%). The vast majority labeled the person with drug
      dependence as an addict, rated them as having undesirable characteristics, and
      expressed a strong desire for social distance. There were few socio-demographic
      predictors of both poor knowledge and negative attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: A
      community-based rehabilitation program in China should take into account the
      widespread stigmatization of people with drug dependence.

PMID- 24239069
TI  - Factors influencing dairy calf and replacement heifer mortality in France.
AB  - Herd-level risk factors for dairy calf and heifer mortality in France were
      identified by calculating herd-level variables (including mortality risk or rate)
      using the National Bovine Identification Database (2005 and 2006). Eleven dairy
      production areas representing different livestock systems were also included.
      Statistical analyses were based on a probit model (mortality risk or rate=0 or
      >0) and a linear model (mortality risk or rate >0) corrected by the sample bias
      Heckman method. The same associations were reported for 2005 and 2006. The
      mortality risks or rates for calves and heifers were positively associated with
      the proportion of purchased cows or being a Milk Control Program member and
      negatively associated with adhering to the Good Breeding Practices charter and
      having an autumn calving peak. The associations between mortality and the breeds
      or the production areas were positive or negative, depending on the classes of
      animal. Mortality and having a beef herd in addition to the dairy herd were
      negatively associated for noncrossed birth to 2-d-old calves, noncrossed 3-d- to
      1-mo-old calves, and 3-d- to 1-mo-old heifers. Having a beef herd probably
      provides specific know-how related to newborn and young calf management that
      makes it easier to attain low mortality in pure-breed dairy calves. The
      proportion of males born was positively associated with mortality for the birth
      to 2-d-old calves (all classes) and for the 3-d- to 1-mo-old beef-crossed calves,
      but negatively for all classes of heifers. This indicates that heifer management
      was improved when the availability of newborn heifers decreased, resulting in low
      mortality. This lower mortality is apparent for all classes of heifers present on
      the farm during the year when the proportion of males was low, and demonstrates
      an anticipatory effect. In conclusion, this study shows that the presence of a
      beef herd in addition to the dairy herd within a farm is associated with
      decreased dairy calf mortality. It also shows that heifer mortality decreases
      when the proportion of heifers born decreased. These determinants of dairy calf
      and heifer mortality are of great importance for farmer advisors, the dairy
      industry, and the political decision makers. 

PMID- 24239070
TI  - Short communication: Aflatoxin M1 in dairy products sold in Sanliurfa, Turkey.
AB  - The aim of this study was to detect the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in
      samples of raw milk (n=38), UHT milk (n=12), white pickled cheese (n=50), and
      yogurt (n=50) collected from the Sanliurfa city markets and locally produced
      dairy products by ELISA. The mean contamination rates were 56.74 +/- 40.32, 43.1
      +/- 23.19, 103.2 +/- 29.13, and 55.28 +/- 12.68 ng/kg, respectively, for raw
      milk, UHT milk, white pickled cheese, and yogurt. According to the data, 21 (55%)
      raw milk, 3 (25%) UHT milk, 10 (20%) white pickled cheese, and 10 (20%) yogurt
      samples were contaminated with AFM1 over the acceptable levels (>=50 ng/kg),
      ranging from 0.82 to 130.89 ng/kg. None of the white pickled cheese samples
      contained AFM1 levels above the Turkish legal limit (250 ng/kg). Consequently,
      the AFM1 contamination levels determined in this study in white pickled cheese
      were not considered to pose a serious public health hazard. However, the AFM1
      levels in raw and UHT milk and yogurt samples indicate an increased human health
      risk in Turkey related to high aflatoxin levels. Therefore, milk and dairy
      products have to be monitored by the Turkish public health authorities
      continuously to detect AFM1 contamination.

PMID- 24239071
TI  - Short communication: Antimicrobial resistance and virulence characterization of
      methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolates from bovine mastitis cases in
      Portugal.
AB  - Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) have already been reported as mastitis
      agents. Such bacterial species are a public health concern, and the
      characterization of their antimicrobial resistance and virulence profile is
      important to better control their dissemination. The present work evaluated the
      distribution of methicillin-resistance among 204 staphylococci from clinical
      (n=50) and subclinical (n=154) bovine mastitis. The presence ofthe mecA gene was
      determined by PCR. Phenotypic expression of coagulase, DNase, lipase, gelatinase,
      hemolytic enzymes, and biofilm production was evaluated. The presence of biofilm
      related genes, icaA, icaD, and bap, was also determined. Antimicrobial resistance
      patterns for aminoglycosides, lincosamides, macrolides, fluoroquinolones,
      sulphonamides, tetracyclines, and fusidic acid were determined. Nineteen (9.3%)
      isolates were identified as MRS, and the presence of mecA in these isolates was
      confirmed by PCR. Virulence factors evaluation revealed that gelatinase was the
      most frequently detected (94.7%), followed by hemolysins (73.7%) and lipase
      (68.4%); 84.2% of the MRS isolates produced biofilm and icaA and icaD were
      detected in almost half of the MRS isolates (52.6%), but all were bap-negative.
      Resistance against other antimicrobial agents ranged from 0 (fusidic acid,
      ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, enrofloxacin) to 100% (nalidixic acid). Resistance to
      nalidixic acid and nalidixic acid-tetracycline were the most common antimicrobial
      resistance profiles (31.6%). This study confirms that despite the low prevalence
      of MRS, isolates frequently express other virulence traits, especially biofilm,
      that may represent a serious challenge to clinicians. 

PMID- 24239072
TI  - Climatic effects on milk production traits and somatic cell score in lactating
      Holstein-Friesian cows in different housing systems.
AB  - The objective of this study was to compare the effect of the temperature-humidity
      index (THI) on milk production traits and somatic cell score (SCS) of dairy cows
      raised in 4 different housing systems: (1) warm loose housing with access to
      grazing (WG), (2) warm loose housing without access to grazing (WI), (3) cold
      loose housing with access to grazing (CG), and (4) cold loose housing without
      access to grazing (CI). For each of the 4 housing systems, 5 farms with a herd
      size of 70 to 200 lactating cows in Lower Saxony, Germany, were studied. Ambient
      temperature and relative humidity were recorded hourly in each barn to calculate
      THI. Milk production data included 21,546 test-day records for milk, fat, and
      protein yield, and SCS. These data were associated with the average THI of the 3
      d preceding the respective measurement, which was divided into 6 classes (<45,
      >=45 to <50, >=50 to <55, >=55 to <60, >=60 to <65, and >=65). Furthermore, bulk
      milk samples including the fat and protein percentage, and SCS taken 4 to 6 times
      per month were associated with the average and maximum THI of the 3 d before
      sampling. Data were recorded from April 2010 to March 2011. In each of the
      housing systems, monthly THI values above 60, indicating heat stress, were
      recorded between June and September, with higher values in WI and WG. In all
      systems, fat-corrected milk, fat, and protein yields of the test-day records
      decreased in tendency from 60 <= THI<65 to THI >65. In WI and CI, values for SCS
      were greater in the class THI > 65 than in 60 <= THI<65, whereas no difference
      between any of the THI classes was found in WG and CG. The fat and protein
      percentage of the bulk milk samples decreased with increasing 3-d maximum THI in
      all 4 systems, whereas the SCS increased with increasing 3-d average THI. In
      conclusion, negative effects of heat stress conditions under a temperate climate
      on milk production traits and SCS were found, although a housing system being
      superior to the other systems in altering heat stress effects was not identified.

PMID- 24239073
TI  - Use of sodium polyphosphates with different linear lengths in the production of
      spreadable processed cheese.
AB  - The objective of this study was to describe the dependence of textural properties
      (hardness, cohesiveness, and relative adhesiveness) of processed cheese spreads
      on the proportion of disodium phosphate (DSP), tetrasodium diphosphate (TSPP),
      and sodium salts of polyphosphate in ternary mixtures of emulsifying salts.
      Sodium salts of polyphosphate with different mean lengths (n ~ 5, 9, 13, 20, and
      28) were used. Pentasodium triphosphate (PSTP) was used instead of TSPP in the
      second part of the study. Products with and without pH adjustment were tested
      (the target pH value was 5.60-5.80). Textural properties of the processed cheese
      were observed after 2, 9, and 30 d of storage at 6 degrees C. Hardness of the
      processed cheese with a low content of polyphosphate increased at a specific
      DSP:TSPP ratio (~1:1 to 3:4). This trend was the same for all the polyphosphates
      used; only the absolute values of texture parameters were different. The same
      trends were observed in the ternary mixtures with PSTP, showing lower final
      values of hardness compared with samples containing TSPP. Hardness and
      cohesiveness decreased and relative adhesiveness increased in the samples with
      increased pH values and vice versa; the main trend remained unchanged. 

PMID- 24239074
TI  - Short communication: Effect of active food packaging materials on fluid milk
      quality and shelf life.
AB  - Active packaging, in which active agents are embedded into or on the surface of
      food packaging materials, can enhance the nutritive value, economics, and
      stability of food, as well as enable in-package processing. In one embodiment of
      active food packaging, lactase was covalently immobilized onto packaging films
      for in-package lactose hydrolysis. In prior work, lactase was covalently bound to
      low-density polyethylene using polyethyleneimine and glutaraldehyde cross-linkers
      to form the packaging film. Because of the potential contaminants of proteases,
      lipases, and spoilage organisms in typical enzyme preparations, the goal of the
      current work was to determine the effect of immobilized-lactase active packaging
      technology on unanticipated side effects, such as shortened shelf-life and
      reduced product quality. Results suggested no evidence of lipase or protease
      activity on the active packaging films, indicating that such active packaging
      films could enable in-package lactose hydrolysis without adversely affecting
      product quality in terms of dairy protein or lipid stability. Storage stability
      studies indicated that lactase did not migrate from the film over a 49-d period,
      and that dry storage resulted in 13.41% retained activity, whereas wet storage
      conditions enabled retention of 62.52% activity. Results of a standard plate
      count indicated that the film modification reagents introduced minor microbial
      contamination; however, the microbial population remained under the 20,000 cfu/mL
      limit through the manufacturer's suggested 14-d storage period for all film
      samples. This suggests that commercially produced immobilized lactase active
      packaging should use purified cross-linkers and enzymes. Characterization of
      unanticipated effects of active packaging on food quality reported here is
      important in demonstrating the commercial potential of such technologies. 

PMID- 24239075
TI  - Moist and dry heating-induced changes in protein molecular structure, protein
      subfractions, and nutrient profiles in camelina seeds.
AB  - The objectives of the present study were to investigate the nutritive value of
      camelina seeds (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) in ruminant nutrition and to use
      molecular spectroscopy as a novel technique to quantify the heat-induced changes
      in protein molecular structures in relation to protein digestive behavior in the
      rumen and intestine of dairy cattle. In this study, camelina seeds were used as a
      model for feed protein. The seeds were kept as raw (control) or heated in an
      autoclave (moist heating) or in an air-draft oven (dry heating) at 120 degrees C
      for 60 min. The parameters evaluated were (1) chemical profiles, (2) Cornell Net
      Protein and Carbohydrate System protein subfractions, (3) nutrient
      digestibilities and estimated energy values, (4) in situ rumen degradation and
      intestinal digestibility, and (5) protein molecular structures. Compared with raw
      seeds, moist heating markedly decreased (52.73 to 20.41%) the content of soluble
      protein and increased (2.00 to 9.01%) the content of neutral detergent insoluble
      protein in total crude protein (CP). Subsequently, the rapidly degradable Cornell
      Net Protein and Carbohydrate System CP fraction markedly decreased (45.06 to
      16.69% CP), with a concomitant increase in the intermediately degradable (45.28
      to 74.02% CP) and slowly degradable (1.13 to 8.02% CP) fractions, demonstrating a
      decrease in overall protein degradability in the rumen. The in situ rumen
      incubation study revealed that moist heating decreased (75.45 to 57.92%) rumen
      degradable protein and increased (43.90 to 82.95%) intestinal digestibility of
      rumen-undegradable protein. The molecular spectroscopy study revealed that moist
      heating increased the amide I-to-amide II ratio and decreased alpha-helix and
      alpha-helix-to-beta-sheet ratio. In contrast, dry heating did not significantly
      change CP solubility, rumen degradability, intestinal digestibility, and protein
      molecular structures compared with the raw seeds. Our results indicated that,
      compared with dry heating, moist heating markedly changed protein chemical
      profiles, protein subfractions, rumen protein degradability, and intestinal
      digestibility, which were associated with changes in protein molecular structures
      (amide I-to-amid II ratio and alpha-helix-to-beta-sheet ratio). Moist heating
      improved the nutritive value and utilization of protein in camelina seeds
      compared with dry heating. 

PMID- 24239076
TI  - Genomic selection strategies in a small dairy cattle population evaluated for
      genetic gain and profit.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate a genomic breeding scheme in a small
      dairy cattle population that was intermediate in terms of using both young bulls
      (YB) and progeny-tested bulls (PB). This scheme was compared with a conventional
      progeny testing program without use of genomic information and, as the extreme
      case, a juvenile scheme with genomic information, where all bulls were used
      before progeny information was available. The population structure, cost, and
      breeding plan parameters were chosen to reflect the Danish Jersey cattle
      population, being representative for a small dairy cattle population. The
      population consisted of 68,000 registered cows. Annually, 1,500 bull dams were
      screened to produce the 500 genotyped bull calves from which 60 YB were selected
      to be progeny tested. Two unfavorably correlated traits were included in the
      breeding goal, a production trait (h(2)=0.30) and a functional trait (h(2)=0.04).
      An increase in reliability of 5 percentage points for each trait was used in the
      default genomic scenario. A deterministic approach was used to model the
      different breeding programs, where the primary evaluation criterion was annual
      monetary genetic gain (AMGG). Discounted profit was used as an indicator of the
      economic outcome. We investigated the effect of varying the following parameters:
      (1) increase in reliability due to genomic information, (2) number of genotyped
      bull calves, (3) proportion of bull dam sires that are young bulls, and (4)
      proportion of cow sires that are young bulls. The genomic breeding scheme was
      both genetically and economically superior to the conventional breeding scheme,
      even in a small dairy cattle population where genomic information causes a
      relatively low increase in reliability of breeding values. Assuming low
      reliabilities of genomic predictions, the optimal breeding scheme according to
      AMGG was characterized by mixed use of YB and PB as bull sires. Exclusive use of
      YB for production cows increased AMGG up to 3 percentage points. The results from
      this study supported our hypothesis that strong interaction effects exist. The
      strongest interaction effects were obtained between increased reliabilities of
      genomic estimated breeding values and more intensive use of YB. The juvenile
      scheme was genetically inferior when the increase in reliability was low (5
      percentage points), but became genetically superior at higher reliabilities of
      genomic estimated breeding values. The juvenile scheme was always superior
      according to discounted profit because of the shorter generation interval and
      minimizing costs for housing and feeding waiting bulls. 

PMID- 24239077
TI  - Combined effect of active coating and modified atmosphere packaging on prolonging
      the shelf life of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese.
AB  - In this work, the effect of active coating on the shelf life of low-moisture
      Mozzarella cheese packaged in air and modified atmosphere (MAP) was studied. The
      active coating was based on sodium alginate (2%, wt/vol) and potassium sorbate
      (1%, wt/vol). The MAP was made up of 75% CO2 and 25% N2 (MAP1), 25% CO2 and 75%
      N2 (MAP2), or 50% CO2 and 50% N2 (MAP3). The product quality decay was assessed
      by monitoring microbiological and sensory changes during storage at 4, 8, and 14
      degrees C. Results showed that the combination of active coating and MAP was able
      to improve the preservation of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese. Specifically, the
      shelf life increased up to 160 d for samples stored at 4 degrees C, and 40 and 11
      d for those at 8 and 14 degrees C, respectively. A faster quality decay for
      untreated samples packaged in air was observed. In particular, the Pseudomonas
      spp. growth and the appearance of molds were responsible for product
      unacceptability. The combination of active coating and MAP represents a strategic
      solution to prolong the shelf life of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese and to
      ensure the safety of the product under thermal abuse conditions.

PMID- 24239078
TI  - Goat milk consumption modulates liver divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1)
      expression and serum hepcidin during Fe repletion in Fe-deficiency anemia.
AB  - Iron deficiency is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency worldwide. In
      spite of the crucial role of hepatocyte divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and
      hepcidin in Fe metabolism, to date, no studies have directly tested the role of
      these proteins in liver Fe metabolism during Fe repletion after induced Fe
      deficiency anemia. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the
      effect of goat or cow milk-based diets on Fe metabolism in one of the main body
      storage organs, the liver, during the course of Fe repletion with goat or cow
      milk-based diets in anemic rats. Animals were placed on a preexperimental period
      of 40 d, a control group receiving a normal-Fe diet and the Fe-deficient group
      receiving a low-Fe diet (5 mg of Fe/kg of diet). Rats were fed for 30 d with goat
      or cow milk-based diets with normal Fe content (45 mg of Fe/kg of diet). The
      hematological parameters, serum hepcidin, hepatosomatic index, liver Fe content,
      and liver DMT1 expression were determined. During the recovery of the anemia with
      milk-based diets, the restoration of liver Fe content and hematological
      parameters, especially with goat milk, increased the red blood cell count,
      favoring the oxygen supply and weight gain. Moreover, goat milk consumption
      potentiates liver DMT1 expression, enhancing Fe metabolism and storage. In
      addition, the increase in serum hepcidin in anemic rats observed in the current
      study also explains and supports the higher liver Fe content after supplying goat
      milk, because it blocks the liberation of Fe from hepatocytes, increasing its
      storage in liver.

PMID- 24239079
TI  - Effect of supplementing fat to pregnant nonlactating cows on colostral fatty acid
      profile and passive immunity of the newborn calf.
AB  - The objectives were to evaluate the effect of supplementing saturated or
      unsaturated long-chain fatty acids (FA) to nulliparous and parous Holstein
      animals (n=78) during late gestation on FA profile of colostrum and plasma of
      newborn calves and on production and absorption of IgG. The saturated FA
      supplement (SAT) was enriched in C18:0 and the unsaturated FA supplement (ESS)
      was enriched in the essential FA C18:2n-6. Fatty acids were supplemented at 1.7%
      of dietary dry matter to low-FA diets (1.9% of dietary dry matter) during the
      last 8 wk of gestation. Calves were fed 4 L of colostrum within 2h of birth from
      their own dam or from a dam fed the same treatment. Feeding fat did not affect
      prepartum dry matter intake, body weight change, or gestation length. Parous but
      not nulliparous dams tended to give birth to heavier calves if fed fat prepartum.
      Parous dams were less able to synthesize essential FA derivatives, as evidenced
      by lower desaturase indices, compared with nulliparous dams, suggesting a greater
      need for essential FA supplementation. The FA profile of colostrum was modified
      to a greater degree by prepartum fat feeding than was that of neonatal calf
      plasma. The placental transfer and synthesis of elongated n-3 FA (C20:5, C22:5,
      and C22:6) were reduced, whereas the n-6 FA (C18:2, C18:3, and C20:3) were
      increased in plasma of calves born from dams fed ESS rather than SAT.
      Supplementing unsaturated FA prepartum resulted in elevated concentrations of
      trans isomers of unsaturated monoene and diene FA, as well as C18:2n-6 in
      colostrum. Serum concentrations of IgG tended to be increased in calves born from
      dams fed fat compared with those not fed fat, and prepartum feeding of SAT tended
      to improve circulating concentrations of IgG in newborn calves above the feeding
      of ESS. Apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG was improved in calves born from
      dams fed fat, and SAT supplementation appeared more effective than
      supplementation with ESS. Feeding SAT prepartum may be of greater benefit based
      upon greater circulating IgG concentrations of calves after colostrum feeding.
      Feeding moderate amounts of saturated or unsaturated long-chain FA during the
      last 8 wk of gestation changed the FA profile of colostrum and plasma of neonates
      to reflect that of the supplements.

PMID- 24239080
TI  - Induced hyperketonemia affects the mammary immune response during
      lipopolysaccharide challenge in dairy cows.
AB  - Metabolic adaptations during negative energy and nutrient balance in dairy cows
      are thought to cause impaired immune function and hence increased risk of
      infectious diseases, including mastitis. Characteristic adaptations mostly
      occurring in early lactation are an elevation of plasma ketone bodies and free
      fatty acids (nonesterified fatty acids, NEFA) and diminished glucose
      concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of elevated
      plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) at simultaneously even or positive energy
      balance and thus normal plasma NEFA and glucose on factors related to the immune
      system in liver and mammary gland of dairy cows. In addition, we investigated the
      effect of elevated plasma BHBA and intramammary lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      challenge on the mammary immune response. Thirteen dairy cows were infused either
      with BHBA (HyperB, n=5) to induce hyperketonemia (1.7 mmol/L) or with a 0.9%
      saline solution (NaCl, n=8) for 56 h. Two udder quarters were injected with 200
      MUg of LPS after 48 h of infusion. Rectal temperature (RT) and somatic cell
      counts (SCC) were measured before, at 48 h after the start of infusions, and
      hourly during the LPS challenge. The mRNA abundance of factors related to the
      immune system was measured in hepatic and mammary tissue biopsies 1 wk before and
      48 h after the start of the infusion, and additionally in mammary tissue at 56 h
      of infusion (8h after LPS administration). At 48 h of infusion in HyperB, the
      mRNA abundance of serum amyloid A (SAA) in the mammary gland was increased and
      that of haptoglobin (Hp) tended to be increased. Rectal temperature, SCC, and
      mRNA abundance of candidate genes in the liver were not affected by the BHBA
      infusion until 48 h. During the following LPS challenge, RT and SCC increased in
      both groups. However, SCC increased less in HyperB than in NaCl. Quarters infused
      with LPS showed a more pronounced increase of mRNA abundance of IL-8 and IL-10 in
      HyperB than in NaCl. The results demonstrate that an increase of plasma BHBA
      upregulates acute phase proteins in the mammary gland. In response to
      intramammary LPS challenge, elevated BHBA diminishes the influx of leukocytes
      from blood into milk, perhaps by via modified cytokine synthesis. Results
      indicate that increased ketone body plasma concentrations may play a crucial role
      in the higher mastitis susceptibility in early lactation.

PMID- 24239081
TI  - Microbiological safety and quality of Mozzarella cheese assessed by the
      microbiological survey method.
AB  - Dairy products are characterized by reduced shelf life because they are an
      excellent growth medium for a wide range of microorganisms. For this reason, it
      is important to monitor the microbiological quality of dairy products and, in
      particular, the total viable count and concentration of Escherichia coli, as they
      are indicators of the hygienic state of these products. In addition, in dairy
      products such as Mozzarella cheese, it is important to monitor the concentration
      of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), as they are the major components of starter
      cultures used in cheese production, contributing to the taste and texture of
      fermented products and inhibiting food spoilage bacteria by producing growth
      inhibiting substances. For these reasons, to ensure the quality and safety of
      their products, cheese makers should monitor frequently, during fresh cheese
      production, the concentration of LAB and spoilage bacteria. However, usually,
      small- to medium-size dairy factories do not have an internal microbiological
      laboratory and external laboratories of analysis are often too expensive and
      require several days for the results. Compared with traditional methods, the
      microbiological survey (MBS) method developed by Roma Tre University (Rome,
      Italy) allows faster and less-expensive microbiological analyses to be conducted
      wherever they are necessary, without the need for a microbiological laboratory or
      any instrumentation other than MBS vials and a thermostat. In this paper, we
      report the primary validation of the MBS method to monitor LAB concentration in
      Mozzarella cheese and the analysis, using the MBS method, of total viable count,
      E. coli, and LAB concentrations in the production line of Mozzarella cheese as
      well as during the shelf life of the product stored at 20 degrees C. The results
      obtained indicate that the MBS method may be successfully used by small- to
      medium-size dairy factories that do not have an internal microbiological
      laboratory. Using the MBS method, these dairy factories can monitor autonomously
      the microbiological safety and quality of their products, saving both time and
      money. 

PMID- 24239083
TI  - The effect of 2 liquid feeds and 2 sources of protein in starter on performance
      and blood metabolites in Holstein neonatal calves.
AB  - The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of 2 liquid feeds and 2
      protein sources in starter on the performance and blood metabolite responses of
      Holstein neonatal calves from birth to 6 wk of age. Calves (20 males and 20
      females) based on sex were randomly assigned to 4 treatments in a 2 * 2 * 2
      factorial arrangement, including soybean meal (SBM) and meat and bone meal (MB)
      with either fermented colostrum (or fresh milk. Although sex and liquid feed had
      no significant effect on feed intake, calves consumed more feed intake on the
      diet containing SBM (15 +/- 0.2 kg) than MB (13 +/- 0.2 kg) during the
      experimental period; also, weight gain was affected by both liquid feed and
      starter. Liquid feed and starter had significant effects on calf body size,
      including pin width, hip width, withers height, hip height, and stomach size, but
      no significant effects were observed on calf body size between the sexes. Plasma
      glucose concentration was not affected by sex, liquid feed, or starter. Plasma
      urea nitrogen concentration decreased in the first 3 wk and then started to
      increase during the last 3 wk, but it was only affected by starter and calves
      receiving SBM (10.18 mg/dL) had a higher concentration of plasma urea nitrogen
      than calves receiving MB (9.6 mg/dL) at the end of the experiment. Plasma growth
      hormone and insulin-like growth factor I concentrations decreased in all
      treatment groups from d 0 to the end of the study. No significant effects were
      observed on plasma growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I concentrations
      between the 2 sexes, but they were significantly affected by both liquid feed and
      starter. Results of the present study provide useful information to apply to
      Holstein neonatal calves during the first 6 wk of life when liquid feed and 2
      sources of protein in starter are considered.

PMID- 24239082
TI  - Short communication: Genetic characterization of digital cushion thickness.
AB  - Dairy cow lameness is a serious animal welfare issue. It is also a significant
      cause of economic losses, reducing reproductive efficiency and milk production
      and increasing culling rates. The digital cushion is a complex structure composed
      mostly of adipose tissue located underneath the distal phalanx and has recently
      been phenotypically associated with incidence of claw horn disruption lesions
      (CHDL); namely, sole ulcers and white line disease. The objective of this study
      was to characterize digital cushion thickness genetically and to investigate its
      association with body condition score (BCS), locomotion score (LOCO), CHDL, and
      milk production. Data were collected from 1 large closely monitored commercial
      dairy farm located in upstate New York; 923 dairy cows were used. Before
      trimming, the following data were collected by a member of the research team:
      BCS, cow height measurement, and LOCO. Presence or not of CHDL (sole ulcer or
      white line disease, or both) was recorded at trimming. Immediately after the cows
      were hoof trimmed, they underwent digital sonographic B-mode examination for the
      measurement of digital cushion thickness. Factors such as parity number, stage of
      lactation, calving date, mature-equivalent 305-d milk yield (ME305MY), and
      pedigree information were obtained from the farm's dairy management software
      (DairyCOMP 305; Valley Agricultural Software, Tulare, CA). Univariate animal
      models were used to obtain variance component estimations for each studied trait
      (CHDL, BCS, digital cushion thickness average, LOCO, height, and ME305MY) and a 6
      variate analysis was conducted to estimate the genetic, residual, and phenotypic
      correlations between the studied traits. The heritability estimate of DCTA was
      0.33+/-0.09, whereas a statistically significant genetic correlation was
      estimated between DCTA and CHDL (-0.60+/-0.29). Of the other genetic
      correlations, significant estimates were derived for BCS with LOCO (-0.49+/-0.19)
      and ME305MY (-0.48+/-0.20). Digital cushion thickness is moderately heritable and
      genetically strongly correlated with CHDL. 

PMID- 24239084
TI  - Effect of camel chymosin on the texture, functionality, and sensory properties of
      low-moisture, part-skim Mozzarella cheese.
AB  - The objective of this study was to compare the effect of coagulant (bovine calf
      chymosin, BCC, or camel chymosin, CC), on the functional and sensory properties
      and performance shelf-life of low-moisture, part-skim (LMPS) Mozzarella. Both
      chymosins were used at 2 levels [0.05 and 0.037 international milk clotting units
      (IMCU)/mL], and clotting temperature was varied to achieve similar gelation times
      for each treatment (as this also affects cheese properties). Functionality was
      assessed at various cheese ages using dynamic low-amplitude oscillatory rheology
      and performance of baked cheese on pizza. Cheese composition was not
      significantly different between treatments. The level of total calcium or
      insoluble (INSOL) calcium did not differ significantly among the cheeses
      initially or during ripening. Proteolysis in cheese made with BCC was higher than
      in cheeses made with CC. At 84 d of ripening, maximum loss tangent values were
      not significantly different in the cheeses, suggesting that these cheeses had
      similar melt characteristics. After 14 d of cheese ripening, the crossover
      temperature (loss tangent = 1 or melting temperature) was higher when CC was used
      as coagulant. This was due to lower proteolysis in the CC cheeses compared with
      those made with BCC because the pH and INSOL calcium levels were similar in all
      cheeses. Cheeses made with CC maintained higher hardness values over 84 d of
      ripening compared with BCC and maintained higher sensory firmness values and
      adhesiveness of mass scores during ripening. When melted on pizzas, cheese made
      with CC had lower blister quantity and the cheeses were firmer and chewier.
      Because the 2 types of cheeses had similar moisture contents, pH values, and
      INSOL Ca levels, differences in proteolysis were responsible for the firmer and
      chewier texture of CC cheeses. When cheese performance on baked pizza was
      analyzed, properties such as blister quantity, strand thickness, hardness, and
      chewiness were maintained for a longer ripening time than cheeses made with BCC,
      indicating that use of CC could help to extend the performance shelf-life of LMPS
      Mozzarella. 

PMID- 24239085
TI  - Short communication: Validation of genomic breeding value predictions for feed
      intake and feed efficiency traits.
AB  - Validating genomic prediction equations in independent populations is an
      important part of evaluating genomic selection. Published genomic predictions
      from 2 studies on (1) residual feed intake and (2) dry matter intake (DMI) were
      validated in a cohort of 78 multiparous Holsteins from Australia. The mean
      realized accuracy of genomic prediction for residual feed intake was 0.27 when
      the reference population included phenotypes from 939 New Zealand and 843
      Australian growing heifers (aged 5-8 mo) genotyped on high density (770k) single
      nucleotide polymorphism chips. The 90% bootstrapped confidence interval of this
      estimate was between 0.16 and 0.36. The mean realized accuracy was slightly lower
      (0.25) when the reference population comprised only Australian growing heifers.
      Higher realized accuracies were achieved for DMI in the same validation
      population and using a multicountry model that included 958 lactating cows from
      the Netherlands and United Kingdom in addition to 843 growing heifers from
      Australia. The multicountry analysis for DMI generated 3 sets of genomic
      predictions for validation animals, one on each country scale. The highest mean
      accuracy (0.72) was obtained when the genomic breeding values were expressed on
      the Dutch scale. Although the validation population used in this study was small
      (n=78), the results illustrate that genomic selection for DMI and residual feed
      intake is feasible. Multicountry collaboration in the area of dairy cow feed
      efficiency is the evident pathway to achieving reasonable genomic prediction
      accuracies for these valuable traits.

PMID- 24239086
TI  - Molecular epidemiology of recurrent clinical mastitis due to Streptococcus
      uberis: evidence of both an environmental source and recurring infection with the
      same strain.
AB  - This study was undertaken because clinicians and farmers have observed that a
      considerable number of cows diagnosed with Streptococcus uberis mastitis have
      recurrences of mastitis in the same or a different quarter. The study was an
      attempt to answer whether these recurring cases were due to treatment failure (in
      which case a search would have begun for a better treatment for Strep. uberis
      mastitis) or due to reinfection with a different strain of Strep. uberis. Using
      pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), we determined that the majority of
      recurrences (20 of 27) were caused by a new strain of Strep. uberis, indicating
      that treatment of the initial infection had been successful. A small number of
      recurrences (5 of 27) were caused by the initial strain, indicating persistence.
      The remaining 2 recurrences occurred in a new quarter but with the initial strain
      of Strep. uberis, indicating either spread between quarters or reactivation of a
      previous subclinical infection. Analysis of the PFGE profiles failed to reveal
      any strain-specific propensity to persist, because strains causing recurrences
      occurred in most of the major clusters. 

PMID- 24239087
TI  - Evaluation of effects of metritis management in a complex dairy herd health
      management program.
AB  - Evaluating the effects of all interventions in a dairy herd, including the
      effects of various herd health management programs (HHMP), is highly relevant. A
      traditional randomized controlled trial is the gold standard but is likely
      practically impossible or prohibitively expensive to use for a general evaluation
      of a HHMP. Generalizability may also be poor because of the dynamics of the
      production contexts. In this study, we demonstrate an approach for evaluating the
      effects of an HHMP in the field, specifying an intervention theory for an ongoing
      HHMP in the context of the Danish dairy industry. As an example, we suggest one
      coherent analytical approach for studying the possible effects on milk production
      of systematic postpartum examinations of vaginal discharge, which is supposed to
      improve detection and treatment of metritis or endometritis. This routine is one
      component of the HHMP. The data consisted of 121 herds and 76,953 lactations over
      a 15-yr period. For parity group 1, the negative effects of metritis (despite
      treatment) on 305-d milk production after a normal calving were reduced by 116 kg
      of energy-corrected milk after enrollment in the HHMP. For parity group 2 and
      parity group >2, enrollment in the HHMP resulted in a 129-kg and an 80-kg energy
      corrected milk yield increase in milk production, respectively. The results
      indicate that effects of the HHMP existed, which were mediated through improved
      metritis detection. This study demonstrates the importance of a clear-cut
      intervention theory, although even with a theory, the research question can be
      too herd and context specific. In such a case, a within-herd randomized
      controlled trial study design seems to be the only way to achieve a valid result
      for a given herd, and acquiring valid results from an observational multi-herd
      study will be very difficult.

PMID- 24239088
TI  - Evaluation of milk ELISA for detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies
      paratuberculosis in dairy herds and association with within-herd prevalence.
AB  - Cow-level milk ELISA results can be used to determine herd Mycobacterium avium
      ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) status. Milk sample collection is minimally invasive
      and ELISA results can be obtained quickly and economically. The objectives were
      to evaluate the herd-level test characteristics of 3 commercial milk ELISA, and
      to determine the impact of within-herd MAP prevalence on the performance of the
      milk ELISA herd test. A total of 32 purposively selected herds with a median herd
      size of 66 milking cows were used in this 2-yr project. Fecal and milk samples
      were collected from all milking cows at 6-mo intervals. Fecal samples were pooled
      by cow age, with 5 cow samples per pool; individual fecal culture was completed
      on cow samples from positive pools. Herd MAP status was defined as MAP positive
      if, at any point during the longitudinal study, a pooled fecal culture from the
      herd was positive. Milk samples were analyzed using each of 3 commercial milk
      ELISA kits; a cow-level result from each ELISA was classified as positive
      following the respective manufacturer's recommended threshold for a positive
      result. Herd-level milk ELISA test characteristics were estimated using
      generalized estimating equations logistic models, which accounted for repeated
      measurements. Using a cutoff of 2% milk ELISA-positive cows, milk ELISA herd
      sensitivity relative to a herd MAP status based on all pooled fecal culture
      results collected during the study was as follows: ELISA A: 59% [95% confidence
      interval (CI): 36-78%), ELISA B: 56% (95% CI: 32-77%), and ELISA C: 63% (95% CI:
      41-81%). Herd specificity for ELISA A, B, and C was 80% (95% CI: 71-88%), 96%
      (95% CI: 89-98%), and 92% (95% CI: 86-96%), respectively. The remainder of the
      analyses focused on results from ELISA B. Herd sensitivity of ELISA B increased
      as MAP prevalence increased. In herds with a mean MAP prevalence <=5%, the herd
      sensitivity of the milk ELISA was low, ranging from 11% when MAP prevalence was
      1%, to 62% when MAP prevalence was 5%. Categorical likelihood ratios based on
      milk ELISA within-herd prevalence predicted that herds with milk ELISA prevalence
      above 0 but <2% had a similar likelihood to be MAP positive or MAP negative,
      whereas herds with a milk ELISA prevalence between 2 and 4% were 3.7 times more
      likely to be MAP positive than MAP negative. All herds with a milk ELISA
      prevalence >4% were MAP positive. Although milk ELISA B worked well to establish
      herd MAP status in high-prevalence herds, interpretation was unreliable in MAP
      negative and low-prevalence herds. 

PMID- 24239089
TI  - Protein-protein interactions.

PMID- 24239090
TI  - Lifetime physical activity and cancer incidence--a cohort study of male former
      elite athletes in Finland.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Physical activity has been shown to decrease the risk of certain
      cancers. Objective of this study was to assess the effect of physical activity on
      cancer incidence in former male athletes in older age. DESIGN: A cohort of 2448
      elite male athletes and 1712 referents was followed-up for cancer incidence
      during 1986-2010 through the Finnish Cancer Registry. METHODS: Standardised
      incidence ratios were calculated with the general male population as the
      reference. Self-reported questionnaire-based data on covariates were used in Cox
      regression analyses comparing the risk of cancer in athletes and referents.
      RESULTS: The overall cancer incidence was lower in athletes than in the general
      population, standardised incidence ratio 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.81
      0.97). It was lowest among middle-distance runners (standardised incidence ratio
      0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.22-1.01), long-distance runners (standardised
      incidence ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.88) and jumpers
      (standardised incidence ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.37-0.92). The
      standardised incidence ratio of lung cancer among athletes was 0.40 (95%
      confidence interval 0.27-0.55) and that of kidney cancer 0.23 (95% confidence
      interval 0.06-0.57). The hazard ratio for lung cancer between athletes and
      referents increased from the unadjusted ratio of 0.29 (95% confidence interval:
      0.18-0.48) to 0.61 (95% confidence interval: 0.30-1.26) after adjustment for
      smoking status and pack-years of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Former male elite athletes
      evidently have less cancer than men on the average. The lesser risk can be
      attributed to lifestyle factors, notably less frequent smoking among the
      athletes.

PMID- 24239092
TI  - Cinnamon polyphenols regulate S100beta, sirtuins, and neuroactive proteins in rat
      C6 glioma cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence suggests that cinnamon has many health benefits
      when used in herbal medicine and as a dietary ingredient. The aim of this study
      was to investigate the effects of an aqueous extract of cinnamon, high in type A
      polyphenols, on molecular targets in rat C6 glioma cells that underlie their
      protective effects. METHODS: C6 rat glioma cells were seeded in 35-mm culture
      dishes or six-well plates, then were incubated with cinnamon polyphenols at doses
      of 10 and 20 MUg/mL for 24 h. The targeting protein expression, secretion, and
      phosphorylation were evaluated by immunoprecitation/immunoblotting and
      immunofluorescence imaging. RESULTS: Cinnamon polyphenols significantly enhanced
      secretion of S100beta, a Ca(2+)-binding protein, and increased intracellular
      S100beta expression after 24 h of incubation, in rat C6 glioma cells. Cinnamon
      polyphenols also enhanced protein levels of sirtuin 1, 2, and 3, deacetylases
      important in cell survival, and the tumor suppressor protein, p53, and inhibited
      the inflammatory factors, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and phospho-p65, a subunit
      of nuclear factor-kappabeta. Cinnamon polyphenols also up-regulated levels of
      phospho-p38, extracellular signal-regulated protein and mitogen-activated protein
      and kinase-activated protein kinases that may be important for prosurvival
      functions. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the effects of cinnamon
      polyphenols on upregulating prosurvival proteins, activating mitogen-activated
      protein kinase pathways, and decreasing proinflammatory cytokines may contribute
      to their neuroprotective effects.

PMID- 24239091
TI  - Crystal structure of Vdelta1 T cell receptor in complex with CD1d-sulfatide shows
      MHC-like recognition of a self-lipid by human gammadelta T cells.
AB  - The nature of the antigens recognized by gammadelta T cells and their potential
      recognition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-like molecules has remained
      unclear. Members of the CD1 family of lipid-presenting molecules are suggested
      ligands for Vdelta1 TCR-expressing gammadelta T cells, the major gammadelta
      lymphocyte population in epithelial tissues. We crystallized a Vdelta1 TCR in
      complex with CD1d and the self-lipid sulfatide, revealing the unusual recognition
      of CD1d by germline Vdelta1 residues spanning all complementarity-determining
      region (CDR) loops, as well as sulfatide recognition separately encoded by
      nongermline CDR3delta residues. Binding and functional analysis showed that CD1d
      presenting self-lipids, including sulfatide, was widely recognized by gut
      Vdelta1+ gammadelta T cells. These findings provide structural demonstration of
      MHC-like recognition of a self-lipid by gammadelta T cells and reveal the
      prevalence of lipid recognition by innate-like T cell populations.

PMID- 24239093
TI  - Multimodal voxel-based meta-analysis of structural and functional magnetic
      resonance imaging studies in those at elevated genetic risk of developing
      schizophrenia.
AB  - Computational brain-imaging studies of individuals at familial high risk for
      psychosis have provided interesting results, but interpreting these findings can
      be a challenge due to a number of factors. We searched the literature for studies
      reporting whole brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) or functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (fMRI) findings in people at familial high risk for
      schizophrenia compared with a control group. A voxel-wise meta-analysis with the
      effect-size version of Signed Differential Mapping (ES-SDM) identified regional
      abnormalities of functional brain response. Similarly, an ES-SDM meta-analysis
      was conducted on VBM studies. A multi-modal imaging meta-analysis was used to
      highlight brain regions with both structural and functional abnormalities.
      Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, in which a total of 815 familial
      high-risk individuals were compared to 685 controls. Our fMRI results revealed a
      number of regions of altered activation. VBM findings demonstrated both increases
      and decreases in grey matter density of relatives in a variety of brain regions.
      The multimodal analysis revealed relatives had decreased grey matter with hyper
      activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus/amygdala, and decreased grey matter
      with hypo-activation in the thalamus. We found several regions of altered
      activation or structure in familial high-risk individuals. Reliable fMRI findings
      in the right posterior superior temporal gyrus further confirm that alteration in
      this area is a potential marker of risk. 

PMID- 24239094
TI  - MRI diffusion tractography study in individuals with schizotypal features: a
      pilot study.
AB  - Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have identified changes in white matter
      tracts in schizophrenia patients and those at high risk of transition.
      Schizotypal samples represent a group on the schizophrenia continuum that share
      some aetiological risk factors but without the confounds of illness. The aim of
      the current study was to compare tract microstructural coherence as measured by
      fractional anisotropy (FA) between 12 psychometrically defined schizotypes and
      controls. We investigated bilaterally the uncinate and arcuate fasciculi (UF and
      AF) via a probabilistic tractography algorithm (PICo), with FA values compared
      between groups. Partial correlations were also examined between measures of
      subclinical hallucinatory/delusional experiences and FA values. Participants with
      schizotypal features were found to have increased FA values in the left
      hemisphere UF only. In the whole sample there was a positive correlation between
      FA values and measures of hallucinatory experience in the right AF. These
      findings suggest subtle changes in microstructural coherence are found in
      individuals with schizotypal features, but are not similar to changes
      predominantly observed in clinical samples. Correlations between mild
      hallucinatory experience and FA values could indicate increasing tract coherence
      could be associated with symptom formation. 

PMID- 24239096
TI  - Effect of platelet-rich plasma on fibrocartilage, cartilage, and bone repair in
      temporomandibular joint.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to explore the potential use of
      platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) in the treatment of temporomandibular joint
      osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgical defects were created
      bilaterally on the condylar fibrocartilage, hyaline cartilage, and bone to induce
      an osteoarthritic TMJ in rabbits. PRP was applied to the right joints of the
      rabbits (PRP group), and the left joints received physiologic saline (control
      group). After 4 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed for histologic and scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM) examinations. The data were analyzed statistically.
      RESULTS: The new bone regeneration was significantly greater in the PRP group (P
      < .011). Although the regeneration of the fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage
      was greater in the PRP group, no statistically significant difference was found
      between the 2 groups. SEM showed better ultrastructural architecture of the
      collagen fibrils in the PRP group. CONCLUSIONS: PRP might enhance the
      regeneration of bone in TMJ-OA.

PMID- 24239097
TI  - Assessment of heavy metals/metalloid (As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cu, Mn)
      concentrations in edible fish species tissue in the Pearl River Delta (PRD),
      China.
AB  - The major aim of this study was to investigate heavy metal content of edible fish
      in the PRD. Eleven species of fish (consisting of 711 individuals) [catfish
      (Clarias fuscus), tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon
      idellus), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), mandarin fish (Siniperca kneri),
      snakehead (Channa asiatiea), black bass (Micropterus salmoides), mangrove snapper
      (Lutjanus griseus), star snapper (Lutjanu stellatus), snubnose pompano
      (Trachinotus blochii) and orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)] were
      collected for the analyses of heavy metals. Overall concentrations (mg/kg, ww) in
      the fish muscles were: As (0.03-1.53), Pb (0.03-8.62), Cd (0.02-0.06), Ni (0.44
      9.75), Zn (15.7-29.5), Cr (0.22-0.65), Cu (0.79-2.26), Mn (0.82-6.91).
      Significant level of Pb were found in tilapia at all locations. It is recommended
      that heavy metal concentrations in different fish species must be determined on a
      regular basis in the future so as to reduce human health risks from acute and
      chronic food intoxication. 

PMID- 24239095
TI  - Diet and lifestyle factors and risk of subtypes of esophageal and gastric
      cancers: classification tree analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and
      adenocarcinomas of the esophagus (EA), gastric cardia (GC), and other (noncardia)
      gastric (OG) sites have been identified, little is known about interactions among
      risk factors. We sought to examine interactions of diet, other lifestyle, and
      medical factors with risks of subtypes of esophageal and gastric cancers.
      METHODS: We used classification tree analysis to analyze data from a population
      based case-control study (1095 cases, 687 controls) conducted in Connecticut, New
      Jersey, and western Washington State. RESULTS: Frequency of reported
      gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms was the most important risk
      stratification factor for EA, GC, and OG, with dietary factors (EA, OG), smoking
      (EA, GC), wine intake (GC, OG), age (OG), and income (OG) appearing to modify the
      risk of these cancer sites. For esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, smoking was
      the most important risk stratification factor, with gastroesophageal reflux
      disease, income, race, noncitrus fruit, and energy intakes further modifying
      risk. CONCLUSION: Various combinations of risk factors appear to interact to
      affect risk of each cancer subtype. Replication of these data mining analyses are
      required before suggesting causal pathways; however, the classification tree
      results are useful in partitioning risk and mapping multilevel interactions among
      risk variables.

PMID- 24239098
TI  - Sperm swimming in the polychaete Galeolaria caespitosa shows substantial inter
      individual variability in response to future ocean acidification.
AB  - The rapidity of ocean acidification intensifies selection pressure for resilient
      phenotypes, particularly during sensitive early life stages. The scope for
      selection is greater in species with greater within-species variation in
      responses to changing environments, thus enhancing the potential for adaptation.
      We investigated among-male variation in sperm swimming responses (percent
      motility and swimming speeds) of the serpulid polychaete Galeolaria caespitosa to
      near- (DeltapH -0.3) and far-future ocean acidification (DeltapH -0.5). Responses
      of sperm swimming to acidification varied significantly among males and were
      overall negative. Robust sperm swimming behavior under near-future ocean
      acidification in some males may ameliorate climate change impacts, if traits
      associated with robustness are heritable, and thereby enhance the potential for
      adaptation to far-future conditions. Reduced sperm swimming in the majority of
      male G. caespitosa may decrease their fertilization success in a high CO2 future
      ocean. Resultant changes in offspring production could affect recruitment success
      and population fitness downstream. 

PMID- 24239099
TI  - First treatment of a child suffering from severe ischemic cardiomyopathy with G
      CSF and sitagliptin.

PMID- 24239101
TI  - Study and optimization of the ultrasound-enhanced cleaning of an ultrafiltration
      ceramic membrane through a combined experimental-statistical approach.
AB  - Membrane fouling is one of the main drawbacks of ultrafiltration technology
      during the treatment of dye-containing effluents. Therefore, the optimization of
      the membrane cleaning procedure is essential to improve the overall efficiency.
      In this work, a study of the factors affecting the ultrasound-assisted cleaning
      of an ultrafiltration ceramic membrane fouled by dye particles was carried out.
      The effect of transmembrane pressure (0.5, 1.5, 2.5 bar), cross-flow velocity (1,
      2, 3 ms(-1)), ultrasound power level (40%, 70%, 100%) and ultrasound frequency
      mode (37, 80 kHz and mixed wave) on the cleaning efficiency was evaluated. The
      lowest frequency showed better results, although the best cleaning performance
      was obtained using the mixed wave mode. A Box-Behnken Design was used to find the
      optimal conditions for the cleaning procedure through a response surface study.
      The optimal operating conditions leading to the maximum cleaning efficiency
      predicted (32.19%) were found to be 1.1 bar, 3 ms(-1) and 100% of power level.
      Finally, the optimized response was compared to the efficiency of a chemical
      cleaning with NaOH solution, with and without the use of ultrasound. By using
      NaOH, cleaning efficiency nearly triples, and it improves up to 25% by adding
      ultrasound.

PMID- 24239100
TI  - Comparative assessment of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers in the
      treatment of acute myocardial infarction: surmountable vs. insurmountable
      antagonist.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mechanisms of antagonism vary between the angiotensin II type 1
      receptor blockers (ARBs): insurmountable antagonism and surmountable antagonism.
      Recent retrospective observational studies suggest that ARBs may not have
      equivalent benefits in various clinical situations. The aim of this study was to
      compare the effect of two categories of ARBs on the long-term clinical outcomes
      of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: We analyzed the
      large-scale, prospective, observational Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction
      Registry study, which enrolled 2740 AMI patients. They divided by the
      prescription of surmountable ARBs or insurmountable ARBs at discharge. Primary
      outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as a composite of
      cardiac death, nonfatal MI, and re-percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary
      artery bypass graft surgery. RESULTS: In the overall population, the MACEs rate
      in 1 year was significantly higher in the surmountable ARB group (14.3% vs.
      11.2%, p=0.025), which was mainly due to increased cardiac death (3.3% vs. 1.9%,
      p=0.031). Matching by propensity-score showed consistent results (MACEs rate:
      14.9% vs. 11.4%, p=0.037). In subgroup analysis, the insurmountable ARB treatment
      significantly reduced the incidence of MACEs in patients with left ventricular
      ejection fraction greater than 40%, with a low killip class, with ST segment
      elevation MI, and with normal renal function. CONCLUSIONS: In our study,
      insurmountable ARBs were more effective on long-term clinical outcomes than
      surmountable ARBs in patients with AMI.

PMID- 24239102
TI  - Fatal combined immunodeficiency associated with heterozygous mutation in STAT1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mutations in the gene for the signal transducer and activator of
      transcription 1, STAT1, have been shown to be associated with death at an early
      age due to overwhelming viral infection (complete STAT1 deficiency) or, more
      commonly, selective deficiencies to mycobacterial or fungal infection (typically
      heterozygous STAT1 mutations). OBJECTIVES: To define the molecular basis of
      progressive combined immunodeficiency in a group of patients with fatal
      infections. METHODS: We studied a group of unrelated patients who displayed an
      unusual progressive form of combined immunodeficiency. Whole exome sequencing
      assisted in confirming a common genetic defect in this group, which consisted of
      a heterozygous mutation of the STAT1 gene. STAT1 protein level as well as
      function was assessed, and a detailed evaluation of the immune system, including
      analysis of thymus tissue, was performed. RESULTS: Patients were found to carry
      de novo heterozygous mutations in STAT1 encoding T385A, I294T, or C284R amino
      acid substitutions. STAT1 expression appeared significantly decreased as a result
      of these changes but not completely absent, with diminished signaling responses.
      This group display progressive loss in lymphocyte number and function accompanied
      by increasing autoimmune features as well as severe, fatal infections.
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that some heterozygous aberrations of STAT1 can
      be associated with progressive combined immunodeficiency, quite distinct from the
      limited susceptibilities to infection previously reported for heterozygous STAT1
      mutations. These mutations were not inherited, rather, arose de novo in each
      case. Accompanied by significant patient mortality, this finding suggests that
      this class of STAT1 mutation is ultimately fatal due to overwhelming infection.

PMID- 24239103
TI  - Infections of intravascular bare metal stents: a case report and review of
      literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to present a case of an infected bare
      metal stent in the left common iliac artery that was removed by an urgent
      operation, and to review the literature on diagnosis and outcome of infected
      coronary and non-coronary metal stents. METHODS: A systematic search of the
      Medline database was performed with the purpose of identifying risk factors,
      signs and symptoms, imaging strategies, and treatment modalities of bare metal
      stent infections, both coronary and peripheral. RESULTS: In total, 76 additional
      studies/case reports (48 non-coronary; 29 coronary) were included and analyzed.
      Intravascular bare metal stent infections are a rare but serious complication,
      often leading to emergency surgery (overall: 75.3%; non-coronary cases: 83.3%;
      coronary cases: 62.1%). In 25.0% of the non-coronary cases, infection led to
      amputation of an extremity or removal of viscera. Reported mortality was up to
      32.5% of the cases (non-coronary: 22.9%; coronary 48.3%). Physicians should
      always be suspicious of a stent infection when patients present with aspecific
      symptoms such as fever and chills after stent placement. Additional imaging can
      be used to detect the presence of a pseudoaneurysm. A PET-CT is an ideal medium
      for identification of a stent infection. CONCLUSIONS: Intravascular stent
      infection is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Surgery is
      the preferred treatment option, but not always possible, especially in patients
      with a coronary stent. In selected cases, bare metal stent infections may be
      prevented by the use of prophylactic antibiotics at stent placement.

PMID- 24239104
TI  - Carotid endarterectomy with stent removal in management of in-stent restenosis: a
      safe, feasible, and effective technique.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The optimal treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) is not
      determined. We describe the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with stent
      removal in the management of symptomatic ISR. METHODS: A 72-year-old man
      presented with recurrent right limb weakness 8 months after carotid artery
      stenting. Digital substraction angiography showed severe ISR (almost 99%). CEA
      with stent removal was performed. RESULTS: A total of 41 cases was reviewed:
      periarterial inflammation was shown in 10.3% of patients; 92.9% had clear intima
      media plane; and 85.4% had a good outcome. All patients remained stable at follow
      up. DISCUSSION: CEA with stent removal appears to be a safe, feasible, effective,
      and durable therapeutic option.

PMID- 24239106
TI  - How important is differentiation in the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stromal
      cells in liver disease?
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: The protocols for differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells
      (HLCs) from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been well established. Previous
      data have shown that MSCs and their derived HLCs were able to engraft injured
      liver and alleviate injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride. The goal of the
      current study was to determine the differences of MSCs and their derived HLCs in
      terms of therapeutic functions in liver diseases. METHODS: After hepatic
      differentiation of umbilical cord-derived MSCs in vitro, we detected both MSC and
      HLC expressions of adhesion molecules and chemokine receptor CXCR4 by flow
      cytometry; immunosuppressive potential and hepatocyte growth factor expression
      were determined by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We compared the
      therapeutic effect for fulminant hepatic failure in a mouse model. RESULTS: MSC
      derived-HLCs expressed lower levels of hepatocyte growth factor, accompanied by
      impaired immunosuppression in comparison with MSCs. Furthermore, undifferentiated
      MSCs showed rescuing potentials superior to those in HLCs for the treatment of
      fulminant hepatic failure. CONCLUSIONS: After differentiation, HLCs lost several
      major properties in comparison with undifferentiated MSCs, which are beneficial
      for their application in liver diseases. Undifferentiated MSCs may be more
      appropriate than are HLCs for the treatment of liver diseases.

PMID- 24239107
TI  - Current concept for the use of PRP in arthroscopic surgery.
AB  - PRP is commonly used in sports medicine and because it is supposed to increase
      healing capacities of damaged tissues, it is expected to be increase efficiency
      or god clinical outcomes when added to arthroscopic surgical procedure. The
      current review of literature explores the evidence-based medicine supporting the
      use of PRP in three arthroscopic related disorders. Regarding cartilage lesions
      of the knee, many studies are exploring several aspect of cartilage lesion
      treatment. It appears that PRP, in some protocols with specific concentration,
      should be more efficient than current therapies in the treatment of early stages
      of knee OA, but only in the field of rheumatology or sport medicine, not when
      used during surgery. PRP have been used in ACL reconstruction, no benefit has
      been reported in any study regarding clinical or radiological outcomes. In
      shoulder cuff disorder, to date, no clinical benefit nor increased healing rate
      have been clearly reported. Thus, in 2013, it is clear that there is no evidence
      base medicine data supporting the use of PRP in arthroscopic surgery.

PMID- 24239108
TI  - Magnetically engineered Cd-free quantum dots as dual-modality probes for
      fluorescence/magnetic resonance imaging of tumors.
AB  - Magnetically engineered Cd-free CuInS2@ZnS:Mn quantum dots (QDs) were designed,
      synthesized, and evaluated as potential dual-modality probes for fluorescence and
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumors in vivo. The synthesis of Mn-doped
      core-shell structured CuInS2@ZnS mainly comprised three steps, i.e., the
      preparation of fluorescent CuInS2 seeds, the particle surface coating of ZnS, and
      the Mn-doping of the ZnS shells. Systematic spectroscopy studies were carried out
      to illustrate the impacts of ZnS coating and the following Mn-doping on the
      optical properties of the QDs. In combination with conventional fluorescence,
      fluorescence excitation, and time-resolved fluorescence measurements, the
      structure of CuInS2@ZnS:Mn QDs prepared under optimized conditions presented a Zn
      gradient CuInS2 core and a ZnS outer shell, while Mn ions were mainly located in
      the ZnS shell, which well balanced the optical and magnetic properties of the
      resultant QDs. For the following in vivo imaging experiments, the hydrophobic
      CuInS2@ZnS:Mn QDs were transferred into water upon ligand exchange reactions by
      replacing the 1-dodecanethiol ligand with dihydrolipoic acid-poly(ethylene
      glycol) (DHLA-PEG) ligand. The MTT assays based on HeLa cells were carried out to
      evaluate the cytotoxicity of the current Cd-free CuInS2@ZnS:Mn QDs for comparing
      with that of water soluble CdTe QDs. Further in vivo fluorescence and MR imaging
      experiments suggested that the PEGylated CuInS2@ZnS:Mn QDs could well target both
      subcutaneous and intraperitoneal tumors in vivo.

PMID- 24239109
TI  - Simultaneous delivery of doxorubicin and curcumin encapsulated in liposomes of
      pegylated RGDK-lipopeptide to tumor vasculature.
AB  - Curcumin, because of its distinguishing ability to inhibit activation of
      transcription factor linked to chemoresistance and drug transporters, is now
      being co-administered with various potent anti-cancer drugs. In the present
      study, we report on such potentiating capabilities of curcumin in anti-angiogenic
      cancer therapy. With a view to simultaneously deliver curcumin and doxorubicin to
      tumor vasculature in anti-angiogenic cancer therapy, herein we report on the
      design & synthesis of a tumor vasculature targeting pegylated RGDK-lipopeptide.
      We show that curcumin & doxorubicin co-encapsulated within the liposomes of the
      presently described pegylated RGDK-lipopeptide exhibit synergism in inhibiting
      proliferation, invasion and migration of both tumor and endothelial cells
      presumably by inhibiting proliferation and metastasis related genes both at mRNA
      & protein levels. Pronounced tumor growth inhibition was observed in mice treated
      with formulations containing both the drugs. Tumor growth inhibition was found to
      be 2-3 folds less in mice treated with formulations containing only curcumin or
      only doxorubicin. The presently described liposomal system is expected to find
      future use for simultaneously delivering potentially any combinations of
      hydrophilic and hydrophobic potent small molecule cancer therapeutics to tumor
      vasculature in anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. 

PMID- 24239105
TI  - Engineered T cells for cancer treatment.
AB  - Adoptively transferred T cells have the capacity to traffic to distant tumor
      sites, infiltrate fibrotic tissue and kill antigen-expressing tumor cells.
      Various groups have investigated different genetic engineering strategies
      designed to enhance tumor specificity, increase T cell potency, improve
      proliferation, persistence or migratory capacity and increase safety. This review
      focuses on recent developments in T cell engineering, discusses the clinical
      application of these engineered cell products and outlines future prospects for
      this therapeutic modality. 

PMID- 24239110
TI  - Reducible polyamidoamine-magnetic iron oxide self-assembled nanoparticles for
      doxorubicin delivery.
AB  - We report a reducible copolymer self-assembled with superparamagnetic iron oxide
      nanoparticles (SPIONs) to deliver doxorubicin (DOX) for cancer therapy. The
      copolymer of reducible polyamidoamine (rPAA) with poly(ethylene
      glycol)(PEG)/dodecyl amine graft was synthesized by Michael addition. rPAA@SPIONs
      were formed by the alkyl grafts of reducible copolymers intercalated with the
      oleic acid layer capped on the surface of magnetite nanocrystals. The
      intercalating area formed a reservoir for hydrophobic anti-cancer drug (DOX),
      whilst the PEG moiety in the copolymers helped the nanoparticle well-dispersible
      in aqueous solution. We employed two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) and
      coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) to investigate drug delivery in intra-cellular
      structures of live cells, and used Vivaview((r)) technique to show real-time
      inhibition efficacy of nanoparticles in live cells. rPAA@SPIONs present
      efficiently drug loading with reducible responsibility in vitro tests. Finally,
      rPAA@SPIONs were tested in mice with xenograft MDA-MB-231 breast tumor though
      i.v. injection and inhibited tumor growth efficiently. MRI was used to monitor
      nanoparticles aggregation in tumor site. Histology and Prussian blue on kidney,
      liver, and heart in mice indicated that DOX/rPAA@SPIONs showed no significant
      toxicity for mice organs after 24 days treatment. 

PMID- 24239111
TI  - Induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in proximal tubular epithelial
      cells on microfluidic devices.
AB  - In proteinuric nephropathy, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an
      important mechanism that causes renal interstitial fibrosis. The precise role of
      EMT in the pathogenesis of fibrosis remains controversial, partly due to the
      absence of suitable in vitro or in vivo models. We developed two microfluidic and
      compartmental chips that reproduced the fluidic and three-dimensional
      microenvironment of proximal tubular epithelial cells in vivo. Using one
      microfluidic device, we stimulated epithelial cells with a flow of healthy human
      serum, heat-inactivated serum and complement C3a, which mimicked the flow of
      urine within the proximal tubule. We observed that epithelial cells exposed to
      serum proteins became apoptotic or developed a mesenchymal phenotype. Incubating
      cells with C3a induced similar features. However, cells exposed to heat
      inactivated serum did not adopt the mesenchymal phenotype. Furthermore, we
      successfully recorded the cellular morphological changes and the process of
      transmigration into basement membrane extract during EMT in real-time using
      another three-dimensional microdevice. In conclusion, we have established a cell
      culture system that mimics the native microenvironment of the proximal tubule to
      a certain extent. Our data indicates that EMT did occur in epithelial cells that
      were exposed to serum proteins, and C3a plays an essential role in this
      pathological process.

PMID- 24239112
TI  - Lower atherosclerotic burden in familial abdominal aortic aneurysm.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Despite the apparent familial tendency toward abdominal aortic
      aneurysm (AAA) formation, the genetic causes and underlying molecular mechanisms
      are still undefined. In this study, we investigated the association between
      familial AAA (fAAA) and atherosclerosis. METHODS: Data were collected from a
      prospective database including AAA patients between 2004 and 2012 in the Erasmus
      University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Family history was
      obtained by written questionnaire (93.1% response rate). Patients were classified
      as fAAA when at least one affected first-degree relative with an aortic aneurysm
      was reported. Patients without an affected first-degree relative were classified
      as sporadic AAA (spAAA). A standardized ultrasound measurement of the common
      carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker for generalized atherosclerosis,
      was routinely performed and patients' clinical characteristics (demographics,
      aneurysm characteristics, cardiovascular comorbidities and risk factors, and
      medication use) were recorded. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used
      to assess the mean adjusted difference in CIMT and multivariable logistic
      regression analysis was used to calculate associations of increased CIMT and
      clinical characteristics between fAAA and spAAA. RESULTS: A total of 461 AAA
      patients (85% men, mean age, 70 years) were included in the study; 103 patients
      (22.3%) were classified as fAAA and 358 patients (77.7%) as spAAA. The mean
      (standard deviation) CIMT in patients with fAAA was 0.89 (0.24) mm and 1.00
      (0.29) mm in patients with spAAA (P = .001). Adjustment for clinical
      characteristics showed a mean difference in CIMT of 0.09 mm (95% confidence
      interval, 0.02-0.15; P = .011) between both groups. Increased CIMT, smoking,
      hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were all less associated with fAAA compared
      with spAAA. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows a lower atherosclerotic burden,
      as reflected by a lower CIMT, in patients with fAAA compared with patients with
      spAAA, independent of common atherosclerotic risk factors. These results support
      the hypothesis that although atherosclerosis is a common underlying feature in
      patients with aneurysms, atherosclerosis is not the primary driving factor in the
      development of fAAA.

PMID- 24239113
TI  - The use of cryopreserved aortoiliac allograft for aortic reconstruction in the
      United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aortic infections, even with treatment, have a high mortality and
      risk of recurrent infection and limb loss. Cryopreserved aortoiliac allograft
      (CAA) has been proposed for aortic reconstruction to improve outcomes in this
      high-risk population. METHODS: A multicenter study using a standardized database
      was performed at 14 of the 20 highest volume institutions that used CAA for
      aortic reconstruction in the setting of infection or those at high risk for
      prosthetic graft infection. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty patients (mean age, 65;
      male:female, 1.6/1) were treated since 2002 for culture positive aortic graft
      infection (60%), culture negative aortic graft infection (16%), enteric
      fistula/erosion (15%), infected pseudoaneurysm adjacent to the aortic graft (4%),
      and other (4%). Intraop cultures indicated infection in 66%. Distal anastomosis
      was to the femoral artery and iliac. Mean hospital length of stay was 24 days,
      and 30-day mortality was 9%. Complications occurred in 24% and included
      persistent sepsis (n = 17), CAA thrombosis (n = 9), CAA rupture (n = 8),
      recurrent CAA/aortic infection (n = 8), CAA pseudoaneurysm (n = 6), recurrence of
      aortoenteric fistula (n = 4), and compartment syndrome (n = 1). Patients with
      full graft excision had significantly better outcomes. Ten (5%) patients required
      allograft explant. Mean follow-up was 30 +/- 3 months. Freedom from graft-related
      complications, graft explant, and limb loss was 80%, 88%, and 97%, respectively,
      at 5 years. Primary graft patency was 97% at 5 years, and patient survival was
      75% at 1 year and 51% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: This largest study of CAA
      indicates that CAA allows aortic reconstruction in the setting of infection or
      those at high risk for infection with lower early and long-term morbidity and
      mortality than other previously reported treatment options. Repair with CAA is
      associated with low rates of aneurysm formation, recurrent infection, aortic
      blowout, and limb loss. We believe that CAA should be considered a first line
      treatment of aortic infections.

PMID- 24239114
TI  - Operative technique for tracheo-innominate artery fistula repair.
AB  - Tracheo-innominate artery fistula is fatal unless treated surgically. We describe
      our surgical approach and results in seven patients. The average patient age was
      15.7 years; all patients had prior severe neurological deficits. Three of seven
      patients were in hemorrhagic shock; control of preoperative bleeding was achieved
      with tracheostomy tube cuff overinflation. The innominate artery and the trachea
      were exposed through a collar incision and partial upper sternotomy. The
      innominate artery was divided at the aortic arch and at the bifurcation, with one
      exception. Cerebral blood flow was monitored by the blood pressure difference in
      the bilateral upper extremities and by near-infrared spectroscopy. The tracheal
      fistula was left adherent to the innominate artery in all but one patient. All
      patients were discharged without new neurologic deficits or severe morbidity.
      Overall survival was 84% at 37 months, without any vascular, tracheal, or
      neurological events. 

PMID- 24239115
TI  - Reinfection after resection and revascularization of infected infrarenal
      abdominal aortic grafts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Despite advances in perioperative care, long-term and amputation-free
      survival rates are poor after resection of infected abdominal aortic grafts. We
      reviewed our cases to determine the rate of reinfection and risk factors for
      mortality and limb loss. METHODS: We reviewed cases with infrarenal aortic graft
      infection from 1999 to 2013. Cases requiring graft excision were included for
      analysis. Thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic grafts were excluded.
      Reconstruction types included both extra-anatomic and in situ grafts. Patient
      comorbidities, surgical outcomes, and known reinfection rates were assessed.
      Univariate and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight
      patients had resection of infected infrarenal abdominal aortic grafts during the
      study period. Most patients (26/28; 93%) had infected aortoiliac or aortofemoral
      prosthetic bypass grafts, but two of 28 patients had infected endovascular
      aortoiliac stent grafts. The median age was 69 years (range, 46-86 years), with
      68% men and 32% women. Aortoenteric fistulae or graft-enteric erosions were noted
      in 12 of 28 (43%) patients at operation. There were 79% of patients who had in
      situ reconstruction, including 4 (14%) with polyester, 1 (4%) with
      polytetrafluoroethylene, 3 (11%) with cadaveric homograft, 3 (11%) with composite
      grafts, and 11 (39%) with native femoropopliteal vein grafts. Five (18%) patients
      had extra-anatomic bypass and one had excision without revascularization. In
      hospital mortality after initial graft excision and revascularization occurred in
      two (7%) patients. Seven (25%) patients had evidence of reinfection after a
      median of 20 months, of whom five underwent reintervention with two additional in
      hospital deaths. All in-hospital deaths occurred in patients with graft-enteric
      contamination. Overall limb salvage and survival at a mean follow-up of 2.5 years
      were 82% and 46%, respectively, and did not differ among revascularization types
      (P = .85 and .74). One-year amputation-free survival was 47% overall. Three
      patients with native femoropopliteal vein graft repair required amputation in
      follow-up. Diabetes was the only observed risk factor for amputation (P = .05).
      Risks for mortality included history of cerebrovascular disease (P = .05) and
      shock on presentation (P = .04). No other comorbid condition, type of
      revascularization, or perioperative complication was associated with limb loss or
      mortality on univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Revascularization after excision
      of infected abdominal aortic grafts can be done with acceptable in-hospital
      morbidity and mortality. Reinfection is problematic, regardless of
      revascularization conduit, and is associated with limb loss and death. New and
      aggressive local anti-infective strategies are warranted.

PMID- 24239116
TI  - Platelet inhibition by adjunctive cilostazol suppresses the frequency of cerebral
      ischemic lesions after carotid artery stenting in patients with carotid artery
      stenosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Optimal platelet inhibition is an important therapeutic adjunct in
      patients with carotid artery stenosis undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS).
      Clopidogrel resistance is associated with increased periprocedural thromboembolic
      complications from neurovascular stent placement procedures. The addition of
      cilostazol to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) has been reported to reduce
      platelet reactivity and to improve clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary
      intervention. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of adjunctive
      cilostazol in patients with CAS. METHODS: Platelet function was assessed by light
      transmittance aggregometry using the VerifyNow assay. Sixty-four consecutive
      patients who underwent CAS received standard DAT, clopidogrel (75 mg daily), and
      aspirin (100 mg daily) more than 4 weeks before the procedure. From 2010 to 2011
      (period I), 28 patients underwent CAS under standard DAT. From 2011 to 2013
      (period II), 36 patients prospectively had preoperative assessment of platelet
      function, and 13 patients with clopidogrel resistance received adjunctive
      cilostazol (200 mg daily) in addition to standard DAT. The incidence of new
      ipsilateral ischemic lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging a day after CAS and
      ischemic or hemorrhagic events within 30 days was assessed. RESULTS: Clopidogrel
      resistance was indentified in 12 patients (43%) in period I and 13 patients (36%)
      in period II (P = .615). In period II, the addition of cilostazol significantly
      decreased P2Y12 reaction units and % inhibition (P = .006 and P = .005,
      respectively), and there was a significant difference in P2Y12 reaction units
      between the two periods. New ipsilateral ischemic lesions were significantly
      decreased in period II (2/36 patients) compared with period I (7/28 patients; P =
      .034); however, there was no significant difference in hemorrhagic and
      thromboembolic events between the two periods. CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive cilostazol
      (triple antiplatelet therapy) in clopidogrel-resistant patients reduces the rate
      of clopidogrel resistance and suppresses new ischemic lesions without hemorrhagic
      complications, as compared with standard DAT. Antiplatelet management based on
      the evaluation of antiplatelet resistance would be required for prevention of
      perioperative thromboembolic complications in CAS.

PMID- 24239117
TI  - Meiotic double-strand breaks uncover and protect against mitotic errors in the C.
      elegans germline.
AB  - In sexually reproducing multicellular organisms, genetic information is
      propagated via the germline, the specialized tissue that generates haploid
      gametes. The C. elegans germline generates gametes in an assembly line-like
      process-mitotic divisions under the control of the stem cell niche produce nuclei
      that, upon leaving the niche, enter into meiosis and progress through meiotic
      prophase [1]. Here, we characterize the effects of perturbing cell division in
      the mitotic region of the C. elegans germline. We show that mitotic errors result
      in a spindle checkpoint-dependent cell-cycle delay, but defective nuclei are
      eventually formed and enter meiosis. These defective nuclei are eliminated by
      programmed cell death during meiotic prophase. The cell death-based removal of
      defective nuclei does not require the spindle checkpoint but instead depends on
      the DNA damage checkpoint. Removal of nuclei resulting from errors in mitosis
      also requires Spo11, the enzyme that creates double-strand breaks to initiate
      meiotic recombination. Consistent with this, double-strand breaks are increased
      in number and persist longer in germlines with mitotic defects. These findings
      reveal that the process of initiating meiotic recombination inherently selects
      against nuclei with abnormal chromosomal content generated by mitotic errors,
      thereby ensuring the genomic integrity of gametes.

PMID- 24239118
TI  - Activation of GABAergic neurons in the interpeduncular nucleus triggers physical
      nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic exposure to nicotine elicits physical dependence in smokers,
      yet the mechanism and neuroanatomical bases for withdrawal symptoms are unclear.
      As in humans, rodents undergo physical withdrawal symptoms after cessation from
      chronic nicotine characterized by increased scratching, head nods, and body
      shakes. RESULTS: Here we show that induction of physical nicotine withdrawal
      symptoms activates GABAergic neurons within the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN).
      Optical activation of IPN GABAergic neurons via light stimulation of
      channelrhodopsin elicited physical withdrawal symptoms in both nicotine-naive and
      chronic-nicotine-exposed mice. Dampening excitability of GABAergic neurons during
      nicotine withdrawal through IPN-selective infusion of an NMDA receptor antagonist
      or through blockade of IPN neurotransmission from the medial habenula reduced IPN
      neuronal activation and alleviated withdrawal symptoms. During chronic nicotine
      exposure, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing the beta4 subunit were
      upregulated in somatostatin interneurons clustered in the dorsal region of the
      IPN. Blockade of these receptors induced withdrawal signs more dramatically in
      nicotine-dependent compared to nicotine-naive mice and activated nonsomatostatin
      neurons in the IPN. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our data indicate that therapeutic
      strategies to reduce IPN GABAergic neuron excitability during nicotine
      withdrawal, for example, by activating nicotinic receptors on somatostatin
      interneurons, may be beneficial for alleviating withdrawal symptoms and
      facilitating smoking cessation.

PMID- 24239119
TI  - The GTPase-activating protein RN-tre controls focal adhesion turnover and cell
      migration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Integrin-mediated adhesion of cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM)
      relies on the dynamic formation of focal adhesions (FAs), which are biochemical
      and mechanosensitive platforms composed of a large variety of cytosolic and
      transmembrane proteins. During migration, there is a constant turnover of ECM
      contacts that initially form as nascent adhesions at the leading edge, mature
      into FAs as actomyosin tension builds up, and are then disassembled at the cell
      rear, thus allowing for cell detachment. Although the mechanisms of FA assembly
      have largely been defined, the molecular circuitry that regulates their
      disassembly still remains elusive. RESULTS: Here, we show that RN-tre, a GTPase
      activating protein (GAP) for Rabs including Rab5 and Rab43, is a novel regulator
      of FA dynamics and cell migration. RN-tre localizes to FAs and to a pool of Rab5
      positive vesicles mainly associated with FAs undergoing rapid remodeling. We
      found that RN-tre inhibits endocytosis of beta1, but not beta3, integrins and
      delays the turnover of FAs, ultimately impairing beta1-dependent, but not beta3
      dependent, chemotactic cell migration. All of these effects are mediated by its
      GAP activity and rely on Rab5. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identify RN-tre as the
      Rab5-GAP that spatiotemporally controls FA remodeling during chemotactic cell
      migration.

PMID- 24239120
TI  - Antagonistic spindle motors and MAPs regulate metaphase spindle length and
      chromosome segregation.
AB  - Metaphase describes a phase of mitosis where chromosomes are attached and
      oriented on the bipolar spindle for subsequent segregation at anaphase. In
      diverse cell types, the metaphase spindle is maintained at characteristic
      constant length [1-3]. Metaphase spindle length is proposed to be regulated by a
      balance of pushing and pulling forces generated by distinct sets of spindle
      microtubules (MTs) and their interactions with motors and MT-associated proteins
      (MAPs). Spindle length is further proposed to be important for chromosome
      segregation fidelity, as cells with shorter- or longer-than-normal metaphase
      spindles, generated through deletion or inhibition of individual mitotic motors
      or MAPs, showed chromosome segregation defects. To test the force-balance model
      of spindle length control and its effect on chromosome segregation, we applied
      fast microfluidic temperature control with live-cell imaging to monitor the
      effect of deleting or switching off different combinations of antagonistic force
      contributors in the fission yeast metaphase spindle. We show that the spindle
      midzone proteins kinesin-5 cut7p and MT bundler ase1p contribute to outward
      pushing forces and that the spindle kinetochore proteins kinesin-8 klp5/6p and
      dam1p contribute to inward-pulling forces. Removing these proteins individually
      led to aberrant metaphase spindle length and chromosome segregation defects.
      Removing these proteins in antagonistic combination rescued the defective spindle
      length and in some combinations also partially rescued chromosome segregation
      defects. 

PMID- 24239121
TI  - Low-intensity focused ultrasound modulates monkey visuomotor behavior.
AB  - In vivo feasibility of using low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) to
      transiently modulate the function of regional brain tissue has been recently
      tested in anesthetized lagomorphs [1] and rodents [2-4]. Hypothetically,
      ultrasonic stimulation of the brain possesses several advantages [5]: it does not
      necessitate surgery or genetic alteration but could ultimately confer spatial
      resolutions superior to other noninvasive methods. Here, we gauged the ability of
      noninvasive FUS to causally modulate high-level cognitive behavior. Therefore, we
      examined how FUS might interfere with prefrontal activity in two awake macaque
      rhesus monkeys that had been trained to perform an antisaccade (AS) task. We show
      that ultrasound significantly modulated AS latencies. Such effects proved to be
      dependent on FUS hemifield of stimulation (relative latency increases most for
      ipsilateral AS). These results are interpreted in terms of a modulation of
      saccade inhibition to the contralateral visual field due to the disruption of
      processing across the frontal eye fields. Our study demonstrates for the first
      time the feasibility of using FUS stimulation to causally modulate behavior in
      the awake nonhuman primate brain. This result supports the use of this approach
      to study brain function. Neurostimulation with ultrasound could be used for
      exploratory and therapeutic purposes noninvasively, with potentially
      unprecedented spatial resolution.

PMID- 24239122
TI  - An octopamine-mushroom body circuit modulates the formation of anesthesia
      resistant memory in Drosophila.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drosophila olfactory aversive conditioning produces two components of
      intermediate-term memory: anesthesia-sensitive memory (ASM) and anesthesia
      resistant memory (ARM). Recently, the anterior paired lateral (APL) neuron
      innervating the whole mushroom body (MB) has been shown to modulate ASM via gap
      junctional communication in olfactory conditioning. Octopamine (OA), an
      invertebrate analog of norepinephrine, is involved in appetitive conditioning,
      but its role in aversive memory remains uncertain. RESULTS: Here, we show that
      chemical neurotransmission from the APL neuron, after conditioning but before
      testing, is necessary for aversive ARM formation. The APL neurons are tyramine,
      Tbetah, and OA immunopositive. An adult-stage-specific RNAi knockdown of Tbetah
      in the APL neurons or Octbeta2R OA receptors in the MB alpha'beta' Kenyon cells
      (KCs) impaired ARM. Importantly, an additive ARM deficit occurred when Tbetah
      knockdown in the APL neurons was in the radish mutant flies or in the wild-type
      flies with inhibited serotonin synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: OA released from the APL
      neurons acts on alpha'beta' KCs via Octbeta2R receptor to modulate Drosophila ARM
      formation. Additive effects suggest that two parallel ARM pathways,
      serotoninergic DPM-alphabeta KCs and octopaminergic APL-alpha'beta' KCs, exist in
      the MB.

PMID- 24239123
TI  - Cingulate-hippocampus coherence and trajectory coding in a sequential choice
      task.
AB  - Interactions between cortex and hippocampus are believed to play a role in the
      acquisition and maintenance of memories. Distinct types of coordinated
      oscillatory activity, namely at theta frequency, are hypothesized to regulate
      information processing in these structures. We investigated how information
      processing in cingulate cortex and hippocampus relates to cingulate-hippocampus
      coordination in a behavioral task in which rats choose from four possible
      trajectories according to a sequence. We found that the accuracy with which
      cingulate and hippocampal populations encode individual trajectories changes with
      the pattern of cingulate-hippocampal theta coherence over the course of a trial.
      Initial theta coherence at ~8 Hz during trial onsets lowers by ~1 Hz as animals
      enter decision stages. At these stages, hippocampus precedes cingulate in
      processing increased amounts of task-relevant information. We hypothesize that
      lower theta frequency coordinates the integration of hippocampal contextual
      information by cingulate neuronal populations, to inform choices in a task-phase
      dependent manner.

PMID- 24239124
TI  - Parvalbumin-expressing interneurons linearly control olfactory bulb output.
AB  - In the olfactory bulb, odor representations by principal mitral cells are
      modulated by local inhibitory circuits. While dendrodendritic synapses between
      mitral and granule cells are typically thought to be a major source of this
      modulation, the contributions of other inhibitory neurons remain unclear. Here we
      demonstrate the functional properties of olfactory bulb parvalbumin-expressing
      interneurons (PV cells) and identify their important role in odor coding. Using
      paired recordings, we find that PV cells form reciprocal connections with the
      majority of nearby mitral cells, in contrast to the sparse connectivity between
      mitral and granule cells. In vivo calcium imaging in awake mice reveals that PV
      cells are broadly tuned to odors. Furthermore, selective PV cell inactivation
      enhances mitral cell responses in a linear fashion while maintaining mitral cell
      odor preferences. Thus, dense connections between mitral and PV cells underlie an
      inhibitory circuit poised to modulate the gain of olfactory bulb output.

PMID- 24239125
TI  - Dissecting local circuits: parvalbumin interneurons underlie broad feedback
      control of olfactory bulb output.
AB  - In the mouse olfactory bulb, information from sensory neurons is extensively
      processed by local interneurons before being transmitted to the olfactory cortex
      by mitral and tufted (M/T) cells. The precise function of these local networks
      remains elusive because of the vast heterogeneity of interneurons, their diverse
      physiological properties, and their complex synaptic connectivity. Here we
      identified the parvalbumin interneurons (PVNs) as a prominent component of the
      M/T presynaptic landscape by using an improved rabies-based transsynaptic tracing
      method for local circuits. In vivo two-photon-targeted patch recording revealed
      that PVNs have exceptionally broad olfactory receptive fields and exhibit largely
      excitatory and persistent odor responses. Transsynaptic tracing indicated that
      PVNs receive direct input from widely distributed M/T cells. Both the anatomical
      and functional extent of this M/T->PVN->M/T circuit contrasts with the narrowly
      confined M/T->granule cell->M/T circuit, suggesting that olfactory information is
      processed by multiple local circuits operating at distinct spatial scales. 

PMID- 24239127
TI  - Power analysis to detect time trends on population-based cancer registries data:
      When size really matters.
AB  - Detecting statistically significant trends in incidence with cancer registries
      data not only depends on the size of their covered population but also on the
      levels of incidence rates, duration of diagnostic period and type of temporal
      variation. We simulated sample sizes of newly diagnosed cases based on a variety
      of plausible levels of cancer rates and scenarios of changing trends over a
      period of about 30 years. Each simulated set of cases was then analysed with
      joinpoint regression models. The power was derived as the relative frequency of
      the simulation runs where the p-value of the coefficient was less than 0.05 under
      the alternative model. In case of a decreasing trend with no change of direction
      (join), an Annual Percentage Change (APC) of 1% for an average rate of 10 per
      100,000 is detectable in populations of half a million inhabitants or more with a
      nominal power of 80%. In a model with one joinpoint followed by an increasing
      trend, the minimum detectable APC increases, and an APC of about 2%, can be
      detected only with populations of at least 2 million. For analyses requiring a
      larger sample size than the actual covered population, alternative organisational
      strategies should be considered, such as an extension of population coverage or
      data pooling and merging from registries with comparable data. (i.e. when
      heterogeneity across merging registries is low or acceptable for the specific
      study question).

PMID- 24239126
TI  - Diverse spatial reference frames of vestibular signals in parietal cortex.
AB  - Reference frames are important for understanding how sensory cues from different
      modalities are coordinated to guide behavior, and the parietal cortex is critical
      to these functions. We compare reference frames of vestibular self-motion signals
      in the ventral intraparietal area (VIP), parietoinsular vestibular cortex (PIVC),
      and dorsal medial superior temporal area (MSTd). Vestibular heading tuning in VIP
      is invariant to changes in both eye and head positions, indicating a body (or
      world)-centered reference frame. Vestibular signals in PIVC have reference frames
      that are intermediate between head and body centered. In contrast, MSTd neurons
      show reference frames between head and eye centered but not body centered. Eye
      and head position gain fields were strongest in MSTd and weakest in PIVC. Our
      findings reveal distinct spatial reference frames for representing vestibular
      signals and pose new challenges for understanding the respective roles of these
      areas in potentially diverse vestibular functions.

PMID- 24239128
TI  - The murky middle ground - when ethnographers engage public health.
AB  - This commentary revisits dilemmas of relevance that applied anthropology in the
      U.S. has long grappled with, no matter the rigor and depth of inquiry. Direct
      action, collaborative research and active public engagement offer proven
      alternatives for upping the participatory quotient, but they remain the
      exception. A third, more common, middle ground may be also discerned, sometimes
      involving the sort of "dirty work" that seems to lie outside of one's
      professional remit. Commitment to such work, it turns out, is not simply a matter
      of character or disciplinary ethics, but of the terms and conditions of
      anthropological employment. Even without the "second shift" of going public with
      one's findings, critically positioned research can keep problematic issues that
      might otherwise slip into the convenient silences of social and economic policy. 

PMID- 24239130
TI  - Dysfunctional glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric acidergic activities in
      prefrontal cortex of mice in social defeat model of depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome that is often very
      severe and life threatening. In spite of the remarkable progress in understanding
      the neural biology, the etiopathophysiology of depression is still elusive. In
      this study, we have investigated molecular mechanisms in the prefrontal cortex of
      mice showing depression-like phenotype induced by chronic defeat stress. METHODS:
      Depression-like phenotype was induced in C57BL/6 mice by subjecting them to a 10
      day social defeat paradigm. The metabolic activity of excitatory (glutamatergic)
      and inhibitory (gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA]ergic) neurons of the prefrontal
      cortex was measured by (1)H-[(13)C]-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
      together with infusion of [1,6-(13)C2]glucose. In addition, the expression level
      of genes associated with glutamatergic and GABAergic pathways was monitored by
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Mice showing depression-like
      phenotype exhibit significant reduction in the levels of glutamate, glutamine, N
      acetyl aspartate, and taurine in the prefrontal cortex. Most importantly,
      findings of reduced (13)C labeling of glutamate-C4, glutamate-C3, and GABA-C2
      from [1,6-(13)C2]glucose indicate decreased glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal
      metabolism and neurotransmitter cycling in the depressed mice. The reduced
      glutamine-C4 labeling suggests decreased neurotransmitter cycling in depression.
      Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed reduced transcripts of
      Gad1 and Eaat2 genes, which code for enzymes involved in the synthesis of GABA
      and the clearance of glutamate from synapses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These
      data indicate that the activities of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons are
      reduced in mice showing a depression-like phenotype, which is supported by
      molecular data for the expression of genes involved in glutamate and GABA
      pathways.

PMID- 24239129
TI  - Methamphetamine downregulates striatal glutamate receptors via diverse epigenetic
      mechanisms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic methamphetamine (METH) exposure causes neuroadaptations at
      glutamatergic synapses. METHODS: To identify the METH-induced epigenetic
      underpinnings of these neuroadaptations, we injected increasing METH doses to
      rats for 2 weeks and measured striatal glutamate receptor expression. We then
      quantified the effects of METH exposure on histone acetylation. We also measured
      METH-induced changes in DNA methylation and DNA hydroxymethylation. RESULTS:
      Chronic METH decreased transcript and protein expression of GluA1 and GluA2 alpha
      amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) and GluN1 N
      methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits. These changes were associated with altered
      electrophysiological glutamatergic responses in striatal neurons. Chromatin
      immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction revealed that METH decreased
      enrichment of acetylated histone H4 on GluA1, GluA2, and GluN1 promoters.
      Methamphetamine exposure also increased repressor element-1 silencing
      transcription factor (REST) corepressor 1, methylated CpG binding protein 2, and
      histone deacetylase 2 enrichment, but not of sirtuin 1 or sirtuin 2, onto GluA1
      and GluA2 gene sequences. Moreover, METH caused interactions of REST corepressor
      1 and methylated CpG binding protein 2 with histone deacetylase 2 and of REST
      with histone deacetylase 1. Surprisingly, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and
      hydroxymethylated DNA immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction revealed METH
      induced decreased enrichment of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine at
      GluA1 and GluA2 promoter sequences. Importantly, the histone deacetylase
      inhibitor, valproic acid, blocked METH-induced decreased expression of AMPAR and
      N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits. Finally, valproic acid also attenuated
      METH-induced decrease H4K16Ac recruitment on AMPAR gene sequences. CONCLUSIONS:
      These observations suggest that histone H4 hypoacetylation may be the main
      determinant of METH-induced decreased striatal glutamate receptor expression.

PMID- 24239131
TI  - Neural correlates of impaired cognitive control over working memory in
      schizophrenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the most common deficits in patients with schizophrenia (SZ)
      is in working memory (WM), which has wide-reaching impacts across cognition.
      However, previous approaches to studying WM in SZ have used tasks that require
      multiple cognitive-control processes, making it difficult to determine which
      specific cognitive and neural processes underlie the WM impairment. METHODS: We
      used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate component processes of
      WM in SZ. Eighteen healthy controls (HCs) and 18 patients with SZ performed an
      item-recognition task that permitted separate neural assessments of 1) WM
      maintenance, 2) inhibition, and 3) interference control in response to
      recognition probes. RESULTS: Before inhibitory demands, posterior ventrolateral
      prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), an area involved in WM maintenance, was activated to a
      similar degree in both HCs and patients, indicating preserved maintenance
      operations in SZ. When cued to inhibit items from WM, HCs showed reduced
      activation in posterior VLPFC, commensurate with appropriately inhibiting items
      from WM. However, these inhibition-related reductions were absent in patients.
      When later probed with items that should have been inhibited, patients showed
      reduced behavioral performance and increased activation in mid-VLPFC, an area
      implicated in interference control. A mediation analysis indicated that impaired
      inhibition led to increased reliance on interference control and reduced
      behavioral performance. CONCLUSIONS: In SZ, impaired control over memory,
      manifested through proactive inhibitory deficits, leads to increased reliance on
      reactive interference-control processes. The strain on interference-control
      processes results in reduced behavioral performance. Thus, inhibitory deficits in
      SZ may underlie widespread impairments in WM and cognition.

PMID- 24239132
TI  - Lung transplantation in children. Specific aspects.
AB  - Lung transplantation has become in recent years a therapeutic option for
      infantswith terminal lung disease with similar results to transplantation in
      adults.In Spain, since 1996 114 children lung transplants have been performed;
      this corresponds to3.9% of the total transplant number.The most common indication
      in children is cystic fibrosis, which represents between 70-80% of the
      transplants performed in adolescents. In infants common indications
      areinterstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.In most children a
      sequential double lung transplant is performed, generally with the help
      ofextracorporeal circulation. Lung transplantation in children presents special
      challenges in monitoring and follow-up, especially in infants, given the
      difficulty in assessing lung function and performing transbronchial
      biopsies.There are some more specific complications in children like
      postransplant lymphoproliferative syndrome or a greater severity of respiratory
      virus infections .After lung transplantation children usually experiment a very
      important improvement in their quality of life. Eighty eight per cent of children
      have no limitations in their activity after 3 years of transplantation.According
      to the registry of the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation
      (ISHLT) survival at 5 years of transplantation is 54% and at 10 years is around
      35%. 

PMID- 24239134
TI  - [Cell therapy in inborn errors of metabolism].

PMID- 24239133
TI  - Best approach for posterior mediastinal goiter removal: transcervical incision
      and lateral thoracotomy.
AB  - Surgical removal of intrathoracic goiter can be performed by a cervical approach
      in the majority of patients. Review of literature shows that experienced surgeons
      need to perform an extracervical approach in 2-3% of cases. In spite of surgical
      management of substernal goiter is well defined, there is little available
      information about surgical approach of intrathoracic goiters extending beyond the
      aortic arch into the posterior mediastinum. We report two cases and propose
      combination of cervical incision and muscle-sparing lateral thoracotomy for
      posterior mediastinal goiter removal. In such cases, we do not favour sternotomy
      as posterior mediastinum is inaccessible due to the presence of heart and great
      vessels anterior to the thyroidal mass that would lead to perform a perilous
      blind dissection. Based in our experience, transcervical and thoracotomy approach
      is indicated for a complete and safe posterior mediastinal goiter removal. 

PMID- 24239135
TI  - [Harlequin ichthyosis].

PMID- 24239136
TI  - Accelerated radial Fourier-velocity encoding using compressed sensing.
AB  - PURPOSE: Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a tool for non
      invasive determination of flow velocities inside blood vessels. Because Phase
      Contrast MRI only measures a single mean velocity per voxel, it is only
      applicable to vessels significantly larger than the voxel size. In contrast,
      Fourier Velocity Encoding measures the entire velocity distribution inside a
      voxel, but requires a much longer acquisition time. For accurate diagnosis of
      stenosis in vessels on the scale of spatial resolution, it is important to know
      the velocity distribution of a voxel. Our aim was to determine velocity
      distributions with accelerated Fourier Velocity Encoding in an acquisition time
      required for a conventional Phase Contrast image. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      imaged the femoral artery of healthy volunteers with ECG-triggered, radial CINE
      acquisition. Data acquisition was accelerated by undersampling, while missing
      data were reconstructed by Compressed Sensing. Velocity spectra of the vessel
      were evaluated by high resolution Phase Contrast images and compared to spectra
      from fully sampled and undersampled Fourier Velocity Encoding. By means of
      undersampling, it was possible to reduce the scan time for Fourier Velocity
      Encoding to the duration required for a conventional Phase Contrast image.
      RESULTS: Acquisition time for a fully sampled data set with 12 different Velocity
      Encodings was 40 min. By applying a 12.6-fold retrospective undersampling, a data
      set was generated equal to 3:10 min acquisition time, which is similar to a
      conventional Phase Contrast measurement. Velocity spectra from fully sampled and
      undersampled Fourier Velocity Encoded images are in good agreement and show the
      same maximum velocities as compared to velocity maps from Phase Contrast
      measurements. CONCLUSION: Compressed Sensing proved to reliably reconstruct
      Fourier Velocity Encoded data. Our results indicate that Fourier Velocity
      Encoding allows an accurate determination of the velocity distribution in vessels
      in the order of the voxel size. Thus, compared to normal Phase Contrast
      measurements delivering only mean velocities, no additional scan time is
      necessary to retrieve meaningful velocity spectra in small vessels.

PMID- 24239137
TI  - The follow-up surgical results of coarctation of the aorta procedures in a cohort
      of Chinese children from a single institution.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results following surgeries
      for the treatment of coarctation of the aorta in Chinese paediatric patients and
      to compare the surgery outcomes between simple and complex coarctation
      procedures. METHODS: Between January 2006 and December 2011, 107 consecutive
      paediatric patients with coarctation of the aorta underwent surgery. Forty-four
      patients (41.12%) were classified as having simple coarctations (group A), and 54
      patients (50.47%) were classified as having complex coarctations (group B).
      Echocardiography and the resting systolic blood pressure were evaluated prior to
      the operation, at one month following the operation, and then once annually.
      RESULTS: Follow-up was 93.5% complete (100 patients), without significant
      differences between the two groups. Arch hypoplasias and bicuspid aortic valves
      were initially present in 10 (9.35%) and 11 (10.28%) of 107 patients,
      respectively. There were no deaths among the group A patients and three (5.56%)
      early deaths among the group B patients. There was a significant difference in
      the restenosis incidence rate between the two groups during the most recent
      follow-up consultations (p<0.05). Additionally, only 10 of 43 group A and 10 of
      51 group B patients had persistently abnormal blood pressures during the annual
      follow-up consultations. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative restenosis ratio was
      increased in the complex coarctation group compared with the simple coarctation
      group. Additionally, the complex coarctation patients who did not have restenosis
      at follow-up had a lower proportion of hypertension.

PMID- 24239138
TI  - Diagnosis of feline acute intermittent porphyria presenting with erythrodontia
      requires molecular analyses.
AB  - Erythrodontia is the hallmark of human congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP),
      but is also a major phenotypic feature of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) in
      cats. In this study, detailed biochemical and molecular analyses were performed
      on two unrelated cats with autosomal dominant AIP that presented with
      erythrodontia, yellow-brown urine and mild changes in erythrocytes. The cats had
      elevated concentrations of urinary 5-aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen, and
      half normal erythrocytic hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) activity. Two novel
      HMBS mutations were detected; one cat had a deletion (c.107_110delACAG) and one
      cat had a splicing alteration (c.826-1G>A), both leading to premature stop codons
      and truncated proteins (p.D36Vfs 6 and p.L276Efs 6, respectively). These studies
      highlight the importance of appropriate biochemical and molecular genetic
      analyses for the accurate diagnoses of porphyrias in cats and extend the
      molecular genetic heterogeneity of feline AIP. Thus, although erythrodontia is a
      classic sign of congenital erythropoietic porphyria in human beings, cats with
      erythrodontia may have acute intermittent porphyria, a hepatic porphyria.

PMID- 24239139
TI  - Dexmedetomidine is a very safe and useful drug for sedation during third molar
      extraction, easily reversed with verbal or physical stimuli.

PMID- 24239140
TI  - Dautrey's procedure: an alternative for the treatment of recurrent mandibular
      dislocation in patients with pneumatization of the articular eminence.
AB  - Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is an involuntary forward movement of
      the mandible beyond the articular eminence with the condyle remaining stuck in
      the anterior-most position, leaving the patient unable to close their mouth.
      Conservative treatment for this condition includes the injection of sclerosing
      agents or the intramuscular administration of botulinum toxin type A, while
      surgical therapy requires either removal or augmentation of the articular
      eminence. Once the surgical treatment plan has been determined, pneumatization of
      the articular eminence may turn a relatively simple procedure into a great
      surgical challenge. We present herein the cases of two patients suffering from
      recurrent mandibular dislocation who happened to have pneumatization of the
      articular eminences. Both patients were treated with a down-fracture of the
      zygomatic arch, known as Dautrey's procedure, modified by the application of a
      miniplate connecting the displaced arch and the lateral portion of the articular
      eminence. Neither patient had suffered a new episode of dislocation at their most
      recent postsurgical visit. 

PMID- 24239141
TI  - In vitro mechanical assessment of 2.0-mm system three-dimensional miniplates in
      anterior mandibular fractures.
AB  - This study constituted a comparative assessment of the mechanical resistance of
      square and rectangular 2.0-mm system three-dimensional miniplates as compared to
      the standard configuration using two straight miniplates. 90 polyurethane replica
      mandibles were used for the mechanical trials. Groups 1, 2, and 3 simulated
      complete symphyseal fractures characterized by linear separation of the central
      incisors; groups 4, 5, and 6 simulated parasymphyseal fractures with an oblique
      configuration. Groups 1 and 4 represented the standard method with two straight
      miniplates set parallel to one another. Square miniplates were used in groups 2
      and 5, and rectangular miniplates in groups 3 and 6. A universal testing machine
      set to a velocity of 10mm/min and delivering a vertical linear load to the first
      left molar was used to test each group. Maximum load values and load values with
      pre-established dislocation of 5mm were obtained and submitted to statistical
      analysis using a calculated reliability interval of 95%. The mechanical
      performances of the devices were similar, except in the case of rectangular
      plates used in the parasymphyseal fractures. The innovative fixation methods used
      showed significantly better results in the case of symphyseal fractures.

PMID- 24239142
TI  - Longitudinal quantitative MRI in multiple system atrophy and progressive
      supranuclear palsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: MRI has been used in parkinsonism to assess atrophy, tissue water
      diffusivity, and mineral deposition but usually at a single time-point. However,
      multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are
      progressive diseases. This study assessed the value of longitudinal MRI in
      characterizing the time course of the degenerative process. METHODS: Two serial
      MRIs (mean 23 months apart) were retrospectively analyzed in 12 MSA, 6 PSP, and
      18 age and sex matched controls. Assessment included selected cross-sectional
      areas, regional apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and gradient echo (GRE)
      intensity ratios of the lateral ventricles, caudate, putamen, middle cerebellar
      peduncle, pons and midbrain. RESULTS: On follow-up imaging, there was a larger
      ADC increase in the putamen in PSP over time compared to controls (p = 0.02). In
      MSA there was greater volume loss in the pons over time compared to controls (p =
      0.002). In MSA the changes in middle cerebellar peduncle ADC were correlated with
      motor symptom severity according to the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
      Part III (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of progressive neurodegeneration can
      be observed on MRI in MSA and PSP within two years consisting of increasing
      putaminal ADC in PSP and pontine atrophy in MSA.

PMID- 24239143
TI  - Evaluation of patient-relevant outcomes of lymphedema and lipedema treatment:
      development and validation of a new benefit tool.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Patient-relevant treatment benefit is traditionally measured with
      health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments. The Patient Benefit Index
      (PBI) methodology allows for a more direct measurement, with the patients rating
      both importance and achievement of treatment goals. Here, we developed and
      validated a PBI version specific for the assessment of benefit in lymphedema and
      lipedema treatment (PBI-L). METHODS: The development included five steps: (1)
      open item collection; (2) consensus of items in a multidisciplinary expert panel;
      (3) application of the German PBI-L in a cross-sectional study (n = 301); (4)
      translation into English; (5) application of the English PBI-L in a randomized
      clinical trial (n = 82). Subscales were developed using factor analysis.
      Construct validity was analyzed by correlating PBI-L and convergent criteria such
      as HRQoL and quality of care. To test for responsiveness, the association to
      change in HRQoL measures was computed. RESULTS: Floor and ceiling effects were
      low. There were few missing values. Two well-interpretable subscales were found
      with Cronbach's alpha >0.8 each. Global and subscale scores correlated with
      convergent criteria and with change in disease-specific HRQoL, but not with
      change in generic HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: The PBI-L is an internally consistent,
      valid, and responsive instrument for the assessment of patient-relevant benefit
      of edema treatment.

PMID- 24239144
TI  - What is the best option for elective repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in a
      young fit patient?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The lower procedural risk associated with endovascular aneurysm repair
      (EVAR) compared with open aneurysm repair (OAR) is well known. Younger patients
      are likely to represent a group at low perioperative risk. The long-term
      durability and late complications following EVAR may have more significance when
      considering the optimal treatment for young patients with a longer life
      expectancy. This study examined perioperative and long-term outcomes of young
      patients undergoing aneurysm repair by either open surgical or endovascular
      means. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively collated database was
      performed. Patients undergoing elective aneurysm repair at the age of 65 years or
      younger between January 2000 and September 2010 were included. All EVAR patients
      were followed up in a nurse-led clinic. Data regarding long-term outcomes for
      patients undergoing open repair were gathered from case note review. RESULTS:
      There were 99 patients who underwent open repair and 59 patients who underwent
      endovascular repair. Groups were well matched in terms of demographics and co
      morbidities. 30-day mortality was 1% after open repair. There were no
      perioperative deaths after endovascular repair. Overall, 30-day complication
      rates were 15% after open repair and 12% after EVAR. The nature of complications
      differed between the two groups with the EVAR group experiencing endoleaks and
      the OAR group demonstrating more cardiorespiratory complications. Mean follow-up
      was 75.5 months and there was a 14% reintervention rate after EVAR compared with
      7% after OAR. CONCLUSION: Young patients are likely to have a lower procedural
      risk for EVAR and OAR than described in published figures. Although mortality and
      complication rates in these two groups were similar, the nature of complications
      occurring following open surgery were often more significant than those occurring
      after EVAR. There remains a risk of late reintervention following either form of
      repair.

PMID- 24239145
TI  - Response to 'left renal vein division during open surgery of abdominal aortic
      disease: a propensity score-matched case-control study'.

PMID- 24239146
TI  - Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, a biomarker for systemic
      inflammatory response syndrome in patients with nephrolithiasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of
      neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), C-reactive protein (CRP), and
      procalcitonin (PCT) in the prognosis of patients presenting with the systemic
      inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) with nephrolithiasis. METHODS: Urine NGAL
      protein levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 87 patients
      presenting with nephrolithiasis who were diagnosed as SIRS. Additionally, 52
      patients presenting with nephrolithiasis but without urinary tract infection and
      30 healthy controls were also included in the study. Levels of serum CRP and PCT
      were also taken into consideration. RESULTS: Median urinary NGAL levels were
      significantly increased in the SIRS cohorts compared with nephrolithiasis without
      urinary tract infection patients (4.28 ng/mL versus 2.69 ng/mL, P < 0.001), and
      NGAL was markedly elevated even in the early stage of SIRS (3.23 ng/mL versus
      2.69 ng/mL, P < 0.001). According to the receiver-operating characteristic
      analysis, NGAL demonstrated a high diagnostic value compared with either PCT or
      CRP. In the later stage of SIRS, NGAL remained a highly sensitive (76.8%) and
      specific (86.5%) diagnostic marker compared with either PCT or CRP. Moreover, the
      area under the curves of NGAL (0.822) were also superior to those seen in either
      PCT (0.657) or CRP (0.761). CONCLUSION: Urinary NGAL is a highly sensitive and
      specific predictor of SIRS for patients presenting with nephrolithiasis. Further
      study of NGAL as a reliable biomarker of SIRS is required.

PMID- 24239147
TI  - Parthenolide inhibits polyethylene particle-induced mouse calvarial osteolysis in
      vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic osteolysis and aseptic loosening (AL) after joint
      arthroplasty are serious problems encountered after an implant surgery. AL is
      possibly caused by osteolysis or local bone resorption induced by implant-derived
      wear particles. However, effective treatments for osteoclastic bone resorption
      and AL mediated by wear particles have not been developed except surgical
      revision. Therefore, a new strategy should be developed to improve osteolysis
      associated with AL via pharmacologic intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      effects of parthenolide (PTN), a nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor and
      sesquiterpene lactone, on polyethylene particle-induced osteolysis in vivo were
      investigated using a mouse calvarial model. Bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV, %),
      bone surface/bone volume (BS/BV, 1/mm), osteoclast number per bone perimeter
      (N.Oc/B.Pm, /mm), and eroded surface per bone surface (ES/BS, %) were determined
      by micro-computed tomography and histologic analyses. RESULTS: Severe bone
      resorption and rapid osteoclast formation were found in the cranium of the
      subjects after polyethylene particles were implanted. ES/BS (P < 0.001),
      N.Oc/B.Pm (group III, P < 0.05; group IV, P < 0.001), and BS/BV (P < 0.001)
      increased compared with those in group II; BS/BV (P < 0.001) decreased in group
      II but was improved in groups III and IV, which were treated with PTN. No
      significant difference in these parameters was observed among groups I, III, and
      IV. CONCLUSIONS: PTN possibly elicited therapeutic effects on osteolysis induced
      by wear particles, indicating that PTN could be used as a therapeutic agent of AL
      induced by wear particles.

PMID- 24239148
TI  - Immunogenic alteration in laparoscopic common bile duct exploration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The immunologic benefits of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration
      (LCBDE) for choledocholithiasis are poorly understood. The aim of the present
      study was to investigate immunologic changes during LCBDE using primary suture or
      T-tube drainage. METHODS: Patients with choledocholithiasis undergoing
      laparoscopic primary suture of the common bile duct after LCBDE (primary suture
      group) or laparoscopic LCBDE with choledochotomy plus T-tube drainage (T-tube
      group) at a single center between June 2008 and June 2011 were included in the
      present study. Blood samples were collected 24 h preoperatively, and 24 and 72 h
      postoperatively to assess interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha
      (TNF-alpha) as inflammation markers. Immunosuppression was evaluated using C
      reactive protein and leukocyte subpopulations. RESULTS: Patients were 60 +/- 17 y
      old in the primary suture group (56 men and 76 women) and 54 +/- 20 y old in the
      T-tube group (50 men and 58 women). In the primary suture group, three patients
      (2.3%) required open surgery and six (4.5%) developed postoperative bile leakage.
      In the T-tube group, two patients (1.9%) required open surgery and four (3.7%)
      had bile leakage. Operation time and hospital stay were shorter in the primary
      suture group (P < 0.05). Postoperative TNF-alpha and lymphocyte counts were
      lower, and C-reactive protein and IL-6 levels were higher in the T-tube group
      compared with the primary suture group (P < 0.05). No recurrences or bile duct
      strictures were noted during follow-up (median of 12 mo). CONCLUSIONS:
      Laparoscopic primary suture techniques appear to reduce immunologic suppression
      by minimizing surgical trauma in patients with choledocholithiasis.

PMID- 24239149
TI  - Fluid volume overload negatively influences delayed primary facial closure in
      open abdomen management.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The open abdomen (OA) is associated with significant
      morbidity and mortality, and its management poses a formidable challenge.
      Inability to achieve primary closure of the abdominal wall is one of the most
      severe complications of this technique. Factors influencing primary fascial
      closure, however, are unknown. This study aims to explore the influence of fluid
      volume overload on the application of vacuum-assisted and mesh-mediated fascial
      traction (VAWCM) in OA treatment. METHODS: A review of patients undergoing OA
      management using VAWCM technique from January 2006 to November 2011 was
      performed. Patients with aged <18 y OA treatment for fewer than 5 d and abdominal
      wall hernia before OA treatment were excluded. RESULTS: Average age was 45 +/-
      10.1 y and average OA treatment time was 31 +/- 6.8 d. The complete fascial
      closure rate was 60%. The overall mean bodyweight-based fluid overload was 7.2 kg
      (range: -8.0 to +21.6 kg), representing a mean percent weight gain of 11.5%
      (range: -9.5% to +27%). Patients with fluid-related weight gain >=10% had a lower
      primary facial closure rate than those with <10% (39% versus 77%). And primary
      facial closure rate seems to further decrease with fluid-related weight gain
      >=20%, suggesting a dose-response effect of progressive fluid accumulation.
      CONCLUSIONS: The VAWCM method provided a high primary fascial closure rate after
      long-term treatment of OA. Fluid volume overload negatively influences delayed
      primary facial closure. Judicious intravenous fluid resuscitation should be
      advocated in the therapy of critically ill patients.

PMID- 24239150
TI  - Relation between alcohol consumption and arterial stiffness: A cross-sectional
      study of middle-aged Japanese women and men.
AB  - Epidemiological data indicate the existence of a J-shaped association between
      alcohol consumption and cardiovascular mobility and mortality. However, studies
      assessing the relationship between alcohol consumption and pulse wave velocity
      (PWV) as a marker of arterial stiffness have provided inconsistent results. In
      addition, data regarding the effect of alcohol on arterial stiffness in women has
      been limited. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between alcohol
      consumption and PWV among female and male workers in Japan. Study participants
      were local government employees in Hokkaido, Japan, who underwent annual health
      check-ups. All data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The
      average daily alcohol consumption of the previous month, based on the alcohol
      concentration of each beverage type (g/day, ethanol equivalent), was estimated
      according to the frequency and amount of consumption. Data from 3893 participants
      (812 women and 3081 men) were analyzed. In women, non-drinkers had significantly
      higher PWV than women who consumed <10 g/day of alcohol. In men, compared with
      those who reportedly drank 20-39 g/day, non-drinkers and those who drank <20
      g/day and >=60 g/day had significantly higher PWV. Alcohol consumption showed a J
      shaped association with PWV in men (p for quadratic term < 0.036) and marginally
      in women (p < 0.056). The results of stratified analyses by age groups showed a
      significant J-shaped association, which was most notable for men >=45 years (p <
      0.005). In middle-aged Japanese women and men, light-to-moderate alcohol
      consumption is associated with lower PWV, which in turn correlates with a
      reduction in vascular stiffness.

PMID- 24239151
TI  - Associations between heavy alcohol drinking and lipid-related indices in middle
      aged men.
AB  - The ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C ratio) and lipid
      accumulation product (LAP: a continuous marker of lipid over-accumulation
      determined by waist circumference and triglycerides) have been proposed to be
      good predictors of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to clarify
      the relationships between heavy alcohol drinking and lipid-related indices
      including TG/HDL-C ratio, LAP, and ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol
      (LDL-C/HDL-C ratio). The subjects were middle-aged male nondrinkers and heavy
      drinkers (ethanol intake: >=66 g per drinking day, which is 2-3 times or more
      than the generally recommended border level of daily alcohol consumption of 20-30
      g). The levels of each lipid-related index after adjustment for age, smoking, and
      regular exercise were compared among nondrinkers, occasional heavy drinkers, and
      regular heavy drinkers. Log-transformed TG/HDL-C ratio was significantly higher
      in occasional heavy drinkers (mean +/- standard error: 0.445 +/- 0.014) than in
      nondrinkers (0.388 +/- 0.004) and regular heavy drinkers (0.359 +/- 0.013), and
      was not significantly different in nondrinkers and regular heavy drinkers. Log
      transformed LAP was significantly higher in occasional heavy drinkers (1.51 +/-
      0.02) and regular heavy drinkers (1.44 +/- 0.02) than in nondrinkers (1.34 +/-
      0.01), and was significantly higher in occasional heavy drinkers than in regular
      heavy drinkers. LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was significantly lower in occasional heavy
      drinkers (2.41 +/- 0.04) and regular heavy drinkers (1.72 +/- 0.04) than in
      nondrinkers (2.62 +/- 0.01) and was significantly lower in regular heavy drinkers
      than in occasional heavy drinkers. Results of logistic regression analysis, using
      odds ratios for high lipid indices of occasional or regular heavy drinkers vs.
      nondrinkers, agreed with the above results of analysis of covariance. Occasional
      heavy drinkers showed more detrimental and less favorable levels of the lipid
      indices than did regular heavy drinkers, and thus heavy drinking, even if
      occasional, should be avoided to prevent cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 24239153
TI  - Risk scoring and thromboprophylactic treatment of patients with atrial
      fibrillation with and without access to primary healthcare data: experience from
      the Stockholm health care system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Earlier validation studies of risk scoring by CHA2DS2VASc for
      assessments of appropriateness of warfarin treatment in patients with atrial
      fibrillation have been performed solely with diagnoses recorded in hospital based
      care, even though many patients to a large extent are managed in primary care.
      METHODS: Cross-sectional registry study of all 43 353 patients with a diagnosis
      of non-valvular atrial fibrillation recorded in inpatient care, specialist
      ambulatory care or primary care in the Stockholm County during 2006-2010.
      RESULTS: The mean CHA2DS2VASc score was 3.82 (4.67 for women and 3.14 for men).
      64% of the entire cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation had the diagnosis
      in primary care (12% only there). The mean CHA2DS2VASc score of patients with a
      diagnosis only in inpatient care or specialist ambulatory care increased from
      3.63 to 3.83 when comorbidities registered in primary care were added. In 2010
      warfarin prescriptions were claimed by 47.2%, and ASA by 41.6% of the entire
      cohort. 34% of patients with CHA2DS2VASc=1 and 20% with CHA2DS2VASc=0 had
      warfarin treatment. ASA was more frequently used instead of warfarin among women
      and elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: Registry CHA2DS2VASc scores were
      underestimated without co-morbidity data from primary care. Many individuals with
      scores 0 and 1 were treated with warfarin, despite poor documentation of clinical
      benefit. In contrast, warfarin appears to be underused and ASA overused among
      high risk atrial fibrillation patients. Lack of diagnoses from primary care
      underestimated CHA2DS2VASc scores and may thereby have overestimated treatment
      benefits in low-risk patients in earlier studies.

PMID- 24239152
TI  - Transcatheter therapy in partially abnormal pulmonary venous return with
      additional drainage to the left atrium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A persistent anastomosis between the pulmonary veins that connect
      with the left atrium and the systemic vein that drains into the right atrium has
      occasionally been reported. We report characteristics and transcatheter therapy
      in partially abnormal pulmonary venous return with additional drainage to the
      left atrium. METHODS: We retrospectively studied such patients in 5 institutions.
      RESULTS: Ten patients (6 girls) presented at a median age of 8 (0.1 to 54) years
      with 2 anatomic types: 8 vertical vein types with drainage of the left upper lobe
      to the innominate vein via a large vertical vein (left superior cardinal vein)
      and to the left atrium via the left upper pulmonary vein; and 2 scimitar vein
      (SV) types with drainage of the right middle and lower pulmonary veins into the
      inferior vena cava and to the left atrium via an anomalous connecting vein.
      Associated malformations were aortic coarctation (n=2) and secundum atrial septal
      defects (n=3). Two patients of the vertical vein type were operated.
      Transcatheter occlusion of the abnormal pulmonary venous return was performed in
      7 cases, associated with occlusion of systemic arterial supply (n=2), secundum
      atrial septal closure (n=2), left upper pulmonary vein stenosis stenting (n=1),
      and coarctation stenting (n=1). Including previously published cases, 18 patients
      (13 vertical veins and 5 scimitar veins) underwent transcatheter repair. Patients
      over 40 years of age tend to be symptomatic at presentation (p=0.056).
      CONCLUSION: In partially abnormal pulmonary venous return with dual drainage,
      transcatheter therapy can be offered in the majority of patients.

PMID- 24239154
TI  - One-year results of the randomized, controlled, short-term psychotherapy in acute
      myocardial infarction (STEP-IN-AMI) trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies on cognitive and interpersonal interventions have
      yielded inconsistent results in ischemic heart disease patients. METHODS: 101
      patients aged <= 70 years, and enrolled one week after complete revascularization
      with urgent/emergent angioplasty for an AMI, were randomized to standard
      cardiological therapy plus short-term humanistic-existential psychotherapy (STP)
      versus standard cardiological therapy only. Primary composite end point was: one
      year incidence of new cardiological events (re-infarction, death, stroke,
      revascularization, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, and the recurrence
      of typical and clinically significant angina) and of clinically significant new
      comorbidities. Secondary end points were: rates for individual components of the
      primary outcome, incidence of re-hospitalizations for cardiological problems, New
      York Heart Association class, and psychometric test scores at follow-up. RESULTS:
      94 patients were analyzed at one year. The two treatment groups were similar
      across all baseline characteristics. At follow-up, STP patients had had a lower
      incidence of the primary endpoint, relative to controls (21/49 vs. 35/45
      patients; p=0.0006, respectively; NNT=3); this benefit was attributable to the
      lower incidence of recurrent angina and of new comorbidities in the STP group
      (14/49 vs. 22/45 patients, p=0.04, NNT=5; and 5/49 vs. 25/45, p<0.0001, NNT=3,
      respectively). Patients undergoing STP also had statistically fewer re
      hospitalizations, a better NYHA class, higher quality of life, and lower
      depression scores. CONCLUSION: Adding STP to cardiological therapy improves
      cardiological symptoms, quality of life, and psychological and medical outcomes
      one year post AMI, while reducing the need for re-hospitalizations. Larger
      studies remain necessary to confirm the generalizability of these results.
      CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT00769366.

PMID- 24239155
TI  - Cardiac resynchronisation therapy optimisation strategies: systematic
      classification, detailed analysis, minimum standards and a roadmap for
      development and testing.
AB  - In this article an international group of CRT specialists presents a
      comprehensive classification system for present and future schemes for optimising
      CRT. This system is neutral to the measurement technology used, but focuses on
      little-discussed quantitative physiological requirements. We then present a
      rational roadmap for reliable cost-effective development and evaluation of
      schemes. A widely recommended approach for AV optimisation is to visually select
      the ideal pattern of transmitral Doppler flow. Alternatively, one could measure a
      variable (such as Doppler velocity time integral) and "pick the highest". More
      complex would be to make measurements across a range of settings and "fit a
      curve". In this report we provide clinicians with a critical approach to address
      any recommendations presented to them, as they may be many, indistinct and
      conflicting. We present a neutral scientific analysis of each scheme, and equip
      the reader with simple tools for critical evaluation. Optimisation protocols
      should deliver: (a) singularity, with only one region of optimality rather than
      several; (b) blinded test-retest reproducibility; (c) plausibility; (d)
      concordance between independent methods; and (e) transparency, with all steps
      open to scrutiny. This simple information is still not available for many
      optimisation schemes. Clinicians developing the habit of asking about each
      property in turn will find it easier to win now down the broad range of protocols
      currently promoted. Expectation of a sophisticated enquiry from the clinical
      community will encourage optimisation protocol-designers to focus on testing
      early (and cheaply) the basic properties that are vital for any chance of long
      term efficacy.

PMID- 24239156
TI  - Bergamot polyphenolic fraction enhances rosuvastatin-induced effect on LDL
      cholesterol, LOX-1 expression and protein kinase B phosphorylation in patients
      with hyperlipidemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Statins are the most commonly prescribed drugs to reduce
      cardiometabolic risk. Besides the well-known efficacy of such compounds in both
      preventing and treating cardiometabolic disorders, some patients experience
      statin-induced side effects. We hypothesize that the use of natural bergamot
      derived polyphenols may allow patients undergoing statin treatment to reduce
      effective doses while achieving target lipid values. The aim of the present study
      is to investigate the occurrence of an enhanced effect of bergamot-derived
      polyphenolic fraction (BPF) on rosuvastatin-induced hypolipidemic and
      vasoprotective response in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia. METHODS: A
      prospective, open-label, parallel group, placebo-controlled study on 77 patients
      with elevated serum LDL-C and triglycerides was designed. Patients were randomly
      assigned to a control group receiving placebo (n=15), two groups receiving orally
      administered rosuvastatin (10 and 20mg/daily for 30 days; n=16 for each group), a
      group receiving BPF alone orally (1000 mg/daily for 30 days; n=15) and a group
      receiving BPF (1000 mg/daily given orally) plus rosuvastatin (10mg/daily for 30
      days; n=15). RESULTS: Both doses of rosuvastatin and BPF reduced total
      cholesterol, LDL-C, the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and urinary mevalonate in
      hyperlipidemic patients, compared to control group. The cholesterol lowering
      effect was accompanied by reductions of malondialdehyde, oxyLDL receptor LOX-1
      and phosphoPKB, which are all biomarkers of oxidative vascular damage, in
      peripheral polymorphonuclear cells. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of BPF to rosuvastatin
      significantly enhanced rosuvastatin-induced effect on serum lipemic profile
      compared to rosuvastatin alone. This lipid-lowering effect was associated with
      significant reductions of biomarkers used for detecting oxidative vascular
      damage, suggesting a multi-action enhanced potential for BPF in patients on
      statin therapy.

PMID- 24239157
TI  - Review: where is the maternofetal interface?
AB  - Ask where the maternofetal interface is and placental biologists will tell you,
      the syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous cytotrophoblasts. While correct, this is
      not full extent of the maternofetal interface. Trophoblast debris that is
      extruded into the maternal blood in all pregnancies expands the maternofetal
      interface to sites remote from the uterus. Trophoblast debris ranges from
      multinucleated syncytial nuclear aggregates to subcellular micro- and nano
      vesicles. The origins of trophoblast debris are not clear. Some propose
      trophoblast debris is the end of the life-cycle of the trophoblast and that it
      results from an apoptosis-like cell death, but this is not universally accepted.
      Knowing whether trophoblast debris results from an apoptosis-like cell death is
      important because the nature of cell death that produced trophoblast debris will
      influence the maternal responses to it. Trophoblast debris is challenging to
      isolate from maternal blood making it difficult to study. However, by culturing
      placental explants in NetwellsTM we can readily harvest trophoblast debris from
      beneath the NetwellsTM which is very similar to debris that has been isolated
      from pregnant women. We have found that trophoblast debris from normal placentae
      shows markers of apoptosis and is phagocytosed by macrophages or endothelial
      cells, producing a tolerant phenotype in the phagocyte. Whereas, when we culture
      normal placental explants with factors such as antiphospholipid antibodies (a
      strong maternal risk factor for preeclampsia), or IL-6 (which is found at
      increased levels in the sera of preeclamptic women), the death process in the
      syncytiotrophoblast changes, such that the trophoblast debris becomes more
      necrotic. Phagocytosis of this necrotic debris leads to activation of endothelial
      cells. Trophoblast debris greatly expands the maternofetal interface and the
      nature of that debris is likely to strongly influence the responses of the
      maternal vascular and immune systems to the debris. 

PMID- 24239158
TI  - Assessment of therapeutic efficacy of miR-126 with contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      in preeclampsia rats.
AB  - Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome characterized by high blood
      pressure and proteinuria, which has a pathophysiology of insufficient placental
      blood perfusion. MicroRNA-126 (miR-126), an angiogenesis-related miRNA, has been
      proved to play a significant role in endothelial cells response to ischemia in
      vitro and in vivo. However, whether miR-126 has therapeutic potential in
      vasculogenesis of preeclampsia placenta remains uncertain. In this study, we
      focused our attention on this unsolved problem. First, we established the
      preeclampsia animal model and over-expressed miR-126 in vivo using a specific
      agomir. Then we described the effects of miR-126 on placental vasculogenesis in
      preeclampsia rats, including the evaluation of placental blood perfusion using
      microbubbles-assisted contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), placental
      histology, immunohistochemistry and pregnancy outcome. Finally, we investigated
      the possible target gene and pathway that miR-126 modulates. Together, our
      results showed that preeclampsia animal with over-expressed miR-126 had higher
      pup weight, placenta weight and proportion of live pups. Quantification of
      uteroplacental perfusion by CEUS and CD34 staining of placental tissue revealed
      that blood volume and microvessel density increased in miR-126 treated group. MiR
      126 was related to PIK3R2 down-regulation and Akt activation within placenta,
      which had impacts on vascularization of placenta. Therefore, miR-126 may be an
      efficient gene therapy to promote angiogenesis and blood perfusion in
      preeclampsia placenta. 

PMID- 24239159
TI  - Involvement of CRH and hCG in the induction of aromatase by cortisol in human
      placental syncytiotrophoblasts.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Increased estrogen production in placenta towards the end of
      gestation plays a pivotal role in the onset of human labor. Estrogen transforms
      myometrium from a quiescent to a contractile status. Glucocorticoids have been
      shown to induce estrogen production through the transcription factor specificity
      protein 1 (Sp1)-mediated induction of aromatase transcription upon elevation of
      cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate (cAMP) level in human placental
      syncytiotrophoblasts. However, it is unclear how glucocorticoids activate cAMP
      pathway thereby inducing aromatase expression in human placental
      syncytiotrophoblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated this issue in
      cultured primary human placental syncytiotrophoblasts prepared from placentas
      collected at term without labor. RESULTS: We demonstrated that cortisol (0.01-1
      MUM) dose-dependently increased corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and human
      chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) alpha/beta subunit expression and their production
      in the syncytiotrophoblasts. The induction of intracellular cAMP level, Sp1
      expression, Sp1 enrichment at the aromatase promoter as well as aromatase
      expression by cortisol could be partially attenuated by either hCG antibody
      (1:100) or CRH receptor antagonist alpha-helical-CRH (1 MUM), and further
      attenuated by combination of hCG antibody and alpha-helical-CRH. CONCLUSIONS:
      Cortisol increases aromatase expression via induction of CRH and hCG production
      and subsequent elevation of cAMP level and enrichment of Sp1 at the aromatase
      promoter in human placental syncytiotrophoblasts. These findings may account for
      the parallel increases of cortisol and estrogen production prior to the onset of
      parturition.

PMID- 24239160
TI  - Periconceptional alcohol consumption causes fetal growth restriction and
      increases glycogen accumulation in the late gestation rat placenta.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Alcohol consumption is a common social practice among women of
      childbearing age. With 50% of pregnancies being unplanned, many embryos are
      exposed to alcohol prior to pregnancy recognition and formation of the placenta.
      The effects of periconceptional (PC) alcohol exposure on the placenta are
      unknown. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to alcohol (12.5% v/v ad
      libitum) from 4 days prior to 4 days after conception and effects on placental
      growth, morphology and gene/protein expression examined at embryonic day (E) 20.
      RESULTS: PC ethanol (EtOH)-exposed fetuses were growth restricted and their
      placental/body weight ratio and placental cross-sectional area were increased.
      This was associated with an increase in cross-sectional area of the junctional
      zone and glycogen cells, especially in PC EtOH-exposed placentas from female
      fetuses. Junctional Glut1 and Igf2 mRNA levels were increased. Labyrinth Igf1
      mRNA levels were decreased in placentas from both sexes, but protein IGF1R levels
      were decreased in placentas from male fetuses only. Labyrinth mRNA levels of
      Slc38a2 were decreased and Vegfa were increased in placentas following PC EtOH
      exposure but only placentas from female fetuses exhibited increased Kdr
      expression. Augmented expression of the protective enzyme 11betaHsd2 was found in
      PC EtOH-exposed labyrinth. DISCUSSION: These observations are consistent with a
      stress response, apparent well beyond the period of EtOH-exposure and demonstrate
      that PC EtOH alters placental development in a sex specific manner. CONCLUSION:
      Public awareness should be increased to educate women about how excessive
      drinking even before falling pregnant may impact on placental development and
      fetal health.

PMID- 24239162
TI  - Retinal arteriole-to-venule ratio changes and target organ disease evolution in
      newly diagnosed hypertensive patients at 1-year follow-up.
AB  - There is no agreement on the systematic exploration of the fundus oculi (FO) in
      hypertensive patients, and it is unknown whether the evolution of retinal
      microcirculatory alterations has prognostic value or not. The aim of this study
      was to investigate whether the evolution of the arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR)
      in newly-diagnosed hypertensive patients is associated with better or worse
      evolution of target organ damage (TOD) during 1 year. A cohort of 133 patients
      with newly-diagnosed untreated hypertension was followed for 1 year. At baseline
      and follow-up, all patients underwent a physical examination, self-blood pressure
      measurement, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, blood and urine analysis,
      electrocardiogram, and retinography. The endpoint was the favourable evolution of
      TOD and the total amount of TOD, according to the baseline AVR and the baseline
      and final difference of the AVR. A total of 133 patients were analyzed (mean age,
      57 +/- 10.7 years; 59% men). No differences were found in the decrease in blood
      pressure or antihypertensive treatment between quartiles of baseline AVR or
      baseline-final AVR difference. Patients with a difference between baseline and
      final AVR in the highest quartile (>0.0817) had a favorable evolution of left
      ventricular hypertrophy (odds ratio, 14.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-206.8)
      and the amount of TOD (odds ratio, 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-6.05). No
      favorable evolution was found of glomerular filtration rate. There is an
      association between the evolution of the AVR and the favorable evolution of TOD.
      Patients with greater increase of AVR have significantly better evolution of left
      ventricular hypertrophy and amount of TOD.

PMID- 24239161
TI  - Semen quality and time to pregnancy: the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility
      and the Environment Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess semen parameters and couple fecundity as measured by time to
      pregnancy (TTP). DESIGN: Observational prospective cohort with longitudinal
      measurement of TTP. SETTING: Sixteen Michigan/Texas counties. PATIENT(S): A total
      of 501 couples discontinuing contraception were followed for 1 year while trying
      to conceive; 473 men (94%) provided one semen sample, and 80% provided two
      samples. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Using prospectively
      measured TTP, fecundability odds ratios (FORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)
      were estimated for 36 individual semen quality parameters accounting for repeated
      semen samples, time off contraception, abstinence, enrollment site, and couples'
      ages, body mass indices, and serum cotinine concentrations. RESULT(S): In
      adjusted models, semen quality parameters were associated with significantly
      shorter TTP as measured by FORs >1: percent motility, strict and traditional
      morphology, sperm head width, elongation factor, and acrosome area. Significantly
      longer TTPs or FORs <1 were observed for morphologic categories amorphous and
      round sperm heads and neck/midpiece abnormalities. No semen quality parameters
      achieved significance when simultaneously modeling all other significant semen
      parameters and covariates, except for percent coiled tail when adjusting for
      sperm concentration (FOR 0.99; 95% CI 0.99-1.00). Male age was consistently
      associated with reduced couple fecundity (FOR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93-0.99), reflecting
      a longer TTP across all combined models. Female but not male body mass index also
      conferred a longer TTP (FOR 0.98; 95% CI 0.96-0.99). CONCLUSION(S): Several semen
      measures were significantly associated with TTP when modeled individually but not
      jointly and in the context of relevant couple-based covariates.

PMID- 24239164
TI  - Influence of fatigue on upper limb muscle activity and performance in tennis.
AB  - The study examined the fatigue effect on tennis performance and upper limb muscle
      activity. Ten players were tested before and after a strenuous tennis exercise.
      Velocity and accuracy of serve and forehand drives, as well as corresponding
      surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of eight upper limb muscles were
      measured. EMG and force were also evaluated during isometric maximal voluntary
      contractions (IMVC). Significant decreases were observed after exercise in serve
      accuracy (-11.7%) and velocity (-4.5%), forehand accuracy (-25.6%) and
      consistency (-15.6%), as well as pectoralis major (PM) and flexor carpi radialis
      (FCR) IMVC strength (-13.0% and -8.2%, respectively). EMG amplitude decreased for
      PM and FCR in serve, forehand and IMVC, and for extensor carpi radialis in
      forehand. No modification was observed in EMG activation timing during strokes or
      in EMG frequency content during IMVC. Several hypotheses can be put forward to
      explain these results. First, muscle fatigue may induce a reduction in activation
      level of PM and forearm muscles, which could decrease performance. Second,
      conscious or subconscious strategies could lead to a redistribution of muscle
      activity to non-fatigued muscles in order to protect the organism and/or limit
      performance losses. Otherwise, the modifications of EMG activity could also
      illustrate the strategies adopted to manage the speed-accuracy trade-off in such
      a complex task. 

PMID- 24239163
TI  - Compensatory cellular hypertrophy: the other strategy for tissue homeostasis.
AB  - Metazoan tissues have the ability to maintain tissue size and morphology while
      eliminating aberrant or damaged cells. In the tissue homeostasis system, cell
      division is the primary strategy cells use not only to increase tissue size
      during development but also to compensate for cell loss in tissue repair. Recent
      studies in Drosophila, however, have shown that cells in postmitotic tissues
      undergo hypertrophic growth without division, contributing to tissue repair as
      well as organ development. Indeed, similar compensatory cellular hypertrophy
      (CCH) can be observed in different contexts such as mammalian hepatocytes or
      corneal endothelial cells. Here we highlight these findings and discuss the
      underlying mechanisms of CCH, which is likely an evolutionarily conserved
      strategy for homeostatic tissue growth in metazoans. 

PMID- 24239165
TI  - Expression of fibroblast growth factor 9 is associated with poor prognosis in
      patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 9 is a member of the FGF family, which
      modulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and motility. Recent studies show
      that the activation of FGF signals including FGF9 is associated with the
      pathogenesis of several cancers; however, its clinicopathological and biological
      significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. The purpose of
      this study was to clarify the characteristics of NSCLC with FGF9 expression.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the expression of FGF9 in resected NSCLC
      specimens and corresponding non-tumorous lung tissue samples using cDNA
      microarray and evaluated its clinicopathological characteristics. RESULTS: Nine
      out of 90 NSCLC specimens (10%) had "high" FGF9 expression compared with
      corresponding non-cancerous lung tissues. Histologically, of the 9 NSCLC
      specimens with high FGF9 expression, 5 were adenocarcinoma, whereas none were
      squamous cell carcinoma. FGF9 expression was not associated with sex, smoking
      history, or clinical stage. However, in patients with high and low FGF9
      expression, the postoperative recurrence rates were 78% and 24% (p=0.033),
      respectively. Overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with high
      FGF9 expression than in those with low FGF9 expression (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our
      data indicate that FGF9 may be a novel unfavorable prognostic indicator and a
      candidate therapeutic target of NSCLC.

PMID- 24239168
TI  - Immediate effect of walking with talus-stabilizing taping on ankle kinematics in
      subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of walking with talus-stabilizing taping
      (TST) on ankle dorsiflexion (DF) and heel-off time in the stance phase of gait
      and ankle DF passive range of motion (PROM). DESIGN: Pre- and post-intervention
      study. SETTING: University motion analysis laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Ten subjects
      participated in this study. Sixteen ankles with limited ankle DF PROM were
      tested. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ankle DF PROM was measured using a goniometer, and
      maximum ankle DF before heel-off and time to heel-off in the stance phase of gait
      were measured using a 3D motion analysis system before and after walking with
      TST. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test. RESULTS: Ankle maximum DF before
      heel-off (p = 0.001), time to heel-off during the stance phase of gait (p =
      0.005), and ankle DF PROM (p < 0.001) were significantly increased post
      intervention compared with pre-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Walking with TST is an
      effective self-exercise for improving ankle kinematics during gait and increasing
      ankle DF PROM in individuals with limited ankle DF PROM.

PMID- 24239167
TI  - The effect of Xbox Kinect intervention on balance ability for previously injured
      young competitive male athletes: a preliminary study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore the outcomes of an Xbox Kinect intervention on balance
      ability, enjoyment and compliance for previously injured young competitive male
      athletes. DESIGN: Experimental pre-/post-test design with random assignment.
      PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-three previously injured young competitive male athletes,
      aged 16 +/- 1 years. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were divided into three groups:
      one group received Xbox Kinect (XbK) training, one group received Traditional
      physiotherapy (TP) training, and one group did not receive any balance training
      (Control). Intervention involved a 24 min session, twice weekly for 10 weeks.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Overall stability index (OSI) and limits of stability
      (LOS) scores using the Biodex Stability System. Enjoyment using the Physical
      Activity Enjoyment Scale. Self-reported compliance. RESULTS: Both experimental
      groups demonstrated an improvement in OSI and LOS mean scores for the right and
      the left limb after the intervention. In addition, the results revealed important
      differences between the experimental groups and the control group on balance test
      indices. Group enjoyment rating was greater for XbK compared with TP, while the
      compliance rating was not. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the use of
      XbK intervention is a valuable, feasible and pleasant approach in order to
      improve balance ability of previously injured young competitive male athletes.

PMID- 24239169
TI  - Clinically relevant multidrug resistant Salmonella enterica in swine and meat
      handlers at the abattoir.
AB  - The presence of multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella serotypes in slaughtered
      swine, carcasses, meat and meat handlers is scarcely evaluated. Recently we
      demonstrated that diverse Salmonella serotypes are frequently present in swine,
      pork meat and carcasses, and meat handlers at Portuguese abattoirs. Here we have
      characterized their antibiotic resistance phenotypes and genotypes, helping
      elucidate the flow of MDR Salmonella in the food chain. Testing 60 Salmonella
      isolates from different serotypes, the highest frequencies of resistance were
      observed for tetracycline (T) [70% (n=42/60), tet(A)/tet(B)/tet(G)], streptomycin
      (S) [63% (n=38/60), aadA2/strA/strB], sulfamethoxazole (Sul) [62% (n=37/60),
      sul1/sul2/sul3] and ampicillin (A) [57% (n=34/60), blaPSE-1/blaTEM]. Thirty-seven
      percent (n=22/60) carried class 1 integrons and multidrug resistance was
      frequently observed (63% n=38/60), including those serotypes common to human
      infections [S. Typhimurium 78% n=25/32; S. 4,[5],12:i:- 67% n=2/3; S. Rissen 75%
      (n=3/4); S. London 67% n=2/3; S. Derby 55%; n=6/11)]. The emergent S. 4,[5],12:i:
      isolates were mostly characterized by ASSuT phenotype [blaTEM/strA
      strB/sul2/tet(B)], typical of the European clone, while for the first time the ST
      phenotype [strA-strB-tet(A)-tet(B)] was also observed. Moreover, we report a
      first finding of a MDR phenotype in S. London [ANSSuT; blaTEM-strA-strB-sul2
      tet(A)]. Our findings suggest that the abattoir environment and the slaughter
      operations seem not only to harbor MDR serotypes that originated in the pig
      reservoir, but also propagate them through cross-contamination processes,
      involving meat handlers. The present study suggests a probable relationship
      between swine and human salmonellosis throughout the food chain, which is of
      interest for epidemiological, animal health and public health purposes.

PMID- 24239170
TI  - A serological survey of canine H3N2, pandemic H1N1/09 and human seasonal H3N2
      influenza viruses in dogs in China.
AB  - Influenza viruses have been isolated from dogs in China; however, the extent of
      influenza infection among dogs is not yet clear. Here, we examined the
      seroprevalence of avian-origin canine H3N2, pandemic H1N1/09 and human seasonal
      H3N2 influenza viruses in pet dogs in China during January 2012 to June 2013. The
      seropositivity rate of canine H3N2, H1N1/09 and human H3N2 were 3.5%, 1.5%, and
      1.2%, respectively. Dogs aged 2-5 years were most commonly seropositive to canine
      H3N2 virus. It is worth noting that two serum samples were positive against both
      canine H3N2 and H1N1/09 viruses, suggesting the possibility of coinfection with
      both viruses. Our findings emphasize the necessity for continued surveillance of
      influenza viruses in dogs in China. 

PMID- 24239171
TI  - Growing matter: a review of growth in living systems.
AB  - Living systems can grow, develop, adapt, and evolve. These phenomena are non
      intuitive to traditional engineers and often difficult to understand. Yet,
      classical engineering tools can provide valuable insight into the mechanisms of
      growth in health and disease. Within the past decade, the concept of incompatible
      configurations has evolved as a powerful tool to model growing systems within the
      framework of nonlinear continuum mechanics. However, there is still a substantial
      disconnect between the individual disciplines, which explore the phenomenon of
      growth from different angles. Here we show that the nonlinear field theories of
      mechanics provide a unified concept to model finite growth by means of a single
      tensorial internal variable, the second order growth tensor. We review the
      literature and categorize existing growth models by means of two criteria: the
      microstructural appearance of growth, either isotropic or anisotropic; and the
      microenvironmental cues that drive the growth process, either chemical or
      mechanical. We demonstrate that this generic concept is applicable to a broad
      range of phenomena such as growing arteries, growing tumors, growing skin,
      growing airway walls, growing heart valve leaflets, growing skeletal muscle,
      growing plant stems, growing heart valve annuli, and growing cardiac muscle. The
      proposed approach has important biological and clinical applications in
      atherosclerosis, in-stent restenosis, tumor invasion, tissue expansion, chronic
      bronchitis, mitral regurgitation, limb lengthening, tendon tear, plant
      physiology, dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure.
      Understanding the mechanisms of growth in these chronic conditions may open new
      avenues in medical device design and personalized medicine to surgically or
      pharmacologically manipulate development and alter, control, or revert disease
      progression. 

PMID- 24239172
TI  - New orally active proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma.
AB  - Bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor approved for the therapy of multiple
      myeloma (MM). Although Bortezomib has renovated the treatment of MM, a
      considerable proportion of subjects fail to respond to Bortezomib treatment and
      almost all patients relapse from this drug either alone or when used in
      combination therapies. However, the good clinical outcome of Bortezomib treatment
      in MM patients gave impulsion for the development of second generation proteasome
      inhibitors with the ambition of improving efficacy of proteasome inhibition,
      enhancing antitumor activity, and decreasing toxicity, as well as providing
      flexible dosing schedules and patient convenience. This review provides an
      overview of the role of oral proteasome inhibitors including Marizomib,
      Oprozomib, Delanzomib, chemical proteasome inhibitors, and cinnabaramides, in the
      therapy of MM, focusing on developments over the past five years. These emerging
      drugs with different mechanisms of action have exhibited promising antitumor
      activity in patients with relapsed/refractory MM, and they are creating chances
      to target multiple pathways, overcome resistance, and improve clinical outcomes,
      mainly for those subjects who are refractory to approved agents. Future steps in
      the clinical development of oral inhibitors include the optimization of the
      schedule and the definition of their antitumor activity in MM. 

PMID- 24239173
TI  - By inhibiting Src, verapamil and dasatinib overcome multidrug resistance via
      increased expression of Bim and decreased expressions of MDR1 and survivin in
      human multidrug-resistant myeloma cells.
AB  - The calcium channel blocker verapamil inhibits the transport function of
      multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1). Although verapamil acts to reverse MDR in
      cancer cells, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we
      investigated the mechanism of reversing MDR by verapamil in anti-cancer drug
      resistant multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines. We found that verapamil suppresses
      MDR1 and survivin expressions and increases Bim expression via suppression of Src
      activation. Furthermore, dasatinib reversed the drug-resistance of the drug
      resistant cell lines. These findings suggest that Src inhibitors are potentially
      useful as an anti-MDR agent for the treatment of malignant tumor cells. 

PMID- 24239174
TI  - Has introduction of azacytidine in everyday clinical practice improved survival
      in late-stage Myelodysplastic syndrome? A single center experience.
AB  - Data derived from clinical trials consistently show a prolongation of overall
      survival of late-stage MDS patients with the introduction of azacytidine.
      Nevertheless, the applicability of the above results to real-world clinical
      settings may be questionable due to the strict design, the controlled medical
      environment, and the limited patient sample of explanatory studies. We
      retrospectively compared the outcome of two well-balanced groups of late-stage
      MDS patients. The first consisted of 46 patients treated with azacytidine (AZA
      cohort) and the second of 41 patients treated with other agents (non-AZA cohort).
      Patients in the AZA cohort displayed superior survival compared to the non-AZA
      ones. However, subgroup analysis revealed that azacytidine conferred a
      significant survival advantage only in patients with AML-MDS and those who
      attained a CR at any time after treatment initiation, while all other patients
      displayed comparable outcome with the non-AZA cohort. Larger series are needed to
      determine which patients benefit most from azacytidine therapy. 

PMID- 24239175
TI  - High CXCR4 and low VLA-4 expression predicts poor survival in adults with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Data regarding the prognostic significance of CXCR4 and VLA-4 in ALL are limited.
      Especially, VLA-4 has not been evaluated at the time of diagnosis in both adult
      and childhood ALL patients. We prospectively analyzed the expression of VLA-4 and
      CXCR4 in 54 patients (VLA-4 in 29 adults and 25 children and CXCR4 in 22 adults
      and 24 children) newly diagnosed with ALL by flow cytometry. Expression levels of
      VLA-4 and CXCR4 were not different between adults and children with ALL. High
      CXCR4 and low VLA-4 expression each correlated with worse prognosis in adults;
      patients with high CXCR4 expression had shorter disease-free survival (p=0.01)
      and overall survival (p=0.04) and patients with low VLA-4 expression had shorter
      disease-free survival (p=0.02). Expression levels of CXCR4 and VLA-4 did not
      predict patient prognosis in children. Analysis of CXCR4 and VLA-4 expression at
      diagnosis in adults with ALL can provide useful information on patient prognosis.

PMID- 24239176
TI  - IMiDs: Not for the CRBN weak.

PMID- 24239177
TI  - Human HOX gene disorders.
AB  - The Hox genes are an evolutionarily conserved family of genes, which encode a
      class of important transcription factors that function in numerous developmental
      processes. Following their initial discovery, a substantial amount of information
      has been gained regarding the roles Hox genes play in various physiologic and
      pathologic processes. These processes range from a central role in anterior
      posterior patterning of the developing embryo to roles in oncogenesis that are
      yet to be fully elucidated. In vertebrates there are a total of 39 Hox genes
      divided into 4 separate clusters. Of these, mutations in 10 Hox genes have been
      found to cause human disorders with significant variation in their inheritance
      patterns, penetrance, expressivity and mechanism of pathogenesis. This review
      aims to describe the various phenotypes caused by germline mutation in these 10
      Hox genes that cause a human phenotype, with specific emphasis paid to the
      genotypic and phenotypic differences between allelic disorders. As clinical whole
      exome and genome sequencing is increasingly utilized in the future, we predict
      that additional Hox gene mutations will likely be identified to cause distinct
      human phenotypes. As the known human phenotypes closely resemble gene-specific
      murine models, we also review the homozygous loss-of-function mouse phenotypes
      for the 29 Hox genes without a known human disease. This review will aid
      clinicians in identifying and caring for patients affected with a known Hox gene
      disorder and help recognize the potential for novel mutations in patients with
      phenotypes informed by mouse knockout studies. 

PMID- 24239178
TI  - Holocarboxylase synthetase acts as a biotin-independent transcriptional repressor
      interacting with HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC7.
AB  - In human cells, HCS catalyzes the biotinylation of biotin-dependent carboxylases
      and mediates the transcriptional control of genes involved in biotin metabolism
      through the activation of a cGMP-dependent signal transduction pathway. HCS also
      targets to the cell nucleus in association with lamin-B suggesting additional
      gene regulatory functions. Studies from our laboratory in Drosophila melanogaster
      showed that nuclear HCS is associated with heterochromatin bands enriched with
      the transcriptionally repressive mark histone 3 trimethylated at lysine 9.
      Further, HCS was shown to be recruited to the core promoter of the
      transcriptionally inactive hsp70 gene suggesting that it may participate in the
      repression of gene expression, although the mechanism involved remained elusive.
      In this work, we expressed HCS as a fusion protein with the DNA-binding domain of
      GAL4 to evaluate its effect on the transcription of a luciferase reporter gene.
      We show that HCS possesses transcriptional repressor activity in HepG2 cells. The
      transcriptional function of HCS was shown by in vitro pull down and in vivo co
      immunoprecipitation assays to depend on its interaction with the histone
      deacetylases HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC7. We show further that HCS interaction with
      HDACs and its function in transcriptional repression is not affected by mutations
      impairing its biotin-ligase activity. We propose that nuclear HCS mediates events
      of transcriptional repression through a biotin-independent mechanism that
      involves its interaction with chromatin-modifying protein complexes that include
      histone deacetylases. 

PMID- 24239179
TI  - Hypodermal metastasis of malignant melanoma to the cheek.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: On the basis of a case of hypodermal metastasis of malignant
      melanoma to the cheek and a review of the literature, we analyze treatment and
      recent progress in metastatic malignant melanoma. CASE-REPORT: A 55-year-old
      woman presented with a facial hypodermal metastasis of a slow-growing melanoma of
      the ankle that had been treated by surgery. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Metastatic
      malignant melanoma treatment, which was usually palliative when surgical
      resection was not feasible, has been improved by innovations in immunotherapy
      (ipilimumab) and targeted therapy (vemurafenib). Genetic profiling is an
      interesting line of research to improve short-term prognosis in these tumors.

PMID- 24239180
TI  - Malignant head/neck paragangliomas. Comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to report 11 cases of malignant head
      and neck paraganglioma and to compare their epidemiological, clinical, and
      genetic characteristics, their natural history and their treatment with those of
      a series of 131 benign paragangliomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective
      analysis of 142 patients with head and neck paraganglioma managed between 2001
      and 2008. Age at the time of diagnosis, gender, primary tumour site, presence of
      other non-head/neck paragangliomas and/or metastases diagnosed by imaging (CT,
      MRI, Octreoscan or (18)F-FDG PET), histology, urinary catecholamine and
      metanephrine levels, family history, and genetic test results were recorded.
      RESULTS: This series comprised 131 benign head and neck paragangliomas, mostly
      observed in women with a mean age at diagnosis of 45 years and a predominance of
      tympanojugular sites (followed by carotid and vagal sites) with 5% of secreting
      tumours and 20% of multifocal tumours. Eleven patients (7.7%) with a 1:1 sex
      ratio presented criteria of malignancy. These patients, with a lower mean age (38
      years), predominantly presented carotid lesions with a higher rate of secreting
      and multifocal tumours, 27% and 46% respectively. The main sites of metastases
      were bone and lymph nodes. No tympanic paragangliomas were observed. CONCLUSIONS:
      Malignant paragangliomas are mainly observed in young patients with multifocal
      tumours, particularly carotid tumours, and are predominantly related to subunit
      SDH-B mutation. The work-up in these high-risk patients must include whole body
      scintigraphy and spine MRI. Malignancy is not necessarily associated with a poor
      short-term prognosis due to the slow course of the disease.

PMID- 24239181
TI  - Suprazero cooling rate, rather than freezing rate, determines post thaw quality
      of rhesus macaque sperm.
AB  - Sperm become most sensitive to cold shock when cooled from 37  degrees C to 5 
      degrees C at rates that are too fast or too slow; cold shock increases the
      susceptibility to oxidative damage owing to its influence on reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) production, which are significant stress factors generated during
      cooling and low temperature storage. In addition, ROS may be a main cause of
      decreased motility and fertility upon warming. They have been shown to change
      cellular function through the disruption of the sperm plasma membrane and through
      damage to proteins and DNA. The objective of this study was to determine which
      cryopreservation rates result in the lowest degree of oxidative damage and
      greatest sperm quality. In the rhesus model, it has not been determined whether
      suprazero cooling or subzero freezing rates causes a significant amount of ROS
      damage to sperm. Semen samples were collected from male rhesus macaques, washed,
      and resuspended in TEST-yolk cryopreservation buffer to 100 * 10(6) sperm/mL.
      Sperm were frozen in 0.5-mL straws at four different combinations of suprazero
      and subzero rates. Three different suprazero rates were used between 22  degrees
      C and 0  degrees C: 0.5  degrees C/min (slow), 45  degrees C/min (medium), and 93
      degrees C/min (fast). These suprazero rates were used in combination with two
      different subzero rates for temperatures 0  degrees C to -110  degrees C: 42 
      degrees C/min (medium) and 87  degrees C/min (fast). The different freezing
      groups were as follows: slow-med (SM), slow-fast (SF), med-med (MM), and fast
      fast (FF). Flow cytometry was used to detect lipid peroxidation (LPO), a result
      of ROS generation. Motility was evaluated using a computer assisted sperm motion
      analyzer. The MM and FF treated sperm had less viable (P < 0.0001) and motile
      sperm (P < 0.001) than the SM, SF, or fresh sperm. Sperm exposed to MM and FF
      treatments demonstrated significantly higher oxidative damage than SM, SF, or
      fresh sperm (P < 0.05). The SM- and SF-treated sperm showed decreased motility,
      membrane integrity, and LPO compared with fresh semen (P < 0.001). Slow cooling
      from room temperature promotes higher membrane integrity and motility post thaw,
      compared with medium or fast cooling rates. Cells exposed to similar cooling
      rates with differing freezing rates were not different in motility and membrane
      integrity, whereas comparison of cells exposed to differing cooling rates with
      similar freezing rates indicated significant differences in motility, membrane
      integrity, and LPO. These data suggest that sperm quality seems to be more
      sensitive to the cooling, rather than freezing rate and highlight the role of the
      suprazero cooling rate in post thaw sperm quality. 

PMID- 24239182
TI  - Curable episodic ataxia? History taking versus advanced diagnostic instruments.

PMID- 24239183
TI  - Screening for frontal lobe and general cognitive impairment in patients with
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment occurs in up to 50% of patients with amyotrophic
      lateral sclerosis (ALS). Simple tools are required to identify such individuals,
      as cognitive impairment adversely impacts quality of life and survival. Our
      objective was to determine the potential utility of the Frontal Assessment
      Battery (FAB) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in evaluating frontal
      lobe and general cognitive impairment, respectively. We also assessed the
      feasibility of screening for cognitive impairment in those patients with advanced
      physical disability by modifying selected FAB and MoCA subtasks. METHODS: Fifty
      four consecutive ALS patients were screened; 44 completed the FAB and 39
      completed the MoCA. We administered modified tasks to patients with severe hand
      weakness or dysarthria. The patients were classified as cognitively impaired on
      each measure based on published cut-off scores of 14.11 on the FAB and 26 on the
      MoCA. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent and 53% of patients were impaired on the FAB
      and the MoCA, respectively. Scores from patients receiving modified instructions
      did not differ from those completing standard versions. There were statistically
      significant correlations between the MoCA total scores and forced vital capacity
      (FVC) and ALSFRS-R scores. There was no correlation between these variables and
      the FAB. CONCLUSIONS: Both the FAB and MoCA detected cognitive impairment in ALS
      patients. While the MoCA classified more patients as cognitively impaired than
      the FAB, the latter was more feasible for assessing patients with physical
      impairment. Simple task modifications proved effective in allowing patients with
      speech and motor impairments to undergo screening. Future studies are required to
      validate both measures, establish optimal cut-off scores, and validate
      modifications.

PMID- 24239184
TI  - Outcomes after limb sparing resection in primary malignant pelvic tumors.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate morbidity, oncologic results and functional outcome in patients
      with malignant tumors of pelvis treated with limb sparing resection. METHODS:
      Between March 2002 and November 2010, 106 cases of non metastatic malignant
      pelvic tumors were treated with limb sparing resections of pelvis. Diagnosis
      included chondrosarcoma (65), Ewing's sarcoma (25), osteogenic sarcoma (10),
      synovial sarcoma (3) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma, high grade sarcoma,
      epitheloid hemangiothelioma (1 each). Three patients had intralesional surgery
      because of erroneous pre-operative diagnosis of benign tumor and were excluded
      from final analysis. Remaining 103 patients underwent limb sparing resections
      with intent to achieve tumor free margins. In 1 case, an intraoperative cardiac
      event lead to the surgery being abandoned. Reconstruction was done in 2 of 38
      cases that did not include resection of acetabulum. For 64 resections involving
      acetabulum various reconstruction modalities were used. RESULTS: Surgical margins
      were involved in 20 patients. Forty five patients had complications. 91 patients
      were available for follow up. Follow up of survivors ranged from 24 to 122 months
      (mean 55 months).Twenty one patients (23%) had local recurrence. Sixty patients
      are currently alive, 46 being continuously disease free. Overall survival was 67%
      at 5 years. Patients in whom acetabulum was retained had better function (mean
      MSTS score 27) compared to patients in whom acetabulum was resected (mean MSTS
      score 22). CONCLUSIONS: Though complex and challenging, limb sparing surgery in
      non metastatic malignant tumors is oncologically safe and has better functional
      outcomes than after an amputation surgery.

PMID- 24239186
TI  - Structure-based design of substituted hexafluoroisopropanol-arylsulfonamides as
      modulators of RORc.
AB  - The structure-activity relationships of T0901317 analogs were explored as RORc
      inverse agonists using the principles of property- and structure-based drug
      design. An X-ray co-crystal structure of T0901317 and RORc was obtained and
      provided molecular insight into why T0901317 functioned as an inverse agonist of
      RORc; whereas, the same ligand functioned as an agonist of FXR, LXR, and PXR. The
      structural data was also used to design inhibitors with improved RORc biochemical
      and cellular activities. The improved inhibitors possessed enhanced selectivity
      profiles (rationalized using the X-ray crystallographic data) against other
      nuclear receptors. 

PMID- 24239187
TI  - The effect of the skeleton structure of flavanone and flavonoid on interaction
      with transferrin.
AB  - Transferrin has been exploited as a potential drug carrier for targeted drug
      delivery into cancer cells, which express high levels of transferrin receptors.
      In the present study, we identified specific structural features in flavonoids
      that were critical for binding to transferrin. Flavanone naringenin and flavonoid
      apigenin, two flavonoids with characteristic flavonoid core structures were
      selected for the study of the effects of C2-C3 single bond in the C-ring on
      transferrin binding. We determined the binding affinities by fluorescence
      quenching experiments and investigated the binding modes by CD spectra and
      molecular modeling. Our results demonstrated that naringenin bound transferrin
      with an affinity almost 100 times higher than that of apigenin attributed to its
      higher structural flexibility and lower acidity compared with apigenin. Our
      docking study showed that naringenin had stronger van der Waals interactions with
      transferrin, which was believed to contribute to its higher binding affinity. We
      also found that naringenin-binding induced greater increase in the alpha-helix
      content in transferrin than apigenin, suggesting that transferrin became more
      compact upon association with naringenin. Our study demonstrated that naringenin
      was a ligand for transferrin with good affinity. The results reported herein can
      facilitate the design and development of drugs that bind transferrin with high
      affinity. 

PMID- 24239188
TI  - Pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines: discovery and preliminary SAR of a novel series of
      DYRK1B and DYRK1A inhibitors.
AB  - DYRK1B is a kinase over-expressed in certain cancer cells (including colon,
      ovarian, pancreatic, etc.). Recent publications have demonstrated inhibition of
      DYRK1B could be an attractive target for cancer therapy. From a data-mining
      effort, the team has discovered analogues of pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines as potent
      enantio-selective inhibitors of DYRK1B. Cells treated with a tool compound from
      this series showed the same cellular effects as down regulation of DYRK1B with
      siRNA. Such effects are consistent with the proposed mechanism of action.
      Progress of the SAR study is presented. 

PMID- 24239189
TI  - Substituted phenyl as a steroid A-ring mimetic: providing agonist activity to a
      class of arylsulfonamide nonsteroidal glucocorticoid ligands.
AB  - A class of arylsulfonamide glucocorticoid receptor agonists that contains a
      substituted phenyl group as a steroid A-ring mimetic is reported. The structural
      design and SAR that provide the functional switching of a GR antagonist to an
      agonist is described. A combination of specific hydrogen bonding and lipophilic
      elements on the A-ring moiety is required to achieve potent GR agonist activity.
      This study culminated in the identification of compound 23 as a potent GR agonist
      with selectivity over the PR and MR nuclear hormone receptors. 

PMID- 24239190
TI  - Why do patients with Simple Mechanical Back Pain seek Urgent Care?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore why patients with simple mechanical back pain seek urgent
      care. DESIGN: Qualitative Exploratory Inquiry based on the principles of Grounded
      Theory. SETTING: Urgent Care. METHODS: Data collection by semi-structured
      interview. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven patients presenting to urgent care (Accident and
      emergency, Walk-in Centre and Out of hours service) with back pain. RESULTS: The
      study identified eight key motivators of patients with mechanical back pain
      seeking urgent care: (1) GP access, (2) Pain, (3) Function, (4) Something being
      different, (5) Something being wrong, (6) Desire for investigation, (7) Third
      Party Influence and (8) Repeat visits. CONCLUSION: This study provides some
      evidence to support the notion that patients are willing to use primary care
      services for the treatment of Simple Mechanical Back Pain but that access is
      frequently limited and untimely. The study concludes that inappropriate
      attendances at urgent care facilities are frequently a human response to
      perception of pain severity which is reinforced by functional loss, uncertainty,
      the need to provide care for others and the encouragement of others. While it is
      asserted that there is a clear need for mass education in this area, it is also
      speculated that attendance at urgent care may occur to overtly escalate the need
      for assistance and illustrate to sceptical significant others the severity of the
      condition.

PMID- 24239191
TI  - Stroke survivors' experiences of somatosensory impairment after stroke: An
      Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Somatosensory ability is commonly impaired after stroke. Despite the
      growing recognition for the need to understand service users' experiences and
      perspectives in health services provision, the experiences of stroke survivors'
      living with somatosensory impairment have yet to be reported. OBJECTIVE: To gain
      an insight into how stroke survivors experience somatosensory impairment after
      stroke. DESIGN: A qualitative study design was used with data analysed using
      Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth
      interviews were carried out with purposively selected community dwelling stroke
      survivors who had somatosensory impairment. RESULTS: Five stroke survivors were
      interviewed in this study. Data analysis resulted in the emergence of three
      superordinate themes (i) making sense of somatosensory impairment, (ii) interplay
      of somatosensory impairment and motor control for executing tasks and (iii)
      perseverance versus learned non-use. The stroke survivors in this study were
      aware that their somatosensory ability was affected as a result of their stroke,
      but had difficulty in articulating their experiences of sensation and the impact
      of the impairment on functional ability. Most often somatosensory impairment was
      described in terms of difficulties with executing specific tasks, particularly by
      the upper limb. CONCLUSION: It is important to be aware that somatosensory
      impairment is of concern to stroke survivors. Further research is needed to
      develop evidence-based and practice-appropriate clinical assessment tools and
      treatment strategies for somatosensory rehabilitation after stroke.

PMID- 24239192
TI  - Inhibition of crystallization caused by Proteus mirabilis during the development
      of infectious urolithiasis by various phenolic substances.
AB  - Infectious urolithiasis is a consequence of persistent urinary tract infections
      caused by urease producing bacteria e.g. Proteus mirabilis. These stones are
      composed of struvite and carbonate apatite. Their rapid growth and high
      recurrence indicate that so far appropriate methods of treatment have not been
      found. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of phenolic compounds was
      investigated in vitro against formation of struvite/apatite crystals. The impact
      of these substances with different chemical structures on crystallization caused
      by clinical isolates of P. mirabilis was tested spectrophotometrically using a
      microdilution method. Among the 11 tested compounds resveratrol, epigallocatechin
      gallate, peralgonidin, vanillic and coffee acids at the concentrations 250-1000
      MUg/ml inhibited P. mirabilis urease activity and crystallization. However, only
      vanillic acid had such an effect on all tested strains of P. mirabilis.
      Therefore, using an in vitro model, bacterial growth, crystallization, urease
      activity and pH were examined for 24h in synthetic urine with vanillic acid.
      Effect of vanillic acid was compared with that of other known struvite/apatite
      crystallization inhibitors (acetohydroxamic acid, pyrophosphate) and it was shown
      that vanillic acid strongly inhibited bacterial growth and the formation of
      crystals. It can be assumed that this compound, after further studies, can be
      used in the treatment or prophylaxis of infectious urolithiasis.

PMID- 24239193
TI  - Selected phenotypic features of BR91, a unique spirochaetal strain isolated from
      the Culex pipiens mosquito.
AB  - Growth temperature range, resistance to selective antibiotics, activities of 23
      enzymes, protein fingerprints and fatty acids composition of the spirochaetal
      strain BR91, isolated from the Culex pipiens mosquito, were tested. The
      spirochaetes were grown in BSK-H Complete liquid medium. The optimal in vitro
      growth temperature of the strain was 33  degrees C. Strain BR91 was sensitive to
      trimethoprim, nalidixic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and tolerated phosphomycin. The
      strain produced acid and alkaline phosphatase, esterase (C4), esterase-lipase
      (C8), leucine arylamidase, naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase and alpha-fucosidase.
      Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) assay
      revealed several major proteins in the size range of 13-16 kDa, 22-30 kDa and 37
      131 kDa. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis showed that C14:0, C16:0, C18:1
      omega9c and summed feature 5 (C18:2 omega6,9c and/or C18:0 anteiso) are major
      fatty acids. This study highlights certain phenotypic differences between strain
      BR91 and the Lyme disease spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi, and supports the
      hypothesis that strain BR91 represents a unique taxonomical entity in a system of
      spirochaetal species.

PMID- 24239194
TI  - Current status of the use of inferior vena cava filters in cases of pulmonary
      embolism in CCUs: From the Tokyo CCU Network.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the current status of use of inferior vena cava filters
      (IVCFs) in cases of pulmonary embolism at institutions belonging to the Tokyo CCU
      Network. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective investigation of 832 consecutive
      cases of pulmonary embolism reported on survey forms to the Tokyo CCU Network
      between 2005 and 2010. RESULTS: Of 832 cases of pulmonary embolism, IVCFs were
      used in 338 (40.6%) and not used in 415 (49.9%). Their use was unclear in 79
      (9.5%) cases. The use rate gradually increased each year from 2005 until 2008 but
      decreased from 2009 onward. Moreover, 68.9% of the IVCFs used in cases were non
      permanent types. In terms of pulmonary embolism severity, the rate of use was
      37.2% in non-massive cases, 49.4% in sub-massive cases, 46.9% in massive cases,
      and 31.9% in collapse cases. Thirty-day mortality in cases of collapse in which
      IVCFs were not used was extremely high at 75.8%, suggesting that in many cases,
      rapid deterioration may occur with insufficient time for IVCF insertion. The
      differences in IVCF usage rate among institutions were large in the range of 12.5
      90% from 2005 to 2008, which slightly declined to the range of 25.0-72.2% from
      2009 to 2010. CONCLUSIONS: We elucidated the current IVCF use status in cases of
      pulmonary embolism at institutions belonging to the Tokyo CCU Network. Since the
      status of use differed among institutions, future studies of effective methods of
      use are required.

PMID- 24239195
TI  - Forced diuresis with the RenalGuard system: impact on contrast induced acute
      kidney injury.
AB  - Kidney injury following the administration of iodinated contrast media occurs
      particularly in patients with reduced kidney and cardiac function and when large
      doses of contrast are used. There is little compelling evidence that vasodilators
      and anti-oxidants prevent this injury. Most prevention trials have employed
      intravenous volume loading as a central strategy. However, the success of this
      approach depends upon maintaining euvolemia while producing a vigorous diuresis.
      A novel strategy for maintaining euvolemia and inducing a vigorous diuresis has
      been developed using the RenalGuard system. In this review; the mechanism of
      protective action is reviewed. The trials of the RenalGuard device are reviewed
      and future uses of the device are discussed. 

PMID- 24239197
TI  - Pregnancy-associated intracranial hemorrhage: results of a survey of
      neurosurgical institutes across Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-associated hemorrhagic stroke is considered a serious
      complication. Although coagulopathy, pregnancy-induced hypertension, eclampsia,
      and other systemic complications have been emphasized, pre-existing
      cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) have not been fully analyzed. To clarify the role
      of these vascular lesions more in detail, the Japan Neurosurgical Society
      conducted a nationwide survey on all the neurosurgical institutes across Japan.
      METHODS: This 2-year survey focused on hemorrhagic stroke occurring in pregnancy,
      delivery, and puerperium. Clinical data based on retrospective chart review were
      obtained through a questionnaire and analyzed according to the time of onset,
      underlying CVDs, obstetric systemic complications, therapeutic approaches, and
      maternal and neonatal prognoses. RESULTS: The survey identified 97 hemorrhagic
      strokes that were associated with pregnancy. Baseline CVDs responsible for
      hemorrhage were detected in 54 cases (55.7%), among which 47 lesions (87.0%) had
      been undiagnosed before stroke onset. The detection rate of baseline CVDs before
      the 32nd week of gestation was significantly higher than that after the 32nd week
      (90.0% versus 53.3%, P = .0017). Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were the most
      frequent CVDs causing intracranial hemorrhage, occurring at 1.8 times the
      frequency of ruptured aneurysms during pregnancy. Poor outcomes, including 10
      deaths, were seen in 36.1% of the cases despite aggressive treatment. CONCLUSION:
      Pregnancy-associated hemorrhagic strokes frequently concealed baseline CVDs,
      especially when they occurred before the 32nd week of gestation. AVMs were the
      predominant bleeding source. For appropriate treatment, therefore, close
      examination for cerebral vascular lesions is essential when a pregnancy
      associated hemorrhagic stroke is encountered.

PMID- 24239196
TI  - Searching for salvageable brain: the detection of ischemic penumbra using various
      imaging modalities?
AB  - Various imaging modalities are used to identify the ischemic penumbra in patients
      with acute ischemic stroke. Although single-photon emission computed tomography
      (CT), perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and perfusion CT are
      used to evaluate residual cerebral blood flow in the ischemic area, validation of
      the perfusion threshold for the penumbra has not been established. The ischemic
      core corresponds generally to areas with early ischemic changes, such as
      parenchymal hypoattenuation on CT, restricted apparent diffusion coefficient on
      diffusion-weighted MRI, or very low cerebral blood volume on perfusion CT. A
      mismatch of these abnormalities is thought to correspond to the ischemic penumbra
      and has been used in clinical trials. Although new ligands, such as (18)F
      fluoromisonidazole, that bind to hypoxic but viable ischemic tissue are currently
      available, positron emission tomography has yet to be developed as a clinical
      tool. 

PMID- 24239198
TI  - Expression profile of shelterin components in plasma cell disorders. Clinical
      significance of POT1 overexpression.
AB  - The core complex of telomere-associated proteins, named the shelterin complex,
      plays a critical role in telomere protection and telomere length (TL)
      homeostasis. In this study, we have explored changes in the expression of
      telomere-associated genes POT1, TIN2, RAP1 and TPP1, in patients with monoclonal
      gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma (MM). A total
      of 154 patients: 70 with MGUS and 84 with MM were studied. Real-time quantitative
      PCR was used to quantify gene expression. TL was evaluated by Terminal
      Restriction Fragments. Our data showed increased expression of POT1, TPP1, TIN2
      and RAP1 in MM with respect to MGUS patients, with significant differences for
      POT1 gene (p=0.002). In MM, the correlation of gene expression profiles with
      clinical characteristics highlighted POT1 for its significant association with
      advanced clinical stages, high calcium and beta2-microglobulin levels (p=0.02)
      and bone lesions (p=0.009). In multivariate analysis, POT1 expression (p=0.04)
      was a significant independent prognostic factor for overall survival as well as
      the staging system (ISS) (p<0.02). Our findings suggest for the first time the
      participation of POT1 in the transformation process from MGUS to MM, and provide
      evidence of this gene as a useful prognostic factor in MM as well as a possible
      molecular target to design new therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 24239199
TI  - The anatomic- and clinical-based NERS (new risk stratification) score II to
      predict clinical outcomes after stenting unprotected left main coronary artery
      disease: results from a multicenter, prospective, registry study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to establish a risk score using a simple
      calculation with an enhanced predictive value for major adverse cardiac events
      (MACE) in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (UPLMCA) disease
      after the implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES). BACKGROUND: The anatomic-,
      clinical-, and procedure-based NERS (New Risk Stratification) score was superior
      to the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With TAXUS and
      Cardiac Surgery) score in predicting MACE after stenting UPLMCA. The complexity
      of the calculation was its major limitation. METHODS: The NERS score II was
      derived from our previous 2 studies and externally compared with the NERS and
      SYNTAX scores in 1,463 patients with UPLMCA disease who underwent implantation of
      a DES in a prospective, multicenter registry trial. The primary endpoint was MACE
      at 1 year after the index procedure, including myocardial infarction, cardiac
      death, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: The NERS score II system
      consisted of 16 (7 clinical and 9 angiographic) variables. A NERS score II >=19
      demonstrated enhanced MACE sensitivity and specificity of 84.0% and 76.0% (MACE
      as the state variable), respectively, which were similar to the NERS score but
      significantly higher compared with the SYNTAX score. A NERS score II >=19 was the
      only independent predictor of cumulative MACE (hazard ratio: 3.27; 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: 1.86 to 5.23; p <= 0.001) and stent thrombosis (odds ratio: 22.15;
      95% CI: 12.47 to 57.92; p <= 0.001) at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The NERS score II,
      similar to the conventional NERS score, is more predictive of MACE than the
      SYNTAX score in UPLMCA patients after implantation of a DES.

PMID- 24239200
TI  - Drug interactions with good old clopidogrel: case closed.

PMID- 24239201
TI  - Concomitant administration of clopidogrel with statins or calcium-channel
      blockers: insights from the TRITON-TIMI 38 (trial to assess improvement in
      therapeutic outcomes by optimizing platelet inhibition with prasugrel
      thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 38).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the clinical relevance of potential
      clopidogrel drug-drug interactions. BACKGROUND: Some studies have demonstrated
      that statins and calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) may attenuate the
      pharmacodynamic effects of clopidogrel. METHODS: The TRITON-TIMI 38 (Trial to
      Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With
      Prasugrel-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 38) enrolled 13,608 patients with
      an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and planned percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PCI), and randomized them to clopidogrel or prasugrel. Use of a statin or CCB
      was left to the discretion of the treating physician. A multivariable Cox model
      with propensity score was employed to evaluate the association between statin or
      CCB use and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 6,795 subjects assigned to
      clopidogrel, 4,794 (70.6%) were on a CYP3A4-metabolized statin, and 966 (14.2%)
      were on a CCB at randomization. The risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial
      infarction (MI), or stroke was similar regardless of baseline use of statins
      (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85 to 1.22) or
      CCBs (adjusted HR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.43) in clopidogrel-treated patients.
      Further, the combined use of a CCB and atorvastatin 80 mg daily (adjusted HR:
      0.82; 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.84), or a CCB, statin, and proton pump inhibitor
      (adjusted HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.54) were not associated with an increased
      risk of CV death, MI, or stroke. The use of statins or CCBs did not modify the
      relative efficacy of prasugrel versus clopidogrel for the primary endpoint (p for
      interaction = 0.43, 0.55, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ACS
      undergoing PCI, the use of statins or CCBs was not associated with an increased
      risk of CV events in clopidogrel-treated patients. Consistent results were
      observed when the drugs were administered alone, together, or in combination with
      proton pump inhibitors.

PMID- 24239202
TI  - 5-year results of a randomized comparison of XIENCE V everolimus-eluting and
      TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting stents: final results from the SPIRIT III trial
      (clinical evaluation of the XIENCE V everolimus eluting coronary stent system in
      the treatment of patients with de novo native coronary artery lesions).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of
      everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) in patients
      with obstructive coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: The use of EES compared to
      PES has been shown to result in improved clinical outcomes in patients undergoing
      PCI. However, there have been concerns regarding the durability of these benefits
      over longer-term follow-up. METHODS: SPIRIT III was a prospective, multicenter
      trial in which 1,002 patients were randomized 2:1 to EES versus PES. Endpoints
      included ischemia-driven target vessel failure (TVF) (death, myocardial
      infarction (MI), or ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization [TVR]), the
      pre-specified primary endpoint), target lesion failure (TLF) (cardiac death,
      target-vessel MI, or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization [TLR]),
      major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (cardiac death, MI, or ischemia-driven TLR),
      their individual components and stent thrombosis. RESULTS: Five-year follow-up
      was available in 91.9% of patients. Treatment with EES versus PES resulted in
      lower 5-year Kaplan-Meier rates of TVF (19.3% vs. 24.5%, p = 0.05), TLF (12.7%
      vs. 19.0%, p = 0.008), and MACE (13.2% vs. 20.7%, p = 0.007). EES also resulted
      in reduced rates of all-cause death (5.9% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.02), with
      nonsignificantly different rates of MI, stent thrombosis, and TLR, and no
      evidence of late catch-up of TLR over time. CONCLUSIONS: At 5 years after
      treatment, EES compared to PES resulted in durable benefits in composite safety
      and efficacy measures as well as all-cause mortality. Additionally, the absolute
      difference in TLR between devices remained stable over time without deterioration
      of effect during late follow-up.

PMID- 24239203
TI  - Drug-eluting balloon in peripheral intervention for the superficial femoral
      artery: the DEBATE-SFA randomized trial (drug eluting balloon in peripheral
      intervention for the superficial femoral artery).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare paclitaxel-eluting balloon (PEB) with
      conventional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), followed by systematic
      implantation of a self-expanding nitinol bare-metal stent (BMS) in patients at
      risk for restenosis. BACKGROUND: PTA is an effective strategy for treating
      atherosclerosis of the femoropopliteal axis (FPA). Whereas PEB have shown
      advantage over uncoated balloons in the treatment of simple lesions, it is
      unknown whether these results are applicable to complex degrees of FPA atheroma.
      METHODS: A total of 104 patients (110 FPA lesions in 110 limbs) were randomly
      assigned to either PEB + BMS or PTA + BMS. The primary endpoint was 12-month
      binary restenosis. Secondary endpoints were freedom from target lesion
      revascularization and major amputation. Post hoc subanalyses were performed for
      the comparison of long (>=100 mm) versus short lesions and true lumen versus
      subintimal approach. RESULTS: Mean lesion length was 94 +/- 60 versus 96 +/- 69
      mm in the PEB + BMS and PTA + BMS groups (p = 0.8), respectively. The primary
      endpoint occurred in 9 (17%) versus 26 (47.3%) of lesions in the PEB + BMS and
      PTA + BMS groups (p = 0.008), respectively. A near-significant (p = 0.07) 1-year
      freedom from target lesion revascularization advantage was observed in the PEB +
      BMS group. No major amputation occurred. No significant difference was observed
      according to lesion characteristics or technical approach. CONCLUSIONS: Pre
      dilation with PEB angioplasty prior to BMS implantation, as compared to PTA + BMS
      in complex FPA lesions, reduces restenosis and target lesion revascularization at
      12-month follow-up. Restenosis reduction is maintained irrespective of lesion
      length and recanalization technique. (Drug Eluting Balloon in Peripheral
      Intervention for the Superficial Femoral Artery [DEBATE-SFA]; NCT01556542).

PMID- 24239204
TI  - [Trueperella bernardiae soft tissue infection and bacteremia].

PMID- 24239205
TI  - Supercluster takes a walk on the wild side.
AB  - In a recent Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA paper by Wiemann et al., a gene
      supercluster for secondary metabolite production in Aspergillus fumigatus is
      genetically dissected. The analysis demonstrates that gene regulation takes place
      at different layers and that genes belonging to specific clusters are
      intertwined. 

PMID- 24239206
TI  - Biomarker for high-risk patients with stage II colon cancer.

PMID- 24239207
TI  - Treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer: looking backwards briefly.

PMID- 24239208
TI  - Prognostic and predictive value of a microRNA signature in stage II colon cancer:
      a microRNA expression analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current staging methods do not accurately predict the risk of disease
      recurrence and benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients who have had surgery
      for stage II colon cancer. We postulated that expression patterns of multiple
      microRNAs (miRNAs) could, if combined into a single model, improve postoperative
      risk stratification and prediction of chemotherapy benefit for these patients.
      METHOD: Using miRNA microarrays, we analysed 40 paired stage II colon cancer
      tumours and adjacent normal mucosa tissues, and identified 35 miRNAs that were
      differentially expressed between tumours and normal tissue. Using paraffin
      embedded specimens from a further 138 patients with stage II colon cancer, we
      confirmed differential expression of these miRNAs using qRT-PCR. We then built a
      six-miRNA-based classifier using the LASSO Cox regression model, based on the
      association between the expression of every miRNA and the duration of individual
      patients' disease-free survival. We validated the prognostic and predictive
      accuracy of this classifier in both the internal testing group of 138 patients,
      and an external independent group of 460 patients. FINDINGS: Using the LASSO
      model, we built a classifier based on the six miRNAs: miR-21-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR
      103a-3p, miR-106b-5p, miR-143-5p, and miR-215. Using this tool, we were able to
      classify patients between those at high risk of disease progression (high-risk
      group), and those at low risk of disease progression (low-risk group). Disease
      free survival was significantly different between these groups in every set of
      patients. In the initial training group of patients, 5-year disease-free survival
      was 89% (95% CI 77.3-94.4) for the low-risk group, and 60% (46.3-71.0) for the
      high-risk group (hazard ratio [HR] 4.24, 95% CI 2.13-8.47; p<0.0001). In the
      internal testing set of patients, 5-year disease-free survival was 85% (95% CI
      74.3-91.8) for the low-risk group, and 57% (42.8-68.5) for the high-risk group
      (HR 3.63, 1.86-7.01; p<0.0001), and in the independent validation set of
      patients, was 85% (79.6-89.0) for the low-risk group and 54% (46.4-61.1) for the
      high-risk group (HR 3.70, 2.56-5.35; p<0.0001). The six-miRNA-based classifier
      was an independent prognostic factor for, and had better prognostic value than,
      clinicopathological risk factors and mismatch repair status. In an ad-hoc
      analysis, the patients in the high-risk group were found to have a favourable
      response to adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 1.69, 1.17-2.45; p=0.0054). We developed
      two nomograms for clinical use that integrated the six-miRNA-based classifier and
      four clinicopathological risk factors to predict which patients might benefit
      from adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery for stage II colon cancer. CONCLUSION:
      Our six-miRNA-based classifier is a reliable prognostic and predictive tool for
      disease recurrence in patients with stage II colon cancer, and might be able to
      predict which patients benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. It might facilitate
      patient counselling and individualise management of patients with this disease.
      FUNDING: Natural Science Foundation of China.

PMID- 24239209
TI  - Diagnostic performance of narrowed spectrum endoscopy, autofluorescence imaging,
      and confocal laser endomicroscopy for optical diagnosis of colonic polyps: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Novel endoscopic technologies could allow optical diagnosis and
      resection of colonic polyps without histopathological testing. Our aim was to
      establish the sensitivity, specificity, and real-time negative predictive value
      of three types of narrowed spectrum endoscopy (narrow-band imaging [NBI], image
      enhanced endoscopy [i-scan], and Fujinon intelligent chromoendoscopy [FICE]),
      confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE), and autofluorescence imaging for
      differentiation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic colonic lesions. METHODS:
      We identified relevant studies through a search of Medline, Embase, PubMed, and
      the Cochrane Library. Clinical trials and observational studies were eligible for
      inclusion when the diagnostic performance of NBI, i-scan, FICE, autofluorescence
      imaging, or CLE had been assessed for differentiation, with histopathology as the
      reference standard, and for which a 2 * 2 contingency table of lesion diagnosis
      could be constructed. We did a random-effects bivariate meta-analysis using a non
      linear mixed model approach to calculate summary estimates of sensitivity and
      specificity, and plotted estimates in a summary receiver-operating characteristic
      curve. FINDINGS: We included 91 studies in our analysis: 56 were of NBI, ten of i
      scan, 14 of FICE, 11 of CLE, and 11 of autofluorescence imaging (more than one of
      the investigated modalities assessed in eight studies). For NBI, overall
      sensitivity was 91.0% (95% CI 88.6-93.0), specificity 85.6% (81.3-89.0), and real
      time negative predictive value 82.5% (75.4-87.9). For i-scan, overall sensitivity
      was 89.3% (83.3-93.3), specificity 88.2% (80.3-93.2), and real-time negative
      predictive value 86.5% (78.0-92.1). For FICE, overall sensitivity was 91.8% (87.1
      94.9), specificity 83.5% (77.2-88.3), and real-time negative predictive value
      83.7% (77.5-88.4). For autofluorescence imaging, overall sensitivity was 86.7%
      (79.5-91.6), specificity 65.9% (50.9-78.2), and real-time negative predictive
      value 81.5% (54.0-94.3). For CLE, overall sensitivity was 93.3% (88.4-96.2),
      specificity 89.9% (81.8-94.6), and real-time negative predictive value 94.8%
      (86.6-98.1). INTERPRETATION: All endoscopic imaging techniques other than
      autofluorescence imaging could be used by appropriately trained endoscopists to
      make a reliable optical diagnosis for colonic lesions in daily practice. Further
      research should be focused on whether training could help to improve negative
      predictive values. FUNDING: None.

PMID- 24239211
TI  - Endoscopic optical biopsy: when we look, what can we see?

PMID- 24239210
TI  - Fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC-75) followed by paclitaxel
      plus trastuzumab versus paclitaxel plus trastuzumab followed by FEC-75 plus
      trastuzumab as neoadjuvant treatment for patients with HER2-positive breast
      cancer (Z1041): a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with trastuzumab for patients with HER2
      positive breast cancer can produce a pathological complete response in the breast
      in 30-65% of patients. We investigated the effect of the timing of trastuzumab
      administration with anthracycline and taxane neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS:
      This randomised trial was done at 36 centres in the USA and Puerto Rico. Women
      with operable HER2-positive invasive breast cancer were randomly assigned (1:1)
      with a biased coin minimisation algorithm, stratified for age, tumour size, and
      hormone receptor status. Neither patients nor investigators (except for a cardiac
      safety review panel) were masked to treatment assignment. Patients randomly
      assigned to sequential treatment received fluorouracil 500 mg/m(2), epirubicin 75
      mg/m(2), and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m(2) (FEC-75) on day 1 of a 21-day cycle for
      four cycles followed by paclitaxel 80 mg/m(2) and trastuzumab 2 mg/kg (after a 4
      mg/kg loading dose) once per week for 12 weeks, while those randomly assigned to
      the concurrent treatment group received paclitaxel and trastuzumab once per week
      for 12 weeks followed by four cycles of FEC-75 (on day 1 of each 21-day cycle)
      and once-weekly trastuzumab, in the same doses as the sequential group. Surgery,
      including evaluation of the axilla, was done within 6 weeks of completion of
      neoadjuvant treatment. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who had
      a pathological complete response in the intention-to-treat population. The study
      is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00513292. FINDINGS: From Sept
      15, 2007, to Dec 15, 2011, 282 women were enrolled (140 in the sequential group,
      142 in the concurrent group). Two patients in the sequential group withdrew
      consent before starting treatment. 78 of 138 (56.5%, 95% CI 47.8-64.9) patients
      who received sequential treatment had a pathological complete response in the
      breast versus 77 of 142 (54.2%, 95% CI 45.7-62.6) who received concurrent
      treatment (difference 2.3%, 95% CI -9.3 to 13.9). No treatment-related deaths
      occurred. The most common severe toxic effects were neutropenia (35 [25.3%] of
      138 patients in the sequential group vs 45 [31.7%] of 142 patients in the
      concurrent group) and fatigue (six [4.3%] vs 12 [8.5%]). Left ventricular
      ejection fraction dropped below the institutional lower limit of normal at week
      12 in one (0.8%) of 130 patients who received sequential treatment and four
      (2.9%) of 137 patients who received concurrent treatment; by week 24, it had
      dropped below this limit in nine (7.1%) of 126 patients and in six (4.6%) of 130
      patients, respectively. INTERPRETATION: Concurrent administration of trastuzumab
      with anthracyclines offers no additional benefit and is not warranted. FUNDING:
      US National Cancer Institute.

PMID- 24239212
TI  - Disease control through fertility control: Secondary benefits of animal birth
      control in Indian street dogs.
AB  - We sought to (1) survey sexually intact street dogs for a wide range of diseases
      in three cities in Rajasthan, India and (2) evaluate links between the health of
      non-treated dogs and both the presence and duration of animal birth control (ABC)
      programs. ABC regimes sterilize and vaccinate stray dogs in an attempt to control
      their population and the spread of rabies. They are commonly suggested to improve
      the health of those dogs they serve, but here we provide evidence that these
      benefits also extend to untreated dogs in the community. Viral and bacterial
      disease seroprevalences were assessed in 240 sexually intact street dogs from
      Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Sawai Madhopur cities in October and September 2011. Those
      individuals and 50 additional dogs were assessed for the presence of ticks,
      fleas, fight wounds, and given body condition scores. Dogs in cities with an ABC
      program had with significantly (p<0.05) higher overall body condition scores,
      lower prevalence of open wounds likely caused by fighting, flea infestations,
      infectious canine hepatitis, Ehrlichia canis, Leptospira interrogans serovars,
      and canine distemper virus antibodies. However, those same dogs in cities with
      ABC programs had significantly higher prevalence of Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus
      sanguineus) infestations. Canine parvovirus and Brucella canis prevalences were
      not significantly different between cities. This study is the first to
      demonstrate the health benefits of ABC on non-vaccinated diseases and non-treated
      individuals.

PMID- 24239213
TI  - Pharmacist, general practitioner and consumer use of written medicine information
      in Australia: are they on the same page?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Providing written medicine information to consumers enables them to
      make informed decisions about their medicines, playing an important role in
      educating and improving health literacy. In Australia, standardized written
      medicine information called Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is available for
      medicines as package inserts, computer prints, or leaflets. Consumers want and
      read CMI, but may not always ask for it. General practitioners (GPs) and
      pharmacists are an important source of written medicine information, yet may not
      always provide CMI in their practice. OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare the
      awareness, use and provision of CMI by consumers, pharmacists and general
      practitioners (GPs). METHODS: Based on previous studies, structured
      questionnaires were developed and administered to a national sample of consumers
      (phone survey); community pharmacists and GPs (postal surveys) about utilization
      of CMI. Descriptive, comparative and logistic regression analyses were conducted.
      RESULTS: The respondents comprised of 349 pharmacists, 181 GPs and 1000
      consumers. Two-thirds of consumers, nearly all (99%) pharmacists and 90% of GPs
      were aware of CMI. About 88% of consumers reported receiving CMI as a package
      insert, however most pharmacists (99%) and GPs (56%) reported providing computer
      generated CMI. GPs' and pharmacists' main reason for providing CMI was on patient
      request. Reasons for not providing were predominantly because consumers were
      already taking the medicine, concerns regarding difficulty understanding the
      information, or potential non-adherence. Of the 691 consumers reportedly reading
      CMI, 35% indicated concerns after reading. Factors associated with reading
      included gender, type of CMI received and frequency of provision. CONCLUSION:
      Consumers want and read information about their medicines, especially when
      received from their GP or pharmacist. Healthcare professionals report usually
      discussing CMI when providing it to patients, although continued improvements in
      dissemination rates are desirable. Regular use of CMI remains a challenge, and
      ongoing strategies to promote CMI use are necessary to improve uptake of CMI in
      Australia.

PMID- 24239214
TI  - [Pseudo-ptosis after bi-canaliculo-nasal intubation].

PMID- 24239215
TI  - [Diagnosis and treatment of dysthyroid orbitopathy: a multidisciplinary disease].
AB  - Graves' disease is a common autoimmune disorder that can be complicated,
      especially in smokers, by an orbitopathy which can sometimes jeopardize vision
      and result in functional sequelae affecting quality of life of these patients.
      Although the diagnosis of dysthyroid orbitopathy is usually obvious, clinical
      evaluation must specify the stage of progression (clinical activity score) and
      severity according to the European Group EUGOGO classification. At first, rapid
      restoration of the euthyroid state, smoking cessation and simple symptomatic
      ophthalmic treatment are suggested. In the case of severe or active orbitopathy,
      oral or intravenous corticosteroid therapy with or without orbital radiation
      therapy (and even emergency orbital surgery in the case of compressive optic
      neuropathy) should be implemented. Ultimately, orbital surgery (orbital
      decompression in cases of exophthalmos), oculomotor surgery (diplopia) or eyelid
      surgery (retraction) may be required depending on the severity of sequelae. A
      multidisciplinary approach involving ophthalmologist, endocrinologist and orbital
      surgeon should facilitate an overall diagnosis and treatment plan for these
      patients. 

PMID- 24239216
TI  - [Removal of lateral orbital wall for management of orbital cavernous hemangioma].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A relatively rare condition, cavernous hemangioma of the orbit
      poses a problem due to difficulty of the surgical approach. Modifications in
      surgical approaches and better understanding of these tumors preoperatively allow
      for less disfiguring elective surgery than before. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five
      cases of orbital cavernous hemangiomas reviewed in our department between 2005
      and 2009 underwent surgery by external lateral approach with removal of the
      lateral orbital wall. RESULTS: Resection of the tumor was complete in all cases,
      with one case of capsular rupture. Short- and long-term morphologic and aesthetic
      results were satisfactory in all patients. CONCLUSION: The external lateral
      approach with removal of the lateral orbital wall is a safe technique that allows
      good exposure of the tumor, facilitating its removal.

PMID- 24239217
TI  - [Degenerative lesions of the peripheral retina].
AB  - Degenerative lesions of the peripheral retina are present from teenage years
      onwards and increase with age. These abnormabilities are frequent, some of them
      being benign while others predispose to retinal tears and detachment. In the
      latter case, the lesions are rhegmatogenous and may justify prophylactic
      treatment by laser photocoagulation. We distinguish congenital lesions of the
      peripheral retina and intraretinal, chorioretinal and vitreoretinal
      degenerations. The holes and tears observed in 2% of the population consist of
      round atrophic holes, "horseshoe" tears, oral dialyses and giant tears. 

PMID- 24239218
TI  - [Pediatric orbital cellulitis without sinusitis: report of four cases].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pediatric orbital cellulitis is most often caused by ethmoid
      sinusitis. We present a description of 4 atypical cases of orbital cellulitis
      without sinusitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 4-day-old girl presented with medical
      canthal swelling and preseptal cellulitis caused by bilateral congenital
      dacryocystoceles. The second patient was an 8-year-old boy seen for infectious
      conjunctivitis complicated by preseptal cellulitis without sinusitis.
      Conjunctival cultures revealed Neisseria gonorrheae. The next patient, a 5-month
      old boy, presented with lid swelling, fever, proptosis and epiphora. It was
      caused by dacryocystitis extending into the ethmoid and complicated by a sub
      periostal abscess with mass effect on the globe. The fourth patient was a 10-year
      old boy referred for inflammatory eyelid edema and severe non-axial proptosis.
      Imaging revealed an orbital tumor; the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma was
      confirmed by anatomopathology. DISCUSSION: Thorough etiologic work-up of orbital
      cellulitis in children will prevent missing a non-sinus-based cause such as
      lacrimal infections, conjunctivitis secondary to atypical pathogens, or even
      tumors. All patients should undergo a detailed clinical examination, orbital
      imaging and microbiological testing. CONCLUSION: Orbital cellulitis in children
      poses diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties due to the many possible
      etiologies. Aside from sinusitis, the most important etiologies to pursue are
      lacrimal system infections and tumors. When confronted with a non-specific
      clinical presentation, thorough etiologic work-up is essential, in view of the
      potential life-threatening, functional and social implications.

PMID- 24239219
TI  - Can we improve ABVD in Hodgkin's lymphoma?

PMID- 24239220
TI  - Brentuximab vedotin combined with ABVD or AVD for patients with newly diagnosed
      Hodgkin's lymphoma: a phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Roughly 70-80% of patients with advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma are
      cured with various first-line and second-line treatments, including ABVD,
      BEACOPP, and stem-cell transplantation. Brentuximab vedotin has shown significant
      clinical activity, with a manageable safety profile, in patients with relapsed or
      refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma. We aimed to assess the safety and early clinical
      efficacy of this drug as first-line treatment in combination with standard or
      modified-standard treatment in patients with previously untreated Hodgkin's
      lymphoma. METHODS: We did a phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation safety study
      comparing brentuximab vedotin in combination with standard (ABVD) or a modified
      standard (AVD) treatment. Patients were enrolled into the groups sequentially.
      Main entry criteria were newly diagnosed, treatment-naive, CD30-positive patients
      with Hodgkin's lymphoma who had histologically confirmed stage IIA bulky disease
      or stage IIB-IV disease and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance
      status of two or less. Patients received doses of 0.6, 0.9, or 1.2 mg/kg
      brentuximab vedotin by intravenous infusion every 2 weeks with either ABVD (25
      mg/m(2) doxorubicin, 10 units/m(2) bleomycin, 6 mg/m(2) vinblastine, and 375
      mg/m(2) dacarbazine) or AVD (ABVD modified regimen without the inclusion of
      bleomycin) for up to six cycles. Our primary objectives were to assess the safety
      profile and establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of brentuximab vedotin in
      combination with ABVD and AVD. The safety profile and MTD was assessed for the
      safety population. The study has completed and the final analysis is presented.
      This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01060904. FINDINGS:
      Between Jan 29, 2010, and Sept 17, 2012, 51 patients were enrolled and received
      at least one dose of brentuximab vedotin. The maximum tolerated dose of
      brentuximab vedotin when combined with ABVD or AVD was not exceeded at 1.2 mg/kg.
      21 (95%) of 22 patients given brentuximab vedotin and ABVD achieved complete
      remission, as did 24 (96%) of 25 patients given brentuximab vedotin and AVD.
      Adverse events were generally grade 1 or 2; however, an unacceptable number of
      patients in the brentuximab vedotin and ABVD groups had pulmonary toxic effects
      (11 [44%] of 25), which exceeded the historical incidence for ABVD alone. No
      patients experienced pulmonary toxic effects when treated with brentuximab
      vedotin plus AVD. The most common grade 3 or worse events were neutropenia (20
      [80%] of 25 patients in the brentuximab vedotin and ABVD group vs 20 [77%] of 26
      patients in the brentuximab vedotin and AVD group), anaemia (five [20%] vs three
      [12%]), febrile neutropenia (five [20%] vs two [8%]), pulmonary toxic effects
      (six [24%] vs 0), syncope (three [12%] vs two [8%]), dyspnoea (three [12%] vs one
      [4%]), pulmonary embolism (three [12%] vs 0), fatigue (one [4%] each), and
      leucopenia (one [4%] each). Serious events occured in 41% of all patients (14
      [56%] in the brentuximab vedotin and ABVD group and seven [27%] in the
      brentuximab vedotin and AVD group). Serious events occurring in 10% of patients
      or more overall were febrile neutropenia (four [16%] in the brentuximab vedotin
      and ABVD group vs two [8%] in the brentuximab vedotin and AVD group), and, in the
      brentuximab vedotin and ABVD group only, pulmonary toxic effects (six [24%]).
      INTERPRETATION: Brentuximab vedotin should not be given with bleomycin in general
      or specifically as first-line therapy for patients with treatment naive, advanced
      stage Hodgkin's lymphoma. 1.2 mg/kg brentuximab vedotin combined with AVD given
      every 2 weeks was generally well tolerated by patients. At present, a phase 3
      trial comparing brentuximab vedotin plus AVD to ABVD alone is ongoing
      (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01712490) and will formally assess whether
      brentuximab vedotin plus AVD might redefine therapy in treatment-naive patients
      with Hodgkin's lymphoma. FUNDING: Seattle Genetics Inc and Takeda Pharmaceuticals
      International Co.

PMID- 24239221
TI  - Tuberculosis or tularemia? A molecular study in cervical lymphadenitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the last two to three decades there has been a marked decrease
      in certain bacterial infections in Turkey. One of them is tuberculosis. Of note,
      statistics published by the Turkish Ministry of Health (MoH) show decreasing
      pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), but on the other hand, increasing extrapulmonary
      tuberculosis (EPTB). The most common form of EPTB is tuberculous cervical
      lymphadenitis (TCL). The increase in the number of TCL cases despite the decline
      in cases of PTB is seen as a paradoxical issue. In contrast there has been an
      increase in the number of oropharyngeal tularemia cases in the last decade in
      Turkey. The aim of this study was to draw attention to the importance of
      differentiating between TCL and tularemia lymphadenitis, because these diseases
      may have a similar histopathological appearance. METHODS: Thirty-two cases
      diagnosed as TCL were identified from the archives of a pathology laboratory
      (Patomer Pathology Laboratory, Bursa, Turkey). PCR tests for Francisella
      tularensis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were carried out on the paraffin tissue
      blocks of these cases. At the same time, statistical data on PTB and EPTB for the
      period 1996-2010 were retrieved from the MoH and reviewed. Statistics related to
      tularemia, which has been diagnosed since 1988 and has been increasing in the
      last 10 years, were obtained from the Department of Zoonoses of the MoH. RESULTS:
      Six out of 32 (19%) cases who had previously been diagnosed with 'casseifying
      granulomatous lymphadenitis consistent with tuberculosis' were found to be
      positive for tularemia by PCR test of the cervical lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS:
      Oropharyngeal tularemia should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of
      cervical lymphadenitis in widespread geographic regions of the Northern
      Hemisphere, including the Asian continent. In particular, if granulomatous
      inflammation with necrosis is seen histopathologically, tularemia should be
      excluded before making the diagnosis of TCL.

PMID- 24239222
TI  - Does war contribute to family violence against children? Findings from a two
      generational multi-informant study in Northern Uganda.
AB  - After 20 years of civil war in Northern Uganda, the continuity of violence within
      the family constitutes a major challenge to children's healthy development in the
      post-conflict era. Previous exposure to trauma and ongoing psychopathology in
      guardians potentially contribute to parental perpetration against children and
      dysfunctional interactions in the child's family ecology that increase children's
      risk of maltreatment. In order to investigate distal and proximal risk factors of
      child victimization, we first aimed to identify factors leading to more self
      reported perpetration in guardians. Second, we examined factors in the child's
      family environment that promote child-reported experiences of maltreatment. Using
      a two-generational design we interviewed 368 children, 365 female guardians, and
      304 male guardians from seven war-affected rural communities in Northern Uganda
      on the basis of standardized questionnaires. We found that the strongest
      predictors of self-reported aggressive parenting behaviors toward the child were
      guardians' own experiences of childhood maltreatment, followed by female
      guardians' victimization experiences in their intimate relationship and male
      guardians' posttrautmatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol-related
      problems. Regarding children's self-report of victimization in the family,
      proximal factors including violence between adults in the household and male
      guardians' PTSD symptom severity level predicted higher levels of maltreatment.
      Distal variables such as female guardians' history of childhood victimization and
      female guardians' exposure to traumatic war events also increased children's
      report of maltreatment. The current findings suggest that in the context of
      organized violence, an intergenerational cycle of violence persists that is
      exacerbated by female guardians' re-victimization experiences and male guardians'
      psychopathological symptoms. 

PMID- 24239223
TI  - A novel dental implant abutment with micro-motion capability--development and
      biomechanical evaluations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a novel dental implant abutment
      with a micro-motion mechanism that imitates the biomechanical behavior of the
      periodontal ligament, with the goal of increasing the long-term survival rate of
      dental implants. METHODS: Computer-aided design software was used to design a
      novel dental implant abutment with an internal resilient component with a micro
      motion capability. The feasibility of the novel system was investigated via
      finite element analysis. Then, a prototype of the novel dental implant abutment
      was fabricated, and the mechanical behavior was evaluated. RESULTS: The results
      of the mechanical tests and finite element analysis confirmed that the novel
      dental implant abutment possessed the anticipated micro-motion capability.
      Furthermore, the nonlinear force-displacement behavior apparent in this micro
      motion mechanism imitated the movement of a human tooth. The slope of the force
      displacement curve of the novel abutment was approximately 38.5 N/mm before the
      0.02-mm displacement and approximately 430 N/mm after the 0.03-mm displacement.
      SIGNIFICANCE: The novel dental implant abutment with a micro-motion mechanism
      actually imitated the biomechanical behavior of a natural tooth and provided
      resilient function, sealing, a non-separation mechanism, and ease-of-use.

PMID- 24239224
TI  - Classification of stilbenoid compounds by entropy of artificial intelligence.
AB  - A set of 66 stilbenoid compounds is classified into a system of periodic
      properties by using a procedure based on artificial intelligence, information
      entropy theory. Eight characteristics in hierarchical order are used to classify
      structurally the stilbenoids. The former five features mark the group or column
      while the latter three are used to indicate the row or period in the table of
      periodic classification. Those stilbenoids in the same group are suggested to
      present similar properties. Furthermore, compounds also in the same period will
      show maximum resemblance. In this report, the stilbenoids in the table are
      related to experimental data of bioactivity and antioxidant properties available
      in the technical literature. It should be noted that stilbenoids with glycoxyl
      groups esterified with benzoic acid derivatives, in the group g11000 in the
      extreme right of the periodic table, show the greatest antioxidant activity as
      confirmed by experiments in the bibliography. Moreover, the second group from the
      right (g10111) contains E-piceatannol, which antioxidant activity is recognized
      in the literature. The experiments confirm our results of the periodic
      classification. 

PMID- 24239225
TI  - SeXX matters in immunity.
AB  - The significant contributions of sex to an immune response, specifically in the
      context of the sex bias observed in susceptibility to infectious and autoimmune
      diseases and their pathogenesis, have until recently, largely been ignored and
      understudied. This review highlights recent findings related to sex-specific
      factors that provide new insights into how sex determines the transcriptome, the
      microbiome, and the consequent immune cell functional profile to define an immune
      response. Unquestionably, accumulating data confirm that sex matters and must be
      a consideration when decisions around therapeutic intervention strategies are
      developed. 

PMID- 24239226
TI  - De novo cavernoma developing from an asymptomatic thalamic microhemorrhage.
AB  - Cavernomas are low-flow vascular lesions affecting approximately 0.5% of the
      population. Historically these have been considered congenital lesions, but
      numerous reports have demonstrated de novo formation. The phenomenon is well
      documented in patients with the familial disease form and after cranial
      radiotherapy, but outside of these circumstances there is scant evidence as to
      the potential etiology. The authors present a 5 year MRI series of a 56-year-old
      woman with no known risk factors demonstrating cavernoma formation and growth
      from previously normal brain. The patient was consistently asymptomatic during
      follow-up. Given the history and imaging findings, we propose that cavernomas can
      arise directly from angiogenic proliferation secondary to microhemorrhage from
      unrelated causes.

PMID- 24239227
TI  - The role of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 polymorphisms in the
      susceptibility and clinical features of ischemic stroke.
AB  - Some polymorphisms in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 gene (FGFR-4) have
      been correlated with coronary artery disease, however, the role of polymorphisms
      in the FGFR-4 gene in ischemic stroke remain unknown. A total of 270 patients
      with ischemic stroke and 297 controls were recruited. Stroke subtype was
      classified and clinical severity of stroke in patients was evaluated. The
      polymorphisms in the FGFR-4 were genotyped. There were no significant differences
      of genotype distributions and allele frequencies of rs145302848C/G and
      rs147603016G/A between stroke patients and controls (all p>0.05). However,
      genotype frequencies and allele frequencies at rs351855G/A (Gly388Arg) were
      significantly different between stroke patients and controls (both p<0.001). With
      the rs351855GG genotype as a reference, the presence of rs351855AA homozygote had
      a significantly increased risk for stroke (adjusted odds ratio 2.663; 95%
      confidence interval 1.673-4.229, p<0.001). The polymorphisms at rs145302848C/G
      and rs147603016G/A did not influence the susceptibility of stroke in this study.
      All FGFR-4 polymorphisms were not associated with clinical features such as Trial
      of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment subtype or stroke severity as indicated by
      mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores. Our study suggests a
      positive association between FGFR-4 gene polymorphism at rs351855G/A and
      susceptibility to ischemic stroke.

PMID- 24239228
TI  - Protein-protein interaction network analysis and gene set enrichment analysis in
      epilepsy patients with brain cancer.
AB  - Many patients with brain cancer experience seizures or epilepsy and tumor
      associated epilepsy (TAE) significantly decreases their quality of life. This
      study aimed to achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms of TAE. The
      differentially expressed genes (DEG) between epilepsy patients with or without
      brain tumor were firstly screened using the Linear Models for Microarray Data
      package using GSE4290 datasets from the USA National Center for Biotechnology
      Information Gene Expression Omnibus database. Then the protein-protein
      interaction (PPI) network, using data from the Human Protein Reference Database
      and the Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets, was constructed.
      For further analysis, the PPI network structure and clusters in this PPI network
      were identified by ClusterOne. Meanwhile, gene set enrichment analysis was
      performed to illuminate the biological pathways and processes which generally
      affect patients with TAE. A total of 5113 DEG were identified and a PPI network,
      which contained 114 DEG and 21 normal genes, was established. Proteins, which
      mainly belonged to the mini chromosome maintenance and collagen families, were
      discovered to be enriched in the three identified clusters in the PPI network.
      Finally, several biological pathways (including cell cycle, DNA replication and
      transforming growth factor beta1 signaling pathways) and processes (such as
      nucleocytoplasmic transport, nuclear transport and regulation of phosphorylation)
      were identified. Proteins in these three clusters may become new targets for TAE
      treatment. Our results provide some potential underlying biomarkers for
      understanding the pathogenesis of epilepsy in patients with brain tumor. 

PMID- 24239229
TI  - Intracranial pseudolymphoma presenting with grand mal seizures.
AB  - Primary central nervous system lymphoproliferative disorders comprise a
      heterogenous group of intracranial disease, predominantly of the high-grade non
      Hodgkin's lymphoma type. We report a 56-year-old woman who developed new-onset
      grand mal seizures and was found to have two small uniformly enhancing dural
      based lesions, which were radiologically concerning for meningiomas. Biopsy
      demonstrated findings consistent with benign, reactive lymphoid tissue. The
      patient's seizures resolved post-operatively. To our knowledge, this is the first
      reported patient with intracranial pseudolymphoma presenting as grand mal
      seizures. This case highlights this rare differential consideration in a patient
      with symptomatic dural-based lesion.

PMID- 24239230
TI  - Aluminium in human sweat.
AB  - It is of burgeoning importance that the human body burden of aluminium is
      understood and is measured. There are surprisingly few data to describe human
      excretion of systemic aluminium and almost no reliable data which relate to
      aluminium in sweat. We have measured the aluminium content of sweat in 20 healthy
      volunteers following mild exercise. The concentration of aluminium ranged from
      329 to 5329MUg/L. These data equate to a daily excretion of between 234 and
      7192MUg aluminium and they strongly suggest that perspiration is the major route
      of excretion of systemic aluminium in humans. 

PMID- 24239231
TI  - The Meryon Society Lecture at the 38th Oxford Muscle Symposium, June 28th 2013:
      the story of the distal myopathies.

PMID- 24239233
TI  - Efficacy of immunomodulation in the treatment of profound thrombocytopenia after
      adult cardiac surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Causes of profound thrombocytopenia (platelet count <60 K) developing
      days after cardiac surgery include heparin platelet factor 4 antibodies,
      thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-like antibodies, and endotoxin generated by
      pulmonary infections. Modulation of immune-mediated profound thrombocytopenia
      with intravenous immunoglobulin could be efficacious for any of these conditions.
      METHODS: From 2002 to 2010, profound thrombocytopenia developed in 20 consecutive
      patients within days after cardiac surgery; 19 patients underwent valve or aortic
      operations, and 1 patient underwent coronary bypass. Risk profiles were high
      preoperatively: Patients' mean age was 73 years, 50% underwent nonelective
      procedures, 100% had comorbidities, and 25% underwent reoperations. When
      decreasing platelet counts approached 60 K, intravenous immunoglobulin was
      started at 1.5 g/kg intravenously over 5 days. Anticoagulation and platelet
      transfusions were avoided. In 1 patient, profound thrombocytopenia failed to
      reverse promptly, and daily plasmapheresis was introduced. Platelet counts before
      and after interventions were assessed with linear regression analyses over time,
      including a spline function and statistical knot coincident with starting
      intravenous immunoglobulin. RESULTS: In 19 of 20 patients, profound
      thrombocytopenia stabilized and rebounded within 2 to 4 days after initiating
      intravenous immunoglobulin. In the remaining slow-responding patient, addition of
      plasmapheresis was associated with rapid recovery. In every patient, coincident
      multiorgan failure reversed, and 19 of 20 patients recovered uneventfully and
      survived hospitalization with no limb ischemia or tissue loss. No complications
      of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy or plasmapheresis were observed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although mechanisms of profound thrombocytopenia after cardiac
      surgery are poorly understood, they likely relate to inappropriate autoimmune
      moieties causing peripheral platelet aggregation and multiorgan failure. A
      protocol involving immunomodulation with intravenous immunoglobulin supplemented
      by plasmapheresis appeared safe and efficacious. Direct immunologic interventions
      for profound thrombocytopenia could improve postoperative outcomes.

PMID- 24239235
TI  - BRCA1 shields vascular smooth muscle cells from oxidative stress.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in part via
      upregulation of DNA damage pathways, is a central mechanism governing pathologic
      activation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We hypothesized that the
      breast cancer 1, early onset (BRCA1) gene that is involved in cellular resistance
      to DNA damage limits ROS production and oxidative stress in VSMCs. METHODS: We
      evaluated basal and H2O2-stimulated expression of BRCA1 in human aortic smooth
      muscle cells (HASMCs). In vitro gain-of-function experiments were performed in
      BRCA1 adenovirus (Ad-BRCA1)-transfected HASMCs. ROS production and expression of
      Nox1 and its key regulatory subunit p47phox, key components of the ROS-generating
      nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase system, were
      evaluated. In vivo gain-of-function experiments were performed in spontaneously
      hypertensive (SHR) rats treated with Ad-BRCA1 (5 * 10(10) IU/rat). Blood
      pressure, vascular ROS generation, Nox1, and p47phox expression were measured.
      RESULTS: BRCA1 was constitutively expressed in murine, rat, and human smooth
      muscle cells (SMCs). H2O2 significantly reduced BRCA1 expression with a resultant
      increase in ROS generation. BRCA1-overexpressing HASMCs were protected against
      H2O2-induced ROS generation, in part, via downregulation of the ROS-producing
      NADPH oxidase subunits Nox1 and p47phox. Ad-BRCA1 treatment in SHR rats was
      associated with a sustained increase in aortic BRCA1 expression, lower aortic ROS
      production, reduced gammaH2A.X levels, greater RAD51 foci, and decreases in blood
      pressure. CONCLUSIONS: BRCA1 is a novel and previously unrecognized target that
      may shield VSMCs from oxidative stress by inhibiting NADPH Nox1-dependent ROS
      production. Gene- and/or cell-based approaches that improve BRCA1 bioavailability
      may represent a new approach in the treatment of diverse vascular diseases
      associated with an aberrant VSMC phenotype.

PMID- 24239236
TI  - Long-term outcome after laparoscopic myotomy for achalasia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Achalasia has a variety of therapeutic options. We sought to
      determine the long-term outcome of laparoscopic myotomy in a large group of
      patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective record review of 500 patients who
      underwent laparoscopic myotomy and follow-up with a standardized dysphagia
      questionnaire. RESULTS: Between April 1998 and June 2011, 276 men and 224 women
      underwent a laparoscopic myotomy. Their median age was 51 years (range, 8-89
      years). Preoperative symptoms included dysphagia in 472 patients (94.4%),
      regurgitation in 382 patients (76.4%), heartburn in 203 patients (40.6%), chest
      pain in 168 (33.6%) patients, and weight loss (median, 10 kg) in 264 patients
      (52.8%). Prior therapy (dilation in 239, botulinum toxin type A in 135, or
      myotomy in 30) had been performed in 303 patients (60.6%). Preoperative manometry
      was available in 413 patients (82.6%) and revealed a median lower esophageal
      sphincter pressure of 31 mm Hg (range, 0-50 mm Hg), absent peristalsis in 97.6%,
      and no lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in 75.1%. A laparoscopic myotomy
      with partial fundoplication (Toupet n = 268, Dor n = 209) was done in 477
      patients (95.4%) and myotomy only in 23 patients (4.6%). Conversion to open was
      necessary in 16 patients (3.2%). There were 52 (10.4%) esophageal perforations
      all repaired during the myotomy-and 26 (5.2%) other complications, including
      bleeding, atrial fibrillation, and pneumonia. There was no operative mortality.
      Median length of stay was 2 days (range, 1-20 days). Dysphagia questionnaires
      were returned by 48.2% of patients (241 out of 500) a median of 77.5 months after
      myotomy (range, 15-176 months). Eighty patients (32.2%) reported no problems with
      swallowing at the time of the survey. Of 160 patients who had swallowing
      problems, 40 patients (22.2%) classified the problem as mild or less, 98 patients
      classified the problem as moderate (70.0%), and 22 patients classified the
      problem as severe (15.7%). The question concerning frequency of swallowing
      problems was answered by 160 patients and occurred once a week or less in 70
      patients (43.8%), several times a week in 41 patients (25.6%), and at least daily
      in 49 patients (30.6%). Analysis of all 241 patients who returned questionnaires
      revealed that 170 out of 241 (70.5%) reported heartburn, 89 out of 241 (36.9%)
      reported regurgitation, and 159 out of 241 (66.0%) had taken antacids or
      histamine 2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors within the past 30 days of the
      survey. The only factor affecting outcome was age; patients older than age 65
      years had a better chance of having no difficulty swallowing at follow-up (P =
      .0174). Sex, prior therapy, Toupet versus Dor, conversion to open, or esophageal
      mucosal perforation did not affect long-term swallowing outcome. CONCLUSIONS:
      Laparoscopic myotomy with partial fundoplication is a safe operation. The long
      term outcome is extremely effective and approximately one-third of patients have
      no evidence of persistent symptoms at follow-up. Furthermore, those who have
      persistent symptoms rarely have severe or very frequent complaints. Patients
      older than age 65 years tend to have a better outcome.

PMID- 24239237
TI  - Effects of repetitive freeze-thawing cycles on T2 and T2 of the Achilles tendon.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In this study we sought to evaluate the effects of multiple
      freezing and thawing cycles on two MR parameters to study Achilles tendon, T2 and
      T2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four fresh Achilles tendons were imaged on a 3T
      clinical scanner and again after 1, 2, 4, and 5 freeze-thaw cycles with spin-echo
      (SE) and ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences. Regions of interest were manually
      drawn over the entire Achilles tendon and mono-exponential curves were used to
      determine T2 and T2 relaxation times. RESULTS: There was no statistically
      significant difference in mean T2 or T2 values between the fresh specimens and
      after subsequent cycles of freeze-thaw treatment (p>0.1). Linear regression
      between SE T2 values at baseline and after successive freeze-thaw cycles
      demonstrated moderate agreement (r=0.60) whereas UTE T2 values at baseline and
      after successive-freeze thaw cycles demonstrated strong agreement (r=0.92).
      CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that changes between specimens seen in vitro
      are due to factors other than frozen storage. Furthermore, our results suggest
      that there is stronger agreement between baseline (fresh) and successive freeze
      thaw T2 values of tendon obtained with the UTE technique in comparison to T2
      values obtained with a conventional clinical CPMG technique.

PMID- 24239238
TI  - Initial CT-guided needle biopsy of extremity skeletal lesions: diagnostic
      performance and experience of a tertiary musculoskeletal center.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Appendicular long bones are the target for a wide spectrum of bony
      lesions with variable clinical presentations. Biopsy procedures are needed for
      subsequent proper patient's management. Most of the available literature globally
      assessed musculoskeletal biopsies with inclusion of repeat biopsy results. We
      thought to retrospectively assess the diagnostic performance of initial CT-guided
      percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB) of extremity long bone lesions in a
      tertiary musculoskeletal referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively analyzed the outcome of initial CT-guided PCNB of 49 patients who
      presented with extremity long bone lesions which were biopsied in our hospital
      during a 36 months' time period. The diagnostic performance was assessed in terms
      of diagnostic yield and accuracy. RESULTS: There were 34 males and 15 females
      with a mean age of 33.69 years (range from 4 to 77 years). The overall diagnostic
      yield of initial biopsies was 87.75% with a diagnostic accuracy of 82.85% derived
      from the surgically proven cases. The higher diagnostic yield was recorded with
      malignancy, presence of extra-osseous soft-tissue component as well as mixed and
      sclerotic lesions. The pathologies of the non-diagnostic biopsies included large
      cell lymphoma, giant-cell tumor, langerhans cell histiocytosis, osteoid osteoma
      and a non-ossifying fibroma. CONCLUSION: Initial CT-guided PCNB in extremities'
      long bones lesions showed high diagnostic performance in malignant, mixed and/or
      sclerotic lesions as well as lesions with extra-osseous exophytic tissue growth.
      Lack of extra-osseous components, benign and lytic lesions all had worse
      diagnostic performance.

PMID- 24239239
TI  - Primary staging of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer: CT, MR imaging and dual
      energy CT.
AB  - Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, in particular T4a disease associated with
      cartilage invasion and extralaryngeal spread, needs to be evaluated accurately
      because treatment can impact heavily on a patient's quality of life. Reliable
      imaging tools are therefore indispensible. CT offers high spatial and temporal
      resolution and remains the preferred imaging modality. Although cartilage
      invasion can be diagnosed with acceptable accuracy by applying defined criteria
      for combinations of erosion, lysis and transmural extralaryngeal spread, iodine
      enhanced tumors and non-ossified cartilage are sometimes difficult to
      distinguish. MR offers high contrast resolution for images without motion
      artifacts, although inflammatory changes in cartilage sometimes resemble
      cartilage invasion. With dual-energy CT, combined iodine overlay images and
      weighted average images can be used for evaluation of cartilage invasion, since
      iodine enhancement is evident in tumor tissue but not in cartilage.
      Extralaryngeal spread can be evaluated from CT, MR or dual-energy CT images and
      the routes of tumor spread into the extralaryngeal soft tissue must be
      considered; (1) via the thyrohyoid membrane along the superior laryngeal
      neurovascular bundle, (2) via the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, and (3)
      via the cricothyroid membrane. Radiologists need to understand the advantages and
      limitations of each imaging modality for staging of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal
      cancer. 

PMID- 24239240
TI  - Calcification at orifices of aortic arch branches is a reliable and significant
      marker of stenosis at carotid bifurcation and intracranial arteries.
AB  - PURPOSE: Simple rating scale for calcification in the cervical arteries and the
      aortic arch on multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) was
      evaluated its reliability and validity. Additionally, we investigated where is
      the most representative location for evaluating the calcification risk of carotid
      bifurcation stenosis and atherosclerotic infarction in the overall cervical
      arteries covering from the aortic arch to the carotid bifurcation. METHOD: The
      aortic arch and cervical arteries among 518 patients (292 men, 226 women) were
      evaluated the extent of calcification using a 4-point grading scale for MDCTA.
      Reliability, validity and the concomitant risk with vascular stenosis and
      atherosclerotic infarction were assessed. RESULTS: Calcification was most
      frequently observed in the aortic arch itself, the orifices from the aortic arch,
      and the carotid bifurcation. Compared with the bilateral carotid bifurcations,
      the aortic arch itself had a stronger inter-observer agreement for the
      calcification score (Fleiss' kappa coefficients; 0.77), but weaker associations
      with stenosis and atherosclerotic infarction. Calcification at the orifices of
      the aortic arch branches had a stronger inter-observer agreement (0.74) and
      enough associations with carotid bifurcation stenosis and intracranial stenosis.
      In addition, the extensive calcification at the orifices from the aortic arch was
      significantly associated with atherosclerotic infarction, similar to the
      calcification at the bilateral carotid bifurcations. CONCLUSIONS: The orifices of
      the aortic arch branches were the novel representative location of the aortic
      arch and overall cervical arteries for evaluating the calcification extent. Thus,
      calcification at the aortic arch should be evaluated with focus on the orifices
      of 3 main branches.

PMID- 24239241
TI  - Impact of size of region-of-interest on differentiation of renal cell carcinoma
      and renal cysts on multi-phase CT: preliminary findings.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To assess impact of size of regions-of-interest (ROI) on
      differentiation of RCC and renal cysts using multi-phase CT, with focus on
      differentiating papillary RCC (pRCC) and cysts given known hypovascularity of
      pRCC. METHODS: 99 renal lesions (23 pRCC, 47 clear-cell RCC, 7 chromophobe RCC,
      22 cysts) underwent multi-phase CT. Subjective presence of visual enhancement was
      recorded for each lesion. Whole-lesion (WL) ROIs, and small (<= 5 mm(2)), medium
      (average size of small and large ROIs), and large (half of lesion diameter)
      peripherally located partial-lesion (PL) ROIs, were placed on non-contrast and
      nephrographic phases. Impact of ROI size in separating cysts from all RCC and
      from pRCC based on increased attenuation between phases was assessed using ROC
      analysis. RESULTS: Visual enhancement was perceived in 96% of ccRCC, 61% of pRCC,
      and 9% of cysts. AUCs for separating all RCC and cysts for WL-ROI and small,
      medium, and large PL-ROIs were 91%, 96%, 91% and 93%, and among lesions without
      visible enhancement were 60%, 79%, 67% and 67%. AUCs for separating pRCC and
      cysts for WL-ROI and small, medium, and large PL-ROIs were 78%, 92%, 82% and 84%,
      and among lesions without visible enhancement were 64%, 88%, 69% and 69%.
      CONCLUSION: Small PL-ROIs had higher accuracy than WL-ROI or other PL-ROIs in
      separating RCC from cysts, with greater impact in differentiating pRCC from cysts
      and differentiating lesions without visible enhancement. Thus, when evaluating
      renal lesions using multi-phase CT, we suggest placing small peripheral ROIs for
      highest accuracy in distinguishing renal malignancy and benign cysts.

PMID- 24239242
TI  - MicroRNA-150 inhibits expression of adiponectin receptor 2 and is a potential
      therapeutic target in patients with chronic heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory adipocytokine believed to be
      involved in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF). We aimed to
      characterize the expression of adiponectin and its receptors in CHF and to assess
      the impact of microRNAs on the cardiac adiponectin system. METHODS: Expression of
      adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) was studied by qPCR
      and immunohistochemistry in myocardial tissues of patients with end-stage CHF and
      control subjects. MicroRNA binding was evaluated by cloning of an ADIPOR2 3'
      untranslated-region reporter construct and subsequent transfection experiments.
      Effects of miRNA transfection were analyzed in cardiomyocyte cell cultures by
      qPCR and Western blotting. Gene silencing of ADIPOR2 was performed by siRNA
      transfection, and the effects of hypoxia/serum starvation were analyzed by flow
      cytometry. RESULTS: Although CHF patients displayed elevated plasma adiponectin
      levels, myocardial adiponectin expression generally was very low. In CHF, cardiac
      ADIPOR1 expression increased by >4-fold, whereas the increase in ADIPOR2 was less
      than 2-fold. Reporter gene assays on constructs containing the ADIPOR2-3'
      untranslated region suggest that microRNA-150 specifically repressed ADIPOR2
      expression. Transfection of cardiomyocytes with premiR-150 precursor molecules
      resulted in 60% down-regulation of ADIPOR2 mRNA and a significant reduction of
      ADIPOR2 protein expression. MicroRNA-150 was substantially expressed in both
      normal and CHF myocardium, with a 1.7-fold higher expression in CHF. Finally,
      knock-down experiments elucidated a stress-protective role of ADIPOR2 in
      cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS: MicroRNA-150 counteracts ADIPOR2 up-regulation in
      CHF and thus may contribute to adiponectin resistance. Targeting microRNA-150 may
      be a future strategy to restore cardioprotective adiponectin effects.

PMID- 24239243
TI  - Preoperative intensity-modulated and image-guided radiotherapy with a
      simultaneous integrated boost in locally advanced rectal cancer: report on late
      toxicity and outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The addition of chemotherapy to preoperative radiotherapy
      has been established as the standard of care for patients with cT3-4 rectal
      cancer. As an alternative strategy, we explored intensity-modulated and image
      guided radiotherapy (IMRT-IGRT) with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in a
      prospective phase II study. Here, we report outcome and late toxicity after a
      median follow-up of 54 months. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 108 patients
      were treated preoperatively with IMRT-IGRT, delivering a dose of 46 Gy in
      fractions of 2 Gy. Patients (n=57) displaying an anticipated circumferential
      resection margin (CRM) of less than 2mm based on magnetic resonance imaging
      received a SIB to the tumor up to a total dose of 55.2 Gy. RESULTS: The absolute
      incidence of grade >=3 late gastrointestinal and urinary toxicity was 9% and 4%,
      respectively, with a 13% rate of any grade >=3 late toxicity. The actuarial 5
      year local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival
      (OS) were 97%, 57%, and 68%. On multivariate analysis, R1 resection and pN2
      disease were associated with significantly impaired OS. CONCLUSIONS: The use of
      preoperative IMRT-IGRT with a SIB resulted in a high 5-year LC rate and non
      negligible late toxicity.

PMID- 24239244
TI  - Underlying illness severity and outcome of nosocomial pneumonia: prospective
      cohort study in intensive care unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that the final outcome of a patient
      with nosocomial pneumonia (NP) may depend on the patient's illness severity upon
      admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). AIM: To investigate the relationship
      between developing NP during hospitalization in an adult ICU and the risk of
      death with special focus on illness severity at admission in the unit. METHODS: A
      prospective cohort study was performed among all patients admitted for at least
      24h to the ICU of a university reference hospital in Spain from 2006 to 2009. A
      stratified univariate study was performed according to the patients' illness
      severity at admission, estimated using the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health
      Evaluation (APACHE) II index. To determine whether the NP was independently
      associated with increased mortality in ICU, a multivariate logistic regression
      analysis was carried out, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: In all,
      4427 patients were studied, of whom 233 acquired NP while admitted. Patients who
      developed NP had a 2.6 higher risk (95% confidence interval: 2.1-3.0) of dying
      compared with those who did not develop NP. When stratified by the APACHE II
      index, the significant association remained at each stratum, although the
      strength of the association decreased as the value of the index increased. In the
      multivariate analysis, NP was independently associated with death in the ICU. The
      interaction between NP and the APACHE II index, with a negative coefficient, was
      also significant. CONCLUSIONS: Developing NP while admitted to the ICU was
      independently associated with increased mortality. However, the strength of the
      association decreased as the severity of patient illness upon admission to the
      ICU increased, not influencing death of patients with severe APACHE II values.

PMID- 24239245
TI  - Post-traumatic seizures--a prospective, multicenter, large case study after head
      injury in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic seizures (PTS) is a well-known sequela of traumatic
      brain injury (TBI). The risk factors for PTS are still controversial. Studies on
      PTS in China are rare and no large prospective, multicenter-based studies are
      available. METHODS: Data were collected from 15 hospitals prospectively using
      standardized structured questionnaires in Shandong, a province in China with a
      follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS: A total of 3093 traumatic brain injury patients
      were validated and entered in this analysis. After 6 months of follow-up, 181
      (59.9%) patients were identified as having PTS. The number were 236 (78.1%) and
      302 after 1 year and 2 years' follow-up, respectively. The cumulative 24-month
      rate of PTS is 9.8%. Among these 302 patients, 242 were male (80.1%) and 60
      female (19.9%). A marked peak was seen in the young people group aged 15-24
      (27.8%). Three factors were identified as significant in the multivariate model
      of PTS: Frontal-temporal lobar contusion, Linear fracture and Severity of TBI
      measured by initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). CONCLUSION: This prospective cohort
      study shows the epidemiologic features and risk factors of PTS in China. Frontal
      temporal lobar contusion, linear fracture and severity of TBI measured by initial
      Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) are risk factors for PTS. It is essential to establish a
      standard surveillance system for PTS.

PMID- 24239246
TI  - Bilateral hip arthroscopy under the same anesthetic for patients with symptomatic
      bilateral femoroacetabular impingement: 1-year outcomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether, in patients with
      bilateral symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement, bilateral surgery under 1
      anesthetic is safe and efficacious and allows a rapid return of function compared
      with staged procedures. METHODS: Three groups were evaluated: in group 1 both
      hips were treated simultaneously, in group 2 both hips were treated in a staged
      fashion, and in group 3 a single hip was addressed. The outcome measures were
      anesthesia and surgical times; time in the hospital; visual analog scale score
      for pain on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 30; analgesic use; and time until the
      patient could bike, drive, perform office work, perform gym activities, run, and
      return to play. Midterm evaluation was performed with the Non-Arthritic Hip Score
      and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score at 6 and
      12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: We enrolled 76 patients (122 hips) in this
      study. There were 42 male and 34 female patients. The mean age was 33 years
      (range, 14 to 50 years), and the mean body mass index was 24 (range, 18 to 35).
      Group 1 comprised 26 patients (52 hips, 16 male and 10 female patients). Group 2
      comprised 20 patients (40 hips, 13 male and 7 female patients), with a mean time
      between surgeries of 14.56 weeks. Group 3 comprised 33 patients (30 hips, 13 male
      and 17 female patients). No preoperative differences were found between the
      groups. The surgical and anesthesia times in group 1 were significantly longer
      than those in groups 2 and 3. We found no significant differences in
      postoperative visual analog scale scores, analgesic use, or length of hospital
      stay. Group 1 required more time before patients were able to ride a stationary
      bicycle (14.7 days in group 1, 7.8 days in group 2, and 8.5 days in group 3; P <
      .05). We found no differences between the groups regarding when patients returned
      to driving, performing office work, or reporting a normal gait. Each group had
      significant improvements in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
      Osteoarthritis Index and Non-Arthritic Hip Score at 6 and 12 months compared with
      preoperatively (P < .05). No significant differences in outcome scores were found
      in the 3 groups before surgery and at 6 or 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS:
      Simultaneous femoroacetabular impingement surgery does not lead to higher rates
      of complications, postoperative pain, analgesic use, or side effects. The return
      to daily activities is similar to a single-hip procedure with the advantage of a
      single rehabilitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative
      study.

PMID- 24239247
TI  - An 1H-MRS framework predicts the onset of Alzheimer's disease symptoms in PSEN1
      mutation carriers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia; the
      main risk factors are age and several recently identified genes. A major
      challenge for AD research is the early detection of subjects at risk. The aim of
      this study is to develop a predictive model using proton magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy (1H-MRS), a noninvasive technique that evaluates brain chemistry in
      vivo, for monitoring the clinical outcome of carriers of a fully penetrant
      mutation that causes AD. METHODS: We studied 75 subjects from the largest
      multigenerational pedigree in the world (~5000 people) that segregates a unique
      form of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) caused by a fully penetrant
      mutation in the Presenilin-1 gene (PSEN1 p.Glu280Ala [E280 A]). Forty-four
      subjects were carriers of the mutation, and 31 were noncarriers. Seventeen
      carriers had either mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage AD
      (collectively MCI-AD). In right and left parietal white mater and parasagittal
      parietal gray matter (RPPGM and LPPGM) of the posterior cingulate gyrus and
      precuneus, we measured levels of the brain metabolites N-acetylaspartate (NAA),
      inositol (Ins), choline (Cho), and glutamate-glutamine complex (Glx) relative to
      creatine (Cr) levels (NAA/Cr, Ins/Cr, Cho/Cr, and Glx/Cr, respectively) with two
      dimensional 1H-MRS. Using advanced recursive partition analysis and random forest
      analysis, we built classificatory decision trees for both mutation carrier status
      and the presence of MCI-AD symptoms, fitting them to 1H-MRS data while
      controlling for age, educational level, and sex. RESULTS: We found that (1) the
      combination of LPPGM Cho/Cr<0.165 and RPPGM Glx/Cr>1.54 fully excluded carriers;
      (2) LPPGM Cho/Cr>0.165, RPPGM Glx/Cr<1.54, and left parietal white mater
      NAA/Cr>1.16 identified asymptomatic carriers with sensitivity of 97.7% and
      specificity of 77.4%; and (3) RPPGM NAA/Cr>1.05 defined asymptomatic subjects
      (independent of carrier status) with sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of
      96.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Brain metabolites measured by 1H-MRS in the posterior
      cingulate gyrus and precuneus are optimally sensitive and specific potential
      noninvasive biomarkers of subclinical emergence of AD caused by the PSEN1
      p.Glu280Ala (E280 A) mutation.

PMID- 24239248
TI  - Addition of MHPG to Alzheimer's disease biomarkers improves differentiation of
      dementia with Lewy bodies from Alzheimer's disease but not other dementias.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Overlapping clinical features make it difficult to distinguish
      dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementia
      types. In this study we aimed to determine whether the combination of
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, amyloid-beta42 (Abeta42), total tau protein
      (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau), in combination with 3-methoxy-4
      hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG), could be useful in discriminating DLB from
      vascular dementia (VaD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), as we previously
      demonstrated for differentiation of DLB from AD. METHODS: We retrospectively
      analyzed concentrations of MHPG, Abeta42, t-tau, and p-tau in CSF in patients
      with DLB, AD, VaD, and FTD. Using previously developed multivariate logistic
      regression models we assessed the diagnostic value of these CSF parameters.
      RESULTS: The currently used combination of Abeta42, t-tau, and p-tau yielded a
      sensitivity of 61.9% and a specificity of 91.7% for the discrimination between
      DLB and AD, but could not discriminate between DLB and VaD or FTD. The addition
      of MHPG to Abeta42, t-tau, and p-tau improves the discrimination of DLB from AD,
      yielding a sensitivity of 65.1% and specificity of 100%, but could not
      distinguish DLB from other forms of dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm in
      a separate patient cohort that addition of MHPG to Abeta42, t-tau, and p-tau
      improves the discrimination of DLB from AD but not the differentiation of DLB
      from VaD or FTD.

PMID- 24239249
TI  - Origin of the PSEN1 E280A mutation causing early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A mutation in presenilin 1 (E280A) causes early-onset Alzheimer's
      disease. Understanding the origin of this mutation will inform medical genetics.
      METHODS: We sequenced the genomes of 102 individuals from Antioquia, Colombia. We
      applied identity-by-descent analysis to identify regions of common ancestry. We
      estimated the age of the E280A mutation and the local ancestry of the haplotype
      harboring this mutation. RESULTS: All affected individuals share a minimal
      haplotype of 1.8 Mb containing E280A. We estimate a time to most recent common
      ancestor of E280A of 10 (95% credible interval, 7.2-12.6) generations. We date
      the de novo mutation event to 15 (95% credible interval, 11-25) generations ago.
      We infer a western European geographic origin of the shared haplotype.
      CONCLUSIONS: The age and geographic origin of E280A are consistent with a single
      founder dating from the time of the Spanish Conquistadors who began colonizing
      Colombia during the early 16th century.

PMID- 24239250
TI  - Cerebrospinal fluid BACE1 activity and markers of amyloid precursor protein
      metabolism and axonal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
      beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) activity in
      relation to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to correlate the enzyme activity with
      protein markers of APP metabolism and axonal degeneration. METHODS: BACE1
      activity and protein concentrations were measured and analyzed in 342
      participants of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, including 99
      normal control, 75 stable mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 87 progressive MCI,
      and 79 AD dementia cases. All statistical analyses were Bonferroni corrected for
      multiple comparisons. RESULTS: No significant differences between controls and
      any of the three patient groups were detected for BACE1 activity and soluble
      APPbeta (sAPPbeta) concentrations in CSF. Significant correlations with BACE1
      activity were found for CSF APPbeta and total tau in all four groups and for CSF
      phosphorylated tau181 in all groups but the progressive MCI group. There were no
      correlations for CSF amyloid beta (Abeta)1-42 or for plasma Abeta1-42 and Abeta1
      40. CONCLUSIONS: The consistent correlation between BACE1 activity and sAPPbeta
      supports their role as biomarkers of target engagement in clinical trials on
      BACE1 inhibition.

PMID- 24239251
TI  - Polio and the risk for the European Union.

PMID- 24239252
TI  - Malaria vaccine technology roadmap.

PMID- 24239253
TI  - Image management systems.

PMID- 24239254
TI  - Devices for the endoscopic treatment of hemorrhoids.
AB  - Multiple endoscopic methods are available to treat symptomatic internal
      hemorrhoids. Because of its low cost, ease of use, low rate of adverse events,
      and relative effectiveness, RBL is currently the most widely used technique.

PMID- 24239255
TI  - ASGE's assessment of competency in endoscopy evaluation tools for colonoscopy and
      EGD.

PMID- 24239257
TI  - The variability of standard artificial soils: behaviour, extractability and
      bioavailability of organic pollutants.
AB  - Artificial soil is an important standard medium and reference material for soil
      ecotoxicity bioassays. Recent studies have documented the significant variability
      of their basic properties among different laboratories. Our study investigated
      (i) the variability of ten artificial soils from different laboratories by means
      of the fate, extractability and bioavailability of phenanthrene and lindane, and
      (ii) the relationships of these results to soil properties and ageing. Soils were
      spiked with (14)C-phenanthrene and (14)C-lindane, and the total residues,
      fractions extractable by hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, and the fractions of
      phenanthrene mineralizable by bacteria were determined after 1, 14, 28 and 56
      days. Significant temporal changes in total residues and extractable and
      mineralizable fractions were observed for phenanthrene, resulting in large
      differences between soils after 56 days. Phenanthrene mineralization by
      indigenous peat microorganisms was suggested as the main driver of that,
      outweighing the effects of organic matter. Lindane total residues and
      extractability displayed much smaller changes over time and smaller differences
      between soils related to organic matter. Roughly estimated, the variability
      between the artificial soils was comparable to natural soils. The implications of
      such variability for the results of toxicity tests and risk assessment decisions
      should be identified. We also suggested that the sterilization of artificial
      soils might reduce unwanted variability. 

PMID- 24239256
TI  - Photocatalytic degradation of trichloroethylene in aqueous phase using nano
      ZNO/Laponite composites.
AB  - The feasibility of nano-ZnO/Laponite composites (NZLc) as a valid alternative to
      TiO2 to mineralize trichloroethylene (TCE) without difficulties for recovery of
      photocatalysts was evaluated. Based on the experimental observations, the removal
      of TCE using NZLc under UV irradiation was multiple reaction processes (i.e.,
      sorption, photolysis, and photocatalysis). Sorption of TCE was thermodynamically
      favorable due to the hydrophobic partitioning into crosslinked poly vinyl
      alcohol, and the adsorption onto high-surface-area mineral surfaces of both ZnO
      and Laponite. The degradation efficiency of TCE can be significantly improved
      using NZLc under UV irradiation, indicating that ZnO-mediated heterogeneous
      photocatalytic degradation occurred. However, the degradation efficiency was
      found to vary with experimental conditions (e.g., initial concentration of TCE,
      loading amount of NZLc, the intensity of light and initial solution pH). Although
      the removal of TCE by NZLc was found to be a complex function of sorption,
      photolysis, and photocatalysis, the photocatalytic degradation of TCE on the
      surface of ZnO was critical. Consequently, developed NZLc can be applied as a
      valid alternative to suspended TiO2 powder, and overcome drawbacks (e.g.,
      filtration and recovery of photocatalysts) in degradation of TCE for various
      water resources.

PMID- 24239258
TI  - Tailoring activated carbons for the development of specific adsorbents of
      gasoline vapors.
AB  - The specific adsorption of oxygenated and aliphatic gasoline components onto
      activated carbons (ACs) was studied under static and dynamic conditions. Ethanol
      and n-octane were selected as target molecules. A highly porous activated carbon
      (CA) was prepared by means of two processes: carbonization and chemical
      activation of olive stone residues. Different types of oxygenated groups,
      identified and quantified by TPD and XPS, were generated on the CA surface using
      an oxidation treatment with ammonium peroxydisulfate and then selectively removed
      by thermal treatments, as confirmed by TPD results. Chemical and porous
      transformations were carefully analyzed throughout these processes and related to
      their VOC removal performance. The analysis of the adsorption process under
      static conditions and the thermal desorption of VOCs enabled us to determine the
      total adsorption capacity and regeneration possibilities. Breakthrough curves
      obtained for the adsorption process carried out under dynamic conditions provided
      information about the mass transfer zone in each adsorption bed. While n-octane
      adsorption is mainly determined by the porosity of activated carbons, ethanol
      adsorption is related to their surface chemistry, and in particular is enhanced
      by the presence of carboxylic acid groups. 

PMID- 24239259
TI  - Environmental risk analysis of hazardous material rail transportation.
AB  - An important aspect of railroad environmental risk management involves tank car
      transportation of hazardous materials. This paper describes a quantitative,
      environmental risk analysis of rail transportation of a group of light, non
      aqueous-phase liquid (LNAPL) chemicals commonly transported by rail in North
      America. The Hazardous Materials Transportation Environmental Consequence Model
      (HMTECM) was used in conjunction with a geographic information system (GIS)
      analysis of environmental characteristics to develop probabilistic estimates of
      exposure to different spill scenarios along the North American rail network. The
      risk analysis incorporated the estimated clean-up cost developed using the
      HMTECM, route-specific probability distributions of soil type and depth to
      groundwater, annual traffic volume, railcar accident rate, and tank car safety
      features, to estimate the nationwide annual risk of transporting each product.
      The annual risk per car-mile (car-km) and per ton-mile (ton-km) was also
      calculated to enable comparison between chemicals and to provide information on
      the risk cost associated with shipments of these products. The analysis and the
      methodology provide a quantitative approach that will enable more effective
      management of the environmental risk of transporting hazardous materials. 

PMID- 24239260
TI  - Exhaust constituent emission factors of printed circuit board pyrolysis processes
      and its exhaust control.
AB  - The printed circuit board (PCB) is an important part of electrical and electronic
      equipment, and its disposal and the recovery of useful materials from waste PCBs
      (WPCBs) are key issues for waste electrical and electronic equipment. Waste PCB
      compositions and their pyrolysis characteristics were analyzed in this study. In
      addition, the volatile organic compound (VOC) exhaust was controlled by an iron
      impregnated alumina oxide catalyst. Results indicated that carbon and oxygen were
      the dominant components (hundreds mg/g) of the raw materials, and other elements
      such as nitrogen, bromine, and copper were several decades mg/g. Exhaust
      constituents of CO, H2, CH4, CO2, and NOx, were 60-115, 0.4-4.0, 1.1-10, 30-95,
      and 0-0.7mg/g, corresponding to temperatures ranging from 200 to 500 degrees C.
      When the pyrolysis temperature was lower than 300 degrees C, aromatics and
      paraffins were the major species, contributing 90% of ozone precursor VOCs, and
      an increase in the pyrolysis temperature corresponded to a decrease in the
      fraction of aromatic emission factors. Methanol, ethylacetate, acetone,
      dichloromethane, tetrachloromethane and acrylonitrile were the main species of
      oxygenated and chlorinated VOCs. The emission factors of some brominated
      compounds, i.e., bromoform, bromophenol, and dibromophenol, were higher at
      temperatures over 400 degrees C. When VOC exhaust was flowed through the bed of
      Fe-impregnated Al2O3, the emission of ozone precursor VOCs could be reduced by 70
      80%. 

PMID- 24239261
TI  - Tenax extraction for exploring rate-limiting factors in methyl-beta-cyclodextrin
      enhanced anaerobic biodegradation of PAHs under denitrifying conditions in a red
      paddy soil.
AB  - The effectiveness of anaerobic bioremediation systems for PAH-contaminated soil
      may be constrained by low contaminants bioaccessibility due to limited aqueous
      solubility and lack of suitable electron acceptors. Information on what is the
      rate-limiting factor in bioremediation process is of vital importance in the
      decision in what measures can be taken to assist the biodegradation efficacy. In
      the present study, four different microcosms were set to study the effect of
      methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MCD) and nitrate addition (N) on PAHs biodegradation
      under anaerobic conditions in a red paddy soil. Meanwhile, sequential Tenax
      extraction combined with a first-three-compartment model was employed to evaluate
      the rate-limiting factors in MCD enhanced anaerobic biodegradation of PAHs.
      Microcosms with both 1% (w/w) MCD and 20mM N addition produced maximum
      biodegradation of total PAHs of up to 61.7%. It appears rate-limiting factors
      vary with microcosms: low activity of degrading microorganisms is the vital rate
      limiting factor for control and MCD addition treatments (CK and M treatments);
      and lack of bioaccessible PAHs is the main rate-limiting factor for nitrate
      addition treatments (N and MN treatments). These results have practical
      implications for site risk assessment and cleanup strategies. 

PMID- 24239262
TI  - Saddle pressure distributions of three saddles used for Icelandic horses and
      their effects on ground reaction forces, limb movements and rider positions at
      walk and tolt.
AB  - Icelandic horse riding practices aim to place the rider further caudally on the
      horse's back than in English riding, claiming that a weight shift toward the
      hindquarters improves the quality of the tolt (e.g. giving the shoulder more
      freedom to move). This study compared saddle pressure patterns and the effects on
      limb kinetics and kinematics of three saddles: an Icelandic saddle (S(Icel),
      lowest point of seat in the hind part of the saddle), a treeless saddle cushion
      (S(Cush)) and a dressage-style saddle (S(Dres)). Twelve Icelandic horses were
      ridden with S(Icel), S(Cush) and S(Dres) on an instrumented treadmill at walk and
      tolt. Saddle pressure, limb forces and kinematics were recorded simultaneously.
      With S(Cush), pressure was highest under the front part of the saddle, whereas
      the saddles with trees had more pressure under the hind area. The saddles had no
      influence on the motion patterns of the limbs. The slight weight shift to the
      rear with S(Cush) and S(Icel) may be explained by the more caudal position of the
      rider relative to the horse's back.

PMID- 24239263
TI  - Does milk yield reflect the level of welfare in dairy herds?
AB  - Under the assumption that milk yield may be reduced in herds with impaired
      welfare, the present study aimed at investigating whether milk yield could be
      used as a reliable indicator of welfare. In 125 commercial French dairy herds,
      the association between the welfare of the herd (evaluated using the Welfare
      Quality assessment protocol) and cow milk yield was investigated using linear
      mixed models. Positive associations were identified between milk yield and low
      aggressions between cows and good emotional state of the herd but there was a
      negative association with good health assessed through the occurrence of diseases
      and injuries. These opposite associations resulted in no association with the
      overall welfare of the herd. Milk yield should not therefore be used as an
      indicator of overall welfare. 

PMID- 24239264
TI  - Signaling interplay between transforming growth factor-beta receptor and PI3K/AKT
      pathways in cancer.
AB  - The transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein
      kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathways are used in cells to control numerous
      responses, including proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. TGF-beta is known
      for its cytostatic effects in premalignant states and its pro-oncogenic activity
      in advanced cancers. The pro-cell survival response exerted by growth-factor
      mediated activation of PI3K/AKT has been linked to stimulation of tumor
      formation. Both TGF-beta receptor and PI3K/AKT pathways were initially modeled as
      linear signaling conduits. Although early studies suggested that these two
      pathways might counteract each other in balancing cell survival, emerging
      evidence has uncovered multiple modes of intricate signal integration and
      obligate collaboration in driving cancer progression. These new insights provide
      the rationale for exploring their dual targeting in cancer. 

PMID- 24239265
TI  - Response to Otranto et al.: Lungworms in domestic and wild felids: dilemmas still
      persisting.

PMID- 24239266
TI  - Role of sulfur assimilation pathway in cadmium hyperaccumulation by Sedum
      alfredii Hance.
AB  - Sedum alfredii Hance is a promising cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulating plant recently
      identified in China. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms
      underlying Cd accumulation, which differentiate hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE)
      from non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE) has not been elucidated yet. A
      hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the role of sulfur
      assimilation pathway in Cd hyperaccumulation by the S. alfredii Hance, by
      analyzing gene expression pattern in sulfur assimilation pathway and the
      concentration of some sulfur containing compounds. The results show that, sulfur
      assimilation pathway was affected by Cd differently in HE and NHE S. alfredii
      Hance. The gene expression pattern of sulfur assimilation pathway was regulated
      differently in HE and NHE plants, especially the nicotianamine synthase (NAS).
      NAS transcript levels in root of HE was 141-fold higher than NHE, while in shoots
      of HE only 0.31-fold higher than NHE. In HE roots, NAS expression level was
      maximum 3171-fold higher than shoots, while in NHE plants roots NAS expression
      level was maximum 45.3-fold higher than shoots. In HE plant roots, sulfur,
      cysteine and methionine concentrations increased 30%, 46% and 835% respectively,
      by Cd treatment, but in NHE plants roots, sulfur concentration increased less
      than 1%, cysteine and methionine concentrations decreased 78.5% and 13.3%
      respectively, by Cd. Cd exposure increased glutathione levels by 142% in HE but
      less than 10% in NHE plant roots. 

PMID- 24239267
TI  - Flurochloridone-based herbicides induced genotoxicity effects on Rhinella
      arenarum tadpoles (Anura: Bufonidae).
AB  - Acute toxicity and genotoxicity of the flurochloridone (FLC)-containing
      commercial formulation herbicides Twin Pack Gold((r)) (25 percent a.i.) and
      Rainbow((r)) (25 percent a.i.) were evaluated on Rhinella arenarum (Anura:
      Bufonidae) tadpoles exposed under laboratory conditions. Lethal effect was
      evaluated as end point for lethality, whereas frequency of micronuclei (MN) and
      single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) were employed as end points for
      genotoxicity. Lethality studies revealed equivalent LC-5096 h values of 2.96 and
      2.85 mg/L for Twin Pack Gold((r)) and Rainbow((r)), respectively. Twin Pack
      Gold((r)) did not induce DNA damage at the chromosomal level, whereas
      Rainbow((r)) increased the frequency of MN only when the lowest concentration
      (0.71 mg/L) was used. However, all concentrations of Twin Pack Gold((r)) and
      Rainbow((r)) increased the frequencies of primary DNA lesions estimated by
      alkaline SCGE. This study represents the first evidence of the acute toxic and
      genotoxic effects exerted by two FLC-based commercial formulations, Twin Pack
      Gold((r)) and Rainbow((r)), on tadpoles of an amphibian species native to
      Argentina under laboratory conditions. Finally, our findings highlight the
      importance of minimizing the impacts on nontarget living species exposed to
      agrochemicals.

PMID- 24239268
TI  - Effect of agro-industrial waste amendment on Cd uptake in Amaranthus caudatus
      grown under contaminated soil: an oxidative biomarker response.
AB  - In the present study phytoavailability of Cd, growth yield, cellular Cd
      accumulation and oxidative stress responses were studied in leafy vegetable
      Amaranthus caudatus under soil amendments. The test plant was cultivated in Cd
      contaminated soil (6 ugCdg(-1) soil) amended with different doses: 0.5, 2, 5 and
      10 percent of rice husk (RH), saw dust (SD), farmyard manure (FYM), farmyard in
      combination with nitrogen, and phosphorus and potassium (FYM+NPK).
      Phytoavailability of Cd in amended soil and cellular Cd accumulation in edible
      parts (shoot) of A. caudatus declined maximally with 5 percent dose of each
      amendment, and decrease in Cd content in tissues was 36, 45, 23 and 14 percent
      under FYM, FYM+NPK, RH and SD amendments, respectively, over the value recorded
      in plants grown in Cd contaminated non-amended soil (Cd(+)NA soil). The shoot
      yield in control plant cultivated in the absence of Cd without amendment (Cd(-)NA
      soil) was 18.1 +/- 0.98 gfwplant(-1) and it was declined up to 50 percent (9.2 +/
      0.80 gfwplant(-1)) when plants were grown in Cd(+)NA soil. Amendments with 5
      percent doses of FYM+NPK and FYM enhanced the yield up to 26.5 +/- 0.57 and 20.5
      +/- 1.00 gfwplant(-1), respectively, which may be correlated with better mineral
      nutrients and organic carbon content in amended soil. RH and SD amendments with
      similar doses improved in yield up to 16.9 +/- 0.43 and 15.2 +/- 0.45 gfwplant(
      1), respectively, however, it was still less than that of control. Further,
      correlation analysis of growth yield, Cd concentration and oxidative stress under
      these conditions suggest that with the decrease in cellular Cd concentration
      following amendment the level of oxidative markers (oxidants: O2(-) and H2O2 and
      lipid peroxidation: malondialdehyde; MDA) declined as a result of significant
      enhancement in the activity of enzymatic antioxidants (peroxidase, ascorbate
      peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, dyhydroascorbe reductase and catalase). Thus,
      the present technique can efficiently reduce the metal load in food chain and
      also increase plant yield, hence it could be applied in catchments area of urban
      cities where metal contamination has become an unavoidable factor.

PMID- 24239269
TI  - Culture-based versus risk-based screening for the prevention of group B
      streptococcal disease in newborns: a review of national guidelines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal colonisation with group B streptococcus (GBS) is recognised
      as the most frequent cause of severe early onset infection in newborns. National
      and international guidelines outline two approaches to the prevention of early
      onset disease in the neonate: risk based management and antenatal culture-based
      screening. We undertook an analysis of existing national and international
      guidelines in relation to GBS in pregnancy using a standardised and validated
      instrument to highlight the different recommended approaches to care. METHODS:
      English language guidelines on the screening and management of GBS colonisation
      in pregnant women and the prevention of early-onset group B streptococcal disease
      in newborns were sought. RESULTS: Four guidelines met the inclusion criteria, one
      from the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada and New
      Zealand. All four were appraised as at a high standard in terms of development
      using the AGREE II tool. Both approaches were recommended in the guidelines with
      different regions of the world advocating different approaches often based on the
      same evidence. Guidelines from the USA recommend an antenatal culture-based
      approach while the UK guidelines recommend risk-based management. CONCLUSION:
      Based on an AGREE II analysis, the standard of the guidelines was high despite
      having disparate recommendations. Both approaches to the prevention of early
      onset GBS infection in neonates are recommended with the split being
      geographically-based.

PMID- 24239270
TI  - Root cause analysis of non-infectious transfusion complications and the lessons
      learnt.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transfusion of blood and blood products can be associated with
      hazards which may be at times fatal. Timely reporting of transfusion reactions is
      imperative for root cause analysis and their prevention in future. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed the transfusion reactions at our institution during last
      seven years. The data was retrieved from our computerized blood bank information
      system and by reviewing the medical charts of patients. The frequency of adverse
      effects, implicated products, wrong blood transfusion and its outcome were
      observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: During study period (2006-2012), a total of
      393,662 blood or blood products were transfused. There were 458 adverse events
      with an estimated rate of 1.16 per 1000 blood products administered. During 2011
      2012, 121 transfusion reactions were reported of 119,921 transfused units. The
      most common adverse effects were allergic reactions (70 episodes of 121 or 57.8%)
      followed by febrile non hemolytic transfusion reactions or FNHTR (43 events of
      121 or 35.5%). Transfusion associated dyspnea, circulatory overload and
      transfusion associated lung injury were less frequent. During the study period,
      142,066 red cell units were transfused with nine recognized ABO-mismatch
      transfusions and two fatalities. The computed incidence of ABO-mismatch
      transfusion was 1 in 15,785 with a mortality rate of 1 in 71,033 units
      transfused. Etiology included: errors in final bed side check (n=5), blood bank
      clerical errors (n=3) and mislabeled tube (n=1). A review of these cases prompted
      hospital transfusion committee for re-enforcing policies and protocols to
      minimize accidental ABO incompatible transfusions. We concluded that urticaria
      and FNHTR are the most frequent transfusion reactions in our setting. ABO
      mismatched blood transfusions are rare but preventable errors and result mainly
      from clerical imprecisions.

PMID- 24239271
TI  - Immediate changes in continuous positive airway pressure after bariatric surgery
      in obese people with obstructive sleep apnoea.

PMID- 24239272
TI  - Oscillococcinum(r): Misunderstanding or biased interest?

PMID- 24239273
TI  - Lobaplatin arrests cell cycle progression, induces apoptosis and alters the
      proteome in human cervical cancer cell Line CaSki.
AB  - Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecologic tumors. There is an upward
      trend in the incidence. The objective of this research was to explore the effect
      of lobaplatin on cervical cancer CaSki cells proliferation, cell cycle and
      apoptosis and analysis of the differential expressed proteins of CaSki cells
      after exposed to lobaplatin. Our findings have shown that lobaplatin inhibits
      cell proliferations in human cervical cancer CaSki cells in dose- and time
      dependent manner. Flow cytometry assay confirmed that lobaplatin affected
      cervical cancer cell survival by blocking cell cycle progression in S phase and
      G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent manner. Lobaplatin
      treatment reduced polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 2, ribose-phosphate
      pyrophosphokinase, hypothetical protein, terminal uridylyltransferase 7,
      ubiquitin specific protease 16 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1
      expression and increase zinc finger protein 91, zinc finger protein, C-X-C motif
      chemokine 10 precursor, stromal cell protein and laminin subunit alpha-4
      expression. Some of the differentially expressed proteins may be associated with
      antitumor effect of lobaplatin. Lobaplatin showed a good antitumour activity in
      in vitro models of human cervical cancer cells. These results indicate that
      lobaplatin could be an effective chemotherapeutic agent in human cervical cancer
      treatment by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and changing many kinds of
      protein molecule expression level. 

PMID- 24239274
TI  - Analysis of rhizobial strains nodulating Phaseolus vulgaris from Hispaniola
      Island, a geographic bridge between Meso and South America and the first
      historical link with Europe.
AB  - Hispaniola Island was the first stopover in the travels of Columbus between
      America and Spain, and played a crucial role in the exchange of Phaseolus
      vulgaris seeds and their endosymbionts. The analysis of recA and atpD genes from
      strains nodulating this legume in coastal and inner regions of Hispaniola Island
      showed that they were almost identical to those of the American strains CIAT 652,
      Ch24-10 and CNPAF512, which were initially named as Rhizobium etli and have been
      recently reclassified into Rhizobium phaseoli after the analysis of their
      genomes. Therefore, the species R. phaseoli is more abundant in America than
      previously thought, and since the proposal of the American origin of R. etli was
      based on the analysis of several strains that are currently known to be R.
      phaseoli, it can be concluded that both species have an American origin
      coevolving with their host in its distribution centres. The analysis of the
      symbiovar phaseoli nodC gene alleles carried by different species isolated in
      American and European countries suggested a Mesoamerican origin of the alpha
      allele and an Andean origin of the gamma allele, which is supported by the
      dominance of this latter allele in Europe where mostly Andean cultivars of common
      beans have been traditionally cultivated. 

PMID- 24239275
TI  - Duodenum: MDCT of acute conditions.
AB  - Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the technique of choice for
      evaluating patients with acute abdominal pain. As the jejunum, ileum, and colon
      comprise the majority of the gastrointestinal tract, radiologists may potentially
      neglect the duodenum. However, the duodenum is a complex structure that can be
      affected by both intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal processes due to its central
      location and proximity to numerous upper abdominal structures. In this review,
      the MDCT findings of various congenital, inflammatory, traumatic, infectious,
      vascular, and miscellaneous conditions that affect the duodenum are discussed. 

PMID- 24239276
TI  - Current cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for subacute stent
      thrombosis in acute myocardial infarction patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is prevalent and has serious
      consequences including re-infarction and death. Cigarette smoking is a coronary
      risk factor for AMI, although a "smoker's paradox" for AMI has been reported in
      Western countries. On the other hand, some researchers have reported that smoking
      is associated with subacute stent thrombosis (SAST) after AMI. However, the
      occurrence of this condition is not well documented in Japan. The aim of this
      study was to clarify how prior smoking status may affect prognosis, including
      SAST, in Japanese patients with AMI. METHODS: A total of 266 consecutive patients
      with AMI were enrolled retrospectively in the study if they had undergone
      emergency coronary intervention (bare metal stent) within 24h of symptom onset,
      and had a 5-10 month follow-up examination. The patients were divided into three
      groups based on their cigarette smoking status (non-smokers, past smokers, and
      current smokers). RESULTS: Current smokers were significantly younger than the
      other two groups, although their levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol
      and triglyceride were significantly higher. White blood cell count and hemoglobin
      level on admission were also significantly higher in current smokers compared
      with the other two groups. The incidence of SAST was significantly higher in
      current smokers than in the other groups, although the occurrence of heart
      failure after AMI was similar in the three groups. On the other hand, improvement
      in left ventricular ejection fraction was observed in non-smokers and past
      smokers, but not in current smokers. Multiple logistic analysis revealed that
      current smoking was an independent risk factor for SAST (odds ratio 5.4; p<0.05).
      Current smokers were about five times more likely to have a SAST compared with
      non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that current cigarette smoking
      predicts SAST after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for AMI in
      Japanese patients.

PMID- 24239277
TI  - Polystyrene films as barrier layers for corrosion protection of copper and copper
      alloys.
AB  - Dip-coated polystyrene layers of sub-micrometre thickness (85-500nm) have been
      applied on copper and copper alloys (aluminium brass, copper-nickel 70/30), as
      well as on stainless steel 304, and produced an effective barrier against
      corrosion and adhesion of corrosion-relevant microorganisms. According to the
      dynamic wettability measurements, the coatings exhibited high advancing (103
      degrees ), receding (79 degrees ) and equilibrium (87 degrees ) contact angles,
      low contact angle hysteresis (6 degrees ) and surface free energy (31mJ/m(2)).
      The corrosion rate of copper-nickel 70/30 alloy samples in 3.5% NaCl was as low
      as 3.2MUm/a (44% of that of the uncoated samples), and in artificial seawater was
      only 0.9MUm/a (29% of that of the uncoated samples). Cell adhesion was studied by
      fluorescence microscopy, using monoculture of Desulfovibrio alaskensis. The
      coatings not only decreased the corrosion rate but also markedly reduced the
      number of bacterial cells adhered to the coated surfaces. The PS coating on
      copper gave the best result, 2*10(3)cells/cm(2) (1% of that of the uncoated
      control). 

PMID- 24239278
TI  - p27 and BCL2 expression predicts response to chemotherapy in head and neck
      squamous cell carcinomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are characterized by
      marked heterogeneity in their biological behavior and response to treatment. Our
      goal was the identification of biomarkers that can be used to predict response to
      chemotherapy in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of EGFR,
      p53, Cyclin D1, p16, p21, p27, p-AKT, HIF-1alpha, Caspase 3 and BCL2 was analyzed
      by immunohistochemistry in 41 primary laryngeal/hypopharyngeal squamous cell
      carcinomas of patients that received induction chemotherapy (cisplatin and 5
      fluorouracil) as part of their treatment. RESULTS: Positive expression of p27 and
      BCL2 had a significant predictive value for chemotherapy response in univariate
      analysis. The combination of both proteins was not superior in predicting the
      response to chemotherapy. Furthermore, p27 expression was the only significant
      predictor of chemotherapy response in multivariate analysis (P=0.015).
      CONCLUSION: p27 Expression may serve as predictive biomarker of response to
      induction chemotherapy in HNSCC patients.

PMID- 24239279
TI  - Associations of oral health items of the Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey
      with a dental health assessment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey (VHNSS) version 2.0 oral
      symptom subscale addresses underreported oral health issues. We report the
      associations of xerostomia, dental health, dentures and trismus questions with
      oral examination findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2011 and April
      2012, fifty head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with chemoradiotherapy
      completed the 50-item VHNSS survey, an oral health assessment by a dentist,
      salivary flow, and inter-incisal opening (IIO) measurements. RESULTS: Patient
      reported "problems with dry mouth" correlated with unstimulated salivary flow (
      0.43, p=0.002). "Cracked teeth" (0.55, p=<0.001) or "difficulty chewing due to
      teeth" (0.43, p=0.004) correlated with urgent/emergent dental issues identified
      on clinical exam. Scores of >4 on any dental question identified 83% of patients
      with urgent or emergent needs. The ROC curve separated routine from
      urgent/emergent dental issues (0.89, p<0.001). IIO correlated with reported jaw
      movement "limitations" (-0.43, p=0.002). Small numbers of patients with dentures
      precluded meaningful analysis of this subsample. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically
      significant oral health issues pertaining to xerostomia, dental health and
      trismus may be identified using the oral health subscale of the VHNSS version
      2.0. MASCC guidelines should be followed by patients with xerostomia. The
      observation that a score of >4 is highly predictive of dental issues is important
      and needs further validation. If confirmed, this would be a useful screening tool
      for identifying and referring HNC patients for dental care. Patients with trismus
      should receive physical therapy.

PMID- 24239280
TI  - Pioglitazone and oral cancer risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pioglitazone has shown an inhibitory effect on the growth of cell
      lines derived from human salivary gland and human oral squamous cell carcinoma.
      However, whether this effect can be applied to patients with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus who use pioglitazone for glycemic control remains unanswered. METHODS:
      The reimbursement records of all Taiwanese diabetic patients under treatment with
      oral anti-diabetic agents or insulin from 1996 to 2009 were retrieved from the
      National Health Insurance database. The entry date was set at 1 January 2006 and
      a total of 1,093,391 patients with type 2 diabetes were followed up for oral
      cancer incidence till the end of 2009. Incidences for ever-users, never-users and
      subgroups of pioglitazone dose-responsive exposure (using the parameters of time
      since starting pioglitazone, duration of therapy and cumulative dose) were
      calculated and hazard ratios estimated by Cox regression. RESULTS: There were
      58,238 ever-users and 1,035,153 never-users, with respective numbers of incident
      oral cancer of 201 (0.35%) and 4168 (0.40%), and respective incidences of 94.26
      and 114.24 per 100,000 person-years. The overall hazard ratios (95% confidence
      intervals) did show a significantly lower risk in unadjusted [0.832 (0.722
      0.958)] and age-sex-adjusted [0.866 (0.752-0.998)] models. However, the
      multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) was not
      significant: 0.992 (0.857-1.148). Although significant P-trends for the dose
      response parameters could be observed in some of the unadjusted and age-sex
      adjusted models, none was significant in the multivariable-adjusted models.
      CONCLUSIONS: Pioglitazone has a null association with oral cancer after
      adjustment for potential confounders.

PMID- 24239282
TI  - Ongoing outbreak of multiple blood-borne infections in injecting drug users in
      Romania.

PMID- 24239281
TI  - Identifying environmental health priorities in underserved populations: a study
      of rural versus urban communities.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Understanding and effectively addressing persistent health
      disparities in minority communities requires a clear picture of members' concerns
      and priorities. This study was intended to engage residents in urban and rural
      communities in order to identify environmental health priorities. Specific
      emphasis was placed on how the communities: defined the term environment; their
      perceptions of environmental exposures as affecting their health; specific
      priorities in their communities; and differences in urban versus rural
      populations. STUDY DESIGN: A community-engaged approach was used to develop and
      implement focus groups and compare environmental health priorities in urban
      versus rural communities. METHODS: A total of eight focus groups were conducted:
      four in rural and four in urban communities. Topics included: defining the term
      environment; how the environment may affect health; and environmental priorities
      within their communities, using both open discussion and a predefined list. Data
      were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively to identify patterns and
      trends. RESULTS: There were important areas of overlap in priorities between
      urban and rural communities; both emphasized the importance of the social
      environment and shared a concern over air pollution from industrial sources. In
      contrast, for urban focus groups, abandoned houses and their social and physical
      sequelae were a high priority while concerns about adequate sewer and water
      services and road maintenance were high priorities in rural communities.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study was able to identify environmental health priorities in
      urban versus rural minority communities. In contrast to some previous risk
      perception research, the results of this study suggest prioritization of
      tangible, known risks in everyday life instead of rare, disaster-related events,
      even in communities that have recently experienced devastating damage from
      tornadoes. The findings can help inform future efforts to study, understand and
      effectively address environmental issues, and are particularly relevant to
      developing effective community-based strategies in vulnerable populations.

PMID- 24239283
TI  - The genetic overlap between schizophrenia and height.
AB  - Epidemiological studies suggest that height and schizophrenia risk are inversely
      correlated. These findings might arise because i) height and schizophrenia share
      genetic variants and ii) the effects of these shared variants are in opposite
      direction for the two traits. We use genome wide association data to empirically
      evaluate these hypotheses. We find that variants which impact on height and risk
      for schizophrenia are distributed across several genomic regions and the
      directions of effect vary, some consistent and others inconsistent with the
      direction expected from the phenotypic data. Moreover, signals that were in and
      not in accord with the phenotypic data aggregated in distinct biological
      pathways. 

PMID- 24239284
TI  - The let-7/LIN-41 pathway regulates reprogramming to human induced pluripotent
      stem cells by controlling expression of prodifferentiation genes.
AB  - Reprogramming differentiated cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
      promotes a broad array of cellular changes. Here we show that the let-7 family of
      microRNAs acts as an inhibitory influence on the reprogramming process through a
      regulatory pathway involving prodifferentiation factors, including EGR1.
      Inhibiting let-7 in human cells promotes reprogramming to a comparable extent to
      c-MYC when combined with OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4, and persistence of let-7 inhibits
      reprogramming. Inhibiting let-7 during reprogramming leads to an increase in the
      level of the let-7 target LIN-41/TRIM71, which in turn promotes reprogramming and
      is important for overcoming the let-7 barrier to reprogramming. Mechanistic
      studies revealed that LIN-41 regulates a broad array of differentiation genes,
      and more specifically, inhibits translation of EGR1 through binding its cognate
      mRNA. Together our findings outline a let-7-based pathway that counteracts the
      activity of reprogramming factors through promoting the expression of
      prodifferentiation genes.

PMID- 24239285
TI  - Polycomb repressive complex 2 regulates normal hematopoietic stem cell function
      in a developmental-stage-specific manner.
AB  - Recent studies point to a pivotal role of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in
      stem cell function and cancer. Loss-of-function approaches targeting individual
      PRC2 subunits have, however, generated findings that are difficult to reconcile.
      Here, we prevent assembly of both Ezh1- and Ezh2-containing PRC2 complexes by
      conditional deletion of Eed, a core subunit, and assess hematopoiesis. We find
      that deletion of Eed exhausts adult bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs),
      although fetal liver HSCs are produced in normal numbers. Eed-null neonatal HSCs
      express HSC signature genes but are defective in maintenance and differentiation.
      Comparative gene expression profiling revealed that neonatal and adult HSCs
      lacking Eed upregulated gene sets of conflicting pathways. Deletion of Cdkn2a, a
      PRC2 target gene, in Eed-null mice enhances hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell
      (HSPC) survival but fails to restore HSC functions. Taken together, our findings
      define developmental-stage-specific requirements for canonical PRC2 complexes in
      normal HSC function.

PMID- 24239286
TI  - Prevalence of and risk factors for substance use among perinatally human
      immunodeficiency virus-infected and perinatally exposed but uninfected youth.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study examined risk factors associated with recent substance use
      (SU) among perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected (PHIV+) and
      perinatally exposed, uninfected (PHEU) youth and compared SU lifetime prevalence
      with the general population of United States (U.S.) adolescents. METHODS: We
      conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of 511 PHIV+ and PHEU youth
      (mean age at study entry, 13.2 years; 51% female; 69% PHIV+; and 72% African
      American) enrolled in a U.S. multisite prospective cohort study between 2007 and
      2009. Substance use data were collected by audio computer-assisted self
      interview. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and Monitoring the Future data
      were used to compare SU lifetime prevalence with U.S. samples. RESULTS: Perinatal
      HIV infection was not a statistically significant risk factor for alcohol or
      marijuana use. Risk factors for alcohol use among PHIV+ youth included higher
      severity of emotional and conduct problems and alcohol and marijuana use in the
      home by the caregiver or others. Risk factors for marijuana use among PHIV+ youth
      included marijuana use in the home, higher severity of conduct problems, and
      stressful life events. Similar SU risk factors among PHEU youth included SU in
      the home and higher severity of conduct and emotional problems. Overall lifetime
      prevalence of SU by age was similar to that in national surveys. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although SU lifetime prevalence and risk factors for PHIV+ and PHEU adolescents
      were similar to national norms, the negative consequences are potentially greater
      for PHIV+ youth. Prevention efforts should begin before SU initiation and address
      the family and social environment and youth mental health status.

PMID- 24239287
TI  - Unique obstacle race injuries at an extreme sports event: a case series.
AB  - Obstacle course endurance events are becoming more common. Appropriate
      preparedness for the volume and unique types of injury patterns, as well as the
      effect on public health these events may cause, has yet to be reported in
      emergency literature. We describe 5 patients who presented with diverse injuries
      to illustrate the variety of injuries sustained in this competitive event. In
      particular, 4 of the patients had a history of contact with electrical discharge,
      an obstacle distinctive to the Tough Mudder experience. 

PMID- 24239288
TI  - TopBP1 controls BLM protein level to maintain genome stability.
AB  - Human TopBP1 is a key mediator protein involved in DNA replication checkpoint
      control. In this study, we report a specific interaction between TopBP1 and Bloom
      syndrome helicase (BLM) that is phosphorylation and cell-cycle dependent.
      Interestingly, TopBP1 depletion led to decreased BLM protein level and increased
      sister chromatid exchange (SCE). Moreover, our data indicated that BLM was
      ubiquitinated by E3 ligase MIB1 and degraded in G1 cells but was stabilized by
      TopBP1 in S phase cells. Depletion of MIB1 restored BLM protein level and rescued
      the elevated SCE phenotype in TopBP1-depleted cells. In addition, cells
      expressing an undegradable BLM mutant showed radiation sensitivity, probably by
      triggering end resection and inhibiting the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ)
      pathway in G1 phase. Altogether, these data suggest that, although BLM is
      downregulated in G1 phase in order to promote NHEJ-mediated DNA repair, it is
      stabilized by TopBP1 in S phase cells in order to suppress SCE and thereby
      prevent genomic instability.

PMID- 24239290
TI  - Autoadaptive ER-associated degradation defines a preemptive unfolded protein
      response pathway.
AB  - Folding-defective proteins must be cleared efficiently from the endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) to prevent perturbation of the folding environment and to maintain
      cellular proteostasis. Misfolded proteins engage dislocation machineries
      (dislocons) built around E3 ubiquitin ligases that promote their transport across
      the ER membrane, their polyubiquitylation, and their proteasomal degradation.
      Here, we report on the intrinsic instability of the HRD1 dislocon and the
      constitutive, rapid turnover of the scaffold protein HERP. We show that HRD1
      dislocon integrity relies on the presence of HRD1 clients that interrupt, in a
      dose-dependent manner, the UBC6e/RNF5/p97/proteasome-controlled relay that
      controls HERP turnover. We propose that ER-associated degradation (ERAD) deploys
      autoadaptive regulatory pathways, collectively defined as ERAD tuning, to rapidly
      adapt degradation activity to misfolded protein load and to preempt the unfolded
      protein response (UPR) activation.

PMID- 24239289
TI  - Regulation of gene expression by macrolide-induced ribosomal frameshifting.
AB  - The expression of many genes is controlled by upstream ORFs (uORFs). Typically,
      the progression of the ribosome through a regulatory uORF, which depends on the
      physiological state of the cell, influences the expression of the downstream
      gene. In the classic mechanism of induction of macrolide resistance genes,
      antibiotics promote translation arrest within the uORF, and the static ribosome
      induces a conformational change in mRNA, resulting in the activation of
      translation of the resistance cistron. We show that ketolide antibiotics, which
      do not induce ribosome stalling at the uORF of the ermC resistance gene, trigger
      its expression via a unique mechanism. Ketolides promote frameshifting at the
      uORF, allowing the translating ribosome to invade the intergenic spacer. The
      dynamic unfolding of the mRNA structure leads to the activation of resistance.
      Conceptually similar mechanisms may control other cellular genes. The identified
      property of ketolides to reduce the fidelity of reading frame maintenance may
      have medical implications.

PMID- 24239291
TI  - A bacterial toxin inhibits DNA replication elongation through a direct
      interaction with the beta sliding clamp.
AB  - Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are ubiquitous on bacterial chromosomes, yet the
      mechanisms regulating their activity and the molecular targets of toxins remain
      incompletely defined. Here, we identify SocAB, an atypical TA system in
      Caulobacter crescentus. Unlike canonical TA systems, the toxin SocB is unstable
      and constitutively degraded by the protease ClpXP; this degradation requires the
      antitoxin, SocA, as a proteolytic adaptor. We find that the toxin, SocB, blocks
      replication elongation through an interaction with the sliding clamp, driving
      replication fork collapse. Mutations that suppress SocB toxicity map to either
      the hydrophobic cleft on the clamp that binds DNA polymerase III or a clamp
      binding motif in SocB. Our findings suggest that SocB disrupts replication by
      outcompeting other clamp-binding proteins. Collectively, our results expand the
      diversity of mechanisms employed by TA systems to regulate toxin activity and
      inhibit bacterial growth, and they suggest that inhibiting clamp function may be
      a generalizable antibacterial strategy.

PMID- 24239292
TI  - Regulation of heterochromatin transcription by Snail1/LOXL2 during epithelial-to
      mesenchymal transition.
AB  - Although heterochromatin is enriched with repressive traits, it is also actively
      transcribed, giving rise to large amounts of noncoding RNAs. Although these RNAs
      are responsible for the formation and maintenance of heterochromatin, little is
      known about how their transcription is regulated. Here, we show that the Snail1
      transcription factor represses mouse pericentromeric transcription, acting
      through the H3K4 deaminase LOXL2. Since Snail1 plays a key role in the epithelial
      to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), we analyzed the regulation of heterochromatin
      transcription in this process. At the onset of EMT, one of the major structural
      heterochromatin proteins, HP1alpha, is transiently released from heterochromatin
      foci in a Snail1/LOXL2-dependent manner, concomitantly with a downregulation of
      major satellite transcription. Moreover, preventing the downregulation of major
      satellite transcripts compromised the migratory and invasive behavior of
      mesenchymal cells. We propose that Snail1 regulates heterochromatin transcription
      through LOXL2, thus creating the favorable transcriptional state necessary for
      completing EMT.

PMID- 24239293
TI  - Rrp5 binding at multiple sites coordinates pre-rRNA processing and assembly.
AB  - In vivo UV crosslinking identified numerous preribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) binding
      sites for the large, highly conserved ribosome synthesis factor Rrp5.
      Intramolecular complementation has shown that the C-terminal domain (CTD) of Rrp5
      is required for pre-rRNA cleavage at sites A0-A2 on the pathway of 18S rRNA
      synthesis, whereas the N-terminal domain (NTD) is required for A3 cleavage on the
      pathway of 5.8S/25S rRNA synthesis. The CTD was crosslinked to sequences flanking
      A2 and to the snoRNAs U3, U14, snR30, and snR10, which are required for cleavage
      at A0-A2. The NTD was crosslinked to sequences flanking A3 and to the RNA
      component of ribonuclease MRP, which cleaves site A3. Rrp5 could also be directly
      crosslinked to several large structural proteins and nucleoside triphosphatases.
      A key role in coordinating preribosomal assembly and processing was confirmed by
      chromatin spreads. Following depletion of Rrp5, cotranscriptional cleavage was
      lost and preribosome compaction greatly reduced.

PMID- 24239294
TI  - Investigation of the actin scavenging system in pre-eclampsia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cell injury releases actin, the most abundant cell protein. Gelsolin
      and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) together depolymerise and clear cell-free
      actin. Impaired actin clearance is associated with several diseases and
      correlates with clinical outcome. The actin scavenging system was investigated in
      pre-eclampsia (PE), a procoagulant and proinflammatory state with placental and
      vascular damage. STUDY DESIGN: Plasma gelsolin and actin free VDBP (AFVDBP) were
      measured in PE (early onset <33weeks; late onset >=36weeks), matched normal
      pregnant (normP) and non-pregnant (nonPr) women, using commercially available
      ELISAs. Longitudinal samples from normP and women who subsequently developed PE
      were also analysed. RESULTS: Plasma gelsolin fell during pregnancy (p=0.0002),
      with a concomitant rise in actin-free VDBP (p<0.001). Gelsolin concentrations
      were only significantly lower in established PE (p<0.05) when compared to non
      pregnant controls. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that the components of the actin
      clearance system, gelsolin and AFVDBP, are altered in normal pregnancy and
      further changes occur in established PE, suggesting depleted actin clearance in
      PE. Whether this is a cause or consequence of PE pathophysiology requires further
      investigation.

PMID- 24239295
TI  - Ability of an orally administered lactobacilli preparation to improve the quality
      of the neovaginal microflora in male to female transsexual women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Lactobacilli have been found in the neovagina of very low numbers of
      transsexual women. We undertook this study to determine whether an orally
      administered preparation of four lactobacilli strains exerts some measurable
      effect on the neovaginal microflora of female transsexuals. STUDY DESIGN: 60 male
      to female transsexual women with penile linked neovagina were randomised into two
      groups. Women in the intervention group (n=33) received oral probiotic capsules
      and women in the control group (n=27) placebo in for 7 days. Swabs of the
      neovagina were taken before and after the therapy. RESULTS: Comparing the first
      and second swabs, we observed a significant improvement of the Nugent score in
      the intervention group 16 (48.5%) vs. low improvement in control group 4 (14.8%)
      (p<0.006). The neovaginal microflora was significantly enriched with lactobacilli
      after oral supplementation compared to placebo. In the intervention group, an
      increase by 10,000+/-600 colony forming units (CFU) of presumptive lactobacilli
      was observed, compared with an increase by 1600+/-100CFU in the control group
      (p<0.0001). When measured by real-time PCR (c/ml), lactobacilli increased by
      1400+/-100c/ml in the intervention group and 300+/-100c/ml in the control group
      (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: There was an improvement of vaginal lactobacilli
      microflora after of oral supplementation with lactobacilli strains in transsexual
      women.

PMID- 24239296
TI  - Robust information gain based fuzzy c-means clustering and classification of
      carotid artery ultrasound images.
AB  - In this paper, a robust method is proposed for segmentation of medical images by
      exploiting the concept of information gain. Medical images contain inherent noise
      due to imaging equipment, operating environment and patient movement during image
      acquisition. A robust medical image segmentation technique is thus inevitable for
      accurate results in subsequent stages. The clustering technique proposed in this
      work updates fuzzy membership values and cluster centroids based on information
      gain computed from the local neighborhood of a pixel. The proposed approach is
      less sensitive to noise and produces homogeneous clustering. Experiments are
      performed on medical and non-medical images and results are compared with state
      of the art segmentation approaches. Analysis of visual and quantitative results
      verifies that the proposed approach outperforms other techniques both on noisy
      and noise free images. Furthermore, the proposed technique is used to segment a
      dataset of 300 real carotid artery ultrasound images. A decision system for
      plaque detection in the carotid artery is then proposed. Intima media thickness
      (IMT) is measured from the segmented images produced by the proposed approach. A
      feature vector based on IMT values is constructed for making decision about the
      presence of plaque in carotid artery using probabilistic neural network (PNN).
      The proposed decision system detects plaque in carotid artery images with high
      accuracy. Finally, effect of the proposed segmentation technique has also been
      investigated on classification of carotid artery ultrasound images. 

PMID- 24239297
TI  - A conceptual definition of quality of life with a left ventricular assist device:
      results from a qualitative study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a conceptual definition of quality of life (QoL) with a
      left ventricular assist device (LVAD). BACKGROUND: Conceptual and operational
      definitions of QoL with an LVAD are lacking. METHODS: A grounded theory method
      was used. Adult, outpatient LVAD recipients (n = 11) participated twice in
      individual or paired interviews. RESULTS: A conceptual definition of QoL while
      living with an LVAD was established as: "Being well enough to do and enjoy day-to
      day activities that are important to me." Participants described 5 important life
      domains consistent with QoL literature: physical, emotional, social, cognitive,
      and spiritual/meaning. However, participants identified unique concerns not
      addressed by generic or heart failure disease specific measures typically used in
      the LVAD population. CONCLUSION: Existing generic and heart-failure specific QoL
      measures are not adequate for understanding QoL among LVAD patients. Cognition
      and spiritual/meaning domains were significant; these need inclusion for
      comprehensive QoL assessment in the LVAD population.

PMID- 24239298
TI  - Responses to noxious stimuli in sedated mechanically ventilated adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of sedation on physiologic responses and
      comfort before, during and after a noxious stimulus (endotracheal tube
      suctioning). METHODS: The sample was a subset of a larger, longitudinal
      descriptive study, blood for endorphins and saliva for alpha-amylase were
      obtained before and after suctioning. Heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR),
      oxygen saturation (SPO2), and arm and leg actigraphy were continuously recorded.
      RESULTS: 67 subjects from medical and surgical ICUs were primarily deeply (37%)
      or mildly sedated (54%) prior to suctioning. Alpha-amylase increased post
      suctioning (p = 0.04); endorphins did not change (p = 0.58). Neither were
      modified by sedation. There were no changes in HR, RR or SPO2 post suctioning.
      Arm (p = 0.007) and leg actigraphy (p = 0.057) changed from baseline and depended
      on sedation level (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: While a stress marker did increase
      during suctioning, only the measure of patient arm movement was significantly
      affected by sedation level.

PMID- 24239299
TI  - Implementing selective digestive tract decontamination in the intensive care
      unit: A qualitative analysis of nurse-identified considerations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe factors senior critical care nurses identify as being
      important to address when introducing selective digestive tract decontamination
      (SDD) in the clinical setting. BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients are at risk of
      developing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). SDD is one strategy shown to
      prevent VAP and possibly improve survival in the critically ill. METHODS: We
      performed a secondary analysis of qualitative data obtained from 20 interviews.
      An inductive thematic analysis approach was applied to data obtained from senior
      critical care nurses during phase two of a multi-methods study. RESULTS: There
      were four primary considerations identified that should be addressed or
      considered prior to implementation of SDD. These considerations included
      education of health care professionals, patient comfort, compatibility of SDD
      with existing practices, and cost. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a lack of experience
      with, or knowledge of SDD, nurses were able to articulate factors that may
      influence its implementation and delivery. Organizations or researchers
      considering implementation of SDD should include nurses as key members of the
      implementation team.

PMID- 24239300
TI  - Acute epigastric and low back pain during amiodarone infusion; is it the drug or
      the vehicle to blame?
AB  - Amiodarone is a Class III antiarrhythmic agent used for cardioversion and
      prevention of recurrences of atrial fibrillation. However, its use is limited due
      to its side-effects resulting from the drug's long-term administration. We have
      described acute epigastric pain following treatment with intravenous amiodarone
      for atrial fibrillation in a previous report. Hereby, we describe a second
      patient who suffered acute epigastric pain, as well as one who suffered acute low
      back pain. Intravenous amiodarone has been related to a series of minor and major
      adverse reactions, indicating other constituents of the intravenous solution as
      the possible cause, possibly polysorbate-80. A possible correlation between acute
      epigastric and low back pain after intravenous amiodarone loading is unproven;
      however it is of crucial importance for clinicians to be aware of this
      phenomenon, and especially since an acute epigastric pain is implicated in the
      differential diagnosis of cardiac ischemia. 

PMID- 24239301
TI  - An ectopic approach for engineering a vascularized tracheal substitute.
AB  - Tissue engineering can provide alternatives to current methods for tracheal
      reconstruction. Here we describe an approach for ectopic engineering of
      vascularized trachea based on the implantation of co-cultured scaffolds
      surrounded by a muscle flap. Poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) or
      poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were seeded with chondrocytes, bone
      marrow stem cells and co-cultured both cells respectively (8 groups), wrapped in
      a pedicled muscle flap, placed as an ectopic culture on the abdominal wall of
      rabbits (n = 24), and harvested after two and four weeks. Analysis of the
      biochemical and mechanical properties demonstrated that the PCL scaffold with co
      culture cells seeding displayed the optimal chondrogenesis with adequate rigidity
      to maintain the cylindrical shape and luminal patency. Histological analysis
      confirmed that cartilage formed in the co-culture groups contained a more
      homogeneous and higher extracellular matrix content. The luminal surfaces
      appeared to support adequate epithelialization due to the formation of
      vascularized capsular tissue. A prefabricated neo-trachea was transferred to the
      defect as a tracheal replacement and yielded satisfactory results. These
      encouraging results indicate that our co-culture approach may enable the
      development of a clinically applicable neo-trachea. 

PMID- 24239302
TI  - Polyion complex micellar nanoparticles for integrated fluorometric detection and
      bacteria inhibition in aqueous media.
AB  - The development of portable and inexpensive detection methods can significantly
      contribute to the prevention of water-borne infectious diseases caused by
      pathogenic bacteria. Here we designed a nanosystem capable of both bacterial
      detection and inhibition, where polyion complex (PIC) micelles are constructed
      from negatively-charged tetraphenylethylene (TPE) sulfonate derivatives, which
      exhibit the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature, and cationic diblock
      copolymers, poly(ethylene oxide)-b-quaternized poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl
      methacrylate) (PEO-b-PQDMA). Upon contacting with bacteria, the PIC nanosystem
      disintegrates presumably due to competitive binding of polycation blocks with
      negatively-charged bacterial surfaces. This process is accompanied by a
      conspicuous quenching of TPE fluorescence emission, serving as a real-time module
      for microbial detection. Furthermore, the sharp decrease in CFU is indicative of
      prominent anti-microbial activities. Thus, PIC micelles possess dual functions of
      fluorometric detection and inhibition for bacteria in aqueous media. By tuning
      the charge density of TPE sulfonate derivatives and chain length of cationic
      PQDMA blocks, optimal performance against Gram-negative Escherichia coli has been
      achieved with a detection limit of 5.5 * 10(4) CFU/mL and minimum inhibitory
      concentration (MIC) of 19.7 MUg/mL. Tests against Gram-positive Staphylococcus
      aureus were also conducted to demonstrate versatility of the nanosystem.

PMID- 24239303
TI  - Multiple conformational selection and induced fit events take place in allosteric
      propagation.
AB  - The fact that we observe a single conformational selection event during binding
      does not necessarily mean that only a single conformational selection event takes
      place, even though this is the common assumption. Here we suggest that
      conformational selection takes place not once in a given binding/allosteric
      event, but at every step along the allosteric pathway. This view generalizes
      conformational selection and makes it applicable also to other allosteric events,
      such as post-translational modifications (PTMs) and photon absorption. Similar to
      binding, at each step along a propagation pathway, conformational selection is
      coupled with induced fit which optimizes the interactions. Thus, as in binding,
      the allosteric effects induced by PTMs and light relate not only to population
      shift; but to conformational selection as well. Conformational selection and
      population shift take place conjointly. 

PMID- 24239304
TI  - Inter-rater reliability of the GNRB(r) knee arthrometer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In clinical settings, where arthrometers are mainly used by different
      clinicians, knowing the inter-rater reliability of the instrument is crucial in
      order for the results from different examiners to be accurately interpreted and
      limitations fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inter
      rater reliability of the GNRB(r) knee arthrometer. METHODS: Knee anterior laxity
      in both knees was tested in a group of young, uninjured subjects (N=27, 13
      females) by two examiners. Knee anterior laxity was calculated at test forces of
      134 N and 250 N with values presented for the unstandardised and standardised
      conditions (relative to patellar stabilisation force). RESULTS: The ICCs ranged
      from 0.220 to 0.424. CONCLUSIONS: The inter-rater reliability of the GNRB(r) knee
      arthrometer is low.

PMID- 24239305
TI  - Emergency room visits and readmissions after pediatric urologic surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Reducing readmissions has become a focal point to increase quality of
      care while reducing costs. We report all-cause unplanned return visits following
      urologic surgery in children at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children
      undergoing urology procedures with returns within 30 days of surgery were
      identified. Patient demographics, insurance status, type of surgery, and reason
      for return were assessed. RESULTS: Four thousand and ninety-seven pediatric
      urology surgeries were performed at our institution during 2012, with 106
      documented unplanned returns (2.59%). Mean time from discharge to return was 5.9
      +/- 4.9 days (range, 0.3-24.8 days). Returns were classified by chief complaint,
      including pain (32), infection (30), volume status (14), bleeding (11), catheter
      concern (8), and other (11). Circumcision, hypospadias repair, and
      inguinal/scrotal procedures led to the majority of return visits, accounting for
      21.7%, 20.7%, and 18.9% of returns, respectively. Twenty-two returns (20.75%)
      resulted in hospital readmission and five (4.72%) required a secondary procedure.
      Overall readmission rate was 0.54%, with a reoperation rate of 0.12%.
      CONCLUSIONS: The rate of unplanned postoperative returns in the pediatric
      population undergoing urologic surgery is low, further strengthening the argument
      that readmission rates in children are not necessarily a productive focal point
      for financial savings or quality control.

PMID- 24239306
TI  - Plastic in the Thames: a river runs through it.
AB  - Although contamination of the marine ecosystems by plastics is becoming
      recognised as a serious pollution problem, there are few studies that demonstrate
      the contribution made by freshwater catchments. Over a three month period from
      September to December 2012, at seven localities in the upper Thames estuary, 8490
      submerged plastic items were intercepted in eel fyke nets anchored to the river
      bed. Whilst there were significant differences in the numbers of items at these
      locations, the majority were some type of plastic. Additionally in excess of 20%
      of the litter items were components of sanitary products. The most contaminated
      sites were in the vicinity of sewage treatment works. While floating litter is
      visible, this study also demonstrates that a large unseen volume of submerged
      plastic is flowing into the marine environment. It is therefore important that
      this sub-surface component is considered when assessing plastic pollution input
      into the sea. 

PMID- 24239307
TI  - Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments
      of the Hormuz strait, Persian Gulf.
AB  - The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined
      in the sediment from the Hormuz strait, Persian Gulf. The sum of 16 PAHs
      (SigmaPAH) concentrations varied from 72.17 to 277.77 ng g(-1) dry weight, with
      an average value of 131.20 +/- 59.29 ng g(-1) dry weight. An ecological risk
      assessment of PAHs, indicated that adverse biological effects caused by
      acenaphthene and acenaphthylene occasionally may take place in the sediment of
      Hormuz strait. PAH source identification showed that the PAHs in the sediments
      come from pyrogenic and mixed origin. Based on classification of pollution
      levels, sediments from Hormuz strait could be considered as low to moderately
      polluted with PAHs.

PMID- 24239308
TI  - Detection of macroalgae blooms by complex SAR imagery.
AB  - Increased frequency and enhanced damage to the marine environment and to human
      society caused by green macroalgae blooms demand improved high-resolution early
      detection methods. Conventional satellite remote sensing methods via spectra
      radiometers do not work in cloud-covered areas, and therefore cannot meet these
      demands for operational applications. We present a methodology for green
      macroalgae bloom detection based on RADARSAT-2 synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
      images. Green macroalgae patches exhibit different polarimetric characteristics
      compared to the open ocean surface, in both the amplitude and phase domains of
      SAR-measured complex radar backscatter returns. In this study, new index factors
      are defined which have opposite signs in green macroalgae-covered areas, compared
      to the open water surface. These index factors enable unsupervised detection from
      SAR images, providing a high-resolution new tool for detection of green
      macroalgae blooms, which can potentially contribute to a better understanding of
      the mechanisms related to outbreaks of green macroalgae blooms in coastal areas
      throughout the world ocean. 

PMID- 24239309
TI  - Baseline concentrations of faecal sterols and assessment of sewage input into
      different inlets of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica.
AB  - The Antarctic region is one of the best preserved environments in the world.
      However, human activities such as the input of sewage result in the alteration of
      this pristine site. We report baseline values of faecal sterols in Admiralty Bay,
      Antarctica. Four sediment cores were collected during the 2006/2007 austral
      summer at the Ezcurra (THP and BAR), Mackelar (REF) and Martel (BTP) inlets.
      Concentrations of faecal sterols (coprostanol+epicoprostanol) were <0.16 MUg g(
      1), suggesting no sewage contamination and probable "biogenic" contributions for
      these compounds. Baseline values, calculated using the mean concentration of
      faecal sterols in core layers for THP, BAR, REF and BTP, were 0.04 +/- 0.02, 0.03
      +/- 0.01, 0.07 +/- 0.01 and 0.04 +/- 0.02 MUg g(-1), respectively. These results
      established as natural contributions of faecal sterols, suggesting that these
      markers can be useful indicators of human-derived faecal input and contributing
      to monitoring programs to prevent anthropogenic impacts.

PMID- 24239310
TI  - Establishing the thermal threshold of the tropical mussel Perna viridis in the
      face of global warming.
AB  - With increasing recognition that maximum oxygen demand is the unifying limit in
      tolerance, the first line of thermal sensitivity is, as a corollary, due to
      capacity limitations at a high level of organisational complexity before
      individual, molecular or membrane functions become disturbed. In this study the
      tropical mussel Perna viridis were subjected to temperature change of 0.4 
      degrees C per hour from ambient to 8-36  degrees C. By comparing thermal
      mortality against biochemical indices (hsp70, gluthathione), physiological
      indices (glycogen, FRAP, NRRT) and behavioural indices (clearance rate), a
      hierarchy of thermal tolerance was therein elucidated, ranging from systemic to
      cellular to molecular levels. Generally, while biochemical indices indicated a
      stress signal much earlier than the more integrated behavioural indices, failure
      of the latter (indicating a tolerance limit and transition to pejus state)
      occurred much earlier than the other indices tending towards thermal extremities
      at both ends of the thermal spectrum.

PMID- 24239311
TI  - Fish biological effect monitoring of chemical stressors using a generalized
      linear model in South Sea, Korea.
AB  - To evaluate the health status at six different study areas, we used the
      generalized linear model approach with selected biochemical markers in resident
      fish from uncontaminated and contaminated sites. We also confirmed the
      independence between the biochemical indices and the morphometric indices
      including the hepato-somatic index (HSI), gonado-somatic index (GSI), and
      condition factor (CF) in fish from the sampling areas. The effect of area on the
      presence of biotransformation markers (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity;
      EROD) was significantly high in Masan Bay. The area with the greatest effect on
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was Jindong Bay, while there was no
      significant effect of GSI, HSI, CF, and sex in the EROD model and HSI, CF and sex
      in the AChE model. These results clarify that fish from Masan, Gwangyang and
      Jindong Bay were affected by pollutant stress, and the analysis of sensitive
      biochemical responses allowed for an improved interpretation of the results. 

PMID- 24239312
TI  - Intramedullary nailing of long bone fractures: sixty years of evolution but what
      the future holds?

PMID- 24239313
TI  - Extrahepatic metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma: A spectrum of imaging
      findings.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary tumour of the liver,
      responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the Western
      world, it primarily affects patients with cirrhosis, secondary to hepatitis C
      virus and alcoholism. In the rest of the world, HCC is closely associated with
      hepatitis B virus infections. Radiologists play a key role in accurately staging
      HCC, which has important implications for treatment planning. This pictorial
      review aims to describe the routes of HCC spread and the most frequent sites of
      metastases, to recognize extrahepatic HCC findings on computed tomography and
      magnetic resonance imaging, and to understand the implications of HCC staging on
      treatment planning.

PMID- 24239314
TI  - Evaluation of single and comparative intradermal tuberculin tests for
      tuberculosis eradication in caprine flocks in Castilla y Leon (Spain).
AB  - Goats can act as reservoirs for tuberculosis (TB) infection. The main etiological
      agents of TB in goats are Mycobacterium caprae and Mycobacterium bovis and they
      infect also a wide range of domestic and wild animals and humans. Control
      programmes based mainly on the application of single and comparative intradermal
      tuberculin (SIT and SCIT respectively) tests are being implemented in certain
      regions of Spain with a high density of caprine flocks as Castilla y Leon,
      including goats with epidemiological relationship with cattle. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the performance of the intradermal tests in naturally TB
      infected caprine flocks from this region. The study was performed using data from
      17,450 goats in 54 different flocks that were classified as TB-infected in the
      control programmes executed in 2010 and 2011. Data from 1237 goats from 7 dairy
      flocks depopulated after the first intradermal testing were used to estimate the
      sensitivity (Se) using bacteriology as the gold-standard. Overall Se of the SIT
      test using the severe interpretation was 43.9% (CI 95%, 40.4-47.4) and decreased
      to 38.8% (CI 95%, 35.5-42.3) using the standard interpretation. Overall Se of the
      SCIT test ranged between 21.3% (CI 95%, 17.6-25.4) and 7% (CI 95%, 4.9-9.8)
      depending of the interpretation criteria. A significant weak positive correlation
      was found between age and skin fold thickness (Spearman's test p<0.05). Results
      from this study yielded, in general, low Se values probably due the systematic
      detection and slaughter of reactors as a consequence of the eradication programme
      in previous years or the presence of factors that may interfere in the diagnosis.
      Therefore, these results suggest the necessity of including ancillary diagnostic
      tools and/or strict interpretation criteria to maximize detection of positive
      animals in infected settings. 

PMID- 24239315
TI  - Association of lung function measurements and visceral fat in men with metabolic
      syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported a positive relationship between lung
      function impairment and the metabolic syndrome. This is most usually explained by
      abdominal adiposity. We hypothesized that the main determinant of the association
      between lung function impairment and abdominal obesity is the presence of
      visceral fat. METHODS: The present study is a cross-sectional analysis of 98 non
      diabetic men aged between 50 and 70 years with the metabolic syndrome. The amount
      of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue was determined by an MRI scan. The
      association between visceral fat and measures of lung function (FEV1, FVC,
      exhaled and NO) was assessed using linear regression. RESULTS: 98 participants
      were included in this analysis. There was a linear inverse association between
      visceral fat and both FEV1 and FVC. None of the other different fat-related
      measurements (subcutaneous fat, waist circumference and BMI) or features of the
      metabolic syndrome were found to be associated with these lung function
      measurements. CONCLUSION: In non-diabetic subjects with the metabolic syndrome
      and a lung function that is within the normal range, visceral fat is negatively
      correlated with FEV1 and FVC.

PMID- 24239316
TI  - Asthma and allergic rhinitis increase respiratory symptoms in cold weather among
      young adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The occurrence of cold temperature-related symptoms has not been
      investigated previously in young adults, although cold weather may provoke severe
      symptoms leading to activity limitations, and those with pre-existing respiratory
      conditions may form a susceptible group. We tested the hypothesis that young
      adults with asthma and allergic rhinitis experience cold-related respiratory
      symptoms more commonly than young adults in general. METHODS: A population-based
      study of 1623 subjects 20-27 years old was conducted with a questionnaire
      inquiring about cold weather-related respiratory symptoms, doctor-diagnosed
      asthma and rhinitis, and lifestyle and environmental exposures. RESULTS: Current
      asthma increased the risk of all cold weather-related symptoms (shortness of
      breath adjusted PR 4.53, 95% confidence interval 2.93-6.99, wheezing 10.70, 5.38
      21.29, phlegm production 2.51, 1.37-4.62, cough 3.41, 1.97-5.87 and chest pain
      2.53, 0.82-7.79). Allergic rhinitis had additional effect especially on shortness
      of breath (7.16, 5.30-9.67) and wheezing (13.05, 7.75-22.00), some on phlegm
      production (3.69, 2.49-5.47), but marginal effect on cough and chest pain.
      INTERPRETATION: Our study shows that already in young adulthood those with
      asthma, and especially those with coexisting allergic rhinitis, experience
      substantially more cold temperature-related respiratory symptoms than healthy
      young adults. Hence, young adults with a respiratory disease form a susceptible
      group that needs special care and guidance for coping with cold weather.

PMID- 24239317
TI  - Intestinal disorders caused by scurvy.

PMID- 24239318
TI  - Altered quality of life in the early stages of chronic hepatitis C is due to the
      virus itself.
AB  - Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is impaired in chronic viral hepatitis and
      a direct role of the virus, although suggested, has not been demonstrated. Our
      aim was to evaluate HRQOL at blood donation before knowledge of the diagnosis of
      both hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) so as to elucidate this
      matter. METHODS: Prospectively, 67 sequential patients, 35 with HCV and 32 with
      HBV, and 67 matched controls were administered the generic Short Form-36 (SF-36)
      questionnaire. After knowledge of diagnosis, the SF-36 was repeated and a disease
      specific questionnaire (Liver Disease Quality of Life, LDQOL-1.0) was also
      administered. The Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney U were used for between-group
      comparisons. RESULTS: Before knowledge of diagnosis, patients with HCV had worse
      HRQOL than controls, with statistically significant changes in 7/8 domains of the
      SF-36, and also in its physical and mental components. In the HBV group, only 2/8
      domains and the physical component were significantly different from controls.
      After diagnosis, similar changes persisted in the HCV group, whereas two more
      domains were compromised in the HBV group. Comparisons between the HCV and HBV
      groups did not show significant differences. CONCLUSION: The finding of greater
      HRQOL impairment in the HCV group before diagnosis confirms the theory that the
      presence of HCV in the early stage of the disease is associated with worse
      quality of life.

PMID- 24239319
TI  - Protective effects of L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein in an
      experimental model of liver fibrosis.
AB  - AIM: Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing response that occurs following
      liver injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible protective
      effects of L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein in liver fibrosis induced
      by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In addition, the effects of these agents were
      compared in the same study. METHODS: In this study, rats were randomly allocated
      into 8 groups, consisting of 10 rats each, as follows: a control group, CCl4, L
      carnitine, N-acetylcysteine, genistein, CCl4 and L-carnitine, CCl4 and N
      acetylcysteine, and CCl4 and genistein. At the end of 6 weeks, blood and liver
      tissue specimens were collected. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT); aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST); complete blood count, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF
      alpha); platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB); interleukin-6 (IL-6); liver
      glutathione level; oxidant/antioxidant status; scores of hepatic steatosis,
      necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis; and the expression of alpha-smooth muscle
      actin were studied. RESULTS: Although the ALT and AST values in the group
      administered CCl4 were significantly higher than in all the other groups
      (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the control group and the
      groups administered CCl4 combined with L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and
      genistein (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the levels of TNF
      alpha, PDGF-BB and IL-6 (P<0.05) between the CCl4 group and the groups with L
      carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein added to CCl4. N-acetylcysteine and
      genistein had positive effects on the oxidant/antioxidant status and on liver
      necrosis and fibrosis scores. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, L-carnitine, N
      acetylcysteine and genistein showed significant protective effects in liver
      fibrosis induced by CCl4.

PMID- 24239321
TI  - Long-term consequences of the right ventricular pacing mania of the 1990s for
      obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 24239320
TI  - Prevalence of the apolipoprotein E Arg145Cys dyslipidemia at-risk polymorphism in
      African-derived populations.
AB  - Apolipoprotein E, a protein component of blood lipid particles, plays an
      important role in lipid transport. Different mutations in the apolipoprotein E
      gene have been associated with various clinical phenotypes. In an initiated study
      of Qataris, we observed that 17% of the African-derived genetic subgroup were
      heterozygotes for a rare Arg145Cys (R145C) variant that functions as a dominant
      trait with incomplete penetrance associated with type III hyperlipoproteinemia.
      On the basis of this observation, we hypothesized that the R145C polymorphism
      might be common in African-derived populations. The prevalence of the R145C
      variant was assessed worldwide in the "1000 Genomes Project" and in 1,012 whites
      and 1,226 African-Americans in New York, New York. The 1000 Genomes Project data
      demonstrated that the R145C polymorphism is rare in non-African-derived
      populations but present in 5% to 12% of Sub-Saharan African-derived populations.
      The R145C polymorphism was also rare in New York whites (1 of 1,012, 0.1%);
      however, strikingly, 53 of the 1,226 New York African-Americans (4.3%) were R145C
      heterozygotes. The lipid profiles of the Qatari and New York R145C heterozygotes
      were compared with those of controls. The Qatari R145C subjects had higher
      triglyceride levels than the Qatari controls (p <0.007) and the New York African
      American R145C subjects had an average of 52% greater fasting triglyceride levels
      than the New York African-American controls (p <0.002). From these observations,
      likely millions of people worldwide derived from Sub-Saharan Africans are
      apolipoprotein E R145C. In conclusion, although larger epidemiologic studies are
      necessary to determine the long-term consequences of this polymorphism, the
      available evidence suggests it is a common cause of a mild triglyceride
      dyslipidemia. 

PMID- 24239322
TI  - Brain dysplasia evoked by gamma irradiation at different stages of prenatal
      development leads to different tonic and clonic seizure reactivity.
AB  - Rats with brain dysplasia evoked by interruption of different stages of prenatal
      neurogenesis show characteristic variations in susceptibility to seizures
      depending on the neurochemical specificity of pharmacological agents used to
      evoke seizures. To verify a discrepancy between the data obtained using different
      pharmacological models, neurochemically neutral electroshocks were applied here.
      To produce brain dysplasia of different degrees, pregnant Wistar rats were
      exposed to a single 1.0Gy dose of gamma rays on gestation days 13, 15, 17 or 19.
      From the postnatal day 60, their male offspring (E13s, E15s, E17s and E19s,
      respectively) were subjected to 21 daily electrical stimulations to evoke
      seizures. Profiles of tonic and clonic reactivity to electrical stimulation
      significantly differed from those observed following pilocarpine or kainic acid
      administration. E17s showed minimal intensity of tonic but maximal of clonic
      responses. On the contrary, very high tonic and low clonic reactivity was
      observed in E13s and E15s. Periventricular nodular heterotopias (PNHs) were
      observed exclusively in E15s and E17s. Generally, the size of PNHs was correlated
      positively with susceptibility to tonic seizures but negatively with
      susceptibility to clonic seizures. Analogous correlations with the size of the
      neocortex were opposite. E13s and E19s had brains devoid PNHs but showed high
      tonic seizure susceptibility similar to that in E15s. It can therefore be
      concluded that PNHs modified the type of seizure reactivity from tonic to clonic,
      depending of their size, but the presence of PNHs was not necessary for the
      development of seizure susceptibility itself. 

PMID- 24239323
TI  - Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: quantification of the extent of the
      epidemic, surveillance biases, and transmissibility.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The novel Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
      had, as of Aug 8, 2013, caused 111 virologically confirmed or probable human
      cases of infection worldwide. We analysed epidemiological and genetic data to
      assess the extent of human infection, the performance of case detection, and the
      transmission potential of MERS-CoV with and without control measures. METHODS: We
      assembled a comprehensive database of all confirmed and probable cases from
      public sources and estimated the incubation period and generation time from case
      cluster data. Using data of numbers of visitors to the Middle East and their
      duration of stay, we estimated the number of symptomatic cases in the Middle
      East. We did independent analyses, looking at the growth in incident clusters,
      the growth in viral population, the reproduction number of cluster index cases,
      and cluster sizes to characterise the dynamical properties of the epidemic and
      the transmission scenario. FINDINGS: The estimated number of symptomatic cases up
      to Aug 8, 2013, is 940 (95% CI 290-2200), indicating that at least 62% of human
      symptomatic cases have not been detected. We find that the case-fatality ratio of
      primary cases detected via routine surveillance (74%; 95% CI 49-91) is biased
      upwards because of detection bias; the case-fatality ratio of secondary cases was
      20% (7-42). Detection of milder cases (or clinical management) seemed to have
      improved in recent months. Analysis of human clusters indicated that chains of
      transmission were not self-sustaining when infection control was implemented, but
      that R in the absence of controls was in the range 0.8-1.3. Three independent
      data sources provide evidence that R cannot be much above 1, with an upper bound
      of 1.2-1.5. INTERPRETATION: By showing that a slowly growing epidemic is underway
      either in human beings or in an animal reservoir, quantification of uncertainty
      in transmissibility estimates, and provision of the first estimates of the scale
      of the epidemic and extent of case detection biases, we provide valuable
      information for more informed risk assessment. FUNDING: Medical Research Council,
      Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, EU FP7, and National Institute of General
      Medical Sciences.

PMID- 24239324
TI  - Single dose primaquine for clearance of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in
      children with uncomplicated malaria in Uganda: a randomised, controlled, double
      blind, dose-ranging trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primaquine is the only available drug that clears mature Plasmodium
      falciparum gametocytes in infected human hosts, thereby preventing transmission
      of malaria to mosquitoes. However, concerns about dose-dependent haemolysis in
      people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiencies have limited
      its use. We assessed the dose-response association of single-dose primaquine for
      gametocyte clearance and for safety in P falciparum malaria. METHODS: We
      undertook this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with four
      parallel groups in Jinja district, eastern Uganda. We randomly allocated Ugandan
      children aged 1-10 years with uncomplicated falciparum malaria and normal G6PD
      enzyme function to receive artemether-lumefantrine, combined with either placebo
      or with 0.1 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg, or 0.75 mg/kg (WHO reference dose) primaquine base.
      Randomisation was done with computer-generated four-digit treatment assignment
      codes allocated to random dose groups in block sizes of 16. Study staff who
      provided care or assessed outcomes and the participants remained masked to the
      intervention group after assignment. The primary efficacy endpoint was the non
      inferiority of the mean duration of gametocyte carriage in the test doses
      compared with the reference group of 0.75 mg primaquine per kg, with a non
      inferiority margin of 2.5 days. The primary safety endpoint was the superiority
      of the arithmetic mean maximum decrease in haemoglobin concentration from
      enrolment to day 28 of follow-up in the primaquine treatment groups compared with
      placebo, with use of significance testing of pairwise comparisons with a cutoff
      of p=0.05. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01365598.
      FINDINGS: We randomly allocated 468 participants to receive artemether
      lumefantrine combined with placebo (119 children) or with 0.1 mg/kg (116), 0.4
      mg/kg (116), or 0.75 mg/kg (117) primaquine base. The mean duration of gametocyte
      carriage was 6.6 days (95% CI 5.3-7.8) in the 0.75 mg/kg reference group, 6.3
      days (5.1-7.5) in the 0.4 mg/kg primaquine group (p=0.74), 8.0 days (6.6-9.4) in
      the 0.1 mg/kg primaquine group (p=0.14), and 12.4 days (9.9-15.0) in the placebo
      group (p<0.0001). No children showed evidence of treatment-related haemolysis,
      and the mean maximum decrease in haemoglobin concentration was not associated
      with the dose of primaquine received-it did not differ significantly compared
      with placebo (10.7 g/L, SD 11.1) in the 0.1 mg/kg (11.4 g/L, 9.4; p=0.61), 0.4
      mg/kg (11.3 g/L, 10.0; p=0.67), or 0.75 mg/kg (12.7 g/L, 8.2; p=0.11) primaquine
      groups. INTERPRETATION: We conclude that 0.4 mg/kg primaquine has similar
      gametocytocidal efficacy to the reference 0.75 mg/kg primaquine dose, but a dose
      of 0.1 mg/kg was inconclusive for non-inferiority. Our findings call for the
      prioritisation of further trials into the efficacy and safety of doses of
      primaquine between 0.1 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg (including the dose of 0.25 mg/kg
      recently recommended by WHO), in view of the potential for widespread use of the
      drug to block malaria transmission. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust and the Bill &
      Melinda Gates Foundation.

PMID- 24239325
TI  - The epidemiology of MERS-CoV.

PMID- 24239326
TI  - Single low-dose primaquine to reduce malaria transmission.

PMID- 24239328
TI  - Mortality rates between treated post-traumatic stress disorder Israeli male
      veterans compared to non-diagnosed veterans.
AB  - The literature suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated
      with increased mortality. However, to date, mortality rates amongst veterans
      diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder have not been reported for Israeli
      veterans, who bear a different profile than veterans from other countries. This
      study aims to evaluate age-adjusted mortality rates amongst Israeli Defense
      Forces veterans with and without PTSD diagnosis. The study was carried out in a
      paired sample design with 2457 male veterans with treated PTSD and 2457 matched
      male veterans without a PTSD diagnosis. Data on PTSD and non-PTSD veterans was
      collected from the Rehabilitation Division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense
      (MOD) and the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) special unit for treatment of combat
      stress reaction. Mortality data were collected from the Ministry of the Interior
      (MOI) computerized database. Comparison of mortality rates between PTSD and non
      PTSD veterans was done using paired observations survival analysis by applying a
      proportional hazards regression model. Overall no statistically significant
      difference in mortality rates was found between veterans with treated PTSD and
      veterans without PTSD. These findings hold even when excluding veterans who died
      in battle and including non-PTSD veterans who died before their matched PTSD
      veteran was diagnosed. However, among pairs with similar military jobs PTSD group
      had significantly less mortality. The results of this large national cohort
      suggest that treated PTSD is not associated with increased mortality. We submit
      that the lack of this association represents the "net" pathophysiology of PTSD
      due to the unique characteristics of the sample. 

PMID- 24239327
TI  - Pathogenesis of influenza-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.
AB  - Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a fatal complication of influenza
      infection. In this Review we provide an integrated model for its pathogenesis.
      ARDS involves damage to the epithelial-endothelial barrier, fluid leakage into
      the alveolar lumen, and respiratory insufficiency. The most important part of the
      epithelial-endothelial barrier is the alveolar epithelium, strengthened by tight
      junctions. Influenza virus targets these epithelial cells, reducing sodium pump
      activity, damaging tight junctions, and killing infected cells. Infected
      epithelial cells produce cytokines that attract leucocytes--neutrophils and
      macrophages--and activate adjacent endothelial cells. Activated endothelial cells
      and infiltrated leucocytes stimulate further infiltration, and leucocytes induce
      production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide that damage the barrier.
      Activated macrophages also cause direct apoptosis of epithelial cells. This model
      for influenza-induced ARDS differs from the classic model, which is centred on
      endothelial damage, and provides a rationale for therapeutic intervention to
      moderate host response in influenza-induced ARDS.

PMID- 24239329
TI  - Tesofensine, a novel triple monoamine re-uptake inhibitor with anti-obesity
      effects: dopamine transporter occupancy as measured by PET.
AB  - Tesofensine (TE) is a novel triple monoamine re-uptake inhibitor inducing a
      potent inhibition of the re-uptake process in the synaptic cleft of the
      neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. In recent preclinical
      and clinical evaluations TE showed a robust anti-obesity effect, but the specific
      mechanism of this triple monoamine re-uptake inhibitor still needs to be further
      elucidated. This positron emission tomography (PET) study, using [11C]betaCIT-FE,
      aimed to assess the degree of the dopamine transporter (DAT) occupancy, at
      constant TE plasma levels, following different oral, multiple doses of TE during
      totally 8-12 days. In addition, the relationships between DAT occupancy and TE
      plasma concentrations, or doses, were investigated to enable assessment of DAT
      occupancies in subsequent clinical trials. The results demonstrated that TE
      induced a dose-dependent blockade of DAT following multiple doses of 0.125-1 mg
      TE at anticipated steady-state conditions. The mean striatal DAT occupancy varied
      dose-dependently between 18% and 77%. A sigmoid E(max) model well described the
      relationship between striatal DAT occupancy and TE plasma concentrations or
      doses. It was estimated that the maximum achievable DAT occupancy was about 80%
      and that half of this effect was accomplished by approximately 0.25 mg TE and a
      plasma drug concentration of 4 ng/ml. The results indicated an important
      mechanism of action of TE on DAT. Further, these results suggest that the
      previously reported dose-dependent weight loss, in TE treated subjects, was in
      part mediated by an up-regulation of dopaminergic pathways due to enhanced
      amounts of synaptic dopamine after blockade of DAT.

PMID- 24239330
TI  - IUD use in France: women's and physician's perspectives.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: While the intra-uterine device (IUD) is the second most popular
      contraceptive method in France, its use remains low among women most at risk of
      unintended pregnancies. Acknowledging the conjoint role of women and physicians
      in contraceptive decision making, we investigate the determinants of IUD use and
      IUD recommendations from the user and prescriber perspectives. STUDY DESIGN: Data
      are drawn from 2 national probability surveys (population-based and physician
      surveys) on sexual and reproductive health in France. The population based survey
      comprised 3,563 women ages 15-49 at risk of an unintended pregnancy in 2010 and
      the physician survey included 364 general practitioners (GPs) and 401
      gynecologists practicing in private offices in 2010-2011. Analyses were performed
      using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Altogether, 21.4% of women were IUD
      users, with substantial differences by age and parity. Less than 1% of young
      women (<25 years) and 3% of nulliparous were current IUD users in 2010. The odds
      of IUD use were four times higher in women followed by a gynecologist as compared
      to a GP. Mirroring these results, gynecologists were more likely to recommend
      IUDs than GPs. Misconception about IUD risks was widespread among women and
      providers. Medical training and information, professional practice settings, and
      ever use of IUDs also informed physician's likelihood of recommending IUDs,
      regardless of specialty. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals the intersection of
      individual and professional influences on contraceptive use patterns. The
      considerable age discrepancy in IUD use in France, with very few young women most
      at risk of an unintended pregnancy using the method, reflects a knowledge gap
      shared by users and providers. These findings suggest there are significant
      opportunities to improve contraceptive care in France. IMPLICATIONS: This study
      stresses the need to inform women and doctors about the benefits and risks of
      IUDs for all women. Substantial efforts are required to improve the medical
      curriculum, in order to promote evidenced based family planning counseling and
      provide GPs with the technical skills to insert IUDs.

PMID- 24239331
TI  - Variation in prescription contraceptive pricing across Florida ZIP code income
      groups.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore average monthly cost of
      commonly prescribed oral and transvaginal contraceptives, across ZIP code income
      groups, in Florida. STUDY DESIGN: In March, 2011, the MyFloridarx.com database
      was searched to assess monthly prices of seven commonly prescribed contraceptives
      charged by Florida pharmacies. RESULTS: With the exception of TNRG/EE 35
      (chi(2)[4, N=401]=18.72, p=.00), monthly costs of contraceptives did not vary
      significantly across Florida ZIP code median income quintile groups. CONCLUSION:
      Overall, while there was little variability in retail pharmacy prices in Florida
      for seven commonly prescribed contraceptives, monthly costs of individual
      contraceptives varied widely. IMPLICATIONS: This report found little variability,
      across ZIP codes, in retail pharmacy prices in Florida for seven commonly
      prescribed contraceptives, but the monthly costs of individual contraceptives
      varied widely. It is paramount that clinicians consider costs when discussing
      contraceptive options with their patients.

PMID- 24239332
TI  - Endogenous female prostate-specific antigen from female ejaculate may confound
      the use of prostate-specific antigen as a biomarker of exposure to semen.

PMID- 24239333
TI  - Impaired macrophage production of anti-atherosclerotic interleukin-10 induced by
      coronary intraplaque hemorrhage in patients with acute coronary syndrome and
      hyperglycemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) accelerates atherosclerosis.
      Extracellular hemoglobin (Hb) released by IPH is cleared by macrophages with
      CD163 receptors. This process provokes secretion of the anti-atherosclerotic
      cytokine interleukin (IL)-10. The present study aimed to investigate the
      relationship between macrophage accumulation and IL-10 production provoked by IPH
      in plaques obtained from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with
      hyperglycemia. METHODS: In 50 ACS patients, atherothrombotic debris was retrieved
      during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The debris was stained with
      antibodies to CD163, glycophorin A (GPA, a marker of IPH) and IL-10. %CD163 was
      defined as the ratios of CD163-positive cells to all cells. %IL-10 and %GPA were
      defined as the ratio of positively stained areas per total tissue area. Based on
      glycosylated Hb [HbA1c (NGSP)] >= 6.5%, fasting blood sugar (FBS) >= 126 mg/dL,
      and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR>2.5), patients were divided into a diabetes
      mellitus (DM) group (N = 18, HbA1c >= 6.5% or FBS >= 126 mg/dL), an insulin
      resistance (IR) group (N = 15, HOMA-IR>2.5, HbA1c<6.5%, and FBS< 126 mg/dL), and
      a normal (NR) group (N = 17). RESULTS: Compared to the NR group, %GPA and %CD163
      were increased in the DM and IR groups. %IL-10 was similar among the three
      groups. However, %IL-10/%CD163 ratios were decreased in the DM (2.5 +/- 0.6, P =
      0.01) and IR (2.7 +/- 0.8, P = 0.02) groups compared to the NR group (5.8 +/-
      4.7). Only in the NR group was there a significant correlation between %IL-10 and
      %CD163. CONCLUSIONS: Impairment of the anti-inflammatory effect provoked by IPH
      contributes to premature atherosclerosis even in the IR group.

PMID- 24239334
TI  - Image-guided regularization level set evolution for MR image segmentation and
      bias field correction.
AB  - Magnetic resonance (MR) image segmentation is a crucial step in surgical and
      treatment planning. In this paper, we propose a level-set-based segmentation
      method for MR images with intensity inhomogeneous problem. To tackle the
      initialization sensitivity problem, we propose a new image-guided regularization
      to restrict the level set function. The maximum a posteriori inference is adopted
      to unify segmentation and bias field correction within a single framework. Under
      this framework, both the contour prior and the bias field prior are fully used.
      As a result, the image intensity inhomogeneity can be well solved. Extensive
      experiments are provided to evaluate the proposed method, showing significant
      improvements in both segmentation and bias field correction accuracies as
      compared with other state-of-the-art approaches.

PMID- 24239335
TI  - Exchange-mediated contrast in CEST and spin-lock imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance images of biological media based on chemical exchange
      saturation transfer (CEST) show contrast that depends on chemical exchange
      between water and other protons. In addition, spin-lattice relaxation rates in
      the rotating frame (R1rho) are also affected by exchange, especially at high
      fields, and can be exploited to provide novel, exchange-dependent contrast. Here,
      we evaluate and compare the factors that modulate the exchange contrast for these
      methods using simulations and experiments on simple, biologically relevant
      samples. METHODS: Simulations and experimental measurements at 9.4 T of rotating
      frame relaxation rate dispersion and CEST contrast were performed on solutions of
      macromolecules containing amide and hydroxyl exchanging protons. RESULTS: The
      simulations and experimental measurements confirm that both CEST and R1rho
      measurements depend on similar exchange parameters, but they manifest themselves
      differently in their effects on contrast. CEST contrast may be larger in the slow
      and intermediate exchange regimes for protons with large resonant frequency
      offsets (e.g. >2 ppm). Spin-locking techniques can produce larger contrast
      enhancement when resonant frequency offsets are small (<2 ppm) and exchange is in
      the intermediate-to-fast regime. The image contrasts scale differently with field
      strength, exchange rate and concentration. CONCLUSION: CEST and R1rho
      measurements provide different and somewhat complementary information about
      exchange in tissues. Whereas CEST can depict exchange of protons with specific
      chemical shifts, appropriate R1rho-dependent acquisitions can be employed to
      selectively portray protons of specific exchange rates.

PMID- 24239337
TI  - Quantifying liver fibrosis through the application of texture analysis to
      diffusion weighted imaging.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential utility of texture
      analysis of parametric apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in quantifying
      hepatic fibrosis. To this end, using ex vivo murine liver tissues from a dietary
      model of hepatic fibrosis, an array of texture analysis techniques, including
      histogram-based, gray-level co-occurrence matrix-based, and gray-level run-length
      based features, was used to evaluate correlations with liver fibrosis. Moderate
      to very strong correlation between several of the texture-based features and both
      subjective as well as digital image analysis-based assessments of hepatic
      fibrosis was demonstrated. This rigorous study of texture analysis applied to
      parametric ADC maps in a liver fibrosis model study demonstrates and validates
      the potential utility of texture-based features for the noninvasive, quantitative
      assessment of hepatic fibrosis.

PMID- 24239336
TI  - MRI detection of brown adipose tissue with low fat content in newborns with
      hypothermia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the observation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) with low fat
      content in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) after they have
      undergone hypothermia therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The local ethics committee
      approved the imaging study. Ten HIE neonates (3 males, 7 females, age range: 2
      3days) were studied on a 3-T MRI system using a low-flip-angle (3 degrees ) six
      echo proton-density-weighted chemical-shift-encoded water-fat pulse sequence. Fat
      signal fraction (FF) measurements of supraclavicular and interscapular (nape) BAT
      and adjacent subcutaneous white adipose tissues (WAT) were compared to those from
      five non-HIE neonates, two recruited for the present investigation and three from
      a previous study. RESULTS: In HIE neonates, the FF range for the supraclavicular,
      interscapular, and subcutaneous regions was 10.3%-29.9%, 28.0%-57.9%, and 62.6%
      88.0%, respectively. In non-HIE neonates, the values were 23.7%-42.2% (p=0.01),
      45.4%-59.5% (p=0.06), and 67.8%-86.3% (p=0.38), respectively. On an individual
      basis, supraclavicular BAT FF was consistently the lowest, interscapular BAT
      values were higher, and subcutaneous WAT values were the highest (p<0.01).
      CONCLUSION: We speculate that hypothermia therapy in HIE neonates likely promotes
      BAT-mediated non-shivering thermogenesis, which subsequently leads to a depletion
      of the tissue's intracellular fat stores. We believe that this is consequently
      reflected in lower FF values, particularly in the supraclavicular BAT depot, in
      contrast to non-HIE neonates.

PMID- 24239338
TI  - The tragedy of adaptability.

PMID- 24239339
TI  - Value and evidence-based medicine: a call for shared responsibility.

PMID- 24239340
TI  - Incidence of clinically important biphasic reactions in emergency department
      patients with allergic reactions or anaphylaxis.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Allergic reactions are common presentations to the emergency
      department (ED). An unknown proportion of patients will develop biphasic
      reactions, and patients are often monitored for prolonged periods to manage
      potential reactions. We seek to determine the incidence of clinically important
      biphasic reactions. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients presenting to 2 urban EDs
      with allergic reactions during a 5-year period were identified. Encounters were
      dichotomized as "anaphylaxis" or "allergic reaction" with an explicit algorithm.
      A comprehensive chart review was conducted on each index and all subsequent
      visits to detail patient presentations, comorbidities, ED management, and
      predefined clinically important biphasic reactions. Regional and provincial
      databases were linked to identify subsequent ED visits and deaths within a 7-day
      period. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a clinically
      important biphasic reaction, and the secondary outcome was mortality. RESULTS: Of
      428,634 ED visits, 2,819 (0.66%) encounters were reviewed (496 anaphylactic and
      2,323 allergic reactions). Overall, 185 patients had at least 1 subsequent visit
      for allergic symptoms. Five clinically important biphasic reactions were
      identified (0.18%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07% to 0.44%), with 2 occurring
      during the ED visit and 3 postdischarge. There were no fatalities (95% CI 0% to
      0.17%). In the anaphylaxis and allergic reaction groups, clinically important
      biphasic reactions occurred in 2 patients (0.40%; 95% CI 0.07% to 1.6%) and 3
      patients (0.13%; 95% CI 0.03% to 0.41%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Among ED
      patients with allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, clinically important biphasic
      reactions and fatalities are rare. Our data suggest that prolonged routine
      monitoring of patients whose symptoms have resolved is likely unnecessary for
      patient safety.

PMID- 24239342
TI  - Hybrid anticancer 1,2-diazine derivatives with multiple mechanism of action. Part
      3.
AB  - Antitumour chemotherapy is nowadays a very active field of research, DNA
      targeting drugs being the most widely used group in therapy. The design,
      synthesis and anticancer activity of a new class of anticancer derivatives with
      pyrrolo-1,2-diazine and benzoquinone skeleton is presented. The synthesis is
      direct and efficient, involving an alkylation followed by a [3+2] dipolar
      cycloaddition. The penta- and tetra-cyclic pyrrolo-1,2-diazine were evaluated for
      their in vitro anticancer activity against an NCI 60 human tumour cell line
      panel. The pentacyclic-1,2-diazine exhibit a significant anticancer activity
      against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer NCI-H460, Leukemia MOLT-4, Leukemia CCRF-CEM
      and Breast Cancer MCF7. We hypothesize that these molecules will exert their
      anticancer activity through multiple mechanisms of action: intercalating the DNA,
      inhibiting the topoisomerase enzymes and, destroying the DNA strands via electron
      transfer mechanism. However, the intercalation with the DNA seems to prevail in
      competition with the others mechanisms. 

PMID- 24239341
TI  - Randomized clinical trial of an emergency department observation syncope protocol
      versus routine inpatient admission.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Older adults are frequently hospitalized from the emergency
      department (ED) after an episode of unexplained syncope. Current admission
      patterns are costly, with little evidence of benefit. We hypothesize that an ED
      observation syncope protocol will reduce resource use without adversely affecting
      patient-oriented outcomes. METHODS: This randomized trial at 5 EDs compared an ED
      observation syncope protocol to inpatient admission for intermediate-risk adults
      (>=50 years) presenting with syncope or near syncope. Primary outcomes included
      inpatient admission rate and length of stay. Secondary outcomes included 30-day
      and 6-month serious outcomes after hospital discharge, index and 30-day hospital
      costs, 30-day quality-of-life scores, and 30-day patient satisfaction. RESULTS:
      Study staff randomized 124 patients. Observation resulted in a lower inpatient
      admission rate (15% versus 92%; 95% confidence interval [CI] difference -88% to 
      66%) and shorter hospital length of stay (29 versus 47 hours; 95% CI difference 
      28 to -8). Serious outcome rates after hospital discharge were similar for
      observation versus admission at 30 days (3% versus 0%; 95% CI difference -1% to
      8%) and 6 months (8% versus 10%; 95% CI difference -13% to 9%). Index hospital
      costs in the observation group were $629 (95% CI difference -$1,376 to -$56)
      lower than in the admission group. There were no differences in 30-day quality-of
      life scores or in patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: An ED observation syncope
      protocol reduced the primary outcomes of admission rate and hospital length of
      stay. Analyses of secondary outcomes suggest reduction in index hospital costs,
      with no difference in safety events, quality of life, or patient satisfaction.
      Our findings suggest that an ED observation syncope protocol can be replicated
      and safely reduce resource use.

PMID- 24239343
TI  - Clinical evaluation of a novel intraoperative handheld gamma camera for sentinel
      lymph node biopsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy (PLS) combined with intraoperative
      gamma probe (GP) localization is standard procedure for localizing the sentinel
      lymph nodes (SLN) in melanoma and breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated the
      ability of a novel intraoperative handheld gamma camera (IHGC) to image SLNs
      during surgery. METHODS: The IHGC is a small-field-of-view camera optimized for
      real-time imaging of lymphatic drainage patterns. Unlike conventional cameras,
      the IHGC can acquire useful images in a few seconds in a free-running fashion and
      be moved manually around the patient to find a suitable view of the node. Thirty
      nine melanoma and eleven breast cancer patients underwent a modified SLN biopsy
      protocol in which nodes localized with the GP were imaged with the IHGC. The IHGC
      was also used to localize additional nodes that could not be found with the GP.
      RESULTS: The removal of 104 radioactive SLNs was confirmed ex vivo by GP
      counting. In vivo, the relative node detection sensitivity was 88.5 (82.3, 94.6)%
      for the IHGC (used in conjunction with the GP) and 94.2 (89.7, 98.7)% for the GP
      alone, a difference not found to be statistically significant (McNemar test, p =
      0.24). CONCLUSION: Small radioactive SLNs can be visualized intraoperatively
      using the IHGC with exposure time of 20 s or less, with no significant difference
      in node detection sensitivity compared to a GP. The IHGC is a useful complement
      to the GP, especially for SLNs that are difficult to locate with the GP alone.

PMID- 24239344
TI  - Parkinson's patients cope with daylight saving time.
AB  - Disturbances of the circadian timing system following daylight saving time (DST)
      may influence the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). To address this question,
      we compared the severity of motor fluctuations and non-motor symptoms both before
      and after the time change. Total daily "off-time" based on diaries, excessive
      daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), depressive symptoms (Beck
      Depression Inventory), and psychosis associated with PD were assessed both before
      and after the DST. Eighty-three PD patients (mean age, 67+/-7.7years; mean
      disease duration, 10.4+/-6.4years) were included. Thirty-six patients had motor
      fluctuations (mean daily "off-time", 4.8+/-2.4h/day). There was no significant
      variation of the total daily "off-time" (2.5+/-2.6h/day versus 2.5+/-2.7h/day),
      ESS (8.3+/-4.8 versus 8.1+/-4.9), BDI (10.4+/-6.2 versus 10.0+/-6.9), or PAPD
      (1.4+/-1.6 versus 1.1+/-1.6) scores (P>0.05) after DST. Our results suggest that
      PD patients cope relatively well with DST.

PMID- 24239345
TI  - [Foreword. Wilson's disease].

PMID- 24239346
TI  - GRIN2A, a green semaphore on the lumping route to idiopathic focal epilepsy in
      childhood.

PMID- 24239347
TI  - [Electrodiagnostic criteria for early diagnosis of bulbar-onset ALS: a comparison
      of El Escorial, revised El Escorial and Awaji algorithm].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of bulbar ALS is difficult at the early stage of the
      disease. According to guidelines, early diagnosis is better in view to optimize
      the management of affected patients. To improve the sensitivity without losing
      specificity of the prior criteria, the Board of Awaji has proposed modified
      electrodiagnostic criteria for ALS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
      contribution of needle electromyography in early diagnosis of bulbar ALS by
      comparing the El Escorial criteria (EEC), Revised El Escorial Criteria (R-EEC)
      and Awaji algorithm (AA). METHODS: In a retrospective study, we analysed clinical
      and electrophysiological data of 46 patients followed in our center for a bulbar
      onset ALS seen for the first time between January 2007 and February 2011. All
      these patients had bulbar-onset ALS probable or certain at the last follow-up.
      All data were collected during the first clinical examination and the first
      electrophysiological study. RESULTS: Mean age of the population was 69 (37
      90years, sex ratio: 0.91). Using the EEC, 9 patients were diagnosed as definite
      or probable ALS at the first consultation. Applying the R-EEC, 13 patients were
      diagnosed as definite or probable ALS and using the AA, 23 patients were
      diagnosed as definite or probable ALS. The sensitivity of the EEC was 19.5%, the
      R-EEC was 28.2% and for AA was 49.98%. CONCLUSION: AA are more sensitive in early
      diagnosis of bulbar ALS compared to R-EEC with the contribution of ENMG and when
      fasciculations are considered as evidence of spontaneous activity. Such an
      approach can contribute to accelerate an optimal management of the disease. AA
      are a breakthrough in the diagnosis of ALS especially in the bulbar-onset forms.

PMID- 24239348
TI  - A reversible gene-targeting strategy identifies synthetic lethal interactions
      between MK2 and p53 in the DNA damage response in vivo.
AB  - A fundamental limitation in devising new therapeutic strategies for killing
      cancer cells with DNA damaging agents is the need to identify synthetic lethal
      interactions between tumor-specific mutations and components of the DNA damage
      response (DDR) in vivo. The stress-activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase
      (MAPK)/MAPKAP kinase-2 (MK2) pathway is a critical component of the DDR network
      in p53-deficient tumor cells in vitro. To explore the relevance of this pathway
      for cancer therapy in vivo, we developed a specific gene targeting strategy in
      which Cre-mediated recombination simultaneously creates isogenic MK2-proficient
      and MK2-deficient tumors within a single animal. This allows direct
      identification of MK2 synthetic lethality with mutations that promote tumor
      development or control response to genotoxic treatment. In an autochthonous model
      of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we demonstrate that MK2 is responsible for
      resistance of p53-deficient tumors to cisplatin, indicating synthetic lethality
      between p53 and MK2 can successfully be exploited for enhanced sensitization of
      tumors to DNA-damaging chemotherapeutics in vivo.

PMID- 24239349
TI  - Phosphorylation of DGCR8 increases its intracellular stability and induces a
      progrowth miRNA profile.
AB  - During miRNA biogenesis, the microprocessor complex (MC), which is composed
      minimally of Drosha, an RNase III enzyme, and DGCR8, a double-stranded RNA
      binding protein, cleaves the primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) in order to release the
      pre-miRNA stem-loop structure. Using phosphoproteomics, we mapped 23
      phosphorylation sites on full-length human DGCR8 expressed in insect or mammalian
      cells. DGCR8 can be phosphorylated by mitogenic ERK/MAPK, indicating that DGCR8
      phosphorylation may respond to and integrate extracellular cues. The expression
      of phosphomimetic DGCR8 or inhibition of phosphatases increased the cellular
      levels of DGCR8 and Drosha proteins. Increased levels of phosphomimetic DGCR8
      were not due to higher mRNA levels, altered DGCR8 localization, or DGCR8's
      ability to self-associate, but rather to an increase in protein stability. MCs
      incorporating phosphomutant or phosphomimetic DGCR8 were not altered in specific
      processing activity. However, HeLa cells expressing phosphomimetic DGCR8
      exhibited a progrowth miRNA expression profile and increased proliferation and
      scratch closure rates relative to cells expressing phosphomutant DGCR8. 

PMID- 24239350
TI  - The presenilin-1 DeltaE9 mutation results in reduced gamma-secretase activity,
      but not total loss of PS1 function, in isogenic human stem cells.
AB  - Presenilin 1 (PS1) is the catalytic core of gamma-secretase, which cleaves type 1
      transmembrane proteins, including the amyloid precursor protein (APP). PS1 also
      has gamma-secretase-independent functions, and dominant PS1 missense mutations
      are the most common cause of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Whether PS1 FAD
      mutations are gain- or loss-of-function remains controversial, primarily because
      most studies have relied on overexpression in mouse and/or nonneuronal systems.
      We used isogenic euploid human induced pluripotent stem cell lines to generate
      and study an allelic series of PS1 mutations, including heterozygous null
      mutations and homozygous and heterozygous FAD PS1 mutations. Rigorous analysis of
      this allelic series in differentiated, purified neurons allowed us to resolve
      this controversy and to conclude that FAD PS1 mutations, expressed at normal
      levels in the appropriate cell type, impair gamma-secretase activity but do not
      disrupt gamma-secretase-independent functions of PS1. Thus, FAD PS1 mutations do
      not act as simple loss of PS1 function but instead dominantly gain an activity
      toxic to some, but not all, PS1 functions.

PMID- 24239351
TI  - Hijacking multivesicular bodies enables long-term and exosome-mediated long
      distance action of anthrax toxin.
AB  - Anthrax lethal toxin is a classical AB toxin comprised of two components:
      protective antigen (PA) and lethal factor (LF). Here, we show that following
      assembly and endocytosis, PA forms a channel that translocates LF, not only into
      the cytosol, but also into the lumen of endosomal intraluminal vesicles (ILVs).
      These ILVs can fuse and release LF into the cytosol, where LF can proteolyze and
      disable host targets. We find that LF can persist in ILVs for days, fully
      sheltered from proteolytic degradation, both in vitro and in vivo. During this
      time, ILV-localized LF can be transmitted to daughter cells upon cell division.
      In addition, LF-containing ILVs can be delivered to the extracellular medium as
      exosomes. These can deliver LF to the cytosol of naive cells in a manner that is
      independent of the typical anthrax toxin receptor-mediated trafficking pathway,
      while being sheltered from neutralizing extracellular factors of the immune
      system.

PMID- 24239352
TI  - Select G-protein-coupled receptors modulate agonist-induced signaling via a ROCK,
      LIMK, and beta-arrestin 1 pathway.
AB  - G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are typically present in a basal, inactive
      state but, when bound to an agonist, activate downstream signaling cascades. In
      studying arrestin regulation of opioid receptors in dorsal root ganglia (DRG)
      neurons, we find that agonists of delta opioid receptors (deltaORs) activate
      cofilin through Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK), LIM
      domain kinase (LIMK), and beta-arrestin 1 (beta-arr1) to regulate actin
      polymerization. This controls receptor function, as assessed by agonist-induced
      inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels in DRGs. Agonists of opioid
      receptor-like receptors (ORL1) similarly influence the function of this receptor
      through ROCK, LIMK, and beta-arr1. Functional evidence of this cascade was
      demonstrated in vivo, where the behavioral effects of deltaOR or ORL1 agonists
      were enhanced in the absence of beta-arr1 or prevented by inhibiting ROCK. This
      pathway allows deltaOR and ORL1 agonists to rapidly regulate receptor function.

PMID- 24239353
TI  - A single dopamine pathway underlies progressive locomotor deficits in a
      Drosophila model of Parkinson disease.
AB  - Expression of the human Parkinson-disease-associated protein alpha-synuclein in
      all Drosophila neurons induces progressive locomotor deficits. Here, we identify
      a group of 15 dopaminergic neurons per hemisphere in the anterior medial region
      of the brain whose disruption correlates with climbing impairments in this model.
      These neurons selectively innervate the horizontal beta and beta' lobes of the
      mushroom bodies, and their connections to the Kenyon cells are markedly reduced
      when they express alpha-synuclein. Using selective mushroom body drivers, we show
      that blocking or overstimulating neuronal activity in the beta' lobe, but not the
      beta or gamma lobes, significantly inhibits negative geotaxis behavior. This
      suggests that modulation of the mushroom body beta' lobes by this dopaminergic
      pathway is specifically required for an efficient control of startle-induced
      locomotion in flies. 

PMID- 24239354
TI  - Context-specific BAFF-R signaling by the NF-kappaB and PI3K pathways.
AB  - BAFF is a soluble factor required for B cell maturation and survival. BAFF-R
      signals via the noncanonical NF-kappaB pathway regulated by the TRAF3/NIK/IKK1
      axis. We show that deletion of Ikk1 during early B cell development causes a
      partial impairment in B cell maturation and BAFF-dependent survival, but
      inactivation of Ikk1 in mature B cells does not affect survival. We further show
      that BAFF-R employs CD19 to promote survival via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
      (PI3K), and that coinactivation of Cd19 and Ikk1 causes a profound block in B
      cell maturation at the transitional stage. Consistent with a role for PI3K in
      BAFF-R function, inactivation of PTEN mediates a partial rescue of B cell
      maturation and function in Baff(-/-) animals. Elevated PI3K signaling also
      circumvents BAFF-dependent survival in a spontaneous B cell lymphoma model. These
      findings indicate that the combined activities of PI3K and IKK1 drive peripheral
      B cell differentiation and survival in a context-dependent manner. 

PMID- 24239355
TI  - Structural analysis uncovers lipid-binding properties of Notch ligands.
AB  - The Notch pathway is a core cell-cell signaling system in metazoan organisms with
      key roles in cell-fate determination, stem cell maintenance, immune system
      activation, and angiogenesis. Signals are initiated by extracellular interactions
      of the Notch receptor with Delta/Serrate/Lag-2 (DSL) ligands, whose structure is
      highly conserved throughout evolution. To date, no structure or activity has been
      associated with the extreme N termini of the ligands, even though numerous
      mutations in this region of Jagged-1 ligand lead to human disease. Here, we
      demonstrate that the N terminus of human Jagged-1 is a C2 phospholipid
      recognition domain that binds phospholipid bilayers in a calcium-dependent
      fashion. Furthermore, we show that this activity is shared by a member of the
      other class of Notch ligands, human Delta-like-1, and the evolutionary distant
      Drosophila Serrate. Targeted mutagenesis of Jagged-1 C2 domain residues
      implicated in calcium-dependent phospholipid binding leaves Notch interactions
      intact but can reduce Notch activation. These results reveal an important and
      previously unsuspected role for phospholipid recognition in control of this key
      signaling system.

PMID- 24239357
TI  - Loss of a Rho-regulated actin nucleator, mDia2, impairs cytokinesis during mouse
      fetal erythropoiesis.
AB  - The small GTPase Rho and mDia2, a Rho-regulated actin nucleator, function as
      critical regulators of cytokinesis in cultured cells. However, their involvement
      in cytokinesis during mammalian development remains unknown. Here, we generated
      mice deficient in mDia2 and examined the role of Rho signaling in cytokinesis
      during development. mDia2-deficient mice survive until embryonic day 11.5
      (E11.5), exhibit severe anemia with multinucleate erythroblasts, and die in utero
      by E12.5. mDia2-deficient erythroid cells differentiate normally, though in a
      delayed manner, but exhibit cytokinesis failure with decreased accumulation of F
      actin in the cleavage furrow during late differentiation from proerythroblasts.
      On the other hand, inactivation of Rho induces cytokinesis failure from the
      earlier progenitor stage. mDia2-deficient erythroblasts, however, are able to
      enucleate their nuclei. Our findings have thus revealed that mDia2 functions
      critically in cytokinesis in vivo during erythropoiesis and further suggest that
      the cytokinesis mechanism in development diverges downstream of Rho. They also
      demonstrate that cytokinesis and enucleation utilize different mechanisms. 

PMID- 24239356
TI  - Molecular basis for DNA double-strand break annealing and primer extension by an
      NHEJ DNA polymerase.
AB  - Nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) is one of the major DNA double-strand break
      (DSB) repair pathways. The mechanisms by which breaks are competently brought
      together and extended during NHEJ is poorly understood. As polymerases extend DNA
      in a 5'-3' direction by nucleotide addition to a primer, it is unclear how NHEJ
      polymerases fill in break termini containing 3' overhangs that lack a primer
      strand. Here, we describe, at the molecular level, how prokaryotic NHEJ
      polymerases configure a primer-template substrate by annealing the 3' overhanging
      strands from opposing breaks, forming a gapped intermediate that can be extended
      in trans. We identify structural elements that facilitate docking of the 3' ends
      in the active sites of adjacent polymerases and reveal how the termini act as
      primers for extension of the annealed break, thus explaining how such DSBs are
      extended in trans. This study clarifies how polymerases couple break-synapsis to
      catalysis, providing a molecular mechanism to explain how primer extension is
      achieved on DNA breaks.

PMID- 24239358
TI  - TORC1 inhibits GSK3-mediated Elo2 phosphorylation to regulate very long chain
      fatty acid synthesis and autophagy.
AB  - Very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential fatty acids with multiple
      functions, including ceramide synthesis. Although the components of the VLCFA
      biosynthetic machinery have been elucidated, how their activity is regulated to
      meet the cell's metabolic demand remains unknown. The goal of this study was to
      identify mechanisms that regulate the rate of VLCFA synthesis, and we discovered
      that the fatty acid elongase Elo2 is regulated by phosphorylation. Elo2
      phosphorylation is induced upon inhibition of TORC1 and requires GSK3. Expression
      of nonphosphorylatable Elo2 profoundly alters the ceramide spectrum, reflecting
      aberrant VLCFA synthesis. Furthermore, VLCFA depletion results in constitutive
      activation of autophagy, which requires sphingoid base phosphorylation. This
      constitutive activation of autophagy diminishes cell survival, indicating that
      VLCFAs serve to dampen the amplitude of autophagy. Together, our data reveal a
      function for TORC1 and GSK3 in the regulation of VLCFA synthesis that has
      important implications for autophagy and cell homeostasis.

PMID- 24239359
TI  - Distinct and overlapping sarcoma subtypes initiated from muscle stem and
      progenitor cells.
AB  - Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children,
      whereas undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is one of the most common soft
      tissue sarcomas diagnosed in adults. To investigate the myogenic cell(s) of
      origin of these sarcomas, we used Pax7-CreER and MyoD-CreER mice to transform
      Pax7(+) and MyoD(+) myogenic progenitors by expressing oncogenic Kras(G12D) and
      deleting Trp53 in vivo. Pax7-CreER mice developed RMS and UPS, whereas MyoD-CreER
      mice developed UPS. Using gene set enrichment analysis, RMS and UPS each
      clustered specifically within their human counterparts. These results suggest
      that RMS and UPS have distinct and overlapping cells of origin within the muscle
      lineage. Taking them together, we have established mouse models of soft tissue
      sarcoma from muscle stem and progenitor cells.

PMID- 24239361
TI  - In vivo thermal ablation monitoring using ultrasound echo decorrelation imaging.
AB  - Previous work indicated that ultrasound echo decorrelation imaging can track and
      quantify changes in echo signals to predict thermal damage during in vitro
      radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In the in vivo studies reported here, the
      feasibility of using echo decorrelation imaging as a treatment monitoring tool
      was assessed. RFA was performed on normal swine liver (N = 5), and ultrasound
      ablation using image-ablate arrays was performed on rabbit liver implanted with
      VX2 tumors (N = 2). Echo decorrelation and integrated backscatter were computed
      from Hilbert transformed pulse-echo data acquired during RFA and ultrasound
      ablation treatments. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed
      to assess the ability of echo decorrelation imaging and integrated backscatter to
      predict ablation. Area under the ROC curves (AUROC) was determined for RFA and
      ultrasound ablation using echo decorrelation imaging. Ablation was predicted more
      accurately using echo decorrelation imaging (AUROC = 0.832 and 0.776 for RFA and
      ultrasound ablation, respectively) than using integrated backscatter (AUROC =
      0.734 and 0.494). 

PMID- 24239360
TI  - 3-D transcranial ultrasound imaging with bilateral phase aberration correction of
      multiple isoplanatic patches: a pilot human study with microbubble contrast
      enhancement.
AB  - With stroke currently the second-leading cause of death globally, and 87% of all
      strokes classified as ischemic, the development of a fast, accessible, cost
      effective approach for imaging occlusive stroke could have a significant impact
      on health care outcomes and costs. Although clinical examination and standard
      computed tomography alone do not provide adequate information for understanding
      the complex temporal events that occur during an ischemic stroke, ultrasound
      imaging is well suited to the task of examining blood flow dynamics in real time
      and may allow for localization of a clot. A prototype bilateral 3-D ultrasound
      imaging system using two matrix array probes on either side of the head allows
      for correction of skull-induced aberration throughout two entire phased array
      imaging volumes. We investigated the feasibility of applying this custom
      correction technique in five healthy volunteers with Definity microbubble
      contrast enhancement. Subjects were scanned simultaneously via both temporal
      acoustic windows in 3-D color flow mode. The number of color flow voxels above a
      common threshold increased as a result of aberration correction in five of five
      subjects, with a mean increase of 33.9%. The percentage of large arteries
      visualized by 3-D color Doppler imaging increased from 46% without aberration
      correction to 60% with aberration correction. 

PMID- 24239362
TI  - Microbubble type and distribution dependence of focused ultrasound-induced blood
      brain barrier opening.
AB  - Focused ultrasound, in the presence of microbubbles, has been used non-invasively
      to induce reversible blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening in both rodents and non
      human primates. This study was aimed at identifying the dependence of BBB opening
      properties on polydisperse microbubble (all clinically approved microbubbles are
      polydisperse) type and distribution by using a clinically approved ultrasound
      contrast agent (Definity microbubbles) and in-house prepared polydisperse (IHP)
      microbubbles in mice. A total of 18 C57 BL/6 mice (n = 3) were used in this
      study, and each mouse was injected with either Definity or IHP microbubbles via
      the tail vein. The concentration and size distribution of activated Definity and
      IHP microbubbles were measured, and the microbubbles were diluted to 6 * 10(8)/mL
      before injection. Immediately after microbubble administration, mice were
      subjected to focused ultrasound with the following parameters: frequency = 1.5
      MHz, pulse repetition frequency = 10 Hz, 1000 cycles, in situ peak rarefactional
      acoustic pressures = 0.3, 0.45 and 0.6 MPa for a sonication duration of 60 s.
      Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was used to confirm BBB opening and
      allowed for image-based analysis. Permeability of the treated region and volume
      of BBB opening did not significantly differ between the two types of microbubbles
      (p > 0.05) at peak rarefractional acoustic pressures of 0.45 and 0.6 MPa, whereas
      IHP microbubbles had significantly higher permeability and opening volume (p <
      0.05) at the relatively lower pressure of 0.3 MPa. The results from this study
      indicate that microbubble type and distribution could have significant effects on
      focused ultrasound-induced BBB opening at lower pressures, but less important
      effects at higher pressures, possibly because of the stable cavitation that
      governs the former. This difference may have become less significant at higher
      pressures, where inertial cavitation typically occurs. 

PMID- 24239363
TI  - Electromechanical wave imaging of biologically and electrically paced canine
      hearts in vivo.
AB  - Electromechanical wave imaging (EWI) has been show capable of directly and
      entirely non-invasively mapping the trans mural electromechanical activation in
      all four cardiac chambers in vivo. In this study, we assessed EWI repeatability
      and reproducibility, as well as its capability of localizing electronic and, for
      the first time, biological pacing locations in closed-chest, conscious canines.
      Electromechanical activation was obtained in six conscious animals during normal
      sinus rhythm (NSR) and idioventricular rhythms occurring in dogs with complete
      heart block instrumented with electronic and biologic pacemakers (EPM and BPM
      respectively). After atrioventricular node ablation, dogs were implanted with an
      EPM in the right ventricular (RV) endocardial apex (n = 4) and two additionally
      received a BPM at the left ventricular (LV) epicardial base (n = 2). EWI was
      performed trans thoracically during NSR, BPM and EPM pacing, in conscious dogs,
      using an unfocused transmit sequence at 2000 frames/s. During NSR, the EW
      originated at the right atrium (RA), propagated to the left atrium (LA) and
      emerged from multiple sources in both ventricles. During EPM, the EW originated
      at the RV apex and propagated throughout both ventricles. During BPM, the EW
      originated from the LV basal lateral wall and subsequently propagated throughout
      the ventricles. EWI differentiated BPM from EPM and NSR and identified the
      distinct pacing origins. Isochrone comparison indicated that EWI was repeatable
      and reliable. These findings thus indicate the potential for EWI to serve as a
      simple, non-invasive and direct imaging technology for mapping and characterizing
      arrhythmias as well as the treatments thereof.

PMID- 24239364
TI  - Consistent regional heterogeneity of passive diastolic stretch and systolic
      deformation in the healthy heart: age-related changes in left ventricle
      contractility.
AB  - The consistency of the normal spatial distribution of segmental passive stretch
      (PreS) and systolic strain (SS) within the left ventricle was investigated and a
      recently proposed echocardiographic estimate of left ventricular (LV)
      contractility was used to detect contractility changes with age. Hereto, in 54
      healthy subjects, segmental PreS and SS were measured on tissue Doppler images of
      six left ventricle walls. For each subject, a linear regression line was
      estimated through the segmental PreS and SS values. The slopes and intercepts of
      this PreS-SS relationship did not differ between age groups, suggesting no
      changes in LV contractility with age. Moreover, a consistent regional
      distribution of PreS was observed, with the highest values measured in the
      septum, resulting in a similar distribution of SS as a direct consequence of the
      Frank-Starling mechanism. 

PMID- 24239381
TI  - Loss-of-function mutations in TBC1D20 cause cataracts and male infertility in
      blind sterile mice and Warburg micro syndrome in humans.
AB  - blind sterile (bs) is a spontaneous autosomal-recessive mouse mutation discovered
      more than 30 years ago. Phenotypically, bs mice exhibit nuclear cataracts and
      male infertility; genetic analyses assigned the bs locus to mouse chromosome 2.
      In this study, we first positionally cloned the bs locus and identified a
      putative causative mutation in the Tbc1d20 gene. Functional analysis established
      the mouse TBC1D20 protein as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for RAB1 and RAB2,
      and bs as a TBC1D20 loss-of-function mutation. Evaluation of bs mouse embryonic
      fibroblasts (mEFs) identified enlarged Golgi morphology and aberrant lipid
      droplet (LD) formation. Based on the function of TBC1D20 as a RABGAP and the bs
      cataract and testicular phenotypes, we hypothesized that mutations in TBC1D20 may
      contribute to Warburg micro syndrome (WARBM); WARBM constitutes a spectrum of
      disorders characterized by eye, brain, and endocrine abnormalities caused by
      mutations in RAB3GAP1, RAB3GAP2, and RAB18. Sequence analysis of a cohort of 77
      families affected by WARBM identified five distinct TBC1D20 loss-of-function
      mutations, thereby establishing these mutations as causative of WARBM. Evaluation
      of human fibroblasts deficient in TBC1D20 function identified aberrant LDs
      similar to those identified in the bs mEFs. Additionally, our results show that
      human fibroblasts deficient in RAB18 and RAB3GAP1 function also exhibit aberrant
      LD formation. These findings collectively indicate that a defect in LD
      formation/metabolism may be a common cellular abnormality associated with WARBM,
      although it remains unclear whether abnormalities in LD metabolism are
      contributing to WARBM disease pathology. 

PMID- 24239383
TI  - Neuroprotective effects of the amylin analogue pramlintide on Alzheimer's disease
      pathogenesis and cognition.
AB  - Amylin is a metabolic peptide hormone that is co-secreted with insulin from beta
      cells in the pancreas and activates many of the downstream targets of insulin. To
      investigate the relationship between this hormone and Alzheimer's disease (AD),
      we measured plasma human amylin levels in 206 subjects with AD, 64 subjects with
      mild cognitive impairment, and 111 subjects with no cognitive impairment and
      found significantly lower amylin levels among subjects with AD and mild cognitive
      impairment compared with the cognitively intact subjects. To investigate
      mechanisms underlying amylin's effects in the brain, we administered chronic
      infusions of the amylin analog pramlintide in the senescence-accelerated prone
      mouse, a mouse model of sporadic AD. Pramlintide administration improved
      performance in the novel object recognition task, a validated test of memory and
      cognition. The pramlintide-treated mice had increased expression of the synaptic
      marker synapsin I and the kinase cyclin-dependent kinase-5 in the hippocampus, as
      well as decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in the hippocampus. A
      dose-dependent increase in cyclin-dependent kinase-5 and activation of
      extracellular-signal-regulated-kinases 1/2 by pramlintide treatment in vitro was
      also present indicating functionality of the amylin receptor in neurons. Together
      these results suggest that amylin analogs have neuroprotective properties and
      might be of therapeutic benefit in AD.

PMID- 24239382
TI  - Mutations in KPTN cause macrocephaly, neurodevelopmental delay, and seizures.
AB  - The proper development of neuronal circuits during neuromorphogenesis and
      neuronal-network formation is critically dependent on a coordinated and intricate
      series of molecular and cellular cues and responses. Although the cortical actin
      cytoskeleton is known to play a key role in neuromorphogenesis, relatively little
      is known about the specific molecules important for this process. Using linkage
      analysis and whole-exome sequencing on samples from families from the Amish
      community of Ohio, we have demonstrated that mutations in KPTN, encoding kaptin,
      cause a syndrome typified by macrocephaly, neurodevelopmental delay, and
      seizures. Our immunofluorescence analyses in primary neuronal cell cultures
      showed that endogenous and GFP-tagged kaptin associates with dynamic actin
      cytoskeletal structures and that this association is lost upon introduction of
      the identified mutations. Taken together, our studies have identified kaptin
      alterations responsible for macrocephaly and neurodevelopmental delay and define
      kaptin as a molecule crucial for normal human neuromorphogenesis. 

PMID- 24239384
TI  - Metabolic abnormalities and hypoleptinemia in alpha-synuclein A53T mutant mice.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) patients frequently display loss of body fat mass and
      increased energy expenditure, and several studies have outlined a relationship
      between these metabolic abnormalities and disease severity, yet energy metabolism
      is largely unstudied in mouse models of PD. Here we characterize metabolic and
      physiologic responses to a high calorie diet (HCD) in mice expressing in neurons
      a mutant form of human alpha-synuclein (A53T) that causes dominantly inherited
      familial forms of the disease. A53T (SNCA) and wild type (WT) littermate mice
      were placed on a HCD for 12 weeks and evaluated for weight gain, food intake,
      body fat, blood plasma leptin, hunger, glucose tolerance, and energy expenditure.
      Results were compared with both SNCA and WT mice on a control diet. Despite
      consuming similar amounts of food, WT mice gained up to 66% of their original
      body weight on a HCD, whereas SNCA mice gained only 17%. Further, after 12 weeks
      on a HCD, magnetic resonance imaging analysis revealed that WT mice had
      significantly greater total and visceral body fat compared with SNCA mice (p <
      0.007). At the age of 24 weeks SNCA mice displayed significantly increased hunger
      compared with WT (p < 0.03). At the age of 36 weeks, SNCA mice displayed
      significant hypoleptinemia compared with WT, both on a normal diet and a HCD (p <
      0.03). The HCD induced insulin insensitivity in WT, but not SNCA mice, as
      indicated by an oral glucose tolerance test. Finally, SNCA mice displayed greater
      energy expenditure compared with WT, as measured in a Comprehensive Laboratory
      Animal Monitoring System, after 12 weeks on a HCD. Thus, SNCA mice are resistant
      to HCD-induced obesity and insulin resistance and display reduced body fat,
      increased hunger, hypoleptinemia and increased energy expenditure. Our findings
      reveal a profile of metabolic dysfunction in a mouse model of PD that is similar
      to that of human PD patients, thus providing evidence that alpha-synuclein
      pathology is sufficient to drive such metabolic abnormalities and providing an
      animal model for discovery of the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic
      interventions. 

PMID- 24239385
TI  - Deficiency in homologous recombination renders Mammalian cells more sensitive to
      proton versus photon irradiation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of the 2 major DNA repair machineries on
      cellular survival in response to irradiation with the 2 types of ionizing
      radiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The DNA repair and cell survival endpoints in
      wild-type, homologous recombination (HR)-deficient, and nonhomologous end-joining
      deficient cells were analyzed after irradiation with clinically relevant, low
      linear energy transfer (LET) protons and 200-keV photons. RESULTS: All cell lines
      were more sensitive to proton irradiation compared with photon irradiation,
      despite no differences in the induction of DNA breaks. Interestingly, HR
      deficient cells and wild-type cells with small interfering RNA-down-regulated
      Rad51 were markedly hypersensitive to proton irradiation, resulting in an
      increased relative biological effectiveness in comparison with the relative
      biological effectiveness determined in wild-type cells. In contrast, lack of
      nonhomologous end-joining did not result in hypersensitivity toward proton
      irradiation. Repair kinetics of DNA damage in wild-type cells were equal after
      both types of irradiation, although proton irradiation resulted in more lethal
      chromosomal aberrations. Finally, repair kinetics in HR-deficient cells were
      significantly delayed after proton irradiation, with elevated amounts of residual
      gammaH2AX foci after irradiation. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate a differential
      quality of DNA damage by proton versus photon irradiation, with a specific
      requirement for homologous recombination for DNA repair and enhanced cell
      survival. This has potential relevance for clinical stratification of patients
      carrying mutations in the DNA damage response pathways.

PMID- 24239386
TI  - Quality of survival and growth in children and young adults in the PNET4 European
      controlled trial of hyperfractionated versus conventional radiation therapy for
      standard-risk medulloblastoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare quality of survival in "standard-risk" medulloblastoma after
      hyperfractionated radiation therapy of the central nervous system with that after
      standard radiation therapy, combined with a chemotherapy regimen common to both
      treatment arms, in the PNET4 randomised controlled trial. METHODS AND MATERIALS:
      Participants in the PNET4 trial and their parents/caregivers in 7 participating
      anonymized countries completed standardized questionnaires in their own language
      on executive function, health status, behavior, health-related quality of life,
      and medical, educational, employment, and social information. Pre- and
      postoperative neurologic status and serial heights and weights were also
      recorded. RESULTS: Data were provided by 151 of 244 eligible survivors (62%) at a
      median age at assessment of 15.2 years and median interval from diagnosis of 5.8
      years. Compared with standard radiation therapy, hyperfractionated radiation
      therapy was associated with lower (ie, better) z-scores for executive function in
      all participants (mean intergroup difference 0.48 SDs, 95% confidence interval
      0.16-0.81, P=.004), but health status, behavioral difficulties, and health
      related quality of life z-scores were similar in the 2 treatment arms. Data on
      hearing impairment were equivocal. Hyperfractionated radiation therapy was also
      associated with greater decrement in height z-scores (mean intergroup difference
      0.43 SDs, 95% confidence interval 0.10-0.76, P=.011). CONCLUSIONS:
      Hyperfractionated radiation therapy was associated with better executive function
      and worse growth but without accompanying change in health status, behavior, or
      quality of life.

PMID- 24239387
TI  - Interfraction displacement of primary tumor and involved lymph nodes relative to
      anatomic landmarks in image guided radiation therapy of locally advanced lung
      cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze primary tumor (PT) and lymph node (LN) position changes
      relative to each other and relative to anatomic landmarks during conventionally
      fractionated radiation therapy for patients with locally advanced lung cancer.
      METHODS AND MATERIALS: In 12 patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung
      cancer PT, LN, carina, and 1 thoracic vertebra were manually contoured on weekly
      4-dimensional fan-beam CT scans. Systematic and random interfraction
      displacements of all contoured structures were identified in the 3 cardinal
      directions, and resulting setup margins were calculated. Time trends and the
      effect of volume changes on displacements were analyzed. RESULTS: Three
      dimensional displacement vectors and systematic/random interfraction
      displacements were smaller for carina than for vertebra both for PT and LN. For
      PT, mean (SD) 3-dimensional displacement vectors with carina-based alignment were
      7 (4) mm versus 9 (5) mm with bony anatomy (P<.0001). For LN, smaller
      displacements were found with carina- (5 [3] mm, P<.0001) and vertebra-based (6
      [3] mm, P=.002) alignment compared with using PT for setup (8 [5] mm). Primary
      tumor and LN displacements relative to bone and carina were independent (P>.05).
      Displacements between PT and bone (P=.04) and between PT and LN (P=.01) were
      significantly correlated with PT volume regression. Displacements between LN and
      carina were correlated with LN volume change (P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Carina-based
      setup results in a more reproducible PT and LN alignment than bony anatomy setup.
      Considering the independence of PT and LN displacement and the impact of volume
      regression on displacements over time, repeated CT imaging even with PT-based
      alignment is recommended in locally advanced disease.

PMID- 24239388
TI  - Structural stability of methane hydrates in porous medium: Raman spectroscopic
      study.
AB  - Thermal and temporal stability of the methane hydrates (MH) at ambient pressure,
      synthesised in a spherical silica (solid and hollow, with average diameter of 70
      MUm) matrix, are investigated by the Raman spectroscopy. Identical Raman
      spectroscopic spectral features for all the synthesized hydrate samples indicate
      structural resemblance irrespective of matrix. It is observed that the growth of
      hydrates in hollow silica matrix is homogeneous, while that with solid grain is
      highly heterogeneous. Temporal and thermal stability of MH depends on the silica
      matrix. Appearance of the Raman signatures characteristic of MH, in hollow
      silica, indicates that the hydrates are stable over several hours (upon
      preserving at 153 K and 0.1 MPa) and until ~273 K at 0.1 MPa. However, MH in
      solid silica matrix is highly unstable under similar P, T conditions and they are
      readily dissociated within 2 h. The thermal stability of these samples at 0.1 MPa
      is also significantly lower.

PMID- 24239389
TI  - Potent and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of indole-based bisamidine
      antibiotics: synthesis and SAR of novel analogs of MBX 1066 and MBX 1090.
AB  - The prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria in the clinic has propelled a concerted
      effort to find new classes of antibiotics that will circumvent current modes of
      resistance. We have previously described a set of bisamidine antibiotics that
      contains a core composed of two indoles and a central linker. The first compounds
      of the series, MBX 1066 and MBX 1090, have potent antibacterial properties
      against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We have
      conducted a systematic exploration of the amidine functionalities, the central
      linker, and substituents at the indole 3-position to determine the factors
      involved in potent antibacterial activity. Some of the newly synthesized
      compounds have even more potent and broad-spectrum activity than MBX 1066 and MBX
      1090. 

PMID- 24239391
TI  - [A bit of angiography history].

PMID- 24239390
TI  - Bioactive compounds from Stuhlmannia moavi from the Madagascar dry forest.
AB  - Bioassay-directed fractionation of the leaf and root extracts of the
      antiproliferative Madagascar plant Stuhlmannia moavi afforded 6-acetyl-5,8
      dihydroxy-2-methoxy-7-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (stuhlmoavin, 1) as the most
      active compound, with an IC50 value of 8.1 MUM against the A2780 human ovarian
      cancer cell line, as well as the known homoisoflavonoid bonducellin (2) and the
      stilbenoids 3,4,5'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxy-trans-stilbene (3), piceatannol (4),
      resveratrol (5), rhapontigenin (6), and isorhapontigenin (7). The structure
      elucidation of all compounds was based on NMR and mass spectroscopic data, and
      the structure of 1 was confirmed by a single crystal X-ray analysis. Compounds 2
      5 showed weak A2780 activities, with IC50 values of 10.6, 54.0, 41.0, and 74.0
      MUM, respectively. Compounds 1-3 also showed weak antimalarial activity against
      Plasmodium falciparum with IC50 values of 23, 26, and 27 MUM, respectively.

PMID- 24239392
TI  - Selection of patients for percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy: is there a
      definitive limit for the Wilkins score?
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the early and long-term results of
      percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy (PBMV) in patients with Wilkins score (WS)
      between 9 and 11. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of clinical
      records of patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent PBMV between
      November 1991 and March 2008. Follow-up was obtained by telephone interview
      and/or clinical records. The procedure was considered unsuccessful when post
      procedure mitral valve area was <1.5 cm(2). RESULTS: We analyzed 124 patients,
      108 (87.1%) of them women. Mean age at the time of repair was 46 +/- 11 years and
      mean follow-up time was 10 +/- 4 years. Before the procedure, 100 patients
      (80.6%) had WS <= 8 and 24 (19.4%) were in the "gray zone" (>8 and <11). Patients
      with WS <= 8 and patients in the gray zone had similar ages at first intervention
      (45 +/- 11 vs. 49 +/- 11 years; p=0.095) and follow-up time (10 +/- 4 vs. 11 +/-
      5 years; p=0.55). There were no differences between groups in gender (women: 86%
      vs. 92%; p=0.735), or in baseline echocardiographic measurements (mitral valve
      area by planimetry 1.0 cm(2) [P25-P75: 0.9-1.1] vs. 0.9 [P25-P75: 0.8-1.2],
      p=0.514; pulmonary artery systolic pressure 53 mmHg [P25-P75: 45-63] vs. 50 [P25
      P75: 44-54], p=0.823]; left atrial diameter >55 mm [16.5% vs. 13.6%, p=1.00];
      mitral regurgitation [46.5% vs. 37.5%, p=0.428]) or baseline transmitral gradient
      (13 mmHg [P25-P75: 10-19] vs. 13 mmHg [P25-P75: 7-20]). Improvements in mitral
      valve area by planimetry and in hemodynamic gradient were similar in the two
      groups (0.91 +/- 0.39 cm(2) vs. 0.84 +/- 0.44 cm(2), p=0.55; 8.8 +/- 5.3 mmHg vs.
      7.3 +/- 5.9 mmHg, p=0.275, respectively). There were no significant differences
      in major complications or success rates (4.0 vs. 12.5 p=0.131; 89.9% vs. 95.8%,
      p=0.69) or in need for urgent surgery or future reintervention (2.0 vs. 8.3%,
      p=0.168; 22% vs. 27.3%, p=0.594). In-hospital mortality occurred only in patients
      in the WS gray zone (2 [8.3%] vs. 0%, p=0.04), one death (4.2% vs. 0%, p=0.194)
      possibly being related to a higher WS (secondary to stroke) and the other as a
      consequence of peripheral vascular complication. Improvements in NYHA functional
      class soon after the procedure and during follow-up were similar in the two
      groups. Total mortality was similar in the two groups (3.1 vs. 8.7%, p=0.244).
      CONCLUSIONS: PBMV was a safe and effective procedure in patients in the WS gray
      zone. Optimal results can be achieved in these patients if they are carefully
      selected and operated at experienced centers.

PMID- 24239393
TI  - Are leptin levels a cause or an indicator of cardiovascular risk?

PMID- 24239394
TI  - The Cochrane Corner in the Portuguese Journal of Cardiology.

PMID- 24239395
TI  - Long-term follow-up after aortic coarctation repair: the unsolved issue of
      exercise-induced hypertension.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite successful repair of aortic coarctation (AC), systemic
      hypertension (HTN) can persist in a significant percentage of patients. Exercise
      induced HTN is also common in these patients, although its clinical significance
      is still unclear. In this study we aimed to assess the prevalence of exercise
      induced HTN in adult patients with repaired AC. METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed the clinical records of patients aged >18 years with repaired AC
      followed at an adult congenital heart disease outpatient clinic in a tertiary
      care center. Demographic and clinical data including age at intervention, blood
      pressure (BP) at rest and on exercise, transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and
      treadmill exercise test results were evaluated. Exercise-induced HTN was defined
      as peak systolic BP >= 210 mmHg for men and >= 190 mmHg for women. RESULTS: We
      analyzed 65 patients (40 [61.5%] male; mean age at follow-up 30 +/- 8 years).
      Median age at AC repair was 7 years (P25-P75: 4-20) and mean follow-up was 20 +/-
      7 years. Only one patient had diabetes and 10 (15.4%) had dyslipidemia. The
      majority of patients had controlled BP at rest and only nine (18%) were under
      antihypertensive medication. Forty-nine patients performed a treadmill exercise
      test. The mean duration of exercise was 10.7 +/- 3.1 minutes and mean peak heart
      rate was 166 +/- 18 beats per minute. Eleven (22%) patients had a hypertensive
      response, among whom only three (33%) had uncontrolled BP at rest. In our study
      treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) (OR 4.0 [95% CI
      1.9-18.1]) and the peak instantaneous gradient in the descending aorta by TTE (OR
      8.2 [95% CI 1.8-37.0]) were predictors of a hypertensive response with exercise.
      Age at surgery and type of AC repair were not associated with a hypertensive
      response on exercise. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we found a significant
      prevalence of exercise-induced HTN in adult patients after successful AC repair
      despite adequate BP control at rest. Exercise-induced HTN was significantly
      related to higher peak gradient in the descending aorta and treatment with ACEI.
      These results highlight the complexity of the adult AC population and show that,
      even after a good surgical result, several patients remain at high cardiovascular
      risk and require long-term follow-up.

PMID- 24239396
TI  - A rare case of persistent troponin elevation in a patient with chronic heart
      failure.
AB  - We present the case of a woman diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who
      suffered a myocardial infarction when she was 28 years old, without coronary
      artery disease on coronary angiography. Two years later, she presented signs of
      heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction with persistent troponin
      I elevation, followed by progressive worsening of ventricular dysfunction. 

PMID- 24239398
TI  - Reply: To PMID 23153766.

PMID- 24239400
TI  - Patient perception of quality online: a double edged sword.

PMID- 24239397
TI  - Histone deacetylase inhibitors decrease intra-abdominal adhesions with one
      intraoperative dose by reducing peritoneal fibrin deposition pathways.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that postoperative peritoneal injury and
      inflammation contribute to adhesiogenesis. Recent evidence suggests that in
      addition to their role of interfering with the acetylation status of nuclear
      histone proteins, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) including valproic acid
      (VPA) can target nonhistone proteins to resolve inflammation and modulate immune
      cells. We hypothesized that HDACIs could reduce adhesions. METHODS: Seventy-two
      rats underwent laparotomy with creation of 6 peritoneal ischemic buttons to
      induce adhesions. A single intraperitoneal (IP) dose of 50 mg/kg VPA was
      administered intraoperatively, whereas controls received vehicle. To evaluate the
      timing, 25 rats underwent ischemic button creation with either an intraoperative
      or a delayed IP dose of VPA at 1, 3, or 6 hours postoperatively. On postoperative
      day 7, adhesions were quantified. To investigate mechanisms, ischemic buttons
      were created in 24 rats and either VPA or saline was administered in 1
      intraoperative dose. At 3 or 24 hours later, peritoneal fluid was collected and
      fibrinolytic activity measured. Alternatively, button tissue was collected 30
      minutes postoperatively to measure tissue factor, fibrinogen, and vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by real-time polymerase chain reaction or
      Western blot. RESULTS: A single intraoperative dose of VPA reduced adhesions by
      50% relative to controls (P < .001). Delayed dosing did not reduce adhesions. In
      operated animals, peritoneal fibrinolytic activity was not different between
      groups. Tissue factor mRNA was downregulated by 50% (P = .02) and protein by 34%
      (P < .01) in animals administered VPA versus saline. VPA decreased fibrinogen
      protein by 56% and VEGF protein by 25% compared with saline (P = .03).
      CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that VPA rapidly reduces the extravasation of
      key adhesiogenic substrates into the peritoneum. A single, intraoperative
      intervention provides an ideal dosing strategy and indicates an exciting new role
      for HDACIs in adhesion prevention.

PMID- 24239401
TI  - Adherence to dietary guidelines positively affects quality of life and functional
      status of older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nutritional parameters could influence self-perceived health and
      functional status of older adults. OBJECTIVE: We prospectively determined the
      association between diet quality and quality of life and activities of daily
      living. DESIGN: This was an observational cohort study in which total diet
      scores, reflecting adherence to dietary guidelines, were determined. Dietary
      intakes were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Total
      diet scores were allocated for intake of selected food groups and nutrients for
      each participant as described in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Higher
      scores indicated closer adherence to dietary guidelines. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: In
      Sydney, Australia, 1,305 and 895 participants (aged >= 55 years) with complete
      data were examined over 5 and 10 years, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: The
      36-Item Short-Form Survey assesses quality of life and has eight subscales
      representing dimensions of health and well-being; higher scores reflect better
      quality of life. Functional status was determined once at the 10-year follow-up
      by the Older Americans Resources and Services activities of daily living scale.
      This scale has 14 items: seven items assess basic activities of daily living (eg,
      eating and walking) and seven items assess instrumental activities of daily
      living (eg, shopping or housework). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Normalized 36
      Item Short-Form Survey component scores were used in analysis of covariance to
      calculate multivariable adjusted mean scores. Logistic regression analysis was
      used to calculate adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs to demonstrate the association
      between total diet score with the 5-year incidence of impaired activities of
      daily living. RESULTS: Participants in the highest vs lowest quartile of baseline
      total diet scores had adjusted mean scores 5.6, 4.0, 5.3, and 2.6 units higher in
      these 36-Item Short-Form Survey domains 5 years later: physical function (P
      trend=0.003), general health (P trend=0.02), vitality (P trend=0.001), and
      physical composite score (P trend=0.003), respectively. Participants in the
      highest vs lowest quartile of baseline total diet scores had 50% reduced risk of
      impaired instrumental activites of daily living at follow-up (multivariable
      adjusted P trend=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Higher diet quality was prospectively
      associated with better quality of life and functional ability.

PMID- 24239402
TI  - Colectomy for patients with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis
      - what next?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) occurs in 2%-8% of
      patients who suffer from ulcerative colitis (UC). For patients who require
      colectomy, ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) or ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) is
      employed to preserve continence.We evaluated the outcomes after IPAA and IRA for
      patients with UC-PSC, using patients with UC but without PSC as controls (UC-only
      group). PATIENTS: In a case-control study conducted at Sahlgrenska University
      Hospital, Sweden, patients with UC-PSC (N=48; 31 IPAA and 17 IRA) were compared
      to patients with UC only (N=113; 62 IPAA and 51 IRA). Functional outcomes
      (Oresland score), pouchitis, surgical complications, and failure were evaluated.
      RESULTS: For patients with IPAA, the median Oresland scores were similar for the
      two groups: 5 (range, 0-13) for the UC-PSC group and 5 for the UC-only group
      (range, 0-12; p>0.05). However, the IRA scores were significantly different at 7
      (range, 2-11) and 3 (range, 0-11) for the respective groups (p=0.005). Pouchitis
      was more frequent in patients with UC-PSC. Complication rates did not differ. For
      patients with IPAA, the failure rate was 16% for those in the UC-PSC group versus
      6% for those in the UC-only group (p>0.05); the corresponding results for IRA
      were 53% versus 22% (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: For cases of IPAA, pouchitis seems to
      be more common in patients with UC-PSC. However, the functional outcomes and
      failure rates are unaffected by concurrent PSC. For patients with UC-PSC,
      functional outcome is poor and the failure rate is high after IRA.

PMID- 24239403
TI  - A patient with severe Crohn's colitis responds to Faecal Microbiota
      Transplantation.

PMID- 24239404
TI  - The process of adult day service use.
AB  - The objective of this study was to examine why and how families and older adults
      utilize adult day services. The current study included three months of
      participant observation in one rural and one suburban adult day service program
      in an upper-Midwestern region of the United States as well as semi-structured
      interviews with 14 family members of clients and 12 staff members from these
      programs. Several key constructs emerged that organized the multiple sources of
      qualitative data including programmatic philosophy, positioning, and environment
      of ADS; clients' and family members' reasons for use; the process of ADS use by
      families and clients; and pathways to family/client psychosocial and client
      functional outcomes. A number of inter-related themes emerged within each
      construct. The constructs identified and their potential associations among each
      other were used to expand upon and refine prior conceptualizations of ADS to
      frame future clinical and research efforts. 

PMID- 24239405
TI  - Amino ozonides exhibit in vitro activity against Echinococcus multilocularis
      metacestodes.
AB  - Artemisinin is an antimalarial sesquiterpene lactone that contains a 1,2,4
      trioxane heterocycle. Dihydroartemisinin and artesunate demonstrated activity
      against Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes in vitro but were not effective
      in a mouse model. In this study, the in vitro effects of a small library of
      synthetic ozonides (1,2,4-trioxolanes) were investigated. Initial compound
      screening against E. multilocularis metacestodes was performed at 20MUM, and
      selected ozonides were further assessed in dose-response studies in metacestode
      cultures and mammalian cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed
      to characterise compound-induced structural alterations. At 20MUM, the most
      potent ozonides (OZ401, OZ455, OZ491 and OZ494) led to death of ca. 60-100% of
      the parasites. Subsequent dose-response experiments demonstrated that OZ401,
      OZ455 and OZ491, which contain an aminopropylether substructure, were the most
      potent, with 50% inhibitory concentrations ranging from 11MUM to 14MUM.
      Cytotoxicity for these three ozonides, assessed in human foreskin fibroblasts,
      rat hepatoma cells and green monkey epithelial kidney (Vero) cells, was evident
      only at high concentrations. TEM demonstrated that OZ401 and OZ491 treatment
      induced considerable metabolic impairment in metacestodes at 1 day post exposure.
      At Day 3 post exposure, the germinal layer was severely distorted, although some
      intact cells were still visible, demonstrating that not all cell types in the
      parasite tissue were equally affected. Complete destruction of the germinal layer
      was noted at 5 days post exposure. Synthetic ozonides could represent interesting
      leads that will be further investigated in a suitable in vivo model of E.
      multilocularis infection.

PMID- 24239406
TI  - Extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventriculitis and meningitis
      treated with intrathecal colistin.

PMID- 24239407
TI  - The effect of leg preference on postural stability in healthy athletes.
AB  - In research regarding postural stability, leg preference is often tested and
      controlled for. However, leg preference may vary between tasks. As athletes are a
      group of interest for postural stability testing, we evaluated the effect of five
      leg preference tasks categorization (step up, hop, ball kick, balance, pick up)
      on single-leg postural stability of 16 field hockey athletes. The 'center of
      pressure speed' was calculated as the primary outcome variable of single-leg
      postural stability. Secondary variables were 'mean length of the GRF vector in
      the horizontal plane', 'mean length of the ankle angular velocity vector', and
      'mean length of the hip angular velocity vector', as well as the separate
      outcomes per degree of freedom. Results showed that leg preference was
      inconsistent between leg preference tasks. Moreover, the primary and secondary
      variables yielded no significant difference between the preferred and non
      preferred legs, regardless of the applied leg preference task categorization
      (p>0.05). The present findings do not support the usability of leg preference
      tasks in controlling for bias of postural stability. In conclusion, none of the
      applied leg preference tasks revealed a significant effect on postural stability
      in healthy field hockey athletes. 

PMID- 24239408
TI  - [Patient adherence to oral anticoagulant treatment (warfarin)].

PMID- 24239409
TI  - Critical dose and toxicity index of organs at risk in radiotherapy: analyzing the
      calculated effects of modified dose fractionation in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - To increase the efficacy of radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),
      many schemes of dose fractionation were assessed by a new "toxicity index" (I),
      which allows one to choose the fractionation schedules that produce less toxic
      treatments. Thirty-two patients affected by non resectable NSCLC were treated by
      standard 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) with a strategy of limited
      treated volume. Computed tomography datasets were employed to re plan by
      simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The dose
      distributions from plans were used to test various schemes of dose fractionation,
      in 3DCRT as well as in IMRT, by transforming the dose-volume histogram (DVH) into
      a biological equivalent DVH (BDVH) and by varying the overall treatment time. The
      BDVHs were obtained through the toxicity index, which was defined for each of the
      organs at risk (OAR) by a linear quadratic model keeping an equivalent
      radiobiological effect on the target volume. The less toxic fractionation
      consisted in a severe/moderate hyper fractionation for the volume including the
      primary tumor and lymph nodes, followed by a hypofractionation for the reduced
      volume of the primary tumor. The 3DCRT and IMRT resulted, respectively, in 4.7%
      and 4.3% of dose sparing for the spinal cord, without significant changes for the
      combined-lungs toxicity (p < 0.001). Schedules with reduced overall treatment
      time (accelerated fractionations) led to a 12.5% dose sparing for the spinal cord
      (7.5% in IMRT), 8.3% dose sparing for V20 in the combined lungs (5.5% in IMRT),
      and also significant dose sparing for all the other OARs (p < 0.001). The
      toxicity index allows to choose fractionation schedules with reduced toxicity for
      all the OARs and equivalent radiobiological effect for the tumor in 3DCRT, as
      well as in IMRT, treatments of NSCLC. 

PMID- 24239410
TI  - Triple-phase dynamic MRI: a new clue to predict malignant transformation of giant
      cell tumor of bone.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was, through the comparison of the characteristics of time
      intensity curve on triple-phase dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI among groups of
      giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB), recurrent benign giant cell tumor of bone
      (RBGCTB), and secondary malignant giant cell tumor of bone (SMGCTB), to find
      clues to predict the malignant transformation of GCTB. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 21
      patients diagnosed as GCTB were included in this study. All cases took recurrence
      after intralesional curettage. 9 cases were confirmed as SMGCTB and 12 cases were
      confirmed as RBGCTB. Cases were divided into four groups: group A, GCTB (n=9);
      group B, SMGCTB (n=9); group C, GCTB (n=12); group D, RBGCTB (n=12). Enhancement
      index(EI) of lesions on DCEMRI was calculated using formula: EI(t)=[S(t)
      S(0)]/S(0), where S(0) was signal intensity of lesion on non-contrast-enhanced T1
      weighted images and S(t) was signal intensity of lesion on DCEMRI (t=30, 60,
      180s). Enhancement index of each group in each phase was compared using One-Way
      ANOVA analysis. Slope values of time-intensity curve were compared by the same
      way. RESULTS: Time-intensity curve of SMGCTB was characterized by a steep upward
      slope followed by an early and rapid washout phase. Time-intensity curve of GCTB
      and RBGCTB was characterized by a steep slope followed by a relatively slow
      washout phase. No significant difference in enhancement index was found in the
      first phase (p>0.05). There was significant difference in the second and the
      third phase (p<0.05). Enhancement index of group B (SMGCTB) was smaller. There
      was no difference in rising slope value (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic contrast
      enhanced MRI appears a helpful method to find new clues to predict malignant
      transformation of GCTB.

PMID- 24239411
TI  - Mechanical thrombectomy "as a rescue treatment" of thromboembolic complications
      during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.
AB  - Acute thromboembolic periprocedural events during endovascular intracranial
      aneurysm treatment are mostly treated with intravenous or intra-arterial
      pharmacological thrombolysis. The present report describes a case of mechanical
      thrombectomy as a rescue treatment that may be an acceptable alternative to the
      current strategies. The feasibility and safety of stent retrievers in such a
      clinical indication are also discussed. 

PMID- 24239412
TI  - Clinical factors are significant predictors of outcome post intra-arterial
      therapy for acute ischaemic stroke: a review.
AB  - Intra-arterial therapy (IAT) provides superior recanalisation rates, approaching
      80% for the current generation of endovascular devices. Furthermore, IAT may
      allow for an extended therapeutic window beyond that which is permissible for
      intravenous thrombolysis. However, the improved recanalisation rates are not
      matched by concordant clinical outcomes, leading to an invigorated search for
      predictors of clinical outcome. There is emerging evidence that younger age, mild
      moderate stroke, and shorter vessel occlusion time are associated with better
      clinical outcome after IAT. This review aims to critically appraise current
      evidence that may inform changes in the selective inclusion of clinical factors
      in the future design and trial of IAT. 

PMID- 24239413
TI  - Reversible bilateral basal ganglia lesions related to Epstein-Barr virus
      encephalitis.

PMID- 24239414
TI  - Hair ethyl glucuronide levels as a marker for alcohol use and abuse: a review of
      the current state of the art.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a minor alcohol metabolite that has been
      proposed as a stable marker in hair to detect and quantify alcohol consumption
      over long time periods. METHODS: We provide an outline of currently available
      techniques for EtG hair sample analysis and highlight the pitfalls related to
      data interpretation. The literature of EtG analysis has been reviewed from
      January 1980 up to August 2013. In addition, we present an overview of the
      clinical and forensic studies which have used EtG quantification in hair as a
      marker for alcohol consumption/abstinence and we provide suggestions for future
      research. RESULTS: EtG is a stable marker in hair that can be used to detect and
      quantify alcohol consumption over long time periods. This alcohol metabolite
      remains in hair after complete elimination of alcohol. Currently, there are three
      main analytical techniques used to quantify EtG in hair: gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), and
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). No standardized
      protocols are yet available for the analysis of EtG levels in hair samples, and
      the current protocols vary in sample preparation and extraction procedures.
      Variables such as hair length, cosmetic treatment, gender, and pathophysiological
      conditions influence the final results and should be taken into account.
      CONCLUSIONS: EtG quantification in hair is a useful tool for the objective
      detection of alcohol consumption over extended time periods, but care should be
      taken when interpreting the results.

PMID- 24239415
TI  - The fabrication of aspherical microlenses using focused ion-beam techniques.
AB  - Aspheric lenses are the most common method for correcting for spherical
      aberrations but, in microlens production, highly-controlled lens profiles are
      hard to achieve. We demonstrate a technique for creating bespoke, highly-accurate
      aspheric or spherical profile silicon microlens moulds, of almost any footprint,
      using focused ion-beam milling. Along with this, we present a method of removing
      induced ion-beam damage in silicon, via a hydrofluoric acid etch, helping to
      recover the surface's optical and chemical properties. In this paper, we
      demonstrate that our milled and etched moulds have a roughness of 4.0-4.1 nm,
      meaning they scatter less than 1% of light, down to wavelengths of 51 nm, showing
      that the moulds are suitable to make lenses that are able to handle light from UV
      up to infra-red. Using empirical experiments and computer simulations, we show
      that increasing the ion-dose when milling increases the amount of gallium a
      hydrofluoric acid etch can remove, by increasing the degree of amorphisation
      within the surface. For doses above 3000 MUC/cm(2) this restores previous surface
      properties, reducing adhesion to the mould, allowing for a cleaner release and
      enabling higher quality lenses to be made. Our technique is used to make aspheric
      microlenses of down to 3 MUm in size, but with a potential to make lenses smaller
      than 1 MUm.

PMID- 24239416
TI  - Towards full-resolution inline electron holography.
AB  - With the availability of fast computers, inline electron holography, a technique
      for reconstructing both amplitude and phase of the electron wave function as
      scattered by the sample from a set of differently aberrated transmission electron
      microscopy images, is becoming increasingly quantitative. While focal series
      reconstruction from transmission electron microscopy images has already been
      practiced for at least 3 decades, existing approaches can only recover a
      relatively small band of spatial frequencies. Here I present a reconstruction
      scheme which is capable of reconstructing the electron wave function for a very
      large range of spatial frequencies, demonstrating its performance using simulated
      as well as experimental data. 

PMID- 24239417
TI  - Immune cell response to Candida cell wall mannan derived branched alpha
      oligomannoside conjugates in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Constructs composed of cell wall mannan-derived moieties conjugated
      to immunogenic proteins could be promising agents for induction of protective
      anti-Candida immune responses. METHODS: This report is focused on the cellular
      immune response differences induced by BSA-based conjugates bearing synthetic
      alpha-1,6-branched oligomannosides. For monitoring of the immune responses
      following active immunization we evaluated changes in the frequencies of T and B
      lymphocytes and their activation status in the blood and spleen. We compared the
      immunization-induced changes of co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 expression
      on blood neutrophils and Th1/Th2 polarization of the immune response based on IFN
      gamma, TNF-alpha (pro-Th1), IL-4, and IL-10 (pro-Th2) cytokines levels and
      induction of IL-17. RESULTS: The results pointed out a comparable effect of the
      conjugates on the modulation of T and B lymphocytes frequencies in blood and
      spleen. Both conjugates induced upregulation of CD25 surface antigen on CD4(+) T
      lymphocytes, independently on the structural differences of oligosaccharides. The
      differences in structure of oligomannoside antigens or conjugate constructs were
      reflected in the increase of co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 expression on
      neutrophils, and in induced cytokine response. M5-BSA conjugate induced only a
      slight increase in CD80 expression but a significant increase in IFN-gamma, TNF
      alpha, and IL-10. M6-BSA conjugate induced a significant increase of CD80
      expression and increase of TNF-alpha, IL-4, and IL-10. CONCLUSION: Obtained data
      demonstrate the importance of cellular immune response analysis for investigation
      of immunomodulatory properties of oligomannoside-protein conjugates.

PMID- 24239418
TI  - Reply by authors.

PMID- 24239419
TI  - Re: clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of collagenase clostridium
      histolyticum for the treatment of peyronie disease in 2 large double-blind,
      randomized, placebo controlled phase 3 studies: M. Gelbard, I. Goldstein, W. J.
      Hellstrom, C. G. McMahon, T. Smith, J. Tursi, N. Jones, G. J. Kaufman and C. C.
      Carson, III J Urol 2013; 190: 199-207.

PMID- 24239420
TI  - Reply by authors.

PMID- 24239421
TI  - Re: impact of smoking status on bladder tumor recurrence after radical
      nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: M. Hagiwara, E. Kikuchi,
      N. Tanaka, K. Matsumoto, H. Ide, A. Miyajima, T. Masuda, S. Nakamura and M. Oya J
      Urol 2013; 189: 2062-2068.

PMID- 24239422
TI  - Should urinary diversion for bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis include
      cystectomy? No.

PMID- 24239423
TI  - Galectin-9 plasma levels reflect adverse hematological and immunological features
      in acute dengue virus infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dengue virus (DENV) infection remains a major public health burden
      worldwide. Soluble mediators may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of
      acute DENV infection. Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a soluble beta-galactoside-binding
      lectin, with multiple immunoregulatory and inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate plasma Gal-9 levels as a biomarker for DENV infection. STUDY DESIGN:
      We enrolled 65 DENV infected patients during the 2010 epidemic in the Philippines
      and measured their plasma Gal-9 and cytokine/chemokine levels, DENV genotypes,
      and copy number during the critical and recovery phases of illness. RESULTS:
      During the critical phase, Gal-9 levels were significantly higher in DENV
      infected patients compared to healthy or those with non-dengue febrile illness.
      The highest Gal-9 levels were observed in dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) patients
      (DHF: 2464 pg/ml; dengue fever patients (DF): 1407 pg/ml; non-dengue febrile
      illness: 616 pg/ml; healthy: 196 pg/ml). In the recovery phase, Gal-9 levels
      significantly declined from peak levels in DF and DHF patients. Gal-9 levels
      tracked viral load, and were associated with multiple cytokines and chemokines
      (IL-1alpha, IL-8, IP-10, and VEGF), including monocyte frequencies and
      hematologic variables of coagulation. Further discriminant analyses showed that
      eotaxin, Gal-9, IFN-alpha2, and MCP-1 could detect 92% of DHF and 79.3% of DF,
      specifically (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Gal-9 appears to track DENV inflammatory
      responses, and therefore, it could serve as an important novel biomarker of acute
      DENV infection and disease severity.

PMID- 24239424
TI  - Is there a relation between AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and SF-36 in evaluation of
      Achilles ruptures treated by percutaneous technique?
AB  - The percutaneous technique of Achilles tendon repair seems to offer satisfactory
      clinical and functional results, although these results have been evaluated
      mainly using objective rating scales. Recently, some "subjective" rating scales
      have been combined to evaluate the results of various surgical treatments. The
      purpose of the present study was to compare the results of a percutaneous
      Achilles tendon repair evaluated objectively using the American Orthopaedic Foot
      and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and subjectively using the Medical
      Outcomes Study, short-form, 36-item questionnaire (SF-36) questionnaire. A total
      of 17 consecutive patients were treated for acute Achilles tendon rupture using
      the modified percutaneous Ma and Griffith technique. We reviewed all patients
      with a follow-up of 24 to 64 months (mean 45.5). At the final follow-up visit,
      the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score of each patient was compared with each 1 of the 8
      domains of the SF-36 questionnaire, using the parametric Pearson correlation
      coefficient and the equivalent nonparametric Spearman rho correlation
      coefficient. The relation between the objective (AOFAS) and subjective (SF-36)
      results showed a significant correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient)
      between the physical functioning (r = 0.597, p = .011) and bodily pain (r =
      0.663, p = .004) SF-36 domains, and a nonstatistically significant correlation
      with the other SF-36 domains. Very similar results were found using the
      nonparametric Spearman rho correlation coefficient. These results suggest that
      regarding pain and function, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and SF-36 provide
      complementary information; therefore, we believe that the SF-36 questionnaire
      should be used with the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score for a more complete evaluation
      of the outcome. 

PMID- 24239425
TI  - First tarsometatarsal joint derotational arthrodesis--a new operative technique
      for flexible hallux valgus without touching the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
AB  - No operative technique for hallux valgus has been introduced in which the first
      metatarsophalangeal joint is not touched. We report the first tarsometatarsal
      joint derotational arthrodesis in which we mimic the function of the peroneus
      longus tendon without involving the first metatarsophalangeal joint, allowing
      function of the windlass mechanism without interference. We treated 66 patients
      (62 women and 4 men) with 84 flexible hallux valgus feet using our new operative
      technique. Preoperative and postoperative follow-up weightbearing radiographs
      were evaluated. Most patients had a pronation type foot (78%) preoperatively, and
      mean correction in hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angle was 20 degrees  and 9
      degrees , respectively (p < .001). The LaPorta classification showed a median
      change of 2.5 U (p < .001). We have described a new operative technique for
      flexible hallux valgus. The first tarsometatarsal joint derotational arthrodesis
      showed notable correction angles in hallux valgus, although the first
      metatarsophalangeal joint was left intact. 

PMID- 24239426
TI  - Ultrasound-guided needle localization to aid foreign body removal in pediatric
      patients.
AB  - Patients with podiatric foreign body injury commonly present to the emergency
      department. Often, the foreign object cannot be easily located or removed, and
      radiographs are frequently obtained to aid in localization. In cases requiring
      tissue dissection to remove the foreign bodies, accurate localization is required
      for safe removal of small and difficult to visualize bodies. We present 2
      pediatric cases in which an ultrasound-guided needle localization technique was
      used to facilitate successful removal of small, difficult to visualize foreign
      bodies from the plantar foot. Ultrasound-guided needle localization reduced the
      required incision length and depth and helped to minimize the risk of damage to
      surrounding tissue. 

PMID- 24239427
TI  - Isolated talonavicular arthrodesis for talonavicular arthritis: a follow-up
      study.
AB  - We have reviewed a single surgeon's (M.S.) experience of talonavicular
      arthrodesis in 7 feet in 7 patients with isolated talonavicular arthritis. A
      standard dorsomedial approach was used to the talonavicular joint. Fixation was
      performed with 5.5-mm, partially threaded, cancellous screws. The visual analog
      scale for the foot and ankle (VASFA) was used to measure the preoperative and
      postoperative results in the categories of pain, function, other complaints, and
      total score. The follow-up period was 17 to 90 months (mean 48). The overall
      VASFA score ranged from +19.2 to +57.6 (mean +33.2, p < .01). The VASFA score for
      pain ranged from +19 to +74.8 (mean +51.3, p < .01). The VASFA score for function
      ranged from +12.5 to +68.2 (mean +28.3, p < .01). The VASFA score for other
      problems ranged from +12 to +45.8 (mean +25.5, p < .01). None of the 7 feet
      required revision, and all 7 patients were satisfied with the outcome and would
      have the operation again. We have concluded that, taking into account the small
      power of the present study, talonavicular arthrodesis is a successful treatment
      for isolated talonavicular arthritis. 

PMID- 24239428
TI  - Can foot and ankle surgeons accurately estimate patient body mass index?
AB  - The body mass index (BMI) is an objective patient finding that has been
      established to have a negative effect on the development and outcomes of
      podiatric pathologic entities and interventions. The objective of the present
      investigation was to assess the ability of podiatric physicians to estimate the
      patient BMI from clinical and radiographic observation. For the clinical
      estimation of the patient BMI, podiatric specialists across 3 levels of
      experience (i.e., students, residents, and practicing clinicians) performed 294
      estimations on 72 patients in 3 clinical situations (standing, sitting in a
      treatment chair, and lying in a hospital bed). It was more common to inaccurately
      estimate the patient BMI (77.9%) than it was to correctly estimate it (22.1%),
      with underestimations being the most common error (48.3%). The estimations were
      particularly inaccurate when the patients were in the common clinical situation
      of sitting in a treatment chair or lying in a hospital bed and with patients
      actually classified as obese. For the radiographic estimation of patient BMI, 150
      consecutive lateral ankle radiographs were analyzed, with the ratio of the
      overlying soft tissue diameter to the underlying bone diameter calculated and
      compared. Positive, but weak, relationships were observed with these ratios. From
      these data, we have concluded that podiatric practitioners should perform an
      actual calculation of the patient BMI during the patient examination and medical
      decision-making process to fully appreciate the potential risks inherent to the
      treatment of obese patients. 

PMID- 24239429
TI  - Technique for utilization of an interference screw for split peroneus brevis
      tendon transfer in lateral ankle stabilization.
AB  - We present a technique for split peroneous brevis lateral ankle stabilization
      using an interference screw as the fixation device. The interference screw
      provided stable fixation by way of physiologic tension and restored lateral ankle
      instability while preserving the range of motion in the surrounding joints. 

PMID- 24239430
TI  - Immediate ketamine treatment does not prevent posttraumatic stress responses in
      an animal model for PTSD.
AB  - Clinical studies suggest that administration of ketamine hydrochloride-an
      antagonist at the N-methyl-d-aspartate ionophore-provides short-term amelioration
      for depressive symptoms. The effects of a brief course of ketamine given
      immediately following exposure to psychogenic stress on the behavioral stress
      responses were assessed in an animal model of posttraumatic stress disorder.
      Animals exposed to stress were treated 1h later with ketamine (0.5, 5, and 15
      mg/kg) or vehicle for three days (N = 107). Outcome measures included behavior in
      the elevated plus maze (EPM) and acoustic startle response (ASR) tests 30 days
      after initial exposure and freezing behavior upon exposure to a trauma-cue on day
      31. Pre-set cut-off behavioral criteria classified exposed animals according to
      their EPM and ASR response-patterns into "extreme," "minimal," or "partial"
      behavioral response for analysis of prevalence rates of "PTSD-like behavior."
      Circulating corticosterone levels were assessed 20 min after injection of
      ketamine in exposed and unexposed animals (N = 62). The dexamethasone suppression
      test was used to assess negative feedback inhibition of the HPA axis. Prevalence
      rates of extremely-, partially-, or minimally-disrupted behavior demonstrated
      that ketamine administered immediately following stress exposure was ineffective
      in alleviating "PTSD-like behavior" at day 30 after exposure. Administration of
      ketamine was associated with increase in freezing behavior after exposure to a
      trauma-cue on day 31. Corticosterone levels were significantly suppressed by
      ketamine only in the exposed animals. Administration of ketamine immediately
      following trauma-exposure may not only be ineffective but actually detrimental in
      the long term. A disruption of the post-stress HPA-response has been raised as a
      contributing factor.

PMID- 24239432
TI  - The evolution of epilepsy theory and practice at the National Hospital for the
      Relief and Cure of Epilepsy, Queen Square between 1860 and 1910.
AB  - In the years between 1860 and 1910, a revolution in epilepsy theory and practice
      occurred. The National Hospital for the Relief and Cure of the Paralysed and the
      Epileptic at Queen Square in London was at the center of this revolution. A
      series of remarkable physicians and surgeons were appointed to the staff. The
      four greatest were John Hughlings Jackson, Sir David Ferrier, Sir Victor Horsley,
      and Sir William Gowers. Their lasting contribution to epilepsy is discussed.
      Other physicians who made notable contributions to epilepsy were Jabez Spence
      Ramskill, Charles Eduard Brown-Sequard, Charles Bland Radcliffe, Sir John Russell
      Reynolds, Sir Edward Henry Sieveking, Walter Stacy Colman, and William Aldren
      Turner. At the hospital in this period, amongst the lasting contributions to
      epilepsy were the following: the development of a new conceptual basis of
      epilepsy, the development of a theory of the physiological structure of the
      nervous system in relation to epilepsy, the demonstration and investigation of
      cortical localization of epileptic activity, the establishment of the principle
      of focal epilepsy and the description of focal seizure types, the discovery of
      the first effective drug treatment for epilepsy (bromide therapy, indeed one of
      the first effective drug treatments in the whole of neurology), and the
      performance of the first surgical operation for epilepsy. This paper is based on
      the 2013 Gowers Memorial Lecture, delivered in May 2013. 

PMID- 24239431
TI  - Bupropion response on sleep quality in patients with depression: implications for
      increased cardiovascular disease risk.
AB  - Depression could be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We
      assessed bupropion response in depressed patients by polysomnography (PSG) and
      cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) variables. Nineteen subjects participated in a two
      session, two consecutive night PSG protocol. Participants received either placebo
      or bupropion-SR 150 mg, orally, in a randomized, double-blind cross-over fashion
      on night two. Outcome variables were: sleep stages, REM latency, stable, unstable
      sleep and very low frequency coupling (VLFC). CPC analysis uses heart rate
      variability and the electrocardiogram's R-wave amplitude fluctuations associated
      with respiration to generate frequency maps. Bupropion increased REM latency
      (p=0.043) but did not impact PSG sleep continuity, architecture and CPC
      variables. A trend (p=0.092) was observed towards increasing VLFC duration.
      Bupropion increased the number of stable-unstable sleep transitions (p=0.036).
      Moderate to strong correlations between PSG and CPC variables were found on
      placebo and bupropion nights. Limitations include a small sample size, limited
      power to detect CPC changes and lack of normal controls for comparison. Increased
      stable-unstable sleep transitions and VLFC duration may indicate vulnerability to
      cardiovascular disease due to their association with low heart rate variability
      that has been associated with increased mortality raising the question whether
      the beneficial effects of the antidepressant medication outweighs the impact on
      cardiopulmonary dynamics.

PMID- 24239433
TI  - Are children affected by epileptic neuropsychiatric comorbidities?
AB  - Childhood-onset epilepsy is associated with psychiatric and cognitive
      difficulties and with poor social outcomes in adulthood. Some antiepileptic drugs
      adversely affect behavior in susceptible children with easy-to-control or
      refractory epilepsies, contributing to a high risk of psychological and
      psychiatric disturbance. Studies had demonstrated that patients with benign
      rolandic epilepsy and absence epilepsy had more aggressive behavior, depression,
      and anxiety disorders than control children. Psychiatric comorbidities are
      strongly associated with a poor long-term health-related quality of life in
      childhood-onset epilepsy, which suggests that comprehensive epilepsy care must
      include screening and long-term treatment for these conditions, even if seizures
      remit.

PMID- 24239434
TI  - Understanding the perceived treatment needs of patients with psychogenic
      nonepileptic seizures.
AB  - Psychological therapy is generally considered the treatment of choice for
      psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), but there is a paucity of research on
      patients' attitudes towards psychological referral. We conducted semistructured
      interviews with twelve patients with PNES awaiting psychological treatment in
      order to understand their perceived treatment needs. Data were analyzed
      inductively according to the principles of thematic analysis. The results
      indicated that our patients had clear ideas about their treatment needs and a
      desire to recover by 'returning to normality'. Many participants felt 'caught in
      limbo' following their PNES diagnosis, however, because of uncertainties about
      their condition and a lack of support from professionals. This linked with
      participants feeling unsure whether psychological treatment would meet their
      needs; there was also apprehension for some participants about the potential
      negative consequences of therapy. The clinical implications of these findings are
      discussed, and recommendations for future research are made. 

PMID- 24239436
TI  - Cognitive decline is mediated by gray matter changes during middle age.
AB  - The present theoretical framework of Alzheimer's disease proposes that
      pathophysiological changes occur 10-20 years before the diagnosis of dementia. We
      addressed the question of how age-related changes in gray matter mediate the
      cognitive performance during middle age. Eighty-two participants (40-50 years, +/
      2) were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery covering a broad
      spectrum of cognitive domains and components. Mediation effects were studied with
      hierarchical regression and bootstrapping analysis. Results showed that more
      vulnerable cognitive components were related to executive functioning and in a
      lesser degree to processing speed. Age-related differences in gray matter mainly
      involved the frontal lobes. Moreover, age-related differences in
      visuoconstructive, visuospatial functions, reaction time, and mental flexibility
      and executive control were mediated by several gray matter regions. It is
      important to increase the knowledge of the impact of brain changes on cognitive
      function during middle age. To define the early stages of the aging process may
      allow early detection of pathologic changes and therapeutic interventions. 

PMID- 24239435
TI  - Healthcare utilization and costs in adults with stable and uncontrolled epilepsy.
AB  - Despite the availability of numerous antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), some epilepsies
      remain resistant to treatment. We compared utilization and costs in patients with
      uncontrolled epilepsy to those with stable epilepsy. Claims data (2007-2009) were
      used to identify adults with epilepsy requiring additional AED therapy (having
      uncontrolled epilepsy) and those not requiring additional AED therapy (having
      stable epilepsy). The date in 2008 on which an additional AED was started was the
      index date for patients with uncontrolled epilepsy, and a randomly selected date
      was used for patients with stable epilepsy, whose AED use was unchanged in the
      preceding year. In the postindex year, all pharmacy and medical claims were used
      to estimate overall utilization and costs; claims with epilepsy in any diagnosis
      field were used to estimate epilepsy-related outcomes. Outcomes were adjusted
      using multivariate analyses. We identified 1536 patients with uncontrolled
      epilepsy and 8571 patients with stable epilepsy (mean age: 42.8years; female:
      48%). Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy had higher comorbidity rates (p<.02). A
      greater proportion of patients with uncontrolled epilepsy had >=1 hospitalization
      or emergency department visit (p<.001). Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy had a
      greater mean length of hospital stay and more physician office visits (p<.034).
      After adjustment, the odds of hospitalization (OR: 1.8, any diagnosis; 2.2,
      epilepsy-related) and emergency department visit (OR: 1.6, any diagnosis; 1.9,
      epilepsy-related) were greater for patients with uncontrolled epilepsy. Annual
      overall ($23,238 vs. $13,839) and epilepsy-related ($12,399 vs. $5511) costs were
      higher in patients with uncontrolled epilepsy and remained higher after
      adjustment (p<.001). Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy use more services and
      incur higher costs compared with those with stable epilepsy. Epilepsy-related
      costs accounted for <50% of the total costs, suggesting that comorbid conditions
      and/or underidentification of utilization may substantially contribute to costs. 

PMID- 24239437
TI  - Vitamin D receptor genetic variants and Parkinson's disease in a Taiwanese
      population.
AB  - Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have hypovitaminosis D status and genetic
      variants of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene are recently shown to be associated
      with PD in a large-scale genome-wide association study in a Caucasian population.
      Few studies examined VDR genetic variants in large-scale Asian patients with PD.
      We therefore genotyped 6 VDR genetic variants in a total of 1492 Taiwanese
      subjects, including 700 patients with PD and 792 age and/or gender matched
      control subjects. We did not observe any significant associations between the
      studied genetic variants of VDR and the risk of PD. Our data suggest that genetic
      variations of the VDR gene did not play a major role in a Taiwanese PD
      population. Further studies of VDR and its interaction with serum vitamin D
      levels are warranted to clarify the potential role of vitamin D in PD
      pathogenesis. 

PMID- 24239438
TI  - How age-related strategy switching deficits affect wayfinding in complex
      environments.
AB  - Although most research on navigation in aging focuses on allocentric processing
      deficits, impaired strategy switching may also contribute to navigational
      decline. Using a specifically designed task involving navigating a town-like
      virtual environment, we assessed the ability of young and old participants to
      switch from following learned routes to finding novel shortcuts. We found large
      age differences in the length of routes taken during testing and in use of
      shortcuts, as, while nearly all young participants switched from the egocentric
      route-following strategy to the allocentric wayfinding strategy, none of the
      older participants stably switched. Although secondary tasks confirmed that older
      participants were impaired both at strategy switching and allocentric processing,
      the difficulty in using shortcuts was selectively related to impaired strategy
      switching. This may in turn relate to dysfunction of the prefrontal-noradrenergic
      network responsible for coordinating switching behavior. We conclude that the
      large age difference in performance at the shortcutting task demonstrates for the
      first time, how strategy switching deficits can have a severe impact on
      navigation in aging. 

PMID- 24239439
TI  - Multi-residue method for the detection of veterinary drugs in distillers grains
      by liquid chromatography-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry.
AB  - Distillers Grain (DG) is an important by-product of ethanol production. The
      ethanol production process uses only the starch portion of the plant and all the
      remaining nutrients, protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins remain in DGs, a
      valuable feed material for livestock. The use of antimicrobial drugs is helpful
      to limit harmful bacterial growth during the early part of the fermentation
      process. This can lead to the possible presence of contaminants in the by
      products that are used in the food and feed industries, resulting in a major
      concern for the development of bacterial resistance in both humans and animals.
      To facilitate the detection of antimicrobial and other commonly used veterinary
      drugs in DGs, a liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)
      method was developed targeting a wide range of 12 chemical classes of anti
      bacterial substances and drugs, such as ionophore and non-ionophore authorized
      coccidiostats, banned coccidiostats, macrolides, tetracyclines, nitroimidazoles,
      amphenicols, quinolones, sulphonamides, tranquilizers, non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs and benzimidazoles. Following a simple and fast extraction
      step with a mixture of organic solvents, the extract was directly injected into
      the LC coupled to an Orbitrap mass analyzer. The identification of residues is
      based on accurate mass measurement. The high mass resolution of 50,000 full width
      at half maximum (FWHM) and corresponding narrow mass windows permitted a very
      selective and sensitive detection of the analytes in such a complex matrix. A
      single-laboratory validation procedure was carried out evaluating selectivity,
      sensitivity, linearity, precision and accuracy. The method showed satisfactory
      analytical performance for precision and trueness, and allowed the determination
      of the compounds at low concentration. The proposed multi-method demonstrated
      that liquid chromatography coupled to an Orbitrap mass spectrometer is a
      promising analytical technique, suitable for official residue control of a
      variety of veterinary drugs in DGs supporting feed safety policies. 

PMID- 24239440
TI  - King of hearts for ace of spades: apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 24239441
TI  - Underuse of vena cava filters in unstable patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

PMID- 24239442
TI  - Autonomic denervation and Western diseases.

PMID- 24239443
TI  - A meta-analysis and scoping review of social cognition performance in social
      phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders.
AB  - Social cognition deficits are observed in a variety of psychiatric illnesses.
      However, data concerning anxiety disorders are sparse and difficult to interpret.
      This meta-analysis aims at determining if social cognition is affected in social
      phobia (SP) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to non-clinical
      controls and the specificity of such deficits relatively to other anxiety
      disorders. The scoping review aims to identify research gaps in the field. Forty
      studies assessing mentalizing, emotion recognition, social perception/knowledge
      or attributional style in anxiety disorders were included, totalizing 1417
      anxious patients and 1321 non-clinical controls. Results indicate distinct
      patterns of social cognition impairments: people with PTSD show deficits in
      mentalizing (effect size d = -1.13) and emotion recognition (d = -1.6) while
      other anxiety disorders including SP showed attributional biases (d = -0.53 to d
      = -1.15). The scoping review identified several under investigated domains of
      social cognition in anxiety disorders. Some recommendations are expressed for
      future studies to explore the full range of social cognition in anxiety disorders
      and allow direct comparisons between different disorders.

PMID- 24239444
TI  - Techniques, indications and complications of corneal debridement.
AB  - The cornea is the most exposed surface of the eye and, as such, is vulnerable to
      external trauma and the risk of infection. Many corneal diseases alter shape,
      surface, and transparency and thus result in reduced vision. The external
      position of the cornea, however, lends itself to diagnostic and therapeutic
      maneuvers that are commonly performed and readily done in the clinic. More
      sophisticated techniques require the use of complex equipment such as excimer and
      femtosecond laser. Complications that develop from poor healing and/or secondary
      infection are best avoided with appropriate technique, antisepsis, and
      modification of wound healing. We review corneal debridement in the management of
      corneal disease.

PMID- 24239446
TI  - An updated systematic review and statistical comparison of standardised mean
      outcomes for the use of botulinum toxin in the management of lower urinary tract
      disorders.
AB  - CONTEXT: Botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) has received regulatory approval for use in
      neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and overactive bladder (OAB), but it
      remains unlicensed in other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) indications such
      as nonneurogenic LUTS in men with benign prostatic enlargement (LUTS/BPE),
      bladder pain syndrome (BPS), and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD). OBJECTIVE:
      To compare statistically the outcomes of high level of evidence (LE) studies with
      placebo using BoNTA for LUTS indications; NDO, OAB, LUTS/BPE, BPS and DSD.
      EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We conducted a systematic review of the published
      literature on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase reporting on BoNTA use in LUTS
      dysfunction. Statistical comparison was made between high LE studies with placebo
      and low LE studies. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: In adult NDO, there are significantly
      greater improvements with BoNTA in daily incontinence and catheterisation
      episodes (-63% and -18%, respectively; p<0.01), and the urodynamic parameters of
      maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), reflex volume, and maximum detrusor pressure
      (MDP) (68%, 61%, and -42%, respectively; all p<0.01). In OAB, BoNTA leads to
      significant improvements in bladder diary parameters such as daily frequency (
      29%), daily urgency (-38%), and daily incontinence (-59%) (all p<0.02). The
      urodynamic parameters of MCC and MDP improved by 58% (p=0.04) and -29% (p=0.002),
      respectively. The risk of urinary tract infection was significantly increased
      from placebo at 21% versus 7% (p<0.001), respectively; the risk of intermittent
      self-catherisation increased from 0% to 12% (p<0.001). Men with LUTS/BPE showed
      no significant improvements in International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum flow
      rate, or prostate volume. There were insufficient data for statistical analysis
      in DSD, BPS, and paediatric studies. Low LE studies were found to overestimate
      the effects of BoNTA in all indications, but differences from high LE studies
      were significant in only a few parameters. CONCLUSIONS: BoNTA significantly
      improves all symptoms and urodynamic parameters in NDO and OAB. The effect of
      BoNTA in treating LUTS dysfunction appears to be overestimated in lower as
      opposed to higher LE studies.

PMID- 24239445
TI  - Risk factors for restricting back pain in older persons.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for back pain leading to restricted activity
      (restricting back pain) in older persons. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.
      SETTING: Greater New Haven, Connecticut. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 731 men and
      women aged 70 years or older, who were community living and nondisabled in
      essential activities of daily living at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Candidate risk
      factors were ascertained every 18 months for 108 months during comprehensive home
      based assessments. Restricting back pain was assessed during monthly telephone
      interviews for up to 126 months. Incident episodes of (1) short-term (1 episode
      lasting 1 month) restricting back pain; and (2) persistent (1 episode lasting 2
      or more months) or recurrent (2 or more episodes of any duration) restricting
      back pain were determined during each 18-month interval. The associations between
      the candidate risk factors and short-term and persistent/recurrent restricting
      back pain, respectively, were evaluated using a multivariable Cox model. RESULTS:
      The cumulative incidence was 21.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 19.6%-23.1%) for
      short-term restricting back pain and 20.6% (CI 18.6%-22.9%) for
      persistent/recurrent restricting back pain over a median follow-up of 109 months.
      In a recurrent event multivariable analysis, female sex (hazard ratio [HR] 1.30;
      1.07-1.58), weak grip strength (HR 1.24; 1.01-1.52), and hip weakness (HR 1.19;
      1.07-1.32) were independently associated with an increased likelihood of having
      short-term restricting back pain, whereas female sex (HR 1.48; CI 1.13-1.94),
      depressive symptoms (HR 1.57; 1.23-2.00), 2 or more chronic conditions (HR 1.38;
      1.08-1.77), and arthritis (HR 1.66; 1.31-2.09) were independently associated with
      persistent/recurrent restricting back pain. CONCLUSION: In this prospective
      study, several factors were independently associated with restricting back pain,
      including some that may be modifiable and therefore potential targets for
      interventions to reduce this common and often recurrent condition in older
      persons.

PMID- 24239447
TI  - The role of response evaluation criteria in solid tumour in anticancer treatment
      evaluation: results of a survey in the oncology community.
AB  - PURPOSE: With the increasing use of novel targeted agents and the development of
      high imaging techniques, response evaluation criteria in solid tumour (RECIST)
      1.1 developed primarily for cytotoxic agents and anatomic imaging, has
      demonstrated limitations. A survey was conducted of RECIST users to identify
      concerns and their suggestions for future RECIST criteria. METHODS: 140 key
      partners of the RECIST collaboration were asked to complete a questionnaire. The
      49 questions concerned (a) satisfaction and concerns with RECIST 1.1; (b) use of
      modified RECIST criteria and (c) suggestions for the next RECIST Version.
      RESULTS: Sixty-five replies were received. 52.3% responders were satisfied with
      RECIST 1.1, while 10.8% indicated dissatisfaction. Areas of potential weakness
      included: (a) lack of incorporation of potential early indicators of response
      such as functional imaging, (b) lack of validation in rarer tumour types and (c)
      lack of validation for novel (targeted) agents. Suggestions were multiple, with
      highest numbers on two points: developing sub-criteria for certain disease types
      and including advanced imaging techniques for the evaluation. CONCLUSIONS:
      Constructive suggestions were received for optimising the next version. Ongoing
      data collection will make it possible to investigate the possible utilisation of
      fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging in tumour
      assessment, to verify whether RECIST is/can still be applicable in novel targeted
      therapy and to consider the need for criteria for specific disease types.

PMID- 24239448
TI  - A basis for translational cancer research on aetiology, pathogenesis and
      prognosis: Guideline for standardised and population-based linkages of biobanks
      to cancer registries.
AB  - Population-based cancer research is paramount for controlling cancer. Cancer
      research is increasingly dependent on access to biospecimens from subjects that
      have been followed-up for future health outcomes. This is achieved using
      longitudinal follow-up of cohorts and biobanks using cancer registry linkages.
      All over the world, more and more large population-based cohorts and advanced
      biobanking facilities are established. International standardisation and
      networking in the linkage of cohorts and biobanks to cancer registries is
      required in order to enable international cancer research and comparability of
      research results. An international operating procedure and standard minimum
      dataset for linkages of biobanks, cohorts and cancer registries is proposed. An
      internationally comparable provision of well characterised study bases for
      molecular cancer research will be an essential prerequisite for the success of
      translational medicine. 

PMID- 24239449
TI  - Categories of response to first line vascular endothelial growth factor receptor
      targeted therapy and overall survival in patients with metastatic renal cell
      carcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sequential use of targeted therapy (TT) has improved overall
      survival (OS) of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The value
      of objective response (OR) as compared to stable disease (SD) is unclear. We
      aimed to investigate OR of first-line TT and its impact on OS. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Retrospective analysis of OS among 331 mRCC patients with a first-line
      assessment according to RECIST 1.0. Characteristics between objective responders
      (complete response [CR] or partial remission [PR]), patients with SD and non
      responders (progressive disease [PD] and toxicity [Tox]) were compared with the
      Chi-square test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Kaplan-Meier analysis of OS and
      progression-free survival (PFS). Cox model analysis of Predictors of OS .
      RESULTS: Best response was CR, PR, SD, PD and Tox in 9 (2.7%), 61 (18.4%), 167
      (50.5%), 80 (24.2%) and 14 (4.2%) patients respectively resulting in an OR rate
      of 21%. Median OS in months: CR 63.2; PR 37.6; SD 35.9; PD 14.6; TOX 22.5
      (p<0.0001). Median PFS for responders was 14.8, 11.5 for patients with SD and 2.5
      for non-responders (p<0.0001). Similarly median OS was 38.7, 35.9 and 15.5
      (p<0.00001). Primary resistance and a first-line PFS <6months were the strongest
      independent predictors of OS. The achievement of OR as compared to SD did not
      impact OS. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of unselected patients OR was not
      associated with superior OS as compared to SD.

PMID- 24239450
TI  - Lumbar myositis associated with Toxocara spp. infection.

PMID- 24239451
TI  - Changes in vertebral artery blood flow following various head positions and
      cervical spine manipulation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the cerebrovascular
      hemodynamic response of cervical spine positions including rotation and cervical
      spine manipulation in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging technology on the
      vertebral artery (VA). METHODS: This pilot study was conducted as a blinded
      examiner cohort with 4 randomized clinical tasks. Ten healthy male participants
      aged 24 to 30 years (mean, 26.8 years) volunteered to participate in the study.
      None of the participants had a history of disabling neck, arm, or headache pain
      within the last 6 months. They did not have any current or history of neurologic
      symptoms. In a neutral head position, physiologic measures of VA blood flow and
      velocity at the C1-2 spinal level were obtained using phase-contrast magnetic
      resonance imaging after 3 different head positions and a chiropractic upper
      cervical spinal manipulation. A total of 30 flow-encoded phase-contrast images
      were collected over the cardiac cycle, in each of the 4 conditions, and were used
      to provide a blood flow profile for one complete cardiac cycle. Differences
      between flow (in milliliters per second) and velocity (in centimeters per second)
      variables were evaluated using repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS:
      The side-to-side difference between ipsilateral and contralateral VA velocities
      was not significant for either velocities (P = .14) or flows (P = .19) throughout
      the conditions. There were no other interactions or trends toward a difference
      for any of the other blood flow or velocity variables. CONCLUSIONS: There were no
      significant changes in blood flow or velocity in the vertebral arteries of
      healthy young male adults after various head positions and cervical spine
      manipulations.

PMID- 24239452
TI  - Task specific grip force control in writer's cramp.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Writer's cramp is defined as a task specific focal dystonia generating
      hypertonic muscle co-contractions during handwriting resulting in impaired
      writing performance and exaggerated finger force. However, little is known about
      the generalisation of grip force across tasks others than writing. The aim of the
      study was to directly compare regulation of grip forces during handwriting with
      force regulation in other fine-motor tasks in patients and control subjects.
      METHODS: Handwriting, lifting and cyclic movements of a grasped object were
      investigated in 21 patients and 14 controls. The applied forces were registered
      in all three tasks and compared between groups and tasks. In addition, task
      specific measures of fine-motor skill were assessed. RESULTS: As expected,
      patients generated exaggerated forces during handwriting compared to control
      subjects. However there were no statistically significant group differences
      during lifting and cyclic movements. The control group revealed a generalisation
      of grip forces across manual tasks whereas in patients there was no such
      correlation. CONCLUSION: We conclude that increased finger forces during
      handwriting are a task-specific phenomenon that does not necessarily generalise
      to other fine-motor tasks. SIGNIFICANCE: Force control of patients with writer's
      cramp in handwriting and other fine-motor tasks is characterised by
      individualised control strategies.

PMID- 24239453
TI  - Nerve ultrasound in diabetic polyneuropathy: the new frontier?

PMID- 24239454
TI  - The significance of significance: Overstating in the setting of many comparisons.

PMID- 24239455
TI  - Spectral analysis of the sleep onset period in primary insomnia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the EEG power spectra characteristics of the sleep onset
      period (SOP) in patients with sleep onset insomnia (SOI), sleep maintenance
      insomnia (SMI) and good sleepers (GS). METHODS: The time course of EEG power
      density (1-40Hz) during the SOP was examined in thirty subjects (SOI patients:
      N=10, SMI patients: N=10, GS: N=10). RESULTS: The EEG power of the beta2
      frequency band (18-29.75 Hz) was significantly lower in SOI than in SMI in the
      period preceding sleep onset. The alpha power was significantly higher for the
      SMI group compared to GS before sleep onset. Despite the lack of statistical
      significance, several differences in EEG dynamics were observed in SOI compared
      to two other groups: delta power increased slower after sleep onset; beta2 and 3
      (18-29.75 and 30-39.75 Hz) power decrease less abruptly before sleep onset; beta1
      (15-17.75 Hz) power increase through the whole SOP. CONCLUSIONS: The lower level
      of beta2 frequency band in SOI and the differences in dynamics in delta and beta
      bands may suggest that a mechanism other than hyperarousal participates in
      etiology of SOI. SIGNIFICANCE: SOI and SMI patients have different spectral
      characteristics in SOP, thus future studies should avoid the inclusion of mixed
      insomnia samples.

PMID- 24239456
TI  - Interictal infraslow activity in patients with epilepsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if interictal infraslow activity (ISA), as obtained from a
      conventional EEG system, can contribute information about the epileptogenic
      process. METHODS: The entire long-term intracranial monitoring sessions of 12
      consecutive patients were evaluated on an XLTEK system for ISA. Three additional
      patients had long-term scalp recordings. RESULTS: In intracranial as well as
      scalp recordings, the ISA background was consistently higher in the waking state
      than during sleep. From this background emerged intermittently focal changes,
      which could achieve in intracranial recordings millivolt amplitudes, while they
      remained in the microvolt range in scalp recordings. Although they were mainly
      contiguous between adjacent channels, this was not necessarily the case and
      intermittent build-up could be seen distant from the epileptogenic zone or
      radiographic lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Interictal ISA can be detected in routine
      intracranial and scalp recordings, without the need for DC amplifiers, and can
      provide additional information. SIGNIFICANCE: Since ISA is a separate element of
      the electromagnetic spectrum, apparently non-neuronal in origin, its assessment
      should be included not only in the pre-surgical evaluation of epilepsy patients
      but also in patients with other neurologic disorders and normal volunteers.

PMID- 24239458
TI  - Structural basis for cyclic-nucleotide selectivity and cGMP-selective activation
      of PKG I.
AB  - Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein
      kinases (PKG and PKA) are closely related homologs, and the cyclic nucleotide
      specificity of each kinase is crucial for keeping the two signaling pathways
      segregated, but the molecular mechanism of cyclic nucleotide selectivity is
      unknown. Here, we report that the PKG Ibeta C-terminal cyclic nucleotide binding
      domain (CNB-B) is highly selective for cGMP binding, and we have solved crystal
      structures of CNB-B with and without bound cGMP. These structures, combined with
      a comprehensive mutagenic analysis, allowed us to identify Leu296 and Arg297 as
      key residues that mediate cGMP selectivity. In addition, by comparing the cGMP
      bound and unbound structures, we observed large conformational changes in the C
      terminal helices in response to cGMP binding, which were stabilized by
      recruitment of Tyr351 as a "capping residue" for cGMP. The observed
      rearrangements of the C-terminal helices provide a mechanical insight into
      release of the catalytic domain and kinase activation. 

PMID- 24239459
TI  - Risk of prostate and bladder cancers in patients with spinal cord injury: a
      population-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of prostate and bladder cancers in patients with
      spinal cord injury (SCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used data obtained from the
      National Health Insurance system of Taiwan for this study. The SCI cohort
      contained 54,401 patients with SCI, and each patient was randomly frequency
      matched with 4 people from the general population (without SCI) based on age,
      sex, and index date. Incidence rates, SCI cohort to non-SCI cohort rate ratios,
      and hazard ratios were measured to evaluate the cancer risks. RESULTS: Patients
      with SCI showed a significantly lower risk of developing prostate cancer compared
      with subjects without SCI (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.73; 95% confidence interval
      = 0.59, 0.90), after accounting for the competing risk of death. No significant
      difference in the risk of bladder cancer emerged between the SCI and control
      groups. Further analyses found a higher spinal level of SCI tended to predict a
      lower risk for prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SCI incurred a lower
      risk for prostate cancer compared with people without SCI. The risk for bladder
      cancer did not differ between people with or without SCI.

PMID- 24239457
TI  - Alternate splicing of dysferlin C2A confers Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent
      binding for membrane repair.
AB  - Dysferlin plays a critical role in the Ca2+-dependent repair of microlesions that
      occur in the muscle sarcolemma. Of the seven C2 domains in dysferlin, only C2A is
      reported to bind both Ca2+ and phospholipid, thus acting as a key sensor in
      membrane repair. Dysferlin C2A exists as two isoforms, the "canonical" C2A and
      C2A variant 1 (C2Av1). Interestingly, these isoforms have markedly different
      responses to Ca2+ and phospholipid. Structural and thermodynamic analyses are
      consistent with the canonical C2A domain as a Ca2+-dependent, phospholipid
      binding domain, whereas C2Av1 would likely be Ca2+-independent under
      physiological conditions. Additionally, both isoforms display remarkably low free
      energies of stability, indicative of a highly flexible structure. The inverted
      ligand preference and flexibility for both C2A isoforms suggest the capability
      for both constitutive and Ca2+-regulated effector interactions, an activity that
      would be essential in its role as a mediator of membrane repair.

PMID- 24239460
TI  - STEAP1 is overexpressed in prostate cancer and prostatic intraepithelial
      neoplasia lesions, and it is positively associated with Gleason score.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1) is a
      transmembrane protein of epithelial cells, mostly located at cell-cell junctions,
      and is overexpressed in several types of tumors, particularly prostate cancer.
      Several studies have pointed STEAP1 as a biomarker, but the clinical significance
      of its overexpression is not fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to establish
      the association of STEAP1 immunoreactivity with histologic diagnosis and clinical
      data of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human tissue microarrays were
      constructed from tissue biopsies of prostate adenocarcinoma (n = 63), including
      nonneoplastic adjacent tissue (n = 41), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)
      lesions (n = 7), and 41 prostate samples from patients diagnosed with benign
      prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The histologic features of tumor specimens were
      classified and clinical and pathologic data were retrieved. STEAP1 expression was
      evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis, and a semiquantitative quantification
      was performed using a grade score system based on the intensity and percentage of
      stained cells. RESULTS: Overexpression of STEAP1 protein was found in both plasma
      membrane and cytoplasm of prostate cancer and PIN lesions when compared with
      nonneoplastic adjacent tissue and BPH samples. Furthermore, its expression
      associates positively with higher Gleason scores, but not with other clinical
      data, such as age, prostate-specific antigen levels, pathologic stage, and
      metastasis. Regarding its role as a biomarker, STEAP1 is highly liable for
      distinguishing malignant prostate stages from BPH. On the contrary, it lacks
      specificity in distinguishing PIN lesions from prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS:
      STEAP1 is consistently overexpressed in malignant prostate tissue, namely
      adenocarcinoma and PIN lesions. Its overexpression in PIN lesions and positive
      association with higher Gleason scores suggest that STEAP1 could be involved in
      tumor initiation and progression. The high sensitivity and specificity for
      detection of malignant lesions suggests that STEAP1 may be of clinical usefulness
      in early disease diagnosis.

PMID- 24239461
TI  - Boldine induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in T24 human bladder cancer cell
      line via regulation of ERK, AKT, and GSK-3beta.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Bladder cancer is one of the most prevalent genitourinary
      malignancies. Despite active chemotherapy regimens, patients with bladder cancer
      suffer from a high rate of tumor recurrence. Thus, new approaches and agents to
      improve quality of life and survival still need to be developed. The objective of
      the present study was to evaluate the effect and underlying mechanisms of
      boldine, an aporphine alkaloid of Peumus boldus, on bladder cancer proliferation
      and cell death. METHODS: Sulforhodamine B assay, Tetrazolium reduction assay,
      Flow Cytometry Analysis, Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity and Western blot assay
      were performed. RESULTS: The results showed that boldine was able to reduce cell
      viability and cell proliferation in T24 cells. In addition, boldine arrests the
      cell cycle at G2/M-phase and cause cell death by apoptosis. Boldine-induced
      inhibition of cell growth and cell cycle arrest appears to be linked to
      inactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase protein (ERK).
      Additionally, the efficacy of boldine in apoptosis-induced in T24 cells is
      correlated with modulation of AKT (inactivation) and glycogen synthase kinase
      3beta (GSK-3beta) (activation) proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings may,
      in part, explain the therapeutic effects of boldine for treatment of urinary
      bladder cancer.

PMID- 24239462
TI  - Pathological characteristics and prognostic effect of peritumoral capsule
      penetration in renal cell carcinoma after tumor enucleation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pathological characteristics of peritumoral capsule
      (PC) and the prognostic effect of capsule penetration on tumor recurrence in
      patients treated with tumor enucleation for clinically intracapsular renal cell
      carcinomas (RCCs). METHODS AND MATERIALS: PC status was analyzed in 304
      consecutive patients with single intracapsular RCC. Degree and side of capsule
      penetration if present were evaluated. Mean (median, range) follow-up was 49
      months (46, 25-69). Local recurrence rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and
      cancer-specific survival were the main outcomes. Statistical analyses included
      the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and univariate and multivariate Cox
      regression models. RESULTS: Overall, 51% of RCCs had intact PC and free from
      neoplastic invasion (PC-), 34.9% had capsular penetration on the parenchymal side
      (PCK), and 14.1% had tumor invasion on the perirenal fat tissue side (PCF). None
      of the patients had positive surgical margins. The 5-year PFS rates for tumors PC
      , PCK, and PCF were 97.5%, 96.7%, and 77.1%, respectively (P<0.0001). The
      multivariate Cox model showed PCF to be the sole significant independent
      predictor of PFS, whereas patients who had PCK did not present a significant
      increased risk in developing recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor enucleation is an
      oncologically safe nephron-sparing surgery technique. PCF is a significant and
      independent predictor of tumor recurrence in patients with clinically
      intracapsular RCCs scheduled for nephron-sparing surgery. PCK does not predict
      the risk of recurrence.

PMID- 24239464
TI  - Biomarkers of renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has increased steadily in past few
      decades and is partially attributable to the increased utilization of cross
      sectional imaging. Many of these carcinomas are small incidental discoveries,
      although a subset leads to locally advanced or distant disease. Although its
      molecular pathophysiology is not completely understood, knowledge of hereditary
      RCCs has shed light on some of the pathways involved. More recently, the rapid
      advances in genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have allowed for a deeper and
      more nuanced understanding of the genetic aberrations that lead up to and result
      from the transformation of a renal tubular epithelial cell into a carcinoma.
      These discoveries have allowed for the development of novel therapeutics that
      target these pathways. They have also led to the development of diagnostic,
      prognostic, and predictive biomarkers that could radically change the way RCC is
      diagnosed and treated. Although some of the current investigations are nascent
      and it remains to be seen which biomarkers will become clinically available, many
      candidate biomarkers show promise and require external validation. Ultimately,
      biomarkers may allow for cost-effective screening of high-risk patients, the
      identification of aggressive cancers among small renal masses, the identification
      of high-risk patients, the detection of recurrences postoperatively with minimal
      imaging, and the ability to choose appropriate targeted therapies for patients
      with metastatic disease. 

PMID- 24239463
TI  - Implications for human papillomavirus in penile cancer.
AB  - Human papillomavirus infection (HPV) has been implicated in penile cancer, and
      although the annual incidence is estimated to be 1,570 in the United States,
      there are areas of the world in which the incidence is as much as 20-fold higher.
      Ample data in the literature support testing and vaccination against HPV-related
      cervical cancer, but for men and penile cancer, these data are lacking. However,
      some preliminary data would suggest that HPV not only plays an important role in
      a significant subset of patients with penile cancer but also may be a target for
      penile cancer prevention as well via initiation of a vaccination program in high
      risk male populations. 

PMID- 24239465
TI  - The prognostic value of C-reactive protein in renal cell carcinoma: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been reported to be associated with
      poorer prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however,
      conflicting results exist. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the
      prognostic value, and a meta-analysis was done if the extracted data could be
      merged. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane
      Central Search library for published studies that analyzed the effect of CRP in
      RCC. All included cases were categorized into 4 groups of different stages and
      tumor types for analysis, and the relationships between CRP and stage, grade, and
      survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 24 studies including 4,100 RCC cases
      were accepted for meta-analysis. Elevated CRP level was associated with higher
      stage (risk ratio [RR] 2.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.52-3.32, P<0.00001)
      and higher grade (RR 4.31, 95% CI 3.35-5.56, P<0.00001) in the overall analysis
      of patients with all pathologic types of RCCs, and it was also associated with
      poorer overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.51, 95% CI 1.09-1.93, P<0.00001) and
      cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR 3.91, 95% CI 2.18-5.64, P<0.00001). In
      patients with localized RCC, elevated CRP level was associated with poorer CSS
      (HR 3.49, 95% CI 2.93-4.05, P<0.00001) and progression-free survival (HR 3.29,
      95% CI 2.91-3.67, P<0.00001); whereas in patients with metastatic RCC, elevated
      CRP level was associated with poorer overall survival (HR 2.37, 95% CI 2.14-2.60,
      P<0.00001) and CSS (HR 3.70, 95% CI 3.19-4.22, P<0.00001). Specifically, in the
      patients with clear cell RCC, elevated CRP level was also associated with higher
      stage (RR 2.92, 95% CI 2.25-3.80, P<0.00001), poorer CSS (HR 2.60, 95% CI 2.32
      2.88, P<0.00001), and poorer progression-free survival (HR 1.21, 95% CI 0.94
      1.47, P<0.00001). CONCLUSION: Elevated CRP level in a patient with RCC is
      associated with poorer prognosis, and it could serve as a useful biomarker for
      clinical prediction.

PMID- 24239466
TI  - Dual inhibition by S6K1 and Elf4E is essential for controlling cellular growth
      and invasion in bladder cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated how dual inhibition of the molecular mechanism of
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) downstream of S6K1 and the eukaryotic
      initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) can lead to suppression of proliferation and
      progression of urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We characterized the
      molecular mechanism of the mTOR pathway in the T24 and 5637 urothelial carcinoma
      cell lines by interfering with different molecular components using rapamycin and
      short interfering (siRNA) technology (S6K1 or elF4E) and analyzed the effects on
      molecular activation status, cell growth, proliferation, and invasion. RESULTS: A
      high concentration of rapamycin (10 MUM) blocked both S6K1 and elF4E
      phosphorylation and inhibited cell proliferation in T24 and 5637 cells. The
      inhibition of both S6K1 and elF4E phosphorylation by rapamycin reduced cell
      viability and proliferation more than transfection of siRNA against S6K1 or elF4E
      in 5637 and T24 cells. Cells silenced for S6K1 or elF4E expression exhibited
      significantly reduced cell migration and invasion compared with those of the
      control but inhibition of both S6K1 and elF4E phosphorylation by rapamycin
      reduced cell migration and invasion more than siRNA transfection against S6K1 or
      elF4E in 5637 and T24 cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that both the
      mTOR pathway downstream of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E and S6K1 can be
      successfully inhibited, therefore, the recurrence of bladder cancer can be
      prevented by high-dose rapamycin only, suggesting that 4E-BP1 might be still
      under mTORC1.

PMID- 24239467
TI  - In-hospital death and hospital-acquired complications among patients undergoing
      partial cystectomy for bladder cancer in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Partial cystectomy (PC) is a therapeutic option for select patients
      with bladder cancer, but its associated perioperative risks and costs are
      unknown. We estimated annual rates of PC in a nationally representative sample of
      hospitals, and analyzed whether hospital volume affects postoperative outcomes
      and costs in patients undergoing PC. METHODS: From the Nationwide Inpatient
      Sample, we selected a weighted cohort of patients with bladder cancer who
      underwent PC between 2002 and 2008. Differences in length of stay, charges, and
      clinical outcomes were calculated based on operative volume, and univariate and
      multivariate regression models were fitted to predict in-hospital mortality (IHM)
      and hospital-acquired conditions. RESULTS: A total of 10,780 patients with
      bladder cancer who underwent PC were identified with an annual rate between 1457
      and 1628 cases. IHM rates were 1.8%, constituting 195 patients (between 9 and 46
      annually). A total of 417 patients (3.9%) experienced a "never event"
      complication, which Medicare no longer reimburses. The mean annual hospital
      volume of patients who died was 1.7 cases/y compared with 2.4 cases/y among those
      without fatal complications. No cases of IHM were identified among hospitals
      performing at least 5 partial cystectomies/y. In a multivariate regression model
      increased hospital volume was independently associated with decreased mortality
      (odds ratio = 0.70, 95% confidence interval; 0.60-0.80). CONCLUSIONS:
      Approximately 1 in 25 patients undergoing PC experience a hospital-acquired
      complication, and nearly 1 in 50 die as a result of the operation. For each
      additional case a hospital performs annually, the risk of IHM decreases by 30%.

PMID- 24239468
TI  - Second-line chemotherapy for advanced bladder cancer: a survey of current UK
      practice.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To understand current practice of the treatment of advanced bladder
      cancer in the United Kingdom, and in particular, the use of second-line
      chemotherapy.To gain insight into uro-oncologists' use of first-line
      chemotherapy, imaging following first-line chemotherapy, use of second-line
      chemotherapy, and the role of the multidisciplinary tumor board (MTB) in making
      decisions about second-line chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2011
      to September 2011 uro-oncologists from UK cancer centers were surveyed regarding
      treatment of advanced bladder cancer.Delegates at the British Uro-oncology Group
      conference were invited to fill out an electronic survey. RESULTS: Uro
      oncologists from 28 of 42 UK cancer centers (67%) participated, who treated, on
      average 45 patients per year with advanced bladder cancer.Fifteen "always"
      reimage after first-line chemotherapy, mostly "after 2-4 cycles." Symptomatic
      patients with progressive distant disease on imaging were most likely to trigger
      second-line chemotherapy (P = 0.004).Twenty-one respondents would interrupt first
      line chemotherapy to start second-line chemotherapy for progressive disease and
      10 would never do this. Of the patients given first-line chemotherapy, 19% go on
      to receive second-line chemotherapy.Seven different regimes were specified for
      second-line chemotherapy with no clear preference. National Institute for Health
      and Clinical Excellence approval, trial data, inclusion in hospital formulary,
      clinical trials, or commissioning guidelines, and easy access to imaging help to
      access second-line chemotherapy (P <= 0.001). Constraints to second-line
      chemotherapy were lack of evidence and patient comorbidities.MTB effectiveness
      did not improve access to second-line chemotherapy. Of the 33 respondents, 19 do
      not rediscuss patients at the MTB before starting second-line chemotherapy.
      CONCLUSION: The investigation and treatment of patients with advanced bladder
      cancer following first-line chemotherapy is variable.Optimizing the modality and
      frequency of imaging and increasing the usefulness of the MTB process may improve
      care.

PMID- 24239469
TI  - Prostate-specific antigen growth rate constant after first-line cytotoxic
      chemotherapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a
      monoinstitutional experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Validation in clinical practice, after first-line chemotherapy (CT) of
      metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PC), of prostate-specific
      antigen growth rate constant logarithm (PSA-G), calculated by a formula developed
      by Stein et al. in comparison with PSA decrease (PSA-D), calculated as
      recommended by PCWG2. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective
      monoinstitutional assessment of PSA-G and PSA-D after 12 weeks from the beginning
      of first-line cytotoxic CT in 49 patients with metastatic castration-resistant PC
      treated from 2006 to 2011, and whose pre-CT PSA and post-CT PSA determinations
      have been measured at specific time points. The 12-week PSA was measured at 80 to
      91 days from the beginning of CT. RESULTS: PSA-G exhibited a significant
      correlation with overall survival by Mann-Whitney U test and by linear
      regression, whereas PSA-D did only at the first test. After multivariate
      analysis, PSA-G was the only posttreatment measure to predict overall survival.
      CONCLUSION: PSA-G appears a reliable surrogate end point after first-line
      cytotoxic CT outside of clinical trials. A cutoff value of PSA-G post-CT higher
      than-2.4 could be considered suggestive for moving to another treatment.

PMID- 24239470
TI  - The prostate cancer genome: perspectives and potential.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer has a variable clinical course, and molecular
      characterization has revealed striking mutational heterogeneity that may underlie
      the unpredictable clinical behavior of the disease. Advances in technology have
      resulted in a rapid expansion of our understanding of the genomic events
      responsible for the development and progression of prostate cancer. In this
      review, we discuss the genomic alterations underlying prostate cancer, and
      potential to utilize this knowledge for diagnostic and prognostic benefit.
      METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed the relevant literature, with a focus on
      recent studies on somatic alterations in prostate cancer. RESULTS: Pathways known
      to affect tumorigenesis across a wide spectrum of tissues are dysregulated, such
      as the PI3K pathway, cell cycle control, and chromatin regulation. Lesions more
      specific to prostate cancer include alterations in androgen signaling, gene
      fusions of ETS transcription factors, and mutations in SPOP. Accumulating data
      suggests that prostate cancer can be subdivided based on a molecular profile of
      these genetic alterations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings raise the possibility that
      prostate cancer could transition from a poorly understood, heterogeneous disease
      with a variable clinical course to a collection of homogenous subtypes,
      identifiable by molecular criteria, associated with distinct risk profiles, and
      perhaps amenable to specific management strategies or targeted therapies.

PMID- 24239471
TI  - Urinary tract infections in patients with orthotopic neobladder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion is associated with a high rate
      of infectious complications, especially in the early postoperative period. The
      aim of the study was to assess the incidence, associated pathogens, and
      predictors of symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with an
      orthotopic neobladder. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The medical records of 79 patients
      treated with radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion at a
      tertiary medical center in 2004 to 2012 were reviewed for data pertaining to
      bacteriuria and symptomatic UTI after hospital discharge. Cumulative incidences
      of clinical events were assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and
      multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify clinical predictors of
      infection. RESULTS: A total of 69 men and 10 women were included in the study
      cohort. The estimated cumulative rates of symptomatic UTI were 34% at 3 months,
      40% at 6 months, and 43% at 12 months. New events of symptomatic UTI occurred in
      36% of the patients during the first 3 postoperative months, but only in 10% at 3
      to 6 months and 8% at 6 to 12 months. Common pathogens were Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa (24%) and Escherichia coli (24%); 78% of bacterial pathogens were
      susceptible to amikacin. On multivariate analysis, there was no effect of age,
      gender, intermittent catheterization, bowel segment used for reconstruction, or
      perioperative chemotherapy on rates of UTI. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic UTI is a
      common complication after neobladder reconstruction, usually occurring within the
      first 3 months of surgery. P. aeruginosa infection is common. Inpatient empirical
      treatment with amikacin is recommended in this setting.

PMID- 24239472
TI  - Precision medicine for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This review provides a broad overview of emerging data that provide
      hope that rational precision medicine for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
      may be possible. METHODS: PubMed and major conferences were searched for studies
      reporting potential predictive biomarkers for the therapy of metastatic RCC.
      RESULTS: The availability of multiple new agents for the therapy of advanced RCC
      poses new challenges in terms of optimal selection of patients for the
      appropriate drug. Prognostic stratification based on routine histopathologic,
      clinical and laboratory factors have been utilized to broadly select individuals
      based, i.e. high-dose interleukin (IL)-2 or vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) inhibitors for good and intermediate risk patients and temsirolimus for
      poor risk patients. While multiple candidate predictive molecular biomarkers
      suggest that rational selection of patients for high-dose interleukin (IL)-2, and
      VEGF and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors may be possible, none
      have been validated for use in the clinic. Tumor heterogeneity and
      standardization of tissue collection and analysis are massive challenges that
      need to be addressed. Predictive molecules derived from tumor tissue, plasma and
      host tissue may all be predictive for therapeutic benefit. Moreover, gene
      expression may be modulated by multiple factors including epigenetics,
      transcription factors and post-transcriptional and post-translational
      modifications. Indeed, study of the interaction of molecular factors from all of
      these sources with environmental and clinical factors may be necessary to develop
      a unified profile composed of a panel of factors predictive of benefit from
      specific agents (i.e. sustained response, limited toxicity and overall a positive
      benefit/risk ratio). CONCLUSIONS: Conducting clinical trials with 1) prospective
      incorporation of promising candidate predictive molecular biomarkers, 2) novel
      biomarkers endpoints, and 3) mandatory biopsies of metastatic sites at different
      time points on therapy, are potential important steps in developing the concept
      of "the right medication for the right patient".

PMID- 24239473
TI  - Target detection: magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion-guided prostate
      biopsy.
AB  - Recent advances in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have enabled
      image-guided detection of prostate cancer. Fusion of MRI with real-time
      ultrasound (US) allows the information from MRI to be used to direct biopsy
      needles under US guidance in an office-based procedure. Fusion can be performed
      either cognitively or electronically, using a fusion device. Fusion devices allow
      superimposition (coregistration) of stored MRI images on real-time US images;
      areas of suspicion found on MRI can then serve as targets during US-guided
      biopsy. Currently available fusion devices use a variety of technologies to
      perform coregistration: robotic tracking via a mechanical arm with built-in
      encoders (Artemis/Eigen, BioJet/Geoscan); electromagnetic tracking
      (UroNav/Philips-Invivo, Hi-RVS/Hitachi); or tracking with a 3D US probe
      (Urostation/Koelis). Targeted fusion biopsy has been shown to identify more
      clinically significant cancers and fewer insignificant cancers than conventional
      biopsy. Fusion biopsy appears to be a major advancement over conventional biopsy
      because it allows (1) direct targeting of suspicious areas not seen on US and (2)
      follow-up biopsy of specific cancerous sites in men undergoing active
      surveillance. 

PMID- 24239474
TI  - Expression of molecular markers associated with the mammalian target of rapamycin
      pathway in nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma: Effect on prognostic outcomes
      following radical nephrectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of multiple molecular markers involved in
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in renal cell carcinoma
      (RCC) to determine the prognostic significance of these markers following radical
      nephrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression levels of 5 markers, including
      PTEN, phosphorylated (p)-Akt, p-mTOR, p-p70 ribosomal S6 kinase, and p-4E-binding
      protein 1 (4E-BP1), were measured in radical nephrectomy specimens from 137
      patients with nonmetastatic RCC by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: During
      the follow-up period of this series (median, 63.5 mo), disease recurrence
      occurred in 59 of the 137 patients (43.0%), with a 5-year recurrence-free
      survival rate of 58.3%. On Univariate analysis, expression levels of p-mTOR and p
      4E-BP1, in addition to the C-reactive protein level, pathological stage, and
      microvascular invasion, were identified as significant predictors for disease
      recurrence. Of these factors, the expression of p-4E-BP1, C-reactive protein
      level, and pathological T stage appeared to be independently related to
      recurrence-free survival on multivariate analysis. Moreover, significant
      differences were observed in recurrence-free survival according to the positive
      numbers of these 3 independent factors; that is, disease recurrence developed in
      5 of 42 patients with negative results for any risk factor (11.9%), 23 of 50
      patients with positive results for a single risk factor (46.0%), and 31 of 45
      patients with positive results for 2 or 3 risk factors (68.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The
      combined evaluation of the expression levels of potential markers in the mTOR
      signaling pathway, particularly p-4E-BP1, in RCC specimens with conventional
      prognostic parameters would contribute to the accurate prediction of disease
      recurrence following radical nephrectomy for nonmetastatic RCC.

PMID- 24239475
TI  - Primary spermatic cord tumors: disease characteristics, prognostic factors, and
      treatment outcomes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Experience with management of spermatic cord tumors (SCTs) is
      uncommon. We utilized a large population-based cancer registry to characterize
      the demographic, pathological, treatment characteristics, and outcomes of SCTs.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database
      (1973-2007) was queried. RESULTS: From the database, 362 patients were identified
      with SCT. The annual incidence of SCT was 0.3 cases per million and did not
      change over time. The most common histologic types were liposarcoma (46%),
      leiomyosarcoma (20%), histiocytoma (13%), and rhabdomyosarcoma (9%). The median
      age of diagnosis for rhabdomyosarcomas was (26.3 y), whereas for other SCTs, it
      was (64.7 y) (P<0.001). On multivariate analysis, a worse outcome was observed
      with undifferentiated tumor grade, distant disease, positive lymph nodes, and
      leiomyosarcoma or histiocytoma cell histology. CONCLUSION: We describe the
      largest cohort of SCT studied to date. Liposarcoma was most common, while
      leiomyosarcoma and histiocytoma histologic subtypes were observed to be the most
      aggressive. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor grade, stage, histologic
      type, and lymph node involvement were independently predictive of prognosis.

PMID- 24239476
TI  - Effect of gender on outcomes following radical cystectomy for urothelial
      carcinoma of the bladder: a critical analysis of 1,994 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The oncological basis behind the observation that females experience
      worse outcomes following radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the
      bladder (UCB) is unclear. This study was aimed at examining the sole effect of
      gender on postcystectomy UCB outcomes and identifying potential factors that may
      explain the poor prognosis in females using a balanced case-control approach.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of 2,567 patients with UCB who underwent radical
      cystectomy identified 414 females ("cases") who were matched 1:1 for demographic,
      tumor, and treatment characteristics with 414 male counterparts ("controls").
      Cases were also compared with an independent male UCB cohort (n = 1,166).
      Differences between females vs. matched control and independent male patients
      with UCB were analyzed. Recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and
      overall survival were compared by univariable and multivariable Cox regression
      models. RESULTS: Median follow-up for cases, controls, and independent control
      cohort was 12.2, 8.6, and 13.5 years, respectively. Females were matched to male
      controls for tumor and nodal stages (P = 1.00), lymphovascular invasion and
      surgical margin status, age, prior intravesical treatment, and neoadjuvant and
      adjuvant chemotherapy administration (P = 0.61-1.00). Cases were also balanced
      with controls for grade, p53 status, nodal yield, American Society of
      Anesthesiologists score, presence of hydronephrosis, and times to diagnosis and
      cystectomy (P >= 0.14). When thus matched, outcomes between females and males
      were not different (P >= 0.34). However, when compared with an independent
      unmatched male control cohort, females had significantly poorer outcomes (P <=
      0.006). In this comparison, females presented with higher tumor (P<0.001) and
      nodal (P = 0.049) stages and a lesser proportion received precystectomy
      intravesical therapy (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Females have similar UCB outcomes
      to males when matched for demographic, clinicopathologic, and management
      characteristics. However, they present with more advanced tumors, thus explaining
      the observation of poor outcomes.

PMID- 24239477
TI  - Cognitive processes associated with compulsive buying behaviours and related EEG
      coherence.
AB  - The behavioural and cognitive phenomena associated with Compulsive Buying (CB)
      have been investigated previously but the underlying neurophysiological cognitive
      process has received less attention. This study specifically investigated the
      electrophysiology of CB associated with executive processing and cue-reactivity
      in order to reveal differences in neural connectivity (EEG Coherence) and
      distinguish it from characteristics of addiction or mood disorder. Participants
      (N=24, M=25.38 yrs, S.D.=7.02 yrs) completed the Sensitivity to Punishment
      Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire and a visual memory task associated with
      shopping items. Sensitivities to reward and punishment were examined with EEG
      coherence measures for preferred and non-preferred items and compared to CB
      psychometrics. Widespread EEG coherence differences were found in numerous
      regions, with an apparent left shifted lateralisation for preferred and right
      shifted lateralisation for non-preferred items. Different neurophysiological
      networks presented with CB phenomena, reflecting cue reactivity and episodic
      memory, from increased arousal and attachment to items.

PMID- 24239478
TI  - 17beta-carboxamide steroids--in vitro prediction of human skin permeability and
      retention using PAMPA technique.
AB  - In this paper, twenty-two 17beta-carboxamide steroids were synthesized from five
      corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone
      and betamethasone) in two steps. The first step was periodic acid oxydation of
      these corticosteroids to corresponding cortienic acids and the second step was
      amidation of thus obtained cortienic acids with esterified l-amino acids. These
      compounds are potential soft corticosteroids with local anti-inflammatory
      activity in the skin. Parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) was
      applied in order to predict permeability and retention of these compounds in
      human skin. Comparison of permeability and retention parameters between 17beta
      carboxamide steroids and corresponding corticosteroids was performed. Compounds
      with significantly higher retention were identified and the derivative that does
      not have significantly higher permeability was underlined. Molecular structures
      of all compounds were optimized by use of Gaussian semiempirical/PM3 method.
      Geometrical, thermodynamic, physicochemical and electronical molecular parameters
      of the optimized structures were calculated and quantitative structure-property
      relationship (QSPR) analysis was performed in order to explain permeability and
      retention of these compounds. ANN-, PLS- and MLR-QSPR models were created.
      Quality of these models was evaluated by commonly used statistical parameters and
      the most reliable models were selected. Analyzing descriptors in the selected
      models, main molecular properties that influence permeability and retention in
      the PAMPA artificial membrane were identified. Based on these data, further
      structural modifications could be applied in order to increase retention without
      significant increase of permeability, which can positively affect potential local
      anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds. Selected QSPR models could be used
      as in silico tool for predicting human skin permeability and retention of novel
      17beta-carboxamide steroids without performing PAMPA experiments. 

PMID- 24239479
TI  - [Complete fertilization failure following conventional IVF or ICSI: is it
      predictable? How to manage?].
AB  - The occurrence of complete fertilization failure following conventional in vitro
      fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a rare event.
      Each of six physiological stages of the fertilisation can be failing. The cause
      of a fertilisation failure is either the spermatozoa, or the oocyte. The aim of
      this study was to determine if this event is predictable, and to define the later
      strategy. On all sperm tests available, it seems that only, tests of zona
      pellucida binding and acrosomique reaction are relatively predictive of a
      complete fertilization failure after IVF. No test allows at the moment to predict
      an oocyte contribution to unsuccessful fertilization. The strategy retained after
      a complete fertilization failure following the first attempt of IVF is to propose
      an ICSI; either to do an IVF if this event arises in the rank n+1, or when the
      number of inseminated oocytes was low. Concerning the ICSI, the low number of
      micro-injected oocyte is often in question; so the strategy retained following a
      first fertilization failure after ICSI is to perform a new ICSI attempt after
      optimization of the ovarian stimulation. When the cause is spermatic, it is
      indicated trying a modified ICSI with the use of pentoxifiline, or an
      intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), sometimes with
      assisted oocyte activation. In last solution, we can propose the ovum donation. 

PMID- 24239480
TI  - Risk assessment of neonatal excipient exposure: lessons from food safety and
      other areas.
AB  - Newborn babies can require significant amounts of medication containing
      excipients intended to improve the drug formulation. Most medicines given to
      neonates have been developed for adults or older children and contain excipients
      thought to be safe in these age groups. Many excipients have been used widely in
      neonates without obvious adverse effects. Some excipients may be toxic in high
      amounts in which case they need careful risk assessment. Alternatively, it is
      conceivable that ill-founded fears about excipients mean that potentially useful
      medicines are not made available to newborn babies. Choices about excipient
      exposure can occur at several stages throughout the lifecycle of a medicine, from
      product development through to clinical use. Making these choices requires a
      scalable approach to analysing the overall risk. In this contribution we examine
      these issues. 

PMID- 24239481
TI  - Novel piperidinylamino-diarylpyrimidine derivatives with dual structural
      conformations as potent HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
AB  - A series of novel piperidinylamino-diarylpyrimidine (pDAPY) derivatives with dual
      structural conformations was designed through a molecular hybridization strategy
      and expected to bind into the non-nucleoside inhibitor binding pocket (NNIBP) of
      HIV-1 RT in a flexible manner. A cell-based antiviral screening assay showed that
      some compounds were active against both wild-type and drug-resistant mutant virus
      strains (K103N+Y181C RT) of HIV-1 (compound 10b3 with EC50 = 0.047 and 4.6 MUM,
      selectivity index = 2145 and 22, respectively). Molecular simulation studies
      indicated that compound 10b3 could maintain the key hydrophobic interaction and
      hydrogen bonds with the NNIBP of two RT/ligand complexes. In particular, it could
      simultaneously occupy the protein/solvent interface and the entrance channel.
      Exploring these hybrid molecules with dual binding conformations might provide
      optional chemical scaffolds as novel HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors (HIV
      1 NNRTIs).

PMID- 24239482
TI  - Discovery of an intravenous hepatoselective glucokinase activator for the
      treatment of inpatient hyperglycemia.
AB  - Glucokinase (hexokinase IV) continues to be a compelling target for the treatment
      of type 2 diabetes given the wealth of supporting human genetics data and
      numerous reports of robust clinical glucose lowering in patients treated with
      small molecule allosteric activators. Recent work has demonstrated the ability of
      hepatoselective activators to deliver glucose lowering efficacy with minimal risk
      of hypoglycemia. While orally administered agents require a considerable degree
      of passive permeability to promote suitable exposures, there is no such
      restriction on intravenously delivered drugs. Therefore, minimization of membrane
      diffusion in the context of an intravenously agent should ensure optimal hepatic
      targeting and therapeutic index. This work details the identification a
      hepatoselective GKA exhibiting the aforementioned properties. 

PMID- 24239483
TI  - What do diagnostic test data tell us about differences in the profiles of
      children diagnosed with reading disability or language impairments?
AB  - A detailed evaluation of a child's strengths and weaknesses allows for a valid
      and reliable diagnosis of reading disability for the selection of optimal
      intervention practices. Using archival data from a clinic that specialized in the
      diagnosis of reading disabilities, we compared the performance of 60 children
      diagnosed with specific reading disability (SRD) and 31 children with language
      impairments and reading disability (LIRD) on measures of cognitive reasoning,
      verbal ability, phonological manipulation, rapid serial naming, and phonological
      memory. While the SRD and LIRD groups did not differ in their phonological
      processing, children with LIRD performed significantly below their peers with SRD
      on thinking ability and verbal ability measures. Rapid naming skills served as
      current predictors of text reading fluency and verbal ability skills served as
      concurrent predictors of reading comprehension in both groups. These findings
      highlight the need for reading diagnosticians to conduct comprehensive
      evaluations using a range of cognitive and language processes to ensure the most
      accurate and specific diagnoses of children with reading disabilities. LEARNING
      OUTCOMES: Readers will be able to (a) describe general characteristics of reading
      disabilities, (b) differentiate features of two learning disabilities, specific
      reading disability and language impairments and reading disability, and (c)
      identify key clinical issues and approaches for identification, diagnosis, and
      intervention of these two diagnostic profiles.

PMID- 24239484
TI  - Performance on verbal and low-verbal false belief tasks: evidence from children
      with Williams syndrome.
AB  - Previous studies that have investigated the relationship between performance on
      theory of mind (ToM) tasks and verbal abilities in individuals with Williams
      syndrome (WS) have reported contradictory findings with some showing that
      language abilities aid performance on ToM tasks while others have found that
      participants with WS fail these tasks because of their verbal demands. The
      current study investigated this relationship again comparing performance on a
      classical change-location task to two newly developed low-verbal tasks, one
      change-location task and one unexpected content task. Thirty children with WS
      (aged 5-17;01 years) and 30 typically developing (TD) children (aged between 2;10
      years and 9;09 years), who were matched for vocabulary comprehension scores were
      included in the study. Although performance in the WS group was significantly
      poorer compared to the TD group on all three tasks, performance was not predicted
      by their receptive vocabulary or grammatical ability scores. In addition, ToM
      abilities in both groups depended on the cognitive demands of the task at hand.
      This finding shows that performance on ToM tasks in WS is not necessarily
      hindered by their delayed language abilities but rather by the task administered.
      This could potentially affect the diagnosis of developmental disorders, such as
      Autism Spectrum Disorders, and comparison of ToM abilities across developmental
      disorders. LEARNING OUTCOMES: Readers of this article should be able to (1)
      describe the current state of theory of mind research in Williams syndrome, (2)
      identify which cognitive abilities might explain performance on theory of mind
      tasks in both typically developing children and in children with Williams
      syndrome, and (3) interpret the importance of task demands when assessing
      children's theory of mind abilities.

PMID- 24239485
TI  - Free fatty acids and protein kinase C activation induce GPR120 (free fatty acid
      receptor 4) phosphorylation.
AB  - GPR120, free fatty acid receptor 4, is a recently deorphanized G protein-coupled
      receptor that seems to play cardinal roles in the regulation of metabolism and in
      the pathophysiology of inflammatory and metabolic disorders. In the present work
      a GPR120-Venus fusion protein was expressed in HEK293 Flp-In T-REx cells and its
      function (increase in intracellular calcium) and phosphorylation were studied. It
      was observed that the fusion protein migrated in sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gels as a band with a mass of ~70-75kDa, although other bands of
      higher apparent weight (>130kDa) were also detected. Cell stimulation with
      docosahexaenoic acid or alpha-linolenic acid induced concentration-dependent
      increases in intracellular calcium and GPR120 phosphorylation. Activation of
      protein kinase C with phorbol esters also induced a marked receptor
      phosphorylation but did not alter the ability of 1uM docosahexaenoic acid to
      increase the intracellular calcium concentration. Phorbol ester-induced GPR120
      phosphorylation, but not that induced with docosahexaenoic acid, was blocked by
      protein kinase C inhibitors (bis-indolyl-maleimide I and Go 6976) suggesting that
      conventional kinase isoforms mediate this action. The absence of effect of
      protein kinase C inhibitors on agonist-induced GPR120 phosphorylation indicates
      that this kinase does not play a major role in agonist-induced receptor
      phosphorylation. Docosahexaenoic acid action was associated with marked GPR120
      internalization whereas that induced with phorbol esters was smaller at early
      times. 

PMID- 24239486
TI  - The reproducibility comparison of two intervertebral translation measurements in
      cervical flexion-extension.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The abnormal translations between vertebrae in the sagittal
      plane are important clues to spinal dysfunction or instability. Several studies
      have reported significant variability in their translation measurements with no
      analysis of data reproducibility. PURPOSE: We sought to determine the intra- and
      interobserver reproducibility of the computer-assisted geometric midplanes and
      rotation matrix methods in the measurements of intervertebral translations at
      different motion ranges of cervical flexion-extension in asymptomatic subjects
      and disc-herniated patients. STUDY DESIGN: A blind, repeated-measure design was
      applied to determine the reproducibility for intervertebral translation
      measurements. METHODS: A total of 608 videofluoroscopic image sequences from the
      different motion ranges of cervical flexion and extension in 38 asymptomatic
      subjects and 38 disc-herniated patients were digitized for further analysis.
      RESULTS: The intra- and interobserver reproducibility on measuring the sequential
      translations were in the acceptable range for geometric midplanes method (average
      intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs], 0.860 and 0.806; mean absolute
      difference [MAD] 0.19 and 0.33 mm) and rotation matrix method (average ICCs,
      0.807 and 0.735; MAD, 0.35 and 0.42 mm). There was significantly better
      reproducibility on the measurements of intervertebral translation for the
      geometric midplanes method than those of rotation matrix method (p=.001-.040).
      The absolute mean differences of the translation measurements between two image
      protocols averaged 11.2% and 10.8% for the asymptomatic subjects and disc
      herniated patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, both
      methods demonstrated acceptable reproducibility on the intervertebral translation
      measurements. The geometric midplanes method involving an averaging effect on the
      placements of vertebral landmarks and closer to center of rotation might reduce
      the errors in translation estimations. The rotation matrix protocol
      simultaneously illustrated horizontal and vertical translation motion despite
      greater digitizing and/or measurement errors.

PMID- 24239487
TI  - The relationship between an intramedullary high signal intensity and the clinical
      outcome in atlanto-axial subluxation owing to rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: In patients affected by cervical spondylotic myelopathy
      (CSM), numerous authors have reported the existence of a relationship among the
      intramedullary high signal intensity in T2-weighted MRIs, preoperative neurologic
      severity, and neurologic recovery after surgery; however, to our knowledge, there
      have been no previous reports that have described its relationship in patients
      with atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS) owing to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PURPOSE:
      The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of patients with AAS
      owing to RA showing intramedullary high signal intensity in T2-weighted MRIs, and
      to assess the relationship with the neurologic severity and neurologic recovery
      after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS
      SAMPLE: Fifty consecutive patients (37 females and 13 males) with AAS treated by
      surgery were reviewed. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome was determined 1 year after
      surgery. METHODS: According to preoperative T2-weighted MRIs, the patients were
      classified into two groups as follows: An NC group not showing any signal
      intensity change on sagittal images, and an SI group showing signal intensity
      changes with narrowing of the spinal cord. In all patients, we investigated the
      atlanto-dental distance (ADD) and the space available for the spinal cord (SAC)
      at the neutral position and the maximal flexion position in lateral cervical
      radiographs before surgery. We also observed MRIs 1 year after surgery in the SI
      group. We evaluated the severity of neurologic symptoms before and 1 year after
      surgery in all patients. RESULTS: Preoperative T2-weighted MRIs demonstrated NC
      in 38 cases and SI in 12 cases. The preoperative average ADD at the neutral
      position in the NC and SI groups was 6.4 and 10.2 mm, respectively (p<.01). The
      preoperative ADD at the maximal flexion position in the two groups were 10.8 and
      13.8 mm, respectively (p<.01). The preoperative average SAC at the neutral
      position in the NC and SI groups were 17.6 and 13.8 mm, respectively (p<.01). The
      SAC at the maximal flexion position in the two groups were 14.3 and 10.8 mm,
      respectively (p<.01). The SI group included significantly more Ranawat grade III
      cases showing severe neurologic deficits compared to the NC group (p<.01).
      However, there were no differences between the two groups regarding the number of
      patients with Ranawat grade III status after surgery (p>.65). On MRIs 1 year
      after surgery, the regression or disappearance of the signal intensity change in
      T2-weighted images was demonstrated in four and seven cases, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative ISHI in T2-weighted MRIs in RA-induced AAS patients was
      demonstrated in patients showing an enlargement of the ADD and a narrowing of the
      SAC. This affected the preoperative neurologic severity, but not the
      postoperative severity, which was in contrast to CSM patients. Furthermore, the
      regression or disappearance of ISHI was demonstrated in all of the cases after
      surgery. It is therefore speculated that RA AAS patients may have both dynamic
      instability and stenosis.

PMID- 24239488
TI  - Morphologic changes in the lumbar spine after lumbar medial branch radiofrequency
      neurotomy: a quantitative radiological study.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) is a common
      treatment for zygapophyseal joint pain. The lumbar medial branch innervates these
      joints and adjacent structures. The impact of the intended neurotomy on these
      structures remains unclear. No studies have yet verified quantitatively the
      effect of medial branch RFN on intervertebral discs, facet joints, and multifidus
      cross-sectional area. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine, using
      objective radiographic measures, whether there is a quantitative difference in
      the lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area, facet joint degeneration, or
      intervertebral disc degeneration after segmental medial branch RFN. STUDY
      DESIGN/SETTING: This is a retrospective single-cohort study performed at a
      university spine center. PATIENT SAMPLE: The patient sample consisted of 27
      patients treated with lumbar medial branch RFN, with pre- and posttreatment
      magnetic resonance images available for analysis. OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary
      study outcome measure was interval change in fat-subtracted multifidus cross
      sectional area, and intervertebral disc and zygapophyseal joint degeneration
      grade. METHODS: In this retrospective study, segmental levels unaffected by RFN
      treatment were used as controls to compare against levels affected by treatment.
      RESULTS: Levels affected by RFN demonstrated a significantly greater amount of
      disc degeneration compared with unaffected levels (14.9% vs. 4.6%; p=.0489).
      There was no statistical difference in the multifidus cross-sectional area or
      rates of deterioration in the zygapophyseal joints observed. CONCLUSIONS: The
      full impact of RFN on multifidus function, morphology, and segmental anatomy is
      unknown. This retrospective study indicates that measurable changes in segmental
      morphology may occur after lumbar medial branch RFN. These findings require
      validation in a prospective, controlled study.

PMID- 24239489
TI  - Persistent phosphorylation of NKCC1 and WNK1 in the epicenter of the spinal cord
      following contusion injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: NKCC1 regulates neuronal homeostasis of chloride ions and
      mediates GABAergic activities in nociceptive processing. WNK1 is an upstream
      regulator of NKCC1 and acts via SPAK (STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich
      kinase) and oxidative stress-responsive kinase 1. NKCC1 activity has been shown
      to be important in edema formation and nociception following spinal cord injury
      (SCI). PURPOSE: To determine the role of NKCC1 and WNK1 in spinal cord tissues in
      the acute and chronic phases following contusional SCI. STUDY DESIGN: An
      experimental study investigating the phosphorylation profile of an important Cl
      regulatory protein Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) and its regulatory-kinase
      WNK1 (kinase with-no-lysine). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a contusive
      SCI at T9. The epicenter spinal cord tissues were harvested at Days 1, 3, and 7
      for acute phase of injury or Days 35 and 42 in the chronic phase of injury.
      Western blot was used to compare phosphorylated levels of both NKCC1 and WNK1 in
      injured tissues compared with those of sham. RESULTS: A sustained increase in
      phosphorylation of NKCC1 and WNK1 was detected in the lesion epicenter in spinal
      cord during both acute and chronic phases following SCI. CONCLUSIONS: These
      results suggest that persistent activation of NKCC1 and WNK1 may play an
      important role in SCI.

PMID- 24239490
TI  - An evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar
      disc herniation with radiculopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The objective of the North American Spine Society's (NASS)
      Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lumbar Disc
      Herniation with Radiculopathy is to provide evidence-based recommendations to
      address key clinical questions surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar
      disc herniation with radiculopathy. The guideline is intended to reflect
      contemporary treatment concepts for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation with
      radiculopathy as reflected in the highest quality clinical literature available
      on this subject as of July 2011. The goals of the guideline recommendations are
      to assist in delivering optimum efficacious treatment and functional recovery
      from this spinal disorder. PURPOSE: To provide an evidence-based educational tool
      to assist spine specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc
      herniation with radiculopathy. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and evidence-based
      clinical guideline. METHODS: This guideline is a product of the Lumbar Disc
      Herniation with Radiculopathy Work Group of NASS' Evidence-Based Guideline
      Development Committee. The work group consisted of multidisciplinary spine care
      specialists trained in the principles of evidence-based analysis. A literature
      search addressing each question and using a specific search protocol was
      performed on English-language references found in Medline, Embase (Drugs and
      Pharmacology), and four additional evidence-based databases to identify articles.
      The relevant literature was then independently rated using the NASS-adopted
      standardized levels of evidence. An evidentiary table was created for each of the
      questions. Final recommendations to answer each clinical question were developed
      via work group discussion, and grades were assigned to the recommendations using
      standardized grades of recommendation. In the absence of Level I to IV evidence,
      work group consensus statements have been developed using a modified nominal
      group technique, and these statements are clearly identified as such in the
      guideline. RESULTS: Twenty-nine clinical questions were formulated and addressed,
      and the answers are summarized in this article. The respective recommendations
      were graded by strength of the supporting literature, which was stratified by
      levels of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical guideline has been created using
      the techniques of evidence-based medicine and best available evidence to aid
      practitioners in the care of patients with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation
      with radiculopathy. The entire guideline document, including the evidentiary
      tables, suggestions for future research, and all the references, is available
      electronically on the NASS Web site at
      http://www.spine.org/Pages/PracticePolicy/ClinicalCare/ClinicalGuidlines/Default.
      spx and will remain updated on a timely schedule.

PMID- 24239491
TI  - A comparison of risk factors for women seeking labiaplasty compared to those not
      seeking labiaplasty.
AB  - Little is known about the factors associated with the desire for labiaplasty. We
      compared 55 women seeking labiaplasty with 70 women in a comparison group who
      were not seeking labiaplasty. Measures administered included the Perception of
      Appearance and Competency Related Teasing Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire,
      Disgust Scale Revised, and the Genital Appearance Satisfaction scale with open
      ended questions about their genitalia. Approximately a third of the labiaplasty
      group recalled specific negative comments in the past towards their labia, a
      proportion significantly greater than the three per cent in the comparison group.
      Participants reporting genital teasing also showed higher Genital Appearance
      Satisfaction scores than those who were not teased. However, women seeking
      labiaplasty were, compared to the comparison group, no more likely to have a
      history of neglect or abuse during childhood. There was no difference between the
      groups on disgust sensitivity or the perception of being teased in the past about
      their competence or appearance in general. 

PMID- 24239492
TI  - Designing reaction-based fluorescent probes for selective hydrogen sulfide
      detection.
AB  - Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a biologically generated, gaseous signaling molecule
      that mediates a wide range of physiological functions and is misregulated in
      numerous pathologies ranging from neurodegenerative disease to hypertension to
      diabetes. Despite swelling interest, a deeper understanding of the biological
      roles played by H2S has been hindered by a lack of tools for the real-time
      visualization of its production in living organisms. Recently, reaction-based
      fluorescent probes have emerged as an ideal approach for selective H2S imaging
      and are attracting increasing attention with many new innovative designs being
      introduced. This review will highlight some of the most fruitful reaction-based
      strategies, including reduction-based, nucleophilic-based, and metal sulfide
      precipitation-based fluorescent sensors. Strategies to address the key design
      challenges of sensitivity, selectivity, in vivo compatibility, and quantification
      will be discussed using examples of recently developed molecular scaffolds for
      selective H2S detection. 

PMID- 24239493
TI  - Limb compression induces multi-system genetic damage in rats.
AB  - Muscle crush injury is a common trauma in the modern society after as a result of
      mass disasters after penetration into muscle by high-velocity projectiles, blunt
      external trauma, or by gravity during prolonged immobilization in comatose
      patients after head trauma, alcoholic or drug overdose. However, the underlying
      mechanisms linking these alterations are still not fully understood, especially
      in acute phase. The aim of this study was to analyze genomic instability in
      multiple organs of rats after acute muscle injury by means of single cell gel
      (comet) assay. Rats were randomly distributed into three groups (n=6 each group):
      control group and experimental groups: sacrificed 6h as 12h after muscle
      compression. These results indicate genetic damage in peripheral blood cells as
      depicted by tail moment results. DNA breakage was also detected in liver, lung
      and kidney cells after acute muscle injury for two times evaluated. Heart cells
      showed genetic damage after 12h following muscle compression. Taken together, our
      results suggest that acute muscle injury induces genomic damage in multiple
      organs of Wistar rats. This novel finding offers new insights into the underlying
      mechanisms of the relationship between acute crush muscle injury and clinical
      manifestations that can occur during limb compression. 

PMID- 24239494
TI  - ED placement of perineural catheters for femoral fracture pain management.
AB  - Regional nerve blocks provide superior analgesia over opioid-based pain
      management regimens for traumatic injuries such as femur fractures. An ultrasound
      guided regional nerve block is placed either as a single-shot injection or via a
      perineural catheter that is left in place. Although perineural catheters are
      commonplace in the perioperative setting, their use by emergency physicians (EPs)
      for emergency pain management in adults has not been previously described.
      Perineural catheters allow prolonged and titratable delivery of local anesthetic
      directly targeted to the injured extremity, resulting in opioid sparing while
      maintaining high-quality pain relief with improved alertness. Despite these
      advantages, most EPs do not currently place perineural catheters, likely due to
      the widespread perception that the procedure is both excessively time consuming
      and too technically difficult to be practical in a busy emergency department
      (ED). A catheter-over-needle kit, resembling a peripheral intravenous line, is
      now available and may be familiar to EPs than traditional catheter-needle
      assemblies. Recent studies also suggest excellent analgesic outcomes with
      intermittent perineural bolusing of local anesthetic, thereby dispensing with the
      need for complex and expensive infusion pumps. Herein, we describe our successful
      placement of perineural femoral catheters at a busy inner-city public hospital
      ED. Our experience suggests that this is a promising new technique for emergency
      pain management of acute extremity injuries.

PMID- 24239495
TI  - Analysis of parameters influencing the release of antibiotics mixed with bone
      grafting material using a reliable mixing procedure.
AB  - Local infections arising from fracture fixation, defect reconstruction or joint
      replacement can cause extreme pain and impaired healing, lead to revision
      operations, prolong hospital stay and increase costs. Treatment options including
      prophylaxis are afforded by the use of grafts and biomaterials loaded with
      antibiotics. These can produce local therapeutic concentrations with a reduced
      systemic concentration and reduced systemic side-effects. Patient-specific
      loading of osteogenic graft materials with antibiotic could be an important
      option for orthopaedic surgeons. A local therapeutic concentration must be
      available for the desired duration and cytotoxic effects must be kept within an
      acceptable range. The present study investigates a simple and reliable mixing
      procedure that could be used for the perioperative combination of antibiotic
      powders and solutions with bone grafting materials. The potential influence of
      concentration and sampling regime on the release kinetics of gentamicin,
      tobramycin and vancomycin was studied over a period of 56days and potency and
      cytotoxicity were evaluated. In all treatment groups, gentamicin and tobramycin
      were completely released within 3days whilst vancomycin was released over a
      period of 14days. The results clearly show that the main parameter influencing
      release is the molecular weight of the drug. Growth of Staphylococcus aureus was
      inhibited in all 3 treatment groups for at least 3days. Cell viability and
      alkaline phosphatase activity of primary osteoblast-like cells were not
      significantly affected by the antibiotic concentrations obtained from the elution
      experiments. Bone grafting is an established component of surgery for bone defect
      filling and for biological stimulation of healing. Patient-specific enhancement
      of such procedures by incorporation of antibiotics for infection prevention or by
      addition of cytokines for promotion of impaired healing or for treatment of
      critical size defects will be a relevant issue in the future. 

PMID- 24239496
TI  - Sleep and eating in childhood: a potential behavioral mechanism underlying the
      relationship between poor sleep and obesity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was to examine the associations between sleep
      and eating behaviors. Specifically, we examined associations between sleep
      duration and continuity with behaviors that promote eating regardless of true
      physiologic hunger state including emotional (food intake in response to
      emotional distress) external (eating in response to the sight or smell of food),
      and restrained eating (a paradoxical behavior; food intake is initially reduced
      to lose or maintain body weight, but followed by increased consumption and binge
      eating). PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-six children (29 boys; 27 girls) ages 5 to 12 years
      participated in the study. Mean age was 7.7+/-1.9 years, and average body mass
      index (BMI) was within the healthy range (17.8+/-4.3 kg/m(2)). METHODS: Sleep
      duration, continuity and schedule were assessed using actigraphy and self
      reports. The Child Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire-modified version (DEBQ-M)
      was used to examine levels of emotional, external and restrained eating in the
      children. RESULTS: Associations between the sleep and eating behaviors were
      examined using partial correlations and multiple regression analyses. External
      eating score was negatively associated with sleep duration; emotional eating
      score was associated with lower levels of sleep continuity; and restrained eating
      score were associated with a later sleep start and later bedtime. CONCLUSIONS:
      Short sleep duration and poor sleep continuity were associated with higher levels
      of eating behaviors shown to be associated with increased food intake. Therefore,
      sleep loss may be associated with diminished self-regulation of appetite in
      children, increasing the risk for overeating and obesity.

PMID- 24239497
TI  - Long-term changes in blood pressure control in elementary school-aged children
      with sleep-disordered breathing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In adults sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been associated with
      impaired baroreflex control of blood pressure (BP), which has been linked to
      increased cardiovascular morbidity. In children, the long-term effects of SDB on
      baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and BP variability (BPV) are unknown. METHODS:
      Children previously diagnosed with SDB (n=40) and 20 nonsnoring controls aged 11
      16 y underwent overnight polysomnography with continuous BP measurement, four
      years after the original diagnosis. At follow-up, SDB was categorized as resolved
      (absence of snoring and obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI)<=1) or unresolved
      (continued to snore or had an OAHI>1). BRS and BPV were calculated using cross
      spectral analysis and power spectral analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Only
      children with resolved obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) at follow-up demonstrated an
      increase in BRS from 9.7+/-3 (ms mmHg(-1)) at baseline to 11.8+/-4 (ms mmHg(-1))
      at follow-up (P=.03). However, children with all severities of both resolved and
      unresolved SDB showed a significant decrease in BPV from baseline to follow-up (a
      decrease in total power BPV (P<.05) and a shift in BPV spectra away from
      respiratory-related frequencies (increased low-frequency/high-frequency [LF/HF]
      ratio, P<.01). The change in OAHI was the sole determinant of change in BRS, HF
      power, and LF/HF ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in SDB was associated with
      improved BP control, regardless if SDB was treated or spontaneously resolved four
      years after initial diagnosis. Our findings highlight the importance of
      monitoring children to ensure improvement of SDB and reduce the risk for
      cardiovascular morbidity in the future.

PMID- 24239498
TI  - Objectively measured sleep duration and hyperglycemia in pregnancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our primary purpose was to assess the impact of objectively measured
      nighttime sleep duration on gestational glucose tolerance. We additionally
      examined associations of objectively measured daytime sleep duration and nap
      frequency on maternal glycemic control. METHODS: Sixty-three urban, low-income,
      pregnant women wore wrist actigraphs for an average of 6 full days in mid
      pregnancy prior to screening for hyperglycemia using the 1-h oral glucose
      tolerance test (OGTT). Correlations of nighttime and daytime sleep durations with
      1-h OGTT values were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to
      evaluate independent associations between sleep parameters and hyperglycemia,
      defined as 1-h OGTT values >=130 mg/dL. RESULTS: Mean nighttime sleep duration
      was 6.9+/-0.9 h which was inversely correlated with 1-h OGTT values (r=-0.28,
      P=.03). Shorter nighttime sleep was associated with hyperglycemia, even after
      controlling for age and body mass index (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.2 [95%
      confidence interval {CI}, 0.1-0.8]). There were no associations of daytime sleep
      duration and nap frequency with 1-h OGTT values or hyperglycemia. CONCLUSIONS:
      Using objective measures of maternal sleep time, we found that women with shorter
      nighttime sleep durations had an increased risk for gestational hyperglycemia.
      Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm our negative daytime sleep
      findings.

PMID- 24239500
TI  - A review of bioeffects of static magnetic field on rodent models.
AB  - This review is aimed to summarize the experimental researches in the influences
      of static magnetic field on laboratory rodent models, reported by laboratory
      scientists, experimental technicians, clinical surgeons, animal veterinarians,
      and other researchers. Past studies suggested that static magnetic field-singly
      applied or used combined with other physical or chemical substances-significantly
      relieved some pains and ameliorated certain diseases in different organ systems,
      e.g. hypertension, osteoporosis, neuralgia, diabetes and leukemia etc. But on the
      other hand, some harmful events have also been observed in a number of
      investigations, from cellular level to fetal development. So exposure to static
      magnetic field might have dual effects on experimental rodent in various
      environments, viz. there are potentially therapeutic benefits, as well as adverse
      effects from it. The positive effect may relate to moderate intensities, while
      negative influence seems to be in connection with acute strong static magnetic
      fields. In addition, different orientations of static magnetic field exert
      different degrees of impact. Thus, the bioeffects of static magnetic field
      exposure on mice/rats depend on magnetic field intensities, durations and
      directions, though the exactly relationship between them is still vague. Further
      researches need to perform with appropriate methodologies, ingenious designs
      repeatedly and systemically, not only in animal models, but also in human
      volunteers and patients. 

PMID- 24239501
TI  - The effects of metamaterial on electromagnetic fields absorption characteristics
      of human eye tissues.
AB  - The interaction of a dipole antenna with a human eye model in the presence of a
      metamaterial is investigated in this paper. The finite difference time domain
      (FDTD) method with convolutional perfectly matched layer (CPML) formulation have
      been used. A three-dimensional anatomical model of the human eye with resolution
      of 1.25 mm * 1.25 mm * 1.25 mm was used in this study. The dipole antenna was
      driven by modulated Gaussian pulse and the numerical study is performed with
      dipole operating at 900 MHz. The analysis has been done by varying the size and
      value of electric permittivity of the metamaterial. By normalizing the peak SAR
      (1 g and 10 g) to 1 W for all examined cases, we observed how the SAR values are
      not affected by the different permittivity values with the size of the
      metamaterial kept fixed.

PMID- 24239499
TI  - Associations of self-reported and actigraphy-assessed sleep characteristics with
      body mass index and waist circumference in adults: moderation by gender.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Self-reported sleep duration has been linked to body mass index (BMI)
      and waist circumference in previous work; however, data regarding if these
      associations are stronger in men or women have been mixed, and few studies have
      objectively measured sleep. We investigated self-reported and actigraphy-assessed
      sleep characteristics in relation to BMI and waist circumference and examined the
      extent to which these associations differ by gender. DESIGN: Archived cross
      sectional data collected from 2004 to 2006 from the National Survey of Midlife
      Development in the United States (MIDUS) Biomarkers Study were used. Participants
      included 1248 adults (43% men) who reported their habitual sleep duration, and a
      subset of participants (N=441; 40% men) who underwent seven nights of wrist
      actigraphy. RESULTS: Self-reported total sleep time (TST), actigraphy-assessed
      TST, and actigraphy-assessed sleep efficiency (SE) were inversely associated with
      BMI in the full sample of both men and women. Gender moderated associations
      between actigraphy assessments of sleep and anthropometric variables; however,
      TST and SE were related to BMI and waist circumference in women only.
      Associations between sleep and waist circumference were independent of BMI.
      CONCLUSIONS: Sleep duration and sleep continuity are associated with body weight
      and distribution of body fat, but these associations were stronger or were only
      present in women.

PMID- 24239502
TI  - Functions and roles of proteins: diabetes as a paradigm.
AB  - Molecular and cellular biology has moved towards complete and accurate knowledge
      of how molecules behave in space and time. Protein is considered as the primary
      group of molecules responsible for mediating most physiological processes.
      Changes in the levels of proteins may lead to the altered function and are
      responsible for many diseases. This review provides a partial molecular
      explanation of biological force-ratio generation that may act to split protein
      into branches, and shows molecular functional divergence. Developing a non
      reductionist theory of the cellular function in medicine is clearly not
      sufficient. Finding effective parameters of the models by characterizing
      molecular interactions becomes necessary. Protein interactivity and stability
      provides a basis for an integrated understanding of pathologies such diabetes.
      One example of how a mechanistic analysis of such physiological processes can be
      of value is the time-delay between mRNA and translation that can act as a fork
      allowing a slowdown in gene expression. 

PMID- 24239503
TI  - Will food-handling time influence agonistic behaviour in sub-adult common ravens
      (Corvus corax)?
AB  - Discovering a food source may invoke either competition or cooperation, depending
      on many factors such as divisibility and accessibility. We experimentally
      investigated the influence of effort to procure food on the tolerance towards
      others during feeding. Nine sub-adult captive ravens were tested in different
      foraging contexts that differed in foraging effort, namely three string-pulling
      conditions and two without pulling requirement. We expected that the effort to
      gain access to food would positively affect the tolerance towards others at
      feeding. As predicted, we found fewer agonistic interactions, fewer displacements
      of subordinates from food and prolonged feeding bouts in the three string-pulling
      conditions compared to the two conditions when no pulling was involved. Further,
      in the string pulling tasks interactions occurred mostly on the perch before
      pulling and only rarely was pulling interrupted by agonistic interactions. The
      rate of interactions did not change over trials. Our data suggests that perceived
      effort influences social behaviour. 

PMID- 24239504
TI  - An eye for beauty: lateralized visual stimulation of courtship behavior and mate
      preferences in male zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata.
AB  - Research on intersexual selection focuses on traits that have evolved for
      attracting mates and the consequences of mate choice. However, little is known
      about the cognitive and neural mechanisms that allow choosers to discriminate
      among potential mates and express an attraction to specific traits. Preferential
      use of the right eye during lateral displays in zebra finches, and lateralized
      expression of intermediate early genes in the left hemisphere during courtship
      led us to hypothesize that: (1) visual information from each eye differentially
      mediates courtship responses to potential mates; and (2) the ability to
      discriminate among mates and prefer certain mates over others is lateralized in
      the right eye/left hemisphere system of zebra finch brains. First, we exposed
      male zebra finches to females when using left, right or both eyes. Males courted
      more when the right eye was available than when only the left eye was used.
      Secondly, male preference for females - using beak color to indicate female
      quality - was tested. Right-eyed and binocular males associated with and courted
      orange-beaked more than gray-beaked females; whereas left-eyed males showed no
      preference. Lateral displays and eye use in male zebra finches increase their
      attractiveness and ability to assess female quality, potentially enhancing
      reproductive success. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: CO3 2013.

PMID- 24239505
TI  - Is vitamin D deficiency a major global public health problem?
AB  - Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health problem worldwide in all age
      groups, even in those residing in countries with low latitude, where it was
      generally assumed that UV radiation was adequate enough to prevent this
      deficiency, and in industrialized countries, where vitamin D fortification has
      been implemented now for years. However, most countries are still lacking data,
      particularly population representative data, with very limited information in
      infants, children, adolescents and pregnant women. Since the number of recent
      publications is escalating, with a broadening of the geographic diversity, the
      objective of the present report was to conduct a more recent systematic review of
      global vitamin D status, with particular emphasis in at risk groups. A systematic
      review was conducted in PubMed/Medline in April-June 2013 to identify articles on
      vitamin D status worldwide published in the last 10 years in apparently healthy
      individuals. Only studies with vitamin D status prevalence were included. If
      available, the first source selected was population-based or representative
      samples studies. Clinical trials, case-control studies, case reports or series,
      reviews, validation studies, letters, editorials, or qualitative studies were
      excluded. A total of 103 articles were eligible and included in the present
      report. Maps were created for each age group, providing an updated overview of
      global vitamin D status. In areas with available data, the prevalence of low
      vitamin D status is a global problem in all age groups, in particular in girls
      and women from the Middle East. These maps also evidenced the regions with
      missing data for each specific population groups. There is striking lack of data
      in infants, children and adolescents worldwide, and in most countries of South
      America and Africa. In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency is a global public health
      problem in all age groups, particularly in those from the Middle East. This
      article is part of a Special Issue entitled '16th Vitamin D Workshop'. 

PMID- 24239507
TI  - Pathways and genes involved in steroid hormone metabolism in male pigs: a review
      and update.
AB  - This paper reviews state-of-the-art knowledge on steroid biosynthesis pathways in
      the pig and provides an updated characterization of the porcine genes involved in
      these pathways with particular focus on androgens, estrogens, and 16-androstenes.
      At least 21 different enzymes appear to be involved in these pathways in porcine
      tissues together with at least five cofactors. Until now, data on several porcine
      genes were scarce or confusing. We characterized the complete genomic and
      transcript sequences of the single porcine CYP11B gene. We analyzed the porcine
      AKR1 gene cluster and identified four AKR1C, one AKR1C like genes and one AKR1E2
      gene. We provide evidence that porcine AKR1C genes are not orthologous to human
      AKR1C. A new nomenclature is thus needed for this gene family in the pig. Thirty
      two genes are now described: transcript (30+2 characterized in this study) and
      genomic (complete: 18+1 and partial: 12+1) sequences are identified. However,
      despite increasing knowledge on steroid metabolism in the pig, there is still no
      explanation of why porcine testes can produce androstenone and epiandrosterone,
      but not dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is also a reduced steroid. 

PMID- 24239506
TI  - Fundamentals of vitamin D hormone-regulated gene expression.
AB  - Initial research focused upon several known genetic targets provided early
      insight into the mechanism of action of the vitamin D hormone (1,25
      dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)). Recently, however, a series of technical
      advances involving the coupling of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to
      unbiased methodologies that initially involved tiled DNA microarrays (ChIP-chip
      analysis) and now Next Generation DNA Sequencing techniques (ChIP-seq analysis)
      has opened new avenues of research into the mechanisms through which 1,25(OH)2D3
      regulates gene expression. In this review, we summarize briefly the results of
      this early work and then focus on more recent studies in which ChIP-chip and ChIP
      seq analyses have been used to explore the mechanisms of 1,25(OH)2D3 action on a
      genome-wide scale providing specific target genes as examples. The results of
      this work have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms involved at both
      genetic and epigenetic levels and have revealed a series of new principles
      through which the vitamin D hormone functions to control the expression of genes.
      This article is part of a Special Issue entitled '16th Vitamin D Workshop'. 

PMID- 24239508
TI  - Reciprocal role of vitamin D receptor on beta-catenin regulated keratinocyte
      proliferation and differentiation.
AB  - The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3),
      suppresses the proliferation while promoting the differentiation of keratinocytes
      through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). beta-Catenin, on the other hand, promotes
      proliferation and blocks epidermal differentiation, although it stimulates hair
      follicle differentiation. In intestinal epithelia VDR binds beta-catenin and
      blocks its proliferative effects. In this study we investigated the role of
      1,25(OH)2D3/VDR on beta-catenin regulated gene transcription during keratinocyte
      proliferation and differentiation. 1,25(OH)2D3 suppressed promoter reporter
      activity driven by synthetic and natural TCF/beta-catenin response elements. Over
      expression of VDR further suppressed these TCF/beta-catenin promoter activities.
      1,25(OH)2D3 also suppressed the mRNA expression of the beta-catenin regulated
      gene Gli1 through VDR. These data were consistent with our previous observations
      that VDR silencing resulted in keratinocyte hyperproliferation with increased
      expression of Gli1 in vitro, whereas VDR null skin showed hyperproliferation in
      vivo. In contrast, 1,25(OH)2D3 induced expression of another beta-catenin
      regulated gene, PADI1, important for both epidermal and hair follicle
      differentiation. Deletion of VDR resulted in defects in hair differentiation in
      vivo, with decreased expression of beta-catenin regulated hair differentiation
      genes such as PADI1, hair keratin KRT31 and calcium binding protein S100a3. These
      genes possess vitamin D response elements (VDRE) adjacent to TCF/beta-catenin
      response elements and are regulated by both VDR and beta-catenin signaling.
      Therefore, we propose that VDR and beta-catenin interact reciprocally to promote
      VDR stimulation of genes involved with differentiation that contain both VDR and
      beta-catenin response elements while inhibiting beta-catenin stimulation of genes
      involved with proliferation. Thus the major finding of this study is that while
      1,25(OH)2D3/VDR inhibits the actions of beta-catenin to promote keratinocyte
      proliferation, 1,25(OH)2D3/VDR promotes the ability of beta-catenin to stimulate
      hair follicle differentiation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled
      '16th Vitamin D Workshop'. 

PMID- 24239509
TI  - Transplantation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as a thin subretinal
      layer ameliorates retinal degeneration in a rat model of retinal dystrophy.
AB  - Vision incapacitation and blindness associated with retinal degeneration affect
      millions of people worldwide. Cell based therapy and specifically transplantation
      of human adult bone marrow-derived stem cells (hBM-MSCs) present possible
      treatment strategy. Subretinal transplantation of human or rat BM-MSCs was shown
      previously to improve retinal function in Royal College Surgeons (RCS) rats. In
      those studies cells were transplanted via a transscleral-transchoroidal approach,
      creating a localized subretinal bleb. Limited number of cells could be injected
      and photoreceptor rescue was restricted to areas in proximity to the injection
      site. Here we describe a new surgical method for subretinal transplantation that
      facilitates uniform distribution of transplanted cells as a thin layer along most
      of the subretinal space. We assessed the therapeutic effect of hBM-MSCs on RCS
      rats when transplanted either subretinally or intravitreally. We also examined
      whether a second transplantation can prolong the therapeutic effect. A cell
      suspension of 2.5 * 10(6) cells in 5 MUl was injected subretinally or
      intravitreally in RCS rats at 28 days postnatal. In the subretinal group, hBM
      MSCs were transplanted posterior to the limbus in the superotemporal part of the
      eye through a longitudinal triangular scleral tunnel reaching the choroid. In the
      intravitreal group, the cells were injected into the superotemporal part of the
      vitreous cavity. In cross sections of subretinally transplanted eyes, removed 2 h
      following transplantation, hBM-MSCs were distributed as a near-homogenous thin
      layer along most of the subretinal space. In some animals the cells were also
      detected in the choroid. In the intravitreal injection group, hBM-MSCs were
      clustered in the vitreous cavity. Transplanted cells could be detected up to 2
      weeks after transplantation but not at later time points. Retinal function and
      structure were assessed by electroretinogram (ERG) and histology analysis,
      respectively. Six weeks post transplantation, the mean maximal scotopic ERG b
      wave amplitude response recorded in RCS control eyes was 1.2 MUV. By contrast, in
      transplanted eyes mean responses of 56.4 MUV and 66.2 MUV were recorded in the
      intravitreally and subretinally transplanted eyes, respectively. In the
      subretinal group, retinal function was significantly higher in transplanted
      compared with control eyes up to 20 weeks following transplantation. By contrast,
      in the intravitreal group, rescue of retinal function persisted only up to 12
      weeks following transplantation. Histological analysis revealed that 8 weeks
      following subretinal transplantation, the retinas of control eyes were
      dystrophic, with outer nuclear layer (ONL) containing a single cell layer. An
      extensive photoreceptor rescue was demonstrated in transplanted eyes at this time
      point, with 3-4 cell layers in the ONL along the entire retina. A second
      subretinal transplantation at 70 days postnatal did not enhance or prolong the
      therapeutic effect of hBM-MSCs. No immunosuppressants were used and long-term
      safety analysis demonstrated no gross or microscopic adverse effects. Taken
      together our findings suggest that transplantation of hBM-MSCs as a thin
      subretinal layer enhances the therapeutic effect and the safety of cell
      transplantation. 

PMID- 24239510
TI  - Investigation of rat bone fracture healing using pulsed 1.5 MHz, 30 mW/cm(2)
      burst ultrasound--axial distance dependency.
AB  - This study investigated the effect of LIPUS on fracture healing when fractures
      were exposed to ultrasound at three axial distances: z=0 mm, 60 mm, and 130 mm.
      We applied LIPUS to rat fracture at these three axial distances mimicking the
      exposure condition of human fractures at different depths under the soft tissue.
      Measurement of LIPUS shows pressure variations in near field (nearby transducer);
      uniform profile was found beyond it (far field). We asked whether different
      positions of the fracture within the ultrasound field cause inconsistent
      biological effect during the healing process. Closed femoral fractured Sprague
      Dawley rats were randomized into control, near-field (0mm), mid-near field (60
      mm) or far-field (130 mm) groups. Daily LIPUS treatment (plane, but apodized
      source, see details in the text; 2.2 cm in diameter; 1.5 MHz sine waves repeating
      at 1 kHz PRF; spatial average temporal average intensity, ISATA=30 mW/cm(2)) was
      given to fracture site at the three axial distances. Weekly radiographs and
      endpoint microCT, histomorphometry, and mechanical tests were performed. The
      results showed that the 130 mm group had the highest tissue mineral density; and
      significantly higher mechanical properties than control at week 4. The 60 mm and
      0 mm groups had significantly higher (i.e. p<0.05) woven bone percentage than
      control group in radiological, microCT and histomorphometry measurements. In
      general, LIPUS at far field augmented callus mineralization and mechanical
      properties; while near field and mid-near field enhanced woven bone formation.
      Our results indicated the therapeutic effect of LIPUS is dependent on the axial
      distance of the ultrasound beam. Therefore, the depth of fracture under the soft
      tissue affects the biological effect of LIPUS. Clinicians have to be aware of the
      fracture depth when LIPUS is applied transcutaneously.

PMID- 24239511
TI  - Heat shock protein 27 phosphorylation is involved in epithelial cell apoptosis as
      well as epithelial migration during corneal epithelial wound healing.
AB  - We reported the expression of phosphorylated HSP27 during epithelial wound
      healing in murine corneas (Jain et al., 2012) in July of 2012. This in vivo
      investigation demonstrated that the expression levels of phosphorylated HSP27
      were greater in wounded corneal epithelial cells than in unwounded controls and
      that the localization of phosphorylated HSP27 was in the basal and superficial
      epithelia three days following corneal epithelial wounding. We suggested that
      phosphorylated HSP27 had a role in the early phase of corneal epithelial wound
      healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the exact role of heat
      shock protein 27 (HSP27) phosphorylation for the wound healing of cultured human
      corneal epithelial cells (HCECs). HSP27-specific siRNAs and control-siRNAs, with
      no known homologous targets in HCECs, were created. The cultured HCECs were
      divided into two groups: Scrambled control-siRNA-transfected group vs. HSP27
      specific siRNA-transfected group. The scratch-induced directional wounding assay,
      Western blotting, using antibodies against non-phosphorylated and phosphorylated
      HSP27, non-phosphorylated and phosphorylated Akt, and Bcl-2-associated X protein
      (Bax), immunofluorescence staining to determine the filament actin, flow
      cytometry to measure apoptosis, and proliferation assay were performed to
      determine the role of HSP27. Western blot assay showed that the expression of
      phosphorylated HSP27 significantly increased at 5, 10, and 30 min after scratch
      wounding, compared with those in unwounded HCECs (all p < 0.05). Western blot
      assay also showed HSP27-specific siRNAs effectively blocked the expression of non
      phosphorylated HSP27. The HSP27-specific siRNA-transfected group had more Bax
      expression, less phosphorylated Akt expression, and less non-phosphorylated and
      phosphorylated HSP27 expression (all p < 0.05). The scratch-induced directional
      wounding assay showed the HSP27-specific siRNA-transfected group with a less
      migrating cell number than the control-siRNA-transfected group (p < 0.05).
      Immunofluorescence staining showed that reorganization of actin cytoskeleton
      prominently decreased in the HSP27-specific siRNA-transfected group, compared
      with the control siRNA-tranfected group. Flow cytometry revealed that the HSP27
      specific siRNA-transfected group had more HCEC apoptosis. Proliferation assay
      showed no difference between the two groups. In conclusion, the role of HSP27 in
      corneal epithelial wound healing can be epithelial cell apoptosis, as well as
      epithelial migration. HSP27 is involved in HCEC migration by the reorganization
      of actin cytoskeleton. 

PMID- 24239512
TI  - Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the common bile duct: A case report and
      literature review.
AB  - Hepatobiliary involvement by malignant lymphoma is usually a secondary
      manifestation of systemic disease, whereas primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the
      extrahepatic biliary ducts is an extremely rare entity. We describe the case of a
      57-year-old man who presented with an acute onset of obstructive jaundice and
      severe itching. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed
      intrahepatic and common hepatic ducts dilatation. Magnetic resonance
      cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
      showed a mid-common bile duct stricture. The patient was presumed to have
      cholangiocarcinoma of the common bile duct, and an en bloc resection of the tumor
      with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy and porta-hepatis lymph nodes dissection was
      performed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed a large B cell non
      Hodgkin's lymphoma. The patient received six cycles of combination chemotherapy
      using cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and rituximab (CVP-R) protocol,
      and after a 5-year follow-up he is still in complete remission. We also reviewed
      the cases published from 1982 to 2012, highlighting the challenges in reaching a
      correct preoperative diagnosis and the treatment modalities used in each case.

PMID- 24239513
TI  - 12 month changes in dietary intake of adolescent girls attending schools in low
      income communities following the NEAT Girls cluster randomized controlled trial.
AB  - Poor dietary habits and obesity are more prevalent in lower socio-economic status
      (SES) communities. The NEAT Girls cluster randomized controlled trial was a
      school-based obesity prevention program targeting adolescent girls in low SES
      schools in NSW, Australia. The aim was to evaluate the 12-month impact of key
      nutrition program messages on dietary intake and food behaviors. Diet was
      assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).
      Individual foods were categorized into nutrient-dense or energy-dense, nutrient
      poor food groups and the percentage contribution to total energy intake
      calculated. Participants were aged 13.2+/-0.5years (n=330). There were no
      statistically significant group-by-time effects for dietary intake or food
      related behaviors, with 12-month trends suggesting more intervention group girls
      had improved water intakes (59% consuming?three glasses per day to 54% at 12
      months vs. 50% to 61% in controls, p=0.052), with a greater proportion consuming
      < one sweetened beverage per day (24-41% vs. 34-37% in controls, p=0.057).
      Further research including more intensive nutrition intervention strategies are
      required to evaluate whether dietary intake in adolescent girls attending schools
      in low SES communities can be optimized.

PMID- 24239514
TI  - A pair of centromeric proteins mediates reproductive isolation in Drosophila
      species.
AB  - Speciation involves the reproductive isolation of natural populations due to the
      sterility or lethality of their hybrids. However, the molecular basis of hybrid
      lethality and the evolutionary driving forces that provoke it remain largely
      elusive. The hybrid male rescue (Hmr) and the lethal hybrid rescue (Lhr) genes
      serve as a model to study speciation in Drosophilids because their interaction
      causes lethality in male hybrid offspring. Here, we show that HMR and LHR form a
      centromeric complex necessary for proper chromosome segregation. We find that the
      Hmr expression level is substantially higher in Drosophila melanogaster, whereas
      Lhr expression levels are increased in Drosophila simulans. The resulting
      elevated amount of HMR/LHR complex in hybrids results in an extensive
      mislocalization of the complex, an interference with the regulation of
      transposable elements, and an impairment of cell proliferation. Our findings
      provide evidence for a major role of centromere divergence in the generation of
      biodiversity.

PMID- 24239515
TI  - miR-219 regulates neural precursor differentiation by direct inhibition of apical
      par polarity proteins.
AB  - Asymmetric self-renewing division of neural precursors is essential for brain
      development. Partitioning-defective (Par) proteins promote self-renewal, and
      their asymmetric distribution provides a mechanism for asymmetric division. Near
      the end of neural development, most asymmetric division ends and precursors
      differentiate. This correlates with Par protein disappearance, but mechanisms
      that cause downregulation are unknown. MicroRNAs can promote precursor
      differentiation but have not been linked to Par protein regulation. We tested a
      hypothesis that microRNA miR-219 promotes precursor differentiation by inhibiting
      Par proteins. Neural precursors in zebrafish larvae lacking miR-219 function
      retained apical proteins, remained in the cell cycle, and failed to
      differentiate. miR-219 inhibited expression via target sites within the 3'
      untranslated sequence of pard3 and prkci mRNAs, which encode Par proteins, and
      blocking miR-219 access to these sites phenocopied loss of miR-219 function. We
      propose that negative regulation of Par protein expression by miR-219 promotes
      cell-cycle exit and differentiation. 

PMID- 24239516
TI  - Endovascular treatment of distal intracranial aneurysms with Onyx 18/34.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Surgical clipping and coil embolization of distally located
      intracranial aneurysms can be challenging. The goal of this study was to assess
      the feasibility, safety and efficacy of treatment of distal aneurysms with the
      liquid embolic agent Onyx 18/34. METHODS: Sixteen patients were treated with Onyx
      18/34 for distally located aneurysms in our institution between March 2009 and
      September 2012. The technique consists of occluding the aneurysm as well as the
      parent vessel at the level of aneurysm with Onyx 18 or 34. Candidates for this
      treatment were patients with distal aneurysms including mycotic aneurysms,
      dissecting aneurysms, and pseudoaneurysms in which coiling was considered
      impossible. RESULTS: Of the 16 patients, 12 presented with subarachnoid and/or
      intracerebral hemorrhage. Median aneurysm size was 4.6mm. Aneurysm locations were
      as follows: Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (n=5), distal anterior inferior
      cerebellar artery (n=3), distal pericallosal (n=3), distal anterior cerebral
      artery (n=3), lenticulostriate artery (n=1), and anterior ethmoidal artery (n=1).
      There were 4 mycotic aneurysms. Complete aneurysm obliteration was achieved in
      all 6 patients with available angiographic follow-up. There was only 1 (6.3%)
      symptomatic complication in the series. There were no instances of reflux or
      accidental migration of embolic material. Favorable outcomes were noted in 82% of
      patients at discharge. Two patients with mycotic aneurysms died from cardiac
      complications of endocarditis. No aneurysm recanalization or rehemorrhage were
      seen. CONCLUSION: Parent vessel trapping with Onyx 18/34 offers a simple, safe,
      and effective means of achieving obliteration of distal challenging aneurysms.

PMID- 24239517
TI  - Endovascular treatment of acute carotid occlusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Acute cervical carotid occlusion is one of the most challenging
      scenarios encountered in endovascular stroke treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
      retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive non-dissection stroke patients with
      concomitant cervical carotid and intracranial occlusion treated with
      intraarterial (IA) mechanical thrombectomy and/or pharmacologic thrombolysis over
      five years at two academic hospitals was performed. Data was analyzed using
      Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Patients included 3 females and 8 males. Average
      age was 64.7 years (range 30-94 years). All patients had both cervical carotid
      and intracranial occlusions. Intracranial occlusion involved the internal carotid
      artery in 7 patients and the middle cerebral artery in 4 patients. All of the
      patients received intracranial IA Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA). Six
      patients received carotid stents for cervical occlusion as part of their
      treatment. Five patients received only IA tPA via collateral circulation. Of the
      patients receiving stents, 5 of 6 (83.3%) had successful recanalization
      (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia 2b or 3 flow). Only 1 of 5 (20%) patients who
      did not receive stents prior to intracranial treatment had successful
      recanalization. The difference in recanalization rates approached statistical
      significance (p=.08). There were 4 total in-hospital mortalities: 2 in the group
      that received stents prior to thrombolysis and 2 in the non-stent group. There
      were 2 clinically significant hemorrhages in the study, both in the stent group.
      CONCLUSIONS: Revascularization of the cervical carotid occlusion prior to
      treatment of the intracranial occlusion led to increased rates of recanalization
      in patients with tandem extracranial and intracranial occlusions. Whether a
      clinical benefit can be consistently derived likely relies on other factors,
      including the evaluation of cerebral perfusion.

PMID- 24239518
TI  - Significance of immunity against lung pathogens in untreated Parkinson's disease.

PMID- 24239519
TI  - Unplanned readmissions after vascular surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Existing literature on readmission after vascular surgery is limited.
      The upcoming reduction in Medicare reimbursement for institutions with high
      readmission rates mandates an accurate understanding of this issue. In this
      study, we characterize the frequency and causes of 30-day unplanned readmissions
      after elective vascular surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent elective carotid
      endarterectomy (CEA), endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), open abdominal aortic
      aneurysm (oAAA) repair, or infrainguinal bypass grafting (BPG) were identified
      from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement
      Program (NSQIP) 2011 database (n = 11,246). Multivariable logistic regression was
      used to determine variables that contributed to 30-day unplanned readmissions for
      each surgery type. RESULTS: The unadjusted unplanned readmission rates after the
      four vascular procedures ranged from 6.5% for CEA to 15.7% for BPG. In
      multivariable analyses, patient comorbidities were associated with unplanned
      readmission after BPG and CEA (P < .05), whereas postoperative complications were
      more consistently associated with unplanned readmission after EVAR and oAAA
      repair (P < .05). For all procedures, complications leading to readmission
      developed more frequently after discharge. Thirty-day mortality was significantly
      higher in readmitted patients after BPG (1.9% vs 0.3%), EVAR (3.9% vs 0.1%), and
      CEA (2.2% vs 0.2%; P < .001 for each), but not after oAAA repair. CONCLUSIONS:
      Select comorbidities and postoperative complications contribute to unplanned
      readmissions after vascular surgery. The characteristics of readmitted patients
      vary with the type of procedure. Interventions designed to mitigate these factors
      have the potential to reduce unplanned readmissions but likely need to vary with
      the type of vascular treatment.

PMID- 24239520
TI  - First implantation of Gore Hybrid Vascular Graft in the right vertebral artery
      for cerebral debranching in a patient with Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
AB  - A 53-year-old woman with Loeys-Dietz syndrome developed progressive subclavian
      artery aneurysm and common carotid artery dissection. She was treated
      successfully by plugging and coiling of the subclavian aneurysm and its side
      branches after combined cervical debranching using standard carotid-axillary
      bypass and Gore Hybrid Vascular Graft for vertebral revascularization. Follow-up
      control (4 weeks) documented patent debranching, and only minimal residual flow
      in the subclavian aneurysm. The described off-label use for sutureless cerebral
      revascularisation of the vertebral artery might be a fast, simple, and reliable
      solution for cervical debranching in selective challenging patients. Further
      studies are necessary to evaluate side effects and durability.

PMID- 24239521
TI  - Endovascular therapy for long-segment atherosclerotic aortoiliac occlusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This retrospective nonrandomized study investigated the outcomes of
      endovascular therapy for long-segment atherosclerotic aortoiliac occlusion.
      METHODS: From May 2008 to January 2013, 20 patients (one woman and 19 men; mean
      age, 66.1 years; range, 43-89 years) underwent stent implantation, with or
      without catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), for long-segment aortoiliac
      occlusion (>10 mm). RESULTS: The technical success rate was 95% (19 of 20). No in
      hospital mortality was recorded. Aortic thrombus was successfully eliminated with
      CDT in four patients before percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and
      stenting. Retroperitoneal hemorrhage occurred in one patient, who refused further
      endovascular surgery. Another 15 patients were treated with PTA and stenting.
      Postoperative ankle-brachial indexes increased significantly from preoperative
      values (P < .05). Seventeen patients showed clinical improvement from baseline by
      an average of 2.5 Rutherford categories. The mean follow-up interval was 17.6
      months (range, 4-39 months). The primary patency rates were 93.3% +/- 6.4% at 6
      months, 83% +/- 11.3% at 18 months, and 66.4% +/- 17.4% at 24 months.
      CONCLUSIONS: Through brachial and femoral artery puncture, PTA, stenting, and
      CDT, endovascular therapy is feasible for complete long-segment infrarenal aortic
      occlusion, with lower complication rates and favorable midterm patency.

PMID- 24239522
TI  - A noninterventional management approach to endovascular coil migration into the
      sigmoid colon.
AB  - A 75-year-old man underwent endovascular treatment of a right internal iliac
      artery (IIA) aneurysm by placing coils in the distal IIA and occluding the inflow
      with a common iliac artery-to-external iliac artery stent graft. Surveillance
      computed tomography angiography discovered migration of an endovascular coil from
      the thrombosed right IIA into the sigmoid colon. Subsequent serial imaging
      demonstrated uncomplicated extracorporeal passage of the coil. We review the
      relevant literature and treatment rationale. 

PMID- 24239523
TI  - Genotoxicity assessment of some cosmetic and food additives.
AB  - alpha-Hexylcinnamaldehyde (HCA) and p-tert-butyl-alpha-methylhydrocinnamic
      aldehyde (BMHCA) are synthetic aldehydes, characterized by a typical floral
      scent, which makes them suitable to be used as fragrances in personal care
      (perfumes, creams, shampoos, etc.) and household products, and as flavouring
      additives in food and pharmaceutical industry. The aldehydic structure suggests
      the need for a safety assessment for these compounds. Here, HCA and BMHCA were
      evaluated for their potential genotoxic risk, both at gene level (frameshift or
      base-substitution mutations) by the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test),
      and at chromosomal level (clastogenicity and aneuploidy) by the micronucleus
      test. In order to evaluate a primary and repairable DNA damage, the comet assay
      has been also included. In spite of their potential hazardous chemical structure,
      a lack of mutagenicity was observed for both compounds in all bacterial strains
      tested, also in presence of the exogenous metabolic activator, showing that no
      genotoxic derivatives were produced by CYP450-mediated biotransformations.
      Neither genotoxicity at chromosomal level (i.e. clastogenicity or aneuploidy) nor
      single-strand breaks were observed. These findings will be useful in further
      assessing the safety of HCA and BMHCA as either flavour or fragrance chemicals. 

PMID- 24239524
TI  - A single-round multiplex PCR assay for the identification of Anopheles minimus
      related species infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
AB  - This study aimed to develop a single-round multiplex PCR method for the
      identification of Anopheles minimus complex (An. minimus and Anopheles harrisoni)
      and Anopheles aconitus subgroup (An. aconitus and Anopheles varuna), and for the
      simultaneous detection of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in these
      vectors. Five primers were created for a single-round multiplex PCR assay to
      identify four anopheline mosquitoes combined with three Plasmodium primers for
      the detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax in vectors. The four species of
      anopheline vectors and two Plasmodium species, P. falciparum and P. vivax, could
      be identified by the combination of eight primers in the single-round multiplex
      PCR assay. The amplified species-specific products were 380bp for An. minimus,
      180bp for An. harrisoni, 150bp for An. aconitus, 310bp for An. varuna, 276bp for
      P. falciparum, and 300bp for P. vivax. The sensitivities were 0.5pg/MUl
      (25sporozoites/MUl) for P. falciparum DNA and between 0.5 and 5pg/MUl (25
      250sporozoites/MUl) for P. vivax DNA. Furthermore, this developed method could be
      used to identify field caught An. minimus complex, An. aconitus subgroup from
      Thailand and Lao PDR. Also, it was successfully used to identify the species An.
      minimus, An. harrisoni, An. aconitus and An. varuna and to detect and identify P.
      falciparum and P. vivax in caught anopheline mosquitoes. The sensitivity of this
      method was high for simultaneous detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax in
      anopheline mosquitoes. 

PMID- 24239525
TI  - The impact of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Na in predicting morbidity and
      mortality following elective colon cancer surgery irrespective of underlying
      liver disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Sodium Model (MELD-Na) is a
      validated scoring system that uses bilirubin, international normalized ratio,
      serum creatinine, and sodium to predict mortality in cirrhotic patients awaiting
      liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to identify the utility of MELD
      Na to predict patient outcomes, with and without liver disease, after elective
      colon cancer surgery. METHODS: A review of the American College of Surgeons
      National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005 to 2010) was
      conducted to calculate risk-adjusted 30-day outcomes using regression modeling.
      RESULTS: A total of 10,842 patients (mean age, 68 years; 51% women) were
      included. MELD-Na scores were higher in men (10.2 vs 9.1, P < .001) and in open
      procedures (9.9 vs 9.1, P < .001). The overall complication and mortality rates
      were 26.3% and 3.3%, respectively. Incremental increases in MELD-Na score
      correlated with a 1.2% increase in mortality and a 1.1% increase in
      complications. On multivariate analysis, complications increased with MELD-Na
      score (odds ratio [OR], 1.05 per 1 point increase; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      1.038 to 1.066). MELD-Na score was also associated with increased mortality (OR,
      1.13; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.16), along with ascites (OR, 5.7; 95% CI, 3.7 to 8.8) and
      corticosteroids (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.3). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated preoperative
      MELD-Na score is significantly associated with worse outcomes after elective
      resection for colon cancer.

PMID- 24239526
TI  - Pilonidal disease in a military population: how far have we really come?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pilonidal disease (PD) has a long connection with military personnel,
      even nicknamed "jeep disease" during World War II. The aim of this study was to
      identify factors associated with recurrence and complications after surgery in a
      military population. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of operative
      therapy for PD at a single institution from 2005 to 2011 was conducted. Patient
      demographics, disease characteristics, and surgical methods were assessed for the
      primary outcomes of recurrence and morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients
      with PD were identified, who underwent excision (45.7%), excision with primary
      closure (29.8%), and incision and drainage (9.9%). Overall recurrence and
      morbidity rates were 27.2% and 34.4%, respectively. Black race, chronic disease,
      wound infection, and infection and drainage were associated with recurrence (P <
      .05), and excision with primary closure was associated with increased
      complications (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: PD remains a significant source of
      morbidity and recurrence among military personnel. Certain patient-related and
      disease-related factors portend a worse prognosis, with black race and operative
      method the strongest predictors of outcomes.

PMID- 24239527
TI  - Cost and logistics of implementing a tissue-based American College of
      Surgeons/Association of Program Directors in Surgery surgical skills curriculum
      for general surgery residents of all clinical years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cost and logistics of deploying the American College of Surgeons
      (ACS)/Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS) National Technical
      Skills Curriculum across all training years are not known. This information is
      essential for residency programs choosing to adopt similar curricula. METHODS: A
      task force evaluated the authors' institution's existing simulation curriculum
      and enhanced it by implementing the ACS/APDS modules. A 35-module curriculum was
      administered to 35 general surgery residents across all 5 clinical years. The
      costs and logistics were noted, and resident satisfaction was assessed. RESULTS:
      The annual operational cost was $110,300 ($3,150 per resident). Cost per module,
      per resident was $940 for the cadaveric module compared with $220 and $240 for
      dry simulation and animal tissue-based modules, respectively. Resident
      satisfaction improved from 2.45 to 4.78 on a 5-point, Likert-type scale after
      implementing the ACS/APDS modules. CONCLUSIONS: The ACS/APDS skills curriculum
      was implemented successfully across all clinical years. Cadaveric modules were
      the most expensive. Animal and dry simulation modules were equivalent in cost.
      The addition of tissue-based modules was associated with high satisfaction.

PMID- 24239528
TI  - Faculty and resident evaluations of medical students on a surgery clerkship
      correlate poorly with standardized exam scores.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical knowledge of medical students on a surgery clerkship is
      routinely assessed via subjective evaluations from faculty members and residents.
      Interpretation of these ratings should ideally be valid and reliable. However,
      prior literature has questioned the correlation between subjective and objective
      components when assessing students' clinical knowledge. METHODS: Retrospective
      cross-sectional data were collected from medical student records at The Johns
      Hopkins University School of Medicine from July 2009 through June 2011. Surgical
      faculty members and residents rated students' clinical knowledge on a 5-point,
      Likert-type scale. Interrater reliability was assessed using intraclass
      correlation coefficients for students with >=4 attending surgeon evaluations (n =
      216) and >=4 resident evaluations (n = 207). Convergent validity was assessed by
      correlating average evaluation ratings with scores on the National Board of
      Medical Examiners (NBME) clinical subject examination for surgery. Average
      resident and attending surgeon ratings were also compared by NBME quartile using
      analysis of variance. RESULTS: There were high degrees of reliability for
      resident ratings (intraclass correlation coefficient, .81) and attending surgeon
      ratings (intraclass correlation coefficient, .76). Resident and attending surgeon
      ratings shared a moderate degree of variance (19%). However, average resident
      ratings and average attending surgeon ratings shared a small degree of variance
      with NBME surgery examination scores (rho(2) <= .09). When ratings were compared
      among NBME quartile groups, the only significant difference was for residents'
      ratings of students with the lower 25th percentile of scores compared with the
      top 25th percentile of scores (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Although high interrater
      reliability suggests that attending surgeons and residents rate students with
      consistency, the lack of convergent validity suggests that these ratings may not
      be reflective of actual clinical knowledge. Both faculty members and residents
      may benefit from training in knowledge assessment, which will likely increase
      opportunities to recognize deficiencies and make student evaluation a more
      valuable tool.

PMID- 24239529
TI  - Development of an evidence-based curriculum for training of ward-based surgical
      care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ward-based care of surgical patients is a complex and variable
      process, centered on the surgical ward round (WR). The authors describe the
      development of an evidence-based curriculum to improve ward-based care in the
      form of surgical WRs. METHODS: A modular, simulation-based curriculum was
      developed according to validated methods, incorporating the most recent evidence
      in the design of each educational module. RESULTS: A predevelopmental analysis
      questionnaire identified themes of patient assessment and management,
      communication skills, and teamwork as areas to be addressed. Curricular
      development incorporated knowledge and confidence assessment, lecture-based
      teaching, and simulated WR, followed by individualized assessment, debriefing,
      and feedback. Each module is evidence based and assesses trainees using validated
      tools. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive and cost-effective simulation-based
      curriculum, developed according to a validated framework, has been developed for
      surgical WRs and ward-based care. This may improve trainees' WR performance,
      improving patient care and surgical outcomes in turn.

PMID- 24239530
TI  - Improved perioperative and short-term outcomes of robotic versus conventional
      laparoscopic colorectal operations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Robotic assistance may offer unique advantages over conventional
      laparoscopy in colorectal operations. METHODS: This prospective observational
      study compared operative measures and postoperative outcomes between laparoscopic
      and robotic abdominal and pelvic resections for benign and malignant disease.
      RESULTS: From 2005 through 2012, 200 (58%) laparoscopic and 144 (42%) robotic
      operations were performed by a single surgeon. After adjustment for differences
      in demographics and disease processes using propensity score matching, all
      laparoscopic operations had a significantly shorter operative time (P < .01),
      laparoscopic left colectomies had a longer length of hospital stay (2009 and
      2010: 6.5 vs 3.6 days, P = .01); and laparoscopic right colectomies had a higher
      risk for overall complications (P = .03) and postoperative ileus (P = .04). There
      were no significant differences in the outcomes of pelvic operations (P = .15).
      CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional laparoscopy, some types of robotic
      assisted colorectal operations may offer advantages regarding postoperative
      length of stay and perioperative complications.

PMID- 24239531
TI  - A framework for professionalism in surgery: what is important to medical
      students?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to develop a comprehensive framework
      for professionalism in surgery and to determine which attributes are most valued
      by medical students. METHODS: A framework for professionalism in surgery,
      consisting of 11 attribute categories, was developed. All 3rd-year medical
      students (n = 168) participated in a focus group and completed a questionnaire
      regarding their perceptions about professionalism. Students' responses were
      transcribed verbatim, coded, and assigned attribute categories. RESULTS: Students
      rated respect as the most important attribute of professionalism (56%), followed
      by altruism (21%) and interpersonal skills (8%). Fifty-three percent of students
      witnessed unprofessional behavior among faculty members while on the surgical
      clerkship. Of these incidents, 74% were related to respect, 28% to practice
      improvement, and 1% to altruism. CONCLUSIONS: Respect was rated as the single
      most important characteristic of professionalism and was the attribute with the
      most witnessed violations.

PMID- 24239532
TI  - Combination therapy with nitazoxanide and amphotericin B, Glucantime(r),
      miltefosine and sitamaquine against Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum
      intracellular amastigotes.
AB  - Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that affects poorest population mainly in
      developing countries, representing one of the major causes of mortality and
      morbidity. Therefore, efforts to find new chemotherapeutics for leishmaniasis
      remain a priority. Previous reports demonstrated the in vitro and in vivo
      antileishmanial activity of nitazoxanide, an antiprotozoan agent used in the
      treatment of infectious diarrhea. The present work was carried out to determine
      the effect of nitazoxanide in combination with current antileishmanial drugs.
      Mouse peritoneal macrophages were infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum
      amastigotes in order to calculate the 50% and 90% inhibitory concentration
      values. Drug interactions were assessed with fixed ratio isobologram method and
      fractional inhibitory concentrations (FIC50 and FIC90); sum of FIC (SigmaFIC50
      and SigmaFIC90) and overall mean SigmaFIC (xSigmaFIC50 and xSigmaFIC90) were
      calculated for each combination. The nature of interactions was classified
      according to the xSigmaFIC50 and xSigmaFIC90. The combination between
      nitazoxanide and amphotericin B, Glucantime((r)), miltefosine and sitamaquine
      showed xSigmaFIC50 values of 1.13, 0.83, 1.06 and 0.94, respectively, indicating
      additive interaction. Considering the in vitro activity of nitazoxanide and the
      obtained results, further in vivo studies may be considered to evaluate possible
      drug interactions in visceral leishmaniasis.

PMID- 24239533
TI  - HLA incompatible combined liver-kidney transplantation: dynamics of antibody
      modulation revealed by a novel approach to HLA antibody characterisation.
AB  - This case report confirms the utility of simultaneous liver transplantation in
      allowing successful kidney transplantation in the face of preformed, high levels
      of DSA, which would under normal circumstances be associated with hyperacute
      rejection and kidney graft failure. Antibody characterisation in terms of epitope
      specificity is more accurate and informative than antibodies described as
      "antigen-specific" and we suggest a method for identifying and tracking these
      antibodies; i.e. follow the epitope reaction not the antigen reactions. We
      consider that this will give a better insight into the behaviour and
      pathogenicity of HLA-specific sera. In the case presented here this approach has
      revealed some novel features of the post transplant antibody response in a
      sensitised recipient. These illustrate three phenomena which challenge current
      dogmas; an early resynthesis of DSA does not necessarily cause AMR, high levels
      of DSA can spontaneously modulate, and measurement of antibodies in terms of
      antigen specificity can give misleading results. 

PMID- 24239534
TI  - Development of inhibitors in the ubiquitination cascade.
AB  - The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is essential in regulating myriad aspects
      of protein functions. It is therefore a fundamentally important regulatory
      mechanism that impacts most if not all aspects of cellular processes. Indeed,
      malfunction of UPS components is implicated in human diseases such as
      neurodegenerative and immunological disorders and many cancers. The success of
      proteasome inhibitors in cancer therapy suggests that modulating enzymes in the
      ubiquitination cascade would be clinically important for therapeutic benefits. In
      this review, we summarize advances in developing inhibitors of a variety of UPS
      components. In particular, we highlight recent work done on the protein
      engineering of ubiquitin as modulators of the UPS, a novel approach that may shed
      light on innovative drug discovery in the future. 

PMID- 24239535
TI  - Anticalins: exploiting a non-Ig scaffold with hypervariable loops for the
      engineering of binding proteins.
AB  - Antibodies, which can recognize a plethora of possible antigens, have been
      considered as a paradigm of protein engineering performed by nature itself.
      Lipocalins constitute a distinct family of proteins with functions in ligand
      binding and transport that occur in many organisms, including man. Like
      antibodies, lipocalins exhibit a structurally conserved framework - a beta-barrel
      with an attached alpha-helix - which supports four structurally hypervariable
      loops forming a cup-shaped binding site. Thus, lipocalins offer an ideal platform
      for protein engineering to generate novel binding reagents. Using
      recombinant/synthetic DNA technology and methods of combinatorial library
      selection, 'Anticalins' with prescribed target specificities can be easily
      generated. Anticalins with picomolar affinities have been developed for three
      classes of ligands having relevance in basic research and/or medical application:
      small molecules, peptides, and proteinaceous signalling molecules as well as cell
      surface receptors. Anticalins derived from human lipocalins have already reached
      the clinical trial stage. Due to their very small size and simple composition of
      a single polypeptide chain, which also facilitates the construction of
      bifunctional fusion proteins, Anticalins promise benefits as a next class of
      biopharmaceuticals. 

PMID- 24239536
TI  - Heterogeneity of koala retrovirus isolates.
AB  - Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is a gammaretrovirus which may induce immune suppression,
      leukemia and lymphoma in koalas. Currently three KoRV subgroups (A, B, and J)
      have been reported. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that KoRV-B and KoRV-J
      should be classified as the same subgroup. In long terminal repeat (LTR), a KoRV
      B isolate has four 17 bp tandem repeats named direct repeat (DR)-1, while a KoRV
      J isolate (strain OJ-4) has three 37 bp tandem repeats named DR-2. We also found
      that the promoter activity of the KoRV-J strain OJ-4 is stronger than that of
      original KoRV-A, suggesting that KoRV-J may replicate more efficiently than KoRV
      A.

PMID- 24239537
TI  - Erythroid differentiation is augmented in Reelin-deficient K562 cells and
      homozygous reeler mice.
AB  - Reelin is an extracellular glycoprotein that is highly conserved in mammals. In
      addition to its expression in the nervous system, Reelin is present in erythroid
      cells but its function there is unknown. We report in this study that Reelin is
      up-regulated during erythroid differentiation of human erythroleukemic K562 cells
      and is expressed in the erythroid progenitors of murine bone marrow. Reelin
      deficiency promotes erythroid differentiation of K562 cells and augments
      erythroid production in murine bone marrow. In accordance with these findings,
      Reelin deficiency attenuates AKT phosphorylation of the Ter119(+)CD71(+)
      erythroid progenitors and alters the cell number and frequency of the progenitors
      at different erythroid differentiation stages. A regulatory role of Reelin in
      erythroid differentiation is thus defined. 

PMID- 24239538
TI  - A computational tool to predict the evolutionarily conserved protein-protein
      interaction hot-spot residues from the structure of the unbound protein.
AB  - Identifying hot-spot residues - residues that are critical to protein-protein
      binding - can help to elucidate a protein's function and assist in designing
      therapeutic molecules to target those residues. We present a novel computational
      tool, termed spatial-interaction-map (SIM), to predict the hot-spot residues of
      an evolutionarily conserved protein-protein interaction from the structure of an
      unbound protein alone. SIM can predict the protein hot-spot residues with an
      accuracy of 36-57%. Thus, the SIM tool can be used to predict the yet unknown hot
      spot residues for many proteins for which the structure of the protein-protein
      complexes are not available, thereby providing a clue to their functions and an
      opportunity to design therapeutic molecules to target these proteins. 

PMID- 24239539
TI  - Profiling the IgOme: meeting the challenge.
AB  - The entire repertoire of antibodies in our serum, the IgOme, is a historical
      record of our past experiences and a reflection of our immune status at any given
      moment. Understanding the dynamics of the IgOme and how the diversity and
      specificities of serum antibodies change in response to disease and maintenance
      of homeostasis can directly impact the ability to design and develop novel
      vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. Here we review both direct and indirect
      methodologies that are being developed to map the complexity and specificities of
      the antibodies in polyclonal serum - the IgOme. 

PMID- 24239540
TI  - Fabrication of Phaeodactylum tricornutum extract-loaded gelatin nanofibrous mats
      exhibiting antimicrobial activity.
AB  - Microalgae have recently been recognized as a valuable resource for various
      applications. Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a diatom that lives in marine water
      and has an unusually high content of lipids. In this study, we added P.
      tricornutum into a gelatin dope solution to examine the effect of this diatom
      using electrospinning. The addition of P. tricornutum extracts increased the
      conductivity of the dope solution but had little effect on the viscosity. Due to
      the increased conductivity, the fiber diameter was reduced compared with the neat
      gelatin nanofiber. The loading of P. tricornutum extracts was confirmed using
      fluorescence microscopy, and the incorporation of lipids was detected through gas
      chromatography. The P. tricornutum-loaded nanofiber mat exhibited anti-microbial
      activity against Escherichia coli and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      (MRSA). The cell viability test showed that the P. tricornutum-loaded nanofiber
      has no cytotoxicity. We expect that this antimicrobial P. tricornutum-loaded
      gelatin nanofiber mat can be applied as a wound dressing. 

PMID- 24239541
TI  - Preparation of p-nitrophenyl beta-l-arabinofuranoside as a substrate of beta-l
      arabinofuranosidase.
AB  - Synthesis of p-nitrophenyl beta-l-arabinofuranoside 1 as the substrate for novel
      beta-l-arabinofuranosidase has been achieved by using both our inter- and intra
      molecular glycosylation methodologies. Although the intermolecular glycosylation
      with l-Araf donors 3 and 4 resulted in a mixture of both alpha- and beta-isomers,
      NAP ether-mediated IAD with 3 and 6 afforded the desired beta-l-arabinofuranoside
      stereospecifically which was confirmed by NMR analysis on the (3)JH1-H2 coupling
      constant and (13)C chemical shift of C1. As expected, 1 has been revealed to be
      an efficient substrate in the biological study of a novel beta
      arabinofuranosidase such as HypBA1 with higher apparent affinity compared with
      other reported substrates. 

PMID- 24239542
TI  - Biosynthesis of 2-O-D-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid from maltose by an
      engineered cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from Paenibacillus macerans.
AB  - In this work, the specificity of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) of
      Paenibacillus macerans towards maltose was improved by the site-saturation
      engineering of lysine 47, and the enzymatic synthesis of 2-O-d-glucopyranosyl-l
      ascorbic acid (AA-2G) with l-ascorbic acid and maltose as substrates was
      optimized. Compared to the AA-2G yield of the wild-type CGTase, that of the
      mutants K47F (lysine->phenylalanine), K47P (lysine->proline), and K47Y (lysine
      >tyrosine) was increased by 17.1%, 32.9%, and 21.1%, respectively. Under the
      optimal transformation conditions (pH 6.5, temperature 36 degrees C, the mass
      ratio of l-ascorbic acid to maltose 1:1), the highest AA-2G titer by the K47P
      reached 1.12g/L, which was 1.32-fold of that (0.85g/L) obtained by the wild-type
      CGTase. The reaction kinetics analysis confirmed the enhanced maltose specificity
      of the mutants K47F, K47P, and K47Y. It was also found that compared to the wild
      type CGTase, the three mutants had relatively lower cyclization activities and
      higher disproportionation activities, which was favorable for AA-2G synthesis. As
      revealed by the interaction structure model of CGTase with substrate, the
      enhancement of maltose specificity may be due to the removal of hydrogen bonding
      interactions between the side chain of residue 47 and the sugar at -3 subsite.
      The obtained mutant CGTases, especially the K47P, has a great potential in the
      large-scale production of AA-2G with maltose as a cheap and soluble substrate.

PMID- 24239544
TI  - Expression, phosphorylation and function of the Rab-GTPase activating protein
      TBC1D1 in pancreatic beta-cells.
AB  - The Rab-GTPase activating protein TBC1D1 is a paralog of AS160/TBC1D4.
      AS160/TBC1D4, a downstream effector of Akt, has been shown to play a central role
      in beta-cell function and survival. The two proteins have overlapping function in
      insulin signalling in muscle cells. However, the expression and the potential
      role of TBC1D1 in beta-cells remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is
      to investigate whether TBC1D1 is expressed in beta-cells and whether it plays, as
      AS160/TBC1D4, a role in beta-cell function and survival. Using human and rat beta
      cells, this study shows for the first time that TBC1D1 is expressed and
      phosphorylated in response to glucose in these cells. Knockdown of TBC1D1 in beta
      cells resulted in increased basal and glucose-stimulated insulin release,
      decreased proliferation but no change in apoptosis. 

PMID- 24239543
TI  - Protein engineering to target complement evasion in cancer.
AB  - The complement system is composed of soluble factors in plasma that enhance or
      "complement" immune-mediated killing through innate and adaptive mechanisms.
      Activation of complement causes recruitment of immune cells; opsonization of
      coated cells; and direct killing of affected cells through a membrane attack
      complex (MAC). Tumor cells up-regulate complement inhibitory factors - one of
      several strategies to evade the immune system. In many cases as the tumor
      progresses, dramatic increases in complement inhibitory factors are found on
      these cells. This review focuses on the classic complement pathway and the role
      of major complement inhibitory factors in cancer immune evasion as well as on how
      current protein engineering efforts are being employed to increase complement
      fixing or to reverse complement resistance leading to better therapeutic outcomes
      in oncology. Strategies discussed include engineering of antibodies to enhance
      complement fixation, antibodies that neutralize complement inhibitory proteins as
      well as engineered constructs that specifically target inhibition of the
      complement system. 

PMID- 24239545
TI  - Conserved RNA cis-elements regulate alternative splicing of Lepidopteran
      doublesex.
AB  - Doublesex (dsx) is a downstream key regulator in insect sex determination
      pathway. In Drosophila, alternative splicing of Dm-dsx gene is sex-specifically
      regulated by transformer (tra), in which the functional TRA promotes female
      specific Dm-dsx. However, the sex determination pathway in Lepidoptera is not
      well understood; here we focused on alternative splicing of doublesex (dsx) in
      two agricultural pests, Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis) and cotton
      bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), as well as the silkworm (Bombyx mori). More than
      a dozen new alternative splicing isoforms of dsx were found in the Lepidopteran
      females, which exist in all tested developmental stages and differentiated
      tissues. Alignment of mRNA and protein sequences of doublesex revealed high
      conservation of this gene in Lepidoptera. Strength analysis of splice sites
      revealed a weak 5' splice site at intron 3 in Lepidopteran dsx, which was
      experimentally confirmed. Furthermore, we identified highly conserved RNA
      sequences in the Lepidopteran dsx, including RNA elements I (14 nt), II (11 nt),
      III (26 nt), IV (17 nt), 3E-1 (8 nt) and 3E-2 (8 nt). The RNA elements III and IV
      were previously found in exon 4 of B. mori dsx and bound with Bm-PSI, which
      suppressed the inclusion of exons 3 & 4 into the male-specific Bm-dsx. Then we
      identified and analyzed the homologous genes of Bm-psi in the two Lepidopteran
      pests, which expressed at similar levels and exhibited a unique isoform in the
      males and females from each Lepidoptera. Importantly, mutagenesis of Bm-dsx mini
      genes and their expression in BmN cell line demonstrated that three RNA elements
      are involved in the female-specific alternative splicing of Bm-dsx. Mutations in
      the RNA cis-elements 3E-1 and 3E-2 resulted in decreased inclusion of exon 3 into
      the female-specific dsx mRNA, suggesting that these two elements would be exonic
      splicing enhancers that facilitate the recognition of the weak 5' splice site at
      intron 3 of Lepidopteran dsx. We propose that the 5' splice sites at intron 3 are
      weak, resulting in multiple alternative splicing events in intron 3 of female
      Lepidoptera dsx. Activation of the 5' splice site requires regulatory cis
      elements in exons 3 for female-specific splicing of Lepidoptera dsx.

PMID- 24239546
TI  - Suppression of Fas-mediated apoptosis via steric shielding by filovirus
      glycoproteins.
AB  - Apoptotic death of virus-infected cells is generally thought to be a defense
      mechanism to limit the spread of infectious virions by eliminating virus
      producing cells in host animals. On the other hand, several viruses have been
      shown to have anti-apoptotic mechanisms to facilitate efficient viral replication
      and transmission. In this study, we found that the filovirus glycoprotein (GP)
      expressed on cell surfaces formed a steric shield over the Fas molecule and that
      GP-expressing cells showed resistance to cell death induced by a Fas agonistic
      antibody. These results suggest that filovirus GP-mediated steric shielding may
      interfere with the Fas-induced apoptotic signal transduction in infected cells
      and serve as an immune evasion mechanism for filoviruses. 

PMID- 24239547
TI  - Prediction of the interaction between spermidine and the G-G mismatch containing
      acceptor stem in tRNA(Ile): molecular modeling, density functional theory, and
      molecular dynamics study.
AB  - Polyamines, putrescine, spermidine (SPD), and spermine are closely linked to cell
      growth, and highly regulate the levels of transcription, translation and protein
      turnover. We propose that SPD stimulates the formation of Ile-tRNA(Ile) by
      inducing a selective structural change of the G-G mismatch containing acceptor
      stem in tRNA(Ile). Here, we provide insight into how SPD recognizes and
      stabilizes the G-G mismatch containing acceptor stem in tRNA(Ile) with molecular
      modeling (MM), density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulations. The results of the MM and DFT calculations indicate
      that the negatively charged region of the G-G mismatch containing acceptor stem
      in tRNA(Ile) is preferentially recognized by positively charged SPD. In addition,
      MD simulations indicate that all of the positively charged amino groups of SPD
      under physiological conditions (N1(NH3(+)), N5(NH2(+)), and N10(NH3(+)) could
      form hydrogen bonds with tRNA(Ile) and trigger the SPD-induced stabilization and
      structural change of the G-G mismatch containing acceptor stem in tRNA(Ile).
      Thus, this approach should be useful for determining the preferential binding
      site and appropriate binding mode of polyamines on tRNA(Ile). 

PMID- 24239548
TI  - Qualitative computational bioanalytics: assembly of viral channel-forming
      peptides around mono and divalent ions.
AB  - A fine-grained docking protocol was used to generate a bundle-like structure of
      the bitopic membrane protein Vpu from HIV-1. Vpu is a type I membrane protein
      with 81 amino acids. It is proposed that Vpu forms ion- and substrate-conducting
      bundles, which are located at the plasma membrane in the infected cell. The Vpu1
      32 peptide that includes the transmembrane domain (TMD) is assembled into homo
      pentameric bundles around prepositioned Na, K, Ca or Cl ions. For bundles with
      the lowest energy, the TMDs generate a hydrophobic pore. Bundles in which Ser-24
      faces the pore have higher energy. The tilt of the helices in the lowest energy
      bundles is larger than bundles with serines facing the pore. Left-handed bundles
      are lowest in energy where the ions are located at the serines. 

PMID- 24239549
TI  - Construction and characterization of functional anti-epiregulin humanized
      monoclonal antibodies.
AB  - Growth factors are implicated in several processes essential for cancer
      progression. Specifically, epidermal growth factor (EGF) family members,
      including epiregulin (EREG), are important prognostic factors in many epithelial
      cancers, and treatments targeting these molecules have recently become available.
      Here, we constructed and expressed humanized anti-EREG antibodies by variable
      domain resurfacing based on the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the Fv
      fragment. However, the initial humanized antibody (HM0) had significantly
      decreased antigen-binding affinity. Molecular modeling results suggested that
      framework region (FR) residues latently important to antigen binding included
      residue 49 of the light chain variable region (VL). Back mutation of the VL49
      residue (tyrosine to histidine) generated the humanized version HM1, which
      completely restored the binding affinity of its murine counterpart. Importantly,
      only one mutation in the framework may be necessary to recover the binding
      capability of a humanized antibody. Our data support that HM1 exerts potent
      antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Hence, this antibody may have
      potential for further development as a candidate therapeutic agent and research
      tool. 

PMID- 24239550
TI  - Icilin inhibits E2F1-mediated cell cycle regulatory programs in prostate cancer.
AB  - Aberrant expression of cell cycle regulators have been implicated in prostate
      cancer development and progression. Therefore, understanding transcriptional
      networks controlling the cell cycle remain a challenge in the development of
      prostate cancer treatment. In this study, we found that icilin, a super-cooling
      agent, down-regulated the expression of cell cycle signature genes and caused G1
      arrest in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. With reverse-engineering and an unbiased
      interrogation of a prostate cancer-specific regulatory network, master regulator
      analysis discovered that icilin affected cell cycle-related transcriptional
      modules and identified E2F1 transcription factor as a target master regulator of
      icilin. Experimental analyses confirmed that icilin reduced the activity and
      expression levels of E2F1. These results demonstrated that icilin inactivates a
      small regulatory module controlling the cell cycle in prostate cancer cells. Our
      study might provide insight into the development of cell cycle-targeted cancer
      therapeutics. 

PMID- 24239551
TI  - Expression analysis of ATAD3 isoforms in rodent and human cell lines and tissues.
AB  - ATAD3 (ATPase family AAA-Domain containing protein 3) is a mitochondrial inner
      membrane ATPase with unknown but vital functions. Initial researches have focused
      essentially on the major p66-ATAD3 isoform, but other proteins and mRNAs are
      described in the data banks. Using a set of anti-peptide antibodies and by the
      use of rodent and human cell lines and organs, we tried to detail ATAD3 gene
      expression profiles and to verify the existence of the various ATAD3 isoforms. In
      rodent, the single ATAD3 gene is expressed as a major isoform of 67 kDa, (ATAD3l;
      long), in all cells and organs studied. A second isoform, p57-ATAD3s (small), is
      expressed specifically throughout brain development and in adult, and
      overexpressed around the peri-natal period. p57-ATAD3s is also expressed in
      neuronal and glial rodent cell lines, and during in vitro differentiation of
      primary cultured rat oligodendrocytes. Other smaller isoforms were also detected
      in a tissue-specific manner. In human and primates, ATAD3 paralogues are encoded
      by three genes (ATAD3A, 3B and 3C), each of them presenting several putative
      variants. Analyzing the expression of ATAD3A and ATAD3B with four specific anti
      peptide antibodies, and comparing their expressions with in vitro expressed ATAD3
      cDNAs, we were able to observe and define five isoforms. In particular, the
      previously described p72-ATAD3B is confirmed to be in certain cases a
      phosphorylated form of ATAD3As. Moreover, we observed that the ATAD3As
      phosphorylation level is regulated by insulin and serum. Finally, exploring ATAD3
      mRNA expression, we confirmed the existence of an alternative splicing in rodent
      and of several mRNA isoforms in human. Considering these observations, we propose
      the development of a uniform denomination for ATAD3 isoforms in rodent and human.

PMID- 24239552
TI  - Identification of H ferritin-dependent and independent genes in K562
      differentiating cells by targeted gene silencing and expression profiling.
AB  - Ferritin is best known as the key molecule in intracellular iron storage, and is
      involved in several metabolic processes such as cell proliferation,
      differentiation and neoplastic transformation. We have recently demonstrated that
      the shRNA silencing of the ferritin heavy subunit (FHC) in a melanoma cell line
      is accompanied by a consistent modification of gene expression pattern leading to
      a reduced potential in terms of proliferation, invasiveness, and adhesion ability
      of the silenced cells. In this study we sought to define the repertoire of genes
      whose expression might be affected by FHC during the hemin-induced
      differentiation of the erythromyeloid cell line K562. To this aim, gene
      expression profiling was performed in four different sets of cells: i) wild type
      K562; ii) sh-RNA FHC-silenced K562; iii) hemin-treated wild-type K562; and iv)
      hemin-treated FHC-silenced K562. Statistical analysis of the gene expression
      data, performed by two-factor ANOVA, identified three distinct classes of
      transcripts: a) Class 1, including 657 mRNAs whose expression is modified
      exclusively during hemin-induced differentiation of K562 cells, independently
      from the FHC relative amounts; b) Class 2, containing a set of 70 mRNAs which are
      consistently modified by hemin and FHC-silencing; and c) Class 3, including 128
      transcripts modified by FHC-silencing but not by hemin. Our data indicate that
      FHC may function as a modulator of gene expression during erythroid
      differentiation and add new findings to the knowledge of the complex gene network
      modulated during erythroid differentiation. 

PMID- 24239553
TI  - Identification and expression pattern of two novel alternative splicing variants
      of EEF1D gene of dairy cattle.
AB  - Our recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified 105 genome-wide
      significant SNPs for milk production traits. Of these, one SNP (rs109661298) for
      milk fat percentage is located within the first intron of the bovine EEF1D gene
      on BTA14, thus that the EEF1D gene was considered as a novel candidate in dairy
      cattle. Until now, however, its genomic organization remains undetermined yet and
      no studies of EEF1D in relation to milk production traits have been reported. To
      layout the groundwork for the validation of gene function in dairy cattle, we
      herein investigated its expression pattern in lactating dairy cows. With rapid
      amplification of 5' cDNA end (5' RACE), two novel alternatively spliced
      transcript variants of 1202bp and 2195bp were isolated in bovine mammary in
      lactation, named EEF1Da and EEF1Db (GenBank: KC190039 and
      KC190038KC190039KC190038). Such two variants contain the different first exon
      from each other (exon1a vs exon1b: 294bp vs 1287bp) with no overlap and the same
      remaining 7 exons. Coding sequence similarity between EEF1Da and EEF1Db and three
      of human EEF1D transcript variants were 85-88%. With semi-quantitative and
      quantitative real-time RT-PCR, we found that the mRNA level of EEF1Da was similar
      to the overall EEF1D mRNA and much higher than EEF1Db in the mammary of lactating
      cows, indicating EEF1Da functions as the dominant transcript variant to encode
      the EEF1D protein. Tissue expression pattern showed that the mRNA expression of
      EEF1D and EEF1Da in mammary gland was significantly higher compared with other 7
      tissues (P<0.05, P<0.01) with the exception of EEF1D between mammary and lung.
      Together, our findings present the first report on the alternative splicing of
      the bovine EEF1D gene and provided basis for further investigation on function
      validation of EEF1D in dairy cattle. 

PMID- 24239554
TI  - Interaction of thioflavin T with amyloid fibrils of apolipoprotein A-I N-terminal
      fragment: resonance energy transfer study.
AB  - Apolipoprotein A-I is amenable to a number of specific mutations associated with
      hereditary systemic amyloidoses. Amyloidogenic properties of apoA-I are
      determined mainly by its N-terminal fragment. In the present study Forster
      resonance energy transfer between tryptophan as a donor and Thioflavin T as an
      acceptor was employed to obtain structural information on the amyloid fibrils
      formed by apoA-I variant 1-83/G26R/W@8. Analysis of the dye-fibril binding data
      provided evidence for the presence of two types of ThT binding sites with similar
      stoichiometries (bound dye to monomeric protein molar ratio ~10), but different
      association constants (~6 and 0.1MUM(-1)) and ThT quantum yields in fibril
      associated state (0.08 and 0.05, respectively). A beta-strand-loop-beta-strand
      structural model of 1-83/G26R/W@8 apoA-I fibrils has been proposed, with
      potential ThT binding sites located in the solvent-exposed grooves of the N
      terminal beta-sheet layer. Reasoning from the expanded FRET analysis allowing for
      heterogeneity of ThT binding centers and fibril polymorphism, the most probable
      locations of high- and low-affinity ThT binding sites were attributed to the
      grooves T16_Y18 and D20_L22, respectively. 

PMID- 24239555
TI  - Cloning and expression of melatonin receptors in the mudskipper Boleophthalmus
      pectinirostris: their role in synchronizing its semilunar spawning rhythm.
AB  - The mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris, a burrow-dwelling fish inhabiting
      intertidal mudflats, spawns only once during the spawning season around either
      the first or last lunar quarters. To understand the molecular mechanisms
      regulating this semilunar spawning rhythm, we cloned all melatonin receptor
      subtypes (mtnr1a1.4, mtnr1a1.7, mtnr1b, and mtnr1c). Expression of three
      melatonin receptor subtypes (except mtnr1c) was found in the ovaries. In
      contrast, the expression of all receptor subtypes was found in the diencephalon
      and the pituitary. In the fully-grown follicles, only mtnr1a1.7 mRNA was detected
      in both the isolated follicle layers and denuded oocytes. Interestingly, the
      transcript levels of both mtnr1a1.4 in the diencephalon and mtnr1a1.7 in the
      ovary displayed two cycles within one lunar month, and peaked around the first
      and last lunar quarters. We used 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP),
      a maturation-inducing hormone, as a biomarker to examine the involvement of
      melatonin receptors in the control of the spawning cycle. Melatonin significantly
      increased the plasma DHP level 1h post intraperitoneal injection. Melatonin also
      directly stimulated ovarian fragments in vitro to produce a significantly higher
      amount of DHP. Taken together, these results provided the first evidence that
      melatonin receptors were involved in the synchronization of the semilunar
      spawning rhythm in the female mudskipper by acting through the HPG axis and/or
      directly on ovarian tissues to stimulate the production of DHP. 

PMID- 24239556
TI  - Growth hormone and retinal ganglion cell function: QNR/D cells as an experimental
      model.
AB  - Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) have been shown to be sites of growth hormone (GH)
      production and GH action in the embryonic (embryo day 7, ED7) chick neural
      retina. Primary RGC cell cultures were previously used to determine autocrine or
      paracrine actions of GH in the retina, but the antibody used in their
      immunopanning (anti-Thy-1) is no longer available. We have therefore
      characterized an immortalized neural retina (QNR/D) cell line derived from ED7
      embryonic quail as a replacement experimental model. These cells express the GH
      gene and have GH receptor (GHR)-immunoreactivity. They are also immunoreactive
      for RGC markers (islet-1, calretinin, RA4) and neural fibers (neurofilament, GAP
      43, vimentin) and they express the genes for Thy-1, neurotrophin 3 (NTF3),
      neuritin 1 (NRN1) and brn3 (POU4F). These cells are also electrically active and
      therefore resemble the RGCs in the neural retina. They are also similarly
      responsive to exogenous GH, which induces overexpression of the neurotrophin 3
      and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 genes and stimulates cell survival, as in
      the chick embryo neural retina. QNR/D cells are therefore a useful experimental
      model to assess the actions of GH in retinal function. 

PMID- 24239557
TI  - Molecular cloning and multifunctional characterization of GRIM-19 (gene
      associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality 19) homologue from turbot
      (Scophthalmus maximus).
AB  - GRIM-19 (gene associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality 19), a novel
      cell death regulatory gene, plays important roles in cell apoptosis,
      embryogenesis, mitochondrial respiratory chain and immune response. To date,
      little information is known about fish GRIM-19 characteristics except orange
      spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Here a new GRIM-19 gene is identified and
      characterized from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), an economic marine fish in
      China and Europe. Briefly, turbot GRIM-19 is a 595-bp gene encoding a 144 amino
      acids protein, which shares the closest relationship with Atlantic halibut
      (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). The expression of turbot grim-19 in liver, spleen
      and kidney is up-regulated by the infection of Vibrio anguillarum and LCDV
      (lymphocystis disease virus). Subsequently, a recombinant protein of turbot GRIM
      19 is acquired and the anti-bacterial function is proved by liquid culture
      inhibition experiment. The subcellular location indicates that turbot GRIM-19 is
      co-localized with STAT3 in the cytoplasm, which is mainly determined by GRIM-19
      41-84 amino acids and STAT3 1-321 amino acids. Finally, the involvements of
      turbot GRIM-19 in cell apoptosis and NF-kappaB pathway are investigated. All
      these data help to understand GRIM-19 function in fish, as well as provide the
      application possibility of GRIM-19 in fish disease resistance breeding. 

PMID- 24239558
TI  - A crosstalk between p21 and UPR-induced transcription factor C/EBP homologous
      protein (CHOP) linked to type 2 diabetes.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a disease that is characterized by raised levels of
      glucose in the blood combined with insulin resistance and relative insulin
      deficiency. The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is associated with the induction
      of the unfolded protein response (UPR). While UPR aims to restore tissue
      homeostasis following stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), prolonged ER
      stress triggers apoptosis at least in part through the unfolded protein response
      (UPR)-activated transcription factor C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein)
      homologous protein (CHOP). CHOP has elevated as a critical mediator connecting
      accumulation and aggregation of unfolded proteins in the ER and oxidative stress
      and also contributes to the induction of apoptosis in beta-cell (beta-cell) -
      cells under conditions of increased insulin demand. p21 is a cell cycle regulator
      that is implicated in the regulation of the UPR by various mechanisms involving
      inhibition of apoptosis and facilitation of the regeneration capacity of the beta
      cells. In this review we summarize the role of ER stress in the pathogenesis of
      type 2 diabetes which is associated with the induction of the unfolded protein
      response (UPR). We also review recent evidence associating p21 activity with beta
      cell health and regenerative capacity by mechanisms that may interfere with the
      effects of p21 in the UPR or operate independently of ER stress. Most likely
      understanding the molecular details of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes will
      be beneficial for the management of the disease. 

PMID- 24239559
TI  - Biochemical characterization of thioredoxin reductase from Babesia bovis.
AB  - This paper addresses the identification, cloning, expression, purification and
      functional characterization of thioredoxin reductase from Babesia bovis, the
      etiological agent of babesiosis. The work deals with in vitro steady state
      kinetic studies and other complementary analyses of the thioredoxin reductase
      found in the pathogenic protist. Thioredoxin reductase from B. bovis was
      characterized as a homodimeric flavoprotein that catalyzes the NADPH-dependent
      reduction of Trx with a high catalytic efficiency. Moreover, the enzyme exhibited
      a disulfide reductase activity using DTNB as substrate, being this activity
      highly sensitive to inhibition by Eosin B. The thioredoxin reductase/thioredoxin
      system can reduce oxidized glutathione and S-nitrosoglutathione. Our in vitro
      data suggest that antioxidant defense in B. bovis could be supported by this
      enzyme. We have performed an enzymatic characterization, searching for targets
      for rational design of inhibitors. This work contributes to the better
      understanding of the redox biochemistry occurring in the parasite. 

PMID- 24239560
TI  - The role of cannabinoid 1 receptor expressing interneurons in behavior.
AB  - Schizophrenia is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder that affects
      approximately 1% of the population. Reduced expression of the 67-kDa protein
      isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) is a hallmark of the disease and
      is encoded by the GAD1 gene. In schizophrenia, GAD67 downregulation occurs in
      multiple interneuronal subpopulations, including the cannabinoid receptor type 1
      positive (CNR1+) cells, but the functional consequences of these disturbances are
      not well understood. To investigate the role of the CNR1-positive GABA-ergic
      interneurons in behavioral and molecular processes, we employed a novel, miRNA
      mediated transgenic mouse approach. We silenced the Gad1 transcript using a miRNA
      engineered to specifically target Gad1 mRNA under the control of Cnr1 bacterial
      artificial chromosome. Behavioral characterization of our transgenic mice showed
      elevated and persistent conditioned fear associated with an auditory cue and a
      significantly altered response to an amphetamine challenge. These deficits could
      not be attributed to sensory deficits or changes in baseline learning and memory.
      Furthermore, HPLC analyses revealed that Cnr1/Gad1 mice have enhanced serotonin
      levels, but not dopamine levels in response to amphetamine. Our findings
      demonstrate that dysfunction of a small subset of interneurons can have a
      profound effect on behavior and that the GABA-ergic, monoamine, and cannabinoid
      systems are functionally interconnected. The results also suggest that
      understanding the function of various interneuronal subclasses might be essential
      to develop knowledge-based treatment strategies for various mental disorders
      including schizophrenia and substance abuse. 

PMID- 24239561
TI  - Age and race effects on pain sensitivity and modulation among middle-aged and
      older adults.
AB  - This study tested the effects of aging and race on responses to noxious stimuli
      using a wide range of stimulus modalities. The participants were 53 non-Hispanic
      blacks and 138 non-Hispanic white adults, ages 45 to 76 years. The participants
      completed a single 3-hour sensory testing session where responses to thermal,
      mechanical, and cold stimuli were assessed. The results suggest that there are
      selected age differences, with the older group less sensitive to warm and painful
      heat stimuli than middle-aged participants, particularly at the knee. This site
      effect supports the hypothesis that the greatest decrement in pain sensitivity
      associated with aging occurs in the lower extremities. In addition, there were
      several instances where age and race effects were compounded, resulting in
      greater race differences in pain sensitivity among the older participants.
      Overall, the data suggest that previously reported race differences in pain
      sensitivity emerged in our older samples, and this study contributes new findings
      in that these differences may increase with age in non-Hispanic blacks for
      temporal summation and both heat and cold immersion tolerance. We have added to
      the aging and pain literature by reporting several small to moderate differences
      in responses to heat stimuli between middle- and older-age adults. PERSPECTIVE:
      This study found that the greatest decline in pain sensitivity with aging occurs
      in the lower extremities. In addition, race differences in pain sensitivity
      observed in younger adults were also found in our older sample.

PMID- 24239562
TI  - Peripheral oxytocin treatment affects the rat adreno-medullary catecholamine
      content modulating expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2.
AB  - The neuropeptide oxytocin has been shown to influence on neuroendocrine function.
      The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of peripheral oxytocin
      treatment on the synthesis, uptake and content of adreno-medullary catecholamine.
      For this purpose oxytocin (3.6MUg/100g body weight, s.c) was administrated to
      male rats once a day over 14 days. In order to assess the effect of peripheral
      oxytocin treatment on adreno-medullary catecholamine we measured epinephrine and
      norepinephrine content and gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH),
      norepinephrine transporter (NET) and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in
      the adrenal medulla. Our results show a significant increase of epinephrine (1.7
      fold, p<0.05) and norepinephrine (1.5-fold, p<0.05) content in oxytocin treated
      animals compared to saline treated ones. Oxytocin treatment had no effect either
      on mRNA or protein level of TH and NET. Under oxytocin treatment the increase in
      VMAT2 mRNA level was not statistically significant, but it caused a significant
      increase in protein level of VMAT2 (3.7-fold, p<0.001). These findings indicate
      that oxytocin treatment increases catecholamine content in the rat adrenal
      medulla modulating VMAT2 expression. 

PMID- 24239563
TI  - Low-dose aspirin use after diagnosis of colorectal cancer does not increase
      survival: a case-control analysis of a population-based cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Individuals who began taking low-dose aspirin before they were
      diagnosed with colorectal cancer were reported to have longer survival times than
      patients who did not take this drug. We investigated survival times of patients
      who begin taking low-dose aspirin after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer in a
      large population-based cohort study. METHODS: We performed a nested case-control
      analysis using a cohort of 4794 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer from
      1998 through 2007, identified from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink and
      confirmed by cancer registries. There were 1559 colorectal cancer-specific
      deaths, recorded by the Office of National Statistics; these were each matched
      with up to 5 risk-set controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to
      calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), based on
      practitioner-recorded aspirin usage. RESULTS: Overall, low-dose aspirin use after
      a diagnosis of colorectal cancer was not associated with colorectal cancer
      specific mortality (adjusted OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.92-1.24) or all-cause mortality
      (adjusted OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.94-1.19). A dose-response association was not
      apparent; for example, low-dose aspirin use for more than 1 year after diagnosis
      was not associated with colorectal cancer-specific mortality (adjusted OR = 0.98;
      95% CI: 0.82-1.19). There was also no association between low-dose aspirin usage
      and colon cancer-specific mortality (adjusted OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.83-1.25) or
      rectal cancer-specific mortality (adjusted OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.88-1.38).
      CONCLUSIONS: In a large population-based cohort, low-dose aspirin usage after
      diagnosis of colorectal cancer did not increase survival time.

PMID- 24239564
TI  - Analysis of the resilience of team performance during a nuclear emergency
      response exercise.
AB  - The current work presents results from a cognitive task analysis (CTA) of a
      nuclear disaster simulation. Audio-visual records were collected from an
      emergency room team composed of individuals from 26 different agencies as they
      responded to multiple scenarios in a simulated nuclear disaster. This simulation
      was part of a national emergency response training activity for a nuclear power
      plant located in a developing country. The objectives of this paper are to
      describe sources of resilience and brittleness in these activities, identify cues
      of potential improvements for future emergency simulations, and leveraging the
      resilience of the emergency response system in case of a real disaster. Multiple
      CTA techniques were used to gain a better understanding of the cognitive
      dimensions of the activity and to identify team coordination and crisis
      management patterns that emerged from the simulation exercises. 

PMID- 24239565
TI  - Improvement of hand function using different surfaces and identification of
      difficult movement post stroke in the Box and Block Test.
AB  - This study determined the impact of changing block surfaces on hand function, as
      well as identified particularly time-consuming movement components post stroke,
      measured by the Box and Block Test (BBT). Eight chronic stroke survivors and
      eight age- and gender-matched control subjects participated in this study. The
      BBT score (number of blocks moved) and time for seven movement components were
      compared for three different block surfaces (wood, paper, and rubber). The rubber
      blocks improved BBT scores 8% (compared to all other conditions) not only for
      control subjects but also for the paretic and non-paretic hands of stroke
      survivors, by reducing movement time for finger closing and contact-to-lift.
      Modifying daily objects' surfaces with rubber could help stroke survivors' hand
      function. The paretic hand displayed notably slower movement for contact-to-lift,
      transport-release, reach before barrier, and reach after barrier suggesting that
      therapies may focus on goal directed reaching and object grasping/releasing. 

PMID- 24239566
TI  - Assessment of a simple obstacle detection device for the visually impaired.
AB  - A simple obstacle detection device, based upon an automobile parking sensor, was
      assessed as a mobility aid for the visually impaired. A questionnaire survey for
      mobility needs was performed at the start of this study. After the detector was
      developed, five blindfolded sighted and 15 visually impaired participants were
      invited to conduct travel experiments under three test conditions: (1) using a
      white cane only, (2) using the obstacle detector only and (3) using both devices.
      A post-experiment interview regarding the usefulness of the obstacle detector for
      the visually impaired participants was performed. The results showed that the
      obstacle detector could augment mobility performance with the white cane. The
      obstacle detection device should be used in conjunction with the white cane to
      achieve the best mobility speed and body protection. 

PMID- 24239567
TI  - Identity crisis of Th17 cells: many forms, many functions, many questions.
AB  - Th17 cells are a subset of CD4(+) effector T cells characterized by expression of
      the IL-17-family cytokines, IL-17A and IL-17F. Since their discovery nearly a
      decade ago, Th17 cells have been implicated in the regulation of dozens of immune
      mediated inflammatory diseases and cancer. However, attempts to clarify the
      development and function of Th17 cells in human health and disease have generated
      as many questions as answers. On one hand, cytokine expression in Th17 cells
      appears to be remarkably dynamic and is subject to extensive regulation (both
      positive and negative) in tissue microenvironments. On the other hand,
      accumulating evidence suggests that the human Th17 subset is a heterogeneous
      population composed of several distinct pro- and anti-inflammatory subsets.
      Clearly, Th17 cells as originally conceived no longer neatly fit the long
      standing paradigm of stable and irrepressible effector T cell function. Here we
      review current concepts surrounding human Th17 cells, with an emphasis on their
      plasticity, heterogeneity, and their many, tissue-specific functions. In spite of
      the challenges ahead, a comprehensive understanding of Th17 cells and their
      relationship to human disease is key to ongoing efforts to develop safer and more
      selective anti-inflammatory medicines. 

PMID- 24239568
TI  - Resolvins, specialized proresolving lipid mediators, and their potential roles in
      metabolic diseases.
AB  - Inflammation is associated with the development of diseases characterized by
      altered nutrient metabolism. Although an acute inflammatory response is host
      protective and normally self-limited, chronic low-grade inflammation associated
      with metabolic diseases is sustained and detrimental. The resolution of
      inflammation involves the termination of neutrophil recruitment,
      counterregulation of proinflammatory mediators, stimulation of macrophage
      mediated clearance, and tissue remodeling. Specialized proresolving lipid
      mediators (SPMs)-resolvins, protectins, and maresins-are novel autacoids that
      resolve inflammation, protect organs, and stimulate tissue regeneration. Here, we
      review evidence that the failure of resolution programs contributes to metabolic
      diseases and that SPMs may play pivotal roles in their resolution.

PMID- 24239570
TI  - Solid-phase plate-reader quantification of specific PCR products by measurement
      of band-specific ethidium bromide fluorescence.
AB  - Real-time PCR is widely employed to quantify PCR products across a range of
      applications. However, accurate real-time PCR is not always technically feasible,
      and alternative methods for PCR product quantification can be expensive and time
      consuming to validate. We have developed an inexpensive, rapid, and immediately
      accessible protocol to quantify PCR products, by measuring ethidium bromide
      fluorescence of PCR products excised from agarose gels. This protocol has
      relevance to a broad range of methods in molecular biology where quantification
      of PCR products is necessary. 

PMID- 24239571
TI  - Rapid and selective enzymatic assay for L-methionine based on a pyrophosphate
      detection system.
AB  - An enzymatic assay for L-methionine was developed by coupling adenosylmethionine
      synthetase (AdoMetS) to a pyrophosphate (PP(i)) detection system, which was
      constructed using pyruvate, phosphate dikinase. To expand the use of this assay,
      the PP(i) detection system was embodied as three different forms, which allowed
      PP(i) to be measured by UV, visible, and fluorescent light detectors. The assay
      system was robust and could tolerate the addition of inorganic phosphate and ATP
      to the assay mixtures. L-Methionine could be accurately determined by coupling
      the PP(i) detection system and AdoMetS. This AdoMetS coupling assay was highly
      selective to L-methionine and exhibited no significant activity to other
      proteinaceous amino acids, ammonia, or urea, unlike conventional enzymatic assays
      for L-methionine. Spike and recovery tests showed that the AdoMetS assay could
      accurately and reproducibly determine increases in L-methionine in human plasma
      samples without any pretreatment to remove proteins and potentially interfering
      low-molecular-weight molecules. The high selectivity and robustness of the
      AdoMetS assay provide rapid and high-throughput analysis of L-methionine in
      various kinds of analytes.

PMID- 24239572
TI  - Spectrophotometric activity microassay for pure and recombinant cytochrome P450
      type nitric oxide reductase.
AB  - Nitric oxide reductase (NOR) of the P450 oxidoreductase family accepts electrons
      directly from its cofactor, NADH, to reduce two nitric oxide (NO) molecules to
      one nitrous oxide molecule and water. The enzyme plays a key role in the removal
      of radical NO produced during respiratory metabolism, and applications in
      bioremediation and biocatalysis have been identified. However, a rapid, accurate,
      and sensitive enzyme assay has not yet been developed for this enzyme family. In
      this study, we optimized reaction conditions for the development of a
      spectrophotometric NOR activity microassay using NOC-5 for the provision of NO in
      solution. We also demonstrate that the assay is suitable for the quantification
      and characterization of P450-type NOR. The K(m) and k(cat) kinetic constants
      obtained by this assay were comparable to the values determined by gas
      chromatography, but with improved convenience and cost efficiency, effectively by
      miniaturization. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present the
      quantification of NOR activity in a kinetic microassay format.

PMID- 24239573
TI  - Chiral separation-based ligand exchange by open-tubular capillary
      electrochromatography.
AB  - Chiral ligand-exchange enantioseparation of aliphatic and aromatic amino acids
      was successfully performed using a new open-tubular zwitterionic column with
      tentacle-type polymer stationary phase. The polymeric stationary phase was
      prepared using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA-Cl), a new reactive
      monomer. The preparation procedure of the open-tubular column included
      silanization, in situ graft polymerization with HPMA-Cl, and L-histidine (L-His)
      modification. L-His was used as a chiral ligand-exchange selector and copper(II)
      as a central ion. Successful enantioseparation of six pairs of amino acid
      enantiomers was achieved with a buffer of 5 mM CuSO4, 20 mM (NH4)2SO4 at pH 3.0.

PMID- 24239569
TI  - Weighing in on adipocyte precursors.
AB  - Obesity, defined as an excessive increase in white adipose tissue (WAT), is a
      global health epidemic. In obesity, WAT expands by increased adipocyte size
      (hypertrophy) and number (hyperplasia). The location and cellular mechanisms of
      WAT expansion greatly affect the pathogenesis of obesity. However, the cellular
      and molecular mechanisms regulating adipocyte size, number, and depot-dependent
      expansion in vivo remain largely unknown. This perspective summarizes previous
      work addressing adipocyte number in development and obesity and discusses recent
      advances in the methodologies, genetic tools, and characterization of in vivo
      adipocyte precursor cells allowing for directed study of hyperplastic WAT growth
      in vivo.

PMID- 24239574
TI  - Synthesis of haptens and development of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay for tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate.
AB  - A competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ciELISA) was developed
      for detection of tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TBC). Polyclonal
      antibodies against TBC were raised from synthesized haptens and then screened
      against various coating antigens. After optimization of the immunoassay
      conditions, the linear range and IC50 value of the assay were 0.30-100 and 5.17
      MUg/L, respectively, with little cross-reactivity (<=2%). Recovery of various
      samples (water, serum, soil) was tested and the values ranged from 68% to 110%.
      This ciELISA was also applied to determine TBC in the riverside soil of the
      Liuyang River, and the results were compared with the data obtained by UHPLC
      MS/MS. The experimental assay results confirmed that this proposed immunoassay is
      a specific, sensitive, and reliable method for determination and monitoring of
      TBC.

PMID- 24239575
TI  - A chromogenic substrate for solid-phase detection of phospholipase A2.
AB  - A method for solid-phase detection of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was developed. The
      method uses 1-octanoyloxynaphthalene-3-sulfonic acid, which was found to be a
      good substrate of PLA2. The substrate is hydrolyzed by PLA2 into 1-naphthol-3
      sulfonic acid, which is spontaneously coupled with coexisting diazonium salt to
      form a red-purple azo dye. Streptomyces and bovine pancreatic PLA2 spotted on a
      nitrocellulose membrane could be detected by this method with considerable
      sensitivity. In addition, colonies of recombinant Escherichia coli producing
      bacterial PLA2 were distinguishable from those producing an inactive mutant PLA2,
      facilitating high-throughput screening in directed evolution of the enzyme.

PMID- 24239576
TI  - Ethylene-induced changes in lignification and cell wall-degrading enzymes in the
      roots of mungbean (Vigna radiata) sprouts.
AB  - As an important regulator, ethylene inhibits root growth and development in
      plants. To determine the mechanism of ethylene on root elongation growth and
      lateral root formation, ethylene-induced lignification and cell wall-degrading
      enzymes in the roots of mungbean sprouts were tested. We initially observed that
      primary root elongation and lateral root numbers were inhibited, while lignin
      content was enhanced by ethephon (ETH). Cell wall remolding proteins,
      polygalacturonase (PG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (Cx) activities were reduced,
      but alpha-expansins and xyloglucan endotransglucosylases/hydrolases (XTH) were
      enhanced by ETH. The promotion in lignin production was correlated with changes
      in activities of key lignin biosynthesis enzymes and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
      content. These actions induced by ETH were altered via treatment with an ethylene
      perception antagonist (Ag+). We subsequently demonstrated that the role of
      endogenous ethylene in regulating root elongation growth and lateral root
      formation were correlated with lignification and cell wall-degrading enzymes,
      respectively. These results suggested that the ethylene-regulated inhibition of
      primary root elongation growth was caused by an increase in lignification that
      reinforced the cell wall and shortened root length, and the suppression of
      lateral root formation was linked to activities of PG, Cx, alpha-expansins and
      XTH.

PMID- 24239577
TI  - Radon levels in groundwaters and natural radioactivity in soils of the volcanic
      region of La Garrotxa, Spain.
AB  - Groundwater radon level and soil radionuclide concentration have been measured in
      the volcanic region of La Garrotxa (Catalonia, Spain) to further research on the
      origin and dynamics of high radon levels over volcanic materials found in this
      region. Water samples from different aquifers have been collected from wells and
      springs and the water radon levels obtained have been lower than 30 Bq l(-1).
      Soil samples have been collected from different geological formations (volcanic
      and non-volcanic), being Quaternary sedimentary deposits those that have
      presented the highest mean values of (40)K, (226)Ra and (232)Th concentrations
      (448 +/- 70 Bq kg(-1), 35 +/- 5 Bq kg(-1) and 38 +/- 5 Bq kg(-1), respectively).
      Additionally, indoor/outdoor terrestrial radiation absorbed dose rate in air have
      been measured to better characterize the region from the radiological point of
      view. Terrestrial radiation absorbed dose rates measurement points have been
      chosen on the basis of geological and demographical considerations and the
      results obtained, from 27 to 91 nGy h(-1), show a clear relation with geological
      formation materials. The highest terrestrial gamma absorbed dose rate is observed
      over Quaternary sedimentary deposits as well. All these results help to better
      understand previous surveys related with indoor and outdoor radon levels and to
      reinforce the hypotheses of a radon transport through the fissure network.

PMID- 24239578
TI  - Intermolecular interactions between cucurbit[7]uril and pilocarpine.
AB  - The interactions between cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) macrocycles and pilocarpine (PIL)
      were investigated in aqueous solution by using (1)H NMR and circular dichroism
      (CD) spectroscopic techniques. The characterizations of the freeze-drying solid
      complex were conducted by electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS),
      Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetry, and
      differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The DSC and thermogravimetry
      confirmed the production of a thermally stable solid complex. The NMR, CD and ESI
      MS measurements confirmed asymmetric induction during the complexation reaction,
      in which the gamma-lactone ring of PIL (not the imidazole nucleus) has been fully
      encapsulated within the cavity of CB7. The stability of the drug has
      significantly enhanced as evidenced by the high-performance liquid
      chromatographic (HPLC) method. The results are discussed in the context of
      utilizing non-conventional supramolecular host-guest approaches to enhance the
      chemical stability in aqueous media of hydrophilic PIL drugs as model compounds.
      The non-classical stereospecific interactions between CB7 and PIL drugs are also
      highlighted. 

PMID- 24239579
TI  - The influence of lipid composition and surface charge on biodistribution of
      intact liposomes releasing from hydrogel-embedded vesicles.
AB  - Mixed drug delivery systems possess advantages over discrete systems, and can be
      used as a strategy to design more effective formulations. They are more valuable
      if the embedded particles perform well, rather than using drugs that have been
      affected by the surrounding vehicle. In order to address this concept, different
      liposomes have been incorporated into hydrogel to evaluate the potential effect
      on the controlled release of liposomes. Radiolabeled liposomes, with respect to
      different acyl chain lengths (DMPC, DPPC, or DSPC) and charges (neutral, negative
      [DSPG], or positive [DOTAP]) were integrated into chitosan-glycerophosphate. The
      results obtained from the biodistribution showed that the DSPC liposomes had the
      highest area under the curve (AUC) values, both in the blood (206.5%ID/gh(-1))
      and peritoneum (622.3%ID/gh(-1)), when compared to the DPPC and DMPC
      formulations, whether in liposomal hydrogel or dispersion. Interesting results
      were observed in that the hydrogel could reverse the peritoneal retention of
      negatively charged liposomes, increasing to 8 times its AUC value, to attain the
      highest amount among all formulations. The interactions between the liposomes and
      chitosan-glycerophosphate, confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
      spectra as shifted characteristic peaks, were observed in the combined systems.
      Overall, the hydrogel could control the release of intact liposomes, which could
      be manipulated by both the liposome type and interactions between the two
      vehicles. 

PMID- 24239580
TI  - Improvement of cellular uptake, in vitro antitumor activity and sustained release
      profile with increased bioavailability from a nanoemulsion platform.
AB  - Paclitaxel, a potential anticancer agent against solid tumors has been restricted
      from its oral use due to poor water solubility as well as Pgp efflux property.
      The present study was aimed to improve the oral bioavailability of paclitaxel
      through development of (o/w) nanoemulsion consisting of Capryol 90 as internal
      phase with Tween 20 as emulsifier with water as an external phase. Formulations
      were selected from the nanoemulsion region of pseudo-ternary phase diagrams,
      formulated by aqueous titration method. The developed nanoemulsion has been
      characterized by its thermodynamic stability, morphology, droplet size, zeta
      potential, viscosity where in vitro release was evaluated through dialysis.
      Paclitaxel nanoemulsion exhibited thermodynamical stability with low viscosity,
      nano-sized oil droplets in water with low poly-dispersity index. The shelf life
      of the paclitaxel nanoemulsion was found to be approximately 2.38 years.
      Increased permeability through the Caco-2 cell monolayer and decreased efflux is
      great advantageous for nanoemulsion formulation. The effects of paclitaxel
      nanoemulsion on breast cancer cell proliferation, morphology and DNA
      fragmentation were analyzed in vitro which showed significant anti-proliferation
      and decreased IC50 values in nanoemulsion group which may be due to enhanced
      uptake of paclitaxel through the oil core. Moreover, the absolute oral
      bioavailability and sustained release profile of the paclitaxel nanoemulsion
      evaluated in mouse model was found to improve up to 55.9%. The concentration of
      paclitaxel in mice plasma was determined by our validated LC-MS/MS method. By
      reviewing the significant outcome of the present investigation based on stability
      study, Caco-2 permeability, cell proliferative assay and pharmacokinetic profile
      it may be concluded that the oral nanoemulsion has got encouraging advantages
      over the presently available formulations of this injectable chemotherapeutic
      drug.

PMID- 24239581
TI  - Formation of mannitol hemihydrate in freeze-dried protein formulations--a design
      of experiment approach.
AB  - Since the discovery of mannitol hemihydrate, this form of mannitol has been seen
      as potentially negative with regard to the stability of pharmaceutical
      formulations. The formation of mannitol hemihydrate is reported in several case
      studies; however, no systematic investigation has been performed so far. In this
      study, design of experiments was applied for response surface modelling of
      mannitol hemihydrate formation. The formulation parameters investigated in a
      composite face-centred design were the overall solid content, protein
      concentration, protein type and the ratio between mannitol and sucrose.
      Additionally, annealing as process parameter was included in a full factorial
      mixed design. For two proteins, models with a high goodness of fit (R(2): 0.82
      and 0.93) and goodness of prediction (Q(2): 0.78 and 0.89) were achieved.
      Inclusion of the process parameter annealing resulted in models of similar
      quality. The successful application of design of experiments showed that the most
      prominent factors enhancing the formation of hemihydrate were a high protein
      concentration, low relative mannitol content and annealing at -20 degrees C. 

PMID- 24239582
TI  - SpALF4: a newly identified anti-lipopolysaccharide factor from the mud crab
      Scylla paramamosain with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.
AB  - Anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (ALFs) are antimicrobial peptides with binding
      and neutralizing activities to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in crustaceans. This
      study identified and characterized a novel ALF homolog (SpALF4) from the mud crab
      Scylla paramamosain. The complete cDNA of SpALF4 had 756 bp with a 381 bp open
      reading frame encoding a protein with 126 aa. The deduced protein contained a
      signal peptide and a LPS-binding domain. SpALF4 shared the highest identity with
      PtALF5 at amino acid level but exhibited low similarity with most of other
      crustacean ALFs. Furthermore, different from the previously identified three
      SpALF homologs and most of other ALFs, SpALF4 had a low isoelectric point (pI)
      for the mature peptide and the LPS-binding domain with the values of 6.93 and
      6.74, respectively. These results indicate that SpALF4 may be a unique ALF
      homolog with special biological function in the mud crab. Similar to the spatial
      structure of ALFPm3, SpALF4 contains three alpha-helices packed against a four
      strand beta-sheet, and an amphipathic loop formed by a disulphide bond between
      two conserved cysteine residues in LPS-binding domain. SpALF4, mainly distributed
      in hemocytes, could be upregulated by Vibrio harveyi, Staphylococcus aureus, or
      white spot syndrome virus. Recombinant SpALF4 could inhibit the growth of Gram
      negative bacteria (V. harveyi, Vibrio anguillarum, Vibrio alginolyticus,
      Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas putida), Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and
      Bacillus megaterium), and a fungus Candida albicans to varying degrees. Further
      study showed that it could also bind to all the aforementioned microorganisms
      except S. aureus. These results demonstrate that SpALF4 is a unique ALF homolog
      with potent antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. This
      characteristic suggests SpALF4 plays an essential function in immune defense
      against pathogen invasion in mud crab. 

PMID- 24239583
TI  - A simple immunofixation test for induced C3 degradation in disease states
      (including C3 nephritic factor) and its correlation with kidney biopsy.
AB  - Complement dysregulation from an uncontrolled activation of the alternate pathway
      can be mediated by C3 Nephritic Factor and results in C3 glomerulopathy.
      Identification of C3 degradation products C3c and C3d in patient serum provides
      evidence of uncontrolled complement activation. It is possible to detect C3c and
      C3d in patient serum by an immunofixation assay which induces in vitro C3
      degradation. The clinical performance of the immunofixation assay has been
      assessed by comparing the assay results with findings from immunostaining of
      kidney biopsies. The immunofixation assay is a simple and reliable technique for
      detection of C3 degradation on a widely available platform and can be used to
      provide corroborative evidence of acquired complement dysregulation in patients
      with C3 glomerulopathy. 

PMID- 24239584
TI  - Is testis variation the key to understanding why males seem so different from one
      another? Commentary on "Examining sources of variation in HPG axis function among
      individuals and populations of the dark-eyed juncos". By Christine M. Bergeon
      Burns, Kimberly A. Rosvall Thomas P. Hahn, Gregory E. Demas and Ellen D.
      Ketterson.

PMID- 24239585
TI  - Is highly challenging and progressive balance training feasible in older adults
      with Parkinson's disease?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a highly challenging and progressive group balance training
      regime specific to Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms and to investigate its
      feasibility in older adults with mild to moderate PD. DESIGN: Intervention study,
      before-after trial with a development and feasibility design. SETTING: University
      hospital setting. PARTICIPANTS: Feasibility was evaluated in older adults (N=5;
      mean age, 72y; age range, 69-80y) with mild to moderate idiopathic PD.
      INTERVENTION: A balance training regime emphasizing specific and highly
      challenging exercises, performed 3 times per week for 12 weeks, was developed
      through discussion and workshops by a group of researchers and physiotherapists.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Indicators of feasibility included attendance rate, safety
      (adverse events, physical function, and pain), participants' perceptions of the
      intervention (level of difficulty of the exercises, motivation level, and
      appreciation), and efficacy of the intervention (balance performance assessed
      with the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test [Mini-BESTest]). RESULTS: The
      incidence rate was high (93%) for attendance and low (1.2%) for adverse events.
      Ratings by the participants indicated progression throughout the training period.
      All participants considered the training motivational and stated that they would
      recommend it to others. The efficacy of the intervention measured with the Mini
      BESTest showed that 4 out of 5 participants improved their balance performance.
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the overall feasibility of this novel balance
      program in older adults with mild to moderate PD. However, to further evaluate
      the efficacy of the program, a larger randomized controlled trial is required.

PMID- 24239586
TI  - Difficulty in disengaging attention from threatening facial expressions in
      anxiety: a new approach in terms of benefits.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent work suggests that the ability to disengage
      attention from threatening information is impaired in anxiety. The present study
      compared the difficulty to disengage from angry, fearful and neutral faces in Low
      Trait Anxious individuals (LTA) versus High Trait Anxious individuals (HTA) at
      two stages of facial expression processing (i.e., initial and later face
      processing). METHODS: HTA and LTA individuals performed an attentional shifting
      task to assess attentional disengagement. Participants had to classify a
      peripheral target letter, appearing 200 or 500 ms after a face was displayed.
      RESULTS: LTA individuals were quicker when the letter appears after 500 ms
      compared to 200 ms regardless of the emotion of the face. An impaired
      disengagement in HTA individuals was observed for fearful and angry faces (i.e.,
      no reaction differences between 200 and 500 ms) but not for neutral faces. These
      results suggest that it is particularly difficult for anxious individuals to
      switch attention from one stimulus to another if the engaged stimulus is a
      threatening face. LIMITATIONS: Generalisation of our results is restricted to
      trait anxiety and emotional facial expression processing. CONCLUSIONS: LTA
      individuals can benefit from the emotional processing (i.e., from 200 to 500 ms)
      to make a rapid attentional shift and engagement to the target stimuli whereas
      HTA individuals did not and continue to process the threatening facial
      expression. These results also point out the role of top down processes on the
      regulation of disengagement from threatening information in anxiety.

PMID- 24239587
TI  - Investigating cognitive flexibility as a potential mechanism of mindfulness in
      Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Research suggests mindfulness-based treatments may
      enhance efficacy of CBT for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). One hypothesized
      mechanism of mindfulness is cognitive flexibility; however, research findings to
      date are mixed as to a) whether cognitive inflexibility represents a
      characteristic of GAD, and b) whether mindfulness impacts cognitive flexibility.
      It is proposed that limitations in study methodology may partially account for
      these mixed findings. The present study investigated cognitive flexibility as a
      potential mechanism of mindfulness in a sample with elevated GAD symptoms using a
      modified emotional Stroop switching task while attempting to control for
      limitations of previous research. The purpose of the study was: 1) to explore
      cognitive inflexibility as a potential characteristic of GAD, and 2) to examine
      whether a brief mindfulness induction has measurable impact on cognitive
      flexibility. METHODS: A total of 66 participants (53 with elevated GAD symptoms,
      and 13 non-anxious) were randomized to a mindful-breathing, music-assisted
      relaxation, or thought wandering condition prior to completing an emotional
      Stroop and emotional Stroop switching task. RESULTS: Results suggest that GAD may
      be characterized by an inflexible style of responding, and exposure to
      mindfulness and relaxation result in partial improvements in cognitive
      flexibility. LIMITATIONS: Limitations of this study include small sample size,
      brief induction period, and use of an analog sample. CONCLUSIONS: The present
      findings suggest that mindfulness may be associated with partial improvement in
      cognitive flexibility.

PMID- 24239588
TI  - Neutralization of HIV subtypes A and D by breast milk IgG from women with HIV
      infection in Uganda.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Among HIV-exposed infants in resource-limited countries, 8-12% are
      infected postnatally by breastfeeding. However, most of those uninfected at birth
      remain uninfected over time despite daily exposure to HIV in breast milk. Thus,
      we assessed the HIV-inhibitory activity of breast milk. METHODS: We measured
      cross-clade neutralization in activated PBMC of Ugandan subtype A (92UG031) and D
      (92UG005) primary HIV by breast milk or purified milk IgG and IgA from 25 HIV
      infected Ugandan women. Isotype-specific antigen recognition was resolved by
      immunoblot. We determined HIV subtype from envelope population sequences in cells
      from 13 milk samples by PCR. RESULTS: Milk inhibited p24 production by >=50%
      (dose-dependent) by subtype A (21/25; 84%) and subtype D (11/25; 44%). IgG
      consistently reacted with multiple HIV antigens, including gp120/gp41, but IgA
      primarily recognized p24 alone. Depletion of IgG (n = 5), not IgA, diminished
      neutralization (mean 78 +/- 33%) that was largely restored by IgG repletion.
      Mothers infected with subtype A more effectively neutralized subtype A than D.
      CONCLUSIONS: Breast milk from HIV-infected women showed homotypic and cross
      subtype neutralization of HIV by IgG-dependent and -independent mechanisms. These
      data direct further investigations into mechanisms of resistance against
      postnatal transmission of HIV to infants from their mothers.

PMID- 24239589
TI  - The relationship between MEG and fMRI.
AB  - In recent years functional neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI, MEG, EEG and PET
      have provided researchers with a wealth of information on human brain function.
      However none of these modalities can measure directly either the neuro-electrical
      or neuro-chemical processes that mediate brain function. This means that metrics
      directly reflecting brain 'activity' must be inferred from other metrics (e.g.
      magnetic fields (MEG) or haemodynamics (fMRI)). To overcome this limitation, many
      studies seek to combine multiple complementary modalities and an excellent
      example of this is the combination of MEG (which has high temporal resolution)
      with fMRI (which has high spatial resolution). However, the full potential of
      multi-modal approaches can only be truly realised in cases where the relationship
      between metrics is known. In this paper, we explore the relationship between
      measurements made using fMRI and MEG. We describe the origins of the two signals
      as well as their relationship to electrophysiology. We review multiple studies
      that have attempted to characterise the spatial relationship between fMRI and
      MEG, and we also describe studies that exploit the rich information content of
      MEG to explore differing relationships between MEG and fMRI across neural
      oscillatory frequency bands. Monitoring the brain at "rest" has become of
      significant recent interest to the neuroimaging community and we review recent
      evidence comparing MEG and fMRI metrics of functional connectivity. A brief
      discussion of the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to probe the
      relationship between MEG/fMRI and neurochemistry is also given. Finally, we
      highlight future areas of interest and offer some recommendations for the
      parallel use of fMRI and MEG. 

PMID- 24239590
TI  - On the interpretation of weight vectors of linear models in multivariate
      neuroimaging.
AB  - The increase in spatiotemporal resolution of neuroimaging devices is accompanied
      by a trend towards more powerful multivariate analysis methods. Often it is
      desired to interpret the outcome of these methods with respect to the cognitive
      processes under study. Here we discuss which methods allow for such
      interpretations, and provide guidelines for choosing an appropriate analysis for
      a given experimental goal: For a surgeon who needs to decide where to remove
      brain tissue it is most important to determine the origin of cognitive functions
      and associated neural processes. In contrast, when communicating with paralyzed
      or comatose patients via brain-computer interfaces, it is most important to
      accurately extract the neural processes specific to a certain mental state. These
      equally important but complementary objectives require different analysis
      methods. Determining the origin of neural processes in time or space from the
      parameters of a data-driven model requires what we call a forward model of the
      data; such a model explains how the measured data was generated from the neural
      sources. Examples are general linear models (GLMs). Methods for the extraction of
      neural information from data can be considered as backward models, as they
      attempt to reverse the data generating process. Examples are multivariate
      classifiers. Here we demonstrate that the parameters of forward models are
      neurophysiologically interpretable in the sense that significant nonzero weights
      are only observed at channels the activity of which is related to the brain
      process under study. In contrast, the interpretation of backward model parameters
      can lead to wrong conclusions regarding the spatial or temporal origin of the
      neural signals of interest, since significant nonzero weights may also be
      observed at channels the activity of which is statistically independent of the
      brain process under study. As a remedy for the linear case, we propose a
      procedure for transforming backward models into forward models. This procedure
      enables the neurophysiological interpretation of the parameters of linear
      backward models. We hope that this work raises awareness for an often encountered
      problem and provides a theoretical basis for conducting better interpretable
      multivariate neuroimaging analyses.

PMID- 24239591
TI  - Air pollution effects on fetal and child development: a cohort comparison in
      China.
AB  - In Tongliang, China, a coal-fired power plant was the major pollution source
      until its shutdown in 2004. We enrolled two cohorts of nonsmoking women and their
      newborns before and after the shutdown to examine the relationship between
      prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fetal and child
      growth and development. PAHs were used to measure exposure to air pollution
      generated by the power plant. Using PAH-DNA adduct levels as biomarkers for the
      biologically effective dose of PAH exposure, we examined whether PAH-DNA adduct
      levels were associated with birth outcome, growth rate, and neurodevelopment.
      Head circumference was greater in children of the second cohort, compared with
      the first (p = 0.001), consistent with significantly reduced levels of cord blood
      PAH-DNA adducts in cohort II (p < 0.001) and reduced levels of ambient PAHs (p =
      0.01). 

PMID- 24239592
TI  - Steroid exposure during larval development of Xenopus laevis affects mRNA
      expression of the reproductive pituitary-gonadal axis in a sex- and stage
      dependent manner.
AB  - Steroids are known to influence the reproductive pituitary-gonadal axis in adult
      amphibians. Here, we studied the effects of hormones on pituitary and gonadal
      mRNA expression during the development of Xenopus laevis. Tadpoles at NF 58
      (prometamorphosis) and at NF 66 (freshly metamorphosed) were exposed for three
      days to 17beta-estradiol (E2), tamoxifen (TAM), testosterone (T),
      dihydrotestosterone (DHT) at 10(-7)M, and flutamide (FLU) at 10(-6)M. In both
      genders at NF 58 and 66, T and DHT decreased luteinizing hormone beta (lhbeta),
      but increased follicle stimulating hormone beta (fshbeta), while FLU induced
      lhbeta specifically in males. In the testis steroidogenic genes (p450 side chain
      cleavage enzyme, p450scc; steroid acute regulatory protein, star) at NF 58 showed
      a similar pattern as for lhbeta, while the response at NF 66 was only partially
      present. In females, TAM induced lhbeta at NF 58, while E2 decreased lhbeta and
      increased fshbeta at NF 66. In the ovaries, no alterations were observed for the
      steroidogenic genes. Summarizing, gonadotropic and steroidogenic mRNA expression
      may indicate control of androgen level during testis differentiation in male
      tadpoles at NF 58. In females the non-responsiveness of steroidogenic genes could
      be a sign of gonadal quiescence during pre-pubertal stages. 

PMID- 24239593
TI  - Genetic dissection of the psychotomimetic effects of cannabinoid exposure.
AB  - Cannabis use is an established risk factor for the development of schizophrenia
      and related psychotic disorders. Factors that may mediate susceptibility to the
      psychosis-inducing effects of cannabis include the age at onset of first cannabis
      use, genetic predisposition, as well as interaction with other environmental risk
      variables. Clinical and preclinical genetic studies provide increasing evidence
      that, in particular, genes encoding proteins implicated in dopamine signalling
      are implicated in the cannabis-psychosis association. In the present review, we
      focus on both human and animal studies which have focused on identifying the
      neuronal basis of these interactions. We conclude that further studies are
      required to provide greater mechanistic insight into the long-term and
      neurodevelopmental effects of cannabis use, with implications for improved
      understanding of the cannabis-psychosis relationship. 

PMID- 24239595
TI  - Emotion response coherence: a dual-process perspective.
AB  - Emotions are widely thought to involve coordinated responses across multiple
      responses (e.g., experiential, behavioral, and physiological). However, empirical
      support for this general "response coherence" postulate is inconsistent. The
      present research takes a dual-process perspective, suggesting that response
      coherence might be conditional upon response system (i.e., automatic versus
      reflective). In particular, we tested the hypothesis that response coherence
      should be maximal within each system and minimal across the two systems. To test
      this prediction, 36 participants underwent an anger provocation while two
      relatively automatic (anger accessibility and physiology) and two relatively
      reflective (anger experience and instrumental behavior) responses were measured.
      As predicted, coherence was found within the automatic and reflective systems,
      but not across them. Implications for emotion response coherence, dual-process
      frameworks, and the functions of emotions are discussed. 

PMID- 24239594
TI  - Preliminary findings of the effects of rivastigmine, an acetylcholinesterase
      inhibitor, on working memory in cocaine-dependent volunteers.
AB  - Long-term cocaine use is a risk factor for the onset of neurocognitive
      impairment. This study sought to determine whether the cholinesterase inhibitor
      rivastigmine could improve neurocognitive performance in cocaine-dependent
      individuals. Cocaine-dependent individuals who were not seeking treatment at the
      time of enrollment in the study were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n=16),
      rivastigmine 3mg (n=13), or rivastigmine 6mg (n=12). The baseline neurocognitive
      assessment, which included measures of attention/information processing (as
      measured by the Continuous Performance Task-II (CPT-II)), verbal
      learning/episodic memory (as measured by the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised
      (HVLT-R)), and working memory (as measured by the Dual N-Back Task), was
      conducted prior to the administration of study medication (Day 0). The follow-up
      assessment was conducted on Day 8 after the participants had received
      rivastigmine or placebo for 7days (Day 2-8). Rivastigmine administration
      significantly improved performance on one measure of working memory span (mean n
      back span). This study provides additional data showing that cocaine-associated
      neurocognitive impairment, specifically working memory deficits, can be
      remediated, at least to some degree. 

PMID- 24239596
TI  - Transcription analysis of two Eomesodermin genes in lymphocyte subsets of two
      teleost species.
AB  - Eomesodermin (Eomes), a T-box transcription factor, is a key molecule associated
      with function and differentiation of CD8(+) T cells and NK cells. Previously, two
      teleost Eomes genes (Eomes-a and -b), which are located on different chromosomes,
      were identified and shown to be expressed in zebrafish lymphocytes. For the
      present study, we identified these genes in rainbow trout and ginbuna crucian
      carp. Deduced Eomes-a and -b amino acid sequences in both fish species contain a
      highly conserved T-box DNA binding domain. In RT-PCR, both Eomes transcripts were
      readily detectable in a variety of tissues in rainbow trout and ginbuna. The high
      expression of Eomes-a and -b in brain and ovary suggests involvement in
      neurogenesis and oogenesis, respectively, while their expression in lymphoid
      tissues presumably is associated with immune functions. Investigation of
      separated lymphocyte populations from pronephros indicated that both Eomes-a and 
      b transcripts were few or absent in IgM(+) lymphocytes, while relatively abundant
      in IgM(-)/CD8alpha(+) and IgM(-)/CD8alpha(-) populations. Moreover, we sorted
      trout CD8alpha(+) lymphocytes from mucosal and non-mucosal lymphoid tissues and
      compared the expression profiles of Eomes-a and -b with those of other T cell
      related transcription factor genes (GATA-3, T-bet and Runx3), a Th1 cytokine gene
      (IFN-gamma) and a Th2 cytokine gene (IL-4/13A). Interestingly, the tissue
      distribution of Eomes-a/b, T-bet, and Runx3 versus IFN-gamma transcripts did not
      reveal simple correlations, suggesting tissue-specific properties of CD8alpha(+)
      lymphocytes and/or multiple modes that drive IFN-gamma expressions. 

PMID- 24239597
TI  - Characterization of the interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4)
      encoding gene in salmonid fish: the functional copy is rearranged in Oncorhynchus
      mykiss and that factor can impair TLR signaling in mammalian cells.
AB  - The interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is an essential factor for
      TLR-mediated activation of the host's immune functions subsequent to pathogen
      contact. We have characterized the respective cDNA and gene sequences from three
      salmonid species, salmon, rainbow trout and maraena whitefish. The gene from
      salmon is structured into eleven exons, as is the mammalian homologue, while
      exons have been fused in the genes from the two other salmonid species. Rainbow
      trout expresses also a pseudogene at low levels. Its basic structure resembles
      more closely the primordial gene than the functional copy does. The N-terminal
      death domain and the C-terminal protein kinase domain of the factors are better
      conserved throughout evolution than the linker domain. The deduced amino acid
      sequences of the factors from all three species group together in an evolutionary
      tree of IRAK4 factors. Scrutinizing expression and function of IRAK4 from rainbow
      trout, we found its highest expression in head kidney and spleen and lowest
      expression in muscle tissue. Infecting fish with Aeromonas salmonicida did not
      modulate its expression during 72 h of observation. Expression of a GFP-tagged
      trout IRAK4 revealed, expectedly, its cytoplasmic localization in human HEK-293
      cells. However, this factor significantly quenched in a dose-dependent fashion
      not only the pathogen-induced stimulation of NF-kappaB factors in the HEK-293
      reconstitution system of TLR2 signaling, but also the basal NF-kappaB levels in
      unstimulated control cells. Our data unexpectedly imply that IRAK4 is involved in
      establishing threshold levels of active NF-kappaB in resting cells. 

PMID- 24239598
TI  - Characterization of cathepsin B gene from orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus
      coioides involved in SGIV infection.
AB  - The lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin B of papain family is a key regulator
      and signaling molecule that involves in various biological processes, such as the
      regulation of apoptosis and activation of virus. In the present study, cathepsin
      B gene (Ec-CB) was cloned and characterized from orange-spotted grouper,
      Epinephelus coioides. The full-length Ec-CB cDNA was composed of 1918 bp and
      encoded a polypeptide of 330 amino acids with higher identities to cathepsin B of
      teleosts and mammalians. Ec-CB possessed typical cathepsin B structural features
      including an N-terminal signal peptide, the propeptide region and the cysteine
      protease domain which were conserved in other cathepsin B sequences. Phylogenetic
      analysis revealed that Ec-CB was most closely related to Lutjanus
      argentimaculatus. RT-PCR analysis showed that Ec-CB transcript was expressed in
      all the examined tissues which abundant in spleen, kidney and gill. After
      challenged with Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) stimulation, the mRNA
      expression of cathepsin B in E. coioides was up-regulated at 24 h post-infection.
      Subcellular localization analysis revealed that Ec-CB was distributed
      predominantly in the cytoplasm. When the fish cells (GS or FHM) were treated with
      the cathepsin B specific inhibitor CA-074Me, the occurrence of CPE induced by
      SGIV was delayed, and the viral gene transcription was significantly inhibited.
      Additionally, SGIV-induced typical apoptosis was also inhibited by CA-074Me in
      FHM cells. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the Ec-CB might play a
      functional role in SGIV infection. 

PMID- 24239599
TI  - Assessment of a sequential phase extraction procedure for uranium-series isotope
      analysis of soils and sediments.
AB  - The study of uranium-series (U-series) isotopes in soil and sediment materials
      has been proposed to quantify rates and timescales of soil production and
      sediment transport. Previous works have studied bulk soil or sediment material,
      which is a complex assemblage of primary and secondary minerals and organic
      compounds. However, the approach relies on the fractionation between U-series
      isotopes in primary minerals since they were liberated from the parent rock via
      weathering. In addition, secondary minerals and organic compounds have their own
      isotopic compositions such that the composition of the bulk material may not
      reflect that of primary minerals. Hence, there is a need for a sample preparation
      procedure that allows the isolation of primary minerals in soil or fluvial
      sediment samples. In this study, a sequential extraction procedure to separate
      primary minerals from soils and sediments was assessed. The procedure was applied
      to standard rock sample powders (TML-3 and BCR-2) to test whether it introduced
      any artefactual radioactive disequilibrium. A new step was introduced to remove
      the clay-sized fraction (<2 um). Significant amounts (5-14%) of U and Th were
      removed from the rock standards during the procedure. No significant alteration
      in ((234)U/(238)U) and ((230)Th/(238)U) activity ratios of the rock standards
      occurred during the procedure. Aliquots of soil sample were subjected to the
      sequential extraction process to test how each step modifies the uranium-series
      activity ratios and mineralogy. Although no secondary minerals were detected in
      the unleached soil aliquots, the sequential leaching process removed up to 17% of
      U and Th and modified their activity ratios by up to 3%. The modification of the
      activity ratios poses a demand for careful means to avoid redistribution of
      isotopes back to the residual phase during phase extraction.

PMID- 24239600
TI  - A traditional herbal formula, Hyangsa-Pyeongwi san (HPS), improves quality of
      life (QoL) of the patient with functional dyspepsia (FD): randomized double
      blinded controlled trial.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hyangaa-Pyeongwi san is the most well known
      description in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating functional
      gastrointestinal disorders. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a main concern of
      intimidating quality of life (QoL) in recent days. Although many medicines have
      been developed to improve FD symptoms as well as QoL, there are no potential
      drugs and treatments for FD. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects
      of Hyangaa-Pyeongwi san (HPS) on QoL of patients with FD. METHODS: This study was
      designed as a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, and parallel group
      trial. Participants received either placebo or HPS (9.68g of HPS at once, three
      times daily) for 4-weeks, and the efficacy evaluations were performed by
      assessing the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) and functional dyspepsia-quality of
      life (FD-QoL) at 0-, 4- and 8-weeks. RESULTS: Total of 170 patients participated
      and were randomly allocated into placebo or HPS groups. Total symptom score of
      NDI decreased after 4-weeks trial in both groups (p>0.05). HPS significantly
      improved QoL scores, especially in the area of 'interference and eat/drink' in
      NDI (p=0.0031) as well as 'liveliness status', 'role-functioning status', and
      total score in FD-QoL (p=0.026 for liveliness status and p=0.035 for role
      functioning status). This significant improvement of FD-QoL had lasted for 4
      weeks. CONCLUSION: HPS treatment is markedly effective in improving QoL in
      patients with FD. Moreover, we observed that this improvement had lasted for 4
      weeks after finishing the trial through the follow-up study.

PMID- 24239601
TI  - Investigation into the mechanism of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. based on a systems
      pharmacology approach.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Though Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long
      been playing a significant role in the maintenance of health for people in Asia
      as well as many other places, the mechanism of its action still remains ambiguous
      for most of the plants used in TCM, such as Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., a kind of
      herb that is widely used to help regulate hypertension and the immune system
      nowadays. However, its functioning mechanism is still unknown. Thus it is
      necessary to exploit the mechanism of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. METHODS: A systems
      pharmacology approach combining drug-likeness evaluation, oral bioavailability
      prediction, multiple drug targets prediction as well as network pharmacology
      techniques has been used. RESULTS: This comprehensive systematic approach helps
      successfully to identify 41 candidate compounds contained in Eucommia ulmoides
      Oliv. while 39 potential targets hit by these ingredients and helps to uncover
      the synergistic mechanism of action on a systematic level. CONCLUSIONS: Our work
      successfully explains the mechanism of the efficiency of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.
      for the treatment of hypertension and enhancing immune. These results not only
      provide a new insight for the understanding of the chemical and pharmacological
      basis of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., but also provide an efficient way for drug
      discovery from herbal medicine.

PMID- 24239602
TI  - Single-target RNA interference for the blockade of multiple interacting
      proinflammatory and profibrotic pathways in cardiac fibroblasts.
AB  - Therapeutic targets of broad relevance are likely located in pathogenic pathways
      common to disorders of various etiologies. Screening for targets of this type
      revealed CCN genes to be consistently upregulated in multiple cardiomyopathies.
      We developed RNA interference (RNAi) to silence CCN2 and found this single-target
      approach to block multiple proinflammatory and profibrotic pathways in activated
      primary cardiac fibroblasts (PCFBs). The RNAi-strategy was developed in murine
      PCFBs and then investigated in "individual" human PCFBs grown from human
      endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs). Screening of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequences
      for high silencing efficacy and specificity yielded RNAi adenovectors silencing
      CCN2 in murine or human PCFBs, respectively. Comparison of RNAi with CCN2
      modulating microRNA (miR) vectors expressing miR-30c or miR-133b showed higher
      efficacy of RNAi. In murine PCFBs, CCN2 silencing resulted in strongly reduced
      expression of stretch-induced chemokines (Ccl2, Ccl7, Ccl8), matrix
      metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP9), extracellular matrix (Col3a1), and a cell-to
      cell contact protein (Cx43), suggesting multiple signal pathways to be linked to
      CCN2. Immune cell chemotaxis towards CCN2-depleted PCFBs was significantly
      reduced. We demonstrate here that this RNAi strategy is technically applicable to
      "individual" human PCFBs, too, but that these display individually strikingly
      different responses to CCN2 depletion. Either genomically encoded factors or
      stable epigenetic modification may explain different responses between individual
      PCFBs. The new RNAi approach addresses a key regulator protein induced in
      cardiomyopathies. Investigation of this and other molecular therapies in
      individual human PCBFs may help to dissect differential pathogenic processes
      between otherwise similar disease entities and individuals. 

PMID- 24239604
TI  - Synthesis of modified Trichinella spiralis disaccharide epitopes and a comparison
      of their recognition by chemical mapping and saturation transfer difference NMR.
AB  - A rat monoclonal antibody 9D4 raised against the cell surface N-glycan of the
      parasite Trichinella spirallis protects rats against further infection. The
      terminal disaccharide beta-d-Tyvp(1->3)beta-d-GalNAcp (2) represents the
      immunodominant portion of the antigenic determinant. Chemical mapping of the
      antibody binding site by functional group modification employing monodeoxy and
      mono-O-methyl congeners identified key polar contacts and topography of the bound
      disaccharide. We report here a comparison of the chemical mapping studies with
      the antigen topography inferred from saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR
      experiments. During chemical mapping several congeners of compound 2 showed
      substantially enhanced binding. Pairing of these functional group modifications
      to create derivatives 6 and 7 did not show additive free energy gains and STD NMR
      data point to small variations in mode of binding as a probable cause. Improved
      syntheses of disaccharides 2-7 are reported. 

PMID- 24239603
TI  - Pathological impact of hyperpolarization-activated chloride current peculiar to
      rat pulmonary vein cardiomyocytes.
AB  - Pulmonary veins (PVs) are believed to be a crucial origin of atrial fibrillation.
      We recently reported that rat PV cardiomyocytes exhibit arrhythmogenic
      automaticity in response to norepinephrine. Herein, we further characterized the
      electrophysiological properties underlying the potential arrhythmogenicity of PV
      cardiomyocytes. Patch clamping studies revealed a time dependent
      hyperpolarization-activated inward current in rat PV cardiomyocytes, but not in
      left atrial (LA) myocytes. The current was Cs(+) resistant, and was not affected
      by removal of external Na(+) or K(+). The current was inhibited with Cd(2+), and
      the reversal potential was sensitive to changes in [Cl(-)] on either side of the
      membrane in a manner consistent with a Cl(-) selective channel. Cl(-) channel
      blockers attenuated the current, and slowed or completely inhibited the
      norepinephrine-induced automaticity. The biophysical properties of the
      hyperpolarization-activated Cl(-) current in rat PVs were different from those of
      ClC-2 currents previously reported: (i) the voltage-dependent activation of the
      Cl(-) current in rat PVs was shifted to negative potentials as [Cl(-)]i
      increased, (ii) the Cl(-) current was enhanced by extracellular acidification,
      and (iii) extracellular hyper-osmotic stress increased the current, whereas hypo
      osmotic cell swelling suppressed the current. qPCR analysis revealed negligible
      ClC-2 mRNA expression in the rat PV. These findings suggest that rat PV
      cardiomyocytes possess a peculiar voltage-dependent Cl(-) channel, and that the
      channel may play a functional role in norepinephrine-induced automaticity. 

PMID- 24239605
TI  - Influence of antioxidant structure on local molecular mobility in amorphous
      sucrose.
AB  - The effect of the antioxidants gallic acid and methyl, propyl, and octyl gallate
      on the molecular mobility and hydrogen bond network in amorphous sucrose was
      studied. Solid amorphous sucrose films with and without the addition of
      antioxidants at a mole ratio of 1:5 (antioxidant/sucrose) were cast from solution
      onto quartz slides. Local molecular mobility from 0 to 70 degrees C was measured
      using tryptophan amino acid as a luminescent probe dispersed in the films.
      Phosphorescence from the tryptophan probe provides spectroscopic characteristics
      emission spectrum and lifetime-that are sensitive to changes in molecular
      mobility induced by the addition of antioxidants. Local molecular mobility
      detected by tryptophan increased in the following order: sucrose<sucrose-octyl
      gallate<sucrose-propyl gallate?sucrose-methyl gallate?sucrose-gallic acid. The
      antioxidants also modulated the activation energy for matrix motions that quench
      the tryptophan phosphorescence in a structure-dependent manner. IR measurements
      as a function of temperature indicated that hydrogen bond strength in these
      amorphous films followed a rank order (sucrose-methyl gallate>sucrose-gallic
      acid>sucrose-propyl gallate>sucrose>sucrose-octyl gallate) that was nearly the
      reverse of that seen in matrix mobility. Analysis of the differential effects of
      the antioxidants suggests that the presence of the hydroxyl benzoyl head group
      increased matrix molecular mobility and hydrogen bond strength while the
      saturated carbon chain decreased mobility and bond strength. The influence of the
      carboxyl group on matrix properties was comparable to that of the formyloxy
      group. These results indicate that the addition of specific functional
      ingredients such as antioxidants may significantly affect the physical properties
      and consequently functional properties of amorphous edible films in ways that
      might condition their use. The observed changes are closely related to the
      chemical structure of the added species. 

PMID- 24239606
TI  - Efficient one-pot synthesis of tigogenin saponins and their antitumor activities.
AB  - An efficient synthesis of naturally occurring tigogenin triglycoside 1a and its
      three derivatives 1b-d bearing different carbohydrate moieties, as well as their
      antitumor activities, is described. Partially protected thiogalactosides bearing
      unprotected 2,4-OH or 4-OH groups were used to facilitate regioselective
      reactions for one-pot sequential multi-step glycosylation, which has
      significantly simplified the target molecule synthesis. The synthetic saponins 1a
      d exhibited much higher anti-tumor activities than the positive control cisplatin
      against the human epithelial cervical cancer cell (HeLa) as evaluated by CCK-8
      assay. 

PMID- 24239607
TI  - DCIR interacts with ligands from both endogenous and pathogenic origin.
AB  - C-type lectins on dendritic cells function as antigen uptake and signaling
      receptors, thereby influencing cellular immune responses. Dendritic cell-specific
      intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) is one of the
      best-studied C-type lectin receptors expressed on DCs and its glycan specificity
      and functional requirements for ligand binding have been intensively
      investigated. The carbohydrate specificity of dendritic cell immunoreceptor
      (DCIR), another DC-expressed lectin, was still debated, but we have recently
      confirmed DCIR as mannose/fucose-binding lectin. Since DC-SIGN and DCIR may
      potentially share ligands, we set out to elucidate the interaction of DCIR with
      established DC-SIGN-binding ligands, by comparing the carbohydrate specificity of
      DCIR and DC-SIGN in more detail. Our results clearly demonstrate that DC-SIGN has
      a broader glycan specificity compared to DCIR, which interacts only with
      mannotriose, sulfo-Lewis(a), Lewis(b) and Lewis(a). While most of the tested DC
      SIGN ligands bound DCIR as well, Candida albicans and some glycoproteins on some
      cancer cell lines were identified as DC-SIGN-specific ligands. Interestingly,
      DCIR strongly bound human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp140
      glycoproteins, while its interaction with the well-studied DC-SIGN-binding HIV-1
      ligand gp120 was much weaker. Furthermore, DCIR-specific ligands were detected on
      keratinocytes. Furthermore, the interaction of DCIR with its ligands was strongly
      influenced by the glycosylation of DCIR. In conclusion, we show that sulfo
      Lewis(a) is a high affinity ligand for DCIR and that DCIR interacts with ligands
      from both pathogenic and endogenous origin of which most are shared by DC-SIGN. 

PMID- 24239608
TI  - Cardiomyocyte autophagy and cancer chemotherapy.
AB  - Autophagy, an evolutionally conserved process of controlled cellular
      cannibalization, plays a vital role in cardiac physiology. Perturbations in
      cardiomyocyte autophagy contribute to the pathogenesis of a wide range of cardiac
      diseases, many of which culminate in heart failure. With recent advances in
      cancer chemotherapy and consequent improvements in cancer survival, drug-induced
      toxicity to the heart has assumed greater importance. As a number of prominent
      cellular pathways are critical to the survival of both tumor cells and heart
      cells, it comes as little surprise that therapies targeting those pathways have
      consequences in both tissues. Little is known presently about cardiomyocyte
      autophagy, a prominent cellular response to stress, in the setting of
      chemotherapy, but preliminary evidence suggests an important and context
      dependent role. Dissecting the role of autophagy in "onco-cardiology" will likely
      yield insights into mechanisms underlying cardiomyopathy and may lead to novel
      means to protect the myocardium from chemotherapy-induced injury. This article is
      part of a Special Issue entitled "Protein Quality Control, the Ubiquitin
      Proteasome System, and Autophagy". 

PMID- 24239610
TI  - Numerical study of lipid translocation driven by nanoporation due to multiple
      high-intensity, ultrashort electrical pulses.
AB  - The dynamical translocation of lipids from one leaflet to another due to membrane
      permeabilization driven by nanosecond, high-intensity (>100kV/cm) electrical
      pulses has been probed. Our simulations show that lipid molecules can translocate
      by diffusion through water-filled nanopores which form following high voltage
      application. Our focus is on multiple pulsing, and such simulations are relevant
      to gauge the time duration over which nanopores might remain open, and facilitate
      continued lipid translocations and membrane transport. Our results are indicative
      of a N(1/2) scaling with pulse number for the pore radius. These results bode
      well for the use of pulse trains in biomedical applications, not only due to
      cumulative behaviors and in reducing electric intensities and pulsing hardware,
      but also due to the possibility of long-lived thermo-electric physics near the
      membrane, and the possibility for pore coalescence. 

PMID- 24239609
TI  - Proteasomal and lysosomal protein degradation and heart disease.
AB  - In the cell, the proteasome and lysosomes represent the most important
      proteolytic machineries, responsible for the protein degradation in the ubiquitin
      proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy, respectively. Both the UPS and autophagy
      are essential to protein quality and quantity control. Alterations in cardiac
      proteasomal and lysosomal degradation are remarkably associated with most heart
      disease in humans and are implicated in the pathogenesis of congestive heart
      failure. Studies carried out in animal models and in cell culture have begun to
      establish both sufficiency and, in some cases, the necessity of proteasomal
      functional insufficiency or lysosomal insufficiency as a major pathogenic factor
      in the heart. This review article highlights some recent advances in the research
      into proteasome and lysosome protein degradation in relation to cardiac pathology
      and examines the emerging evidence for enhancing degradative capacities of the
      proteasome and/or lysosome as a new therapeutic strategy for heart disease. This
      article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Protein Quality Control, the
      Ubiquitin Proteasome System, and Autophagy". 

PMID- 24239611
TI  - Coupled gating modifies the regulation of cardiac ryanodine receptors by luminal
      Ca(2+).
AB  - Cardiac ryanodine receptors (RYR2s) infrequently exhibit coupled gating that is
      manifested by synchronous opening and closing. To better characterize this
      phenomenon, we investigated the regulation of coupled RYR2 channels by luminal
      Ca(2+) focusing on effects that are likely mediated by the true luminal
      activation mechanism. By reconstituting an ion channel into a planar lipid
      bilayer and using substantially lower concentration of luminal Ba(2+) (8mM, the
      virtual absence of Ca(2+)) and luminal Ca(2+) (8mM), we show that response of
      coupled RYR2 channels to caffeine at a diastolic cytosolic Ca(2+) (90nM) was
      affected by luminal Ca(2+) in a similar manner as for the single RYR2 channel
      except the gating behavior. Whereas, the single RYR2 channel responded to luminal
      Ca(2+) by prolongation in open and closed times, coupled RYR2 channels seemed to
      be resistant in this respect. In summary, we conclude that the class of Ca(2+)
      sites located on the luminal face of coupled RYR2 channels that is responsible
      for the channel potentiation by luminal Ca(2+) is functional and not structurally
      hindered by the channel coupling. Thus, the idea about non-functional luminal
      Ca(2+) sites as a source of the apparent gating resistance of coupled RYR2
      channels to luminal Ca(2+) appears to be ruled out. 

PMID- 24239613
TI  - Light shines through the spindrift--phylogeny of African torrent frogs (Amphibia,
      Anura, Petropedetidae).
AB  - Torrent frogs of the genus Petropedetes Reichenow, 1874 as currently understood
      have a disjunct distribution with species endemic to West, Central or East
      Africa. We herein present a phylogenetic analysis including all but one of the
      currently described 12 species of the genus. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian
      analyses of combined nuclear (rag1, SIA, BDNF) and mitochondrial (16S, 12S, cytb)
      genes of more than 3500 base pairs, revealed clades corresponding to the three
      sub-Saharan regions. Molecular results are confirmed by morphological
      differences. Surprisingly, the three geographic clades do not form a monophyletic
      group with respect to closely related families Pyxicephalidae and Conrauidae and
      therefore require taxonomic changes. We resurrect Arthroleptides Nieden, 1911 for
      the East African taxa. The Central African taxa remain in the genus Petropedetes.
      The West African members are placed in the new genus Odontobatrachus gen. nov.
      The taxonomic position of the new genus remains incertae sedis as it was not
      assigned to any of the four families included in our analyses. Potential new
      species have been detected within all three major clades, pointing to a still not
      fully clarified diversity within African torrent frogs. 

PMID- 24239612
TI  - The Ontology of Clinical Research (OCRe): an informatics foundation for the
      science of clinical research.
AB  - To date, the scientific process for generating, interpreting, and applying
      knowledge has received less informatics attention than operational processes for
      conducting clinical studies. The activities of these scientific processes - the
      science of clinical research - are centered on the study protocol, which is the
      abstract representation of the scientific design of a clinical study. The
      Ontology of Clinical Research (OCRe) is an OWL 2 model of the entities and
      relationships of study design protocols for the purpose of computationally
      supporting the design and analysis of human studies. OCRe's modeling is
      independent of any specific study design or clinical domain. It includes a study
      design typology and a specialized module called ERGO Annotation for capturing the
      meaning of eligibility criteria. In this paper, we describe the key informatics
      use cases of each phase of a study's scientific lifecycle, present OCRe and the
      principles behind its modeling, and describe applications of OCRe and associated
      technologies to a range of clinical research use cases. OCRe captures the central
      semantics that underlies the scientific processes of clinical research and can
      serve as an informatics foundation for supporting the entire range of knowledge
      activities that constitute the science of clinical research. 

PMID- 24239614
TI  - Characterization of the response of in vitro cultured Myrtus communis L. plants
      to high concentrations of NaCl.
AB  - Effect of salt stress was examined in in vitro shoot cultures of Myrtus communis
      L. a species of the Mediterranean maquis. To determine the effects of high salt
      concentrations on myrtle plantlets and contribute toward understanding the
      mechanisms adopted from this species to counteract soil salinity, in vitro rooted
      shoots were transferred to a liquid culture medium containing 0, 125 or 250 mM
      NaCl for 30 days. After 15 and 30 days of in vitro culture, shoot and root
      growth, chlorosis and necrosis extension, chlorophylls, carotenoids, proline,
      arginine, cysteine and total sugars content, as well as guaiacol peroxidase (G
      POD, EC 1.11.1.7) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) activities were
      determined. In treated plants shoot and root growth, as well as chlorophyll
      content, significantly decreased, while carotenoids content was not affected by
      the NaCl treatment. Among osmolytes, proline did not significantly increase,
      arginine and cysteine decreased, while total sugars were found to be higher in
      the treated plants than in the control. Enhancement of G-POD and APX activities
      was positively related to increasing salt concentrations in the culture media,
      regardless of the exposure time. Salt-treated plants did not show significant
      changes in lipid peroxidation or DNA fragmentation after 30 days salt treatment,
      regardless of the NaCl concentrations applied. The results represent a
      contribution towards understanding the mechanisms adopted by this species to high
      salinity. 

PMID- 24239615
TI  - Glucocorticoid inhibition of activation-induced cytidine deaminase expression in
      human B lymphocytes.
AB  - We examined whether glucocorticoids could modulate the expression of activation
      induced cytidine deaminase (AICDA), the principal regulator of the processes of
      immunoglobulin gene somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination in B
      lymphocytes. Treatment of human B cells with IL-4 and anti-CD40 antibody for 18
      20h resulted in induction of expression of AICDA mRNA by over 10-fold.
      Dexamethasone at 10nM concentration inhibited AICDA induction by an average of
      51.8% (p<0.0001). These effects of glucocorticoids were found to be dose
      dependent in the physiologic range and were reversible by co-treatment with a
      glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Human B cell viability and proliferation were
      unaltered by glucocorticoid treatment. These data demonstrate that physiologic
      concentrations of glucocorticoids can act on human B lymphocytes through
      glucocorticoid receptor-mediated mechanisms to diminish the expression of AICDA,
      a key regulator of humoral immune responses. 

PMID- 24239617
TI  - Chronic kidney disease. Preface.

PMID- 24239616
TI  - Molecular and structural basis of androgen receptor responses to
      dihydrotestosterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate and Delta(4)-tibolone.
AB  - Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) has widely been used in hormone replacement
      therapy (HRT), and is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer,
      possibly due to disruption of androgen receptor (AR) signaling. In contrast, the
      synthetic HRT Tibolone does not increase breast density, and is rapidly
      metabolized to estrogenic 3alpha-OH-tibolone and 3beta-OH-tibolone, and a delta-4
      isomer (Delta(4)-TIB) that has both androgenic and progestagenic properties.
      Here, we show that 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and Delta(4)-TIB, but not
      MPA, stabilize AR protein levels, initiate specific AR intramolecular
      interactions critical for AR transcriptional regulation, and increase
      proliferation of AR positive MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells. Structural modeling
      and molecular dynamic simulation indicate that Delta(4)-TIB induces a more stable
      AR structure than does DHT, and MPA a less stable one. Microarray expression
      analyses confirms that the molecular actions of Delta(4)-TIB more closely
      resembles DHT in breast cancer cells than either ligand does to MPA. 

PMID- 24239618
TI  - Diurnal cortisol patterns and psychiatric symptoms in pregnancy: short-term
      longitudinal study.
AB  - Alteration in the HPA axis is a robust biomarker of anxiety and depression in
      adults, but questions remain about this association in pregnancy. We examined the
      longitudinal links between diurnal cortisol and mood symptoms from self-report
      questionnaire and diagnostic interview in an ethnically diverse, psychosocially
      at-risk sample of 101 women at mid-pregnancy and early third trimester. There
      were modest but significant associations between depression and elevated
      cortisol, indexed by a decreased morning level and diminished diurnal decline;
      the effects were strongest for diagnostic data from clinical interview. These
      effects were independent of socio-demographic factors and sleep disturbance.
      Associations with anxiety and trauma were generally non-significant. These
      findings extend prior work by showing that significant mood symptoms in pregnancy
      are associated with altered diurnal cortisol in pregnancy, which may have
      implications for maternal and child health. 

PMID- 24239619
TI  - Spaced taste avoidance conditioning in Lymnaea.
AB  - We succeeded in taste avoidance conditioning with sucrose as the conditional
      stimulus (CS) and an electrical stimulus (~1000V, 80MUA) as the unconditional
      stimulus (US). With 15 paired CS-US presentations on a single day, we were able
      to elicit both short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) persisting for
      at least one week. However, while STM was elicited with 5, 8, 10, and 20 paired
      presentations of the CS-US on a single day, LTM was not. We found, however, that
      if we inserted a 3h interval between a first and a second set of CS-US pairings
      that both 8 and 20 paired CS-US presentations on a single day was now sufficient
      to cause LTM formation. Exposing snails to bryostatin before or during training
      enhanced LTM formation such that 8 paired presentations of the CS-US resulted in
      LTM. 

PMID- 24239620
TI  - Immunization with either prion protein fragment 95-123 or the fragment-specific
      antibodies rescue memory loss and neurodegenerative phenotype of neurons in
      olfactory bulbectomized mice.
AB  - Epidemiological studies demonstrated association between head injury (HI) and the
      subsequent development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Certain hallmarks of AD, e.g.
      amyloid-beta (Abeta) containing deposits, may be found in patients following
      traumatic BI (TBI). Recent studies uncover the cellular prion protein, PrP(C), as
      a receptor for soluble polymeric forms of Abeta (sAbeta) which are an
      intermediate of such deposits. We aimed to test the hypothesis that targeting of
      PrP(C) can prevent Abeta related spatial memory deficits in olfactory
      bulbectomized (OBX) mice utilized here to resemble some clinical features of AD,
      such as increased level of Abeta, memory loss and deficit of the CNS cholin- and
      serotonin-ergic systems. We demonstrated that immunization with the a.a. 95-123
      fragment of cellular prion (PrP-I) recovered cortical and hippocampus neurons
      from OBX induced degeneration, rescued spatial memory loss in Morris water maze
      test and significantly decrease the Abeta level in brain tissue of these animals.
      Affinity purified anti-PrP-I antibodies rescued pre-synaptic biomarker
      synaptophysin eliciting similar effect on memory of OBX mice, and protected
      hippocampal neurones from Abeta25-35-induced toxicity in vitro. Immunization OBX
      mice with a.a. 200-213 fragment of cellular prion (PrP-II) did not reach a
      significance in memory protection albeit having similar to PrP-I immunization
      impact on Abeta level in brain tissue. The observed positive effect of targeting
      the PrP-I by either active or passive immunization on memory of OBX mice revealed
      the involvement of the PrP(C) in AD-like pathology induced by olfactory
      bulbectomy. This OBX model may be a useful tool for mechanistic and preclinical
      therapeutic investigations into the association between PrP(C) and AD. 

PMID- 24239621
TI  - Spatiotemporal integration of tactile patterns along and across fingers.
AB  - The volar sides of the fingers can be seen as the haptic counterpart to the fovea
      for visual perception. This study assessed the localisation of individual tactile
      stimuli and spatiotemporal patterns presented to the volar side of the fingers.
      Participants performed the localisation task by pointing at the perceived
      positions with a 3D tracker. Based on the pointing data, perceptual maps were
      devised in which perceived positions, their relationship to each other and to
      veridical stimulus positions could be analysed. Participants were able to
      accurately and consistently report the locations of the stimuli. Localisation of
      stimuli presented within a spatiotemporal pattern generally differed from
      localization of individual stimuli presented to the same positions. In most
      cases, stimuli were perceived as being spatially closer when they were presented
      within a spatiotemporal pattern compared to when being presented individually.
      Spatiotemporal integration along the fingers followed the predictions of the
      sensory saltation paradigm: The shorter the temporal delay between the two
      stimuli, the closer together they were perceived. For spatiotemporal patterns
      across fingers, the results were inconclusive: No general relationship between
      temporal delay and the difference between the perceived positions could be
      demonstrated, presumably because the effect could only be elicited in some finger
      combinations. Temporal delay did have, however, an effect on overall lateral
      shifts in localisation. 

PMID- 24239622
TI  - Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking studies of 4-aryloxymethyl coumarins
      derived from substructures and degradation products of vancomycin.
AB  - Two series of 4-aryloxymethyl coumarins derived from the reaction of 4
      bromomethyl coumarins with ethyl gallate and ethyl ester of N-Benzoyl tyrosine
      have been synthesized. Gallate ethers 3a-3g and tyrosine derivatives 4e-4j were
      most effective against Entercoccus faecalis. They were also found to be effective
      against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Comparative docking studies with
      novobiocin have indicated better binding ability and higher 'C' score values than
      novobiocin. 

PMID- 24239624
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of 18F-labeled fluoropropyl tryptophan
      analogs as potential PET probes for tumor imaging.
AB  - In the search for an efficient, fluorine-18 labeled amino acid based radiotracer
      for tumor imaging with positron emission tomography (PET), two new tryptophan
      analogs were synthesized and characterized in vitro and in vivo. Both are
      tryptophan alkyl-derivatives, namely 2-(3-[(18)F]fluoropropyl)-DL-tryptophan
      ([(18)F]2-FPTRP) and 5-(3-[(18)F]fluoro-propyl)-DL-tryptophan ([(18)F]5-FPTRP).
      Standard reference compounds and precursors were prepared by multi step
      approaches. Radiosynthesis was achieved by no-carrier-added nucleophilic
      [(18)F]fluorination in 29-34% decay corrected yields with radiochemical purity
      over 99%. In vitro cell uptake assays showed that both compounds are substrates
      for amino acid transport and enter small cell lung cancer cells (NCI-H69) most
      probably almost exclusively via large neutral amino acids transporter(s) (LAT).
      Small animal PET imaging with xenograft bearing mice revealed high
      tumor/background ratios for [(18)F]2-FPTRP comparable to the well established
      tyrosine analog O-(2-[(18)F]fluroethyl)-L-tyrosine ([(18)F]FET). Radiometabolite
      studies showed no evidence of involvement of a biotransformation step in tumor
      accumulation.

PMID- 24239623
TI  - Structural determinants for ERK5 (MAPK7) and leucine rich repeat kinase 2
      activities of benzo[e]pyrimido-[5,4-b]diazepine-6(11H)-ones.
AB  - The benzo[e]pyrimido-[5,4-b]diazepine-6(11H)-one core was discovered as a novel
      ERK5 (also known as MAPK7 and BMK1) inhibitor scaffold, previously. Further
      structure-activity relationship studies of this scaffold led to the discovery of
      ERK5-IN-1 (26) as the most selective and potent ERK5 inhibitor reported to date.
      26 potently inhibits ERK5 biochemically with an IC50 of 0.162 +/- 0.006 MUM and
      in cells with a cellular EC50 for inhibiting epidermal growth factor induced ERK5
      autophosphorylation of 0.09 +/- 0.03 MUM. Furthermore, 26 displays excellent
      selectivity over other kinases with a KINOMEscan selectivity score (S10) of
      0.007, and exhibits exceptional bioavailability (F%) of 90% in mice. 26 will
      serve as a valuable tool compound to investigate the ERK5 signaling pathway and
      as a starting point for developing an ERK5 directed therapeutic agent.

PMID- 24239625
TI  - Unraveling phosphodiesterase surfaces. Identification of phosphodiesterase 7
      allosteric modulation cavities.
AB  - The last findings of our group by using chemical genetic approaches have shown
      that PDE7 is an interesting target in neurodegenerative diseases. The following
      step in this travel to unravel PDE7 is the design of more selective inhibitors.
      In this sense we have proposed to perform an analysis of PDE7 surface to identify
      possible allosteric sites following by a docking study of different PDE7
      inhibitors synthesized by our group. Thanks to these studies we have proved the
      existence of allosteric sites in PDE7 and we have been able to explain the
      binding modes of the employed PDE7 inhibitors. 

PMID- 24239626
TI  - New aminopyrimidine derivatives as inhibitors of the TAM family.
AB  - In this study, we describe the synthesis of new pyrimidine analogs of BMS-777607,
      a potent and selective inhibitor of Met kinase. Inhibition of Met and Axl
      remained high whereas inhibition of Tyro3 and Mer decreased to some extend. The
      preferential moderate inhibition of the non-phosphorylated form of Abl1 of some
      derivatives suggests that they behave as type II inhibitors. This hypothesis was
      confirmed by docking studies into the structure of Met (3F82) and in a Tyro3
      model where key interactions with the hinge region, the DFG-out motif and the
      allosteric pocket explain this inhibition. 

PMID- 24239627
TI  - Meprin-beta regulates production of pro-inflammatory factors via a disintegrin
      and metalloproteinase-10 (ADAM-10) dependent pathway in macrophages.
AB  - Inflammatory response plays an important role not only in the normal physiology
      but also in the pathology such as atherosclerosis. Meprin, an astacin
      metalloproteinase, has exhibited proinflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro
      studies. Here, we tried to further investigate the proinflammatory potential of
      meprin-beta and the possible underlying mechanisms in primary human peripheral
      blood macrophages. In our current study, ELISA assay revealed that meprin-beta
      increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin
      1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-18 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in macrophages.
      However, meprin-beta shows no effects on the level of ligands of epidermal growth
      factor receptor (EGFR), and the activation of EGFR. The molecular mechanism was
      associated with activation of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) and
      the phosphorylation of IkappaB. Further analysis of upstream mechanisms showed
      that activation of NF-kappaB by meprin-beta was mediated by inhibiting ADAM10
      downstream extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) pathway. Taken
      together, these results indicated that meprin-beta exhibited pro-inflammatory
      effects by targeting activating ADAM10, leading to ERK1/2-mediated activation of
      NF-kappaB in macrophages, and this would make meprin-beta a strong candidate for
      further study as proinflammatory target. 

PMID- 24239628
TI  - Retinoids and their biological effects against cancer.
AB  - There are more than 4000 natural and synthetic molecules structurally and/or
      functionally related to vitamin A. Retinoids are a class of these compounds that
      are structurally associated to vitamin A. The retinoids have a wide spectrum of
      functions. Retinoic acid, which is the active metabolite of retinol, regulates a
      wide range of biological processes including development, differentiation,
      proliferation and apoptosis. It suppresses carcinogenesis in tumorigenic animal
      models for the skin, oral, lung, breast, bladder, ovarian and prostate. It is
      important how major retinoids may act in cancer treatment or prevention. The
      reports have indicated that lower levels of vitamin A in humans may be associated
      with relative type 1 cytokine dominance and a higher proportion of NK cells. In
      addition, very low vitamin A levels would be undesirable explaining the essential
      role of vitamin A in epithelial and general cell maturation and function.
      However, the cytokine shifts associated with moderately low levels of vitamin A
      may be in some ways beneficial in an environment where HIV infection, M.
      tuberculosis infection, or other type 1 infections are highly prevalent and/or
      when acquired immunity is cooperated. In this review, we intend to describe the
      biochemical and immunological functions of retinoids against cancer. 

PMID- 24239629
TI  - Anti-hepatoma human single-chain Fv antibody and adriamycin conjugates with
      potent antitumor activity.
AB  - To construct an improved biological missile, an immunoconjugate ADM-Dex-ScFv-SA3
      was synthesized, which was composed of a hepatocellular carcinoma-specific,
      single-chain Fv antibody (ScFv-SA3) and a highly potent cytotoxic drug,
      adriamycin (ADM), as the warhead. Oxidized Dextran T10 (Dex-T10) was used as a
      linker to connect these two moieties. The 40 KD soluble anti-hepatoma human Trx
      ScFv-SA3 protein was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3), using a prokaryotic
      expression vector, pET21a (+)-Trx-ScFv-SA3-His. It was purified using a His-Tag
      Ni-Agarose column and identified by western blot. The activity of Trx-ScFv-SA3
      was verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunocytochemistry
      to confirm that it specifically binds to the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line
      HepG2. To prepare ADM-Dex-ScFv-SA3, ADM was conjugated to the antibody at a molar
      ratio of 14.21:1. The antitumor effect of the conjugate was tested by MTT assay,
      plate colony formation assay and xenografts in a nude mice experimental model. In
      vitro experiments revealed that ADM-Dex-ScFv-SA3 could bind to tumor cells
      selectively and inhibit the proliferation and the colony formation ability of
      HepG2 cells. In vivo experiments showed that ADM-Dex-ScFv-SA3 suppressed the
      tumor growth and prolonged the median survival time in tumor-bearing mice. Tumor
      histology slides indicated a significantly slower tumor tissue proliferation in
      the ADM-Dex-ScFv-SA3 group. These data indicate that the targeted drug, ADM-Dex
      ScFv-SA3, may be a highly potent and selective therapy for the treatment of
      hepatoma. 

PMID- 24239630
TI  - Design, preparation and application of nucleic acid delivery carriers.
AB  - Gene delivery vectors must deliver their cargoes into the cytosol or the nucleus,
      where DNA or siRNA functions in vivo. Therefore it is crucial for the rational
      design of the nucleic acid delivery carriers. Compared with viral vectors, non
      viral vectors have overcome some fatal defections in gene therapy. Whereas the
      most important issue for the non-viral vectors is the low transfection
      efficiency, which hinders the progress of non-viral carriers. Sparked by the
      structures of the virus and understanding of the process of virus infection,
      various biomimic structures of non-viral carriers were designed and prepared to
      improve the transfection issues in vitro and in vivo. However, less impressive
      results are achieved. In this review, we will investigate the evolution of the
      virus-mimicking carriers of nucleic acids for gene therapy, especially in cancer
      therapy; explore and discuss the relationship between the structures, materials
      and functions of the carriers, to provide guidance for establishing safe and
      highly efficient non-viral carriers for gene therapy. 

PMID- 24239631
TI  - DPS - a rapid method for genome sequencing of DNA-containing bacteriophages
      directly from a single plaque.
AB  - Bacteriophages (phages) coexist with bacteria in all environments and influence
      microbial diversity, evolution and industrial production processes. As a result
      of this major impact of phages on microbes, tools that allow rapid
      characterization of phages are needed. Today, one of the most powerful methods
      for characterization of phages is determination of the whole genome using high
      throughput sequencing approaches. Here a direct plaque sequencing (DPS) is
      described, which is a rapid method that allows easy full genome sequencing of DNA
      containing phages using the Nextera XTTM kit. A combination of host-DNA removal
      followed by purification and concentration of the viral DNA, allowed the
      construction of Illumina-compatible sequencing libraries using the NexteraTM XT
      technology directly from single phage plaques without any whole genome
      amplification step. This method was tested on three Caudovirales phages; phi29
      Podoviridae, P113g Siphoviridae and T4 Myovirdae, which are representative of
      >96% of all known phages, and were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform.
      Successful de novo assembly of the viral genomes was possible. 

PMID- 24239632
TI  - Evaluation of the performance of four methods for detection of hepatitis B
      surface antigen and their application for testing 116,455 specimens.
AB  - Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a crucial serum marker for the diagnosis
      of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It is imperative to compare test results
      from different detection methods based on different principles. Four methods,
      chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), electrochemiluminescent
      immunoassay (ECLIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and golden
      immunochromato-graphic assay (GICA) were applied to test the HBsAg level in 250
      specimens. According to the EP12-A2 and EP15-A2 documents from Clinical and
      Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), the concentration at which repeated
      results are 50% positive (C50) of HBsAg detected by CMIA, ECLIA, ELISA and GICA
      was 0.05, 0.08, 0.15 and 15.0IU/ml, respectively. When the detection
      concentration of HBsAg was 0.5IU/ml, the imprecision degree of CMIA, ECLIA and
      ELISA was 8.1%, 5.9% and 14.9% respectively. When detecting high HBsAg level
      (>=20.0IU/ml) and HBsAg negative specimens, the consistency of the four methods
      was high, while for the low level (0.05-20.0IU/ml), the consistency was poor
      (except for the CMIA and ECLIA, P<0.05). When evaluation of the four methods in
      qualitative diagnosis of HBsAg level in the 116,455 specimens, there was no
      significant discrepancy among CMIA, CMIA and ECLIA, however, GICA was
      significantly different from the other 3 methods. Compared with CMIA, the false
      negative rate of ECLIA, ELISA and GICA was 0.2%, 1.3% and 12.3% respectively. In
      conclusion, GICA was only suitable for the preliminary screening of HBsAg
      positive individuals and ELISA can be applied to the qualitative diagnosis of
      HBsAg. Both CMIA and ECLIA were suitable for the quantitative determination of
      HBsAg. 

PMID- 24239633
TI  - Efficient rescue of foot-and-mouth disease virus in cultured cells transfected
      with RNA extracted from clinical samples.
AB  - In this study, an RNA transfection was used to rescue infectious foot-and-mouth
      disease (FMD) virus from clinical samples in BHK-21 cell line for diagnosis of
      FMD. Tissue samples (n=190) were subjected to FMD virus isolation by conventional
      cell culture and also by RNA transfection. FMD virus was isolated from 62% of the
      clinical samples by RNA transfection, whereas virus was isolated only from 16% of
      the clinical samples in conventional cell culture method, suggesting better
      performance of the RNA transfection. Virus was rescued from 67% and 10% of ELISA
      negative but multiplex PCR positive samples by RNA transfection and conventional
      cell culture, respectively. The efficiency of transfection was studied on
      clinical samples subjected to temperature as high as 37 degrees C and varying pH
      (pH 4-9). Except up to 1 week of storage at 4 degrees C at pH 7.5, virus
      isolation was not possible by cell culture. Virus was rescued by transfection
      from samples stored at 4 degrees C for any of the applied pH up to 4 weeks, and
      when stored at 37 degrees C virus could be rescued up to 4 weeks at pH 7.5
      suggesting the fitness of transfection to isolate virus from clinical samples
      stored under inappropriate conditions. The sequence data and antigenic
      relationships with the vaccine strains, between virus rescued by transfection and
      conventional cell culture, were comparable. The RNA transfection will help to
      increase the efficiency of virus isolation, diagnosis and molecular
      epidemiological studies. 

PMID- 24239634
TI  - Production of adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes by transient transfection of
      HEK293 cell suspension cultures for gene delivery.
AB  - Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is being used successfully in gene therapy.
      Different serotypes of AAV target specific organs and tissues with high
      efficiency. There exists an increasing demand to manufacture various AAV
      serotypes in large quantities for pre-clinical and clinical trials. A generic and
      scalable method has been described in this study to efficiently produce AAV
      serotypes (AAV1-9) by transfection of a fully characterized cGMP HEK293SF cell
      line grown in suspension and serum-free medium. First, the production parameters
      were evaluated using AAV2 as a model serotype. Second, all nine AAV serotypes
      were produced successfully with yields of 10(13)Vg/L cell culture. Subsequently,
      AAV2 and AAV6 serotypes were produced in 3-L controlled bioreactors where
      productions yielded up to 10(13)Vg/L similar to the yields obtained in shake
      flasks. For example, for AAV2 10(13)Vg/L cell culture (6.8*10(11)IVP/L) were
      measured between 48 and 64h post transfection (hpt). During this period, the
      average cell specific AAV2 yields of 6800Vg per cell and 460IVP per cell were
      obtained with a Vg to IVP ratio of less than 20. Successful operations in
      bioreactors demonstrated the potential for scale-up and industrialization of this
      generic process for manufacturing AAV serotypes efficiently. 

PMID- 24239635
TI  - Sometimes, it is OK to be coarse: quantifying ventricular fibrillation in the
      cardiac arrest victim.

PMID- 24239637
TI  - Ablation of right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia using a novel multipolar
      irrigated ablation catheter (nMARQ).

PMID- 24239636
TI  - Sudden cardiac death in children and adolescents between 1 and 19 years of age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding pediatric sudden cardiac death (SCD) may inform age
      specific prevention strategies. OBJECTIVE: To characterize potential underlying
      causes of SCD in children and adolescents METHODS: We performed a retrospective
      population-based study in Ontario, Canada, of all SCD cases in a 5-year period
      (2005-2009) involving persons aged 1-19 years identified from the comprehensive
      database of the Office of the Chief Coroner. Of 1204 coroner's cases, 351
      potential SCD cases were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 116 cases of adjudicated SCD,
      there was no identifiable cause of death in 60 (52%). The majority were males
      (66%), and median age was 12.7 years. The incidence of SCD was greatest between 1
      and 2 years (3.14 per 100,000 person-years), decreased, and then increased to
      1.01 per 100,000 person-years (15-19 years). Autopsy findings were normal in 29
      of 35 (83%) of children younger than 5 years and were more likely to be abnormal
      in those 10 years and older (odds ratio 9.0; 95% confidence interval 3.3-24.9).
      In 9%, the pathology findings may be of uncertain significance. Most events
      occurred in the home (68%). Activity level at the time of the event was
      associated with both age group (chi(2) = 34.9; P < .001) and autopsy findings
      (chi(2) = 28.9; P < .001). Events during moderate or vigorous activity were more
      common in those older than 10 years 16 of 66 (24%), and the majority had abnormal
      autopsy findings 13 of 18 (72%). DISCUSSION: Death in the very young is often
      caused by presumed primary arrhythmia syndromes, and death during exertion is
      typically seen in those with structural heart disease. CONCLUSION: These
      differences should inform age-specific diagnostic and prevention strategies.

PMID- 24239638
TI  - Essential roles of endogenous glucocorticoids and TNF/TNFR1 in promoting bone
      marrow eosinopoiesis in ovalbumin-sensitized, airway-challenged mice.
AB  - AIMS: Stress mechanisms paradoxically contribute to allergic episodes in humans
      and mice. Glucocorticoids (GC) and interleukin (IL)-5 synergically upregulate
      murine bone-marrow eosinophil production. Here we explored the role of endogenous
      GC in allergen-stimulated bone-marrow eosinophil production in ovalbumin
      sensitized/challenged mice. MAIN METHODS: In BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice, sensitized
      and intranasally challenged with ovalbumin, we monitored eosinophil numbers in
      freshly harvested or cultured bone-marrow, and plasma corticosterone levels.
      Metyrapone (MET) was used to inhibit GC synthesis, and RU486 to block GC actions.
      In sensitized mice challenged intraperitoneally, we examined the relationship
      between eosinophilia of bone-marrow and peritoneal cavity, in the absence or
      presence of RU486. In experiments involving in vivo neutralization of tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) by specific antibodies, or using mice which lack
      functional type I TNF receptors (TNFRI), we evaluated the relationship between
      TNF blockade, corticosterone levels, RU486 or MET treatment and challenge-induced
      bone-marrow eosinophilia. KEY FINDINGS: RU486 or MET pretreatments abolished
      challenge-induced increases in eosinophil numbers in bone-marrow (in vivo and ex
      vivo), and in the peritoneal cavity. MET, but not RU486, prevented the challenge
      induced increase in corticosterone levels. Challenge-induced bone-marrow
      eosinophilia and corticosterone surge were abolished in TNFRI-deficient mice.
      Anti-TNF-treatment very effectively prevented challenge-induced bone-marrow
      eosinophilia, in the absence of RU486 or MET, but had no independent effect in
      the presence of either drug. SIGNIFICANCE: Endogenous GC was essential for
      allergen challenge-induced increases in eosinophil numbers inside bone-marrow.
      This effect required TNF and TNFRI, which suggests an immunoendocrine mechanism.

PMID- 24239639
TI  - Norepinephrine activates NF-kappaB transcription factor in cultured rat pineal
      gland.
AB  - AIMS: The circadian rhythm in mammalian pineal melatonin secretion is modulated
      by norepinephrine (NE) released at night. NE interaction with beta1-adrenoceptors
      activates PKA that phosphorylates the transcription factor CREB, leading to the
      transcription and translation of the arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT)
      enzyme. Several studies have reported the interplay between CREB and the nuclear
      factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and a circadian rhythm for this transcription factor
      was recently described in the rat pineal gland. In this work we studied a direct
      effect of NE on NF-kappaB activation and the role played by this factor on
      melatonin synthesis and Aanat transcription and activity. MAIN METHODS: Cultured
      rat pineal glands were incubated in the presence of two different NF-kappaB
      inhibitors, pyrrolidine-dithiocarbamate or sodium salicylate, and stimulated with
      NE. Melatonin content was quantified by HPLC with electrochemical detection.
      AANAT activity was measured by a radiometric assay and the expression of Aanat
      mRNA was analyzed by real-time PCR. Gel shift assay was performed to study the NF
      kappaB activation in cultured rat pineal glands stimulated by NE. KEY FINDINGS:
      Our results showed that the p50/p50 homodimer of NF-kappaB is activated by NE and
      that it has a role in melatonin synthesis, acting on Aanat transcription and
      activity. SIGNIFICANCE: Here we present evidence that NF-kappaB is an important
      transcription factor that acts, directly or indirectly, on Aanat transcription
      and activity leading to a modulation of melatonin synthesis. NE plays a role in
      the translocation of NF-kappaB p50/p50 homodimer to the nucleus of pinealocytes,
      thus probably influencing the nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis.

PMID- 24239640
TI  - Involvement of MAPK signaling pathway in the osteogenic gene expressions of Cervi
      Pantotrichum Cornu in MG-63 human osteoblast-like cells.
AB  - AIMS: The purposes of this study were to determine whether Cervi Pantotrichum
      Cornu (CPC) has osteogenic activities in human osteoblastic MG-63 cells and to
      investigate the underlying molecular mechanism. MAIN METHODS: The effects of CPC
      on alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, and calcium deposits were
      measured. The COL1A1, ALPL, BGLAP, and SPP1 expressions were measured by real
      time PCR. Phosphorylated MAP kinases (ERK1/2, JNK1/2, p38, ELK1, and cJUN) were
      studied by western blot analysis. The involvement of MAPK pathway in osteogenic
      gene expressions was determined by using each selective MAPK inhibitor (PD98059,
      SP600125, and SB203580). KEY FINDINGS: CPC increased alkaline phosphatase
      activity, collagen synthesis, and calcium deposits. CPC activated ERK1/2, JNK1/2,
      p38, and ELK1 phosphorylation except cJUN. CPC increased the COL1A1, ALPL, BGLAP,
      and SPP1 gene expressions. The elevated COL1A1 and BGLAP expressions were
      inhibited by PD98059, SP600125 or SB203580. The elevated ALPL expression was
      blocked by SB203580. The elevated SPP1 expression was inhibited by SP600125 or
      SB203580. CPC increased COL1A1 and BGLAP expressions via ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38
      MAPKs pathways and SPP1 expression via JNK1/2 and p38 pathways. p38 pathway is
      needed for ALPL expression. SIGNIFICANCE: These results imply that MAPK signaling
      pathway is an indispensable factor for bone matrix genes expression of CPC in MG
      63 human osteoblast-like cells.

PMID- 24239641
TI  - Carvacryl acetate, a derivative of carvacrol, reduces nociceptive and
      inflammatory response in mice.
AB  - AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory and
      anti-nociceptive effects of carvacryl acetate, a derivative of carvacrol, in
      mice. MAIN METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using various
      phlogistic agents that induce paw edema, peritonitis model, myeloperoxidase (MPO)
      activity, pro and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. Evaluation of
      antinociceptive activity was conducted through acetic acid-induced writhing, hot
      plate test, formalin test, capsaicin and glutamate tests, as well as evaluation
      of motor performance on rotarod test. KEY FINDINGS: Pretreatment of mice with
      carvacryl acetate (75 mg/kg) significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema
      (P<0.05) when compared to vehicle-treated group. Likewise, carvacryl acetate (75
      mg/kg) strongly inhibited edema induced by histamine, serotonin, prostaglandin E2
      and compound 48/80. In the peritonitis model, carvacryl acetate significantly
      decreased total and differential leukocyte counts, and reduced levels of
      myeloperoxidase and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) in the peritoneal exudate. The
      levels of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, were enhanced by carvacryl
      acetate. Pretreatment with carvacryl acetate also decreased the number of acetic
      acid-induced writhing, increased the latency time of the animals on the hot plate
      and decreased paw licking time in the formalin, capsaicin and glutamate tests.
      The pretreatment with naloxone did not reverse the carvacryl acetate-mediated
      nociceptive effect. SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, the current study demonstrated
      that carvacryl acetate exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in mice by reducing
      inflammatory mediators, neutrophil migration and cytokine concentration, and anti
      nociceptive activity due to the involvement of capsaicin and glutamate pathways.

PMID- 24239642
TI  - Early-life seizures in predisposing neuronal preconditioning: a critical review.
AB  - Although seizures are known to be harmful, recent evidence indicates that they
      can also lead to adaptations that protect neurons from further insult. For
      example, a history of two episodes of status epilepticus during a critical period
      of early development can prolong the time period of resistance to hippocampal
      injury during the postnatal period. Neonatal seizures may lead to this
      neuroprotection via a preconditioning mechanism that could be attributed to
      attenuation of Ca(2+) currents, reduction of inflammation, and induction of
      survival signaling pathways. Understanding mechanisms underlying neuroprotective
      preconditioning may elucidate new therapeutic targets and improve outcomes and
      quality of life for pediatric epilepsy patients. This review will detail the
      specific cellular and molecular findings involved in neuronal preconditioning
      predisposed by early-life seizures.

PMID- 24239643
TI  - Sex-related differences in SLIGRL-induced pruritus in mice.
AB  - AIMS: Pruritus is a common symptom of skin diseases, and is associated with
      impaired sleep quality and a considerable reduction in the patient's quality of
      life. Recently, it was reported that there are sex-specific differences in
      scratching behavior in chronic pruritus patients. Namely, female chronic pruritus
      patients scratch more and have significantly more scratch lesions than male
      patients. However, few animal studies have examined sex-related differences in
      scratching behavior. Thus, the present work investigated sex-related differences
      in animal pruritus using pruritogens, which are often used to create experimental
      animal models of itching. MAIN METHODS: Acute pruritus was induced in ICR mice by
      a single intradermal injection of histamine, 4-methylhistamine, serotonin,
      compound 48/80, substance P (SP), or the proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2)
      activating peptide SLIGRL-NH2. Chronic pruritus was induced by 5 weeks of the
      repeated application of 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene (TNCB) to BALB/c mice. KEY
      FINDINGS: Female mice showed significantly higher scratching counts in SLIGRL-NH2
      induced pruritus than male mice. Conversely, there was no obvious sex-related
      difference in scratching behavior for the other pruritogens examined.
      SIGNIFICANCE: These results indicate that sex-related differences may exist in
      the pruritogen-responsive neurons that transmit the itch signal induced by SLIGRL
      NH2, but not by histamine or 5-HT.

PMID- 24239644
TI  - Enalapril inhibits nuclear factor-kappaB signaling in intestinal epithelial cells
      and peritoneal macrophages and attenuates experimental colitis in mice.
AB  - AIMS: Enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, has
      pleiotropic effects such as anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated
      the effect of enalapril on the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway and on
      experimental colitis. MAIN METHODS: The human intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)
      line COLO 205 and peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6 wild-type mice and IL-10
      deficient (IL-10(-/-)) mice were prepared and subsequently stimulated with
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone or LPS plus enalapril. The effect of enalapril on
      NF-kappaB signaling was examined by western blotting to detect IkappaBalpha
      phosphorylation/degradation; an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) to
      assess the DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB; and ELISAs to qualify IL-8, TNF
      alpha, IL-6, and IL-12 production. In in vivo studies, dextran sulfate sodium
      (DSS)-induced acute colitis in wild-type mice and chronic colitis in IL-10(-/-)
      mice were treated with or without enalapril. Colitis was quantified by histologic
      scoring, and the phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha in the colonic mucosa was
      assessed using immunohistochemistry. KEY FINDINGS: Enalapril significantly
      inhibited LPS-induced IkappaBalpha phosphorylation/degradation, NF-kappaB binding
      activity, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in both IEC and peritoneal
      macrophages. The administration of enalapril significantly reduced the severity
      of colitis, as assessed based on histology in both murine colitis models.
      Furthermore, in colon tissue, the up-regulation of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation
      with colitis induction was attenuated in enalapril-treated mice. SIGNIFICANCE:
      Enalapril may block the NF-kappaB signaling pathway, inhibit the activation of
      IECs and macrophages, and attenuate experimental murine colitis by down
      regulating IkappaBalpha phosphorylation. These findings suggest that enalapril is
      a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease.

PMID- 24239646
TI  - Arm injury produces long-term behavioral and neural hypersensitivity in octopus.
AB  - Cephalopod molluscs are the most neurally and behaviorally complex invertebrates,
      with brains rivaling those of some vertebrates in size and complexity. This has
      fostered the opinion that cephalopods, particularly octopuses, may experience
      vertebrate-like pain when injured. However, it is not known whether octopuses
      possess nociceptors or if their somatic sensory neurons exhibit sensitization
      after injury. Here we show that the octopus Abdopus aculeatus expresses
      nocifensive behaviors including arm autotomy, and displays marked neural
      hyperexcitability both in injured and uninjured arms for at least 24h after
      injury. These findings do not demonstrate that octopuses experience pain-like
      states; instead they add to the minimal existing literature on how cephalopods
      receive, process, and integrate noxious sensory information, potentially
      informing and refining regulations governing use of cephalopods in scientific
      research. 

PMID- 24239645
TI  - Human heart failure: is cell therapy a valid option?
AB  - The concept of the heart as a terminally differentiated organ incapable of
      replacing damaged myocytes has been at the center of cardiovascular research and
      therapeutic development for the past 50 years. The progressive decline in myocyte
      number with aging and the formation of scarred tissue following myocardial
      infarction have been interpreted as irrefutable proofs of the post-mitotic
      characteristics of the adult heart. However, emerging evidence supports a more
      dynamic view of the myocardium in which cell death and cell restoration are vital
      components of the remodeling process that governs organ homeostasis, aging and
      disease. The identification of dividing myocytes throughout the life span of the
      organisms and the recognition that undifferentiated primitive cells regulate
      myocyte turnover and tissue regeneration indicate that the heart is a self
      renewing organ controlled by a compartment of resident stem cells. Moreover,
      exogenous progenitors of bone marrow origin transdifferentiate and acquire the
      cardiomyocyte and vascular lineages. This new reality constitutes the foundation
      of the numerous cell-based clinical trials that have been conducted in the last
      decade for the treatment of ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. 

PMID- 24239647
TI  - Cloning and characterization of the ionotropic GABA receptor subunit rho1 from
      pig (Sus scrofa).
AB  - Since human and pig eyes have remarkably anatomical and physiological similitudes
      swine models have been broadly used for functional studies and therapeutic
      research. Recently, a GABArho-mediated relaxation of retinal vascularity
      suggested that GABArho signaling may be used to improve retinal blood flow in
      vascular-driven impaired vision, and a further molecular characterization of
      GABArho receptors would be beneficial. However, none of the GABArho type subunits
      from pigs has been yet cloned; Among the 19 subunits that compose the family of
      GABAA receptors, rho1-3 subunits are capable of forming homomeric channels. These
      homomeric receptors are particularly interesting because their pharmacological
      and kinetic properties are notably different from receptors composed by other
      GABAA subunits. Here we report the cloning of the GABArho1subunit from the pig
      and the functional expression of homomeric channels in Xenopus oocytes. The most
      notable difference found in the pig GABArho1 receptor was the absence of a
      stretch of 17 amino acids near the amino terminus (R41-V58) conserved in the rat
      and the human. This sequence has a higher nucleotidic match with the transcript
      variant 2 of the human GABArho1 subunit. Xenopus oocytes injected with cRNA from
      the receptor generated currents when exposed to GABA that shared all the
      characteristics of other GABArho1 subunits in mammals, including its modulation
      by dopamine. This study will help to increase the knowledge of the genetics of
      the pig, further the understanding of this important neurotransmitter receptor
      family and will shed some light in the evolution of these genes among mammals. 

PMID- 24239648
TI  - The role of the 3' region of mammalian gonadotropin beta subunit gene in the
      luteinizing hormone to chorionic gonadotropin evolution.
AB  - CGbeta subunits comprise a unique carboxyl-terminal peptide (CTP) that has
      multiple O-linked glycans and extends serum half-life of the protein. It has
      evolved by incorporating a previously untranslated region of the LHbeta gene into
      the reading frame. Although CTP-like sequences are encrypted in the LHbeta genes
      of several mammals, the CGbeta subunit developed only in primates and equids. To
      study this restriction in evolution, we examined whether the cryptic CTP decoded
      from the bovine LHbeta gene (boCTP) possesses key characteristics of the human
      (h) CGbeta-CTP. The boCTP does not impede several crucial aspects of hormone
      biosynthesis, but compared to the hCGbeta-CTP, the stretch lacks O-glycans and
      determinants for circulatory survival. O-glycan deficiency and the associated
      incapacity to extend serum half-life is a major drawback of the boCTP. This may
      explain why LH did not evolve into CG in ruminants and consequently alternative
      mechanisms evolved to delay luteolysis early in gestation. 

PMID- 24239649
TI  - Adhesive properties of Clostridium perfringens to extracellular matrix proteins
      collagens and fibronectin.
AB  - The adhesive properties of Clostridium perfringens to collagens, gelatin,
      fibronectin (Fn), Fn-prebound collagens, and Fn-prebound gelatin were
      investigated. C. perfringens could bind to Fn-prebound collagen type II, type
      III, and gelatin, but not to gelatin or collagens except for collagen type I
      directly. Recombinant Fn-binding proteins of C. perfringens, rFbpA and rFbpB,
      were used to examine Fn-mediated bacterial adherence to collagen type I. In the
      presence of rFbps, C. perfringens adherence to Fn-prebound collagen type I was
      inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Fn was not released from the coated
      collagen type I by the presence of rFbps, and rFbps did not bind to collagen type
      I. Thus, the inhibition of C. perfringens binding to Fn-prebound collagen type I
      by rFbps could not be explained by the removal of Fn from collagen or by the
      competitive binding of rFbps to collagen. Instead, both rFbps were found to bind
      to C. perfringens. These results suggest the possibility that rFbps may bind to
      the putative Fn receptor expressed on C. perfringens and competitively inhibit Fn
      binding to C. perfringens. 

PMID- 24239651
TI  - Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network: progress since the State of
      the Science Symposium 2007.
AB  - Outcomes of hematopoietic cell transplantation continue to improve. New
      techniques have reduced transplant toxicities, and there are new sources of
      hematopoietic stem cells from related and unrelated donors. In June 2007, the
      Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) convened a State of
      the Science Symposium (SOSS) in Ann Arbor and identified 11 high priority
      clinical trials for the network to pursue. This article reviews both the status
      of those trials and the record of achievement of the BMT CTN as it convenes
      another SOSS in Grapevine, Texas in February 2014. 

PMID- 24239650
TI  - IL-12hi rapamycin-conditioned dendritic cells mediate IFN-gamma-dependent
      apoptosis of alloreactive CD4+ T cells in vitro and reduce lethal graft-versus
      host disease.
AB  - Rapamycin (RAPA) inhibits the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a crucial
      immune system regulator. Dendritic cells (DC) generated in RAPA (RAPA-DC) enrich
      for CD4(+) forkhead box p3 (FoxP3(+)) regulatory T cells and induce T cell
      apoptosis by an unknown mechanism. RAPA-DC also promote experimental allograft
      survival, yet paradoxically secrete increased IL-12, crucial for the generation
      of IFN-gamma(+) CD4(+) T cells. However, IFN-gamma is pro-apoptotic and IL-12
      driven IFN-gamma inhibits experimental graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We
      hypothesized that IL-12(hi) RAPA-DC would facilitate IFN-gamma-mediated apoptosis
      of alloreactive T cells and, unlike control (CTR)-DC, would reduce lethal GVHD.
      Following LPS stimulation, RAPA-DC exhibited decreased MHCII and co-stimulatory
      molecules and contained a significant population of CD86(lo) IL-12(hi) cells.
      Consistent with our hypothesis, both unstimulated and LPS-stimulated RAPA-DC
      enhanced alloreactive CD4(+) T cell apoptosis in culture. Augmented T cell
      apoptosis was ablated by IFN-gamma neutralization or using T cells lacking the
      IFN-gamma receptor, and it was associated with increased expression of Fas and
      cleaved caspase 8. DC production or responses to IFN-gamma were not important to
      increased apoptotic functions of RAPA-DC. LPS-stimulated IL-12p40(-/-) RAPA-DC
      induced lower levels of T cell apoptosis in culture, which was further decreased
      with addition of anti-IFN-gamma. Finally, whereas CTR-DC accelerated mortality
      from GVHD, LPS-treated RAPA-DC significantly prolonged host survival. In
      conclusion, increased apoptosis of allogeneic CD4(+) T cells induced by LPS
      stimulated IL-12(hi) RAPA-DC is mediated in vitro through IFN-gamma and in part
      by increased IL-12 expression. Enhanced production of IL-12, the predominant
      inducer of IFN-gamma by immune cells, is a probable mechanism underlying the
      capacity of LPS-treated RAPA-DC to reduce GVHD. 

PMID- 24239653
TI  - A Bayesian filtering approach to incorporate 2D/3D time-lapse confocal images for
      tracking angiogenic sprouting cells interacting with the gel matrix.
AB  - We present a new approach to incorporating information from heterogeneous images
      of migrating cells in 3D gel. We study 3D angiogenic sprouting, where cells
      burrow into the gel matrix, communicate with other cells and create vascular
      networks. We combine time-lapse fluorescent images of stained cell nuclei and
      transmitted light images of the background gel to track cell trajectories. The
      nuclei images are sampled less frequently due to photo toxicity. Hence, 3D cell
      tracking can be performed more reliably when 2D sprout profiles, extracted from
      gel matrix images, are effectively incorporated. We employ a Bayesian filtering
      approach to optimally combine the two heterogeneous images with different
      sampling rates. We construct stochastic models to predict cell locations and
      sprout profiles and condition the likelihood of nuclei location by the sprout
      profile. The conditional distribution is non-Gaussian and the cell dynamics is
      non-linear. To jointly update cell and sprout estimates, we use a Rao-Blackwell
      particle filter. Simulation and experimental results show accurate tracking of
      multiple cells along with sprout formation, demonstrating synergistic effects of
      incorporating the two types of images. 

PMID- 24239652
TI  - Humic acid in drinking well water induces inflammation through reactive oxygen
      species generation and activation of nuclear factor-kappaB/activator protein-1
      signaling pathways: a possible role in atherosclerosis.
AB  - Humic acid (HA) has been implicated as one of the etiological factors in the
      peripheral vasculopathy of blackfoot disease (BFD) in Taiwan. However, the
      underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of BFD are not well defined. In this
      study, we used an in vitro and in vivo model, in which HA (25-200MUg/mL)
      activated macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory molecules by activating their
      transcriptional factors. HA exposure induced NO and PGE2 production followed by
      induction of iNOS and COX-2 through NF-kappaB/AP-1 transactivation in
      macrophages. In addition, the production of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was
      significantly increased by HA. Moreover, HA-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression
      were down-regulated by the NF-kappaB and AP-1 inhibitors pyrrolidine
      dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and Tanshinone, respectively. Furthermore, generations of
      ROS and nitrotyrosine, as well as activation of the AKT and MAPKs signaling
      cascades were observed after HA exposure. Specifically, HA-induced NF-kappaB
      activation was mediated by ROS and AKT, and that HA-induced AP-1 activation was
      mediated by JNK and ERK. Notably, HA-mediated AKT, JNK, and ERK activation was
      ROS-independent. The inflammatory potential of HA was correlated with increased
      expression of HO-1 and Nrf2. Furthermore, an in vivo study confirms that mice
      exposed to HA, the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was significantly
      increased in a dose-dependent manner. This report marks the first confirmation
      that environmental exposure of HA induces inflammation in macrophages, which may
      be one of the main causes of early atherogenesis in blackfoot disease. 

PMID- 24239654
TI  - 137Cs vertical migration in a deciduous forest soil following the Fukushima Dai
      ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.
AB  - The large amount of (137)Cs deposited on the forest floor because of the
      Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident represents a major potential long
      term source for mobile (137)Cs. To investigate (137)Cs mobility in forest soils,
      we investigated the vertical migration of (137)Cs through seepage water, using a
      lysimetric method. The study was conducted in a deciduous forest soil over a
      period spanning 2 month to 2 y after the Fukushima nuclear accident. Our
      observations demonstrated that the major part of (137)Cs in the litter layer
      moved into the mineral soil within one year after the accident. On the other
      hand, the topsoil prevented migration of (137)Cs, and only 2% of (137)Cs in the
      leachate from litter and humus layer penetrated below a 10 cm depth. The annual
      migration below a 10 cm depth accounted for 0.1% of the total (137)Cs inventory.
      Therefore, the migration of (137)Cs by seepage water comprised only a very small
      part of the total (137)Cs inventory in the mineral soil, which was undetectable
      from the vertical distribution of (137)Cs in the soil profile. In the present and
      immediate future, most of the (137)Cs deposited on the forest floor will probably
      remain in the topsoil successively, although a small but certain amount of
      bioavailable (137)Cs exists in forest surface soil. 

PMID- 24239655
TI  - 7Be, 210Pb and 137Cs concentrations in cloud water.
AB  - Cloud water was sampled during 8 months, in 2008 and 2009, at the puy de Dome
      high-altitude atmospheric research station (France). The concentrations of (7)Be
      and (210)Pb, both naturally occurring radionuclides, and (137)Cs of anthropogenic
      origin, were determined. Those values are useful for a better knowledge of the
      aftermath cloud deposition and more generally for wet deposition assessment of
      radionuclides. This is of primary interest in case of a nuclear accident,
      especially considering (137)Cs deposition, both for high-altitude locations that
      are regularly embedded by clouds and also for lowlands where fog can occur. The
      (7)Be and (210)Pb average activity concentrations in cloud water found were 1.9+/
      0.11 mBq m(-3) air and 140+/-10 MUBq m(-3) air, respectively. For (137)Cs, the
      average concentration was 0.14+/-0.02 MUBq m(-3) air. This very low-level is
      representative of the long term post-accidental background level. Indeed, for the
      studied period, the last accidental (137)Cs release was that of Chernobyl
      accident, in April 1986. To our knowledge this is the first data about (137)Cs
      reference level determination in cloud water. The comparison between cloud water
      and rain water concentrations showed a ratio cloud/rain ranging between 3.4 and
      8.1, in agreement with previous studies performed on inorganic compounds.
      Scavenging efficiencies of aerosols by cloud droplets were also calculated with
      the additional aerosol concentrations routinely measured at the station and were
      quite low (0.13-0.40) compared to what has previously been observed for inorganic
      soluble ions.

PMID- 24239656
TI  - Nuclear rDNA pseudogenes in Chagas disease vectors: evolutionary implications of
      a new 5.8S+ITS-2 paralogous sequence marker in triatomines of North, Central and
      northern South America.
AB  - A pseudogene, paralogous to rDNA 5.8S and ITS-2, is described in Meccus dimidiata
      dimidiata, M. d. capitata, M. d. maculippenis, M. d. hegneri, M. sp. aff.
      dimidiata, M. p. phyllosoma, M. p. longipennis, M. p. pallidipennis, M. p.
      picturata, M. p. mazzottii, Triatoma mexicana, Triatoma nitida and Triatoma
      sanguisuga, covering North America, Central America and northern South America.
      Such a nuclear rDNA pseudogene is very rare. In the 5.8S gene, criteria for
      pseudogene identification included length variability, lower GC content,
      mutations regarding the functional uniform sequence, and relatively high base
      substitutions in evolutionary conserved sites. At ITS-2 level, criteria were the
      shorter sequence and large proportion of insertions and deletions (indels).
      Pseudogenic 5.8S and ITS-2 secondary structures were different from the
      functional foldings, different one another, showing less negative values for
      minimum free energy (mfe) and centroid predictions, and lower fit between mfe,
      partition function, and centroid structures. A complete characterization
      indicated a processed pseudogenic unit of the ghost type, escaping from rDNA
      concerted evolution and with functionality subject to constraints instead of
      evolving free by neutral drift. Despite a high indel number, low mutation number
      and an evolutionary rate similar to the functional ITS-2, that pseudogene
      distinguishes different taxa and furnishes coherent phylogenetic topologies with
      resolution similar to the functional ITS-2. The discovery of a pseudogene in many
      phylogenetically related species is unique in animals and allowed for an
      estimation of its palaeobiogeographical origin based on molecular clock data,
      inheritance pathways, evolutionary rate and pattern, and geographical spread.
      Additional to the technical risk to be considered henceforth, this relict
      pseudogene, designated as "ps(5.8S+ITS-2)", proves to be a valuable marker for
      specimen classification, phylogenetic analyses, and systematic/taxonomic studies.
      It opens a new research field, Chagas disease epidemiology and control included,
      given its potential relationships with triatomine fitness, behaviour and
      adaptability. 

PMID- 24239657
TI  - Forced exercise before or after induction of 6-OHDA-mediated nigrostriatal insult
      does not mitigate behavioral asymmetry in a hemiparkinsonian rat model.
AB  - Studies on exercise before and after toxin-induced hemiparkinsonism have reported
      promising findings in terms of amelioration of motor asymmetry in adult, 6
      hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rats. However, recent studies have had more mixed
      results. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to further explore the notion
      of exercise, in particular forced exercise, as a potential neuroprotective
      therapy when implemented before and after 6-OHDA hemiparkinsonism. To explore
      this, two experiments were conducted: Experiment 1 - exercise before a 6-OHDA
      lesion; and, Experiment 2 - exercise after a 6-OHDA lesion. In Experiment 1, rats
      were randomly assigned into one of the two 4-week experimental conditions, a
      forced exercise condition and a non-exercise control condition. Then, after the
      experimental conditions rats were injected with 6-OHDA into the right medial
      forebrain bundle. In Experiment 2, rats were first injected with 6-OHDA and were
      then randomly assigned into one of the two 4-week experimental groups, a forced
      exercise group and a non-exercise control group. Outcomes in both experiments did
      not show any differences in terms of motor behavioral tests (i.e., apomorphine
      rotations, forelimb placement asymmetry, exploratory rearing) between the forced
      exercise and sedentary control groups. Based on our results and in light of the
      body of literature, it is possible that the stress of shock-motivated forced
      running utilized in this study may have canceled beneficial behavioral effects.
      Additionally, it is possible that the one-week delay in the forced exercise
      protocol implementation in Experiment 2 may have prevented behavioral rescue. 

PMID- 24239659
TI  - Aortic stiffness for cardiovascular risk prediction: just measure it, just do it!

PMID- 24239658
TI  - Enhydrina schistosa (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae) the most dangerous sea snake in Sri
      Lanka: three case studies of severe envenoming.
AB  - Sea snakes are highly venomous and inhabit tropical waters of the Indian and
      Pacific Oceans. Enhydrina schistosa is a common species of sea snake that lives
      in the coastal waters, lagoons, river mouths and estuaries from the Persian Gulf
      through Sri Lanka and to Southeast Asia. It is considered one of the most
      aggressive sea snakes in Sri Lanka where fishermen and people wading are at high
      risk. However, sea snake bites are rarely reported. In this report, we describe
      three cases where E. schistosa was the offending species. These three patients
      presented to two hospitals on the west coast of Sri Lanka within the course of 14
      months from November 2011 with different degrees of severity of envenoming. The
      first patient was a 26-year-old fisherman who developed severe myalgia with very
      high creatine kinase (CK) levels lasting longer than 7 days. The second patient
      was a 32-year-old fisherman who developed gross myoglobinuria, high CK levels and
      hyperkalaemia. Both patients recovered and their electromyographic recordings
      showed myopathic features. The nerve conduction and neuromuscular transmission
      studies were normal in both patients suggesting primary myotoxic envenoming. The
      third patient was a 41-year-old man who trod on a sea snake in a river mouth and
      developed severe myalgia seven hours later. He had severe rhabdomyolysis and died
      three days later due to cardiovascular collapse. In conclusion, we confirm that
      E. schistosa is a deadly sea snake and its bite causes severe rhabdomyolysis. 

PMID- 24239660
TI  - Left ventricular remodeling and 1-year clinical follow-up of the REOPEN-AMI
      trial.

PMID- 24239661
TI  - The year in acute coronary syndrome.

PMID- 24239662
TI  - Impact of smoking on long-term outcomes in patients with atherosclerotic vascular
      disease treated with aspirin or clopidogrel: insights from the CAPRIE trial
      (Clopidogrel Versus Aspirin in Patients at Risk of Ischemic Events).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate the differential efficacy
      of clopidogrel or aspirin monotherapy according to smoking status in patients
      with atherosclerotic vascular disease. BACKGROUND: Smoking enhances clopidogrel
      induced platelet inhibition, which may explain the higher relative benefit among
      smokers observed in trials evaluating dual antiplatelet therapy. Whether smoking
      has an impact on clinical outcomes in patients requiring a single antiplatelet
      agent remains unknown. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of the CAPRIE
      (Clopidogrel Versus Aspirin in Patients at Risk of Ischemic Events) trial that
      compared clopidogrel and aspirin monotherapy in patients (N = 19,184) with
      atherosclerotic vascular disease. RESULTS: Current smokers (n = 5,688) had an
      increased risk of ischemic events compared with never smokers (n = 4,135; hazard
      ratio [HR]: 1.24 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08 to 1.42]) and ex-smokers (n
      = 9,381; HR: 1.32 [95% CI: 1.18 to 1.47]) (p < 0.001). Clopidogrel was associated
      with a reduction in ischemic events among current smokers (8.3% vs. 10.8%; HR:
      0.76 [95% CI: 0.64 to 0.90]), whereas no benefit over aspirin was seen in the
      combined group of ex-smokers/never-smoked patients (10.4% vs. 10.6%; HR: 0.99
      [95% CI: 0.89 to 1.10]; p = 0.01 for interaction). Among current smokers,
      clopidogrel also reduced myocardial infarction, vascular death, and death from
      any cause compared with aspirin. No interaction between smoking status and study
      treatment was observed for bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS: In a post-hoc analysis
      of the CAPRIE population, current smokers appeared to have enhanced benefit with
      clopidogrel therapy for secondary prevention compared with aspirin. These results
      should be considered hypothesis generating for future prospective studies
      assessing the impact of specific platelet-inhibiting strategies according to
      smoking status.

PMID- 24239663
TI  - Paradoxical coronary embolisms as a presentation of hereditary hemorrhagic
      telangiectasia.

PMID- 24239665
TI  - Coil embolization for spontaneous rupture of the left internal mammary artery
      secondary to lupus vasculitis.

PMID- 24239664
TI  - Aortic pulse wave velocity improves cardiovascular event prediction: an
      individual participant meta-analysis of prospective observational data from
      17,635 subjects.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine whether aortic pulse wave
      velocity (aPWV) improves prediction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events beyond
      conventional risk factors. BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that aPWV may
      be a useful risk factor for predicting CVD, but they have been underpowered to
      examine whether this is true for different subgroups. METHODS: We undertook a
      systematic review and obtained individual participant data from 16 studies. Study
      specific associations of aPWV with CVD outcomes were determined using Cox
      proportional hazard models and random effect models to estimate pooled effects.
      RESULTS: Of 17,635 participants, a total of 1,785 (10%) had a CVD event. The
      pooled age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) per 1-SD change in loge aPWV
      were 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22 to 1.50; p < 0.001) for coronary
      heart disease, 1.54 (95% CI: 1.34 to 1.78; p < 0.001) for stroke, and 1.45 (95%
      CI: 1.30 to 1.61; p < 0.001) for CVD. Associations stratified according to sex,
      diabetes, and hypertension were similar but decreased with age (1.89, 1.77, 1.36,
      and 1.23 for age <=50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, and >70 years, respectively;
      pinteraction <0.001). After adjusting for conventional risk factors, aPWV
      remained a predictor of coronary heart disease (HR: 1.23 [95% CI: 1.11 to 1.35];
      p < 0.001), stroke (HR: 1.28 [95% CI: 1.16 to 1.42]; p < 0.001), and CVD events
      (HR: 1.30 [95% CI: 1.18 to 1.43]; p < 0.001). Reclassification indices showed
      that the addition of aPWV improved risk prediction (13% for 10-year CVD risk for
      intermediate risk) for some subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration of aPWV
      improves model fit and reclassifies risk for future CVD events in models that
      include standard risk factors. aPWV may enable better identification of high-risk
      populations that might benefit from more aggressive CVD risk factor management.

PMID- 24239666
TI  - The effect of the MDCK cell selected neuraminidase D151G mutation on the drug
      susceptibility assessment of influenza A(H3N2) viruses.
AB  - Propagation of influenza A(H3N2) viruses in MDCK cells has been associated with
      the emergence of neuraminidase (NA) variants carrying a change at residue 151. In
      this study, the pyrosequencing assay revealed that ~90% of A(H3N2) virus isolates
      analyzed (n=150) contained more than one amino acid variant (D/G/N) at position
      151. Susceptibilities of the virus isolates to zanamivir and oseltamivir were
      assessed using the chemiluminescent and fluorescent NA inhibition (NI) assays. In
      the chemiluminescent assay, which utilizes NA-Star(r) substrate, up to 13-fold
      increase in zanamivir-IC50 was detected for isolates containing a high proportion
      (>50%) of the G151 NA variant. However, an increase in zanamivir-IC50s was not
      seen in the fluorescent assay, which uses MUNANA as substrate. To investigate
      this discrepancy, recombinant NAs (rNAs) were prepared and tested in both NI
      assays. Regardless of the assay used, the zanamivir-IC50 for the rNA G151 was
      much greater (>1500-fold) than that for rNA D151 wild-type. However, zanamivir
      resistance conferred by the G151 substitution was masked in preparations
      containing the D151 NA which had much greater activity, especially against
      MUNANA. In conclusion, the presence of NA D151G variants in cell culture-grown
      viruses interferes with drug susceptibility assessment and therefore measures
      need to be implemented to prevent their emergence. 

PMID- 24239667
TI  - Targeted therapy in metastatic renal carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advanced renal cell carcinoma is one of the most treatment-resistant
      malignancies to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. The development of new
      targeted therapy was result of understanding biological pathways underlying renal
      cell carcinoma. Our objective is to provide an overview of current therapies in
      metastatic renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: MEDLINE/PUBMED was queried in December
      2012 to identify abstracts, original and review articles. The research was
      conducted using the following words: "metastatic renal cell carcinoma" and
      "target therapy". Phase II and Phase III clinical trials were included followed
      FDA approval. Total of 40 studies were eligible for review. CONCLUSION: The
      result of this review shows benefit of these target drugs in tumor burden,
      increase progression-free and overall survival and improvement the quality of
      life compared with previous toxic immunotherapy, although complete response
      remains rare.

PMID- 24239668
TI  - The environmental regulation of maturation in goldfish, Carassius auratus:
      effects of various LED light spectra.
AB  - While there have been a number of studies on the effects of photoperiod and
      duration of light and dark exposure, much less information is available on the
      importance of light intensity. This study investigated the effects of exposure of
      goldfish, Carassius auratus exposed to white fluorescent bulbs, and red (peak at
      630nm), and green (530nm) light emitting diodes (LEDs) at approximately 0.9W/m(2)
      (12-h light:12-h dark) for four months on a number of hormones of the
      hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis, in vivo and in vitro. We investigated
      the effects of native GnRH molecules (gonadotropin-releasing hormones; salmon
      GnRH, sGnRH; and chicken GnRH-II, cGnRH-II), gonadotropin hormones (GTHalpha;
      follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH-beta; luteinizing hormone, LH-beta2),
      kisspeptin 1 (Kiss1) and G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54) mRNA levels.
      Furthermore, we measured LH and 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone levels in plasma and
      we performed gonad histological observations. GnRHs, Kiss1, GPR54 and GTH mRNA
      and plasma LH and 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone levels in the in vivo and in vitro
      groups exposed to green LEDs were significantly higher than the other groups.
      Histological analysis revealed the presence of oocytes in the yolk stage in fish
      exposed to green light. These results suggest that green wavelengths regulate the
      HPG axis and enhance sexual maturation in goldfish. 

PMID- 24239669
TI  - Short-term time course of liver metabolic response to acute handling stress in
      rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.
AB  - To elucidate the short-term time-course of liver metabolic response in rainbow
      trout to acute handling stress we subjected rainbow trout to 5min chasing and
      obtained samples 0 to 480min post-stress. Levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate
      were measured in plasma, whereas metabolite levels, enzyme activities, mRNA
      abundance of parameters related to energy metabolism, and glucocorticoid
      receptors were assessed in liver. Acute stress affected many parameters related
      to energy metabolism, with most of them turning back to normal levels after
      480min. In general, the present results support the existence of two stages in
      the short-term time-course of metabolic response to handling stress. A first
      stage occurring few minutes post-stress (15-45min), was characterized by
      increased mobilization of liver glycogen resulting in increased production of
      endogenous glucose, reduced use of exogenous glucose and reduced lipogenic
      potential. A second stage, occurring 60-120min post-stress onwards was
      characterized by the recovery of liver glycogen levels, the increased capacity of
      liver for releasing glucose, and the recovery of lipogenic capacity whereas no
      changes were noted in gluconeogenic potential, which probably needs longer time
      periods to become enhanced. 

PMID- 24239670
TI  - Cold acclimation of NaCl secretion in a eurythermic teleost: mitochondrial
      function and gill remodeling.
AB  - Active chloride secretion, measured as short-circuit current (Isc) in ionocytes
      of opercular epithelia (OE) in the eurythermic, euryoxic, and euryhaline
      killifish or mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) was studied in cold (5 degrees C)
      and warm (20 degrees C) acclimated fish to determine if homeoviscous adaptation
      aided chloride secretion in the cold. Isolated opercular epithelia were cooled
      from 30 degrees C to 0.2 degrees C for warm and cold acclimated fish; from 30 to
      8 degrees C, Isc decreased with Q10=1.68 for warm and Q10=1.56 for cold
      acclimated tissues. By Arrhenius plots, there is a critical temperature, 8
      degrees C, below which aerobic Isc decreased sharply (Q10=6.90 for warm and 4.23
      for cold acclimated tissues), suggesting a shift in mitochondrial efficiency of
      oxidative phosphorylation. In anaerobic conditions (0.5mM NaCN; N2 saturation),
      chloride transport continued at a lower rate, and Isc decrease with cooling below
      8 degrees C was less pronounced (Q10=2.95 for warm and 3.08 for cold), suggesting
      a shift in transporter function in plasma membrane. Under anaerobic conditions,
      NaCl secretion at 20 degrees C was reversibly inhibited by hypotonic shock,
      indicating normal regulation of transport. Chloride secretion in warm-acclimated
      fish was supported mostly (75% at 20 degrees C) by aerobic metabolism, whereas
      that for cold-acclimated fish was lower (55% at 20 degrees C), suggesting a
      greater reliance on anaerobic metabolism in the cold. Once acclimated to cold,
      ionocytes may be temporarily incapable of increasing their aerobic ATP supply,
      even when warmed to 30 degrees C. In cold acclimated fish there was increased
      polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of gill epithelium (consistent with
      homeoviscous adaptation) and gill remodeling, wherein epithelial cells filled the
      interlamellar space (interlamellar cell mass, ILCM) by as much as 70%, thus
      increasing diffusion distance against passive ion gain. Most ionocytes in these
      thickened epithelial masses became taller, still connecting basal lamina with the
      environment, consistent with the continuing transport rates at low temperatures.
      Whereas the low aerobic scope of cold-acclimated fish and thickened gill
      epithelium is appropriate to winter inactivity, metabolic depression and
      anaerobiosis, the large aerobic scope of warm-acclimated fish favors active
      foraging at high temperatures. 

PMID- 24239672
TI  - Etifoxine analgesia in experimental monoarthritis: a combined action that
      protects spinal inhibition and limits central inflammatory processes.
AB  - Inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the joint are major causes of chronic
      pain. Long-lasting pain symptoms are thought to result from a central
      sensitization of nociceptive circuits. These processes include activation of
      microglia and spinal disinhibition. Using a monoarthritic rat model of pain, we
      tried to potentiate neural inhibition by using etifoxine (EFX), a
      nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic that acts as an allosteric-positive modulator of
      gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor function. Interestingly, EFX also
      can bind to the mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) complex and stimulate
      the synthesis of 3alpha-reduced neurosteroids, the most potent positive
      allosteric modulator of GABAA receptor function. Here we show that a curative and
      a preventive treatment with 50mg/kg of EFX efficiently reduced neuropathic pain
      symptoms. In the spinal cord, EFX analgesia was accompanied by a reduction in
      microglial activation and in the levels of proinflammatory mediators. Using
      electrophysiological tools, we found that EFX treatment not only amplified spinal
      GABAergic inhibition, but also prevented prostaglandin E2-induced glycinergic
      disinhibition and restored a "normal" spinal pain processing. Because EFX is
      already distributed in several countries under the trade name of Stresam for its
      anxiolytic actions in humans, new clinical trials are now required to further
      extend its therapeutic indications as pain killer. 

PMID- 24239671
TI  - The gap junction blocker carbenoxolone attenuates nociceptive behavior and
      medullary dorsal horn central sensitization induced by partial infraorbital nerve
      transection in rats.
AB  - Glial cells are being increasingly implicated in mechanisms underlying
      pathological pain, and recent studies suggest glial gap junctions involving
      astrocytes may contribute. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a
      gap junction blocker, carbenoxolone (CBX), on medullary dorsal horn (MDH)
      nociceptive neuronal properties and facial mechanical nociceptive behavior in a
      rat trigeminal neuropathic pain model involving partial transection of the
      infraorbital nerve (p-IONX). p-IONX produced facial mechanical hypersensitivity
      reflected in significantly reduced head withdrawal thresholds that lasted for
      more than 3weeks. p-IONX also produced central sensitization in MDH nociceptive
      neurons that was reflected in significantly increased receptive field size,
      reduction of mechanical activation threshold, and increases in noxious
      stimulation-evoked responses. Intrathecal CBX treatment significantly attenuated
      the p-IONX-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and the MDH central sensitization
      parameters, compared to intrathecal vehicle treatment. These results provide the
      first documentation that gap junctions may be critically involved in orofacial
      neuropathic pain mechanisms. 

PMID- 24239673
TI  - Past 140-year environmental record in the northern South China Sea: evidence from
      coral skeletal trace metal variations.
AB  - About 140-year changes in the trace metals in Porites coral samples from two
      locations in the northern South China Sea were investigated. Results of PCA
      analyses suggest that near the coast, terrestrial input impacted behavior of
      trace metals by 28.4%, impact of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) was 19.0%,
      contribution of war and infrastructure were 14.4% and 15.6% respectively. But for
      a location in the open sea, contribution of War and SST reached 33.2% and 16.5%,
      while activities of infrastructure and guano exploration reached 13.2% and 14.7%.
      While the spatiotemporal change model of Cu, Cd and Pb in seawater of the north
      area of South China Sea during 1986-1997 were reconstructed. It was found that in
      the sea area Cu and Cd contaminations were distributed near the coast while areas
      around Sanya, Hainan had high Pb levels because of the well-developed tourism
      related activities. 

PMID- 24239674
TI  - Mathematical analysis of an age-structured model for malaria transmission
      dynamics.
AB  - A new deterministic model for assessing the role of age-structure on the
      transmission dynamics of malaria in a community is designed. Rigorous qualitative
      analysis of the model reveals that it undergoes the phenomenon of backward
      bifurcation, where the stable disease-free equilibrium of the model co-exists
      with a stable endemic equilibrium when the associated reproduction number
      (denoted by R0) is less than unity. It is shown that the backward bifurcation
      phenomenon is caused by the malaria-induced mortality in humans. A special case
      of the model is shown to have a unique endemic equilibrium whenever the
      associated reproduction threshold exceeds unity. Further analyses reveal that
      adding age-structure to a basic model for malaria transmission in a community
      does not alter the qualitative dynamics of the basic model, with respect to the
      existence and asymptotic stability of the associated equilibria and the backward
      bifurcation property of the model. Numerical simulations of the model show that
      the cumulative number of new cases of infection and malaria-induced mortality
      increase with increasing average lifespan and birth rate of mosquitoes. 

PMID- 24239675
TI  - Estimation of statistical binding properties of ligand population during in vitro
      selection based on population dynamics theory.
AB  - During in vitro selection process, it is very valuable to monitor the binding
      properties of the ligand population in real time, particularly the population
      average of the association constant in the population. If this monitoring can be
      realized, the selection process can be controlled in a rational way. In this
      paper, we present a simple method to estimate the binding properties of the
      ligand population during in vitro selection. The framework of the method is as
      follows. First, the number of all the collected ligand molecules, which are
      eluted after incubation and washing, is measured. Ideally, this number
      corresponds to the number of all the ligand molecules bound with the target
      receptor or other materials in a test tube. This measurement is performed through
      several successive rounds of selection. Second, the measured numbers of molecules
      are subjected to a theoretical analysis, based on the mathematical theory of
      population dynamics in the selection process. Then, we can estimate the
      probability density of the binding free energy in the ligand population. The
      validity of our method was confirmed by several computer simulations based on a
      physicochemical model. 

PMID- 24239676
TI  - No Pasaran! Role of the axon initial segment in the regulation of protein
      transport and the maintenance of axonal identity.
AB  - The transmission of information in the brain depends on the highly polarized
      architecture of neurons. A number of cellular transport processes support this
      organization, including active targeting of proteins and passive corralling
      between compartments. The axon initial segment (AIS), which separates the
      somatodendritic and axonal compartments, has a key role in neuronal physiology,
      as both the initiation site of action potentials and the gatekeeper of the axonal
      arborization. Over the years, the AIS main components and their interactions have
      been progressively unraveled, as well as their role in the AIS assembly and
      maintenance. Two mechanisms have been shown to contribute to the regulation of
      protein transport at the AIS: a surface diffusion barrier and an intracellular
      traffic filter. However, a molecular understanding of these processes is still
      lacking. In the view of recent results on the AIS cytoskeleton structure, we will
      discuss how a better knowledge of the AIS architecture can help understanding its
      role in the regulation of protein transport and the maintenance of axonal
      identity. 

PMID- 24239677
TI  - A novel therapeutic design of microporous-structured biopolymer scaffolds for
      drug loading and delivery.
AB  - Three-dimensional (3-D) open-channeled scaffolds of biopolymers are a promising
      candidate matrix for tissue engineering. When scaffolds have the capacity to
      deliver bioactive molecules the potential for tissue regeneration should be
      greatly enhanced. In order to improve drug-delivery capacity, we exploit 3-D
      poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds by creating microporosity within the scaffold
      network. Macroporous channeled PLA with a controlled pore configuration was
      obtained by a robotic dispensing technique. In particular, a room temperature
      ionic liquid (RTIL) bearing hydrophilic counter-anions, such as OTf and Cl, was
      introduced to the biopolymer solution at varying ratios. The RTIL-biopolymer
      slurry was homogenized by ultrasonication, and then solidified through the
      robotic dispensing process, during which the biopolymer and RTIL formed a
      bicontinuous interpenetrating network. After ethanol wash-out treatment the RTIL
      was completely removed to leave highly microporous open channels throughout the
      PLA network. The resultant pore size was observed to be a few micrometers
      (average 2.43 MUm) and microporosity was determined to be ~ 70%. The microporous
      surface was also shown to favor initial cell adhesion, stimulating cell anchorage
      on the microporous structure. Furthermore, in vivo tissue responses assessed in
      rat subcutaneous tissue revealed good tissue compatibility, with minimal
      inflammatory reactions, while gathering a larger population of fibroblastic cells
      than the non-microporous scaffolds, and even facilitating invasion of the cells
      within the microporous structure. The efficacy of the micropore networks
      generated within the 3-D scaffolds in loading and releasing therapeutic molecules
      was addressed using antibiotic sodium ampicillin and protein cytochrome C as
      model drugs. The microporous scaffolds exhibited significantly enhanced drug
      loading capacity: 4-5 times increase in ampicillin and 9-10 times increase in
      cytochrome C compared to the non-microporous scaffolds. The release of ampicillin
      loaded within the microporous scaffolds was initially fast (~ 85% for 1 week),
      and was then slowed down, showing a continual release up to a month. On the other
      hand, cytochrome C was shown to release in a highly sustainable manner over a
      month, without showing an initial burst release effect. This study provides a
      novel insight into the generation of 3-D biopolymer scaffolds with high
      performance in loading and delivery of biomolecules, facilitated by the creation
      of microporous channels through the scaffold network. The capacity to support
      tissue cells while in situ delivering drug molecules makes the current scaffolds
      potentially useful for therapeutic tissue engineering.

PMID- 24239678
TI  - Brain norepinephrine identified by mass spectrometry is associated with
      reproductive status of females of the linden bug Pyrrhocoris apterus.
AB  - Several biogenic amines, including controversial presence of norepinephrine (NE),
      were identified by the high performance liquid chromatography equipped with
      electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry in brain complexes of adult females of
      Pyrrhocoris apterus. Quantitative analysis was performed by the high performance
      liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detector. Levels of NE, dopamine
      (DA), octopamine (OA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in brain complexes were
      measured in reproductive vs. diapause females. In field collected samples, levels
      of NE and DA were significantly higher in reproductive (May) than in non
      reproductive (Sep, Oct, Feb) females. In laboratory females, NE is higher in long
      day photoperiod (reproduction) than in short day photoperiod (diapause) already
      from the first week of the adult age, while DA shows differences between the two
      contrasting photoperiods only from the second week of the adult age. No
      association between reproductive status and levels of OA and 5-HT was found. 

PMID- 24239680
TI  - Kisspeptin regulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis gene expression during
      sexual maturation in the cinnamon clownfish, Amphiprion melanopus.
AB  - Kisspeptins (Kiss) have been recognized as potent regulators of reproduction in
      teleosts, and Kiss is suggested to be a key regulator of the hypothalamus
      pituitary-gonad axis (HPG). However, its regulatory role on reproduction in fish
      remains unclear. Therefore, to investigate the role of Kiss on fish reproduction,
      this study aimed to test differences in the hormones of the HPG axis, Kiss as
      neuropeptides, and sex steroids on the sexual maturation of paired cinnamon
      clownfish, Amphiprion melanopus, following treatment with Kiss. We investigated
      the actions of sex maturation hormones, including HPG axis hormones and sex
      steroid hormones, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormones, gonadotropin hormones
      (GTHs), GTH receptors, estrogen receptors, and vitellogenin in the pituitary,
      gonads, and liver following treatment with Kiss. The expression levels of HPG
      axis genes increased after the Kiss injection. In addition, the levels of plasma
      17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, estradiol-17beta, and 11-ketotestosterone increased.
      These results support the hypothesis that Kiss play important roles in the
      regulation of the HPG axis and are most likely involved in gonadal development
      and sexual maturation in cinnamon clownfish. 

PMID- 24239679
TI  - Sex-specific expression and localization of aromatase and its regulators during
      embryonic and larval development of Atlantic salmon.
AB  - The products of dax1, foxl2a and mis have each been shown to have proliferative
      and/or differentiative activities during mammalian organogenesis. These factors
      also play a role in regulating the biosynthesis of estrogen, particularly by
      modulating the activity of aromatase cyp19a. We demonstrate the transcription and
      translation of these genes during salmon embryogenesis. We were able to track sex
      specific differences in these processes through accurate determination of the sex
      of each embryo and larva examined from genotyped microsatellites. We detected sex
      and stage-specific immunolabeling of the embryonic gut, kidney, gonads, neural
      cord and skeletal muscle by DAX-1, FOXL2A and MIS. These results indicate the
      potential of these factors to mediate proliferation and/or differentiation
      programs during development of these tissues. As well, immunolabeling of skeletal
      muscle by CYP19B1 throughout the study reveals probable neurogenic activity
      associated with peripheral radial glial cells and the growing embryonic
      musculature. 

PMID- 24239681
TI  - Luminescent mesoporous nanoreservoirs for the effective loading and intracellular
      delivery of therapeutic drugs.
AB  - Development of biocompatible and multifunctional nanocarriers is important for
      the therapeutic efficacy of drug molecules in the treatment of disease and tissue
      repair. A novel nanocarrier of luminescent hollowed mesoporous silica (L-hMS) was
      explored for the loading and controlled delivery of drugs. For the synthesis of L
      hMS, self-activated luminescence hydroxyapatite (LHA) was used as a template.
      Different thicknesses (~ 7-62 nm) of mesoporous silica shell were obtained by
      varying the volume of silica precursor and the subsequent removal of the LHA
      core, which resulted in hollow-cored (size of ~ 40 nm * 10 nm) mesoporous silica
      nanoreservoirs, L-hMS. While the silica shell provided a highly mesoporous
      structure, enabling an effective loading of drug molecules, the luminescent
      property of LHA was also well preserved in both the silica-shelled and the hollow
      cored nanocarriers. Doxorubicin (DOX), used as a model drug, was shown to be
      effectively loaded onto the mesopore structure and within the hollow space of the
      nanoreservoir. The DOX release was fairly pH-dependent, occurring more rapidly at
      pH 5.3 than at pH 7.4, and a long-term sustainable delivery over the test period
      of 2weeks was observed. The nanoreservoir exhibited favorable cell compatibility
      with low cytotoxicity and excellent cell uptake efficiency (over 90%). Treatment
      of HeLa cells with DOX-loaded L-hMS elicited a sufficient degree of biological
      efficacy of DOX, as confirmed in the DOX-induced apoptotic behaviors, including
      stimulation in caspase-3 expression, and was even more effective than the direct
      DOX treatment. Overall, the newly developed L-hMS nanoreservoirs may be
      potentially useful as a multifunctional (luminescent, mesoporous and
      biocompatible) carrier system to effectively load and sustainably deliver small
      molecules, including anticancer drugs.

PMID- 24239682
TI  - Identifying colon cancer risk modules with better classification performance
      based on human signaling network.
AB  - Identifying differences between normal and tumor samples from a modular
      perspective may help to improve our understanding of the mechanisms responsible
      for colon cancer. Many cancer studies have shown that signaling transduction and
      biological pathways are disturbed in disease states, and expression profiles can
      distinguish variations in diseases. In this study, we integrated a weighted human
      signaling network and gene expression profiles to select risk modules associated
      with tumor conditions. Risk modules as classification features by our method had
      a better classification performance than other methods, and one risk module for
      colon cancer had a good classification performance for distinguishing between
      normal/tumor samples and between tumor stages. All genes in the module were
      annotated to the biological process of positive regulation of cell proliferation,
      and were highly associated with colon cancer. These results suggested that these
      genes might be the potential risk genes for colon cancer.

PMID- 24239683
TI  - Improving cancer control through a community-based cancer awareness initiative.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Awareness
      Roadshow on intentions to change health behaviours and use local health services
      related to cancer. METHOD: Feedback forms from visitors to three Roadshows
      collected data on anticipated lifestyle changes and health service use following
      their visit to the Roadshow. Demographic predictors of intentions were
      investigated. RESULTS: A total of 6009 individuals completed a feedback form. On
      average, respondents intended to make between two and three (2.55; SD=1.77)
      lifestyle changes, and use between none and one (0.59; SD=0.77) local health
      services following their visit. Multivariable analysis showed that age (p=0.001),
      ethnicity (p=0.006), and occupation (p=0.043) were significant predictors of
      anticipated lifestyle changes. Anticipated health service use was higher among
      men (p=0.001), younger groups (p<0.001), and smokers (p<0.001). Overall effects
      of ethnicity (p=0.001) and occupation (p<0.001) on anticipated health service use
      were also observed. Post-hoc analyses indicated stronger effects of the Roadshow
      among disadvantaged groups. CONCLUSION: High levels of anticipated health
      behaviour change and health service use were observed among Roadshow visitors.
      Disadvantaged groups such as lower socioeconomic groups, ethnic minorities, and
      smokers showed particularly high levels of intention. A more in-depth evaluation
      of the Roadshow is warranted.

PMID- 24239685
TI  - Reorganizing life: A qualitative study of fathers' lived experience in the 3
      years subsequent to the very preterm birth of their child.
AB  - This is the second part of a study that is following eight Swedish fathers of
      very preterm children using qualitative interviews. The aim was to illuminate
      fathers' lived experience of the 3 years since the birth of their very preterm
      child using a hermeneutic phenomenological method. The fathers described their
      lived experience as a process of reorganizing life, which constituted the
      overarching theme. They described a journey from the past to the present in which
      they adapted ordinary family life. The sub-themes identified were struggling to
      endure, experiencing empowerment, and building a secure base. The results may
      serve as a basis for neonatal staff to optimize care for both fathers and mothers
      during the child's hospitalization, as well as subsequent to their discharge.

PMID- 24239684
TI  - Mechanisms of cryoablation: clinical consequences on malignant tumors.
AB  - While the destructive actions of a cryoablative freeze cycle are long recognized,
      more recent evidence has revealed a complex set of molecular responses that
      provides a path for optimization. The importance of optimization relates to the
      observation that the cryosurgical treatment of tumors yields success only
      equivalent to alternative therapies. This is also true of all existing therapies
      of cancer, which while applied with curative intent; provide only disease
      suppression for periods ranging from months to years. Recent research has led to
      an important new understanding of the nature of cancer, which has implications
      for primary therapies, including cryosurgical treatment. We now recognize that a
      cancer is a highly organized tissue dependent on other supporting cells for its
      establishment, growth and invasion. Further, cancer stem cells are now recognized
      as an origin of disease and prove resistant to many treatment modalities. Growth
      is dependent on endothelial cells essential to blood vessel formation,
      fibroblasts production of growth factors, and protective functions of cells of
      the immune system. This review discusses the biology of cancer, which has
      profound implications for the diverse therapies of the disease, including
      cryosurgery. We also describe the cryosurgical treatment of diverse cancers,
      citing results, types of adjunctive therapy intended to improve clinical
      outcomes, and comment briefly on other energy-based ablative therapies. With an
      expanded view of tumor complexity we identify those elements key to effective
      cryoablation and strategies designed to optimize cancer cell mortality with a
      consideration of the now recognized hallmarks of cancer. 

PMID- 24239686
TI  - Structure-function studies on jaburetox, a recombinant insecticidal peptide
      derived from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ureases are metalloenzymes involved in defense mechanisms in plants.
      The insecticidal activity of Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean) ureases relies
      partially on an internal 10kDa peptide generated by enzymatic hydrolysis of the
      protein within susceptible insects. A recombinant version of this peptide,
      jaburetox, exhibits insecticidal, antifungal and membrane-disruptive properties.
      Molecular modeling of jaburetox revealed a prominent beta-hairpin motif
      consistent with either neurotoxicity or pore formation. METHODS: Aiming to
      identify structural motifs involved in its effects, mutated versions of jaburetox
      were built: 1) a peptide lacking the beta-hairpin motif (residues 61-74),
      JbtxDelta-beta; 2) a peptide corresponding the N-terminal half (residues 1-44),
      Jbtx N-ter, and 3) a peptide corresponding the C-terminal half (residues 45-93),
      Jbtx C-ter. RESULTS: 1) JbtxDelta-beta disrupts liposomes, and exhibited
      entomotoxic effects similar to the whole peptide, suggesting that the beta
      hairpin motif is not a determinant of these biological activities; 2) both Jbtx C
      ter and Jbtx N-ter disrupted liposomes, the C-terminal peptide being the most
      active; and 3) while Jbtx N-ter persisted to be biologically active, Jbtx C-ter
      was less active when tested on different insect preparations. Molecular modeling
      and dynamics were applied to the urease-derived peptides to complement the
      structure-function analysis. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: The N-terminal portion of the
      Jbtx carries the most important entomotoxic domain which is fully active in the
      absence of the beta-hairpin motif. Although the beta-hairpin contributes to some
      extent, probably by interaction with insect membranes, it is not essential for
      the entomotoxic properties of Jbtx. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Jbtx represents a new
      type of insecticidal and membrane-active peptide.

PMID- 24239687
TI  - Homologous Hevea brasiliensis REF (Hevb1) and SRPP (Hevb3) present different auto
      assembling.
AB  - HbREF and HbSRPP are two Hevea brasiliensis proteins present on rubber particles,
      and probably involved in the coagulation of latex. Their function is unclear, but
      we previously discovered that REF had amyloid properties, which could be of
      particular interest during the coagulation process. First, we confirmed that REF
      and SRPP, homologous and principal proteins in hevea latex, are not
      glycoproteins. In this work, we investigated various aspects of protein
      interactions: aggregation, auto-assembling, yeast and erythrocyte agglutination,
      co-interactions by various biochemical (PAGE, spectroscopy, microscopy),
      biophysical (DLS, ellipsometry) and structural (TEM, ATR-FTIR, PM-IRRAS)
      approaches. We demonstrated that both proteins are auto-assembling into different
      aggregative states: REF polymerizes as an amyloid rich in beta-sheets and forms
      quickly large aggregates (>MUm), whereas SRPP auto-assembles in solution into
      stable nanomultimers of a more globular nature. Both proteins are however able to
      interact together, and SRPP may inhibit the amyloidogenesis of REF. REF is also
      able to interact with the membranes of yeasts and erythrocytes, leading to their
      agglutination. In addition, we also showed that both REF and SRPP did not have
      antimicrobial activity, whereas their activity on membranes has been clearly
      evidenced. We may suspect that these aggregative properties, even though they are
      clearly different, may occur during coagulation, when the membrane is
      destabilized. The interaction of proteins with membranes could help in the
      colloidal stability of latex, whereas the protein-protein interactions would
      contribute to the coagulation process, by bringing rubber particles together or
      eventually disrupting the particle monomembranes. 

PMID- 24239688
TI  - Abnormalities in whisking behaviour are associated with lesions in brain stem
      nuclei in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - The transgenic SOD1(G93A) mouse is a model of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
      (ALS) and recapitulates many of the pathological hallmarks observed in humans,
      including motor neuron degeneration in the brain and the spinal cord. In mice,
      neurodegeneration particularly impacts on the facial nuclei in the brainstem.
      Motor neurons innervating the whisker pad muscles originate in the facial nucleus
      of the brain stem, with contractions of these muscles giving rise to "whisking"
      one of the fastest movements performed by mammals. A longitudinal study was
      conducted on SOD1(G93A) mice and wild-type litter mate controls, comparing: (i)
      whisker movements using high-speed video recordings and automated whisker
      tracking, and (ii) facial nucleus degeneration using MRI. Results indicate that
      while whisking still occurs in SOD1(G93A) mice and is relatively resistant to
      neurodegeneration, there are significant disruptions to certain whisking
      behaviours, which correlate with facial nuclei lesions, and may be as a result of
      specific facial muscle degeneration. We propose that measures of mouse whisker
      movement could potentially be used in tandem with measures of limb dysfunction as
      biomarkers of disease onset and progression in ALS mice and offers a novel method
      for testing the efficacy of novel therapeutic compounds. 

PMID- 24239690
TI  - Neurotransmissions of antidepressant-like effects of neuromedin U-23 in mice.
AB  - Neuromedin U (NmU) is a widely distributed and multifunctional peptide in the
      central nervous system and the peripheral tissues. Little is know about the
      mechanisms of NmU on brain functions. The rodent isoform of the NmU, NmU-23, has
      been shown to have anxiolytic effects involved in the beta-adrenergic and
      cholinergic nervous systems in elevated plus maze test. NmU-23 was tested for
      antidepressant-like effects in modified forced swimming test (FST) in mice and
      furthermore, the involvement of the adrenergic, serotonergic, cholinergic,
      dopaminergic or gaba-ergic receptors in the antidepressant-like effect of NmU-23
      was studied in modified mice FST. Mice were pretreated with a non-selective alpha
      adrenergic receptor antagonist phenoxybenzamine, an alpha1/alpha2beta-adrenergic
      receptor antagonist, prazosin, an alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonist,
      yohimbine, a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, propranolol, a mixed 5-HT1/5
      HT2 serotonergic receptor antagonist, methysergide, a non-selective 5-HT2
      serotonergic receptor antagonist, cyproheptadine, nonselective muscarinic
      acetylcholine receptor antagonist, atropine, D2,D3,D4 dopamine receptor
      antagonist, haloperidol or gamma-aminobutyric acid subunit A (GABAA) receptor
      antagonist, bicuculline. NmU-23 showed the antidepressant-like effects by
      decreasing the immobility time and increasing the climbing and swimming time.
      Prazosin, haloperidol, and bicuculline prevented the effects of NmU-23 on the
      climbing and swimming time. Methysergide and cyproheptadine prevented the effects
      of NmU-23 on the immobility, swimming and climbing time. Atropine prevented the
      effects of NmU-23 on the climbing time. Phenoxybenzamine, yohimbine and
      propranolol did not change the effects of NmU-23. The results demonstrated that
      the antidepressant-like effect of NmU-23 is mediated, at least in part, by an
      interaction of the alpha2-adrenergic, 5-HT1-2 serotonergic, D2,D3,D4 dopamine
      receptor, muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and gamma-aminobutyric acid subunit
      A (GABAA) receptor in a modified mouse FST. 

PMID- 24239689
TI  - Classifying social anxiety disorder using multivoxel pattern analyses of brain
      function and structure.
AB  - Functional neuroimaging of social anxiety disorder (SAD) support altered neural
      activation to threat-provoking stimuli focally in the fear network, while
      structural differences are distributed over the temporal and frontal cortices as
      well as limbic structures. Previous neuroimaging studies have investigated the
      brain at the voxel level using mass-univariate methods which do not enable
      detection of more complex patterns of activity and structural alterations that
      may separate SAD from healthy individuals. Support vector machine (SVM) is a
      supervised machine learning method that capitalizes on brain activation and
      structural patterns to classify individuals. The aim of this study was to
      investigate if it is possible to discriminate SAD patients (n=14) from healthy
      controls (n=12) using SVM based on (1) functional magnetic resonance imaging
      during fearful face processing and (2) regional gray matter volume. Whole brain
      and region of interest (fear network) SVM analyses were performed for both
      modalities. For functional scans, significant classifications were obtained both
      at whole brain level and when restricting the analysis to the fear network while
      gray matter SVM analyses correctly classified participants only when using the
      whole brain search volume. These results support that SAD is characterized by
      aberrant neural activation to affective stimuli in the fear network, while
      disorder-related alterations in regional gray matter volume are more diffusely
      distributed over the whole brain. SVM may thus be useful for identifying imaging
      biomarkers of SAD. 

PMID- 24239691
TI  - Developmental alterations in locomotor and anxiety-like behavior as a function of
      D1 and D2 mRNA expression.
AB  - The majority of smokers start smoking in adolescence, beginning a potentially
      lifelong struggle with nicotine use and abuse. In rodent models of the effects of
      nicotine, the drug has been shown to elicit both locomotor and anxiety-like
      behavioral effects. Research suggests that these behavioral effects may be due in
      part to dopamine (DA) receptors D1 and D2 in the mesolimbic system, specifically
      the nucleus accumbens (NAc). We examined early adolescent (P28), late adolescent
      (P45), and adult (P80) male Long-Evans rats in the elevated plus maze (EPM) under
      normal conditions and the open field (OF) post-nicotine in order to test
      locomotor and anxiety-like behavior. These behavioral findings were then
      correlated with expression of DA D1 and D2 mRNA levels as determined via in situ
      hybridization. Nicotine-induced locomotor behavior was found to be significantly
      different between age groups. After a single injection of nicotine, early
      adolescents exhibited increases in locomotor behavior, whereas both late
      adolescents and adults responded with decreases in locomotor behavior. In
      addition, it was found that among, early adolescents, open arm and center time in
      the EPM were negatively correlated with D2 mRNA expression. In contrast, among
      adults, distance traveled in the center and center time in the OF were negatively
      correlated with D2 mRNA expression. This study suggests that DA D2 receptors play
      a role in anxiety-like behavior and that the relationship between observed
      anxiety-like behaviors and D2 receptor expression changes through the lifespan. 

PMID- 24239692
TI  - Acute ethanol exposure induces behavioural differences in two zebrafish (Danio
      rerio) strains: a time course analysis.
AB  - The zebrafish has been proposed as a model organism to study genetic effects
      influencing behaviour and also as a tool with which the mechanisms of the action
      of alcohol (ethanol or EtOH) in the vertebrate brain may be investigated. In the
      current study we exposed zebrafish from two genetically distinct strains (WIK and
      TU) to a computer animated image of a natural predator of this species, the
      Indian leaf fish. We measured the subjects' behavioural responses in the presence
      of different acute doses of alcohol (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00% vol/vol) using
      an observation based event-recording method. We found fish of both strains to
      exhibit an atypical predator inspection response during the presentation of the
      animated predator image coupled with a classical fear response, increased jumping
      frequency. We found numerous alcohol induced behavioural changes and more
      importantly also revealed alcohol induced strain dependent changes as well,
      including different dose-response trajectories for WIK vs. TU in predator
      inspection response, general swimming activity, location of swimming (top vs.
      bottom half of the tank) and freezing. The results suggest that zebrafish of the
      TU strain may be more tolerant at least to lower doses of alcohol as compared to
      WIK. The characterization of strain differences in zebrafish will aid the
      identification of possible molecular mechanisms involved in alcohol's actions in
      the vertebrate brain. 

PMID- 24239694
TI  - Enhancement in cognitive function recovery by granulocyte-colony stimulating
      factor in a rodent model of traumatic brain injury.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized by neuronal damage and commonly,
      secondary cell death, leading to functional and neurological dysfunction. Despite
      the recent focus of TBI research on developing therapies, affective therapeutic
      strategies targeting neuronal death associated with TBI remain underexplored.
      This study explored the efficacy of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)
      as an intervention for improving cognitive deficits commonly associated with TBI.
      Although G-CSF has been studied with histological techniques, to date, its
      effects on functional outcome remain unknown. To this end, we used a closed head
      injury (CHI) model in Wistar rats that were randomly assigned to one of four
      groups (untreated TBI, G-CSF treated TBI, G-CSF treated Control, Control). The
      treatment groups were administered subcutaneous injections of G-CSF 30 min (120
      MUg/kg) and 12 h (60 MUg/kg) post-trauma. The Morris Water Maze test was used to
      measure any treatment-associated changes in cognitive deficits observed in TBI
      animals at days 2-6 post-injury. Our findings demonstrate a significant
      improvement in cognitive performance in the G-CSF treated TBI animals within a
      week of injury, compared to untreated TBI, indicative of immediate and beneficial
      effect of G-CSF on cognitive performance post CHI. Our model suggests that early
      G-CSF exposure may be a promising therapeutic approach in recovery of cognitive
      deficits due to TBI.

PMID- 24239693
TI  - Mesolimbic transcriptional response to hedonic substitution of voluntary exercise
      and voluntary ethanol consumption.
AB  - The mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway has been implicated in many rewarding
      behaviors, including the consumption of ethanol and voluntary exercise. It has
      become apparent that different rewarding stimuli activate this pathway, and
      therefore it is possible for these behaviors to influence each other, i.e.
      hedonic substitution. Using adult female C57BL/6J mice, we demonstrate that
      voluntary access to a running wheel substantially reduces the consumption and
      preference of ethanol. Furthermore, we examined gene expression of several genes
      involved in regulating the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, which we hypothesized
      to be the main pathway involved in hedonic substitution. In the striatum, we
      observed a reduction in mRNA expression of Drd1a due to exercise. Hippocampal
      Bdnf mRNA increased in response to exercise and decreased in response to ethanol.
      Furthermore, there was an interaction effect of exercise and ethanol on the
      expression of Slc18a2 in the midbrain. These data suggest an important role for
      this pathway, and especially for Bdnf and Slc18a2 in regulating hedonic
      substitution. 

PMID- 24239695
TI  - Chronic nicotine attenuates phencyclidine-induced impulsivity in a mouse serial
      reaction time task.
AB  - Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by positive, negative, and cognitive
      symptoms. While positive symptoms can be effectively treated with typical
      antipsychotic medication, which generally affects the dopaminergic system,
      negative and cognitive symptoms, including attentional deficits and impulsive
      behavior, are less sensitive to standard treatments. It has further been well
      documented that schizophrenic patients use tobacco products at a rate much higher
      than the general population, and this persists despite treatment. It has been
      argued this behavior may be a form of self-medication, to alleviate some symptoms
      of schizophrenia. It has further been posited that prefrontal glutamatergic
      hypofunction may underlie some aspects of schizophrenia, and in accordance with
      this model, systemic phencyclidine has been used to model the disease. We
      employed a modified 5-choice serial reaction time test, a paradigm that is often
      used to investigate many of the treatment-resistant symptoms of schizophrenia
      including impulsivity, selective attention, and sustained attention/cognitive
      vigilance, to determine the medicinal effects of nicotine. We demonstrate that
      chronic oral, but not acute injections of nicotine can selectively attenuate
      phencyclidine-induced increases in impulsivity without affecting other measures
      of attention. This suggests that nicotine use by schizophrenics may provide some
      relief of distinct symptoms that involve impulsive behaviors. 

PMID- 24239696
TI  - The effect of brief neonatal cryoanesthesia on physical development and adult
      cognitive function in mice.
AB  - Deep hypothermia (cryoanesthesia) is often used as general anesthesia during
      surgery in neonatal rodents. Neonatal cryoanesthesia has been used recently to
      generate somatic brain transgenic (SBT) mouse models via intracerebral
      ventricular injection of rAAV vectors into both non-transgenic mice and numerous
      transgenic mouse models. Since, the evaluation of cognition is one of the main
      experimental endpoints in many of these studies, we examined the consequences of
      brief neonatal cryoanesthesia on the physical development and mnemonic function
      of adult mice. Two groups of 129FVBF1 pups from reciprocal breeding crosses
      underwent cryoanesthesia for 6 min (Cryo6) or 12 min (Cryo12), respectively,
      within the first hours (<12h) of postnatal life. A group of pups separated from
      the nest and kept in ambient temperature of 33  degrees C for 6 min served as a
      control. Our results revealed that lowering the temperature of pups to ~8 
      degrees C (Cryo6) or ~5  degrees C (Cryo12) did not affect their body weight at
      pre-weaning stage and in the adulthood. The evaluation of cognitive function in
      adult mice revealed strong and comparable to control spatial reference, and
      context and tone fear memories of neonatally cryoanesthetized mice. Also, the
      experimental and control groups had comparable brain weight at the end of the
      study. Our results demonstrate that neonatal cryoanesthesia, lasting up to 12
      min, has no adverse effects on the body weight of mice during development, and on
      their cognition in the adulthood.

PMID- 24239697
TI  - Memory, learning, and participation of the cholinergic system in young rats
      exposed to environmental enrichment.
AB  - The present study demonstrates the consequences of animal exposure to an enriched
      environment compared to animals living in a standard environment regarding
      learning and space memory. Male albino Wistar rats were exposed to an enriched
      environment for 4 weeks after the lactation period and tested in the Morris water
      maze in the distal and proximal clue version and in the arena. In the former
      test, the animals were tested at 50 days of age with 12 daily trials on two
      consecutive days. At the end of each session, scopolamine at the dose of 0.6
      mg/kg/ml or saline solution was injected intraperitoneally. Twenty-eight days
      after the first phase, a new test consisting of a single trial was held (retest).
      An independent group of animals receiving no drug was subjected to the arena test
      and to the proximal clue version of the Morris maze. In the distal clue version
      the results did not show differences between groups in the first phase of the
      experiment. After 28 days (retest), the animals reared in a standard environment
      and treated with scopolamine exhibited a significant increase in latency compared
      to the group receiving the same drug and stimulated and to the group receiving
      saline. The arena data demonstrated a significant increase in exploratory
      activity in the group of animals reared in an enriched environment. The proximal
      clue version of the Morris maze did not show differences between groups. The
      results of the present study indicate that animals exposed to environmental
      enrichment react less to the amnesic effects of scopolamine and show an increase
      in exploratory activity.

PMID- 24239698
TI  - Concentration dynamics and biodegradability of dissolved organic matter in
      wetland soils subjected to experimental warming.
AB  - Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the most bioavailable soil organic pool.
      Understanding how DOM responds to elevated temperature is important for
      forecasting soil carbon (C) dynamics under climate warming. Here a 4.5-year field
      microcosm experiment was carried out to examine temporal DOM concentration
      dynamics in soil pore-water from six different subtropical wetlands. Results are
      compared between control (ambient temperature) and warmed (+5 degrees C)
      treatments. UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy was performed to reveal DOM
      structural complexity at the end of the warming incubation. Elevated temperature
      resulted in initially (1 to 2.5 years) high pore-water DOM concentrations in
      warmed samples. These effects gradually diminished over longer time periods. Of
      the spectral indices, specific UV absorbance at 280 nm and humification index
      were significantly higher, while the signal intensity ratio of the fulvic-like to
      humic-like fluorescence peak was lower in warmed samples, compared to the
      control. Fluorescence regional integration analysis further suggested that
      warming enhanced the contribution of humic-like substances to DOM composition for
      all tested wetlands. These spectral fingerprints implied a declined fraction of
      readily available substrates in DOM allocated to microbial utilization in
      response to 4.5 years of warming. As a negative feedback, decreased DOM
      biodegradability may have the potential to counteract initial DOM increases and
      alleviate C loss in water-saturated wetland soils.

PMID- 24239699
TI  - Molecular characterization of the PR-toxin gene cluster in Penicillium roqueforti
      and Penicillium chrysogenum: cross talk of secondary metabolite pathways.
AB  - The PR-toxin is a potent mycotoxin produced by Penicillium roqueforti in moulded
      grains and grass silages and may contaminate blue-veined cheese. The PR-toxin
      derives from the 15 carbon atoms sesquiterpene aristolochene formed by the
      aristolochene synthase (encoded by ari1). We have cloned and sequenced a four
      gene cluster that includes the ari1 gene from P. roqueforti. Gene silencing of
      each of the four genes (named prx1 to prx4) resulted in a reduction of 65-75% in
      the production of PR-toxin indicating that the four genes encode enzymes involved
      in PR-toxin biosynthesis. Interestingly the four silenced mutants overproduce
      large amounts of mycophenolic acid, an antitumor compound formed by an unrelated
      pathway suggesting a cross-talk of PR-toxin and mycophenolic acid production. An
      eleven gene cluster that includes the above mentioned four prx genes and a 14-TMS
      drug/H(+) antiporter was found in the genome of Penicillium chrysogenum. This
      eleven gene cluster has been reported to be very poorly expressed in a
      transcriptomic study of P. chrysogenum genes under conditions of penicillin
      production (strongly aerated cultures). We found that this apparently silent gene
      cluster is able to produce PR-toxin in P. chrysogenum under static culture
      conditions on hydrated rice medium. Noteworthily, the production of PR-toxin was
      2.6-fold higher in P. chrysogenum npe10, a strain deleted in the 56.8kb
      amplifiable region containing the pen gene cluster, than in the parental strain
      Wisconsin 54-1255 providing another example of cross-talk between secondary
      metabolite pathways in this fungus. A detailed PR-toxin biosynthesis pathway is
      proposed based on all available evidence. 

PMID- 24239700
TI  - Deletion of the putative stretch-activated ion channel Mid1 is hypervirulent in
      Aspergillus fumigatus.
AB  - Calcium ion is a universal and physiologically important molecule affecting
      almost every cellular function, while Mid1 (mating induced death) is a stretch
      activated ion channel localized in the plasma membrane, which can replenish the
      fungus with extracellular calcium. Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most
      important fungal pathogens but little is known about its calcium channels in the
      plasma membrane. In this study, a homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mid1 was
      identified in A. fumigatus and its encoding gene afmid1 was deleted by replacing
      it with pyr4 selectable marker, designated as Deltaafmid1. Analysis of the
      phenotypes demonstrated that Deltaafmid1 had growth defects under solid and
      liquid cultural conditions. The mutant Deltaafmid1 had delayed germination in
      minimal medium and abnormal morphogenesis in the medium containing ethylene
      glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA), an agent with major affinity for Ca(2+) and minor
      affinity for Mn(2+). The sensitivity against cell wall disturbing agents, osmotic
      stress, alkaline environments, high temperatures or starvation in Deltaafmid1
      resembled wild type. However, the mutant Deltaafmid1 demonstrated more
      sensitivity to oxidative agents (H2O2 and Menadione) than wild type. Most
      surprisingly, deletion of afmid1 from A. fumigatus led to hypervirulence in the
      immunosuppressed mice model. 

PMID- 24239702
TI  - The impact of neighborhood walkability on walking: does it differ across adult
      life stage and does neighborhood buffer size matter?
AB  - We explored the impact of neighborhood walkability on young adults, early-middle
      adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults' walking across different
      neighborhood buffers. Participants completed the Western Australian Health and
      Wellbeing Surveillance System Survey (2003-2009) and were allocated a
      neighborhood walkability score at 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1600m around their home.
      We found little difference in strength of associations across neighborhood size
      buffers for all life stages. We conclude that neighborhood walkability supports
      more walking regardless of adult life stage and is relevant for small (e.g.,
      200m) and larger (e.g., 1600m) neighborhood buffers. 

PMID- 24239701
TI  - Low-field MRI can be more sensitive than high-field MRI.
AB  - MRI signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is the key factor for image quality.
      Conventionally, SNR is proportional to nuclear spin polarization, which scales
      linearly with magnetic field strength. Yet ever-stronger magnets present numerous
      technical and financial limitations. Low-field MRI can mitigate these constraints
      with equivalent SNR from non-equilibrium 'hyperpolarization' schemes, which
      increase polarization by orders of magnitude independently of the magnetic field.
      Here, theory and experimental validation demonstrate that combination of field
      independent polarization (e.g. hyperpolarization) with frequency optimized MRI
      detection coils (i.e. multi-turn coils using the maximum allowed conductor
      length) results in low-field MRI sensitivity approaching and even rivaling that
      of high-field MRI. Four read-out frequencies were tested using samples with
      identical numbers of (1)H and (13)C spins. Experimental SNRs at 0.0475T were ~40%
      of those obtained at 4.7T. Conservatively, theoretical SNRs at 0.0475T 1.13-fold
      higher than those at 4.7T were possible despite an ~100-fold lower detection
      frequency, indicating feasibility of high-sensitivity MRI without technically
      challenging, expensive high-field magnets. The data at 4.7T and 0.0475T was
      obtained from different spectrometers with different RF probes. The SNR
      comparison between the two field strengths accounted for many differences in
      parameters such as system noise figures and variations in the probe detection
      coils including Q factors and coil diameters. 

PMID- 24239703
TI  - Perception and trends of associated health risks with seasonal climate variation
      in Oke-Ogun region, Nigeria.
AB  - This paper investigates the perceived and observed trends of associated health
      risks with seasonal climate variability and identifies types of and preference
      for adaptation strategies that are available at households and community levels
      in Oke-Ogun region, Nigeria. The study made use of household survey and rapid
      appraisal through focus group discussion and key informant interviews. For a
      short term climate-health impacts analysis, cases of notable diseases were
      correlated with monthly mean temperature and rainfall for the period 2006 and
      2008. The findings show similar trends in relation to local perception on climate
      health risks and observed cases of some notable diseases during seasonal changes.
      Diarrhea, measles and malaria were prevalent during dry season, while flu cases
      increased at the onset of harmattan and monsoon of rainy season. Available
      adaptation strategies are autonomous, mostly in the form of treatment measures
      such as consultation with medical officers in hospitals (17.5%), self-medication
      (34%) and use of traditional therapy such as herbs (48.5%). Traditional therapy
      is mostly preferred and approved based on long-term experience of the study
      population. 

PMID- 24239704
TI  - Deficiency of protease-activated receptor-1 limits bacterial dissemination during
      severe Gram-negative sepsis (melioidosis).
AB  - Protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) is a G-coupled transmembrane receptor
      expressed by multiple cell types present in the lungs that can be activated by
      various proteases generated during acute inflammation. In this study we aimed to
      investigate the role of PAR-1 during melioidosis, a common cause of
      (pneumo)sepsis in Southeast Asia in a murine model of intranasal inoculation of
      the causative pathogen Burkholderia (B.) pseudomallei. Our results show that
      endogenous PAR-1 facilitates bacterial growth and dissemination during murine
      melioidosis, which is associated with increased cell influxes. However, these
      observations have no impact on survival. 

PMID- 24239705
TI  - Surgical safety checklists in developing countries.
AB  - The World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist (WHO SSC) has
      demonstrated efficacy in developed and developing countries alike. Recent
      increases in awareness of surgical morbidity in developing countries has placed
      greater emphasis on strategies to improve surgical safety in resource-limited
      settings. The implementation of surgical safety checklists in low-income
      countries has specific barriers related to resources and culture. Adapting and
      amending existing surgical safety checklists, as well as considering factors
      unique to developing countries, may allow the potential of this simple
      intervention to be fully harnessed in a wider setting. This review will address
      the benefits and challenges of implementation of surgical safety checklists in
      developing countries. Moreover, inspiration for the original checklist is
      revisited to identify areas that will be of particular benefit in a resource-poor
      setting. Potential future strategies to encourage the implementation of
      checklists in these countries are also discussed. 

PMID- 24239706
TI  - The broadening spectrum of mitochondrial disease: shifts in the diagnostic
      paradigm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of mitochondrial disease requires a complex synthesis
      of clinical, biochemical, histological, and genetic investigations. An expanding
      number of mitochondrial diseases are being recognized, despite their phenotypic
      diversity, largely due to improvements in methods to detect mutations in affected
      individuals and the discovery of genes contributing to mitochondrial function.
      Improved understanding of the investigational pitfalls and the development of new
      laboratory methodologies that lead to a molecular diagnosis have necessitated the
      field to rapidly adopt changes to its diagnostic approach. SCOPE OF REVIEW: We
      review the clinical, investigational and genetic challenges that have resulted in
      shifts to the way we define and diagnose mitochondrial disease. Incorporation of
      changes, including the use of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) and next
      generation sequencing techniques, may allow affected patients access to earlier
      molecular diagnosis and management. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: There have been important
      shifts in the diagnostic paradigm for mitochondrial disease. Diagnosis of
      mitochondrial disease is no longer reliant on muscle biopsy alone, but should
      include clinical assessment accompanied by the use of serological biomarkers and
      genetic analysis. Because affected patients will be defined on a molecular basis,
      oligosymptomatic mutation carriers should be included in the spectrum of
      mitochondrial disease. Use of new techniques such as the measurement of serum FGF
      21 levels and next-generation-sequencing protocols should simplify the diagnosis
      of mitochondrial disease. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Improvements in the diagnostic
      pathway for mitochondrial disease will result in earlier, cheaper and more
      accurate methods to identify patients with mitochondrial disease. This article is
      part of a Special Issue entitled Frontiers of Mitochondrial Research.

PMID- 24239707
TI  - Variation in moisture duration as a driver of coexistence by the storage effect
      in desert annual plants.
AB  - Temporal environmental variation is a leading hypothesis for the coexistence of
      desert annual plants. Environmental variation is hypothesized to cause species
      specific patterns of variation in germination, which then generates the storage
      effect coexistence mechanism. However, it has never been shown how sufficient
      species differences in germination patterns for multispecies coexistence can
      arise from a shared fluctuating environment. Here we show that nonlinear
      germination responses to a single fluctuating physical environmental factor can
      lead to sufficient differences between species in germination pattern for the
      storage effect to yield coexistence of multiple species. We derive these
      nonlinear germination responses from experimental data on the effects of varying
      soil moisture duration. Although these nonlinearities lead to strong species
      asymmetries in germination patterns, the relative nonlinearity coexistence
      mechanism is minor compared with the storage effect. However, these asymmetries
      mean that the storage effect can be negative for some species, which then only
      persist in the face of interspecific competition through average fitness
      advantages. This work shows how a low dimensional physical environment can
      nevertheless stabilize multispecies coexistence when the species have different
      nonlinear responses to common conditions, as supported by our experimental data. 

PMID- 24239708
TI  - IFN-gamma in turtle: conservation in sequence and signalling and role in
      inhibiting iridovirus replication in Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus
      sinensis.
AB  - The IFN-gamma gene was identified in a turtle, the Chinese soft-shelled turtle,
      Pelodiscus sinensis, with its genome consisting of 4 exons and 3 introns. The
      deduced amino acid sequence of this gene contains a signal peptide, an IFN-gamma
      family signature motif (130)IQRKAVNELFPT, an NLS motif (155)KRKR and three
      potential N-glycosylation sites. As revealed by real-time quantitative PCR, the
      gene was constitutively expressed in all tested organs/tissues, with higher level
      observed in blood, intestine and thymus. An induced expression of IFN-gamma at
      mRNA level was observed in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) in response to in
      vitro stimulation of LPS and PolyI:C. The overexpression of IFN-gamma in the
      Chinese soft-shelled turtle artery (STA) cell line resulted in the increase in
      the expression of transcriptional regulators, such as IRF1, IRF7 and STAT1, and
      antiviral genes, such as Mx, PKR, implying possibly the existence of a conserved
      signalling network and role for IFN-gamma in the turtle. Furthermore, the
      infection of soft-shelled turtle iridovirus (STIV) in the cell line transfected
      with IFN-gamma may cause the cell death as demonstrated with the elevated lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH) level and cell mortality. However, the mechanism involved in
      the antiviral activity may require further investigation. 

PMID- 24239709
TI  - Expression of antimicrobial peptides in coelomocytes and embryos of the green sea
      urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis).
AB  - Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play a crucial role in innate immunity. We have
      previously reported the isolation and characterization of the AMPs, strongylocins
      1 and 2, and centrocin 1, from coelomocyte extracts of Strongylocentrotus
      droebachiensis. Here we show that these AMPs were expressed in phagocytes. In
      addition, transcripts of strongylocin 1 were detected in vibratile cells and/or
      colorless spherule cells, while transcripts of strongylocin 2 were found in red
      spherule cells. Results from immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry studies
      showed that centrocin 1 was produced by phagocytes and stored in granular
      vesicles. Co-localization of centrocin 1 and phagocytosed bacteria suggests that
      the granular vesicles containing centrocin 1 may be involved in the formation of
      phagolysosomes. We also analyzed the temporal and spatial expression of AMPs
      throughout larval development. Strongylocins were expressed in the early pluteus
      stage, while centrocin 1 was expressed in the mid pluteus stage. The spatial
      expression pattern showed that centrocin 1 was mainly located in blastocoelar
      cells (BCs) around the stomach and the esophagus. In addition, a few patrolling
      BCs were detected in some larval arms. Together, these results suggest that AMPs
      are expressed in different types of coelomocytes and that centrocin 1 is involved
      in response against bacteria. Furthermore, the expression of AMPs in larval
      pluteus stage, especially in BCs, indicates that AMPs and BCs are engaged in the
      larval immune system. 

PMID- 24239710
TI  - Fluorescence spectroscopy of Rhodamine 6G: concentration and solvent effects.
AB  - Rhodamine 6G (R6G), also known as Rhodamine 590, is one of the most frequently
      used dyes for application in dye lasers and as a fluorescence tracer, e.g., in
      the area of environmental hydraulics. Knowing the spectroscopic characteristics
      of the optical emission is key to obtaining high conversion efficiency and
      measurement accuracy, respectively. In this work, solvent and concentration
      effects are studied. A series of eight different organic solvents (methanol,
      ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, n-pentanol, acetone, and dimethyl
      sulfoxide (DMSO)) are investigated at constant dye concentration. Relatively
      small changes of the fluorescence spectrum are observed for the different
      solvents; the highest fluorescence intensity is observed for methanol and lowest
      for DMSO. The shortest peak wavelength is found in methanol (568 nm) and the
      longest in DMSO (579 nm). Concentration effects in aqueous R6G solutions are
      studied over the full concentration range from the solubility limit to highly
      dilute states. Changing the dye concentration provides tunability between ~550 nm
      in the dilute case and ~620 nm at high concentration, at which point the
      fluorescence spectrum indicates the formation of R6G aggregates.

PMID- 24239711
TI  - A study of the interaction tyrosine and DNA using voltammetry and spectroscopy
      methods.
AB  - The interaction of tyrosine (Tyr) with double stranded DNA was studied by cyclic
      voltammetry, fluorescence emission spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The
      presence of DNA on a single-walled carbon nanotubes (DNA/SWCNT/GCE) and multi
      walled carbon nanotubes (DNA/MWCNT/GCE) modified glassy carbon electrode showed a
      decrease in the current and a positive shift in the Tyr oxidation peak,
      indicating the intercalative interaction. The transfer coefficient (alpha),
      heterogeneous rate constant (k(s)), and surface concentration (Gamma) were
      calculated in the absence and presence of DNA. The corresponding binding constant
      of Tyr with DNA and Hill coefficient were obtained from cooperative Hill model.
      The UV spectroscopic data confirmed the interaction between Tyr and DNA is
      intercalative with the binding constant of 3.98*10(3) mol(-1) L. Furthermore, the
      mechanism of fluorescence quenching has been discussed and the binding constant
      and numbers of binding sites were obtained as 3.37*10(3) mol(-1) L and 2,
      respectively from the Stern-Volmer plot.

PMID- 24239712
TI  - Depression, C-reactive protein and length of post-operative hospital stay in
      coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients.
AB  - This study aimed to explore the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in mediating the
      association between greater pre-operative depression symptoms and longer post
      operative length of stay in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft
      (CABG) surgery. We used a sample of 145 elective CABG patients and measured
      depression symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) prior to surgery
      and collected baseline measures of CRP. Participants were followed up during
      their in-hospital stay to measure early (1-3 days post-surgery) and persistent (4
      8 days post-surgery) CRP responses to surgery. We found that compared with
      participants with low depression symptoms, those with elevated depression
      symptoms (BDI>10) prior to CABG were at increased odds of a hospital stay of
      greater than one week (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.415-8.693, p=0.007) and that greater
      persistent CRP responses mediated this association. Further work is needed to
      explore the exact physiological pathways through which depression and CRP
      interact to affect recovery in CABG patients.

PMID- 24239713
TI  - Emodin attenuates A23187-induced mast cell degranulation and tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha secretion through protein kinase C and IkappaB kinase 2 signaling.
AB  - Mast cells are known to play a pivotal role in allergic diseases. Cross-linking
      of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) is known to be one of the major
      causes that lead to degranulation and allergic inflammation. An increase in
      intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) concentration also triggers degranulation,
      bypassing receptor activation. Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is
      known to exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities including anti-allergic
      effects. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms involved in exhibiting anti
      allergic effects by emodin were remained to be clarified. In the present
      investigation we report the regulatory function of emodin on the allergic signal
      mediators through Ca(2+) ionophore activation in mast cells. Emodin significantly
      inhibited A23187-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and degranulation
      through the attenuation of protein kinase C, IkappaB kinase 2, and soluble N
      ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion factor attachment protein receptor complex
      formation, bypassing FcepsilonRI activation. Data from our study indicated that
      emodin acts by regulating multiple signaling pathways in inhibiting the allergic
      reactions in mast cells. 

PMID- 24239714
TI  - Inhibitory effects of quercetin on angiogenesis in larval zebrafish and human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells.
AB  - Angiogenesis plays an essential role in many physiological and pathological
      processes. Quercetin, a plant pigment and traditional Chinese medicinal herb, is
      an important flavonoid that has anti-cancer activity. However, the function of
      quercetin in blood vessel development in vivo and in vitro is still unclear. In
      this study, we investigated the anti-angiogenic activity of quercetin in
      zebrafish embryos and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our
      results showed that quercetin disrupted the formation of intersegmental vessels,
      the dorsal aorta and the posterior cardinal vein in transgenic zebrafish embryos.
      In HUVECs, quercetin inhibited cell viability, the expression of vascular
      endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and tube formation in a dose-dependent
      manner. In inhibiting angiogenesis, quercetin was found to be involved in
      suppressing the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway in vivo
      and in vitro. This study has shown that quercetin has potent anti-angiogenic
      activity and may be a candidate anti-cancer agent for future research. 

PMID- 24239715
TI  - Anti-proliferative effect of recombinant human endostatin on synovial fibroblasts
      in rats with adjuvant arthritis.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by pronounced synovial hyperplasia
      resulting in pannus formation, cartilage erosion and ultimately joint
      destruction. Activated RA synovial fibroblasts (SFs) mediate the invasion and
      destruction of cartilage and bone. We previously demonstrated that recombinant
      human endostatin (rhEndostatin) is sufficient to induce SF apoptosis in adjuvant
      arthritis (AA) rats. However, the effect of this protein on SF proliferation is
      unknown. This study was designed to assess the inhibitory effect and mechanisms
      of rhEndostatin on the proliferation of cultured AA SFs. MTT assay and flow
      cytometric detection were performed to investigate SF proliferation and cell
      cycle progression, respectively. Also, the expression levels of p53, p21, cyclin
      D1, CDK4 and PCNA in AA SFs were detected by real-time PCR and western blotting
      assays. Our data revealed that AA SF proliferation was significantly inhibited by
      rhEndostatin in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, rhEndostatin
      (50MUg/ml) caused the G0/G1 cell cycle arrest of AA SFs. There were significant
      decreases in the expression levels of p53, p21, cyclin D1 and PCNA in AA SFs
      treated with rhEndostatin, and a significant increase in CDK4 expression.
      Collectively, our data suggest that rhEndostatin inhibits AA SF proliferation,
      which is preceded by cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. This is partly due to
      the inhibitory effect of rhEndostatin on cyclin D1 and PCNA by a p53-p21-CDK4
      independent mechanism. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential use
      of rhEndostatin for RA treatment. 

PMID- 24239716
TI  - Medial prefrontal cortex inactivation attenuates the diurnal rhythm in
      amphetamine reward.
AB  - Psychostimulant reward, as assessed via the conditioned place preference (CPP)
      paradigm, exhibits a daily rhythm with peaks in the late dark and early light
      periods, and a nadir near the light-to-dark transition. While this diurnal rhythm
      is correlated with neural activity in several corticolimbic structures, the brain
      regions mediating this behavioral rhythm remain unknown. Here, we examine the
      role of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The effects of excitotoxic
      mPFC lesions on daily rhythms in amphetamine CPP were examined at previously
      observed peak (zeitgeber time [ZT] 23) and nadir times (ZT11). mPFC lesions
      encompassing the prelimbic and infralimbic subregions increased the CPP for
      amphetamine at the nadir time, thereby eliminating the daily rhythm in
      amphetamine reward. To examine the effects of transient mPFC inactivation, rats
      received intra-mPFC infusions of GABA receptor agonists during the acquisition or
      expression phases of CPP testing. Inactivation of the ventral mPFC at either of
      these phases also eliminated the daily rhythm in amphetamine-induced CPP via an
      increase in drug-paired chamber dwell time at the baseline nadir. Together, these
      results indicate that the ventral mPFC plays a critical role in mediating the
      diurnal rhythm in amphetamine CPP during both the acquisition and expression of
      learned reward-context associations. Moreover, as the loss of rhythmicity occurs
      via an increase at the nadir point, these results suggest that excitatory output
      from the ventral mPFC normally inhibits context-elicited reward seeking prior to
      the light-to-dark transition. 

PMID- 24239718
TI  - Sensory transduction of weak electromagnetic fields: role of glutamate
      neurotransmission mediated by NMDA receptors.
AB  - Subliminal electromagnetic fields (EMFs) triggered nonlinear evoked potentials in
      awake but not anesthetized animals, and increased glucose metabolism in the
      hindbrain. Field detection occurred somewhere in the head and possibly was an
      unrecognized function of sensory neurons in facial skin, which synapse in the
      trigeminal nucleus and project to the thalamus via glutamate-dependent pathways.
      If so, anesthetic agents that antagonize glutamate neurotransmission would be
      expected to degrade EMF-evoked potentials (EEPs) to a greater extent than agents
      having different pharmacological effects. We tested the hypothesis using ketamine
      which blocks N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs), and xylazine which
      is an alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonist. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) of rats were
      examined using recurrence analysis to observe EEPs in the presence and absence of
      ketamine and/or xylazine anesthesia. Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) served as
      positive controls. The frequency of observation of evoked potentials in a given
      condition (wake or anesthesia) was compared with that due to chance using the
      Fisher's exact test. EEPs were observed in awake rats but not while they were
      under anesthesia produced using a cocktail of xylazine and ketamine. In another
      experiment each rat was measured while awake and while under anesthesia produced
      using either xylazine or ketamine. EEPs and AEPs were detected during wake and
      under xylazine (P<0.05 in each of the four measurements). In contrast, neither
      EEPs nor AEPs were observed when anesthesia was produced partly or wholly using
      ketamine. The duration and latency of the EEPs was unaltered by xylazine
      anesthesia. The afferent signal triggered by the transduction of weak EMFs was
      likely mediated by NMDAR-mediated glutamate neurotransmission.

PMID- 24239717
TI  - Ectopic endometrium-derived leptin produces estrogen-dependent chronic pain in a
      rat model of endometriosis.
AB  - Endometriosis pain is a very common and extremely disabling condition whose
      mechanism is still poorly understood. While increased levels of leptin have been
      reported in patients with endometriosis, their contribution to endometriosis pain
      has not been explored. Using a rodent model of endometriosis we provide evidence
      for an estrogen-dependent contribution of leptin in endometriosis-induced pain.
      Rats implanted with autologous uterine tissue onto the gastrocnemius muscle
      developed endometriosis-like lesions and local chronic pain. Compared to eutopic
      uterine tissue, leptin mRNA and protein were up-regulated in the endometriosis
      like lesions. Intramuscular injection of recombinant leptin in naive rats
      produced dose-dependent local mechanical hyperalgesia and nociceptor
      sensitization to mechanical stimulation. Ovariectomy attenuated the mechanical
      hyperalgesia induced by recombinant leptin, in rats treated with vehicle compared
      to those treated with 17beta-estradiol replacement, at 1 and 24 h after leptin
      injection. Finally, intralesional injections of a pegylated leptin receptor (Ob
      R) antagonist or of an inhibitor of Janus kinase2, which transduces the Ob-R
      signal, markedly attenuated pain in the endometriosis model. Taken together these
      data support the hypothesis that leptin, generated in ectopic endometrial lesions
      produces mechanical hyperalgesia by acting on nociceptors innervating the lesion.
      This sensitivity to leptin is dependent on estrogen levels. Thus, interventions
      targeting leptin signaling, especially in combination with interventions that
      lower estrogen levels, might be useful for the treatment of endometriosis pain.

PMID- 24239719
TI  - Intimate associations between the endogenous opiate systems and the growth
      hormone-releasing hormone system in the human hypothalamus.
AB  - Although it is a general consensus that opioids modulate growth, the mechanism of
      this phenomenon is largely unknown. Since endogenous opiates use the same
      receptor family as morphine, these peptides may be one of the key regulators of
      growth in humans by impacting growth hormone (GH) secretion, either directly, or
      indirectly, via growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) release. However, the
      exact mechanism of this regulation has not been elucidated yet. In the present
      study we identified close juxtapositions between the
      enkephalinergic/endorphinergic/dynorphinergic axonal varicosities and GHRH
      immunoreactive (IR) perikarya in the human hypothalamus. Due to the long post
      mortem period electron microscopy could not be utilized to detect the presence of
      synapses between the enkephalinergic/endorphinergic/dynorphinergic and GHRH
      neurons. Therefore, we used light microscopic double-label immunocytochemistry to
      identify putative juxtapositions between these systems. Our findings revealed
      that the majority of the GHRH-IR perikarya formed intimate associations with
      enkephalinergic axonal varicosities in the infundibular nucleus/median eminence,
      while endorphinergic-GHRH juxtapositions were much less frequent. In contrast, no
      significant dynorphinergic-GHRH associations were detected. The density of the
      abutting enkephalinergic fibers on the surface of the GHRH perikarya suggests
      that these juxtapositions may be functional synapses and may represent the
      morphological substrate of the impact of enkephalin on growth. The small number
      of GHRH neurons innervated by the endorphin and dynorphin systems indicates
      significant differences between the regulatory roles of endogenous opiates on
      growth in humans. 

PMID- 24239721
TI  - Calcium signaling and the MAPK cascade are required for sperm activation in
      Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - In nematode, sperm activation (or spermiogenesis), a process in which the
      symmetric and non-motile spermatids transform into polarized and crawling
      spermatozoa, is critical for sperm cells to acquire fertilizing competence. SPE-8
      dependent and SPE-8 independent pathways function redundantly during sperm
      activation in both males and hermaphrodites of Caenorhabditis elegans. However,
      the downstream signaling for both pathways remains unclear. Here we show that
      calcium signaling and the MAPK cascade are required for both SPE-8 dependent and
      SPE-8 independent sperm activation, implying that both pathways share common
      downstream signaling components during sperm activation. We demonstrate that
      activation of the MAPK cascade is sufficient to activate spermatids derived from
      either wild-type or spe-8 group mutant males and that activation of the MAPK
      cascade bypasses the requirement of calcium signal to induce sperm activation,
      indicating that the MAPK cascade functions downstream of or parallel with the
      calcium signaling during sperm activation. Interestingly, the persistent
      activation of MAPK in activated spermatozoa inhibits Major Sperm Protein (MSP)
      based cytoskeleton dynamics. We demonstrate that MAPK plays dual roles in
      promoting pseudopod extension during sperm activation but also blocking the MSP
      based, amoeboid motility of the spermatozoa. Thus, though nematode sperm are
      crawling cells, morphologically distinct from flagellated sperm, and the
      molecular machinery for motility of amoeboid and flagellated sperm is different,
      both types of sperm might utilize conserved signaling pathways to modulate sperm
      maturation. 

PMID- 24239720
TI  - Epigenetic mechanisms in pubertal brain maturation.
AB  - Puberty is a critical period of development during which the reemergence of
      gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion from the hypothalamus triggers a cascade
      of hormone-dependent processes. Maturation of specific brain regions including
      the prefrontal cortex occurs during this window, but the complex mechanisms
      underlying these dynamic changes are not well understood. Particularly, the
      potential involvement of epigenetics in this programming has been under-examined.
      The epigenome is known to guide earlier stages of development, and it is
      similarly poised to regulate vital pubertal-driven brain maturation. Further, as
      epigenetic machinery is highly environmentally responsive, its involvement may
      also lend this period of growth to greater vulnerability to external insults,
      resulting in reprogramming and increased disease risk. Importantly,
      neuropsychiatric diseases commonly present in individuals during or immediately
      following puberty, and environmental perturbations including stress may
      precipitate disease onset by disrupting the normal trajectory of pubertal brain
      development via epigenetic mechanisms. In this review, we discuss epigenetic
      processes involved in pubertal brain maturation, the potential points of
      derailment, and the importance of future studies for understanding this dynamic
      developmental window and gaining a better understanding of neuropsychiatric
      disease risk. 

PMID- 24239722
TI  - Isoforms of protein kinase C involved in phorbol ester-induced sphingosine 1
      phosphate receptor 1 phosphorylation and desensitization.
AB  - The role of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)
      induced sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor 1 (S1P1) phosphorylation was
      studied. Activation of S1P1 receptors induced an immediate increase in
      intracellular calcium, which was blocked by preincubation with PMA. Both S1P and
      PMA were able to increase S1P1 phosphorylation in a concentration- and time
      dependent fashion. Down-regulation of PKC (overnight incubation with PMA) blocked
      the subsequent effect of the phorbol ester on S1P1 phosphorylation, without
      decreasing that of the natural agonist. Pharmacological inhibition of PKC alpha
      prevented the effects of PMA on S1P-triggered intracellular calcium increase and
      on S1P1 phosphorylation; no such effect was observed on the effects of the
      sphingolipid agonist. The presence of PKC alpha and beta isoforms in S1P1
      immunoprecipitates was evidenced by Western blotting. Additionally, expression of
      dominant-negative mutants of PKC alpha or beta and knockdown of these isozymes
      using short hairpin RNA, markedly attenuated PMA-induced S1P1 phosphorylation.
      Our results indicate that the classical isoforms, mainly PKC alpha, mediate PMA
      induced phosphorylation and desensitization of S1P1. 

PMID- 24239723
TI  - Ascorbic acid suppresses endotoxemia and NF-kappaB signaling cascade in alcoholic
      liver fibrosis in guinea pigs: a mechanistic approach.
AB  - Alcohol consumption increases the small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
      and intestinal permeability of endotoxin. The endotoxin mediated inflammatory
      signaling plays a major role in alcoholic liver fibrosis. We evaluated the effect
      of ascorbic acid (AA), silymarin and alcohol abstention on the alcohol induced
      endotoxemia and NF-kappaB activation cascade pathway in guinea pigs (Cavia
      porcellus). Guinea pigs were administered ethanol at a daily dose of 4g/kg b.wt
      for 90days. After 90days, ethanol administration was stopped. The ethanol treated
      animals were divided into abstention, silymarin (250mg/kg b.wt) and AA (250mg/kg
      b.wt) supplemented groups and maintained for 30days. The SIBO, intestinal
      permeability and endotoxin were significantly increased in the ethanol group. The
      mRNA expressions of intestinal proteins claudin, occludin and zona occludens-1
      were significantly decreased in ethanol group. The mRNA levels of inflammatory
      receptors, activity of IKKbeta and the protein expressions of phospho
      IkappaBalpha, NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1 and IL-6 were also altered in
      ethanol group. The expressions of fibrosis markers alpha-SMA, alpha1 (I) collagen
      and sirius red staining in the liver revealed the induction of fibrosis. But the
      supplementation of AA could induce greater reduction of ethanol induced SIBO,
      intestinal barrier defects, NF-kappaB activation and liver fibrosis than
      silymarin. The possible mechanism may be the inhibitory effect of AA on SIBO,
      intestinal barrier defect and IKKbeta, which decreased the activation of NF
      kappaB and synthesis of cytokines. This might have led to suppression of HSCs
      activation and liver fibrosis. 

PMID- 24239725
TI  - Towards the realisation of lead-oriented synthesis.
AB  - Sourcing large numbers of lead-like molecules - compounds that would serve as
      good starting points for drug discovery programmes - is currently very
      challenging. The concept of lead-oriented synthesis has recently been articulated
      to capture the specific problem of preparing diverse small molecules with lead
      like molecular properties. In this Feature, some methods that might be used to
      prepare lead-like molecular scaffolds are described, and presented in the context
      of diversity-oriented synthetic strategies that allow wide variation in molecular
      scaffold. It is concluded that the development of a wider toolkit of reactions
      that is reliable with more polar substrates will be required to allow genuine
      combination of molecular scaffold within lead-like chemical space.

PMID- 24239724
TI  - Urinary arsenic metabolism in a Western Chinese population exposed to high-dose
      inorganic arsenic in drinking water: influence of ethnicity and genetic
      polymorphisms.
AB  - To investigate the differences in urinary arsenic metabolism patterns of
      individuals exposed to a high concentration of inorganic arsenic (iAs) in
      drinking water, an epidemiological investigation was conducted with 155
      individuals living in a village where the arsenic concentration in the drinking
      water was 969MUg/L. Blood and urine samples were collected from 66 individuals
      including 51 cases with skin lesions and 15 controls without skin lesions. The
      results showed that monomethylated arsenic (MMA), the percentage of MMA (%MMA)
      and the ratio of MMA to iAs (MMA/iAs) were significantly increased in patients
      with skin lesions as compared to controls, while dimethylated arsenic (DMA), the
      percentage of DMA (%DMA) and the ratio of DMA to MMA (DMA/MMA) were significantly
      reduced. The percent DMA of individuals with the Ala/Asp genotype of glutathione
      S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO1) was significantly lower than those with Ala/Ala.
      The percent MMA of individuals with the A2B/A2B genotype of arsenic (+3 oxidation
      state) methyltransferase (AS3MT) was significantly lower than those with AB/A2B.
      The iAs and total arsenic (tAs) content in the urine of a Tibetan population were
      significantly higher than that of Han and Hui ethnicities, whereas MMA/iAs was
      significantly lower than that of Han and Hui ethnicities. Our results showed that
      when exposed to the same arsenic environment, different individuals exhibited
      different urinary arsenic metabolism patterns. Gender and ethnicity affect these
      differences and above polymorphisms may be effectors too. 

PMID- 24239726
TI  - Drug-eluting scaffolds for bone and cartilage regeneration.
AB  - The advances in strategies for bone and cartilage regeneration have been centered
      on a concept that describes the close relationship between osteogenic cells,
      osteoconductive scaffolds, delivery growth factors and the mechanical
      environment. The dynamic nature of the tissue repair process involves intricate
      mimicry of signals expressed in the biological system in response to an injury.
      Recently, synergistic strategies involving hybrid delivery systems that provide
      sequential dual delivery of biomolecules and relevant topological cues received
      great attention. Future advances in tissue regeneration will therefore depend on
      multidisciplinary strategies that encompass the crux of tissue repair aimed at
      constructing the ideal functional regenerative scaffold. Here, functional
      scaffolds delivering therapeutics are reviewed in terms of their controlled
      release and healing capabilities. 

PMID- 24239727
TI  - Antibody-drug conjugates: current status and future directions.
AB  - Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) aim to take advantage of the specificity of
      monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to deliver potent cytotoxic drugs selectively to
      antigen-expressing tumor cells. Despite the simple concept, various parameters
      must be considered when designing optimal ADCs, such as selection of the
      appropriate antigen target and conjugation method. Each component of the ADC (the
      antibody, linker and drug) must also be optimized to fully realize the goal of a
      targeted therapy with improved efficacy and tolerability. Advancements over the
      past several decades have led to a new generation of ADCs comprising non
      immunogenic mAbs, linkers with balanced stability and highly potent cytotoxic
      agents. Although challenges remain, recent clinical success has generated intense
      interest in this therapeutic class.

PMID- 24239729
TI  - Development of predictive genetic tests for improving the safety of new
      medicines: the utilization of routinely collected electronic health records.
AB  - Serious adverse drug reactions are an important cause of hospitalization and can
      result in the withdrawal of licensed drugs. Genetic variation has been shown to
      influence adverse drug reaction susceptibility, and predictive genetic tests have
      been developed for a limited number of adverse drug reactions. The identification
      of patients with adverse drug reactions, obtaining samples for genetic analysis
      and rigorous evaluation of clinical test effectiveness represent significant
      challenges to predictive genetic test development. Using the example of serious
      drug-induced liver injury, we illustrate how a database of routinely collected
      electronic health records (EHRs) could be used to overcome these barriers by
      facilitating rapid recruitment to genome-wide association studies and supporting
      efficient randomized controlled trials of predictive genetic test effectiveness. 

PMID- 24239728
TI  - Toward better drug repositioning: prioritizing and integrating existing methods
      into efficient pipelines.
AB  - Recycling old drugs, rescuing shelved drugs and extending patents' lives make
      drug repositioning an attractive form of drug discovery. Drug repositioning
      accounts for approximately 30% of the newly US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
      approved drugs and vaccines in recent years. The prevalence of drug-repositioning
      studies has resulted in a variety of innovative computational methods for the
      identification of new opportunities for the use of old drugs. Questions often
      arise from customizing or optimizing these methods into efficient drug
      repositioning pipelines for alternative applications. It requires a comprehensive
      understanding of the available methods gained by evaluating both biological and
      pharmaceutical knowledge and the elucidated mechanism-of-action of drugs. Here,
      we provide guidance for prioritizing and integrating drug-repositioning methods
      for specific drug-repositioning pipelines. 

PMID- 24239730
TI  - Obituary: Homo phykophilos--Dieter Mollenhauer, December 29, 1937-May 3, 2013.

PMID- 24239731
TI  - A short guide to common heterotrophic flagellates of freshwater habitats based on
      the morphology of living organisms.

PMID- 24239732
TI  - The facial motor system.
AB  - Facial movements support a variety of functions in human behavior. They
      participate in automatic somatic and visceral motor programs, they are essential
      in producing communicative displays of affective states and they are also subject
      to voluntary control. The multiplicity of functions of facial muscles, compared
      to limb muscles, is reflected in the heterogeneity of their anatomical and
      histological characteristics that goes well beyond the conventional
      classification in single facial muscles. Such parcellation in different
      functional muscular units is maintained throughout the central representation of
      facial movements from the brainstem up to the neocortex. Facial movements
      peculiarly lack a conventional proprioceptive feedback system, which is only in
      part vicariated by cutaneous or auditory afferents. Facial motor activity is the
      main marker of endogenous affective states and of the affective valence of
      external stimuli. At the cortical level, a complex network of specialized motor
      areas supports voluntary facial movements and, differently from upper limb
      movements, in such network there does not seem to be a prime actor in the primary
      motor cortex. 

PMID- 24239734
TI  - The effects of noise over the complete space of diffusion tensor shape.
AB  - Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) is a technique used to
      quantify the microstructural organization of biological tissues. Multiple images
      are necessary to reconstruct the tensor data and each acquisition is subject to
      complex thermal noise. As such, measures of tensor invariants, which characterize
      components of tensor shape, derived from the tensor data will be biased from
      their true values. Previous work has examined this bias, but over a narrow range
      of tensor shape. Herein, we define the mathematics for constructing a tensor from
      tensor invariants, which permits an intuitive and principled means for building
      tensors with a complete range of tensor shape and salient microstructural
      properties. Thereafter, we use this development to evaluate by simulation the
      effects of noise on characterizing tensor shape over the complete space of tensor
      shape for three encoding schemes with different SNR and gradient directions. We
      also define a new framework for determining the distribution of the true values
      of tensor invariants given their measures, which provides guidance about the
      confidence the observer should have in the measures. Finally, we present the
      statistics of tensor invariant estimates over the complete space of tensor shape
      to demonstrate how the noise sensitivity of tensor invariants varies across the
      space of tensor shape as well as how the imaging protocol impacts measures of
      tensor invariants. 

PMID- 24239733
TI  - Depression and impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease: two sides of the
      same coin?
AB  - Depression and impulse control disorders (ICD) are two common neuropsychiatric
      features in Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies have revealed that both phenomena
      are associated with aberrations in ventral striatal dopamine signaling and
      concomitant dysfunction of the reward-related (limbic) cortico-striatal
      thalamocortical (CSTC) circuit. Depression in PD seems associated with decreased
      activity in the limbic CSTC circuit, whereas ICD seem associated with increased
      limbic CSTC circuit activity, usually after commencing dopamine replacement
      therapy (DRT). Not all DRT using PD patients, however, develop symptoms of ICD,
      suggesting an additional underlying neurobiological susceptibility. Furthermore,
      the symptoms of depression and ICD frequently coincide even though they are
      related to seemingly contrasting limbic CSTC circuit activation states. The aim
      of this review is to provide an overview of the currently available literature on
      the neurobiology of PD-related depression and ICD and discusses possible
      susceptibility factors. Finally, we propose a neurobiological model that
      identifies ventral striatal dopaminergic denervation as a common underlying
      neurobiological substrate of depression and ICD and subsequent dysfunction of
      reward and motivation-related brain areas. 

PMID- 24239735
TI  - Practice trends in the utilization of intraoperative neurophysiological
      monitoring in pediatric neurosurgery as a function of complication rate, and
      patient-, surgeon-, and procedure-related factors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Higher benchmarks in safety for patients undergoing neurosurgery have
      been introduced. With these principles, new tools and techniques were
      established, including intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM).
      Current trends as a function of patient-, surgeon-, and procedure-related factors
      and complication rates in the utilization of IONM as an adjunct to the practice
      of pediatric neurosurgery have not been investigated previously. METHODS: Between
      2008 and 2011, 4467 neurosurgical procedures were performed on 2352 patients at
      Texas Children's Hospital. A retrospective chart review was performed in which
      surgeon, procedure, and patient characteristics, as well as perioperative
      complications, were recorded for IONM and non-IONM cases. RESULTS: Neurosurgical
      procedures performed with IONM steadily increased. Surgeon-related factors
      associated with IONM use included surgeons with <10 years of practice (P <
      .0001), and subspecialty interest in spine (P < .0001) and oncology (P = .0048).
      Procedure-related factors associated with IONM use included operations involving
      the spinal cord (P < .0001). Patient-related factors associated with IONM use
      included children older than 3 years of age and with increased American Society
      of Anesthesiologists score (P < .0001). The neurological complication rate in the
      IONM cohort (range 3.4% to 11.3%; mean 6.4%) was significantly higher compared to
      the non-IONM cohort (range 1.1% to 1.8%; mean 1.5%) (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The
      percent of procedures performed with IONM increased. However, these trends do not
      seem governed by improvement to patient outcomes because the complication rates
      were higher in the IONM cohort than the non-IONM cohort.

PMID- 24239736
TI  - Clinical usefulness of coregistered 11C-methionine positron emission tomography/3
      T magnetic resonance imaging at the follow-up of acromegaly.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study sought to characterize the utility of coregistered 11C
      methionine positron emission tomography (MET-PET) with 3-T magnetic resonance
      imaging (3T MRI) in the diagnosis and follow-up of pituitary adenomas in patients
      with acromegaly and to compare MET-PET and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose emission
      tomography (FDG-PET) for the evaluation of active or recurrent disease. METHODS:
      This is a prospective observational study. It included a total of 17 patients, 6
      patients with a new diagnosis of acromegaly and 11 patients who had previously
      undergone resection of a confirmed growth hormone-secreting adenoma. The study
      protocol consisted of preoperative and postoperative evaluation with 3T MRI, and
      both MET-PET and FDG-PET. Coregistration of 3T MRI/MET-PET was accomplished.
      RESULTS: In all patients who underwent preoperative imaging, MET-PET demonstrated
      increased uptake coincident with location of the pituitary lesion on 3T MRI. In
      the postoperative group, the coregistered 3T MRI/MET-PET demonstrated evidence of
      residual tumor in all patients with active disease. MET-PET sensitivity was 86%
      and specificity was 86% for the diagnosis of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: MET-PET is
      a sensitive technique for diagnosing persistent acromegaly, and its
      coregistration with 3T MRI has demonstrated a better definition of the interface,
      extension, and location of the lesion in the management of active postoperative
      acromegaly.

PMID- 24239737
TI  - A correlation between National Institutes of Health funding and bibliometrics in
      neurosurgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The relationship between metrics, such as the h-index, and the ability
      of researchers to generate funding has not been previously investigated in
      neurosurgery. This study was performed to determine whether a correlation exists
      between bibliometrics and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding data among
      academic neurosurgeons. METHODS: The h-index, m-quotient, g-index, and
      contemporary h-index were determined for 1225 academic neurosurgeons from 99 (of
      101) departments. Two databases were used to create the citation profiles, Google
      Scholar and Scopus. The NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools
      Expenditures and Reports tool was accessed to obtain career grant funding amount,
      grant number, year of first grant award, and calendar year of grant funding.
      RESULTS: Of the 1225 academic neurosurgeons, 182 (15%) had at least 1 grant with
      a fully reported NIH award profile. Bibliometric indices were all significantly
      higher for those with NIH funding compared to those without NIH funding (P <
      .001). The contemporary h-index was found to be significantly predictive of NIH
      funding (P < .001). All bibliometric indices were significantly associated with
      the total number of grants, total award amount, year of first grant, and duration
      of grants in calendar years (bivariate correlation, P < .001) except for the
      association of m-quotient with year of first grant (P = .184). CONCLUSIONS:
      Bibliometric indices are higher for those with NIH funding compared to those
      without, but only the contemporary h-index was shown to be predictive of NIH
      funding. Among neurosurgeons with NIH funding, higher bibliometric scores were
      associated with greater total amount of funding, number of grants, duration of
      grants, and earlier acquisition of their first grant.

PMID- 24239738
TI  - Comparison of symptomatic cerebral spinal fluid leak between patients undergoing
      minimally invasive versus open lumbar foraminotomy, discectomy, or laminectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) techniques have similar long
      term outcomes compared to open surgery for patients undergoing 1- or 2-level
      discectomy, foraminotomy, or laminectomy. However, the rate of cerebrospinal
      fluid (CSF) leaks with both techniques has not been well established in the
      literature. This study sought to compare the rate and clinical impact of CSF leak
      in open lumbar foraminotomy, discectomy, or laminectomy with comparable MISS
      approaches. METHODS: A total of 863 patients undergoing 1- or 2-level discectomy,
      foraminotomy, or laminectomy by either MISS an open technique were evaluated for
      CSF leaks. Variables assessed included operative time, blood loss, CSF leaks,
      hospital stay, days with lumbar drain, days of postoperative flat bed rest, and
      postoperative intervention. Statistical analyses include univariate analysis
      (Student t test, analysis of variance, odds ratio, chi(2)) and bivariate analysis
      (logistic regression). RESULTS: In the MISS group there were 15 CSF leaks (4.7%),
      and 49 CSF leaks (9.0%) in the open group. Eight patients in the open group
      required lumbar drainage, compared to zero patients in the MISS group. Twelve
      patients required reoperation for persistent CSF leak in the open group, compared
      to zero patients in the MISS group. Patients undergoing open spine surgery were 2
      times more likely to have a CSF leak (odds ratio = 2.3, 95% confidence interval =
      1.2 to 3.7, P = .01). Patients undergoing MISS had significantly lower
      reoperation rates for CSF leak repairs (open = 25% of open CSF leak cases, MISS =
      0%, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was a statistically significant
      decreased rate of CSF leak between an MISS approach and an open surgical
      approach. Furthermore, CSF leaks in open surgery have a higher probability of
      requiring lumbar drainage or reoperation to repair the durotomy.

PMID- 24239739
TI  - Prospective trial of a short hospital stay protocol after endoscopic endonasal
      pituitary adenoma surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patients typically remain hospitalized for several days after
      transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma resection for reasons including
      pain control, serial neurological assessments, surveillance for cerebrospinal
      fluid leak, and management of endocrine issues. We sought to determine whether an
      evidence-based perioperative care protocol combined with an endoscopic approach
      could lead to routine and safe discharge on postoperative day 1. METHODS: Our
      multidisciplinary pituitary group prospectively implemented a perioperative care
      protocol that emphasizes patient education, early mobilization, and scheduled
      inpatient and outpatient endocrine assessments on 50 consecutive patients who
      underwent surgical resection of a pituitary adenoma (82% macroadenomas, 2.1 +/-
      0.8 cm, maximum 4.5 cm, 18% microadenomas). Endoscopic endonasal surgery
      characterized by aggressive tumor resection and avoidance of nasal packing and
      lumbar drains was used in all cases. Lengths of stay, readmissions, and
      postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Using the short-stay protocol, 92%
      (46 of 50) of patients were successfully discharged on postoperative day 1. The
      average length of stay for all patients was 1.16 +/- 0.55 days (range 1 to 4).
      Postoperative diabetes insipidus occurred in 16% of patients (8 of 50), was
      effectively managed on an outpatient basis, and did not delay discharge.
      Readmission was required in 2 patients, in both cases for delayed presentation of
      a cerebrospinal fluid leak. CONCLUSIONS: A short-stay protocol allows for an
      overnight hospital stay for patients after pituitary surgery, with a low rate of
      complications or readmission. This study offers evidence-based guidelines that
      may be used to avoid complications and facilitate early discharge after
      transsphenoidal surgery.

PMID- 24239740
TI  - Intracranial hemangiopericytoma--our experience in 30 years: a series of 43 cases
      and review of the literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Meningeal hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare, aggressive central
      nervous system tumor that tends to invade locally and to metastasize, and has a
      high rate of recurrence. METHODS: This study presents a retrospective review of
      patients managed for intracranial HPC at Rome University Hospital. RESULTS: A
      total of 43 patients with intracranial HPC were treated from 1980 to 2010.
      Treatment and follow-up information was available for analysis on 36 patients.
      The median survival for all patients was 83.5 months after date of diagnosis,
      with 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates of 100%, 94.4%, and 72.2%,
      respectively. Eighteen patients (41.86%) had HPC recurrence. The median time
      until recurrence was 72.24 months, with 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year progression
      free survival rates of 98%, 51%, and 29%, respectively. Five patients (11.62%)
      developed extracranial metastasis. Patients undergoing any form of adjuvant
      radiation treatment, including external beam radiotherapy, Gamma Knife
      radiosurgery, and/or proton beam therapy, had no longer median overall survival
      (OS) (178 vs. 154 months, respectively; P = .2); but did have a significantly
      improved recurrence-free interval (108 vs. 64 months; P = .04) compared with
      patients who did not undergo radiation treatment. Tumor characteristics
      associated with earlier recurrence included size >=7 cm (log-rank, P < .05) and
      sinus invasion (log-rank, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Strategies combining adjuvant
      radiation with tumor resection seemed to hinder tumor progression, but had no
      effect on OS or the development of metastases. Greater extent of resection was
      associated with increased OS (log-rank, P < .05). Anaplastic HPC was associated
      with reduced OS and with reduced recurrence interval (log-rank, P < .05).

PMID- 24239742
TI  - Nox4 redox regulation of PTP1B contributes to the proliferation and migration of
      glioblastoma cells by modulating tyrosine phosphorylation of coronin-1C.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme is a common primary brain tumor in adults and one of the
      most devastating human cancers. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by NADPH
      oxidase (Nox) 4 have recently been a focus of attention in the study of
      glioblastomas, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of Nox4 remain
      elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that silencing of Nox4 expression by Nox4
      targeted siRNA suppressed cell growth and motility of glioblastoma U87 cells,
      indicating the involvement of Nox4. Furthermore, Nox4-derived ROS oxidized and
      inactivated protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP):1B: PTP1B in its active form
      downregulates cell proliferation and migration. By affinity purification with the
      substrate-trapping mutant of PTP1B, tyrosine-phosphorylated coronin-1C was
      identified as a substrate of PTP1B. Its tyrosine phosphorylation level was
      suppressed by Nox4 inhibition, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation of
      coronin-1C is regulated by the Nox4-PTP1B pathway. Finally, ablation of coronin
      1C attenuated the proliferative and migratory activity of the cells.
      Collectively, these findings reveal that Nox4-mediated redox regulation of PTP1B
      serves as a modulator, in part through coronin-1C, of the growth and migration of
      glioblastoma cells, and provide new insight into the mechanistic aspect of
      glioblastoma malignancy. 

PMID- 24239743
TI  - Identification of a differential expression signature associated with
      tumorigenesis and metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Metastasis is the most significant prognostic factor for laryngeal
      carcinoma which necessitates the identification of molecular alterations
      associated with metastasis. The identification of such molecular alterations will
      not only prove useful in treatment but also provide insight into mechanisms of
      cancer metastasis. The studies conducted so far have not specifically focused on
      metastasis or invasion pathways. Therefore we investigated the expression
      profiles with a pathway focused approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total RNA was
      extracted from 36 laryngeal tumors and paired cancer free tissue. Expression
      levels of 88 genes were determined using a PCR array system following cDNA
      synthesis. Obtained data was used for the calculation of altered expression
      levels, facilitating relevant algorithms. Significant alterations were determined
      according to their p-value obtained by Student's t-test. RESULTS: Sixteen genes
      have shown altered expression when compared with adjacent cancer-free tissue. 2
      of these 16 genes have shown differential expression in tumors with neck
      metastasis in respect to non-metastatic tumors. CONCLUSION: We found that TGFB1,
      TIMP1, c-Myc, SPARC, COL4A2 and SOX4 show altered expression in laryngeal tumors.
      c-Myc and SOX4 expression is decreased as laryngeal tumors switch to metastatic
      phenotype.

PMID- 24239741
TI  - Usher protein functions in hair cells and photoreceptors.
AB  - The 10 different genes associated with the deaf/blind disorder, Usher syndrome,
      encode a number of structurally and functionally distinct proteins, most
      expressed as multiple isoforms/protein variants. Functional characterization of
      these proteins suggests a role in stereocilia development in cochlear hair cells,
      likely owing to adhesive interactions in hair bundles. In mature hair cells,
      homodimers of the Usher cadherins, cadherin 23 and protocadherin 15, interact to
      form a structural fiber, the tip link, and the linkages that anchor the taller
      stereocilia's actin cytoskeleton core to the shorter adjacent stereocilia and the
      elusive mechanotransduction channels, explaining the deafness phenotype when
      these molecular interactions are perturbed. The conundrum is that photoreceptors
      lack a synonymous mechanotransduction apparatus, and so a common theory for Usher
      protein function in the two neurosensory cell types affected in Usher syndrome is
      lacking. Recent evidence linking photoreceptor cell dysfunction in the shaker 1
      mouse model for Usher syndrome to light-induced protein translocation defects,
      combined with localization of an Usher protein interactome at the periciliary
      region of the photoreceptors suggests Usher proteins might regulate protein
      trafficking between the inner and outer segments of photoreceptors. A distinct
      Usher protein complex is trafficked to the ribbon synapses of hair cells, and
      synaptic defects have been reported in Usher mutants in both hair cells and
      photoreceptors. This review aims to clarify what is known about Usher protein
      function at the synaptic and apical poles of hair cells and photoreceptors and
      the prospects for identifying a unifying pathobiological mechanism to explain
      deaf/blindness in Usher syndrome. 

PMID- 24239744
TI  - Antibiotics regulate the immune response in both presence and absence of
      lipopolysaccharide through modulation of Toll-like receptors, cytokine production
      and phagocytosis in vitro.
AB  - The inflammatory response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns such as
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in sepsis is mediated via Toll-like receptors (TLRs).
      Since TLRs also trigger various immune functions, including phagocytosis, their
      modulation is a promising strategy in the treatment of sepsis. As antibiotics
      have immunomodulatory properties, this study examined the effect of commonly used
      classes of antibiotics on i) the expression of TLRs and cytokines and ii) the
      phagocytic activity under sepsis-like conditions in vitro. This was achieved by
      incubating THP-1 monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)
      obtained from patients after open-heart surgery with the addition of LPS and six
      key antibiotics (piperacillin, doxycycline, erythromycin, moxifloxacin or
      gentamicin). After 24h, mRNA levels of both cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6) and TLRs
      (1, 2, 4, and 6) were monitored and phagocytosis was determined following
      coincubation with Escherichia coli. Each antibiotic differentially regulated the
      gene expression of the investigated TLRs and cytokines in monocytes.
      Erythromycin, moxifloxacin and doxycyclin displayed the strongest effects and
      changed mRNA-levels of the investigated genes up to 5.6-fold. Consistent with
      this, antibiotics and, in particular, moxifloxacin, regulated the TLR-and
      cytokine expression in activated PBMCs obtained from patients after open-heart
      surgery. Furthermore, piperacillin, doxycyclin and moxifloxacin inhibited the
      phagocytic activity of monocytes. Our results suggest that antibiotics regulate
      the immune response by modulating TLR- and cytokine expression as well as
      phagocytosis under septic conditions. Moxifloxacin, doxycycline and erythromycin
      were shown to possess the strongest immunomodulatory effects and these antibiotic
      classes should be considered for future immunomodulatory studies in sepsis. 

PMID- 24239745
TI  - Targeting AMCase reduces esophageal eosinophilic inflammation and remodeling in a
      mouse model of egg induced eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB  - Studies of AMCase inhibition in mouse models of lung eosinophilic inflammation
      have produced conflicting results with some studies demonstrating inhibition of
      eosinophilic inflammation and others not. No studies have investigated the role
      of AMCase inhibition in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We have used a mouse
      model of egg (OVA) induced EoE to determine whether pharmacologic inhibition of
      AMCase with allosamidin reduced eosinophilic inflammation and remodeling in the
      esophagus in EoE. Administration of intra-esophageal OVA for 6weeks to BALB/c
      mice induced increased levels of esophageal eosinophils, mast cells, and features
      of esophageal remodeling (fibrosis, basal zone hyperplasia, deposition of the
      extracellular matrix protein fibronectin). Administration of intraperitoneal (ip)
      allosamidin to BALB/c mice significantly inhibited AMCase enzymatic activity in
      the esophagus. Pharmacologic inhibition of AMCase with ip allosamidin inhibited
      both OVA induced increases in esophageal eosinophilic inflammation and OVA
      induced esophageal remodeling (fibrosis, epithelial basal zone hyperplasia,
      extracellular matrix deposition of fibronectin). This inhibition of eosinophilic
      inflammation in the esophagus by ip allosamidin was associated with reduced
      eotaxin-1 expression in the esophagus. Oral allosamidin inhibited eosinophilic
      inflammation in the epithelium but did not inhibit esophageal remodeling. These
      studies suggest that pharmacologic inhibition of AMCase results in inhibition of
      eosinophilic inflammation and remodeling in the esophagus in a mouse model of egg
      induced EoE partially through effects in the esophagus on reducing chemokines
      (i.e. eotaxin-1) implicated in the pathogenesis of EoE. 

PMID- 24239746
TI  - Seven new cassane furanoditerpenes from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax.
AB  - A bioassay-guided study led to the isolation of seven new cassane
      furanoditerpenes, designated as spirocaesalmin B (1), caesalpinin M1 (2),
      caesalpinin M2 (3), caesalmin E1 (4), caesalmin E2 (5), caesalmin E3 (6),
      caesalpinin F1 (7) and three known compounds neocaesalpin A(8), neocaesalpin
      L(9), neocaesalpin L1(10) from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax Hance. Compound
      structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses,
      including X-ray crystallographic analysis, HRESI-MS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR (HSQC,
      HMBC, NOESY) methods. Some absolute configurations were confirmed via the
      circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Compound 1 is the first example of an A-seco
      rearranged cassane furanoditerpene with an unusual skeleton isolated from the
      genus Caesalpinia. All compound inhibitory effects on influenza virus
      neuraminidase (NA) in vitro were valued for the first time. Compared with the
      positive control (Zanamivir), new compounds were found to show moderate
      inhibitory activity. 

PMID- 24239747
TI  - Triterpenoids from the fruits of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae).
AB  - Four new triterpenoids, indicalilacols A-D (1-4), were isolated from the MeOH
      extract of the fruits of Azadirachta indica, including a new 19(10->9beta)abeo
      tirucallane derivative, two new tirucallane-type triterpenoids, and a new euphane
      type triterpenoid, along with three known tirucallane-type triterpenoids. Their
      structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. The absolute
      configuration of 2 was elucidated by the chemical conversion of 2 into 21-oxo
      melianodiol 24,25-acetonide. Compounds 2, 6-8 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity
      against three human cancer cell lines, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer
      cells (KB-C2). Although compound 5 was not cytotoxic against any of the tested
      cancer cell lines, 5 showed cytotoxicity against KB-C2 cells in the presence of
      2.5 MUM colchicine, suggesting that 5 might have an MDR-reversal effect.

PMID- 24239748
TI  - Molecular mechanisms of citrus flavanones on hepatic gluconeogenesis.
AB  - It is well known that hyperglycaemia is the initiating cause of tissue damage
      associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and that enhanced hepatic
      gluconeogenesis may account for the increase in blood glucose levels. The purpose
      of this work was to investigate the possible actions and mechanisms of three
      related citrus flavanones, namely hesperidin, hesperetin and naringenin, on
      hepatic gluconeogenesis and related parameters using isolated perfused rat liver.
      Hesperetin and naringenin (but not hesperidin) inhibited gluconeogenesis from
      lactate plus pyruvate, alanine and dihydroxyacetone. The inhibitory effects of
      these flavanones on gluconeogenesis from lactate and pyruvate (hesperetin IC50
      75.6 MUM; naringenin IC50 85.5 MUM) as well as from alanine were considerably
      more pronounced than those from dihydroxyacetone. The main cause of
      gluconeogenesis inhibition is the reduction of pyruvate carboxylation by
      hesperetin (IC50 134.2 MUM) and naringenin (IC50 143.5 MUM) via inhibition of
      pyruvate transport into the mitochondria. Secondary causes are likely inhibition
      of energy metabolism, diversion of glucose 6-phosphate for glucuronidation
      reactions and oxidation of NADH by flavanone phenoxyl radicals. The influence of
      the structural differences between hesperetin and naringenin on their metabolic
      effects was negligible. Analytical evidence indicated that the presence of a
      rutinoside moiety in hesperidin noticeably decreases its metabolic effects,
      confirming that hesperetin and naringenin interact with intracellular enzymes and
      mitochondrial or cellular membranes better than hesperidin. Thus, the inhibition
      of the gluconeogenic pathway by citrus flavanones, which was similar to that of
      the drug metformin, may represent an attractive novel treatment strategy for type
      2 diabetes.

PMID- 24239749
TI  - Indirect effects of cigarette butt waste on the dengue vector Aedes aegypti
      (Diptera: Culicidae).
AB  - Despite major insecticide-based vector control programs, dengue continues to be a
      major threat to public health in urban areas. The reasons for this failure
      include the emergence of insecticide resistance and the narrowing of the spectrum
      of efficient products. Cigarette butts (CBs), the most commonly discarded piece
      of waste, also represent a major health hazard to human and animal life. CBs are
      impregnated with thousands of chemical compounds, many of which are highly toxic
      and none of which has history of resistance in mosquitoes. This study was
      performed to examine whether exposure to CB alters various biological parameters
      of parents and their progeny. We examined whether the mosquito changes its
      ovipositional behaviors, egg hatching, reproductive capacity, longevity and
      fecundity in response to CB exposure at three different concentrations. Females
      tended to prefer microcosms containing CBs for egg deposition than those with
      water only. There were equivalent rates of eclosion success among larvae from
      eggs that matured in CB and water environments. We also observed decreased life
      span among adults that survived CB exposure. Extracts of CB waste have
      detrimental effects on the fecundity and longevity of its offspring, while being
      attractive to its gravid females. These results altogether indicate that CB waste
      indirectly affect key adult life traits of Aedes aegypti and could conceivably be
      developed as a novel dengue vector control strategy, referring to previously
      documented direct toxicity on the larval stage. But this will require further
      research on CB waste effects on non-target organisms including humans. 

PMID- 24239750
TI  - New Cryptosporidium parvum subtypes of IIa subfamily in dairy calves from Brazil.
AB  - Bovine cryptosporidiosis is mainly caused by four distinct species:
      Cryptosporidium parvum, C. bovis, C. ryanae and C. andersoni. The first, C.
      parvum, is a major concern in livestock causing economic losses, in addition to
      public health impact because of its zoonotic characteristics. The present study
      aimed to determine the occurrence of different species and subtypes of
      Cryptosporidium using molecular techniques. A total of 143 fecal samples were
      collected from calves from three dairy farms located in the state of Rio de
      Janeiro, Brazil. Saturated sugar centrifugal flotation method was used for the
      microscopic evaluation of the samples. Among these samples, 19.6% (28) were
      positive by microscopy, and 82.1% (23) of these 28 samples had their diagnosis
      confirmed by PCR using 18S as gene target. After sequencing, three species of
      Cryptosporidium were found to infect calves in different age groups. In pre
      weaning phase (<2 months), 10% (3/30) of the calves were infected with C. parvum,
      whereas 14.2% (16/113) of post-weaning calves (>=2 months) were observed to be
      infected with C. andersoni and 1.8% (2/113) by C. ryanae with the latter
      diagnosed for the first time in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Those samples
      identified as C. parvum were further characterized at the GP60 locus, and PCR
      products were cloned. Eight different subtypes (IIaA20G2R1, IIaA20G2R2,
      IIaA19G2R1, IIaA19G2R2, IIaA18G1R1, IIaA18G2R2, IIaA16G3R2 and IIaA14G2R2) of C.
      parvum were identified, all belonging to the IIa family subtype, which is
      considered of high zoonotic potential. The subtypes mentioned above have not yet
      been detected in Brazilian cattle, and four of these subtypes (IIaA20G2R2,
      IIaA19G2R2, IIaA18G2R2 and IIaA14G2R2) had not been diagnosed elsewhere in calves
      until this study. 

PMID- 24239751
TI  - Vitamin D receptor and CD86 expression in the skin of vitamin D-deficient swine.
AB  - The immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in many diseases is well established.
      However, the relationship between vitamin D status and skin cancers is unclear.
      In this study, we examined the effect of vitamin D deficiency and sufficiency on
      VDR, NF-kappaB, and CD86 in the epidermis of Yucatan microswine tragi. All of
      these proteins have known roles in the pathogenesis of cutaneous malignancies
      such as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. There was weaker and less discrete
      nuclear staining for VDR and weaker CD86 immunoreactivity with patchy membranous
      expression in the epidermis of vitamin D-deficient compared to vitamin D
      sufficient swine. There was no difference in the immunostaining for NF-kappaB.
      Since VDR and CD86 expression are decreased in the setting of melanoma and non
      melanoma skin cancers, our findings suggest a potential role of vitamin D
      deficiency in the progression of skin malignancies. 

PMID- 24239752
TI  - Contrasting lexical similarity and formal definitions in SNOMED CT: consistency
      and implications.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantify the presence of and evaluate an approach for detection of
      inconsistencies in the formal definitions of SNOMED CT (SCT) concepts utilizing a
      lexical method. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Utilizing SCT's Procedure hierarchy, we
      algorithmically formulated similarity sets: groups of concepts with similar
      lexical structure of their fully specified name. We formulated five random
      samples, each with 50 similarity sets, based on the same parameter: number of
      parents, attributes, groups, all the former as well as a randomly selected
      control sample. All samples' sets were reviewed for types of formal definition
      inconsistencies: hierarchical, attribute assignment, attribute target values,
      groups, and definitional. RESULTS: For the Procedure hierarchy, 2111 similarity
      sets were formulated, covering 18.1% of eligible concepts. The evaluation
      revealed that 38 (Control) to 70% (Different relationships) of similarity sets
      within the samples exhibited significant inconsistencies. The rate of
      inconsistencies for the sample with different relationships was highly
      significant compared to Control, as well as the number of attribute assignment
      and hierarchical inconsistencies within their respective samples. DISCUSSION AND
      CONCLUSION: While, at this time of the HITECH initiative, the formal definitions
      of SCT are only a minor consideration, in the grand scheme of sophisticated,
      meaningful use of captured clinical data, they are essential. However,
      significant portion of the concepts in the most semantically complex hierarchy of
      SCT, the Procedure hierarchy, are modeled inconsistently in a manner that affects
      their computability. Lexical methods can efficiently identify such
      inconsistencies and possibly allow for their algorithmic resolution.

PMID- 24239753
TI  - Ovarian cancer clinical trial endpoints: Society of Gynecologic Oncology white
      paper.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of multiple clinical endpoints in the unique
      setting of ovarian cancer. METHODS: A clinical trial workgroup was established by
      the Society of Gynecologic Oncology to develop a consensus statement via multiple
      conference calls, meetings and white paper drafts. RESULTS: Clinical trial
      endpoints have profound effects on late phase clinical trial design, result
      interpretation, drug development, and regulatory approval of therapeutics.
      Selection of the optimal clinical trial endpoint is particularly provocative in
      ovarian cancer where long overall survival (OS) is observed. The lack of new
      regulatory approvals and the lack of harmony between regulatory bodies globally
      for ovarian cancer therapeutics are of concern. The advantages and disadvantages
      of the numerous endpoints available are herein discussed within the unique
      context of ovarian cancer where both crossover and post-progression therapies
      potentially uncouple surrogacy between progression-free survival (PFS) and OS,
      the two most widely supported and utilized endpoints. The roles of patient
      reported outcomes (PRO) and health related quality of life (HRQoL) are discussed,
      but even these widely supported parameters are affected by the unique
      characteristics of ovarian cancer where a significant percentage of patients may
      be asymptomatic. Original data regarding the endpoint preferences of ovarian
      cancer advocates is presented. CONCLUSIONS: Endpoint selection in ovarian cancer
      clinical trials should reflect the impact on disease burden and unique
      characteristics of the treatment cohort while reflecting true patient benefit.
      Both OS and PFS have led to regulatory approvals and are clinically important. OS
      remains the most objective and accepted endpoint because it is least vulnerable
      to bias; however, the feasibility of OS in ovarian cancer is compromised by the
      requirement for large trial size, prolonged time-line for final analysis, and
      potential for unintended loss of treatment effect from active post-progression
      therapies. A large magnitude of effect in PFS improvement should establish
      benefit, and further communication with regulatory authorities to clarify
      acceptable endpoints should be undertaken.

PMID- 24239754
TI  - Effect of pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis in the prevention of
      pathological vertebral fractures.

PMID- 24239755
TI  - Identification of Himetobi P virus in the small brown planthopper by deep
      sequencing and assembly of virus-derived small interfering RNAs.
AB  - Profiling and assembly of virus-derived small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) using
      next-generation sequencing technologies have been very useful for identification
      and diagnosis of a number of plant and invertebrate viruses. In this work, we
      have conducted high-throughput pyrosequencing and bioinformatic analysis of the
      small brown planthopper (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus), and these analyses
      unexpectedly showed that the Himetobi P virus (HiPV) was present in our
      laboratory cultures. HiPV was also found to infect our brown planthopper (BPH,
      Nilaparvata lugens) and the white-backed planthopper (WBPH, Sogatella furcifera)
      cultures. The majority of the HiPV-derived siRNAs (Hd-siRNAs) were 21 and 22
      nucleotides in length and nearly two-thirds of the siRNAs originated from the
      HiPV genomic RNA strand. The Hd-siRNAs were evenly distributed across the genome
      and this indicates that the HiPV genome contributes uniformly to production of Hd
      siRNAs. Although HiPV infection appeared to be innocuous to the SBPH, alterations
      of gene expressions involved in reproduction, cytoskeleton structure and defense
      responses such as RNA interference pathways (RNAi) genes were observed.
      Furthermore, we demonstrated that silencing Agronaute 2 in L. striatellus
      enhanced HiPV accumulation, and this observation provides evidence for the
      existence of RNAi defenses against HiPV in the SBPH. 

PMID- 24239756
TI  - KIR2DS4 allelic variants: Differential effects on in utero and intrapartum HIV-1
      mother-to-child transmission.
AB  - KIR2DS4 is the only activating gene within the A haplotype, and alleles of
      KIR2DS4 can encode either functional (KIR2DS4-f) or non-functional (KIR2DS4-v)
      variants. To establish the role of KIR2DS4 in the context of HIV-1 mother-to
      child transmission, we KIR genotyped 145 HIV-1 non-transmitting mothers (NT) and
      their exposed uninfected infants (EU), and 72 HIV-1 transmitting mothers (TR) and
      their infected infants [intrapartum (IP), in utero (IU) or IU2 (an IU-enriched
      infected group)]. The frequency of KIR2DS4-v was significantly higher in IU2
      infants compared to EU infants (P=0.022, OR=2.88); this association was more
      significant amongst AA haplotypes (P=0.004, OR=18.4). Possession of KIR2DS4-f in
      the mother with absence in the infant (M+I- discordance) was associated with a
      higher risk of IP transmission (P=0.005, OR=3.84); whilst in M-I+ discordance,
      infant possession of KIR2DS4-v was associated with increased risk of IU
      acquisition (P=0.002; OR=6.40). This study highlights the importance of KIR2DS4
      in HIV-1 transmission/acquisition. 

PMID- 24239757
TI  - Combined single cell AFM manipulation and TIRFM for probing the molecular
      stability of multilayer fibrinogen matrices.
AB  - Adsorption of fibrinogen on various surfaces produces a nanoscale multilayer
      matrix, which strongly reduces the adhesion of platelets and leukocytes with
      implications for hemostasis and blood compatibility of biomaterials. The
      nonadhesive properties of fibrinogen matrices are based on their extensibility,
      ensuing the inability to transduce strong mechanical forces via cellular
      integrins and resulting in weak intracellular signaling. In addition, reduced
      cell adhesion may arise from the weaker associations between fibrinogen molecules
      in the superficial layers of the matrix. Such reduced stability would allow
      integrins to pull fibrinogen molecules out of the matrix with comparable or
      smaller forces than required to break integrin-fibrinogen bonds. To examine this
      possibility, we developed a method based on the combination of total internal
      reflection fluorescence microscopy, single cell manipulation with an atomic force
      microscope and microcontact printing to study the transfer of fibrinogen
      molecules out of a matrix onto cells. We calculated the average fluorescence
      intensities per pixel for wild-type HEK 293 (HEK WT) and HEK 293 cells expressing
      leukocyte integrin Mac-1 (HEK Mac-1) before and after contact with multilayered
      matrices of fluorescently labeled fibrinogen. For contact times of 500 s, HEK Mac
      1 cells show a median increase of 57% of the fluorescence intensity compared to
      6% for HEK WT cells. The results suggest that the integrin Mac-1-fibrinogen
      interactions are stronger than the intermolecular fibrinogen interactions in the
      superficial layer of the matrix. The low mechanical stability of the multilayer
      fibrinogen surface may contribute to the reduced cell adhesive properties of
      fibrinogen-coated substrates. We anticipate that the described method can be
      applied to various cell types to examine their integrin-mediated adhesion to the
      extracellular matrices with a variable protein composition.

PMID- 24239758
TI  - A quantum chemical study of the structures, stability, and spectroscopy of
      halogen- and hydrogen-boned complexes between cyanoacetaldehyde and hypochlorous
      acids.
AB  - The complexes of cyanoacetaldehyde and hypohalous acid (HOX, X=Cl, Br, and I)
      have been investigated. They can form six different structures (A, B, C, D, E,
      and F), the former three structures are mainly combined through a N(O)?X halogen
      bond and the latter three structures are maintained mainly by a N(O)?H hydrogen
      bond, although other weaker interactions are also present in most structures. The
      hydrogen-bonded structures are more stable than the respective halogen-bonded
      structures. The O-H and O-X bonds in the halogen- and hydrogen-bonded complexes
      are lengthened and show an observed red shift, while those in the weaker
      secondary interactions are contracted and display a small blue shift. The orbital
      interactions in NBO analysis and the electron densities in AIM analysis provide
      useful and reliable information for the strength of each type of interaction in
      different structures.

PMID- 24239759
TI  - Biogenic nano-scale silver particles by Tephrosia purpurea leaf extract and their
      inborn antimicrobial activity.
AB  - In this paper we report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)
      using Tephrosia purpurea leaf extract. The biomolecules present in the leaf
      extract are responsible for the formation of Ag NPs and they found to play dual
      role of both reducing as well as capping agents. The high crystallinity of Ag NPs
      is evident from bright circular spot array of SAED pattern and diffraction peaks
      in XRD profile. The synthesized Ag NPs are found to be nearly spherical ones with
      size approximately ~20 nm. FTIR spectrum evidences the presence of different
      functional groups of biomolecules participated in encapsulating Ag NPs and the
      possible mechanism of Ag NPs formation was also suggested. Appearance of yellow
      color and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 425 nm confirms the Ag NPs
      formation. PL spectra showed decrement in luminescence intensity at higher
      excitation wavelengths. Antimicrobial activity of Ag NPs showed better inhibitory
      activity towards Pseudomonas spp. and Penicillium spp. compared to other test
      pathogens using standard Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay.

PMID- 24239760
TI  - Comparison of two novel in-syringe dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction
      techniques for the determination of iodide in water samples using
      spectrophotometry.
AB  - Two new, rapid methodologies have been developed and applied successfully for the
      determination of trace levels of iodide in real water samples. Both techniques
      are based on a combination of in-syringe dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction
      (IS-DLLME) and micro-volume UV-Vis spectrophotometry. In the first technique,
      iodide is oxidized with nitrous acid to the colorless anion of ICl2(-) at high
      concentration of hydrochloric acid. Rhodamine B is added and by means of one step
      IS-DLLME, the ion-pair formed was extracted into toluene and measured
      spectrophotometrically. Acetone is used as dispersive solvent. The second method
      is based on the IS-DLLME microextraction of iodide as iodide/1, 10-phenanthroline
      iron((II)) chelate cation ion-pair (colored) into nitrobenzene. Methanol was
      selected as dispersive solvent. Optimal conditions for iodide extraction were
      determined for both approaches. Methods are compared in terms of analytical
      parameters such as precision, accuracy, speed and limit of detection. Both
      methods were successfully applied to determining iodide in tap and river water
      samples. 

PMID- 24239761
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of a number
      of sulfadrug azodyes and their application for wastewater treatment.
AB  - The azodye ligand (HL(1)) was synthesized from the coupling of sulfaguanidine
      diazonium salt with 2,4-dihydroxy-benzaldehyde while the two ligands, HL(2) and
      HL(3), were prepared by the coupling of sulfadiazine diazonium salt with
      salicylaldehyde (HL(2)) and 2,4-dihydroxy-benzaldehyde (HL(3)). The prepared
      ligands were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, (1)H NMR and mass spectra.
      Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of the prepared ligands have been synthesized
      and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques like IR, UV-Visible as well
      as magnetic and thermal (TG and DTA) measurements. It was found that all the
      ligands behave as a monobasic bidentate which coordinated to the metal center
      through the azo nitrogen and alpha-hydroxy oxygen atoms in the case of HL(1) and
      HL(3). HL(2) coordinated to the metal center through sulfonamide oxygen and
      pyrimidine nitrogen. The applications of the prepared complexes in the oxidative
      degradation of indigo carmine dye exhibited good catalytic activity in the
      presence of H2O2 as an oxidant. The reactions followed first-order kinetics and
      the rate constants were determined. The degradation reaction involved the
      catalytic action of the azo-dye complexes toward H2O2 decomposition, which can
      lead to the generation of HO radicals as a highly efficient oxidant attacking the
      target dye. The detailed kinetic studies and the mechanism of these catalytic
      reactions are under consideration in our group. 

PMID- 24239762
TI  - Synthesis, spectroscopic, fluorescence properties and biological evaluation of
      novel Pd(II) and Cd(II) complexes of NOON tetradentate Schiff bases.
AB  - The solid complexes of Pd(II) and Cd(II) with N,N/bis(salicylaldehyde)4,5
      dimethyl-1,2-phenylenediamine (H2L(1)), and N,N/bis(salicylaldehyde)4,5-dichloro
      1,2-phenylenediamine (H2L(2)) have been synthesized and characterized by several
      techniques using elemental analysis (CHN), FT-IR, (1)H NMR, UV-Vis spectra and
      thermal analysis. Elemental analysis data proved 1:1 stoichiometry for the
      reported complexes while spectroscopic data indicated square planar and
      octahedral geometries for Pd(II) and Cd(II) complexes, respectively. The prepared
      ligands, Pd(II) and Cd(II) complexes exhibited intraligand (pi-pi(*))
      fluorescence and can potentially serve as photoactive materials. Thermal behavior
      of the complexes was studied and kinetic parameters were determined by Coats
      Redfern method. Both the ligands and their complexes have been screened for
      antimicrobial activities. 

PMID- 24239763
TI  - Two dimensional cyano-bridged hetero-metallic coordination polymers containing
      metal???pi interactions.
AB  - Three cyano bridged hetero-metallic complexes of general formula, [Cu(NH3)2(MU
      ampy)M(MU-CN)2(CN)2]n [ampy=4-aminomethylpyridine, M=Ni(II) (1), Pd(II) (2) and
      Pt(II) (3)] have been synthesized and characterized by vibrational (FT-IR and
      Raman) spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses and
      elemental analyses. The complexes crystallize in triclinic system with space
      group P-1. In all complexes, M(II) ions are coordinated by four cyano ligands,
      and four N atoms in the equatorial plane around the Cu atom form a slightly
      distorted square-planar arrangement, while the slightly distorted octahedral
      coordination is completed by the cyanide N atoms in the axial positions. In one
      dimensional structures of all the complexes, [Cu(ampy)](2+) cations and
      [M(CN)4](2-) anions are linked via bridging cyano ligands. The adjacent one
      dimensional structures form a 2D network to connect by the MU-ampy bridging
      ligands. The 2D layers are further linked by metal?pi and hydrogen bonding
      interactions to generate a three dimensional network. 

PMID- 24239764
TI  - Spectroscopic and biological approach of Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes of 4
      methoxy/ethoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone glyoxime.
AB  - Two novel vicinal dioxime ligands containing (4-methoxybenzaldehyde
      thiosemicarbazone glyoxime (L(1)H2) or 4-ethoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone
      glyoxime (L(2)H2)) thiosemicarbazone units were synthesized and characterized
      using (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HMQC, MS, infrared and, UV-VIS. spectroscopy,
      elemental analysis, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Mononuclear
      nickel(II), copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with a metal:ligand ratio of 1:2
      for L(1)H2 and L(2)H2 were also synthesized. The effect of pH and solvent on the
      absorption spectra of both ligands and complexes was determined. IR spectra show
      that the ligands act in a bidentate manner and coordinates N4 donor groups of the
      ligands to Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) ions. The detection of H-bonding (O-H?O) in
      the [M(LH)2] metal complexes by IR spectra supported the square-planar MN4
      coordination of mononuclear complexes. The antimicrobial activities of compounds
      L(1)H2, L(2)H2, and their Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes were evaluated
      using the disc diffusion method against 12 bacteria and 4 yeasts. The minimal
      inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against 7 bacteria and 3 yeasts were also
      determined. Among the test compounds attempted, L(1)H2, [Ni(L1H)2], [Cu(L1H)2],
      L2H2, [Ni(L2H)2] and [Cu(L2H)2] showed some activities against certain Gram
      positive bacteria and some of the yeasts tested.

PMID- 24239765
TI  - A novel structure for removal of pollutants from wastewater.
AB  - Dried water hyacinth was subjected to molecular modifications using quantum
      mechanical calculations. The model simulates the modified plant as 3 cellulose
      units, one lignin and some metal oxides namely CaO; FeO and Al(OH)3 are attached
      through O-Linkage. The model suggests the ability to remove inorganic pollutants
      from wastewater according to unique hydrogen bonding and high total dipole
      moment. Based on this model microspheres are synthesized in the laboratory from
      dried water hyacinth and chitosan following self-assembly method. FTIR spectrum
      of microspheres exhibits only the characteristic bands for raw materials which
      give strong evidence that the formed material is a composite. The analysis of SEM
      micrographes of microspheres showed that the fibers of water hyacinth are
      imbedded in the crosslinked chitosan matrix. Batch adsorption kinetic models
      revealed that the sorption of lead ions on microsphere was very fast and the
      equilibrium was rapidly attained within 30 min. and properly correlated with the
      second-order kinetic model. Different models of isotherm sorption were used to
      describe the Pb (II) adsorption onto microspheres. From Langmuir isotherm, the
      maximum adsorption capacity (q(max)) for Pb(II) was 312.5 mg/g, which is about 3
      times higher than that of the crude hyacinth. The free energy (E) was 15.798
      kJ/mol which shows that the sorption process is endothermic and the mechanism of
      reaction is an ion-exchange. Even after four cycles of adsorption-desorption, the
      adsorption capacity was maintained and the decline in efficiency was less than
      10%.

PMID- 24239766
TI  - LXR antagonists induce ABCD2 expression.
AB  - X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder
      characterized by the accumulation of very-long-chain fatty acids resulting from a
      beta-oxidation defect. Oxidative stress and inflammation are also key components
      of the pathogenesis. X-ALD is caused by mutations in the ABCDI gene, which
      encodes for a peroxisomal half ABC transporter predicted to participate in the
      entry of VLCFA-CoA into the peroxisome, the unique site of their beta-oxidation.
      Two homologous peroxisomal ABC transporters, ABCD2 and ABCD3 have been proven to
      compensate for ABCD1 deficiency when overexpressed. Pharmacological induction of
      these target genes could therefore represent an alternative therapy for X-ALD
      patients. Since LXR activation was shown to repress ABCD2 expression, we
      investigated the effects of LXR antagonists in different cell lines. Cells were
      treated with GSK(17) (a LXR antagonist recently discovered from the
      GlaxoSmithKline compound collection), 22(S)-hydroxycholesterol (22S-HC, another
      LXR antagonist) and 22R-HC (an endogenous LXR agonist). We observed up-regulation
      of ABCD2,ABCD3 and CTNNB1 (the gene encoding for beta-catenin, which was recently
      demonstrated to induce ABCD2 expression) in human HepG2 hepatoma cells and in X
      ALD skin fibroblasts treated with LXR antagonists. Interestingly, induction in X
      ALD fibroblasts was concomitant with a decrease in oxidative stress. Rats treated
      with 22S-HC showed hepatic induction of the 3 genes of interest. In human, we
      show by multiple tissue expression array that expression of ABCD2 appears to be
      inversely correlated with NR1H3 (LXRalpha) expression. Altogether, antagonists of
      LXR that are currently developed in the context of dyslipidemia may find another
      indication with X-ALD.

PMID- 24239767
TI  - Gaucher disease and Fabry disease: new markers and insights in pathophysiology
      for two distinct glycosphingolipidoses.
AB  - Gaucher disease (GD) and Fabry disease (FD) are two relatively common inherited
      glycosphingolipidoses caused by deficiencies in the lysosomal glycosidases
      glucocerebrosidase and alpha-galactosidase A, respectively. For both diseases
      enzyme supplementation is presently used as therapy. Cells and tissues of GD and
      FD patients are uniformly deficient in enzyme activity, but the two diseases
      markedly differ in cell types showing lysosomal accumulation of the
      glycosphingolipid substrates glucosylceramide and globotriaosylceramide,
      respectively. The clinical manifestation of Gaucher disease and Fabry disease is
      consequently entirely different and the response to enzyme therapy is only
      impressive in the case of GD patients. This review compares both
      glycosphingolipid storage disorders with respect to similarities and differences.
      Presented is an update on insights regarding pathophysiological mechanisms as
      well as recently available biochemical markers and diagnostic tools for both
      disorders. Special attention is paid to sphingoid bases of the primary storage
      lipids in both diseases. The value of elevated glucosylsphingosine in Gaucher
      disease and globotriaosylsphingosine in Fabry disease for diagnosis and
      monitoring of disease is discussed as well as the possible contribution of the
      sphingoid bases to (patho)physiology. This article is part of a Special Issue
      entitled New Frontiers in Sphingolipid Biology. 

PMID- 24239768
TI  - Second generation S1P pathway modulators: research strategies and clinical
      developments.
AB  - Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the central
      nervous system (CNS) through demyelination and neurodegeneration. Until recently,
      major therapeutic treatments have relied on agents requiring injection delivery.
      In September 2010, fingolimod/FTY720 (Gilenya, Novartis) was approved as the
      first oral treatment for relapsing forms of MS. Fingolimod causes down-modulation
      of S1P1 receptors on lymphocytes which prevents the invasion of autoaggressive T
      cells into the CNS. In astrocytes, down-modulation of S1P1 by the drug reduces
      astrogliosis, a hallmark of MS, thereby allowing restoration of productive
      astrocyte communication with other neural cells and the blood brain barrier.
      Animal data further suggest that the drug directly supports the recovery of nerve
      conduction and remyelination. In human MS, such mechanisms may explain the
      significant decrease in the number of inflammatory markers on brain magnetic
      resonance imaging in recent clinical trials, and the reduction of brain atrophy
      by the drug. Fingolimod binds to 4 of the 5 known S1P receptor subtypes, and
      significant efforts were made over the past 5 years to develop next generation
      S1P receptor modulators and determine the minimal receptor selectivity needed for
      maximal therapeutic efficacy in MS patients. Other approaches considered were
      competitive antagonists of the S1P1 receptor, inhibitors of the S1P lyase to
      prevent S1P degradation, and anti-S1P antibodies. Below we discuss the current
      status of the field, and the functional properties of the most advanced
      compounds. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled New Frontiers in
      Sphingolipid Biology.

PMID- 24239770
TI  - Vertebroplasty using calcium phosphate in osteoporotic vertebral compression
      fractures: how to prevent heterotopic ossifications?

PMID- 24239769
TI  - A role for Raptor phosphorylation in the mechanical activation of mTOR signaling.
AB  - The activation of mTOR signaling is necessary for mechanically-induced changes in
      skeletal muscle mass, but the mechanisms that regulate the mechanical activation
      of mTOR signaling remain poorly defined. In this study, we set out to determine
      if changes in the phosphorylation of Raptor contribute to the mechanical
      activation of mTOR. To accomplish this goal, mouse skeletal muscles were
      subjected to mechanical stimulation via a bout of eccentric contractions (EC).
      Using mass spectrometry and Western blot analysis, we found that ECs induced an
      increase in Raptor S696, T706, and S863 phosphorylation, and this effect was not
      inhibited by rapamycin. This observation suggested that changes in Raptor
      phosphorylation might be an upstream event in the pathway through which
      mechanical stimuli activate mTOR. To test this, we employed a phospho-defective
      mutant of Raptor (S696A/T706A/S863A) and found that the EC-induced activation of
      mTOR signaling was significantly blunted in muscles expressing this mutant.
      Furthermore, mutation of the three phosphorylation sites altered the interactions
      of Raptor with PRAS40 and p70(S6k), and it also prevented the EC-induced
      dissociation of Raptor from p70(S6k). Combined, these results suggest that
      changes in the phosphorylation of Raptor play an important role in the pathway
      through which mechanical stimuli activate mTOR signaling. 

PMID- 24239771
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 24239772
TI  - De novo transcriptome analysis of Liriodendron chinense petals and leaves by
      Illumina sequencing.
AB  - Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg is an endangered species and occupies a
      pivotal position in phylogenetic studies of flowering plants, while its genomic
      resources are limited. In this study, we performed transcriptome sequencing for
      L. chinense petals and leaves using the Illumina paired-end sequencing technique.
      Approximately 17.02-Gb clean reads were obtained, and de novo assembly generated
      87,841 unigenes, with an average length of 778 bp. Of these, there were 65,535
      (74.61%) unigenes with significant similarity to publically available plant
      protein sequences. There were 3386 genes identified as significant differentially
      expressed between petals and leaves, among them 2969 (87.68%) were up-regulated
      and 417 (12.31%) down-regulated in petals. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed
      that 25 unigenes were predicted to be responsible for the biosynthesis of
      carotenoids, with 7 genes differentially expressed between these two tissues.
      This report is the first to identify genes associated with carotenoid
      biosynthesis in Liriodendron and represents a valuable resource for future
      genomic studies on the endangered species L. chinense.

PMID- 24239773
TI  - Imaging the posterior segment of the eye using swept-source optical coherence
      tomography in myopic glaucoma eyes: comparison with enhanced-depth imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the detection rates of identifying the posterior border of
      the sclera and lamina cribrosa and measurement reproducibility of scleral and
      laminar thicknesses using the enhanced depth imaging (EDI) of Heidelberg
      Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) and swept-source OCT. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional design. METHODS: Both EDI-OCT and swept-source OCT images were obtained
      in 32 myopic glaucoma patients. Subfoveal choroidal, subfoveal scleral, and
      central laminar thicknesses were measured from obtained B-scan images. Each
      measurement was performed at 3 locations by 2 masked observers. The detection
      rates and measurement reproducibility were evaluated from selected B-scans.
      RESULTS: The posterior border of the sclera was visible in 10 eyes (31%) using
      EDI-OCT. This was improved to be visible in 17 eyes (53%) using swept-source OCT.
      According to the McNemar chi(2) test, the detection rate of the posterior border
      of the sclera was significantly different between EDI-OCT and swept-source OCT (P
      = 0.008). The detection rate of the posterior border of the lamina cribrosa was
      similar for the 2 devices. In highly myopic eyes, the detection rate of the
      posterior border of the sclera and lamina cribrosa was not statistically
      different between EDI-OCT and swept-source OCT. Intersystem ICCs was 0.769 (95%
      CI, 0.714-0.893) for subfoveal scleral thickness and 0.900 (95% CI, 0.887-0.917)
      for laminar thickness. The mean subfoveal scleral thickness was 464.32 +/- 213.24
      MUm using EDI-OCT and 650.26 +/- 222.30 MUm using swept-source OCT. There was
      statistical difference in the measured subfoveal scleral thickness by the 2
      devices (P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with EDI-OCT, swept-source OCT had an
      advantage in imaging the posterior sclera. Imaging the lamina cribrosa was
      similar when using both devices.

PMID- 24239774
TI  - Eight-year follow-up of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation
      for moderate to high myopia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the long-term clinical outcomes of Implantable Collamer Lens
      (Visian ICL; STAAR Surgical) implantation for moderate to high myopia. DESIGN:
      Retrospective observational case series. METHODS: This study evaluated 41 eyes of
      41 patients with myopic refractive errors of -4.00 to -15.25 diopters (D) who
      underwent ICL implantation and routine postoperative examinations. Before
      surgery, and 1 and 6 months and 1, 4 and 8 years after surgery, we assessed the
      safety, efficacy, predictability, stability, and adverse events of the surgery.
      RESULTS: The safety and efficacy indices were 1.13 +/- 0.27 and 0.83 +/- 0.36. At
      8 years, 68.3% and 85.4% of the eyes were within 0.5 and 1.0 D, respectively, of
      the targeted correction. Manifest refraction changes of -0.32 +/- 0.73 D occurred
      between 1 month and 8 years. The mean endothelial cell loss from preoperative
      levels was 6.2% at 8 years. Two eyes (4.9%) developed clinically significant
      symptomatic cataract during the follow-up period. Simultaneous lens extraction
      and phacoemulsification with IOL implantation was successfully performed in these
      2 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience, ICL implantation was overall
      good in measures of safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability for the
      correction of moderate to high myopia during the 8-year observation period,
      suggesting its long-term viability as a surgical option for the treatment of such
      eyes.

PMID- 24239775
TI  - A method to estimate the amount of neuroretinal rim tissue in glaucoma:
      comparison with current methods for measuring rim area.
AB  - PURPOSE: To test whether the minimum rim area assessed by spectral domain optical
      coherence tomography (SD-OCT), based on the shortest distance from the Bruch
      membrane opening (BMO) to the inner limiting membrane, corresponds more closely
      to retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and visual field mean deviation
      (MD) than current rim measures in early glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective cross
      sectional study. METHODS: We studied 221 participants with non-endstage glaucoma
      or high-risk ocular hypertension and performed standard automated perimetry. We
      received SD-OCT and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) scans on the
      same day. Rim area measured by CSLO was compared with 3 SD-OCT rim measures from
      radial B-scans: horizontal rim area between BMO and inner limiting membrane
      within the BMO plane; mean minimum rim width (BMO-MRW); and minimum rim area (BMO
      MRA) optimized within sectors and then summed. Correlations between these
      measures and either MD from perimetry or RNFL thickness from SD-OCT were compared
      using the Steiger test. RESULTS: RNFL thickness was better correlated with BMO
      MRA (r = 0.676) or BMO-MRW (r = 0.680) than with either CSLO rim area (r = 0.330,
      P < 0.001) or horizontal rim area (r = 0.482, P < 0.001). MD was better
      correlated with BMO-MRA (r = 0.534) or BMO-MRW (r = 0.546) than with either CSLO
      rim area (r = 0.321, P < 0.001) or horizontal rim area (0.403, P < 0.001). The
      correlation between MD and RNFL thickness was r = 0.646. CONCLUSIONS: Minimum rim
      measurements from SD-OCT are significantly better correlated to both RNFL
      thickness and MD than rim measurements within the BMO plane or based on the
      clinical disc margin. They provide new structural parameters for both diagnostic
      and research purposes in glaucoma.

PMID- 24239776
TI  - Non-canonical Hedgehog signaling contributes to chemotaxis in cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The Hedgehog signaling pathway contributes to
      cholangiocarcinoma biology. However, canonical Hedgehog signaling requires cilia,
      and cholangiocarcinoma cells often do not express cilia. To resolve this paradox,
      we examined non-canonical (G-protein coupled, pertussis toxin sensitive) Hedgehog
      signaling in cholangiocarcinoma cells. METHODS: Human [non-malignant (H69),
      malignant (HuCC-T1 and Mz-ChA-1)] and rat [non-malignant (BDE1 and NRC), and
      malignant (BDEneu)] cell lines were employed for this study. A BDE(DeltaLoop2)
      cell line with the dominant-negative receptor Patched-1 was generated with the
      Sleeping Beauty transposon transfection system. RESULTS: Cilia expression was
      readily identified in non-malignant, but not in malignant cholangiocarcinoma cell
      lines. Although the canonical Hh signaling pathway was markedly attenuated in
      cholangiocarcinoma cells, they were chemotactic to purmorphamine, a small
      molecule direct Smoothened agonist. Purmorphamine also induced remodeling of the
      actin cytoskeleton with formation of filopodia and lamellipodia-like protrusions.
      All these biological features of cell migration were pertussis toxin sensitive, a
      feature of G-protein coupled (Gis) receptors. To further test the role of
      Hedgehog signaling in vivo, we employed a syngeneic orthotopic rat model of
      cholangiocarcinoma. In vivo, genetic inhibition of the Hedgehog signaling pathway
      employing BDE(DeltaLoop2) cells or pharmacological inhibition with a small
      molecule antagonist of Smoothened, vismodegib, was tumor and metastasis
      suppressive. CONCLUSIONS: Cholangiocarcinoma cells exhibit non-canonical Hedgehog
      signaling with chemotaxis despite impaired cilia expression. This non-canonical
      Hedgehog signaling pathway appears to contribute to cholangiocarcinoma
      progression, thereby, supporting a role for Hedgehog pathway inhibition in human
      cholangiocarcinoma.

PMID- 24239777
TI  - N-glycosylation mutations within hepatitis B virus surface major hydrophilic
      region contribute mostly to immune escape.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: HBV immune escape represents a challenge to prevention,
      diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis B. Here, we analyzed the molecular and
      clinical characteristics of HBV immune escape mutants in a Chinese cohort of
      chronically infected patients. METHODS: Two hundred sixteen patients with HBsAg
      and anti-HBs were studied, with one hundred eighty-two HBV carriers without anti
      HBs as a control group. Recombinant HBsAg bearing the most frequent N
      glycosylation mutations were expressed in CHO and HuH7 cells. After confirming N
      glycosylation at the most frequent sites (129 and 131), together with inserted
      mutations, functional analysis were performed to study antigenicity and secretion
      capacity. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients had the wild-type HBs gene
      sequence, 93 patients (43%) had mutants in the major hydrophilic region (MHR),
      and 47 of the 93 patients had additional N-glycosylation mutations, which were
      transmitted horizontally to at least 2 patients, one of whom was efficiently
      vaccinated. The frequency of N-glycosylation mutation in the case group was much
      higher than that of the control group (47/216 vs. 1/182). Compared with wild-type
      HBsAg, HBsAg mutants reacted weakly with anti-HBs using a chemiluminescent
      microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Native gel analysis of secreted virion in
      supernatants of transfected HuH7 cells indicated that mutants had better virion
      enveloping and secretion capacity than wild-type HBV. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that specific HBsAg MHR N-glycosylation mutations are implicated in HBV
      immune escape in a high endemic area.

PMID- 24239778
TI  - The pattern and extent of retrograde transsynaptic transport of WGA-Alexa 488 in
      the phrenic motor system is dependent upon the site of application.
AB  - The first aim of the study was to determine if WGA-Alexa 488 would undergo
      retrograde transsynaptic transport in the phrenic motor system as we have shown
      with WGA-HRP in a previous study. The advantage of using WGA-Alexa 488 is that
      labeled neurons could be isolated and analyzed for intracellular molecular
      mechanisms without exposing tissue sections to chemicals for histochemical
      staining. The second aim of the study was to investigate the pattern and extent
      of labeling that occurs when WGA-Alexa 488 is applied to the cervical phrenic
      nerve as compared to intradiaphragmatic injection. After injecting the
      hemidiaphragm ipsilateral to a C2 spinal cord hemisection, WGA-Alexa 488
      presumably diffused to the contralateral hemidiaphragm and labeled the phrenic
      nuclei bilaterally. In all animals with hemidiaphragmatic injection, the rostral
      ventral respiratory group (rVRG) was also labeled bilaterally in the medulla.
      Thus, injection of WGA-Alexa 488 into the diaphragm results in retrograde
      transsynaptic transport in the phrenic motor system. After applying WGA-Alexa 488
      to the ipsilateral intact cervical phrenic nerve in both C2 hemisected rats and
      rats with a sham hemisection, only ipsilateral phrenic neurons were labeled;
      there was no labeling of the rVRG or any other center in the medulla. These
      results suggest that WGA-Alexa 488 must be applied in the vicinity of the phrenic
      myoneural junction where there is a high concentration of WGA receptors in order
      for transsynaptic transport to occur. The present study provides investigators
      with a new tool to study plasticity in the respiratory system after spinal cord
      injury. 

PMID- 24239780
TI  - Utilization of in situ ELISA method for examining Trk receptor phosphorylation in
      cultured cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trk receptor tyrosine kinases regulate multiple important neuronal
      processes during the development and in the adulthood. Tyrosine phosphorylation
      of Trk serves as the initial step in the Trk signaling pathway and indicates
      receptor' autocatalytic activity. However, methods allowing simple and large
      scale Trk phosphorylation analyses in cultured cells are lacking. NEW METHOD: We
      describe an in situ phospho-Trk ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method
      where cell culture, receptor stimulation and Trk phosphorylation analysis are all
      performed on the same multiwell plate. RESULTS: In situ phospho-Trk ELISA readily
      and specifically detects neurotrophin-induced Trk phosphorylation in cultured
      cells. A proof-of-concept small molecule screening of a library composed of 2000
      approved drugs and other bioactive compounds was carried out using this novel
      method. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: In situ phospho-Trk ELISA utilizes the
      principles and advantages of conventional sandwich ELISA in an in situ context.
      CONCLUSIONS: We describe a novel method that can be efficiently used to examine
      Trk receptor phosphorylation in cultured cells. Principally similar methods can
      be developed to examine the levels and signaling of any intracellular protein.

PMID- 24239779
TI  - Validation of the isotropic fractionator: comparison with unbiased stereology and
      DNA extraction for quantification of glial cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The "isotropic fractionator" (IF) is a novel cell counting technique
      that homogenizes fixed tissue, recovers cell nuclei in solution, and samples and
      quantifies nuclei by extrapolation. Studies using this technique indicate that
      the ratio of glia to neurons in the human brain is approximately 1:1 rather than
      the 10:1 or 50:1 ratio previously assumed. Although some results obtained with
      the IF have been similar to those obtained by stereology, the IF has never been
      calibrated or validated. It is conceivable that only a fraction of glial cell
      nuclei are recovered intact or recognized after the homogenization step. NEW
      METHOD: To rule out this simple explanation for the claim of a 1:1 glia-neuron
      ratio, we compared cell numbers obtained from adjacent, weight-normalized samples
      of human and macaque monkey white matter using three techniques: the IF, unbiased
      stereology of histological sections in exhaustively sectioned samples, and cell
      numbers calculated from DNA extraction. RESULTS AND COMPARISON OF METHODS: In
      primate forebrains, the IF yielded 73,000-90,000 nuclei/mg white matter, unbiased
      stereology yielded 75,000-92,000 nuclei/mg, with coefficients of error ranging
      from 0.013 to 0.063, while DNA extraction yielded only 4000-23,000 nuclei/mg in
      fixed white matter tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Since the IF revealed about 100% of the
      numbers produced by unbiased stereology, there is no significant underestimate of
      glial cells. This confirms the notion that the human brain overall contains glial
      cells and neurons with a ratio of about 1:1 - far from the originally assumed
      ratio of 10:1 in favor of glial cells.

PMID- 24239781
TI  - Development of an in vitro test system for assessment of male, reproductive
      toxicity.
AB  - There is a need for improved reproductive toxicology assays that do not require
      large numbers of animals but are sensitive and informative. Therefore, Staput
      velocity-sedimentation separation followed by culture of specific mouse
      testicular cells was used as such a system. The specificity of separation was
      assessed using immunocytochemistry to identify spermatids, spermatocytes and
      spermatogonia. The efficacy of the system to detect toxicity was then evaluated
      by analysing the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by the terminal uridine
      deoxynucleotide end-labelling (TUNEL) assay to show the rate of apoptosis induced
      among the different types of germ cells. We found that 2 h of treatment at both 1
      and 10 MUM induced increases of over ~10-fold in the percentage of apoptotic
      cells (p<=0.001), confirming that testicular germ cells are prone to apoptosis at
      very low concentrations of H2O2. It was also demonstrated for the first time for
      this compound that spermatogonia are significantly more susceptible than
      spermatocytes, which are more affected than spermatids. This reflects the
      proportion of actively dividing cells in these cell types, suggesting a mechanism
      for the differential sensitivity. The approach should thus form the basis of a
      useful test system for reproductive and genetic toxicology in the future.

PMID- 24239782
TI  - AhR signalling and dioxin toxicity.
AB  - Dioxins are a family of molecules associated to several industrial accidents such
      as Ludwigshafen in 1953 or Seveso in 1976, to the Agent Orange used during the
      war of Vietnam, and more recently to the poisoning of the former president of
      Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko. These persistent organic pollutants are by-products
      of industrial activity and bind to an intracellular receptor, AhR, with a high
      potency. In humans, exposure to dioxins, in particular 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo
      p-dioxin (TCDD) induces a cutaneous syndrome known as chloracne, consisting in
      the development of many small skin lesions (hamartoma), lasting for 2-5 years.
      Although TCDD has been classified by the WHO as a human carcinogen, its
      carcinogenic potential to humans is not clearly demonstrated. It was first
      believed that AhR activation accounted for most, if not all, biological
      properties of dioxins. However, certain AhR agonists found in vegetables do not
      induce chloracne, and other chemicals, in particular certain therapeutic agents,
      may induce a chloracne-like syndrome without activating AhR. It is time to
      rethink the mechanism of dioxin toxicity and analyse in more details the
      biological events following exposure to these compounds and other AhR agonists,
      some of which have a very different chemical structure than TCDD. In particular
      various food-containing AhR agonists are non-toxic and may on the contrary have
      beneficial properties to human health. 

PMID- 24239783
TI  - Kinesin-dependent motility generation as target mechanism of cadmium
      intoxication.
AB  - The anterograde vesicle transport within neurons critically depends on
      microtubules and on the activity of kinesin. The present study demonstrates that
      cadmium ions inhibit the in vitro assembly of microtubules from tubulin, whereby
      at high cadmium levels (~500 MUM) unstructured protein aggregates were formed.
      Cadmium ions also significantly lower both the ATPase and motility activity of
      neuron-specific kinesin KIF5A in concentration-dependent manner. For the
      inhibition of KIF5A ATPase activity, an IC50 value of 10.4+/-1.5 MUM was
      determined. Inhibition could be widely compensated by addition of EGTA, but not
      by addition of thiols. The inhibitory effect of cadmium on KIF5A was considerably
      weakened by increasing ATP concentration. As nucleoside triphosphate binding is
      known to be accompanied by conformational changes within the kinesin motor
      domain, it might be suggested that these changes protect the motor domain against
      cadmium. The effects of cadmium ions on the kinesin-microtubule motility
      generating system are considered to contribute to the development of neuronal
      disorders caused by cadmium intoxication.

PMID- 24239785
TI  - Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in men.
AB  - Most of the available antidepressant medications, including tricyclic
      antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake
      inhibitors, and dual noradrenergic/serotonergic reuptake inhibitors have been
      reported to be associated with sexual dysfunction in both sexes. This manuscript
      reviews evidence concerning the relative incidence of treatment emergent sexual
      dysfunction in men being treated with antidepressant drugs. Both double-blind
      controlled trials and large clinical series report a high incidence of sexual
      dysfunction, especially ejaculatory delay, with serotonergic drugs. The incidence
      of sexual dysfunction in men appears to be much lower with drugs whose primary
      mechanism of action involves adrenergic or dopaminergic systems. 

PMID- 24239786
TI  - Conditioned taste avoidance induced by Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol in the
      Fischer (F344) and Lewis (LEW) rat strains.
AB  - Although Fischer (F344) and Lewis (LEW) rats differ in their sensitivity to the
      rewarding effects of ?(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), no data have been reported
      on differences in their sensitivity to the drug's aversive effects, a limiting
      factor in drug use and abuse. Examining the degree of differences (if any) in
      such effects in these strains may help further characterize possible genetic
      factors important to abuse vulnerability. Accordingly, the aversive effects of
      THC (1-5.6 mg/kg; intraperitoneal) were examined in 32F344 and 32 LEW subjects
      using the conditioned taste avoidance (CTA) procedure. Thermoregulation was
      assessed following an acute injection of THC (same as CTA groups) after a week
      washout period following the last trial. Subjects in both strains displayed dose
      dependent THC-induced taste avoidance, with no significant strain difference. THC
      induced dose-dependent decreases in core body temperature in both strains. LEW
      subjects displayed lower core body temperatures than F344 rats, although this
      effect was independent of THC and was likely stress related. These results were
      discussed in terms of the nature of THC-induced taste avoidance and the basis of
      strain differences in the aversive effects of drugs of abuse.

PMID- 24239787
TI  - Serotonin 1A receptors and sexual behavior in male rats: a review.
AB  - Serotonin plays an important role in male sexual behavior. Many studies have been
      performed on the pivotal role of 5-HT1A receptors in sexual behavior. Overall, 5
      HT1A receptors do not appear to be involved under normal circumstances, but
      become very important under conditions of elevated serotonin levels in sexual
      behavior. 5-HT1A receptor agonists facilitate ejaculatory behavior in male rats,
      while inhibiting copulatory behavior. Three different phases can be distinguished
      in rats' sexual cycle, the introductory (precopulatory), the copulatory and the
      executive (ejaculatory) phases. Different mechanisms and brain regions are
      involved in these phases. The mechanisms, brain regions and the possible
      involvement of 5-HT and 5-HT1A receptors in the appropriate phases in male rat
      sexual behavior will be discussed in the current review.

PMID- 24239788
TI  - Opioids and sexual reward.
AB  - Various lines of research indicate that sexual reward is mediated by opioids in
      both males and females. In the first part I review basic ideas about sexual
      reward in humans followed by a description of what is known in rodents, where
      most of the studies have been done. Although a direct method to measure opioid
      release during mating is not yet available, there is a substantial amount of
      indirect evidence in humans and animals indicating that opioids are released
      during the execution of sexual behavior. Studies using the conditioned place
      preference (CPP) method where the effects of opioids upon sex induced reward have
      been evaluated will also be described. Evidence will also be presented indicating
      that the medial preoptic area (MPOA) plays a crucial role in the expression of
      opioid mediated sex-reward in males and females. This area is also important in
      other naturally occurring reward related behaviors such as singing. Opioids might
      be part of a system that mediates the rewarding properties of natural behaviors
      that are intrinsically rewarding. 

PMID- 24239784
TI  - Pharmacology of serotonin and female sexual behavior.
AB  - In this review, first a historical perspective of serotonin's (5-HT) involvement
      in female sexual behavior is presented. Then an overview of studies implicating 5
      HT is presented. The effect of drugs that increase or decrease CNS levels of 5-HT
      is reviewed. Evidence is presented that drugs which increase 5-HT have negative
      effects on female sexual behavior while a decrease in 5-HT is associated with
      facilitation of sexual behavior. Studies with compounds that act on 5-HT1, 5-HT2
      or 5-HT3 receptors are discussed. Most evidence indicates that 5-HT1A receptor
      agonists inhibit sexual behavior while 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 receptors may exert a
      positive influence. There is substantial evidence to support a role for 5-HT in
      the modulation of female consummatory sexual behavior, but studies on the role of
      5-HT in other elements of female sexual behavior (e.g. desire, motivation, sexual
      appetite) are few. Future studies should be directed at determining if these
      additional components of female sexual behavior are also modulated by 5-HT.

PMID- 24239789
TI  - Effects of oxytocin on nicotine withdrawal in rats.
AB  - Development of medications that attenuate symptoms of nicotine withdrawal may be
      useful for facilitating smoking cessation. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXY)
      decreases withdrawal signs and other addiction-related effects of several drugs
      of abuse in animals, but has not been examined in a preclinical model of nicotine
      addiction. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of OXY on nicotine
      withdrawal in rats, measured as increases in somatic signs and elevations in
      intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) thresholds (anhedonia-like behavior) during
      antagonist-precipitated withdrawal from a chronic nicotine infusion. Effects of
      OXY on baseline ICSS thresholds in non-dependent rats were also evaluated. OXY
      (0.06 - 1.0mg/kg, i.p.) blocked withdrawal-induced elevations in somatic signs in
      nicotine-dependent rats without affecting somatic signs in non-dependent rats. In
      contrast, OXY did not affect nicotine withdrawal-induced elevations in ICSS
      thresholds. Relatively high doses of OXY (0.75 or 2.0mg/kg) elevated baseline
      ICSS thresholds in non-dependent rats. These findings demonstrate that OXY blocks
      somatic signs but not elevations in ICSS thresholds during antagonist
      precipitated nicotine withdrawal. The ability of higher OXY doses to elevate
      baseline ICSS thresholds in non-dependent rats may reflect an aversive and/or
      motoric effect. These data suggest that OXY-based medications may be useful for
      treating the somatic component of the nicotine withdrawal syndrome, but may not
      be effective in attenuating withdrawal-induced anhedonia. 

PMID- 24239790
TI  - Combination transcranial direct current stimulation and virtual reality therapy
      for upper extremity training in patients with subacute stroke.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of combination cathodal transcranial direct
      current stimulation (tDCS) and virtual reality (VR) therapy for upper extremity
      (UE) training in patients with subacute stroke. DESIGN: Pilot randomized
      controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: group A
      received cathodal tDCS, group B received VR, and group C received combination
      therapy (cathodal tDCS was simultaneously applied during VR therapy). SETTING:
      University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=59) with impaired unilateral UE
      motor function after stroke. INTERVENTION: Fifteen sessions of treatment over a 3
      week period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Modified Ashworth Scale, manual muscle
      test (MMT), Manual Function Test (MFT), Fugl-Meyer Scale (FMS), and Box and Block
      Test were used to assess UE function. To evaluate activities of daily living, the
      Korean-Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) was used. All outcomes were measured before
      and immediately after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, all groups
      demonstrated significant improvements in MMT, MFT, FMS, and K-MBI scores. The
      change in MFT and FMS scores was different between the 3 groups. Post hoc
      analysis revealed that the improvement of MFT and FMS scores in group C was
      significantly higher than those of the other 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the
      present pilot study, the combination of brain stimulation using tDCS and
      peripheral arm training using VR could facilitate a stronger beneficial effect on
      UE impairment than using each intervention alone. This combination therapy might
      be a helpful method to enhance recovery of the paretic UE in patients with
      stroke.

PMID- 24239791
TI  - Hair as a long-term retrospective cortisol calendar in orang-utans (Pongo spp.):
      new perspectives for stress monitoring in captive management and conservation.
AB  - This study examined whether the method of hair cortisol analysis is applicable to
      orang-utans (Pongo spp.) and can help to advance the objective monitoring of
      stress in non-human primates. Specifically, we examined whether fundamental
      prerequisites for hair cortisol analysis are given in orang-utans and,
      subsequently, whether segmental hair analysis may provide a retrospective
      calendar of long-term cortisol levels. For this, hair samples were examined from
      71 zoo-living orang-utans (38 males, mean age=22.5years; 33 females, mean
      age=24years) for which detailed records of past living conditions were available.
      Hair samples were cut from defined body regions and were analyzed either in full
      length or in segments. Results showed that hair cortisol concentrations (HCC)
      were unrelated to age or sex of the individual animal. HCC were found to be
      higher in orang-utans, with perceived long-term stressful periods (mean
      HCC=43.6+/-26.5pg/mg, n=13) compared to animals without perceived stressful
      periods (19.3+/-5.5pg/mg, n=55, P<0.001). In non-stressed animals, segmental hair
      analyses revealed that HCC was stable along the hair shaft even when hair reached
      >40cm. The possibility of obtaining a retrospective calendar of stress-related
      cortisol changes through hair analysis was further supported by data of three
      case studies showing close correspondence between the segmental HCC results and
      keeper reports of stress exposure during the respective time periods. Finally,
      low within-animal variation in HCC from different body regions (CV%: 14.3)
      suggested that this method may also be applicable to naturally shed hair, e.g.,
      as found in nests of wild orang-utans and other great apes. Therefore, using HCC
      may provide an ideal non-invasive tool for both captive management as well as
      conservation in orang-utans and potentially other great apes. 

PMID- 24239792
TI  - Validation and application of noninvasive glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone
      measures in free-ranging Hawaiian monk seals.
AB  - We validate fecal glucocorticoid (GC) and thyroid (T3) hormone metabolite
      measures in the Critically Endangered Hawaiian monk seal for the first time, and
      examine variation in the concentrations of these hormones in individuals across
      the species' range. We test hypotheses that monk seals from declining
      subpopulations have relatively high GCs and low T3 on average suggesting impacts
      of food limitation, and that this hormone pattern is more apparent in immature
      animals compared to adults, as food limitation is specifically indicated as a
      principal cause of poor body condition and survival of juvenile monk seals. We
      opportunistically sampled scat from 84 individually identifiable monk seals
      during the 2010 breeding season from two geographic regions, the main Hawaiian
      Islands (MHI) and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). The MHI subpopulation
      of monk seals is growing, whereas subpopulations at many sites in the NWHI are in
      decline. Best fit general linear models predicting variation in GCs and T3
      (examined separately) were similar (after accounting for significantly elevated
      hormone concentrations associated with molt and possibly lactation); both
      included sample date, region, and monk seal age as predictors. GC concentrations
      were significantly lower in MHI versus NWHI monk seals and decreased as the
      breeding season progressed. T3 concentrations were significantly lower in
      immature monk seals compared to adults. GC and T3 concentrations were positively
      correlated at 4 NWHI sites; prey may be adequate for physiological growth or
      maintenance at these sites but relatively stressful to acquire. GCs were highest
      at French Frigate Shoals, (a NWHI site) while T3 was relatively low here,
      indicating a possible signal of food limitation. GCs were lowest in the MHI.
      Disturbance associated with living near a high human population in the MHI
      appears to impact monk seal physiology less than other stressors encountered in
      the remote and highly protected NWHI where human presence is extremely low. 

PMID- 24239793
TI  - Temperature dependent action of growth hormone on somatic growth and testicular
      activities of the catfish, Clarias batrachus.
AB  - Effects of growth hormone on somatic growth and testicular activities were
      studied during late quiescence and early recrudescence phases of the reproductive
      cycle of the catfish, Clarias batrachus. The administration of exogenous growth
      hormone (GH) during the late quiescence phase (December-January; ambient water
      temperature-15.2+/-1 degrees C) did not influence the somatic growth as well as
      the testicular activity, as no change in body weight, testis weight, plasma level
      of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and testicular morphology was detected
      following GH treatment, though the plasma testosterone was marginally increased.
      While during the early recrudescence phase (March-April; ambient water
      temperature-28.1+/-2 degrees C), GH treatment promoted the production of insulin
      like growth factor-I and testicular steroidogenic activity in a dose dependent
      manner, as was evident from the significant increase in the circulating levels of
      testosterone and estradiol-17beta. GH treatment also increased body weight,
      testicular weight and gonadosomatic index, suggesting its involvement in
      testicular development. The GH treatment promoted spermatogonial proliferation
      and accelerated the spermatogenic process in the present catfish. These results,
      thus, suggest that GH influences the somatic growth and testicular activities
      depending on the temperature of the rearing water; warmer temperature and longer
      photoperiod promote testicular steroidogenic and spermatogenic activities in
      fish. This study has immense practical use in fisheries science. 

PMID- 24239794
TI  - Metabolic response to a glucagon challenge varies with adiposity and life-history
      stage in fasting northern elephant seals.
AB  - Metabolic adaptations for extended fasting in wildlife prioritize beta-oxidation
      of lipids and reduced glucose utilization to support energy metabolism. The
      pancreatic hormone glucagon plays key roles in regulating glycemia and lipid
      metabolism during fasting in model species but its function in wildlife species
      adapted for extended fasting is not well understood. Northern elephant seals
      (NES) undergo natural fasts of 1-3months while under constraints of high nutrient
      demands including lactation and development. We performed a glucagon challenge on
      lactating, molting and developing NES, early and late in their natural fasts, to
      examine the impact of this important regulatory hormone on metabolism. Glucagon
      caused increases in plasma glucose, insulin, fatty acids, ketones and urea, but
      the magnitude of these effects varied widely with adiposity and life-history
      stage. The strong impact of adiposity on glucose and insulin responses suggest a
      potential role for adipose derived factors in regulating hepatic metabolism and
      pancreatic sensitivity. Elevations in plasma glucose in response to glucagon were
      strongly associated with increases in protein catabolism, suggesting negative
      impacts of elevated glucagon on protein sparing. Glucagon promoted rapid ketone
      accumulation suggesting that low ketoacid levels in NES reflect low rates of
      production. These results demonstrate strong metabolic impacts of glucagon and
      support the idea that glucagon levels are downregulated in the context of
      metabolic adaptation to extended fasting. These results suggest that the
      regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in NES changes with adiposity,
      fasting duration and under various constraints of nutrient demands. 

PMID- 24239795
TI  - Application of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for fertilization and
      development in birds.
AB  - Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technology in birds has been hampered due
      to opacity of oocyte. We developed ICSI-assisted fertilization and gene transfer
      in quail. This paper reviews recent advances of our ICSI experiments. The oocyte
      retrieved from the oviduct and a quail sperm was injected into the oocyte under a
      stereomicroscope. The oocyte was cultured for 24h at 41 degrees C under 5% CO2 in
      air. The fertilization and development was assessed by microscopic observation.
      The fertility rate ranged 12-18% and development varied from stage II to V in
      trials. To improve the fertility rate, phospholipase C (PLC) zeta was injected
      with a sperm. It was increased to 37-50%. Furthermore, injection of inositol
      trisphosphate increased to over 85%. Quail oocyte can be fertilized with chicken
      sperm and so can testicular elongated spermatid. To extend embryonic development,
      chicken eggshell was used as a surrogate culture at 37 degrees C after the 24h
      incubation at 41 degrees C under 5% CO2 in air. It survived up to 2days
      thereafter. Finally, gene transfer was attempted in quail egg. The sperm membrane
      was disrupted with Triton X-100 (TX-100) and was injected with PLCzeta cRNA and
      enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene in oocyte. The GFP expression was
      evaluated at 24h incubation at 41 degrees C under 5% CO2 in air in the embryos.
      While the expression was not detected in the control oocytes, the experimental
      treatment induced blastoderm development (44%) of the oocytes and 86% of
      blastoderm showed fluorescent emission. In addition, PCR analysis detected EGFP
      fragments in 50% of GFP-expressing blastoderm. Our ICSI method may be the first
      step toward the production of transgenic birds. 

PMID- 24239796
TI  - The modulation of catecholamines on immune response of scallop Chlamys farreri
      under heat stress.
AB  - Catecholamines (CAs) play key roles in mediating the physiological responses to
      various stresses. In the present study, the expression of CA-related genes were
      examined in the hemocytes of scallop Chlamys farreri under heat stress, and
      several immune or metabolism-related parameters were investigated after heat
      stress and adrenoceptor antagonist stimulation. After the scallops were cultured
      at 28 degrees C, the mRNA expression level of dopa decarboxylase (CfDDC) and
      alpha-adrenoceptor (CfalphaAR) increased significantly (P<0.01), whereas that of
      monoamine oxidase (CfMAO) was down-regulated in the first 6h (P<0.05), and then
      up-regulated to the maximum level at 24h (P<0.01). In the hemocytes of scallops
      injected with adrenoceptor antagonist, the expression levels of peptidoglycan
      recognition protein (CfPGRP-S1) and C-type lectin (CfLec-1) began to increase
      significantly at 2 and 3h post propranolol and high temperature treatment,
      respectively (P<0.01). While the up-regulation of heat shock protein 70 (CfHSP70)
      post heat stress was significantly inhibited by prazosin injection (P<0.01), and
      that of hexokinase (CfHK) was inhibited by both prazosin and propranolol
      injection (P<0.01). Moreover, the remarkable increase of relative specific
      activity of SOD in the hemolymph post heat stress (P<0.01) was further up
      regulated early after prazosin or propranolol injection (P<0.01), while that of
      the relative anti-bacterial ability was down-regulated by prazosin or propranolol
      treatment (P<0.01). These results collectively indicated that the
      catecholaminergic neuroendocrine system in scallop could be activated by heat
      stress to release CAs, which subsequently modulated the immune response and
      energy metabolism via alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors. 

PMID- 24239797
TI  - Decline in platelet count and long-term post-PCI ischemic events: implication of
      the intra-aortic balloon pump.
AB  - AIMS: Thrombocytopenia (TC) following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
      has been associated not only with hemorrhagic, but also with ischemic outcomes.
      The purpose of this study was to re-examine the relationship of TC with ischemic
      events at a 1-year follow-up, and investigate the possible associations. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: We studied a real-world, unselected population of ischemic patients
      undergoing PCI, totaling 861 patients-year, and divided into two groups: with TC
      (delta platelet count >=25% from baseline to post-PCI during the hospital
      admission) and without TC. Compared with patients without TC, patients with TC
      had a higher and earlier incidence of both hemorrhagic and ischemic events. In
      them, the use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was ten-fold higher. In Kaplan
      Meier curves assessing the contribution of both TC and IABP to outcome, IABP was
      a univariate detrimental factor additive to the role of TC. In a forced Cox
      model, the relative decline (delta) in platelet count (p=0.05) and the use of
      IABP (p=0.0001) were both associated with ischemic outcomes. After excluding all
      patients with IABP, the delta platelet count was no longer significantly
      associated with ischemic outcomes (p=0.66). After excluding all patients with
      shock and all those who undergone thrombolysis, there was still a relationship
      (p=0.0042) between the delta platelet count and ischemic events. CONCLUSIONS: In
      this patient population the use of IABP, but not thrombocytopenia per se, is a
      possible primary cause of worse ischemic outcomes.

PMID- 24239798
TI  - Intermittent hypoxia-induced increases in reactive oxygen species activate NFATc3
      increasing endothelin-1 vasoconstrictor reactivity.
AB  - Sleep apnea (SA), defined as intermittent respiratory arrest during sleep, is
      associated with increased incidence of hypertension, peripheral vascular disease,
      stroke, and sudden cardiac death. We have shown that intermittent hypoxia with
      CO2 supplementation (IH), a model for SA, increases blood pressure and
      circulating ET-1 levels, upregulates lung pre-pro ET-1 mRNA, increases
      vasoconstrictor reactivity to ET-1 in rat small mesenteric arteries (MA) and
      increases vascular reactive oxygen species (ROS). NFAT activity is increased in
      the aorta (AO) and MA of mice exposed to IH in an ET-1-dependent manner, and the
      genetic ablation of the isoform NFATc3 prevents IH-induced hypertension. We
      hypothesized that IH causes an increase in arterial ROS generation, which
      activates NFATc3 to increase vasoconstrictor reactivity to ET-1. In support of
      our hypothesis, we found that IH increases ROS in AO and MA. In vivo
      administration of the SOD mimetic tempol during IH exposure prevents IH-induced
      increases in NFAT activity in mouse MA and AO. We found that IH causes an NFATc3
      dependent increase in vasoconstrictor reactivity to ET-1, accompanied by an
      increase in vessel wall [Ca2+]. Our results indicate that IH exposure causes an
      increase in arterial ROS to activate NFATc3, which then increases vasoconstrictor
      reactivity and Ca2+ response to ET-1. These studies highlight a novel regulatory
      pathway, and demonstrate the potential clinical relevance of NFAT inhibition to
      prevent hypertension in SA patients.

PMID- 24239799
TI  - Predicting medical complications after spine surgery: a validated model using a
      prospective surgical registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The possibility and likelihood of a postoperative medical
      complication after spine surgery undoubtedly play a major role in the decision
      making of the surgeon and patient alike. Although prior study has determined
      relative risk and odds ratio values to quantify risk factors, these values may be
      difficult to translate to the patient during counseling of surgical options.
      Ideally, a model that predicts absolute risk of medical complication, rather than
      relative risk or odds ratio values, would greatly enhance the discussion of
      safety of spine surgery. To date, there is no risk stratification model that
      specifically predicts the risk of medical complication. PURPOSE: The purpose of
      this study was to create and validate a predictive model for the risk of medical
      complication during and after spine surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Statistical
      analysis using a prospective surgical spine registry that recorded extensive
      demographic, surgical, and complication data. Outcomes examined are medical
      complications that were specifically defined a priori. This analysis is a
      continuation of statistical analysis of our previously published report. METHODS:
      Using a prospectively collected surgical registry of more than 1,476 patients
      with extensive demographic, comorbidity, surgical, and complication detail
      recorded for 2 years after surgery, we previously identified several risk factor
      for medical complications. Using the beta coefficients from those log binomial
      regression analyses, we created a model to predict the occurrence of medical
      complication after spine surgery. We split our data into two subsets for internal
      and cross-validation of our model. We created two predictive models: one
      predicting the occurrence of any medical complication and the other predicting
      the occurrence of a major medical complication. RESULTS: The final predictive
      model for any medical complications had a receiver operator curve characteristic
      of 0.76, considered to be a fair measure. The final predictive model for any
      major medical complications had receiver operator curve characteristic of 0.81,
      considered to be a good measure. The final model has been uploaded for use on
      SpineSage.com. CONCLUSION: We present a validated model for predicting medical
      complications after spine surgery. The value in this model is that it gives the
      user an absolute percent likelihood of complication after spine surgery based on
      the patient's comorbidity profile and invasiveness of surgery. Patients are far
      more likely to understand an absolute percentage, rather than relative risk and
      confidence interval values. A model such as this is of paramount importance in
      counseling patients and enhancing the safety of spine surgery. In addition, a
      tool such as this can be of great use particularly as health care trends toward
      pay-for-performance, quality metrics, and risk adjustment. To facilitate the use
      of this model, we have created a website (SpineSage.com) where users can enter in
      patient data to determine likelihood of medical complications after spine
      surgery.

PMID- 24239800
TI  - Does physical activity influence the relationship between low back pain and
      obesity?
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Evidence supporting an association between obesity and low
      back pain (LBP) continues to grow; yet little is known about the cause and effect
      of this relationship. Even less is known about the mechanisms linking the two.
      Physical activity is a logical suspect, but no study has demonstrated its role.
      PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine the interrelationship between
      physical activity, obesity, and LBP. The specific aims were to determine if
      obesity is a risk factor for LBP in the U.S. population, measure the strength of
      any observed association, and evaluate the role of physical activity in
      modulating this association. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A cross-sectional U.S.
      population-based study. PATIENT SAMPLE: A cohort of 6,796 adults from the 2003
      2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Demographic information, an in-depth health questionnaire, physical examination
      details, and 7-day free-living physical activity monitoring using accelerometry
      (ActiGraph AM-7164; ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL, USA). METHODS: LBP status was
      determined by questionnaire response. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated during
      physical examination and divided here into four groups (normal weight <25,
      overweight 25-30, obese 31-35, and ultraobese 36+). Summary measures of physical
      activity were computed based on intensity cutoffs, percentile intensities, and
      bout. Demographics, social history, and comorbid health conditions were used to
      build adjusted weighted logistic regression models constructed using Akaike
      Information Criterion. All displayed estimates are significant at level <.05. No
      external funding was received to support this study. None of the authors report
      conflicts of interest directly related to the specific subject matter of this
      manuscript. RESULTS: In the U.S. population, the risk of low LBP increases in
      step with BMI from 2.9% for normal BMI (20-25) to 5.2% for overweight (26-30),
      7.7% for obese (31-35), and 11.6% for ultraobese (36+). Smoking is consistently
      the strongest predictor of LBP across the BMI spectrum (odds ratio 1.6-2.9).
      Physical activity also modulates these risks. In the overall model, the best
      physical activity predictors of LBP are in the moderate and high intensity ranges
      with small effects (odds ratio 0.98 and 0.996 per standard deviation increase,
      respectively). When broken down by BMI, time spent in sedentary and moderate
      activity ranges demonstrate more robust influences on LBP status in the
      overweight, obese, and ultraobese groups. CONCLUSIONS: Increased BMI is a risk
      factor for back pain in Americans. More important, the role of physical activity
      in mitigating back pain risk is shown to be of greater consequence in the
      overweight and obese populations.

PMID- 24239801
TI  - Assessment of skeletal maturity in scoliosis patients to determine clinical
      management: a new classification scheme using distal radius and ulna radiographs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessment of skeletal maturity in patients with adolescent
      idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is important to guide clinical management.
      Understanding growth peak and cessation is crucial to determine clinical
      observational intervals, timing to initiate or end bracing therapy, and when to
      instrument and fuse. The commonly used clinical or radiologic methods to assess
      skeletal maturity are still deficient in predicting the growth peak and cessation
      among adolescents, and bone age is too complicated to apply. PURPOSE: To address
      these concerns, we describe a new distal radius and ulna (DRU) classification
      scheme to assess skeletal maturity. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. PATIENT
      SAMPLE: One hundred fifty young, female AIS patients with hand x-rays and no
      previous history of spine surgery from a single institute were assessed. OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Radius and ulna plain radiographs, and various anthropomorphic
      parameters were assessed. METHODS: We identified various stages of radius and
      ulna epiphysis maturity, which were graded as R1-R11 for the radius and U1-U9 for
      the ulna. The bone age, development of sexual characteristics, standing height,
      sitting height, arm span, radius length, and tibia length were studied
      prospectively at each stage of these epiphysis changes. RESULTS: Standing height,
      sitting height, and arm span growth were at their peak during stages R7 (mean,
      11.4 years old) and U5 (mean, 11.0 years old). The long bone growths also
      demonstrated a common peak at R7 and U5. Cessation of height and arm span growth
      was noted after stages R10 (mean, 15.6 years old) and U9 (mean, 17.3 years old).
      CONCLUSIONS: The new DRU classification is a practical and easy-to-use scheme
      that can provide skeletal maturation status. This classification scheme provides
      close relationship with adolescent growth spurt and cessation of growth. This
      classification may have a tremendous utility in improving clinical-decision
      making in the conservative and operative management of scoliosis patients.

PMID- 24239802
TI  - Back pain's association with vertebral end-plate signal changes in sciatica.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Patients with sciatica frequently experience disabling back
      pain. One of the proposed causes for back pain is vertebral end-plate signal
      changes (VESC) as visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PURPOSE: To
      report on VESC findings, changes of VESC findings over time, and the correlation
      between VESC and disabling back pain in patients with sciatica. STUDY
      DESIGN/SETTING: A randomized clinical trial with 1 year of follow-up. PATIENTS
      SAMPLE: Patients with 6 to 12 weeks of sciatica who participated in a
      multicenter, randomized clinical trial comparing an early surgery strategy with
      prolonged conservative care with surgery if needed. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients
      were assessed by means of the 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain
      (with 0 representing no pain and 100 the worst pain ever experienced) at baseline
      and 1 year. Disabling back pain was defined as a VAS score of at least 40 mm.
      METHODS: Patients underwent MRI both at baseline and after 1 year follow-up.
      Presence and change of VESC was correlated with disabling back pain using chi
      square tests and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, 39% of
      patients had disabling back pain. Of the patients with VESC at baseline, 40% had
      disabling back pain compared with 38% of the patients with no VESC (p=.67). The
      prevalence of type 1 VESC increased from 1% at baseline to 35% 1 year later in
      the surgical group compared with an increase from 3% to 11% in the conservative
      group. The prevalence of type 2 VESC decreased from 40% to 29% in the surgical
      group while remaining almost stable in the conservative group at 41%. The
      prevalence of disabling back pain at 1 year was 12% in patients with no VESC at 1
      year, 16% in patients with type 1 VESC, 11% in patients with type 2 VESC, and 3%
      in patients with both types 1 and 2 VESC (p=.36). Undergoing surgery was
      associated with increase in the extent of VESC (odds ratio [OR], 8.6; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 4.7-15.7; p<.001). Patients who showed an increase in
      the extent of VESC after 1 year did not significantly report more disabling back
      pain compared with patients who did not show any increase (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.6
      2.6; p=.61). CONCLUSION: In this study, undergoing surgery for sciatica was
      highly associated with the development of VESC after 1 year. However, in contrast
      with the intuitive feeling of spine specialists, those with and those without
      VESC reported disabling back pain in nearly the same proportion. Therefore, VESC
      does not seem to be responsible for disabling back pain in patients with
      sciatica.

PMID- 24239803
TI  - Comparative outcomes and cost-utility following surgical treatment of focal
      lumbar spinal stenosis compared with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: part 2-
      estimated lifetime incremental cost-utility ratios.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee
      arthroplasty (TKA) have been widely accepted as highly cost-effective procedures,
      spine surgery for the treatment of degenerative conditions does not share the
      same perception among stakeholders. In particular, the sustainability of the
      outcome and cost-effectiveness following lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) surgery
      compared with THA/TKA remain uncertain. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to
      estimate the lifetime incremental cost-utility ratios for decompression and
      decompression with fusion for focal LSS versus THA and TKA for osteoarthritis
      (OA) from the perspective of the provincial health insurance system
      (predominantly from the hospital perspective) based on long-term health status
      data at a median of 5 years after surgical intervention. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: An
      incremental cost-utility analysis from a hospital perspective was based on a
      single-center, retrospective longitudinal matched cohort study of prospectively
      collected outcomes and retrospectively collected costs. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients
      who had undergone primary one- to two-level spinal decompression with or without
      fusion for focal LSS were compared with a matched cohort of patients who had
      undergone elective THA or TKA for primary OA. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures
      included incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) ($/quality adjusted life year
      [QALY]) determined using perioperative costs (direct and indirect) and Short Form
      6D (SF-6D) utility scores converted from the SF-36. METHODS: Patient outcomes
      were collected using the SF-36 survey preoperatively and annually for a minimum
      of 5 years. Utility was modeled over the lifetime and QALYs were determined using
      the median 5-year health status data. The primary outcome measure, cost per QALY
      gained, was calculated by estimating the mean incremental lifetime costs and
      QALYs for each diagnosis group after discounting costs and QALYs at 3%.
      Sensitivity analyses adjusting for +25% primary and revision surgery cost, +25%
      revision rate, upper and lower confidence interval utility score, variable
      inpatient rehabilitation rate for THA/TKA, and discounting at 5% were conducted
      to determine factors affecting the value of each type of surgery. RESULTS: At a
      median of 5 years (4-7 years), follow-up and revision surgery data was attained
      for 85%-FLSS, 80%-THA, and 75%-THA of the cohorts. The 5-year ICURs were
      $21,702/QALY for THA; $28,595/QALY for TKA; $12,271/QALY for spinal
      decompression; and $35,897/QALY for spinal decompression with fusion. The
      estimated lifetime ICURs using the median 5-year follow-up data were $5,682/QALY
      for THA; $6,489/QALY for TKA; $2,994/QALY for spinal decompression; and
      $10,806/QALY for spinal decompression with fusion. The overall spine
      (decompression alone and decompression and fusion) ICUR was $5,617/QALY. The
      estimated best- and worst-case lifetime ICURs varied from $1,126/QALY for the
      best-case (spinal decompression) to $39,323/QALY for the worst case (spinal
      decompression with fusion). CONCLUSION: Surgical management of primary OA of the
      spine, hip, and knee results in durable cost-utility ratios that are well below
      accepted thresholds for cost-effectiveness. Despite a significantly higher
      revision rate, the overall surgical management of FLSS for those who have failed
      medical management results in similar median 5-year and lifetime cost-utility
      compared with those of THA and TKA for the treatment of OA from the limited
      perspective of a public health insurance system.

PMID- 24239804
TI  - Clinical outcomes following surgical management of coexistent cervical stenosis
      and multiple sclerosis: a cohort-controlled analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The presentation of myelopathy in patients with the
      concomitant diagnosis of cervical stenosis (CS) and multiple sclerosis (MS)
      complicates both diagnosis and treatment because of the similarities of
      presentation and disease progression. There are only a few published case series
      that examine this unique patient population. PURPOSE: To define the demographic
      features and presenting symptoms of patients with both MS and CS and to
      investigate the immediate and long-term outcomes of surgery in patients with MS
      and CS. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Matched cohort-controlled retrospective review of
      77 surgical patients in the MS group and 77 surgical patients in the control
      group. Outcome measures were immediate and long-term postoperative neck pain,
      radiculopathy, and myelopathy; Nurick Disability and modified Japanese
      Orthopaedic Association scores were collected as well. METHODS: Retrospective
      review was performed for all patients presenting at one institution between
      January 1996 and July 2011 with coexisting diagnoses of MS and CS who had
      presenting symptoms of myelopathy and who then underwent cervical decompression
      surgery. Each study patient was individually matched to a control patient of the
      same gender and age that did not have MS, but that did have cervical spondylotic
      myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy. Each control patient underwent the same
      surgical procedure within the same year. RESULTS: A total of 154 patients were
      reviewed, including 77 MS patients and 77 control patients, for an average follow
      up of 58 months and 49 months, respectively. Patients in the control group were
      more likely to have preoperative neck pain (78% vs. 47%; p=.0001) and
      preoperative radiculopathy (90% vs. 75%; p=.03) than their counterparts in the MS
      group. Patients in the MS group had a significantly lower rate of postoperative
      resolution of myelopathic symptoms in both the short-term (39% in the MS group
      did not improve vs. 23% in the control group; p=.04) and the long-term (44% in
      the MS group did not improve vs. 19% in the control group; p=.004). Preoperative
      myelopathy scores were worse for the MS cohort as compared with the control
      cohort (1.8 vs. 1.2 in the Nurick scale, p<.0001; 13.7 vs. 15.0 in the modified
      Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale, p=.002). This difference in scores became
      even greater at the last follow-up visit with Nurick scores of 2.4 versus 0.9
      (p<.0001) and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores of 16.3 versus
      12.4 (p<.0001) for the MS and control patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Myelopathic patients with coexisting MS and CS improve after surgery, although at
      a lower rate and to a lesser degree than those without MS. Therefore, surgery
      should be considered for these patients. MS patients should be informed that
      myelopathy symptoms are less likely to be alleviated completely or may only be
      alleviated temporarily because of progression of MS and that surgery can help
      alleviate neck pain and radicular symptoms.

PMID- 24239805
TI  - Reliability of computer-assisted lumbar intervertebral measurements using a novel
      vertebral motion analysis system.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Traditional methods for the evaluation of in vivo spine
      kinematics introduce significant measurement variability. Digital
      videofluoroscopic techniques coupled with computer-assisted measurements have
      been shown to reduce such error, as well as provide detailed information about
      spinal motion otherwise unobtainable by standard roentgenograms. Studies have
      evaluated the precision of computer-assisted fluoroscopic measurements; however,
      a formal clinical evaluation and comparison with manual methods is unavailable.
      Further, it is essential to establish reliability of novel measurements systems
      compared with standard techniques. PURPOSE: To determine the repeatability and
      reproducibility of sagittal lumbar intervertebral measurements using a new system
      for the evaluation of lumbar spine motion. STUDY DESIGN: Reliability evaluation
      of digitized manual versus computer-assisted measurements of the lumbar spine
      using motion sequences from a videofluoroscopic technique. PATIENT SAMPLE: A
      total of 205 intervertebral levels from 61 patients were retrospectively
      evaluated in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES: Coefficient of repeatability (CR),
      limits of agreement (LOA), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; type 3,1),
      and standard error of measurement. METHODS: Intervertebral rotations and
      translations (IVR and IVT) were each measured twice by three physicians using the
      KineGraph vertebral motion analysis (VMA) system and twice by three different
      physicians using a digitized manual technique. Each observer evaluated all images
      independently. Intra- and interobserver statistics were compiled based on the
      methods of Bland-Altman (CR, LOA) and Shrout-Fleiss (ICC, standard error of
      measurement). RESULTS: The VMA measurements demonstrated substantially more
      precision compared with the manual technique. Intraobserver measurements were the
      most reliable, with a CR of 1.53 (manual, 8.28) for IVR, and 2.20 (manual, 11.75)
      for IVT. The least reliable measurements were interobserver IVR and IVT, with a
      CR of 2.15 (manual, 9.88) and 3.90 (manual, 12.43), respectively. The ICCs and
      standard error results followed the same pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The VMA system
      markedly reduced variability of lumbar intervertebral measurements compared with
      a digitized manual analysis. Further, computer-assisted fluoroscopic imaging
      techniques demonstrate precision within the range of computer-assisted X-ray
      analysis techniques.

PMID- 24239806
TI  - Intrauterine metabolic programming alteration increased susceptibility to non
      alcoholic adult fatty liver disease in prenatal caffeine-exposed rat offspring.
AB  - An increase in susceptibility to metabolic syndromes (MetS) in rat offspring that
      experienced prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) has been previously demonstrated.
      The present study aimed to clarify this increased susceptibility and elucidate
      the mechanism of foetal origin that causes or contributes to adult non-alcoholic
      fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a result of PCE. Based on the results from both
      foetal and adult studies of rats that experienced PCE (120 mg/kgd), the foetal
      weight and serum triglyceride levels decreased significantly and hepatocellular
      ultrastructure was altered. Foetal livers exhibited inhibited insulin-like growth
      factor-1 (IGF-1), enhanced lipogenesis and reduced lipid output. In adult female
      offspring of PCE+lab chow, lipid synthesis, oxidation and output were enhanced,
      whereas lipogenesis was inhibited in their male conterparters. Furthermore, in
      adult offspring of PCE+ high-fat diet, catch-up growth appeared obvious with
      enhanced hepatic IGF-1, especially in females. Both males and females showed
      increased lipid synthesis and reduced output, which were accompanied by elevated
      serum triglyceride. Severe NAFLD appeared with higher Kleiner scores.
      Gluconeogenesis was continuously enhanced in females. Therefore, increased
      susceptibility to diet-induced NAFLD in PCE offspring was confirmed, and it
      appears to be mediated by intrauterine glucose and alterations in lipid metabolic
      programming. This altered programming enhanced foetal hepatic lipogenesis and
      reduced lipid output in utero, which continued into the postnatal phase and
      reappeared in adulthood with the introduction of a high-fat diet, thereby
      aggravating hepatic lipid accumulation and causing NAFLD.

PMID- 24239807
TI  - Antiviral signaling protein MITA acts as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer by
      regulating NF-kappaB induced cell death.
AB  - Emerging evidences suggest that chronic inflammation is one of the major causes
      of tumorigenesis. The role of inflammation in regulation of breast cancer
      progression is not well established. Recently Mediator of IRF3 Activation (MITA)
      protein has been identified that regulates NF-kappaB and IFN pathways. Role of
      MITA in the context of inflammation and cancer progression has not been
      investigated. In the current report, we studied the role of MITA in the
      regulation of cross talk between cell death and inflammation in breast cancer
      cells. The expression of MITA was significantly lower on in estrogen receptor
      (ER) positive breast cancer cells than ER negative cells. Similarly, it was
      significantly down regulated in tumor tissue as compared to the normal tissue.
      The overexpression of MITA in MCF-7 and T47D decreases the cell proliferation and
      increases the cell death by activation of caspases. MITA positively regulates NF
      kappaB transcription factor, which is essential for MITA induced cell death. The
      activation of NF-kappaB induces TNF-alpha production which further sensitizes
      MITA induced cell death by activation of death receptor pathway through capsase
      8. MITA expression decreases the colony forming units and migration ability of
      MCF-7 cells. Thus, our finding suggests that MITA acts as a tumor suppressor
      which is down regulated during tumorigenesis providing survival advantage to
      tumor cell. 

PMID- 24239808
TI  - Resistance reminders: Dieters reduce energy intake after exposure to diet
      congruent food images compared to control non-food images.
AB  - Dieters' long term goals to lose weight often fail in the short term due to
      hedonic temptations. Restrained eating coupled with disinhibition can lead to
      overconsumption when highly palatable foods are available. In contrast, it is
      predicted that exposure to diet-congruent food cues remind dieters of their long
      term diet goals and prompt short term regulation of food intake. To test this
      prediction, a between-subjects study involving female dieters (n=26) and non
      dieters (n=41) was conducted with brief exposure to diet-congruent or neutral non
      food images (23ms) before a tempting snack. Subsequent diet-cognitions using a
      lexical decision task and intake of tempting snacks were measured. Results showed
      that dieters exposed to diet-congruent images consumed less energy than dieters
      exposed to control images. In addition, high restrained high disinhibited
      participants reduced energy intake after exposure to diet-congruent compared to
      control images. There were no differences in dieters' reaction times to diet
      words across conditions in the lexical decision task. The results suggest that
      diet-congruent cues might act as effective reminders to limit intake in those
      most vulnerable to food temptations. Future research should examine the efficacy
      of such cues for longer term weight control. 

PMID- 24239809
TI  - Cofractionation of HMGB proteins with histone dimers.
AB  - An effective and flexible method is presented that can be used to investigate
      cofractionation of groups of nuclear proteins. The method was used to analyze
      chromatin-related proteins, of which high-mobility group B (HMGB) proteins
      consistently cofractionated by cation-exchange chromatography with the histone
      dimer (H2A-H2B). This led to the hypothesis that the two form a complex, further
      suggested by gel filtration, in which the HMGBs with core histones eluted as a
      defined high-molecular-weight peak. A necessary requirement for further studying
      protein interactions is that the constituents are of the highest possible purity
      and the pure histone dimers and tetramers used in this study were derived from
      pure histone octamers with their native marks. There is a growing interest in
      protein-protein interactions and an increasing focus on protein-interaction
      domains: most frequently, pull-down assays are used to examine these. The
      technology presented here can provide an effective system that complements pull
      down assays. 

PMID- 24239810
TI  - The recreational value of different winter conditions in Oslo forests: a choice
      experiment.
AB  - Cross-country skiing is important to many Norwegians as exercise and recreation
      during winter. The most heavily used areas for cross-country skiing are the
      forests near the capital city Oslo. Here, observed and predicted climate change
      lead to reduced snow days. A choice experiment estimates forest users'
      willingness to pay (WTP) for trips to the forest under different conditions:
      skiing conditions, bare ground, and wet snow not suitable for skiing. Snow
      conditions correlate with the highest WTP per trip, while the WTP for trips under
      bare conditions and wet snow is, respectively, 40 and 77% less. Expressed in
      terms of distance, the analysis indicates that the maximum willingness to travel
      (WTT) for the average trip is 45 km (each direction) for snow, 23 km for bare
      ground, while not significantly different from zero for wet snow. The large
      difference in value across different conditions suggests that climate change may
      reduce the recreational value for forest users considerably. 

PMID- 24239811
TI  - Beyond regulations: industry voluntary ban in arsenic use.
AB  - Firms play a key role in pollution abatement and control by engaging in beyond
      compliance actions without the force of law in voluntary programs. This study
      examines the effectiveness of a bilateral voluntary agreement, one type of
      voluntary programs, negotiated between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
      (EPA) and the pressure-treated wood industry to phase-out the use of chromated
      copper arsenate (CCA), a poisonous arsenic compound. Arsenic is ranked number one
      on the EPA's priority list of hazardous substances. Unlike a majority of earlier
      studies on voluntary programs, dynamic panel estimation and structural break
      analysis show that while a technological innovation in semiconductors is
      associated with arsenic use increases, the CCA voluntary agreement is associated
      with a reduction in arsenic use to levels not seen since the 1920s. A voluntary
      ban in arsenic acid by pesticide manufacturers in the agriculture sector has also
      contributed to arsenic reductions. Furthermore, the results suggest that
      environmental activism has played a role in curbing arsenic use. Increasing
      stakeholder pressures, as measured by membership in the Sierra Club, improves
      voluntary agreement effectiveness. 

PMID- 24239813
TI  - Enrichment and geo-accumulation of heavy metals and risk assessment of sediments
      of the Kurang Nallah--feeding tributary of the Rawal Lake Reservoir, Pakistan.
AB  - Heavy metal concentrations in sediments of the Kurang stream: a principal feeding
      tributary of the Rawal Lake Reservoir were investigated using enrichment factor
      (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and metal pollution index (MPI) to determine
      metal accumulation, distribution and its pollution status. Sediment samples were
      collected from twenty one sites during two year monitoring in pre- and post
      monsoon seasons (2007-2008). Heavy metal toxicity risk was assessed using
      Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), effect range low/effect range median values
      (ERL/ERM), and threshold effect level/probable effect level (TEL/PEL). Greater
      mean concentrations of Ni, Mn and Pb were recorded in post-monsoon season whereas
      metal accumulation pattern in pre-monsoon season followed the order:
      Zn>Mn>Ni>Cr>Co>Cd>Pb>Cu>Li. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation (Igeo)
      values showed that sediments were loaded with Cd, Zn, Ni and Mn. Comparison with
      uncontaminated background values showed higher concentrations of Cd, Zn and Ni
      than respective average shale values. Concentrations of Ni and Zn were above ERL
      values; however, Ni concentration exceeded the ERM values. Sediment contamination
      was attributed to anthropogenic and natural processes. The results can be used
      for effective management of fresh water hilly streams of Pakistan. 

PMID- 24239812
TI  - Using zebrafish models to explore genetic and epigenetic impacts on evolutionary
      developmental origins of aging.
AB  - Can we reset, reprogram, rejuvenate, or reverse the organismal aging process?
      Certain genetic manipulations could at least reset and reprogram epigenetic
      dynamics beyond phenotypic plasticity and elasticity in cells, which can be
      manipulated further into organisms. However, in a whole complex aging organism,
      how can we rejuvenate intrinsic resources and infrastructures in an intact and
      noninvasive manner? The incidence of diseases increases exponentially with age,
      accompanied by progressive deteriorations of physiological functions in
      organisms. Aging-associated diseases are sporadic but essentially inevitable
      complications arising from senescence. Senescence is often considered the
      antithesis of early development, but yet there may be factors and mechanisms in
      common between these 2 phenomena to rejuvenate over the dynamic process of aging.
      The association between early development and late-onset disease with advancing
      age is thought to come from a consequence of developmental plasticity, the
      phenomenon by which one genotype can give rise to a range of physiologically
      and/or morphologically adaptive states based on diverse epigenotypes in response
      to intrinsic or extrinsic environmental cues and genetic perturbations. We
      hypothesized that the future aging process can be predictive based on adaptivity
      during the early developmental period. Modulating the thresholds and windows of
      plasticity and its robustness by molecular genetic and chemical epigenetic
      approaches, we have successfully conducted experiments to isolate zebrafish
      mutants expressing apparently altered senescence phenotypes during their
      embryonic and/or larval stages ("embryonic/larval senescence"). Subsequently, at
      least some of these mutant animals were found to show a shortened life span,
      whereas others would be expected to live longer into adulthood. We anticipate
      that previously uncharacterized developmental genes may mediate the aging process
      and play a pivotal role in senescence. On the other hand, unexpected senescence
      related genes might also be involved in the early developmental process and its
      regulation. The ease of manipulation using the zebrafish system allows us to
      conduct an exhaustive exploration of novel genes, genotypes, and epigenotypes
      that can be linked to the senescence phenotype, which facilitates searching for
      the evolutionary and developmental origins of aging in vertebrates. 

PMID- 24239814
TI  - Effective drinking water collaborations are not accidental: interagency
      relationships in the international water utility sector.
AB  - The role that deficient institutional relationships have played in aggravating
      drinking water incidents over the last 30 years has been identified in several
      inquiries of high profile drinking water safety events, peer-reviewed articles
      and media reports. These indicate that collaboration between water utilities and
      public health agencies (PHAs) during normal operations, and in emergencies, needs
      improvement. Here, critical elements of these interagency collaborations, that
      can be integrated within the corporate risk management structures of water
      utilities and PHAs alike, were identified using a grounded theory approach and 51
      semi-structured interviews with utility and PHA staff. Core determinants of
      effective interagency relationships are discussed. Intentionally maintained
      functional relationships represent a key ingredient in assuring the delivery of
      safe, high quality drinking water.

PMID- 24239815
TI  - Assessing traffic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure in Montreal,
      Canada.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies specific
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as probable carcinogens. This study
      compares two PAH biomarkers and their relationship with geographic information
      system (GIS) based traffic density (a proxy of PAH exposure), and explores the
      determinants of the PAH biomarkers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was
      conducted in Montreal with 200 volunteers (107 females and 93 males) ages 20 to
      53 years. Data were collected by questionnaire, urine samples were used for
      biomarker analysis, and innovative GIS-based time- and distance-weighted traffic
      densities (TDWTD) were calculated for all locations of participants during the 48
      h prior to urine collection. RESULTS: Detection rates of the two biomarkers were
      greater than 95%. Female participants had higher 1-OHP and 1-OHPG levels than
      males, and no relationship was detected between TDWTD in 48 h and the two PAH
      biomarkers. Biomarker levels were related to smoking more than one pack of
      cigarettes in the previous 48 h, and among non-smokers, barbecued meat
      consumption increased the level of urinary 1-OHP (exp beta: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.07 to
      1.98). CONCLUSIONS: Both 1-OHP and 1-OHPG can be used to assess the relatively
      low PAH levels to which the general population is exposed. With the exception of
      smoking, the impact of PAH exposure factors on the biomarkers is relatively small
      in this study population.

PMID- 24239816
TI  - Sustainability appraisal tools for soil and groundwater remediation: how is the
      choice of remediation alternative influenced by different sets of sustainability
      indicators and tool structures?
AB  - The state-of-the-science in sustainability assessment of soil and groundwater
      remediation is evaluated with the application of four decision support systems
      (DSSs) to a large-scale brownfield revitalization case study. The DSSs were used
      to perform sustainability appraisals of four technically feasible remediation
      alternatives proposed for the site. The first stage of the review compares the
      scope of each tool's sustainability indicators, how these indicators are measured
      and how the tools differ in terms of standardization and weighting procedures.
      The second stage of the review compares the outputs from the tools and determines
      the key factors that result in differing results between tools. The evaluation of
      indicator sets and tool structures explains why the tools generate differing
      results. Not all crucial impact areas, as identified by sustainable remediation
      forums, are thoroughly considered by the tools, particularly with regard to the
      social and economic aspects of sustainability. Variations in boundary conditions
      defined between technologies, produce distorted environmental impact results,
      especially when in-situ and ex-situ technologies are compared. The review draws
      attention to the need for end users to be aware of which aspects of
      sustainability are considered, how the aspects are measured and how all aspects
      are ultimately balanced in the evaluation of potential remediation strategies.
      Existing tools can be improved by considering different technologies within the
      same boundary conditions and by expanding indicator sets to include indicators
      deemed to be relevant by remediation forums. 

PMID- 24239817
TI  - Effects of over-winter green cover on soil solution nitrate concentrations
      beneath tillage land.
AB  - There is a growing need to reduce nitrogen losses from agricultural systems to
      increase food production while reducing negative environmental impacts. The
      efficacy of vegetation cover for reducing nitrate leaching in tillage systems
      during fallow periods has been widely investigated. Nitrate leaching reductions
      by natural regeneration (i.e. growth of weeds and crop volunteers) have been
      investigated to a lesser extent than reductions by planted cover crops. This
      study compares the efficacy of natural regeneration and a sown cover crop
      (mustard) relative to no vegetative cover under both a reduced tillage system and
      conventional plough-based system as potential mitigation measures for reducing
      over-winter soil solution nitrate concentrations. The study was conducted over
      three winter fallow seasons on well drained soil, highly susceptible to leaching,
      under temperate maritime climatic conditions. Mustard cover crop under both
      reduced tillage and conventional ploughing was observed to be an effective
      measure for significantly reducing nitrate concentrations. Natural regeneration
      under reduced tillage was found to significantly reduce the soil solution nitrate
      concentrations. This was not the case for the natural regeneration under
      conventional ploughing. The improved efficacy of natural regeneration under
      reduced tillage could be a consequence of potential stimulation of seedling
      germination by the autumn reduced tillage practices and improved over-winter
      plant growth. There was no significant effect of tillage practices on nitrate
      concentrations. This study shows that over winter covers of mustard and natural
      regeneration, under reduced tillage, are effective measures for reducing nitrate
      concentrations in free draining temperate soils. 

PMID- 24239818
TI  - Assessing atmospheric particulate matter distribution based on Saturation
      Isothermal Remanent Magnetization of herbaceous and tree leaves in a tropical
      urban environment.
AB  - Particulate matter (PM) emissions, and the associated human health risks, are
      likely to continue increasing in urban environments of developing countries like
      Abidjan (Ivory Cost). This study evaluated the potential of leaves of several
      herbaceous and tree species as bioindicators of urban particulate matter
      pollution, and its variation over different land use classes, in a tropical area.
      Four species well distributed (presence frequencies >90%) over all land use
      classes, easy to harvest and whose leaves are wide enough to be easily scanned
      were selected, i.e.: Amaranthus spinosus (Amaranthaceae), Eleusine indica
      (Poaceae), Panicum maximum (Poaceae) and Ficus benjamina (Moraceae). Leaf
      sampling of these species was carried out at 3 distances from the road and at 3
      height levels. Traffic density was also noted and finally biomagnetic parameters
      of these leaves were determined. Results showed that Saturation Isothermal
      Remanent Magnetization (SIRM) of leaves was at least 4 times higher (27.5*10(
      6)A) in the vicinity of main roads and industrial areas than in parks and
      residential areas. The main potential sources of PM pollution were motor vehicles
      and industries. The slightly hairy leaves of the herbaceous plant A. spinosus and
      the waxy leaves of the tree F. benjamina showed the highest SIRM (25*10(-6)A).
      Leaf SIRM increased with distance to road (R(2)>0.40) and declined with sampling
      height (R(2)=0.17). The distance between 0 and 5m from the road seemed to be the
      most vulnerable in terms of PM pollution. This study has showed that leaf SIRM of
      herbaceous and tree species can be used to assess PM exposure in tropical urban
      environments. 

PMID- 24239819
TI  - Metagenomic analysis reveals potential biodegradation pathways of persistent
      pesticides in freshwater and marine sediments.
AB  - The abundance and diversity of biodegradation genes (BDGs) and potential
      degradation pathways of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT),
      hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), and atrazine (ATZ) in freshwater and marine
      sediments were investigated by metagenomic analysis using 6 datasets (16Gb in
      total). The datasets were derived using Illumina high-throughput sequencing and
      were based on BLAST against self-established databases of BDGs, DDT degradation
      genes (DDGs), HCH degradation genes (HDGs), and ATZ degradation genes (ADGs). The
      results showed that the abundance and diversity of BDGs, DDGs, HDGs, and ADGs
      varied with sample source and locations. The lip and mnp genes, which encode for
      peroxidase, and the carA gene, which encodes for laccase, were detected as the
      dominant genes for degradation of organic pollutants. The hdt, hdg, and atzB
      genes, which encode for hydratase, dehalogenase, and ethylaminohydrolase, were
      found to be the most abundant genes involved in DDT, HCH, and ATZ degradation,
      respectively. The identified 69 genera capable of degrading organic pollutants
      were mostly affiliated with Proteobacteria (49.3%) and Actinobacteria (21.7%).
      Four genera, including Plesiocystis, Anaerolinea, Jannaschia, and Mycobacterium,
      were the major biodegradation populations in all sediments. In this study, the
      nearly complete biodegradation pathways of DDT and ATZ were found, and the
      partial degradation pathway of HCH was detected in all sediments. 

PMID- 24239820
TI  - Accumulation of uranium by aquatic plants in field conditions: prospects for
      phytoremediation.
AB  - A study was undertaken to determine Uranium concentrations in water and aquatic
      plants in the uraniferous region of Beiras, Central Portugal. Samples were
      collected from running water (n=200) at places where aquatic species were
      observed. Plant samples were collected from 28 species of submerged, free
      floating and rooted emergent plants including 2 bryophytes and 1 pteridophyte.
      Uranium concentrations in surface waters ranged from 0.23 to 1,217 MUg L(-1). The
      aquatic plant species studied, including several previously untested species,
      exhibited the ability to accumulate U in concentrations many times that of the
      ambient water. In general submerged plants exhibited higher U content followed by
      rooted emergent and free floating species. The highest U concentrations were
      observed in the bryophyte Fontinalis antipyretica (up to 4,979 mg kg(-1))
      followed by Callitriche stagnalis (1963mgkg(-1)), Callitriche hamulata (379 mg
      kg(-1)), Ranunculus peltatus subsp. saniculifolius (243 mg kg(-1)), Callitriche
      lusitanica (218 mg kg(-1)), and Ranunculus trichophyllus (65.8 mg kg(-1)). In two
      out of three rooted emergent species U seemed to be preferentially partitioned in
      rhizome/roots with highest rhizome U content recorded in Typha latifolia (380 mg
      kg(-1)). Among the free-floating species, the highest U content (42.5 mg kg(-1))
      was seen in Lemna minor. The bryophyte F. antipyretica and Callitrichaceae
      members seem to be promising candidates for the development of phytofiltration
      methodologies based on U accumulation, abundance and biomass production.

PMID- 24239821
TI  - The effect of temperature gradients on endocrine signaling and antioxidant gene
      expression during Chironomus riparius development.
AB  - Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors affecting the
      biological processes of aquatic species. To investigate the potential effects of
      temperature on the developmental processes of aquatic invertebrates, we analyzed
      biological and molecular transcriptional responses during Chironomus riparius
      development, including five stages spanning from embryo to adult stages. We
      assessed the temperature change-induced reduction of survival rate, changes in
      biological development including the male:female ratio in emerged adults, the
      success rates of pupation and emergence, and the developmental timing of pupation
      and emergence. The increased temperature induced expression of endocrine
      signaling genes, such as the ecdysone receptor, ultraspiracle (ortholog of the
      RXR), and the estrogen-related receptor in the fourth-instar larval and pupal
      stages of C. riparius development. Altered temperature also affected the activity
      of antioxidant genes, including catalase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and
      superoxide dismutase during the fourth-instar larval to adult stages of C.
      riparius development, as a result of altered development. Increased temperature
      during the fourth-instar larval stage increased oxidative stress in pupae and
      adults. Responses of antioxidant genes to increased temperature occurred in a
      developmental stage-dependent manner. However, reduced temperature did not induce
      the expression of antioxidant genes in a developmental stage-dependent manner,
      although it did induce oxidative stress during C. riparius development. Increased
      temperature also caused greater toxicity of di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in
      fourth-instar larvae. Our findings suggest that altered temperatures may disturb
      the invertebrate hormone system and developmental processes by inducing oxidative
      stress in aquatic environments. 

PMID- 24239822
TI  - Responses of wild small mammals to arsenic pollution at a partially remediated
      mining site in Southern France.
AB  - Partial remediation actions at a former gold mine in Southern France led to a
      mosaic of contaminated and rehabilitated zones. In this study, the distribution
      of arsenic and its potential adverse effects on small mammals were investigated.
      The effectiveness of remediation for reducing the transfer of this element into
      wildlife was also discussed. Arsenic levels were measured in the soil and in the
      stomach contents, livers, kidneys, and lungs of four small mammal species (the
      wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), the Algerian mouse (Mus spretus), the common
      vole (Microtus arvalis), and the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura
      russula)). The animals were caught at the former extraction site, in zones with
      three different levels of remediation treatments, and at a control site. Arsenic
      concentrations in the soil were highly spatially heterogeneous (ranging from 29
      to 18,900 MUg g(-1)). Despite the decrease in arsenic concentrations in the
      remediated soils, both wood mice and Algerian mice experienced higher oral
      exposure to arsenic in remediated zones than in the control area. The accumulated
      arsenic in their organs showed higher intra-zonal variability than the arsenic
      distribution in the soil, suggesting that, in addition to remediation processes,
      other variables can help explain arsenic transfer to wildlife, such as the
      habitat and diet preferences of the animals or their mobility. A weak but
      significant correlation between arsenic concentration and body condition was
      observed, and weak relationships between the liver/kidney/lung mass and arsenic
      levels were also detected, suggesting possible histological alterations.

PMID- 24239823
TI  - Eggshell thinning of osprey (Pandion haliaetus) breeding in Sweden and its
      significance for egg breakage and breeding outcome.
AB  - In the middle of the 1960s low reproductive rate was found in several osprey
      (Pandion haliaetus) nests in Sweden. Therefore a project was started to
      investigate the production and to collect unhatched eggs and shell fragments in
      different regions of Sweden during 1971-2008. Measurements of osprey eggs from
      museum collections from 1840 to 1970 were included to study long-term changes in
      shell thickness. In total, eggshell thickness of whole eggs from 666 clutches and
      of shell fragments from 693 nests was measured. The thinnest shell fragments were
      recorded in 1973 (mean for 71 clutches: 0.438 mm), minus 15.0% compared to
      thickness of unaffected eggs before 1946 (0.515 mm). After 1973, shell thickness
      increased to reach background levels in 2003 (0.515 mm). Thus, it took 30 years
      to reach full thickness again. From the start of the decrease it took more than
      50 years to reach unaffected conditions. The number of whole eggs remaining
      intact in the nest throughout incubation was reduced when shell thickness
      decreased. Great loss of eggs due to breakage seems to occur when the mean shell
      thickness in the clutch was below 0.40 mm. In 1971-1973, when shell thinning was
      most pronounced, the average thickness of shell fragments was 0.366 mm in nests
      with 0 intact eggs (minus 29% compared to the pre-1946 background value); 0.393
      mm (minus 24%) in nests with 1 intact egg; 0.431 mm (minus 16%) in nests with 2
      intact eggs and 0.450 mm (minus 12%) in nests with 3 intact eggs. Differences in
      thickness were significant for 1 versus 2 intact eggs, 2 vs. 3 intact eggs and
      for 0+1 vs. 2+3 intact eggs. Actual data from the period 1971-73 shows a decline
      in the production of young (4-5 weeks) of some 15% (0.25 young per nest).

PMID- 24239824
TI  - Feral finfish, and their relationships with sediments and seawater, as a tool for
      risk assessment of PAHs in chronically polluted environments.
AB  - An integrated study has been carried out of the fate and effects of PAHs in fish
      living in a chronically polluted environment. Total PAH concentrations in
      different target organs (muscle, liver and gills), have been determined in five
      species of feral fish and possible histopathological effects and correlations of
      all these values with concentrations found in sediments and water column have
      been studied in two of these species. The Potency Equivalent Concentrations and
      Screening values (SVs), the Biota-to-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) and
      the Toxic Potency Assessment (TEQ) of sediment for fish have been calculated.
      Results show that levels found in target organs, the TEQs of sediment calculated
      for fish related to the SVs for fish consumption are of special concern. However,
      the index of pathologies shows a relatively low impact of PAHs on fish health.
      The use of feral finfish in risk assessment for PAHs in chronically polluted
      environments has been proved to be a useful tool to complement environmental
      diagnoses and improve their accuracy. This approach combines the measurement of
      total concentrations in different target organs of several appropriate species,
      the study of histopathological effects, and correlations between all these
      results and the concentrations found in associated sediments and column water. 

PMID- 24239825
TI  - Metabolic biotransformation half-lives in fish: QSAR modeling and consensus
      analysis.
AB  - Bioaccumulation in fish is a function of competing rates of chemical uptake and
      elimination. For hydrophobic organic chemicals bioconcentration, bioaccumulation
      and biomagnification potential are high and the biotransformation rate constant
      is a key parameter. Few measured biotransformation rate constant data are
      available compared to the number of chemicals that are being evaluated for
      bioaccumulation hazard and for exposure and risk assessment. Three new
      Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSARs) for predicting whole body
      biotransformation half-lives (HLN) in fish were developed and validated using
      theoretical molecular descriptors that seek to capture structural characteristics
      of the whole molecule and three data set splitting schemes. The new QSARs were
      developed using a minimal number of theoretical descriptors (n=9) and compared to
      existing QSARs developed using fragment contribution methods that include up to
      59 descriptors. The predictive statistics of the models are similar thus further
      corroborating the predictive performance of the different QSARs; Q(2)ext ranges
      from 0.75 to 0.77, CCCext ranges from 0.86 to 0.87, RMSE in prediction ranges
      from 0.56 to 0.58. The new QSARs provide additional mechanistic insights into the
      biotransformation capacity of organic chemicals in fish by including whole
      molecule descriptors and they also include information on the domain of
      applicability for the chemical of interest. Advantages of consensus modeling for
      improving overall prediction and minimizing false negative errors in chemical
      screening assessments, for identifying potential sources of residual error in the
      empirical HLN database, and for identifying structural features that are not well
      represented in the HLN dataset to prioritize future testing needs are
      illustrated. 

PMID- 24239826
TI  - Concentrations and potential health hazards of organochlorine pesticides in
      (shallow) groundwater of Taihu Lake region, China.
AB  - A total of 27 shallow groundwater samples were collected from the Taihu Lake
      region (TLR), to determine the concentrations of 14 organochlorine pesticide
      (OCP) species, identify their possible sources, and estimate health risk of
      drinking the shallow groundwater. All OCP species occurred in the shallow
      groundwater of TLR with high detection frequency except p, p'
      dichlorodiphenyldichlorothane (p, p'-DDD) and p, p'
      dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p, p'-DDT). DDTs and hexachlorocyclohexanes
      (HCHs) were the dominant OCP contaminants in the shallow groundwater of TLR, and
      they account for 44.2% total OCPs. The low alpha-HCH/gamma-HCH ratio, high beta
      HCH/(alpha+gamma)-HCH ratio and beta-HCH being the dominant HCH isomers for the
      majority of samples suggest that the HCHs were mainly from the historical use of
      lindane after a period of degradation. p, p'-DDE being the dominant DDT
      metabolite for all the samples indicated that the DDTs were mainly from the
      historical residues. Compositional analysis also suggested that there were fresh
      input sources of heptachlors, aldrins and endrins in addition to the historical
      residues. Correlation analysis indicated the hexachlorobenzene (HCB) impurity in
      the shallow groundwater of TLR was likely from the historical application of
      lindane and technical HCH (a mixture of HCH isomers that is produced by
      photochlorination of benzene). Carcinogenic risk values for alpha-HCH,
      heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrins and dieldrin in the shallow groundwater
      in majority area of TLR were found to be >10(-6), posing a potentially serious
      cancer risk to those dependant on shallow groundwater for drinking water. 

PMID- 24239827
TI  - Impact of secondary treatment types and sludge handling processes on estrogen
      concentration in wastewater sludge.
AB  - Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), such as estrogen, are known to be present
      in the aquatic environment at concentrations that negatively affect fish and
      other wildlife. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major contributors of
      EDCs into the environment. EDCs are released via effluent discharge and land
      application of biosolids. Estrogen removal in WWTPs has been studied in the
      aqueous phase; however, few researchers have determined estrogen concentration in
      sludge. This study focuses on estrogen concentration in wastewater sludge as a
      result of secondary treatment types and sludge handling processes. Grab samples
      were collected before and after multiple treatment steps at two WWTPs receiving
      wastewater from the same city. The samples were centrifuged into aqueous and
      solid phases and then processed using solid phase extraction. Combined natural
      estrogens (estrone, estradiol and estriol) were measured using an enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) purchased from a manufacturer. Results confirmed that
      activated sludge treatments demonstrate greater estrogen removal compared to
      trickling filters and mass concentration of estrogen was measured for the first
      time on trickling filter solids. Physical and mechanical sludge treatment
      processes, such as gravity thickeners and centrifuges, did not significantly
      affect estrogen removal based on mass balance calculations. Dissolved air
      flotation thickening demonstrated a slight decrease in estrogen concentration,
      while anaerobic digestion resulted in increased mass concentration of estrogen on
      the sludge and a high estrogen concentration in the supernatant. Although there
      are no state or federally mandated discharge effluent standards or sludge
      application standards for estrogen, implications from this study are that
      trickling filters would need to be exchanged for activated sludge treatment or
      followed by an aeration basin in order to improve estrogen removal. Also,
      anaerobic digestion may need to be replaced with aerobic digestion for sludge
      that is intended for land application. 

PMID- 24239828
TI  - Variance-based sensitivity analysis for wastewater treatment plant modelling.
AB  - Global sensitivity analysis (GSA) is a valuable tool to support the use of
      mathematical models that characterise technical or natural systems. In the field
      of wastewater modelling, most of the recent applications of GSA use either
      regression-based methods, which require close to linear relationships between the
      model outputs and model factors, or screening methods, which only yield
      qualitative results. However, due to the characteristics of membrane bioreactors
      (MBR) (non-linear kinetics, complexity, etc.) there is an interest to adequately
      quantify the effects of non-linearity and interactions. This can be achieved with
      variance-based sensitivity analysis methods. In this paper, the Extended Fourier
      Amplitude Sensitivity Testing (Extended-FAST) method is applied to an integrated
      activated sludge model (ASM2d) for an MBR system including microbial product
      formation and physical separation processes. Twenty-one model outputs located
      throughout the different sections of the bioreactor and 79 model factors are
      considered. Significant interactions among the model factors are found. Contrary
      to previous GSA studies for ASM models, we find the relationship between
      variables and factors to be non-linear and non-additive. By analysing the pattern
      of the variance decomposition along the plant, the model factors having the
      highest variance contributions were identified. This study demonstrates the
      usefulness of variance-based methods in membrane bioreactor modelling where, due
      to the presence of membranes and different operating conditions than those
      typically found in conventional activated sludge systems, several highly non
      linear effects are present. Further, the obtained results highlight the relevant
      role played by the modelling approach for MBR taking into account simultaneously
      biological and physical processes. 

PMID- 24239829
TI  - Field dissipation and risk assessment of typical personal care products TCC, TCS,
      AHTN and HHCB in biosolid-amended soils.
AB  - The antimicrobial agents triclocarban (TCC) and triclosan (TCS) and synthetic
      musks AHTN (Tonalide) and HHCB (Galaxolide) are widely used in many personal care
      products. These compounds may release into the soil environment through biosolid
      application to agricultural land and potentially affect soil organisms. This
      paper aimed to investigate accumulation, dissipation and potential risks of TCC,
      TCS, AHTN and HHCB in biosolid-amended soils of the three field trial sites
      (Zhejiang, Hunan and Shandong) with three treatments (CK: control without
      biosolid application, T1: single biosolid application, T2: repeated biosolid
      application every year). The one-year monitoring results showed that biosolids
      application could lead to accumulation of these four chemicals in the biosolid
      amended soils, with the residual concentrations in the following order:
      TCC>TCS>AHTN>HHCB. Dissipation of TCC, TCS, AHTN and HHCB in the biosolid-amended
      soils followed the first-order kinetics model. Half-lives for TCC, TCS, AHTN and
      HHCB under the field conditions of Shandong site were 191, 258, 336 and 900 days
      for T1, and 51, 106, 159 and 83 days for T2, respectively. Repeated applications
      of biosolid led to accumulation of these personal care products and result in
      higher ecological risks. Based on the residual levels in the trial sites and
      limited toxicity data, high risks to soil organisms are expected for TCC and TCS,
      while low-medium risks for AHTN and HHCB.

PMID- 24239830
TI  - Four-year advanced monitoring program of polar pesticides in groundwater of
      Catalonia (NE-Spain).
AB  - Pesticide contamination of groundwater is of paramount importance because it is
      the most sensitive and the largest body of freshwater in the European Union. In
      this paper, an isotopic dilution method based on on-line solid phase extraction
      liquid chromatography (electrospray)-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC(ESI)-MS/MS)
      was used for the analysis of 22 pesticides in groundwater. Results were evaluated
      from monitoring 112 wells and piezometers coming from 29 different aquifers
      located in 18 ground water bodies (GWBs), from Catalonia, Spain, for 4 years as
      part of the surveillance and operational monitoring programs conducted by the
      Catalan Water Agency. The analytical method developed allows the determination of
      the target pesticides (6 triazines, 4 phenylureas, 4 organophosphorous, 1
      anilide, 2 chloroacetanilides, 1 thiocarbamate, and 4 acid herbicides) in
      groundwater with good sensitivity (limits of detection <5 ng/L), accuracy
      (relative recoveries between 85 and 116%, except for molinate), and repeatability
      (RSD<23%), and in a fully automated way. The most ubiquitous compounds were
      simazine, atrazine, desethylatrazine and diuron. Direct relation between
      frequency of detection of each target compound and Groundwater Ubiquity Score
      index (GUS index) is observed. Desethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine,
      metabolites of atrazine and simazine, respectively, presented the highest mean
      concentrations. Compounds detected in less than 5% of the samples were cyanazine,
      molinate, fenitrothion and mecoprop. According to the Directive 2006/118/EC, 13
      pesticides have individual values above the requested limits (desethylatrazine,
      atrazine and terbuthylazine lead the list) and 14 samples have total pesticide
      levels above 500 ng/L. The GWB with the highest levels of total pesticides is
      located in Lleida (NE-Spain), with 9 samples showing total pesticide levels above
      500 ng/L. Several factors such as regulation of the use of pesticides, type of
      activities in the area, and irrigation were discussed in relation to the observed
      levels of pesticides.

PMID- 24239831
TI  - Towards fabrication of 3D printed medical devices to prevent biofilm formation.
AB  - The use of three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies is transforming the way
      that materials are turned into functional devices. We demonstrate in the current
      study the incorporation of anti-microbial nitrofurantoin in a polymer carrier
      material and subsequent 3D printing of a model structure, which resulted in an
      inhibition of biofilm colonization. The approach taken is very promising and can
      open up new avenues to manufacture functional medical devices in the future. 

PMID- 24239832
TI  - Dermal permeation of 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, a model water-miscible compound:
      effects of concentration, thermodynamic activity and skin hydration.
AB  - The goal of these studies was to measure and interpret the skin permeability
      characteristics of 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate (HPA) as a model compound that is
      completely miscible with water. METHODS: In vitro permeation from HPA-H2O binary
      mixtures through human epidermis and silicone membranes was measured.
      Thermodynamic activities of HPA and H2O in these mixtures were determined.
      Permeation was also measured through epidermis and silicone from donor solutions
      with constant HPA activity but different H2O activities. Water uptake into
      desiccated human stratum corneum (SC) equilibrated with HPA-H2O mixtures was
      determined. RESULTS: Steady-state flux of HPA through silicone was a linear
      function of HPA activity but not HPA concentration. For epidermis on the other
      hand, flux increased with HPA activity only for HPA activities <= 0.35. At
      constant HPA activity, flux decreased 4.5-fold as water activity decreased from 1
      to 0.8. Incubation of SC with HPA-H2O mixtures resulted in substantial changes in
      SC water content, dependent on the water activity of the mixture and consistent
      with measured SC water sorption data. CONCLUSIONS: These experiments provide
      unequivocal evidence of a substantial increase in epidermal barrier function
      resulting from SC dehydration. Dehydration-related alterations in the SC appear
      responsible for the observed flux characteristics.

PMID- 24239833
TI  - Effective siRNA delivery to inflamed primary vascular endothelial cells by anti-E
      selectin and anti-VCAM-1 PEGylated SAINT-based lipoplexes.
AB  - The endothelium represents an attractive therapeutic target due to its pivotal
      role in many diseases including chronic inflammation and cancer. Small
      interfering RNAs (siRNAs) specifically interfere with the expression of target
      genes and are considered an important new class of therapeutics. However, due to
      their size and charge, siRNAs do not spontaneously enter unperturbed endothelial
      cells (EC). To overcome this problem, we developed novel lipoplexes for siRNA
      delivery that are based on the cationic amphiphilic lipid SAINT-C18. Antibodies
      recognizing disease induced cell adhesion molecules were employed to create cell
      specificity resulting in so-called antibody-SAINTargs. To improve particle
      stability, antibody-SAINTargs were further optimized for EC-specific siRNA
      mediated gene silencing by addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Although
      PEGylated antibody-SAINTargs maintained specificity, they lost their siRNA
      delivery capacity. Coupling of antibodies to the distal end of PEG (so-called
      antibody-SAINTPEGargs), resulted in anti-E-selectin- and anti-vascular cell
      adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1-SAINTPEGarg that preserved their antigen recognition
      and their capability to specifically deliver siRNA into inflammation-activated
      primary endothelial cells. The enhanced uptake of siRNA by antibody-SAINTPEGargs
      was followed by improved silencing of the target gene VE-cadherin, demonstrating
      that antibody-SAINTPEGargs were capable of functionally delivering siRNA into
      primary endothelial cells originating from different vascular beds. In
      conclusion, the newly developed, physicochemically stable, and EC-specific siRNA
      carrying antibody-SAINTPEGargs selectively down-regulate target genes in primary
      endothelial cells that are generally difficult to transfect. 

PMID- 24239834
TI  - Interaction between morin and AOT reversed micelles--studies with UV-vis at 25 
      degrees C.
AB  - The precise measurements of morin absorbance in presence of
      surfactant/solvent/water systems at 25  degrees C by UV-vis technique are
      reported. The surfactant used in presented study was sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)
      sulfosuccinate called Aerosol-OT or AOT. The solvents selected were: ethanol,
      ethylene glycol, and n-decanol. The concentrations of AOT were varied between
      0.001 and 0.4 mol/kg. Morin concentration in quvette during UV-vis registration
      was not equals in all solvent because of its different solubility and absorption
      intensity depending on the solvent. Water concentration in the studied systems
      was defined by R parameter according to relation: R=[H2O]/[AOT] and was equal 0,
      30 and 40 in ethanol; 0, 10, 20 and 30 in ethylene glycol and 0, 10, 20, 30, and
      40 in n-decanol. In presented work a Nernstian distribution of morin between the
      organic and micellar phases was assumed. The intensity of morin absorbance as a
      function of AOT concentration was analyzed. Using Non-linear Regression Procedure
      (NLREG) morin binding constant (K' [mol/kg]), and morin distribution constant (K)
      between organic phase and AOT micellar phase have been calculated. The
      experimental results have shown a significant influence of solvent, surfactant
      and water presence on morin UV-vis spectrum. Calculated data pointed out on
      different transfer of morin molecules from the organic to micellar phase
      depending on the solvent. Moreover, results of calculations indicate on
      competition between morin and water molecules interacting with AOT polar heads.
      Morin molecules privileged location in AOT reversed micelles strongly depends on
      the solvent. In case of systems with ethylene glycol as solvent is possible morin
      molecules location in polar cores of AOT reversed micelles as results of strong
      interaction between AOT polar heads and morin hydroxyl groups, whereas in case of
      ethanol and n-decanol morin molecules are located in palisade layer.

PMID- 24239835
TI  - Lipid-like trifunctional block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide:
      effective and cytocompatible modulators of intracellular drug delivery.
AB  - A new glycerol-based trifunctional block copolymer (TBC) of propylene oxide and
      ethylene oxide and its conjugate with succinic acid (TBC-SA) were studied as a
      drug delivery system and compared with Pluronic L61. TBCs have multiple effects
      on the plasma membrane of human cells, e.g. increasing its fluidity and ion
      permeability, inhibiting ATPase activity of efflux transporter P-glycoprotein
      through reversible membrane destabilization. Such membrane-modulating properties
      attributed to the unimer form of copolymers increase in the order Pluronic
      L61?TBC<TBC-SA and correlate with an ability of TBCs to promote the accumulation
      of P-glycoprotein substrates in lung cancer A549 cells. Furthermore, TBC, and
      especially TBC-SA, exhibit substantially lower hemolytic, cytotoxic and
      proapoptotic activities in comparison with Pluronic L61. Our results demonstrate
      that TBCs are promising analogs of bifunctional Pluronics in anticancer drug
      delivery. 

PMID- 24239836
TI  - Human immunoglobulin constant heavy G chain (IGHG) (Fcgamma) (GM) genes, defining
      innate variants of IgG molecules and B cells, have impact on disease and therapy.
AB  - The distinguished alternative GM allotypes localized in immunoglobulin constant
      heavy G chain IGHG (Fcgamma) (GM) genes on chromosome 14q32.3 define two unique
      variants of respectively IgG3, IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses, with different
      structures and functions. The IGHG allele (allotypes), expressed in homozygous or
      heterozygous forms, are assessed by new serological methods. Fixed combinations
      of gamma3, gamma1 and gamma2 allotypes constitute the haplotypes, which are
      indirect markers of B cells. We highlight the role of homozygous IGHG genes with
      restricted qualities of IgG subclass molecules and B cells. These common
      Mendelian IGHG genes respond differently to allergens and infections, both
      bacterial and viral, and to active and passive immunotherapies. IGHG genes have
      an impact on diseases such as allergy, immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and
      malignancy. Association/linkage of different IGHG genes gives information about
      risk/protection, good or bad prognosis, for improvement of clinical care. The
      IGHG gene map of healthy Caucasians is registered. 

PMID- 24239837
TI  - Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to the E2 protein of chikungunya virus
      protects against disease in a mouse model.
AB  - Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) recently caused the largest epidemic ever recorded for
      this virus involving an estimated 1.4-6.5million cases, with imported cased
      reported in over 40 countries. The number of monoclonal antibodies specific for
      this re-emerging alphavirus is currently limited. Herein we describe the
      generation and characterisation of five monoclonal antibodies specific for the E2
      glycoprotein of CHIKV. The antibodies detected a range of CHIKV isolates in
      several assays including ELISA, Western blot, immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and
      immunohistochemistry (IHC) without evidence of cross-reactivity with other
      alphaviruses. Four antibodies also neutralised CHIKV in vitro, two of which
      provided complete protection against arthritis in a CHIKV mouse model when
      administered prior to infection. Given the current shortage of widely available
      reagents for CHIKV, these specific antibodies will be useful not only in
      research, but may also provide the basis for new diagnostics and treatments. 

PMID- 24239838
TI  - Immunomodulatory effect of Lactococcus lactis JCM5805 on human plasmacytoid
      dendritic cells.
AB  - Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) play a crucial role in anti-viral immunity
      through production of large amounts of interferons (IFNs). A previous study
      revealed the existence of lactic acid bacteria that directly stimulate pDCs in
      mice. In this study, we demonstrated that Lactococcus lactis JCM5805 activates
      human pDCs and induces IFN production in vitro. In addition, our randomized,
      placebo-controlled, double blind test showed that yogurt fermented with L. lactis
      JCM5805 activated pDC activity in vivo. This effect was greater in low pDC
      subjects, and their ability to produce IFNs was increased from the beginning.
      Furthermore, the risk of morbidity from the common cold was suppressed in the L.
      lactis JCM5805 group compared with the placebo group. In conclusion, intake of L.
      lactis JCM5805 can directly activate pDCs and increase the ability to produce
      IFNs in vivo. Therefore, L. lactis JCM5805 may be a beneficial tool to enhance
      anti-viral immunity in humans. 

PMID- 24239839
TI  - Differential aspects of immune cell infiltration and neurodegeneration in acute
      and relapse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
AB  - Proteolipid protein (PLP)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)
      in SJL/J mice is a well-established animal model for the study of relapsing
      remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we investigated histomorphological
      differences between acute and relapse EAE in order to get further insights into
      the mechanisms that trigger the transition from a relapsing-remitting course to
      chronic-progressive disease. We found the extent of inflammation to differ in
      respect to the type of immune cells infiltrating the CNS and the manifestation of
      edema. Myelin pathology was predominated by demyelinated axons in the acute
      phase. In relapse EAE the extent of myelin pathology declined and was
      characterized by a balance between demyelinated and demyelinating nerve fibers.
      Axonal pathology increased with disease progression and was partly separated from
      myelin pathology and inflammation. The reported incisive differences between
      acute and relapse EAE suggest a transition from inflammatory processes to
      independent neurodegeneration in the disease course. 

PMID- 24239841
TI  - Phased RF ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF)
      often requires extensive and/or repeat radiofrequency (RF) ablation procedures.
      OBJECTIVE: The Tailored Treatment of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (TTOP-AF)
      study assessed the effectiveness and safety of the phased RF system in a
      randomized controlled comparison of medical therapy against phased RF ablation
      for the management of persistent and long-standing persistent AF. METHODS:
      Patients who had failed at least 1 antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) were randomized
      (2:1) to ablation management (AM) or medical management (MM). AM patients were
      allowed up to 2 ablations. Index and retreatment procedures consisted of
      pulmonary vein isolation and ablation of complex fractionated atrial
      electrograms. MM patients received AAD changes and/or cardioversion. The primary
      end points of the TTOP-AF study included chronic effectiveness and safety at 6
      months and acute safety within 7 days of ablation. RESULTS: At 6 months, a
      greater proportion of AM patients achieved effectiveness off AAD (77 of 138
      [55.8%]) compared to MM patients (19 of 72 [26.4%]) (P < .0001). Acutely, 92.8%
      (128/138) of the procedures were successful while 12.3% (17/138) experienced a
      serious procedure and/or device-related adverse event. The predefined acute
      safety end point was not met. The proportion of patients with chronic safety
      events did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter
      ablation of persistent/long-standing persistent AF with the phased RF ablation
      system is effective with greater reduction of AF compared with MM. More intense
      anticoagulation strategies, careful attention to catheter placement relative to
      the pulmonary vein ostia, and elimination of electrode interaction are expected
      to reduce the risk of stroke, pulmonary vein stenosis, and asymptomatic cerebral
      emboli.

PMID- 24239840
TI  - Targeted sequencing in candidate genes for atrial fibrillation: the Cohorts for
      Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) Targeted Sequencing
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified common genetic
      variants that predispose to atrial fibrillation (AF). It is unclear whether rare
      and low-frequency variants in genes implicated by such GWAS confer additional
      risk of AF. OBJECTIVE: To study the association of genetic variants with AF at
      GWAS top loci. METHODS: In the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic
      Epidemiology (CHARGE) Targeted Sequencing Study, we selected and sequenced 77
      target gene regions from GWAS loci of complex diseases or traits, including 4
      genes hypothesized to be related to AF (PRRX1, CAV1, CAV2, and ZFHX3). Sequencing
      was performed in participants with (n = 948) and without (n = 3330) AF from the
      Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, the Cardiovascular Health Study, the
      Framingham Heart Study, and the Massachusetts General Hospital. RESULTS: One
      common variant (rs11265611; P = 1.70 * 10(-6)) intronic to IL6R (interleukin-6
      receptor gene) was significantly associated with AF after Bonferroni correction
      (odds ratio 0.70; 95% confidence interval 0.58-0.85). The variant was not
      genotyped or imputed by prior GWAS, but it is in linkage disequilibrium (r(2) =
      .69) with the single-nucleotide polymorphism, with the strongest association with
      AF so far at this locus (rs4845625). In the rare variant joint analysis, damaging
      variants within the PRRX1 region showed significant association with AF after
      Bonferroni correction (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: We identified 1 common single
      nucleotide polymorphism and 1 gene region that were significantly associated with
      AF. Future sequencing efforts with larger sample sizes and more comprehensive
      genome coverage are anticipated to identify additional AF-related variants.

PMID- 24239842
TI  - Evolution of clinical diagnosis in patients presenting with unexplained cardiac
      arrest or syncope due to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A systematic evaluation of patients with unexplained cardiac arrest
      (UCA) yields a diagnosis in 50% of the cases. However, evolution of clinical
      phenotype, identification of new disease-causing mutations, and description of
      new syndromes may revise the diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the evolution in
      diagnosis among patients with initially UCA. METHODS: Diagnoses were reviewed for
      all patients with UCA recruited from the Cardiac Arrest Survivors with Preserved
      Ejection Fraction Registry with at least 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: After
      comprehensive investigation of 68 patients (age 45.2 +/- 14.9 years; 63% men),
      the initial diagnosis was as follows: idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (n = 34
      [50%]), a primary arrhythmic disorder (n = 21 [31%]), and an occult structural
      cause (n = 13 [19%]). Patients were followed for 30 +/- 17 months, during which
      time the diagnosis changed in 12 (18%) patients. A specific diagnosis emerged for
      7 patients (21%) with an initial diagnosis of idiopathic ventricular
      fibrillation. A structural cardiomyopathy evolved in 2 patients with an initial
      diagnosis of primary electrical disorder, while the specific structural
      cardiomyopathy was revised for 1 patient. Two patients with an initial diagnosis
      of a primary arrhythmic disorder were subsequently considered to have a different
      primary arrhythmic disorder. A follow-up resting electrocardiogram was the test
      that most frequently changed the diagnosis (67% of the cases), followed by
      genetic testing (17%). CONCLUSIONS: The reevaluation of patients presenting with
      UCA may lead to a change in diagnosis in up to 20%. This emphasizes the need to
      actively monitor the phenotype and also has implications for the treatment of
      these patients and the screening of their relatives.

PMID- 24239843
TI  - The left and right atria finally express themselves.

PMID- 24239844
TI  - Safety and feasibility of transseptal puncture for atrial fibrillation ablation
      in patients with atrial septal defect closure devices.

PMID- 24239845
TI  - oxLDL induces inflammatory responses in vascular smooth muscle cells via
      urokinase receptor association with CD36 and TLR4.
AB  - The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves an imbalanced lipid metabolism and a
      deregulated immune response culminating in chronic inflammation of the arterial
      wall. Recent studies show that endogenous ligands, such as modified plasma
      lipoproteins, can trigger pattern recognition receptors (PRR) of innate immunity
      for cellular and humoral reactions. The underlying molecular pathways remain less
      explored. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of inflammatory effects
      of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) on human primary coronary artery
      smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We show that already low concentration of oxLDL
      initiated atherogenic signals triggering VSMC transition to proinflammatory
      phenotype. oxLDL impaired the expression of contractile proteins and myocardin in
      VSMC and initiated changes in cell functional responses, including expression of
      proinflammatory molecules. The effects of oxLDL were abolished by downregulation
      of the multifunctional urokinase receptor (uPAR). In response to oxLDL uPAR
      associated with CD36 and TLR4, the two main PRR for both pathogen and endogenous
      ligands. We demonstrate that uPAR association with CD36 and TLR4 mediated oxLDL
      induced and NF-kappaB-dependent G-CSF and GM-CSF expression and changes in VSMC
      contractile proteins. uPAR-mediated release of G-CSF and GM-CSF by VSMC affected
      macrophage behavior and production of MCP-1. We provide evidence for functional
      relevance of our in vitro findings to in vivo human atherosclerotic tissues. Our
      data imply uPAR as a part of a PRR cluster interfering structurally and
      functionally with CD36 and TLR4 and responding to endogenous atherogenic ligands.
      They further point to specific function of each component of this cluster in
      mediating the ultimate signaling pattern. 

PMID- 24239846
TI  - Evaluation of CXCL8, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12 and CXCL13 in serum and cerebrospinal
      fluid of patients with neuroborreliosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Knowledge of the role of chemokines in the inflammation during
      neuroborreliosis (NB) is limited. We evaluated the pre- and post-treatment
      concentration of CXCL8, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, and CXCL13 in serum (s) and
      cerebrospinal fluid (csf) in patients with NB. RESULTS: There was a statistically
      significant increase in pre-treatment s CXCL8, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, CXCL13 and
      csf CXCL8, CXCL11, CXCL12, CXCL13 in patients with early form of NB. CXCL8,
      CXCL11, CXCL12 and CXCL13 increase was the highest in csf. After treatment, a
      significant decrease in csf chemokine levels (except CXCL10) and s levels (except
      CXCL11) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: CXCL8, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, CXCL13 are
      involved in the pathomechanism of NB but their role is different in s and csf.
      CXCL13 seems to be a good biomarker for NB. In early NB, it may facilitate the
      diagnosis and monitoring of therapy. However tick-borne encephalitis needs to be
      excluded as it also increases chemokine concentration. Decrease in all examined
      chemokines in s and csf after treatment suggests that chemokines may be useful in
      monitoring response to NB therapy.

PMID- 24239847
TI  - Epigallocatechin-3-gallate ameliorates both obesity and autoinflammatory
      arthritis aggravated by obesity by altering the balance among CD4+ T-cell
      subsets.
AB  - Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most biologically active catechin in
      green tea. EGCG has been shown to have therapeutic effects in autoinflammatory
      diseases and obesity. Obesity is currently regarded-partly-as an inflammatory
      condition because of the inflammatory cytokines and higher Th1 cell
      differentiation detected in obese animal models and human cohort studies. In this
      work, the effects of EGCG on diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice and obese collagen
      induced arthritis (CIA) mice were investigated. EGCG reduced the body weight and
      fat infiltration in liver tissue while improving serum lipid profiles in DIO
      mice. EGCG also induced a higher Treg/Th17 cell ratio in CD4(+) T-cell
      differentiation by decreasing the ratio of STAT3/STAT5 expression in DIO mice.
      EGCG was also effective in obese CIA mice. Reducing Th17 cells and increasing
      regulatory T (Treg) cells by affecting the STAT protein ratio were important
      effects of EGCG that might result in improved arthritic scores and levels of
      several inflammatory indicators. Thus, EGCG has an anti-inflammatory effect by
      suppressing STAT3 proteins and Th17-cell differentiation. EGCG thus shows promise
      for treating autoimmune conditions related to STAT3 or Th17 cells, such as
      metabolic syndrome, inflammatory arthritis, and some neoplastic diseases. 

PMID- 24239848
TI  - Long-chain fatty alcohols from evening primrose oil inhibit the inflammatory
      response in murine peritoneal macrophages.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.,
      Onagraceae) is a wild medicinal plant of Central American origin that is now one
      of the most widely used herbal medicines in different parts of the world. Oil
      extracted from it seeds is traditionally used in the treatment of eczema, asthma,
      rheumatoid arthritis, breast problem, premenstrual and menopausal syndrome, all
      they have an inflammatory component. The present study demonstrates the in vitro
      anti-inflammatory effect of long-chain fatty alcohols, minor compounds isolated
      from Evening primrose oil (EPO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A mixture of long chain
      fatty alcohols (LCFAs) was isolated from the non-triacylglycerol fraction of the
      EPO. Hexacosanol (C26OH: 38.65%), tetracosanol (C24OH: 31.59%), docosanol (C22OH:
      11.36%) and octocosanol (C28OH: 7.64%), were the major constituents, identified
      and quantified by GC and GC-MS. LCFA was tested with LPS stimulated murine
      peritoneal macrophage. This fraction, significantly and dose-dependently
      decreased nitric oxide production induced by LPS (P<0.001) and the inhibitory
      effect seems to be consequence of an action at the level of the inducible nitric
      oxide synthethase (iNOS) gene enzyme expression rather than to a direct
      inhibitory action on enzyme activity. The release of PLA2 and TXB2 also was
      significantly inhibited by LCFAs (P<0.001) although LCFAs did not affect to PGE2
      generation, however the western blot assay showed that LCFAs reduced
      cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme gene expression at all doses assayed. In the same way,
      the secretion of inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and tumour
      necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) from LPS-stimulated murine macrophage, were
      also significantly reduced (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrates the
      anti-inflammatory activity of LCFAs, providing an additional value about the role
      of bioactive minor compounds in the beneficial effect of EPO and supports its
      traditional uses in inflammatory processes management.

PMID- 24239849
TI  - Helichrysum italicum: from traditional use to scientific data.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don fil. (family
      Asteraceae) has been used for its medicinal properties for a long time and, even
      nowadays, continues to play an important role in the traditional medicine of
      Mediterranean countries. Based on this traditional knowledge, its different
      pharmacological activities have been the focus of active research. This review
      aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of the
      pharmacological activities of Helichrysum italicum, as well as its traditional
      uses, toxicity, drug interactions and safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      selection of relevant data was made through a search using the keywords
      "Helichrysum italicum" and "H. italicum" in "Directory of Open Access Journals",
      "Google Scholar", "ISI Web of Knowledge", "PubMed", "ScienceDirect" and "Wiley
      Online Library". Information obtained in local and foreign books and other
      sources was also included. RESULTS: There are reports on the traditional use of
      Helichrysum italicum in European countries, particularly Italy, Spain, Portugal
      and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In these countries, its flowers and leaves are the
      most used parts in the treatment of health disorders such as allergies, colds,
      cough, skin, liver and gallbladder disorders, inflammation, infections and
      sleeplessness. In order to validate some of the traditional uses of Helichrysum
      italicum and highlight other potential applications for its extracts and isolated
      compounds, several scientific studies have been conducted in the last decades. In
      vitro studies characterized Helichrysum italicum as an antimicrobial and anti
      inflammatory agent. Its flavonoids and terpenes were effective against bacteria
      (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus), its acetophenones, phloroglucinols and terpenoids
      displayed antifungal action against Candida albicans and its flavonoids and
      phloroglucinols inhibited HSV and HIV, respectively. Helichrysum italicum
      acetophenones, flavonoids and phloroglucinols demonstrated inhibitory action in
      different pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism and other pro-inflammatory
      mediators. Regarding Helichrysum italicum in vivo activity, the highlight goes to
      the anti-erythematous and photoprotective activities of its flavonoids,
      demonstrated both in animals and humans, and to the anti-inflammatory properties
      exhibited by its flavonoids, acetophenones and phloroglucinols, as seen in animal
      models. Concerning its safety and adverse effects, while Helichrysum italicum
      does not display significant levels of cytotoxicity or genotoxicity, it should be
      noticed that one of its flavonoids inhibited some CYP isoforms and a case has
      been reported of an allergic reaction to its extracts. CONCLUSIONS: Helichrysum
      italicum is a medicinal plant with promising pharmacological activities. However,
      most of its traditionally claimed applications are not yet scientifically proven.
      Clinical trials are needed to further confirm these data and promote Helichrysum
      italicum as an important tool in the treatment of several diseases.

PMID- 24239850
TI  - The incidence rate of prostate cancer in Saudi Arabia: an observational
      descriptive epidemiological analysis of data from the Saudi Cancer Registry 2001
      2008.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study presents descriptive epidemiological data related to
      prostate cancer cases diagnosed from 2001 to 2008 among Saudi men, including the
      frequency and percentage of cases, the crude incidence rate (CIR) and the age
      standardised incidence rate (ASIR) adjusted by region and year of diagnosis.
      METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive epidemiological analysis of all
      Saudi prostate cancer cases recorded in the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) between
      January 2001 and December 2008. Statistical analyses were conducted using
      descriptive statistics, the Poisson regression model, a simple linear regression
      model and analysis of variance with the Statistical Package for the Social
      Sciences version 20.0 (SPSS). RESULTS: A total of 1739 cases were registered in
      the SCR between January 2001 and December 2008. The eastern region of Saudi
      Arabia had the highest overall ASIR at 10.1 per 100,000 men, followed by Riyadh
      at 7.1 and Makkah at 5.2, while Jizan and Najran had the lowest average ASIRs at
      1.4 and at 2.0, respectively. The Poisson regression model for the region of
      Jizan shows that the incidence rate ratio (IRR) was significantly higher (p <
      0.001); for the regions of Riyadh at 3.43 times (95% CI, 3.13-3.73), followed by
      Makkah at 2.56 (95% CI, 2.38-2.74) and the eastern province at 1.93 (95% CI, 1.64
      2.23). The annual prediction of the CIR of prostate cancer in Saudi Arabia could
      be defined by the equation 1.53 + (0.094 * Years), and the prediction of the ASIR
      could be defined by the equation 2.98 + (0.182 * Years). CONCLUSION: There was a
      steady increase in the CIRs and ASIRs for prostate cancer between 2001 and 2008.
      The eastern region, Riyadh and Makkah had the highest overall ASIR in Saudi
      Arabia. Further effective screening programmes and active treatment measures are
      needed to control prostate cancer disease among Saudi men.

PMID- 24239851
TI  - Erythropoietin-induced acute erythroid leukemia-like picture: a potential
      pitfall.
AB  - A 31-year-old male patient presented with fever and pancytopenia. He was
      diagnosed as a case of chronic anemia since early childhood. The etiology of the
      anemia was not known. The patient was transfusion dependent, and he had been
      maintained on erythropoietin for three years prior to admission. A bone marrow
      examination revealed prominent proliferation of immature and dysplastic erythroid
      precursors. Acute erythroid leukemia of the pure erythroid subtype was suspected.
      However, because of the history of erythropoietin therapy a definite diagnosis
      was not made. On follow-up one month later, the marrow changes had reversed to
      normal. 

PMID- 24239852
TI  - From conflict management to reward-based decision making: actors and critics in
      primate medial frontal cortex.
AB  - The role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and especially the anterior
      cingulate cortex has been the subject of intense debate for the last decade. A
      number of theories have been proposed to account for its function. Broadly
      speaking, some emphasize cognitive control, whereas others emphasize value
      processing; specific theories concern reward processing, conflict detection,
      error monitoring, and volatility detection, among others. Here we survey and
      evaluate them relative to experimental results from neurophysiological,
      anatomical, and cognitive studies. We argue for a new conceptualization of mPFC,
      arising from recent computational modeling work. Based on reinforcement learning
      theory, these new models propose that mPFC is an Actor-Critic system. This system
      is aimed to predict future events including rewards, to evaluate errors in those
      predictions, and finally, to implement optimal skeletal-motor and visceromotor
      commands to obtain reward. This framework provides a comprehensive account of
      mPFC function, accounting for and predicting empirical results across different
      levels of analysis, including monkey neurophysiology, human ERP, human
      neuroimaging, and human behavior.

PMID- 24239853
TI  - EEG-neurofeedback for optimising performance. II: creativity, the performing arts
      and ecological validity.
AB  - As a continuation of a review of evidence of the validity of cognitive/affective
      gains following neurofeedback in healthy participants, including correlations in
      support of the gains being mediated by feedback learning (Gruzelier, 2014a), the
      focus here is on the impact on creativity, especially in the performing arts
      including music, dance and acting. The majority of research involves alpha/theta
      (A/T), sensory-motor rhythm (SMR) and heart rate variability (HRV) protocols.
      There is evidence of reliable benefits from A/T training with advanced musicians
      especially for creative performance, and reliable benefits from both A/T and SMR
      training for novice music performance in adults and in a school study with
      children with impact on creativity, communication/presentation and technique.
      Making the SMR ratio training context ecologically relevant for actors enhanced
      creativity in stage performance, with added benefits from the more immersive
      training context. A/T and HRV training have benefitted dancers. The neurofeedback
      evidence adds to the rapidly accumulating validation of neurofeedback, while
      performing arts studies offer an opportunity for ecological validity in
      creativity research for both creative process and product. 

PMID- 24239854
TI  - Biological and psychological markers of stress in humans: focus on the Trier
      Social Stress Test.
AB  - Validated biological and psychological markers of acute stress in humans are an
      important tool in translational research. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST),
      involving public interview and mental arithmetic performance, is among the most
      popular methods of inducing acute stress in experimental settings, and reliably
      increases hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation. However, although much
      research has focused on HPA axis activity, the TSST also affects the sympathetic
      adrenal-medullary system, the immune system, cardiovascular outputs, gastric
      function and cognition. We critically assess the utility of different biological
      and psychological markers, with guidance for future research, and discuss factors
      which can moderate TSST effects. We outline the effects of the TSST in stress
      related disorders, and if these responses can be abrogated by pharmacological and
      psychological treatments. Modified TSST protocols are discussed, and the TSST is
      compared to alternative methods of inducing acute stress. Our analysis suggests
      that multiple readouts are necessary to derive maximum information; this strategy
      will enhance our understanding of the psychobiology of stress and provide the
      means to assess novel therapeutic agents. 

PMID- 24239856
TI  - Enhanced expression of neuropeptide S (NPS) receptor in eosinophils from severe
      asthmatics and subjects with total IgE above 100IU/ml.
AB  - Eosinophils are inflammatory cells of particular relevance to asthma
      exacerbations. Neuropeptide S (NPS) receptor was identified in a search for
      asthma susceptibility genes, where the risk haplotypes of the NPS receptor gene
      associated with total serum IgE above 100IU/ml and asthma. The aim of the present
      study was to investigate and compare expression of NPS receptor in human
      peripheral blood eosinophils derived from subjects with total serum IgE above and
      below 100IU/ml and patients with different phenotypes of asthma. Additionally, we
      aimed to study the function of NPS receptor in human eosinophils. We found higher
      NPS receptor protein expression in eosinophils derived from subjects with high
      IgE when compared to those from subjects with low IgE and the level of NPS
      receptor positively correlated with serum IgE. NPS receptor expression was also
      higher in eosinophils from patients with severe asthma than in cells from mild
      asthmatics or healthy controls. The receptor agonist NPS was a chemotactic agent
      for eosinophils. NPS also increased N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine
      (fMLP)-stimulated CD11b integrin levels in eosinophils from subjects with high
      IgE. Furthermore, eosinophils from those subjects exhibited Ca(2+) mobilization
      but not cAMP rise in response to NPS. Altogether, NPS receptor may have a
      pathological role in individuals with severe asthma and/or elevated serum IgE
      levels as eosinophils from these patients express higher levels of NPS receptor
      protein and respond to NPS by enhanced migration and adhesion molecule
      expression. 

PMID- 24239857
TI  - Peptide diversity in the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista (Hymenoptera):
      a comparison of the intra- and inter-colony compositions.
AB  - The venoms of the social wasps evolved to be used as defensive tools to protect
      the colonies of these insects against the attacks of predators. Previous studies
      estimated the presence of a dozen peptide components in the venoms of each
      species of these insects, which altogether comprise up to 70% of the weight of
      freeze-dried venoms. In the present study, an optimized experimental protocol is
      reported that utilizes liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization
      mass spectrometry for the detection of peptides in the venom of the social wasp
      Polybia paulista; peptide profiles for both intra- and inter-colonial comparisons
      were obtained using this protocol. The results of our study revealed a
      surprisingly high level of intra- and inter-colonial variability for the same
      wasp species. We detected 78-108 different peptides in the venom of different
      colonies of P. paulista in the molar mass range from 400 to 3000Da; among those,
      only 36 and 44 common peptides were observed in the inter- and intra-colony
      comparisons, respectively. 

PMID- 24239855
TI  - Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay: inter-individual variability and human disease.
AB  - Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a regulatory pathway that functions to
      degrade transcripts containing premature termination codons (PTCs) and to
      maintain normal transcriptome homeostasis. Nonsense and frameshift mutations that
      generate PTCs cause approximately one-third of all known human genetic diseases
      and thus NMD has a potentially important role in human disease. In genetic
      disorders in which the affected genes carry PTC-generating mutations, NMD acts as
      a double-edge sword. While it can benefit the patient by degrading PTC-containing
      mRNAs that encode detrimental, dominant-negative truncated proteins, it can also
      make the disease worse when a PTC-containing mRNA is degraded that encodes a
      mutant but still functional protein. There is evidence that the magnitude of NMD
      varies between individuals, which, in turn, has been shown to correlate with both
      clinical presentations and the patients' responses to drugs that promote read
      through of PTCs. In this review, we examine the evidence supporting the existence
      of inter-individual variability in NMD efficiency and discuss the genetic factors
      that underlie this variability. We propose that inter-individual variability in
      NMD efficiency is a common phenomenon in human populations and that an
      individual's NMD efficiency should be taken into consideration when testing,
      developing, and making therapeutic decisions for diseases caused by genes
      harboring PTCs. 

PMID- 24239858
TI  - Bowel preparation for colonoscopy: entering an era of increased expectations for
      efficacy.

PMID- 24239859
TI  - Should patients with inflammatory bowel disease take vitamin D to prevent cancer?

PMID- 24239860
TI  - Modeling vitamin D actions in triple negative/basal-like breast cancer.
AB  - Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with six molecularly defined subtypes,
      the most aggressive of which are triple negative breast cancers that lack
      expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) and do not
      exhibit amplification of the growth factor receptor HER2. Triple negative breast
      cancers often exhibit basal-like gene signatures and are enriched for CD44+
      cancer stem cells. In this report we have characterized the molecular actions of
      the VDR in a model of triple negative breast cancer. Estrogen independent,
      invasive mammary tumor cell lines established from wild-type (WT) and VDR
      knockout (VDRKO) mice were used to demonstrate that VDR is necessary for 1,25
      dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) mediated anti-cancer actions in vitro and to identify
      novel targets of this receptor. Western blotting confirmed differential VDR
      expression and demonstrated the lack of ER, PR and Her2 in these cell lines. Re
      introduction of human VDR (hVDR) into VDRKO cells restored the anti-proliferative
      actions of 1,25D. Genomic profiling demonstrated that 1,25D failed to alter gene
      expression in KO240 cells whereas major changes were observed in WT145 cells and
      in KO clones stably expressing hVDR (KO(hVDR) cells). With a 2-fold cutoff, 117
      transcripts in WT145 cells and 197 transcripts in the KO(hVDR) clones were
      significantly altered by 1,25D. Thirty-five genes were found to be commonly
      regulated by 1,25D in all VDR-positive cell lines. Of these, we identified a
      cohort of four genes (Plau, Hbegf, Postn, Has2) that are known to drive breast
      cancer invasion and metastasis whose expression was markedly down regulated by
      1,25D. These data support a model whereby 1,25D coordinately suppresses multiple
      proteins that are required for survival of triple-negative/basal-like breast
      cancer cells. Since studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of vitamin D
      deficiency in women with basal-like breast cancer, correction of vitamin D
      deficiency in these women represents a reasonable, but as yet untested, strategy
      to delay recurrence and extend survival. This article is part of a Special Issue
      entitled '16th Vitamin D Workshop'. 

PMID- 24239862
TI  - Comparative study of the interaction of CHAPS and Triton X-100 with the
      erythrocyte membrane.
AB  - The zwitterionic detergent CHAPS, a derivative of the bile salts, is widely used
      in membrane protein solubilization. It is a "facial" detergent, having a
      hydrophilic side and a hydrophobic back. The objective of this work is to
      characterize the interaction of CHAPS with a cell membrane. To this aim,
      erythrocytes were incubated with a wide range of detergent concentrations in
      order to determine CHAPS partition behavior, and its effects on membrane lipid
      order, hemolytic effects, and the solubilization of membrane phospholipids and
      cholesterol. The results were compared with those obtained with the nonionic
      detergent Triton X-100. It was found that CHAPS has a low affinity for the
      erythrocyte membrane (partition coefficient K=0.06mM(-1)), and at sub-hemolytic
      concentrations it causes little effect on membrane lipid order. CHAPS hemolysis
      and phospholipid solubilization are closely correlated. On the other side,
      binding of Triton X-100 disorders the membrane at all levels, and has independent
      mechanisms for hemolysis and solubilization. Differential behavior was observed
      in the solubilization of phospholipids and cholesterol. Thus, the detergent
      resistant membranes (DRM) obtained with the two detergents will have different
      composition. The behaviors of the two detergents are related to the differences
      in their molecular structures, suggesting that CHAPS does not penetrate the lipid
      bilayer but binds in a flat position on the erythrocyte surface, both in intact
      and cholesterol depleted erythrocytes. A relevant result for Triton X-100 is that
      hemolysis is not directly correlated with the solubilization of membrane lipids,
      as it is usually assumed. 

PMID- 24239861
TI  - Membrane pore formation by human complement: functional importance of the
      transmembrane beta-hairpin (TMH) segments of C8alpha and C9.
AB  - Human C8 and C9 have a key role in forming the pore-like "membrane attack
      complex" (MAC) of complement on bacterial cells. A possible mechanism for
      membrane insertion of these proteins was suggested when studies revealed a
      structural similarity between the MACPF domains of the C8alpha and C8beta
      subunits and the pore-forming bacterial cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs).
      This similarity includes a pair of alpha-helical bundles that in the CDCs refold
      during pore formation to produce two transmembrane beta-hairpins (TMH1 and TMH2).
      C9 is the major pore-forming component of the MAC and is also likely to contain
      two TMH segments because of its homology to C8alpha and C8beta. To determine
      their potential for membrane insertion, the TMH sequences in C8alpha and those
      predicted to be in C9 were substituted for the TMH sequences in perfringolysin O
      (PFO), a well-characterized CDC. Only chimeric proteins containing TMH2 from
      C8alpha (PFO/alphaT2) or C9 (PFO/C9T2) could be expressed in soluble, active
      form. The PFO/alphaT2 and PFO/C9T2 chimeras retained significant hemolytic
      activity, formed pore-like structures on membranes, and could combine with PFO to
      form hemolytically active mixed complexes that were functionally similar to PFO
      alone. These results provide experimental evidence in support of the hypothesis
      that TMH segments in C8alpha and those predicted to be in C9 have a direct role
      in MAC membrane penetration and pore formation.

PMID- 24239863
TI  - A novel indole compound, AWT-489, inhibits prostaglandin D2-induced CD55
      expression by acting on DP prostanoid receptors as an antagonist in LS174T human
      colon cancer cells.
AB  - Indoles are composed of a common core structure, the indole ring, and are widely
      used as pharmaceuticals and their precursors. In this study, a newly composed
      relatively small indole compound, AWT-489 was examined to find a novel specific
      antagonist for DP receptors; the cognate receptors for prostaglandin D2 (PGD2),
      to prevent colon cancer malignancy. Here we showed that AWT-489 antagonized DP
      receptor-mediated cyclic AMP formation, and expression of CD55, an inhibitor of
      the complement system that correlates with poor survival in patients with
      colorectal cancer, in LS174T human colon cancer cells. Interestingly, unlike a
      popular indole compound, indomethacin, AWT-489 did not act on the cyclooxygenases
      as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Moreover, AWT-489 exhibited a better
      inhibitory effect than that of the well-used DP receptor antagonist, BWA868C when
      a dose close to the physiological concentration of PGD2 was used. These results
      suggest that AWT-489 can act as a novel human DP receptor antagonist to reduce
      the expression of CD55 in LS174T human colon cancer cells. We believe that AWT
      489 has potential as a lead compound for designing a new DP receptor antagonist
      that may help improve PGD2-related diseases, especially colon cancer in the near
      future.

PMID- 24239864
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24239865
TI  - Measuring T cell receptor and T cell gene expression diversity in antigen
      responsive human CD4+ T cells.
AB  - T cells have diversity in TCR, epitope recognition, and cytokine production, and
      can be used for immune monitoring. Furthermore, clonal expansion of TCR families
      in disease may provide opportunities for TCR-directed therapies. We developed
      methodology for sequencing expressed genes of TCR alpha and beta chains from
      single cells and applied this to vaccine (tetanus-toxoid)-responsive CD4(+) T
      cells. TCR alpha and beta chains were both successfully sequenced in 1309 (43%)
      of 3038 CD4(+) T cells yielding 677 different receptors. TRAV and TRBV gene usage
      differed between tetanus-toxoid-responsive and non-responsive cells (p=0.004 and
      0.0002), and there was extensive TCR diversity in tetanus-toxoid-responsive cells
      within individuals. Identical TCRs could be recovered in different samples from
      the same subject: TCRs identified after booster vaccination were frequent in pre
      booster memory T cells (31% of pre-booster TCR), and also identified in pre
      booster vaccination naive cells (6.5%). No TCR was shared between subjects, but
      tetanus toxoid-responsive cells sharing one of their TCR chains were observed
      within and between subjects. Coupling single-cell gene expression profiling to
      TCR sequencing revealed examples of distinct cytokine profiles in cells bearing
      identical TCR. Novel molecular methodology demonstrates extensive diversity of Ag
      responsive CD4(+) T cells within and between individuals. 

PMID- 24239866
TI  - High-throughput methods in immunology.

PMID- 24239867
TI  - A survey of program evaluation practices in family-centered pediatric
      rehabilitation settings.
AB  - Program evaluation is becoming increasingly important in pediatric rehabilitation
      settings that adhere to the family-centered service (FCS) philosophy. However,
      researchers know little about the specific evaluation activities occurring in
      these settings or the extent to which evaluators/service providers uphold FCS in
      their program evaluation activities. Through a questionnaire survey, this study
      aimed to document evaluators/service providers' perceptions of the level of
      program evaluation occurring in their Canadian pediatric rehabilitation centers.
      It also investigated the extent to which evaluators/service providers perceive
      program evaluation practices at their centers to be consistent with the FCS
      context of Canadian pediatric rehabilitation settings. The findings suggested
      that the amount of evaluation activities occurring within the respondents'
      centers is variable; that the majority of individuals working in program
      evaluation do not have formal training in it; and that the respondents' centers
      have limited resources for evaluation. The study also showed that staff members
      believe their centers' evaluation activities are somewhat consistent with FCS
      philosophy, but that improvements are needed. 

PMID- 24239868
TI  - An automated psychoacoustic testing apparatus for use in cats.
AB  - Animal behavioral studies make a significant contribution to hearing research and
      provide vital information which is not available from human subjects. Animal
      psychoacoustics is usually extremely time consuming and labor intensive; in
      addition, animals may become stressed, especially if restraints or negative
      reinforcers such as electric shocks are used. We present a novel behavioral
      experimental system that was developed to allow efficient animal training in
      response to acoustic stimuli. Cats were required to perform a relatively simple
      task of moving toward and away from the device depending on whether the members
      of a tone pair were different or the same in frequency (go/no-go task). The
      experimental setup proved to be effective, with all animals (N = 7) performing at
      above 90% correct on an easy task. Animals were trained within 2-4 weeks and then
      generated a total of 150-200 trials per day, distributed within approximately 8
      self initiated sessions. Data collected using this system were stable over 1 week
      and repeatable over long test periods (14 weeks). Measured frequency
      discrimination thresholds from 3 animals at 3 different reference frequencies
      were comparable with previously published results. The main advantages of the
      system are: relatively simple setup; large amounts of data can be generated
      without the need of researcher supervision; multiple animals can be tested
      simultaneously without removal from home pens; and no electric shocks or
      restraints are required. 

PMID- 24239869
TI  - Behavioral correlates of auditory streaming in rhesus macaques.
AB  - Perceptual representations of auditory stimuli (i.e., sounds) are derived from
      the auditory system's ability to segregate and group the spectral, temporal, and
      spatial features of auditory stimuli-a process called "auditory scene analysis".
      Psychophysical studies have identified several of the principles and mechanisms
      that underlie a listener's ability to segregate and group acoustic stimuli. One
      important psychophysical task that has illuminated many of these principles and
      mechanisms is the "streaming" task. Despite the wide use of this task to study
      psychophysical mechanisms of human audition, no studies have explicitly tested
      the streaming abilities of non-human animals using the standard methodologies
      employed in human-audition studies. Here, we trained rhesus macaques to
      participate in the streaming task using methodologies and controls similar to
      those presented in previous human studies. Overall, we found that the monkeys'
      behavioral reports were qualitatively consistent with those of human listeners,
      thus suggesting that this task may be a valuable tool for future
      neurophysiological studies. 

PMID- 24239870
TI  - Porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet on graphene as metal-free catalyst for
      oxygen reduction reaction in air-cathode microbial fuel cells.
AB  - Porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet on graphene (PNCN) was used as an
      alternative cathode catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in air-cathode
      microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Here we report a novel, low-cost, scalable,
      synthetic method for preparation of PNCN via the carbonization of graphite oxide
      polyaniline hybrid (GO-PANI), subsequently followed by KOH activation treatment.
      Due to its high concentration of nitrogen and high specific surface area, PNCN
      exhibited an excellent catalytic activity for ORR. As a result, the maximum power
      density of 1159.34mWm(-2) obtained with PNCN catalyst was higher than that of
      Pt/C catalyst (858.49mWm(-2)) in a MFC. Therefore, porous nitrogen-doped carbon
      nanosheet could be a good alternative to Pt catalyst in MFCs. 

PMID- 24239871
TI  - Interactions of the baicalin and baicalein with bilayer lipid membranes
      investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
AB  - The baicalin and baicalein are the major flavonoids found in Radix Scutellariae,
      an essential herb in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The
      interactions of the baicalin and baicalein with lipid bilayer membranes were
      studied using cyclic voltammetry and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The thickness d of
      supported bilayer lipid membranes was calculated as d=4.59(+/-0.36) nm using AC
      impedance spectroscopy. The baicalein interacted with egg PC bilayer membranes in
      a dose-dependent manner. The responses of K3Fe(CN)6 on lipid bilayer membrane
      modified Pt electrode linearly increased in a concentration range of baicalein
      from 6.25MUM to 25MUM with a detection limit of 0.1MUM and current-concentration
      sensitivity of 0.11(+/-0.01) MUA/MUM, and then reached a plateau from 25MUM to
      50MUM. However the baicalin showed much weaker interactions with egg PC bilayer
      membranes. UV-Vis spectroscopy also confirmed that the baicalein could interact
      with egg PC membranes noticeably, but the interaction of baicalin with membranes
      was hard to be detected. The results provide useful information on understanding
      the mechanism of action of Radix Scutellariae in vivo. 

PMID- 24239872
TI  - Lentiviral backbone-based hepatitis B virus replicon-mediated transfer favours
      the establishment of persistent hepatitis B virus infection in mice after
      hydrodynamic injection.
AB  - Establishment of a non-transgenic mouse model of persistent hepatitis B virus
      (HBV) infection is urgently needed. In this study, we constructed novel
      lentiviral-transfer plasmids containing HBV replicon DNA (pCS-HBV1.3, containing
      a 1.3-fold-overlength genome of HBV) and employed hydrodynamic injection (HDI) to
      develop an HBV-persistent mouse model. We explored the impact of host (different
      mouse strains, BALB/c and C57BL/6), gender, and the plasmid backbone on
      persistent HBV in mice. Our data showed that HBV antigenaemia (HBsAg, HBeAg) and
      HBV DNA persisted for >56days post-injection, while the appearance of anti-HBs
      antibody in the serum was only found among <30% of female C57BL/6 mice injected
      with pCS-HBV1.3. Moreover, HBcAg and HBV DNA were also detected in the liver of
      HDI mice. Compared with previous AAV-backbone based HBV replicon DNA transfer, we
      found that the HDI transfer with the lentiviral vector-based HBV replicon (pCS
      HBV1.3) in this study resulted in a significantly higher level of HBV DNA
      transfer in the liver and longer persistence of HBV DNA and antigenaemia in the
      serum. Furthermore, we also showed that immunization of HBV replicon transfer
      mice with the novel HBSS1-based vaccines was able to overcome tolerance against
      HBV in mice and induces robust immunity (humoral as well as T-cell responses),
      followed by the clearance of the HBV viremia. We concluded that lentiviral
      backbone-based transfer vectors more readily establish persistent HBV infection
      in mouse models via HDI, providing a new tool useful for the study of HBV
      infection and immune-based therapies. 

PMID- 24239873
TI  - Presence of hypogammaglobulinemia in patients with severe sepsis, septic shock,
      and SIRS is associated with increased mortality.

PMID- 24239874
TI  - LC-MS/MS characterization of combined glycogenin-1 and glycogenin-2 enzymatic
      activities reveals their self-glucosylation preferences.
AB  - Glycogen synthesis is initiated by self-glucosylation of the glycosyltransferases
      glycogenin-1 and -2 that, in the presence of UDP-glucose, form both the first
      glucose-O-tyrosine linkage, and then stepwise add a series of alpha1,4-linked
      glucoses to a growing chain of variable length. Glycogen-1 and -2 coexist in
      liver glycogen preparations where the proteins are known to form homodimers, and
      they also have been shown to interact with each other. In order to study how
      glycogenin-1 and -2 interactions may influence each other's glucosylations we
      setup a cell-free expression system for in vitro production and glucosylation of
      glycogenin-1 and -2 in various combinations, and used a mass spectrometry based
      workflow for the characterization and quantitation of tryptic glycopeptides
      originating from glycogenin-1 and -2. The analysis revealed that the self
      glucosylation endpoint was the incorporation of 4-8 glucose units on Tyr 195 of
      glycogenin-1, but only 0-4 glucose units on Tyr-228 of glycogenin-2. The
      glucosylation of glycogenin-2 was enhanced to 2-4 glucose units by the co
      presence of enzymatically active glycogenin-1. Glycogenin-2 was, however, unable
      to glucosylate inactive glycogenin-1, at least not an enzymatically inactivated
      Thr83Met glycogenin-1 mutant, recently identified in a patient with severe
      glycogen depletion. 

PMID- 24239875
TI  - A simple breath sampling method in intubated and mechanically ventilated
      critically ill patients.
AB  - Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath may serve as biomarkers of pulmonary
      infection or inflammation. We developed and validated a new breath sampling
      method for VOC analysis in ventilated patients. Breath was collected from the
      ventilatory circuit using cheap disposables. VOCs were identified by gas
      chromatography and mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) at various minute volumes during
      ventilation of an artificial lung (in vitro) and ventilated patients (in vivo).
      Sixty-four VOCs emendated from the ventilator and tubing. Their concentrations
      had an inverse correlation with minute volume in in vitro experiments (median
      correlation coefficient: -0.61 [25-75th percentile: -0.66 to -0.43]). Forty-four
      of these "ventilator-associated VOCs" were also observed in vivo, without
      correlations with minute volume. In vivo experiments showed that only positive
      end-expiratory pressure influenced the concentration of breath VOCs. The sampling
      method was highly reproducible (median intra-class correlation 0.95 [25-75th
      percentile: 0.87-0.97]). In conclusion, a novel, simple and repeatable sampling
      method was developed and validated for capturing exhaled VOCs in ventilated
      patients, which could allow for large-scale breath analysis in clinical studies. 

PMID- 24239876
TI  - Role of hydrogen sulfide in secondary neuronal injury.
AB  - In acute neuronal insult events, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and
      spinal cord injury, pathological processes of secondary neuronal injury play a
      key role in the severity of insult and clinical prognosis. Along with nitric
      oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is regarded as the
      third gasotransmitter and endogenous neuromodulator and plays multiple roles in
      the central nervous system under physiological and pathological states,
      especially in secondary neuronal injury. The endogenous level of H2S in the brain
      is significantly higher than that in peripheral tissues, and is mainly formed by
      cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) in astrocytes and released in response to
      neuronal excitation. The mechanism of secondary neuronal injury exacerbating the
      damage caused by the initial insult includes microcirculation failure, glutamate
      mediated excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, neuronal
      apoptosis and calcium overload. H2S dilates cerebral vessels by activating smooth
      muscle cell plasma membrane ATP-sensitive K channels (KATP channels). This
      modification occurs on specific cysteine residues of the KATP channel proteins
      which are S-sulfhydrated. H2S counteracts glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity by
      inducing astrocytes to intake more glutamate from the extracellular space and
      thus increasing glutathione in neurons. In addition, H2S protects neurons from
      secondary neuronal injury by functioning as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory
      and anti-apoptotic mediator. However, there are still some reports suggest that
      H2S elevates neuronal Ca(2+) concentration and may contribute to the formation of
      calcium overload in secondary neuronal injury. H2S also elicits calcium waves in
      primary cultures of astrocytes and may mediate signals between neurons and glia.
      Consequently, further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of H2S in secondary
      neuronal injury will provide important insights into its potential therapeutic
      uses for the treatment of acute neuronal insult events. 

PMID- 24239877
TI  - beta-xylosidases and alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases: accessory enzymes for
      arabinoxylan degradation.
AB  - Arabinoxylan (AX) is among the most abundant hemicelluloses on earth and one of
      the major components of feedstocks that are currently investigated as a source
      for advanced biofuels. As global research into these sustainable biofuels is
      increasing, scientific knowledge about the enzymatic breakdown of AX advanced
      significantly over the last decade. This review focuses on the exo-acting AX
      hydrolases, such as alpha-arabinofuranosidases and beta-xylosidases. It aims to
      provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse substrate specificities and
      corresponding structural features found in the different glycoside hydrolase
      families. A careful review of the available literature reveals a marked
      difference in activity between synthetically labeled and naturally occurring
      substrates, often leading to erroneous enzymatic annotations. Therefore, special
      attention is given to enzymes with experimental evidence on the hydrolysis of
      natural polymers. 

PMID- 24239878
TI  - Mommy is only happy! Dutch mothers' realisation of speech sounds in infant
      directed speech expresses emotion, not didactic intent.
AB  - Exaggeration of the vowel space in infant-directed speech (IDS) is well
      documented for English, but not consistently replicated in other languages or for
      other speech-sound contrasts. A second attested, but less discussed, pattern of
      change in IDS is an overall rise of the formant frequencies, which may reflect an
      affective speaking style. The present study investigates longitudinally how Dutch
      mothers change their corner vowels, voiceless fricatives, and pitch when speaking
      to their infant at 11 and 15 months of age. In comparison to adult-directed
      speech (ADS), Dutch IDS has a smaller vowel space, higher second and third
      formant frequencies in the vowels, and a higher spectral frequency in the
      fricatives. The formants of the vowels and spectral frequency of the fricatives
      are raised more strongly for infants at 11 than at 15 months, while the pitch is
      more extreme in IDS to 15-month olds. These results show that enhanced positive
      affect is the main factor influencing Dutch mothers' realisation of speech sounds
      in IDS, especially to younger infants. This study provides evidence that mothers'
      expression of emotion in IDS can influence the realisation of speech sounds, and
      that the loss or gain of speech clarity may be secondary effects of affect. 

PMID- 24239879
TI  - Infants' ability to extract three-dimensional shape from coherent motion.
AB  - Our capacity to perceive three-dimensional (3D) object structure from two
      dimensional (2D) retinal input is fundamental to object perception. The present
      research examined infants' ability to extract 3D form from structure-from-motion
      (SFM) displays using a familiarization/visual-paired-comparison paradigm. In SFM
      displays dots are projected onto the surfaces of a shape that rotates around a 3D
      axis and it is the coherent structure of the dots' motion that gives rise to the
      percept of shape. Infants mean age 4.5 and 9 months were familiarized to a SFM
      display (e.g., cylinder); in test they were presented the familiar SFM display
      paired with a novel SFM display (e.g., cube). Infants in both age groups
      displayed a significant preference for the novel SFM test display. These results
      are consistent with those obtained previously using habituation paradigms and
      provide converging evidence for infants' early emerging capacity to use coherent
      motion - in the absence of figural information - as a cue to depth structure. In
      addition, these results demonstrate that infants' ability to extract 3D shape
      from coherent motion can be successfully assessed with a neuroimaging-friendly
      protocol, which was one of the goals of this study. 

PMID- 24239880
TI  - Validity and clinical utility of functional assessments in children with cerebral
      palsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the validity and clinical utility of functional assessments
      (1-minute walk test, 10-meter walk test, Timed Up & Go [TUG] test, Timed Up and
      Down Stairs [TUDS] test, sit-to-stand [STS] test, and lateral step-up [LSU]
      test). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Four special schools for
      adolescents with physical disabilities. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents with spastic
      tetraplegia and diplegia (at levels I-III) were selected through convenience
      sampling (N=35; mean age, 14.97+/-2.03y). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: GMFM-88 (dimensions D and E), 1-minute walk, 10-meter walk,
      TUG, TUDS, STS, and LSU tests. Data were analyzed using Pearson
      intercorrelations, multiple regression analysis, and multivariate analysis of
      variance (MANOVA). RESULTS: Significant moderate to high intercorrelations were
      found. Three significant positive predictors emerged (1-minute walk, 10-meter
      walk, and LSU) with the following regression equation: YGMFM-88 (dimensions D and
      E) = 5.708 + .402 * X1-minute walk + .920 * XLSU + .404 * X10-meter walk The
      MANOVA was significant (Lambda=.163, F=14.732, P<.001, eta(2)=.596), and post hoc
      comparisons revealed significant differences across Gross Motor Function
      Classification System Expanded and Revised levels in all paired comparisons for
      the 1-minute walk and LSU tests. For the 10-meter walk test, significant
      differences were evident in the level I versus level III and level II versus
      level III comparisons. No significant differences were found in the 10-meter walk
      test between levels I and II. CONCLUSIONS: These functional assessments (1-minute
      walk, LSU, and 10-meter walk tests) are simple to administer, quick, low cost,
      and user-friendly. Although these assessments are not a substitute for the
      criterion standard (GMFM-88), they may be used for a quick assessment in
      adolescents with cerebral palsy (levels I-III) either at school or during
      rehabilitation, especially when time is limited.

PMID- 24239881
TI  - Efficacy of coupling repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and physical
      therapy to reduce upper-limb spasticity in patients with stroke: a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic
      stimulation (rTMS) for decreasing upper-limb muscle tone after chronic stroke.
      DESIGN: A randomized sham-controlled trial with a 4-week follow-up. SETTING:
      Research hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with stroke (N=20) with poststroke
      upper limb spasticity. INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group received rTMS to the
      primary motor cortex of the unaffected side (1500 pulses; 1Hz; 90% of resting
      motor threshold for the first dorsal interosseous muscle) in 10 sessions, 3d/wk,
      and physical therapy (PT). The control group received sham stimulation and PT.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Modified Ashworth scale (MAS), upper-extremity Fugl-Meyer
      assessment, FIM, range of motion, and stroke-specific quality-of-life scale. All
      outcomes were measured at baseline, after treatment (postintervention), and at a
      4-week follow-up. A clinically important difference was defined as a reduction of
      >=1 in the MAS score. RESULTS: Friedman test revealed that PT is efficient for
      significantly reducing the upper limb spasticity of patients only when it is
      associated with rTMS. In the experimental group, 90% of the patients at
      postintervention and 55.5% at follow-up showed a decrease of >=1 in the MAS
      score, representing clinically important differences. In the control group, 30%
      of the patients at postintervention and 22.2% at follow-up experienced clinically
      meaningful changes. There were no differences between the groups at any time for
      any of the other outcome measures, indicating that both groups demonstrated
      similar behaviors over time for all variables. CONCLUSIONS: rTMS associated with
      PT can be beneficial in reducing poststroke spasticity. However, more studies are
      needed to clarify the clinical changes underlying the reduction in spasticity
      induced by noninvasive brain stimulations.

PMID- 24239882
TI  - Regulation of adult hematopoiesis by the a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10
      (ADAM10).
AB  - Adult hematopoiesis requires tightly regulated cell-cell interactions between
      hematopoietic cells and the bone marrow stromal microenvironment. We addressed
      the question if the ectodomain sheddase ADAM10 is essential to regulate adult
      hematopoiesis. Induced ADAM10 deletion in hematopoietic cells resulted in
      morphological and histological abnormalities that resemble an unclassified
      myeloproliferative disorder (MPD). The MPD was characterized by an expansion of
      granulocytic subpopulations and their infiltration of peripheral hematopoietic
      tissues, the development of hepatosplenomegaly with extramedullary
      erythropoiesis, lymphnodepathy and death of the mice around 20weeks after
      induction. ADAM10 expression analysis during the different stages of the MPD
      revealed that non-targeted hematopoietic cells repopulated the immune system of
      the ADAM10-deficient mice. Examination of mice with a myeloid- or epidermis
      specific deletion of ADAM10 and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) experiments
      indicated that the development of the MPD can be triggered by non-cell autonomous
      effects. We found that plasma levels of clinical markers for MPD such as G-CSF,
      TIMP-1 and IL-16 were significantly elevated in ADAM10-deficient mice. Our
      findings indicate that a tightly controlled ADAM10 expression is needed to
      balance hematopoietic cell-fate decisions in adult mice. 

PMID- 24239883
TI  - Inhibition of PARP1 by small interfering RNA enhances docetaxel activity against
      human prostate cancer PC3 cells.
AB  - Though poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) inhibitors have benefits in
      combination with radiotherapy in prostate cancers, few is known about the exactly
      role and underlying mechanism of PARP1 in combination with chemotherapy agents.
      Here our data revealed that inhibition of PARP1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA)
      could enhance docetaxel's activity against PC3 cells, which is associated with an
      accelerate repression of EGF/Akt/FOXO1 signaling pathway. Our results provide a
      novel role of PARP1 in transcription regulation of EGFR/Akt/FOXO1 signaling
      pathway and indicate that PARP1 siRNA combined with docetaxel can be an
      innovative treatment strategy to potentially improve outcomes in CRPC patients. 

PMID- 24239884
TI  - Biofilm vs. planktonic bacterial mode of growth: which do human macrophages
      prefer?
AB  - Although the natural mode of bacterial growth in nature is as biofilm, almost all
      antimicrobial and immunological tests are routinely developed using planktonic
      inoculums. Bacterial biofilms protect the microbial community from external
      damage and promote the persistence of chronic infections. In this study,
      interactions between human macrophages and bacterial inoculums of planktonic and
      biofilm modes of growth have been explored using Escherichia coli (E. coli) K12.
      Human macrophages phagocytize planktonic E. coli more efficiently than bacteria
      grown in a biofilm. Moreover, they prefer to phagocytize planktonic bacteria. In
      this context, CD64 expression is involved. Our data indicate that bacteria with
      "a biofilm background" avoid phagocytosis by naive macrophages, which could
      create a favorable environment for chronic infection. Our findings were
      corroborated in a clinical O25b-ST131 ESBL-producer E. coli isolate, which caused
      urinary tract infections. 

PMID- 24239885
TI  - Community behavior and amyloid-associated phenotypes among a panel of
      uropathogenic E. coli.
AB  - Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the major causative agents of urinary
      tract infection and engage in a coordinated genetic and molecular cascade to
      colonize the urinary tract. Disrupting the assembly and/or function of virulence
      factors and bacterial biofilms has emerged as an attractive target for the
      development of new therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat urinary tract
      infection, particularly in the era of increasing antibiotic resistance among
      human pathogens. UPEC vary widely in their genetic and molecular phenotypes and
      more data are needed to understand the features that distinguish isolates as more
      or less virulent and as more robust biofilm formers or poor biofilm formers.
      Curli are extracellular functional amyloid fibers produced by E. coli that
      contribute to pathogenesis and influence the host response during urinary tract
      infection (UTI). We have examined the production of curli and curli-associated
      phenotypes including biofilm formation among a specific panel of human clinical
      UPEC that has been studied extensively in the mouse model of UTI. Motility, curli
      production, and curli-associated biofilm formation attached to plastic were the
      most prevalent behaviors, shared by most clinical isolates. We discuss these
      results in the context on the previously reported behavior and phenotypes of
      these isolates in the murine cystitis model in vivo. 

PMID- 24239886
TI  - Increased susceptibility to Klebsiella pneumonia and mortality in GSNOR-deficient
      mice.
AB  - S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) is a key denitrosylase and critically
      important for protecting immune and other cells from nitrosative stress.
      Pharmacological inhibition of GSNOR is being actively pursued as a therapeutic
      approach to increase S-nitrosoglutathione levels for the treatment of asthma and
      cystic fibrosis. In the present study, we employed GSNOR-deficient (GSNOR(-/-))
      mice to investigate whether inactivation of GSNOR may increase susceptibility to
      pulmonary infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae, a common cause of nosocomial
      pneumonia. We found that compared to wild-type mice, bacterial colony forming
      units 48 h after intranasal infection with K. pneumoniae were increased over 4
      folds in lung and spleen and strikingly, over a 1000-folds in blood of GSNOR(-/-)
      mice. Lung injury was comparable between infected wild-type and GSNOR(-/-) mice,
      but inflammation and injury was significantly elevated in spleen of GSNOR(-/-)
      mice. Whereas all wild-type mice survived 48 h after infection, 10 of 23 GSNOR(-/
      ) mice died. Thus, GSNOR appears to play a crucial role in controlling pulmonary
      and systemic infection by K. pneumoniae. Our results suggest that patients
      treated in clinical trials with inhibitors of GSNOR should be carefully monitored
      for signs of infection.

PMID- 24239887
TI  - Capsicum annuum homeobox 1 (CaHB1) is a nuclear factor that has roles in plant
      development, salt tolerance, and pathogen defense.
AB  - Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) family proteins are unique to plants, but
      little is known about their role in defense responses. CaHB1 is a nuclear factor
      in peppers, belonging to subfamily II of HD-Zip proteins. Here, we determined the
      role of CaHB1 in the defense response. CaHB1 expression was induced when pepper
      plants were challenged with Phytophthora capsici, a plant pathogen to which
      peppers are susceptible, or environmental stresses such as drought and salt
      stimuli. CaHB1 was also highly expressed in pepper leaves following application
      of SA, whereas ethephon and MeJA had a moderate effect. To further investigate
      the function of CaHB1 in plants, we performed gain-of-function study by
      overexpression of CaHB1 in tomato. CaHB1-transgenic tomatoes showed significant
      growth enhancement including increased leaf thickness and enlarged cell size (1.8
      fold larger than control plants). Microscopic analysis revealed that leaves from
      CaHB1-transgenic plants had thicker cell walls and cuticle layers than those from
      controls. Moreover, CaHB1-transgenic plants displayed enhanced resistance against
      Phytophthora infestans and increased tolerance to salt stress. Additionally, RT
      PCR analysis of CaHB1-transgenic tomatoes revealed constitutive up-regulation of
      multiple genes involved in plant defense and osmotic stress. Therefore, our
      findings suggest roles for CaHB1 in development, salt stress, and pathogen
      defense. 

PMID- 24239888
TI  - Adipokinetic hormones of the two extant apterygotan insect orders, Archaeognatha
      and Zygentoma.
AB  - Two extant apterygotan insect orders, Archaeognatha and Zygentoma, are
      investigated with respect to the identity of neuropeptides belonging to the
      adipokinetic hormone (AKH) peptide family; this is the first report on AKH
      peptide structures in the so-called primitive insects and the first of any
      peptide in the Archaeognatha. In the lepismatid, Thermobia domestica, and the
      machilid, Petrobius maritimus, a single AKH peptide is identified and sequenced
      from each species; neither sequence is novel and has previously been shown in
      corpora cardiaca (CC) of cockroaches (Peram-CAH-I) and dragonflies (Anaim-AKH),
      respectively. These octapeptides differ from each other only in one position
      (Asn(7) in the lepismatid and Ser(7) in the machilid). The biological relevance
      of these peptides was investigated and we speculate that they are likely involved
      in the mobilisation of lipids in the apterygotes. Immunocytochemistry with an
      antibody directed against an AKH revealed a well-developed pair of CC in T.
      domestica and another lepismatid, the fishmoth Ctenolepisma longicaudata; a
      cluster of immunopositive cells are located retrocerebrally in tissue sections of
      P. maritimus which may be the CC. 

PMID- 24239889
TI  - Vasopressin receptors and pharmacological chaperones: from functional rescue to
      promising therapeutic strategies.
AB  - Conformational diseases result from protein misfolding and/or aggregation and
      constitute a major public health problem. Congenital Nephrogenic Diabetes
      Insipidus is a typical conformational disease. In most of the cases, it is
      associated to inactivating mutations of the renal arginine-vasopressin V2
      receptor gene leading to misfolding and intracellular retention of the receptor,
      causing the inability of patients to concentrate their urine in response to the
      antidiuretic hormone. Cell-permeable pharmacological chaperones have been
      successfully challenged to restore plasma membrane localization of the receptor
      mutants and to rescue their function. Interestingly, different classes of
      specific ligands such as antagonists (vaptans), agonists as well as biased
      agonists of the V2 receptor have proven their usefulness as efficient
      pharmacochaperones. These compounds represent a potential therapeutic treatment
      of this X-linked genetic pathology. 

PMID- 24239890
TI  - Ethnomedicinal plants to cure skin diseases-an account of the traditional
      knowledge in the coastal parts of Central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Documentation of ethnomedicinal knowledge
      pertaining to the treatment of different types of skin diseases from the Central
      Western Ghats of India, a rich habitat of different ethnic communities. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Frequent field surveys were carried out to invent the 'key
      informants' in the treatment of skin diseases in the study area. The information
      was collected through semi-structured open ended interviews with questionnaire in
      their local Kannada language. All medicinal plants recorded for the treatment of
      skin diseases were photographed in the field; voucher specimens were made
      subsequently and are deposited in the Herbarium, P.G. Department of Botany,
      Karnatak University, Dharwad. The information such as botanical name, status,
      family, vernacular name, habit and habitat, analysis like percentage of parts
      used, percentage of drug preparations, use value (UV), informants consensus
      factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) and correlation between UV and use mention (Np)
      of the plants are provided. RESULTS: In all, 48 informants were interviewed.
      Amongst which 38 were the 'key informants' who gave the information exclusively
      about the treatment of skin diseases. Among 102 plant species collected, seven
      species are endemic to India and eleven species have their nativity outside
      India. Twelve species could be considered as new claims for skin diseases as
      their use has not been mentioned in Ayurveda or any other research articles
      surveyed. Of all the drug formulations, paste is the most preferred method (50%)
      followed by oil extraction (18.89%), juice (14.44%), ash (4.44%) etc. The highest
      UV is for Pongamia pinnata, Naregamia alata, Randia dumetorum and Girardinia
      diversifolia (1.50 each). The treatment for different types of skin diseases by
      the herbal healers are classified into 13 categories, out of which ringworm
      scored the highest ICF value. Similarly, the 100% FL value scored was in the
      order of 10 plants for boils, 4 plants for different types of sore, 2 plants for
      ringworm, intertrigo, eczema and pruritus respectively. As Caesalpinia mimosoides
      and Basella alba in the treatment of boils, Hygrophila schulli for inter trigo,
      Cissus discolor for ringworm, Mammea suriga for eczema scored high FL and high Np
      value, they can be considered as important species. CONCLUSIONS: The
      documentation and data analysis of the ethnomedicinal knowledge in the coastal
      regions of Uttara Kannada district of Central Western Ghats have provided the
      information about important plants in the treatment of different types of skin
      diseases. Further scientific analysis of such plants may provide novel compounds
      for the treatment of skin diseases.

PMID- 24239891
TI  - Evaluation of subchronic inhalation toxicity of methylcyclopentane in rats.
AB  - The aim of this study was to verify subchronic inhalation toxicity of
      methylcyclopentane (CAS No. 96-37-7) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Four groups of 10
      rats of each gender were exposed to methylcyclopentane vapor by whole-body
      inhalation at concentrations of 0, 290, 1300, or 5870 ppm for 6h per day, 5
      days/week over a 13-week period. During the study period, clinical signs,
      mortality, body weight, food consumption, ophthalmoscopy, urinalysis, hematology,
      serum biochemistry, gross pathology, organ weights, and histopathology were
      examined. Exposure-related clinical signs (salivation and rubbing) were observed
      in both genders of the 5870 ppm group. There was an increase in liver weight for
      both genders but the kidney weight was only higher in females than controls.
      However, no toxicologically significant changes were observed in body weight,
      food consumption, ophthalmoscopy, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry,
      necropsy findings, or histopathology in any of the treatment groups. Under the
      present experimental conditions, the target organs were determined to be kidney
      and liver in rats. The no-observed-adverse-effect concentration was considered to
      be 1300 ppm/6h/day in rats.

PMID- 24239892
TI  - Pilot toxicokinetic study and absolute oral bioavailability of the Fusarium
      mycotoxin enniatin B1 in pigs.
AB  - The aim of present study was to reveal the toxicokinetic properties and absolute
      oral bioavailability of enniatin B1 in pigs. Five pigs were administered this
      Fusarium mycotoxin per os and intravenously in a two-way cross-over design. The
      toxicokinetic profile fitted a two-compartmental model. Enniatin B1 is rapidly
      absorbed after oral administration (T(1/2a)=0.15 h, Tmax=0.24h) and rapidly
      distributed and eliminated as well (T(1/2elalpha)=0.15 h; T(1/2elbeta)=1.57 h).
      The absolute oral bioavailability is high (90.9%), indicating a clear systemic
      exposure. After intravenous administration, the mycotoxin is distributed and
      eliminated rapidly (T(1/2elalpha)=0.15 h; T(1/2elbeta)=1.13 h), in accordance
      with oral administration.

PMID- 24239893
TI  - Resveratrol contributes to chemosensitivity of malignant mesothelioma cells with
      activation of p53.
AB  - Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic phytoalexin with
      chemopreventive properties. We previously reported a synergistic anti
      proliferative effect of resveratrol and clofarabine against malignant
      mesothelioma (MM) cells. Here, we further investigated molecular mechanisms
      involved in the synergistic interaction of these compounds in MM MSTO-211H cells.
      Resveratrol, in combination with clofarabine, time-dependently induced a strong
      cytotoxic effect with the nuclear accumulation of phospho-p53 (p-p53) in MSTO
      211H cells, but not in normal mesothelial MeT-5A cells. Combination treatment up
      regulated the levels of p-p53, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP proteins. Gene
      silencing with p53-targeting siRNA attenuated the sensitivity of cells to the
      combined treatment of two compounds. Analyses of p53 DNA binding assay, p53
      reporter gene assay, and RTP-CR toward p53-regulated genes, including Bax, PUMA,
      Noxa and p21, demonstrated that induced p-p53 is transcriptionally active. These
      results were further confirmed by the siRNA-mediated knockdown of p53 gene.
      Combination treatment significantly caused the accumulation of cells at G1 phase
      with the increases in the sub-G0/G1 peak, DNA ladder, nuclear fragmentation, and
      caspase-3/7 activity. Taken together, these results demonstrate that resveratrol
      and clofarabine synergistically elicit apoptotic signal via a p53-dependent
      pathway, and provide a scientific rationale for clinical evaluation of
      resveratrol as a promising chemopotentiator in MM. 

PMID- 24239894
TI  - Proteomic analysis identifies differentially expressed proteins after red
      propolis treatment in Hep-2 cells.
AB  - Here we investigated alterations in the protein profile of Hep-2 treated with red
      propolis using two-dimensional electrophoresis associated to mass spectrometry
      and apoptotic rates of cells treated with and without red propolis extracts
      through TUNEL and Annexin-V assays. A total of 325 spots were manually excised
      from the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and 177 proteins were identified
      using LC-MS-MS. Among all proteins identified that presented differential
      expression, most were down-regulated in presence of red propolis extract at a
      concentration of 120 MUg/mL (IC50): GRP78, PRDX2, LDHB, VIM and TUBA1A. Only two
      up-regulated proteins were identified in this study in the non-cytotoxic (6
      MUg/mL) red propolis treated group: RPLP0 and RAD23B. TUNEL staining assay showed
      a markedly increase in the mid- to late-stage apoptosis of Hep-2 cells induced by
      red propolis at concentrations of 60 and 120 MUg/mL when compared with non
      treated cells. The increase of late apoptosis was confirmed by in situ Annexin-V
      analysis in which red propolis extract induced late apoptosis in a dose-dependent
      manner. The differences in tumor cell protein profiles warrant further
      investigations including isolation of major bioactive compounds of red propolis
      in different cell lines using proteomics and molecular tests to validate the
      protein expression here observed.

PMID- 24239895
TI  - Drug memory substitution during re-consolidation: a single inhibitory
      autoreceptor apomorphine treatment given during psychostimulant memory re
      consolidation replaces psychostimulant conditioning with conditioned inhibition
      and reverses psychostimulant sensitization.
AB  - Psychostimulant conditioning and sensitization effects have proven to be
      difficult to eliminate using behavioral methods. We used a low autoreceptor dose
      of apomorphine in counter-conditioning and memory re-consolidation protocols to
      modify conditioned and sensitized responses induced by a high dose of
      apomorphine. Rats received five daily treatments of apomorphine (2.0mg/kg) and
      were tested in an arena for 30 min to induce conditioning and sensitization.
      Conditioning was validated in a brief 5 min non-drug conditioning test and
      sensitization by a 2.0 apomorphine challenge test. Next, the counter-conditioning
      and memory re-consolidation protocols were initiated. In counter-conditioning,
      vehicle or 0.05 mg/kg apomorphine was given either 15 min or immediately before a
      5 min arena test. In the memory re-consolidation protocol, the vehicle and 0.05
      apomorphine treatments were administered post-trial either immediately after or
      15 min after the 5 min arena test. Effects were assessed with a 5 min saline
      conditioning test and a second 2.0mg/kg apomorphine challenge test. The counter
      conditioning protocol induced hypolocomotion and but did not induce a conditioned
      hypo-locomotion and did not alter the sensitized response. The 15 min post-trial
      treatment did not affect either the conditioned or the sensitized responses. The
      immediate post-trial treatment eliminated sensitization and induced a conditioned
      hypoactivity response. These results highlight the memory re-consolidation period
      as a critical target for drug memory substitution and suggest the potential
      utility of the pharmacological inhibition of dopamine activity given as a
      therapeutic drug memory replacement during addictive drug memory re
      consolidation.

PMID- 24239897
TI  - Epigenetic regulation of the tissue-specific expression of human UDP
      glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A10.
AB  - Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A10 is not expressed in the liver;
      however, UGT1A10 is highly expressed in the intestine, contributing to
      presystemic first-pass metabolism. Earlier studies revealed that hepatocyte
      nuclear factor (HNF) 1alpha and Sp1, as well as an intestine-specific
      transcription factor, caudal type homeobox (Cdx) 2, are involved in the
      constitutive expression of UGT1A10. However, why UGT1A10 is not expressed in the
      liver, where HNF1alpha and Sp1 are abundantly expressed, is unknown. In this
      study, we sought to elucidate the mechanism, focusing on epigenetic regulation.
      Bisulfite sequence analysis revealed that the CpG-rich region (-264 to +117)
      around the UGT1A10 promoter was hypermethylated (89%) in hepatocytes, whereas the
      UGT1A10 promoter was hypomethylated (11%) in the epithelium of the small
      intestine. A luciferase assay revealed that the methylation of the UGT1A10
      promoter by SssI methylase abrogated transactivity even with overexpressed Cdx2
      and HNF1alpha. The UGT1A10 promoter was highly methylated (86%) in liver-derived
      HuH-7 cells, where UGT1A10 is not expressed. In contrast, the UGT1A10 promoter
      was hardly methylated (19%) in colon-derived LS180 cells, where UGT1A10 is
      expressed. Treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycitidine (5-Aza-dC), an inhibitor of DNA
      methylation, resulted in an increase in UGT1A10 expression only in HuH-7 cells.
      Moreover, overexpression of HNF1alpha and Cdx2 further increased UGT1A10
      expression only in the presence of 5-Aza-dC. Collectively, we found that DNA
      hypermethylation would interfere with the binding of HNF1alpha and Cdx2,
      resulting in the defective expression of UGT1A10 in human liver. Thus, epigenetic
      regulation is one of the mechanisms that determine the tissue-specific expression
      of UGT1A10. 

PMID- 24239896
TI  - Heme oxygenase-1 counteracts contrast media-induced endothelial cell dysfunction.
AB  - Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of contrast
      induced acute kidney injury, which is a major adverse event following coronary
      angiography. In this study, we evaluated the effect of contrast media (CM) on
      human EC proliferation, migration, and inflammation, and determined if heme
      oxygenase-1 (HO-1) influences the biological actions of CM. We found that three
      distinct CM, including high-osmolar (diatrizoate), low-osmolar (iopamidol), and
      iso-osmolar (iodixanol), stimulated the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA. The
      induction of HO-1 was associated with an increase in NF-E2-related factor-2
      (Nrf2) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS). CM also stimulated HO-1
      promoter activity and this was prevented by mutating the antioxidant responsive
      element or by overexpressing dominant-negative Nrf2. In addition, the CM-mediated
      induction of HO-1 and activation of Nrf2 was abolished by acetylcysteine.
      Finally, CM inhibited the proliferation and migration of ECs and stimulated the
      expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the adhesion of monocytes on
      ECs. Inhibition or silencing of HO-1 exacerbated the anti-proliferative and
      inflammatory actions of CM but had no effect on the anti-migratory effect. Thus,
      induction of HO-1 via the ROS-Nrf2 pathway counteracts the anti-proliferative and
      inflammatory actions of CM. Therapeutic approaches targeting HO-1 may provide a
      novel approach in preventing CM-induced endothelial and organ dysfunction. 

PMID- 24239898
TI  - P-glycoprotein associates with Anxa2 and promotes invasion in multidrug resistant
      breast cancer cells.
AB  - Several recent studies have suggested that the acquisition of the multidrug
      resistance (MDR) phenotype is associated with elevated invasion and metastasis of
      tumor cells. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the major determinant in the generation of
      the MDR phenotype, was reported to be correlated with a more aggressive phenotype
      and poor prognosis in many forms of malignancies. However, a clear understanding
      of the association is still lacking. We previously showed that Anxa2, a calcium
      dependent phospholipid-binding protein, interacts with P-gp and contributes to
      the invasiveness of MDR breast cancer cells. In the present study, a strong
      positive correlation between MDR1 and Anxa2 mRNA expression in invasive breast
      cancer tissues during cancer progression was observed. In addition, exposure to
      adriamycin significantly enhanced motility in breast cancer cells and increased
      levels of P-gp and Anxa2. Moreover, inhibition of P-gp activity, using selective
      P-gp modulators, was found to significantly inhibit the invasive capacity of MCF
      7/ADR cells without affecting the interaction and co-localization between P-gp
      and Anxa2. However, suppression of P-gp pump activity and knockdown of MDR1
      expression both disrupted adriamycin-induced Anxa2 phosphorylation.
      Interestingly, P-gp was further demonstrated to interact with Src, a tyrosine
      kinase upstream of Anxa2. Taken together, our results indicate that P-gp may
      promote the invasion of MDR breast cancer cells by modulating the tyrosine
      phosphorylation of Anxa2. The interaction between Anxa2 and P-gp is possibly, at
      least in part, responsible for the association between MDR and invasive potential
      in breast cancer cells. 

PMID- 24239899
TI  - A polymeric device for controlled transscleral multi-drug delivery to the
      posterior segment of the eye.
AB  - The design of drug delivery systems that can deliver multiple drugs to the
      posterior segment of the eye is a challenging task in retinal disease treatments.
      We report a polymeric device for multi-drug transscleral delivery at
      independently controlled release rates. The device comprises a microfabricated
      reservoir, controlled-release cover and three different fluorescent formulations,
      which were made of photopolymeized tri(ethyleneglycol)dimethacrylate (TEGDM) and
      poly(ethyleneglycol)dimethacrylate (PEGDM). The release rate of each fluorescent
      is controlled by varying the PEGDM/TEGDM ratio in its formulation and the cover.
      The release kinetics appeared to be related to the swelling ratio of the
      PEGDM/TEGDM polymers. When the devices were implanted onto rat sclerae,
      fluorescence was observable in the ocular tissues during 4 weeks' implantation
      and distributed locally around the implantation site. Our polymeric system, which
      can administer multiple compounds with distinct kinetics, provides prolonged
      action and less invasive transscleral administration, and is expected to provide
      new tools for the treatment of posterior eye diseases with new therapeutic
      modalities.

PMID- 24239900
TI  - Study and evaluation of mechanisms of dual targeting drug delivery system with
      tumor microenvironment assays compared with normal assays.
AB  - A dual targeting delivery system was developed to completely conquer the two
      barriers that glioma treatment faces: the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the brain
      glioma barrier. Recently, a system comprising AS1411 aptamer (for glioma
      targeting) and TGN peptide (for BBB targeting) modified nanoparticles (AsTNPs)
      was developed, which can effectively target brain glioma and improve the survival
      of glioma-bearing mice. However, the in vitro models currently used are far too
      different from the in vivo tumor microenvironment that the glioma targeting
      delivery system actually faces. In this study, the pharmacology mechanisms of
      AsTNPs were explored in several models that imitated the tumor microenvironment.
      AsTNPs can be selectively taken up by endothelial and glioma cells, effectively
      penetrating the BBB and brain-glioma barriers to reach glioma cells and display
      their anti-glioma effect. The cell monolayers, tumor spheroids and coculture
      systems were more suitable in vitro models for the pharmacology evaluation of
      targeted drug delivery systems. 

PMID- 24239901
TI  - Fabrication of quercetin and curcumin bionanovesicles for the prevention and
      rapid regeneration of full-thickness skin defects on mice.
AB  - In the present work biocompatible quercetin and curcumin nanovesicles were
      developed as a novel approach to prevent and restore skin tissue defects on
      chronic cutaneous pathologies. Stable and suitable quercetin- and curcumin-loaded
      phospholipid vesicles, namely liposomes and penetration enhancer-containing
      vesicles (PEVs), were prepared. Vesicles were made from a highly biocompatible
      mixture of phospholipids and alternatively a natural polyphenol, quercetin or
      curcumin. Liposomes were obtained by adding water, while PEVs by adding
      polyethylene glycol 400 and Oramix(r)CG110 to the water phase. Transmission
      electron microscopy, cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy and small- and
      wide-angle X-ray scattering showed that vesicles were spherical, oligo- or
      multilamellar and small in size (112-220 nm). In vitro and in vivo tests
      underlined a good effectiveness of quercetin and curcumin nanovesicles in
      counteracting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced
      lesions and inflammation. Myeloperoxydase activity, used to gauge inflammation,
      was markedly inhibited by quercetin liposomes (59%) and curcumin liposomes and
      polyethylene glycol (PEG)-PEVs (~ 68%). Histology showed that PEG-PEVs provided
      an extensive re-epithelization of the TPA-damaged skin, with multiple layers of
      thick epidermis. In conclusion, nanoentrapped polyphenols prevented the formation
      of skin lesions abrogating the various biochemical processes that cause
      epithelial loss and skin damage.

PMID- 24239902
TI  - The influence of short-term memory on standard discrimination and cued
      identification olfactory tasks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Amongst the techniques to assess olfactory functions, discrimination
      and cued identification are those most prone to the influence of odour short-term
      memory (STM). Discrimination task requires participants to detect the odd one out
      of three presented odourants. As re-smelling is not permitted, an un-intended STM
      load may generate, even though the task purports to assess discrimination
      ability. Analogously, cued identification task requires participants to smell an
      odour, and then select a label from three or four alternatives. As the interval
      between smelling and reading each label increases this too imposes a STM load,
      even though the task aims to measure identification ability. NEW METHOD: We
      tested whether modifying task design to reduce STM load improve performance on
      these tests. We examined five age-groups of participants (Adolescents, Young
      adults, Middle-aged, Elderly, very Elderly), some of whom should be more prone to
      the effects of STM load than others, on standard and modified tests of
      discrimination and identification. RESULTS: We found that using a technique to
      reduce STM load improved performance, especially for the very Elderly and
      Adolescent groups. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Sources of error are now
      prevented. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that STM load can adversely affect
      performance in groups vulnerable from memory impairment (i.e., very Elderly) and
      in those who may still be acquiring memory-based representations of familiar
      odours (i.e., Adolescents). It may be that adults in general would be even more
      sensitive to the effects of olfactory STM load reduction, if the odour-related
      task was more difficult.

PMID- 24239903
TI  - Automated interhemispheric surface extraction in T1-weighted MRI using intensity
      and symmetry information.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Localizing the human interhemispheric region is of interest in image
      analysis mainly because it can be used for hemisphere separation and as a
      preprocessing step for interhemispheric structure localization. Many existing
      methods focus on only one of these applications. NEW METHOD: Here a new Intensity
      and Symmetry based Interhemispheric Surface extraction method (ISIS) that enables
      both applications is presented. A combination of voxel intensity and local
      symmetry is used to optimize a surface from T1-weighted MRI. RESULTS: ISIS was
      evaluated in regard to cerebral hemisphere separation using manual segmentations.
      It was also evaluated in regard to being a preprocessing step for
      interhemispheric structure localization using manually placed landmarks.
      COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Results were compared to cerebral hemisphere
      separations by BrainVisa and Freesurfer as well as to a midsagittal plane (MSP)
      extraction method. ISIS had less misclassified voxels than BrainVisa (ISIS:
      0.119+/-0.114%, BrainVisa: 0.138+/-0.084%, p=0.020). Freesurfer had less
      misclassified voxels than ISIS for one dataset (ISIS: 0.063+/-0.056%, Freesurfer:
      0.049+/-0.044%, p=0.019), but failed to produce usable results for another. Total
      voxel distance from all manual landmarks did not differ significantly between
      ISIS and the MSP method (ISIS: 4.00+/-1.88, MSP: 4.47+/-4.97). CONCLUSIONS: ISIS
      was found successful in both cerebral hemisphere separation and as a
      preprocessing step for interhemispheric structure localization. It needs no time
      consuming preprocessing and extracts the interhemispheric surface in less than 30
      s.

PMID- 24239904
TI  - Mass spectrometric studies on the in vivo metabolism and excretion of SIRT1
      activating drugs in rat urine, dried blood spots, and plasma samples for doping
      control purposes.
AB  - The NAD(+) depending enzyme SIRT1 regulates the mitochondrial biogenesis, fat and
      glucose metabolism through catalyzing the deacetylation of several metabolism
      related protein-substrates. Recently, synthetic activators of SIRT1 referred to
      as STACs (Sirtuin activating compounds, e.g. SRT2104) were identified and tested
      in clinical studies for the treatment of aging-related diseases such as type 2
      diabetes, Alzheimer's and obesity. Although the mechanism of SIRT1 activation by
      small molecules has caused considerable controversy, STACs demonstrated a
      significant performance enhancement in mice experiments including an improvement
      of endurance, muscle strength, and locomotor behavior. Due to their potential to
      increase exercise tolerance in healthy individuals, SIRT1 activators are
      currently being monitored by anti-doping authorities. In the present study, the
      in vivo metabolic clearance of three SIRT1 activators was investigated in rats by
      the collection of urine, DBS (dried blood spots) and plasma samples following a
      single oral administration. The resulting metabolic products were studied by
      positive electrospray ionization - (tandem) mass spectrometry and confirmed by
      the comparison with in vitro generated metabolites using human and rat liver
      microsomal preparations. Subsequently, a screening procedure for five SIRT1
      activators and the metabolite M1-SRT1720 in DBS specimens was developed. Liquid
      liquid-extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry was employed
      based on diagnostic ion transitions recorded in multiple reaction monitoring mode
      and two deuterated internal standards namely d8-SRT1720 and d8-M1-SRT1720 were
      utilized. The doping control assay was characterized with regard to specificity,
      limit of detection (10-50ng/ml), recovery (65-83%) and imprecision (7-20%) and
      ion suppression/enhancement effects (<10%), demonstrating its fitness-for-purpose
      for sports drug testing applications. 

PMID- 24239905
TI  - Systematic development of an UPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of tricyclic
      antidepressants in human urine.
AB  - Tricyclic antidepressants have been prescribed for the treatment of depression
      and other disorders since their discovery in the 1950s but have been replaced in
      recent decades by newer drugs with more favorable side effect profiles. However,
      for some patients and conditions, tricyclic antidepressants remain the drug of
      choice. A fast, sensitive, and robust UPLC-MS/MS method for the monitoring of
      amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, and desipramine in human urine
      has been developed using a pre-defined and systematic method development
      approach. The method was developed using sub-2-MUm particle technology, providing
      a state-of-the-art alternative to older methods. Total cycle time was 2.5min.
      Human urine samples (200MUL) were prepared using an Oasis((r)) WCX MUElution
      solid-phase extraction plate, which provided good recovery for all analytes
      (>92%) and low matrix effects (absolute matrix effects <10%). Standard curves
      were linear over the range 0.02-250ng/mL with r(2) values>0.994. The method was
      evaluated against current FDA guidelines and was applied to the analysis of
      patient samples, including an assessment of incurred sample reanalysis (ISR). 

PMID- 24239906
TI  - Immobilization of the enzyme GpdQ on magnetite nanoparticles for organophosphate
      pesticide bioremediation.
AB  - Annually thousands of people die or suffer from organophosphate (pesticide)
      poisoning. In order to remove these toxic compounds from the environment, the use
      of enzymes as bioremediators has been proposed. We report here a Ser127Ala mutant
      based on the enzyme glycerophosphodiesterase (GpdQ) from Enterobacter aerogenes.
      The mutant, with improved metal binding abilities, has been immobilized using
      glutaraldehyde on PAMAM dendrimer-modified magnetite nanoparticles. The
      immobilized system was characterized using elemental analysis as well as
      infrared, transmission electron and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The
      amount of GpdQ that was immobilized with the optimized procedure was 1.488 nmol
      per g MNP. A kinetic assay has been designed to evaluate the activity of the
      system towards organophosphoester substrates. The specific activity towards BPNPP
      directly after immobilization was 3.55 MUmol mg(-1)min(-1), after one week 3.39
      MUmol mg(-1)min(-1) and after 120 days 3.36 MUmol mg(-1)min(-1), demonstrating
      that the immobilized enzyme was active for multiple cycles and could be stored on
      the nanoparticles for a prolonged period.

PMID- 24239907
TI  - Enhanced cytotoxic activity of bile acid cisplatin derivatives by conjugation
      with gold nanoparticles.
AB  - This article explores the potential cytotoxic activity of bile-acid cisplatin
      derivatives like bisursodeoxycholate(ethylenediamine)platinum(II), PtU2, when
      conjugated with gold nanoparticles, being a promising alternative to cisplatin in
      the treatment of cancer due to their lower toxicity. For our purpose we analyzed
      the intracellular delivery ability of these compounds after conjugation with 20
      nm gold nanoparticles (PtU2-AuNPs) in the MG63 (osteosarcoma) cell line. Same
      platinum uptake after incubation with PtU2 and PtU2-AuNPs-derivatives is
      associated with a higher cytotoxic activity in case of the platinum-gold
      nanoparticle conjugate, the overall IC50 of PtU2 being reduced more than 10 fold
      for these new conjugates. When conjugated with gold nanoparticles, this bile-acid
      derivative is more efficient than the platinum compound alone in terms of their
      cytotoxic activity.

PMID- 24239908
TI  - Formation of oxo-centered trinuclear chromium carboxylate complexes and
      hydrolysis of Cr3 as established by paramagnetic (2)H NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - Paramagnetic (2)H NMR techniques have been utilized to study the mechanism of
      formation of the oxo-bridged trinuclear Cr(III) carboxylate assembly
      [Cr3O(O2CCD3)6(H2O)3](+) from [Cr(H2O)6](3+) and d4-acetic acid. These studies
      reveal a complex mechanism dominated by the involvement of dinuclear
      intermediates. The oxo-bridged trinuclear Cr(III) carboxylate assembly
      [Cr3O(O2CCH2CH3)6(H2O)3](+) has been suggested for use as a chromium nutritional
      supplement and therapeutic agent as it is readily absorbed and has been proposed
      to enter cells intact. The paramagnetic (2)H NMR technique has been utilized to
      follow the stability of this Cr(III) carboxylate assembly in biologically
      relevant media; its stability is consistent with the assembly being able to enter
      cells intact.

PMID- 24239909
TI  - Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial studies of a copper(II)
      lomefloxacin ternary complex.
AB  - Solution behavior of lomefloxacin (lmx) complexes with copper(II) in the presence
      and absence of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) was studied in aqueous solution, by
      potentiometry. The results obtained showed that under physiological conditions
      (micromolar concentration range and pH7.4) only copper(II):lmx:phen ternary
      complexes are stable. Hence, a novel copper(II) ternary complex of lomefloxacin
      with the nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand phen was synthesized and
      characterized by means of UV-visible and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and
      X-ray crystallography. In the synthesized complex (1), [Cu(lmx)(phen)(NO3)].5H2O,
      lmx acts as a bidentate ligand coordinating the metal cation, in its anionic
      form, through the carbonyl and carboxyl oxygens and phen coordinates through two
      N-atoms forming the equatorial plane of a distorted square-pyramidal geometry.
      The fifth ligand of the penta-coordinated Cu(II) center is occupied axially by an
      oxygen atom from the nitrate ion. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
      determinations of the complex and comparison with free lomefloxacin in various E.
      coli strains indicated that the Cu-complex is an antimicrobial which is as
      efficient as the free antibiotic but strongly suggest that the cell intake route
      of both species is different. Moreover, spectrophotometric stability studies
      suggest that the solution of the complex synthesized is considerably more
      photostable than the free fluoroquinolone supporting, therefore, the complex's
      suitability as a candidate for further biological testing in fluoroquinolone
      resistant microorganisms with possible reduced side-effects.

PMID- 24239910
TI  - Deciphering the zinc coordination properties of the prokaryotic zinc finger
      domain: The solution structure characterization of Ros87 H42A functional mutant.
AB  - The zinc coordination sphere in prokaryotic zinc finger domain is extremely
      versatile and influences the stability and the folding property of the domain. Of
      a particular interest is the fourth zinc coordinating position, which is
      frequently occupied by two successive histidines, both able to coordinate the
      metal ion. To clarify their structural and functional role we report the NMR
      solution structure and the dynamics behavior of Ros87 H42A, which is a functional
      mutant of Ros87, the DNA binding domain of the Ros protein containing a
      prokaryotic Cys2His2 zinc finger domain. The structural analysis indicates that
      reducing the spacer among the two coordinating histidines from 4 (among His37 and
      His42) amino acids to 3 (among His37 and His41) increases the helicity of the
      first alpha-helix. At the same time, the second helix appears more mobile in the
      MUs-ms timescale and the hydrophobic core is reduced. These data explain the high
      frequency of three-residue His spacers in the eukaryotic zinc finger domain and
      their absence in the prokaryotic counterpart. Furthermore, the structural
      comparison shows that the second coordination position is more sensitive to H42A
      mutation with respect to the first and the third position, providing the
      rationale of the high variability of the second and the fourth zinc coordinating
      position in Ros homologs, which adopt different metal coordination but preserve
      similar tertiary structures and DNA binding activities. Finally, H/D exchange
      measurements and NMR thermal unfolding analysis indicate that this mutant likely
      unfolds via a different mechanism with respect to the wild-type.

PMID- 24239911
TI  - Low-dimensional compounds containing bioactive ligands. V: Synthesis and
      characterization of novel anticancer Pd(II) ionic compounds with quinolin-8-ol
      halogen derivatives.
AB  - Three novel palladium(II) complexes, NH2(CH3)2[PdCl2(CQ)] (1) (CQ=5-chloro-7-iodo
      quinolin-8-ol), NH2(CH3)2[PdCl2(dClQ)] (2) (dClQ=5,7-dichloro-quinolin-8-ol) and
      NH2(CH3)2[PdCl2(dBrQ)] (3) (dBrQ=5,7-dibromo-quinolin-8-ol) have been prepared
      and characterized. Their structures contain square-planar [PdCl2(XQ)](-) complex
      anions in which deprotonated XQ ligands are coordinated to the Pd atoms via the
      pyridine nitrogen and the phenolato oxygen atoms, other two cis-positions are
      occupied by two chlorido ligands. Negative charges of these anions are balanced
      by uncoordinated dimethylammonium cations. Coordination of the XQ ligands to
      Pd(II) atom was confirmed by the differences in the stretching nu(OH) and nu(CN)
      vibrations in the IR spectra of ligands and prepared complexes while bands of
      aliphatic CH and NH stretching vibrations observed in the spectra of 1-3 confirm
      the presence of dimethylammonium cations in the complexes. The binding of
      complexes 1-3 to calf thymus DNA was investigated using UV-visible and
      fluorescence emission spectrophotometry. The fluorescence spectral results
      indicate that the complexes can bind to DNA through an intercalative mode. The
      Stern-Volmer quenching constants obtained from the linear quenching plot are in
      the 1.04 * 10(4) to 4.35 * 10(4) M(-1) range. The complexes exhibit significant
      anticancer activity tested on A2780 cells and cisplatin resistant cell line
      A2780/CP.

PMID- 24239912
TI  - Multi-targeted organometallic ruthenium(II)-arene anticancer complexes bearing
      inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1: A strategy to improve cytotoxicity.
AB  - Small-molecule inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) have
      currently drawn much attention as promising chemotherapeutic drug candidates, and
      there is a need to develop more potent PARP inhibitors with improved
      bioavailability. Here we report a strategy to improve the cytotoxicity of PARP
      inhibitors by conjugation with organometallic ruthenium(II)-arene compounds. We
      also report a systematic study to reveal the mechanism of action of these
      ruthenium-PARP inhibitor conjugates. The complexes have been synthesized and
      characterized spectroscopically. The improved antiproliferative activity from the
      as-prepared complexes in four human cancer cell lines has indicated their
      potential for further development as antitumor drugs. Cellular uptake study
      reveals that the most active complex 3 easily entered into cells. Target
      validation assays show that the complexes inhibited PARP-1 slightly better than
      the original PARP inhibitors, that complex 3 strongly bound to DNA and inhibited
      transcription, and that this complex arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 stage.
      This type of information could shed light on the design of the next generation of
      more active ruthenium-PARP inhibitor conjugates.

PMID- 24239913
TI  - Complex rhamnolipid mixture characterization and its influence on DPPC bilayer
      organization.
AB  - Rhamnolipids (RL) are one of the most important classes of biosurfactants
      produced by microorganisms using a wide range of carbon sources, from a simple
      carbon source like glucose to complex wastes such as the used cooking oils used
      in this work. The objective of this work was to learn about the rhamnolipid
      phospholipid dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) molecular interactions
      through the behaviour observed in the neat products and four RL/DPPC mixtures.
      Size and z-potential were used to characterize the size and the charge of the
      vesicles, and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to measure the vesicle
      bilayer characteristics, and the release of carboxyfluorescein to study the
      bilayer disrupting effect promoted by rhamnolipids. The results show that
      rhamnolipids are disposed in ordered bilayers with long repeating distances,
      which are stabilized by the charging of the bilayer and also by a strong fluidity
      of the bilayers. The ability of rhamnolipids to increase the fluidity of DPPC
      bilayers may be related with the strong haemolytic power of these molecules. 

PMID- 24239914
TI  - Decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-209) and/or BDE-47 exposure alters protein
      expression in purified neural stem/progenitor cells determined by proteomics
      analysis.
AB  - Polybrominateddiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely utilized as the additive
      brominated flame retardants in electronic devices, furniture, plastics, rubber
      foam, and textiles, which exhibit many negative biological effects, especially
      potential toxic effects on neurodevelopment. In the present study, we applied a
      proteomics approach to study the effects of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209)
      and/or tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) on the expression of proteins extracted
      from neural stem/progenitor cells and further explored mechanisms on
      neurodevelopmental toxicity. We sub-cultured 3-4 generations of neural
      stem/progenitor cells which were exposed to BDE-209 and/or BDE-47. After a 72-h
      exposure, we applied two-dimensional gel (2-DE) to identify differentially
      expressed proteins and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight
      mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) to determine the protein identity of 25 spots.
      Western blot analysis was applied to determine the expression of cofilin-1 and
      vimentin. A total of 39 differential expression protein spots were identified by
      2-DE after BDE-209 and/or BDE-47 exposure in the neural stem/progenitor cells,
      and 19 differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Western
      blot analysis revealed that cofilin-1 and vimentin were differentially expressed
      in all groups. Expression of both proteins was decreased when the neural
      stem/progenitor cells were exposed to BDE-209 and were absent when exposed to
      both BDE-47 and BDE-209. BDE-209 and/or BDE-47 might alter the expression of some
      proteins of neural stem/progenitor cells. Nineteen proteins were identified by
      MALDI-TOF-MS, which will provide a useful basis for further study of the
      mechanisms underlying PBDE-mediated neurotoxicity. 

PMID- 24239915
TI  - Re: detailed analysis of patients with metastasis to the prostatic anterior fat
      pad lymph nodes: a multi-institutional study: I. Y. Kim, P. K. Modi, E. Sadimin,
      Y.-S. Ha, J. H. Kim, D. Skarecky, D. Y. Cha, C. O. Wambi, Y.-C. Ou, B. Yuh, S.
      Park, E. Llukani, D. M. Albala, T. Wilson, T. Ahlering, K. Badani, H. Ahn, D. I.
      Lee, M. May, W.-J. Kim and d. H. Lee J Urol 2013;190:527-534.

PMID- 24239916
TI  - Reply by authors.

PMID- 24239917
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24239918
TI  - Re: detailed analysis of patients with metastasis to the prostatic anterior fat
      pad lymph nodes: a multi-institutional study: I. Y. Kim, P. K. Modi, E. Sadimin,
      Y.-S. Ha, J. H. Kim, D. Skarecky, D. Y. Cha, C. O. Wambi, Y.-C. Ou, B. Yuh, S.
      Park, E. Llukani, D. M. Albala, T. Wilson, T. Ahlering, K. Badani, H. Ahn, D. I.
      Lee, M. May, W.-J. Kim and d. H. Lee J Urol 2013;190:527-534.

PMID- 24239919
TI  - Cloning and immune characterization of the c-type lysozyme gene in red-spotted
      grouper, Epinephelus akaara.
AB  - Lysozyme is an important component of the innate immune response against pathogen
      infection. The gene coding for c-type lysozyme in red-spotted grouper Epinephelus
      akaara was cloned and designated EaClys. The complete cDNA contains a 432 bp open
      reading frame encoding a protein of 144 amino acids displaying 65-91% similarity
      with the amino acid sequences of human, mouse, chicken, and fish counterparts.
      Recombinant EaClys (rEaClys) was expressed in Escherichia coli, displayed
      antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and
      possessed bactericidal activity against Vibrio alginolyticus. EaClys mRNA was
      constitutively expressed in all tested E. akaara tissues, and its expression
      increased after pathogen challenge. Most notably, challenges with LPS, SGIV or V.
      alginolyticus upregulated EaClys mRNA expression in the head, kidney, and blood.
      Its expression peaked between 16 and 24 h after challenge before dropping back to
      the baseline level. By using recombinant cytokines as signaling pathway mimetics
      and blocking antibodies and chemical inhibitors as pathway inhibitors, we show
      that LPS-induced lysozyme release from macrophages is promoted by cytokines TNF
      alpha and IL-1beta, and dependent on NF-kappaB pathway activation. These data
      suggest that EaClys is a constitutive and inducible acute-phase protein that is
      involved in the innate immune defense of E. akaara, and provide new clues about
      the molecular mechanisms that regulate innate immune responses in fish. 

PMID- 24239920
TI  - 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in
      adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association
      Task Force on Practice Guidelines and The Obesity Society.

PMID- 24239921
TI  - 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the assessment of cardiovascular risk: a report of the
      American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice
      Guidelines.

PMID- 24239922
TI  - 2013 AHA/ACC guideline on lifestyle management to reduce cardiovascular risk: a
      report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task
      Force on Practice Guidelines.

PMID- 24239923
TI  - 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce
      atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College
      of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines.

PMID- 24239924
TI  - Concentrations of and application protocols for hydrogen peroxide bleaching gels:
      effects on pulp cell viability and whitening efficacy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the whitening effectiveness and the trans-enamel/trans
      dentinal toxicity of experimental tooth-bleaching protocols on pulp cells.
      METHODS: Enamel/dentine discs individually adapted to trans-well devices were
      placed on cultured odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23) or human dental pulp cells
      (HDPCs). The following groups were formed: G1 - no treatment (control); G2 to G4 
      35% H2O2, 3 * 15, 1 * 15, and 1 * 5 min, respectively; and G5 to G7 - 17.5%
      H2O2, 3 * 15, 1 * 15, and 1 * 5 min, respectively. Cell viability and morphology
      were evaluated immediately after bleaching (T1) and 72 h thereafter (T2).
      Oxidative stress and cell membrane damage were also assessed (T1). The amount of
      H2O2 in culture medium was quantified (Mann-Whitney; alpha=5%) and colour change
      (DeltaE) of enamel was analysed after 3 sessions (Tukey's test; alpha=5%).
      RESULTS: Cell viability reduction, H2O2 diffusion, cell morphology alteration,
      oxidative stress, and cell membrane damage occurred in a concentration-/time
      dependent fashion. The cell viability reduction was significant in all groups for
      HDPCs and only for G2, G3, and G5 in MDPC-23 cells compared with G1. Significant
      cell viability and morphology recovery were observed in all groups at T2, except
      for G2 in HDPCs. The highest DeltaE value was found in G2. However, all groups
      presented significant DeltaE increases compared with G1. CONCLUSION: Shortening
      the contact time of a 35%-H2O2 gel for 5 min, or reducing its concentration to
      17.5% and applying it for 45, 15, or 5 min produce gradual tooth colour change
      associated with reduced trans-enamel and trans-dentinal cytotoxicity to pulp
      cells. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The experimental protocols tested in the present
      study provided significant tooth-bleaching improvement associated with decreased
      toxicity to pulp cells, which may be an interesting alternative to be tested in
      clinical situations intended to reduce tooth sensitivity and pulp damage.

PMID- 24239925
TI  - Comparacion mediante Fluorescencia Cuantitativa Inducida por Luz de la Eficacia
      de un Dentifrico con Arginina al 1.5% y 1450ppm de Fluoruro con un Dentifrico que
      Contiene 1450ppm de Fluoruro Solamente en el Manejo de Lesiones de Caries en
      Estadio Temprano.

PMID- 24239926
TI  - Effect of layered double hydroxide intercalated with fluoride ions on the
      physical, biological and release properties of a dental composite resin.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was the preparation of a new fluoride-releasing
      dental material characterized by a release of fluoride relatively constant over
      time without any initial toxic burst effect. This type of delivery is obtained by
      a matrix controlled elution and elicits the beneficial effect of a low amount of
      fluoride on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) towards mature phenotype.
      METHODS: The modified hydrotalcite intercalated with fluoride ions (LDH-F), used
      as filler, was prepared via ion exchange procedure and characterized by X-ray
      diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. The LDH-F inorganic particles (0.7, 5, 10,
      20wt.%) were mixed with a photo-activated Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (45/55wt/wt) matrix and
      novel visible-light cured composites were prepared. The dynamic thermo-mechanical
      properties were determined by dynamic mechanical analyzer. The release of
      fluoride ions in physiological solution was determined using a ionometer. Total
      DNA content was measured by a PicoGreen dsDNA quantification kit to assess the
      proliferation rate of hDPSCs. Alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) was measured in
      presence of fluoride resins. RESULTS: Incorporation of even small mass fractions
      (e.g. 0.7 and 5wt.%) of the fluoride LDH in Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental resin
      significantly improved the mechanical properties of the pristine resin, in
      particular at 37 degrees C. The observed reinforcement increases on increasing
      the filler concentration. The release of fluoride ions resulted very slow,
      lasting months. ALP activity gradually increased for 28 days in hDPSCs cell
      grown, demonstrating that low concentrations of fluoride contributed to the cell
      differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: The prepared composites containing different amount
      of hydrotalcite filler showed improved mechanical properties, slow fluoride
      release and promoted hDPSCs cell proliferation and cell differentiation.

PMID- 24239928
TI  - Is hand-sewn anastomosis superior to stapled anastomosis following
      oesophagectomy?
AB  - A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The
      question addressed was: In patients undergoing oesophagectomy is stapled
      anastomosis (STA) superior to hand-sewn anastomosis (HSA) with respect to post
      operative outcomes. In total, 82 papers were found suitable using the reported
      search and 14 of these represented the best evidence to answer the clinical
      question. The authors, date, journal, study type, population, main outcome
      measures and results are tabulated. Existing evidence shows that STA is
      associated with reduced time to anastomotic construction and decreased intra
      operative blood loss but increased risk of benign stricture formation compared to
      HSA. There is no difference between HSA and STA with respect to cardiac or
      respiratory complications, anastomotic leakage, duration of hospital admission or
      30-day mortality. In HSA, increasing surgical experience and intra-operative air
      leakage testing after anastomotic creation are associated with reduced risk of
      anastomotic leakage. Further adequately powered studies will enable
      identification of other local and systemic factors influencing anastomotic
      healing, which will lead to improved patient and anastomotic technique selection
      for optimal surgical outcomes. 

PMID- 24239927
TI  - Achieving the desired colour in discoloured teeth, using leucite-based CAD-CAM
      laminate systems.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cumulative effect of the abutment tooth and resin
      cement colour on the resultant optical properties of porcelain laminate veneers
      (PLVs) fabricated with leucite-based CAD/CAM blocks with different shades and
      thicknesses. METHODS: A total of 224 ceramic specimens were prepared from the IPS
      Empress CAD with four different shades of HT-A1, LT-A1, MT-A1 and Bl-1. Resin
      composite discs were prepared with shade A3.5. For the cementation, 4 different
      shades of light-cure resin cements were chosen. L*, a*, and b* values, as well as
      the chroma (C) and hue (h) values of each cemented ceramic and the A1 shade
      table, were recorded. RESULTS: L*, Cab* and hab* values of the cemented ceramics
      were influenced by ceramic shade, ceramic thickness, cement shade, and
      interaction terms of the three variables. There were significant differences
      between the 1-mm-thick ceramic veneers that exhibited higher L* and lower Cab*
      values compared with veneers that were 0.5mm in thickness. Using the Tr shade
      cement resulted in lower L* and higher Cab* values for all thicknesses and
      ceramic shades, whereas the WO shade cement resulted in higher values.
      CONCLUSIONS: The selected colour of a laminate restoration is significantly
      affected by the ceramic shade, ceramic thickness and resin cement shade. Using
      the WO shade resin cement seems to be more effective in masking the discoloured
      abutment tooth. Clinicians should also select the translucency level of the
      ceramic block with the shade when a leucite-based CAD/CAM system is chosen to
      treat a discoloured tooth.

PMID- 24239929
TI  - Folding mechanisms of periplasmic proteins.
AB  - More than one fifth of the proteins encoded by the genome of Escherichia coli are
      destined to the bacterial cell envelope. Over the past 20years, the mechanisms by
      which envelope proteins reach their three-dimensional structure have been
      intensively studied, leading to the discovery of an intricate network of
      periplasmic folding helpers whose members have distinct but complementary roles.
      For instance, the correct assembly of beta-barrel proteins containing disulfide
      bonds depends both on chaperones like SurA and Skp for transport across the
      periplasm and on protein folding catalysts like DsbA and DsbC for disulfide bond
      formation. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge about
      the complex network of protein folding helpers present in the periplasm of E.
      coli and highlight the questions that remain unsolved. This article is part of a
      Special Issue entitled: Protein trafficking and secretion in bacteria. Guest
      Editors: Anastassios Economou and Ross Dalbey. 

PMID- 24239930
TI  - Estrogen-dependent changes in estrogen receptor-beta mRNA expression in middle
      aged female rat brain.
AB  - During aging, estrogen production and circulating levels of estrogen are markedly
      decreased in females. Although several differences exist in the process of
      reproductive aging between women and female rats, the results of many studies
      suggest that the female rat, especially the middle-aged or aged ovariectomized
      female, is an important animal model of hormone loss in women. In target tissues
      including the brain, the actions of estrogen are mediated mainly via the alpha
      and beta subtypes of the estrogen receptor (ER-alpha and ER-beta). Estrogen
      treatment is known to change the expression of ER-alpha mRNA and protein in
      specific regions of the brain in middle-aged female rodents. In contrast, we do
      not know if estrogen regulates the expression of ER-beta in the brain at this
      stage of life. In the present study, we performed in situ hybridization on brain
      sections of ovariectomized and estrogen-treated middle-aged female rats to reveal
      the effects of estrogen on the expression of ER-beta throughout the brain. Our
      results showed that estrogen treatment decreased the number of ER-beta mRNA
      positive cells in the mitral cell and external plexiform layers of the olfactory
      bulb, central amygdaloid nucleus, medial geniculate nucleus, posterior
      hypothalamic nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, and reticular part of the
      substantia nigra. As compared to the results of previous studies of young
      females, our data revealed that the regions in which expression of ER-beta mRNA
      expression is affected by estrogen differ in middle age. These results suggest
      that the effects of estrogen on ER-beta expression change with age. 

PMID- 24239931
TI  - Intranasal oxytocin effects on social cognition: a critique.
AB  - The last decade has seen a large number of published findings supporting the
      hypothesis that intranasally delivered oxytocin (OT) can enhance the processing
      of social stimuli and regulate social emotion-related behaviors such as trust,
      memory, fidelity, and anxiety. The use of nasal spray for administering OT in
      behavioral research has become a standard method, but many questions still exist
      regarding its action. OT is a peptide that cannot cross the blood-brain barrier,
      and it has yet to be shown that it does indeed reach the brain when delivered
      intranasally. Given the evidence, it seems highly likely that OT does affect
      behavior when delivered as a nasal spray. These effects may be driven by at least
      three possible mechanisms. First, the intranasally delivered OT may diffuse
      directly into the CNS where it directly engages OT receptors. Second, the
      intranasally delivered OT may trigger increased central release via an indirect
      peripheral mechanism. And third, the indirect peripheral effects may directly
      lead to behavioral effects via some mechanism other than increased central
      release. Although intranasally delivered OT likely affects behavior, there are
      conflicting reports as to the exact nature of those behavioral changes: some
      studies suggest that OT effects are not always "pro-social" and others suggest
      effects on social behaviors are due to a more general anxiolytic effect. In this
      critique, we draw from work in healthy human populations and the animal
      literature to review the mechanistic aspects of intranasal OT delivery, and to
      discuss intranasal OT effects on social cognition and behavior. We conclude that
      future work should control carefully for anxiolytic and gender effects, which
      could underlie inconsistencies in the existing literature. This article is part
      of a Special Issue entitled Oxytocin and Social Behav. 

PMID- 24239933
TI  - Neonatal RU-486 (mifepristone) exposure increases androgen receptor
      immunoreactivity and sexual behavior in male rats.
AB  - Progesterone and progestin receptors (PRs) are known to play a role in the
      development of brain physiology and behavior in many different species. The
      distribution and regulation of PRs within the developing brain suggest that they
      likely contribute to the organization of the brain and behavior in a sex-specific
      manner. We examined the role of PR signaling during development on the
      organization of adult sexual behavior and androgen receptor (AR) expression in
      the brain. We administered the PR antagonist, RU-486, subcutaneously to male and
      female rats on postnatal days 1-7 (0=day of birth) and examined adult sexual
      behavior and AR-immunoreactivity (AR-ir) in the adult brain. A typical sex
      difference in lordosis quotient (LQ) was observed and neonatal RU-486 treatment
      did not alter this behavior. In contrast, neonatal RU-486 treatment increased
      adult male sexual behavior and AR-ir in several brain areas in males. These data
      indicate that a transient disruption in PR signaling during development can have
      lasting consequences on the male brain and may increase male sexual behavior in
      part by increasing AR expression, and therefore androgen sensitivity, in
      adulthood. 

PMID- 24239934
TI  - Analysis of neutral lipids from microalgae by HPLC-ELSD and APCI-MS/MS.
AB  - A method was developed to analyze neutral lipids through the use of three
      triglycerides, four free fatty acids, six di- and four mono-glycerides standards
      by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) normal phase coupled with either
      with evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) or with mass spectrometry (MS)
      operating in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mode. The method was
      applied to the determination of the neutral lipid fraction from a Botryococcus
      braunii race A (B. braunii) culture. This method led us to identify neutral
      lipids synthesized by B. braunii in a single analysis within 45min through HPLC
      APCI-MS/MS technique. 

PMID- 24239936
TI  - A high-throughput method for the simultaneous determination of multiple
      mycotoxins in human and laboratory animal biological fluids and tissues by PLE
      and HPLC-MS/MS.
AB  - A high-throughput method for the determination of 28 mycotoxins involving
      pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem
      mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) has been optimised and validated for determination
      in various biological fluids and tissues of human and laboratory animals. High
      throughput analysis was achieved using PLE pre-treatment and without the need for
      any cleanup. The extraction solvent was acetonitrile/water/acetic acid (80/19/1,
      v/v/v). The static extraction time was 5min. The extraction pressure and
      temperature were 1500psi and 140 degrees C, respectively. The flush volume was
      60%. The limits of detection, which were defined as CCalpha, varied from
      0.01MUg/kg (MUg/L) to 0.69MUg/kg (MUg/L). The recoveries of spiked samples from
      0.20MUg/kg (MUg/L) to 2MUg/kg (MUg/L) ranged from 71% to 100.5% with relative
      standard deviations of less than 17.5%, except FB1 and FB2 recoveries, which were
      lower than 60%. The method was successfully applied in real samples, and the data
      indicate that this technique is a useful analytical method for the determination
      of mycotoxins from humans and animals. To the best of our knowledge, this method
      is the first for the large-scale testing of multi-class mycotoxins in all types
      of biological fluids and tissues that uses PLE and HPLC-MS/MS. 

PMID- 24239932
TI  - Oxytocin and postpartum depression: delivering on what's known and what's not.
AB  - The role of oxytocin in the treatment of postpartum depression has been a topic
      of growing interest. This subject carries important implications, given that
      postpartum depression can have detrimental effects on both the mother and her
      infant, with lifelong consequences for infant socioemotional and cognitive
      development. In recent years, oxytocin has received attention for its potential
      role in many neuropsychiatric conditions beyond its well-described functions in
      childbirth and lactation. In the present review, we present available data on the
      clinical characteristics and neuroendocrine foundations of postpartum depression.
      We outline current treatment modalities and their limitations, and proceed to
      evaluate the potential role of oxytocin in the treatment of postpartum
      depression. The aim of the present review is twofold: (a) to bring together
      evidence from animal and human research concerning the role of oxytocin in
      postpartum depression, and (b) to highlight areas that deserve further research
      in order to bring a fuller understanding of oxytocin's therapeutic potential.
      This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Oxytocin and Social Behav. 

PMID- 24239937
TI  - Cation exchange versus multimodal cation exchange resins for antibody capture
      from CHO supernatants: identification of contaminating host cell proteins by mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - We compared classical and multimodal cation exchange resins for the capture of
      recombinant antibodies from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture supernatant.
      Both Capto S and Capto MMC resins present anionic groups while the multimodal
      Capto MMC also features a hydrophobic moiety. First we screened optimal binding
      and elution conditions in microplates with a pure antibody. We validated the
      results on the lab-scale with columns with a pure antibody and a CHO cell culture
      supernatant. Both resins achieved good yield and purity for the capture step of
      an antibody. However, the multimodal resin appeared more efficient and selective.
      Then we identified proteins in the antibody fraction by mass spectrometry in
      order to highlight the behavior of host cell proteins (HCPs). 

PMID- 24239935
TI  - A novel uHPLC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of AZD7451 (AZ12607092) in human
      plasma.
AB  - Tropomyosin-related kinases (Trk) are tyrosine kinase receptors implicated in
      tumor proliferation, invasion, and survival signaling across a number of tumors,
      making them potentially attractive targets for the treatment of cancer. AZD7451
      is a potent and selective inhibitor of Trk kinases currently undergoing a Phase I
      dose escalation in glioblastoma multiforme at the National Cancer Institute. A
      key part of early clinical testing for AZD7451 involves demonstrating that
      pharmacokinetic half-life and clinical exposures of AZD7451 are sufficient to
      inhibit Trk receptors in preclinical models. To address this need, an ultra
      sensitive analytical method was developed to measure the AZD7451 profile in human
      plasma. A liquid-liquid extraction recovered >80% of AZD7451 before quantitative
      analysis by ultra HPLC-MS/MS. A Varian Polaris((r)) C18-A column and a mass
      transition of m/z 383.5->340.5 (m/z 389.6->342.0 for the internal standard
      [(2)H6]-AZD7451) was used, and a dynamic calibration range of 0.5-1000ng/mL was
      established, which provided a sensitive (<8.5% deviation), and precise (<6%)
      quantitative assay for AZD7451. AZD7451 demonstrated stability in human plasma at
      room temperature for 24h (<7% change) and after extraction at 4 degrees C for 24h
      (<8% change), and was stable through 4 freeze/thaw cycles (<8% change). This
      method was used to measure AZD7451 plasma levels in clinical samples to confirm
      the sensitivity at several time points following AZD7451 treatment in subjects
      with glioblastoma. 

PMID- 24239938
TI  - 'Smart' electronic operation notes in surgery: an innovative way to improve
      patient care.
AB  - AIMS: Operation notes are the only comprehensive account of what took place
      during surgery. Accurate and detailed documentation of surgical operation notes
      is crucial, both for post-operative management of patients and for medico-legal
      clarity. The aims of this study were to compare operation documentation against
      the Royal College of Surgeons of England guidelines and to compare the before-and
      after effect of introducing an electronic operation note system. METHODS: Fifty
      consecutive operation notes for inpatients that had undergone emergency
      orthopaedic trauma surgery were audited. An electronic operation note proforma
      was then introduced and a re-audit carried out after its implementation. RESULTS:
      The results after implementation of electronic operation notes, demonstrated a
      marked improvement. All notes contained an operation note (previously 5/6).
      Seventy five percent included time of surgery and age of patient (vs. 0%
      previously). A hundred percent included closure details and antibiotic selection
      at induction (vs. 60% and 69% respectively). Post-operative instructions improved
      to 100%. All were typed, making for 100% legibility as compared to only 66% of
      operation notes with legible hand writing in the initial audit.
      DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: We used our pilot audit to target specific information
      that was commonly omitted and we 'enforced' these areas using drop-down
      selections in electronic operation note. This study has demonstrated that
      implementation of an electronic operation note system markedly improved the
      quality of documentation, both in terms of information detail and readability. We
      would recommend this template system as a standard for operation note
      documentation.

PMID- 24239939
TI  - Repair of nerve defect with chitosan graft supplemented by uncultured
      characterized stromal vascular fraction in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
AB  - Regenerative properties of stem cells at the service of nerve repair have been
      initiated during recent decades. Effects of transplantation of characterized
      uncultured stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on peripheral nerve regeneration were
      studied using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect
      was bridged using a chitosan conduit filled with SVF. In control group, chitosan
      conduit was filled with phosphate-buffered saline alone. The regenerated nerve
      fibers were studied 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after surgery. In sham
      operated group, the sciatic nerve was only exposed and manipulated. Behavioral
      and Functional studies confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in SVF
      transplanted animals than in control group (P < 0.05). Gastrocnemius muscle mass
      in SVF transplanted animals was found to be significantly more than that in
      control group. Morphometric indices of the regenerated fibers showed the number
      and diameter of the myelinated fibers were significantly higher in SVF
      transplanted animals than in control group. In immunohistochemistry, location of
      reactions to S-100 in SVF transplanted animals was clearly more positive than
      that in control group. SVF transplantation combined with chitosan conduit could
      be considered as a readily accessible source of stromal cells that improve
      functional recovery of sciatic nerve.

PMID- 24239940
TI  - Exploring Leishmania donovani 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase
      (HMGR) as a potential drug target by biochemical, biophysical and inhibition
      studies.
AB  - 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase (HMGR), an NADPH dependant
      enzyme catalyzes the synthesis of mevalonic acid from HMG-CoA required for
      isoprenoid biosynthesis. The HMGR gene from Leishmania donovani was cloned and
      expressed. Genome analysis of L. donovani revealed that HMGR gene having an open
      reading frame of 1305 bp encodes a putative protein of 434 amino acids. LdHMGR
      showed optimal activity at pH 7.2 and temperature 37  degrees C. Kinetic analysis
      of this enzyme revealed Km values of 35.7 +/- 2.5 MUM for (R,S)-HMG-CoA and 70 +/
      7.9 MUM for the cofactor NADPH. On tryptophan fluorescence quenching, the Stern
      Volmer constant (Ksv), binding constant (Ka) and protein:cofactor stoichiometry
      for interaction of NADPH cofactor with the enzyme were found to be 6.0 +/- 0.7 M(
      1), 0.17 MUM and 0.72 respectively. Polyclonal anti-rat HMGR antibody detected a
      band of ~45 kDa in all phases of promastigote growth. Biophysical analysis of the
      secondary structure of LdHMGR confirmed the presence of 25.7 +/- 0.35% alpha
      helicity. Thermal denaturation studies showed extreme stability of the enzyme
      with 60% helical structure retained at 90  degrees C. Statins (simvastatin and
      atorvastatin) and non-statin (resveratrol) effectively inhibited the growth of L.
      donovani promastigotes as well as the catalytic activity of the recombinant
      LdHMGR. Atorvastatin was found to be most potent antileishmanial inhibitor with
      an IC50 value of 19.4 +/- 3.07 MUM and a very lower concentration of 315.5 +/-
      2.1 nM was enough to cause 50% recombinant LdHMGR enzyme inhibition suggesting
      direct interaction with the rate limiting enzyme of the ergosterol biosynthetic
      pathway. Exogenous supplementation of ergosterol in case of atorvastatin and
      resveratrol treated cells caused complete reversal of growth inhibition whereas
      simvastatin was found to be ergosterol refractory. Cholesterol supplementation
      however, failed to overcome growth inhibition in all the cases. Overall our study
      emphasizes on exploring LdHMGR as a potential drug target for the development of
      novel antileishmanial agents. 

PMID- 24239941
TI  - Cholera toxin expression by El Tor Vibrio cholerae in shallow culture growth
      conditions.
AB  - Vibrio cholerae O1 classical, El Tor and O139 are the primary biotypes that cause
      epidemic cholera, and they also express cholera toxin (CT). Although classical V.
      cholerae produces CT in various settings, the El Tor and O139 strains require
      specific growth conditions for CT induction, such as the so-called AKI
      conditions, which consist of growth in static conditions followed by growth under
      aerobic shaking conditions. However, our group has demonstrated that CT
      production may also take place in shallow static cultures. How these type of
      cultures induce CT production has been unclear, but we now report that in shallow
      culture growth conditions, there is virtual depletion of dissolved oxygen after
      2.5 h of growth. Concurrently, during the first three to 4 h, endogenous CO2
      accumulates in the media and the pH decreases. These findings may explain CT
      expression at the molecular level because CT production relies on a regulatory
      cascade, in which the key regulator AphB may be activated by anaerobiosis and by
      low pH. AphB activation stimulates TcpP synthesis, which induces ToxT production,
      and ToxT directly stimulates ctxAB expression, which encodes CT. Importantly,
      ToxT activity is enhanced by bicarbonate. Therefore, we suggest that in shallow
      cultures, AphB is activated by initial decreases in oxygen and pH, and
      subsequently, ToxT is activated by intracellular bicarbonate that has been
      generated from endogenous CO2. This working model would explain CT production in
      shallow cultures and, possibly, also in other growth conditions. 

PMID- 24239942
TI  - US trade agreement threatens to increase drug prices and withhold safety data.

PMID- 24239943
TI  - Prevalence and distribution of intervertebral disc degeneration over the entire
      spine in a population-based cohort: the Wakayama Spine Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence and
      distribution of intervertebral disc degeneration (DD) over the entire spine using
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to examine the factors and symptoms
      potentially associated with DD. DESIGN: This study included 975 participants (324
      men, mean age of 67.2 years; 651 women, mean age of 66.0 years) with an age range
      of 21-97 years in the Wakayama Spine Study. DD on MRI was classified into
      Pfirrmann's system (grades 4 and 5 indicating DD). We assessed the prevalence of
      DD at each level in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions and the entire
      spine, and examined DD-associated factors and symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence
      of DD over the entire spine was 71% in men and 77% in women aged <50 years, and
      >90% in both men and women aged >50 years. The prevalence of an intervertebral
      space with DD was highest at C5/6 (men: 51.5%, women: 46%), T6/7 (men: 32.4%,
      women: 37.7%), and L4/5 (men: 69.1%, women: 75.8%). Age and obesity were
      associated with the presence of DD in all regions. Low back pain was associated
      with the presence of DD in the lumbar region. CONCLUSION: The current study
      established the baseline data of DD over the entire spine in a large population
      of elderly individuals. These data provide the foundation for elucidating the
      causes and mechanisms of DD.

PMID- 24239944
TI  - Eukaryotic ribosomal protein S3: A constituent of translational machinery and an
      extraribosomal player in various cellular processes.
AB  - Ribosomal proteins from the S3 family are universal components of small ribosomal
      subunits in all three domains of life. In eukaryotes, ribosomal protein S3e
      (rpS3e) is one of 33 proteins of small subunit of the ribosome. It functions not
      only within the ribosome participating in translation but also as an
      extraribosomal player involved in a number of vitally important cellular events.
      RpS3e is directly implicated in translation initiation via participation in
      rearrangements of the small subunit structure occurring upon the binding of
      initiation factors eIF1 and eIF1A, which opens the ribosomal mRNA binding channel
      for incoming mRNA and allows scanning. Being located at the mRNA entry site of
      the ribosome, rpS3e is suggested to interact with mRNA part downstream of the
      codon at the decoding site and it could be implicated in helicase activity of the
      ribosome by analogy to its bacterial counterpart rpS3p. Extraribosomal functions
      of rpS3e are mainly based on its ability to bind to nucleic acids, although
      protein-protein interactions take place too. As an independent player, rpS3e is
      involved in DNA repair, selective gene regulation via implication in NF-kappaB
      signaling pathway, inducing apoptosis, control of expression of the own gene at
      the translation level and molecular interactions affecting half-life of the
      protein. Involvement of rpS3e in various cellular processes is mediated by
      specific mechanisms utilizing post-translational modifications of the protein.
      Here, we present accumulated to date information and current ideas concerning
      functions of rpS3e as a constituent of translational machinery and of the free
      protein as a key player in various events of the cell life. 

PMID- 24239946
TI  - Drying of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts to slides abrogates use of
      vital dyes for viability staining.
AB  - Vital dye staining has long been used to assess viability of Cryptosporidium
      oocysts and Giardia cysts, with staining and enumeration in suspension. Some
      recent studies, however, have dried samples to microscope slides prior to
      staining. Here we demonstrate that this approach may considerably underestimate
      parasite viability in the original sample. 

PMID- 24239945
TI  - Resveratrol attenuates cisplatin renal cortical cytotoxicity by modifying
      oxidative stress.
AB  - Cisplatin, a cancer chemotherapy drug, is nephrotoxic. The aim of this study was
      to investigate whether resveratrol (RES) reduced cisplatin cytotoxicity and
      oxidative stress. Rat renal cortical slices were pre-incubated 30min with 0 (VEH,
      ethanol) or 30MUg/ml RES followed by 60, 90 or 120min co-incubation with 0, 75,
      or 150MUg/ml cisplatin. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage was unchanged at 60
      and 90min by cisplatin. Cisplatin increased (p<0.05) LDH leakage at 120min which
      was protected by RES. Cisplatin induced oxidative stress prior to LDH leakage as
      cisplatin depressed glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)
      activity, increased lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls and 4-hydroxynonenal (4
      HNE) adducted proteins within 60min. RES failed to reverse glutathione (GSH)
      depression by cisplatin. In order to eliminated an extracellular interaction
      between RES and cisplatin, additional studies (RINSE studies) allowed a 30min RES
      uptake into slices, transfer of slices to buffer lacking RES, followed by 120min
      cisplatin incubation. RES in the RINSE studies prevented LDH leakage by cisplatin
      indicating that RES protection was not via a physical interaction with cisplatin
      in the media. These findings indicate that RES diminished cisplatin in vitro
      renal toxicity and prevented the development of oxidative stress.

PMID- 24239947
TI  - Insights into eukaryotic primer synthesis from structures of the p48 subunit of
      human DNA primase.
AB  - DNA replication in all organisms requires polymerases to synthesize copies of the
      genome. DNA polymerases are unable to function on a bare template and require a
      primer. Primases are crucial RNA polymerases that perform the initial de novo
      synthesis, generating the first 8-10 nucleotides of the primer. Although
      structures of archaeal and bacterial primases have provided insights into general
      priming mechanisms, these proteins are not well conserved with heterodimeric
      (p48/p58) primases in eukaryotes. Here, we present X-ray crystal structures of
      the catalytic engine of a eukaryotic primase, which is contained in the p48
      subunit. The structures of p48 reveal that eukaryotic primases maintain the
      conserved catalytic prim fold domain, but with a unique subdomain not found in
      the archaeal and bacterial primases. Calorimetry experiments reveal that Mn(2+)
      but not Mg(2+) significantly enhances the binding of nucleotide to primase, which
      correlates with higher catalytic efficiency in vitro. The structure of p48 with
      bound UTP and Mn(2+) provides insights into the mechanism of nucleotide synthesis
      by primase. Substitution of conserved residues involved in either metal or
      nucleotide binding alter nucleotide binding affinities, and yeast strains
      containing the corresponding Pri1p substitutions are not viable. Our results
      reveal that two residues (S160 and H166) in direct contact with the nucleotide
      were previously unrecognized as critical to the human primase active site.
      Comparing p48 structures to those of similar polymerases in different states of
      action suggests changes that would be required to attain a catalytically
      competent conformation capable of initiating dinucleotide synthesis. 

PMID- 24239948
TI  - Destabilization of the homotetrameric assembly of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate
      7-phosphate synthase from the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus enhances
      enzymatic activity.
AB  - Many proteins adopt homomeric quaternary structures to support their biological
      function, including the first enzyme of the shikimate pathway that is ultimately
      responsible for the biosynthesis of the aromatic amino acids in plants and
      microorganisms. This enzyme, 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase
      (DAH7PS), adopts a variety of different quaternary structures depending on the
      organism in which it is found. The DAH7PS from the hyperthermophilic
      archaebacterium Pyrococcus furiosus was previously shown to be tetrameric in its
      crystalline form, and this quaternary association is confirmed in an improved
      structure in a different crystal system. This tetramer is also present in
      solution as revealed by small-angle X-ray scattering and analytical
      ultracentrifugation. This homotetrameric form has two distinct interfaces, both
      of which bury over 10% each of the surface area of a single monomer. Substitution
      of Ile for Asp in the hydrophobic region of one interface gives a protein with a
      remarkable 4-fold higher maximum catalytic rate than the wild-type enzyme.
      Analytical ultracentrifugation at pH7.5 reveals that the tetrameric form is
      destabilized; although the protein crystallizes as a tetramer, equilibrium exists
      between tetrameric and dimeric forms with a dissociation constant of 22 MUM.
      Thus, under the conditions of kinetic assay, the enzyme is primarily dimeric,
      revealing that the dimeric form is a fully functional catalyst. However, in
      comparison to the wild-type protein, the thermal stability of the dimeric protein
      is significantly compromised. Thus, an unusual compromise of enzymatic activity
      versus stability is observed for this DAH7PS from an organism that favors a
      hyperthermophilic environment.

PMID- 24239949
TI  - The structure of TAX1BP1 UBZ1+2 provides insight into target specificity and
      adaptability.
AB  - TAX1BP1 is a novel ubiquitin-binding adaptor protein involved in the negative
      regulation of the NF-kappaB transcription factor, which is a key player in
      inflammatory responses, immunity and tumorigenesis. TAX1BP1 recruits A20 to the
      ubiquitinated signaling proteins TRAF6 and RIP1, leading to their A20-mediated
      deubiquitination and the disruption of IL-1-induced and TNF-induced NF-kappaB
      signaling, respectively. The two zinc fingers localized at its C-terminus
      function as novel ubiquitin-binding domains (UBZ, ubiquitin-binding zinc finger).
      Here we present for the first time both the solution and crystal structures of
      two classical UBZ domains in tandem within the human TAX1BP1. The relative
      orientation of the two domains is slightly different in the X-ray structure with
      respect to the NMR structure, indicating some degree of conformational
      flexibility, which is rationalized by NMR relaxation data. The observed degree of
      flexibility and stability between the two UBZ domains might have consequences on
      the recognition mechanism of interacting partners. 

PMID- 24239950
TI  - Oesophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula and anal atresia in a patient
      with a de novo microduplication in 17q12.
AB  - Oesophageal atresia (OA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF) are foregut
      malformations with a heterogeneous etiology. OA/TOF may occur as an isolated
      anomaly or as part of a syndrome. Chromosomal anomalies have been reported in 6
      10% of OA/TOF. Several genes have been implicated in cases of syndromic OA/TOF,
      but no single specific chromosomal and monogenic defect has been confirmed as a
      main etiological factor. We described a patient with a 1.4 Mb duplication at
      17q12 detected by SNP-array study and validated using qRT-PCR, who presented with
      an oesophageal atresia accompanied with tracheoesophageal fistula and anal
      atresia as well as other symptoms resembling VATER association (thumb hypoplasia,
      sacral bone defect, cryptorchidism). Genomic rearrangements of chromosome 17q12
      are associated with a variety of clinical phenotypes. Only few cases with OA
      patients with the duplication in 17q12 have been reported. The 17q12 region
      comprised 15 genes. We propose to consider a role for selected genes such as AATF
      (cell proliferation and apoptosis) and TADA2L (Wnt pathway) at the 17q12 region
      as well as developmental and transcriptional pathways represented by these genes,
      in the development of OA/TOF and VATER association. 

PMID- 24239951
TI  - Duplication of the 15q11-q13 region: clinical and genetic study of 30 new cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 15q11-q13 region is an area of well-known susceptibility to genomic
      rearrangements, in which several breakpoints have been identified (BP1-BP5).
      Duplication of this region is observed in two instances: presence of a
      supernumerary marker chromosome (SMC) derived of chromosome 15, or interstitial
      tandem duplication. Duplications are clinically characterized by a variable
      phenotype that includes central hypotonia, developmental delay, speech delay,
      seizure, minor dysmorphic features and autism. METHODS: Retrospective clinical
      and molecular study of 30 unrelated patients who were identified among the
      patients seen at the genetic clinics of Robert DEBRE hospital with
      microduplication of the 15q11-q13 region. RESULTS: Fifteen patients presented
      with a supernumerary marker derived from chromosome 15. In fourteen cases the SMC
      was of large size, encompassing the Prader-Willi/Angelman critical region. All
      but one was maternal in origin. One patient had a PWS-like phenotype in absence
      of maternal UPD. In one case, the marker had a smaller size and contained only
      the BP1-BP2 region. Fifteen patients presented with interstitial duplication.
      Four cases were inherited from phenotypically normal parents (3 maternal and 1
      paternal). Phenotypic features were somewhat variable and 57% presented with
      autism. Twelve patients showed cerebral anomalies and 18 patients had an abnormal
      EEG with a typical, recognizable pattern of excessive diffuse rapid spikes in the
      waking record, similar to the pattern observed after benzodiazepine exposure.
      Duplication of paternally expressed genes MKRN3, MAGEL2 and NDN in two autistic
      patients without extra material of a neighboring region enhances their likelihood
      to be genes related to autism.

PMID- 24239952
TI  - Exercise training can induce cardiac autophagy at end-stage chronic conditions:
      insights from a graft-versus-host-disease mouse model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a frequent cause of
      morbimortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo
      HSCT), and severely compromises patients' physical capacity. Despite the
      aggressive nature of the disease, aerobic exercise training can positively impact
      survival as well as clinical and functional parameters. We analyzed potential
      mechanisms underlying the recently reported cardiac function improvement in an
      exercise-trained cGVHD murine model receiving lethal total body irradiation and
      immunosuppressant treatment (Fiuza-Luces et al., 2013. Med Sci Sports Exerc 45,
      1703-1711). We hypothesized that a cellular quality-control mechanism that is
      receiving growing attention in biomedicine, autophagy, was involved in such
      improvement. METHODS: BALB/C female mice (aged 8wk) with cGVHD were randomly
      assigned to a control/exercise group (n=12/11); the exercise group underwent
      moderate-intensity treadmill training during 11wk after allo-HSCT. In the hearts
      of those few mice surviving the entire 11wk period (n=2/5), we studied molecular
      markers of: macroautophagy induction, preservation of contractile/structural
      proteins, oxidative capacity, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and
      mitochondrial dynamics. RESULTS: Mainly, exercise training increased the
      myocardial content of the macroautophagy markers LC3BII, Atg12, SQSTM1/p62 and
      phospho-ULK1 (S555), as well as of alpha-tubuline, catalase and glutathione
      reductase (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exercise training
      elicits a positive autophagic adaptation in the myocardium that may help preserve
      cardiac function even at the end-stage of a devastating disease like cGVHD. These
      preliminary findings might provide new insights into the cardiac exercise
      benefits in chronic/debilitating conditions.

PMID- 24239953
TI  - Self-compassion as a predictor of interleukin-6 response to acute psychosocial
      stress.
AB  - We examined the hypothesis that self-compassion is associated with lower levels
      of stress-induced inflammation. On two consecutive days, plasma concentrations of
      interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed at baseline and at 30 and 120 min following
      exposure to a standardized laboratory stressor in a sample of 41 healthy young
      adults. Participants who were higher in self-compassion exhibited significantly
      lower day 1 IL-6 responses, even when controlling for self-esteem, depressive
      symptoms, demographic factors, and distress. Self-compassion was not related to
      day 2 IL-6 response but was inversely related to day 2 baseline IL-6 levels, and
      to increase in baseline IL-6 from day 1 to day 2. These findings suggest that
      self-compassion may serve as a protective factor against stress-induced
      inflammation and inflammation-related disease.

PMID- 24239954
TI  - Pulmonary production of osteopontin in humans: effects of left ventricular
      systolic dysfunction and cardiopulmonary bypass.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated pulmonary production of osteopontin (OPN) in left
      ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery
      (CPB). OPN is a phosphoglycoprotein involved in inflammation and remodeling. In
      subjects with LVSD, plasma OPN correlates with prognosis but its origin is
      unknown. We hypothesized that the lungs produce OPN and that this could be
      affected by LVSD and CPB. METHODS AND RESULTS: Subjects with (n = 57; left
      ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 32 +/- 8%) and without (n = 63; LVEF 59 +/-
      7%) LVSD were studied during CPB. Arterial and venous OPN plasma levels were
      determined. Arterial and venous OPN levels were higher in LVSD (P = .0290). For
      both groups, levels dropped 1 hour after surgery and nearly doubled 24 hours
      after (P < .0001 vs basal). Notably, there was a significant positive
      arteriovenous gradient with arterial levels higher than venous levels.
      Arteriovenous differences were statistically significant at baseline (P = .0120)
      and 1 hour (P < .0001) but not at 24 hours (P = .0649). Arterial levels in heart
      failure correlated inversely with renal function (P = .016) and positively with
      mean pulmonary pressure (P = .028), heart rate (P = .036), and C-reactive protein
      (P = .047). CONCLUSIONS: There is production of circulating OPN by the lungs,
      unaffected by LVSD or CPB. This likely represents an overflow from local lung
      production and does not contribute to increased levels in LVSD or after CPB.

PMID- 24239955
TI  - Heart failure therapy-induced early ST2 changes may offer long-term therapy
      guidance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biomarkers may help to monitor and tailor treatment in patients with
      acute heart failure (AHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Levels of ST2, a novel biomarker
      integrating hypervolemic cardiac strain and proinflammatory signals, were
      measured at presentation to the emergency department (ED) and after 48 hours in
      207 patients with AHF. Patients were stratified according to their early ST2
      response (responders: ST2 decrease >=25%; nonresponders: ST2 decrease <25%) and
      beta-blocker, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade, or diuretic
      treatment status at hospital discharge. We assessed the utility of ST2 levels and
      its changes to predict long-term mortality and the interaction between ST2
      levels, treatment at discharge, and 1-year mortality. ST2 levels were higher in
      nonsurvivors than in survivors (median 108 vs 69 ng/mL; P < .01) and decreased
      significantly during the 1st 48 hours (median decrease 33%). ST2 decrease was
      less in nonsurvivors compared with survivors (median -25% vs -42%; P < .01). In
      Cox regression, early ST2 changes independently predicted 1-year mortality
      (hazard ratio 1.07 for every increase of 10%; P = .02). RAAS blockers at
      discharge were associated with survival independently from ST2 response, whereas
      the association of beta-blockers with survival differed markedly according to ST2
      response, with beneficial effects restricted to ST2 nonresponders (P interaction
      = .04). A similar, albeit nonsignificant, trend was observed for diuretics (P
      interaction = .11). CONCLUSIONS: ED and serial ST2 measurements are independent
      predictors of 1-year mortality in AHF.

PMID- 24239956
TI  - Plasma concentrations of sAxl are associated with severe preeclampsia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia, a multisystem disorder unique to pregnancy, is a major
      cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Inadequate trophoblast
      invasion and vascular dysfunction are believed to be involved in preeclampsia.
      Axl, which interacts with its ligand Gas6, known to regulate cell migration,
      adhesion, and vascular angiogenesis or homeostasis and vascular network
      formation, may be implicated in preeclampsia, as preeclampsia is a specific
      vascular disease. sAxl, a soluble form of Axl, is bound to Gas6 in plasma, which
      inhibits the activation of the Axl-Gas6 pathway. The aim of this study was to
      determine the changes and significance of plasma concentrations of sAxl in severe
      preeclampsia, as well as its correlation with the clinical parameters of severe
      preeclampsia. DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifty-eight women with severe preeclampsia and
      31 healthy pregnant women were included in the study, from April 2012 to October
      2012. Plasma sAxl concentrations were detected with an immunosorbent assay
      (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: Plasma sAxl concentrations were significantly higher in the
      preeclampsia group (61.52+/-17.57ng/mL) than in the normal pregnancy group
      (45.29+/-15.44ng/mL) (P<0.05). Plasma sAxl concentrations in the severe
      preeclampsia patients correlated positively with systolic and diastolic blood
      pressures (r=0.628, P<0.05 vs. r=0.394, P<0.05, respectively) and proteinuria
      (r=0.583, P<0.05), but inversely with plasma albumin (r=-0.444, P<0.05),
      gestation of delivery (r=-0.554, P<0.05), and birth weight (r=-0.476, P<0.05).
      Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that systolic blood pressure and
      proteinuria were influence factors of plasma sAxl levels (beta1=0.520, P<0.05;
      beta2=0.461, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma sAxl concentrations were higher in the
      preeclampsia patients, and plasma sAxl levels were correlated with the clinical
      parameters of severe preeclampsia. Furthermore, systolic blood pressure and
      proteinuria might be influence factors of plasma sAxl level.

PMID- 24239957
TI  - Electroencephalographic field influence on calcium momentum waves.
AB  - Macroscopic electroencephalographic (EEG) fields can be an explicit top-down
      neocortical mechanism that directly drives bottom-up processes that describe
      memory, attention, and other neuronal processes. The top-down mechanism
      considered is macrocolumnar EEG firings in neocortex, as described by a
      statistical mechanics of neocortical interactions (SMNI), developed as a magnetic
      vector potential A. The bottom-up process considered is Ca(2+) waves prominent in
      synaptic and extracellular processes that are considered to greatly influence
      neuronal firings. Here, the complimentary effects are considered, i.e., the
      influence of A on Ca(2+) momentum, p. The canonical momentum of a charged
      particle in an electromagnetic field, Pi=p+qA (SI units), is calculated, where
      the charge of Ca(2+) is q=-2e, e is the magnitude of the charge of an electron.
      Calculations demonstrate that macroscopic EEG A can be quite influential on the
      momentum p of Ca(2+) ions, in both classical and quantum mechanics. Molecular
      scales of Ca(2+) wave dynamics are coupled with A fields developed at macroscopic
      regional scales measured by coherent neuronal firing activity measured by scalp
      EEG. The project has three main aspects: fitting A models to EEG data as reported
      here, building tripartite models to develop A models, and studying long coherence
      times of Ca(2+) waves in the presence of A due to coherent neuronal firings
      measured by scalp EEG. The SMNI model supports a mechanism wherein the p+qA
      interaction at tripartite synapses, via a dynamic centering mechanism (DCM) to
      control background synaptic activity, acts to maintain short-term memory (STM)
      during states of selective attention. 

PMID- 24239958
TI  - N-player mosquito net game: individual and social rationality in the misuse of
      insecticide-treated nets.
AB  - Many governmental and non-governmental organizations have distributed insecticide
      treated nets (ITNs) to malaria endemic areas, which contributed to the reduction
      of malaria deaths. However, some people in malaria endemic areas used ITNs for
      alternative purposes such as fishery and agriculture. It is unclear why people
      threatened by malaria misuse ITNs. Here we develop a N-player mosquito net game,
      and theoretically show that the misuse of ITNs might be underpinned by individual
      and social rationality. In the mosquito net game, each player uses ITNs for
      malaria prevention or alternative purposes. The proper ITN use decreases the
      probability of malaria infection, while the improper ITN use increases the
      player's labor productivity. Each player's expected payoff is influenced by other
      players' strategies. We found that the misuse of ITNs can be a Pareto efficient
      Nash equilibrium. The maximum number of players using ITNs for malaria prevention
      is limited by insecticidal effectiveness of ITNs and extra income from ITN
      misuse. Furthermore, we found that players in a low-income community are
      attracted to the misuse of ITNs even if the probability of malaria infection is
      high. Introduction of a tax on ITN misuse was shown to be effective to motivate
      the players to use ITNs for malaria prevention. Our results demonstrate that
      understanding decision making of people in malaria endemic areas is essential to
      design more effective malaria control programs. 

PMID- 24239959
TI  - Influence of the molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis on anaerobic respiration,
      biofilm formation and motility in Burkholderia thailandensis.
AB  - Burkholderia thailandensis is closely related to Burkholderia pseudomallei, a
      bacterial pathogen and the causative agent of melioidosis. B. pseudomallei can
      survive and persist within a hypoxic environment for up to one year and has been
      shown to grow anaerobically in the presence of nitrate. Currently, little is
      known about the role of anaerobic respiration in pathogenesis of melioidosis.
      Using B. thailandensis as a model, a library of 1344 transposon mutants was
      created to identify genes required for anaerobic nitrate respiration. One
      transposon mutant (CA01) was identified with an insertion in BTH_I1704 (moeA), a
      gene required for the molybdopterin biosynthetic pathway. This pathway is
      involved in the synthesis of a molybdopterin cofactor required for a variety of
      molybdoenzymes, including nitrate reductase. Disruption of molybdopterin
      biosynthesis prevented growth under anaerobic conditions, when using nitrate as
      the sole terminal electron acceptor. Defects in anaerobic respiration, nitrate
      reduction, motility and biofilm formation were observed for CA01. Mutant
      complementation with pDA-17:BTH_I1704 was able to restore anaerobic growth on
      nitrate, nitrate reductase activity and biofilm formation, but did not restore
      motility. This study highlights the potential importance of molybdoenzyme
      dependent anaerobic respiration in the survival and virulence of B.
      thailandensis. 

PMID- 24239960
TI  - The dynamics of peptidoglycan structure and function: conference report on the
      3rd Great Wall Symposium.

PMID- 24239961
TI  - Immunity to the Staphylococcus aureus leaderless four-peptide bacteriocin
      aureocin A70 is conferred by AurI, an integral membrane protein.
AB  - Aureocin A70, which is produced by Staphylococcus aureus A70, is the only four
      component bacteriocin described thus far. The genetic determinants responsible
      for its production are arranged as three transcriptional units encoded by the 7.9
      kb plasmid pRJ6. While the transcriptional unit formed by the genes aurABCD
      encodes the bacteriocin structural peptides, a second divergent gene, aurT, codes
      for an ABC transporter involved in bacteriocin externalization. The third
      transcriptional unit is composed of two genes, orfAB, whose functions were
      hitherto unknown. RT-PCR analysis of orfAB expression revealed that they are
      arranged as an operon. When orfAB, either with or without the transcriptional
      terminator found downstream of orfB, was expressed in two different S. aureus
      strains sensitive to aureocin A70, all strains became immune to this bacteriocin.
      Cloning of orfB alone, with or without the transcriptional terminator, confirmed
      orfB participation in immunity, although full immunity was not observed. An
      increase in immunity was achieved when two copies of orfB were cloned oriented
      with the exogenous Plac promoter present in the expression vector pT181mcs. orfB
      (here referred to as aurI) was shown to be responsible for aureocin A70 immunity,
      but the full immunity phenotype seems to depend on translational coupling
      involving orfA, which encodes a putative transcriptional regulator, and aurI. 

PMID- 24239962
TI  - Role of Salmonella Typhimurium small RNAs RyhB-1 and RyhB-2 in the oxidative
      stress response.
AB  - As part of the response to specific stress conditions, bacteria express small
      molecules of non-coding RNA which maintain cellular homeostasis by regulating
      gene expression, commonly at the post-transcriptional level. Among these, in
      Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium, the paralog small non-coding RNAs RyhB-1 and
      RyhB-2 play an important role in iron homeostasis. In addition, in the present
      work, we show that RyhB-1 and RyhB-2 also participate in the response to hydrogen
      peroxide (H2O2). Deletion of RyhB-1 and/or RyhB-2 resulted in increased levels of
      intracellular reactive oxygen species, protein carbonylation and an altered
      NADH/NAD(+) ratio. Analyses of the transcriptional profiles of ryhB-1 and ryhB-2
      by northern blot and qRT-PCR showed that they are induced in response to H2O2 in
      an OxyR-dependent manner. By using lacZ-fusions and electrophoretic mobility
      shift assays, we confirmed the requirement of OxyR for inducing expression of
      both ryhB-1 and ryhB-2. Taken together, our results support a model in which, in
      response to peroxide treatment, ryhB-1 and ryhB-2 are upregulated by OxyR through
      direct interaction with their promoter region. 

PMID- 24239963
TI  - Novel markers of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow
      stromal cells identified using a quantitative proteomics approach.
AB  - Today, the tool that is most commonly used to evaluate the osteogenic
      differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in vitro is the
      demonstration of the expression of multiple relevant markers, such as ALP, RUNX2
      and OCN. However, as yet, there is no single surface marker or panel of markers
      which clearly defines human BMSCs (hBMSCs) differentiating towards the osteogenic
      lineage. The aim of this study was therefore to examine this issue. Stable
      isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based quantitative
      proteomics was utilized to investigate differently expressed surface markers in
      osteogenically differentiated and undifferentiated hBMSCs. Labeled membrane
      proteins were analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS) and 52 proteins with an
      expression ratio above 2, between osteogenically differentiated and
      undifferentiated cells, were identified. Subsequent validation, by flow cytometry
      and ELISA, of the SILAC expression ratios for a number of these proteins and
      investigations of the lineage specificity of three candidate markers were
      performed. The surface markers, CD10 and CD92, demonstrated significantly
      increased expression in hBMSCs differentiated towards the osteogenic and
      adipogenic lineages. In addition, there was a slight increase in CD10 expression
      during chondrogenic differentiation. Furthermore, the expression of the
      intracellular protein, crystalline-alphaB (CRYaB), was only significantly
      increased in osteogenically differentiated hBMSCs and not affected during
      differentiation towards the chondrogenic or adipogenic lineages. It has been
      concluded from the present results that CD10 and CD92 are potential markers of
      osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation and that CRYaB is a potential novel
      osteogenic marker specifically expressed during the osteogenic differentiation of
      hBMSCs in vitro.

PMID- 24239964
TI  - Efficient definitive endoderm induction from mouse embryonic stem cell adherent
      cultures: a rapid screening model for differentiation studies.
AB  - Definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC)
      monolayer cultures has been limited by poor cell survival or low efficiency.
      Recently, a combination of TGFbeta and Wnt activation with BMP inhibition
      improved DE induction in embryoid bodies cultured in suspension. Based on these
      observations we developed a protocol to efficiently induce DE cells in monolayer
      cultures of mESCs. We obtained a good cell yield with 54.92% DE induction as
      shown by Foxa2, Sox17, Cxcr4 and E-Cadherin expression. These DE-cells could be
      further differentiated into posterior foregut and pancreatic phenotypes using a
      culture protocol initially developed for human embryonic stem cell (hESC)
      differentiation. In addition, this mESC-derived DE gave rise to hepatocyte-like
      cells after exposure to BMP and FGF ligands. Our data therefore indicate a
      substantial improvement of monolayer DE induction from mESCs and support the
      concept that differentiation conditions for mESC-derived DE are similar to those
      for hESCs. As mESCs are easier to maintain and manipulate in culture compared to
      hESCs, and considering the shorter duration of embryonic development in the
      mouse, this method of efficient DE induction on monolayer will promote the
      development of new differentiation protocols to obtain DE-derivatives, like
      pancreatic beta-cells, for future use in cell replacement therapies. 

PMID- 24239965
TI  - A complex interplay between PGC-1 co-activators and mTORC1 regulates
      hematopoietic recovery following 5-fluorouracil treatment.
AB  - In vitro stimulation of HSCs with growth factors generally leads to their
      depletion. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying expansion of HSCs in
      vivo following myeloablation could lead to successful expansion of HSCs ex vivo
      for therapeutic purposes. Current findings show that mTORC1 is activated in HSPCs
      following 5-fluorouracil treatment and that mTORC1 activation is dependent on
      mitochondrial ETC capacity of HSPCs. Moreover, expression of PGC-1 family
      members, proteins that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, in HSPCs following 5
      fluorouracil treatment changes; also, these proteins play a stage specific role
      in hematopoietic recovery. While PRC regulates HSCs' expansion during early
      recovery phase, PGC-1alpha regulates progenitor cell proliferation and recovery
      of hematopoiesis during later phase. During early recovery phase, PRC expression,
      mitochondrial activity and mTORC1 activation are relatively higher in PGC-1alpha(
      /-) HSCs compared to WT HSCs, and PGC-1alpha(-/-) HSCs show greater expansion.
      Administration of rapamycin, but not NAC, during early recovery phase improves WT
      HSC numbers but decreases PGC-1alpha(-/-) HSC numbers. The current findings
      demonstrate that mTOR activation can increase HSC numbers provided that the
      energy demand created by mTOR activation is successfully met. Thus, critical
      tuning between mTORC1 activation and mitochondrial ETC capacity is crucial for
      HSC maintenance/expansion in response to mitogenic stimulation. 

PMID- 24239966
TI  - Miniaturized passive hydrogel check valve for hydrocephalus treatment.
AB  - Improvements in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) draining techniques for treatment of
      hydrocephalus are urgently sought after to substitute for current CSF shunts that
      are plagued by high failure rates. The passive check valve aims to restore near
      natural CSF draining operations while mitigating possible failure mechanisms
      caused by finite leakage or low resilience that frequently constrain practical
      implementation of miniaturized valves. A simple hydrogel diaphragm structures
      core passive valve operations and enforce valve sealing properties to
      substantially lower reverse flow leakage. Experimental measurements demonstrate
      realization of targeted cracking pressures (PT ~ 20-110 mmH2O) and operation at 
      800 <; DeltaP <; 600 mmH2O without observable degradation or leakage. 

PMID- 24239967
TI  - Maximum-likelihood estimation for indicator dilution analysis.
AB  - Indicator-dilution methods are widely used by many medical imaging techniques and
      by dye-, lithium-, and thermodilution measurements. The measured indicator
      dilution curves are typically fitted by a mathematical model to estimate the
      hemodynamic parameters of interest. This paper presents a new maximum-likelihood
      algorithm for parameter estimation, where indicator dilution curves are
      considered as the histogram of underlying transit-time distribution. Apart from a
      general description of the algorithm, semianalytical solutions are provided for
      three well-known indicator dilution models. An adaptation of the algorithm is
      also introduced to cope with indicator recirculation. In simulations as well as
      in experimental data obtained by dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging,
      the proposed algorithm shows a superior parameter estimation accuracy over
      nonlinear least-squares regression. The feasibility of the algorithm for use in
      vivo is evaluated using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound recordings obtained
      with the purpose of prostate cancer detection. The proposed algorithm shows an
      improved ability (increase in receiver-operating characteristic curve area of up
      to 0.13) with respect to existing methods to differentiate between healthy tissue
      and cancer. 

PMID- 24239968
TI  - Detection of life-threatening arrhythmias using feature selection and support
      vector machines.
AB  - Early detection of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and rapid ventricular
      tachycardia (VT) is crucial for the success of the defibrillation therapy. A wide
      variety of detection algorithms have been proposed based on temporal, spectral,
      or complexity parameters extracted from the ECG. However, these algorithms are
      mostly constructed by considering each parameter individually. In this study, we
      present a novel life-threatening arrhythmias detection algorithm that combines a
      number of previously proposed ECG parameters by using support vector machines
      classifiers. A total of 13 parameters were computed accounting for temporal
      (morphological), spectral, and complexity features of the ECG signal. A filter
      type feature selection (FS) procedure was proposed to analyze the relevance of
      the computed parameters and how they affect the detection performance. The
      proposed methodology was evaluated in two different binary detection scenarios:
      shockable (FV plus VT) versus nonshockable arrhythmias, and VF versus nonVF
      rhythms, using the information contained in the medical imaging technology
      database, the Creighton University ventricular tachycardia database, and the
      ventricular arrhythmia database. sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) analysis
      on the out of sample test data showed values of SE=95%, SP=99%, and SE=92% ,
      SP=97% in the case of shockable and VF scenarios, respectively. Our algorithm was
      benchmarked against individual detection schemes, significantly improving their
      performance. Our results demonstrate that the combination of ECG parameters using
      statistical learning algorithms improves the efficiency for the detection of life
      threatening arrhythmias. 

PMID- 24239970
TI  - Effect of glucocorticoid-induced oxidative stress on the expression of Cbfa1.
AB  - Glucocorticoids therapy is strongly limited since extended glucocorticoids can
      cause serious side effects, including increased susceptibility to develop the
      bone disease osteoporosis. Despite its side effects recognized importance to
      clinicians, seldom is known about how glucocorticoids directly impact bone
      forming osteoblasts. Previous studies showed that dexamethasone (DEX) induces
      excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and causes oxidative
      stress in rat hippocampal slice cultures. To assess the implications and
      investigate the mechanisms of glucocorticoid-elicited osteoporosis, we
      hypothesize that DEX exposure induces oxidative stress which leads to decreased
      Cbfa1 mRNA expression, and predict that the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
      mitigates the damaging effects of DEX. Oxidative stress is implicated in
      osteoporosis. Furthermore, the osteoblast transcriptional factor Cbfa1 is
      reported to play a protective role against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
      Cells treated with (0.1, 1, 10MUM) DEX exhibited signs of oxidative damages
      including depletion in total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), increased ROS
      formation, and enhanced lipid peroxidation. Cbfa1 mRNA expression, by RT-PCR, was
      significantly reduced after exposure to (0.1, 1, 10MUM) DEX. Pretreatment with
      the antioxidant NAC (2mM) prevented DEX-induced decrease in Cbfa1 mRNA. This
      study provides insight into the underlying mechanisms of high dose DEX-induced
      osteotoxicity. DEX (0.1, 1, 10MUM) decreases the expression of Cbfa1 mRNA and
      inhibits differentiation and function of osteoblasts by inducing oxidative
      stress. The antioxidant NAC can mitigate the oxidative stress damaging effects of
      DEX. In addition, this study distinguishes itself by identifying Cbfa1 as a
      target for high dose DEX-induced osteotoxicity. 

PMID- 24239971
TI  - Amplitude and phase-locking adaptation of neural oscillation in the rat auditory
      cortex in response to tone sequence.
AB  - Sensory adaptation allows stimulus sensitivity to be dynamically modulated
      according to stimulus statistics and plays pivotal roles in efficient neural
      computation. Here, it is hypothesized that in the auditory cortex, phase locking
      of local field potentials (LFPs) to test tones exhibits an adaptation property,
      i.e., phase-locking adaptation, which is distinct from the amplitude adaptation
      of oscillatory components. Series of alternating tone sequences were applied in
      which the inter-tone interval (ITI) and frequency difference (DeltaF) between
      successive tones were varied. Then, adaptation was characterized by the temporal
      evolution of the band-specific amplitude and phase locking evoked by the test
      tones. Differences as well as similarities were revealed between amplitude and
      phase-locking adaptations. First, both amplitude and phase-locking adaptations
      were enhanced by short ITIs and small DeltaFs. Second, the amplitude adaptation
      was more effective in a higher frequency band, while the phase-locking adaptation
      was more effective in a lower frequency band. Third, as with the adaptation of
      multiunit activities (MUAs), the amplitude adaptation occurred mainly within a
      second, while the phase-locking showed multi-second adaptation specifically in
      the gamma band for short ITI and small DeltaF conditions. Fourth, the amplitude
      adaptation and phase-locking adaptation were co-modulated in a within-second time
      scale, while this co-modulation was not observed in a multi-second time scale.
      These findings suggest that the amplitude and phase-locking adaptations have
      different mechanisms and functions. The phase-locking adaptation is likely to
      play more crucial roles in encoding a temporal structure of stimulus than the
      amplitude adaptation. 

PMID- 24239969
TI  - Prediction and validation of apoptosis through cytochrome P450 activation by
      benzo[a]pyrene.
AB  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) processed by cytochrome P450 (CYP450)
      during metabolism is well reported to induce carcinogenesis. The present study
      has developed a new approach to examine apoptotic activity of a known PAH called
      benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), using protein-ligand and protein-protein interaction
      through in silico approach, followed by in vitro validation. In silico study
      showed that the conformational changes and energies involved in the binding of
      B[a]P to CYP1B1 was crucial with its target proteins. The data showed that
      activated B[a]P had high affinity to bind with aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)
      with binding energy of -601.97kcal/mol. Interestingly, B[a]P-CYP1B1 complex
      showed strong binding affinity for caspase-8, -9, -3 with binding energy of 
      625.5, -479.3 and -514.2kcal/mol respectively. Moreover, the docking of specific
      caspase inhibitors in the complex showed weak interaction with low binding energy
      value as compared to B[a]P-CYP1B1 caspase complexes. To validate our in silico
      work, we showed B[a]P treated HaCaT cells triggered apoptosis with increase in
      caspase 8, caspase 9 and caspase 3/7 level. Further, in vitro work confirmed that
      B[a]P induced apoptosis was significantly suppressed in Ac-DEVD-CMK pre-treated
      cells. In addition, knockdown of CYP1B1 suppressed B[a]P induced apoptosis in
      HaCaT cells confirming a pivotal role of CYP1B1 in B[a]P induced apoptosis.
      Interestingly, through in silico modeling, we screened clotrimazole as a potent
      CYP1B1 inhibitor which completely inhibited B[a]P mediated activation. This
      hypothesis was validated by MTT assay, caspase activation measurement and showed
      remarkable inhibition of B[a]P induced cell death; thereby, highlighting a potent
      therapeutic role for industrial pollution associated diseases. 

PMID- 24239972
TI  - The DNA replication, virogenesis and infection of canine minute virus in non
      permissive and permissive cells.
AB  - Canine minute virus (CnMV), a kind of autonomous parvovirus, is a member of genus
      bocavirus in parvovirdae family. In our previous study, we constructed and
      obtained infectious clones of CnMV, analyzed genome characteristics, RNA
      transcription profile, and revealed some molecular mechanisms of cytopathic
      effect of target cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate DNA
      replication, virogenesis and infectious tropism of CnMV in non-permissive and
      permissive cells. We demonstrated that the genomic DNA of CnMV, besides WRD
      cells, could replicate significantly in some non-permissive cells (CrFK, EBtR and
      COS-7) following transfection with infectious clone of CnMV, pI-MVC. Moreover, by
      using Western blotting and immunofluorescence, we found that the NS1 protein of
      CnMV was obviously expressed in both 293, CrFK, EBtR and COS-7 cells transfected
      with pI-MVC. Meanwhile, two-rounds of reinfection on WRD cells (blind passage) of
      the transfected cell lysates in CrFK, EBtR and COS-7 cells tranfected with pI-MVC
      showed that pI-MVC could produce infectious virions in these types of non
      permissive cells. Furthermore, it is confirmed that CnMV only infected WRD cells
      (permissive cells for CnMV), could not infect any non-permissive cells including
      CrFK, EBtR, COS-7, HK293, A549 and A9 cells. Taken together, for the first time,
      we have demonstrated that bocavirus CnMV DNA could replicate and form infectious
      progeny virus in some non-permissive cells. And what is more, unlike other
      parvoviruses, CnMV did not infect some non-permissive cells, although the DNA
      replication of CnMV occurred in these cells.

PMID- 24239973
TI  - Bluetongue virus in South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
AB  - Bluetongue virus (BTV) has been detected in many parts of the world but the data
      available from each continent are substantially different. Some regions are not
      covered by proper surveillance programs and thus, the real situation concerning
      the incidence of BTV in those regions is unknown. This is the case of Central
      America, South America and the Caribbean, where few outdated data about the
      presence and spread of BTV have been reported. In the present review, we update
      the BTV situation in those regions by compiling the serologic data available and
      analyzing the genetic information reported by the different research groups which
      are studying the disease in the region. 

PMID- 24239974
TI  - Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on mycelial development, spore viability and
      enzyme activity of Penicillium Roqueforti.
AB  - This study investigated the effect of high hydrostatic pressure treatments on
      mycelial development, spore viability, and total proteolytic and lipolytic
      activity of Penicillium roqueforti PV-LYO 10 D. Fungus growing in liquid medium
      was pressure-treated at 300, 400, and 500 MPa for 10 min at 20 degrees C
      following seven days of incubation at 25 degrees C and analyzed periodically up
      to day 9 after treatments to evaluate the effect on fungal growth. Mycelial mass
      of P. roqueforti was significantly affected at all pressure treatments evaluated,
      being 15.48%, 22.28%, 30.03%, and 12.53% lower than controls on day 1, 3, 6, and
      9 after 300 MPa treatment, respectively. In a similar way, at 400 and 500 MPa,
      mycelial mass was 31.08% and 60.34% lower than controls one day after treatments
      and 49.74% and 80.85% lower on day 9, respectively. The viability of P.
      roqueforti spores decreased by 36.53% at 300 MPa, and complete inactivation took
      place at >=400 MPa from an initial count of 7 log cfu/mL. Total proteolytic
      activity was not significantly affected at 300 MPa but was reduced by 18.22% at
      400 MPa and by 43.18% at 500 MPa. Total lipolytic activity also decreased as the
      intensity of the pressure treatments increased. 21.69%, 39.12%, and 56.26%
      activity reductions were observed when treatments of 300, 400 and 500 MPa were
      applied, respectively. The results from this study show that pressure treatments
      are able to control growth, inactivate spores, and alter enzyme activity of P.
      roqueforti, which could be of interest in extending the shelf-life of blue-veined
      cheeses and other food products.

PMID- 24239975
TI  - Flow cytometry immunodetection and membrane integrity assessment of Escherichia
      coli O157:H7 in ready-to-eat pasta salad during refrigerated storage.
AB  - Over the past years, products of non-animal origin have been increasingly linked
      to foodborne diseases caused by the enterohemorrhagic pathogen Escherichia coli
      O157:H7. Contaminated fresh produce and derived ready-to-eat meals are of major
      concern, since no further or only minimal processing is applied. In this study,
      flow cytometry was evaluated as a rapid technique to detect E. coli O157:H7 by
      immunofluorescence, using polyclonal antibodies conjugated to R-phycoerythrin, in
      refrigerated ready-to-eat pasta salad containing acetic acid and benzoic acid.
      Signal filtering strategies were applied during sample analysis to reduce the
      limit of detection of the technique to 5 log CFU/g. Simultaneously with pathogen
      detection, physiological state was assessed by staining with the membrane
      integrity indicators propidium iodide and SYBR Green I. Fine tuning of dye
      concentrations and ratios allowed discrimination of not only cells with intact or
      damaged membranes, but also of cells with partially damaged membranes, which were
      considered injured cells. Then, changes in membrane integrity of inoculated E.
      coli O157:H7 cells were monitored throughout 14-day refrigerated storage. Most
      cells were injured at the beginning of refrigeration, but showed an intact
      membrane at the end. This suggests that injured E. coli O157:H7 cells underwent a
      membrane repair during exposure to refrigeration and acid stresses, and survived
      in ready-to-eat pasta salad. This highlights the importance of the implementation
      of control measures to limit the presence of this pathogen in non-animal origin
      food products. Additionally, the proposed immunodetection and membrane integrity
      three-color assay in food is a good tool to monitor the effect of a number of
      food-related treatments on E. coli O157:H7 cell membrane.

PMID- 24239976
TI  - Isolation and molecular characterization of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli
      O157:H7 and Shigella spp. from meat and dairy products in Egypt.
AB  - Foodborne pathogens are a major threat to food safety, especially in developing
      countries where hygiene and sanitation facilities are often poor. Salmonella
      enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Shigella spp. are among the major causes
      of outbreaks of foodborne diseases. This large-scale study investigated the
      prevalence of these foodborne pathogens in meat (beef and chicken) and dairy
      products collected from street vendors, butchers, retail markets and
      slaughterhouses in Egypt. A total of 1600 food samples (800 meat products and 800
      dairy products) were analyzed using culture and PCR based methods. S. enterica,
      E. coli O157:H7 and Shigella spp. were detected in 69 (4.3%), 54 (3.4%) and 27
      (1.7%) samples respectively. S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, S. enterica serovar
      Enteritidis, S. enterica serovar Infantis and non-typable serovars were detected
      in 28 (1.8%), 22 (1.4%), 16 (1.0%) and 3 (0.1%) samples respectively. All E. coli
      O157:H7 isolates were positive for stx1 and/or stx2 virulence toxin genes.
      Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei and Shigella dysenteriae were detected in 18
      (1.2%), 7 (0.4%) and 2 (0.1%) samples respectively. The incidences of S. enterica
      and Shigella spp. were higher in meat products (53; 6.6% and 16; 2.0%,
      respectively) than in dairy products (16; 2.0% and 11; 1.4%, respectively),
      while, E. coli O157:H7 was higher in dairy products (29; 3.6%) than in meat
      products (25; 3.1%). The incidence of foodborne pathogens in meat and dairy
      products was determined in a large-scale survey in Africa.

PMID- 24239977
TI  - Heat-resistance of Hamigera avellanea and Thermoascus crustaceus isolated from
      pasteurized acid products.
AB  - Products containing sugar or fruit derivatives are usually subjected to a
      pasteurization process that can anyway be ineffective to kill ascospores from
      heat-resistant molds. Although the most occurring and economically relevant heat
      resistant species belong to Byssochlamys, Neosartorya, Talaromyces, and
      Eupenicillium genera, an increasing number of uncommon heat-resistant isolates
      have been recently detected as spoiling microorganisms in such products. Since
      Hamigera spp. and Thermoascus spp. were those more frequently isolated at SSICA,
      heat resistance of Hamigera avellanea and Thermoascus crustaceus strains from
      pasteurized acid products was studied in apple juice, in blueberry and grape
      juice and in a buffered glucose solution. Data obtained from thermal death curves
      and statistical elaboration of raw data showed that D values of H. avellanea may
      vary between 11.11 and 66.67 min at 87 degrees C, between 4.67 and 13.51 at 90
      degrees C, and between 0.43 and 1.52 min at 95 degrees C. Similarly, D values of
      T. crustaceus may vary between 18.52 and 90.91 min at 90 degrees C, between 2.79
      and 19.23 at 93 degrees C, and between 1.11 and 2.53 min at 95 degrees C. For
      both strains studied, the z-values calculated from the decimal reduction time
      curves did not prove to be significantly influenced by the heating medium, that
      being 4.35 degrees C, 5.39 degrees C or 5.27 degrees C for H. avellanea and 4.42
      degrees C, 3.69 degrees C or 3.37 degrees C for T. crustaceus, respectively in
      apple juice, in blueberry and grape juice or in the buffered glucose solution.
      Considering the pasteurization treatments industrially applied to fruit-based
      foods, the variation of thermal parameters does not seem to be a possible way to
      avoid product spoilage by these two species and only good practices applied to
      reduce the original load of heat-resistant fungi can help producers to prevent
      losses in contaminated finished products, as usually happens for other heat
      resistant molds.

PMID- 24239978
TI  - Isolation and characterization of faecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli isolated
      from dogs and primates.
AB  - Although bifidobacteria and lactobacilli have been suggested beneficial for the
      host and are components of many probiotics and competitive exclusion mixtures,
      the knowledge on abundance, metabolic and probiotic characteristics in isolates
      from dogs and monkeys is still limited. The present study was aimed to isolate
      Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains (faeces of 22 dogs and of 5 primates:
      Cebus apella, Eulemur fulvus, Erythrocebus patas, Macaca fascicularis, Papio
      hamadryas) with the MALDI-TOF identification system Lactobacillus murinus,
      Bifidobacterium animalis and Pediococcus acidilactici were more frequently
      isolated species in dogs while Lactobacillus plantarum was isolated in several
      species of primates. Ten strains of 6 species were assayed for enzymatic
      activities (only Lactobacillus reuteri strains showed no undesirable enzymatic
      activity), antimicrobial susceptibility (detected higher minimum inhibitory
      concentration levels for tetracycline and gentamicin), and inhibitory activity
      against 15 indicator bacteria. All strains inhibited Gram-negative indicators
      while lactobacilli showed larger inhibition zones than bifidobacteria. L. reuteri
      II/3b/a (isolate from M. fascicularis) showed the best antimicrobial properties.
      Resistance to bile (0.3% w/v) was observed in all tested strains (no decrease of
      CFU/ml) whereas the decrease of 68.4-94.4% (after 90 min exposition) and 78.4
      99.9% CFU/ml (after 180 min) depending on the strain was detected in the
      artificial gastric juice. 

PMID- 24239979
TI  - In vitro fermentation of prebiotic oligosaccharides by Bifidobacterium lactis
      HN019 and Lactobacillus spp.
AB  - The utilisation of various prebiotic oligosaccharides by probiotic strains of
      Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus was
      investigated in order to determine the synbiotic potential of various
      prebiotic/probiotic combinations. Analysis by HPLC and high-performance anion
      exchange chromatography of the cell-free medium taken during growth of the three
      probiotic bacteria showed differences in the consumption of the various
      oligosaccharides. Analysis of galactooligosaccharides showed that both L.
      rhamnosus and B. lactis consumed mostly mono- and di-saccharide, while L.
      acidophilus consumed oligosaccharides up to trisaccharide. Both B. lactis and L.
      acidophilus utilised fructooligosaccharides and inulin, but showed different
      patterns of oligosaccharide consumption. Only L. rhamnosus grew on beta-glucan
      oligosaccharides and preferentially consumed the trisaccharide. The results
      indicate the synbiotic potential of the various probiotic/prebiotic combinations,
      particularly L. acidophilus/galactooligosaccharides, L.
      acidophilus/fructooligosaccharides or inulin and L. rhamnosus/beta-glucan
      oligosaccharides. 

PMID- 24239980
TI  - Positive effect of reduced aeration rate on secretion of alpha-amylase and
      neutral proteases during pressurised fermentation of thermophilic Bacillus
      caldolyticus.
AB  - The thermophilic microorganism Bacillus caldolyticus was incubated in laboratory
      scale stirred bioreactors under pressurised conditions at different aeration
      rates. Increased amounts of CO2/bicarbonate were solubilised under the chosen
      conditions. A reduction in aeration rate from 1 vvm to 0.1 vvm resulted in
      accumulation of CO2 and bicarbonate up to 126 mg l(-1) and 733 mg l(-1),
      respectively and also increased secretion of alpha-amylase and neutral proteases
      (increases of 123% and 52%, respectively). In this paper, the effect of reduced
      aeration rate on CO2/bicarbonate concentration and enzyme activities is
      presented. The selected fermentation conditions are closely related to those
      prevalent in large scale bioreactors and may offer the possibility of achieving
      high enzyme yields at reduced aeration costs on an industrial scale.

PMID- 24239981
TI  - Expression and methylation status of female-predominant GH-dependent liver genes
      are modified by neonatal androgenization in female mice.
AB  - Neonatal androgenization masculinizes the GH axis and thus may impact on liver
      gene regulation. Neonatal testosterone administration to female mice decreased
      (defeminized) female predominant GH-dependent liver gene expression (Hnf6, Adh1,
      Prlr, Cyp3a41) and did not modify male predominant genes (Cyp7b1, Cyp4a12, Slp).
      Female predominance of Cis mRNA, an inhibitor of episodic GH signaling pathway,
      was unaltered. At birth, Cyp7b1 promoter exhibited a higher methylation status in
      female livers, while the Hnf6 promoter was equally methylated in both sexes; no
      differences in gene expression were detected at this age. In adulthood,
      consistent with sex specific predominance, lower methylation status was
      determined for the Cyp7b1 promoter in males, and for the Hnf6 promoter in
      females, and this last difference was prevented by neonatal androgenization.
      Therefore, early steroid treatment or eventually endocrine disruptor exposure may
      alter methylation status and sexual dimorphic expression of liver genes, and
      consequently modify liver physiology in females. 

PMID- 24239982
TI  - Evidence for an internal and functional circadian clock in rat pituitary cells.
AB  - In primary cultures of rat pituitary cells and in a pituitary sommatolactotroph
      cell line (GH4C1), endogenous core-clock- as well as hormone-genes such as
      prolactin displayed a rhythmic expression pattern, fitted by a sinusoidal
      equation in which the period value was close to the circadian one. This is
      consistent with the presence of a functional circadian oscillator in pituitary
      cells whose importance was ascertained in GH4C1 cell lines stably expressing a
      dominant negative mutant of BMAL1. In these cells, both endogenous core-clock-
      and prolactin-genes no more displayed a circadian pattern. Some genes we recently
      identified as mouse pituitary BMAL1-regulated genes in a DNA-microarray study,
      lost their circadian pattern in these cells, suggesting that BMAL1 controlled
      these genes locally in the pituitary. The intra-pituitary circadian oscillator
      could then play a role in the physiology of the gland that would not be seen
      anymore as a structure only driven by hypothalamic rhythmic control. 

PMID- 24239984
TI  - Heliox for mechanically ventilated newborns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We assessed the safety and studied the influence of short-term helium
      oxygen (heliox) mechanical ventilation (MV) on respiratory function, gas exchange
      and oxygenation in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or at high risk
      for BPD. DESIGN: A pilot, time-series study. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care
      unit. PATIENTS: Infants with severe BPD who required MV. INTERVENTIONS: MV with
      helium-oxygen and air-oxygen mixtures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Respiratory
      parameters, acid-base balance, oxygenation and vital signs were recorded at five
      time points: initially during MV with air-oxygen, after 15 and 60 min of helium
      oxygen MV, and 15 and 60 min after return to air-oxygen MV. RESULTS: 15 infants
      with BPD were enrolled. Helium-oxygen MV was well tolerated and was associated
      with a statistically significant increase in tidal volume, dynamic compliance and
      peak expiratory flow rate. An improvement in oxygenation and a decrease in
      fraction of inspired oxygen was also observed. During helium-oxygen MV there was
      a significant decrease in the oxygenation index and alveolar-arterial oxygen
      tension difference. The PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio increased
      significantly during helium-oxygen ventilation. A decrease in PaCO2 and an
      increase in pH were also observed during helium-oxygen administration, however
      this was not statistically significant. After ventilation with helium-oxygen was
      discontinued, the infants' respiratory function and oxygenation deteriorated and
      supplemental oxygen requirements increased accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: Helium
      oxygen MV is safe and resulted in improvement of respiratory function and
      oxygenation in infants with severe BPD requiring MV.

PMID- 24239983
TI  - Anatomical location and redistribution of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1
      during the estrus cycle in mouse kidney and specific binding to estrogens but not
      aldosterone.
AB  - Prior studies have linked renoprotective effects of estrogens to G-protein
      coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER-1) and suggest that aldosterone may also
      activate GPER-1. Here, the role of GPER-1 in murine renal tissue was further
      evaluated by examining its anatomical distribution, subcellular distribution and
      steroid binding specificity. Dual immunofluorescent staining using position
      specific markers showed that GPER-1 immunoreactivity primarily resides in distal
      convoluted tubules and the Loop of Henle (stained with Tamm-Horsfall Protein-1).
      Lower GPER-1 expression was observed in proximal convoluted tubules marked with
      megalin, and GPER-1 was not detected in collecting ducts. Plasma membrane
      fractions prepared from whole kidney tissue or HEK293 cells expressing
      recombinant human GPER-1 (HEK-GPER-1) displayed high-affinity, specific [(3)H]
      17beta-estradiol ([(3)H]-E2) binding, but no specific [(3)H]-aldosterone binding.
      In contrast, cytosolic preparations exhibited specific binding to [(3)H]
      aldosterone but not to [(3)H]-E2, consistent with the subcellular distribution of
      GPER-1 and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in these preparations. Aldosterone and
      MR antagonists, spironolactone and eplerenone, failed to compete for specific
      [(3)H]-E2 binding to membranes of HEK-GPER-1 cells. Furthermore, aldosterone did
      not increase [(35)S]-GTP-gammaS binding to membranes of HEK-GPER-1 cells,
      indicating that it is not involved in G protein signaling mediated through GPER
      1. During the secretory phases of the estrus cycle, GPER-1 is upregulated on
      cortical epithelia and localized to the basolateral surface during proestrus and
      redistributed intracellularly during estrus. GPER-1 is down-modulated during
      luteal phases of the estrus cycle with significantly less receptor on the surface
      of renal epithelia. Our results demonstrate that GPER-1 is associated with
      specific estrogen binding and not aldosterone binding and that GPER-1 expression
      is modulated during the estrus cycle which may suggest a physiological role for
      GPER-1 in the kidney during reproduction. 

PMID- 24239985
TI  - Gene expression profile based classification models of psoriasis.
AB  - Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which symptoms can significantly impair the
      patient's life quality. It is mainly diagnosed through the visual inspection of
      the lesion skin by experienced dermatologists. Currently no cure for psoriasis is
      available due to limited knowledge about its pathogenesis and development
      mechanisms. Previous studies have profiled hundreds of differentially expressed
      genes related to psoriasis, however with no robust psoriasis prediction model
      available. This study integrated the knowledge of three feature selection
      algorithms that revealed 21 features belonging to 18 genes as candidate markers.
      The final psoriasis classification model was established using the novel
      Incremental Feature Selection algorithm that utilizes only 3 features from 2
      unique genes, IGFL1 and C10orf99. This model has demonstrated highly stable
      prediction accuracy (averaged at 99.81%) over three independent validation
      strategies. The two marker genes, IGFL1 and C10orf99, were revealed as the
      upstream components of growth signal transduction pathway of psoriatic
      pathogenesis. 

PMID- 24239986
TI  - Correcting and combining time series forecasters.
AB  - Combined forecasters have been in the vanguard of stochastic time series
      modeling. In this way it has been usual to suppose that each single model
      generates a residual or prediction error like a white noise. However, mostly
      because of disturbances not captured by each model, it is yet possible that such
      supposition is violated. The present paper introduces a two-step method for
      correcting and combining forecasting models. Firstly, the stochastic process
      underlying the bias of each predictive model is built according to a recursive
      ARIMA algorithm in order to achieve a white noise behavior. At each iteration of
      the algorithm the best ARIMA adjustment is determined according to a given
      information criterion (e.g. Akaike). Then, in the light of the corrected
      predictions, it is considered a maximum likelihood combined estimator.
      Applications involving single ARIMA and artificial neural networks models for Dow
      Jones Industrial Average Index, S&P500 Index, Google Stock Value, and Nasdaq
      Index series illustrate the usefulness of the proposed framework. 

PMID- 24239987
TI  - Hybrid fault diagnosis of nonlinear systems using neural parameter estimators.
AB  - This paper presents a novel integrated hybrid approach for fault diagnosis (FD)
      of nonlinear systems taking advantage of both the system's mathematical model and
      the adaptive nonlinear approximation capability of computational intelligence
      techniques. Unlike most FD techniques, the proposed solution simultaneously
      accomplishes fault detection, isolation, and identification (FDII) within a
      unified diagnostic module. At the core of this solution is a bank of adaptive
      neural parameter estimators (NPEs) associated with a set of single-parameter
      fault models. The NPEs continuously estimate unknown fault parameters (FPs) that
      are indicators of faults in the system. Two NPE structures, series-parallel and
      parallel, are developed with their exclusive set of desirable attributes. The
      parallel scheme is extremely robust to measurement noise and possesses a simpler,
      yet more solid, fault isolation logic. In contrast, the series-parallel scheme
      displays short FD delays and is robust to closed-loop system transients due to
      changes in control commands. Finally, a fault tolerant observer (FTO) is designed
      to extend the capability of the two NPEs that originally assumes full state
      measurements for systems that have only partial state measurements. The proposed
      FTO is a neural state estimator that can estimate unmeasured states even in the
      presence of faults. The estimated and the measured states then comprise the
      inputs to the two proposed FDII schemes. Simulation results for FDII of reaction
      wheels of a three-axis stabilized satellite in the presence of disturbances and
      noise demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed FDII solutions under partial
      state measurements. 

PMID- 24239988
TI  - Simulations of breast cancer imaging using gamma-ray stimulated emission computed
      tomography.
AB  - Here, we present an innovative imaging technology for breast cancer using gamma
      ray stimulated spectroscopy based on the nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF)
      technique. In NRF, a nucleus of a given isotope selectively absorbs gamma rays
      with energy exactly equal to one of its quantized energy states, emitting an
      outgoing gamma ray with energy nearly identical to that of the incident gamma
      ray. Due to its application of NRF, gamma-ray stimulated spectroscopy is
      sensitive to trace element concentration changes, which are suspected to occur at
      early stages of breast cancer, and therefore can be potentially used to
      noninvasively detect and diagnose cancer in its early stages. Using Monte-Carlo
      simulations, we have designed and demonstrated an imaging system that uses gamma
      ray stimulated spectroscopy for visualizing breast cancer. We show that gamma-ray
      stimulated spectroscopy is able to visualize breast cancer lesions based
      primarily on the differences in the concentrations of trace elements between
      diseased and healthy tissue, rather than differences in density that are crucial
      for X-ray mammography. The technique shows potential for early breast cancer
      detection; however, improvements are needed in gamma-ray laser technology for the
      technique to become a clinically feasible method of detecting and diagnosing
      cancer at early stages. 

PMID- 24239989
TI  - A novel skeleton based quantification and 3-D volumetric visualization of left
      atrium fibrosis using late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - This work presents the results of a new tool for 3-D segmentation, quantification
      and visualization of cardiac left atrium fibrosis, based on late gadolinium
      enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI), for stratifying patients with
      atrial fibrillation (AF) that are candidates for radio-frequency catheter
      ablation. In this study 10 consecutive patients suffering AF with different
      grades of atrial fibrosis were considered. LGE-MRI and magnetic resonance
      angiography (MRA) images were used to detect and quantify fibrosis of the left
      atrium using a threshold and 2-D skeleton based approach. Quantification and 3-D
      volumetric views of atrial fibrosis were compared with quantification and 3-D
      bipolar voltage maps measured with an electro-anatomical mapping (EAM) system,
      the clinical reference standard technique for atrial substrate characterization.
      Segmentation and quantification of fibrosis areas proved to be clinically
      reliable among all different fibrosis stages. The proposed tool obtains
      discrepancies in fibrosis quantification less than 4% from EAM results and yields
      accurate 3-D volumetric views of fibrosis of left atrium. The novel 3-D
      visualization and quantification tool based on LGE-MRI allows detection of
      cardiac left atrium fibrosis areas. This noninvasive method provides a clinical
      alternative to EAM systems for quantification and localization of atrial
      fibrosis. 

PMID- 24239990
TI  - Lung segmentation in chest radiographs using anatomical atlases with nonrigid
      registration.
AB  - The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is developing a digital chest X-ray (CXR)
      screening system for deployment in resource constrained communities and
      developing countries worldwide with a focus on early detection of tuberculosis. A
      critical component in the computer-aided diagnosis of digital CXRs is the
      automatic detection of the lung regions. In this paper, we present a nonrigid
      registration-driven robust lung segmentation method using image retrieval-based
      patient specific adaptive lung models that detects lung boundaries, surpassing
      state-of-the-art performance. The method consists of three main stages: 1) a
      content-based image retrieval approach for identifying training images (with
      masks) most similar to the patient CXR using a partial Radon transform and
      Bhattacharyya shape similarity measure, 2) creating the initial patient-specific
      anatomical model of lung shape using SIFT-flow for deformable registration of
      training masks to the patient CXR, and 3) extracting refined lung boundaries
      using a graph cuts optimization approach with a customized energy function. Our
      average accuracy of 95.4% on the public JSRT database is the highest among
      published results. A similar degree of accuracy of 94.1% and 91.7% on two new CXR
      datasets from Montgomery County, MD, USA, and India, respectively, demonstrates
      the robustness of our lung segmentation approach. 

PMID- 24239991
TI  - Model based inversion for deriving maps of histological parameters characteristic
      of cancer from ex-vivo multispectral images of the colon.
AB  - A model-based inversion method was used to obtain quantitative estimates of
      histological parameters from multispectral images of the colon and to examine
      their potential for discriminating between normal and pathological tissues. Pixel
      wise estimates of the mucosal blood volume fraction, density of the scattering
      particles and thickness were derived using a two-stage method. In the first
      (forward) stage reflectance spectra corresponding to given instances of the
      parameter values were computed using Monte Carlo simulation of photon propagation
      through a multi-layered tissue. In the second (inversion) stage the parameter
      values were obtained via optimization using an iterated conditional modes
      algorithm based on Discrete Markov Random Fields. The method was validated on
      computer generated data contaminated with noise giving a mean normalized root
      mean square deviation (NRMSD) of 2.04. Validation on ex vivo images demonstrated
      that parametric maps show gross correspondence with histological features of
      mucosa characteristic of cancerous, precancerous and noncancerous colon lesions.
      The key signs of abnormality were shown to be the increase in the blood volume
      fraction and decrease in the density of scattering particles. 

PMID- 24239992
TI  - Suffering in silence: a qualitative study of second victims of adverse events.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The term 'second victim' refers to the healthcare professional who
      experiences emotional distress following an adverse event. This distress has been
      shown to be similar to that of the patient-the 'first victim'. The aim of this
      study was to investigate how healthcare professionals are affected by their
      involvement in adverse events with emphasis on the organisational support they
      need and how well the organisation meets those needs. METHODS: 21 healthcare
      professionals at a Swedish university hospital who each had experienced an
      adverse event were interviewed. Data from semi-structured interviews were
      analysed by qualitative content analysis using QSR NVivo software for coding and
      categorisation. RESULTS: Our findings confirm earlier studies showing that
      emotional distress, often long-lasting, follows from adverse events. In addition,
      we report that the impact on the healthcare professional was related to the
      organisation's response to the event. Most informants lacked organisational
      support or they received support that was unstructured and unsystematic. Further,
      the formal investigation seldom provided adequate and timely feedback to those
      involved. The insufficient support and lack of feedback made it more difficult to
      emotionally process the event and reach closure. DISCUSSION: This article
      addresses the gap between the second victim's need for organisational support and
      the organisational support provided. It also highlights the need for more
      transparency in the investigation of adverse events. Future research should
      address how advanced support structures can meet these needs and provide learning
      opportunities for the organisation. These issues are central for all hospital
      managers and policy makers who wish to prevent and manage adverse events and to
      promote a positive safety culture.

PMID- 24239994
TI  - Diphenyl diselenide supplemented diet reduces depressive-like behavior in
      hypothyroid female rats.
AB  - Hypothyroidism has been associated to psychiatric disorder development and tissue
      oxidative damage. In this study, we evaluated the effect of diphenyl diselenide
      supplementation on depressive-like behavior triggered by methimazole exposure in
      female rats. Additionally, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS),
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) and non-protein thiol (NP-SH) levels were analyzed
      in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum structures of rats. Monoamine
      oxidase (MAO) activity was evaluated in total brain. Firstly, female rats
      received methimazole (MTZ) 20mg/100ml in the drinking water for 30days and were
      evaluated in open-field and forced swimming tests (FST). In this set of
      experiments, the rats exposed to MTZ presented a depressive-like behavior, which
      was evidenced by a significant increase in the immobility time when compared to
      control group. Thereafter, MTZ-induced hypothyroid rats received either a
      standard or a diet containing 5ppm of diphenyl diselenide, and then they were
      evaluated monthly in open-field and FST tests during 3months. No alteration on
      the locomotor performance was observed among the groups. The depressive-like
      behavior of hypothyroid rats was blunted by diphenyl diselenide supplementation
      during all experimental periods. The levels of thyroid hormones remained low in
      MTZ exposed groups until the end of experimental period. The MTZ group had an
      increase in TBARS and ROS levels that were restored by diphenyl diselenide
      supplementation. NP-SH content of cerebral structures was not modified by MTZ
      exposure and/or diphenyl diselenide supplementation. Diphenyl diselenide
      supplementation restored the MAO B activity that was decreased in MTZ group. In
      summary, our results show that hypothyroidism induced by MTZ methimazole triggers
      a depressive-like behavior in female rats and that dietary diphenyl diselenide
      was able to reduce this effect. 

PMID- 24239993
TI  - Musk shrews selectively bred for motion sickness display increased anesthesia
      induced vomiting.
AB  - Susceptibility to motion sickness is a predictor of postoperative nausea and
      vomiting, and studies in humans suggest that genetic factors determine
      sensitivity to motion sickness. The aim of the current study was to determine if
      a preclinical model could be selectively bred for motion-induced emesis and to
      assess a potential relationship to anesthesia-induced emesis. Musk shrews were
      tested for motion-induced emesis using a shaker plate (10min, 1Hz, and 4cm of
      lateral displacement). Animals were rank ordered for motion-induced emesis and
      selectively bred to produce high and low response strains. Shrews were also
      tested with nicotine (5mg/kg, sc), copper sulfate (CuSO4; 120mg/kg, ig), and
      isoflurane anesthesia (10min; 3%) to measure responses to a panel of emetic
      stimuli. High response strain shrews demonstrated significantly more emetic
      episodes to motion exposure compared to low response strain animals in the F1 and
      F2 generations. In F2 animals, there were no significant differences in total
      emetic responses or emetic latency between strains after nicotine injection or
      CuSO4 gavage. However, isoflurane exposure stimulated more emesis in F1 and F2
      high versus low strain animals, which suggests a relationship between vestibular-
      and inhalational anesthesia-induced emesis. Overall, these results indicate
      genetic determinants of motion sickness in a preclinical model and a potential
      common mechanism for motion sickness and inhalational anesthesia-induced emesis.
      Future work may include genetic mapping of potential "emetic sensitivity genes"
      to develop novel therapies or diagnostics for patients with high risk of nausea
      and vomiting. 

PMID- 24239995
TI  - Comparison of microdialysis sampling perfusion fluid components on the foreign
      body reaction in rat subcutaneous tissue.
AB  - Microdialysis sampling is a commonly used technique for collecting solutes from
      the extracellular space of tissues in laboratory animals and humans. Large
      molecular weight solutes can be collected using high molecular weight cutoff
      (MWCO) membranes (100kDa or greater). High MWCO membranes require addition of
      high molecular weight dextrans or albumin to the perfusion fluid to prevent fluid
      loss via ultrafiltration. While these perfusion fluid additives are commonly used
      during microdialysis sampling, the tissue response to the loss of these compounds
      across the membrane is poorly understood. Tissue reactions to implanted
      microdialysis sampling probes containing different microdialysis perfusion fluids
      were compared over a 7-day time period in rats. The base perfusion fluid was
      Ringer's solution supplemented with either bovine serum albumin (BSA), rat serum
      albumin (RSA), Dextran-70, or Dextran-500. A significant inflammatory response to
      Dextran-70 was observed. No differences in the tissue response between BSA and
      RSA were observed. Among these agents, the BSA, RSA, and Dextran-500 produced a
      significantly reduced inflammatory response compared to the Dextran-70. This work
      demonstrates that use of Dextran-70 in microdialysis sampling perfusion fluids
      should be eliminated and replaced with Dextran-500 or other alternatives. 

PMID- 24239996
TI  - Cinnarizine food-effects in beagle dogs can be avoided by administration in a
      Self Nano Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS).
AB  - PURPOSE: To elucidate if a SNEDDS approach can eliminate the food-effect on
      cinnarizine absorption and to, investigate if a nutritional drink, Fresubin
      energy, could mimic food effect in dogs for the poorly soluble compound
      cinnarizine. METHOD: A conventional tablet, a SNEDDS capsule or a SNEDDS tablet,
      containing cinnarizine, were dosed to beagles dogs in fed or fasted state (n=5),
      with a one week wash-out period between dosing. Dogs were pre-treated with
      pentagastrin. Fed state was induced by a nutritional drink (Fresubin Energy(r)).
      The food-effect was evaluated by comparing Tmax, Cmax and Bioavailability (F) for
      the different formulations. RESULTS: Food effect was observed on all three
      parameters for the conventional tablet; Tmax was delayed 2.5times and
      bioavailability increased in fed state (from 20.9+/-5.7 to 53.8+/-30.1). Apart
      from an extended Tmax (2.5 and 3.3 times longer in fed state compared to fasted
      state for the SNEDDS tablets and SNEDDS capsules respectively), food effect on
      absorption for the SNEDDS capsules and SNEDDS tablets was not observed. The
      SNEDDS capsules had a higher bioavailability in both fed and fasted state
      compared to SNEDDS tablets (Ffasted=58.1+/-16.7, vs. 32.7+/-11.5), (Ffed=79.3+/
      14.7 vs. 43.7+/-6.7) There were no significant differences in bioavailability
      between the conventional tablet in fed state and the SNEDDS capsules. CONCLUSION:
      Food effect was observed when dosing cinnarizine with ingestion of the
      nutritional drink Fresubin Energy. Food effect on cinnarizine could be
      significantly reduced by dosing either as a SNEEDS capsule or a SNEDDS tablet,
      however, the SNEDDS tablet resulted in an overall lower absorption than the
      SNEDDS capsules in both fed and fasted state. The delay in fed state absorption
      could not be changed by dosing with SNEDDS formulations.

PMID- 24239997
TI  - A MAP-based image interpolation method via Viterbi decoding of Markov chains of
      interpolation functions.
AB  - A new method of image resolution up-conversion (image interpolation) based on
      maximum a posteriori sequence estimation is proposed. Instead of making a hard
      decision about the value of each missing pixel, we estimate the missing pixels in
      groups. At each missing pixel of the high resolution (HR) image, we consider an
      ensemble of candidate interpolation methods (interpolation functions). The
      interpolation functions are interpreted as states of a Markov model. In other
      words, the proposed method undergoes state transitions from one missing pixel
      position to the next. Accordingly, the interpolation problem is translated to the
      problem of estimating the optimal sequence of interpolation functions
      corresponding to the sequence of missing HR pixel positions. We derive a
      parameter-free probabilistic model for this to-be-estimated sequence of
      interpolation functions. Then, we solve the estimation problem using a trellis
      representation and the Viterbi algorithm. Using directional interpolation
      functions and sequence estimation techniques, we classify the new algorithm as an
      adaptive directional interpolation using soft-decision estimation techniques.
      Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm yields images with higher
      or comparable peak signal-to-noise ratios compared with some benchmark
      interpolation methods in the literature while being efficient in terms of
      implementation and complexity considerations.

PMID- 24239998
TI  - 3D visual activity assessment based on natural scene statistics.
AB  - One of the most challenging ongoing issues in the field of 3D visual research is
      how to perceptually quantify object and surface visualizations that are displayed
      within a virtual 3D space between a human eye and 3D display. To seek an
      effective method of quantification, it is necessary to measure various elements
      related to the perception of 3D objects at different depths. We propose a new
      framework for quantifying 3D visual information that we call 3D visual activity
      (3DVA), which utilizes natural scene statistics measured over 3D visual
      coordinates. We account for important aspects of 3D perception by carrying out a
      3D coordinate transform reflecting the nonuniform sampling resolution of the eye
      and the process of stereoscopic fusion. The 3DVA utilizes the empirical
      distortions of wavelet coefficients to a parametric generalized Gaussian
      probability distribution model and a set of 3D perceptual weights. We conducted a
      series of simulations that demonstrate the effectiveness of the 3DVA for
      quantifying the statistical dynamics of visual 3D space with respect to
      disparity, motion, texture, and color. A successful example application is also
      provided, whereby 3DVA is applied to the problem of predicting visual fatigue
      experienced when viewing 3D displays.

PMID- 24239999
TI  - Learning Category-Specific Dictionary and Shared Dictionary for Fine-Grained
      Image Categorization.
AB  - This paper targets fine-grained image categorization by learning a category
      specific dictionary for each category and a shared dictionary for all the
      categories. Such category-specific dictionaries encode subtle visual differences
      among different categories, while the shared dictionary encodes common visual
      patterns among all the categories. To this end, we impose incoherence constraints
      among the different dictionaries in the objective of feature coding. In addition,
      to make the learnt dictionary stable, we also impose the constraint that each
      dictionary should be self-incoherent. Our proposed dictionary learning
      formulation not only applies to fine-grained classification, but also improves
      conventional basic-level object categorization and other tasks such as event
      recognition. Experimental results on five data sets show that our method can
      outperform the state-of-the-art fine-grained image categorization frameworks as
      well as sparse coding based dictionary learning frameworks. All these results
      demonstrate the effectiveness of our method. 

PMID- 24240000
TI  - A rain pixel recovery algorithm for videos with highly dynamic scenes.
AB  - Rain removal is a very useful and important technique in applications such as
      security surveillance and movie editing. Several rain removal algorithms have
      been proposed these years, where photometric, chromatic, and probabilistic
      properties of the rain have been exploited to detect and remove the rainy effect.
      Current methods generally work well with light rain and relatively static scenes,
      when dealing with heavier rainfall in dynamic scenes, these methods give very
      poor visual results. The proposed algorithm is based on motion segmentation of
      dynamic scene. After applying photometric and chromatic constraints for rain
      detection, rain removal filters are applied on pixels such that their dynamic
      property as well as motion occlusion clue are considered; both spatial and
      temporal informations are then adaptively exploited during rain pixel recovery.
      Results show that the proposed algorithm has a much better performance for rainy
      scenes with large motion than existing algorithms. 

PMID- 24240001
TI  - Camera model identification based on the heteroscedastic noise model.
AB  - The goal of this paper is to design a statistical test for the camera model
      identification problem. The approach is based on the heteroscedastic noise model,
      which more accurately describes a natural raw image. This model is characterized
      by only two parameters, which are considered as unique fingerprint to identify
      camera models. The camera model identification problem is cast in the framework
      of hypothesis testing theory. In an ideal context where all model parameters are
      perfectly known, the likelihood ratio test (LRT) is presented and its
      performances are theoretically established. For a practical use, two generalized
      LRTs are designed to deal with unknown model parameters so that they can meet a
      prescribed false alarm probability while ensuring a high detection performance.
      Numerical results on simulated images and real natural raw images highlight the
      relevance of the proposed approach.

PMID- 24240002
TI  - How to select good neighboring images in depth-map merging based 3D modeling.
AB  - Depth-map merging based 3D modeling is an effective approach for reconstructing
      large-scale scenes from multiple images. In addition to generate high quality
      depth maps at each image, how to select suitable neighboring images for each
      image is also an important step in the reconstruction pipeline, unfortunately to
      which little attention has been paid in the literature until now. This paper is
      intended to tackle this issue for large scale scene reconstruction where many
      unordered images are captured and used with substantial varying scale and view
      angle changes. We formulate the neighboring image selection as a combinatorial
      optimization problem and use the quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm to seek
      its optimal solution. Experimental results on the ground truth data set show that
      our approach can significantly improve the quality of the depth-maps as well as
      final 3D reconstruction results with high computational efficiency.

PMID- 24240003
TI  - Novel speed-up strategies for non-local means denoising with patch and edge patch
      based dictionaries.
AB  - In this paper, a novel technique to speed-up a nonlocal means (NLM) filter is
      proposed. In the original NLM filter, most of its computational time is spent on
      finding distances for all the patches in the search window. Here, we build a
      dictionary in which patches with similar photometric structures are clustered
      together. Dictionary is built only once with high resolution images belonging to
      different scenes. Since the dictionary is well organized in terms of indexing its
      entries, it is used to search similar patches very quickly for efficient NLM
      denoising. We achieve a substantial reduction in computational cost compared with
      the original NLM method, especially when the search window of NLM is large,
      without much affecting the PSNR. Second, we show that by building a dictionary
      for edge patches as opposed to intensity patches, it is possible to reduce the
      dictionary size; thus, further improving the computational speed and memory
      requirement. The proposed method preclassifies similar patches with the same
      distance measure as used by NLM method. The proposed algorithm is shown to
      outperform other prefiltering based fast NLM algorithms computationally as well
      as qualitatively.

PMID- 24240004
TI  - Large extracellular spikes recordable from axons in microtunnels.
AB  - When extracellular action potentials (spikes) from cultured neurons are recorded
      using microelectrode arrays in open wells, their amplitudes are usually quite
      small (often below the noise level) despite the extracellular currents
      originating from the relatively large surface area of neural cell somata. In this
      paper rat cortical neurons were seeded into one well of a two well system
      separated by 3 * 10 MUm microtunnels and then seven days later into the second
      well forming a feed-forward network between two small neuronal assemblies. In
      contrast to measurements in the open well spikes recorded from axons within the
      restricted volumes imposed by the microtunnels are often several orders of
      magnitude larger than in the open well, with high signal to noise ratio, despite
      the currents originating in the much smaller surface area of the axon. Average
      signal amplitudes exceeding 250 MUV are typical, with some signals as large as
      4.5 mV (signal-to-noise ratio up to 450), 20 times greater than the maximum
      recorded from electrodes in adjacent but open wells. We confirm the dependence of
      signal amplitude on the impedance of the microtunnel and discuss possible reasons
      for the phenomenon.

PMID- 24240005
TI  - Sorting and tracking neuronal spikes via simple thresholding.
AB  - A fundamental goal in systems neuroscience is to assess the individual as well as
      the synergistic roles of single neurons in a recorded ensemble as they relate to
      an observed behavior. A mandatory step to achieve this goal is to sort spikes in
      an extracellularly recorded mixture that belong to individual neurons through
      feature extraction and clustering techniques. Here, we propose an approach for
      approximating the often nonlinear and time varying decision boundaries between
      spike-derived feature classes based on a simple, yet optimal thresholding
      mechanism. Because thresholding is a binary classifier, we show that the complex
      nonlinear decision boundaries required for spike class discrimination can be
      achieved by adequately fusing a set of weak binary classifiers. The thresholds
      for these binary classifiers are adaptively estimated through a learning
      algorithm that maximizes the separability between the sparsely represented
      classes. Based on our previous work, the approach substantially reduces the
      computational complexity of extracting, aligning and sorting multiple single unit
      activity early in the data stream. Here, we also show its ability to track
      changes in spike features over extended periods of time, making it highly
      suitable for basic neuroscience studies as well as for implementation in
      miniaturized, fully implantable electronics in brain-machine interface
      applications. 

PMID- 24240006
TI  - Complexity analysis of EMG signals for patients after stroke during robot-aided
      rehabilitation training using fuzzy approximate entropy.
AB  - The paper presents a novel viewpoint to monitor the motor function improvement
      during a robot-aided rehabilitation training. Eight chronic poststroke subjects
      were recruited to attend the 20-session training, and in each session, subjects
      were asked to perform voluntary movements of elbow flexion and extension together
      with the robotic system. The robotic system was continuously controlled by the
      electromyographic (EMG) signal from the affected triceps. Fuzzy approximate
      entropy (fApEn) was applied to investigate the complexity of the EMG segment, and
      maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) during elbow flexion and extension was
      applied to reflect force generating capacity of the affected muscles. The results
      showed that the group mean fApEn of EMG signals from triceps and biceps increased
      significantly after the robot-aided rehabilitation training . There was also
      significant increase in maximum voluntary flexion and extension torques after the
      robot-aided rehabilitation training . There was significant correlation between
      fApEn of agonist and MVC , which implied that the increase of motorneuron number
      is one of factors that may explain the increase in muscle strength. These
      findings based on fApEn of the EMG signals expand the existing interpretation of
      training-induced function improvement in patients after stroke, and help us to
      understand the neurological change induced by the robot-aided rehabilitation
      training. 

PMID- 24240007
TI  - A DSP for sensing the bladder volume through afferent neural pathways.
AB  - In this paper, we present a digital signal processor (DSP) capable of monitoring
      the urinary bladder volume through afferent neural pathways. The DSP carries out
      real-time detection and can discriminate extracellular action potentials, also
      known as on-the-fly spike sorting. Next, the DSP performs a decoding method to
      estimate either three qualitative levels of fullness or the bladder volume value,
      depending on the selected output mode. The proposed DSP was tested using both
      realistic synthetic signals with a known ground-truth, and real signals from
      bladder afferent nerves recorded during acute experiments with animal models. The
      spike sorting processing circuit yielded an average accuracy of 92% using signals
      with highly correlated spike waveforms and low signal-to-noise ratios. The volume
      estimation circuits, tested with real signals, reproduced accuracies achieved by
      offline simulations in Matlab, i.e., 94% and 97% for quantitative and qualitative
      estimations, respectively. To assess feasibility, the DSP was deployed in the
      Actel FPGA Igloo AGL1000V2, which showed a power consumption of 0.5 mW and a
      latency of 2.1 ms at a 333 kHz core frequency. These performance results
      demonstrate that an implantable bladder sensor that perform the detection,
      discrimination and decoding of afferent neural activity is feasible. 

PMID- 24240008
TI  - A low power sub- MUW chemical gilbert cell for ISFET differential reaction
      monitoring.
AB  - This paper presents a low power current-mode method for monitoring differentially
      derived changes in pH from ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) sensors,
      by adopting the Chemical Gilbert Cell. The fabricated system, with only a few
      transistors, achieves differential measurements and therefore drift minimisation
      of continuously recorded pH signals obtained from biochemical reactions such as
      DNA amplification in addition to combined gain tunability using only a single
      current. Experimental results are presented, demonstrating the capabilities of
      the front-end at a microscopic level through integration in a lab-on-chip (LoC)
      setup combining a microfluidic assembly, suitable for applications that require
      differential monitoring in small volumes, such as DNA detection where more than
      one gene needs to be studied. The system was designed and fabricated in a typical
      0.35 MU m CMOS process with the resulting topology achieving good differential pH
      sensitivity with a measured low power consumption of only 165 nW due to weak
      inversion operation. A tunable gain is demonstrated with results confirming 15.56
      dB gain at 20 nA of ISFET bias current and drift reduction of up to 100 times
      compared to a single-ended measurement is also reported due to the differential
      current output, making it ideal for robust, low-power chemical measurement. 

PMID- 24240009
TI  - Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness profiles associated with ocular laterality
      and dominance.
AB  - Although human anatomy is arranged symmetrically based on a central vertical
      axis, the majority of persons will use one side of their body more readily than
      the other. Interestingly, these lateral body dominances including ocular
      dominance are all rightward. The asymmetry in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL)
      thickness between the right and left eyes in healthy subjects has been reported
      in several studies, and the reason for this structural difference between right
      and left eyes is unclear. In the manuscript, we hypothesized that the
      characteristics of ocular dominance are reflected in the RNFL profile and may be
      related to inter-ocular structural differences between right and left eyes. In
      this study, ocular dominance occurred mostly in right eyes (right vs. left:
      78.77% vs. 21.22%; P<0.001). According to ocular dominance and laterality,
      different relationships between the inferior and superior RNFLs were observed.
      The right eyes had a thicker RNFL, except in the superior quadrant, than the left
      eyes. Regardless of laterality, inferior RNFL was thicker than superior RNFL in
      the dominant eyes. To our knowledge, this paper is the first report demonstrating
      the RNFL characteristics associated with ocular dominance. 

PMID- 24240010
TI  - Dynamic aspects of cerebral hypoxic preconditioning measured in an in vitro
      model.
AB  - Preconditioning increases the neurons' resistance to subsequent hypoxia. An in
      vitro study was conducted to explore kinetic aspects of hypoxic preconditioning.
      Hippocampal slices were exposed to one single or repeated episodes of oxygen and
      glucose deprivation (OGD). The interval between OGD episodes varied between 30
      min and 180 min. OGD led to a significant reduction in the population spike
      amplitude. Subsequent episodes of OGD did not result in a further reduction in
      the population spike amplitude if the interval between the episodes was ca. 60
      min, which demonstrated that there were preconditioning effects. In the
      experiment using an interval of 30 min, population spike amplitude decreased
      after each OGD episode. The set-up described is useful for detecting damaging
      effects of OGD as well as preconditioning effects. A time window of ca. 60 min is
      required to induce protective mechanisms.

PMID- 24240011
TI  - Activation of the G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) has different effects on
      anxiety in male and female mice.
AB  - The GPR30, a former orphan GPCR, is a putative membrane estrogen receptor that
      can activate rapid signaling pathways such as extracellular regulated kinase
      (ERK) in a variety of cells and may contribute to estrogen's effects in the
      central nervous system. The distribution of GPR30 in the limbic system predicts a
      role for this receptor in the regulation of learning and memory and anxiety by
      estrogens. Though acute G-1 treatment is reported to be anxiogenic in
      ovariectomised female mice and in gonadally intact male mice, the effect of GPR30
      activation is unknown in gonadectomised male mice. In this study, we show that an
      acute administration of G-1 to gonadectomised male mice, but not female mice, was
      anxiolytic on an elevated plus maze task, without affecting locomotor activity.
      In addition, though G-1 treatment did not regulate ERK, it was associated with
      increased estrogen receptor (ER)alpha phosphorylation in the ventral, but not
      dorsal, hippocampus of males. In the female, G-1 increased the ERK activation
      solely in the dorsal hippocampus, independent of state anxiety. This is the first
      study to report an anxiolytic effect of GPR30 activation in male mice, in a rapid
      time frame that is commensurate with non-genomic signaling by estrogen. 

PMID- 24240012
TI  - pH-responsive zwitterionic copolypeptides as charge conversional shielding system
      for gene carriers.
AB  - A novel rapid pH-responssive polymer polyethylenimine-poly(l-lysine)-poly(l
      glutamic acid) (PELG) was designed as the shielding system. The zwitterionic
      copolypeptide PELG with negatively charged at physical pH can act as the
      shielding system to shield positively charged polyplexes. PELG was used to shield
      PEI25k/DNA to form ternary polyplex, the polyplex surface zeta potential can
      change from a negative to positive nearly pH value of 6.9. Because the pH value
      of tumor extracellular environment is about 6.5, the positive charges on the
      polyplexes could be restored in tumors, which is beneficial to the electrostatic
      interactions between positive polyplexes and negative tumor cells, leading to
      high cell uptake efficiency and high transfection efficiency. 

PMID- 24240013
TI  - Phage-display library biopanning and bioinformatic analysis yielded a high
      affinity peptide to inflamed vascular endothelium both in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Vascular inflammation is considered the primary pathological condition occurring
      in many chronic diseases. To detect the inflamed endothelium via imaging analysis
      or guide the drug to target lesions is therefore important for early diagnosis
      and treatment of vascular inflammatory diseases. In this study, we obtained a
      novel peptide NTTTH through high throughout biopanning and bioinformatic
      analysis. In vitro studies indicated that NTTTH homologs could especially target
      inflamed vascular endothelial cells, as imaging quantitative analysis indicated
      that the mean of integrated optical density (MIOD) and mean of stained area (MSA)
      were significantly higher versus control (P<0.05). In vivo studies showed that,
      after intravenous injection of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labeled
      NTTTH homologs into the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-inflamed mice for 30min, NTTTH
      homologs were distributed in highly vascularized and inflamed organs like liver
      and kidney. As a control, little fluorescence could be detected in mice injected
      with EGFP alone. Cryosection showed that NTTTH homologs especially targeted
      inflamed vasculatures but not normal ones. We did not detect fluorescence signal
      in either normal or inflamed mice which were injected with EGFP alone. The
      results suggested the role of NTTTH homologs in guiding the targeted binding of
      EGFP to inflamed vasculature and the potential usage for imaging detection and
      drug delivery. 

PMID- 24240014
TI  - Delivery of basic fibroblast growth factors from heparinized decellularized
      adipose tissue stimulates potent de novo adipogenesis.
AB  - Scaffolds based on decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) are gaining popularity in
      adipose tissue engineering due to their high biocompatibility and adipogenic
      inductive property. However, previous studies involving DAT-derived scaffolds
      have not fully revealed their potentials for in vivo adipose tissue construction.
      With the aim of developing a more efficient adipose tissue engineering technique
      based on DAT, in this study, we investigated the in vivo adipogenic potential of
      a basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) delivery system based on heparinized DAT
      (Hep-DAT). To generate this system, heparins were cross-linked to mouse DATs by
      using 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide and N-Hydroxysuccinimide. The
      bFGF-binding Hep-DATs were first tested for controlled release ability in vitro
      and then transplanted subcutaneously. Highly vascularized adipose tissues were
      formed 6weeks after transplantation. Histology and gene expression analysis
      revealed that majority of the Hep-DAT scaffolds were infiltrated with host
      derived adipose tissues that possessed similar adipogenic and inflammatory gene
      expression as endogenous adipose tissues. Additionally, strong de novo
      adipogenesis could also be induced when bFGF-binding Hep-DATs were thoroughly
      minced and injected subcutaneously. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that
      bFGF-binding Hep-DAT could be an efficient, biocompatible and injectable
      adipogenic system for in vivo adipose tissue engineering. 

PMID- 24240015
TI  - The development of an in vitro assay to screen lipid based nanoparticles for
      siRNA delivery.
AB  - In order to rapidly screen and select lead candidates for in vivo evaluation of
      lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for systemic small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery,
      an in vitro assay amenable to high-throughput screening (HTS) is developed. The
      strategy is to mimic the in vivo experience of LNPs after systemic
      administration, such as interactions with serum components, exposure to endosomal
      pH environments, and interactions with endosomal membrane lipids. It is
      postulated that the amount of siRNA released from LNPs after going through these
      treatments can be used as a screening tool to rank order the effectiveness of
      siRNA delivery by lipid nanoparticles in vivo. LNPs were incubated with 50% serum
      from different species (i.e. mouse, rat, or rhesus) at 37 degrees C. The
      resulting samples were then reacted with anionic, endosomal-mimicking lipids at
      different pHs. The amount of siRNA released from LNPs was determined using
      spectrophotometry employing the fluorescent indicator SYBR Gold. Our results
      indicated that the amount of siRNA liberated was highly dependent upon the
      species of serum used and the pH to which it was exposed. LNPs treated with mouse
      serum showed higher levels of siRNA release, as did those subjected to endosomal
      pH (6.0), compared to physiological pH. Most interestingly, a good correlation
      between the amount of siRNA released and the in vivo efficacy was observed. In
      conclusion, an in vitro siRNA release assay was developed to screen and rank
      order LNPs for in vivo evaluation. 

PMID- 24240016
TI  - Optimal autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization involves more
      than the CD34+yield.

PMID- 24240017
TI  - Intrusiveness of behavioral treatments for adults with intellectual disability.
AB  - The current study examined treatment intrusiveness within behavior intervention
      programs developed for adults with intellectual disability (ID). Behavior
      analysts provided demographic information about themselves, their adult clients
      with ID, and their clients' behavior intervention plans, and they completed an
      online version of the Treatment Intrusiveness Measure (Carter et al., 2009), an
      instrument that provides a Base Level Intrusiveness Score (BLIS; a score computed
      across five areas of categorization, such as, Health and Safety) and a Modified
      Level of Intrusiveness Score (MLIS), which assesses the presence or absence of
      intrusiveness-reducing practices. Among other findings, various statistical
      analyses revealed (a) a significant difference between BLIS and modified (BLIS
      minus MLIS) intrusiveness scores, (b) the practices within which most of the
      intrusiveness was concentrated within behavioral treatment programs, and (c) the
      least- and most-utilized intrusiveness-reducing practices. Implications are
      provided to assist professionals working with adults with ID who engage in
      challenging behavior and are supported through behavior intervention services. 

PMID- 24240018
TI  - Working memory performance and executive function behaviors in young children
      with SLI.
AB  - The present study compared the performances of young children with specific
      language impairment (SLI) to that of typically developing (TD) children on
      cognitive measures of working memory (WM) and behavioral ratings of executive
      functions (EF). The Automated Working Memory Assessment was administered to 58
      children with SLI and 58 TD children aged 4 and 5 years. Additionally, parents
      completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Preschool
      Version. The results showed the SLI group to perform significantly worse than the
      TD group on both cognitive and behavioral measures of WM. The deficits in WM
      performance were not restricted to the verbal domain, but also affected
      visuospatial WM. The deficits in EF behaviors included problems with inhibition,
      shifting, emotional control, and planning/organization. The patterns of
      associations between WM performance and EF behaviors differed for the SLI versus
      TD groups. WM performance significantly discriminated between young children with
      SLI and TD, with 89% of the children classified correctly. The data indicate
      domain general impairments in WM and problems in EF behaviors in young children
      with SLI. Attention should thus be paid to WM - both verbal and visuospatial -
      and EF in clinical practice. Implications for assessment and remediation were
      discussed.

PMID- 24240019
TI  - The negative attribution processes of mothers of children with attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the attribution processes of
      mothers regarding children's prosocial behaviors, inattention, and
      hyperactivity/impulsivity (symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder,
      ADHD) using two paradigms. The first paradigm involved multidimensional
      attributions. The second paradigm concerned making attributions of children's
      identical behaviors based on information such as consensus, distinctiveness, and
      consistency. The participants were 64 mothers of children with ADHD (7-13 years
      old) and 64 mothers with typical/normal children (7-12 years old). The results
      showed that mothers of typical children exhibited positive attribution styles or
      person attributions whereas mothers of children with ADHD exhibited negative
      attribution styles. Mothers of children with ADHD tended to make personal
      attributions of children's negative behaviors (e.g., inattention and
      hyperactivity/impulsivity; HI) but made situational attributions of prosocial
      behaviors. The results of this study can be used in future studies of the effects
      of intervention on children with ADHD or in studies related to neurophysiology. 

PMID- 24240020
TI  - The determinants of self-determined behaviors of young children with cerebral
      palsy.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of self-determined
      behaviors of young children with cerebral palsy. The participants were 429
      children (56% boys, 18-60 months) and their parents. Structural equation modeling
      was used to test two models of self-determined behaviors, one for children with
      walking mobility (Gross Motor Function Classification System, GMFCS levels I-II)
      and the other for children with limited self-mobility (GMFCS levels III-V).
      Cognitive-behavioral problems and the extent family supports their child's self
      determined behaviors explained 60% of the variance in self-determined behaviors
      of children with walking mobility. Cognitive-behavioral problems, playfulness,
      and the extent family supports their child's self-determined behaviors explained
      68% of the variance in self-determined behaviors of children with limited self
      mobility. The less the child's cognitive-behavioral problems affect daily
      activities (p<.05) and the more the extent family supports their child's self
      determined behaviors (p<.05), the more effective the child's self-determined
      behaviors. Playfulness only had an effect on self-determined behaviors of
      children with limited self-mobility (p<.05). Service providers are encouraged to
      assess and support children's daily functioning in cognition, communication, and
      emotional/behavioral regulation, playfulness, and family strategies in providing
      opportunity for children to practice self-determined behaviors. 

PMID- 24240021
TI  - A category 1 EQA scheme for comparison of laboratory performance and method
      performance: An international pilot study in the framework of the Calibration
      2000 project.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In the modern healthcare service, patients receive care in multiple
      hospitals and healthcare settings. Therefore, harmonization of results from
      different methods and instruments, both between and within laboratories, is of
      the utmost importance. The present pilot study aims to test the use of a Category
      1 EQA scheme across four European countries by assessing the current level of
      equivalence of test results. METHOD: This work was led by the Dutch External
      Quality Assurance Scheme SKML and involved 28 laboratories from three regions in
      the UK, Spain and Portugal, and 120 laboratories from The Netherlands. A set of
      six commutable samples, targeted with reference methods, were circulated and 18
      biochemistry analytes were tested. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The Total Error (TE)
      score, defined as the probability (%) that results are within the Total Error
      Acceptable (TEA) limits, for the eighteen analytes was calculated. Our data show
      that there is a need for further harmonization of laboratory data, in particular
      for electrolytes (calcium, chloride, magnesium, sodium), enzymes (ALT, amylase,
      AST, LDH), lipids (HDL-cholesterol), and for substrates (creatinine, total
      protein). Lack of performance consistency between instruments was seen for most
      analytes. The lack of harmonization is still present despite manufacturer claims
      of established traceability.

PMID- 24240023
TI  - Amputee socks: thickness of multiple socks.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: It is unclear how total sock ply and thickness are related
      when more than one sock is worn. The objectives were to determine whether the
      thickness of one multi-ply amputee sock of ply P was the same as the thickness of
      a stack of reduced-ply socks of total ply P, and whether the thickness of N
      single socks stacked one on top of the other was equal to the sum (1 to N) of the
      single sock thicknesses. TECHNIQUE: Using a custom instrument, compressive
      stresses were applied while sock thickness was measured. DISCUSSION: The
      thickness of one multi-ply sock of ply P was typically less than the thickness of
      a stack of reduced-ply socks of total ply P. The thickness of N single socks
      stacked one on top of the other was approximately equal to the sum (1 to N) of
      the single sock thicknesses. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings suggest three 1-ply
      socks to be 20% greater in thickness than one 3-ply sock, and one 3-ply + two 1
      ply socks to be 30% greater in thickness than one 5-ply sock.

PMID- 24240022
TI  - Failure of thyroid hormone treatment to prevent inflammation-induced white matter
      injury in the immature brain.
AB  - Preterm birth is very strongly associated with maternal/foetal inflammation and
      leads to permanent neurological deficits. These deficits correlate with the
      severity of white matter injury, including maturational arrest of
      oligodendrocytes and hypomyelination. Preterm birth and exposure to inflammation
      causes hypothyroxinemia. As such, supplementation with thyroxine (T4) seems a
      good candidate therapy for reducing white matter damage in preterm infants as
      oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination is regulated by thyroid hormones. We
      report on a model of preterm inflammation-induced white matter damage, in which
      induction of systemic inflammation by exposure from P1 to P5 to interleukin-1beta
      (IL-1beta) causes oligodendrocyte maturational arrest and hypomyelination. This
      model identified transient hypothyroidism and wide-ranging dysfunction in thyroid
      hormone signalling pathways. To test whether a clinically relevant dose of T4
      could reduce inflammation-induced white matter damage we concurrently treated
      mice exposed to IL-1beta from P1 to P5 with T4 (20 MUg/kg/day). At P10, we
      isolated O4-positive pre-oligodendrocytes and gene expression analysis revealed
      that T4 treatment did not recover the IL-1beta-induced blockade of
      oligodendrocyte maturation. Moreover, at P10 and P30 immunohistochemistry for
      markers of oligodendrocyte lineage (NG2, PDGFRalpha and APC) and myelin (MBP)
      similarly indicated that T4 treatment did not recover IL-1beta-induced deficits
      in the white matter. In summary, in this model of preterm inflammation-induced
      white matter injury, a clinical dose of T4 had no therapeutic efficacy. We
      suggest that additional pre-clinical trials with T4 covering the breadth and
      scope of causes and outcomes of perinatal brain injury are required before we can
      correctly evaluate clinical trials data and understand the potential for thyroid
      hormone as a widely implementable clinical therapy.

PMID- 24240024
TI  - Timing of surgical intervention in cauda equina syndrome: a systematic critical
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare but important neurosurgical
      emergency. Despite being a recognized clinical entity since 1934, there remains
      significant uncertainty in the literature regarding the urgency for surgical
      intervention. The past decade has seen the emergence of the much-referred-to 48
      hour limit as a possible window of safety. The ramifications of this time point
      are significant for early patients who may subsequently have urgent treatment
      delayed, and for litigation cases, after which adverse decisions are more likely
      to occur. METHODS: A systematic principally qualitative review of the animal and
      human clinical literature is presented, examining the evidence for urgent
      surgical decompression in CES and the much-quoted 48-hour rule. RESULTS: There is
      significant discordance in the literature regarding whether emergency surgery
      improves outcomes; however, a growing consensus is the acknowledgment that
      biologic systems deteriorate in a continuous rather than stepwise manner. Level
      of neurological dysfunction at surgery (incomplete CES vs. CES with retention) is
      probably the most significant determinant of prognosis. Onset and duration of
      symptoms also are likely to have an impact, if not on overall outcome then at
      least on duration of neurological recovery. CONCLUSIONS: There is no strong basis
      to support 48 hours as a blanket safe time point to delay surgery. Both early and
      delayed surgery may result in improved neurological outcomes. However, it is
      likely that the earlier the surgical intervention, the more beneficial the
      effects for compressed nerves, especially with acute neurological compromise.

PMID- 24240025
TI  - Outcomes of a nontransfer protocol for mild traumatic brain injury with abnormal
      head computed tomography in a rural hospital setting.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate outcomes after a novel nontransfer
      protocol for mild traumatic brain injuries patients with small intracranial
      hemorrhage (ICH) in a rural trauma center without neurosurgical capabilities.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. In 2007, a nontransfer protocol
      was implemented at a Level III Trauma Center. It included adult patients from
      April 2007 through December 2012 with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) (Glasgow
      Coma Scale score 13 to 15) and computed tomography (CT) showing small ICH and no
      coagulopathy. The following ICHs were allowed: 1) minimal or small traumatic
      subarachnoid hemorrhage, 2) punctuate or minimal superficial cerebral contusion,
      3) punctuate or minimal intraparenchymal hemorrhage, or 4) very small subdural
      hemorrhage (SDH) without mass effect (a very thin smear SDH along the tentorium
      or falx). CT scans were reviewed by the on-call neurosurgeon at an affiliated
      Level I Trauma Center, and consensus was obtained on the suitability for
      nontransfer. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients were included. The median hospital
      length of stay was 1 day (interquartile range = 1 day). No patient required a
      neurosurgical intervention or postadmission transfer to a Level I facility. There
      were no in-hospital deaths, and all patients were discharged with stable head CTs
      and in good neurologic condition. Two patients were readmitted for nonprotocol
      related reasons: 1 acute-on-chronic SDH 6 weeks postdischarge, and 1 visual eye
      change with normal CT 2 days postdischarge. CONCLUSIONS: Our 6-year study
      corroborates the low neurosurgical rate reported in the literature for mTBI with
      small ICH. Nontransfer protocols may lead to a more efficient use of hospital
      resources while providing safe, effective and economical health care.

PMID- 24240027
TI  - Divergence-based framework for common spatial patterns algorithms.
AB  - Controlling a device with a brain-computer interface requires extraction of
      relevant and robust features from high-dimensional electroencephalographic
      recordings. Spatial filtering is a crucial step in this feature extraction
      process. This paper reviews algorithms for spatial filter computation and
      introduces a general framework for this task based on divergence maximization. We
      show that the popular common spatial patterns (CSP) algorithm can be formulated
      as a divergence maximization problem and computed within our framework. Our
      approach easily permits enforcing different invariances and utilizing information
      from other subjects; thus, it unifies many of the recently proposed CSP variants
      in a principled manner. Furthermore, it allows to design novel spatial filtering
      algorithms by incorporating regularization schemes into the optimization process
      or applying other divergences. We evaluate the proposed approach using three
      regularization schemes, investigate the advantages of beta divergence, and show
      that subject-independent feature spaces can be extracted by jointly optimizing
      the divergence problems of multiple users. We discuss the relations to several
      CSP variants and investigate the advantages and limitations of our approach with
      simulations. Finally, we provide experimental results on a dataset containing
      recordings from 80 subjects and interpret the obtained patterns from a
      neurophysiological perspective. 

PMID- 24240026
TI  - Bone marrow adipocytes promote tumor growth in bone via FABP4-dependent
      mechanisms.
AB  - Incidence of skeletal metastases and death from prostate cancer greatly increases
      with age and obesity, conditions which increase marrow adiposity. Bone marrow
      adipocytes are metabolically active components of bone metastatic niche that
      modulate the function of neighboring cells; yet the mechanisms of their
      involvement in tumor behavior in bone have not been explored. In this study,
      using experimental models of intraosseous tumor growth and diet-induced obesity,
      we demonstrate the promoting effects of marrow fat on growth and progression of
      skeletal prostate tumors. We reveal that exposure to lipids supplied by marrow
      adipocytes induces expression of lipid chaperone FABP4, pro-inflammatory
      interleukin IL-1beta, and oxidative stress protein HMOX-1 in metastatic tumor
      cells and stimulates their growth and invasiveness. We show that FABP4 is highly
      overexpressed in prostate skeletal tumors from obese mice and in bone metastasis
      samples from prostate cancer patients. In addition, we provide results suggestive
      of bi-directional interaction between FABP4 and PPARgamma pathways that may be
      driving aggressive tumor cell behavior in bone. Together, our data provide
      evidence for functional relationship between bone marrow adiposity and metastatic
      prostate cancers and unravel the FABP4/IL-1beta axis as a potential therapeutic
      target for this presently incurable disease. 

PMID- 24240028
TI  - Study of the stability of packaging and storage conditions of human mesenchymal
      stem cell for intra-arterial clinical application in patient with critical limb
      ischemia.
AB  - Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is associated with significant morbidity and
      mortality. In this study, we developed and characterized an intra-arterial cell
      suspension containing human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for the treatment of
      CLI. Equally, the stability of cells was studied in order to evaluate the optimal
      conditions of storage that guarantee the viability from cell processing to the
      administration phase. Effects of various factors, including excipients, storage
      temperature and time were evaluated to analyze the survival of hMSCs in the
      finished medicinal product. The viability of hMSCs in different packaging media
      was studied for 60 h at 4  degrees C. The best medium to maintain hMSCs viability
      was then selected to test storage conditions (4, 8, 25 and 37  degrees C; 60 h).
      The results showed that at 4  degrees C the viability was maintained above 80%
      for 48 h, at 8  degrees C decreased slightly, whereas at room temperature and 37 
      degrees C decreased drastically. Its biocompatibility was assessed by cell
      morphology and cell viability assays. During stability study, the stored cells
      did not show any change in their phenotypic or genotypic characteristics and
      physicochemical properties remained constant, the ability to differentiate into
      adipocytes and osteocytes and sterility requirements were also unaltered.
      Finally, our paper proposes a packing media composed of albumin 20%, glucose 5%
      and Ringer's lactate at a concentration of 1*10(6) cells/mL, which must be stored
      at 4  degrees C as the most suitable to maintain cell viability (>80%) and
      without altering their characteristics for more than 48 h.

PMID- 24240030
TI  - Perceptual and processing differences between physical and dichorhinic odor
      mixtures.
AB  - Perceptual integration of sensory input from our two nostrils has received little
      attention in comparison to lateralized inputs for vision and hearing. Here, we
      investigated whether a binary odor mixture of eugenol and l-carvone (smells of
      cloves and caraway) would be perceived differently if presented as a mixture in
      one nostril (physical mixture), vs. the same two odorants in separate nostrils
      (dichorhinic mixture). In parallel, we investigated whether the different types
      of presentation resulted in differences in olfactory event-related potentials
      (OERP). Psychophysical ratings showed that the dichorhinic mixtures were
      perceived as more intense than the physical mixtures. A tendency for shift in
      perceived quality was also observed. In line with these perceptual changes, the
      OERP showed a shift in latencies and amplitudes for early (more "sensory") peaks
      P1 and N1 whereas no significant differences were observed for the later (more
      "cognitive") peak P2. The results altogether suggest that the peripheral level is
      a site of interaction between odorants. Both psychophysical ratings and, for the
      first time, electrophysiological measurements converge on this conclusion. 

PMID- 24240031
TI  - Wearable monitoring for mood recognition in bipolar disorder based on history
      dependent long-term heart rate variability analysis.
AB  - Current clinical practice in diagnosing patients affected by psychiatric
      disorders such as bipolar disorder is based only on verbal interviews and scores
      from specific questionnaires, and no reliable and objective psycho-physiological
      markers are taken into account. In this paper, we propose to use a wearable
      system based on a comfortable t-shirt with integrated fabric electrodes and
      sensors able to acquire electrocardiogram, respirogram, and body posture
      information in order to detect a pattern of objective physiological parameters to
      support diagnosis. Moreover, we implemented a novel ad hoc methodology of
      advanced biosignal processing able to effectively recognize four possible
      clinical mood states in bipolar patients (i.e., depression, mixed state,
      hypomania, and euthymia) continuously monitored up to 18 h, using heart rate
      variability information exclusively. Mood assessment is intended as an
      intrasubject evaluation in which the patient's states are modeled as a Markov
      chain, i.e., in the time domain, each mood state refers to the previous one. As
      validation, eight bipolar patients were monitored collecting and analyzing more
      than 400 h of autonomic and cardiovascular activity. Experimental results
      demonstrate that our novel concept of personalized and pervasive monitoring
      constitutes a viable and robust clinical decision support system for bipolar
      disorders recognizing mood states with a total classification accuracy up to
      95.81%.

PMID- 24240029
TI  - Unpredictable neonatal stress enhances adult anxiety and alters amygdala gene
      expression related to serotonin and GABA.
AB  - Anxiety-related disorders are among the most common psychiatric illnesses,
      thought to have both genetic and environmental causes. Early-life trauma, such as
      abuse from a caregiver, can be predictable or unpredictable, each resulting in
      increased prevalence and severity of a unique set of disorders. In this study, we
      examined the influence of early unpredictable trauma on both the behavioral
      expression of adult anxiety and gene expression within the amygdala. Neonatal
      rats were exposed to unpaired odor-shock conditioning for 5 days, which produces
      deficits in adult behavior and amygdala dysfunction. In adulthood, we used the
      Light/Dark box test to measure anxiety-related behaviors, measuring the latency
      to enter the lit area and quantified urination and defecation. The amygdala was
      then dissected and a microarray analysis was performed to examine changes in gene
      expression. Animals that had received early unpredictable trauma displayed
      significantly longer latencies to enter the lit area and more defecation and
      urination. The microarray analysis revealed over-represented genes related to
      learning and memory, synaptic transmission and trans-membrane transport. Gene
      ontology and pathway analysis identified highly represented disease states
      related to anxiety phenotypes, including social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive
      disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder. Addiction-related
      genes were also overrepresented in this analysis. Unpredictable shock during
      early development increased anxiety-like behaviors in adulthood with concomitant
      changes in genes related to neurotransmission, resulting in gene expression
      patterns similar to anxiety-related psychiatric disorders.

PMID- 24240032
TI  - Automated detection of perturbed cardiac physiology during oral food allergen
      challenge in children.
AB  - This paper investigates the fully automated computer-based detection of allergic
      reaction in oral food challenges using pediatric ECG signals. Nonallergic
      background is modeled using a mixture of Gaussians during oral food challenges,
      and the model likelihoods are used to determine whether a subject is allergic to
      a food type. The system performance is assessed on the dataset of 24 children (15
      allergic and 9 nonallergic) totaling 34 h of data. The proposed detector
      correctly classified all nonallergic subjects (100% specificity) and 12 allergic
      subjects (80% sensitivity) and is capable of detecting allergy on average 17 min
      earlier than trained clinicians during oral food challenges, the gold standard of
      allergy diagnosis. Inclusion of the developed allergy classification platform
      during oral food challenges recorded would result in a 30% reduction of doses
      administered to allergic subjects. The results of study introduce the possibility
      to halt challenges earlier which can safely advance the state of clinical art of
      allergy diagnosis by reducing the overall exposure to the allergens.

PMID- 24240033
TI  - Malaria elimination: needs assessment and priorities for the future.
AB  - When the World Health Organization announced the goal of global eradication of
      malaria in 2007, questions were raised about the naivety of this proposition.
      Since then, experts have been divided about this goal. Some scientists suggest
      that when defeating malaria, elimination is a worthy and challenging aim, but
      this has to be done with modesty and thorough analysis. Others believe that it is
      time to repeat the experience of smallpox eradication and to open a whole new era
      for public health, the eradication of many diseases. The opposing view suggests
      that raising expectations and failing again may set malaria control back, rather
      than advance its cause. This literature review focuses on malaria elimination. It
      summarizes the history of malaria elimination, its success factors and reasons
      for failure, and the controversial issues in malaria elimination. The collected
      articles on the challenges of elimination, and the technical and financial
      feasibility that countries must appreciate before proceeding, are identified.
      Also, this review discusses the current global strategy to eliminate malaria and
      highlights the main concerns for future plans aimed at elimination. These plans
      foresee improving currently available diagnostic methods, therapeutic and
      prophylactic agents and protocols, vector control procedures, vaccine development
      progress, and other operational tools and approaches. Finally, this review
      addresses a number of research priorities in the present stage of the fight
      against malaria. 

PMID- 24240034
TI  - Enteric fever burden in North Jakarta, Indonesia: a prospective, community-based
      study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We undertook a prospective community-based study in North Jakarta,
      Indonesia, to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, seasonality,
      etiologic agent, and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of enteric fever.
      METHODOLOGY: Following a census, treatment centre-based surveillance for febrile
      illness was conducted for two-years. Clinical data and a blood culture were
      obtained from each patient. RESULTS: In a population of 160,261, we detected 296
      laboratory-confirmed enteric fever cases during the surveillance period, of which
      221 (75%) were typhoid fever and 75 (25%)  were paratyphoid fever.  The overall
      incidence of typhoid and paratyphoid cases was 1.4, and 0.5 per thousand
      populations per year, respectively. Although the incidence of febrile episodes
      evaluated was highest among children under 5 years of age at 92.6 per thousand
      persons per year, we found that the burden of typhoid fever was greatest among
      children between 5 and 20 years of age. Paratyphoid fever occurred most commonly
      in children and was infrequent in adults. CONCLUSION: Enteric fever is a public
      health problem in North Jakarta with a substantial proportion due to paratyphoid
      fever. The results highlight the need for control strategies against enteric
      fever.

PMID- 24240035
TI  - Antimicrobial resistance among blood culture isolates of Salmonella enterica in
      New Delhi.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Enteric fever is a global public health problem, especially in
      developing countries. Antimicrobial resistance is a major issue enteric fever
      management. This study examined current pattern of antimicrobial susceptibility
      among Salmonella enterica isolates from enteric fever cases at a tertiary care
      centre in New Delhi, India. METHODOLOGY: Blood cultures from patients with
      enteric fever during January 2010- July 2012 were processed using the BACTEC
      automated system. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using Kirby Bauer's
      disc diffusion method and/or Phoenix 100 automated system. RESULTS: Of 344
      isolates of Salmonella enterica, 266 (77.3%) were S. Typhi, 77 (22.4%) were S.
      Paratyphi A, and one (0.3%) was S. Paratyphi B. Resistance to nalidixic acid
      (NA(R)) (96.7%) was most common, followed by ciprofloxacin (37.9%), and
      azithromycin (7.3%). Multi-drug resistance was observed only in S. Typhi (3.4%).
      Among NA(R) strains, 61.8% were sensitive, 11.1% were moderately sensitive, and
      23.9% were resistant to ciprofloxacin (0.8%, 57.4%, and 37.9% respectively
      according to revised CLSI breakpoint criteria for ciprofloxacin). Resistance to
      third-generation cephalosporin was found in seven (2%) strains of S. enterica.
      CONCLUSION: Increasing rates of nalidixic acid, fluoroquinolone and azithromycin
      resistance among S. enterica, particularly in S. Paratyphi A strains, is of
      concern, as S. Paratyphi A infection is becoming increasingly common and is not
      prevented by current vaccinations. Our results favour use of cefexime or possibly
      chloramphenicol as first choice for uncomplicated enteric fever. MICs for third
      generation cephalosporins and susceptibility pattern must be closely monitored in
      view of its emerging resistance among Salmonella enterica.

PMID- 24240036
TI  - Fluoroquinolone resistant mechanisms in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus clinical isolates in Cairo, Egypt.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a persistent
      problem in community and health care settings. Fluoroquinolones are among the
      drugs of choice used to treat MRSA infections. This study aims to identify
      different mechanisms of fluoroquinolne resistance in local MRSA random sampling
      isolates in Cairo, Egypt. METHODOLOGY: A total of 94 clinical isolates of S.
      aureus were collected from two major University hospitals in Cairo.
      Identification was confirmed by appropriate morphological, cultural, and
      biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined for all
      isolates. The possible involvement of efflux pumps in mediating fluoroquinolone
      resistance as well as changes in the quinolone resistance determining region
      (QRDR) of gyrA and gyrB genes were investigated RESULTS: A total of 45 isolates
      were found to be MRSA, among which 26 isolates were found to be fluoroquinolone
      resistant. The MIC values of the tested fluoroquinolones in the presence of the
      efflux pump inhibitors omeprazole and piperine were reduced. Measuring the uptake
      of ciprofloxacin upon the addition of the efflux pump inhibitor omeprazole, an
      increased level of accumulation was observed. Non-synonymous and silent mutations
      were detected in the QRDR of gyrA and gyrB genes. CONCLUSIONS: These results shed
      light on some of the resistance patterns of MRSA strains isolated from local
      health care settings in Cairo, Egypt. The resistance of these MRSA towards
      fluoroquinolones does not depend only on mutation in target genes; other
      mechanisms of resistance such as the permeability effect, efflux pumps and
      decreased availability of quinolones at the target site can also be involved.

PMID- 24240037
TI  - Prevalence and characterization of extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing
      Enterobacter cloacae strains in Algeria.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Expended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacter
      cloacae is an important nosocomial pathogen. In this study, the prevalence and
      the molecular epidemiology of ESBL producing E. cloacae strains isolated from
      various hospitals in Annaba, Algeria were investigated. METHODOLOGY: The study
      involved 63 isolates of E. cloacae obtained during 2009 at the four hospitals in
      Annaba. The detection of ESBL was performed using the double-disk synergy test
      and the combined disk test. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were
      determined using the agar dilution method. The presence of bla(CTX-M), bla(SHV),
      bla(TEM), and bla(DHA) beta-lactamase genes was evaluated by PCR, and genomic
      typing was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis. The
      clinical and microbiological data were entered into the EpiI Info database.
      RESULTS: Thirty isolates (47.6%) had an ESBL phenotype. Bla(CTX-M) group1 (76%);
      bla(TEM) (70%) were the most prevalent, followed by bla(DHA) (16.6%) and bla(SHV)
      (10%). Eighteen strains expressed at least two bla genes. MICs revealed a high
      level of resistance to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and cefepime. PFGE revealed an
      epidemic clonal dissemination of these isolates. Various risk factors associated
      with the occurrence of ESBL-producing E. cloacae were detected. CONCLUSIONS: A
      higher frequency of ESBL-producing isolates and a diversity of beta-lactamases
      were detected among ESBL-producing E. cloacae; these resulted from an epidemic
      clonal dissemination and high transference of ESBL genes between bacteria in
      hospital settings. Strict measures will be required to control the further spread
      of these pathogens in hospital settings.

PMID- 24240038
TI  - Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in meat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Food-borne pathogens are the leading cause of illness and death in
      developing countries, killing approximately 1.8 million people annually. In
      developed countries, food-borne pathogens are responsible for millions of cases
      of infectious gastrointestinal diseases each year, costing billions of dollars.
      The objective of this study was to screen for two major food-borne pathogens,
      Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., from meat samples obtained from different
      strata of the consumer market in Jeddah. METHODOLOGY: A total of 60 meat samples,
      20 each from large hypermarkets, groceries and small butcher shops were used in
      the study. Samples were transported to the laboratory in a cooler. They were
      macerated in peptone water and then seeded on selective media appropriate for
      each organism. Colonies were identified using conventional microbiological
      methods and suspected colonies were confirmed as E. coli and Salmonella spp. by
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers. RESULTS: The results
      indicated a high degree of contamination in samples from butcher shops as
      compared to those from groceries or hypermarkets (high scale supermarkets). Both
      pathogens E. coli and Salmonella spp. were found in higher rates in the samples
      from butcher shops. In small butcher shops, E. coli was found at an incidence of
      65%, and Salmonella at 45%. CONCLUSION: The results indicate an urgent need for
      applying proper food hygienic practices in food outlets, especially in small
      ones, to reduce the incidence of food-borne diseases. Vigilance by the right
      agencies must be implemented in order to prevent future food-borne outbreaks.

PMID- 24240039
TI  - Diversity of Moraxella spp. strains recovered from infectious bovine
      keratoconjunctivitis cases in Uruguay.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is the most common
      ocular disease that affects cattle throughout the world and it has a very
      significant economic impact. IBK is caused by members of the genus Moraxella and
      therapeutic and preventive measures have shown limited success. Vaccines, most of
      them chemically inactivated bacterins, generally induce a limited protection.
      METHODOLOGY: In this study, the genetic diversity of Uruguayan clinical Moraxella
      bovis and Moraxella bovoculi isolates was assessed by RAPD-PCR, ERIC-PCR and BOX
      PCR fingerprinting. Also, antibiotic resistance of the Moraxella spp. isolates
      was assessed utilizing the disk diffusion method. RESULTS: When interspecific
      molecular diversity was assessed, different bands patterns were observed even
      within a single outbreak of IBK, showing the coexistence of different genotypes
      of Moraxella spp. The high genetic diversity within M. bovis and M. bovoculi
      isolates did not permit to correlate isolates DNA fingerprints with geographical
      origins, dates or even with both different Moraxella species. Antibiotics
      resistance patterns showed significant differences between M. bovis and M.
      bovoculi. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of diversity that includes M.
      bovis and M. bovoculi associated to IBK cases. Genetic diversity did not allow to
      correlate DNA fingerprints of the isolates with geographical origins, isolation
      dates or even both different Moraxella species. Antibiotics resistance patterns
      showed differences between M. bovis and M. bovoculi. This remarkable variation
      within isolates could explain the partial protection induced by commercial
      vaccines. All these findings could be important for the design of prevention or
      treatment strategies against IBK.

PMID- 24240040
TI  - Susceptibility of clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococci isolates to new
      antibiotics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections has
      been a growing problem both in and out of hospitals for the past 30 years.
      Therefore, there is a need for other antibiotics as an alternative to
      glycopeptides in the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal
      infections. This study investigated the in vitro susceptibility of 49 methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 59 methicillin-resistant coagulase
      negative staphylococci (MRCNS) clinical isolates to daptomiycin, telithromycin,
      tigecyclin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and linezolid. METHODOLOGY: The
      identification of the strains was made by conventional methods. Antibiotic
      susceptibility tests were performed according to CLSI. Methicillin resistance was
      determined by cefoxitin disk. Susceptibilities of the strains to daptomycin,
      quinupristin/dalfopristin, tigecycline, and vancomycin were performed using the E
      test according to the recommendations of CLSI 2011 and the manufacturer. RESULTS:
      Two strains of MRCNS were resistant, and one was teicoplanin intermediate. It was
      found that one (2%) strain of MRSA and two (3%) strains of MRCNS were resistant
      to tigecyclin. Telithromycin resistance was detected in 33% of MRSA strains and
      37% of MRCNS strains. Inducible clindamycin resistance was found in nine (18.4%)
      strains of MRSA and eighteen (30.5%) strains of MRCNS. All strains were
      susceptible to daptomiycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and linezolid.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although it has recently been used, telithromycin has a high
      percentage of resistance; its use for methicillin-resistant staphylococcal
      strains, therefore, should be limited. Daptomycin and quinupristin/dalfopristin
      were found to be effective against MRSA and MRCNS strains and were concluded to
      be a good choice in the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

PMID- 24240041
TI  - Seropositivity of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and HIV in antenatal women
      in India.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The epidemiology of viral hepatitis during pregnancy is of
      paramount importance for health planners and program managers. Data on viral
      hepatitis during pregnancy are not readily available. This study was conducted to
      assess the extent of seropositivity of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and
      syphilis in pregnant women and to re-evaluate the need for routine antenatal care
      screening. METHODOLOGY: All samples were tested to detect HBsAg by enzyme linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples were tested to detect anti-HCV by ELISA.
      Samples were also tested for antibodies to Treponema Pallidum by qualitative
      rapid plasma reagine (RPR); finally, samples were tested for antibodies to HIV by
      three different methods as per Strategy III of the National AIDS Control
      Organization by using different systems of testing to establish a diagnosis of
      HIV. RESULTS: Seropositivity of hepatitis B was 2.9%, hepatitis C was 0.19%,
      syphilis was 0.48%, and HIV was 0.38%. Out of the 1038 samples, no co-infection
      was found between hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, or HIV. CONCLUSION: The
      data from this study can help health professionals to treat antenatal patients
      more effectively. The data also reinforces the need for establishing effective
      prevention programs, which could lead to a reduction in the prevalence of HBV,
      HCV, syphilis, and HIV.

PMID- 24240042
TI  - Recent trends in HIV prevalence in a remote setting of southern India: insights
      into arranging HIV control policies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Constant vigilance of the dynamics of HIV prevalence is important
      in estimating, regulating, and implementing prevention programs. The objective of
      this study was to investigate the trend in the prevalence of HIV infection over
      six years among specific demographic groups in the remote district of southern
      India. METHODOLOGY: All high-risk attendees of the Integrated Counseling and
      Testing Centre, Government Theni Medical College between April 2005 and December
      2010 were included in this study. Characteristics including age, sex, place of
      residence, literacy, and HIV sero-status were collected as per the guidelines of
      the National AIDS Control Organization. RESULTS: A total of 50,043 data sets were
      analyzed; 3,282 (6.6%) tested positive for HIV infection. The prevalence of HIV
      infection among the <= 25 age group was significantly lower as compared to the
      elderly (4.4% vs. 6.9%; odds ratio 0.62; 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.71; p <
      0.01). There was a decline in HIV prevalence among both age groups (P(trend) <
      0.01 for <= 25 year-old; -82.3% and P(trend) < 0.01 for > 25-year old, -14.2%),
      males (P(trend) < 0.01; -50.9%), the urban population (P(trend) < 0.01; -45.9%),
      and illiterates (P(trend) < 0.01; -68%). The trend of HIV prevalence among
      females (P(trend) = 0.48; +9.1%), the rural population (P(trend) = 0.95; -7.1%),
      and literate population (P(trend) = 0.44; +28%) was statistically insignificant.
      CONCLUSION: HIV prevalence is stable in the female population, while it is
      decreasing in male population, indicating that current interventions must be
      strengthened to reduce HIV prevalence among females.

PMID- 24240043
TI  - Provider-initiated vs. client-initiated HIV testing in Autonomous Province of
      Vojvodina, Serbia, 2000-2008.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This paper describes the changes in Human Immundodeficiency virus
      (HIV) testing rates in Autonomous Province (AP) Vojvodina, Serbia since 2000 and
      compares provider-initiated with client-initiated HIV testing. METHODOLOGY:
      Between 2000 and 2008, 66,327 HIV screening tests were reported from AP
      Vojvodina. During this time HIV testing rates increased from 1.2 per 1,000
      inhabitants in 2000, to 7.7 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2008. RESULTS: The results
      showed an increase in testing as a consequence of increased mandatory testing of
      surgical patients as well as an upsurge in the use of Voluntary Counselling and
      Testing (VCT).  Pregnant women that were tested represented less than 5% of the
      overall sample population. CONCLUSION: Public health efforts in AP Vojvodina to
      increase HIV testing rates lead to a continuous increase in testing rates, but
      with different limitations. HIV testing in low prevalence middle income countries
      could be highly affected by procurement difficulties, low motivation of medical
      professionals to initiate testing, and opportunities for testing limited to large
      towns and cities.

PMID- 24240044
TI  - Relation of interleukin-1beta gene to treatment response in chronic patients
      infected with HCV genotype 4.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in chronic hepatitis in
      more than 70% of infected patients, while 20-30% of patients recover
      spontaneously. This strengthens the role of the host genetic factors in either
      spontaneous or drug-induced viral clearance. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the relationship between interleukin-1beta +3953 gene polymorphism
      and the response to interferon therapy in chronic HCV patients infected with
      genotype 4. METHODOLOGY: The interleukin-1beta (+3953 C/T) (rs1143634) gene was
      amplified in 115 chronic HCV patients. Interleukin-1beta single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) plus several clinical and pathological factors were
      statistically analyzed in correlation with response to therapy. RESULTS:
      Genotypes C/T and T/T had a significant association with non-response to
      treatment compared to genotype C/C, which had a strong association with response
      to treatment (95% confidence; 6.4884-48.5818, p = 0.0001). Furthermore, analysis
      of allele frequency in this cohort revealed that the T allele is associated with
      non-response, higher fibrosis, and higher hepatic activity, while the C allele
      had a significant association with sustained virologic response lower fibrosis,
      and lower hepatic activity (p value = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This is the first
      study to examine the correlation between interleukin-1beta (+3953 C/T)
      (rs1143634) gene polymorphism and the response of interferon therapy in genotype
      4 HCV-infected patients. The results encourage further assessment of this SNP as
      a marker to predict response to therapy and disease progression, which can have
      major implications in saving money, time, and in avoiding unnecessary adverse
      effects.

PMID- 24240046
TI  - Prevalence of parasitic infections in HIV-positive patients in southern Ethiopia:
      a cross-sectional study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health burden in
      tropical countries. Although all HIV/AIDS patients are susceptible to parasitic
      infections, those having lower immune status are at greater risk. The aim of this
      study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in
      patients living with HIV/AIDS. METHODOLOGY: This was a facility-based cross
      sectional study. A total of 343 consecutively sampled HIV/AIDS patients from the
      HIV care clinic of Hawassa University Referral Hospital were included. Subjects
      were interviewed for demographic variables and diarrheal symptoms using
      structured questionnaires. Stool examinations and CD4 cells counts were also
      performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 47.8%
      among HIV/AIDS patients; single helminthic infection prevalence (22.7%) was
      higher than that the prevalence of protozoal infections (14.6%). About 54% of
      study participants had chronic diarrhea while 3.4% had acute diarrhea. The
      prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients with chronic diarrhea was
      significantly higher than in acute diarrhea (p <0.05). Non-opportunistic
      intestinal parasite infections such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia spp., and
      hookworm were commonly found, regardless of immune status or diarrheal symptoms.
      Opportunistic and non-opportunistic intestinal parasitic infection were more
      frequent in patients with a CD4 count of <200/mm(3) (OR=9.5; 95% CI: 4.64-19.47)
      when compared with patients with CD4 counts of >=500 cells/mm(3). CONCLUSIONS:
      Intestinal parasitic infections should be suspected in HIV/AIDS-infected patients
      with advanced disease presenting with chronic diarrhea. Patients with low CD4
      counts should be examined critically for intestinal parasites, regardless of
      diarrheal status.

PMID- 24240045
TI  - Endogenous IFNgamma in chronic HCV genotype 4 patients treated with PEG-IFNalpha
      and ribavirin.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections remain an increasingly prevalent
      and emergent health problem worldwide, causing a wide spectrum of liver diseases.
      Combination therapy with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) of peginterferon alfa-2a
      and oral ribavirin is currently recognized as the standard treatment of chronic
      HCV infection. Several complex immunological mechanisms are involved during the
      course of HCV treatment using interferons. The role of endogenous interferon
      gamma (IFNgamma) in Egyptian patients infected with chronic HCV and treated with
      PEG-IFN/ribavirin is uncertain. The goal of this study was to evaluate the
      association of IFNgamma and chronic HCV infection among patients treated with
      combination therapy of PEG-IFN/ribavirin. METHODOLOGY: Samples from 20 patients
      infected with HCV genotype-4 (HCV-4) and 20 non-infected individuals as healthy
      controls were used in this retrospective study. IFNgamma levels in peripheral
      blood monocytes were analyzed, along with liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase
      (ALT) levels, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the myxovirus
      resistance-A (MxA) gene. RESULTS: The results showed that an increase of IFNgamma
      and a decrease of ALT levels in chronic HCV-infected patients after 12 weeks of
      treatment with combination therapy. CONCLUSION: Enhanced IFNgamma secretion and
      decreased liver enzyme ALT production are indicative of HCV clearance and
      improvement of liver function. In addition, the SNP of the MxA gene is an
      important host genetic factor that independently influenced the response to
      IFNalpha in patients with chronic HCV infection, especially in those with a low
      viral load.

PMID- 24240047
TI  - Critical evaluation of antimicrobial use--a Turkish university hospital example.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobials are being used unnecessarily for different reasons.
      The aims of this study were: assessment of the quality of antimicrobial use and
      determination of the factors related to correct use. METHOD: Antimicrobial
      practice at Dicle University Hospital (DUH) was evaluated with a point prevalence
      approach. Using a standardized data collection form, the patients' data (clinic,
      epidemiology, laboratory and antimicrobial use) was collected. Possible
      influential factors on antimicrobial use were examined. RESULTS: In the
      surveillance study 1,350 inpatients were evaluated; 461 (34.1%) of them were
      using antimicrobials for treatment and 187 (13.9%) for prophylaxis. Antimicrobial
      indication was found in 355 of 461 patients (77.0%), and the number of
      antimicrobials was 1.8 per patient in the treatment group. The most common reason
      for antimicrobial use was community-acquired infection (57.9%). Pneumonia
      (20.4%), skin and soft tissue infections (9.11%) and urinary tract infections
      (7.9%) were the most common infectious diseases. Positive culture results were
      available for 39 patients (8.5.0%) when antimicrobial treatment started. All
      steps of antimicrobial use were found appropriate in 243 patients (52.7%). In
      multivariate analyses, clinical manifestation of infection at the beginning (p
      <0.001), presence of leukocyte counting (p <0.001) and prescription by an
      infectious disease specialist were found significantly positive factors for
      wholly appropriate antimicrobial use. Hospitalization with a diagnosis other than
      infection was found a significantly negative factor for appropriate antimicrobial
      use (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The quality of antimicrobial use could be improved
      with better clinical and laboratory diagnosis and consultation with infectious
      diseases specialists.

PMID- 24240048
TI  - Phenotypic characterization and colistin susceptibilities of carbapenem-resistant
      of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobcter spp. are important
      nosocomial pathogens and carbapenem resistance is an emerging threat. Therapeutic
      options for infections with these isolates include colistin. This study was
      conducted to determine the prevalence of carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa
      and Acinetobacter spp. bloodstream isolates, phenotypically characterize the
      resistance mechanisms and evaluate the in vitro activity of colistin.
      METHODOLOGY: Consecutive 145 (95 P.aeruginosa and 50 Acinetobacter spp.) non
      repeat isolates were included. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed
      per CLSI guidelines. MIC for carbapenems and colistin was performed using Etest.
      Isolates showing reduced susceptibility or resistance to the carbapenems were
      tested for metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) production using imipenem-EDTA combined
      disk and MBL Etest. RESULTS: Carbapenem resistance was observed in 40% P.
      aeruginosa and 66.0% Acinetobacter spp. Carbapenem-resistant (CA-R) isolates were
      significantly (p <0.05) more frequently resistant to the other antibiotics than
      carbapenem-susceptible isolates. Approximately half of the CA-R strains were
      multidrug-resistant, and 3.1-5.5% were resistant to all antibiotics tested. MBL
      was found in 76.3% and 69.7% of the P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp.,
      respectively. Colistin resistance was observed in three (6.0%) Acinetobacter
      isolates and eight (8.4%) P. aeruginosa. MIC50 for carbapenems were two to four
      times higher for MBL-positive compared to MBL-negative isolates, but no
      difference was seen in MIC for colistin. CONCLUSION: Carbapenem resistance was
      observed to be mediated by MBL in a considerable number of isolates. Colistin is
      an alternative for infections caused by CA-R isolates; however, MIC testing
      should be performed whenever clinical use of colistin is considered.

PMID- 24240049
TI  - Panton-Valentine leukocidin and biofilm production of Staphylococcus aureus
      isolated from respiratory tract.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the first bacteria colonizing in
      cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory tract and different virulence factors are
      responsible for disease progression. It is not clear if CF S. aureus strains are
      more virulent than strains isolated from non-CF patients. METHODOLOGY: Biofilm
      production was detected by a modified tissue culture plate method, presence of
      genes encoding for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) was investigated by a signal
      amplified sandwich hybridization assay and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns
      were detected by disk diffusion method. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus clinical
      isolates (n = 88) recovered from respiratory tract specimens in which 31 of them
      were from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients were analysed. Biofilm production was
      detected in 96.8% of CF isolates in which 32.3% exhibited strong positive
      phenotype and in 47.4% of non-CF isolates in which strong positive phenotype was
      not observed (p <0.05). All CF isolates were methicillin susceptible, whereas
      53.4% of non-CF isolates (n = 31) were methicillin resistant. No resistance was
      observed for vancomycin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in any
      of the isolates. PVL genes were detected only in two isolates (2.3%), one from
      each group, CF and non-CF, which both were methicillin susceptible. CONCLUSION:
      Biofilm rather than PVL production appears to be an important virulence factor in
      CF patients.

PMID- 24240051
TI  - Battle against poliovirus in Pakistan.
AB  - On 22 Feb 2013, the Polio Monitoring Cell of Pakistan announced that the 2012
      2013 polio campaign ended, and that 1.6 million children could not be vaccinated
      due to security concerns in several regions where polio workers had been killed.
      Those who could not be vaccinated included 50,000 children from the Federally
      Administrated Tribal Area (FATA), 150,000 form Khyber Pakhtoon Khao, 400,000 from
      a Quetta, 400,000 from Karachi, and a small number from the Rawalpindi District.
      These statistics are worrying, as several districts in the large metropolitan
      cities of Karachi and Quetta were also excluded. The fear of advanced medicine,
      ideas, or complex devices is a new phenomenon in many conservative and poor
      countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Somalia. To safeguard the
      safety of the rest of the world, the failure in the implementation of WHO
      guidelines for vaccination must be regulated by the UN. There are a number of
      reasons for the phobias surrounding vaccination, but as technology continues to
      evolve at such a rapid rate, those with self-determined ideologies cannot cope
      with such advances. They become vocal to gain popularity and prevent the use of
      these technologies and medicine by creating and spreading rumors and propaganda
      of expediency. The struggle to vaccinate children is not easily understood by
      anyone living in the developed world. The irrational fear of vaccines and the
      lack of vaccination pose a serious global health risk and must be curbed through
      a wide variety of pro-vaccination media and religious campaigns.

PMID- 24240050
TI  - High prevalence of noroviruses among hospitalized diarrheal patients in
      Bangladesh, 2011.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Norovirus is not usually investigated in diarrheal patients in
      Bangladesh which may account for the many cases where no pathogens are
      identified. METHODOLOGY: Stool specimens collected from diarrheal patients from
      three hospitals in Bangladesh during 2011 were investigated for norovirus RNA
      using real-time RT-PCR assay with norovirus type specific primers and probes.
      RESULTS: Of the 257 stool specimens tested, 28.4 % were norovirus positive. GII
      (71.2%) was the predominant strain followed by GI (20.5%), GI+GII (6.8%) and GIV
      (1.4%). Half of the norovirus positive stools (n=37) were co-infected with other
      pathogens. CONCLUSION: Continued surveillance of norovirus together with other
      viral and bacterial pathogens in hospitalized gastroenteritis patients as well as
      in the community will further elucidate the role and burden of different
      pathogens in diarrheal diseases.

PMID- 24240052
TI  - Mediterranean diet and hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a very poor prognosis and
      any effort to identify additional risk factors, besides those already
      established, would be important for the prevention of the disease. Data on the
      role of diet on HCC risk are still controversial. METHODS: We have evaluated the
      association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet with HCC risk, as well as the
      interaction of this dietary pattern with chronic hepatitis infection, by
      combining two case-control studies undertaken in Italy and Greece, including
      overall 518 cases of HCC and 772 controls. Adherence to the traditional
      Mediterranean diet was assessed through the Mediterranean diet score (MDS), which
      ranges between 0 (lowest adherence) and 9 (highest adherence). Odds ratios (OR)
      for HCC were obtained through multiple logistic regression models, controlling
      for potentially confounding factors, including chronic infection with hepatitis
      B/C viruses. RESULTS: Compared to MDS of 0-3, the ORs for HCC were 0.66 (95%
      confidence interval (CI), 0.41-1.04) for MDS equal to 4 and 0.51 (95% CI, 0.34
      0.75) for MDS ? 5, with a significant trend (p<0.001). The detrimental effect of
      poor adherence to Mediterranean diet on HCC risk was disproportionally high among
      those chronically infected with hepatitis B and/or C viruses, with a suggestion
      of super-additive interaction, albeit statistically non-significant. CONCLUSIONS:
      Closer adherence to the Mediterranean diet appears to be protective against HCC.
      Our results also point to potential benefits from adhering to a Mediterranean
      dietary pattern for patients chronically infected with hepatitis viruses.

PMID- 24240053
TI  - Health-related quality of life, depression, and anxiety in patients with
      autoimmune hepatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Improving health related quality of life (HrQoL) in patients
      with chronic diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) should be a major
      treatment goal. However, little is known on the HrQoL in patients with AIH, and
      the topic is not given attention in current practice guidelines. We therefore
      conducted a single center study evaluating HrQoL in 103 consecutive outpatients
      with AIH. METHODS: Patient-reported HrQoL data were analysed in relation to
      clinical disease parameters and compared to representative data of the German
      population as well as control patients. RESULTS: Based on patient-reported data,
      a major depressive syndrome (10.8%) was found to be five times more frequent in
      AIH patients compared to the general population (p<0.001). The rate of severe
      symptoms of anxiety was also found to be significantly increased compared to the
      general population (p=0.006). In seven of the eleven patients who scored for a
      major depressive syndrome a psychiatric comorbidity had not been diagnosed
      before. Major factors associated with depression and anxiety were concerns with
      regard to the progression of the liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      identified--for the first time--a high rate of previously unrecognized severe
      symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with AIH. Of importance for daily
      clinical practice, the factors associated with these symptoms may in part be
      amenable to targeted counselling and adequate treatment of the disease, thereby
      offering the chance to improve the care and HrQoL of AIH-patients.

PMID- 24240054
TI  - The human oncogene SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus is required for mammalian
      dopaminergic cell proliferation through the Sonic hedgehog pathway.
AB  - The human oncogene SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus (Stil) is highly conserved in all
      vertebrate species. In humans, the expression of Stil regulates cancer cell
      proliferation and survival. In this study, we examined the function of Stil in
      neural progenitor cell proliferation and neural differentiation using the
      mammalian dopaminergic (DA) PC12 cells. Stil is expressed in both proliferating
      and differentiated PC12 cells. The RNAi-mediated knockdown of Stil expression
      yielded a decreased proliferation rate of PC12 cells, whereas the overexpression
      of Stil transcript increased PC12 cell proliferation. The up- and down-regulation
      of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway by pharmacological approaches targeting
      Smoothened (Smo) demonstrated that Stil functions in the Shh pathway for PC12
      proliferation. Smo antagonist cyclopamine decreased the proliferation rate of
      PC12 cells, whereas the overexpression of Stil rescued the cyclopamine-induced
      decrease in cell proliferation. Oppositely, the application of Smo agonist
      purmorphamine increased the rate of PC12 cell proliferation. However, the
      proliferation defect caused by Stil knockdown remained evident after activating
      the Shh pathway by purmorphamine. The expression of Stil is not required for PC12
      cell neural differentiation. In PC12 cells transfected with Stil shRNA plasmids,
      the outgrowth of neurites persisted after treatment with nerve growth factor
      (NGF), whereas overexpression of Stil did not increase neurite growth in response
      to NGF induction. Together, the results from this study suggest a novel role for
      the oncogene Stil in neural progenitor cells through the Shh pathway, and further
      introduces Stil as a bio-marker for DA cells. 

PMID- 24240057
TI  - Combinatorial function of velvet and AreA in transcriptional regulation of
      nitrate utilization and secondary metabolism.
AB  - Velvet is a conserved protein complex that functions as a regulator of fungal
      development and secondary metabolism. In the soil-inhabiting pathogen Fusarium
      oxysporum, velvet governs mycotoxin production and virulence on plant and
      mammalian hosts. Here we report a previously unrecognized role of the velvet
      complex in regulation of nitrate metabolism. F. oxysporum mutants lacking VeA or
      LaeA, two key components of the complex, were impaired in growth on the non
      preferred nitrogen sources nitrate and nitrite. Both velvet and the general
      nitrogen response GATA factor AreA were required for transcriptional activation
      of nitrate (nit1) and nitrite (nii1) reductase genes under de-repressing
      conditions, as well as for the nitrate-triggered increase in chromatin
      accessibility at the nit1 locus. AreA also contributed to chromatin accessibility
      and expression of two velvet-regulated gene clusters, encoding biosynthesis of
      the mycotoxin beauvericin and of the siderophore ferricrocin. Thus, velvet and
      AreA coordinately orchestrate primary and secondary metabolism as well as
      virulence functions in F. oxysporum. 

PMID- 24240055
TI  - The toll-like receptor 2/1 (TLR2/1) complex initiates human platelet activation
      via the src/Syk/LAT/PLCgamma2 signalling cascade.
AB  - The specific TLR2/1 complex activator Pam3CSK4 has been shown to provoke
      prominent activation and aggregation of human non-nucleated platelets. As
      Pam3CSK4-evoked platelet activation does not employ the major signalling pathway
      established in nucleated immune cells, we investigated if the TLR2/1 complex on
      platelets may initiate signalling pathways known to be induced by physiological
      agonists such as collagen via GPVI or thrombin via PARs. We found that triggering
      TLR2/1 complex-signalling with Pam3CSK4, in common with that induced via GPVI,
      and in contrast to that provoked by PARs, involves tyrosine phosphorylation of
      the adaptor protein LAT as well as of PLCgamma2 in a src- and Syk-dependent
      manner. In this respect, we provide evidence that Pam3CSK4 does not cross
      activate GPVI. Further, by the use of platelets from a Glanzmann's thrombasthenia
      patient lacking beta(3), in contrast to findings in nucleated immune cells, we
      show that the initiation of platelet activation by Pam3CSK4 does not involve
      integrin beta(3) signalling; whereas the latter, subsequent to intermediate TXA2
      synthesis and signalling, was found to be indispensable for proper dense granule
      secretion and full platelet aggregation. Together, our findings reveal that
      triggering the TLR2/1 complex with Pam3CSK4 initiates human platelet activation
      by engaging tyrosine kinases of the src family and Syk, the adaptor protein LAT,
      as well as the key mediator PLCgamma2.

PMID- 24240056
TI  - Sustained IRE1 and ATF6 signaling is important for survival of melanoma cells
      undergoing ER stress.
AB  - Apoptosis triggered by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with rapid
      attenuation of the IRE1alpha and ATF6 pathways but persistent activation of the
      PERK branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in cells. However, melanoma
      cells are largely resistant to ER stress-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the
      kinetics and durations of activation of the UPR pathways are deregulated in
      melanoma cells undergoing ER stress. We show here that the IRE1alpha and ATF6
      pathways are sustained along with the PERK signaling in melanoma cells subjected
      to pharmacological ER stress, and that this is, at least in part, due to
      increased activation of the MEK/ERK pathway. In contrast to an initial increase
      followed by rapid reduction in activation of IRE1alpha and ATF6 signaling in
      control cells that were relatively sensitive to ER stress-induced apoptosis,
      activation of IRE1alpha and ATF6 by the pharmacological ER stress inducer
      tunicamycin (TM) or thapsigargin (TG) persisted in melanoma cells. On the other
      hand, the increase in PERK signaling lasted similarly in both types of cells.
      Sustained activation of IRE1alpha and ATF6 signaling played an important role in
      protecting melanoma cells from ER stress-induced apoptosis, as interruption of
      IRE1alpha or ATF6 rendered melanoma cells sensitive to apoptosis induced by TM or
      TG. Inhibition of MEK partially blocked IRE1alpha and ATF6 activation, suggesting
      that MEK/ERK signaling contributed to sustained activation of IRE1alpha and ATF6.
      Taken together, these results identify sustained activation of the IRE1alpha and
      ATF6 pathways of the UPR driven by the MEK/ERK pathway as an important protective
      mechanism against ER stress-induced apoptosis in melanoma cells. 

PMID- 24240058
TI  - Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes from closely related Rhynchosporium
      species reveals extensive intron invasion.
AB  - We sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of four
      closely related Rhynchosporium species that diverged ~14,000-35,000years ago.
      During this time frame, three of the mt genomes expanded significantly due to an
      invasion of introns into three genes (cox1, cox2, and nad5). The enlarged mt
      genomes contained ~40% introns compared to 8.1% in uninvaded relatives. Many
      intron gains were accompanied by co-conversion of flanking exonic regions. The
      comparative analysis revealed a highly variable set of non-intronic, free
      standing ORFs of unknown function (uORFs). This is consistent with a rapidly
      evolving accessory compartment in the mt genome of these closely related species.
      Only one free-standing uORF was shared among all mt genomes analyzed. This uORF
      had a mutation rate similar to the core mt protein-encoding genes, suggesting
      conservation of function among the species. The nucleotide composition of the
      core protein-encoding genes significantly differed from those of introns and
      uORFs. The mt mutation rate was 77 times higher than the nuclear mutation rate,
      indicating that the phylogeny inferred from mt genes may better resolve the
      phylogenetic relationships among closely related Rhynchosporium species than
      phylogenies inferred from nuclear genes. 

PMID- 24240059
TI  - Evidence of adaptive intergenerational sex ratio adjustment in contemporary human
      populations.
AB  - Using the abrupt decline in sex ratio at birth in China during and immediately
      after the 1959-1961 Great Leap Forward Famine in China as a natural experiment,
      this study conducts difference-in-differences analysis to test the hypothesis
      that changes in the sex ratio at birth of the maternal generation can produce
      adaptive changes in the sex ratio at birth of the offspring generation toward the
      opposite direction, which was derived from the developmental and evolutionary
      psychological literature on female reproductive strategy. The results show that,
      after controlling for sex-selective abortion, the decline in the sex ratio at
      birth in 1962-1964 caused a substantial increase in the sex ratio at birth among
      children whose mothers were born in 1963. Such finding suggests the presence of
      adaptive intergenerational sex ratio adjustment in humans. 

PMID- 24240060
TI  - A multicentre postal survey investigating the contribution of illness
      perceptions, coping and optimism to quality of life and mood in adults with
      muscle disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To replicate the finding that illness perceptions influence quality of
      life in adults with muscle disease and to explore the additional influence of
      coping and optimism on quality of life and mood. DESIGN: A postal survey
      including questionnaires recording quality of life, mood, illness perceptions,
      optimism, coping and functional impairment. SETTING: National Health Service
      muscle clinics in the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of
      adults with muscle disease. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Individualised Neuromuscular Quality of Life Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and
      Depression Scale. RESULTS: A total of 226 completed questionnaires were returned.
      Although functional impairment explained most of the variance in three out of
      eight quality of life domains, psychological factors explained greater amounts of
      variance (between 19% and 52% of variance) in all other quality of life domains
      and in both mood domains (between 45% and 48% of variance). Overall, illness
      perceptions explained much of the variance in quality of life and mood score
      (between 5% and 37% of variance), while coping (up to 8% of variance) and
      optimism (up to 15% of variance) explained smaller amounts of variance.
      CONCLUSION: The results confirm that illness perceptions are associated with
      quality of life in muscle disease and suggest that they also influence mood. The
      addition of optimism and coping variables into the analysis yielded small
      increases in the proportions of variance in quality of life and mood which were
      explained. These results have implications for the composition of future
      psychological interventions.

PMID- 24240061
TI  - Efficacy of microcurrent therapy in infants with congenital muscular torticollis
      involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle: a randomized placebo-controlled
      trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a combination of therapeutic exercise and
      ultrasound with or without additional microcurrent therapy in infants with
      congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle.
      DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: An outpatient
      rehabilitation clinic in a tertiary university hospital. SUBJECTS: Infants (n =
      20) with congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid
      muscle. INTERVENTIONS: Group 1 comprised 10 infants who received therapeutic
      exercise with ultrasound alone and Group 2 comprised 10 infants who received the
      same treatment with microcurrent therapy. MAIN MEASURES: Passive cervical
      rotational range of motion was measured at before treatment and one, two, three,
      and six months after initial treatment. Thickness, cross-sectional area, and red
      pixel intensity on colour histograms, which were all assessed before treatment
      and at three months after initial treatment. Additionally, the duration of
      treatment was measured. RESULTS: The mean passive cervical rotational range of
      motion measured at three months posttreatment was significantly greater in Group
      2 (101.1 degrees ) than that in Group 1 (86.4 degrees ), and the thickness, cross
      sectional area, and red pixel intensity of the affected sternocleidomastoid
      muscle were all less in Group 2 (7.8 mm, 100.3 mm(2), and 126.1, respectively)
      than those in Group 1 (9.6 mm, 121.5 mm2, and 140.5, respectively). The mean
      duration of treatment was significantly shorter in Group 2 (2.6 months) than in
      Group 1 (6.3 months). CONCLUSIONS: Microcurrent therapy may increase the efficacy
      of therapeutic exercise with ultrasound for the treatment of congenital muscular
      torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle.

PMID- 24240062
TI  - Optimized selection of anti-tumor recombinant antibodies from phage libraries on
      intact cells.
AB  - Generation of human recombinant antibody libraries displayed on the surface of
      the filamentous phage and selection of specific antibodies against desirable
      targets allows production of fully human antibodies usable for repeated
      administration in humans. Various lymphoid tissues from immunized donors, such as
      lymph nodes or peripheral blood lymphocytes from individuals with tumor or
      lymphocytes infiltrating tumor masses may serve as a source of specific anti
      tumor antibody repertoire for generation of tumor-focused phage display
      libraries. In the case of lack of tumor-associated antigens in the purified form,
      high affinity anti-tumor antibodies can be isolated through library panning on
      whole cells expressing these antigens. However, affinity selection against cell
      surface specific antigens within highly heterogeneous population of molecules is
      not a very efficient process that often results in the selection of unspecific
      antibodies or antibodies against intracellular antigens that are generally
      useless for targeted immunotherapy. In this work, we developed a new cell-based
      antibody selection protocol that, by eliminating the contamination of dead cells
      from the cell suspension, dramatically improves the selection frequency of anti
      tumor antibodies recognizing cell surface antigens. 

PMID- 24240063
TI  - Influence of diet and sample collection time on 77 laboratory tests on healthy
      adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We studied the effect of a standardized breakfast or lunch before
      blood sampling on 77 analytes. DESIGN AND METHODS: The mean difference between
      assays from 20 healthy adults was calculated on blood samples taken before and
      after food intake. Significant differences were tested using two-tailed Student t
      test and compared to the acceptable limits derived from analytical and
      intraindividual biological variation. RESULTS: Most of the analytes investigated
      were not significantly affected by food intake. Six of them were influenced by
      breakfast or lunch: triglycerides, glucose, creatinine, C-peptide and insulin
      were significantly upregulated, whereas testosterone was downregulated. Fourteen
      parameters were more influenced by time of sampling than by meals: nine decreased
      during the day (total bilirubin, BNP, myoglobin, cortisol, TSH, C-telopeptide,
      prolactin, ACTH, uric acid) and two increased (white blood cells, neutrophils).
      Three parameters showed levels that were similar at 9:00 am and 5:00 pm but their
      lowest level at 12:30 pm (inorganic phosphorus, osteocalcin, PTH). CONCLUSIONS:
      Fasting is necessary for some laboratory tests. Clinicians should be aware of
      variations due to sampling time before ordering non-fasting tests, and in the
      subsequent interpretation of results.

PMID- 24240065
TI  - "Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication Principles" Multiobjective Reinforcement
      Learning: A Comprehensive Overview.
AB  - Reinforcement learning is a powerful mechanism for enabling agents to learn in an
      unknown environment, and most reinforcement learning algorithms aim to maximize
      some numerical value, which represents only one long-term objective. However,
      multiple long-term objectives are exhibited in many real-world decision and
      control problems; therefore, recently, there has been growing interest in solving
      multiobjective reinforcement learning (MORL) problems with multiple conflicting
      objectives. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive overview of MORL.
      In this paper, the basic architecture, research topics, and naive solutions of
      MORL are introduced at first. Then, several representative MORL approaches and
      some important directions of recent research are reviewed. The relationships
      between MORL and other related research are also discussed, which include
      multiobjective optimization, hierarchical reinforcement learning, and multi-agent
      reinforcement learning. Finally, research challenges and open problems of MORL
      techniques are highlighted.

PMID- 24240064
TI  - Blood collection tube-related alterations in analyte concentrations in quality
      control material and serum specimens.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Several previous studies have described the effects of interfering
      substances on clinical assay results; however, the effects of exogenous
      substances, particularly additives from blood collection tubes on quality control
      (QC) specimens and serum specimens have not been well examined. This study
      examines the effects of blood-collection tube additives on total triiodothyronine
      (TT3), and thyroxine (TT4), cortisol, and routine clinical chemistry tests in QC
      and serum specimens from apparently healthy volunteers. METHODS: QC and serum
      specimens were poured or collected into different blood collection tubes. TT3 and
      TT4, cortisol, and routine chemistry tests were analyzed from the different blood
      collection tube types. RESULTS: The findings of this study demonstrate
      statistically and/or clinically significant blood collection tube-related
      alterations in the TT3, TT4, and cortisol concentrations of QC specimens and TT4
      concentrations from serum specimens. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have important
      implications for clinical laboratories, demonstrating that QC specimens should
      ideally, like patients' specimens, be poured into blood collection tubes. This
      strategy would reveal any adverse effects caused by blood collection tubes, which
      otherwise would not likely be detected by most routine QC practices. The results
      of this study also show the importance of producing blood collection tubes that
      contain additives that are truly inert and do not adversely affect clinical
      laboratory testing.

PMID- 24240066
TI  - Relationship between the effect of eldecalcitol and serum 25(OH)D level.
AB  - In previous studies, we demonstrated that 12-month treatment with 0.75MUg/day
      eldecalcitol increased bone mineral density in osteoporotic patients regardless
      of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level, and in a 3-year randomized double
      blind clinical trial, eldecalcitol significantly reduced the incidences of
      vertebral and wrist fractures compared to alfacalcidol. However, it remains
      unclear whether the fracture risk reduction by eldecalcitol is affected by serum
      25(OH)D. In the fracture prevention trial, patients with low 25(OH)D level at
      baseline were supplemented with 400IU/day native vitamin D3. In the current
      study, patients from that trial were divided according to the tertiles of serum
      25(OH)D level at 6 months after treatment initiation. The increases in lumbar and
      hip BMD by eldecalcitol were significantly higher in all tertiles than those by
      alfacalcidol. The incidences of vertebral and osteoporotic fractures tended to be
      lower in each tertile of the eldecalcitol-treated group than in the corresponding
      tertile of the alfacalcidol-treated group, with the exception of vertebral
      fractures in the low tertile. We also investigated whether eldecalcitol treatment
      affected levels of serum 25(OH)D, serum 1,25(OH)2D, and parathyroid hormone in
      patients without vitamin D supplementation. With eldecalcitol treatment, serum
      1,25(OH)2D concentration was reduced by approximately 50%, whereas serum levels
      of parathyroid hormone and 25(OH)D were not affected. The major findings of the
      present study were that eldecalcitol did not affect serum 25(OH)D levels, and
      that it reduced the incidence of osteoporotic fractures and increased BMD in
      comparison with alfacalcidol regardless of serum 25(OH)D level within the range
      of serum 25(OH)D concentrations at or higher than 20ng/mL. Whether eldecalcitol
      is similarly effective at vitamin D deficient serum 25(OH)D levels remains to be
      clarified. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Vitamin D Workshop'.

PMID- 24240067
TI  - Variability in free 25(OH) vitamin D levels in clinical populations.
AB  - Our goal was to determine total and directly measured free 25-hydroxy vitamin D
      (25(OH)D) serum levels in humans with a range of 25(OH)D levels and clinical
      conditions associated with low and high vitamin D binding protein levels. Serum
      samples and clinical data were collected from 106 subjects: 62 without cirrhosis
      or pregnancy, 24 cirrhotic patients with albumin <2.9g/dL, and 20 pregnant women.
      Total 25(OH)D (LC/MS/MS) and "free" 25(OH)D (immunoassay) were measured. Total
      25(OH)D was significantly lower in liver disease patients but free 25(OH)D
      concentrations were significantly higher in this group (p<.001). Neither total
      nor free 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly different in pregnant women
      vs. the comparator group. There were significant direct positive relationships
      between free 25(OH)D and total 25(OH)D concentrations for the entire dataset and
      for each group (p<.0001), however slopes of relationships differed in the
      cirrhotic group compared to pregnant women or the comparator group. In
      cirrhotics: y (free 25(OH)D)=2.52+0.29*X(total 25 (OH)D), r(2)=.51, p<.001;
      y=1.45+0.09*X; r(2)=.77, p<.0001 for pregnant women; and y=1.11+0.12*X; r(2)=.72,
      p<.0001 for the comparator group). CONCLUSIONS: directly measured free 25(OH)D
      serum concentrations and relationships between total and free 25(OH)D vary with
      clinical conditions, and may differ from those predicted by indirect estimation
      methods. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Vitamin D Workshop'.

PMID- 24240068
TI  - Association of serum anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin A antibody seropositivity and
      protection against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis: analysis of clinical trials
      of human rotavirus vaccine.
AB  - Clinical trials of the human rotavirus vaccine RotarixTM (RV1) have demonstrated
      significant reductions in severe rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in children
      worldwide. However, no correlate of vaccine efficacy (VE) has yet been
      established. This paper presents 2 analyses which aimed to investigate whether
      serum anti-RV IgA measured by ELISA 1 or 2 mo post-vaccination can serve as a
      correlate of efficacy against RVGE: (1) In a large Phase III efficacy trial (Rota
      037), the Prentice criteria for surrogate endpoints was applied to anti-RV IgA
      seropositivity 1 mo post-vaccination. These criteria determine whether a
      significant vaccine group effect can be predicted from the surrogate, namely
      seropositivity (anti-RV IgA concentration>20 U/mL); (2) Among other GSK-sponsored
      RV1 VE studies, 8 studies which assessed immunogenicity at 1 or 2 mo post
      vaccination in all or a sub-cohort of enrolled subjects and had at least 10 RVGE
      episodes were included in a meta-analysis to measure the regression between
      clinical VE and VE predicted from immunogenicity (VE1). In Rota-037, anti-RV IgA
      seropositivity post-vaccination was associated with a lower incidence of any or
      severe RVGE, however, the proportion of vaccine group effect explained by
      seropositivity was only 43.6% and 32.7% respectively. This low proportion was due
      to the vaccine group effect observed in seronegative subjects. In the meta
      analysis, the slope of the regression between clinical VE and VE1 was
      statistically significant. These two independent analyses support the hypothesis
      that post-vaccination anti-RV IgA seropositivity (antibody concentration >=20
      U/mL) may serve as a useful correlate of efficacy in clinical trials of RV1
      vaccines. 

PMID- 24240069
TI  - Wilkie's syndrome causing persistent vomiting post-colectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Wilkie's syndrome occurs when the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)
      compresses the third part of the duodenum causing proximal dilatation of small
      bowel. It is due to loss of the fat pad that sits between the duodenum and SMA
      and therefore is most commonly seen in people who have had significant weight
      loss. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 79 year old man presented with anaemia and weight
      loss and an ascending colon malignancy was found. He was built up nutritionally
      and subsequently underwent a right hemicolectomy. Post operatively he had
      persistent nausea and vomiting and duodenal compression by the SMA was identified
      on CT imaging. He was managed initially with parenteral nutrition then gradually
      enteral feeding was introduced via a nasojejunal tube. Symptoms resolved with
      weight gain and he was discharged well. DISCUSSION: This condition often presents
      insidiously with intermittent nausea and vomiting. It infrequently occurs with a
      more acute onset in surgical patients. It has a classic appearance on CT imaging
      and is usually managed with conservative treatment although surgical options are
      feasible if this fails. CONCLUSION: Wilkie's syndrome is an interesting and
      infrequent cause of small bowel obstruction following colorectal surgery. A high
      index of suspicion is required.

PMID- 24240070
TI  - Isolated endometriosis causing sigmoid colon obstruction: A case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Isolated endometriosis of the intestine causing large bowel
      obstruction is rare. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of endometriosis
      presenting as large bowel obstruction in a woman of childbearing age. She had no
      previous symptoms to suggest endometriosis and on presentation urgent surgery was
      required. The diagnosis of endometriosis was made only after pathological
      evaluation of the specimen. DISCUSSION: No cases of endometriosis confined to
      this sigmoid colon without pelvic involvement were noted in the literature.
      CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of endometriosis should be entertained when women of
      childbearing age presents with large bowel obstruction, whether or not the
      patient has other evidence of the disease.

PMID- 24240071
TI  - Mixed large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with squamous cell carcinoma of the
      rectum: Report of a rare case and review of the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mixed large cell neuroendocrine neoplasms of the rectum are rare
      and aggressive neoplasms. Survival is poor due to the high rate of lymph node
      metastases and distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. PRESENTATION OF CASE:
      We report a case of a 50-year-old male patient with a mixed large cell
      neuroendocrine carcinoma with squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum located 8cm
      from the anal verge, treated with low anterior resection and total mesorectal
      excision with free surgical margins. There were lymph nodes metastases but no
      distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. The patient refused to receive
      adjuvant chemotherapy and died 6 months later due to liver failure as a result of
      multiple hepatic metastases. DISCUSSION: There are not known predisposing factors
      for the development of neuroendocrine rectal carcinoma. A neuroendocrine
      carcinoma of the rectum is a rare tumor with an incidence of less than 0.1% of
      all colorectal malignancies. The median survival ranges from 5 to 10.4 months in
      several studies and there are not sufficient data in bibliography about ideal
      adjuvant therapy after resection of mixed squamous large cell neuroendocrine
      carcinoma of the rectum. CONCLUSION: Low anterior resection and total mesorectal
      excision with free surgical margins in the presence of lymph nodes metastasis is
      not a sufficient treatment for rectal neuroendocrine carcinoma. More studies
      should be done in order to determine the ideal adjuvant treatment of these rare
      and aggressive tumors.

PMID- 24240072
TI  - Bilateral spontaneous, simultaneous lower extremity hematomas in a patient on
      dalteparin.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bleeding related to low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) is
      typically described as an excess of minor bleeding; however, several reports of
      spontaneous major bleeding have been noted. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 58-year-old
      female presented to the hospital with bilateral spontaneous lower extremity
      hematomas which rapidly enlarged. CT studies demonstrated active arterial
      extravasation from small vessels at multiple sites within each leg with no
      dominant feeding artery identified on either side. She required multiple
      transfusions, administration of protamine, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), recombinant
      activated Factor VII and eventual surgery. DISCUSSION: Dalteparin provides an
      effective and economical method of anticoagulation, however there is a risk of
      significant, spontaneous arterial hemorrhage even in the absence of risk factors.
      CONCLUSION: Dalteparin can cause major spontaneous bleeding from multiple
      arterial sources.

PMID- 24240073
TI  - A retained plastic protective cover mimicking malignancy: Case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cases of retained foreign bodies during surgery are more frequently
      seen in developing countries. Following surgical procedures, unintentionally
      retained foreign bodies can cause serious complications, in addition to medico
      legal issues. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 60-year-old man presented with abdominal
      cramps. He had previously undergone a laparoscopic radical right nephrectomy due
      to renal cell carcinoma. Abdominal tomography revealed a mass surrounding the
      main vascular structures with malignant features in the location of previously
      performed nephrectomy. Further evaluation of the mass was undertaken by PET/CT.
      Increased FDG uptake on the PET/CT scan suggested disease recurrence.
      Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed. The dissection specimen was
      opened to determine the nature of the mass. Retained plastic foreign bodies were
      found. There were no malignant cells in the histopathological examination of the
      surgical specimen. DISCUSSION: A granulomatous reaction which is mainly
      responsible for morbidity occurs around the foreign bodies due to the
      inflammatory response. These granulomas may cause confusion during patient follow
      up, especially in those who have undergone major abdominal surgery due to cancer.
      CONCLUSION: Following surgical resection for malignancy, unintentionally retained
      foreign bodies can produce a moderate increase in FDG uptake mimicking disease
      recurrence.

PMID- 24240074
TI  - Reconstructive surgery in anal giant condyloma: Report of two cases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Giant anal condyloma also called Buschke-Lowenstein tumor is a rare
      sexually transmitted disease involving anogenital region with potential malignant
      degeneration into invasive squamous carcinoma. Complete surgical excision is the
      treatment of choice and often wide wounds are necessary to reach clear margins
      and prevent recurrence. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The authors present two cases
      treated with an S-plasty rotating and a bilateral house advancement flap
      respectively with good functional result. DISCUSSION: Giant anal condyloma also
      called Buschke-Lowenstein tumor is a large exophytic, cauliflower-like mass that
      is characterized by local aggressive behavior. Immunosuppression favors rapid
      growth of the condylomas and increases the risk of their malignant
      transformation. In limited lesions primary excision can be safely performed
      leaving wounds open to granulate while in more extensive lesions flap or skin
      graft coverage is preferable to decrease the length of recovery and minimize risk
      of severe anal stricture. Abdominoperineal resection should be performed for more
      extensive lesions with deep invasion, malignant transformation or tumor
      recurrence. CONCLUSION: Giant anal condyloma also called Buschke-Lowenstein is a
      rare pathology with mainly sporadic single center experience reported in
      literature. Surgical complete excision remains the best treatment although
      elevate should be eventual recurrence. No sufficient data are available to
      recommend any medical treatment such as interferon, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

PMID- 24240075
TI  - A plain abdominal radiograph diagnosis of appendicitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite reported poor sensitivity and specificity, plain abdominal
      radiographs have a role in the investigation of suspected appendicitis.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a previously healthy 47 year old man,
      who presented with sudden onset abdominal pain associated with a raised
      temperature. He gave a short history of pain around the umbilicus, which radiated
      to his right iliac fossa over a period of hours. On examination his abdomen was
      soft with rebound tenderness in the right iliac fossa. Investigations revealed
      white cell count 11.2*109/L, CRP 4mg/L and normal haemoglobin, renal and liver
      function tests. An inflamed appendix was visible with thickened walls on a plain
      abdominal radiograph and was confirmed during laparoscopic appendectomy and
      subsequent histology. He made good recovery and was discharged. DISCUSSION:
      Prominent appendiceal wall and air in the appendix has been described in the
      literature as a CT finding that can distinguish appendicitis from other
      differential diagnoses and here we present a case of diagnosis of appendicitis on
      a plain abdominal radiograph showing this sign which to the best of our knowledge
      is rarely seen on abdominal films. CONCLUSION: Careful assessment of plain
      abdominal films in suspected appendicitis is encouraged not just for exclusion of
      other causes of pain but also in the possible detection of an inflamed appendix.

PMID- 24240076
TI  - Regeneration of ring-shaped lateral meniscus after partial resection of discoid
      meniscus with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The ring-shaped lateral meniscus is very rare. Although it is
      essentially known as a congenital anomaly, a central tear in an incomplete
      discoid meniscus or an old bucket-handle tear in a meniscus may be easily
      mistaken for a ring-shaped meniscus. We experienced a ring-shaped lateral
      meniscus that regenerated after partial resection of a discoid meniscus together
      with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 37
      year-old female patient still experienced unrelenting knee pain 6 months after
      ACL reconstruction and partial meniscectomy of a discoid lateral meniscus. A
      repeat arthroscopy was performed. The lateral tibial plateau was covered in the
      form of a ring by meniscus-like tissue. The meniscus-like tissue appeared to have
      regenerated inward toward the center from the stump after the partial
      meniscectomy and was connected from the anterior to posterior horn, forming an
      interhorn bridge. Partial meniscectomy was repeated. Histologically, the
      regenerated tissue was not meniscal, but comprised mature fibrocartilage;
      macroscopically; however, it was very similar to meniscal tissue. Two years after
      the initial operation, the patient had no complaints and experienced full return
      of function. DISCUSSION: The reason for such regeneration is unknown, but may
      have been attributed to the specific intra-articular environment that developed
      after the ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of
      regenerative development of a ring-shaped lateral meniscus. When a ring-shaped
      lateral meniscus is diagnosed, we must accurately determine whether it is a true
      congenital anomaly in consideration of the present case.

PMID- 24240077
TI  - Unusual presentation of 'numb chin syndrome' as the manifestation of metastatic
      adenocarcinoma of the lung.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Numb chin syndrome (NCS) is the presence of hypoaesthesia or
      paraethesia of the lip and chin over the distribution of the mental nerve. It is
      often caused by the presence of a metastatic tumour in the mandible or the base
      of skull and represents advanced malignancy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This paper
      presents an unusual case of NCS associated with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the
      lung, for which no obvious lesion was found in the mandible or base of the skull.
      DISCUSSION: NCS can oftentimes present itself in the absence of mandibular or
      base of skull metastatic lesions. CONCLUSION: NCS can be a sign of underlying
      advanced metastatic malignancy and therefore cannot be ignored and must be
      investigated fully.

PMID- 24240078
TI  - Reconstruction of short bowel syndrome after internal hernia in a pregnant woman
      with previous bariatric surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery is most often performed with the laparoscopic
      Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. A complication to the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric
      bypass is internal hernia, which occurs in up to 16% of the patients. Since the
      laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is performed in women of fertile age,
      internal hernia may occur during pregnancy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 22-year old
      woman with a history of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass suffered from
      massive internal hernia during pregnancy with widespread bowel necrosis.
      Extensive surgery was performed leaving the patient with an intact duodenum, 15cm
      of jejunum, 35cm of ileum and colon. Parenteral nutrition was initiated and ten
      months after the internal hernia, intestinal continuity was re-established. Ten
      weeks later the patient reached parenteral nutrition independence. DISCUSSION:
      Internal hernia after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can be difficult to
      diagnose, especially during pregnancy and might be severe and life threatening
      for both mother and child. CONCLUSION: Obstetricians and abdominal surgeons must
      be aware of this condition. Surgery should be performed on a wide indication.
      When bowel necrosis is found it should be resected and in case of extensive bowel
      resection the patient should be evaluated in centres specialized in intestinal
      failure.

PMID- 24240079
TI  - Duodenal fistula associated with a peri-appendiceal abscess: A case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Retroperitoneal abscess is an unusual presentation of perforated
      appendicitis. A fistula between the duodenum and an abscess resulting from
      appendicitis has not been previously reported. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 53-year
      old Japanese man with a past medical history of hypertension and iron deficiency
      anemia presented with a 10-day history of fever and right lower abdominal pain,
      and was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal abscess secondary to perforated
      appendicitis. He was then treated with piperacillin and tazobactam after
      undergoing ultrasound-guided drainage, after which his overall condition
      improved. Due to iron deficiency anemia, we performed further evaluation for
      gastrointestinal bleeding and esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed an elevated
      lesion with granulomatous tissue in the duodenum, without an associated ulcer. At
      10 days after abscess drainage, duodenography with contrast showed continuity
      between the abscess cavity and the duodenum. At 74 days after drainage, we
      performed laparoscopic appendectomy. Pathological examination showed
      granulomatous tissue inside the appendix with an inflammatory background and
      fecaliths infiltrated by macrophages. DISCUSSION: Perforated appendicitis has
      various presentations and many unusual fistulae have been reported, however, a
      fistula between a peri-appendiceal abscess and the duodenum has not yet been
      reported. A retroperitoneal abscess around the duodenum and appendix should be
      checked to differentiate it from Valentino's syndrome. CONCLUSION: We present the
      rare complication of a duodenal fistula during the treatment of perforated
      appendicitis. The possibility of fistula formation should be considered in
      patients with complicated appendicitis.

PMID- 24240080
TI  - Pyogenic discitis due to Abiotrophia adiacens.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Abiotrophia species have been referred to as nutritionally variant
      streptococci because of their fastidious nutritional requirements for growth.
      Abiotrophia species are difficult to identify with conventional solid culture.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with
      severe low back pain and body temperature of 38.2 degrees C. Magnetic resonance
      imaging revealed edema and contrast enhancement of the L4 and L5 vertebral bodies
      with high signal intensity in the L3-4 and L4-5 intervertebral discs on the T2
      weighted images. The patient underwent needle biopsy of the L3-4 disk. Cultures
      of disk biopsy samples and blood yielded gram positive cocci in short chains with
      scanty growth on chocolate agar. Further subculture with supplemented medium and
      subsequent 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing identified the pathogen as
      Abiotrhophia adiacens. The patient was treated with intravenous ampicillin. At 6
      month follow-up, the patient was free of symptoms. DISCUSSION: Causative
      microorganisms remain unidentified in 25-40% of spinal infection cases.
      Abiotrophia species grow poorly on conventional solid media, and require
      pyridoxal or thiol group supplementation. Use of Brucella HK agar or GAM agar
      plate is helpful for detection of Abiotrophia species. We first confirmed the
      diagnosis by direct identification of Abiotrophia adiacens from infected disk.
      Abiotrophia species are one of the major pathogens of infective endocarditis
      accounting for 5% of cases. Considering their fastidious nature, it is likely
      that most cases of Abiotrophia discitis are falsely classified as culture
      negative discitis; therefore, their role in pyogenic discitis may be
      underestimated. CONCLUSION: Subculture using nutritionally supplemented media is
      crucial for their identification.

PMID- 24240081
TI  - Duodenal ulcer penetration into the liver at the previous left hemihepatectomy
      site.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Duodenal ulcer penetration into the liver is a rare, but serious
      complication. Its frequency was thought to have decreased owing to advances in
      therapies for peptic ulcers. However, we encountered a case in which the duodenal
      ulcer had penetrated into a previous hemihepatectomy site. PRESENTATION OF CASE:
      A 69-year-old man with a history of left hemihepatectomy 20 months previously
      presented to the emergency room with sudden-onset abdominal pain and nausea. An
      upper gastrointestinal examination with a fiberscope revealed a giant ulcer in
      the duodenal bulb. In addition, a foreign body was detected at the ulcer floor
      and was strongly suspected of being a ligature from previous hemihepatectomy.
      DISCUSSION: The presence of a gas-filled liver mass and bowel wall thickening
      with inflammatory changes are important imaging findings for prompt diagnosis of
      such a condition, but in this case, none of these were reported. Further, no
      definite abscess was found. Thus, the patient was treated conservatively with a
      proton pump inhibitor. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the importance of using
      absorbable suture materials, adequate lavage in the postoperative peritoneal
      space and gastroduodenal mucosal protection postoperatively.

PMID- 24240082
TI  - A very late recurrence of a formerly misdiagnosed low grade endometrial stromal
      sarcoma metastasized to the colon.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Endometrial stromal sarcomas are rare mesenchymal neoplasms of the
      uterus with an indolent clinical course but a high risk of recurrence.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a 78 year old woman who presented with
      rectal bleeding and recurrent urinary tract infections, caused by a very late
      recurrence of a formerly misdiagnosed low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma,
      metastasized to the colon. DISCUSSION: Endometrial stromal sarcomas are difficult
      to diagnose, both due to the rarity of the tumor and because of the close
      resemblance of the tumor to normal stromal tissue. These tumors are known for a
      high tendency of recurrence, therefore long term follow up is required in
      patients with endometrial stromal sarcoma. CONCLUSION: In patients with a history
      known for endometrial stromal sarcoma recurrence should always be considered.

PMID- 24240083
TI  - Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy after endovascular repair for abdominal
      aortic aneurysm.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Most gastroenterological surgeries, even pancreatic surgery, can
      now be performed laparoscopically. However, the management of concomitant
      abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and intra-abdominal malignancy is controversial.
      The performance of endovascular repair (EVAR) for AAA has been increasing;
      however, there is no report of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy after EVAR.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: A pancreatic tumor was detected during follow-up after EVAR
      for AAA. The enlarging tumor was diagnosed as an intraductal papillary mucinous
      tumor with a nodule. Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy was safely performed.
      After laparoscopic dissection around the pancreas head, an additional incision
      was made in the upper abdomen, and pancreatic reconstruction was performed
      through the incision. In spite of grade B pancreatic fistulae, the patient
      recovered with medical therapy. The pathological diagnosis was intraductal
      papillary mucinous adenoma with small foci of carcinoma in situ. The patient has
      been well with neither recurrence of the tumor nor any cardiovascular events for
      18 months. DISCUSSION: The management of concomitant malignancy and AAA is
      challenging, especially in patients with a pancreatic tumor. The reasons for the
      rarity of treatment include prognosis, anatomical vicinity, and postoperative
      complications. EVAR reduces retroperitoneal adhesions. A laparoscopic approach
      provides a small operative field and decreases mutual interference with AAA.
      Moreover, reconstruction is performed through an upper abdominal incision apart
      from the AAA. Hand-sewing provides more reliable stability of the anastomosis.
      CONCLUSION: The increasing frequency of performance of EVAR for AAA and
      subsequent computed tomography may help to detect malignancy. Laparoscopic
      surgery appears to be a valid approach to malignancy after EVAR.

PMID- 24240084
TI  - Acute ischemic gangrene of the rectum: Report of 3 cases and review of
      literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute ischemia of the rectum resulting in full thickness necrosis
      is extremely uncommon because of its excellent blood supply. PRESENTATION OF
      CASE: We present 3 cases with spontaneous ischemic gangrene of the rectum. All
      three patients were elderly with atherosclerotic arterial disease and presented
      with hypotensive shock but in none of these patients we encountered a
      precipitating factor such as preceding vascular surgery or shock state.
      DISCUSSION: A high index of suspicion should be maintained in elderly patients
      with atherosclerotic disease who present with lower GI symptoms with hypotensive
      shock and an inflamed rectum on CT scan. Immediate beside proctoscopy should be
      offered to these patients and if the diagnosis is confirmed these patients should
      be taken to the operating room immediately. If the entire rectum is found to be
      gangrenous then an emergency APR should be performed and the perineal wound left
      open. If the rectum is partially gangrenous then a low anterior resection with
      Hartman's procedure for diversion is appropriate. CONCLUSION: Prompt diagnosis
      and resuscitation followed by immediate surgical intervention is necessary to
      save these elderly patients.

PMID- 24240085
TI  - ICRAC controls the rapid androgen response in human primary prostate epithelial
      cells and is altered in prostate cancer.
AB  - Labelled 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding experiments have shown that
      expression levels of (yet unidentified) membrane androgen receptors (mAR) are
      elevated in prostate cancer and correlate with a negative prognosis. However,
      activation of these receptors which mediate a rapid androgen response can
      counteract several cancer hallmark functions such as unlimited proliferation,
      enhanced migration, adhesion and invasion and the inability to induce apoptosis.
      Here, we investigate the downstream signaling pathways of mAR and identify rapid
      DHT induced activation of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) in primary cultures of
      human prostate epithelial cells (hPEC) from non-tumorous tissue. Consequently,
      down-regulation of Orai1, the main molecular component of Ca2+ release-activated
      Ca2+ (CRAC) channels results in an almost complete loss of DHT induced SOCE. We
      demonstrate that this DHT induced Ca2+ influx via Orai1 is important for rapid
      androgen triggered prostate specific antigen (PSA) release. We furthermore
      identified alterations of the molecular components of CRAC channels in prostate
      cancer. Three lines of evidence indicate that prostate cancer cells down-regulate
      expression of the Orai1 homolog Orai3: First, Orai3 mRNA expression levels are
      significantly reduced in tumorous tissue when compared to non-tumorous tissue
      from prostate cancer patients. Second, mRNA expression levels of Orai3 are
      decreased in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and DU145 when compared to hPEC
      from healthy tissue. Third, the pharmacological profile of CRAC channels in
      prostate cancer cell lines and hPEC differ and siRNA based knock-down experiments
      indicate changed Orai3 levels are underlying the altered pharmacological profile.
      The cancer-specific composition and pharmacology of CRAC channels identifies CRAC
      channels as putative targets in prostate cancer therapy. 

PMID- 24240086
TI  - Salivary adiponectin levels are associated with training intensity but not with
      bone mass or reproductive function in elite Rhythmic Gymnasts.
AB  - Elite Rhythmic Gymnasts (RGs) constitute a unique metabolic model and they are
      prone to developing Anorexia Athletica. The aim of the present study was to
      evaluate the effect of training intensity on salivary adiponectin levels and
      assess a possible role of salivary adiponectin levels as a predictive factor of
      reproductive dysfunction and bone mass acquisition in elite RGs. The study
      included 80 elite female RGs participating in the World Rhythmic Gymnastics
      Championship tournament held in Montpellier, France on September 2011.
      Anthropometric values were assessed, training data and menstrual pattern were
      recorded, bone mass was measured with Broadband ultrasound attenuation (dB/Mhz)
      and baseline salivary adiponectin levels were determined. The athletes were
      classified as intensely and very intensely trained, considering the mean training
      intensity (40.84h/week). Moreover, considering their reproductive status, they
      were divided into RG's with normal menstruation, primary amenorrhea and
      oligomenorrhea. All comparisons were adjusted to age, BMI and body fat percentage
      differences. Very intensely trained RGs showed higher salivary adiponectin levels
      (p=0.05). Moreover, salivary adiponectin levels showed significant correlation
      with training intensity (r=0.409, p=0.003). On the other hand, no association of
      salivary adiponectin levels was documented with either reproductive function or
      bone mass acquisition. The results of the present study suggest that, in elite
      RGs, salivary adiponectin levels are associated with the intensity of training,
      possibly reflecting the deterioration of energy balance rather than the training
      stress. On the other hand, a predictive role of salivary adiponectin levels in
      reproductive dysfunction or bone mass acquisition could not be supported. 

PMID- 24240087
TI  - What is the difference between OASIS and OPERA? Roughly five pixels: orthographic
      structure biases the perceived length of letter strings.
AB  - A thorough understanding of monosyllabic-word-recognition processes, in contrast
      with multisyllabic-word processing, has accumulated over the past decades. One
      fundamental challenge regarding multisyllabic words concerns their parsing into
      smaller units and the nature of the cues determining the parsing. We propose that
      the organization of consonant and vowel letters provides powerful cues for
      parsing, and we present data from a new task showing that a word's orthographic
      structure, as determined by the number of vowel-letter clusters, influences
      estimations of its length. Words were briefly presented on a computer screen, and
      participants had to estimate word length by drawing a line on the screen with the
      mouse. In three experiments, participants estimated words comprising fewer
      orthographic units as shorter than words comprising more units even though the
      words matched for number of letters. Further results demonstrated that the length
      bias was driven by orthographic information and not by phonological structure. 

PMID- 24240088
TI  - Short-term calorie restriction feminizes the mRNA profiles of drug metabolizing
      enzymes and transporters in livers of mice.
AB  - Calorie restriction (CR) is one of the most effective anti-aging interventions in
      mammals. A modern theory suggests that aging results from a decline in
      detoxification capabilities and thus accumulation of damaged macromolecules. The
      present study aimed to determine how short-term CR alters mRNA profiles of genes
      that encode metabolism and detoxification machinery in the liver. Male C57BL/6
      mice were fed CR (0, 15, 30, or 40%) diets for one month, followed by mRNA
      quantification of 98 xenobiotic processing genes (XPGs) in the liver, including 7
      uptake transporters, 39 phase-I enzymes, 37 phase-II enzymes, 10 efflux
      transporters, and 5 transcription factors. In general, 15% CR did not alter mRNAs
      of most XPGs, whereas 30 and 40% CR altered over half of the XPGs (32 increased
      and 29 decreased). CR up-regulated some phase-I enzymes (fold increase), such as
      Cyp4a14 (12), Por (2.3), Nqo1 (1.4), Fmo2 (5.4), and Fmo3 (346), and numerous
      number of phase-II enzymes, such as Sult1a1 (1.2), Sult1d1 (2.0), Sult1e1 (33),
      Sult3a1 (2.2), Gsta4 (1.3), Gstm2 (1.3), Gstm3 (1.7), and Mgst3 (2.2). CR
      feminized the mRNA profiles of 32 XPGs in livers of male mice. For instance, CR
      decreased the male-predominantly expressed Oatp1a1 (97%) and increased the female
      predominantly expressed Oatp1a4 (11). In conclusion, short-term CR alters the
      mRNA levels of over half of the 98 XPGs quantified in livers of male mice, and
      over half of these alterations appear to be due to feminization of the liver. 

PMID- 24240089
TI  - Suppression of tumorigenesis in mitochondrial NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate
      dehydrogenase knock-out mice.
AB  - The tumor host microenvironment is increasingly viewed as an important
      contributor to tumor growth and suppression. Cellular oxidative stress resulting
      from high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to various
      processes involved in the development and progress of malignant tumors including
      carcinogenesis, aberrant growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis. In this regard,
      the stroma induces oxidative stress in adjacent tumor cells, and this in turn
      causes several changes in tumor cells including modulation of the redox status,
      inhibition of cell proliferation, and induction of apoptotic or necrotic cell
      death. Because the levels of ROS are determined by a balance between ROS
      generation and ROS detoxification, disruption of this system will result in
      increased or decreased ROS level. Recently, we demonstrated that the control of
      mitochondrial redox balance and cellular defense against oxidative damage is one
      of the primary functions of mitochondrial NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate
      dehydrogenase (IDH2) that supplies NADPH for antioxidant systems. To explore the
      interactions between tumor cells and the host, we evaluated tumorigenesis between
      IDH2-deficient (knock-out) and wild-type mice in which B16F10 melanoma cells had
      been implanted. Suppression of B16F10 cell tumorigenesis was reproducibly
      observed in the IDH2-deficient mice along with significant elevation of oxidative
      stress in both the tumor and the stroma. In addition, the expression of
      angiogenesis markers was significantly down-regulated in both the tumor and the
      stroma of the IDH2-deficient mice. These results support the hypothesis that
      redox status-associated changes in the host environment of tumor-bearing mice may
      contribute to cancer progression. 

PMID- 24240090
TI  - Human diseases of the SSU processome.
AB  - Ribosomes are the cellular machines responsible for protein synthesis. Ribosome
      biogenesis, the production of ribosomes, is a complex process involving pre
      ribosomal RNA (rRNA) cleavages and modifications as well as ribosomal protein
      assembly around the rRNAs to create the functional ribosome. The small subunit
      (SSU) processome is a large ribonucleoprotein (RNP) in eukaryotes required for
      the assembly of the SSU of the ribosome as well as for the maturation of the 18S
      rRNA. Despite the fundamental nature of the SSU processome to the survival of any
      eukaryotic cell, mutations in SSU processome components have been implicated in
      human diseases. Three SSU processome components and their related human diseases
      will be explored in this review: hUTP4/Cirhin, implicated in North American
      Indian childhood cirrhosis (NAIC); UTP14, implicated in infertility, ovarian
      cancer, and scleroderma; and EMG1, implicated in Bowen-Conradi syndrome (BCS).
      Diseases with suggestive, though inconclusive, evidence for the involvement of
      the SSU processome in their pathogenesis are also discussed, including a novel
      putative ribosomopathy. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Role of
      the Nucleolus in Human Disease.

PMID- 24240092
TI  - Mercury specifically induces LINE-1 activity in a human neuroblastoma cell line.
AB  - L1 retro-elements comprise 17% of the human genome. Approximately 100 copies of
      these autonomous mobile elements are active in our DNA and can cause mutations,
      gene disruptions, and genomic instability. Therefore, human cells control the
      activities of L1 elements, in order to prevent their deleterious effects through
      different mechanisms. However, some toxic agents increase the retrotransposition
      activity of L1 elements in somatic cells. In order to identify specific effects
      of neurotoxic metals on L1 activity in neuronal cells, we studied the effects of
      mercury and cobalt on L1-retroelement activity by measuring levels of cellular
      transcription, protein expression, and genomic retrotransposition in a
      neuroblastoma cell line compared with the effects in three non-neuronal cell
      lines. Our results show that mercury increased the expression of L1 RNA, the
      activity of the L1 5'UTR, and L1 retrotransposition exclusively in the
      neuroblastoma cell line but not in non-neuronal cell lines. However, cobalt
      increased the expression of L1 RNA in neuroblastoma cells, HeLa cells, and wild
      type human fibroblasts, and also increased the activity of the L1 5'UTR as well
      as the SV40 promoter in HeLa cells but not in neuroblastoma cells. Exposure to
      cobalt did not result in increased retrotransposition activity in HeLa cells or
      neuroblastoma cells. We conclude that non-toxic levels of the neurotoxic agent
      mercury could influence DNA by increasing L1 activities, specifically in neuronal
      cells, and may make these cells susceptible to neurodegeneration over time. 

PMID- 24240091
TI  - Contributions of Bcl-xL to acute and long term changes in bioenergetics during
      neuronal plasticity.
AB  - Mitochondria manufacture and release metabolites and manage calcium during
      neuronal activity and synaptic transmission, but whether long term alterations in
      mitochondrial function contribute to the neuronal plasticity underlying changes
      in organism behavior patterns is still poorly understood. Although normal
      neuronal plasticity may determine learning, in contrast a persistent decline in
      synaptic strength or neuronal excitability may portend neurite retraction and
      eventual somatic death. Anti-death proteins such as Bcl-xL not only provide
      neuroprotection at the neuronal soma during cell death stimuli, but also appear
      to enhance neurotransmitter release and synaptic growth and development. It is
      proposed that Bcl-xL performs these functions through its ability to regulate
      mitochondrial release of bioenergetic metabolites and calcium, and through its
      ability to rapidly alter mitochondrial positioning and morphology. Bcl-xL also
      interacts with proteins that directly alter synaptic vesicle recycling. Bcl-xL
      translocates acutely to sub-cellular membranes during neuronal activity to
      achieve changes in synaptic efficacy. After stressful stimuli, pro-apoptotic
      cleaved delta N Bcl-xL (DeltaN Bcl-xL) induces mitochondrial ion channel activity
      leading to synaptic depression and this is regulated by caspase activation.
      During physiological states of decreased synaptic stimulation, loss of
      mitochondrial Bcl-xL and low level caspase activation occur prior to the onset of
      long term decline in synaptic efficacy. The degree to which Bcl-xL changes
      mitochondrial membrane permeability may control the direction of change in
      synaptic strength. The small molecule Bcl-xL inhibitor ABT-737 has been useful in
      defining the role of Bcl-xL in synaptic processes. Bcl-xL is crucial to the
      normal health of neurons and synapses and its malfunction may contribute to
      neurodegenerative disease.

PMID- 24240093
TI  - Prolonged insulin stimulation down-regulates GLUT4 through oxidative stress
      mediated retromer inhibition by a protein kinase CK2-dependent mechanism in 3T3
      L1 adipocytes.
AB  - Although insulin acutely stimulates glucose uptake by promotion of GLUT4
      translocation from intracellular compartments to the plasma membrane in
      adipocytes and muscles, long term insulin stimulation causes GLUT4 depletion that
      is particularly prominent in the insulin-responsive GLUT4 storage compartment.
      This effect is caused mainly by accelerated lysosomal degradation of GLUT4,
      although the mechanism is not fully defined. Here we show that insulin acutely
      induced dissociation of retromer components from the low density microsomal
      membranes of 3T3-L1 adipocytes that was accompanied by disruption of the
      interaction of Vps35 with sortilin. This insulin effect was dependent on the
      activity of protein kinase CK2 but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. Knockdown of Vps26 decreased GLUT4 to
      a level comparable with that with insulin stimulation for 4 h. Vps35 with a
      mutation in the CK2 phosphorylation motif (Vps35-S7A) was resistant to insulin
      induced dissociation from the low density microsomal membrane, and its
      overexpression attenuated GLUT4 down-regulation with insulin. Furthermore,
      insulin-generated hydrogen peroxide was an upstream mediator of the insulin
      action on retromer and GLUT4. These results suggested that insulin-generated
      oxidative stress switches the GLUT4 sorting direction to lysosomes through
      inhibition of the retromer function in a CK2-dependent manner. 

PMID- 24240094
TI  - Glucose regulates hypothalamic long-chain fatty acid metabolism via AMP-activated
      kinase (AMPK) in neurons and astrocytes.
AB  - Hypothalamic controls of energy balance rely on the detection of circulating
      nutrients such as glucose and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) by the mediobasal
      hypothalamus (MBH). LCFA metabolism in the MBH plays a key role in the control of
      food intake and glucose homeostasis, yet it is not known if glucose regulates
      LCFA oxidation and esterification in the MBH and, if so, which hypothalamic cell
      type(s) and intracellular signaling mechanisms are involved. The aim of this
      study was to determine the impact of glucose on LCFA metabolism, assess the role
      of AMP-activated Kinase (AMPK), and to establish if changes in LCFA metabolism
      and its regulation by glucose vary as a function of the kind of LCFA, cell type,
      and brain region. We show that glucose inhibits palmitate oxidation via AMPK in
      hypothalamic neuronal cell lines, primary hypothalamic astrocyte cultures, and
      MBH slices ex vivo but not in cortical astrocytes and slice preparations. In
      contrast, oleate oxidation was not affected by glucose or AMPK inhibition in MBH
      slices. In addition, our results show that glucose increases palmitate, but not
      oleate, esterification into neutral lipids in neurons and MBH slices but not in
      hypothalamic astrocytes. These findings reveal for the first time the metabolic
      fate of different LCFA in the MBH, demonstrate AMPK-dependent glucose regulation
      of LCFA oxidation in both astrocytes and neurons, and establish metabolic
      coupling of glucose and LCFA as a distinguishing feature of hypothalamic nuclei
      critical for the control of energy balance. 

PMID- 24240095
TI  - Mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced osteopontin and its role in
      epithelial to mesenchymal transition of hepatocytes.
AB  - Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoprotein, originally characterized in
      malignant-transformed epithelial cells. OPN is associated with tumor metastasis
      of several tumors and is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue
      involving HCC invasion and metastasis. Importantly, OPN is significantly up
      regulated in liver injury, inflammation, and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated
      HCC. However, the underlying mechanisms of OPN activation and its role in HCV
      mediated liver disease pathogenesis are not known. In this study, we investigated
      the mechanism of OPN activation in HCV-infected cells. We demonstrate that HCV
      mediated Ca(2+) signaling, elevation of reactive oxygen species, and activation
      of cellular kinases such as p38 MAPK, JNK, PI3K, and MEK1/2 are involved in OPN
      activation. Incubation of HCV-infected cells with the inhibitors of AP-1 and Sp1
      and site-directed mutagenesis of AP-1- and Sp1-binding sites on the OPN promoter
      suggest the critical role of AP-1 and Sp1 in OPN promoter activation. In
      addition, we show the in vivo interactions of AP-1 and Sp1 with the OPN promoter
      using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. We also show the calpain-mediated
      processing of precursor OPN (~75 kDa) into ~55-, ~42-, and ~36-kDa forms of OPN
      in HCV-infected cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate the critical role of HCV
      induced OPN in increased phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3beta followed by the
      activation of beta-catenin, which can lead to EMT of hepatocytes. Taken together,
      these studies provide an insight into the mechanisms of OPN activation that is
      relevant to the metastasis of HCV-associated HCC. 

PMID- 24240096
TI  - Interaction of Bcl-2 with the autophagy-related GABAA receptor-associated protein
      (GABARAP): biophysical characterization and functional implications.
AB  - Apoptosis and autophagy are fundamental homeostatic processes in eukaryotic
      organisms fulfilling essential roles in development and adaptation. Recently, the
      anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 has been reported to also inhibit autophagy, thus
      establishing a potential link between these pathways, but the mechanistic details
      are only beginning to emerge. Here we show that Bcl-2 directly binds to the
      phagophore-associated protein GABARAP. NMR experiments revealed that the
      interaction critically depends on a three-residue segment (EWD) of Bcl-2 adjacent
      to the BH4 region, which is anchored to one of the two hydrophobic pockets on the
      GABARAP molecule. This is at variance with the majority of GABARAP interaction
      partners identified previously, which occupy both hydrophobic pockets
      simultaneously. Bcl-2 affinity could also be detected for GEC1, but not for other
      mammalian Atg8 homologs. Finally, we provide evidence that overexpression of Bcl
      2 inhibits lipidation of GABARAP, a key step in autophagosome formation, possibly
      via competition with the lipid conjugation machinery. These results support the
      regulatory role of Bcl-2 in autophagy and define GABARAP as a novel interaction
      partner involved in this intricate connection. 

PMID- 24240097
TI  - A chemoreceptor that detects molecular carbon dioxide.
AB  - Animals from diverse phyla possess neurons that are activated by the product of
      aerobic respiration, CO2. It has long been thought that such neurons primarily
      detect the CO2 metabolites protons and bicarbonate. We have determined the
      chemical tuning of isolated CO2 chemosensory BAG neurons of the nematode
      Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that BAG neurons are principally tuned to detect
      molecular CO2, although they can be activated by acid stimuli. One component of
      the BAG transduction pathway, the receptor-type guanylate cyclase GCY-9, suffices
      to confer cellular sensitivity to both molecular CO2 and acid, indicating that it
      is a bifunctional chemoreceptor. We speculate that in other animals, receptors
      similarly capable of detecting molecular CO2 might mediate effects of CO2 on
      neural circuits and behavior. 

PMID- 24240098
TI  - Determinants in the beta and delta subunit cytoplasmic loop regulate Golgi
      trafficking and surface expression of the muscle acetylcholine receptor.
AB  - The molecular determinants that govern nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR)
      assembly and trafficking are poorly defined, and those identified operate largely
      during initial receptor biogenesis in the endoplasmic reticulum. To identify
      determinants that regulate later trafficking steps, we performed an unbiased
      screen using chimeric proteins consisting of CD4 fused to the muscle AChR subunit
      cytoplasmic loops. In C2 mouse muscle cells, we found that CD4-beta and delta
      subunit loops were expressed at very low levels on the cell surface, whereas the
      other subunit loops were robustly expressed on the plasma membrane. The low
      surface expression of CD4-beta and delta loops was due to their pronounced
      retention in the Golgi apparatus and also to their rapid internalization from the
      plasma membrane. Both retention and recovery were mediated by the proximal 25-28
      amino acids in each loop and were dependent on an ordered sequence of charged and
      hydrophobic residues. Indeed, betaK353L and deltaK351L mutations increased
      surface trafficking of the CD4-subunit loops by >6-fold and also decreased their
      internalization from the plasma membrane. Similarly, combined betaK353L and
      deltaK351L mutations increased the surface levels of assembled AChR expressed in
      HEK cells to 138% of wild-type levels. This was due to increased trafficking to
      the plasma membrane and not decreased AChR turnover. These findings identify
      novel Golgi retention signals in the beta and delta subunit loops that regulate
      surface trafficking of assembled AChR and may help prevent surface expression of
      unassembled subunits. Together, these results define molecular determinants that
      govern a Golgi-based regulatory step in nicotinic AChR trafficking. 

PMID- 24240100
TI  - Prevention of cavus foot deformity following gradual distraction osteogenesis for
      first brachymetatarsia--technique tip.

PMID- 24240099
TI  - Neuroendocrine tumours of the head and neck: anatomical, functional and molecular
      imaging and contemporary management.
AB  - Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the head and neck are rare neoplasms and can be
      of epithelial or non-epithelial differentiation. Although the natural history of
      NETs is variable, it is crucial to establish an early diagnosis of these tumours
      as they can be potentially curable. Conventional anatomical imaging and
      functional imaging using radionuclide scintigraphy and positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography can be complementary for the diagnosis, staging
      and monitoring of treatment response. This article describes and illustrates the
      imaging features of head and neck NETs, discusses the potential future role of
      novel positron-emitting tracers that are emerging into clinical practice and
      reviews contemporary management of these tumours. Familiarity with the choice of
      imaging techniques and the variety of imaging patterns and treatment options
      should help guide radiologists in the management of this rare but important
      subgroup of head and neck neoplasms. 

PMID- 24240102
TI  - The uncertainty of mass discharge measurements using pumping methods under
      simplified conditions.
AB  - Mass discharge measurements at contaminated sites have been used to assist with
      site management decisions, and can be divided into two broad categories: point
      scale measurement techniques and pumping methods. Pumping methods can be sub
      divided based on the pumping procedures used into sequential, concurrent, and
      tandem circulating well categories. Recent work has investigated the uncertainty
      of point measurement methods, and to a lesser extent, pumping methods. However,
      the focus of this study was a direct comparison of uncertainty between the
      various pumping method approaches that have been used, as well as a comparison of
      uncertainty between pumping and point measurement methods. Mass discharge
      measurement error was investigated using a Monte Carlo modeling analysis as a
      function of the contaminant plume position and width, and as a function of the
      pumping conditions used in the different pumping tests. Results indicated that
      for the conditions investigated, uncertainty in mass discharge estimates based on
      pumping methods was 1.3 to 16 times less than point measurement method
      uncertainty, and that a sequential pumping approach resulted in 5 to 12 times
      less uncertainty than the concurrent pumping or tandem circulating well
      approaches. Uncertainty was also investigated as a function of the plume width
      relative to well spacing. For a given well spacing, uncertainty decreased for all
      methods as the plume width increased, and comparable levels of uncertainty
      between point measurement and pumping methods were obtained when three wells were
      distributed across the plume. A hybrid pumping technique in which alternate wells
      were pumped concurrently in two separate campaigns yielded similar uncertainty to
      the sequential pumping approach. This suggests that the hybrid approach can be
      used to capitalize on the advantages of sequential pumping yet minimize the
      overall test duration. 

PMID- 24240101
TI  - A comparative study of Pointed and Yan expression reveals new complexity to the
      transcriptional networks downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling.
AB  - The biochemical regulatory network downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)
      signaling is controlled by two opposing ETS family members: the transcriptional
      activator Pointed (Pnt) and the transcriptional repressor Yan. A bistable switch
      model has been invoked to explain how pathway activation can drive
      differentiation by shifting the system from a high-Yan/low-Pnt activity state to
      a low-Yan/high-Pnt activity state. Although the model explains yan and pnt loss
      of-function phenotypes in several different cell types, how Yan and Pointed
      protein expression dynamics contribute to these and other developmental
      transitions remains poorly understood. Toward this goal we have used a functional
      GFP-tagged Pnt transgene (Pnt-GFP) to perform a comparative study of Yan and Pnt
      protein expression throughout Drosophila development. Consistent with the
      prevailing model of the Pnt-Yan network, we found numerous instances where Pnt
      GFP and Yan adopt a mutually exclusive pattern of expression. However we also
      observed many examples of co-expression. While some co-expression occurred in
      cells where RTK signaling is presumed low, other co-expression occurred in cells
      with high RTK signaling. The instances of co-expressed Yan and Pnt-GFP in tissues
      with high RTK signaling cannot be explained by the current model, and thus they
      provide important contexts for future investigation of how context-specific
      differences in RTK signaling, network topology, or responsiveness to other
      signaling inputs, affect the transcriptional response. 

PMID- 24240103
TI  - Influence of calcite on uranium(VI) reactive transport in the groundwater-river
      mixing zone.
AB  - Calcite is an important, relatively soluble mineral phase that can affect uranium
      reactive transport in subsurface sediments. This study was conducted to
      investigate the distribution of calcite and its influence on uranium adsorption
      and reactive transport in the groundwater-river mixing zone of the Hanford 300A
      site, Washington State. Simulations using a two-dimensional (2D) reactive
      transport model under field-relevant hydrological and hydrogeochemical conditions
      revealed the development of a calcite reaction front through the mixing zone as a
      result of dynamic groundwater-river interactions. The calcite concentration
      distribution, in turn, affected the concentrations of aqueous carbonate and
      calcium, and pH through dissolution, as river waters intruded and receded from
      the site at different velocities in response to stage changes. The composition
      variations in groundwater subsequently influenced uranium mobility and discharge
      rates into the river in a complex fashion. The results implied that calcite
      distribution and concentration are important variables that need to be quantified
      for accurate reactive transport predictions of uranium, especially in dynamic
      groundwater-river mixing zones. 

PMID- 24240104
TI  - The effect of pH on the toxicity of fatty acids and fatty acid amides to rainbow
      trout gill cells.
AB  - Harmful algal blooms (HABs) expose aquatic organisms to multiple physical and
      chemical stressors during an acute time period. Algal toxins themselves may be
      altered by water chemistry parameters affecting their bioavailability and
      resultant toxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two
      abiotic parameters (pH, inorganic metal salts) on the toxicity of fatty acid
      amides and fatty acids, two classes of lipids produced by harmful algae,
      including the golden alga, Prymnesium parvum, that are toxic to aquatic
      organisms. Rainbow trout gill cells were used as a model of the fish gill and
      exposed to single compounds and mixtures of compounds along with variations in pH
      level and concentration of inorganic metal salts. We employed artificial neural
      networks (ANNs) and standard ANOVA statistical analysis to examine and predict
      the effects of these abiotic parameters on the toxicity of fatty acid amides and
      fatty acids. Our results demonstrate that increasing pH levels increases the
      toxicity of fatty acid amides and inhibits the toxicity of fatty acids. This
      phenomenon is reversed at lower pH levels. Exposing gill cells to complex
      mixtures of chemical factors resulted in dramatic increases in toxicity compared
      to tests of single compounds for both the fatty acid amides and fatty acids.
      These findings highlight the potential of physicochemical factors to affect the
      toxicity of chemicals released during algal blooms and demonstrate drastic
      differences in the effect of pH on fatty acid amides and fatty acids. 

PMID- 24240105
TI  - Enantioselective changes in oxidative stress and toxin release in Microcystis
      aeruginosa exposed to chiral herbicide diclofop acid.
AB  - Enantioselective oxidative stress and toxin release from Microcystis aeruginosa
      after exposure to the chiral herbicide diclofop acid were investigated. Racemic
      diclofop acid, R-diclofop acid and S-diclofop acid induced reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) generation, increased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA),
      enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and triggered toxin release
      in M. aeruginosa to varying degrees. The increase in MDA concentration and SOD
      activity in M. aeruginosa occurred sooner after exposure to diclofop acid than
      when the cyanobacteria was exposed to either the R- and the S-enantiomer. In
      addition, enantioselective toxicity of the enantiomers was observed. The R
      enantiomer trigged more ROS generation, more SOD activity and more toxin
      synthesis and release in M. aeruginosa cells than the S-enantiomer. Diclofop acid
      and its R-enantiomer may collapse the transmembrane proton gradient and destroy
      the cell membrane through lipid peroxidation and free radical oxidation, whereas
      the S-enantiomer did not demonstrate such action. R-diclofop acid inhibits the
      growth of M. aeruginosa in the early stage, but ultimately induced greater toxin
      release, which has a deleterious effect on the water column. These results
      indicate that more comprehensive study is needed to determine the environmental
      safety of the enantiomers, and application of chiral pesticides requires more
      direct supervision and training. Additionally, lifecycle analysis of chiral
      pollutants in aquatic system needs more attention to aide in the environmental
      assessment of chiral pesticides. 

PMID- 24240106
TI  - Differential apoptotic and proliferative activities of wild-type FOXL2 and
      blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES)-associated mutant
      FOXL2 proteins.
AB  - FOXL2 is an essential transcription factor that is required for proper
      development of the ovary and eyelid. Mutations in FOXL2 cause an autosomal
      dominant genetic disorder, blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome
      (BPES). BPES type I patients have eyelid malformation and premature ovarian
      failure leading to infertility, whereas women with type II BPES are fertile or
      subfertile. In the present study, we evaluated and compared apoptotic and
      antiproliferative activities of wild-type (WT) and mutant FOXL2 proteins found in
      BPES type I and II in human granulosa cell tumor-derived KGN cells. Ectopic
      expression of WT FOXL2 induced apoptosis and inhibited cell cycle progression in
      human granulosa cells. In contrast, mutated FOXL2s found in BPES type I
      significantly reduced these activities, whereas mutated FOXL2s in BPES type II
      showed intermediate activities. Furthermore, mutant FOX L2 proteins were
      defective in activating transcription of target genes including Caspase 8, TNF
      R1, FAS, p21, and BMP4, which regulate apoptosis, proliferation, and
      differentiation of granulosa cells. Thus, decreased apoptotic and
      antiproliferative activities caused by mutant forms of FOXL2 found in BPES
      patients may at least partially contribute to the pathophysiology of ovarian
      dysfunction. 

PMID- 24240107
TI  - Nanotubular MnO2/graphene oxide composites for the application of open air
      breathing cathode microbial fuel cells.
AB  - Nanotubular shaped alpha-MnO2/graphene oxide nanocomposites were synthesized via
      a simple, cost and time efficient hydrothermal method. The growth of hollow
      structured MnO2 nanotubes preferentially occurred along the [001] direction as
      evidenced from the morphological and structural characterizations. The tunnels of
      alpha-MnO2 nanotubes easily accommodated the molecular oxygen and exhibited
      excellent catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction over the rod
      structure and was further enhanced with the effective carbon support graphene
      oxide. The MnO2 nanotubes/graphene oxide nanocomposite modified electrode
      exhibited a maximum power density of 3359 mW m(-2) which is 7.8 fold higher than
      that of unmodified electrode and comparable with the Pt/C modified electrode. The
      microbial fuel cell equipped with MnO2 nanotubes/graphene oxide nanocomposite
      modified cathode exhibited quick start up and excellent durability over the
      studied electrodes and is attributed to the high surface area and number of
      active sites. These findings not only provide the fundamental studies on carbon
      supported low-dimensional transition-metal oxides but also open up the new
      possibilities of their applications in green energy devices.

PMID- 24240108
TI  - HDM2 regulation by AURKA promotes cell survival in gastric cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Suppression of P53 (tumor protein 53) transcriptional function mediates
      poor therapeutic response in patients with cancer. Aurora kinase A (AURKA) and
      human double minute 2 (HDM2) are negative regulators of P53. Herein, we examined
      the role of AURKA in regulating HDM2 and its subsequent effects on P53 apoptotic
      function in gastric cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Primary tumors and in vitro
      gastric cancer cell models with overexpression or knockdown of AURKA were used.
      The role of AURKA in regulating HDM2 and cell survival coupled with P53
      expression and activity were investigated. RESULTS: Overexpression of AURKA
      enhanced the HDM2 protein level; conversely, knockdown of endogenous AURKA
      decreased expression of HDM2 in AGS and SNU-1 cells. Dual co-immunoprecipitation
      assay data indicated that AURKA was associated with HDM2 in a protein complex.
      The in vitro kinase assay using recombinant AURKA and HDM2 proteins followed by
      co-immunoprecipitation revealed that AURKA directly interacts and phosphorylates
      HDM2 protein in vitro. The activation of HDM2 by AURKA led to induction of P53
      ubiquitination and attenuation of cisplatin-induced activation of P53 in gastric
      cancer cells. Inhibition of AURKA using an investigational small-molecule
      specific inhibitor, alisertib, decreased the HDM2 protein level and induced P53
      transcriptional activity. These effects markedly decreased cell survival in vitro
      and xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Notably, analysis of immunohistochemistry on
      tissue microarrays revealed significant overexpression of AURKA and HDM2 in human
      gastric cancer samples (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Collectively, our novel findings
      indicate that AURKA promotes tumor growth and cell survival through regulation of
      HDM2-induced ubiquitination and inhibition of P53. Clin Cancer Res; 20(1); 76-86.
      (c)2013 AACR.

PMID- 24240109
TI  - Tumor growth rate is an early indicator of antitumor drug activity in phase I
      clinical trials.
AB  - PURPOSE: Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) evaluation does
      not take into account the pretreatment tumor kinetics and may provide incomplete
      information about experimental drug activity. Tumor growth rate (TGR) allows for
      a dynamic and quantitative assessment of the tumor kinetics. How TGR varies along
      the introduction of experimental therapeutics and is associated with outcome in
      phase I patients remains unknown. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Medical records from all
      patients (N = 253) prospectively treated in 20 phase I trials were analyzed. TGR
      was computed during the pretreatment period (reference) and the experimental
      period. Associations between TGR, standard prognostic scores [Royal Marsden
      Hospital (RMH) score], and outcome [progression-free survival (PFS) and overall
      survival (OS)] were computed (multivariate analysis). RESULTS: We observed a
      reduction of TGR between the reference versus experimental periods (38% vs. 4.4%;
      P < 0.00001). Although most patients were classified as stable disease (65%) or
      progressive disease (25%) by RECIST at the first evaluation, 82% and 65% of them
      exhibited a decrease in TGR, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, only the
      decrease of TGR was associated with PFS (P = 0.004), whereas the RMH score was
      the only variable associated with OS (P = 0.0008). Only the investigated regimens
      delivered were associated with a decrease of TGR (P < 0.00001, multivariate
      analysis). Computing TGR profiles across different clinical trials reveals
      specific patterns of antitumor activity. CONCLUSIONS: Exploring TGR in phase I
      patients is simple and provides clinically relevant information: (i) an early and
      subtle assessment of signs of antitumor activity; (ii) independent association
      with PFS; and (iii) it reveals drug-specific profiles, suggesting potential
      utility for guiding the further development of the investigational drugs.

PMID- 24240110
TI  - IgG-switched CLL has a distinct immunogenetic signature from the common MD
      variant: ontogenetic implications.
AB  - PURPOSE: Immunoglobulin G-switched chronic lymphocytic leukemia (G-CLL) is a rare
      variant of CLL, whose origin and ontogenetic relationship to the common IgM/IgD
      (MD-CLL) variant remains undefined. Here, we sought for clues about the ontogeny
      of G-CLL versus MD-CLL by profiling the relevant IG gene repertoires.
      EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Using purpose-built bioinformatics methods, we performed
      detailed immunogenetic profiling of a multinational CLL cohort comprising 1,256
      cases, of which 1,087 and 169 expressed IG mu/delta and gamma heavy chains,
      respectively. RESULTS: G-CLL has a highly skewed IG gene repertoire that is
      distinct from MD-CLL, especially in terms of (i) overuse of the IGHV4-34 and
      IGHV4-39 genes and (ii) differential somatic hypermutation (SHM) load. Repertoire
      differences were also found when comparing subgroups with similar SHM status and
      were mainly attributed to the exclusive representation in G-CLL of two major
      subsets with quasi-identical (stereotyped) B-cell receptors. These subsets,
      namely #4 (IGHV4-34/IGKV2-30) and #8 (IGHV4-39/IGKV1(D)-39), were found to
      display sharply contrasting SHM and clinical behavior. CONCLUSIONS: G-CLL
      exhibits an overall distinct immunogenetic signature from MD-CLL, prompting
      speculations about distinct ontogenetic derivation and/or immune triggering. The
      reasons underlying the differential regulation of SHM among G-CLL cases remain to
      be elucidated.

PMID- 24240111
TI  - Targeting small cell lung cancer harboring PIK3CA mutation with a selective oral
      PI3K inhibitor PF-4989216.
AB  - PURPOSE: Constitutive activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) occurs
      frequently in many human tumors via either gene mutation in the p110alpha
      catalytic subunit of PI3K or functional loss of tumor suppressor PTEN. Patients
      with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have very poor prognosis and survival rates
      such that an effective targeted therapy is in strong demand for these patients.
      In this study, we characterized the highly selective oral PI3K inhibitor, PF
      4989216, in preclinical SCLC models to investigate whether targeting the PI3K
      pathway is an effective targeted therapy option for SCLCs that harbor a PIK3CA
      mutation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A panel of SCLC cell lines with PIK3CA mutation or
      PTEN loss were treated with PF-4989216 in several in vitro assays, including PI3K
      pathway signaling, cell viability, apoptosis, cell-cycle progression, and cell
      transformation. SCLC cell lines that were sensitive in vitro to PF-4989216 were
      further evaluated by in vivo animal studies to determine the
      pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship and tumor growth inhibition (TGI) by
      PF-4989216 treatment. RESULTS: PF-4989216 inhibited PI3K downstream signaling and
      subsequently led to apoptosis induction, and inhibition in cell viability,
      transformation, and xenograft tumor growth in SCLCs harboring PIK3CA mutation. In
      SCLCs with PTEN loss, PF-4989216 also inhibited PI3K signaling but did not induce
      BCL2-interacting mediator (BIM)-mediated apoptosis nor was there any effect on
      cell viability or transformation. These results implicate differential
      tumorigenesis and apoptosis mechanisms in SCLCs harboring PIK3CA mutation versus
      PTEN loss. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PF-4989216 is a potential cancer
      drug candidate for patients with SCLC with PIK3CA mutation but not PTEN loss.

PMID- 24240112
TI  - Germline and somatic mutations in homologous recombination genes predict platinum
      response and survival in ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinomas.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hallmarks of germline BRCA1/2-associated ovarian carcinomas include
      chemosensitivity and improved survival. The therapeutic impact of somatic BRCA1/2
      mutations and mutations in other homologous recombination DNA repair genes is
      uncertain. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Using targeted capture and massively parallel
      genomic sequencing, we assessed 390 ovarian carcinomas for germline and somatic
      loss-of-function mutations in 30 genes, including BRCA1, BRCA2, and 11 other
      genes in the homologous recombination pathway. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of
      ovarian carcinomas had a deleterious germline (24%) and/or somatic (9%) mutation
      in one or more of the 13 homologous recombination genes: BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM,
      BARD1, BRIP1, CHEK1, CHEK2, FAM175A, MRE11A, NBN, PALB2, RAD51C, and RAD51D.
      Nonserous ovarian carcinomas had similar rates of homologous recombination
      mutations to serous carcinomas (28% vs. 31%, P = 0.6), including clear cell,
      endometrioid, and carcinosarcoma. The presence of germline and somatic homologous
      recombination mutations was highly predictive of primary platinum sensitivity (P
      = 0.0002) and improved overall survival (P = 0.0006), with a median overall
      survival of 66 months in germline homologous recombination mutation carriers, 59
      months in cases with a somatic homologous recombination mutation, and 41 months
      for cases without a homologous recombination mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Germline or
      somatic mutations in homologous recombination genes are present in almost one
      third of ovarian carcinomas, including both serous and nonserous histologies.
      Somatic BRCA1/2 mutations and mutations in other homologous recombination genes
      have a similar positive impact on overall survival and platinum responsiveness as
      germline BRCA1/2 mutations. The similar rate of homologous recombination
      mutations in nonserous carcinomas supports their inclusion in PARP inhibitor
      clinical trials.

PMID- 24240113
TI  - MUC4-mediated regulation of acute phase protein lipocalin 2 through HER2/AKT/NF
      kappaB signaling in pancreatic cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: MUC4 shows aberrant expression in early pancreatic lesions and a high
      specificity for pancreatic cancer. It thus has a high potential to be a sensitive
      and specific biomarker. Unfortunately, its low serum level limits its
      diagnostic/prognostic potential. We here report that a multifaceted acute phase
      protein lipocalin 2, regulated by MUC4, could be a potential
      diagnostic/prognostic marker for pancreatic cancer. Experimental Designs and
      RESULTS: Overexpression/knockdown, luciferase reporter and molecular inhibition
      studies revealed that MUC4 regulates lipocalin 2 by stabilizing HER2 and
      stimulating AKT, which results in the activation of NF-kappaB.
      Immunohistochemical analyses of lipocalin 2 and MUC4 showed a significant
      positive correlation between MUC4 and lipocalin 2 in primary, metastatic tissues
      (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.71, P = 0.002) from rapid autopsy tissue
      sample from patients with pancreatic cancer as well as in serum and tissue
      samples from spontaneous KRASG(12)D mouse pancreatic cancer model (Spearman
      correlation coefficient 0.98, P < 0.05). Lipocalin 2 levels increased
      progressively with disease advancement (344.2 +/- 22.8 ng/mL for 10 weeks to
      3067.2 +/- 572.6 for 50 weeks; P < 0.0001). In human pancreatic cancer cases,
      significantly elevated levels of lipocalin 2 were observed in patients with
      pancreatic cancer (148 +/- 13.18 ng/mL) in comparison with controls (73.27 +/-
      4.9 ng/mL, P = 0.014). Analyses of pre- and postchemotherapy patients showed
      higher lipocalin 2 levels in prechemotherapy patients [121.7 ng/mL; 95%
      confidence interval (CI), 98.1-150.9] in comparison with the postchemotherapy
      (92.6 ng/mL; 95% CI, 76.7-111.6; P = 0.06) group. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      delineates the association and the downstream mechanisms of MUC4-regulated
      elevation of lipocalin-2 (via HER2/AKT/NF-kappaB) and its clinical significance
      for prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 24240115
TI  - Pertuzumab protects the achilles' heel of trastuzumab--emtansine.
AB  - Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) represents a significant advancement in the
      treatment of HER2(+) breast cancers. Its clinical efficacy however will be
      limited by the development of therapeutic resistance. In this report, the HER3
      ligand neuregulin is shown to mediate T-DM1 resistance, which was overcome by
      administration of pertuzumab, a steric inhibitor of HER2 dimerization.

PMID- 24240116
TI  - Biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis B30 and its application in
      enhancing oil recovery.
AB  - The fermentative production of biosurfactants by Bacillus subtilis strain B30 and
      the evaluation of biosurfactant based enhanced oil recovery using core-flood were
      investigated. Different carbon sources (glucose, sucrose, starch, date molasses,
      cane molasses) were tested to determine the optimal biosurfactant production. The
      isolate B30 produced a biosurfactant that could reduce the surface tension and
      interfacial tension to 26.63+/-0.45 mN/m and 3.79+/-0.27 mN/m, respectively in
      less than 12h in both glucose or date molasses based media. A crude biosurfactant
      concentration of 0.3-0.5 g/l and critical micelle dilution (CMD) values of 1:8
      were observed. The biosurfactants gave stable emulsions with wide range of
      hydrocarbons including light and heavy crude oil. The biosurfactants were
      partially purified and identified as a mixture of lipopeptides similar to
      surfactin, using high performance thin layer chromatography and Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy. The biosurfactants were stable over wide range of pH,
      salinity and temperatures. The crude biosurfactant preparation enhanced light oil
      recovery by 17-26% and heavy oil recovery by 31% in core-flood studies. The
      results are indicative of the potential of the strain for the development of ex
      situ microbial enhanced oil recovery processes using glucose or date molasses
      based minimal media.

PMID- 24240114
TI  - Neutrophils promote the malignant glioma phenotype through S100A4.
AB  - PURPOSE: Antiangiogenic therapy is effective in blocking vascular permeability,
      inhibiting vascular proliferation, and slowing tumor growth, but studies in
      multiple cancer types have shown that tumors eventually acquire resistance to
      blockade of blood vessel growth. Currently, the mechanisms by which this
      resistance occurs are not well understood. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In this study, we
      evaluated the effects of neutrophils on glioma biology both in vitro and in vivo
      and determined target genes by which neutrophils promote the malignant glioma
      phenotype during anti-VEGF therapy. RESULTS: We found that an increase in
      neutrophil infiltration into tumors is significantly correlated with glioma grade
      and in glioblastoma with acquired resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. Our data
      demonstrate that neutrophils and their condition media increased the
      proliferation rate of glioblastoma-initiating cells (GIC). In addition,
      neutrophils significantly increased GICs Transwell migration compared with
      controls. Consistent with this behavior, coculture with neutrophils promoted GICs
      to adopt morphologic and gene expression changes consistent with a mesenchymal
      signature. Neutrophil-promoting tumor progression could be blocked by S100A4
      downregulation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, S100A4 depletion increased the
      effectiveness of anti-VEGF therapy in glioma. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these
      data suggest that increased recruitment of neutrophils during anti-VEGF therapy
      promotes glioma progression and may promote treatment resistance. Tumor
      progression with mesenchymal characteristics is partly mediated by S100A4, the
      expression of which is increased by neutrophil infiltration. Targeting
      granulocytes and S100A4 may be effective approaches to inhibit the glioma
      malignant phenotype and diminish antiangiogenic therapy resistance.

PMID- 24240117
TI  - Exercise training in polycystic ovarian syndrome enhances flow-mediated dilation
      in the absence of changes in fatness.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is associated with an adverse
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) profile. A surrogate marker for CVD risk is
      endothelial dysfunction. Limited studies exist examining the cardiovascular and
      metabolic effects of exercise in PCOS and specifically its impact on endothelial
      function. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the impact
      of exercise on endothelial function, in parallel with body composition, insulin
      resistance, and cardiopulmonary fitness in PCOS. METHODS: Ten women with PCOS (27
      yr, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 23-32; 31 kg.m-2, 95% CI = 28-34) completed a
      16-wk exercise (EX) program, and seven women with PCOS (29 yr, 95% CI = 24-35; 35
      kg.m-2, 95% CI = 31-40) undertook conventional care (CC) following lifestyle
      advice. Brachial artery endothelial function was assessed pre- and
      postintervention using flow-mediated dilation adjusted for variability in
      baseline diameter. Visceral and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was
      assessed using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging and 1H magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy quantified liver fat. Cardiorespiratory fitness, glycemic control,
      hormone, and lipid profiles were also assessed. Data were analyzed using
      covariate-controlled generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: At follow-up, EX
      improved flow-mediated dilation by 3.6% (95% CI = 0.5-6.7, P = 0.03) more than
      CC. There was a parallel improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness of 4.7 mL.kg
      1.min-1 (95% CI = 1.4-7.9, P < 0.001) with EX versus CC. These changes were not
      explained by changes in visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue,
      liver fat or insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Supervised exercise in women with
      PCOS improves endothelial function, an adaptation associated with reduced CVD
      risk. This change occurs independent of changes in body weight or composition.
      The success of public health interventions in this patient group should not be
      solely judged by weight loss.

PMID- 24240118
TI  - Influence of cold-water immersion on limb and cutaneous blood flow after
      exercise.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the influence of cold (8 degrees C) and
      cool (22 degrees C) water immersion on femoral artery and cutaneous blood flow
      after exercise. METHODS: Twelve men completed a continuous cycle exercise
      protocol at 70% peak oxygen uptake until a core temperature of 38 degrees C was
      attained. Subjects were then immersed semireclined into 8 degrees C or 22 degrees
      C water to the iliac crest for 10 min or rested. Rectal and thigh skin
      temperature, deep and superficial muscle temperature, thigh and calf skin blood
      flow (laser Doppler flowmetry), and superficial femoral artery blood flow (duplex
      ultrasound) were measured before and up to 30 min after immersion. Indices of
      vascular conductance were calculated (flux and blood flow/mean arterial
      pressure). RESULTS: Reductions in rectal temperature were similar (0.6 degrees C
      0.7 degrees C) in all three trials (P = 0.38). The mean +/- SD thigh skin
      temperature during recovery was 25.4 degrees C +/- 3.8 degrees C in the 8 degrees
      C trial, which was lower than the 28.2 degrees C +/- 1.4 degrees C and 33.78
      degrees C +/- 1.0 degrees C in the 22 degrees C and control trials, respectively
      (P < 0.001). Recovery muscle temperature was also lowest in the 8 degrees C trial
      (P < 0.01). Femoral artery conductance was similar after immersion in both
      cooling conditions and was lower (~55%) compared with the control condition 30
      min after immersion (P < 0.01). Similarly, there was greater thigh (P < 0.01) and
      calf (P < 0.05) cutaneous vasoconstriction during and after immersion in both
      cooling conditions relative to the control condition. CONCLUSION: Colder water
      temperatures may be more effective in the treatment of exercise-induced muscle
      damage and injury rehabilitation by virtue of greater reductions in muscle
      temperature and not muscle blood flow.

PMID- 24240119
TI  - Reposition acuity and postural control after exercise in anterior cruciate
      ligament reconstructed knees.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of 36 min of continuous exercise
      on postural control and joint reposition acuity in patients with anterior
      cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) and healthy controls. METHODS: Twenty
      patients (10 women and 10 men; mean +/- SD; age = 25.5 +/- 5.5 yr, height = 1.75
      +/- 0.10 m, weight = 76.7 +/- 14.4 kg) with a history of primary, uncomplicated
      ACL-R (5.0 +/- 4.3 yr postsurgery) were matched to 20 healthy controls (10 women
      and 10 men, 24.6 +/- 5.0 yr, 1.70 +/- 0.09 m, 65.2 +/- 12.1 kg). The center of
      pressure (COP) excursions in the medial-lateral (COP(ML-SD)) and anterior
      posterior (COP(AP-SD)) directions and the velocity (COP(Vel)) and area
      (COP(Area)) were calculated during static, unipedal stance. Open-chain knee joint
      reposition acuity measures (absolute angular error [AAE] and relative angular
      error [RAE]) at 45 degrees  (AAE45 and RAE45) and 15 degrees  of knee flexion
      (AAE15 and RAE15) were recorded. Measures were recorded at baseline and after a
      36-min exercise protocol. Exercise consisted of six repeating cycles of inclined
      treadmill walking (5 min) and jumping exercises (1 min). RESULTS: At baseline,
      the ACL-R group exhibited higher magnitude AAE45 compared with controls. AAE45
      and COP(ML-SD) significantly increased after exercise in the control group;
      however, the ACL-R group did not experience a change in these measures.
      CONCLUSIONS: In a rested state, patients with a history of ACL-R have greater
      impairment in joint reposition acuity than healthy control. Exercise increased
      COP measurements and impaired joint reposition acuity. Healthy controls
      experienced impaired joint reposition acuity after exercise, whereas patients
      with a history of ACL-R did not.

PMID- 24240120
TI  - Selected issues for nutrition and the athlete: a team physician consensus
      statement.

PMID- 24240122
TI  - Androgen insensitivity syndrome diagnosed in an elderly patient during a
      strangulated inguinal hernia repair.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A strangulated inguinal hernia is a common indication for emergency
      surgery. In comparison, complete testicular feminization is a rare genetic
      disease that can present with an inguinal hernia because of ectopically
      positioned testicles. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 70-year-old female was admitted to
      the emergency service complaining of a painful swelling in the right inguinal
      region for 1 day. The physical examination indicated a strangulated inguinal
      hernia and surgery was performed. On exploring the inguinal region, a
      strangulated indirect inguinal hernia and hard 2*3-cm mass were detected. The
      histopathological examination of the excised mass showed testicular tissue, and
      complete testicular feminization (CTF) was diagnosed after further examinations.
      DISCUSSION: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), the most frequent cause of
      male pseudohermaphroditism. The diagnosis of patients with AIS is usually made at
      the beginning of the second decade when a healthy person with a female phenotype
      complains of no menarche. Making a first diagnosis after the 5th decade is
      extremely rare. CONCLUSION: While AIS can be diagnosed in early adulthood, cases
      might not bediagnosed until the patient is of advanced age.

PMID- 24240123
TI  - Selective expansion of human natural killer cells leads to enhanced
      alloreactivity.
AB  - In allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), natural killer (NK) cells lacking
      their cognate inhibitory ligand can induce graft-versus-leukemia responses,
      without the induction of severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This feature
      can be exploited for cellular immunotherapy. In this study, we examined selective
      expansion of NK cell subsets expressing distinct killer immunoglobulin-like
      receptors (KIRs) within the whole human peripheral blood NK cell population, in
      the presence of HLA-Cw3 (C1) or Cw4 (C2) transfected K562 stimulator cells.
      Coculture of KIR(+) NK cells with C1 or C2 positive K562 cells, in the presence
      of IL-2+IL-15, triggered the outgrowth of NK cells that missed their cognate
      ligand. This resulted in an increased frequency of alloreactive KIR(+) NK cells
      within the whole NK cell population. Also, after preculture with K562 cells
      lacking their cognate ligand, we observed that this alloreactive NK population
      revealed higher numbers of CD107(+) cells when cocultured with the relevant K562
      HLA-C transfected target cells, as compared to coculture with untransfected K562
      cells. This enhanced reactivity was confirmed using primary leukemic cells as
      target. This study demonstrates that HLA class I expression can mediate the
      skewing of the NK cell repertoire and enrich the population for cells with
      enhanced alloreactivity towards leukemic target cells. This feature may support
      future clinical applications of NK cell-based immunotherapy. 

PMID- 24240121
TI  - Computational methods for detecting copy number variations in cancer genome using
      next generation sequencing: principles and challenges.
AB  - Accurate detection of somatic copy number variations (CNVs) is an essential part
      of cancer genome analysis, and plays an important role in oncotarget
      identifications. Next generation sequencing (NGS) holds the promise to
      revolutionize somatic CNV detection. In this review, we provide an overview of
      current analytic tools used for CNV detection in NGS-based cancer studies. We
      summarize the NGS data types used for CNV detection, decipher the principles for
      data preprocessing, segmentation, and interpretation, and discuss the challenges
      in somatic CNV detection. This review aims to provide a guide to the analytic
      tools used in NGS-based cancer CNV studies, and to discuss the important factors
      that researchers need to consider when analyzing NGS data for somatic CNV
      detections. 

PMID- 24240125
TI  - Nitric oxide drives embryonic myogenesis in chicken through the upregulation of
      myogenic differentiation factors.
AB  - The muscle-specific variant of neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS-I), is
      developmentally regulated in mouse suggesting a role of NO during myogenesis. In
      chick embryo, a good model of development, we found that the expression of NOS-I
      is up-regulated, but only in the early phase of development. Through a
      pharmacological intervention in ovo we found that NO signalling plays a relevant
      role during embryonic development. The inhibition of NOS-I decreased the growth
      of embryo, in particular of muscle tissue, while the restoring of physiological
      NO levels, via administration of a NO donor, reversed this effect. We found a
      selective action of NO, produced by NOS-I, on regulatory factors involved in
      myogenic differentiation in the early phase of chick embryo development:
      inhibition of NO generation leads to a decreased expression of the Myocyte
      enhancer factor 2a (Mef2a), Mef2c, Myogenin and Myosin, which was reversed by the
      administration of a NO donor. NO had no effects on Myf5 and MyoD, the myogenic
      regulatory factors necessary for myogenic determination. The action of NO on the
      myogenic regulatory factors was mediated via generation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) and
      activation of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG). Finally we found in
      myoblasts in vitro that the activation of Mef2c was the key event mediating the
      NO-induced modulation of myogenesis. Our results identify NO produced by NOS-I as
      a key messenger in the early phase of embryonic development of chicken, acting as
      a critical determinant of myogenesis through its physiological cGMP/PKG pathway. 

PMID- 24240124
TI  - MicroRNA-let-7a promotes E2F-mediated cell proliferation and NFkappaB activation
      in vitro.
AB  - Epigenetic factors, including altered microRNA (miRNA) expression, may contribute
      to aberrant immune cell function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MiRNA-let
      7a (let-7a) has been shown to directly alter cell cycle progression and
      proinflammatory cytokine production. Due to the crucial role of let-7a in cell
      division and inflammation, we investigated let-7a-mediated proliferation and
      NFkappaB translocation in J774A.1 macrophages and MES 13 mesangial cells in
      vitro. In immune-stimulated cells transfected with let-7a, cell proliferation was
      significantly increased over time. There was a significant increase in the number
      of immune-stimulated cells in S and G2 phases. Immune-stimulated cells
      overexpressing let-7a had increased nuclear translocation of NFkappaB.
      Bioinformatical analysis revealed that the E2F family, critical regulators of the
      G1-S transition, has potential binding sites for let-7a in their mRNA
      transcripts. Let-7a overexpression significantly increased the expression of the
      cell cycle activator E2F2 and increased retinoblastoma protein (Rb)
      phosphorylation in immune-stimulated cells. The cell cycle inhibitor E2F5 was
      significantly decreased in let-7a-transfected cells that were immune-stimulated.
      Bioinformatical analysis revealed E2F2 and NFkappaB are transcription factors
      predicted to regulate the let-7a promoter. We analyzed transcriptional regulation
      of let-7a by real-time RT-PCR using chromatin immunoprecipitation with E2F2 and
      NFkappaB antibodies. There was an increase in E2F2 and NFkappaB binding in DNA
      enriched for the let-7a promoter in immune-stimulated cells. Silencing E2F2 or
      NFkappaB significantly decreased let-7a expression and IL-6 production in immune
      stimulated cells. Taken together, our results suggest that overexpression of let
      7a may contribute to hyperplasia and the proinflammatory response in SLE. 

PMID- 24240126
TI  - Biomimetic scaffold combined with electrical stimulation and growth factor
      promotes tissue engineered cardiac development.
AB  - Toward developing biologically sound models for the study of heart regeneration
      and disease, we cultured heart cells on a biodegradable, microfabricated
      poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) scaffold designed with micro-structural features
      and anisotropic mechanical properties to promote cardiac-like tissue
      architecture. Using this biomimetic system, we studied individual and combined
      effects of supplemental insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and electrical
      stimulation (ES). On culture day 8, all tissue constructs could be paced and
      expressed the cardiac protein troponin-T. IGF-1 reduced apoptosis, promoted cell
      to-cell connectivity, and lowered excitation threshold, an index of
      electrophysiological activity. ES promoted formation of tissue-like bundles
      oriented in parallel to the electrical field and a more than ten-fold increase in
      matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) gene expression. The combination of IGF-1 and ES
      increased 2D projection length, an index of overall contraction strength, and
      enhanced expression of the gap junction protein connexin-43 and sarcomere
      development. This culture environment, designed to combine cardiac-like scaffold
      architecture and biomechanics with molecular and biophysical signals, enabled
      functional assembly of engineered heart muscle from dissociated cells and could
      serve as a template for future studies on the hierarchy of various signaling
      domains relative to cardiac tissue development. 

PMID- 24240127
TI  - The combination of glutamate receptor antagonist MK-801 with tamoxifen and its
      active metabolites potentiates their antiproliferative activity in mouse melanoma
      K1735-M2 cells.
AB  - Recent reports suggest that N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) blockade by MK
      801 decreases tumor growth. Thus, we investigated whether other ionotropic
      glutamate receptor (iGluR) antagonists were also able to modulate the
      proliferation of melanoma cells. On the other hand, the antiestrogen tamoxifen
      (TAM) decreases the proliferation of melanoma cells, and is included in combined
      therapies for melanoma. As the efficacy of TAM is limited by its metabolism, we
      investigated the effects of the NMDAR antagonist MK-801 in combination with TAM
      and its active metabolites, 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHTAM) and endoxifen (EDX). The
      NMDAR blockers MK-801 and memantine decreased mouse melanoma K1735-M2 cell
      proliferation. In contrast, the NMDAR competitive antagonist APV and the AMPA and
      kainate receptor antagonist NBQX did not affect cell proliferation, suggesting
      that among the iGluR antagonists only the NMDAR channel blockers inhibit melanoma
      cell proliferation. The combination of antiestrogens with MK-801 potentiated
      their individual effects on cell biomass due to diminished cell proliferation,
      since it decreased the cell number and DNA synthesis without increasing cell
      death. Importantly, TAM metabolites combined with MK-801 promoted cell cycle
      arrest in G1. Therefore, the data obtained suggest that the activity of MK-801
      and antiestrogens in K1735-M2 cells is greatly enhanced when used in combination.

PMID- 24240129
TI  - Chronic cough: an otorhinolaryngology perspective.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cough lasting more than 8 weeks is a common presenting
      complaint to the otolaryngologist. Historically, chronic cough has been
      attributed to post-nasal drip, laryngopharyngeal reflux and cough-variant asthma.
      This study reviews chronic cough from the viewpoint of an otolaryngologist.
      RECENT FINDINGS: More recent studies suggest the influence of laryngeal
      neuropathy and its interplay with laryngopharyngeal reflux. There is limited
      evidence for post-nasal drip or cough-variant asthma causing chronic cough.
      SUMMARY: In this study, we review the evidence for cause of chronic cough, as
      well as up to date techniques for the otolaryngologist, including transnasal
      esophagoscopy, to assess the patient in clinic allowing accurate diagnosis.
      Treatment options for the otolaryngologist are discussed and the role of
      multidisciplinary input emphasized.

PMID- 24240131
TI  - Dysmotility and reflux disease.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In the last decade, with the advent of new oesophageal testing
      [i.e. 24-h impedance-pH monitoring, combined impedance-manometry, high-resolution
      manometry (HRM)], relevant progress in understanding the mechanisms contributing
      to the development of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) has been made,
      allowing a better management of patients with this disorder. The aim of our
      review is to report the state-of-the-art about oesophageal motor disorders in
      patients with reflux disease and to stimulate new research in this field. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Hypotensive lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), transient LOS
      relaxations, impairment of oesophagogastric junction including hiatal hernia,
      oesophageal bolus transit abnormalities and presence of ineffective oesophageal
      motility have been strongly implicated in GORD development. In particular, the
      majority of recent studies carried out with HRM and impedance-pH testing reported
      that these motor abnormalities are increasingly prevalent with increasing
      severity of GORD, from nonerosive reflux disease and erosive oesophagitis to
      Barrett's oesophagus. SUMMARY: Defining and characterizing oesophageal
      dysmotility in patients with reflux disease is of maximum importance in order to
      properly diagnose these patients and to treat them with the best management of
      care. New studies are needed in order to better understand the physiomechanic
      basis of oesophageal dysmotility in GORD patients.

PMID- 24240130
TI  - Chronic cough: a gastroenterology perspective.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to highlight recent work and
      provide recommendations on the approach for diagnosis and management of chronic
      cough in a gastroenterology clinic. RECENT FINDINGS: Chronic cough is a
      burdensome symptom affecting a large number of patients and contributes
      significant cost to the healthcare system. Recent work has shown that select
      patients may benefit from acid-suppressive therapy and even surgery when there is
      true pathologic evidence of reflux disease with cough. However, judicious use and
      proper interpretation of diagnostic testing for gastroesophageal reflux in the
      setting of cough is important to avoid unnecessary or inappropriate therapy.
      SUMMARY: Chronic cough remains a vexing problem for many physicians, including
      gastroenterologists. It is important that physicians approach refractory cough in
      a multidisciplinary manner. Future research is needed to better understand the
      likely central hypersensitivity response mediating reflux-related cough and
      potential alternative approaches to therapy.

PMID- 24240132
TI  - Pediatric sleep studies: when and how often are they necessary?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With the increased awareness of the morbidity associated with
      snoring, polysomnography (PSG) is becoming more prevalent. Many national
      organizations have recently published clinical guidelines to facilitate decision
      making for children with disrupted breathing patterns. This review will discuss
      these clinical guidelines and describe the rationale behind them. It will also
      touch on the limitations of PSG. RECENT FINDINGS: The common theme for the
      clinical guidelines is that PSG is being underutilized. Not only is obstructive
      sleep apnea (OSA) associated with behavioral, cognitive, and cardiovascular
      morbidity, but primary snoring is also not always benign. The interpretation of
      the PSG is influenced by multiple variables: filter settings, sensors utilized,
      and how the respiratory events are tabulated. SUMMARY: To diagnose OSA, one
      requires overnight PSG. Multiple guidelines have been published to facilitate
      decision-making. Many questions remain unanswered and future research as well as
      PSG standardization will further clarify the role of PSG in the evaluation and
      treatment of disrupted breathing patterns in children.

PMID- 24240133
TI  - Paediatric cervical lymphadenopathy: when to biopsy?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cervical lymphadenopathy is common in the paediatric
      population and persistent lymphadenopathy of unknown cause is a frequent reason
      for otolaryngology referral. Diagnostic work-up is variable among physicians and
      deciding when excisional biopsy is necessary remains a challenge. This update
      reviews the recent literature on the work-up and diagnosis of paediatric cervical
      lymphadenopathy, with a focus on factors that may influence the need for
      excisional biopsy. RECENT FINDINGS: The majority of paediatric cervical
      lymphadenopathy cases are benign, with infection and reactive lymphoid
      hyperplasia being far more common than malignancy. Ultrasound is the initial
      imaging modality of choice for paediatric cervical lymphadenopathy and can
      provide critical information to aid in diagnosis. Clinical factors that may
      predict malignancy include lymph node size greater than 2 cm, multiple levels of
      adenopathy and supraclavicular location. Biopsy should be strongly considered in
      patients with a combination of these factors or other suspicious findings such as
      severe systemic symptoms. SUMMARY: Paediatric cervical lymphadenopathy is
      commonly encountered in general and paediatric otolaryngology practice; however,
      absolute guidelines for biopsy do not exist. Careful consideration of history,
      physical examination, laboratory work-up and diagnostic imaging must be used to
      guide the clinician in decision-making for biopsy.

PMID- 24240128
TI  - Aging is not programmed: genetic pseudo-program is a shadow of developmental
      growth.
AB  - Aging is not and cannot be programmed. Instead, aging is a continuation of
      developmental growth, driven by genetic pathways such as mTOR. Ironically, this
      is often misunderstood as a sort of programmed aging. In contrast, aging is a
      purposeless quasi-program or, figuratively, a shadow of actual programs. 

PMID- 24240134
TI  - Cricopharyngeal achalasia in children: indications for treatment and management
      options.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cricopharyngeal achalasia (CPA) is an infrequently encountered
      but important diagnosis in pediatric dysphagia. This disorder is characterized by
      difficulty in feeding, regurgitation of feeds, and recurrent aspiration episodes.
      In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the pathophysiology of
      the disease and the recent developments in the diagnosis and therapeutic
      management of CPA. RECENT FINDINGS: Because of the rarity of the disease, the
      literature reporting the treatment of CPA is limited to small case series.
      Although open surgical treatments including cricopharyngeal myotomy have been
      reported in the past, recent studies advocate less-invasive endoscopic
      approaches, including balloon dilation, endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy, and
      botulinum toxin injections. SUMMARY: When CPA is suspected as a cause of
      dysphagia in a child, the diagnosis can be confirmed with videofluoroscopic
      swallow studies that demonstrate narrowing at the region of the cricopharyngeus
      muscle. Treatment should be initiated for children who are unable to feed orally.
      Current options for treatment include botulinum toxin injections, endoscopic
      balloon dilation, and open or endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy. All techniques
      have shown success in the treatment of the disease. Further studies comparing
      treatment modalities are needed before a clear recommendation can be made.

PMID- 24240136
TI  - Cognitive control in context: working memory capacity and proactive control.
AB  - Working memory is important for maintaining critical information in an active
      state to guide future behavior. The executive-attention theory of working memory
      capacity (WMC; Engle & Kane, 2004) argues that goal maintenance is important for
      response selection when stimuli are associated with competing responses. Braver,
      Burgess, and Gray (2007) have labeled this type of preparatory activity proactive
      control. Previous WMC studies have not allowed individuals to use goal
      information to prepare a specific response in advance of the stimulus. The
      current experiment used different versions of a cue-probe task to examine the
      relationship between individual differences in WMC and proactive control. Across
      three versions of the AX version of the Continuous Performance Test, the
      proportion of targets was manipulated to affect both the predictive validity of
      the A cue and the prepotency of the target response to X probes. The results
      indicated that the high-WMC individuals used the cue information to prepare
      responses in advance only when a specific probe was likely to occur. In contrast,
      the performance of the low-WMC individuals was less dependent upon the cue and
      more contingent upon overall response frequencies. The results indicate that
      individual differences in WMC are related to proactive control and anticipation,
      and important for translating cognition into action. 

PMID- 24240137
TI  - FDG-PET/CT-based restaging may alter initial management decisions and clinical
      outcomes in patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma planned to
      undergo chemoradiotherapy.
AB  - The impact of [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography
      (PET)/computed tomography (CT) restaging on management decisions and outcomes in
      patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC) scheduled for
      concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is examined. Seventy-one consecutive patients
      with conventionally staged LAPC were restaged with PET/CT before CRT, and were
      categorized into non-metastatic (M0) and metastatic (M1) groups. M0 patients
      received 50.4 Gy CRT with 5-fluorouracil followed by maintenance gemcitabine,
      whereas M1 patients received chemotherapy immediately or after palliative
      radiotherapy. In 19 patients (26.8%), PET/CT restaging showed distant metastases
      not detected by conventional staging. PET/CT restaging of M0 patients showed
      additional regional lymph nodes in 3 patients and tumors larger than CT-defined
      borders in 4. PET/CT therefore altered or revised initial management decisions in
      26 (36.6%) patients. At median follow-up times of 11.3, 14.5, and 6.2 months for
      the entire cohort and the M0 and M1 cohorts, respectively, median overall
      survival was 16.1, 11.4, and 6.2 months, respectively; median locoregional
      progression-free survival was 9.9, 7.8, and 3.4 months, respectively; and median
      progression-free survival was 7.4, 5.1, and 2.5 months, respectively (P < 0.05
      each). These findings suggest that PET/CT-based restaging may help select
      patients suitable for CRT, sparing those with metastases from futile radical
      protocols, and increasing the accuracy of estimated survival. 

PMID- 24240138
TI  - Factors influencing clinical trial site selection in Europe: the Survey of
      Attitudes towards Trial sites in Europe (the SAT-EU Study).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Applications to run clinical trials in Europe fell 25% between 2007
      and 2011. Costs, speed of approvals and shortcomings of European Clinical Trial
      Directive are commonly invoked to explain this unsatisfactory performance.
      However, no hard evidence is available on the actual weight of these factors or
      has it been previously investigated whether other criteria may also impact
      clinical trial site selection. DESIGN: The Survey of Attitudes towards Trial
      sites in Europe (SAT-EU Study) was an anonymous, cross-sectional web-based survey
      that systematically assessed factors impacting European clinical trial site
      selection. It explored 19 factors across investigator-driven, hospital-driven and
      environment-driven criteria, and costs. It also surveyed perceptions of the
      European trial environment. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Clinical research
      organisations (CROs), academic clinical trial units (CTUs) and industry invited
      to respond. OUTCOME MEASURES:  PRIMARY OUTCOME: weight assigned to each factor
      hypothesised to impact trial site selection and trial incidence. Secondary
      outcome: desirability of European countries to run clinical trials. RESULTS:
      Responses were obtained from 485 professionals in 34 countries: 49% from
      BioPharma, 40% from CTUs or CROs. Investigator-dependent, environment-dependent
      and hospital-dependent factors were rated highly important, costs being less
      important (p<0.0001). Within environment-driven criteria, pool of eligible
      patients, speed of approvals and presence of disease-management networks were
      significantly more important than costs or government financial incentives
      (p<0.0001). The pattern of response was consistent across respondent groupings
      (CTU vs CRO vs industry). Considerable variability was demonstrated in the
      perceived receptivity of countries to undertake clinical trials, with Germany,
      the UK and the Netherlands rated the best trial markets (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Investigator-dependent factors and ease of approval dominate trial site
      selection, while costs appear less important. Fostering competitiveness of
      European clinical research may not require additional government
      spending/incentives. Rather, harmonisation of approval processes, greater
      visibility of centres of excellence and reduction of 'hidden' indirect costs, may
      bring significantly more clinical trials to Europe.

PMID- 24240139
TI  - A reliability study of colour-Doppler sonography for the diagnosis of chronic
      cerebrospinal venous insufficiency shows low inter-rater agreement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has been extremely
      variable, associated with multiple sclerosis in colour-Doppler sonographic
      studies. We aimed to evaluate inter-rater agreement in a colour-Doppler
      sonography venous examination. DESIGN: Inter-rater agreement study. SETTING:
      First-referral multiple sclerosis centre. PARTICIPANTS: 38 patients with multiple
      sclerosis and 55 age-matched (+/-5 years) controls. INTERVENTION: Sonography was
      carried out in accordance with Zamboni's five criteria by eight sonographers with
      different expertise, blinded to the status of cases and controls. Each
      participant was evaluated by two operators. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Inter-rater agreement was measured through the kappa statistics and the
      intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The agreement was no higher than
      chance for criterion 2-reflux in the deep cerebral veins (kappa=-0.02) and
      criterion 4-flow not Doppler detectable in one or both the internal jugular veins
      (IJVs) or vertebral veins (VVs; -0.09). It was substantially low for criterion 1
      reflux in the IJVs and/or VVs (0.29), criterion 3-IJV stenosis or malformations
      (0.23) and criterion 5-absence of IJV diameter increase when passing from the
      sitting to the supine position (0.22). The kappa value for CCSVI as a whole was
      0.20 (95% confidence limit -0.01 to 0.42). Intraclass correlation coefficients
      for the measure of cross-sectional area ranged from 0.05 to 0.25. Inter-rater
      agreement was low for CCSVI experts (kappa=0.24; -0.11 to 0.59) and non-experts
      (0.20; -0.33 to 0.73); neurologists (0.21; -0.06 to 0.47) and non-neurologists
      (0.18; -0.20 to 0.56); cases (0.19; -0.14 to 0.52) and controls (0.21; -0.08 to
      0.49). Zamboni-trained neurosonographers ascertained CCSVI more frequently than
      the non-trained neurosonographers. CONCLUSIONS: Agreement was unsatisfactory for
      the diagnosis of CCSVI as a whole, for each of its five criteria and according to
      the different subgroups. Standardisation of the method is urgently needed prior
      to its further application in studies of patients with multiple sclerosis or
      other neurological diseases.

PMID- 24240140
TI  - Fidelity in complex behaviour change interventions: a standardised approach to
      evaluate intervention integrity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to (1) demonstrate the development and
      testing of tools and procedures designed to monitor and assess the integrity of a
      complex intervention for chronic pain (COping with persistent Pain, Effectiveness
      Research into Self-management (COPERS) course); and (2) make recommendations
      based on our experiences. DESIGN: Fidelity assessment of a two-arm randomised
      controlled trial intervention, assessing the adherence and competence of the
      facilitators delivering the intervention. SETTING: The intervention was delivered
      in the community in two centres in the UK: one inner city and one a mix of rural
      and urban locations. PARTICIPANTS: 403 people with chronic musculoskeletal pain
      were enrolled in the intervention arm and 300 attended the self-management
      course. Thirty lay and healthcare professionals were trained and 24 delivered the
      courses (2 per course). We ran 31 courses for up to 16 people per course and all
      were audio recorded. INTERVENTIONS: The course was run over three and a half
      days; facilitators delivered a semistructured manualised course. OUTCOMES: We
      designed three measures to evaluate fidelity assessing adherence to the manual,
      competence and overall impression. RESULTS: We evaluated a random sample of four
      components from each course (n=122). The evaluation forms were reliable and had
      good face validity. There were high levels of adherence in the delivery: overall
      adherence was two (maximum 2, IQR 1.67-2.00), facilitator competence exhibited
      more variability, and overall competence was 1.5 (maximum 2, IQR 1.25-2.00).
      Overall impression was three (maximum 4, IQR 2.00-3.00). CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring
      and assessing adherence and competence at the point of intervention delivery can
      be realised most efficiently by embedding the principles of fidelity measurement
      within the design stage of complex interventions and the training and assessment
      of those delivering the intervention. More work is necessary to ensure that more
      robust systems of fidelity evaluation accompany the growth of complex
      interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN NO: ISRCTN24426731.

PMID- 24240141
TI  - Evidence for the aetiology of human papillomavirus in oesophageal squamous cell
      carcinoma in the Chinese population: a meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of human papillomavirus (HPV) as
      a risk factor for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in China, using all
      eligible studies published in the English and Chinese language literature.
      DESIGN: The random effect model was used to analyse the pooled OR. The I(2) and Q
      tests were included in the subgroup analyses. SETTING: Literature searches of
      databases including MEDLINE, PUBMED, EMBASE and Chinese National Knowledge
      Infrastructure (CNKI) and other available resources were performed to retrieve
      studies investigating OSCC tissue from Chinese participants for the presence of
      HPV DNA. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: A collective analysis of OSCC cases and control
      specimens was carried out from 15 case-control studies (6 in the English language
      and 9 in the Chinese language) for HPV prevalence. RESULTS: Of a total of 1177
      OSCC and 1648 oesophageal control samples, 55% (642/1177) of cancer specimens and
      27% (445/1648) of control samples were positive for HPV DNA. A positive strong
      association between HPV DNA and OSCC was observed among the included studies,
      with a pooled OR of 3.69 (95% CI 2.74 to 4.96). Heterogeneity and publication
      bias were not observed in the analysis. Subgroup analyses of the included studies
      also supported the measure of association of causal links between HPV and OSCC.
      CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides the strongest evidence until now of an
      association between HPV and OSCC in the Chinese population. China has a high
      burden of OSCC, making this an important research finding. A strength and new
      contribution of this study is combining data from the English and Chinese
      language literature to analyse all studies conducted in China. These findings may
      inform the population level use of prophylactic HPV vaccination to reduce the
      burden of OSCC in China.

PMID- 24240142
TI  - Nurse and manager perceptions of nurse initiated and managed antiretroviral
      therapy (NIMART) implementation in South Africa: a qualitative study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore nurse and facility and programme manager perceptions of
      nurse initiated and managed antiretroviral therapy (NIMART) implementation in
      Gauteng, South Africa. DESIGN: In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews and
      focus group discussions were conducted to gain insight into participants'
      experiences of NIMART implementation. SETTING: Participants came from urban, peri
      urban and rural primary healthcare clinics in two Gauteng Province
      municipalities. PARTICIPANTS: 25 nurses and 18 managers who were actively
      involved in NIMART implementation were purposively sampled. RESULTS: The findings
      from this study reveal that, despite encountering numerous challenges including
      human resources, training and clinical mentoring and health systems issues,
      NIMART nurses and managers remained optimistic about their work. Study
      participants felt empowered by their expanded roles. Increased responsibilities
      associated with NIMART implementation encouraged better use of creative problem
      solving and teamwork to facilitate integration of NIMART into existing clinic
      services. NIMART nurses perceived antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients to be
      more insightful about their illness, engaged in their HIV treatment and aware of
      the importance of adherence which enhanced nurse-patient relationships and
      increased their sense of job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Although the
      implementation of NIMART is complex, when NIMART is implemented well, ART access
      is increased and patient outcomes are improved. Supportive interventions which
      address the specific challenges faced by nurses providing NIMART now need to be
      implemented. Attempts should be made to replicate the positive aspects of NIMART
      implementation identified by participants as this may improve healthcare
      providers' experiences of task-shifting.

PMID- 24240143
TI  - Epidemiology of time-loss injuries in English community-level rugby union.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Using a prospective cohort study design, to establish the incidence
      and nature of time-loss injuries in English community rugby and to assess the
      differences between different playing levels. SETTING: English community rugby
      clubs. PARTICIPANTS: Injury information for 4635 matches was collected during
      seasons 2009/2010 (46 clubs), 2010/2011(67 clubs) and 2011/2012 (76 clubs). Clubs
      were subdivided into groups A (semiprofessional), B (amateur) and C
      (recreational) for analysis. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Any injury
      resulting in 8 days or greater absence from match play was reported by injury
      management staff at the clubs. The primary outcome measure was injury incidence
      (per 1000 player match-hours) and the secondary outcome measure was severity (ie,
      days absence). RESULTS: Overall match injury incidence was 16.9 injuries per 1000
      player match-hours. Incidence was higher for group A (21.7; 95% CI 19.8 to 23.6)
      compared with group B (16.6; 95% CI 15.2 to 17.9) and C (14.2; 95% CI 13.0 to
      15.5, both p<0.001). The mean time-loss was 7.6 weeks absence, with knee and
      shoulder injuries the most severe with mean absences of 11.6 and 9.3 weeks,
      respectively. Half of all injuries occurred to the lower limb, with knee and
      ankle joint/ligament injuries the most common diagnoses. Shoulder joint/ligament
      injuries were the most common and severe upper limb injuries. Contact events
      accounted for 80% of all injuries and tackles accounted for 50%. Running was the
      most common non-contact injury event, of which 56% were hamstring injuries.
      CONCLUSIONS: More time-loss injuries occur at higher levels of community rugby.
      Injury prevention strategies should focus on good technique in the tackle and
      conditioning exercises for the knee, ankle, hamstrings and shoulder.

PMID- 24240144
TI  - How does provider supply and regulation influence health care markets? Evidence
      from nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
AB  - Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) now outnumber family
      practice doctors in the United States and are the principal providers of primary
      care to many communities. Recent growth of these professions has occurred amidst
      considerable cross-state variation in their regulation, with some states
      permitting autonomous practice and others mandating extensive physician
      oversight. I find that expanded NP and PA supply has had minimal impact on the
      office-based healthcare market overall, but utilization has been modestly more
      responsive to supply increases in states permitting greater autonomy. Results
      suggest the importance of laws impacting the division of labor, not just its
      quantity. 

PMID- 24240145
TI  - Removing financial barriers to organ and bone marrow donation: the effect of
      leave and tax legislation in the U.S.
AB  - Many U.S. states have passed legislation providing leave to organ and bone marrow
      donors and/or tax benefits for live and deceased organ and bone marrow donations
      and to employers of donors. We exploit cross-state variation in the timing of
      such legislation to analyze its impact on organ donations by living and deceased
      persons, on measures of the quality of the transplants, and on the number of bone
      marrow donations. We find that these provisions do not have a significant impact
      on the quantity of organs donated. The leave laws, however, do have a positive
      impact on bone marrow donations, and the effect increases with the size of the
      population of beneficiaries and with the generosity of the legislative
      provisions. Our results suggest that this legislation works for moderately
      invasive procedures such as bone marrow donation, but these incentives may be too
      low for organ donation, which is riskier and more burdensome. 

PMID- 24240147
TI  - Conventional and microwave pyrolysis of a macroalgae waste from the Agar-Agar
      industry. Prospects for bio-fuel production.
AB  - A comparative study of the pyrolysis of a macroalgae industrial solid waste
      (algae meal) in an electrical conventional furnace and in a microwave furnace has
      been carried out. It was found that the chars obtained from both pyrolyses are
      similar and show good properties for performing as a solid bio-fuel and as a
      precursor of activated carbon. Bio-oils from conventional pyrolysis have a
      greater number of phenolic, pyrrole and alkane compounds whereas benzene and
      pyridine compounds are more predominant in microwave pyrolysis with a major
      presence of light compounds. The bio-gas fraction from microwave pyrolysis
      presents a much higher syngas content (H2+CO), and a lower CO2 and CH4 proportion
      than that obtained by conventional pyrolysis. Yields are similar for both
      treatments with a slightly higher gas yield in the case of microwave pyrolysis
      due to the fact that microwave heating favors heterogeneous reactions between the
      gases and the char. 

PMID- 24240146
TI  - Mycelium differentiation and development of Streptomyces coelicolor in lab-scale
      bioreactors: programmed cell death, differentiation, and lysis are closely linked
      to undecylprodigiosin and actinorhodin production.
AB  - Streptomycetes are mycelium-forming bacteria that produce two thirds of
      clinically relevant secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolite production is
      activated at specific developmental stages of Streptomyces life cycle. Despite
      this, Streptomyces differentiation in industrial bioreactors tends to be
      underestimated and the most important parameters managed are only indirectly
      related to differentiation: modifications to the culture media, optimization of
      productive strains by random or directed mutagenesis, analysis of biophysical
      parameters, etc. In this work the relationship between differentiation and
      antibiotic production in lab-scale bioreactors was defined. Streptomyces
      coelicolor was used as a model strain. Morphological differentiation was
      comparable to that occurring during pre-sporulation stages in solid cultures: an
      initial compartmentalized mycelium suffers a programmed cell death, and remaining
      viable segments then differentiate to a second multinucleated antibiotic
      producing mycelium. Differentiation was demonstrated to be one of the keys to
      interpreting biophysical fermentation parameters and to rationalizing the
      optimization of secondary metabolite production in bioreactors. 

PMID- 24240148
TI  - Characterization of calcium oxide catalysts from natural sources and their
      application in the transesterification of sunflower oil.
AB  - The catalytic activities of calcium oxide obtained from natural sources (crab
      shell and eggshell) were characterized and evaluated in the transesterification
      of vegetable oil. These catalysts are mainly composed of calcium carbonate, which
      is partially converted into CaO after calcination (900 degrees C for 2h). The
      catalysts have some advantages, such as abundant occurrence, low cost, porous
      structure, and nontoxic. The materials were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TG/DTG,
      CO2-TPD, XPS, SEM, and BET methods. The thermal treatment produces small
      particles of CaCO3 and CaO that are responsible for the catalytic activity. The
      conversion from triglycerides to methyl ester was not observed in
      transesterification carried out using natural crab shell and eggshell. Under
      optimized reaction conditions, the conversions to YFAME using the calcined
      catalysts were: crab shell (83.10+/-0.27 wt.%) and eggshell (97.75+/-0.02 wt.%).
      These results, showed that these materials have promising viability in
      transesterification for biodiesel production.

PMID- 24240149
TI  - Job-search basics: a scientific approach to interviewing.

PMID- 24240150
TI  - Loss of translation: a stealth weapon against pathogens?

PMID- 24240151
TI  - Influenza vaccines: mTOR inhibition surprisingly leads to protection.

PMID- 24240152
TI  - Kinases conquer the inflammasomes.

PMID- 24240153
TI  - A HESitant decision for T cells.

PMID- 24240161
TI  - Addendum: IgE+ memory B cells and plasma cells generated through a germinal
      center pathway.

PMID- 24240160
TI  - A rheostat for immune responses: the unique properties of PD-1 and their
      advantages for clinical application.
AB  - PD-1, a negative coreceptor expressed on antigen-stimulated T cells and B cells,
      seems to serve as a 'rheostat' of the immune response. The molecular mechanisms
      of the functions of PD-1, in conjunction with the mild, chronic and strain
      specific autoimmune phenotypes of PD-1-deficient mice, in contrast to the
      devastating fatal autoimmune disease of mice deficient in the immunomodulatory
      receptor CTLA-4, suggest that immunoregulation by PD-1 is rather antigen specific
      and is mainly cell intrinsic. Such unique properties make PD-1 a powerful target
      for immunological therapy, with highly effective clinical applications for cancer
      treatment. 

PMID- 24240162
TI  - Direct detection of hyaluronidase in urine using cationic gold nanoparticles: a
      potential diagnostic test for bladder cancer.
AB  - Hyaluronidase (HAase) was reported as a urinary marker of bladder cancer. In this
      study, a simple colorimetric gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assay was developed for
      rapid and sensitive detection of urinary HAase activity. Charge interaction
      between polyanionic hyaluronic acid (HA) and cationic AuNPs stabilized with cetyl
      trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) led to formation of gold aggregates and a red
      to blue color shift. HAase digests HA into small fragments preventing the
      aggregation of cationic AuNPs. The nonspecific aggregation of AuNPs in urine
      samples was overcome by pre-treatment of samples with the polycationic chitosan
      that was able to agglomerate all negatively charged interfering moieties before
      performing the assay. The developed AuNP assay was compared with zymography for
      qualitative detection of urinary HAase activity in 40 bladder carcinoma patients,
      11 benign bladder lesions patients and 15 normal individuals, the assay
      sensitivity was 82.5% vs. 65% for zymography, while the specificity for both
      assays was 96.1%. The absorption ratio, A530/A620 of the reacted AuNP solution
      was used to quantify the HAase activity. The best cut off value was 93.5 MUU/ng
      protein, at which the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity was 80.8%.The
      developed colorimetric AuNP HAase assay is simple, inexpensive, and can aid
      noninvasive diagnosis of bladder cancer.

PMID- 24240163
TI  - A single fluorescent protein-based sensor for in vivo 2-oxogluatarate detection
      in cell.
AB  - 2-Oxoglutarate (2OG) is an important currency stands at the crossroad between
      carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Recent research found that 2OG acts as a signal
      in the regulation of nitrogen metabolism in prokaryote. While in eukaryotic
      cells, 2OG is also attractive since tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) in tumor
      cells was found to undergo metabolic alterations such as the Warburg effect. A
      method of tracing this key metabolite 2OG at the cellular level is highly
      desirable. In order to visualize and monitor 2-oxoglutarate metabolism in single
      living cells, we developed a novel sensor by inserting the functional 2OG-binding
      domain GAF of the NifA protein into YFP. This sensor was found to be highly
      specific to 2OG. Following binding of 2OG, fluorescence intensity of the sensor
      increased with increasing 2OG concentration and reached a 1.5-fold maximum
      fluorescence signal change (F/F0-1), kinetics of fluorescence signal upon 2OG
      association with sensor was fast, the dynamic response range of the mOGsor
      sensors was 100 uM-100 mM. Dissociation between sensor and 2OG was verified both
      in vitro and in vivo. This sensor reported cellular 2OG dynamics in E. coli cells
      in real time upon different nutrition challenges and manifested the differences
      in 2OG pool accumulation and consumption rate.

PMID- 24240164
TI  - Electrochemiluminescence of luminol enhanced by the synergetic catalysis of hemin
      and silver nanoparticles for sensitive protein detection.
AB  - A novel and ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor, which was
      based on the amplifying ECL of luminol by hemin-reduced graphene oxide (hemin
      rGO) and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) decorated reduced graphene oxide (Ag-rGO), was
      constructed for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). For this
      proposed sandwich-type ECL immunosensor, Au nanoparticles electrodeposited (DpAu)
      onto hemin-rGO (DpAu/hemin-rGO) constructed the base of the immunosensor. DpAu
      had outstanding electrical conductivity to promote the electron transfer at the
      electrode interface and had good biocompatibility to load large amounts of
      primary antibody (Ab1), which provided an excellent platform for this
      immunosensor. Moreover, AgNPs and glucose oxidase (GOD) functionalized graphene
      labeled secondary antibody (Ag-rGO-Ab2-GOD) was designed as the signal probe for
      the sandwiched immunosensor. Not only did the hemin-rGO improve the electron
      transfer of the electrode surface, but hemin also further amplified the ECL
      signal of luminol in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). With the aid of Ag
      rGO-Ab2-GOD, enhanced signal was obtained by in situ generation of H2O2 and
      catalysis of AgNPs to ECL reaction of the luminol-H2O2 system. The as-prepared
      ECL immunosensor exhibited excellent analytical property for the detection of CEA
      in the range from 0.1 pg mL(-1) to 160 ng mL(-1) with a detection limit of 0.03
      pg mL(-1) (SN(-1)=3).

PMID- 24240165
TI  - Studies on visual detection and surface modification testing of glass microfiber
      filter paper based biosensor.
AB  - Glass microfibers are commonly used as biomolecule adsorption media, as
      structural or disposable components of the optical biosensors. While any
      improvement in these components are appreciated, utilizing basic tools of
      traditional approaches may lead to original sensor opportunities as simple,
      functional designs that can be easily disseminated. Following this pursuit,
      surface modification of glass microfiber paper surface was performed by 3
      aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and resulting improvement in the cell
      entrapment capacity could be observed visually, only after Gram staining. Gram
      staining offered rapid validation of enhanced binding on the glass surface. The
      same APTES-modified samples were also tested for binding of complementary DNA
      sequences and the results were less straightforward due to the necessity of DNA
      visualization by using a fluorescent stain, YOYO-1. Accordingly, when there were
      no surface modification, DNA and YOYO-1 adsorbed readily on the glass microfiber
      filter paper, and prolonged the interaction between DNA and YOYO-1. YOYO-1
      adsorption on glass could be recognized from the color profile of YOYO-1
      emission. This phenomenon can be used to examine suitability of APTES coverage on
      glass surfaces since YOYO-1 emission can be distinguished by its glass adsorbed
      versus DNA-bound forms. Aptness of surface coverage is vital to biosensor studies
      in the sense that it is preceding the forthcoming surface modifications and its
      precision is imperative for attaining the anticipated interaction kinetics of the
      surface-immobilized species. The proposed testing scheme offered in this study
      secures the work, which is aimed to be carried out utilizing such sensing systems
      and device components. 

PMID- 24240166
TI  - Label-free DNA detection using two-dimensional periodic relief grating as a
      visualized platform for diagnosis of breast cancer recurrence after surgery.
AB  - In this study we fabricated a nanopillar array of silicon oxide, involving very
      large-scale integration (VLSI) and reactive ion etching (RIE), as two-dimensional
      periodic relief gratings (2DPRGs) on Si surfaces. Thiolated oligonucleotide was
      successively immobilized on the thiol functionalized surfaces of 2DPRGs by
      disulfide bond as an optical probe to detect a human genomic DNA (hgDNA584),
      related to breast cancer recurrence after surgery, from a biological specimen.
      The oligonucleotide-bound 2DPRG alone produces insignificant structure change,
      but upon hybridization with hgDNA584 leads to a dramatic change of the pillar
      scale due to hgDNA584 filling inside the 2DPRG layers. The performance of the
      sensor was evaluated by capturing hgDNA584 on the oligonucleotide-bound 2DPRGs
      and measuring the effective refractive index (neff), resulting of color change
      from pure blue to red, observed by naked eyes along an incident angle of 20-30
      degrees . The surface-bound 2DPRG based assay with the chemoresponsive
      diffraction grating signal transduction scheme results in an experimentally
      simple DNA detection protocol, displaying attributes of both detection
      methodologies: the high sensitivity and selectivity afforded by 2DPRG probes and
      the experimental simplicity, and miniaturization potential provided by the
      diffraction-based sensing technology. 

PMID- 24240167
TI  - Label-free fluorescence assay for thrombin based on unmodified quantum dots.
AB  - Rapid and sensitive assay of thrombin and its inhibition in a high-throughput
      manner is of great significance in the diagnostic and pharmaceutical fields. In
      this article, we developed a novel biosensor for the detection of thrombin and
      its inhibition based on the aggregation behavior of the unmodified CdTe QDs. A
      cationic substrate peptide of thrombin (GGLVPRGSCC-NH2, S-peptide) can attach to
      the surface of CdTe QDs, partly balance their surface negative charge, and induce
      the aggregation of QDs, which results in the fluorescence quenching of QDs. After
      hydrolysis of S-peptide by thrombin, two kinds of shorter peptides (P1-peptide,
      GGLVPR, and P2-peptide, GSCC) are produced. The uncharged P2-peptide rather than
      the cationic P1-peptide would bind to QDs. Hence, the CdTe QDs were kept stable
      in the solution with the fluorescence being maintained. The change of
      fluorescence intensity would sensitively respond to thrombin activity and its
      inhibition. Fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and
      dynamic light scattering were performed to discuss the quenching mechanism. Under
      optimized conditions, this method enables measurement of thrombin in the range of
      10-100 MUU/mL with the detection limit of 1.5 MUU/mL. Not only in buffer, but
      also in blood serum, such sensor exhibited extraordinarily high sensitivity and
      excellent specificity. In addition, the typical inhibitor of thrombin, hirudin,
      was also successfully assayed by this method (from 2 MUU/mL to 30 MUU/mL with the
      LOD of 0.21 MUU/mL). Furthermore, the present approach could also be potentially
      extended to other proteases and their inhibitors detection with unmodified CdTe
      QDs.

PMID- 24240168
TI  - Chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer biosensing platform for site-specific
      determination of DNA methylation and assay of DNA methyltransferase activity
      using exonuclease III-assisted target recycling amplification.
AB  - Site-specific determination of DNA methylation and assay of MTase activity can be
      used for determining specific cancer types, providing insights into the mechanism
      of gene repression, and developing novel drugs to treat methylation-related
      diseases. Herein, we develop a simple and highly sensitive chemiluminescence (CL)
      biosensing platform for site-specific determination of DNA methylation using
      Exonuclease III (Exo III)-assisted target recycling signal amplification. After
      bisulfite treatment of mixture of methylated DNA and unmethylated DNA, methylated
      DNA can hybridize with fluorescein (FAM)-labeled probe DNA to form double
      stranded DNA (dsDNA), removing the FAM-labeled probe DNA from the surface of
      grapheme oxide, and the chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET)
      sensing signal can be observed and then amplified using Exo III-based recycling
      strategy. The biosensing platform exhibits excellent high sensitivity, and it can
      ever distinguish as low as 0.002% methylation level from the mixture, which is
      superior to most currently reported methods used for DNA methylation assay. In
      addition, the proposed method can also be used to sensitively assay MTase
      activity with determination limit of 0.007 U/mL. This CL biosensing offers the
      advantages of being facile, sensitive, rapid and cost-effective. These features
      make the system promising for future use for early cancer diagnosis and discover
      of new anticancer drugs.

PMID- 24240169
TI  - KMT2D maintains neoplastic cell proliferation and global histone H3 lysine 4
      monomethylation.
AB  - KMT2D (lysine (K)-specific methyltransferase 2D), formerly named MLL2
      (myeloid/lymphoid or mixed-lineage leukemia 2, also known as ALR/MLL4), is a
      histone methyltransferase that plays an important role in regulating gene
      transcription. In particular, it targets histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4), whose
      methylations serve as a gene activation mark. Recently, KMT2D has emerged as one
      of the most frequently mutated genes in a variety of cancers and in other human
      diseases, including lymphoma, medulloblastoma, gastric cancer, and Kabuki
      syndrome. Mutations in KMT2D identified thus far point to its loss-of-function in
      pathogenesis and suggest its role as a tumor suppressor in various tissues. To
      determine the effect of a KMT2D deficiency on neoplastic cells, we used
      homologous recombination- and nuclease-mediated gene editing approaches to
      generate a panel of isogenic colorectal and medulloblastoma cancer cell lines
      that differ with respect to their endogenous KMT2D status. We found that a KMT2D
      deficiency resulted in attenuated cancer cell proliferation and defective cell
      migration. Analysis of histone H3 modifications revealed that KMT2D was essential
      for maintaining the level of global H3K4 monomethylation and that its enzymatic
      SET domain was directly responsible for this function. Furthermore, we found that
      a majority of KMT2D binding sites are located in regions of potential enhancer
      elements. Together, these findings revealed the role of KMT2D in regulating
      enhancer elements in human cells and shed light on the tumorigenic role of its
      deficiency. Our study supports that KMT2D has distinct roles in neoplastic cells,
      as opposed to normal cells, and that inhibiting KMT2D may be a viable strategy
      for cancer therapeutics. 

PMID- 24240170
TI  - A cathepsin B inhibitor, E-64, improves the preimplantation development of bovine
      somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos.
AB  - Bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is an important and powerful tool for
      basic research and biomedical and agricultural applications, however, the
      efficiency of SCNT has remained extremely low. In this study, we investigated the
      effects of cathepsin B inhibitor (E-64) supplementation of culture medium on in
      vitro development of bovine SCNT embryos. We initially used three concentrations
      of E-64 (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 MUm), among which 0.5 MUm resulted in the highest rate of
      blastocysts production after in vitro fertilization (IVF), and was therefore used
      for further experiments. Blastocyst development of SCNT embryos in the E-64
      treatment group also increased relative to the control. Moreover, the
      cryosurvival rates of IVF and SCNT blastocysts were increased in E-64 treatment
      groups when compared with the control. On the other hand, we found that IVF and
      SCNT blastocysts derived from E-64-treated groups had increased total cell
      numbers and decreased apoptotic nuclei. Furthermore, assessment of the expression
      of apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-xL) in bovine IVF and SCNT blastocysts
      treated with E-64 by real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed suppressed expression of
      the pro-apoptotic gene Bax and stimulated expression of the anti-apoptotic gene
      Bcl-xL. Taken together, these finding indicate that addition of E-64 to embryo
      culture medium may have important implications for improving developmental
      competence and preimplantation quality in bovine IVF and SCNT embryos. 

PMID- 24240171
TI  - Kar3Vik1 mechanochemistry is inhibited by mutation or deletion of the C terminus
      of the Vik1 subunit.
AB  - Force production by kinesins has been linked to structural rearrangements of the
      N and C termini of their motor domain upon nucleotide binding. In recent crystal
      structures, the Kar3-associated protein Vik1 shows unexpected homology to these
      conformational states even though it lacks a nucleotide-binding site. This
      conservation infers a degree of commonality in the function of the N- and C
      terminal regions during the mechanochemical cycle of all kinesins and kinesin
      related proteins. We tested this inference by examining the functional effects on
      Kar3Vik1 of mutating or deleting residues in Vik1 that are involved in
      stabilizing the C terminus against the core and N terminus of the Vik1 motor
      homology domain (MHD). Point mutations at two moderately conserved residues near
      the Vik1 C terminus impaired microtubule gliding and microtubule-stimulated ATP
      turnover by Kar3Vik1. Deletion of the seven C-terminal residues inhibited
      Kar3Vik1 motility much more drastically. Interestingly, none of the point mutants
      seemed to perturb the ability of Kar3Vik1 to bind microtubules, whereas the C
      terminal truncation mutant did. Molecular dynamics simulations of these C
      terminal mutants showed distinct root mean square fluctuations in the N-terminal
      region of the Vik1 MHD that connects it to Kar3. Here, the degree of motion in
      the N-terminal portion of Vik1 highly correlated with that in the C terminus.
      These observations suggest that the N and C termini of the Vik1 MHD form a
      discrete folding motif that is part of a communication pathway to the nucleotide
      binding site of Kar3. 

PMID- 24240173
TI  - Chemical force microscopy of stimuli-responsive adhesive copolymers.
AB  - Atomic force microscopy with chemically sensitive tips was used to investigate
      the hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction forces of a stimuli-responsive
      adhesive polymer, and their dynamic changes in response to water immersion and
      salt concentration. Block copolymer-filled coatings were obtained by
      incorporating an amphiphilic block copolymer containing a polydimethylsiloxane
      (PDMS) block and a poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) block in a
      PDMS matrix. Topographic images of fresh samples revealed the presence of
      nanoscale domains associated with the presence of copolymers, covered by a thin
      layer of PDMS. Prolonged (30 days) immersion in aqueous solution led to the
      exposure of the hydrophilic PDMAEMA chains on the surface. Using adhesion force
      mapping with hydrophobic tips, we showed that fresh samples were uniformly
      hydrophobic, while aged samples exhibited lower surface hydrophobicity and
      featured nanoscale hydrophilic copolymer domains. Force mapping with negatively
      charged tips revealed remarkable salt-dependent force plateau signatures
      reflecting desorption of polyelectrolyte copolymer chains. These nanoscale
      experiments show how solvent-induced conformational changes of stimuli-responsive
      copolymers can be used to modulate surface adhesion. 

PMID- 24240172
TI  - IkappaB kinase gamma/nuclear factor-kappaB-essential modulator (IKKgamma/NEMO)
      facilitates RhoA GTPase activation, which, in turn, activates Rho-associated
      KINASE (ROCK) to phosphorylate IKKbeta in response to transforming growth factor
      (TGF)-beta1.
AB  - Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 plays several roles in a variety of
      cellular functions. TGF-beta1 transmits its signal through Smad transcription
      factor-dependent and -independent pathways. It was reported that TGF-beta1
      activates NF-kappaB and RhoA, and RhoA activates NF-kappaB in several kinds of
      cells in a Smad-independent pathway. However, the activation molecular mechanism
      of NF-kappaB by RhoA upon TGF-beta1 has not been clearly elucidated. We observed
      that RhoA-GTP level was increased by TGF-beta1 in RAW264.7 cells. RhoA-GDP and
      RhoGDI were bound to N- and C-terminal domains of IKKgamma, respectively.
      Purified IKKgamma facilitated GTP binding to RhoA complexed with RhoGDI.
      Furthermore, Dbs, a guanine nucletotide exchange factor of RhoA much more
      enhanced GTP binding to RhoA complexed with RhoGDI in the presence of IKKgamma.
      Indeed, si-IKKgamma abolished RhoA activation in response to TGF-beta1 in cells.
      However, TGF-beta1 stimulated the release of RhoA-GTP from IKKgamma and Rho
      associated kinase (ROCK), an active RhoA effector protein, directly
      phosphorylated IKKbeta in vitro, whereas TGF-beta1-activated kinase 1 activated
      RhoA upon TGF-beta1 stimulation. Taken together, our data indicate that IKKgamma
      facilitates RhoA activation via a guanine nucletotide exchange factor, which in
      turn activates ROCK to phosphorylate IKKbeta, leading to NF-kappaB activation
      that induced the chemokine expression and cell migration upon TGF-beta1. 

PMID- 24240174
TI  - Divergent roles of HDAC1 and HDAC2 in the regulation of epidermal development and
      tumorigenesis.
AB  - The histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC2 remove acetyl moieties from lysine
      residues of histones and other proteins and are important regulators of gene
      expression. By deleting different combinations of Hdac1 and Hdac2 alleles in the
      epidermis, we reveal a dosage-dependent effect of HDAC1/HDAC2 activity on
      epidermal proliferation and differentiation. Conditional ablation of either HDAC1
      or HDAC2 in the epidermis leads to no obvious phenotype due to compensation by
      the upregulated paralogue. Strikingly, deletion of a single Hdac2 allele in HDAC1
      knockout mice results in severe epidermal defects, including alopecia,
      hyperkeratosis, hyperproliferation and spontaneous tumour formation. These mice
      display impaired Sin3A co-repressor complex function, increased levels of c-Myc
      protein, p53 expression and apoptosis in hair follicles (HFs) and misregulation
      of HF bulge stem cells. Surprisingly, ablation of HDAC1 but not HDAC2 in a skin
      tumour model leads to accelerated tumour development. Our data reveal a crucial
      function of HDAC1/HDAC2 in the control of lineage specificity and a novel role of
      HDAC1 as a tumour suppressor in the epidermis. 

PMID- 24240176
TI  - Temporal trends in oral intake ability 3 months after acute ischaemic stroke:
      analysis of a single-centre database from 2003 to 2011.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyse the 9-year trend in oral intake ability 3 months after
      onset in acute stroke patients, with a view to indirect clarification of advances
      in acute stroke treatment and swallowing rehabilitation. METHODS: A database of
      patients admitted to our hospital (Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto) with
      acute ischaemic stroke between 2003 and 2011 was analysed. Exclusion criteria
      were: patients with premorbid modified Rankin Scale score >= 1; those who died
      during hospital stay; and those whose outcomes after 3 months were not recorded.
      Mode of nutritional intake was investigated with a questionnaire posted to the
      patient 3 months after stroke onset. Patients were divided into 2 groups
      according to mode of nutritional intake: an oral intake group and a non-oral
      intake group. Whether the date or year of admission were related to the
      proportion of patients with oral intake, independent of other factors, was
      investigated using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of a total of 2,913
      patients, 2,677 (91.9%) were included in the oral intake group. The proportion of
      patients with oral intake 3 months after stroke increased significantly over the
      period of analysis (p = 0.034 by Cochran-Armitage test). On logistic regression
      analysis, the trend was significant after adjustment for age, sex, vascular risk
      factors, stroke subtype, and stroke severity on admission (odds ratio 1.098, 95%
      confidence interval 1.029-1.173; per 1 year). CONCLUSION: The proportion of
      ischaemic stroke patients in the institution studied who were capable of oral
      intake at 3 months post-stroke increased significantly over the past decade,
      independent of other patient characteristics.

PMID- 24240175
TI  - Transcriptome sequencing during mouse brain development identifies long non
      coding RNAs functionally involved in neurogenic commitment.
AB  - Transcriptome analysis of somatic stem cells and their progeny is fundamental to
      identify new factors controlling proliferation versus differentiation during
      tissue formation. Here, we generated a combinatorial, fluorescent reporter mouse
      line to isolate proliferating neural stem cells, differentiating progenitors and
      newborn neurons that coexist as intermingled cell populations during brain
      development. Transcriptome sequencing revealed numerous novel long non-coding
      (lnc)RNAs and uncharacterized protein-coding transcripts identifying the
      signature of neurogenic commitment. Importantly, most lncRNAs overlapped
      neurogenic genes and shared with them a nearly identical expression pattern
      suggesting that lncRNAs control corticogenesis by tuning the expression of nearby
      cell fate determinants. We assessed the power of our approach by manipulating
      lncRNAs and protein-coding transcripts with no function in corticogenesis
      reported to date. This led to several evident phenotypes in neurogenic commitment
      and neuronal survival, indicating that our study provides a remarkably high
      number of uncharacterized transcripts with hitherto unsuspected roles in brain
      development. Finally, we focussed on one lncRNA, Miat, whose manipulation was
      found to trigger pleiotropic effects on brain development and aberrant splicing
      of Wnt7b. Hence, our study suggests that lncRNA-mediated alternative splicing of
      cell fate determinants controls stem-cell commitment during neurogenesis. 

PMID- 24240178
TI  - An update on clinical trials of targeted therapies in thyroid cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Several new targeted therapies with multikinase inhibitors
      targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), rearranged during
      transfection and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 pathways have
      been tested in clinical trials for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid
      cancer (DTC) and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in the past 10 years. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Results of the first phase III trial of VEGF-targeted therapy
      (sorafenib) in DTC were presented in June 2013, and two phase III trials with
      VEGF and rearranged during transfection-targeted therapies (vandetanib and
      cabozantinib) in MTC have led to approval by US Food and Drug Administration in
      the past 2 years. Whereas such therapies increase median progression-free
      survival compared to placebo, there is no therapy proven to improve overall
      survival yet. Significant potential adverse event risks associated with such
      therapies need to be recognized. Dissemination of knowledge about targeted
      therapies is critical for various medical specialists as patient care for thyroid
      cancers is best delivered in a multidisciplinary setting. SUMMARY: Successful
      development of targeted systemic therapies in DTC and MTC in the past 5 years is
      incredibly exciting in the field and patients with advanced DTC/MTC now have new
      standard-of-care therapy options.

PMID- 24240177
TI  - To be, or not to be: functional dilemma of p53 metabolic regulation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, the emerging role of p53 in metabolic
      regulation has been a topic of great interest. Although apoptotic and growth
      arrest functions of p53 remain as important mechanisms for preserving genomic
      stability, metabolic functions of p53 show increasing potential in contributing
      to p53-mediated tumor suppression. Numerous recent studies provided further
      insights into the metabolic functions of p53 and their implications in
      tumorigenesis. RECENT FINDINGS: Several novel p53 metabolic targets have been
      identified that participate in various aspects of metabolism. Although some
      studies demonstrate the potential tumor suppressive function of p53 metabolic
      genes, others reveal prosurvival roles of those targets in both tumor and normal
      cells. Specifically, Tp53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) has
      been thought to promote tumor suppression through metabolic fine-tuning, yet,
      TIGAR-deficient mice display reduction in tumorigenesis. Finally,
      characterization of the 3KR mouse model underscored the significance of p53
      metabolic regulation in tumor suppression, while also alluding to the potential
      mechanism for selective regulation of p53 metabolic targets. SUMMARY: Expression
      of many p53 metabolic genes elicits both antitumor and tumorigenic effects,
      suggesting that p53 may contribute to cellular protection as well as tumor
      suppression. Future studies must carefully dissect the duality of p53 metabolic
      function, which may potentially prove useful in designing cancer therapies.

PMID- 24240179
TI  - How to use molecular testing results to guide surgery: a surgeon's perspective.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Multiple genetic mutations have been found to be associated
      with thyroid cancer, and molecular testing of thyroid nodule fine-needle
      aspiration (FNA) specimens has been proposed as an adjunct to the cytologic
      diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to examine how molecular testing of FNAs
      could be used to guide surgical decision-making. RECENT FINDINGS: B-type RAF
      kinase mutations in papillary thyroid cancer have been found to be associated
      with extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, and advanced stage in two
      meta-analyses that are based largely on retrospective data. Testing for a panel
      of gene mutations has been found to have high specificity and positive predictive
      value, whereas microarray testing using a commercially available gene-expression
      classifier has been found to have high sensitivity and negative predictive value
      for the diagnosis of malignancy in cytologically indeterminate FNAs. Although
      there is no consensus regarding the use of such tests, they have already started
      to change clinical practice. SUMMARY: Molecular testing of FNA specimens may help
      to avoid diagnostic thyroidectomy or may help in deciding the extent of surgery
      in a patient with an indeterminate FNA biopsy. The use of these tests is
      currently undergoing review by a task force within the American Thyroid
      Association.

PMID- 24240180
TI  - Anoxic bio-electrochemical system for treatment of complex chemical wastewater
      with simultaneous bioelectricity generation.
AB  - Bioelectrochemical treatment system (BET) with anoxic anodic microenvironment was
      studied with chemical wastewater (CW) in comparison with anoxic treatment (AxT,
      sequencing batch reactor (SBR)) with same parent anaerobic consortia. BET system
      documented relatively higher treatment efficiency at higher organic load (5.0 kg
      COD/m(3)) accounting for COD removal efficiency of (90%) along with nitrate
      (48%), phosphate (51%), sulphates (68%), colour (63%) and turbidity (90%)
      removal, compared to AxT operation (COD, 47%; nitrate, 36%; phosphate, 32%;
      sulphate, 35%; colour, 45% and turbidity, 54%). The self-induced bio-potential
      developed due to the electrode assembly in BET resulted in effective treatment
      with simultaneous bioelectricity generation (631 mA/m(2)). AxT operation showed
      persistent reduction behaviour, while simultaneous redox behaviour was observed
      with BET indicating balanced electron transfer. BET operation illustrated higher
      wastewater toxicity reduction compared to the AxT system which documents the
      variation in bio-electrocatalytic behaviour of same consortia under different
      microenvironment.

PMID- 24240181
TI  - Dark fermentation from real solid waste. Evolution of microbial community.
AB  - The purpose of this paper was to study the evolution of microbial community and
      its relation to the hydrogen production (HP) steps in thermophilic-dry dark
      fermentation from real organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). Nine
      organic loading rates (OLRs) (from 9 to 220 g TVS/l/d) were investigated.
      Population dynamics study showed that increasing OLR (between 9 and 110 g
      TVS/l/d) resulted in an increase in the relations between Eubacteria:Archaea and
      hydrolytic-acidogenic bacteria (HABs):acetogens. This was strongly influenced by
      the microbial content of the OFMSW. The presence of acetogens and Archaea was due
      to contribution of these microorganisms in the substrate (the biogas produced was
      methane-free). The maximum value of hydrolysis (63+/-7%) was observed at 110 g
      TVS/l/d OLR according to maximum HP and HAB activity. The highest average values
      of acidification yields (57-60%) were achieved for OLR between 28 and 43 g
      TVS/l/d.

PMID- 24240182
TI  - Acid hydrolysis of Curcuma longa residue for ethanol and lactic acid
      fermentation.
AB  - This research examines the acid hydrolysis of Curcuma longa waste, to obtain the
      hydrolysate containing lactic acid and ethanol fermentative sugars. A central
      composite design for describing regression equations of variables was used. The
      selected optimum condition was 4.91% sulphuric acid, 122.68 degrees C and 50 min
      using the desirability function under the following conditions: the maximum
      reducing sugar (RS) yield is within the limited range of the 5
      hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural concentrations. Under the condition, the
      obtained solution contained 144 g RS/L, 0.79 g furfural/L and 2.59 g HMF/L and
      was directly fermented without a detoxification step. The maximum product
      concentration, average productivity, RS conversion and product yield were 115.36
      g/L, 2.88 g/L/h, 89.43% and 64% for L-lactic acid; 113.92 g/L, 2.59 g/L/h, 88.31%
      and 63.29% for D-lactic acid; and 55.03 g/L, 1.38 g/L/h, 42.66 and 30.57%,
      respectively, for ethanol using a 7-L jar fermenter.

PMID- 24240183
TI  - The anaerobic digestion of biologically and physicochemically pretreated oily
      wastewater.
AB  - To enhance the degradation of oily wastewater and its biogas production, a
      biological-physicochemical pretreatment was introduced prior to the anaerobic
      digestion system. The digestion thereafter proceeded more efficiently due to the
      inoculation by oil degrading bacteria (Bacillus). A 2-stage pre-mixing is more
      effective than directly mixing. The effects on the methane production were also
      investigated by pre-treatment with ultrasonic (US) treatment, combined with
      citric acid (CA) addition. US pre-treatment was found to improve the initial
      methane production, and CA pre-treatment could maintain this improvement during
      the whole digestion stage. Pre-mixing Bacillus at 9 wt.% inoculation, combined
      with US for 10 min and a CA concentration of 500 mg/L provided the optimum
      conditions. The most effective enhancement of methane yield was 1100.46 ml/g VS,
      exceeding that of the control by 280%. The change of coenobium shape and fatty
      acid content further proved that such pretreatment of oily wastewater can
      facilitate digestion.

PMID- 24240184
TI  - Ammonia triggers neuronal disinhibition and seizures by impairing astrocyte
      potassium buffering.
AB  - Ammonia is a ubiquitous waste product of protein metabolism that can accumulate
      in numerous metabolic disorders, causing neurological dysfunction ranging from
      cognitive impairment to tremor, ataxia, seizures, coma and death. The brain is
      especially vulnerable to ammonia as it readily crosses the blood-brain barrier in
      its gaseous form, NH3, and rapidly saturates its principal removal pathway
      located in astrocytes. Thus, we wanted to determine how astrocytes contribute to
      the initial deterioration of neurological functions characteristic of
      hyperammonemia in vivo. Using a combination of two-photon imaging and
      electrophysiology in awake head-restrained mice, we show that ammonia rapidly
      compromises astrocyte potassium buffering, increasing extracellular potassium
      concentration and overactivating the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter isoform 1
      (NKCC1) in neurons. The consequent depolarization of the neuronal GABA reversal
      potential (EGABA) selectively impairs cortical inhibitory networks. Genetic
      deletion of NKCC1 or inhibition of it with the clinically used diuretic
      bumetanide potently suppresses ammonia-induced neurological dysfunction. We did
      not observe astrocyte swelling or brain edema in the acute phase, calling into
      question current concepts regarding the neurotoxic effects of ammonia. Instead,
      our findings identify failure of potassium buffering in astrocytes as a crucial
      mechanism in ammonia neurotoxicity and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of
      blocking this pathway by inhibiting NKCC1. 

PMID- 24240186
TI  - Noise and its reduction in graphene based nanopore devices.
AB  - Ionic current fluctuations in graphene nanopore devices are a ubiquitous
      phenomenon and are responsible for degraded spatial and temporal resolution.
      Here, we descriptively investigate the impact of different substrate materials
      (Si and quartz) and membrane thicknesses on noise characteristics of graphene
      nanopore devices. To mitigate the membrane fluctuations and pin-hole defects, a
      SiNx membrane is transferred onto the substrate and a pore of approximately 70 nm
      in diameter is perforated prior to the graphene transfer. Comprehensive noise
      study reveals that the few layer graphene transferred onto the quartz substrate
      possesses low noise level and higher signal to noise ratio as compared to single
      layer graphene, without deteriorating the spatial resolution. The findings here
      point to improvement of graphene based nanopore devices for exciting
      opportunities in future single-molecule genomic screening devices. 

PMID- 24240185
TI  - Detecting and targeting tumor relapse by its resistance to innate effectors at
      early recurrence.
AB  - Tumor recurrence represents a major clinical challenge. Our data show that
      emergent recurrent tumors acquire a phenotype radically different from that of
      their originating primary tumors. This phenotype allows them to evade a host
      derived innate immune response elicited by the progression from minimal residual
      disease (MRD) to actively growing recurrence. Screening for this innate response
      predicted accurately in which mice recurrence would occur. Premature induction of
      recurrence resensitized MRD to the primary therapy, suggesting a possible
      paradigm shift for clinical treatment of dormant disease in which the current
      expectant approach is replaced with active attempts to uncover MRD before
      evolution of the escape phenotype is complete. By combining screening with second
      line treatments targeting innate insensitivity, up to 100% of mice that would
      have otherwise relapsed were cured. These data may open new avenues for early
      detection and appropriately timed, highly targeted treatment of tumor recurrence
      irrespective of tumor type or frontline treatment. 

PMID- 24240187
TI  - Comprehensive phylogenetic diversity of [FeFe]-hydrogenase genes in termite gut
      microbiota.
AB  - Phylogenetic diversity of [FeFe]-hydrogenase (HydA) in termite guts was assessed
      by pyrosequencing PCR amplicons obtained using newly designed primers. Of 8,066
      reads, 776 hydA phylotypes, defined with 97% nucleotide sequence identity, were
      recovered from the gut homogenates of three termite species, Hodotermopsis
      sjoestedti, Reticulitermes speratus, and Nasutitermes takasagoensis. The
      phylotype coverage was 92-98%, and the majority shared only low identity with
      database sequences. It was estimated that 194-745 hydA phylotypes existed in the
      gut of each termite species. Our results demonstrate that hydA gene diversity in
      the termite gut microbiota is much higher than previously estimated. 

PMID- 24240188
TI  - H2A.Z depletion impairs proliferation and viability but not DNA double-strand
      breaks repair in human immortalized and tumoral cell lines.
AB  - In mammalian cells, DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) can be repaired by 2 main
      pathways, homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). To
      give access to DNA damage to the repair machinery the chromatin structure needs
      to be relaxed, and chromatin modifications play major roles in the control of
      these processes. Among the chromatin modifications, changes in nucleosome
      composition can influence DNA damage response as observed with the H2A.Z histone
      variant in yeast. In mammals, p400, an ATPase of the SWI/SNF family able to
      incorporate H2A.Z in chromatin, was found to be important for histone
      ubiquitination and BRCA1 recruitment around DSB or for HR in cooperation with
      Rad51. Recent data with 293T cells showed that mammalian H2A.Z is recruited to
      DSBs and is important to control DNA resection, therefore participating both in
      HR and NHEJ. Here we show that depletion of H2A.Z in the osteosarcoma U2OS cell
      line and in immortalized human fibroblasts does not change parameters of DNA DSB
      repair while affecting clonogenic ability and cell cycle distribution. In
      addition, no recruitment of H2A.Z around DSB can be detected in U2OS cells either
      after local laser irradiation or by chromatin immunoprecipitation. These data
      suggest that the role of H2A.Z in DSB repair is not ubiquitous in mammals. In
      addition, given that important cellular parameters, such as cell viability and
      cell cycle distribution, are more sensitive to H2A.Z depletion than DNA repair,
      our results underline the difficulty to investigate the role of versatile factors
      such as H2A.Z. 

PMID- 24240189
TI  - Direct BMP2/4 signaling through BMP receptor IA regulates fetal thymocyte
      progenitor homeostasis and differentiation to CD4+CD8+ double-positive cell.
AB  - BMP2/4 signaling is required for embryogenesis and involved in thymus
      morphogenesis and T-lineage differentiation. In vitro experiments have shown that
      treatment of thymus explants with exogenous BMP4 negatively regulated
      differentiation of early thymocyte progenitors and the transition from CD4-CD8-
      (DN) to CD4+CD8+ (DP). Here we show that in vivo BMP2/4 signaling is required for
      fetal thymocyte progenitor homeostasis and expansion, but negatively regulates
      differentiation from DN to DP cell. Unexpectedly, conditional deletion of BMPRIA
      from fetal thymocytes (using the Cre-loxP system and directing excision to
      hematopoietic lineage cells with the Vav promoter) demonstrated that
      physiological levels of BMP2/4 signaling directly to thymocytes through BMPRIA
      are required for normal differentiation and expansion of early fetal DN
      thymocytes. In contrast, the arrest in early thymocyte progenitor differentiation
      caused by exogenous BMP4 treatment of thymus explants is induced in part by
      direct signaling to thymocytes through BMPRIA, and in part by indirect signaling
      through non-hematopoietic cells. Analysis of the transition from fetal DN to DP
      cell, both by ex vivo analysis of conditional BMPRIA-deficient thymocytes and by
      treatment of thymus explants with the BMP4-inhibitor Noggin demonstrated that
      BMP2/4 signaling is a negative regulator at this stage. We showed that at this
      stage of fetal T-cell development BMP2/4 signals directly to thymocytes through
      BMPRIA. 

PMID- 24240192
TI  - Neural nAChRs PET imaging probes.
AB  - There have been a number of attempts to study PET radioligands for imaging
      nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the human brain, and the most
      successful tracers found are radioligands for imaging alpha4beta2-nAChRs, which
      is the main cerebral nAChRs subtype. C-Nicotine and 2-[F]FA have been applied in
      many studies in humans. However, neither is entirely ideal and efforts have been
      made to develop radioligands with optimized imaging properties. Only a few
      reports have been published on radioligands for alpha7-nAChRs imaging, another
      important cerebral nAChRs subtype. This paper will review the development of PET
      radioligands for imaging cerebral nAChRs. 

PMID- 24240191
TI  - Different functions of HOPS isoforms in the cell: HOPS shuttling isoform is
      determined by RIP cleavage system.
AB  - Hepatocyte odd protein shuttling (HOPS) moves between nucleus and cytoplasm. HOPS
      overexpression leads to cell cycle arrest in G 0/G 1, and HOPS knockdown causes
      centrosome alterations, with subsequent abnormal cell division. Recently, we
      demonstrated that HOPS acts as a functional bridge in NPM-p19(Arf) interactions.
      Here we show that HOPS is present in 3 different isoforms that play distinct
      intracellular functions. Although HOPS is a transmembrane ubiquitin, an isoform
      with intermediate molecular weight is cleaved from the membrane and released into
      the cytosol, to act as the shuttling protein. We identified a signal peptide
      peptidase structure in N-terminal membrane-bound HOPS that allows the regulated
      intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) system to control the relative amounts of the
      released, shuttling isoform capable of binding NPM. These results argue for
      distinct, isoform-specific functions of HOPS in the nucleolus, nucleus, and
      cytoplasm and provide insight into the dynamics of HOPS association with NPM,
      whose mutation and subsequent delocalization is found in 30% of acute myeloid
      leukemia patients. 

PMID- 24240190
TI  - Arterial territory-specific phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein species and
      CDK2 promote differences in the vascular smooth muscle cell response to mitogens.
AB  - Despite recent advances in medical procedures, cardiovascular disease remains a
      clinical challenge and the leading cause of mortality in the western world. The
      condition causes progressive smooth muscle cell (SMC) dedifferentiation,
      proliferation, and migration that contribute to vascular restenosis. The
      incidence of disease of the internal mammary artery (IMA), however, is much lower
      than in nearly all other arteries. The etiology of this IMA disease resistance is
      not well understood. Here, using paired primary IMA and coronary artery SMCs,
      serum stimulation, siRNA knockdowns, and verifications in porcine vessels in
      vivo, we investigate the molecular mechanisms that could account for this
      increased disease resistance of internal mammary SMCs. We show that the residue
      specific phosphorylation profile of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein
      (Rb) appears to differ significantly between IMA and coronary artery SMCs in
      cultured human cells. We also report that the differential profile of Rb
      phosphorylation may follow as a consequence of differences in the content of
      cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and the CDK4 phosphorylation inhibitor p15.
      Finally, we present evidence that siRNA-mediated CDK2 knockdown alters the
      profile of Rb phosphorylation in coronary artery SMCs, as well as the
      proliferative response of these cells to mitogenic stimulation. The intrinsic
      functional and protein composition specificity of the SMCs population in the
      coronary artery may contribute to the increased prevalence of restenosis and
      atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries as compared with the internal mammary
      arteries. 

PMID- 24240193
TI  - The impact of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT on Merkel cell carcinoma management: a
      retrospective study of 66 scans from a single institution.
AB  - PURPOSE: Merkel cell carcinomas (MCC) are neuroendocrine skin tumours frequently
      responsible for lymph node recurrence and metastatic disease and for which
      optimal management remains to be defined. The objective of this study was to
      evaluate the impact of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG)-PET/computed
      tomography (CT) on the staging and treatment of MCC patients. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Twenty-three patients with a histologic diagnosis of MCC explored by
      (18)F-FDG-PET/CT between 2004 and 2012 were retrospectively included in the
      study. The detection of new lesions and the change in tumour staging and
      treatment were evaluated. For each patient, the (18)F-FDG-PET/CT results were
      compared with histological, clinical and imaging data. RESULTS: Sixty-six (18)F
      FDG-PET/CT scans were performed at initial presentation (n=18), during subsequent
      monitoring (n=34) or during evaluation of chemotherapy response (n=14). The
      sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of the (18)F
      FDG-PET/CT were 97, 89, 94 and 94%, respectively. Two false-positive results
      (lymphadenitis) and one false-negative result (regional metastatic lymph nodes)
      were accounted for. Lesions not detected clinically or by conventional imaging
      techniques were found in 44% of the 52 (18)F-FDG-PET/CTs performed at initial
      presentation and subsequent monitoring, with, respectively, 50 and 41% of scans
      identifying new lesions. At initial presentation, (18)F-FDG-PET/CT led to a
      change in tumour staging in 39% of patients. Patient management was modified by
      (18)F-FDG-PET/CT results in one-third of patients (33% of patients at initial
      presentation, 32% during subsequent monitoring and 36% during evaluation of
      chemotherapy response). F-FDG-PET/CT incidentally detected four additional
      histologically confirmed cancers. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study confirms
      the important impact of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT on the management of MCC patients.

PMID- 24240194
TI  - Meta-analysis of (11)C-choline and (18)F-choline PET/CT for management of
      patients with prostate cancer.
AB  - The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical aspects
      of (11)C-choline and (18)F-choline PET/computed tomography (CT) in patients with
      prostate cancer. A meta-analysis of original studies from 1998 to September 2013
      that described choline PET/CT scans for prostate cancer was conducted. We
      assessed the main sites of positive findings and the relationship between
      positive findings and histology, change of treatment and serum prostate-specific
      antigen (PSA) response to the changed treatment. A total of 3167 patients from 47
      eligible articles were assessed with respect to their findings on choline PET/CT
      during staging and restaging for biochemical recurrence. We examined 661 patients
      at staging and 158 patients at restaging for biochemical recurrence after
      external beam radiotherapy. These patients had positive results in the prostate
      bed more often than did the 2348 patients with biochemical recurrence after
      radical prostatectomy (P<0.001, chi(2)-test). On assessing 609 patients, the
      pooled sensitivity of choline PET/CT for pelvic lymph node metastases was found
      to be 0.62 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51-0.66] and the pooled specificity
      was found to be 0.92 (95% CI 0.89-0.94). Head-to-head studies of 280 patients
      showed that more patients had positive findings with choline PET/CT than with
      bone scanning [127 (45%) vs. 46 (16%), odds ratio 2.8, 95% CI 1.9-4.1, P<0.0005,
      Wilcoxon rank test]. Choline PET/CT led to a change in treatment in 381 (41%) of
      938 patients. The changes yielded complete PSA response in 101 of 404 (25%)
      patients. (11)C-choline or (18)F-choline PET/CT is useful as the first imaging
      examination for patients with prostate cancer and biochemical recurrence with PSA
      levels between 1.0 and 50 ng/ml.

PMID- 24240195
TI  - Relationship of regional cerebral blood flow and kinetic behaviour of O-(2-(18)F
      fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine uptake in cerebral gliomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: O-(2-(18)F-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine ((18)F-FET) is an established
      tracer for brain tumour imaging. (18)F-FET kinetics in gliomas appear to have
      potential for tumour grading, but the mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this
      study was to explore the relationship between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)
      as measured by arterial spin labelling MRI and the kinetic behaviour of (18)F-FET
      PET in cerebral gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with cerebral
      gliomas were investigated using arterial spin labelling MRI and dynamic (18)F-FET
      PET. Time-activity curves (TACs) of (18)F-FET uptake were analysed in 33
      different tumour regions. The slopes of TAC during the early (0-5 min; slopeup)
      and late phases of tracer uptake (17-50 min; slopedown) were fitted using linear
      regression lines. In addition, TACs of each lesion were assigned to different
      curve patterns. Furthermore, we calculated tumour-to-brain ratios of (18)F-FET
      uptake. The relationship between (18)F-FET parameters and rCBF was determined.
      RESULTS: (18)F-FET uptake in the early phase (slopeup) showed a significant
      correlation with rCBF (r=0.4; P=0.02). In contrast, both slopedown and TAC
      patterns showed no significant correlation with rCBF. Furthermore, a significant
      correlation was found between rCBF and tumour-to-brain ratio (r=0.53; P=0.002).
      CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between rCBF and (18)F-FET uptake in cerebral
      gliomas in the initial uptake phase, but the kinetic behaviour of (18)F-FET
      uptake in the late phase is not significantly influenced by rCBF. Thus, the
      differential kinetic pattern of (18)F-FET uptake in high-grade and low-grade
      gliomas appears to be determined by factors other than rCBF.

PMID- 24240196
TI  - Amyloid imaging with (11)C-PIB PET/CT and glucose metabolism with (18)F-FDG
      PET/CT in a study on cognitive impairment in the clinical setting.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of
      amyloid imaging with (11)C-Pittsburgh compound B ((11)C-PIB) and of glucose
      metabolism on F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) PET/CT to the study of cognitive
      impairment in the clinical setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients
      (15 male, 19 female) were enrolled in the study. They were classified according
      to their clinically presented symptoms. Six patients had subjective memory
      complaints, five had nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), seven had
      amnestic MCI, seven had prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD), five had
      frontotemporal dementia, two had dementia with Lewy bodies, and two had cortical
      degeneration. All the scans were conducted to determine the likelihood of AD or
      to differentiate between AD and other dementia. Static 30-min (11)C-PIB and 15
      min (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans were obtained. A visual analysis of images was
      performed. RESULTS: Three of the six patients with subjective memory complaints
      had positive (11)C-PIB scans and one of them also had (18)F-FDG hypometabolism.
      All five nonamnestic MCI patients had normal (11)C-PIB and (18)F-FDG. Four of the
      seven amnestic MCI patients showed (11)C-PIB cortical retention but only one had
      positive (18)F-FDG. Positive (11)C-PIB and (18)F-FDG were detected in five of the
      seven prodromal AD patients. All the five patients with FDT had positive (18)F
      FDG scans, but only one of the five had (11)C-PIB cortical retention. Both
      dementia with Lewy bodies and cortical degeneration patients had positive (11)C
      PIB and (18)F-FDG scans. CONCLUSION: The combined use of (11)C-PIB and (18)F-FDG
      PET provides relevant information for the clinical management of cognitive
      impairment. The detection of positive (11)C-PIB cortical retention in patients
      may be an indicator of the need for further clinical assessment and monitoring.

PMID- 24240198
TI  - Challenges and new directions in analytical sample preparation.

PMID- 24240197
TI  - Transient compartment-like syndrome and normokalaemic periodic paralysis due to a
      Ca(v)1.1 mutation.
AB  - We studied a two-generation family presenting with conditions that included
      progressive permanent weakness, myopathic myopathy, exercise-induced contracture
      before normokalaemic periodic paralysis or, if localized to the tibial anterior
      muscle group, transient compartment-like syndrome (painful acute oedema with
      neuronal compression and drop foot). 23Na and 1H magnetic resonance imaging
      displayed myoplasmic sodium overload, and oedema. We identified a novel familial
      Ca(v)1.1 calcium channel mutation, R1242G, localized to the third positive charge
      of the domain IV voltage sensor. Functional expression of R1242G in the muscular
      dysgenesis mouse cell line GLT revealed a 28% reduced central pore inward current
      and a -20 mV shift of the steady-state inactivation curve. Both changes may be at
      least partially explained by an outward omega (gating pore) current at positive
      potentials. Moreover, this outward omega current of 27.5 nS/nF may cause the
      reduction of the overshoot by 13 mV and slowing of the upstroke of action
      potentials by 36% that are associated with muscle hypoexcitability (permanent
      weakness and myopathic myopathy). In addition to the outward omega current, we
      identified an inward omega pore current of 95 nS/nF at negative membrane
      potentials after long depolarizing pulses that shifts the R1242G residue above
      the omega pore constriction. A simulation reveals that the inward current might
      depolarize the fibre sufficiently to trigger calcium release in the absence of an
      action potential and therefore cause an electrically silent depolarization
      induced muscle contracture. Additionally, evidence of the inward current can be
      found in 23Na magnetic resonance imaging-detected sodium accumulation and 1H
      magnetic resonance imaging-detected oedema. We hypothesize that the episodes are
      normokalaemic because of depolarization-induced compensatory outward potassium
      flux through both delayed rectifiers and omega pore. We conclude that the
      position of the R1242G residue before elicitation of the omega current is
      decisive for its conductance: if the residue is located below the gating pore as
      in the resting state then outward currents are observed; if the residue is above
      the gating pore because of depolarization, as in the inactivated state, then
      inward currents are observed. This study shows for the first time that functional
      characterization of omega pore currents is possible using a cultured cell line
      expressing mutant Ca(v)1.1 channels. Likewise, it is the first calcium channel
      mutation for complicated normokalaemic periodic paralysis.

PMID- 24240199
TI  - Serum dioxin concentrations and bone density and structure in the Seveso Women's
      Health Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a widespread
      environmental contaminant, is a known endocrine disruptor. In animal studies,
      TCDD exposure impairs bone metabolism and increases fragility. To our knowledge,
      no epidemiologic studies have examined this association. OBJECTIVES: On 10 July
      1976, a chemical explosion in Seveso, Italy, resulted in the highest known
      residential exposure to TCDD. In 1996, we initiated the Seveso Women's Health
      Study, a retrospective cohort study of the health of the women. In 2008, we
      followed up the cohort. Here, we evaluated the association between TCDD exposure
      and bone structure and geometry in adulthood, and considered whether timing of
      TCDD exposure before achievement of peak bone mass (assumed to occur 2 years
      after onset of menarche) modified the association. METHODS: Individual TCDD
      concentration was measured in archived serum collected soon after the explosion.
      In 2008, 350 women who were <20 years old in 1976 underwent a dual-energy X-ray
      absorptiometry (DXA) bone scan. Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar
      spine and hip, and hip geometry was extracted from hip DXA scans using the hip
      structural analysis method. RESULTS: Among premenopausal women, TCDD serum levels
      were associated with some indexes indicating better bone structure in women
      exposed before peak bone mass (n=219), with stronger associations in those
      exposed before 5 years of age (n=46). In contrast, among postmenopausal women,
      TCDD levels were associated with evidence of better bone structure in women
      exposed after peak bone mass (n=48) than in other women (n=18). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      current results do not support the hypothesis that postnatal TCDD exposure
      adversely affects adult bone health. Continued follow-up of women who were
      youngest at exposure is warranted. Future studies should also focus on those
      exposed in utero.

PMID- 24240200
TI  - Insights in dynamic kinome reprogramming as a consequence of MEK inhibition in
      MLL-rearranged AML.
AB  - Single kinase-targeted cancer therapies often failed prolonged responses because
      cancer cells bypass through alternative routes. In this study, high-throughput
      kinomic and proteomic approaches enabled to identify aberrant activity profiles
      in mixed lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that
      defined druggable targets. This approach revealed impaired activity of proteins
      belonging to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol
      3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Pharmacological druggable MAPK pathway targets tested in
      primary MLL-rearranged AML included MAPKK1/2 (MEK), cyclic AMP-responsive element
      binding protein (CREB) and MAPK8/9 (JNK). MEK inhibition showed to severely
      decrease MLL-rearranged AML cell survival without showing cytotoxicity in normal
      controls, whereas inhibition of CREB and JNK failed to exhibit MLL selectivity.
      Exploring the working mechanism of MEK inhibition, we assessed proteome activity
      in response to MEK inhibition in THP-1. MAPK1/3 (Erk) phosphorylation was
      instantly decreased in concurrence with a sustained Akt/mammalian target of
      rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation that enabled a subpopulation of cells to survive
      MEK inhibition. After exhaustion of MEK inhibition the AML cells recovered via
      increased activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and
      Erk proteins to resume their proliferative state. Combined MEK and VEGFR-2
      inhibition strengthened the reduction in MLL-rearranged AML cell survival by
      blocking the Akt/mTOR and MAPK pathways simultaneously. The generation of
      insights in cancerous altered activity profiles and alternative escape mechanisms
      upon targeted therapy allows the rational design of novel combination strategies.

PMID- 24240201
TI  - Rapid rate of peripheral blood blast clearance accurately predicts complete
      remission in acute myeloid leukemia.

PMID- 24240202
TI  - Ligand-independent FLT3 activation does not cooperate with MLL-AF4 to
      immortalize/transform cord blood CD34+ cells.
AB  - MLL-AF4 fusion is hallmark in high-risk infant pro-B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia
      (pro-B-ALL). Our limited understanding of MLL-AF4-mediated transformation
      reflects the absence of human models reproducing this leukemia. Hematopoietic
      stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) constitute likely targets for transformation. We
      previously reported that MLL-AF4 enhanced hematopoietic engraftment and
      clonogenic potential in cord blood (CB)-derived CD34+ HSPCs but was not
      sufficient for leukemogenesis, suggesting that additional oncogenic lesions are
      required for MLL-AF4-mediated transformation. MLL-AF4+ pro-B-ALL display enormous
      levels of FLT3, and occasionally FLT3-activating mutations, thus representing a
      candidate cooperating event in MLL-AF4+ pro-B-ALL. We have explored whether
      FLT3.TKD (tyrosine kinase domain) mutation or increased expression of FLT3.WT
      (wild type) cooperates with MLL-AF4 to immortalize/transform CB-CD34+ HSPCs. In
      vivo, FLT3.TKD/FLT3.WT alone, or in combination with MLL-AF4, enhances
      hematopoietic repopulating function of CB-CD34+ HSPCs without impairing migration
      or hematopoietic differentiation. None of the animals transplanted with MLL
      AF4+FLT3.TKD/WT-CD34+ HSPCs showed any sign of disease after 16 weeks. In vitro,
      enforced expression of FLT3.TKD/FLT3.WT conveys a transient overexpansion of MLL
      AF4-expressing CD34+ HSPCs associated to higher proportion of cycling cells
      coupled to lower apoptotic levels, but does not augment clonogenic potential nor
      confer stable replating. Together, FLT3 activation does not suffice to
      immortalize/transform MLL-AF4-expressing CB-CD34+ HSPCs, suggesting the need of
      alternative (epi)-genetic cooperating oncogenic lesions. 

PMID- 24240204
TI  - Aesthetic surgery of the buttocks: imaging appearance.
AB  - Familiarity with the imaging appearance and potential complications of buttocks
      aesthetic surgery is important for radiologists. In this review, we illustrate
      the spectrum of imaging features after buttocks implants, liposuction, fat
      injections and silicone injections. Complications such as fat necrosis, abscess,
      and silicone migration are also presented. 

PMID- 24240203
TI  - Blocking ETV6/RUNX1-induced MDM2 overexpression by Nutlin-3 reactivates p53
      signaling in childhood leukemia.
AB  - ETV6/RUNX1 (E/R) is the most common fusion gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia. It is responsible for the initiation of leukemia but also indispensable
      for disease maintenance and propagation, although its function in these latter
      processes is less clear. We therefore investigated the effects of the perceived
      p53 pathway alterations in model cell lines and primary leukemias and, in
      particular, how E/R upregulates MDM2, the predominant negative regulator of p53.
      We found that E/R transactivates MDM2 in both p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) HCT116 cells
      by binding to promoter-inherent RUNX1 motifs, which indicates that this
      activation occurs in a direct and p53-independent manner. Treatment of E/R
      positive leukemic cell lines with Nutlin-3, a small molecule that inhibits the
      MDM2/p53 interaction, arrests their cell cycle and induces apoptosis. These
      phenomena concur with a p53-induced expression of p21, pro-apoptotic BAX and
      PUMA, as well as caspase 3 activation and poly ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage.
      The addition of DNA-damaging and p53-activating chemotherapeutic drugs
      intensifies apoptosis. Moreover, Nutlin-3 exposure leads to an analogous p53
      accumulation and apoptotic surge in E/R-positive primary leukemic cells. Our
      findings clarify the role of p53 signaling in E/R-positive leukemias and outline
      the potential basis for its therapeutic exploitation in this setting. 

PMID- 24240205
TI  - MR imaging features of spindle cell lipoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the MR imaging features of spindle cell lipomas (SCL) and to
      compare these appearances directly with the histopathological findings. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A retrospective review of our soft tissue tumor database was
      performed. This yielded 1,327 histologically proven lipomas, of which 25 were
      confirmed as being SCLs. Fourteen of the 25 patients had MR examinations
      available for review and only these patients were included in our study. Lesions
      were assessed at MR examination for the degree of internal fat signal content
      with grade 0 representing 0 % fat signal and grade 4 100 % fat signal. The degree
      of fat suppression and contrast-enhancement pattern were also recorded. The
      excision specimens were independently reviewed by a consultant histopathologist.
      The histology specimens were assessed for the amount of internal fat and non
      adipose tissue and graded using the same scale applied for the imaging. Where
      core needle biopsy (CNB) was performed, the CNB specimens were also examined for
      positive features of SCL. RESULTS: In our study, 93 % (13/14) of our patients
      were male and the average age was 58 years. 65 % (9/14) of the lesions presented
      in the upper back, shoulder, or neck. All lesions were subcutaneous. 35 % (5/14)
      of the SCLs demonstrated grade 3 (>75 %) or grade 4 (100 %) fat signal on MR
      examination. 35 % (5/14) of the lesions had grade 2 (25-75 %) fat signal and 29 %
      (4/14) of the lesions demonstrated grade 0 (0 %) or grade 1 (<25 %) fat signal.
      43 % (6/14) of lesions demonstrated homogenous fat suppression, 28 % (4/14)
      showed focal areas of high internal signal, and 28 % (4/14) had diffuse internal
      high signal on fluid-sensitive fat-saturated sequences. 86 % (6/7) of the cases
      demonstrated septal/nodular enhancement. The diagnosis was evident on the CNB
      specimen in 100 % (9/9) cases. The histopathology fat content grade was in
      agreement with the imaging grade in 86 % (12/14) cases. CONCLUSIONS: The internal
      signal pattern of SCL can range broadly, with low fat content lesions seen almost
      as commonly as intermediate and high fat content lesions. We also found that the
      fat:non-fat internal MR signal pattern of these lesions is accurately reflected
      in their composition at histology.

PMID- 24240206
TI  - Pollen selection for low temperature adaptation in tomato.
AB  - Pollen selection experiments were conducted in tomato to determine the effects of
      low temperature conditions during pollination on the rate of root elongation of
      the progeny. Pollen was harvested from an F1 interspecific hybrid between a high
      altitude Lycopersicon hirsutum accession and the cultivated tomato L. esculentum.
      The pollen was applied to stigmas of malesterile L. esculentum plants maintained
      in growth chambers set at either 12 degrees C/7 degrees C or 24 degrees C/18
      degrees C. BC1 seeds from the low and normal temperature crosses were germinated
      and root elongation rate was measured at either 9 degrees C or 24 degrees C. At 9
      degrees C, the rate of root elongation for progeny of the low temperature crosses
      was higher than for progeny of crosses at normal temperatures; at 24 degrees C
      the rate of root elongation was similar for the two crossing treatments. To
      compare the temperature responses of the two backcross populations we also
      calculated the relative inhibitory effect of low temperature on the rate of root
      elongation: the ratio between the rate of root elongation at 9 degrees C to that
      at 24 degrees C. Root elongation of seedlings from the low temperature crosses
      was less inhibited by the cold than root elongation for progeny of the normal
      temperature crosses. These results suggest a relationship between pollen
      selection at low temperatures and the expression of a sporophytic trait under the
      same environmental stress. 

PMID- 24240207
TI  - A note on the effect of observations with missing data on genetic correlation
      estimates.
AB  - Various studies have estimated covariance components as half the difference
      between the variance component of the sum of the variable values, for each
      observation, and the sum of the corresponding variable variance components.
      Although the variance components for the separate variables can be computed using
      all available data, the variance components of the sum can be computed only from
      those observations with records for both variables. Previous studies have
      suggested eliminating observations with missing data, because of possible
      selection bias. The effect of missing data on estimates of covariance components
      and genetic correlations was tested on sample beef cattle data and simulated data
      by randomly deleting differing proportions of records of one variable for each
      pair of variables analyzed. Estimates of genetic correlations computed with
      observations with missing data eliminated, were more accurate than estimates
      computed using all available data. Furthermore, when observations with missing
      data were included, estimates of genetic correlation far outside the parameter
      space were common. Therefore, this method should be used only if observations
      with missing data have been eliminated. 

PMID- 24240208
TI  - Genetics of the polycross : 2. Male fertility variation in norway spruce, Picea
      abies (L.) Karst.
AB  - Seeds from polycrosses with Norway spruce, in which the same sixteen male parents
      were crossed to a number of female parents in each of two years, were analysed
      electrophoretically to detect departures from male gamete frequencies expected
      assuming equal male fertilities, and to detect heterogeneity among female parents
      in male gamete frequencies in seeds. The data were also used to estimate the
      fertilities of the polycross trees used as male parents. Significant departures
      from male gamete frequencies expected assuming equal male fertilities were found
      in the seed pooled from all crosses. Male fertilities estimated from male gamete
      frequencies in seed from all crosses also departed significantly from
      expectation. The results are discussed with respect to assumptions made when
      estimating general combining abilities and expected response to selection in
      polycrosses. 

PMID- 24240209
TI  - Allozyme variation in rye, Secale cereale L. : 2. Commercial varieties.
AB  - Eleven samples of eight European commercial varieties of winter rye were examined
      at eight polymorphic enzyme loci. Genotype frequencies fitted Hardy-Weinberg
      expectations at all loci in all samples studied. Of the total genetic diversity
      recorded at the 8 loci, only 7% was expressed between varieties. Allele frequency
      differences between varieties were, however, sufficient to allow a
      characterization of each variety by a specific set of allele frequencies. Using
      subsets of the original data, it could be demonstrated that all pairs of
      varieties but one still showed significant allozyme differences, when only 4 loci
      were screened in samples half the original size of 200 individuals. Even when
      only one locus was analyzed, all varieties but two were distinguishable, but this
      "diagnostic" locus was not identical in all pairwise comparisons. 

PMID- 24240210
TI  - Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting anther culture of Brussels sprouts
      (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera).
AB  - Eight inbred lines of Brussels sprouts and ten F1 hybrids derived from them were
      tested for their response to anther culture. From 5-19 plants per genotype were
      tested, and each plant was tested on 3-6 separate occasions. Results from the
      inbred lines were broadly similar to those from the F1 hybrids, despite the
      inbreds producing fewer buds and having a higher frequency of anther deformities.
      The maximum embryo yield from an inbred line was 215 embryos per 100 anthers, and
      from a hybrid was 275. From estimation of the variance components it was
      calculated that, for both inbreds and hybrids, about half the total variation was
      genetic whereas variation due to plants within genotypes and to occasions within
      plants were each about 13% of the total. The narrow sense heritability of
      responsiveness to anther culture (estimated by the proportion of variation
      between inbred lines which was genetic) was 0.48, and there was partial dominance
      for this character. In three cases the hybrid outyielded the better inbred, and
      this heterosis may well be due to dispersed dominant genes. 

PMID- 24240211
TI  - A theoretical model for quantitatively inherited traits influenced by nuclear
      cytoplasmic interactions.
AB  - Cytoplasmic genes of crop species exhibit non-Mendelian inheritance and affect
      quantitative traits such as biomass and grain yield. Photosynthesis and
      respiration are physiological processes responsible, in part, for the expression
      of such quantitative traits and are regulated by enzymes encoded in both the
      cytoplasm and nucleus. Cytoplasmic genes are located in the chloroplast and
      mitochondrial genomes. Unlike the nuclear genome, the cytoplasmic genomes consist
      of single, circular, double-stranded molecules of DNA, and in many crop species,
      the cytoplasmic genomes are inherited solely through the maternal parent.
      Maternal inheritance of cytoplasmic genomes and Mendelian inheritance of the
      nuclear genome were used to model the genotypic value of an individual. The model
      then was utilized to derive genetic variances and covariances for a random-mating
      population. Finally, the use of reciprocal mating designs to estimate variance
      components was investigated. 

PMID- 24240212
TI  - Mutant gene frequencies in cats of the greater London area.
AB  - The frequencies of seven mutant genes of the domestic cat have been estimated by
      sampling the population of greater London, specific areas of the capital and
      adjoining counties. An attempt was made to diversify the method of sampling by
      concentrating upon certain categories of cats. In addition to the usual sightings
      of cats in streets and open spaces, surveys were made of cats attending a
      veterinary clinic, those staying at a boarding cattery, those exhibited in the
      household pet classes at a cat show and those in rescue centres. Although there
      are inconsistencies, the general impression from frequencies in present and
      earlier observations is that the lighter phenotypes (mackerel tabby, blue
      dilution and orange) are favoured by human preference, as opposed to the darker
      phenotypes (blotched tabby, black and non-orange). Reasons are discussed for
      thinking that, while human preference may be a factor in the evolution of the
      feline polymorphism, it is not the fundamental cause. 

PMID- 24240213
TI  - Chromosomal location of a K/Na discrimination character in the D genome of wheat.
AB  - K/Na ratios have been determined in the leaves of salt-treated plants of 14
      disomic substitution lines in which each of the D-genome chromosomes replaces the
      homoeologous A- or B-genome chromosome in the tetraploid wheat variety Langdon
      (AABB genome). Aneuploid lines of hexaploid bread wheat (cv Chinese Spring)
      having a reduced or an enhanced complement of chromosome 4D have also been
      examined. These investigations show that the gene(s) determining K/Na ratios in
      the leaves of wheat plants grown in the presence of salt is located on the long
      arm of chromosome 4D. 

PMID- 24240214
TI  - Comparative restriction endonuclease analysis and molecular cloning of plastid
      DNAs from wild species and cultivated varieties of the genus Beta (L.).
AB  - A phyletic tree of the genus Beta has been constructed based on EcoRI and PstI
      plastid DNA restriction patterns of eight species from three sections of the
      genus. In contrast to the remarkable morphological variability of the varieties
      of B. vulgaris the restriction patterns of the plastid DNA of this species were
      found to be almost identical. The comparison of plastic DNAs of B. vulgaris
      crassa fertile and sterile lines with 13 different restriction enzymes revealed
      only a single fragment polymorphism in the HindIII patterns. Hybridization
      analyses in the plastidal rDNA region revealed an interesting loss of an EcoRI
      restriction site in all cultivated B. vulgaris varieties in contrast to wild
      species. The results of the construction of clone banks for SalI and BamHI
      fragments of plastid DNA from fertile B. vulgaris crassa are reported and
      difficulties in the cloning of specific fragments are discussed. 

PMID- 24240215
TI  - Inheritance of resistance to potato y viruses in Phaseolus vulgaris L : 1. Two
      independent genes for resistance to watermelon mosaic virus-2.
AB  - Resistance to watermelon mosaic virus-2 in Phaseolus vulgaris L. is conferred by
      two distinct dominant alleles at independent loci. Based on segregation data one
      locus is designated Wmv, the other, Hsw. The dominant allele Wmv from cv. Great
      Northern 1140 prevents systemic spread of the virus but viral replication occurs
      in inoculated tissue. In contrast, Hsw confers both local and systemic resistance
      to WMV-2 below 30C. At higher temperatures, plants that carry this allele in the
      absence of modifying or epistatic factors develop systemic veinal necrosis upon
      inoculation with the virus that results in rapid death. Patho-type specificity
      has not been demonstrated for either allele; both factors confer resistance to
      every isolate tested. A temperature-sensitive shift in epistasis is apparent
      between dominant alleles at these loci. Because Hsw is very tightly linked if not
      identical to the following genes for hypersensitivity to potyviruses I, (bean
      common mosaic virus), Bcm, (blackeye cowpea mosaic virus), Cam, (cowpea aphid
      borne mosaic virus) and Hss (soybean mosaic virus), parental, reciprocal dihybrid
      F1 populations, and selected F3 families were inoculated with each of these
      viruses and held at 35 C. F1 populations developed vascular necrosis completely
      or primarily limited to inoculated tissue, while F3 families from WMV-2
      susceptible segregates were uniformly susceptible to these viruses. The
      relationship between Hsw, Wmv and other genes for potyvirus resistance suggest
      patterns in the evolution of resistance and viral pathogenicity. Characterization
      of the resistance spectrum associated with each factor provides an additional
      criterion to distinguish genes for plant virus resistance. 

PMID- 24240216
TI  - Fertile revertants from S-type male-sterile maize grown in vitro.
AB  - Plants were regenerated from callus cultures of maize inbred W182BN with the
      S(USDA) type of cytoplasmic male sterility (cms). Some regenerates from 16 of 18
      separate cultures had fertile tassels. Many other regenerates, whose fertility
      could not be scored accurately because of abnormal plant morphology, produced
      fertile progeny after pollination with N cytoplasm W182BN. Revertant plants
      and/or progeny were obtained from all 18 cultures, which included the CA, D, LBN,
      and S sources of cmsS. More revertants were recovered from cultures maintained as
      callus for 12 months than from 3-4 month old cultures. Several types of evidence
      (absence of segregation for fertility after selfing or pollination of revertants
      with standard W182BN, pollen viability counts, failure of revertants to restore
      sterile cmsS lines to fertility, mitochondrial DNA analyses) indicated that the
      reversion to fertility involved cytoplasmic rather than nuclear alterations. All
      revertants examined lacked the S1 and S2 plasmid-like DNAs characteristic of the
      mitochondrial genome of sterile cmsS lines. Most callus cultures lost S1 and S2
      after 13-20 months in vitro. No revertants were seen among thousands of W182BN
      cmsS plants grown from seed in the field or among plants from tissue cultures of
      W182BN with the C or T types of cms. The cytoplasmic revertants recovered from
      culture may be useful for the molecular analysis of cmsS. 

PMID- 24240217
TI  - Null alleles for gliadin blocks in bread and durum wheat cultivars.
AB  - Wheat gliadin proteins are coded by clusters of genes (complex loci) located on
      the short arms of chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6 in bread (6x) and
      durum (4x) wheats. The proteins expressed by the various complex loci have been
      designated gliadin blocks. In a survey of accessions from the Germplasm Institute
      (C.N.R., Bari, Italy) collection, several different accessions have been found
      that lack particular blocks of proteins (null alleles). In some bread wheat
      accessions, seeds do not express gliadins that are coded by chromosomes 1D and 6A
      in normal cultivars. Similarly, some durum wheat accessions lack omega-gliadin
      components coded for by genes on chromosomes 1A and 1B. The missing proteins do
      not result from the absence of whole chromosomes, but may be the consequence of
      partial deletion of these genes at a complex locus or result from their
      silencing. 

PMID- 24240218
TI  - Variability and genetics of spacer DNA sequences between the ribosomal-RNA genes
      of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum).
AB  - Using restriction enzyme digests of genomic DNA extracted from the leaves of 25
      hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.) cultivars and their hybrids,
      restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the spacer DNA which separates the
      ribosomal-RNA genes have been examined. (From one to three thousand of these
      genes are borne on chromosomes 1B and 6B of hexaploid wheat). The data show that
      there are three distinct alleles of the 1B locus, designated Nor-B1a, Nor-B1b,
      and Nor-B1c, and at least five allelic variants of the 6B locus, designated Nor
      B2a, Nor-B2b, Nor-B2c, Nor-B2d, and Nor-B2e. A further, previously reported
      allele on 6B has been named Nor-B2f. Chromosome 5D has only one allelic variant,
      Nor-D3. Whereas the major spacer variants of the 1B alleles apparently differ by
      the loss or gain of one or two of the 133 bp sub-repeat units within the spacer
      DNA, the 6B allelic variants show major differences in their compositions and
      lengths. This may be related to the greater number of rDNA repeat units at this
      locus. The practical implications of these differences and their application to
      wheat breeding are discussed. 

PMID- 24240219
TI  - Effect of population structure on protein-yield improvements in spring wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell).
AB  - In a study designed to develop a more efficient breeding method for concurrent
      protein-yield improvements in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell), 7 base
      populations [2 F2's, 1 intermated F2 (IF2) and 4 partial backcross (PBC)
      populations] developed from biparental crosses involving 2 Canadian hard red
      spring (CHRS) and 2 Canadian utility (CU) wheat cultivars were evaluated in
      Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The IF2 and PBC populations were generated for
      comparison with conventional F2 populations and to determine which of the 4
      methods of population development would provide a more efficient means of
      producing potentially superior genetic recombinants. Parameters pertaining to
      means, variances, correlations, heritabilities and frequencies of desirable and
      undesirable progenies were used to evaluate the limitations to genetic gain that
      may be expected from selection for GY and GPC in F2, IF2, CHRS-PBC and CU-PBC
      populations. Analysis of protein and yield data from 105 S1 lines derived from
      each of the 7 populations showed the CU-PBC's to have the highest grain yield
      (GY) and the lowest grain protein concentration (GPC) means; and the CHRS-PBC's,
      the lowest GY and the highest GPC means. The F2 and IF2 populations were
      intermediate for both characteristics. Populations developed from the same
      biparental cross did not differ significantly with respect to the majority of
      genetic parameters. However, desirable progenies combining high GY with high GPC
      were more frequent in the CU-PBC, and least frequent in the CHRS-PBC populations.
      The observed superiority of the CU-PBC populations appeared to be related to the
      advantage the system has in preserving the genetic integrity of a proven
      cultivar, while adding desirable genetic factors from another cultivar, thus
      capitalizing on introgression and upgrading simultaneously. 

PMID- 24240220
TI  - A genetic analysis of cell culture traits in tomato.
AB  - Tomato genotypes superior in regenerating plants from protoplast and callus
      cultures were obtained by transferring regeneration capacity from Lycopersicon
      peruvianum into L. esculentum by classical breeding. The genetics of regeneration
      and callus growth have been studied in selfed and backcross progenies of a
      selected plant (MsK93) which has 25% L. peruvianum in its ancestry. Segregation
      data showed that the favourable cell culture traits of L. peruvianum are
      dominant. Regeneration capacity from established callus cultures was controlled
      by two dominant genes. Callus growth on primary expiants, callus growth of
      established cultures and shoot regeneration from explants had high heritabilities
      (0.47, 0.78, 0.87, respectively). Callus growth and regeneration capacity were
      not correlated within the populations studied. 

PMID- 24240221
TI  - Genetics of fertility restoration in cytoplasmic male sterile Phaseolus vulgaris
      L. : 1. Cytoplasmic alteration by a nuclear restorer gene.
AB  - Restoration of fertility in cytoplasmic male sterile Phaseolus vulgaris by line R
      351 was controlled by a single gene. The restorer gene (Fr) displayed incomplete
      dominance leading to partial restoration of fertility in F1 generations; full
      restoration was not achieved until the F2 generation. Once full restoration of
      fertility was produced in the F2 generation, no segregation for sterility was
      observed in subsequent generations derived from heterozygotes Frfr, either by
      testcrossing (restored * maintainer) or in F3 progenies. Implications of the
      irreversible nature of this restoration are discussed. 

PMID- 24240222
TI  - Comparison of restriction endonucleases and sources of probes for their
      efficiency in detecting restriction fragment length polymorphisms in lettuce
      (Lactuca sativa L.).
AB  - As a first step in developing a detailed genetic map of lettuce (Lactuca sativa
      L.), 156 cDNA and 123 genomic DNA clones of lettuce were compared for their
      efficiency to detect restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) between four
      lines of lettuce. Polymorphism was detected 2.5 times more frequently with cDNA
      probes than random genomic probes. Less polymorphism was detected with cDNA
      clones homologous to single copy than with cDNA clones homologous to multiple
      copy DNA sequences. A lower percentage of polymorphism was detected with genomic
      DNA clones homologous to repetitive sequences than with other types of probes.
      Digests with each of nine restriction endonucleases were compared; increased
      polymorphism was not correlated with the presence of a CpG dimer in the
      recognition sequence of the restriction endonuclease. Digests with enzymes
      recognizing four base pairs, however, displayed RFLPs less frequently. The six
      pairwise comparisons of the four lettuce lines showed different frequencies of
      polymorphism which only approximately corresponded to genetic distances obtained
      from previous isozyme analyses. 

PMID- 24240223
TI  - Heterokaryon formation in the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune by
      electrofusion of protoplasts.
AB  - Conditions for high frequency electrofusion of protoplasts from the basidiomycete
      Schizophyllum commune are described. Visual inspection revealed up to 30% of the
      protoplasts engaged in fusion. Using complementing nutritional mutations, nearly
      7% of the regenerated protoplasts could be recovered as heterokaryotic mycelia.
      The method is probably equally applicable to other basidiomycetes such as
      Agaricus bisporus, permitting the recovery of fusion products in the absence of
      selection markers. 

PMID- 24240224
TI  - Improving grain yield in backcross populations from Avena sativa * A. sterilis
      matings by using independent culling for harvest index and vegetative growth
      index or unit straw weight.
AB  - Grain yield was selected in Avena sativa X A. sterilis populations of segregates
      by applying independent culling for harvest index and either vegetative growth
      index or unit straw weight. Samples of lines intensively selected for harvest
      index had high harvest index but low grain yield because they had low vigor.
      Populations intensively selected for growth rate index or unit straw weight had
      high biological yield but low harvest index. Intensive selection for grain yield
      per se resulted in samples with high grain yield, but they were late and tall.
      Samples selected for harvest index at a 25% selection intensity first and
      subsequently selected for vegetative growth index or unit straw weight had grain
      yield as high as the samples selected for grain yield per se and vegetative
      growth index, and they had acceptable heading date and plant height. Backcrosses
      three and four were best, among the various BC generations, for selecting oat
      lines with high grain yield and suitable agronomic traits. CI 7463 was superior
      to CI 8044 as a recurrent parent, and B 445 was inferior to other A. sterilis
      accessions as a donor parent. 

PMID- 24240225
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA modifications associated with cytoplasmic male sterility in
      rice.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA was isolated from fertile and cytoplasmic male sterile lines of
      rice. Restriction analysis showed specific modifications in the male sterile
      cytoplasm. In addition to the major mitochondrial DNA, three small plasmid-like
      DNA molecules were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis in both cytoplasms. An
      additional molecule was specifically found in the sterile cytoplasm. These
      mitochondrial DNA modifications support the hypothesis of the mitochondrial
      inheritance of the cytoplasmic male sterility in rice. 

PMID- 24240226
TI  - Field performance and cytology of protoplast-derived rice (Oryza sativa): high
      yield and low degree of variation of four japonica cultivars.
AB  - Protoplast-derived rice plants of four Japanese cultivars, Nipponbare, Fujisaka
      5, Norin 14 and Iwaimochi were individually cultivated in a submerged paddy
      field. They exhibited more stems, which resulted in more panicles than respective
      control plants. Other characteristics of protoplast-derived plants were (compared
      with controls): a slightly shorter or similar culm length, fewer spikelets per
      panicle, slightly lower seed fertility and similar or lighter 1,000 kernel
      weight. Grain yield of protoplast-derived plants was more than that of respective
      control plants in four cultivars. The cause of the higher yield of protoplast
      derived plants seems to be mainly due to increased panicle number. Among 126
      protoplast-derived plants, 1 triploid, 10 tetraploids and 1 aneuploid were found.
      Furthermore, 11 variants with low seed fertility showing no gross chromosomal
      anomalies and one plant with abnormal panicles were found. In total, about 80% of
      protoplastderived plants showed normal characters. The present results are
      encouraging for the possibility of rice breeding using protoplasts. 

PMID- 24240227
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24240228
TI  - Determination of the safety and efficacy of therapeutic neutralization of tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) using AZD9773, an anti-TNF-alpha immune Fab, in
      murine CLP sepsis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: TNF-alpha neutralization is associated with increased
      mortality in mouse cecal ligation puncture (CLP) models. AZD9773 is an ovine
      polyclonal human TNF-alpha immune Fab, with pharmacological properties that
      differ from previously studied anti-TNF-alpha agents. We explored the safety and
      efficacy of therapeutically administered AZD9773 in mouse CLP sepsis. METHODS: A
      moderate/severe-grade CLP model resulting in 20-30 % 5-day survival and a mild
      grade CLP model resulting in ~70 % 5-day survival were established in human TNF
      alpha transgene/murine TNF null (Tg1278/-/-) mice. TREATMENT: Mice received
      saline resuscitation and imipenem administration every 12 h (0-72 h post-CLP).
      AZD9773 (or DigiFab control) was dosed 24, 36, 48 and 60 h post-CLP. RESULTS:
      Therapeutic dosing of AZD9773 in moderate/severe-grade CLP resulted in
      significantly increased survival (>70 %) compared with DigiFab (27 %, P < 0.05).
      Therapeutic dosing of AZD9773 in mild-grade CLP did not significantly affect
      survival outcome compared with DigiFab or imipenem alone (~60-70 % survival).
      CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that TNF-alpha neutralization can improve
      survival in moderate/severe CLP sepsis. TNF-alpha suppression in mild-grade
      models was not associated with survival benefit and did not increase 5-day
      mortality. These findings suggest that therapeutic benefit following TNF-alpha
      attenuation in models of sepsis may depend on model severity.

PMID- 24240229
TI  - Effect of salicin on gut inflammation and on selected groups of gut microbiota in
      dextran sodium sulfate induced mouse model of colitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory
      effect of the pure compound salicin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced
      colitis in a mouse model and to quantify the major gut bacteria during the
      treatment. MATERIAL OR SUBJECTS: Experimental colitis was induced in Swiss albino
      mice by dissolving 2 % DSS in their drinking water for 7 days. Five mice were
      used in each group. TREATMENT: Salicin (100 and 200 mg per body weight) was
      administered daily through oral gavage for 7 days. METHODS: Disease activity
      index (DAI), colon length, myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay, pro-inflammatory cytokine
      expression, histological changes and absolute number of gut microbiota were
      measured after treatment. Student's t test was applied for statistical analysis.
      RESULTS: Salicin significantly attenuated DSS-induced DAI scores, shortening of
      colon length and tissue MPO activity. Salicin administration also effectively and
      dose-dependently prevented pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in DSS-induced
      colitis mice. Histological examination indicated that salicin suppressed edema,
      mucosal damage and the loss of crypts induced by DSS. Oral administration of
      salicin in DSS-treated mice prevented loss of gut microbiota during the short
      period of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Salicin has an anti-inflammatory effect, and it
      may have therapeutic value in ameliorating inflammation during colitis.

PMID- 24240230
TI  - Nanotechnology: emerging tools for biology and medicine.
AB  - Historically, biomedical research has been based on two paradigms. First,
      measurements of biological behaviors have been based on bulk assays that average
      over large populations. Second, these behaviors have then been crudely perturbed
      by systemic administration of therapeutic treatments. Nanotechnology has the
      potential to transform these paradigms by enabling exquisite structures
      comparable in size with biomolecules as well as unprecedented chemical and
      physical functionality at small length scales. Here, we review nanotechnology
      based approaches for precisely measuring and perturbing living systems.
      Remarkably, nanotechnology can be used to characterize single molecules or cells
      at extraordinarily high throughput and deliver therapeutic payloads to specific
      locations as well as exhibit dynamic biomimetic behavior. These advances enable
      multimodal interfaces that may yield unexpected insights into systems biology as
      well as new therapeutic strategies for personalized medicine. 

PMID- 24240232
TI  - Heterochromatin establishment at pericentromeres depends on nuclear position.
AB  - Mammalian development begins with fertilization of an oocyte by the sperm
      followed by genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming. This involves de novo
      establishment of chromatin domains, including the formation of pericentric
      heterochromatin. We dissected the spatiotemporal kinetics of the first
      acquisition of heterochromatic signatures of pericentromeric chromatin and found
      that the heterochromatic marks follow a temporal order that depends on a specific
      nuclear localization. We addressed whether nuclear localization of pericentric
      chromatin is required for silencing by tethering it to the nuclear periphery and
      show that this results in defective silencing and impaired development. Our
      results indicate that reprogramming of pericentromeric heterochromatin is
      functionally linked to its nuclear localization. 

PMID- 24240233
TI  - A p53 enhancer region regulates target genes through chromatin conformations in
      cis and in trans.
AB  - We examined how a p53 enhancer transmits regulatory information in vivo. Using
      genetic ablation together with digital chromosome conformation capture and
      fluorescent in situ hybridization, we found that a Drosophila p53 enhancer region
      (referred to as the p53 response element [p53RE]) physically contacts targets in
      cis and across the centromere to control stress-responsive transcription at these
      sites. Furthermore, when placed at ectopic genomic positions, fragments spanning
      this element re-established chromatin contacts and partially restored target gene
      regulation to mutants lacking the native p53RE. Therefore, a defined p53 enhancer
      region is sufficient for long-range chromatin interactions that enable multigenic
      regulation. 

PMID- 24240234
TI  - Flexible ordering of antibody class switch and V(D)J joining during B-cell
      ontogeny.
AB  - V(D)J joining is mediated by RAG recombinase during early B-lymphocyte
      development in the bone marrow (BM). Activation-induced deaminase initiates
      isotype switching in mature B cells of secondary lymphoid structures. Previous
      studies questioned the strict ontological partitioning of these processes. We
      show that pro-B cells undergo robust switching to a subset of immunoglobulin H
      (IgH) isotypes. Chromatin studies reveal that in pro-B cells, the spatial
      organization of the Igh locus may restrict switching to this subset of isotypes.
      We demonstrate that in the BM, V(D)J joining and switching are interchangeably
      inducible, providing an explanation for the hyper-IgE phenotype of Omenn
      syndrome. 

PMID- 24240231
TI  - Building the mammalian testis: origins, differentiation, and assembly of the
      component cell populations.
AB  - Development of testes in the mammalian embryo requires the formation and assembly
      of several cell types that allow these organs to achieve their roles in male
      reproduction and endocrine regulation. Testis development is unusual in that
      several cell types such as Sertoli, Leydig, and spermatogonial cells arise from
      bipotential precursors present in the precursor tissue, the genital ridge. These
      cell types do not differentiate independently but depend on signals from Sertoli
      cells that differentiate under the influence of transcription factors SRY and
      SOX9. While these steps are becoming better understood, the origins and roles of
      many testicular cell types and structures-including peritubular myoid cells, the
      tunica albuginea, the arterial and venous blood vasculature, lymphatic vessels,
      macrophages, and nerve cells-have remained unclear. This review synthesizes
      current knowledge of how the architecture of the testis unfolds and highlights
      the questions that remain to be explored, thus providing a roadmap for future
      studies that may help illuminate the causes of XY disorders of sex development,
      infertility, and testicular cancers. 

PMID- 24240235
TI  - The Npl3 hnRNP prevents R-loop-mediated transcription-replication conflicts and
      genome instability.
AB  - Transcription is a major obstacle for replication fork (RF) progression and a
      cause of genome instability. Part of this instability is mediated by
      cotranscriptional R loops, which are believed to increase by suboptimal assembly
      of the nascent messenger ribonucleoprotein particle (mRNP). However, no clear
      evidence exists that heterogeneous nuclear RNPs (hnRNPs), the basic mRNP
      components, prevent R-loop stabilization. Here we show that yeast Npl3, the most
      abundant RNA-binding hnRNP, prevents R-loop-mediated genome instability.
      npl3Delta cells show transcription-dependent and R-loop-dependent
      hyperrecombination and genome-wide replication obstacles as determined by
      accumulation of the Rrm3 helicase. Such obstacles preferentially occur at long
      and highly expressed genes, to which Npl3 is preferentially bound in wild-type
      cells, and are reduced by RNase H1 overexpression. The resulting replication
      stress confers hypersensitivity to double-strand break-inducing agents.
      Therefore, our work demonstrates that mRNP factors are critical for genome
      integrity and opens the option of using them as therapeutic targets in anti
      cancer treatment. 

PMID- 24240236
TI  - ATR-Chk1-APC/CCdh1-dependent stabilization of Cdc7-ASK (Dbf4) kinase is required
      for DNA lesion bypass under replication stress.
AB  - Cdc7 kinase regulates DNA replication. However, its role in DNA repair and
      recombination is poorly understood. Here we describe a pathway that stabilizes
      the human Cdc7-ASK (activator of S-phase kinase; also called Dbf4), its
      regulation, and its function in cellular responses to compromised DNA
      replication. Stalled DNA replication evoked stabilization of the Cdc7-ASK (Dbf4)
      complex in a manner dependent on ATR-Chk1-mediated checkpoint signaling and its
      interplay with the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome(Cdh1) (APC/C(Cdh1))
      ubiquitin ligase. Mechanistically, Chk1 kinase inactivates APC/C(Cdh1) through
      degradation of Cdh1 upon replication block, thereby stabilizing APC/C(Cdh1)
      substrates, including Cdc7-ASK (Dbf4). Furthermore, motif C of ASK (Dbf4)
      interacts with the N-terminal region of RAD18 ubiquitin ligase, and this
      interaction is required for chromatin binding of RAD18. Impaired interaction of
      ASK (Dbf4) with RAD18 disables foci formation by RAD18 and hinders chromatin
      loading of translesion DNA polymerase eta. These findings define a novel
      mechanism that orchestrates replication checkpoint signaling and ubiquitin
      proteasome machinery with the DNA damage bypass pathway to guard against
      replication collapse under conditions of replication stress. 

PMID- 24240237
TI  - alpha-Catenin interacts with APC to regulate beta-catenin proteolysis and
      transcriptional repression of Wnt target genes.
AB  - Mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor stabilizes beta
      catenin and aberrantly reactivates Wnt/beta-catenin target genes in colon cancer.
      APC mutants in cancer frequently lack the conserved catenin inhibitory domain
      (CID), which is essential for beta-catenin proteolysis. Here we show that the APC
      CID interacts with alpha-catenin, a Hippo signaling regulator and heterodimeric
      partner of beta-catenin at cell:cell adherens junctions. Importantly, alpha
      catenin promotes beta-catenin ubiquitylation and proteolysis by stabilizing its
      association with APC and protecting the phosphodegron. Moreover, beta-catenin
      ubiquitylation requires binding to alpha-catenin. Multidimensional protein
      identification technology (MudPIT) proteomics of multiple Wnt regulatory
      complexes reveals that alpha-catenin binds with beta-catenin to LEF-1/TCF DNA
      binding proteins in Wnt3a signaling cells and recruits APC in a complex with the
      CtBP:CoREST:LSD1 histone H3K4 demethylase to regulate transcription and beta
      catenin occupancy at Wnt target genes. Interestingly, tyrosine phosphorylation of
      alpha-catenin at Y177 disrupts binding to APC but not beta-catenin and prevents
      repression of Wnt target genes in transformed cells. Chromatin
      immunoprecipitation studies further show that alpha-catenin and APC are recruited
      with beta-catenin to Wnt response elements in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).
      Knockdown of alpha-catenin in hESCs prevents the switch-off of Wnt/beta-catenin
      transcription and promotes endodermal differentiation. Our findings indicate a
      role for alpha-catenin in the APC destruction complex and at Wnt target genes. 

PMID- 24240238
TI  - Elimination of shelterin components bypasses RNAi for pericentric heterochromatin
      assembly.
AB  - The RNAi pathway is required for heterochromatin assembly at repetitive DNA
      elements in diverse organisms. In fission yeast, loss of RNAi causes pericentric
      heterochromatin defects, compromising gene silencing and chromosome segregation.
      Here we show that deletion of telomere shelterin components restores pericentric
      heterochromatin and its functions in RNAi mutants. We further isolated a
      separation-of-function mutant of Poz1 and revealed that defective telomere
      silencing, but not telomere length control, is critical for bypassing RNAi.
      Further analyses demonstrated that compromising shelterin-mediated
      heterochromatin assembly in RNAi mutants releases heterochromatin protein Swi6,
      which is redistributed to pericentric regions through RNAi-independent
      heterochromatin assembly pathways. Given the high mobility of Swi6 protein and
      that increased levels of Swi6 facilitates heterochromatin spreading as well as
      ectopic heterochromatin assembly, our results suggest that constitutive
      heterochromatin domains use multiple pathways to form high-affinity platforms to
      restrain Swi6, thus limiting its availability and avoiding promiscuous
      heterochromatin formation. 

PMID- 24240240
TI  - Efficient charge generation by relaxed charge-transfer states at organic
      interfaces.
AB  - Interfaces between organic electron-donating (D) and electron-accepting (A)
      materials have the ability to generate charge carriers on illumination. Efficient
      organic solar cells require a high yield for this process, combined with a
      minimum of energy losses. Here, we investigate the role of the lowest energy
      emissive interfacial charge-transfer state (CT1) in the charge generation
      process. We measure the quantum yield and the electric field dependence of charge
      generation on excitation of the charge-transfer (CT) state manifold via weakly
      allowed, low-energy optical transitions. For a wide range of photovoltaic devices
      based on polymer:fullerene, small-molecule:C60 and polymer:polymer blends, our
      study reveals that the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) is essentially
      independent of whether or not D, A or CT states with an energy higher than that
      of CT1 are excited. The best materials systems show an IQE higher than 90%
      without the need for excess electronic or vibrational energy.

PMID- 24240239
TI  - Nucleotide-induced asymmetry within ATPase activator ring drives sigma54-RNAP
      interaction and ATP hydrolysis.
AB  - It is largely unknown how the typical homomeric ring geometry of ATPases
      associated with various cellular activities enables them to perform mechanical
      work. Small-angle solution X-ray scattering, crystallography, and electron
      microscopy (EM) reconstructions revealed that partial ATP occupancy caused the
      heptameric closed ring of the bacterial enhancer-binding protein (bEBP) NtrC1 to
      rearrange into a hexameric split ring of striking asymmetry. The highly conserved
      and functionally crucial GAFTGA loops responsible for interacting with sigma54
      RNA polymerase formed a spiral staircase. We propose that splitting of the
      ensemble directs ATP hydrolysis within the oligomer, and the ring's asymmetry
      guides interaction between ATPase and the complex of sigma54 and promoter DNA.
      Similarity between the structure of the transcriptional activator NtrC1 and those
      of distantly related helicases Rho and E1 reveals a general mechanism in
      homomeric ATPases whereby complex allostery within the ring geometry forms
      asymmetric functional states that allow these biological motors to exert
      directional forces on their target macromolecules. 

PMID- 24240241
TI  - Local electrostatic imaging of striped domain order in LaAlO3/SrTiO3.
AB  - The emerging field of complex oxide interfaces is generically built on one of the
      most celebrated substrates--strontium titanate (SrTiO3). This material hosts a
      range of phenomena, including ferroelasticity, incipient ferroelectricity, and
      most puzzlingly, contested giant piezoelectricity. Although these properties may
      markedly influence the oxide interfaces, especially on microscopic length scales,
      the lack of local probes capable of studying such buried systems has left their
      effects largely unexplored. Here we use a scanning charge detector--a nanotube
      single-electron transistor--to non-invasively image the electrostatic landscape
      and local mechanical response in the prototypical LaAlO3/SrTiO3 system with
      unprecedented sensitivity. Our measurements reveal that on microscopic scales
      SrTiO3 exhibits large anomalous piezoelectricity with curious spatial dependence.
      Through electrostatic imaging we unravel the microscopic origin for this
      extrinsic piezoelectricity, demonstrating its direct, quantitative connection to
      the motion of locally ordered tetragonal domains under applied gate voltage.
      These domains create striped potential modulations that can markedly influence
      the two-dimensional electron system at the conducting interface. Our results have
      broad implications to all complex oxide interfaces built on SrTiO3 and
      demonstrate the importance of microscopic structure to the physics of electrons
      at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface.

PMID- 24240242
TI  - Enabling direct H2O2 production through rational electrocatalyst design.
AB  - Future generations require more efficient and localized processes for energy
      conversion and chemical synthesis. The continuous on-site production of hydrogen
      peroxide would provide an attractive alternative to the present state-of-the-art,
      which is based on the complex anthraquinone process. The electrochemical
      reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide is a particularly promising means of
      achieving this aim. However, it would require active, selective and stable
      materials to catalyse the reaction. Although progress has been made in this
      respect, further improvements through the development of new electrocatalysts are
      needed. Using density functional theory calculations, we identify Pt-Hg as a
      promising candidate. Electrochemical measurements on Pt-Hg nanoparticles show
      more than an order of magnitude improvement in mass activity, that is, A g(-1)
      precious metal, for H2O2 production, over the best performing catalysts in the
      literature.

PMID- 24240243
TI  - A silicon carbide room-temperature single-photon source.
AB  - Over the past few years, single-photon generation has been realized in numerous
      systems: single molecules, quantum dots, diamond colour centres and others. The
      generation and detection of single photons play a central role in the
      experimental foundation of quantum mechanics and measurement theory. An efficient
      and high-quality single-photon source is needed to implement quantum key
      distribution, quantum repeaters and photonic quantum information processing. Here
      we report the identification and formation of ultrabright, room-temperature,
      photostable single-photon sources in a device-friendly material, silicon carbide
      (SiC). The source is composed of an intrinsic defect, known as the carbon
      antisite-vacancy pair, created by carefully optimized electron irradiation and
      annealing of ultrapure SiC. An extreme brightness (2*10(6) counts s(-1))
      resulting from polarization rules and a high quantum efficiency is obtained in
      the bulk without resorting to the use of a cavity or plasmonic structure. This
      may benefit future integrated quantum photonic devices.

PMID- 24240244
TI  - Two low-dose levonorgestrel intrauterine contraceptive systems: a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two low-dose levonorgestrel
      intrauterine contraceptive systems. METHODS: Nulliparous and parous women aged 18
      35 years with regular menstrual cycles (21-35 days) requesting contraception were
      randomized to 3 years of treatment with one of two levonorgestrel intrauterine
      contraceptive systems: 13.5 mg total content or 19.5 mg total content. The
      primary outcome was the pregnancy rate, calculated as the Pearl Index. RESULTS:
      Overall, 1,432 and 1,452 women in the 13.5 mg intrauterine contraceptive system
      and 19.5 mg intrauterine contraceptive system groups, respectively, had a
      placement attempted and were included in the full analysis set to evaluate
      efficacy and safety. Mean (standard deviation) age was 27.1 (4.8) years; 39.2%
      were nulliparous. Over the 3-year study period, 0.33 pregnancies per 100 women
      years (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-0.60) were observed with the 13.5 mg
      intrauterine contraceptive system compared with 0.31 per 100 women-years (95% CI
      0.15-0.57) with the 19.5 mg intrauterine contraceptive system. Kaplan-Meier
      estimates for that period were 0.009 and 0.010, respectively. At least partial
      expulsions occurred in 4.56% and 3.58% and discontinuation rates resulting from a
      reported adverse event occurred in 21.9% and 19.1%, respectively. Ten of the 20
      pregnancies were ectopic. Serious adverse events included six cases of pelvic
      inflammatory disease and one partial uterine perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Both lower
      dose levonorgestrel intrauterine contraceptive systems were highly effective for
      3 years of use and generally well tolerated. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00528112. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: : I.

PMID- 24240245
TI  - Full data consistency conditions for cone-beam projections with sources on a
      plane.
AB  - Cone-beam consistency conditions (also known as range conditions) are
      mathematical relationships between different cone-beam projections, and they
      therefore describe the redundancy or overlap of information between projections.
      These redundancies have often been exploited for applications in image
      reconstruction. In this work we describe new consistency conditions for cone-beam
      projections whose source positions lie on a plane. A further restriction is that
      the target object must not intersect this plane. The conditions require that
      moments of the cone-beam projections be polynomial functions of the source
      positions, with some additional constraints on the coefficients of the
      polynomials. A precise description of the consistency conditions is that the four
      parameters of the cone-beam projections (two for the detector, two for the source
      position) can be expressed with just three variables, using a certain formulation
      involving homogeneous polynomials. The main contribution of this work is our
      demonstration that these conditions are not only necessary, but also sufficient.
      Thus the consistency conditions completely characterize all redundancies, so no
      other independent conditions are possible and in this sense the conditions are
      full. The idea of the proof is to use the known consistency conditions for 3D
      parallel projections, and to then apply a 1996 theorem of Edholm and Danielsson
      that links parallel to cone-beam projections. The consistency conditions are
      illustrated with a simulation example.

PMID- 24240246
TI  - Gene transfer by electroporation in betulaceae protoplasts: Alnus incana.
AB  - The Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase gene (GUS) was introduced into Alnus
      incana (L.) Moench protoplasts by electroporation. Level of GUS transient gene
      expression was increased by increasing DNA concentrations of pBI 221 plasmid and
      was affected by the amplitude and duration of the applied electric pulse as well
      as by the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the electroporation medium. An
      optimal level of GUS activity was obtained after electroporation with a
      capacitive discharge of 500 V/cm and 71 ms-duration. This transformation
      procedure is simple and efficient. These results motivated us to investigate this
      method as a possible way of achieving the stable transformation of actinorhizal
      alder. 

PMID- 24240247
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of embryogenic suspension cultures of
      orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.).
AB  - An embryogenic suspension culture of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)
      consisting of small, embryogenic cell clusters was obtained from callus formed on
      basal sections of young leaves through a process of selective enrichment. These
      suspensions were used as a source of protoplasts. The isolated protoplasts
      divided at a frequency of 0.5-10% when plated in an agarose solidified culture
      medium. Conditioned medium, in which embryogenic Dactylis suspension cultures had
      been grown, was found to increase the rate of cell colony formation. Protoplast
      derived colonies grew rapidly in a bead-type culture system of floating agarose
      slabs in liquid medium. New suspension cultures formed as the colonies grew out
      of the agarose. These cultures were embryogenic and formed green plantlets when
      plated on a solid medium lacking auxin. The plantlets were established in soil
      and grown to mature plants. 

PMID- 24240248
TI  - Induction of heavy-metal binding phytochelatins by inoculation of cell cultures
      in standard media.
AB  - A large increase in phytochelatin (PC) synthesis occurred when cell cultures of
      different plant species were transferred from spent medium to fresh standard
      media. Phytochelatin accumulation correlated with the initial concentration of
      zinc ions in the nutrient solution. After reaching stationary growth phase,
      phytochelatins had almost disappeared from the cells which indicates a high
      turnover of these molecules under normal conditions. No significant formation of
      the heavy-metal complexing phytochelatins was observed if the microelement ions
      zinc and copper were omitted from the nutrient solutions for plant cell cultures.
      Both the induction and degradation phenomena of these peptides indicate that
      phytochelatins are involved in metal ion homeostasis in plants. 

PMID- 24240249
TI  - Transgenic rice plants produced by electroporation-mediated plasmid uptake into
      protoplasts.
AB  - Transgenic rice plants have been regenerated by somatic embryogenesis from cell
      suspension derived protoplasts electroporated with plasmid carrying the NPTII
      gene under the control of the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus. Heat
      shock of protoplasts prior to electroporation maximised the throughput of
      kanamycin resistant colonies. Omission of kanamycin from the medium for plant
      regeneration was essential for the recovery of transgenic rice plants carrying
      the NPTII gene. This report of the production of kanamycin resistant transgenic
      rice plants establishes the use of protoplasts for rice genetic engineering. 

PMID- 24240250
TI  - In vitro plant regeneration of leguminous trees (Albizia spp).
AB  - Hypocotyl explants of three leguminous forest tree species, Albizia amara, A.
      lucida and A. richardiana, have differentiated shoot buds on B5 basal medium.
      Maximum number of shoots per explant developed on basal medium augmented with 2,4
      D (0.1 MUM) in A. amara (2) and BA (10 MUM) for both A. lucida (2) and A.
      richardiana (1.6). Higher concentrations of auxins in the medium, in general,
      enhanced rooting and callusing but cytokinins promoted the growth of green calli.
      BA enchanced the differentiation of shoots in the three species. The in vitro
      grown shoots of A. amara and A. richardiana, after subculturing on B5+1 MUM IAA
      developed roots (up to 30-40%). These plants have been successfully transferred
      to the field. 

PMID- 24240251
TI  - An investigation of the intracellular site of anthocyanoplasts using isolated
      protoplasts and vacuoles.
AB  - Microscopic observations made during preparation of protoplasts and vacuoles from
      red radish seedling hypocotyl (Raphanus sativus L.) show that anthocyanoplasts,
      the strongly pigmented bodies present in the pigmented cells of the hypodermis,
      begin as apparently membranous vesicles in the cytoplasm made visible by the
      deposition and accumulation of anthocyanins, but only rarely appear in the
      isolated vacuole. Isolation of protoplasts and vacuoles was also achieved from
      mung bean seedling hypocotyl (Vigna radiata L Wilczek), red cabbage leaf
      (Brassica oleracea L.) and Prunus x yedoensis Matsum callus. Anthocyanoplasts
      were usually in the vacuole, although sometimes in the cytoplasm, of the mung
      bean and cabbage, but were never seen in vacuoles of Prunus callus. 

PMID- 24240252
TI  - Long-term effect of electroporation on enhancement of growth and plant
      regeneration of colt cherry (Prunus avium * pseudocerasus) protoplasts.
AB  - Electric pulses applied to Colt cherry protoplasts enhanced the long-term growth
      and plant regeneration of protoplast-derived tissues. Protoplasts isolated from
      long-term cultured tissues derived from electroporated protoplasts retained the
      ability to enter division in culture earlier and with a higher frequency of plant
      regeneration than untreated cell suspension protoplasts. 

PMID- 24240253
TI  - Selection of Brassica napus L. embryogenic microspores by flow sorting.
AB  - Flow cytometry can be used to select and sort microspore subpopulations of
      Brassica napus cv. Topas. Data obtained from embryogenic microspore populations
      were used to identify potentially embryogenic microspores from developmentally
      heterogeneous microspore populations based on differences in forward light
      scatter and green autofluorescence. Culture enrichment for embryogenic
      microspores is possible. Frequencies of 8 and 14% microspore embryogenesis were
      obtained when selected 16 h and 72 h after culture initiation. This represents 5-
      and 13-fold increase in microspore embryogenesis compared to non-sorted controls.

PMID- 24240254
TI  - Plant regeneration from somatic embryogenic suspension cultures of cotton
      (Gossypium hirsutum L.).
AB  - Maintainable, highly embryogenic suspension cultures of cotton (Gossypium
      hirsutum L. cv. 'Coker 310') have been obtained. Callus cultures were initiated
      from cotyledonary tissues from aseptically-germinated seedlings. To establish the
      suspension cultures, callus tissue was placed in a liquid medium containing
      either 0.5 mg/l picloram or 0.1 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. For
      proliferation of the embryogenic suspension, 5 mg/l of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic
      acid was used. Embryo development took place when the embryogenic tissue was
      transferred to an auxin-free liquid medium containing 15 mM glutamine. Early
      embryo development was fairly synchronous and large numbers of somatic embryos
      were produced. Regenerated plants were fertile and smaller than seed-derived
      plants. 

PMID- 24240255
TI  - Ethylene and in vitro culture of potato: suppression of ethylene generation
      vastly improves protoplast yield, plating efficiency and transient expression of
      an alien gene.
AB  - Ethylene release by potato shoots cultured in closed boxes was suppressed by the
      addition of silver thiosulfate to the culture medium. Shoots cultured in the
      presence of silver thiosulfate produced appreciably more tissue and the yield of
      protoplasts per unit tissue mass was vastly increased, resulting in an 8 fold
      increase of protoplast yield per shoot. Exposure of pricked leaves to macerating
      enzymes facilitated ethylene generation. Leaves of shoots which were previously
      cultured in silver thiosulfate containing medium generated much less ethylene
      than leaves from control shoots and this generation could be further reduced by
      the addition of acetylsalicylic acid during maceration. The capability of
      polyethylene glycol treated potato protoplasts to produce microcalli was vastly
      increased by the addition of silver thiosulfate during exposure of protoplasts to
      Ca(NO3)2 following the polyethylene glycol treatment. Similarly, when a plasmid
      (pCAP212) containing an expressible gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase
      was introduced into potato protoplasts through a polyethylene glycol treatment,
      the transient expression of acetyltransferase was very much increased by the
      addition of a short incubation of the protoplasts with silver thiosulfate. 

PMID- 24240256
TI  - Embryogenesis following cryopreservation in isolated microspores of rapeseed
      (Brassica napus L.).
AB  - A simple procedure is described for cryopreservation of isolated microspores of
      rapeseed in liquid nitrogen without loss of embryogenic capacity (i.e.
      embryogenes is can still be induced following freezing). Microspores frozen in
      Lichter's (1982) medium with 13% sucrose produced ca. 10% of the embryos yielded
      by an unfrozen control. Microspores frozen in Lichter's medium with 13% sucrose,
      and supplemented with 0.5 M glycerol and 0.5 M DMSO produced no embryos.
      Regeneration of embryos obtained from frozen microspores yielded 88% diploid and
      12% haploid plants, while embryos from unfrozen controls produced 7% diploids and
      93% haploids. The potential to increase the efficiency of the rapeseed haploidy
      system using cryopreservation is discussed in light of these results. 

PMID- 24240257
TI  - Semi-continuous production of sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine by Papaver
      somniferum L. cell suspension cultures treated with fungal homogenate.
AB  - Papaver somniferum L. (opium poppy) cells were elicited with a Botrytis sp.
      homogenate and cultured by a semi-continuous process. Elicitation induced
      synthesis of sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine. Significant release of both
      alkaloids into the culture medium occurred. Medium exchange at 2-day intervals
      enabled product recovery from spent medium and maintained culture viability.
      Culture growth was not inhibited by elicitor treatment necessitating sub-culture
      prior to re-elicitation. Re-elicited cultures displayed an increasing sensitivity
      (reduced growth rate, higher alkaloid yield) to the elicitor with each successive
      treatment and did not survive a fourth elicitation. 

PMID- 24240258
TI  - Wheat protoplast culture: embryogenic colony formation from protoplasts.
AB  - Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Chinese Spring) protoplasts were isolated from
      immature embryos or embryogenic calli (3-4 weeks of culture on MS medium with 32
      mg/1 dicamba) and cultured in R2 medium containing 2 mg/1 2,4-D by the nurse
      culture methods originally developed for rice protoplasts (Kyozuka et al. 1987).
      Protoplasts isolated from embryogenic calli started to divide within 3-5 days and
      formed colonies at frequencies up to 2% after 3-4 weeks of culture, while
      protoplasts isolated from immature embryos formed colonies at much lower
      frequency (less than 0.1%). Some of these colonies were "embryogenic", and they
      appeared at a frequency of approximately 0.5% of colonies formed when callus
      derived protoplasts were used. From two of those "embryogenic" colonies, calli
      were regenerated and albino shoots and roots were obtained. 

PMID- 24240259
TI  - Direct somatic embryogenesis from protoplasts of Citrus mitis Blanco.
AB  - Protoplasts isolated from embryogenic suspension cultures of Citrus mitis were
      cultured in a medium without any plant growth substances. Somatic embryos
      developed directly from protoplasts without an obvious intervening callus phase.
      As many as 1,800 somatic embryos developed from 4 ml of protoplast suspension
      (density 2*10(6)/ml) cultured for 35 days. Upon transferring the embryoids to
      medium with 1 mgl(-1) GA3, they developed into plant-lets. Rooted plantlets were
      obtained in 3 months after protoplast isolation. 

PMID- 24240261
TI  - In vitro regeneration in Allium species.
AB  - An attempt to induce shoot regeneration from leaf disc explants from Allium
      sativum L., A. porrum L., and A. schoenoprasum L. and the induction of shoot
      regeneration from single flower-bud receptacles in A. porrum is presented. While
      the regeneration rate from leaf disc explants was low, an efficient method for
      propagating A. porrum in vitro was obtained by cultivating single flower-bud
      receptacles. The shoot regeneration ability was strongly controlled by the
      genotype. Up to 294 shoots per leek plant could be harvested. Simultaneously the
      same plant could be used for seed production and bulbil formation in vivo. The
      efficiency of the in vitro multiplication method described allows the integration
      of this procedure into breeding programmes of A. porrum. 

PMID- 24240260
TI  - Production of kanamycin resistant rice tissues following DNA uptake into
      protoplasts.
AB  - Rice protoplasts (Oryza sativa L. v Taipei 309) have been transformed to
      kanamycin resistance following uptake of pCaMVNEO induced by electroporation, PEG
      and PEG combined with electroporation. Protoplast-derived colonies selected on
      medium containing 100 MUg/ml of kanamycin expressed NPTII activity, and contained
      DNA that hybridised to a 1.0 Kb BamHI fragment of pCaMVNEO carrying the NPTII
      gene. Expression of the transformation frequency in relative terms (number of
      kanamycin resistant colonies compared to the number of colonies on kanamycin free
      medium) gave frequencies of 26.1%, 8.5% and 2.9% following electroporation, PEG
      and PEG with electroporation respectively. In absolute terms (number of kanamycin
      resistant colonies compared to the number of protoplasts plated) these represent
      frequencies of 19.9*10(-5), 9.0*10(-5) and 2.7*10(-5) for the three procedures. 

PMID- 24240262
TI  - A novel method to produce Anabaena-free Azolla by in vitro fertilization of
      micromanipulated megasporocarps.
AB  - In the Azolla-Anabaena azollae symbiotic system, Anabaena akinetes get entrapped
      between the indusium and the apical cap of the megaspore apparatus during
      megasporocarp development, thus maintaining the continuity of the cyanobacterial
      association throughout the life cycle of the fern. The entrapped akinetes serve
      as the source of inoculum for infecting the new sporophyte when it is emerging
      from the megaspore apparatus. A procedure to generate Anabaena-free Azolla was
      developed by fertilizing the germinating megasporocarps in which the indusium
      along with the akinetes were removed by micromanipulation. This method has the
      advantage of not requiring drastic treatments of Azolla with antibiotics to
      eliminate the endosymbiotic cyanobacterial cells. Details of this new method and
      its usefulness in studies aimed at recombination of Azolla with Anabaena azollae
      are discussed. 

PMID- 24240263
TI  - Sandalwood plantlets from 'Synthetic seeds'.
AB  - Somatic embryos of sandalwood (Santalum album) were encapsulated in an alginate
      matrix to prepare 'Synthetic seeds'. Encapsulated single embryos germinated to
      form plants with roots and shoots. Embryogenic cell suspensions encapsulated and
      stored at 4 degrees C for 45 days produced embryos when recultured as
      suspensions. 

PMID- 24240264
TI  - Callus and embryoid formation from protoplasts of Helianthus annuus.
AB  - Sunflower hypocotyl protoplasts have been isolated and cultured. Optimum plating
      density for cell division and colony formation was in the range of 5 to 7*10(4)
      cells/mi in an agarose medium supplemented with BAP (1 mg/l) and NAA (1 mg/l).
      Plating efficiency was 60% after 21 days of culture. In the resultant culture a
      mixed population of calli and embryoids was observed. Thirty seven percent of the
      cell clusters exhibited a developmental pattern similar to an embryoid. Many
      stages of embryogenesis were observed in the same cultures. 

PMID- 24240265
TI  - Microspore development in cultured maize anthers.
AB  - The present study follows in vivo and in vitro microspore development utilizing
      an anther culture-responsive maize genotype (Pa91*FR16) and a DNA-specific
      fluorescent dye (mithramycin). Cultured anthers were sampled at various times and
      scored for abnormal microspore divisions, multicellular masses, and embryo-like
      structures. The frequency of abnormal microspore divisions reached a peak during
      the first 7 days in culture and then declined. The vegetative nucleus was
      mitotically active in culture with over 50% of the induced microspores exhibiting
      this type of division. Multicellular masses and embryo-like structures first
      appeared in the 14 and 25 day samples, respectively. Most of the microspores did
      not reach the multicellular stage and an even greater mortality occurred during
      the formation of embryo-like structures. 

PMID- 24240266
TI  - Somatic embryos from callus of Sequoia sempervirens.
AB  - Compact calli with a potential for somatic embryogenesis were obtained from
      complete or split mature zygotic embryos or from cotyledons and hypocotyls of in
      vitro grown seedlings of Sequoia sempervirens. Somatic embryos which showed a
      typical bipolar structure, were formed together with adventitious buds. When
      placed on filter paper supports they developed into complete plantlets. Of the
      various combinations tested, culture medium adapted from Murashige and Skoog
      mineral solution complemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (2 MUM), kinetin (2 MUM)
      and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.5 MUM) was established as the optimal for
      somatic embryo production. 

PMID- 24240267
TI  - Regeneration of plants from leaf explants of Cucumis melo cv. Pusa Sharbati.
AB  - Leaves of three different sizes excised from 14, 21, 28 and 35-day-old seedlings
      of Cucumis melo were cultured on a MS medium supplemented with a range and
      combination of growth regulators. Maximum shoot differentiation from the leaf
      explants occurred in the combined presence of BAP and 2iP at equimolar
      concentration of 1 MUM. Regeneration potential of leaves declined with increasing
      size of the leaves and the age of the donor seedlings. For elongation the shoots
      were transferred to MS+BAP [1 MUM]. Such shoots were rooted with 75% frequency on
      MS+IAA [0.5 MUM]. The plants have been established in pots. 

PMID- 24240268
TI  - Improved plant regeneration from maize callus cultures using 6-benzylaminopurine.
AB  - A new protocol for regenerating plants from cultured type I callus of the maize
      (Zea mays L.) inbred Pa91 includes growing the callus on medium containing 3.5
      mg/l (15.5 MUM) of the cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (6BA) for 3 to 6 d and then
      moving the callus to medium containing no growth regulators (H medium) for an
      additional 15 to 21 d, where the plants actually develop. The number of plants
      regenerated from the 6BA treated callus was 113% to 148% greater than the number
      of plants produced from callus placed directly on H medium. This increased plant
      regeneration induced by 6BA seemed to maximize the number of plants regenerated
      from a gram of callus and was slightly affected by callus age or prior treatment
      of callus with AgNO3. Exposure to 6BA for 9 d greatly reduced shoot and root
      development, and longer exposures totally prevented root formation. This
      inhibition of root formation could be reversed only slightly by naphthaleneacetic
      acid. The data indicate that high concentrations of 6BA are effective for
      increasing plant regeneration from maize callus cultures when short exposure
      times are used. This procedure has also been effective for regenerating many
      plants from the inbreds H99 and Mo17. 

PMID- 24240269
TI  - Variability in tissue cultures of Choisya ternata. III comparing alkaloid
      production in cell lines obtained by various strategies.
AB  - Callus cultures of Choisya ternata have been prepared by different strategies:
      aggregate clones, subclones and protoclones obtained from well-established
      strains; protoclones obtained from mesophyll tissue; cultures transformed by
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens. All of them show high variability in their
      dihydrofuroquinoline alkaloid production. As compared to the alkaloid content of
      the whole plant, one alkaloid (platydesminium) could be obtained in higher
      amounts in some lines, but it was impossible to get high-balfourodinium
      accumulating lines. Moreover balfourodinium-producing capacities were lower in
      transformed cells as compared to those of normal cell lines. 

PMID- 24240270
TI  - A method for the rapid production of fine plant cell suspension cultures.
AB  - A method has been devised which allows the rapid production of fine suspension
      cultures of small aggregate size from suspension cultures of large average
      aggregate size, such as those of Capsicum frutescens. The method, which uses a
      Waring blender for aseptic homogenisation of cultures, has also been shown to be
      effective in rapidly producing suspension cultures from callus cultures. The
      suspension cultures so produced are particularly useful for immobilisation, such
      as in porous polyurethane foam matrices. 

PMID- 24240271
TI  - In vitro selection for salt tolerant lines in Lycopersicon peruvianum.
AB  - A salt-tolerant callus line of Lycopersicon peruvianum has been obtained by
      exposing the cells, in suspension cultures and then in callus, to increasing
      concentrations of NaCl (50-350mM). This selected line grew better than the
      nonselected line at all levels of NaCl. Moreover, this selected line grew better
      in media containing salt than in those without it. It retained its tolerance
      after subculture for 3 passages (3 months) on salt-free medium. The growth of the
      selected line in mannitol was similar to that of the nonselected line, which
      suggested that the superiority of the selected line under salt stress was not due
      to osmotic stress tolerance. The ions SO 4 (--) and K(+) were highly toxic to L.
      peruvianum root callus, while Na(+), Mg(++) and Cl(-) were less toxic. 

PMID- 24240272
TI  - Clonal propagation of Cephaelis ipecacuanha.

PMID- 24240274
TI  - Tailoring photocatalytic nanostructures for sustainable hydrogen production.
AB  - Photocatalysis is an important component for achieving sustainability in chemical
      transformations. It requires light absorption by a semiconductor and efficient
      extraction of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs to chemically active sites.
      One of the main problems in photocatalytic materials is to avoid electron-hole
      recombination following excitation. Tailored nanostructures offer a new way for
      achieving this goal by facilitating electron-hole separation. Nanoscaling of
      materials offers additional opportunities to generate unique photocatalysts that
      demonstrated novel light absorption, thermodynamic and kinetic properties. In
      this feature article we highlight some recent approaches towards the preparation
      of materials and nanostructures that showed improved activity for the sustainable
      production of hydrogen. This reaction has received much attention for the supply
      of future demand both for chemical industry and energy-related applications. 

PMID- 24240273
TI  - Cell cycle delay in murine pre-osteoblasts is more pronounced after exposure to
      high-LET compared to low-LET radiation.
AB  - Space radiation contains a complex mixture of particles comprised primarily of
      protons and high-energy heavy ions. Radiation risk is considered one of the major
      health risks for astronauts who embark on both orbital and interplanetary space
      missions. Ionizing radiation dose-dependently kills cells, damages genetic
      material, and disturbs cell differentiation and function. The immediate response
      to ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage is stimulation of DNA repair machinery
      and activation of cell cycle regulatory checkpoints. To date, little is known
      about cell cycle regulation after exposure to space-relevant radiation,
      especially regarding bone-forming osteoblasts. Here, we assessed cell cycle
      regulation in the osteoblastic cell line OCT-1 after exposure to various types of
      space-relevant radiation. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of ionizing
      radiation was investigated regarding the biological endpoint of cellular survival
      ability. Cell cycle progression was examined following radiation exposure
      resulting in different RBE values calculated for a cellular survival level of 1
      %. Our findings indicate that radiation with a linear energy transfer (LET) of
      150 keV/MUm was most effective in inducing reproductive cell killing by causing
      cell cycle arrest. Expression analyses indicated that cells exposed to ionizing
      radiation exhibited significantly up-regulated p21(CDKN1A) gene expression. In
      conclusion, our findings suggest that cell cycle regulation is more sensitive to
      high-LET radiation than cell survival, which is not solely regulated through
      elevated CDKN1A expression.

PMID- 24240275
TI  - Long-term exposure to concentrated ambient PM2.5 increases mouse blood pressure
      through abnormal activation of the sympathetic nervous system: a role for
      hypothalamic inflammation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exposure to particulate matter<=2.5 MUm in diameter (PM2.5) increases
      blood pressure (BP) in humans and animal models. Abnormal activation of the
      sympathetic nervous system may have a role in the acute BP response to PM2.5
      exposure. The mechanisms responsible for sympathetic nervous system activation
      and its role in chronic sustenance of hypertension in response to PM2.5 exposure
      are currently unknown. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether central nervous system
      inflammation may be implicated in chronic PM2.5 exposure-induced increases in BP
      and sympathetic nervous system activation. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were exposed to
      concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAPs) for 6 months, and we analyzed BP using
      radioactive telemetric transmitters. We assessed sympathetic tone by measuring
      low-frequency BP variability (LF-BPV) and urinary norepinephrine excretion. We
      also tested the effects of acute pharmacologic inhibitors of the sympathetic
      nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. RESULTS: Long-term CAPs
      exposure significantly increased basal BP, paralleled by increases in LF-BPV and
      urinary norepinephrine excretion. The increased basal BP was attenuated by the
      centrally acting alpha2a agonist guanfacine, suggesting a role of increased
      sympathetic tone in CAPs exposure-induced hypertension. The increase in
      sympathetic tone was accompanied by an inflammatory response in the arcuate
      nucleus of the hypothalamus, evidenced by increased expression of pro
      inflammatory genes and inhibitor kappaB kinase (IKK)/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF
      kappaB) pathway activation. CONCLUSION: Long-term CAPs exposure increases BP
      through sympathetic nervous system activation, which may involve hypothalamic
      inflammation.

PMID- 24240277
TI  - An exactly solvable model for quantum communications.
AB  - Information theory establishes the ultimate limits on performance for noisy
      communication systems. Accurate models of physical communication devices must
      include quantum effects, but these typically make the theory intractable. As a
      result, communication capacities--the maximum possible rates of data transmission
      -are not known, even for transmission between two users connected by an
      electromagnetic waveguide with Gaussian noise. Here we present an exactly
      solvable model of communication with a fully quantum electromagnetic field. This
      gives explicit expressions for all point-to-point capacities of noisy quantum
      channels, with implications for quantum key distribution and fibre-optic
      communications. We also develop a theory of quantum communication networks by
      solving some rudimentary models including broadcast and multiple-access channels.
      We compare the predictions of our model with the orthodox Gaussian model and in
      all cases find agreement to within a few bits. At high signal-to-noise ratios,
      our simple model captures the relevant physics while remaining amenable to exact
      solution.

PMID- 24240276
TI  - Crystal structures of the Lsm complex bound to the 3' end sequence of U6 small
      nuclear RNA.
AB  - Splicing of precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) in eukaryotic cells is carried out
      by the spliceosome, which consists of five small nuclear ribonucleoproteins
      (snRNPs) and a number of accessory factors and enzymes. Each snRNP contains a
      ring-shaped subcomplex of seven proteins and a specific RNA molecule. The U6
      snRNP contains a unique heptameric Lsm protein complex, which specifically
      recognizes the U6 small nuclear RNA at its 3' end. Here we report the crystal
      structures of the heptameric Lsm complex, both by itself and in complex with a 3'
      fragment of U6 snRNA, at 2.8 A resolution. Each of the seven Lsm proteins
      interacts with two neighbouring Lsm components to form a doughnut-shaped
      assembly, with the order Lsm3-2-8-4-7-5-6. The four uridine nucleotides at the 3'
      end of U6 snRNA are modularly recognized by Lsm3, Lsm2, Lsm8 and Lsm4, with the
      uracil base specificity conferred by a highly conserved asparagine residue. The
      uracil base at the extreme 3' end is sandwiched by His 36 and Arg 69 from Lsm3,
      through pi-pi and cation-pi interactions, respectively. The distinctive end
      recognition of U6 snRNA by the Lsm complex contrasts with RNA binding by the Sm
      complex in the other snRNPs. The structural features and associated biochemical
      analyses deepen mechanistic understanding of the U6 snRNP function in pre-mRNA
      splicing.

PMID- 24240278
TI  - Low investment in sexual reproduction threatens plants adapted to phosphorus
      limitation.
AB  - Plant species diversity in Eurasian wetlands and grasslands depends not only on
      productivity but also on the relative availability of nutrients, particularly of
      nitrogen and phosphorus. Here we show that the impacts of nitrogen:phosphorus
      stoichiometry on plant species richness can be explained by selected plant life
      history traits, notably by plant investments in growth versus reproduction. In
      599 Eurasian sites with herbaceous vegetation we examined the relationship
      between the local nutrient conditions and community-mean life-history traits. We
      found that compared with plants in nitrogen-limited communities, plants in
      phosphorus-limited communities invest little in sexual reproduction (for example,
      less investment in seed, shorter flowering period, longer lifespan) and have
      conservative leaf economy traits (that is, a low specific leaf area and a high
      leaf dry-matter content). Endangered species were more frequent in phosphorus
      limited ecosystems and they too invested little in sexual reproduction. The
      results provide new insight into how plant adaptations to nutrient conditions can
      drive the distribution of plant species in natural ecosystems and can account for
      the vulnerability of endangered species. 

PMID- 24240279
TI  - Late-twentieth-century emergence of the El Nino propagation asymmetry and future
      projections.
AB  - The El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the Earth's most prominent source of
      interannual climate variability, exerting profound worldwide effects. Despite
      decades of research, its behaviour continues to challenge scientists. In the
      eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, the anomalously cool sea surface temperatures
      (SSTs) found during La Nina events and the warm waters of modest El Nino events
      both propagate westwards, as in the seasonal cycle. In contrast, SST anomalies
      propagate eastwards during extreme El Nino events, prominently in the post-1976
      period, spurring unusual weather events worldwide with costly consequences. The
      cause of this propagation asymmetry is currently unknown. Here we trace the cause
      of the asymmetry to the variations in upper ocean currents in the equatorial
      Pacific, whereby the westward-flowing currents are enhanced during La Nina events
      but reversed during extreme El Nino events. Our results highlight that
      propagation asymmetry is favoured when the westward mean equatorial currents
      weaken, as is projected to be the case under global warming. By analysing past
      and future climate simulations of an ensemble of models with more realistic
      propagation, we find a doubling in the occurrences of El Nino events that feature
      prominent eastward propagation characteristics in a warmer world. Our analysis
      thus suggests that more frequent emergence of propagation asymmetry will be an
      indication of the Earth's warming climate. 

PMID- 24240282
TI  - We need to know our limitations: genetic testing for complex traits.

PMID- 24240280
TI  - Structural basis for recognition of synaptic vesicle protein 2C by botulinum
      neurotoxin A.
AB  - Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) belongs to the most dangerous class of
      bioweapons. Despite this, BoNT/A is used to treat a wide range of common medical
      conditions such as migraines and a variety of ocular motility and movement
      disorders. BoNT/A is probably best known for its use as an antiwrinkle agent in
      cosmetic applications (including Botox and Dysport). BoNT/A application causes
      long-lasting flaccid paralysis of muscles through inhibiting the release of the
      neurotransmitter acetylcholine by cleaving synaptosomal-associated protein 25
      (SNAP-25) within presynaptic nerve terminals. Two types of BoNT/A receptor have
      been identified, both of which are required for BoNT/A toxicity and are therefore
      likely to cooperate with each other: gangliosides and members of the synaptic
      vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2) family, which are putative transporter proteins that
      are predicted to have 12 transmembrane domains, associate with the receptor
      binding domain of the toxin. Recently, fibroblast growth factor receptor 3
      (FGFR3) has also been reported to be a potential BoNT/A receptor. In SV2
      proteins, the BoNT/A-binding site has been mapped to the luminal domain, but the
      molecular details of the interaction between BoNT/A and SV2 are unknown. Here we
      determined the high-resolution crystal structure of the BoNT/A receptor-binding
      domain (BoNT/A-RBD) in complex with the SV2C luminal domain (SV2C-LD). SV2C-LD
      consists of a right-handed, quadrilateral beta-helix that associates with BoNT/A
      RBD mainly through backbone-to-backbone interactions at open beta-strand edges,
      in a manner that resembles the inter-strand interactions in amyloid structures.
      Competition experiments identified a peptide that inhibits the formation of the
      complex. Our findings provide a strong platform for the development of novel
      antitoxin agents and for the rational design of BoNT/A variants with improved
      therapeutic properties. 

PMID- 24240281
TI  - Coupled GTPase and remodelling ATPase activities form a checkpoint for ribosome
      export.
AB  - Eukaryotic ribosomes are assembled by a complex pathway that extends from the
      nucleolus to the cytoplasm and is powered by many energy-consuming enzymes.
      Nuclear export is a key, irreversible step in pre-ribosome maturation, but
      mechanisms underlying the timely acquisition of export competence remain poorly
      understood. Here we show that a conserved Saccharomyces cerevisiae GTPase Nug2
      (also known as Nog2, and as NGP-1, GNL2 or nucleostemin 2 in human) has a key
      role in the timing of export competence. Nug2 binds the inter-subunit face of
      maturing, nucleoplasmic pre-60S particles, and the location clashes with the
      position of Nmd3, a key pre-60S export adaptor. Nug2 and Nmd3 are not present on
      the same pre-60S particles, with Nug2 binding before Nmd3. Depletion of Nug2
      causes premature Nmd3 binding to the pre-60S particles, whereas mutations in the
      G-domain of Nug2 block Nmd3 recruitment, resulting in severe 60S export defects.
      Two pre-60S remodelling factors, the Rea1 ATPase and its co-substrate Rsa4, are
      present on Nug2-associated particles, and both show synthetic lethal interactions
      with nug2 mutants. Release of Nug2 from pre-60S particles requires both its K(+)
      dependent GTPase activity and the remodelling ATPase activity of Rea1. We
      conclude that Nug2 is a regulatory GTPase that monitors pre-60S maturation, with
      release from its placeholder site linked to recruitment of the nuclear export
      machinery. 

PMID- 24240283
TI  - Genetic influence on athletic performance.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize the existing literature on the genetics of
      athletic performance, with particular consideration for the relevance to young
      athletes. RECENT FINDINGS: Two gene variants, ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X, have been
      consistently associated with endurance (ACE I/I) and power-related (ACTN3 R/R)
      performance, though neither can be considered predictive. The role of genetic
      variation in injury risk and outcomes is more sparsely studied, but genetic
      testing for injury susceptibility could be beneficial in protecting young
      athletes from serious injury. Little information on the association of genetic
      variation with athletic performance in young athletes is available; however,
      genetic testing is becoming more popular as a means of talent identification.
      Despite this increase in the use of such testing, evidence is lacking for the
      usefulness of genetic testing over traditional talent selection techniques in
      predicting athletic ability, and careful consideration should be given to the
      ethical issues surrounding such testing in children. SUMMARY: A favorable genetic
      profile, when combined with an optimal training environment, is important for
      elite athletic performance; however, few genes are consistently associated with
      elite athletic performance, and none are linked strongly enough to warrant their
      use in predicting athletic success.

PMID- 24240284
TI  - The genetic autopsy.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To assess the relevance of perinatal and pediatric autopsies
      in genetic and metabolic diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: Genetic investigations are an
      important component of fetal autopsies. Despite the advances in imaging
      diagnosis, the autopsy can identify abnormalities not seen on ultrasound or MRI,
      as confirmed in recent comparative studies. This is crucial in the diagnosis of
      syndromic conditions in which the information may be essential to determine the
      syndrome. Genetic tests may also have a role in the investigation of intrauterine
      growth restriction and unexplained stillbirth. New techniques have increased the
      diagnostic yield, even in cases of macerated fetuses.The genetic autopsy is not
      limited to fetal loss. Genetic abnormalities underlie many cases presenting as
      sudden unexpected death in infancy, childhood and adolescence, and the need to
      obtain appropriate samples for genetic analysis applies not only to fetal
      autopsies. SUMMARY: Fetal autopsies are still the gold standard in diagnosis of
      fetal abnormalities. Genetic studies are an important component, not only in
      cases of congenital malformations, but also in unexplained intrauterine death and
      sudden unexpected death in infancy, as well as in children and adults.

PMID- 24240285
TI  - Genetics of nonsyndromic obesity.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Common obesity is widely regarded as a complex, multifactorial
      trait influenced by the 'obesogenic' environment, sedentary behavior, and genetic
      susceptibility contributed by common and rare genetic variants. This review
      describes the recent advances in understanding the role of genetics in obesity.
      RECENT FINDINGS: New susceptibility loci and genetic variants are being
      uncovered, but the collective effect is relatively small and could not explain
      most of the BMI heritability. Yet-to-be identified common and rare variants,
      epistasis, and heritable epigenetic changes may account for part of the 'missing
      heritability'. Evidence is emerging about the role of epigenetics in determining
      obesity susceptibility, mediating developmental plasticity, which confers obesity
      risk from early life experiences. Genetic prediction scores derived from selected
      genetic variants, and also differential DNA methylation levels and methylation
      scores, have been shown to correlate with measures of obesity and response to
      weight loss intervention. Genetic variants, which confer susceptibility to
      obesity-related morbidities like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, were also
      discovered recently. SUMMARY: We can expect discovery of more rare genetic
      variants with the advent of whole exome and genome sequencing, and also greater
      understanding of epigenetic mechanisms by which environment influences genetic
      expression and which mediate the gene-environment interaction.

PMID- 24240286
TI  - Neuromuscular disorders: from diagnosis to translational research, drug
      development and clinical trials.

PMID- 24240287
TI  - Current advances in drug development in spinal muscular atrophy.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a pediatric neuromuscular
      condition characterized by progressive proximal muscle weakness. It is one of the
      most common genetic causes of infant mortality across different races and is
      caused by mutation of the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene on chromosome
      5q13. RECENT FINDINGS: To date, there have been many therapeutics developments
      for SMA targeting various potential pathways such as increasing SMN gene
      expression, enhancing SMN2 exon 7 inclusion, neuroprotection, cell replacement,
      and gene therapy. SUMMARY: Although SMA remains an incurable disease to date,
      recent advances in the field of basic and translational research have enhanced
      our understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and opened new possibilities
      for therapeutic intervention. This article reviews and highlights past and
      current translational research on SMA therapeutics.

PMID- 24240288
TI  - Pediatric Guillain-Barre syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of
      acute flaccid paralysis in children. This review discusses the heterogeneous
      presentations of this disorder, the frequency of disease-related complications
      and the importance of assiduous clinical care in pediatric GBS. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Recent reports have highlighted the variable clinical and neurophysiologic
      subtypes of pediatric GBS, and emphasized the value of imaging in diagnosis of
      this disorder. SUMMARY: Diagnosis of pediatric GBS is often delayed because of
      its variable presentation. Early recognition and treatment decrease long-term
      morbidity and mortality. Recent research has cast light on the variable
      presentations and pathogenesis of the numerous subtypes of this condition, and is
      now focusing upon a better understanding of the natural history of GBS.

PMID- 24240289
TI  - Muscular dystrophy: new challenges and review of the current clinical trials.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We provide a review of recent standards of care and
      therapeutic development in different forms of muscular dystrophies. This topic is
      relevant as the improved understanding of these disorders has not only led to a
      better definition of clinical course and to the development of standards of care
      for individual types of muscular dystrophies, but also culminated in different
      therapeutic approaches. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent natural history studies have
      demonstrated the impact of new standards of care in different forms of muscular
      dystrophies, and identified areas of clinical management in which further
      developments are needed. The majority of the experimental studies are focused on
      Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Some of them target patients with specific
      mutations, such as antisense oligonucleotides, to induce exon skipping of
      specific mutations or drugs developed to allow read-through of nonsense
      mutations, whereas other therapies deal with secondary aspects of muscle
      degeneration, aiming, for example, at reducing inflammation or apoptosis, and may
      also be suitable for other forms of muscular dystrophies. SUMMARY: The advances
      in the field of muscular dystrophy have resulted in improved clinical course and
      survival. The encouraging results of early experimental studies could further
      improve these outcomes in the future.

PMID- 24240291
TI  - Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy and other primary
      immunodeficiency diseases help to resolve the nature of protective immunity
      against chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes and discusses the most recent and
      important publications describing Mendelian diseases associated with
      susceptibility to chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) as a means of gaining
      insight into the pathogenesis of this immunodeficiency. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Impairment to T helper 17 (Th17) cell-associated signalling pathways are common
      in immunodeficiency syndromes associated with CMC infections. Mutations in CARD9,
      STAT3, IL17RA, IL17F, STAT1, and IL12RB and polymorphisms in Dectin 1 and
      interleukin-22 (IL-22) encoding genes have been shown to impair the development
      or function of Th17 cells and are associated with susceptibility to candidiasis.
      Studies on autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy have
      revealed autoimmunity to Th17 cytokines and cells as the basis for CMC. IL-17A,
      IL-17F, and IL-22 induce production of antimicrobial peptides and
      chemoattractants that recruit neutrophils in response to invading fungi. Th17
      cell-associated cytokines may play a role in shaping the host's microbiome (that
      competes with C. albicans) preventing overgrowth of this pathogen. Recent
      evidence also suggests that IL-22 together with IL-17F might be the most
      important Th17 cytokine in protection against Candida. SUMMARY: Dissection of
      critical molecular and immunological mechanisms will allow the development of new
      treatments for primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders resulting in
      chronic Candida infections.

PMID- 24240290
TI  - Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) and IPEX
      related disorders: an evolving web of heritable autoimmune diseases.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize recent progress in our understanding of immune
      dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) and IPEX-related
      disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: A number of Mendelian disorders of immune
      dysregulation and autoimmunity have been noted to result from defects in T
      regulatory cell, development and function. The best characterized of these is
      IPEX, resulting from mutations affecting FOXP3. A number of other gene defects
      that affect T regulatory cell function also give rise to IPEX-related phenotypes,
      including loss-of-function mutations in CD25, STAT5b and ITCH. Recent progress
      includes the identification of gain-of-function mutations in STAT1 as a cause of
      an IPEX-like disease, emerging FOXP3 genotype/phenotype relationships in IPEX,
      and the elucidation of a role for the microbiota in the immune dysregulation
      associated with regulatory T cell deficiency. SUMMARY: An expanding spectrum of
      genetic defects that compromise T regulatory cell function underlies human
      disorders of immune dysregulation and autoimmunity. Collectively, these disorders
      offer novel insights into pathways of peripheral tolerance and their disruption
      in autoimmunity.

PMID- 24240292
TI  - The expanding spectrum of the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndromes.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Several autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndromes have been
      described lately. We review here the main clinical and laboratory findings of
      these new disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: The prototypical autoimmune
      lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) has had its diagnostic criteria modified,
      somatic mutations in RAS genes were found to cause an ALPS-like syndrome in
      humans, and mutations in a gene encoding a protein kinase C (PRKCD) were
      discovered to cause a syndrome of lymphoproliferation, autoimmunity and natural
      killer cell defect. SUMMARY: The recent discoveries shed light on the molecular
      pathways governing lymphocyte death, proliferation and immune tolerance in
      humans.

PMID- 24240294
TI  - Bullying, adverse childhood experiences and use of texting to promote behavior
      change.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article addresses three areas in which new research
      demonstrates the potential to impact the health of children and adolescents:
      bullying, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and texting to promote behavior
      change. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent research on bullying emphasizes its impact on
      children with chronic medical conditions, and highlights cyber bullying as a
      rising issue. ACEs are now recognized as risk factors for many health issues,
      particularly mental health problems. Text messaging is a promising new method to
      communicate with parents and adolescent patients. SUMMARY: Pediatric healthcare
      providers can help patients with chronic medical problems by addressing bullying
      at well child visits. Screening for ACEs may identify children at risk for mental
      health issues. Incorporating text messaging into clinical practice can improve
      disease management and patient education.

PMID- 24240295
TI  - Female athlete triad for the primary care pediatrician.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Female participation in athletics has increased significantly
      over the past several decades. For most young women, participation in sport
      fosters self-confidence, positive relationships with peers, and good physical
      health. However, with growing female representation in athletics, the sport
      community has become increasingly aware of the syndrome known as 'female athlete
      triad,' which describes the interplay between low energy availability (LEA),
      menstrual disturbances, and decreased bone mineral density (BMD). This review
      aims to discuss the definition and prevalence of the triad and prevention,
      detection, and treatment strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: Current research has
      elucidated the importance of identifying and treating the triad in young
      athletes, as adolescence is a critical time for bone development and failure to
      intervene can lead to long-term problems. First defined in 1992, full
      characterization of the triad in adolescents has been elusive because of
      difficulties in diagnosing low BMD in this population and reliance on self-report
      for menstrual disturbances and LEA. A 2007 reformulation of the triad
      incorporated research demonstrating that the full deleterious triad is rare and
      emphasized that its components exist on a spectrum. Removal of the stigma from
      the triad has the potential to allow earlier detection and treatment, thereby
      improving outcomes. SUMMARY: The female athlete triad is a problem with important
      long-term consequences. Education should be geared toward athletes as well as
      coaches, athletic trainers, school nurses, primary care providers, and others
      involved in female athletics to allow early identification and intervention.

PMID- 24240297
TI  - Effects of sodium chloride and polyethylene glycol on root-hair infection and
      nodulation of Vicia faba L. plants by Rhizobium leguminosarum.
AB  - The effects of sodium chloride and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the interaction
      between Rhizobium leguminosarum strain 29d and root hairs of field bean (Vicia
      faba L. cv. Maris Bead) plants were investigated. Two levels each of NaCl (50 and
      100 mol.m(-3)) and PEG (100 and 200 mol.m(-3)) were given at the time of root
      hair formation. Scanning electron microscopy showed rhizobial attachment and
      colonization on root-hair tips. Adhesion of rhizobia in both lateral and polar
      orientation, sometimes associated with microfibrils, occurred mainly in crooks at
      the root-hair tips; most of the infections also occurred here. Bacterial
      colonization and root-hair curling were both reduced by stress treatments.
      Polyethylene glycol but not NaCl significantly reduced root-hair diameter. The
      proportion of root hairs containing infection threads was reduced by 30% under
      NaCl and by 52% under PEG. The structure of some of the root hairs, epidermal and
      hypodermal cells, as seen by light microscopy in ultrasections, was distorted as
      a result of NaCl and PEG treatments; cells showed plasmolysis and folded
      membranes. After three weeks of treatment, both NaCl and PEG inhibited nodule
      number by about 50% and nodule weight by more than 60%. It is concluded that the
      root-hair infection process in Vicia faba is impaired by NaCl and PEG treatments
      and this in turn results in fewer nodules being produced. 

PMID- 24240298
TI  - Intracellular compartmentation of two enzymes of berberine biosynthesis in plant
      cell cultures.
AB  - Out of the eight enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the isoquinoline
      alkaloid berberine, at least, two enzymes, berberine bridge enzyme and (S)
      tetrahydroprotoberberine oxidase, are exclusively located in a vesicle with a
      specific gravity of rho=1.14 g.cm(-3) as shown by direct enzymatic assay as well
      as immunoelectrophoresis. Electronmicroscopic examination of the enzyme
      containing particulate preparation from Berberis wilsoniae var. subcaulialata
      cultured cells demonstrated that it is composed mainly of membranous vesicles.
      The protein composition of this preparation reveals the presence of only about 20
      separable proteins, of which two major ones are berberine bridge enzyme and (S)
      tetrahydroprotoberberine oxidase. Incubation of these vesicles with the substrate
      (S)-reticuline in the presence and absence of S-adenosyl-L-methionine leads to
      the formation of a red product which was identified as dehydroscoulerine. If the
      cytoplasmic enzyme S-adenosyl-L-methionine:(S)-scoulerine-9-O-methyltransferase
      is added to the vesicle preparation in the presence of (S)-reticuline and S
      adenosyl-L-methionine, not dehydroscoulerine but columbamine, the immediate
      precursor of berberine is formed. Some of the quaternary alkaloids are located
      inside the vesicles; fusion of these vesicles leads to vacuoles containing the
      quaternary alkaloids. These vesicles are the first highly specific and unique
      compartment serving only alkaloid biosynthesis; they are found in members of four
      different plant families and in cell cultures as well as in differentiated
      tissue. 

PMID- 24240293
TI  - Primary immunodeficiencies underlying fungal infections.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review the primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) underlying an
      increasing variety of superficial and invasive fungal infections. We also stress
      that the occurrence of such fungal infections should lead physicians to search
      for the corresponding single-gene inborn errors of immunity. Finally, we suggest
      that other fungal infections may also result from hitherto unknown inborn errors
      of immunity, at least in some patients with no known risk factors. RECENT
      FINDINGS: An increasing number of PIDs are being shown to underlie fungal
      infectious diseases in children and young adults. Inborn errors of the phagocyte
      NADPH oxidase complex (chronic granulomatous disease), severe congenital
      neutropenia (SCN) and leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I confer a
      predisposition to invasive aspergillosis and candidiasis. More rarely, inborn
      errors of interferon-gamma immunity underlie endemic mycoses. Inborn errors of
      interleukin-17 immunity have recently been shown to underlie chronic
      mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC), while inborn errors of caspase recruitment
      domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) immunity underlie deep dermatophytosis and
      invasive candidiasis. SUMMARY: CMC, invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillosis,
      deep dermatophytosis, pneumocystosis, and endemic mycoses can all be caused by
      PIDs. Each type of infection is highly suggestive of a specific type of PID. In
      the absence of overt risk factors, single-gene inborn errors of immunity should
      be sought in children and young adults with these and other fungal diseases.

PMID- 24240299
TI  - Identification of phosphate granules occurring in seedling tissue of two palm
      species (Phoenix dactylifera and Washingtonia filifera).
AB  - Haustoria of two palm species, Phoenix dactylifera L. (date) and Washingtonia
      filifera (Lindl.) Wendl were carefully dissected from seeds, and the
      ultrastructural characteristics of the large, electron-opaque granules present in
      the cells of this tissue were compared using standard aldehyde and OsO4
      fixations. In Washingtonia, the granules were smaller than those in date and were
      more variable in size and presence of non-opaque inclusions. All granules
      appeared to be membrane bounded although they often filled the bounded space. No
      protein, lipid, carbohydrate or tannins were found in the granules by standard
      staining procedures. The granules stained positively with two different metallic
      phosphate stains which contained either bismuth or lead. Energy dispersive X-ray
      microprobe analysis, done on aldehyde-fixed granules and those stained with both
      phosphate stains, confirmed the fact that phosphorus and calcium were present in
      the granules. The granules also bound the metallic stains as expected. All
      procedures consistently confirmed the presence of phosphate in the granules. The
      data are most consistent with the hypothesis that the granules are composed of
      polyphosphate. 

PMID- 24240300
TI  - Kinetics of intracellular redistribution of phytochrome in Avena coleoptiles
      after its photoconversion to the active, far-red-absorbing form.
AB  - The kinetics of the intracellular redistribution of phytochrome (sequestering) in
      Avena sativa L. coleoptiles following a brief, saturating actinic pulse of red
      (R) light have been determined. Immunocytochemical labelling of phytochrome with
      monoclonal antibodies showed that at 22 degrees C sequestering can occur within 1
      2 s from the onset of R irradiation and is dependent upon the continued presence
      of the far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pfr). The initial rate, but not the
      final extent, of sequestering is reduced by lowering the temperature of the
      tissue to 1 degrees C. Sequestering at 22 degrees C appears to involve two
      distinct stages: (1) a rapid association of Pfr with putative binding sites
      initiates the sequestered condition, following which (2) these sites of
      sequestered phytochrome appear to aggregate. Neither of these two processes was
      affected by the cytoskeletal inhibitors colchicine or cytochalasin B. Phytochrome
      sequestering therefore resembles R-light-induced phytochrome pelletability with
      respect to kinetics, temperature sensitivity, and dependence upon the continued
      presence of Pfr in the cell. 

PMID- 24240301
TI  - Chemotaxis and appetence of Paulsenella sp. (Dinophyta), an ectoparasite of the
      marine diatom Streptotheca thamesis Shrubsole.
AB  - The parasitic dinophyte, Paulsenella sp., is attracted chemotactically by its
      host, the centric diatom Streptotheca thamesis. Seemingly rather short-lived
      components of the diatom mucilage are involved in the process. These components
      are presumably secreted by the Golgi apparatus and pass the thecal slit between
      epi-and hypocingulum. Experiments with concanavalin A indicate that glucose and
      or mannose are constituents of the effective component, which is obviously not
      produced by egg cells, sperm cells and auxozygotes, since these stages do not
      attract the parasite. Plasmolysis inhibits secretion of the effective component.
      The readiness of the parasite to attack a host cell (its appetence) is light
      dependent: it is low in the dark period and increases after the beginning of the
      light period in cultures with a 14 h light/10 h dark regime. Endogenous rhythms
      of the parasite do not seem to be involved. In contrast, the attractiveness of
      the host is not influenced by the illumination. 

PMID- 24240302
TI  - The specific activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in relation to
      genotype in wheat.
AB  - The specific activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase; EC
      4.1.1.39) in crude extracts of leaves from euploid, amphiploid and alloplasmic
      lines of wheat fell into high or low categories (3.75 or 2.70 MUmol.mg(-1).min(
      1), 30 degrees C). For the alloplasmic lines, where the same hexaploid nuclear
      genome was substituted into different cytoplasms, the specific activity of
      RuBPCase was consistent with the type of cytoplasm (high for the B and S
      cytoplasms and low for the A and D cytoplasms). There was no evidence from the
      euploid and amphiploid lines that small subunits encoded in different nuclear
      genomes influenced the specific activity. High specific activity was conferred by
      possession of the chloroplast genome of the B-type cytoplasm which encodes the
      large subunit of RuBPCase. All lines with a cytoplasm derived from the Sitopsis
      section of wheat, with the exception of Aegilops longissima and A. speltoides
      18940, had RuBPCase with high specific activity. In contrast with the euploid
      lines of A. longissima, the alloplasmic line containing A. longissima cytoplasm
      from a different source had RuBPCase with high specific activity. The difference
      in specific activity found here in-vitro was not apparent in-vivo when leaf gas
      exchange was measured. 

PMID- 24240303
TI  - The relationship between carbon-dioxide-limited photosynthetic rate and ribulose
      1,5-bisphosphate-carboxylase content in two nuclear-cytoplasm substitution lines
      of wheat, and the coordination of ribulose-bisphosphate-carboxylation and
      electron-transport capacities.
AB  - Photosynthesis in two cultivars of Triticum aestivum was compared with
      photosynthesis in two lines having the same nuclear genomes but with cytoplasms
      derived from T. boeoticum. The in-vitro specific activity of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase; EC 4.1.1.39) isolated from lines with T.
      boeoticum cytoplasm was only 71% of that of normal T. aestivum. By contrast, the
      RuBPCase activities calculated from the CO2-assimilation rate at low partial
      pressures of CO2, p(CO2), were the same for all lines for a given RuBPCase
      content. This indicates that both types of RuBPCase have the same turnover
      numbers in-vivo of 27.5 mol CO2.(mol enzyme)(-1).s(-1) (23 degrees ). The rate of
      CO2 assimilation measured at normal p(CO2), p a =340 MUbar, and high irradiance
      could be quantitatively predicted from the amount of RuBPCase protein. The
      maximum rate of RuBP regeneration could also predict the rate of CO2 assimilation
      at normal ambient conditions. Therefore, the maximum capacities for RuBP
      carboxylation and RuBP regeneration appear to be well-balanced for normal ambient
      conditions. As photosynthetic capacity declined with increasing leaf age, the
      capacities for RuBP carboxylation and RuBP regeneration declined in parallel. 

PMID- 24240304
TI  - The use of a temperature-profiled position transducer for the study of low
      temperature growth in Gramineae : Equipment design and output interpretation.
AB  - A device is described for measuring linear extension of grass leaves during
      controlled cooling and heating of the growing region. The instrument was employed
      to investigate the sensitivity to temperature of the expanding third and fourth
      leaves of Lolium temulentum L. seedlings. Using a stepped temperature profile it
      was established that there was no lag in the response of growth rate to rapid
      changes in temperature below 16 degrees C. If cooling was continued to the point
      where growth ceased (1 degrees C) but no further, then rates of growth on
      rewarming were enhanced over the chilling range and reverted to the original rate
      at 20 degrees C. Cooling to successively lower subzero temperatures before
      rewarming abolished the hysteretic enhancement, progressively raised the
      temperature at which growth resumed and decreased the rate of extension until, at
      5.3 degrees C, no recovery occurred. The temperature sensitivity of growth,
      measured as Q10, was essentially constant when cooling from 20 degrees C to 5
      degrees C, with 5 degrees C-grown leaf tissue exhibiting a higher mean Q10 than
      tissue developed at 20 degrees C. The possible physiological significance of
      these data is discussed. 

PMID- 24240305
TI  - Modification by gibberellin of the growth-temperature relationship in mutant and
      normal genotypes of several cereals.
AB  - High-resolution growth measurements were conducted using a linear variable
      displacement transformer in conjunction with a temperature-programmed meristem
      cooling collar. Chilling and rewarming profiles were determined for a range of
      Gramineae, in the presence and absence of varying concentrations of gibberellic
      acid (GA3). In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings, the growth-constraining
      temperature (Pe) was progressively lowered by increasing GA3 concentration, with
      a difference of-4.8 degrees C between controls and material treated with 10(-4) M
      GA3. Dwarf-5 maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings had a higher Pe than tall segregates
      and the difference was markedly reduced by exposure to a saturating concentration
      of GA3. A similar effect was observed with Tanginbozu dwarf rice (Oryza sativa
      L.). The growth ratetemperature responses of Rht3 gibberellin-insensitive dwarf
      wheat seedlings were unaffected by GA3 and the Pe values for these segregates
      were around 5 degrees  C higher than for normals. Slender (s1) barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L.) genotypes had Pe values of-7 degrees  C, compared with +4 degrees  C
      for wild-type material, and did not show positive hysteresis for growth rate
      during the rewarming phase. These studies indicate that GA3 modifies the thermal
      sensitivity of meristem function in Gramineae in a manner which enhances low
      temperature growth. 

PMID- 24240306
TI  - The relationship between phosphate status and photosynthesis in leaves : Effects
      on intracellular orthophosphate distribution, photosynthesis and assimilate
      partitioning.
AB  - Photosynthesis, assimilate partitioning and intracellular distribution of
      orthophosphate (Pi) in barly (Hordeum vulgare L.) leaves were measured in plants
      grown with either 25, 1 or 0 mmol. 1(-1) nutrient phosphate supply. Phosphate
      deficiency resulted in a significant decrease in the leaf Pi, diminished rates of
      photosynthesis and a decrease in the sucrose/starch ratio in the leaves. Changes
      in the cytoplasmic Pi content were relatively small in comparison with the large
      variations in vacuolar Pi. The cytoplasmic Pi concentration was slightly higher
      in the leaves of plants grown at 25 mmol.l(-1) Pi than in those grown at 1
      mmol.l(-1) Pi and was decreased in the phosphate-deficient plants in which
      photosynthesis was inhibited. With barley plants grown in phosphate-deficient
      media, very little, if any, Pi was present in the vacuole. All of the cellular Pi
      was in the cytoplasm. Barley, spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and soya (Glycine
      max L.) plants were grown to a comparative stage of phosphate deficiency as
      measured by leaf Pi levels. These species showed a uniform response to phosphate
      deficiency by increasing starch synthesis relative to sucrose but the
      accompanying limitation on photosynthetic capacity varied considerably among the
      species. Interspecific differences in assimilate partitioning between starch and
      sucrose were maintained over a wide range of Pi supply. 

PMID- 24240307
TI  - The relationship between phosphate status and photosynthesis in leaves :
      Reversibility of the effects of phosphate deficiency on photosynthesis.
AB  - Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were grown in
      hydroponic culture with varying levels of orthophosphate (Pi). When leaves were
      fed with 20 mmol.l(-1) Pi at low CO2 concentrations, a temporary increase of CO2
      uptake was observed in Pi-deficient leaves but not in those from plants grown at
      1 mmol.l(-1) Pi. At high concentrations of CO2 (at 21% or 2% O2) the Pi-induced
      stimulation of CO2 uptake was pronounced in the Pi-deficient leaves. The contents
      of phosphorylated metabolites in the leaves decreased as a result of Pi
      deficiency but were restored by Pi feeding. These results demonstrate that there
      is an appreciable capacity for rapid Pi uptake by leaf mesophyll cells and show
      that the effects of long-term phosphate deficiency on photosynthesis may be
      reversed (at least temporarily) within minutes by feeding with Pi. 

PMID- 24240308
TI  - Acetylene reduction, H2 evolution and (15)N 2 fixation in the Alnus incana
      Frankia symbiosis.
AB  - Acetylene reduction, (15)N2 reduction and H2 evolution were measured in root
      systems of intact plants of grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench) in symbiosis
      with Frankia. The ratios of C2H2: (15)N2 were compared with C2H2:N2 ratios
      calculated from C2H2 reduction and H2 evolution, and with C2H2:N2 ratios
      calculated from accumulated C2H4 production and nitrogen content. It was possible
      to calculate C2H2:N2 ratios from C2H2 reduction and H2 evolution because this
      source of Frankia did not show any hydrogenase activity. The ratios obtained
      using the different methods ranged from 2.72 to 4.42, but these values were not
      significantly different. It was also shown that enriched (15)N could be detected
      in the shoot after a 1-h incubation of the root-system. It is concluded that the
      measurement of H2 evolution in combination with C2H2 reduction represents a
      nondestructive assay for nitrogen fixation in a Frankia symbiosis which shows no
      detectable hydrogenase activity. 

PMID- 24240309
TI  - Biomass production and nitrogen utilization by Alnus incana when grown on N2 or
      NH 4 (+) made available at the same rate.
AB  - A single clone of Alnus incana (L.) Moench was grown in a controlled-environment
      chamber. The plants were either inoculated with Frankia and fixed atmospheric
      nitrogen or were left uninoculated but received ammonium at the same rate as the
      first group fixed their nitrogen. Nitrogen fixation was calculated from frequenct
      measurements of acetylene reduction and hydrogen evolution. The diurnal variation
      of acetylene reduction was also taken into account. The relative efficiency of
      nitrogenase could be used in the calculations of fixed nitrogen since the Frankia
      used did not show any detectable hydrogenase activity. Alders fixing nitrogen
      developed more biomass, longer shoots, larger leaf areas and contained more
      nitrogen than alders receiving ammonium. In one experiment, almost all ammonium
      given to the non-nodulated alders was taken up and 15% of the nitrogen taken up
      was excreted. In the other experiment, 34% of the ammonium was left in the
      nutrient solution and 8% of the nitrogen taken up was excreted. Alders inoculated
      with Frankia did not excrete any detectable amount of nitrogen. It seems that the
      energy demand for nitrogen fixation is not so high that biomass production in
      alders is retarded. The symbiotic system of A. incana and Frankia seems to be
      more efficient in utilizing its nitrogen than non-symbiotic A. incana receiving
      ammonium. 

PMID- 24240310
TI  - Exogenous polyamines alter membrane fluidity in bean leaves - a basis for
      potential misinterpretation of their true physiological role.
AB  - Changes in the rotational motion of paramagnetic and fluorescent lipid-soluble
      probes were used to assess the effects of putrescine, spermidine and spermine on
      the fluidity of microsomal membranes from primary leaves of bean (Phaseolus
      vulgaris L.). Surface probes were more strongly immobilized by physiological
      concentrations of the polyamines than probes that partitioned deep into the
      bilayer interior. Spermidine and spermine were more effective than putrescine at
      reducing membrane fluidity, and at equimolar concentrations, the polyamines and
      calcium had similar effects on the mobility of the membrane probes. Spermine had
      essentially equivalent effects on the fluidity of native membranes, heat
      denatured membranes and liposomes prepared from the total lipid extract of the
      membranes, indicating that polyamines associate with membrane lipid. These
      results raise the possibility that some of the physiological effects previously
      attributed to exogenously added polyamines could reflect membrane rigidification
      rather than a true physiological response. 

PMID- 24240311
TI  - Cytokinin activation and redistribution of plasma-membrane ion channels in
      Funaria : A vibrating-microelectrode and cytoskeleton-inhibitor study.
AB  - I have investigated changes in electrical current across the plasma membrane that
      occur during cytokinin-induced bud formation in Funaria hygrometrica Hedw., using
      a non-intrusive vibrating microelectrode. Before cytokinin treatment the target
      caulonema cells have maximal inward current at the nuclear region. After
      cytokinin treatment inward current increases twofold along the length of the
      cell. Within minutes, however, current decreases at both the nuclear zone and the
      proximal end while increasing at the distal end of target cells, preceding and
      predicting the presumptive division site. Inward current at the distal end falls
      to resting levels after establishment of a bulging growth zone, and remains low
      around developing buds. This current is blocked by gadolinium nitrate, a Ca(2+)
      uptake inhibitor, indicating a Ca(2+) component of the current. The polarity of
      the target cells can be disrupted by microfilament inhibitors and cytokinin
      induced buds form over the nucleus, halfway along the length of the cell. I
      suggest that cytokinin activates plasma-membrane ion channels which are
      subsequently redistributed to the distal ends of target cells by a microfilament
      dependent process. Cytokinin-induced concentration of ion channels over
      presumptive bud sites may be envisioned to exert spatial control of cytoplasmic
      ion concentrations and stimulate bud formation by establishing a new growth zone,
      directing nuclear migration, and stimulating cell division. 

PMID- 24240312
TI  - Evidence for the involvement of a UDP-glucose-dependent group translocator in
      sucrose uptake into vacuoles of storage roots of red beet.
AB  - Vacuoles isolated from the storage roots of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
      accumulate sucrose via two different mechanisms. One mechanism transports sucrose
      directly, and its rate is increased by the addition of MgATP. The other mechanism
      utilizes uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-glucose) to synthesize and
      simultaneously transport sucrose phosphate and sucrose into the vacuole. This
      group translocation mechanism has also been found in sugarcane vacuoles. As in
      sugarcane, the beet group translocator does not require fructose 6-phosphate, nor
      is the latter substance transported into the vacuole. The uptake of
      UDP[(14)C]glucose in inhibited by high concentrations of osmoticum. 

PMID- 24240313
TI  - The influence of a decrease in irradiance on photosynthetic carbon assimilation
      in leaves of Spinacia oleracea L.
AB  - When leaves of Spinacia oleracea L. were subjected to a decrease from a
      saturating to a limiting irradiance, photosynthetic carbon assimilation exhibited
      a pronounced lag. This comprised a postlower-illumination CO2 burst (Vines et al.
      1982, Plant Physiol. 70, 629-631) and a slow increase in the rate of carbon
      assimilation to the new lower steady-state rate. The latter phenomenon was
      distinguishable from the former because it was present in leaves when
      photorespiration was inhibited by high concentrations of CO2 or by 2% O2. A lag
      which followed a decrease in irradiance was also evident in leaves of Zea mays in
      air or in isolated spinach protoplasts photosynthesising in high CO2. The lag was
      not stomatal in origin. The origin of the lag which followed the decrease in
      irradiance was investigated. Measurements of total (14)CO2 fixation and (14)C
      incorporated into sucrose during the transition in irradiance showed that sucrose
      synthesis displayed an overshoot during the transient which accounted for all of
      the carbon fixed during the first 90 s of the transition period. The behaviour of
      hexose phosphates in the intact leaf and in the cytosol was inconsistent with
      their supporting sucrose synthesis during the transient. It is concluded that the
      overshoot in sucrose synthesis imposes a drain on chloroplast intermediates which
      contributes to the temporary lag in the rate of carbon assimilation. 

PMID- 24240314
TI  - Partial isotope fractionation during high-performance liquid chromatography of
      deuterium-labelled internal standards in plant hormone analysis: A cautionary
      note.
AB  - Deuterium-labelled indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid and phthalimido-1
      aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid were found to separate from the unlabelled
      compounds on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A
      similar separation was found for the methyl esters of these compounds on normal
      phase HPLC. Such separations may lead to substantial errors when these compounds
      are used as internal standards for quantitation by gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry/selective ion detection, unless the complete chromatographic peaks
      are collected. 

PMID- 24240315
TI  - Evaluation of surgical conditions during laparoscopic surgery in patients with
      moderate vs deep neuromuscular block.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The routine use of neuromuscular blocking agents reduces the
      occurrence of unacceptable surgical conditions. In some surgeries, such as
      retroperitoneal laparoscopies, deep neuromuscular block (NMB) may further improve
      surgical conditions compared with moderate NMB. In this study, the effect of deep
      NMB on surgical conditions was assessed. METHODS: Twenty-four patients undergoing
      elective laparoscopic surgery for prostatectomy or nephrectomy were randomized to
      receive moderate NMB (train-of-four 1-2) using the combination of
      atracurium/mivacurium, or deep NMB (post-tetanic count 1-2) using high-dose
      rocuronium. After surgery, NMB was antagonized with neostigmine (moderate NMB),
      or sugammadex (deep NMB). During all surgeries, one surgeon scored the quality of
      surgical conditions using a five-point surgical rating scale (SRS) ranging from 1
      (extremely poor conditions) to 5 (optimal conditions). Video images were obtained
      and 12 anaesthetists rated a random selection of images. RESULTS: Mean (standard
      deviation) SRS was 4.0 (0.4) during moderate and 4.7 (0.4) during deep NMB
      (P<0.001). Moderate block resulted in 18% of scores at the low end of the scale
      (Scores 1-3); deep block resulted in 99% of scores at the high end of the scale
      (Scores 4 and 5). Cardiorespiratory conditions were similar during and after
      surgery in both groups. Between anaesthetists and surgeon, there was poor
      agreement between scores of individual images (average kappa statistic 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Application of the five-point SRS showed that deep NMB results in an
      improved quality of surgical conditions compared with moderate block in
      retroperitoneal laparoscopies, without compromise to the patients' peri- and
      postoperative cardiorespiratory conditions. Trial registration The study was
      registered at clinicaltrials.gov under number NCT01361149.

PMID- 24240316
TI  - Host genomic HIV restriction factors modulate the response to dendritic cell
      based treatment against HIV-1.
AB  - Host genome is still poorly investigated in the context of vaccine or
      immunotherapy, however recently findings emphasized that it may affect the
      response to those treatments. In our retrospective study we evaluated the effect
      of HIV-1 genetic restriction factors on the response to dendritic cell (DC)-based
      immunotherapy in a Brazilian cohort of HIV positive (HIV+) patients that
      underwent a phase I clinical trial in 2004. Genomic DNA from 18 HIV+ individuals
      that underwent DC-based immunotherapy was analyzed for selected polymorphisms
      known to be associated with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS
      progression. Allelic and genotypic distribution of the 22 polymorphisms was
      evaluated considering the response to the treatment. The rs11884476 SNP in PARD3B
      resulted associated with good response to immune treatment according to an over
      dominant model. Even if functional effect of this variation is still unknown, our
      data suggested that it could play a role in the control of viral replication. Our
      findings, being aware of the limitation represented by the small number of
      subjects analyzed, suggest that genetic factors involved in AIDS progression
      could affect the response to immunotherapy, reinforcing the idea that deeper
      investigation on host genetic variations will be fundamental for a rational
      vaccine development.

PMID- 24240317
TI  - Occurrence and distribution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and transfer of
      resistance genes in Lake Taihu.
AB  - The overuse of antibiotics has accelerated antibiotic resistance in the natural
      environment, especially fresh water, generating a potential risk for public
      health around the world. In this study, antibiotic resistance in Lake Taihu was
      investigated and this was the first thorough data obtained through culture
      dependent methods. High percentages of resistance to streptomycin and ampicillin
      among bacterial isolates were detected, followed by tetracycline and
      chloramphenicol. Especially high levels of ampicillin resistance in the western
      and northern regions were illustrated. Bacterial identification of the isolates
      selected for further study indicated the prevalence of some opportunistic
      pathogens and 62.0% of the 78 isolates exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance.
      The presence of ESBLs genes was in the following sequence: bla(TEM) > bla(SHV) >
      bla(CTMX) and 38.5% of the isolates had a class I integrase gene. Of all tested
      strains, 80.8% were able to transfer antibiotic resistance through conjugation.
      We also concluded that some new families of human-associated ESBLs and AmpC genes
      can be found in natural environmental isolates. The prevalence of antibiotic
      resistance and the dissemination of transferable antibiotic resistance in
      bacterial isolates (especially in opportunistic pathogens) was alarming and
      clearly indicated the urgency of realizing the health risks of antibiotic
      resistance to human and animal populations who are dependent on Lake Taihu for
      water consumption.

PMID- 24240318
TI  - Mathematical ecology analysis of geographical distribution of soybean-nodulating
      Bradyrhizobia in Japan.
AB  - We characterized the relationship between the genetic diversity of indigenous
      soybean-nodulating bradyrhizobia from weakly acidic soils in Japan and their
      geographical distribution in an ecological study of indigenous soybean rhizobia.
      We isolated bradyrhizobia from three kinds of Rj-genotype soybeans. Their genetic
      diversity and community structure were analyzed by PCR-RFLP analysis of the 16S
      23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region with 11 Bradyrhizobium
      USDA strains as references. We used data from the present study and previous
      studies to carry out mathematical ecological analyses, multidimensional scaling
      analysis with the Bray-Curtis index, polar ordination analysis, and multiple
      regression analyses to characterize the relationship between soybean-nodulating
      bradyrhizobial community structures and their geographical distribution. The
      mathematical ecological approaches used in this study demonstrated the presence
      of ecological niches and suggested the geographical distribution of soybean
      nodulating bradyrhizobia to be a function of latitude and the related climate,
      with clusters in the order Bj123, Bj110, Bj6, and Be76 from north to south in
      Japan. 

PMID- 24240319
TI  - Integrating protein-protein interaction networks with phenotypes reveals signs of
      interactions.
AB  - A major objective of systems biology is to organize molecular interactions as
      networks and to characterize information flow within networks. We describe a
      computational framework to integrate protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks
      and genetic screens to predict the 'signs' of interactions (i.e., activation
      inhibition relationships). We constructed a Drosophila melanogaster signed PPI
      network consisting of 6,125 signed PPIs connecting 3,352 proteins that can be
      used to identify positive and negative regulators of signaling pathways and
      protein complexes. We identified an unexpected role for the metabolic enzymes
      enolase and aldo-keto reductase as positive and negative regulators of
      proteolysis, respectively. Characterization of the activation-inhibition
      relationships between physically interacting proteins within signaling pathways
      will affect our understanding of many biological functions, including signal
      transduction and mechanisms of disease. 

PMID- 24240320
TI  - Deciphering laminar-specific neural inputs with line-scanning fMRI.
AB  - Using a line-scanning method during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI),
      we obtained high temporal (50-ms) and spatial (50-MUm) resolution information
      along the cortical thickness and showed that the laminar position of fMRI onset
      coincides with distinct neural inputs in rat somatosensory and motor cortices.
      This laminar-specific fMRI onset allowed us to identify the neural inputs
      underlying ipsilateral fMRI activation in the barrel cortex due to peripheral
      denervation-induced plasticity. 

PMID- 24240321
TI  - A holidic medium for Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - A critical requirement for research using model organisms is a well-defined and
      consistent diet. There is currently no complete chemically defined (holidic) diet
      available for Drosophila melanogaster. We describe a holidic medium that is equal
      in performance to an oligidic diet optimized for adult fecundity and lifespan.
      This holidic diet supports development over multiple generations but at a reduced
      rate. Over 7 years of experiments, the holidic diet yielded more consistent
      experimental outcomes than did oligidic food for egg laying by females. Nutrients
      and drugs were more available to flies in holidic medium and, similar to dietary
      restriction on oligidic food, amino acid dilution increased fly lifespan. We used
      this holidic medium to investigate amino acid-specific effects on food-choice
      behavior and report that folic acid from the microbiota is sufficient for
      Drosophila development. 

PMID- 24240322
TI  - HiRIEF LC-MS enables deep proteome coverage and unbiased proteogenomics.
AB  - We present a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based method
      permitting unbiased (gene prediction-independent) genome-wide discovery of
      protein-coding loci in higher eukaryotes. Using high-resolution isoelectric
      focusing (HiRIEF) at the peptide level in the 3.7-5.0 pH range and accurate
      peptide isoelectric point (pI) prediction, we probed the six-reading-frame
      translation of the human and mouse genomes and identified 98 and 52 previously
      undiscovered protein-coding loci, respectively. The method also enabled deep
      proteome coverage, identifying 13,078 human and 10,637 mouse proteins. 

PMID- 24240323
TI  - Imaging appearances and clinical outcome following sacrectomy and ilio-lumbar
      reconstruction for sacral neoplasia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Sacrectomy and ilio-lumbar reconstruction is an uncommonly performed
      complex surgical procedure for the treatment of sacral neoplasia. There are many
      challenges in the post-operative period including the potential for tumor
      recurrence, infection, and construct failure. We present our experience of this
      patient cohort and describe the complications and imaging appearances that can be
      encountered during the follow-up period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective
      review of our Orthopaedic Oncology database was undertaken which has been
      collected over a 30-year period to identify patients that had undergone
      sacrectomy and ilio-lumbar reconstruction. Pre and post-operative imaging
      including radiographs, CT, and MRI was reviewed. These were viewed by two
      experienced musculoskeletal radiologists with consensus opinion if there was
      disagreement over the imaging findings. Data regarding patient demographics,
      tumor type, and dimensions was collected. Serial review of radiographs, CT, and
      MRI was performed to assess implant position and integrity, strut graft position
      and union, and for the presence of recurrence within the surgical bed. RESULTS:
      Five male and two female patients (mean age 36 years, age range 15-54 years) were
      treated with this procedure. Histological diagnoses included chordoma,
      chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and spindle cell sarcoma. Mean maximal tumor size
      on pre-operative imaging was 10.7 cm (range, 6-16 cm). Post-operative follow-up
      ranged from 10-46 months. A total of 76 imaging studies were reviewed. Commonly
      identified complications included vertical rod and cross-connector fracture and
      screw loosening. Fibula strut graft non-union and fracture was also evident on
      imaging review. Two patients demonstrated disease recurrence during the follow-up
      period. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the spectrum and frequency of
      complications that can occur following sacrectomy and ilio-lumbar reconstruction
      for sacral neoplasia.

PMID- 24240324
TI  - Analysis of DNA size, content and cell cycle in leaves of Napier grass
      (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.).
AB  - Mesophyll cell nuclei isolated from leaves of Pennisetum purpureum were analysed
      by flow cytometry to determine the nuclear DNA content and the percentage of
      cells in different phases of the cell cycle. Samples taken from base, middle and
      tip regions of leaves 2 to 8 (leaf 1, which was adjacent to the meristem, was too
      small to sample) showed no significant differences in the amount of DNA per G1
      nucleus due to either age or position. The average amount of DNA per G1 nucleus
      was 5.78 pg. Although the majority of cells for each sample were in G1, samples
      taken from older leaves had higher percentages of cells in G2 and S phases. More
      specifically, base and middle regions of older leaves had a higher percentage of
      cells in G2 than all three positions in younger leaves. Electrophoretic analysis
      of nuclear DNA from leaves 2 to 7 showed no evidence of degradation or difference
      in fragment size for any sample or position. This study was compared to previous
      work on the relationship between leaf age and embryogenic competence in
      Pennisetum purpureum. The results suggest that changes in the cell cycle, and/or
      a loss or fragmentation of the nuclear DNA, are not responsible for loss of
      embryogenic competence in mature leaf tissue. 

PMID- 24240325
TI  - Chromosome studies of progenies of tetraploid female rainbow trout.
AB  - Nine induced tetraploid females were artificially inseminated by UV-irradiated
      sperm collected from diploid males, in order to induce the gynogenetic
      development of their ova. Most of the resulting embryos were diploid (or minor
      aneuploids). Several gynogenetic tetraploids, likely to issue from unreduced ova,
      were also detected in these progenies. The same females fertilized by normal
      sperm of diploid males gave a majority of triploids and several pentaploids,
      while the fertilization by normal sperm of tetraploid males gave rise to a
      majority of tetraploids and one hexaploid. The same crosses, after the eggs had
      been heat-shocked to double the maternal genetic contribution, yielded about
      three-quarters pentaploids and one quarter haploids (normal sperm of diploids),
      or three-quarters hexaploids and one quarter diploids (normal sperm of
      tetraploids). These haploids and diploids are likely to result from androgenesis.

PMID- 24240326
TI  - Quantitative cytology of the egg and central cell of Plumbago zeylanica and its
      impact on cytoplasmic inheritance patterns.
AB  - The egg and central cells of Plumbago zeylanica have an average volume of 543,000
      MUm(3) and 2,560,000 MUm(3) respectively, with surface areas of 38,600 MUm(2) and
      154,000 MUm(2). The egg contains an average of 39,900 mitochondria and 730
      plastids. The majority of the plastids are perinuclear (> 60%) with less than 40%
      in lateral areas or near the filiform apparatus. After fertilization, the number
      of maternal organelles exceeds paternal organelles by a ratio of 1?1,000 for
      mitochondria and 1?54 for plastids. The central cell contains an average of
      178,700 mitochondria and 1,840 plastids. After fertilization, these organelles
      far exceed the number of sperm organelles transmitted, by a ratio of approx.
      1?4,000 for plastids and 1?820 for mitochondria. Biparental inheritance of
      plastids in the embryo is possible, but not favored; the only comparable data in
      Oenothera and Impatiens reveals that biparental inheritance is possible in up to
      1?24 ratios. Plants lacking biparental plastid inheritance do not contain
      plastids in the sperm, and thus the presence of even few sperm plastids may
      result in expression. The number of paternal mitochondria transmitted into the
      central cell is greater than that transmitted into the egg as the result of
      preferential fertilization with the mitochondrion-rich dimorphic sperm cell,
      although the ratio of paternal to maternal mitochondria is 1?1,000 in the egg and
      1?820 in the central cell. The similarity in these ratios suggests that there is
      a critical dosage of mitochondria that is permissible within the zygotic and
      endospermatic lineages. This may represent either: (1) a maximum permissible
      value to prevent expression of paternal mitochondrial genome, (2) a minimum ratio
      required in order to permit recombination of maternal and paternal mitochondrial
      genomes, or (3) a cytoplasmic genome balance number. 

PMID- 24240327
TI  - In vitro selection of alfalfa plants resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
      medicaginis.
AB  - From two lines of Medicago sativa characterized by a high regeneration
      capability, calli resistant to culture filtrate of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
      medicaginis have been selected. In these calli regeneration capability was
      greatly reduced and only one plant per callus was recovered. Regenerated plants
      have been evaluated for resistance to culture filtrate and for in vivo resistance
      to the pathogen. Three plants out of eight were resistant to the fungus and a
      high correlation between resistance to culture filtrate and in vivo resistance
      was observed. 

PMID- 24240328
TI  - High molecular weight glutenin subunit variation in Triticum turgidum var.
      dicoccum.
AB  - Variation in high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunit composition among 167
      accessions of dicoccum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. dicoccum Schrank) of
      diverse origins was investigated using one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). A total of 20 alleles were
      identified, and 9 of them were found to be different from those previously
      detected by Payne and Lawrence (1983 b) in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum
      L.). The newly discovered alleles enhance the genetic variability available to
      improve the industrial quality of wheats and some of them may facilitate basic
      research on the relationship of industrial quality with HMW glutenin subunit
      number. The novel variants include a GLU-A1 encoded subunit which has higher
      molecular mass than any other so far described in tetraploid and hexaploid
      wheats, and a 'null' GLU-B1 allele. Dicoccums containing neither GLU-A1- nor GLU
      B1-encoded subunits were also identified. A comparison of the mean number of HMW
      glutenin subunits contained in various primitive and modern domesticated wheats
      of different ploidy levels and the identification of wheats containing no HMW
      glutenin subunits suggest that the occurrence of 'null' GLU-1 alleles in these
      species depends on chance rather on an inherent tendency on the part of modern
      polyploid wheats to suppress the activity of redundant GLU-1 genes. 

PMID- 24240329
TI  - Nodulation and nitrogen fixation mutants of pea, Pisum sativum.
AB  - The 36 mutants which did not nodulate and 24 mutants which formed inefficient
      nodules with no or very low acetylene reduction activity were isolated among
      86,000 M2-seedlings of 'Finale' pea, Pisum sativum L., after treatment with
      chemical mutagens. One mutant was found for approximately every 50 chlorophyll
      mutants. Most mutations were induced by ethyl methanesulfonate; some by diethyl
      sulfate, ethyl nitrosourea and acidified sodium azide. Putative mutants were
      selected as nitrogen deficient plants, yellowing from the bottom and up, when M2
      seedlings were grown in sand with a Rhizobium mixture and PK fertilizer. The
      mutants were verified in the M3 generation by acetylene reduction assay on intact
      plants. 

PMID- 24240330
TI  - Inheritance and expression of NAD(P)H nitrate reductase in barley.
AB  - NADH-specific and NAD(P)H bispecific nitrate reductases are present in barley
      (Hordeum vulgare L.). Wild-type leaves have only the NADH-specific enzyme while
      mutants with defects in the NADH nitrate reductase structural gene (nar1) have
      the NAD(P)H bispecific enzyme. A mutant deficient in the NAD(P)H nitrate
      reductase was isolated in a line (nar1a) deficient in the NADH nitrate reductase
      structural gene. The double mutant (nar1a;nar7w) lacks NAD(P)H nitrate reductase
      activity and has xanthine dehydrogenase and nitrite reductase activities similar
      to nar1a. NAD(P)H nitrate reductase activity in this mutant is controlled by a
      single codominant gene designated nar7. The nar7 locus appears to be the NAD(P)H
      nitrate reductase structural gene and is not closely linked to nar1. From
      segregating progeny of a cross between the wild type and nar1a;nar7w, a line was
      obtained which has the same NADH nitrate reductase activity as the wild type in
      both the roots and leaves but lacks NADPH nitrate reductase activity in the
      roots. This line is assumed to have the genotype Nar1Nar1nar7nar7. Roots of wild
      type seedlings have both nitrate reductases as shown by differential inactivation
      of the NADH and NAD(P)H nitrate reductases by a monospecific NADH-nitrate
      reductase antiserum. Thus, nar7 controls the NAD(P)H nitrate reductase in roots
      and in leaves of barley. 

PMID- 24240332
TI  - Salt tolerance through increased vigor in a flax line (STS-II) selected for salt
      tolerance in vitro.
AB  - Progeny of a flax (Linum usitatissimum L. cv "McGregor") plant, regenerated from
      a cell line selected in vitro for salt tolerance (designated STS-II) was tested
      for its performance over two generations in normal and in saline soil against its
      parent variety. Germination, seedling height, flowering, seed set and seed yield
      in controlled greenhouse conditions were recorded. The putative salt tolerant
      line was superior in saline soil for all parameters measured, indicating that the
      mechanism selected in cells in vitro was also active in whole plants, and that
      the trait is genetically stable and seed transmitted. Unexpectedly, the STS-II
      line was also superior in the normal, non-stressed soil, indicating that the
      selected trait is not limited to salt tolerance specifically, suggesting a more
      general mechanism, such as a general increase in vigor. 

PMID- 24240331
TI  - Asymmetric hybridization in Nicotiana by fusion of irradiated protoplasts.
AB  - Mesophyll protoplasts of a kanamycin-resistant, nopaline-positive Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia seed line were inactivated by gamma-irradiation and electrically
      fused with unirradiated mesophyll protoplasts of N. tabacum. Hybrids were
      selected on kanamycin and regenerated. Genetic material from N. plumbaginifolia
      was detected in these plants by the following criteria: (1) morphology, (2)
      esterase isozyme profiles, and (3) the presence of nopaline in leaf extracts. All
      of the plants regenerated were morphologically more similar to N. tabacum than to
      N. plumbaginifolia, and many were indistinguishable from N. tabacum. It was found
      that 37 plants displayed one or two esterases characteristic of N.
      plumbaginifolia in addition to a full set of esterases from N. tabacum. Based on
      their esterases, we have classified these plants as somatic hybrids. However,
      irradiation has clearly reduced the amount of N. plumbaginifolia genetic material
      that they retain; 24 plants were found that had only N. tabacum esterases but
      that produced nopaline and were kanamycin resistant. Genomic DNA from several of
      these plants was probed by Southern blotting for the presence of the authentic
      neomycin phosphotransferase gene (kanamycin-resistance gene) - all were found to
      contain the gene. These plants were classified as asymmetric hybrids. Finally, 25
      plants were regenerated that were kanamycin sensitive, negative for nopaline, and
      contained only N. tabacum esterases. All of the regenerated plants, including
      this final category, were male sterile. As transferring the N. plumbaginifolia
      cytoplasm to an N. tabacum nuclear background results in an alloplasmic form of
      male sterility, all of the plants regenerated in this study appear to be cybrids
      irrespective of their nuclear constitution. Chromosome analysis of the asymmetric
      hybrids showed that most of them contained one more chromosome than is normal for
      N. tabacum. The somatic hybrids examined all had several additional chromosomes.
      Although male sterile, the asymmetric hybrids were female fertile to varying
      degrees and were successfully backcrossed with N. tabacum. Analysis of the
      resultant F1 progeny indicated that the kanamycin-resistance gene from N.
      plumbaginifolia is partially unstable during meiosis, as would be expected for
      factors inherited on an unpaired chromosome. 

PMID- 24240333
TI  - Somaclonal variation versus chemically induced mutagenesis in tomato
      (Lycopersicon esculentum L.).
AB  - A comparison was made of the type and frequency of mutational events found in the
      progeny of tomato plants regenerated after one passage in vitro with those
      induced by chemical mutagenesis with ethyl methane sulphonate. Several mutants
      were recovered in the progeny of regenerated and mutagenized plants of two
      cultivars of tomato. They can be grouped into the following categories: seedling
      lethality, male sterility, resistance to Verticillium, short stature, change in
      number of lateral shoots or in leaf shape. The results indicate that the two
      sources of variability differ in their effect, changing the spectrum and
      frequency of the mutants as well as, at least in some cases, their pattern of
      segregation. 

PMID- 24240334
TI  - The endosperm seed protein Solin: biochemical characterization, induction by ABA
      and species-specific subunits.
AB  - Comparison of endosperm storage protein sub units from single seeds of 19 Solanum
      species was done by isoelectric focusing. Species-specific profiles of the
      subunits were evident and species relationships within a taxonomic series could
      be delineated. The identification of both intraspecific and interspecific hybrid
      seed may be possible from Solin IEF subunit profiles. The glutelin nature of the
      protein was unusual for a dicotyledon genus. We named this major endosperm
      protein complex "Solin". Solin was found in developing seeds with embryos at the
      heart stage, 16 to 18 days after pollination. Seeds excised at the globular stage
      responded to the addition of ABA and synthesized Solin. This is the first report
      of the induction of seed protein in endosperm cells of Solanum. 

PMID- 24240335
TI  - Selection of Daucus cybrids based on metabolic complementation between X
      irradiated D. capillifolius and iodoacetamide-treated D. carota by somatic cell
      fusion.
AB  - Protoplasts of Daucus capillifolius isolated from a suspension culture
      (chromosome number above 60) were X-irradiated over lethal dose (60 krad) just
      prior to fusion. Protoplasts from D. carota cell line (chromosome number 17) were
      treated with 15 mM iodoacetamide and fused with the X-irradiated protoplasts.
      Putative cybrid plants were regenerated on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS)
      lacking 2,4-D. The regenerated plants possessed chromosome numbers of 17 (2n-1)
      or 34 (4n-2) and an identical leaf morphology to D. carota. Their mitochondrial
      DNAs (mtDNAs) were analysed with restriction endonucleases. Novel restriction
      fragments, not present in mtDNA digests from both parents, were observed in
      mtDNAs of regenerated plants. These results indicate successful formation of
      cybrids between D. capillifolius and D. carota by protoplast fusion. 

PMID- 24240336
TI  - Expected early genetic gain from selection for milk yield in dairy cattle.
AB  - A matrix program to predict short term genetic gain from single trait selection
      for milk yield was developed. Rate of genetic gain was calculated as the annual
      change in the mean breeding value of all producing females. Several parameters
      sets representing various selection policies were used to examine situations
      pertinent to dairy populations of the United States. Approach to the asymptotic
      rates of genetic gain within the model varied with the choice of parameters, but
      even with consistent selection policies, predicted total genetic gain in the
      first 10 years was only half of the expected from classical theory. Considerable
      year to year variation in the rate of gain occurred. Early gains were more
      dependent on female selection decisions than gains during the steady state. In a
      two-phase model, the approach to the linear rate of gain in the second phase was
      accelerated by starting with an ongoing improvement program, but considerable
      delays still existed. Selection for sex- limited traits such as milk yield, which
      require pedigree selection and a waiting time for progeny test results reached
      asymptotic rates more slowly than previously assumed. 

PMID- 24240337
TI  - Analysis of the Brassica oleracea genome by the generation of B. campestris
      oleracea chromosome addition lines: characterization by isozymes and rDNA genes.
AB  - This study aimed at generating chromosome addition lines and disclosing genome
      specific markers in Brassica. These stocks will be used to study genome evolution
      in Brassica oleracea L., B. campestris L. and the derived amphidiploid species B.
      napus L. B. campestris-oleracea monosomic and disomic chromosome addition plants
      were generated by crossing and backcrossing the natural amphidiploid B. napus to
      the diploid parental species B. campestris. The pollen viability of the derived
      sesquidiploid and hyperploid ranged from 63% to 88%, while the monosomic and
      disomic addition plants had an average pollen fertility of 94% and 91%,
      respectively. The addition lines were genetically characterized by genome
      specific markers. The isozymes for 6PGD, LAP, PGI and PGM, and rDNA Eco RI
      restriction fragments were found to possess the desired genome specificity.
      Duplicated loci for several of these markers were observed in B. campestris and
      B. oleracea, supporting the hypothesis that these diploid species are actually
      secondary polyploids. A total of eight monosomic and eight disomic addition
      plants were identified and characterized on the basis of these markers. Another
      51 plants remained uncharacterized due to the lack of additional markers. rDNA
      genes were found to be distributed in more than one chromosome, differing in its
      restriction sites. Intergenomic recombination for some of the markers was
      detected at frequencies between 6% and 20%, revealing the feasibility of
      intergenomic gene transfer. 

PMID- 24240338
TI  - The inheritance of seed peroxidases of wheat and rye: further data.
AB  - Further data on the inheritance of seed peroxidases of hexaploid wheat (Triticum
      aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.) have been obtained from the genetic
      analysis of several progenies of both species. Additional data on the inheritance
      and the chromosomal location and linkage have been obtained for peroxidases of
      wheat embryo and rye endosperm. The general presence of null alleles in
      peroxidase loci has been confirmed in both species. In addition to simple
      monogenic inheritance, epistatic segregations have been observed in both species.
      These epistatic segregations again suggest the presence of "regulatory" genes
      controlling the expression of individual peroxidases in both species and also the
      existence of several duplicate homoeologous genes in wheat. Known linkage
      relationships have been confirmed and new ones are indicated. Loci for embryo
      wheat peroxidases seem to be in chromosomes of the homoeology group 3. The rye
      endosperm ones should be in chromosome 7R, although it is hypothesized that a
      duplication of gene EPer1 is located in chromosomes 4R and 7R. 

PMID- 24240339
TI  - Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial genome of Helianthus annuus in relation
      to cytoplasmic male sterility and phylogeny.
AB  - A circular supercoiled mitochondrial DNA plasmid P1 (1.45 kb) is shown in both
      normal fertile plants of Helianthus annuus, and some cytoplasmic male sterile
      lines (CMS A and CMS P). In contrast, no plasmid is found in some other types of
      CMS C, I, B and K. A circular supercoiled DNA (P2) of higher molecular weight
      (1.8 kb) is observed in CMS F. The mitochondrial plasmid P1 was cloned, nick
      translated and hybridized with native mitochondrial DNA from different lines of
      male fertile, CMS or wild Helianthus. No sequence homology has been detected
      between plasmid DNA P1 and high molecular weight mitochondrial DNA in any line
      examined. A slight hybridization occurs between plasmids P1 and P2. Thus, there
      is no apparent relationship between mitochondrial plasmid DNA and CMS or
      Helianthus species. On the contrary, each Helianthus CMS and male fertile strain
      can be characterized by digestion fragment patterns (Sal I and Bgl I). Analysis
      of mitochondrial DNA from wild Helianthus strains indicated a relation between
      some CMS and the strain from which they were maternally derived, as for example
      CMS I and H. annuus ssp lenticularis and CMS F and H. petiolaris fallax. On the
      basis of restriction endonuclease patterns, a CMS phylogenic tree is proposed
      which illustrates a molecular polymorphism in the mitochondrial genome of
      Helianthus. 

PMID- 24240340
TI  - Sequence of the 18S-5S ribosomal gene region and the cytochrome oxidase II gene
      from mtDNA of Zea diploperennis.
AB  - The coding and flanking sequences of the 18S-5S ribosomal RNA genes and the
      cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene of Zea diploperennis mitochondrial DNA have
      been determined and compared to the corresponding sequences of normal maize (Zea
      mays L.) Both length and substitution mutations are found in the coding region of
      the 18S rRNA gene, whereas only one substitution mutation is found in the coding
      region of cytochrome oxidase II. Sequence divergence between maize and Zea
      diploperennis is about one-tenth of that between wheat and maize. The rate of
      nucleotide divergence by base substitution is less for plant mitochrondrial genes
      than for comparable genes in animal mitochondria. 

PMID- 24240341
TI  - Stability of self-incompatibility systems.
AB  - Multi-locus self-incompatibility systems offer few obvious adaptive advantages to
      the species possessing them. However, the gametophytic system's independent gene
      action allows the separate genes in a two gene system to behave as if they were
      individually not involved in a systematic disruption of panmixia. Under such
      circumstances, fixation of one of the two genes is readily obtained if an allele
      possesses a selective advantage. The resulting single gene system (the classic
      Nicotiana system) is then resistant to disruption, except by genes which allow
      selfing, which rapidly reach fixation. 

PMID- 24240342
TI  - Selection for components related to body composition in mice: direct responses.
AB  - Replicated within full-sib family single-trait selection was conducted for 10
      generations in mice for (1) high or low 12-week epididymal fat pad percentage
      (100 x epididymal fat pad weight/body weight) or (2) high or low 12-week hind
      carcass percentage (100 x hind carcass weight/body weight). Pooled realized
      heritabilities based on high, low and divergent selection were 0.66+/-0.09,
      0.65+/-0.13 and 0.66+/-0.05 for epididymal fat pad percentage and 0.48+/-0.08,
      0.33+/-0.08 and 0.40+/-0.04 for hind carcass percentage. The pooled realized
      genetic correlation (rG R) between epididymal fat pad percentage and hind carcass
      percentage based on divergence was -0.67+/-0.04. Other estimates of (rG R) were:
      epididymal fat pad percentage with body weight (0.57+/-0.05); epididymal fat pad
      percentage with epididymal fat pad weight (1.17+/-0.05); hind carcass percentage
      with body weight (-0.61+/-0.09); hind carcass percentage with hind carcass weight
      (-0.05+/-0.11). Indirect measures of fat and lean tissue percentages were highly
      heritable, and (rG R) between them would be desirable from the standpoint of
      analogous types of traits in livestock. In the same context, undesirable (rG R)'s
      were found between epididymal fat pad percentage and body weight and between hind
      carcass percentage and body weight. 

PMID- 24240343
TI  - Aneuploid and alloplasmic lines as tools for the study of nuclear and cytoplasmic
      control of culture ability and regeneration of scutellar calli from common wheat.
AB  - Twenty four B genome aneuploid lines (di-telosomics, nullisomic-tetrasomics and
      tetrasomics) of Triticum aestivum cv 'Chinese Spring' were used in an analysis of
      the culture ability and regeneration capability of scutellar calli. Several
      correlations were found between the presence or absence of specific chromosomes
      and chromosomal arms of the B genome of common wheat and the growth and
      differentiation capabilities of these calli. The rate of callus growth decreased
      only when the long arm of chromosome 6B was not present. The absence of
      chromosomes 3B and 7B did not result in an apparent change in morphogenetic
      capability, while the absence of other B genome chromosomes was significantly
      correlated to changes in the frequency of calli that regenerated plants. The
      presence of the short arm of chromosome 1B was negatively correlated with
      regeneration, whereas its long arm is probably required to counteract this effect
      and to maintain the normal ratio of regeneration. The presence of the chromosomal
      arm 2BS seemed to be essential for differentiation to shoots. In the absence of
      the short arms of chromosomes 4B and 5B, the rate of regeneration was slightly
      reduced. In the absence of the long arm of chromosome 6B there was a marked
      reduction of the ability of scutellar calli to regenerate plants. The use of
      additional aneuploid lines belonging to homoeologous group 6 revealed that only
      calli derived from lines having chromosome 6D in their complement regenerated
      plants similarly to the euploid control. Culture ability and regeneration
      capability were also analysed with alloplasmic lines of T. aestivum cv 'Chris'.
      The lines were derived from five species, representing plasma-types of different
      phylogenetic distances from plasma-type B of T. aestivum. The results showed that
      when the endogenous cytoplasm (B-type) was exchanged with T. timopheevii
      cytoplasm (G-type) there was a significant increase in the regeneration of shoots
      from the scutellar calli. 

PMID- 24240344
TI  - Subunits of tetrameric alpha-amylase inhibitors of Hordeum chilense are encoded
      by genes located in chromosomes 4H(ch) and 7H (ch.).
AB  - Three proteins (components 1, 2, and 4) of the non-prolamin, 70% ethanol soluble
      fraction from the endosperm of Hordeum chilense have been identified as putative
      subunits of the tetrameric inhibitors active against insect alpha-amylases. In
      experiments carried out with the synthetic alloploid Tritordeum (H. chilense x
      Triticum turgidum conv. durum), previously described proteins from T. turgidum,
      designated CM2, CM3 and CM 16, have been also identified as subunits of alpha
      amylase inhibitors. Genes for components 1 and 4 of H. chilense have been located
      in chromosomes 4H(ch) and 7H(ch), based on the analysis of H. chilense-T.turgidum
      addition lines. Subunits of the inhibitors from wheat and from cultivated barley
      had been previously assigned to chromosomes of the same homoeology groups. 

PMID- 24240345
TI  - Inheritance of resistance to the cowpea aphid in cowpea.
AB  - Inheritance of resistance to cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, in three
      resistant cultivars of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, was studied. The
      parents, F1 and F2 population were grown in an insect-proof screenhouse. Each 3
      day-old seedling was infested with 10 apterous adult aphids. Seedling reaction
      was recorded when the susceptible check was killed. The segregation data revealed
      that the resistance of ICV11 and TVU310 is governed by single dominant genes. All
      the F2 seedlings of the cross ICV10xTVU310 were resistant, indicating that they
      have the same gene for resistance. However, the F2 populations from the crosses
      ICV10xICV11 and ICV11xTVU310 segregated in a ratio of 15?1, indicating that the
      dominant genes in ICV11 and TVU310 are non-allelic and independent of each other.
      The resistance gene of ICV10 and TVU310 is designated as Ac1 and that of ICV11 as
      Ac2. 

PMID- 24240346
TI  - A universal reference karyotype in rye, Secale cereale L.
AB  - Haploid, dihaploid and tetrahaploid rye plants of the variety 'Petka' have been
      produced to establish a homozygous genotype and karyotype. The morphology,
      karyotypic characteristics and the metaphase I chromosome behaviour are described
      demonstrating the utility of the material as a universal standard tester in rye
      cytogenetics. Clones of several ploidy levels are maintained by long-term in
      vitro sprout culture. They are available for international testing. Sexual
      propagation of the clones is possible using a heat treatment procedure to break
      the self-incompatibility of the homozygotes. 

PMID- 24240347
TI  - Wheat storage proteins: diversity of HMW glutenin subunits in wild emmer from
      Israel : 1. Geographical patterns and ecological predictability.
AB  - The diversity of HMW glutenin subunits in the tetraploid wild progenitor of
      wheat, Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides was studied electrophoretically in 231
      individuals representing 11 populations of wild emmer from Israel. The results
      show that (a) The two HMW glutenin loci, Glu-A1 and Glu-B1, are rich in
      variation, having 11 and 15 alleles, respectively, (b) Genetic variation in HMW
      glutenin subunits is often severely restricted in individual populations,
      supporting an island population genetic model, (c) Significant correlations were
      found between glutenin diversity and the frequencies of specific glutenin alleles
      and physical (climate and soil) and biotic (vegetation) variables. Our results
      suggest that: (a) at least part of the glutenin polymorphisms in wild emmer can
      be accounted for by environmental factors and (b) the endosperm of wild emmer
      contains many allelic variants of glutenin storage proteins that are not present
      in bread wheat and could be utilized in breeding varieties with improved bread
      making qualities. 

PMID- 24240348
TI  - Formation of optimal composite populations.
AB  - The optimal breed composition of a composite population is derived from
      straightbred and average heterotic effects. It is demonstrated that there is a
      unique breed composition which maximizes a bioeconomic objective for a composite
      of m breeds. A forward stepwise approach for determination of the number of
      breeds to include in the composite population is advocated. Two examples of
      optimal composite populations are presented and briefly discussed using simulated
      net returns to weaning and through slaughter as objectives. 

PMID- 24240349
TI  - In vitro selection of barley and wheat for resistance against Helminthosporium
      sativum.
AB  - Calli derived from immature embryos of barley and wheat genotypes were screened
      for their resistance to purified culture filtrate produced by the fungus
      Helminthosporium sativum P.K. and B. Two selection methods were used: a
      continuous method in which four cycles of selection were performed one after
      another on toxic medium and a discontinuous method in which a pause on non-toxic
      medium was given after the second or third cycle of selection. The latter was
      superior as it allowed the calli to regain their regeneration ability. About
      3,000 calli from two barley genotypes and 2,000 from two wheat genotypes were
      used for selection. The selection with the pathotoxins resulted in 6% to 17%
      surviving calli. Toxin tolerant callus lines of barley were characterised by
      protein isozymes. Zymograms showed one more isozyme than with the unselected
      sensitive callus. Barley and wheat plants have been regenerated from callus lines
      surviving the toxin treatment and in vivo testing against pathogen revealed that
      the majority of these plants were less sensitive. 

PMID- 24240350
TI  - DNA synthesis and cytoplasmic differentiation in tapetal cells of normal and
      cytoplasmically male sterile lines of Petunia hybrida.
AB  - A new method is described by which tapetal cells may be isolated from anthers of
      cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and fertile lines of Petunia hybrida. Using a
      combination of stereometry and Feulgen densitometry it has been possible to chart
      DNA synthesis and nuclear division with great precision within these cells.
      Results are presented which show CMS lines both to synthesize far less DNA than
      the fertiles and also to undergo less cell division. These differences in DNA
      kinetics and cytokinesis are obvious long before any differences between sterile
      and fertile lines may be detected in the meiocyte mass. In addition to these
      difference in nuclear behaviour, the tapetal cells of CMS lines also synthesize
      far lower levels of rough endoplasmic reticulum than do their fertile
      counterparts. Again, this difference is evident at a very early stage of anther
      development when all other cell components, including mitochondria and plastids,
      appear normal. These data are discussed in terms of the very special
      differentiation undergone by tapetal cells in angiosperms, and the conclusions
      drawn are considered in the perspective of current hypotheses proposed to explain
      the operation of CMS. 

PMID- 24240351
TI  - The effect of caffeine on tear secretion.
AB  - PURPOSE: Caffeine, probably the most widely consumed psychoactive substance, is
      claimed to have conflicting effects on some tear film dynamics. This study sought
      to investigate the effect of orally ingested caffeine on tear secretion. METHODS:
      In an examiner-masked, placebo-controlled, crossover experimental model, the
      effect of caffeine intake on tear secretion was studied in 41 healthy volunteers
      aged 20 to 26 years (mean, 23.0 +/- 2.1 years). Participants were randomly
      assigned into two groups, A and B, to receive two different treatments in two
      sessions. Subjects in group A were exposed to 5.0 mg/kg body weight of caffeine
      dissolved in 200 mL of water on their first visit, whereas those in group B were
      exposed to 200 mL of water. On the second visit, however, the order of treatment
      was reversed. Schirmer 1 scores were measured repeatedly at 45, 90, 135, and 180
      minutes after treatment. The baseline Schirmer 1 scores were compared with
      posttreatment scores. RESULTS: Schirmer 1 scores increased after caffeine intake.
      The increase was statistically significant at 45 and 90 minutes (p < 0.05) after
      caffeine intake. Age, body mass, and blood pressure had no correlation with
      Schirmer 1 scores (Spearman correlation test, p > 0.05). There was no influence
      of gender in caffeine's effect on tear secretion (F = 0.994, p = 0.399).
      CONCLUSIONS: From our study, orally ingested caffeine appears to stimulate tear
      secretion in healthy non-dry eye subjects.

PMID- 24240352
TI  - Intraocular lens power calculation: a challenging case.
AB  - PURPOSE: To highlight different methods in calculating intraocular lens (IOL)
      power in the case of undetectable keratometric (K) readings. CASE REPORT: A 54
      year-old woman was referred to us for cataract surgery in her left eye. The slit
      lamp examination revealed the presence of corneal scars that did not allow us to
      take reliable K readings. To calculate them, the following regression formula was
      used: K= Rx-42.613/-0.0424*AL. The IOL power calculation was performed aiming at
      a postoperative error = -0.5 diopters. One month after surgery, the uncorrected
      visual acuity was 20/100 and the best spectacles corrected visual acuity was
      20/25 with +1.0 -4 * 180 (-1.0 diopter spherical equivalent). CONCLUSIONS: This
      seems to be a reliable method to calculate the IOL power when K readings are
      undetectable, but to make a definitive statement, prospective studies are needed.

PMID- 24240353
TI  - Effect of antibiotic drops on adverse events during extended lens wear.
AB  - PURPOSE: Overnight lens wear is associated with increased lens contamination and
      risk of developing a corneal infiltrate or infectious event. Antibacterial lenses
      have been proposed as a potential strategy for reducing lens contamination. A
      proof-of-principle study was conducted to investigate what effect control of
      potential pathogens, through the use of antibiotic eye drops, would have on the
      incidence of corneal infiltrative events (CIEs) and on the ocular microbiota and
      lens contamination. METHODS: This is a prospective, open-label, controlled,
      parallel-group, 1-month clinical study in which 241 subjects were dispensed with
      lotrafilcon A silicone hydrogel lenses for 30 days of continuous wear. Subjects
      were randomized into either test (moxifloxacin 0.5%) or control (rewetting
      solution) group. One drop was instilled into each eye on waking and before
      sleeping, while lenses were on-eye. Follow-ups were conducted after one night and
      1 month. Lid margin swabs were taken at baseline and at 1 month and worn lenses
      were aseptically collected at 1 month. RESULTS: The incidence of CIEs was not
      significantly different between the test (2.6%) and control (3.9%) groups (p =
      0.72). Microorganism levels from the test group swabs were significantly lower
      than those from the control group (p = 0.001). Gram-positive bacteria were less
      frequently recovered from lower lid swabs from the test group (39.6% vs. 66.0% [p
      < 0.001], test vs. control, respectively) or from contact lens samples (1.9% vs.
      10.5% [p = 0.015], test vs. control, respectively), but there was no difference
      in gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Corneal infiltrative events were associated with
      higher levels of lens contamination (p = 0.014) and contamination of lenses with
      GNB (CIE: 7.3% vs. 0.6% [p = 0.029], GNB contamination vs. no GNB contamination,
      respectively). DISCUSSION: Twice-daily antibiotic instillation during continuous
      wear of lenses did not significantly influence the rate of inflammatory events.
      Corneal infiltrative events were associated with higher levels of lens
      contamination in general and with contamination by GNB specifically.

PMID- 24240354
TI  - Corneal inflammatory events with daily silicone hydrogel lens wear.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the probability and risk factors for
      developing a corneal inflammatory event (CIE) during daily wear of lotrafilcon A
      silicone hydrogel contact lenses. METHODS: Eligible participants (n = 218) were
      fit with lotrafilcon A lenses for daily wear and followed up for 12 months.
      Participants were randomized to either a polyhexamethylene biguanide-preserved
      multipurpose solution or a one-step peroxide disinfection system. The main
      exposures of interest were bacterial contamination of lenses, cases, lid margins,
      and ocular surface. Kaplan-Meier (KM) plots were used to estimate the cumulative
      unadjusted probability of remaining free from a CIE, and multivariate Cox
      proportional hazards regression was used to model the hazard of experiencing a
      CIE. RESULTS: The KM unadjusted cumulative probability of remaining free from a
      CIE for both lens care groups combined was 92.3% (95% confidence interval [CI],
      88.1 to 96.5%). There was one participant with microbial keratitis, five
      participants with asymptomatic infiltrates, and seven participants with contact
      lens peripheral ulcers, providing KM survival estimates of 92.8% (95% CI, 88.6 to
      96.9%) and 98.1% (95% CI, 95.8 to 100.0%) for remaining free from noninfectious
      and symptomatic CIEs, respectively. The presence of substantial (>100 colony
      forming units) coagulase-negative staphylococci bioburden on lid margins was
      associated with about a five-fold increased risk for the development of a CIE (p
      = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The probability of experiencing a CIE during daily wear of
      lotrafilcon A contact lenses is low, and symptomatic CIEs are rare. Patient
      factors, such as high levels of bacterial bioburden on lid margins, contribute to
      the development of noninfectious CIEs during daily wear of silicone hydrogel
      lenses.

PMID- 24240355
TI  - Idiopathic sclerochoroidal calcification.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sclerochoroidal calcification is a rare ocular condition characterized
      by multifocal, yellow-white elevated fundus lesions typically located in the
      superotemporal quadrant along the superior arcades. The pathology of
      calcification can be classified as dystrophic, metastatic, or idiopathic. Vision
      threatening complications may arise, such as choroidal neovascular membrane and
      serous retinal detachment. The pathogenesis of sclerochoroidal calcification
      remains unclear. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old Caucasian male patient presented to
      the clinic for routine examination. Fundus evaluation revealed bilateral,
      multifocal, pale yellow elevated lesions in the superotemporal fundus.
      Ultrasonography showed a focal area of hyper-reflectivity located in the
      posterior retina of both eyes, and optical coherence tomography showed an intact
      retina overlying the elevated lesions in the choroid. Systemic evaluation for
      dystrophic and metastatic calcification was negative, and the patient was
      diagnosed with idiopathic sclerochoroidal calcification. CONCLUSIONS: It is
      important to distinguish sclerochoroidal calcification from other conditions to
      prevent unnecessary intervention. Calcification of body tissues warrants a
      systemic evaluation, including screening for calcium and phosphorous levels, to
      rule out underlying systemic disease. If a biochemical abnormality is discovered,
      it can be appropriately treated with supplements. If calcification is deemed
      idiopathic, then annual dilated examinations are recommended to monitor the
      fundus lesions. Visual prognosis for sclerochoroidal classification is good, as
      the lesions are typically located away from the macula and foveal encroachment is
      rare.

PMID- 24240356
TI  - Updating the evidence on patent foramen ovale closure versus medical therapy in
      patients with cryptogenic stroke: a systematic review and comprehensive meta
      analysis of 2,303 patients from three randomised trials and 2,231 patients from
      11 observational studies.
AB  - AIMS: We aimed at updating the evidence coming from randomised and observational
      studies of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure compared to medical therapy in
      patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Comparative studies
      of PFO closure versus medical therapy published or presented through March 2013
      were identified. Data from 2,303 patients in three randomised clinical trials
      (RCTs) and from 2,231 patients in 11 observational studies were included. In
      RCTs, the stroke hazard ratio (HR) for PFO closure versus medical therapy was
      0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-1.11; p=0.10 in the random effects
      model) with no significant heterogeneity or systematic bias. There was no
      significant difference in transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) (HR 0.77, 95% CI:
      0.46-1.32; p=0.34) and no study-related deaths occurred. Pooling trials of the
      AMPLATZER PFO occluder device resulted in a significant reduction of stroke (HR
      0.44, 95% CI: 0.20-0.95; p=0.04). Procedural success, new onset atrial
      fibrillation and cardiac thrombus were observed more frequently with the STARFlex
      compared with the AMPLATZER device. In observational studies, with high potential
      for baseline confounders, PFO closure was found to reduce the risk of recurrent
      stroke significantly (HR 0.23, 95% CI: 0.11-0.49; p<0.01 in the random effects
      model), with no significant effect on TIAs. CONCLUSIONS: In RCTs, unlike
      observational studies, PFO closure compared with medical therapy failed to
      achieve a statistically significant reduction in recurrent stroke. However,
      pooling RCTs of the AMPLATZER PFO occluder device yielded a statistically
      significant reduction in stroke over medical treatment that may warrant further
      investigation.

PMID- 24240357
TI  - Immunogold localization of nodule-specific uricase in developing soybean root
      nodules.
AB  - Immunogold labeling was used to study the time of appearance and distribution of
      a nodule-specific form of uricase (EC 1.7.3.3) in developing nodules of soybean
      (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The enzyme was
      detected in thin sections of tissue embedded in either L R White acrylic resin or
      Spurr's epoxy resin, by employing a polyclonal antibody preparation active
      against a subunit of soybean nodule uricase. Antigenicity was better preserved in
      L R White resin, but ultrastructure was better maintained in Spurr's. Uricase was
      first detectable with protein A-gold in young, developing peroxisomes in
      uninfected cells, coincident with the release of Bradyrhizobium bacteroids from
      infection threads in adjacent infected cells. As the peroxisomes enlarged,
      labeling of the dense peroxisomal matrix increased. Gold particles were never
      observed over the paracrystalline inclusions of peroxisomes, however. Despite a
      close association between enlarging peroxisomes and tubular endoplasmic
      reticulum, uricase was not detectable in the latter. In mature nodules, labeling
      of uricase was limited to the large peroxisomes in uninfected cells. Small
      peroxisome-like bodies present in infected cells did not become labeled. 

PMID- 24240358
TI  - Re-formation of microtubules in Closterium ehrenbergii Meneghini after cold
      induced depolymerization.
AB  - Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to examine the re-formation of
      microtubules (MT), after cold-induced depolymerization, in Closterium
      ehrenbergii. The C. ehrenbergii cells undergo cell division followed by semicell
      expansion in the dark period of daily light-dark cycles. Five types of MTs,
      namely the MT ring, hair-like MTs around the nuclei, spindle MTs, radially
      arranged MTs and transverse wall MTs, appeared and disappeared sequentially
      during and following cell division. The wall MTs were distributed transversely
      only in the expanding new semicells. When cells were chilled in ice water, wall
      MTs in expanding cells were fragmented, and then disappeared as did the other
      types of MTs, within 5 min. When cells were warmed at 20 degrees C after 2 h
      chilling, wall MTs and the other types of MTs re-formed. At the early stage of
      wall-MT re-formation in expanding cells, small, star-like MTs were formed, and
      then randomly oriented MTs developed in both the expanding new and the old
      semicells. The MT ring was also re-formed at the boundary between the new and old
      semicells. There were no obvious MT-organizing centers in the random arrangement.
      As time passed, the randomly oriented wall MTs in the old semicells disappeared
      and those in the expanding new semicells gradually assumed a transverse
      orientation. These results indicate that wall MTs can be rearranged transversely
      after they have been re-formed and that nucleation of wall MTs is separable from
      the mechanism for ordering them. 

PMID- 24240359
TI  - alpha-1,4-Glucan phosphorylase forms from leaves of spinach (Spinacia oleracea
      L.) I. In situ localization by indirect immunofluorescence.
AB  - Antisera were raised against two forms of alpha-1,4-glucan phosphorylase (EC
      2.4.1.1) which had been purified from leaves of Spinacia oleracea L.
      Immunoglobulin G preparations were isolated from the antisera, and their
      specificity was ensured by immunoplobulin G preparations were used for in situ
      localization of the two phosphorylase forms in spinach leaf thin sections by
      indirect immuno-fluorescence. Both enzyme forms were present in the palisade and
      spongy parenchyma and in the guard cells, but their intracellular distribution
      was complementary. One phosphorylase form (designated as the chloroplastic form)
      was restricted to the stromal space of chloroplasts whereas the other (the non
      chloroplastic form) was present only in the cytoplasm of chloroplast-containing
      cells. Thus, the phosphorylases represent two distinct compartment-specific
      enzyme forms which reside within the same photosynthetically active mesophyll
      cell. 

PMID- 24240360
TI  - Monoclonal antibodies to plant plasma-membrane antigens.
AB  - Murine monoclonal antibodies to membrane antigens were generated by immunization
      with a crude cellular membrane preparation from suspension-cultured cells of
      Nicotiana glutinosa L. From a panel of thirteen monoclonal antibodies, seven were
      found to be directed against antigens present on the plasma-membrane by
      immunofluorescence visualization of antibody binding to the surface of isolated
      protoplasts. The corresponding set of plasma-membrane antigen(s) were present in
      root, shoot and leaf tissue and some but not all of these antigens were of wide
      species distribution, being found in Nicotiana tabacum L., N. plumbaginifolia L.,
      Glycine max L., Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Triticum aestivum L. Topologically
      specific labeling of intact protoplasts with a monoclonal antibody reactive with
      an epitope present on the plasma-membrane specifically labeled a membrane
      fraction which equilibrated at a density of 1.14 kg/l following centrifugation in
      a sucrose gradient. In addition to use as biochemical markers for fractionation
      and molecular characterization of plasma-membranes, these monoclonal antibodies
      provide the basis for new selection tools in plant cell and gene manipulations. 

PMID- 24240361
TI  - Aberrant microtubule organization can result in genetic abnormalities in
      protoplast cultures of Vicia hajastana Grossh.
AB  - Protoplast cultures of Vicia hajastana have a high division frequency. However,
      20-40% of the microcolonies fail to develop beyond the 20-30-cell stage.
      Aneuploids and polyploids were found in early divisions and persisted in older
      cultures. The resulting protoplast-derived suspension culture differed
      karyologically from the original culture. Karyokinesis and cytokinesis were
      studied using simultaneous staining of microtubules (MT) by immunofluorescence,
      DNA by Hoechst 33258 (2-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-benzimidazoyl]-6-[1-methyl-4
      piperazyl]benzimidazole) and cell walls by Calcofluor. Freshly prepared
      protoplasts showed mitoses and high frequencies of binucleate cells, which
      probably resulted mainly from failure of cytokinesis. In early divisions, many
      mitoses showed metaphase chromosomes with kinetochore MT but lacking polar MT.
      These aberrant mitoses probably accounted for an increase in hyperploid cells
      observed in protoplast cultures. Multipolar spindles, which gave rise to
      hypoploid cells, were also seen in the early divisions. Telophase abnormalities
      included dislocated phragmoplasts and incomplete formation of cross walls. Many
      divisions resulted in daughter nuclei of unequal size. Unequal segregation of
      chromosomes was detected by cytofluorimetric measurements of telophase nuclei
      stained with Hoechst. After 5 d of culture, 91% of the divisions with incomplete
      cross walls also contained different-size nuclei; conversely, 78% of the
      divisions with fully formed cross walls contained nuclei of equal size. The
      malfunctioning of spindles and phragmoplasts in the same cells indicates a
      functional interdependence of the different MT configurations in mitosis. During
      the first 24 h of culture, a high frequency of abnormalities was found in
      spindles, cross-wall formation and chromosome segregation; this was reduced
      substantially in the cells undergoing first division by 48 h. The data indicate
      that it may be possible to manipulate the frequency of abnormalities by
      controlling the onset of the first division in protoplast cultures. 

PMID- 24240362
TI  - Prophase bands of microtubules occur in protoplast cultures of Vicia hajastana
      Grossh.
AB  - Circumnuclear bands of microtubules (MT) have been found in the prophase of
      mitoses in cultured protoplasts of Vicia hajastana. The timing of the appearance
      and disappearance of the prophase band of MT (PB) relative to the stage of
      mitosis was studied using simultaneous staining of MT by immunofluorescence and
      DNA by Hoechst 33258. These protoplasts regenerate into unorganized tissue. Pre
      prophase bands of MT have previously been found only in highly organized tissues
      of higher plants. The role of PB in cell division is discussed. 

PMID- 24240363
TI  - Plant regeneration from callus cultures of several soybean genotypes via
      embryogenesis and organogenesis.
AB  - Using callus derived from immature embryos, regeneration of viable plants was
      obtained in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Depending on the composition of the
      medium, regeneration occurred via embryogenesis or via organogenesis.
      Embryogenesis resulted when embryos were plated on Murashige and Skoog (MS)
      medium containing 43 MUM alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid. In work with the cultivar
      Williams 82, the addition of 5.0 MUM thiamine HCl increased embryogenesis from
      33% to 58% of the embryos plated. Addition of 30 MUM nicotinic acid to the MS
      medium enhanced embryogenesis further to 76%. Organogenesis was obtained when
      medium containing 13.3 MUM 6-benzylaminopurine, 0.2 MUM and alpha
      naphthaleneacetic acid and four times the normal concentration of MS minor salts
      was used. Histological studies of these cultures confirmed the organogenic and
      embryogenic nature of the cultures, by demonstrating the formation of shoot buds
      and somatic embryos, respectively. Similar responses were obtained in all 54
      genotypes tested in this manner. The cultures retained the ability to regenerate
      complete plants for at least 12 months and 12-15 subcultures. Seeds have been
      obtained from several regenerated plants and when grown in the field these
      produced normal-appearing fertile plants. 

PMID- 24240364
TI  - Proteolysis in Euglena gracilis : II. Soluble and particle-bound acidic
      proteinase activities of the cysteine and aspartic types during growth and
      chloroplast development.
AB  - Endoproteolytic activities (EC 3.4.22. and 23.) of cell-free extracts of Euglena
      gracilis, measured by autolysis and azocaseinolysis, vary considerably during the
      culture growth cycle. They are high in the lag phase, drop sharply up to the mid
      logarithmic phase, and then rise again reaching the initial high levels in the
      stationary phase. This pattern has been observed for both the soluble and the
      particulate proteolytic activities of four cell types differing with regard to
      the developmental state of the chloroplast: dark-grown, light-induced, and light
      grown wild-type cells, as well as light-grown apoplastic W3BUL mutant cells, all
      on a glucose-based medium. Therefore, the activity of the main intracellular
      proteinases is neither directly nor indirectly light-regulated, but seems to be
      controlled by the availability of nutrients. Endogenous inhibitors of proteinases
      could not be detected. Cysteine proteinase activity has been found in the soluble
      and the particulate fractions, but aspartic proteinase activity in the latter
      ones only. Different cysteine proteinases may be present in the two fractions,
      during the different growth phases, and in the four cell types studied. 

PMID- 24240365
TI  - Microbody transition in greening watermelon cotyledons Double immunocytochemical
      labeling of isocitrate lyase and hydroxypyruvate reductase.
AB  - Microbody transition during the greening of watermelon cotyledons (Citrullus
      vulgaris Schrad.) was studied by double immunocytochemical labeling of the
      glyoxysomal marker enzyme isocitrate lyase and the peroxisomal marker enzyme
      hydroxypyruvate reductase. In order to analyze the immunocytochemistry,
      developmental stages representing the glyoxysomal, microbodytransition and
      peroxisomal stages were chosen, taking into account the time course of enzyme
      activity and the amounts of the respective antigens. It was shown that during
      microbody transition, between 83 and 91% of all the tested microbodies contained
      isocitrate lyase as well as hydroxypyruvate reductase, which was significantly
      higher than in the glyoxysomal and peroxisomal stages of development.
      Comprehensive controls precluded labeling artifacts. Our results support the one
      population hypothesis first proposed by Trelease et al. (1971, Plant Physiol. 48,
      461-465). 

PMID- 24240366
TI  - Patterns of protein synthesis during the germination of pea axes, and the effects
      of an interrupting desiccation period.
AB  - As germination of axes of Pisum sativum L. seeds progressed, profound
      quantitative and qualitative changes occurred in the patterns of protein
      synthesis. This was shown by fluorography of gels following two-dimensional
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separation of [(35)S]methioninelabelled
      proteins. The effects of desiccation during germination on these in-vivo protein
      synthesis patterns were followed. Desiccation differentially affected the
      synthesis of proteins. Usually, however, upon rehydration following desiccation
      the types of proteins being synthesized were recognizable as those synthesized
      earlier during imbibition of control, once-imbibed axes: seeds imbibed for 8 h,
      and then dried, did not recommence synthesis of proteins typical of 8-h-imbibed
      control seeds, but rather of 4-h-imbibed control seeds. Seeds imbibed for 12 h,
      and then dried and rehydrated, synthesized proteins typical of 4-h-and 8-h
      control seeds. Thus drying of germinating pea axes caused the proteinsynthesizing
      mechanism to revert to producing proteins typical of earlier stages of
      imbibition. Drying during germination never caused the seed to revert to the
      metabolic status of the initial mature dry state, however. 

PMID- 24240367
TI  - Translational regulation of protein synthesis during light-induced chloroplast
      development in Euglena.
AB  - Control of gene expression in Euglena was examined during light-induced
      chloroplast development. Greening was achieved under standard conditions which
      allowed the synthesis of all plastid proteins in both cytoplasmic and
      chloroplastic compartments, or under experimentally modified conditions inducing
      the preferential synthesis of the photosystem II (PSII) light-harvesting antenna
      or reaction centers. The relative composition of total mRNAs in cellular,
      cytoplasmic or chloroplastic fractions, as analyzed by their in-vitro translation
      products in cell-free systems did not significantly change during the in-vivo
      protein-synthesis processes which are specific to each greening system. By
      contrast, cytoplasmic polysomal mRNAs extracted during the selective recovery
      phase of PSII light-harvesting antennae provided a major in-vitro synthesis
      product of 28 kDa which could correspond to a precursor of the main 26-kDa
      apoprotein of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complex. Similarly,
      the in-vivo selective synthesis of the 41-kDa and 51-kDa polypeptides of PSII
      reaction centers was concomitant with an enrichment of plastid polysomes in mRNA
      species coding for polypeptides of the same molecular weight. These observations
      confirm that protein synthesis during chloroplast development in Euglena is
      weakly regulated at the transcription level and they demonstrate that
      translational regulation occurs in both the cytoplasmic and the chloroplastic
      compartments. 

PMID- 24240368
TI  - Purification and properties of ascorbate free-radical reductase from potato
      tubers.
AB  - Ascrobate free-radical reductase (EC 1.6.5.4) from potato tubers was purified to
      apparent homogencity by a method which included ammonium-sulfate precipitation,
      gel filtration and chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose and
      hydroxylapatite. Gel filtration and gel electrophoresis showed that the purified
      enzyme was monomeric with a molecular weight of about 42 000. Enzyme activity was
      heat lable and severely inhibited by thiol reagents. The Km values for enzyme
      substrates were estimated. 

PMID- 24240369
TI  - Effect of auxin and abscisic acid on cell wall extensibility in maize
      coleoptiles.
AB  - Plastic and elastic in-vitro extensibilities (E pland E el ) of cell walls from
      growing maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptile segments were measured by stretching
      frozen-thawed tissue, pre-extended to its in-vivo length, at constant force
      (creep test) in a custom-buildt extensiometer, equipped with a linear
      displacement transducer. The indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-induced change of E pl
      (DeltaE pl ) is strictly correlated with the growth rate for a period of 3-4 h.
      Subsequently, DeltaE plremains constant while the growth rate is slowing down.
      Since this discrepancy can be accounted for by a growth-dependent reduction of
      osmotic pressure, it is concluded that DeltaE plrepresents quantitatively the
      relative increase of in-vivo extensibility (cell wall loosening) involved in IAA
      mediated cell growth over a much longer time. On the other side it is argued that
      the growth rate may not be strictly correlated with wall extensibility during
      long-term growth. Abscisic acid (ABA) inhibits segment growth induced by auxin,
      fusicoccin, or exogenous acid, and this effect can be quantitatively attributed
      to an ABA-mediated reduction of cell wall extensibility as determined by the
      DeltaE plmeasurement. Both, IAA and ABA have no effect on total protein
      synthesis, RNA synthesis, and amount of osmotic solutes. Fusicoccin-induced
      proton excretion is only slightly inhibited by ABA. In contrast to ABA, growth
      inhibition by cycloheximide (CHI) is always much larger than the concomitant
      reduction of DeltaE pl , indicating that a further growth parameter is also
      involved in the inhibition of cell growth by CHI. DeltaE el is not affected by
      either IAA, ABA, or CHI. It is concluded that deltaE pl as determined by the
      applied method, represents a relative measure of the actual in-vivo extensibility
      of the growing cell wall at the very moment when the tissue is killed, rather
      than an average extensibility accumulated over some immediate-past period of time
      as suggested by Cleland (1984, Planta 160, 514-520). Hence, we further draw the
      conclusion that IAA and ABA control of cell growth can entirely be attributed to
      a modulation of cell wall extensibility by these hormones in maize coleoptiles. 

PMID- 24240370
TI  - The role of beta-dimethylsulphoniopropionate, glycine betaine and homarine in the
      osmoacclimation of Platymonas subcordiformis.
AB  - The tertiary sulphonium compound, beta-dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and the
      quaternary ammonium compounds glycine betaine and homarine are important osmotica
      in Platymonas subcordiformis cells. Following hypersaline stresses the compounds
      were accumulated after a lag period of 3 h and equilibrium concentrations were
      reached 6 h later. In contrast to these organic solutes, mannitol was synthesised
      immediately and equilibrium concentrations were reached within 90 min. Hyposaline
      stresses induced losses of the organic solutes from the cells. The ions K(+),
      Na(+), Cl(-) and the above organic solutes can account for the osmotic balance of
      the cells. 

PMID- 24240371
TI  - Evidence for a functional membrane barrier in the transition zone between the
      flagellum and cell body of Chlamydomonas eugametos gametes.
AB  - Evidence is presented which supports the concept of a functional membrane barrier
      in the transition zone at the base of each flagellum of Chlamydomonas eugametos
      gametes. This makes it unlikely that agglutination factors present on the surface
      of the cell body can diffuse or be transported to the flagellar membrane. The
      evidence is as follows: 1) The glycoprotein composition of the flagellar membrane
      is very different to that of the cell-body plasma membrane. 2) The flagella of
      gametes treated with cycloheximide, tunicamycin or alpha, alpha'-dipyridyl become
      non-agglutinable but the source of agglutination factors on the cell body is not
      affected. 3) Even under natural conditions when the flagella are non
      agglutinable, for example in vis-a-vis pairs or in appropriate cell strains that
      are non-agglutinable in the dark, the cell bodies maintain the normal complement
      of active agglutinins. 4) When flagella of living cells are labeled with
      antibodies bound to fluorescein, the label does not diffuse onto the cell-body
      surface. 5) When gametes fuse to form vis-a-vis pairs, the original mating-type
      specific antigenicity of each cell body is slowly lost (probably due to the
      antigens diffusing over both cell bodies), while the specific antigenicity of the
      flagellar surface is maintained. Even when the flagella of vis-a-vis pairs are
      regenerated from cell bodies with mixed antigenicity, the antigenicity of the
      flagella remains matingtype-specific. 6) Evidence is presented for the existence
      of a pool of agglutination factors within the cell bodies but not on the outer
      surface of the cells. 

PMID- 24240372
TI  - Stomatal aperture, photosythesis and water fluxes in mesophyll cells as affected
      by the abscission of leaves. Simultaneous measurements of gas exchange, light
      scattering and chlorphyll fluorescence.
AB  - Carbon dioxide exchange, transpiration, chlorophyll fluorescence and light
      scattering of leaves of Lycopersicom esculentum, Helianthus annuus and Arbutus
      unedo were measured simultaneously before and after abscission of leaves.
      Scattering of a weak green measuring beam was used to monitor water fluxes across
      the thylakoid membranes of the mesophyll. When leaves were cut under water,
      stomata initially closed partially and then occasionally exhibited distinct
      regulatory oscillations. As stomata closed, light scattering decreased indicating
      water influx into the mesophyll. Stomatal oscillations were accompanied, with
      small but noticeable phase shifts, by oscillations of water fluxes at the
      thylakoid level. These fluxes could be distinguished from the water fluxes
      accompanying light-dependent ion pumping across the thylakoids by the concomitant
      chlorophyll fluorescence signals. The latter record energy-dependent ion fluxes
      in addition to redox changes of the electron-transport chain. As stomata closed
      partially after cutting a leaf under water, photosynthesis decreased. In Arbutus
      unedo and Helianthus annuus leaves, transient stomatal closure was insufficient
      to account for transient inhibition of photosynthesis which appeared to be
      brought about by transfer of an inhibitory solute through the petiole into the
      mesophyll. This solute also stimulated respiration in the dark. When leaves were
      cut in air, stomata opened transiently (Iwanoff effect) before wilting enforced
      closure. Photosynthesis followed the stomatal responses, increasing during
      opening and decreasing during closure. 

PMID- 24240373
TI  - Effects of abscisic acid on sequestration and exchange of Na(+) by barley roots.
AB  - Excised Na(+)-starved barley roots were suspended in solutions of Na(+) in
      combination with NO 3 (-) , Cl(-), and SO 4 (2-) , and effects of the added
      phytohormone, abscisic acid (ABA), to the medium were determined. Abscisic acid
      increased the rate of Na(+) ((22)Na(+)) accumulation and the amount of Na(+)
      deposited in the vacuoles. These stimulating effects of ABA were modified by
      anions following the sequence NO 3 (-) >Cl(-)>SO 4 (2-) . Testing whether the
      magnitude of the pH gradient across the plasmalemma of the cells of the root
      cortex affects rates of Na(+) accumulation and their dependence upon ABA, we
      observed that, in the pH range from 4 to 8, the ABA-induced stimulation was
      strongest at pH 5.8, and least at pH 4. Changes in pH during the experiment
      caused changes in the rates of Na(+) accumulation in agreement with experiments
      performed at constant pH values. Simultaneously with ABA-enhanced accumulation,
      loss of Na(+) occurred. Loss of Na(+) was strongest at pH 4 and was affected by
      anions, being greatest with SO 4 (2-) and following the sequence SO 4 (2-) >Cl(
      )>NO 3 (-) . On the basis of the finding that initial acceleration of uptake as
      well as loss of Na(+) depended on the pH of the medium we suggest that, in barley
      roots, ABA stimulates an exchange of Na(+) for H(+) at the plasmalemma of the
      cortical cells. The results indicate that ABA-stimulated expulsion of Na(+), in
      combination with ABA-stimulated sequestration in the vacuoles, constitutes one of
      the mechanisms which enable barley plants to tolerate higher than normal levels
      of Na(+). 

PMID- 24240374
TI  - Isocitrate lyase of the alga Chlorogonium elongatum: Immunological quantification
      in relation to growth conditions.
AB  - Isocitrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.1) from the acetate flagellate Chlorogonium elongatum
      was studied in relation to growth conditions. In cells growing heterotrophically
      or photoheterotrophically with acetate (2 g . l(-1)) specific activities of 0.453
      and 0.335 MUmol glyoxylate . min(-1) . mg(-1) protein, respectively, were found
      in the cell-free extracts. The malate synthase activity of heterotrophically
      grown Chlorogonium cells was found to be 0.572 nmol . min(-1) . mg(-1) protein.
      In the presence of inhibitors acting on transcription and translation there was
      no increase in isocitrate lyase activity; this would indicate that the enzyme was
      synthesized de novo in response to changing conditions in the surroundings. Using
      an enzyme immunoassay it was shown that the activity and amount of enzyme rose
      concomitantly when the cells were supplied with acetate, irrespective of whether
      they had been cultivated photoheterotrophically or heterotrophically on acetate. 

PMID- 24240375
TI  - Light and metabolite regulation of the synthesis of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase/oxygenase and the corresponding mRNAs in the unicellular alga
      Chlorogonium.
AB  - In the unicellular green alga Chlorogonium elongatum, the synthesis of the
      plastid enzyme ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCase) and its
      mRNAs is under the control of light and acetate. Acetate is the sole
      metabolizable organic carbon source for this organism. Light greatly promotes the
      synthesis of RuBPCase and the increase in the concentration of the mRNAs of both
      subunits of the enzyme while acetate has a strong inhibitory effect on this
      process. There is a good agreement between RuBPCase synthesis and the amount of
      translateable RuBPCase mRNA present in cells which are cultured under different
      conditions (autotrophic, heterotrophic, mixotrophic). During the transition
      period after transfer of the cells from heterotrophic to autotrophic growth
      conditions the amounts of the large and small subunits of the enzyme increase
      well coordinated. In contrast to the protein subunits the two subunit-mRNAs
      accumulate with different kinetics. 

PMID- 24240376
TI  - The effects of light quality and intensity on the synthesis of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase and its mRNAs in the green alga Chlorogonium elongatum.
AB  - In the green alga Chlorogonium elongatum the promoting effect of light on the
      synthesis of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCase) is mainly
      caused by blue light of wavelengths between 430 nm and 510 nm, with a maximum
      effect at about 460 nm. Blue light also causes an increase in the amounts of the
      mRNAs for the large and the small subunits of the enzyme. Furthermore, the
      concentration of RuBPCase is affected by the light energy fluence rate. The rate
      of synthesis as well as the maximal obtainable concentration of the enzyme are
      functions of the light energy fluence rate up to 26 W.m(-2). No further increase
      occurs beyond that intensity. The quantity of irradiation also alters the
      concentrations of the subunit mRNAs. The results indicate that the changes in the
      mRNA levels are the major regulatory steps in the light-dependent synthesis of
      the RuBPCase enzyme. 

PMID- 24240377
TI  - Purification and properties of an endospermic protein of maize associated with
      the Opaque-2 and Opaque-6 genes.
AB  - Maize endosperms accumulate during development a large amount of storage proteins
      (zeins). The rate of zein accumulation is under the control of several regulatory
      genes. Two of these, the opaque-2 and opaque-6 mutants, lower the zein level,
      thus improving the nutritional quality of maize meals. An endosperm protein of Mr
      32 000 (b-32) appears to be correlated with the zein level. The b-32 protein is
      encoded by the opaque-6 gene which, in turn, is activated by opaque-2. We report
      the purification, amino-acid composition and peptide map of b-32 protein.
      Furthermore we demonstrate that the protein exists as a monomer likely located in
      the soluble cytoplasm. As a step towards the isolation of a complementary-DNA
      clone for b-32 protein, the purification of its corresponding mRNA is described. 

PMID- 24240378
TI  - Protein inhibitors of microbial proteinases from wheat, rye and triticale.
AB  - Specific protein inhibitors of microbial serine proteinases were isolated from
      wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rye (Secale cereale L.) and triticale using
      affinity chromatography on subtilisin-Sepharose 4B. The wheat inhibitor had an
      isoelectric point (pI) at pH 7.2, while the rye inhibitor consisted of two forms
      with pI values of 6.8 and 7.1. In triticale, two components were present with pIs
      7.2 and 6.8. All the inhibitors had M r values of approx. 20 000. The isolated
      proteins were effective inhibitors of subtilisins Carlsberg and BPN', and of
      fungal proteinases (EC 3.4.21.14) from the genus Aspergillus, but they were
      completely inactive against trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) and
      pancreatic elastase (EC 3.4.21.36). The inhibitors formed complexes with
      subtilisin in a molar ratio of 1:1. The results of chemical modifications seem to
      indicate that the isolated inhibitors have methionine residues in their reactive
      sites. 

PMID- 24240379
TI  - Cardiomyopathies and myocardial disorders in Africa: present status and the way
      forward.

PMID- 24240380
TI  - Article visibility: journal impact factor and availability of full text in PubMed
      Central and open access.

PMID- 24240381
TI  - Analysis of the omega-3 fatty acid content of South African fish oil supplements:
      a follow-up study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Globally the omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid supplement industry is
      expanding rapidly while consumers are becoming more aware of the health benefits
      of n-3 fatty acids. Our group conducted a survey in 2009 on 45 commercially
      available fish oil supplements on the South African market. The aim of the study
      was to determine the fatty acid composition and content of supplements for
      comparison with the claimed contents on the product label. The survey was
      repeated in 2012 on 63 supplements. METHODS: Sixty-three commercially available n
      3 fatty acid supplements were analysed using gas-liquid chromatography to
      determine their fatty acid composition and content. RESULTS: This analysis has
      shown an improvement in the accuracy of EPA content (44% in 2009) declared on
      supplement labels compared to the 2012 (52%) survey. It was also evident that a
      higher percentage of supplements (13% in 2009 vs 35% in 2012) contained DHA
      levels higher than declared. In 2009, 64% of supplements cost R2.01 to R5.00 or
      more to achieve a daily intake of 500 mg EPA + DHA, compared to 81% in 2012.
      Forty-four per cent of supplements were found to be in the early stages of
      rancidity [conjugated diene (CD) levels] compared to 73% in 2009. More than 80%
      of supplements had peroxide levels higher than the recommended content as
      specified by the Global Organisation for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED). The majority
      (81%; n = 51) of the supplements under study in 2012 had a 1.1-1.5:1 EPA-to-DHA
      ratio or less, compared to 56% in 2009. Almost a third (32%) of the supplements
      in the 2012 survey contained ethyl esters (EE) or a combination of ethyl esters
      and triglycerides. CONCLUSION: Although the results of the 2012 versus the 2009
      analysis were encouraging in terms of the accuracy of EPA declared on the
      supplement labels, the high peroxide levels found in the supplement oils are of
      concern. High peroxide levels are associated with potential health implications.
      EE were present in some of the supplements, even though the safety of EE has not
      been confirmed in vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children.

PMID- 24240382
TI  - Tumescentless endovenous radiofrequency ablation with local hypothermia and
      compression technique.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Modern surgical management of chronic venous insufficiency is
      possible since the development of catheter-based minimally invasive techniques,
      including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and the application of colour Doppler
      sonography. RFA technology requires the use of tumescent anaesthesia, which
      prolongs the operating time. Instilling tumescent anaesthesia percutaneously
      below the saphenous fascia is the steepest part of the learning curve. In our
      study, we compared operative and postoperative results of tumescentless RFA and
      RFA with tumescent anaesthesia, to investigate the necessity of tumescent
      anaesthesia. METHODS: A total of 344 patients with Doppler-confirmed great
      saphenous vein insufficiency underwent RFA between January and December 2012.
      Patients were divided into two groups according to anaesthetic management. Group
      1 consisted of 172 patients: tumescent anaesthesia was given before the ablation
      procedure, and group 2 contained 172 patients: a local hypothermia and
      compression technique was used; no tumescent anaesthesia was administered. The
      visual analogue scale (VAS) was used and ecchymosis scores of the patients were
      recorded. Clinical examinations were performed at each visit and Doppler
      ultrasonography was performed in the first and sixth month. RESULTS: Mean
      ablation time was significantly lower in group 2 compared to group 1 (7.2 vs 18.9
      min; p < 0.05). Skin burn and paresthesia did not occur. The immediate occlusion
      rate was 100% for both groups. No significant difference was found between the
      groups in terms of VAS and ecchymosis scores. All patients returned to normal
      activity within two days. The primary closure rate of group 1 was 98.2% and group
      2 was 98.8% at six months, and there was no significant difference between the
      groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Eliminating tumescent infusion is a desirable
      goal. Tumescentless endovenous RFA with local hypothermia and compression
      technique appears to be safe and efficacious. Our technique shortens the
      operation time and prevents patient procedural discomfort.

PMID- 24240383
TI  - Clinical experience of repair of pectus excavatum and carinatum deformities.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We present the results of surgical correction of pectus excavatum (PE)
      and pectus carinatum (PC) deformities in adults, and also report a new method of
      sternal support used in surgery for PE deformities. METHODS: We present the
      results of 77 patients between the ages of 10 and 29 years (mean 17) with PE (n =
      46) or PC (n = 31) deformities undergoing corrective surgery from 2004 to 2011,
      using the Ravitch repair method. Symptoms of the patients included chest pain
      (15%) and tachycardia (8%). Three patients underwent repair of recurrent surgical
      conditions. RESULTS: All of the patients with dyspnoea with exercise experienced
      marked improvement at five months post operation. Complications included
      pneumothorax in 5.1% (n = 4), haemothorax in 2.6% (n = 2), chest discomfort in
      57% (n = 44), pleural effusion in 2.6% (n = 2), and sternal hypertrophic scar in
      27% (n = 21) of patients. Mean hospitalisation was eight days. Pain was mild and
      intravenous analgesics were used for a mean of four days. There were no deaths.
      Results after surgical correction were very good or excellent in 62 patients
      (80%) at a mean follow up of three years. Three patients had recurrent PE and
      were repaired with the Nuss procedure. In three patients who underwent the
      Ravitch procedure, a stainless steel bar was used for sternal support instead of
      Kirschner wire. CONCLUSION: Pectus deformities may be repaired with no mortality,
      low morbidity, very good cosmetic results and improvement in cardiological and
      respiratory symptoms.

PMID- 24240384
TI  - Alpha lipoic acid attenuates inflammatory response during extracorporeal
      circulation.
AB  - AIM: Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) of blood during cardiopulmonary surgery has
      been shown to stimulate various proinflammatory molecules such as cytokines and
      chemokines. The biochemical oxidation/reduction pathways of alpha-lipoic acid
      suggest that it may have antioxidant properties. METHODS: In this study we aimed
      to evaluate only patients with coronary heart disease and those planned for
      coronary artery bypass graft operation. Blood samples were obtained from the
      patients before the operation (P1) and one (P2), four (P3), 24 (P4) and 48 hours
      (P5) after administration of alpha-lipoic acid (LA). The patients were divided
      into two groups, control and LA treatment group. Levels of interleukin- 6 (IL-6)
      and -8 (IL-8), complement 3 (C3) and 4 (C4), anti-streptolysin (ASO), C-reactive
      protein (CRP) and haptoglobin were assessed in the blood samples. RESULTS:
      Cytokine IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher after surgery. Compared
      with the control groups, LA significantly decreased IL-6 and IL-8 levels in a
      time-dependent manner. CRP levels did not show significant variation in the first
      three time periods. CRP levels were higher after surgery, especially in the later
      periods. These results demonstrate that CRP formation depends on cytokine
      release. C3 and C4 levels were significantly higher after surgery than in the pre
      operative period. LA treatment decreased C3 and C4 levels. Therefore, LA
      administration may be useful for the treatment of diseases and processes where
      excessive cytokine release could cause oxidative damage. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      suggest a possible benefit of using LA during cardiac surgery to reduce cytokine
      levels.

PMID- 24240386
TI  - Novo Nordisk incretin and Cardiovascular Summit, Durban, June 2013.

PMID- 24240385
TI  - Prevalence of dyslipidaemia in statin-treated patients in South Africa: results
      of the DYSlipidaemia International Study (DYSIS).
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of
      mortality worldwide and increased levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
      (LDL-C) are an important modifiable risk factor. Statins lower LDL-C levels and
      have been shown to reduce CVD risk. Despite the widespread availability of
      statins, many patients do not reach the lipid targets recommended by guidelines.
      We evaluated lipid goal attainment in statin-treated patients in South Africa and
      analysed variables contributing to poor goal attainment as part of the
      DYSlipidaemia International Study (DYSIS). METHODS: This cross-sectional,
      observational study enrolled 1 029 consecutive South African patients consulting
      officebased physicians. Patients were at least 45 years old, had to be treated
      with a stable dose of statins for at least three months and had been fasting for
      12 hours. We evaluated lipid goal attainment and examined variables associated
      with residual dyslipidaemia [abnormal levels of LDL-C, highdensity lipoprotein
      cholesterol (HDL-C) and/or triglycerides (TG)]. RESULTS: We found that 50.3% of
      the patients overall did not achieve target LDL-C levels and 73.5% of patients
      were at very high cardiovascular risk. In addition, 33.7% had low levels of HDL
      C, while 45.3% had elevated TG levels despite statin therapy. Asian and mixed
      ancestry patients but not black (vs Caucasian thnicity), as well as obese
      individuals in South Africa were more likely to still have dyslipidaemia
      involving all three lipid fractions. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that many patients
      in South Africa experienced persistent dyslipidaemia despite statin treatment,
      supporting the concept that there is a need for more intensive statin therapy or
      the development of novel treatment strategies. Measures aimed at combating
      obesity and other lifestyle-related risk factors are also vital for effectively
      controlling dyslipidaemia and reducing the burden of CVD.

PMID- 24240387
TI  - Allele frequencies for 26 STR loci in a population of Tuscany (Central Italy).
AB  - Allele frequencies for 26 short tandem repeats (STRs) were obtained from a sample
      of 203 unrelated individuals living in the area of Florence, Prato and Pistoia
      (Tuscany, Central Italy). These 26 loci are in addition to the existing 13 U.S.
      core loci and can help provide assistance in complex kinship testing when, for
      example, the alleged father is not available for testing. The results were
      compared with U.S. Caucasian, African American and Hispanic populations. 

PMID- 24240388
TI  - Modulation between bilateral legs and within unilateral muscle synergists of
      postural muscle activity changes with development and aging.
AB  - The effect of development and aging on common modulation between bilateral
      plantarflexors (i.e., the right and left soleus, and the right and left medial
      gastrocnemius) (bilateral comodulation) and within plantarflexors in one leg
      (i.e., the right soleus and the right medial gastrocnemius) (unilateral
      comodulation) was investigated during bipedal quiet standing by comparing
      electromyography-electromyography (EMG) coherence among three age groups: adult
      (23-35 years), child (6-8 years), and elderly (60-80 years). The results
      demonstrate that there was significant coherence between bilateral plantarflexors
      and within plantarflexors in one leg in the 0- to 4-Hz frequency region in all
      three age groups. Coherence in this frequency region was stronger in the elderly
      group than in the adult group, while no difference was found between the adult
      and child groups. Of particular interest was the finding of significant coherence
      in bilateral and unilateral EMG recordings in the 8- to 12-Hz frequency region in
      some subjects in the elderly group, whereas it was not observed in the adult and
      child groups. These results suggest that aging affects the organization of
      bilateral and unilateral postural muscle activities (i.e., bilateral and
      unilateral comodulation) in the plantarflexors during quiet standing.

PMID- 24240389
TI  - Gait performance is not influenced by working memory when walking at a self
      selected pace.
AB  - Gait performance exhibits patterns within the stride-to-stride variability that
      can be indexed using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Previous work
      employing DFA has shown that gait patterns can be influenced by constraints, such
      as natural aging or disease, and they are informative regarding a person's
      functional ability. Many activities of daily living require concurrent
      performance in the cognitive and gait domains; specifically working memory is
      commonly engaged while walking, which is considered dual-tasking. It is unknown
      if taxing working memory while walking influences gait performance as assessed by
      DFA. This study used a dual-tasking paradigm to determine if performance
      decrements are observed in gait or working memory when performed concurrently.
      Healthy young participants (N = 16) performed a working memory task (automated
      operation span task) and a gait task (walking at a self-selected speed on a
      treadmill) in single- and dual-task conditions. A second dual-task condition
      (reading while walking) was included to control for visual attention, but also
      introduced a task that taxed working memory over the long term. All trials
      involving gait lasted at least 10 min. Performance in the working memory task was
      indexed using five dependent variables (absolute score, partial score, speed
      error, accuracy error, and math error), while gait performance was indexed by
      quantifying the mean, standard deviation, and DFA alpha of the stride interval
      time series. Two multivariate analyses of variance (one for gait and one for
      working memory) were used to examine performance in the single- and dual-task
      conditions. No differences were observed in any of the gait or working memory
      dependent variables as a function of task condition. The results suggest the
      locomotor system is adaptive enough to complete a working memory task without
      compromising gait performance when walking at a self-selected pace.

PMID- 24240390
TI  - Differences between Han Chinese and Caucasians in transcranial magnetic
      stimulation parameters.
AB  - The study was conducted to investigate the difference between Han Chinese and
      Caucasians on various parameters measured from responses to transcranial magnetic
      brain stimulation (TMS). Sixteen subjects were studied in each group. A circular
      coil at the vertex was used for stimulation, whilst recording surface
      electromyograms from right first dorsal interosseous. In the passive state, motor
      evoked potential (MEP) threshold, MEP recruitment, short-interval intracortical
      inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation were measured. The MEP
      threshold, recruitment and silent period were also measured in the active state.
      Chinese subjects showed significantly higher passive thresholds (P < 0.005), less
      inhibition of the motor response (SICI, P < 0.0005) and a shorter silent period
      (P < 0.05). Differences in SICI appeared to be a consequence of the differences
      in passive threshold and were not seen when active threshold was used to
      determine the conditioning stimulus intensity. Differences in silent period may
      also reflect differences in cortical excitability rather than inhibitory
      processes, as they were not seen when the silent-period duration was expressed as
      a function of MEP size, rather than TMS intensity. There appears to be a
      significant difference in some TMS parameters between Han Chinese and Caucasian
      subjects. This may reflect an underlying difference in cortical excitability.

PMID- 24240393
TI  - Transgenic plants of Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) from protoplasts.
AB  - We have demonstrated the transfer and expression of a foreign chimeric gene in
      the grass species, Dactylis glomerata L. This species is a member of the
      Gramineae sub-family Pooideae, which includes the small grain cereals, from which
      transformed plants have not yet been obtained. A chimeric hygromycin-resistance
      gene was introduced into protoplasts isolated from an embryogenic suspension
      culture, using heat shock followed by electroporation or polyethylene glycol
      treatment. Cell colonies resistant to 20 MUg/ml hygromycin were selected in
      liquid medium using an agarose bead type culture system. Transformed calli were
      identified by Southern hybridization. Embryogenic callus was induced to
      regenerate plants and transformed plants were shown to contain the hygromycin
      resistance gene. 

PMID- 24240392
TI  - A direct vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque elasticity reconstruction method based
      on an original material-finite element formulation: theoretical framework.
AB  - The peak cap stress (PCS) amplitude is recognized as a biomechanical predictor of
      vulnerable plaque (VP) rupture. However, quantifying PCS in vivo remains a
      challenge since the stress depends on the plaque mechanical properties. In
      response, an iterative material finite element (FE) elasticity reconstruction
      method using strain measurements has been implemented for the solution of these
      inverse problems. Although this approach could resolve the mechanical
      characterization of VPs, it suffers from major limitations since (i) it is not
      adapted to characterize VPs exhibiting high material discontinuities between
      inclusions, and (ii) does not permit real time elasticity reconstruction for
      clinical use. The present theoretical study was therefore designed to develop a
      direct material-FE algorithm for elasticity reconstruction problems which
      accounts for material heterogeneities. We originally modified and adapted the
      extended FE method (Xfem), used mainly in crack analysis, to model material
      heterogeneities. This new algorithm was successfully applied to six coronary
      lesions of patients imaged in vivo with intravascular ultrasound. The results
      demonstrated that the mean relative absolute errors of the reconstructed Young's
      moduli obtained for the arterial wall, fibrosis, necrotic core, and calcified
      regions of the VPs decreased from 95.3 +/- 15.56%, 98.85 +/- 72.42%, 103.29 +/-
      111.86% and 95.3 +/- 10.49%, respectively, to values smaller than 2.6 * 10(-8) +/
      5.7 * 10(-8)% (i.e. close to the exact solutions) when including modified-Xfem
      method into our direct elasticity reconstruction method.

PMID- 24240394
TI  - Characterization of soybean tissue culture cell lines resistant to methionine
      analogs.
AB  - Several hundred soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cell lines resistant to
      ethionine were isolated either with or without chemical mutagenesis. of these, 26
      were found to contain 2 to 22 times higher than normal levels of uncombined
      methionine. These 26 cell lines also contained higher than normal levels of S
      adenosylmethionine and S-methylmethionine, but the levels of free lysine,
      threonine, cysteine, valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine were not elevated.
      Isoleucine levels were only slightly elevated. These results suggest that the
      regulation of methionine synthesis in vivo is more likely to be later in the
      pathway (after homoserine phosphate) than early in the pathway. 

PMID- 24240391
TI  - Transient cytokine treatment induces acinar cell reprogramming and regenerates
      functional beta cell mass in diabetic mice.
AB  - Reprogramming of pancreatic exocrine cells into cells resembling beta cells may
      provide a strategy for treating diabetes. Here we show that transient
      administration of epidermal growth factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor to
      adult mice with chronic hyperglycemia efficiently stimulates the conversion of
      terminally differentiated acinar cells to beta-like cells. Newly generated beta
      like cells are epigenetically reprogrammed, functional and glucose responsive,
      and they reinstate normal glycemic control for up to 248 d. The regenerative
      process depends on Stat3 signaling and requires a threshold number of Neurogenin
      3 (Ngn3)-expressing acinar cells. In contrast to previous work demonstrating in
      vivo conversion of acinar cells to beta-like cells by viral delivery of exogenous
      transcription factors, our approach achieves acinar-to-beta-cell reprogramming
      through transient cytokine exposure rather than genetic modification. 

PMID- 24240395
TI  - Homoserine kinase and threonine synthase in methionine-overproducing soybean
      tissue cultures.
AB  - To gain understanding of the regulation of methionine level in plants, we assayed
      homoserine kinase and threonine synthase in extracts of wild type and several
      methionine-overproducing soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] callus lines. The
      specific activity of homoserine kinase was depressed by 45-73%, and that of
      threonine synthase by 26-43% in the high methionine lines. Cysteine inhibited
      threonine synthase in wild type and variant lines. Threonine synthase in two
      variant lines showed significantly less inhibition by cysteine and in one line
      was inhibited by threonine. Depressed threonine synthase activity may increase
      the availability of homoserine phosphate to the competing methionine biosynthetic
      pathway. 

PMID- 24240396
TI  - Transient gene expression in electroporated Picea glauca protoplasts.
AB  - The reporter gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) was introduced into
      white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss.) protoplasts by electroporation. CAT
      transient gene expression was increased by increasing the concentration of
      pCaMVCN plasmid and was affected by the level of the applied voltage. Highest CAT
      activities were obtained after electroporation with a pulse of 350V.cm(-1) having
      an exponential decay constant of approximately 105ms. Linearized plasmid
      constructs gave much higher levels of CAT activity than circular plasmid.
      Attempts to use the Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase gene (beta-GUS) as a
      marker gene revealed very high levels of beta-GUS-like activity in electroporated
      protoplasts. This activity was mainly due to a small molecule and may mask
      successful transformation since beta-GUS-like activity increased when plasmid DNA
      was present during electroporation. 

PMID- 24240397
TI  - Callus formation from mesophyll protoplasts of Fagus sylvatica L.
AB  - Viable protoplasts of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) were isolated from
      sterilized young leaves of juvenile (3-5 years) and mature (40 years) trees.
      Isolation in a saline solution containing 0.5% (w/v) Pectinol and 2% (w/v)
      Cellulase R-10 yielded 3*10(7) protoplasts per gram fresh weight. Protoplast
      culture in modified Kao and Michayluk (1975) medium resulted in cell wall
      regeneration and sustained cell divisions with the formation of colonies and
      microcalli. 

PMID- 24240398
TI  - Vital DNA staining of agarose-embedded protoplasts and cell suspensions of
      Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.
AB  - The DNA of agarose-embedded protoplasts of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia was stained
      with Hoechst 33342 by immersing microscope slides, coated with immobilized
      protoplasts, into Erlenmeyer flasks containing consecutively dye solution, pH
      correcting washing solutions and culture medium. After staining, protoplasts
      regenerated cell walls, started to divide and proliferated to calli. The culture
      system with immobilized protoplasts permits rapid change of culture media and
      accurate control of experimental conditions. The staining technique offers the
      opportunity for continuous observation of chromosomal behaviour and cell dynamics
      in individual plant cells.The same staining procedure was successfully applied to
      DNA of plant cells in suspension. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a retarding
      effect of the dye on the cell cycle, but within hours the cells recovered and
      showed their normal growth characteristics as compared to the controls. 

PMID- 24240399
TI  - The reductive transformation of decanones with immobilized cells of Nicotiana
      tabacum.
AB  - The biotransformation of decanones with immobilized cells of Nicotiana tabacum
      led to the formation of their corresponding alcohols of high optical purity. 

PMID- 24240400
TI  - Cold induced gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana L.
AB  - Exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana L. to an acclimation temperature (+4 degrees C)
      results in a rapid increase of frost tolerance from -3 degrees C to -7 degrees C.
      This increase could be correlated to changes in soluble protein pattern. Analysis
      of in vitro translation products from isolated mRNA suggests that induction acts
      at the transcriptional level. 

PMID- 24240401
TI  - Comparative analysis of free DNA delivery and expression into protoplasts of
      Panicum maximum Jacq. (Guinea grass) by electroporation and polyethylene glycol.
AB  - Relative levels of gene expression were studied in protoplasts isolated from two
      cell lines of Panicum maximum following DNA delivery by electroporation and
      polyethylene glycol (PEG). Gene expression was evaluated by assaying for
      chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity expressed by the CaMV 35S
      promoter with a nopaline synthase 3' polyadenylation signal, approximately 48
      hours after DNA delivery. The expression of the CAT gene was slightly higher in
      electroporated protoplasts in comparison to PEG mediated delivery. However, PEG
      treated protoplasts showed higher plating efficiency. The effect of different
      salts and the molecular weight of PEG used on gene expression was also studied. 

PMID- 24240402
TI  - Transformation and regeneration of Brassica oleracea mediated by an oncogenic
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - A chimaeric neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) gene was introduced in
      Brassica oleracea using an oncogenic strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens
      harbouring Ti plasmid which contains Nos/NPTII in its T-DNA. The transformation
      of B. oleracea with the oncogenic Ti plasmid, resulted in regeneration of shoots
      and roots without any exogenous requirement of phytohormones. The presence of NPT
      II gene was determined by hybridization of Tn5 encoded NPT II gene with DNA of
      kanamycin resistant regenerated plants. The expression of NPT II was demonstrated
      by kanamycin phosphorylation assay. Several regenerated plants were obtained, a
      few of them were found to be morphological variants and a chlorophyll deficient
      mutant plant was also obtained. 

PMID- 24240403
TI  - Examination of triterpenoids produced by callus and cell suspension cultures of
      Glycyrrhiza glabra.
AB  - Callus and cell suspension cultures of Glycyrrhiza glabra failed to produce
      detectable amounts of glycyrrhizin, the major oleanane-type triterpene glycoside
      of the thickening root, or of its 11 -deoxoderivative. However, betulinic acid, a
      lupane-type triterpene, which was found in the root bark, and a small amount of
      beta-amyrin, a possible precursor of oleanane-type triterpenes, were detected in
      cell suspension cultures in addition to lupeol, a fundamental form of lupane-type
      triterpenes. These findings suggest that the absence of glycyrrhizin in
      undifferentiated cultured cells may be partly due to interruption of the later
      reactions leading to the synthesis of glycyrrhizin from a triterpenoid
      intermediate. 

PMID- 24240404
TI  - Parameters affecting the frequency of kanamycin resistant alfalfa obtained by
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation.
AB  - Kanamycin resistant plants of Medicago varia A2 were obtained by an optimized
      procedure for high frequency transformation using Agrobacterium tumefaciens
      infection of leaf and petiole tissue. Parameters which affected the frequency
      were explant type, the Agrobacterium strain used and the time allowed for
      cocultivation. Under optimum conditions, i.e., using the Agrobacterium strain
      A281 and a 4 day cocultivation period, the frequency of transformed leaflets
      obtained was greater than 70%. 

PMID- 24240405
TI  - Soybean somatic embryogenesis: interactions between sucrose and auxin.
AB  - The interaction between sucrose and auxin in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)
      somatic embryogenesis was investigated by culturing immature cotyledon explants
      on factorial combinations of NAA (6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/l) and sucrose (0.5,
      1, 2 and 4%). A significant interaction between sugar and auxin was observed;
      balanced concentrations of the two components were required for optimal embryo
      production and normality. The highest numbers of normal somatic embryos were
      produced on media which contained combinations of low to intermediate levels of
      sucrose (1 or 2%) and NAA (6.25 or 12.5 mg/l). Cotyledon explants from induction
      media having a low (0.5%) sucrose content showed the most efficient embryogenesis
      in secondary culture. The highest frequencies of germination (32 to 41%) were
      seen among embryos induced on media containing 0.5% sucrose. 

PMID- 24240406
TI  - Improved sensitivity of genetic complementation of nitrate reductase deficient
      mutants via protoplast fusion.
AB  - An improved rapid assay for complementation testing of mutants of Nicotiana
      tabacum deficient in nitrate reductase is described. The test is based on
      measurement of in vivo nitrate reductase activity in 7 to 10 day old cultures
      derived from fusion-treated protoplast mixtures of the respective mutants as a
      criterion for complementation. It allows to detect complementing hybrids induced
      by the conventional droplet fusion technique in small numbers of protoplasts per
      assay (8*10(4)). 

PMID- 24240407
TI  - Comparative shoot regeneration responses of diploid brassicas and their synthetic
      amphidiploid products.
AB  - Comparative shoot regeneration responses of three diploid Brassica species, B.
      campestris (AA), B. nigra (BB) and B. oleracea (CC) and their synthetic
      amphidiploid combinations have been investigated. The study indicates that A
      genome has an inhibitory effect on regeneration as evident from significantly low
      responses of B. juncea (AABB) and B. napus (AACC) combinations, in comparison
      with regeneration response of B. nigra and B. oleracea. This inhibition may arise
      from genomic interactions or from the B. campestris cytoplasm interacting
      negatively with the alien genome. Significant cytoplasmic influence on
      regenerability has been observed in B. carinata (BBCC) synthesised from
      reciprocal crosses of B. nigra and B. oleracea. 

PMID- 24240408
TI  - Use of cell culture to screen sunflower germplasm for resistance to Phomopsis
      brown/gray stem spot.
AB  - Resistance to Phomopsis sp. (Diaporthe sp.) brown/gray stem spot was confirmed by
      screening sunflower calli on shoot induction media amended with fungal filtrate.
      Calli of sunflower genotypes OCMS 74 and NS-H-45, which show resistance to the
      disease in field trials, remained viable on media with 15% (v/v) fungal filtrate,
      while calli of field susceptible genotypes RHA 273 and PAG/SF 103 were killed on
      media with as little as 7.5% fungal filtrate. Fresh weight of calli of all
      genotypes was significantly reduced by 2.5% fungal filtrate, and calli of all
      genotypes were killed by filtrate concentrations of 20%. These in vitro results
      corroborate prior field observations for disease reaction of these genotypes. 

PMID- 24240409
TI  - Protoplast isolation and callus production from leaves of tissue-cultured Vitis
      spp.
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from mesophyll of axenic cultures of grape, Vitis
      rotundifolia cv. Summit and V. vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. Enzymes effective
      for protoplast isolation were Macerozyme R-10 (0.5% and 0.1%) and Cellulase
      Onozuka R-10 (1.0% and 0.5%) for V. rotundifolia and V. vinifera, respectively.
      Polyvinylpyrrolidone and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid were essential in
      the isolation media. Protoplasts were purified using flotation/centrifugation.
      The protoplasts of V. rotundifolia cultured in Gamborg's B5 basal medium with 2.2
      MUM 6-benzyladenine, 4.5 MUM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.4% agarose gave
      the best plating efficiency of conditions tried in this study. Cell division
      occurred within 5 to 6 days and visible microcalli developed within one month.
      After 6 weeks in culture, microcalli transferred to liquid medium exhibited
      active callus growth. Protoplasts of V. vinifera cultured under these conditions
      had similar results. 

PMID- 24240410
TI  - Production of pineapple plants in vitro.
AB  - In vitro culture of pineapple (Ananas comosus) was studied to determine the
      efficiency of axillary bud culture for rapid propagation of several cultivars.
      The technique used maximizes the success rate of various steps in the production
      of pineapple plants. Rapid mass multiplication of plantlets started 9 months
      after explanting with a significant log phase. The number of plantlets obtained
      from the culture of a single bud by the thirteenth month ranged from 210 to 380
      for 'Perolera'; 300 to 350 for 'PR-1-67'; and 40 to 85 for 'Smooth Cayenne'. The
      method permits culture of a range of pineapple cultivars. Little morphological
      variation was observed in young regenerated plants. 

PMID- 24240411
TI  - Occurrence and frequency of precocious germination of somatic embryos is a
      genotpye - dependent phenomenon in wheat.
AB  - Immature embryos of thirty-three genotypes of wheat were cultured on 2,4-D
      containing medium. Occurrence of precocious germination of the zygotic and
      somatic embryos simultaneously on the same medium was a striking feature observed
      during the course of work. The percentage of precocious germination was seen to
      vary extensively from 0-88% and 0-84% for zygotic and somatic embryos
      respectively. In the genotypes NI-5439 and NI-5643 which are characterized by a
      high tillering capacity, the phenomenon of precocious germination seems to take a
      different path from that observed in the other genotypes. This is evident since
      these two genotypes require total absence of hormone for shoot elongation
      although multiple shoot primordia are formed on auxin containing
      medium.Precocious germination also seems to be relevant to somatic embryogenesis
      and plantlet regeneration. This conclusion stems from the observation that a
      majority of the genotypes that show precocious germination of zygotic embryos
      have greater embryogenic potential. Consecutively, most of the genotypes that
      show precocious germination of somatic embryos exhibit a higher frequency and
      faster rate of plantlet regeneration. 

PMID- 24240412
TI  - Transgenic antibiotic resistance may be differentially silenced in germinating
      pollen grains.
AB  - Transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants, carrying the neomycin
      phosphotransferase (NPT II) gene from E. coli, are resistant to kanamycin when
      grown from seeds on kanamycin containing medium. Tissue and cell cultures derived
      from those transformants also express resistance and regenerate complete
      plantlets in the presence of the antibiotic. This unspecific response to the
      selective condition has led to the belief that the foreign gene is continuously
      active or uniformly inducible in all cells of the transgenic plant. However, our
      experiments show that this view is not true for pollen grains during in vitro
      germination. Pollen grains isolated from kanamycin resistant tobacco plants carry
      and transmit the foreign gene but do not express resistance when germinating in
      vitro. This data presents evidence for differential silencing of a foreign gene
      in a mature gamete. On the other hand, immature pollen grains (microspores)
      appear to express resistance. The point of the downregulation of the neomycin
      transferase gene during pollen maturation is discussed. 

PMID- 24240413
TI  - In vitro meristem cloning of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm.
AB  - Rapid multiplication of axillary meristems and direct shoot development occurred
      from nodal explants of mature Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. with 5.3 MUM NAA, 1.1
      MUM IAA and 4.4 MUM BA in Murashige-Skoog medium. Repeated subcultures of the
      second generation shoot cultures into low cytokinin-auxin containing media (0.44
      0.88 MUM BA+0.1 MUM NAA) yielded axillary microshoots in large numbers. Half
      strength MS liquid medium with 4.9 MUM IBA, 5.5 MUM IAA and 5.3 MUM NAA for four
      days, half-strength semi-solid hormonefree MS medium with charcoal, and MS liquid
      medium without charcoal and hormones, in sequence, induced rooting of shoots in
      the dark. This system is suitable for the mass propagation of this difficult-to
      root eucalypt. 

PMID- 24240414
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in embryo cultures of Euterpe edulis
      mart. (palmae).
AB  - The induction of somatic embryogenesis in embryo cultures of Euterpe edulis is
      described. The basal medium was composed of LS salts and Morel & Wetmore
      vitamins. Activated charcoal was added to prevent explant oxidation. 2,4-D higher
      than 50 mg/l was necessary for inducing embryogenesis which occurs 45-180 days
      after the start of cultures. Embryos arise directly from surface proliferating
      tissues on the matrix structure , without callus formation. The transfer of
      tissues with embryo clusters to medium with NAA plus 2iP, or without growth
      regulators, induces embryo development into plantlets. 

PMID- 24240415
TI  - Anthocyanin production in callus cultures of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.).
AB  - Callus tissues derived from seedlings of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were
      shown to produce two cyanidin glycosides as major anthocyanin pigments. Both
      callus growth and anthocyanin synthesis were remarkably stimulated by 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The highest anthocyanin yield was observed when 1 MUM
      2,4-D in combination with 0.1-1 MUM kinetin was supplemented to the culture
      medium. In contrast, gibberellic acid showed inhibitory effect on anthocyanin
      production. 

PMID- 24240416
TI  - Callus induction and high frequency plant regeneration in Italian millet (Setaria
      italica).
AB  - Callus was induced from mature seeds of two cultivars of Setaria italica (L.) on
      Murashige and Skoog's medium (1962) supplemented with 2mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l
      KN. Regenerating ability of the callus was better in the cultivar 315 compared to
      212. Organogenesis was influenced not only by cytokinin, but also by the sucrose
      concentration in the medium. High frequency (80%) plant regeneration was achieved
      and quantified on the basis of callus fresh weight. The ability of the callus
      (cultivar 212) to regenerate whole plants was retained until the 5th passage, but
      during the 6th passage it declined considerably. 

PMID- 24240417
TI  - Induction of pollen plantlets in rice by spikelet culture.
AB  - Induction of pollen callus and subsequent regeneration of plantlets from the
      callus have been achieved from rice spikelets cultured in a liquid medium
      containing sucrose, alpha-naphthalene-acetic acid and kinetin. When spikelets are
      cultured in a medium containing 6% sucrose, calluses are released into the medium
      where they continue to increase in size without undergoing organogenesis. On the
      other hand, in a medium containing 2% sucrose, calluses are retained within the
      anther locule where they differentiate into plantlets. Cytological studies have
      shown that calluses have their origin either in the vegetative cell of
      asymmetrically dividing pollen grains or in both cells of pollen grains which
      divide more or less equally. 

PMID- 24240418
TI  - Tissue, cell culture and micropropagation of Mandevilla velutina, a natural
      source of a bradykinin antagonist.
AB  - Leaf, stem and root explants of Mandevilla velutina were cultured in vitro and
      produced vigorous callus in LS basal medium containing one auxin (2,4-D or NAA)
      plus BAP. Calli can be subcultured indefinitely with vigorous growth. Subculture
      of calli to NAA (1.0 mg/l) plus BAP (5.0 mg/l) caused profuse regeneration of
      shoots. Isolated shoots were rooted in basal medium plus NAA (5.0 mg/l) or IBA
      (8.0 mg/l). Rapidly growing cell suspensions can be easily obtained from friable
      callus cultured in liquid medium. 

PMID- 24240419
TI  - Regeneration of plantlets from cell suspension culture derived callus of white
      poplar (Populus alba L.).
AB  - Friable calli derived from the stem tissues of Populus alba were used to
      establish cell suspension cultures which were characterized for in vitro growth
      and regeneration capacity. Suspended cells and callus recovered from these cells
      were maximal on a fresh weight basis using MS liquid medium containing 0.44 MUM
      BAP and 4.52 MUM 2,4-D. Shoot regeneration from the recovered callus was observed
      within 30 to 40 days of culture. The number of shoots was increased by
      subculturing the shoot-forming callus 2 to 3 times on MS medium supplemented with
      19.7 MUM 2iP and 0.05 MUM IBA. Regenerated shoots were easily rooted on half
      strength MS medium lacking growth regulators, and the plantlets were transferred
      to pots containing vermiculite for greenhouse growth. 

PMID- 24240420
TI  - Genetic analysis of T-DNA insertions into the tobacco genome.
AB  - A genetic test was performed on seeds from 283 transgenic tobacco plants obtained
      by T-DNA transformation. Seeds from self-fertilized transgenic plants were
      germinated on kanamycin-containing medium, and the percentage of seeds which
      germinated, as well as the ratio of kanamycin-resistant to kanamycin-sensitive
      seedlings were scored. Nine categories of transformants could be distinguished
      according to the number of loci into which T-DNA had inserted, and according to
      the effects of T-DNA integration on seed or seedling development. In most of the
      plants, T-DNA was inserted into a single site; others contained multiple
      independent copies of T-DNA. The number of T-DNA integration sites was found to
      be independent of whether a binary vector system or a cointegrate Ti plasmid had
      been used to obtain the transgenic plant. Loss of marker genes or marker gene
      expression from generation to generation appeared to be a quite frequent event.
      Plants which appeared to be insertional recessive embryo-lethal mutants did not
      exhibit this trait in the next generation. 

PMID- 24240421
TI  - The animal ether phospholipid platelet-activating factor stimulates acidification
      of the incubation medium by cultured soybean cells.
AB  - Addition of the animal ether phospholipid platelet-activating factor, 1-0-alkyl-2
      acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, (PAF) stimulates medium acidification in
      cultured soybean (Glycine max L.) cells. The pH of the medium after 8-10 hours is
      on the average one pH unit lower than in controls. With fusicoccin an average pH
      difference of 1.7 units is reached. Phospholipids, glycerol, 1-oleyl-2-acetyl-sn
      glycerol, 1-0-hexadecyl-sn-glycerol, and triolein at the same concentrations as
      PAF had no stimulatory effect on medium acidification. The detergents CHAPS and
      deoxycholate lead to alkalinization of the medium whereas lysophosphatidylcholine
      (LPC), a detergent with structural similarity to PAF, shows no effect. 

PMID- 24240422
TI  - A plant protein kinase and plant microsomal H(+) transport are stimulated by the
      ether phospholipid platelet-activating factor.
AB  - ATP-dependent H(+) transport in microsomes from zucchini hypocotyls is stimulated
      by the ether lipid 1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (platelet
      activating factor = PAF) known as a hormone-like substance from mammals. The
      stimulation can only be observed when soluble cytosolic proteins are present. A
      soluble protein mediating the PAF-dependent H(+) transport and a PAF-stimulated
      protein kinase are coeluted by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography. Stimulation of
      phosphorylation by PAF of a 55 kDa polypeptide without Ca(2+) and, additionally,
      of a 35 kDa polypeptide in the presence of Ca(2+) is observed in zucchini
      microsomal membranes. This is evidence for a novel phospholipid-stimulated
      protein kinase in plants. Phosphorylation of regulatory proteins may be involved
      in the stimulation of in vitro H(+) transport by PAF. 

PMID- 24240423
TI  - High efficiency Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis
      thaliana leaf and cotyledon explants.
AB  - A highly efficient and fast Agrobacterium-mediated leaf disc transformation
      system for the Arabidopsis thaliana L. genotype C24 was developed. This protocol
      is also amenable to other ecotypes - as could be shown for Landsberg erecta and
      Wassllewskija. Besides the hygromycin selection also the G418 and kanamycin
      selection were established. Furthermore the described procedure is appliable not
      only to leaf explants but also to expanded cotyledons which proved to be an
      excellent alternative as explant source for transformation experiments. 

PMID- 24240424
TI  - Plant regeneration from mesophyll protoplasts of Williams' Bon Chretien (syn.
      Bartlett) pear (Pyrus communis L.).
AB  - Leaf protoplasts of axenic shoot cultures of Pyrus communis L. cv. Williams' Bon
      Chretien (syn. Bartlett) underwent cell wall regeneration and division to give
      multicellular colonies in a modified Murashige and Skoog medium which lacked
      ammonium ions, but supplemented with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 4-indole-3yl
      acetic acid, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and casein hydrolysate. Protoplast-derived
      colonies gave callus on Murashige and Skoog salts medium with NAA and BAP and
      exhibited shoot regeneration on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium
      supplemented with 0.2 mg 1(-1) 4-indole-3yl-butyric acid, 2.0 mg 1(-1) BAP, 0.2
      mg 1(-1) gibberellic acid, 50 mg 1(-1) casein hydrolysate and 10 mg 1(-1) Ca
      pantothenate. Following rooting, protoplast-derived plants of pear were
      transferred to the glasshouse where they completed acclimatization. 

PMID- 24240425
TI  - Root induction on several Solanaceae species by Agrobacterium rhizogenes and the
      determination of root tropane alkaloid content.
AB  - Using Agrobacterium rhizogenes, roots were induced on explants of 24 different
      Solanaceae species and established as in vitro cultures. Some of the root clones
      produced tropane alkaloids at levels similar to roots of the corresponding intact
      plants and maintained these levels over several passages. 

PMID- 24240426
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.).
AB  - Embryonal-suspensor masses from immature embryos from cones of Sitka spruce
      (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) proliferated on a modified Murashige & Skoog
      medium with N(6)-benzyl-aminopurine, kinetin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and
      an organic nitrogen source. The slimy white embryonal-suspensor masses with
      proembryos were maintained on a solid proliferation medium with reduced amounts
      of growth regulators. Transfer of embryonal-suspensor masses to a non-woven
      polyester carrier with liquid maturation media containing +/-2-cis-4-trans
      abscisic acid and a reduced amount of inositol and organic nitrogen resulted in
      synchronized embryo formation. Further development was achieved on a medium
      without +/-2-cis-4-trans-abscisic acid and organic nitrogen. Somatic embryos were
      successfully transferred ex vitrum. 

PMID- 24240427
TI  - Assay of plant proteins with bicinchoninic acid for high resolution two
      dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
AB  - A method is described for estimating proteins in the same plant tissue sample
      that is solubilized for separation by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis. The method uses a modified bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein
      assay procedure and a modified standard urea solubilization buffer to estimate
      microgram values of unknown protein concentration, in the presence of 9 M urea
      and 4% Nonidet P-40, from a linear standard curve. A method for a quantitative
      determination of protein concentration by BCA in a sample containing 9 M urea and
      4% Nonidet P-40 is also described. This method is effective for the determination
      of proteins in minute non-green and green plant tissue, and is especially
      designed for vegetative and floral shoot apices, and the primordia of
      inflorescences. 

PMID- 24240428
TI  - Immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated 2012/2013 trivalent influenza vaccine
      produced in mammalian cell culture (Optaflu(r)): an open label, uncontrolled
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate immunogenicity and safety of the
      2012/2013 seasonal influenza vaccine (Optaflu((r))) after the World Health
      Organization recommended two new strains for the composition. RESULTS: Twenty-one
      days post-vaccination geometric mean titers (GMTs) against A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and
      the B strain were 528, 935, and 201 for adults and 272, 681, and 101 for elderly
      subjects, respectively. The proportion of subjects with a HI titer of >= 40
      against the three strains A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B was 98%, 100%, and 98% in adults
      and 100%, 100%, and 85% in elderly subjects, respectively. Optaflu((r)) met the
      CHMP criteria of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
      (CPMP/BWP/214/96). Pre-vaccination titers indicated seroprotection against the
      A(H1N1), the A(H3N2) and the B strain in 56%, 86%, and 54% of the adults and in
      61%, 85%, and 40% of the elderly with highest titers against the A(H3N2) strain.
      In the safety analysis injection site pain (37%) and myalgia (31%) were the most
      common local and systemic reactions. No serious adverse events were recorded.
      CONCLUSION: The 2012/2013 seasonal influenza vaccine Optaflu((r)) showed good
      immunogenicity and an acceptable safety profile in both adults and elderly.
      METHODS: In this trial, 126 subjects (63 adults >=18 to <=60 y, 63 elderly >=61
      y) were vaccinated with a single dose Optaflu((r)) containing each of the three
      virus strains recommended for the 2012/2013 season (A/California/7/2009(H1N1)
      like strain, A/Victoria/361/2011(H3N2)-like strain, and B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like
      strain). Immunogenicity was assessed by hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) and single
      radial hemolysis (SRH) assays on day 22, the safety profile was investigated
      throughout the whole study period.

PMID- 24240429
TI  - Detecting the translocation of DNA through a nanopore using graphene nanoribbons.
AB  - Solid-state nanopores can act as single-molecule sensors and could potentially be
      used to rapidly sequence DNA molecules. However, nanopores are typically
      fabricated in insulating membranes that are as thick as 15 bases, which makes it
      difficult for the devices to read individual bases. Graphene is only 0.335 nm
      thick (equivalent to the spacing between two bases in a DNA chain) and could
      therefore provide a suitable membrane for sequencing applications. Here, we show
      that a solid-state nanopore can be integrated with a graphene nanoribbon
      transistor to create a sensor for DNA translocation. As DNA molecules move
      through the pore, the device can simultaneously measure drops in ionic current
      and changes in local voltage in the transistor, which can both be used to detect
      the molecules. We examine the correlation between these two signals and use the
      ionic current measurements as a real-time control of the graphene-based sensing
      device.

PMID- 24240430
TI  - Spin Hall effect clocking of nanomagnetic logic without a magnetic field.
AB  - Spin-based computing schemes could enable new functionalities beyond those of
      charge-based approaches. Examples include nanomagnetic logic, where information
      can be processed using dipole coupled nanomagnets, as demonstrated by multi-bit
      computing gates. One fundamental benefit of using magnets is the possibility of a
      significant reduction in the energy per bit compared with conventional
      transistors. However, so far, practical implementations of nanomagnetic logic
      have been limited by the necessity to apply a magnetic field for clocking.
      Although the energy associated with magnetic switching itself could be very
      small, the energy necessary to generate the magnetic field renders the overall
      logic scheme uncompetitive when compared with complementary metal-oxide
      semiconductor (CMOS) counterparts. Here, we demonstrate a nanomagnetic logic
      scheme at room temperature where the necessity for using a magnetic field clock
      can be completely removed by using spin-orbit torques. We construct a chain of
      three perpendicularly polarized CoFeB nanomagnets on top of a tantalum wire and
      show that an unpolarized current flowing through the wire can 'clock' the
      perpendicular magnetization to a metastable state. An input magnet can then drive
      the nanomagnetic chain deterministically to one of two dipole-coupled states, '2
      up 1 down' or '2 down 1 up', depending on its own polarization. Thus, information
      can flow along the chain, dictated by the input magnet and clocked solely by a
      charge current in tantalum, without any magnetic field. A three to four order of
      magnitude reduction in energy dissipation is expected for our scheme when
      compared with state-of-the-art nanomagnetic logic. 

PMID- 24240431
TI  - Graphene mechanical oscillators with tunable frequency.
AB  - Oscillators, which produce continuous periodic signals from direct current power,
      are central to modern communications systems, with versatile applications
      including timing references and frequency modulators. However, conventional
      oscillators typically consist of macroscopic mechanical resonators such as quartz
      crystals, which require excessive off-chip space. Here, we report oscillators
      built on micrometre-size, atomically thin graphene nanomechanical resonators,
      whose frequencies can be electrostatically tuned by as much as 14%. Self
      sustaining mechanical motion is generated and transduced at room temperature in
      these oscillators using simple electrical circuitry. The prototype graphene
      voltage-controlled oscillators exhibit frequency stability and a modulation
      bandwidth sufficient for the modulation of radiofrequency carrier signals. As a
      demonstration, we use a graphene oscillator as the active element for frequency
      modulated signal generation and achieve efficient audio signal transmission. 

PMID- 24240432
TI  - Engineering myosins for long-range transport on actin filaments.
AB  - Cytoskeletal motors act as cargo transporters in cells and may be harnessed for
      directed transport applications in molecular detection and diagnostic devices.
      High processivity, the ability to take many steps along a track before
      dissociating, is often a desirable characteristic because it allows nanoscale
      motors to transport cargoes over distances on the scale of micrometres, in vivo
      and in vitro. Natural processive myosins are dimeric and use internal tension to
      coordinate the detachment cycles of the two heads. Here, we show that
      processivity can be enhanced in engineered myosins using two non-natural
      strategies designed to optimize the effectiveness of random, uncoordinated
      stepping: (1) the formation of three-headed and four-headed myosins and (2) the
      introduction of flexible elements between heads. We quantify improvements using
      systematic single-molecule characterization of a panel of engineered motors. To
      test the modularity of our approach, we design a controllably bidirectional
      myosin that is robustly processive in both forward and backward directions, and
      also produce the fastest processive cytoskeletal motor measured so far, reaching
      a speed of 10 um s(-1).

PMID- 24240433
TI  - Direct inhibition of hexokinase activity by metformin at least partially impairs
      glucose metabolism and tumor growth in experimental breast cancer.
AB  - Emerging evidence suggests that metformin, a widely used anti-diabetic drug, may
      be useful in the prevention and treatment of different cancers. In the present
      study, we demonstrate that metformin directly inhibits the enzymatic function of
      hexokinase (HK) I and II in a cell line of triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB
      231). The inhibition is selective for these isoforms, as documented by
      experiments with purified HK I and II as well as with cell lysates. Measurements
      of (18)F-fluoro-deoxyglycose uptake document that it is dose- and time-dependent
      and powerful enough to virtually abolish glucose consumption despite unchanged
      availability of membrane glucose transporters. The profound energetic imbalance
      activates phosphorylation and is subsequently followed by cell death. More
      importantly, the "in vivo" relevance of this effect is confirmed by studies of
      orthotopic xenografts of MDA-MB-231 cells in athymic (nu/nu) mice. Administration
      of high drug doses after tumor development caused an evident tumor necrosis in a
      time as short as 48 h. On the other hand, 1 mo metformin treatment markedly
      reduced cancer glucose consumption and growth. Taken together, our results
      strongly suggest that HK inhibition contributes to metformin therapeutic and
      preventive potential in breast cancer. 

PMID- 24240434
TI  - [Dependence receptors: life or death choices].
AB  - Whereas the classic dogma postulates that transmembrane receptors remain inactive
      at the plasma membrane unless bound by their specific ligand, it was suggested
      that some receptors may actually be active not only in the presence of their
      ligand, but also in their absence. In this latter case, the signaling downstream
      of these unbound receptors leads to apoptosis. These receptors were consequently
      named dependence receptors, as their cell expression renders the survival of the
      cell dependent on the presence in the cell environment of its respective ligand.
      This dual function - positive in the presence of ligand, negative in the absence
      of ligand - is hypothesized to lead these receptors to have key roles both during
      embryonic development and in the regulation of tumorigenesis. In the context of
      cancer, the hypothesis is that these receptors are tumor suppressors that would
      limit tumor progression by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells outside of settings
      of ligand accessibility/availability. This was recently formally demonstrated for
      the prototypical dependence receptors that bind netrin-1- i.e., DCC and UNC5H.
      Because expression of DCC and UNC5H is a constraint for tumor progression, their
      expression is often lost in many aggressive cancers. However, a loss of
      dependence receptors is not always the selective advantage used by tumor cells to
      escape this survival dependence on the presence of the ligand. Indeed, it was
      shown that in many cancers, tumor cells acquire the preferred autocrine
      expression of ligands of dependence receptor. This selective advantage for the
      tumor is much more appealing in terms of therapeutic opportunities. Drugs based
      on the interference on the interaction between dependence receptors and their
      ligands allow tumor cell death in vitro and trigger tumor growth and metastases
      inhibition in mice. This review describes how a basic cell biology concept has
      provided in a near future new tools to fight cancer.

PMID- 24240435
TI  - Epidemiology of cardiovascular risk factors in Asian countries.
AB  - The distribution and burden of 5 conventional risk factors (elevated blood
      pressure, high total cholesterol, diabetes, obesity/overweight and smoking) for
      cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were reviewed in 10 selected Asian countries, in
      addition to the United Kingdom and the United States. Over the past 3 decades,
      age-standardized systolic blood pressure was on the decline in high-income
      countries but on the rise in low- to middle-income countries. Similar patterns
      were observed for total cholesterol levels, although the absolute levels remained
      higher in high-income countries. A pronounced increase in the prevalence of
      diabetes mellitus was seen in most of the Asian countries, corresponding to an
      increase in the levels of body mass index. The number of smokers declined
      markedly with time, particularly in men, in some selected Asian countries (Japan,
      Singapore, China, Vietnam). However, the prevalence of current smokers for all
      countries in 2011 remained excessive. The population-attributable risks for
      stroke and ischemic heart were highest for high blood pressure, followed by total
      cholesterol, obesity, and smoking. Evidence suggests that in both Asia and the
      West, no country is in sufficient control of any of these factors and that
      intervention programs to alter their effect on CVD are of equal importance.

PMID- 24240436
TI  - Fragmented QRS wave as a marker of cardiac events in various cardiac diseases.

PMID- 24240438
TI  - Orthopaedics in the dawn of civilisation, practices in ancient Egypt.

PMID- 24240437
TI  - Erythrocyte membrane docosapentaenoic acid levels are associated with islet
      autoimmunity: the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESES: We previously reported that lower n-3 fatty acid intake and
      levels in erythrocyte membranes were associated with increased risk of islet
      autoimmunity (IA) but not progression to type 1 diabetes in children at increased
      risk for diabetes. We hypothesise that specific n-3 fatty acids and genetic
      markers contribute synergistically to this increased risk of IA in the Diabetes
      Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY). METHODS: DAISY is following 2,547
      children at increased risk for type 1 diabetes for the development of IA, defined
      as being positive for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)65, IA-2 or insulin
      autoantibodies on two consecutive visits. Using a case-cohort design, erythrocyte
      membrane fatty acids and dietary intake were measured prospectively in 58 IA
      positive children and 299 IA-negative children. RESULTS: Lower membrane levels of
      the n-3 fatty acid, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), were predictive of IA (HR 0.23;
      95% CI 0.09, 0.55), while alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
      and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were not, adjusting for HLA and diabetes family
      history. We examined whether the effect of dietary intake of the n-3 fatty acid
      ALA on IA risk was modified by fatty acid elongation and desaturation genes.
      Adjusting for HLA, diabetes family history, ethnicity, energy intake and
      questionnaire type, ALA intake was significantly more protective for IA in the
      presence of an increasing number of minor alleles at FADS1 rs174556 (pinteraction
      = 0.017), at FADS2 rs174570 (pinteraction = 0.016) and at FADS2 rs174583
      (pinteraction = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The putative protective
      effect of n-3 fatty acids on IA may result from a complex interaction between
      intake and genetically controlled fatty acid desaturation.

PMID- 24240439
TI  - Childhood asthma: recent developments and update.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide an update on
      childhood asthma specifically related to the underlying genetic background and
      pathophysiology of asthma and their interaction with environmental stimuli. We
      will also discuss emerging data in the field of disease phenotyping. RECENT
      FINDINGS: The field of genetics is continuously evolving to expand our knowledge
      on the cause of disease. Childhood onset asthma has been related to atopy and
      exposure to early-life infections. More recently, phenotypes have been used to
      classify asthma as transient and persistent, but the association of each
      phenotype with the genetic origin of asthma is not clearly understood. SUMMARY:
      This review covers the topics of genetics, epigenetics, pathophysiology,
      phenotypes and treatment as they relate to childhood asthma. Overall, it provides
      a basis for the future of asthma treatment through description of the current
      research.

PMID- 24240440
TI  - Effect of cytokinin on morphological changes of suspension cultured cells of the
      moss, Barbula unguiculata.
AB  - Suspension cultured cells of the moss, Barbula unguiculata, grow actively in both
      light and dark culture. Light-grown cells contain chlorophyll and exhibit an
      undifferentiated callus form. When cells are transferred to a dark condition,
      they develop into protonemata. Protonemata formation in the dark can be inhibited
      by the addition of 5 MUM benzyladenine or 6-furfurylaminopurine but is not
      affected by the addition of 5 MUM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or naphthalene
      acetic acid. 

PMID- 24240442
TI  - Recovery of transgenic plants from "escape" shoots.
AB  - The problem of escapes is well known to those investigating the regeneration of
      transgenic shoots from transformed callus. Shoots can pass various tests and
      assays for transformation, and are then scored as transgenic, but the progeny do
      not express the transferred trait and do not contain the T-DNA. Explanations for
      these enigmatic "escapes" include instability of the T-DNA, genomic
      rearrangements during meiosis, or merely non-rigorous selection or identification
      assays giving rise to spuriously positive scorings. At least some shoots,
      however, are likely to simply be chimeric, containing both transformed and non
      transformed cell lines. In this case, the transformed cells are responsible for
      the positive selection and scoring on tests, but either do not contribute to the
      germ line (resulting in no transgenic progeny) or contribute to only a portion of
      the germ line (resulting in many fewer positive segregants than expected). We
      describe two methods which we used to recover fully transgenic plants from
      apparent escapes. One method involved analyzing more progeny than would normally
      be necessary (to identify minority transgenic contribution to the cell line). The
      other method, (to recover transgenic plants from primary selectants with no
      transgenic contribution to the germ line) involved regenerating new shoots from
      leaf tissue used in a selection assay to score the initial shoot as a positive
      transgenic. 

PMID- 24240441
TI  - Biotransformation of nicotine alkaloids by tobacco shooty teratomas induced by a
      Ti plasmid mutant.
AB  - Tobacco shooty or rooty teratomas and hairy roots were induced by Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens (pGV 3845), A. tumefaciens (pGV 3304) and A. rhizogenes (pRi 8196),
      respectively. The tobacco alkaloids, nicotine, nornicotine and anatabine, were
      produced in hairy roots and in rooty teratomas but not in shooty teratomas.
      However, the shooty teratomas have the ability to accumulate the alkaloids and to
      biotransform nicotine to nornicotine. These were established by co-culture
      experiments incubating hairy roots and shooty teratomas in a same dish and by
      biotransformation experiments with shooty teratomas. 

PMID- 24240443
TI  - Recovery of primary transformants of soybean.
AB  - Three transformants of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., have been recovered among
      a total of 18 plants regenerated by somatic embryogenesis from immature cotyledon
      tissues after cocultivation with Agrobacterium strains carrying a 15 kD zein gene
      (pH5PZ3D). DNA from upper leaves hybridized to a synthetic RNA probe specific for
      the zein sequence at a level equivalent to at least one copy per haploid genome.
      Hybridization to a vir G/C probe, however, was negligible, indicating that
      sequestration of whole bacteria or even persistence of plasmids within the
      tissues could not account for the zein hybridization signals. Progeny of all
      plants were uniformly untransformed. Since most somatic embryos have a
      multicellular origin in the regeneration system used, it is believed that the
      primary transformants were chimeric. The results indicate that somatic
      embryogenesis may be adaptable to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in
      soybean, but that greater numbers of mitotic cycles under selection before embryo
      initiation will be required if somatic embryogenesis is to be used efficiently
      for production of plants with transformed germ-line cells. 

PMID- 24240444
TI  - Plant development from isolated microspores of Zea mays L.
AB  - This paper reports the development of plants from mechanically isolated
      microspores of corn (Zea mays). Large populations of corn microspores were
      isolated using technology previously developed for rapeseed. Embryos and callus
      were developed from microspores in the late uninucleate stage. Scutellar-type
      embryos developed after two weeks and these could be transferred and germinated
      on a hormone free medium. However, the large majority of plants recovered from
      embryos developed only upon transfer to a corn embryogenic callus medium. These
      embryos produced shoots through organogenesis, and subsequently could be induced
      to form roots. Plants were developed from these colonies and grown in the
      greenhouse. The frequency of mature plants developed from the embryos was
      approximately 5 %. Non embryogenic callus which developed from some microspores
      have thus far either failed to develop or have developed only roots. Seed set has
      been obtained on some of the regenerated plants. 

PMID- 24240445
TI  - Elimination of systemic contamination in explant and protoplast cultures of
      rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.).
AB  - Ten systemic microorganisms (bacteria and yeasts) were isolated from stem
      sections of ex vitro grown rubber plants. Antibiotics were screened for their
      efficacy against these microorganisms and for possible tissue phytotoxicity.
      Erythromycin, nystatin and streptomycin at bactericidal levels were asymptomatic
      in relation to tissue stress nor was callusing capacity reduced. Contamination of
      stem explants as used for callus initiation, was reduced from 95.8 to 43.8% by
      the incorporation of these three antibiotics, at concentrations of 32.0, 16.0,
      16.0 MUg/ml respectively. Contamination was eliminated from protoplast cultures
      by these antibiotics, at half strength, in the plasmolysis and enzyme solutions.
      Rubber protoplast survival was promoted by these antibiotics. 

PMID- 24240446
TI  - In vitro plant regeneration from leaf and cotyledon explants of Cucumis melo L.
AB  - Five different genotypes from in vitro as well as greenhouse grown melon plants
      were shown to be highly responsive for in vitro shoot formation from leaf
      explants when placed on basic MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l 6
      benzylaminopurine. In addition, a very suitable regeneration system was obtained
      when cotyledon pieces of mature seeds were incubated on the same culture medium.
      In this case, the first shoots already appeared after 10 days of incubation, and
      hundreds of shoots were formed on the cut surface 3 to 4 weeks later. Explants
      from mature cotyledons derived from seedlings did not lead to any shoot
      formation. 

PMID- 24240447
TI  - Factors affecting the use of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase as a marker for
      Brassica genetic transformation.
AB  - The CAT gene which codes for the enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase was
      found to be ineffective as a reporter gene in cells and tissues of Brassica
      species. High levels of endogenous CAT activity were found to be widespread among
      this genus and did not appear to be distributed in a tissue- or cell-specific
      manner. Moreover, the presence of an inhibitor of CAT activity was discovered in
      Brassica napus and Brassica juncea. This inhibitor appeared to act selectively on
      bacterial CAT in transgenic plants. These findings provided an explanation for
      difficulties experienced in the detection of transgenic CAT activity in B. napus.

PMID- 24240448
TI  - Precursor-product relationships of Poly(gamma-glutamylcysteinyl)glycine
      biosynthesis in Datura innoxia.
AB  - Suspension cultures of Datura innoxia cells were pulse-labeled with
      [(35)S]cysteine, then exposed to Cd to determine whether there is a direct
      precursor-product relationship amongst the different forms of the Cd-induced
      polypeptides, poly(gamma-glutamylcysteinyl)glycines [(gammaEC)nG, n=2 to 5].
      Degradation of the polypeptides and possible regeneration of the [(35)S]-labeled
      glutathione and cysteine pools were also examined. After 2 h of exposure to
      [(35)S]cysteine, about 70% of the [(35)S]cysteine in the soluble fraction of the
      cell was incorporated into [(35)S]glutathione before exposure of the cells to Cd.
      One h after Cd exposure, most of the cellular [(35)S]glutathione was depleted and
      label was incorporated into (gammaEC)nG. Analysis of [(35)S](gammaEC)nG by
      reverse phase HPLC showed no direct precursor-product relationship between the
      synthesis of the shorter and longer chain forms. However, the rate of synthesis
      of the different polypeptides was linear for 32 h after Cd exposure. There was no
      evidence of degradation of [(35)S](gammaEC)nG nor was it excreted into the medium
      within this period. From these results it is suggested that in the presence of
      Cd, a large pool of (gammaEC)nG is unavailable for elongation to (gammaEC)n+1G. 

PMID- 24240449
TI  - Identification of viruses infected in Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. var purpurea
      Makino and effect of virus infection on root yield and iridoid glycoside
      contents.
AB  - Virus free plants of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. var. purpurea Makino were
      obtained through meristem tip tissue cultures from plants infected with a mixture
      of tabocco mosaic virus(TMV), a member of the carlavirus group, and an unknown
      spherical virus. The re-infection rate of the virus free plants by TMV in the
      field was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Twenty seven
      percent of the plants were re-infected during the first year, 31 % by the end of
      second year, and 63 % by the end of the third year. The yield of root and iridoid
      glycoside contents gradually decreased each year. These results led to the
      conclusion that virus infection causes marked decrease of the yield of roots and
      productivity of secondary metabolites. 

PMID- 24240450
TI  - Expression of zein in long term cultures of wildtype and opaque-2 maize
      endosperms.
AB  - It has been reported that long term cell cultures from maize endosperms are not
      completely de-differentiated, maintaining some tissue-specific synthesis. We
      analyzed the expression of zein (the major storage protein of maize seeds) in
      cultures derived from wildtype and opaque-2 maize endosperms. In wildtype
      cultures, our data indicate a severe restriction in zein accumulation, resulting
      both from reduction of transcription and from post-transcriptional events. No
      detectable zein proteins and trace amounts of transcripts were found in opaque-2
      cultures, which do not therefore exhibit a distinctive opaque-2 phenotype. 

PMID- 24240451
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in inflorescence and seed derived
      callus cultures of Poa pratensis L. (Kentucky bluegrass).
AB  - Callus induction and plant regeneration were studied in 15 cultivars of the
      facultative apomictic species Poa pratensis L. (Kentucky bluegrass).The tissue
      culture responses of mature seeds and immature inflorescences were compared.
      Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium, supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used for callus induction and maintenance.
      Plants could be regenerated from compact and friable callus on MS medium devoid
      of 2,4-D. Plants were recovered from 14 cultivars at a high frequency (up to 79%
      of the callus cultures) when young inflorescences were used as the explant
      material and from only 3 cultivars, at a low frequency (up to 3%), with seeds.
      Somatic embryos were observed in callus cultures of many cultivars. Fully
      developed germinating somatic embryos were occasionally observed. Plant
      regeneration appeared to take place both via somatic embryogenesis and
      organogenesis. Plants were generally green but albino shoots developed at a low
      frequency from friable callus. 

PMID- 24240452
TI  - Selection and characterization of an L-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid resistant
      callus culture of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek var. radiata.
AB  - Callus cultures were established from seedling root tips of mungbean (Vigna
      radiata (L.) Wilczek var. radiata) cv. K 851. The growing calli were exposed to
      increasing concentrations of thioproline - an analog of proline, in the medium. A
      concentration of 3.0 mM thioproline completely inhibited the growth of the cells.
      However, after 25 days incubation 5 cell clones were obtained which could grow on
      this concentration of thioproline. Out of them one vigorously growing cell clone
      was further characterized. This selected clone contained higher endogenous levels
      of free proline (5 fold) and K(+) (1.5 fold) and exhibited elevated tolerance,
      not only to thioproline but also to exogenously applied NaCl in the growth
      medium, as compared to the normal sensitive callus cells. Higher endogenous
      levels of free proline and K(+) appear to impart dual resistance to thioproline
      and NaCl to the selected cell strain. 

PMID- 24240453
TI  - Growth of Dioscorea deltoidea at high sugar concentrations.
AB  - Dioscorea deltoidea cell suspension cultures were grown at initial sucrose
      concentrations of 35 to 200 g/L. The growth rates were similar (about 0.50 day(
      1)) with all of the initial sugar concentrations examined. The ratio of fresh
      weight to dry weight of cells was dependent on the initial sugar concentration,
      however, it remained fairly constant as long as the sugar was present in the
      growth medium. These results are different from results recently published,
      claiming that the growth rate of D. deltoidea cells is dependent on sugar
      concentration and the fresh weight to dry weight ratio increases throughout
      growth. 

PMID- 24240454
TI  - The behaviour of tomato golden mosaic virus DNA in cultured cells isolated from
      systemically infected tobacco leaves.
AB  - When callus tissue was cultured from leaf pieces taken from a Nicotiana tabacum
      cv. Xanthi nc. plant systemically infected with tomato golden mosaic virus
      (TGMV), TGMV-specific DNA persisted for up to 6 months in culture. Analysis of
      TGMV-specific intracellular DNA forms indicated a decrease in double-stranded
      relative to single-stranded forms and an increase in sub-genomic relative to
      genomic single-stranded DNA species in the callus tissue compared to those in the
      original leaf explant. The implications of the results with regard to TGMV
      replication are discussed. 

PMID- 24240455
TI  - Genetic transformation of apple (Malus pumila Mill.) using a disarmed Ti-binary
      vector.
AB  - The disamed Ti-binary vector pBIN 6 in Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been used in
      leaf disc transfomations to produce transgenic apple (Malus pumila Mill.) plants
      with a nomal phenotype except for a somewhat reduced capacity to root. The
      presence of the genes for nopaline synthase and neomycin phosphotrans ferase
      (conferring kanamycin resistance), inserted into the host genome by the vector,
      was confirmed by Southern blot analysis, the detection of nopaline synthase
      activity and rooting in the presence of the antibiotic.The nopaline synthase gene
      continued to be expressed in glasshouse-grown plants several months after removal
      from in vitro growth conditions. 

PMID- 24240456
TI  - Ploidy levels in transgenic tomato plants determined by chloroplast number.
AB  - We determined germline ploidy of primary tomato transformants by counting meiotic
      chromosomes. We then determined the number of chloroplasts in stomatal cells by
      cytological staining. A correlation of these values indicated that diploid
      transformants had significantly fewer chloroplasts than tetraploid transformants.
      By maximum likelihood, we estimate that less than 1% of diploid transformants
      will have chloroplast values in the tetraploid range. Transformed plants
      generally had more chloroplasts than plants derived from seed. Also, there was
      more variability between transformed than seed derived plants. Less than 5% of
      transformed plants were chimeric when comparing leaf and pollen ploidy levels. Of
      129 transgenic plants examined, 29 (22%) were polyploid. 

PMID- 24240457
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plants from immature zygotic embryos of the species
      Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana.
AB  - Callus was obtained from immature zygotic embryos of semminiferous species
      (diploids) of Musa sp. using a medium derived from that of Murashige and Skoog.
      Picloram (7.5 MUM) was added and the medium was solidified with gelrite (2 gl(
      1)). Differentiation of the first somatic embryos occurred after transfer of the
      callus in the presence of 7.5 MUM picloram or 5.3 MUM NAA. Somatic embryos
      germinated on the medium supplemented with 5.3 MUM NAA. Serial sections of
      zygotic and somatic embryos showed perfect homology in their structure
      (epidermis, cotyledonary slit, shoot apex and 3 root primordia). Embryonic callus
      was characterised by a large quantity of protein storage in the cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24240458
TI  - The use of leaf GPI and IDH isozymes to examine the origin of polyembryony in
      cultured ovules of seedless grape.
AB  - Isozyme analysis of young leaf tissue was performed on progeny produced from
      cultured ovules resulting from crosses of seedless * seedless grapes. Two
      polymorphic loci, Idh and Gpi-c, were found to segregate in a simple Mendelian
      fashion in the populations examined. Analyses of 70 seedlings indicated that most
      seedlings produced by this method were zygotic. Isozyme data of 11 plants from 5
      polyembryonic ovules, along with data previously reported, suggest that several
      mechanisms may be operative in grape that give rise to polyembryony: 1)
      fertilization and development of more than one cell in the embryo sac, 2)
      adventive embryogenesis from the zygote, or 3) embryogenic development of gametic
      cells in addition to the zygote in the embryo sac. 

PMID- 24240459
TI  - High frequency androgenesis from isolated microspores of maize.
AB  - Anthers from a highly androgenic genotype of maize (139/39-02), when cultured in
      a modified, liquid YP medium, dehisced within 2-7 days resulting in a stationary
      suspension of microspores. After 12-15 days, the microspore suspension was found
      to contain multicellular masses which went on to produce macroscopic embryo-like
      structures within 20-25 days of culture initiation. Embryogenic callus could be
      obtained by transferring microspore-derived embryos onto a modified N6 medium
      supplemented with 2.5 mg/l dicamba and 0.1 mg/l 2,4-D. Subculture onto hormone
      free medium resulted in plant regeneration. Over 400 embryo-like structures per
      100 anthers cultured have been obtained from liquid induction medium as compared
      to 55 embryos per 100 anthers cultured on an agar-solidified medium.
      Approximately 5-25% of these embryo-like structures went on to produce callus
      from which plants could be recovered. Mechanical isolation of microspores from
      anthers precultured for 0, 3, and 7 days also resulted in embryo production and
      plant regeneration. This represents the first report of plant recovery from
      isolated maize microspores. The use of a liquid induction medium applied to a
      highly androgenic genotype allows for the production of large numbers of
      microspore-derived plants and provides a single, haploid cell regeneration system
      for maize. 

PMID- 24240460
TI  - Effect of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and aminoethoxyvinylglycine on
      ethylene emanation and somatic embryogenesis from orchardgrass leaf cultures.
AB  - Ethylene emanation rates were assessed from leaf tissues of an embryogenic seed
      plant (Cycle 0) and regeneration cycle plants selected for enhanced embryogenesis
      (Cycles I, II and IV). In all experiments, ethylene was assessed from the basal 1
      cm portion of the innermost leaf. Ethylene emanation was five-fold higher in
      Cycle II and Cycle IV plants than in Cycle 0 and nonembryogenic (NE) seed plants.
      After two days culture on Schenk and Hildebrandt medium containing 30 MUM dicamba
      (SH-30), ethylene emanation from Cycle 0 and Cycle II leaf sections increased by
      55-fold. Culture of leaf explants for 30 days on SH-30 containing 1 mM 1
      aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) reduced the embryogenic response by
      99%. Treatment of leaf explants with 1 mM aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) reduced
      ethylene emanation but did not affect embryogenesis. The data indicate that
      ethylene mediated by ACC may hinder the embryogenic response from orchardgrass
      leaf cultures. 

PMID- 24240461
TI  - Plantlet regeneration from a NaCl-selected salt-tolerant callus culture of
      Shamouti orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck).
AB  - Plantlets were regenerated from a selected salt-tolerant cell line of Shamouti
      orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). Embryogenesis was carried out both in the
      presence and absence of NaCl, yielding green and white globular embryos,
      respectively. Greening could be induced subsequently and normal heart shape
      embryo development was obtained. Plantlet formation required exposure to kinetin
      prior to the introduction of the root-inducing hormone naphthalene acetic acid.
      This system differs from the designed protocol for plant regeneration from the
      salt-sensitive, i.e., unselected callus. It is concluded that NaCl interferes
      with the regeneration process, with embryogenesis and/or embryo development into
      plantlets. Its presence during callus growth probably changes the balance of the
      phytohormones which is later manifested in plant regeneration. Citrus salt
      tolerant callus yields salt-tolerant embryos. Salt-tolerant calli derived from
      regenerated plantlets indicate acquisition of salt tolerance on the whole plant
      level. 

PMID- 24240462
TI  - Embryogenic cell lines from somatic embryos of grape (Vitis vinifera L.).
AB  - Somatic embryo formation occurred on leaf callus of grape (Vitis vinifera cv.
      Koshusanjaku). An embryogenic callus was induced from somatic embryo clusters
      cultured on vitamin-, inositol- and glycine-free Nitsch and Nitsch (1969) medium
      supplemented with 1.0MUM 2,4-D. This callus has retained a high embryogenic
      activity after repeated subculture on the same medium for over two years, and has
      produced numerous embryos after transfer to a hormone-free medium. The effect of
      cytokinin treatment on somatic embryogenesis from leaf callus was also examined.
      N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (KT-30) and N-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-N'
      phenylurea (TAG), both synthetic cytokinins, were found to be effective for the
      induction of somatic embryogenesis. When leaf callus was induced by these
      cytokinins combined with 2,4-D at either 5.0 or 10.0MUM, somatic embryos were
      produced. 

PMID- 24240463
TI  - Adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf tissue of three pear (Pyrus sp.)
      cultivars in vitro.
AB  - To develop an adventitious regeneration system for pear cultivars, several
      experiments were conducted with 2 cultivars of Pyrus communis L. ('Seckel' and
      'Louise Bonne') and one cultivar of P. bretschneideri Rehd. ('Crystal Pear').
      Half-leaves, taken from shoots proliferating on Lepoivre medium, were plated in
      petri-dishes on medium supplemented with various combinations of cytokinins and
      auxins. Cultures of the above cultivars had been established from mature trees.
      Among the growth regulators tested, thidiazuron (TDZ), combined with naphthalene
      acetic acid (NAA), was the most efficient for stimulation of adventitious shoots.
      The optimum level of TDZ was about 3 uM; shoot regeneration was observed over a
      wide range of TDZ and NAA concentrations (0.5 to 5 uM and 2.5 to 13 um,
      respectively). Among different macronutrient compositions, 1/2 and 1/4 Murashige
      and Skoog were the most effective. Sucrose concentrations (10 to 50 g L-1) had a
      linear significant effect on shoot regeneration of 'Crystal Pear'. 

PMID- 24240464
TI  - Effect of age of cell suspension cultures on susceptibility to a fungal elicitor.
AB  - Fungal elicitor induced phytoalexin formation and the corresponding fluorescence
      transitions of the molecular probes pyranine and oxonol VI, in soybean (Glycine
      max Merr var Kent) and cotton (Gossypium arboreum L. Nanking) cell suspensions
      were both significantly affected by the age of the cells. During the lag phase
      and the beginning of the exponential growth phase both cultures exhibited stress
      responses (i.e. phytoalexin formation and molecular probe fluorescence
      transitions) in the absence of added elicitors. This behavior was termed
      autoelicitation because elicitation occurred without added external stimuli. In
      contrast, cells in the late exponential-early stationary phase were relatively
      unresponsive to elicitor. During intermediate growth periods the cell suspensions
      behaved optimally, producing no phytoalexins until stimulated with an elicitor.
      It would appear, therefore, that the culture period can be divided into 3 phases,
      with respect to susceptibility to fungal elicitors: a distinct autoelicitation
      period (immediately after transfer of the cells into fresh medium), followed by a
      period in which negligible amounts of phytoalexins are synthesized without
      elicitor, and culminating in a late period in which the cells respond poorly to
      elicitor. The onset and duration of these periods are somewhat different for
      soybean and cotton cells. 

PMID- 24240465
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in diploid Allium fistulosum * A.
      cepa F1 hybrid onions.
AB  - Procedures were developed for disinfestation of non-dormant basal plate tissue
      excised from field grown basal plate tissue of diploid Allium fistulosum * A.
      cepa F1 hybrid onions. Contamination levels varied with the season and vegetative
      development of plant material. Callus initiated from basal plate tissue and
      immature inflorescences of the F1 hybrids was maintained on a BDS-based medium
      containing 0.75 mg/l picloram and 2.0 mg/l BA. When this medium was supplemented
      with vitamins and glycine, and with proline at 2.5 gm/1, somatic embryos began to
      form. Their development continued on a BDS-based shoot promotion medium
      containing 0.03 mg/l picloram and 0.32 mg/l 2iP supplemented with vitamins,
      glycine and proline. Genotypes differed significantly in the numbers of
      structures regenerated. Plantlets from somatic embryos were rooted into BDS or
      half-strength BDS medium without growth substances and were successfully
      transferred to sterilized potting mix in plastic commercial corsage boxes. 

PMID- 24240466
TI  - Analysis of lipid composition and morphological characteristics in soybean
      regenerants.
AB  - A study was conducted to examine the extent of somaclonal variation of soybean
      plants, Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv. 'McCall', regenerated via somatic
      embryogenesis from cultured immature cotyledons using two different protocols.
      The sexual progeny of regenerants were compared with normal, seed-derived
      populations for morphological characteristics and fatty acid composition of
      seeds. First generation progeny of regenerants showed greater phenotypic
      variation than the control population, but this variation was not observed in the
      second generation. No stable somaclonal variants for fatty acid composition of
      the seed oil or morphological characteristics were observed, indicating that this
      somatic embryogenesis system should be adaptable for transformation with minimal
      generation of unwanted variation. 

PMID- 24240467
TI  - PEG-mediated expression of GUS and CAT genes in protoplasts from embryogenic
      suspension cultures of Picea glauca.
AB  - beta-Glucuronidase (GUS) and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) were used
      as reporter proteins in protoplasts from embryogenic suspension cultures of Picea
      glauca (Moench) Voss (white spruce). Plasmid DNA enclosing chimeric GUS and CAT
      constructs, using the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, was introduced into
      Picea glauca protoplasts using polyethylene glycol (PEG). Transient expression
      was detected 12 to 40 h after PEG-mediated DNA delivery. Dose-response curves
      using covalently closed circular plasmid DNA, in the absence of carrier DNA, have
      been obtained for each of these reporter genes. Linearized plasmid DNA gave lower
      levels of expression than covalently closed circular plasmid DNA when assayed 40
      h after PEG-mediated DNA transfer. The use of carrier DNA (herring sperm DNA), in
      combination with covalently closed circular plasmid DNA, increased the level of
      expression of GUS by about 50%. CAT expression was enhanced if PEG-mediated
      delivery was performed on ice rather than at room temperature. The highest level
      of expression for CAT, and the lowest signal-to-noise ratio, was found 24 h after
      PEG-mediated DNA transfer. Both GUS and CAT provided results that were
      quantifiable and can therefore be used as reporter genes in Picea glauca. 

PMID- 24240468
TI  - Plant regeneration from hypocotyl-derived protoplasts of Brassica juncea (L.)
      Czern and Coss.
AB  - Protoplasts isolated from etiolated hypocotyls of 6-day-old seedlings of Brassica
      juncea cv RLM 198 were cultured in a modified V47 medium containing 7% mannitol,
      2% sucrose, 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D, 0.1 mg/l NAA and 0.4 mg/l BAP, at a density of
      5*10(4) protoplasts per ml of medium. Cultures were incubated in the dark at 25+1
      degrees C. After 7 d of culture, cell colonies were diluted with 8p medium
      containing 5% mannitol and a similar hormone combination as described earlier.
      After 14 d, cell colonies were embedded in 8p medium containing agarose and 3.5%
      mannitol. Immediately upon gelling, liquid 8p medium was added to each Petri dish
      as an overlayer, and cultures were incubated in the light. After a total of 3 to
      4 weeks in culture, microcalli were obtained. A modified MS medium with 2%
      sucrose, 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.1 mg/l kinetin solidified with 0.5% agarose was
      used for growing microcalli into callus lines. On MS medium containing 2%
      sucrose, 0.1 mg/l IAA, 2.0 mg/l zeatin riboside and 2.0 mg/l BAP, solidified with
      0.5% agarose, about 35% of the calli regenerated multiple shoots. The time
      required from culture of protoplasts to multiple shoot regeneration was about 10
      weeks. Regenerated shoots were rooted and plants were re-established in a growth
      chamber at high frequency. 

PMID- 24240469
TI  - Mitral valve and coronary artery bypass surgeries 13 years after pneumonectomy
      for lung cancer.
AB  - We successfully performed coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve
      replacement in a 72-year-old man who had undergone a left pneumonectomy 13 years
      previously due to a malignant mass. The patient was admitted to our clinic with
      symptoms of dyspnoea, palpitations, chest pain and fatigue. He was diagnosed with
      mitral valve disease and two-vessel coronary artery disease, as seen from
      echocardiography and catheterisation studies. Conventional cardiopulmonary bypass
      grafting was performed following sternotomy. The patient's heart was completely
      displaced to the left hemithorax. Saphenous vein grafts were harvested. Distal
      anastomoses were performed with the use of the on-pump beatingheart technique
      without cross clamping. Afterwards a cross clamping was placed and a left
      atriotomy was performed. The mitral valve was severely calcific. A mitral valve
      replacement was performed using number 27 mechanical valve after the valve had
      been excised. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Cardiac
      contractility was seen to be normal and the mitral valve was functioning on
      echocardiography done in the second postoperative month. 

PMID- 24240470
TI  - Acute aortic dissection with a dangerous duo in an adolescent boy.
AB  - Acute type II aortic dissection and aortic coarctation are rare combined
      disorders. This report is of a patient with coarctation, a bicuspid aortic valve
      and type II dissection, who underwent emergency repair for the dissection, with
      aortic valve preservation. Repair of the coarctation was planned for a future
      occasion. The optimal sequence and timing of the repair, the best surgical
      technique, adequacy of blood perfusion, and the most appropriate arterial
      cannulation site are important issues in the repair of aortic dissection
      secondary to aortic coarctation. 

PMID- 24240471
TI  - Wt1 in the kidney--a tale in mouse models.
AB  - The WT1 gene was originally identified through its involvement in the development
      of Wilms tumours. The gene is characterized by a plethora of different isoforms
      with, in some cases, clearly different functions in transcriptional control and
      RNA metabolism. Many different mouse models for Wt1 have already been generated,
      and these are increasingly providing new information on the molecular roles of
      Wt1 in normal development and disease. In this review we discuss the different
      models that have been generated and what they have taught us about the role of
      Wt1 in the kidney. 

PMID- 24240472
TI  - Risk factors for early relapse during maintenance therapy after a single infusion
      of rituximab in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.

PMID- 24240473
TI  - Fluoxetine epigenetically alters the CaMKIIalpha promoter in nucleus accumbens to
      regulate DeltaFosB binding and antidepressant effects.
AB  - Chronic social defeat stress in mice produces a susceptible phenotype
      characterized by several behavioral abnormalities consistent with human
      depression that are reversed by chronic but not acute exposure to antidepressant
      medications. Recent work in addiction models demonstrates that the transcription
      factor DeltaFosB and protein kinase calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II
      (CaMKII) are co-regulated in nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain reward region
      implicated in both addiction and depression models including social defeat.
      Previous work has also demonstrated that DeltaFosB is induced in NAc after
      chronic social defeat stress or after chronic antidepressant treatment, wherein
      it mediates a pro-resilience or antidepressant-like phenotype. Here, using
      chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we found that DeltaFosB binds the
      CaMKIIalpha gene promoter in NAc and that this binding increases after mice are
      exposed to chronic social defeat stress. Paradoxically, chronic exposure to the
      antidepressant fluoxetine reduces binding of DeltaFosB to the CaMKIIalpha
      promoter and reduces CaMKII expression in NAc, despite the fact that DeltaFosB is
      induced under these conditions. These data suggest a novel epigenetic mechanism
      of antidepressant action, whereby fluoxetine induces some chromatin change at the
      CaMKIIalpha promoter, which blocks the DeltaFosB binding. Indeed, chronic
      fluoxetine reduces acetylation and increases lysine-9 dimethylation of histone H3
      at the CaMKIIalpha promoter in NAc, effects also seen in depressed humans exposed
      to antidepressants. Overexpression of CaMKII in NAc blocks fluoxetine's
      antidepressant effects in the chronic social defeat paradigm, whereas inhibition
      of CaMKII activity in NAc mimics fluoxetine exposure. These findings suggest that
      epigenetic suppression of CaMKIIalpha expression in NAc is behaviorally relevant
      and offer a novel pathway for possible therapeutic intervention in depression and
      related syndromes. 

PMID- 24240474
TI  - LET dependence of the response of EBT2 films in proton dosimetry modeled as a
      bimolecular chemical reaction.
AB  - The dose response for films exposed to clinical x-ray beams is not linear and a
      calibration curve based on absorbed dose can be used to account for this effect.
      However for proton dosimetry the dose response of films exhibits an additional
      dependence because of the variation of the linear energy transfer (LET) as the
      protons penetrate matter. In the present study, we hypothesized that the dose
      response for EBT2 films can be mathematically described as a bimolecular chemical
      reaction. Furthermore, we have shown that the LET effect can be incorporated in
      the dose-response curve. A set of EBT2 films was exposed to pristine 161.6 MeV
      proton beams. The films were exposed to doses ranging from 0.93 to 14.82 Gy at a
      depth of 2 cm in water. The procedure was repeated with one film exposed to a
      lower energy beam (85.6 MeV). We also computed the LET and dose to water in the
      sensitive layer of the films with a validated Monte Carlo system, taking into
      account the film construction (polyester, adhesive and sensitive layers). The
      bimolecular model was able to accurately fit the experimental data with a
      correlation factor of 0.9998, and the LET correction factor was determined and
      incorporated into the dose-response function. We also concluded that the film
      orientation is important when determining the LET correction factor because of
      the asymmetric construction of the film.

PMID- 24240475
TI  - A network of epigenetic regulators guides developmental haematopoiesis in vivo.
AB  - The initiation of cellular programs is orchestrated by key transcription factors
      and chromatin regulators that activate or inhibit target gene expression. To
      generate a compendium of chromatin factors that establish the epigenetic code
      during developmental haematopoiesis, a large-scale reverse genetic screen was
      conducted targeting orthologues of 425 human chromatin factors in zebrafish. A
      set of chromatin regulators was identified that target different stages of
      primitive and definitive blood formation, including factors not previously
      implicated in haematopoiesis. We identified 15 factors that regulate development
      of primitive erythroid progenitors and 29 factors that regulate development of
      definitive haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. These chromatin factors are
      associated with SWI/SNF and ISWI chromatin remodelling, SET1 methyltransferase,
      CBP-p300-HBO1-NuA4 acetyltransferase, HDAC-NuRD deacetylase, and Polycomb
      repressive complexes. Our work provides a comprehensive view of how specific
      chromatin factors and their associated complexes play a major role in the
      establishment of haematopoietic cells in vivo. 

PMID- 24240476
TI  - Directed differentiation of human pluripotent cells to ureteric bud kidney
      progenitor-like cells.
AB  - Diseases affecting the kidney constitute a major health issue worldwide. Their
      incidence and poor prognosis affirm the urgent need for the development of new
      therapeutic strategies. Recently, differentiation of pluripotent cells to somatic
      lineages has emerged as a promising approach for disease modelling and cell
      transplantation. Unfortunately, differentiation of pluripotent cells into renal
      lineages has demonstrated limited success. Here we report on the differentiation
      of human pluripotent cells into ureteric-bud-committed renal progenitor-like
      cells. The generated cells demonstrated rapid and specific expression of renal
      progenitor markers on 4-day exposure to defined media conditions. Further
      maturation into ureteric bud structures was accomplished on establishment of a
      three-dimensional culture system in which differentiated human cells assembled
      and integrated alongside murine cells for the formation of chimeric ureteric
      buds. Altogether, our results provide a new platform for the study of kidney
      diseases and lineage commitment, and open new avenues for the future application
      of regenerative strategies in the clinic. 

PMID- 24240477
TI  - The Cep63 paralogue Deup1 enables massive de novo centriole biogenesis for
      vertebrate multiciliogenesis.
AB  - Dense multicilia in higher vertebrates are important for luminal flow and the
      removal of thick mucus. To generate hundreds of basal bodies for
      multiciliogenesis, specialized terminally differentiated epithelial cells undergo
      massive centriole amplification. In proliferating cells, however, centriole
      duplication occurs only once per cell cycle. How cells ensure proper regulation
      of centriole biogenesis in different contexts is poorly understood. We report
      that the centriole amplification is controlled by two duplicated genes, Cep63 and
      Deup1. Cep63 regulates mother-centriole-dependent centriole duplication. Deup1
      governs deuterosome assembly to mediate large-scale de novo centriole biogenesis.
      Similarly to Cep63, Deup1 binds to Cep152 and then recruits Plk4 to activate
      centriole biogenesis. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that Deup1 diverged from
      Cep63 in a certain ancestor of lobe-finned fishes during vertebrate evolution and
      was subsequently adopted by tetrapods. Thus, the Cep63 gene duplication has
      enabled mother-centriole-independent assembly of the centriole duplication
      machinery to satisfy different requirements for centriole number. 

PMID- 24240478
TI  - Combined effects of botulinum toxin injection and hind limb unloading on bone and
      muscle.
AB  - Bone receives mechanical stimulation from two primary sources, muscle
      contractions and external gravitational loading; but the relative contribution of
      each source to skeletal health is not fully understood. Understanding the most
      effective loading for maintaining bone health has important clinical implications
      for prescribing physical activity for the treatment or prevention of
      osteoporosis. Therefore, we investigated the relative effects of muscle paralysis
      and reduced gravitational loading on changes in muscle mass, bone mineral
      density, and microarchitecture. Adult female C57Bl/6J mice (n = 10/group)
      underwent one of the following: unilateral botulinum toxin (BTX) injection of the
      hind limb, hind limb unloading (HLU), both unilateral BTX injection and HLU, or
      no intervention. BTX and HLU each led to significant muscle and bone loss. The
      effect of BTX was diminished when combined with HLU, though generally the leg
      that received the combined intervention (HLU+BTX) had the most detrimental
      changes in bone and muscle. We found an indirect effect of BTX affecting the
      uninjected (contralateral) leg that led to significant decreases in bone mineral
      density and deficits in muscle mass and bone architecture relative to the
      untreated controls; the magnitude of this indirect BTX effect was comparable to
      the direct effect of BTX treatment and HLU. Thus, while it was difficult to
      definitively conclude whether muscle force or external gravitational loading
      contributes more to bone maintenance, it appears that BTX-induced muscle
      paralysis is more detrimental to muscle and bone than HLU.

PMID- 24240480
TI  - Influence of ABCB1 and CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of
      quetiapine in healthy volunteers.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug used to
      treat schizophrenia and acute episodes of mania. Quetiapine is metabolized by
      CYP3A enzymes including CYP3A5 and is a substrate of P-glycoprotein, an efflux
      drug transporter encoded by the ABCB1 gene. We assessed the effects of ABCB1
      [c.1236C>T (rs1128503), c.2677G>T/A (rs2032582), c.3435C>T (rs1045642)] and
      CYP3A5*3 (6986A>G) (rs776746) polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of quetiapine
      in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty healthy male individuals were enrolled,
      and their ABCB1 and CYP3A5 polymorphisms were assessed. After a single dose of
      100 mg quetiapine was administered, plasma concentrations of quetiapine were
      measured for 24 h and pharmacokinetic analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The
      ABCB1 polymorphisms including c.1236C>T, c.2677G>T/A, and c.3435C>>T did not
      affect plasma levels of quetiapine, and its pharmacokinetic parameters did not
      differ among ABCB1 genotype groups. However, the CYP3A5*3 polymorphism
      significantly affected the plasma level of quetiapine and its pharmacokinetics.
      The peak plasma concentration of quetiapine was 208.39 ng/ml for CYP3A5*1/*1,
      243.46 ng/ml for CYP3A5*1/*3, and 332.94 ng/ml for CYP3A5*3/*3 (P=0.0118). The
      mean AUC(inf) (area under the time vs. concentration curve from 0 to infinity)
      value was 627.3, 712.77, and 1045.29 ng h/ml, respectively (P=0.0017).
      CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the genetic polymorphism of CYP3A5*3 but
      not ABCB1 significantly influences the plasma level of quetiapine and its
      pharmacokinetics. These findings suggest that the CYP3A5 genetic polymorphism
      affects the disposition of quetiapine and provide a plausible explanation for
      interindividual variation in the disposition of this drug.

PMID- 24240479
TI  - Cyclin-dependent kinase complexes in developing maize endosperm: evidence for
      differential expression and functional specialization.
AB  - Endosperm development in maize (Zea mays L.) and related cereals comprises a cell
      proliferation stage followed by a period of rapid growth coupled to
      endoreduplication. Regulation of the cell cycle in developing endosperm is poorly
      understood. We have characterized various subunits of cyclin-dependent kinase
      (CDK) complexes, master cell cycle regulators in all eukaryotes. A-, B-, and D
      type cyclins as well as A- and B-type cyclin-dependent kinases were characterized
      with respect to their RNA and protein expression profiles. Two main patterns were
      identified: one showing expression throughout endosperm development, and another
      characterized by a sharp down-regulation with the onset of endoreduplication.
      Cyclin CYCB1;3 and CYCD2;1 proteins were distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus
      of cells throughout the endosperm, while cyclin CYCD5 protein was localized in
      the cytoplasm of peripheral cells. CDKB1;1 expression was strongly associated
      with cell proliferation. Expression and cyclin-binding patterns suggested that
      CDKA;1 and CDKA;3 are at least partially redundant. The kinase activity
      associated with the cyclin CYCA1 was highest during the mitotic stage of
      development, while that associated with CYCB1;3, CYCD2;1 and CYCD5 peaked at the
      mitosis-to-endoreduplication transition. A-, B- and D-type cyclins were more
      resistant to proteasome-dependent degradation in endoreduplicating than in
      mitotic endosperm extracts. These results indicated that endosperm development is
      characterized by differential expression and activity of specific cyclins and
      CDKs, and suggested that endoreduplication is associated with reduced cyclin
      proteolysis via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. 

PMID- 24240481
TI  - Jan Evangelista Purkynje (1787-1869).

PMID- 24240482
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging findings of developmental venous anomalies.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluated morphological features of developmental venous
      anomalies (DVAs) based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The study
      also evaluated the factors affecting the visibility of DVAs on MRI. METHODS: We
      reviewed contrast-enhanced MRIs of 75 patients with DVA. The images were selected
      from 1,165 consecutive cranial MRIs. The images were examined for the DVA
      location, the number of collecting veins, the collecting vein diameter, drainage
      veins and sinuses, any accompanying parenchymal abnormalities or lesions, and the
      DVA visibility on MRI. RESULTS: DVAs prevalence was determined as 6.4 %. A total
      of 88 DVAs were observed. Single DVAs were observed in 65 patients, two were
      observed in 7 patients and three were observed in 3 patients. The DVA caputs had
      deep localization most frequently in 54.5 % of patients. A total of 98 collecting
      veins were identified, with a single vein identified in 80 DVAs. A statistically
      significant difference (p = 0.000) was found in the diameter of the collecting
      veins between DVAs that were the visible and nonvisible on noncontrast MRI.
      CONCLUSIONS: Most frequently, a single DVA was observed in the patients. A DVA
      caput could be located in the deep, subcortical, juxtacortical or deep +
      subcortical and juxtacortical + subcortical regions. Increasing collecting vein
      diameter increased visibility on noncontrast MRI, and small DVAs could be
      overlooked, even with contrast-enhanced MRI series if the images were not
      examined carefully.

PMID- 24240483
TI  - Hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 5A favors upregulation of gluconeogenic
      and lipogenic gene expression leading towards insulin resistance: a metabolic
      syndrome.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis C is a lethal blood-borne infection often associated with a
      number of pathologies such as insulin resistance and other metabolic
      abnormalities. Insulin is a key hormone that regulates the expression of
      metabolic pathways and favors homeostasis. In this study, we demonstrated the
      molecular mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A)
      induced metabolic dysregulation. We showed that transient expression of HCV NS5A
      in human hepatoma cells increased lipid droplet formation through enhanced
      lipogenesis. We also showed increased transcriptional expression of peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha and diacylglycerol
      acyltransferase-1 (DGAT-1) in NS5A-expressing cells. On the other hand, there was
      significantly reduced transcriptional expression of microsomal triglyceride
      transfer protein (MTP) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma
      (PPARgamma) in cells expressing HCV NS5A. Furthermore, increased gluconeogenic
      gene expression was observed in HCV-NS5A-expressing cells. In addition, it was
      also shown that HCV-NS5A-expressing hepatoma cells show serine phosphorylation of
      IRS-1, thereby hampering metabolic activity and contributing to insulin
      resistance. Therefore, this study reveals that HCV NS5A is involved in enhanced
      gluconeogenic and lipogenic gene expression, which triggers metabolic abnormality
      and impairs insulin signaling pathway.

PMID- 24240484
TI  - Comparison of minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody
      fusion in two-level degenerative lumbar disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological
      outcomes of minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
      in two-level degenerative lumbar disease. METHODS: We conducted a prospective
      cohort study of 82 patients, who underwent two-level minimally invasive or open
      transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) from March 2010 to December 2011.
      Forty-four patients underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody
      fusion (MITLIF) (group A) and 38 patients underwent the traditional open TLIF
      (group B). Demographic data and clinical characteristics were comparable between
      the two groups before surgery (p > 0.05). Peri-operative data, clinical and
      radiological outcomes between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The mean
      follow-up period was 20.6 +/- 4.5 months for group A and 20.0 +/- 3.3 months for
      group B (p > 0.05). No significant difference existed in operating time between
      the two group (p > 0.05). X-ray exposure time was significantly longer for MITLIF
      compared to open cases. Intra-operative blood loss and duration of
      postoperatively hospital stay of group A were significantly superior to those of
      group B (p < 0.05). On postoperative day three, MITLIF patients had significantly
      less pain compared to patients with the open procedure. No statistical difference
      existed in pre-operative and latest VAS value of back pain (VAS-BP) and leg pain
      (VAS-LP), pre-operative and latest ODI between the two groups. The fusion rate of
      the two groups was similar (p < 0.05). Complications included small dural tear,
      superficial wound infection and overlong screws. When comparing the total
      complications, no significant difference existed between the groups (p > 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: MITLIF offers several potential advantages including postoperative
      back pain and leg pain, intra-operative blood loss, transfusion and duration of
      hospital stay postoperatively in treating two-level lumbar degenerative disease.
      However, it required much more radiation exposure.

PMID- 24240485
TI  - Comparative study of ranibizumab and bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization in
      rabbits.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim was to compare the effect of subconjunctival injections of
      ranibizumab and bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization (NV) in rabbits.
      METHODS: NV was induced by placing a suture at the corneal periphery of rabbits
      (n = 30 eyes). Immediately after suturing, the rabbits were divided into 3 groups
      and 7 days later administered subconjunctival injections of ranibizumab
      (Lucentis; 0.5 mg/0.05 mL), bevacizumab (Avastin; 5 mg/0.05 mL), or normal saline
      (control), respectively. The time-course photographs to measure the area of the
      corneal NV were obtained on days 7, 10, and 14 after suture placement.
      Histological examination and immunohistochemical analysis for the vascular
      endothelial growth factor and CD34 were performed. RESULTS: Analysis of digital
      photographs showed that there was less corneal NV in the ranibizumab- and
      bevacizumab-treated eyes than in the control eyes (P = 0.012, 1-way analysis of
      variance); however, no significant differences between the ranibizumab- and
      bevacizumab-treated eyes were seen. In addition, there was less staining for
      vascular endothelial growth factor and CD34 in the corneas from the ranibizumab
      treated eyes and bevacizumab-treated eyes than in the control eyes, and there
      were no significant differences in the staining intensity between the ranibizumab
      and bevacizumab-treated eyes. Subconjunctival ranibizumab and bevacizumab
      injections were not associated with any complications during observations.
      CONCLUSIONS: Subconjunctival administrations of ranibizumab or bevacizumab
      inhibit corneal NV in rabbits and have equivalent effects on it.

PMID- 24240486
TI  - Peripheral ulcerative keratitis and corneal melt: a 10-year single center review
      with historical comparison.
AB  - PURPOSE: Management of noninfectious ulcerative keratitis (UK) and associated
      systemic disorders has changed over recent years. This study aimed to analyze a
      recent cohort of patients with UK in this context. METHODS: The case notes of all
      the patients attending a specialist corneal immunosuppression clinic between June
      2002 and July 2012 were reviewed. A subgroup comparison of those with rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA) was made with those included in an earlier report from this same
      center (Malik et al. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2006;16:791-797). The Fisher exact test
      was used for statistical comparison, and a Bonferroni correction was applied.
      RESULTS: Seventy patients, whose mean age was 65.0 years (median, 64 years), were
      included. Fifteen (21%) had bilateral disease, and forty-six had RA (66%). At
      presentation, the mean (median) visual acuity (VA) was 0.59 (0.18) logarithm of
      the minimum angle of resolution equivalent to 6/24 (6/9) Snellen. All the
      patients were prescribed systemic corticosteroids, which were later stopped in 45
      (64%) patients. All but 2 were treated with steroid-sparing immunosuppressive
      agents, with each patient being prescribed a mean of 1.5 medications (range, 0
      4), including prednisolone. These included prednisolone (70, 100%), methotrexate
      (47, 67%), mycophenolate (15, 21%), tacrolimus (5, 7%), and azathioprine (4, 6%).
      No irreversible side effects occurred. After perforation, 12 eyes of 11 patients
      (16%) underwent a corneal transplantation, and 10 (83%) of these remained clear.
      The mean (median) VA of the affected eyes when last seen was 0.34 (0.18)
      logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution equivalent to 6/13 (6/9) Snellen.
      The subset of patients with RA had significantly lower rates of corneal
      perforation and a VA <= 6/60 when last seen (P < 0.05) compared with that of the
      earlier cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular morbidity associated with UK has fallen,
      possibly because of a move toward more aggressive systemic antiinflammatory
      therapy.

PMID- 24240487
TI  - Vernal keratoconjunctivitis with giant papillae on the inferior tarsal
      conjunctiva.
AB  - PURPOSE: In vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), giant papillae are commonly
      observed on the superior tarsal conjunctiva. We found 3 cases of giant papillae
      on the inferior tarsal conjunctiva, and diagnosed them as being VKC based on
      their clinical and histopathological features. METHODS: Three patients with
      inferior tarsal giant papillae were studied. In 2 patients, the giant papillae
      were resected for therapeutic purposes. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried
      out by indirect immunofluorescent staining using anti-CD3, anti-CD20, anti-CD35
      antibodies. RESULTS: In all 3 patients, giant papilla formation was observed on
      the inferior lid margin. Clusters of CD20 B lymphocytes with CD35 follicular
      dendritic cells, and CD3 marginal zone T lymphocytes, common features of lymphoid
      neogenesis, were observed. In 2 patients, typical giant papillary formation was
      also observed on the superior tarsal conjunctiva. In all the patients, topical
      dexamethasone and tacrolimus treatments were found to be effective. CONCLUSIONS:
      The giant papillae of VKC can occur not only on the superior tarsal conjunctiva
      but also on the inferior tarsal conjunctiva. The possibility of the presence of
      giant papillae on the inferior tarsal conjunctiva should be considered in the
      clinical examination of patients with VKC.

PMID- 24240489
TI  - Corneal collagen fibril changes after ultraviolet a/riboflavin corneal
      crosslinking.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim was to investigate the changes in collagen type 1 and type 3 in
      rabbit corneas undergoing corneal crosslinking with ultraviolet A and riboflavin
      and to analyze the possible mechanisms of corneal haze formation. METHODS: After
      removal of the central epithelium, the right corneas of 60 New Zealand rabbits
      were crosslinked with riboflavin and ultraviolet A, and 10 additional rabbits
      were used as the control group. The animals were killed 3, 7, 15, 30, 90, and 180
      days postoperatively. Collagen type 1 and type 3 were analyzed using picrosirius
      red stain by means of polarized light microscopy. The biochemical changes in
      collagen type 3 at the time points indicated above were determined by Western
      blot analyses. RESULTS: Collagen type 3 was significantly increased 30 days after
      corneal crosslinking compared with that in the control cornea, gradually
      increased until reaching its maximum value 90 days after riboflavin and
      ultraviolet A crosslinking, and then decreased until it returned to the normal
      state 180 days after crosslinking. There were no significant changes in collagen
      type 1 over time after corneal crosslinking. In agreement with the picrosirius
      red staining results, the western blot analyses showed that collagen type 3 was
      detected 15 days after the crosslinking treatment and continued to be present.
      However, 180 days after the crosslinking treatment, collagen type 3 could not be
      found in the crosslinked corneas. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that
      ultraviolet A/riboflavin crosslinking results in collagen type 3 synthesis and
      degradation, which may offer at least a partial explanation for the formation of
      corneal haze.

PMID- 24240488
TI  - Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty for the treatment of combined fuchs
      corneal endothelial dystrophy and keratoconus.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the first case series of patients with Fuchs corneal
      endothelial dystrophy (FCD) and keratoconus (KCN) who underwent Descemet
      stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK). METHODS: This is a retrospective case
      series of 6 eyes of 4 patients with combined FCD and KCN who underwent DSEK at 3
      different centers. Clinical information collected included corneal topography
      measurements, central corneal thickness, and endothelial cell count. Visual
      outcomes and change in keratometric measurements were evaluated. RESULTS: The
      follow-up for patients ranged from 10 to 72 months. The best-corrected visual
      acuity was 20/40 or better in all 6 eyes. The mean keratometric measurements
      decreased in all cases (range of 0.5-5.8 diopters); however, topography still
      demonstrated an inferior steepening in each case. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with FCD
      and KCN have been previously reported as being managed with penetrating
      keratoplasty. We present 6 eyes of 4 patients who were managed with DSEK for the
      FCD. Topographically, the characteristic inferior steepening of KCN did not
      change; however, all patients with DSEK had flatter postoperative keratometric
      measurements with improved visual acuity. If a DSEK is performed for FCD before
      apical corneal scarring from KCN, a good visual outcome may be achieved.

PMID- 24240490
TI  - Clinical outcomes of corneal graft infections caused by multi-drug resistant
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim was to assess the clinical outcomes of corneal graft infections
      caused by multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA). METHODS: This is
      a retrospective case series of 38 patients with corneal graft infections caused
      by MDR-PA managed from June to December 2011. Clinical and demographic details,
      treatment outcome on primary therapy, cases requiring a repeat graft, their
      outcome, and recurrence rate on treatment were analyzed. The outcome measure was
      resolution of infection. Success was "complete" if resolution was seen without
      subsequent recurrence up to 2 weeks and "partial" if it required intervention
      such as cyanoacrylate glue application. It was a "failure" if the infection could
      not be controlled and the patient required a repeat graft or the eye had to be
      eviscerated. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were initially treated with topical
      cefazolin 5% and ciprofloxacin 0.3%, 6 with topical colistin 0.19%, and 1 was
      treated with topical imipenem 1%. On this treatment, 9 cases showed complete
      success and 6 showed partial success. Twenty-two patients required a repeat
      graft, and 1 eye was eviscerated. The patients with outcome of success had
      smaller graft infiltrates (median area = 2 mm; range = 1-24.6 mm vs. median
      infiltrate area = 24.8 mm; range = 1.5-64 mm) than those with an outcome of
      failure (P = 0.02). At the mean follow-up of 50 days, recurrence after the repeat
      surgery was seen in 4/22 (18.2%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Medical therapy can be
      tried in sensitive and smaller MDR-PA graft infiltrates, but larger infiltrates
      and those with endophthalmitis require early surgical intervention.

PMID- 24240491
TI  - Restoration of human lacrimal function following platelet-rich plasma injection.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on
      lacrimal function in patients with severe dry eye. METHODS: A prospective
      interventional case series design was adopted. Four patients with severe lacrimal
      dysfunction and severe dry eye were treated. Platelet rich-activated plasma (1
      mL) was injected adjacent to the lacrimal gland on day 0 and at 4, 8, and 12
      weeks. The objective parameters included a Schirmer test, ocular surface
      staining, and tear break-up time (TBUT). The patients were followed up for 12
      weeks after the first injection. RESULTS: All cases showed a significant
      improvement in lacrimal volume (from 3.3 +/- 0.8 mm to 11.1 +/- 2.3 mm). In all
      the patients, an increase in tear break-up time values and a decrease in ocular
      staining (basal 8.0 +/- 0.61-2.8 +/- 0.5) with subjective improvement occurred.
      None of the patients presented any adverse effect, and none reported pain or
      discomfort. Additionally, no complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Injected
      platelet-enriched plasma was found to be safe and effective in increasing
      lacrimal production and in improving ocular staining secondary to severe dry eye.
      This approach could be an alternative for the management of these patients,
      although additional studies are required to perfect the technique.

PMID- 24240492
TI  - [The German Journal for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy on its
      own behalf - current developments and future perspectives].

PMID- 24240493
TI  - [An international neuropsychological assessment tool for children, adolescents,
      and adults with anorexia nervosa - the German adaptation of the Ravello Profile].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) show weaknesses in several cognitive
      functions before and after weight restoration. There is a great demand for
      standardized examinations of executive functioning in the field of child and
      adolescent AN. Previous studies exhibited methodological inconsistencies
      regarding test selection and operationalization of cognitive functions, making
      the interpretation of their findings difficult. In order to overcome these
      inconsistencies, a neuropsychological assessment tool, the "Ravello Profile," was
      developed, though previously not available in German. This paper presents a
      German adaptation of the Ravello Profile and illustrates its applicability in
      children and adolescents via three case descriptions. METHODS: The Ravello
      Profile was adapted for the German-speaking area. The applicability of the
      Ravello Profile was evaluated in three children and adolescents with AN. RESULTS
      AND CONCLUSIONS: The cases presented confirm the feasible implementation of this
      adaptation of the Ravello Profile, both in children and adolescents. Hence, it
      enables a methodologically consistent examination of executive functioning in
      German-speaking children, adolescents, and adults with AN. Using the Ravello
      Profile, the role of cognitive functions in the development of AN can be
      systematically examined over a broad age range.

PMID- 24240494
TI  - [Stress symptoms and stress coping in depressed girls].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Depressive disorders occur frequently in adolescents. Maintenance of
      depression has been related to stress and stress coping. METHOD: The study
      describes which stress load and which strategies of stress coping are present in
      girls with major depression. 74 girls with major depression were compared to a
      normal control group with regard to stress symptoms and stress coping. All
      subjects were diagnosed with a structured clinical interview according to DSM-IV
      criteria. Stress and stress coping strategies were measured by standardized and
      validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Girls with major depression had more symptoms
      of stress and were characterized by inadequate stress coping compared to the
      control group. CONCLUSION: These cross-sectional data show deficits in stress
      coping that might reinforce stress symptoms as well as degree of depression.
      However, cause and effect can only be clarified by a longitudinal design.

PMID- 24240496
TI  - Gender differences in methods of suicide attempts and prevalence of previous
      suicide attempts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Suicide attempts are important predictors of completed suicide.
      Adolescents admitted to the emergency room of a large university hospital in Bern
      after a suicide attempt during the years 2004-2010 were prospectively assessed
      for methods of suicide attempt. METHOD: Adolescents (N = 257; 66.5% female; age
      14-21 years), presenting after a suicide attempt, were assessed with the WHO/EURO
      Multicentre Study on Parasuicide assessment tool. RESULTS: Males more often used
      jumping from a high place (14% vs. 4.6% in females, p < .05) and less often
      intoxication (36% vs. 71.3%, p < .01). At least one previous suicide attempt was
      reported in 100 patients (44.4%; more females than males: Cramer-V = 0.21; p =
      .002). Of these, 35 adolescents did not present to this hospital or not at all
      for a previous suicide attempt. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to
      examine methods of suicide attempts according to the ICD-10 X codes in this age
      group. Gender differences were observed. Because a relevant number of patients
      did not present to the same hospital or not at all for a previous suicide
      attempt, studies on pathways to care of adolescents after their first suicide
      attempt are important for early detection and intervention strategies.

PMID- 24240495
TI  - Severe affective and behavioral dysregulation in youths is associated with a
      proinflammatory state.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A heritable behavioral phenotype, the so-called Dysregulation Profile
      (DP), characterized by extreme scores on the syndrome scales Anxious/Depressed
      (A/D), Attention Problems (AP), and Aggressive Behavior (AGG), has been
      identified on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). It characterizes children with
      severe affective and behavioral dysregulation. The present study examined
      possible alterations of the inflammatory system in CBCL-DP using a clinical
      sample of n = 133 children and adolescents. METHOD: Participants with the CBCL-DP
      scoring >= 2.5 SDs above average constituted the CBCL-DP subgroup (n = 51). Those
      with CBCL-DP scores of 1 SD or less above average were regarded as controls (n =
      82). Groups were compared in terms of serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP)
      and albumin. RESULTS: Participants showing the CBCL-DP exhibited increased CRP
      and decreased albumin levels compared to controls. CRP was correlated with AGG,
      AP, and the CBCL-DP total score. A negative correlation was observed between
      albumin and AGG, AP, the CBCL-DP score, and A/D. These associations could not be
      attributed to differences in age, sex, weight, socioeconomic status, global
      functioning, or duration of illness. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to
      demonstrate associations between the CBCL-DP and a proinflammatory state.
      Limitations include the lack of a healthy control group, the use of a single
      measurement of inflammatory markers, and the lack of follow-up data. Future
      research should address whether inflammatory diathesis in these children confers
      increased susceptibility to later development of cardiovascular disease and other
      medical morbidities.

PMID- 24240497
TI  - [Adolescent parenting - developmental risks for the mother-child dyad].
AB  - Adolescent mothers and their children are exposed to multiple psychosocial risk
      factors and represent a high-risk group for adverse developmental outcomes. It is
      not the mother's young age alone which contributes to the developmental risk of
      the mother-child dyad. Rather, both the combination of risks, such as poverty,
      domestic violence, dysfunctional family relationships, or a psychiatric disorder,
      all of which predispose to adolescent pregnancy, as well as the strains of
      parenthood during the mother's own developmental stage add to the psychosocial
      risks of children of teenage mothers. Early motherhood can lead to lower levels
      of education and a lower socioeconomic status. In addition, there is a higher
      risk for psychopathology in both the teenage mother and her child. This article
      provides an overview of the current research findings regarding adolescent
      parenting and its associated risks. Risk factors leading to early motherhood are
      reviewed and associated with differences in parenting behaviors and the
      developmental outcomes of their children. This article will conclude with a short
      overview on intervention programs for adolescent mothers and their children.
      Further research is needed to develop age-appropriate support programs for
      adolescent mothers and their children to cope with the complexity of risks and
      improve their developmental trajectories. 

PMID- 24240498
TI  - [What happens to children and adolescents with mental disorders? Findings from
      long-term outcome research].
AB  - Research on the long-term outcome of mental disorders originating in childhood
      and adolescence is an important part of developmental psychopathology. After a
      brief sketch of relevant terms of outcome research, the first part of this review
      reports findings based on heterotypic cohort studies. The major second part of
      this review presents findings based on long-term outcome studies dealing with
      homotypic diagnostic groups. In particular, the review focuses on the course and
      prognosis of ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, conduct disorders, eating
      disorders, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and selective mutism.
      Findings mainly support the vulnerability hypothesis regarding mental disorders
      with early manifestation in childhood and adolescence as frequent precursors of
      mental disorders in adulthood. The discussion focuses on the impact of early
      manifesting disorders in the frame of general mental morbidity and of the effect
      of interventions, which is not yet sufficiently discernible. 

PMID- 24240499
TI  - Clinical problems encountered in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia
      nervosa.
AB  - The conceptualization of anorexia nervosa (AN) depends on the diagnostic
      criteria. Most patients with teenage onset AN seem to remit within 3-10 years
      depending on the definitions of recovery. The mortality of adolescent onset
      anorexia nervosa (AN) has fortunately decreased over the last two decades. Based
      on randomized controlled trials, we review different treatments including
      individual and group psychotherapy, family therapy, psychopharmacology, and
      hormone therapy. Treatment settings vary over time for any individual patient.
      Despite high rates of inpatient treatment, the respective evidence for
      effectiveness is meager. In underage patients with severe AN clinical, ethical
      and legal aspects need to be dealt with systematically if intermittent compulsory
      treatment is deemed necessary. The prolonged and frequently chronic course of AN
      often entails therapeutic discontinuity; the transition into adulthood requires a
      graded therapeutic concept that considers the severity of the disorder,
      developmental and chronological age, and parental involvement. Finally, we
      consider future clinical and research options to improve treatment and outcome of
      this eating disorder. 

PMID- 24240500
TI  - [Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children and adolescents - study design of a
      feasibility study concerning examination related emotions].
AB  - Numerous research centres apply magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for research
      purposes in children. In view of this practical research, ethical concerns
      regarding the strains the study participants are exposed to during the MRI
      examination are discussed. The study evaluates whether an MRI examination induces
      negative emotions in children and adolescents which are more intense than the
      ones caused by electroencephalography (EEG), an examination method currently
      classified as causing "minimal stress." Furthermore, the emotional stress induced
      by the MRI examination in children and adolescents is compared with that induced
      in adults. The study gathers data on examination-related emotions in children
      (age 8-17;11, male and female) who undergo an MRI examination of the cerebrum
      with a medical indication. The comparison group is a sample of children and
      adolescents examined with EEG (age 8-17;11, male and female) as well as a sample
      of adults (age 18-65, male and female) examined with MRI. At present, the study
      is in the stage of data collection. This article presents the study design of the
      MRI research project. 

PMID- 24240504
TI  - Volumetric evaluation of an alternative bladder point in brachytherapy for
      locally advanced cervical cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate an alternative dose point, so-called ALG (for Alain
      Gerbaulet), for the bladder in comparison to the International Commission on
      Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) point and D2cm(3) (minimal dose to
      maximally exposed 2 cm(3)) in a large cohort of patients with locally advanced
      cervical cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy followed by image-guided
      pulsed dose rate brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: For each patient, the ALG
      point was constructed 1.5 cm above the ICRU bladder, parallel to the tandem
      (coronal and sagittal planes). The dosimetric data from 162 patients were
      reviewed. RESULTS: Average doses to ALG and bladder points were 19.40 Gy +/- 7.93
      and 17.14 +/- 8.70, respectively (p=0.01). The 2 cm(3) bladder dose averaged
      24.40 +/- 6.77 Gy. Ratios between D2cm(3) and dose points were 1.37 +/- 0.46 and
      1.68 +/- 0.74 (p<0.001) for ALG and ICRU points, respectively. Both dose points
      appeared correlated with D2cm(3) (p<0.001) with coefficients of determination
      (R(2)) of 0.331 and 0.399 respectively. The estimated dose to the ICRU point of
      the rectum was 12.77 +/- 4.21 and 15.76 +/- 5.94 for D2cm(3) (p<0.0001). Both
      values were significantly correlated (p<0.0001, R(2) = 0.485). CONCLUSION: The
      ALG point underestimates the D2cm(3), but its mean on a large cohort is closer to
      D2cm(3) than the dose to ICRU point. However, it shows great variability between
      cases and the weak strength of its correlation to D2cm(3) indicates that it is
      not a good surrogate for individual volumetric evaluation of the dose D2cm(3).

PMID- 24240505
TI  - Metabolism: digging up enzyme functions.

PMID- 24240506
TI  - Direct evidence for a covalent ene adduct intermediate in NAD(P)H-dependent
      enzymes.
AB  - The pyridine nucleotides NADH and NADPH (NAD(P)H) are ubiquitous redox coenzymes
      that are present in all living cells. Although about 16% of all characterized
      enzymes use pyridine nucleotides as hydride donors or acceptors during catalysis,
      a detailed understanding of how the hydride is transferred between NAD(P)H and
      the corresponding substrate is lacking for many enzymes. Here we present evidence
      for a new mechanism that operates during enzymatic hydride transfers using
      crotonyl-CoA carboxylase/reductase (Ccr) as a case study. We observed a covalent
      ene intermediate between NADPH and the substrate, crotonyl-CoA, using NMR, high
      resolution MS and stopped-flow spectroscopy. Preparation of the ene intermediate
      further allowed direct access to the catalytic cycle of other NADPH-dependent
      enzymes-including those from type II fatty acid biosynthesis-in an unprecedented
      way, suggesting that formation of NAD(P)H ene intermediates is a more general
      principle in catalysis. 

PMID- 24240507
TI  - A widespread self-cleaving ribozyme class is revealed by bioinformatics.
AB  - Ribozymes are noncoding RNAs that promote chemical transformations with rate
      enhancements approaching those of protein enzymes. Although ribozymes are likely
      to have been abundant during the RNA world era, only ten classes are known to
      exist among contemporary organisms. We report the discovery and analysis of an
      additional self-cleaving ribozyme class, called twister, which is present in many
      species of bacteria and eukarya. Nearly 2,700 twister ribozymes were identified
      that conform to a secondary structure consensus that is small yet complex, with
      three stems conjoined by internal and terminal loops. Two pseudoknots provide
      tertiary structure contacts that are critical for catalytic activity. The twister
      ribozyme motif provides another example of a natural RNA catalyst and calls
      attention to the potentially varied biological roles of this and other classes of
      widely distributed self-cleaving RNAs. 

PMID- 24240508
TI  - Revealing the hidden functional diversity of an enzyme family.
AB  - Millions of protein database entries are not assigned reliable functions,
      preventing the full understanding of chemical diversity in living organisms.
      Here, we describe an integrated strategy for the discovery of various enzymatic
      activities catalyzed within protein families of unknown or little known function.
      This approach relies on the definition of a generic reaction conserved within the
      family, high-throughput enzymatic screening on representatives, structural and
      modeling investigations and analysis of genomic and metabolic context. As a proof
      of principle, we investigated the DUF849 Pfam family and unearthed 14 potential
      new enzymatic activities, leading to the designation of these proteins as beta
      keto acid cleavage enzymes. We propose an in vivo role for four enzymatic
      activities and suggest key residues for guiding further functional annotation.
      Our results show that the functional diversity within a family may be largely
      underestimated. The extension of this strategy to other families will improve our
      knowledge of the enzymatic landscape.

PMID- 24240509
TI  - Tolvaptan therapy for massive edema in a patient with nephrotic syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by water and sodium
      retention, which leads to edema. The non-osmotic stimulation of arginine
      vasopressin release from the pituitary gland has been implicated as one of the
      important factors in abnormal water retention in patients with NS. CASE
      DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT: We present the initial description of a patient with massive
      edema caused by refractory nephrotic syndrome, which was effectively treated with
      tolvaptan, a selective oral vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist. CONCLUSIONS:
      Tolvaptan is effective for the treatment of massive edema caused by NS. Larger
      studies are needed in the future to fully assess the value and safety of
      tolvaptan use for this condition.

PMID- 24240510
TI  - Automatic extraction of pectoral muscle in the MLO view of mammograms.
AB  - A mammogram is the standard modality used for breast cancer screening. Computer
      aided detection (CAD) approaches are helpful for improving breast cancer
      detection rates when applied to mammograms. However, automated analysis of a
      mammogram often leads to inaccurate results in the presence of the pectoral
      muscle. Therefore, it is necessary to first handle pectoral muscle segmentation
      separately before any further analysis of a mammogram. One difficulty to overcome
      when segmenting out pectoral muscle is its strong overlapping with dense
      glandular tissue which tampers with its extraction. This paper introduces an
      automated two-step approach for pectoral muscle extraction. The pectoral region
      is firstly estimated through segmentation by mean of a modified Fuzzy C-Means
      clustering algorithm. After contour validation, the final boundary is delineated
      through iterative refinement of edge point using average gradient. The proposed
      method is quite simple in implementation and yields accurate results. It was
      tested on a set of images from the MIAS database and yielded results which,
      compared to those of some state-of-the-art approaches, were better.

PMID- 24240511
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine in paediatric and young adult epileptic patients-
      nonlinear mixed effects modelling approach.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine and describe adjunctive
      lamotrigine (LTG) pharmacokinetics in paediatric and young adult patients using a
      nonlinear mixed effects modelling (NONMEM) approach. METHODS: The study included
      53 patients (age range 3-35 years) who were concomitantly treated with
      carbamazepine (CBZ) and/or valproic acid (VPA). A total of 70 blood samples
      corresponding to trough levels were available for analysis. Data were modelled,
      and the final model was evaluated using NONMEM and auxiliary software tools.
      RESULTS: The final LTG population model included the effects of concomitant drugs
      and patient's weight (WT) which stratified the population into three groups: <=25
      kg, >25 to <60 kg and >=60 kg. Based on the final model, the estimated LTG oral
      clearance (CL/F) for a typical patient weighing <=25 kg, >25 to <60 kg or >=60 kg
      who was concomitantly treated with CBZ was estimated to be 3.28, 4.23, or 7.15
      l/h, respectively. If a patient was concomitantly treated with CBZ + VPA, the
      CL/F decreased on average by 69.5 % relative to LTG + CBZ co-therapy. VPA was
      found to decrease the LTG CL/F by 87.6 % compared to co-therapy with only CBZ.
      CONCLUSION: The LTG population pharmacokinetic model developed in this study may
      be a reliable method for individualising the LTG dosing regimen in paediatric and
      young adult patients on combination therapy during therapeutic drug monitoring.

PMID- 24240512
TI  - Intraoperative optical imaging and tissue interrogation during urologic surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review optical imaging technologies in urologic surgery
      aimed to facilitate intraoperative imaging and tissue interrogation. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Emerging new optical imaging technologies can be integrated in the
      operating room environment during minimally invasive and open surgery. These
      technologies include macroscopic fluorescence imaging that provides contrast
      enhancement between normal and diseased tissue and microscopic imaging that
      provides tissue characterization. SUMMARY: Optical imaging technologies that have
      reached the clinical arena in urologic surgery were reviewed, including
      photodynamic diagnosis, near infrared fluorescence imaging, optical coherence
      tomography, and confocal laser endomicroscopy.

PMID- 24240514
TI  - A commentary on Pitfalls of predicting complex traits from SNPs.

PMID- 24240513
TI  - Evolution of crop species: genetics of domestication and diversification.
AB  - Domestication is a good model for the study of evolutionary processes because of
      the recent evolution of crop species (<12,000 years ago), the key role of
      selection in their origins, and good archaeological and historical data on their
      spread and diversification. Recent studies, such as quantitative trait locus
      mapping, genome-wide association studies and whole-genome resequencing studies,
      have identified genes that are associated with the initial domestication and
      subsequent diversification of crops. Together, these studies reveal the functions
      of genes that are involved in the evolution of crops that are under
      domestication, the types of mutations that occur during this process and the
      parallelism of mutations that occur in the same pathways and proteins, as well as
      the selective forces that are acting on these mutations and that are associated
      with geographical adaptation of crop species. 

PMID- 24240515
TI  - Author reply to A commentary on Pitfalls of predicting complex traits from SNPs.

PMID- 24240516
TI  - GTPase Ran strongly accumulates at the kinetochores of somatic chromosomes in the
      spermatogonial mitoses of Acricotopus lucidus (Diptera, Chironomidae).
AB  - Unequal chromosome segregation and spindle formation occurs in the last gonial
      mitosis in the germ line of the chironomid Acricotopus lucidus. During this
      differential mitosis, all germ line-limited chromosomes (=Ks) migrate undivided
      to only one pole of the cell, while the somatic chromosomes (=Ss) first remain in
      the metaphase plane, and with the arrival of the Ks at the pole, they then
      separate equally. The evolutionarily conserved GTPase Ran plays a crucial role in
      many cellular processes. This includes the regulation of microtubule nucleation
      and stabilisation at kinetochores and of spindle assembly during mitosis, which
      is promoted by a RanGTP concentration gradient that forms around the mitotic
      chromosomes (Kalab et al. in Science 295:2452-2456, 2002, Nature 440:697-701,
      2006). In the present study, a strong accumulation of Ran was detected by
      immunofluorescence at the kinetochores of the Ss in normal gonial and
      differential gonial mitoses of males of A. lucidus. In contrast, no Ran
      accumulation was observed at the kinetochores of the Ss in the metaphases of
      brain ganglia mitoses or of aberrant spermatocytes or in metaphases I and II of
      spermatocyte meiotic divisions. Likewise, there was no accumulation at the
      kinetochores of Drosophila melanogaster mitotic chromosomes from larval brains.
      The specific accumulation of Ran at the kinetochores of the Ss in differential
      gonial mitoses of A. lucidus strongly suggests that Ran is involved in a
      mechanism acting in this exceptional mitosis, which retains the Ss at the
      metaphase plane and prevents a premature separation and unequal segregation of
      the Ss during monopolar migration of the Ks.

PMID- 24240517
TI  - Development of cycad ovules and seeds. 2. Histological and ultrastructural
      aspects of ontogeny of the embryo in Encephalartos natalensis (Zamiaceae).
AB  - Development of the embryo of Encephalartos natalensis from a rudimentary
      meristematic structure approximately 700 MUm in length extends over 6 months
      after the seed is shed from the strobilus. Throughout its development, the embryo
      remains attached to a long suspensor. Differentiation of the shoot meristem
      flanked by two cotyledonary protuberances occurs over the first 2 months, during
      which peripheral tannin channels become apparent. Tannins, apparently elaborated
      by the endoplasmic reticulum, first accumulate in the large central vacuole and
      ultimately fill the channel. By the fourth month of development, the root
      meristem is apparent and procambial tissue forming discrete vascular bundles can
      be discerned in the elongating cotyledons. Between 4 and 6 months, mucilage ducts
      differentiate; after 6 months, when the seed becomes germinable, the embryo is
      characterised by cotyledons far longer than the axis. Shoot and root meristem
      cells remain ultrastructurally similar throughout embryo ontogeny, containing
      small vacuoles, many well-differentiated mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) profiles, abundant polysomes, plastids containing small starch deposits and
      Golgi bodies. Unusually, however, Golgi bodies are infrequent in other cells
      including those elaborating mucilage which is accumulated in distended ER and
      apparently secreted into the duct lumen directly by ER-derived vesicles. The non
      meristematic cells accumulate massive starch deposits to the exclusion of any
      protein bodies and only very sparse lipid, features which are considered in terms
      of the prolonged period of embryo development and the high atmospheric oxygen
      content of the Carboniferous Period, when cycads are suggested to have
      originated.

PMID- 24240518
TI  - A novel transcription factor JcNAC1 response to stress in new model woody plant
      Jatropha curcas.
AB  - Jatropha curcas, a biodiesel plant with a short life cycle, has great potentials
      to be a new model woody plant. In this study, we found a plant-specific
      transcription factor JcNAC1, an intriguing regulator modulating plant responses
      to abiotic stresses and pathogen infection. Expression of JcNAC1 was strongly
      increased when plants were treated with abscisic acid, salt and polyethylene
      glycol, and was decreased with salicylic acid, ethylene, and pathogens.
      Overexpressing JcNAC1 plants showed enhanced tolerance to drought and increased
      susceptibility to pathogens. Furthermore, over-expression of JcNAC1 in plants
      also resulted in the expression changes of some stress-related maker genes
      including curcin-L, which is a special stress-inducible ribosome-inactivating
      protein gene in J. curcas. These results indicate that JcNAC1 is responsible for
      stress responses in J. curcas. 

PMID- 24240519
TI  - The value of computed tomography based navigation in revision total hip
      arthroplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study investigates the accuracy of a computed tomography (CT)-based
      navigation system for accurate acetabular component placement during revision
      total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 30
      hips in 26 patients who underwent cementless revision THA using a CT-based
      navigation system; the control group consisted of 25 hips in 25 patients who
      underwent cementless primary THA using the same system. We analysed the deviation
      of anteversion and inclination angles among the pre-operative plan, intra
      operative records from the navigation system and data from postoperative CT
      scans. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups (P < 0.05)
      in terms of mean deviation between pre-operative planning and postoperative
      measurements or between intraoperative records and postoperative measurements.
      CONCLUSION: CT-based navigation in revision THA is a useful tool that enables the
      surgeon to implant the acetabular component at the precise angle determined in
      pre-operative planning.

PMID- 24240521
TI  - [Vascular functional alterations in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].
AB  - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a hereditary, not uncommon cardiac disease, which
      is associated with asymmetric thickening and hypertrophy of the interventricular
      septum unrelated to hemodynamic reasons. Despite hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is
      considered to be a disorder of the heart muscle, several associated vascular
      alterations have been described. The aim of the present review is to summarize
      vascular functional alterations in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 24240520
TI  - The ventricular system of the brain: a comprehensive review of its history,
      anatomy, histology, embryology, and surgical considerations.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The cerebral ventricles have been recognized since ancient medical
      history. Their true function started to be realized more than a thousand years
      later. Their anatomy and function are extremely important in the neurosurgical
      panorama. METHODS: The literature was searched for articles and textbooks of
      different topics related to the history, anatomy, physiology, histology,
      embryology and surgical considerations of the brain ventricles. CONCLUSION:
      Herein, we summarize the literature about the cerebral ventricular system.

PMID- 24240522
TI  - [Incidence of haematological malignancies in adults in Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg
      county, Hungary, between 1983 and 2012. Analysis of data from a thirty-year
      period].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In their previous work the authors reported 25 years' findings on
      the incidence of haematological malignancies in Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg county,
      Hungary. However, there are no other studies on this topic available in Hungary.
      AIM: The aim of the authors was to analyze the incidence of malignant
      haematological disorders between 1983 and 2012 using data obtained from the
      leukaemia/lymphoma registry of the Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg county. METHOD: Between
      January 1, 1983 and December 31, 2012, 3964 adult patients with newly diagnosed
      haematological malignancy were recorded in the registry. Patients with
      myelodysplastic syndrome or monoclonal gammopathy were not registered. RESULTS:
      The annual number of newly diagnosed patients indicated an increasing tendency of
      malignant haematological disorders. The increase was primarily due to the
      increasing number of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic
      leukaemia, and essential thrombocythaemia. CONCLUSIONS: These observations are in
      line with data reported in the international literature. The incidence rate of
      haematological malignancies in this region of Hungary was similar to data
      published in populations from Western European countries and the United States.

PMID- 24240523
TI  - [Health survey of ambulance workers with a generic questionnaire (SF-36)].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The high work-related stress among ambulance workers is a widely
      known a phenomenon. AIM: The aim of the authors was to asses self-reported health
      status of ambulance workers. METHOD: An anonym self-fill-in questionnaire
      applying SF-36 was used among workers from the northern and western regions of
      Hungarian National Ambulance Service. RESULTS: Based on the dimensions of the SF
      36 questionnaire the responders considered their "Physical Functioning" the best,
      while "Vitality" was regarded the worst. The more time an employee have been
      worked at the Ambulance Service the worse his health was in the first four
      dimensions including "Physical Functioning", "Role-Physical", "Bodily Pain" and
      "General Health": p<0.001. Those working in part-time jobs considered their
      health in all dimensions worse. The respondents who did some kind of sports hold
      their health in all dimensions better (p<0.001). The workers with higher body
      mass index regarded their health status worse, in four dimensions: "Physical
      Functioning" (p = 0.001), "Role-Physical" (p = 0.013), "General Health" (p<0.001)
      and "Role-Emotional" (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the subjective
      perception of health and measurable parameters of health status of workers proved
      to be insufficient. Poor physical health can lead indirectly to psychological
      problems, which may lower the quality of the work and can lead to high turn-over.
      .

PMID- 24240524
TI  - [Empyema thoracis, hemorrhagic pericarditis and acalculous cholecystitis caused
      by Eikenella corrodens sepsis].
AB  - The authors present a case of a 29-year-old woman who was diagnosed with
      pneumonia in the left side complicated with pleural effusion and hemorrhagic
      pericarditis one month after she had undergone tonsillectomy. Eikenella corrodens
      was identified as pathogenic agent when the empyema was removed during
      thoracotomy. After the patient was given antibiotic treatment she was discharged
      from the hospital without any symptoms or complaints. However, one month after
      she had left the hospital she was readmitted to the surgical unit as an emergency
      because of acute abdominal complaints. On admission acalculous cholecystitis as
      well as hemorrhagic pericarditis requiring pericardiocentesis were also observed.
      A rare cause of sepsis, Eikenella corrodens was identified which resulted in a
      severe disorder including polyserositis. Pericardiocentesis was performed two
      times and the patient was given targeted antibiotics and non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs. She was also treated with antimycotics as she had developed
      mycosis. After one month the patient recovered and was discharged from the
      hospital. No further recurrence of symptoms or complaints was observed during
      follow up.

PMID- 24240525
TI  - [Importance of the case of coronavirus-associated severe acute respiratory
      syndrome detected in Hungary in 2005].
AB  - Ten years have elapsed since the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak,
      which resulted in more than 8000 cases worldwide with more than 700 deaths.
      Recently, a new coronavirus, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
      emerged, causing serious respiratory cases and death. By the end of August 2013,
      108 cases including 50 deaths were reported. The authors discuss a coronavirus
      associated severe acute respiratory syndrome, which was detected in Hungary in
      2005 and highlight its significance in 2013. In 2005 the patient was hospitalized
      and all relevant clinical and microbiological tests were performed. Based on the
      IgG antibody positivity of the serum samples, the patient was diagnosed as having
      severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in the past. The time and
      source of the infection remained unknown. The condition of the patient improved
      and he was discharged from the hospital. The case raises the possibility of
      infections in Hungary imported from remote areas of the world and the importance
      of thorough examination of patients with severe respiratory syndrome with unknown
      etiology.

PMID- 24240528
TI  - Genetics of adverse reactions to haloperidol in a mouse diallel: a drug-placebo
      experiment and Bayesian causal analysis.
AB  - Haloperidol is an efficacious antipsychotic drug that has serious, unpredictable
      motor side effects that limit its utility and cause noncompliance in many
      patients. Using a drug-placebo diallel of the eight founder strains of the
      Collaborative Cross and their F1 hybrids, we characterized aggregate effects of
      genetics, sex, parent of origin, and their combinations on haloperidol response.
      Treating matched pairs of both sexes with drug or placebo, we measured changes in
      the following: open field activity, inclined screen rigidity, orofacial
      movements, prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response, plasma and brain
      drug level measurements, and body weight. To understand the genetic architecture
      of haloperidol response we introduce new statistical methodology linking
      heritable variation with causal effect of drug treatment. Our new estimators,
      "difference of models" and "multiple-impute matched pairs", are motivated by the
      Neyman-Rubin potential outcomes framework and extend our existing Bayesian
      hierarchical model for the diallel (Lenarcic et al. 2012). Drug-induced rigidity
      after chronic treatment was affected by mainly additive genetics and parent-of
      origin effects (accounting for 28% and 14.8% of the variance), with NZO/HILtJ and
      129S1/SvlmJ contributions tending to increase this side effect. Locomotor
      activity after acute treatment, by contrast, was more affected by strain-specific
      inbreeding (12.8%). In addition to drug response phenotypes, we examined diallel
      effects on behavior before treatment and found not only effects of additive
      genetics (10.2-53.2%) but also strong effects of epistasis (10.64-25.2%). In
      particular: prepulse inhibition showed additivity and epistasis in about equal
      proportions (26.1% and 23.7%); there was evidence of nonreciprocal epistasis in
      pretreatment activity and rigidity; and we estimated a range of effects on body
      weight that replicate those found in our previous work. Our results provide the
      first quantitative description of the genetic architecture of haloperidol
      response in mice and indicate that additive, dominance-like inbreeding and parent
      of-origin effects contribute strongly to treatment effect heterogeneity for this
      drug. 

PMID- 24240529
TI  - Hitchhiking of deleterious alleles and the cost of adaptation in partially
      selfing species.
AB  - Self-fertilization is generally seen to be disadvantageous in the long term. It
      increases genetic drift, which subsequently reduces polymorphism and the
      efficiency of selection, which also challenges adaptation. However, high selfing
      rates can increase the fixation probability of recessive beneficial mutations,
      but existing theory has generally not accounted for the effect of linked sites.
      Here, we analyze a model for the fixation probability of deleterious mutants that
      hitchhike with selective sweeps in diploid, partially selfing populations.
      Approximate analytical solutions show that, conditional on the sweep not being
      lost by drift, higher inbreeding rates increase the fixation probability of the
      deleterious allele, due to the resulting reduction in polymorphism and effective
      recombination. When extending the analysis to consider a distribution of
      deleterious alleles, as well as the average fitness increase after a sweep, we
      find that beneficial alleles generally need to be more recessive than the
      previously assumed dominance threshold (h < 1/2) for selfing to be beneficial
      from one-locus theory. Our results highlight that recombination aiding the
      efficiency of selection on multiple loci amplifies the fitness benefits of
      outcrossing over selfing, compared to results obtained from one-locus theory.
      This effect additionally increases the parameter range under which obligate
      outcrossing is beneficial over partial selfing. 

PMID- 24240530
TI  - The role of a pollen-expressed Cullin1 protein in gametophytic self
      incompatibility in Solanum.
AB  - We previously isolated a pollen factor, ui6.1, which encodes a Cullin1 protein
      (CUL1) that functions in unilateral interspecific incompatibility (UI) in
      Solanum. Here we show that CUL1 is also required for pollen function in self
      incompatibility (SI). We used RNA interference (RNAi) to reduce CUL1 expression
      in pollen of Solanum arcanum, a wild SI tomato relative. Hemizygous T0 plants
      showed little or no transmission of the transfer DNA (T-DNA) through pollen when
      crossed onto nontransgenic SI plants, indicating that CUL1-deficient pollen are
      selectively eliminated. When crossed onto a related self-compatible (SC)
      accession lacking active S-RNase, pollen transmission of the T-DNA followed
      Mendelian ratios. These results provide further evidence for functional overlap
      between SI and UI on the pollen side and suggest that CUL1 mutations will
      reinforce SI-to-SC transitions in natural populations only if preceded by loss of
      pistil S-RNase expression. 

PMID- 24240532
TI  - Intracoronary imaging of in-stent atherosclerosis by coronary angioscopy and
      optical coherence tomography.

PMID- 24240533
TI  - Starting up microbial enhanced oil recovery.
AB  - This chapter gives the reader a practical introduction into microbial enhanced
      oil recovery (MEOR) including the microbial production of natural gas from oil.
      Decision makers who consider the use of one of these technologies are provided
      with the required scientific background as well as with practical advice for
      upgrading an existing laboratory in order to conduct microbiological experiments.
      We believe that the conversion of residual oil into natural gas (methane) and the
      in situ production of biosurfactants are the most promising approaches for MEOR
      and therefore focus on these topics. Moreover, we give an introduction to the
      microbiology of oilfields and demonstrate that in situ microorganisms as well as
      injected cultures can help displace unrecoverable oil in place (OIP). After an
      initial research phase, the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) manager must decide
      whether MEOR would be economical. MEOR generally improves oil production but the
      increment may not justify the investment. Therefore, we provide a brief
      economical assessment at the end of this chapter. We describe the necessary state
      of-the-art scientific equipment to guide EOR managers towards an appropriate MEOR
      strategy. Because it is inevitable to characterize the microbial community of an
      oilfield that should be treated using MEOR techniques, we describe three
      complementary start-up approaches. These are: (i) culturing methods, (ii) the
      characterization of microbial communities and possible bio-geochemical pathways
      by using molecular biology methods, and (iii) interfacial tension measurements.
      In conclusion, we hope that this chapter will facilitate a decision on whether to
      launch MEOR activities. We also provide an update on relevant literature for
      experienced MEOR researchers and oilfield operators. Microbiologists will learn
      about basic principles of interface physics needed to study the impact of
      microorganisms living on oil droplets. Last but not least, students and
      technicians trying to understand processes in oilfields and the techniques to
      examine them will, we hope, find a valuable source of information in this review.

PMID- 24240534
TI  - Arabidopsis  SABRE and CLASP interact to stabilize cell division plane
      orientation and planar polarity.
AB  - The orientation of cell division and the coordination of cell polarity within the
      plane of the tissue layer (planar polarity) contribute to shape diverse
      multicellular organisms. The root of Arabidopsis thaliana displays regularly
      oriented cell divisions, cell elongation and planar polarity providing a plant
      model system to study these processes. Here we report that the SABRE protein,
      which shares similarity with proteins of unknown function throughout eukaryotes,
      has important roles in orienting cell division and planar polarity. SABRE
      localizes at the plasma membrane, endomembranes, mitotic spindle and cell plate.
      SABRE stabilizes the orientation of CLASP-labelled preprophase band microtubules
      predicting the cell division plane, and of cortical microtubules driving cell
      elongation. During planar polarity establishment, sabre is epistatic to clasp at
      directing polar membrane domains of Rho-of-plant GTPases. Our findings
      mechanistically link SABRE to CLASP-dependent microtubule organization, shedding
      new light on the function of SABRE-related proteins in eukaryotes. 

PMID- 24240535
TI  - Quadriceps rate of force development affects gait and function in people with
      knee osteoarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Quadriceps weakness exists in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA),
      but other muscle factors like rate of force development (RFD) may also be
      affected by knee OA. The purpose of this study was to determine if people with
      knee OA have deficits in quadriceps RFD, determine if quadriceps RFD would
      improve predicting knee joint power absorption and generation during free and
      fast walking, and determine if RFD would improve predicting functional outcomes.
      METHODS: 26 subjects with knee OA and 23 healthy control subjects performed
      maximal voluntary isometric strength (MVIC) and RFD measures of the quadriceps.
      Subjects also underwent a 3-D motion analysis of both self-selected free and self
      selected fast walking speeds. Joint kinetics were calculated from inverse
      dynamics. RESULTS: RFD was not different by group (p = 0.763), however, the OA
      subjects generated the highest peak RFD at a lower % MVIC (p = 0.008). Controls
      walked significantly faster at both free and fast walking speeds (p = 0.001, p =
      0.029). Knee angles at heel strike and peak knee extension were lower (p = 0.004,
      p = 0.027) in the OA group. During fast walking knee power generation was higher
      in controls (p = 0.028). MVIC and force of highest peak RFD predicted KOOS-ADL
      score in the OA subjects, but only MVIC predicted stair climbing time.
      CONCLUSIONS: The submaximal force at which peak RFD occurs plays a significant
      role in knee joint power as well as functional measures in the OA subjects,
      providing further evidence that factors other than maximal strength are also
      important in people with knee OA.

PMID- 24240536
TI  - Use of motor abundance in old adults in the regulation of a narrow-based stance.
AB  - PURPOSE: The ability to maintain stable balance while standing decreases with
      age. The body must coordinate multiple joints using "freeze" or "free" strategy,
      or a combination of both to ensure balance stability. The purpose of this study
      was to examine age-related changes in the use of motor abundance during upright
      stance on a narrow base without visual input. METHODS: Uncontrolled manifold
      (UCM) analysis was used to decompose the movement variability of joints into goal
      equivalent variability (GEV) and non-goal-equivalent variability (NGEV). The
      ratio between GEV and NGEV (UCM(ratio)) quantifies the joint coordination related
      to postural stability, and a high UCM(ratio) value indicates flexible control of
      joints. To perform balance tests, participants in this study (healthy young and
      old adults, 20 each) were asked to stand on a flat platform and on narrow wooden
      blocks with their eyes open and then eyes closed. RESULTS: In upright balance
      tests, both old and young adults maintained postural stability. GEV was greater
      than NGEV across all participants and conditions. However, GEV was higher in the
      young adults than in the old adults, whereas NGEV was higher in the old adults
      than in the young adults. Therefore, the old adults exhibited a lower UCM(ratio)
      than the young adults. CONCLUSION: The old adults were unable to exploit motor
      abundance and used a less flexible multi-joint coordination pattern to achieve
      stable balance. The UCM(ratio) value reflects the quality of postural control and
      can be used for assessing joint coordination in balance disorders.

PMID- 24240537
TI  - Real-time estimation of prostate tumor rotation and translation with a kV imaging
      system based on an iterative closest point algorithm.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that during cancer radiotherapy a small translation
      or rotation of the tumor can lead to errors in dose delivery. Current best
      practice in radiotherapy accounts for tumor translations, but is unable to
      address rotation due to a lack of a reliable real-time estimate. We have
      developed a method based on the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm that can
      compute rotation from kilovoltage x-ray images acquired during radiation
      treatment delivery. A total of 11 748 kilovoltage (kV) images acquired from ten
      patients (one fraction for each patient) were used to evaluate our tumor rotation
      algorithm. For each kV image, the three dimensional coordinates of three fiducial
      markers inside the prostate were calculated. The three dimensional coordinates
      were used as input to the ICP algorithm to calculate the real-time tumor rotation
      and translation around three axes. The results show that the root mean square
      error was improved for real-time calculation of tumor displacement from a mean of
      0.97 mm with the stand alone translation to a mean of 0.16 mm by adding real-time
      rotation and translation displacement with the ICP algorithm. The standard
      deviation (SD) of rotation for the ten patients was 2.3 degrees , 0.89 degrees 
      and 0.72 degrees  for rotation around the right-left (RL), anterior-posterior
      (AP) and superior-inferior (SI) directions respectively. The correlation between
      all six degrees of freedom showed that the highest correlation belonged to the AP
      and SI translation with a correlation of 0.67. The second highest correlation in
      our study was between the rotation around RL and rotation around AP, with a
      correlation of -0.33. Our real-time algorithm for calculation of rotation also
      confirms previous studies that have shown the maximum SD belongs to AP
      translation and rotation around RL. ICP is a reliable and fast algorithm for
      estimating real-time tumor rotation which could create a pathway to
      investigational clinical treatment studies requiring real-time measurement and
      adaptation to tumor rotation.

PMID- 24240538
TI  - B to B: surviving and thriving in the new health care economy.

PMID- 24240539
TI  - The failed total ankle.

PMID- 24240540
TI  - IL-10 gene polymorphisms and their association with immune traits in four rabbit
      populations.
AB  - Interleukin-10 (IL-10) has been recently identified as a multifunctional
      cytokine, because of its close link with immunoregulation and anti-inflammatory
      responses. This study investigated the association of IL-10 genetic polymorphisms
      with the immune traits of New Zealand white rabbits (N-W), Fujian yellow rabbits
      (F-Y) and their reciprocal crosses (N-Y and Y-N, respectively). SNPs on five
      exons of the IL-10 gene were genotyped in 204 healthy rabbits via PCR-SSCP and
      DNA sequencing. Two SNPs (A1435G and G1519A, both were synonymous mutations) and
      six genotypes (AA, BB, CC, AB, AC and BC) were found on exon 3 and one SNP (T
      base insertion between loci 2532 and 2533, which caused a frameshift mutation),
      and three genotypes (OO, TT and TO) were present on exon 4. Allele A was the most
      frequent allele on exon 3 (from 0.548 to 0.771), whereas O was the most frequent
      on exon 4 (from 0.808 to 0.968). These four populations were all in Hardy
      Weinberg equilibrium on both exon3 and exon4. Association analysis between
      polymorphisms and immune parameters showed that SNPs on exon 3 were significantly
      associated with immune traits, while SNP on exon 4 may not significantly affect
      immune traits, but the mechanism is yet to be further studied.

PMID- 24240541
TI  - Physiological and production response of dairy goats bred in a tropical climate.
AB  - The aim of this work was to determine the adaptability of Saanen and 1/2Saanen *
      1/2Anglo-Nubian (1/2S1/2AN) goats bred in tropical climates. The study included
      30 goats, 15 Saanen and 15 1/2S1/2AN. The data was collected during the rainy and
      dry seasons. During the whole experimental period, the environment variables were
      recorded, as well as rectal temperature (RT), superficial temperature (ST),
      respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) and milk production (MP). The
      adaptability coefficient (AC) was calculated for both genotypes. The averages
      were evaluated by ANOVA at 5% probability. There was a genotype and period of
      year effect, as well as the interaction genotype * period of year. Pearson's
      simple correlation analysis was then carried out between milk production and
      physiological and environment variables. There was a statistical difference (p <
      0.05) between the seasons for RT, ST and RR. RT, RR and HR were lower for
      1/2S1/2AN than Saanen goats, regardless of the season. MP was greater in the dry
      season (p < 0.05) (2.52 +/- 0.50 kg/day for 1/2S1/2AN and 2.41 +/- 0.38 kg/day
      for Saanen) than the rainy season (2.17 +/- 0.27 kg/day for 1/2S1/2AN and 2.28 +/
      0.53 kg/day for Saanen). The MP correlations were very significant (p < 0.05),
      however low and negative, where it was higher when correlated with RR in Saanen
      goats. Under the conditions of the present study, it is concluded that the goats
      were influenced by climatic factors, where the rainy period was more likely to
      cause thermal stress in the animals.

PMID- 24240542
TI  - Identification of key signaling molecules involved in the activation of the
      swelling-activated chloride current in human glioblastoma cells.
AB  - The swelling-activated chloride current (I Cl,Vol) is abundantly expressed in
      glioblastoma (GBM) cells, where it controls cell volume and invasive migration.
      The transduction pathway mediating I Cl,Vol activation in GBM cells is, however,
      poorly understood. By means of pharmacological and electrophysiological
      approaches, on GL-15 human GBM cells we found that I Cl,Vol activation by
      hypotonic swelling required the activity of a U73122-sensitive phospholipase C
      (PLC). I Cl,Vol activation could also be induced by the membrane-permeable
      diacylglycerol (DAG) analog OAG. In contrast, neither calcium (Ca(2+)) chelation
      by BAPTA-AM nor changes in PKC activity were able to affect I Cl,Vol activation
      by hypotonic swelling. We further found that R59022, an inhibitor of
      diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), reverted I Cl,Vol activation, suggesting the
      involvement of phosphatidic acid. In addition, I Cl,Vol activation required the
      activity of a EHT1864-sensitive Rac1 small GTPase and the resulting actin
      polymerization, as I Cl,Vol activation was prevented by cytochalasin B. We
      finally show that I Cl,Vol can be activated by the promigratory fetal calf serum
      in a PLC- and DGK-dependent manner. This observation is potentially relevant
      because blood serum can likely come in contact with glioblastoma cells in vivo as
      a result of the tumor-related partial breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. Given
      the relevance of I Cl,Vol in GBM cell volume regulation and invasiveness, the
      several key signaling molecules found in this study to be involved in the
      activation of the I Cl,Vol may represent potential therapeutic targets against
      this lethal cancer. 

PMID- 24240544
TI  - Non-physician-led exercise stress testing is a safe and effective practice.
AB  - Exercise stress testing is a non-invasive procedure that provides diagnostic and
      prognostic information for the evaluation of several pathologies, including
      arrhythmia provocation, assessment of exercise capacity, and coronary heart
      disease. Historically, exercise tests were directly supervised by physicians;
      however, cost-containment issues and time constraints on physicians have
      encouraged the use of health professionals with specific training and experience
      to supervise selected exercise stress tests. Evidence suggests that non-physician
      led exercise stress testing is a safe and effective practice with similar
      morbidity and mortality rates as those performed or supervised by a physician. 

PMID- 24240543
TI  - Cholesterol forms and traditional lipid profile for projection of atherogenic
      dyslipidemia: lipoprotein subfractions and erythrocyte membrane cholesterol.
AB  - Atherogenic dyslipidemia characterized by abnormal changes in plasma lipid
      profile such as low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and increased triglyceride
      (TG) levels is strongly associated with atherosclerotic diseases. We aimed to
      evaluate the levels of pro- and antiatherogenic lipids and erythrocyte membrane
      cholesterol (EMC) content in normo- and dyslipidemic subjects to investigate
      whether EMC content could be a useful marker for clinical presentation of
      atherogenic dyslipidemia. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), HDL and their
      subfraction levels and erythrocyte lipid content were determined in 64
      normolipidemic (NLs), 42 hypercholesterolemic (HCs) and 42 mixed-type
      dyslipidemic subjects (MTDs). Plasma atherogenic lipid indices [small-dense LDL
      (sdLDL)/less-dense HDL (LHDL), TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C and Apo B/AI] were higher in
      MTDs compared to NLs (p < 0.001). The highest sdLDL level was observed in HCs (p
      < 0.01). Despite a slight increase in EMC level in dyslipidemic subgroups, the
      difference was not statistically significant. A significant negative correlation,
      however, was observed between EMC and sdLDL/LHDL in HCs (p < 0.035, r = -0.386).
      Receiver operating characteristic curves to predict sdLDL level showed that TG
      and EMC levels had higher area under curve values compared to other parameters in
      HCs. We showed that diameters of larger LDL and HDL particles tend to shift
      toward smaller values in MTDs. Our results suggest that EMC content and TG levels
      may be a useful predictor for sdLDL level in hypercholesterolemic patients. 

PMID- 24240545
TI  - Fragmented QRS complexes-a novel but underutilized electrocardiograhic marker of
      heart disease.
AB  - The electrocardiogram is the mainstay approach for diagnosing a myocardial
      infarction (MI). The diagnosis of an old MI and the identification of myocardial
      scar via the electrocardiogram are difficult because there are no other specific
      signs for a non-Q-wave MI. In this article, we will review the fragmented QRS and
      its role in identifying myocardial scar and depolarization abnormalities in
      patients with coronary artery disease. 

PMID- 24240546
TI  - A personal perspective: can legislated state regional STEMI centers provide
      timely STEMI treatment while overlooking early fibrinolysis?
AB  - Because a patient's odds of surviving a ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
      (STEMI) depend on how much myocardium is salvaged by treatment, this article
      presents information about whether the Missouri Regional STEMI Center Program,
      created by state law, can provide STEMI treatment in time to preserve the
      ischemic heart muscle. The law states that "Patients who suffer a STEMI, as
      defined in Section 190.100, shall be transported to a STEMI Center."
      Administration is by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS)
      which states that the preferred treatment for STEMI is percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) and does not mention fibrinolysis when eligible. Level I and
      II receiving centers are hospitals with catheterization laboratories that perform
      a high volume of PCI procedures. Level I centers have heart surgery facilities.
      Level II centers may have such services or may have prompt access to nearby
      facilities. The law states that the smaller level III and IV hospitals are to
      stabilize patients for transport to a level I or II center. Although the law
      lists no patients to be excluded from transport, DHSS is limiting the program to
      patients picked up at the scene by ambulance. The majority of STEMI patients
      going to community hospitals by car are not included. Data are presented, showing
      that when blood flow is restored to the ischemic muscle during infarction before
      the end of the second hour of symptoms most can be saved. Data also show that
      only a small fraction of patients with PCI receives it before the end of the
      second hour of symptoms, whereas many more fibrinolysis patients were treated
      within 2 hours. Clinical practice data are given, showing mortality rates to
      increase with longer times to treatment. This information clearly defines timely
      treatment of STEMI to be that carried out before the end of the second hour of
      symptoms. Setting forth details of how long after symptom onset will be required
      to get to the catheterization laboratory shows that not many Missouri Program
      STEMI patients will get there before the end of the second hour of symptoms when
      salvageable heart muscle remains. The second thrust of this article is to draw
      attention to the seriousness of the Missouri Program overlooking the extremely
      important early fibrinolysis option for achieving treatment during the first 2
      hours of symptoms. 

PMID- 24240547
TI  - What do patients think about while waiting for myocardial revascularization?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Coronary artery disease constitutes a public health issue involving
      high mortality rates. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the feelings
      and perception of patients hospitalized before myocardial revascularization and
      to explore doctor-patient interactions before cardiac surgery with special
      attention to existential challenges. STUDY DESIGN: A qualitative, exploratory
      study involving patients admitted to a university teaching hospital in the city
      of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, awaiting myocardial revascularization. METHODS: The
      data were obtained from in-depth interviews that followed a previously defined
      script based on the study objectives. The data collected at each interview were
      allocated into content blocks in common with the selected categories and
      illustrated by quotations from the patients' speech. Twelve patients were
      interviewed. Data collection was closed when saturation was achieved, in the
      sense that new main issues did not appear in subsequent dialogues. RESULTS: The
      various strategies used by the patients to administer their emotions during the
      period preceding myocardial revascularization highlight the importance that
      factors of a subjective nature acquire at this specific time in their lives. The
      patients recognized the benefit of being able to discuss their heart problems as
      a means of diminishing their fear and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: It is vital for the
      medical team to be more supportive and understanding concerning the emotions
      experienced by the patients in the period preceding myocardial revascularization.
      This study emphasizes the importance of the task of helping patients administer
      their perceptions and feelings and even planning their life while awaiting
      myocardial revascularization.

PMID- 24240548
TI  - The accuracy of interqual criteria in determining the need for observation versus
      hospitalization in emergency department patients with chronic heart failure.
AB  - McKesson's Interqual criteria are one of the medical screening criteria that are
      widely used in emergency departments (EDs) to determine if patients qualify for
      observation or inpatient admission. Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the
      most common yet severe cardiovascular diseases seen in the ED with a relatively
      higher admission rate. This study is to evaluate the accuracy of Interqual
      criteria in determining observation versus hospitalization need in CHF patients.
      From January 2009 till December 2010, data from 503 CHF patients were reviewed.
      One hundred twenty-two patients were observed and 381 patients were admitted.
      Only one variable (blood urea nitrogen, >=30 mg/dL; odds ratio, 2.44) from
      Interqual criteria had reached statistical significant difference between
      observation and hospitalization groups. Our results showed that based on the
      initial review at ED, clinical variables from Interqual criteria did not appear
      to help accurately predict the level of care in CHF patient in our patient
      population. Other clinical variables may need to be added in the criteria for
      better prediction. 

PMID- 24240549
TI  - Comparing two strategies for emergency department chest pain patients: immediate
      computed tomography coronary angiography versus delayed outpatient treadmill
      testing.
AB  - Chest pain (CP) is a common emergency department (ED) complaint and return visits
      (recidivism) are common. Recidivism may be related to incomplete evaluation of a
      patient's complaint. Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) is accurate
      for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with CP. We will compare
      a strategy of immediate CTCA with a strategy of delayed outpatient stress testing
      and hypothesize that CTCA will reduce recidivism in patients with CP. We
      conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing strategies for ED patients with
      CP: immediate CTCA (CT cohort) versus delayed outpatient stress testing (control
      cohort). Two hundred eighty subjects were included, 140 in each of the
      strategies. Recidivism within 6 months of the index ED evaluation occurred in 12
      subjects from the CT cohort and 18 subjects from the control cohort (9% vs. 13%,
      P = 0.41). Duration of stay was increased in the CT cohort (456 vs. 417 min, P =
      0.031). Immediate CTCA was associated with improved detection of obstructive CAD
      (8% vs. 1%, P = 0.005). In conclusion, immediate CTCA, when compared with delayed
      outpatient stress testing, did not reduce ED recidivism for CP. Length of stay
      was increased in the immediate CTCA cohort. The use of CTCA improved detection of
      obstructive CAD. 

PMID- 24240550
TI  - Low-risk chest pain patients younger than 40 years do not benefit from admission
      and stress testing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of studies have suggested clinical decision rules for
      patients age <40 who are at low risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and may be
      safe for discharge from the emergency department. Despite this, many such
      patients continue to be admitted for observation in low-risk observation units.
      We hypothesized that patients age <40 without coronary artery disease, with a
      nonischemic electrocardiogram (ECG), and normal initial troponin I (TnI) who are
      admitted to a CPU are at very low risk (<1%) for ACS or 30-day major adverse
      cardiac event (MACE) and would not benefit from observation care. METHODS: This
      was a prospective, observational study of consecutive patients admitted to the
      CPU in a large-volume academic urban emergency department. Eligibility criteria
      included age >18 but <40, American Heart Association low-to-intermediate risk,
      nonischemic ECGs, and normal initial TnI. Standard descriptive statistics were
      used for demographics, cardiac comorbidities, and risk scores. Our primary
      outcomes were CPU ACS rate and 30-day MACE. MACE was defined as death, nonfatal
      AMI, revascularization, or out of hospital cardiac arrest. A sample size of at
      least 400 was chosen to have 1% precision about an expected outcome rate of 0.3%
      (based on prior CPU data of patients of all ages). Confidence intervals (CIs)
      were calculated using the refined Wilson simple asymptotic method with continuity
      correction. All patients were called at 30 days. All charts on index visit and
      any subsequent visit within 30 days were reviewed using standardized chart
      abstractions forms by 2 trained abstractors blinded to the hypothesis of the
      study. A Social Security Death Index search was performed on all patients.
      RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-four patients accounting for 403 CPU admissions
      were enrolled over a 28-month period. Mean age was 34.3 +/- 4.5; 42% were women;
      and 89%, 8%, 2%, and 1% had Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction scores of 0, 1,
      2, and 3, respectively. No patient had an abnormal TnI. The ACS rate was 0 (95%
      CI, 0-0.8%). The 30-day MACE rate was 0 (95% CI, 0-0.8%). Forty-two percentage of
      these patients received stress testing but 0 (95% CI, 0-1.8%) were positive.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients age <40 with a normal ECG and normal first biomarker have
      <1% risk of ACS or 30-day MACE, such that admission and stress testing are of no
      benefit.

PMID- 24240551
TI  - Resource consumption and healthcare costs of acute coronary syndrome: a
      retrospective observational administrative database analysis.
AB  - The objective of this study was to estimate resource consumption and direct
      healthcare costs of patients with a first hospitalization for acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS) in 2008 in the Piedmont Region, Italy. Subjects hospitalized with
      a first episode of ACS in 2008 were selected from the regional hospital discharge
      database. All hospitalizations, drug prescriptions, and outpatient episodes of
      care in the 12 months following discharge were considered to estimate resource
      consumption and direct healthcare costs from the Piedmont Regional Health Service
      perspective. The analysis was carried out separately for ST-elevation myocardial
      infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and unstable
      angina (UA) populations. In the accrual period, 7765 subjects (1.750/00 of the
      total population) were hospitalized for ACS (64.2% men). The average age was 66.5
      for men and 75.4 for women. The average in-hospital mortality was 6.5% (n = 508).
      The total ACS population was classified as: STEMI 45.2%, NSTEMI 29.4%, and UA
      25.4%. The average yearly costs per patient alive at the end of follow-up (n =
      6851) were 14,160.8&OV0556; (18,678.7 USD): 83.9% for inpatient admissions
      [11,881.2&OV0556; (15,671.8 USD)], 9.3% for drugs [1311.6&OV0556; (1730.1 USD)],
      5.0% for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and outpatient visits
      [708.2&OV0556; (934.1 USD)], and 1.8% for 1-day hospital stays [259.8&OV0556;
      (342.7 USD)]. The average yearly direct healthcare costs by ACS event were
      14,984.5&OV0556; (19,765.2 USD) for STEMI, 14,554.1&OV0556; (19,197.4 USD) for
      NSTEMI, and 12,481.5&OV0556; (16,463.6 USD) for UA. In each subpopulation, costs
      were significantly higher for men than for women. ACS imposes a significant
      burden in terms of morbidity and mortality and generates major public health
      service costs. 

PMID- 24240552
TI  - Cyclic pressure and angiotensin II influence the biomechanical properties of
      aortic valves.
AB  - Hypertension is a known risk factor for aortic stenosis. The elevated blood
      pressure increases the transvalvular load and can elicit inflammation and
      extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Elevated cyclic pressure and the
      vasoactive agent angiotensin II (Ang II) both promote collagen synthesis, an
      early hallmark of aortic sclerosis. In the current study, it was hypothesized
      that elevated cyclic pressure and/or angiotensin II decreases extensibility of
      aortic valve leaflets due to an increase in collagen content and/or interstitial
      cell stiffness. Porcine aortic valve leaflets were exposed to pressure conditions
      of increasing magnitude (static atmospheric pressure, 80, and 120 mmHg) with and
      without 10-6 M Ang II. Biaxial mechanical testing was performed to determine
      extensibility in the circumferential and radial directions and collagen content
      was determined using a quantitative dye-binding method at 24 and 48 h. Isolated
      aortic valve interstitial cells exposed to the same experimental conditions were
      subjected to atomic force microscopy to assess cellular stiffness at 24 h.
      Leaflet tissue incubated with Ang II decreased tissue extensibility in the radial
      direction, but not in the circumferential direction. Elevated cyclic pressure
      decreased extensibility in both the radial and circumferential directions. Ang II
      and elevated cyclic pressure both increased the collagen content in leaflet
      tissue. Interstitial cells incubated with Ang II were stiffer than those
      incubated without Ang II while elevated cyclic pressure caused a decrease in cell
      stiffness. The results of the current study demonstrated that both pressure and
      Ang II play a role in altering the biomechanical properties of aortic valve
      leaflets. Ang II and elevated cyclic pressure decreased the extensibility of
      aortic valve leaflet tissue. Ang II induced direction specific changes in
      extensibility, demonstrating different response mechanisms. These findings help
      to provide a better understanding of the responses of aortic valves to mechanical
      and biochemical changes that occur under hypertensive conditions.

PMID- 24240553
TI  - Biomechanics of subdural hemorrhage in American football: review of the
      literature in response to rise in incidence.
AB  - The number of catastrophic head injuries recorded during the 2011 football season
      was the highest since data collection began in 1984--the vast majority of these
      cases were secondary to subdural hemorrhage (SDH). The incidence of catastrophic
      head injury continues to rise: the average yearly incidence from 2008 to 2012 was
      238% that of the average yearly incidence from 1998 to 2002. Greater than 95% of
      the football players who suffered catastrophic head injury during this period
      were age 18 or younger. Currently, the helmet industry utilizes a standard based
      on data obtained at Wayne State University approximately 50 years ago that seeks
      to limit severity index--a surrogate marker of translational acceleration. In
      this manuscript, we utilize a focused review of the literature to better
      characterize the biomechanical factors associated with SDH following collisions
      in American football and discuss these data in the context of current helmet
      standard. Review of the literature indicates the rotational acceleration (RA)
      threshold above which the risk of SDH becomes appreciable is approximately 5,000
      rad/s(2). This value is not infrequently surmounted in typical high school
      football games. In contrast, translational accelerations (TAs) experienced during
      even elite-level impacts in football are not of sufficient magnitude to result in
      SDH. This information raises important questions about the current helmet
      standard--in which the sole objective is limitation of TA. Further studies will
      be necessary to better define whether helmet constructs and quality assurance
      standards designed to limit RA will also help to decrease the risk of
      catastrophic head injury in American football.

PMID- 24240554
TI  - The N-terminal domains of spider silk proteins assemble ultrafast and protected
      from charge screening.
AB  - Web spiders assemble spidroin monomers into silk fibres of unrivalled tensile
      strength at remarkably high spinning speeds of up to 1 m s(-1). The spidroin N
      terminal domain contains a charge-driven, pH-sensitive relay that controls self
      association by an elusive mechanism. The underlying kinetics have not yet been
      reported. Here we engineer a fluorescence switch into the isolated N-terminal
      domain from spidroin 1 of the major ampullate gland of the nursery web spider E.
      australis that monitors dimerization. We observe ultrafast association that is
      surprisingly insensitive to salt, contrasting the classical screening effects in
      accelerated, charged protein interfaces. To gain deeper mechanistic insight, we
      mutate each of the protonatable residue side chains and probe their
      contributions. Two vicinal aspartic acids are critically involved in an unusual
      process of accelerated protein association that is protected from screening by
      electrolytes, potentially facilitating the rapid synthesis of silk fibres by web
      spiders.

PMID- 24240555
TI  - Supplemental scleral buckling for inferior retinal detachment in silicone oil
      filled eyes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of treating selected cases of inferior
      retinal detachment in silicone oil-filled eyes using a supplemental scleral
      buckling with external drainage of subretinal fluid, versus performing a second
      vitreoretinal surgery and silicone oil endotamponade. METHODS: A prospective
      interventional pilot study that was performed on silicone oil-filled eyes with
      inferior retinal detachment. Twenty-three eyes of 23 consecutive patients were
      alternatively distributed between 2 groups: Group A included 12 eyes treated with
      supplemental scleral buckling with drainage of subretinal fluid and without the
      removal of silicone oil, and Group B included 11 eyes treated with silicone oil
      removal, vitreoretinal surgery, and reinjection of silicone oil. The preoperative
      data included indications and details of primary vitreoretinal surgery, cause of
      retinal redetachment, subretinal fluid, grade of proliferative vitreoretinopathy,
      lens status, and the duration between primary vitreoretinal surgery and
      reoperation. The postoperative examination included the best-corrected visual
      acuity, retina status, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, silicone oil, and any
      reported complication. Follow-up examinations were scheduled at Day 1, weekly for
      1 month, and monthly thereafter till the end of the follow-up period which
      extended for at least 2 months after silicone oil removal. RESULTS: The average
      number of detached clock hours per eye was 2.7 in Group A and 2.4 in Group B,
      caused by a mean of 1.58 +/- 0.80 break per eye in Group A and 1.48 +/- 0.66
      break per eye in Group B. The mean interval between the primary vitreoretinal
      surgery and the scleral buckling procedure in Group A patients was 2.83 +/- 1.22
      months (range, 1-5 months), while in Group B, the mean interval between the
      primary and the secondary vitreoretinal surgeries was 3.00 +/- 1.61 months
      (range, 1-6 months). The mean operative time was statistically significantly (P <
      0.05) shorter in Group A (38.7 +/- 11.2 minutes) than in Group B (65.3 +/- 15.1
      minutes). The mean follow-up duration was 15.00 +/- 3.22 months in Group A and
      14.18 +/- 2.99 months in Group B. After silicone oil removal, the retina was
      attached in 10 of the 12 eyes (83.3%) and redetached in 2 eyes (16.7%) in Group
      A, while in Group B, the retina was attached in 9 of the 11 eyes (81.8%) and
      redetached in 2 eyes (18.2%) after silicone oil removal. The mean logarithm of
      the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity has improved from
      1.82 +/- 0.72 to 1.36 +/- 0.52 in Group A patients (P > 0.05) and from 1.93 +/-
      0.74 to 1.55 +/- 0.63 in Group B patients (P > 0.05) at the end of the follow-up
      duration. CONCLUSION: For selected cases of inferior retinal detachment in
      silicone oil-filled eyes, supplemental scleral buckling could be as effective as
      a second vitreoretinal surgery. Scleral buckling could offer a faster, less
      invasive, and better economic alternative to repeated vitreoretinal surgery for
      treatment of such cases.

PMID- 24240556
TI  - Characteristics of cystoid spaces in type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia on
      spectral domain optical coherence tomography images.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the morphologic and topographic characteristics of
      intraretinal cystoid spaces in eyes with Type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia
      (MacTel 2). METHODS: Using B-scan and en face images of eyes with MacTel 2 taken
      from a spectral domain optical coherence tomography database, the circularities
      and mean gray values of the cystoid spaces were measured to determine their
      boundaries and reflectivity. The characteristics of cystoid spaces in MacTel 2
      eyes were compared with those in eyes with Type 1 idiopathic macular
      telangiectasia (MacTel 1), retinal vein occlusion, and diabetic macular edema,
      which are caused by vascular leakage. The cystoid spaces of en face optical
      coherence tomography images were matched with fluorescein angiographic images.
      RESULTS: The circularity of the cystoid spaces in B-scan and en face optical
      coherence tomography images of 16 eyes with MacTel 2 was lower than that of eyes
      with MacTel 1 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.003, respectively), retinal vein occlusion (P
      < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), and diabetic macular edema (P < 0.001 and P
      < 0.001, respectively). The mean gray value ratio of the cystoid spaces of eyes
      with MacTel 2 was lower than that of eyes with MacTel 1 (P = 0.002) and diabetic
      macular edema (P < 0.001). In eyes with MacTel 2, the cystoid spaces were located
      in the foveal center or parafoveal area. CONCLUSION: Characteristics of cystoid
      spaces of eyes with MacTel 2 were different from those in eyes with MacTel 1,
      retinal vein occlusion, and diabetic macular edema. The irregular boundaries and
      low reflectivity of the cystoid spaces in MacTel 2 may represent the degenerative
      origin of the disease.

PMID- 24240557
TI  - Influence of axial length and postinjection reflux on sustained intraocular
      pressure elevation as a result of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth
      factor therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess an association of axial length (AL) or postinjection reflux
      with transient or sustained intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in patients with
      neovascular age-related macular degeneration receiving anti-vascular endothelial
      growth factor injections. METHODS: One hundred and forty-seven eyes from 74
      consecutive patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who
      presented to a single physician over a 2-month period had ALs measured by
      IOLMaster. Twenty-one patients had preinjection and immediate postinjection IOP
      measured and immediate reflux assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 9.5% of eyes had been
      identified with sustained IOP elevation in our previous study. Axial length did
      not significantly differ between eyes that had (AL, 23.96 +/- 0.66 mm; n = 14)
      and had not experienced sustained IOP elevation (AL, 23.44 +/- 1.24 mm; n = 133;
      P = 0.12, t-test). By linear regression analysis, the relationship between
      experiencing sustained IOP elevation and AL was not statistically significant (R2
      = 0.0165; P = 0.121). The relationship between AL and immediate postinjection IOP
      elevation was also not statistically significant (R2 = 0.0001; P = 0.97).
      Immediate postinjection IOP increase did differ between eyes without reflux (30.2
      +/- 9.3 mmHg; n = 12) and those with reflux (1.1 +/- 7.2; n = 9; P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Axial length does not seem to be a predictor of transient or
      sustained IOP elevation. Repeated trabecular meshwork trauma related to the
      absence or presence of reflux and immediate postinjection IOP elevation may be a
      contributing factor.

PMID- 24240558
TI  - Hemorrhagic complications of optic nerve head drusen on spectral domain optical
      coherence tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features of hemorrhagic complications secondary
      to optic nerve head drusen (ONHD) using spectral domain optical coherence
      tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients with SD-OCT
      documented ONHD who presented at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from
      December 2009 to July 2012 were included. Full ophthalmologic examinations,
      including fundus photographs, SD-OCT, fundus angiography, and visual field tests
      were analyzed in a total of 101 ONHD-positive eyes from 63 patients. RESULTS:
      Hemorrhagic ONHD complications were found in 7 eyes (7%) from a total of 101 eyes
      with ONHD. All of them had buried ONHD (visualized with SD-OCT) and myopia (mean
      spherical equivalent = -4.00 +/- 2.35 diopters). Patients with ONHD hemorrhagic
      complications had smaller disk diameters than patients without hemorrhagic
      complications (1,308 +/- 166 vs. 1,555 +/- 217 MUm, P = 0.004). Peripapillary
      hemorrhages were classified into the following 3 types based on SD-OCT findings:
      subretinal (6 eyes, 86%), retinal (5 eyes, 71%), and vitreous hemorrhage (4 eyes,
      57%). Six patients (86%) complained of the recent onset of visual symptoms, but
      visual acuities at presentation were 20/20 in all patients. In the three patients
      who were followed up, most hemorrhages were absorbed without complications.
      CONCLUSION: Peripapillary hemorrhage can often occur in patients with buried ONHD
      and small disk diameters. As SD-OCT can be used to visualize ONHD beneath
      hemorrhage, it is helpful with the differential diagnosis and follow-up
      evaluation.

PMID- 24240559
TI  - Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

PMID- 24240560
TI  - Treat-and-extend bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration:
      the importance of baseline characteristics.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors affecting visual and anatomical outcomes and the
      number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections required in the treatment of
      neovascular age-related macular degeneration using a treat-and-extend regimen.
      METHODS: Retrospective consecutive case series. The charts of subjects treated
      with intravitreal bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration
      using a treat-and-extend regimen over a 12-month period were reviewed. The key
      variables explored were patient age, phakic status, posterior vitreous detachment
      status, baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), baseline central macular
      thickness (CMT), and type of chorodial neovascularization. The primary outcome
      measures were improvement in BCVA of 3 logMAR lines or more, maintenance of BCVA
      within 3 logMAR lines of baseline, number of intravitreal injections delivered
      over a 12-month period, and final CMT on optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: A
      total of 230 eyes met the criteria. Mean presenting BCVA was Snellen 20/55 (0.44
      logMAR) and mean final BCVA was Snellen 20/44 (0.35 logMAR) (P < 0.001). A total
      of 23.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.5-29.4%) of the subjects demonstrated
      an improvement in BCVA of 3 or more logMAR lines, whereas 96.5% (95% CI, 93.3
      98.2%) of the subjects lost fewer than 3 logMAR lines. Mean CMT on optical
      coherence tomography changed from a baseline average of 373.1 MUm (95%CI, 360.3
      386.1 MUm) to a final average of 305.5 MUm (95% CI, 290.0-316.0 MUm). The average
      number of injections during the 12-month period was 9.2 (95% CI, 9.0-9.4).
      Posterior vitreous detachment was associated with fewer injections on univariate
      and multivariate analysis (8.7 injections in the posterior vitreous detachment
      group versus 9.8 in the non-posterior vitreous detachment group, P < 0.001).
      Patients with poorer presenting BCVA and greater baseline CMTs were more likely
      to demonstrate a 3 or more logMAR line improvement in BCVA. Thinner final CMTs
      were independently associated with thinner presenting CMTs and fewer injections.
      CONCLUSION: Favorable visual and anatomical outcomes may be achieved with
      intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular
      degeneration using a treat-and-extend regimen. Our study suggests that posterior
      vitreous detachment may play a role in the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab
      during the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PMID- 24240561
TI  - Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

PMID- 24240562
TI  - Extramacular drainage of subretinal fluid during vitrectomy for macular hole
      retinal detachment in high myopia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare surgical outcomes between subretinal fluid drainage through
      the macular hole (MH) and through sites other than the MH during vitrectomy for
      MH retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was
      performed on the medical records of 41 patients who underwent vitrectomy for MH
      retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes. Group M included eyes in which
      subretinal fluid was drained through MH. Group E included eyes in which
      subretinal fluid was drained through an extramacular break or retinotomy. Pre-
      and postoperative visual acuity, reattachment rate, and MH closure rate were
      investigated. RESULTS: Primary retinal reattachment was achieved in 13 of 21 eyes
      (62%) in Group M and in 19 of 20 eyes (95%) in Group E (P = 0.020). The MH was
      closed more frequently in Group E (15 eyes) than in Group M (7 eyes; P = 0.012).
      Ambulatory vision of 20/400 or better was achieved in 16 eyes in Group E and in
      10 eyes in Group M (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Extramacular drainage of subretinal
      fluid resulted in better outcomes than the conventional procedure of drainage
      through the MH.

PMID- 24240563
TI  - Characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy complicated by focal
      choroidal excavation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy
      complicated by focal choroidal excavation (FCE) using fundus angiography and
      optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: A retrospective single-institution
      study. We reviewed the charts of 7 eyes of 7 patients (5 men, 2 women; mean age,
      56.9 +/- 9.8 years) with central serous chorioretinopathy complicated by FCE
      using fundus angiography and OCT. RESULTS: In six of the seven eyes, the points
      of leakage were at the edge of FCE on OCT. All FCE lesions were hypofluorescent
      from early to late phase on indocyanine green angiography. All eyes had late
      phase hyperfluorescence on indocyanine green angiography secondary to choroidal
      vascular hyperpermeability around the FCE lesion. Five fellow eyes also had
      choroidal vascular hyperpermeability. The mean subfoveal choroidal thicknesses by
      swept source high-penetration OCT were 377 MUm and 333 MUm in the fellow eyes, a
      difference that did not reach significance (P = 0.21). CONCLUSION: Fundus
      angiography and OCT showed that choroidal circulatory disruption and atrophic
      retinal pigment epithelium at the FCE lesion might be related to central serous
      chorioretinopathy complicated by FCE.

PMID- 24240564
TI  - Association of plasma malondialdehyde with ARMS2 genetic variants and phenotypes
      in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationships between plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level
      and ARMS2 variants and phenotypes in patients with polypoidal choroidal
      vasculopathy (PCV) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
      METHODS: This study is a retrospective case-control study. Plasma MDA was
      measured in 84 controls, 62 patients with PCV, and 42 patients with nAMD.
      Participants were genotyped for ARMS2 polymorphism. Phenotypes including
      bilaterality and greatest linear dimension based on fluorescein angiography (FA
      GLD) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA-GLD), were evaluated. RESULTS:
      Plasma MDA in the PCV and nAMD groups was higher than in the control group (P <
      0.001, respectively). For ARMS2 variants, plasma MDA of homozygous high-risk
      genotype (TT) was higher than that of homozygous low-risk genotype (GG) in all
      groups (P < 0.001, respectively). Plasma MDA was higher in homozygous high-risk
      genotype than in heterozygous genotype in the control, PCV, and nAMD groups (P =
      0.021, 0.002, and 0.004, respectively). In the nAMD group, there was a
      correlation between plasma MDA and both FA-GLD (r = 0.418, P = 0.006) and ICGA
      GLD (r = 0.329, P = 0.033). There was a difference in plasma MDA between patients
      with unilateral and bilateral lesions in both PCV and nAMD (P = 0.017 and 0.019,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: This study revealed significant relationships between
      the plasma MDA level and ARMS2 variants and phenotypes in PCV and nAMD.

PMID- 24240565
TI  - Multimodal imaging findings in retinal deep capillary ischemia.
AB  - PURPOSES: To evaluate the multimodal imaging findings in retinal deep capillary
      ischemia (DCI). METHODS: This was a retrospective review of 5 eyes of 4 patients
      with sudden onset of paracentral scotomas caused by DCI. Multimodal imaging
      techniques, including color and red-free photographs, near-infrared reflectance,
      fluorescein angiography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, were
      performed in all eyes, and the findings were correlated with microperimetry in
      two eyes. Imaging findings in DCI were compared with those of a cotton wool spot
      caused by superficial capillary ischemia (SCI). RESULTS: Unlike SCI, the imaging
      findings in DCI were subtler during both the acute and chronic phase, but
      specific optical coherence tomographic findings could readily differentiate these
      entities. Acute SCI showed inner retinal whitening, edema, and increased
      reflectivity, whereas acute DCI showed increased reflectivity of middle retinal
      layers. Chronic DCI showed retinal thinning with middle layer atrophy, whereas
      chronic SCI showed inner layer atrophy. In one patient, microperimetry showed a
      paracentral dense scotoma that corresponded well to the optical coherence
      tomographic findings. CONCLUSION: Deep capillary ischemia may represent a
      nonspecific finding of retinal ischemia and produces characteristic changes
      within the middle retinal layers, analogous to a deep cotton wool spot, but with
      distinct features differing from the superficial cotton wool spot which is seen
      in SCI. Among the various multimodal imaging techniques, optical coherence
      tomography seemed to be the most sensitive and specific technique in detecting
      DCI in both the acute and chronic phases.

PMID- 24240566
TI  - Differences in anterior cruciate ligament elasticity and force for knee flexion
      in women: oral contraceptive users versus non-oral contraceptive users.
AB  - Eighty-two percent of sexually active women aged 15-44 have used oral
      contraceptive pills (OCP) in the United States. The OCP, an exogenous source of
      synthetic forms of steroid hormones, prevents ovulation. Hormone changes during
      the menstrual cycle (MC) are believed to have an impact on anterior cruciate
      ligament (ACL) laxity due to estrogen. Because the estrogen receptor beta resides
      on human connective tissue, OCP may have potential impact on tendon and ligament
      synthesis, structure, and biomechanical properties. Temperature has also been
      known to have an effect on tissue elasticity. Therefore, the purpose of this
      study was to investigate the differences in ACL elasticity, force to flex the
      knee (FFK), and knee flexion-extension hysteresis (KFEH) between OCP users and
      non-OCP users. To investigate these changes, two different knee temperatures were
      measured. Nineteen young females were divided into two groups: OCP users and non
      OCP users. Blood for estradiol serum concentration (E2) was taken before
      beginning the tests. ACL elasticity, FFK, and KFEH were assessed both at ambient
      temperature (22  degrees C) and after 38  degrees C warming of the leg to
      stabilize tissue temperature. Assessments were performed four times during the
      MC. Throughout the MC, ACL elasticity, FFK, and KFEH fluctuated in non-OCP users,
      but not in OCP users. At ambient temperature, ACL elasticity was significantly
      lower and FFK and KFEH were significantly higher in OCP users than non-OCP users
      (p < 0.05). But, no significant differences in FFK and KFEH between the two
      groups were found after warming to 38  degrees C.

PMID- 24240567
TI  - Monitoring liverworts to evaluate the effectiveness of hydroriparian buffers.
AB  - In the coastal temperate rainforest of British Columbia (BC) in western Canada,
      government policies stipulate that foresters leave unlogged hydroriparian buffer
      strips up to 25 m on each side of streams to protect wildlife habitat. At
      present, studies on the effectiveness of these buffers focus on mammals, birds,
      and amphibians while there is comparably little information on smaller organisms
      such as liverworts in these hydroriparian buffers. To address this gap of
      knowledge, we conducted field surveys of liverworts comparing the percent cover
      and community composition in hydroriparian forested areas (n = 4 sites, n = 32
      plots with nested design) to hydroriparian buffer zones (n = 4 sites, n = 32
      plots). We also examined how substrate type affected the cover of liverworts.
      Liverwort communities in buffers were similar to those in riparian forest areas
      and most liverworts were found on downed wood. Thus, hydroriparian buffers of 25
      35 m on each side in a coastal temperate rainforest effectively provide habitat
      for liverworts as long as downed wood is left intact in the landscape. Because
      liverworts are particularly sensitive to changes in humidity, these results may
      indicate that hydroriparian buffers are an effective management strategy for
      bryophytes and possibly for a range of other riparian species that are
      particularly sensitive to forestry-related changes in microclimate.

PMID- 24240568
TI  - Suicide rates in China from 2002 to 2011: an update.
AB  - PURPOSES: The aims of this study were: (1) to present the time trend of suicide
      rate among people aged 15 or above in China over the period 2002-2011 and (2) to
      examine the current profile of completed suicides during 2009-2011. METHODS: Data
      on suicide rate in 2002-2011 were provided by the Chinese Ministry of Health
      (MOH). The trends of region-, gender-, and age-specific suicide rates were
      examined using Poisson regression models. The mean number of completed suicides
      for each cohort during 2009-2011 was calculated and a mean national suicide rate
      was estimated. FINDINGS: The overall suicide rate decreased significantly over
      the past decade, but rates in young males and rural older adults did not reduce
      and in fact increased among older adults in both urban and rural areas towards
      the end of the study period. For 2009-2011, 44 % of all suicides occurred among
      those aged 65 or above and 79 % among rural residents. The estimated mean
      national suicide rate was 9.8 per 100,000 and was slightly higher for males than
      females. CONCLUSION: The benefits of economic growth, such as higher employment
      and more educational opportunities for the rural population in particular, may
      have contributed to the reduced suicide rate in China. However, the recent rapid
      changes in socioeconomic conditions could have increased stress levels and
      resulted in more suicides, especially among the elderly. Despite the significant
      reduction reported here, the latest figures suggest the declining trend is
      reversing. It will be important to continue monitoring the situation and to
      examine how urbanization and economic changes affect the well-being of 1.3
      billion Chinese.

PMID- 24240569
TI  - Serial block face scanning electron microscopy--the future of cell ultrastructure
      imaging.
AB  - One of the major drawbacks in transmission electron microscopy has been the
      production of three-dimensional views of cells and tissues. Currently, there is
      no one suitable 3D microscopy technique that answers all questions and serial
      block face scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fills the gap between 3D imaging
      using high-end fluorescence microscopy and the high resolution offered by
      electron tomography. In this review, we discuss the potential of the serial block
      face SEM technique for studying the three-dimensional organisation of animal,
      plant and microbial cells. 

PMID- 24240570
TI  - [Medical operations at the 2010 love parade in Duisburg].
AB  - On 24 July 2010 the love parade, a large scale open air concert was held in the
      city of Duisburg to which more than 500,000 guests were expected. During the
      course of the early evening a major tragic incident occurred in which 21 people
      were crushed to death and several hundred others were injured. In this article
      the preparation of the emergency and rescue services prior to the event is
      described and their operations entailing more than 1,600 staff members from all
      over Germany are illustrated. The article focuses on the mass casualty incident
      which took place in the tunnel in the early evening of that day. 

PMID- 24240571
TI  - A Dictyostelium cellobiohydrolase orthologue that affects developmental timing.
AB  - Dictyostelium discoideum is a facultative multicellular amoebozoan with cellulose
      in the stalk and spore coat of its fruiting body as well as in the extracellular
      matrix of the migrating slug. The organism also harbors a number of cellulase
      genes. One of them, cbhA, was identified as a candidate cellobiohydrolase gene
      based on the strong homology of its predicted protein product to fungal
      cellobiohydrolase I (CBHI). Expression of the cbhA was developmentally regulated,
      with strong expression in the spores of the mature fruiting body. However, a weak
      but detectable level of expression was observed in the extracellular matrix at
      the mound - tipped finger stages, in prestalk O cells, and in the slime sheath of
      the migrating slug - late culminant stages. A null mutant of the cbhA showed
      almost normal morphology. However, the developmental timing of the mutant was
      delayed by 2-4 h. When a c-Myc epitope-tagged CbhA was expressed, it was secreted
      into the culture medium and was able to bind crystalline cellulose. The CbhA-myc
      protein was glycosylated, as demonstrated by its ability to bind succinyl
      concanavalin A-agarose. Moreover, conditioned medium from the cbhA-myc (oe)
      strain displayed 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-cellobioside (4-MUC) digesting
      activity in Zymograms in which conditioned medium was examined via native
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or spotted on an agar plate containing 4-MUC,
      one of the substrates of cellobiohydrolase. Taken together, these findings
      indicate that Dictyostelium CbhA is an orthologue of CBH I that is required for a
      normal rate of development. 

PMID- 24240572
TI  - Archaeal biology: less means more for Haloferax.

PMID- 24240573
TI  - VSL#3 probiotics provide protection against acute intestinal
      ischaemia/reperfusion injury.
AB  - Acute intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion injury (AII/R) is an adaptive physiologic
      response during critical illness, involving mesenteric vasoconstriction and
      hypoperfusion. Prevention of AII/R in high risk patient populations would have a
      significant impact on morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate the protective effects of VSL#3 probiotic treatment in a murine model
      of AII/R. Adult 129/SvEv mice were subjected to an experimental AII/R model using
      superior mesenteric artery occlusion. Animals were pre-treated with either three
      days or two weeks of VSL#3 probiotics. Local tissue injury markers were assessed
      by levels of myeloperoxidase and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB).
      Systemic and local cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL- 10, TNFalpha,
      and interferon gamma were measured by ELISA and multiplex fluorescent detection.
      VSL#3 probiotics reduced local tissue inflammation and injury due to AII/R. A two
      week course of VSL#3 was more effective than a shorter three-day course. The
      reduction in local inflammation from the two-week course of VSL#3 is correlated
      to a significant reduction in levels of active IL-1beta, and tissue levels of
      myeloperoxidase. Levels of active NFkB were significantly elevated in the vehicle
      fed AII/R mice, corroborating with tissue inflammation, which were attenuated by
      VSL#3 administrations. VSL#3 did not cause any systemic inflammation or lung
      injury. VSL#3 probiotics are effective in reducing local tissue injury from AII/R
      by down-regulating pro-inflammatory mediators and immune cell recruitment. This
      study highlights a potential role for VSL#3 in management of patients at high
      risk for AII/R. 

PMID- 24240575
TI  - A prospective randomized controlled trial of the effects of vitamin D
      supplementation on long-term glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus of
      Korea.
AB  - Epidemiologic studies have shown that low vitamin D levels are associated with
      reduced insulin sensitivity and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes
      mellitus (T2DM). However, there is little evidence that vitamin D supplementation
      improves glucose intolerance. We evaluated the glucose-lowering effect of vitamin
      D in Korean T2DM subjects. We enrolled 158 T2DM patients who had stable glycemic
      control [hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) <8.5%] and vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/mL.
      The participants were randomized into two groups: Placebo (100 mg daily of
      elemental calcium administered twice a day) or Vitamin D (1000 IU daily of
      cholecalciferol combined with 100 mg of elemental calcium administered twice a
      day). We compared outdoor physical activity, glycemic control, homeostasis model
      of assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and parathyroid hormone (PTH),
      during the 24-week intervention. We analyzed the data of 129 participants
      (placebo =65, vitamin D =64) who completely followed the protocol. Outdoor
      physical activity and oral anti-diabetic drugs did not differ between the groups.
      While there were significant differences in the vitamin D levels (15.6 +/- 7.1
      ng/mL vs 30.2 +/- 10.8 ng/mL, P<0.001) and change in PTH levels (1.4 +/- 15.3
      pg/mL vs -5.5 +/- 9.8 pg/mL, P=0.003) between the placebo and vitamin D groups,
      there were no differences in HbA1c (7.27 +/- 0.87% vs 7.40 +/- 0.90%) (P=0.415)
      and HOMA-IR. Serum calcium and kidney function results showed that the vitamin D
      supplementation was safe. While vitamin D supplementation is safe and effective
      in the attainment of vitamin D sufficiency, it had no effect on long-term
      glycemic control for T2DM in our study. 

PMID- 24240576
TI  - Biased agonism: a novel paradigm in G protein-coupled receptor signaling observed
      in acquired hypocalciuric hypercalcemia.
AB  - The classical model of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation is the two
      state model, in which the GPCR exists in equilibrium between an active and
      inactive state. Based on this model, GPCR ligands have been classified as
      agonists, inverse agonists, or antagonists depending on their actions in shifting
      this equilibrium. Recently, however, accumulating evidence has indicated that
      GPCRs may exist in multiple active and inactive conformational states. In this
      situation, each ligand recognizes and stabilizes a specific conformation of the
      GPCR, leading to a set of specific biological effects. Based on this new model, a
      unique agonist or a combination of the usual agonist and an allosteric modulator
      may enable activation of a specific signaling pathway via a GPCR that activates
      multiple signals (biased agonism, functional selectivity). The calcium-sensing
      receptor autoantibody that we have identified in the serum of a patient with
      acquired hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (AHH) is the first example of a biased
      allosteric modulator of a GPCR working in a pathophysiological context. Our
      findings may indicate the presence of physiological allosteric modulators and
      provide new directions for the future drug development. 

PMID- 24240577
TI  - Inflammatory response after open and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in
      children: a randomized study.
AB  - PURPOSE: It is assumed that laparoscopic surgery generally induces less
      inflammatory responses than open surgery. Since few studies have compared immune
      responses after laparoscopic and open surgery in children, we examined
      inflammatory markers in children randomized to open (ONF) or laparoscopic Nissen
      fundoplication (LNF). METHODS: Blood samples were collected prior to surgery
      (D0), and on postoperative day 1 (D1) and day 2 (D2). Inflammatory markers were
      measured using a multiplex antibody bead kit. The postoperative levels of
      inflammatory markers were statistically analyzed using a linear mixed model. A P
      value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty-nine
      patients randomized to ONF or LNF were included. Median age was 3.1 years (range
      1.0-14.2) in the ONF group and 4.0 years (range 0.2-14.2) in the LNF group.
      Plasma levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 were
      significantly higher in the ONF group than in the LNF group postoperatively (P =
      0.04). However, there were no significant differences between the groups in the
      levels of pro-inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, IL-8,
      monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, white blood cell count, or C-reactive
      protein. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find that laparoscopy induced a substantially
      less inflammatory response than laparotomy in children undergoing fundoplication.

PMID- 24240578
TI  - Gyrate erythema and melanoma-a new clinical association.
AB  - The authors present the case of a 65-year-old gentleman with a 2.6-mm Breslow
      thickness melanoma on the lower limb. During his treatment, he underwent several
      operations including a partial foot amputation. At clinical review, he was noted
      to have developed an unusual rash. This rash, an annular and gyrate erythema, has
      never been described before in relation to melanoma, and is sometimes seen in the
      presence of paraneoplastic processes. Highlighting this new association may
      enable clinicians to understand and appreciate melanoma better in the future.

PMID- 24240579
TI  - Smartphones for smarter delivery of mental health programs: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rapid growth in the use of mobile phone applications (apps)
      provides the opportunity to increase access to evidence-based mental health care.
      OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to systematically review the research evidence supporting
      the efficacy of mental health apps for mobile devices (such as smartphones and
      tablets) for all ages. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search (2008-2013) in
      MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO,
      PsycTESTS, Compendex, and Inspec was conducted. We included trials that examined
      the effects of mental health apps (for depression, anxiety, substance use, sleep
      disturbances, suicidal behavior, self-harm, psychotic disorders, eating
      disorders, stress, and gambling) delivered on mobile devices with a pre- to
      posttest design or compared with a control group. The control group could consist
      of wait list, treatment-as-usual, or another recognized treatment. RESULTS: In
      total, 5464 abstracts were identified. Of those, 8 papers describing 5 apps
      targeting depression, anxiety, and substance abuse met the inclusion criteria.
      Four apps provided support from a mental health professional. Results showed
      significant reductions in depression, stress, and substance use. Within-group and
      between-group intention-to-treat effect sizes ranged from 0.29-2.28 and 0.01-0.48
      at posttest and follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health apps have the
      potential to be effective and may significantly improve treatment accessibility.
      However, the majority of apps that are currently available lack scientific
      evidence about their efficacy. The public needs to be educated on how to identify
      the few evidence-based mental health apps available in the public domain to date.
      Further rigorous research is required to develop and test evidence-based
      programs. Given the small number of studies and participants included in this
      review, the high risk of bias, and unknown efficacy of long-term follow-up,
      current findings should be interpreted with caution, pending replication. Two of
      the 5 evidence-based mental health apps are currently commercially available in
      app stores.

PMID- 24240580
TI  - Nationwide survey of the nature and risk factors of complications in embolization
      of meningiomas and other intracranial tumors: Japanese Registry of
      NeuroEndovascular Therapy 2 (JR-NET2).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Embolization of intracranial tumor is widely performed in Japan,
      mainly before neurosurgical resection. A retrospective, multicenter,
      observational study in Japan was conducted to clarify the nature, frequency, and
      risk factors of complications in intracranial tumor embolization. METHODS:
      Patients were derived from the Japanese Registry of NeuroEndovascular Therapy 2
      (JR-NET2). A total of 20,854 patients were enrolled in JR-NET2, of which 1,018
      patients (4.88 %) with intracranial tumors underwent embolization. The primary
      end point was the proportion of patients with a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score
      of 0-2 (independency) at 30 days. The secondary end point was the occurrence of
      complications related to the procedures. The risk factors of the occurrence of
      complications were studied. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with mRS scores
      <=2 at 30 days after procedure was 91.3 %. Complications occurred in 15 of the
      1,012 patients (1.48 %). Multivariate analysis showed that embolization for
      tumors other than meningioma (OR, 4.626; 95 % CI, 1.347-14.59; p = 0.0105) was
      significantly associated with the development of complications. CONCLUSION: The
      frequency of complications after intracranial tumor embolization was relatively
      low in this large Japanese cohort. Embolization for tumors other than meningioma
      was the only significant risk factor for the occurrence of complications.

PMID- 24240581
TI  - Systems biology of cancer biomarker detection.
AB  - Cancer systems-biology is an ever-growing area of research due to explosion of
      data; how to mine these data and extract useful information is the problem. To
      have an insight on carcinogenesis one need to systematically mine several
      resources, such as databases, microarray and next-generation sequences. This
      review encompasses management and analysis of cancer data, databases construction
      and data deposition, whole transcriptome and genome comparison, analysing results
      from high throughput experiments to uncover cellular pathways and molecular
      interactions, and the design of effective algorithms to identify potential
      biomarkers. Recent technical advances such as ChIP-on-chip, ChIP-seq and RNA-seq
      can be applied to get epigenetic information transformed into a high-throughput
      endeavour to which systems biology and bioinformatics are making significant
      inroads. The data from ENCODE and GENCODE projects available through UCSC genome
      browser can be considered as benchmark for comparison and meta-analysis. A
      pipeline for integrating next generation sequencing data, microarray data, and
      putting them together with the existing database is discussed. The understanding
      of cancer genomics is changing the way we approach cancer diagnosis and
      treatment. To give a better understanding of utilizing available resources' we
      have chosen oral cancer to show how and what kind of analysis can be done. This
      review is a computational genomic primer that provides a bird's eye view of
      computational and bioinformatics' tools currently available to perform integrated
      genomic and system biology analyses of several carcinoma. 

PMID- 24240582
TI  - A systematic review of hypermethylation of p16 gene in esophageal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inactivation of cell-cycle regulating gene p16, resulting from
      epigenetic alteration, is common in the carcinogenesis of human cancers. The aim
      of this study is to offer a systematic review on the aberrant methylation of p16
      gene in esophageal cancer. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis referring to the
      guidelines of PRISMA. We searched for articles published from 1996 to 31 May 2012
      using PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database.
      Additional database including Web of Science and EMBASE were also searched for
      related articles. The random or fixed effect model was applied to estimate the
      pooled frequency of DNA methylation based on the heterogeneity analysis. Subgroup
      analyses were performed according to the histological type, study area, and tumor
      grade. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 39 articles related to the
      methylation studies on p16 gene in cancer tissues and 7 articles using blood
      samples. The summarized frequency of DNA methylation detected in cancer tissues
      was 0.53 (95% CI: 0.44-0.61). With the increase of tumor differentiation grades,
      the frequency of DNA methylation increased accordingly (well differentiated:
      0.37; moderately differentiated: 0.61; poorly differentiated: 0.63). We further
      summarized the methylation of p16 gene detected in patient's peripheral blood
      samples. The pooled frequency was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.17-0.49), which was lower than
      that detected in cancer tissues. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis revealed the
      elevated frequency of DNA methylation of p16 gene in esophageal cancer, which
      indicated future potential application of this biomarker in early detection as
      well as the prognosis of the disease.

PMID- 24240583
TI  - A novel algorithm for the prediction of prostate cancer in clinically suspected
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the most common solid tumor
      affecting men and its early detection remains the best approach to improve
      survival rates. The assessment of serum levels of PSA is currently used for PCa
      screening but the low specificity of the test results in a high number of false
      positives. Other forms of PSA may be detected in the bloodstream including PSA
      associated with immunoglobulin M (PSA-IgM) which, alone or combined with PSA, has
      shown diagnostic accuracy for PCa. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to improve
      the diagnostic accuracy of PSA-IgM by developing a multivariable model which
      includes serum biomarkers and routine diagnostic parameters to obtain a
      predictive index useful in the post-screening clinical practice. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: One hundred sixty male patients with clinical suspect of PCa underwent a
      trans-rectal ultrasound guided first prostate biopsy with a standardized sampling
      scheme. To generate the model, we assessed the presence of PSA and PSA-IgM
      complexes in sera of patients and the prostate volume of each patient. A novel
      predictive probability for PCa (iXip) was obtained combining non-overlapping
      biomarkers normalized with diagnostic parameters. RESULTS: The study population
      included 49 patients with PCa diagnosed at biopsy and 111 controls in which
      prostate biopsy showed the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia,
      inflammation, atypical small acinar proliferation or high-grade prostatic
      intraepithelial neoplasia. The iXip values for patients with PCa (mean +/-
      SD=0.467 +/- 0.160) were significantly higher (p-value < 0.001) than control
      subjects (mean +/- SD=0.314 +/- 0.098) and the iXip AUC (0.787) was significantly
      greater (p-value < 0.001) than the AUCs of each biomarker. CONCLUSIONS: iXip
      shows a significant increase in diagnostic performance compared to PSA and PSA
      IgM and its post-screening use may facilitate decision-making in recommending for
      biopsy clinically suspected patients.

PMID- 24240584
TI  - Positive association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -2578 C/A
      variant and prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene is an important
      angiogenesis regulator related to cancer development and progression. We
      evaluated the association between -2578 C/A (rs699947) VEGF polymorphism and PCa
      in Mexican subjects, to contribute to knowledge of VEGF role in genetic
      epidemiology of prostate cancer (PCa). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the association between -2578 C/A VEGF variant and PCa in Mexican
      population. METHODS: A total of 249 men (77 PCa cases and 172 controls) from the
      Northwestern region of Mexico were screened for the -2578 C/A VEGF variant. The
      polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction
      analysis. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies for C/C, C/A, and A/A, were 0.48, 0.49,
      0.03 for cases and 0.41, 0.45, 0.14 for controls respectively. Genotype A/A of 
      2578 VEGF variant reduces the risk of PCa in an 84% among studied population
      (Odds Ratio 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04-0.71, P=0.007). C/C carriers showed an increased
      PCa risk of 6.1 times among the study population. CONCLUSIONS: Inheritance of 
      2578 A/A genotype of VEGF gene may modify PCa susceptibility risk in Mexican
      population.

PMID- 24240585
TI  - Gene environment interaction in urinary bladder cancer with special reference to
      organochlorine pesticide: a case control study.
AB  - Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is a common disease worldwide with a higher
      incidence rate in developed countries. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), potent
      endocrine disrupters, are found to be associated with several cancers such as
      prostate, breast, bladder, etc. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is a polymorphic
      supergene family involved in the detoxification of numerous environmental toxins
      including OCPs. The present study was carried out in UBC subjects (n=50) and
      healthy control subjects (n=50) with an aim to determine the role of GSTM1 and
      GSTT1 polymorphism and its implication on the OCP detoxification or
      bioaccumulation which may increase the risk of UBC in humans. This study was also
      designed to identify the "gene-environment interaction" specifically between gene
      polymorphism in xenobiotic metabolizing genetic enzyme(s) and blood OCP levels.
      GSTM1/GSTT1 gene polymorphism was analysed by using multiplex PCR. OCPs levels in
      whole blood were estimated by Gas chromatography equipped with electron capture
      detector. The results demonstrated a significant (p< 0.05) increase in frequency
      of GSTM1<formula>^{-}</formula>/GSTT1<formula>^{-}</formula> (null) genotype in
      UBC cases without interfering the distribution of other GSTT1/GSTM1 genotypes.
      The blood levels of alpha (alpha), Beta (beta), Gamma (gamma), total -
      Hexachlorcyclohexane (HCH) and para-para - dichlorodiphenyltrichloroetane (p,p'
      DDT) were found to be significantly (p< 0.05) high in UBC cases as compared to
      controls. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant interaction between
      beta-HCH and GSTM1<formula>^{-}</formula> genotype (p< 0.05) as well as in beta
      HCH and GSTT1<formula>^{-}</formula> genotype (p< 0.05) respectively. These
      findings indicate that "gene-environment interaction" may play a key role in
      increasing the risk for UBC in individuals who are genetically more susceptible
      due to presence of GSTM1/GSTT1 null deletion during their routine encounter with
      or exposure to OCPs. 

PMID- 24240586
TI  - Association between HLA-G 3'UTR 14-bp ins/del polymorphism and susceptibility to
      breast cancer.
AB  - Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classic major histocompatibility
      complex (MHC) class I molecule that is highly expressed in cancer pathologies. A
      14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in exon 8 of the 3' untranslated region (3'
      UTR) of the HLA-G gene has been suggested to be associated with HLA-G mRNA
      stability and the expression of HLA-G. This study aimed to evaluate the
      association of 14-bp ins/del polymorphism in HLA-G gene and breast cancer in a
      south-east Iranian population. This study was performed using 236 patients with
      breast cancer and 203 healthy subjects. We designed a rapid and simple bi
      directional PCR allele-specific amplification (Bi-PASA) for detection of 14-bp
      ins/del polymorphism in the HLA-G gene. The results of our study revealed that
      the prevalence of HLA-G 14-bp homozygote deletion genotype was higher in breast
      cancer patients than in the control group (OR=2.06, 95%CI=1.23-3.44, P=0.006).
      The frequency of the Del allele was 56.4% in breast cancer patients and 46.5% in
      the control group and the difference was statistically significant (OR=1.48,
      95%CI=1.13-1.94, P=0.004). Moreover we evaluated the possible correlation of the
      HLA-G 14-bp ins/del genotypes and clinical characteristics of the patients, but
      no statistically significant correlation was found (P> 0.05). Our findings, for
      the first time, suggest that the 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in HLA-G
      gene could be a genetic risk factor for the susceptibility to breast carcinoma.
      Further studies on larger populations with different ethnicities are required to
      verify our findings. 

PMID- 24240587
TI  - Enhanced expression of EphrinB1 is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor
      prognosis in breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands
      are membrane-bound cell-signaling proteins and they play critical regulatory
      roles in embryonic development and carcinogenesis. Eph receptors require direct
      cell to cell interaction for activation and they are divided into EphA and EphB
      receptor classes, depending on their preferential binding affinity for EphrinA or
      EphrinB ligands. Eph receptors have been documented in breast cancer, but the
      Ephrin ligands have not been thoroughly investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      conducted a systematic assessment of EphrinB1 expression in a set of 75 formalin
      fixed paraffin-embedded breast cancers, using immunohistochemical staining (IHC)
      with a specific antibody, and we examined the relationship between EphrinB1
      expression, histopathological parameters, and the expression of estrogen (ER),
      progesterone (PR), and HER-2 receptors. RESULTS: High level expression of
      EphrinB1 is positively associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001) and
      with the presence of HER-2 receptor (P=0.041) and it is more often detected in
      triple-negative breast carcinomas (P=0.038). No relation was apparent between
      EphrinB1 expression level and other histopathological parameters, but enhanced
      EphrinB1 expression is associated with shorter overall survival (P=0.015).
      CONCLUSION: Our analysis demonstrates that EphrinB1 expression is related to the
      metastasis of breast cancer and its enhanced expression confers a poor prognosis,
      suggesting that EphrinB1 may be a relevant therapeutic target in breast cancers.

PMID- 24240588
TI  - Tumorigenesis and tumor progression related gene expression profiles in
      colorectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the different gene expression profiles in colorectal
      cancer (CRC) has important implications in understanding the correlation between
      candidate genes and clinical histopathological features, as well as in developing
      prognostic prediction markers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      identify the expression profiles of tumorigenesis and tumor progression related
      genes in Taiwanese CRC patients. METHODS: In this study, we analyze 18 candidate
      gene expressions of 77 CRC tissues by a GeXP multiplexed assay. RESULTS: The
      results showed VEGF (71.4%), SOX9 (68.8%), MYC (62.3%), CCND1 (59.7%), TP53
      (59.4%), MMP9 (53.3%), and BIRC5 (50.6%) as significantly overexpressed genes in
      CRC tissues. VEGF was the most highly overexpressed gene. In addition, VEGF was
      overexpressed in larger tumors (P=0.037, OR=2.981, 95% CI, 1.049-8.477). MMP9
      overexpression was correlated to deeper tumor invasion (P=0.001, OR=11.022, 95%
      CI, 2.281-53.262), and BIRC5 was overexpressed in the presence of perineural
      invasion (P=0.026, OR=4.250, 95% CI, 1.240-14.562). CONCLUSIONS: The results of
      this study offered valuable information about the relationship between different
      gene expressions and clinical pathological features, and these biomarkers
      represent a potential role for CRC prognosis prediction and establishing
      therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 24240589
TI  - Genomic changes in rectal adenocarcinoma associated with liver metastasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: At present no objective parameters to identify the risk of liver
      metastasis after surgery have been established in rectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: To
      identify the chromosomal aberrations that are correlated with liver metastasis of
      rectal cancer. METHODS: Primary tumor tissues of rectal carcinoma were analyzed
      by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH). Genomic aberrations
      were identified by Genomic Workbench and MD-SeeGH. RESULTS: The most frequent
      gains in rectal cancer were at 20q11.21-q13.33, 8q11.21-q24.3, 13q12.11-q14.2 and
      losses in 5q13.2, 8p23.3-p22, 17p13.3-p13.2 and 18q11.2-q23. Seven amplifications
      at 6p21.1, 8q24.21, 8q24.3, 13q13.2 and 20q13.2-q13.32 and nine homozygous
      deletions at 1q31.3, 4q12-q13.1, 4q32.3-q33, 5q13.2, 8p23.2, 8q11.23, 16p13.2,
      19p13.11 and 19q13.41 were identified. Both frequency plot comparison and SAM
      (Significance analysis of microarray) methods indicated that losses at 1p35.3,
      4p14, 14q23.1-q32.11 and 18p11.32-p11.21 were more frequent in patients without
      liver metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: These liver metastasis associated genomic changes
      may be useful to reveal the mechanism of metastasis and identify candidate
      biomarkers.

PMID- 24240590
TI  - Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate as a prognostic biomarker in human
      primary lung squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - To identify novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of human primary
      lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), we compared the spectrum of proteins
      expressed in SCC and in the adjacent non-cancer tissue, using QSTAR Elite liquid
      chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), coupled with iTRAQ
      technology. We identified 410 proteins differentially expressed in more than 75%
      of patients, and validated the expression of candidate target proteins by
      immunohistochemistry. Based on the results of LC-MS/MS, Ingenuity Pathway
      Analysis and immunohistochemical analyses, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase
      substrate (MARCKS) (upregulated 2.28-fold, p< 0.005) was selected as a potential
      biomarker of human lung SCC. In order to evaluate the association between patient
      prognosis and the expression of candidate biomarkers, univariate survival
      analysis was performed with disease-specific survival curves according to the
      Kaplan-Meier method, and differences in survival were assessed with the log-rank
      test. Immunohistochemical evaluation of MARCKS in 99 patients with lung SCC
      revealed a significant association between positive expression and poor prognosis
      compared with patients with negative expression (log-rank test; p=0.024). These
      results indicate that MARCKS may represent a potential biomarker for the
      prognosis of primary lung SCC. 

PMID- 24240591
TI  - Expression of PI3K, PTEN and Akt in small intestinal adenocarcinoma detected by
      quantum dots-based immunofluorescence technology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Small intestinal adenocarcinoma (SIA) is often diagnosed at an
      advanced stage due to its rarity and nonspecific clinical manifestations.
      Abnormal activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway may lead to various diseases
      including cancer. In this study, we explored the relationship between those
      pathways and SIA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of PI3K, phospho-Akt
      (p-Akt) and PTEN in SIA to evaluate their clinical significance. METHODS:
      Expression of PI3K, p-Akt and PTEN biomarkers were examined by quantum dots-based
      immunofluorescence histochemistry (QDs-IHC) and traditional immunohistochemistry
      (IHC). There are 53 SIA samples, 11 non-cancer tissue samples and 11 normal small
      intestine tissues. RESULTS: The positive frequencies of PI3K and p-Akt expression
      were significantly higher in the SIA group (77.4%, 41/53 and 77.4%, 41/53,
      respectively) than that in the non-cancer group (36.4%, 4/11 and 27.3, 3/11,
      respectively) and normal small intestine tissue group (36.4%, 4/11 and 18.2,
      2/11, respectively). However, the difference of the positive rates of PTEN
      expression in three groups did not reach a statistical difference (P=0.761). The
      IHC results were in concordance with the QDs-IHC. CONCLUSIONS: These observations
      support that PI3K/Akt pathway is highly activated in SIA, which may implicate
      therapeutic targeting of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway for its treatment.

PMID- 24240592
TI  - What's new in Shock? December 2013.

PMID- 24240598
TI  - A multimodal emotion detection system during human-robot interaction.
AB  - In this paper, a multimodal user-emotion detection system for social robots is
      presented. This system is intended to be used during human-robot interaction, and
      it is integrated as part of the overall interaction system of the robot: the
      Robotics Dialog System (RDS). Two modes are used to detect emotions: the voice
      and face expression analysis. In order to analyze the voice of the user, a new
      component has been developed: Gender and Emotion Voice Analysis (GEVA), which is
      written using the Chuck language. For emotion detection in facial expressions,
      the system, Gender and Emotion Facial Analysis (GEFA), has been also developed.
      This last system integrates two third-party solutions: Sophisticated High-speed
      Object Recognition Engine (SHORE) and Computer Expression Recognition Toolbox
      (CERT). Once these new components (GEVA and GEFA) give their results, a decision
      rule is applied in order to combine the information given by both of them. The
      result of this rule, the detected emotion, is integrated into the dialog system
      through communicative acts. Hence, each communicative act gives, among other
      things, the detected emotion of the user to the RDS so it can adapt its strategy
      in order to get a greater satisfaction degree during the human-robot dialog. Each
      of the new components, GEVA and GEFA, can also be used individually. Moreover,
      they are integrated with the robotic control platform ROS (Robot Operating
      System). Several experiments with real users were performed to determine the
      accuracy of each component and to set the final decision rule. The results
      obtained from applying this decision rule in these experiments show a high
      success rate in automatic user emotion recognition, improving the results given
      by the two information channels (audio and visual) separately. 

PMID- 24240593
TI  - Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG improves outcome in experimental pseudomonas
      aeruginosa pneumonia: potential role of regulatory T cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recent clinical trials show Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)
      administration in critical illness has the potential to reduce nosocomial
      infections and improve clinical outcome. However, the mechanism(s) of LGG
      mediated benefit following illness and injury remain elusive. OBJECTIVE: The aim
      of this study was to determine the effect of LGG treatment on survival and lung
      injury in a mouse model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced pneumonia. As increased
      T regulatory (Treg) cell numbers have been shown to improve outcome in
      experimental pneumonia, we examined the potential role of Treg cells in probiotic
      mediated benefit. METHODS: FVB/N mice were subjected to intratracheal injection
      of either P. aeruginosa or saline and received LGG or vehicle immediately before
      procedure. T regulatory cell responses in the lung were evaluated by polymerase
      chain reaction, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Mice treated with
      LGG had significantly improved 7-day survival (P < 0.01) compared with saline
      treated control pneumonia mice (55% LGG vs. 14% control). The survival advantage
      was associated with reduced bacterial counts in bronchoalveolar lavage and with
      decreased markers of the systemic inflammatory response and improved lung
      pathology in the probiotic group. Probiotic treatment influenced immune response
      in the lungs of mice with pneumonia as demonstrated by increased levels of Treg
      cell marker Foxp3. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that early administration
      of LGG improves outcome following P. aeruginosa-induced pneumonia. An effect of
      LGG on Treg cells may play a role in this protection.

PMID- 24240599
TI  - Data management for the internet of things: design primitives and solution.
AB  - The Internet of Things (IoT) is a networking paradigm where interconnected, smart
      objects continuously generate data and transmit it over the Internet. Much of the
      IoT initiatives are geared towards manufacturing low-cost and energy-efficient
      hardware for these objects, as well as the communication technologies that
      provide objects interconnectivity. However, the solutions to manage and utilize
      the massive volume of data produced by these objects are yet to mature.
      Traditional database management solutions fall short in satisfying the
      sophisticated application needs of an IoT network that has a truly global-scale.
      Current solutions for IoT data management address partial aspects of the IoT
      environment with special focus on sensor networks. In this paper, we survey the
      data management solutions that are proposed for IoT or subsystems of the IoT. We
      highlight the distinctive design primitives that we believe should be addressed
      in an IoT data management solution, and discuss how they are approached by the
      proposed solutions. We finally propose a data management framework for IoT that
      takes into consideration the discussed design elements and acts as a seed to a
      comprehensive IoT data management solution. The framework we propose adapts a
      federated, data- and sources-centric approach to link the diverse Things with
      their abundance of data to the potential applications and services that are
      envisioned for IoT. 

PMID- 24240600
TI  - Incorporation of conjugated linoleic acid isomers into porcine erythrocytes.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to determine the incorporation of cis
      (c) 9, trans (t) 11-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and t10, c12-CLA into porcine
      erythrocytes-both isomers were supplemented in equal proportions. METHODS: The
      study group consisted of 16 piglets randomly assigned into experimental and
      control group. For the period of 5 weeks, the piglets from the experimental group
      were receiving a 1.2% CLA supplement while the controls were supplemented with
      the same amount of sunflower oil. For the remaining 7 weeks, the piglets were fed
      without a supplement. Blood samples to evaluate incorporation of CLA into
      erythrocyte membranes were taken from all animals on weekly basis. RESULTS:
      Compared to t10, c12-CLA isomer, proportion of c9, t11-CLA isomer in the membrane
      of erythrocytes was higher for the whole time of the study period. After 4 weeks
      of feeding, it approaches the plateau. The peak value for both isomers was
      measured at the end of week 5, with a value of 3.24 g c9, t11-CLA/100 g of fatty
      acids and a 1.09 g t10, c12-CLA/100 g of fatty acids (p < 0.0001). After
      cessation of supplementation, the proportion of both isomers gradually decreased
      to be almost completely washed out-in 7 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: During
      supplementation with equivalent amounts of CLA isomers, their proportion in
      membranes of porcine erythrocytes increases with time, with higher proportion of
      c9, t11-CLA. CLA isomers probably differently incorporate into different cell
      membranes at different species which could explain its various biological
      functions.

PMID- 24240601
TI  - Higher volume of ventral striatum and right prefrontal cortex in pathological
      gambling.
AB  - Functional neuroimaging studies have implicated an involvement of the prefrontal
      cortex and mesolimbic reward system (i.e., ventral striatum) in pathological
      gambling (PG). However, there is a lack of studies focusing on structural changes
      in frontostriatal brain regions in adult subjects with PG. In order to study
      differences in local grey matter volume, 20 male subjects with PG and 21 matched
      controls underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. Structural brain data
      were analysed via voxel-based morphometry with a focus on prefrontal areas and
      ventral striatum. By comparing grey matter volumes in brain regions highly
      relevant for brain functional changes in PG, the present study found a higher
      volume in right ventral striatum and right prefrontal cortex by means of voxel
      wise morphometry in PG subjects as compared to controls. Our findings demonstrate
      local grey matter changes in brain areas that have previously been associated
      with functional changes in PG. Hypertrophy in the prefrontal cortex might be an
      adaptation at least partly induced by the higher grey matter volume in the
      ventral striatum and may help to increase cognitive control over gambling
      impulses. Future research should explore the relationship between functional and
      structural alterations as well as the course of changes in PG. 

PMID- 24240602
TI  - Functional changes during working memory in Huntington's disease: 30-month
      longitudinal data from the IMAGE-HD study.
AB  - We characterized 30-month longitudinal change in functional activation and
      connectivity during working memory in premanifest (pre-HD) and symptomatic (symp
      HD) Huntington's disease (HD). In a case-control longitudinal study (baseline, 18
      months, and 30 months), we compared change in fMRI activity over time during
      working memory in 22 pre-HD, 11 symp-HD, and 20 control participants. Outcome
      measures were BOLD (blood-oxygen-level-dependent) activity during 1-BACK and 2
      BACK working memory and functional connectivity between dorsolateral prefrontal
      cortex (DLPFC) and caudate. Compared with controls, the pre-HD group showed
      significantly increased activation longitudinally during 1-BACK in the left DLPFC
      and medial frontal cortex, and further increased activation during 2-BACK in the
      bilateral caudate, putamen, and temporal cortex. Longitudinal change in symp-HD
      was not significantly different from controls. Longitudinal changes in pre-HD
      were associated with disease burden and years to onset. The pre-HD group showed
      longitudinal decreased functional connectivity between left DLPFC and caudate
      during both 1-BACK and 2-BACK performance. We provide an evidence for
      longitudinal changes in BOLD activity during working memory prior to clinical
      manifestations of HD. The ability to increase activation in the prefrontal cortex
      over time may represent an early compensatory response during the premanifest
      stage, which may reflect an early marker for clinically relevant functional
      changes in HD.

PMID- 24240604
TI  - [Therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma].
AB  - Today, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the leading cause of death in
      patients with liver cirrhosis; in most western countries the incidence is also
      expected to increase further. Due to insufficient surveillance of patients at
      risk, most cases are diagnosed in an intermediate to advanced stage, leading
      together with the underlying liver cirrhosis-to limited therapeutic options and a
      dismal prognosis. Therefore, classification according to stage and
      interdisciplinary treatment decisions in experienced centers are of paramount
      importance to provide an individualized treatment plan when considering
      potentially curative (resection, liver transplantation, local ablation) and
      palliative (transarterial approaches, sorafenib) treatment options. There is hope
      that the prognosis of patients with HCC can be improved in the near future by
      better prevention, stringent surveillance, multimodality treatment approaches,
      and an expansion of personalized medicine.

PMID- 24240605
TI  - [A 79-year-old patient with severe bleeding after colon surgery and normal global
      coagulation parameters].
AB  - We report the case of a 79-year-old Caucasian male, who underwent anterior
      resection of the rectum for treatment of a colorectal carcinoma. Two days after
      the surgery, the patient had mild but persistent haemorrhage from all drains and
      around the wounds which eventually required blood transfusion (18 units of
      erythrocyte concentrate and 8 units of fresh-frozen plasma). Endoscopy revealed
      no surgical bleeding source, and standard coagulation tests were inconspicuous.
      Based on suspicion of factor XIII deficiency, the patient was treated with factor
      XIII concentrate (1250 I.U. injections twice daily), starting on day 4 of
      bleeding. The bleeding stopped after the second dose of factor XIII. Laboratory
      testing retrospectively revealed the lack of factor XIII (43 % at the first day
      of dosing). Factor XIII concentrate was administered for 10 days. Withdrawal of
      factor XIII after 9 days of treatment led to a bleeding recurrence. After
      resuming treatment for one more day, the therapy could be stopped without further
      bleeding. Thus, factor XIII deficiency should be considered in patients with
      unexplained postoperative bleeding and appropriate diagnostic measures be taken
      early. In cases of medical emergency, probative administration of factor XIII may
      be justified. 

PMID- 24240607
TI  - Non-interventional study evaluating efficacy and tolerability of rifaximin for
      treatment of uncomplicated diverticular disease.
AB  - Patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease represent a spectrum
      of patients who report recurrent abdominal symptoms, however are lacking
      substantial colonic inflammation in contrast to patients with acute
      diverticulitis. This non-interventional study investigated the efficacy and
      tolerability of rifaximin, a broad-spectrum poorly absorbable antibiotic, in
      cyclic treatment of these patients. Adult patients with uncomplicated
      diverticular disease in care of physicians in private practice intended to be
      treated with rifaximin were included. Patients with acute diverticulitis and
      symptoms suggestive of more severe intestinal inflammation were excluded. Data of
      1,003 patients treated in cycles of 7-10 days per month over a period of 3 months
      were evaluated. In total, 75 % of patients had more than three episodes of
      symptoms in the last year before inclusion in the study. However, two-third of
      patients did not receive any treatment before. Over the 3-month treatment period
      with rifaximin, all assessed symptoms of diverticular disease, such as abdominal
      pain, diarrhoea and flatulence, improved significantly. There was an overall good
      compliance to the scheme of cyclic drug administration of rifaximin. During the
      study, 24 adverse events in 20 patients were recorded, of which 6 adverse events
      showed a causal relationship to the use of rifaximin (0.6 %). We conclude that
      cyclic rifaximin shows good clinical efficacy and tolerability in patients with
      symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease treated in a routine private
      practice outpatient setting.

PMID- 24240608
TI  - Patient-reported outcome reference values for patients after kidney
      transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are important in managing kidney
      transplant patients. Although, there are many instruments available to assess
      PROs, such as health-related quality of life (HRQOL), they are rarely collected
      in routine nephrology practices. Therefore, the aim of this study was the
      determination of reference values for physical and psychosocial symptom burden in
      kidney transplant patients. METHODS: Patients with a history of kidney
      transplantation being in aftercare at a nephrological outpatient unit (n = 120)
      were consecutively recruited, and a computer-based PRO assessment was used to
      assess their HRQOL reference values. It covered a broad range of clinically
      relevant physical and psychological symptoms, adherence to immunosuppressants,
      and disease-specific quality of life. On an average, PROs were assessed 2.9 times
      per patient, 351 times in total. RESULTS: For PRO monitoring in kidney transplant
      patients, we consider the 10th/90th percentile as being of particular clinical
      relevance, as patients exceeding these scores are likely to be in need of
      additional care. CONCLUSIONS: With continuously rising survival rates after
      kidney transplantation, HRQOL of long-term transplant patients becomes
      increasingly important, and it is generally accepted that HRQOL improves after
      successful kidney transplantation. We used a computerized PRO monitoring to
      determine HRQOL reference values for outpatient kidney transplant patients.
      Routine PRO monitoring may facilitate the identification of patient issues
      relevant to treatment, and may contribute to improved symptom and side-effect
      management. Future studies providing detailed PRO values for stratified patient
      samples are needed.

PMID- 24240609
TI  - Gastrointestinal bleeding associated with dabigatran in a patient with
      panhypopituitarism.

PMID- 24240611
TI  - Mechanical chest compressions and simultaneous defibrillation vs conventional
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: the LINC
      randomized trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: A strategy using mechanical chest compressions might improve the poor
      outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but such a strategy has not been
      tested in large clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether administering
      mechanical chest compressions with defibrillation during ongoing compressions
      (mechanical CPR), compared with manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (manual
      CPR), according to guidelines, would improve 4-hour survival. DESIGN, SETTING,
      AND PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter randomized clinical trial of 2589 patients with out
      of-hospital cardiac arrest conducted between January 2008 and February 2013 in 4
      Swedish, 1 British, and 1 Dutch ambulance services and their referring hospitals.
      Duration of follow-up was 6 months. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to
      receive either mechanical chest compressions (LUCAS Chest Compression System,
      Physio-Control/Jolife AB) combined with defibrillation during ongoing
      compressions (n = 1300) or to manual CPR according to guidelines (n = 1289). MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Four-hour survival, with secondary end points of survival
      up to 6 months with good neurological outcome using the Cerebral Performance
      Category (CPC) score. A CPC score of 1 or 2 was classified as a good outcome.
      RESULTS: Four-hour survival was achieved in 307 patients (23.6%) with mechanical
      CPR and 305 (23.7%) with manual CPR (risk difference, -0.05%; 95% CI, -3.3% to
      3.2%; P > .99). Survival with a CPC score of 1 or 2 occurred in 98 (7.5%) vs 82
      (6.4%) (risk difference, 1.18%; 95% CI, -0.78% to 3.1%) at intensive care unit
      discharge, in 108 (8.3%) vs 100 (7.8%) (risk difference, 0.55%; 95% CI, -1.5% to
      2.6%) at hospital discharge, in 105 (8.1%) vs 94 (7.3%) (risk difference, 0.78%;
      95% CI, -1.3% to 2.8%) at 1 month, and in 110 (8.5%) vs 98 (7.6%) (risk
      difference, 0.86%; 95% CI, -1.2% to 3.0%) at 6 months with mechanical CPR and
      manual CPR, respectively. Among patients surviving at 6 months, 99% in the
      mechanical CPR group and 94% in the manual CPR group had CPC scores of 1 or 2.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,
      there was no significant difference in 4-hour survival between patients treated
      with the mechanical CPR algorithm or those treated with guideline-adherent manual
      CPR. The vast majority of survivors in both groups had good neurological outcomes
      by 6 months. In clinical practice, mechanical CPR using the presented algorithm
      did not result in improved effectiveness compared with manual CPR. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00609778.

PMID- 24240612
TI  - Biased Brownian ratcheting leads to pre-mRNA remodeling and capture prior to
      first-step splicing.
AB  - The spliceosome is a dynamic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) machine that catalyzes the
      removal of introns during the two transesterification steps of eukaryotic pre
      mRNA splicing. Here we used single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy
      transfer to monitor the distance of the 5' splice site (5' SS) and branch point
      (BP) of pre-mRNA in affinity-purified spliceosomes stalled by a mutation in the
      DExD/H-box helicase Prp2 immediately before the first splicing step. Addition of
      recombinant Prp2 together with NTP and protein cofactor Spp2 rearranges the
      spliceosome-substrate complex to reversibly explore conformations with proximal
      5' SS and BP that accommodate chemistry. Addition of Cwc25, a small heat-stable
      splicing factor, then strongly biases this equilibrium toward the proximal
      conformation, promoting efficient first-step splicing. The spliceosome thus
      functions as a biased Brownian ratchet machine where a helicase unlocks thermal
      fluctuations subsequently rectified by a cofactor 'pawl', a principle possibly
      widespread among the many helicase-driven RNPs. 

PMID- 24240613
TI  - JMJD1C demethylates MDC1 to regulate the RNF8 and BRCA1-mediated chromatin
      response to DNA breaks.
AB  - Chromatin ubiquitylation flanking DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), mediated by
      RNF8 and RNF168 ubiquitin ligases, orchestrates a two-branch pathway, recruiting
      repair factors 53BP1 or the RAP80-BRCA1 complex. We report that human demethylase
      JMJD1C regulates the RAP80-BRCA1 branch of this DNA-damage response (DDR)
      pathway. JMJD1C was stabilized by interaction with RNF8, was recruited to DSBs,
      and was required for local ubiquitylations and recruitment of RAP80-BRCA1 but not
      53BP1. JMJD1C bound to RNF8 and MDC1, and demethylated MDC1 at Lys45, thereby
      promoting MDC1-RNF8 interaction, RNF8-dependent MDC1 ubiquitylation and
      recruitment of RAP80-BRCA1 to polyubiquitylated MDC1. Furthermore, JMJD1C
      restricted formation of RAD51 repair foci, and JMJD1C depletion caused resistance
      to ionizing radiation and PARP inhibitors, phenotypes relevant to aberrant loss
      of JMJD1C in subsets of breast carcinomas. These findings identify JMJD1C as a
      DDR component, with implications for genome-integrity maintenance, tumorigenesis
      and cancer treatment. 

PMID- 24240614
TI  - Repriming of DNA synthesis at stalled replication forks by human PrimPol.
AB  - DNA replication forks that collapse during the process of genomic duplication
      lead to double-strand breaks and constitute a threat to genomic stability. The
      risk of fork collapse is higher in the presence of replication inhibitors or
      after UV irradiation, which introduces specific modifications in the structure of
      DNA. In these cases, fork progression may be facilitated by error-prone
      translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases. Alternatively, the replisome may
      skip the damaged DNA, leaving an unreplicated gap to be repaired after
      replication. This mechanism strictly requires a priming event downstream of the
      lesion. Here we show that PrimPol, a new human primase and TLS polymerase, uses
      its primase activity to mediate uninterrupted fork progression after UV
      irradiation and to reinitiate DNA synthesis after dNTP depletion. As an enzyme
      involved in tolerance to DNA damage, PrimPol might become a target for cancer
      therapy. 

PMID- 24240616
TI  - [Researcher of the month].

PMID- 24240615
TI  - Molecular basis of UG-rich RNA recognition by the human splicing factor TDP-43.
AB  - TDP-43 encodes an alternative-splicing regulator with tandem RNA-recognition
      motifs (RRMs). The protein regulates cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator
      (CFTR) exon 9 splicing through binding to long UG-rich RNA sequences and is found
      in cytoplasmic inclusions of several neurodegenerative diseases. We solved the
      solution structure of the TDP-43 RRMs in complex with UG-rich RNA. Ten
      nucleotides are bound by both RRMs, and six are recognized sequence specifically.
      Among these, a central G interacts with both RRMs and stabilizes a new tandem RRM
      arrangement. Mutations that eliminate recognition of this key nucleotide or
      crucial inter-RRM interactions disrupt RNA binding and TDP-43-dependent splicing
      regulation. In contrast, point mutations that affect base-specific recognition in
      either RRM have weaker effects. Our findings reveal not only how TDP-43
      recognizes UG repeats but also how RNA binding-dependent inter-RRM interactions
      are crucial for TDP-43 function. 

PMID- 24240617
TI  - Directed use of the internet for health information by patients with chronic
      kidney disease: prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health information technology has become common in the care of
      patients with chronic diseases; however, there are few such applications employed
      in kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of a
      website providing disease-specific safety information by patients with
      predialysis chronic kidney disease. METHODS: As part of the Safe Kidney Care
      (SKC) study, an educational website was designed to provide information on safety
      concerns in chronic kidney disease. Phase I study participants were provided a
      medical alert accessory with a unique ID number, the Safe Kidney Care website,
      and an in-person tutorial on the use of the Internet and accessing the SKC
      website at baseline. Participants were asked to visit the website and enter their
      unique ID as frequently as they desired over the next 365 days or until their
      annual follow-up visit, whichever occurred first. Participants' visits and dwell
      times on specific safety modules were tracked using embedded webpage PHP scripts
      linked to a MySQL database, enabling the collection of website usage statistics.
      RESULTS: Of 108 Phase I participants, 28.7% (31/108) visited the website from 1-6
      times during the observation period (median follow-up 365 days). Median access
      time was 7 minutes per visit (range <1-46) and 13 minutes per person (range <1
      123). The three most frequently visited pages were "Renal function calculator",
      "Pills to avoid", and "Foods to avoid". High school education and frequent
      Internet use were significantly associated with website entry (P=.02 and P=.03,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results show general interest in a Web
      based platform designed to improve patient safety in chronic kidney disease.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01407367;
      http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01407367 (Archived by WebCite at
      http://www.webcitation.org/6KvxFKA6M).

PMID- 24240619
TI  - Prophylactic gastrectomy in a 16-year-old.
AB  - We performed a total gastrectomy in a 16-year-old asymptomatic CDH1 gene mutation
      carrier in whom two prior gastroscopies with biopsies were normal. The patient's
      mother died aged 39 years and her aunt died aged 21 years of gastric cancer. A
      germline CDH1 mutation (associated with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer) was
      initially identified in her mother at diagnosis and was later identified by
      predictive testing in this patient. Our patient is the youngest CDH1 carrier to
      date to have a prophylactic gastrectomy, and is several years below the age at
      which existing guidelines recommend consideration of gastrectomy. Multiple foci
      of early-stage carcinoma were found in her gastrectomy specimen. Given the family
      history of advanced gastric cancer in the late second decade, the unpredictable
      time course to development of advanced gastric cancer, and the futility of
      gastroscopic surveillance, we recommend consideration of prophylactic gastrectomy
      in adolescent asymptomatic CDH1 mutation carriers on an individual basis. 

PMID- 24240620
TI  - The extensor pollicis longus-loop-knot (ELK) procedure for dynamic balance of the
      paralyzed thumb interphalangeal joint.
AB  - Hyperflexion of the thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint interferes significantly
      with pinching between the thumb and the index finger in a paralyzed hand. The
      extensor pollicis longus-loop-knot (ELK) procedure was used successfully in 7
      tetraplegic patients to balance the IP joint between strong restored flexor
      function and lacking or weak antagonism of the thumb extensors. A V-shaped
      incision was made over the extensor hood at the level of the IP joint, the
      extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon was elevated, a loop was formed, secured by
      sutures, and then turned proximally onto the EPL tendon itself and fixed on both
      sides. The operation reliably limited the maximum range of IP flexion at 20 to 30
      degrees from neutral. Postoperative problems did not occur. The ELK procedure is
      easy and quick and secures the optimal setting of IP flexion with limited
      flexibility, which is advantageous compared with rigid bony arthrodesis. It also
      avoids certain disadvantages of the commonly used flexor pollicis longus split
      tenodesis and is therefore a valuable alternative for the correction of Froment's
      sign due to intrinsic or extrinsic paralysis of the thumb. 

PMID- 24240621
TI  - Application of an antibiotic intramedullary nail in the management of a large
      metacarpal bone defect.
AB  - Contaminated wounds and infected nonunions of the hand are not amenable to
      primary internal fixation and grafting. Antibiotic-impregnated cement
      intramedullary nails have been used in the lower extremity in the treatment of
      these fractures but have not been described in the hand. This technique combines
      the advantages of local antibiotic delivery with the mechanical stability
      afforded by an intramedullary nail. We describe an alternative technique for the
      management of skeletal defects in a contaminated wound bed in the hand using
      readily available operating room equipment. The antibiotic-impregnated cement
      intramedullary nail can be placed temporarily until definitive internal fixation
      and grafting occur. 

PMID- 24240622
TI  - Dorsal spanning plate fixation for distal radius fractures.
AB  - In polytrauma patients, the presence of a multifragmentary distal radius fracture
      poses a challenge with respect to early mobilization. Dorsal spanning plate
      fixation is an alternative choice for these patients for providing definitive
      operative fixation of the distal radius fracture and for providing a construct to
      allow weight-bearing through the injured wrist for rehabilitative purposes. In
      this article, we describe the operative technique to place a dorsal spanning
      plate and provide a retrospective review of outcomes in polytrauma patients. 

PMID- 24240623
TI  - Minimally invasive tension band wiring technique for olecranon fractures.
AB  - Some types of implants, such as plates, screws, wires, and nails, have been used
      for open reduction and internal fixation of olecranon fractures. A >= 10 cm
      longitudinal incision is used for open reduction and internal fixation of
      olecranon fractures. According to previous studies, tension band wiring is a
      popular method that gives good results. However, back out of the wires after the
      surgery is one of the main postoperative complications. Moreover, if the
      Kirschner wires are inserted through the anterior ulnar cortex, they may impinge
      on the radial neck, supinator muscle, or biceps tendon. Herein, we describe the
      minimally invasive tension band wiring technique using Ring-Pin. This technique
      can be performed through a 2 cm incision. Small skin incisions are advantageous
      from an esthetic viewpoint. Ring-Pin was fixed by using a dedicated cable wire
      that does not back out unless the cable wire breaks or slips out of the dedicated
      metallic clamp. As the pins are placed in intramedullary canal, this technique
      does not lead to postoperative complications that may occur after transcortical
      fixation by conventional tension band wiring. Minimally invasive tension band
      wiring is one of the useful options for the treatment of olecranon fractures with
      some advantages.

PMID- 24240624
TI  - A systematic method of arthroscopic testing of extrinsic carpal ligaments:
      implication in carpal stability.
AB  - Several biomechanical studies have shown that the scapholunate and lunotriquetral
      ligaments are not the only stabilizers of the proximal carpal row. However, no
      study has yet analyzed the spectrum of ligamentous lesions in vivo, leading to
      instability. We describe an arthroscopic technique for evaluating the extrinsic
      carpal ligaments. The testing relies on visualization and palpation of different
      ligaments. Their integrity is assessed with a 4-stage scale. Radiocarpal
      arthroscopy enables assessment of the following ligaments: the radiocarpal part
      of the radio-scapho-capitate, the long radiolunate, the short radiolunate, the
      ulnolunate, the ulnotriquetral, and the dorsal radiocarpal. Midcarpal arthroscopy
      enables assessment of the mid part of the radio-scapho-capitate, the
      triquetrocapitate, the scaphotrapezial, and the dorsal intercarpal. Above
      assessment is proposed in addition to assessing the articular cartilage,
      scapholunate, and lunotriquetral ligaments. This method allows a precise
      arthroscopic assessment of the extrinsic ligaments of the wrist. It could give an
      important help in the understanding of carpal instability. 

PMID- 24240625
TI  - Post-traumatic malunion of the distal radial intra-articular fractures treated
      with autologous costal osteochondral grafts and bioabsorbable plates.
AB  - Intra-articular distal radial fractures with partial bone loss at the wrist were
      reconstructed using osteochondral grafts in 2 patients who were followed up for
      at least 18 months. Both patients experienced posttraumatic arthrosis of the
      wrist joint. The materials of the intra-articular fixation were bioabsorbable
      plates and screws. Reconstruction of a partially destroyed articular surface
      using a costal osteochondral graft is reliable and allows filling and resurfacing
      an articular cartilage void. 

PMID- 24240626
TI  - Strategies for reducing regional variation in the use of surgery: a systematic
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the literature evaluating the effect of practice guidelines
      and decision aids on use of surgery and regional variation. BACKGROUND: The use
      of surgical procedures varies widely across geographic regions. Although practice
      guidelines and decision aids have been promoted for reducing variation, their
      true effectiveness is uncertain. METHODS: Studies evaluating the influence of
      clinical practice guidelines or consensus statements, shared decision making and
      decision aids, or provider feedback of comparative utilization, on rates of
      surgical procedures were identified through literature searches of Ovid MEDLINE,
      EMBASE, and Web of Science. RESULTS: A total of 1946 studies were identified and
      27 were included in the final review. Of the 12 studies evaluating implementation
      of guidelines, 6 reported a significant effect. Those examining overall
      population-based rates had mixed effects, but all studies evaluating procedure
      choice described at least a small increase in use of recommended therapy. Three
      of 5 studies examining the effect of guidelines on regional variation reported a
      significant reduction after dissemination. Of the 15 studies examining decision
      aids, 5 revealed significant effects. Many studies of decision aids reported
      decreases in population-based procedure rates. Nearly all studies evaluating the
      impact of decision aids on procedure choice reported increases in rates of less
      invasive procedures. Only one study of decision aids assessed changes in regional
      variation and found mixed results. CONCLUSIONS: Both practice guidelines and
      decision aids have been proven effective in many clinical contexts. Expanding the
      clinical scope of these tools and eliminating barriers to implementation will be
      essential to further efforts directed toward reducing regional variation in the
      use of surgery.

PMID- 24240627
TI  - ENERgized vessel sealing systems versus CONventional hemostasis techniques in
      thyroid surgery--the ENERCON systematic review and network meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Energized vessel-sealing systems have been proposed to save operation
      time and reduce post-operative complications. The aim of the present systematic
      review was to compare operation time and postoperative morbidity for ultrasonic
      and electrothermal bipolar-activated devices with conventional hemostasis
      techniques and with each other in open thyroidectomy. METHODS: A systematic
      literature search (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science) was
      performed to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing conventional
      hemostasis techniques, ultrasonic devices (Harmonic(r) scalpel) and/or
      electrothermal bipolar-activated vessel sealing systems (Ligasure(r)) during open
      thyroidectomy. For the primary endpoint (operation time), a network meta-analysis
      with Bayesian random effects model was performed. Pairwise meta-analyses with
      random effects were calculated for primary and secondary endpoints. RESULTS: One
      hundred sixteen publications were evaluated for eligibility; 35 RCTs (4,061
      patients) were included. There was considerable methodological and clinical
      heterogeneity of included trials. The Harmonic scalpel significantly reduced
      operation time compared with conventional techniques (22.26 min, 22.7 min in the
      inconsistency model). The use of Ligasure significantly reduced operation time in
      total thyroidectomy (13.84 min in the consistency model, 12.18 min in the
      inconsistency model). In direct comparison, operations with the Harmonic scalpel
      were faster than with Ligasure (8.42 min in the consistency model, 2.45 min in
      the inconsistency model). The rates of recurrent nerve palsy and postoperative
      hypocalcaemia did not significantly differ in the intervention groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis shows superiority of ultrasonic devices in terms
      of operation time compared with conventional hemostasis techniques in thyroid
      surgery, with no detriment to safety outcomes.

PMID- 24240628
TI  - Overexpression of p62/SQSTM1 promotes the degradations of abnormally accumulated
      PrP mutants in cytoplasm and relieves the associated cytotoxicities via autophagy
      lysosome-dependent way.
AB  - The protein of p62/sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1), a key cargo adaptor protein involved
      in autophagy-lysosome degradation, exhibits inclusion bodies structure in
      cytoplasm and plays a protective role in some models of neurodegenerative
      diseases. Some PrP mutants, such as PrP-CYTO and PrP-PG14, also form cytosolic
      inclusion bodies and trigger neuronal apoptosis either in cultured cells or in
      transgenic mice. Here, we demonstrated that the cellular p62/SQSTM1 incorporated
      into the inclusion bodies formed by expressing the abnormal PrP mutants, PrP-CYTO
      and PrP-PG14, in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Overexpression of p62/SQSTM1
      efficiently relieved the cytosolic aggregations and cell apoptosis induced by the
      abnormal PrPs. Autophagy-lysosome inhibitors instead of proteasome inhibitor
      sufficiently blocked the p62/SQSTM1-mediated degradations of abnormal PrPs.
      Overexpression of p62/SQSTM1 did not alter the levels of light chain 3 (LC3) in
      the cells expressing various PrPs. However, more complexes of p62/SQSTM1 with LC3
      were detected in the cells expressing the misfolded PrPs. These data imply that
      p62/SQSTM1 plays an important role in the homeostasis of abnormal PrPs via
      autophagy-lysosome-dependent way. 

PMID- 24240630
TI  - Reference values for cardiorespiratory fitness and incidence of type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In "Physical Activity Reference for Health Promotion 2013" the Japan
      Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare publication gives reference values for
      cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) required for good health. We examined the
      associations between the CRF reference values and incidence of type 2 diabetes.
      METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled 4633 nondiabetic Japanese men
      aged 20 to 39 years at baseline. CRF was measured using the cycle ergometer test,
      and maximal oxygen uptake was estimated. On the basis of the CRF reference value,
      participants were classified into 2 groups: those with values less than the
      reference value (under-RV) and those with values equal to or greater than
      reference value (over-RV). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for incident type 2
      diabetes were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total
      of 266 participants developed type 2 diabetes during the 14 years of follow-up.
      As compared with the under-RV group, the over-RV group had a significantly lower
      multivariable-adjusted HR for type 2 diabetes (HR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51-0.89). In
      receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimal CRF cut-off value for
      predicting incident type 2 diabetes was 10.8 metabolic equivalents (sensitivity,
      0.64; specificity, 0.64), which was close to the CRF reference value of 11.0
      metabolic equivalents. CONCLUSIONS: The reference CRF value appears to be
      reasonably valid for prevention of type 2 diabetes, especially among Japanese men
      younger than 40 years. Development of type 2 diabetes can be prevented by
      maintaining a CRF level above the reference value.

PMID- 24240629
TI  - Information processing speed and 8-year mortality among community-dwelling
      elderly Japanese.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive function is an important contributor to health among
      elderly adults. One reliable measure of cognitive functioning is information
      processing speed, which can predict incident dementia and is longitudinally
      related to the incidence of functional dependence. Few studies have examined the
      association between information processing speed and mortality. This 8-year
      prospective cohort study design with mortality surveillance examined the
      longitudinal relationship between information processing speed and all-cause
      mortality among community-dwelling elderly Japanese. METHODS: A total of 440 men
      and 371 women aged 70 years or older participated in this study. The Digit Symbol
      Substitution Test (DSST) was used to assess information processing speed. DSST
      score was used as an independent variable, and age, sex, education level,
      depressive symptoms, chronic disease, sensory deficit, instrumental activities of
      daily living, walking speed, and cognitive impairment were used as covariates.
      RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 182 participants (133 men and 49 women)
      died. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that lower DSST score
      was associated with increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.62, 95% CI
      = 0.97-2.72; HR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.05-2.87; and HR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.51-4.29,
      for the third, second, and first quartiles of DSST score, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: Slower information processing speed was associated with shorter
      survival among elderly Japanese.

PMID- 24240631
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of the E-plate serum antibody test kit in detecting
      Helicobacter pylori infection among Japanese children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of noninvasive diagnostic tests are available to detect
      Helicobacter pylori infection. Data on serologic testing of children are lacking,
      however, and thus it remains unclear whether the serology cutoff points used for
      adults are appropriate for children. METHODS: Serum and stool samples were
      obtained from 73 children who visited 5 hospitals in Japan between March 1993 and
      December 2009. Analysis of stool samples was carried out using an H pylori stool
      antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (HpSA ELISA), and serum antibodies to H
      pylori were examined using an antibody determination kit (E-Plate Eiken H pylori
      antibody). The validity of the serologic test was evaluated based on its
      sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristics curve. RESULTS:
      Of the 73 children included in this study, 34 were HpSA-positive and 39 were
      negative. Among the 34 HpSA-positive patients, 32 were IgG-positive and 2 were
      IgG-negative. Of the 39 patients who were HpSA-negative, 38 were IgG-negative and
      1 was IgG-positive. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio
      for IgG antibody testing were 91.2%, 97.4%, and 35.6, respectively, based on the
      recommended adult cutoff point of 10 U/ml. Among children, use of cutoff points
      in the range of 7 to 9 U/ml yielded optimal values for sensitivity and
      specificity, as well as a positive likelihood ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The performance
      of the E-plate anti-H pylori IgG antibody test was comparable to that of the
      stool antigen test and is therefore suitable for epidemiologic studies of H
      pylori infection in large samples.

PMID- 24240632
TI  - Risk factors for community-based reports of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and
      dermal symptoms: findings from a cohort study in Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although gastrointestinal (GI), respiratory, and dermal symptoms are
      common, few studies have conducted concurrent and comparative prospective
      analyses of risk factors for these 3 morbidity outcomes. METHODS: We used data
      from a community-based randomized controlled trial among 277 South Australian
      families to analyze GI (diarrhea, vomiting), respiratory (sore throat, runny
      nose, cough) and dermal (rash, generalized itch, dermal infection) symptoms.
      RESULTS: Log-binomial regression analysis revealed similar risks of GI (adjusted
      risk ratio [RR], 1.65; 95% CI, 1.05-2.58) and respiratory (RR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.31
      2.15) symptoms among childcare/kindergarten attendees. Swimming in public
      pools/spas in the current or previous week was associated with all 3 symptom
      complexes, conferring similar risk for each (RR for GI: 1.33; 95% CI, 0.99-1.77;
      respiratory: 1.20; 95% CI, 1.04-1.38; dermal: 1.41; 95% CI, 1.08-1.85). Pet
      ownership was not associated with symptoms. Household clustering of GI and
      respiratory symptoms was common, and clustering of respiratory symptoms
      correlated with number of individuals per household. CONCLUSIONS: This
      simultaneous examination of risk factors for 3 health outcomes yielded new
      comparative data that are useful for developing prevention strategies.

PMID- 24240633
TI  - Delayed ipsilateral parenchymal hemorrhage following treatment of intracranial
      aneurysms with flow diverter.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The use of flow diverters (FDs) has shown promising results,
      particularly in the treatment of large or complex intracranial aneurysms.
      However, some complications can occur both during and after FD treatment,
      including delayed ipsilateral parenchymal hemorrhage (DIPH). The clinical
      presentation, etiopathogeny, and management of this complication are not well
      understood. We report a series of four patients with DIPH and discuss the
      potential mechanisms and modalities of treatment. METHODS: Four patients treated
      with FDs and presenting with DIPH were diagnosed in two different centers.
      Clinical and imaging data were reviewed before and after the procedure.
      Characteristics of the intraparenchymal hematomas, the modalities of treatment,
      and clinical course were analyzed. RESULTS: Intraparenchymal hemorrhage occurred
      1 to 4 days after aneurysm treatment with FDs. All hemorrhages were situated in
      the ipsilateral hemisphere and were anatomically remote from the treated
      aneurysm. The four patients were treated with emergency surgery (hematoma
      evacuation). All patients had a favorable clinical outcome (mRS = 1) at midterm
      evaluation. Follow-up imaging showed good permeability of the FD in all subjects
      and complete aneurysm occlusion in all patients. CONCLUSION: From the literature
      review, DIPH appears to be more frequent than delayed aneurysm rupture and may be
      a cause of increasing concern for the use of flow diverters. However, the
      mechanisms of DIPH are not completely understood. Surgical evacuation of the
      hematoma seems to be feasible with acceptable safety and good clinical outcomes.

PMID- 24240634
TI  - Determination and method validation of metamitron in soil by RP-HPLC.
AB  - A simple, rapid and economical method was developed and validated for the
      determination of metamitron using UV detector with RP-HPLC. Study of metamitron
      in soil was carried out. The compound was extracted from soil by methanol and
      clean-up was done on C-18 SPE column. Recovery ranged from 90.75 % to 94.05 %
      within 0.1-2.0 MUg g(-1) and RSD 1.80 %. Retention time was 3.8 min and limit of
      detection and limit of quantification were 0.001 and 0.008 MUg g(-1). The results
      indicated that the reported method could meet the requirement for the analysis of
      metamitron in trace amounts.

PMID- 24240635
TI  - A cross-sectional study of antenatal depression and associated factors in Malawi.
AB  - Depression, and disabling levels of mixed depressive, anxious and somatic
      symptoms, termed common mental disorder, occurring in the perinatal period are an
      important health problem in low- and middle-income countries. In this cross
      sectional study, pregnant women were recruited from a district hospital antenatal
      clinic in Malawi. Symptoms of depression and anxiety, and non-specific somatic
      symptoms commonly associated with distress, were measured using validated local
      versions of the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ). In a sub-sample, Diagnostic
      Statistical Manual (DSM)-IV diagnoses of major and minor depressive disorders
      were made using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Maternal socio
      demographic and health variables were measured, and associations with SRQ score
      and depression diagnosis were determined. Of 599 eligible women, 583 were
      included in the analysis. The adjusted weighted prevalence of current major
      depressive episode and current major or minor depressive episode were 10.7 % (95
      % CI 6.9-14.5 %) and 21.1 % (95 % CI 15.5-26.6 %), respectively. On multivariate
      analysis, SRQ score was significantly associated with lower perceived social
      support, experience of intimate partner violence, having had a complication in a
      previous delivery, higher maternal mid-upper arm circumference and more years of
      schooling. Major depressive episode was associated with lower perceived social
      support and experience of intimate partner violence. This study demonstrates that
      antenatal depression/CMD is common in Malawi and is associated with factors that
      may be amenable to psychosocial interventions. 

PMID- 24240636
TI  - Efficacy of systemically oriented psychotherapies in the treatment of perinatal
      depression: a meta-analysis.
AB  - The objective of this meta-analysis was to examine the efficacy of systemically
      oriented psychotherapy treatments for depression in pregnancy and the postpartum.
      Specifically, this synthesis examined standardized mean differences between pre-
      and posttest and treatment-control conditions in depression symptom reduction
      among 24 individual interpersonal psychotherapy or relational psychotherapy
      studies completed between 1997 and 2013. Analyses assessed heterogeneity,
      potential moderators, and publication bias. Random-effects analyses revealed a
      large, positive average effect size [Formula: see text] for psychotherapy
      treatments among one-group, pre-post-studies and a medium, positive average
      effect [Formula: see text] when treatments were compared with control groups.
      Mixed-effects meta-ANOVAs indicated that treatment type, participant depression
      severity, and method of depression assessment were significant moderators such
      that effect sizes were larger among individual interpersonal psychotherapy
      studies, clinical samples, and studies that included an independent evaluation of
      depression. However, relational treatments and studies with nonclinical samples
      were less represented in the literature, and still demonstrated small to medium
      positive effects. Meta-regressions revealed that effects were largest when
      treatments were delivered with adherence fidelity checks and over more sessions.
      Based on funnel plots and Egger tests, there was evidence of publication bias in
      this analysis; however, the effects were distributed fairly symmetrically about
      the mean given the relatively small number of available studies. Findings have
      implications for continued examination of systemically oriented psychotherapy
      treatments for depression in pregnancy and the postpartum. 

PMID- 24240637
TI  - 10-minute delayed recall from the modified mini-mental state test predicts
      Alzheimer's disease pathology.
AB  - We compared the sensitivity and specificity of two delayed recall scores from the
      Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) test with consensus clinical diagnosis to
      differentiate cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) versus non-AD
      pathologies. At a memory disorders clinic, 117 cognitively impaired patients were
      administered a baseline 3MS test and received a contemporaneous consensus
      clinical diagnosis. Their brains were examined after death about 5 years later.
      Using logistic regression with forward selection to predict pathologically
      defined AD versus non-AD, 10-min delayed recall entered first (p = 0.001),
      followed by clinical diagnosis (p = 0.02); 1-min delayed recall did not enter. 10
      min delayed recall scores <=4 (score range = 0-9) were 87% sensitive and 47%
      specific in predicting AD pathology; consensus clinical diagnosis was 82%
      sensitive and 45% specific. For the 57 patients whose initial Mini-Mental State
      Examination scores were >=19 (the median), 3MS 10-min delayed recall scores <=4
      showed some loss of sensitivity (80%) but a substantial gain in specificity
      (77%). In conclusion, 10-min delayed recall score on the brief 3MS test
      distinguished between AD versus non-AD pathology about 5 years before death at
      least as well as consensus clinical diagnosis that requires much more
      comprehensive information and complex deliberation. 

PMID- 24240638
TI  - Connecting health-related quality of life and mental health in dementia
      caregivers from Colombia, South America.
AB  - Research in Caucasian populations has begun to examine the broad associations
      between physical and mental health in dementia caregivers. However, the
      examination of this relationship in Latin America is largely absent from the
      literature despite the fact that the region will see a major increase in dementia
      cases over the next 20 years. The current study examined the associations between
      health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health in 90 dementia
      caregivers from Colombia, South America. A canonical correlation found that
      higher caregiver HRQOL was related to better mental health, as expected.
      Caregivers with high vitality and low role limitations due to physical problems
      tended to have low depression and high satisfaction with life. Follow-up multiple
      regressions found that caregiver role limitations due to physical problems was
      uniquely associated with satisfaction with life, whereas vitality, role
      limitations due to physical problems, and pain were uniquely associated with
      burden (although the pain effect was likely error due to a suppressor effect).
      Additionally, vitality and social functioning were uniquely negatively related to
      depression. Because of the extremely high overlap between these two sets of
      variables, dementia interventions are needed in Latin America that target both
      caregiver mental and physical health, as both likely operate in unison and
      influence each other. 

PMID- 24240639
TI  - Identification of N-terminally truncated pyroglutamate amyloid-beta in
      cholesterol-enriched diet-fed rabbit and AD brain.
AB  - The main amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) variants detected in the human brain are
      Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42; however, a significant proportion of Abeta in
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain also consists of N-terminal truncated/modified
      species. AbetaN3(pE), Abeta peptide bearing amino-terminal pyroglutamate at
      position 3, has been demonstrated to be a major N-truncated/modified constituent
      of intracellular, extracellular, and vascular Abeta deposits in AD and Down
      syndrome brain tissue. It has been previously demonstrated that rabbits fed a
      diet enriched in cholesterol and given water containing trace copper levels
      developed AD-like pathology including intraneuronal and extracellular Abeta
      accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, vascular inflammation, astrocytosis,
      microgliosis, reduced levels of acetylcholine, as well as learning deficits and
      thus, may be used as a non-transgenic animal model of sporadic AD. In the present
      study, we have demonstrated for the first time the presence of AbetaN3(pE) in
      blood vessels in cholesterol-enriched diet-fed rabbit brain. In addition, we
      detected AbetaN3(pE) immunoreactivity in all postmortem AD brain samples studied.
      We believe that our results are potentially important for evaluation of novel
      therapeutic molecules/strategies targeting Abeta peptides in a suitable non
      transgenic animal model. 

PMID- 24240641
TI  - Randomized comparison of a silicone tape and a paper tape for gentleness in
      healthy children.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the relative gentleness of a silicone tape to a paper tape in
      healthy infants and children. DESIGN: A randomized, grader-blinded, comparative
      study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample group comprised 24 healthy infants and
      children 9.1 to 46.7 months of age (mean +/- SEM, 34.0 +/- 2.21). The study was
      conducted at a dermatological research facility (cyberDERM, Inc) located in
      Broomall, Pennsylvania. All volunteers were recruited from the surrounding
      community. METHODS: Tapes measuring 1 * 1.5 inches were randomly applied to the
      left and right intrascapular regions of the upper back. Tapes were removed in a
      standardized fashion after 24 hours. The primary study outcome, gentleness, was
      based on visual assessments of skin damage, discomfort, and quantification of
      keratin removal. Four-point scales were used to assess skin damage, and a 10
      point Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability instrument was used to assess
      discomfort. Secondary assessments included hair removal, tape edge-lift
      assessments, and parent preference for either tape. RESULTS: There was a
      significantly lower mean +/- SEM erythema response for the silicone tape (0.93 +/
      0.14 vs 1.35 +/- 0.11, P = .0129) than for the paper tape. No measurable
      epidermal stripping occurred with the silicone tape compared to a mean +/- SEM
      response of 0.29 +/- 0.11 for the paper tape (P = .0039). Discomfort was
      significantly lower (P = .0002) for the silicone tape as compared to the paper
      tape (Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability score mean difference from
      baseline 0.5 vs 3.3, P = .0002). Keratin removal was significantly less with the
      silicone as compared to paper tape (8.7 +/- 0.5 MUg/mL vs 15.2 +/- 1.3 MUg/mL, P
      < .0001). Few hairs were removed with either tape. There was significantly less
      (P < .0001) edge-lift with the paper tape than the silicone tape; no
      statistically significant differences in parent preferences for silicone versus
      paper tapes were measured (P = .3359). CONCLUSIONS: Gentleness assessments
      favored the silicone tape compared to a paper tape and warrant further clinical
      investigation in the neonatal intensive care unit.

PMID- 24240640
TI  - Structural diversity of Alzheimer's disease amyloid-beta dimers and their role in
      oligomerization and fibril formation.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with the formation of toxic amyloid-beta
      (Abeta)42 oligomers, and recent evidence supports a role for Abeta dimers as
      building blocks for oligomers. Molecular dynamics simulation studies have
      identified clans for the dominant conformations of Abeta42 forming dimers;
      however, it is unclear if a larger spectrum of dimers is involved and which
      set(s) of dimers might evolve to oligomers verse fibrils. Therefore, for this
      study we generated multiple structural conformations of Abeta42, using explicit
      all-atom molecular dynamics, and then clustering the different structures based
      on key conformational similarities. Those matching a selection threshold were
      then used to model a process of oligomerization. Remarkably, we showed a greater
      diversity in Abeta dimers than previously described. Depending on the clan
      family, different types of Abeta dimers were obtained. While some had the
      tendency to evolve into oligomeric rings, others formed fibrils of diverse
      characteristics. Then we selected the dimers that would evolve to membranephilic
      annular oligomers. Nearly one third of the 28 evaluated annular oligomers had the
      dimer interfaces between the neighboring Abeta42 monomers with possible salt
      bridges between the residue K28 from one side and either residue E22 or D23 on
      the other. Based on these results, key amino acids were identified for point
      mutations that either enhanced or suppressed the formation and toxicity of
      oligomer rings. Our studies suggest a greater diversity of Abeta dimers.
      Understanding the structure of Abeta dimers might be important for the rationale
      design of small molecules that block formation of toxic oligomers. 

PMID- 24240642
TI  - Potential degradation of swainsonine by intracellular enzymes of Arthrobacter sp.
      HW08.
AB  - Swainsonine (SW) is a toxin produced by locoweeds and harmful to the livestock
      industry. Degrading SW by Arthrobacter sp. HW08 was demonstrated as a promising
      way to deal with SW poisoning. However, it is unknown which part of the
      subcellular enzymes in Arthrobacter sp. HW08 is responsible for biodegrading SW
      and whether the metabolites are atoxic. In this study, intracellular and
      extracellular enzymes of Arthrobacter sp. HW08 were isolated and their enzyme
      activity was evaluated. The metabolites were fed to mice, and physiological and
      histological properties of the treated mice were investigated. The results showed
      that only intracellular enzyme of Arthrobacter sp. HW08 (IEHW08) could degrade SW
      efficiently. Compared with mice in SW treatment group, mice in SW + IEHW08
      treatment group (1) increased their body weights; (2) showed higher number of
      platelets and lower number of white blood cells; (3) decreased the levels of
      creatinine, urea nitrogen, alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase in
      serum; (4) reduced the number of vacuolated cells in cerebellum, liver and
      kidney. All these data demonstrate that IEHW08 was potentially safe for mice,
      while keeping the capacity of degrading SW. This study indicates a possible
      application of IEHW08 as an additive in the livestock industry to protect animals
      from SW poisoning. 

PMID- 24240645
TI  - The sexual health care needs after colorectal cancer: the view of patients,
      partners, and health care professionals.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sexual dysfunction among patients with colorectal cancer is frequently
      reported. Studies examining patients' sexual health care needs are rare. We
      examined the sexual health care needs after colorectal cancer treatment according
      to patients, partners, and health care professionals (HCPs). Factors that impede
      or facilitate the quality of this care were identified. METHOD: Participants were
      recruited from three Dutch hospitals: St. Elisabeth, TweeSteden, and Catharina
      hospitals. Patients (n = 21), partners (n = 9), and 10 HCPs participated in eight
      focus groups. RESULTS: It is important to regularly evaluate and manage sexual
      issues. This does not always occur. Almost all participants reported a lack of
      knowledge and feelings of embarrassment or inappropriateness as barriers to
      discuss sexuality. HCPs reported stereotypical assumptions regarding the need for
      care based on age, sex, and partner status. The HCPs debated on whose
      responsibility it is that sexuality is discussed with patients. Factors within
      the organization, such as insufficient re-discussion of sexuality during (long
      term) follow-up and unsatisfactory (knowledge of the) referral system impeded
      sexual health care. The HCPs could facilitate adequate sexual health care by
      providing patient-tailored information and permission to discuss sex, normalizing
      sexual issues, and establishing an adequate referral system. It is up to the
      patients and partners to demarcate the extent of sexual health care needed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrate the need for patient-tailored sexual health
      care and the complexity of providing/receiving this care. An adequate referral
      system and training are needed to help HCPs engage in providing satisfactory
      sexual health care.

PMID- 24240644
TI  - Factors associated with intention to use internet-based testing for sexually
      transmitted infections among men who have sex with men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Internet-based testing programs are being increasingly used to reduce
      testing barriers for individuals at higher risk of infection, yet the population
      impact and potential for exacerbation of existing health inequities of these
      programs are not well understood. OBJECTIVE: We used a large online sample of men
      who have sex with men (MSM) in Canada to measure acceptability of Internet-based
      testing and perceived advantages and disadvantages of this testing approach.
      METHODS: We asked participants of the 2011/2012 Sex Now Survey (a serial online
      survey of gay and bisexual men in Canada) whether they intended to use Internet
      based testing and their perceived benefits and disadvantages of use. We examined
      whether intention to use was associated with explanatory variables spanning (A)
      sociodemographics, (B) Internet and technology usage, (C) sexually transmitted
      infections (STI)/ human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and risk, and (D) health
      care access and testing, using multivariable logistic regression (variable
      selection using Bayesian information criterion). RESULTS: Overall, intention to
      use was high (5678/7938, 71.53%) among participants with little variation by
      participant characteristics. In our final model, we retained the variables
      related to (B) Internet and technology usage: use of Internet to cruise for sex
      partners (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.46, 95% CI 1.25-1.70), use of Internet to
      search for sexual health information (AOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.23-1.51), and mobile
      phone usage (AOR 1.19, 95% 1.13-1.24). We also retained the variables for (D)
      health care access and testing: not "out" to primary care provider (AOR 1.24, 95%
      CI 1.10-1.41), delayed/avoided testing due to privacy concerns (AOR 1.77, 95% CI
      1.49-2.11), and delayed/avoided testing due to access issues (AOR 1.65, 95% CI
      1.40-1.95). Finally, we retained the variable being HIV positive (AOR 0.56, 95%
      CI 0.46-0.68) or HIV status unknown (AOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.77-1.01), age <30 years
      (AOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.22-1.62), and identifying as bisexual (AOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04
      1.34) or straight/other (AOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.50-0.90). The greatest perceived
      benefits of Internet-based testing were privacy (2249/8388, 26.81%), general
      convenience (1701/8388, 20.28%), and being able to test at any time (1048/8388,
      12.49%). The greatest perceived drawbacks were the inability to see a doctor or
      nurse (1507/8388, 17.97%), wanting to talk to someone about results (1430/8388,
      17.97%), not wanting online results (1084/8388, 12.92%), and low trust (973/8388,
      11.60%). CONCLUSIONS: The high and wide-ranging intention to use that we observed
      suggests Internet-based testing has the potential to reach into all subgroups of
      MSM and may be particularly appealing to those facing current barriers to
      accessing STI/HIV testing and who are more comfortable with technology. These
      findings will be used to inform the promotion and further evaluation of an
      Internet-based testing program currently under development in British Columbia,
      Canada.

PMID- 24240646
TI  - Association between supportive care interventions and patient self-reported
      depression among advanced cancer outpatients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Advanced cancer patients often experience moderate to severe physical
      and emotional distress. One of the main components of emotional distress is
      depression. The objective of this study was to examine the association between
      supportive care interventions and patient self-reported depression (PSRD) among
      advanced cancer outpatients. METHODS: We included consecutive patients seen in
      the outpatient Supportive Care Center between February 2008 and February 2010
      with at least one follow-up visit. We used the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale
      (ESAS) to assess their symptom intensity. Clinical improvement of PSRD was
      defined as an improvement of at least 30% between the initial visit and the first
      follow-up. We used logistic regression models to assess possible predictors of
      improvement in PSRD. RESULTS: We included 444 patients with a median age of 59
      years (Q1-Q3; 51-65). The most common type of cancer was gastrointestinal (98,
      22%). Out of the 444 patients, 160 (36%) reported moderate/severe depression at
      baseline (ESAS item score >= 4/10). Higher baseline depression intensity was
      significantly associated to anxiety (r = 0.568, p = 0.046), total symptom
      distress score (TSDS; r = 0.550, p < 0.001) and personal history of depression (r
      = 0.242, p = 0.001). Of the 160 patients, 90 (56%) with moderate/severe PSRD at
      baseline showed a significant improvement at the follow-up visit (p = 0.038).
      Improvement in anxiety, sedation, and feeling of well-being were associated with
      higher depression improvement (OR 7.93, CI 3.74-16.80 and OR 2.44, CI 1.09-5.46,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% patients with moderate/severe PSRD
      significantly improved after one single supportive/palliative care consultation.
      Improvements of anxiety and sedation were independently associated with PSRD
      improvement.

PMID- 24240647
TI  - A pilot phase II RCT of a home-based exercise intervention for survivors of AML.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fatigue is the most common and disabling symptom affecting quality of
      life (QOL) and daily function in patients who have completed treatment for acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML). Although trials in patients with various solid tumors
      have reported improved fatigue and QOL following exercise interventions, there
      have been no studies in AML patients post treatment. METHODS: Forty patients aged
      >= 40 years who had completed treatment for AML were enrolled in a 12-week
      randomized phase II exercise intervention to determine feasibility (recruitment,
      retention, and adherence), efficacy, and safety of the intervention. Patients
      assigned to the exercise group received an individualized, moderate-intensity, 12
      week home-based exercise program with weekly telephone support from a certified
      exercise physiologist. QOL, fatigue, and fitness outcomes were measured at
      baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Between-group differences in 12-week change
      scores were calculated using linear regression adjusting for age and baseline
      function. RESULTS: Recruitment and retention rates were 38% and 91%,
      respectively. Adherence was low at 28%. Analyses did not suggest statistically
      significant or clinically important benefits in QOL, fatigue, or physical fitness
      with the intervention. The level of adherence did not appear to impact outcomes.
      There were no adverse events. CONCLUSION: A home-based exercise program for post
      treatment AML patients age 40 years or older can be safely delivered with
      reasonable recruitment and high retention. However, feasibility was hampered by
      low adherence. Further research and program modification are needed to better
      understand and overcome barriers to exercise delivery and adherence in AML
      survivors.

PMID- 24240648
TI  - A comparison of physical activity correlates across breast, prostate and
      colorectal cancer survivors in Nova Scotia, Canada.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the medical, demographic and
      social cognitive correlates of physical activity (PA) in breast (BCS), prostate
      (PCS) and colorectal (CRCS) cancer survivors. METHODS: A stratified random sample
      of 2062 BC, PC and CRC survivors diagnosed between 2003 and 2011 was identified
      by the Nova Scotia Cancer Registry (NSCR) and mailed a questionnaire assessing
      PA, social-cognitive constructs from the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), and
      demographic and medical variables. Structural equation modelling was used to
      conduct path analyses of the TPB within each cancer survivor group and an
      invariance analysis was used to compare the TPB across groups. RESULTS: A total
      of 741 completed surveys were analysed. Overall, 42% of cancer survivors were
      meeting PA guidelines with no differences among the cancer sites. Treatment
      related variables were strong correlates of PA in PC survivors but not for BC or
      CRC. Body mass index was strongly associated with PA in BC survivors but not PC
      or CRC. Path analyses within each cancer survivor group showed that intention was
      significantly associated with PA for CRCS only; planning was significantly
      associated with PA for BCS and PCS only; and perceived behavioural control (PBC)
      was significantly associated with PA for PCS only. For intention, PBC and
      instrumental attitude (IA) were significant correlates in all three cancer
      survivor groups whereas affective attitude (AA) was significant for BCS and CRCS
      only; and descriptive norm (DN) was significant for PCS and CRCS only. Invariance
      analyses revealed significantly stronger relationships for (a) intention to
      planning for BCS compared to PCS, (b) affective attitude to intention for CRCS
      compared to PCS, and (c) planning to PA for PCS compared to CRCS. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although BC, PC, and CRC survivors have similar levels of PA, the correlates of
      their PA may differ. These findings may inform cancer site-specific interventions
      to promote PA in cancer survivors.

PMID- 24240649
TI  - Effectiveness of palonosetron for preventing delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea
      and vomiting following moderately emetogenic chemotherapy in patients with
      gastrointestinal cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Patients with gastrointestinal cancer who were receiving moderately
      emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) were switched from granisetron, a first-generation
      5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist, to palonosetron at our hospital. In
      the present study, we compared effectiveness before and after switching
      antiemetic treatment. METHODS: Among patients who were receiving MEC for
      gastrointestinal cancer, we prospectively observed 46 patients given granisetron
      and 46 given palonosetron. To allow adverse reactions to be graded in accordance
      with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0, a
      questionnaire designed at our hospital was used to compare the occurrence of
      delayed nausea and vomiting between patients who received granisetron (GRA group)
      and those who received palonosetron (PAL group). RESULTS: The incidence of
      delayed nausea was significantly lower in the PAL group (8.7%, 4/46; p < 0.01)
      than in the GRA group (37%, 17/46). Delayed vomiting developed in five patients
      (10.9%) in the GRA group, but did not occur in the PAL group. On the basis of the
      results of multivariate analysis, young age, female gender, and the use of
      granisetron were significant risk factors for delayed nausea. CONCLUSION: Our
      survey showed that palonosetron effectively controls delayed nausea caused by MEC
      for gastrointestinal cancer.

PMID- 24240650
TI  - Dynamics of the risk of smoking-induced lung cancer: a compartmental hidden
      Markov model for longitudinal analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To account for the dynamic aspects of carcinogenesis, we propose a
      compartmental hidden Markov model in which each person is healthy,
      asymptomatically affected, diagnosed, or deceased. Our model is illustrated using
      the example of smoking-induced lung cancer. METHODS: The model was fitted on a
      case-control study nested in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer
      and Nutrition study, including 757 incident cases and 1524 matched controls.
      Estimation was done through a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm, and simulations
      based on the posterior estimates of the parameters were used to provide measures
      of model fit. We performed sensitivity analyses to assess robustness of our
      findings. RESULTS: After adjusting for its impact on exposure duration, age was
      not found to independently drive the risk of lung carcinogenesis, whereas age at
      starting smoking in ever-smokers and time since cessation in former smokers were
      found to be influential. Our data did not support an age-dependent time to
      diagnosis. The estimated time between onset of malignancy and clinical diagnosis
      ranged from 2 to 4 years. Our approach yielded good performance in reconstructing
      individual trajectories in both cases (sensitivity >90%) and controls
      (sensitivity >80%). CONCLUSION: Our compartmental model enabled us to identify
      time-varying predictors of risk and provided us with insights into the dynamics
      of smoking-induced lung carcinogenesis. Its flexible and general formulation
      enables the future incorporation of disease states, as measured by intermediate
      markers, into the modeling of the natural history of cancer, suggesting a large
      range of applications in chronic disease epidemiology.

PMID- 24240651
TI  - Prospective cohort studies of newly marketed medications: using covariate data to
      inform the design of large-scale studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonrandomized safety and effectiveness studies are often initiated
      immediately after the approval of a new medication, but patients prescribed the
      new medication during this period may be substantially different from those
      receiving an existing comparator treatment. Restricting the study to comparable
      patients after data have been collected is inefficient in prospective studies
      with primary collection of outcomes. METHODS: We discuss design and methods for
      evaluating covariate data to assess the comparability of treatment groups,
      identify patient subgroups that are not comparable, and decide when to transition
      to a large-scale comparative study. We demonstrate methods in an example study
      comparing Cox-2 inhibitors during their postmarketing period (1999-2005) with
      nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). RESULTS: Graphical
      checks of propensity score distributions in each treatment group showed
      substantial problems with overlap in the initial cohorts. In the first half of
      1999, >40% of patients were in the region of nonoverlap on the propensity score,
      and across the study period this fraction never dropped below 10% (the a priori
      decision threshold for transitioning to the large-scale study). After restricting
      to patients with no prior NSAID use, <1% of patients were in the region of
      nonoverlap, indicating that a large-scale study could be initiated in this
      subgroup and few patients would need to be trimmed from analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A
      sequential study design that uses pilot data to evaluate treatment selection can
      guide the efficient design of large-scale outcome studies with primary data
      collection by focusing on comparable patients.

PMID- 24240652
TI  - PM2.5 exposure and birth outcomes: use of satellite- and monitor-based data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Air pollution may be related to adverse birth outcomes. Exposure
      information from land-based monitoring stations often suffers from limited
      spatial coverage. Satellite data offer an alternative data source for exposure
      assessment. METHODS: We used birth certificate data for births in Connecticut and
      Massachusetts, United States (2000-2006). Gestational exposure to PM2.5 was
      estimated from US Environmental Protection Agency monitoring data and from
      satellite data. Satellite data were processed and modeled by using two methods
      denoted satellite (1) and satellite (2)-before exposure assessment. Regression
      models related PM2.5 exposure to birth outcomes while controlling for several
      confounders. Birth outcomes were mean birth weight at term birth, low birth
      weight at term (<2500 g), small for gestational age (SGA, <10th percentile for
      gestational age and sex), and preterm birth (<37 weeks). RESULTS: Overall, the
      exposure assessment method modified the magnitude of the effect estimates of
      PM2.5 on birth outcomes. Change in birth weight per interquartile range (2.41
      MUg/m) increase in PM2.5 was -6 g (95% confidence interval = -8 to -5), -16 g (
      21 to -11), and -19 g (-23 to -15), using the monitor, satellite (1), and
      satellite (2) methods, respectively. Adjusted odds ratios, based on the same
      three exposure methods, for term low birth weight were 1.01 (0.98-1.04), 1.06
      (0.97-1.16), and 1.08 (1.01-1.16); for SGA, 1.03 (1.01-1.04), 1.06 (1.03-1.10),
      and 1.08 (1.04-1.11); and for preterm birth, 1.00 (0.99-1.02), 0.98 (0.94-1.03),
      and 0.99 (0.95-1.03). CONCLUSIONS: Under exposure assessment methods, we found
      associations between PM2.5 exposure and adverse birth outcomes particularly for
      birth weight among term births and for SGA. These results add to the growing
      concerns that air pollution adversely affects infant health and suggest that
      analysis of health consequences based on satellite-based exposure assessment can
      provide additional useful information.

PMID- 24240653
TI  - Nested case-control studies in cohorts with competing events.
AB  - In nested case-control studies, incidence density sampling is the time-dependent
      matching procedure to approximate hazard ratios. The cumulative incidence
      function can also be estimated if information from the full cohort is used. In
      the presence of competing events, however, the cumulative incidence function
      depends on the hazard of the disease of interest and on the competing events
      hazard. Using hospital-acquired infection as an example (full cohort), we propose
      a sampling method for nested case-control studies to estimate subdistribution
      hazard ratios. With further information on the full cohort, the cumulative
      incidence function for the event of interest can then be estimated as well. 

PMID- 24240654
TI  - Autism spectrum disorder: interaction of air pollution with the MET receptor
      tyrosine kinase gene.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Independent studies report association of autism spectrum disorder
      with air pollution exposure and a functional promoter variant (rs1858830) in the
      MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) gene. Toxicological data find altered brain
      Met expression in mice after prenatal exposure to a model air pollutant. Our
      objective was to investigate whether air pollution exposure and MET rs1858830
      genotype interact to alter the risk of autism spectrum disorder. METHODS: We
      studied 252 cases of autism spectrum disorder and 156 typically developing
      controls from the Childhood Autism Risk from Genetics and the Environment Study.
      Air pollution exposure was assigned for local traffic-related sources and
      regional sources (particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone). MET genotype
      was determined by direct resequencing. RESULTS: Subjects with both MET rs1858830
      CC genotype and high air pollutant exposures were at increased risk of autism
      spectrum disorder compared with subjects who had both the CG/GG genotypes and
      lower air pollutant exposures. There was evidence of multiplicative interaction
      between NO2 and MET CC genotype (P= 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: MET rs1858830 CC genotype
      and air pollutant exposure may interact to increase the risk of autism spectrum
      disorder.

PMID- 24240655
TI  - Net reclassification indices for evaluating risk prediction instruments: a
      critical review.
AB  - Net reclassification indices have recently become popular statistics for
      measuring the prediction increment of new biomarkers. We review the various types
      of net reclassification indices and their correct interpretations. We evaluate
      the advantages and disadvantages of quantifying the prediction increment with
      these indices. For predefined risk categories, we relate net reclassification
      indices to existing measures of the prediction increment. We also consider
      statistical methodology for constructing confidence intervals for net
      reclassification indices and evaluate the merits of hypothesis testing based on
      such indices. We recommend that investigators using net reclassification indices
      should report them separately for events (cases) and nonevents (controls). When
      there are two risk categories, the components of net reclassification indices are
      the same as the changes in the true- and false-positive rates. We advocate the
      use of true- and false-positive rates and suggest it is more useful for
      investigators to retain the existing, descriptive terms. When there are three or
      more risk categories, we recommend against net reclassification indices because
      they do not adequately account for clinically important differences in shifts
      among risk categories. The category-free net reclassification index is a new
      descriptive device designed to avoid predefined risk categories. However, it
      experiences many of the same problems as other measures such as the area under
      the receiver operating characteristic curve. In addition, the category-free index
      can mislead investigators by overstating the incremental value of a biomarker,
      even in independent validation data. When investigators want to test a null
      hypothesis of no prediction increment, the well-established tests for
      coefficients in the regression model are superior to the net reclassification
      index. If investigators want to use net reclassification indices, confidence
      intervals should be calculated using bootstrap methods rather than published
      variance formulas. The preferred single-number summary of the prediction
      increment is the improvement in net benefit. 

PMID- 24240656
TI  - Estimating the per-exposure effect of infectious disease interventions.
AB  - The average effect of an infectious disease intervention (eg, a vaccine) varies
      across populations with different degrees of exposure to the pathogen. As a
      result, many investigators favor a per-exposure effect measure that is considered
      independent of the population level of exposure and that can be used in
      simulations to estimate the total disease burden averted by an intervention
      across different populations. However, while per-exposure effects are frequently
      estimated, the quantity of interest is often poorly defined, and assumptions in
      its calculation are typically left implicit. In this article, we build upon work
      by Halloran and Struchiner (Epidemiology. 1995;6:142-151) to develop a formal
      definition of the per-exposure effect and discuss conditions necessary for its
      unbiased estimation. With greater care paid to the parameterization of
      transmission models, their results can be better understood and can thereby be of
      greater value to decision-makers. 

PMID- 24240657
TI  - Asthma morbidity and ambient air pollution: effect modification by residential
      traffic-related air pollution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ambient air pollution has been associated with asthma-related
      hospital admissions and emergency department visits (hospital encounters). We
      hypothesized that higher individual exposure to residential traffic-related air
      pollutants would enhance these associations. METHODS: We studied 11,390 asthma
      related hospital encounters among 7492 subjects 0-18 years of age living in
      Orange County, California. Ambient exposures were measured at regional air
      monitoring stations. Seasonal average traffic-related exposures (PM2.5, ultrafine
      particles, NOx, and CO) were estimated near subjects' geocoded residences for 6
      month warm and cool seasonal periods, using dispersion models based on local
      traffic within 500 m radii. Associations were tested in case-crossover
      conditional logistic regression models adjusted for temperature and humidity. We
      assessed effect modification by seasonal residential traffic-related air
      pollution exposures above and below median dispersion-modeled exposures.
      Secondary analyses considered effect modification by traffic exposures within
      race/ethnicity and insurance group strata. RESULTS: Asthma morbidity was
      positively associated with daily ambient O3 and PM2.5 in warm seasons and with
      CO, NOx, and PM2.5 in cool seasons. Associations with CO, NOx, and PM2.5 were
      stronger among subjects living at residences with above-median traffic-related
      exposures, especially in cool seasons. Secondary analyses showed no consistent
      differences in association, and 95% confidence intervals were wide, indicating a
      lack of precision for estimating these highly stratified associations.
      CONCLUSIONS: Associations of asthma with ambient air pollution were enhanced
      among subjects living in homes with high traffic-related air pollution. This may
      be because of increased susceptibility (greater asthma severity) or increased
      vulnerability (meteorologic amplification of local vs. correlated ambient
      exposures).

PMID- 24240658
TI  - Prognostic ROC curves: a method for representing the overall discriminative
      capacity of binary markers with right-censored time-to-event endpoints.
AB  - Survival curves are a popular tool for representing the association between a
      binary marker and the risk of an event. The separation between the survival
      curves in patients with a positive marker (high-risk group) and a negative marker
      (low-risk group) reflects the prognostic ability of the marker. In this article,
      we propose an alternative graphical approach to represent the discriminative
      capacity of the marker-a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve,
      tentatively named prognostic ROC curve-obtained by plotting 1 minus the survival
      in the high-risk group against 1 minus the survival in the low-risk group. The
      area under the curve corresponds to the probability that a patient in the low
      risk group has a longer lifetime than a patient in the high-risk group. The
      prognostic ROC curve provides complementary information compared with survival
      curves. However, when the survival functions do not reach 0, the prognostic ROC
      curve is incomplete. We show how a range of possible values for the area under
      the curve can be derived in this situation. A simulation study is performed to
      analyze the accuracy of this methodology, which is also illustrated by
      applications to the survival of patients with brain metastases and survival of
      kidney transplant recipients. 

PMID- 24240659
TI  - Diversity of oat varieties in eliciting the early inflammatory events in celiac
      disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy, triggered by dietary
      gluten. The only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet. Oats are included in the
      list of gluten-free ingredients by European Regulation, but the safety of oats in
      CD is still a matter of debate. The present study examined the capability of
      different oat cultivars of activating the gliadin-induced transglutaminase-2
      (TG2)-dependent events in some in vitro models of CD. In addition, we compared
      this capability with the electrophoresis pattern of peptic-tryptic digests of the
      proteins of the oat cultivars. METHODS: K562(S) cells agglutination,
      transepithelial electrical resistance of T84-cell monolayers, intracellular
      levels of TG2 and phosphorylated form of protein 42-44 in T84 cells were the
      early gliadin-dependent events studied. RESULTS: The results showed that the Nave
      oat cultivar elicited these events, whereas Irina and Potenza varieties did not.
      The ability of a cultivar to activate the above-described events was associated
      with the electrophoretic pattern of oat proteins and their reactivity to anti
      gliadin antibodies. CONCLUSION: We found significant differences among oat
      cultivars in eliciting the TG2-mediated events of CD inflammation. Therefore, the
      safety of an oat cultivar in CD might be screened in vitro by means of
      biochemical and biological assays, before starting a clinical trial to definitely
      assess its safety.

PMID- 24240661
TI  - Effect of combined application of systemic herbicides on microbial activities in
      north bengal alluvial soil.
AB  - An experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions to investigate the effect
      of combined application of three systemic herbicides, viz., fenoxaprop,
      pendimethalin and paraquat at 50 g, 1.0 kg and 1.0 kg a.i. ha(-1), respectively,
      on the changes of microbial biomass C, N and P in relation to transformations and
      availability of some plant nutrients in an alluvial soil (Typic Orchraqualf) of
      West Bengal, India. Application of the herbicides, in general, significantly
      increased microbial biomass C, N and P, resulting in greater availability of C, N
      and P in soil. The microbial biomass C was highly induced (28.4 %) when
      fenoxaprop was applied with pendimethalin, while fenoxaprop along with paraquat
      exerted maximum stimulation towards microbial biomass N (19.9 %) and biomass P
      (16.2 %). Application of fenoxaprop along with pendimethalin retained the highest
      amount of organic C (17.4 %), exchangeable NH4(+) (29 %) and available P (19.6
      %), while fenoxaprop with paraquat augmented total N and soluble NO3(-) by 21.4 %
      and 25.2 %, respectively in soil.

PMID- 24240662
TI  - Metal discharges by Sinaloa Rivers to the coastal zone of NW Mexico.
AB  - The aim of this work was to survey the discharges of dissolved and particulate
      Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn of the eight main rivers of Sinaloa State to the
      Mexican coastal environment. Zn was the most abundant dissolved metal and Fe was
      the most abundant particulate (8.02-16.90 and 51.8-1,140.3 MUg/L, respectively).
      Only particulate Mn had significantly (p = 0.028) higher values in summer-fall
      (rainy season), whereas the significantly (p = 0.036) higher values of dissolved
      Zn were observed in winter and spring. The highest annual total discharges to
      Sinaloa coastal waters were those of the rivers San Lorenzo and Piaxtla (>2 *
      10(3) m.t.) and the lowest those of rivers Baluarte and El Fuerte (349 and 119
      m.t., respectively). Pb concentrations may become of concern, because they are
      higher than the value recommended for the welfare of aquatic communities of
      natural waters.

PMID- 24240660
TI  - Interplay of Stem Cell Characteristics, EMT, and Microtentacles in Circulating
      Breast Tumor Cells.
AB  - Metastasis, not the primary tumor, is responsible for the majority of breast
      cancer-related deaths. Emerging evidence indicates that breast cancer stem cells
      (CSCs) and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) cooperate to produce
      circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that are highly competent for metastasis. CTCs
      with both CSC and EMT characteristics have recently been identified in the
      bloodstream of patients with metastatic disease. Breast CSCs have elevated
      tumorigenicity required for metastatic outgrowth, while EMT may promote CSC
      character and endows breast cancer cells with enhanced invasive and migratory
      potential. Both CSCs and EMT are associated with a more flexible cytoskeleton and
      with anoikis-resistance, which help breast carcinoma cells survive in
      circulation. Suspended breast carcinoma cells produce tubulin-based extensions of
      the plasma membrane, termed microtentacles (McTNs), which aid in reattachment.
      CSC and EMT-associated upregulation of intermediate filament vimentin and
      increased detyrosination of alpha-tubulin promote the formation of McTNs. The
      combined advantages of CSCs and EMT and their associated cytoskeletal alterations
      increase metastatic efficiency, but understanding the biology of these CTCs also
      presents new therapeutic targets to reduce metastasis. 

PMID- 24240663
TI  - Aging decreases the strength of suprahyoid muscles involved in swallowing
      movements.
AB  - Swallowing disorders are common in the elderly, and aging is a factor that
      affects swallowing function. The elevation of the hyoid bone is important for
      swallowing and is controlled by the suprahyoid muscles. The hyoid and laryngeal
      elevation allows the bolus to enter the esophagus. The suprahyoid muscles,
      therefore, play an important role in swallowing. The effects of aging on
      suprahyoid muscle strength are unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effects of
      aging on suprahyoid muscle strength by comparing the jaw opening functions of
      healthy adults and elderly adults. The subjects were 150 healthy volunteers
      consisting of 76 adults aged < 70 years (38 men and 38 women; mean age, 48.8 +/-
      13.8 years; range, 23-69) and 74 elderly adults aged > 70 years (37 men and 37
      women; mean age, 78.1 +/- 4.8 years; range, 70-92). The jaw opening force (JOF)
      was measured with a jaw opening sthenometer and compared between the healthy
      adult and elderly groups. The mean JOF of healthy adults was about 10 kg in men
      and about 6 kg in women, which was significantly greater than the mean JOF of the
      healthy elderly subjects (about 7 kg in men and about 4 kg in women). The JOF of
      the men was significantly greater than that of the women in the healthy adult and
      elderly groups. We thus propose that aging decreases the strength of suprahyoid
      muscles in healthy adults. The swallowing function may decrease even in healthy
      adults, aged over 70 years. 

PMID- 24240664
TI  - Decreased serum ghrelin levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - Ghrelin is a novel growth hormone-releasing peptide isolated from the stomach and
      possesses various cardioprotective effects, including energy balance improvement
      and regulation of autonomic nervous system activity. We investigated the changes
      in serum ghrelin levels and its association with cardiac function and myocardial
      infarct size in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Forty-seven
      consecutive patients were divided into the following 4 groups: 16 patients with
      AMI, 12 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 13 patients with stable
      angina pectoris (SAP), and 6 control patients. Serum levels were measured with
      the ELISA kit. Compared to the control (72 +/- 26 fmol/mL), SAP (69 +/- 47
      fmol/mL), and UAP (72 +/- 31 fmol/mL) groups, serum ghrelin levels on admission
      were significantly lower in the AMI group (27 +/- 12 fmol/mL, P < 0.01). After
      admission, the serum ghrelin level gradually increased (30 +/- 15 fmol/mL on day
      2 and 39 +/- 18 fmol/mL on day 7) and became significantly higher on day 14 (49
      +/- 28 fmol/mL, P < 0.01), compared to the level on admission. In patients with
      AMI, the ratio of day 14 to admission serum ghrelin levels, an index of AMI
      related acute changes in ghrelin, correlated positively with peak creatine
      phosphokinase levels (R = 0.72, P < 0.01) and the double products (R = 0.60, P <
      0.01) and inversely with left ventricular ejection fraction (R = -0.53, P <
      0.05). In conclusion, serum ghrelin levels are significantly decreased in
      association with myocardial infarct size and cardiac function. 

PMID- 24240665
TI  - Addressing the taboo of medical error through IGBOs: I got burnt once!
AB  - BACKGROUND: An I Got Burnt Once (IGBO) is a near-miss or actual clinical event,
      related to patient safety, that leaves a lasting impact on the health
      professional (HP) involved. The purpose of this study was to collect and
      categorize IGBOs from a variety of pediatric HPs and to determine whether the
      individual's clinical practice was altered as a result. METHODS: Semistructured
      interviews involved recollection of an IGBO and subsequent changes in clinical
      practice. The IGBOs were classified into one of the seven Canadian Medical
      Education Directives for Specialists (CanMEDS) roles and outcome of the event.
      RESULTS: Of the 38 pediatric HPs approached (25 doctors and 13 female nurses), 35
      recalled an IGBO. Most (74 %) were classified to the CanMEDS Medical Expert role
      (with subcategorization into diagnostics (37 %), treatment (34 %), and clinical
      management (31 %) followed by communicator (14 %) and collaborator (12 %) roles).
      Half (55 %) of the respondents considered the IGBO event to be potentially life
      threatening event to the patient, resulting in no harm (63 %), disability (14 %),
      and fatality in 17 % of the cases. Most respondents (92 %) stated that IGBOs
      affected their medical practice for months and sometimes years after the event.
      CONCLUSIONS: Most practitioners can recall an IGBO in their clinical practice.
      IGBOs may be a potential source of medical risk avoidance and reduction
      strategies, and worthy of further investigation by "deep dives" or root cause
      analysis.

PMID- 24240666
TI  - A prospective randomly controlled clinical trial on azithromycin therapy for
      induction treatment of children with nephrotic syndrome.
AB  - A prospective study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of azithromycin (AZM)
      when combined with prednisone therapy compared with prednisone therapy alone in
      children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) undergoing induction treatment. A
      prospective randomly controlled clinical trial was conducted. Randomization was
      performed to select the research subjects who were composed of children with PNS
      and treated with AZM combined with prednisone (the intervention group) and with
      prednisone alone (the control group). A total of 211 randomly selected patients
      with PNS received either AZM combined with prednisone (n = 106) or prednisone
      alone (n = 105) for 6 months. At three months in the follow-up period, 12
      patients were lost to follow up (intervention group, 7; control group, 5), and 6
      patients had a transient hypocomplementemia (intervention group, 4 ; control
      group, 2). AZM was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg q.d (1 dose per day) for
      three consecutive days. The median duration before remission was 6 days in the
      intervention group and 9 days in the control group (p < 0.0001). Relapse rate
      differed among the groups at 3 months (11.6 vs. 21.4 %, p = 0.049). No difference
      in relapse rate was observed between the two groups within 4 to 6 months and at 6
      months (p = 0.168, 0.052). After 4 weeks of treatment, steroid resistance
      occurred in 1 out of 95 (1.05 %) patients in the intervention group and in 10 out
      of 98 (10.2 %) patients in the control group (p = 0.006). After 8 weeks of
      treatment, no difference was found in steroid resistance between two groups (1/95
      vs. 3/98, p = 0.327). During follow-up at 6 months, no difference was exhibited
      by the two groups on frequent relapse rates (p = 0.134). CONCLUSION: If a course
      of AZM is added to the glucocorticoid-induced treatment among children with PNS,
      then the sensitivity of prednisone increases. This increase consequently reduces
      duration to remission and decreases relapse. However, further studies are
      necessary to confirm these results.

PMID- 24240667
TI  - Dietary total antioxidant capacity and current asthma in Spanish schoolchildren:
      a case control-control study.
AB  - The aim of this work was to study the relationship between dietary total
      antioxidant capacity (TAC) and current asthma in a group of Spanish
      schoolchildren. A total of 78 Spanish schoolchildren (26 asthmatic and 52 healthy
      controls) were randomly selected from a cohort of 564 children (9-12 years of
      age). The weight and height of all subjects were recorded. A questionnaire,
      completed by the subjects' parents, was used to obtain personal and health
      information. Current asthma was established when children had ever had asthma,
      they had been diagnosed with asthma by a physician, and they had been treated
      with medications at some time in the previous 12 months. Food intake was
      monitored using a 3-day food record. All consumed foods were converted into
      energy and nutrients. Dietary TAC was evaluated using the ferric reducing
      antioxidant power (FRAP), radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and
      Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. The TAC measured using all
      the assays was significantly lower in children with asthma than in children
      without this condition (2.95 (2.10-3.75) mmol Fe(II)/day vs. 3.70 (3.08-4.49)
      mmol Fe(II)/day, p < 0.01; 1.50 (1.06-2.05) mmol Trolox equivalents/day vs. 2.10
      (1.40-2.65) mmol Trolox equivalents/day, p < 0.05; and 1.60 (1.08-2.00) mmol
      Trolox equivalents/day vs. 1.85 (1.50-2.68) mmol Trolox equivalents/day, p < 0.05
      for FRAP, TEAC, and TRAP, respectively). After adjusting for energy intake,
      children with FRAP values higher than 3.5 mmol Fe(II)/day (p50) and TEAC values
      higher than 1.9 mmol Trolox equivalents/day (p50) had 22.6 and 35.0 %,
      respectively, lower likelihood of suffering asthma episodes than children with
      lower values. When logistic regression analysis was performed separately for
      children with nonsmoker and smoker (at least one) parents, the association
      between dietary TAC and asthma was only observed in the nonsmoker group (OR =
      0.257, 95 % CI = 0.107-0.618, p = 0.002 for FRAP; OR = 0.212, 95 % CI = 0.069
      0.639, p = 0.006 for TEAC; and OR = 0.264, 95 % CI = 0.091-0.769, p = 0.015 for
      TRAP assay). CONCLUSION: Dietary TAC may have a favorable role in asthma in
      children and, specially, in those with nonsmoker parents.

PMID- 24240668
TI  - Randomized clinical trial progress to inform care for out-of-hospital cardiac
      arrest.

PMID- 24240670
TI  - Impact of intraoperative distractions on patient safety: a prospective
      descriptive study using validated instruments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is emerging evidence indicating that distractions in the
      operating room (OR) are prevalent. Studies have shown a negative impact of
      distractions, but they have been conducted mostly with residents in simulated
      environments. We tested the hypothesis that intraoperative distractions are
      associated with deterioration in patient safety checks in the OR. METHODS: We
      assessed 24 elective urologic procedures. Blinded trained assessors (two
      surgeons, one psychologist) used validated instruments to prospectively assess in
      vivo frequency and severity of distractions (related to communication,
      phones/pagers, equipment/provisions, OR environment, other hospital departments,
      or a member of the OR team) and completion of safety-related tasks (related to
      the patient, equipment, and communication). Descriptive and correlational
      analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Mean case duration was 70 min (mean
      intraoperative time 31 min). A mean of 4.0 communication distractions (range 0-9)
      and 2.48 other distractions (range 0-5) were recorded per case (distraction rate
      of one per 10 min). Distractions from external visitors (addressed to the entire
      team or the surgeon) and distractions due to lack of coordination between
      hospital departments were most disruptive. Regarding safety checks, patient tasks
      were completed most often (85-100 %) followed by equipment tasks (75-100 %) and
      communication tasks (55-90 %). Correlational analyses showed that more
      frequent/severe communication distractions were linked to lower completion of
      patient checks intraoperatively (median rho -0.56, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Distractions are prevalent in ORs and in this study were linked to deterioration
      in intraoperative patient safety checks. Surgeons should be mindful of their
      tolerance to distractions. Surgical leadership can help control distractions and
      reduce their potential impact on patient safety and performance.

PMID- 24240671
TI  - Synchronous bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome: laparoscopic versus
      posterior retroperitoneoscopic versus robotic approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Synchronous endoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy (BilA) can effectively
      provide definitive cure of hypercortisolism in ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome
      and in primary adrenal bilateral disease. We compared three different approaches
      for BilA: transabdominal laparoscopic BilA (TL-BilA), simultaneous posterior
      retroperitoneoscopic BilA (PR-BilA), and robot-assisted BilA (RA-BilA). METHODS:
      All patients who underwent BilA between January 1999 and December 2012 at two
      referral centers (one performing TL-BilA and PR-BilA and one performing RA-BilA)
      were included. A comparative analysis was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine
      patients were included: 5 underwent TL-BilA, 11 underwent PR-BilA, and 13
      underwent RA-BilA. No significant difference was found concerning age, gender,
      diagnosis, and previous abdominal surgery. No conversion to open approach was
      registered. Operative time was significantly shorter for the PR-BilA group than
      for the TL-BilA and RA-BilA groups (157.4 +/- 54.6 vs 256.0 +/- 43.4 vs 221.5 +/-
      42.2 min, respectively) (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found
      concerning intraoperative and postoperative complications rate and time to first
      flatus. Drains were used routinely after PR-BilA and TL-BilA and electively in
      four RA-BilA patients (P < 0.001). Hospital stay was longer in the TL-BilA and PR
      BilA groups than in the RA-BilA group (12.0 +/- 5.7 vs 10.8 +/- 3.7 vs 4.4 +/-
      1.7 days, respectively) (P < 0.001). No recurrence or disease-related death was
      registered. CONCLUSIONS: Operative time was significantly shorter in the PR-BilA
      group, because it eliminates the need to reposition the patient. The number of
      drains and the length of hospital stay were reduced after RA-BilA, but this was
      likely related to different management protocols in different settings. Because
      no significant difference was found in terms of postoperative outcome, none of
      the three operative approaches can be considered the preferable one.

PMID- 24240672
TI  - Cure predictability during parathyroidectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A mathematical model for primary hyperparathyroidism (1 degrees HPTH)
      was developed and embedded in software to yield intraoperative predictability
      curves. METHODS: A total of 1,754 consecutive 1 degrees HPTH operative cases were
      screened to select 617 [554 single adenoma (SA), 63 multigland] patients with
      complete preoperative, intraoperative (pre-exploration, time 0, every 5 min post
      resection), and postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium data. Data
      transformations and models were hypothesized and tested, including inverse
      functions, differences, half-lives, differences from projected half-lives, second
      order kinetics, second-order derivatives, and time-dependent ratios. Sub-models
      of ratios were developed for time-dependent and initial-value combinations. For
      each time segment the log odds were modeled using multiple logistic stepwise
      regression. An idealized model was selected, embedded in software, and installed
      in a laptop computer to enable intraoperative decision analyses, PTH curve
      plotting, and storage and transmission of data. A subsequent cohort of 100
      consecutive unselected patients [81 SAs, 19 multigland (13 hyperplasia, 2 MEN1, 1
      lithium, 3 double adenomas)] inclusive of seven remedial cervical explorations
      were tested. RESULTS: The model predicted an overall curative resection in 95 %
      of patients. In SA patients, cure was predicted in 78/81 patients with a mean
      probability of 99.3 % at 11.8 +/- 10.4 min post-resection. In three cured
      patients, the software failed to suggest cure, because of a low baseline PTH or
      delayed clearance. The model also correctly predicted residual hyperfunctioning
      tissue in all tested multigland patients. All multigland patients underwent
      additional exploration with resection of residual disease resulting in a mean
      predicted cure rate of 97.9 % at 10.6 +/- 7.3 min post-resection completion in 17
      patients. In two patients, the software predicted a mean cure rate of 22 % due to
      either a low PTH baseline or delayed clearance. Overall, the software accurately
      predicted cure in 95 of 100 cured cases. CONCLUSIONS: This intraoperative
      prediction software expedites termination of surgery with a high level of
      curative confidence. Alternatively, the model accurately predicts residual
      disease prompting additional exploration. Because the model is based on a large
      set of multivariate regression curves, PTH values obtained at any post-resection
      sampling interval generate prediction data with far greater accuracy than
      existing algorithms. The software is designed for convenient operative use and
      can print, store, and electronically transmit probability analyses and PTH curves
      in real-time.

PMID- 24240673
TI  - Postoperative portomesenteric venous thrombosis: lessons learned from 1,069
      consecutive laparoscopic colorectal resections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Portomesenteric venous thrombosis (PVT) is a known complication after
      open and laparoscopic colorectal (LCR) surgery. Risk factors and the prognosis of
      PVT have been poorly described. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis
      of a prospectively collected database. Patients with new-onset postoperative
      abdominal pain were evaluated with a computed tomography scan of the abdomen.
      Patients found to have PVT were analyzed. A multivariate analysis was performed
      to identify predictors of PVT. RESULTS: A total of 1,069 patients undergoing LCR
      surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or nonmetastatic cancer between June
      2002 and June 2012 were included. Altogether, 37 (3.5 %) patients experienced
      symptomatic postoperative PVT. On univariate analysis, IBD (p < 0.001),
      ulcerative colitis (p = 0.016), preoperative therapy with steroids (p = 0.008),
      operative time >=220 min (p = 0.004), total proctocolectomy (TPC) (p < 0.001),
      ileoanal pouch anastomosis (p = 0.006), and postoperative intraabdominal septic
      complications (p < 0.001) were found to be significant risk factors. By
      multivariate analysis, TPC (p = 0.026) and postoperative intraabdominal septic
      complications (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of PVT. In the PVT group,
      postoperative length of stay was longer (14.8 vs. 7.4 days, p < 0.001). Of the
      patients evaluated with a hematologic workup, 72.7 % were found to have a
      hypercoagulable condition. All patients were managed with oral anticoagulation
      for at least 6 months. No death or complications related to PVT occurred.
      CONCLUSIONS: PVT is a potentially serious complication that is more likely to
      occur after TPC and in the presence of postoperative intraabdominal septic
      complications, particularly in patients with a coagulation disorder. Prompt
      diagnosis and treatment with oral anticoagulation are recommended to avoid long
      term sequelae.

PMID- 24240674
TI  - Thyroid nodules with benign cytology: is size >= 4 cm an indication for surgery?

PMID- 24240675
TI  - Laparoscopy-assisted hybrid left-side donor hepatectomy: rationale for performing
      LADH.

PMID- 24240676
TI  - Preparing for prospective clinical trials: a national initiative of an excellence
      registry for consecutive pancreatic cancer resections.

PMID- 24240677
TI  - Letter to the editor.

PMID- 24240680
TI  - Transformation by Hras(G12V) is consistently associated with mutant allele copy
      gains and is reversed by farnesyl transferase inhibition.
AB  - RAS-driven malignancies remain a major therapeutic challenge. The two-stage 7,12
      dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)/12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) model
      of mouse skin carcinogenesis has been used to study mechanisms of epithelial
      tumor development by oncogenic Hras. We used mice with an Hras(G12V) knock-in
      allele to elucidate the early events after Hras activation, and to evaluate the
      therapeutic effectiveness of farnesyltransferase inhibition (FTI). Treatment of
      Caggs-Cre/FR-Hras(G12V) mice with TPA alone was sufficient to trigger papilloma
      development with a shorter latency and an ~10-fold greater tumor burden than
      DMBA/TPA-treated WT-controls. Hras(G12V) allele copy number was increased in all
      papillomas induced by TPA. DMBA/TPA treatment of Hras(G12V) knock-in mice induced
      an even greater incidence of papillomas, which either harbored Hras(G12V)
      amplification or developed an Hras(Q61L) mutation in the second allele. Laser
      capture microdissection of normal skin, hyperplastic skin and papillomas showed
      that amplification occurred only at the papilloma stage. HRAS-mutant allelic
      imbalance was also observed in human cancer cell lines, consistent with a
      requirement for augmented oncogenic HRAS signaling for tumor development. The FTI
      SCH66336 blocks HRAS farnesylation and delocalizes it from the plasma membrane.
      NRAS and KRAS are not affected as they are alternatively prenylated. When tested
      in lines harboring HRAS, NRAS or KRAS mutations, SCH66336 delocalized, inhibited
      signaling and preferentially inhibited growth only of HRAS-mutant lines.
      Treatment with SCH66336 also induced near-complete regression of papillomas of
      TPA-treated Hras(G12V) knock-in mice. These data suggest that farnesyl
      transferase inhibitors should be reevaluated as targeted agents for human HRAS
      driven cancers, such as those of bladder, thyroid and other epithelial lineages.

PMID- 24240679
TI  - Toward a therapeutic reduction of imatinib refractory myeloproliferative neoplasm
      initiating cells.
AB  - Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) such as chronic myelogenous (CML) and chronic
      myelomonocytic leukemias (CMML) are frequently induced by tyrosine kinase
      oncogenes. Although these MPNs are sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors such
      as imatinib, patients often relapse upon withdrawal of therapy. We used a model
      of MPN, which is induced by co-expression of the oncoproteins HIP1/PDGFbetaR
      (H/P) and AML1/ETO from their endogenous loci, to examine the mechanisms of
      disease development and recurrence following imatinib withdrawal. Although the
      MPN displayed a full hematologic response to imatinib, 100% of the diseased mice
      relapsed upon drug withdrawal. MPN persistence was not due to imatinib resistance
      mutations in the H/P oncogene or massive gene expression changes. Within 1 week
      of imatinib treatment, more than 98% of gene expression changes induced by the
      oncogenes in isolated hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (lineage(-)Sca
      1(+)c-Kit(+) immunophenotype) normalized. Supplementation of imatinib with
      granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or arsenic trioxide reduced MPN-initiating
      cell frequencies and the combination of imatinib with arsenic trioxide cured a
      large fraction of mice with MPNs. In contrast, no mice in the imatinib-treated
      control cohorts were cured. These data suggest that treatment with a combination
      of arsenic trioxide and imatinib can eliminate refractory MPN-initiating cells
      and reduce disease relapse. 

PMID- 24240681
TI  - Arylsulfatase B regulates versican expression by galectin-3 and AP-1 mediated
      transcriptional effects.
AB  - Arylsulfatase B (N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase; ARSB) removes 4-sulfate
      groups from chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S) and dermatan sulfate and is required for
      their degradation. In human prostate stromal and epithelial cells, when ARSB was
      silenced, C4S, versican and versican promoter activity increased, and the
      galectin-3 that co-immunoprecipitated with C4S declined. Galectin-3 silencing
      inhibited the ARSB-silencing-induced increases in versican and versican promoter
      due to effects on the AP-1-binding site in the versican promoter. These findings
      demonstrate for the first time the transcriptional mechanism whereby ARSB can
      regulate expression of an extracellular matrix proteoglycan with C4S attachments.
      In addition, following ARSB silencing, C4S that co-immunoprecipitated with
      versican increased, whereas co-immunoprecipitated EGFR declined, total EGFR
      increased and exogenous EGF-induced cell proliferation increased, suggesting
      profound effects of ARSB on vital cell processes.

PMID- 24240682
TI  - MicroRNAs and cancer stem cells: the sword and the shield.
AB  - Emerging chemotherapy drugs and targeted therapies have been widely applied in
      anticancer treatment and have given oncologists a promising future. Nevertheless,
      regeneration and recurrence are still huge obstacles on the way to cure cancer.
      Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are capable of self-renewal, tumor initiation,
      recurrence, metastasis, therapy resistance, and reside as a subset in many, if
      not all, cancers. Therefore, therapeutics specifically targeting and killing CSCs
      are being identified, and may be promising and effective strategies to eliminate
      cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs), small noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression
      in a post-transcriptional manner, are dysregulated in most malignancies and are
      identified as important regulators of CSCs. However, limited knowledge exists for
      biological and molecular mechanism by which miRNAs regulate CSCs. In this
      article, we review CSCs, miRNAs and the interactions between miRNA regulation and
      CSCs, with a specific focus on the molecular mechanisms and clinical
      applications. This review will help us to know in detail how CSCs are regulated
      by miRNAs networks and also help to develop more effective and secure miRNA-based
      clinical therapies. 

PMID- 24240683
TI  - PRH/HHex inhibits the migration of breast and prostate epithelial cells through
      direct transcriptional regulation of Endoglin.
AB  - PRH/HHex (proline-rich homeodomain protein) is a transcription factor that
      controls cell proliferation and cell differentiation in a variety of tissues.
      Aberrant subcellular localisation of PRH is associated with breast cancer and
      thyroid cancer. Further, in blast crisis chronic myeloid leukaemia, and a subset
      of acute myeloid leukaemias, PRH is aberrantly localised and its activity is
      downregulated. Here we show that PRH is involved in the regulation of cell
      migration and cancer cell invasion. We show for the first time that PRH is
      expressed in prostate cells and that a decrease in PRH protein levels increases
      the migration of normal prostate epithelial cells. We show that a decrease in PRH
      protein levels also increases the migration of normal breast epithelial cells.
      Conversely, PRH overexpression inhibits cell migration and cell invasion by PC3
      and DU145 prostate cancer cells and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Previous work
      has shown that the transforming growth factor-beta co-receptor Endoglin inhibits
      the migration of prostate and breast cancer cells. Here we show that PRH can bind
      to the Endoglin promoter in immortalised prostate and breast cells. PRH
      overexpression in these cells results in increased Endoglin protein expression,
      whereas PRH knockdown results in decreased Endoglin protein expression. Moreover,
      we demonstrate that Endoglin overexpression abrogates the increased migration
      shown by PRH knockdown cells. Our data suggest that PRH controls the migration of
      multiple epithelial cell lineages in part at least through the direct
      transcriptional regulation of Endoglin. We discuss these results in terms of the
      functions of PRH in normal cells and the mislocalisation of PRH seen in multiple
      cancer cell types. 

PMID- 24240685
TI  - FATS is an E2-independent ubiquitin ligase that stabilizes p53 and promotes its
      activation in response to DNA damage.
AB  - Ubiquitin linkage is critical in directing the cellular fate of a ubiquitinated
      protein. Although K48-linked polyubiquitination of p53 leads to its degradation,
      whether K48-independent ubiquitin linkages are involved in p53 activation remains
      unknown. Here, we show that FATS acts as a p53 activator by inhibiting Mdm2
      binding to p53 and stimulating non-proteolytic polyubiquitination of p53.
      Knockdown of FATS impairs p53 stabilization and activation in response to DNA
      damage. Furthermore, the NH2-terminal domain of FATS is sufficient to exhibit
      ubiquitin ligase (E3) activity and assemble ubiquitin polymers through K11-, K29-
      and K63-linkages, independently of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2). FATS
      promotes p53-dependent transcription of p21, leading to robust checkpoint
      response. The E3 activity of FATS is required for promoting p53 stability and
      activation in response to DNA damage. Our findings reveal K48-linkage-independent
      non-linear polyubiquitination of p53 as a new barcode for p53 activation.

PMID- 24240686
TI  - The tumor suppressor, TAX1BP2, is a novel substrate of ATM kinase.
AB  - DNA damage repair response is a crucial process for cancer prevention. One of the
      key regulators of this process is ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase,
      which modulates the p53 level by direct and indirect phosphorylation. Recent data
      showed that ATM also localizes at the centrosome, but the function remains
      elusive. TAX1BP2 was initially identified as a novel centrosomal protein that
      interacts directly with the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-encoded
      oncoprotein, Tax, and inhibits centrosome overduplication. Subsequently, TAX1BP2
      was found to be a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma, and accumulation
      of TAX1BP2 was observed upon chemotherapeutic drug treatment. Here, we provide
      evidence that TAX1BP2 is a direct phosphorylation substrate of ATM. The protein
      level of TAX1BP2 is significantly upregulated in response to DNA damaging agents.
      Serine-922 of TAX1BP2 is the phosphorylation site of ATM, and such
      phosphorylation modulates the protein stability, ubiquitination and tumor
      suppressor activity of TAX1BP2. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time
      that TAX1BP2 is a novel effector of ATM in DNA damage response and delineated a
      new mechanism by which ATM stabilizes the tumor suppressor TAX1BP2. 

PMID- 24240684
TI  - Protumorigenic effects of mir-145 loss in malignant pleural mesothelioma.
AB  - We identified a discrete number of microRNAs differentially expressed in benign
      or malignant mesothelial tissues. We focused on mir-145 whose levels were
      significantly downregulated in malignant mesothelial tissues and malignant
      pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cell lines as compared to benign tissues (pleura,
      peritoneum or cysts). We show that promoter hyper-methylation caused very low
      levels in MPM cell lines and specimens. Treatment of MPM cell lines with mir-145
      agonists negatively modulated some protumorigenic properties of MPM cells, such
      as clonogenicity, cell migration and resistance to pemetrexed treatment. The main
      effector mechanism of the clonogenic death induced by mir-145 was that of
      accelerated senescence. We found that mir-145 targeted OCT4 via specific binding
      to its 3'-UTR. Increased intracellular levels of mir-145 decreased the levels of
      OCT4 and its target gene ZEB1, thereby counteracting the increase of OCT4 induced
      by pemetrexed treatment which is known to favor the development of chemoresistant
      cells. In line with this, reintroduction of OCT4 into mimic-145 treated cells
      counteracted the effects on clonogenicity and replicative senescence. This
      further supports the relevance of the mir-145-OCT4 interaction for the survival
      of MPM cells. The potential use of mir-145 expression levels to classify benign
      vs malignant mesothelial tissues and the differences between pemetrexed-induced
      senescence and that induced by the re-expression of mir-145 are discussed. 

PMID- 24240687
TI  - N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate peptidase-like 2 is overexpressed in cancer and
      promotes a pro-migratory and pro-metastatic phenotype.
AB  - N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate peptidase-like 2 (NAALADL2) is a member of the
      glutamate carboxypeptidase II family, best characterized by prostate-specific
      membrane antigen (PSMA/NAALAD1). Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), we have shown
      overexpression of NAALADL2 in colon and prostate tumours when compared with
      benign tissue. In prostate cancer, NAALADL2 expression was associated with stage
      and Grade, as well as circulating mRNA levels of the NAALADL2 gene.
      Overexpression of NAALADL2 was shown to predict poor survival following radical
      prostatectomy. In contrast to PSMA/NAALAD1, NAALADL2 was localized at the basal
      cell surface where it promotes adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. Using
      stable knockdown and overexpression cell lines, we have demonstrated NAALADL2
      dependent changes in cell migration, invasion and colony-forming potential.
      Expression arrays of the knockdown and overexpression cell lines have identified
      nine genes that co-expressed with NAALADL2, which included membrane proteins and
      genes known to be androgen regulated, including the prostate cancer biomarkers
      AGR2 and SPON2. Androgen regulation was confirmed in a number of these genes,
      although NAALADL2 itself was not found to be androgen regulated. NAALADL2 was
      also found to regulate levels of Ser133 phosphorylated C-AMP-binding protein
      (CREB), a master regulator of a number of cellular processes involved in cancer
      development and progression. In combination, these data suggest that changes in
      expression of NAALADL2 can impact upon a number of pro-oncogenic pathways and
      processes, making it a useful biomarker for both diagnosis and prognosis. 

PMID- 24240688
TI  - Novel fusion transcripts in human gastric cancer revealed by transcriptome
      analysis.
AB  - Gene fusion is involved in the development of various types of malignancies.
      Recent advances in sequencing technology have facilitated identification of gene
      fusions and have stimulated the research of this field in cancer. In the present
      study, we performed next-generation transcriptome sequencing in order to discover
      novel gene fusions in gastric cancer. A total of 282 fusion transcript candidates
      were detected from 12 gastric cancer cell lines by bioinformatic filtering. Among
      the candidates, we have validated 19 fusion transcripts, which are 7 inter
      chromosomal and 12 intra-chromosomal fusions. A novel DUS4L-BCAP29 fusion
      transcript was found in 2 out of 12 cell lines and 10 out of 13 gastric cancer
      tissues. Knockdown of DUS4L-BCAP29 transcript using siRNA inhibited cell
      proliferation. Soft agar assay further confirmed that this novel fusion
      transcript has tumorigenic potential. We also identified that microRNA-coding
      gene PVT1, which is amplified in double minute chromosomes in SNU-16 cells, is
      recurrently involved in gene fusion. PVT1 produced six different fusion
      transcripts involving four different genes as fusion partners. Our findings
      provide better insight into transcriptional and genetic alterations of gastric
      cancer: namely, the tumorigenic effects of transcriptional read-through and a
      candidate region for genetic instability.

PMID- 24240689
TI  - Preclinical validation of AXL receptor as a target for antibody-based pancreatic
      cancer immunotherapy.
AB  - AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is implicated in proliferation and invasion of
      many cancers, particularly in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), for which
      new therapeutic options are urgently required. We investigated whether inhibition
      of AXL activity by specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is efficient in limiting
      proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. Expression of AXL was
      evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 42 PDAC. The AXL role in oncogenesis was
      studied using the short hairpin RNA approach in a pancreatic carcinoma cell line.
      We further generated antihuman AXL mAbs and evaluated their inhibitory effects
      and the AXL downstream signaling pathways first in vitro, in a panel of
      pancreatic cancer cell lines and then in vivo, using subcutaneous or orthotopic
      pancreatic tumor xenografts. AXL receptor was found expressed in 76% (32/42) of
      PDAC and was predominantly present in invasive cells. The AXL-knockdown Panc-1
      cells decreased in vitro cell migration, survival and proliferation, and reduced
      in vivo tumor growth. Two selected anti-AXL mAbs (D9 and E8), which inhibited
      phosphorylation of AXL and of its downstream target AKT without affecting growth
      arrest-specific factor 6 (GAS6) binding, induced downexpression of AXL by
      internalization, leading to an inhibition of proliferation and migration in the
      four pancreatic cancer cell lines studied. In vivo, treatment by anti-AXL mAbs
      significantly reduced growth of both subcutaneous and orthotopic pancreatic tumor
      xenografts independently of their KRAS mutation status. Our in vitro and
      preclinical in vivo data demonstrate that anti-human AXL mAbs could represent a
      new approach to the pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.

PMID- 24240691
TI  - Thrombolytic therapy in the treatment of acute sub-massive pulmonary embolism: a
      prospective observational study.
AB  - The use of thrombolytic therapy in haemodynamically stable patients with sub
      massive pulmonary embolism is still controversial. We conducted this study to
      observe the safety and efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in acute pulmonary
      embolism patients with normal blood pressure in a tertiary cardiac centre. In
      this study, 130 patients with sub-massive pulmonary embolism who had right
      ventricular dysfunction were included and treated with thrombolytic therapy.
      Forty-one percent of patients in our study were within 40 years of age. Eighty
      three percent of patients had clinical improvement. Both right-ventricular
      dysfunction and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were improved significantly
      following thrombolytic therapy from baseline (49 vs. 28 mmHg; P = 0.01; 95%
      confidence interval -13 to -56). Only 9% patients had died and two patients had
      intra-cerebral haemorrhage during this study. Thrombolytic therapy may be helpful
      in improving clinical course following sub-massive acute pulmonary embolism,
      especially for those who had low risk of bleeding. Further randomized study with
      large sample size is needed for final conclusion. 

PMID- 24240690
TI  - Ras regulates kinesin 13 family members to control cell migration pathways in
      transformed human bronchial epithelial cells.
AB  - We show that expression of the microtubule depolymerizing kinesin KIF2C is
      induced by transformation of immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC)
      by expression of K-Ras(G12V) and knockdown of p53. Further investigation
      demonstrates that this is due to the K-Ras/ERK1/2 MAPK pathway, as loss of p53
      had little effect on KIF2C expression. In addition to KIF2C, we also found that
      the related kinesin KIF2A is modestly upregulated in this model system; both
      proteins are expressed more highly in many lung cancer cell lines compared to
      normal tissue. As a consequence of their depolymerizing activity, these kinesins
      increase dynamic instability of microtubules. Depletion of either of these
      kinesins impairs the ability of cells transformed with mutant K-Ras to migrate
      and invade matrigel. However, depletion of these kinesins does not reverse the
      epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) caused by mutant K-Ras. Our studies
      indicate that increased expression of microtubule destabilizing factors can occur
      during oncogenesis to support enhanced migration and invasion of tumor cells.

PMID- 24240692
TI  - An EPR/HYSCORE, Mossbauer, and resonance Raman study of the hydrogenase
      maturation enzyme HydF: a model for N-coordination to [4Fe-4S] clusters.
AB  - The biosynthesis of the organometallic H cluster of [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase requires
      three accessory proteins, two of which (HydE and HydG) belong to the radical S
      adenosylmethionine enzyme superfamily. The third, HydF, is an Fe-S protein with
      GTPase activity. The [4Fe-4S] cluster of HydF is bound to the polypeptide chain
      through only the three, conserved, cysteine residues present in the binding
      sequence motif CysXHisX(46-53)HisCysXXCys. However, the involvement of the two
      highly conserved histidines as a fourth ligand for the cluster coordination is
      controversial. In this study, we set out to characterize further the [4Fe-4S]
      cluster of HydF using Mossbauer, EPR, hyperfine sublevel correlation (HYSCORE),
      and resonance Raman spectroscopy in order to investigate the influence of
      nitrogen ligands on the spectroscopic properties of [4Fe-4S](2+/+) clusters. Our
      results show that Mossbauer, resonance Raman, and EPR spectroscopy are not able
      to readily discriminate between the imidazole-coordinated [4Fe-4S] cluster and
      the non-imidazole-bound [4Fe-4S] cluster with an exchangeable fourth ligand that
      is present in wild-type HydF. HYSCORE spectroscopy, on the other hand, detects
      the presence of an imidazole/histidine ligand on the cluster on the basis of the
      appearance of a specific spectral pattern in the strongly coupled region, with a
      coupling constant of approximately 6 MHz. We also discovered that a His-tagged
      version of HydF, with a hexahistidine tag at the N-terminus, has a [4Fe-4S]
      cluster coordinated by one histidine from the tag. This observation strongly
      indicates that care has to be taken in the analysis of data obtained on tagged
      forms of metalloproteins. 

PMID- 24240693
TI  - Evolving wonder-RNAs in a test tube.

PMID- 24240694
TI  - Linking up: the graying of AIDS.

PMID- 24240695
TI  - Primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumor of infancy with rosettes: a new finding and
      literature review.
AB  - Primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumor of infancy (PMMTI) is a relatively recently
      described tumor arising in infants and demonstrating a unique histomorphology. We
      present an unusual case of PMMTI with rosettes, a hitherto undescribed finding in
      the reported cases. We also present the cytogenetic and ultrastructural findings
      of this tumor and review the literature. As awareness of PMMTI increases,
      additional clinical data and histopathologic findings will aid in the morphologic
      and behavioral characterization of this neoplasm. 

PMID- 24240696
TI  - A New Type of Renal Cancer--Tubulocystic Carcinoma of the Kidney: A Review of the
      Literature.
AB  - In 2004, A new peculiar subtype of renal cell carcinoma, which later received the
      name of tubulocystic carcinoma (TCC-RC), was recognized. Though the tumor has
      distinct macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical features, the tumor was
      previously considered to have some similarities to various other renal cancers.
      We did an extensive review of literature using PubMed and CrossRef, which yielded
      more than 80 cases reported from various parts of the world. We evaluated the
      epidemiology, tumor presentations, pathological characteristics, treatment, and
      outcome of TCC-RC. 

PMID- 24240697
TI  - Oral fibroma with HPV-associated epithelial dysplasia: even in fibromas you
      should look for the unexpected.
AB  - Fibromas are the most common soft tissue lesions of the oral cavity and are
      generally attributed to trauma. Koilocytic dysplasia refers to human
      papillomavirus (HPV)-related epithelial cytopathic effect. Koilocytic dysplasia
      is considered neoplastic. Herein, we report a case of oral fibroma with HPV
      induced dysplastic changes of the surface epithelium confirmed by
      immunohistochemical stains for p16 and p53 as well as HPV in situ hybridization.

PMID- 24240698
TI  - Epithelia of the ovine and bovine forestomach express basolateral maxi-anion
      channels permeable to the anions of short-chain fatty acids.
AB  - It has long been established that the absorption of short-chain fatty acids
      (SCFA) across epithelia stimulates sodium proton exchange. The apically released
      protons are not available as countercations for the basolateral efflux of SCFA
      anions and a suitable transport model is lacking. Patch clamp and microelectrode
      techniques were used to characterize an anion conductance expressed by cultured
      cells of the sheep and bovine rumen and the sheep omasum and to localize the
      conductance in the intact tissue. Cells were filled with a Na-gluconate solution
      and superfused with sodium salts of acetate, propionate, butyrate, or lactate.
      Reversal potential rose and whole cell current at +100 mV decreased with the size
      of the anion. Anion-induced currents could be blocked by diisothiocyanato
      stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), NPPB (200 MUmol l(-1)), or pCMB (1 mmol l(
      1)). In patches of bovine ruminal cells, single channels were observed with a
      conductance for chloride (327 +/- 11 pS), acetate (115 +/- 8 pS), propionate (102
      +/- 10 pS), butyrate (81 +/- 2 pS), and gluconate (44 +/- 3 pS). Channels
      expressed by sheep rumen and omasum were similar. Microelectrode experiments
      suggest basolateral localization. In conclusion, forestomach epithelia express
      basolateral maxi-anion channels with a permeability sequence of chloride >
      acetate > propionate > butyrate. SCFA absorption may resemble functionally
      coupled transport of NaCl, with the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase driving the basolateral
      efflux of the anion through a channel. Since protons are apically extruded, the
      model accurately predicts that influx of buffers with saliva is essential for the
      pH homeostasis of the ruminant forestomach. 

PMID- 24240701
TI  - SIRT1 and AMPK mediate hypoxia-induced resistance of non-small cell lung cancers
      to cisplatin and doxorubicin.
AB  - SIRT1 is an NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylase induced by metabolic stresses,
      such as nutrition or oxygen deprivation. Although SIRT1 contributes to aging and
      metabolic disorders, its role in cancer progression and therapeutic responses
      remains controversial. Because hypoxia occurs widely in solid tumors, where it
      provokes drug resistance, we investigated the involvement of SIRT1 in hypoxia
      induced chemoresistance. SIRT1 was downregulated in a panel of non-small cell
      lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells exposed to hypoxia for 48 hours. The master
      metabolic kinase AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was inactivated under the
      same conditions, likely due to attenuation of the SIRT1/LKB1-mediated AMPK
      activation process. Notably, hypoxic inactivation of this SIRT1-AMPK pathway led
      to cisplatin and doxorubicin resistance. Mechanistic investigations suggested
      that this pathway supported the cytotoxic response to cisplatin and doxorubicin
      by licensing an apoptotic process controlled by mitochondria. We confirmed the
      involvement of this pathway in a mouse xenograft model of human NSCLC.
      Furthermore, we demonstrated that a SIRT1 activator SRT1720 augmented the
      antitumor effects of cisplatin, and these effects could be blocked by
      administration of an AMPK inhibitor compound C. Taken together, our results offer
      preclinical proof-of-concept to target the SIRT1-AMPK pathway as a strategy to
      overcome hypoxia-induced chemoresistance in NSCLC.

PMID- 24240699
TI  - Mechanism and synergism in epithelial fluid and electrolyte secretion.
AB  - A central function of epithelia is the control of the volume and electrolyte
      composition of bodily fluids through vectorial transport of electrolytes and the
      obligatory H2O. In exocrine glands, fluid and electrolyte secretion is carried
      out by both acinar and duct cells, with the portion of fluid secreted by each
      cell type varying among glands. All acinar cells secrete isotonic, plasma-like
      fluid, while the duct determines the final electrolyte composition of the fluid
      by absorbing most of the Cl(-) and secreting HCO3 (-). The key transporters
      mediating acinar fluid and electrolyte secretion are the basolateral Na(+)/K(+)
      /2Cl(-) cotransporter, the luminal Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel ANO1 and
      basolateral and luminal Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels. Ductal fluid and HCO3 (-)
      secretion are mediated by the basolateral membrane Na(+)-HCO3 (-) cotransporter
      NBCe1-B and the luminal membrane Cl(-)/HCO3 (-) exchanger slc26a6 and the Cl(-)
      channel CFTR. The function of the transporters is regulated by multiple inputs,
      which in the duct include major regulation by the WNK/SPAK pathway that inhibit
      secretion and the IRBIT/PP1 pathway that antagonize the effects of the WNK/SPAK
      pathway to both stimulate and coordinate the secretion. The function of these
      regulatory pathways in secretory glands acinar cells is yet to be examined. An
      important concept in biology is synergism among signaling pathways to generate
      the final physiological response that ensures regulation with high fidelity and
      guards against cell toxicity. While synergism is observed in all epithelial
      functions, the molecular mechanism mediating the synergism is not known. Recent
      work reveals a central role for IRBIT as a third messenger that integrates and
      synergizes the function of the Ca(2+) and cAMP signaling pathways in activation
      of epithelial fluid and electrolyte secretion. These concepts are discussed in
      this review using secretion by the pancreatic and salivary gland ducts as model
      systems.

PMID- 24240700
TI  - Genome-wide profiling of genetic synthetic lethality identifies CDK12 as a novel
      determinant of PARP1/2 inhibitor sensitivity.
AB  - Small-molecule inhibitors of PARP1/2, such as olaparib, have been proposed to
      serve as a synthetic lethal therapy for cancers that harbor BRCA1 or BRCA2
      mutations. Indeed, in clinical trials, PARP1/2 inhibitors elicit sustained
      antitumor responses in patients with germline BRCA gene mutations. In
      hypothesizing that additional genetic determinants might direct use of these
      drugs, we conducted a genome-wide synthetic lethal screen for candidate olaparib
      sensitivity genes. In support of this hypothesis, the set of identified genes
      included known determinants of olaparib sensitivity, such as BRCA1, RAD51, and
      Fanconi's anemia susceptibility genes. In addition, the set included genes
      implicated in established networks of DNA repair, DNA cohesion, and chromatin
      remodeling, none of which were known previously to confer sensitivity to PARP1/2
      inhibition. Notably, integration of the list of candidate sensitivity genes with
      data from tumor DNA sequencing studies identified CDK12 deficiency as a
      clinically relevant biomarker of PARP1/2 inhibitor sensitivity. In models of high
      grade serous ovarian cancer (HGS-OVCa), CDK12 attenuation was sufficient to
      confer sensitivity to PARP1/2 inhibition, suppression of DNA repair via
      homologous recombination, and reduced expression of BRCA1. As one of only nine
      genes known to be significantly mutated in HGS-OVCa, CDK12 has properties that
      should confirm interest in its use as a biomarker, particularly in ongoing
      clinical trials of PARP1/2 inhibitors and other agents that trigger replication
      fork arrest.

PMID- 24240702
TI  - A novel EGFR isoform confers increased invasiveness to cancer cells.
AB  - As a validated therapeutic target in several human cancers, the EGF receptor
      (EGFR) provides a focus to gain deeper insights into cancer pathophysiology. In
      this study, we report the identification of a naturally occurring and widely
      expressed EGFR isoform termed EGFRvA, which substitutes a Ser/Thr-rich peptide
      for part of the carboxyl-terminal regulatory domain of the receptor.
      Intriguingly, EGFRvA expression relates more closely to histopathologic grade and
      poor prognosis in patients with glioma. Ectopic expression of EGFRvA in cancer
      cells conferred a higher invasive capacity than EGFR in vitro and in vivo.
      Mechanistically, EGFRvA stimulated expression of STAT3, which upregulated heparin
      binding EGF (HB-EGF). Reciprocally, HB-EGF stimulated phosphorylation of EGFRvA
      at Y845 along with STAT3, generating a positive feedback loop that may reinforce
      invasive function. The significance of EGFRvA expression was reinforced by
      findings that it is attenuated by miR-542-5p, a microRNA that is a known tumor
      suppressor. Taken together, our findings define this newfound EGFR isoform as a
      key theranostic molecule.

PMID- 24240703
TI  - MEIOB exhibits single-stranded DNA-binding and exonuclease activities and is
      essential for meiotic recombination.
AB  - Meiotic recombination enables the reciprocal exchange of genetic material between
      parental homologous chromosomes, and ensures faithful chromosome segregation
      during meiosis in sexually reproducing organisms. This process relies on the
      complex interaction of DNA repair factors and many steps remain poorly understood
      in mammals. Here we report the identification of MEIOB, a meiosis-specific
      protein, in a proteomics screen for novel meiotic chromatin-associated proteins
      in mice. MEIOB contains an OB domain with homology to one of the RPA1 OB folds.
      MEIOB binds to single-stranded DNA and exhibits 3'-5' exonuclease activity. MEIOB
      forms a complex with RPA and with SPATA22, and these three proteins co-localize
      in foci that are associated with meiotic chromosomes. Strikingly, chromatin
      localization and stability of MEIOB depends on SPATA22 and vice versa. Meiob-null
      mouse mutants exhibit a failure in meiosis and sterility in both sexes. Our
      results suggest that MEIOB is required for meiotic recombination and chromosomal
      synapsis. 

PMID- 24240704
TI  - Major trauma: the unseen financial burden to trauma centres, a descriptive
      multicentre analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This research examines the existing funding model for in-hospital
      trauma patient episodes in New South Wales (NSW), Australia and identifies
      factors that cause above-average treatment costs. Accurate information on the
      treatment costs of injury is needed to guide health-funding strategy and prevent
      inadvertent underfunding of specialist trauma centres, which treat a high trauma
      casemix. METHODS: Admitted trauma patient data provided by 12 trauma centres were
      linked with financial data for 2008-09. Actual costs incurred by each hospital
      were compared with state-wide Australian Refined Diagnostic Related Groups (AR
      DRG) average costs. Patient episodes where actual cost was higher than AR-DRG
      cost allocation were examined. RESULTS: There were 16693 patients at a total cost
      of AU$178.7million. The total costs incurred by trauma centres were $14.7million
      above the NSW peer-group average cost estimates. There were 10 AR-DRG where the
      total cost variance was greater than $500000. The AR-DRG with the largest
      proportion of patients were the upper limb injury categories, many of whom had
      multiple body regions injured and/or a traumatic brain injury (P<0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: AR-DRG classifications do not adequately describe the trauma patient
      episode and are not commensurate with the expense of trauma treatment. A revision
      of AR-DRG used for trauma is needed. WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Severely
      injured trauma patients often have multiple injuries, in more than one body
      region and the determination of appropriate AR-DRG can be difficult. Pilot
      research suggests that the AR-DRG do not accurately represent the care that is
      required for these patients. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD? This is the first
      multicentre analysis of treatment costs and coding variance for major trauma in
      Australia. This research identifies the limitations of the current AR-DRGS and
      those that are particularly problematic. The value of linking trauma registry and
      financial data within each trauma centre is demonstrated. WHAT ARE THE
      IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS? Further work should be conducted between trauma
      services, clinical coding and finance departments to improve the accuracy of
      clinical coding, review funding models and ensure that AR-DRG allocation is
      commensurate with the expense of trauma treatment.

PMID- 24240705
TI  - Pollination syndromes ignored: importance of non-ornithophilous flowers to
      Neotropical savanna hummingbirds.
AB  - Generalization prevails in flower-animal interactions, and although animal
      visitors are not equally effective pollinators, most interactions likely
      represent an important energy intake for the animal visitor. Hummingbirds are
      nectar-feeding specialists, and many tropical plants are specialized toward
      hummingbird-pollination. In spite of this, especially in dry and seasonal
      tropical habitats, hummingbirds may often rely on non-ornithophilous plants to
      meet their energy requirements. However, quantitative studies evaluating the
      relative importance of ornithophilous vs. non-ornithophilous plants for
      hummingbirds in these areas are scarce. We here studied the availability and use
      of floral resources by hummingbirds in two different areas of the Cerrado, the
      seasonal savannas in Central Brazil. Roughly half the hummingbird visited plant
      species were non-ornithophilous, and these contributed greatly to increase the
      overall nectar availability. We showed that mean nectar offer, at the transect
      scale, was the only parameter related to hummingbird visitation frequency, more
      so than nectar offer at single flowers and at the plant scale, or pollination
      syndrome. Centrality indices, calculated using hummingbird-plant networks, showed
      that ornithophilous and non-ornithophilous plants have similar importance for
      network cohesion. How this foraging behaviour affects reproduction of non
      ornithophilous plants remains largely unexplored and is probably case specific,
      however, we suggest that the additional energy provided by non-ornithophilous
      plants may facilitate reproduction of truly ornithophilous flowers by attracting
      and maintaining hummingbirds in the area. This may promote asymmetric hummingbird
      plant associations, i.e., pollination depends on floral traits adapted to
      hummingbird morphology, but hummingbird visitation is determined more by the
      energetic "reward" than by pollination syndromes. 

PMID- 24240706
TI  - Juvenile hormone-dopamine systems for the promotion of flight activity in males
      of the large carpenter bee Xylocopa appendiculata.
AB  - The reproductive roles of dopamine and dopamine regulation systems are known in
      social hymenopterans, but the knowledge on the regulation systems in solitary
      species is still needed. To test the possibility that juvenile hormone (JH) and
      brain dopamine interact to trigger territorial flight behavior in males of a
      solitary bee species, the effects on biogenic amines of JH analog treatments and
      behavioral assays with dopamine injections in males of the large carpenter bee
      Xylocopa appendiculata were quantified. Brain dopamine levels were significantly
      higher in methoprene-treated males than in control males 4 days after treatment,
      but were not significantly different after 7 days. Brain octopamine and serotonin
      levels did not differ between methoprene-treated and control males at 4 and 7
      days after treatment. Injection of dopamine caused significantly higher locomotor
      activities and a shorter duration for flight initiation in experimental versus
      control males. These results suggest that brain dopamine can be regulated by JH
      and enhances flight activities in males. The JH-dopamine system in males of this
      solitary bee species is similar to that of males of the highly eusocial honeybee
      Apis mellifera.

PMID- 24240707
TI  - De-oncogenic HPV E6/E7 vaccine gets enhanced antigenicity and promotes
      tumoricidal synergy with cisplatin.
AB  - In order to develop more effective therapeutic vaccines against cancers with high
      risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, it is crucial to enhance the
      immunogenicity, eliminate the oncogenicity of oncoproteins, and take a
      combination of E7- and E6-containing vaccines. It has been shown recently that
      PE(DeltaIII)-E7-KDEL3 (E7), a fusion protein containing the HPV16 oncoprotein E7
      and the translocation domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A, is effective
      against TC-1 tumor cells inoculated in mice, therefore, we engineered
      PE(DeltaIII)-E6-CRL-KDEL3 (E6), the de-oncogenic versions of the E7 and E6 fusion
      proteins [i.e. PE(DeltaIII)-E7(d)-KDEL3, E7(d), and PE(DeltaIII)-E6(d)-CRL-KDEL3,
      E6(d)] and tested the immunoefficacies of these fusion proteins as mono- and
      bivalent vaccines. Results indicated that the E7(d) get higher immunogenicity
      than its wild type and the E6 fusion proteins augmented the immunogenicity and
      antitumor effects of their E7 counterparts. Furthermore, the bivalent vaccine
      system E7(d) plus E6(d), in the presence of cisplatin, showed the best
      tumoristatic and tumoricidal effects against established tumors in vivo.
      Therefore, it can be concluded that this novel therapeutic vaccine system, upon
      further optimization, may shed new light on clinical management of HPV-related
      carcinomas.

PMID- 24240708
TI  - Impact of ethnicity, geography, and disease on the microbiota in health and
      inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota is central to health and disorders such as
      inflammatory bowel disease. Differences in microbiota related to geography and
      ethnicity may hold the key to recent changes in the incidence of microbiota
      related disorders. METHODS: Gut mucosal microbiota was analyzed in 190 samples
      from 87 Caucasian and Chinese subjects, from Australia and Hong Kong, comprising
      22 patients with Crohn's disease, 30 patients with ulcerative colitis, 29 healthy
      controls, and 6 healthy relatives of patients with Crohn's disease. Bacterial 16S
      rRNA microarray and 454 pyrosequencing were performed. RESULTS: The microbiota
      was diverse in health, regardless of ethnicity or geography (operational
      taxonomic unit number and Shannon diversity index). Ethnicity and geography,
      however, did affect microbial composition. Crohn's disease resulted in reduced
      bacterial diversity, regardless of ethnicity or geography, and was the strongest
      determinant of composition. In ulcerative colitis, diversity was reduced in
      Chinese subjects only, suggesting that ethnicity is a determinant of bacterial
      diversity, whereas composition was determined by disease and ethnicity. Specific
      phylotypes were different between health and disease. Chinese patients with
      inflammatory bowel disease more often than healthy Chinese tended to have had a
      Western diet in childhood, in the East and West. CONCLUSION: The healthy
      microbiota is diverse but compositionally affected by geographical and ethnic
      factors. The microbiota is substantially altered in inflammatory bowel disease,
      but ethnicity may also play an important role. This may be key to the changing
      epidemiology in developing countries, and emigrants to the West.

PMID- 24240709
TI  - Proposal of objective morphological classification system for hepatocellular
      carcinoma using preoperative multiphase computed tomography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To establish a preoperative morphological classification system for
      hepatocellular carcinoma using multiphase computed tomography. METHODS: All
      consecutive patients who were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma between
      2004 and 2009 were enrolled, for a total of 232 patients. The concavity and
      convexity of each outer contour of hepatocellular carcinoma acquired from
      multiphase computed tomography were analyzed, and the area and depth of each
      indentation were quantified. The indentation area to tumor area ratio (s:S) and
      the s:S ratio multiplied by the indentation depth to indentation base ratio (s:S
      * d:t) were used as feature values reflecting the individual shapes. RESULTS:
      Using a hierarchical cluster analysis, the shapes were classified into three
      groups: Type I (smooth: n = 158), Type II (jagged: n = 63), and Type III (rough:
      n = 11). The 5-year survival rates for Types I, II, and III were 64, 53, and 0 %,
      respectively (I vs. II, P = 0.038; I vs. III, P = 0.001; II vs. III, P = 0.002).
      The 5-year disease-free survival rates for Types I, II, and III were 27, 23, and
      0 %, respectively (I vs. III, P = 0.0003 and II vs. III, P = 0.008). Microscopic
      portal venous invasion was significantly more likely with Type III than with Type
      I or II (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed
      semiautomatic computed tomography-based morphological classification system
      appears to provide a promising additional criterion for the prognostic
      categorization of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 24240713
TI  - A patient with POEMS syndrome: the pathology of glomerular microangiopathy.
AB  - POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal
      gammopathy and skin changes) is potentially fatal multisystem disorder but its
      renal complication has often been overlooked because renal involvement is not
      necessarily included in the diagnostic criteria of POEMS. This report documents
      the patient with POEMS syndrome with long-term renal histopathological changes
      evaluated by renal biopsy. A 32-year-old Japanese woman presented with symptoms
      consistent with POEMS syndrome associated with proteinuria and IgA-lambda type
      monoclonal gammopathy. Initial renal biopsy for confirmation of diagnosis
      revealed the proliferation of glomerular capillary loops located in the expanded
      mesangial matrices associated with glomerular enlargement. Electron microscopy
      examination of the renal biopsy revealed the presence of double contoured
      glomerular basement membrane containing peculiar fibrillary structure. The
      patient was therefore initially diagnosed as membranoproliferative
      glomerulonephritis (MPGN)-like lesion without any significant immunoglobulins and
      complements deposition. The patient was subsequently admitted to hospital on five
      occasions due to renal dysfunction and anasarca for the next four years of her
      clinical course. The severity of anasarca was correlated mainly with serum titer
      of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during this period. Acute renal
      failure occurred at the last admission and the second biopsy was performed. An
      increased mesangial matrix and frequent global sclerosis of the glomeruli with
      arteriolosclerosis was noted in this second biopsy compared to the first one.
      These findings of renal biopsies suggest that the glomerular microangiopathy of
      POEMS syndrome may occur in the context of systemic capillary leak syndrome
      superimposed on chronic endothelial injury. 

PMID- 24240712
TI  - Effect of prehospital induction of mild hypothermia on survival and neurological
      status among adults with cardiac arrest: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Hospital cooling improves outcome after cardiac arrest, but
      prehospital cooling immediately after return of spontaneous circulation may
      result in better outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prehospital cooling
      improves outcomes after resuscitation from cardiac arrest in patients with
      ventricular fibrillation (VF) and without VF. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
      A randomized clinical trial that assigned adults with prehospital cardiac arrest
      to standard care with or without prehospital cooling, accomplished by infusing up
      to 2 L of 4 degrees C normal saline as soon as possible following return of
      spontaneous circulation. Adults in King County, Washington, with prehospital
      cardiac arrest and resuscitated by paramedics were eligible and 1359 patients
      (583 with VF and 776 without VF) were randomized between December 15, 2007, and
      December 7, 2012. Patient follow-up was completed by May 1, 2013. Nearly all of
      the patients resuscitated from VF and admitted to the hospital received hospital
      cooling regardless of their randomization. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The
      primary outcomes were survival to hospital discharge and neurological status at
      discharge. RESULTS: The intervention decreased mean core temperature by 1.20
      degrees C (95% CI, -1.33 degrees C to -1.07 degrees C) in patients with VF and by
      1.30 degrees C (95% CI, -1.40 degrees C to -1.20 degrees C) in patients without
      VF by hospital arrival and reduced the time to achieve a temperature of less than
      34 degrees C by about 1 hour compared with the control group. However, survival
      to hospital discharge was similar among the intervention and control groups among
      patients with VF (62.7% [95% CI, 57.0%-68.0%] vs 64.3% [95% CI, 58.6%-69.5%],
      respectively; P = .69) and among patients without VF (19.2% [95% CI, 15.6%-23.4%]
      vs 16.3% [95% CI, 12.9%-20.4%], respectively; P = .30). The intervention was also
      not associated with improved neurological status of full recovery or mild
      impairment at discharge for either patients with VF (57.5% [95% CI, 51.8%-63.1%]
      of cases had full recovery or mild impairment vs 61.9% [95% CI, 56.2%-67.2%] of
      controls; P = .69) or those without VF (14.4% [95% CI, 11.3%-18.2%] of cases vs
      13.4% [95% CI,10.4%-17.2%] of controls; P = .30). Overall, the intervention group
      experienced rearrest in the field more than the control group (26% [95% CI, 22%
      29%] vs 21% [95% CI, 18%-24%], respectively; P = .008), as well as increased
      diuretic use and pulmonary edema on first chest x-ray, which resolved within 24
      hours after admission. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Although use of prehospital
      cooling reduced core temperature by hospital arrival and reduced the time to
      reach a temperature of 34 degrees C, it did not improve survival or neurological
      status among patients resuscitated from prehospital VF or those without VF. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00391469.

PMID- 24240716
TI  - Estimation of body postures on bed using unconstrained ECG measurements.
AB  - We developed and tested a system for estimating body postures on a bed using
      unconstrained measurements of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals using 12
      capacitively coupled electrodes and a conductive textile sheet. Thirteen healthy
      subjects participated in the experiment. After detecting the channels in contact
      with the body among the 12 electrodes, the features were extracted on the basis
      of the morphology of the QRS (Q wave, R wave, and S wave of ECG) complex using
      three main steps. The features were applied to linear discriminant analysis,
      support vector machines with linear and radial basis function (RBF) kernels, and
      artificial neural networks (one and two layers), respectively. SVM with RBF
      kernel had the highest performance with an accuracy of 98.4% for estimation of
      four body postures on the bed: supine, right lateral, prone, and left lateral.
      Overall, although ECG data were obtained from few sensors in an unconstrained
      manner, the performance was better than the results that have been reported to
      date. The developed system and algorithm can be applied to the obstructive apnea
      detection and analyses of sleep quality or sleep stages, as well as body posture
      detection for the management of bedsores. 

PMID- 24240717
TI  - Use of electromyographic and electrocardiographic signals to detect sleep bruxism
      episodes in a natural environment.
AB  - Diagnosis of bruxism is difficult since not all contractions of masticatory
      muscles during sleeping are bruxism episodes. In this paper, we propose the use
      of both EMG and ECG signals for the detection of sleep bruxism. Data have been
      acquired from 21 healthy volunteers and 21 sleep bruxers. The masseter surface
      EMGs were detected with bipolar concentric electrodes and the ECG with monopolar
      electrodes located on the clavicular regions. Recordings were made at the
      subjects' homes during sleeping. Bruxism episodes were automatically detected as
      characterized by masseter EMG amplitude greater than 10% of the maximum and heart
      rate increasing by more than 25% with respect to baseline within 1 s before the
      increase in EMG amplitude above the 10% threshold. Furthermore, the subjects were
      classified as bruxers and nonbruxers by a neural network. The number of bruxism
      episodes per night was 24.6 +/- 8.4 for bruxers and 4.3 +/- 4.5 for controls ( P
      < 0.0001). The classification error between bruxers and nonbruxers was 1% which
      was substantially lower than when using EMG only for the classification. These
      results show that the proposed system, based on the joint analysis of EMG and
      ECG, can provide support for the clinical diagnosis of bruxism. 

PMID- 24240718
TI  - An online one class support vector machine-based person-specific fall detection
      system for monitoring an elderly individual in a room environment.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a novel computer vision-based fall detection system for
      monitoring an elderly person in a home care, assistive living application.
      Initially, a single camera covering the full view of the room environment is used
      for the video recording of an elderly person's daily activities for a certain
      time period. The recorded video is then manually segmented into short video clips
      containing normal postures, which are used to compose the normal dataset. We use
      the codebook background subtraction technique to extract the human body
      silhouettes from the video clips in the normal dataset and information from
      ellipse fitting and shape description, together with position information, is
      used to provide features to describe the extracted posture silhouettes. The
      features are collected and an online one class support vector machine (OCSVM)
      method is applied to find the region in feature space to distinguish normal daily
      postures and abnormal postures such as falls. The resultant OCSVM model can also
      be updated by using the online scheme to adapt to new emerging normal postures
      and certain rules are added to reduce false alarm rate and thereby improve fall
      detection performance. From the comprehensive experimental evaluations on
      datasets for 12 people, we confirm that our proposed person-specific fall
      detection system can achieve excellent fall detection performance with 100% fall
      detection rate and only 3% false detection rate with the optimally tuned
      parameters. This work is a semiunsupervised fall detection system from a system
      perspective because although an unsupervised-type algorithm (OCSVM) is applied,
      human intervention is needed for segmenting and selecting of video clips
      containing normal postures. As such, our research represents a step toward a
      complete unsupervised fall detection system. 

PMID- 24240719
TI  - Fuzzy reasoning of accident provenance in pervasive healthcare monitoring
      systems.
AB  - In pervasive healthcare monitoring environments, data provenance, as one
      metadata, can help people analyze the reasons for medical accidents that are
      generated by complex events. This reasoning processing often encounters
      inaccurate time and irreversible reasoning problems. How to solve the uncertain
      process and fuzzy transformation time presents many challenges to the study of
      data provenance. In this paper, we propose a backward derivation model with the
      provenance semantic, backward fuzzy time reasoning net (BFTRN), to solve these
      two problems. We design a backward reasoning algorithm motivated by time
      automation theory based on this model. With regard to given life-critical alarms
      and some constraints, it cannot only derive all evolution paths and the
      possibility distribution of paths from historical information, but also
      efficiently compute the value of fuzzy time function for each transition of lift
      critical complex alarms in the healthcare monitoring system. We also analyze the
      properties of BFTRN model in this paper. Experiments on real dataset show that
      the proposed model is efficient. 

PMID- 24240720
TI  - A pervasive assessment of motor function: a lightweight grip strength tracking
      system.
AB  - With the growing cost associated with the diagnosis and treatment of chronic
      neuro-degenerative diseases, the design and development of portable monitoring
      systems becomes essential. Such portable systems will allow for early diagnosis
      of motor function ability and provide new insight into the physical
      characteristics of ailment condition. This paper introduces a highly mobile and
      inexpensive monitoring system to quantify upper-limb performance for patients
      with movement disorders. With respect to the data analysis, we first present an
      approach to quantify general motor performance using the introduced sensing
      hardware. Next, we propose an ailment-based analysis which employs a significant
      feature identification algorithm to perform cross-patient data analysis and
      classification. The efficacy of the proposed framework is demonstrated using real
      data collected through a clinical trial. The results show that the system can be
      utilized as a preliminary diagnostic tool to inspect the level of hand-movement
      performance. The ailment-based analysis performs an intergroup comparison of
      physiological signals for cerebral vascular accident (CVA) patients, chronic
      inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) patients, and healthy
      individuals. The system can classify each patient group with an accuracy of up to
      95.00% and 91.42% for CVA and CIDP, respectively. 

PMID- 24240721
TI  - Automatic tracking of aponeuroses and estimation of muscle thickness in
      ultrasonography: a feasibility study.
AB  - Muscle thickness measurement in ultrasonography was traditionally conducted by a
      trained operator, and the manual detecting process is time consuming and
      subjective. In this paper, we proposed an automatic tracking strategy to achieve
      the continuous and quantitative measurement for gastrocnemius muscle thickness in
      ultrasound images. The method involved three steps: tracking of seed points,
      contours extraction of aponeuroses, and muscle thickness estimation. In an
      ultrasound image sequence, we first selected two seed points in the first frame
      manually for the superficial and deep aponeuroses, respectively. Seed points in
      all following frames were then tracked by registering to their respective
      previous frames. Second, we adopted the local and global intensity fitting model
      to extract the contours of aponeuroses. At last, the muscle thickness was
      achieved by calculating the distance between the contours of superficial and deep
      aponeuroses. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated using 500 frames of
      ultrasound images. It was demonstrated in the experiments that the proposed
      methods could be used for objective tracking of aponeuroses and estimation of
      muscle thickness in musculoskeletal ultrasound images. 

PMID- 24240722
TI  - Diagnosis of early Alzheimer's disease based on EEG source localization and a
      standardized realistic head model.
AB  - In this paper, distributed electroencephalographic (EEG) sources in the brain
      have been mapped with the objective of early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
      (AD). To this end, records from a montage of a high-density EEG from 17 early AD
      patients and 17 matched healthy control subjects were considered. Subjects were
      in eyes-closed, resting-state condition. Cortical EEG sources were modeled by the
      standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) method.
      Relative logarithmic power spectral density values were obtained in the four
      conventional frequency bands (alpha, beta, delta, and theta) and 12 cortical
      regions. Results show that in the left brain hemisphere, the theta band of AD
      subjects shows an increase in the power, whereas the alpha band shows a decreased
      activity (P-value <0.05). In the right brain hemisphere of AD subjects, a
      decreased activity is observed in all frequency bands. It was also noticed that
      the right temporal region shows a significant difference between the two groups
      in all frequency bands. Using a support vector machine, control and patient
      groups are discriminated with an accuracy of 84.4%, sensitivity 75.0%, and
      specificity of 93.7%. 

PMID- 24240723
TI  - Hardware-efficient low-power image processing system for wireless capsule
      endoscopy.
AB  - This paper presents the design of a hardware-efficient, low-power image
      processing system for next-generation wireless endoscopy. The presented system is
      composed of a custom CMOS image sensor, a dedicated image compressor, a forward
      error correction (FEC) encoder protecting radio transmitted data against random
      and burst errors, a radio data transmitter, and a controller supervising all
      operations of the system. The most significant part of the system is the image
      compressor. It is based on an integer version of a discrete cosine transform and
      a novel, low complexity yet efficient, entropy encoder making use of an adaptive
      Golomb-Rice algorithm instead of Huffman tables. The novel hardware-efficient
      architecture designed for the presented system enables on-the-fly compression of
      the acquired image. Instant compression, together with elimination of the
      necessity of retransmitting erroneously received data by their prior FEC
      encoding, significantly reduces the size of the required memory in comparison to
      previous systems. The presented system was prototyped in a single, low-power, 65
      nm field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) chip. Its power consumption is low and
      comparable to other application-specific-integrated-circuits-based systems,
      despite FPGA-based implementation. 

PMID- 24240724
TI  - A watermarking-based medical image integrity control system and an image moment
      signature for tampering characterization.
AB  - In this paper, we present a medical image integrity verification system to detect
      and approximate local malevolent image alterations (e.g., removal or addition of
      lesions) as well as identifying the nature of a global processing an image may
      have undergone (e.g., lossy compression, filtering, etc.). The proposed integrity
      analysis process is based on nonsignificant region watermarking with signatures
      extracted from different pixel blocks of interest, which are compared with the
      recomputed ones at the verification stage. A set of three signatures is proposed.
      The first two devoted to detection and modification location are cryptographic
      hashes and checksums, while the last one is issued from the image moment theory.
      In this paper, we first show how geometric moments can be used to approximate any
      local modification by its nearest generalized 2-D Gaussian. We then demonstrate
      how ratios between original and recomputed geometric moments can be used as image
      features in a classifier-based strategy in order to determine the nature of a
      global image processing. Experimental results considering both local and global
      modifications in MRI and retina images illustrate the overall performances of our
      approach. With a pixel block signature of about 200 bit long, it is possible to
      detect, to roughly localize, and to get an idea about the image tamper. 

PMID- 24240725
TI  - Fully unsupervised M-FISH chromosome image characterization.
AB  - Chromosome analysis is an important and difficult task for clinical diagnosis and
      biological research. A color imaging technique, multiplex fluorescent in situ
      hybridization (M-FISH), has been developed to ease the analysis of the process.
      Using an M-FISH technique each chromosome class (1,2, ...,22,X,Y) is stained with
      a unique color. However, significant variations between images are observed due
      to a number of factors such as uneven hybridization and spectral overlap among
      channels. These types of variations influence the pixel classification accuracy
      of image classification methods which are supervised and require a set of
      annotated images for training. In this paper, we present a fully unsupervised M
      FISH chromosome image classification methodology. Our main contributions are 1)
      the assumption that the intensity of a chromosome pixel is sampled from multiple
      Gaussian components [Gaussian mixture model (GMM)] such that each component
      corresponds to one chromosome class, and 2) the initialization of the GMM model
      using the emission information of each chromosome class. This is feasible since
      prior to the M-FISH image acquirement, we already know which chromosome class is
      emitting to each of the five M-FISH image channels. The method has been tested on
      a large number of M-FISH images and an overall accuracy of 89.85% is reported.
      Our method is unsupervised and presents higher classification accuracy even when
      it is compared with common supervised based methods. Since the developed
      classification method does not require training data, it is highly convenient
      when ground truth does not exist. 

PMID- 24240726
TI  - Low CADM2 expression predicts high recurrence risk of hepatocellular carcinoma
      patients after hepatectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of CADM2 in
      hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). METHODS: The level of expression of CADM2 mRNA
      was assessed in frozen tumor specimens and adjacent noncancerous tissues from 30
      HCC patients by real-time PCR. The protein level was determined by
      immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray containing tumor and adjacent
      noncancerous tissues from 234 HCC patients. Clinicopathological characteristics
      associated analysis was performed through SPSS18 . RESULTS: CADM2 was strikingly
      down regulated in HCC. CADM2 expression was associated with differentiation (P =
      0.000), serum alpha-fetoprotein (P = 0.003), vascular invasion (P = 0.001), and
      hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, P = 0.038). Furthermore, patients with low
      CADM2 expression had significantly poorer recurrence-free survival (RFS) (40.8
      and 34.2 % vs. 56.3 and 50.1 % in 3- and 5-year RFS, respectively, P = 0.005).
      Subgroup analysis revealed that the difference in RFS between groups with low-
      and high-CADM2 expression still existed among patients belonging to stage 0 or A
      of BCLC staging system (P = 0.008), patients with tumor <=5 cm in size (P =
      0.013), and alpha-fetoprotein-negative patients (P = 0.003). Moreover, low
      expression was more frequently observed in the early recurrence group (within 2
      years, P = 0.007). Further multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that
      CADM2 expression level, tumor size, tumor number, vascular invasion, HBsAg were
      independent risk factors for HCC recurrence. CONCLUSION: CADM2 serves as a novel
      predictor of RFS in HCC patients after curative resection.

PMID- 24240727
TI  - Toxicology testing in fatally injured workers: a review of five years of Iowa
      FACE cases.
AB  - Toxicology testing of fatally injured workers is not routinely conducted. We
      completed a case-series study of 2005-2009 occupational fatalities captured by
      Iowa's Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. The goals of
      our research were to: (1) measure the proportion of FACE cases that undergo
      toxicology testing, and describe the factors associated with being tested, and
      (2) measure the rate of positive toxicology tests, the substances identified and
      the demographics and occupations of victims who tested positive. Case documents
      and toxicology laboratory reports were reviewed. There were 427 occupational
      deaths from 2005 to 2009. Only 69% underwent toxicology testing. Younger workers
      had greater odds of being tested. Among occupational groups, workers in farming,
      fishing and forestry had half the odds of being tested compared to other
      occupational groups. Of the 280 cases with toxicology tests completed, 22% (n =
      61) were found to have positive toxicology testing. Commonly identified drug
      classes included cannabinoids and alcohols. Based on the small number of positive
      tests, older victims (65+ years) tested positive more frequently than younger
      workers. Management, business, science, arts, service and sales/office workers
      had proportionately more positive toxicology tests (almost 30%) compared with
      other workers (18-22%). These results identify an area in need of further
      research efforts and a potential target for injury prevention strategies. 

PMID- 24240728
TI  - Methods for recovering microorganisms from solid surfaces used in the food
      industry: a review of the literature.
AB  - Various types of surfaces are used today in the food industry, such as plastic,
      stainless steel, glass, and wood. These surfaces are subject to contamination by
      microorganisms responsible for the cross-contamination of food by contact with
      working surfaces. The HACCP-based processes are now widely used for the control
      of microbial hazards to prevent food safety issues. This preventive approach has
      resulted in the use of microbiological analyses of surfaces as one of the tools
      to control the hygiene of products. A method of recovering microorganisms from
      different solid surfaces is necessary as a means of health prevention. No
      regulation exists for surface microbial contamination, but food companies tend to
      establish technical specifications to add value to their products and limit
      contamination risks. The aim of this review is to present the most frequently
      used methods: swabbing, friction or scrubbing, printing, rinsing or immersion,
      sonication and scraping or grinding and describe their advantages and drawbacks.
      The choice of the recovery method has to be suitable for the type and size of the
      surface tested for microbiological analysis. Today, quick and cheap methods have
      to be standardized and especially easy to perform in the field. 

PMID- 24240730
TI  - Acute compartment syndrome after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

PMID- 24240729
TI  - Cardiac myosin-binding protein C: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutations and
      structure-function relationships.
AB  - Cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) research has been characterized by two
      waves. Initial interest was piqued by its discovery in 1973 as a contaminant of
      myosin preparations from skeletal muscle. The second wave started in 1995 by the
      discovery that mutations in the gene encoding cMyBP-C cause hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy (HCM). In this review, we will address what is known of cMyBP-C's
      role as a regulator of contraction as well as its role in HCM. 

PMID- 24240731
TI  - Left ventricular assist device management in the ICU.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To review left ventricular assist device physiology, initial
      postoperative management, common complications, trouble shooting and management
      of hypotension, and other common ICU problems. DATA SOURCE: Narrative review of
      relevant medical literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: Left ventricular assist devices
      prolong the lives of patients with end-stage heart failure, and their use is
      increasing. Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices have replaced first
      generation pulsatile devices. These patients present unique management concerns.
      In the immediate postimplant period, care must be taken to support the unassisted
      right ventricle. Invasive monitors for blood pressure, pulmonary artery
      catheterization, and echocardiography are essential to optimize left ventricular
      assist device settings and cardiac performance. Anticoagulation is necessary to
      prevent devastating thrombotic and embolic complications, but bleeding is a major
      source of morbidity due to inherent bleeding diatheses and prescribed
      anticoagulants. Infection of the device can be life threatening, and all
      infections must be aggressively treated to avoid seeding the device. Patients are
      at risk of ventricular arrhythmias because of their underlying disease, as well
      as the placement and position of the inflow cannula. Aortic valve stenosis and
      insufficiency develop over time and can lead to thrombosis or heart failure.
      Cardiopulmonary resuscitation with chest compressions must be performed with care
      or not at all due to risk of dislodging the device. CONCLUSION: Intensivists are
      increasingly likely to encounter patients requiring mechanical circulatory
      support with left ventricular assist devices at various points in the trajectory
      of their disease, from the immediate postimplant period to subsequent admissions
      for complications, and at end of life. A basic understanding of left ventricular
      assist device physiology is essential to the safe and effective care of these
      patients.

PMID- 24240732
TI  - Beyond newborn survival: the world you are born into determines your risk of
      disability-free survival.

PMID- 24240734
TI  - Systems biology of primary CNS lymphoma: from genetic aberrations to modeling in
      mice.
AB  - Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS, PCNSL) is a specific diffuse
      large B cell lymphoma entity arising in and confined to the CNS. Despite
      extensive research since many decades, the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the
      remarkable tropism of this peculiar malignant hematopoietic tumor remain still to
      be elucidated. In the present review, we summarize the present knowledge on the
      genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of the tumor cells of PCNSL, give an
      overview over deregulated molecular pathways in PCNSL and present recent progress
      in the field of preclinical modeling of PCNSL in mice. With regard to the
      phenotype, PCNSL cells resemble late germinal center exit IgM+IgD+ B cells with
      blocked terminal B cell differentiation. They show continued BCL6 activity in
      line with ongoing activity of the germinal center program. This together with the
      pathways deregulated by genetic alterations may foster B cell activation and
      brisk proliferation, which correlated with the simultaneous MYC and BCL2
      overexpression characteristic for PCNSL. On the genetic level, PCNSL are
      characterized by ongoing aberrant somatic hypermutation that, besides the IG
      locus, targets the PAX5, TTF, MYC, and PIM1 genes. Moreover, PCNSL cells show
      impaired IG class switch due to sMU region deletions, and PRDM1 mutations.
      Several important pathways, i.e., the B cell receptor (BCR), the toll-like
      receptor, and the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway, are activated frequently due to
      genetic changes affecting genes like CD79B, SHIP, CBL, BLNK, CARD11, MALT1, BCL2,
      and MYD88. These changes likely foster tumor cell survival. Nevertheless, many of
      these features are also present in subsets of systemic DLBLC and might not be the
      only reasons for the peculiar tropism of PCNSL. Here, preclinical animal models
      that closely mimic the clinical course and neuropathology of human PCNSL may
      provide further insight and we discuss recent advances in this field. Such models
      enable us to understand the pathogenetic interaction between the malignant B
      cells, resident cell populations of the CNS, and the associated inflammatory
      infiltrate. Indeed, the immunophenotype of the CNS as well as tumor cell
      characteristics and intracerebral interactions may create a micromilieu
      particularly conducive to PCNSL that may foster aggressiveness of tumor cells and
      accelerate the fatal course of disease. Suitable animal models may also serve as
      a well-defined preclinical system and may provide a useful tool for developing
      new specific therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 24240736
TI  - Neuropathology of cigarette smoking.
AB  - It is well established that cigarette smoking is hazardous to health and is a
      risk factor for many chronic diseases. However, its impact on the brain, whether
      it be from prenatal exposure to maternal cigarette smoking, cerebrovascular
      disease, Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Parkinson's disease, is still not very
      clear. Neuroimaging and neuropathological investigations suggest that there are
      heterogeneous effects of cigarette smoking on the brain. On the one hand, it is
      quite clear that cigarette smoking causes damage to endothelial cells, resulting
      in increased risk of cerebrovascular disease. On the other hand, it seems to be
      associated with different Alzheimer's pathologies in post-mortem brains and
      experimental models, despite the fact that epidemiological studies clearly
      indicate a positive correlation between cigarette smoking and increased risk for
      AD. Interestingly, cigarette smoking appears to be associated with reduced
      Parkinson's pathology in post-mortem brains. However, although nicotine in
      cigarettes may have some neuroprotective actions, the effects of all the other
      toxic compounds in cigarettes cannot be ignored. It is, therefore, our aim to
      summarize what is known about the neuropathology of cigarette smoking and, in
      particular, its implications for neurodegenerative diseases. 

PMID- 24240735
TI  - The role of pro-inflammatory S100A9 in Alzheimer's disease amyloid
      neuroinflammatory cascade.
AB  - Pro-inflammatory S100A9 protein is increasingly recognized as an important
      contributor to inflammation-related neurodegeneration. Here, we provide insights
      into S100A9 specific mechanisms of action in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Due to its
      inherent amyloidogenicity S100A9 contributes to amyloid plaque formation together
      with Abeta. In traumatic brain injury (TBI) S100A9 itself rapidly forms amyloid
      plaques, which were reactive with oligomer-specific antibodies, but not with
      Abeta and amyloid fibrillar antibodies. They may serve as precursor-plaques for
      AD, implicating TBI as an AD risk factor. S100A9 was observed in some hippocampal
      and cortical neurons in TBI, AD and non-demented aging. In vitro S100A9 forms
      neurotoxic linear and annular amyloids resembling Abeta protofilaments. S100A9
      amyloid cytotoxicity and native S100A9 pro-inflammatory signaling can be
      mitigated by its co-aggregation with Abeta, which results in a variety of micron
      scale amyloid complexes. NMR and molecular docking demonstrated transient
      interactions between native S100A9 and Abeta. Thus, abundantly present in AD
      brain pro-inflammatory S100A9, possessing also intrinsic amyloidogenic properties
      and ability to modulate Abeta aggregation, can serve as a link between the AD
      amyloid and neuroinflammatory cascades and as a prospective therapeutic target. 

PMID- 24240738
TI  - Relationship between contents of leucoanthocyanidin and dhurrin in sorghum
      leaves.
AB  - Flag leaves of 'Colman' forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) contain at least 25
      times as much leucoanthocyanidin (LAC) and approximately half as much of the
      cyanogenic glucoside, dhurrin, as do flag leaves of 'White Collier' forage
      sorghum. Assays of flag leaves from 119 F2 plants and 11 F5 lines from crosses
      between these two cultivars revealed a statistically significant negative
      association between levels of LAC and dhurrin. Both LAC and dhurrin are aromatic
      compounds, and the negative association between the two may be the result of
      competition for intermediates or products of the aromatic biosynthetic pathway.
      This rationale appears to be quite different from that for the negative
      association reported for levels of tannin and cyanide in Lotus corniculatus.
      Although the negative relationship between LAC and dhurrin in sorghum was
      statistically significant, the association was not consistent enough to suggest
      that either trait could be used reliably in selecting or breeding to modify the
      other trait. 

PMID- 24240737
TI  - Staging TDP-43 pathology in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - TDP-43 immunoreactivity occurs in 19-57 % of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. Two
      patterns of TDP-43 deposition in AD have been described involving hippocampus
      (limbic) or hippocampus and neocortex (diffuse), although focal amygdala
      involvement has been observed. In 195 AD cases with TDP-43, we investigated
      regional TDP-43 immunoreactivity with the aim of developing a TDP-43 in AD
      staging scheme. TDP-43 immunoreactivity was assessed in amygdala, entorhinal
      cortex, subiculum, hippocampal dentate gyrus, occipitotemporal, inferior temporal
      and frontal cortices, and basal ganglia. Clinical, neuroimaging, genetic and
      pathological characteristics were assessed across stages. Five stages were
      identified: stage I showed scant-sparse TDP-43 in the amygdala only (17 %); stage
      II showed moderate-frequent amygdala TDP-43 with spread into entorhinal and
      subiculum (25 %); stage III showed further spread into dentate gyrus and
      occipitotemporal cortex (31 %); stage IV showed further spread into inferior
      temporal cortex (20 %); and stage V showed involvement of frontal cortex and
      basal ganglia (7 %). Cognition and medial temporal volumes differed across all
      stages and progression across stages correlated with worsening cognition and
      medial temporal volume loss. Compared to 147 AD patients without TDP-43, only the
      Boston Naming Test showed abnormalities in stage I. The findings demonstrate that
      TDP-43 deposition in AD progresses in a stereotypic manner that can be divided
      into five distinct topographic stages which are supported by correlations with
      clinical and neuroimaging features. Given these findings, we recommend sequential
      regional TDP-43 screening in AD beginning with the amygdala.

PMID- 24240739
TI  - Characterization of biomass production, cytology and phenotypes of plants
      regenerated from embryogenic callus cultures of Pennisetum americanum x P.
      purpureum (hybrid triploid napiergrass).
AB  - Five hundred and twenty-four plants of a triploid, sexually sterile hybrid
      napiergrass (Pennisetum americanum x P. purpureum; 3x=21) were regenerated from
      embryogenic callus cultures obtained from segments of young inflorescences.
      Replicated field trials were conducted for two consecutive years to compare the
      biomass yield, phenotype and cytology of tissue culture regenerants (TC) and
      vegetatively propagated (V) plants. In the first year total biomass yield of TC
      plants was significantly greater than V plants but there was no significant
      difference in the second year. TC plants had more tillers compared to V plants. V
      plants did not show any morphological variability. The TC population also
      exhibited a high degree of phenotypic stability (96%). There were 23 phenotypic
      variants in the TC population of 524, most of them being more dwarf and late
      flowering. Detailed morphological analysis of the TC-variant plants suggests that
      they very likely arose from only a few variant cell lines. Cytological analysis
      indicated stability of the triploid status in randomly selected regenerants. Two
      of the morphological variants were hexaploids (6x=42). It is concluded that
      embryogenic callus cultures can provide useful alternative for the rapid
      propagation of hybrid napier-grass which is commonly propagated by cuttings. 

PMID- 24240740
TI  - Transformation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants with Agrobacterium
      rhizogenes.
AB  - Transgenic cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L., cv. 'Straight Eight') were
      regenerated from roots induced by inoculation of inverted hypocotyl sections with
      Agrobacterium rhizogenes containing the vector pARC8 in addition to the resident
      Ri-plasmid. The DNA transferred to the plant from the vector (T-DNA) included a
      gene which encoded the enzyme neomycin phosphotransferase II, and thus conferred
      on the plant cells resistance to kanamycin. The transgenic plants looked normal
      and were positive for the neomycin phosphotransferase II. Southern blot analysis
      of the transgenic plants revealed that all plants contained vector DNA, but only
      some of them contained DNA from the Ri plasmid. 

PMID- 24240741
TI  - Haploid and diploid plant regeneration from protoplasts of anther callus in rice.
AB  - The regeneration of haploid and diploid plants was demonstrated from protoplasts
      that were isolated from cell suspensions of anther callus in rice. The cell
      suspension in the AA medium that contained 4 amino acids as the sole nitrogen
      source was friable, finely dispersed, and readily released a large number of
      protoplasts. These protoplasts, subsequently cultured in NO3 medium that
      contained nitrate as the sole nitrogen source, formed compact calli. The compact
      calli produced green plants with a frequency of 24%. Out of 15 flowering plants,
      4 were haploids, the others were diploids which showed a uniform morphology but
      varied in seed fertility from 95 to 0%. 

PMID- 24240742
TI  - Nuclear DNA changes within Helianthus annuus L.: cytophotometric, karyological
      and biochemical analyses.
AB  - Cytophotometric measurement of the root meristems of seedlings after Feulgen
      staining reveals that large differences (up to 58.16%) in nuclear DNA content may
      occur in the thirty-one cultivated varieties or lines of Helianthus annuus
      tested. Significant variations (not exceeding 25%) in the amount of DNA, which
      does not differ between the root and the shoot meristems of a single seedling,
      are also found to exist within cultivars or lines; even seedlings obtained from
      seeds collected from different portions of single heads of plants belonging to a
      selfed line may vary one from the other in this respect. Variations in the number
      of chromosomes or alterations in the chromosome structure do not account for the
      differences observed in nuclear DNA content. Karyometric analyses demonstrate
      that the surface area of squashed interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosomes and
      the total length of the latter increase with the increase in Feulgen/DNA
      absorption. DNA thermal denaturation and reassociation kinetics indicate that a
      frequency variation in repeated DNA sequences goes hand in hand with changes in
      the size of the genome. These results, supporting the concept that a plant genome
      is highly flexible, are discussed in relation to other data to be found in the
      literature on the intraspecific variation in the nuclear DNA content and in
      relation to the way in which it is produced in H. annuus. 

PMID- 24240743
TI  - A comparison between the full diallel cross and the simplified triple-test cross.
AB  - The simplified triple-test cross (sTTC) is a mating design that, because of its
      economic use of the experimental material as compared with other designs, seems
      very attractive. In theory, its power is almost equal to that of more elaborate
      designs such as the diallel cross. To evaluate the merits of both designs in a
      genetic analysis of mouse behavior, the results of a previous replicated 4*4
      diallel cross (Crusio and van Abeelen 1986) were reanalyzed as a sTTC. We found
      that, at least with the fairly low number of strains employed, the sTTC analysis
      is clearly inferior to the diallel cross. This finding, in combination with some
      theoretical considerations, leads to the conclusion that the sTTC design is not a
      very useful one for such studies. 

PMID- 24240744
TI  - Characterization and localization of cryptic satellite DNAs in barley (Hordeum
      vulgare).
AB  - Three satellites on the heavy side of the main band and two satellites on the
      light side were isolated in a pure from by preparative ultracentrifugation of H.
      vulgare DNA in Ag(+)/Cs2SO4 density gradients. The satellites were characterised
      in terms of their buoyant densities in CsCl and their thermal dissocation
      temperature in both native and reassociated forms to Cot 4. In CsCl gradients,
      heavy satellites formed a single peak whereas light satellites resolved into more
      than one component. Thermal transitions of some satellites indicated the presence
      of more than one molecular species. The multicomponent nature of thermal
      denaturation profiles was evident on differential analysis. Radioactive RNAs
      complementary to the three heavy satellites of H. vulgare were localised by in
      situ hybridization onto its nuclei and chromosomes. One heavy satellite (H3) was
      found to be distributed on all chromosomes, although one pair showed less
      hybridization compared to the others. The other satellite (H1) appeared to be
      present in a much lower amount on the chromosomes. 

PMID- 24240745
TI  - Analysis and in situ hybridization of cryptic satellites in Hordeum arizonicum.
AB  - Three satellites, one (H1) on the heavy side of the main band of Hordeum
      arizonicum DNA and two (L1, L2) on the lighter side were purified using
      preparative silver-cesium sulphate density gradients. The native and the
      reassociated satellite DNAs were analysed in terms of buoyant densities and
      thermal dissociation. In cesium chloride gradients the H1 and L1 satellites
      formed single peaks corresponding to buoyant densities of 1.700 and 1.701 g . cm(
      3) respectively while the L2 satellite gave two peaks (1.680 and 1.661 g . cm(
      3)). The H1 satellite showed three thermal components (Tm=82.5  degrees C, 87 
      degrees C and 91.5  degrees C) while the L1 and L2 had three (86.5, 92, 97.5 
      degrees C) and two (86, 95  degrees C) respectively. The H1 satellite was
      localized on the nuclei and chromosomes. The distribution of H1 onto
      approximately on third of the complement may reflect the genome specific origin
      of this satellite. 

PMID- 24240746
TI  - Pollen gene expression analysed by micro-isoelectric focusing of proteins from
      isolated pollen grains in Cucurbita pepo L.
AB  - Isoelectric focusing of proteins from single pollen grains of Cucurbita pepo L.
      has been developed for large scale study of pollen grain populations'
      heterogeneity. Forty to forty-five protein bands from one pollen grain are
      revealed after silver staining. Applications of this technique to pollen grain
      populations from different genotypes are described in this paper. Possible
      applications and limits of this technique are discussed with respect to plant
      breeding especially for the measure of gene frequencies in pollen grain
      populations. 

PMID- 24240747
TI  - Theoretical studies on the necessary number of components in mixtures : 4. Number
      of components and juvenile-mature correlations.
AB  - Theoretical studies on the necessary numbers of components in mixtures (for
      example multiclonal varieties or mixtures of lines) have been performed according
      to the relations between the juvenile-mature correlations of mixtures and their
      number of components. For the juvenile-mature correlation rE based upon the
      values of the single components (= component means at juvenile and mature ages)
      and the juvenile-mature correlation rM based upon the means of mixtures of
      different components we usually will have rM>rE. Furthermore, rM will increase
      with an increasing number of components in the mixtures. The effectiveness of an
      early selection will be mainly determined by the magnitude of the juvenile-mature
      correlation. If we have rM>rE an improvement of early testing can be realized by
      using mixtures instead of single components. But, what are the necessary numbers
      of components so that rM will be sufficiently high to enable an effective early
      selection of mixtures? Some relations between rE and rM can be obtained and
      conclusions have been derived.The statistical approach 'significant difference
      between rE and rM for a given numerical value of rM' leads to estimates for the
      necessary number n of components dependent on rM, alpha, rE and N where: N =
      total number of components, which are available for the composition of mixtures
      and alpha = error probability. For different tree species rE can be estimated by
      an appropriate formula which depends on T with T = time (in years) from planting
      date until the mature age.Lambeth's formula, for example, has been developed for
      height growth in pines. For this situation numerical calculations are performed
      using rM=0.90 and alpha=0.05. The necessary numbers n for T=5, T=10, T=20 and
      T=50 are: 6, 9, 10 and 12 (for N=50); 13, 17, 20 and 23 (for N=100); 26, 34, 40
      and 46 (for N=200); 38, 51, 60 and 69 (for N=300); 64, 85, 100 and 114 (for
      N=500) and 128, 171, 199 and 228 (for N=1,000). The dependence of these necessary
      numbers n of components on different type I errors alpha and different levels of
      rM have been investigated numerically. 

PMID- 24240748
TI  - Growth to sexual maturity of dwarf and nondwarf White Rock chickens divergently
      selected for juvenile body weight.
AB  - Growth from hatching to the onset of lay (sexual maturity) was studied in White
      Plymouth Rock pullets from lines selected for high (HN) and low (LN) 56-day body
      weight, their reciprocal F1 crosses, an F2 cross, and two dwarf populations
      originating from the HN and LN parental lines. The highest R(2)s for describing
      growth for all populations except HN were obtained when body weight was expressed
      relative to body weight at sexual maturity. Modes of inheritance differed
      depending on whether patterns of growth were expressed in a chronological time
      frame or on a physiological basis. Heterosis observed for age at sexual maturity
      and for body weight after the age when selection was made was not in evidence
      when ages and weights were expressed as a proportion of those at sexual maturity.

PMID- 24240749
TI  - Chromosomal alterations in the karyotype of triticale in comparison with the
      parental forms : 2. Heterochromatin of the wheat chromosomes.
AB  - Wheat chromosomes of the primary winter hexaploid and octoploid triticales and of
      the parental durum and common wheat varieties were studied using morphometric
      analysis. The size of some heterochromatic segments was shown to change in
      triticale. Telomeric and intercalary C-bands both increased and decreased in size
      whereas centromeric bands only increased. The size variability of C-bands in
      triticale B-genome chromosomes decreased in most of the cases and increased only
      for several specific C-bands. The C-bands of homologous B-genome chromosomes
      changed in the same direction in both triticale forms. The changes in size of the
      C-bands found in R-genome chromosomes detected earlier in these triticale forms
      (Badaeva et al. 1986) were shown to coincide in their pattern with the size
      changes of C-bands in homeological B-genome chromosomes. Our data are indicative
      of regular, directed chromosomal changes in the triticale karyotype. 

PMID- 24240750
TI  - Recombination and genome size.
AB  - Within complements the chiasma frequency per chromosome, which directly reflects
      the amount of recombination, is generally closely correlated with chromosome
      length, i.e. the chromosomal DNA content. The correlation does not apply when
      comparisons are made between the complements of different species. Analyses of
      results from three Angiosperm genera show a progressive decrease in the chiasma
      frequency per picogram of DNA with increase in nuclear DNA amount. 

PMID- 24240751
TI  - The search for hidden enzymatic variation in the aphid Macrosiphum rosae (L.).
AB  - Using two different buffer systems and up to 6 different electrophoretic
      polyacrylamide gel concentrations, hidden enzymatic variability was investigated
      in samples of the rose aphid Macrosiphum rosae. MDH1, PGM1, SDH, EST and LAP were
      found to be polymorphic. No additional variation was observed by changing the
      test conditions compared to those of earlier investigations using starch gel
      electrophoresis. 

PMID- 24240752
TI  - Variation and inheritance of the arachin polypeptides of groundnut (Arachis
      hypogaea L.).
AB  - Variation in the arachin polypeptides of groundnut genotypes was observed by
      sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Three
      regions could be observed on the electropherogram. Region 1, corresponding to
      conarachin, did not show any variation; region 2, consisting of arachin acidic
      subunits, showed variation; region 3, containing the arachin basic subunits, did
      not show any variation. There are four varietal classes of arachin polypeptide
      patterns: class A comprised three acidic subunits of arachin of molecular weights
      47.5, 45.1 and 42.6 kd and a basic subunit of 21.4 kd; class B, with three acidic
      subunits of molecular weights 47.5, 45.1 and 41.2 kd and a basic subunit of 21.4
      kd; class C of an additive pattern of class A and class B; class D, of two acidic
      polypeptides of 47.5, 45.1 kd and the basic 21.4 kd subunit. Of the 90 genotypes
      studied, 73% belong to class A, 15% to class B and 6% each to class C and D.
      Analysis of F2 seeds from a cross between class A and class B genotypes showed
      that the two polypeptides (42.6 kd and 41.2 kd) are coded by nonallelic genes and
      also revealed that class C and class D patterns arose as a result of
      hybridisation between class A and class B. A. monticola, the progenitor of A.
      hypogaea, showed a pattern similar to the additive pattern of class A and class B
      while some diploid Arachis species had the 41.2 kd polypeptide. Based on arachin
      polypeptide patterns the probable origin of A. hypogaea has been suggested. 

PMID- 24240753
TI  - Estimates of heritability and correlations of morphometric traits in Clarkia
      (Onagraceae).
AB  - Interspecific heritability values were estimated using parent-offspring
      regression analyses for 11 morphological traits differentiating Clarkia nitens
      and C. speciosa subsp. polyantha. Estimates ranged from near 0 for anther color
      and germination percentage, to 0.8 for calyx length and petal tip color.
      Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlation matrices were computed to
      determine the extent of interspecific correlations of traits. Cluster analyses of
      the genetic and environmental correlation matrices each resulted in three
      clusters of correlated traits; however, the clusters derived from the two
      matrices were different. The clusters produced by analysis of the environmental
      correlation matrix were similar to the factors obtained from principal component
      analysis of the phenotypic correlation matrix. Genetic correlations may result
      from strong linkage due to interspecific chromosomal differences. 

PMID- 24240754
TI  - Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of chloroplast gene
      expression in Petunia hybrida.
AB  - To study the control of differential gene expression during plastid biogenesis in
      Petunia hybrida, we have investigated the in vivo translation and transcription
      of the rbc L gene, coding for the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate
      carboxylase (LSU), and the psa A gene, coding for P700 chlorophyll-a apoprotein
      (AP700). Differential expression of these plastid-encoded genes was studied in
      two developmentally different plastid systems, proplastid-like organelles from
      the green cell suspension AK2401 and mature chloroplasts from green leaves. In
      vivo translation of rbc L and psa A transcripts was analysed using specific
      antibodies. Specific transcript levels were analysed using internal fragments of
      the rbc L and psa A genes. A standardization procedure was used so that a direct
      correlation could be made between the amount of products and gene copy number. In
      Petunia hybrida the amount of LSU polypeptides present in both plastid types does
      not correspond to the amount of specific mRNA for the gene. Although the rbc L
      transcripts are present in both plastid types, the LSU protein is only present in
      green leaf plastids and not in cell culture plastids. In vitro translation of
      isolated rbc L transcripts give similar results, thereby suggesting that
      differences in the primary structure of the transcripts are responsible for the
      observed discrepancy. In contrast to this, the amount of AP700 polypeptides does
      correspond to the amount of the psa A transcripts. Therefore, our results
      indicate that the expression of chloroplast genes during plastid biogenesis takes
      place on at least two different levels: expression of the rbc L gene is regulated
      post-transcriptionally while expression of the psa A gene is regulated at the
      transcriptional level. 

PMID- 24240755
TI  - Linkage disequilibrium and gametophytic self-incompatibility.
AB  - The approach to linkage equilibrium of a locus linked to the locus determining
      gametophytic self-incompatibility (S) is considered. For the simplest case of
      three alleles at the S locus and two at the linked locus it is necessary to
      consider 3 measures of linkage disequilibrium. These are found to approach their
      equilibrium value of zero in one of three ways: 1) steadily declining to zero; 2)
      oscillating as decline proceeds; 3) a combination: 2) followed by 1). Linkage
      equilibrium may be established before genotype frequencies reach their
      expectation under random crossing. Earlier studies (Li 1951; Moran 1962) of the
      approach to S allele equilibrium have been based on the assumption that all types
      of pollen take part in fertilizations equally frequently. Such an assumption
      leads to simpler expressions for changes in S gene frequencies but is extremely
      unrealistic and, in particular, leads to a different rate of approach to
      equilibrium from the more comprehensive model. It is shown that even in the
      absence of selection it is not possible to predict the equilibrium gene frequency
      of a linked locus until S allele equilibrium is reached. This frequency may be
      either higher or lower than that calculated from a gene count in the starting
      genotype pool. However, these two gene frequencies may stabilize long before
      linkage equilibrium is achieved. An examination of selection against one genotype
      at the linked locus is undertaken. If linkage is complete, lethality can be less
      effective at reducing the gene frequency than is less intense selection (in only
      a few generations of selection). Here too linkage equilibrium may be established
      with selection still effective in bringing about a decline in gene frequency. An
      examination of the analysis and conclusions of Rasmuson (1980) shows that because
      these were based on the inadequate formulae previously discussed and exclude
      phenomena discussed above, they are misleading. The possibility of a gametophytic
      self-incompatibility system providing a sufficient condition for the sheltering
      of lethals in the absence of the condition of complete linkage to the S locus
      (r=0) is shown to be unlikely. 

PMID- 24240756
TI  - Some genetic consequences of skewed fecundity distributions in plants.
AB  - Most plant populations show a "skewedrd distribution of fecundity amongst their
      members, in contrast to the poisson distribution assumed by most population
      genetical theory. We examine by simulation the consequences of skewed fecundity
      for plant evolution when combined with sieve selection. In comparison with
      poisson-based theory, plant populations are likely to show a faster response to
      selection, especially when the favoured allele is at a low frequency. Selection
      against a deleterious immigrant allele will also be more effective, reducing its
      equilibrium frequency in a population. In the special case of heterozygote
      disadvantage traits will evolve that could not under poisson theory. However,
      random variation is also higher, giving a 10-plant population an effective
      population size of about 6.4 under poisson theory. The conclusions are not
      qualitatively changed by different assumptions on the exact shape of the
      fecundity distribution, or on heritability, or on reproduction by the smallest
      plants of the population. 

PMID- 24240757
TI  - Meiotic pairing and alpha-amylase phenotype in a 5B/5R(m) Triticum aestivum -
      Secale montanum translocation line in common wheat.
AB  - A 5BS/5R(m)S translocation chromosome spontaneously recovered from a 'Chinese
      Spring' - Secale montanum wheat-rye telocentric 5R(m)S addition line has been
      identified and cytologically studied using C-banding in somatic and meiotic
      cells. Analysis of the translocated chromosome showed that a terminal segment of
      the short arm of 5B had been replaced by a short terminal region of chromosome
      arm 5R(m)S. The translocation led to the deletion of the genetic system promoting
      pairing located in 5BS, which is slightly compensated for when doses of 5R(m)S
      are increased, indicating homoeology to wheat chromosome 5BS. The alpha-amylase
      phenotype in 5B/5R(m) translocated material was studied and found to be identical
      to that of ditelocentric line 5BL of 'Chinese Spring'. An effect on the alpha
      amylase activity was detected as a result of the removal of the terminal region
      of 5BS, perhaps as a consequence of variation in dormancy period duration. 

PMID- 24240758
TI  - Different AT-rich satellite DNAs in Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita maxima.
AB  - The AT-rich highly repeated satellite DNA of Cucurbita pepo (zucchini) and
      Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin) were cloned and their DNA structure was investigated.
      DNA sequencing revealed that the repeat length of satellite DNA in Cucurbita pepo
      is 349-352 base pairs. The percentage of AT-base pairs is about 61%. This
      satellite is highly conserved in restriction enzyme pattern and DNA sequence;
      sequence heterogeneity is about 10%. In contrast, the satellite DNA of Cucurbita
      maxima has a repeat length of 168-169 base pairs. This satellite is also rich in
      AT-base pairs (64%), existing in at least three different variants as revealed by
      restriction enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing. The sequence heterogeneity
      between these variants is about 15%. The two satellite DNAs showed no cross
      hybridization to each other and sequence homology is only limited. Nevertheless,
      we found in the C. pepo genome a high amount of sequences resembling the
      satellite of C. maxima. In contrast, the satellite repeat of C. pepo is found in
      the C. maxima DNA only in a few copies. These observations were discussed with
      respect to satellite DNA evolution and compared to the data received from
      monocotyledonous species. 

PMID- 24240759
TI  - Extent of heterosis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under cold stress conditions -
      yield and its components.
AB  - The nature and extent of heterosis for grain yield and its component characters
      was estimated in a seven-parent F1-diallel cross in rice under the cold stress
      conditions of Palampur, representing sub-temperate climate of the mid hills of
      Himachal Pradesh. The highest heterotic effects for grain yield were observed in
      'Himalaya 1'/'Phul Patas 72' and 'China 988'/'Himdhan' hybrids, which gave 60.36
      and 32.48% heterosis, respectively, over mid parent, 38.76 and 26.86% heterosis,
      respectively, over high parent and 32.30 and 26.86% heterosis, respectively, over
      the best variety, 'Himdhan'. Heterosis for grain yield in these crosses was due
      to an increase in tiller number, panicle length, spikelets/panicle and 1,000
      grain weight. Large number of crosses exhibited significant heterosis for high
      spikelet sterility and the majority of them had significant heterosis for late
      flowering, taking more than 120 days to flower, which resulted in lack of
      heterosis for grain yield in such crosses due to cold stress at the reproductive
      stage. 

PMID- 24240760
TI  - Chloroplast DNA differences between two species of Oenothera subsection Munzia:
      location in the chloroplast genome and relevance to possible interactions between
      nuclear and plastid genomes.
AB  - The chloroplast DNAs (cpDNAs) of Oenothera berteriana and Oe. odorata (subsection
      Munzia) were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis with Sal I, Pvu II,
      Kpn I, Pst I, Hind III, and Bam HI. The fragment patterns show that these cpDNAs
      have all 133 restriction sites in common as well as a lot of individual bands.
      Nevertheless the cpDNAs of the two species can be distinguished by distinct
      differences in size between a small number of fragments. The 42 cleavage sites
      produced by Sal I, Pvu II and Kpn I were mapped on the circular cpDNAs. This was
      achieved by an approach which combined experimental and mathematical procedures.
      The overall serial order of the fragments was found to be the same for both
      cpDNAs. The size differences of individual fragments in the Sal I, Pvu II and Kpn
      I patterns between Oe. berteriana and Oe. odorata cpDNA are located within five
      regions scattered along the plastid chromosome. Two of these regions have been
      localized in the larger and one in the smaller of the two single-copy parts of
      the cpDNA molecule. The remaining two overlap the borders between the large
      single-copy and each of the duplicated parts of the molecule. The positions of
      distinct restriction sites are altered among the two Oenothera plastome DNAs by
      0.02-0.4 MDa (30-600 base pairs). These alterations probably result from
      insertions/deletions. 

PMID- 24240761
TI  - Maturing patterns of organ weights in mice selected for rapid postweaning gain.
AB  - Correlated responses to selection for increased 3-6 week postweaning gain in male
      mice were estimated for seven internal organs (testes, spleen, liver, kidneys,
      heart, small intestine (S intest) and stomach) weighed at specific degrees of
      maturity in body weight (37.5, 50.0, 62.5, 75.0, 87.5 and 100%). Correlated
      responses in organ weights were generally large, but the magnitude and direction
      of response depended upon whether 1) comparisons were made at the same age,
      degree of maturity or body weight and 2) absolute or proportional organ weights
      were used. The selected line (M16) weighed more and had larger organ weights than
      controls (ICR) when compared at either the same degree of maturity or the same
      age, indicating positive genetic correlations between body weight and the
      respective organ weights. Positive correlated responses were found in spleen
      weight/body weight at all degrees of maturity and in liver and S intest weights
      as a proportion of body weight at some degrees of maturity. Testes, kidneys,
      heart and stomach weights as a proportion of body weight had negative correlated
      responses, though this was consistent only for kidneys across all degrees of
      maturity. Correlated responses in organ weights adjusted for body weight by
      covariance analysis were positive for spleen, S intest and stomach and negative
      for testes and kidneys. Based on the constrained quadratic model, degree of
      maturity in organ weight relative to degree of maturity in body weight responded
      positively for testes, kidneys and S intest and negatively for spleen and liver.
      Selection for increased growth caused negative correlated responses in allometric
      growth of testes, kidneys, S intest and stomach. 

PMID- 24240763
TI  - The philtrum in cleft lip: review of anatomy and techniques for construction.
AB  - The philtrum is imperfectly formed in both unilateral and bilateral cleft lip.
      Surgical construction of this exquisite feature in the upper lip is challenging
      and often takes a back seat to construction of Cupid's bow and the nose. However,
      the philtrum is one of the defining features of a normal lip. The purpose of this
      review is to compile information on philtral anatomy and techniques for
      construction to guide the reader on his or her own quest to optimize cleft lip
      repair. In this article, we review the normal anatomy of the philtral dimple and
      ridges, with particular attention to pars peripheralis configuration. We also
      review methods for philtral construction during primary labial repair and
      secondary labial revision. For unilateral cleft lip, eversion of orbicularis oris
      muscle is necessary to build a philtral ridge. For bilateral cleft lip, emphasis
      is on proper design of the philtral flap and efforts to simulate a dimple and
      ridges. For secondary philtral correction, techniques include complete labial
      revision with various types of muscular re-repair and autologous philtral ridge
      augmentation. Objective methods are needed to document the efficacy of the many
      techniques for philtral construction and reconstruction.

PMID- 24240764
TI  - Clinical application of the FACES score for face transplantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically evaluate all reported outcomes of
      facial allotransplantation (FT) using the previously described FACES scoring
      instrument. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of all consecutive face
      transplants to date (January 2012). Candidates were identified using medical and
      general internet database searches. Medical literature and media reports were
      reviewed for details regarding demographic, operative, anatomic, and psychosocial
      data, which were then used to formulate FACES scores. Pre-transplant and post
      transplant scores for "functional status", "aesthetic deformity", "co
      morbidities", "exposed tissue", and "surgical history" were calculated. Scores
      were statistically compared using paired-samples analyses. RESULTS: Twenty
      consecutive patients were identified, with 18 surviving recipients. The sample
      was composed of 3 females and 17 males, with a mean age of 35.0 +/- 11.0 years
      (range: 19-57 years). Overall, data reporting for functional parameters was poor.
      Six subjects had complete pre-transplant and post-transplant data available for
      all 5 FACES domains. The mean pre-transplant FACES score was 33.5 +/- 8.8 (range:
      23-44); the mean post-transplant score was 21.5 +/- 5.9 (range: 14-32) and was
      statistically significantly lower than the pre-transplant score (P = 0.02). Among
      the individual domains, FT conferred a statistically significant improvement in
      aesthetic defect scores and exposed tissue scores (P <= 0.01) while, at the same
      time, it displayed no significant increases in co-morbidity (P = 0.17).
      CONCLUSION: There is a significant deficiency in functional outcome reports thus
      far. Moreover, FT resulted in improved overall FACES score, with the most
      dramatic improvements noted in aesthetic defect and exposed tissue scores.

PMID- 24240765
TI  - Discrimination among adults with craniofacial conditions.
AB  - The primary goal of this study was to establish the level of perceived
      discrimination experienced by adults with congenital craniofacial conditions in
      Australia and to examine predictors of discrimination. Specifically, this study
      tested whether social support mediates the relationship between discrimination
      and health. Adults (n = 93) who had been treated at the Australian Craniofacial
      Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide for congenital craniofacial
      conditions (not including cleft lip and/or palate) completed questionnaires
      examining satisfaction with life, quality of life, anxiety and depression, self
      esteem, satisfaction with social support, and satisfaction with appearance. A
      substantial minority of adults with congenital craniofacial conditions reported
      that they experience discrimination almost every day in a range of areas. Higher
      reports of discrimination were related to older age, being male, and less
      education. Other factors related to higher discrimination included lower levels
      of satisfaction with life, self-esteem, satisfaction with appearance and mental
      quality of life, as well as higher levels of anxiety and depression. Social
      support partially mediated the relationship between discrimination and mental
      health outcomes. The current study shows that discrimination experiences continue
      into adulthood confirming the importance of ensuring patients are well supported
      both by psychosocial services as well as within their own social support
      networks. 

PMID- 24240766
TI  - Minimizing transfusions in primary cranial vault remodeling: the role of
      aminocaproic acid.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cranial vault remodeling (CVR) for craniosynostosis is a procedure
      with the potential for significant blood loss. Aminocaproic acid (ACA) has been
      used at our institution during CVR for its antifibrinolytic effects. The purpose
      of this study was to investigate the effect of ACA on blood loss and transfusion
      rates during primary CVR. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-three patients with
      craniosynostosis underwent primary CVR at a single institution by a single
      surgeon over 15 years. Patients were included if they received either ACA or no
      antifibrinolytic. The estimated blood loss (EBL) and volume of blood transfused
      was recorded. Thrombotic-related complications were identified. Comparisons were
      made between subgroups using independent Student t test and Fisher exact test.
      RESULTS: Among the study population, 148 patients met inclusion criteria. ACA was
      given to 30 patients, while 118 patients received no antifibrinolytic. There was
      no difference in the average intraoperative EBL between the ACA (322 mL) and
      control groups (327 mL, P > 0.05). Additionally, the incidence of transfusion was
      not significantly different between subgroups (97% vs. 86%, respectively, P >
      0.05). Patients treated with ACA, however, received lower average perioperative
      transfusion volumes (25.5 mL/kg) compared to control patients (53.3 mL/kg, P <
      0.0001). Furthermore, patients in the ACA subgroup were less likely to require a
      second unit of blood (21% vs. 43%, P < 0.0001) and therefore had fewer exposures
      to donor blood antigens (ARR = 22%, NNT = 4.6). CONCLUSIONS: The use of
      intraoperative ACA minimizes blood transfusion volumes and donor exposures in
      children who undergo primary CVR for craniosynostosis. Antifibrinolytics should
      be considered for routine use in pediatric craniofacial surgery.

PMID- 24240767
TI  - Common patterns of reconstruction for Mohs defects in the head and neck.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Mohs surgery is an
      effective technique for removing common types of skin cancer. The number of
      patients presenting for reconstruction after Mohs surgery has been increasing in
      recent years. Reconstructive surgeons are faced with diverse defects of different
      sizes and locations. The aim of this study was to examine reconstructive methods
      for Mohs defects to aid in preoperative planning. METHODS: We reviewed the charts
      of 245 patients who underwent Mohs defect reconstruction over a period of 5
      years. The patients were categorized according to the reconstructive technique
      (eg, flap, full-thickness skin graft, split-thickness skin graft) used in
      relation to anatomic location and the size of the defect. RESULTS: One hundred
      twenty-nine patients (53%) had Mohs defects of the nose. Bilobed flap
      reconstruction was the most common for the nasal ala (17/42 [40%]), tip (19/41
      [46%]), and nasal sidewall (8/25 [32%]). Forehead flap reconstruction was most
      common for nasal dorsum defects (9/16 [56%]). Linear closure was the most common
      reconstructive technique for the cheek (18/34 [53%]), the forehead (13/20 [65%]),
      the chin (4/4 [100%]), the lower lip (4/4 [100%]), the upper lip (8/13 [38%]),
      the auricle (4/10 [40%]), the eyelid (5/8 [62%]), and the temporal region (2/5
      [40%]). Composite grafting was the most common in the nasal columella (2/3 [67%])
      and full-thickness skin graft for nasal sill defects (2/2 [100%]). Split
      thickness skin graft was the most common in the scalp (3/6 [50%]). CONCLUSIONS:
      Various options exist for Mohs repair. Understanding trends of reconstructing
      Mohs defects may help in planning the best method of reconstruction.

PMID- 24240768
TI  - Three-dimensional analysis of foramen magnum and its adjacent structures.
AB  - The goal of this effort is to evaluate the anatomy of the foramen magnum (FM)
      using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT), and determine whether or not the
      anatomical features of vascular structures and condylar foramen (CF) affect the
      types of FM.The CT angiography records of 101 patients (44 men and 57 women) were
      retrospectively examined in this study. Details of the FM, CF, and the vertebral
      and basilar arteries were examined using maximum intensity projection and 3D
      rendering images. The average age of the 101 patients was 45.28 +/- 16.3 years.
      The 8 types of FM, in order of their frequency of occurrence, are as follows:
      round (19 cases; 18.8%), 2 semicircles (18; 17.8%), egg-shaped (15; 14.9%),
      hexagonal (14; 13.9%), tetragonal (11; 10.9%), oval (11; 10.9%), pentagonal (9;
      8.9%), and irregular (4; 4%). There was no statistically significant relationship
      between the anatomical features of the vertebral and basilar arteries and the CF
      with the different types of FM (P >= 0.05). In our study, the diameter of the
      anteroposterior (AP) FM was 34.7 +/- 3.6 mm, and the transverse (T) diameter was
      29.5 +/- 2.5 mm. The AP and T diameters were significantly higher in men than in
      women (P = 0.006 and P <= 0.001, respectively).Our study revealed that 3D CT is a
      safe and easy method for visualizing the anatomical structure of the FM and
      neighboring structures. Furthermore, this study was the first to demonstrate that
      there is no correlation between the 8 types of FM and the vertebral artery,
      basilar artery, and CF. 

PMID- 24240769
TI  - Repair of symptomatic nasoseptal perforations using mucosal regeneration
      technique with interpositional grafts.
AB  - Over the past 60 years, many surgical techniques have been developed for the
      repair of nasoseptal perforations. This study describes a safe and practical
      technique involving the 5-layer repair of symptomatic nasoseptal perforations
      without mucosal flaps. The present study involved 23 patients (17 men and 6
      women) who had symptomatic nasoseptal perforations in the Otorhinolaryngology and
      Head Neck Surgery Department of Haseki Research and Training Hospital. Patients
      were treated using the mucosal regeneration technique. Follow-up examinations
      were performed at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The surgery was considered
      successful if total closure was achieved. Nasal mucosal physiology was also
      assessed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively by measuring the
      nasal mucociliary clearance time by means of the saccharin test. The most common
      etiological factor was former nasal surgery (56.5%), followed by nasal trauma
      (26%). In 4 patients (17.5%), the perforations were idiopathic. The average
      preoperative perforation size was 1.74 +/- 0.87 cm. Total closure of the
      perforation was achieved in 21 patients (91.3%), and only 2 patients had subtotal
      healing. The mean preoperative mucociliary clearance time was 19.3 +/- 4.15
      minutes, which significantly improved to 12.4 +/- 3.53 minutes and 10.1 +/- 3.21
      minutes at 3 and 6 postoperative months, respectively. Mucosal regeneration
      technique with interpositional grafts can be used to safely and reliably repair
      medium-to-large nasoseptal perforations. 

PMID- 24240770
TI  - Periodontal growth in areas of vascular malformation in patients with Sturge
      Weber syndrome: a management protocol.
AB  - Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a very rare condition characterized by abnormal
      vascular formations that encompass several manifestations: cutaneous, neurologic,
      ocular, and oral. Neurologic conditions are the most important factor, especially
      epilepsy, which frequently leads patients to make use of anticonvulsants. These
      drugs are capable of inducing abnormal tissue growth in the oral cavity that can
      be situated over areas with vascular malformation, requiring special attention by
      the clinician. This report describes 1 case of SWS and performs a literature
      review of treatments for this condition, providing a protocol of treatment for
      these clinical situations. 

PMID- 24240771
TI  - Involvement of mitochondrial dynamics in the segregation of mitochondrial matrix
      proteins during stationary phase mitophagy.
AB  - Mitophagy, the autophagic degradation of mitochondria, is an important
      housekeeping function in eukaryotic cells, and defects in mitophagy correlate
      with ageing phenomena and with several neurodegenerative disorders. A central
      mechanistic question regarding mitophagy is whether mitochondria are consumed en
      masse, or whether an active process segregates defective molecules from
      functional ones within the mitochondrial network, thus allowing a more efficient
      culling mechanism. Here we combine a proteomic study with a molecular genetics
      and cell biology approach to determine whether such a segregation process occurs
      in yeast mitochondria. We find that different mitochondrial matrix proteins
      undergo mitophagic degradation at distinctly different rates, supporting the
      active segregation hypothesis. These differential degradation rates depend on
      mitochondrial dynamics, suggesting a mechanism coupling weak physical segregation
      with mitochondrial dynamics to achieve a distillation-like effect. In agreement,
      the rates of mitophagic degradation strongly correlate with the degree of
      physical segregation of specific matrix proteins. 

PMID- 24240772
TI  - Treatment of post-mastectomy pain syndrome with acupuncture: a case report.
AB  - Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a common and severe neuropathic pain
      syndrome arising after breast surgery. Since few effective allopathic treatments
      exist for PMPS, many patients may seek assistance from complementary and
      alternative medicine. Here, we report a case of a woman with severe and
      persistent PMPS who was successfully treated with acupuncture. 

PMID- 24240773
TI  - Amino acid-dependent regulation of food intake: is protein more than the sum of
      its parts?

PMID- 24240774
TI  - Golgi meet Cajal: coupling and feedback at retinal photoreceptors.

PMID- 24240775
TI  - Neural circuits in movement control.

PMID- 24240776
TI  - Anaesthesia in Ethiopia: providers' perspectives on the current state of the
      service.
AB  - The improvement of surgical and anaesthetic safety in low-resource settings is
      hampered by a lack of reliable information on the current provision of these
      services. Ethiopia is one of the world's poorest countries and, despite large
      amounts of both foreign and domestic investment, still reports some of the worst
      health outcomes. However, information on anaesthesia and surgical provision is
      sparse. This work reproduces a questionnaire study, first used in Uganda in 2006,
      to survey practising anaesthetists regarding the current state of anaesthesia
      services across Ethiopia. The results indicate that a large proportion of centres
      remain unable to provide safe general, spinal, paediatric and obstetric
      anaesthesia, at all levels of hospital and across almost all of the country's
      regions. In addition to a lack of equipment and pharmaceuticals, anaesthetists
      report problems with professional recognition and a lack of access to continuing
      professional development as key barriers to service development. 

PMID- 24240779
TI  - The effects of low-fluoride toothpaste supplemented with calcium glycerophosphate
      on enamel demineralization.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different
      concentrations of calcium glycerophosphate (CaGP) in toothpastes with low
      fluoride (low-F) concentrations on enamel demineralization by using a bovine
      enamel and pH cycling model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental toothpastes
      containing 0 or 500 MUg F/g (NaF) and CaGP concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5,
      1, and 2 % were manufactured. A commercial toothpaste was used as a positive
      control (1,100 MUg F/g). After polishing and hardness tests, enamel blocks were
      subjected to pH cycling for 5 days and toothpaste treatment twice daily. The
      treatment regimen involved soaking all blocks in the corresponding slurry for 1
      min (2 ml/block). Surface and cross-sectional hardness and fluoride
      concentrations in enamel were analyzed. The hardness data were analyzed using a
      one-way ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test. Fluoride concentrations
      were analyzed using a Kruskal-Wallis followed by a Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc
      test. RESULTS: The mineral loss with the toothpaste containing 500 MUg F/g and
      0.25 % CaGP was lower than that in the other groups (p < 0.05). Fluoride
      concentrations in the enamel treated with 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 % CaGP toothpastes
      were similar to those in the enamel treated with the 500 MUg F/g toothpaste (p >
      0.05). A greater concentration of CaGP reduced the fluoride levels in enamel (p <
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present in vitro study show that a low-F
      (500 MUg F/g) toothpaste is capable of maintaining the efficacy of 1,100 MUg F/g
      toothpaste when supplemented with 0.25 % of CaGP. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The
      developed toothpaste prevents caries as a standard one and is safe for
      individuals of any age group.

PMID- 24240777
TI  - Effects of immediate blood pressure reduction on death and major disability in
      patients with acute ischemic stroke: the CATIS randomized clinical trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Although the benefit of reducing blood pressure for primary and
      secondary prevention of stroke has been established, the effect of
      antihypertensive treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke is uncertain.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether immediate blood pressure reduction in patients
      with acute ischemic stroke would reduce death and major disability at 14 days or
      hospital discharge. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The China Antihypertensive
      Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke, a single-blind, blinded end-points randomized
      clinical trial, conducted among 4071 patients with nonthrombolysed ischemic
      stroke within 48 hours of onset and elevated systolic blood pressure. Patients
      were recruited from 26 hospitals across China between August 2009 and May 2013.
      INTERVENTIONS: Patients (n = 2038) were randomly assigned to receive
      antihypertensive treatment (aimed at lowering systolic blood pressure by 10% to
      25% within the first 24 hours after randomization, achieving blood pressure less
      than 140/90 mm Hg within 7 days, and maintaining this level during
      hospitalization) or to discontinue all antihypertensive medications (control)
      during hospitalization (n = 2033). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcome
      was a combination of death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale score >=3)
      at 14 days or hospital discharge. RESULTS: Mean systolic blood pressure was
      reduced from 166.7 mm Hg to 144.7 mm Hg (-12.7%) within 24 hours in the
      antihypertensive treatment group and from 165.6 mm Hg to 152.9 mm Hg (-7.2%) in
      the control group within 24 hours after randomization (difference, -5.5% [95% CI,
      -4.9 to -6.1%]; absolute difference, -9.1 mm Hg [95% CI, -10.2 to -8.1]; P <
      .001). Mean systolic blood pressure was 137.3 mm Hg in the antihypertensive
      treatment group and 146.5 mm Hg in the control group at day 7 after randomization
      (difference, -9.3 mm Hg [95% CI, -10.1 to -8.4]; P < .001). The primary outcome
      did not differ between treatment groups (683 events [antihypertensive treatment]
      vs 681 events [control]; odds ratio, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.88 to 1.14]; P = .98) at 14
      days or hospital discharge. The secondary composite outcome of death and major
      disability at 3-month posttreatment follow-up did not differ between treatment
      groups (500 events [antihypertensive treatment] vs 502 events [control]; odds
      ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.86 to 1.15]; P = .93). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Among
      patients with acute ischemic stroke, blood pressure reduction with
      antihypertensive medications, compared with the absence of hypertensive
      medication, did not reduce the likelihood of death and major disability at 14
      days or hospital discharge. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:
      NCT01840072.

PMID- 24240780
TI  - Gamete-type dependent crossover interference levels in a defined region of
      Caenorhabditis elegans chromosome V.
AB  - In certain organisms, numbers of crossover events for any single chromosome are
      limited ("crossover interference") so that double crossover events are obtained
      at much lower frequencies than would be expected from the simple product of
      independent single-crossover events. We present a number of observations during
      which we examined interference over a large region of Caenorhabditis elegans
      chromosome V. Examining this region for multiple crossover events in
      heteroallelic configurations with limited dimorphism, we observed high levels of
      crossover interference in oocytes with only partial interference in
      spermatocytes. 

PMID- 24240781
TI  - Major QTLs control resistance to rice hoja blanca virus and its vector Tagosodes
      orizicolus.
AB  - Rice hoja blanca (white leaf) disease can cause severe yield losses in rice in
      the Americas. The disease is caused by the rice hoja blanca virus (RHBV), which
      is transmitted by the planthopper vector Tagosodes orizicolus. Because classical
      breeding schemes for this disease rely on expensive, time-consuming screenings,
      there is a need for alternatives such as marker-aided selection. The varieties
      Fedearroz 2000 and Fedearroz 50, which are resistant to RHBV and to the feeding
      damage caused by T. orizicolus, were crossed with the susceptible line WC366 to
      produce segregating F2:3 populations. The F3 families were scored for their
      resistance level to RHBV and T. orizicolus. The F2:3 lines of both crosses were
      genotyped using microsatellite markers. One major QTL on the short arm of
      chromosome 4 was identified for resistance to RHBV in the two populations. Two
      major QTL on chromosomes 5 and 7 were identified for resistance to T. orizicolus
      in the Fd2000 * WC366 and Fd50 * WC366 crosses, respectively. This comparative
      study using two distinct rice populations allowed for a better understanding of
      how the resistance to RHBV and its vector are controlled genetically. Simple
      marker-aided breeding schemes based on QTL information can be designed to improve
      rice germplasm to reduce losses caused by this important disease. 

PMID- 24240778
TI  - SLC1 glutamate transporters.
AB  - The plasma membrane transporters for the neurotransmitter glutamate belong to the
      solute carrier 1 family. They are secondary active transporters, taking up
      glutamate into the cell against a substantial concentration gradient. The driving
      force for concentrative uptake is provided by the cotransport of Na(+) ions and
      the countertransport of one K(+) in a step independent of the glutamate
      translocation step. Due to eletrogenicity of transport, the transmembrane
      potential can also act as a driving force. Glutamate transporters are expressed
      in many tissues, but are of particular importance in the brain, where they
      contribute to the termination of excitatory neurotransmission. Glutamate
      transporters can also run in reverse, resulting in glutamate release from cells.
      Due to these important physiological functions, glutamate transporter expression
      and, therefore, the transport rate, are tightly regulated. This review summarizes
      recent literature on the functional and biophysical properties, structure
      function relationships, regulation, physiological significance, and pharmacology
      of glutamate transporters. Particular emphasis is on the insight from rapid
      kinetic and electrophysiological studies, transcriptional regulation of
      transporter expression, and reverse transport and its importance for
      pathophysiological glutamate release under ischemic conditions. 

PMID- 24240782
TI  - Comparison of area-length method by echocardiography versus full-volume
      quantification by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of left
      atrial volumes in children, adolescents, and young adults.
AB  - Left atrial (LA) size is a known predictor of adverse cardiovascular events.
      Echocardiography is the modality of choice for the evaluation of atrial size;
      however, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) remains the "gold standard."
      We sought to calculate atrial volumes using the area-length method by both
      echocardiography and cMRI and compare them with area-volume quantification by
      cMRI. Thiry-eight patients (mean age 20 +/- 12 years, 71% male) who underwent
      cMRI and echocardiography between September 2010 and June 2012 were
      retrospectively identified. The time interval between the two studies was <= 6
      months. LA volumes by echocardiogram were estimated using the area-length method:
      LA volume = (0.85 * area(4ch) * area(2ch))/(shortest atrial length). The atrial
      length and area were measured in standard apical two-chamber and four-chamber
      planes. Measured values were indexed to body surface area (BSA). CMRI
      measurements were obtained from prospectively gated steady-state free precession
      cine stack images obtained in a standard four-chamber plane. LA volumes were
      calculated using Simpson's method: LA volume = LA area * (slice thickness + gap)
      per slice. Slice thickness ranged from 5 to 7 mm with contiguous slices of 5 to 7
      mm. The values were indexed to BSA. Statistics were summarized using measures of
      central tendency. LA volumes by echocardiography were significantly less than
      those by full-volume cMRI quantification. The mean LA volume by echocardiography
      and full-volume cMRI were 35 +/- 14.5 and 42.4 +/- 17.2, respectively (p = 0.05).
      The mean difference between LA volumes obtained by the two methods was 7.4 +/-
      10.6. LA volume measured by cMRI using the area-length method closely
      approximated full-volume assessment by cMRI with mean values of 42.9 +/- 17.4
      versus 42.4 +/- 17.2, respectively (p = 0.91). There were no significant
      differences in the patient characteristics between the two study modalities. LA
      volumes as measured by echocardiography using the area-length method consistently
      underestimated the true volume when compared with cMRI. LA volumes measured using
      the area-length method by cMRI is an alternative technique for accurately
      quantifying chamber size and can be useful in decreasing scan time or when full
      volume data sets are incomplete.

PMID- 24240784
TI  - Combination therapies targeting multiple pathways in idiopathic pulmonary
      fibrosis (IPF).

PMID- 24240783
TI  - Tachyarrhythmias after the Norwood procedure: relationship and effect of
      vasoactive agents.
AB  - Tachyarrhythmias are common after the Norwood stage I palliation. The effects of
      vasoactive medications on the development of post-operative tachyarrhythmias have
      not been studied. The primary objective was to identify associations between
      postoperative tachyarrhythmias and vasoactive medication usage after Norwood
      stage 1 palliation. Secondary objectives included evaluation for morbidities of
      tachyarrhythmias and for associations with anatomical or surgical variables.
      Retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent the
      Norwood stage 1 palliation at Children's Hospital Colorado between January 2008
      and June 2012. Primary outcomes were development of postoperative
      tachyarrhythmias and the effects of vasoactive medications. Dopamine,
      epinephrine, milrinone, and vasopressin duration, cumulative dose, highest dose,
      and dose at onset of tachyarrhythmia were identified. The effects of surgical
      variables and anatomy were also studied. Sixty-six patients underwent the Norwood
      procedure, and 33 (50 %) of these patients had postoperative tachyarrhythmias.
      Patients with tachyarrhythmias had longer ICU stays (p = 0.02) and hospital stays
      (p < 0.01), but no change in mortality (p = 1.0). Multivariate Cox regression
      analysis showed that the right ventricle to pulmonary artery shunt (p < 0.01),
      longer duration of epinephrine treatment (p = 0.02), and higher milrinone dose (p
      = 0.002) were associated with tachyarrhythmias. Postoperative tachyarrhythmias
      are common after the Norwood procedure and are associated with longer ICU and
      hospital stays. High doses of milrinone, longer duration of epinephrine
      treatment, and the right ventricle to pulmonary artery shunt were associated with
      for the development of tachyarrhythmias. Further studies are required to
      determine the effects of anatomy on post-operative tachyarrhythmias.

PMID- 24240785
TI  - Relationship between coronary artery disease and retinopathy in patients with
      type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) and
      retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and assess the
      relationship between CAD and retinopathy. METHODS: A total of 1,003 outpatients
      with type 2 DM (578 men and 425 women) were classified into two groups according
      to the presence (based on ischemic findings on a resting electrocardiogram or a
      history of angina or myocardial infarction) or absence of CAD and four
      retinopathy stages based on the International Clinical Classification of Diabetic
      Retinopathy. RESULTS: Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that
      independent risk factors for CAD were age, the triglyceride (TG) level and
      smoking, while those for retinopathy included age, age of DM diagnosis, the HbA1c
      level and a female gender. The prevalence of CAD increased in association with
      the progression of retinopathy (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Since it is difficult to
      distinguish macrovascular and microvascular diseases, diabetic vascular disorders
      require comprehensive approaches to assessment and treatment.

PMID- 24240786
TI  - Clinical and pathological studies of IgA nephropathy presenting as a rapidly
      progressive form of glomerulonephritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is widely regarded as a slowly progressive
      disease. However, a minor population of patients present with a rapidly
      progressive form of glomerulonephritis (RPGN). METHODS: We studied 25 cases of
      IgAN who presented with RPGN. The laboratory data, histology, and five-year
      prognosis after diagnostic renal biopsy were evaluated. We compared the data of
      these patients with those of 495 patients with the non-RPGN type. In addition, we
      divided the patients with the RPGN type of IgAN into a group with reduced renal
      function and a group with maintained renal function, and compared the data
      between the two groups. RESULTS: In the 'RPGN type', the serum creatinine levels
      and a 24-hour urinary protein excretion were significantly higher than in the non
      RPGN type. Histological examinations showed that the rates of endocapillary
      hypercellularity and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis were significantly
      higher in the patients with the RPGN type. In the comparison between the groups
      with reduced and maintained renal functions, the former group exhibited higher
      levels of proteinuria, serum creatinine and crescent formation than the latter
      group. CONCLUSION: The RPGN type of IgAN was significantly worse in terms of the
      renal survival rate at five years than the non-RPGN type. Intensive and active
      treatments are necessary for this minor population, according to the guideline
      for the management of RPGN.

PMID- 24240787
TI  - Efficacy of pirfenidone in patients with advanced-stage idiopathic pulmonary
      fibrosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of pirfenidone in patients with advanced-stage
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we conducted a retrospective study of
      patients who received pirfenidone therapy. In addition, the combined effects of
      inhaled N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pirfenidone were evaluated. METHODS: Eligible
      patients had a clinical and radiologic diagnosis of advanced-stage IPF (stages of
      severity III&IV). Patients who exhibited a relative decline in forced vital
      capacity (FVC) of 10% or more within the preceding six (+/-2) months were
      enrolled. The outcome was evaluated from the date of the 6-month follow-up PFT.
      Relative declines in FVC of more than 10% were defined as progressive disease
      (ineffective group), while those less than 10% were defined as stable disease
      (effective group). The clinical features were compared between the two groups. We
      also compared the efficacy of the combined therapy with inhaled NAC and
      pirfenidone (n=11) with that of pirfenidone alone (n=7). RESULTS: Eighteen
      patients 59-82 years of age with IPF who received pirfenidone therapy were
      reviewed. Pirfenidone stabilized declines in FVC by 10% at six months in eight of
      the 18 cases (44%). The median changes in FVC at six months were +120 mL in the
      effective group and -590 mL in the ineffective group. The number of NAC users was
      significantly higher in the effective group (7/8=87.5%) than in the ineffective
      group (3/10=30%) (p=0.02). Furthermore, the use of combined NAC therapy was
      correlated with a favorable outcome. The median change in FVC at six months was 0
      mL in the NAC group and -290 mL in the non-NAC group. The median survival period
      was 557 +/- 66 days in the NAC group and 196 +/- 57 days in the non-NAC group
      (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Among the advanced-stage IPF patients with a more
      progressive status, pirfenidone decreased the rate of decline in FVC. In
      addition, patients treated with pirfenidone combined with NAC therapy exhibited
      favorable outcomes. Additional studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this
      combined therapy for IPF.

PMID- 24240788
TI  - Long-term outcome and efficacy of cyclophosphamide therapy in Japanese patients
      with ANCA-associated microscopic polyangiitis: a retrospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of
      cyclophosphamide (CY) in Japanese patients with antineutrophil cystoplasmic
      antibody (ANCA)-associated microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). METHODS: Sixty-four
      patients, newly diagnosed with ANCA-associated MPA were included in this
      retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether
      they received combination therapy of CY and corticosteroid (CS) (CY group, n=29)
      or CS alone (CS group, n=35) for remission induction. The primary outcome was all
      cause mortality. RESULTS: Most patients in the CY group were treated with oral
      CY. Between the two groups, there were no differences in the baseline
      characteristics except for a higher proportion of male patients in the CY group.
      The remission rate was not substantially different between the two groups (86.2%
      in the CY group vs. 91.4% in the CS group). The survival rate was slightly higher
      in the CY group than in the CS group (not statistically significant; 0.86 vs.
      0.77 at 1 year and 0.73 vs. 0.64 at 5 years, p=0.648). In the CY group, the
      hazard ratio after adjusting for age, sex, Birmingham vasculitis activity score
      values, serum albumin levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was 0.657 (95%
      CI, 0.254-1.699; p=0.386). CONCLUSION: We observed no increased efficacy of CY in
      ANCA-positive MPA in the Japanese patients, and hence, its efficacy may be
      limited in these patients.

PMID- 24240789
TI  - Clinical analysis of patients with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease
      complicated by pneumothorax.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We clarified the clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary
      nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease complicated by pneumothorax. METHODS:
      We retrospectively selected 220 patients who satisfied the diagnostic criteria
      for NTM disease proposed by the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Nine patients
      with pulmonary NTM disease were complicated with pneumothorax. We investigated
      the patients' background, laboratory findings, radiological findings, treatment
      and prognoses. RESULTS: There were nine patients, including six men and three
      women, with a mean age of 73.2 years. Seven patients had underlying respiratory
      diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) excluding pulmonary
      NTM disease. The causative microorganisms was Mycobacterium avium in four
      patients, M. intracellulare in four patients, and M. kansasii in one patient.
      Regarding the radiological findings, pneumothorax was recognized in the right
      lung in five patients, in the left lung in three patients, and in both lungs
      heterogeneously in one patient. Although most patients exhibited multiple
      cavities and extensive lesions over the unilateral lung fields, three patients
      were simultaneously diagnosed with pulmonary NTM disease at the onset of
      pneumothorax. As for treatment, thoracic drainage was performed in seven
      patients, while one patient was advised only to rest and one patient required
      both thoracic drainage and surgery. The responses to the treatment was poor in
      each case, and five patients died due to pneumonia or heart failure. CONCLUSION:
      In this study, the rate of pneumothorax complications in the patients with
      pulmonary NTM disease (4.1%) was higher than that of other reports. The responses
      to treatment, and prognoses were poor due to the presence of other complications.

PMID- 24240790
TI  - Peritonitis caused by Aeromonas species at a hospital in southern Taiwan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics
      of patients with Aeromonas peritonitis, particularly secondary peritonitis.
      METHODS: Patients with Aeromonas peritonitis treated between July 2004 and
      December 2011 were identified from the computerized database of a regional
      hospital in southern Taiwan. The medical records of these patients were
      retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with Aeromonas
      peritonitis were identified. Nine cases were classified as spontaneous bacterial
      peritonitis, and 41 cases were classified as secondary peritonitis. The most
      common etiology of secondary peritonitis was acute appendicitis (n=26), followed
      by small bowel perforation (n=7) and colon perforation (n=6). The patients with
      spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were more likely to be immunocompromised
      (p=0.0013) and more frequently had an initial presentation of shock (p=0.0129),
      an abnormal liver function (p<0.05) and concomitant bacteremia (p=0.0024) than
      the patients with secondary peritonitis. Although the patients with secondary
      peritonitis had higher levels of inflammatory parameters, including leukocytes
      and C-reactive protein, and more frequent polymicrobial infections, their
      survival outcome rates, such as in-hospital mortality, were significantly lower
      (p=0.0007). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 20%, and initial shock was
      the only independent prognostic factor for mortality (p=0.012). CONCLUSION: The
      clinical characteristics, including outcomes, of patients with spontaneous and
      secondary Aeromonas peritonitis differ. In-hospital mortality is significantly
      associated with the initial presentation of shock.

PMID- 24240791
TI  - Solitary amyloidosis of the sigmoid colon featuring submucosal tumor caused
      hematochezia.
AB  - A previously a healthy 64-year-old woman complained of a two-week history of
      hemorrhaging upon defecation. The laboratory and urinalysis findings were normal,
      and no serum or urine M components were detectable on protein electrophoresis. An
      air contrast barium enema revealed an elevated lesion measuring -20 mm in
      diameter with a smooth surface and a depression in the sigmoid colon. Colonoscopy
      revealed a red colored and congested tumor. The exposed surface of the submucosal
      tumor (SMT) center was somewhat yellow in color and covered with fuzz. All other
      portions of the colon were normal. The endoscopy and double-contrast barium
      revealed a normal upper gastrointestinal tract and a normal small intestine,
      respectively. A histopathological evaluation of a biopsy specimen obtained from
      the SMT suggested amyloid deposition. However, the other biopsy specimens of the
      esophagus, stomach, duodenal bulb, second portion of the duodenum, terminal ileum
      and other portions of the colon demonstrated no amyloid deposition. Colonoscopic
      ultrasonography (US) revealed the hypoechoic, homogeneous SMT to be mainly
      localized within the submucosa. An endoscopic submucosal resection (EMR) of the
      solitary amyloidosis was performed and the immunohistopathology revealed the
      entire SMT to consist of amyloid light chain kappa amyloid deposition. We
      considered that the US followed by EMR contributed to the precise diagnosis of
      solitary amyloidosis and the treatment of hematochezia caused by a solitary area
      of amyloidosis within the sigmoid colon. 

PMID- 24240792
TI  - A murmur-free giant myxoma discovered incidentally on abdominal ultrasonography.
AB  - Patients with myxoma normally present with cardiovascular symptoms due to mitral
      valve obstruction caused by the tumor. However, some cases are difficult to
      diagnose because the findings of auscultation are normal and there are no
      cardiovascular symptoms. A 62-year-old man presented at a nearby clinic with a
      fever. No cardiac murmurs were heard on a physical examination. Abdominal
      ultrasonography was conducted to evaluate the origin of the fever, and a giant
      left atrial myxoma was discovered incidentally. Although many myxoma cases are
      found on transthoracic echocardiography, we herein describe a case of a giant
      left atrial myxoma incidentally discovered on abdominal ultrasonography. 

PMID- 24240793
TI  - Coronary sinus draining into the left subclavian vein through a persistent left
      superior vena cava.
AB  - A persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is formed by the remains of the
      oblique vein of the left atrium, which is not completely degenerated during
      embryonic development. The incidence is approximately 0.3% in the general
      population. Approximately 80-92% of PLSVCs drain into the right atrium through
      the coronary sinus. This report describes a rare case of PLSVC in which the
      coronary sinus (CS) did not open into the right atrium, but rather drained into
      the left subclavian vein through the PLSVC.

PMID- 24240794
TI  - Simultaneous occurrence of type 1 diabetes mellitus and Graves' disease: a report
      of two cases and a review of the literature.
AB  - Two unrelated Japanese women, 41 and 27 years of age, were admitted with
      histories of thirst, weight loss and palpitations of a few weeks' duration. Both
      were diagnosed to have diabetic ketosis or ketoacidosis with acute-onset type 1
      diabetes (T1D) and Graves' disease (GD) (autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 3
      variant; APS3v), and were treated with intensive insulin therapy and anti-thyroid
      drugs. Human leukocyte antigen examinations showed that both cases had the HLA
      A2, A24, B54, and DRB1*04:05-DQA1*03:03-DQB1*04:01 haplotype, which made them
      susceptible not only to APS3v, but also to both acute-onset T1D and GD. The
      genetic background of patients strongly contributes to the simultaneous
      occurrence of T1D and GD.

PMID- 24240795
TI  - IgG4-related ocular adnexal disease mimicking thyroid-associated orbitopathy.
AB  - A 72-year-old man presented with bilateral eyelid swelling and redness. An
      orbital CT scan showed bilateral proptosis, extraocular muscle enlargement and
      swollen lacrimal glands, mimicking thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) with
      Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). During the patient's clinical course, spontaneous
      remission of lung consolidation (35 * 26 mm) was seen. A diagnosis of IgG4
      related disease (IgG4-RD) was made based on an elevated serum IgG4 level (1,020
      mg/dL; normal, 4-108), predominance of IgG4-positive plasma cells (IgG4/IgG:
      35/70 in HPF) in the lacrimal glands and typical features of Mikulicz's disease.
      This report provides a novel description of this unusual disease entity among HT,
      TAO and IgG4-RD.

PMID- 24240796
TI  - EBUS-TBNA-related complications in a patient with tuberculous lymphadenopathy.
AB  - Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is
      becoming more common for diagnosing intrathoracic lymphadenopathy, including
      tuberculous lymphadenopathy. We herein report two cases of complications possibly
      related to EBUS-TBNA for tuberculous lymphadenopathy. The first patient was a 26
      year-old woman who developed intrabronchial polypoid granulomas exclusively at
      puncture sites two months after undergoing EBUS-TBNA. Although endobronchial
      extension may occur, the risk of aggravation caused by puncture should be
      considered. The second patient was a 39-year-old woman with transient smear
      positive bloody sputum that developed immediately after EBUS-TBNA and persisted
      for three days. Temporary isolation following EBUS-TBNA should be considered for
      possible tuberculous lymphadenopathy.

PMID- 24240797
TI  - Lymphomatosis cerebri with intramedullary spinal cord involvement.
AB  - Lymphomatosis cerebri (LC) is a rare form of primary central nervous system
      lymphoma (PCNSL). Little is known about cases of LC with spinal cord involvement.
      Among the 11 PCNSL patients treated in our hospital during a four-year period, we
      identified two cases of LC with spinal cord lesions. One showed a spinal cord
      lesion followed by leukoencephalopathy. The other showed a spinal cord lesion
      after LC. In both cases, the histopathology was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. It
      is possible that LC may affect the entire central nerve system, and tumor
      infiltration to the brain and spinal cord in LC may occur more frequently than
      has been previously considered. 

PMID- 24240798
TI  - Dasatinib-responsive chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a patient treated for
      coexisting chronic myeloid leukemia.
AB  - We herein present a case of concurrent chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Two different clones, a Philadelphia (Ph) clone and a
      CLL clone with a 13q deletion, were identified using fluorescent in situ
      hybridization. Dasatinib was administered to inhibit Bcr-Abl and Lyn kinase. The
      patient exhibited a molecular response for CML and a partial response for CLL. To
      our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the occurrence of a gradual
      increase in the Bcr-Abl transcript level prior to the diagnosis of Ph-positive
      CML in an individual with CLL who was successfully treated with dasatinib as the
      first-line therapy.

PMID- 24240799
TI  - Acute myelogenous leukemia with Leptotrichia trevisanii bacteremia.
AB  - A 74-year-old woman visited an otolaryngology clinic with pharyngeal pain, and
      was diagnosed with a peritonsillar abscess. She received antibiotics and
      underwent incisional drainage, but displayed high white blood cell and blast cell
      counts, and was referred to our hospital. Gram-negative rods (Leptotrichia
      trevisanii) were detected in blood cultures performed on admission. She was
      diagnosed with bacteremia and acute myelogenous leukemia (FAB classification:
      M1). After antibiotic therapy, she temporarily recovered from the bacteremia, but
      subsequently died on day 34. Although Leptotrichia trevisanii bacteremia is
      extremely rare, clinicians should consider it in cases involving
      immunocompromised patients with oral lesions. 

PMID- 24240800
TI  - Ineffectiveness of daptomycin in the treatment of septic pulmonary emboli and
      persistent bacteremia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - A 73-year-old man with long-term food deprivation and total parenteral nutrition
      was diagnosed with septic pulmonary emboli (SPE) and a persistent bacteremia
      caused by central line-associated blood stream methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Although daptomycin (DAP) failed to treat
      the persistent bacteremia, linezolid successfully controlled it. DAP is
      inactivated by lung surfactant, and therefore, it should not be administered for
      lower respiratory infections. However, SPE caused by MRSA has been reported to be
      treatable with DAP since it is an infection of the lung parenchyma. We herein
      report the lack of effect of daptomycin in SPE treatment. 

PMID- 24240801
TI  - Miliary tuberculosis with indeterminate interferon gamma release assay results.
AB  - Recently, interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) have become an important
      clinical tool for detecting latent tuberculosis. However, IGRA results may impede
      making a diagnosis. We herein present an interesting case of miliary tuberculosis
      with a nonspecific IGRA reaction due to hemophagocytosis. 

PMID- 24240802
TI  - Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome-like findings: chemical stimulation by the contrast
      agent.

PMID- 24240803
TI  - Pancreatitis due to afferent loop obstruction.

PMID- 24240804
TI  - Left atrial metastasis of renal cell carcinoma.

PMID- 24240806
TI  - Fluorescence intrinsic characterization of excitation-emission matrix using multi
      dimensional ensemble empirical mode decomposition.
AB  - Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy is a noninvasive
      method for tissue diagnosis and has become important in clinical use. However,
      the intrinsic characterization of EEM fluorescence remains unclear.
      Photobleaching and the complexity of the chemical compounds make it difficult to
      distinguish individual compounds due to overlapping features. Conventional
      studies use principal component analysis (PCA) for EEM fluorescence analysis, and
      the relationship between the EEM features extracted by PCA and diseases has been
      examined. The spectral features of different tissue constituents are not fully
      separable or clearly defined. Recently, a non-stationary method called multi
      dimensional ensemble empirical mode decomposition (MEEMD) was introduced; this
      method can extract the intrinsic oscillations on multiple spatial scales without
      loss of information. The aim of this study was to propose a fluorescence
      spectroscopy system for EEM measurements and to describe a method for extracting
      the intrinsic characteristics of EEM by MEEMD. The results indicate that,
      although PCA provides the principal factor for the spectral features associated
      with chemical compounds, MEEMD can provide additional intrinsic features with
      more reliable mapping of the chemical compounds. MEEMD has the potential to
      extract intrinsic fluorescence features and improve the detection of biochemical
      changes.

PMID- 24240807
TI  - Evaluation of the comet assay for assessing the dose-response relationship of DNA
      damage induced by ionizing radiation.
AB  - Dose- and time-response curves were combined to assess the potential of the comet
      assay in radiation biodosimetry. The neutral comet assay was used to detect DNA
      double-strand breaks in lymphocytes caused by gamma-ray irradiation. A clear dose
      response relationship with DNA double-strand breaks using the comet assay was
      found at different times after irradiation (p < 0.001). A time-response
      relationship was also found within 72 h after irradiation (p < 0.001). The curves
      for DNA double-strand breaks and DNA repair in vitro of human lymphocytes
      presented a nice model, and a smooth, three-dimensional plane model was obtained
      when the two curves were combined.

PMID- 24240808
TI  - Cloning, characterization and effect of TmPGRP-LE gene silencing on survival of
      Tenebrio molitor against Listeria monocytogenes infection.
AB  - Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are a family of innate immune
      molecules that recognize bacterial peptidoglycan. PGRP-LE, a member of the PGRP
      family, selectively binds to diaminopimelic acid (DAP)-type peptidoglycan to
      activate both the immune deficiency (Imd) and proPhenoloxidase (proPO) pathways
      in insects. A PGRP-LE-dependent induction of autophagy to control Listeria
      monocytogenes has also been reported. We identified and partially characterized a
      novel PGRP-LE homologue, from Tenebrio molitor and analyzed its functional role
      in the survival of the insect against infection by a DAP-type PGN containing
      intracellular pathogen, L. monocytogenes. The cDNA is comprised of an open
      reading frame (ORF) of 990 bp and encodes a polypeptide of 329 residues. TmPGRP
      LE contains one PGRP domain, but lacks critical residues for amidase activity.
      Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed a broad constitutive expression of the
      transcript at various stages of development spanning from larva to adult. RNAi
      mediated knockdown of the transcripts, followed by a challenge with L.
      monocytogenes, showed a significant reduction in survival rate of the larvae,
      suggesting a putative role of TmPGRP-LE in sensing and control of L.
      monocytogenes infection in T. molitor. These results implicate PGRP-LE as a
      defense protein necessary for survival of T. molitor against infection by L.
      monocytogenes.

PMID- 24240809
TI  - Synthetic resveratrol analogue, 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexahydroxy-trans-stilbene,
      accelerates senescence in peritoneal mesothelium and promotes senescence
      dependent growth of gastrointestinal cancers.
AB  - 3,3',4,4',5,5'-Hexahydroxy-trans-stilbene (M8) is a synthetic resveratrol
      derivative, advertised as a candidate drug highly effective against numerous
      malignancies. Because multiple tumors prone to M8 frequently metastasize into the
      peritoneal cavity, this study was aimed at establishing the effect of M8 on the
      growth and senescence of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs), the largest
      cell population within the peritoneum, actively involved in the intraperitoneal
      spread of cancer. The study showed that M8, used at the highest non-toxic dose of
      10 MUM, impairs proliferation and accelerates senescence in cultured HPMCs via an
      oxidative stress-dependent mechanism. At the same time, soluble factors released
      to the environment by HPMCs that senesced prematurely in response to M8 promoted
      growth of colorectal and pancreatic carcinomas in vitro. These findings indicate
      that M8 may indirectly-through the modification of normal (mesothelial) cells
      phenotype-facilitate an expansion of cancer cells, which challenges the
      postulated value of this stilbene in chemotherapy.

PMID- 24240810
TI  - A review of microsatellite markers and their applications in rice breeding
      programs to improve blast disease resistance.
AB  - Over the last few decades, the use of molecular markers has played an increasing
      role in rice breeding and genetics. Of the different types of molecular markers,
      microsatellites have been utilized most extensively, because they can be readily
      amplified by PCR and the large amount of allelic variation at each locus.
      Microsatellites are also known as simple sequence repeats (SSR), and they are
      typically composed of 1-6 nucleotide repeats. These markers are abundant,
      distributed throughout the genome and are highly polymorphic compared with other
      genetic markers, as well as being species-specific and co-dominant. For these
      reasons, they have become increasingly important genetic markers in rice breeding
      programs. The evolution of new biotypes of pests and diseases as well as the
      pressures of climate change pose serious challenges to rice breeders, who would
      like to increase rice production by introducing resistance to multiple biotic and
      abiotic stresses. Recent advances in rice genomics have now made it possible to
      identify and map a number of genes through linkage to existing DNA markers. Among
      the more noteworthy examples of genes that have been tightly linked to molecular
      markers in rice are those that confer resistance or tolerance to blast.
      Therefore, in combination with conventional breeding approaches, marker-assisted
      selection (MAS) can be used to monitor the presence or lack of these genes in
      breeding populations. For example, marker-assisted backcross breeding has been
      used to integrate important genes with significant biological effects into a
      number of commonly grown rice varieties. The use of cost-effective, finely mapped
      microsatellite markers and MAS strategies should provide opportunities for
      breeders to develop high-yield, blast resistance rice cultivars. The aim of this
      review is to summarize the current knowledge concerning the linkage of
      microsatellite markers to rice blast resistance genes, as well as to explore the
      use of MAS in rice breeding programs aimed at improving blast resistance in this
      species. We also discuss the various advantages, disadvantages and uses of
      microsatellite markers relative to other molecular marker types.

PMID- 24240811
TI  - Size-dependent cytotoxicity of nanocarbon blacks.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of nanocarbon blacks (NCBs) with
      different sizes to mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. MTT and fluorescence-based
      LIVE assays demonstrated that NCBs uptake caused a size and dose-dependent growth
      inhibition to the cells. Optical microscopy observations and (99m)Tc radionuclide
      labeling techniques were used to investigate the cellular uptake of NCBs with
      different sizes qualitatively and quantitatively, respectively. Results showed
      that the cellular uptake amounts of NCBs increased with their increasing size.
      Large quantities of internal NCBs induced oxidative stress and nuclear damage in
      cells; these effects may be the critical factors involved in the cytotoxicity of
      NCBs. The implications associated with these findings are discussed.

PMID- 24240812
TI  - Synthesis of 2-acyloxycyclohexylsulfonamides and evaluation on their fungicidal
      activity.
AB  - Eighteen N-substituted phenyl-2-acyloxycyclohexylsulfonamides (III) were designed
      and synthesized by the reaction of N-substituted phenyl-2-hydroxyl-
      cycloalkylsulfonamides (I, R(1)) with acyl chloride (II, R(2)) in dichloromethane
      under the catalysis of TMEDA and molecular sieve. High fungicidal active compound
      N-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-2-(2-ethoxyacetoxy) cyclohexylsulfonamide (III-18) was
      screened out. Mycelia growth assay against the Botrytis cinerea exhibited that
      EC50 and EC80 of compound III-18 were 4.17 and 17.15 MUg mL(-1) respectively,
      which was better than the commercial fungicide procymidone (EC50 = 4.46 MUg mL(
      1) and EC80 = 35.02 MUg mL(-1)). For in vivo activity against B. cinerea in
      living leaf of cucumber, the control effect of compound III-18 was better than
      the fungicide cyprodinil. In addition, this new compound had broader fungicidal
      spectra than chlorothalonil.

PMID- 24240814
TI  - Accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the bowel of patients in the pre-clinical
      phase of Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Parkinson's disease primarily affects the central nervous system, but autopsy and
      small patient studies have revealed autonomic nervous system pathology in most
      cases. We looked for alpha-synuclein pathology in routinely acquired biopsies
      from patients and matched controls. Immunocytochemistry was performed and
      assessed blind to the clinical diagnoses. One hundred and seventeen
      gastrointestinal tissue samples from 62 patients, and 161 samples from 161
      controls, were examined. Twelve biopsies from seven patients showed accumulation
      of alpha-synuclein within mucosal and submucosal nerve fibres, and ganglia, which
      was more extensive with an antibody to phosphorylated, than with an antibody to
      non-phosphorylated, alpha-synuclein. These included gastric, duodenal and colonic
      biopsies, and were taken up to 8 years prior to the onset of motor symptoms. All
      patients with positive biopsies had early autonomic symptoms and all controls
      were negative. This large scale study demonstrates that accumulation of alpha
      synuclein in the gastrointestinal tract is a highly specific finding that could
      be used to confirm a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. We have shown
      that alpha-synuclein accumulation occurs prior to the onset of motor symptoms in
      the upper, as well as the lower gastrointestinal tract, remains present in serial
      biopsies until the onset of motor symptoms and is predominantly composed of
      phosphorylated alpha-synuclein. Accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the bowel
      therefore offers an accessible biomarker which allows further study of the early
      stages of the disease and could be of value in the assessment of disease
      modifying treatments. 

PMID- 24240813
TI  - Molecular sub-group-specific immunophenotypic changes are associated with outcome
      in recurrent posterior fossa ependymoma.
AB  - Better understanding of ependymoma (EPN) biology at relapse is needed to improve
      therapy at this critical event. Convincing data exist defining transcriptionally
      distinct posterior fossa (PF) sub-groups A and B at diagnosis. The clinical and
      biological consequence of these sub-groups at recurrence has not yet been
      defined. Genome and transcriptome microarray profiles and clinical variables of
      matched primary and first recurrent PF EPN pairs were used to identify
      biologically distinct patterns of progression between EPN sub-groups at
      recurrence. Key findings were validated by histology and immune function assays.
      Transcriptomic profiles were partially conserved at recurrence. However, 4 of 14
      paired samples changed sub-groups at recurrence, and significant sub-group
      specific transcriptomic changes between primary and recurrent tumors were
      identified, which were predominantly immune-related. Further examination revealed
      that Group A primary tumors harbor an immune gene signature and cellular
      functionality consistent with an immunosuppressive phenotype associated with
      tissue remodeling and wound healing. Conversely, Group B tumors develop an
      adaptive, antigen-specific immune response signature and increased T-cell
      infiltration at recurrence. Clinical distinctions between sub-groups become more
      apparent after first recurrence. Group A tumors were more often sub-totally
      resected and had a significantly shorter time to subsequent progression and worse
      overall survival. Minimal tumor-specific genomic changes were observed for either
      PF Groups A or B at recurrence. Molecular sub-groups of PF EPN convey distinct
      immunobiologic signatures at diagnosis and recurrence, providing potential
      biologic rationale to their disparate clinical outcomes. Immunotherapeutic
      approaches may be warranted, particularly in Group A PF EPN.

PMID- 24240815
TI  - Defining the expression hierarchy of latent T-cell epitopes in Epstein-Barr virus
      infection with TCR-like antibodies.
AB  - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a gamma herpesvirus that causes a life-long latent
      infection in human hosts. The latent gene products LMP1, LMP2A and EBNA1 are
      expressed by EBV-associated tumors and peptide epitopes derived from these can be
      targeted by CD8 Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte (CTL) lines. Whilst CTL-based
      methodologies can be utilized to infer the presence of specific latent epitopes,
      they do not allow a direct visualization or quantitation of these epitopes. Here,
      we describe the characterization of three TCR-like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)
      targeting the latent epitopes LMP1(125-133), LMP2A(426-434) or EBNA1(562-570) in
      association with HLA-A0201. These are employed to map the expression hierarchy of
      endogenously generated EBV epitopes. The dominance of EBNA1(562-570) in
      association with HLA-A0201 was consistently observed in cell lines and EBV
      associated tumor biopsies. These data highlight the discordance between MHC
      epitope density and frequencies of associated CTL with implications for cell
      based immunotherapies and/or vaccines for EBV-associated disease.

PMID- 24240816
TI  - CT analysis of C2 pedicles morphology and considerations of useful parameters for
      screwing.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Surgery of cervical spine steadily requires realizing posterior
      osteosynthesis. The anchoring of instrumentation in C2 steadily constitutes an
      important stake of prognosis. Pedicle screwing is one of the best options and
      remains associated with a low morbidity. The aim of this CT study is to provide,
      from a wide population, the descriptive anatomical parameters of C2 pedicles. The
      data enable this analysis of feasibility of C2 pedicles screwing. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A continuous and retrospective series have explored 100 CT scans of the
      cervical spine without finding C2 fracture. The software OSIRIX v5.0.2 has been
      used. The dimensions of the pedicles in C2 as length, diameter, and distance from
      the vertebral foramens have been measured from the preset posterior entry point.
      Their orientation has been described in the axial and sagittal plan by the
      pedicle transverse angle, the sagittal angle and the pedicle-lamina angle used as
      a visible mark during the procedure. At least, the feasibility of pedicle
      screwing has been evaluated using a diameter criterion higher than 4 mm. RESULTS:
      The dimensions analysis of 200 studied pedicles has found an average length as
      26.18 mm, an average diameter as 5.18 mm and an average distance between the
      entry point and the vertebral foramen as 9.06 mm. Their orientations have an
      average PTA as 36.6 degrees  and a SA as 25.8 degrees . The average of the PLA
      was 81.3. The screwing feasibility has been evaluated as 92.5 % in the whole
      series. CONCLUSION: These morphological data come from a large series give some
      help for the C2 pedicle screwing preoperative planning. These lean on 3D measures
      but also on accessible mark during the procedure and despite the difference of
      the patient orientation. A CT preoperative planning of the pedicle screwing
      remains essential because more than 7 % of the pedicles have a diameter lower
      than 4 mm.

PMID- 24240817
TI  - A case of atlas assimilation: description of bony and soft structures.
AB  - A case of atlas assimilation revealed during serial study of suboccipital region
      is presented. The specimen was harvested from the body of 31-year-old woman.
      Images of the computed tomography scans are correlated with classic dissection.
      Asymmetrical bony assimilation is accompanied by asymmetrical development of the
      suboccipital musculature. In the presented case, the atlantic segments of both
      vertebral arteries preserved their usual course between bony elements derived
      from the atlas and proatlas. Development of the soft tissues must be influenced
      by similar factors as development of the skeleton. Detailed radiologic studies,
      possibly with volumetric reconstructions, are necessary in cases of atlas
      assimilation before surgical interventions in the region of craniovertebral
      junction. 

PMID- 24240818
TI  - Evolving practices in critical care and their influence on acute kidney injury.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the principal advances in critical care
      over the past year, and discusses the impact of these advances on the diagnosis
      and management of acute kidney injury (AKI). RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature
      has focused on assessment of volume status and fluid management, particularly in
      the setting of respiratory and cardiac failure. Other critical care topics are
      reviewed using a system-based approach. SUMMARY: The incidence of AKI appears to
      be increasing, and despite advances in the provision of critical care and renal
      replacement therapies, there has been little improvement in its associated
      morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, recent advances in critical care will
      impact the diagnosis and management of AKI, as well as shape the future research
      agenda. Continued work in the fields of critical care and nephrology will
      undoubtedly be centered on improved biomarkers for the detection of AKI, specific
      therapies to mitigate or reverse AKI, and techniques to prevent the development
      of AKI in the critically ill population.

PMID- 24240819
TI  - Intravenous fluids in sepsis: what to use and what to avoid.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Septic shock is one of the most common and life-threatening
      conditions afflicting critically ill patients. Intravenous volume resuscitation
      is considered an initial and very important step in management. The most suitable
      fluid for volume expansion during septic shock remains unclear. In this review,
      we focus on the benefits and adverse effects of the most commonly used
      intravenous fluids in critically ill septic patients. RECENT FINDINGS: The debate
      about the benefits of colloids over crystalloids has been ongoing for the last
      few decades. With recent literature showing apparent harm from the use of
      hydroxyethyl starches (HESs), and given the growing concerns of adverse renal and
      acid-base abnormalities associated with 0.9% saline compared with balanced
      crystalloid solutions, it may be time to change the nature of the 'fluid debate'.
      SUMMARY: Crystalloids should still be considered as the first-choice drug for
      volume resuscitation in patients with septic shock. Colloids such as albumin can
      be considered in some clinical settings. HES should be avoided. Balanced
      crystalloids might have an important role to play in the management of septic
      shock.

PMID- 24240820
TI  - Implementing the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes/acute kidney injury
      guidelines in ICU patients.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent finding in critically
      ill patients and is associated with adverse outcomes. With the purpose of
      improving outcome of AKI, the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)
      group, a group of experts in critical care nephrology, has presented a set of
      guidelines in 2012, based on the evidence gathered until mid 2011. This review
      will update these guidelines with recent evidence. RECENT FINDINGS: Early
      application of a set of therapeutic measures - a bundle - is advised for the
      prevention and therapy of AKI. Hemodynamic optimization remains the cornerstone
      of prevention and treatment of AKI. Fluid resuscitation should be with isotonic
      crystalloids. Recent evidence demonstrated a higher risk for renal replacement
      therapy (RRT) and mortality in hydroxyethyl starch-exposed patients. Further,
      blood pressure should be maintained by the use of vasopressors in vasomotor
      shock. Nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided or stopped when possible. Contrast
      associated AKI should be prevented by prehydration with either NaCl 0.9% or a
      bicarbonate solution. Other therapies, including intravenous N-acetylcysteine and
      hemofiltration are not recommended. Optimal timing of RRT remains controversial.
      Fluid overload remains an important determinant for the initiation of RRT.
      Continuous therapies are preferred in hemodynamically unstable patients;
      otherwise, choice of modality does not impact on outcomes. SUMMARY: The KDIGO
      guidelines as presented in 2012 provide guidelines on the domain of definition of
      AKI, prevention and treatment, contrast-induced AKI and dialysis interventions
      for AKI. Especially, early application of a set of measures, the AKI bundle, may
      prevent AKI and improve outcome.

PMID- 24240821
TI  - Measuring renal function in critically ill patients: tools and strategies for
      assessing glomerular filtration rate.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Alterations in kidney function are common in critically ill
      patients and are generally assessed by changes in serum creatinine (sCr) or urine
      output, which are considered surrogates for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but
      do not reflect the overall kidney function. There is a great need for more
      reliable measurements of glomerular filtration in order to guide diagnosis and
      therapy for acute kidney injury. In this review, we will focus on recent advances
      to measure GFR that could help to better evaluate kidney function and improve
      patient care. RECENT FINDINGS: Standardized assays for sCr measurements, the use
      of a more precise scale with more frequent measurements, and the interpretation
      of the results based on patient's characteristics can increase the clinical value
      of sCr. New endogenous and exogenous markers will provide a more precise
      estimation. Imaging techniques are being developed and will probably be available
      in the near future. New gold standards for glomerular filtration will help in the
      development and improvement in the use of new biomarkers of kidney injury.

PMID- 24240822
TI  - Military trauma system in Afghanistan: lessons for civil systems?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review focuses on development and maturation of the
      tactical evacuation and en route care capabilities of the military trauma system
      in Afghanistan and discusses hard-learned lessons that may have enduring
      relevance to civilian trauma systems. RECENT FINDINGS: Implementation of an
      evidence-based, data-driven performance improvement programme in the tactical
      evacuation and en route care elements of the military trauma system in
      Afghanistan has delivered measured improvements in casualty care outcomes.
      SUMMARY: Transfer of the lessons learned in the military trauma system operating
      in Afghanistan to civilian trauma systems with a comparable burden of prolonged
      evacuation times may be realized in improved patient outcomes in these systems.

PMID- 24240823
TI  - The 'procoagulopathy' of trauma: too much, too late?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although early acute traumatic coagulopathy has received much
      recent attention, the procoagulopathy that often follows appears less
      appreciated. Thromboembolic disease following trauma is common and lethal, but
      very effective prophylactic strategies are available. These strategies are
      variably implemented because of the difficulty in quantifying the magnitude of
      procoagulopathy in individual patients. RECENT FINDINGS: The principal mechanisms
      of the procoagulopathy of trauma include inflammation and disseminated
      intravascular coagulation, tissue factor and thrombin dysregulation, and
      circulating microparticles and phospholipids. Quantification of these factors may
      allow better risk assessment in individual patients, but as yet none of these
      tests is in routine practice. Viscoelastic measurement of developing clot
      strength identifies a procoagulant state in many trauma patients, and may be a
      guide to the best choice of the many options for thromboembolic prophylaxis.
      SUMMARY: The logical next step following from the improved pathophysiological
      understanding of the procoagulopathy of trauma should be a simultaneous clinical
      trial of procoagulopathy diagnosis and thromboembolic prophylaxis.

PMID- 24240824
TI  - Utility of simultaneous interventional radiology and operative surgery in a
      dedicated suite for seriously injured patients.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, combined interventional radiology and
      operative suites have been proposed and are now becoming operational in select
      trauma centres. Given the infancy of this technology, this review aims to review
      the rationale, benefits and challenges of hybrid suites in the management of
      seriously injured patients. RECENT FINDINGS: No specific studies exist that
      investigate outcomes within hybrid trauma suites. Endovascular and interventional
      radiology techniques have been successfully employed in thoracic, abdominal,
      pelvic and extremity trauma. Although the association between delayed haemorrhage
      control and poorer patient outcomes is intuitive, most supporting scientific data
      are outdated. The hybrid suite model offers the potential to expedite haemorrhage
      control through synergistic operative, interventional radiology and resuscitative
      platforms. Maximizing the utility of these suites requires trained
      multidisciplinary teams, ergonomic and workplace considerations, as well as a
      fundamental paradigm shift of trauma care. This often translates into a more
      damage-control orientated philosophy. SUMMARY: Hybrid suites offer tremendous
      potential to expedite haemorrhage control in trauma patients. Outcome evaluations
      from trauma units that currently have operational hybrid suites are required to
      establish clearer guidelines and criteria for patient management.

PMID- 24240825
TI  - Salvage techniques in traumatic cardiac arrest: thoracotomy, extracorporeal life
      support, and therapeutic hypothermia.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Survival from traumatic cardiac arrest is associated with a
      very high mortality despite aggressive resuscitation including an Emergency
      Department thoracotomy (EDT). Novel salvage techniques are needed to improve
      these outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: More aggressive out-of-hospital interventions,
      such as chest decompression or thoracotomy by emergency physicians or
      anesthesiologists, seem feasible and show some promise for improving outcomes.
      For trauma patients who suffer severe respiratory failure or refractory cardiac
      arrest, there seems to be an increasing role for the use of extracorporeal life
      support (ECLS), utilizing heparin-bonded systems to avoid systemic
      anticoagulation. The development of exposure hypothermia is associated with poor
      outcomes in trauma patients, but preclinical studies have consistently
      demonstrated that mild, therapeutic hypothermia (34  degrees C) improves survival
      from severe hemorrhagic shock. Sufficient data exist to justify a clinical trial.
      For patients who suffer a cardiac arrest refractory to EDT, induction of
      emergency preservation and resuscitation by rapid cooling to a tympanic membrane
      temperature of 10  degrees C may preserve vital organs long enough to allow
      surgical hemostasis, followed by resuscitation with cardiopulmonary bypass.
      SUMMARY: Salvage techniques, such as earlier thoracotomy, ECLS, and hypothermia,
      may allow survival from otherwise lethal injuries.

PMID- 24240826
TI  - What's new in operative trauma surgery in the last 10 years.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the latest operative trauma surgery
      techniques and strategies, which have been published in the last 10 years. Many
      of the articles we reviewed come directly from combat surgery experience and may
      be also applied to the severely injured civilian trauma patient and in the
      context of terrorist attacks on civilian populations. RECENT FINDINGS: We
      reviewed the most important innovations in operative trauma surgery; the use of
      ultrasound and computed tomography in the preoperative evaluation of the
      penetrating trauma patient, the use of temporary vascular shunts, the current
      management of military wounds, the use of preperitoneal packing in pelvic
      fractures and the management of the multiple traumatic amputation patient.
      SUMMARY: The last 10 years of conflict has produced a wealth of experience and
      novel techniques in operative trauma surgery. The articles we review here are
      essential for the contemporary care of the severely injured trauma patient,
      whether they are card for in a level 1 trauma center or in a field hospital at
      the edge of a battlefield.

PMID- 24240827
TI  - Rotational thromboelastometry-guided trauma resuscitation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Haemorrhage from major trauma is a significant cause of death
      worldwide. The UK Defence Medical Service (UK-DMS) has had significant experience
      in managing severely injured and shocked trauma casualties over the last decade.
      This has led to the integration of rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) into
      damage control resuscitation delivered at Camp Bastion Field Hospital in
      Afghanistan. This review aims to describe the rationale for its use and how its
      use has evolved by UK-DMS. RECENT FINDINGS: Although there is reasonable evidence
      showing its benefit in cardiac and liver surgery, evidence for its use in trauma
      is limited. More recent studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated a reduced
      rate of transfusion and blood loss, but no benefit on mortality. Despite this,
      there is a growing body of opinion supporting ROTEM use in trauma with European
      guidelines supporting its use where available. Recent UK-DMS experience has shown
      that it is a fast, reliable and robust means of identifying transfusion
      requirements. SUMMARY: ROTEM provides a means to rapidly assess coagulation in
      trauma casualties, allowing targeted use of blood products. It provides
      information on clot initiation strength and breakdown. However, its use in trauma
      has still to be fully evaluated.

PMID- 24240828
TI  - The intensivist as nosocomial thanatologist.

PMID- 24240829
TI  - To treat or not to treat: withholding treatment in the ICU.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Decisions to limit life-sustaining therapy (DLLST) in the ICU
      are used to uphold patients' autonomy, protect them from non-beneficial treatment
      and fairly distribute resources. The institution of these decisions is complex,
      with a variety of qualitative and quantitative data published. This review aims
      to summarize the main issues and review the contemporary research findings on
      this subject. RECENT FINDINGS: DLLST are used in a variety of clinical and non
      clinical situations, before and after ICU admission, and are not always part of
      end-of-life management. There are many dilemmas and barriers that beset their
      institution. Many ICU physicians feel inadequately trained to carry them out and
      they are frequently a source of conflict. A variety of strategies have been
      examined to improve their institution, including advanced directives, intensive
      communication strategies and family information leaflets, many of which have
      improved patient and family-centred outcomes. SUMMARY: There are a number of
      uncertainties that beset the institution of DLLST in the ICU; however, a variety
      of research has improved our ability to understand and implement them. This
      review frames some of the dilemmas and discusses some of the procedural
      strategies that have been used to improve outcomes.

PMID- 24240830
TI  - Causes and consequences of disproportionate care in intensive care medicine.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Increased use of advanced life-sustaining measures in patients
      with poor long-term expectations secondary to more chronic organ dysfunctions,
      comorbidities and/or a poor quality of life has become a worrying trend over the
      last decade. This can lead to futile, disproportionate or inappropriate care in
      the ICU. This review summarizes the causes and consequences of disproportionate
      care in the ICU. RECENT FINDINGS: Disproportionate care seems to be common in
      European and North American ICUs. The initiation and prolongation of
      disproportionate care can be related to hospital facilities, healthcare
      providers, the patient and his/her representatives and society. This can have
      serious consequences for patients, their relatives, physicians, nurses and
      society. SUMMARY: Disproportionate care is common in western ICUs. It can lead to
      violation of basic bioethical principles, suffering of patients and relatives and
      compassion fatigue and moral distress in healthcare providers. Avoiding
      inappropriate use of ICU resources and disproportionate care in the ICU should
      have high priority for ICU managers but also for every healthcare provider taking
      care of patients at the bedside.

PMID- 24240831
TI  - The ethics of hastening death during terminal weaning.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment (LSMT) is
      under scrutiny as next-of-kin challenge medical decision-making in the courts and
      established end-of-life pathways are withdrawn in the face of public criticism.
      With persistent lobbying for medically assisted dying as the other side of the
      coin, and professional advice that doctors distance themselves from this
      activity, the fine line between defensible palliative care and hastening a death
      needs to be unambiguously defined, particularly with additional confounders such
      as transplantation initiatives. RECENT FINDINGS: The medical literature in this
      domain is dominated by ethical debate on euthanasia and medically assisted dying
      rather than defensibility within intensive care at the point of withdrawal of
      LSMT. SUMMARY: The process and, therefore, the timing of dying is open to
      manipulation by intensivists, families, other hospital physicians, courts of law
      and extraneous influences such as organ donation. Intensivists faced with these
      challenging processes need to consider some key principles to help them navigate
      the management of dying. They need to demonstrate transparency in order to
      engender trust, be responsive to the dynamically evolving needs of patient and
      family, avoid ambiguity, show consistency and predictability and, finally, they
      need to conform with society's expectations and professional standards to achieve
      defensibility for their actions. Adherence to these principles is likely to
      minimize conflict, maximize patient benefit, maintain public confidence and avoid
      professional jeopardy.

PMID- 24240833
TI  - Measuring quality of life of Finnish children with cerebral palsy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the quality of life (QOL) of
      Finnish children with cerebral palsy (CP), both from the child's and the
      caregiver's point of view, and to analyze the effect of background factors on
      QOL. METHODS: This study is a part of a national CP research project. The study
      is based on validated questionnaires measuring QOL (CP QOL-Child).
      128~questionnaires were sent to caregivers who had a 4 to 12 year-old child with
      CP. Children between 9 and 12 years were asked to fill in the child-self-report
      version. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 78 guardians and 27 children, with
      a response rate of 61% in both cases. The overall QOL was reported to be good in
      Finnish children with CP. The correlation of QOL scores between the caregivers
      and children was good (n=25, r=0.687, p< 0.001), except in the domain of pain and
      the impact of disability. Parental estimates were consistently lower in all
      domains. Regarding the background factors, all the functional classification
      scales were associated inversely with QOL in both groups. CONCLUSION: Despite the
      good overall QOL, CP is perceived to limit participation. Pain impairs QOL, and
      pain symptoms should be systematically considered at every follow-up visit.

PMID- 24240834
TI  - Evidence from unilateral lesions of early uncompensable implementation of opposed
      response-biases in each hemisphere of the brain.
AB  - PURPOSE: The intact right hemisphere presents an omissive response-bias and the
      left hemisphere a commissive response-bias in adults. This research sought to
      determine whether these hemispherically lateralized response-biases manifest
      early developmental and uncompensable brain implementation. METHODS: Sixteen
      teenager and adult participants with focal left hemisphere lesions and fourteen
      with focal right hemisphere lesions (all with childhood onset: M=13 year recovery
      period) and 14 normal control participants were recruited. A computerized
      multitask high order working memory procedure was designed to generate many
      errors of omission and of commission. RESULTS: The expected double dissociation
      of response-bias distortion as a function of lesion side was significantly
      demonstrated on this task and was significantly frontal-lobe dependent.
      CONCLUSION: The hemispheres of the brain have an opposed response bias that is
      robustly implemented in infancy through adulthood.

PMID- 24240835
TI  - Serial casting versus stretching technique to treat knee flexion contracture in
      children with spina bifida: a comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe knee contractures that develop soon after muscle imbalance may
      not improve with stretching exercises and splinting. An alternative treatment is
      serial casting, which has been used to promote increased range of motion.
      PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of using
      serial casting and passive stretching approaches to treat knee flexion
      contracture in children with spina bifida. METHODS: In a pre/post randomized
      controlled study, ten participants were included in the serial casting group,
      while eight participants were included in the passive stretching intervention
      group. The degree of knee extension was measured at baseline, immediately after
      intervention, and at a one-year follow-up using a standard goniometer. RESULTS:
      Both groups showed significant improvements in the degree of flexion contracture
      at the post-treatment evaluation and the follow-up evaluation. The serial casting
      group showed significant improvements in knee flexion contracture at the post
      treatment evaluation, t (9)=13.4, p < 0.001, and the one-year follow-up
      evaluation, t (9) = 7.46, p < 0.001. The passive stretching group also showed
      significant improvements in knee flexion contracture at the post-treatment
      evaluation, t (7) =2.6, p < 0.05, and the one-year follow-up evaluation, t (7) =
      3.6, p < 0.05. However, statistically significant improvements in the serial
      casting group compared with passive stretching group in relation to the degree of
      flexion contracture were found at the immediate post-treatment evaluation, F(1,
      15)=246, p=0.0001, and the one-year follow-up evaluation, F (1, 15)=51.5,
      p=0.0001. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of this study provide the first evidence that
      serial casting may be a useful intervention in treating knee flexion contracture
      in children with spina bifida. However, further investigations into serial
      casting, as well as investigations into the use of serial casting with other
      interventions, are warranted.

PMID- 24240836
TI  - Risk of bladder cancer in patients with spina bifida: case reports and review of
      the literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: This article presents four cases of patients with spina bifida who
      developed bladder cancer while under our care and provides a literature review on
      the incidence, initial presentation, possible etiologies, and role for screening
      for bladder cancer in the neurogenic bladder population. METHODS: Case reports of
      four patients are presented followed by a literature review of the current
      available studies. RESULTS: Patients with spina bifida present with bladder
      cancer at an atypically young age with very advanced disease. The dire prognosis
      associated with bladder cancer in these patients demands that we provide better
      treatment, diagnosis, and prevention modalities. However, the potential
      morbidity, financial burden, and lack of proven benefit discourage cystoscopic
      screening in this patient population. Until we have more data on how to best
      serve spina bifida patients, this population should receive careful and regular
      urologic follow-up. CONCLUSION: Given the atypical young age of presentation and
      very advanced nature of bladder cancer in the spina bifida population, the
      authors strongly recommend that any new bladder changes, such as including
      increased urinary leakage, pain, recurrent infections, or increased gross
      hematuria, prompt immediate urologic referral for endoscopic evaluation and
      biopsy as indicated.

PMID- 24240837
TI  - Functional status of children with encephalitis in an inpatient rehabilitation
      setting: a case series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patterns and predictors of recovery from encephalitis are poorly
      understood. METHODS: This study examined functional status and reviewed charts of
      all children who presented to a pediatric inpatient rehabilitation facility with
      encephalitis between 1996 and 2010. Functional status at admission and discharge
      from inpatient rehabilitation was evaluated using the Functional Independence
      Measure for Children (WeeFIM) Self-care, Mobility, Cognitive, and Total
      Developmental Functional Quotient scores (DFQ, % of age-appropriate function).
      Charts were reviewed to characterize key clinical features and findings. RESULTS:
      Of the 13 children identified, the mean age was 9 years (range 5-16) with 54%
      males. Mean WeeFIM Total DFQ at admission was 37 (range: 15-90) and at discharge
      was 64 (range: 16-96). Average change in WeeFIM Total DFQ from admission to
      discharge was 26.7 (range 0-55, p < 0.001). WeeFIM domain scores improved between
      admission and discharge (Self-Care: p < 0.001, Cognition: p < 0.01, Mobility: p <
      0.001). Eleven children displayed significant impairments in functional skills,
      defined as DFQ of < or =85, at discharge. Key clinical features and findings were
      diverse and not related to functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that
      significant functional improvement in children with encephalitis occurs during
      inpatient rehabilitation. Further research is necessary to identify predictors of
      outcome in children with encephalitis.

PMID- 24240838
TI  - Grisel's syndrome: an unusual cause of torticollis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this paper is to present a case series of patients with
      diagnosis of torticollis due to Grisel's syndrome and, in doing so, raise
      awareness of an unusual condition that could be fatal. A review of the literature
      is presented regarding diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Case series of three
      patients that were 7, 10, and 12 years old with history of tonsillitis or neck
      surgery consulted to the service of Rehabilitation Medicine. RESULTS: Physical
      examination showed a fixed head or limitation of movement to neutral position and
      initially a normal neurological examination. Initial cervical X-rays were not
      diagnostic. The final diagnosis was made by CT scan or MRI. All 3 patients were
      treated with anti-inflammatory medications, immobilization, and/or cervical
      traction or surgery. CONCLUSION: Grisel's syndrome is a non-traumatic atlanto
      axial rotatory fixation (AARF) with or without subluxation following infection or
      surgery in the head or neck region. This paper presents an unusual cause of
      torticollis that could be fatal or cause neurological injury if not recognized
      and treated appropriately.

PMID- 24240839
TI  - Motor function outcome in postnatal insult-related cerebral palsy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was
      developed to establish uniform communication between healthcare providers,
      patients, and the patients' families. It is also used to prognosticate the
      outcome of motor function. Based on previous reports, prognostication of
      ambulation status in cerebral palsy is based on the motor development curve,
      which shows a plateau at a certain known age. CASE REPORT: This report
      illustrates the case of a boy with spastic triplegic cerebral palsy secondary to
      postnatal insult at early childhood. The patient was noted to have tremendous
      progressive improvement in his GMFCS level beyond 7 years old: from level IV at 4
      years old to level II at 9 years old. CONCLUSION: Prognostication of ambulation
      in cerebral palsy based on the motor development curve provides a basis for
      physicians to predict motor function outcome and plan appropriate intervention.
      This case report shows that other important factors need to be considered in the
      clinical evaluation before rendering the prognostication of motor function
      outcome, including environmental factors as well as the etiology of cerebral
      palsy, for which special consideration should be given in cases of postnatal
      insult-related cerebral palsy.

PMID- 24240840
TI  - Invited commentary: Motor function outcome in postnatal insult-related cerebral
      palsy.

PMID- 24240843
TI  - Continuous electroencephalography in a surgical intensive care unit.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and impact on
      outcome of nonconvulsive seizures (NCSz), nonconvulsive status epilepticus
      (NCSE), and periodic epileptiform discharges (PEDs) in surgical intensive care
      unit (SICU) patients with continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) monitoring.
      METHODS: This was a retrospective study of SICU patients who underwent cEEG
      monitoring for altered mental status over a 6-year period. We report the
      frequency of NCSz (including NCSE) and PEDs on cEEG. The primary outcome was
      death or severe disability at hospital discharge. Multivariable logistic
      regression was used to identify whether NCSz (including NCSE) and PEDs were
      independently associated with poor outcome (death, vegetative state or severe
      disability). RESULTS: Of 154 patients, the mean age was 64 +/- 14 years old, and
      40% were women. The majority of patients were admitted following abdominal
      surgery (36%) and liver transplantation (24%). Sepsis developed in 100 (65%)
      patients. Sixteen percent (n = 24) had NCSz [including 5% (N = 8) with NCSE], and
      29% (N = 45) had PEDs. All eight patients with NCSE were septic. Clinical
      seizures prior to cEEG and coma were more common among patients who developed
      NCSz or NCSE compared to patients without NCSz or NCSE (70 vs. 27%; p < 0.01; 75
      vs. 52%; p = 0.046 and 63 vs. 34%; p = 0.09, respectively). NCSzs (including
      NCSE) were independently associated with poor outcome (20 vs. 3%, OR 10.4, 95% CI
      1.0-53.7; p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study of SICU patients
      with cEEG monitoring for altered mental status, NCSz and periodic discharges were
      frequent and NCSz were independently associated with poor outcome. NCSz were more
      common when clinical seizures occurred before cEEG.

PMID- 24240844
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for bedside imaging in subclinical acute kidney
      injury.

PMID- 24240845
TI  - Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in callus culture of green
      bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii Munro).
AB  - Young inflorescence explants of green bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii Munro) in culture
      show a high capacity for plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis.
      Embryogenic callus was initiated from explants maintained on Murashige and
      Skoog's medium supplemented with 3 mg/l 2,4-D, 2 mg/l kinetin and a high content
      (60 g/l) of sucrose. Prolonged culture in the embryoid induction medium or
      transferral of embryonic callus to auxin-free medium resulted in the continued
      development and eventual germination of embryoids and establishment of rooted
      plantlets that were successfully transferred to soil. 

PMID- 24240846
TI  - A single dominant gene for Fusarium wilt resistance in protoplast-derived tomato
      plants.
AB  - Tomato plants resistant to the fungal pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
      lycopersici, race 2, were obtained using in vitro selection against fusaric acid,
      a non-specific toxin, as well as non-challenged cells. Protoplasts were isolated
      from cotyledonary tissue of tomato cv. 'UC-82', which is susceptible to Fusarium
      race 2. Protoplasts were challenged with the toxin, and the resistant calli were
      further subjected to the toxin. Plants regenerated from toxin-resistant calli
      were screened for resistance to the pathogen by using the Fusarium slurry
      inoculation technique. Seeds were collected from the surviving individuals,
      germinated and rescreened for resistance to the pathogen. Data obtained from this
      test showed a ratio of three resistant to one susceptible among R1 progenies.
      Further analysis of the R2 progenies confirmed that the fusarium-resistant plants
      were either homozygous or heterozygous dominant for the gene conferring the
      resistance. Similar results were recorded for tomato plants regenerated from
      cells that received no selection pressure. The nature of this single dominant
      gene-type of resistance is under investigation. 

PMID- 24240847
TI  - New sources of dwarfing genes in pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum).
AB  - Thirteen naturally occurring dwarf lines of pearl millet [Pennisetum americanum
      (L.) Leeke], identified from the world collection, varied for several
      morphological and agronomic characters. Extreme dwarfs were characterized by a
      tufted growth habit which could be distinguished from the time of germination,
      while the other dwarf lines could be distinguished only after anthesis. The F1
      hybrids between the tall and dwarf genotypes were tall, indicating that dwarfness
      is a recessive trait. In 10 out of the 13 crosses, the F2 segregation ratio was
      three tall to one dwarf (3?1) suggesting that the dwarfness is controlled by a
      single recessive gene, while the height differences in 3 of the dwarfs (IP 8056,
      IP 8210 and IP 8214) were controlled by more than one gene as they showed
      continuous variation for plant height in F2. When the remaining 10 single gene
      dwarfs were crossed to either d 1 ('Tift 238') or d 2 ('Tift 23 DB') dwarfs, only
      2 crosses produced tall F2 hybrids and they segregated for height in F2
      indicating that these 2 dwarfs are non-allelic to d 1 and d 2. Reciprocal crosses
      of these 2 dwarfs produced tall F1 hybrids and showed a dihybrid segregation of
      9?3?4 in F2 indicating that the dwarfing genes of these 2 parents are non-allelic
      to each other. These non-allelic dwarfs were assigned the gene symbols d 3 (IP
      10401), and d 4 (IP 10402). 

PMID- 24240848
TI  - The molecular basis of genetic diversity among cytoplasms of Triticum and
      Aegilops : 5. Mitochondrial genome diversity among Aegilops species having
      identical chloroplast genomes.
AB  - Restriction fragment patterns of mtDNA isolated from the cytoplasm of three
      groups of Aegilops species (or accessions) which are known to carry the identical
      chloroplast genome but distinctly different cytoplasmic genomes (plasmons) have
      been analysed using five restriction endonucleases. Two to four different
      mitochondrial genomes are found in each group, between which the percent common
      restriction fragments amounts to 86-97%, whereas the same parameter obtained
      between mitochondrial genomes of the different groups ranges from 34 to 42%.
      Mitochondrial genome diversity is far more extensive than the chloroplast genome
      diversity, and the former provides a useful key for the phylogenetic
      relationships between cytoplasms of closely related species or even different
      accessions of the same species. The mitochondrial and chloroplast genome
      differentiation most certainly accounts for the plasmon variability known in this
      genus. 

PMID- 24240849
TI  - Selection theory for selfed progenies.
AB  - The purpose of this article was to extend the model used to predict selection
      response with selfed progeny from 2 alleles per locus to a model which is general
      for number and frequency of alleles at loci. To accomplish this, 4 areas had to
      be dealt with: 1) simplification of the derivation and calculation of the
      condensed coefficients of identity; 2) presentation of the genetic variances
      expressed among and within selfed progenies as linear function of 5 population
      parameters; 3) presentation of selection response equations for selfed progenies
      as functions of these 5 population parameters; and 4) to identify a set of
      progeny to evaluate, such that one might be able to estimate these 5 population
      parameters.The five population parameters used in predicting gains were the
      additive genetic variance, the dominance variance, the covariance of additive and
      homozygous dominance deviations, the variance of the homozygous dominance
      deviations and a squared inbreeding depression term. 

PMID- 24240850
TI  - Protein synthesis during cold shock in barley tissues : Comparison of two
      genotypes with winter and spring growth habit.
AB  - In barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings, a temperature step-down from 24 
      degrees C to 6 degrees C (cold shock) determined a reduction in the incorporation
      of labeled aminoacids and modified the electrophoretic pattern of total proteins.
      At 6  degrees C some new proteins appeared and others were intensified (cold
      shock-induced proteins= CSPs); meantime, few proteins disappeared or were
      curtailed (cold-repressed proteins=CRPs). The majority of the proteins of the
      seedlings were labeled at about the same rate both at 6  degrees C and 24 
      degrees C, whereas at 0  degrees C only the cold shock proteins and a few others
      were detectable. The cold shock-induced variations of the protein profile
      differed in roots and in seed remnants which showed only some of the CSPs
      detected in roots. Total protein synthesis of barley genotypes 'Onice' and
      'Georgie', which have respectively a winter and spring growth habit, were
      similarly inhibited by a temperature drop. The two genotypes, however, showed
      some differences in the CSPs and CRPs pattern. Because 'Onice' and 'Georgie' have
      also a different thermotolerance, the hypothesis can be made that in barley
      specific CSPs are involved in conferring various degrees of cold resistance. 

PMID- 24240851
TI  - Controlled introgression to wheat of genes from rye chromosome arm 1RS by
      induction of allosyndesis : 1. Isolation of recombinants.
AB  - Chromosome pairing between rye chromosome arm 1RS, present in two wheat-rye
      translocation stocks, and its wheat homoeologues was induced by introducing the
      translocations into either a ph1bph1b or a nullisomic 5B background. This rye arm
      carries a gene conferring resistance to wheat stem rust, but lines carrying the
      translocation produce a poor quality dough unsuitable for breadmaking. Storage
      protein markers were utilised along with stem rust reaction to screen for
      allosyndetic recombinants. From a 1DL-1RS translocation, three lines involving
      wheat-rye recombination were recovered, along with thirteen lines derived from
      wheat-wheat homoeologous recombination. From a 1BL-1RS translocation, an
      additional three allosyndetic recombinants were recovered. Nullisomy for
      chromosome 5B was as efficacious as the ph1b mutant for induction of
      allosyndesis, and the former stock is easier to manipulate due to the presence of
      a 5BL-encoded endosperm protein. The novel wheat-rye chromosomes present in the
      recombinant lines may enable the rye disease resistance to be exploited without
      the associated dough quality defect. 

PMID- 24240852
TI  - Controlled introgression to wheat of genes from rye chromosome arm 1RS by
      induction of allosyndesis : 2. Characterisation of recombinants.
AB  - Sixteen allosyndetic recombinants involving chromosome arms 1DS and 1RS derived
      from the wheat-rye translocation 1DL-1RS, and one 1RS recombinant derived from
      1BL-1RS were characterised by cytological, biochemical and molecular methods.
      Analysis of isozyme markers showed that recombination had involved different
      breakpoints along the 1DS arm. The gene order Tri-D1 - Per-D1 - Gpi-D1 - Gli-D1
      was established on chromosome 1DS, and this is consistent with the gene order
      known to occur on 1BS. The use of three molecular probes for loci on 1RS
      confirmed one of the recombinants obtained from the 1BL-1RS translocation, and
      two of the three recombinants obtained from the 1DL-1RS translocation. These two
      recombinant chromosomes appear to have approximately reciprocal structures and
      may prove of direct benefit to wheat breeders as they retain the stem rust
      resistance of the parental translocation but have recovered some of the 1D
      encoded proteins which are absent in 1DL-1RS lines and which are thought to
      affect dough quality. A 5S RNA site was discovered on chromosome arm 1DS,
      probably reflecting the homoeologous relationship of this chromosome with 1BS.
      Segregational analysis indicated that some of the homoeologous wheat-wheat
      exchanges probably involved more than a single allosyndetic event. 

PMID- 24240853
TI  - Selection for yield and yield components in the early generations of a potato
      breeding programme.
AB  - A number of unselected potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) clones were grown at two
      locations (a seed site and a ware site) in three consecutive years. The
      repeatability of total yield and yield components in the first two clonal years
      was compared with the same characters recorded in the third clonal year.
      Selection for yield in the first clonal year was only marginally more effective
      than a random reduction in number of genotypes, while selection in the second
      clonal year appeared to be somewhat more effective as judged by performance in
      the third clonal year. The inefficiency of selection in the first clonal year was
      ascribed, at least in part, to the inaccuracy of yield assessment as well as the
      "carry-over" effect of the mother tubers. Correlations of total yield were higher
      between different years in the same location than between different locations.
      Selection under growing conditions suitable for production of seed tubers tended
      to result in selection of early maturing clones which would not necessarily be
      optimal for ware growing conditions. 

PMID- 24240854
TI  - Genetic pollution and number of matings in a black honey bee (Apis mellifera
      mellifera) population.
AB  - In the south-east of France, local honey bees possess only the B allele at the
      MDH locus, whereas the races which are usually imported into this area do not
      have this allele. The proportion of non-B genes in a sample of drones was used to
      measure the "genetic pollution" in the local population. Within the course of a
      breeding scheme of local bees, 99 queens, whose genotypes are BB, were naturally
      mated between April 25 and June 10, 1985 at la Tave (Gard, France). Twenty
      daughters-workers of each queen were analysed at the MDH locus. The frequency of
      the B allele in drones that mated with these queens is estimated by the
      proportion of workers with genotype BB and the genetic pollution by the cumulated
      frequency of the other alleles. The sampling variances of these frequencies
      involve a coefficient which is a function of the average number of drones mated
      with a queen. This latter parameter is estimated through the maximum likelihood
      method. In addition to the three well-known alleles, a rare allele
      (frequency=0.0055), possibly equivalent to the S1 allele described by Badino et
      al. (1983), has been found in three different colonies. Cumulating the
      frequencies of the non-B alleles results in an estimation of the genetic
      pollution equal to 0.0394 (+/-0.0071). This low value allows us to proceed to the
      next step of the selection project. The mean number of drones mated to a queen is
      12.4 with a (10.4-19.3) confidence interval at the 90% level. 

PMID- 24240855
TI  - Diallel and generation means analyses for the components of resistance to
      Cercospora arachidicola in peanut.
AB  - The inheritance of the components of partial resistance to Cercospora
      arachidicola Hori in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) was examined in two five-parent
      diallels and in the six generations of two single crosses in greenhouse tests.
      The Griffing (1956) analysis indicated general combining ability (GCA) to be of
      most importance, yet large ratios of SCA/GCA sum of squares suggested nonadditive
      genetic variance as well. Reciprocal effects were found for lesion area and
      lesion number/10 cm(2) leaf area. The importance of nonadditive genetic variance
      was substantiated by the lack of fit for the additive-dominance model in the
      Hayman's analysis (1954 a, b). Further evidence from the Hayman's analysis
      indicated that epistasis may be important in determining the inheritance of some
      of the components of resistance. Additive gene effects alone accounted for the
      genetic variability observed among the generation means from two single crosses
      for all components of resistance except latent period. There was evidence that
      epistasis was an important mode of gene action for the inheritance of latent
      period. 

PMID- 24240856
TI  - Use of an interspecific hybrid in identifying a new allelic specificity generated
      at the self-incompatibility locus after inbreeding in Lycopersicon peruvianum.
AB  - An interspecific hybrid between Lycopersicon esculentum (?) and L. peruvianum has
      been raised by embryo rescue in vitro and used to confirm the presence of a new S
      allelic specificity in its inbred L. peruvianum parent, a plant derived by
      enforced bud self-pollination of a self-incompatible clone with the genotype S 1
      S 2. The inbred plant showed breeding behavior characteristic of both S 2 and a
      second specificity which was not S 1, S 2, S 3 or S f. Two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis of stylar proteins, however, showed only a single typical S
      associated component with the Mr and pI characteristic of S2. The alteration in
      specificity, therefore, was not associated with a detectable change in an S
      associated protein. The F1 interspecific hybrid showed intermediacy of vegetative
      and reproductive characters, relatively high fertility and full self
      incompatibility. Backcrossing to L. esculentum produced only abortive seeds
      requiring embryo culture. Backcrosses to L. peruvianum produced a very low
      proportion of filled germinable seeds. Pollen of the hybrid showed superior
      viability and tube growth rate compared with pollen of the two parent plants. 

PMID- 24240857
TI  - Regulatory effects of homoeologous chromosome arms on wheat proteins at two
      developmental stages.
AB  - Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was conducted on denatured proteins of the 10
      day-old first leaf (1F stage) of 18 homoeologous ditelosomic (DT) lines of wheat
      cultivar 'Chinese Spring'. The observations, compared to the euploid control and
      relative to previous data found on 7-day-old etiolated seedlings (G7 stage) of
      the same lines lead to the following statements: 1) the structural genes of 24
      spots can be assigned to 12 chromosome arms; 2) regulatory effects are completely
      different between the 1F and the G7 stages which may indicate that the regulation
      of protein amounts is often stage-specific; 3) no case of complete gene dosage
      compensation is observed among 4 groups of hypothesized homoeoallelic products;
      4) homoeologous DT lines do not manifest similar effects which suggest the
      absence of homoeology for the detected regulatory effects. 

PMID- 24240858
TI  - Nuclear-mitochondrial interactions in cytoplasmic male-sterile sorghum.
AB  - Variation in mitochondrial genome organization and expression between male
      fertile and sterile nuclear-cytoplasmic combinations of sorghum has been
      examined. Cytoplasmic genotypes were classified into eleven groups on the basis
      of restriction endonuclease digestion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and five
      groups on the basis of mitochondrial translation products. These cytoplasms were
      further characterized by hybridization of specific gene probes to Southern blots
      of EcoRI digested mtDNA, and identification of the fragment location of four
      mitochondrial genes. Variation was observed in the genomic location and copy
      number of the F1 ATPase alpha-subunit gene, as well as the genomic location and
      gene product of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. The effect of nuclear
      genotype on mitochondrial genome organization, expression and the presence of two
      linear plasmid-like mtDNA molecules was examined. Our results indicate that
      nuclear-mitochondrial interactions are required for regulation of mitochondrial
      gene expression. When a cytoplasm is transferred from its natural to a foreign
      nuclear background some changes in the products of in organello mitochondrial
      protein synthesis occur. In a number of cytoplasmic genotypes these changes
      correlate with the expression of cytoplasmic male sterile phenotype, suggesting a
      possible molecular basis for this mutation. 

PMID- 24240859
TI  - Investigations on an interspecific hybrid involving three species of the genus
      Beta, with special reference to isozyme polymorphism.
AB  - A tetraploid (2n=36) interspecific hybrid was obtained involving three species
      belonging to three different sections of Beta. The hybrid was highly sterile and
      did not show apomixis. At meiosis, up to nine bivalents were observed, most
      probably resulting from autosyndesis of the chromosomes of Beta lomatogona. For
      nine isozyme systems, individual enzyme expression was investigated in the
      parental species and in the hybrids. No silencing of genes or genomes was
      observed. In the case of some polymeric enzymes interspecific heteropolymers
      could be detected. 

PMID- 24240860
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in the genus Secale : 1. Somatic
      embryogenesis and organogenesis from cultured immature embryos of five wild
      species of rye.
AB  - A tissue culture of five wild species of the Secale genus, i.e., S. africanum
      (Stapf.), S. ancestrale (Zhuk.), S. kuprianovii (Grossh), S. segetale (Rosher.),
      and S. vavilovii (Grossh), from immature embryos of sizes (stages) varying
      between 1.0 mm to 3.0mm, cultured on MS (1962) mineral nutrient medium
      supplemented with 0.62 mg/1-5.0 mg/1 of 2,4-D, was established. Initially various
      types of callus were observed and a correlation between genotype, size of explant
      and 2,4-D concentration was found. The best embryogenic response was observed
      when explants were smaller than 1.0 mm. Induction of somatic embryogenesis of 2.0
      mm-3.0 mm explants required a higher concentration of 2,4-D. Most embryoids were
      formed in the presence of 5.0 mg/l of 2,4-D. Secale africanum and S. kuprianovii
      appeared to have the highest embryogenic capacity among the five investigated
      species. For embryoids germination to plantlets the MS medium supplemented with
      GA3 and cytokinins was used. Ultimately, out of the 932 regenerants obtained 364
      originated from somatic embryogenesis. 

PMID- 24240861
TI  - Peptidases A, B, C, D and S in the American mink: polymorphism and chromosome
      localization.
AB  - An electrophoretic analysis of peptidases was carried out in a population of
      American mink. Based on substrate and tissue specificities, as well as subunit
      composition, homologies were established between mink peptidases A, B, C, D and S
      and human peptidases. Polymorphism for peptidases B and D was demonstrated for
      minks of three coat colour types. Breeding data indicated that the peptidase
      variations are under the control of allele pairs at distinct autosomal loci
      designated as PEPB and PEPD, respectively. Using a panel of American mink-Chinese
      hamster hybrid clones, the gene for PEPB was assigned to mink chromosome 9. 

PMID- 24240862
TI  - Genetic analysis of gliadin-encoding genes reveals gene clusters as well as
      single remote genes.
AB  - Analysis of F2 grains from two different crosses has revealed a complex
      organization of the family of gliadin-coding genes located on chromosomes of the
      first homoeological group in hexaploid wheat. Chromosome 1A of variety
      'Bezenchukskaya 98' was found to carry at least five gliadin-coding genes of
      which three genes form a cluster controlling the synthesis of the GLD1A1 block.
      Two additional genes are located on the both sides of this cluster and recombine
      with it at frequencies of 5+/-1.3% and 13+/-2.9%. Gliadinencoding genes
      recombining with the main clusters were also found on chromosomes 1B and 1A in
      the 'Bezenchukskaya 98' and 'Saratovskaya 210' varieties, respectively. In
      'Chinese Spring', widely used in genetic studies, we discovered a recombination
      between genes located on chromosome 1A and controlling the synthesis of omega-
      and gamma-gliadins. Varieties and biotypes of one variety may differ by the
      presence or absence of such "selfish" (not included in clusters) gliadin
      components. The similarity of organization of prolamine-coding genes on
      chromosomes in different cereals is considered. 

PMID- 24240863
TI  - In vitro response of leaf tissues from Lolium multiflorum - a comparison with
      leaf segment position, leaf age and in vivo mitotic activity.
AB  - Immature gramineous leaves provide a convenient system for comparing the response
      of cells in culture with their state of differentiation. Callusing frequency is
      compared with leaf segment position, leaf age and in vivo mitotic activity in
      Lolium multiflorum. (1) In a succession of one millimeter sections from the
      immature leaf base, callus was formed from the first and second sections but not
      the third or subsequent sections. The frequency of those explants callusing
      decreased with distance from the base of the leaf and with leaf age (or leaf
      extension growth). (2) In vivo, the proportion of cells in mitosis declined from
      around 10-14% at the base of young leaves to zero at 5 mm from the base and
      beyond. Mitotic activity also declined in leaves as they aged, and dividing cells
      were not observed in leaves 30 days from initiation or older. (3) A high
      frequency of callus formation was associated with a high mitotic index in the
      explant. But for corresponding mitotic indices, cells further away from the leaf
      base were less responsive in culture. (4) It is proposed that cells are becoming
      differentiated even in highly meristematically active regions of the leaf and
      concomitantly losing their ability to respond in culture. 

PMID- 24240864
TI  - Genetic improvement of Egyptian henbane, Hyoscyamus muticus L. through induced
      tetraploidy.
AB  - Induced autotetraploids with high pollen and seed fertility have been developed
      in a medicinally important Solanaceous plant: Hyoscyamus muticus (2n=28). The
      colchiploids are vigorous and the increase in all the determinate parts - plant
      height, size and thickness of leaves, cell, pollen, seed and flower size - along
      with an increase in alkaloid content has been achieved. The overall improvement
      in the colchiploids has the advantage of enhancing nearly 1.5 times the
      production potential of the economic product - the total alkaloids. Although the
      seed is not the ultimate economic product in this species, it is still required
      for propagation. The seed fertility in the colchiploids improved because of
      reduction in quadrivalent frequency and subsequent balanced anaphase separation. 

PMID- 24240865
TI  - Improved in vitro selection of nitrate reductase-deficient mutants of Nicotiana
      plumbaginifolia.
AB  - The use of increasing knowledge on regulation of nitrate reductase activity in
      Nicotiana cell cultures is the basis for the described optimization of in vitro
      selection for nitrate reductase-deficient mutants by screening for chlorate
      resistance. Selection was carried out on haploid mesophyll protoplast-derived
      cell cultures of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. It is demonstrated that revised
      selection results in high variant detectability and increased variant
      confirmability in comparison with the hitherto used selection scheme. 

PMID- 24240866
TI  - Self-incompatibility and interspecific incompatibility: relationships in intra-
      and interspecific crosses of Zinnia elegans Jacq. and Z. angustifolia HBK
      (Compositae).
AB  - Intraspecific and reciprocal interspecific crosses involving Zinnia angustifolia
      clones and Z. elegans lines showed that in both species, sporophytic self
      incompatibility (SI) systems were present. Intensity of SI varied among clones
      and lines, and high self seed set was associated with a concomitant decrease in
      callose fluorescence in papillae and pollen tubes. Incomplete stigmatic
      inhibition of pollen germination and tube growth was observed in reciprocal
      interspecific crosses and associated with callose synthesis, suggesting S-gene
      activity. Seed set and progeny obtained following Z. angustifolia*Z. elegans
      matings was comparable to intraspecific compatible matings of Z. angustifolia
      although the rate of pollen tube growth through the style was slower. In Z.
      elegans * Z. angustifolia matings, additional prezygotic barriers were present
      and acted between pollen tube penetration of the stigma and syngamy. SI X SI
      interspecific incompatibility was essentially unilateral, with no embryos or
      progeny obtained when Z. elegans was the pistillate parent. It was hypothesized
      that nonfunctioning of Z. elegans * Z. angustifolia crosses was due to S-gene
      expression at the stigmatic surface and to other isolating mechanisms in the
      stylar or ovarian transmitting tissue. 

PMID- 24240867
TI  - X chromosome origin of a supernumerary-like segment in Blatella germanica.
AB  - An extraneous heterochromatic segment was discovered in a strain selected for a
      large-body trait. Derivation from the X chromosome is indicated by its behavior
      at metaphase I and association with the X and nucleolus in early prophase I. The
      segment does not pair with the X. Association with a mid-length bivalent is
      attributed to fusion of heterochromatin. Centromeric activity of small fragments,
      independent of, but apparently derived from, the X, is also reported. 

PMID- 24240868
TI  - Natural variation in PTB1 regulates rice seed setting rate by controlling pollen
      tube growth.
AB  - Grain number, panicle seed setting rate, panicle number and grain weight are the
      most important components of rice grain yield. To date, several genes related to
      grain weight, grain number and panicle number have been described in rice.
      However, no genes regulating the panicle seed setting rate have been functionally
      characterized. Here we show that the domestication-related POLLEN TUBE BLOCKED 1
      (PTB1), a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, positively regulates the rice panicle
      seed setting rate by promoting pollen tube growth. The natural variation in
      expression of PTB1 which is affected by the promoter haplotype and the
      environmental temperature, correlates with the rice panicle seed setting rate.
      Our results support the hypothesis that PTB1 is an important maternal sporophytic
      factor of pollen tube growth and a key modulator of the rice panicle seed setting
      rate. This finding has implications for the improvement of rice yield. 

PMID- 24240869
TI  - Lasting alterations of the sodium current by short-term hyperlipidemia as a
      mechanism for initiation of cardiac remodeling.
AB  - Clinical and animal studies indicate that increased fatty acid delivery to lean
      tissues induces cardiac electrical remodeling and alterations of cellular calcium
      homeostasis. Since this may represent a mechanism initiating cardiac dysfunction
      during establishment of insulin resistance and diabetes or anaerobic cardiac
      metabolism (ischemia), we sought to determine if short-term exposure to high
      plasma concentration of fatty acid in vivo was sufficient to alter the cardiac
      sodium current (INa) in dog ventricular myocytes. Our results show that delivery
      of triglycerides and nonesterified fatty acids by infusion of Intralipid +
      heparin (IH) for 8 h increased the amplitude of INa by 43% and shifted its
      activation threshold by -5 mV, closer to the resting membrane potential. Steady
      state inactivation (availability) of the channels was reduced by IH with no
      changes in recovery from inactivation. As a consequence, INa "window" current, a
      strong determinant of intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations, was
      significantly increased. The results indicate that increased circulating fatty
      acids alter INa gating in manners consistent with an increased cardiac
      excitability and augmentation of intracellular calcium. Moreover, these changes
      could still be measured after the dogs were left to recover for 12 h after IH
      perfusion, suggesting lasting changes in INa. Our results indicate that fatty
      acids rapidly induce cardiac remodeling and suggest that this process may be
      involved in the development of cardiac dysfunctions associated to insulin
      resistance and diabetes.

PMID- 24240870
TI  - Temporal hemodynamic and histological progression in Sugen5416/hypoxia/normoxia
      exposed pulmonary arterial hypertensive rats.
AB  - We have investigated the temporal relationship between the hemodynamic and
      histological/morphological progression in a rat model of pulmonary arterial
      hypertension that develops pulmonary arterial lesions morphologically
      indistinguishable from those in human pulmonary arterial hypertension. Adult male
      rats were injected with Sugen5416 and exposed to hypoxia for 3 wk followed by a
      return to normoxia for various additional weeks. At 1, 3, 5, 8, and 13 wk after
      the Sugen5416 injection, hemodynamic and histological examinations were
      performed. Right ventricular systolic pressure reached its maximum 5 wk after
      Sugen5416 injection and plateaued thereafter. Cardiac index decreased at the 3~5
      wk time point, and tended to further decline at later time points. Reflecting
      these changes, calculated total pulmonary resistance showed a pattern of
      progressive worsening. Acute intravenous fasudil markedly reduced the elevated
      pressure and resistance at all time points tested. The percentage of severely
      occluded small pulmonary arteries showed a similar pattern of progression to that
      of right ventricular systolic pressure. These small vessels were occluded
      predominantly with nonplexiform-type neointimal formation except for the 13-wk
      time point. There was no severe occlusion in larger arteries until the 13-wk time
      point, when significant numbers of vessels were occluded with plexiform-type
      neointima. The Sugen5416/hypoxia/normoxia-exposed rat shows a pattern of chronic
      hemodynamic progression similar to that observed in pulmonary arterial
      hypertension patients. In addition to vasoconstriction, nonplexiform-type
      neointimal occlusion of small arteries appears to contribute significantly to the
      early phase of pulmonary arterial hypertension development, and plexiform-type
      larger vessel occlusion may play a role in the late deterioration. 

PMID- 24240871
TI  - Nitric oxide suppresses vascular voltage-gated T-type Ca2+ channels through
      cGMP/PKG signaling.
AB  - Recent reports have noted that T-type Ca2+ channels (CaV3.x) are expressed in
      vascular smooth muscle and are potential targets of regulation. In this study, we
      examined whether and by what mechanism nitric oxide (NO), a key vasodilator,
      influences this conductance. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology and rat cerebral
      arterial smooth muscle cells, we monitored an inward Ba2+ current that was
      divisible into a nifedipine-sensitive and -insensitive component. The latter was
      abolished by T-type channel blocker and displayed classic T-type properties
      including faster activation and steady-state inactivation at hyperpolarized
      potentials. NO donors (sodium nitroprusside, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-dl
      penicillamine), along with activators of protein kinase G (PKG) signaling,
      suppressed T-type currents. Inhibitors of guanylyl cyclase/PKG {1H
      [1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and KT5823, respectively}, had no
      effect on basal currents; KT5823 did, however, mask T-type Ca2+ channel current
      inhibition by NO/PKG. Functional experiments confirmed an inhibitory effect for
      NO on the T-type contribution to cerebral arterial myogenic tone. Cumulatively,
      our findings support the view that T-type Ca2+ channels are a regulatory target
      of vasodilatory signaling pathways. This targeting will influence Ca2+ dynamics
      and consequent tone development in the cerebral circulation.

PMID- 24240873
TI  - Comparison of Surgical Outcomes Between Phacocanaloplasty and Phacotrabeculectomy
      at 12 Months' Follow-up: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare operative outcomes of patients after phacocanaloplasty and
      phacotrabeculectomy through 12 months' follow-up. DESIGN: Retrospective,
      nonrandomized, comparative case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 36
      eyes of 36 patients with open-angle glaucoma who underwent combined
      phacoemulsification and canaloplasty (phacocanaloplasty) and 41 eyes of 41
      patients with open-angle glaucoma who underwent combined phacoemulsification and
      trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (phacotrabeculectomy) with 12 months' of
      postoperative follow-up. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon
      (R.S.A.) between January 2007 and May 2011. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Failure was
      based on intraocular pressure (IOP; >18 or <4 mm Hg at 1 y), second operative
      procedure (any eye requiring reoperation), or decrease in visual acuity by 0.20
      logMAR. Change in IOP, visual acuity (VA), glaucoma medications, and complication
      rates at 12 months were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in
      demographics other than the sex between the groups. There were also no
      significant differences in previous surgery or in preoperative VA, IOP, or use of
      glaucoma medications between the groups, though the phacotrabeculectomy group had
      a higher preoperative IOP at baseline and a larger SD. Both groups showed
      significant reduction in IOP from baseline at every time point (P<0.001). No
      significant difference in mean IOP at 12 months was found, with a mean of 14.1+/
      4.4 mm Hg in the phacocanaloplasty group and 11.8+/-5.4 mm Hg in the
      phacotrabeculectomy group (P=0.07). The phacotrabeculectomy group showed a
      significantly greater median absolute (8 vs. 5 mm Hg) and percent (40% vs. 28%)
      reduction in IOP at 12 months (P=0.02). Postoperative glaucoma medication use was
      similar between the 2 groups.Overall failure rates at 1 year were comparable
      between the 2 groups: 22% for phacocanaloplasty versus 20% for
      phacotrabeculectomy (P=0.79). Phacotrabeculectomy eyes experienced more visual
      failures (5% vs. 0%, P=0.50), whereas phacocanaloplasty experienced more IOP
      failures (17% vs. 12%, P=0.75). No difference in operative failure rate was found
      between the phacocanaloplasty and phacotrabeculectomy groups (6% vs. 5%, P=1.00)
      and this held after controlling for covariates. Final VA was not statistically
      different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Phacocanaloplasty and
      phacotrabeculectomy both achieved significant reduction in IOP and improvement in
      VA at 12 months with comparable success rates. Phacotrabeculectomy achieved a
      statistically greater median percentage decrease in IOP, but the 2 procedures
      resulted in comparable mean IOP at 12 months.

PMID- 24240874
TI  - Anxiety and Depression are More Prevalent in Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma Than
      in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of psychological
      disturbances and personality traits in primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) and
      primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. METHODS: A sample of 50 PACG
      patients, 50 POAG patients, and 50 normal controls were enrolled in this study.
      All the participants were asked to complete the following questionnaires: Self
      rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Eysenck
      Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), and Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ). Analysis
      of variance and t test were used to compare the subscores between the groups.
      RESULTS: The scores of SAS and SDS were higher in glaucoma patients than in
      controls, whereas the PACG group had a higher score for both scales (48.44+/
      9.90; 53.64+/-9.74) than the POAG group (42.62+/-9.00, P=0.034; 49.02+/-11.47,
      P=0.131) and control group (37.10+/-6.08, P=0.000; 38.86+/-6.64, P=0.000). Taking
      an SAS score of >=45 and an SDS score of >=50 as cut-offs, the prevalence of
      anxiety and depression in the PACG group (66.0%, 56.0%) was significantly higher
      than in the POAG group (44.0%, P=0.002; 40.0%, P=0.033) and control group (16.0%,
      P=0.000; 10.0%, P=0.000). The values of psychoticism and neuroticism in EPQ for
      the PACG and POAG groups were significantly higher than those for controls
      (P<0.05). In DSQ, PACG and POAG patients adopted immature and neurotic defense
      styles more often than controls (P<0.05). No significant differences were found
      between male and female participants in all the questionnaires used (P>0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences were found between primary glaucoma patients
      and normal controls in psychiatric questionnaires, whereas the level of anxiety
      and depression was found to be significantly higher in PACG patients than in POAG
      patients and controls.

PMID- 24240875
TI  - Fornix-based Trabeculectomy With Mitomycin C Using the Horizontal Conjunctival
      Suture Technique.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the safety, efficacy, and bleb
      morphology of fornix-based trabeculectomy with mitomycin C using the horizontal
      suture technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective noncomparative case
      series of 79 eyes of 69 patients, who underwent fornix-based trabeculectomy with
      mitomycin C, was studied. Conjunctival closure of all eyes was with the
      horizontal suture technique using 10-0 nylon suture to prevent bleb leakage and
      improve bleb morphology posttrabeculectomy. The main outcome measures were the
      bleb morphology, outcome of surgery, and complications posttrabeculectomy.
      RESULTS: At a mean follow-up period of 25.5+/-9.3 months, 65 eyes (82.3%) had
      diffuse blebs with horizontal extent between 2 and 4 clock hours. Low-lying bleb
      was found in 35 eyes (44.3%), whereas 39 eyes (49.4%) had moderately elevated
      bleb. Fifty-one eyes (64.6%) had complete success, 18 eyes (22.8%) had qualified
      success, whereas 10 eyes (12.6%) were classified as treatment failures. Overall,
      87.4% of the patients had a successful outcome. Corneal encroachment/overhanging
      blebs were found in 3 eyes (3.8%). Bleb leakage was found in 7 eyes (8.8%). There
      was overfiltration in 2 eyes (2.5%) with shallow anterior chamber. CONCLUSIONS:
      The horizontal suture technique is an easily applied, less time-consuming
      technique that gives excellent bleb morphology with few complications in the long
      term.

PMID- 24240876
TI  - Outcome Measures in Glaucoma: A Systematic Review of Cochrane Reviews and
      Protocols.
AB  - PURPOSE: In clinical trials, the selection of appropriate outcomes is crucial for
      the assessment of whether one intervention is better than another. Selection of
      inappropriate outcomes can compromise the utility of a trial. However, the
      process of selecting the most suitable outcomes to include can be complex.
      Ideally, glaucoma trials aim to evaluate important outcomes for clinicians and
      patients. A high variability in the selection of outcomes suggests that there is
      no consensus on how best to evaluate the effect of glaucoma interventions.
      Further, it makes evidence synthesis difficult. The purpose of this review is to
      determine the extent of clinical outcome measures used in published glaucoma
      Cochrane Reviews and Protocols. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted (up to
      February 2012) of all Cochrane Reviews and Protocols related to glaucoma
      interventions and published in English language. All clinical, patient-reported,
      as well as economic outcomes were included. RESULTS: In the Cochrane Library
      there were 12 Reviews and 9 Protocols on glaucoma. A total of 118 clinical
      outcomes were reported. Intraocular pressure was the most commonly used clinical
      outcome (n=40), and it was used in 11 Reviews and 5 Protocols. Intraocular
      pressure was evaluated in many different ways; the most common one was a
      composite definition of success. Safety outcomes were also frequently reported.
      Visual field progression or change was reported in 6 reviews and 3 protocols, but
      in 13 different ways. Patient-reported quality-of-life measures were chosen as
      main outcome measure in 1 Review. CONCLUSIONS: There is a large variability in
      outcomes selected in glaucoma Cochrane Reviews and Protocols. This heterogeneity
      in outcome selection impairs the ability for evidence synthesis. There is an
      urgent need for standardization of outcomes used in glaucoma trials.

PMID- 24240877
TI  - A comparison of optic nerve head topographic measurements by Stratus OCT in
      patients with macrodiscs and normal-sized healthy discs.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare optic nerve head parameters and retinal nerve
      fiber layer (RNFL) thickness between large discs and normal-sized vital discs
      using Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: A total of 293 healthy
      eyes (145 with macrodisc and 148 with normal-sized disc) were enrolled in the
      study. After a complete ophthalmic evaluation, measurement of optic nerve head
      parameters and RNFL thickness using OCT was performed in all subjects. Optic disc
      areas larger than 2.80 mm were accepted as macrodiscs. All OCT parameters were
      compared between normal-sized discs and macrodiscs. RESULTS: Participants' mean
      age was 46.5+/-10.6 years (range, 13 to 74 y). Average optic disc areas were
      2.19+/-0.29 and 3.02+/-0.29 mm in the normal and the macrodisc groups,
      respectively. The optic disc area (P<0.0001), the cup area (P<0.0001), the
      horizontal cup disc ratio (P<0.0001), the vertical cup disc ratio (P<0.0001), and
      the cup disc area ratio (P<0.0001) were found to be significantly different in
      the macrodisc group and the control group. Rim areas (P=0.57) and RNFL
      thicknesses (inferior, superior, and mean) were found to be similar in both
      groups (P=0.75, 0.65, 0.85, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A macrodisc may have a
      macrocup and should not be misdiagnosed as glaucoma. The present study showed
      that macrodiscs are identical to normal-sized discs in terms of rim area and RNFL
      thickness. We suggest that these 2 OCT parameters can help to differentiate a
      healthy macrodisc from a glaucomatous optic disc.

PMID- 24240878
TI  - Bilateral juvenile onset primary open-angle glaucoma among keratoconus patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the occurrence of juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) in
      patients with keratoconus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this observational case
      series we report 6 eyes of 3 patients with keratoconus who had concomitant JOAG.
      Corneal topography, intraocular pressure, gonioscopic, and fundus findings were
      recorded for all the eyes. RESULTS: All 3 patients presented with corneal
      ectasia, high intraocular pressure, and advanced glaucomatous damage and had no
      family history of glaucoma or keratoconus. Two of the 3 patients needed collagen
      cross-linking with riboflavin for progression of keratoconus and trabeculectomy
      for control of intraocular pressure. One of the patients also underwent a
      lamellar keratoplasty for keratoconus. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case series
      pointing toward a possible association of JOAG with keratoconus and highlights
      the importance of a thorough workup of glaucoma in patients with keratoconus.

PMID- 24240879
TI  - Diagnostic validity of macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness
      deviation map algorithm using cirrus HD-OCT in preperimetric and early glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic validity of macular ganglion cell-inner
      plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thickness deviation map algorithm using Cirrus high
      definition-optical coherence tomography to discriminate between normal controls
      and patients with preperimetric or early glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy
      two normal controls, 37 patients with preperimetric glaucoma and 70 patients with
      early glaucoma were enrolled. mGCIPL thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve
      fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness were measured by Cirrus high definition-optical
      coherence tomography. Areas showing abnormal color coding were obtained by
      customized Image J software calculating the number of abnormal superpixels at 1%
      and 5% level in each deviation map of measurements (GCIPL-DM1, GCIPL-DM5, RNFL
      DM1, RNFL-DM5). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AROC)
      of each parameter was calculated to provide diagnostic ability between normal
      controls and patients with preperimetric or early glaucoma. RESULTS: AROCs of the
      deviation map algorithms were higher than those of other parameters. Parameter
      with the best AROC was the GCIPL-DM5 (0.920 and 0.968) in both preperimetric and
      early glaucoma. The sensitivities of the GCIPL-DM5 at 80% and 95% specificities
      were 92% and 68% in preperimetric glaucoma and 98% and 90% in early glaucoma,
      respectively. Pairwise comparisons between AROCs of parameters from deviation map
      algorithms did not show statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS:
      mGCIPL thickness deviation map showed good diagnostic ability in detecting
      preperimetric and early glaucoma, and it was comparable with pRNFL thickness
      deviation map. Our findings suggest that it can be an important parameter in
      detecting subtle glaucomatous structural change.

PMID- 24240880
TI  - Application of the ISNT Rule to Neuroretinal Rim Thickness Determined Using
      Cirrus HD Optical Coherence Tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: The study investigated the applicability of the
      inferior>=superior>=nasal>=temporal neuroretinal rim thickness (ISNT) rule to rim
      thickness measured using Cirrus high-definition spectral-domain optical coherence
      tomography (Cirrus HD-OCT) in healthy eyes and eyes with glaucoma. METHODS: Rim
      thicknesses of 4 quadrants were investigated using the rim thickness curve of
      Cirrus HD-OCT for 40 eyes with mild glaucoma (mean deviation >= -6 dB), 40 eyes
      with moderate to advanced glaucoma (mean deviation < -6 dB), and 80 healthy eyes
      (control group). The relative amount of rim loss in each quadrant in the glaucoma
      group compared with the control group was calculated. The ISNT rule was
      considered intact if there was a gradual decrease in rim thickness in the order
      of inferior>=superior>=nasal>=temporal quadrants. RESULTS: The ISNT rule was
      intact in 13%, 18%, and 8% of eyes in the control, mild, and moderate to advanced
      glaucoma groups, respectively, and the distribution was not significantly
      different among the 3 groups (P>0.05). Relative rim loss in the inferior quadrant
      of the moderate to advanced glaucoma group (63.8%) was greater than that of the
      mild glaucoma group (53.6%; P=0.010), whereas rim loss in other quadrants was not
      significantly different between the 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ISNT rule
      with rim thickness measured using Cirrus HD-OCT has limited clinical value in the
      diagnosis of glaucoma. There is a topographic difference in inferior rim loss
      according to the stages of glaucomatous damage.

PMID- 24240881
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of Benzalkonium Chloride-optimized Tafluprost in Japanese
      Glaucoma Patients With Existing Superficial Punctate Keratitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of benzalkonium chloride (BAK)
      optimized tafluprost (with a BAK concentration reduced from 0.01% to 0.001%) in
      glaucoma patients with existing superficial punctate keratitis (SPK). PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, open-label study was designed to compare
      BAK-optimized tafluprost administered over 12 weeks relative to other preserved
      prostaglandin analogs previously administered in Japanese glaucoma patients.
      Thirty patients with SPK graded at <6 points by area density (AD) scoring in 1
      eye were recruited. The primary outcome measure was change in AD score at 12
      weeks after the switch in treatment compared with that at baseline. Secondary
      outcome measures included changes in tear film breakup time (TBUT), hyperemia
      score, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Four patients were excluded from analysis
      because of treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: Mean AD score+/-SD decreased
      significantly from 3.4+/-0.9 to 1.8+/-1.8 after the switch (P<0.0001). Mean TBUT
      increased significantly from 6.3+/-3.3 to 8.0+/-4.2 seconds (P<0.01). Mean
      hyperemia score remained unchanged, whereas mean IOP decreased significantly from
      15.6+/-2.6 to 14.4+/-2.0 mm Hg (P<0.01). For patients previously treated with BAK
      preserved latanoprost (n=17) or bimatoprost (n=2), mean AD score decreased
      significantly from 3.4+/-0.9 to 1.8+/-1.8 (P<0.01) and mean TBUT increased
      significantly from 6.4+/-3.6 to 8.2+/-4.3 seconds (P<0.01); no such changes were
      apparent for patients previously treated with sofZia-preserved travoprost (n=7).
      CONCLUSIONS: BAK-optimized tafluprost is a treatment option to improve the
      condition of the ocular surface and to maintain IOP control in glaucoma patients
      with existing SPK who have been previously treated with other BAK-preserved
      prostaglandin analogs.

PMID- 24240882
TI  - Using a collagen matrix implant (Ologen) versus mitomycin-C as a wound healing
      modulator in trabeculectomy with the Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma device: a 12-month
      retrospective review.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare outcomes between patients undergoing trabeculectomy with an
      Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma device using mitomycin-C (MMC) to those undergoing the
      same procedure using a subconjunctival collagen matrix implant (Ologen).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients underwent a trabeculectomy using an Ex-PRESS
      shunt. A total of 49 eyes of 37 patients received Ologen, and 50 eyes of 48
      patients received MMC. Postoperative data were reviewed over 12 months. Outcomes
      included mean intraocular pressure (IOP), rate of success in achieving a target
      IOP (with and without antiglaucoma medications), number of medications used, and
      rates of complications/reoperations. RESULTS: The mean preoperative IOP was 24.98
      mm Hg for the MMC group, and 23.24 mm Hg for the Ologen group (P=0.3). At 12
      months postoperatively, the mean IOP was 12.1 mm Hg for the MMC group, and 13.12
      mm Hg for the Ologen group (P=0.34). At 12 months, the rate of achieving an
      IOP<=21 mm Hg off medications (unqualified success) was 84% for the MMC group,
      and 86% for the Ologen group. There was no statistically significant difference
      between either group for the rates of achieving a specified postoperative IOP
      either with (qualified success) or without medications. There was no
      statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the mean number of
      postoperative medications required. Both groups had similar rates of
      complications, and 1 patient in the MMC group lost light perception after a
      suprachoroidal hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that ologen provides
      similar rates of surgical success as MMC for patients undergoing a filtering
      procedure using an Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma device.

PMID- 24240883
TI  - Risk factors for developing glaucoma among patients with uveitis: a nationwide
      study in Taiwan.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors for developing ocular
      hypertension or glaucoma needing treatment among uveitis patients in Taiwan.
      METHODS: The nationwide database-derived retrospective cohort study was designed
      using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. From 1 million
      representative samples randomly selected from the beneficiaries of the National
      Health Insurance program, all patients with a diagnosis of uveitis were
      identified. Only newly onset uveitis patients who were diagnosed after January 1,
      2002 and had no prior diagnosis of glaucoma were included in the study, and were
      followed up until December 31, 2008 or the last day that they were covered by the
      program. A patient was defined as having glaucoma as soon as both a diagnosis of
      glaucoma or ocular hypertension as well as a claim for medical or surgical
      treatment of glaucoma was found. Risk factors for developing glaucoma at the time
      of, or after the uveitis incidence were evaluated and discussed. RESULTS:
      Initially, 5757 newly diagnosed uveitis patients were enrolled in the study. Of
      these patients, 488 (8.5%) were also diagnosed with glaucoma at the time of
      uveitis incidence. Patients aged 17 to 64 years, of male sex and diagnosed with
      anterior uveitis were more likely to have glaucoma at the time of the uveitis
      incidence. Among the remaining 5269 patients, 351 (6.7%) patients developed
      glaucoma during the follow-up period. Significant risk factors included
      increasing age, having been diagnosed with anterior uveitis, having more than an
      average number of ophthalmic claims within the first 3 months, and complications
      with corneal edema. A stratified analysis showed that having a history of
      receiving intraocular surgery is also a risk factor for the development of
      glaucoma among adult patients. CONCLUSIONS: The development of glaucoma in
      uveitis patients is noteworthy and is associated with several demographic and
      clinical factors. To minimize the visual impairment caused by uveitis-related
      glaucoma, clinicians should pay more attention to those uveitis patients who are
      at high risk for developing glaucoma.

PMID- 24240884
TI  - Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM)-induced acute angle closure.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the first case of presumed bilateral acute angle closure (AAC)
      secondary to ingestion of the dietary supplement, methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM).
      PATIENT: A 35-year-old woman presented with bilateral AAC 1 week after starting
      multiple dietary supplements, one of which contained MSM. Ultrasound
      biomicroscopy demonstrated bilateral anterior rotation of the iris-lens
      diaphragm, ciliary body edema, and choroidal effusion. Four days after
      discontinuation of the supplements, her angle closure and uveal effusion
      resolved, and her best-corrected vision recovered to 20/20 bilaterally.
      DISCUSSION: Sulfa-based drugs have been reported to cause AAC, choroidal
      effusion, and ciliary body edema. In our patient, the coincidence of bilateral
      AAC with choroidal and ciliary body effusion that began 1 week after starting
      dietary supplements was suspicious for drug-induced AAC. The dietary supplement
      Basic Detox Nutrients contains MSM, the only constituent in the patient's
      medication list with a sulfonyl moiety. Given the similarities in chemical
      structure and clinical presentation, we postulate that MSM induces AAC in a
      manner similar to mechanisms previously described for other sulfa-based drugs.
      CONCLUSIONS: As MSM continues to be used and studied for its anti-inflammatory
      and antioxidative properties, investigators and marketers will need to be
      cognizant of its potential to cause AAC and provide proper warning to consumers.

PMID- 24240885
TI  - Angle closure associated with a cobblestone iris configuration: clinical and
      imaging description.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to report a patient with primary angle
      closure associated with a different nonpupillary block mechanism in which an
      abnormally thick peripheral iris assumes a cross-sectional shape resembling a
      cobblestone. METHODS: This is a case report focussing on clinical and imaging
      description. RESULTS: Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed patent laser peripheral
      iridotomies OU. The anterior chamber was relatively deep in the center but 360
      degrees narrow at the periphery, associated with an abnormally elevated iris
      contour OU. On dark-room gonioscopy, the angles were occludable with few areas of
      peripheral anterior synechiae. Anterior segment-adapted spectral domain-optical
      coherence tomography revealed an unusual iris profile. Despite a flat contour and
      normal thickness until the mid-periphery, the iris assumed a rectangular cross
      sectional shape (resembling a cobblestone) with an abnormal increase in its
      thickness in the periphery (360 degrees OU). Ultrasound biomicroscopy imaging
      showed a normal ciliary sulcus and ciliary body configuration, revealing no cysts
      at 360 degrees. Definitive relief of appositional angle closure was achieved with
      laser peripheral iridoplasty OU. CONCLUSIONS: This unusual anatomic condition of
      the peripheral iris, which has different characteristics when compared with
      ordinary cases of thick peripheral iris roll, may lead to angle closure and
      intraocular pressure elevation despite a patent iridotomy. Clinicians should be
      aware of this anatomic condition whenever dealing with cases of angle closure.

PMID- 24240886
TI  - A Novel Schlemm's Canal Scaffold: Histologic Observations.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the biocompatibility of a novel implant made of Nitinol
      (nickel-titanium alloy), designed to improve aqueous humor outflow. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In the first arm of biocompatibility testing, microstents were
      surgically inserted into Schlemm's canal (SC) of 2 non-human primates (NHPs), and
      a third NHP served as a surgical sham control. After 13 weeks the animals were
      killed, and the eyes were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Two
      masked investigators evaluated the histology sections. The second arm utilized 8
      New Zealand white rabbits; each rabbit received a microstent inserted into the
      sclera and subconjunctival space by means of passage across the anterior chamber
      thus providing contact with several representative ocular tissues. The fellow eye
      of each rabbit underwent a sham procedure without microstent insertion. The
      rabbits were killed after 26 weeks, and a trained ocular pathologist examined the
      specimens using light microscopy. RESULTS: Histologic and scanning electron
      microscopy analysis of the NHPs demonstrated that the microstents were located in
      SC. There was no evidence of an acute or chronic inflammatory response,
      granulation response, or fibrosis in the outflow system or in adjacent tissues.
      Rabbit eyes showed minimal mononuclear cell infiltration and minimal fibrotic
      responses at the site of the implants when compared with sham-treated control
      eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The Hydrus Microstent was associated with minimal inflammation
      in both NHP and rabbit eyes with extended follow-up. These preclinical studies
      demonstrate that the Hydrus Microstent appears to have excellent long-term
      biocompatibility.

PMID- 24240887
TI  - Comparison of intraocular pressure measurements with the Reichert Pt100, the
      Keeler Pulsair Intellipuff portable noncontact tonometers, and Goldmann
      applanation tonometry.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare intraocular pressure (IOP)
      measurements using 2 portable tonometers, the Keeler Pulsair Intellipuff and the
      Reichert PT100, with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on normotensive and hypertensive
      patients recruited from the outpatient clinic of the University Hospital of
      Grenoble. IOP was measured using 2 portable noncontact tonometers (NCTs) and GAT
      in one eye of each patient in a random order. Central corneal thickness was
      measured with the Accutome PachPen Pachymeter. The Wilcoxon and t tests were used
      to compare the differences between tonometers, the Pearson and the Spearman
      correlation tests to evaluate the correlation among the methods, and the Bland
      Altman plots to evaluate the agreement among the methods. Intraclass correlation
      coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the agreement among the methods in
      normotensive and hypertensive patients separately. RESULTS: A total of 137 eyes
      of 137 patients were included, 104 normotensive and 33 hypertensive eyes. We
      found an excellent agreement between PT100 and GAT (ICC=0.77) and between
      Intellipuff and GAT (ICC=0.75) in normotensive patients. We found a fair to good
      agreement (ICC=0.67) between PT100 and GAT in hypertensive patients. The
      agreement we found between Intellipuff and GAT was also excellent in hypertensive
      patients (ICC=0.86). Both NCTs significantly overestimated IOP measurements
      compared with GAT in normotensive and hypertensive eyes (mean of the differences
      between PT100 and GAT: 1.3+/-2.1 and 8.1+/-4.6 mm Hg in normotensive and in
      hypertensive patients, respectively (P<0.05), and between Pulsair Intellipuff and
      GAT: 1.5+/-1.8 and 2.3+/-4.8 mm Hg in normotensive and in hypertensive patients,
      respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 2 NCTs agree well with GAT in
      normotensive patients. The Pulsair Intellipuff also agrees well with GAT in
      hypertensive patients.

PMID- 24240888
TI  - Optical properties of manually and CAD/CAM-fabricated polymers.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the light translucency and fluorescence 5
      manually and 11 CAD/CAM polymer materials to a glass-ceramic material. Light
      transmission was measured using a spectrophotometer. Overall light transmission
      (n=40) was calculated as the integration (tc (lambda) dlambda [10(-5)]) of all tc
      values for the wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm. One-Way-ANOVA, (Scheffe's post
      hoc) revealed following light transmission values: Artbloc Temp (33.1%; A),
      Polycon ae (33.6%; A), Cercon base PMMA (38.3%; B), Luxatemp Fluorescence (40.7%;
      C), Protemp 4 (41.6%; C), Structur 2 SC (43.1%; D), CAD Temp (45.0%; E), Paradigm
      MZ 100 (45.4%; E), New Outline (45.6%,E), Ambarino High-Class (45.9%; E, F),
      Fixtemp C&B (46.1%; E, F, G), Lava Ultimate (47.1%; F, G), Telio-CAD (47.3%; G),
      glass-ceramic Vita Mark II (50.8%; H), New Outline CAD (52.1%; H, I), QUATTRO
      DISC Eco PMMA (53.0%; I) and Zenotec PMMA (54.5%, J). Polymers from conventional
      and industrial polymerization show widely varying translucent and fluorescent
      properties when compared with glass-ceramics of the same color. 

PMID- 24240889
TI  - The effects of incorporation of silver-zeolite on selected properties of mineral
      trioxide aggregate.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate some physical and chemical properties
      of MTA incorporated with antibacterial silver zeolite (SZ). 0%, 0.2% or 2% mass
      fraction of SZ was added to MTA powder. The amounts of calcium released from the
      specimen in deionized water were measured with an atomic absorption
      spectrophotometer. The setting times of the samples were evaluated using Gilmore
      type needles. For solubility and water absorption tests, the samples were placed
      in a cylindrical polystyrene-sealed container. At 7 days, the samples were
      removed from solutions and blotted dry for solubility and water absorption test.
      The highest calcium release was detected in 2% SZ MTA at 24 h. The addition of 2%
      SZ to MTA reduced the setting time statistically (p<0.05). 2% SZ MTA was
      significantly more soluble than MTA and 0.2 % SZ MTA (p<0.05). Further research
      is needed prior to clinical use of MTA with incorporated SZ. 

PMID- 24240890
TI  - A comparison of the micro-shear bond strength and failure mode of non-enclosed
      and mold-enclosed luting cements bonded to metal.
AB  - The objective of the study was to compare 1) the mean micro-shear bond strength
      and 2) failure mode of cements to metals in nonenclosed and mold-enclosed
      specimens. Specimens were prepared in mold-enclosed and non-enclosed formats from
      two RMGIC's and a self-adhesive resin-cement. 3-way ANOVA analysis and Tukey post
      hoc tests were used to compare mean uSBS results (alpha=0.05). Failure mode was
      analysed with Pearson's chi-square test (alpha=0.05). uSBS was significantly
      affected by the factors substrate and method (p<0.001) but not by material
      (p=0.077). There was an interaction between substrate, method and material F
      (2,144)=3.57, p=0.031, and method and material (2,144)=5.86, p=0.004. All mold
      enclosed specimens for the three cements bonded to titanium and non-precious
      metal exhibited higher (p<0.001) mean uSBS than the non-enclosed specimens.
      Within this study, mold-enclosed specimens exhibited significantly higher
      (p<0.001) mean uSBS and adhesive failure compared to non-enclosed specimens. 

PMID- 24240891
TI  - Evaluating a novel fissure caries model using swept source optical coherence
      tomography.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of Swept Source Optical
      Coherence Tomography (SS-OCT) imaging in assessing a novel fissure caries model.
      Samples were imaged by both near infrared based SS-OCT and high resolution x-ray
      tomography imaging to non-destructively quantify artificial lesions. The mean
      relative reflectivities of the demineralized fissures were at least 6 times
      higher than the corresponding sound fissures (p<0.02). Importantly, this study
      demonstrated that SS-OCT reflectivity images can be used to predict the depth of
      fissure demineralization. Despite correctly evaluating the depth, this work
      showed that the lesion width calculated from SS-OCT reflectivity images did not
      accurately predict the demineralized width. The relative reflectivity could not
      accurately determine the mineral density of the demineralized lesions. SS-OCT
      detected subsurface fissure demineralization and could be used to determine if
      the decay process was advancing toward the enamel-dentin junction. 

PMID- 24240892
TI  - Comparative study between laser sintering and casting for retention of resin
      composite veneers to cobalt-chromium alloy.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the bond strengths between
      resin composite veneer and laser-sintered cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy with and
      without retention devices (Laser-R and Laser-N respectively). Cast Co-Cr alloy
      with and without retention devices (Cast-R and Cast-N respectively) were also
      prepared for fabrication technique comparison. Disk-shaped Co-Cr alloy specimens
      were air-abraded with alumina and veneered with a veneering system, Estenia C&B
      (ES) or Ceramage (CE). After 20,000 thermocycles, tensile testing was performed.
      Data were analyzed by ANOVA and multiple comparison test. When no retention
      devices were present, no significant differences were observed between Laser-N/ES
      and Cast-N/ES, or between Laser- N/CE and Cast-N/CE, but ES exhibited
      significantly higher bond strength than CE. With retention devices, Laser-R/ES,
      Cast- R/ES and Laser-R/CE showed no significant differences, and their retention
      strengths were significantly higher than that of Cast- R/CE. Compared to cast Co
      Cr alloy, laser-sintered Co-Cr alloy with retention devices provided better
      retention durability for resin composite-veneered prostheses. 

PMID- 24240893
TI  - Effects of a dental adhesive on cell cycle regulatory proteins.
AB  - Dental bonding agents may affect the cell cycle patterns and induce cell cycle
      arrest by blocking its progression. This study tested the cell cycle effects
      through cyclin-dependent kinase (cdc2) and Rb phosphorylation. Human lung
      fibroblasts (MRC5) were used for the experiments. The bonding agent tested was
      the total-etch XP bond. Extracts of the bonding agent were prepared and serial
      dilutions were tested. The effects of the bonding agent on cell survival,
      proliferation and DNA synthesis were tested by the SRB and BrdU assays. Analysis
      of cell cycle distribution was performed by flow cytometry. XP bond exhibited
      strong inhibition of DNA synthesis and after 48 h of exposure cells were
      accumulated in the G2/M phase. Cells exposed to the half maximal cell growth
      inhibitory concentration (IC50) showed an increase in cdc2 kinase and Rb
      phosphorylation. The results most likely indicate mutagenic effect of the tested
      agent. 

PMID- 24240894
TI  - Polymerization behavior within adhesive layer of one- and two-step self-etch
      adhesives: a micro-Raman spectroscopic study.
AB  - This study investigated the polymerization behavior within the adhesive layer of
      one- and two-step self-etch adhesives at the dentincomposite interface. Dentin
      surfaces were applied with Clearfil S(3) Bond (TS), Clearfil S(3) Bond Plus (TSP)
      and Clearfil SE Bond (SE), and then placed with a light-curing resin composite.
      After water storage for 24 h, the bonded teeth were sectioned and polished
      perpendicular to the adhesive interface, and the degree of conversion (DC) of the
      adhesive layer between the dentin and composite were determined using micro-Raman
      analysis. For all the adhesives, the DCs of the adhesive layers significantly
      decreased near the adhesive-composite join (p<0.05). For the maximum DC value
      (Pmax) and the DC value at the adhesive-composite join (Pitf), TS was
      significantly lower than TSP and SE (p<0.05). The polymerization of oxygen
      inhibited layer at the top of the adhesive could not reach maximum DC even after
      polymerization of the overlying resin composite. 

PMID- 24240895
TI  - Dynamic stress relaxation of orthodontic thermoplastic materials in a simulated
      oral environment.
AB  - Mechanical properties are crucial for screening orthodontic thermoplastic
      materials for invisible aligners. However, most of previous studies were carried
      out within laboratory conditions which limit our understanding of the mechanical
      behaviors of aligners within oral environment. In this study, we studied the
      dynamic stress relaxation of thermoplastic materials by combination of Bose
      ElectroForce and a homemade temperature-controlled water bath. The 3-h stress
      relaxation curves of five orthodontic thermoplastic materials were measured
      within 37 degrees C water bath as well as comparatively in ambient atmospheric
      environment (~20 degrees C). The percentage residual stress at 0, 30, 60, 90,
      120, 150, and 180 min was selected for statistical analyses. As expected, the
      experimental results showed that the residual stress within all five materials
      decreased with time, and that this process was significantly accelerated in the
      37 degrees C water bath (p<0.05). Compared with other materials, Erkodur and
      Masel exhibited slower relaxing rates in the 37 degrees C water bath (p<0.05). 

PMID- 24240896
TI  - Influence of cementation and cement type on the fracture load testing methodology
      of anterior crowns made of different materials.
AB  - To evaluate the influence of cementation on fracture load of anterior crowns made
      of CAD/CAM-resin-blocks (ART), leucite-reinforced glass-ceramics (LRG), lithium
      disilicate ceramics (LIT), veneered zirconia (ZRO) and veneered alloy (DEG). Each
      crown group (n=15/subgroup) was cemented on the metal abutment as follows: i.
      using glass ionomer, ii. using self-adhesive resin cement, and iii. not cemented.
      Crowns were tested and analyzed with 2-way and 1-way ANOVA (Scheffe test), and
      Weibull statistics (p<0.05). Within LRG, self-adhesive cemented subgroup showed
      higher fracture load compared to other groups (p<0.001). Among DEG, lower results
      were measured for non-cemented crowns than for cemented (p<0.001). For ART, LIT
      and ZRO no influence of cementation was observed. For fracture load test
      methodology, metal ceramic crowns should be generally cemented. Glass-ceramic
      crowns should be cemented using adhesive cement. Cementation and cement type did
      not have an influence on the fracture load results for resin, zirconia or lithium
      disilicate crowns. 

PMID- 24240897
TI  - Influence of proximal contacts and FRC posts on the fracture behavior of
      premolars with class II composite restorations: an in-vitro study.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the number of proximal
      contacts and fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) post insertion on the fracture
      behavior of endodontically treated premolars with class II (MOD) cavities and
      direct composite restorations. Forty-eight single-rooted human premolars were
      endodontically treated and prepared with standardized MOD (mesio-occluso-distal)
      cavities. One-half of the teeth additionally received FRC-posts (DT Light SL)
      luted with Panavia F resin cement. All of the specimens were restored with direct
      composite restorations, and the teeth were embedded in proximal contact with
      either zero, one or two adjacent tooth-replicas. Eight sound premolars served as
      control. After thermomechanical ageing, the samples were loaded until fracture at
      an angle of 30 degrees . The sound teeth showed the highest mean fracture load.
      Teeth with one or two proximal contacts and FRC-posts showed only statistically
      insignificantly lower values. All of the other groups had significantly lower
      values. 

PMID- 24240898
TI  - Magnetic fields from electric toothbrushes promote corrosion in orthodontic
      stainless steel appliances but not in titanium appliances.
AB  - Electric toothbrushes are widely used, and their electric motors have been
      reported to produce low-frequency electromagnetic fields that induced electric
      currents in metallic objects worn by the users. In this study, we showed that
      electric toothbrushes generated low-frequency magnetic fields (MFs) and induced
      electric currents in orthodontic appliances in artificial saliva (AS), which
      accelerated corrosion in stainless steel (SUS) appliances, but not in titanium
      (Ti) appliances; the corrosion was evaluated by using an inductively coupled
      plasma-optical emission spectrometer and a three-dimensional laser confocal
      microscope. The pH of AS used for appliance immersion did not change during or
      after MF exposure. These results suggested that MF-induced currents from electric
      toothbrushes could erode SUS appliances, but not Ti appliances, because of their
      high corrosion potentials. Further studies are required to clarify the mechanisms
      of metallic corrosion by induced currents in dental fields, which may trigger
      metal allergies in patients. 

PMID- 24240899
TI  - In vitro short-term bonding performance of zirconia treated with hot acid etching
      and primer conditioning etching and primer conditioning.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate and compare the resin bond strengths of zirconia
      conditioned as follows: alumina sandblasting; alumina sandblasting+application of
      10-MDP-containing primer; alumina sandblasting+application of Z-Prime Plus or
      Metal/Zirconia Primer (new zirconia primers); tribochemical silica
      coating+silanization; hot acid etching in three different combinations
      [H2SO4/(NH4)2SO4, HF/HNO3, H2SO4/HF/HNO3]+application of 10-MDP-containing
      primer. Shear bond strengths (SBS) after water storage for 24 h and 40 days were
      measured to assess resin bonding performance. Surface and chemical properties of
      conditioned zirconia surfaces and primers were characterized using scanning
      electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Surface roughness ranked in
      descending order was: hot acid etching > tribochemical silica coating > alumina
      sandblasting. Combination of tribochemical silica coating and silanization showed
      the highest initial SBS (12.46+/-2.13 MPa) (P<0.01). Etching with H2SO4/(NH4)2SO4
      (13.15+/-3.24 MPa) and HF/HNO3 (13.48+/-2.15 MPa) showed significantly better
      bond durability (P<0.01). Hot acid etching seemed to be a promising surface
      roughening treatment to improve resin-zirconia bonding. 

PMID- 24240900
TI  - The effects of glass ionomer and flowable composite liners on the fracture
      resistance of open-sandwich class II restorations.
AB  - This in vitro study aimed to investigate the effects of glass-ionomer and
      flowable composite liners on the fracture resistance of Class II amalgam and
      composite restorations. Group 1 cavities were restored with amalgam and Group 4
      cavities with nanofill composite after the application of a dentin-bonding agent.
      For the remaining groups, light-cured-glass-ionomer liner was used in a gingival
      floor proximal box (Groups 2, 5) or flowable composite was used as a liner
      (Groups 3, 6), the remainder of the cavity was restored with amalgam (Groups 2,
      3) or composite (Groups 5, 6). The restorations were loaded in compression to
      failure. The data was analyzed using Tukey's multiple comparison test. The
      fracture resistance was significantly higher (p<0.05) in Group 3 than in all
      other groups, except Group 2 (p>0.05). Flowable composite, glass-ionomer liners
      increased the fracture resistance of open-sandwich Class II amalgam restorations.

PMID- 24240901
TI  - Analysis of residual stress in the resin of metal-resin adhesion structures by
      scanning acoustic microscopy.
AB  - The residual stress caused by polymerization shrinkage and thermal contraction of
      a heat-curing resin containing 4-META on a metal-resin structure was measured by
      a scanning acoustic microscope. The tensile residual stress in the resin occurred
      within 70 um of the adhesion interface with a flat plate specimen. The maximum
      tensile stress was about 58 MPa at the interface. On a metal plate specimen with
      retention holes, ring-like cracks in the resin occurred around the retention
      holes with the adhesive specimen and many linear cracks occurred in the resin
      vertical to the longitudinal direction of the metal frame with the non-adhesive
      specimens. There was tensile residual stress on the resin surface at the center
      of the retention holes of the adhesion specimen, indicating that the stress in
      the specimen with surface treatment for adhesion was higher than in that without
      surface treatment. 

PMID- 24240902
TI  - Mechanical properties of experimental silicone soft lining materials.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of
      experimental silicone elastomers, Silastic((r)) MDX 4-4210 reinforced with silica
      fillers, to assess its potential as a denture soft lining material. The
      mechanical properties measured included tensile strength, percentage elongation,
      tear strength, and Shore A hardness. Using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test,
      the results indicated that silicone elastomers with filler loadings of 6, 8, and
      10 phr had significantly greater tensile strength, percentage elongation, tear
      strength with a softer surface compared with commercial materials (p<0.001). In
      conclusion, the experimental silicone elastomers revealed acceptable mechanical
      properties to be used as denture soft lining materials. 

PMID- 24240903
TI  - The possibility of genistein as a new direct pulp capping agent.
AB  - Genistein, kind of soy isoflavones, is well-known as natural ingredients and
      consumed as health foods and supplements. They are expected to improve renal
      function. They have high-affinity to estrogen receptor beta expressed
      predominantly in bone tissue, they prevent osteoporosis specifically and safely.
      We examined whether genistein can be a new direct capping agent. In this study,
      we examined the effect of genistein for the proliferation and differentiation of
      rat dental pulp cells in vitro and the ability of tertiary dentin formation in
      vivo. As a result, rat dental pulp cells with genistein were increased activity
      of ALPase and showed alizarin red positive-staining. Calcification-related genes
      expression has been confirmed by the addition of genistein. From in vivo study,
      high quality of tertiary dentin formation and minor pulp reaction were observed.
      From these findings, it was suggested that genistein may be useful agent for
      direct pulp capping. 

PMID- 24240904
TI  - Effects of calcium hydroxide and propolis intracanal medicaments on bond strength
      of resin-based endodontic sealer as assessed by push-out test.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of calcium hydroxide
      (Ca(OH)2) and propolis intracanal medicaments on bond strength of AH Plus to root
      dentin. After chemomechanical instrumentation using Revo-S rotary system, three
      groups of root canal specimens were prepared: 10 root canals were left untreated
      as controls (G1), 10 received Ca(OH)2 intracanal medicament (G2), and another 10
      received propolis intracanal medicament (G3). Canals were obturated with AH Plus
      and gutta-percha. After bond strength evaluation using micro push-out test, data
      were analyzed using ANOVA and Tamhane's test (p=0.05). At coronal and middle
      thirds, there were no significant differences in bond strength among the three
      groups (p>0.05). At apical third, G3 was significantly superior to G2 (p<0.05)
      and G1 (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between G2 and G1
      (p>0.05). Therefore, when AH Plus was used as the sealer in endodontic
      treatments, its combined use with propolis as an intracanal medicament seemed to
      result in favorable sealer-dentin interfacial bond strength. 

PMID- 24240905
TI  - Efficacy of self-adjusting file and passive ultrasonic irrigation on removing
      calcium hydroxide from root canals.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiencies of the self-adjusting file
      (SAF) system, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and conventional irrigation
      (CI) in removing calcium hydroxide (CH) from root canals. Fifty-one mandibular
      premolars were used. After root canals were instrumented and filled with a CH
      paste, 45 teeth were randomly assigned to three experimental groups according to
      CH removal technique: SAF system, PUI, or CI. The remaining 6 teeth served as
      positive and negative controls. All samples were evaluated by scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM) and scored. None of the techniques removed CH completely.
      However, results at coronal, middle and apical thirds showed that PUI technique
      was significantly more effective than SAF and CI in removing CH dressing residues
      from root canal walls. 

PMID- 24240906
TI  - Adsorption study of pellicle proteins to gold, silica and titanium by quartz
      crystal microbalance method.
AB  - Initial stage of biofilm formation is the adhesion of salivary pellicle proteins
      on the material surfaces. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the
      adsorption behaviors of saliva pellicle proteins onto a gold, silica and titanium
      by using the 27 MHz quartz crystal microbalance method. As pellicle proteins,
      lactoferrin, lysozyme, defensin and mucin were evaluated. Adsorption amount of
      lactoferrin to silica was significantly lower than gold and titanium. Significant
      differences were detected between titanium and silica for the adsorption amounts
      of lysozyme. Chemical bond formation of sulfur atom of lysozyme and gold could be
      suggested. There were no significant differences of the adsorption amount of beta
      defensin among each substrate. For mucin adsorption, gold showed the highest
      adsorption amount. It is presumed that electrostatic repulsion caused less
      adsorption amounts of mucin to titanium and silica. In conclusion, the
      differences of the adsorption behaviors of pellicle proteins could be clearly
      identified.

PMID- 24240907
TI  - Acceleration of curing of resin composite at the bottom surface using slow-start
      curing methods.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two slow-start curing methods
      on acceleration of the curing of resin composite specimens at the bottom surface.
      The light-cured resin composite was polymerized using one of three curing
      techniques: (1) 600 mW/cm(2) for 60 s, (2) 270 mW/cm(2) for 10 s+0-s interval+600
      mW/cm(2) for 50 s, and (3) 270 mW/cm(2) for 10 s+5-s interval+600 mW/cm(2) for 50
      s. After light curing, Knoop hardness number was measured at the top and bottom
      surfaces of the resin specimens. The slow-start curing method with the 5-s
      interval caused greater acceleration of curing of the resin composite at the
      bottom surface of the specimens than the slow-start curing method with the 0-s
      interval. The light-cured resin composite, which had increased contrast ratios
      during polymerization, showed acceleration of curing at the bottom surface. 

PMID- 24240908
TI  - Contamination of dental zirconia before final firing: effects on mechanical
      properties.
AB  - Plate-like specimens were prepared, using a diamond saw, from Cercon -a pre
      sintered yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) block. These
      specimens were treated with 10 kinds of dental materials which acted as
      contaminants, and then sintered at 1,350 degrees C or 1,450 degrees C. After the
      final firing, specimens were subjected to a three-point flexural test and Vickers
      hardness test. Their surfaces were also characterized by scanning electron
      microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Phosphorus-containing contaminants reduced
      the three-point flexural strength and hardness of final sintered zirconia due to
      the formation of YPO4 and phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic
      zirconia. Gypsum also reduced both mechanical properties due to the formation of
      CaZrO3 and phase transformation from tetragonal to cubic zirconia. Other
      contaminants showed no adverse effects on the mechanical properties of final
      sintered zirconia. 

PMID- 24240911
TI  - Ice (2): Gerhard Richter.

PMID- 24240912
TI  - Study: Exercise may match medication in reducing mortality associated with
      cardiovascular disease, diabetes.

PMID- 24240913
TI  - 2013 Nobel Prize recognizes work of scientists who illuminated molecular
      transport system of cells.

PMID- 24240914
TI  - Costs of cardiac care likely to increase, despite advances in prevention, care.

PMID- 24240924
TI  - The challenge of treating heart failure: a diverse disease affecting diverse
      populations.

PMID- 24240925
TI  - Need for increased awareness and evidence-based therapies for patients
      hospitalized for heart failure.

PMID- 24240926
TI  - Embedding cardiovascular research into practice.

PMID- 24240927
TI  - Patient-specific stem cells and cardiovascular drug discovery.

PMID- 24240928
TI  - A piece of my mind. Learning from improbable longevity.

PMID- 24240929
TI  - What's new with measuring cholesterol?

PMID- 24240930
TI  - Improving outlook for elderly patients with aortic stenosis.

PMID- 24240931
TI  - The cardiovascular disease researcher.

PMID- 24240932
TI  - Effect of weight reduction and cardiometabolic risk factor management on symptom
      burden and severity in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized clinical
      trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Obesity is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Whether weight
      reduction and cardiometabolic risk factor management can reduce the burden of
      atrial fibrillation is not known. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of weight
      reduction and management of cardiometabolic risk factors on atrial fibrillation
      burden and cardiac structure. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Single-center,
      partially blinded, randomized controlled study conducted between June 2010 and
      December 2011 in Adelaide, Australia, among overweight and obese ambulatory
      patients (N = 150) with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Patients underwent a
      median of 15 months of follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to
      weight management (intervention) or general lifestyle advice (control). Both
      groups underwent intensive management of cardiometabolic risk factors. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcomes were Atrial Fibrillation Severity
      Scale scores: symptom burden and symptom severity. Scores were measured every 3
      months from baseline to 15 months. Secondary outcomes performed at baseline and
      12 months were total atrial fibrillation episodes and cumulative duration
      measured by 7-day Holter, echocardiographic left atrial area, and
      interventricular septal thickness. RESULTS: Of 248 patients screened, 150 were
      randomized (75 per group) and underwent follow-up. The intervention group showed
      a significantly greater reduction, compared with the control group, in weight
      (14.3 and 3.6 kg, respectively; P < .001) and in atrial fibrillation symptom
      burden scores (11.8 and 2.6 points, P < .001), symptom severity scores (8.4 and
      1.7 points, P < .001), number of episodes (2.5 and no change, P = .01), and
      cumulative duration (692-minute decline and 419-minute increase, P = .002).
      Additionally, there was a reduction in interventricular septal thickness in the
      intervention and control groups (1.1 and 0.6 mm, P = .02) and left atrial area
      (3.5 and 1.9 cm2, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this study, weight
      reduction with intensive risk factor management resulted in a reduction in atrial
      fibrillation symptom burden and severity and in beneficial cardiac remodeling.
      These findings support therapy directed at weight and risk factors in the
      management of atrial fibrillation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: anzctr.org.au Identifier:
      ACTRN12610000497000.

PMID- 24240933
TI  - Comparison of a novel method vs the Friedewald equation for estimating low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol levels from the standard lipid profile.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: In clinical and research settings worldwide, low-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol (LDL-C) is typically estimated using the Friedewald equation. This
      equation assumes a fixed factor of 5 for the ratio of triglycerides to very low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG:VLDL-C); however, the actual TG:VLDL-C ratio
      varies significantly across the range of triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
      OBJECTIVE: To derive and validate a more accurate method for LDL-C estimation
      from the standard lipid profile using an adjustable factor for the TG:VLDL-C
      ratio. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We used a convenience sample of
      consecutive clinical lipid profiles obtained from 2009 through 2011 from
      1,350,908 children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Cholesterol
      concentrations were directly measured after vertical spin density-gradient
      ultracentrifugation, and triglycerides were directly measured. Lipid
      distributions closely matched the population-based National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey (NHANES). Samples were randomly assigned to derivation (n =
      900,605) and validation (n = 450,303) data sets. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:
      Individual patient-level concordance in clinical practice guideline LDL-C risk
      classification using estimated vs directly measured LDL-C (LDL-CD). RESULTS: In
      the derivation data set, the median TG:VLDL-C was 5.2 (IQR, 4.5-6.0). The
      triglyceride and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels
      explained 65% of the variance in the TG:VLDL-C ratio. Based on strata of
      triglyceride and non-HDL-C values, a 180-cell table of median TG:VLDL-C values
      was derived and applied in the validation data set to estimate the novel LDL-C
      (LDL-CN). For patients with triglycerides lower than 400 mg/dL, overall
      concordance in guideline risk classification with LDL-CD was 91.7% (95% CI, 91.6%
      91.8%) for LDL-CN vs 85.4% (95% CI, 85.3%-85.5%) for Friedewald LDL-C (LDL-CF) (P
      < .001). The greatest improvement in concordance occurred in classifying LDL-C
      lower than 70 mg/dL, especially in patients with high triglyceride levels. In
      patients with an estimated LDL-C lower than 70 mg/dL, LDL-CD was also lower than
      70 mg/dL in 94.3% (95% CI, 93.9%-94.7%) for LDL-CN vs 79.9% (95% CI, 79.3%-80.4%)
      for LDL-CF in samples with triglyceride levels of 100 to 149 mg/dL; 92.4% (95%
      CI, 91.7%-93.1%) for LDL-CN vs 61.3% (95% CI, 60.3%-62.3%) for LDL-CF in samples
      with triglyceride levels of 150 to 199 mg/dL; and 84.0% (95% CI, 82.9%-85.1%) for
      LDL-CN vs 40.3% (95% CI, 39.4%-41.3%) for LDL-CF in samples with triglyceride
      levels of 200 to 399 mg/dL (P < .001 for each comparison). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: A novel method to estimate LDL-C using an adjustable factor for the
      TG:VLDL-C ratio provided more accurate guideline risk classification than the
      Friedewald equation. These findings require external validation, as well as
      assessment of their clinical importance. The implementation of these findings
      into clinical practice would be straightforward and at virtually no cost. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01698489.

PMID- 24240934
TI  - Outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the United States.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was approved by the US
      Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of severe, symptomatic aortic
      stenosis and inoperable status (in 2011) and high-risk but operable status
      (starting in 2012). A national registry (the Society of Thoracic
      Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy [STS/ACC TVT]
      Registry) was initiated to meet a condition for Medicare coverage and also
      facilitates outcome assessment and comparison with other trials and international
      registries. OBJECTIVE: To report the initial US commercial experience with TAVR.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We obtained results from all eligible US TAVR
      cases (n=7710) from 224 participating registry hospitals following the Edwards
      Sapien XT device commercialization (November 2011-May 2013). MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Primary outcomes included all-cause in-hospital mortality and stroke
      following TAVR. Secondary analyses included procedural complications and outcomes
      by clinical indication and access site. Device implantation success was defined
      as successful vascular access, deployment of a single device in the proper
      anatomic position, appropriate valve function without either moderate or severe
      AR, and successful retrieval of the delivery system. Thirty-day outcomes are
      presented for a representative 3133 cases (40.6%) at 114 centers with at least
      80% complete follow-up reporting. RESULTS: The 7710 patients who underwent TAVR
      included 1559 (20%) cases that were inoperable and 6151 (80%) cases that were
      high-risk but operable. The median age was 84 years (interquartile range [IQR],
      78-88 years); 3783 patients (49%) were women and the median STS predicted risk of
      mortality was 7% (IQR, 5%-11%). At baseline, 2176 patients (75%) were either not
      at all satisfied (1297 patients [45%]) or mostly dissatisfied (879 patients
      [30%]) with their symptom status; 2198 (72%) had a 5-m walk time longer than 6
      seconds (slow gait speed). The most common vascular access approach was
      transfemoral (4972 patients [64%]), followed by transapical (2197 patients [29%])
      and other alternative approaches (536 patients [7%]); successful device
      implantation occurred in 7069 patients (92%; 95% CI, 91%-92%). The observed
      incidence of in-hospital mortality was 5.5% (95% CI, 5.0%-6.1%). Other major
      complications included stroke (2.0%; 95% CI, 1.7%-2.4%), dialysis-dependent renal
      failure (1.9%; 95% CI, 1.6%-2.2%), and major vascular injury (6.4%; 95% CI, 5.8%
      6.9%). Median hospital stay was 6 days (IQR, 4-10 days), with 4613 (63%)
      discharged home. Among patients with available follow-up at 30 days (n=3133), the
      incidence of mortality was 7.6% (95% CI, 6.7%-8.6%) (noncardiovascular cause,
      52%); a stroke had occurred in 2.8% (95% CI, 2.3%-3.5%), new dialysis in 2.5%
      (95% CI, 2.0%-3.1%), and reintervention in 0.5% (95% CI, 0.3%-0.8%). CONCLUSIONS
      AND RELEVANCE: Among patients undergoing TAVR at US centers in the STS/ACC TVT
      Registry, device implantation success was achieved in 92% of cases, the overall
      in-hospital mortality rate was 5.5%, and the stroke rate was 2.0%. Although these
      postmarket US approval findings are comparable with prior published trial data
      and international experience, long-term follow-up is essential to assess
      continued efficacy and safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:
      NCT01737528.

PMID- 24240936
TI  - Coronary artery bypass graft surgery vs percutaneous interventions in coronary
      revascularization: a systematic review.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death globally.
      Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) are the revascularization options for ischemic heart disease.
      However, the choice of the most appropriate revascularization modality is
      controversial in some patient subgroups. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current
      evidence comparing the effectiveness of CABG surgery and PCI in patients with
      unprotected left main disease (ULMD, in which there is >50% left main coronary
      stenosis without protective bypass grafts), multivessel coronary artery disease
      (CAD), diabetes, or left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). EVIDENCE REVIEW: A search
      of OvidSP MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases between January 2007 and June
      2013, limited to randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and meta-analysis of trials
      and/or observational studies comparing CABG surgery with PCI was performed.
      Bibliographies of relevant studies were also searched. Mortality and major
      adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE, defined as all-cause
      mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeat revascularization) were
      reported wherever possible. FINDINGS: Thirteen RCTs and 5 meta-analyses were
      included. CABG surgery should be recommended in patients with ULMD, multivessel
      CAD, or LVD, if the severity of coronary disease is deemed to be complex (SYNTAX
      >22) due to lower cardiac events associated with CABG surgery. In cases in which
      coronary disease is less complex (SYNTAX <=22) and/or the patient is a higher
      surgical risk, PCI should be considered. For patients with diabetes and
      multivessel CAD, CABG surgery should be recommended as standard therapy
      irrespective of the severity of coronary anatomy, given improved long-term
      survival and lower cardiac events (5-year MACCE, 18.7% for CABG surgery vs 26.6%
      for PCI; P = .005). Overall, the incidence of repeat revascularization is higher
      after PCI, whereas stroke is higher after CABG surgery. Current literature
      emphasizes the importance of a heart-team approach that should consider coronary
      anatomy, patient characteristics, and local expertise in revascularization
      options. Literature pertaining to revascularization options in LVD is scarce
      predominantly due to LVD being an exclusion factor in most studies. CONCLUSIONS
      AND RELEVANCE: Both CABG surgery and PCI are reasonable options for patients with
      advanced CAD. Patients with diabetes generally have better outcomes with CABG
      surgery than PCI. In cases of ULMD, multivessel CAD, or LVD, CABG surgery should
      be favored in patients with complex coronary lesions and anatomy and PCI in less
      complicated coronary disease or deemed a high surgical risk. A heart-team
      approach should evaluate coronary disease complexity, patient comorbidities,
      patient preferences, and local expertise.

PMID- 24240935
TI  - Trends in aortic valve replacement for elderly patients in the United States,
      1999-2011.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: There is a need to describe contemporary outcomes of surgical aortic
      valve replacement (AVR) as the population ages and transcatheter options emerge.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess procedure rates and outcomes of surgical AVR over time.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A serial cross-sectional cohort study of
      82,755,924 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries undergoing AVR in the United
      States between 1999 and 2011. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Procedure rates for
      surgical AVR alone and with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, 30-day
      and 1-year mortality, and 30-day readmission rates. RESULTS: The AVR procedure
      rate increased by 19 (95% CI, 19-20) procedures per 100,000 person-years over the
      12-year period (P<.001), with an age-, sex-, and race-adjusted rate increase of
      1.6% (95% CI, 1.0%-1.8%) per year. Mortality decreased at 30 days (absolute
      decrease, 3.4%; 95% CI, 3.0%-3.8%; adjusted annual decrease, 4.1%; 95% CI, 3.7%-
      4.4%) per year and at 1 year (absolute decrease, 2.6%; 95% CI, 2.1%-3.2%;
      adjusted annual decrease, 2.5%; 95% CI, 2.3%-2.8%). Thirty-day all-cause
      readmission also decreased by 1.1% (95% CI, 0.9%-1.3%) per year. Aortic valve
      replacement with CABG surgery decreased, women and black patients had lower
      procedure and higher mortality rates, and mechanical prosethetic implants
      decreased, but 23.9% of patients 85 years and older continued to receive a
      mechanical prosthesis in 2011. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Between 1999 and 2011,
      the rate of surgical AVR for elderly patients in the United States increased and
      outcomes improved substantially. Medicare data preclude the identification of the
      causes of the findings and the trends in procedure rates and outcomes cannot be
      causally linked. Nevertheless, the findings may be a useful benchmark for
      outcomes with surgical AVR for older patients eligible for surgery considering
      newer transcatheter treatments.

PMID- 24240937
TI  - Subgroup analyses in trial reports comparing percutaneous coronary intervention
      with coronary artery bypass surgery.

PMID- 24240938
TI  - Surgery vs watchful waiting for mitral regurgitation.

PMID- 24240939
TI  - Surgery vs watchful waiting for mitral regurgitation.

PMID- 24240940
TI  - Surgery vs watchful waiting for mitral regurgitation--reply.

PMID- 24240941
TI  - Autism in children born after in vitro fertilization.

PMID- 24240942
TI  - Breast cancer screening recommendations.

PMID- 24240943
TI  - Autism in children born after in vitro fertilization--reply.

PMID- 24240945
TI  - Breast cancer screening recommendations--reply.

PMID- 24240947
TI  - Disturbances of the heart: the resort treatment of chronic heart disease.

PMID- 24240948
TI  - JAMA patient page. Obesity and the heart.

PMID- 24240949
TI  - Accuracy of full-arch scans using intraoral scanners.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of intraoral scanners in
      full-arch scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A representative model with 14 prepared
      abutments was digitized using an industrial scanner (reference scanner) as well
      as four intraoral scanners (iTero, CEREC AC Bluecam, Lava C.O.S., and Zfx
      IntraScan). Datasets obtained from different scans were loaded into 3D evaluation
      software, superimposed, and compared for accuracy. One-way analysis of variance
      (ANOVA) was implemented to compute differences within groups (precision) as well
      as comparisons with the reference scan (trueness). A level of statistical
      significance of p < 0.05 was set. RESULTS: Mean trueness values ranged from 38 to
      332.9 MUm. Data analysis yielded statistically significant differences between
      CEREC AC Bluecam and other scanners as well as between Zfx IntraScan and Lava
      C.O.S. Mean precision values ranged from 37.9 to 99.1 MUm. Statistically
      significant differences were found between CEREC AC Bluecam and Lava C.O.S.,
      CEREC AC Bluecam and iTero, Zfx Intra Scan and Lava C.O.S., and Zfx Intra Scan
      and iTero (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Except for one intraoral scanner system, all
      tested systems showed a comparable level of accuracy for full-arch scans of
      prepared teeth. Further studies are needed to validate the accuracy of these
      scanners under clinical conditions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite excellent
      accuracy in single-unit scans having been demonstrated, little is known about the
      accuracy of intraoral scanners in simultaneous scans of multiple abutments.
      Although most of the tested scanners showed comparable values, the results
      suggest that the inaccuracies of the obtained datasets may contribute to
      inaccuracies in the final restorations.

PMID- 24240950
TI  - Very early postnatal changes in splanchnic circulation in term infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reversed blood flow has been reported in the superior mesenteric
      artery (SMA) in 92% of healthy term newborns at 2 h of age. By 24 h after birth
      the end-diastolic velocity became positive in all of the infants. OBJECTIVE: To
      characterize hemodynamic changes in the coeliac artery and superior mesenteric
      artery in healthy term newborns during the first 6 h after birth and to specify
      the time interval when the negative values of end-diastolic velocity in the
      superior mesenteric artery become positive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study
      included 30 healthy term newborns. The blood flow velocity was assessed by
      Doppler ultrasonography at 2 h, 4 h and 6 h after birth. RESULTS: The end
      diastolic velocity in the superior mesenteric artery changed from negative values
      at the age of 2 h (-0.9 cm/s, range -13.2 to 0.0) to positive (7.08 cm/s, range
      6.3 to 13.5, P < 0.001) at 6 h after birth. In the coeliac artery, the end
      diastolic velocity increased during this period, but negative values were not
      observed (11.8 cm/s, range 9.3 to 13.9 at 2 h and 18.03 cm/s, range 14.2 to 27.6
      at 6 h). CONCLUSION: Important changes occur in splanchnic circulation during the
      first 6 h after birth. The rise in end-diastolic velocity in the superior
      mesenteric artery from negative to positive values in 83% of healthy term
      newborns is the most important change.

PMID- 24240951
TI  - Structure and function of the microtubular cytoskeleton during pollen development
      in Gasteria verrucosa (Mill.) H. Duval.
AB  - In a study of pollen development in Gasteria verrucosa, the changes in the
      spatial organization of microtubules were related to the processes of cell
      division, nuclear movement and cytomorphogenesis. Sections of polyethylene-glycol
      embedded anthers of G. verrucosa were processed immunocytochemically to record
      the structure and succession of fluorescently labeled microtubular
      configurations. Using microspectrophotometric measurements the relative quantity
      of tubulin in microtubules per unit of cytoplasm was determined. Cell dimensions
      and nuclear positions were measured to relate changes in cell shape and nuclear
      movements to microtubular configurations. Microtubules were detected in the
      different cells during microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis. In microspore
      mother cells which are approximately isodiametric at interphase, microtubules
      were predominantly arranged in a criss-cross pattern. The microtubules probably
      function as a flexible cytoskeleton which sustains the integrity of the
      cytoplasm. Bundles of microtubules were observed in the microspores, in the
      generative cells and during nuclear division, where they functioned in
      establishing and maintaining cell and spindle shapes. Microtubules radiating from
      nuclear membranes appeared to fix the nucleus in position. In prophase of meiosis
      and after microspore mitosis, periods a high fluorescence intensity were
      distinguished indicating a variation in the quantity of microtubules. 

PMID- 24240952
TI  - Chlorophyll biosynthesis from glutamate or 5-aminolevulinate in intact Euglena
      chloroplasts.
AB  - Chloroplasts observed, by electron microscopy, to be intact and uncontaminated,
      with high rates of light-dependent protein synthesis and CO2 fixation were
      isolated from cells grown on low-vitamin-B12 medium in the light or from cells
      grown in the same medium in the dark and then exposed to light for 36 h. Both
      types of chloroplasts were active but less variability was encountered with
      developing chloroplasts from 36-h cells. The 36-h chloroplasts showed good light
      dependent incorporation of 5-amino-levulinic acid (ALA) or L-glutamic acid into
      chlorophyll (Chl) a which was linear for approx. 1 h. The specific activity of
      the Chl a remained the same after conversion to pheophytin a, methylpheophorbide
      a or pyromethylpheophorbide a and rechromatography, indicating that the label was
      in the tetrapyrrole. Incorporation of ALA was inhibited by levulinic acid, and by
      chloramphenicol and other inhibitors of translation of 70S-type chloroplast
      ribosomes at concentrations which did not appreciably inhibit photosynthesis but
      which blocked plastid protein synthesis nearly completely. Cycloheximide, an
      inhibitor of translation on 87S cytoplasmic ribosomes of Euglena, was without
      effect. The 70S inhibitors did not block uptake of labeled ALA. Although labeled
      glycine was taken up by the plastids, no incorporation into Chl a was observed.
      Thus the developing chloroplasts appear to contain all of the enzymatic machinery
      necessary to convert glutamic acid to Chl via the C5 pathway of ALA formation but
      the Shemin pathway from succinyl coenzyme A and glycine to ALA appears to be
      absent. The requirement for plastid protein synthesis concomitant with Chl
      synthesis indicates a regulatory interaction and also indicates that at least one
      protein influencing Chl synthesis is synthesized on 70S-type plastid ribosomes
      and is subject to metabolic turnover. 

PMID- 24240953
TI  - Concanavalin A is synthesized as a glycoprotein precursor.
AB  - Concanavalin A (Con A) is a tetrameric lectin which is synthesized in the
      cotyledons of developing jack-bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) D.C.) seeds and
      accumulates in the protein bodies of storage-parenchyma cells. The polypeptides
      of Con A have a molecular weight of 27000 and a relative molecular mass (Mr) of
      30000 when analyzed by gel electrophoresis on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. In
      vitro translation of RNA isolated from immature jack-bean cotyledons shows that
      Con A is synthesized as a polypeptide with Mr 34000. In-vivo pulse labeling of
      cotyledons with radioactive amino acids or glucosamine also resulted in the
      formation of a 34000-Mr polypeptide. In-vivo labeling with radioactive amino
      acids in the presence of tunicamycin yielded an additional polypeptide of 32000
      Mr. Together these results indicate that Con A is cotranslationally processed by
      the removal of a signal sequence and the addition of an oligosaccharide side
      chain of corresponding size. Analysis of the structure of the oligogosaccharide
      side chain was accomplished through glycosidase digestion of glycopeptides
      isolated from [(3)H]glucosamine-labeled Con A. Incubation of the labeled
      glycopeptides with endoglycosidase H, alpha-mannosidase or beta-N
      acetylglucosaminidase, followed by gel filtration, allowed us to deduce that the
      oligosaccharide side chain of pro-Con A is a high-mannose oligosaccharide. Pulse
      chase experiments with labeled amino acids are consistent with the interpretation
      that the glycosylated precursor of Con A is processed to mature Con A (Mr=30000).
      The 4000 decrease in Mr is interpreted to result from the removal of a small
      glycopeptide. The implications of the conversion of a glycoprotein pro-Con A to
      mature Con A are discussed in the context of the unique circular permutation of
      the primary structure of Con A. 

PMID- 24240954
TI  - Phytochrome-mediated polarotropism of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. protonemata as
      analyzed by microbeam irradiation with polarized light.
AB  - Perception of polarized light inducing phytochrome-mediated polarotropism in
      protonemata of the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris L. was analyzed using brief
      microbeam irradiation with polarized red (R) or far-red light (FR). The
      polarotropic response inducible by irradiation of the subapical 10-30-MUm part
      with polarized R vibrating parallel to the cell axis was nullified by
      subsequently giving R at the apical 0-2.5-MUm region. This inhibitory effect of R
      showed an action dichroism, that is, polarized R vibrating normal to the cell
      axis was effective but the parallel-vibrating R was not. On the other hand, FR
      irradiation of the extreme tip after irradiation of the whole cell with
      depolarized R effectively induced a tropic response. This FR effect also showed
      action dichroism, with parallel-vibrating polarized FR being more effective than
      FR vibrating normal to the cell axis. When the apical-dome region and the
      adjacent subapical 10-20-MUm region were sequentially irradiated with polarized R
      vibrating obliquely in different directions, polarotropism took place depending
      on the vibrating direction of the light given to the apical-dome region.
      Obliquely vibrating polarized FR given to the apical dome after irradiation of
      the whole cell with depolarized R also induced polarotropism. Thus, the
      difference in amount (or percent) of the far-redabsorbing form of phytochrome
      (Pfr) between the extreme tip and the subapical region appears to be crucial in
      regulating the direction of apical growth; the difference in Pfr level between
      the two sides of the protonemal apex may occur mainly at the apical dome.
      Furthermore, the transition moments of the red-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pr)
      and Pfr seem to be aligned parallel and normal, respectively, to the cell surface
      at the periphery of the apical hemisphere. 

PMID- 24240955
TI  - Phosphorylation of chloroplast membrane proteins partially protects against
      photoinhibition.
AB  - Thylakoids isolated from peas (Pisum sativum cv. Kelvedon Wonder) and
      phosphorylated by incubation with ATP have been compared with non-phosphorylated
      thylakoids in their sensitivity to photoinhibition by exposure to illumination in
      vitro. Assays of the kinetics of fluorescence induction at 20 degrees  C and the
      fluorescence emission spectra at-196 degrees  C indicate a proportionally larger
      decrease in fluorescence as a result of photoinhibitory treatment of non
      phosphorylated compared with phosphorylated thylakoids. It is concluded that
      protein phosphorylation can afford partial protection to thylakoids exposed to
      photoinhibitory conditions. 

PMID- 24240956
TI  - Blue- and red-light action in photoorientation of chloroplasts in Adiantum
      protonemata.
AB  - An action spectrum for the low-fluencerate response of chloroplast movement in
      protonemata of the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris L. was determined using
      polarized light vibrating perpendicularly to the protonema axis. The spectrum had
      several peaks in the blue region around 450 nm and one in the red region at 680
      nm, the blue peaks being higher than the red one. The red-light action was
      suppressed by nonpolarized far-red light given simultaneously or alternately,
      whereas the bluelight action was not. Chloroplast movement was also induced by a
      local irradiation with a narrow beam of monochromatic light. A beam of blue light
      at low energy fluence rates (7.3.10(-3)-1.0 W m(-2)) caused movement of the
      chloroplasts to the beam area (positive response), while one at high fluence
      rates (10 W m(-2) and higher) caused movement to outside of the beam area
      (negative response). A red beam caused a positive response at fluence rates up to
      100 W m(-2), but a negative response at very high fluence rates (230 and 470 W m(
      2)). When a far-red beam was combined with total background irradiation with red
      light at fluence rates causing a low-fluence-rate response in whole cells,
      chloroplasts moved out of the beam area. When blue light was used as background
      irradiation, however, a narrow far-red beam had no effect on chloroplast
      distribution. These results indicate that the light-oriented movement of Adiantum
      chloroplasts is caused by red and blue light, mediated by phytochrome and
      another, unidentified photoreceptor(s), respectively. This movement depends on a
      local gradient of the far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome or of a photoexcited
      blue-light photoreceptor, and it includes positive and negative responses for
      both red and blue light. 

PMID- 24240957
TI  - Larger adenylate energy charge and ATP/ADP ratios in aerenchymatous roots of Zea
      mays in anaerobic media as a consequence of improved internal oxygen transport.
AB  - Internal transport of O2 from the aerial tissues along the adventitious roots of
      intact maize plants was estimated by measuring the concentrations of adenine
      nucleotides in various zones along the root under an oxygen-free atmosphere.
      Young maize plants were grown in nutrient solution under conditions that either
      stimulated or prevented the formation of a lysigenous aerenchyma, and the roots
      (up to 210 mm long) were then exposed to an anaerobic (oxygen-free) nutrient
      solution. Aerenchymatous roots showed higher values than non-aerenchymatous ones
      for ATP content, adenylate energy charge and ATP/ADP ratios. We conclude that the
      lysigenous cortical gas spaces help maintain a high respiration rate in the
      tissues along the root, and in the apical zone, by improving internal transport
      of oxygen over distances of at least 210 mm. This contrasted sharply with the low
      energy status (poor O2 transport) in non-aerenchymatous roots. 

PMID- 24240958
TI  - Reactivity of glyoxylate with hydrogen perioxide and simulation of the glycolate
      pathway of C3 plants and Euglena.
AB  - The nonenzymatic reaction of glyoxylate and H2O2 was measured under physiological
      conditions of the pH and concentrations of reactants. The reaction of glyoxylate
      and H2O2 was secondorder, with a rate constant of 2.27 l mol(-1) s(-1) at pH 8.0
      and 25 degrees  C. The rate constant increased by 4.4 times in the presence of
      Zn(2+) and doubled at 35 degrees C. We propose a mechanism for the reaction
      between glyoxylate and H2O2. From a comparison of the rates of H2O2 decomposition
      by catalase and the reaction with glyoxylate, we conclude that H2O2 produced
      during glycolate oxidation in peroxisomes is decomposed by catalase but not by
      the reaction with glyoxylate, and that photorespiratory CO2 originates from
      glycine, but not from glyoxylate, in C3 plants. Simulation using the above rate
      constant and reported kinetic parameters leads to the same conclusion, and also
      makes it clear that alanine is a satisfactory amino donor in the conversion of
      glyoxylate to glycine. Some serine might be decomposed to give glycine and
      methylene-tetrahydrofolate; the latter is ultimately oxidized to CO2. In the
      simulation of the glycolate pathway of Euglena, the rate constant was high enough
      to ensure the decarboxylation of glyoxylate by H2O2 to produce photorespiratory
      CO2 during the glycolate metabolism of this organism. 

PMID- 24240959
TI  - beta-D-glucan-hydrolase activities in pure cell-wall-enriched fractions from
      Valerianella olitoria cells.
AB  - An effective method for the preparation of purified cell walls from mesophyll
      cells of Valerianella olitoria has been developed. Cells were isolated by a
      mechanical procedure only and crude cell walls were prepared from cell
      homogenates. Crude wall suspensions were fractionated in a discontinuous sucrose
      gradient and the wall fragments recovered were examined by scanning electron
      microscopy. An evaluation of the degree of purity and physiological integrity of
      the wall fragments showed that the material found at the 50-60% (w/w) interface
      consisted mostly of wall particles of high purity. Some characteristics of the
      purified walls are reported, especially the following enzyme activities: beta-D
      glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) and the beta-D-glucanases, 1,4-beta-glucan
      glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.4), 1,4-beta-glucan cellobiohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.91),
      1,3-beta-glucan glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.39), 1,3-beta-glucan glucohydrolase
      (EC 3.2.1.58). The results provided evidence for the microlocalization of some
      hydrolases and indicated that enzymes extracted only with a high-salt
      concentration buffer were confined to walls whereas the 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)
      1,3-propanediol (Tris)-solubilized enzymes could have multiple sites, e.g. walls
      and membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. 

PMID- 24240960
TI  - Influence of external factors on callose and cellulose synthesis during
      incubation in vitro of intact cotton fibres with [(14)C]sucrose.
AB  - Seed clusters, with adhering fibres, from individual locules of 36-d-old fruit
      capsules of Gossypium arboreum L. were fed with [(14)C]sucrose in vitro. The
      fibres synthesised, under standard conditions, (1->3)-beta-D-glucan (callose) and
      (1->4)-beta-D-glucan (cellulose) in the ratio of approx. 2:1. Under a great
      variety of different conditions this product ratio remained more or less
      constant, even when total glucan synthesis was strongly inhibited with 2,4
      dinitrophenol or phloretin, or when stimulated with abscisic acid. In attempts to
      favour cellulose synthesis, no conditions were found where the ratio was
      substantially reduced. On the other hand, the ratio could be appreciably
      increased by inhibiting cellulose synthesis, e.g. with 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile
      or coumarin, by anionic detergents such as sodium dodecyl sulphate, by low
      temperatures, or by increasing the osmotic strength of the incubation medium up
      to conditions causing plasmolysis. Specific degradation of callose, during
      incubation of the seed clusters, by exogenous exo-(1->3)-beta-D-glucanase
      significantly diminished incorporation of radioactivity into cellulose. 

PMID- 24240961
TI  - Nitrite reduction in barley-root plastids: Dependence on NADPH coupled with
      glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases, and possible
      involvement of an electron carrier and a diaphorase.
AB  - Plastids from roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings were isolated by
      discontinuous Percoll-gradient centrifugation. Coinciding with the peak of
      nitrite reductase (NiR; EC 1.7.7.1, a marker enzyme for plastids) in the
      gradients was a peak of a glucose-6-phosphate (Glc6P) and NADP(+)-linked nitrite
      reductase system. High activities of phosphohexose isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9) and
      phosphoglucomutase (EC 2.7.5.1) as well as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
      (Glc6PDH; EC 1.1.1.49) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH; EC 1.1.1.44)
      were also present in the isolated plastids. Thus, the plastids contained an
      overall electron-transport system from NADPH coupled with Glc6PDH and 6PGDH to
      nitrite, from which ammonium is formed stoichiometrically. However, NADPH alone
      did not serve as an electron donor for nitrite reduction, although NADPH with
      Glc6P added was effective. Benzyl and methyl viologens were enzymatically reduced
      by plastid extract in the presence of Glc6P+ NADP(+). When the plastids were
      incubated with dithionite, nitrite reduction took place, and ammonium was formed
      stoichiometrically. The results indicate that both an electron carrier and a
      diaphorase having ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase activity are involved in the
      electron-transport system of root plastids from NADPH, coupled with Glc6PDH and
      6PGDH, to nitrite. 

PMID- 24240962
TI  - Validation of a radioimmunoassay for (+)-abscisic acid in extracts of apple and
      sweet-pepper tissue using high-pressure liquid chromatography and combined gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry.
AB  - A radioimmunoassay for (+)-abscisic acid (ABA) was developed and applied to the
      analysis of free ABA in extracts of apple (Malus pumila Mill.) and sweet pepper
      (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves at various stages during extract purification.
      Conjugates of ABA, were quantified after alkaline hydrolysis. The validity of the
      radioimmunoassay was tested by comparison of immunoassay estimates of ABA at
      different levels of extract purity with high-pressure liquid chromatography
      (HPLC) and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antiserum, raised
      against (+)-ABA, was almost equally sensitive to (-)-ABA. Serum cross-reactivity
      with the methyl ester of ABA was 160% and with the glycosyl ester of ABA was 34%.
      Cross-reactivity with protein-ABA conjugates was very slight for C'4-conjugated
      keyholelimpet haemocyanin, but about 1000% for C1-conjugated alkaline
      phosphatase. Other compounds tested showed extremely low or undetectable cross
      reactivities. Further evidence for the specificity of the assay came from the
      agreement between the results using different assay methods for both apple and
      pepper extracts, and from the observation that the only zone of immunoreactivity
      on HPLC elution profiles corresponded with authentic (+)-ABA. The use of
      polyvinylpyrrolidone in the assay minimised interference by other substances in
      plant extracts. In pepper, free ABA levels increased rapidly during water stress
      and recovered to pre-stress levels within two days after rewatering. Levels of
      ABA conjugates were significantly lowr than free ABA in unstressed plants, and
      also increased rapidly with stress, although not to the same extent as free ABA,
      and did not recover as rapidly as did free ABA. In apple, levels of free ABA and
      of ABA conjugates both increased more than twofold over a two-week period of
      water stress. In contrast to pepper, however, immunoreactivity of the conjugate
      fraction was increased by hydrolysis, indicating that different ABA conjugates
      predominate in the two species. 

PMID- 24240963
TI  - Biosynthesis of glycoproteins involved in the pollen-stigma interaction of
      incompatibility in developing flowers of Brassica oleracea L.
AB  - De-novo synthesis of the S-allele-specific glycoproteins of Brassica oleracea is
      demonstrated in stigmas at different developmental stages. Excised stigmas
      incorporate (14)C-labeled amino acids into their S-glycoproteins early in
      development and before the self-incompatibility response is acquired, but the
      rate of synthesis accelerates prior to anthesis, resulting in the accumulation of
      high levels of the S-glycoproteins in the stigma and coinciding with the
      acquisition of the pollen-stigma incompatibility response. Since the self
      compatible and self-incompatible zones of developing inflorescences are very
      sharply delineated, a threshold quantity of S-glycoproteins appears to be
      critical for the onset of self-incompatibility. Incorporation experiments in
      which [(35S)methionine was applied to intact stigma surfaces indicate that the
      papillae are the main sites of synthesis of the S-specific glycoproteins. 

PMID- 24240964
TI  - Conversion of [(14)C]gibberellin A 12-aldehyde to C 19- and C 20-gibberellins in
      a cell-free system from immature seed of Phaseolus coccineus L.
AB  - A cell-free system prepared from developing seed of runner bean (Phaseolus
      coccineus L.) converted [(14)C]gibberellin A12-aldehyde to several products.
      Thirteen of these were identified by capillary gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry as gibberellin A1 (GA1), GA4, GA5, GA6, GA15, GA17, GA19, GA20,
      GA24, GA37, GA38, GA44 and GA53-aldehyde, all giving mass spectra with (14)C
      isotope peaks. GA8 and GA28 were also identified but contained no (14)C. All the
      [(14)C]GA12-aldehyde metabolites, except GA15, GA24 and GA53-aldehyde, are known
      endogenous GAs of P. coccineus. 

PMID- 24240965
TI  - Monoclonal antibodies to a higher-plant nitrate reductase: Differential
      inhibition of enzyme activities.
AB  - A set of monoclonal antibodies has been raised against NADH-nitrate reductase
      (NR; EC 1.6.6.1) from spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) leaves. Antibodies were
      screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by their ability to inhibit
      various activities of the enzyme. The six monoclonals selected (AFRC MAC 74 to
      79) are all gamma globulins; four (MAC 74 to 77) inhibit all terminal donating
      activities (NADH-NR; flavin mononucleotide, reduced form (FMNH2)-NR; and methyl
      viologen, reduced form (MV)-NR) and two (MAC 78 and 79) inhibit the acceptor
      activities (NADH-NR, and NADH-cytochrome c reductase). MAC 74 to 77 inhibit the
      NADH-NR activity of crude extracts of a variety of species (mono- and
      dicotyledoneae) while MAC 78 and 79 are effective against spinach and marrow, but
      not oil-seed rape, cucumber, oats, wheat and barley. 

PMID- 24240966
TI  - Cell size and chloroplast size in relation to chloroplast replication in light
      grown wheat leaves.
AB  - As part of an investigation into the control of chloroplast replication the
      number and size of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells was examined in relation to
      the size of the cells. In first leaves of Triticum aestivum L. and T. monococcum
      L. the number of chloroplasts in fully expanded mesophyll cells is positively
      correlated with the plan area of the cells. The linear relationship between
      chloroplast number per cell and cell plan area is also consistent over a fivefold
      range of cell size in isogenic diploid and tetraploid T. monococcum. In T.
      aestivum the chloroplast number per unit cell plan area varies among cells in
      relation to the size of the chloroplasts. Those cells containing chloroplasts
      with a relatively small face area have a correspondingly higher density of
      chloroplasts, and consequently, the total chloroplast area per unit cell plan
      area is very similar in all the cells. The results indicate that the proportion
      of the cell surface area covered by chloroplasts is precisely regulated, and that
      this is achieved during cell development by growth and replication of the
      chloroplasts. 

PMID- 24240967
TI  - Manipulation, by nutrient limitation, of the biosynthetic activity of immobilized
      cells of Capsicum frutescens Mill. cv. annuum.
AB  - The relationship between the synthesis and accumulation of protein and capsaicin
      was investigated in cultured cells of Capsicum frutescens Mill. cv. annuum
      immobilized in reticulate polyurethane. Cells were cultured in media containing
      reduced concentrations of essential nutrients, in an attempt to manipulate the
      rates of protein synthesis. Cells cultured in the absence of orthophosphate for 7
      d demonstrated no reduction in the incorporation of L-[U-(14)C]phenylalanine into
      soluble protein or an increase in incorporation into capsaicin, compared with
      controls supplied with orthophosphate. By day 15 of culture, however, a
      differential incorporation of label was observed. Over a 21-d culture period the
      intracellular phosphate did not completely disappear. Cells cultured in the
      absence of nitrate and phosphate combined, however, exhibited some reduction in
      incorporation of [(14)C]phenylalanine into protein and an increased incorporation
      into capsaicin after 7 d of culture, but the differences were greater at day 15,
      when increases in the total capsaicin content of the cultures were apparent.
      There was observed a relationship between the intracellular nitrate
      concentration, the culture growth index, and the incorporation of
      [(14)C]phenylalanine into soluble protein - each of these factors was inversely
      related to the incorporation of label into capsaicin and the total capsaicin
      content of the cultures. 

PMID- 24240968
TI  - Distribution and redistribution of extension growth along vertical and horizontal
      gravireacting maize roots.
AB  - Horizontal primary roots of Zea mays L. were photographed during the course of
      their gravireaction and during a preceding growth period in the vertical
      orientation. The displacement, by root elongation, of marker particles on the
      root surface was recorded. The particle-displacement rates were used to estimate
      the distribution of elemental elongation rates along opposite sides of the
      growing root apex. In the temperature range 21-25 degrees C there was a
      stimulation of local elongation rates along the upper side of a gravireacting
      root and a reduction (and sometimes a cessation) of elongation along the lower
      side. Elemental elongation rates have been related to the development of root
      curvature, and the magnitude of the differential growth between upper and lower
      sides required for a particular rate of bending has also been estimated. The
      results complement, and are compatible with, findings relating to the
      distribution of certain endogenous growth regulators believed to participate in
      the gravireaction. 

PMID- 24240969
TI  - Androgenesis in Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) swingle.
AB  - Embryoids were differentiated from anthers of C. aurantifolia which were first
      floated on a modified Murashige and Skoog's liquid medium supplemented with 0.5
      mg/l N(6)-benzylaminopurine and 1 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid for 20-30 d, followed
      by 30 d culture in semisolid Schenk and Hildebrandt's medium having the same
      growth hormones. Embryoids originated from within the anther lobes. Initially, a
      few embryoids were formed by each anther; later, they multiplied rapidly by the
      production of new embryoids from the hypocotyl and cotyledon portions of the
      original embryoids. The embryoids could develop into plantlets, which were all
      diploid (2n=18). The androgenic plants grew normally in soil. 

PMID- 24240971
TI  - Correction of kyphoscoliosis.

PMID- 24240972
TI  - Expectant versus surgical management of first-trimester miscarriage: a randomised
      controlled study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of
      expectant management with surgical management of first-trimester miscarriage.
      METHODS: This randomised prospective study was conducted in the Gynaecology
      Department at University of Saarland Hospital, Germany between February 2011 and
      April 2012. A total of 234 women were recruited following diagnosis of the first
      trimester incomplete or missed miscarriage and randomised into two groups: 109
      women were randomised to expectant management (group I), and 125 women to
      surgical management (groupII). All women were examined clinically and
      sonographically during the follow-up appointments at weekly intervals for up to 4
      weeks as appropriate. The outcome measures were: efficacy, short-term
      complications and duration of vaginal bleeding and pain. RESULTS: Of 234 eligible
      women, 17 were lost to follow-up, and the remaining 217 women were analysed. The
      baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. The total success rate at 4
      weeks was lower for expectant than for surgical management (81.4 vs 95.7 %; P =
      0.0029). The type of miscarriage was a significant factor affecting the success
      rate. For missed miscarriage, the success rates for expectant versus surgical
      management were 75 and 93.8 %, respectively. For women with incomplete
      miscarriage, the rates were 90.5 and 98 %. No differences were found in the
      number of emergency curettages between the two study groups. The duration of
      bleeding was significantly more in the expectant than the surgical management
      (mean 11 vs 7 days; P < 0.0001). The duration of pain was also more in the
      expectant than the surgical group (mean 8.1 vs 5.5 days; P < 0.0001). The total
      complication rates were similar in both groups (expectant 5.9 % vs surgical group
      6.1 %; P = 0.2479). However, the pelvic infection was significantly lower in the
      expectant than the surgical group (1.9 vs 3.5 %, respectively; P = 0.0146).
      CONCLUSION: Expectant management of clinically stable women with first-trimester
      miscarriage is safe and effective and avoids the need for surgery and the
      subsequent risk of anaesthesia in about 81.4 % of cases, and has lower pelvic
      infection rate than surgical curettage. However, surgical management is more
      successful, and with a shorter duration of bleeding and pain. Therefore, the
      patient's preference should be considered in the counselling process.

PMID- 24240973
TI  - Immunogenicity/hypersensitivity of biologics.
AB  - This continuing education course was designed to provide an overview of the
      immunologic mechanisms involved in immunogenicity and hypersensitivity reactions
      following administration of biologics in nonclinical toxicity studies, the
      methods used to determine whether such reactions are occurring, and the
      associated clinical and anatomic pathology findings. Hypersensitivity reactions
      have classically been divided into type I, II, III, and IV reactions; type I and
      III reactions are those most often observed following administration of
      biologics. A variety of methods can be used to detect these reactions. Antemortem
      methods include hematology; detection of antidrug antibodies, circulating immune
      complexes and complement fragments, and immunoglobulin E in serum; tests for
      serum complement activity; and evaluation of complement receptor 1 on
      erythrocytes. Postmortem methods include routine light microscopy and electron
      microscopy, which can demonstrate typical findings associated with
      hypersensitivity reactions, and immunohistochemistry, which can detect the
      presence of immune complexes in tissues, including the detection of the test
      article. A final determination of whether findings are related to a
      hypersensitivity reaction in individual animals or across the entire study should
      rely on the overall weight of evidence, as findings indicative of these reactions
      are not necessarily consistent across all affected animals. 

PMID- 24240974
TI  - Binding of pyrazole-based inhibitors to Mycobacterium tuberculosis pantothenate
      synthetase: docking and MM-GB(PB)SA analysis.
AB  - Recently, the search for new drugs against tuberculosis (TB) has been a hot topic
      and the search for new inhibitors against validated drug targets and pathways
      other than those currently targeted by known drugs is suggested to be the most
      promising way forward. Mycobacterium tuberculosis pantothenate synthetase (MTBPS)
      happens to be one of such targets. In a quest to carry out virtual screening for
      active inhibitors against MTBPS and to get ideas for the design of new inhibitors
      against this target, we have docked a set of pyrazole-based inhibitors to the
      active site of this enzyme. The docking solutions were post processed using the
      MM-PB(GB)SA method and molecular dynamic simulations in order to analyze and
      validate the two previously proposed binding modes. The results show that both
      the MM-PBSA and MM-GBSA were able to discriminate between active and inactive
      compounds. Moreover, the pharmacophore-based scoring method proved efficient in
      discriminating the active compounds from inactives. From this work a protocol for
      screening of potential inhibitors of the enzyme from commercially available
      databases has been devised. 

PMID- 24240975
TI  - Successful management of acute myeloid leukemia transformed from myelodysplastic
      syndromes in an elderly patient aged over 80 years old by ultralow dose
      decitabine combined with amifostine and autologous CIK cells.

PMID- 24240976
TI  - DCEP for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after therapy with novel agents.
AB  - Multiple myeloma remains incurable despite the use of novel agents.
      Dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and cisplatin (DCEP) is one of the
      salvage options, but there has been a lack of data on salvage DCEP in patients
      with previous exposure to novel agents. A total of 59 patients who received DCEP
      chemotherapy between 2006 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients
      who had been exposed to thalidomide, lenalidomide, or bortezomib prior to DCEP
      were eligible. The median age at DCEP was 58 years, and DCEP treatment was
      initiated at a median of 34.9 months from diagnosis. Before DCEP, patients
      exposed to a median of three lines of treatment and 55 patients (81.4 %) had
      undergone autohematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Among 51 patients with
      data available for response assessment, response rate was 45.1 % (1 with complete
      response, 1 with very good partial response, and 21 with partial response); an
      additional 18 patients benefited from this regimen (8 with minor response and 10
      stable diseases). Grade >=3 neutropenia was observed in 91.5 %. Treatment-related
      mortality (TRM) was reported in eight patients (14.8 %), and seven of eight
      deaths were related to febrile neutropenia. Median overall survival and
      progression-free survival were estimated at 8.0 and 3.7 months, respectively.
      DCEP is an effective salvage treatment options for relapsed or refractory
      multiple myeloma in the setting of previous use of novel agents. However,
      hematologic toxicities and TRM were substantial, and concurrent use of
      prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor is warranted.

PMID- 24240977
TI  - Immune status of Fanconi anemia patients: decrease in T CD8 and CD56dim CD16+ NK
      lymphocytes.
AB  - Fanconi anemia (FA), a rare genetic disease in which patients' life is
      compromised mainly by hematological abnormalities and cancer prone, seems to be
      affected by subtle immune cell irregularities. Knowing that FA presents
      developmental abnormalities and, based on recent reports, suggesting that natural
      killer (NK) CD56(dim) and NK CD56(bright) correspond to sequential
      differentiation pathways, we investigated if there were changes on the total
      number of NK cells and subsets as well as on T CD4 and T CD8 lymphocytes and
      their ratio. A large sample of FA patients (n = 42) was used in this work, and
      the results were correlated to clinical hematological status of these patients.
      Among FA patients, a decreased proportion of T CD8(+) and NK CD56(dim)CD16(+)
      cells were observed when compared to healthy controls as well as an imbalance of
      the subsets NK lymphocytes. Data suggest that FA patients might have a defective
      cytotoxic response due to the lower number of cytotoxic cells as well as
      impairment in the differentiation process of the NK cells subsets which may be
      directly related to impairment of the immune surveillance observed in these
      patients. 

PMID- 24240978
TI  - A rare IgM multiple myeloma with aberrant PAX5 expression mimicking
      lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

PMID- 24240979
TI  - Ophiobolin-O reverses adriamycin resistance via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis
      sensitization in adriamycin-resistant human breast carcinoma (MCF-7/ADR) cells.
AB  - Multidrug-resistance is a major obstacle facing cancer chemotherapy. This paper
      demonstrates that novel compound Ophiobolin-O reverses MCF-7/ADR resistance to
      adriamycin (ADM). The IC50 of ADM treated MCF-7 cells was 2.02 +/- 0.05 uM and
      74.00 +/- 0.18 uM treated MCF-7/ADR cells, about 37-fold, compared to the former.
      However, 0.1 uM Ophiobolin-O (less than 20% inhibition concentration) combined
      with ADM caused the decreased IC50 of ADM to 6.67 +/- 0.98 uM, indicating it
      reversed ADM resistance of MCF-7/ADR cells (11-fold). Furthermore, Ophiobolin-O
      increased ADM-induced mitochondrial pathway apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest,
      which is partly due to the elevation level of ROS in MCF-7/ADR cells. As we
      described in this paper, the reversal effect of Ophiobolin-O may be due to the
      reduction of resistance-related protein P-Glycoprotein (P-gp, also known as MDR1)
      through inhibiting the activity of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene
      promoter, which makes MCF-7/ADR cells more sensitive to ADM treatment. Assays in
      nude mice also showed that the combination of ADM and Ophiobolin-O significantly
      improved the effect of ADM. 

PMID- 24240980
TI  - Discovery of new eunicellin-based diterpenoids from a Formosan soft coral
      Cladiella sp.
AB  - A new eunicellin diterpenoid, cladieunicellin I (1), and a new natural
      eunicellin, litophynin I diacetate (2), were isolated from a Formosan soft coral
      identified as Cladiella sp. The structures of eunicellins 1 and 2 were elucidated
      by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the spectral data with those of
      related analogues. Eunicellin 1 exhibited significant cytotoxicity toward the DLD
      1 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. 

PMID- 24240981
TI  - Bioprospecting marine plankton.
AB  - The ocean dominates the surface of our planet and plays a major role in
      regulating the biosphere. For example, the microscopic photosynthetic organisms
      living within provide 50% of the oxygen we breathe, and much of our food and
      mineral resources are extracted from the ocean. In a time of ecological crisis
      and major changes in our society, it is essential to turn our attention towards
      the sea to find additional solutions for a sustainable future. Remarkably, while
      we are overexploiting many marine resources, particularly the fisheries, the
      planktonic compartment composed of zooplankton, phytoplankton, bacteria and
      viruses, represents 95% of marine biomass and yet the extent of its diversity
      remains largely unknown and underexploited. Consequently, the potential of
      plankton as a bioresource for humanity is largely untapped. Due to their diverse
      evolutionary backgrounds, planktonic organisms offer immense opportunities: new
      resources for medicine, cosmetics and food, renewable energy, and long-term
      solutions to mitigate climate change. Research programs aiming to exploit culture
      collections of marine micro-organisms as well as to prospect the huge resources
      of marine planktonic biodiversity in the oceans are now underway, and several
      bioactive extracts and purified compounds have already been identified. This
      review will survey and assess the current state-of-the-art and will propose
      methodologies to better exploit the potential of marine plankton for drug
      discovery and for dermocosmetics. 

PMID- 24240982
TI  - Durability enhancement of intermetallics electrocatalysts via N-anchor effect for
      fuel cells.
AB  - Insufficient durability and catalytic activity of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)
      electrocatalyst are key issues that have to be solved for the practical
      application of low temperature fuel cell. This paper introduces a new catalyst
      design strategy using N-anchor to promote the corrosion resistance of
      electrocatalyst. The as-synthesized N-Pt3Fe1/C shows a high electrocatalytic
      activity and a superior durability towards ORR. The kinetic current density of N
      Pt3Fe1/C as normalized by ECSA is still as high as 0.145 mA cm(-2) and only 7%
      loss after 20,000 potential cycles from 0.6 to 1.2 V (vs. NHE) in O2-bubbling
      perchloric acid solution, whereas Pt3Fe1/C shows 49% loss under the same tests.
      The N-anchor approach offers novel opportunities for the development of ORR
      catalyst with excellent electrochemical properties.

PMID- 24240983
TI  - Accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of meniscal tears in patients with chronic ACL
      tears.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) in diagnosing meniscal tears in patients with anterior cruciate
      ligament (ACL) tears and to determine the frequency of missed meniscal tears on
      MRI. METHODS: This prospective comparative study was conducted from 2009 to 2012.
      Patients with ACL injuries who underwent knee arthroscopy and MRI were included
      in the study. Two radiologists who were blinded to the clinical history and
      arthroscopic findings reviewed the pre-arthroscopic MR images. The presence and
      type of meniscal tears on MRI and arthroscopy were recorded. Arthroscopic
      findings were used as the reference standard. The accuracy, sensitivity,
      specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV)
      of MRI in the evaluation of meniscal tears were calculated. RESULTS: A total of
      65 patients (66 knees) were included. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy,
      PPV, and NPV for the MRI diagnosis of lateral meniscal tears in our patients were
      83, 97, 92, 96, and 90 %, respectively, whereas those for medial meniscus tears
      were 82, 92, 88, 82, and 88 %, respectively. There were five false-negative
      diagnoses of medial meniscus tears and four false-negative diagnoses of lateral
      meniscus tears. The majority of missed meniscus tears on MRI affected the
      peripheral posterior horns. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity for diagnosing a meniscal
      tear was significantly higher when the tear involved more than one-third of the
      meniscus or the anterior horn. The sensitivity was significantly lower for tears
      located in the posterior horn and for vertically oriented tears. Therefore,
      special attention should be given to the peripheral posterior horns of the
      meniscus, which are common sites of injury that could be easily missed on MRI.
      The high NPVs obtained in this study suggest that MRI is a valuable tool prior to
      arthroscopy.

PMID- 24240984
TI  - Influence of tibial rotation on tibial tunnel position measurements using lateral
      fluoroscopy in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the influence of
      internal and external knee rotation on tibial tunnel position measurements in
      anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the Amis and Jakob line. METHODS:
      Anatomic double bundle ACL reconstruction was performed in seven cadaveric knees.
      Afterwards, the knees were CT scanned, and 3D CT models were established.
      Utilizing these models, strict lateral and radiographs with the knees in 5
      degrees , 10 degrees , and 20 degrees  of internal as well as external rotation
      were established. Using these radiographs, the positions of the anteromedial (AM)
      and posterolateral (PL) tibial tunnels were measured using the Amis and Jacob
      line. The tunnel positions of the strict lateral were compared to the rotated
      radiographs. To assess the inter- and intraobserver reliability, two independent
      observers measured the tunnel positions, and one observer measured twice.
      RESULTS: Significant differences for the AM tunnel position were observed if more
      than 10 degrees  of external or 20 degrees  of internal rotation were applied.
      For the PL tunnel position, no significant differences were found between the
      strict lateral and the rotated radiographs. Inter- and intraobserver reliability
      was good. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of the Amis and Jakob line is dependent on
      the degree of knee rotation and the position of the measured tunnel. Therefore,
      when using the Amis and Jakob line to determine the tibial tunnel position during
      surgery, attention should be paid to rotational alignment of lateral radiographs.
      However, the maximum rotation tested in the present study (20 degrees ) showed
      only a difference in tunnel position of 3.3 % compared to optimal rotational
      alignment. Thus, in most cases, the effects of minor malrotation on tunnel
      position measurement should be of minimal clinical significance.

PMID- 24240985
TI  - Postoperative respiratory failure: pathogenesis, prediction, and prevention.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review discusses our present understanding of
      postoperative respiratory failure (PRF) pathogenesis, risk factors, and
      perioperative-risk reduction strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: PRF, the most frequent
      postoperative pulmonary complication, is defined by impaired blood gas exchange
      appearing after surgery. PRF leads to longer hospital stays and higher mortality.
      The time frame for recognizing when respiratory failure is related to the
      surgical-anesthetic insult remains imprecise, however, and researchers have used
      different clinical events instead of blood gas measures to define the outcome.
      Still, studies in specific surgical populations or large patient samples have
      identified a range of predictors of PRF risk: type of surgery and comorbidity,
      mechanical ventilation, and multiple hits to the lung have been found to be
      relevant in most of these studies. Recently, risk-scoring systems for PRF have
      been developed and are being applied in new controlled trials of PRF-risk
      reduction measures. Current evidence favors carefully managing intraoperative
      ventilator use and fluids, reducing surgical aggression, and preventing wound
      infection and pain. SUMMARY: PRF is a life-threatening event that is challenging
      for the surgical team. Risk prediction scales based on large population studies
      are being developed and validated. We need high-quality trials of preventive
      measures, particularly those related to ventilator use in both high risk and
      general populations.

PMID- 24240986
TI  - Cutaneous viral infections in patients after kidney transplantation: risk
      factors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION:  Infectious skin lesions are a common complication in renal
      transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. OBJECTIVES:  The aim of
      this study was to assess the prevalence and factors contributing to the
      development of viral skin infections in kidney transplant patients. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS:  The study included 486 patients, 296 men (60.9%) and 190 women (39.1%),
      aged 46.1 +/-13.1 years, 74.3 +/-52.1 months post-transplantation, who remained
      mostly on triple immunosuppressive therapy. All skin lesions detected during the
      dermatological examination were described in detail, and the type, size, exact
      location, dependence on age, sex, and the used immunosuppressive therapy were
      established. Patients were followed for 5 years. RESULTS:  Infectious skin
      lesions of viral origin were diagnosed in 189 of 486 patients (38.9%). The most
      frequent infections were viral warts (38.5%), which were more common in older
      patients (47.6 vs. 45.0 years, P <0.033). Viral warts were observed more often in
      men (P <0.031). Lesions of viral origin occurred more often in patients treated
      with immunosuppressive drugs for a longer period of time (53 vs. 37 months; P
      <0.021) and those who received azathioprine and cyclosporine A (P <0.001). In a
      multivariate logistic regression analysis, therapy with azathioprine was the only
      factor associated with increased risk of these complications (P <0.007).
      CONCLUSIONS:  Older age, male sex, and longer duration of immunosuppressive
      therapy affect the incidence of infectious skin lesions in patients after kidney
      transplantation. Treatment with cyclosporine A and azathioprine promotes the
      development of infectious viral warts.

PMID- 24240987
TI  - Different effects of the mirror illusion on motor and somatosensory processing.
AB  - PURPOSE: Mirror therapy can improve motor and sensory functions, but effects of
      the mirror illusion on primary motor and somatosensory cortex could not be
      established consistently. METHODS: Fifteen right handed healthy volunteers
      performed or observed a finger-thumb opposition task. Cerebral activations during
      normal movement (NOR), mirrored movement (MIR) and movement observation (OBS) by
      means of a video chain were recorded with functional magnetic resonance imaging
      (fMRI). Activation sizes in movement > static conditions were identified using
      SPM8 (p < 0.001, unc.) and attributed to predefined areas employing the Anatomy
      toolbox 1.8. Laterality indices for the responsive areas were calculated on the
      basis of the number of activated voxels. RESULTS: Relevant bilateral BOLD
      responses were found in primary motor (M1) and somatosensory (S1 - BA 2, 3b and
      3a) cortex, premotor and parietal areas and V5. When comparing MIR to NOR, no
      significant change of contralateral activation in M1 was found, but clearly at S1
      with differences between hands. CONCLUSION: The mirror illusion does not elicit
      immediate changes in motor areas, yet there is a direct effect on somatosensory
      areas, especially for left hand movements. These results suggest different
      effects of mirror therapy on processing and rehabilitation of motor and sensory
      function.

PMID- 24240990
TI  - Genetics of the polycross : 1. Experimental results from Norway spruce.
AB  - Rates and patterns of male gamete incorporation for a polycross mating design
      were studied for two independent years of pollination in Norway spruce, Picea
      abies (L) Karst. Segregation distortion in a subset of maternal clones was
      documented for one locus. We have proposed a model, involving the existence of a
      linked lethal allele, which accounts for these observations. Significant temporal
      and maternal clonal differences were observed in the rates at which single locus
      and multilocus gametes were incorporated. Striking differences in apparent
      fertility existed among four clones which produced unique multilocus gametes. One
      clone, in particular, was shown to be contributing three times as many gametes to
      the next generation as predicted by the hypothesis of equal clonal male
      contribution. These deviations from expectation were also detected in the
      genotypic distributions of the resultant filial generation. Ramifications of
      these results on family structures in the filial generation, effective size of
      the male population, and possible bias in inferences of genetic differences and
      parameter estimation are discussed. 

PMID- 24240989
TI  - The detection of different Dirofilaria species using direct PCR technique.
AB  - A novel direct PCR assay for the detection of Dirofilaria spp. from EDTA blood,
      Knott test, FTA cards, adult filarial worms, skin nodules and Dirofilaria spp.
      infected mosquitoes was tested. Larval and adult DNA of Dirofilaria spp. from FTA
      cards, from the mosquito vector and from worm fragments without prior DNA
      extraction was successfully obtained. As little as 3.11 larvae/100 MUl blood on
      FTA cards could be detected. Thus, direct PCR is capable of directly detecting
      first larval stages in the blood, third larval stages in the mosquito vector and
      pieces of mature stages of Dirofilaria spp. The assay is a rapid, sensitive and
      cost-effective alternative to standard PCR.

PMID- 24240988
TI  - Autophagy proteins regulate ERK phosphorylation.
AB  - Autophagy is a conserved pathway that maintains cellular quality control.
      Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) controls various aspects of cell
      physiology including proliferation. Multiple signalling cascades, including ERK,
      have been shown to regulate autophagy, however whether autophagy proteins (ATG)
      regulate cell signalling is unknown. Here we show that growth factor exposure
      increases the interaction of ERK cascade components with ATG proteins in the
      cytosol and nucleus. ERK and its upstream kinase MEK localize to the extra
      luminal face of autophagosomes. ERK2 interacts with ATG proteins via its
      substrate-binding domains. Deleting Atg7 or Atg5 or blocking LC3 lipidation or
      ATG5-ATG12 conjugation decreases ERK phosphorylation. Conversely, increasing LC3
      II availability by silencing the cysteine protease ATG4B or acute trehalose
      exposure increases ERK phosphorylation. Decreased ERK phosphorylation in Atg5-/-
      cells does not occur from overactive phosphatases. Our findings thus reveal an
      unconventional function of ATG proteins as cellular scaffolds in the regulation
      of ERK phosphorylation.

PMID- 24240991
TI  - Beta chloroplast genomes: analysis of Fraction I protein and chloroplast DNA
      variation.
AB  - The interrelationships of Beta chloroplast genomes have been investigated on the
      basis of the analysis of Fraction I protein and chloroplast (ct) DNA. Three
      groups of the chloroplast genomes could be demonstrated by the difference in
      isoelectric points of the large subunit of Fraction I protein. Restriction enzyme
      analysis revealed inter- and intra-specific variations among the ctDNAs, which
      enabled us to detect seven distinct ctDNA types. In Vulgares and Corollinae
      species, the observed differences were physically mapped taking advantage of the
      restriction fragment map available for sugar beet (B. vulgaris) ctDNA. The DNA
      variations were found to result either from gains or losses of restriction sites
      or from small deletions/ insertions, and most of them were located in the large
      single-copy region of the genome. Moreover, the ctDNAs from Patellares species
      are more diverged from those of other Beta taxa. Our results also indicate that
      there is a close correlation between the chloroplast genome diversity and the
      accepted taxonomic classification of the species included in this survey. 

PMID- 24240992
TI  - C-banding polymorphism and the analysis of nucleolar activity in Dasypyrum
      villosum (L.) Candargy, its added chromosomes to hexaploid wheat and the
      amphiploid Triticum dicoccum - D. villosum.
AB  - C-banding patterns and nucleolar activity were analyzed in Dasypyrum villosum,
      its added chromosomes to hexaploid wheat and the hexaploid amphiploid Triticum
      dicoccum-D. villosum. Two different populations of the allogamous species D.
      villosum (2n= 14, VV) from Greece and Italy were analyzed showing a similar
      polymorphism for C-banding pattern. Six of the seven addition lines were
      identified by their characteristic C-banding pattern. No polymorphism between
      both members of each added alien chromosome was found. Furthermore, nucleolar
      activity and competition were studied by using silver staining procedure. In D.
      villosum only one chromosome pair, A, was found to be responsible for organizing
      nucleoli. The results obtained in the amphiploid and in the addition lines
      demonstrate that nucleolar activity is restricted to SAT-chromosomes 1B and 6B of
      wheat, while those of D. villosum remain inactive. 

PMID- 24240993
TI  - Linkage studies of the h gene with plant weight in flax genotrophs.
AB  - The association of the H-h (hairy-hairless septa) character with plant weight was
      studied in the coupling and repulsion phases in F2 of reciprocal crosses between
      large (L) and small (S) genotrophs of flax variety 'Stormont Cirrus'. F2 plants
      of reciprocal crosses in coupling (L(H) x S(h)) and in repulsion (L(h) x S(H))
      giving H-h segregations were grown with their parents at two sowing times.
      Significant positive and negative associations between h and plant weight were
      obtained. A model is proposed based on the hypothesis that the H phenotype had
      changed to the h phenotype at the time of induction by a heterochromatic region
      extending over this locus. In the heterozygote, stable equilibria of the
      homozygotes are destroyed and transfer of heterochromatin, or number of
      reiterated sequences, or a decrease in one homologue and an increase in the
      other, occur in this region between homologous chromosomes. The amount and
      direction of the association is dependent upon the frequency of transfer: 0%
      transfer gives complete positive association; 50% transfer, no association; 100%
      transfer, complete negative association. This mechanism or heterochromatic
      transfer preserves the Mendelian ratio of 3?1 of H?h in the F2. It is also
      supposed that there must be other controlling elements present as well. 

PMID- 24240994
TI  - Identification of restriction fragment length polymorphisms linked to genes
      controlling soluble solids content in tomato fruit.
AB  - Gene(s) conferring high soluble solids (SS) in tomato fruit had been backcrossed
      previously from a wild tomato species, Lycopersicon chmielewskii LA1028 (~ 10%
      SS), into a L. esculentum cultivar, VF36 (~ 5% SS), to derive a BC5S5 line,
      LA1563, similar to 'VF 36' but with 7-8% SS. DNAs from these lines and a tomato
      breeding line, H2038, were screened for restriction fragment length polymorphisms
      (RFLPs) using four restriction endonucleases and sixty clones chosen at random
      from a tomato cDNA library. Most of the cDNA clones (56) identified the same RFLP
      in 'VF 36' and LA1563 and a different RFLP in LA1028. However, two cDNA clones
      identified the same RFLP in LA1563 and LA1028 and a different RFLP in 'VF36'. To
      determine whether RFLPs identified by these two cDNA clones were linked to SS
      genes, a H2038 x LA1563 F2 population was screened for segregation of the RFLPs
      and for SS content. The segregation ratios of these RFLPs were consistent with
      ratios expected for codominant alleles at unlinked loci. Analysis of variance of
      SS content for different RFLP genotypic classes indicated that RFLP alleles at
      one of the loci were linked to genes controlling SS content. The RFLP allele from
      the high SS tomato line, LA1563, was associated with significantly higher SS
      content and, therefore, could be useful in selecting for high SS gene(s) in a
      tomato breeding program. 

PMID- 24240995
TI  - Nucleotide sequence of the chloroplast gene responsible for triazine resistance
      in canola.
AB  - The nucleotide sequence for the psbA gene from a triazine resistant cultivar of
      B. napus (cv 'Triton') has been determined. This gene encodes an open reading
      frame of 353 amino acids that is highly homologous to other higher plant psbA
      genes at both the nucleotide and amino acid levels. As has been found for other
      triazine resistant psbA genes, the 'Triton' psbA contains an A to G nucleotide
      change which results in a serine to glycine amino acid substitution at position
      264. The B. napus psbA gene also has a G insertion at position -9 resulting in a
      ribosome binding site sequence (AGGA) just before the initial methionine and
      suggesting that the entire open reading frame is translated. A large (72 bp)
      insertion is also found upstream of the B. napus psbA gene which resembles a
      similar insertion in the mustard psbA. The "uncloneable" nature of the entire
      gene is further investigated through reconstruction experiments and the
      implications discussed. 

PMID- 24240996
TI  - A rapid, single leaf, nucleic acid assay for determining the cytoplasmic
      organelle complement of rapeseed and related Brassica species.
AB  - An assay is described whereby Eco RI restriction fragment length polymorphisms of
      mitochondrial and chloroplast DNAs can definitively identify cytoplasms of
      interest in Brassica crop development. Restrictable mitochondrial and chloroplast
      DNA is extracted from as little as 2-3 g and 0.5 g leaf tissue, respectively, and
      the donor plants are able to continue to develop in a normal manner. An unknown
      cytoplasm can be identified in three days, which is a considerable saving in time
      and labor compared to the several years required by traditional methods. The
      assay is very inexpensive and should be established as a routine procedure in
      laboratories involved in sexual or somatic Brassica hybrid production. 

PMID- 24240997
TI  - Testcross selection theory.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is to extend the theoretical basis for testcross
      selection theory from models assuming two alleles per locus to a model which is
      general for number and frequency of alleles. The expectations of genetic
      variances expressed among and within testcross families is presented for both
      inbred and population testers. Predicted change due to selection in testcross,
      non-inbred and selfed population performance with testcross selection are
      derived. Expected changes in testcross heterosis and inbreeding depression in the
      population are also derived. Approximate confidence intervals for predicted
      selection response are developed and appropriate sets of progeny to evaluate in
      order to estimate parameters of interest are identified. 

PMID- 24240999
TI  - Molecular analysis of the D-genome of the Triticeae.
AB  - The chromosome of three tetraploid Aegilops L. species containing the D-genome
      were analyzed by in situ hybridization with a repeated DNA sequence clone pAS1
      isolated from Aegilops squarrosa and observed to be D-genome specific. This
      sequence is found on all seven D-genome chromosome pairs of A. squarrosa and
      hexaploid wheat. Two distinct D-genome patterns were observed in the tetraploid
      species. The D-genome of A. cylindrica was similar to hexaploid wheat. Seven
      pairs of chromosomes having large amounts and numerous sites of the sequence were
      observed. Five chromosome pairs with fewer and smaller sites of the repetitive
      sequence were observed in the D-genomes of A. crassa and A. ventricosa. In
      addition to these major repeated sequence differences, chromosomal modifications
      appear to have occurred between T. aestivum and A. cylindrica and between A.
      crassa and A. ventricosa resulting in changes with respect to location of the
      sequence between the respective species. D-genome divergence with respect to pAS1
      sequence appears to have occurred at least in two forms, one characterized by the
      changes in amount of repetitive sequence and the second by changes in location of
      the sequence. 

PMID- 24240998
TI  - Somatic hybrids between Brassica oleracea and B. campestris: selection by the use
      of iodoacetamide inactivation and regeneration ability.
AB  - An efficient procedure for obtaining somatic hybrids between B. oleracea and B.
      campestris has been developed. Hypocotyl protoplasts of B. oleracea were fused
      with mesophyll protoplasts from three different varieties of B. campestris by the
      polyethylene glycoldimethylsulfoxide method. The selection of somatic hybrids
      utilized the inactivation of B. oleracea protoplasts by iodoacetamide (IOA) and
      the low regeneration ability of B. campestris. The efficiency of recovery of
      somatic hybrids depended upon the IOA concentration, and when 15 mM IOA was used,
      90% of the regenerated plants were found to be hybrid. The somatic hybrids were
      examined for i) leaf morphology, ii) leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) isozyme and
      iii) chromosome number. All the hybrids had intermediate leaf morphology and
      possessed LAP isozymes of both parental species. The chromosome analysis revealed
      a considerable variation in chromosome number of somatic hybrids, showing the
      occurrence of multiple fusion and chromosome loss during the culture. Some of the
      hybrids flowered and set seeds. 

PMID- 24241000
TI  - Plant regeneration from cultured immature embryos of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.
AB  - Immature embryos of 20 sorghum genotypes were cultured on MS 5 medium containing
      MS mineral salts supplemented with 2,4-D, zeatin, glycine, niacinamide, Ca
      pantothenate, L-asparagine, and vitamins. For regeneration, calli were
      transferred onto the same medium with the exception that IAA was substituted for
      2,4-D. In general, immature embryos obtained 9-12 days after pollination resulted
      in the best redifferentiation. Ability of calli to regenerate varied among
      genotypes; cultivars C401-1 and C625 had the highest redifferentiation
      frequencies. Ability to redifferentiate was heritable and acted as a dominant
      trait. At least two gene pairs were involved. Regenerated R0 plants were planted
      in a greenhouse and their selfed (R1 and R2) progenies were planted in the field
      and examined for morphological and cytological variations. The majority of the
      phenotypic variations noted in R0 were not transmitted to later generations.
      However, variants for plant height, degree of fertility, and midrib color
      persisted in R1 and R2 generations. A variation in tallness was attributable to
      one dominant mutant gene. Short stature and male sterility variants appeared to
      be consequences of recessive mutant genes controlling those traits. Minor
      variations in peroxidase banding patterns were found among R0 plants. 

PMID- 24241001
TI  - Fertility of somatic hybrids from protoplast fusions of Solanum brevidens and S.
      tuberosum.
AB  - Two sets of somatic hybrids between Solanum brevidens (2x) and S. tuberosum (2x
      and 4x) were evaluated for male fertility, meiotic regularity and female
      fertility. The somatic hybrids were tetraploids from 2x + 2x fusions and
      hexaploids from 2x + 4x fusions. Pollen stainability ranged from 0 to 83% in
      tetraploids and from 0 to 23% in hexaploids. The tetraploids had more regular
      meiosis, lower levels of micropollen and fewer unassociated chromosomes than
      hexaploids. However, except for a low level of selfing, the pollen of both sets
      of hybrids was ineffective in pollinations. The tetraploids, as females, crossed
      poorly with 2x and 4x tester species and selfed only at low levels. The hexaploid
      fusion hybrids also crossed poorly with the 2x tester species and selfed only to
      a limited degree; however, they crossed well with 4x testers. Seed set in crosses
      with S. tuberosum Group Andigena, and S. tuberosum Group Tuberosum cultivars
      'Kathadin' and 'Norland' averaged 16.7, 15.6 and 28.6 seeds per fruit,
      respectively. Progeny from these crosses had 5x or nearly 5x ploidy levels. The
      results indicate that reasonable levels of female fertility can be obtained in
      somatic fusion hybrids of S. brevidens and S. tuberosum. 

PMID- 24241002
TI  - The effect of the crossability loci Kr1 and Kr2 on fertilization frequency in
      hexaploid wheat x maize crosses.
AB  - Dominant alleles of the Kr1 and Kr2 genes reduce the crossability of hexaploid
      wheat with many alien species, including rye and Hordeum bulbosum, with Kr1
      having the greater effect. However, a cytological study of wheat ovaries fixed 48
      h after pollination showed that the wheat genotypes 'Highbury' (kr1, Kr2) and
      'Chinese Spring (Hope 5B)' (kr1, kr2) were crossable with 'Seneca 60' maize,
      fertilization occurring in 14.4 and 30.7% of embryo sacs respectively. The latter
      figure was similar to the 29.7% fertilization found in 'Chinese Spring' (kr1,
      kr2). Most embryo sacs in which fertilization occurred contained an embryo but
      lacked an endosperm and where an endosperm was formed it was usually highly
      aberrant. All three wheat x maize combinations were karyotypically unstable and
      rapidly eliminated maize chromosomes to produce haploid wheat embryos. 

PMID- 24241003
TI  - The inheritance of a urease-null trait in soybeans.
AB  - Four soybean seed urease nulls (lacking both the activity and antigen of the
      embryo-specific urease) were intermated and the F1 and F2 seed examined for
      urease activity. Both generations were without urease activity, and the nulls
      were therefore considered noncomplementing. In crosses of each null line to
      cultivars homozygous for the allelic, codominantly inherited urease slow or fast
      isozyme, the F1 seed expressed the embryo-specific urease isozyme of the urease
      expressing parent. A 3 ? 1 segregation for presence and absence of urease was
      observed in progeny from F1 and heterozygous F2 plants. The F2 and F3 from
      fastXnull combinations revealed that urease-positive seed were all phenotypically
      urease fast, while the same seed from slowXnull combinations showed a segregation
      of one seed containing a fast urease, either exclusively or in a heterozygous
      state with the slow isozyme, for every 69 phenotypic slows. Data pooled from F2
      plants which segregate for both the presence (Sun) and absence (Sun) of urease
      and for the fast (Eu1-b) or slow (Eu1-a) urease allele indicate that the null
      lesion (Sun) is linked to Eu1 by approximately one map unit. The evidence is
      consistent with two models: (1) sun is an allele at the embryo-specific urease
      isozyme locus (Eu1) and that a high degree of exchange (and/or conversion) within
      the locus results in a 1% recombination frequency between the null trait and
      urease allozyme; (2) sun is at a distinct locus which is separated by one map
      unit from the embryo-specific urease isozyme locus (Eu1) upon which it acts in
      the cis position. Polyadenylated embryo RNA from one of the null lines, PI
      229324, exhibited no urease template activity in vitro. Thus, the lack of urease
      antigen is due to lack of accumulation of translatable urease mRNA. The
      availability of soybeans lacking seed urease should be extremely useful to
      breeders as a trait for linkage studies and to geneticists as a transformation
      marker. 

PMID- 24241004
TI  - Biochemical polymorphism in relation to performance in horses.
AB  - Investigations on relationships between biochemical polymorphism and variation in
      quantitative traits are of interest from the perspectives of both theoretical
      quantitative genetics and practical animal breeding. This subject was studied by
      using racing performance records of more than 25,000 horses of the Swedish
      Trotter breed born in the period 1970-1979. For all horses data on six blood
      group and nine electrophoretic loci were available. Two different performance
      traits were investigated. A racing performance index value was calculated for all
      individuals which had started in at least five races. Horses which had not
      started at all or less than five times were pooled in an unstarted class and the
      proportion of started horses was analysed as an all-or-none trait. The
      relationships between the marker genes and these two performance traits were
      analysed statistically by using linear models. Analysis within sires revealed a
      very highly significant association between variation at the serum esterase locus
      (Es) and the proportion of started horses. In addition, four weakly significant
      associations were found. A striking feature of the highly significant association
      involving the esterase locus was that the effect of different alleles showed a
      good fit to an additive genetic model as the value of each heterozygous type was
      intermediate to the two corresponding homozygotes. In addition to the association
      tests, the possibility of genetic linkage between marker genes and genes
      affecting performance was tested as well as the influence on performance of
      heterozygosity at marker loci. No significant relationships were revealed in
      these latter tests. 

PMID- 24241005
TI  - The occurrence of Ds-like sequences in cereal genomes.
AB  - The occurrence of DNA sequences similar to the Ds-element of sh-m5933 maize (Ds
      like sequences) was studied in other representatives of the Gramineae. The
      approximate number of copies of such sequences found under gentle and stringent
      conditions of washing was determined by dot-hybridization. It was shown that in
      the maize genome the number of copies of Ds-like sequences exceeds about ten-fold
      the content of such sequences found in wheat, rye and barley genomes.
      Quantitative differences in Ds-like sequences between wheat species with various
      genomes and ploidies (when estimated per genome) as well as between different H.
      vulgare varieties was not determined. The various melting points (Tm) of DNA
      duplexes formed when the Ds-element is hybridized with wheat, rye and barley DNA
      respectively do not show significant differences and are essentially lower than
      the Tm of the Ds-element (by 8 degrees -9 degrees C). Thus, these duplexes have 9
      11% of nucleotide substitutions in comparison to Ds sh-m5933. The data obtained
      permit one to suppose the presence of a series of Ds-like sequences heterogenous
      for the length and degree of homology to the Ds-element isolated from the
      shrunken locus (sh-m5933) of maize DNA. 

PMID- 24241006
TI  - Chromosomal location of structural genes controlling isozymes in Hordeum chilense
      : 1. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase.
AB  - A study of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase isozyme
      expression in Triticum turgidum conv. durum /Hordeum chilense monosomic addition
      lines has revealed the location of two structural genes, 6-pgd-H (ch) 2 and Mdh-H
      (ch) 1, on chromosome 1H(ch) of H. chilense. The homoeology between 1H(ch) and
      other chromosome of Triticeae related species is discussed on the basis of
      isozyme gene analysis. 

PMID- 24241007
TI  - Genetics of alpha-amylases from rye endosperm.
AB  - Fifteen inbred lines of rye, F1 and F2 progenies from crosses between lines were
      studied using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Conventional genetic analysis
      of alpha-amylase zymograms showed that the 19 bands detected in the endosperm of
      germinating caryopses were controlled by three linked structural loci and one
      independent modifying locus, which influenced the electrophoretic mobility of
      isozymes. Two codominant alleles were found at the alpha-Amy1, alpha-Amy2
      structural loci and the M-alpha-Amy modifying locus while the alpha-Amy3 locus
      had three alleles. Double-banded expression of the alpha-amylase alleles was
      probably due to the simultaneous presence of modified and unmodified forms of
      isozymes on the zymogram. 

PMID- 24241008
TI  - Heterosis among populations of maize (Zea mays L.) with different levels of
      exotic germplasm.
AB  - Thirteen maize (Zea mays L.) populations including five adapted, five adapted x
      exotic, two composites of adapted and exotic, and one exotic selected for
      adaptability were crossed in a diallel mating system. The parents and 78 crosses
      and nine check hybrids were evaluated for grain yield and plant height in five
      environments. The Gardner-Eberhart model Analysis II indicated that additive and
      nonadditive gene effects accounted for 60 and 40% of the total variation among
      populations, respectively, for grain yield and 86% and 14% of the total
      variation, respectively, for plant height. Components of heterosis were
      significant in the combined analysis for both traits. Adapted Corn Belt
      populations tended to have higher performance in crosses and greater values of
      variety heterosis than 50% adapted populations. 'Nebraska Elite Composite', 'Corn
      Belt' x 'Mexican', and 'Corn Belt' x 'Brazilian' showed high mean yields in
      crosses, however, they were not among those with high estimates of variety
      heterosis. One exotic population ('Tuxpeno' x 'Antigua Grupo 2') and three
      adapted populations ['307 Composite', 'NB(S1)C-3', and 'NK(S1)C-3'] might be
      combined together to form a high-yielding population. It may be possible to
      synthesize two useful populations for reciprocal recurrent selection by grouping
      'Tuxpeno' x 'Antiqua Grupo 2', 'NB(S1)C-3', and 'NS(FS)LFW-8' into one population
      and 'NK(S1)C-3', 'Krug'x'Tabloncillo', and '307 Composite' in the other one. 

PMID- 24241009
TI  - Somatic hybridization of amino acid analogue-resistant cell lines of potato
      (Solanum tuberosum L.) by electrofusion.
AB  - Intraspecific somatic hybridization between amino acid analogue-resistant cell
      lines of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) has been carried out following
      electrofusion of protoplasts. In initial analytical electrofusion experiments (1
      mm electrode separation) optimal fusion conditions were determined by changing
      the fusion medium (addition of Ca and/or spermine) and the electrical parameters.
      Subsequently, in large scale experiments, cell suspension protoplasts of aec-1, a
      variant resistant to AEC, were fused with the same type of protoplasts of 5mt-26
      or 5mt-27, both variants resistant to 5MT and cross-resistant to 3 FT. After an
      extensive selection procedure only somatic hybrid lines of aec-1 + 5mt-26 were
      obtained. The resistance traits of aec-1 and 5mt-26 were expressed fully,
      indicating that the variant characters involved are transmitted dominantly.
      Quantitative examination of the free amino acid content revealed characteristics
      of both the parental cell lines in most of the somatic hybrids. However,
      initially selected double resistant colonies from fusions of aec-1 + 5mt-27 lines
      appeared not to be somatic hybrids. 

PMID- 24241010
TI  - A somaclonal variant of wheat with additional beta-amylase isozymes.
AB  - The progeny of 149 plants regenerated from tissue culture of immature wheat
      (Triticum aestivum) embryos were screened for variation in their grain beta
      amylase isozyme pattern. One regenerant was found which was heterozygous for a
      variant pattern characterized by the presence of at least five new isozyme bands,
      as well as an increased intensity in existing bands in two more positions. The F2
      of a homozygous variant crossed back to the parent segregated in an approximate
      3?1 ratio but resolution of the gels was not sufficient to distinguish whether
      this represents a dominant or co-dominant single mutant gene. No chromosome
      abnormalities were evident in mitosis or meiosis of the homozygous variant or in
      the F1 of the variant crossed back to the parent. No recombination has been seen
      between the variant bands and production of multiple bands from a single locus is
      consistent with the nature of the known beta-amylase loci. However, the variant
      bands were not evident in a survey of 111 diverse genotypes, nor were they
      present in developing grain of the parent cultivar. Therefore, this variant could
      represent a rare mutation leading to expression of a currently unexpressed locus.

PMID- 24241011
TI  - Artificial Brassica napus flowering in Bangladesh.
AB  - Natural rapeseed (Brassica napus L.; AACC 2n=38), originated in the temperate
      climate of the Southwest European Mediterranean region, fails to complete its
      generative phase in the subtropics and is thus not cultivated in countries like
      Bangladesh. Adapted agroecotypes are available from the diploid representatives
      of its genome A (B. campestris/pekinensis, 2n=20) and C (B. oleracea/alboglabra,
      2n=18). An artificial resynthesis based on carefully selected progenitor lines
      was expected to give a photoperiodically better adapted rapeseed. ? B. pekinensis
      x ? B. oleracea/alboglabra gave 2 hybrids and 87 matromorphous plants from 1,448
      crossed flowers and the reciprocal combination gave no hybrid but 11
      matromorphous plants from 2,228 pollinated flowers. The two true hybrids were
      vegetatively propagated and chromosome doubled. Part of the F2 was grown in
      Sweden (all plants flowered and the most early ones were selected), part in
      Bangladesh (13 out of 706 plants flowered). The selected F3 material flowered in
      Bangladesh and transgressions in earliness could be recorded, some lines were of
      definite agronomic potential. A correlation in earliness between reaction in
      Sweden (long day) and Bangladesh (short day) was observed. 

PMID- 24241012
TI  - Sister chromatid exchange points in the heterochromatin and euchromatin regions
      of Chinese hedgehog chromosomes.
AB  - The Chinese hedgehog has a diploid chromosome number of 48 in which there are
      eleven pairs of telo- or subtelocentric autosomes, twelve pairs of meta- or
      submetacentric autosomes, a metacentric X chromosome and a telocentric Y
      chromosome. The heterochromatin is almost completely distributed in five large
      distal segments of chromosomes nos. 9 to 12 and no. 18. There is no positive C
      band in the centromeres of the chromosomes except for the X chromosome which has
      a small, weakly stained C-band in the centromere. In Chinese hedgehog cells 52.1%
      of SCEs are found at the junction between the euchromatin and the
      heterochromatin, 39.5% in the heterochromatin and 8.4% in the auchromatin. The
      SCE number per unit C-band is double the SCE number per unit euchromatin. The SCE
      rate in the heterochromatin or euchromatin regions is not proportional to their
      chromosome length and can be quite different between different pairs of the
      chromosomes. Our results indicate that there is a non-uniform distribution of the
      SCEs in the Chinese hedgehog cells. 

PMID- 24241013
TI  - Heritability estimates of citral content in East Indian lemongrass.
AB  - Citral content in oil obtained from 80 representative clones, chosen randomly
      from a population raised from open-pollinated seeds of clonally propagated East
      Indian lemongrass variety 'SD-68' and their half-sib progenies was estimated by
      gas chromatography. Heritability estimates were determined by variance component
      and parent-offspring regression analyses. Broad-sense heritability was 0.49 while
      narrow sense heritabilities by variance and regression analyses were 0.37 and
      0.24, respectively. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations between citral content
      in oil and oil content were very low both among the parental clones (-0.01 and 
      0.01, respectively) and among their progenies (0.13 and 0.08, respectively)
      indicating that selection for either of these traits would not have much effect
      on the other. 

PMID- 24241015
TI  - Modification of the interaction betweenEscherichia coli and bacteriophage in
      saline sediment.
AB  - The effects of sorption phenomena on the interaction between a parasite and its
      host bacterium have been investigated using anEscherichia coli-bacteriophage
      saline sediment system. The sediment contained organic matter and a high
      proportion of clay, predominantly montmorillonoid. BothE. coli and phage remained
      firmly sorbed to saline sediments or montmorillonite, but were rapidly desorbed
      following dilution of the electrolyte below a critical concentration. This
      desorption coincided with the dispersal of sediment colloids.Escherichia coli was
      protected from phage attack by the presence of sediment, montmorillonite, or
      organic matter at salinty levels both above and below this critical point for
      dispersal and desorption. Evidence is presented indicating thatE. coli is
      protected from phage attack at low electrolyte concentrations by an envelope of
      sorbed colloidal materials around the cell, whereas at high electrolyte
      concentrations protection results both from the colloid envelope around the cells
      as well as from the sorption of cells and phages to solid particles. The
      protection ofE. coli and possibly other fecal bacteria may result in their
      accumulation in saline sediments, producing a possible health hazard in estuaries
      and lagoons if the bacteria are desorbed following dilution as a result of heavy
      rainfall. 

PMID- 24241014
TI  - The relationship of symptomatic thoracolumbar disc herniation and Scheuermann's
      disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: Symptomatic disc herniations in the thoracolumbar spine between T10/11
      and L1/2 can be collectively called thoracolumbar disc herniation (TLDH). The
      etiology of this disorder is unclear. However, it is interesting that we have
      noted numerous TLDH patients have radiographic features of another spinal
      disorder which is Scheuermann's disease (SD). The purpose of this study is to
      investigate the relationship between symptomatic TLDH and SD in a symptomatic
      TLDH cohort. METHODS: A cohort of 63 patients with symptomatic TLDH, who had
      surgery was investigated. Incidences of associated SD and four radiographic signs
      of SD that were Schmorl's node, irregular vertebral end plate, posterior bony
      avulsion of the vertebra and wedge-shaped vertebra, average thoracolumbar
      kyphotic angle and incidences of disc herniation at segments with and without
      radiographic signs of SD were examined. Data from the TLDH group were compared
      with 57 patients undergoing surgery for lower lumbar disc herniation (LDH, L3/4
      L5/S1) in the same period. RESULTS: The incidences of the four radiographic signs
      of SD and the incidence of associated SD were all significantly higher in the
      TLDH group than in the LDH group. 95.2 % of the patients in the TLDH group were
      diagnosed with SD (either classical SD or its atypical form). The average
      thoracolumbar kyphotic angle of the TLDH group was 16.9 degrees , while that of
      the LDH group was 7.6 degrees  (P = 0.000). In the TLDH group, the incidences of
      disc herniation at segments with radiographic signs of SD were all significantly
      higher than at segments where no sign of SD was found. CONCLUSIONS: The high
      proportion of associated SD and the tendency of SD's signs to promote disc
      herniation in symptomatic TLDH patients suggest a close relationship between
      these two disorders. Symptomatic TLDH should be seen as a truly different
      surgical entity, that is, a special form of SD rather than just an indicator of a
      failing back.

PMID- 24241016
TI  - Scanning electron microscopy of microorganisms on the roots of wheat.
AB  - The scanning electron microscope was used to study the microorganisms on wheat
      roots grown in both soil and sand. Bacteria became common on the root surface
      only in the root hair region of young roots; nearer the tip of the root they were
      rare. Older roots had relatively high populations of bacteria. Bacteria were
      sometimes embedded in mucilage, of either plant or microbial origin, which seemed
      to bind the bacteria firmly to the root surface. Mineral grains on or near the
      roots of wheat were generally free of mucilage. 

PMID- 24241017
TI  - Microbial transformations of some(14)C-labeled substrates in coastal water and
      sediment.
AB  - In order to complement data obtained from earlier deep-sea studies on microbial
      transformations, similarin situ incubation experiments were done in shallow
      coastal waters. Compared to laboratory controls,in situ activities were reduced
      about 50%, in contrast to about 99% previously reported for samples incubated in
      the deep sea. 

PMID- 24241018
TI  - Effects of PCB on interspecific competition in natural and gnotobiotic
      phytoplankton communities in continuous and batch cultures.
AB  - The toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) to the diatomThalassiosira
      pseudonana (formerlyCyclotella nana), grown in pure and mixed cultures, was
      greatest when in competition with other species. Continuous cultures were
      superior to batch cultures for studying competitive interactions, and PCB caused
      greater alteration of species composition in continuous cultures than it did in
      batch cultures. Natural phytoplankton communities from Vineyard Sound, maintained
      in continuous culture, responded to PCB stress the same as did gnotobiotic
      communities, withT. pseudonana showing similar responses in both communities.A
      PCB concentration of 0.1 MUg/liter (0.1 part per billion), a level not uncommon
      in natural waters, did not affect algal growth in pure cultures but caused
      substantial disruption of continuous culture communities. The possible impact of
      PCB pollution on natural phytoplankton communities is discussed. 

PMID- 24241019
TI  - The identification of gas vacuoles and their abundance in the hypolimnetic
      bacteria of Arco Lake, Minnesota.
AB  - Bright refractile granules in bacterial cells are identified as gas vacuoles if
      they disappear on application of a few atmospheres pressure. This paper describes
      a simple method for observing individual cells under the light microscope before
      and after application of pressure and the use of this method in making a
      comprehensive survey of gas-vacuolate organisms in a sample. In water samples
      from the hypolimnion of a stratified lake (Arco Lake) in Northern Minnesota, gas
      vacuoles were found in nearly 30 different bacteria, representing possibly 60% or
      more of those present. The pressure sensitivity of gas vacuoles in these
      organisms is illustrated by micrograph pairs. Gas vacuoles, which are otherwise
      uncommon in bacteria, are evidently of great selective value in the hypolimnia of
      stratified lakes, perhaps by regulating cell buoyancy. 

PMID- 24241020
TI  - Microbial degradation of model petroleum at low temperatures.
AB  - Two areas of Chesapeake Bay, Colgate Creek in Baltimore Harbor and Eastern Bay,
      are presently under study, with routine sampling of water and sediment for
      petroleum-degrading microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, and fungi) by direct
      plating and enrichment culture. Selected physical and chemical parameters are
      recorded for each sampling site, and water and sediment samples are extracted for
      hydrocarbons. Numbers of petroleum-degrading microorganisms enumerated by direct
      plating were found to correlate with the concentration of benzene-extractable
      material and were higher for the Colgate Creek than for the Eastern Bay site.
      Petroleum-degrading microorganisms were isolated from water and sediment samples
      at environmental temperatures of 0 degrees , 5 degrees , and 10 degrees C.A salts
      medium supplemented with nitrate and phosphate was used to provide optimum
      conditions for petroleum degradation, whereas Chesapeake Bay water was used to
      simulate natural environmental conditions. Use of a model petroleum permitted
      quantitative measurement of utilization of individual hydrocarbons ranging in
      complexity from simple alkanes to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Higher
      growth yields and maximum hydrocarbon degradation was observed for microorganisms
      in the salts medium at 0 degrees , 5 degrees , and 10 degrees C, although
      significant quantities of hydrocarbons were utilized in some samples grown in a
      medium for which Chesapeake Bay water was the diluent. Bacterial hydrocarbon
      degradation accounted for most of the model petroleum utilization at 0 degrees 
      and 5 degrees C. However, oscillations of bacterial populations, with significant
      growth of yeasts, was observed at 10 degrees C. Photomicroscopy and scanning
      electron microscopy revealed aggregates of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi associated
      with oil globules. From preliminary identification and classification of the
      hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria, members of the generaVibrio, Aeromonas,
      Pseudomonas, andAcinetobacter were present in the enrichment cultures. From
      results of this study, it is concluded that utilization of model petroleum at low
      temperatures is a function of the types and numbers of microorganisms present in
      an original inoculum taken from the natural environment. 

PMID- 24241021
TI  - Decomposition of deciduous leaf litter in a woodland stream : I. A. Scanning
      electron microscopic study.
AB  - Microorganisms associated with decomposing deciduous leaf litter in a woodland
      stream were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The use of a critical point
      drying method allowed the preservation of a wide variety of microorganisms as
      well as the decomposing litter with a minimum of distortion. The micrographs
      provide evidence that the aquatic hyphomycetes are the major fungal flora present
      during decomposition. Two distinct groups of these fungi were found during the
      seasonal cycle with one group occurring only in the summer while the other
      occurred throughout the rest of the year. The presence of all developmental
      stages of these organisms in the environment is considered further evidence of
      their active role in the decomposition of litter. 

PMID- 24241022
TI  - Coexistence of organisms competing for the same substrate: An example among the
      purple sulfur bacteria.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to find a possible explanation for the coexistence
      of large and small purple sulfur bacteria in natural habitats. Experiments were
      carried out withChromatium vinosum SMG 185 andChromatium weissei SMG 171, grown
      in both batch and continuous cultures. The data may be summarized as follows: (a)
      In continuous light, with sulfide as growth rate-limiting substrate, the specific
      growth rate ofChr. vinosum exceeds that ofChr. weissei regardless of the sulfide
      concentration employed. Consequently,Chr. weissei is unable to compete
      successfully and is washed out in continuous cultures. (b) With intermittant
      light-dark illumination, the organisms showed balanced coexistence when grown in
      continuous cultures. The "steady-state" abundance ofChr. vinosum was found to be
      positively related to the length of the light period, and that ofChr. weissei to
      the length of the dark period. (c) Sulfide added during darkness is rapidly
      oxidized on subsequent illumination, resulting in the intracellular storage of
      reserve substances, which are later utilized for growth. The rate of sulfide
      oxidation/mg cell N/hr was found to be over twice as high inChr. weissei as
      inChr. vinosum. The observed coexistence may be explained as follows. In the
      light, with both strains growing, most of the sulfide will be oxidized byChr.
      vinosum [see (a)]. In the dark, sulfide accumulates. On illumination, the greater
      part of the accumulated sulfide will be oxidized byChr. weissei [see (c)]. A
      changed light-dark regimen should then have the effect as observed [see (b)].
      These observations suggest that intermittant illumination may, at least in part
      explain the observed coexistence of both types of purple sulfur bacteria in
      nature. 

PMID- 24241023
TI  - Refractive index of uranyl-treated bacterial cytoplasm as related to ribonucleic
      acid content and growth rate.
AB  - After fixation and treatment with uranyl acetate solutions, the refractive index
      (n D) of the cytoplasm ofCorynebacterium bovis varies with substrate-dependent
      growth rate and RNA content. The effect, which presumably is due to quantitative
      binding of uranyl ions by RNA, permits a measurement of the growth rate of single
      cells in a single-species system by interference microscopy. Temperature-induced
      changes in growth rate are not reflected in changes ofn D or RNA content. 

PMID- 24241024
TI  - Vibrio parahaemolyticus andVibrio alginolyticus: Short generation-time marine
      bacteria.
AB  - The growth rates of 30 different strains ofVibrio parahaemolyticus andVibrio
      alginolyticus at 37 degrees C was determined. Each species consists of two major
      groups, one having a short generation time (12-14 min) and one with a longer
      generation time (20-25 min). The diversity in generation times of different
      strains belonging to the same species is discussed. The effect of temperature,
      salt, and nutrient concentrations on the growth rate of oneV. alginolyticus
      strain (NCMB 1803) was studied. The most striking is the effect of the
      temperature; at 39 degrees C the generation time is 10-11 min, while at 21
      degrees C it is 60 min. The heat of activation for growth calculating from such
      data is 22,580 kcal/mole/hr(-1). The ecological significance of these results is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24241025
TI  - Factors affecting trimethylarsine and dimethylselenide formation byCandida
      humicola.
AB  - Selenite, selenate, and tellurate inhibited the conversion of arsenate to
      trimethylarsine byCandida humicola. Trimethylarsine disappeared from the gas
      phase when incubated withC. humicola in the presence of selenium or tellurium
      salts. The fungus generated dimethyl-selenide from selenite and selenate and an
      unidentified gas from tellurate. Sulfate but not arsenate, tellurate, or
      phosphate inhibited the conversion of selenate to dimethylselenide. Arsenate
      grown cells generated trimethylarsine from arsenate, and selenate-grown cells
      formed dimethylselenide from selenate with almost no lag phase. Cells grown in
      media with selenate or with no additions only formed the alkylarsine from
      arsenate after a lag phase, and those grown in solutions with arsenate or no
      additions produced dimethylselenide slowly from selenate. 

PMID- 24241026
TI  - Applicability of radiotracer methods of measuring(14)CO 2 assimilation for
      determining microbial activity in soil including a newin situ method.
AB  - The applicability of two methods (pyrolysis gas chromatography and acidification
      wet oxidation) for determining(14)CO2 incorporation into soil microorganisms was
      investigated. Both methods were able to distinguish biologically
      incorporated(14)C from abiotically adsorbed(14)C, but to varying degrees, there
      being a larger carryover of abiotic(14)C into the organic fraction and a higher
      percentage of assimilated(14)C in the organic fraction with the wet oxidation
      method. Using(14)C assimilation as a measure, it was possible to determine
      microbial activities in soils of diverse properties under a variety of
      conditions, including polar soils under harsh environmental conditions. Both
      light and dark(14)CO2 fixation was measurable.(14)CO2 assimilation was not always
      proportional to the enumerable microorganisms. A new design for measurement of
      microbial activityin situ enabled measurement of total C influx (primary
      productivity) into soils with minimal perturbation to the natural soil ecosystem.

PMID- 24241027
TI  - Kinetics of phosphorus absorption byCorynebacterium bovis.
AB  - The initial rate of phosphorus uptake by phosphorus-limited cells
      ofCorynebacterium bovis grown in batch culture and in a chemostat was measured
      with [(32)P] orthophosphate. It was dependent on the external phosphorus
      concentration and was inversely related to the amount of intracellular
      phosphorus. The relationship between the initial rate of uptake, intracellular
      phosphorus, and phosphorus concentration in the medium can be expressed in terms
      of Haldane's modification of the Michaelis-Menten equation. 

PMID- 24241028
TI  - Restricted pH ranges and reduced yields for bacterial growth under pressure.
AB  - Hydrostatic pressure was found to cause a marked narrowing of pH ranges for
      growth and reductions in growth yields for a variety of bacteria. In many cases,
      reduced yields under pressure could be directly related to increased
      sensitivities to metabolic acids that accumulated in the enclosed culture vessels
      used. Magnesium and calcium ions partially reversed increases in sensitivities of
      representative gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria to low, but not high, pH.
      Growth inhibition of these organisms at both extremes of pH was associated with
      enhanced loss of K(+) from pressurized cells. Inhibited cells in alkaline media
      also lysed under pressure, but microscopically observable lysis was clearly a
      secondary phenomenon because it occurred slowly. Apparent volumes for growth
      inhibitory protonation-deprotonation reactions were calculated on the basis of
      measured shifts in inhibitory pH with pressure. The values ranged from 99 to 431
      ml/mole, and their magnitudes indicated that growth inhibition by acids or bases
      involves cooperative changes in polymeric interactions such as those which
      accompany protein denaturation. 

PMID- 24241029
TI  - The ecology of mercury-resistant bacteria in Chesapeake Bay.
AB  - Total ambient mercury concentrations and numbers of mercury resistant, aerobic
      heterotrophic bacteria at six locations in Chesapeake Bay were monitored over a
      17 month period. Mercury resistance expressed as the proportion of the total,
      viable, aerobic, heterotrophic bacterial population reached a reproducible
      maximum in spring and was positively correlated with dissolved oxygen
      concentration and sediment mercury concentration and negatively correlated with
      water turbidity. A relationship between mercury resistance and metabolic
      capability for reduction of mercuric ion to the metallic state was established by
      surveying a number of HgCl2-resistant cultures. The reaction was also observed in
      microrganisms isolated by differential centrifugation of water and sediment
      samples. Mercuric ion exhibited an average half-life of 12.5 days in the presence
      of approximately 10(5) organisms/ml. Cultures resistant to 6 ppm of mercuric
      chloride and 3 ppm of phenylmercuric acetate (PMA) were classified into eight
      generic categories.Pseudomonas spp. were the most numerous of those bacteria
      capable of metabolizing both compounds; however, PMA was more toxic and was more
      selective forPseudomonas. The mercury-resistant generic distribution was distinct
      from that of the total bacterial generic distribution and differed significantly
      between water and sediment, positionally and seasonally. The proportion of
      nonglucose-utilizing mercury-resistantPsuedomonas spp. was found to be positively
      correlated with total bacterial mercury resistance. It is concluded from this
      study that numbers of mercury-resistant bacteria as established by plate count
      can serve as a valid index ofin situ Hg(2+) metabolism. 

PMID- 24241030
TI  - Optimization of procedures for the recovery of heterotrophic bacteria from marine
      sediments.
AB  - A study was undertaken of the various factors affecting the recovery of
      heterotrophic bacteria from marine sediments. The dilution medium and culture
      medium were found to be of great importance in the recovery of heterotrophic
      colony forming units (CFU). Statistical analysis of the total viable counts
      obtained under the test conditions showed that artificial seawater (ASW) without
      further supplementation was equal to or superior to ASW plus 0.1% peptone or ASW
      plus 0.1% peptone and 0.1% glycerol. The addition of a surfactive agent, on the
      other hand, resulted in 95% inhibition of the recoverable CFU. The elapsed time
      (up to 12 hr) between recovery of a sedimentary core and completion of plating
      procedures was found to have little effect provided the sedimentary sample was
      removed from the core, placed in ASW, and stored in a refrigerator until actual
      plating occurred. It was further noted that lower organic nutrient
      concentrations, approximately one-tenth of those generally in use, resulted in
      significantly higher total viable counts. Finally, replicate contiguous sampling
      at three depths in a core resulted in no significant changes in the number of CFU
      from the surface samples, indicating a greater surface homogeneity than that
      previously suspected. The same pattern was not true, however, for samples
      obtained a lower positions in the core, thus indicating pockets of microbial
      concentration. 

PMID- 24241031
TI  - Influence of clay minerals on sorption of bacteriolytic enzymes.
AB  - Myxobacteria presumably produce extracellular bacteriolytic enzymes when they are
      growing in soil. In order to study their ecological significance, adsorption
      experiments were performed with lytic enzymes produced byMyxococcus virescens in
      casitone media. Different soils as well as montmorillonite and kaolinite can
      rapidly adsorb the bacteriolytic but not the proteolytic enzymes. About 1 gm of
      montmorillonite per liter of cell-free culture solution is enough for the
      adsorption of 97% of the bacteriolytic enzymes. The adsorption per unit weight is
      about 100 times greater on montmorillonite than on kaolinite. About 40% of the
      adsorbed enzymes can be eluted with solutions of high pH or high ionic strength.
      The only desorbed bacteriolytic enzyme is the alanyl-?-N-lysine endopeptidase. 

PMID- 24241032
TI  - Chemosensory responses by the heterotrophic marine dinoflagellateCrypthecodinium
      cohnii.
AB  - Chemosensory responses by the colorles inshore marine
      dinoflagellateCrypthecodinium cohnii were observed in quadrant-divided Petri
      plates containing an agar layer + liquid overlay. A suspension of organisms in
      salt solution was poured onto this and allowed to stand 3 hr. A differential
      tendency of the cells to become firmly attached or embedded in the substratum was
      observed when various substances were incorporated in the gel. A positive
      response (tendency to attach) occurred with: alpha-L-fucose, dimethyl-beta
      propiothetin, betaine, sucrose, glycine, L-alanine, hemin, and fructose; negative
      response: formalin, glutathione, acid hydrolyzed agar, protamine SO4, L-glutamic
      acid, lactose, glutamine, taurine, L-aspartic acid, putrescine 2 HCl, choline
      citrate, choline bitartrate, K citrate, and choline HCl. gamma-Aminobutyric acid
      was negative or positive dependeng on concentration. Dead or immotile cells did
      not become attached. The following compounds elicited no response: alpha-D
      fucose, dimethyl acetothetin chloride, cyclic AMP, and glucose. 

PMID- 24241033
TI  - Work disability and state benefit claims in early rheumatoid arthritis: the ERAN
      cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: RA is an important cause of work disability. This study aimed to
      identify predictive factors for work disability and state benefit claims in a
      cohort with early RA. METHODS: The Early RA Network (ERAN) inception cohort
      recruited from 22 centres. At baseline, and during each annual visit,
      participants (n = 1235) reported employment status and benefits claims and how
      both were influenced by RA. Survival analysis derived adjusted hazard ratios
      (aHRs) and 95% CIs to predict associations between baseline factors and time
      until loss of employment due to RA or a state benefits claim due to RA. RESULTS:
      At baseline, 47% of participants were employed and 17% reported claiming benefits
      due to RA. During follow-up, loss of employment due to RA was reported by 10%
      (49/475) of the participants and 20% (179/905) began to claim benefits.
      Independent predictors of earlier work disability were bodily pain (aHR 2.45, 95%
      CI 1.47, 4.08, P = 0.001) and low vitality (aHR 1.84, 95% CI 1.18, 2.85, P =
      0.007). Disability (aHR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02, 1.61, P = 0.033), DAS28 (aHR 1.48, 95%
      CI 1.05, 2.09, P = 0.026) and extra-articular disease (aHR 1.77, 95% CI 1.17,
      2.70, P = 0.007) predicted earlier benefits claims. CONCLUSION: Work disability
      and benefits claims due to RA were predicted by different baseline factors. Pain
      and low vitality predicted work disability. Baseline disability, extra-articular
      disease manifestations and disease activity predicted new benefits claims due to
      RA. Future research on interventions targeting these factors could investigate
      job retention and financial independence.

PMID- 24241034
TI  - alpha9beta1 integrin acts as a critical intrinsic regulator of human rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The role of the joint tissue microenvironment in the pathogenesis of
      human RA has recently attracted much attention. The present study investigated
      the roles of alpha9beta1 integrin and its ligands in synovial specimens of human
      RA patients in generating the unique human arthritic tissue microenvironment.
      METHODS: Synovial fibroblasts and macrophages were isolated from the synovial
      tissue of patients with RA or OA. The expression of alpha9beta1 integrin was
      analysed using FACS with multicolour staining. The production of MMPs and
      proinflammatory cytokines was analysed in cultures of synovial fibroblasts and
      macrophages with alpha9beta1 integrin ligands. RESULTS: Synovial fibroblasts and
      macrophages derived from arthritic joints spontaneously secreted tenascin-C and
      osteopontin. Synovial fibroblasts and macrophages obtained from patients with RA
      expressed alpha9beta1 integrins, a common receptor for osteopontin and tenascin
      C. In the synovial fibroblasts of RA, the amount of tenascin-C protein produced
      was much greater than that of osteopontin in synovial fibroblasts of RA.
      Importantly, autocrine and paracrine interactions of alpha9beta1 integrin and
      tenascin-C induced the expression of MMPs and IL-6 in synovial fibroblasts, as
      well as TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in synovial macrophages. CONCLUSION: These
      findings indicate that autocrine and paracrine interaction of alpha9beta1
      integrin and tenascin-C in the joint tissue microenvironment contributes to the
      pathogenesis of RA. Therefore alpha9beta1 integrin may become a potential
      therapeutic target for RA.

PMID- 24241035
TI  - Physician global assessment at 3 months is strongly predictive of remission at 12
      months in early rheumatoid arthritis: results from the CATCH cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine predictors of 1-year
      remission in early RA (ERA) using baseline and 3-month data. METHODS: The
      Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH) patients were included if baseline, 3-
      and 12-month data were available. Regression analyses for four different
      definitions of remission at 12 months were done to determine baseline and 3-month
      predictors of remission. RESULTS: Five hundred and sixty-two patients had
      complete data at 12 months (mean age 53.4 years, disease duration 6.2 years, 73%
      female). The factors at baseline associated with all four remission outcomes at
      12 months were age, gender, income, education, tender joint count (TJC), patient
      global assessment (PtGA), HAQ and pain. Baseline ESR was associated with the 28
      joint DAS (DAS28) remission only. At 3 months, all four remission definitions
      were associated with TJC, swollen joint count, physician global assessment (PGA),
      PtGA, HAQ, pain, ESR and CRP in univariate analyses. In the regression model,
      variables associated with Simple Disease Activity Index remission were PGA [odds
      ratio (OR) 0.77, P < 0.001), pain (OR 0.85, P = 0.004), age (OR 0.98, P = 0.006)
      and HAQ (OR 0.49, P = 0.011); Clinical Disease Activity Index remission was
      associated with PGA (OR 0.77, P < 0.001), pain (OR 0.85, P = 0.003), age (OR
      0.98, P = 0.015) and CRP (OR 0.80, P = 0.031). DAS28 remission was predicted by
      ESR (OR 0.95, P < 0.001), PGA (OR 0.76, P < 0.001), age (OR 0.98, P = 0.001), HAQ
      (OR 0.57, P = 0.006) and male gender (OR 2.01, P = 0.005), whereas Boolean
      remission was associated with pain (OR 0.79, P = 0.009), age (OR 0.98, P =
      0.016), PtGA (OR 0.83, P = 0.025) and PGA (OR 0.86, P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: A low
      PGA at 3 months was consistently associated with 1-year remission in ERA.

PMID- 24241036
TI  - Cardiac arrhythmias and conduction defects in systemic sclerosis.
AB  - Signs and symptoms of arrhythmias or conduction defects are frequently reported
      in patients with SSc. These rhythm disorders may have several origins (i.e.,
      related to primary heart involvement, pericardial disease, valvular regurgitation
      or pulmonary arterial hypertension) and may negatively affect the overall
      prognosis of these patients. It is therefore important to identify patients at
      high risk for cardiac arrhythmias with a complete cardiological evaluation and to
      identify the underlying heart disease, including SSc-related myocardial
      involvement. In addition, some therapeutic options in SSc patients may differ
      from those recommended in other populations.

PMID- 24241037
TI  - Efficacy and gastrointestinal tolerability of ML3403, a selective inhibitor of
      p38 MAP kinase and CBS-3595, a dual inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase and
      phosphodiesterase 4 in CFA-induced arthritis in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 inhibitors have entered
      the clinical phase, although many of them have failed due to high toxicity and
      lack of efficacy. In the present study we compared the effects of the selective
      p38 inhibitor ML3403 and the dual p38-PDE4 inhibitor CBS-3595, on inflammatory
      and nociceptive parameters in a model of polyarthritis in rats. METHODS: Male
      Wistar rats (180-200 g) were used for the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)
      induced arthritis model and they were evaluated at 14-21 days. We also analysed
      the effects of these pharmacological tools on liver and gastrointestinal toxicity
      and on cytokine levels. RESULTS: Repeated CBS-3595 (3 mg/kg) or ML3403 (10 mg/kg)
      administration produced significant anti-inflammatory actions in the chronic
      arthritis model induced by CFA. CBS-3595 and ML3403 treatment also markedly
      reduced the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 in the paw tissue,
      whereas it widely increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.
      Moreover, CBS-3595 produced partial anti-allodynic effects in the CFA model at 4
      and 8 days after treatment. Notably, ML3403 and CBS-3595 did not show marked
      signs of hepatoxicity, as supported by unaltered histological observations in the
      liver sections. Finally, both compounds were safe in the gastrointestinal tract,
      according to evaluation of intestinal biopsies. CONCLUSION: CBS-3595 displayed a
      superior profile regarding its anti-inflammatory effects. Thus p38 MAPK/PDE4
      blocking might well constitute a relevant strategy for the treatment of RA.

PMID- 24241038
TI  - IgG4-related orbital tumour with eye enucleation--infra-orbital nerve
      enlargement.

PMID- 24241039
TI  - Plasmolysis of Pteridium protoplasts: A study using light and scanning-electron
      microscopy.
AB  - A study was undertaken using gametophytes of the fern Pteridium aquilinum to
      examine the effects of plasmolysis on the topography of protoplasts. Methods are
      described whereby the surfaces of non-isolated protoplasts can be observed in the
      plasmolysed condition using scanning electron microscopy. Plasmolysed
      gametophytes were also examined in the light microscope using differential
      interference contrast and ultra-violet fluorescence microscopy after staining
      with fluorescein diacetate. With scanning electron microscopy, plasmolysed
      protoplast surfaces appeared smooth with no evidence of wrinkling or infolding of
      excess membrane. The formation of irregular-shaped protoplasts, protoplasmic
      threads, subprotoplasts, and protoplasmic networks covering internal wall
      surfaces all provided evidence for strong wall adhesion of the protoplasm. The
      availability of membrane for uptake into folds or vesicles is therefore thought
      to be minimal. Transmission electron microscopy showed some protoplasmic threads
      to be plasmodesmata, the remainder being cell-wall contact points. Remnants of
      these threads were occasionally observed on isolated protoplasts in both the
      light and electron microscopes. 

PMID- 24241040
TI  - The developmental morphology and growth dynamics of the tobacco leaf.
AB  - The developmental morphology and growth dynamics of the leaf of Nicotiana tabacum
      L. cv. Xanthi Nc. are described. Epidermal and internal cell patterns indicate
      that the leaf axis arises from approx. 100 cells in four layers of the shoot
      apex, while the lamina arises from several rows of cells in each of three layers
      of the leaf axis. Cell patterns at the apex and margin of the leaf do not support
      the classical view that these regions have a specialized meristematic function.
      Instead the development of the leaf appears to be largely dependent on
      intercalary growth. The pattern of growth within the lamina is surprisingly
      complex. In addition to a proximal-distal gradient in the duration of growth and
      cell division during development, localized transitory changes in the rate of
      these processes also occur. These observations are discussed in reference to
      previous discriptions of leaf development in tobacco. 

PMID- 24241041
TI  - The cellular parameters of leaf development in tobacco: a clonal analysis.
AB  - The cellular parameters of leaf development in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)
      have been characterized using clonal analysis, an approach that provides
      unequivocal evidence of cell lineage. Our results indicate that the tobacco leaf
      arises from a group of around 100 cells in the shoot apical meristem. Each of
      these cells contributes to a unique longitudinal section of the axis and
      transverse section of the lamina. This pattern of cell lincage indicates that
      primordial cells contribute more or less equally to the growth of the axis, in
      contrast to the more traditional view of leaf development in which the leaf is
      pictured as arising from a group of apical initials. Clones induced prior to the
      initiation of the lamina demonstrate that the subepidermal layer of the lamina
      arises from at least six files of cells. Submarginal cells usually divide with
      their spindles parallel to the margin, and therefore contribute relatively little
      to the transverse expansion of the lamina. During the expansion of the lamina the
      orientation and frequency of cell division are highly regulated, as is the
      duration of meristematic growth. Initially, cell division is polarized so as to
      produce lineages that are at an oblique angle to the midrib; later cell division
      is in alternating perpendicular planes. The distribution of clones generated by
      irradiation at various stages of development indicates that cell division ceases
      at the tip of the leaf when the leaf is about one tenth its final size, and then
      ceases in progressively more basal regions of the lamina. Variation in the
      mutation frequency within the lamina reflects variation in the frequency of
      mitosis. Prior to the mergence of the leaf the frequency of mutation is maximal
      near the tip of the leaf and extremely low at its base; after emergence, the
      frequency of mutation increases at the base of the leaf. In any given region of
      the lamina the frequency of mutation is highest in interveinal regions, and is
      relatively low near the margin. Thus, both the orientation and frequency of cell
      division at the leaf margin indicate that this region plays a minor role in the
      growth of the lamina. 

PMID- 24241042
TI  - Plasmatubules: fact or artefact?
AB  - Plasmatubules are tubular evaginations of the plasmalemma associated with sites
      where high solute flux occurs between apoplast and symplast. Plasmatubules of the
      scutellar epithelial cells of germinating barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) have been
      examined following a variety of fixation methods. Of the aqueous fixations,
      primary aldehyde fixation with osmium post-fixation and osmium as the primary
      fixative gave comparable images, whilst potassium permanganate resulted in some
      distortion of the tissue in general including dilation of the tubular
      evaginations of the plasmalemma. Freeze-fixation and substitution with acetone
      and acetone-osmium gave images of the plasmalemma comparable to those obtained by
      the aqueous aldehyde and osmium methods. The similarity of structure with
      aldehyde or osmium and freezing as the primary fixation is taken to indicate that
      plasmatubules are real and not artefacts resulting from the fixation procedure. 

PMID- 24241043
TI  - Plasmatubules in transfer cells of pea (Pisum sativum L.).
AB  - Plasmatubules are tubular evaginations of the plasmalemma. They have previously
      been found at sites where high solute flux between apoplast and symplast occurs
      for a short period and where wall proliferations of the transfer cell type have
      not been developed (Harris et al. 1982, Planta 156, 461-465). In this paper we
      describe the distribution of plasmatubules in transfer cells of the leaf minor
      veins of Pisum sativum L. Transfer cells are found in these veins associated both
      with phloem sieve elements and with xylem vessels. Plasmatubules were found, in
      both types of transfer cell and it is suggested that the specific distribution of
      the plasmatubules may reflect further membrane amplification within the transfer
      cell for uptake of solute from apoplast into symplast. 

PMID- 24241044
TI  - Plastid changes during the conversion of chloroplasts to chromoplasts in ripening
      tomatoes.
AB  - Methods were developed for the isolation of plastids from mature green and
      ripening tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and purification by sucrose or
      Percoll density-gradient centrifugation. Assessment of the purity of preparations
      involved phase-contrast and electron microscopy, assays for marker enzymes and
      RNA extraction and analysis. Proteins were extracted from isolated plastids at
      different ripening stages and separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide
      gel electrophoresis. The profiles obtained from chloroplasts and chromoplasts
      showed many qualitative and quantitative differences. Labelling of proteins with
      [(35)S]methionine in vivo showed that there was active protein synthesis
      throughout ripening, but there was a change in the plastid proteins made as
      ripening proceeded. The cellular location of synthesis of specific proteins has
      yet to be established. 

PMID- 24241045
TI  - Fusion characteristics of plant protoplasts in electric fields.
AB  - The electrical parameters important in the fusion of plant protoplasts aligned
      dielectrophoretically in high-frequency alternating electric fields have been
      established. Protoplasts were aligned in an alternating electric field between
      two relatively distant (1 mm) electrodes, by dielectrophoresis induced by field
      inhomogeneities caused by the protoplasts themselves. This arrangement allowed
      ease of manipulations, large throughput and low loss of protoplasts. In
      analytical experiments, sufficiently large samples could be used to study pulse
      duration-fusion response relations at different pulse voltages for protoplasts of
      different species, tissues and size (mesophyll protoplasts of Solanum brevidens,
      Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare; suspension-culture protoplasts of Nicotiana
      sylvestris, N. rustica, Datura innoxia and S. brevidens; root-tip protoplasts of
      Vicia faba, hypocotyl protoplasts of Brassica napus). The percentage of aligned
      protoplasts that fused increased with increasing pulse parameters (pulse
      duration; voltage) above a threshold that was dependant on pulse voltage. The
      maximum fusion values obtained depended on a number of factors including
      protoplast origin, size and chain length. Leaf mesophyll protoplasts fused much
      more readily than suspension-culture protoplasts. For both types, there was a
      correlation of size with fusion yield: large protoplasts tended to fuse more
      readily than small protoplasts. In short chains (?five protoplasts), fusion
      frequency was lower, but the proportion of one-to-one products was greater than
      in long chains (?ten protoplasts). In formation by electrofusion of heterokaryons
      between mesophyll and suspension-culture protoplasts, the fusion-frequency
      response curves reflected those of homofusion of mesophyll protoplasts rather
      than suspension-culture protoplasts. There was no apparent limitation to the
      fusion of the smallest mesophyll protoplast with the largest suspension-culture
      protoplasts. Based on these observations, it is possible to direct fusion towards
      a higher frequency of one-to-one (mesophyll/suspension) products by incorporating
      low densities of mesophyll protoplasts in high densities of suspensionculture
      protoplasts and by using a short fusion pulse. The viability of fusion products,
      assessed by staining with fluorescein diacetate, was not impaired by standard
      fusion conditions. On a preparative scale, heterokaryons (S. brevidens mesophyll
      N. sylvestris or D. innoxia suspension-culture) were produced by electrofusion
      and cultured in liquid or embedded in agar, and were capable of wall formation,
      division and growth. It is concluded that the electrode arrangement described is
      more suitable for carrying out directed fusions of plant protoplasts than that
      employing closer electrodes. 

PMID- 24241046
TI  - Electrical fusion for optimal formation of protoplast heterokaryons in Nicotiana.
AB  - The electrical fusion of protoplasts has been studied in order to maximize the
      formation of heterokaryons for culture. Heterokaryons of Nicotiana tabacum L.
      mesophyll protoplasts and N. plumbaginifolia Viviani supension-cell protoplasts
      were identified in fixed and stained as well as living material; a quantitative
      fusion index was thereby developed. With this index the efficiencies of various
      electric fields and fusion-chamber designs have been determined. Optimal fusion
      was obtained with an alternating-current (AC) field of 150 V/cm and direct
      current (DC) square-wave pulses of 1000 V/cm. A new, simple-to-use, largescale
      fusion chamber is described in which batches of up to 5.10(5) protoplasts (0.5 ml
      of cells at 10(6)/ml) can be fused in 5-7 min with efficiencies approaching 40%.
      Half of the fusion products are heterokaryons, thus fusion is random. Of the
      fusion products, 60% are bi- or trinucleate. Using fusion procedures similar to
      those described here Bates and C. Hasenkampf (1985, Theor. Appl. Genet., in
      press) have recovered viable somatic hybrids which have been regenerated. 

PMID- 24241047
TI  - Observations on enzymatically isolated, living and fixed embryo sacs in several
      angiosperm species.
AB  - A technique has been developed for isolating embryo sacs (ESs) by enzymatic
      maceration. Ovules were macerated in a mixture of pectinase, cellulase and, in
      some cases, snailase and pectolyase Y-23. The ovular tissues were removed and the
      ESs were isolated in toto. Embryo sacs were isolated from both fixed and fresh
      ovules of Antirrhinum majus L., Helianthus annuus L. and Nicotiana tabacum L.
      Fluorochromasia by fluorescein diacetate showed that the ESs isolated from fresh
      ovules were viable. The method has promise for various histochemical and cell
      physiological studies and quite possibly also for in-vitro culture of ESs. 

PMID- 24241048
TI  - Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry evidence for several endogenous auxins in
      pea seedling organs.
AB  - Qualitative analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of the
      auxins present in the root, cotyledons and epicotyl of 3-dold etiolated pea
      (Pisum sativum L., cv. Alaska) seedlings has shown that all three organs contain
      phenylacetic acid (PAA), 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA) and 4-chloro-3-indoleacetic
      acid (4Cl-IAA). In addition, 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA) was present in the root
      and 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA) was detected in both root and epicotyl.
      Phenylacetic acid, IAA and IPA were measured quantitatively in the three organs
      by GC-MS-single ion monitoring, using deuterated internal standards. Levels of
      IAA were found to range from 13 to 115 pmol g(-1) FW, while amounts of PAA were
      considerably higher (347-451 pmol g(-1) FW) and the level of IPA was quite low (5
      pmol g(-1) FW). On a molar basis the PAA:IAA ratio in the whole seedling was
      approx. 15:1. 

PMID- 24241049
TI  - The effects of salinity on ion concentrations within the root cells of Zea mays
      L.
AB  - Zea mays is a salt-sensitive crop species which in saline (?100 mol m(-3) NaCl)
      conditions suffers considerable growth reduction correlated with elevated Na(+)
      and Cl(-) concentration within the leaves. To increase understanding of the
      regulation of ion uptake and transport by the roots in saline conditions, ion
      concentrations within individual root cortical cells were determined by X-ray
      microanalysis. There was variation in Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-) distributions among
      individual cells, which could not be correlated with their spatial position in
      the roots. Generally, however, in response to saline growth conditions (100 mol
      m(3) NaCl) Na(+) and Cl(-) were mostly localized in the vacuoles, although their
      concentrations were also sometimes increased in the cytoplasm and cell walls. The
      concentration of K(+) in the cytoplasm was usually maintained at a level (mean 79
      mol m(-3)) compatible with the biochemical functions ascribed to this ion. 

PMID- 24241050
TI  - Interactive effects of light, leaf temperature, CO2 and O 2 on photosynthesis in
      soybean.
AB  - A biochemical model of C 3photosynthesis has been developed by G.D. Farquhar et
      al. (1980, Planta 149, 78-90) based on Michaelis-Menten kinetics of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase-oxygenase, with a potential RuBP limitation
      imposed via the Calvin cycle and rates of electron transport. The model presented
      here is slightly modified so that parameters may be estimated from whole-leaf gas
      exchange measurements. Carbon-dioxide response curves of net photosynthesis
      obtained using soybean plants (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) at four partial pressures
      of oxygen and five leaf temperatures are presented, and a method for estimating
      the kinetic parameters of RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase, as manifested in vivo, is
      discussed. The kinetic parameters so obtained compare well with kinetic
      parameters obtained in vitro, and the model fits to the measured data give r
      (2)values ranging from 0.87 to 0.98. In addition, equations developed by J.D.
      Tenhunen et al. (1976, Oecologia 26, 89-100, 101-109) to describe the light and
      temperature responses of measured CO2-saturated photosynthetic rates are applied
      to data collected on soybean. Combining these equations with those describing the
      kinetics of RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase allows one to model successfully the
      interactive effects of incident irradiance, leaf temperature, CO2 and O2 on whole
      leaf photosynthesis. This analytical model may become a useful tool for plant
      ecologists interested in comparing photosynthetic responses of different C3
      plants or of a single species grown in contrasting environments. 

PMID- 24241051
TI  - Induction of phenoloxidase in cell suspension cultures of Mucuna pruriens L. :
      Effects on accumulation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and biotransformation
      capacity.
AB  - The effects of limitating nitrogen-containing compounds in the medium and of
      adding the amino-acid analogues p-fluorophenylalanine and ethionine on both
      phenoloxidase activity and the accumulation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L
      DOPA) are reported for cell suspension cultures of Mucuna pruriens. Nitrogen
      limitation of the cultures, or the addition of p-fluorophenylalanine or ethionine
      to the culture medium resulted in an increased phenoloxidase activity. There
      appeared to be an inverse relationship between phenoloxidase activity and the
      acccumulation of L-tyrosine into L-DOPA by alginate-entrapped cells occurred at a
      higher rate when phenoloxidase activity was increased. 

PMID- 24241052
TI  - The immobility of pectic substances in injured tomato leaves and its bearing on
      the identity of the wound hormone.
AB  - It has been suggested that pectic polysaccharides (or oligosaccharides cleaved
      from them) are liberated from the cell wall upon wounding of leaf tissue, and
      that they act as long-distance hormones evoking a defence response in
      neighbouring uninjured leaves (P.D. bishop et al. 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
      USA 78, 3536-3540, and cited literature). We have tested this hypothesis by
      infiltration of radioactive pectic fragments (rhamnogalacturonans and
      homogalacturonans of degrec of polymerisation down to 6) into wounds on tomato
      leaves. No radioactivity was exported from the treated leaf. [(14)C]Sucrose,
      applied in the same way, was effectively translocated, probably via the phloem.
      We suggest that pectic substances are not themselves long-distance wound
      hormones. The possibility remains that pectic substances, solubilised on
      wounding, act in the immediate vicinity of the wound to stimulate the dispatch of
      a second messenger, which would be the long-distance wound hormone. 

PMID- 24241053
TI  - Some effects of 4-chloro-5-(dimethylamino)-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone (San 9785)
      on the development of chloroplast thylakoid membranes in Hordeum vulgare L.
AB  - Chloroplast ultrastructural and photochemical features were examined in 6-d-old
      barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Sundance) plants which had developed in the
      presence of 4-chloro-5-(dimethylamino)-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone (San 9785). In
      spite of a substantial modification of the fatty-acid composition of thylakoid
      lipids there were no gross abnormalities in chloroplast morphology, and normal
      amounts of membrane and chlorophyll were present. Fluorescence kinetics at 77K
      demonstrated considerable energetic interaction of photosystem (PS)I and PSII
      chlorophylls within the altered lipid environment. An interference with electron
      transport was indicated from altered room-temperature fluorescence kinetics at 20
      degrees C. Subtle changes in the arrangements of chloroplast membranes were
      consistently evident and the overall effects of these changes was to increase the
      proportion of appressed to nonappressed membranes. This correlated with a lower
      chlorophyll a/b ratio, an increase in the amount of light-harvesting chlorophylls
      as determined by gel electrophoresis and fluorescence emission spectra, and an
      increase in excitation-energy transfer from PSII to PSI, as predicted from
      current ideas on the organisation of photosystems in appressed and non-appressed
      thylakoid membranes. 

PMID- 24241054
TI  - Enzymatic reduction of (+)-dihydroflavonols to flavan-3,4-cis-diols with flower
      extracts from Matthiola incana and its role in anthocyanin biosynthesis.
AB  - A cell-free extract from flowers of Matthiola incana catalyzes a NADPH-dependent
      stereospecific reduction of (+)-dihydrokaempferol to 3,4-cis-leucopelargonidin
      (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavan-3,4-cis-diol). The pH-optimum of this reaction is around
      6. The rate of reaction with NADH was about 50% of that found with NADPH. (+)
      Dihydroquercetin and (+)-dihydromyricetin were also reduced by the enzyme
      preparation to the corresponding flavan-3,4-cis-diols. Correlation between the
      genotype of M. incana and the presence of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase is strong
      evidence that this enzyme is involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. 

PMID- 24241055
TI  - Occurrence of two cell subpopulations with different cell-cycle durations in the
      central and peripheral zones of the vegetative shoot apex of Sinapis alba L.
AB  - The cell-cycle duration and the growth fraction were estimated in the vegetative
      shoot apical meristem of Sinapis alba L. The length of the cell cycle was about
      86 h, i.e. 2.5 times shorter than the cell-doubling time (M. Bodson, 1975, Ann.
      Bot. 39, 547-554) and the growth fraction was between 32 to 41%. These data
      demonstrated that the cell population of this meristem was heterogeneous,
      including one subpopulation of rapidly cycling cells and one subpopulation of non
      cycling cells, i.e. cells with a very long cell cycle compared with that of the
      rapidly cycling cells. Non-cycling cells had no particular localization within
      the meristem. Both the central and peripheral zones of the meristem were mosaics
      of rapidly cycling and non-cycling cells. 

PMID- 24241056
TI  - Promotion of flowering in apple trees with gibberellin A4 and C-3 epi-gibberellin
      A 4.
AB  - The proportion of spurs flowering on apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh. cv
      Golden Delicious) displaying a high degree of alternate-year flowering was
      increased in the "off" year by gibberellin A4 (GA4) and C-3 epi-GA4 applied in
      the previous year. When applied 4.5 weeks after anthesis amounts of GA4 ranging
      from 3 to 300 MUg per spur and 25 or 50 MUg of C-3 epi-GA4 per spur were
      effective. Treatments with GA4 made seven weeks after anthesis were less
      effective. A combination of 30 MUg GA4 and 30 MUg zeatin (6-(4-hydroxy-3
      methylbut-trans-2-enylamino)purine) promoted flowering at both treatment times,
      and tended to be more effective than GA4 alone. 

PMID- 24241057
TI  - Dynamic resistant hypertension patterns as predictors of cardiovascular
      morbidity: a 4-year prospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Little is known regarding the clinical course and prognosis of
      resistant hypertension (RHT). We evaluated predictors of persistent RHT and the
      associated cardiovascular risk. METHODS: We studied 1911 treated hypertensive
      patients (aged 59+/-11 years, 49% men) for a mean period of 3.9 years. At
      baseline, clinical data were collected and patients underwent echocardiographic
      measurements, routine blood testing and additional workup for exclusion of
      secondary causes of RHT (office-based uncontrolled hypertension under at least
      three drugs including a diuretic or controlled hypertension under four or more
      drugs). Endpoint of interest was the composite of coronary artery disease and
      stroke. MAIN RESULTS: Four groups were identified depending on presence or
      absence of RHT at baseline and follow-up: 1153 patients (60%) never having RHT,
      189 (10%) with resolved RHT, 204 (11%) with incident RHT and 365 (19%) with
      persistent RHT. Two-thirds of the patients with RHT at baseline remained
      resistant at the end of the study. Independent variables associated with both
      incident and persistent RHT were diabetes mellitus, history of cardiovascular
      disease, hypertension duration, SBP, left ventricular hypertrophy and glomerular
      filtration rate. Persistent RHT compared with never-having RHT was associated
      with a 2.2-fold increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity (95% CI: 1.21-4.05, P
      = 0.01) after adjustment for risk factors. CONCLUSION: In treated hypertensive
      patients, among prospective RHT dynamic patterns, persistent RHT is frequent and
      independently associated with adverse cardiovascular prognosis.

PMID- 24241058
TI  - Enhanced activation of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 attenuates spontaneous
      hypertension by improvement of endothelial nitric oxide synthase coupling via
      tumor suppressor kinase liver kinase B1/adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated
      protein kinase-mediated guanosine 5'-triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 preservation.
AB  - AIMS: Guanosine 5'-triphosphate cyclohydrolase-1 (GTPCH-1) is a rate-limiting
      enzyme in de-novo synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor
      for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) coupling. Adenosine 5'-monophosphate
      activated protein kinase (AMPK) is crucial for GTPCH-1 preservation, and tumor
      suppressor kinase liver kinase B1 (LKB1), an upstream kinase of AMPK, is
      activated by NAD-dependent class III histone deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)
      mediated deacetylation. beta-Lapachone has been shown to increase cellular
      NAD/NADH ratio via NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) activation. In this
      study, we have evaluated whether beta-lapachone-induced NQO1 activation modulates
      blood pressure (BP) through preservation of GTPCH-1 in a hypertensive animal
      model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), primary
      aortic endothelial cells, and endothelial cell line were used to investigate the
      hypotensive effect of beta-lapachone and its action mechanism. beta-Lapachone
      treatment dramatically lowered BP and vascular tension in SHRs and induced eNOS
      activation in endothelial cells. Consistent with these effects, beta-lapachone
      treatment also elevated levels of both aortic cGMP and plasma nitric oxide in
      SHRs. Meanwhile, beta-lapachone-treated SHRs showed significantly increased
      levels of aortic NAD, LKB1 deacetylation, and AMPK Thr phosphorylation followed
      by increased GTPCH-1 and tetrahydrobiopterin/dihydrobiopterin ratio. In-vitro
      study revealed that AMPK inhibition by overexpression of dominant-negative AMPK
      nearly abolished GTPCH-1 protein conservation. Enhanced LKB1 deacetylation and
      AMPK activation were also elicited by beta-lapachone in endothelial cells.
      However, inhibition of LKB1 deacetylation by blocking of NQO1 or SIRT1 blunted
      AMPK activation by beta-lapachone. CONCLUSION: This is the first study
      demonstrating that eNOS coupling can be regulated by NQO1 activation via
      LKB1/AMPK/GTPCH-1 modulation, which is possibly correlated with relieving
      hypertension. These findings provide strong evidence to suggest that NQO1 might
      be a new therapeutic target for hypertension.

PMID- 24241059
TI  - Integrative biology of tail autotomy in lizards.
AB  - Self-amputation (autotomy) of the tail is essential for the survival of many
      lizards. Accordingly, it has garnered the attention of scientists for more than
      200 years. Several factors can influence the release of the tail, such as the
      size, sex, and age of the lizard; type of predator; ecology; and evolutionary
      history of the lineage. Once lost, the tail will writhe for seconds to minutes,
      and these movements likely depend on the size and physiology of the tail, habitat
      of the lizard, and predation pressure. Loss of the tail will, in turn, have
      impacts on the lizard, such as modified locomotor performance and mechanics, as
      well as escape behavior. However, the tail is almost always regenerated, and this
      involves wound healing, altered investment of resources, and tissue
      differentiation. The regenerated tail generally differs from the original in
      several ways, including size, shape, and function. Here we summarize recent
      findings of research pertaining to tail autotomy, and we propose a framework for
      future investigations.

PMID- 24241060
TI  - Controlled chaos: three-dimensional kinematics, fiber histochemistry, and muscle
      contractile dynamics of autotomized lizard tails.
AB  - The ability to shed an appendage occurs in both vertebrates and invertebrates,
      often as a tactic to avoid predation. The tails of lizards, unlike most
      autotomized body parts of animals, exhibit complex and vigorous movements once
      disconnected from the body. Despite the near ubiquity of autotomy across groups
      of lizards and the fact that this is an extraordinary event involving the self
      severing of the spinal cord, our understanding of why and how tails move as they
      do following autotomy is sparse. We herein explore the histochemistry and
      physiology of the tail muscles of the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius), a
      species that exhibits vigorous and variable tail movements following autotomy. To
      confirm that the previously studied tail movements of this species are generally
      representative of geckos and therefore suitable for in-depth muscle studies, we
      quantified the three-dimensional kinematics of autotomized tails in three
      additional species. The movements of the tails of all species were generally
      similar and included jumps, flips, and swings. Our preliminary analyses suggest
      that some species of gecko exhibit short but high-frequency movements, whereas
      others exhibit larger-amplitude but lower-frequency movements. We then compared
      the ATPase and oxidative capacity of muscle fibers and contractile dynamics of
      isolated muscle bundles from original tails, muscle from regenerate tails, and
      fast fibers from an upper limb muscle (iliofibularis) of the leopard gecko.
      Histochemical analysis revealed that more than 90% of the fibers in original and
      regenerate caudal muscles had high ATPase but possessed a superficial layer of
      fibers with low ATPase and high oxidative capacity. We found that contraction
      kinetics, isometric force, work, power output, and the oscillation frequency at
      which maximum power was generated were lowest in the original tail, followed by
      the regenerate tail and then the fast fibers of the iliofibularis. Muscle from
      the original tail exhibited greater resistance to fatigue, followed by the
      regenerate tail and then the fast iliofibularis fibers. These results suggest
      that the relatively slow and oxidative fibers found within the tail musculature
      have a significant impact on contractile function, which translates into a trade
      off between longevity of performance and power after autotomy.

PMID- 24241061
TI  - The anatomy and histology of caudal autotomy and regeneration in lizards.
AB  - Abstract Caudal autotomy-the ability to self-detach the tail-is a dramatic
      adaptation common to many structural-grade lizards. For most species, tail loss
      is followed by the equally dramatic phenomenon of tail regeneration. Here we
      review the anatomy and histology of caudal autotomy and regeneration in lizards,
      drawing heavily from research published over the past 2 decades. The autotomous
      tail is characterized by various structural adaptations, which act to minimize
      blood loss and trauma to adjacent tissues. The early phase of wound healing
      involves a leukocytic response but limited inflammation. Reepithelialization via
      a specialized wound epithelium is not only critical for scar-free healing but
      also necessary for subsequent tissue patterning and regenerative outgrowth.
      Regeneration begins with the formation of the blastema, a mass of proliferating
      mesenchymal-like cells. As the blastema expands, it is invaded by blood vessels
      and the spinal cord. Whereas the replacement tail outwardly resembles the
      original appendage, it differs in several notable respects, including the tissue
      composition and organization of the skeleton, muscular system, and spinal cord.
      Increasingly, the lizard tail is being recognized among biomedical scientists as
      an important model for the study of wound healing and multitissue restoration. 

PMID- 24241062
TI  - Telling tails: selective pressures acting on investment in lizard tails.
AB  - Caudal autotomy is a common defense mechanism in lizards, where the animal may
      lose part or all of its tail to escape entrapment. Lizards show an immense
      variety in the degree of investment in a tail (i.e., length) across species, with
      tails of some species up to three or four times body length (snout-vent length
      [SVL]). Additionally, body size and form also vary dramatically, including
      variation in leg development and robustness and length of the body and tail.
      Autotomy is therefore likely to have fundamentally different effects on the
      overall body form and function in different species, which may be reflected
      directly in the incidence of lost/regenerating tails within populations or, over
      a longer period, in terms of relative tail length for different species. We
      recorded data (literature, museum specimens, field data) for relative tail length
      (n=350 species) and the incidence of lost/regenerating tails (n=246 species). We
      compared these (taking phylogeny into account) with intrinsic factors that have
      been proposed to influence selective pressures acting on caudal autotomy,
      including body form (robustness, body length, leg development, and tail
      specialization) and ecology (foraging behavior, physical and temporal niches), in
      an attempt to identify patterns that might reflect adaptive responses to these
      different factors. More gracile species have relatively longer tails (all 350
      spp., P < 0.001; also significant for five of the six families tested
      separately), as do longer (all species, P < 0.001; Iguanidae, P < 0.05;
      Lacertidae, P < 0.001; Scindidae, P < 0.001), climbing (all species, P < 0.05),
      and diurnal (all species, P < 0.01; Pygopodidae, P < 0.01) species; geckos
      without specialized tails (P < 0.05); or active-foraging skinks (P < 0.05). We
      also found some relationships with the data for caudal autotomy, with more
      lost/regenerating tails for nocturnal lizards (all 246 spp., P < 0.01; Scindidae,
      P < 0.05), larger skinks (P < 0.05), climbing geckos (P < 0.05), or active
      foraging iguanids (P < 0.05). The selective advantage of investing in a
      relatively longer tail may be due to locomotor mechanics, although the patterns
      observed are also largely consistent with predictions based on predation
      pressure.

PMID- 24241063
TI  - Relative apportioning of resources to the body and regenerating tail in juvenile
      leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) maintained on different dietary rations.
AB  - Caudal autotomy is a widespread phenomenon among lizards, and similar processes
      occur in other groups of vertebrates and invertebrates. Many costs have been
      associated with autotomy, including the regeneration of lost biomass. For
      lizards, it is not known whether resources are preferentially directed toward
      caudal regeneration or whether regeneration occurs only when resources are
      abundant. Conflicting information is present in the literature, and an absence of
      controlled experiments prevents determination of what pattern of regeneration may
      occur under a given set of circumstances. We employed the leopard gecko, a fat
      tailed species, to examine whether tail regeneration is a priority and, if so,
      whether it remains so when resources become limiting. We explored this through
      caudal autotomy and dietary manipulation under conditions that ensured that
      differences in diet were sufficient to permit differential growth. We examined
      juvenile leopard geckos because these animals are rapidly growing and allocation
      of energy is not compromised by reproductive investment. The effects of dietary
      resource availability and the demands of caudal regeneration were compared in
      intact and regenerating animals. Our evidence indicates that caudal regeneration
      is a priority, even when resources are limiting. We conclude that tail regrowth
      is a priority that is associated with long-term survival and possibly
      reproductive success.

PMID- 24241064
TI  - Tail autotomy, tail size, and locomotor performance in lizards.
AB  - The effect of tail autotomy on locomotor performance has been studied in a number
      of lizard species. Most of these studies (65%) show that tail autotomy has a
      negative effect on sprint speed, some studies (26%) show no effect of autotomy on
      sprint speed, and a few (9%) show a positive effect of autotomy on sprint speed.
      A variety of hypotheses have been proposed to explain the variation across these
      studies, but none has been tested. We synthesize these data using meta-analysis
      and then test whether any of four variables explain the variation in how tail
      autotomy impacts sprint speed: (1) differences in methodology in previous
      studies, (2) phylogeny, (3) relative tail size, and (4) habitat use. We find
      little evidence that methodology or habitat use influences how sprint speed
      changes following tail autotomy. Although the sampling is phylogenetically
      sparse, phylogeny appears to play a role, with skinks and iguanids showing fairly
      consistent decreases in speeds after autotomy and with lacertids and geckos
      showing large variation in how autotomy impacts speed. After removing two
      outlying species with unusually large and long tails (Takydromus sp.), we find a
      positive relationship between relative tail size and sprint speed change after
      autotomy. Lizards with larger tails exhibit a greater change in speed after tail
      loss. This finding suggests that future studies of tail autotomy and locomotor
      performance might profitably incorporate variation in tail size and that species
      specific responses to autotomy need to be considered.

PMID- 24241065
TI  - The impact of tail loss on stability during jumping in green anoles (Anolis
      carolinensis).
AB  - Lizards that undergo caudal autotomy experience a variety of consequences,
      including decreased locomotor performance in a number of cases. One mode of
      locomotion common to many arboreal lizard species is jumping, and yet little is
      known about the effects of autotomy on this locomotor mode. In this article we
      review recent literature demonstrating the importance of the lizard tail as an in
      air stabilizer. First, we review work highlighting how a variety of lizards from
      diverse families can use their tails to control body position in midair. We then
      move on to cover recent work demonstrating how in at least one species, Anolis
      carolinensis, tail loss can lead to remarkable instabilities after takeoff during
      jumping. Such instabilities occur even when animals are jumping toward specific
      targets both below and above them, although individual variation in the response
      to tail loss is considerable. Finally, we report results from a study examining
      whether increased jumping experience after autotomy facilitates the recovery of
      in-air stability during jumping. Our work suggests it does not, at least not
      consistently after 5 wk, indicating that any fitness consequences associated with
      decreased jumping stability are likely to be long term.

PMID- 24241066
TI  - An experimental study of the gestation costs in a viviparous lizard: a hormonal
      manipulation.
AB  - The trade-offs between reproduction and survival or future reproduction represent
      the costs of reproduction, which are central to the theory of life-history traits
      evolution. In particular, different stages of the reproductive cycle may be
      associated with different costs and thus explain the evolution of alternative
      reproductive strategies. Viviparity (live bearing) has evolved from oviparity
      (egg laying) several times independently in vertebrates. To better understand
      these transitions, we aimed to specifically investigate gestation costs in a
      squamate reptile with a new experimental procedure. We reduced litter size during
      gestation in the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) with a hormonal injection of
      arginine vasotocin. This method is less invasive than a surgical method and does
      not reduce the number of offspring of future reproductive events. We monitored
      body mass change, immune response, endurance capacity, thermoregulatory behavior,
      offspring characteristic at birth, female and offspring survival, female body
      mass gain after parturition, and offspring growth rate after birth. Maternal
      treatment did not significantly change the offspring characteristics measured.
      Thus, litter size reduction did not change offspring development during
      gestation. For the females, there is evidence that endurance capacity during
      gestation is modified because of the physical burden of the litter and because of
      physiological changes. With respect to gestation costs, we did not observe a
      trade-off between the investment during gestation and females' resources
      postparturition (female body mass) or survival, but there was a facultative trade
      off with the immune response. It will be interesting to replicate this study to
      increase the robustness of these results and to confirm the effects on the
      endurance capacity and the immune response. Gestation costs seem to be limited in
      this species, and they should be studied in more detail to evaluate their
      influence on the evolution of viviparity.

PMID- 24241067
TI  - Optical and physicochemical characterization of the luminous mucous secreted by
      the marine worm Chaetopterus sp.
AB  - Bioluminescence of the marine worm Chaetopterus variopedatus was first
      investigated several decades ago mainly using tissue extract. Light production of
      the worm, however, originates from a secreted mucus only. Here, we report the
      optical and physicochemical properties of the luminous mucus. We show that the
      produced light occurs as a long glow in the blue range (455 nm), which is an
      unusual color for a shallow benthic invertebrate. We also show that the light
      originates from a photoprotein whose light production is independent of molecular
      oxygen yet somewhat related to the physicochemical (rheological) characteristics
      of the mucus itself. Indeed, the mucus seems to polymerize and become more
      viscous on exposure to H2O2, which in turn seems to inhibit the light production.
      Ferrous iron was not associated with any strong stimulatory effect. This is in
      contrast to past studies on worm tissues showing that the light production is
      strongly stimulated by H2O2 and ferrous iron. Overall, our results highlight the
      fact that working on the luminous mucus only (vs. worm tissues) provides the
      ability to study its chemical properties possibly involved in the fine control of
      light production-as well as its rheological properties-and identify the possible
      interactions between these two properties.

PMID- 24241068
TI  - Physiological disturbances and overwinter mortality of largemouth bass from
      different latitudes.
AB  - Thermal conditions associated with winter can influence the distribution of a
      species. Because winter severity varies along latitudes, populations of temperate
      fish located along a latitudinal gradient may display variation in both sublethal
      and lethal responses to cold stressors. Sublethal physiological disturbances were
      quantified in age 1 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from populations
      originating from Alabama and Illinois but raised in a common environment. Fish
      were exposed to 6 h of rapid cold shock from 20 degrees  to 8 degrees C (controls
      were held at 20 degrees C) and then sampled for white muscle, whole blood, and
      plasma. After cold shock, glucose concentrations were elevated in Alabama but not
      Illinois fish. Sodium was lower and chloride was higher in Alabama largemouth
      bass, but fish from Illinois had a greater propensity for potassium loss during
      cold shock. In Illinois ponds, Alabama largemouth bass exhibited lower overwinter
      survival (adult: 10%; age 0: 22%) than did those from Illinois (adult: 80%; age
      0: 82%). Latitudinal variation in physiological responses to cold stressors may
      therefore influence overwinter survival of largemouth bass and the ability of a
      fish species to exist over large geographic areas.

PMID- 24241069
TI  - Interspecific differences in hypoxia-induced gill remodeling in carp.
AB  - The gills of many fish, but in particular those of crucian carp (Carassius
      carassius) and goldfish (Carassius auratus), are capable of extensive remodeling
      in response to changes in oxygen (O2), temperature, and exercise. In this study,
      we investigated the interspecific variation in hypoxia-induced gill modeling and
      hypoxia tolerance in 10 closely related groups of cyprinids (nine species, with
      two strains of Cyprinus carpio). There was significant variation in hypoxia
      tolerance, measured as the O2 tension (P(O2)) at which fish lost equilibrium
      (LOEcrit), among the 10 groups of carp. In normoxia, there was a significant,
      phylogenetically independent relationship between mass-specific gill surface area
      and LOEcrit, with the more hypoxia-tolerant carp having smaller gills than their
      less hypoxia-tolerant relatives. All groups of carp, except the Chinese bream
      (Megalobrama pellegrini), increased mass-specific gill surface area in response
      to 48 h of exposure to hypoxia (0.7 kPa) through reductions in the interlamellar
      cell mass (ILCM) volume. The magnitude of the hypoxia-induced reduction in the
      ILCM was negatively correlated with LOEcrit (and thus positively correlated with
      hypoxia tolerance), independent of phylogeny. The hypoxia-induced changes in gill
      morphology resulted in reduced variation in mass-specific gill surface area among
      species and eliminated the relationship between LOEcrit and mass-specific gill
      surface area. While behavioral responses to hypoxia differed among the carp
      groups, there were no significant relationships between hypoxia tolerance and the
      Po2 at which aquatic surface respiration (ASR) was initiated or the total number
      of ASR events observed during progressive hypoxia. Our results are the first to
      show that the extent of gill remodeling in cyprinids is associated with hypoxia
      tolerance in a phylogenetically independent fashion.

PMID- 24241070
TI  - Relationship between fish size and metabolic rate in the oxyconforming inanga
      Galaxias maculatus reveals size-dependent strategies to withstand hypoxia.
AB  - The relationship between metabolic rate and body size in animals is unlikely to
      be a constant but is instead shaped by a variety of intrinsic (i.e.,
      physiological) and extrinsic (i.e., environmental) factors. This study examined
      the effect of environmental oxygen tension on oxygen consumption as a function of
      body mass in the galaxiid fish, inanga (Galaxias maculatus). As an oxyconformer,
      this fish lacks overt intrinsic regulation of oxygen consumption, eliminating
      this as a factor affecting the scaling relationship at different oxygen tensions.
      The relationship between oxygen consumption rate and body size was best described
      by a power function, with an exponent of 0.82, higher than the theoretical values
      of 0.66 or 0.75. The value of this exponent was significantly altered by
      environmental P(O2), first increasing as P(O2) decreased and then declining at
      the lowest P(O2) tested. These data suggest that the scaling exponent is species
      specific and regulated by extrinsic factors. Furthermore, the external P(O2) at
      which fish lost equilibrium was related to fish size, an effect explained by the
      scaling of anaerobic capacity with fish mass. Therefore, although bigger fish
      were forced to depress aerobic metabolism more rapidly than small fish when
      exposed to progressive hypoxia, they were better able to enact anaerobic
      metabolism, potentially extending their survival in hypoxia.

PMID- 24241071
TI  - Genomic and metabolic preparation of muscle in sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka
      for spawning migration.
AB  - Prolonged endurance exercise and fasting are two major metabolic challenges
      facing Pacific salmon during spawning migrations that often occur over 1,000 km.
      Because both prolonged exercise and fasting stimulate the oxidation of lipids,
      particularly in heavily recruited tissues such as muscle, we sought to
      investigate the regulatory mechanisms that establish and maintain the capacity
      for substrate oxidation at four separate locations during the final 750 km of
      nonfeeding migration in sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka. Transcript levels of
      multiple genes encoding for important regulators of lipid, carbohydrate, and
      protein oxidation as well as the activity of several important enzymes involved
      in lipid and carbohydrate oxidation were examined in red and white muscle. We
      found in both muscle types that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of carnitine
      palmitoyltransferase I isoforms, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors
      alpha and beta, and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase beta1 were
      all significantly higher at the onset compared to later stages of nonfeeding
      migration. However, the activities of beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and
      citrate synthase were higher only early in migration and only in red muscle.
      Later in the migration and as muscle lipid stores were greatly depleted, the mRNA
      levels of hexokinase I and aspartate aminotransferase increased in white muscle.
      Overall, at the onset of migration, high transcript and metabolic enzyme activity
      levels in skeletal muscle of sockeye salmon may help support the high rates of
      lipid oxidation needed for endurance swimming. Furthermore, we suggest that the
      muscle capacity to use carbohydrates and proteins may be adjusted throughout
      migration on an as-needed basis to fuel burst exercise through very difficult
      hydraulic passages in the river and perhaps during mating activities.

PMID- 24241072
TI  - Postmigratory body condition and ovarian steroid production predict breeding
      decisions by female gray-headed albatrosses.
AB  - Carryover effects have been documented in many migratory bird species, but we
      know little about the physiological mechanisms that mediate those effects. Here
      we show that the energetic, endocrine, and aerobic characteristics of
      postmigratory female gray-headed albatrosses (Thalassarche chrysostoma) can
      affect their decision to breed. All females in this study, whether breeding or
      not, were secreting ovarian steroids when they arrived at the breeding colony at
      Bird Island, South Georgia, which suggests that all were responding to seasonal
      cues. However, deferring, nonbreeding birds were characterized by a steroid
      profile of high progesterone (P4) and low testosterone (T), whereas breeding
      birds showed the opposite pattern. Deferring birds also had low body mass,
      hematocrit, and hemoglobin. These results suggest that postmigratory condition
      can influence patterns of ovarian steroidogenesis and that the maintenance of
      high P4 without subsequent conversion to T favors breeding deferral. Whereas
      breeding females normally convert P4 to T, which is a key deterministic step
      toward 17beta-estradiol synthesis, vitellogenesis, and follicle development,
      deferring females did not make this conversion and instead maintained high levels
      of P4, perhaps due to inhibition of the hydroxylase-lyase enzyme complex, thus
      rendering them infertile for the current season. Results are discussed within the
      context of the biennial breeding system of this species, and comparisons with
      other biennially and annually breeding albatrosses are made.

PMID- 24241073
TI  - Juvenile nutritional stress affects growth rate, adult organ mass, and innate
      immune function in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata).
AB  - Developmental conditions may influence many aspects of adult phenotype, including
      growth and immune function. Whether poor developmental environments impair both
      growth and immune function or induce a trade-off between the two processes is
      inconclusive, and the impact of the timing of stress in determining this
      relationship has so far been overlooked. We tested the hypothesis that the long
      term effects of nutritional stress on growth, body composition, and immune
      function in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) are different depending on
      whether stress is experienced during an early or a juvenile phase (i.e., before
      or after nutritional independence, respectively). We raised birds on high (H) or
      low (L) food conditions until posthatch day (PHD) 35 and switched treatments for
      half of the birds in each of the H and L groups from PHD 36 to 61. We found that
      unfavorable juvenile conditions (PHD 36-61) increased somatic growth rates and
      liver mass, body fat, and some aspects of immune function. We also observed a
      positive relationship between growth and immune function, as individuals that
      grew faster as juveniles also had better innate immune responses as adults. There
      was no effect of treatment on basal metabolic rate. These findings demonstrate
      the importance of juvenile developmental conditions in shaping multiple aspects
      of the adult phenotype.

PMID- 24241074
TI  - Seasonal modulation of testosterone during breeding of the rufous-collared
      sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis australis) in Southern Patagonia.
AB  - The roles of testosterone (T) during reproduction are often complex and vary
      among and within vertebrate taxa and locations, making general hypotheses
      relating T to breeding behavior and success difficult to integrate. In birds, T
      is thought to influence degrees of territoriality and associated aggression in
      males to maximize breeding success. Importantly, most work supporting these ideas
      has been conducted in the Northern Hemisphere. However, accumulating work on
      tropical species has shown divergent patterns of T in association with breeding
      behavior. The compilation of work from northern temperate and tropical species
      suggests that the function of T in relation to breeding behavior varies across
      latitude and environmental conditions. We investigate the patterns of T in
      relation to breeding behavior in a subspecies of the rufous-collared sparrow
      Zonotrichia capensis australis breeding at high latitude in the Southern
      Hemisphere (55 degrees S). We then compare the T profiles and breeding behaviors
      of male Z. c. australis to conspecifics breeding in the tropics and congeners in
      North America to test the hypothesis that environments with breeding seasons of
      similar lengths will drive similar patterns of T in relation to breeding
      behavior. We found that Z. c. australis have high levels of T during the early
      breeding periods when territories are being established and low levels of T
      during the parental phase of breeding, similar to temperate and Arctic birds in
      the Northern Hemisphere but unlike tropical Zonotrichia capensis costaricensis.
      In contrast, we found that Z. c. australis also exhibit similar aggressive
      behaviors in early breeding and midbreeding, unlike many birds in the Northern
      Hemisphere.

PMID- 24241075
TI  - Seasonal variation of resting metabolic rate and body mass in free-living weasels
      Mustela nivalis.
AB  - Metabolic rates and body mass of mammals vary seasonally along with ambient
      temperatures and food availability. At the population level, seasonal changes in
      metabolic rate and mass can be due to selective mortality or emigration of
      individuals whose metabolic rate or mass differs from the average for the
      population. Alternatively, the metabolic rates of individuals can change
      seasonally, such that the population average increases or decreases due to shifts
      in the physiology of the overall population. The latter implies that individuals
      respond in a similar manner to changing seasonal conditions. We studied seasonal
      changes in body mass (BM) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) in free-ranging male
      weasels (Mustela nivalis) to test the consistency of these traits in individuals
      caught in different seasons of the year. At the population level, BM was
      remarkably stable across the seasons (F(3, 124)=0.25, P=0.9). In contrast, BM-
      corrected RMR varied significantly between seasons and was the lowest in winter
      (F(3, 135)=9.13, P<0.0001). We demonstrated that individual weasels were
      consistent in how their BM and RMR deviated from the seasonal means for the
      population (intraclass correlation, tau=0.78 and 0.33, respectively). This
      variation among individuals explained ~76% and 27% of the total variation of BM
      and basal metabolic rate, respectively. Hence, the relatively constant BM at the
      population level across seasons is due to a relative constancy of BM in
      individuals. Our study is one of relatively few research projects that
      demonstrate that seasonal changes in RMR observed in the wild population are in
      part due to a consistency in individual responses to changing environmental
      conditions.

PMID- 24241076
TI  - Advanced dynamic Doppler flow of the pulmonary artery in a normal population:
      reference values from 18 to 41 weeks of gestation calculated by automatic Doppler
      waveform analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present cross-sectional prospective study was to
      establish Doppler reference ranges for blood flow velocity waveforms (V max, V
      mean and V min) and resistance indices (PI, RI) of the fetal pulmonary arteries
      using the new pulsed-wave color advanced dynamic flow (ADF) Doppler technique.
      METHOD: Data were collected in 206 low-risk pregnancies at 18-41 weeks of
      gestation. The measurements were obtained in the proximal pulmonary artery near
      the first bifurcation in the absence of fetal body or breathing movements.
      RESULTS: The pulsatility index (PI) in the pulmonary artery showed mean increases
      of 2.43-3.59 between gestational weeks 18 and 42. A similar pattern was observed
      for the resistance index (RI) with increases of 0.79-0.90. Increases in systolic
      (V max), mean (V mean) and end diastolic (V min) blood flow velocities of 36.0
      63.3, 10.8-19.9 and 5.71-7.53 cm/s, respectively, were noted during the
      observation interval. CONCLUSIONS: The ranges for blood flow velocities and
      impedance indices in the fetal pulmonary artery calculated by the authors may
      serve as reference values to help distinguish a normal patient population from
      patients carrying fetuses at high risk for neonatal lung disease in antenatal
      examinations.

PMID- 24241077
TI  - Amniotic fluid volume in normal singleton pregnancies: modeling with quantile
      regression.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop uniform and reliable reference ranges for amniotic fluid
      volume (AFV) across gestation in normal singleton pregnancies using quantile
      regression (QR). METHODS: An analysis of true AFVs determined by dye-dilution
      techniques or by direct measurement at cesarean delivery in normal singleton
      pregnancies. AFV centiles were established by QR, a flexible semi-parametric
      approach of estimating rates of change across the entire distribution of AFV
      rather than just in the mean as is observed with standard linear regression.
      RESULTS: The study evaluated 379 women with normal singleton pregnancies between
      16 and 41 weeks gestation. QR was used to determine the association between AFV
      and gestational age (GA). A second-order quantile regression model indicated a
      nonlinear relationship between AFV and gestational age at the upper centile range
      (>=80th percentile). CONCLUSION: This study defines normative centile charts for
      true AFVs between 16 and 41 weeks gestation in normal singleton pregnancies using
      QR. This statistical approach more appropriately reflects true AFV across
      gestation at each centile of interest (e.g. 5th, 50th, 95th, etc.) as compared to
      standard linear regression.

PMID- 24241078
TI  - A Longitudinal Approach to Understanding the Relationship Between Symptom Status
      and QOL.
AB  - This study demonstrates how a variant of growth curve modeling known as
      longitudinal parallel-process modeling can yield an understanding of the effect
      of symptoms on quality of life (QOL). A two-level hierarchical linear model with
      random intercepts and slopes was implemented within a structural equation
      modeling approach. The data (N = 367) comes from a large database of persons with
      HIV-associated illness. Twenty-three symptoms based on the Sign and Symptom
      Checklist for Persons with HIV disease and items measuring QOL from the general
      health status scales were used. Each respondent completed from 1 to 11
      questionnaires. The number of reported symptoms had a significant association
      with patient QOL over time. These findings suggest that appropriate symptom
      management has the potential to improve patient QOL. This study demonstrates how
      a state-of-the-art longitudinal modeling technique evaluates the relationship
      between concurrent rates of change in measurements of two relevant variables. 

PMID- 24241080
TI  - Superstrong encapsulated monolayer graphene by the modified anodic bonding.
AB  - We report a superstrong adhesive of monolayer graphene by modified anodic
      bonding. In this bonding, graphene plays the role of a superstrong and ultra-thin
      adhesive between SiO2 and glass substrates. As a result, monolayer graphene
      presented a strong adhesion energy of 1.4 J m(-2) about 310% that of van der
      Waals bonding (0.45 J m(-2)) to SiO2 and glass substrates. This flexible solid
      state graphene adhesive can tremendously decrease the adhesive thickness from
      about several tens of MUm to 0.34 nm for epoxy or glue at the desired bonding
      area. As plausible causes of this superstrong adhesion, we suggest conformal
      contact with the rough surface of substrates and generation of C-O chemical
      bonding between graphene and the substrate due to the bonding process, and
      characterized these properties using optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy,
      Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. 

PMID- 24241081
TI  - Iron(II)-dependent dioxygenase and N-formylamide deformylase catalyze the
      reactions from 5-hydroxy-2-pyridone to maleamate.
AB  - 5-Hydroxy-2-pyridone (2,5-DHP) is a central metabolic intermediate in catabolism
      of many pyridine derivatives, and has been suggested as a potential carcinogen.
      2,5-DHP is frequently transformed to N-formylmaleamic acid (NFM) by a 2,5-DHP
      dioxygenase. Three hypotheses were formerly discussed for conversion of 2,5-DHP
      to maleamate. Based on enzymatic reactions of dioxygenase (Hpo) and N-formylamide
      deformylase (Nfo), we demonstrated that the dioxygenase does not catalyze the
      hydrolysis of NFM but rather that this activity is brought about by a separate
      deformylase. We report that the deformylase acts both on NFM and its trans
      isomer, N-formylfumaramic acid (NFF), but the catalytic efficiency of Nfo for NFM
      is about 1,400 times greater than that for NFF. In addition, we uncover catalytic
      and structural characteristics of the new family that the Hpo belongs to, and
      support a potential 2-His-1-carboxylate motif (HX52HXD) by three-dimensional
      modeling and site-directed mutagenesis. This study provides a better
      understanding of 2,5-DHP catabolism. 

PMID- 24241082
TI  - Renoprotective effect of metformin.

PMID- 24241083
TI  - Urine examination in the era of modern diagnostics.

PMID- 24241084
TI  - Omega-3 and serum homocysteine level in hemodialysis patients.

PMID- 24241085
TI  - Bright renoprotective properties of metformin: beyond blood glucose regulatory
      effects.
AB  - Metformin, a biguanide drug, is widely prescribed to treat high blood glucose in
      individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a
      troubling chronic disease and diabetic nephropathy is one of the most important
      complications of diabetes mellitus. Recent studies suggest that metformin, in
      addition to its efficacy in treating type 2 diabetes, may also have therapeutic
      efficacy in other conditions, including diabetic nephropathy or ameliorative
      property against tubular cell injury. Moreover, metformin significantly decreases
      albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the exact
      mechanisms beyond the effect of metformin on blood glucose are still unknown.
      Recent studies suggest that the therapeutic effect of metformin is mediated by
      its action on adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in tissues.
      Various investigations show that metformin decreases intracellular reactive
      oxygen species. Metformin protects against tubular injury by restoring the
      biochemical alterations and regulation of oxidative stress on renal tubules. It
      also protects podocytes in nephropathy of diabetes. These findings can more
      strongly potentiate the clinical use of metformin in the prevention of
      nephropathy of diabetes. In this regard, to better understand the metformin
      nephroprotective properties, more experimental rat models and clinical studies
      are needed. 

PMID- 24241086
TI  - Pediatric kidney transplantation: kids are different.
AB  - The pediatric kidney transplant recipient differs from the adult recipient in
      many ways, including immune responsiveness, drug metabolism and clearance,
      perfusion of transplanted organs, and risk for posttransplant lymphoproliferative
      disease. Pediatric patients also have special quality of life issues such as
      cosmetic side effects of medications, stunted growth and sexual maturation, and
      separation from their peers. Congenital urological anomalies and
      glomerulosclerosis are the most common causes of pediatric end-stage renal
      disease. In the pediatric patients, consideration for preemptive transplantation
      should be first and arteriovenous fistula placement second. Pediatric patients
      should receive priority for kidneys from deceased donors to shorten the wait time
      for transplant. Fevers or changes in blood pressure may identify allograft
      dysfunction weeks before changes in creatinine occur. Thus, monitoring serum
      creatinine level is a poor indicator of allograft dysfunction in this setting.
      There is great concern about nonadherence to immunosuppressive therapy as
      children reach the stage of adolescence. This report highlights these and other
      important differences in the evaluation and management of the pediatric kidney
      transplant recipients compared with the adult and provides practical guidance to
      the practitioners involved in caring for such patients. 

PMID- 24241087
TI  - A workshop on urinalysis and a survey on urine microscopy among kidney centers of
      Iran.
AB  - Urinalysis is a mandatory diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients with
      kidney diseases. A workshop on urinalysis was held for nephrologists in Isfahan,
      Iran, on October 11-12, 2012. After the presentation of the results of a survey
      of the nephrology centers of Iran on urine microscopy, the most important aspects
      of urinalysis were presented and discussed. These included the following: (1)
      urinalysis by dipstick, which provides results in a few seconds, is simple to
      use, has a low cost, and is used worldwide for screening purposes, in spite of
      some limitations; (2) measurement of proteinuria by 24-hour urine collection,
      which still represents the reference method in spite of limitations due to
      frequent over or under collection errors; (3) protein-creatinine ratio in a
      random urine sample, which is recommended by international guidelines as an
      alternative to the measurement of 24-hour protein excretion; (4)
      microalbuminuria, which is seen as a marker of systemic endothelial damage; and
      (5) the urinary sediment, which is underused even among nephrologists in spite of
      the relevant diagnostic information it can supply in a wide spectrum of kidney
      diseases. 

PMID- 24241088
TI  - Renal papillary adenoma in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

PMID- 24241089
TI  - Lowering effect of valsartan on fetuin-A in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Fetuin-A (A2-HS-glycoprotein) is a protein that plays several
      functions in human physiology and pathophysiology. The role of fetuin-A in type 1
      diabetes mellitus (DM) has been less studied. We investigated the serum levels of
      fetuin-A in type 1 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria. Furthermore, the
      blocking effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system on serum levels of fetuin
      A was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to May 2011, 32 patients
      with type 1 DM with confirmed microalbuminuria were included in this study in
      Isfahan, Iran. Serum fetuin-A levels before and 8 weeks after valsartan
      administration were measured. In addition, serum lipid profile, creatinine,
      hemoglobin A1c, and urine microalbuminuria were determined. RESULTS: The mean age
      of participants was 21.65 +/- 0.38 years. Before valsartan administration, the
      mean values of fetuin-A were not significantly different between males and
      females (64.22 +/- 1.77 ng/mL versus 61.39 +/- 3.35 ng/mL, respectively). After
      valsartan administration, serum levels of fetuin-A and urine albumin-creatinine
      significantly decreased. A negative correlation was observed between serum fetuin
      A level after valsartan administration and serum low-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol level (P = .007, r = -0.507). CONCLUSIONS: Administration angiotensin
      receptor blockers concomitantly decreases fetuin-A levels and urine albumin
      levels.

PMID- 24241090
TI  - Association between visfatin levels and coronary artery disease in patients with
      chronic kidney disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Visfatin (also known as pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor) is
      increased in patients with chronic kidney disease and has been linked with
      coronary atherosclerosis. Given that it has been reported that visfatin plays a
      role in endothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease patients, we examined
      associations between visfatin levels and several markers related to
      atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The association between visfatin and
      atherosclerotic risk factors was studied in 173 chronic kidney disease patients
      (130 men and 43 women). Serum levels of visfatin were measured by the enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: With increasing visfatin tertiles, patients
      proved to have a larger number of vessels with stenosis and a higher likelihood
      of coronary artery disease, as well as having incrementally lower estimated
      glomerular filtration rate and serum albumin and higher total leukocyte,
      neutrophil, and monocyte counts; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; and brain
      natriuretic peptide levels. Visfatin showed significant positive correlations
      with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen,
      creatinine, brain natriuretic peptide, E-selectin, total leukocyte count,
      neutrophil count, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and a significant
      negative correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin. Only
      E-selectin was independently associated with visfatin in multiple linear
      regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that plasma visfatin
      levels are significantly higher in the presence of coronary artery disease and
      are correlated with E-selectin levels, which suggest that increased plasma
      visfatin may be involved in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis in CKD
      patients.

PMID- 24241091
TI  - Comparison of fetuin-A, vitamin D, monounsaturated fatty acid, and vascular
      calcification on plain radiography between dialysis modalities.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Low fetuin-A and vitamin D and high monounsaturated fatty acid
      (MUFA) contents are associated with vascular calcification (VC) in dialysis
      patients. We aimed to demonstrate the difference in fetuin-A, vitamin D, MUFA,
      and VC on plain radiography between patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal
      dialysis (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 31 hemodialysis and 30 PD
      patients. We examined plain radiography of the feet, hands, pelvis, and lateral
      lumbar spine and defined significant VC as abdominal aortic calcifications scores
      of 5 and higher, VC scores of the hands and pelvis of 3 and higher, or arterial
      media calcifications of the feet on plain radiography. RESULTS: The mean age,
      dialysis duration, and prevalence of VC on plain radiography were not
      significantly different in PD patients compared to hemodialysis patients.
      However, fetuin-A and MUFA were significantly higher, whereas serum albumin and
      25-hydroxyvitamin D were significantly lower in PD patients compared to
      hemodialysis patients. Hemodialysis patients who demonstrated significant VC on
      plain radiography had longer dialysis vintage, higher prevalence of coronary
      artery disease, and higher MUFA than patients without significant VC. Peritoneal
      dialysis patients who demonstrated significant VC on plain radiography had lower
      fetuin-A levels and higher C-reactive protein than patients without significant
      VC. Fetuin-A was an independent risk factor related with VC on plain radiography
      in PD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fetuin-A, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and MUFA were
      significantly different, although the prevalence of VC on plain radiography was
      not different according to dialysis modality.

PMID- 24241092
TI  - Effect of alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress,
      inflammation, and malnutrition in hemodialysis patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and malnutrition are
      present in hemodialysis patients and these factors exacerbate cardiovascular
      comorbidities. Vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) may have a protective role
      against cardiovascular disease risk factors via anti-oxidative and anti
      inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ALA
      and vitamin E administration (alone or combined) on hemodialysis-induced stress
      oxidation, inflammation, and malnutrition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized
      placebo-controlled trial, we examined the effects of 2-month supplementation by
      vitamin E and ALA (alone or combined) on biomarkers of lipid peroxidation
      (malondialdehyde), inflammation (high-sensitivity C-Reactive protein and
      interleukin-6), and malnutrition (Subjective Global Assessment and body mass
      index) in 85 hemodialysis patients receiving ALA (600 mg), vitamin E (400 IU),
      ALA and vitamin E, and placebo. RESULTS: After supplementation, no significant
      changes were observed in malondialdehyde level; however, there was a decrease in
      the ALA and vitamin E group during the period of the study. Also, a
      nonsignificant decrease was seen in the high-sensitivity C-Reactive protein
      concentration of the interventional groups. Supplementation of vitamin E with and
      without ALA significantly reduced interleukin-6 concentration. A significant
      improvement was observed in malnutrition status of all groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Vitamin E and ALA supplementation, especially their combination, might improve
      inflammation and malnutrition status, which suggest it as a potential preventive
      strategy against CVD among end-stage renal disease patients.

PMID- 24241093
TI  - Hemodialysis in children: eleven years in a single center in Egypt.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to report the clinical
      characteristics and outcomes of children with end-stage renal disease under
      regular hemodialysis in a dialysis unit in Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety
      children with end-stage renal disease were included in this study and their
      charts over the past 11 years (from January 2001 to January 2012) were reviewed.
      RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at the start of hemodialysis was 5.6 +/-
      1.4 years. The main causes of end-stage renal disease were glomerular diseases
      (35.6%), unknown etiology (33.3%), and urological problems (17.8%). Hospital
      admissions were due to hypertensive attacks, cardiac problems, arteriovenous
      shunt complications, and infections. Only 3 children received a kidney transplant
      and 24 (26.7%) died during the 11-year follow-up. Eight patients died of heart
      failure, 5 due to sepsis, and 4 due to unexplained causes. CONCLUSIONS:
      Maintaining an appropriate care for children with end-stage renal disease is
      quite difficult in developing countries due to factors such as late referral,
      poor medical service utilization, limitation of financial resources, and
      limitations to transplantation. As a result, maintaining on hemodialysis for long
      periods imposes a high risk of complications.

PMID- 24241094
TI  - Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella-zoster virus among prevalent
      hemodialysis patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can cause life-threatening disease in
      immunosuppressed patients, including kidney allograft recipients. This study was
      designed to evaluate the immune status of the cohort of hemodialysis patients,
      who could potentially be candidates for kidney transplantation, against VZV, and
      to determine the correlation between the self-reported history of chickenpox
      infection and the VZV antibody status in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Serologic testing for VZV was performed for 187 patients at different age groups
      receiving hemodialysis treatment at Hasheminejad Hospital, Tehran. The enzyme
      immunoassay method was used for determining immunoglobulin G antibodies against
      VZV. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients, aged 18 to 88 years (mean, 57.5 +/- 16.2
      years), were examined. Ninety-five patients (50.8%) were men. Overall, 183
      patients (97.9%) were found to be seropositive for VZV. No significant
      correlation was observed between patients' history of chickenpox disease and
      seropositivity of VZV. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative
      predictive values of patients' self-reported history was 39.3%, 50%, 97.2%, and
      1.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serologic screening for VZV in patients who are
      candidates for transplantation is essential to determine their immune status
      prior to transplant surgery. We suggest that this population be considered as the
      target group for future immunization programs in Iran.

PMID- 24241095
TI  - Effect of omega-3 supplementation on serum level of homocysteine in hemodialysis
      patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with end-stage renal disease are at a high risk of adverse
      cardiovascular events. Elevated level of homocysteine is an important risk factor
      for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. There are some
      strategies for reduction of serum homocysteine level in these patients, including
      folate and vitamin supplementation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate
      the effect of omega-3 supplementation on serum homocysteine level in patients on
      hemodialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 100
      hemodialysis patients were assigned into two groups to receive omega-3 (oral
      capsule, 3 g/d) or placebo for 2 months. Complete blood count, blood urea
      nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum lipids, and serum homocysteine levels were
      measured before the study and after 2 months at the end of study. RESULTS: Of 100
      patients, 6 in each group were excluded, and 44 patients in each group completed
      the study. There were no significant differences regarding the age, sex, and the
      number of dialysis sessions per week between the two groups. No difference was
      observed between the two groups in the laboratory investigations at the end of
      the study, except for a significant reduction in serum homocysteine level in the
      omega-3 group as compared to the placebo group (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      showed a significant reduction regulated by omega-3 supplementation in serum
      homocysteine level which is a cardiovascular risk factor among hemodialysis
      patients. Omega-3 can be considered as another homocysteine-reducing agent in
      this population.

PMID- 24241096
TI  - Oxidative stress in Egyptian hemodialysis children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the endothelium-dependent relaxing
      factors released by the vascular endothelium. It is decreased in chronic kidney
      disease. It was found that higher levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines
      such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL
      6, and IL-13 are associated with mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate
      the disturbance in NO in chronic kideny failure and its relationship with
      hypertension and inflammatory and nutritional parameters, as indirect indexes of
      uremic oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 31 children
      consisting of 23 children, aged from 4 to 18 years old, with ESRD, on regular
      hemodialysis, and 8 children admitted to hospital for other diseases (control
      group). Predialysis blood samples were tested for IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and NO,
      and were compared with the control group. RESULTS: Serum levels of TNF-alpha and
      IL-1beta were significantly higher in children on hemodialysis as compared to the
      control group (TNF-alpha, 104.54 +/- 17.31 pg/mL versus 48.19 +/- 6.28 pg/mL, P =
      .005; IL-1beta, 5.35 +/- 0.75 pg/mL versus 2.13 +/- 0.61 pg/mL, P = .02;
      respectively). However, the levels of NO, albeit higher in this group had no
      significant difference with the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of cytokines
      are high in pediatric patients on hemodialysis, which reflects a state of
      oxidative stress.

PMID- 24241097
TI  - Use of herbal remedies among patients undergoing hemodialysis.
AB  - This study aims to determine the prevalence, types, and associated factors for
      the use of herbal remedies in hemodialysis patients. Two hundred participants
      were selected by stratified sampling and were systematically interviewed. One
      hundred and twenty-six patients (63%) had used herbal remedies some time since
      their initiation of dialysis treatment. The users of herbal remedies had a
      significantly older age than nonusers, but no other significant differences were
      observed. The most prevalent complaints that led to herbal remedies use were
      gastroenterological complaints, flushing, and excessive thirst. Cichorium
      intybus, Borage officinalis, Mentha longifolia, and Matricaria recutita were the
      most prevalently used herbs in our patients. More study should be done on safety
      and efficacy of these herbs for hemodialysis patients. 

PMID- 24241098
TI  - Skin grafting for necrotizing fasciitis in a child with nephrotic syndrome.
AB  - Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare complication of nephrotic syndrome in children,
      with a high mortality rate. We report a case with successful outcome with
      judicious intravenous antibiotics and skin grafting of the bilateral lower
      thighs. 

PMID- 24241099
TI  - Kartagener syndrome with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
AB  - Primary ciliary dyskinesia is characterized by congenital impairment of
      mucociliary clearance. Kartagener syndrome (KS) is a clinical variant of primary
      ciliary dyskinesia which is involved in situs inversus associated with chronic
      respiratory infections. In addition, glomerular disease in KS syndrome is rare
      and reported cases are limited. We had a 27-year-old female patient with KS who
      presented with proteinuria, hematuria, normal kidney function, and a family
      history of systemic lupus erythematosus. Kidney biopsy showed segmental scar with
      adhesion to Bowman capsule, which was indicative of focal segmental
      glomerulosclerosis. 

PMID- 24241100
TI  - Rituximab in steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.
AB  - Treatment of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, particularly in patients who
      have failed to respond to multiple immunosuppressive drugs, remains challenging.
      Rituximab represents a new off-label therapeutic option. Here, we report the use
      of rituximab in 7 children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome with various
      histological backgrounds who failed to maintain remission with other
      immunosuppression regimens. All patients received rituximab infusion, 750 mg/m(2)
      in 2 doses, 2 weeks apart, and the subsequent doses were adjusted by clinical
      response. In all patients, complete B-cell depletion was observed after the first
      course of rituximab. Follow-up for at least 12 months showed sustained remission
      in 6 children. We conclude that rituximab can reduce the risk of relapses, reduce
      the burden of immunosuppression, and at least, offer a better control of steroid
      dependent nephrotic syndrome with minimal doses of immunosuppressive agents and
      steroids.

PMID- 24241101
TI  - Re: Atypical clinical course of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies
      associated vasculitis.

PMID- 24241102
TI  - Genetic analysis of waxy locus in rice (Oryza sativa L.).
AB  - Inheritance of waxy locus was studied in crosses of a waxy variety with four non
      waxy parents having high-, intermediate-, low- or very low-amylose content. The
      analysis for amylose content was done on a single grain basis in parents, F1, F2,
      B1F1, and B2F1 seeds. The waxy parent lacking synthesis of amylose content was
      found to differ from the ones having high-, intermediate-, low- or very low
      amylose content by one gene with major effect. Dosage effects for amylose content
      were observed to have great influence on segregation pattern and efficiency of
      selection. Selection efficiency for amylose content can be enhanced by selecting
      for endosperm appearance in early segregating generations. 

PMID- 24241103
TI  - Starch characteristics in cultures of normal and mutant maize endosperm.
AB  - Vigorously growing suspension cultures of 'normal', amylose-extender (ae) and
      waxy (wx) maize endosperm were established from near isogenic lines of maize
      inbred A636. The recovery of the ability to produce vigorous cultures of ae and
      wx endosperm by backcrossing demonstrate the genetic control of endosperm growth
      in vitro. Phenotypic expression of the endosperm mutants in culture was studied
      by examining the properties of starch accumulated in endosperm cultures and
      starch from developing and mature kernels of the same genotype. After 9 months in
      culture, the amylose contents of the starch in normal callus tissue and normal
      endosperm tissue were not significantly different, 28.2% and 31.7%, respectively.
      Starch granules from normal cultures and endosperm stained blue-black with iodine
      and were round to polygonal in shape. The starches of wx endosperm and callus
      cultures contained no amylose, and wx starch granules stained brown-orange with
      iodine. Although, wx starch granules were primarily round, a few granules with
      "jagged edges" were observed in starch samples isolated from cultures and
      kernels. The percent amylose in starch from ae callus was significantly lower
      than the amylose content of starch from ae endosperm tissue, 39.9% and 67.7%,
      respectively. Starch granules from ae endosperm and cultures were smaller than
      normal and wx starch granules. Irregular starch granules which are typical of ae
      endosperm were present in ae callus tissue, but were less frequently observed. We
      conclude that specific endosperm mutant phenotypes are expressed in vitro. 

PMID- 24241104
TI  - Repressing the expression of self-incompatibility in crucifers by short-term high
      temperature treatment.
AB  - The effect of short-term high temperature on the expression of self
      incompatibility was studied in detached flowers of Brassica oleracea, B.
      campestris and Raphanus sativus. The expression of self-incompatibility was
      repressed by treatment of pistils at 40  degrees C for 15 minutes. Treatment at
      50  degrees C repressed self-incompatibility but it also disturbed pollen tube
      elongation into stylar tissue. S-glycoproteins did not show any quantitative
      changes during the intact pistil treatment under 50  degrees C. Callose was
      occasionally found in the treated papilla where the self pollen tube penetrated.
      The repressing effect of the 40  degrees C treatment was found to be reversible,
      and this reversibility depended upon the environmental temperature of plant.
      Plants grown at 15/5  degrees C (day/night temperature) completely recovered self
      incompatibility 2 h after treatment, while those grown at 20/10 degrees , 25/15 
      degrees C did not. The reversibility of the expression of self-incompatibility
      correlated with the distortion of plasma membrane in the papilla. It is
      considered that high temperature affects the pollen tube penetration system in
      pistils rather than the recognition system between pistils and pollen. The
      treatment of dehiscing anthers at 40  degrees C killed the pollen. 

PMID- 24241105
TI  - Nucleic acids in mummified plant seeds: screening of twelve specimens by gel
      electrophoresis, molecular hybridization and DNA cloning.
AB  - Twelve seed specimens of varying ages and from different archaeological sites
      were analyzed for the presence of polymerized DNA and RNA. Amongst the samples
      tested, one of Vitis vinifera from an archaeological site in Iran (2,000-3,000
      B.C.) was found to be completely devoid of nucleic acids. Zea mais seeds of
      Precolumbial age from Peru (about 800 A.D.) contained depolymerized DNA and RNA.
      Samples of Vitis vinifera and Rubus sp. from a Lombard archaeological site (800
      A.D.) as well as radiocarbon dated seeds from the site of the "Spring Sanctuary"
      near Metaponto (I-IV century B.C.) were found to contain polymerized DNA and rRNA
      bands. However the electrophoretic properties of the rRNAs in one case and
      hybridization experiments performed with cloned seed DNA in the other, clearly
      demonstrated that the polymerized nucleic acids were not of plant origin. 

PMID- 24241106
TI  - Inbreeding under a cyclical mating system.
AB  - General recursion formulae for the coefficient of inbreeding under a cyclical
      mating system were derived in which one male and one female are selected from
      each of the n families per generation (population size N = 2 n). Each male is
      given the family number of his sire in each generation, while his mate comes from
      another family, varying systematically in different generations. Males of the r
      th family in generations 1, 2, 3,..., t' = n-1 within each cycle mate with
      females from families r+1, r+2, r+3,..., r+t' to produce generations 2, 3, 4,...,
      t'+1=1, respectively. The change in heterozygosity shows a cyclical pattern of
      rises and falls, repeating in cycles of n-1 generations. The rate of inbreeding
      oscillates between <-3% to >6% in different generations within each cycle,
      irrespective of the population size. The average rate of inbreeding per
      generation is approximately 1/[4 N-(Log2N+1)], which is the rate for the maximum
      avoidance of inbreeding. The average inbreeding effective population size is
      approximately 2 N-2. 

PMID- 24241107
TI  - Chromosome pairing in a Lolium temulentum X Lolium perenne diploid hybrid with a
      low chiasma frequency.
AB  - Despite an average difference of about 50% in DNA amount, homoeologous
      chromosomes pair effectively at first metaphase in the diploid interspecific
      hybrid between Lolium temulentum and Lolium perenne. However, in the presence of
      accessory B chromosomes and "diploidising genes" pairing at metaphase I is
      severely reduced. Reconstruction of serial electron micrographs through pollen
      mother cell nuclei show that synaptonemal complexes are formed at pachytene
      between not only homoeologous but also non-homologous chromosome segments
      resulting in multivalent formation. These associations are largely ineffective in
      terms of chiasma formation and degenerate at late pachytene. It is highly
      probable that the pairing determinants exercise their control on chromosome
      pairing largely by prohibiting the siting of crossovers in homoeologously paired
      chromosome segments. 

PMID- 24241108
TI  - Hairy root transformation in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).
AB  - The widely cultivated forage legume alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was transformed
      with the agropine type Agrobacterium rhizogenes NCPPB 1855. Sterile root and
      callus cultures were derived from tumorous hairy roots which were easily obtained
      independent of the plant variety or genotype. Plant regeneration, via somatic
      embryogenesis, was achieved only when a selected alfalfa line, characterized by
      high regenerative capability, was utilized. Genetic transformation was confirmed
      by the presence of agropine and T-DNA. Phenotypic alterations, mainly affecting
      the root system, were observed in transformed plants. The possibility that T-DNA
      induced variations could be useful in the improvement of M. sativa is discussed. 

PMID- 24241109
TI  - Morocco as a possible domestication center for barley: biochemical and
      agromorphological evidence.
AB  - The distribution of genetic variants of a group of low molecular weight,
      chloroform-methanol soluble proteins (CM proteins), among Moroccan and non
      Moroccan accessions of Hordeum spontaneum and among selections from several
      Moroccan landraces of H. vulgare and cultivars of the same species with
      widespread European origin, suggests that domestication of barley might have
      taken place in Morocco. An agromorphological characterization of the H.
      spontaneum accessions further supports this hypothesis. The possible Moroccan
      origin of the French cultivar 'Hatif de Grignon' and of several Spanish 6-rowed
      barleys is also presented. 

PMID- 24241110
TI  - Theoretical value of estimates of general combining ability in the autotetraploid
      crop.
AB  - The means of half-sib progenies have been indicated as selection criteria for
      intra-population improvement while the average of the means of full-sib progenies
      in diallel analyses have been proposed as predictors, in part, of the means of
      untested synthetic varieties. When these measures based on progeny means are
      expressed as deviations from a defined greater population of crosses, they are
      often termed the general combining ability (GCA). In this study the GCA estimates
      or a facsimile were theoretically investigated for the one locus, digene,
      autotetraploid model to verify the genetic basis and its value for selection and
      prediction in the presence of a naturally occurring phenomena of autopolyploids
      called gametic disequilibrium with three types of non-additive inheritance. Two
      breeding objectives were envisioned, the selection of best parents with recurrent
      selection based on GCA in the continued development of elite populations and the
      prediction of advanced generation synthetic variety performance. The first
      generation means of progenies with a potential bias due to gametic disequilibrium
      were compared to GCA estimation of same progenies in the absence of gametic
      disequilibrium. The results indicated that testcrossing plants to a population
      without gametic disequilibrium could be used for selection of best parents. The
      gametic disequilibrium in the cross may increase or depress selection response
      dependent on the array of genotypes which happen to be evaluated, on the type of
      genic action at the locus, and on the frequency of the desirable allele in the
      testor population. The GCA estimates for prediction of synthetic performance were
      potentially biased by gametic disequilibrium. An assumption of pollination by the
      same array of gametes was made for all plants, but obviously was unrealistic for
      GCA estimation with partial diallels, or with no selfing, and in other
      situations. The GCA estimate was shown to be an unreliable predictor of synthetic
      variety performance. When it was assumed that different plants were pollinated by
      different arrays of gametes, a more realistic situation, no genetic
      interpretation of GCA values was possible even with purely additive gene action
      at the locus. 

PMID- 24241111
TI  - Cytogenetic studies in the genus Zea : 1. Evidence for five as the basic
      chromosome number.
AB  - New cytological evidence supporting x = 5 as the basic chromosome number of the
      genus Zea has been obtained as a consequence of our analysis of the meiotic
      configurations of Zea mays ssp. mays, Z. diploperennis, Z. perennis and of four
      F1 artificial interspecific hybrids. Z. mays ssp. mays (2n = 20) presents regular
      meiosis with 10 bivalents (II) and is considered here as a typical allotetraploid
      (A2A2B2B2). In Z. diploperennis (2n = 20) 10II are formed in the majority of the
      cells, but the formation of 1III + 8II + 1I or 1III + 711 + 3I in 4% of the cells
      would indicate its segmental allotetraploid nature (A1A1B1B1). Z. perennis (2n =
      40) had 5IV + 10II in 55% of the cells and would be considered as an auto
      allooctoploid (A'1A'1A''1A''1C1C1C2C2). Z. diploperennis x Z. mays ssp. mays (2n
      = 20) presents 10II in ca. 70% of the cells and no multivalents are formed. In
      the two 2n = 30 hybrids (Z. mays ssp. mays x Z. perennis and Z. diploperennis x
      Z. perennis) the most frequent meiotic configuration was 5III + 5II + 5I and in
      2n = 40 hybrid (Z. diploperennis x Z. perennis) was 5IV + 10II. Moreover,
      secondary association was observed in the three abovementioned tetraploid taxa
      (2n = 20) where one to five groups of two bivalents each at diakinesis-metaphase
      I was formed showing the affinities between homoeologous genomes. The results, as
      a whole, can be interpreed by assuming a basic x = 5 in this polyploid complex.
      The main previous contributions that support this working hypothesis are reviewed
      and its phylogenetic implications studied are discussed. 

PMID- 24241112
TI  - Sid: a Mendelian locus controlling thylakoid membrane disassembly in senescing
      leaves of Festuca pratensis.
AB  - A spontaneous mutation arising in Festuca pratensis has the effect of stabilizing
      the pigmentproteolipid complexes of thylakoid membranes so that leaf tissue does
      not turn yellow during senescence. Inheritance of the non-yellowing character was
      analysed in crosses between the wild-type cultivar Rossa and a mutant line Bf
      993. Electrophoretic variants of cytoplasmic phosphoglucoisomerase coded by
      alleles of the nuclear gene Pgi-2 were used to identify hybrids during
      intercrossing. About 96% of the F1 progeny were heterozygous and all were
      phenotypically yellowing. In the F2 generation yellow ? green segregated in a
      ratio of 2.14?1, not significantly different from 3?1. In the backcross between
      F1 and Bf 993 the ratio was 1?1 yellow ? green. There was no indication of
      linkage to Pgi-2. Senescence of detached Bf 993 and Rossa leaves was compared
      with that of the F1 hybrid. The hybrid behaved in an essentially identical
      fashion to the wildtype parent, and in marked contrast to the mutant, in all
      aspects of the senescence syndrome investigated, including loss of chlorophyll,
      carotenoids and the light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein of thylakoid membranes,
      and elevation of the particulate protein ? chlorophyll ratio in the terminal
      stages. It is concluded that there exists in Festuca pratensis a nuclear gene,
      designated Sid (senescence-induced degradation) which regulates turnover of
      hydrophobic components of photosynthetic membranes in ageing leaf tissue and
      which occurs in at least two allelic forms, y (yellow) dominant over g (green). 

PMID- 24241113
TI  - Trait-based analyses for the detection of linkage between marker loci and
      quantitative trait loci in crosses between inbred lines.
AB  - Methods are presented for determining linkage between a marker locus and a nearby
      locus affecting a quantitative trait (quantitative trait locus=QTL), based on
      changes in the marker allele frequencies in selection lines derived from the F-2
      of a cross between inbred lines, or in the "high" and "low" phenotypic classes of
      an F-2 or BC population. The power of such trait-based (TB) analyses was
      evaluated and compared with that of methods for determining linkage based on the
      mean quantitative trait value of marker genotypes in F-2 or BC populations
      [marker-based (MB) analyses]. TB analyses can be utilized for marker-QTL linkage
      determination in situations where the MB analysis is not applicable, including
      analysis of polygenic resistance traits where only a part of the population
      survives exposure to the Stressor and analysis of marker-allele frequency changes
      in selection lines. TB analyses may be a useful alternative to MB analyses when
      interest is centered on a single quantitative trait only and costs of scoring for
      markers are high compared with costs of raising and obtaining quantitative trait
      information on F-2 or BC individuals. In this case, a TB analysis will enable
      equivalent power to be obtained with fewer individuals scored for the marker, but
      more individuals scored for the quantitative trait. MB analyses remain the method
      of choice when more than one quantitative trait is to be analyzed in a given
      population. 

PMID- 24241114
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA diversity in the genera of Triticum and Aegilops revealed by
      southern blot hybridization.
AB  - Southern blot hybridization of total DNA to defined mitochondrial DNA sequences
      provides a sensitive assay for mtDNA variation in the genera of Triticum and
      Aegilops. A clear distinction between cytoplasms of tetraploid species sharing
      the "AG" haploid genome is reported for the first time. The Sitopsis section of
      the genus Aegilops showed the most extensive intra- and inter-specific variation,
      whereas no variation could be detected among the cytoplasms of polyploid Triticum
      species (wheats) sharing the AB haploid genome. Extensive cytoplasmic
      intraspecific diversity was revealed in Ae. speltoides. 

PMID- 24241115
TI  - Generation mean analyses for flowering and maturity in Indian mustard (Brassica
      junces (L.) Czern & Coss).
AB  - Components of generation means were partitioned for days to flower initiation and
      maturity in three crosses of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss)
      cultivars. A linked digenics model was adequate for flowering in cross II and
      maturity in Cross I. All three types of digenic interactions among the linked
      pairs of genes, additive X additive (i), additive X dominance (j) and dominance X
      dominance (1), contributed significantly in the inheritance of flowering in cross
      II and maturity in cross I. A complete association among the genes of greater
      effects in higher mean parent was detected for flowering in cross II and maturity
      in Cross I. Duplicate epistasis was evident for flowering in Crosses I and II and
      maturity in Crosses I and III.Inadequacy of all the fitted models for days to
      flowering in Cross III and maturity in Cross II indicated the presence of higher
      order interactions. 

PMID- 24241116
TI  - Molecular divergence of alfalfa somaclones.
AB  - Plantlets were regenerated from alfalfa callus following passage through a tissue
      culture medium which contained gibberellic acid. A proportion of these plantlets
      showed obvious morphological variations. Leaflet, stem and petiole tissue of
      these plants were extracted to yield a soluble protein homogenate which was
      characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Over 18 individual protein
      bands were resolved and visualized by staining with coomassie blue G250.
      Electrophoretic gels from regenerated plantlets and from the parent plant were
      scanned spectrophotometrically and analyzed. The relative quantity of each of the
      proteins resolved from plants was correlated with proteins of other plants via
      the Pearson's product-moment correlation. Cluster analysis was then performed
      using these correlation coefficients to judge relatedness among somaclones and
      the parent plant. Two of 22 somaclones (9.1%) differed significantly from the
      parent and from the other somaclones judged by quantitative protein pattern
      variations. Three distinctive lineages through tissue culture produced plantlets.
      Using a discriminant analysis strategy somaclones could be grouped according to
      lineage with 80.8% accuracy based upon distinctions between protein
      electrophoretic patterns. Two of the somaclone lineage groupings showed no
      overlap with the parental grouping which indicated significant molecular
      divergence of these plantlets as judged by quantitative protein differences. 

PMID- 24241117
TI  - Location of genes coding isozyme markers on Aegilops umbellulata chromosomes adds
      data on homoeology among Triticeae chromosomes.
AB  - Zymogram analysis was used to identify the Aegilops umbellulata chromosomes that
      carry the structural genes for particular isozymes. Wheat, Aegilops and wheat
      Aegilops hybrid derivative lines (which contained identified Aegilops
      chromosomes) were tested by gel electrophoresis for isozymes of particular
      enzymes. It was found that Aegilops chromosome A (nomenclature according to G.
      Kimber 1967) carries a structural gene for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase,
      Aegilops chromosome B carries structural genes for glucose phosphate isomerase
      and phosphoglucose mutase, Aegilops chromosome D carries genes for leaf
      peroxidases, Aegilops chromosome E carries structural genes for endosperm
      peroxidases, acid phosphatases and leaf esterases, Aegilops chromosome F carries
      a gene for embryo plus scutellum peroxidases and Aegilops chromosome G carries
      structural genes for endosperm alkaline phosphatases, leaf alkaline phosphatases
      and leaf esterases. The results obtained indicate that chromosome B is partially
      homoeologous of the wheat chromosomes of group 1 and 4, and chromosome E is
      partially homoeologous of wheat chromosomes of groups 7 and 4. Circumstantial
      evidence is also provided about the possible association between chromosomes C, D
      and A of A. umbellulata respectively with chromosomes 5, 2 and 1 of wheat. 

PMID- 24241118
TI  - The induction of hexaploidy in cherry rootstocks using in vitro regeneration
      techniques.
AB  - An in vitro regeneration technique using root callus has been combined with
      colchicine application to produce hexaploid plants from the sterile triploid
      cherry rootstock Colt. Colchicine (50 mg/l) was applied together with auxin (IBA)
      (3 mg/l) either before or after root primordium formation in single excised
      micropropagating shoots. In both cases shoots were regenerated in vitro from the
      putative hexaploid roots. Both methods produced hexaploid plants but more than
      70% of the regenerated clones were still triploid. The hexaploid plants were
      distinguishable from the triploids on morphological as well as cytogenetic
      grounds. Quantitative characters such as leaf length/breadth ratio, stomatal
      length and density in the hexaploids were significantly different from both
      regenerated and non-regenerated triploids. 

PMID- 24241119
TI  - The nature of 2-locus epistatic interactions in animals: evidence from Sewall
      Wright's guinea pig data.
AB  - The nature of epistatic interactions affects covariance between relatives and the
      expression of heterosis in various crossbred genotypes. The investigation of
      these interactions for metric traits requires large data sets of a suitable type.
      Data from Sewall Wright's early work with guinea pigs are used to compare the
      goodness-of-fit of seven biological models of 2-locus interaction for the six out
      of eleven traits in which epistatic effects are apparent. The model equivalent to
      additive x additive epistasis gives the best general fit over traits, with an
      average transformed R(2) value significantly greater than that of the next best
      fitting model (P<0.05). This result is compatible with results from the one other
      study in this area, using data from mice. It is concluded that, based on results
      available to date, the additive x additive 2-locus model of epistatic interaction
      appears most suitable for reduced genetic models. 

PMID- 24241120
TI  - Genetic transfer of resistance to powdery mildew and of an associated biochemical
      marker from Aegilops ventricosa to hexaploid wheat.
AB  - Resistance to powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Erysiphe graminis f.sp.
      tritici, has been transferred from Aegilops ventricosa (genomes D(v)M(v)) to
      hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum, ABD). In two transfer lines, H-93-8 and H-93
      35, the resistance gene was linked to a gene encoding protein U-1, whereas one
      line, H-93-33, was resistant but lacked the molecular marker, and another line, H
      93-1, was susceptible but carried the gene for U-1, indicating that the original
      M(v) chromosome from Ae. ventricosa, carrying the two genes, had undergone
      recombination with a wheat chromosome in the last two lines. 

PMID- 24241121
TI  - Inheritance of partial resistance to powdery mildew in spring wheat.
AB  - Four spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars exhibiting partial resistance
      to powdery mildew induced by Erysiphe graminis f.sp. tritici were crossed to a
      common susceptible cultivar to study the inheritance of resistance. The genetic
      parameters contributing to resistance were estimated by generation means
      analyses. Additive gene action was the most important genetic component of
      variation among generation means in all four crosses. Additive by additive
      effects were significant in one cross and both additive by additive and additive
      by dominance effects were significant in another. Dominance effects were not
      significant. The F2/F3 correlations in three crosses ranged from 0.27 to 0.43.
      Three additional crosses among resistant cultivars were employed to study the
      effectiveness of selection in improving resistance. By selecting the most
      resistant plants from the F2 and evaluating the progenies in the F4, increases in
      resistance ranging from 21% to 31% were obtained. In all crosses, there was
      transgressive segregation in both directions indicating that the genes conferring
      resistance to these cultivars differ and exhibit additive effects. 

PMID- 24241122
TI  - The origin and genetic diversity of Pinus radiata in Australia.
AB  - Despite the fact that forest trees are in early stages of domestication there has
      been little direct evaluation of either the origin of, or genetic diversity
      within the breeding material in tree improvement programs. Allozyme variation was
      used to compare the total genetic diversity in the breeding programs of P.
      radiata within Australia and the five wild populations in North America. The
      current breeding populations were very similar genetically and were essentially
      homogenous with only 1.8% of the variation among programs. The total genetic
      diversity in the species was 0.12, which is a low estimate compared to most
      conifers. Overall in the Australian material the genetic diversity was somewhat
      less. The comparison of allelic frequencies in the five native populations with
      the Australian material indicates that the Monterey and Ano Nuevo populations
      were probably the major source of the original introductions and that a
      substantial portion of the genetic diversity in the two populations has been
      captured in current breeding programs. The three southern populations do not
      appear to be currently represented in the breeding programs. The implications for
      future breeding strategies are discussed. 

PMID- 24241123
TI  - Prospective 5-year survival rate data following open-wedge valgus high tibial
      osteotomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Open-wedge high tibial osteotomy using internal plate fixation is a well
      established and frequently performed treatment option for the management of
      medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA) in the young and active patients. The
      present study provides survival rate and functional outcome preoperatively and
      after 6, 12, 24, 36 and 60 months following open-wedge high tibial osteotomy.
      Hypothesis of the authors was high survival rates after 5 years with still
      remaining satisfying functional results. METHODS: Sixty-two patients suffering
      from tibial conditioned knee joint varus deformity and medial compartment OA that
      underwent high tibial osteotomy using an internal plate fixator (TomoFixTM,
      Synthes) were included. Functional outcome was evaluated prior to surgery and in
      the further clinical course using standard instruments (IKDC score, Lysholm
      score). Treatment failure was defined as the need for total knee arthroplasty
      (TKA). RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (mean age 46.8 +/- 10.2 years) were available
      at a mean of 60.5 (SD +/- 2.5) months (follow-up rate 82.3 %) postoperatively.
      Sixty-month IKDC (69.4 % SD +/- 18.6) and Lysholm (76.6 SD +/- 20.5) improved
      significantly when comparing with preoperative values (IKDC 44.6 SD +/- 17.8;
      Lysholm 52.1 SD +/- 20.8). Two of 51 subjects underwent TKA, resulting in a
      survival rate of 96 % among those patients followed (51 of 60; 85 %). Overall
      complication rate was 8.6 %. CONCLUSION: With a survival rate of over 96 % at 5
      years, high tibial osteotomy seems to be a reliable treatment option with
      satisfying clinical outcome. Functional outcome was stable following 60 months.
      While a delay of the necessity for TKA seems likely with regard to the survival
      rate demonstrated in this article, possible avoidance needs to be demonstrated by
      longer follow-up studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic case series, Level IV.

PMID- 24241125
TI  - Multiplex PCR for diagnosis of Theileria uilenbergi, Theileria luwenshuni, and
      Theileria ovis in small ruminants.
AB  - Infections with Theileria sp. may cause significant economic losses to the sheep
      industry. Species identification based on microscopic examination is difficult,
      and more suitable methods are required for the rapid detection and identification
      of Theileria sp, in clinical specimens. In this study, a multiplex polymerase
      chain reaction (mPCR) assay was developed to simultaneously identify three
      individual Theileria species in small ruminants. Three pairs of specific,
      sensitive primers were designed on the basis of the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene
      (Theileria luwenshuni and Theileria ovis) and the 18S ribosomal RNA gene
      (Theileria uilenbergi) to generate target products of 303, 884, and 530 bp,
      respectively. Standard DNA for each of the three species was extracted from blood
      recovered from infected sheep, and a preliminary study was conducted on 56 sheep
      to verify the reliability of the system. Optimal PCR conditions, including primer
      concentration, annealing time, and the number of amplification cycles, were
      established. The assay sensitivity under these conditions was 10(-3) %
      parasitemia, and its specificity was 100 %. The results of the study suggest that
      mPCR represents a simple, efficient test method as a practical alternative for
      the rapid detection and identification of Theileria species in small ruminants.

PMID- 24241126
TI  - Prognostic impact of blast cell counts in dysplastic bone marrow disorders (MDS
      and CMML I) with concomitant fibrosis.
AB  - In a retrospective study, 43 patients with dysplastic neoplasms of the bone
      marrow (myelodysplastic syndromes and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative-overlap
      neoplasms) associated with marked (grades 2-3) fibrosis were examined.
      Histopathologic and morphologic findings as well as cytogenetic and molecular
      results were correlated with clinical endpoints. Multilineage dysplasia (34 of 43
      patients, 79 %) and hypercellular bone marrow (64 %) were found in most patients.
      In ten of 35 patients, poor risk karyotypes according to the International
      Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) were recorded. The JAK2 V617F mutation was
      detected in four of 30 patients (13 %), and the KIT D816V mutation was found in
      two of 30 patients (6 %). Patients were mainly treated with palliative drugs and
      best supportive care. After an observation time of 1-41 (median 21) months, ten
      of 43 patients (23 %) had developed a secondary acute leukemia. The median
      survival of all 43 patients was 21.4 months (range 1.8-88.2 months). Of all
      prognostic parameters examined, the blast cell count at diagnosis was found to be
      a most reliable and most predictive marker concerning survival and leukemia
      progression. This confirms previous studies in dysplastic bone marrow neoplasms
      without fibrosis.

PMID- 24241124
TI  - Extracellular vesicles shed by Trypanosoma cruzi are linked to small RNA
      pathways, life cycle regulation, and susceptibility to infection of mammalian
      cells.
AB  - The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi has a complex life cycle characterized
      by intracellular and extracellular forms alternating between invertebrate and
      mammals. To cope with these changing environments, T. cruzi undergoes rapid
      changes in gene expression, which are achieved essentially at the
      posttranscriptional level. At present, expanding families of small RNAs are
      recognized as key players in novel forms of posttranscriptional gene regulation
      in most eukaryotes. However, T. cruzi lacks canonical small RNA pathways. In a
      recent work, we reported the presence of alternate small RNA pathways in T. cruzi
      mainly represented by a homogeneous population of tRNA-derived small RNAs
      (tsRNAs). In T. cruzi epimastigotes submitted to nutrient starvation, tsRNAs
      colocalized with an argonaute protein distinctive of trypanosomatids (TcPIWI
      tryp) and were recruited to particular cytoplasmic granules. Using
      epifluorescence and electronic microscopy, we observed that tsRNAs and the TcPIWI
      tryp protein were recruited mainly to reservosomes and other intracellular
      vesicles including endosome-like vesicles and vesicular structures resembling the
      Golgi complex. These data suggested that, in T. cruzi, tsRNA biogenesis is
      probably part of endocytic/exocytic routes. We also demonstrated that
      epimastigotes submitted to nutrient starvation shed high levels of vesicles to
      the extracellular medium, which carry small tRNAs and TcPIWI-tryp proteins as
      cargo. At least a fraction of extracellular vesicle cargo was transferred between
      parasites and to mammalian susceptible cells. Our data afford experimental
      evidence, indicating that extracellular vesicles shed by T. cruzi promote not
      only life cycle transition of epimastigotes to trypomastigote forms but also
      infection susceptibility of mammalian cells. 

PMID- 24241127
TI  - Computational investigation on redox-switchable nonlinear optical properties of a
      series of polycyclic p-quinodimethane molecules.
AB  - The polycyclic p-quinodimethanes are proposed to be the novel candidates of the
      high-performance nonlinear optical (NLO) materials because of their large third
      order polarizabilities (gamma). We investigate the switchable NLO responses of a
      series of polycyclic p-quinodimethanes with redox properties by employing the
      density functional theory (DFT). The polycyclic p-quinodimethanes are forecasted
      to exhibit obvious pure diradical characters because of their large y 0 index
      (the y 0 index is a value between 0 [closed-shell state] and 1 [pure biradical
      state]). The gamma values of these polycyclic p-quinodimethanes and their
      corresponding one-electron and two-electron reduced/oxidized species are
      calculated by the (U)BHandHLYP method. The gamma values of polycyclic p
      quinodimethanes and their corresponding one-electron reduced species are all
      positive and significantly different. The large differences of the gamma values
      are due to a change in the transition energy and are related to the different
      delocalization of the spin density, which demonstrates that the NLO switching is
      more effective on one-electron reduction reactions. Therefore, the study on these
      polycyclic p-quinodimethanes provides a guideline for a molecular design of
      highly efficient NLO switching. 

PMID- 24241129
TI  - Antioxidant supplements and mortality.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Oxidative damage to cells and tissues is considered involved
      in the aging process and in the development of chronic diseases in humans,
      including cancer and cardiovascular diseases, the leading causes of death in high
      income countries. This has stimulated interest in the preventive potential of
      antioxidant supplements. Today, more than one half of adults in high-income
      countries ingest antioxidant supplements hoping to improve their health, oppose
      unhealthy behaviors, and counteract the ravages of aging. RECENT FINDINGS: Older
      observational studies and some randomized clinical trials with high risks of
      systematic errors ('bias') have suggested that antioxidant supplements may
      improve health and prolong life. A number of randomized clinical trials with
      adequate methodologies observed neutral or negative results of antioxidant
      supplements. Recently completed large randomized clinical trials with low risks
      of bias and systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials taking systematic
      errors ('bias') and risks of random errors ('play of chance') into account have
      shown that antioxidant supplements do not seem to prevent cancer, cardiovascular
      diseases, or death. Even more, beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E may
      increase mortality. Some recent large observational studies now support these
      findings. According to recent dietary guidelines, there is no evidence to support
      the use of antioxidant supplements in the primary prevention of chronic diseases
      or mortality. SUMMARY: Antioxidant supplements do not possess preventive effects
      and may be harmful with unwanted consequences to our health, especially in well
      nourished populations. The optimal source of antioxidants seems to come from our
      diet, not from antioxidant supplements in pills or tablets.

PMID- 24241131
TI  - The rhetoric and reality of e-health: a critical assessment of the benefits of e
      health in primary health care.

PMID- 24241133
TI  - Amyloplast sedimentation kinetics in gravistimulated maize roots.
AB  - Amyloplast sedimentation in gravistimulated maize (Zea mays L.) roots was
      measured using the change in angle from the center of the cell to each amyloplast
      as an index of sedimentation. Using tissue fixed after gravistimulation, the
      relationship between mean amyloplast angle and the duration of gravistimulation
      was found to be linear when plotted on a logarithmic time scale. Extrapolated
      values for the onset of angular change are 5.9 s after the start of
      gravistimulation for the entire population of amyloplasts and 11.8 s for lead
      amyloplasts. By multiplying the instantaneous angular velocity (in radians) by
      the cell center to amyloplast radius, it is possible to calculate the initial
      sedimentation velocity to be 19.1 MUm min(-1) at 5.9 s. During sedimentation, the
      mean amyloplast angles surpass the calculated cell corner angle of 123 degrees 
      at 2.2 min for all amyloplasts and at 19 s for lead amyloplasts near the new
      lower wall. Thus, substantial sedimentation occurs within the presentation time,
      calculated to be 4.1 min. These kinetics are consistent with several hypotheses
      of graviperception. 

PMID- 24241134
TI  - Calcium-induced patterns of calcium-oxalate crystals in isolated leaflets of
      Gleditsia triacanthos L. and Albizia julibrissin Durazz.
AB  - For experimental induction of crystal cells (=crystal idioblasts) containing
      calcium-oxalate crystals, the lower epidermis was peeled from seedling leaflets
      of Gleditsia triacanthos L., exposing the crystal-free mesophyll and minor veins
      to the experimental solutions on which leaflets were floated for up to 10 d under
      continous light. On 0.3-2.0 mM Ca-acetate, increasing numbers of crystals,
      appearing 96 h after peeling, were induced. The pattern of crystal distribution
      changed with Ca(2+)-concentration ([Ca(2+)]): at low [Ca(2+)], crystals formed
      only in the non-green bundlesheath cells surrounding the veins, believed to have
      a relatively low Ca(2+)-extrusion capacity; at higher [Ca(2+)], crystals
      developed in up to 90% of the mesophyll cells, and at supraoptimal [Ca(2+)],
      large extracellular crystals formed on the tissue surface. By sequential
      treatments with solutions of different [Ca(2+)], the following three phases were
      identified in the induction of crystal cells: (1) during the initial 24-h period
      (adaptive aging), Ca(2+) is not required and crystal induction is not possible;
      (2) during the following 48 h (induction period), exposure to 1-2 mM Ca-acetate
      induces the differentiation of mesophyll cells into crystal cells; (3) crystal
      growth begins 72 h after the start of induction. In intact leaflets of Albizia
      julibrissin Durazz., calcium-oxalate crystals are found exclusively in the bundle
      sheath cells of the veins, but crystals were induced in the mesophyll of peeled
      leaflets floating on 1 mM Ca-acetate. Exposure to inductive [Ca(2+)] will thus
      trigger the differentiation of mature leaf cells into crystal cells; the spatial
      distribution of crystals is determined by the external [Ca(2+)] and by the
      structural and functional properties of the cells in the tissue. 

PMID- 24241135
TI  - Tagetitoxin affects plastid development in seedling leaves of wheat.
AB  - Ultrastructural and biochemical approaches were used to investigate the mode of
      action of tagetitoxin, a nonhost-specific phytotoxin produced by Pseudomonas
      syringae pv. tagetis (Hellmers) Young, Dye and Wilkie, which causes chlorosis in
      developing - but not mature - leaves. Tagetitoxin has no effect on the growth
      rate or morphology of developing leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
      seedlings. Its cytological effects are limited to plastid aberrations; in both
      light-and dark-grown leaves treated with toxin, internal plastid membranes fail
      to develop normally and plastid ribosomes are absent, whereas mitochondrial and
      cytoplasmic ribosomes are unaffected. The activity of a plastid stromal enzyme,
      ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase, EC 4.1.1.39), which is co-coded
      by nuclear and chloroplast genes, is markedly lower in extracts of both light-and
      dark-grown toxin-treated leaves, whereas the activity of another stromal enzyme,
      NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP-G-3P-DH, EC 1.2.1.13), which
      is coded only by the nuclear genome, is significantly lower in extracts of light
      grown, but not of dark-grown, treated leaves. The mitochondrial enzymes fumarase
      (EC 4.2.1.2) and cytochrome-c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) are unaffected by toxin in
      dark-grown leaves, but fumarase activity is reduced in light-grown ones. Four
      peroxisomal enzyme activities are lowered by toxin treatment in both light- and
      dark-grown leaves. Light- and dark-grown, toxintreated leaves contain about 50%
      and 75%, respectively, of the total protein of untreated leaves. There are
      threefold and twofold increases in free amino acids in light-grown and dark-grown
      treated leaves, respectively. In general, the effects of tagetitoxin are more
      extensive and exaggerated in light-grown than in dark-grown leaves. We conclude
      that tagetitoxin interferes primarily with a light-independent aspect of
      chloroplast-specific metabolism which is important in plastid biogenesis. 

PMID- 24241136
TI  - The production of callus capable of plant regeneration from immature embryos of
      numerous Zea mays genotypes.
AB  - In the summer of 1983, immature embryos from 101 selfed inbred lines and
      germplasm stocks of Zea mays L. were examined for their ability to produce callus
      cultures capable of plant regeneration (regenerable cultures) using a medium with
      which some limited success had previously been obtained. Forty-nine of the
      genotypes (49%) produced callus which visually appeared similar to callus
      previously cultured and shown to be capable of plant regeneration. After five
      months, 38 of these genotypes were alive in culture and plants were subsequently
      regenerated from 35 (92%) of them. No correlation was observed between plant
      regeneration and callus growth rate, the vivipary mutation (genes vp1, 2, 5, 7, 8
      and 9), or published vigor ratings based on K(+) uptake by roots. When F1 hybrid
      embryos were cultured, 97% of the hybrids having at least one regenerable parent
      also produced callus capable of plant regeneration. No regenerable cultures were
      obtained from any hybrid lacking a parent capable of producing a regenerable
      callus culture.In the summer of 1984, immature embryos from 218 additional inbred
      lines and germplasm stocks were plated and examined for their ability to produce
      regenerable callus cultures on media containing altered micronutrient
      concentrations, 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba), glucose, and elevated
      levels of vitamin-free casamino acids and thiamine. Of these genotypes 199 (91%)
      produced callus that was regenerable in appearance. In the 1984 study, plant
      regeneration was noted in many commercially important inbreds, including B73,
      Mo17, B84, A632, A634, Ms71, W117, H99(3)H95 and Cm105. Thus tissue-culture
      techniques are now available to obtain callus cultures capable of plant
      regeneration from immature embryos of most maize genotypes. 

PMID- 24241137
TI  - Immuno-gold localization of cytochrome f, light-harvesting complex, ATP synthase
      and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.
AB  - The proteins ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, ATP synthase, light
      harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein, and cytochrome f, have been localized in
      mesophyll chloroplasts of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) by electron microscopy of
      immunogold-labelled sections. The light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein and
      cytochrome f are shown to be present in the grana, both within the stacks and at
      the margins, and in the stromal membranes. Although the absolute amount of
      labelling for these proteins is greater in the grana than in the stromal
      membranes, when expressed as label/membrane length the partitioning appears
      approximately equal between appressed and non-appressed membranes for both the
      light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein and cytochrome f. ATP synthase is
      restricted to the non-appressed thylakoid membranes, and ribulose 1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase is uniformly distributed through the stromal
      contents. 

PMID- 24241138
TI  - A Chlamydomonas reinhardii mutant with catalytically and structurally altered
      ribulose-5-phosphate kinase.
AB  - The biochemical lesion in a light-sensitive, acetate-requiring Chlamydomonas
      mutant was identified. This strain, designated rpk, exhibited photosynthetic
      rates less than 3% of the wild-type. Analysis of photosynthetic products by high
      performance liquid chromatography demonstrated an accumulation of (14)C label in
      pentose and hexose monophosphates. After 1 min of photosynthesis in (14)CO2 these
      intermediates comprised 27.5% of the label in the mutant compared with 8% in the
      wild-type. The mutant pheno-type was caused by a 20-fold reduction in ribulose-5
      phosphate (Ru5P)-kinase (EC 2.7.1.19) activity. The mutant exhibited wild-type
      levels of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39), fructose-1,6
      bisphosphate aldolase (EC 4.1.2.13) and transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1) indicating
      that the mutation specifically affected Ru5P kinase. In a cross of the mutant
      with the wild-type, tetrad progeny segregated in a Mendelian fashion (1:1) and
      light-sensitivity cosegregated with reduced Ru5P-kinase activity and an acetate
      requirement for growth. Almost normal levels of Ru5P-kinase protein were detected
      in the mutant by probing nitrocellulose replicas of sodium dodecylsulfate
      polyacrylamide gels with anti-Ru5P-kinase antibody. The subunit size of the
      mutant enzyme, 42 kDa, was identical to that of the wild-type. Isoelectric
      focusing of the native protein determined that the mutant protein was altered,
      exhibiting a more acidic isoelectric point than the wild-type protein. Thus, the
      molecular basis for the lesion affecting Ru5P-kinase activity in mutant rpk is a
      charge alteration which results in a partially impaired enzyme. 

PMID- 24241139
TI  - beta-Glucan biosynthesis in synchronous cells of Prototheca zopfii.
AB  - Synchronous cultures of the colorless chlorophyte Prototheca zopfii Kruger were
      obtained by a shift-down of the basal medium plus addition of 1.5 mM
      ethylenediaminetetracetic acid for a 10-14-h period, followed by periodic
      dilutions with the basal medium. The cell cycle has a duration of 10-12 h at 25
      degrees C and an average of eight autospores are produced at the end of each
      cycle. The incorporation of [(14)C]glucose into beta-glucans was determined in
      vivo. Very high incorporation occurs between hours 3 and 4 of culture, coincident
      with maximal cell expansion. The incorporation of glucose from uridine
      5'diphospho-[(14)C]glucose into lipid-linked sugars and glycoproteins, as well as
      the activity of guanosine 5'-diphosphoglucose:beta-glucan synthase found in cell
      free preparations are in good agreement with the in-vivo incorporation of glucose
      into beta-glucans. 

PMID- 24241140
TI  - Induction of budding on chloronemata and caulonemata of the moss, Physcomitrella
      patens, using isopentenyladenine.
AB  - The bud-inducing effect of the cytokinin N(6)-(Delta(2)-isopentenyl)-adenine
      (i(6)-Ade) was examined in the moss Physcomitrella patens growing in liquid
      culture. Under these conditions, buds could be induced on chloronemata as well as
      on caulonemata. By application of i(6)-Ade, bud-formation was accelerated in both
      types of tissue. The number of buds, their size and their site of development
      were dependent on the concentration of the cytokinin in the range of 10(-7) M to
      10(-5) M. Moreover, the percentage of caulonema cells increased with a cytokinin
      concentration of 10(-5) M. These results indicate that chloronema cells may also
      function as target cells for exogenous cytokinins. The composition of proteins
      from caulonemata and chloronemata of two different species (P. patens and Funaria
      hygrometrica), grown on solid medium were compared. No differences could be
      detected between the protein patterns of caulonemata and chloronemata of the same
      species while between the two species the differences were obvious. 

PMID- 24241141
TI  - The control of bud dormancy in potato tubers : Evidence for the primary role of
      cytokinins and a seasonal pattern of changing sensitivity to cytokinin.
AB  - Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber buds normally remain dormant through the
      growing season until several weeks after harvest. In the cultivar Majestic, this
      innate dormancy persisted for 9 to 12 weeks in storage at 10 degrees  C, but only
      3 to 4 weeks when the tubers were stored at 2 degrees  C. At certain stages,
      supplying cytokinins to tubers with innately dormant buds induced sprout growth
      within 2 d. The growth rate was comparable to that of buds whose innate dormancy
      had been lost naturally. Cytokinin-treatment did not accelerate the rates of cell
      division and cell expansion in buds whose innate dormancy had already broken
      naturally. Gibberellic acid did not induce sprout growth in buds with innate
      dormancy. We conclude that cytokinins may well be the primary factor in the
      switch from innate dormancy to the non-dormant state in potato tuber buds, but
      probably do not control the subsequent sprout growth. 

PMID- 24241142
TI  - The control of bud dormancy in potato tubers. Measurement of the seasonal pattern
      of changing concentrations of zeatin-cytokinins.
AB  - A radioimmunoassay, combined with high-performance liquid chromatography, has
      been used to analyse the zeatin-type cytokinins of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.
      cv. Majestic) tubers and tuber buds throughout growth and storage. During tuber
      growth, zeatin riboside was the predominant cytokinin detected in all tissues.
      Immediately after harvest, the total cytokinin concentration fell dramatically in
      the storage tissue, largely as a consequence of the disappearance of zeatin
      riboside. During storage, levels of cytokinins in the storage tissue remained
      relatively constant, but increased in the tuber buds. In the buds of tubers
      stored at 2 degrees C there was a 20-to 50-fold increase in total cytokinin over
      six weeks, coinciding with the natural break of innate dormancy. At 10 degrees C
      the rise in the level of bud cytokinins was slower, correlating with the longer
      duration of innate dormancy. Injecting unlabelled cytokinins into tubers in
      amounts known to induce sprouting gave rise to increases in cytokinin
      concentrations in the buds of the same order as the increase associated with the
      natural break of dormancy. Metabolism of injected cytokinins was greater in non
      dormant than in dormant tubers. The roles of cytokinin concentration and the
      sensitivity of the buds to cytokinin in the control of dormancy are discussed. 

PMID- 24241143
TI  - Appearance of wheat-germ agglutinin during maturation of field-grown wheat.
AB  - Field-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been used as a developmental system
      to study the appearance of wheat-germ agglutinin during grain maturation. The
      lectin appears at the mid-grain growth period (30-34 days post-anthesis) and
      continues to be synthesised throughout the late stages of maturation and
      desiccation. An acidic endopeptidase activity, inhibited by pepstatin
      phenanthroline is present in extracts of embryo and endosperm throughout
      maturation. After in-vivo labelling of immature embryos with [(35)S]methionine
      for 3 h and extraction in the presence of proteinase inhibitors,
      immunoprecipitates with anti-wheat-germ agglutinin were analysed by sodium
      dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography, and found to
      contain three (35)S-labelled polypeptides of Mr 46000, 18000 and 13000.
      Comparison of two-dimensional tryptic maps of (125)I-labelled peptides indicate
      the three polypeptides are closely related. 

PMID- 24241144
TI  - Evidence for electron transport across the plasma membrane of Zea mays root
      cells.
AB  - Exogenous ferricyanide is reduced by roots of Z. mays. In contrast to oxidation
      of exogenous electron donors, ferricyanide reduction occurs mostly at the apical
      5 mm of the root. Using just this portion of the root, it is shown that the
      activity is neither a consequence of uptake of ferricyanide followed by excretion
      of its reduced form, nor of leakage of a reductant. Addition of ferricyanide for
      40 s or 5 min results in an apparent oxidation of NADPH but not of NADH; rates of
      ferricyanide reduction vary together with levels of NADPH but not of NADH in the
      presence or absence of oxygen. It is concluded that an enzyme which can oxidize
      cytoplasmic NADPH and transfer the electrons to an external acceptor exists at
      the cell surface of maize roots. This finding extends the results of others who
      showed similar redox activity at the surface of Fe-depleted dicotyledonous roots,
      and indicates that an energy source other than ATP exists at the cell surface of
      a variety of plants under unstressed conditions. 

PMID- 24241145
TI  - Salt tolerance in the halophyte Suaeda maritima L. Dum. : The maintenance of
      turgor pressure and water-potential gradients in plants growing at different
      salinities.
AB  - Osmotic potentials and individual epidermal cell turgor pressures were measured
      in the leaves of seedlings of Suaeda maritima growing over a range of salinities.
      Leaf osmotic potentials were lower (more negative) the higher the salt
      concentration of the solution and were lowest in the youngest leaves and stem
      apices, producing a gradient of osmotic potential towards the apex of the plant.
      Epidermal cell turgor pressures were of the order of 0.25 to 0.3 MPa in the
      youngest leaves measured, decreasing to under 0.05 MPa for the oldest leaves.
      This pattern of turgor pressure was largely unaffected by external salinity.
      Calculation of leaf water potential indicated that the gradient between young
      leaves and the external medium was not altered by salinity, but with older
      leaves, however, this gradient diminished from being the same as that for young
      leaves in the absence of NaCl, to under 30% of this value at 400 mM NaCl. These
      results are discussed in relation to the growth response of S. maritima. 

PMID- 24241146
TI  - Effect of temperature on the CO2/O 2 specificity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase/oxygenase and the rate of respiration in the light : Estimates from
      gas-exchange measurements on spinach.
AB  - Responses of the rate of net CO2 assimilation (A) to the intercellular partial
      pressure of CO2 (p i ) were measured on intact spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)
      leaves at different irradiances. These responses were analysed to find the value
      of p i at which the rate of photosynthetic CO2 uptake equalled that of
      photorespiratory CO2 evolution. At this CO2 partial pressure (denoted G), net
      rate of CO2 assimilation was negative, indicating that there was non
      photorespiratory CO2 evolution in the light. Hence G was lower than the CO2
      compensation point, Gamma. Estimates of G were obtained at leaf temperatures from
      15 to 30 degrees C, and the CO2/O2 specificity of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate
      (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (E.C. 4.1.1.39) was calculated from these data,
      taking into account changes in CO2 and O2 solubilities with temperature. The
      CO2/O2 specificity decreased with increasing temperature. Therefore we concluded
      that temperature effects on the ratio of photorespiration to photosynthesis were
      not solely the consequence of differential effects of temperature on the
      solubilities of CO2 and O2. Our estimates of the CO2/O2 specificity of RuBP
      carboxylase/oxygenase are compared with in-vitro measurements by other authors.
      The rate of nonphotorespiratory CO2 evolution in the light (R d ) was obtained
      from the value of A at G. At this low CO2 partial pressure, R d was always less
      than the rate of CO2 evolution in darkness and appeared to decrease with
      increasing irradiance. The decline was most marked up to about 100 MUmol quanta
      m(-2) s(-1) and less marked at higher irradiances. At one particular irradiance,
      however, R d as a proportion of the rate of CO2 evolution in darkness was similar
      in different leaves and this proportion was unaffected by leaf temperature or by
      [O2] (ambient and greater). After conditions of high [CO2] and high irradiance
      for several hours, the rate of CO2 evolution in darkness increased and R d also
      increased. 

PMID- 24241147
TI  - Stimulation of extracellular polysaccharide synthesis in oat protoplasts by the
      host-specific phytotoxin victorin.
AB  - The host-specific phytotoxin victorin (HV-toxin) stimulates mesophyll protoplasts
      of susceptible but not of resistant oat (Avena sativa L.) to produce an
      amorphous, ethanol-insoluble extracellular material which stains with Calcofluor
      white and aniline blue. Over a 24-h period incorporation of [(14)C]glucose into
      ethanol-insoluble products is maximally stimulated by 60 pg victorin/ml, whereas
      at 6 ng/ml initial rates of incorporation are higher but the protoplasts
      collapse. The extracellular material produced in response to victorin is
      solubilized by cold 4.4 N NaOH and by commercial laminarinase and pectinase.
      Incorporation of [(14)C]glucose into cellulose (material resistant to Updegraff's
      acetic-nitric acid reagent) is stimulated as much as incorporation into other
      wall polysaccharides, but cellulose constitutes less than 15% of the total
      victorin-stimulated incorporation. Synthesis of ethanol-insoluble material that
      can be digested by pronase, i.e. protein, is inhibited by victorin above 60 pg
      victorin/ml. Formation of extracellular polysaccharide is stimulated at
      concentrations of victorin which cause almost complete inhibition of protein
      synthesis, indicating that de-novo protein synthesis is not involved.
      Preincubation of protoplasts with inhibitors of RNA or protein synthesis prevents
      both extracellular polysaccharide synthesis and cell death in response to
      victorin. Although previous studies have indicated a link between calcium and the
      action of victorin, several compounds which interact with calcium do not
      influence this response to victorin. 

PMID- 24241148
TI  - Metabolite levels in the stroma of spinach chloroplasts exposed to osmotic
      stress: Effects of the pH of the medium and exogenous dihydroxyacetone phosphate.
AB  - The levels of stromal photosynthetic intermediates were measured in isolated
      intact spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts exposed to reduced osmotic
      potentials. Stressed chloroplasts showed slower rates of metabolite accumulation
      upon illumination than controls. Relative to other metabolites sedoheptulose-1,7
      bisphosphate (SBP) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) accumulated in the stroma
      in the stressed treatments. Under these conditions 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA)
      efflux to the medium was restricted. Chloroplasts previously incubated with
      [(32)P]KH2PO4 and [(32)P]dihydroxyacetone phosphate ([(32)P]DAP) in the dark were
      characterized by very high FBP and SBP levels prior to illumination. Metabolism
      of these pools upon illumination increased with increasing pH of the medium but
      was consistently inhibited in osmotically stressed chloroplasts. The responses of
      stromal FBP and SBP pools under hypertonic conditions are discussed in terms of
      both inhibited light activation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) and
      sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.37), and likely increases in stromal
      ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) active-site concentrations. 

PMID- 24241149
TI  - Phytochrome-mediated phototropism in maize mesocotyls. Relation between light and
      Pfr gradients, light growth response and phototropism.
AB  - Unilateral irradiation of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings results in a fluence-rate
      gradient, and hence below saturation, a gradient of the far-red-absorbing form of
      phytochrome (Pfr). The Pfr-gradients established by blue, red and far-red light
      were spectrophotometrically measured in the mesocotyl. Based on these Pfr
      gradients and the fluence-response curves of phytochrome photoconversion the
      fluence-rate gradients were calculated. The fluence-rate gradient in the blue
      (460 nm) was steeper than that in the red (665 nm), which in turn was steeper
      than that in the far-red light (725 nm). The fluence-rate ratios front to rear
      were 1:0.06 (460 nm), 1:0.2 (665 nm), and 1:0.33 (725 nm). The assumption that
      phytochrome-mediated phototropism of maize mesocotyls is caused by local
      phytochrome-mediated growth inhibition was tested in the following manner.
      Firstly, the Pfr response curve for growth inhibition was calculated; these
      calculations were based on measurements of Pfr-gradients and data from red-light
      induced phototropism. Secondly, the Pfr response curve for growth inhibition was
      used as a basis for calculating fluence-response curves for blue-and far-red
      light-induced phototropism. Finally, these calculated results were compared with
      experimental data. It was concluded that the threshold for phytochrome-mediated
      phototropism of maize mesocotyls reflects the apparent photoconversion cross
      section of phytochrome whereas the maximal inducable curvature depends on the
      steepness of the light (Pfr) gradient across the mesocotyl. 

PMID- 24241151
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24241150
TI  - Photoinhibition of photosynthesis under anaerobic conditions studied with leaves
      and chloroplasts of Spinacia oleracea L.
AB  - The role of oxygen in the photoinactivation of the photosynthetic apparatus of
      Spinacia oleracea L. was investigated. Moderate irradiation (1200 MUmol photons
      m(-2)s(-1)) of spinach leaves in an atmosphere of pure nitrogen caused strong
      inhibition of subsequently measured net CO2 assimilation, whereas considerably
      less photoinhibition was observed in the presence of low partial pressures (10-20
      mbar) of O2. The decrease in activity caused by anaerobiosis in the light was not
      based on stomatal closure; the decline of assimilation represents a
      photoinhibition, as activity was not impaired by low irradiation (80 MUmol photos
      m(-2)s(-1)). In contrast, gassing with pure N2 in the dark caused strong
      inhibition. Electron-transport rates and chlorophyll-fluorescence data of
      thylakoids isolated from photoinhibited leaves indicated damage to the electron
      transport system, in particular to photosystem II reaction centers. In vitro,
      photoinhibition in isolated thylakoid membranes was also strongly promoted by
      anaerobiosis. Photoinhibition of electron-transport rates under anaerobic
      conditions was characterized by a pronounced increase in the initial fluorescence
      level, F0, of chlorophyll-fluorescence induction, in contrast to photoinhibition
      under aerobic conditions. The results are discussed in terms of two mechanisms of
      photoinhibition, one that is suppressed and a second that is promoted by oxygen. 

PMID- 24241152
TI  - The histone deacetylase inhibitors MS-275 and SAHA suppress the p38 mitogen
      activated protein kinase signaling pathway and chemotaxis in rheumatoid arthritic
      synovial fibroblastic E11 cells.
AB  - MS-275 (entinostat) and SAHA (vorinostat), two histone deacetylase (HDAC)
      inhibitors currently in oncological trials, have displayed potent anti-rheumatic
      activities in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To further elucidate
      their anti-inflammatory mechanisms, the impact of MS-275 and SAHA on the p38
      mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and chemotaxis was
      assessed in human rheumatoid arthritic synovial fibroblastic E11 cells. MS-275
      and SAHA significantly suppressed the expression of p38alpha  MAPK, but induced
      the expression of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), an endogenous suppressor of
      p38alpha  in E11 cells. At the same time, the association between p38alpha and
      MKP-1 was up-regulated and consequently, the activation (phosphorylation) of
      p38alpha  was inhibited. Moreover, MS-275 and SAHA suppressed granulocyte
      chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2), monocyte chemotactic protein-2 (MCP-2) and
      macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in E11 cells in a concentration
      dependent manner. Subsequently, E11-driven migration of THP-1 and U937 monocytes
      was inhibited. In summary, suppression of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and
      chemotaxis appear to be important anti-rheumatic mechanisms of action of these
      HDAC inhibitors. 

PMID- 24241153
TI  - Bioactive quinic acid derivatives from Ageratina adenophora.
AB  - A novel quinic acid derivative, 5-O-trans-o-coumaroylquinic acid methyl ester
      (1), together with three known ones, chlorogenic acid methyl ester (2),
      macranthoin F (3) and macranthoin G (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of
      the invasive plant Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.). The structure of new compound
      1 was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D-
      and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 2-4 were isolated from plant A. adenophora for
      the first time. All the compounds showed in vitro antibacterial activity toward
      five assayed bacterial strains, especially 3 and 4, which showed in vitro
      antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica with MIC values of 7.4 and
      14.7 MUM, respectively. Compound 1 was further found to display in vitro anti
      fungal activity against spore germination of Magnaporthe grisea with an IC50
      value 542.3 uM. These four compounds were also tested for their antioxidant
      activity against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical.

PMID- 24241154
TI  - Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Tanara Oto (Dracocephalum
      palmatum Stephan), a medicinal plant used by the North-Yakutian nomads.
AB  - Dracocephalum palmatum Stephan (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant used by the North
      Yakutian nomads. From the crude ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of this
      plant, 23 compounds (phenylpropanoids, coumarins, flavonoids, and triterpenes)
      were isolated. Among these, eight compounds (salvianolic acid B, caftaric acid,
      cichoric acid, umbelliferone, aesculetin, apigenin-7-O-beta-D
      glucuronopyranoside, isorhoifolin, and luteolin-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside) were
      detected for the first time in the genus Dracocephalum. Their structures were
      elucidated based on chemical and spectral data. The levels of most of the
      compounds detected in the cultivated sample were close to that of the wild
      sample, indicating the reproducibility of the biologically active compounds of D.
      palmatum through cultivation. Investigation into the biological activity of D.
      palmatum under in vitro conditions demonstrated that its extracts have a strong
      antioxidant effect due to the presence of high concentrations of phenolic
      compounds.

PMID- 24241155
TI  - Polymeric systems of antimicrobial peptides--strategies and potential
      applications.
AB  - The past decade has seen growing interest in the investigation of peptides with
      antimicrobial activity (AMPs). One approach utilized in infection control is
      incorporation of antimicrobial agents conjugated with the polymers. This review
      presents the recent developments on polymeric AMP carriers and their potential
      applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. 

PMID- 24241156
TI  - Three new germacrane-type sesquiterpenes with NGF-potentiating activity from
      Valeriana officinalis var. latiofolia.
AB  - Three new germacrane-type sesquiterpenoids, volvalerenal F (1), volvalerenal G
      (2) and volvalerenic acid D (3), along with five known compounds 4-8, were
      isolated from the CHCl3 soluble partition of the ethanol extract of Valeriana
      officinalis var. latiofolia. The structures of the new compounds were determined
      on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, including their 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra,
      as well as mass spectrometry. The eight germacrane-type sesquiterpenoids showed
      nerve growth factor (NGF) potentiating activity, which mediates the neurite
      outgrowth in PC 12D cells. This study intends to reveal the chemical basis of the
      use of V. officinalis var. latiofolia as a dietary supplement.

PMID- 24241158
TI  - Effects of light intensity, oxygen concentration, and carbon dioxide
      concentration on photosynthesis in algae.
AB  - The effects of various combinations of light intensity, oxygen concentration, and
      CO2 concentration on photosynthesis and growth in several algal types were
      studied. The results suggest the following. (1) Different algae show different
      responses to high oxygen concentrations and high light intensities. (2)
      Inhibition of photosynthesis (CO2 fixation and growth), if seen, increases with
      increasing oxygen concentration and with increasing light intensity (at light
      intensities greater than saturation). (3) The inhibition of net photosynthesis
      observed cannot be attributed to high light intensity alone. (4) The inhibition
      cannot be attributed to increased rates of excretion of organic materials under
      conditions of high oxygen concentration and high light intensity. (5) Increased
      concentrations of CO2 can decrease the effect of high oxygen and light in some
      algae. (6) The decrease in net photosynthesis observed is probably the result of
      photorespiration. (7) The effect of light intensity, oxygen concentration, or CO2
      concentration on algal photosynthesis should not be studied without considering
      the effect of the other factors. Some implications of these results, as related
      to primary productivity measurements, are also discussed. 

PMID- 24241157
TI  - Management and treatment goals in Polish patients with type 2 diabetes of short
      duration: results of the ARETAEUS2-Grupa study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION:  In 2011, the Diabetes Poland updated its recommended goals in
      diabetes treatment, including hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood pressure (BP)
      levels. Adherence to the updated guidelines has not been systematically assessed
      so far. OBJECTIVES:  The aim of the study was to assess which methods are most
      commonly used in the treatment of recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes and to what
      extent the new criteria for diabetes control are met in these patients. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS:  The ARETAEUS2-Grupa study was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based
      study conducted in Poland in 2012 (April-June). It involved 1636 patients of any
      age and sex, with type 2 diabetes diagnosed within the previous 2 years,
      recruited by randomly selected physicians. RESULTS:  Of all patients, 37.5% met
      the goal of an HbA1c level of <=6.5% (recommended in type 2 diabetes of short
      duration), while 62% met the goal of an HbA1c level of <=7% (general
      recommendation). Only 6.7% of the patients met all 3 goals (HbA1c <=6.5%, BP
      <140/90 mmHg, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dl or <70 mg/dl in
      coronary heart disease), 29.7% met 2 goals, 36.8% met only 1 goal, while 26.7%
      did not meet any of the treatment goals. With the use of the HbA1c level
      recommended for the overall population, the proportions of patients meeting 3, 2,
      and 1 goals increased to 11%, 34.5%, and 35.5%, respectively, while the
      percentage of the patients not meeting any goals decreased to 18%. Metformin in
      monotherapy or in combination was the most commonly used drug in the study
      population (80%).  CONCLUSIONS:  The majority of the patients with type 2
      diabetes of short duration did not meet any of the treatment goals as recommended
      in the current practice guidelines. When the treatment goals were used for the
      overall population (HbA1c <=7%), a slightly higher, but still unsatisfactory,
      proportion of the patients met all the treatment goals. Metformin alone or in
      combination was the most commonly used drug in the study population.

PMID- 24241159
TI  - Environmental and microbiological problems arising from recalcitrant molecules.

PMID- 24241160
TI  - A radioisotope assay for the quantification of hydrocarbon biodegradation
      potential in environmental samples.
AB  - An enrichment culture method is described for quantifying the activity of
      hydrocarbon oxidizing bacteria in water and sediments. Application of the
      procedure indicated that the hydrocarbon oxidizing potential of environmental
      samples reflects the hydrocarbon burden of the area, the ability of the
      microflora to utilize hydrocarbons, and that lakes with large aquatic plant
      communities contain populations of hydrocarbon bacteria comparable to those found
      in oil-polluted harbors. 

PMID- 24241161
TI  - Bacterial bioconcentration of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides from aqueous
      systems.
AB  - The prevalence of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide uptake by
      chemoorganotrophic bacteria has been investigated. Thirteen bacterial species
      were observed to sorb and concentrate (bioconcentratc)alpha-chlordane,beta
      chlordane, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, and lindane from aqueous systems.
      Bioconcentration, as expressed by the ratio of cellular insecticide in ng/mg (dry
      wt) to supernatant insecticide in ng/MUl, ranged from 10 for lindane
      byEnterobacter aerogenes to a high of 55,900 forbeta-chlordane byCaulobacter
      vibrioides var.limonus. Amounts of cellular chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides
      (CHI) detected and the bioconcentration ratios were observed to have the
      following order in magnitude:alpha- orbeta-chlordane > dieldrin > heptachlor
      epoxide > lindane. This decreasing order was the inverse of reported water
      solubilities for the CHI and the inverse relationship was mathematically defined.
      The CHI were not easily removed from cells by washing (desorbing) and desorption
      was directly proportional to insecticide water solubility. Uptake of the CHI was
      rapid, near-maximum amounts being sorbed within 15 min, and pH 7 appeared optimal
      for bioconcentration as examined over the range pH 6 to 8. Implications of this
      investigation are that bioconcentration of CHI by bacteria might serve as a means
      of introducing these toxic compounds into aquatic food chains and that the
      bioconcentration phenomenon might lend itself as a treatment procedure for the
      intentional removal of residual CHI from water supplies and wastewater. 

PMID- 24241162
TI  - A study of mixed continuous cultures of sulfate-reducing and methane-producing
      bacteria.
AB  - Ecological relationships between sulfate-reducing and methane-producing bacteria
      in mud of Lake Vechten have been studied by continuous culture studies using the
      chemostat technique. The maximum specific growth rate (MU max) and saturation
      constant (K s) were, respectively, 0.36 hr(-1) and 0.047 mM for lactate-limited
      growth ofDesulfovibrio desulfuricans and 0,011 hr(-1) and 0.17 mM for acetate
      limited growth ofMethanobacterium sp. Calculated values for the true molar growth
      yieldsY G) and maintenance coefficients (m) were 30.6 g bacterial mass/mole of
      lactate and 0.53 g substrate/g dry wt hr forD. desulfuricans and 37.8 g bacterial
      mass/mole of acetate and 0.54 g substrate/g dry wt hr forMethanobacterium.No
      growth ofMethanobacterium was observed at apS(2-) value (the hydrogen sulfide
      potential) of more than 11 and there was no effect on the growth atpS(2-) values
      above 13. In mixed continuous culture experiments the concentration of acetate
      decreased in the secondstage growth vessel, whereas that of methane increased
      stoichiometrically. If the substrate concentration in the reservoirs (S r) was
      increased from 0.1 to 0.5 mg/ml, the population ofDesulfovibrio increased and
      that ofMethanobacterium was washed out of the culture vessel, since the
      concentration of hydrogen sulfide reached apS(2-) value of 10.5. From the mixed
      continuous culture experiments a commensalism between the two species can be
      described, i.e., the acetate-fermentingMethanobacterium benefits from the acetate
      released byDesulfovibrio which is, in turn, not affected in the presence of the
      former. 

PMID- 24241163
TI  - Microbial attachment to particles in marine and freshwater ecosystems.
AB  - Scanning electron microscopy observations ofin situ suspended marine and
      freshwater particles show diverse but similar modes of bacterial and fungal
      attachment. A survey of Sierra Nevada mountain lakes and pelagic and near-shore
      waters in the Pacific Ocean indicates that attachment is most noticeable in the
      near-surface waters where fresh dissolved and particulate input of carbon from
      phytoplankton and elevated temperatures favor microbial growth. The most common
      modes of attachment are: adhesive stalk formation, growth on adhesive webs,
      attachment by the use of pili-like appendages and slimy capsular secretions, and
      molecular or chemical sorption without the use of visualized structural
      appendages. Attached microbial growth is accelerated when particulate substrates
      are supplied, even when they are not rich in organic nutrients. This is the case
      in the Lake Tahoe basin, where microflora attached to eroded silts can
      significantly modify the organic carbon and nutrient content of such minerogenous
      particles. 

PMID- 24241164
TI  - Observations of bacterial microcolonies on the surface of ferromanganese nodules
      from blake plateau by scanning electron microscopy.
AB  - Examination of the surface of freshly collected ferromanganese nodules by
      scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of microcolonies of rod- and
      coccus-shaped bacteria which appeared to be anchored to the nodule surface by
      slime. The attachment of microcolonies by slime to the surface of freshly
      collected nodules argues against their being contaminants introduced during
      nodule collection or processing. These results corroborate cultural and
      biochemical detection of bacteria on ferromanganese nodules. 

PMID- 24241165
TI  - Genome-wide methylation profiling reveals Zinc finger protein 516 (ZNF516) and FK
      506-binding protein 6 (FKBP6) promoters frequently methylated in cervical
      neoplasia, associated with HPV status and ethnicity in a Chilean population.
AB  - Cervical cancer is a major health concern among women in Latin America due to its
      high incidence and mortality. Therefore, the discovery of molecular markers for
      cervical cancer screening and triage is imperative. The aim of this study was to
      use a genome wide DNA methylation approach to identify novel methylation
      biomarkers in cervical cancer. DNA from normal cervical mucosa and cervical
      cancer tissue samples from Chile was enriched with Methylated DNA
      Immunoprecipitation (MeDIP), hybridized to oligonucleotide methylation
      microarrays and analyzed with a stringent bioinformatics pipeline to identify
      differentially methylated regions (DMRs) as candidate biomarkers. Quantitative
      Methylation Specific PCR (qMSP) was used to study promoter methylation of
      candidate DMRs in clinical samples from two independent cohorts. HPV detection
      and genotyping were performed by Reverse Line Blot analysis. Bioinformatics
      analysis revealed GGTLA4, FKBP6, ZNF516, SAP130, and INTS1 to be differentially
      methylated in cancer and normal tissues in the Discovery cohort. In the
      Validation cohort FKBP6 promoter methylation had 73% sensitivity and 80%
      specificity (AUC = 0.80). ZNF516 promoter methylation was the best biomarker,
      with both sensitivity and specificity of 90% (AUC = 0.92), results subsequently
      corroborated in a Prevalence cohort. Together, ZNF516 and FKBP6 exhibited a
      sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 81%, when considering both cohorts. Our
      genome wide DNA methylation assessment approach (MeDIP-chip) successfully
      identified novel biomarkers that differentiate between cervical cancer and normal
      samples, after adjusting for age and HPV status. These biomarkers need to be
      further explored in case-control and prospective cohorts to validate them as
      cervical cancer biomarkers. 

PMID- 24241167
TI  - Spatial effect of new municipal solid waste landfill siting using different
      guidelines.
AB  - Proper implementation of landfill siting with the right regulations and
      constraints can prevent undesirable long-term effects. Different countries have
      respective guidelines on criteria for new landfill sites. In this article, we
      perform a comparative study of municipal solid waste landfill siting criteria
      stated in the policies and guidelines of eight different constitutional bodies
      from Malaysia, Australia, India, U.S.A., Europe, China and the Middle East, and
      the World Bank. Subsequently, a geographic information system (GIS) multi
      criteria evaluation model was applied to determine new suitable landfill sites
      using different criterion parameters using a constraint mapping technique and
      weighted linear combination. Application of Macro Modeler provided in the GIS
      IDRISI Andes software helps in building and executing multi-step models. In
      addition, the analytic hierarchy process technique was included to determine the
      criterion weight of the decision maker's preferences as part of the weighted
      linear combination procedure. The differences in spatial results of suitable
      sites obtained signifies that dissimilarity in guideline specifications and
      requirements will have an effect on the decision-making process.

PMID- 24241166
TI  - Genome-wide analysis of the bHLH transcription factor family in Chinese cabbage
      (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis).
AB  - Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are widely distributed in
      eukaryotic organisms and are thought to be one of the largest families of
      regulatory proteins. This important family of transcriptional regulators plays
      crucial roles in plant development. However, a systematic analysis of the bHLH
      transcription factor family has not been reported in Chinese cabbage. In this
      study, 230 bHLH transcription factors were identified from the whole Chinese
      cabbage genome and compared with proteins from other representative plants, fungi
      and metazoans. The Chinese cabbage bHLH (BrabHLH) gene family could be classified
      into 24 subfamilies. Phylogenetic analysis of BrabHLHs along with bHLHs from
      Arabidopsis and rice indicated 26 subfamilies. The identification,
      classification, phylogenetic reconstruction, conserved motifs, chromosome
      distribution, functional annotation, expression patterns and interaction networks
      of BrabHLHs were analyzed. Distribution mapping showed that BrabHLHs were non
      randomly located on the ten Chinese cabbage chromosomes. One hundred and twenty
      four orthologous bHLH genes were identified between Chinese cabbage and
      Arabidopsis, and the interaction networks of the orthologous genes were
      constructed in Chinese cabbage. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that
      expressions of BrabHLH genes varied widely under different abiotic stress
      treatments for different times. Thus, this comprehensive analysis of BrabHLHs
      represents a rich resource, aiding the elucidation of the roles of bHLH family
      members in plant growth and development. Furthermore, the comparative genomics
      analysis deepened our understanding of the evolution of this gene family after a
      polyploidy event.

PMID- 24241168
TI  - Message from the Editor-in-Chief.

PMID- 24241169
TI  - Probing the surface of platinum nanoparticles with 13CO by solid-state NMR and IR
      spectroscopies.
AB  - The synthesis and full characterization of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs)
      prepared by decomposition of the Pt(dba)2 complex in the presence of CO and H2
      and stabilized either sterically by a polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone or chemically
      by a ligand, diphenylphosphinobutane, are reported. In these studies, (13)CO was
      used as a probe molecule to investigate the surface of the particles, using IR
      and solid-state NMR spectroscopies with magic angle spinning (MAS-NMR). Three
      nanosystems with different sizes are described: Pt/PVP/(13)CO (monomodal: 1.2
      nm), Pt/dppb/(13)CO (bimodal: 1.2 nm and 2.0 nm) and Pt/dppb/H2 (monomodal: 2.0
      nm) NPs. Spectroscopic data suggest a modification of the electronic state of the
      nanoparticles between 1.2 nm and 2.0 nm which can be related to the presence of
      Knight shift. 

PMID- 24241170
TI  - Genetic modification of mesenchymal stem cells in spinal cord injury repair
      strategies.
AB  - Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious injury of the central nervous system and up
      until now there is no evident effective treatment for SCI. Axonal regeneration is
      the only way to restore functions after serious SCI that interrupt the long
      tracts mediating motor and sensory function. The hurdles for axonal regeneration
      in SCI include: glial scar tissue and molecular barriers, the inhibiting
      microenvironment, and the lack of sufficient neurotrophic support. Therefore, the
      key point of applying stem cells to treat SCI is to build a microenvironment
      conducive to the survival and differentiation of stem cells and regulate
      neurotrophic factor expression. Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been
      applied in experimental animal models and clinical trials of SCI. Genetic
      modification of MSCs can increase secretion of peptides or total length proteins
      with potential to repair SCI and promote survival of themselves and survival or
      regeneration of neurons. There are many proteins that have been applied to
      modified MSCs, such as neurotrophic factors (neurotrophin 3, brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth
      factor, and MNTS1), receptor tyrosine kinases (tropomyosin-related kinase C), and
      hepatocyte growth factor. In the future, there will be more molecules acting as
      transgenes in MSCs for treatment of SCI. 

PMID- 24241171
TI  - Insights on the structural characteristics of Vim-TBS (58-81) peptide for future
      applications as a cell penetrating peptide.
AB  - The plasma membrane presents a remarkable barrier for the delivery of peptide and
      nucleic acid based drugs to the inside of cells. This restraint in the path of
      their development as therapeutic agents can be offset by their conjugation to
      cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) that can lead to an improved pharmacological
      profile. In this context, conformational behavior of Vimentin Tubulin Binding
      Site (TBS) peptide, Vim-TBS (58-81), was investigated for its acknowledged cell
      penetrating properties along with Trans-activating Tat (48-60) peptide and a pro
      apoptogenic peptide of p21/WAFI protein (p10). Also, the fusion peptides Vim- TBS
      (58-81)-p10 & Tat (48-60)-p10 were studied using molecular mechanics (MM) and
      molecular dynamics (MD) based strategies. MM results revealed formation of stable
      alpha-helix like secondary structures in Vim-TBS (58-81), Tat (48-60) and p10
      peptides. In water, three peptides adopted either a helical structure or a random
      conformation; the stability of either of the two states being governed by the
      formation of polar contacts with the solvent. The fusion peptides formed helical
      structures after MD simulations but the structure obtained for the fusion
      peptide, Vim-TBS-p10 is relatively better characterized in terms of its
      amphipathic nature with a hydrophilic face formed by the positively charged
      residues facilitating a better interaction of this fusion peptide with the
      membrane as compared to that of Tat-p10 peptide. This is the first report on the
      conformational characteristics of the Vim-TBS (58-81) peptide and the fusion
      peptide, Vim-TBS (58-81)-p10. The results presented here are significant for
      their potential role in guiding and facilitating the future efforts of designing
      peptide based cell penetrating drugs. 

PMID- 24241172
TI  - Characterization of anti-Tn-antigen MLS128 binding proteins involved in
      inhibiting the growth of human colorectal cancer cells.
AB  - MLS128 monoclonal antibody, which binds an epitope consisting of two or three
      consecutive Tn-antigens, inhibits colon cancer cell growth by binding to a 110
      kDa glycoprotein (GP). Previous studies suggested a possible association of
      insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) signaling in the inhibition of
      colon cancer cell growth by MLS128 (Morita et al. Biosci Trends. 3, 32-37, 2009;
      Zamri et al. ibid. 6, 303-312, 2012). The current study thus investigated the
      nature of 110 kDa GP and its possible association with IGF-IR. MLS128 treatment
      for 3 days caused down-regulation of IGF-IR and disappearance of 110 kDa GP in
      HT29 colon cancer cells. Immunoprecipitation/immunoblotting experiments did not
      reveal a direct association between the two molecules in HT29 cells. In LS180 and
      HT29 cells, however, 110 kDa GP and IGF-IR were found in microdomains. Treatment
      of these cells with MLS128 for 3 days caused a reduction in the IGF-IR and 110
      kDa GP associated with microdomains. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis/MLS128
      immunoblotting of HT29 and LS180 cell lysates and immunoprecipitates revealed
      three spots, from which tryptic peptides were recovered for protein sequencing.
      Identification of 110 kDa GP was unsuccessful due to its heterogeneity and
      resistance to tryptic digestion. During this study, however, limited proteolysis
      of 110 kDa GP was observed in the microdomain-associated 110 kDa GP from HT29 and
      LS180 cells, suggesting that protease-susceptible sites or domains exist in the
      middle of 110 kDa GP. This information on limited proteolysis may provide a clue
      to identifying 110 kDa GP. 

PMID- 24241173
TI  - A novel semi-synthetic andrographolide analogue A5 inhibits tumor angiogenesis
      via blocking the VEGFR2-p38/ERK1/2 signal pathway.
AB  - The present study is designed to observe the inhibitory effect of compound A5, a
      semi-synthetic analogue of the natural compound andrographolide, on angiogenesis
      and its underlying mechanism. Compound A5 is semi-synthesized from natural
      compound neoandrographolide. Andrographolide, the aglycon of neoandrograoholide,
      and A5 all inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) proliferation, and that the inhibition
      shown by A5 is the best. A5 also inhibited VEGF-induced tube formation in HUVECs
      in a concentration-dependent manner. VEGF-induced neoangiogenesis in vivo was
      observed by Matrigel formation assay. The Matrigel picture and CD31 staining
      results showed that A5 inhibited VEGF-induced neoangiogenesis in vivo. Further,
      Western-blot results showed that A5 inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of
      VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2),
      and p38 kinase. The antitumor effect of A5 was analyzed in a xenograft mouse
      tumor model inoculated with hepatoma Hep3B cells. The results showed that A5
      decreased tumor weight and tumor size without affecting body weight in the
      xenograft mouse, and A5 also decreased CD31 staining in tumor tissue. Taken
      together, the present study demonstrates that compound A5 inhibits tumor growth
      via blocking neoangiogenesis, and the cellular VEGFR2-p38/ERK1/2 signal pathway. 

PMID- 24241174
TI  - SL1122-37, a novel derivative of sorafenib, has greater effects than sorafenib on
      the inhibition of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and prevention of
      angiogenesis.
AB  - SL1122-37 is a novel derivative of sorafenib that was characterized by
      introducing trifluoromethyl on the 4-position of indazole. We aimed to evaluate
      the effects of SL1122- 37 on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and on
      umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) angiogenesis. Its efficacy and
      mechanisms were compared with sorafenib. SL1122-37 significantly prevented
      PLC/PRF/5 cell proliferation as estimated by colorimetric assay. Flow cytometry
      analysis showed the induction of apoptosis and arrest of cell cycle in G1 phase.
      Western blotting showed the decrease of cyclin D1 and regulation of apoptotic
      proteins. Further analysis suggested that these effects of SL1122-37 might arise
      from its roles in the inhibition of multi-kinases, including c-Kit and its
      downstream targets and the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in PLC/PRF/5 cells. SL1122-37
      also possessed the activity of antiangiogenesis, showing the prevention of HUVEC
      migration and capillary tube formation. Western blotting indicated the inhibition
      of VEGF and phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in HUVECs. Statistical analysis suggested
      that SL1122-37 might possess greater activities than sorafenib in the prevention
      of HCC proliferation and HUVEC angiogenesis. Conclusion, SL1122-37 could develop
      as a potent anticancer agent for the treatment of HCC. 

PMID- 24241175
TI  - Japan's advanced medicine.
AB  - Like health care systems in other developed countries, Japan's health care system
      faces significant challenges due to aging of the population and economic
      stagnation. Advanced medicine (Senshin Iryou) is a unique system of medical care
      in Japan offering highly technology-driven medical care that is not covered by
      public health insurance. Advanced medicine has recently developed and expanded as
      part of health care reform. Will it work? To answer this question, we briefly
      trace the historical development of advanced medicine and describe the
      characteristics and current state of advanced medical care in Japan. We then
      offer our opinions on the future of advanced medicine with careful consideration
      of its pros and cons. We believe that developing advanced medicine is an attempt
      to bring health care reform in line rather than the goal of health care reform. 

PMID- 24241176
TI  - Standardizing management of hepatocellular carcinoma in China: devising evidence
      based clinical practice guidelines.
AB  - Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been used in many
      countries around the world to promote standardized management of hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). Guidelines implemented in Japan provide a good example of
      "translating the best current research evidence into clinical practice and
      obtaining new evidence in the course of influencing practitioners' attitudes and
      clinical decision-making". The Japanese guidelines have achieved remarkable
      results in terms of HCC management in Japan. The first Japanese evidence-based
      CPGs for HCC (J-HCC Guidelines) were published in 2005 and then revised in 2009.
      A second updated version that incorporates new evidence was just published on
      October 15, 2013. China accounts for 55% of HCC cases worldwide. Although the
      Government devised a series of directives on the management of HCC and Chinese
      Guidelines on HCC were published in 2009, neither were based on systematic review
      and evaluation of the literature and neither included recommendations supported
      by data. The novel concept of "precision surgery" was recently proposed in China.
      This concept is based on surgeons' clinical experience and should encourage the
      standardized management of HCC in China. However, recommendations supported by
      data are still urgently needed to guide clinical decision-making in order to
      facilitate standardized management of HCC in China. 

PMID- 24241177
TI  - Complementary and alternative medicine is expected to make greater contribution
      in controlling the prevalence of influenza.
AB  - Influenza pandemics are a serious threat to public health in today's world. In
      the past 10 years, the outbreak of three forms of severe influenza--H5N1, H1N1,
      and H7N9--has caused tremendous loss of life and property. In order to better
      cope with pandemics, antivirals such as oseltamivir are being stockpiled in great
      quantities, placing a substantial burden on government budgets and potentially
      resulting in massive waste because of the uncertainty as to when an influenza
      pandemic will strike and whether emerging virus strains will be resistant to the
      stockpiled drugs. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is generally
      available, affordable, and commonly used in China and many other countries and
      CAM has a long track record of fighting influenza. The Chinese Government
      appropriated funds to intensively investigate herbal medicines in accordance with
      the principles of evidence-based medicine in order to identify effective,
      inexpensive, and easily stockpiled medicines. Thus far, several drugs including
      Shufeng Jiedu capsules, Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Maxing Shigan decoction,
      Yinqiao powder, and Jinhua Qinggan granules have demonstrated effectiveness in
      fighting influenza. In the future, CAM is expected to make greater contribution
      in controlling the prevalence of influenza pandemics.

PMID- 24241178
TI  - Combat with emerging infectious diseases: clinicians should do better.
AB  - In the spring of 2013, an emerging infectious disease emerged in China, 132 cases
      of human were infected with the H7N9 avian influenza virus, 39 cases were
      resulted in death within 3 month, which sparked a global concern about public
      health. Many reports have been published about this disease, including clinical
      characteristics and genomic information. However, more emerging infectious
      disease may infect human in the future. Confronted with the escalating scale of
      compounding probabilities, physicians or clinicians as the first line that meet
      patients who suffering from emerging infectious disease, we should do better by
      using our intellect and strong will to carry out public health measures,
      biomedical research, and technological advances. 

PMID- 24241180
TI  - A density functional theory study on oxygen reduction reaction on nitrogen-doped
      graphene.
AB  - Nitrogen (N)-doped carbons reportedly exhibit good electrocatalytic activity for
      the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of fuel cells. This work provides theoretical
      insights into the ORR mechanism of N-doped graphene by using density functional
      theory calculations. All possible reaction pathways were investigated, and the
      transition state of each elementary step was identified. The results showed that
      OOH reduction was easier than O-OH breaking. OOH reduction followed a direct Eley
      Rideal mechanism (the OOH species was in gas phase, but H was chemisorbed on the
      surface) with a significantly low reaction barrier of 0.09 eV. Pathways for both
      four-electron and two-electron reductions were possible. The rate-determining
      step of the two-electron pathway was the reduction of O2 (formation of OOH),
      whereas that of the four-electron pathway was the reduction of OH into H2O. After
      comparing the barriers of the rate-determining steps of the two pathways, we
      found that the two-electron pathway was more energetically favored than the four
      electron pathway.

PMID- 24241179
TI  - Modified nucleotides m(2)G966/m(5)C967 of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA are required
      for attenuation of tryptophan operon.
AB  - Ribosomes contain a number of modifications in rRNA, the function of which is
      unclear. Here we show--using proteomic analysis and dual fluorescence reporter in
      vivo assays--that m(2)G966 and m(5)C967 in 16S rRNA of Escherichia coli ribosomes
      are necessary for correct attenuation of tryptophan (trp) operon. Expression of
      trp operon is upregulated in the strain where RsmD and RsmB methyltransferases
      were deleted, which results in the lack of m(2)G966 and m(5)C967 modifications.
      The upregulation requires the trpL attenuator, but is independent of the promotor
      of trp operon, ribosome binding site of the trpE gene, which follows trp
      attenuator and even Trp codons in the trpL sequence. Suboptimal translation
      initiation efficiency in the rsmB/rsmD knockout strain is likely to cause a delay
      in translation relative to transcription which causes misregulation of
      attenuation control of trp operon.

PMID- 24241181
TI  - Some insights into the binding mechanism of the GABAA receptor: a combined
      docking and MM-GBSA study.
AB  - Gamma-aminobutyric type A receptor (GABAAR) is a member of the Cys-loop family of
      pentameric ligand gated ion channels (pLGICs). It has been identified as a key
      target for many clinical drugs. In the present study, we construct the structure
      of human 2alpha12beta2gamma2 GABA(A)R using a homology modeling method. The
      structures of ten benzodiazepine type drugs and two non-benzodiazepine type drugs
      were then docked into the potential benzodiazepine binding site on the GABA(A)R.
      By analyzing the docking results, the critical residues His102 (alpha1), Phe77
      (gamma2) and Phe100 (alpha1) were identified in the binding site. To gain insight
      into the binding affinity, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for
      all the receptor-ligand complexes. We also examined single mutant GABA(A)R
      (His102A) in complexes with the three drugs (flurazepam, eszopiclone and
      zolpidem) to elucidate receptor-ligand interactions. For each receptor-ligand
      complex (with flurazepam, eszopiclone and zolpidem), we calculated the average
      distance between the C(alpha) of the mutant residue His102A (alpha1) to the
      center of mass of the ligands. The results reveal that the distance between the
      C(alpha) of the mutant residue His102A (alpha1) to the center of flurazepam is
      larger than that between His102 (alpha1) to flurazepam in the WT type complex.
      Molecular mechanic-generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA)-based binding free
      energy calculations were performed. The binding free energy was decomposed into
      ligand-residue pairs to create a ligand-residue interaction spectrum. The
      predicted binding free energies correlated well (R(2) = 0.87) with the
      experimental binding free energies. Overall, the major interaction comes from a
      few groups around His102 (alpha1), Phe77 (gamma2) and Phe100 (alpha1). These
      groups of interaction consist of at least of 12 residues in total with a binding
      energy of more than 1 kcal mol(-1). The simulation study disclosed herein
      provides a meaningful insight into GABA(A)R-ligand interactions and helps to
      arrive at a binding mode hypothesis with implications for drug design.

PMID- 24241182
TI  - A density functional theory study on peptide bond cleavage at aspartic residues:
      direct vs cyclic intermediate hydrolysis.
AB  - In this work, peptide bond cleavages at carboxy- and amino-sides of the aspartic
      residue in a peptide model via direct (concerted and step-wise) and cyclic
      intermediate hydrolysis reaction pathways were explored computationally. The
      energetics, thermodynamic properties, rate constants, and equilibrium constants
      of all hydrolysis reactions, as well as their energy profiles were computed at
      the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The result indicated that peptide bond
      cleavage of the Asp residue occurred most preferentially via the cyclic
      intermediate hydrolysis pathway. In all reaction pathways, cleavage of the
      peptide bond at the amino-side occurred less preferentially than at the carboxy
      side. The overall reaction rate constants of peptide bond cleavage of the Asp
      residue at the carboxy-side for the assisted system were, in increasing order:
      concerted < step-wise < cyclic intermediate. 

PMID- 24241183
TI  - Cytoplasmic male sterility and nuclear restorer genes in a natural population of
      Beta maritima: genetical and molecular aspects.
AB  - One natural population (F0 generation) of Beta maritima situated on the French
      Atlantic coast has been analysed. It was composed of 62% female, 30%
      hermaphrodite and 8% intermediate plants. The analysis of half-sib progeny (F1
      generation) obtained from in situ open pollination demonstrates the cytoplasmic
      determination of male sterility in Beta maritima and the restoration of fertility
      by nuclear genes. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the chloroplast DNA (ctDNA)
      of sixteen F1 plants, extracted from offspring of the three sexual phenotypes,
      were analysed using the restriction enzymes Sal I and Bam HI, respectively. Two
      cytoplasmic lines with their own peculiar genetic characteristics were
      distinguished using the restriction enzyme patterns of mtDNA: (i) the S
      cytoplasmic line was found in segregating progeny of two F0 plants; all three
      phenotypes were produced (that is, progeny including hermaphrodite, female and
      intermediate plants); (ii) the N cytoplasmic line was found in the progeny of one
      F0 hermaphrodite plant; this produced only hermaphrodites. Thus, segregating and
      non-segregating hermaphrodite F0 plants can be distinguished. The nuclear genes
      maintaining sterility or restoring fertility are expressed in line S. At the same
      time the analysis of Beta vulgaris material has been carried out at the molecular
      level: N cytoplasmic lines of B. vulgaris and B. maritima differed only by 3
      fragments of mtDNA; but the S cytoplasmic line of B. maritima was very different
      from Owen's cytoplasmic male sterile line of B. vulgaris. No variation in the
      ctDNA pattern was detected within and between the two taxa. 

PMID- 24241184
TI  - Computerized analysis of chromosomal parameters in karyotype studies.
AB  - A study is presented of the possibilities and limitations of semi-automated
      karyotype analysis on the basis of chromosome length and centromere index. A
      number of computer programs have been developed for 1) quick and precise
      measurements of chromosome arm length with the help of a graphics tablet, 2)
      computing (relative) length and centromere index and statistical analyses of the
      data, and 3) representation of these chromosomal parameters in two-dimensional
      scattergrams. An ellipse representing 95% of the probability mass is drawn around
      the bivariate mean of each chromosome. The size and orientation of the axes are
      calculated from repeated measurements of the chromosomes of one metaphase plate.
      If there is a correlation between length and centromere index, which is often the
      case, the axes of the ellipse are tilted. Incorporation of such a covariance
      analysis proved to be of great importance for an accurate karyotype analysis. The
      "Computer Aided Karyotyping" package does not contain routines for an automated
      classification of the chromosomes. The main reason is that the variation in
      length and centromere index of a given chromosome in different cells is often
      much larger than the variation between nonhomologous chromosomes. In addition, it
      was our aim to develop universal karyotyping aids which can be used regardless of
      the species studied. 

PMID- 24241185
TI  - Cytogenetic analysis of structural rearrangements in three varieties of common
      wheat, Triticum aestivum.
AB  - The winter wheat varieties 'Starke' and 'Cappelle Desprez' and the spring wheat
      'Chinese Spring' were analysed for structural chromosome rearrangements that
      resulted in the formation of multivalents in F1 hybrids. The analyses were
      carried out using hybrids involving euploids, monosomic and ditelosomic stocks,
      and double-monotelodisomic constructs. The study confirmed that 'Cappelle
      Desprez' differs from 'Chinese Spring' in a reciprocal translocation between
      chromosomes 5B and 7B (Riley et al. 1967); a translocation involving chromosomes
      3B and 3D could not be verified. Furthermore, the analysis showed that 'Starke'
      differs from 'Chinese Spring' in a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes
      7A and 7D. Both translocations have a coefficient of multivalent realisation of
      about 0.84. Further multivalents in euploid 'Starke', in euploid and some
      aneuploid stocks of 'Cappelle Desprez', and in euploid as well as various types
      of aneuploid hybrids between all three varieties could nearly all be explained
      hypothesizing that chromosome 2B of both 'Starke' and 'Cappelle Desprez' is a
      duplication-deficiency chromosome. In the hypothesis a part of the long arm of 2B
      is missing and replaced by a duplicated part of the long arm of chromosome 2D.
      The multivalents of this rearrangement showed an average coefficient of
      realisation of about 0.09. 

PMID- 24241186
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA duplication/deletion events and polymorphism of the C group of
      male sterile maize cytoplasms.
AB  - Five accessions of members of the C group of male sterile maize cytoplasms (BB,
      C, ES, PR, and RB) in two nuclear backgrounds (A619 and A632) were examined to
      elucidate the nature of mitochondrial genome diversity within a related group of
      cytoplasms. Cosmid and plasmid clones carrying single copy and recombinationally
      active sequences from N and S cytoplasms of maize were used as probes. Although
      restriction patterns are quite similar, each of the five could be discriminated
      by evidence of sequence duplication and recombination, deletion of
      recombinationally active sequences of N, normal cytoplasm, population of mini
      circular DNAs, and by restriction patterns. Each member of the group carried a
      1,913 bp minicircular mtDNA, while all entries but RB carried a 1,445 bp
      minicircular mtDNA. Members of the C group clearly are not molecularly identical;
      evolution of the group included principal genome reorganization involving
      sequence duplication/deletion events, apparently independent of the cms trait. 

PMID- 24241187
TI  - Associations among inbred lines of maize using electrophoretic, chromatographic,
      and pedigree data : 1. Multivariate and cluster analysis of data from 'Lancaster
      Sure Crop' derived lines.
AB  - Associations among 18 'Lancaster Sure Crop' derived inbred lines of maize (Zea
      mays L.) were determined using multivariate and cluster analysis. Objectives were
      to assess the degree of unique characterization among lines afforded by reversed
      phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and starch gel
      electrophoresis of allozymes and to compare associations among lines revealed by
      biochemical and pedigree data. RP-HPLC revealed 11 different chromatograms that
      uniquely identified 79% of lines that differed by more than isogenic or near
      isogenic segments. Allozymic data for 21 loci provided unique discrimination
      among 93% of non-isogenic lines. Chromatographic and allozymic data together
      provided unique characterization of all non-isogenic lines. Cluster and
      multivariate analyses of biochemical data associated lines into three groups that
      would have been expected on the basis of pedigree breeding records. More detailed
      associations were dependent upon the data set employed. Multivariate and cluster
      analysis of chromatographic, electrophoretic, and pedigree data could be useful
      in revealing more detailed associations among elite germplasm than hitherto
      available, thus providing data pertinent to line and hybrid development, plant
      variety protection, and germplasm security. 

PMID- 24241188
TI  - Bypassing prefertilization barriers to hybridization in Nicotiana using in vitro
      pollination and fertilization.
AB  - In vitro pollination of placenta attached ovules was useful in bypassing
      unilateral incongruity barriers for several Nicotiana interspecific hybrid
      combinations (N. tabacum cv. 'Ky 17' X N. amplexicaulis, 'Ky 17' X N.
      benthamiana, and 'Ky 17' X N. repanda). By measuring the pollen tube growth over
      time, prefertilization barriers were determined to be the cause of the
      incongruity. Seedling necrosis was a problem in the development of the N.
      amplexicaulis hybrid and it prevented maturation of the N. repanda hybrid. Callus
      produced from cotyledons of the N. amplexicaulis hybrid eventually resulted in
      plants that survived to maturity. This procedure was not successful for the N.
      repanda materials. The N. amplexicaulis and N. benthamiana hybrids were sterile
      but following chromosome doubling by midrib culture, male and female fertile
      plants were produced.Conventional hybridization, fertilized ovule culture, and in
      vitro pollination were unsuccessful in obtaining hybrids of 'Ky 17' crossed with
      N. arentsii or N. bonariensis. Apparently, strong postfertilization barriers
      prevent the production of viable seed of these hybrids. Each of the N. repanda -
      N. tabacum reciprocal hybrids could not be rescued using callus culture; this
      adds support to the existence of strong sexual postfertilization barriers. A
      recent report, however, showed that it was possible to obtain this hybrid using
      the technique of somatic hybridization. Thus, it appears that it may also be
      possible to obtain asexual hybrids of N. arentsii and N. bonariensis with N.
      tabacum. 

PMID- 24241189
TI  - Modified full-sib selection and estimation of genetic parameters.
AB  - A cycle of full-sib selection is completed in three seasons while that of a
      modified method is completed in two seasons. In modified full-sib selection,
      selected families can be recombined and new families generated following a
      partial-diallel cross. The components of genetic variance can be estimated from
      the partial-diallel analysis of such families. Thus, in addition to performing
      selection, genetic parameters can be estimated. 

PMID- 24241190
TI  - Isozymic variability of traditional rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Africa.
AB  - Eight hundred and thirtyone traditional varieties of rice, Oryza sativa L., were
      collected in Africa and analysed for their isozymic variability on 15 enzymatic
      systems, representing 37 presumed loci. There appears to be a correlation between
      the type of rice growing and the two groups Indica and Japonica. The degree of
      genetic diversity is nearly equal in African rice and the Asian one. Alleles due
      to introgression or mutational events were identified. The results suggest that
      the evolution of O. sativa is continuous in Africa by means of inter-subspecific
      or inter-specific crosses. 

PMID- 24241191
TI  - Genetics of rye phosphatases: evidence of a duplication.
AB  - Genetic analyses were conducted on alkaline phosphatases of the endosperm of dry
      kernels and leaf acid phosphatases in four open pollinated and one inbred line of
      cultivated rye (Secale cereale L.). A total of seven alkaline phosphatase
      isozymes were observed occurring at variable frequencies in the different
      cultivars analyzed. We propose that at least five loci control the alkaline
      phosphatases of rye endosperm - Alph-1, Alph-2, Alph-3, Alph-4 and Alph-5 - all
      of which have monomeric behaviour. The leaf acid phosphatases are controlled by
      one locus and have a dimeric quaternary structure. All loci coding for alkaline
      phosphatase isozymes showed one active, dominant allele and one null, recessive
      allele, except for the locus Alph-3 which showed two active, dominant alleles and
      one null, recessive one. The linkage analyses suggest the existence of two
      linkage groups for alkaline phosphatases: one of them would contain Alph-2, Alph
      4, Alph-5 and the locus/loci coding isozymes 6 and 7. This linkage group is
      located in the 7RS chromosome arm. The other group would include Alph-1 and Alph
      3 loci, being located in the 1RL chromosome arm. Leaf acid phosphatases have been
      previously located in the 7RL chromosome arm. Our data also support an
      independent relationship between loci controlling the endosperm alkaline
      phosphatases and leaf acid phosphatases. 

PMID- 24241192
TI  - Chromosomal location of structural genes controlling isozymes in Hordeum chilense
      : 3. Esterases, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and phosphoglucomutase.
AB  - Polyacrylamide and starch gel electrophoresis of esterase (EST), glutamate
      oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM) isozymes in Hordeum
      chilense, Triticum turgidum conv. durum, the amphiploid H. chilense X T. turgidum
      (Tritordeum), and the durum wheat/H. chilense monosomic addition lines revealed
      the chromosomal location of one EST locus, two GOT loci and one PGM locus. Loci
      Est-H (ch)1 and Got-H (ch)2 were found on chromosome 6H(ch),Got-H (ch)3 on
      chromosome 3H(ch), and Pgm-H (ch)1 on chromosome 4H(ch). These results lend
      evidence for the assumed homoeology relationships between chromosomes of
      Triticeae species. 

PMID- 24241193
TI  - Genetic and biochemical basis of scent in rice (Oryza sativa L.).
AB  - The inheritance and biochemical basis of scent in rice was studied in the F2
      population along with the F1 and its two parents, scented and non-scented
      'Pokura' rice strains. The F1 plants were found to be nonscented while the F2
      plants seggregated into a 3?1 ratio (non-scented: scented). In scented F2
      seggregants and in the scented parental strain, a fast moving esterase isozyme,
      Rf 0.9, is missing whereas it is present in all nonscented F2 seggregants, F1s,
      and in the non-scented parent. This suggests that the absence of a specific
      esterase isozyme is associated with the scent character in rice. 

PMID- 24241194
TI  - The peroxidase isozymes of the wheat kernel: tissue and substrate specificity and
      their chromosomal location.
AB  - Peroxidase isozymes were studied in the Triticum aestivum L. kernel and in
      nullisomic-tetrasomic and ditelocentric combinations of 'Chinese Spring' wheat.
      Analyses were carried out on different parts of dry kernels (embryo plus
      scutellum and endosperm) using polyacrylamide and starch gel electrophoresis,
      different electrophoretic buffer systems and various staining methods. The
      peroxidase isozymes showed a low substrate-specificity and a high tissue
      specificity. The embryo plus scutellum and the endosperm always presented
      different peroxidase patterns. Endosperm peroxidases were associated with
      chromosome arms 7DS, 4BL and 7AS; whereas the embryo plus scutellum isozymes were
      related to chromosome arms 3AL, 3BL and 3DS. The different results obtained using
      various electrophoretic techniques are due to the buffer system used. All
      staining procedures employed revealed the same peroxidase isozymes. 

PMID- 24241195
TI  - Sources and inheritance of resistance to leaf curl virus in Lycopersicon.
AB  - One hundred and twenty-two varieties, lines and wild accessions of Lycopersicon
      were screened under three different regimes during the autumn/winter season of
      1982-83 and 1983-84 for resistance to tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV). L. hirsutum
      f. glabratum ('B6013') and L. hirsutum f. typicum ('A1904') proved to be highly
      resistant to TLCV in all three environments. Various accessions of L. peruvianum
      were also highly resistant. L. pimpinellifolium ('A1921') exhibited no TLCV
      symptoms within 90 days. Of the cultivated varieties, 'Acc 99' exhibited the
      minimim score for susceptibility; 'AC 142', 'Collection No. 2', 'Kalyanpur
      Angurlata' and 'HS 101' had a low rating for virus incidence. The inheritance of
      resistance was studied in the interspecific crosses between a TLCV resistant line
      of L. pimpinellifolium ('A1921') and five ('HS 101', 'HS 102', 'HS 110', 'Pusa
      Ruby' and 'Punjab Chhuhara') susceptible cultivars of L. esculentum. Parents, F1,
      F2 and backcross progenies were artificially inoculated with local strains of
      TLCV using vector the viruliferious whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.). Data
      indicated that the resistance of L. pimpinellifolium ('A 1921') is monogenic and
      incompletely dominant over susceptibility. 

PMID- 24241196
TI  - Genetics of resistance to red pumpkin beetle (A ulacophora foveicollis) in summer
      squash (Cucurbita pepo L.).
AB  - Resistance to red pumpkin beetle in summer squash was found to be controlled by
      polygenes. Diallel and Triple test cross analysis revealed the preponderance of
      non-additive and additive gene effects for resistance respectively. Absence of
      epistasis for resistance was indicated by both tests. 

PMID- 24241197
TI  - Influence of Zinnia angustifolia HBK genotype on embryonic and vegetative
      development of Z. angustifolia x Z. elegans Jacq. interspecific hybrids.
AB  - Interspecific crosses between Zinnia angustifolia clones (maternal parents) and
      Z. elegans lines (paternal parents) were performed to investigate postzygotic
      barriers among Z. angustifolia X Z. elegans hybrids and to determine influence of
      parental genotype on embryonic and vegetative development of interspecific
      hybrids. Variation in percentage of emerged seedlings (PES) and percentage of
      morphologically normal hybrids (PNH) was attributable to Z. angustifolia clones
      with minor or no effect attributable to Z. elegans lines. Heterogeneity in PES
      values among Z. angustifolia clones was due to differences in amount of hybrid
      embryo breakdown and ungerminable seed. Cytological observations of normal and
      abnormal interspecific hybrids revealed similar chromosome numbers (2n=23) but
      indicated a low mitotic index for abnormal hybrids. Genetic analysis of PES and
      PNH suggested control by multiple genes inherited from the Z. angustifolia
      genome. Adequate sampling of the Z. angustifolia gene pool would permit
      exploitation of genetic variability present within the species and allow
      improvements in PES and PNH for interspecific hybrids. 

PMID- 24241198
TI  - A method for the estimation of gene flow parameters from a population structure
      caused by restricted gene flow and genetic drift.
AB  - A method has been developed which enables the estimation of the plant gene flow
      parameters sigmap (pollen dispersal), sigmas (seed dispersal) and t (outcrossing
      rate) from a selection-free continuously structured population in equilibrium.
      The method uses Wright's F-coefficients and introduces a new F-function which
      describes the genetic similarity as a function of the spatial distance. The
      method has been elaborated for wind pollinated plant species but can be modified
      for insect pollination and for animal species. In practice allozymes will provide
      for the necessary neutral genetic variation. The more loci used and the more
      intermediate the gene frequencies, the more reliable the results. For the
      estimation of sigmap and t together (when the outcrossing rate is not known) at
      least two chromosomally unlinked loci are required. The method for estimating
      sigmas depends on whether the plant species is annual or perennial. The mechanism
      of selfing has been analysed by the explanation of the value of t by three
      components: population density (d), pollen flow (sigmap) and relative
      fertilization potential of own pollen (Z). The concepts of neighbourhood size and
      isolation by distance, developed by Wright, who used a single gene flow parameter
      sigma, have been extended to the situation which is realistic for seed plants,
      using all three parameters sigmap, sigmas and t. When sigmap is large with
      respect to sigmas, sigmas largely determines the value of the neighbourhood size,
      whereas sigmap is the most dominating factor in isolation by distance. The use of
      "local effective population size" and "mean gene transport per generation"
      instead of "neighbourhood size" and "neighbourhood area", respectively, is
      proposed to avoid confusion. Computer simulations have been carried out to check
      the validity and the reliability of the method. Populations of 200 plants, using
      two or three loci with intermediate allele frequencies, gave good results in the
      calculation of sigmap with known value of t and of sigmas and Ne. With unknown t,
      especially with lower values of t, larger populations of at least 1,000 plants
      are necessary to obtain reasonably accurate results for sigmap and mean gene
      transport per generation M. 

PMID- 24241199
TI  - Genotypic stability analysis of yield and related agronomic characters in wheat
      Agropyron derivatives under varying watering regimes.
AB  - Genotypic stability of grain yield and yield related traits was estimated for the
      8 wheat-Agropyron derivatives, 441, 442, 'Vostock', 'PPG 56', 'PPG 56SS', 449,
      450 and 441SS, together with two spring wheat controls, 'Drabant' and 'Sv 01382',
      grown under varying watering regimes for two years. Differences among
      environments, genotypes and their interactions were highly significant for all
      traits. The genotypes X environments linear response were significant for number
      of spikelets per main spike, grain number per main spike and single grain weight.
      No significant linear responses were detected for grain yield or the rest of
      yield related traits. Deviations from linear responses were highly significant
      for all traits under study. Grain yield stability was not associated with the
      stability of yield components. 'PPG 56SS' was identified as the stable variety
      with the highest mean grain yield per plant under the severe stress environment.
      Mean grain yields in the severe stress environment were correlated with the
      genotypic stability parameter "alpha". The severe stress environment was
      recognized as the optimum test environment. The study revealed a shift in the
      association between grain yield per plant and its components under the varying
      environments. 

PMID- 24241200
TI  - Genetic transformation in two potato cultivars with T-DNA from disarmed
      Agrobacterium.
AB  - Derivatives of potato (Solanum tuberosum cv.'s 'Maris Bard' and 'Desiree')
      transformed with disarmed T-DNA from genetically engineered Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens strains were isolated. The transformed plants were recovered from
      shoot-forming tumours induced by infection of wounds with mixedcultures of shoot
      inducing A. tumefaciens strains T37 and either Agrobacterium strain
      LBA1834(pRAL1834), (Hille et al. 1983) or LBA4404(pBIN6; pRAL4404), (Bevan 1984).
      Two small-scale feasibility experiments gave at least four 'Maris Bard' plants
      transformed with pRAL1834 T-DNA and two 'Desiree' plants with pBIN6 T-DNA. The
      transformed 'Maris Bard' plants were morphologically abnormal and highly
      aneuploid. This was probably an unfortunate side-effect of a tissue culture-step
      introduced to promote the efficiency of shoot regeneration. The transformed
      'Desiree' plants, in contrast, were isolated without promoting additional shoot
      growth. They were morphologically normal, contained 47 and the euploid 48
      chromosomes per cell respectively and had improved growth on media containing
      kanamycin. 

PMID- 24241201
TI  - Production of potato monohaploids (2n=x=12) through prickle pollination.
AB  - Data are presented on the potential of gynogenesis for the production of
      monohaploids and on factors affecting their frequency and relative vigour.
      Diploid Solanum tuberosum L. and S. tuberosumxS. phureja Juz et Buk hybrids were
      used as maternal parents and selected S. phureja clones as prickle pollinators
      with embryo-spot and nodal band as dominant seed and plant marker. About 2
      million seeds were screened for absence of embryo-spot. After raising plants from
      phenotypically spotless seeds, further screening for absence of nodal bands and
      for ploidy level was carried out. Finally more than 500 monohaploid plants from
      three genetically different groups of maternal parents were obtained. Frequency
      and vigour of the monohaploids were clearly dependent on their maternal
      genotypes. The data also indicated an effect of the pollinator genotype, the
      physiological stage of the maternal plant and the environment on monohaploid
      frequency. On the basis of these results the possibility of breeding for a higher
      monohaploid production rate and for more stable and vigorous monohaploids is
      discussed. Furthermore, gynogenesis and androgenesis are compared. It is
      suggested that both should be used in order to obtain monohaploids from
      sufficiently various diploid breeding material. 

PMID- 24241202
TI  - Confidence interval estimators for heritability for several mating and experiment
      designs.
AB  - Confidence interval estimators have not been described for several heritability
      (H) estimators relevant to recurrent family selection. Previously described H
      interval estimators do not apply to onefactor mating designs in split-plot in
      time experiment designs in one or more locations, one-factor mating designs for
      several experiment designs in two or more locations and years, and two-factor
      mating designs for several experiment designs in two or more locations or years.
      Our objective was to derive H interval estimators for these cases. H reduced to a
      function of constants and a single expected mean square ratio in every case; H=1
      E(M')/E(M") where E(M') is a linear function of expected mean squares and E(M")
      is a single expected mean square. It was shown that F'=[M"/E(M")]/[M'/E(M')] has
      an approximate F-distribution with df" and df' degrees of freedom, respectively,
      where M' and M" are mean squares corresponding to E(M') and E(M"), respectively.
      H is a function of F', therefore, we used F' to define an approximate (1-alpha)
      interval estimator for H. 

PMID- 24241203
TI  - Problems of interpreting results obtained in studies of somaclonal variation in
      gliadin proteins in wheat.
AB  - It is quite likely that somacloning increases the frequency of mutations: this
      has, in fact, been claimed for gliadin proteins. However, in such instances it is
      important to distinguish between true mutations and presumed changes in
      regenerants due to cross pollination or admixture. We present herein arguments
      that some so-claimed somaclonal variants in gliadincoding genes are unlikely to
      be due to mutations since they would have had to involve directed changes at
      several loci simultaneously. 

PMID- 24241204
TI  - NuMA phosphorylation dictates dynein-dependent spindle positioning.

PMID- 24241205
TI  - Immunovirotherapy for glioblastoma.

PMID- 24241206
TI  - WNKs in Wnt/beta-catenin signaling.

PMID- 24241207
TI  - Molecular targeting of mutagenic AID and APOBEC deaminases.

PMID- 24241208
TI  - Biogenesis and folding of beta-barrel membrane proteins.

PMID- 24241209
TI  - Rearranging the chromatin for pluripotency.

PMID- 24241211
TI  - Antitumor effects of BI-D1870 on human oral squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Among the signaling pathways implicated in the tumorigenesis of oral
      squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the extracellular signal-regulated kinase
      mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, a downstream target of which is a
      family of serine/threonine kinases known as the 90 kDa ribosomal S6 kinases
      (RSKs). This study aims to investigate the role of BI-D1870, a specific inhibitor
      of p90 RSKs, in a panel of OSCC cell lines. METHODS: The antitumor effects and
      mechanisms of BI-D1870 were assessed by MTT assays, flow cytometry, Western
      blotting, transfection, and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: BI-D1870 exhibited a
      dose-responsive antiproliferative effect on OSCC cells with relative sparing of
      normal human oral keratinocytes. The compound inhibited the downstream RSK target
      YB-1 and caused apoptosis as evidenced by PARP cleavage, activation of the
      caspase cascade, and the presence of pyknotic nuclei in the 4,6-diamidino-2
      phenylindole assay. In addition, BI-D1870 also induced G2/M arrest by modulating
      the expression of p21 and other cell cycle regulators. Other newly discovered
      anticancer attributes of BI-D1870 included the generation of reactive oxygen
      species and increases in endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy. CONCLUSIONS:
      Together, these results suggest the translational value of BI-D1870 in oral
      squamous cell carcinoma therapy.

PMID- 24241210
TI  - A phase I trial of flavopiridol in relapsed multiple myeloma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Flavopiridol is primarily a cyclin-dependent kinase-9 inhibitor, and we
      performed a dose escalation trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose and
      safety and generate a pharmacokinetic (PK) profile. METHODS: Patients with a
      diagnosis of relapsed myeloma after at least two prior treatments were included.
      Flavopiridol was administered as a bolus and then continuous infusion weekly for
      4 weeks in a 6-week cycle. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were treated at three dose
      levels (30 mg/m(2) bolus, 30 mg/m(2) CIV to 50 mg/m(2) bolus, and 50 mg/m(2)
      CIV). Cytopenias were significant, and elevated transaminases (grade 4 in 3
      patients, grade 3 in 4 patients, and grade 2 in 3 patients) were noted but were
      transient. Diarrhea (grade 3 in 6 patients and grade 2 in 5 patients) did not
      lead to hospital admission. There were no confirmed partial responses although
      one patient with t(4;14) had a decrease in his monoclonal protein >50 % that did
      not persist. PK properties were similar to prior publications, and
      immunohistochemical staining for cyclin D1 and phospho-retinoblastoma did not
      predict response. CONCLUSIONS: Flavopiridol as a single agent given by bolus and
      then infusion caused significant diarrhea, cytopenias, and transaminase elevation
      but only achieved marginal responses in relapsed myeloma (ClinicalTrials.gov
      identifier NCT00112723).

PMID- 24241212
TI  - Results of a phase I, open-label, randomized, crossover study evaluating the
      effects of linifanib on QTc intervals in patients with solid tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Linifanib is a selective inhibitor of the vascular endothelial growth
      factor and platelet-derived growth factor family of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
      The purpose of this high-precision QT study was to evaluate the effects of
      linifanib on cardiac repolarization in patients with advanced metastatic tumors.
      METHODS: Enrolled patients (n = 24) had measurable disease refractory to standard
      therapies, ECOG performance status of 0-1, and adequate organ function. Patients
      were randomized in a 2-sequence, 2-period crossover design. Serial ECG
      measurements and pharmacokinetic samples were collected for each crossover
      period. An intersection-union test was performed for time-matched baseline
      adjusted QTcF intervals. An exposure-response analysis was explored to correlate
      the plasma concentration and QTcF. RESULTS: The maximum 95 % upper confidence
      bound for the baseline-adjusted QTcF was 4.3 ms at hour 3 at the maximum
      tolerated linifanib dose of 0.25 mg/kg. Linifanib did not meet the regulatory
      threshold (10 ms) for QT prolongation. Exposure-response modeling showed that the
      QTcF change was not significant at the maximum plasma concentration. CONCLUSIONS:
      Linifanib does not significantly affect cardiac repolarization in patients with
      advanced solid tumors.

PMID- 24241213
TI  - Application of dairy proteins as technological and nutritional improvers of
      calcium-supplemented gluten-free bread.
AB  - Effect of dairy proteins on gluten-free dough behavior, and nutritional and
      technological properties of gluten-free bread was evaluated. Experimental doughs,
      containing dairy powders, showed low consistency. Obtained gluten-free breads
      were rich in proteins, and, regarding the energy value delivered by proteins,
      they could be considered as a source of proteins or high in proteins. Applied
      dairy proteins affected the technological properties of experimental breads
      causing a significant (p < 0.05) increase of the specific volume, crust
      darkening, and crumb lightness, depending on the dairy supplementation level,
      rather than the protein type. Dairy proteins incorporated at a 12% level,
      significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the hardness; nevertheless, the highest amount
      of proteins tested led to the opposite effect. These results indicate that milk
      proteins tested could be successfully added to gluten-free bread with beneficial
      effects on technological and nutritional properties. 

PMID- 24241214
TI  - Porous tantalum shells and augments for acetabular cup revisions.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate early functional results of
      revision hip arthroplasty with pelvic bone loss revised with porous tantalum (PT)
      acetabular components. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients (25 hips) with
      loose acetabular components after total hip arthroplasty with a minimum of
      Paprosky IIa pelvic bone loss treated with PT cups with and without modular
      augments were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using
      Harris hip score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities scores. Mean
      follow-up was 20.5 months and no patient was lost during follow-up. RESULTS: The
      average Harris hip score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities scores
      improved from 40 and 36 preoperatively to 79 and 73 postoperatively,
      respectively. No statistically significant differences in functional outcome
      scores were found between the group with moderate (Paprosky IIa, b) and severe
      (Paprosky IIc or more) acetabular bone loss. At the most recent radiographic
      evaluation, 24 cups demonstrated no lucent lines and 1 cup had lucent lines but
      remained well fixed. One cup was revised for traumatic dislocation but was found
      well fixed at open reduction. There were no septic or aseptic failures in this
      series. CONCLUSION: While awaiting longer-term follow-up studies, trabecular
      metal components show sufficient primary stability and appear suitable for
      revision hip arthroplasty with acetabular bone loss.

PMID- 24241215
TI  - Posterior percutaneous plating of the humerus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This is a prospective case series study, which was designed to
      evaluate the clinical outcome of posterior percutaneous plating of the humerus.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the year 2010 to 2011, 37 patients with middle and
      distal third humeral fractures who met the inclusion criteria were surgically
      treated by minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis through posterior approach.
      Their age ranged from 19 to 43 with an average of 27.8 years. Type of fractures
      varied from B to C, and all of them were traumatic. RESULTS: Patients were
      followed up for a period varied from 12 to 24 months with an average of 18. There
      were no cases of intraoperative complications, infection or metal failure. Union
      was achieved in all of them within 16-21 weeks with an average of 18. Iatrogenic
      postoperative temporary neuropraxia of the radial nerve palsy was observed in two
      patients. All patients achieved normal range of shoulder and elbow motion within
      3 months after surgery. The average Quick DASH score at 12-month follow-up was
      30. According to patient's satisfaction, all of them returned to the usual pre
      injury activity level within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the
      principles of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis can be applied safely
      through posterior approach of the humerus to treat middle and distal third
      humeral fractures. This approach has the advantage of preserving the triceps
      anatomy and function facilitating rapid postoperative rehabilitation.

PMID- 24241216
TI  - Immunofluorescent localization of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and ribulose
      1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase proteins in leaves of C3, C 4 and C 3-C 4
      intermediate Flaveria species.
AB  - An indirect immunofluorescence technique was used to determine the intercellular
      compartmentation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase and ribulose 1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) proteins in leaves of five species
      of Flaveria, F. brownii A.M. Powell (C4), F. cronquistii A.M. Powell (C3), F.
      linearis Lag. (C3-C4 intermediate), F. floridana J.R. Johnston (C3-C4) and F.
      chloraefolia A. Gray (C3-C4). The results were compared with representative C3
      and C4 plants. No strict intercellular compartmentation of either enzyme was
      observed in any of the five Flaveria species examined. Both carboxylase proteins
      were found throughout the leaf chlorenchyma of the C3 Flaveria, as was also the
      case in Nicotiana tabacum L. (C3). A similar distribution pattern was observed
      not only in the three C3-C4 intermediates, but in the C4 Flaveria as well. This
      distribution contrasted markedly with the localization patterns found in Zea mays
      L. (C4), where Rubisco was confined to bundle-sheath chloroplasts and PEP
      carboxylase to the mesophyll cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24241217
TI  - Spatial relationships between uninfected and infected cells in root nodules of
      soybean.
AB  - In soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) the uninfected cells of the root nodule are
      responsible for the final steps in ureide production from recently fixed
      nitrogen. Stereological methods and an original quantitative method were used to
      investigate the organization of these cells and their spatial relationships to
      infected cells in the central region of nodules of soybean inoculated with
      Rhizobium japonicum strain USDA 3I1B110 and grown with and without nitrogen (as
      nitrate) in the nutrient medium. The volume occupied by the uninfected tissue was
      21% of the total volume of the central infected region for nodules of plants
      grown without nitrate, and 31% for nodules of plants grown with nitrate. Despite
      their low relative volume, the uninfected cells outnumbered the much larger
      infected cells in nodules of plants grown both without and with nitrate. The
      surface density of the interface between the ininfected and infected tissue in
      the infected region was similar for nodules in both cases also, the total range
      being from 24 to 26 mm(2)/mm(3). In nodules of plants grown without nitrate, all
      sampled infected cells were found to be in contact with at least one uninfected
      cell. The study demonstrates that although the uninfected tissue in soybean
      nodules occupies a relatively small volume, it is organized so as to produce a
      large surface area for interaction with the infected tissue. 

PMID- 24241218
TI  - Structural organization of ultrarapidly frozen barley aleurone cells actively
      involved in protein secretion.
AB  - The ultrastructural organization of actively secreting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.
      cv. Himalaya) aleurone cells was examined using ultrarapid-freezing (<-10 000
      degrees C s(-1)) followed by freeze-fracture and freeze-substitution. Our
      analysis indicates that much of the evidence supporting a direct pathway from the
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the plasma membrane (i.e. bypassing the Golgi
      apparatus) for the secretion of alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) may not be valid.
      Cryofixed ER cisternae show no sign of vesiculation during active alpha-amylase
      secretion in gibberellic acid (GA3)-treated cells. At the same time, Golgi
      complexes are abundant and numerous small vesicles are associated with the edges
      of the cisternae. Vesicles appear to be involved in the delivery of secretory
      products to the plasma membrane since depressions containing excess membrane
      material appear there. Treatment with GA3 also induces changes in the composition
      of Golgi membranes; most notably, the density of intramembrane particles
      increases from 2700 MUm(-2) to 3800 MUm(-2) because of an increase of particles
      in the 3-8.5-nm size range. A slight decrease in 9-11-nm particles also occurs.
      These changes in membrane structure appear to occur as the Golgi complex becomes
      committed to the processing and packaging of secretory proteins. We suggest that
      secretory proteins in this tissue are synthesized in the abundant rough ER,
      packaged in the Golgi apparatus, and transported to the plasma membrane via Golgi
      derived secretory vesicles. Mobilization of reserves is also accompanied by
      dynamic membrane events. Our micrographs show that the surface monolayer of the
      lipid bodies fuses with the outer leaflet of the bilayer of protein-body
      membranes during the mobilization of lipid reserves. Following the breakdown of
      the protein reserves, the protein bodies assume a variety of configurations. 

PMID- 24241219
TI  - Chloroplast development and the synthesis of chlorophyll and protochlorophyllide
      in Zostera transferred to darkness.
AB  - Intact plants and isolated leaves of Zostera capricornii Martens ex Aschers were
      transferred from daylight to darkness. Substantial amounts of chloropyll a and b
      continued to accumulate in immature and mature tissue in the same ratio as in the
      light and were incorporated into chlorophyll-protein complexes in the thylakoids.
      A small amount of protochlorophyllide also accumulated in immature tissue in the
      dark. Proplastids and immature chloroplasts continued to develop into mature
      chloroplasts in the dark in the normal manner but prolamellar bodies, which are a
      conspicuous feature of immature chloroplasts, took longer to disperse than in the
      light. Protochlorophyllide accumulation and prolamellar-body formation were not
      correlated. The results indicate that Zostera has a genetic capacity for dark
      chlorophyll synthesis which is expressed in immature and mature leaf tissue and
      enables this plant to continue synthesising chlorophyll and assembling
      chloroplasts at night. 

PMID- 24241220
TI  - The role of carbon dioxide and oxygen in determining chlorophyll fluorescence
      quenching during leaf development.
AB  - Chlorophyll fluorescence emission at 680 nm (F680) and the rate of CO2 fixation
      were measured simultaneously in sections along the length of wheat and maize
      leaves. These leaves possess a basal meristem and show a gradation in development
      towards the leaf tip. The redox state of the primary electron acceptor, Q, of
      photosystem II was estimated using a non-invasive method. Distal mature leaf
      sections displayed typical F680 induction curves which were generally anti
      parallel with CO2 fixation and during which Q became gradually oxidised. In leaf
      base sections net assimilation of CO2 was not detectable, F680 quenched slowly
      and monotonously without displaying any of the oscillations typical of mature
      tissue and Q remained relatively reduced. Sections cut from mid-regions of the
      leaf showed intermediate characteristics. There were no major differences between
      the wheat and maize leaf in the parameters measured. The results support the
      hypothesis that generation of the transthylakoid proton gradient and associated
      ATP production is not a major limitation to photosynthesis during leaf
      development in either C3 or C4 plants. Removal of CO2 from the mature leaf
      sections caused little change in steady-state F680 and produced about 50%
      reduction of Q. When O2 was then removed, F680 rose sharply and Q became almost
      totally reduced. In immature tissue unable to assimilate CO2, removal of O2 alone
      caused a similar large rise in F680 and reduction of Q whilst removal of CO2 had
      negligible effects on F680 and the redox state of Q. It is concluded that in leaf
      tissue unable to assimilate CO2, either because CO2 is absent or the tissue is
      immature, O2 acts as an electron acceptor and maintains Q in a partially oxidised
      state. The important implication that O2 may have a role in the prevention of
      photoinhibition of the photochemical apparatus in the developing leaf is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24241221
TI  - Stimulation of ethylene production and gas-space (aerenchyma) formation in
      adventitious roots of Zea mays L. by small partial pressures of oxygen.
AB  - Adventitious roots of two to four-weekold intact plants of Zea mays L. (cv. LG11)
      were shorter but less dense after extending into stagnant, non-aerated nutrient
      solution than into solution continuously aerated with air. Dissolved oxygen in
      the non-aerated solutions decreased from 21 kPa to 3-9 kPa within 24 h. When
      oxygen partial pressures similar to those found in non-aerated solutions (3, 5
      and 12 kPa) were applied for 7 d to root systems growing in vigorously bubbled
      solutions, the volume of gas-space in the cortex (aerenchyma) was increased
      several fold. This stimulation of aerenchyma was associated with faster ethylene
      production by 45-mm-long apical root segments. When ethylene production by roots
      exposed to 5 kPa oxygen was inhibited by aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) dissolved
      in the nutrient solution, aerenchyma formation was also retarded. The effect of
      AVG was reversible by concomitant applications of 1-aminocyclopropane-1
      carboxylic acid, an immediate precursor of ethylene. Addition of silver nitrate,
      an inhibitor of ethylene action, to the nutrient solution also prevented the
      development of aerenchyma in roots given 5 kPa oxygen. Treating roots with only 1
      kPa oxygen stimulated ethylene production but failed to promote gas-space
      formation. These severely oxygen-deficient roots seemed insensitive to the
      ethylene produced since a supplement of exogeneous ethylene that promoted
      aerenchyma development in nutrient solution aerated with air (21 kPa oxygen)
      failed to do so in nutrient solution supplied with 1 kPa oxygen. Both ethylene
      production and aerenchyma formation were almost completely halted when roots were
      exposed to nutrient solutions devoid of oxygen. Thus both processes require
      oxygen and are stimulated by oxygen-deficient surroundings in the 3-to 12-kPa
      range of oxygen partial pressures when compared with rates observed in air (21
      kPa oxygen). 

PMID- 24241222
TI  - Quantitative changes in calmodulin and NAD kinase during early cell development
      in the root apex of Pisum sativum L.
AB  - Calmodulin and NAD kinase were extracted from serial developmental sections of
      the pea root apex. Highly purified samples of calmodulin were assayed by NAD
      kinase activation, and whole-cell extracts were examined by two-dimensional
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Calmodulin was found to vary 17-fold in
      concentration over the apical 2 mm, being high in the region of the root cap and
      meristem, falling rapidly at the base of the meristem during early stages of
      rapid cell elongation. The rate of decline was different between stele and
      cortex. Except for a minor increase in concentration 2.5-5 mm from the apex,
      which coincides with the region of localised meristematic activity during
      initiation of lateral root primordia, the concentration of calmodulin remained at
      the lower level throughout the more basal sections of the apical 10 mm. In-vitro
      NAD-kinase activity was found to increase 17-fold per cell over the apical 30 mm,
      almost entirely as the result of an increase in calmodulin-dependent activity.
      Quantitative estimates of both calmodulin and NAD kinase were found to be highly
      dependent on extraction procedures. 

PMID- 24241223
TI  - Diurnal and circadian rhythmicity in the expression of light-induced plant
      nuclear messenger RNAs.
AB  - The levels of nuclear mRNAs for three light-inducible proteins (light-harvesting
      chlorophyll a/b protein, small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase
      and early light-induced protein) have been analyzed under light-dark and constant
      light conditions. The levels of all three mRNAs have been found to vary
      considerably during the day, both under ligh-dark and under constant light
      conditions, demonstrating the existence of diurnal and circadian rhythmicity in
      the expressionoof these nuclear-coded plant proteins. The levels of two of these
      mRNAs have been found to be enhanced 2 h before the beginning of illumination
      when active phytochrome levels are still low. 

PMID- 24241224
TI  - Purification and characterization of phosphoribulokinase from wheat leaves.
AB  - Homogeneous phosphoribulokinase (PRK; ATP: D-ribulose-5-phosphate 1
      phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.19) was isolated from wheat leaves with a specific
      activity of 15 MUkat mg(-1) protein. The purification included ammonium sulfate
      cuts, isoelectric precipitation, and hydrophobic and affinity chromatography on
      pentylagarose and Blue Sepharose CL 6B, respectively. Gel filtration of the
      purified enzyme yielded a 83000 Da protein. Subunits of about 42000 Da were
      estimated from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Wheat leaf PRK was
      stable for at least four weeks when stored at 4 degrees C. Saturation curves for
      ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P) and ATP followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (K m
      values: K m Ru5P=50-80 MUM; K m ATP=70 MUM). The saturation curve for MgCl2 was
      sigmoidal (half-maximal velocity <0.5 mM). The affinity for Ru5P, ATP and Mg(2+)
      was not affected by pH changes comparable to pH shifts in the stroma. In contrast
      to chloroplast fructose-bisphosphatase (Zimmermann et al. 1976, Eur. J. Biochem.
      70, 361-367) the affinity for ligands remained unchanged in the dithiothreitol
      activated and in the non-activated state. The activity of PRK was increasingly
      sensitive to inhibition by 3-phosphoglyceric acid with decreasing pH below pH
      8.0. 

PMID- 24241225
TI  - The action of exogenous abscisic and gibberellic acids on gene expression in
      germinating castor beans.
AB  - Exogenously applied abscisic acid inhibits isocitrate-lyase activity of the
      endosperm during germination of castor-bean seeds. Amounts of isocitrate-lyase
      mRNA have been estimated by immunoprecipitation of in-vitro-translated
      polypeptide products. Exogenous abscisic acid leads to an inhibition of
      isocitrate lyase-mRNA accumulation. A large proportion of this effect of the
      growth factor may be accounted for by its action in inhibiting the overall
      accumulation of ribosomal RNA and total mRNA. However, the effect of abscisic
      acid on protein synthesis is not general, as the production of some mRNAs was
      stimulated. The major mRNA stored in the dry seed, coding for a 25600-Mr
      polypeptide that normally disappears within the first 12 h of germination,
      exhibited high levels in abscisic-acid-treated endosperms throughout the
      germination period. Three complementary DNA clones, of which two clones are
      complementary to isocitrate lyase, have been used to measure levels of
      transcripts during seed germination. The accumulation of both transcripts was
      inhibited by exogenous abscisic acid. The data strongly indicate that the action
      of abscisic acid on isocitrate lyase synthesis is either to inhibit the
      transcription, or to increase the transcript turnover. Exogenous gibberellic acid
      is able to counteract the inhibitory effects of abscisic acid. 

PMID- 24241226
TI  - The major albumin protein from pea (Pisum sativum L.) : Localisation by
      immunocytochemistry.
AB  - The major albumin protein in storage parenchyma tissue of developing peas has
      been localised at an ultrastructural level by immunocytochemistry. Tissue was
      fixed in buffered aldehyde and embedded in LR White resin which was polymerised
      by addition of catalyst. Sections were labelled by the indirect method of
      absorption of Protein A-gold to specifically bound antibodies. This method gives
      high levels of specific labelling on sections which retain good ultrastructural
      preservation and have high contrast after conventional staining. The albumin is
      located throughout the cytoplasm although no labelling was found associated with
      the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, vacuoles-protein bodies or other
      organelles. 

PMID- 24241227
TI  - Application of X-ray microanalysis to cell suspensions of oil palm (Elaeis
      guineensis Jacq.).
AB  - X-ray microanalysis has been used to determine the elemental composition of oil
      palm (Elaeis guineesis) cell suspensions without the use of cryoprotectants.
      Results based on individual cells were gathered over a typical growth cycle of 14
      d. During the log phase (5-7 d) there is an increase in the number of cells
      containing high concentrations of both K (400 mmol kg(-1) dry weight) and P (400
      mmol kg(-1) dry weight). Morphologically these cells had thin cell walls and were
      frequently joined to other cells (two to five cells per clump). 

PMID- 24241228
TI  - The pyridine-nucleotide cycle in tobacco Enzyme activities for the de-novo
      synthesis of NAD.
AB  - The enzyme activities of the pyridine-nucleotide cycle, which transform nicotinic
      acid mononucleotide (NaMN) into NAD, have been characterized. The investigations
      were based on the extraction of protein, its purification on disposable gel
      filtration columns, and determination of the enzymatic activities by high
      performance liquid chromatography techniques. The latter technique avoided the
      synthesis and use of radioactive precursors. The NaMN-adenylyltransferase which
      converts NaMN into NaAD (nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide) and NAD-synthetase
      which converts NaAD into NAD were characterized by their kinetic parameters and
      their specific activities in different tobacco tissues. This is the first report
      on NAD-synthetase from tissue of a higher plant. It was found that NAD-synthetase
      accepted both glutamine and asparagine for the amide transfer. Adenylyltransfer
      also occured with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) which was transformed to NAD,
      whereas the glutamine-dependent amidation was only observed with NaAD. Thus, an
      additional route for the synthesis of NAD (NaMN->NMN->NAD) obviously does not
      exist. A comparison of the enzyme activities in tobacco tissues with different
      capacities for the synthesis of nicotine showed that, in contrast to quinolinic
      acid phosphoribosyltransferase whose activity was strictly correlated with the
      nicotine content, only NaMN-adenylyltransferase showed a smooth correlation,
      whereas NAD-synthetase was not affected at all. 

PMID- 24241229
TI  - Phycomyces: Phototropism and light-growth response to pulse stimuli.
AB  - The relationship between phototropism and the light-growth response of Phycomyces
      blakesleeanus (Burgeff) sporangiophores was investigated. After dark adaptation,
      stage-IVb sporangiophores were exposed to short pulses of unilateral light at 450
      nm wavelength. The sporangiophores show a complex reaction to pulses of 30 s
      duration: maximal positive bending at 3.10(-4) and 10(-1) J m(-2), but negative
      bending at 30 J m(-2). The fluence dependence for the light-growth response also
      is complex, but in a different way than for phototropism; the first maximal
      response occurs at 1.8.10(-3) J m(-2) with a lesser maximum at 30 J m(-2). A
      hypertropic mutant, L85 (madH), lacks the negative phototropism at 30 J m(-2) but
      gives results otherwise similar to the wild type. The reciprocity rule was tested
      for several combinations of fluence rates and pulse durations that ranged from 1
      ms to 30 s. Near the threshold fluence (3.10(-5) J m(-2)), both responses
      increase for pulse durations below 67 ms and both have an optimum at 2 ms. At a
      fluence of 2.4.10(-3) J m(-2), both responses decrease for pulse durations below
      67 ms. The hypertropic mutant (madH), investigated for low fluence only, gave
      similar results. In both strains, the time courses for phototropism and light
      growth response, after single short pulses of various durations, show no clear
      correlation. These results imply that phototropism cannot be caused by linear
      superposition of localized light-growth responses; rather, they point to
      redistribution of growth substances as the cause of phototropism. 

PMID- 24241230
TI  - Porphyra nereocystis: A dual-daylength seaweed.
AB  - Conchospores from the perennial conchocelis phase of the annual, epiphytic,
      marine red alga Porphyra nereocystis Anderson, which in nature lives on the large
      annual kelp Nereocystis luetkeana (Mertens) Postels et Ruprecht, are released in
      culture only in response to a short-day photoperiod treatment followed by a long
      day treatment. Each treatment requires a minimum of three to four weeks and is
      enhanced by lower temperature during the second photoperiod treatment. To our
      knowledge P. nereocystis is the first known dualdaylength seaweed and requires a
      short-day-longday treatment for completion of its life cycle. This stringent
      environmental control of its reproduction appears to be an adaptation to
      coordinate conchospore production with the seasonal availability of its host kelp
      Nereocystis. 

PMID- 24241231
TI  - Transcription of a legumin gene from pea (Pisum sativum L.) in vitro.
AB  - The transcriptional activity of the pea legumin gene leg A in the HeLa cell
      lysate in-vitro transcription system has been assayed. Labelled transcripts were
      examined by hybridisation to restriction fragments of Leg A, and by glyoxalation
      followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Although the legumin gene was not
      transcribed efficiently, transcripts were shown to be produced from the correct
      region of Leg A, and analysis by S1 nuclease mapping was used to show that the
      transcription start was the same as in vivo. The transcripts produced in vitro
      did not extent over the whole coding sequence of the gene; termination of
      transcripts occurred in a semi-random fashion. Transcription of templates
      truncated at their 3' ends (i.e. in coding sequence) showed that discrete
      transcripts were produced from the start to restriction sites at approx. +520 and
      +900 bases. Transcription of templates truncated at their 5' ends showed that
      sequences upstream of-97 bases relative to the transcription start had no
      appreciable effect on transcription in vitro. 

PMID- 24241232
TI  - Amino-acid biosynthesis in the cotyledons of Sinapis alba L. in darkness and far
      red light studied by deuterium labelling and mass spectrometry.
AB  - The incorporation of deuterium from deuterium oxide into the free amino acids of
      the cotyledons of Sinapis alba L. was studied by gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry and was similar, both qualitatively and quantitatively, after
      incubation of the seedlings in darkness or far-red light. The results support
      studies which show that phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) is
      synthesised de novo, rather than activated, in response to far-red light. 

PMID- 24241233
TI  - Microbial associations of soil types.
AB  - Microorganisms are characterized by wide ranges of distribution. Some groups,
      however, are known to have zones of active proliferation, and the development of
      specific populations in discrete zones results in rather specific microbial
      associations in some soil types. The soils formed in warm climates are richer in
      microorganisms and contain more bacilli and actinomycetes. The spectrum of
      dominant microbial groups varies in different soil types. 

PMID- 24241234
TI  - Microbiological basis of phosphate removal in the activated sludge process for
      the treatment of wastewater.
AB  - Several strains resembling members of theAcinetobacter-Moraxella-Mima group of
      bacteria were isolated from activated sludge-type sewage treatment plants
      designed for phosphate removal. The bacteria are obligate aerobes but utilize as
      carbon and energy sources low-molecular intermediates generated anaerobically,
      particularly acetate and ethanol. These bacteria can be shown to be responsible
      for the phosphate luxury uptake occurring in these treatment plants. The bacteria
      are physiologically unusual in that they perform luxury uptake of phosphates in a
      complete growth medium. Phosphate release occurs on addition of a carbon source
      to the carbon-starved bacteria, lowering pH or both. The bacteria persist in the
      system by virtue of their ability to form floc. 

PMID- 24241235
TI  - The microbiology and biogeochemistry of the Dead Sea.
AB  - The Dead Sea is a hypersaline water body. Its total dissolved salts content is on
      the average 322.6 gm/liter. The dominant cation is Mg (40.7 gm/liter), followed
      by Na (39.2 gm/liter), Ca (17 gm/liter) and K (7 gm/liter). The major anion is Cl
      (212 gm/liter), followed by Br (5 gm/liter); SO4 and HCO3, are very minor. The
      lake contains a limited variety of microorganisms and no higher organisms. The
      number of recorded species is very low, but the total biomass is reasonably high
      (about 10(5) bacteria/ml and 10(4) algal cells/ml). The indigenous flora is
      comprised mainly of obligate halophylic bacteria, such as the pink,
      pleomorphicHalobacterium sp., aSarcina-like coccus, and the facultative
      halophilic green alga,Dunaliella. Sulfate reducers can be isolated from bottom
      sediments. Recently a unique obligate magnesiophile bacteria was isolated from
      Dead Sea sediment. Several of the Dead Sea organisms possess unusual properties.
      TheHalobacterium sp. has extremely high intercellular K(+) concentration (up to
      4.8M) and extraordinary specificity for K(+) over Na. TheDunaliella has very high
      intracellular concentration of glycerol (up to 2.1M). The microorganisms exert
      marked influence on some biogeochemical processes occurring in the lake, such as
      the control of the sulfur cycle and the formation and diagenesis of organic
      matter in the sediments. The Dead Sea is an excellent example of the development
      of two different mechanisms for adjusting to a hostile environment. The algae
      adjust to the high salinity by developing a mechanism for the exclusion of salts
      from the intracellular fluid and using glycerol for osmotic regulation. On the
      other hand, the bacteria adapt to the environment by adjusting their internal
      inorganic ionic strength, but not composition, to that of the medium. The problem
      of population dynamics and limiting factors for algal and bacterial productivity
      are discussed in view of the total absence of zooplankton and other consumers
      other than bacteria. 

PMID- 24241236
TI  - Binding of mercuric and other heavy metal ions by microbial growth media.
AB  - Ion-specific electrodes were used to study the binding of Hg(2+), Pb(2+), Cu(2+),
      and Cd(2+) ions to widely used bacterial growth media (Nutrient broth, trypticase
      soy broth, the medium of Foot and Taylor [6] and of Nelsonet al.[12]) and to
      media components [yeast extract, peptone, tryptone, proteose peptone, and
      casamino acids (acid hydrolyzed casein)]. Volatilization of Hg(2+) from aqueous
      solutions could be prevented by any of the growth media or their components. All
      media bound large amounts of Hg(2+), Pb(2+), and Cu(2+), but much less Cd(2+). Of
      the media components, casamino acids showed the most binding activity for all
      metal ions; the relative affinity of other media components to different ions
      varied with the cation studied. In general, the Irving-Williams [8] series for
      cation affinity to organic ligands was followed: Hg(2+)>Pa(2+)? Cu(2+)?
      Cd(2+).After adding 20 ppm of Hg(2+), Pb(2+), or Cu(2+) (concentrations
      inhibitory to the growth of most microorganisms) to the growth media, 80 ppb or
      less remained as free cations in the solution. This might suggest that such ions
      enter bacterial cells as organic complexes, or that bacterial cells can compete
      successfully with growth media for the bound ions. 

PMID- 24241237
TI  - Health-related quality of life in kidney transplant patients and non-renal
      replacement therapy patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3b-4.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with a functioning kidney transplant (Tx) and patients with
      chronic kidney disease (CKD) not in dialysis report better health-related quality
      of life (HRQoL) than patients requiring dialysis, but poorer than the general
      population. HRQoL is associated with kidney function, but it is unknown whether
      the kidney function per se is the main determinant of HRQoL. The aim of this
      study was to compare the HRQoL in 2 groups of patients with CKD: 1 group with
      native kidneys only (non-renal replacement therapy [non-RRT] group) and 1 group
      with a functioning kidney transplant (Tx group). MATERIAL/METHODS: The study was
      designed as a paired cross-sectional single-center study including 38 stable Tx
      patients age- and gender-matched with 38 non-RRT patients with the same kidney
      function, CKD stages 3b-4. HRQoL was evaluated using the short form-36 (SF-36)
      and a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: The multi-item scales and summary
      scores in SF-36 were not significantly different between the 2 groups of patients
      or the general Norwegian population. However, the non-RRT group scored
      significantly better than the Tx group when HRQoL was evaluated by VAS. The main
      determinants for HRQoL in both groups of patients were depression estimated by
      Beck depression inventory scores and comorbidity expressed by Davies comorbidity
      index scores. CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL evaluated by SF-36 in a group of stable Tx
      patients in CKD stages 3b-4 is comparable to that of a group of non-RRT patients.
      However, HRQoL VAS was better in the non-RRT group, suggesting that VAS and SF-36
      may evaluate different aspects in HRQoL in the same group of patients.

PMID- 24241238
TI  - Mechanistic studies of transition metal-mediated C-C bond activation.
AB  - Organometallic compounds have been found to be of use in cleaving C-C bonds, as
      strong metal-carbon bonds can be formed to replace the bond that is broken.
      Studies of the mechanism of C-C cleavage can provide insight into how these bonds
      can be cleaved, and can give valuable information that can be used to develop new
      strategies for breaking C-C bonds and using the products in catalysis. In this
      chapter, we will examine a number of systems where mechanistic information has
      been obtained in C-C cleavage. 

PMID- 24241239
TI  - Natural and orthogonal model for estimating gene-gene interactions applied to
      cutaneous melanoma.
AB  - Epistasis, or gene-gene interaction, results from joint effects of genes on a
      trait; thus, the same alleles of one gene may display different genetic effects
      in different genetic backgrounds. In this study, we generalized the coding
      technique of a natural and orthogonal interaction (NOIA) model for association
      studies along with gene-gene interactions for dichotomous traits and human
      complex diseases. The NOIA model which has non-correlated estimators for genetic
      effects is important for estimating influence from multiple loci. We conducted
      simulations and data analyses to evaluate the performance of the NOIA model. Both
      simulation and real data analyses revealed that the NOIA statistical model had
      higher power for detecting main genetic effects and usually had higher power for
      some interaction effects than the usual model. Although associated genes have
      been identified for predisposing people to melanoma risk: HERC2 at 15q13.1, MC1R
      at 16q24.3 and CDKN2A at 9p21.3, no gene-gene interaction study has been fully
      explored for melanoma. By applying the NOIA statistical model to a genome-wide
      melanoma dataset, we confirmed the previously identified significantly associated
      genes and found potential regions at chromosomes 5 and 4 that may interact with
      the HERC2 and MC1R genes, respectively. Our study not only generalized the
      orthogonal NOIA model but also provided useful insights for understanding the
      influence of interactions on melanoma risk. 

PMID- 24241240
TI  - Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in ulcerative colitis.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified at least 133 ulcerative
      colitis (UC) associated loci. The role of genetic factors in clinical practice is
      not clearly defined. The relevance of genetic variants to disease pathogenesis is
      still uncertain because of not characterized gene-gene and gene-environment
      interactions. We examined the predictive value of combining the 133 UC risk loci
      with genetic interactions in an ongoing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) GWAS.
      The Wellcome Trust Case-Control Consortium (WTCCC) IBD GWAS was used as a
      replication cohort. We applied logic regression (LR), a novel adaptive regression
      methodology, to search for high-order interactions. Exploratory genotype
      correlations with UC sub-phenotypes [extent of disease, need of surgery, age of
      onset, extra-intestinal manifestations and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)]
      were conducted. The combination of 133 UC loci yielded good UC risk
      predictability [area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86]. A higher cumulative allele
      score predicted higher UC risk. Through LR, several lines of evidence for genetic
      interactions were identified and successfully replicated in the WTCCC cohort. The
      genetic interactions combined with the gene-smoking interaction significantly
      improved predictability in the model (AUC, from 0.86 to 0.89, P = 3.26E-05).
      Explained UC variance increased from 37 to 42 % after adding the interaction
      terms. A within case analysis found suggested genetic association with PSC. Our
      study demonstrates that the LR methodology allows the identification and
      replication of high-order genetic interactions in UC GWAS datasets. UC risk can
      be predicted by a 133 loci and improved by adding gene-gene and gene-environment
      interactions. 

PMID- 24241242
TI  - Biodefense: trends and challenges in combating biological warfare agents.

PMID- 24241243
TI  - Advances in diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review current studies on endoscopic and technologic
      advances for the detection and treatment of colorectal neoplasia. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Improvements in adenoma detection have been shown to be possible with
      the use of high definition white light as well as water-related methods such as
      water exchange. Use of cap assist colonoscopy, when combined with water-related
      methods, has recently been shown to also improve the detection of adenomas.
      Narrow band imaging and confocal laser endomicroscopy may have an advantage of
      offering endoscopists the ability to make an 'optical diagnosis' with the
      possibility of discarding nonadenomatous tissue. Furthermore, educational
      interventions aimed at improving adenoma detection may have lasting effects on
      endoscopists' adenoma detection rates. Lastly, endoscopic mucosal resection and
      endoscopic submucosal dissection are being applied for the treatment of large
      colorectal polyps, obviating the need for surgery in most instances. However,
      further studies are needed to establish the optimal methods for polyp resection.
      SUMMARY: Advances in endoscopic technology are being shown to enhance the
      detection of early cancers and precancerous lesions. However, these tools may be
      supplementary to a high-quality colonoscopy using excellent techniques, factors
      that are now being implemented in training programs.

PMID- 24241241
TI  - A molecular pathway for the egress of ammonia produced by nitrogenase.
AB  - Nitrogenase converts N2 to NH3, at one face of an Fe-Mo-S cluster (FeMo-co)
      buried in the protein. Through exploration of cavities in the structures of
      nitrogenase proteins, a pathway for the egress of ammonia from its generation
      site to the external medium is proposed. This pathway is conserved in the three
      species Azotobacter vinelandii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Clostridium
      pasteurianum. A molecular mechanism for the translocation of NH3 by skipping
      through a sequence of hydrogen bonds involving eleven water molecules and
      surrounding aminoacids has been developed. The putative mechanism requires
      movement aside of some water molecules by up to ~ 1A. Consistent with this, the
      surrounding protein is comprised of different chains and has little secondary
      structure: protein fluctuations are part of the mechanism. This NH3 pathway is
      well separated from the water chain and embedded proton wire that have been
      proposed for serial supply of protons to FeMo-co. Verification procedures are
      suggested. 

PMID- 24241244
TI  - Global progress towards eliminating gastrointestinal helminth infections.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To highlight the gastrointestinal helminths in the context of
      renewed global commitment to control or eliminate neglected tropical diseases in
      the coming decade. RECENT FINDINGS: Two key documents, namely the 2012 London
      Declaration for Neglected Tropical Diseases and the 2013 World Health Assembly
      resolution, emphasize the importance of mass drug administration (MDA) for
      controlling several key neglected tropical diseases. These documents, together
      with the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010, establish the major
      gastrointestinal helminth infections, including the soil-transmitted
      helminthiases - ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm, and strongyloidiasis - in
      addition to the intestinal and liver fluke infections, as some of the most
      important gastrointestinal infections of humankind. Current MDA approaches using
      single-dose albendazole or mebendazole are effective for ascariasis, less so for
      other soil-transmitted helminth infections. Expanded use of albendazole in
      combination with ivermectin would ensure improved drug efficacies against
      trichuriasis and strongyloidiasis. There is no effective elimination strategy for
      targeting hookworm and liver and intestinal fluke infections through current MDA
      approaches. SUMMARY: The global community must expand current MDA efforts, while
      simultaneously developing additional drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines alongside
      better utilizing transmission dynamics and modeling, if it is to successfully
      meet the goals and targets established by policymakers.

PMID- 24241245
TI  - Fecal microbiota transplantation: facts and controversies.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current evidence on fecal microbiota
      transplantations (FMTs) for recurrent Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs),
      metabolic syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, a
      randomized trial confirmed the efficacy of this treatment strategy in patients
      with recurrent CDI. For other disorders, evidence is still limited. To date,
      studies have been performed to try and influence the course of metabolic syndrome
      and inflammatory bowel disease. SUMMARY: There is increasing interest in the role
      of altered microbiota in the development of a myriad of diseases. Together with
      new insights comes an interest in influencing this altered microbiota as a
      potential target for therapy. FMTs are effective against recurrent CDI, a
      disorder caused by disruption of the normal microbiota. Restoration of intestinal
      flora and thereby restoration of colonization resistance is thought to be the
      mechanism responsible for cure. With the developments in FMT and the extension of
      this treatment modality to both intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases, a new
      field of targeted therapy awaits. The ultimate goal is the development of
      powerful probiotic regimens that can replace FMT. Currently, FMT should only be
      given in a strict experimental setting for other conditions than CDI.

PMID- 24241247
TI  - Effectiveness of influenza vaccine in patients on hemodialysis--a review.
AB  - The influenza virus is one of the most common causes of viral respiratory tract
      infections. Some chronic diseases predispose to a severe course of the disease
      and increase the risk of complications and death. To minimize the risk of
      infection and complications, care of patients with increased risk should include
      prophylactic measures such as the administration of a seasonal influenza vaccine.
      An influenza vaccine is the best and cheapest method of influenza prevention. It
      is indicated for patients with chronic kidney disease, both during conservative
      treatment and renal replacement therapy. Many studies that have assessed the
      efficacy of an influenza vaccine in patients on hemodialysis have found that
      immune deficiency predisposes these patients to infection and a severe course of
      the disease. Because the immune response to a standard influenza vaccine in this
      population is weak, the studies covered many aspects of vaccination, including
      the need for a booster dose. Unlike in a healthy population, the efficacy of an
      influenza vaccine in patients on hemodialysis might be insufficient; however, the
      vaccine is still able to induce immunity in a significant number of patients.
      Considering the latest data and the results of studies described above, the
      recommendation of a seasonal influenza vaccine should be obligatory in all
      hemodialysis patients. This paper is based on original articles available from
      Medline database. The most recent and most significant literature on the
      influenza vaccine in patients on hemodialysis has been reviewed. 

PMID- 24241246
TI  - The role of monocyte phenotype switching in peri-procedural myocardial injury and
      its involvement in statin therapy.
AB  - Peri-procedural myocardial injury, which is associated with worse long-term
      clinical outcome, is a common complication related to inflammatory pathogenetic
      mechanisms. Monocytes and macrophages play key roles in the initiation and
      progression of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that monocytes
      in human peripheral blood are heterogeneous, including CD14+CD16- monocytes and
      CD14+CD16+ monocytes. Several lines of evidence suggested that CD14+CD16+
      monocytes might contribute to the accelerated atherosclerosis. In view of the
      heightened appreciation of the heterogeneity of circulating monocytes, we
      hypothesized that an up-shifting subset of CD14+CD16+ monocytes might be induced
      by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which subsequently leads to peri
      procedural myocardial injury. Moreover, statins loading before PCI could exert
      anti-inflammatory effects partly by modulating monocyte phenotype and thus
      prevent peri-procedural myocardial injury. 

PMID- 24241248
TI  - Gadolinium oxysulfide nanoparticles as multimodal imaging agents for T2-weighted
      MR, X-ray tomography and photoluminescence.
AB  - We have synthesized gadolinium oxysulfide nanoparticles (NPs) doped with other
      lanthanides (Eu(3+), Er(3+), Yb(3+)) via a hydroxycarbonate precursor
      precipitation route followed by a sulfuration process under a H2S-Ar atmosphere
      at 750  degrees C in order to propose new multimodal nanoplatforms for Magnetic
      Resonance (MR), X-ray and photoluminescence imaging. Gd2O2S:Eu(3+) NPs strongly
      absorb near UV (~ 300-400 nm) and re-emit strong red light (624 nm). They can be
      easily internalized by cancer cells, and imaged by epifluorescence microscopy
      under excitation in the NUV (365 nm). They are not cytotoxic for living cells up
      to 100 MUg mL(-1). Consequently, they are well adapted for in vitro imaging on
      cell cultures. Gd2O2S:Eu(3+) NPs also show strong transverse relaxivity and
      strong X-ray absorption allowing their use as contrast agents for T2-weighted MRI
      and X-ray tomography. Our study shows that Gd2O2S:Eu(3+) NPs are considerably
      better than commercial Ferumoxtran-10 NPs as negative contrast agents for MRI.
      Upconversion emission of Gd2O2S:Er; Yb (1; 8%) NPs under infrared excitation
      (lambda(ex) = 980 nm) shows mainly red emission (~ 650-680 nm). Consequently,
      they are more specifically designed for in vivo deep fluorescence imaging,
      because both excitation and emission are located inside the "transparency window"
      of biological tissues (650-1200 nm). Magnetic relaxivity and X-ray absorption
      behaviors of Gd2O2S:Er; Yb NPs are almost similar to Gd2O2S:Eu(3+) NPs.

PMID- 24241249
TI  - Genotoxic damage in the oral mucosal cells of subjects carrying restorative
      dental fillings.

PMID- 24241250
TI  - Mitochondrial toxin betulinic acid induces in vitro eryptosis in human red blood
      cells through membrane permeabilization.
AB  - Betulinic acid (BA), a compound isolated from the bark of white birch (Betula
      pubescens), was reported to induce apoptosis in many types of cancer through
      mitochondrial dysfunction with low side effects in normal cells. Because of these
      features, BA is regarded as a potential anti-cancer agent. However, the effect of
      BA on the induction of cell death in human erythrocytes remains unknown. Given
      that BA is a mitochondrial toxin and mitochondria are the central cell death
      regulator, we hypothesized that BA is unable to elicit apoptosis (also known as
      eryptosis or erythroptosis) in human erythrocytes devoid of mitochondria. This
      study therefore tried to determine the in vitro effect of BA on the induction of
      eryptosis/erythroptosis. Contrary to our prediction, BA caused phosphatidylserine
      externalization, increase in cellular Ca(2+) ion concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) and
      eryptosis/erythroptosis in human erythrocytes with a lethal dose larger than that
      in cancer lines. Mechanistically, the rise of [Ca(2+)]i seems not to be the only
      key mediator in the BA-mediated eryptosis/erythroptosis because depletion of
      external Ca(2+) and use of Ca(2+) channels blockers could not eliminate the BA's
      effect. Also, BA was able to elicit discocyte-echinocyte transformation and
      release calcein from the RBC ghosts in a way similar to digitonin through
      membrane permeabilization. Collectively, we report here for the first time that
      BA induced eryptosis/erythroptosis in human erythrocytes through Ca(2+) loading
      and membrane permeabilization.

PMID- 24241253
TI  - Head and neck surgical patients; is it time for a bridle era?
AB  - Early enteral feeding is vital for successful outcomes in patients who have
      undergone open pharyngeal surgery, with nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding being a
      safe and accepted method of providing enteral nutrition in the short-term.
      Securing the NGT is key to ensure adequate caloric consumption and avoid the
      potential complications of re-siting the tube. The aim of this study was to
      compare the efficacy of utilising an anterior septal suture to a bridle system
      for NGT fixation. A sheep's head model was used to represent the nasal cavity of
      post-operative patients and a fine-bore NGT was passed. The NGT was secured with
      either an anterior septal suture or bridle system. A pulley system of weights was
      applied until the NGT slipped or snapped. Each weight and condition was
      investigated five times. The anterior and posterior septum were examined for
      evidence of damage for each condition. At 5 kg the anterior septal suture allowed
      the NGT to slip and the tube began to become distorted. At 5.5 kg the anterior
      septal suture snapped the NGT. In comparison, the bridle system was able to
      sustain a weight up to 15.5 kg (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.0079). There was no
      evidence of damage to the anterior or posterior septum for each condition. The
      bridle system was able to fix the NGT without slippage or damage at higher
      weights than the anterior septal suture. This suggests there may be potential
      benefits of stronger NGT fixation with reduced tube damage using bridle systems
      in patients, but further research is required in this domain. 

PMID- 24241254
TI  - Scientific hero: Dr. James E. K. Hildreth.

PMID- 24241252
TI  - Combined type IIIB with bilateral type I thyroplasty for pitch lowering with
      maintenance of vocal fold tension.
AB  - To evaluate type IIIB thyroplasty using the excised larynx bench apparatus and
      determine how altering vocal fold contour by performing bilateral medialization
      of the inferior vocal fold affects phonation. This procedure could be performed
      in patients for whom pitch lowering is desirable, such as female-to-male
      transsexuals or male patients with mutational falsetto in whom intensive voice
      therapy was insufficient. Aerodynamic, acoustic, and high-speed videokymographic
      data were collected for nine larynges at three subglottal pressure inputs for
      each of three conditions: normal; type IIIB thyroplasty; and combined type IIIB
      with modified bilateral type I thyroplasty intended to create a more rectangular
      glottal configuration. Each larynx served as its own control. Phonation threshold
      flow (p = 0.005), phonation threshold power (p = 0.031), and airflow varied
      across conditions with highest values for type IIIB thyroplasty and lowest for
      the combined procedure. Fundamental frequency was significantly different (p <
      0.001), decreasing by approximately 100 Hz from control to type IIIB trials, and
      then by approximately 15 Hz from IIIB to combined procedure trials. Vibratory
      amplitudes and intrafold phase difference were highest for type IIIB trials.
      Addition of bilateral inferior medialization to type IIIB thyroplasty provided
      some further decrease in frequency, but mostly served to increase tension, reduce
      airflow, and produce a vibratory pattern which more closely mirrored control
      trials. Exploration of this combined procedure in patients may be warranted if
      not completely satisfied with the results from type IIIB thyroplasty alone. 

PMID- 24241255
TI  - Making a difference: steps to develop a research pipeline in Puerto Rico.

PMID- 24241257
TI  - Reproductive Health Assessment After Disasters: embedding a toolkit within the
      disaster management workforce to address health inequalities among Gulf-Coast
      women.
AB  - Gulf Coast women are especially vulnerable to the effects of disaster and for
      many this vulnerability is compounded by existing poor health-related quality of
      life. Post-Hurricane Isaac, a baseline survey battery utilizing the Reproductive
      Health Assessment After Disasters (RHAD) Toolkit, the Medical Outcomes Study
      Social Support Survey, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used
      quantitatively to assess reproductive health risks, services, and outcomes and to
      explore the psychosocial effects of disaster among pregnant and postpartum women
      aged 18-45 years (N=300). The pilot study included trained community health
      workers and patient navigators to implement a community needs assessment in
      Southeast Louisiana. The community health navigation corps administered RHAD and
      the brief psychosocial battery to gain a closer understanding of post-disaster
      reproductive health needs. Findings demonstrate the importance of making a
      transition from patient navigation into disaster management in order to reduce
      fragmentation in health care systems and to implement innovative approaches in
      survey methodology. 

PMID- 24241256
TI  - Different levels of HIV DNA copy numbers in cerebrospinal fluid cellular subsets.
AB  - Inequities in the incidence of HIV infection and AIDS with continued persistence
      of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) exist in populations in Hawaii
      (HI) and Puerto Rico (PR). We previously reported that peripheral monocyte HIV
      DNA levels are high in patients in Hawaii with HAND and we now hypothesize that
      similar findings would be observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cellular
      subsets. Cerebrospinal fluid cells were obtained from patients from PR and HI
      undergoing neurocognitive testing and sorted into monocytes (CD14+) and
      lymphocytes (CD14-) and HIV DNA was measured. From six PR subjects (three HAND,
      three normal cognition, NC) and six HI subjects (three HAND, three NC), HIV DNA
      burden in CD14+ cells was higher in HAND than NC patients; NC patients had higher
      HIV DNA burden in CD14-cells versus HAND. Differences in HIV DNA burden in
      particular CSF cellular subsets suggest that HIV DNA burden may play a role in
      HAND neuropathogenesis. 

PMID- 24241258
TI  - Hepatitis-C multimedia prevention program in poor Hispanic HIV-infected injecting
      drug users: six months after intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to prevent the spread of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) amongst
      Hispanic injection drug users (IDUs), we developed, validated, and implemented a
      multimedia educational intervention program. METHODS: A pre-post intervention
      study design was used to evaluate long-lasting knowledge and behavior changes in
      a group of 88 low-income Hispanic HIV-infected IDUs. Pre-intervention data was
      compared with data measured six months after the intervention. RESULTS: A
      significant increase in the awareness regarding HCV clinical manifestations, HCV
      risky behaviors, HCV prevention practices, and HIV/HCV co-infection synergisms
      was observed in the group six months post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Our study
      confirms the long-lasting benefits of multimedia based intervention programs for
      disseminating HCV prevention strategies in IDUs. Preventive educational
      approaches that use images, figures, and animations tools can be recommended to
      target and tailor interventions for vulnerable populations.

PMID- 24241259
TI  - Importance of vitamin D and vitamin D levels status in Puerto Ricans.
AB  - There is growing and compelling evidence demonstrating the extra-skeletal role of
      vitamin D and the importance of maintaining adequate levels of this nutrient.
      Currently, there is very limited information available on the vitamin D status in
      children and adults in underserved groups, including Puerto Ricans. We assessed
      the vitamin D status of 4,090 Puerto Ricans living in six geographical regions in
      the island. Only 31.5% of the studied population had sufficient vitamin D levels
      (>30 ng/ml). The 18-39 year age group and the females showed inadequate (<30
      ng/ml) levels of vitamin D (76.9% and 69.8%, respectively). Participants aged 60
      or older showed the highest mean values of serum 25(OH)D (28.8 ng/ml) and the
      highest percentage (37.1%) of sufficient levels (>30 ng/ml). Future studies are
      certainly warranted to understand the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and
      influencing factors (including obesity) in Puerto Ricans. 

PMID- 24241260
TI  - A community-based pilot study of a diabetes pharmacist intervention in Latinos:
      impact on weight and hemoglobin A1c.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects Latinos increasing their risk of
      diabetes-related complications. This study used a randomized controlled design
      with a community-based approach to evaluate the impact of a culturally tailored
      pharmacist intervention on clinical outcomes in Latino diabetics. The
      intervention included a focused discussion and two individual pharmacist
      counseling sessions on medication, nutrition, exercise, and self-care to promote
      behavior changes. Sessions were culturally adapted for language, diet, family
      participation, and cultural beliefs. Clinical outcomes were measured at baseline
      and three months. Nineteen intervention and 24 control participants completed the
      study. Mean BMI reduction was greater for intervention than for control group
      participants (-0.73 +/- 0.07 kg/m2 versus + 0.37 +/- 0.02 kg/m2 p<.009
      respectively). Hemoglobin A1c was significantly reduced by 0.93 +/- 0.45% in the
      intervention group only. There was no significant difference in blood glucose,
      blood pressure, or lipid levels. An innovative culturally-sensitive pharmacist
      intervention improved selected clinical outcomes among Latino diabetics.

PMID- 24241261
TI  - Fractionated Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract inhibit prostate cancer (PC3.AR)
      cells growth by reducing androgen receptor and survivin levels.
AB  - In this study, the antiproliferative activity of the organic solvent-soluble and
      aqueous extracts of Ocimum gratissimum leaf against the prostate cancer cells
      PC3.AR were evaluated by their inhibitory effects on the Androgen Receptor (AR)
      and Survivin protein. Two organic solvent-soluble extracts P2 and P3-2, and a
      water- soluble extract, PS/PT1, were found to reduce AR and Survivin levels in a
      time-dependent manner. In addition, extract PS/PT1, also exhibited the inhibitory
      activity in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first time that the inhibitory
      eff ects of O. gratissimum extracts have been evaluated on the Androgen Receptor
      (AR) and Survivin protein. The results encouraged the further studies of O.
      gratissimum as a potential treatment of prostate cancer.

PMID- 24241262
TI  - Apolipoprotein E4 prevents growth of malaria at the intraerythrocyte stage:
      implications for differences in racial susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Apolipoprotein E 4 (ApoE 4) has been linked to pathogenesis of Alzheimer's
      disease and has been suggested to be maintained through evolutionary pressure via
      a protective role in malaria infection. We evaluated Plasmodium falciparum
      viability at the intraerythrocyte stage by exposure to plasma from human subjects
      with ApoE 4/4 or ApoE 3/3. Plasma samples from ApoE 4/4 but not ApoE 3/3 donors
      inhibited growth and disrupted morphology of P. falciparum. Evolutionary history
      is characterized by war between pathogenic microorganisms and defense mechanisms
      countering their pathogenicities. ApoE 4 frequency is highest in sub-Saharan
      Africa and other isolated populations (e.g., Papua New Guinea) that exhibit
      endemic malaria. High ApoE frequency may offer selective advantage protecting
      against some infectious diseases (e.g., Plasmodium falciparum). These results
      implicate evolutionary pressure by malaria selecting humans with ApoE 4/4, even
      considering lower survival in late life. These selective advantages may be
      relevant in the exploration of possible disparities between Black and Whites in
      the incidence of Alzheimer's Disease.

PMID- 24241264
TI  - HIV/AIDS in the Puerto Rican elderly: immunological changes between gender and
      body mass index.
AB  - PURPOSE: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the elderly population has serious
      repercussions. The elderly are underdiagnosed for HIV and the costs associated
      with their late-stage care represent a financial burden to the public health
      system. The purpose is to analyze various profiles among a cohort of elderly
      patients with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: This is a baseline cohort 60 years or older seen
      in the Retrovirus Research Center between January 2000 to December 2011. We
      present the profiles of our cohort stratified by gender and body mass index
      viewed as a covariate of interest. RESULTS: A total of 266 people (68% males and
      32% females) seen at the Center were older than 60 years of age. Males were
      significantly more often overweight (p<.05). Females were significantly more
      underweight with chronic conditions (p<.05). Women had higher CD4 count and lower
      HIV viral loads (p<.05). Underweight elderly males were more heavily affected
      with the burden of HIV infection compared with women.

PMID- 24241263
TI  - Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms and resiliency among African
      American women in a community-based primary health care center.
AB  - The purpose of this cross-sectional pilot study was to determine the prevalence
      and correlates of depressive symptoms and resiliency among 290 African American
      women (AAW) in a community-based primary health care center. Descriptive
      statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and logistic regression analyses
      were conducted. Findings indicate that depressive symptoms are experienced by 49%
      of the participants, while 10% indicated a history of suicidal ideation.
      Participants had moderately high resiliency scores that had a statistically
      significant inverse relationship with depressive symptoms. This suggests that
      resiliency is potentially a protective factor for depressive symptoms. Depressive
      symptoms were positively correlated with participants' diagnosis of at least one
      chronic disease. The strongest predictors of depressive symptoms were previous
      diagnoses of a mental health condition and unemployment. This study identifies
      risk and potential protective factors for depression among a clinic sample of
      AAW.

PMID- 24241265
TI  - Health empowerment technologies (HET): building a web-based tool to empower older
      African American patient-doctor relationships.
AB  - Responding to health and digital inequities among older African Americans, a
      customized web-based mobile health information intervention is being developed
      for this vulnerable group and their doctors as part of the Health Empowerment
      Technologies (HET) Project. The belief is an empowered patient-doctor
      relationship leads to more improved health outcomes than patient empowerment
      alone. Using health information technology to empower both older African
      Americans and their doctors by increasing health literacy and computer capacities
      of both is the major HET study aim. A focus group of older African American
      patients and one of their doctors yielded data to help build the HET. Thematic
      analysis of opinions and preferences about the content and structure of the HET
      revealed concordance and asymmetry among the patients and doctors. While
      challenges prevail in its construction, building this ethnicity-specific web
      based health information technology presents the opportunity to integrate health
      information technology in clinical encounters for every patient. 

PMID- 24241266
TI  - Acrolein-induced oxidative stress in NAD(P)H Oxidase Subunit gp91phox knock-out
      mice and its modulation of NFkappaB and CD36.
AB  - An essential component of NAD(P)H, gp91phox, maintains the functionality of the
      enzyme in producing oxygen radicals. NAD(P)H oxidase plays an important role in
      oxidative stress but its precise contribution in acrolein-induced toxicity was
      not explored. We examined the involvement of NAD(P)H oxidase and other oxidant
      system in acrolein toxicity using gp91phox knockout mice. Male gp91phox knockout
      (KO) mice (20-25 gm) or wild type (WT) controls were treated with acrolein (0.5
      MUg/kg; 1 week). Animals were sacrificed and the liver was used to determine
      biochemical parameters. Knockout mice generated low (1.43 +/-.02 pg/MUg protein)
      free radicals as evident in 8-Isoprostane compared with the WT mice (2.19 +/-
      0.1). Acrolein increased 8-Isoprostane in WT (P<.05) and KO (p<.05) mice.
      Xanthine Oxidase (XO) activity was higher (p<.05) in KO (0.56 +/- 0.06 MU
      unit/MUg protein) than WT mice. Acrolein increased XO in KO mice, but
      significantly increased it only in WT. Cycloxygenase (COX) activity was not
      different between WT and KO mice, although acroelin increased COX in WT. Knockout
      mice exhibited a significantly low (2.1 +/- 0.2 MUmol/mg protein) total
      antioxidant status (TAS) compared with the WT (3.5 +/- 0.3). Acrolein reduced TAS
      in both WT and KO mice equally. Baseline NFkappaB was significantly higher in KO
      mice, although acrolein increased NFkappaB in WT but not in KO. CD36 was higher
      (p<.05) in KO mice than the WT and acrolein increased (p<.05) CD36 further in KO
      but not in WT mice. These data suggest that NAD(P)H oxidase contributes
      significantly in acrolein-induced oxidative stress. We also suggests that in the
      absence of NAD(P)H oxidase XO plays a definitive role together with reduced
      antioxidant ability to compound the toxic effects of acrolein. We propose that in
      absence of NAD(P)H oxidase a different signaling process may involve that
      utilizes CD36 besides NFkappaB.

PMID- 24241267
TI  - Factors associated with time-to-treatment of prostate cancer in Florida.

PMID- 24241268
TI  - Sickle cell anemia: the impact of discovery, politics, and business.
AB  - Sickle cell anemia affects 100,000 African Americans. Frequent blood transfusions
      to prevent stroke lead to fatal iron-overload. Iron chelation with deferoxamine
      (DFO) requires expensive infusions. In the present study, we explore the
      feasibility of using a new delivery system for DFO, i.e., targeted liposome
      entrapped DFO (LDFO). Our results reveal that our novel formulation lowered the
      dosage requirements by 50%-75%, allowed for less frequent and shorter treatment
      durations, eliminating the need for a pump and the standard multi-night
      administration of DFO. In an iron-overloaded rat model, LDFO reduced iron in the
      liver, and also improved cardiac function. The lower dosage and improved safety
      profile makes our novel LDFO delivery system a highly desirable new therapy.
      Meanwhile, this system will also provide an ideal model for studying the
      mechanism of Fe overload-induced arrhythmias. The political and economic factors
      related to health care disparities are also discussed. 

PMID- 24241269
TI  - Eliminating health disparities in women's health in Puerto Rico.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hispanic women in Puerto Rico share health concerns that affect
      women generally, and suffer disproportionately from some health concerns relative
      to non-Hispanic women. The University of Puerto Rico Women's Health Center
      contributes to the promotion of women's health by developing sustainable
      preventive services, designing programs according to women's needs, and creating
      awareness of sex/gender differences in health and disease. INITIATIVES: A
      longitudinal breast cancer early detection clinic was developed and a community
      screening campaign was coordinated. Focus groups were conducted. A course on
      sex/gender considerations in research was developed and offered. OUTCOMES: Access
      to early detection of breast cancer was provided through an annual on-campus
      clinic and a community screening campaign. A breast cancer support group resulted
      from focus group recommendations. Health professionals from diverse disciplines
      participated in a course on sex/gender considerations in research. CONCLUSIONS:
      Synergistic efforts towards eliminating disparities in women's health from an
      academic perspective provide a valuable tool for the promotion of health among
      Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico.

PMID- 24241270
TI  - Translating science into better health: the power of diversity and multicultural
      engagement. Preface.

PMID- 24241271
TI  - Translating science into better health: the power of diversity and multicultural
      engagement. Guest editors' message.

PMID- 24241272
TI  - The school-based lived experiences of adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: School plays a critical role in influencing the health, safety,
      development, and well-being of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).
      However, scant research has been conducted to understand the lived experiences of
      these adolescents in school settings. PURPOSE: This study investigates the school
      based lived experiences of Taiwanese adolescents with T1DM. METHOD: A Heidegger's
      hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used, and 14 Taiwanese adolescents with
      T1DM were enrolled through purposive snowball sampling until data saturation was
      reached. Data were collected using audio-recorded, semistructured interviews and
      analyzed using the hermeneutic circle supported by qualitative analysis software
      NVivo 9.0. Reflective journaling, peer debriefing, memo writing, and member
      checking were performed to enhance the trustworthiness of the findings. RESULTS:
      Six interrelated themes were identified: (a) the same yet different, (b) covert
      and overt, (c) limitations and freedom, (d) independent and dependent, (e)
      derailing and being on track, and (f) disease identity and denial. Multiple
      factors, including disease identity, social anxiety and pressure, ignorance of
      school personnel and classmates, and transition to independent self-management
      threatened the at-school health and well-being of participants.
      CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Much work remains to be done to adequately
      improve the school-life experiences of adolescents with T1DM. Interventions to
      facilitate their autonomy, self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, disease identity,
      and handling of situational obstacles are suggested as well as improving the
      understanding of T1DM for teachers and classmates and facilitating more proactive
      care by school nurses.

PMID- 24241273
TI  - Establishing a model to assess the effects of school support and self-care
      behaviors on life satisfaction in adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Life satisfaction is associated with positive development in
      adolescents. Understanding a path model of life satisfaction can help healthcare
      providers design interventions to improve positive development in adolescents
      with type 1 diabetes. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to construct a model
      that assesses the effects of school support and self-care behaviors on life
      satisfaction in adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Taiwan. METHODS: This study
      used a cross-sectional design. One hundred and thirty-nine adolescents aged 10-18
      years and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes were recruited. Participants completed
      questionnaires that assessed perceived school support, self-care behaviors, and
      life satisfaction. The hypothesized model was tested using structural equation
      modeling. RESULTS: School support significantly and directly affected self-care
      behaviors (beta = .46, p = .022) and life satisfaction (beta = .39, p = .034),
      self-care behaviors directly affected life satisfaction (beta = .56, p = .048),
      and school support indirectly affected life satisfaction (beta = .26, p = .015)
      through the mediation of self-care behaviors. The fix indices were as follows:
      chi2 = 8.141, df = 11, p = .701, goodness of fit index = .984, normed fit index =
      .949, and root mean square residual = .001. The model explained 66.1% of total
      life satisfaction variance. CONCLUSIONS: School support and self-care behaviors
      positively influence the life satisfaction of adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
      Improvements in school support and self-care behaviors are necessary to improve
      life satisfaction in this vulnerable group.

PMID- 24241274
TI  - Parental knowledge, concerns, and management of childhood fever in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood fever is a commonly treated condition in medical settings.
      Many studies around the world have reported on the phenomenon of parental fever
      phobia. Studies of parental knowledge regarding childhood fever are lacking in
      Taiwan. PURPOSE: This study explores parental knowledge, concerns, and management
      of childhood fever and their correlates in Taiwan. METHODS: This study used a
      cross-sectional survey and self-administered questionnaire. Six hundred forty
      nine parents were recruited as participants from pediatric clinics and
      kindergartens in southern Taiwan. RESULTS: Nearly half (47.2%) of participants
      incompletely understood the healthcare information about childhood fever provided
      by physicians and nurses. Furthermore, 41.6% of parents were dissatisfied with
      the information provided. The median score of parental knowledge was 10
      (interquartile range [IQR] = [8, 12] out of a maximum of 23). Parent gender,
      religion, education level, and occupation were independent predictors of
      knowledge scores. Parents who were never or sometimes concerned about childhood
      fever had significantly higher knowledge scores than those who were always
      concerned about childhood fever (median knowledge score: 11, IQR = [9, 13] vs.
      10, IQR = [8, 11]). Most parents followed Western medical advice to manage
      childhood fever; however, 31.1% of parents combined this with traditional folk
      treatments. Levels of concern among parents included 86.6% of parents who
      frequently or always worried about their children's fever. Fever-induced anxiety
      was reported by 68.8% of the parents. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:
      Participants' lack of fever-related knowledge was because, in part, of either
      their not understanding or their dissatisfaction with provided information. The
      higher level of concern compared with other countries and studies indicates that
      parents in Taiwan need appropriate information about fever management to
      alleviate their concerns and guide them in caring for their febrile children.

PMID- 24241275
TI  - Life-sustaining treatment: a comparison of the preferences of Taiwanese older
      adults and their family caregiver.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Written advance directives are not common practice in Taiwan; thus,
      when older adults are critically ill, family members are usually the ones to make
      decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment. PURPOSE: This study determined how
      well the preferences of the family members for the older adults match the
      preferences of the older adults themselves with regard to life-sustaining
      treatment. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative descriptive research design was
      used in this study. Ninety-five pairs of older adults and their families were
      included in the final analysis. The Life Support Preferences Questionnaire was
      used to measure life-sustaining preferences. Paired- sample t tests were
      performed to compare the mean differences between the older adults' preferences
      and the family members' preferences for these older adults. FINDING: Family
      members scored higher on life-sustaining treatment preferences than the older
      adults for all 32 examined items, with 23 (72%) of these items showing
      statistical significance. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Communication
      between older adults and their family members regarding life-sustaining treatment
      may help prevent older adults from receiving unwanted treatments.

PMID- 24241276
TI  - A pilot study of an illness management and recovery program in discharged
      patients with schizophrenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accumulated evidence supports the effectiveness of equipping
      chronically ill patients with illness management knowledge and skills. The
      Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) program developed by the United States
      government has been widely adopted for persons with mental illness. However, few
      studies support its effectiveness in patients with schizophrenia. PURPOSE: This
      pilot study developed a culturally adapted and abbreviated version of the IMR for
      Taiwanese patients with schizophrenia who were ready for discharge from the
      hospital. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of the program in terms of
      illness knowledge, drug attitude, insight, and psychopathology. METHODS: The
      original IMR was condensed and modified for implementation during participants'
      preparation for hospital discharge. Using a preexperimental design, pretest and
      posttest assessments for a single group of 26 participants received the new IMR
      twice a week for 3 weeks on the four outcome indicators of illness knowledge,
      drug attitude, insight, and psychopathology. RESULTS: Participants improved in
      terms of treatment-related illness knowledge, insight, and affective-domain
      psychopathology (p < .01) after intervention completion. Average participant
      attendance was 5.45 sessions out of 6 total sessions. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS
      FOR PRACTICE: The intensive symptom and medication-focused IMR model for soon-to
      be-discharged patients with schizophrenia had positive impacts on illness
      management. In the future, studies using a two-group randomized controlled design
      and extended follow-up should be conducted to determine the long-term effects of
      IMR.

PMID- 24241277
TI  - Effectiveness of a nursing consultation intervention for older people with
      functional mobility impairments: a prospective, longitudinal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a need for prevention strategies in elderly individuals with
      mobility impairments. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects
      of nursing consultations on the functional abilities and quality of life of
      elderly individuals with mobility impairments after discharge from a
      rehabilitation facility. METHODS: A single-site, prospective, longitudinal study
      with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was conducted in a
      geriatric rehabilitation facility and in the living environments of the patients
      after discharge. The intervention consisted of nurse-delivered consulting home
      visits and follow-up telephone calls. Patient quality of life and functional
      status were the primary outcomes, and self-efficacy was the secondary outcome.
      Data were collected at admission, at discharge, and at a 6-month follow-up visit.
      RESULTS: A cohort of 124 patients participated in the study. The intervention
      group showed a nonsignificant improvement in functional status compared with the
      control group. The intervention did not affect quality of life, except for a
      trend toward significance in the social domain (p = .060). CONCLUSIONS: The
      findings of this study suggest that nursing consultations do not significantly
      improve functional status and have almost no effect on quality of life.

PMID- 24241278
TI  - Case management knowledge and preparedness among public health nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Taiwanese public health nurses are increasingly required to act as
      case managers. However, little is known about nurses' knowledge and preparedness
      levels in assuming the responsibilities of case management. PURPOSE: This article
      explores the knowledge and preparedness levels of experienced public health
      nurses related to case management. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of Taiwanese
      public health nurses was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to
      collect data on participants' knowledge of case management and perceived
      preparedness levels in performing role activities. The questionnaire consisted of
      three sections: Section One featured 20 multiple-choice items, Section Two
      included case manager role activities, and Section Three gathered demographic
      information. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight public health nurses were
      recruited from 10 health offices, with a 99% valid response rate. The overall
      average correct response rate for case management knowledge was 49%, which fell
      significantly below the minimum acceptable average score of 60%. Participants
      held neutral opinions regarding their preparedness levels for performing case
      management role activities, with a mean score of 3.2 (SD = 0.5, range = 1-5). In
      addition, this study unexpectedly found that the higher knowledge level group was
      significantly younger on average than the lower knowledge group. More than three
      quarters (82%) of participants had no prior education in case management.
      CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results reflect substantial gaps in
      Taiwanese public health nurses' knowledge and preparation for the practice of
      case management. There is an urgent need to strengthen case management continuing
      education for public health nurses and address knowledge deficits and the role
      activities identified with lower preparedness levels.

PMID- 24241279
TI  - The development of nursing workforce allocation standards for acute care general
      wards in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adequate nursing workforce is critical to ensure patient safety and
      reduce the incidence of adverse events. PURPOSE: This study explores and compares
      the nursing workforce allocation situation in the acute care general wards of
      Taiwan's three hospital tiers and, based on findings, develops standards for
      adequate nursing workforce allocation and nurse-to-patient ratios in acute care
      general wards at each tier. METHODS: This study uses multiple research methods,
      including literature review, questionnaire survey, and expert focus group
      discussion. Final consensus is achieved using a public hearing and questionnaire
      survey. RESULTS: The severity of patient conditions differs among hospital tiers.
      Therefore, each tier requires a nursing workforce allocation standard appropriate
      to its situation. Study findings indicate that nurse-to-bed ratios and nursing
      hours are valid indicators of nursing workforce allocation needs. The results of
      expert discussions and public hearings recommend 0.53 nurses per bed and 2.8
      nursing hours for academic medical centers, 0.49 nurses per bed and 2.6 nursing
      hours for metropolitan hospitals, and 0.40 nurses per bed and 2.1 nursing hours
      for local community hospitals for the current stage of healthcare development;
      0.57 nurses per bed and 3.0 nursing hours for academic medical centers, 0.53
      nurses per bed and 2.8 nursing hours for metropolitan hospitals, and 0.44 nurses
      per bed and 2.3 nursing hours for local community hospitals in 3 years; and 0.61
      nurses per bed and 3.2 nursing hours for academic medical centers, 0.57 nurses
      per bed and 3.0 nursing hours for metropolitan hospitals, and 0.48 nurses per bed
      and 2.5 nursing hours for local community hospitals in 5 years. CONCLUSIONS:
      Study results may provide a basis for better allocating nursing workforce in
      hospitals, setting formal standards for minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, and
      assessing nursing workforce needs at the national level.

PMID- 24241280
TI  - Molecular genetic epidemiology of human diseases: from patterns to predictions.
AB  - Databases of disease-associated or disease-causing mutations allow the study, not
      only of the molecular mechanisms underlying the primary lesions at the DNA level,
      but also of the functional consequences of mutation at the phenotypic level. The
      Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD) and the bioinformatics analyses of its
      content provide an illustrative example of this indirect approach to molecular
      genetic epidemiology. In fact, the Bayesian type of reasoning underlying previous
      scientific analyses of HGMD data is also reflected in current software tools used
      to predict the likely disease relevance of a newly detected genetic variant.
      After a brief resume of the past scientific utility of HGMD, we, therefore,
      shortly review three representative and commonly used examples of these tools,
      namely SIFT, PolyPhen-2 and NNSplice. 

PMID- 24241281
TI  - MicroRNA-related sequence variations in human cancers.
AB  - MicroRNAs are emerging as a most promising field in basic and translational
      research, explaining the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases and providing
      excellent tools for their management. This review considers the effects of
      microRNA sequence variations and their implication in pathogenesis and
      predisposition to human cancers. Although the role of microRNAs still remains to
      be elucidated, functional, and populational studies indicate that microRNA
      variants are important factors underlying the process of carcinogenesis. Further
      understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of microRNA action will lead to
      the identification of their new target genes and microRNA-regulated pathways. As
      a consequence, novel models of cancer pathogenesis can be proposed, and serve as
      a basis for elucidation of new prognostic and diagnostic tools for human cancers.

PMID- 24241282
TI  - Orai1-dependent calcium entry promotes skeletal muscle growth and limits fatigue.
AB  - Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) in skeletal muscle involves signalling between
      stromal-interacting molecule 1 (STIM1) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and
      Ca2+ selective Orai1 channels in the sarcolemma. Here we generate transgenic mice
      with muscle-specific expression of dominant-negative Orai1 (dnOrai1) and
      demonstrate that Orai1-dependent SOCE promotes growth and limits fatigue in adult
      skeletal muscle. dnOrai1 mice lack SOCE specifically in muscle but are fertile
      and thrive well into adulthood. Although muscle ultrastructure, excitation
      contraction (EC) coupling, fibre type, and expression of other Ca2+ regulatory
      proteins are unaltered, dnOrai1 mice exhibit reduced body weight, muscle mass and
      fibre cross-sectional area. Importantly, during intense repetitive activity,
      dnOrai1 mice display increased susceptibility to fatigue at the single fibre,
      excised muscle and whole-animal levels. We further show that STIM1 and Orai1
      proteins co-localize within the triad junction but do not exist in a preassembled
      context. These results show that Orai1-dependent SOCE has an important
      physiological role in muscles of adult mice.

PMID- 24241283
TI  - Symptotic detection of chimerism: Y does it matter?
AB  - Microchimerism (MC), transplacental acquisition of allogeneic cells from the
      mother (maternofetal MC) or from the fetus (fetomaternal MC) has been in the
      focus of research recently. Amplicons using Y-chromosome specific SRY and DYS14
      sequences have been used as markers to trace cells from a male fetus in the
      mother. The sensitivity of these markers in formaldehyde fixed paraffin embedded
      samples, however, is less than optimal. To study chimerism in breast cancer we
      took advantage of the evolutionary history of the Y chromosome and designed
      amplicons on gene repeats to generate additive PCR signals. The increased
      sensitivity detected high incidence of male chimerism in normal breast tissues.
      We also showed correlation with protection from cancer with unique quantitative
      biology. Accumulating data from biology and medicine indicate that natural
      chimerism is astonishingly frequent and may affect human conditions. We
      hypothesize that it has significant evolutionary ramifications as well. 

PMID- 24241284
TI  - Individual selection, culture and manipulation of higher plant cells.
AB  - Due to the heterogeneity in morphology, physiological and morphogenetical
      capabilities of higher plant cells in mass culture, the development of methods
      for individually culturing defined cells seemed to be useful and necessary.
      Individual cell culture represents a powerful tool for studies on the physiology
      of different cell types, the analysis of differentiation programs, the genetic
      manipulation of plant cells and cell-cell interactions. An improved microculture
      system based on a computer-controlled set-up for the efficient selection,
      transfer and individual culture of defined higher plant cells until regeneration
      of whole plants is described. Related experimental approaches for individually
      manipulating higher plant cells under controlled conditions, such as
      electrofusion of defined pairs of protoplasts and subprotoplasts, cell
      reconstruction and intranuclear microinjection of protoplasts and karyoplasts -
      mainly performed with cells of the crop plant Brassica napus L. - are presented. 

PMID- 24241285
TI  - True potato seed quality.
AB  - Environmental influence on physiological factors that determine seed quality is
      discussed in relation to true potato seed (TPS). This review has been motivated
      by the need for high quality seed for the proper evaluation of TPS technology.
      The objectives of tuber production may not be in harmony with those required for
      the production of high quality TPS. The production of high quality TPS may be
      influenced by the stronger sink strength ability of fast developing tubers for
      assimilation of available nutrients. Earliness of tuber formation, which is
      needed in TPS progenitors, may tend to result in incomplete TPS development.
      Limiting conditions during seed development decrease the potential of the seed
      for field establishment. Seed vigor is the most important attribute of seed
      quality since it is essential for seedling performance under the adverse
      conditions commonly encountered during field development. The attractiveness of
      TPS technology for tropical areas, where potato production is limited by low
      quality seed tuber availability, is decreased by the lack of seedling vigor and
      uniformity of seedlings derived from TPS. Current research indicates that
      considerable genetic improvement of TPS vigor and uniformity is possible. It is
      suggested that significant immediate improvement of TPS quality would result from
      agronomic techniques that reflect understanding of the physiological factors that
      influence the production and maintenance of high quality seed. Research areas
      needed to develop methodologies for TPS production with optimum expression of
      genotype are identified. 

PMID- 24241286
TI  - Formation of callus and somatic embryos from protoplasts of a commercial hybrid
      of maize (Zea mays L.).
AB  - Protoplasts isolated from a totipotent embryogenic cell suspension culture of Zea
      mays L. (cultivar 'Dekalb XL82') underwent sustained cell divisions when cultured
      in liquid as well as agarose media. Optimal colony formation (5%) occurred in a
      liquid medium containing 0.5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). A soft
      and unorganized callus was formed when the protocolonies were transferred to agar
      solidified suspension maintenance medium. Compact, organized and yellow to pale
      green folded structures and somatic embryos were formed upon subsequent transfer
      of this callus to a low 2,4-D medium. Clusters of somatic embryos germinated
      precociously but no plants were recovered. 

PMID- 24241287
TI  - Mating system and multilocus associations in a natural population of Pseudotsuga
      menziesii (Mirb.) Franco.
AB  - Arrays of open-pollinated seeds were assayed for allozyme polymorphisms at ten
      loci (Aat2, Est1, G6pd, Idh, Mdh2, Mdh3, Pgm, Sod, 6Pgd1, 6Pgd2) to obtain
      estimates of the outcrossing rate and assess multilocus association in a natural
      population of coastal Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. The
      allele frequencies in the samples of adult trees and pollen-gamete pool were
      similar. Maximum-likelihood estimators of the outcrossing rate for individual
      loci and two multilocus models were derived using counting methods. The single
      locus maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the outcrossing rate were
      significantly heterogeneous; they varied over a more than two-fold range from
      0.404 to 0.935, with an average MLE of 0.741. Both multilocus MLEs of the
      outcrossing rate were 0.887. The sample of trees was in random mating equilibrium
      when assessed on a pairwise-locus basis using Burrows' composite measure of
      gametic disequilibrium, with one exception (Mdh2 Sod) that was attributable to a
      rare "gametic" class. In the sample of pollen gametes, 5 of the 45 pairwise-locus
      associations were nominally significant at the 0.05 level: Idh Est1, Mdh2 Sod,
      Aat2 Est1, Aat2 Mdh3, and Est1 Mdh3. These apparent associations were
      attributable in most cases to the relative excess of uncommon or rare paternal
      gametes of discernibly outcrossed embryos. An additional two-locus association
      was identified for Mdh2 Pgm which was marginally significant for the major
      partition of the contingency table that excluded paternal gametes with the rare
      allele Mdh2 (2) . 

PMID- 24241289
TI  - Ancestral covariance and the Bulmer effect.
AB  - An n-generation pedigree is set up and selection is carried out generation by
      generation. The influence of this procedure on the covariances in subsequent
      generations is assessed and, ultimately, Bulmer's general recursion formula for
      the reduction in genetic variance due to selection is obtained. The results are
      extended to assess the effect of selection of one or more characters on the
      genetic covariance matrix of a number of characters. The concept of ancestral
      regression is also used to provide a different insight into the selection process
      and to justify some models used in the analysis of assortative mating. 

PMID- 24241288
TI  - The combination of polima cms and cytoplasmic triazine resistance in Brassica
      napus.
AB  - Protoplast fusion was used to combine cytoplasmic triazine resistance (ctr) and
      Polima type cytoplasmic male sterility (cms) in Brassica napus. The cybrids
      produced constitute the major biological input required for the production of
      commercial single-cross hybrid rapeseed bearing cytoplasmic triazine resistance.
      The results also indicate that Polima cms is associated with the mitochondrial
      genome. 

PMID- 24241290
TI  - Chondriome analysis in sexual progenies of Nicotiana cybrids.
AB  - We studied the chondriomes (the mitochondrial genomes) of sexual-progeny plants
      derived from eleven Nicotiana cybrids which resulted from donor-recipient
      protoplast fusions. The recipients were either N. tabacum or N. sylvestris and
      the donor (of the cytoplasm) was N. bigelovii. The chondriomes were characterized
      by the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction-patterns. The differences in mtDNA
      restriction patterns were revealed after Sal I digestions and probing the
      respective Southern-blots with three mtDNA fragments. The hybridization patterns
      of mtDNAs from 35 second-generation plants (i.e. the sexual progeny derived from
      the cybrid plants) indicated only minor variations between plants derived from
      the same cybrid but pronounced variations among sibs derived from different
      cybrids. The mtDNA of 32 second-generation plants varied from both original
      fusion partners but the mtDNA of one (male-sterile) plant was apparently
      identical with the mtDNA of one of the original donor (N. bigelovii) and the
      mtDNA of two other (male-fertile) plants was apparently identical to the mtDNA of
      an original recipient (N. sylvestris). Generally, the mtDNAs of male-fertile,
      second-generation plants were similar to the mtDNAs of the original recipients
      while the mtDNAs of the male-sterile second-generation plants were similar to the
      mtDNA of the donor (N. begelovii). The analyses of mtDNAs from the
      thirdgeneration plants indicated stabilization of the chondriomes; no variations
      were detected between the mtDNAs of plants derived from a given second-generation
      plant. 

PMID- 24241291
TI  - Nor loci analysis in progenies of plants regenerated from the scutellar callus of
      bread-wheat : A molecular approach to evaluate somaclonal variation.
AB  - Progenies of plants regenerated from scutellar callus of bread wheat (Triticum
      aestivum L.) were analysed for the organization of the intergenic spacer of the
      rRNA genes, located at the sites of the nucleolar organizer region (Nor loci).
      Sexual progenies derived from the regenerated plants of three wheat cultivars
      were subjected to this analysis. The respective DNAs were digested with the
      restriction endonuclease TaqI, and probed with a specific rDNA fragment by
      Southern blothybridization. The intergenic rDNA spacer could thus be
      characterized for each of the three cultivars. Thirty-eight progeny plants of the
      cultivars 'Chinese Spring' and 'Miriam' were found to be stable in their
      organisation of the Nor loci: no changes relative to the Nor of control plants
      from these cultivars were revealed. On the other hand, three progeny plants of
      'ND7532' showed reduction in the number of the rDNA spacers. Since no variability
      in the Nor loci could be revealed among control 'ND7532' plants, this seems to
      indicate that the changes in the progeny of regenerated plants resulted from the
      in vitro culture of the scutellar callus. Grain glutenin and gliadin profiles of
      sexual progenyplants derived from scutellar calli of 'Chinese Spring', of
      'Miriam' as well as of 'ND7532' were identical to the respective control plants
      of these cultivars, indicating low (or no) somaclonal variation in these grain
      proteins in the analyzed plants. 

PMID- 24241292
TI  - Nucleolus organizer regions and heterochromatin in the zebu (Bos indicus L.).
AB  - Ag-NOR staining and a counterstain enhanced fluorescence technique (chromomycin
      A3/distamycin A/DAPI-staining = CDD-method) and G-banding, respectively, have
      been applied to the zebu (Bos indicus L.) chromosomes. The nucleolus organizer
      regions (NORs) were found in the telomeric regions of chromosomes nos. 2, 3, 4,
      11, and 28. CDD staining led to a well-defined R-banding pattern along the
      chromosome arms and to the visualization of centric heterochromatic bands of
      variable sizes. 

PMID- 24241293
TI  - Chromosomal location of isozyme and seed storage protein genes in Dasypyrum
      villosum (L.) Candargy.
AB  - The zymogram phenotypes of glucose-phosphate isomerase (GPI), alcohol
      dehydrogenase-1 (ADH-1), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), superoxide
      dismutase (SOD), lipoxygenase (LPX), esterase (EST) and the banding patterns of
      gliadin and glutenin seed storage proteins were determined for Triticum aestivum
      cv. 'Chinese Spring' (CS), Dasypyrum villosum, the octoploid amphiploid T.
      aestivum cv. 'Chinese Spring' D. villosum (CS * v) (2n=8x=56; AABBDDVV), and for
      five CS-D. villosum disomic addition lines. The genes Gpi-V1, Adh-V1, Got-V2, and
      Sod-V2 coding for GPI-1, ADH-1, GOT-2, and SOD-2 isozymes were located in D.
      villosum on chromosome 1V, 4V, 6V, and 7V, respectively. Genes coding for gliadin
      and glutenin-like subunits are located in D. villosum chromosomes 1V. There are
      no direct evidence for chromosomal location of genes coding for GOT-3, EST-1 and
      LPX-2 isozymes. The linkage between genes coding for glutenin-like proteins and
      GPI-1 isozymes in chromosome 1V is evidence of homoeology between chromosome 1V
      and the chromosomes of homoeologous group 1 in wheat. 

PMID- 24241294
TI  - Genetics of resistance to Puccinia graminis tritici in 'Chris' and 'W3746'
      wheats.
AB  - 'Chris' wheat possessed genes Sr5, Sr7a, Sr8a, Sr9g and Sr12. 'W3746', derived
      from the cross 'Chris'/'Baart', possessed Sr7a and Sr12. The response conferred
      by Sr7a was influenced by the genetic background. Although Sr7a or Sr12 alone
      conferred no observable resistance upon adult plants, the adult resistances of
      'Chris' and 'W3746' to predominant pathotypes appeared to be associated with the
      interaction of Sr7a and Sr12, or genes at closely linked loci. 

PMID- 24241295
TI  - Nuclear DNA regulates the level of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase
      oxygenase in Medicago sativa L.
AB  - The response to selection for leaf proteins was studied during three selection
      cycles. Selection for high total nitrogen content showed 75% heritability, and
      the levels of both ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (Rubisco) and
      cytoplasmic protein were strongly under nuclear DNA control. High and low protein
      content were correlated with chloroplast area. Although the amounts of nuclear
      DNA were similar, the ratio of Rubisco/DNA and chlorophyll/DNA changed during the
      selection process. It can be concluded that the levels of Rubisco achieved in
      mature plants of M. sativa are under nuclear DNA control. The possible
      involvement of small subunit (SSU) genes in controlling these levels is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24241296
TI  - Anther culture of maize and the visualization of embryogenic microspores by
      fluorescent microscopy.
AB  - Three maize genotypes previously shown in the literature to respond to anther
      culture were tested under various conditions. Studies indicated that embryogenic
      response ranged from 0 to 100 embryos per 1,000 anthers plated and was
      significantly lower without cold pretreatment of the anthers. Culture in liquid
      media tended to produce more embryos than in semi-solid as did the addition of
      activated charcoal to either liquid or solid culture media. Most results were
      confounded by plant-to-plant variation which tended to obscure significant
      differences. In one study, germination rate of androgenetic embryos averaged
      about 20%, but only 26% of those embryos that germinated completed their
      reproductive cycle and formed seed albeit through sibpollination since plants
      could not be selfed. Chromosome counts using root tip squashes indicated that
      regenerated plants were either haploid or diploid but plants scored as non
      diploid yielded as much seed as scored diploids. This suggests that progeny can
      be recovered even from putative haploids, presumably as a result of "sectoring"
      in the developing ear. A DNA-specific fluorescent dye was used to visualize the
      presence of putative embryogenic microspores (PEMs) during the culture period.
      PEM counts were a function of time in culture and were apparently greater than
      the number of embryos obtained for a given treatment. The data indicate that, as
      previously reported for other species, both induction and survival phases also
      exist in maize anther culture. 

PMID- 24241297
TI  - Genetic evaluation of traits distributed as Poisson-binomial with reference to
      reproductive characters.
AB  - A procedure of genetic evaluation of reproductive traits such as litter size and
      survival in a polytocous species under the assumption of polygenic inheritance is
      described. Conditional distributions of these traits are assumed to be Poisson
      and Bernoulli, respectively. Using the concept of generalized linear models,
      logarithmic (litter size) and probit (survival) functions are described as linear
      combinations of "nuisance" environmental effects and of transmitting abilities of
      sires or individual breeding values. The liability of survival is expressed
      conditionally to the logarithm of litter size. Inferences on location parameters
      are based on the mode of their joint posterior density assuming a prior
      multivariate normal distribution. A method of estimation of the dispersion
      parameters is also presented. The use of a "truncated" Poisson distribution is
      suggested to account for missing records on litter size. 

PMID- 24241298
TI  - Elimination of Solanum phureja nucleolar chromosomes in S. tuberosum + S. phureja
      somatic hybrids.
AB  - The karyotype of the dihaploid SVP1 line of S. tuberosum (2n=2x=24) showed two
      nucleolar chromosomes with differently sized satellites. The diploid SVP5 line
      (2n=2x=24) and tetraploid regenerants of S. phureja had larger but similar
      satellites. Somatic hybrids between the diploid lines of these potato species
      with genome combinations 4 tub + 2 ph (plants 1-3), 2 tub + 4 ph (plants 4-7) and
      4 tub + 4 ph (plant 8) had lost 2 phureja nucleolar chromosomes if 4 phureja
      genomes were present. One phureja nucleolar chromosome of plants 1-3 and both of
      plants 5 and 7 had rearranged satellites. Elimination of the two nucleolar
      chromosomes occurred preferentially, was under genetic control, and probably took
      place during early callus development. NOR activity resulting in rear-rangements
      between NORs may have caused the elimination. 

PMID- 24241299
TI  - Genetic mapping of an ancient translocation in the genus Lens.
AB  - Segregation of 18 marker genes was monitored in selfed progeny of a Lens
      culinaris * L. ervoides hybrid; five linkage groups were mapped, one of which
      contained a reciprocal translocation break-point that differentiates between the
      parents. Four markers were found to be linked to the translocation break-point:
      Aco-1 and Pgm-2 on one side and Gs and Got-2 on the other. The gene pairs on both
      sides of the translocation are not linked in L. culinaris or in L. orientalis.
      The L. ervoides gene order was also found in L. odemensis but with significantly
      reduced map distances. Analysis of monogenic segregations in a number of Lens
      inter-specific crosses revealed some consistent patterns of deviations from the
      expected Mendelian ratios. The factors responsible for these unequal
      segregations, genotypic effects on recombination frequencies, negative
      interference, and the possible ancient origin of the translocation are discussed.

PMID- 24241300
TI  - Analysis of meiosis in triticale (XTriticosecale Wittmack) X rye (Secale cereale
      L.) F1 hybrids at three ploidy levels.
AB  - Triticales (XTriticosecale Wittmack) at three ploidy levels (8x, 6x, 4x, x=7)
      were crossed with diploid rye (Secale cereale L.) to produce a solitary
      hypopentaploid hybrid (2n=32), and a number of tetraploid (2n=4x=28) and triploid
      (2n=3x=21) hybrids. The hybrids exhibited a morphology which was intermediate
      between the parents. The number of bivalents ranged from 1-7 (4.65 per cell) in
      hypopentaploid, from 2-12 (7.13 per cell) in tetraploid and from 4-9 (6.84 per
      cell) in triploid hybrids. In 4x and 3x hybrids, trivalents and quadrivalents
      were also observed at low frequencies (range 0-1; mean 0.01-0.03 per cell).
      Chiasmata frequency was highest in triploid hybrids (12.44 per cell), lowest in
      hypopentaploid (5.37 per cell) and intermediate in tetraploids (10.54 per cell).
      More than 7(11) were found in 39.7% pollen mother cells (PMC's) in the 4x hybrids
      and in 5.0% PMCs in 3x hybrids. It is concluded that an increase in the relative
      proportion of wheat chromosomes in the hybrids had a slight suppression effect on
      homologous as well as homoeologous pairing of rye chromosomes. Contrary to this,
      the relative increase in rye complement promoted homoeologous pairing between
      wheat chromosomes. In triploid hybrids, the chiasmata frequency as well as the
      'c' value were the highest, suggesting that in tetraploid hybrids rye chromosomes
      had a reduced pairing (low frequency of ring bivalents). 

PMID- 24241301
TI  - Effect of genome combinations on stability of yield and yield components in
      wheats and triticales.
AB  - The data on number of grains/spike, 100 grain weight and grain yield/plant in
      eighteen genotypes of four genome combinations (AABB- 4 genotypes, AABBDD- 6
      genotypes, AABBRR- 5 genotypes and AABBDDRR- 3 genotypes) were recorded for eight
      environments created by combining two dates of sowing, two fertilizer regimes and
      two spacings. Two stability parameters-regression coefficient (b) and deviation
      from regression (Sd (2)) were computed. Joint regression analyses revealed that
      the genotypes differed significantly for these characters. A significant
      variation due to environments was also found. A comparative study of performance
      of genotypes belonging to four genome combinations revealed that the genes for
      stability are not uniformly distributed in these genome combinations. Stability
      may largely depend on gene combination rather than on genome combination. 

PMID- 24241302
TI  - Genetic analysis of ecological relevant morphological variability in Plantago
      lanceolata L. : 2. Localisation and organisation of quantitative trait loci.
AB  - Morphological variability was analysed in an F2-generation derived from crosses
      between two ecotypes of Plantago lanceolata L. Six allozyme loci, localised in
      five linkage groups, were used as markers. For two marker loci, Got-2 and Gpi-1,
      segregations did not fit monogenic ratios. In the linkage groups to which these
      two loci belonged, male sterility genes appeared to be present. In these crosses,
      male sterility (type 3, as described by Van Damme 1983) may be determined by two
      recessive loci located in the linkage groups of Got-2 and of Gpi-1. Many
      correlations of morphological and life history characters with allozyme markers
      were observed. The quantitative trait loci did not appear to be concentrated in
      major gene complexes. Often many loci were involved, sometimes with effects
      opposite to those expected from the population values. Main effects of the
      linkage groups appeared to be more important than interaction effects in
      determining variability. It also appeared that there is a positive correlation
      between the number of heterozygous allozyme loci and generative growth. 

PMID- 24241303
TI  - Changes in frequencies of variegated leaves in NMU treated tobacco : Evidence for
      a differential response to NMU.
AB  - Seeds of Nicotiana tabacum were allowed to imbibe water for 1 h and were then
      treated with 5-20 mM N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) for 1 h. Seedlings were planted
      out separately and leaves no. 1-6 were scored individually after expansion was
      complete: frequencies of leaves with mutant sectors and the percentage of leaf
      area that was mutant were determined for the numbered leaves. Treatment with 5 mM
      NMU gave few mutant plants but after 10-20 mM NMU 50-98% of plants were mutant.
      The frequency of mutant leaves increased from leaf no. 1 to leaves no. 3-4; as
      much as a 5.6-fold increase, from leaf no. 1 to no. 3 was found. There appears to
      be differential sensitivity to NMU: it is lower in the initial cells for leaf no.
      1 than in the initials for leaves no. 3 or 4. Leaves no. 1-4 arise from four
      different groups of initial cells: mutations appearing in two or more of leaves
      no. 1-4 must, therefore, arise independently of one another. From mutants found
      in leaves no. 1-4 it is estimated that the mean number of mutations per seedling
      was 2.68 after treatment with 20 mM NMU. Mean percentage of leaf surface area
      occupied by mutant sectors increased from 14% to 29.4% as NMU concentration
      increased from 10 to 20 mM. It also increased significantly from leaf no. 1 to
      leaves no. 3-6 after treatment with 15 or 20 mM NMU but not after 10 mM NMU: this
      suggests that mutagen treatment may affect the formation of mutant homoplasmon
      cells and their contribution to leaf primordia. 

PMID- 24241304
TI  - In vitro induction of haploid plants from unpollinated ovules and ovaries of the
      sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.).
AB  - Haploid plantlets from male fertile and male sterile sugarbeet plants could be
      induced at frequencies up to 2.2% using ovule culture. Ovary culture on media
      without charcoal resulted in a similar induction frequency. Plant development was
      inhibited by callus development originating from the mother tissue. When the
      callus parts were removed and the ovule transferred to a new medium without 2,4
      D, callus formation could be inhibited by adding 0.5% charcoal to the medium. Up
      to 6.1% haploids were induced. Chromosome counts in leaf tips, chloroplast counts
      and isozyme patterns revealed that all plants were haploid and originated from
      the haploid cells of the embryo sac. Root tips showed spontaneous
      polyploidisation. 

PMID- 24241305
TI  - Growth and body composition changes in mice selected for high post-weaning weight
      gain on two levels of feeding.
AB  - Two lines of mice were selected for high post-weaning weight gain (3 to 6 weeks)
      adjusted for 3 week weight. One line (F) was grown on freely available food and
      the other (S) on a feeding scale set at the same level for all mice. Food intake
      of the S line averaged 80% of the F line. The realised heritabilities after 6
      generations of selection were 0.38+/-0.06 and 0.33+/-0.07 for the F and S lines,
      respectively. In generation 7, mice from the F and S lines and from an unselected
      control line (C) were compared on both free and set levels of feeding from 3
      weeks to 9 weeks of age. Measurements taken were growth rate, appetite, food
      conversion efficiency (weight gain/food intake) and body composition (fat,
      protein, ash, water). The F and S lines grew more rapidly and efficiently than
      the C line on both levels of feeding, each line performing best on the level of
      feeding on which it was selected. The average genetic correlation between growth
      rates of the same line on the two feeding levels was 0.54+/-0.10. The F line grew
      19% faster and was 9% more efficient than the S line on free feeding but the S
      line grew 15% faster and was 15% more efficient than the F line on set feeding.
      Relative to the C line, food intake per day on free feeding was 4% higher in the
      F line and 6% lower in the S line. There was no difference between the lines in
      food intake/g body weight. The rate of deposition of all body components
      increased in both selection lines. In the F, S and C lines respectively,
      efficiencies of gains in body components (10(2)x gain/food) were 1.79, 1.31 and
      1.06 for fat, 1.53, 1.63 and 1.22 for protein and 5.88, 6.45 and 4.98 for protein
      + water. Apparently energy lost as heat was reduced in both the F and S lines.
      The partitioning of energy retained was altered in favour of more fat in the F
      line and more protein in the S line. 

PMID- 24241306
TI  - The membranes of slowly drought-stressed wheat seedlings: a freeze-fracture
      study.
AB  - Seedlings of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Neepawa were slowly drought-stressed by
      witholding water after sowing in pots. Leaf extension stopped during development
      of the third leaf. Damage was assessed by rewatering the pots and measuring
      regrowth; 1-5 d after growth stopped, rewatering induced significant regrowth
      within several hours; 6-13 d after growth stopped, regrowth was delayed; from 14
      d after growth stopped, no regrowth occurred after rewatering. Leaf bases were
      excised from the drought-stressed seedlings during this period of increasing
      damage, and were freeze-etched.Intramembranous particles (IMP) were evenly
      scattered in the plasma membrane in those plants which regrew immediately after
      rewatering. In the plants which regrew after a delay or which did not regrow on
      rewatering, there were patches without IMP in plasma membrane, nuclear envelope,
      and other membranes. Plasma membrane, nuclear envelope and possibly other
      membranes were sometimes partly replaced by vesicles, possibly formed from the
      original membrane. Such vesiculation occurred in a few cells in plants which
      survived the stress with a delayed regrowth, and was commoner in the plants which
      did not recover. The results support the idea that slow drought induces IMP-free
      patches in membranes including the plasma membrane, this induces membrane
      reorganisation including vesiculation of membranes and coagulation of protoplasm,
      and that these are expressed as delayed or failed regrowth. Some IMP-free patches
      in the plasma membrane had a faint ordered sub-structure, possibly a hexagonal
      lipid phase. Such patches were infrequent and IMP sometimes occurred in areas of
      plasma membrane having an apparently similar sub-structure. Thus the IMP-free
      patches could not be explained by a lamellar-hexagonal phase transition. As the
      stress became damaging, vesicles and endoplasmic reticulum accumulated
      immediately next to the plasma membrane. Mainly during the early period of
      damaging stress (6-10 d after growth stopped), depressions, invaginations, and
      rarer "lesions" occurred in the plasma membrane, sometimes associated with some
      of the IMP-free patches. In the same period, many nuclear envelopes had
      exceptionally large nuclear pores. 

PMID- 24241307
TI  - The extrafloral nectaries of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp): I. Morphology,
      anatomy and fine structure.
AB  - The cowpea bears two distinctive types of extrafloral nectaries. One, on the
      stipels of trifoliolate leaves, consists of a loosely demarcated abaxial area (1
      2 mm diameter) of widely-spaced trichomes (papillae) borne on a stomata-free
      epidermis, and lacking a specific vascular supply. Each trichome has up to eight
      apical (head) cells, two to four intermediate cells, and a single large stalk
      cell. The secretory faces of the apical cells bear wall ingrowths and an easily
      detached cuticle. The wall separating the stalk cell and the underlying epidermal
      cell(s) has a mean plamodesmatal frequency of 25/MUm(2). The second type of
      nectary consists of a large elliptical mound of tissue (short and long axes about
      2 mm and 4 mm) formed between a pair of flowers on an inflorescence stalk. It
      comprises four to eight cone-shaped subnits of secretory tissue, each with a
      circular secretory orifice and an individual supply of phloem, but not of xylem.
      Cells of the secretory tissue of the nectary subunits separate as they mature,
      and nectar flows to the orifice through the resulting intercellular spaces.
      Intact secretory cells and cellular debris are extruded into the nectar. Some of
      the sieve elements terminating in the inner secretory tissue exhibit open sieve
      pores. Each mature secretory cell contains many small (2 MUm diameter) spherical
      protein bodies and one to three large (up to 2-3 MUm diameter 15 MUm long),
      paracrystalline bodies. These inclusions are absent or not fully developed in
      inner, less mature regions of the secretory tissue. Mechanisms of secretion are
      proposed for the two classes of nectary, including estimates of flux of sugar
      into the trichomes of the stipel nectary. 

PMID- 24241308
TI  - The extrafloral nectaries of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) II. Nectar
      composition, origin of nectar solutes, and nectary functioning.
AB  - Nectar was collected from the extrafloral nectaries of leaf stipels and
      inflorescence stalks, and phloem sap from cryopunctured fruits of cowpea plants.
      Daily sugar losses as nectar were equivalent to only 0.1-2% of the plant's
      current net photosynthate, and were maximal in the fourth week after anthesis.
      Sucrose:glucose:fructose weight ratios of nectar varied from 1.5:1:1 to 0.5:1:1,
      whereas over 95% of phloem-sap sugar was sucrose. [(14)C]Sucrose fed to leaves
      was translocated as such to nectaries, where it was partly inverted to
      [(14)C]glucose and [(14)C]fructose prior to or during nectar secretion. Invertase
      (EC 3.2.1.26) activity was demonstrated for inflorescence-stalk nectar but not
      stipel nectar. The nectar invertase was largely associated with secretory cells
      that are extruded into the nectar during nectary functioning, and was active only
      after osmotic disruption of these cells upon dilution of the nectar. The nectar
      invertase functioned optimally (phloem-sap sucrose as substrate) at pH 5.5, with
      a starting sucrose concentration of 15% (w/v). Stipel nectar was much lower in
      amino compounds relative to sugars (0.08-0.17 mg g(-1) total sugar) than
      inflorescence nectar (22-30 mg g(-1)) or phloem sap (81-162 mg g(-1)). The two
      classes of nectar and phloem sap also differed noticeably in their complements of
      organic acids. Xylem feeding to leaves of a range of (14)C-labelled nitrogenous
      solutes resulted in these substrates and their metabolic products appearing in
      fruit-phloem sap and adjacent inflorescence-stalk nectar. (14)C-labelled
      asparagine, valine and histidine transferred freely into phloem and appeared
      still largely as such in nectar. (14)C-labelled glycine, serine, arginine and
      aspartic acid showed limited direct access to phloem and nectar, although
      labelled metabolic products were transferred and secreted. The ureide allantoin
      was present in phloem, but absent from both types of nectar. Models of nectary
      functioning are proposed. 

PMID- 24241309
TI  - Protein bodies from the cotyledons of Cytisus scoparius L. (Link).
      Ultrastructure, isolation, and subunit composition of albumin, legumin and
      vicilin.
AB  - The structure of protein bodies differs in the upper and lower parts of the
      cotyledons of mature seeds of Cytisus scoparius L. The palisade-mesophyll cells
      contain essentially homogeneous protein bodies, without globoids, but the protein
      bodies of the spongy-mesophyll cells are heterogeneous, with numerous globoids.
      Albumins, legumins and vicilins were selectively extracted from isolated protein
      bodies and their subunits separated by SDS-PAGE, under non-reducing and reducing
      conditions. 

PMID- 24241310
TI  - Changes in ultrastructure of plasmodesmata during spermatogenesis in Chara
      vulgaris L.
AB  - Two types of plasmodesmata are found within an antheridium of Chara vulgaris:
      open plasmodesmata filled with electron-transparent cytoplasm, and plugged
      plasmodesmata, filled with an osmiophilic dense substance. Open plasmodesmata
      occur only between cells synchronized completely in respect of their advancement
      in cell-cycle progression or differentiation. Plugged plasmodesmata connect
      different types of cells or cells of the same type at various stages of the cell
      cycle. Open plasmodesmata may become plugged, and vice versa. These changes are
      connected with the limitation or extension of synchronization of cellular
      divisions and differentiation within the groups of cells in the antheridium. 

PMID- 24241311
TI  - Biosynthesis of pentacyclic triterpenoids in leaves of Ilex aquifolium L.
AB  - Ilex leaves can utilize sucrose and mevalonate for the synthesis of triterpene
      esters. Mevalonate is also used for the synthesis of free triterpenoid alcohols,
      but sucrose is not. The selectivity of precursor utilization indicates separate
      sites for triterpenol and triterpenol-ester synthesis. The sites of synthesis are
      not found at the main locations of accumulation of triterpenols (the epicuticular
      wax) or triterpene esters (the cytoplasmatic lipid globules). Transport from the
      site of synthesis to the lipid globules, and especially towards the epicuticular
      wax, is slow. 

PMID- 24241312
TI  - The correlation between crassulacean acid metabolism and water uptake in Senecio
      medley-woodii.
AB  - The combination of a chamber for CO2 gas exchange with a potometric measuring
      arrangement allowed concomitant investigations into CO2 gas exchange,
      transpiration and water uptake by the roots of whole plants of Senecio medley
      woodii, a species which exhibits Crassulacean acid metabolism. The water-uptake
      rate showed the same daily pattern as malate concentration and osmotic potential.
      The accumulation of organic acids resulting from nocturnal CO2 fixation enhanced
      the water-uptake rate from dusk to dawn. During the day the water-uptake rates
      decreased with decreasing organic-acid concentration. With gradually increasing
      water stress, CO2 dark fixation of S. medley-woodii was increased as long as
      water could be taken up by the roots. It was also shown that a reestablished
      water supply after drought caused a similar increase which in both cases
      ameliorated the water uptake in order to conserve a positive water balance for as
      long as possible. This water-uptake pattern shows that Crassulacean acid
      metabolism is not only a water-saving adaptation but also enhances water uptake
      and is directly correlated with the amelioration of the plant water status. 

PMID- 24241313
TI  - Waxmonoester fermentation in Euglena gracilis T. Factors favouring the synthesis
      of odd-numbered fatty acids and alcohols.
AB  - Waxmonoester fermentation at the expense of endogenous paramylon was followed in
      the dark in autotrophically grown Euglena gracilis. With reduced oxygen tension
      and decreasing O2-consumption rates the proportion of odd-numbered fatty acids
      and alcohols increased up to a molar ratio of nearly 1:1 under strictly anaerobic
      conditions. Labelled (14)CO2, succinate and propionate were incorporated into odd
      numbered fatty acids and alcohols 11 to 33 times faster than in even-numbered
      chains. The electron-flow inhibitor rotenone diminished waxester formation in
      total, but especially CO2 fixation and the synthesis of odd-numbered chains,
      without impeding anaerobic carbohydrate breakdown. These findings are indicative
      for propionyl-CoA as an intermediate in the synthesis of odd-numbered chains. Its
      probable synthesis in the methylmalonyl-CoA pathway is discussed with regard to
      energetics. 

PMID- 24241314
TI  - Fatty-acid synthesis in plastids from maturing safflower and linseed cotyledons.
AB  - Plastids isolated from maturing, nongreen safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)
      cotyledons yielded unesterified fatty acids as the predominant product of fatty
      acid synthesis from [1-(14)C]acetate. Exogenous reduced pyridine nucleotides were
      not required for this synthesis, but [1-(14)C]acetate incorporation was
      absolutely dependent on addition of ATP. Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)
      cotyledons are green during development and plastids isolated from them resembled
      leaf chloroplasts with developed grana. In contrast to the safflower plastids,
      those from linseed were able to carry out fatty-acid synthesis at low irradiances
      without the addition of either pyridine nucleotides or ATP. Intact linseed
      cotyledons were capable of net photosynthesis at rates up to 95 MUmol.mg(-1)
      chlorophyll.h(-1). However, the low-light environment inside the linseed capsule
      (approx. 15% of external) means that photosynthesis will not contribute
      appreciably to the carbon economy of the developing seed and its main role may be
      to supply cofactors for fatty-acid synthesis. 

PMID- 24241315
TI  - Effects of temperature at constant air dew point on leaf carboxylation efficiency
      and CO2 compensation point of different leaf types.
AB  - The effect of temperature on photosynthesis at constant water-vapor pressure in
      the air was investigated using two sclerophyll species, Arbutus unedo and Quercus
      suber, and one mesophytic species, Spinacia oleracea. Photosynthesis and
      transpiration were measured over a range of temperatures, 20-39 degrees  C. The
      external concentration of CO2 was varied from 340 MUbar to near CO2 compensation.
      The initial slope (carboxylation efficiency, CE) of the photosynthetic response
      to intercellular CO2 concentration, the CO2 compensation point (Gamma), and the
      extrapolated rate of CO2 released into CO2-free air (R i) were calculated. At an
      external CO2 concentration of 320-340 MUbar CO2, photosynthesis decreased with
      temperature in all species. The effect of temperature on Gamma was similar in all
      species. While CE in S. oleracea changed little with temperature, CE decreased by
      50% in Q. suber as temperature increased from 25 to 34 degrees  C. Arbutus unedo
      also exhibited a decrease in CE at higher temperatures but not as marked as Q.
      suber. The absolut value of R i increased with temperature in S. oleracea, while
      changing little or decreasing in the sclerophylls. Variations in Gamma and R i of
      the sclerophyll species are not consistent with greater increase of respiration
      with temperature in the light in these species compared with S. oleracea. 

PMID- 24241316
TI  - Regulation of synthesis of nitrite reductase in pea leaves: in-vivo and in-vitro
      studies.
AB  - Crude protein extracts from leaves of pea (Pisum sativum L.) labeled with an L
      (14)C-amino-acid mixture or [(35)S]methionine, were treated with antibodies
      prepared against nitrite reductase (NiR; EC 1.6.6.4). When the immunoprecipitates
      were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS
      PAGE) a polypeptide with the same mobility as that of the native NiR was
      detected. By using darkened or illuminated leaves in the absence or presence of
      nitrate, it has been confirmed that nitrate is required in the in-vivo synthesis
      of NiR and that this synthesis is stimulated by light. Cell-free translation with
      a wheat-germ extract primed with polysomes from illuminated leaves treated with
      nitrate yielded polypeptides of a wide range of molecular weights (Mrs). Two
      polypeptides were immunoprecipitated from the translational products by anti-NiR
      serum. The mobility of one of them on SDS-PAGE corresponded to that of NiR while
      the other had a slightly higher Mr. It is concluded that NiR is synthesized as a
      heavy-molecular-weight precursor. Nitrate appears to regulate NiR synthesis by
      triggering transcription whereas the light may control the level of transcription
      or translation. 

PMID- 24241317
TI  - Use of a pH-response curve for growth to predict apparent wall pH in elongating
      segments of maize coleoptiles and sunflower hypocotyls.
AB  - To determine the relationship between apparent pH of the wall solution and shoot
      segment elongation, curves for the initial growth rates as a function of pH of
      the external solution were determined for maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles and
      sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hypocotyls and used to predict apparent wall pH
      in segments responding to indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and fusicoccin (FC). When a
      solution having a pH predicted for walls of coleoptile segments responding to IAA
      was applied to the segments in the presence of IAA, this pH was not maintained.
      However, when the same was done for coleoptile segments responding to FC, the
      predicted pH was maintained in the external solution. Sunflower hypocotyl tissue
      did not maintain the external pH at the predicted value in the presence of either
      IAA or FC. The results indicate that wall loosening in coleoptiles caused by IAA
      may not be solely controlled by pH in the wall, yet growth (wall loosening)
      caused by FC apparently is directly related to wall pH. In sunflower the growth
      response to neither IAA nor FC appears to be directly correlated with wall pH. 

PMID- 24241318
TI  - A light-enhanced metabolism of sulfite in cells of Cucumis sativus L. cotyledons.
AB  - The effects of light and several photosynthetic inhibitors on the rate of sulfite
      metabolism in cells obtained from Cucumis sativus L. cotyledons was studied. The
      cells were treated with 200 MUM Na2SO3 and the disappearance of sulfite was
      monitored using either dithiobisnitrobenzoic acid or fuchsin. The rate of sulfite
      disappearance in light was double the dark rate. Disalicylidene propanediamine at
      1 mM increased this light-enhanced metabolism approx. 50%; neither 1 MUM 3,4
      dichlorophenyl-N,N-dimethylurea nor 0.1 mM cyanazine, which completely inhibited
      CO2-dependent oxygen evolution, affected the rate of sulfite metabolism. Addition
      of 200 MUM Na2SO3 to the cells partially inhibited (14)CO2 fixation. The rate of
      sulfite consumption by the cells did not affect this inhibition. We conclude that
      light-dependent sulfite metabolism is cucumber cells may utilize reduced
      ferredoxin generated as a result of photosynthetic electron transport. An
      injurious interaction between CO2 fixation and sulfite appears to occur
      independently of the sulfite-metabolism process. 

PMID- 24241319
TI  - Purification and characterization of thylakoid-bound Mn-superoxide dismutase in
      spinach chloroplasts.
AB  - Thylakoid-bound superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) was solubilized by Triton
      X-100 from spinach and purified to a homogeneous state. The molecular weight of
      thylakoid-bound SOD was 52000; the enzyme was composed of two equal subunits. Its
      activity was not sensitive to cyanide and hydrogen peroxide, and the isolated SOD
      contained Mn, but neither Fe nor Cu. Thus, the thylakoid-bound SOD is a Mn
      containing enzyme. The subunit molecular weight of thylakoid Mn-SOD is the
      highest among Mn-SODs isolated so far, a fact which might reflect its binding to
      the membranes. 

PMID- 24241320
TI  - Heat modification of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase by
      temperature pretreatment of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings.
AB  - The effect of low-, ambient- and high-temperature pretreatments (48 h at 4
      degrees  C, 20 degrees  C or 36 degrees  C) of wheat seedlings (spring wheat
      Triticum aestivum L., cv. Kolibri) on the solubility properties of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCase; EC 4.1.1.39) was studied. The
      extractable protein moiety of heat-pretreated plants exhibited increased
      solubility in dilute buffer (50 mM k-phosphate, pH 6.8), compared with protein
      extracted from 4 degrees  C- or 20 degrees  C-plants. The salting-out
      characteristics for ammonium-sulfate precipitation confirmed this finding since a
      delayed precipitation of extractable protein from 36 degrees C-plants was
      observed. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the in-vivo temperature
      induced differences in protein solubility could be traced back to a change in the
      solubility of RuBPCase. The RuBPCase was purified from wheat seedlings, and the
      purified enzyme also exhibited differential solubility. In order to evaluate this
      further, purified RuBPCase was subjected to probing for conformational
      properties. A decrease of fluorescence of the RuBPCase 1-anilino-8-naphtalene
      sulfonate complex revealed that the RuBPCase from 36 degrees  C-plants had a more
      hydrophilic protein surface. Titration of the sulfhydryl groups of native RuBP
      Case with 5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) pointed to a reduced accessibility
      of the R-SH groups in the case of the 36 degrees  C-type of RuBPCase. The large
      subunit of RuBPCase from 4 degrees  C/20 degrees  C-plants tended to give rise to
      an artificial lower-molecular-weight polypeptide which could not be found in
      crude or purified RuBPCase from heat-pretreated wheat seedlings. 

PMID- 24241321
TI  - Composition of the cell walls of Nicotiana alata Link et Otto pollen tubes.
AB  - Cell walls isolated from pollen of Nicotiana alata germinated in vitro contain
      glucose and arabinose as the predominant monosaccharides. Methylation analysis
      and cytochemical studies are consistent with the major polysaccharides being a (1
      >3)-beta-D-glucan (callose) and an arabinan together with small amounts of
      cellulose. The cell walls contain 2.8% uronic acids. Alcian blue stains the
      pollen-tube walls intensely at the tip, indicating that acidic polysaccharides
      are concentrated in the tip. Synthetic aniline-blue fluorochrome is specific
      primarily for (1->3)-beta-D-glucans and stains the pollen-tube walls, except at
      the tip. Protein (1.5%), containing hydroxyproline (2.4%), is present in the cell
      wall. 

PMID- 24241322
TI  - Chloroplast movement in Mougeotia induced by blue light pulses.
AB  - The profile-to-face chloroplast movement in the green alga Mougeotia has been
      induced by strong blue and near-ultraviolet light pulses (6 J m(-2)).
      Simultaneously, strong red or far-red light (10 W m(-2)) was applied
      perpendicularly to the inducing beam. The response was measured photometrically.
      Against the far-red background the reciprocity law was found to hold for pulse
      durations varying two orders of magnitude. The action spectrum exhibited a
      maximum near 450 nm and a distinct increase in near-ultraviolet. The time-course
      and the spectral dependence of pulse responses of chloroplasts in Mougeotia were
      similar to those recorded for other plants which are sensitive only to blue. This
      points to an alternative sensor system active in the short-wavelength region in
      addition to the phytochrome system. 

PMID- 24241323
TI  - Amino-acid-transport mutant of Nicotiana tabacum L.
AB  - The uptake rates of 16 amino acids were measured in leaf discs from Nicotiana
      tabacum L., cv. Xanthi (wild type) and from two valine-resistant mutants, Val(r)
      1 and Val(r)-2. For all amino acids tested the uptake rates in Val(r)-1 were
      similar to those in the wild type. The Val(r)-2 mutant showed a reduced uptake of
      neutral and acidic amino acids, but uptake of the basic amino acids was only
      slightly lower than in the wild type. It is argued that two systems for amino
      acid transport are present: one for neutral and acidic amino acids and the other
      for basic amino acids. 

PMID- 24241325
TI  - Laparoscopic repair of post-abdominoperineal resection hernia: biological mesh
      and augmentation technique.
AB  - Perineal hernias are infrequent complications following abdominoperineal
      surgeries. These hernias require surgical repair when they become symptomatic by
      several conventional or reconstructive techniques. The benefits of a full
      laparoscopic approach and/or the combined approach of a perineal repair of the
      pelvic floor associated to the laparoscopic placement of a traditional synthetic
      mesh have been previously demonstrated. In this article, we present the case of a
      perineal incisional hernia, post-abdominoperineal resection of the rectum after
      radio chemotherapy, in the neoadjuvant treatment of a rectal adenocarcinoma
      tumor. An alternative approach, not previously described for the surgical repair
      of this type of hernia, is presented to assess the feasibility of the suturing
      repair, and efficacy of a biological acellular porcine collagen implant
      Permacol((r)). A full laparoscopic suturing for the closure of the perineal
      defect associated to biological mesh reinforcement was successfully undertaken,
      with good short-term outcomes. 

PMID- 24241326
TI  - An estimation of inguinal hernia epidemiology adjusted for population age
      structure in Tanzania.
AB  - PURPOSE: Surgical conditions represent a significant source of global disease
      burden. Little is known about the epidemiology of inguinal hernia in resource
      poor settings. We present a method to estimate inguinal hernia disease burden in
      Tanzania. METHODS: Using data from the United States National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) prospective cohort study and Tanzanian
      demographic figures, we calculated inguinal hernia incidence and prevalence in
      Tanzanian adults under three surgical rate scenarios. Gender-specific incidence
      figures from NHANES data were adjusted according to Tanzanian population age
      structure. Hernia duration was adjusted for Tanzanian life expectancy within each
      age group. RESULTS: The prevalence of inguinal hernia in Tanzanian adults is
      5.36% while an estimated 12.09% of men had hernias. Today, 683,904 adults suffer
      from symptomatic inguinal hernia in Tanzania. The annual incidence of symptomatic
      hernias in Tanzanian adults is 163 per 100,000 population. At Tanzania's current
      hernia repair rate, a backlog of 995,874 hernias in need of repair will develop
      over 10 years. 4.4 million disability-adjusted life-years would be averted with
      repair of prevalent symptomatic hernias in Tanzania. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      indicate the extent of inguinal hernia disease burden in Tanzania. By adjusting
      our figures for the age structure of Tanzania, we have demonstrated that while
      the incidence of symptomatic cases may be lower than previously thought,
      prevalence of inguinal hernia in Tanzania remains high. This approach provides an
      update to our previously described methodology for calculation of inguinal hernia
      epidemiology in resource-poor settings that may be used in multiple country
      contexts.

PMID- 24241327
TI  - An estimate of hernia prevalence in Sierra Leone from a nationwide community
      survey.
AB  - PURPOSE: A large number of unrepaired inguinal hernias is expected in sub-Saharan
      Africa where late presentation often results in incarceration, strangulation, or
      giant scrotal hernias. However, no representative population-based data are
      available to quantify the prevalence of hernias. We present data on groin masses
      in Sierra Leone to estimate prevalence, barriers to care, and associated
      disability. METHODS: A cluster randomized, cross-sectional household survey of 75
      clusters of 25 households with 2 respondents each was designed to calculate the
      prevalence of and disability caused by groin hernias in Sierra Leone using a
      verbal head-to-toe examination. Barriers to hernia repairs were assessed by
      asking participants the main reason for delay in surgical care. RESULTS:
      Information was obtained from 3,645 respondents in 1,843 households, of which
      1,669 (46%) were male and included in the study. In total, 117 males or 7.01%
      (95% CI 5.64-8.38) reported a soft or reducible swelling likely representing a
      hernia with four men having two masses. Of the 93.2% who indicated the need for
      health care, only 22.2% underwent a procedure, citing limited funds (59.0%) as
      the major barrier to care. On disability assessment, 20.2% were not able to work
      secondary to the groin swelling. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate groin masses
      represent a major burden for the male population in Sierra Leone. Improving
      access to surgical care for adult patients with hernias and early intervention
      for children will be vital to address the burden of disease and prevent
      complications or limitations of daily activity.

PMID- 24241328
TI  - Reply to: invited comment "Chronic pain and quality of life after transinguinal
      preperitoneal (TIPP) inguinal hernia repair: a few tips on TIPP". D.C. Chen and
      P. Amid. DOI 10.1007/s10029-013-1138-z.

PMID- 24241329
TI  - Genetic diversity of Pleurotus pulmonarius revealed by RAPD, ISSR, and SRAP
      fingerprinting.
AB  - Pleurotus pulmonarius is one of the most widely cultivated and popular edible
      fungi in the genus Pleurotus. Three molecular markers were used to analyze the
      genetic diversity of 15 Chinese P. pulmonarius cultivars. In total, 21 random
      amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), 20 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), and 20
      sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) primers or primer pairs were
      selected for generating data based on their clear banding profiles produced. With
      the use of these RAPD, ISSR, and SRAP primers or primer pairs, a total of 361
      RAPD, 283 ISSR, and 131 SRAP fragments were detected, of which 287 (79.5 %) RAPD,
      211 (74.6 %) ISSR, and 98 (74.8 %) SRAP fragments were polymorphic. Unweighted
      Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) trees of these three methods were
      structured similarly, grouping the 15 tested strains into four clades.
      Subsequently, visual DNA fingerprinting and cluster analysis were performed to
      evaluate the resolving power of the combined RAPD, ISSR, and SRAP markers in the
      differentiation among these strains. The results of this study demonstrated that
      each method above could efficiently differentiate P. pulmonarius cultivars and
      could thus be considered an efficient tool for surveying genetic diversity of P.
      pulmonarius. 

PMID- 24241330
TI  - Sequencing, characterization, and gene expression analysis of the histidine
      decarboxylase gene cluster of Morganella morganii.
AB  - The histidine decarboxylase gene cluster of Morganella morganii DSM30146(T) was
      sequenced, and four open reading frames, named hdcT1, hdc, hdcT2, and hisRS were
      identified. Two putative histidine/histamine antiporters (hdcT1 and hdcT2) were
      located upstream and downstream the hdc gene, codifying a pyridoxal-P dependent
      histidine decarboxylase, and followed by hisRS gene encoding a histidyl-tRNA
      synthetase. This organization was comparable with the gene cluster of other known
      Gram negative bacteria, particularly with that of Klebsiella oxytoca. Recombinant
      Escherichia coli strains harboring plasmids carrying the M. morganii hdc gene
      were shown to overproduce histidine decarboxylase, after IPTG induction at 37 
      degrees C for 4 h. Quantitative RT-PCR experiments revealed the hdc and hisRS
      genes were highly induced under acidic and histidine-rich conditions. This work
      represents the first description and identification of the hdc-related genes in
      M. morganii. Results support the hypothesis that the histidine decarboxylation
      reaction in this prolific histamine producing species may play a role in acid
      survival. The knowledge of the role and the regulation of genes involved in
      histidine decarboxylation should improve the design of rational strategies to
      avoid toxic histamine production in foods. 

PMID- 24241332
TI  - A scanning electron microscope study of interactions between micro-organisms
      andGaeumannomyces graminis (Syn.Ophiobolus graminis) on wheat roots.
AB  - Roots of wheat grown in unsterilized sand inoculated withGaeumannomyces graminis
      (Sacc.) von Arx and Olivier were examined by scanning electron microscopy.
      Healthy roots had a mucilaginous covering and were sparsely colonized by
      bacteria, but asG. graminis colonized the roots the mucilage disappeared and the
      numbers of bacteria on the surface increased. Lysis of the hyphae occurred,
      apparently caused by bacteria that colonized the hyphae. Inoculation of wheat in
      axenic culture with a strain ofPseudomonas fluorescens that was antagonistic toG.
      graminis in agar gave some protection against the pathogen; lysis of hyphae was
      observed where protection occurred. 

PMID- 24241331
TI  - Functional conservation of RNase III-like enzymes: studies on a Vibrio vulnificus
      ortholog of Escherichia coli RNase III.
AB  - Bacterial ribonuclease III (RNase III) belongs to the RNase III enzyme family,
      which plays a pivotal role in controlling mRNA stability and RNA processing in
      both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In the Vibrio vulnificus genome, one open
      reading frame encodes a protein homologous to E. coli RNase III, designated Vv
      RNase III, which has 77.9 % amino acid identity to E. coli RNase III. Here, we
      report that Vv-RNase III has the same cleavage specificity as E. coli RNase III
      in vivo and in vitro. Expressing Vv-RNase III in E. coli cells deleted for the
      RNase III gene (rnc) restored normal rRNA processing and, consequently, growth
      rates of these cells comparable to wild-type cells. In vitro cleavage assays
      further showed that Vv-RNase III has the same cleavage activity and specificity
      as E. coli RNase III on RNase III-targeted sequences of corA and mltD mRNA. Our
      findings suggest that RNase III-like proteins have conserved cleavage specificity
      across bacterial species. 

PMID- 24241333
TI  - Effects ofFlavobacterium lutescens growth on populations ofEscherichia coli
      andStreptococcus faecalis in water following thermal loading.
AB  - Flavobacterium lutescens has been observed to constitute a major segment of the
      aerobic, heterotrophic bacterial populations in nonpolluted aquatic systems. It
      is present in lesser numbers in the presence of municipal sewage and higher
      concentrations of organic wastes. In laboratory tests, in water from nonpolluted
      systems, this species became the predominant bacterial type following thermal
      addition. When temperature was increased in water from polluted sources,F.
      lutescens became a major component of the bacterial populations. In the
      laboratory, the numbers ofEscherichia coli andStreptococcus faecalis were
      observed to decrease in proportion to the increase inF. lutescens after thermal
      addition. Similar results were observed when water from three aquatic systems of
      differing nutrient content was tested. A greater amount of organic material
      present in the water reduced the predominance ofF. lutescens. These results
      indicate that, without use of chemical additives, this method may be useful for
      restoration of natural aquatic bacterial populations and reduction of undesirable
      microbial populations in water supplies. 

PMID- 24241334
TI  - Ultrastructural basis of sclerotial survival in soil.
AB  - The ultrastructure of developing and mature sclerotia ofSclerotium rolfsii was
      studied with a scanning electron microscope. The mature sclerotium is
      disconnected from the mycelium and well differentiated. The rind is composed of
      rather thick-walled empty cells. The cortex cells are large and almost completely
      filled with vesicles, whereas the medullar cells are smaller and some of them are
      very thickwalled. 

PMID- 24241335
TI  - Circadian chronotypic death in heat-synchronized infradian mode cultures
      ofTetrahymena pyriformis W.
AB  - Continuous cultures ofTetrahymena pyriformis in the infradian ("slow
      exponential") growth mode can be entrained to give circadian rhythms of cell
      division by the application of thermal cycles with periods of 24 hr. The degree
      of synchronization (phasing index) is dependent on the cycling of other
      environmental agents, particularly food in the form of the defined medium used.
      The phase angles of these multiple zeitgebers to one another and to the circadian
      cell cycle markedly influence the quality of synchronization achieved. In
      wellsynchronized oxygen-limited cultures, a circadian cytotoxia (circadian
      chronotypic death) is observed when the culture's oxygen requirements
      periodically exceed the oxygen support limit of the environment. 

PMID- 24241336
TI  - Microbial film development in a trickling filter.
AB  - The transmission and scanning electron microscopes were employed to visualize the
      sequence of the biofilm development in the trickling wastewater filter. After the
      deposit of a small amount of debris upon a hard surface, the bacterial cells
      attach and develop the matrix on which the biofilm is formed. Protozoa invade the
      basic layer where they feed on the bacteria. The algae are seeded upon the
      bacterial matrix and grow so profusely that the bacteria must develop aerial
      colonies in the competition for food and oxygen. Destruction of the bacteria in
      the matrix and the weight and hydraulic pressure cause detachment of the biofilm
      and a new matrix must be developed. 

PMID- 24241337
TI  - Bacterial attack of corals in polluted seawater.
AB  - Coral heads of the genusPlatigyra exposed to low concentrations of crude oil,
      copper sulfate, potassium phosphate, or dextrose were killed in periods of 5 to
      10 days in aquarium studies. The chemicals stimulated the production of large
      quantities of mucus by the corals. In aquaria treated with antibiotics to prevent
      microbial growth,Platigyra survived the presence of these chemicals in the water,
      indicating a role of the microflora in the death of the corals. Evidence was
      obtained implicating predatory bacteria,Desulfovibrio andBeggiatoa, in the
      destruction of the stressed coral colonies. 

PMID- 24241338
TI  - Observations on estuarine microfouling using the scanning electron microscope.
AB  - Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe microbiological primary fouling
      of glass surfaces exposed in estuarine waters. Observations on clean glass, and
      glass treated with water-repellent coatings, showed that bacterial slimes adhered
      less strongly to the waterrepellent glass. An experiment using pure cultures of
      bacteria and latex particles showed that attached bacteria promoted the
      settlement of latex particles on the glass. 

PMID- 24241339
TI  - Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes within the first five years of life influences
      quality of life and risk of severe hypoglycemia in adulthood.
AB  - Progressive adaptation to disease is paramount to improve quality of life (QoL)
      and other psychological dimensions in type 1 diabetes (T1DM). This study aimed at
      identifying possible correlations between QoL, locus of control (LoC) and
      clinical variables in patients with T1DM followed up for 16 years. Fifty-nine
      patients (27 women) with T1DM, part of a cohort of 112 followed since 1996,
      accepted to participate. Patients were divided into those in whom onset of T1DM
      had been during the first 5 years of life (n = 16) or later. They were also
      stratified into worsened, stable and improved, based on whether their HbA1c had
      increased/decreased by 1 percentage point between baseline and last follow-up
      visit. QoL was measured by the Diabetes Quality of Life questionnaire (DQOL),
      translated into Italian and re-validated. The LoC was measured by the Peyrot- and
      Rubin-specific questionnaire. Patients who developed T1DM before age 5 had a
      better total DQOL score than those who developed it later in life, mainly due to
      the satisfaction dimension and a tendency to decreased fatalism in adult age. All
      subjects whose HbA1c had worsened from baseline had had their diagnosis after age
      5 and reported more frequent episodes of hypoglycemia. Onset of diabetes after
      age 5 and more frequent hypoglycemia was more likely in subjects with worsened
      HbA1c (ORs 7.6, p < 0.10 and 20.3, p < 0.01, respectively, from a multivariate
      logistic model with HbA1c, dichotomized in 'worsened' vs all others, as dependent
      variable). Onset of T1DM during the first 5 years of life may result in better
      QoL and less fatalism in the long term. Presumably, these patients have no memory
      of disease onset, which may reduce trauma and facilitate adaptation to managing
      life with diabetes. 

PMID- 24241340
TI  - A multi-wave study of organizational justice at work and long-term sickness
      absence among employees with depressive symptoms.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Mental health problems are strong predictors of long-term sickness
      absence (LTSA). In this study, we investigated whether organizational justice at
      work - fairness in resolving conflicts and distributing work - prevents risk of
      LTSA among employees with depressive symptoms. METHODS: In a longitudinal study
      with five waves of data collection, we examined a cohort of 1034 employees with
      depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms and organizational justice were assessed
      by self-administered questionnaires and information on LTSA was derived from a
      national register. Using Poisson regression analyses, we calculated rate ratios
      (RR) for the prospective association of organizational justice and change in
      organizational justice with time to onset of LTSA. All analyses were sex
      stratified. RESULTS: Among men, intermediate levels of organizational justice
      were statistically significantly associated with a decreased risk of subsequent
      LTSA after adjustment for covariates [RR 0.49, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)
      0.26-0.91]. There was also a decreased risk for men with high levels of
      organizational justice although these estimates did not reach statistical
      significance after adjustment (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.20-1.10). We found no such
      results for women. In both sexes, neither favorable nor adverse changes in
      organizational justice were statistically significantly associated with the risk
      of LTSA. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that organizational justice may have a
      protective effect on the risk of LTSA among men with depressive symptoms. A
      protective effect of favorable changes in organizational justice was not found.

PMID- 24241342
TI  - The potential of neutrophil elastase inhibitors as anti-inflammatory therapies.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Therapeutic inhibition of neutrophil-derived elastases holds
      promise with powerful treatment effects observed in various preclinical models of
      lung, bowel and skin inflammation and ischaemia-reperfusion injury relevant to
      myocardial infarction, stroke and transplant medicine. RECENT FINDINGS: This
      brief review considers recent studies eliciting the complex interaction between
      neutrophil-derived elastases and endogenous inhibitors that determines elastase
      mediated inflammation in humans. Translating results of preclinical studies with
      neutrophil elastase inhibitors remains challenging. Future clinical studies will
      harness developments in drug delivery and utilize more specific markers of
      neutrophil elastase activity to inform on the efficacy of inhibition. A summary
      of recently published and ongoing clinical trials with synthetic inhibitors
      sivelestat and AZD9668 and recombinant elafin is provided. SUMMARY: Clinical
      trials with neutrophil elastase inhibitors in lung and cardiovascular disease are
      ongoing, and future studies will incorporate novel delivery approaches and be
      directed by specific markers of neutrophil-derived elastase activity to target
      inhibition to the sites of inflammatory tissue injury.

PMID- 24241341
TI  - From boron cluster to two-dimensional boron sheet on Cu(111) surface: growth
      mechanism and hole formation.
AB  - As attractive analogue of graphene, boron monolayers have been theoretically
      predicted. However, due to electron deficiency of boron atom, synthesizing boron
      monolayer is very challenging in experiments. Using first-principles
      calculations, we explore stability and growth mechanism of various boron sheets
      on Cu(111) substrate. The monotonic decrease of formation energy of boron cluster
      B(N) with increasing cluster size and low diffusion barrier for a single B atom
      on Cu(111) surface ensure continuous growth of two-dimensional (2D) boron
      cluster. During growth process, hexagonal holes can easily arise at the edge of a
      2D triangular boron cluster and then diffuse entad. Hence, large-scale boron
      monolayer with mixed hexagonal-triangular geometry can be obtained via either
      depositing boron atoms directly on Cu(111) surface or soft landing of small
      planar BN clusters. Our theoretical predictions would stimulate further
      experiments of synthesizing boron sheets on metal substrates and thus enrich the
      variety of 2D monolayer materials.

PMID- 24241343
TI  - Stereoselective binding of doxazosin enantiomers to plasma proteins from rats,
      dogs and humans in vitro.
AB  - AIM: (+/-)Doxazosin is a long-lasting inhibitor of alpha1-adrenoceptors that is
      widely used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract
      symptoms. In this study we investigated the stereoselective binding of doxazosin
      enantiomers to the plasma proteins of rats, dogs and humans in vitro. METHODS:
      Human, dog and rat plasma were prepared. Equilibrium dialysis was used to
      determine the plasma protein binding of each enantiomer in vitro. Chiral HPLC
      with fluorescence detection was used to measure the drug concentrations on each
      side of the dialysis membrane bag. RESULTS: Both the enantiomers were highly
      bound to the plasma proteins of rats, dogs and humans [(-)doxazosin: 89.4%-94.3%;
      (+)doxazosin: 90.9%-95.4%]. (+)Doxazosin exhibited significantly higher protein
      binding capacities than (-)doxazosin in all the three species, and the difference
      in the bound concentration (Cb) between the two enantiomers was enhanced as their
      concentrations were increased. Although the percentage of the plasma protein
      binding in the dog plasma was significantly lower than that in the human plasma
      at 400 and 800 ng/mL, the corrected percentage of plasma protein binding was
      dog>human>rat. CONCLUSION: (-)Doxazosin and (+)doxazosin show stereoselective
      plasma protein binding with a significant species difference among rats, dogs and
      humans.

PMID- 24241344
TI  - Synthesis and bioassay of beta-(1,4)-D-mannans as potential agents against
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - AIM: Oligomannurarate 971 derived from a marine plant has shown neuroprotective
      effects. In this study we synthesized a series of truncated derivatives of the
      oligosaccharide, and investigated the effect of these derivatives against Abeta
      peptide toxicity in vitro. METHODS: The sulfoxide method was applied to
      synthesize the derivatives. SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were treated with
      Abeta1-40 (2 MUmol/L), and the cell viability was detected using a CCK8 assay.
      RESULTS: A series of beta-(1,4)-D-mannosyl oligosaccharide, ranging from the
      disaccharide to the hexasaccharide, were synthesized. Addition of 10 MUmol/L beta
      (1,4)-D-mannobiose 6, beta-(1,4)-D-mannotriose 9 or beta-(1,4)-D-mannotetraose 12
      in SH-SY5Y cells significantly attenuated Abeta1-40-induced toxicity. The
      efficacies were similar to those caused by 10 MUmol/L oligomannurarate 971 or
      alzhemed. Other oligosaccharides including oligomaltoses and oligocelluloses were
      less active. CONCLUSION: Synthetic homogeneous short chain beta-(1,4)-D-mannans
      shows neuroprotective effect against Abeta peptide toxicity similar to that of
      heterogeneous oligomannurarate 971 and alzhemed.

PMID- 24241345
TI  - The neuroprotective effects of progesterone on traumatic brain injury: current
      status and future prospects.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young
      adults. The secondary injury in traumatic brain injury consists of a complex
      cascade of processes that simultaneously react to the primary injury to the
      brain. This cascade has been the target of numerous therapeutic agents
      investigated over the last 30 years, but no neuroprotective treatment option is
      currently available that improve neurological outcome after traumatic brain
      injury. Progesterone has long been considered merely a female reproductive
      hormone. Numerous studies, however, show that progesterone has substantial
      pleiotropic properties as a neuroprotective agent in both animal models and
      humans. Here, we review the increasing evidence that progesterone can act as a
      neuroprotective agent to treat traumatic brain injury and the mechanisms
      underlying these effects. Additionally, we discuss the current progress of
      clinical studies on the application of progesterone in the treatment of traumatic
      brain injuries. 

PMID- 24241346
TI  - PIK3CA hypomethylation plays a key role in activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in
      esophageal cancer in Chinese patients.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the role of PIK3CA oncogene in tumorigenesis and development
      of esophageal cancer in Chinese patients at the levels of genetic mutation and
      epigenetics. METHODS: Seventy six esophageal tumor samples and corresponding
      adjacent normal tissues were collected, and the genomic DNA was extracted.
      Mutations in the 9th and 20th exons of PIK3CA gene were detected using
      conventional sequencing. PIK3CA methylation rates in two selected CpG islands
      (CpG island 1 and 2) were detected using sub-bisulfate modified sequencing.
      P110alpha and pAKT expression levels were detected with Western blotting.
      RESULTS: In PIK3CA gene of the tumor tissues, G1633C (E545Q) mutation was
      detected in the 9th exon with a rate of 3.95% (3/76), whereas mutation was not
      found in the 20th exon. Nor mutation did occur in PIK3CA gene of the adjacent
      normal tissues. The methylation rate of the CpG island 1 had no significant
      difference between the tumor and adjacent tissues (0.77%+/-0.009% vs 0.89%+/
      0.008%), but the methylation rate of the CpG island 2 in the esophageal tumors
      was significantly lower than that in the adjacent tissues (6.00%+/-2.80% vs
      10.45%+/-5.51%). Furthermore, the rate of methylation of the CpG island 2 in TNM
      stage III and IV esophageal cancer (3.84%+/-2.08%) was significantly lower than
      in stage I (8.52%+/-2.55%) and stage II (6.42%+/-2.36%). PIK3CA gene
      hypomethylation in esophageal cancer was significantly correlated with high
      expression of p110alpha. CONCLUSION: PIK3CA gene hypomethylation plays a key role
      in the tumorigenesis and development of esophageal cancer in Chinese patients,
      while the mutations of PIK3CA gene have little effect on the development of
      esophageal cancer.

PMID- 24241347
TI  - Ketanserin improves cardiac performance after myocardial infarction in
      spontaneously hypertensive rats partially through restoration of baroreflex
      function.
AB  - AIM: Baroreflex dysfunction is associated with a higher rate of sudden death
      after myocardial infarction (MI). Ketanserin enhances baroreflex function in
      rats. The present work was designed to examine whether ketanserin improves the
      post-MI cardiac function and to explore the possible mechanism involved. METHODS:
      Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated with ketanserin (0.3 mg.kg(
      1).d(-1)). Two weeks later, blood pressure and baroreflex function were measured,
      followed by a ligation of the left coronary artery. The expressions of vesicular
      acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
      (alpha7-nAChR) in ischemic myocardium, angiogenesis, cardiac function, and left
      ventricular (LV) remodeling were evaluated subsequently. RESULTS: Ketanserin
      significantly improved baroreflex sensitivity (0.62+/-0.21 vs 0.34+/-0.12
      ms/mmHg, P<0.01) and vagal tonic activity (heart rate changes in response to
      atropine, 54.8+/-16.2 vs 37.6+/-13.4 bpm, P<0.01) without affecting the blood
      pressure or basic heart rate in SHR. Treatment of SHR with ketanserin prominently
      improved cardiac function and alleviated LV remodeling, as reflected by increases
      in the ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and LV systolic pressure as well
      as decreases in LV internal diameter and LV relative weight. The capillary
      density, vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and blood flow in the
      ischemic myocardium were significantly higher in the ketanserin-treated group. In
      addition, ketanserin markedly increased the expression of VAChT and alpha7-nAChR
      in ischemic myocardium. CONCLUSION: Ketanserin improved post-MI cardiac function
      and angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium. The findings provide a mechanistic basis
      for restoring baroreflex function using ketanserin in the treatment of MI.

PMID- 24241348
TI  - Deorphanizing the human transmembrane genome: A landscape of uncharacterized
      membrane proteins.
AB  - The sequencing of the human genome has fueled the last decade of work to
      functionally characterize genome content. An important subset of genes encodes
      membrane proteins, which are the targets of many drugs. They reside in lipid
      bilayers, restricting their endogenous activity to a relatively specialized
      biochemical environment. Without a reference phenotype, the application of
      systematic screens to profile candidate membrane proteins is not immediately
      possible. Bioinformatics has begun to show its effectiveness in focusing the
      functional characterization of orphan proteins of a particular functional class,
      such as channels or receptors. Here we discuss integration of experimental and
      bioinformatics approaches for characterizing the orphan membrane proteome. By
      analyzing the human genome, a landscape reference for the human transmembrane
      genome is provided. 

PMID- 24241349
TI  - Hsp90 inhibitor BIIB021 enhances triptolide-induced apoptosis of human T-cell
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells in vitro mainly by disrupting p53-MDM2
      balance.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the effects of BIIB021, an inhibitor of heat shock protein 90
      (Hsp90) alone or in combination with triptolide (TPL) on T-cell acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and the mechanisms of action. METHODS: Human T-ALL
      cells line Molt-4 was examined. The cell viability was measured using MTT assay.
      Apoptotic cells were studied with Hoechst 33258 staining. Cell apoptosis and cell
      cycle were analyzed using flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI staining and PI
      staining, respectively. The levels of multiple proteins, including Akt, p65,
      CDK4/6, p18, Bcl-2 family proteins, MDM2, and p53, were examined with Western
      blotting. The level of MDM2 mRNA was determined using RT-PCR. RESULTS: Treatment
      of Molt-4 cells with BIIB021 (50-800 nmol/L) inhibited the cell growth in a dose
      dependent manner (the IC50 value was 384.6 and 301.8 nmol/L, respectively, at 48
      and 72 h). BIIB021 dose-dependently induced G0/G1 phase arrest, followed by
      apoptosis of Molt-4 cells. Furthermore, BIIB021 increased the expression of p18,
      decreased the expression of CDK4/6, and activated the caspase pathway in Molt-4
      cells. Moreover, BIIB021 (50-400 nmol/L) dose-dependently decreased the phospho
      MDM2 and total MDM2 protein levels, but slightly increased the phospho-p53 and
      total p53 protein levels, whereas TPL (5-40 nmol/L) dose-dependently enhanced p53
      activation without affecting MDM2 levels. Co-treatment with BIIB021 and TPL
      showed synergic inhibition on Molt-4 cell growth. The co-treatment disrupted p53
      MDM2 balance, thus markedly enhanced p53 activation. In addition, the co
      treatment increased the expression of Bak and Bim, followed by increased
      activation of caspase-9. CONCLUSION: The combination of BIIB021 and TPL may
      provide a novel strategy for treating T-ALL by overcoming multiple mechanisms of
      apoptosis resistance.

PMID- 24241350
TI  - Diosgenin relieves goiter via the inhibition of thyrocyte proliferation in a
      mouse model of Graves' disease.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the effects of diosgenin (Dio), a naturally occurring steroid
      saponin, on goiter formation in a mouse model of Graves' disease (GD) and the
      underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Female BALB/c mice were injected with adenovirus
      expressing the A subunit of thyrotropin receptor to induce GD. The mice were
      treated with Dio (20, 100 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), ip) for 12 or 24 d. The serum levels
      of TT4 and TRAb were examined using radioimmunoassay and
      electrochemiluminescence. The size and morphology of thyroid glands were
      examined. Thyrocyte proliferation was determined using BrdU incorporation assay.
      The expression of proliferation-associated proteins IGF-1, NF-kappaB, cyclin D1,
      and PCNA in thyroids was analyzed using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR.
      RESULTS: The GD mice showed significantly high serum levels of TRAb and TT4
      compared to the normal mice. Treatment of the GD mice with Dio for 24 d dose
      dependently reduced the TT4 level and thyroid size, but did not affect the
      abnormal level of TRAb. Furthermore, Dio treatment dose-dependently reversed the
      morphological changes and reduced excessive thyrocyte proliferation in thyroids
      of the GD mice. Dio treatment also dose-dependently reduced the mRNA and protein
      levels of IGF-1, NF-kappaB, cyclin D1, and PCNA in thyroids of the GD mice.
      CONCLUSION: Dio relieves goiter in a mouse model of GD through the inhibition of
      thyrocyte proliferation. The mechanisms involve the suppression of IGF-1, NF
      kappaB, cyclin D1, and PCNA expression.

PMID- 24241351
TI  - A new bisphosphonate derivative, CP, induces gastric cancer cell apoptosis via
      activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the effects of a new derivative of bisphosphonates, [2-(6
      aminopurine-9-yl)-1-hydroxy-phosphine acyl ethyl] phosphonic acid (CP), on human
      gastric cancer. METHODS: Human gastric cancer cell lines (SGC-7901, BGC-823, MKN
      45, and MKN-28) and human colon carcinoma cell lines (LoVo and HT-29) were
      tested. Cell growth was determined using the MTT assay. Flow cytometry, Western
      blot, caspase activity assay and siRNA transfection were used to examine the
      mechanisms of anticancer action. Female BALB/c nude mice were implanted with SGC
      7901 cells. From d6 after inoculation, the animals were injected with CP (200
      MUg/kg, ip) or vehicle daily for 24 d. RESULTS: CP suppressed the growth of the 6
      human cancer cell lines with similar IC50 values (3239 MUmol/L). In SGC-7901
      cells, CP arrested cell cycle progression at the G2/M phase. The compound
      activated caspase-9, increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and
      Bad, decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Furthermore, the
      compound selectively activated ERK1/2 without affecting JNK and p38 in SGC-7901
      cells. Treatment of SGC-7901 cells with the specific ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 or
      ERK1/2 siRNA hampered CP-mediated apoptosis. In the human gastric cancer
      xenograft nude mouse model, chronic administration of CP significantly retarded
      the tumor growth. CONCLUSION: CP is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of human carcinoma
      cells in vitro, and it also exerts significant inhibition on gastric cancer cell
      growth in vivo. CP induces human gastric cancer apoptosis via activation of the
      ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

PMID- 24241352
TI  - Yhhu3813 is a novel selective inhibitor of c-Met kinase that inhibits c-Met
      dependent neoplastic phenotypes of human cancer cells.
AB  - AIM: c-Met kinase deregulation is strongly associated with the formation,
      progression and dissemination of human cancers. In this study we identified
      Yhhu3813 as a small-molecule inhibitor of c-Met kinase and characterized its
      antitumor properties both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The activities of
      different kinases were measured using ELISA assays and signaling proteins in the
      cells were detected with Western blotting. Cell proliferation was assessed using
      SRB or MTT assay in twenty human cell lines and cell cycle distribution was
      determined with flow cytometry. Transwell-based assay was used to evaluate cell
      migration and invasion. Cell invasive growth was detected by a morphogenesis
      assay. c-Met overactivated human NSCLC cell line EBC-1 xenografts were used to
      evaluate the in vivo anti-tumor efficacy. RESULTS: Yhhu3813 potently inhibited c
      Met kinase activity in vitro with an IC50 value of 2.4+/-0.3 nmol/L, >400-fold
      higher than that for a panel of 15 different tyrosine kinases, suggesting a high
      selectivity of Yhhu3813. The compound (20, 100 and 500 nmol/L) dose-dependently
      inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Met and its key downstream Akt and Erk signal
      cascades in multiple c-Met aberrant human cancer cell lines, regardless of the
      mechanistic complexity in c-Met activation across different cellular contexts. In
      20 human cancer cell lines harboring different backgrounds of c-Met
      expression/activation, Yhhu3813 potently inhibited c-Met-driven cell
      proliferation via arresting cells at G1/S phase. Furthermore, Yhhu3813
      substantially impaired c-Met-mediated cell migration, invasion, scattering, and
      invasive growth. Oral administration of EBC-1 xenograft mice with Yhhu3813 (50 or
      100 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), qd, for 2 weeks) dose-dependently suppressed the tumor
      growth, which was correlated with a reduction in the intratumoral proliferation
      index and c-Met signaling. CONCLUSION: Yhhu3813 is a potent selective inhibitor
      of c-Met that inhibits c-Met-dependent neoplastic phenotypes of human cancer
      cells in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 24241353
TI  - A systematic assessment of normalization approaches for the Infinium 450K
      methylation platform.
AB  - The Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip has emerged as one of the most
      popular platforms for genome wide profiling of DNA methylation. While the
      technology is wide-spread, systematic technical biases are believed to be present
      in the data. For example, this array incorporates two different chemical assays,
      i.e., Type I and Type II probes, which exhibit different technical
      characteristics and potentially complicate the computational and statistical
      analysis. Several normalization methods have been introduced recently to adjust
      for possible biases. However, there is considerable debate within the field on
      which normalization procedure should be used and indeed whether normalization is
      even necessary. Yet despite the importance of the question, there has been little
      comprehensive comparison of normalization methods. We sought to systematically
      compare several popular normalization approaches using the Norwegian Mother and
      Child Cohort Study (MoBa) methylation data set and the technical replicates
      analyzed with it as a case study. We assessed both the reproducibility between
      technical replicates following normalization and the effect of normalization on
      association analysis. Results indicate that the raw data are already highly
      reproducible, some normalization approaches can slightly improve reproducibility,
      but other normalization approaches may introduce more variability into the data.
      Results also suggest that differences in association analysis after applying
      different normalizations are not large when the signal is strong, but when the
      signal is more modest, different normalizations can yield very different numbers
      of findings that meet a weaker statistical significance threshold. Overall, our
      work provides useful, objective assessment of the effectiveness of key
      normalization methods. 

PMID- 24241354
TI  - Au@Cu2O core-shell nanoparticles as chemiresistors for gas sensor applications:
      effect of potential barrier modulation on the sensing performance.
AB  - Au@Cu2O core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a solution method at
      room temperature and applied for gas sensor applications. Transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM) images showed the formation of Au@Cu2O core-shell NPs, where 12
      15 nm Au NPs were covered with 60-30 nm Cu2O shell layers. The surface plasmon
      resonance (SPR) peak of Au NPs was red-shifted (520-598 nm) after Cu2O shell
      formation. The response of Au@Cu2O core-shell NPs was higher than that of bare
      Cu2O NPs to CO at different temperatures and concentrations. Similarly, the
      response of Au@Cu2O core-shell NPs was higher than that of bare Cu2O NPs for NO2
      gas at low temperature. The improved performance of Au@Cu2O core-shell NPs was
      attributed to the pronounced electronic sensitization, high thermal stability and
      low screening effect of Au NPs. 

PMID- 24241355
TI  - Antioxidative plant extracts for chemoprevention.

PMID- 24241356
TI  - Giant chylous cyst and ileal duplication in a young adult.
AB  - Alimentary tract duplications are rare congenital anomalies that usually present
      in childhood and occasionally in adults. They are most common in the ileum, but
      can occur anywhere along the alimentary tract from the mouth to the anus. We
      report a 24-year-old woman who presented with a giant chylous ileum cyst
      duplication. To our knowledge, there is only one other report of a patient with a
      giant chylous cyst in the literature.

PMID- 24241357
TI  - Morphological study of the attachment of sternocleidomastoid muscle.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a major muscle of the neck.
      Classically, this muscle is attached below the sternum and clavicle, although the
      mode of attachment might vary. As the SCM is related to numerous important
      neurovascular structures, its variable anatomy is clinically relevant,
      particularly for neck surgeries. A cadaveric study was performed to establish the
      variations present in the mode of attachment of the SCM muscle in an Indian
      population. METHODS: We studied the variations in the attachment of the SCM
      muscle during the dissection of 18 cadavers for undergraduate teaching in two
      medical colleges in West Bengal, India. RESULTS: Variations in the attachment of
      the SCM muscle were found in 5 (27.8%) specimens. Of these five specimens, three
      had unilateral variations and two had bilateral variations. In each specimen, the
      modes of presentation of the SCM and its fusion with the major bulk were also
      different. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found variations in the attachment of
      the SCM muscle in more than a quarter of the specimens dissected. Surgeons should
      bear in mind such variations when performing neck surgeries.

PMID- 24241358
TI  - Dural metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: rare, but worth considering.
AB  - Metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) to the dura, an extremely rare
      condition, can be symptomatically silent and mistaken for a benign entity
      radiographically. Missed diagnosis can lead to serious consequences or prove
      immediately fatal. We report a woman with dural metastasis of NPC that mimicked a
      meningioma on radiography. Craniectomy with tumour resection was performed due to
      rapid progression from the onset of symptoms to disability. The patient was still
      alive two years after surgery. This case emphasises the need to keep in mind the
      possibility of dural metastasis of NPC in patients with abnormal imaging
      features. This would not only avoid wrong and optimistic diagnosis, but also
      allow for appropriate treatment in a timely manner. To our knowledge, this is the
      first report of metastasis of NPC to the dura. We provide detailed information on
      the neoplastic lesion, which masqueraded as a benign entity and caused
      potentially fatal consequences.

PMID- 24241359
TI  - MiR-155 up-regulation by LMP1 DNA contributes to increased nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma cell proliferation and migration.
AB  - Regulation of oncogenic or tumor-suppressive microRNAs expression by Epstein-Barr
      virus (EBV) and the correlation of EBV with the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)
      have cast new light on the cause of NPC. The present study is to determine the
      association of miR-155 with EBV-positive NPC, and to evaluate the oncogenic role
      of miR-155 in cell proliferation, migration and invasion of NPC cells. The miR
      155 expression was determined by real-time RT-qPCR; The oncogenic promotion of
      miR-155 was evaluated by by cell colony formation assay, proliferation assay,
      scratch assay and transwell migration assay. It showed that miR-155 expression
      was up-regulated in EBV-positive NPC tissue samples and was correlated with
      plasma LMP1 DNA copies. Expression of miR-155 was also up-regulated in NPC cell
      lines post-transfecting with LMP1-expressing plasmid. Up-regulated miR-155
      stimulated the capability of NPC cell proliferation, colony formation, cell
      migration and invasion. Therefore, miR-155 is up-regulated in NPC tissues, with a
      correlation with plasma LMP1 DNA copies, and is significantly induced in NPC
      cells by LMP1 in vitro. The oncogenic miR-155 promotes NPC cell proliferation,
      migration and invasion significantly in vitro. 

PMID- 24241360
TI  - Deep neck space abscesses of dental origin: the impact of Streptococcus group
      Milleri.
AB  - In recent years, there has been rising interest in Streptococcus group Milleri
      (SM) because high mortality rates have been related to it. In case of deep neck
      infections (DNI), whatever the origin, mortality rates as high as 26% were
      reported. But there are no data available for DNI with SM of purely dental
      origin. The aim of our article was to describe and analyse DNI of purely dental
      origin involving on one hand SM and on the other hand infections without presence
      of SM. We compared these two groups and statistically investigated if there were
      differences in clinical presentation (age, mouth opening, length of hospital
      stay, laboratory parameters) or clinical behaviour (re-operation, re
      hospitalisation, secondary osteomyelitis, stay at intensive care, length of
      antibiotic treatment, presence of resistances against antibiotics, incapacity to
      work). For this, we retrospectively searched medical records of our institution
      for all purulent DNI treated from 2004 till 2012. We found 81 patients meeting
      all inclusion criteria. Thirty-four patients had involvement of SM, 47 did not.
      The only statistically significant difference between the SM group and the non-SM
      group was the length of incapacity to work. All other parameters were non
      significant. Furthermore, there were no fatalities. In conclusion, the clinical
      importance of this article is that patients with deep neck abscesses of purely
      dental origin involving SM do not need more or different care when compared to
      all other DNI of dental origin.

PMID- 24241361
TI  - Management of hypercalcemia after renal transplantation.
AB  - Post-transplant hypercalcemia due to persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism
      (HPT) has a high prevalence in the first 3 months after surgery and decreases
      during the first year, but it persists over time in around 5-10% of renal
      transplant patients. The increased bone resorption and tubular reabsorption of
      calcium due to the action of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) appear to be the main
      mechanisms involved in hypercalcemia. At the time of the renal transplantation
      (RT), PTH is the factor that determines the development of post-RT hypercalcemia,
      although it is sometimes masked in patients who are well controlled with medical
      treatment. The number of dialysis patients receiving treatment with cinacalcet
      for secondary HPT is increasing. The withdrawal of the calcimimetic at the time
      of renal transplantation results in a higher prevalence of hypercalcaemia and
      hyperparathyroidism in these patients. In patients with PTH well controlled with
      cinacalcet before transplantation, there is a direct relationship between the
      dose and the subsequent development of hypercalcemia, probably because it
      indicates the presence of a more severe secondary HPT. Hypercalcemia may have
      deleterious effects on the renal graft, resulting in tubulointerstitial
      calcification. Persistent hypercalcemia is a marker of an increased risk of bone
      disease deterioration in these patients. Nowadays, the first treatment option is
      cinacalcet and if there is no response, we consider performing a
      parathyroidectomy. In this review, we propose an algorithm for management of post
      RT hypercalcemia. 

PMID- 24241362
TI  - Thoughts on the start and withdrawal of dialysis.
AB  - Increased life expectancy and the availability of treatments provided by modern
      medicine have given rise to a new situation in which survival may be prolonged
      without the patient having an acceptable quality of life. Renal replacement
      therapy (RRT) to treat End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) may involve the use of
      aggressive techniques designed to improve and prolong the lives of patients with
      high comorbidity and very low short term survival expectancy. RRT often means
      lowering patients&rsquo; quality of life, it is a significant burden on families
      and survival expectancy is low. Patients must actively participate in decision
      making, but to do so, the information about the prognosis of their disease and
      how the treatment will affect their quality of life must be more comprehensive.
      As nephrologists, we will be able to contribute better to decision-making by
      improving prognostic tools and participating collectively with the patient and
      their family in the final decision. It is necessary to offer appropriate care to
      patients who opt for conservative treatment by implementing multidisciplinary
      teams within ESRD units. 

PMID- 24241363
TI  - Oral colonisation and infection by Candida sp. in diabetic and non-diabetic
      patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Oral candidiasis (OC) is a common opportunistic infection in
      immunocompromised patients. Species identification is sometimes important for
      treatment. objective: to determine the prevalence of different Candida species
      colonising or infecting the oral mucosa (OM) of diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic
      (non-DM) chronic kidney disease patients, comparing both groups and exploring
      potential risk factors. METHODS: 56 DM and 80 non-DM patients on chronic dialysis
      were examined. OM swabs were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar plates. Candida
      species were identified with API(r) galleries. OC was confirmed by exfoliative
      cytology. Statistical associations were analysed using chi2, Fisher's exact test
      (ET), and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Candida prevalence was 43.4%:
      53.6% DM and 36.3% non-DM, (p=.045). The species identified were C. albicans
      74.6%, C. glabrata 22.0%, C. tropicalis 15.2%, C. parapsilosis 3.4 %, C. kefyr
      3.4% and C. famata 1.7% without difference between groups. DM patients had a
      higher xerostomia prevalence (p=.002) and lower salivary flow (p=.008) and lower
      serum albumin (p=.018). 16.9% of patients had OC, 23.2% DM compared with 12.5%
      non-DM, (p=.101). The following were associated with the presence of Candida in
      the OM: the use of dental prostheses (odds ratio [OR] 25.6, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 2.5 to 253, P=.001), xerostomia (OR 9.6, 95% CI 2.4 to 38.1,
      P=.001) and low serum albumin values (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.98, P=.044).
      CONCLUSIONS: The presence of Candida sp. in the OM was associated with dental
      prostheses, xerostomia and low serum albumin.

PMID- 24241364
TI  - The influence of renin-angiotensin system genotypes on the antiproteinuric
      response to high doses of olmesartan in non-diabetic proteinuric nephropathies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the antiproteinuric response to multifactorial treatment
      based on high doses of angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs) (olmesartan) in
      patients with non-diabetic proteinuric nephropathies, according to three renin
      angiotensin system (RAS) polymorphisms: insertion/deletion of the angiotensin
      converting enzyme (ACE) gene, the angiotensinogen gene M235T and the angiotensin
      II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We studied 53 patients
      with non-diabetic proteinuric nephropathy with a mean progression time of 84.4+/
      15 months. 41 were males (77.4%); mean age 49.7+/-3 years, body mass index 30+/
      6kg/m2. All received olmesartan (40mg/12h) associated with a mean of 2.4+/-1.6
      antihypertensive drugs for a median period of 13 months (interquartile range 7-25
      months). RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure (BP) decreased from 145+/-14mmHg to
      128+/-14mmHg (P<.001) and diastolic BP from 85+/-11mmHg to 79+/-7mmHg (P<.01).
      Pulse pressure decreased from 53.5+/-14mmHg to 48+/-12mmHg (P<.05). Proteinuria
      decreased from 2.74+/-1.6g/24h to 0.9+/-1g/24h (P<.001), representing a mean
      decrease of 67.1%. According to RAS polymorphisms, antiproteinuric response was:
      angiotensinogen gene polymorphism: genotype TT: 76.8%; genotype MM: 67.3%;
      genotype MT: 65.8%, significantly higher (P<.05) for genotype TT compared to
      genotypes MM and MT. Polymorphism of the ACE gene: genotype DD: 71.4%; genotype
      ID: 60.6%, genotype II: 34.8%, significantly higher (P<.05) for genotype DD
      compared to genotypes ID and II, and also (P<.05) for genotype ID compared to II.
      AT1R gene polymorphism: genotype AC: 85.2%; genotype CC: 73.7%; genotype AA:
      62.7%; significantly higher for genotype AC (P<.05) compared to genotypes AA and
      CC. The differences between initial and final proteinuria for the follow-up
      period were significant (P<.01) for genotypic associations DD/AA, DD/MT, DD/MM,
      DD/TT and DD/AC, although the association with the highest antiproteinuric effect
      was DD/AC (89.9%, P<.05%). CONCLUSIONS: Administering high doses of olmesartan in
      patients with non-diabetic proteinuric nephropathy results in significant
      reductions in proteinuria. This decrease was independent of blood pressure
      control and other confounding factors. RAS polymorphisms may modulate the
      antiproteinuric response to treatment with ARBs.

PMID- 24241365
TI  - A comparison of the effectiveness of two online haemodiafiltration modalities:
      mixed versus post-dilution.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Haemodiafiltration (HDF) with high reinfusion volumes is the most
      effective technique for clearing uraemic toxins. There are various modalities
      depending on the location where the replacement volume is administered in the
      extracorporeal circuit: pre-dilution, mixed or mid-dilution and post-dilution, in
      which the infusion is carried out pre-dilution, pre- and post-dilution
      simultaneously and post-dilution, respectively. OBJECTIVE: Compare the clearance
      of small, medium-sized and protein-bound molecules and the convective volume
      administered in online HDF (OL-HDF) in post-dilution and mixed (pre-post
      dilution) infusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective, randomised, crossover
      study comparing post-dilution and mixed OL-HDF. Patients (n=8) were randomly
      assigned to receive 6 sessions in each technique. We conducted 89 sessions, of
      which 68 were at a scheduled time (ST) and 21 at an effective time (ET). We
      determined the reduction rate (RR) percentages for various substances and the
      infusion volumes. The RR study was performed using ET. RESULTS: The KT value
      obtained was greater with post-dilution OL-HDF [68 (8.1) compared to 64.9 (8.8)
      litres] (P=.009) when patients were dialysed at ST. This difference disappeared
      when dialysis was performed at ET. The difference between ST and ET was greater
      in mixed HDF than in post-dilution HDF [10.3 (7.4) compared to 6.5 (3.1) minutes,
      P=.02]. We found no differences in the RR of the substances analysed. CONCLUSION:
      Mixed OL-HDF is not inferior to post-dilution OL-HDF either in the clearance of
      small and medium-sized molecules or in the clearance of protein-bound molecules
      at the same ET.

PMID- 24241366
TI  - Effectiveness of haemodiafiltration with ultrafiltrate regeneration in the
      reduction of light chains in multiple myeloma with renal failure.
AB  - Acute kidney failure in multiple myeloma (MM) occurs in 12%-20% of patients and
      is a poor prognostic factor for patient survival. Recent studies have shown that
      dialysis with a High-Cut-Off membrane (HCO) removes free light chains (FLC)
      effectively although with significant albumin loss. Other adsorption-based
      techniques, such as haemodiafiltration with ultrafiltrate regeneration by
      adsorption in resin (SUPRA-HFR), have not been studied. We present three cases of
      MM, all haemodialysis-dependent since diagnosis. Two cases were IgG kappa and one
      was IgA lambda. All patients were treated with chemotherapy and SUPRA-HFR. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SUPRA-HFR in the reduction
      of FLC and its effect on albumin. We collected blood samples pre- and post
      dialysis, and ultrafiltrate (UF) samples pre- and post-resin 5 minutes into the
      session and 5 minutes from the end. The mean reduction rate of FLC in blood per
      session in the three patients was 53% and 63% (kappa) and 38% (lambda). In the
      UF, the mean FLC reduction rate was close to 99%, both at the start and at the
      end of dialysis, without the removal of albumin. With the results obtained we can
      conclude that this technique achieves an effective reduction of FLC, which is
      maintained throughout the session, without resin saturation and without albumin
      loss. Therefore, SUPRA-HFR is effective as an adjunctive therapy for MM. 

PMID- 24241367
TI  - The impact of processing meat and fish products on phosphorus intake in chronic
      kidney disease patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The use of phosphate additives in meat and fish
      processing leads to a phosphorus overload that we cannot quantify through
      labelling or food composition tables. We analysed this increase by measuring
      phosphorus content in these products by spectrophotometry. MATERIALS AND METHOD:
      We determined the phosphorus/protein ratio in fresh meat and fish products with
      varying degrees of processing by spectrophotometry (phosphorus) and the Kjeldahl
      method (proteins). We contrasted these results with those reflected in the food
      composition tables. RESULTS: The phosphorus/protein ratio was higher in processed
      meat products (15.83 mg/g) than in battered (11.04 mg/g) and frozen meat products
      (10.5mg/g), and was lower in fresh (8.41 mg/g) and refrigerated meat products
      (8.78 mg/g). Fresh white fish had a phosphorus/protein ratio of 8.58mg/g, while
      it increased by 22% (10.3mg/g) in frozen white fish and by 46% (12.54 mg/g) in
      battered fish. The information in the tables was poor and confusing, and no
      reference is made to the brands tested. CONCLUSIONS: Processing meat and fish
      products poses a serious obstacle to the reduction of phosphorus intake. The
      current regulatory framework does not assist us in the objective of reducing
      phosphorus additives, since it considers them safe for public consumption.
      Overcoming these barriers requires a coordinated effort to demonstrate that a
      high intake of these additives may be harmful to the general population and it
      should be more closely examined by regulators.

PMID- 24241368
TI  - Sodium set-point in haemodialysis: is it what we see clinically?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Natraemia in haemodialysis (HD) patients is considered constant
      contrary to daily clinical observations. Its relationship with clinical
      parameters, dialysis parameters and body water (BW) distribution is not clear.
      OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to know 1) the intraindividual
      variability of natraemia, 2) the relationship between natraemia and clinical and
      dialysis parameters and 3) the relationship between natraemia and BW distribution
      by bioimpedance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational retrospective study on 98
      chronic HD patients. Clinical, HD and natraemia, glucose and bioimpedance data
      were collected. RESULTS: We included 63 males and 35 females of 69.6 (21-91)
      years of age, with a follow-up of 23.2 (10) months. Variability: 1802 sodium
      measurements: mean natraemia 138 (3.2) mEq/l and corrected for glucose: 139.1
      (3.6) mEq/l, p<.0001. Intraindividual coefficient of variation (CV) was 2% (0.8)
      (range 1-5.6%) and it correlated negatively with natraemia (r=-0.63, p<.0001).
      Clinical parameters: corrected natraemia was lower in diabetics than in non
      diabetics 138 (2.4) compared with 139 (2) mEq/l, p<.003, CV 2.3 (0.9) compared
      with 1.9 (0.7)% (p<.01) and SD 3.2 (1.2) compared with 2.5 (0.9) mEq/l (p<.04).
      No differences according to gender, age, HD time, cardiac or liver disease,
      medication use, residual renal function or mortality were found. HD parameters: a
      positive relationship was found between natraemia and total dialysate
      conductivity and it was negative with interdialysis weight gain (IDG). -
      Bioimpedance: no relationship was found between natraemia and BW distribution.
      CONCLUSIONS: Natraemia varies in each patient and is related positively with
      conductivity and negatively with IDG. In diabetics natraemia is lower and CV is
      higher. There is no relationship between natraemia and BW distribution.

PMID- 24241369
TI  - The influence of emotional factors on the report of somatic symptoms in patients
      on chronic haemodialysis: the importance of anxiety.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of different somatic symptoms in chronic
      haemodialysis patients compared with a control group and to analyse the
      predictive capacity of some psychological variables (namely anxiety, depression,
      social support, self-efficacy and coping strategies) in the reporting of these
      symptoms. METHOD: Forty-six patients undergoing dialysis treatment and 30
      individuals without relevant illness, matched in socio-demographic variables,
      were evaluated with self-reported measures. Relationships between somatic
      symptoms and predictor variables were analysed through bivariate correlations and
      multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients showed much higher somatic
      symptom values than control individuals, especially with regard to immunological,
      cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and skin-allergy symptoms. Anxiety, with a
      positive association, was the main independent predictor in most of the symptom
      categories, explaining 24.9% (p<.0001) of variance in the total number of
      reported symptoms. Depression, the degree of worry, and passive coping strategies
      (helplessness-despair and fatalism) were also associated with higher levels of
      somatic symptoms. By contrast, the active coping strategy of fighting spirit,
      self-efficacy (coping capacity) and social support were associated with lower
      levels of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These results have clinical implications with
      respect to the aspects on which psychological interventions intended to reduce
      somatic symptoms in chronic haemodialysis patients should be based and they
      suggest that psychological-emotional variables may explain some symptoms that do
      not have a clear aetiology in kidney patients.

PMID- 24241370
TI  - Renal cortical necrosis secondary to thrombotic microangiopathy in the context of
      acute promyelocytic leukaemia blast crisis.
AB  - A 37-year-old patient was transferred to Haematology from the ENT Emergency
      Department where he had been admitted due to tonsillitis. He displayed anaemia
      and leukopenia and had agranulocytosis in the study. A day later the patient had
      blast crisis, and was diagnosed with myeloid acute leukaemia. Due to blast crisis
      the patient experienced sudden back pain, with oliguria and renal function
      deterioration followed by anaemia, in the context of haemolysis consistent with
      thrombotic microangiopathy, and as such, we were consulted. We began treatment
      with plasmapheresis and on the following day we performed haemodialysis (we
      carried out a total of 12 sessions of plasmapheresis until haemolysis
      disappeared). Five days later there was respiratory failure, and the patient was
      consequently transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, where he continued treatment
      with plasmapheresis and haemodialysis. The patient remained anuric thereafter,
      requiring haemodialysis, with no sign of renal recovery. Once platelet levels
      normalised with haematology chemotherapy, a percutaneous renal biopsy was
      performed, which confirmed the diagnosis of cortical necrosis. Finally, the
      patient underwent renal replacement therapy by regular haemodialysis. 

PMID- 24241371
TI  - Comment on "Magnesium and chronic kidney disease".

PMID- 24241372
TI  - Response to the comment on "Magnesium and chronic kidney disease".

PMID- 24241373
TI  - Comment on "Dehydration upon admission is a risk factor for incomplete recovery
      of renal function in children with haemolytic uremic syndrome".

PMID- 24241374
TI  - Response to the comment on "Cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme
      in patients with chronic renal failure".

PMID- 24241375
TI  - Comment on "Cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme in patients with
      chronic renal failure".
AB  - Comment on: Nefrologia 2012;32(6):809-18. PMID:23169364 [PubMed - in process]. 

PMID- 24241376
TI  - Immunoglobulin A nephropathy could be a clue for the recurrence of gastric
      adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 24241377
TI  - The E23K polymorphism of the KCNJ11gene is associated with lower insulin release
      in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

PMID- 24241378
TI  - Effect of allopurinol on smoking.

PMID- 24241379
TI  - Nephrocalcinosis and distal renal tubular acidosis in Sjogren's syndrome.

PMID- 24241380
TI  - Kaposi's sarcoma in the early post-transplant period in a kidney transplant
      recipient.

PMID- 24241382
TI  - Dabigatran-induced upper intestinal bleeding in a patient with chronic kidney
      disease.

PMID- 24241381
TI  - Myeloma kidney: the importance of assessing the response by monitoring free light
      chains in serum.

PMID- 24241383
TI  - Painful gynaecomastia secondary to cyclosporine A and tacrolimus in a patient
      with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

PMID- 24241386
TI  - Rotationplasty as a salvage of failed primary limb reconstruction: up to date
      review and case report.
AB  - We report a case of a 15-year-old girl who is a known case for proximal focal
      femoral deficiency. She underwent several surgical lengthening procedures. Her
      course was complicated by femur nonunion, knee joint dislocation, stiff knee, and
      final lower limb discrepancy of over 15 cm. Rotationplasty was performed to
      salvage her previous surgical failures and restore her function. Surgery was
      uneventful and the patient was able to walk with the prosthesis in a few months
      after index surgery. Although the outcome of rotationplasty is visually unusual,
      for some children restored function and physical capabilities outweigh cosmetic
      concerns. The aim of the present study was to report a case of rotationplasty in
      salvaging a failed primary limb reconstruction in a patient with proximal femur
      focal deficiency. 

PMID- 24241385
TI  - Detection of QTL in rainbow trout affecting survival when challenged with
      Flavobacterium psychrophilum.
AB  - Bacterial cold water disease (BCWD) causes significant economic loss in salmonid
      aquaculture. We previously detected genetic variation in survival following
      challenge with Flavobacterium psychrophilum (Fp), the causative agent of BCWD in
      rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A family-based selection program to improve
      resistance was initiated in 2005 at the USDA National Center for Cool and Cold
      Water Aquaculture. Select crosses were made in 2007 and 2009 to evaluate family
      based disease survival using Fp injection challenges. From each putative F2/BC1
      family generated in 2009, 200-260 fish were challenged in 4-7 replicates per
      family. Whole genome QTL scans of three F2/BC1 families were conducted with about
      270 informative microsatellite loci per family spaced at an average interval size
      of 6 cM throughout the rainbow trout genome. Markers on chromosomes containing
      QTL were further evaluated in three additional F2/BC1 families. The additional
      F2/BC1 families were sire or dam half-sibs (HS) of the initially genome scanned
      families. Overall, we identified nine major QTL on seven chromosomes that were
      significant or highly significant with moderate to large effects of at least 13 %
      of the total phenotypic variance. The largest effect QTL for BCWD resistance
      explaining up to 40 % of the phenotypic variance was detected on chromosome OMY8
      in family 2009070 and in the combined dam HS family 2009069-070. The nine major
      QTL identified in this study are candidates for fine mapping to identify new
      markers that are tightly linked to disease resistance loci for using in marker
      assisted selection strategies.

PMID- 24241387
TI  - Effect of prone positioning on cannula function and impaired oxygenation during
      extracorporeal circulation.
AB  - Prone ventilation is an effective method for improving oxygenation in patients
      with acute respiratory failure. However, in extracorporeal circulation, there is
      a risk of cannula-related complications when changing the position. In this
      study, we investigated cannula-related complications when changing position for
      prone ventilation and the effect of prone ventilation on impaired oxygenation in
      patients who underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The study
      subjects were patients who underwent prone ventilation during ECMO in the period
      from 2004 to 2011. Indication for prone ventilation was the presence of dorsal
      infiltration shown by lung computed tomography. Factors investigated were cannula
      insertion site, dislodgement or obstruction of the cannula, malfunction of
      vascular access and unplanned dislodgement of the catheters when changing
      position. Mean arterial pressure, PaO2/FiO2, PEEP level, blood flow and rotation
      speed of the pump were also determined before and after position change. Five
      patients were selected as study subjects. The mean duration of prone positioning
      was 15.3 +/- 0.5 h. Strict management during position changes prevented cannula
      related complications in the patients who underwent extracorporeal circulation.
      There were no significant changes in mean arterial pressure, PEEP level, blood
      flow and rotation speed of the pump when changing position. Low PaO2/FiO2 prior
      to prone ventilation was significantly increased after supine to prone and then
      prone to supine position. Prone positioning to improve impaired oxygenation is a
      safe procedure and not a contraindication in patients receiving extracorporeal
      circulation.

PMID- 24241388
TI  - Electron microscopic study of succession in the periphyton community of lake
      Washington.
AB  - Microbial succession has been observed on electron microscope grids immersed in
      lake water for 1, 3, 6, and 10 days. As predicted by ecological theory, the
      biomass, numbers, and diversity of attached microorganisms increased as
      succession proceeded. The diversity index of Shannon showed a marked increase
      from 3.1 at day 1 to 4.2 at day 3. It continued to rise at day 6 and attained the
      maximum value calculated on day 10 of 4.8. Bacteria were the major pioneer
      colonizers in this mesotrophic community. Based on these results and the results
      of other microbiologists who have found bacteria to be the dominant component
      during the pioneer stage of succession in periphyton communities of varying
      trophic status, we suggest that microbial heterotrophs may commonly, and perhaps
      always, be the major component of the early pioneer community of autogenic
      successions. 

PMID- 24241389
TI  - Autoradiographic screening for potential heterotrophs in natural algal
      populations of Lake Kinneret.
AB  - Microautoradiography was used to screen natural phytoplankton populations from
      Lake Kinneret for their ability to take up radioactive organic substrates
      (glucose, acetic acid, amino acids, and glycollic acid. Several of the important
      Chlorophyta (Pediastrum spp.,Actinastrum hantzschii, Kirchncriella
      spp.,Coelastrum spp.,Scenedesmus spp., andTetraedron spp.) and Cyanophyta
      (Microcystis spp.,Merismopedia sp.,Chroococcus spp., andAnabaena spp.) showed
      consistent organic uptake. However, the principal bloom former, the
      dinoflagellatePeridinium cinctum fawestii and most of the pelagic algae observed,
      never assimilated any of the above substrates. Autoradiographic surveys permit
      rapid screening of algal populations for species which are capable of taking up
      organic matter and can indicate potential facultative heterotrophs. 

PMID- 24241390
TI  - On describing microbial growth kinetics from continuous culture data: Some
      general considerations, observations, and concepts.
AB  - Analysis of continuous culture methodology suggests that this potentially
      powerful tool for kinetic analysis can be improved by minimizing several inherent
      shortcomings. Medium background substrates - organic carbon, phosphate, and
      manganese - were shown to dominate kinetic observations at concentrations below
      chemical detection methods. Reactor wall growth, culture size distribution
      changes, sample removal-induced steady state perturbations, and limiting
      substrate leakage from organisms are treated in terms of kinetic measurement
      errors. Large variations in maximal growth rates and substrate uptake rates found
      are attributed to experimental protocol-induced transient states. Relationships
      are presented for correcting limiting substrate concentrations for lability
      during sampling, contamination with unreacted medium, and background substrate
      effects. Analytical procedures are discussed for improved measurement of limiting
      substrate kinetics involving enzymes, isotopes, and material balance
      manipulation. Relaxation methods as applied to continuous culture are introduced
      as a means for isolating separate rate constants describing net substrate
      transport and for evaluating cellular metabolite leakage. Low velocity growth,
      multiple substrate metabolism, and endogenous metabolism are discussed along with
      measurements showing that 1-month generation times for aquatic microorganisms can
      be quite normal and that the kinetics are compatible withMUg/liter limiting
      substrate concentrations. The concept of regarding growth kinetics as the sum of
      several net accumulation processes is suggested. 

PMID- 24241391
TI  - Properties of marine bdellovibrios.
AB  - Marine bdellovibrio isolates from the Israeli littoral of the Mediterranean Sea
      were screened and characterized in terms of host range, temperature and salinity
      ranges, cation requirement, mutation frequency, and G + C% mole content. Ten
      types of isolates were distinguished on the basis of these parameters. 

PMID- 24241392
TI  - Microorganisms from composting leaves: Ability to produce extracellular
      degradative enzymes.
AB  - Mixed populations of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in a leaf compost pile
      were examined over a 100-day test period for their ability to produce
      extracellular proteolytic, lipolytic, amylolytic, cellulolytic, pectolytic, and
      ureolytic enzymes and ability to utilize alkanes. Urea was added to the leaves to
      adjust the carbon to nitrogen ratio but was of little value in maintaining the
      proper ratio since it was degraded within the first few days. The degradative
      enzymes excreted by microorganisms was dependent on the temperature of the pile.
      In many cases organisms able to produce specific extracellular enzymes at medium
      temperatures were able to grow at high temperatures, but either did not excrete
      the specific enzymes or the enzymes were inactivated by the high temperature. 

PMID- 24241393
TI  - The mission of the International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society.

PMID- 24241394
TI  - Distal connectivity causes summation and division across mouse visual cortex.
AB  - Neurons in different locations across the cortex are connected through
      polysynaptic networks involving both excitation and inhibition. To probe the
      functional effect of such networks, we used optogenetic stimulation to trigger
      antidromic spikes in a local region of primary visual cortex (V1). This local
      activity had two effects at distal V1 locations: summation and division. The
      balance between the two depended on visual contrast, and a normalization model
      precisely captured these effects. 

PMID- 24241395
TI  - Female contact modulates male aggression via a sexually dimorphic GABAergic
      circuit in Drosophila.
AB  - Intraspecific male-male aggression, which is important for sexual selection, is
      regulated by environment, experience and internal states through largely
      undefined molecular and cellular mechanisms. To understand the basic neural
      pathway underlying the modulation of this innate behavior, we established a
      behavioral assay in Drosophila melanogaster and investigated the relationship
      between sexual experience and aggression. In the presence of mating partners,
      adult male flies exhibited elevated levels of aggression, which was largely
      suppressed by prior exposure to females via a sexually dimorphic neural
      mechanism. The suppression involved the ability of male flies to detect females
      by contact chemosensation through the pheromone-sensing ion channel ppk29 and was
      mediated by male-specific GABAergic neurons acting on the GABAA receptor RDL in
      target cells. Silencing or activating this circuit led to dis-inhibition or
      elimination of sex-related aggression, respectively. We propose that the
      GABAergic inhibition represents a critical cellular mechanism that enables prior
      experience to modulate aggression. 

PMID- 24241396
TI  - Auto-attraction of neural precursors and their neuronal progeny impairs neuronal
      migration.
AB  - Limited neuronal migration into host brain tissue is a key challenge in neural
      transplantation. We found that one important mechanism underlying this phenomenon
      is an intrinsic chemotactic interaction between the grafted neural precursor
      cells (NPCs) and their neuronal progeny. NPCs secrete the receptor tyrosine
      kinase ligands FGF2 and VEGF, which act as chemoattractants for neurons.
      Interference with these signaling pathways resulted in enhanced migration of
      human neurons from neural clusters. 

PMID- 24241397
TI  - Prefrontal entrainment of amygdala activity signals safety in learned fear and
      innate anxiety.
AB  - Successfully differentiating safety from danger is an essential skill for
      survival. While decreased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is
      associated with fear generalization in animals and humans, the circuit-level
      mechanisms used by the mPFC to discern safety are not clear. To answer this
      question, we recorded activity in the mPFC, basolateral amygdala (BLA) and dorsal
      and ventral hippocampus in mice during exposure to learned (differential fear
      conditioning) and innate (open field) anxiety. We found increased synchrony
      between the mPFC and BLA in the theta frequency range (4-12 Hz) only in animals
      that differentiated between averseness and safety. Moreover, during recognized
      safety across learned and innate protocols, BLA firing became entrained to theta
      input from the mPFC. These data suggest that selective tuning of BLA firing to
      mPFC input provides a safety-signaling mechanism whereby the mPFC taps into the
      microcircuitry of the amygdala to diminish fear. 

PMID- 24241398
TI  - Possible role of gap junction intercellular channels and connexin 43 in satellite
      glial cells (SGCs) for preservation of human spiral ganglion neurons : A
      comparative study with clinical implications.
AB  - Human spiral ganglion (SG) neurons show remarkable survival properties and
      maintain electric excitability for a long time after complete deafness and even
      separation from the organ of Corti, features essential for cochlear implantation.
      Here, we analyze and compare the localization and distribution of gap junction
      (GJ) intercellular channels and connexin 43 (Cx43) in cells surrounding SG cell
      bodies in man and guinea pig by using transmission electron microscopy and
      confocal immunohistochemistry. GJs and Cx43 expression has been recognized in
      satellite glial cells (SGCs) in non-myelinating sensory ganglia including the
      human SG. In man, SG neurons can survive as mono-polar or "amputated" cells with
      unbroken central projections following dendrite degeneration and consolidation of
      the dendrite pole. Cx43-mediated GJ signaling between SGCs is believed to play a
      key role in this "healing" process and could explain the unique preservation of
      human SG neurons and the persistence of cochlear implant function. 

PMID- 24241399
TI  - Association between decreasing trend in the mortality of adult T-cell
      leukemia/lymphoma and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants in Japan:
      analysis of Japanese vital statistics and Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell
      Transplantation (JSHCT).
AB  - Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a peripheral T-cell neoplasm with a very
      poor outcome. However, several studies have shown a progress in the treatment. To
      evaluate the effect of the progress in the treatment of ATLL in a whole patient
      population, we used vital statistics data and estimated age-adjusted mortality
      and trends in the mortality from 1995 to 2009. Since allogeneic hematopoietic
      stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has been introduced as a modality with
      curative potential during study period, we also evaluated the association of the
      annual number of allo-HSCT and the trend of the mortality of ATLL. Endemic
      (Kyushu) and non-endemic areas (others) were evaluated separately. Significance
      in the trend of mortality was evaluated by joinpoint regression analysis. During
      the study period, a total of 14 932 patients died of ATLL in Japan, and mortality
      decreased significantly in both areas (annual percent change (95% confidence
      interval (CI)): Kyushu, -3.1% (-4.3, -1.9); others, -3.4% (-5.3, -1.5)). This
      decreasing trend in mortality seems to be associated with an increase in the
      number of allo-HSCTs (Kyushu, R-squared=0.70, P=0.003; and others, R
      squared=0.55, P=0.058). This study reveals that the mortality of ATLL is now
      significantly decreasing in Japan and this decreasing trend might be associated
      with allo-HSCT. 

PMID- 24241400
TI  - Validation of flow cytometric phospho-STAT5 as a diagnostic tool for juvenile
      myelomonocytic leukemia.
AB  - To diagnose juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is sometimes challenging,
      because around 10% of patients lack molecular abnormalities affecting Ras-MAPK
      (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway and other diseases such as
      cytomegalovirus infection can mimic clinical signs of JMML. In order to validate
      a phospho-specific flow cytometry assay assessing phospho-signal transducer and
      activator of transcription factor 5 (p-STAT5) as a new diagnostic tool for JMML,
      we examined 22 samples from children with JMML and 47 controls. CD33+/CD34+ cells
      from 22 patients with JMML showed hyperphosphorylation of STAT5 induced by sub
      saturating doses of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
      Using a training set of samples (11 JMML and 23 controls), we identified a
      threshold for p-STAT5-positive after stimulation with 0.1 ng/ml GM-CSF (17.17%)
      that discriminates JMML from controls. This threshold was validated in an
      independent series (11 JMML, 24 controls and 7 cases with diseases other than
      JMML) where we demonstrated that patients with JMML could be distinguished from
      other subjects with a sensitivity of 91% (confidence interval (CI) 59-100%) and a
      specificity of 87% (CI 70-96%). Positive and negative predictive values were 71%
      (CI 42-92%) and 96% (CI 82-100%), respectively. In conclusion, flow cytometric p
      STAT5 profiling is a reliable diagnostic tool for identifying patients with JMML
      and can contribute to consistency of current diagnostic criteria. 

PMID- 24241402
TI  - Alternative final steps in berberine biosynthesis in Coptis japonica cell
      cultures.
AB  - In Coptis japonica cell cultures an alternative pathway has been discovered which
      leads from (S)-tetrahydrocolumbamine via (S)-canadine to berberine. The two
      enzymes involved have been partially purified. (S)-Tetrahydrocolumbamine is
      stereospecifically transformed into (S)-canadine under formation of the
      methylenedioxy bridge in ring A. This new enzyme was named (S)-canadine synthase.
      (S)-Canadine in turn is stereospecifically dehydrogenated to berberine by an
      oxidase, (S)-canadine oxidase (COX), which was partially purified (25-fold). This
      enzyme has many physical properties in common with the already known (S)
      tetrahydroprotoberberine oxidase from Berberis but grossly differs from the
      latter enzyme in its cofactor requirement (Fe) and its substrate specificity.
      Neither (S)-norreticuline nor (S)-scoulerine serves as substrate for the Coptis
      enzyme, while both substrates are readily oxidized by the Berberis enzyme. The
      four terminal enzymes catalyzing the pathway from (S)-reticuline to berberine are
      housed in Berberis as well as in Coptis in smooth vesicles with a density of
      rho=1.14 g/ml. These vesicles have been enriched and characterized by electron
      microscopy. 

PMID- 24241401
TI  - SWR/J mice are susceptible to alkylator-induced myeloid leukemia.

PMID- 24241403
TI  - Intergeneric somatic hybrid plants of Citrus sinensis cv. Hamlin and Poncirus
      trifoliata cv. Flying Dragon.
AB  - Intergeneric somatic hybrid plants between 'Hamlin' sweet orange [Citrus sinensis
      (L.) Osbeck] and 'Flying Dragon' trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata Raf.)
      were regenerated following protoplast fusion. 'Hamlin' protoplasts, isolated from
      an habituated embryogenic suspension culture, were fused chemically with 'Flying
      Dragon' protoplasts isolated from juvenile leaf tissue. The hybrid selection
      scheme was based on complementation of the regenerative ability of the 'Hamlin'
      protoplasts with the subsequent expression of the trifoliate leaf character of
      'Flying Dragon.' Hybrid plants were regenerated via somatic embryogenesis and
      multiplied organogenically. Hybrid morphology was intermediate to that of the
      parents. Chromosome counts indicated that the hybrids were allotetraploids
      (2n=4x=36). Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) isozyme patterns confirmed the hybrid
      nature of the regenerated plants. These genetically unique somatic hybrid plants
      will be evaluated for citrus rootstock potential. The cell fusion, selection, and
      regeneration scheme developed herein should provide a general means to expand the
      germplasm base of cultivated Citrus by intergeneric hybridization with related
      sexually incompatible genera. 

PMID- 24241404
TI  - Establishment of new axenic hairy root lines by inoculation with Agrobacterium
      rhizogenes.
AB  - Cultured hairy root lines resulting from infection by Agrobacterium rhizogenes
      are known for approximately thirty plant species. We extend this range by
      establishing forty original dicotyledonous hairy root lines with A. rhizogenes
      strain A4. Hairy roots have been cultured for at least 2-6 years on Murashige &
      Skoog medium. Some hairy root cultures such as Anagallis arvensis and Antirrhinum
      majus spontaneously regenerated whole plants. 

PMID- 24241405
TI  - A rapid transformation method for Solanum tuberosum using binary Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens vectors.
AB  - A tuber disc transformation and regeneration system was devised for potato
      (Solanum tuberosum). Tuber discs were found to be the most morphogenetic organ on
      a medium previously optimised for tomato regeneration. Shoot regeneration from
      tuber discs was rapid and transformed as shown by nopaline assays and Southern
      blot analysis. The ease and speed of the tuber disc method will allow for the
      increased use of this commercially important plant in transformation studies. 

PMID- 24241406
TI  - Intraspecific gametosomatic hybridisation in Petunia hybrida.
AB  - Following PEG and high pH induced fusion of haploid tetrad protoplasts of a
      normal purple flowered variety of P. hybrida with cell suspension protoplasts of
      a nuclear albino mutant of the variety Blue Lace, triploid gametosomatic hybrid
      plants were recovered. These hybrids possessed an intermediate floral morphology
      and the expected chromosome number of 2n=3x=21. Selection was based on the fact
      that pollen tetrad protoplasts failed to divide in culture and that, following
      complementation to chlorophyll proficiency in the gametosomatic hybrid, the
      hybrid cells were visualised against a background of albino cells of the variety
      Blue Lace. The production of such gametosomatic hybrid plants in Petunia has
      shown that the concept of gametosomatic hybridisation can be extended to genera
      other than Nicotiana and that alternative selection strategies are available. 

PMID- 24241407
TI  - Common responses of cultured soybean cells to 2,4-D starvation and fungal
      elicitor treatment.
AB  - The patterns of in vivo protein synthesis in soybean cell suspensions were
      compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after the cells had been submitted
      to different stress conditions : treatment with Phytophthora megasperma (Pmg)
      cell wall elicitors, 2,4-D starvation and heat shock (HS) temperatures. Changes
      in protein synthesis patterns induced after elicitation of cell suspensions or
      after infection of soybean hypocotyls by Pmg were found to be similar to changes
      brought about by auxin starvation of the cells. Changes common to both stress
      situations involve a prominent 17 kDa peptide family and 27, 29, 35 and about 45
      kDa peptides. Moreover, "defense" reactions, i.e. glyceollin accumulation and
      synthesis of chalcone synthase (CHS) were also strongly stimulated in auxin
      starved cells. On the contrary, although characteristic sets of low molecular
      weight heat shock (HS) proteins were synthesized by cells grown at 37 degrees C,
      no clear similarity was observed with peptides characteristic of auxin-starved
      cells. 

PMID- 24241408
TI  - Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis in the seeded diploid banana Musa
      ornata Roxb.
AB  - Somatic embryos of a seeded diploid ornamental banana (Musa ornata Roxb.) were
      obtained from zygotic embryos cultured on semi-solid Murashige and Skoog (MS)
      (1962) medium with the auxin 2,4-D (0.5, 1, 2 mg/l) and 5% CW. Removal of 2,4-D
      and transferral to Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) (1972) salts with CW followed by
      basal MS led to embryo germination and growth. Plantlet production was obtained
      using filter paper bridges in liquid half-strength SH medium with 1% sucrose. The
      remarkable phenotypic fidelity of somatic embryos to that of zygotic embryos and
      the presence of a haustorium-like outgrowth on the somatic embryos is described. 

PMID- 24241409
TI  - Alkaloid production in cell suspension cultures of Thalictrum flavum and T.
      dipterocarpum.
AB  - Both cell suspension cultures of Thalictrum flavum and T. dipterocarpum were
      found to produce berberine (0.3 and 0.4 g/l, respectively) as a main alkaloid.
      Berberine production in the latter was markedly stimulated by 1-naphthaleneacetic
      acid in combination with 6-benzylaminopurine, whereas it was rather suppressed by
      the same auxin in the former. T. flavum cultures accumulated berberine and
      columbamine in the cells without releasing them into medium. On the other hand,
      T. dipterocarpum cultures released berberine into medium during the logarithmic
      growth phase, but thereafter accumulated all the berberine synthesized in the
      cells. 

PMID- 24241410
TI  - An improved medium for adventitious shoot formation and callus induction in Beta
      vulgaris L. in vitro.
AB  - Six sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) lines (GWI-248, SPB-11, MonoHy 55, SMS-1, EL45
      and FC607) were tested for regeneration. Shoot cultures were initiated in vitro
      from naked, sterilized embryos obtained from mature seed. Excised petioles from
      cultured shoots were plated on Gamborg's B5 medium and four modified Murashige
      and Skoog (MS) media. A medium containing MS inorganic salts supplemented with
      0.4 mg/1 N(6)-benzyladenine, 0.1 mg/1 indole-3-butyric acid, ten vitamins and six
      amino acids, termed RV, was superior for both adventitious shoot and callus
      formation. Callus was observed only on RV medium and only on petioles that did
      not develop adventitious buds directly. Rooting of regenerated shoots and
      development of complete plants was accomplished by transfer to Gamborg's B5
      medium with 5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid as the sole phytohormone. The complete
      process of regeneration through adventitious shoot production took from 4 to 6
      weeks from explants to rooted plants. The callus that formed on nonorganogenic
      petioles was regenerative when transferred to fresh RV medium. Regeneration from
      callus occurred mainly by shoot organogenesis but also by somatic embryogenesis
      at a low frequency. 

PMID- 24241411
TI  - Stimulation of chalcone synthase activity by yeast extract in cultured
      Glycyrrhiza echinata cells and 5-deoxyflavanone formation by isolated
      protoplasts.
AB  - Chalcone synthase activity catalyzing the formation of naringenin (5
      hydroxyflavanone) was detected in cell suspension cultures of Glycyrrhiza
      echinata. This activity rapidly increased by treatment of the cells with yeast
      extract, while non-treated cells showed a constant low activity. Isolated G.
      echinata protoplasts accumulated retrochalcone (echinatin) and its biosynthetic
      intermediate (licodione) during 24 h of culture. When the protoplasts were
      incubated with [(14)C(U)]phenylalanine, liquiritigenin (5-deoxyflavanone) was
      transiently labeled, indicating the induction of 6'-deoxychalcone synthase. The
      formation of liquiritigenin, in addition to naringenin, was observed when the
      crude extracts from the protoplasts were assaved for CHS activity. 

PMID- 24241412
TI  - In vitro propagation of Glehnia littoralis from shoot-tips.
AB  - Shoot cultures of Glehnia littoralis F. Schmidt ex Miq. (Umbelliferae) were
      established by placing shoot tip explants on Linsmaier and Skoog medium with 1
      MUM NAA and 10 MUM BAP. Shoots were multiplied on the basal medium supplemented
      with 0.3 MUM NAA and 3 MUM BAP and rooted on medium containing either 1 MUM IBA
      or 3-10 MUM IAA. Plantlets survived in pots without any covering. This unique
      characteristic of the plantlets was ascribed partly to a well-developed cuticle
      on the surface of the leaf and the small ratio of surface area to fresh weight of
      a leaf blade in comparison with those of other species whose plantlets needed
      coverings after potting. The regenerated plantlets were finally transferred to
      soil. 

PMID- 24241413
TI  - Partial purification and characterization of dihydrobenzophenanthridine oxidase
      from Eschscholtzia californica cell suspension cultures.
AB  - The observation that upon elicitation cell suspension cultures of Eschscholtzia
      california showed a decrease of dihydromacarpine with a concomittant increase of
      macarpine led to the discovery of a novel enzyme which catalyzes the oxidation of
      dihydrobenzophenanthridines in the presence of oxygen. The enzyme was enriched
      approx. 70-fold. It has a pH-optimum of 7.0, an isoelectric point at pH 8.8,
      molecular weight of 56 kD and shows a high degree of substrate specificity. The
      enzyme obviously catalyzes the terminal step in the formation of
      benzophenanthridine alkaloids containing methylene dioxy substitutions in rings A
      and D. 

PMID- 24241414
TI  - Introduction of foreign genes into potato cultivars Bintje and Desiree using an
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector.
AB  - Tuber discs of Solanum tuberosum cv Bintje and Desiree were cocultivated with an
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector, carrying both the neomycine
      phosphotransferase and the E. coli beta-glucuronidase gene fused to resp. the
      nopaline synthase and Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promotor.Inoculated tuber
      discs produce transgenic shoots in selective media containing kanamycin. The
      transgenic plants are phenotypically normal and contain the euploid number of
      chromosomes. Both the neomycin phosphotransferase as well as the beta
      glucuronidase gene are expressed conferring resp. kanamycin resistance and beta
      glucuronidase activity to the plants. 

PMID- 24241415
TI  - Induction of triterpene biosynthesis by elicitors in suspension cultures of
      Tabernaemontana species.
AB  - Treatment of suspension cultures of some Tabernaemontana species (Apocynaceae)
      with elicitors (e.g. cellulase, Candida albicans) result in a rapid de novo
      production of antimicrobial active triterpenes. The triterpenes are identified as
      ursene carboxylic acid derivatives. These triterpenes are not produced by an
      elicited cell suspension culture of Catharanthus roseus, another Apocynaceae. 

PMID- 24241416
TI  - A novel method for increasing the frequency of somatic embryogenesis in wheat
      tissue culture by NaCl and KCl supplementation.
AB  - The effect of NaCl, KCl and LiCl on the growth and morphogeneis of tissue
      cultures originating from immature embryos of four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
      and one triticale (Triticosecale)varieties was investigated. The morphogenetic
      pathway to plant regeneration in Chinese Spring wheat was determined as
      incomplete somatic embryogenesis because the differentiation and subsequent
      germination of the shoot apices happened in the early phase of embryo
      development. Culture medium supplemented by NaCl suppressed the differentiation
      of shoot apices resulting in the development of more typical somatic embryoids.
      Forty mM concentrations of both NaCl or KCl increased the formation of somatic
      embryos in Chinese Spring. Arthur and GK Kincso wheat varieties while Lasko
      triticale regenerated well without the addition. The salts inhibited plantlet
      formation from somatic embryoids so the salts supplement should be omitted. Forty
      mM LiCl inhibited growth while 10mM LiCl had no effect on growth or
      embryogenesis. 

PMID- 24241417
TI  - Recovery of plants from leaf protoplasts of hybrid-poplar and aspen clones.
AB  - Leaf protoplasts were isolated from shoot cultures of two hybrid poplar clones
      (Populus alba * P. grandidentata 'Crandon', NC-5339 and P. nigra 'Betulifolia' *
      P. trichocarpa, NC-5331) and the Upright European Aspen (P. tremula 'Erecta') and
      were cultured in contact with screen discs floated in liquid medium. Protoplast
      culture was influenced by the growth medium of the source shoot cultures, the
      protoplast purification procedure, the plating density, and the presence or
      absence of a coconut water and casein hydrolysate supplement added to the culture
      medium. The protoplast-derived cells divided more quickly and with higher
      incidence than previously reported for hybrid poplars. Shoots were regenerated
      from the protoplast-derived calli and were maintained as shoot cultures. Plants
      were developed from microcuttings rooted ex vitro and were grown-on in the
      greenhouse and field. 

PMID- 24241418
TI  - A negative selection scheme for tobacco protoplast-derived cells expressing the T
      DNA gene 2.
AB  - The amido hydrolase encoded by the T-DNA gene 2 catalyzes the conversion of
      indole-acetamide, alpha-naphthalene acetamide, and other substrate analogues into
      the corresponding auxins. As a result, only gene 2-expressing protoplast-derived
      tobacco cells can grow in medium containing low concentrations (0.2-1 MUM) of
      alpha-naphthalene acetamide as auxin precursor. However, in a mixture of SR1 and
      SR1, gene 2 (+) protoplast-derived cells, cross-feeding occurs and consequently
      no positive selection for gene 2 is obtained. A 100-times higher concentration of
      alpha-naphthalene acetamide (between 30 and 300 MUM) provides a negative
      selection scheme. Only the tobacco cells expressing gene 2 are sensitive to the
      high naphthalene acetamide concentration and cannot grow to colonies, while cells
      lacking the gene 2 product regenerate calli even in mixed gene 2 (+) and gene 2 (
      ) cell populations. Thus, gene 2 might provide a unique biochemically defined
      marker to investigate mutations and gene inactivation. 

PMID- 24241419
TI  - Culture of asparagus protoplasts on porous polypropylene membrane.
AB  - A method of using a buoyant porous polypropylene membrane floated on liquid
      medium to culture protoplasts of Asparagus officinalis L. is described. This
      method supports very good growth and eliminates the need to periodically
      replenish culture medium lost to evaporation. 

PMID- 24241420
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis in callus cultures of a tree legume -
      Albizia richardiana King.
AB  - Hypocotyl explants of 1 and 10 mm lengths were excised from 12-day-old in vitro
      grown seedlings of Albizia richardiana. The larger pieces, after 40 days of
      culture, developed shoots along with green calli on B5 + BAP (10(-7)-10(-5)M),
      while the smaller segments produced only green calli on B5+BAP (10(-7)-10(-4)M)
      medium. Some of the green calli turned morphogenic and started producing somatic
      embryos with the 2nd sub-culture and shoots from 7th sub-culture onwards. Calli
      retained the morphogenic potential even after repeated sub-culturing for over two
      years. The number of embryos in an embryogenic culture varied from 2 to 20 per
      callus mass of 5-6.5 cm(3). Sucrose at the 2% level in MS medium was optimal for
      embryogenesis while 4% was optimal for shoot bud differentiation. Higher levels
      of sucrose (6-10%) caused browning of green calli and also inhibited
      differentiation into embryos and shoot buds. By selective sub-culturing of 0.1
      cm(3) pieces of embryogenic calli on MS+10(-5)M BAP, 46% of the cultures produced
      somatic embryos. The latter germinated into plantlets on Knop's medium. 

PMID- 24241421
TI  - Correlation between flow cytometric determination of nuclear DNA content and
      chromosome number in somatic hybrids within Brassicaceae.
AB  - Fourty-one somatic hybrids from two species combinations, Brassica oleracea + B.
      campestris and B. napus + Eruca sativa, were analysed for chromosome number and
      nuclear DNA content. The DNA content was measured in a flow cytometer using two
      internal standards as references and when related to the chromosome number a
      correlation of 0.91 was found. The chromosome number of the hybrids could be
      determined with an accuracy of +/-10% by using flow cytometry, and the smallest
      statistically significant difference in DNA content between two individuals was
      0.23 pg DNA/cell. 

PMID- 24241422
TI  - Anthocyanin and proteins as biochemical markers in maize endosperm cultures.
AB  - Endosperm maize cultures derived from a strain homozygous for all genes required
      for anthocyanin synthesis develop an intense pigmentation. Pigmenting ability is
      generally maintained in successive subcultures, altough colourless areas are
      frequently observed in pigmented cultures. The isolated colourless cell clusters
      show a growth rate higher than the coloured ones. These calli nevertheless do not
      lose the ability to synthesize anthocyanins, and in successive subcultures turn
      red again.The different growth rates associated with the ability of cells to
      accumulate pigments suggest the existence of different physiological states of
      the culture. To investigate this possibility we analyzed the polypeptide patterns
      of coloured and colourless cultures. SDS gel electrophoresis has demonstrated
      differences in soluble protein fractions, among which a 26 kD peptide,
      characteristic of pigmented tissues, has been evidenced. Zein, the major storage
      protein of maize endosperm is present, although at very low levels, both in
      pigmented and in unpigmented cultures, confirming that its synthesis occurs
      continuously in vitro. 

PMID- 24241423
TI  - Studying Epstein-Barr virus pathologies and immune surveillance by reconstructing
      EBV infection in mice.
AB  - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a gamma herpes virus endemic in humans and
      transforming human B lymphocytes. It causes a variety of human pathologies
      ranging from infectious mononucleosis upon acute infection to EBV-driven B-cell
      lymphomas. In humans, EBV-infected cells are under powerful immune surveillance
      by T and NK cells. If this immune surveillance is compromised as in
      immunosuppressed (AIDS- or posttransplantation) patients, the virus can spread
      from rare, EBV-containing cells and cause life-threatening pathologies. We have
      found that EBV immune surveillance and lymphomagenesis can be modeled in mice by
      targeted expression of key EBV proteins in the B-cell lineage. As EBV does not
      infect mouse B cells and mice have thus not coevolved with the virus, EBV
      exploits basic modes of the host immune response to optimize its coexistence with
      the host. 

PMID- 24241425
TI  - Separation of mitochondria from microbodies of Pisum sativum (L. cv. Alaska)
      cotyledons.
AB  - A method is described for separating mitochondria from microbodies in cotyledon
      preparations of Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska. Pure and intact mitochondria were
      obtained on a continuous: discontinuous sucrose density gradient as shown by
      marke-enzyme assay and electron microscopy. Manipulation of sucrose-gradient
      construction to widen the distance between organelles provided a quick method for
      the separation of the mitochondria from the microbodies. The shorter time of
      exposure of mitochondria to centrifugation and osmotic stress produces
      mitochondria free of contamination. 

PMID- 24241426
TI  - Linamarase and other beta-glucosidases are present in the cell walls of Trifolium
      repens L. leaves.
AB  - Linamarase (EC 3.2.1.21) is a specialized beta-glucosidase that hydrolyses the
      cyanogenic glucoside linamarin. Two clones of Trifolium repens L. derived from
      natural populations, of which one clone exhibited linamarase activity, were used
      in a comparative study to try to establish the localization of linamarase and
      other beta-glucosidases. Two methods were used: the first one was vacuum
      infiltration of intact leaf cells, followed by centrifugation. A significant
      amount of linamarase and beta-glucosidase activity could be extracted from intact
      tissue by a 0.25 M NaCl solution, indicating that these activities are localized
      in the apoplast. The second method, immuno-cytofluorescense of microtome
      sections, confirmed this. It was found that linamarase and other beta
      glucosidases are present in the cell walls, especially those of the epidermal
      cells, and in the cuticle. However their presence in the cell walls of other
      tissues i.e. walls of the vessels, could not be excluded. No difference in
      distribution could be detected between linamarase and other beta-glucosidases. 

PMID- 24241427
TI  - Lattice images from ultrathin sections of cellulose microfibrils in the cell wall
      of Valonia macrophysa Kutz.
AB  - The crystalline ultrastructure and orientation of cellulose microfibrils in the
      cell wall of Valonia macrophysa were investigated by means of high-resolution
      electron microscopy of ultrathin (approx. 28 nm) sections. With careful selection
      of imaging conditions, ultrastructural aspects of the cell wall that had remained
      unresolved in previous studies were worked out by direct imaging of crystal
      lattice of cellulose microfibrils. It was confirmed that each microfibril is a
      single crystal having a lateral dimension of 20.20 nm(2), because lattice images
      of 0.39 nm resolution were clearly recorded with no major disruption in the whole
      area of the cross section of the microfibril. There was no evidence for the
      existence of 3.5-nm elementary fibrils which have been considered to be basic
      crystallographic and morphological units of cellulose in general. It was also
      confirmed that the axial directions (crystallographic fiber direction) of
      adjacent microfibrils in each single lamella of the cell wall are opposite to
      each other. 

PMID- 24241428
TI  - Immunofluorescence microscopy of microtubule arrangement in Closterium acerosum
      (Schrank) Ehrenberg.
AB  - The microtubule (MT) arrangement in Closterium acerosum cells was observed by
      indirect immunofluorescence microscopy both during and following cell division,
      and during cell expansion without cell division. (During the division period,
      some cells of this alga divide whereas other cells expand in their middle region
      without division.) Before septum formation, all cells had a ring-like MT bundle
      (MT ring) in their middle. Both septum formation and expansion without cell
      division occurred at the position of this ring. During the periods of division,
      short, hair-like MTs appeared around the nucleus in some of the cells, in
      addition to the MT ring. In dividing cells, spindle MTs appeared as the
      chromosomes were condensed. During the early stages of expansion of the
      semicells, after cell division, the spindle MTs assumed a radial arrangement,
      moved, and settled in a position between the daughter chloroplasts. These MTs
      disappeared about 1.5 h after septum formation. As the new semicells were
      growing, wall MTs appeared, arranged transversely along the expanding wall. These
      transverse MTs disappeared gradually 4-5 h after septum formation, and only an MT
      ring remained near the boundary between the new and old semicells. The MT ring
      was present until the next cell division or expansion without cell division.
      During the latter course of development, transverse wall MTs were present only at
      the band-like expanding region. At the earlier stage of expansion without cell
      division, the short, hair-like MTs remained around the nucleus, but as time
      passed, both the hair-like MTs and, somewhat later, the transverse ones
      disappeared and only the MT rings remained. The remaining MT ring was not always
      positioned at the boundary between the expanding and the old cell region. The
      temporal relationships between the changes in MT arrangement, and the orientation
      and localization of cellulose-microfibril deposition are discussed. 

PMID- 24241429
TI  - In-vitro biosynthesis of 1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-nitroethane and production of
      cyanogenic compounds in osmotically stressed cell suspension cultures of
      Eschscholtzia californica Cham.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures of Eschscholtzia californica produce one or more
      cyanogenic compounds when placed under osmotic stress. The nature of the
      compound(s) has not yet been established but they are not identical with the
      cyanogenic glucosides triglochinin and dhurrin, which occur in the intact plant.
      Microsomal fractions isolated from stressed cell cultures catalyze the synthesis
      of 1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-nitroethane from L-tyrosine. Both NADPH and molecular
      oxygen are required as cosubstrates, and 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldoxime is an
      intermediate in the synthesis of the nitrocompound. This observation indicates
      that the biosynthetic pathways leading from L-tyrosine to 1-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2
      nitroethane and to the L-tyrosine-derived cyanogenic glucosides are closely
      related. A glucosyltransferase which glucosylates the nitrocompound in the
      presence of uridine diphosphate glucose appears in the osmotically stressed
      cultures in a time pattern similar to that for production of the nitrocompound. 

PMID- 24241430
TI  - Interaction between photosynthetic and respiratory electron-transfer chains in
      the membranes of Anabaena variabilis.
AB  - The rate of CO2- and p-benzoquione-dependent photosynthetic O2 evolution by
      Anabaena variabilis cells remained unaltered and the rate of O2 uptake observed
      after switching off the light (endogenous respiration) was enhanced by a factor
      of 6-8 when the O2 concentration was increased from 200 to 400 MUM. Photosystem-I
      linked O2 uptake and respiration of the cells incubated with ascorbate and
      N,N,N'N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine was not appreciable influenced by the O2
      concentration. 2-Iodo-6-isopropyl-3-methyl-2',4,4'-trinitrodiphenyl ether,
      blocking electron transfer at the plastoquinone level, suppressed O2 evolution
      and had no influence on endogenous respiration. 2-n-Heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N
      oxide, an inhibitor of electron transfer between photosystems II and I, as well
      as the cytochrome-oxidase inhibitors N 3 (-) , CN(-) and NH2OH, caused a 35-50%
      retardation of endogenous respiration and blocked photosynthetic O2 evolution.
      The molar ratio of cytochromes b6, f, c-553, aa3 and photosystem-I reaction
      centers in the isolated membranes equalled approx. 2:1:2:0.7:2. It is inferred
      that endogenous respiration of A. variabilis cells is inhibited by the light
      induced electron flow through both photosystems at the level of the plastoquinone
      plastocyanin-oxidoreductase complex. 

PMID- 24241431
TI  - Bundle-sheath thylakoids from NADP-malic enzyme-type C4 plants require an
      exogenous electron donor for enzyme light activation.
AB  - Light activation of either NADP-malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.82) or fructose
      1,6-bisphosphate phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) was assayed in a reconstituted
      chloroplastic, system comprising the isolated proteins of the ferredoxin
      thioredoxin light-activation system and thylakoids from either mesophyll or
      bundle-sheath tissues of different C4 plants. While C4-plant thylakoids
      functionned almost equally well with C3-or C4-plant proteins, the photosyntem-II
      deficient bundle-sheath thylakoids from the NADP-malic enzyme type, were unable
      to perform enzyme photoactivation unless supplemented with an electron donor to
      photosystem I. Bundle-sheath thylakoids isolated from plants showing no
      photosystem-II deficiency did not require such an addition. The results are
      discussed with respect to a possible requirement for a physiological reductant of
      ferredoxin for enzyme light activation in bundle-sheath, tissues. 

PMID- 24241432
TI  - Synthesis of characteristic proteins in nutrient-depleted cell suspension
      cultures of parsley.
AB  - Cell suspension cultures of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) exhibited an altered
      pattern of protein synthesis after transfer from complete growth medium to water
      or medium containing no macronutrients. Similar changes occurred when cultures
      were grown in the original medium until the nutrients were depleted. The effect
      was reversible upon transfer to fresh medium and was not observed during regular
      subculturing of the cells. While total protein synthesis decreased sharply after
      nutrient depletion, the synthesis of a few characteristic proteins (starvation
      related proteins, STPs) increased strongly. The protein labeled at highest rates
      with [(35)S]methionine in vivo (STP 62) had an apparent molecular weight of about
      62000 and a pI of about 6.3. Although its increased rate of synthesis was
      therefore easily detected by labeling in vivo, translation of mRNA in vitro did
      not give comparable results. Thus, regulatory control may be exerted mainly at
      the level of translation. Synthesis of STP ceased rapidly when heat shock (37
      degrees  C) was applied under conditions of nutrient depletion, whereas heat
      shock proteins were strongly induced. 

PMID- 24241433
TI  - Molecular analysis of a phytohemagglutinin-defective cultivar of Phaseolus
      vulgaris L.
AB  - The seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Pinto III are known to lack detectable
      amounts of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and to accumulate very reduced levels of PHA
      mRNA compared with normal cultivars. Using PHA complementary-DNA clones and
      monospecific antibodies we analyzed cv. Pinto III genomic DNA and cotyledonary
      proteins synthesized both in vitro and in vivo. We detected genomic DNA sequences
      that hybridize with complementary-DNA clones for the two different classes of PHA
      polypeptides (PHA-E and PHA-L), at levels comparable to a normal bean cultivar.
      This indicates that the cv. Pinto III phenotype is not the result of a large
      deletion of the PHA structural genes. Messenger RNA isolated from cv. Pinto III
      developing cotyledons synthesizes in vitro very small amounts of a protein which
      is recognized by antibodies specific for PHA, and gives, on sodium dodecyl
      sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a single band with molecular weight
      similar but not identical to that of PHA-L polypeptides. This protein is also
      synthesized in vivo at a very reduced level, less than 1% compared with PHA in
      normal cultivars, and has mitogenic activity comparable to that of the PHA-L
      subunit, while it shows very weak erythroagglutinating activity. The initial
      steps in the synthesis and processing of this protein are identical to those
      already identified for PHA polypeptides. The cv. Pinto III protein could be
      either a PHA-L polypeptide whose synthesis is not affected by the mutation or a
      PHA-like lectin present normally at low levels in P. vulgaris. 

PMID- 24241434
TI  - Isolation of plasma-membrane-bound calcium/calmodulin-regulated protein kinase
      from pea using Western blotting.
AB  - Membranes isolated from pea buds contain protein-kinase activity which is greatly
      activated by low concentrations of calcium ions. This paper describes a simple
      purification of this enzyme with a novel means of detecting enzyme activity by
      Western blotting. The purified enzyme appears to autophosphorylate primarily on
      serine residues, is activated by bovine calmodulin and additional evidence from
      phase partitioning indicate most of this enzyme to be located in the plasma
      membrane. 

PMID- 24241436
TI  - The relationship between the redox state of Q A and photosynthesis in leaves at
      various carbon-dioxide, oxygen and light regimes.
AB  - The response of chlorophyll fluorescence elicited by a low-fluence-rate modulated
      measuring beam to actinic light and to superimposed 1-s pulses from a high
      fluence-rate light source was used to measure the redox state of the primary
      acceptor Q A of photosystem II in leaves which were photosynthesizing under
      steady-state conditions. The leaves were exposed to various O2 and CO2
      concentrations and to different energy fluence rates of actinic light to assess
      the relationship between rates of photosynthesis and the redox state of Q A. Both
      at low and high fluence rates, the redox state of Q A was little altered when the
      CO2 concentration was reduced from saturation to about 600 MUl.l(-1) although
      photosynthesis was decreased particularly at high fluence rates. Upon further
      reduction in CO2 content the amount of reduced Q A increased appreciably even at
      low fluence rates where light limited CO2 reduction. Both in the presence and in
      the absence of CO2, a more reduced Q A was observed when the O2 concentration was
      below 2%. Q A was almost fully reduced when leaves were exposed to high fluence
      rates under nitrogen. Even at low fluence rates, Q A was more reduced in shade
      leaves of Asarum europaeum and Fagus sylvatica than in leaves of Helianthus
      annuus and Fagus sylvatica grown under high light. Also, in shade leaves the
      redox state of Q A changed more during a transition from air containing 350
      MUl.l(-1) CO2 to CO2-free air than in sun leaves. The results are discussed with
      respect to the energy status and the CO2-fixation rate of the leaves. 

PMID- 24241435
TI  - Calcium-binding and its effect on circular dichroism of plant calmodulin.
AB  - The Ca(2+)-binding properties of calmodulin purified from zucchini (Cucurbita
      pepo L.) has been determined. A value of 3.3 mol Ca(2+) per mol of zucchini
      calmodulin was measured at pH 7.5 by equilibrium chromatography. The far-and near
      UV circular-dichroic spectra of the Ca(2+)-and Mg(2+)-saturated as well as from
      the metal-free forms of zucchini calmodulin reveal that upon Ca(2+)-binding the
      alpha-helix content increases. A comparison with the spectra of vertebrate
      calmodulin indicates that both calmodulin have a similar secondary structure,
      similar Ca(2+)-induced conformational changes and the same number of Ca(2+)
      binding sites. 

PMID- 24241437
TI  - Calmodulin dependent NAD-kinase is associated with both the outer and inner
      mitochondrial membranes in maize roots.
AB  - Maize root mitochondrial have been subfractionated after osmotic rupture. A
      calcium-calmodulin-dependent NAD-kinase activity has been shown to be present in
      both inner and outer membrane fractions. Cytochrome c-reductase activities are
      also associated with outer and inner membrane fractions but whereas the former is
      entirely insensitive to 50 MUmol.1(-1) antimycin A the latter is reduced by 60%
      in its presence. This residual antimycin A-insensitive cytochrome c-reductase
      activity cosediments with the major portion of NAD-kinase activity and
      equilibrates in sucrose gradients at densities around 1.146 g.cm(-3). Rate zonal
      centrifugation with renografin allows an excellent separation of both cytochrome
      c-reductase and NAD-kinase activities. We have no evidence for allocating NAD
      kinase activity to endo- or plasma membranes. 

PMID- 24241438
TI  - Sexual agglutination in Chlamydomonas eugametos before and after cell fusion.
AB  - A new study of sexual agglutination between Chlamydomonas eugametos gametes and
      between vis-a-vis pairs has been made using techniques that allow one to
      distinguish between the flagella or cell bodies of individual mating types (mt(+)
      or mt(-)). It is shown that before mt(+) and mt(-) gametes fuse in pairs, their
      flagella, which adhere over their whole length, are maintained in a particular
      conformation around the mt(-) cell body. In clumps of agglutinating gametes the
      cells are asymmetrically distributed with the mt(+) gametes constituting the
      outer surface of the clumps with the mt(-) gametes on the inside. The flagella
      are then all directed towards the middle of the clump. This orientation of the
      flagella is maintained for approx. 8 min after cell fusion before the vis-a-vis
      pair becomes motile. At this stage, all the flagellar tips are activated. The
      original mt(+) flagellar tips then deactivate and swimming is resumed. The
      original mt(-) flagella remain immotile and activated after cell fusion and
      eventually shorten by a third, but only 30 min or more after fusion. Motile vis-a
      vis pairs eventually settle to the substrate when the gamete bodies fuse
      completely to form a zygote. Settling vis-a-vis pairs are attracted to those that
      have already settled, to glutaraldehyde-fixed pairs and to flagella isolated from
      mt(-) gametes. They are not chemotactically attracted, rather they are weakly
      agglutinated. Living vis-a-vis pairs can be shown to aggregate in rows with the
      cell bodies lying side by side. It is argued that the flagellar agglutination
      sites involved in gamete recognition are also involved in vis-a-vis pair
      aggregation. 

PMID- 24241439
TI  - Transport of basic amino acids in Riccia fluitans: Evidence for a second binding
      site.
AB  - The transport of several amino acids with different side-chain characteristics
      has been investigated in the aquatic liverwort Riccia fluitans. i) The saturation
      of system I (neutral amino acids) by addition of excess alpha-aminoisobutyric
      acid to the external medium completely eliminated the electrical effects which
      are usually set off by neutral amino acids. Under these conditions arginine and
      lysine significantly depolarized the plasmalemma. ii) L- and D-lysine/arginine
      were discriminated against in favour of the L-isomers. iii) Increasing the
      external proton concentration in the interval pH 9 to 4.5 stimulated plasmalemma
      depolarization, electrical net current, and uptake of [(14)C]-basic amino acids.
      iv) Uptake of [(14)C]-glutamic acid took place only at acidic pHs. v) [(14)C]
      histidine uptake had an optimum between pH 6 and 5.5. vi) Overlapping of the
      transport of basic, neutral, and acidic amino acids was common. It is suggested
      that besides system I, a second system (II), specific for basic amino acids,
      exists in the plasmalemma of Riccia fluitans. It is concluded that the amino-acid
      molecule with an uncharged side chain is the substrate for system I, which also
      binds and transports the neutral species of acidic amino acids, whereas system II
      is specific for amino acids with a positively charged side chain. The possibility
      of system II being a proton cotransport is discussed. 

PMID- 24241440
TI  - Modulation of carrier-mediated uptake of abscisic acid by methyl jasmonate in
      Phaseolus coccineus L.
AB  - The effects of methyl jasmonate and jasmonic acid on uptake of abscisic acid
      (ABA) by suspension-cultured runner-bean cells and subapical runner-bean root
      segments have been investigated. Increasing concentrations of methyl jasmonate
      inhibit ABA uptake by the cultured cells with a K i of 22+/-3 MUM. This is not
      due to cytoplasmic acidification or to effects on metabolism of ABA, and is not
      additive with inhibition of radioactive ABA uptake by nonradioactive ABA. Uptake
      of indol-3-yl acetic acid (IAA) is unaffected by methyl jasmonate. The maximum
      effect of nonradioactive ABA in inhibiting uptake of radioactive ABA, previously
      shown to reflect saturation of an ABA carrier, is generally greater than the
      effect of maximally inhibitory concentrations of methyl jasmonate. Similar
      results were obtained with root segments, but longer incubation times were
      necessary to observe inhibitory effects of methyl jasmonate. Demethylation of
      methyl jasmonate to jasmonic acid does not appear to be required since similar
      concentrations of jasmonic acid had no observable direct effect on ABA uptake
      other than that attributable to cytoplasmic acidification. Histidine reagents, a
      proton ionophore and acidic external pH all affect in parallel the inhibition by
      methyl jasmonate and nonradioactive ABA of uptake of radioactive ABA by the
      cultured cells. There is no effect of ABA or nonradioactive methyl jasmonate on
      uptake of radioactive methyl jasmonate by the cultured cells. It is proposed that
      methyl jasmonate interacts with the ABA carrier. Various models for this
      interaction are discussed. 

PMID- 24241441
TI  - Variation in cellular ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate-carboxylase content in leaves of
      Triticum genotypes at three levels of ploidy.
AB  - Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 1.1.39) (RuBPCase) was
      quantified using polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in whole 9-d-old first leaves
      of 14 genotypes of Triticum, and cellular RuBPCase levels calculated. Diploids,
      tetraploids and hexaploids were analysed and it was confirmed that the RuBPCase
      level per cell is closely related to ploidy in wheat. Inter-genotypic variation
      in RuBPCase levels per cell and per leaf were surveyed. It was found that the
      interactions between leaf size, cell size and RuBPCase levels result in small
      variations in RuBPCase levels per unit leaf area between genotypes. 

PMID- 24241442
TI  - Capacity for fermentation in roots and Rhizobium nodules of Pisum sativum L.
AB  - The aim of this work was to compare the capacities for fermentation and synthesis
      of malate from phosphoenolpyruvate in roots and Rhizobium nodules of Pisum
      sativum. The nodules and the cortices and apices of roots had similar activities
      of glycolytic enzymes and enzymes of ethanolic and lactic fermentation when
      expressed on a protein basis. The activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase was
      similar in nodules and apices, and three to four fold lower in cortices. All
      three tissues had very high activities of malate dehydrogenase, significant
      activity of NADP-malic enzyme, and no detectable activity of phosphoenolpyruvate
      carboxykinase. These results do not support the belief that nodules have a
      substantially greater capacity to convert phosphoenolpyruvate to malate than
      roots, or that there are major qualitative differences in the pathways of
      fermentation of nodules and roots. 

PMID- 24241443
TI  - Regulation of alpha-galactosidase activity and the hydrolysis of galactomannan in
      the endosperm of the fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed.
AB  - When endosperms were isolated from fenugreek seeds 5 h after sowing and incubated
      in a small volume of water, the development of alpha-galactosidase activity and
      the breakdown of the galactomannan storage polysaccharide were both inhibited
      relative to control endosperms incubated in larger volumes. The inhibition could
      be relieved by pre-washing the endosperms, and reimposed by the wash-liquors. If
      the endosperms were isolated 24 h after sowing, no inhibition was observed.
      Removal of the embryonic axis from germinating fenugreek seeds and from
      germinated seedlings also inhibited the development of alpha-galactosidase
      activity and galactomannan breakdown in the endosperms; the inhibition was more
      pronounced the earlier the axis was removed. Axis excision 5 h after sowing
      caused a delay in the onset of galactomannan breakdown and of the appearance of
      alpha-galactosidase activity in the endosperms. It also led to a decrease in the
      rates of galactomannan breakdown and alpha-galactosidase production. Axis
      excision 24 h after sowing caused only a slowing of the rates of galactomannan
      breakdown and alpha-galactosidase increase. The inhibition caused by axis removal
      at 5 h could be relieved partially by gibberellin (10(-4) M), benzyladenine (10(
      5) M), mixtures of these and by the herbicide SAN 9789 [4-chloro-5-(methylamine)
      2-(alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-m-tolyl)-3-(2H)-pyridazinone]. These substances
      had no effect on the inhibition caused by axis-removal at 24 h. Excision of the
      cotyledons at 5 h-leaving the separated axis and the endosperm-also caused
      inhibition of galactomannan breakdown and alpha-galactosidase development. The
      results are consistent with the presence in the fenugreek seed endosperm of
      diffusible inhibitors of galactomannan mobilisation which are removed or
      inactivated during normal germination and early seedling development. They are
      also consistent with a role for the seedling axis in the control of galactomannan
      breakdown in the endosperm. Initially the axis appears to have a regulatory
      function (via gibberellins and/or cytokinins?) in determining the onset of alpha
      galactosidase production in the endosperm. Thereafter its continued presence is
      necessary to ensure maximal rates of alpha-galactosidase production and
      galactomannan hydrolysis. The role of the axis may be initially to counteract the
      endogenous inhibitors in the endosperm and then to act as a sink for the
      galactomannan breakdown products released in the endosperm and taken up by the
      cotyledons. 

PMID- 24241444
TI  - Inhibition of stem growth and gibberellin production in Agrostemma githago L. by
      the growth retardant tetcyclacis.
AB  - The effects of the new growth retardant tetcyclacis (TCY) on stem growth and
      endogenous gibberellin (GA) levels were investigated in the long-day rosette
      plant Agrostemma githago. Application of TCY (10 ml of a 5.10(-5)M solution
      daily) to the soil suppressed stem elongation in Agrostemma grown under long-day
      conditions. A total of 10 MUg GA1 (1 MUg applied on alternate days) per plant
      overcame the growth retardation caused by TCY.Control plants and plants treated
      with TCY were analyzed for endogenous GAs after exposure to nine long days. The
      acidic extracts were fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Part
      of each fraction was tested in the d-5 maize bioassay, while the remainder was
      analyzed by combined gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring. The bioassay
      results indicated that the GA content of plants treated with TCY was much lower
      than that of untreated plants. The data obtained by gas chromatography-selected
      ion monitoring confirmed that the levels of seven GAs present in Agrostemma were
      much reduced in TCY-treated plants when compared with the levels in control
      plants: GA53 (13%), GA44 (0%), GA19 (1%), GA17 (33%), GA20 (15%), GA1 (4%), and
      epi-GA1 (13%). These results provide evidence that TCY inhibits stem growth in
      Agrostemma by blocking GA biosynthesis and thus lowering the levels of endogenous
      GAs. 

PMID- 24241445
TI  - Characteristics of chloroplast thylakoid lipid composition associated with
      resistance to triazine herbicides.
AB  - A detailed comparison of the polar-lipid composition of chloroplast thylakoid
      membranes isolated from triazine-susceptible and triazine-resistant biotypes of
      Chenopodium album, Senecio vulgaris, Poa annua and Amaranthus retroflexus has
      been carried out. No major differences in the composition of the bulk lipid
      matrix were found except for a slightly higher monogalactosyldiacylglycerol to
      digalactosyldiacylglycerol ratio in resistant compared with susceptible biotypes.
      There was, however, in the case of resistant plants a higher level of
      phosphatidylglycerol-containing transhexadecenoic acid in membrane fractions
      enriched in photosystem two. It is concluded that although the minor differences
      could contribute to triazine resistance it is more likely that they reflect
      secondary alterations in membrane organisation associated with changes in
      relative levels of pigment-protein complexes. 

PMID- 24241446
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24241447
TI  - Third International Stroke Trial 3: an update.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The third International Stroke Trial (IST-3) was a randomized
      controlled trial of thrombolysis with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen
      activator in patients with acute ischemic stroke within 6 h of onset. It sought
      to determine whether a wider variety of patients might benefit from treatment
      than were eligible under the prevailing European Union approval for the drug,
      especially among those aged over 80 years. RECENT FINDINGS: The entry criteria
      were broad, and there was no upper age limit for inclusion; over half the 3035
      patients were aged over 80 years. For the types of patient recruited in IST-3,
      despite the early hazards (chiefly of fatal intracerebral hemorrhage),
      thrombolysis within 6 h did not affect longer-term survival and improved
      functional outcome. Benefit was greatest among patients treated within 3 h, and
      benefit did not appear to be diminished among elderly patients or those with
      severe stroke. SUMMARY: These results should, therefore, encourage clinicians to:
      consider thrombolytic treatment for a wider variety of patients (particularly
      those aged over 80 years); treat those with more severe strokes; reinforce their
      efforts to increase the proportion of ischemic strokes treated within 3 h; and,
      have greater confidence that mortality is not increased by treatment. VIDEO
      ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/CONR/A23.

PMID- 24241448
TI  - Effects of inbreeding on economic traits of channel catfish.
AB  - Inbred channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were produced from two generations
      of full-sib matings to study the effect of inbreeding on reproduction, growth and
      survival. A randomly mated control line was propagated from the same base
      population to be used for the evaluation of the inbred fish. First generation
      inbred (I1) and control (C1) lines comprised five full-sib families each. Second
      generation inbred (I2) and control (C2) lines were produced by mating each male
      catfish from the I1 or C1 line to two females in sequence, one from the I1 and
      one from the C1 line. The design also produced two reciprocal outcross lines to
      be compared to their contemporary inbred and control lines. The coefficient of
      inbreeding for the inbred line increased from 0.25 in generation 1 to 0.375 in
      generation 2. The inbreeding coefficient was zero for all other lines. The
      resulting fish were performance tested in two locations, Tifton, Georgia and
      Auburn, Alabama and no genotype-environment interactions occurred. Results
      indicated that one generation of inbreeding increased number of days required for
      eggs to hatch by 21%, but did not significantly influence spawn weight or
      hatchability score. However, inbred females produced more eggs/kg body weight
      than control females. Two generations of full-sib mating in Georgia did not
      depress weight when expressed as a deviation to random controls but was depressed
      13-16% when expressed as a deviation to half-sib out-crosses. Second generation
      inbreds produced in Alabama exhibited a 19% depression for growth rate when
      compared to either random or half-sib outcross controls. Survival rates at
      various age intervals was not decreased by inbreeding. The amount of inbreeding
      depression varied among families and between sexes. 

PMID- 24241449
TI  - Uniformity of plants regenerated from orange (Citrus sinensis Osb.) protoplasts.
AB  - Using 25 plants (protoclones) regenerated from orange (Citrus sinensis Osb.)
      protoplasts, several characters, including leaf and flower morphology, leaf oil,
      isozyme patterns and chromosome number, were examined. No significant variations
      in each character were recorded among the protoclones. Uniformity observed among
      protoclones was identical to that of nucellar seedlings. 

PMID- 24241450
TI  - Rearrangements in the mitochondrial genome of somatic hybrid cell lines of
      Pennisetum americanum (L.) K. Schum. + Panicum maximum Jacq.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA from three somatic hybrid cell lines of Pennisetum americanum +
      Panicum maximum was compared with mitochondrial DNA of the parents. Gel
      electrophoresis of BamHI-restricted mitochondrial DNA indicated that extensive
      rearrangements had occurred in each of the three hybrid lines. The hybrid
      restriction patterns showed a combination of some bands from each parent plus
      novel fragments not present in either parent. Additional evidence for
      rearrangements was obtained by hybridization of eight DNA probes, carrying
      sequences of known coding regions, to Southern blots. Each of the somatic hybrids
      exhibited a partial combination of the parental mitochondrial genomes. These data
      suggest recombination or amplification of the mitochondrial genomes in the
      somatic hybrids. 

PMID- 24241451
TI  - Isozymes and classification of Asian rice varieties.
AB  - Enzyme variation detected by starch gel electrophoresis was used to investigate
      the genetic structure of Oryza sativa L. species. Fifteen polymorphic loci coding
      for 8 enzymes were surveyed among 1688 traditional rices from Asia. Multivariate
      analysis of the data resulted in identification of six varietal groups, with two
      major ones, groups I and VI, two minor ones, groups II and V, and two satellite
      ones, groups III and IV. Group I is found throughout tropical Asia; it
      encompasses most Aman rices in Bangladesh, the Tjereh rices in Indonesia and the
      Hsien rices in China. Group VI is found mostly in temperate regions and in high
      elevation areas in the tropics; it encompasses most upland rices from Southeast
      Asia, the Bulu rices from Indonesia and the Keng rices from China. Groups II,
      III, IV and V share common differences from groups I and VI which suggest an
      alternative evolutionary history. Groups II and V are found in the Indian
      subcontinent from Iran to Burma. Well-known components of these are Aus rices
      from Bangladesh for group II and Basmati rices from Pakistan and India for group
      V. Groups III and IV are restricted to some deepwater rices in Bangladesh and
      Northeast India. Based on analogy with other classifications, Group I might be
      considered as the "Indica" type and Group VI as the "Japonica" type. Such terms,
      however, have a depreciated meaning due to discrepancies among various
      classifications. 

PMID- 24241452
TI  - Gametoclonal variation detected in the nuclear ribosomal DNA from doubled haploid
      lines of a spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. 'Cesar').
AB  - The organization of the nuclear ribosomal DNA from a parental line of wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L., cv. 'Cesar') and its anther-derived first cycle and second
      cycle doubled haploid lines has been analyzed by DNA-DNA molecular hybridization.
      Restricted DNA has been probed by three subclones of wheat nuclear ribosomal DNA
      covering the entire repeat unit. No significant difference was detected in the
      extent of methylation of ribosomal DNA of the doubled haploid lines with respect
      to the parental line. On the other hand, a variation has been found in the
      organization of the nontranscribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA of the first
      cycle doubled haploid line. This variation remains stable after a second cycle of
      in vitro androgenesis. However, one out of five second cycle doubled haploid
      lines so far tested showed an additional hybridization band present in the
      parental line but lacking in the first cycle doubled haploid line. 

PMID- 24241453
TI  - Viability and behaviour of translocations that suppress female recombination in
      the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.).
AB  - The viability of a series of recombination suppressor (RS) strains in Ceratitis
      capitata, all previously found to contain a reciprocal autosomal translocation,
      was assessed for egg hatchability and adult emergence in both the homozygous and
      heterozygous state. Except in T 30C, which contains a Y-autosome translocation in
      addition to the A-A translocation, egg hatch was significantly reduced in all
      heterozygous translocation strains, and ranged from 42.4% to 58.5% in seeded eggs
      compared to a control value of 82.8%. Adult emergence from hatched eggs was
      affected to a lesser extent, but with a range of 59.5% to 84.2%, compared to the
      control value of 83.1%, remained significantly reduced in 4 of the 6
      translocation strains, as well as in the male line of T 30C. In the homozygous
      configuration all strains, except T 19 and T 109, showed a significant reduction
      in egg hatchability, whereas adult emergence was not adversely affected. A
      significant reduction in the egg hatchability of the translocation heterozygotes
      compared to that of the homozygotes was observed in 5 of the 7 strains, the
      observed reduction in T 55/109 being non-significant while that of T 30C was
      significantly increased. The behaviour of translocations as recombination
      suppressors and their suitability for inclusion in breeding schemes for the
      isolation of induced recessive mutations is discussed. 

PMID- 24241454
TI  - Gene assignment by means of somatic cell hybrids: a new method for the analysis
      of data.
AB  - A statistical approach to the interpretation of data from gene assignment with
      somatic cell hybrids is presented. The observed data are analysed under a variety
      of hypotheses. The fit to the hypotheses is compared by means of the likelihood
      obtained under a given hypothesis. Two of these hypotheses are related to
      fundamental questions: is a gene responsible for the enzyme observation and if
      so, is that gene located on a specific chromosome or could it change its position
      and be sometimes on chromosome j and, in another hybrid line, on chromosome k?
      The other hypotheses concern the assignment of the gene to just one of the
      chromosomes.To improve the traditional data analysis approach we considered
      additional information: the uncertainties and possible errors of laboratory
      methods in all our calculations and the length of the donor chromosomes in
      connection with one specific hypothesis.This method allows us to account for the
      reliability of the investigation methods and the nature of the hybrid lines
      involved. Data can be evaluated at different error probabilities within a
      realistic range in order to compare and discuss results. 

PMID- 24241455
TI  - A 5-methyltryptophan resistant rice mutant, MTR1, selected in tissue culture.
AB  - Cell lines resistant to tryptophan analogue 5-methyltryptophan (5MT) were
      selected in seed-derived calli of Oryza sativa L. var. 'Norin 8'. Plants were
      regenerated (R1 from one selected callus line (MTR1). In three out of the six R1
      plants, 5MT resistance was inherited in the R2 and R3 generations as a dominant
      nuclear mutation. Segregation ratios in the progeny of heterozygous plants were
      1?1. Morphological and fertility variation seen in some of the R2 plants were not
      correlated with 5-methyltryptophan resistance. Resistance in the MTR1 callus was
      due to the accumulation of high levels of free tryptophan (87-fold) that was
      associated with an increase in free phenylalanine content (9-fold). The leaves of
      resistant plants also contained elevated levels of free tryptophan and
      phenylalanine. 

PMID- 24241456
TI  - Creating new forms of 4x, 6x and 8x primary triticale associating both complete R
      and D genomes.
AB  - Strains of Aegilops squarrosa L. and Ae. ventricosa L. were pollinated either by
      Secale cereale L. or tetraploid triticale. Using in vitro culture of immature F1
      embryos, the four corresponding hybrids were obtained. Successful doubling
      occurred following colchicine treatment, leading to the creation of new
      amphidiploid structures (C1 plants). These correspond to primary triticale forms
      involving, at three different levels of ploidy, both R and D full complements.
      The various combinations were compared for their response at successive steps of
      the process. Crosses involving Ae. squarrosa present a higher fruit setting than
      those with Ae. ventricosa, which in contrast yield colchicine treated-plants with
      better grain fertility. Experimental data on the cytological behaviour and
      fertility of colchicine-treated as well as amphidiploid plants are presented. The
      importance of this material in triticale breeding is discussed. 

PMID- 24241457
TI  - Anther culture of Hordeum vulgare L.: a genetic study of microspore callus
      production and differentiation.
AB  - The inheritance of the ability of barley anthers to produce microspore-derived
      callus in vitro was investigated. The genotypes selected were the two spring
      cultivars 'Dissa' (D) and 'Sabarlis' (S), the two F1 hybrids (DxS, SxD), the two
      backcross generations [Dx(DxS), Sx(DxS)], and an F2 generation derived from DxS.
      From a number of individuals of each generation, the first five spikes were
      harvested sequentially and after pre-treatment the anthers were removed and
      placed in culture. Cultures were scored for microspore callus production and
      plantlet differentiation. Although 'Dissa' gave a significantly higher level of
      callus production than 'Sabarlis', the overall frequencies of green and albino
      plant production were higher from 'Sabarlis'. There was no significant difference
      between reciprocal F1 hybrids. Analysis of variance revealed significant
      differences in response between the spikes sampled from the plants. This was the
      major source of variation in the experiment. Spike to spike variation also
      appeared to be a heritable character. 

PMID- 24241458
TI  - Nuclear DNA amplification in cultured cells of Oryza sativa L.
AB  - Highly repeated nuclear DNA sequences from suspension cultured cells of Oryza
      sativa L. cv. 'Roncarolo' have been cloned in pBR322. Ten clones with specific
      digestion patterns have been randomly selected. Nine sequences appear to be
      organized in a clustered tandem array while one is interpersed in the rice
      genome. The clones have been used to gather information on: (a) their modulation
      in cultured cells as compared to whole plant and (b) their distribution in
      different rice cultivars belonging to the Japonica or Indica subspecies of Oryza
      sativa L. Hybridization with nuclear DNA isolated either from suspension or from
      seedlings of the 'Roncarolo' cultivar revealed extensive quantitative variations,
      with most cloned sequences showing amplification (up to 75-fold) in cultured
      cells. Hybridization with nuclear DNA isolated from seedlings or suspension
      cultured cells from different cultivars belonging to the Japonica or to the
      Indica sub-species of O. sativa have shown that (a) amplification also occurs in
      a similar pattern in the case of DNA from the other tested suspension cultured
      cell types but not in the case of DNA from seedlings; (b) in some cases the
      tested sequences show minor but significant variations in different rice
      accessions. 

PMID- 24241459
TI  - Electrophoretic analysis of the high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits of
      Triticum monococcum, T. urartu, and the A genome of bread wheat (T. aestivum).
AB  - The high molecular weight (HMW) subunit composition of glutenin was analysed by
      sodium dodecyl sulphate, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in the A
      genome of 497 diploid wheats and in 851 landraces of bread wheat. The material
      comprised 209 accessions of wild Triticum monococcum ssp. boeoticum from Greece,
      Turkey, Lebanon, Armenia, Iraq, and Iran; 132 accessions of the primitive
      domesticate T. monococcum ssp. monococcum from many different germplasm
      collections; one accession of free-threshing T. monococcum ssp. sinskajae; 155
      accessions of wild T. urartu from Lebanon, Turkey, Armenia, Iraq, and Iran; and
      landraces of T. aestivum, mainly from the Mediterranean area and countries
      bordering on the Himalayan Mountains. Four novel HMW glutenin sub-units were
      discovered in the landraces of bread wheat, and the alleles that control them
      were designated Glu-Ald through Glu-Alg, respectively. The HMW subunits of T.
      monococcum ssp. boeoticum have a major, "x" subunit of slow mobility and several,
      less prominent, "y" subunits of greater mobility, all of which fall within the
      mobility range of HMW subunits reported for bread wheat. In T. monococcum ssp.
      monococcum the range of the banding patterns for HMW subunits was similar to that
      of ssp. boeoticum. However, two accessions, while containing "y" subunits were
      null for "x" subunits. The single accession of Triticum monococcum ssp. sinskajae
      had a banding pattern similar to that of most ssp. boeoticum and ssp. monococcum
      accessions. The HMW subunit banding patterns of T. urartu accessions were
      distinct from those of T. monococcum. All of them contained one major "x" and
      most contained one major "y" subunit. In the other accessions a "y" subunit was
      not expressed. The active genes for "y" subunits, if transferred to bread wheat,
      may be useful in improving bread-making quality. 

PMID- 24241460
TI  - Somaclonal variation in some agronomic and quality characters in wheat.
AB  - A total of 256 selected lines derived from tissue culture of three hexaploid
      wheat cultivars were grown in a replicated hill plot experiment to examine
      somaclonal variation in agronomic characters. The lines were derived by single
      plant selection for various characters from a total of 100 regenerants, and were
      either SC3 or SC4 generation in the test. Significant variation was found in all
      the characters measured: height, grain number per spike, kernel weight, yield,
      total dry weight and harvest index. In most cases, variation could be identified
      which was both less than and greater than the parental controls. However, there
      was also an apparent effect of the parent cultivar on the total amount and
      direction of the variation. For two cultivars, lines could be traced back through
      the culture phase to individual explant embryos. Many of the original embryos
      contributed significant variation, and most characters showed significant
      variation arising from more than one embryo. In the following year, 32 lines
      selected from the hill plot experiment were grown in larger replicated plots and
      yield, harvest index and a number of grain and baking quality characters were
      measured. No lines selected for high yield or harvest index maintained
      significant improvements over their parental controls. However, significant
      variation was displayed for many of the quality characters examined. Significant
      increases in kernel weight, hardness and protein content, and a significant
      reduction in yellow pigmentation represented potentially useful improvements.
      Only unfavourable variation was seen in flour yield and in mixograph height, time
      and breakdown. 

PMID- 24241461
TI  - Stability of performance of okra as influenced by planting date.
AB  - Fifteen selected okra genotypes, consisting of six from a pedigree breeding
      programme and nine established varieties as checks, were evaluated in five
      different environments for stability of performance. Performance was measured by
      pod yield per plant, number of days to flowering, final plant height, number of
      branches per plant, number of pods per plant and edible pod weight. A regression
      method and a genotype grouping technique were employed in the evaluation. The
      results showed significant genotype * environment interaction only with respect
      to number of days to flowering and number of branches per plant. Additive
      environmental effect was significant for all characters. Line UI 313 was
      considered stable with respect to pod yield per plant and edible pod weight. One
      line resulting from the pedigree breeding programme was also considered stable by
      the genotype-grouping technique. 

PMID- 24241462
TI  - Estimating relative fitness in asexually reproducing plant pathogen populations.
AB  - A mathematical model is presented and analysed to find the conditions under which
      changes in gene frequencies can be used in asexually reproducing populations for
      estimating fitness of single genes, for example, for estimating the fitnesses of
      unnecessary virulence genes relative to their corresponding avirulence genes. It
      is concluded that the underlying distribution of relative fitness of clones
      (genotypes) has to be unimodal and that many populations consisting of a mixture
      of distinguishable clones then provide the best experimental data for estimating
      relative fitness of single genes. An improved statistical test procedure, i.e.
      generalized logistic regression, is suggested for analysing changes in gene
      frequencies in population experiments with a mixture of distinguishable clones. A
      population study of Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei (Klug-Andersen 1980) provides
      data to illustrate the procedure in the case where the population consists of a
      large number of genotypes. A bimodal distribution of "genotypes" possessing the
      virulence gene is indicated here. 

PMID- 24241463
TI  - Improved rate of callus induction from rice anther culture following microscopic
      staging of microspores in iron alum-haematoxylin.
AB  - High frequencies of callusing were obtained in indica rice from the microspores
      which were staged in acetic acid iron alum-haematoxylin stain prior to culture on
      G5 medium. Two local varieties, 'Khonorullo' and 'Namyi', and two advance pre
      release cultures, 'PK 1-1-3' and 'PK 12-22', were used in this investigation. All
      the cultures exhibited a wide adaptation to varying medium; however, the
      frequency of callusing was highest (45.5%) in 'PK 1-1-3' followed by 'PK 12-22'
      (32.4%) and 'Khonorullo' (31.6%). Cold shock (10  degrees C) for 11 days enhanced
      the frequency of callusing by 200% in 'Khonorullo'. 

PMID- 24241464
TI  - Callus induction from protoplasts of V. unguiculata, V. sublobata and V. mungo.
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from hypocotyl of V. mungo (L.) Hepper or hypocotyl
      derived callus of V. sublobata (Phaseolus sublobata Roxb.) and V. unguiculata
      (L.) Walp (syn. V. sinensis (L.) Saviex Hassk) using an enzyme solution
      comprising Cellulase 2.5%, Macerozyme, Hemicellulase and Driselase each at a 0.5%
      level in 0.5 M sorbitol. Isolated protoplasts were cultured in Murashige and
      Skoog's (1962) basal liquid medium supplemented with BA, NAA, 2,4-D (1 mg/l each)
      and sucrose (14%). After four weeks, protoplast colonies were transferred to the
      same medium with a reduced level of sucrose (7%). Colonies proliferated into
      actively growing calli. Further attempts to regenerate plants from such calli
      were not successful. However, protoclones of V. unguiculata differentiated roots
      on auxin/cytokinin supplemented media. Alternative methods for shoot
      differentiation from protoplastderived cultures were tried by the use of
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens "shooter" strains pGV 2215 or pGV 2298 or wild type
      strain B6S3. 

PMID- 24241465
TI  - Heritable somaclonal variation in wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum).
AB  - Progenies of H. spontaneum plants regenerated from immature embryo derived calli
      were analysed for somaclonal variation on the following traits: (1) organization
      of the intergenic spacer of the rRNA genes; (2) B and C hordein pattern on SDS
      PAGE; (3) genomic organization of the B and C hordein coding sequences; (4)
      mitochondrial DNA organization assayed by hybridization of Southern blots of
      total DNA with mitochondrial coding genes; (5) cytology. One out of twelve
      progeny plants was characterized as variant for two traits: (a) a loss of 1.8 and
      2.5 kb Taq I intergenic rDNA spacer fragments and (b) a variant pattern of
      hordeins on 1-D SDS-PAGE. No numerical or structural chromosome variation was
      detected among the control plants therefore it is assumed that the variation was
      caused by the in vitro culture and transmitted, through sexual reproduction, to
      the analysed progeny. 

PMID- 24241466
TI  - Genetics of grain amaranths : 4. Variation and early generation response to
      selection in Amaranthus cruentus L.
AB  - Two landrace populations of Amaranthus cruentus L. were crossed to generate F2
      populations for quantitative genetic analyses of variation. Evidence for
      significant inbreeding depression in comparisons of F1 and F2generation means
      suggested some role of nonadditive gene action for days to first anthesis, leaf
      length, leaf width, petiole length, plant height, panicle length, and panicle
      weight. A pooled F2 population was subjected to bidirectional mass selection for
      time of first anthesis (two cycles) and leaf length (one cycle). Responses to
      selection were asymmetrical and the second cycle response for anthesis time was
      smaller than for the first cycle. Overall, selection gains were significant and
      gave estimates of heritability in the range of 0.35 to 0.66 for anthesis time and
      0.08 to 0.19 for leaf length. This suggested a large additive term in the total
      genetic variance especially for anthesis time where early and late flowering
      selection lines diverged by 20.5 days.Correlations between the selected traits
      (anthesis time, leaf length) and single plant yield or yield components were also
      studied to evaluate correlated responses to selection. Selection for optimal
      flowering time in amaranth cultivation areas is very likely to result in rapid
      yield improvement. 

PMID- 24241467
TI  - Plant regeneration by pollen embryogenesis from cultured whole spikes of barley
      (Hordeum vulgare).
AB  - Pollen embryogenesis and subsequent plant regeneration have been established from
      cultured whole barley spikes in agitated N6 liquid medium (Chu 1978) containing
      high levels of 2,4-D, Ficoll and potato extract. Microspore division within the
      anthers and subsequent embryogenic development were obtained in medium containing
      high amounts of reduced nitrogen with Zeatin, NAA and BAP (all at 0.5 mg/l
      levels, pH 6.2). Once embryoids were formed in the liquid medium, they produced
      secondary embryoids from the scutellum and subsequently plants on MS (Murashige
      and Skoog 1962) agar medium containing BAP and NAA. The ratio of green plants to
      albino was 1?8.7. 

PMID- 24241468
TI  - A model for the evolution of the Vicia faba chloroplast genome.
AB  - The Vicia faba chloroplast genome lacks inverted repeat sequences and contains
      only one set of ribosomal RNA genes. The genetic organization has been altered by
      inversions, relative to the typical arrangement of most higher plant chloroplast
      genomes. The Vicia faba plastid genome thus represents one of the more
      interesting results of chloroplast genomic evolution. The present study employs
      small DNA probes and Southern blot hybridizations to investigate the steps
      involved in the evolution of the Vicia faba chloroplast genome. The data from
      heterologous hybridizations between chloroplast DNA of Brassica napus (a
      conserved genome) and of Vicia faba led to three observations: 1) The inverted
      repeat segment closest to the psbA gene was deleted prior to the rearrangements.
      2) A quarter of the ancestral small single copy region was lost during the
      deletion. 3) The genetic organization observed in Vicia faba resulted from three
      inversions after the deletion event. Our findings, combined with previous
      observations, helped devise a stepwise model for the evolution of the Vicia faba
      chloroplast genome. The area of the small single copy region absent from the
      Vicia faba chloroplast chromosome lacks in vivo transcription activity in
      Brassica napus. 

PMID- 24241469
TI  - Chromosome variation in dividing protoplasts and cell suspensions of wheat.
AB  - The cytology of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) suspension lines, recycled lines
      (selected for high division frequency) and their dividing protoplasts, have been
      examined. Extensive numerical and structural chromosome variation was present in
      all the lines. The most frequently observed chromosome numbers were around 2n=32,
      indicating that considerable chromosome loss from the normal wheat complement
      (2n=6x=42) had occurred during selection of the lines. Chromosome aberrations
      also indicated loss of chromosome arms and chromosome segments. The implications
      of this variation for studies on transformation and for the potential
      regeneration of whole plants from protoplasts of bread wheat are discussed. 

PMID- 24241470
TI  - A cytogenetic characterization comparing a rat 6TG-resistant strain and 6TG
      sensitive clones.
AB  - A 8.3 MU/ml 6-thioguanine (6TG)-resistant strain was isolated from a rat
      tetraploid cell line by step-by-step selection in 6TG-medium. In the 6TG
      resistant cell population 51% of the cells were tetraploid and 35% of the cells
      were hypertetraploid, i.e., one chromosome more than a tetraploid. The 6TG
      resistant strain grew very well in RPMI 1640 medium with intervals of three days
      between subcultures. The 6TG-resistant cells all have a homogeneously staining
      region (HSRs) in one of the X chromosomes which do not stain after chromosome C
      banding. They also possess a higher NORs activity and much lower frequency of
      sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). When the 6TG-resistant RCT cells were
      subcultured in 6TG-free medium for three days, their SCE frequency did not
      change. 5'-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) significantly suppressed the NORs activity
      for both 6TG-resistant cells and 6TG-sensitive cells (P<0.001). 

PMID- 24241471
TI  - Inheritance and linkage relationships of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase
      isoenzymes in apple : 1. The gene GOT-1, a marker for the S incompatibility
      locus.
AB  - Four zones of enzymatic activity for glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT)
      were found in apple tissue. A dimeric gene, GOT-1, determining the fastest
      migrating zone, was identified. Six alleles were found, including a near null
      allelle which produced detectable heterodimeric bands but not homodimeric bands.
      A marked deficit or absence of certain geno-types in all backcrosses and in some
      crosses between unrelated varieties was attributed to the close linkage (r=0.02+/
      0.005) of GOT-1 with the incompatibility S locus. GOT-1 was also closely linked
      with the isocitrate dehydrogenase locus IDH-1 (0.03+/-0.01). Proposed
      incompatibility genotypes for four cultivars, and the linked GOT-1 alleles are
      'Cox': S 1 b/S 2 d, 'Idared': S 3 a/S 4 c, 'Fiesta': S 3 a/S 2 d and 'Kent': S 3
      a/S 1 b. 

PMID- 24241472
TI  - Genetic analysis of Verticillium wilt tolerance in cotton using pedigree data
      from three crosses.
AB  - Three crosses and descendant generations were used in a field study of the
      inheritance of tolerance to Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae
      Kleb., in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The tolerant cultivar 'Acala SJC
      1' was crossed to more susceptible parents, breeding line S5971 and cultivars
      'Acala 4-42' and 'Deltapine 70'. Seven generations were evaluated for each cross:
      the two parents (P1 and P2), F1; F2, F3, and reciprocal backcrosses (B1 and B2).
      The genetic control of tolerance in these crosses appears to involve more than
      one gene, based on an unsatisfactory fit to expected phenotypic distributions for
      the generations under a single-locus model. An analysis of generation means
      indicated that pooled additive and pooled dominance effects over loci were
      adequate to explain the variation among generations for crosses of SJC-1 X S5971
      and SJC-1 X DPL70. Tolerance in these crosses appeared to be controlled by
      recessive factors. For the SJC-1 X 4-42 cross, an adequate fit to a digenic
      epistatic model was not possible, and none of the genetic parameters except the
      F2 mean were significant. Heritabilities for tolerance to Verticillium wilt,
      determined from regressions of F3 progeny on F2 parents for the crosses of SJC-1
      X S5971 and SJC-1 X DPL70, ranged from 0.12 to 0.28. Therefore, individual plant
      selection for improved tolerance is expected to be inefficient. 

PMID- 24241473
TI  - Isolation of mitochondrial DNA from cytoplasmic male sterile and maintainer lines
      of pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke.
AB  - Mitochondrial DNA has been isolated from paired lines of pearl millet maintainer
      and cytoplasmic male sterile plants. Evaluation of the DNA by agarose gel
      electrophoresis shows that good quality DNA of high molecular weight can be
      obtained from mitochondria of both maintainer and male sterile pearl millet. 

PMID- 24241475
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24241474
TI  - Inheritance of fruit-coat colours in Trichosanthes anguina Linn.
AB  - In Trichosanthes anguina Linn. (Cucurbitaceae), reciprocal crosses among three
      naturally occurring fruit-coat colour varieties (deep green, green and white) and
      two yellow fruit-coat colour mutants isolated in the M1 generation showed that a
      multiple allelic series control the fruit-coat colours. In the F2 generation the
      fruit-coat colours segregated in a monohybrid ratio with deep green dominant over
      green, yellow and white, green dominant over yellow and white, and yellow
      dominant over white. Two yellow fruit-coat colour mutants used in this study were
      isolated from X-ray- and EMS-treated populations of a white fruit-coat colour
      variety. 

PMID- 24241476
TI  - Real-time neurofeedback using functional MRI could improve down-regulation of
      amygdala activity during emotional stimulation: a proof-of-concept study.
AB  - The amygdala is a central target of emotion regulation. It is overactive and
      dysregulated in affective and anxiety disorders and amygdala activity normalizes
      with successful therapy of the symptoms. However, a considerable percentage of
      patients do not reach remission within acceptable duration of treatment. The
      amygdala could therefore represent a promising target for real-time functional
      magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) neurofeedback. rtfMRI neurofeedback directly
      improves the voluntary regulation of localized brain activity. At present, most
      rtfMRI neurofeedback studies have trained participants to increase activity of a
      target, i.e. up-regulation. However, in the case of the amygdala, down-regulation
      is supposedly more clinically relevant. Therefore, we developed a task that
      trained participants to down-regulate activity of the right amygdala while being
      confronted with amygdala stimulation, i.e. negative emotional faces. The activity
      in the functionally-defined region was used as online visual feedback in six
      healthy subjects instructed to minimize this signal using reality checking as
      emotion regulation strategy. Over a period of four training sessions,
      participants significantly increased down-regulation of the right amygdala
      compared to a passive viewing condition to control for habilitation effects. This
      result supports the concept of using rtfMRI neurofeedback training to control
      brain activity during relevant stimulation, specifically in the case of emotion,
      and has implications towards clinical treatment of emotional disorders. 

PMID- 24241477
TI  - Effect of pubertal nano-TiO2 exposure on testosterone synthesis and
      spermatogenesis in mice.
AB  - Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) are frequently used in cosmetics,
      paints, sunscreens and the like. Recent studies have demonstrated that nano-TiO2
      might be deleterious for the male reproductive function. However, the effects of
      pubertal nano-TiO2 exposure on testosterone (T) synthesis and spermatogenesis
      remained to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the effect of pubertal nano-TiO2
      exposure on the synthesis of T and spermatogenesis. Nano-TiO2 was orally
      administered daily to Kunming male mice from 28th postnatal day (PND 28) to PND
      70. The percentage of spermatozoa abnormality in epididymides was markedly
      increased in mice exposed to nano-TiO2; decreased layers of spermatogenic cells
      and vacuoles in seminiferous tubules were also observed in the nano-TiO2 treated
      group. In addition, pubertal nano-TiO2 exposure significantly decreased the serum
      T levels in male mice. Moreover, mice exposures to nano-TiO2 significantly
      reduced the expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and P450 17alpha
      hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the testis of mice, while the expression of
      cytochrome P450-19, a key enzyme for the translation of T to estradiol (E2), was
      increased. Taken together, these results indicated that nano-TiO2 could influence
      the levels of serum T through changes in both the synthesis and translation of T.
      Furthermore, the decreased serum T synthesis might contribute to the reduced
      spermatogenesis in mice exposed to nano-TiO2.

PMID- 24241478
TI  - Port-site recurrence after complete resection of stage I thymoma by video
      assisted thoracoscopic surgery: report of a case.
AB  - A 62-year-old female with myasthenia gravis and a mediastinal tumor underwent
      extended thymothymectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The
      tumor was diagnosed as a stage I type B2 thymoma. Eight years after the initial
      surgery, an abnormal shadow was detected on the annual follow-up chest
      radiograph, and computed tomography showed a homogeneous 35 * 15 mm hemispherical
      mass under a port-site scar in the right anterior chest wall. The mass was
      between the second and third ribs and was found to be adherent to the lung during
      surgery, and was excised via lung and chest wall resection. The pathological
      examination confirmed that it was a type B2 thymoma invading the third rib, and
      the tumor was considered to be a port-site recurrence. Care should be taken
      during VATS to avoid contact between the tumor surface and the port tracts to
      prevent tumor cell implantation.

PMID- 24241479
TI  - Long-term monitoring of serum p53 antibody after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and
      surgery for esophageal adenocarcinoma: report of a case.
AB  - We monitored serum p53 antibody (s-p53-Ab) titers in a 76-year-old man with
      esophageal adenocarcinoma, clinical stage III (T2N2M0), for over 4 years,
      including during the perioperative period and throughout follow-up after surgery.
      Screening tests for CA19-9 (205 IU/ml) and s-p53-Abs (381 U/ml) were positive
      before treatment. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU and cisplatin, CA19-9
      decreased to the normal range, but the s-p53-Ab titer remained positive (224
      U/ml). Pathological findings of surgically resected specimens showed stage T1b
      disease and no lymph node metastases. After surgery, s-p53-Ab titers consistently
      decreased, with no disease recurrence. Although the s-p53-Ab titer remained
      positive even after 4 years, it decreased to 8.66, 3.59, 2.38, and 1.92 U/ml, 1,
      2, 3, and 4 years after surgery, respectively. Thus, monitoring perioperative
      changes in s-p53-Ab titers proved useful for detecting the presence of residual
      cancer cells in a patient with superficial esophageal adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 24241480
TI  - Hierarchical branched Cu2O nanowires with enhanced photocatalytic activity and
      stability for H2 production.
AB  - Hierarchical branched Cu2O nanowires were synthesized under mild conditions and
      exhibit remarkable performance for photocatalytic H2 generation from water. The
      obtained results open appealing perspectives for converting solar energy into
      storable chemical energy. 

PMID- 24241481
TI  - Repeated anticitrullinated protein antibody and rheumatoid factor assessment is
      not necessary in early arthritis: results from the ESPOIR cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Presence and levels of anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies
      (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) contribute to the classification and
      prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective was to determine the
      usefulness of repeating anti-CCP/RF measurements during the first 2 years of
      followup in patients with early arthritis. METHODS: In patients with early
      undifferentiated arthritis, serial anti-CCP and RF were measured using automated
      second-generation assays every 6 months for 2 years. Frequencies of
      seroconversions (from negative to positive or the reverse) and changes in
      antibody levels during followup were determined. RESULTS: In all, 775 patients,
      mean (SD) age 48.2 (12.5) years, mean symptom duration 3.4 (1.7) months, 76.6%
      female, were analyzed; 614 (79.2%) satisfied the American College of
      Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2010 classification criteria for
      RA at baseline. At baseline, respectively for anti-CCP and RF, 318 (41.0%) and
      181 (23.4%) patients were positive, of whom 298 (93.7% of the positive) and 111
      (61.3% of the positive) were highly positive (above 3 * upper limit of the norm).
      There were only 12 anti-CCP seroconversions toward the positive (i.e., 2.6% of
      the anti-CCP-negative), 21 seroconversions toward the negative (6.6% of the anti
      CCP-positive), and 8 (1.0%) changes to a higher anti-CCP level category during
      the 2-year followup; respectively for RF, 27 (4.6%), 95 (52.5%), and 13 (1.7%).
      CONCLUSION: In this cohort of patients with early arthritis, including in the
      subset of patients who did not fulfill the RA criteria, antibody status showed
      little increase over a 2-year period. Repeated measurements of anti-CCP/RF very
      infrequently offer significant additional information.

PMID- 24241482
TI  - Responsiveness in rheumatoid arthritis. a report from the OMERACT 11 ultrasound
      workshop.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To summarize the work performed by the Outcome Measures in
      Rheumatology (OMERACT) Ultrasound (US) Task Force on the validity of different US
      measures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
      presented during the OMERACT 11 Workshop. METHODS: The Task Force is an
      international group aiming to iteratively improve the role of US in arthritis
      clinical trials. Recently a major focus of the group has been the assessment of
      responsiveness of a person-level US synovitis score in RA: the US Global
      Synovitis Score (US-GLOSS) combines synovial hypertrophy and power Doppler signal
      in a composite score detected at joint level. Work has also commenced examining
      assessment of tenosynovitis in RA and the role of US in JIA. RESULTS: The US
      GLOSS was tested in a large RA cohort treated with biologic therapy. It showed
      early signs of improvement in synovitis starting at Day 7 and increasing to Month
      6, and demonstrated sensitivity to change of the proposed grading. Subsequent
      voting questions concerning the application of the US-GLOSS were endorsed by >
      80% of OMERACT delegates. A standardized US scoring system for detecting and
      grading severity of RA tenosynovitis and tendon damage has been developed, and
      acceptable reliability data were presented from a series of exercises. A
      preliminary consensus definition of US synovitis in pediatric arthritis has been
      developed and requires further testing. CONCLUSION: At OMERACT 11, consensus was
      achieved on the application of the US-GLOSS for evaluating synovitis in RA; and
      work continues on development of RA tenosynovitis scales as well as in JIA
      synovitis.

PMID- 24241483
TI  - Preliminary validation of 2 magnetic resonance image scoring systems for
      osteoarthritis of the hip according to the OMERACT filter.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Development of a validated magnetic resonance image (MRI) scoring
      system is essential in hip OA because radiographs are insensitive to change. We
      assessed the feasibility and reliability of 2 previously developed scoring
      methods: (1) the Hip Inflammation MRI Scoring System (HIMRISS) and (2) the Hip
      Osteoarthritis MRI Scoring System (HOAMS). METHODS: Six readers (3 radiologists,
      3 rheumatologists) participated in 2 reading exercises. In Reading Exercise 1,
      MRI of the hip of 20 subjects were read at a single time point followed by
      further standardization of methodology. In Reading Exercise 2, MRI of the hip of
      18 subjects from a randomized controlled trial, assessed at 2 timepoints, and 27
      subjects from a cross-sectional study were read for HIMRISS and HOAMS bone marrow
      lesions (BML) and synovitis. Reliability was assessed using intraclass
      correlation coefficient (ICC) and kappa statistics. RESULTS: Both methods were
      considered feasible. For Reading 1, HIMRISS ICC were 0.52, 0.61, 0.70, and 0.58
      for femoral BML, acetabular BML, effusion, and total scores, respectively; and
      for HOAMS, summed BML and synovitis ICC were 0.52 and 0.46, respectively. For
      Reading 2, HIMRISS and HOAMS ICC for BML and synovitis-effusion improved
      substantially. Interobserver reliability for change scores was 0.81 and 0.71 for
      HIMRISS femoral and HOAMS summed BML, respectively. Responsiveness and
      discrimination was moderate to high for synovitis-effusion. Significant
      associations were noted between BML or synovitis scores and Western Ontario and
      McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain scores for baseline values (p <=
      0.001). CONCLUSION: The BML and synovitis-effusion components of both HIMRISS and
      HOAMS scoring systems are feasible and reliable, and should be validated further.

PMID- 24241484
TI  - Experiences with rituximab for the treatment of autoimmune diseases with ocular
      involvement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report the efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of ocular
      or orbital inflammation accompanying autoimmune diseases refractory to previous
      standard immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 9
      consecutive patients with noninfectious ocular or orbital inflammation treated
      with RTX. RESULTS: Over a mean followup of 42 months, 7 patients were in clinical
      remission, 1 had partial response to treatment, and 1 did not respond. Best
      corrected visual acuity improved >= 1 line in 4 patients, was stable in another 4
      patients, and worsened in 1. Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy was tapered in
      6 cases. Systemic corticosteroids were tapered or kept below 7.5 mg a day in 5
      patients 1 year after the first RTX cycle. CONCLUSION: RTX therapy, in patients
      who are refractory to standard immunosuppressive therapy, was effective and
      showed a beneficial response to treatment including induction of clinical
      remission of inflammation in most patients.

PMID- 24241485
TI  - Item response theory, computerized adaptive testing, and PROMIS: assessment of
      physical function.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires record health
      information directly from research participants because observers may not
      accurately represent the patient perspective. Patient-reported Outcomes
      Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a US National Institutes of Health
      cooperative group charged with bringing PRO to a new level of precision and
      standardization across diseases by item development and use of item response
      theory (IRT). METHODS: With IRT methods, improved items are calibrated on an
      underlying concept to form an item bank for a "domain" such as physical function
      (PF). The most informative items can be combined to construct efficient
      "instruments" such as 10-item or 20-item PF static forms. Each item is calibrated
      on the basis of the probability that a given person will respond at a given
      level, and the ability of the item to discriminate people from one another.
      Tailored forms may cover any desired level of the domain being measured.
      Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) selects the best items to sharpen the
      estimate of a person's functional ability, based on prior responses to earlier
      questions. PROMIS item banks have been improved with experience from several
      thousand items, and are calibrated on over 21,000 respondents. RESULTS: In areas
      tested to date, PROMIS PF instruments are superior or equal to Health Assessment
      Questionnaire and Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 Survey legacy instruments
      in clarity, translatability, patient importance, reliability, and sensitivity to
      change. CONCLUSION: Precise measures, such as PROMIS, efficiently incorporate
      patient self-report of health into research, potentially reducing research cost
      by lowering sample size requirements. The advent of routine IRT applications has
      the potential to transform PRO measurement.

PMID- 24241486
TI  - Methodologies for semiquantitative evaluation of hip osteoarthritis by magnetic
      resonance imaging: approaches based on the whole organ and focused on active
      lesions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: As a wider variety of therapeutic options for osteoarthritis (OA)
      becomes available, there is an increasing need to objectively evaluate disease
      severity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is more technically
      challenging at the hip than at the knee, and as a result, few systematic scoring
      systems exist. The OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) filter of truth,
      discrimination, and feasibility can be used to validate image-based scoring
      systems. Our objective was (1) to review the imaging features relevant to the
      assessment of severity and progression of hip OA; and (2) to review currently
      used methods to grade these features in existing hip OA scoring systems. METHODS:
      A systematic literature review was conducted. MEDLINE keyword search was
      performed for features of arthropathy (such as hip + bone marrow edema or lesion,
      synovitis, cyst, effusion, cartilage, etc.) and scoring system (hip + OA + MRI +
      score or grade), with a secondary manual search for additional references in the
      retrieved publications. RESULTS: Findings relevant to the severity of hip OA
      include imaging markers associated with inflammation (bone marrow lesion,
      synovitis, effusion), structural damage (cartilage loss, osteophytes, subchondral
      cysts, labral tears), and predisposing geometric factors (hip dysplasia, femoral
      acetabular impingement). Two approaches to the semiquantitative assessment of hip
      OA are represented by Hip OA MRI Scoring System (HOAMS), a comprehensive whole
      organ assessment of nearly all findings, and the Hip Inflammation MRI Scoring
      System (HIMRISS), which selectively scores only active lesions (bone marrow
      lesion, synovitis/effusion). Validation is presently confined to limited
      assessment of reliability. CONCLUSION: Two methods for semiquantitative
      assessment of hip OA on MRI have been described and validation according to the
      OMERACT Filter is limited to evaluation of reliability.

PMID- 24241487
TI  - Longterm effect of delaying combination therapy with tumor necrosis factor
      inhibitor in patients with aggressive early rheumatoid arthritis: 10-year
      efficacy and safety of adalimumab from the randomized controlled PREMIER trial
      with open-label extension.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the longterm safety of adalimumab administered with or
      without methotrexate (MTX) and compare the efficacy of combination therapy
      initialization to adalimumab or MTX monotherapy initialization during the open
      label extension (OLE) of the PREMIER trial (ClinicalTrials.gov
      Identifier:NCT00195663). METHODS: Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
      were randomized to receive blinded adalimumab + MTX, adalimumab alone, or MTX
      alone for 2 years. Following the double-blinded period, patients enrolling in the
      OLE were given adalimumab for up to 8 additional years, beginning as monotherapy;
      investigators could add MTX at their discretion. Results for clinical,
      functional, and radiographic progression were collected for up to 10 years of
      treatment. RESULTS: During the PREMIER OLE, 250/497 patients (50.3%) completed
      the trial without new safety signals arising. Similar proportions of patients
      discontinued the trial early, although lack of efficacy was reported less often
      for patients initially randomized to the adalimumab + MTX arm (9.3%; 21.2%, and
      23.7% for adalimumab and MTX monotherapies, respectively). Clinical and
      functional disease control was maintained throughout the trial. Patients
      initially randomized to adalimumab + MTX displayed better outcomes, particularly
      in prevention of radiographic progression (modified total Sharp score change =
      4.0, 8.8, 11.0 at Year 10 for the initial adalimumab + MTX, adalimumab, and MTX
      arms, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intensive therapy with adalimumab + MTX
      combination in patients with early RA has longterm benefits compared to patients
      initiating with 2-year adalimumab or MTX monotherapy that persists up to 10 years
      following adalimumab OLE. No new safety findings were observed following longterm
      adalimumab treatment.

PMID- 24241488
TI  - Patient- versus physician-reporting of symptoms and health status in chronic
      myeloid leukemia.
AB  - The main objective of this study was to compare the reporting of health status
      and symptom severity, for a set of core symptoms related to imatinib therapy,
      between chronic myeloid leukemia patients and their treating physicians. Patients
      were asked to complete a questionnaire including questions on symptom severity
      and health status. The symptoms assessed were: abdominal discomfort, diarrhea,
      edema, fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, musculoskeletal pain, nausea and skin
      problems. The physicians were asked to complete a questionnaire for each of their
      patients entering the study. Four hundred twenty-two patients were included in
      the study. All respective paired physicians (n=29) completed the questionnaire,
      and thus the analyses are based on 422 patient-physician dyads. Agreement on
      symptom ratings ranged from 34% (for muscle cramps) to 66% (for nausea). For all
      symptoms, patients reported higher severity more often than their physicians. The
      three symptoms whose severity was most frequently underestimated by physicians
      were fatigue (51%), muscle cramps (49%) and musculoskeletal pain (42%). Health
      status was overestimated by physicians in 67% of the cases. Physicians and their
      patients with chronic myeloid leukemia often disagree in their ratings of the
      patients' symptom severity. Most typically, physicians tend to underestimate
      symptom severity and overestimate the overall health status of their patients.
      Current findings support the use of patient-reported outcome measures as a
      possible means to enhance the management of patients with chronic myeloid
      leukemia. 

PMID- 24241489
TI  - Pre-transplant prognostic factors of long-term survival after allogeneic
      peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with matched related/unrelated donors.
AB  - Mobilized peripheral blood has become the predominant stem cell source for
      allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. In this retrospective single
      center study of 442 patients with hematologic malignancies, we analyzed
      prognostic factors for long-term survival after peripheral blood stem cell
      transplantation from HLA-matched related or unrelated donors. To account for
      disease/status heterogeneity, patients were risk-stratified according to the
      Disease Risk Index. Five-year overall survival was similar after transplants with
      matched related and unrelated donors (45% and 46%, respectively; P=0.49). Because
      donor age >=60 years impacted outcome during model building, we further
      considered 3 groups of donors: matched unrelated (aged <60 years by definition),
      matched related aged <60 years and matched related aged >=60 years. In
      multivariate analysis, the donor type/age group and the graft CD34(+) and CD3(+)
      cell doses impacted long-term survival. Compared with matched unrelated donor
      transplant, transplant from matched related donor <60 years resulted in similar
      long-term survival (P=0.67) while transplant from matched related donor >=60
      years was associated with higher risks for late mortality (hazard ratio (HR)
      4.41; P=0.006) and treatment failure (HR: 6.33; P=0.009). Lower mortality risks
      were observed after transplant with CD34(+) cell dose more than 4.5*10(6)/kg (HR:
      0.56; P=0.002) and CD3(+) cell dose more than 3*10(8)/kg (HR: 0.61; P=0.01). The
      Disease Risk Index failed to predict survival. We built an "adapted Disease Risk
      Index" by modifying risks for myeloproliferative neoplasms and multiple myeloma
      that improved stratification ability for progression-free survival (P=0.04) but
      not for overall survival (P=0.82). 

PMID- 24241490
TI  - Copy number genome alterations are associated with treatment response and outcome
      in relapsed childhood ETV6/RUNX1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - The clinical heterogeneity among first relapses of childhood ETV6/RUNX1-positive
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia indicates that further genetic alterations in
      leukemic cells might affect the course of salvage therapy and be of prognostic
      relevance. To assess the incidence and prognostic relevance of additional copy
      number alterations at relapse of the disease, we performed whole genome array
      comparative genomic hybridization of leukemic cell DNA from 51 patients with
      first ETV6/RUNX1-positive relapse enrolled in and treated according to the
      relapse trials ALL-REZ of the Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster Study Group. Within this
      cohort of patients with relapsed ETV6/RUNX1-positive acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia, the largest analyzed for genome wide DNA copy number alterations to
      date, alterations were present in every ETV6/RUNX1-positive relapse and a high
      proportion of them occurred in recurrent overlapping chromosomal regions.
      Recurrent losses affected chromosomal regions 12p13, 6q21, 15q15.1, 9p21, 3p21,
      5q and 3p14.2, whereas gains occurred in regions 21q22 and 12p. Loss of 12p13
      including CDKN1B was associated with a shorter remission duration (P=0.009) and a
      lower probability of event-free survival (P=0.001). Distribution of X-chromosomal
      copy number alterations was gender-specific: whole X-chromosome loss occurred
      exclusively in females, gain of Xq only in males. Loss of the glucocorticoid
      receptor gene NR3C1 (5q31.3) was associated with a poor response to induction
      treatment (P=0.003), possibly accounting for the adverse prognosis of some of the
      ETV6/RUNX1-positive relapses. 

PMID- 24241491
TI  - Quality of life associated with sirolimus for prevention of graft-versus-host
      disease: results from a randomized trial.
AB  - Several studies have examined sirolimus-based immune suppression for the
      prevention of graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell
      transplantation, but little is known regarding its effects on quality of life.
      The current study reports on changes in quality of life to Day 360 in a
      randomized phase II trial of sirolimus and tacrolimus versus methotrexate and
      tacrolimus. Quality of life was assessed prior to transplant and on Days 30, 90,
      180, 270, and 360 with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Bone Marrow
      Transplant Trial Outcome Index. Random effects models examined the effects of
      study arm on change in Trial Outcome Index scores from Day 30 to 360, controlling
      for base-line Trial Outcome Index. The sirolimus/tacrolimus arm (n=37) showed
      less improvement in Trial Outcome Index scores over time compared to the
      methotrexate/tacrolimus arm (n=34) (P=0.02). Patients receiving sirolimus and
      tacrolimus were more likely to endorse nausea and a lack of energy over time
      (PS<=0.01). These data suggest that sirolimus-based immune suppression is
      associated with less improvement in quality of life in the first year post
      transplant compared to methotrexate/tacrolimus. Quality of life differences may
      be due to increased fatigue and nausea in patients treated with sirolimus. These
      findings should be considered in the clinical management of patients treated with
      sirolimus. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:00803010). 

PMID- 24241492
TI  - Persistence of circulating ADAMTS13-specific immune complexes in patients with
      acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
AB  - Anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies are the main cause of acquired thrombotic
      thrombocytopenic purpura. Binding of these antibodies to ADAMTS13 eventually
      results in the formation of antigen-antibody immune complexes. Circulating
      ADAMTS13-specific immune complexes have been described in patients with acquired
      thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, although the prevalence and persistence of
      these immune complexes over time have hitherto remained elusive. Here, we
      analyzed a large cohort of patients with acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic
      purpura for the presence of free and complexed anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies. In the
      acute phase (n=68), 100% of patients had free IgG antibodies and 97% had ADAMTS13
      specific immune complexes. In remission (n=28), 75% of patients had free
      antibodies (mainly IgG) and 93% had ADAMTS13-specific immune complexes. Free
      antibodies were mainly of subclasses IgG1 and IgG4, whereas IgG4 was by far the
      most prevalent in ADAMTS13-specific immune complexes. Comparison of ADAMTS13
      inhibitor and anti-ADAMTS13 IgG (total and subclasses) antibody titers in acute
      phase and in remission samples showed a statistically significant decrease in all
      parameters in remission. Although non-significant, a trend towards reduced or
      undetectable titers in remission was also observed for ADAMTS13-specific immune
      complexes of subclasses IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3. No such trend was discernible for
      IgG4; IgG4 immune complexes persisted over years, even in patients who had been
      treated with rituximab and who showed no features suggesting relapse. 

PMID- 24241493
TI  - Intentional donor lymphocyte-induced limited acute graft-versus-host disease is
      essential for long-term survival of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia after
      allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - The prognosis of patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic
      transplantation is poor. We hypothesized that initial disease control by
      effective cytoreduction, followed by rapid induction of a profound allo-immune
      response by donor-lymphocyte infusion during the neutropenic phase, is essential
      for long-term survival. Additional interferon-alpha was administered when no
      acute graft-versus-host-disease occurred within 3 weeks after donor-lymphocyte
      infusion. Overall, 44 patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia were
      assessed; 26 had relapsed after myeloablative conditioning and 18 after reduced
      intensity conditioning. Of these 44 patients, seven were not eligible for
      cytoreductive treatment because of poor performance status (n=3) or severe graft
      versus-host-disease (n=4) at the time of relapse. Patients with smoldering
      relapses (n=5) received donor-lymphocyte infusion only. Thirty-two patients
      received cytoreductive treatment, followed by donor-lymphocyte infusion in 22
      patients. Reasons for not receiving donor-lymphocyte infusion were chemotherapy
      related death (n=1) and chemotherapy-refractory disease (n=9). The 2-year overall
      survival rate after donor-lymphocyte infusion was 36% (95% confidence-interval:
      16-57%). The impact of acute graft-versus-host-disease on survival was calculated
      with a Cox-regression model including onset of acute graft-versus-host-disease as
      a time-dependent variable. Development of grade 1-3, but not grade 4, acute graft
      versus-host-disease was associated with superior survival as compared to absence
      of graft-versus-host-disease (hazard ratio 0.22, P=0.03). In conclusion,
      efficient cytoreduction followed by donor-lymphocyte infusion and subsequent
      interferon-alpha leading to limited acute graft-versus-host-disease represents a
      potentially curative option for patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia
      after allogeneic transplantation. 

PMID- 24241494
TI  - Circulating serum microRNAs as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for
      multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
AB  - Multiple myeloma still remains incurable in the majority of cases prompting a
      further search for new and better prognostic markers. Emerging evidence has
      suggested that circulating microRNAs can serve as minimally invasive biomarkers
      for multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. In
      this study, a global analysis of serum microRNAs by TaqMan Low Density Arrays was
      performed, followed by quantitative real-time PCR. The analyses revealed five
      deregulated microRNAs: miR-744, miR-130a, miR-34a, let-7d and let-7e in
      monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, newly diagnosed and relapsed
      multiple myeloma when compared to healthy donors. Multivariate logistical
      regression analysis showed that a combination of miR-34a and let-7e can
      distinguish multiple myeloma from healthy donors with a sensitivity of 80.6% and
      a specificity of 86.7%, and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
      from healthy donors with a sensitivity of 91.1% and a specificity of 96.7%.
      Furthermore, lower levels of miR-744 and let-7e were associated with shorter
      overall survival and remission of myeloma patients. One-year mortality rates for
      miR-744 and let-7e were 41.9% and 34.6% for the 'low' expression and 3.3% and
      3.9% for the 'high' expression groups, respectively. Median time of remission for
      both miR-744 and let-7e was approximately 11 months for the 'low' expression and
      approximately 47 months for the 'high' expression groups of myeloma patients
      These data demonstrate that expression patterns of circulating microRNAs are
      altered in multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined
      significance and miR-744 with let-7e are associated with survival of myeloma
      patients. 

PMID- 24241496
TI  - Simultaneous Soft Sensing of Tissue Contact Angle and Force for Millimeter-scale
      Medical Robots.
AB  - A novel robotic sensor is proposed to measure both the contact angle and the
      force acting between the tip of a surgical robot and soft tissue. The sensor is
      manufactured using a planar lithography process that generates microchannels that
      are subsequently filled with a conductive liquid. The planar geometry is then
      molded onto a hemispherical plastic scaffolding in a geometric configuration
      enabling estimation of the contact angle (angle between robot tip tangent and
      tissue surface normal) by the rotation of the sensor around its roll axis.
      Contact force can also be estimated by monitoring the changes in resistance in
      each microchannel. Bench top experimental results indicate that, on average, the
      sensor can estimate the angle of contact to within +/-2 degrees  and the contact
      force to within +/-5.3 g.

PMID- 24241495
TI  - The effect of iron loading and iron chelation on the innate immune response and
      subclinical organ injury during human endotoxemia: a randomized trial.
AB  - In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 30 healthy
      male volunteers we investigated the acute effects of iron loading (single dose of
      1.25 mg/kg iron sucrose) and iron chelation therapy (single dose of 30 mg/kg
      deferasirox) on iron parameters, oxidative stress, the innate immune response,
      and subclinical organ injury during experimental human endotoxemia. The
      administration of iron sucrose induced a profound increase in plasma
      malondialdehyde 1 h after administration (433+/-37% of baseline; P<0.0001), but
      did not potentiate the endotoxemia-induced increase in malondialdehyde, as was
      seen 3 h after endotoxin administration in the placebo group (P=0.34) and the
      iron chelation group (P=0.008). Endotoxemia resulted in an initial increase in
      serum iron levels and transferrin saturation that was accompanied by an increase
      in labile plasma iron, especially when transferrin saturation reached levels
      above 90%. Thereafter, serum iron decreased to 51.6+/-9.7% of baseline at T=8 h
      in the placebo group versus 84+/-15% and 60.4+/-8.9% of baseline at 24 h in the
      groups treated with iron sucrose and deferasirox, respectively. No significant
      differences in the endotoxemia-induced cytokine response (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10
      and IL-1RA), subclinical vascular injury and kidney injury were observed between
      groups. However, vascular reactivity to noradrenalin was impaired in the 6
      subjects in whom labile plasma iron was elevated during endotoxemia as opposed to
      those in whom no labile plasma iron was detected (P=0.029). In conclusion, a
      single dose of iron sucrose does not affect the innate immune response in a model
      of experimental human endotoxemia, but may impair vascular reactivity when labile
      plasma iron is formed. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:01349699). 

PMID- 24241497
TI  - Available and affordable mental healthcare.

PMID- 24241499
TI  - Mental health practitioners' use and attitudes regarding the Internet and social
      media.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Internet-based technologies, such as email and social media, are being
      increasingly used by mental health providers. The authors created a survey to
      better understand mental health providers' practices and attitudes regarding
      these platforms. METHODS: Psychiatrists and psychologists at Columbia and the New
      York State Psychiatric Institute completed a 24-item multiple choice and free
      text survey about their use of and attitudes toward Internet technologies.
      RESULTS: One hundred and thirty faculty responded to the survey: 70% percent of
      respondents reported that they were somewhat or more familiar with social media;
      20% reported that they sometimes or often searched for information about their
      patients online; and 60% said that searching for patients online could have a
      positive role in ongoing psychiatric care. Respondents with fewer years of
      practice were significantly more likely to use Facebook/Google Plus, texting, and
      instant messenger in their personal lives, while those with more years of
      practice were more likely to use Skype professionally. Practitioners who worked
      in hospital settings were more likely to search online for information about
      their patients. Practitioners working in outpatient clinics, private practices,
      and research settings were more likely to use websites, email, and Skype in their
      practices. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health care professionals are starting to
      incorporate Internet technologies into their professional lives, but they remain
      divided on the ethics and utility of using these technologies in clinical care.
      There appear to be differences in practices and attitudes toward the Internet
      among clinicians with different levels of experience and in different practice
      settings.

PMID- 24241498
TI  - Perinatal antidepressant use: understanding women's preferences and concerns.
AB  - Perinatal depression is prevalent and linked with a host of adverse consequences
      for women and newborns. Rates of engagement in depression treatment are, however,
      strikingly low among pregnant and postpartum women, with the majority of affected
      women receiving no mental health treatment. Research indicates that perinatal
      women are extremely reluctant to take antidepressant medications, yet the nature
      of women's concerns and treatment decision- making patterns have not been well
      documented. Developing a clearer understanding of women's treatment preferences
      and behaviors may help identify solutions to the under-treatment of perinatal
      depression. In this mixed methods study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 61
      pregnant women, approximately half of whom were experiencing clinical levels of
      depression. In addition to assessing psychiatric diagnoses, symptoms, and
      functional impairment, we conducted qualitative interviews addressing women's
      preferences for depression treatment, concerns, and decision-making patterns.
      Consistent with prior reports, women were significantly more likely to voice a
      preference for non-pharmacologic depression treatments, as opposed to
      antidepressant medications. Many depressed women reported a great degree of
      uncertainty regarding how to treat their depression, and those with more severe
      depression symptoms were more likely to endorse decisional conflict. Analysis of
      qualitative comments yielded detailed information about the nature of women's
      concerns and preferences related to use of antidepressant medications and other
      aspects of treatment engagement. We discuss findings in the context of improving
      patient-centered care for perinatal depression.

PMID- 24241501
TI  - Can personality traits predict the future development of heart disease in
      hospitalized psychiatric veterans?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine which personality traits are associated with the new onset
      of chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) in psychiatric inpatients within 16 years
      after their initial evaluation. We theorized that personality measures of
      depression, anxiety, hostility, social isolation, and substance abuse would
      predict CHD development in psychiatric inpatients. METHOD: We used a longitudinal
      database of psychological test data from 349 Veterans first admitted to a
      psychiatric unit between October 1, 1983, and September 30, 1987. Veterans
      Affairs and national databases were assessed to determine the development of new
      onset chronic CHD over the intervening 16-year period. RESULTS: New-onset CHD
      developed in 154 of the 349 (44.1%) subjects. Thirty-one psychometric variables
      from five personality tests significantly predicted the development of CHD. We
      performed a factor analysis of these variables because they overlapped and four
      factors emerged, with positive adaptive functioning the only significant factor
      (OR=0.798, p=0.038). CONCLUSION: These results support previous research linking
      personality traits to the development of CHD, extending this association to a
      population of psychiatric inpatients. Compilation of these personality measures
      showed that 31 overlapping psychometric variables predicted those Veterans who
      developed a diagnosis of heart disease within 16 years after their initial
      psychiatric hospitalization. Our results suggest that personality variables
      measuring positive adaptive functioning are associated with a reduced risk of
      developing chronic CHD.

PMID- 24241502
TI  - Outliers on the dose-response curve: if the problem is not concentration, then
      what?
AB  - This column addresses the two primary reasons some patients do not respond as
      usual to a medication. Such patients may not benefit either because they are
      uniquely sensitive to the adverse effects of the drug and/or because the drug
      does not work on the correct mechanism of action to treat the illness. This
      column explains and reviews these concepts and provides a rationale for using
      such information prospectively to increase the likelihood of an optimal outcome
      with the prescribed treatment.

PMID- 24241500
TI  - Use of mental health services in transition age youth with bipolar disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There is concern that treatment of serious mental illness in the
      United States declines precipitously following legal emancipation at age 18 years
      and transition from specialty youth clinical settings. We examined age transition
      effects on treatment utilization in a sample of youth with bipolar disorder.
      METHODS: Youth with bipolar disorder (N=413) 7-18 years of age were assessed
      approximately twice per year (mean interval 8.2 months) for at least 4 years.
      Annual use of any individual, group, and family therapy, psychopharmacology
      visits, and hospitalization at each year of age, and monthly use from ages 17
      through 19 years, were examined. The effect of age transition to 18 years on
      monthly visit probability was tested in the subsample with observed transitions
      (n=204). Putative sociodemographic moderators and the influence of clinical
      course were assessed. RESULTS: Visit probabilities for the most common modalities
      psychopharmacology, individual psychotherapy, and home-based care- generally fell
      from childhood to young adulthood. For example, the annual probability of at
      least one psychopharmacology visit was 97% at age 8, 75% at age 17, 60% at age
      19, and 46% by age 22. Treatment probabilities fell in transitionage youth from
      age 17 through 19, but a specific transition effect at age 18 was not found.
      Declines did not vary based on sociodemographic characteristics and were not
      explained by changing severity of the bipolar illness or functioning.
      CONCLUSIONS: Mental health treatment declined with age in this sample of youth
      with bipolar disorder, but reductions were not concentrated during or after the
      transition to age 18 years. Declines were unrelated to symptom severity or
      impairment.

PMID- 24241503
TI  - Psyche--the meeting of mind and soul: current psychoanalytic views on the mental
      representation of god.
AB  - The author presents an overview of two contemporary, related psychoanalytic
      perspectives on religious phenomena. Based on data from systematic interviews,
      Ana-Maria Rizzuto explores the way the human mind forms the idea of God as it
      evolves through the various stages of childhood and adult development. The object
      representation of God is greatly influenced by the mental representations of
      mother, father, and other important adults in the child's life. Object relations
      theory and the writings of Winnicott play an important role in these concepts.
      William Meissner, a Jesuit priest as well as a psychoanalyst, addresses Freud's
      views of religious belief as an illusion, or when accepted with certainty as
      real, as a delusion. Instead, Meissner sees religious belief as a developmental
      process that resides in the mental realm of transitional phenomena where
      spirituality, creativity, appreciation of beauty, transcendental states, play,
      and the psychoanalytic process itself also take place. In psychoanalytic
      treatment, religious phenomena are not exempt from exploration and understanding,
      perhaps resulting in more mature development of object representations, ego
      functions, and the superego functions of conscience and ego ideal as well as more
      mature religious life.

PMID- 24241504
TI  - Frontotemporal dementia mimicking bipolar disorder.
AB  - Frontotemporal dementia is a cause of behavioral disturbance that usually appears
      in individuals between 45 and 65 years of age. The authors present the case of a
      65-year-old patient that illustrates how frontotemporal dementia can be
      misdiagnosed based on a behavioral pattern that suggests the presence of a
      primary mood disorder. Early accurate diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and
      subsequent supportive measures can allow patients and families to make important
      decisions about business and legal affairs and how to spend remaining leisure
      time in the most meaningful and enjoyable way possible.

PMID- 24241505
TI  - Undiagnosed normal pressure hydrocephalus as a cause of diagnostic difficulties
      in a patient with depression.
AB  - Normal pressure hydrocephalus is characterized by gait disturbance, urinary
      incontinence, cognitive impairment, and the finding of ventriculomegaly in
      imaging studies. It is one of the causes of potentially reversible dementia. The
      authors present the case of a patient with depression complicated by
      hydrocephalus. The combination of symptoms led to a delay in proper diagnosis and
      treatment.

PMID- 24241506
TI  - Commentary on cognitive and psychiatric symptoms associated with normal pressure
      hydrocephalus and frontotemporal dementia.
AB  - Normal pressure hydrocephalus, a reversible cause of dementia, and frontotemporal
      dementia, an irreversible process, may present with or complicate psychiatric
      illness. Recognition of these neurological disorders in patients presenting with
      behavioral symptoms affects key treatment decisions and prognosis.

PMID- 24241508
TI  - Effect of a stroke-specific follow-up care model on the quality of life of stroke
      patients and caregivers: A controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a stroke-specific follow-up care
      model on quality of life for stroke patients, being discharged home, and their
      caregivers. DESIGN: A non-randomized, controlled trial, comparing an intervention
      group with a control group (usual care). SUBJECTS: Stroke patients and their
      caregivers. METHODS: Intervention involved 5 home visits by a stroke care
      coordinator over a period of 18 months, using a structured assessment tool.
      Outcome measures were conducted at baseline (T0) and every 6 months thereafter
      (T6, T12 and T18) in the domains of quality of life (primary), activities of
      daily living, social activities, depression, anxiety and caregiver strain.
      RESULTS: The intervention group (n = 62) had significantly increased its social
      activities after 18 months, whereas the control group (n = 55) showed
      significantly decreased levels of social activities. In the first 6 months,
      levels of depression decreased significantly in caregivers of the intervention
      group. No differences were found for quality of life and the other outcome
      measures. CONCLUSION: The intervention was not effective in improving quality of
      life, but was effective in improving levels of social activities. The
      intervention may have focussed too much on screening for stroke-related problems
      and not as much on adequate follow-up care and referral.

PMID- 24241507
TI  - Rare variants in LRRK1 and Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Approximately 20 % of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) report a positive
      family history. Yet, a large portion of causal and disease-modifying variants is
      still unknown. We used exome sequencing in two affected individuals from a family
      with late-onset PD to identify 15 potentially causal variants. Segregation
      analysis and frequency assessment in 862 PD cases and 1,014 ethnically matched
      controls highlighted variants in EEF1D and LRRK1 as the best candidates. Mutation
      screening of the coding regions of these genes in 862 cases and 1,014 controls
      revealed several novel non-synonymous variants in both genes in cases and
      controls. An in silico multi-model bioinformatics analysis was used to prioritize
      identified variants in LRRK1 for functional follow-up. However, protein
      expression, subcellular localization, and cell viability were not affected by the
      identified variants. Although it has yet to be proven conclusively that variants
      in LRRK1 are indeed causative of PD, our data strengthen a possible role for
      LRRK1 in addition to LRRK2 in the genetic underpinnings of PD but, at the same
      time, highlight the difficulties encountered in the study of rare variants
      identified by next-generation sequencing in diseases with autosomal dominant or
      complex patterns of inheritance. 

PMID- 24241509
TI  - Exocytosis in non-plasmolyzed and plasmolyzed tobacco pollen tubes : A freeze
      fracture study.
AB  - Exocytosis occurring during deposition of secondary wall material was studied by
      freeze-fracturing ultrarapidly frozen non-plasmolyzed and plasmolyzed tobacco
      pollen tubes. The secondary wall of tobacco pollen tubes shows a random
      orientation of microfibrils. This was observed directly on fractures through the
      tube wall and indirectly as imprints of microfibrils on fracture faces of the
      plasma membrane of non-plasmolyzed tubes. About half of the plasmatic fracture
      faces from non-plasmolyzed and plasmolyzed pollen tubes carried hexagonal arrays
      of intramembraneous particles in between randomly distributed particles.
      Deposition of secondary wall material was often accompanied by an undulated
      plasma membrane and the presence of membrane-bound vesicles in invaginations of
      the plasma membrane, between the plasma membrane and secondary wall and
      especially in plasmolyzed tubes-within the secondary wall of tube flanks and wall
      cap. The findings are discussed in connection with published schemes of membrane
      behaviour during exocytosis. 

PMID- 24241510
TI  - The role of bacterial attachment in the transformation of cell-wall-regenerating
      tobacco protoplasts by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
AB  - The presence of a newly formed primary cell wall was shown to be required for
      attachment and subsequent transformation of tobacco leaf protoplasts by
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens in cocultivation experiments. In these experiments both
      protoplasts at different stages after their isolation and cell-wall inhibitors
      were used. The specificity of Agrobacterium attachment was shown by using other
      kinds of bacteria that did not attach. By diminishing the concentration of
      divalent cations using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, neither attachment nor
      transformation was found; however, when more specifically the Ca(2+)concentration
      was lowered by ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic
      acid, both phenomena occurred. Commercial lectins had no effect on binding, but
      this observation does not exclude the involvement of other lectins. Protoplasts
      isolated from various crown-gall callus tissues also developed binding sites, but
      when they were at the stage of dividing cells, attachment of agrobacteria was no
      longer observed. In this respect, cells from protoplasts of normal tobacco leaves
      behaved differently. Even 16 d after protoplast isolation, the dividing cells
      were still able to bind A. tumefaciens, while transformation was not detected.
      For transformation of 3-d-old tobacco protoplasts, a minimal co-cultivation
      period of 24 h was required, while optimal attachment took place within 5 h. It
      is concluded that the primary cell wall was sufficiently well formed that certain
      functional receptor molecules were available for attachment of Agrobacterium as
      the first step of a multistep process leading to the transformation of cells. The
      expression of bacterial functions required for attachment, moreover, was
      independent of the presence of Ti-plasmid. 

PMID- 24241511
TI  - Cortical microtubular lattices: Absent from mature mesophyll and necessary for
      cell division?
AB  - Using immunofluorescence microscopy, the cortical microtubular net which is
      regularly present in cells of young, growing tissue is shown to be absent, or
      largely reduced, in mature mesophyll cells of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv., N.
      tabacum L., Petunia hybrida Hort. and Brassica napus L. The onset of division in
      protoplasts isolated from these fully differentiated tissues is preceded by a
      period of dedifferentiation. One of the early events during dedifferentiation, as
      shown for N. plumbaginifolia, is the re-establishment of a net of cortical
      microtubules, prior to spindle formation. These findings indicate that the
      presence of the cortical microtubular lattice is a prerequisite for protoplast
      division. Cell-wall regeneration, which also must precede division, occurs
      simultaneously with the formation of the lattice. However, the cortical
      microtubules seem to not exert any influence on the orientation of the
      microfibrils. 

PMID- 24241512
TI  - The control of seed germination in Trollius ledebouri: The breaking of dormancy.
AB  - Seeds of Trollius ledebouri exhibit low germination when maintained on moistened
      filter paper. Dormancy can be overcome by the application of gibberellins A4+A7
      or by testa removal. Germination is characterised by a change in the anatomy of
      the seed and by specific alterations in the protein complement of the endosperm
      tissue. These anatomical and biochemical changes are also exhibited by isolated
      endosperm tissue maintained in the absence of the embryo. The observations
      described are discussed in relation to the interaction between the endosperm and
      the embryo in the control of seed germination in T. ledebouri. 

PMID- 24241513
TI  - The control of seed germination in Trollius ledebouri A model of seed dormancy.
AB  - Treatment of Trollius ledebouri seeds with gibberellins A4+A7 promotes
      germination. The efficacy of the treatment is dependent upon the duration of
      imbibition in distilled water prior to GA4+7 application. 'Presoaking' increases
      both the final percentage germination attained and also its rate of achievement.
      No presoaking effect is exhibited by seeds induced to germinate by testa removal
      in the absence of GA4+7. Active washing of Trollius seeds enhances the presoaking
      effect and the eluent from washed seeds is inhibitory to germination. The results
      support the hypothesis that the presoaking effect exhibited by Trollius is the
      result of the leaching of a germination inhibitor from the seeds which is
      antagonistic to GA4+7. Additionally, treatment of Trollius seeds with the
      gibberellin-biosynthesis inhibitor (2-chloroethyl)-trimethylammonium chloride
      (CCC) prior to testa removal retards germination. The inhibitory effect of CCC on
      germination is overcome by GA4+7. Although CCC inhibits embryo growth during the
      presoaking of intact seeds, it does not affect the increased sensitivity of
      presoaked seeds to GA4+7. Therefore, although endogenous gibberellins may be
      involved in the germination process, they do not contribute to the presoaking
      phenomenon. The expansion of isolated endosperm tissue is not affected by CCC.
      However, the chemical markedly inhibits endosperm expansion in intact seeds and
      implicates the embryo as both the site of production of the germination inhibitor
      and of gibberellin. These results are discussed in relation to previous studies
      and a model is presented to account for the characteristics of germination in
      Trollius. 

PMID- 24241514
TI  - Immuno-gold localization of glutamine synthetase in a nitrogen-fixing
      cyanobacterium (Anabaena cylindrica).
AB  - Localization of glutamine synthetase in thin sections of nitrogen-fixing Anabaena
      cylindrica was performed using immuno-gold/transmission electronmicroscopy. The
      enzyme was present in all of the three cell types possible; vegetative cells,
      heterocysts and akinetes. The specific gold label was always more pronounced in
      heterocysts compared with vegetative cells, and showed a uniform distribution in
      all three types. No specific label was associated with subcellular inclusions
      such as carboxysomes, cyanophycin granules and polyphosphate granules. When anti
      glutamine synthetase antiserum was omitted, no label was observed. 

PMID- 24241515
TI  - Water droplets in intercellular spaces of barley leaves examined by low
      temperature scanning electron microscopy.
AB  - Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy was used to examine fracture faces
      in leaf blades taken from well-watered or drought-stressed barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L. cv. Mazurka) seedlings. The leaf blades were freeze-fixed while
      hydrated and were examined with or without gold-coating. There were 'droplets'
      (with a smooth surface at the resolution achieved) on the surface of cell walls
      in leaf blades (0.91 g(-1) water content) from well-watered seedlings grown in an
      environment of 67% relative humidity. These were mainly on the vascular bundle
      sheath, the guard and subsidiary cells, and on some mesophyll cells around the
      substomatal cavity and between the stoma and vascular bundle. The droplets
      occurred, more abundantly, in the same places in seedlings from 100% relative
      humidity. They occurred on a few guard cells from wilting leaf blades (0.81 g.g(
      1) water content) and were absent from severely drought-stressed leaf blades
      (0.15 g.g(-1) water content). The droplets sublimed at the same moment as both
      water which was in leaf cells and water which was allowed to condense (after
      freeze-fixation) on the wall surface. It is suggested that the droplets are
      aqueous. Their possible origin and importance is discussed. 

PMID- 24241516
TI  - Effects of external pH, fusicoccin and butyrate on the cytoplasmic pH in barley
      root tips measured by (31)P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
AB  - (31)P-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure the cytoplasmic
      pH (pHc) in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) root tips. As the external pH was raised
      from 4-10, pHc was found to increase from 7.44 to 7.75. The sensitivity of pHc to
      changes in external pH decreased with increasing external pH. Metabolic
      inhibition by sodium azide caused pHc to fall by 0.3 units. Addition of 10 mM
      butyrate resulted in a gradual decline in pHc, by approx. 0.3 units over 90 min.
      At a concentration of 1 mM, butyrate had no effect on pHc even after 2 h.
      Fusicoccin caused pHc to rise by 0.1-0.2 units. In maize (Zea mays L.) root tips,
      pHc was shown to have a similar sensitivity to fusicoccin. The results are
      discussed in relation to the regulation of pHc and the possible role of pHc in
      determining transmembrane electrical potential differences. 

PMID- 24241517
TI  - Evidence for phytochrome involvement in light-mediated stomatal movement in
      Phaseolus vulgaris L.
AB  - Observations made with primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. demonstrated that
      phytochrome modulates light-induced stomatal movement. Removal of the far-red
      absorbing form of the pigment (Pfr) with far-red (FR) radiation decreased the
      time required by the stomata to reach maximal opening following a dark-to-light
      transition; this effect of FR was fully reversible with red. Removal of Pfr with
      FR also decreased the time required to reach maximal closure following a light-to
      dark transition, and the rate of closure was dependent on the final irradiation
      treatment before darkness. No evidence was found for phytochrome involvement in
      determining stomatal aperture under constant conditions of either darkness of
      light. 

PMID- 24241518
TI  - A comparative study of metabolite levels in plant leaf material in the dark.
AB  - Metabolite levels have been compared in the dark and during photosynthesis in
      leaves and protoplasts from spinach, pea, wheat and barley. In protoplasts the
      subcellular distribution was also studied. The levels of triose phosphates and
      sugar bisphosphates were high in the light and low in the dark. The hexose
      phosphates and 3-phosphoglycerate levels in the dark were very variable depending
      on the plant material. In most conditions, hexose phosphates and triose
      phosphates were mainly in the extrachloroplast compartment, while 3
      phosphoglycerate and the sugar bisphosphates were mainly in the chloroplast
      compartment. Leaves always had a very low triose phosphate: 3-phosphoglycerate
      ratio in the dark, but in protoplasts this ratio was higher. Detailed studies
      with spinach showed that metabolite levels were very dependent on the
      availability of carbohydrate in the leaf, particularly starch. Starch
      mobilisation is not controlled just by the availability of inorganic phosphate
      and accumulation of phosphorylated intermediates. Hydrolysis of starch may
      provide precursors for sucrose synthesis while phosphorolysis leads to provision
      of substrates for respiration. Starch breakdown generates high enough levels of
      hexose phosphate to support substantial rates of sucrose synthesis in the dark.
      Respiration is not greatly increased when metabolite levels are high during
      starch mobilisation. Higher levels of metabolites shorten the length of the
      induction phase of photosynthesis. 

PMID- 24241519
TI  - Circadian-clock control of protein synthesis and degradation in Gonyaulax
      polyedra.
AB  - In growing cultures of the dinoflagellate, Gonyaulax polyedra, total protein
      synthesis showed a circadian rhythm with a maximum during the phase of the cycle
      which corresponded to the previous darktime. The maximum coincided with the
      maximal phase shift of the glow rhythm caused by lower concentrations of the
      antibiotic anisomycin (Taylor, W., et al., 1982). J. Comp. Physiol. 148 B, 11-25.
      The dose reponses of inhibition of protein synthesis correlated well with the
      phase shifting by anisomycin. The amplitude and level of the total-protein
      synthesis rhythm increased with the growth rate, indicating that the majority of
      proteins controlled by the circadian clock were cell cycle-dependent. The
      degradation rate showed the same circadian rhythm as the synthesis rate. Slight
      variations in uptake and pool size of amino acids were not responsible for the
      rhythm in the protein-synthesis rate. 

PMID- 24241520
TI  - Photosynthate transport in stems of Phaseolus vulgaris L. treated with
      gibberellic acid, indole-3-acetic acid or kinetin. : Effects at the site of
      hormone application.
AB  - Gibberellic acid (GA3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or kinetin ((6)N
      furfurylaminopurine) applied to the apical regions of decapitated stems of
      derooted Phaseolus vulgaris plants, promoted (14)C-photosynthate transport to the
      site of hormone application. Hormonal promotion of acropetal photosynthate
      transport was associated with significant increases in the pool size of free
      space sugars at the hormone-treated region of the stem. The hormone-induced
      increases in the free-space pool size depended on continued phloem transport in
      the stem stumps while photosynthate leakage from the sink tissues of the stems
      was unaffected by the hormone treatments. On the basis of these observations, it
      is concluded that the increases in the pool size of sugars in the stem free-space
      results from hormonal action on processes that determine rates of sugar unloading
      from the sieve element-companion cell (se-cc) complexes. Furthermore, since
      loading of the se-cc complexes in the stem stumps was stimulated by GA3 and IAA
      and unaffected by kinetin applied at the loading site, hormonal effects on net
      unloading from the se-cc complexes must be caused by alterations in the efflux
      component. For winter-grown plants, it was found that predicted increases in
      sugar transfer through the stem free-space from the se-cc complexes to the sink
      tissues could account for the observed hormonal stimulation of photosynthate
      transport. In contrast, for summer-grown plants the higher sugar concentrations
      in the stem free-space of control plants approached saturation for the sugar
      accumulation process. This caused an attenuation of the responsiveness of sugar
      accumulation by the stem sink tissues to hormone-induced increases in the pool
      size of sugars in the stem free-space. On this basis it is proposed that the bulk
      of photosynthates may move radially from the se-cc complexes through the stem
      symplast of summer-grown plants. 

PMID- 24241521
TI  - Effects of drought on photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and
      photoinhibition susceptibility in intact willow leaves.
AB  - Plants from clonal cuttings of Salix sp. were subjected to a drying cycle of 10 d
      in a controlled environment. Gas exchange and fluorescence emission were measured
      on attached leaves. The light-saturated photosynthetic CO2 uptake became
      progressively inhibited with decreased leaf water potential both at high, and
      especially, at low intercellular CO2 pressure. The maximal quantum yield of CO2
      uptake was more resistant. The inhibition of light-saturated CO2 uptake at leaf
      water potentials around-10 bar, measured at a natural ambient CO2 concentration,
      was equally attributable to stomatal and non-stomatal factors, but the further
      inhibition below this water-stress level was caused solely by non-stomatal
      factors. The kinetics of fluorescence emission was changed at severe water
      stress; the slow secondary oscillations of the induction curve were attenuated,
      and this probably indicates perturbations in the carbon reduction cycle. The
      influence of light level during the drought period was also studied. Provided the
      leaves were properly light-acclimated, drought at high and low light levels
      produced essentially the same effects on photosynthesis. However, low-light
      acclimated leaves became more susceptible to photoinhibitory treatment under
      severe water stress, as compared with well-watered conditions. 

PMID- 24241522
TI  - Monoclonal antibodies to plant growth regulators. II. Indole-3-acetic acid.
AB  - The production and characterization of high-affinity monoclonal antibodies
      suitable for the radio- and enzymeimmunoassay of the endogenous plant growth
      regulator, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), is reported. Hybridomas were produced by
      fusion of NS 1 myeloma cells with spleen cells from Balb/c mice immunized with
      IAA-bovine serum albumin conjugates. From an initial collection of 158 wells
      containing cells secreting monoclonal antibodies against IAA, seven were used to
      derive cell clones. Three of these are described here. They secrete
      immunoglobulin (IgG2a or IgG2b) of high affinity and specificity for IAA methyl
      ester and can be used to quantite picogram amounts of this compound in plant
      extracts by radio- and enzymeimmunoassay. 

PMID- 24241523
TI  - Phosphoproteins and protein-kinase activity in isolated envelopes of pea (Pisum
      sativum L.) chloroplasts.
AB  - A protein kinase was found in envelope membranes of purified pea (Pisum sativum
      L.) chloroplasts. Separation of the two envelope membranes showed that most of
      the enzyme activity was localized in the outer envelope. The kinase was activated
      by Mg(2+) and inhibited by ADP and pyrophosphate. It showed no response to
      changes in pH in the physiological range (pH 7-8) or conventional protein
      substrates. Up to ten phosphorylated proteins could be detected in the envelope
      membrane fraction. The molecular weights of these proteins, as determined by
      polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis were: two proteins higher than 145 kDa, 97,
      86, 62, 55, 46, 34 and 14 kDa. The 86-kDa band being the most pronounced.
      Experiments with separated inner and outer envelopes showed that most labeled
      proteins are also localized in the outer-envelope fraction. The results indicate
      a major function of the outer envelope in the communication between the
      chloroplast and the parent cell. 

PMID- 24241524
TI  - Detoxification of N-(phosphonoacetyl)-L-aspartate by carrot cells in suspension
      culture.
AB  - In bacterial and mammalian cells, N-(phosphonoacetyl)-L-aspartate (PALA)
      suppresses growth by strongly inhibiting aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase; EC
      2.1.3.2), a key enzyme of the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway. At a concentration
      that would suppress growth in mammalian or bacterial cells, and that is nearly a
      million-fold greater than the inhibition constant (K i ) for ATCase in carrot
      (Daucus carota) seedling extracts, PALA does not suppress growth of carrot cells
      in suspension culture. To study this anomaly an assay based on the inhibition of
      wheat (Triticum vulgare) ATCase (K i =2 nM) was developed. Using this assay it
      was found that PALA is detoxified relatively rapidly by low inocula of carrot
      cells. The detoxification product accumulates in the extracellular fluid although
      the enzyme(s) responsible is intracellular or in the cell wall. The PALA
      detoxifying activity can be detected at all stages of the growth cycle in
      culture, but reaches a maximum early in the exponential phase of growth. Cells
      that were repeatedly subcultured into media initially containing 1 mM PALA had
      the same low level of ATCase activity as control cells; there was no evidence of
      the amplification of the gene for this enzyme, such as occurs in mammalian cells
      upon repeated exposure to the drug. 

PMID- 24241525
TI  - Changes in the levels of wheat- and barley-germ agglutinin during embryogenesis
      in vivo, in vitro and during germination.
AB  - Radioimmunoassay has been used to measure levels of wheat-germ agglutinin and
      barley-germ agglutinin during embryogenesis and germination. The two lectins
      exhibited similar patterns of accumulation during grain maturation in vivo and
      both decreased to low levels after imbibition of harvest-ripe grains for 3 d.
      Precocious germination of immature wheat and barley embryos excised and cultured
      in vitro could be prevented either by inclusion of abscisic acid or mannitol in
      the culture medium. Changes in the level of wheat-germ agglutinin induced by in
      vitro culture depended on the maturation stage of the embryo. No direct
      correlation was found between application of exogenous abscisic acid and
      accumulation of the lectin. 

PMID- 24241526
TI  - Photosynthesis and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in rice leaves
      from emergence through senescence. Quantitative analysis by
      carboxylation/oxygenation and regeneration of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate.
AB  - Changes in gas-exchange rates during the life span of the leaves of rice (Oryza
      sativa L.) were analyzed quantitatively by measuring changes in the
      carboxylation/oxygenation and regeneration of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) at
      photon fluence rates of 2000 (saturating) and 500 (subsaturating) MUmol quanta.m(
      2).s(-1) under ambient air conditions. The RuBP levels were always higher than
      the active-site concentrations of RuBP carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39), irrespective of
      the irradiance supplied. Analysis of the CO2-assimilation rate as a function of
      intercellular CO2 concentration indicated that RuBP regeneration does not limit
      CO2 assimilation. The estimated RuBP-carboxylase/oxygenase activity in vivo was
      linearly correlated to the rate of CO2 assimilation at each level of irradiance.
      This enzyme activity was just enough to account for the rate of CO2 assimilation
      at the saturating irradiance and was 35% more than the rate of CO2 assimilation
      at the subsaturating irradiance. Analysis of the assimilation rate at
      subsaturating irradiance as a function of intercellular CO2 concentration
      indicated that a limitation caused by enzyme activation comes into play. The
      results indicate that the rate of CO2 assimilation in rice leaves under ambient
      air conditions is limited during their entire life span by the RuBP
      carboxylation/oxygenation capacity. 

PMID- 24241527
TI  - Optimization of the biotransformation of L-tyrosine into L-dihydroxyphenylalanine
      (DOPA) by alginate-entrapped cells of Mucuna pruriens.
AB  - The optimization of the biotransformation of L-tyrosine into L
      dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), and of formyl-tyrosine into formyl-DOPA by
      alginate-entrapped cells of Mucuna pruriens is reported. This optimization is
      discussed in terms of parameters that are relevant for the entrapped cell system
      (charge of the beads with cells, bead diameter, permeation of the cells) and some
      parameters that are relevant for the enzymatic transformation (pH, pO2,
      concentration of ascorbate). The optimization experiments resulted in the
      description of a biotransformation system which operates at a constant redox
      potential. With this transformation system a transformation efficiency of 70%
      could be obtained, at a biotransformation-rate of 435 MUmol.h(-1).g(-1) (DW of
      cells) at a substrate concentration of 19 mM. 

PMID- 24241528
TI  - Cytokinin contents and specific characteristics of tissue strains from three
      sexual genotypes of Mercurialis annua : Evidence for sex-gene involvement at
      callus-tissue level.
AB  - Analyses of the endogenous cytokinin contents of established tissue strains of
      Mercurialis annua are reported. The strains were derived from three individuals
      (strong male, weak male, female), differing by one of the three genes determining
      sex. The data are compared with the endogenous cytokinins of male and female
      shoot apices. Tissue strains are characterized by the disappearance of natural
      cytokinin metabolites in the female; in both males, Delta(2)-isopentenyl
      adenosine and only trans-ribosylzeatin exist but in different quantities.
      Benzyladenine and ribosylbenzyladenine were identified in the three strains but
      the quantities also differed as a function of the genotype. The marked
      differences in cytokinin metabolism of tissue strains indicate that sex genes
      continue to function in the dedifferentiated state. Each strain also exhibited
      persistent morphological and histological characteristics, and a different
      sensitivity to the withdrawal of 2-4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or benzyladenine
      from the medium. Each had a specific and characteristic effect on the
      organogenesis of nodes cultivated in close proximity to callus pieces. These data
      complement the above results and show that sex genes act at the callus-tissue
      level. The possibility that these genes act at the early stages of embryogenesis
      of male and female individuals is also discussed. 

PMID- 24241529
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24241530
TI  - Reproductive phenology of a food-hoarding mast-seed consumer: resource- and
      density-dependent benefits of early breeding in red squirrels.
AB  - The production of offspring by vertebrates is often timed to coincide with the
      annual peak in resource availability. However, capital breeders can extend the
      energetic benefits of a resource pulse by storing food or fat, thus relaxing the
      need for synchrony between energy supply and demand. Food-hoarding red squirrels
      (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) breeding in the boreal forest are reliant on cones from
      a masting conifer for their nutrition, yet lactation is typically completed
      before the annual crop of cones is available for consumption such that peaks in
      energy supply and demand are not synchronized. We investigated the phenological
      response of red squirrels to annual variation in environmental conditions over a
      20-year span and examined how intra- and inter-annual variation in the timing of
      reproduction affected offspring recruitment. Reproductive phenology was strongly
      affected by past resource availability with offspring born earlier in years
      following large cone crops, presumably because this affected the amount of
      capital available for reproduction. Early breeders had higher offspring survival
      and were more likely to renest following early litter loss when population
      density was high, perhaps because late-born offspring are less competitive in
      obtaining a territory when vacancies are limited. Early breeders were also more
      likely to renest after successfully weaning their first litter, but renesting
      predominantly occurred during mast years. Because of their increased propensity
      to renest and the higher survival rates of their offspring, early breeders
      contribute more recruits to the population but the advantage of early breeding
      depends on population density and resource availability. 

PMID- 24241532
TI  - Duodenal-jejunal bypass and jejunectomy improve insulin sensitivity in Goto
      Kakizaki diabetic rats without changes in incretins or insulin secretion.
AB  - Gastric bypass surgery can dramatically improve type 2 diabetes. It has been
      hypothesized that by excluding duodenum and jejunum from nutrient transit, this
      procedure may reduce putative signals from the proximal intestine that negatively
      influence insulin sensitivity (SI). To test this hypothesis, resection or bypass
      of different intestinal segments were performed in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki and
      Wistar rats. Rats were randomly assigned to five groups: duodenal-jejunal bypass
      (DJB), jejunal resection (jejunectomy), ileal resection (ileectomy), pair-fed
      sham-operated, and nonoperated controls. Oral glucose tolerance test was
      performed within 2 weeks after surgery. Baseline and poststimulation levels of
      glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and glucose-dependent
      insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) were measured. Minimal model analysis was used
      to assess SI. SI improved after DJB (SI = 1.14 +/- 0.32 * 10(-4) min(-1) ? pM(
      1)) and jejunectomy (SI = 0.80 +/- 0.14 * 10(-4) min(-1) ? pM(-1)), but not after
      ileectomy or sham operation/pair feeding in diabetic rats. Both DJB and jejunal
      resection normalized SI in diabetic rats as shown by SI levels equivalent to
      those of Wistar rats (SI = 1.01 +/- 0.06 * 10(-4) min(-1) ? pM(-1); P = NS).
      Glucose effectiveness did not change after operations in any group. While
      ileectomy increased plasma GIP levels, no changes in GIP or GLP-1 were observed
      after DJB and jejunectomy. These findings support the hypothesis that anatomic
      alterations of the proximal small bowel may reduce factors associated with
      negative influence on SI, therefore contributing to the control of diabetes after
      gastric bypass surgery. 

PMID- 24241531
TI  - Influence of differentially expressed genes from suicide post-mortem study on
      personality traits as endophenotypes on healthy subjects and suicide attempters.
AB  - Although a genetic contribution to the complex aetiology of suicidal behaviour
      has been suggested since many years, the attempt to identify specific genes
      related to suicide has led to contrasting results. In a post-mortem study on
      suicide, we previously detected several differentially expressed genes which,
      however, have not been subsequently associated with suicidal behaviour, or only
      nominally. Therefore, personality traits may represent good intermediate
      endophenotypes. Our primary aim was to investigate the potential modulation of
      several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the same previously
      investigated genes (S100A13, EFEMP1, PCDHB5, PDGFRB, CDCA7L, SCN2B, PTPRR, MLC1
      and ZFP36) on personality traits, as measured with the Temperament and Character
      Inventory (TCI), in a German sample composed of 287 healthy subjects (males: 123,
      42.9 %; mean age: 45.2 +/- 14.9 years) and in 111 psychiatric patients who
      attempted suicide (males: 43, 38.6 %; mean age: 39.2 +/- 13.6 years).
      Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to test possible influence of single
      SNPs on TCI scores. Genotypic, allelic and haplotypic analyses have been
      performed. Controlling for sex, age and educational level, genotypic analyses
      showed a modulation of EFEMP1 rs960993 and rs2903838 polymorphisms on both harm
      avoidance and self-directedness in healthy subjects. Interestingly, we could
      replicate these associations in haploblocks within controls (p < 0.0001) and in
      the independent sample of suicide attempters for harm avoidance (p < 0.00001), a
      phenotype highly associated with suicidal behaviour. This study suggests that
      EFEMP1 SNPs, never investigated in association with suicidal behaviour and
      related personality, could be involved in its modulation in healthy subjects as
      well as in suicide attempters. 

PMID- 24241533
TI  - Early enhancements of hepatic and later of peripheral insulin sensitivity
      combined with increased postprandial insulin secretion contribute to improved
      glycemic control after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
AB  - Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) improves glycemic control within days after
      surgery, and changes in insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function are likely to
      be involved. We studied 10 obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 10 obese
      glucose-tolerant subjects before and 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year after RYGB.
      Participants were included after a preoperative diet-induced total weight loss of
      -9.2 +/- 1.2%. Hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity were assessed using the
      hyperinsulinemic- euglycemic clamp combined with the glucose tracer technique,
      and beta-cell function was evaluated in response to an intravenous glucose
      glucagon challenge as well as an oral glucose load. Within 1 week, RYGB reduced
      basal glucose production, improved basal hepatic insulin sensitivity, and
      increased insulin clearance, highlighting the liver as an important organ
      responsible for early effects on glucose metabolism after surgery. Insulin
      mediated glucose disposal and suppression of fatty acids did not improve
      immediately after surgery but increased at 3 months and 1 year; this increase
      likely was related to the reduction in body weight. Insulin secretion increased
      after RYGB only in patients with T2D and only in response to oral glucose,
      underscoring the importance of the changed gut anatomy. 

PMID- 24241534
TI  - Adipocyte spliced form of X-box-binding protein 1 promotes adiponectin
      multimerization and systemic glucose homeostasis.
AB  - The physiological role of the spliced form of X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1s), a
      key transcription factor of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, in
      adipose tissue remains largely unknown. In this study, we show that
      overexpression of XBP1s promotes adiponectin multimerization in adipocytes,
      thereby regulating systemic glucose homeostasis. Ectopic expression of XBP1s in
      adipocytes improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in both lean and
      obese (ob/ob) mice. The beneficial effect of adipocyte XBP1s on glucose
      homeostasis is associated with elevated serum levels of high-molecular-weight
      adiponectin and, indeed, is adiponectin-dependent. Mechanistically, XBP1s
      promotes adiponectin multimerization rather than activating its transcription,
      likely through a direct regulation of the expression of several ER chaperones
      involved in adiponectin maturation, including glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa,
      protein disulfide isomerase family A, member 6, ER protein 44, and disulfide bond
      oxidoreductase A-like protein. Thus, we conclude that XBP1s is an important
      regulator of adiponectin multimerization, which may lead to a new therapeutic
      approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and hypoadiponectinemia. 

PMID- 24241538
TI  - The characterization of herbicide tolerant plants in Brassica napus L. after in
      vitro selection of microspores and protoplasts.
AB  - Brassica napus L.(cv Topas) plants tolerant to chlorsulfuron (CS) were isolated
      after selection experiments utilizing microspores and haploid protoplasts. The
      first microspore-derived plant (M-37,) was CS tolerant, haploid and sterile.
      Normal plant morphology and fertility was restored after colchicine doubling. A
      CS tolerant plant was also selected from protoplasts (P-26) isolated from
      microspore-derived embryo tissue and grown on medium containing CS. P-26 was
      aneuploid, CS tolerant and had very low fertility. The two selected lines
      produced selfed progeny which were tolerant to from 10-100 times the CS levels of
      the corresponding Topas plants. Microspores and protoplasts derived from the
      selfed plants were also CS tolerant. The segregation pattern for CS tolerance
      from reciprocally crossed progeny of M-37 and Topas was consistent with a semi
      dominant nuclear mode of inheritance. Biochemical analysis of the two mutants
      indicated that the microspore-derived mutant and F1 crosses contained an altered
      acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) enzyme, while the AHAS activity of the
      protoplast mutant was similar to Topas. Selfed seed from the M-37 plants have
      provided tolerance to CS in both greenhouse and field tests. S1 plants from a
      second microspore selected mutant (M-42) have tolerated 30 g/ha of CS in
      greenhouse tests. The two single-celled selection systems are discussed and the
      microspore selection system highlighted as a new method for in vitro selection. 

PMID- 24241535
TI  - Gain-of-function mutations in the phosphatidylserine synthase 1 (PTDSS1) gene
      cause Lenz-Majewski syndrome.
AB  - Lenz-Majewski syndrome (LMS) is a syndrome of intellectual disability and
      multiple congenital anomalies that features generalized craniotubular
      hyperostosis. By using whole-exome sequencing and selecting variants consistent
      with the predicted dominant de novo etiology of LMS, we identified causative
      heterozygous missense mutations in PTDSS1, which encodes phosphatidylserine
      synthase 1 (PSS1). PSS1 is one of two enzymes involved in the production of
      phosphatidylserine. Phosphatidylserine synthesis was increased in intact
      fibroblasts from affected individuals, and end-product inhibition of PSS1 by
      phosphatidylserine was markedly reduced. Therefore, these mutations cause a gain
      of-function effect associated with regulatory dysfunction of PSS1. We have
      identified LMS as the first human disease, to our knowledge, caused by disrupted
      phosphatidylserine metabolism. Our results point to an unexplored link between
      phosphatidylserine synthesis and bone metabolism. 

PMID- 24241536
TI  - High prevalence of MAP2K1 mutations in variant and IGHV4-34-expressing hairy-cell
      leukemias.
AB  - To understand the genetic mechanisms driving variant and IGHV4-34-expressing
      hairy-cell leukemias, we performed whole-exome sequencing of leukemia samples
      from ten affected individuals, including six with matched normal samples. We
      identified activating mutations in the MAP2K1 gene (encoding MEK1) in 5 of these
      10 samples and in 10 of 21 samples in a validation set (overall frequency of
      15/31), suggesting potential new strategies for treating individuals with these
      diseases. 

PMID- 24241539
TI  - Genetic transformation of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. Botrytis) by
      Agrobacterium rhizogenes.
AB  - Cauliflower plantlets were inoculated with different Agrobacterium rhizogenes
      strains. Numerous hairy roots were induced on cauliflower hypocotyls by agropine
      type strains. Fewer roots were obtained with mannopine-type strains. In vitro
      cultures were established both from normal and hairy roots. Plant regeneration
      occured spontaneously from normal and transformed roots. Regenerated plants
      contained the same opines (if present) as root cultures. Some mannopine-positive
      regenerants displayed a modified phenotype. Relationships between phenotype,
      opine content, T-DNA content and/or expression are discussed. 

PMID- 24241540
TI  - T-DNA length variability in mannopine hairy root: more than 50 kilobasepairs of
      pRi T-DNA can integrate in plant cells.
AB  - Independent carrot (Daucus carota) hairy root lines were established by
      inoculation of discs taken from the same carrot with Agrobacterium rhizogenes
      8196 and A. tumefaciens C58C1(pRi8196) carrying pRi8196. Several lines were
      compared with respect to T-DNA length. One of them was found to have integrated
      sequences covering more than 50 kbp of the Ri plasmid. 

PMID- 24241537
TI  - A genome-wide association study identifies CDHR3 as a susceptibility locus for
      early childhood asthma with severe exacerbations.
AB  - Asthma exacerbations are among the most frequent causes of hospitalization during
      childhood, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We performed a
      genome-wide association study of a specific asthma phenotype characterized by
      recurrent, severe exacerbations occurring between 2 and 6 years of age in a total
      of 1,173 cases and 2,522 controls. Cases were identified from national health
      registries of hospitalization, and DNA was obtained from the Danish Neonatal
      Screening Biobank. We identified five loci with genome-wide significant
      association. Four of these, GSDMB, IL33, RAD50 and IL1RL1, were previously
      reported as asthma susceptibility loci, but the effect sizes for these loci in
      our cohort were considerably larger than in the previous genome-wide association
      studies of asthma. We also obtained strong evidence for a new susceptibility
      gene, CDHR3 (encoding cadherin-related family member 3), which is highly
      expressed in airway epithelium. These results demonstrate the strength of
      applying specific phenotyping in the search for asthma susceptibility genes. 

PMID- 24241541
TI  - A rapid method for purification of organelles for DNA isolation: self-generated
      percoll gradients.
AB  - Self-generated Percoll gradients have been used for rapid purification of crude
      chloroplasts and mitochondria, obtained by common differential centrifugation
      techniques. Such purified organelles were used for isolating DNA from safflower
      (Carthamus tinctorius L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), various Solanaceae, and
      numerous somatic hybrids. The method is simple, has the advantage of not
      requiring DNase, and is particularly well suited when only limited amounts of
      aseptically grown shoots are available. As judged by restriction enzyme analyses
      and chloroplast DNA cloning experiments, the DNAs are of sufficient purity for
      many molecular biological applications without CsCl gradient purification. 

PMID- 24241542
TI  - Celery transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens: cytological and genetic
      analysis of transgenic plants.
AB  - Transgenic celery plants were obtained following co-cultivation of petiole
      explants with Agrobacterlum tumefaciens containing pMON200, a cointegrate vector
      carrying genes for kanamycin resistance and nopaline synthase. Transformants were
      selected by ability of callus to grow in the presence of 50mg/l kanamycin.
      Transformation was confirmed either by the presence of nopaline or by Southern
      blots. Cytological analysis of 14 transformed plants revealed chromosomal
      aberrations, both in structure and number. Only 20% of the regenerated plants had
      the normal karyotype. Kanamycin resistance behaved as a monogenic, dominant
      trait, segregating in a 3:1 ratio in three families derived from plants with
      normal karyotypes. 

PMID- 24241543
TI  - Species specific shoot regeneration response of cotyledonary explants of
      Brassicas.
AB  - A study of shoot regeneration from cotyledons of three basic diploid species of
      Brassica, B. campestris (AA), B. nigra (BB), B. oleracea (CC) and their
      amphidiploids B. juncea (AABB), B. napus (AACC) and B. carinata (BBCC) showed
      species-specific responses for in vitro shoot regeneration. Analysis of the
      species mean shoot regeneration response over a range of growth regulator
      combinations revealed that i) B. campestris is the lowest regenerating species,
      ii) B. nigra and B. oleracea regenerate with high frequencies, iii) In
      amphidiploids, the presence of B. campestris component brings down shoot
      regeneration frequency below the value of B. oleracea in B. napus combination and
      is additive of the combining genomes in B. juncea combination. In B. carinata
      regeneration frequencies are less than the parental diploid species, iv)
      Significant intraspecific genotypic differences were observed for B. nigra and B.
      oleracea among diploids and B. juncea and B. carinata among amphidiploids, when
      cotyledons of eighteen genotypes were tested in one growth regulator combination.

PMID- 24241544
TI  - Isolation and purification of generative cells from fresh pollen of Vicia faba L.
AB  - A technique named two-step osmotic shock was developed for isolating generative
      cells (GCs): pollen grains were incubated in 20% sucrose solution and shocked by
      adding water. This caused the pollen grains to burst and release their contents
      including GCs. By subsequent filtration and centrifugation the isolated GCs were
      purified. The viability of GCs before and after purification was confirmed by
      fluorescein diacetate (FDA) test. This procedure offers a rapid and effective
      means to obtain living GCs in quantities. 

PMID- 24241545
TI  - Effect of the differentiated or dedifferentiated state of tobacco pith tissue on
      its behaviour after inoculation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes.
AB  - The ability of Nicotiana tabacum (cv. Wisconsin 38) pith tissue to give rise to
      transformed roots after inoculation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (agropine type
      strain 1855) has been examined in relation to its state of differentiation. In
      young plants, all the stem tissues are able to initiate transformed roots while
      pith of adult plants does not react. Mature pith, composed mostly of polyploid
      and non-dividing cells, is able to recover susceptibility when placed in vitro on
      a medium containing auxin and kinetin. The optimal production of transformed
      roots is obtained after 6-10 days, when proliferating cells redifferentiated
      "cambial-like" layers and tracheids. The relationships between the inability of
      fully differentiated pith to give rise to roots and the underlying cell states
      are discussed. 

PMID- 24241546
TI  - The effect of cadaverine on the formation of anabasine from lysine in hairy root
      cultures of Nicotiana hesperis.
AB  - Unlabelled cadaverine did not diminish the incorporation into anabasine of (14)C
      from L-[U-(14)C] lysine supplied to hairy root cultures of Nicotiana nesperis,
      despite causing a stimulation of anabasine production. The finding is discussed
      in the context of previous observations indicating that free cadaverine is not an
      intermediate in the biosynthesis of anabasine from lysine. 

PMID- 24241547
TI  - Cadmium tolerance in tobacco cell culture and its relevance to temperature
      stress.
AB  - Growth of unselected tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum W38) cell suspension cultures was
      reduced by 50-200 MUM cadmium (Cd) in the culture medium and cells were killed by
      400 MUM Cd. Tolerance to Cd was increased either by using rapidly growing cells
      or by culturing cells at higher densities. Cell lines tolerant to 2 mM Cd were
      established by progressively elevating levels of Cd in the culture medium. The Cd
      tolerance was not due to differences in uptake between unselected and Cd-tolerant
      cell lines, and the tolerance to Cd was not lost during long term culture in the
      absence of Cd. Cd-tolerant cells also showed higher tolerance to heat shock (37.5
      degrees C, 2-8 hours) and cold treatments (4 degrees C, 1-7 days) than the
      unselected cells. 

PMID- 24241548
TI  - Production, maintenance and plant regeneration from cell suspension cultures of
      Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni.
AB  - A method is described for producing and maintaining Stevia rebaudiana suspensions
      and regeneration of plants from calli derived from cell suspensions. Suspension
      cultures composed of isolated cells (ca. 10%) and cellular aggregates (5-100
      cells) were obtained in 20-30 days by using friable callus as the initial
      inoculum in liquid media with BA (0.5 mg/l)+2,4-D (1.0 mg/l), and periodic
      filtering (100-500 MUm sieves) with 6-7 days interval between subcultures.
      Cultures derived from actively growing calli are mainly diploid (2n=22) whereas
      those derived from senescent calli showed a wide variation in chromosome number
      (55-200). Stock cell suspensions which had been maintained for 3 years were
      plated on basal LS agar medium with BA (0.5 mg/l)+2,4D (0.5 mg/l) to form callus.
      Calli originating from predominantly 2n cell suspensions when transferred to
      medium with K (2.0 mg/l)+NAA (0.02 mg/l) were able to form buds. Shoot elongation
      and further rooting of isolated shoots was better on LS medium devoid of growth
      regulators. Variation in rooting capacity, plant vigour, morphological characters
      and chromosome number was found amongst regenerated plants. 

PMID- 24241549
TI  - Substitution analysis of callus induction and plant regeneration from anther
      culture in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - The genetic determination of callus induction, total plant regeneration and green
      plant regeneration from anther culture were studied using a "Chinese
      Spring"/"Cheyenne" substitution series. All the three characteristics were found
      to be polygenically determined, but their inheritance was independent from one
      another. The 7A and 18 chromosomes had a considerable effect on callus induction.
      In the case of total plant regeneration the most influential chromosome "as the
      3A while the 2D chromosome showed a definite influence on green plant
      regeneration. The interaction between the genetic background of the recipient
      plant and the substituted chromosome plays an important role in the manifestation
      of the studied features. 

PMID- 24241550
TI  - Tissue culture of Chrysosplenium americanum and its potential for flavonoid
      production.
AB  - Chrysosplenium americanum (Saxifragaceae) accumulates a variety of partially O
      methylated flavonol glucosides. Because of the semi-aquatic nature of this plant
      and its extensive contamination with endogenous organisms, the initiation of
      shoot and callus cultures could only be achieved after (a) using a special
      surface sterilization procedure, (b) production of new shoots from initial
      explants, and (c) selective elimination of organogenic structures during several
      subcultures. HPLC analysis of the cultured tissues established the presence of a
      number of flavonoids characteristic of the intact plant, though in lower and
      variable concentrations. However, shoot and callus cultures exhibited flavonoid
      profiles similar to those of the intact leaves and roots, respectively. 

PMID- 24241551
TI  - Development of somatic embryos from cell suspension cultures of Norway spruce
      (Picea abies Karst.).
AB  - Cell suspension cultures were established from embryonal-suspensor masses derived
      from mature seeds. Transfer of cell masses on to a medium containing abscisic
      acid stimulated development of already established individual embryos. Somatic
      embryos developed shoots when supported by cheese cloth in liquid medium in Petri
      dishes. The percentage of well-developed roots remained low even though all
      embryos had root meristems. We have recovered an average of 25 plantlets from an
      initial PCV of ca 1 g fresh wt per 10 ml. 

PMID- 24241552
TI  - Plant regeneration from cell suspension cultures of Vigna aconitifolia.
AB  - Plant regeneration has been achieved routinely from established cell suspension
      culture lines of Vigna aconitifolia (moth bean), a highly drought tolerant grain
      legume. The cultures originated from three-week-old leaf callus. Several media
      including MS, B5, AA, SL, PCM, SH and L-6 were tested for their effects on cell
      growth. Maximum growth was observed in L-6 medium containing 44.5 MUM 2,4-D.
      After 6 to 8 weeks the suspensions were filtered through 500, 250, 125 and 60 MUm
      sieves, respectively, for four to five subcultures. An embryogenic cell line (VA
      686) was obtained from the cell fraction collected below 250 MUm. The VA-686 cell
      line is being maintained on L-6 medium with 4.5 MUM 2,4-D and 2.3 MUM Zeatin.
      Somatic embryogenesis was induced by transferring the cells to L-6 medium with
      4.6 MUM zeatin in which green cell clusters were produced. The somatic embryos
      developed from most of the cell clusters when plated on L-6 agar medium with 2.3
      MUM BA.Plantlets were obtained from the embryos on L-6 medium with 10.0 MUM IBA.
      The regenerated plants were grown to maturity in the greenhouse. 

PMID- 24241553
TI  - Production of aposporous gametophytes from Drymoglossum piloselloides (L.) Presl.
      frond strips.
AB  - Strips of Drymoglossum piloselloides fronds in a modified Murashige and Skoog
      medium in 1% agar produced aposporous gametophytes in about 2 months. Young
      fronds showed a greater ability to develop aposporous gametophytes than older
      fronds. The addition of kinetin to the medium improved the ability of older
      fronds while the presence of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid enhanced the effect of
      kinetin. 

PMID- 24241554
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in two-year old cultures of Zea
      diploperennis.
AB  - Immature embryos and immature leaf tissues were used to establish embryogenic
      cultures of Zea diploperennis. Callus was induced on media containing MS salts
      and vitamins, sucrose (2% for leaves, 6% for embryos), 5% coconut milk and 1-6
      mg/l 2, 4-D. Embryogenic callus was maintained by subculturing on media
      containing MS salts and vitamins, 2% sucrose, 500 mg/l casein hydrolysate and 1
      mg/l 2,4-D. Regeneration occurred when the 2,4-D level was reduced to 0.25 mg/l.
      Kinetin added at 0.25 mg/l further stimulated regeneration. Root tip squashes on
      10 plants regenerated after 2 years in culture indicated a normal 2n=20
      chromosome number. 

PMID- 24241555
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis from immature embryos of redbud (Cercis canadensis).
AB  - Somatic embryos developed directly from 96 and 110 day post-anthesis Cercis
      canadensis L. (redbud) zygotic embryos from one of two trees sampled that were
      explanted onto modified Schenk and Hildebrandt medium amended with either 1, 2, 3
      or 5 mg/1 2,4-D in combination with either 7.6 or 12. 6 mM ammonium ion. Although
      somatic embryogenesis was expressed on most media, the number of explants that
      produced somatic embryos and the mean number of embryos formed per explant were
      greatest on media that contained either 2 or 3 mg/1 2,4-D; 12.6 mM ammonium ion
      inhibited embryogenesis from 96 day post-anthesis explants. Zygotic embryos
      explanted 117 days after anthesis produced only callus and roots. Somatic embryos
      that were bottle-shaped or had distinct cotyledons organized roots on germination
      media, but only one embryo formed a shoot. No additional development occurred.
      Histological examination of somatic embryos showed that shoot apical meristems
      were poorly developed. 

PMID- 24241556
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24241557
TI  - A historical study of mineral elements in forest plants from South Norway.
AB  - Herbarium plants were used as a material to study possible long-term changes in
      mineral elements of forest plants. Plants from South Norway collected in the
      period 1870 to 1930 were compared to plants collected in 1982. Relative to
      mineral contents in plants from 1870 to 1930, the 1982 material showed elevated
      levels of Zn, Cd, Rb, K, Mn and Ti and decreased levels of Sr, B, Ca and Mo in
      some of the plant species analysed. Most of these differences may be explained by
      changes in the environmental conditions, due to differences in chemical
      composition of precipitation, accelerated soil acidification and subsequent
      increasing mineral weathering. Consequently analysis of herbarium plants seems to
      provide valuable information about preindustrial levels of mineral elements and
      seems to detect changes in mineral elements brought about by recent anthropogenic
      activity. 

PMID- 24241558
TI  - The pattern of metal deposition to a woodland ecosystem as revealed by bryophyte
      analysis.
AB  - The concentrations and enrichment factor data for 7 metals has been investigated
      in samples of Hypnum cupressiforme obtained from various parts of a woodland
      located to the south east of London and immediately adjacent to the M 25
      motorway. Despite the rural location of the woodland, metal level and enrichment
      factor data suggest a moderate degree of contamination. Application of analysis
      of variance to the data indicates individual metal levels at woodland edges are
      significantly different from adjacent internal sites, suggesting enhanced
      deposition at these edges. The fact that this significance pattern is not
      repeated at all edges indicates a directional influence on levels. Correlation
      coefficient data indicates metal/metal associations and allows some speculation
      about the major pathways by which metals are atmospherically transported to and
      deposited in the woodland. 

PMID- 24241559
TI  - The Asiatic clam, Corbicula spp., as a biological monitor in freshwater
      environments.
AB  - Asiatic clams, Corbicula spp., are filter-feeding freshwater bivalves that are
      widely distributed, abundant, and fast growing with a lifespan of 1-3 yrs. A
      review of the existing literature demonstrates that Asiatic clams can concentrate
      organic pollutants from both water and sediment and heavy metals from water. In
      conjunction with these traits, they exhibit a high tolerance for the effects
      resulting from exposure to toxic substances. While an organism must possess these
      traits to serve as an effective biological monitor, they have also permitted the
      Asiatic clam to rapidly colonize natural and industrial environments resulting in
      purported ecological disturbances and severe economic repurcussions,
      respectively. Its invasive biofouling attributes therefore restrict the use of
      Asiatic clams for biomonitoring purposes from Corbicula-free drainage systems. 

PMID- 24241560
TI  - Migration of pollutants in groundwater. IV. Modeling of the pumping of
      contaminants from fractured bedrock.
AB  - The removal of soluble contaminants from fractured porous bedrock by means of a
      recovery well is modeled by means of a lumped parameter approach. The diffusion
      of contaminant from immobile liquid within the pores of the fractured rock into
      the mobile liquid in the interstices is handled by means of a time constant the
      estimation of which is described. 

PMID- 24241561
TI  - Impact of distillery effluent application to land on soil microflora.
AB  - A pot culture experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different
      treatments of distillery wastewater, i.e. raw, treated, diluted and raw
      distillery wastewater mixed with domestic waste stabilization pond effluent (1:1)
      on populations of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and nitrogen fixing bacteria.
      The results indicated that raw wastewater decreased the population of bacteria,
      fungi and actinomycetes. The growth rates of Rhizobium and Azotobacter were also
      reduced after raw wastewater application. The toxic effect of raw wastewater was
      minimized when it was mixed with stabilization pond effluent (1:1), this was
      demonstrated by an increase in the populations of all the microorganisms studied.
      When a groundnut plant was irrigated with raw distillery wastewater, no fruits
      were produced and there was also less nodulation. This study indicates that raw
      distillery wastewater is very toxic to the soil microorganisms which are
      important in the soil ecosystem. 

PMID- 24241562
TI  - Morphology and ultrastructure of 11 barley shrunken endosperm mutants.
AB  - Eleven Na-azide induced barley shrunken endosperm mutants expressing xenia (sex)
      were characterized genetically and histologically. All mutants have reduced
      kernel size with kernel weights ranging from 11 to 57% of the wild type. With one
      exception, the mutant phenotypes are ascribable to single recessive mutant
      alleles, giving rise to a ratio of 3?1 of normal and shrunken kernels on
      heterozygous plants. One mutant (B10), also monofactorially inherited, shows a
      gene dosage dependent pattern of expression in the endosperm. Among the 8 mutants
      tested for allelism, no allelic mutant genes were discovered. By means of
      translocation mapping, the mutant gene of B10 was localized to the short arm of
      chromosome 7, and that of B9 to the short arm of chromosome 1. Based on
      microscopy studies, the mutant kernel phenotypes fall into three classes, viz.
      mutants with both endosperm and embryo affected and with a non-viable embryo,
      mutants with both endosperm and embryo affected and with a viable embryo giving
      rise to plants with a clearly mutant phenotype, and finally mutants with only the
      endosperm affected and with a normal embryo giving rise to plants with normal
      phenotype. The mutant collection covers mutations in genes participating in all
      of the developmental phases of the endosperm, i.e. the passage from syncytial to
      the cellular endosperm, total lack of aleurone cell formation and disturbance in
      the pattern of aleurone cell formation. In the starchy endosperm, varying degrees
      of cell differentiation occur, ranging from slight deviations from wild type to
      complete loss of starchy endosperm traits. In the embryo, blocks in the major
      developmental phases are represented in the mutant collection, including arrest
      at the proembryo stage, continued cell divisions but no differentiation, and
      embryos deviating only slightly from the wild type. 

PMID- 24241563
TI  - Enzyme diversity in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) : 1. West Africa.
AB  - Polymorphism in twelve genes coding for eight enzymes in pearl millet (Pennisetum
      glaucum (L.) R. Br.): alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH), catalases (CAT), beta
      esterases (EST), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases (GOT), malate
      dehydrogenases (MDH), 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenases (PGD),
      phosphoglucoisomerases (PGI) and phosphoglucomutases (PGM), was observed by
      electrophoresis on 74 cultivated samples and 8 wild samples from West Africa. Six
      genes: Est A, Adh A, Pgm A, Cat A, Pgi A, Pgd A contain 95% of the total
      variation. Principal component analyses and discriminant analyses of the 82
      samples described by 46 allelic frequencies showed an almost complete separation
      into 3 groups: wilds, early maturing cultivars and late maturing cultivars. The
      early group has the highest enzyme diversity, with cultivated millets from Niger
      showing the most diversity. The high diversity of the early group and its
      extensive divergence from West-African wild millets suggest, firstly, the
      existence, elsewhere in Africa of other enzymatically different sources of wild
      millet, and secondly, the occurrence, prehistorically, of several different
      domestications. The late group of cultivars has the lowest variability and a
      relatively low coefficient of differentiation. This relatively homogeneous enzyme
      structure does not seem to be associated to ecology. A hypothesis is advanced
      suggesting that West African late-cultivars were derived from a common cultivated
      early complex. This complex must have been distributed across the Sudanian zone
      and must have been later sumitted to modifications by limited gene flow with
      local early maturing cultivars. 

PMID- 24241564
TI  - Is the polymorphism of protein amounts related to phenotypic variability? A
      comparison of two-dimensional electrophoresis data with morphological traits in
      maize.
AB  - The hypothesis that the quantitative variations in gene product levels could be a
      more important basis for morphological and adaptative change than the classical
      qualitative variability revealed by electrophoretic techniques was studied by
      comparing five maize lines from three sets of variables: (i) qualitative
      variations of proteins (presence/absence) revealed by two-dimensional
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE), at a physiological seedling stage;
      (ii) quantitative variations in proteins (spots more or less intense) revealed by
      2D PAGE, at the same physiological stage; (iii) general combining abilities of
      fourteen heritable, morphological or agronomical characters measured at various
      juvenile and adult stages. Distances between lines were defined, based on
      qualitative and quantitative variations of proteins. These distances do not
      appear to be correlated and do not give the same patterns of divergence between
      lines, as shown by principal coordinate analyses. Mahalanobis distances computed
      from the general combining abilities of the morphological characters are
      significantly correlated (r=0.75) to quantitative but not to qualitative
      distances. The comparison of the first planes of the principal coordinate
      analyses performed on the three kinds of distances clearly confirms this finding.
      Our results are discussed in connection with the possible genetic meaning of the
      two molecular distances and with the hypothesis that regulatory processes are
      primarily implicated in morphological variation. 

PMID- 24241565
TI  - Inheritance of annual habit in celery: cosegregation with isozyme and anthocyanin
      markers.
AB  - Vernalization response was determined in an annual and two biennial celery
      strains, Apium graveolens L. and their F2 hybrids. Although the annual strain did
      not require vernalization to bolt, plants exposed to 10 degrees C for 7 days
      bolted 2 weeks earlier than non-treated plants. Inheritance studies based on F2
      and backcross segregations demonstrate that annual habit in celery is partially
      dominant over biennial and determined by a single gene designated Hb.
      Cosegregation studies of this trait with nine isozyme loci and a gene determining
      petiole anthocyanin pigmentation disclosed the following linkage relationships:
      Adh-1-Sdh-1-Mdh-1, and Got-1-Mdh-2-Hb-A. The recombination frequency observed for
      Hb and Mdh-2 was too large to use the latter as a useful marker for annual habit.

PMID- 24241566
TI  - Genetic variability for heat shock proteins in common wheat.
AB  - The response of the common wheat line 'Chinese Spring' to heat shocks of
      different time lengths was studied by the two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis of
      denatured proteins. After a heat shock of 5 h, 33 heat shock proteins (HSPs)
      accumulated in an amount sufficient to be revealed by silver stain. Two other
      wheat lines ('Moisson' and 'Selkirk') were then submitted to a heat shock of 5 h,
      and the responses of the 3 lines were compared: of a total of 35 HSPs, 13 (37.1%)
      were quantitatively or qualitatively variable. This variability concerns low
      molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight HSPs. The three genotypes showed
      thermal tolerance but 'Chinese Spring's' response to heat treatments was slightly
      different from those of the other two lines The possibility of a relationship
      between HSP patterns and thermal sensitivity is discussed. 

PMID- 24241567
TI  - A guide to the homoeology of chromosomes within the Triticeae.
AB  - A method of assessing chromosome homoeologies within the genomes of the Triticeae
      which does not require the ultimate test of substitution of the chromosomes into
      wheat is presented. This takes the form of a table listing key characters that
      are associated with specific homoeologous groups. These characters include marker
      genes, chromosome morphology, and plant morphologies of wheat-alien chromosome
      addition and wheat tetrasomic lines. 

PMID- 24241568
TI  - Parental genome expression in synthetic wheats (Triticum turgidum sp. * T.
      tauschii sp.) revealed by two-dimensional electrophoresis of seedling proteins.
AB  - Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was conducted on etiolated seedling proteins
      from two distinct amphiploids (ABD1, ABD2) and their parental lines (AB1, D1 and
      AB2, D2), AB1 and AB2 being used as female. On the amphiploid patterns were found
      all the parental spots except 8 D spots of which 3 are cytoplasmically encoded.
      One exceptional polypeptide observed in ABD1 was present neither in AB1 nor D1.
      The patterns fromt the amphiploids very closely resemble the co-electrophoresis
      done with 1/3 D protein extract and 2/3 AB protein extract. Thus it is very
      likely that for most gene products revealed the genomes act independently of each
      other. 

PMID- 24241569
TI  - Differentiation of rice varieties by electrophoresis of embryo protein.
AB  - Variations in the embryo proteins separated by SDS-PAGE have been observed in 43
      cultivated varieties of Oryza sativa L. Cluster and discriminant analysis applied
      to both protein components and morphological characters indicate that knowledge
      of the differences in embryo proteins can improve our understanding of genetic
      affinity and make it easier to differentiate between varieties of similar genetic
      backgrounds. 

PMID- 24241570
TI  - Cytogenetics of Lolium perenne : 4. Colchicine induced variation in diploids.
AB  - A number of diploid inbred lines of Lolium perenne were treated with colchicine
      at the early seedling stage to induce chromosome doubling. In each inbred line
      the colchicine-treated undoubled diploids were kept as controls, as well as the
      normal untreated diploids. Comparisons of vegetative growth and development,
      involving the three treatments within each line, revealed that colchicine
      treatment of seedlings has long-lasting effects upon plant growth and development
      independent of chromosome doubling, and that for certain characteristics the
      effects of chromosome doubling are confounded with other effects of the treatment
      used to produce tetraploids. This colchicine induced variation in the diploids is
      transmitted through the seed generations in at least one of the inbred lines. The
      variation appears to be non-random and also shows a strong genotypic component.
      In so far as the effects of chromosome doubling could be determined, they showed
      the usual gigas response but were again strongly influenced by genotype. 

PMID- 24241571
TI  - Cytogenetic studies of the F1 hybrids of Capsicum annuum with C. chinense and C.
      baccatum.
AB  - Partially sterile interspecific hybrids were obtained between C. annuum var.
      'cerasiformis' and C. chinense var. 'mishme' (H1), and C. annuum var.
      'cerasiformis' and C. baccatum var. 'pendulum' (H2). Morphologically the F1
      hybrids were intermediate between the corresponding parents. Meiosis was
      irregular in the two F1 hybrids. Cytological analysis of the two F1 hybrids
      revealed that the genome of C. annuum differs from C. chinense by two
      translocations and some minor structural alterations and from C. baccatum by two
      translocations, a single inversion and some minor structural alterations.
      Isolation barriers such as hybrid inviability, weakness and hybrid breakdown in
      the H1 hybrid and, inaddition, desynapsis in the H2, were operative in these
      taxa. The differences between the present findings and those reported earlier on
      the two F1hybrids were attributed to differences in the genetic architecture of
      the taxa employed in hybridization. 

PMID- 24241572
TI  - Sister chromatid exchange in vivo, chromosomal characterization and NORs activity
      of leukemia cells during 5FU-treatments.
AB  - A transplantable mouse leukemia model, the leukemia cell of which has a marker
      chromosome and the XX genome type which differ obviously from their male host
      cells provides a possibility to precisely identify the leukemia cells among their
      male host cells cytogenetically. A sister chromatid exchange (SCE) plus
      chromosomal C-banding technique that we report here is very useful. The SCE
      frequencies in vivo of both leukemia cells and host cells were twice as high as
      the normal mouse cells. The higher SCE frequencies of the host cells in the
      leukemia mice may be due to some toxicities from the leukemia cells or some
      biological large molecule exchanges between the leukemia cells and the host
      cells. There was no significant difference in SCE frequencies between cells from
      the spleen and from the bone marrow of the leukemia mice. The percentages of
      leukemia cells in both spleen and bone marrow were more than 90% when the mice
      had been injected with the leukemia cells for five days. The host cells in the
      leukemia mice did not become leukemia cells. The 5FU-treated leukemia mice
      survived very well for more than twenty-three days. After the 5FU-treatments,
      most of the leukemia cells died, subsequently, SCE frequencies decreased to a
      normal level. Both the number of Ag-NORs per cell and the number of chromosomes
      bearing Ag-NORs per cell in the leukemia mice decreased to 60% and 40%,
      respectively, of the level found in normal mouse cells. 

PMID- 24241574
TI  - Identification and chromosomal locations of aconitase gene loci in Triticeae
      species.
AB  - Two systems of monomeric aconitase (ACO) isozymes, designated ACO-1 and ACO-2,
      were identified in Triticum aestivum and in five diploid Triticeae species. The
      gene loci Aco-A1, Aco-B1, and Aco-D1 were located in T. aestivum cv. 'Chinese
      Spring' chromosome arms 6Aq, 6Bq, and 6Dq, respectively, and the gene loci Aco
      A2, Aco-B2, and Aco-D2 in 5 Aq, 5 Bq, and 5Dq, respectively. Aco-1 gene loci were
      also identified in 6Ebeta of Elytrigia elongata, 6HL of Hordeum vulgare cv.
      'Betzes', 6RL of Secale cereale 'PI 252003', 6S(1) of T. longissimum, and CSU-31
      of T. umbellulatum. Other Aco-2 gene loci were identified in 5RL of S. cereale
      cv. 'King II' and 4EL of E. elongata. Conservation of synteny relationships is
      indicated among the species studied for the genes identified, with the exception
      of Aco-E2; the presence of this gene in 4EL suggests that E. elongata differs
      from 'Chinese Spring' and 'King II' by a translocation involving 4E and 5E. 

PMID- 24241573
TI  - Phenotypic and genetic variations in crown-gall tumour cells of tobacco.
AB  - Phenotypic and genetic variations of tumour cells were analysed both
      quantitatively and qualitatively in clones and subclones of a crown-gall strain.
      Thus, growth rates, grafting tests, octopine synthesis, estimations of the T-DNA
      contents, modifications in the numbers, and structures of chromosomes were
      examined. Phenotypic variations are closely associated with genetic changes,
      including variation in chromosome number (which is shown to be non-specific to
      the tumoral state) and, above all, variation in the copy-number of T-DNA
      sequences per cell, and structural rearrangements of chromosomes. Such
      rearrangements are characterized by specific marker chromosomes in the tumour
      cells and they correlate with the degree of oncogenicity of the cells. 

PMID- 24241575
TI  - Probabilities of negative estimates of genetic variances.
AB  - The probability of negative analysis of variance estimates of genetic variance
      components due to sampling error (Ps) was investigated. The objectives were to
      evaluate the magnitude of Ps, to compare Ps for estimates of sigma A (2) and
      sigma D (2) , and to compare Ps for genetic variance component estimates from the
      nested and factorial mating designs. Ps was defined in terms of ratios of mean
      squares and the F distribution was used to calculate probabilities of the
      negative estimates. The results indicated that Ps is often greater than 0.20 for
      sigma D (2) . It is generally lower for sigma A (2) than for sigma D (2) , and
      lower for the factorial mating design than the nested mating design. 

PMID- 24241576
TI  - A new selection criterion for yield in wheat.
AB  - The mortality of young tillers to an extent of 36.5% under optimum cultural
      conditions was recorded in a field experiment. Attention is drawn to the
      necessity of minimising this loss and to diverting it towards productive tillers
      by applying selection pressure. Future yield advances may be achieved by
      selecting genotypes which tiller moderately in the vegetative phase, most of
      which survive to produce grains. The character association of each variety under
      consideration was studied for the suitability towards this objective. A modified
      selection procedure is suggested which may be advantageously applied to achieve
      this objective. The proposed new methodology may also be effectively applied to
      such other cereal crops as barley, triticale and oats. 

PMID- 24241577
TI  - Correlation studies on yield and fibre traits in upland cotton (Gossypium
      hirsutum L.).
AB  - Two diverse parents of upland cotton namely J.34 and I.C. 1926 were crossed. A
      comparison between biparental intermated progenies and F3 families indicated
      alteration of correlation coefficient between yield and halo length. The
      significant negative correlation in F3 population between these two attributes
      changed to a positive but non significant one in biparental intermated progenies.
      A change in correlation coefficients was expected due to breakage of linkage upon
      intermating. An increase in the correlation coefficients could also be expected
      when linkages are predominantly in the repulsion phase. It is suggested that
      intermating in early generations coupled with selection of desirable segregants
      may prove a useful method for improving yield and quality simultaneously. The
      diallel selective mating system may also supplement intermating to improve yield
      and quality in cotton. 

PMID- 24241578
TI  - Genetic analysis of anther culture response in maize.
AB  - Response frequencies in maize (Zea mays L.) anthers cultured in vitro were
      examined in a diallel set of crosses among four commercial inbred lines.
      Significant differences among the genotypes were observed, with the crosses
      H99xFR16 and Pa91xFR16 displaying the highest responses. General (GCA) and
      specific (SCA) combining ability mean squares were calculated and determined to
      be highly significant. GCA effects among the parental lines were highest for FR16
      and lowest for LH38. Nongenotypic, plant-toplant differences were also found to
      make a significant contribution to the overall variation observed. The results
      from this study indicate that parents which give rise to highly responsive
      hybrids can be identified and that genetic improvement is possible through
      selection. 

PMID- 24241579
TI  - A prospective registration study to determine feasibility of hematopoietic SCT in
      adults with acute leukemia: planning, expectations and reality.
AB  - For adults with acute leukemia, it is important to know whether the therapeutic
      schemes initially planned were actually implemented. The European Group for Blood
      and Marrow transplantation Acute Leukemia Working Party prospectively followed
      695 consecutive patients who were registered at the time of HLA typing. Of 304
      patients with an available matched sibling donor (MSD), SCT was planned in 264,
      chemotherapy in 33 and autografting in 7. For the rest, an unrelated donor (UD)
      search was initiated in 198. Among these, 117 were transplanted, 114 received
      chemotherapy and 77 underwent autografting. Probabilities of receiving a planned
      treatment were 60 and 65% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Patients scheduled to
      receive MSD SCT had an 82% probability, whereas those scheduled to undergo UD SCT
      had a 57% probability, of receiving their transplant at 1 year. The only factor
      associated with a lower probability of MSD SCT in first remission was delayed HLA
      typing (HR=0.82; P=0.03). One year after enrollment, 40% of patients did not
      follow their initial treatment plan. Because OS was 50% only at 3 years and only
      57% of the patients without a MSD underwent SCT, this suggests room for
      improvement in outcomes for adults with acute leukemia. 

PMID- 24241580
TI  - Contrast enhanced cardiac CT reveals coronary artery disease in 45% of
      asymptomatic allo-SCT long-term survivors.

PMID- 24241581
TI  - Long term outcomes after lateral anal sphincterotomy for anal fissure: a
      retrospective cohort study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Lateral anal sphincterotomy is the gold standard of surgical treatment
      for anal fissure. Patients undergoing this procedure are warned about the risk of
      incontinence; however, there are few reports on long-term outcomes. We conducted
      this study to investigate long-term outcomes after lateral anal sphincterotomy,
      focusing specifically on postoperative incontinence. METHODS: Patients who
      underwent lateral anal sphincterotomy at a university teaching hospital between
      1998 and 2004 were sent questionnaires to allow us to assess their continence
      according to the Cleveland Continence Score. RESULTS: The response rate was 58 %
      and the responders comprised 25 men and 13 women, with a median age of 49 years
      (range 16-82 years). The success rate for fissure healing following surgery was
      92 %, being significantly more likely in patients with textbook symptoms (p =
      0.016) and those with chronic disease (p = 0.006). The overall complication rate
      was 13.2 %. Long-term objective and symptomatic incontinence were reported by two
      (5.6 %) patients, one of whom required a colostomy. CONCLUSION: Success rates
      after lateral anal sphincterotomy were satisfactory, but careful patient
      selection based on symptoms and disease chronicity may improve results further.
      Patients with predisposing risk factors for the development of incontinence,
      particularly multiparous women, are arguably better treated with non-surgical
      options.

PMID- 24241582
TI  - Attending to warning signs of primary immunodeficiency diseases across the range
      of clinical practice.
AB  - PURPOSE: Patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) may present with
      recurrent infections affecting different organs, organ-specific
      inflammation/autoimmunity, and also increased cancer risk, particularly
      hematopoietic malignancies. The diversity of PIDD and the wide age range over
      which these clinical occurrences become apparent often make the identification of
      patients difficult for physicians other than immunologists. The aim of this
      report is to develop a tool for educative programs targeted to specialists and
      applied by clinical immunologists. METHODS: Considering the data from national
      surveys and clinical reports of experiences with specific PIDD patients, an
      evidence-based list of symptoms, signs, and corresponding laboratory tests were
      elaborated to help physicians other than immunologists look for PIDD. RESULTS:
      Tables including main clinical manifestations, restricted immunological
      evaluation, and possible related diagnosis were organized for general
      practitioners and 5 specialties. Tables include information on specific warning
      signs of PIDD for pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, dermatologists,
      hematologists, and infectious disease specialists. CONCLUSIONS: This report
      provides clinical immunologists with an instrument they can use to introduce
      specialists in other areas of medicine to the warning signs of PIDD and increase
      early diagnosis. Educational programs should be developed attending the needs of
      each specialty.

PMID- 24241583
TI  - Sporothrix schenckii lymphadentitis in a male with X-linked chronic granulomatous
      disease.
AB  - Sporothrix schenckii lymphadenitis was identified in a 33 month old male with X
      linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). S. schenckii is a dimorphic catalase
      producing fungus found in the soil of temperate and tropical climates. Host
      defense against S. schenckii relies primarily on innate and cellular responses
      and gp91(phox-/-) mice are susceptible to disseminated infection. This case
      represents the first report of susceptibility to sporotrichosis in a patient with
      CGD.

PMID- 24241584
TI  - Role of environmental factors and toxic genotypes in the regulation of
      microcystins-producing cyanobacterial blooms.
AB  - The aim of this study was to understand: (1) how environmental conditions can
      contribute to formation of Microcystis-dominated blooms in lowland, dam
      reservoirs in temperate climate-with the use of quantitative molecular
      monitoring, and (2) what is the role of toxic Microcystis genotypes in the bloom
      functioning. Monitoring of the Sulejow Reservoir in 2009 and 2010 in two sites
      Tresta (TR) and Bronislawow BR), which have different morphometry, showed that
      physicochemical conditions were always favorable for cyanobacterial bloom
      formation. In 2009, the average biomass of cyanobacteria reached 13 mg L(-1) (TR)
      and 8 mg L(-1) (BR), and in the second year, it decreased to approximately 1 mg
      L(-1) (TR and BR). In turns, the mean number of toxic Microcystis genotypes in
      the total Microcystis reached 1% in 2009, both in TR and BR, and in 2010, the
      number increased to 70% in TR and 14 % in BR. Despite significant differences in
      the biomass of cyanobacteria in 2009 and 2010, the mean microcystins (MCs)
      concentration and toxicity stayed at a similar level of approximately 1 MUg L(
      1). Statistical analysis indicated that water retention time was a factor that
      provided a significant difference between the two monitoring seasons and was
      considered a driver of the changes occurring in the Sulejow Reservoir. Hydrologic
      differences, which occurred between two studied years due to heavy flooding in
      Poland in 2010, influenced the decrease in number of Microcystis biomass by
      causing water disturbances and by lowering water temperature. Statistical
      analysis showed that Microcystis aeruginosa biomass and 16S rRNA gene copy number
      representing Microcystis genotypes in both years of monitoring could be predicted
      on the basis of total and dissolved phosphorus concentrations and water
      temperature. In present study, the number of mcyA gene copies representing toxic
      Microcystis genotypes could be predicted based on the biomass of M. aeruginosa.
      Moreover, MCs toxicity and concentration could be predicted on the basic of mcyA
      gene copy number and M. aeruginosa (biomass, 16S rRNA), respectively. Present
      findings may indicate that Microcystis can regulate the number of toxic
      genotypes, and in this way adjust the whole bloom to be able to produce MCs at
      the level which is necessary for its maintenance in the Sulejow Reservoir under
      stressful hydrological conditions.

PMID- 24241585
TI  - Pharmacological profile of astemizole-derived compounds at the histamine H1 and
      H4 receptor--H1/H4 receptor selectivity.
AB  - Astemizole, a H1R antagonist shows high affinity to the histamine H1 receptor but
      only a moderate affinity to the histamine H4 receptor. This study aims to modify
      the astemizole to keep high affinity to the histamine H1 receptor and to increase
      affinity to the histamine H4 receptor. Therefore, 13 astemizole-derived compounds
      and astemizole-JNJ7777120-derived hybrid compounds were synthesized and
      pharmacologically characterized at the histamine H1 and H4 receptors. The new
      compounds show affinity to the histamine H1 receptor in the pK i range from 5.3
      to 8.8, whereas the affinity of these compounds to the histamine H4 receptor was
      surprisingly rather low (pK i from 4.4 to 5.6). Three representative compounds
      were docked into the histamine H1 receptor and molecular dynamic studies were
      performed to explain the binding mode and the experimental results on a molecular
      level. Furthermore, taking into account the binding mode of compounds with high
      affinity to the histamine H4 receptor, a H1/H4-pharmacophore hypothesis was
      developed. 

PMID- 24241587
TI  - High-speed electro-fusion and electro-transfection of plant protoplasts by a
      continuous flow electro-manipulator.
AB  - A continuous flow electro-manipulator available both for mass production of fused
      and of transfected plant protoplasts was devised using a flow chamber with gold
      coated glass panel electrodes. Up to 100 ml of protoplasts suspension were
      treated within 20 min at the rate of approximately 1*10(6) protoplasts / min. The
      yield of diheterokaryons between tobacco mesophyll and carrot root protoplasts
      reached approximately 10 % of total protoplasts by flow electro-fusion. More than
      95 % of tobacco and cowpea mesophyll protoplasts became infected with tobacco
      mosaic virus RNA by flow electro-transfection. 

PMID- 24241588
TI  - Dominant expression of a gene amplification-related herbicide resistance in
      medicago cell hybrids.
AB  - Protoplasts from phosphinotricin resistant M. sativa and M. varia cell lines
      carrying an amplified glutamine synthethase gene were fused with leaf protoplasts
      of kanamycin resistant M. varia transformants. The dominant nature of both PPT
      and kanamycin resistant traits was shown by the double resistant phenotype of the
      intra- and interspecific cell hybrids obtained. The presence of amplified GS gene
      in the hybrid genomes and the expression of chimeric neomycin phosphotransferase
      II gene was detected. The highly embryogenic character of the M. varia parent was
      not expressed after cell fusion. All hybrid cell lines with the double resistant
      phenotype showed non-morphogenic growth similarly to the PPT resistant parent.
      The possible role of GS gene amplification and other factors in the dominant
      behaviour of unorganized cell growth in alfalfa somatic hybrids is discussed. 

PMID- 24241586
TI  - Wound Healing Versus Regeneration: Role of the Tissue Environment in Regenerative
      Medicine.
AB  - One of the major challenges in the field of regenerative medicine is how to
      optimize tissue regeneration in the body by therapeutically manipulating its
      natural ability to form scar at the time of injury or disease. It is often the
      balance between tissue regeneration, a process that is activated at the onset of
      disease, and scar formation, which develops as a result of the disease process
      that determines the ability of the tissue or organ to be functional. Using
      biomaterials as scaffolds often can provide a "bridge" for normal tissue edges to
      regenerate over small distances, usually up to 1 cm. Larger tissue defect gaps
      typically require both scaffolds and cells for normal tissue regeneration to
      occur without scar formation. Various strategies can help to modulate the scar
      response and can potentially enhance tissue regeneration. Understanding the
      mechanistic basis of such multivariate interactions as the scar microenvironment,
      the immune system, extracellular matrix, and inflammatory cytokines may enable
      the design of tissue engineering and wound healing strategies that directly
      modulate the healing response in a manner favorable to regeneration.

PMID- 24241589
TI  - Growth of cucumber cells in media with lactose or milk whey as carbon source.
AB  - Lactose utilisation by cucumber cell suspension cultures starts only after a long
      lag phase and is accompanied by an increase of an extracellular lactosespecific
      beta-galactosidase activity. Supplementing the lactose medium with sucrose
      shortens the lag phase.Milk whey permeate seems to contain a factor(s) which
      inhibits lactose utilisation. After supplementing the medium with sucrose or its
      hydrolysis products, growth and substrate utilisation is as efficient as in
      Murashige and Skoog medium. Galactose also induces growth, but growth and
      substrate utilisation are slower. In whey medium, supplemented with sucrose, the
      extracellular beta-galactosidase activity again accompanies growth induction. 

PMID- 24241590
TI  - Influence of benzyladenine on condensed tannin formation and callus growth in
      cultures from sainfoin (Onobrychis viccifolia Scop.) cotyledons.
AB  - Cotyledons from aseptically grown seedlings of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia
      Scop.) were used as explant material to grow callus tissue for periods of 21 and
      31 days. The formation of cells containing condensed tannins was induced by
      adding a range of BAP concentrations to an mB5 culture medium containing 2,4-D.
      After 21 days the fresh weight of calli treated with BAP was much greater than
      the control and appeared highest at the 0.6 mg/L level. Fresh weight was reduced
      at high BAP levels (2 to 8 mg/L) but still remained well above the control. The
      formation of tannin-filled cells was genotype-specific but occurred in all
      treatments with BAP. After 21 days in culture, fresh weight and tannin formation
      increased with the BAP level at the lower BAP concentrations. After 31 days, the
      growth rate slowed in the control and the lower BAP concentration, but continued
      at a high rate in the remaining treatments; the number of tannin-filled cells
      appeared to decline. The results show that in sainfoin callus culture, BAP
      induces the formation of condensed tannin, a secondary metabolite, and
      concomitantly produces a high growth rate. 

PMID- 24241591
TI  - Resistance to freezing in liquid nitrogen of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.
      var Eolo) apical and axillary shoot tips excised from different aged in vitro
      plantlets.
AB  - The ability of shoot tips from carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L., var. Eolo)
      cultured in vitro to develop resistance to freezing in liquid nitrogen depends on
      the physiological state of the cell material and the pretreatment conditions.
      Regrowth rates close to 100% have been obtained with apical shoot tips isolated
      from 2 month-old stems, precultured on medium supplemented with sucrose (0.75M)
      and treated with dimethylsulfoxide (5% or more). Resistance of axillary shoot
      tips decreased progressively as a funtion of their distance from the apical shoot
      tip. During the development of the stem from axillary buds (obtained by cutting),
      progressive increases in the regrowth rate of frozen apices were noted, from 30%
      before cutting (axillary buds) to 98% after 3 weeks of culture. 

PMID- 24241592
TI  - Plantlet regeneration from mature zygotic embryos of eastern white pine (Pinus
      strobus L.).
AB  - Plants were regenerated from whole embryo explants obtained from eastern white
      pine (Pinus strobus L.) seeds. Embryos were surgically removed and axenically
      cultured to induce buds in vitro on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium
      containing various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine. Embryos remained on bud
      induction medium for 21 days and then were transferred to the same basal medium
      without 6-benzylaminopurine to promote bud development and subsequent shoot
      elongation. The medium containing 10 MUM 6-benzylaminopurine induced the greatest
      number of shoots per embryo. Rooting was achieved by direct transfer of the
      shoots to a non-sterile artificial soil mixture followed by multiple treatments
      with 15 nM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. Regenerated seedlings are currently growing
      under greenhouse conditions. 

PMID- 24241593
TI  - Modulation of soluble auxin-binding proteins in soybean cell suspensions.
AB  - Rapidly growing cell suspensions of soybean were analyzed for the presence of
      cytoplasmic high-affinity binding sites for auxin. Cytosol preparations were
      studied in lag, log and early stationary phase of the growth cycle. Two binding
      sites were detected, which show some similarities with binding sites previously
      reported from etiolated pea epicotyls. While the number of both sites declined in
      the cytoplasm during the growth cycle, the number of one of the two sites
      increased at the onset of rapid cell divisions. In parallel, both sites exhibited
      an increase in binding affinity during the growth cycle. The data will be
      discussed in relation to other reports on soluble auxin binding as well as to
      possible physiological functions. 

PMID- 24241594
TI  - N5-Formyltetrahydrofolate counteracts methotrexate toxicity in tobacco cell
      culture.
AB  - N5-Formyltetrahydrofolate (leucovorin) counteracted methotrexate toxicity in
      suspension cultures of Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi. Methotrexate at 50 nM
      inhibited growth of the tobacco cell cultures by 87%. Leucovorin at 200 uM
      reduced growth inhibition in methotrexate-treated cultures to 37%, but only if
      exogenous adenine and thymidine were simultaneously provided. In the absence of
      leucovorin, neither adenine plus thymidine, nor adenine plus thymidine plus
      methionine gave appreciable relief from methotrexate toxicity. Uptake of
      radioactive methotrexate at 50 nM was linear for at least 7 h. Uptake of
      methotrexate appeared to be saturable, with a Km of 50 uM and a Vmax of 1 nmol h(
      1) g(-1) fresh weight. Leucovorin showed competitive inhibition of methotrexate
      uptake, having a Ki of 400 uM. 

PMID- 24241595
TI  - Permeabilization of cultivated plant cells by electroporation for release of
      intracellularly stored secondary products.
AB  - Plant cell suspension cultures producing secondary metabolites have been
      permeabilized for product release by electroporation. The two cell cultures
      studied, i.e. Thalictrum rugosum and Chenopodium rubrum, require about 5 and 10
      kV cm(-1), respectively, for complete permeabilization (release of all the
      intracellularly stored product). The number of electrical pulses and capacitance
      used had a relatively limited effect on product release while the viability of
      the cells was strongly influenced by the latter. Conditions for complete product
      release resulted in total loss of viability of the cells after treatment. The
      release of product from immobilized cells was also achieved by electroporation.
      Cells entrapped in alginate required less voltage for permeabilization than free
      or agarose entrapped cells. 

PMID- 24241596
TI  - Inhibition of growth and xylogenesis and promotion of vacuolation in prunus
      callus by the flavanone prunin.
AB  - Callus tissue of Prunus avium L. responded to supplied prunin (naringen in 7
      glucoside) showing vaculoation and storage of oligomeric proanthocyanidins. In
      addition, prunin caused restricted callus initiation and/or less callus growth.
      When prunin was omitted from the medium numerous tracheids and more peroxidases
      were formed in the callus. 

PMID- 24241597
TI  - In vitro culture of cell aggregates of rye (Secale cereale L.) at low densities.
AB  - The growth of cell aggregates from a rye suspension culture was tested at low
      density in three culture systems. Mass seeding was the most supportive system,
      followed by agarose droplets. Microdroplet culture using Cuprak dishes was the
      least effective system. Growth was stimulated by the presence of a feeder layer
      of suspension cells but only if the feeder contact with the nursed cells was via
      a liquid and not a gaseous phase. Plating efficiences were enhanced by the feeder
      effect, whereas the subsequent growth rates were less affected. The techniques
      described should prove useful in programs aimed at the in vitro genetic
      manipulation of rye or other cereals. 

PMID- 24241598
TI  - Cell cultures of the wild sunflower Helianthus maximiliani schrader: growth and
      secondary metabolite synthesis.
AB  - Callus cultures derived from leaves, stem, sepals and ray flowers and cell
      suspension cultures of Helianthus maximiliani Schrader were established and
      analysed for their phytochemicals. Dark-grown cultures were found to synthesize
      small amounts of non-toxic, polycyclic diterpenoids when grown on modified MS
      medium, while beta-sitosterol and palmitic acid were found in dark- and light
      grown cultures. Red light irradiation did not enhance terpenoid production
      compared to dark- and light-grown cells. 

PMID- 24241599
TI  - Callus formation from leaf mesophyll protoplasts of Malus Xdomestica Borkh. cv.
      Greensleeves.
AB  - Large yields (1.85 * 10(7)/g.f.wt.) of viable protoplasts were obtained from
      leaves of axenic shoot cultures of Malus Xdomestica Borkh. cv. 'Greensleeves'.
      Protoplasts cultured in liquid or agarose semi-solidified KM8P medium underwent
      cell wall regeneration and colony formation.Protoplast-derived cell colonies
      developed to callus on semi-solid KM8 medium. This is the first report of callus
      formation from mesophyll protoplasts of apple. 

PMID- 24241600
TI  - Clonal propagation of Picrorhiza kurroa royle ex benth. by shoot tip culture.
AB  - A procedure has been developed for the clonal propagation of Picrorhiza kurroa
      Royle ex Benth. through shoot tip culture. Murashige and Skoog's medium (1962)
      supplemented with kinetin (3.0 to 5.0 mg/l) supported rapid proliferation of
      multiple shoots from the explants. Addition of indole-3-acetic acid (1.0 mg/l) to
      the kinetin containing medium showed marked improvement in the growth of
      regenerated shoots. However, presence of IAA in the medium did not alter the
      frequency of shoot multiplication. Rooting was readily achieved upon transferring
      shoots onto MS medium containing ?-naphthaleneacetic acid (1.0 mg/l). Plantlets
      were successfully transferred to soil. 

PMID- 24241601
TI  - Somaclonal variation in the berberine-producing capability of a culture strain of
      Thalictrum minus.
AB  - Variation in the productivity of berberine between clonal cell lines derived from
      a culture strain of Thalictrum minus. var. hypoleucum was investigated during the
      period of successive transfer generations. There was a correlation between
      berberine productivity and growth in these clonal cultures. Although no
      significant difference was found in the secretory function as well as the
      qualitative pattern of alkaloids, there was wide variation in the yield of
      berberine among the clones. Some of the cell lines have shown a high stability
      throughout the successive subculturing, whereas the other lines tended to either
      decrease or increase the productivity continually before they have become more or
      less stable at low or high levels. After eight months of subculturing, one of the
      high-producing cell lines yielded 0.76 g of berberine per liter in 14 days of
      culture strain. In view of variations observed in both primary and secondary
      clones, the possible cause of the quantitative variation in berberine production
      in Thalictrum cultures is discussed. 

PMID- 24241602
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of Capsicum annuum.
AB  - Leaf protoplasts were isolated from axenic shoot cultures of four varieties of
      Capsicum annuum (Americano, Dulce Italiano Florida Gynat and Nigrum) and a wild
      species C. chinense. Protoplasts of both species, cultured in KM8P medium and
      using agarose bead culture, entered division with the exception of the variety
      Nigrum. Cell colonies formed callus in agar-solified MS medium supplemented with
      zeatin and for C. annuum v. Dulce Italiano shoots were regenerated when
      protoplast-derived calli were transferred to MS medium with 6-BAP. Excised shoots
      were rooted on MS medium which lacked phytohormones. 

PMID- 24241603
TI  - Evidence for involvement of ketoglutarate in the biosynthesis of Canthin-6-one
      from cell cultures of Ailanthus altissima.
AB  - (13)C enrichments at C-3, C-4, C-5 and C-6 of canthin-6-one from cell cultures of
      Ailanthus altissima supplemented with [1-(13)C], [2-(13)C] and [1,2-(13)C]
      acetate, give evidence of the involvement of ketoglutarate as an intact precursor
      in the biosynthetic pathway. 

PMID- 24241604
TI  - Analyzing the effects of exogeneous polyamines and growth regulators on plating
      efficiency of sweet potato protoplasts using a central composite test design.
AB  - The effects of exogenous polyamines and growth regulators on plating efficiency
      of greenhouse-grown sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) petiole protoplasts after
      six days were analyzed using a central composite test design. The medium
      components screened were 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 6-benzylaminopurine
      (BAP), putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM), each at five
      concentrations. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed significant
      interaction of NAA with BAP, PUT, and SPD as reflected in plating efficiencies.
      The interactions of NAA with BAP, and with SPD, were positive. The interaction of
      NAA and PUT appeared complex. A slight negative interaction was detected between
      PUT and SPM. These results indicated that plating efficiency of sweet potato
      protoplasts is highly sensitive to the concentrations of the medium components
      tested and it should be possible to further optimize the plating medium. Among
      the media formulations tested, the highest plating efficiency (10.8% after 6
      days) was observed with NAA at 4.5 uM, BAP at 1.5 uM, PUT at 35.0 uM, SPD at 5.0
      uM, and SPM at 2.5 uM. 

PMID- 24241605
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24241606
TI  - Efficacy of a 12-month, monitored home exercise programme compared with normal
      care commencing 2 months after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a delayed home exercise programme compared
      with normal care after primary total knee arthroplasty. DESIGN: Single-blind,
      prospective, randomized, controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 108
      participants (61% females, mean age 69 years [standard deviation 8.7]), were
      randomized to a home-based exercise group (EG, n = 53) or to a control group (CG,
      n = 55). METHODS: Two months post-operatively, the EG received a home exercise
      programme, while the CG received no additional guidance. The outcome measurements
      were: pain and disability, measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster
      Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); health-related quality of life
      (HRQoL), measured using the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36); maximal walking
      speed; isometric knee muscle strength; and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.
      Measurements were made at baseline and at 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: At the
      12-month follow-up, maximal walking speed (p < 0.001) and knee flexion strength
      (p = 0.009) were significantly greater in the EG. Both groups showed similar
      improvements in all of the WOMAC subscale scores, the SF-36 summary scores and
      the TUG time. CONCLUSION: Home-based training was not superior to normal care
      with regard to pain, disability or HRQoL, but resulted in greater improvement in
      objectively measured physical performance.

PMID- 24241607
TI  - Cardiovascular disease among breast cancer survivors: the call for a clinical
      vascular health toolbox.
AB  - With better detection and treatment, breast cancer is less likely to be the
      primary cause of death in the majority of breast cancer survivors; mortality due
      to cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now more common. Given the long latency
      periods between cancer treatment completion and potential symptomatic CVD, there
      is a need to detect vascular changes before symptoms appear. This short review
      provides an overview of non-invasive, widely available, and relatively
      inexpensive techniques for assessing endothelial function, central and regional
      arterial stiffness, central blood pressures, and intima-media thickness. These
      tools exhibit acceptable reliability and validity, and are relatively practical.
      Clinical assessment recommendations are also provided. There is sufficient
      evidence to encourage the use of these techniques as a component of routine
      serial assessments, and to help guide appropriate treatment strategies. 

PMID- 24241608
TI  - Nucleotide pools in suspension-cultured cells of Datura innoxia : I. Changes
      during growth of the batch culture.
AB  - The concentrations of 17 nucleotides and three nucleosides have been determined
      in a batch suspension culture of Datura innoxia using a new procedure for
      extraction, purification and high-performance liquid chromatography separation of
      these compounds. The nucleotide pools change appreciably in the different phases
      of growth. These changes indicate the preparation for and initiation of cell
      proliferation, and reflect metabolic events during cell division, cell elongation
      and starvation. The main components of the nucleotide pool are uracil
      nucleotides, with uridine 5'-diphosphate sugars as the predominant fraction, and
      the adenine nucleotides. Although their concentrations vary by a factor of more
      than 6 the ratio of the uracil to adenine nucleotides is kept fairly constant
      during growth. The energy charge is maintained at a rather high value. The
      correlation of these events with nutrient uptake and macromolecular synthesis by
      the batch culture is presented in the following paper. 

PMID- 24241609
TI  - Nucleotide pools in suspension-cultured cells of Datura innoxia : II. Correlation
      with nutrient uptake and macromolecular synthesis.
AB  - A general picture of the metabolic events which govern to growth behaviour of a
      batch culture of suspended dedifferentiated cells of Datura innoxia is obtained
      by following both the uptake and accumulation of the medium phosphate and sucrose
      by the cells, and the synthesis of RNA, protein and starch. The results are
      compared with the changes in the nucleotide pools described in the preceding
      paper. The sequence of formation and the regulatory dependencies of cellular
      pools of phosphate, sucrose, nucleotides and RNA in the production of proteins,
      starch and cell mass, and in the control of proliferation and cell growth are
      discussed. Furthermore, the importance of the maintenance pools for metabolic
      survival during starvation is emphasized. 

PMID- 24241610
TI  - Origin and developmental changes of envelope proteins and translocator activities
      from plastids of Secale cereale L.
AB  - To determine the sites of synthesis of chloroplast-envelope proteins, we have
      analysed several enzyme and translocator functions ascribed to the envelope
      membranes, and investigated the envelope polypeptide composition of plastids
      isolated from 70S ribosome-deficient leaves of rye (Secale cereale L.) generated
      by growing the plants at a temperature of 32 degrees C. Since the
      ribosomedeficient plastids are also achlorophyllous in light-grown leaves, not
      only were chloroplasts from mature, green leaves used for comparison, but also
      those from yellowing, aged leaves as well as etioplasts from dark-grown leaves
      raised at a temperature of 22 degrees  C. A majority of the plastidenvelope
      polypeptides appeared to be of cytoplasmic origin. The envelopes of ribosome
      deficient plastids possessed ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) activity; this was not, however,
      dependent on divalent cations, in contrast to the Mn(2+)- or Mg(2+)-dependent
      ATPase which is associated with chloroplast envelopes. Adenylate kinase (EC
      2.7.4.3) was present in the stromal fraction of ribosome-deficient plastids and
      the stromal form of this enzyme is, therefore, of cytoplasmic origin. In contrast
      to previous findings, adenylate kinase was not, however, specifically associated
      with the chloroplast-envelope membranes, either in rye or in spinach.
      Measurements of the uptake of L-[(14)C]-malate into ribosome-deficient plastids
      indicated the presence and cytoplasmic origin of the dicarboxylate translocator.
      Malate uptake into rye etioplasts was, however, low. The phosphate translocator
      was assayed by the uptake of 3-phospho-[(14)C]glycerate. While rapid 3
      phosphoglycerate uptake was observed for rye chloroplasts and etioplasts, it was
      hardly detectable for ribosome-deficient, plastids and rather low for
      chloroplasts from aged leaves. A polypeptide of M r approx. 30000 ascribed to the
      phosphate translocator was greatly reduced in the envelope patterns of ribosome
      deficient plastids and of chloroplasts from aged leaves. 

PMID- 24241611
TI  - Strategies for the selection and characterization of aluminum-resistant variants
      from cell cultures of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.
AB  - The development of strategies for selecting and characterizing aluminum-resistant
      variants from Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv. cell cultures is described. Plated
      cells, smeared callus, in-vitro-grown shoots, and seedlings of wild-type N.
      plumbaginifolia all showed similar responses to Al, with total growth inhibition
      at or above 600 MUM Al. The strict control of both cell density and aggregate
      size is important in selection experiments for total inhibition of the growth of
      wild-type cells. Two approaches for the selection of Al-resistant variants were
      used. In a direct method, cells were plated onto medium containing 600 MUM Al
      which inhibited growth and chlorophyll synthesis in wildtype cells. A double
      selection strategy based on both cell growth and greening was used to isolate 29
      Al-resistant variants. In the other approach, a rescue method, suspensions were
      cultured for 10 d in medium containing 600 MUM Al, then plated onto standard
      medium for recovery of survivors. Using this strategy, 217 Al-resistant variants
      were selected. After six to twelve weeks of growth in the absence of Al, each
      variant was cloned and reselected from single cells. Al resistance was retained
      in 31% and 51% of the variants selected by the direct and rescue strategies,
      respectively. Seedling segregation data are presented for the progeny (selfed and
      backcrossed) of plants regenerated from one of the variants and are consistent
      with those expected for a single dominant mutation. 

PMID- 24241612
TI  - Degradation of the 32-kilodalton thylakoid-membrane polypeptide of Chlamydomonas
      reinhardi Y-1.
AB  - Isolated thylakoid membranes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi Y-1 with the 32-kDa
      polypeptide either radioactively labelled or unlabelled were incubated in vitro
      under various conditions in order to gain information about the degradation of
      the 32-kDa polypeptide. The degradation was higher at pH 6 compared with pH 7 and
      pH 8 and exhibited a temperature maximum between 20 degrees  C and 25 degrees  C
      (pH 6, pH 8). A light-dependent part of the total degradation was linearly
      dependent on white light of energy fluence rate between 1 and 20 mW.cm(-2) at 25
      degrees  C and leveled out at higher fluence rates. The degradation in light was
      only slightly stimulated by ATP but was reduced by 3-(3'-4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1
      dimethylurea. Adenosine-5'-diphosphate and heparin (2.7 mM and 200 MUg per 100
      MUl, respectively) known to inhibit kinases, caused a 50% decrease in degradation
      indicating that a phosphorylation step is involved in degradating the 32-kDa
      polypeptide. Out of various inhibitors specific for different types of proteases,
      only those for thiol- and endoproteases showed intense effects. These results
      point to a proteolytic degradation of the 32-kDa polypetide by a thylakoid
      membrane-bound thiol-endoprotease. Its activity yields soluble breakdown products
      with relative molecular masses (Mrs) of 23, 16.5, 11.3 and 10.7 kDa, and these
      are accumulated in the in-vitro system. Partial proteolytic digestion of
      thylakoids with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease results in at least two
      labelled breakdown products (Mrs 23, and 16.5 kDa). It is assumed that cleaving
      at identical amino-acid residues of the 32-kDa polypeptide by the thylakoid
      membrane-bound thiolendoprotease and the V8 protease results in these two
      breakdown products. They are derived from subsequent cleavage at amino-acid
      residues 60-242 and 60-189 according to the deduced protein sequence (Erickson et
      al. 1984, EMBO J. 3, 2753-2762). 

PMID- 24241613
TI  - Abscisic acid, xanthoxin and violaxanthin in the caps of gravistimulated maize
      roots.
AB  - The occurrence and distribution of abscisic acid (ABA), xanthoxin (Xa) and the
      carotenoid violaxanthin (Va) were investigated in root tips of maize (Zea mays L.
      cv. Merit). In roots grown in the dark, Va and ABA were present in relatively
      high amounts in the root cap and in low amounts in the adjacent terminal 1.5 mm
      of the root. Xanthoxin was present in equal concentrations in both regions. In
      roots exposed to light, the ABA distribution was reversed, with relatively low
      levels in the root cap and high levels in the adjacent 1.5-mm segment. Light also
      caused a decrease in Va in both regions of the root and an increase in Xa,
      especially in the cap. In the maize cultivar used for this work, light is
      necessary for gravitropic curving. This response occurs within the same time
      frame as the light-induced ABA redistribution as well as the changes in the
      levels of Va and Xa. These data are consistent with a role for ABA in root
      gravitropism and support the proposal that Xa may arise from the turnover of Va. 

PMID- 24241614
TI  - Potassium channels in Eremosphaera viridis : I. Influence of cations and pH on
      resting membrane potential and on an action-potential-like response.
AB  - The dependence of the membrane potential of Eremosphaera viridis on different
      external concentrations of potassium, sodium, calcium, and protons was compared
      with the diffusion potential measured in the dark and in the presence of NaN3. In
      contrast to some other algae, the membrane potential in the light as well as in
      the dark seemed to be predominantly determined by the calculated diffusion
      potential and less by an electrogenic pump which, however, seemed to be involved
      at potassium concentrations >1 mol.m(-3) and at higher pHos (>pH 6). Furthermore,
      some characteristics of an action-potential-like response (CAP) triggered by
      light-off, and independent of the membrane-potential threshold value, were
      determined. The CAP had a delay period of 5.4 s and needed 4.5 s for polarization
      to a plateau. On average, the plateau held for 8.8 s and the CAP lasted 37.7 s.
      The peak amplitudes of CAP (P AP) exactly followed the Nernst potential of
      potassium. Other cations like sodium, calcium and protons did not appreciably
      affect the peak amplitudes of CAP. From these and other results it can be assumed
      that the CAP is caused by a temporary opening of potassium channels in the plasma
      membrane of Eremosphaera (Kohler et al., 1983, Planta 159, 165-171). The release
      of a CAP by light-off has been partly explained by the participation of a
      transient increase of proton concentration in the cytoplasm. It was possible to
      trigger a CAP by external pH changes and by the addition of sodium acetate, thus
      supporting the hypothesis that a pH decrease in the cytoplasm may be one element
      of the signal transfer from the photosynthetic system to the potassium channels
      in the plasmalemma. Calcium also seemed to have an influence on triggering the
      CAP. 

PMID- 24241615
TI  - Induction of de-novo synthesis of tryptophan decarboxylase in cell suspensions of
      Catharanthus roseus.
AB  - Tryptophan decarboxylase (EC 4.2.1.27) is synthesized de-novo by Catharanthus
      roseus cells shortly after the cells have been transferred into culture medium in
      which monoterpenoid indole alkaloids are formed. The enzyme production, monitored
      by in-vivo labelling with [(35)S]methionine and immunoprecipitation, precedes the
      apparent maximal enzyme activity by 10-12 h. From the time course of the
      descending enzyme activity after induction, a half-life of 21 h for tryptophan
      decarboxylase in C. roseus cell suspensions is calculated. A comparison of the
      polyadenylated-RNA preparations from C. roseus cells indicates that mRNA activity
      for tryptophan decarboxylase is only detected in cells grown in the production
      medium. The importance of tryptophan decarboxylase induction with respect to the
      accumulation of th corresponding alkaloids is discussed. 

PMID- 24241616
TI  - Abscisic acid and the regulation of synthesis of specific seed proteins and their
      messenger RNAs during culture of soybean embryos.
AB  - The ability of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) embryos cultured in vitro in the
      absence of abscisic acid (ABA) to germinate precociously increased as the embryos
      matured. Exogenous ABA prevented precocious germination at all stages of
      development, concentrations below 10(-5) M being partially effective. Growth
      (fresh weight increase) of mid-maturation embryos was dependent on ABA, and such
      embryos required ABA for continued synthesis of storage proteins during culture.
      Two complementary-DNA clones for different members of the family of 11S storage
      proteins, and one for the 7S storage proteins were used in Northern blot
      hybridizations to analyze the effects of ABA on the levels of the 11S and 7S
      mRNAs. In addition, filter hybridizations with in-vivo-labeled
      [(3)H]polyadenylated RNA to the cloned DNA for one of the 11S proteins were
      carried out to study transcription of 11S mRNA. Midmaturation embryos cultured
      with ABA continued to transcribe mRNAs for the storage proteins during the 21 d
      of culture studied, whereas in the absence of ABA these mRNAs disappeared from
      the cotyledons within about 5 d. The optimum concentration of ABA for the
      synthesis of storage-protein mRNAs was 10(-5) M. The effect of ABA on the
      concentration of 11S mRNAs was stage-dependent. Abscisic acid caused a decrease
      in the mRNA in embryos cultured at the cotyledon stage; it was necessary for high
      levels of the mRNA to be achieved in early- and mid-maturation embryos; and it
      did not reverse the decline in the mRNA levels in embryos cultured at the late
      maturation stage. 

PMID- 24241617
TI  - Characterization of calcium fluxes across the envelope of intact spinach
      chloroplasts.
AB  - Calcium fluxes across the envelope of intact spinach chloroplasts (Spinacia
      oleracea L.) in the light and in the dark were investigated using the
      metallochromic indicator arsenazo III. Light induces Ca(2+) influx into
      chloroplasts. The action spectrum of light-induced Ca(2+) influx and the
      inhibitory effect of 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) indicate an
      involement of photosynthetic electron transport in this process. The driving
      force for light-induced Ca(2+) influx is most likely a change in the membrane
      potential component of the proton motive force. This was demonstrated by the use
      of agents modifying the membrane potential (lipophilic cations, ionophores,
      different KCl concentrations). The activation energy of the observed Ca(2+)
      influx is about 92 kJ mol(-1). Verapamil and nifedipine, two Ca(2+)-channel
      blockers, have no inhibitory effect on light-induced Ca(2+) influx, but enhance
      ferricyanide-dependent oxygen evolution. Inhibition of Ca(2+) influx by ruthenium
      red reduces the light-dependent decrease in stromal NAD(+) level. 

PMID- 24241618
TI  - Comparative quantitation of abscisic acid in plant extracts by gas-liquid
      chromatography and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the avidin-biotin
      system.
AB  - In this report we describe an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the
      quantitation of abscisic acid (ABA) in plant extracts. A microtitration plate is
      coated with an ABA-protein complex. The ABA, standard or sample, is then added to
      each well with a limiting quantity of rabbit anti-ABA antibodies. During the
      following incubation period, antibodies bind either to free or to bound ABA on
      the plates. After washing, bound antibodies are indirectly labelled in two steps
      by the means of biotinylated goat antirabbit immunoglobulin-G antibodies which
      act as a link between rabbit anti-ABA antibodies and an avidin-alkaline
      phosphatase complex. The relative enzyme activity bound is measured
      spectrophotometrically. The detection limit of this method is 5 pg ABA and the
      measuring range extends to 10 ng. Gas-liquid-chromatography controls, with an
      electron capture detector, show a good correlation with ELISA results obtained
      using extracts of Lycopersicon esculentum, Nicotiana tabacum and Pseudotsuga
      menziesii samples purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. This
      provides a good argument for the accuracy of the immunoenzymatic method. The
      indirect labelling of antibodies, with the avidin-biotin amplifying system,
      should make this technique suitable for the quantitation of other plant growth
      substances against which specific antibodies are available. 

PMID- 24241619
TI  - beta-Glucanases in developing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fibres.
AB  - Cotton fibres possess several beta-glucanase activities which appear to be
      associated with the cell wall, but which can be partially solubilised in buffers.
      The main activity detected was that of an exo-(1->3)-beta-D-glucanase (EC
      3.2.1.58) but which also had the characteristics of a beta-glucosidase (EC
      3.2.1.21). Endo-(1->3)-beta-D-glucanase activity (EC 3.2.1.39) and much lower
      levels of (1->4)-beta-D-glucanase activity were also detected. The exo-(1->3)
      beta-glucanase showed a maximum late on (40 days post-anthesis) in the
      development of the fibres, whereas the endo-(1->3)-beta-glucanase activity
      remained constant throughout fibre development. The beta-glucanase complex
      associated with the cotton-fibre cell wall also functions as a transglucosylase
      introducing, inter alia, (1->6)-beta-glucosyl linkages into the disaccharide
      cellobiose to give the trisaccharide 4-O-beta-gentiobiosylglucose. 

PMID- 24241620
TI  - Alternative formation of anthraquinones and lipoquinones in heterotrophic and
      photoautotrophic cell suspension cultures of Morinda lucida Benth.
AB  - Photoheterotrophic and photoautotrophic cell suspension cultures were raised from
      a callus tissue derived from a Morinda lucida Benth. plant (Rubiaceae). The
      cultures were characterized with regard to fresh weight, dry weight, cell number,
      pH, chlorophyll and quinoid natural products. The amount of lipoquinones
      (phylloquinone, alpha-tocopherol, plastoquinone, ubiquinone) isolated from the
      photoautotrophic cultures matched the amount detected in an intact leaf.
      Anthraquinone glycosides which are found in the roots of Morinda plants were not
      present in the photoautotrophic culture. The photoheterotrophic culture contained
      only trace amounts of these pigments. Abundant anthraquinone synthesis was
      observed when photoautotrophic and photoheterotrophic suspension cultures were
      transferred into darkness, provided sucrose was present in the medium. Induction
      of synthesis of anthraquinone pigments coincided with a rapid disappearance of
      lipoquinones from the culture. Thus, in the suspension culture, photoautotrophy
      correlates with lipoquinone synthesis and heterotrophy correlates with
      anthraquinone synthesis. This reflects the situation in the intact plants where
      lipoquinones are chloroplast-associated whereas anthraquinones occur in the
      roots. 

PMID- 24241621
TI  - The function of tonoplast ATPase in intact vacuoles of red beet is governed by
      direct and indirect ion effects.
AB  - The pH gradient and the electric potential across the tonoplast in mechanically
      isolated beetroot vacuoles has been studied by following the uptake of
      [(14)C]methylamine and [(14)C]triphenyl-methylphosphoniumchloride. In response to
      Mg-ATP, the vacuolar interior is acidified by 0.8 units. This strong
      acidification is accompanied by a slight hyperpolarization of the membrane
      potential, which is probably caused by a proton diffusion potential. In
      preparations where only a small acidification (0.4 units) occurred, the membrane
      potential was depolarized by the addition of Mg-ATP. Different monovalent cations
      and anions were tested concerning their effect on the pH gradient and ATPase
      activity in proton-conducting tonoplasts. Chloride stimulation and NO 3 (-)
      inhibition were clearly present. The observed decline of the pH gradient upon the
      addition of Na(+) salts is probably caused by an Na(+)/H(+) antiport system. 

PMID- 24241622
TI  - The action of exogenous abscisic acid on malate-synthase synthesis in germinating
      castor-bean seeds.
AB  - The presence of 30 MUM abscisic acid inhibited development of malate-synthase
      activity in the endosperm of germinating castor-bean seeds. Malate synthase was
      purified from castor-bean endosperms and an antibody to it was prepared from
      rabbit serum. This antibody was used to measure the amounts of malate-synthase
      mRNA using an in-vitro translation system. The effect of abscisic acid appeared
      to be greater on malate-synthase mRNA than on the bulk of mRNA, indicating some
      specificity of abscisic-acid action. The extent of the inhibition of malate
      synthase activity and of malate-synthase mRNA accumulation were similar. This
      indicates that abscisic acid inhibits malate-synthase activity by lowering levels
      of translatable malate-synthase mRNA rather than by affecting the translation
      rate of this mRNA. 

PMID- 24241623
TI  - Cell-wall-bound lytic activity in Chlorella fusca: function and characterization
      of an endo-mannanase.
AB  - A cell-wall-degrading activity was solubilized from young cells and from mother
      cell walls of Chlorella fusca by treatment with LiCl. The cytoplasmic enzyme
      hexokinase was not detectable in these extracts. The LiCl-solubilized activity
      increased in the cell cycle parallel to the release of autospores. The enzyme was
      purified on a chromatofocusing column followed by gel filtration. Sodium dodecyl
      sulfate/polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme revealed a
      molecular weight of 44 kDa, whereas gel filtration indicated a molecular weight
      of 25 kDa. Cell-wall-lytic activity and beta-1,4-mannanase activity coeluted in
      gel filtration and were separated from beta-D-fucosidase activity. The enzyme
      degraded isolated cell walls and ivory nut mannan primarily to oligosaccharides
      with an estimated degree of polymerization ?6. The soluble degradation products
      of the cell wall consisted of 92-96% mannose and 4-8% glucose. It is concluded
      that the cell-wall-lytic activity is caused by an endo-mannanase. In vivo, this
      enzyme probably degrades the mother cell wall and, after autospore release,
      remains bound to it as well as to the surface of the daughter cells by ionic
      forces. The identity of this bound enzyme with a soluble wall-degrading enzyme
      previously obtained from mother cells is discussed. 

PMID- 24241624
TI  - cDNA-AFLP analysis reveals heat shock proteins play important roles in mediating
      cold, heat, and drought tolerance in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus.
AB  - Ammopiptanthus mongolicus (Maxim.ex kom.) Cheng F. is the only evergreen
      broadleaf shrub endemic to the desert of central Asian and it can survive at
      drought, salt, and alkali stress. It is believed that A. mongolicus is an
      important germplasm containing abiotic-tolerance genes. In order to identify
      drought-, cold-, and heat-responsive genes and to gain a better understanding of
      stress responses in A. mongolicus, genome-wide investigation of drought-, cold-,
      and heat-responsive genes was performed in A. mongolicus using cDNA-amplified
      fragment length polymorphism. Selective amplification with 240 primer
      combinations generated 5,000 differentially expressed transcript derived
      fragments (TDFs). Of these, 201 TDFs with differential expression patterns were
      excised from gels, reamplified by PCR, and sequenced. The gene expression
      patterns of 11 regulated genes were further investigated by semiquantitative
      reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. Sequencing and
      similarity analysis revealed that TDFs present homologies chiefly with proteins
      involved in various abiotic and biotic stress and developmental responses. The
      information presented in this study reveals that heat shock proteins play an
      active role in mediating drought, cold, and heat tolerance in A. mongolicus. 

PMID- 24241625
TI  - The use of the isotropic orientation factor in fluorescence resonance energy
      transfer (FRET) studies of the actin filament.
AB  - A Dale-Eisinger style analysis (R. E. Daleet al., Biophys. J. 26, 161, 1979) is
      used to produce three-dimensional plots that display the limits on the average
      orientation factor [Symbol: see text]K (2)[Symbol: see text] that is required to
      calculate molecular distances in F-actin from fluorescence resonance energy
      transfer measurements. Maxima and minima plots are generated for the transfer of
      energy from a donor to a single acceptor and for transfer to multiple acceptors
      that are related by F-actin helical symmetry. The analysis is performed in terms
      of dipole cone half-angles rather than depolarization factors, in order to
      facilitate the modeling of the multiple acceptor problem. Calculations are
      carried out under the restrictive condition of a single electric dipole moment
      per fluorophore. In addition, both surface and volume averaging of the donor and
      acceptor dipoles are considered. Comparisons between the plots show that for the
      multiple acceptor cases with F-actin symmetry, there is a great reduction in the
      range for maxima and minima limits on [Symbol: see text]K (2)[Symbol: see text].
      The calculations also suggest guidelines for the choice of fluorescence label
      that will result in an average orientation factor occurring within acceptable
      limits, i.e., inside the limits for which [Symbol: see text]K (2)[Symbol: see
      text]=2/3 may be employed. Thus, without having detailed knowledge of the mean
      donor or acceptor dipole relative orientations, the use of [Symbol: see text]K
      (2)[Symbol: see text]=2/3 in radial coordinate studies of F-actin is more than
      reasonable and is fairly assured of being correct. 

PMID- 24241626
TI  - Tryptophan phosphorescence of ribonuclease T1 as a probe of protein flexibility.
AB  - The phosphorescence properties of Trp-59 of ribonuclease T1 fromAspergillus
      oryzae were monitored as a function of temperature, pH, salt concentration, and
      complex formation with substrate analogues and, also, in the presence of glycerol
      as viscogenic cosolvent. The results establish a rough correlation between the
      internal flexibility of the macromolecule, as derived from the triplet lifetime,
      and its stability (DeltaG orT m ) toward unfolding. Below 10 degrees C or in 70%
      glycerol the triplet probe distinguishes at least two gross conformations for the
      protein, which are characterized by a large difference in phosphorescence
      lifetime. It is pointed out that such structural heterogeneity does not
      correspond with the heterogeneity inferred from fluorescence decays and
      acrylamide quenching rates. Further, implications of the phosphorescence data
      with regard to the interpretation of acrylamide quenching of fluorescence are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24241627
TI  - Packing of phospholipid vesicles studied by oxygen quenching of Laurdan
      fluorescence.
AB  - Steady-state fluorescence oxygen quenching experiments were performed on
      phospholipid vesicles where 2-dimethylamino-6-lauroylnaphthalene (Laurdan) was
      inserted. The quenching efficiency was found to be much higher in vesicles in the
      liquid-crystalline phase with respect to the gel phase, by a factor of about 50.
      Since the oxygen solubility in the two phospholipid phases can differ at most by
      a factor of 4 based on literature values, we concluded that oxygen diffusion must
      be responsible for the great difference in the quenching efficiency. A relatively
      high quenching efficiency was also found in vesicles composed of equimolar gel
      and liquid-crystalline phospholipids. Simulations were performed using the linear
      superposition of the properties of the pure phases to demonstrate that, in the
      case of vesicles composed of coexisting phases, the diffusional properties of
      oxygen in each phase are largely modified by the presence of the other. The
      addition of 10 mol% cholesterol to the gel phase rendered Laurdan fluorescence
      approximately as quenchable as in the equimolar mixture of the two phases. This
      result points out that molecules such as cholesterol, which introduce packing
      defects in the bilayer, favor oxygen diffusion. From the oxygen quenching
      experiments and using the properties of generalized polarization, the rate of
      Laurdan dipolar relaxation can be estimated. 

PMID- 24241628
TI  - Electronic spectra of dye solutions. I. The mirror image rule.
AB  - The main assumptions of the quasi-molecule model of electronic spectra of liquid
      dye solutions are presented. The derived analytical expressions of the spectra
      account for the solvatochromic effects present in the solution. Based on the
      obtained spectral profiles of some coumarins in alcohol, new criteria for the
      validity of the mirror image rule are formulated. 

PMID- 24241629
TI  - The DNA content of mouse two-cell embryos can be measured by microfluorimetric
      image analysis under conditions of cell viability.
AB  - Video-enhanced fluorescence imaging was used to quantify the DNA content in live
      two-cell mouse embryos. DNA was stained with the vital fluorophore Hoechst 33342.
      Conditions of dye concentration and irradiation were such that two-cell embryos
      could be kept in the constant presence of the dye for about 24 h without a major
      effect on their furtherin vitro viability. Total nuclear fluorescence intensity
      of stained two-cell embryos was measured twice under these conditions, i.e., in
      G1 (1 h after cleavage) and in G2 (15-18 h after cleavage), by image analysis.
      After correcting for the fluctuations in excitation intensity and for the spatial
      nonhomogeneities of the optical system (lenses and sensor), the mean total
      nuclear fluorescence intensity was about twofold higher in G2 than in G1
      ([Symbol: see text]R[Symbol: see text]=1.99 to 2.25), and this increase was
      abolished by the addition of aphidicolin, an inhibitor of replication. The
      fluorescence increase did not depend on the Hoechst concentration in the range of
      10-40 ng/ml, i.e., in the range of embryo viability. The coefficient of variation
      of the total nuclear fluorescence intensity measured under these conditions was
      rather large (10 to 20%). Nevertheless, the mean value of fluorescence intensity
      in G1 of nuclei of a given pool represents an appropriate reference to measure
      the increase in fluorescence intensity between G1 and G2. 

PMID- 24241630
TI  - Calibration methods and avoidance of errors in measurement of intracellular pH
      (pHcyt) using the indicator bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) in
      human platelets.
AB  - Determinations of pHcyt in suspensions of human platelets using BCECF
      [bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein] can be seriously biased by leakage of
      the fluorescent indicator. Two methods ("pH jump" and "Mn(2+)") are presented for
      determining the fraction of external indicator (B ext) and eliminating this
      error. Both methods rely on rapid perturbations (pH jump or Mn(2+) addition),
      which affect the fluorescence of the external dye immediately and the
      intracellular dye more slowly. Identical values ofB ext are reported. Failure to
      correct for dye leakage can result in overestimation of pHcyt by as much as 0.4
      unit at physiological external pH (pHext). Two methods of calibration of the
      cytoplasmic signal were compared after correcting forB ext: the "digitonin lysis"
      method and the "nigericin calibration" method. In the digitonin method the dye is
      released at the end of the experiment and the dependence of its fluorescence is
      determined as a function of pH. The method assumes that the fluorescence and
      titration characteristics of the dye in the cytoplasm are not different from
      those in solution. It gives pHcyt=6.75+/-0.07 for pHext=7.3. In the nigericin
      method, 150 mM external K(+) and 10 MUM nigericin are used for the purpose of
      setting pHcyt=pHext to accomplish anin situ calibration. The method was
      complicated by extra leakage induced by nigericin. Assuming that the ionophore
      could equilibrate pH in the alkaline range, the fluorescence of the anionic form
      of BCECF in the cytoplasm would be 15% lower than in solution and pHcyt would be
      0.3 unit higher than presented above. A number of observations favor the
      digitonin lysis method of calibration. The fluorescence polarization of BCECF in
      platelets is small and indistinguishable from that in solution (0.000+/-0.022).
      The spectrofluorimetric characteristics of the intracellular dye are identical to
      those in solution (150 mM NaCl or KCl). There was no evidence for self-quenching
      or binding to cellular elements for cytoplasmic BCECF concentrations up to 1.8
      mM. The following agents are capable of introducing error: (1) the Na(+)
      substituteN-methyl-D-glucamine doubles theK d and decreases by 13% the DeltaF max
      of BCECF; (2) the Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibitor amiloride quenches BCECF
      fluorescence and is intrinsically fluorescent; and (3) bovine serum albumin (used
      to remove nigericin) quenches external BCECF with kinetics mimicking
      acidification of the cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24241631
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24241633
TI  - Network medicine: finding the links to personalized therapy.
AB  - Network medicine is a new approach that focuses on applying systems biology to
      pharmacology by "understanding the molecular system [and its perturbations] as a
      whole" so as to unravel the complex relationships among disease processes, genes,
      drugs, therapeutic indicators, and adverse effects.(1,2.) 

PMID- 24241637
TI  - Network medicine in disease analysis and therapeutics.
AB  - Two parallel trends are occurring in drug discovery. The first is that we are
      moving away from a symptom-based disease classification system to a system based
      on molecules and molecular states. The second is that we are shifting from
      targeting a single molecule toward targeting multiple molecules, pathways, or
      networks. Network medicine is an approach to understanding disease and
      discovering therapeutics looking at many molecules and how they interrelate, and
      it may play a critical role in the adoption of both trends. 

PMID- 24241638
TI  - Managing the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
AB  - In clinical trials, bosentan was shown to cause significant drug-induced liver
      injury (DILI) in some patients. Because it is not possible to identify those at
      higher risk for DILI, all patients to be treated with bosentan must enroll in a
      program requiring documentation of liver blood testing before they can receive
      the drug. Because this program is costly and is perceived as onerous, a genetic
      test capable of identifying susceptible individuals would probably be rapidly
      adopted by physicians. 

PMID- 24241639
TI  - Challenges in interpreting the evidence for genetic predictors of ototoxicity.
AB  - There has been recent controversy regarding predictors of cisplatin-induced
      ototoxicity in children, as highlighted in a previous issue of this journal. We
      have reviewed the two articles that purport to show an association between TPMT
      and COMT variants and ototoxicity, as well as the related patent applications
      dating back to 2006. We summarize statistical issues not fully addressed by the
      authors that appear to have confounded the results of their studies. 

PMID- 24241641
TI  - Experimental determination of the spatial scale of a prey patch from the
      predator's perspective.
AB  - Foraging theory predicts that predators should prefer foraging in habitat patches
      with higher prey densities. However, density depends on the spatial scale at
      which a "patch" is defined by an observer. Ecologists strive to measure prey
      densities at the same scale that predators do, but many natural landscapes lack
      obvious, well-defined prey patches. Thus one must determine the scale at which
      predators define patches of prey. We estimated the scale at which guppies,
      Poecilia reticulata, selected patches of zooplankton prey using a behavioral
      assay. Guppies could choose between two prey arrays, each manipulated to have a
      density that depended on the spatial scale at which density was calculated. We
      estimated the scale of guppy foraging by comparing guppy preferences across a
      series of trials in which we systematically varied the scale associated with
      "high" prey density. This approach enables the application of foraging theory to
      non-discrete habitats and prey landscapes. 

PMID- 24241640
TI  - Advancing biodiversity-ecosystem functioning science using high-density tree
      based experiments over functional diversity gradients.
AB  - Increasing concern about loss of biodiversity and its effects on ecosystem
      functioning has triggered a series of manipulative experiments worldwide, which
      have demonstrated a general trend for ecosystem functioning to increase with
      diversity. General mechanisms proposed to explain diversity effects include
      complementary resource use and invoke a key role for species' functional traits.
      The actual mechanisms by which complementary resource use occurs remain, however,
      poorly understood, as well as whether they apply to tree-dominated ecosystems.
      Here we present an experimental approach offering multiple innovative aspects to
      the field of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) research. The International
      Diversity Experiment Network with Trees (IDENT) allows research to be conducted
      at several hierarchical levels within individuals, neighborhoods, and
      communities. The network investigates questions related to intraspecific trait
      variation, complementarity, and environmental stress. The goal of IDENT is to
      identify some of the mechanisms through which individuals and species interact to
      promote coexistence and the complementary use of resources. IDENT includes
      several implemented and planned sites in North America and Europe, and uses a
      replicated design of high-density tree plots of fixed species-richness levels
      varying in functional diversity (FD). The design reduces the space and time
      needed for trees to interact allowing a thorough set of mixtures varying over
      different diversity gradients (specific, functional, phylogenetic) and
      environmental conditions (e.g., water stress) to be tested in the field. The
      intention of this paper is to share the experience in designing FD-focused BEF
      experiments with trees, to favor collaborations and expand the network to
      different conditions. 

PMID- 24241642
TI  - Chenopod salt bladders deter insect herbivores.
AB  - Trichomes on leaves and stems of certain chenopods (Chenopodiaceae) are modified
      with a greatly enlarged apical cell (a salt bladder), containing a huge central
      vacuole. These structures may aid in the extreme salt tolerance of many species
      by concentrating salts in the vacuole. Bladders eventually burst, covering the
      leaf in residue of bladder membranes and solid precipitates. The presence of this
      system in non-halophytic species suggests additional functions. I tested the
      novel hypothesis that these bladders have a defensive function against insect
      herbivores using choice, no choice, and field tests. Generalist insect herbivores
      preferred to feed on leaves without salt bladders in choice tests. In no choice
      tests, herbivores consumed less leaf matter with bladders. In a field test,
      leaves from which I had removed bladders suffered greater herbivory than adjacent
      leaves with bladders. Solutions containing bladders added to otherwise preferred
      leaves deterred herbivores, suggesting a water-soluble chemical component to the
      defense. This bladder system has a defensive function in at least four genera of
      chenopods. Salt bladders may be a structural defense, like spines or domatia, but
      also have a chemical defense component. 

PMID- 24241643
TI  - Consistent proportional increments in responses of belowground net primary
      productivity to long-term warming and clipping at various soil depths in a
      tallgrass prairie.
AB  - Root distribution patterns in soil are critical to understanding the interactions
      between climate and vegetation. However, it is not clear how climate change and
      land use practices affect belowground net primary productivity (BNPP) at various
      soil depths. In order to explore the effects of warming and clipping on root
      distribution patterns along soil profile (0-15, 15-30, and 30-45 cm), we
      conducted a field experiment from 2005 to 2010 in a tallgrass prairie. We used
      infrared heaters to elevate soil temperature by approximately 2  degrees C and
      annual clipping to mimic hay harvest. Results showed that roots were not evenly
      distributed through the soil profile. On average across treatments and years, 53
      and 83% of the BNPP to 45 cm was distributed in the top 15- and 30-cm soil
      layers, respectively. Warming- and clipping-induced increases in BNPP were
      distributed to different soil depths at the proportions similar to those of BNPP.
      The proportional distribution of BNPP at various soil depths to total BNPP (0-45
      cm) was little affected by warming, clipping, and their interactions, resulting
      in non-significant changes in the distribution of BNPP through the soil profile.
      These findings suggest that the proportionally vertical distribution of BNPP may
      remain stable even when the amount of BNPP changes simultaneously in response to
      climate change and land use practices.

PMID- 24241644
TI  - The use of lichen growth abnormalities as an early warning indicator of forest
      dieback.
AB  - Combinations of pollutants including acidic fog and ozone occur at high levels at
      a number of sites in eastern North America and Europe. Mountainous regions such
      as the Laurentians (Quebec), Appalachians (N.Y.) and the Green Mountains
      (Vermont) are especially vulnerable, with both conifers and hardwoods being
      affected. Ongoing measurements of atmospheric chemistry (e.g. The Chemistry of
      High Elevation Fog-CHEF project of the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service)
      reveal that extreme cloudwater events of less than pH 3.0 and ozone episodes in
      excess of 100 ppb are common occurrences. The purpose of this study was to gather
      information about the response of epiphytic lichens to deteriorating air quality
      at selected locations for which atmospheric chemical data are readily available.
      A multidisciplinary approach is being used to analyse the lichens.Morphological
      and cellular aberrations previously documented by the authors to occur in
      terricolous lichens exposed to simulated acidic rain events will be evaluated for
      their usefulness are early warning indicators of forest decline. In addition,
      tissue chemistry of species such as Hypogymnia physodes will be correlated with
      parameters such as altitude and decline index and compared with published
      elemental values for lichens from similarly polluted sites in Europe and
      Scandinavia. 

PMID- 24241645
TI  - Freshwater avain and mammalian predators as indicators of aquatic environmental
      quality.

PMID- 24241646
TI  - Public participation and volunteer help in monitoring programs: An assessment.
AB  - A number of opportunities exist for involving the public in environmental
      monitoring. This paper outlines some examples where this has been done, evaluates
      these examples, and then summarizes some of the benefits as well as the
      disadvantages of this approach. 

PMID- 24241647
TI  - Monitoring the condition of the Canadian forest environment: The relevance of the
      concept of 'ecological indicators'.
AB  - The Canadian forest environment is characterized by high spatial and temporal
      variability, especially in the west. Our forests vary according to climate,
      landform, and surficial geology, and according to the type, intensity, extent of,
      and the time since the last disturbance. Most Canadian forests have had a history
      of repeated acute, episodic disturbance from fire, insects, wind, diseases and/or
      logging, with a frequency of disturbance varying from a few decades to many
      centuries. These sources of variability have resulted in a complex and
      continually changing mosaic of forest conditions and stages of successional
      development.Monitoring the 'quality' of this dynamic forested landscape mosaic is
      extremely difficult, and in most cases the concept of a relatively simple index
      of forest ecosystem quality or condition (i.e. an 'ecological indicator') is
      probably inappropriate. Such ecological indicators are better suited for
      monitoring chronic anthropogenically induced disturbances that are continuous in
      their effect (e.g. 'acid rain', heavy metal pollution, air pollution, and the
      'greenhouse effect') in ecosystems that, in the absence of such chronic
      disturbance, exhibit very slow directional change (e.g. lakes, higher order
      streams and rivers). Monitoring the effects of a chronic anthropogenic
      disturbance to forest ecosystems to determine if it is resulting in a sustained,
      directional alteration of environmental 'quality' will require a definition of
      the expected pattern of episodic disturbance and recovery therefrom (i.e.
      patterns of secondary succession in the absence of the chronic disturbance). Only
      when we have such a 'temporal fingerprint' of forest ecosystem condition for
      'normal' patterns of disturbance and recovery can we determine if the ecosystem
      condition is being degraded by chronic human-induced alteration of the
      environment. Thus, degradation is assessed in terms of deviations from the
      expected temporal pattern of conditions rather than in terms of an instantaneous
      assessment of any particular condition. The concept of 'ecological rotation' (the
      time for a given ecosystem to recover from a given disturbance back to some
      defined successional condition) is useful in the definition of these 'temporal
      fingerprints'. This requires information on the intensity of disturbance, the
      frequency of disturbance, and the rate of successional recovery. Only when all
      three of these are known or estimated can statements be made as to whether the
      ecosystem is in a longterm sustainable condition or not.The somewhat overwhelming
      complexity of this task has led forest ecologists to use ecosystem-level computer
      simulation models. Appropriately structured and calibrated models of this type
      can provide predictions of the overall temporal patterns of ecosystem structure
      and functions that can be expected to accompany a given frequency and character
      of episodic disturbance. Such models can also be used to examine the long-term
      consequences of chronic disturbances such as acid rain and climatic change.
      Predictive ecosystem-level models should be used in conjunction with some method
      of stratifying the inherent spatial biophysical variability of the forest
      environment, such as the biogeoclimatic classification system of British
      Columbia. 

PMID- 24241648
TI  - Indicators of ecosystem health at the species level and the example of selenium
      effects on fish.
AB  - Chemical monitoring of aquatic ecosystems describes the chemical exposures of
      aquatic biota and measures the success of pollution control. However, meeting
      water quality criteria cannot assure that aquatic biota are protected from the
      effects of unexpected chemicals, mixtures and interactions between toxicity and
      environmental stressors.Biological monitoring is an obvious solution since
      aquatic biota integrate spatial and temporal variations in exposure to many
      simultaneous stressors. Top predators, typical of specific ecosystems (e.g. lake
      trout in cold water oligotrophic lakes) indicate whether environmental criteria
      have been met. The presence of naturally reproducing, self-sustaining and
      productive stocks of edible fish demonstrates a high quality environment. If
      these conditions are not met, there is a clear sign of environmental degradation.
      Specific changes in population structure and performance may also diagnose which
      life stage is affected and the nature of the stressor.Unfortunately,
      environmental managers cannot rely solely on populations, communities or
      ecosystems to indicate chmical effects. The lag between identifying a problem and
      finding a cause may destroy the resource that we wish to protect, particularly
      where chemicals are persistent.A solution to this dilemma is the measurement of
      primary or secondary responses of individual organisms to chemical exposure.
      Since toxicity at any level of organization must start with a reaction between a
      chemical and a biological substrate, these responses are the most sensitive and
      earliest sign of chemical exposure and effect.Application of this idea requires
      research on molecular mechanisms of chemical toxicity in aquatic biota and
      adaptation of existing mammalian diagnostic tools. Since relevance of biochemical
      responses to populations and ecosystems is not obvious, there is a need to study
      the links between chemical exposure and responses of individuals, populations and
      ecosystems.The recognition of chemical problems and cause-effect relationships
      requires the integration of chemical and biological monitoring, using the
      principles of epidemiology to test the strength of relationships and to identify
      specific research needs. The contamination of a reservoir with selenium and
      impacts on fish populations provide an excellent example of this approach. 

PMID- 24241649
TI  - Water quality indices as indicators of ecosystem change.
AB  - The operational management of water quality requires a methodology that can
      provide precise information on cycles and trends in water quality in an objective
      and reproducible manner. Such information can be provided by the adoption of a
      water quality indexing system. The continuous scale afforded by a water quality
      index allows changes in river water quality to be highlighted. At the same time
      the sub-division of this scale into a series of water quality and water use
      categories provides an easy means of relating information to government and
      public.The development of four independent water quality indices (WQIs) is
      outlined. These have been applied to data for a number of UK river reaches. The
      results of these applications indicate the utility of these indices in the
      classification of water quality and the monitoring of ecosystem change. 

PMID- 24241650
TI  - Redistribution of Cesium-137 as an example of a chemical indicator of
      environmental stress.
AB  - The use of the artificially-produced radioactive isotope Cesium-137 for the
      measurement of soil erosion is examined in this article as an example of the
      development of a chemical indicator of a specific environmental stress. The
      theoretical and methodological bases of the technique ar examined in the context
      of seven criteria developed to assess the suitability of a technique as a
      chemical indicator. The type of results available from the application of the
      technique are demonstrated for research in agricultural ecosystems in
      Saskatchewan, Canada. The research indicates that mean soil losses within
      agricultural fields are 2 to 3 times higher than the tolerable soil losses for
      the area and that net soil export from fields is a poor indicator of the
      intensity of erosion within the field. The major remaining constraint to the use
      of the technique is the lack of a standardized sampling and analytical framework
      for researchers using the procedure. 

PMID- 24241651
TI  - Workgroup issue paper: Criteria for ecological indicators : Introduction.

PMID- 24241652
TI  - Rapporteur's report of work group: Indicators at the species and biochemical
      level.

PMID- 24241653
TI  - Workgroup issue paper: Community or ecosystem level indicators : Introduction to
      indicators at the community or ecosystem level.

PMID- 24241654
TI  - Rapporteur's report of work group: Indicators at community or systems level.

PMID- 24241655
TI  - Workgroup issue paper: Introduction to chemical indicators, using the example of
      soil chemistry as applied to agriculture.

PMID- 24241656
TI  - Rapporteur's report of work group: Chemical indicators.

PMID- 24241657
TI  - Workgroup issue paper: Indicators and assessment of the state of fisheries.

PMID- 24241658
TI  - Rapporteur's report of work group: Indicators and assessment of the state of
      fisheries.

PMID- 24241659
TI  - Workgroup issue paper: Indicators and assessment of the state of forests :
      Introduction to Assessment of Forests.

PMID- 24241660
TI  - Rapporteur's report of work group: Indicators and assessment on the state of
      forest.

PMID- 24241661
TI  - Workgroup issue paper: Indicators and assessment of agricultural sustainability :
      Methods of Assessing Agricultural Sustainability.
AB  - Sustainability is emerging as one of the most fundamental concepts for assessing
      the overall state of an agricultural production system. Essentially, this concept
      assumes that if a production system is sustainable indefinitely, then it is
      acceptable. But almost any system is sustainable if sufficient resources are
      committed to it! So it's obvious that an uncritical adoption of the idea is not
      acceptable. 

PMID- 24241662
TI  - Rapporteur's report of work group: Indicators and assessment of agricultural
      sustainability.

PMID- 24241663
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 24241664
TI  - Significant improvement of androgenetic haploid and doubled haploid induction
      from wheat plants treated with a chemical hybridization agent.
AB  - A very significant improvement of the total yield of androgenetic green plants
      after anther culture is presented. The process involves treatment of the donor
      plants by spraying at different stages around the meiosis with a chemical
      hybridization agent (CHA) solution, fenridazon-potassium. When harvested at the
      normal uninucleate pollen grain stage, anthers have shown during in vitro culture
      very significant increases in embryo production. Compared to the control, we
      observed up to a 20-fold increase in the production. Moreover, when cultivated
      later, anthers still remained embryogenic. Therefore the process appears to be
      very efficient and to allow a broadening of the target period for androgenesis in
      vitro. The regeneration was not disturbed by the CHA treatment and, as shown in
      this paper, the technique seems to be applicable to a large range of genotypes.
      Cytological observations revealed both a low frequency of aneuploidy among the
      regenerated plants and peculiar features in the pollen grain walls after
      treatments; a triploid plant was observed. Hypotheses to explain the phenomenon
      are presented and related to previous observations on the effects of gametocide
      substances like ethrel, male sterility and pollen dimorphism on androgenesis. 

PMID- 24241666
TI  - Analysis of organelle genomes in a somatic hybrid derived from cytoplasmic male
      sterile Brassica oleracea and atrazine-resistant B. campestris.
AB  - An atrazine-resistant, male-fertile Brassica napus plant was synthesized by
      fusion of protoplasts from the diploid species B. oleracea and B. campestris.
      Leaf protoplasts from B. oleracea var. italica carrying the Ogura male-sterile
      cytoplasm derived from Raphanus sativus were fused with etiolated hypocotyl
      protoplasts of atrazine-resistant B. campestris. The selection procedure was
      based on the inability of B. campestris protoplasts to regenerate in the media
      used, and the reduction of light-induced growth of B. oleracea tissue by
      atrazine. A somatic hybrid plant that differed in morphology from both B.
      oleracea and B. campestris was regenerated on medium containing 50 MUM atrazine.
      Its chromosome number was 36-38, approximately that of B. napus. Furthermore,
      nuclear ribosomal DNA from this hybrid was a mixture of both parental rDNAs.
      Southern blot analyses of chloroplast DNA and an assay involving tetrazolium blue
      indicated that the hybrid contained atrazine-resistant B. campestris
      chloroplasts. The hybrid's mitochondrial genome was recombinant, containing
      fragments unique to each parent, as well as novel fragments carrying putative
      crossover points. Although the plant was female-sterile, it was successfully used
      to pollinate B. napus. 

PMID- 24241665
TI  - Chloroplast DNA variation in the grass tribe Festuceae.
AB  - Six grasses, Hordeum sativum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, F.
      pratensis, F. rubra and Lolium multiflorum were subjected to chloroplast DNA
      analysis based on restriction endonuclease digestion fragments and end labeling
      with (35)S nucleotides. This method is compared with others in general use. The
      results indicate that Lolium multiflorum is closely affiliated with Festuca
      pratensis and F. arundinacea; in fact much closer than F. rubra is to any of
      them. 

PMID- 24241667
TI  - Interrelationships among stabilities of important agronomic traits in sugarcane.
AB  - The stability-variance statistic, gs i (2) , measures the contribution of the
      i(th) genotype to genotype x environment interaction. In addition to the
      knowledge of cultivar stability for an agronomic trait, information on whether
      stability of one trait can be used to predict stability of another should be
      useful to breeders. Three separate groups of data, respectively involving CP 79
      series, CP 80 series, and CP 81 series experimental clones of sugarcane
      (Saccharum spp.) were used in this study. Rank-correlation coefficients (rs)
      between ranks of genotypes for gs i (2) 's for paired traits indicated in both
      plant-cane and ratoon crops that stability of tons per hectare of sugar can be
      predicted from the stability of tons per hectare of cane (THC) and also, to a
      lesser extent, from the stability of stalk number. The stability of THC also can
      be reasonably well predicted from the stability of stalk number. Brix stability
      may give some indication of the stabilities for percentage sucrose and sugar
      concentration (SC). The gs i (2) 's for percentage sucrose and SC were almost
      identical in the CP 79 and CP 81 series (rs varied from 0.93, P<0.01, in plant
      cane crop for CP 79 series to 0.98, P<0.01, in plant-cane crop for CP 81 series).
      Whether correlations were based on gs i (2) 's estimated across locations within
      crops or across crops, the magnitude of rs was about the same. Means of various
      traits were not correlated with their respective gs i (2) 's (for CP 81 series),
      indicating that identification and selection of high-yielding sugarcane genotypes
      with a relatively high degree of stability of performance across test
      environments should be possible. 

PMID- 24241668
TI  - Male transmission of the translocated chromosome in a tertiary trisomic of rye:
      genetic variation and relation to the rate of development of aneuploid pollen
      grains.
AB  - Variation in male and female transmission of the translocated extra chromosome
      (5R(3R)) was studied in a tertiary trisomic of rye (Secale cereale L.). In two F5
      lines derived from a single F4 line, female transmission was lower than in five
      others derived from another F4 line. This could be caused by genetic factors or
      by the strong inbreeding depression in these lines, leading to low viability of
      trisomic progeny. After selfing, male transmission was estimated as very low, but
      this was primarily based on the occurrence of tetrasomics that probably have a
      very poor viability. In testcrosses with disomic female parents, male
      transmission was much higher (up to 27%), without variation within F5 lines. One
      F5 line showed significantly higher male transmission than any of the seven
      tested, including a sister line from the same F4. This was consistent in the F6.
      Apparently high male transmission is genetically determined. There was a positive
      correlation with recombination of the marker ti (tigrina) on the extra chromosome
      and the normal 5R chromosomes. At the first meiotic metaphase, trivalents and
      quinquivalents were frequent in the trisomics. Assuming loss of univalents, 40%
      of the microspores should carry the translocated extra chromosome. In most lines,
      more than 40% were found at pollen mitosis. Observations on timing of pollen
      mitosis showed a delayed development in aneuploid spores, with clear differences
      between plants, but no correlation with male transmission. The cause of reduced
      male transmission and the expression of genetic variation therein can, therefore,
      not be found in meiotic behaviour or delayed microspore development. Pollen
      germination and tube growth may be more important. 

PMID- 24241669
TI  - The addition of Dasypyrum villosum (L.) Candargy chromosomes to durum wheat
      (Triticum durum Desf.).
AB  - Six monosomic addition lines were produced in which different Dasypyrum villosum
      (L.) Candargy chromosomes were added to the chromosome complement of Triticum
      durum Desf. cv. 'Creso'. Each added alien chromosome was found to have a specific
      effect on plant morphology and fertility. Transmission rate varied widely (from
      7.5 to 27.7%) among the six univalent chromosomes. Different monotelosomic
      addition plants derived by a relatively high frequency of chromosome misdivision
      were isolated. The addition lines should be useful for studying Dasypyrum
      chromosome homoeology and the introduction of alien variation into durum and
      common wheats. 

PMID- 24241670
TI  - Genetic analysis of the anther-culture response of three spring wheat crosses.
AB  - Anther-culture response was examined among three spring wheat (Triticum aestivum
      L.) cultivars to evaluate the genetic component of response and to determine
      whether androgenetic performance could be improved by selection. The three lines,
      the three possible F1's among the three lines, their F2's, and the backcrosses to
      the parents were evaluated for callus production and regeneration capacity.
      Significant variation was observed among the generations of the three crosses for
      callus formation. Genetic variation for regenerability was nonsignificant. Callus
      production was negatively correlated (-0.24) with regeneration capacity. The
      random variation in the study was too great to determine whether major-gene
      differences for antherculture response exist among the three lines by examining
      population distributions. When the material was evaluated for quantitative gene
      effects, the estimates for the additive gene effects were generally greater than
      the estimates for the dominance gene effects for callus formation. Only the Pavon
      x Chris cross, however, exhibited a significant narrow sense heritability
      estimate for callusing response (0.94). Due to the large component of random
      variation and the varying selection potential among crosses for androgenetic
      performance, improving anther-culture response in wheat by selection could prove
      difficult unless the anther-culture process itself selects for response traits at
      the gametic level. 

PMID- 24241671
TI  - Optimum prediction of three-way crosses from single crosses in forage maize (Zea
      mays L.).
AB  - Three-way cross means were predicted with formulae involving linear functions of
      general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects estimated from single
      cross factorials between genetically divergent populations. Data from an
      experiment with 66 single-cross and 66 three-way cross forage maize (Zea mays L.)
      hybrids was used for comparing the prediction formulae. The genotypic correlation
      (r) between observed and predicted three-way crosses increased with increasing
      chi, the weighting factor of SCA effects, for plant height and ear dry matter
      (DM) content. It displayed slightly convex curves for total and stover DM yield,
      ear percentage, and metabolizable energy content of stover. For Jenkins' method
      B, r was considerably less than 1.0 for all traits, indicating the presence of
      epistasis. The square root of heritability (hG) of the predicted means decreased
      with increasing chi, the reduction being small with a greater number of test
      environments. Using the product r.hG as a criterion of efficiency, none of the
      prediction methods was consistently superior and the differences among them were
      rather small (< 7.5%) for all traits, irrespective of the number of test
      environments. We recommend evaluating the GCA of a greater number of lines from
      each parent population in testcrosses with a small number of elite lines from the
      opposite population. All possible three-way or double crosses between both sets
      of lines should be predicted by Jenkins's method C. This procedure allows one to
      select with a higher intensity among the predicted hybrids and thus should
      increase the genetic gain. 

PMID- 24241672
TI  - Five primary trisomics from translocation heterozygote progenies in common bean,
      Phaseolus vulgaris L.
AB  - Twelve distinct phenotypic groups of plants were isolated from nondisjunction
      progenies of 11 translocation heterozygote stocks. All the plants in these
      phenotypic groups originated in the light weight seed class. Five of the 12
      phenotypic groups of plants have been verified as primary trisomics. They are all
      phenotypically distinguishable from each other and from disomics. One of the five
      primary trisomic groups, puckered leaf, was directly recovered as a primary
      trisomic from the original translocation heterozygote progenies. Three of the
      five trisomics - weak stem, dark green leaf, and convex leaf - originated first
      as tertiary trisomics. The related primary trisomics were isolated later from
      progenies of selfed tertiary trisomics. The fifth group, chlorotic leaf,
      originated at a low frequency among the progenies of three other trisomics:
      puckered leaf, convex leaf, and dark green leaf. The chlorotic leaf did not set
      seed under field conditions. The remaining four groups - puckered leaf, dark
      green leaf, convex leaf, and weak stem - are fertile, though sensitive to high
      temperature conditions. The transmission rate of the extra chromosome on selfing
      ranges from 28% to 41%. Physical identification of the extra chromosome has not
      been achieved for any of the five trisomic groups. Two trisomic groups, dark
      green leaf and convex leaf, have produced tetrasomics at low frequency. The
      phenotypes of these two tetrasomics are similar to the corresponding trisomics
      but more exaggerated. 

PMID- 24241673
TI  - Multivariate analysis and the choice of parents for hybridization in Okra
      (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench).
AB  - Thirty okra genotypes of diverse eco-geographical origin were grown in single-row
      plots in a randomised complete block design. The data collected on 14 characters
      were subjected to analysis of variance. By multivariate analysis (Mahalanobis
      D(2) technique), the genetic divergence among the genotypes were quantitatively
      measured. The genotypes were grouped into five clusters by this technique. There
      was no relationship between clustering pattern and eco-geographic distribution.
      The effects of genetic divergence on the choice of parental stock in
      hybridization was discussed. 

PMID- 24241674
TI  - Somatic hybridization in potato: use of gamma-irradiated protoplasts of Solanum
      pinnatisectum in genetic reconstruction.
AB  - Leaf mesophyll protoplasts of Solanum pinnatisectum (2n=24) gamma-irradiated at
      doses of 200 Gy and consequently unable to divide were fused with untreated
      protoplasts of genomic chlorophyll deficient mutant IvP 841-1 (2n=24) containing
      the germplasms of S. tuberosum and S. phureja. Two types of plants differing in
      their pigmentation characteristics were selected. The regenerants of one group
      were identified as true somatic hybrids by using isozyme analyses of esterase and
      aspartate aminotransferase. The anthocyanin marker of S. pinnatisectum was
      phenotypically expressed in these regenerants and could be used as an additional
      selection trait for hybrid screening in this species combination. The regenerants
      of the second group were corrected for the gene controlling chlorophyll
      deficiency but contained species-specific isozymes of the potato cultivar only.
      Restriction analysis of chloroplast DNA revealed chloroplasts of the S.
      pinnatisectum type in all but one of the plants tested. The fusion experiments
      involving gamma-irradiated protoplasts show that this approach in potato
      reconstruction has the advantage of producing a wide range of genetically novel
      plants. 

PMID- 24241675
TI  - Cloning quantitative trait loci by insertional mutagenesis.
AB  - This study explores the theoretical potential of "insertional mutagenesis" (i.e.,
      mutagenesis as a result of integration of novel DNA sequences into the germ
      line), as a means of cloning quantitative trait loci (QTL). The approach
      presented is based on a direct search for mutagenic effects of a quantitative
      nature, and makes no assumptions as to the nature of the loci affecting
      quantitative trait value. Since there are a very large number of potential
      insertion sites in the genome but only a limited number of target sites that can
      affect any particular trait, large numbers of inserts will have to be generated
      and screened. The effects of allelic variants at any single QTL on phenotype
      value are expected to be small relative to sampling variation. Thus two of three
      stages of replicate testing will be required for each insert in order to bring
      overall Type I error down to negligible proportions and yet maintain good
      statistical power for inserts with true effects on the quantitative traits under
      consideration. The overall effort involved will depend on the spectrum of
      mutagenic effects produced by insertional mutagenesis. This spectrum is presently
      unknown, but using reasonable estimates, about 10,000 inserts would have to be
      tested, at reasonable replicate numbers (n ? 30) and Type I error (alpha=0.01) in
      the first testing stage, to provide a high likelihood of detecting at least one
      insert with a true effect on a given quantitative trait of interest. Total
      offspring numbers required per true quantitative mutagenic effect detected
      decrease strongly with increased number of traits scored and increased number of
      inserts per initial transformed parent. In fact, it would appear that successful
      implementation of experiments of this sort will require the introduction of
      multiple independent inserts in the original parent individuals, by means of
      repeated transformation, or use of transposable elements as inserts. When
      biologically feasible, selfing would appear to be the method of choice for insert
      replication, and in all cases the experiments must be carried out in inbred lines
      to reduce error variation due to genetic segregation, and avoid confounding
      mutational effects of the insert with effects due to linkage with nearby
      segregating QTL. The special qualifications of Arabidopsis thaliana for studies
      of this sort are emphasized, and problems raised by somaclonal variation are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24241676
TI  - Origin of gynodioecy in Limnanthes: evidence from ecogeographic patterns of
      variation.
AB  - Evidence for hybrid origin of gene-cytoplasmic gynodioecy in Limnanthes douglasii
      is presented in terms of the parapatric distributions of putative parental taxa
      and the increased levels of genetic variation in gynodioecious populations.
      Attempts to produce gynodioecy through artificial hybridization between different
      accessions apparently failed due to the limited number of parental combinations
      used in making hybrids. Further studies are proposed on the hybrid origin model
      and on selective forces determining the fate of gynodioecy with its contributions
      to higher levels of hybridity and genetic variation. 

PMID- 24241677
TI  - Genetic control of dipeptidase in the Triticeae.
AB  - Isoelectric focusing has been employed to elucidate the genetic control of a
      series of dipeptidase isozymes in wheat and its relatives. The phenotype of wheat
      shows four bands, three of which are shown by aneuploid analysis to be controlled
      by the loci Dip-A1, Dip-B1 and Dip-D1 on chromosome arms 6AL, 6BL and 6DL,
      respectively. Varietal polymorphism for Dip-A1 and Dip-B1 was observed. Different
      homoeoloci were found in barley, Haynaldia villosa and Agropyron junceum. 

PMID- 24241678
TI  - Intersubgeneric hybridization of soybeans with a wild perennial species, Glycine
      clandestina Wendl.
AB  - The exploitation of wild perennial species of subgenus Glycine has been
      formidable in soybean breeding programs because of extremely poor crossability
      and an early pod abortion. The combination of gibberellic acid application to
      hybridized gynoecia and improved seed culture media formulations resulted in a
      new intersubgeneric hybrid between Glycine max (L.) Merr. (2n=40) and G.
      clandestina Wendt. (2n=40). Of the 31 immature seeds cultured, 1 regenerated 21
      plants through organogenesis while the remaining 30 failed to germinate. All the
      regenerated plants were similar morphologically, carried expected 2n=40,
      possessed hybrid isozyme patterns and were completely sterile. Complete absence
      of chromosome pairing was observed in 40.9% sporocytes. The occurrence of 1 to 6
      loosely paired rod bivalents suggests some possibilities of allosyndetic pairing.
      Hybrid plants set aborted pods after backcrossing to G. max. 

PMID- 24241679
TI  - The relationship between the concepts of genetic diversity and differentiation.
AB  - Diversity as a measure of individual variation within a population is widely
      agreed to reflect the number of different types in the population, taking into
      account their frequencies. In contrast, differentiation measures variation
      between two or more populations, demes or subpopulations. As such, it is based on
      the relative frequencies of types within these subpopulations and, ideally,
      measures the average distance of subpopulations from their respective lumped
      remainders. This concept of subpopulation differentiation can be applied
      consistently to a single population by regarding each individual as a deme
      (subpopulation) of its own, and it results in a measure of population
      differentiation delta T which depends on the relative frequencies of the types
      and the population size. delta T corresponds to several indices of variation
      frequently applied in population genetics and ecology, and it verifies these
      indices as measures of differentiation rather than diversity. For any particular
      frequency distribution of types, the diversity nu is then shown to be the size of
      a hypothetical population in which each type is represented exactly once, i. e.
      for which delta T =1. Hence, the diversity of a population is its differentiation
      effective number of types. This uniquely specifies the link between the two
      concepts. Moreover, nu again corresponds to known measures of diversity applied
      in population genetics and ecology. While population differentiation can always
      be estimated from samples, the diversity of a population, particularly if it is
      large, may not be. In such cases, it is recommended that population
      differentiation is estimated and the corresponding sample diversity merely
      computed. Finally, a solution to the problem of measuring multi-locus diversities
      is provided. 

PMID- 24241680
TI  - Investigation of partial sterility in advanced generation, sodium azide-induced
      lines of spring barley.
AB  - The partial sterility found in several advanced generation, sodium azide-induced
      lines of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was investigated. Plants of mutant
      lines were reciprocally crossed with plants of their untreated mother lines.
      Spike sterility was measured in the selfed offspring of the plants crossed and in
      F1 and F2 progeny. Pollen sterility and endosperm development were analyzed in
      the selfed offspring of the plants crossed. Results indicated that the sterility
      was inherited in the mutant lines and was not caused by translocations,
      inversions, endosperm lethals, embryo-endosperm lethals, or major gene mutations.
      Furthermore, the sterility was not cytoplasmically inherited, and was essentially
      eliminated in the F1 and F2 of crosses between partially sterile lines and their
      fertile parents. Results suggest that the sterility may be caused by an
      environmental interaction with deleterious, homozygous recessive, minor gene
      mutations that were in the heterozygous condition when the mutant lines were
      originally selected. 

PMID- 24241681
TI  - Analysis of lethals in selected lines of Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - Five lines of Drosophila melanogaster that reached an extreme phenotype after
      long-term selection for increased dorsocentral bristle number, were analysed for
      the presence of lethals. Seven chromosome II and three chromosome III lethal
      types were detected in four of the lines, at frequencies ranging from between 6%
      and 36%. No lethal had any demonstrable effect over the selected trait. In one
      line, where almost every chromosome II was a lethal carrier, it was shown that
      the main lethal (at a frequency of 36%) was associated with the transmission
      ratio distortion in males. The processes which could lead to the accumulation of
      this lethal and others linked in disequilibrium to it is discussed. Some results
      suggest similar mechanisms for the accumulation of lethals in the other lines.
      These findings show that causes other than the direct effect of artificial
      selection must be taken into account when trying to explain the accumulation of
      lethals in selected lines. 

PMID- 24241682
TI  - Identification of loop nucleotide polymorphisms affecting microRNA processing and
      function.
AB  - MicroRNAs are short 21-22 nucleotide single strand RNAs that are involved in post
      transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Most microRNAs are first
      transcribed as long primary microRNAs and then undergo a two step-wise sequential
      processing to yield single-stranded mature microRNAs. It has been suggested that
      the loop region of primary microRNAs plays an important role in regulating
      microRNA biogenesis and target recognition. However, despite the fact that
      several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified in mature microRNA
      sequences and are related to human diseases, it remains unclear whether and how
      the single nucleotide polymorphisms in the loop regions of primary microRNAs
      would affect the biogenesis and function of microRNAs. Herein, we provide
      evidence that primary microRNAs loop nucleotides control the accuracy and
      efficiency of microRNA processing. Accordingly, we identified 32 single
      nucleotide polymorphisms in the loop regions of human primary microRNAs using
      bioinformatics, and further validated three loss-of-function and one gain-of
      function single nucleotide polymorphisms using dual-luciferase assays. Thus,
      these results reveal a critical regulatory role encoded in the loop nucleotides
      of primary microRNAs for microRNA processing and function. 

PMID- 24241683
TI  - SMURF1 plays a role in EGF-induced breast cancer cell migration and invasion.
AB  - Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a well-known growth factor that induces cancer
      cell migration and invasion. Previous studies have shown that SMAD ubiquitination
      regulatory factor 1 (SMURF1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates cell motility by
      inducing RhoA degradation. Therefore, we examined the role of SMURF1 in EGF
      induced cell migration and invasion using MDA-MB-231 cells, a human breast cancer
      cell line. EGF increased SMURF1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels.
      All ErbB family members were expressed in MDA-MB-231 cells and receptor tyrosine
      kinase inhibitors specific for the EGF receptor (EGFR) or ErbB2 blocked the EGF
      mediated induction of SMURF1 expression. Within the signaling pathways examined,
      ERK1/2 and protein kinase C activity were required for EGF-induced SMURF1
      expression. The overexpression of constitutively active MEK1 increased the SMURF1
      to levels similar to those induced by EGF. SMURF1 induction by EGF treatment or
      by the overexpression of MEK1 or SMURF1 resulted in enhanced cell migration and
      invasion, whereas SMURF1 knockdown suppressed EGF- or MEK1-induced cell migration
      and invasion. EGF treatment or SMURF1 overexpression decreased the endogenous
      RhoA protein levels. The overexpression of constitutively active RhoA prevented
      EGF- or SMURF1-induced cell migration and invasion. These results suggest that
      EGFinduced SMURF1 plays a role in breast cancer cell migration and invasion
      through the downregulation of RhoA. 

PMID- 24241685
TI  - Animal-type melanoma: report of five cases with sentinel node biopsy and
      fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis.
AB  - Animal-type melanoma (ATM) is a rare tumor, characterized histologically by a
      predominantly dermal proliferation of heavily pigmented epithelioid and spindle
      dendritic melanocytes. Five patients with ATM, who had undergone sentinel node
      biopsy, were studied: three male and two female, between 4 and 62 years of age
      (mean, 28.0). Lesion size ranged from 4 to 18 mm and thickness from 0.7 to 5.1
      mm. Nodal deposits were found in three patients. Of the patients with positive
      sentinel nodes, the first showed a minimal nodal involvement in one node, the
      second multiple deposits in one node, and the third multiple deposits in one
      sentinel node and a single deposit in another; this last patient also had
      additional tumor deposits in a nonsentinel regional node. Fluorescence in-situ
      hybridization tumor analysis proved negative in all cases. All patients are alive
      and free of disease at 36-95-month follow-up (mean, 53 months). Results showed
      ATM as a neoplasm characterized by a somewhat high rate of lymph node involvement
      but relatively low rate of visceral metastases and mortality, appearing as a low
      grade malignant tumor. 

PMID- 24241684
TI  - Novel in vitro culture condition improves the stemness of human dermal
      stem/progenitor cells.
AB  - Cell therapy using adult stem cells has emerged as a potentially new approach for
      the treatment of various diseases. Therefore, it is an essential procedure to
      maintain the stemness of adult stem cells for clinical treatment. We previously
      reported that human dermal stem/progenitor cells (hDSPCs) can be enriched using
      collagen type IV. However, hDSPCs gradually lose their stem cell properties as in
      vitro passages continue. In the present study, we developed optimized in vitro
      culture condition to improve the stemness of these hDSPCs. To evaluate whether
      the stemness of hDSPCs is well sustained in various culture conditions, we
      measured the expression levels of SOX2, NANOG, and S100B, which are well-known
      representative dermal progenitor markers. We observed that hDSPCs grown in three
      dimensional (3D) culture condition had higher expression levels of those markers
      compared with hDSPCs grown in two-dimensional (2D) culture condition. Under the
      3D culture condition, we further demonstrated that a high glucose (4.5 g/L)
      concentration enhanced the expression levels of the dermal progenitor markers,
      whereas O(2) concentration did not affect. We also found that skin-derived
      precursor (SKP) culture medium was the most effective, among various culture
      media, in increasing the dermal progenitor marker expression. We finally
      demonstrated that this optimized culture condition enhanced the expression level
      of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the proliferation, and the
      multipotency of hDSPCs, an important characteristic of stem cells. Taken
      together, these results suggested that this novel in vitro culture condition
      improves the stemness of hDSPCs.

PMID- 24241686
TI  - Vemurafenib in the French temporary authorization for use metastatic melanoma
      cohort: a single-centre trial.
AB  - Vemurafenib, a selective BRAF inhibitor, has recently shown an improved overall
      survival (OS) in metastatic melanoma with V600E mutation in phase 2 and 3 trials.
      Patients with BRAF V600E metastatic melanoma received vemurafenib orally, in the
      French temporary authorization for use program from April 2011 to April 2012. We
      analysed the clinical benefit and safety of vemurafenib. Secondary analyses
      included the impact of brain metastases on median OS and progression-free
      survival (PFS). Fifty patients were enrolled, of whom 20% had stage IIIC and 80%
      stage IV disease. The majority were men (58%), with a median age of 58 years (51
      69). Forty-three patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance
      status of 0 or 1 (86%). Twenty patients had brain metastases (40%). Overall
      response rate was 53%. Complete response was achieved in five patients (10%),
      partial response in 21 patients (43%) and stable disease in seven patients (14%).
      Median OS was 7.5 months (95% confidence interval 5.6-12.7) and PFS was 3.6
      months (95% confidence interval 2.9-5.9). Patients with brain metastasis had a
      response rate of 50% (nine partial response, one complete response), and median
      OS and PFS were, respectively, 4.3 and 3.1 months. Common adverse events were
      fatigue, arthralgia and cutaneous side effects. Sixteen per cent developed
      squamous cell carcinoma. Grade 3/4 was observed in 11 patients (22%). Six per
      cent required temporary discontinuation and/or dose reduction because of toxic
      effects. This study confirms the considerable clinical benefit of vemurafenib for
      patients with brain metastasis, with manageable toxicity. 

PMID- 24241687
TI  - The amphetamine sensitization model of schizophrenia symptoms and its effect on
      schedule-induced polydipsia in the rat.
AB  - RATIONALE: Amphetamine enhances dopamine (DA) transmission and induces psychotic
      states or exacerbates psychosis in at-risk individuals. Amphetamine sensitization
      of the DA system has been proposed as a rodent model of schizophrenia-like
      symptoms. In humans, excessive nonphysiologic drinking or primary polydipsia is
      significantly associated with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. In rodents,
      nonphysiologic drinking can be induced by intermittent presentation of food in
      the presence of a drinking spout to a hungry animal; this phenomenon is termed,
      "schedule-induced polydipsia" (SIP). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the
      effects of amphetamine sensitization on SIP. METHODS: We injected rats with
      amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg) daily for 5 days. Following 4 weeks of withdrawal,
      animals were food restricted and exposed to the SIP protocol (noncontingent fixed
      time 1-min food schedule) for daily 2-h sessions for 24 days. RESULTS: Results
      showed that previously amphetamine-injected animals drank more in the SIP
      protocol and drank more than controls when the intermittent food presentation
      schedule was removed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that hyperdopaminergia
      associated with schizophrenia may contribute to the development of polydipsia in
      this population. Whether animals that develop SIP have DA dysfunction or aberrant
      activity of other circuits that modulate DA activity has yet to be clearly
      defined.

PMID- 24241688
TI  - Appropriate amino acid mixtures for tryptophan depletion and
      tyrosine/phenylalanine depletion and the safety of long-term amino acid depletion
      in humans: reply.

PMID- 24241690
TI  - Optically enhanced charge transfer between C60 and single-wall carbon nanotubes
      in hybrid electronic devices.
AB  - In this article we probe the nature of electronic interactions between the
      components of hybrid C60-carbon nanotube structures. Utilizing an aromatic
      mediator we selectively attach C60 molecules to carbon nanotube field-effect
      transistor devices. Structural characterization via atomic force and transmission
      electron microscopy confirm the selectivity of this attachment. Charge transfer
      from the carbon nanotube to the C60 molecules is evidenced by a blue shift of the
      Raman G(+) peak position and increased threshold voltage of the transistor
      transfer characteristics. We estimate this charge transfer to increase the device
      density of holes per unit length by up to 0.85 nm(-1) and demonstrate further
      optically enhanced charge transfer which increases the hole density by an
      additional 0.16 nm(-1). 

PMID- 24241689
TI  - Cholesterol in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in a birth
      cohort over 14 years.
AB  - Animal epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that cholesterol is a risk
      factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nevertheless, the relation of cholesterol to
      mild cognitive impairment (MCI), influence of APOE genotype and its changes in
      lifespan is controversial. We investigated the potential impact of plasma total
      cholesterol (TC) on development of MCI and AD in the interdisciplinary
      longitudinal study on adult development and aging, a representative birth cohort
      (born 1930-1932), examined in 1993/1994 (VT1), 1997/1998 (VT2), and 2005/2007
      (VT3). Of 500 participants at baseline, 381 survived and were examined at VT3.
      After exclusion of participants with lifetime prevalence of major psychiatric
      diseases or mild cognitive disorder due to a medical condition, 222 participants
      were included in the analysis. At VT3, 82 participants had MCI, 22 participants
      had AD, and 118 were in good health. Participants with MCI and AD at VT3
      evidenced higher TC levels at VT1 than those who were healthy. Higher TC levels
      at baseline were associated with an increased risk for cognitive disorders at VT3
      (highest vs. lowest quartile: OR 2.64, 95 % CI 1.12-6.23, p < 0.05). Over the 14
      year follow-up, TC levels declined in those with MCI and AD, but remained stable
      in those who remained healthy. These findings were not modified by APOE genotype
      or use of cholesterol-lowering medications. Our findings demonstrate that higher
      TC levels are observed long before the clinical manifestation of MCI and AD in
      patients without psychiatric or somatic comorbidities and are independent of APOE
      genotype.

PMID- 24241691
TI  - Full-length novel MHC class I allele discovery by next-generation sequencing: two
      platforms are better than one.
AB  - Deep sequencing has revolutionized major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I
      analysis of nonhuman primates by enabling high-throughput, economical, and
      comprehensive genotyping. Full-length MHC class I cDNA sequences, which are
      required to generate reagents such as MHC-peptide tetramers, cannot be directly
      obtained by short read deep sequencing. We combined data from two next-generation
      sequencing platforms to discover novel full-length MHC class I mRNA/cDNA
      transcripts in Chinese rhesus macaques. We first genotyped macaques by Roche/454
      pyrosequencing using a 530-bp amplicon spanning the densely polymorphic exons 2
      through 4 of the MHC class I loci that encode the peptide-binding region. We then
      mapped short paired-end 250 bp Illumina sequence reads spanning the full-length
      transcript to each 530-bp amplicon at high stringency and used paired-end
      information to reconstruct full-length allele sequences. We characterized 65 full
      length sequences from six Chinese rhesus macaques. Overall, approximately 70 % of
      the alleles distinguished in these six animals contained new sequence
      information, including 29 novel transcripts. The flexibility of this approach
      should make full-length MHC class I allele genotyping accessible for any nonhuman
      primate population of interest. We are currently optimizing this method for full
      length characterization of other highly polymorphic, duplicated loci such as the
      MHC class II DRB and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors. We anticipate that
      this method will facilitate rapid expansion and near completion of sequence
      libraries of polymorphic loci, such as MHC class I, within a few years.

PMID- 24241692
TI  - The favorable IFNL3 genotype escapes mRNA decay mediated by AU-rich elements and
      hepatitis C virus-induced microRNAs.
AB  - IFNL3, which encodes interferon-lambda3 (IFN-lambda3), has received considerable
      attention in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) field, as many independent genome-wide
      association studies have identified a strong association between polymorphisms
      near IFNL3 and clearance of HCV. However, the mechanism underlying this
      association has remained elusive. In this study, we report the identification of
      a functional polymorphism (rs4803217) in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of
      IFNL3 mRNA that dictated transcript stability. We found that this polymorphism
      influenced AU-rich element (ARE)-mediated decay (AMD) of IFNL3 mRNA, as well as
      the binding of HCV-induced microRNAs during infection. Together these pathways
      mediated robust repression of the unfavorable IFNL3 polymorphism. Our data reveal
      a previously unknown mechanism by which HCV attenuates the antiviral response and
      indicate new potential therapeutic targets for HCV treatment. 

PMID- 24241694
TI  - (E)-11,13-tetradecadienal: Major sex pheromone component of the eastern
      blackheaded budworm,Acleris variana (Fern.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).
AB  - (E)-11,13-Tetradecadienal (E11,13-14:Ald) is the major sex pheromone component of
      the eastern blackheaded budworm (EBB),Acleris variana (Fern.). The compound was
      identified in female pheromone gland extracts by coupled gas chromatographic
      electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), coupled GC-mass spectrometry in
      selected ion monitoring mode, and retention index calculations of candidate
      pheromone components.E11,13-14:Ald alone as trap bait was very attractive to male
      EBB. Addition of the corresponding diene alcohol or acetate or both did not
      enhance attraction. (Z)-11,13-Tetradecadienal in binary combination with (E)
      11,13-14:Ald neither enhanced nor reduced trap catches. Increasing the amounts of
      pheromone from 0.01 to 10 ug increased trap catches, but increase of pheromone
      quantity above 100 ug proportionately reduced attraction. Stabilization of slowly
      polymerizingE11,13-14:Ald and development of a sustained, adequate release rate
      is required for pheromone-based monitoring of EBB populations. 

PMID- 24241695
TI  - Attraction of female mediterranean fruit flies to the five major components of
      male-produced pheromone in a laboratory flight tunnel.
AB  - Attraction and pheromonal activity of five major identified components of the
      male-produced sex pheromone of the Mediterranean fruit flyCeratitis capitata to
      virgin laboratory-reared females was assessed in a laboratory flight tunnel. Dual
      choice competitive assays were run to establish a baseline response of virgin
      females to live male pheromone, individual components, and an ensemble of all
      five compounds alone (air control) and competitively against one another.
      Approximately 50% of the females released in the tunnel were captured on leaf
      models emitting pheromonal odors from five live males. Over 37% of released
      females responded to an ensemble of five major identified components presented in
      individual capillaries. Response of females to individual components was less
      than 10%. Competitive assays showed the live male-produced pheromone to be more
      attractive than either the five major component ensemble (FMCE) or individual
      components. Further research is likely to identify other male-produced compounds
      with pheromonal activity that could improve development of a pheromone-based trap
      for monitoring Mediterranean fruit fly populations. 

PMID- 24241693
TI  - Innate-like T cells straddle innate and adaptive immunity by altering antigen
      receptor responsiveness.
AB  - The subclassification of immunology into innate and adaptive immunity is
      challenged by innate-like T lymphocytes that use innate receptors to respond
      rapidly to stress despite expressing T cell antigen receptors (TCRs), a hallmark
      of adaptive immunity. In studies that explain how such cells can straddle innate
      and adaptive immunity, we found that signaling via antigen receptors, whose
      conventional role is to facilitate clonal T cell activation, was critical for the
      development of innate-like T cells but then was rapidly attenuated, which
      accommodated the cells' innate responsiveness. These findings permitted the
      identification of a previously unknown innate-like T cell subset and indicate
      that T cell hyporesponsiveness, a state traditionally linked to tolerance, may be
      fundamental to T cells entering the innate compartment and thereby providing
      lymphoid stress surveillance. 

PMID- 24241696
TI  - Phytotoxic substances in root exudates of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).
AB  - The addition of activated charcoal to a nutrient solution for the hydroponic
      culture of cucumber resulted in significant increases in the dry weight of the
      plant and fruit yield. Hydrophobic root exudates were collected at different
      growth stages with Amberlite XAD-4 resin and bioassayed with lettuce seedlings.
      The exudates at the reproductive stage were more phytotoxic than those at the
      vegetative stage. The exudates contained organic acids such as benzoic,p
      hydroxybenzoic, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic, 3-phenylpropionic, cinnamic,p
      hydroxycinnamic, myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids, as well asp
      thiocyanatophenol and 2-hydroxybenzothiazole, all of which, except 2
      hydroxybenzothiazole, were toxic to the growth of lettuce. 

PMID- 24241697
TI  - Control of plant-parasitic nematodes by a nematicidal strain ofAspergillus niger.
AB  - An isolate ofAspergillus niger (designated PD-42) was evaluated in laboratory,
      greenhouse, and field trials for efficacy in controlling plant-parasitic
      nematodes. In greenhouse experiments, PD-42 drenches containing spores of PD-42
      on oatmeal significantly reduced galling on tomato due to root-knot nematode as
      compared to untreated controls. In a one-half acre field experiment, PD-42
      incorporated in seed coats was associated with significantly increased yield and
      decreased root-knot galling on pepper. In a second one-half acre field
      experiment, PD-42 drenches significantly reduced tomato and pepper root galling
      due toMeloidogyne incognita, and nonsignificant yield increases occurred. In each
      field experiment, treatment with PD-42 reducedRotylenchulus reniformis
      populations. The nematicidal components of theA. niger culture filtrates include
      citric acid, oxalic acid, and undetermined molecules larger than 8000 MW. 

PMID- 24241699
TI  - Flight-mediated attraction ofBiprorulus bibax breddin (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
      to natural and synthetic aggregation pheromone.
AB  - The attraction of female spined citrus bugs,Biprorulus bibax, to natural and
      synthetic aggregation pheromone was studied using an olfactometer and a large
      flight cage. No locomotory response by postdiapause, prereproductive females to
      heptane extracts of male dorsal abdominal glands (DAGs) (site of pheromone
      production) was recorded in the olfactometer study. However, postdiapause,
      prereproductive females showed significant attraction to sites baited with DAG
      extracts in the flight cage (1.9-3.0 times that of unbaited sites).
      Prereproductive and reproductive females showed greatest attraction to sites
      baited with a synthetic blend of pheromone [(3R,4S,1'E-3,4-bis(1'
      butenyl)tetrahydro-2-furanol, linalool, farnesol, nerolidol] (2.3-4.7 times the
      attraction of unbaited sites). Females also responded significantly to sites
      baited with the hemiacetal major component alone (1.7-2.2*). Diapausing females
      collected from fall populations did not respond to natural or synthetic pheromone
      baits. Potential applications of the synthetic aggregation pheromone are
      discussed with respect toB. bibax management. 

PMID- 24241698
TI  - Changes in pheromone titer of oblique-banded leafroller,Choristoneura rosaceana,
      virgin females as a function of time of day, age, and temperature.
AB  - Under a 16:8 hr light-dark photoperiod and 20?C constant temperature, the titers
      of (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:Ac), (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11
      14:Ac) and (Z)-11-tetradecenol (Z11-14:OH) produced by different
      agedChoristoneura rosaceana virgin females varied significantly during the
      scotophase, with the maximum titer occurring before the onset of calling in day-0
      and day-3 females, while in day-5 females the titer remained constant throughout
      the calling period. There was a significant decrease in the titer of all
      pheromone components with age, explaining the lesser attractiveness of day-5
      females relative to day-0 and day-3 females observed in the field. Under a cold
      thermocycle simulating condition during the second flight period in the fall, the
      titers of all pheromone components did not vary with time of day. There was a
      significant decrease in the amount ofZ11-14:Ac with age but no changes occurred
      in the minor components. Furthermore, for any given age tested, the amount of
      each component produced during the period of maximal calling activity remained
      relatively similar at the two temperature regimes. However, as with the
      expression of calling behavior, pheromone production was initiated earlier at
      cooler than at warmer temperatures. At both temperature regimes, female age and
      time of day influenced the ratio of each pheromone component. These results are
      discussed in relation to the hypothesis that by calling earlier, less attractive
      older females may increase their probability of mating. 

PMID- 24241700
TI  - Prior exposure to carbaryl alters behavior ofTetranychus urticae Koch on
      acaricide-treated leaf surfaces.
AB  - Preadult exposure to carbaryl affected the subsequent behavior of two-spotted
      spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) on leaf surfaces with discontinuous
      acaricide residues. In dicofol bioassays, preexposure to carbaryl caused a loss
      of avoidance behavior (eliminating the tendency of mites to feed and stand longer
      off treated areas). In amitraz bioassays, preexposure to carbaryl had the
      opposite effect. It increased the propensity of mites to feed and stand off
      amitraz-treated areas, resulting in increased avoidance of amitraz. Carbaryl
      preexposure therefore resulted in diametrically opposed behavioral changes in
      subsequent encounters with two acaricides. These effects provide additional
      evidence of the unpredictable nature of interactions between pesticides and show
      how a chemical, irrespective of degree of toxicity, can alter the behavior of
      arthropods in response to subsequent chemical encounters. 

PMID- 24241702
TI  - Aggregation pheromones inDryocoetes affaber (Mann.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae):
      stereoisomerism and species specificity.
AB  - Chemical analysis of whole body extracts and volatiles produced by feeding
      malesDryocoetes affaber (Mann.) disclosed (+)-exo-brevicomin and (+)-endo
      brevicomin [(+)EXOB and (+)ENDOB], as the major insect-produced potential
      pheromones. Laboratory bioassays and field-trapping experiments demonstrated that
      (+)ENDOB is the main pheromone component, and (-)ENDOB has an inhibiting effect.
      EXOB either as (+) or (+/-) appears to be a multifunctional pheromone. It has a
      synergistic effect in blends of EXOB and ENDOB in ratios up to 1:1, and it is
      inhibitory at higher ratios. (-)EXOB was inactive. The most attractive blend
      forD. affaber was a 1:2 blend of (+)EXOB and (+)ENDOB. When this blend was
      compared with a 9:1 blend, the best known blend forDryocoetes confusus Swaine,
      the responses by beetles of each of the two species were highly specific,
      providing evidence for pheromonal exclusion between the two congenerics. We
      conclude that the combined effect of chirality and the ratio of geometrical
      isomers of brevicomin determines both the level of response and the species
      specificity of the chemical signal inD. affaber. 

PMID- 24241701
TI  - Pheromone differences between sibling taxaDiachrysia chrysitis (linnaeus, 1758)
      andD. tutti (Kostrowicki, 1961) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - The noctuid sibling taxaDiachrysia chrysitis s. str. andD. tutti, of yet
      uncertain taxonomic status, have previously been shown to possess differences in
      morphology and to be attracted to different mixtures of the two presumed
      pheromone components (Z)-5-decenyl acetate and (Z)-7-decenyl acetate. TypicalD.
      tutti males (clearly broken forewing marking) are known to respond to a 2: 100
      mixture of the two isomers, whereasD. chrysitis males (unbroken marking) are
      attracted to a 100: 10 mixture. We investigated female pheromone production and
      male electroantennographic (EAG) response inDiachrysia families raised in the
      laboratory from field-collected gravid females. Extracts of individual females
      from typicalD. tutti andD. chrysitis families were subjected to gas
      chromatography with simultaneous flame ionization and electroantennographic
      detection. All females produced mixtures of Z5- and Z7-10:OAc, but femaleD.
      chrysitis produced predominantly Z5-10:OAc and the antennae of their brothers
      responded more strongly to the Z5 peak than to the Z7-10:OAc peak, whereas the
      opposite was true forD. tutti families. The pheromone components were shown to be
      biosynthesized from hexadecanoic and tetradecanoic acid, respectively by Z11
      desaturation followed by chain shortening, reduction, and acetylation. The EAG
      responses of males trapped with the typicalD. tutti andD. chrysitis blends, as
      well as with an intermediate blend, were investigated. Males trapped with theD.
      tutti mixture almost exclusively had a clearly broken wing marking and showed
      strongest EAG response to Z7-10:OAc. The intermediate blend and theD. chrysitis
      mixture gave more mixed catches, but with a prevalence of males with an unbroken
      (or almost unbroken) wing marking and with a higher mean response to Z5-10:OAc.
      Some males with typicalD. tutti EAG responses were attracted in the field to
      theD. chrysitis pheromone. In the flight tunnel someD. chrysitis males were
      attracted also to theD. tutti mixture. This indicates that cross attraction may
      take place between the two taxa under natural conditions. 

PMID- 24241704
TI  - Uscharin, the most potent molluscicidal compound tested against land snails.
AB  - Calotropis procera, is a shrub with broad ovate fleshy leaves that grows wild in
      the Egyptian deserts. The plant was discovered to be highly toxic to the land
      snailsThepa pisana. The active ingredient responsible for the molluscicidal
      activity was isolated from its latex by solvent extraction and partitioning and
      was finally purified by fractional crystallization from 95% aqueous ethanol. The
      purity of the isolated material was monitored by TLC. Chemical identification was
      carried out using mass, infrared, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic
      methods. The active compound was found to be uscharin, and its identity was
      confirmed by comparing its spectroscopic data with the literature values. The
      isolated compound was 128 times more toxic than methomyl to the snails tested. 

PMID- 24241703
TI  - Different feeding and gustatory responses to ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone by
      larvae of the silkworm,Bombyx mori.
AB  - The feeding and gustatory responses to ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone were
      investigated in the silkworm,Bombyx mori. 20-Hydroxyecdysone reduced feeding
      response strongly in fourth- and fifth-instar larvae, whereas ecdysone had no
      effect on feeding response. 20-Hydroxyecdysone stimulated the R receptor, the
      receptor to feeding deterrents, to a great degree. By contrast, ecdysone was much
      less effective for stimulating the R receptor. These results indicate that
      ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone have different effects on feeding response due to
      different interactions with mouthpart chemoreceptors. 

PMID- 24241705
TI  - Sex pheromone activity in a single component of tergal gland extract ofLutzomyia
      longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Jacobina, Northeastern Brazil.
AB  - The sex pheromone component of maleLutzomyia longipalpis tergal gland extract was
      isolated and its activity confirmed by bioassay. Whole tergal gland extract was
      analyzed by HPLC and fractions were collected as they eluted from the detector.
      Each fraction was tested in an attraction bioassay with virgin unfed
      femaleLutzomyia longipalpis. HPLC analysis showed that whole extract contained
      several peaks; one large peak, one small peak and several minor peaks. Purity of
      the HPLC fractions was determined by GC analysis. The bioassays revealed that the
      large peak was responsible for most of the observed female behavior. The addition
      of the small peak to the large peak improved the response although by itself the
      small peak failed to elicit any significant behavior. Minor peaks failed to
      elicit any response. Chemical analysis revealed the large peak to be a relatively
      nonpolar hydrocarbon. 

PMID- 24241706
TI  - Pheromonal secretions from glands on the 5th abdominal sternite of hydropsychid
      and rhyacophilid caddisflies (Trichoptera).
AB  - Extracts of different body parts of adult Trichoptera were tested for
      electrophysiological activity. Extracts of the IVth and Vth abdominal sternites
      of femaleHydropsyche angustipennis, Rhyacophila nubila, andR. fasciata,
      containing a paired exocrine gland, elicited significant electroan-tennographic
      responses when tested on conspecific male antennae. The paired gland occurs also
      in males of all the species, and inH. angustipennis, extracts from males were
      more active than female extracts when tested on male antennae. Female and male
      extracts from all species were analyzed by gas chromatography with simultaneous
      flame ionization and electroantennographic detection (EAD). EAD-active peaks in
      female extracts, stimulating male antennae, were identified inH. angustipennis as
      nonan-2-one; and inR. nubila andR. fasciata as heptan-2-one, heptan-2-ol, nonan-2
      one, and nonan-2-ol. EAD-active components from maleH. angustipennis stimulating
      male antennae were octan-2-one, nonan-2-one (major peak), (Z)-6-nonen-2-one,
      decan-2-one, and a methylbranched decan-2-one. Female extracts and synthetic
      mixtures of compounds identified from femaleH. angustipennis andR. fasciata were
      tested for attractivity in the field. High catches with control traps obscured
      the results, but a synthetic mixture of the four identified compounds was
      significantly attractive and not different from female extracts for attracting
      maleR. fasciata. InH. angustipennis, a synthetic six-component male blend, in
      which nonan-2-one was the major component, attracted significant numbers of male
      and femaleH. angustipennis. Extracts of maleR. nubila andR. fasciata contained
      acetophenone and hexanoic and octanoic acids but did not have any
      electrophysiological or behavioral activity on either male or female antennae of
      conspecifics. The occurrence of a female sex pheromone inRhyacophila and an
      aggregation pheromone inHydropsyche corresponds to earlier described differences
      in mating behaviors in the Rhyacophilidae and Hydropsychidae. 

PMID- 24241707
TI  - Codling moth (Cydia pomonella): Disruptants of sex pheromonal communication.
AB  - In a small section of an apple orchard, six traps were placed each in control and
      test areas and baited with live virgin female codling moths. Gray elastomer septa
      were used to dispense communication disruptants around the traps. Dyed male
      codling moths were released in control and test areas, and the numbers of males
      captured in control and test traps were compared. In 1991, linear regression
      curves of percent communication disruption versus logarithm of dose were obtained
      for three compositions: (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol, codlemone (1); codlemone +
      dodecan-1-ol + tetradecan-1-ol (2); and an equilibrium mixture of the four
      isomers of 8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (30, (61%EE, 14%ZE, 20%EZ, and 5%ZZ). All three
      regressions gaver (2) values greater than 0.90. At the 95% confidence limits,
      slopes and intercepts of compositions 1 and 2 were equivalent, and different from
      that of composition 3, which produced the greatest percentages of disruption at
      all doses. In 1992, five treatments were compared at a single dose: 1, 3, none
      (4), (Z,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (5), (E,Z)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (6). Compositions
      5 and 6 gave the greatest and similar percentages of disruption and were
      different from codlemone (1) and 4 (95% confidence), but not from composition 3.
      Communication disruption produced by composition 3 was greater than (codlemone),
      which was greater than 4. 

PMID- 24241708
TI  - Induced resistance in soybean toHelicoverpa zea: Role of plant protein quality.
AB  - Resistance in soybean toHelicoverpa zea is comprised of both constitutive and
      inducible factors. In this study, we investigated the induction of resistance
      byH. zea in both greenhouse and field studies. In a greenhouse experiment, fourth
      instarH. zea growth rates were reduced by 39% after 24 hr feeding and by 27%
      after 48 hr when larvae fed on previously wounded V3 foliage (cv. Forrest)
      compared with undamaged foliage. In a field study, the weight gain by larvae was
      more than 52% greater when larvae fed for 72 hr on undamaged R2/R3 soybean plants
      (cv. Braxton) compared to those that fed on previously wounded plants. A
      significant component of the induced resistance is due to a decline in the
      nutritional quality of foliar protein following foliar damage byH. zea. Foliar
      protein was extracted from damaged and undamaged foliage and incorporated into
      artificial diets. Larval growth was reduced 26% after four days and 49% after
      seven days on diets containing protein from damaged plants compared to larvae
      feeding on foliar protein from undamaged plants. Chemical analyses of protein
      quality also indicated a decline in quality in damaged plants compared to
      unwounded plants. Increases in lipoxygenase activity (53%), lipid peroxidation
      products (20%), and trypsin inhibitor content (34%) were observed in protein from
      wounded plants. Moreover, a 5.9% loss in free amines and 19% loss in total thiols
      occurred in protein from wounded plants. Larval feeding causes a significant
      increase in foliar lipoxygenase activity that varied among genotypes.
      Lipoxygenase isozymes were measured at pH 5.5, pH 7.0, and pH 8.5 in V3 stage
      plants of Forrest, Hark, D75-1069, and PI 417061 genotypes. Lipoxygenase activity
      in each genotype was significantly increased after 72 hr of larval feeding at
      each pH level tested, with the exception of lipoxygenase isozymes at pH 5.5 in
      genotype PI 417061. Larval feeding on R2/R3 stage plants (field-grown cv.
      Braxton) for six days also increased foliar lipoxygenase activity. 

PMID- 24241709
TI  - (Z,E,E)-dodecatrien-1-ol: A minor component of trail pheromone of
      termite,Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki.
AB  - In the course of the elucidation of the primary structure of an isolated trail
      pheromone fromC. formosanus, a minor component that had the same molecular weight
      as the major trail pheromone, (Z,Z,E)-3,6,8-dodecatrien-1-ol [(Z,Z,E)-DTE-OH],
      was detected in the mass chromatogram ofm/z 180 of capillary GC-MS. The mass
      spectrum of the minor component showed a prominent pattern of dodecatrien-1-ol.
      Chemical analysis demonstrated that the complete structure was (Z,E,E)-DTE-OH.
      Furthermore, capillary GC-MS-HR-SIM analysis indicated that the component existed
      only in the workers ofCoptotermes formosanus Shiraki and was not present in
      workers ofReticulitermes speratus (Kolbe). This minor component may be a species
      specific factor ofC. formosanus, although this was not suggested by a two-choice
      bioassay. 

PMID- 24241710
TI  - Identification of small molecules that selectively inhibit diacylglycerol lipase
      alpha activity.
AB  - Recent genetic evidence suggests that the diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL-alpha)
      isoform is the major biosynthetic enzyme for the most abundant endocannabinoid, 2
      arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG), in the central nervous system. Revelation of its
      essential role in regulating retrograde synaptic plasticity and adult
      neurogenesis has made it an attractive therapeutic target. Therefore, it has
      become apparent that selective inhibition of DAGL-alpha enzyme activity with a
      small molecule could be a strategy for the development of novel therapies for the
      treatment of disease indications such as depression, anxiety, pain, and
      cognition. In this report, the authors present the identification of small
      molecule inhibitor chemotypes of DAGL-alpha, which were selective (>=10-fold)
      against two other lipases, pancreatic lipase and monoacylglycerol lipase, via
      high-throughput screening of a diverse compound collection. Seven chemotypes of
      interest from a list of 185 structural clusters, which included 132 singletons,
      were initially selected for evaluation and characterization. Selection was based
      on potency, selectivity, and chemical tractability. One of the chemotypes, the
      glycine sulfonamide series, was prioritized as an initial lead for further
      medicinal chemistry optimization. 

PMID- 24241711
TI  - Droplet-based microfluidics: enabling impact on drug discovery.
AB  - Over the past two decades, the application of microengineered systems in the
      chemical and biological sciences has transformed the way in which high-throughput
      experimentation is performed. The ability to fabricate complex microfluidic
      architectures has allowed scientists to create new experimental formats for
      processing ultra-small analytical volumes in short periods and with high
      efficiency. The development of such microfluidic systems has been driven by a
      range of fundamental features that accompany miniaturization. These include the
      ability to handle small sample volumes, ultra-low fabrication costs, reduced
      analysis times, enhanced operational flexibility, facile automation, and the
      ability to integrate functional components within complex analytical schemes.
      Herein we discuss the impact of microfluidics in the area of high-throughput
      screening and drug discovery and highlight some of the most pertinent studies in
      the recent literature. 

PMID- 24241712
TI  - Overcoming the challenges of drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases: the
      A.WOL experience.
AB  - Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of 17 diseases that typically
      affect poor people in tropical countries. Each has been neglected for decades in
      terms of funding, research, and policy, but the recent grouping of them into one
      unit, which can be targeted using integrated control measures, together with
      increased advocacy has helped to place them on the global health agenda. The
      World Health Organization has set ambitious goals to control or eliminate 10 NTDs
      by 2020 and launched a roadmap in January 2012 to guide this global plan. The
      result of the launch meeting, which brought together representatives from the
      pharmaceutical industry, donors, and politicians, was the London Declaration: a
      series of commitments to provide more drugs, research, and funds to achieve the
      2020 goals. Drug discovery and development for these diseases are extremely
      challenging, and this article highlights these challenges in the context of the
      London Declaration, before focusing on an example of a drug discovery and
      development program for the NTDs onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (the
      anti-Wolbachia consortium, A.WOL). 

PMID- 24241713
TI  - Socioeconomic inequalities in acute myocardial infarction incidence in migrant
      groups: has the epidemic arrived? analysis of nation-wide data.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We assessed socioeconomic inequalities in relation to acute
      myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence among major ethnic groups in The
      Netherlands. METHODS: A nationwide register-based cohort study was conducted (n=2
      591 170) between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2007 among ethnic Dutch and
      migrant groups from Suriname, Netherlands Antilles, Indonesia, Morocco and
      Turkey. Standardised household disposable income was used as a proxy for
      socioeconomic position. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the
      socioeconomic inequalities in AMI incidence. RESULTS: Among ethnic Dutch, the AMI
      incidence was higher in the low-income group than in the high-income group:
      adjusted HRs were 2.05 (95% CI 2.00 to 2.10) for men and 2.33 (95% CI 2.23 to
      2.43) for women. Importantly, similar socioeconomic inequalities in AMI incidence
      were also observed in all minority groups, with the low socioeconomic group
      having a higher AMI incidence than the high socioeconomic group: adjusted HR
      ranging from 2.07 (95% CI 1.26 to 3.40) in Moroccans to 2.73 (95% CI 1.55 to
      4.80) in Antilleans in men; and from 2.17 (95% CI 1.74 to 2.71) in Indonesians to
      3.88 (95% CI 2.36 to 6.38) in Turks in women. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      demonstrate socioeconomic inequalities in AMI incidence in migrant groups and
      suggest a convergence towards the Dutch general population. If the AMI incidence
      rates of the low socioeconomic group could be reduced to the level of the high
      socioeconomic group, this would represent a major public health improvement for
      all ethnic groups.

PMID- 24241714
TI  - An echocardiographic abnormality in an HIV patient with coronary disease.

PMID- 24241715
TI  - 2-Aminopurine optical spectra: Solvent, pentose ring, and DNA helix melting
      dependence.
AB  - 2-Aminopurine (2AP) absorption and fluorescence excitation and emission spectra
      in a series of solvents have been measured to assess effects of solvent polarity.
      Emission spectra of the free base shift to the red in solvents of a higher
      dielectric constant, including water but excepting dioxane. Excitation spectra
      also red-shift, except in water. A change in dipole moment of 2.8 D upon
      excitation is obtained from a Bilot-Kawski plot which includes data from
      potentially anomolous solvents such as alcohols but which excludes dioxane and
      aqueous solvents. Attachment of ribose or 2'-deoxyribose causes 1 to 2-nm shifts
      in the position of fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of 2AP in water
      and little change in fluorescence yield. Melting of the DNA duplex
      d[CTGA(2AP)TTCAG]2 yields a blue shift of the excitation and no shift of the
      emission spectrum-results consistent with increased exposure to water and
      formation of 2AP-water H bonds in the ground state. The spectral shift occurs 5
      degrees C or more below the helix melting temperature, implying a premelting
      structural change in the decamer. 

PMID- 24241716
TI  - Fluorimetric metal ion sensing usingN-methyl-9-anthrylhydroxamic acid.
AB  - We have synthesizedN-methyl-9-anthrylhydroxamic acid, which is a fluorescent
      analogue ofN-methylbenzohydroxamic acid. Complexation with various di- and
      trivalent metal ions occurs (logK from 4 to 5) in water with resulting
      fluorescence quenching. Because the Fe(III) and Al(III) complexes substituted
      rather slowly, the addition of EDTA provides a temporal method for obtaining some
      selectivity in the chemosensor. 

PMID- 24241717
TI  - pH-Dependent fluorescence and singlet energy transfer in water-soluble polymers
      containing eosin and phenol red chromophores.
AB  - The pH-dependent fluorescence and energy transfer properties of water-soluble
      polyacrylamide labeled with a donor (eosin) and acceptor (phenol red) were
      studied. Eosin emission intensity decreases with pH increases. This observation
      corresponds to the expectation that the fluorescence intensity of eosin should
      diminish with pH increases resulting from increased spectral overlap between
      dyes. The lower energy transfer efficiency compared to a pH sensor made with the
      same polymer, but with a cross-linker, can be explained by the larger distances
      between the two chromophores resulting from conformational flexibility and
      electrostatic repulsion of the chromophore ions. 

PMID- 24241718
TI  - Substituent effects on the excited-state properties of platinummeso
      tetraphenylporphyrins.
AB  - A study has been undertaken to examine the effect of peripheral substitution on
      the photophysics of platinum tetraarylporphyrins. The aim of the study was to
      provide better dyes for oxygen sensing. Substitution of electron rich aryl groups
      results in red shifts for both the absorption and emission spectra. These
      observations are explained using simple molecular orbital theory. The lifetime of
      the excited singlet state for platinum tetraphenylporphyrin is calculated to be
      shorter than 0.7 psec. The radiative rate constants are on the order of 10(3)
      sec(-1) while nonradiative rate constants are on the order of 10(4) sec(-1). The
      model used is sufficiently flexible to be applied to all Pt and Pd porphyrins. 

PMID- 24241719
TI  - Two photon-induced fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decays of
      diphenylhexatriene in solvents and lipid bilayers.
AB  - We measured the fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decays of 1,6-diphenyl
      1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH)-labeled membranes resulting from simultaneous two-photon
      excitation of fluorescence. Comparison of these two-photon data with the more
      usual one-photon measurements revealed that DPH displayed identical intensity
      decays, anisotropy decays, and order parameters for one- and two-photon
      excitation. While the anisotropy data are numerically distinct, they can be
      compared by use of the factor 10/7, which accounts for the two-photon versus one
      photon photoselection. The increased time 0 anisotropy of DPH can result in
      increased resolution of complex anisotropy decays. Global analysis of the one-
      and two-photon data reveals consistency with a single apparent angle between the
      absorption and the emission oscillators. The global anisotropy analysis also
      suggests that, except for the photoselection factor, the anisotropy decays are
      the same for one-and two-photon excitation. This ideal behavior of DPH as a two
      photon absorber, and its high two-photon cross section, makes DPH a potential
      probe for confocal two-photon microscopy and other systems where it is
      advantageous to use long-wavelength (680- to 760-nm) excitation. 

PMID- 24241721
TI  - Dose-response modeling of etoposide-induced DNA damage response.
AB  - The 2007 National Research Council Report "Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century:
      A Vision and A Strategy" recommended an integrated, toxicity pathway-oriented
      approach for chemical testing. As an integral component of the recommendation,
      computational dose-response modeling of toxicity pathways promises to provide
      mechanistic interpretation and prediction of adverse cellular outcomes. Among the
      many toxicity pathways, the DNA damage response is better characterized and thus
      more suited for computational modeling. In the present study, we formulated a
      minimal mathematical model of this pathway to examine the dose response for
      etoposide (ETP), an anticancer drug that causes DNA double strand breaks (DSBs).
      In the model, DSB results from inhibition of topoisomerase by ETP and p53 is
      activated by a bistable switch composed of a positive feedback loop between ATM
      and gammaH2AX. Our stochastic model recapitulated the dose response for several
      molecular biomarkers measured with flow cytometry in HT1080 cells, including
      phosphorylated p53, ATM, gammaH2AX, and micronuclei. Model simulations were
      consistent with a bimodal pattern of p53 activation and a graded population
      averaged response at high ETP concentrations. The graded response was a result of
      heterogeneous activation of individual cells due to molecular stochasticity. This
      work shows the value of combining data collection on single cell responses and
      mechanistic, stochastic modeling to develop and test hypothesis for the circuitry
      of important toxicity pathways. Future studies will determine how well this
      initial modeling effort agrees with a broader set of experimental studies on
      pathway responses by examining a more diverse group of DNA-damaging compounds. 

PMID- 24241720
TI  - Is 'legal empowerment of the poor' relevant to people with disabilities in
      developing countries? An empirical and normative review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Legal empowerment of the poor is highly relevant to public health as
      it aims to relieve income poverty, a main determinant of health. The Commission
      on Legal Empowerment of the Poor (CLEP) has proposed legal empowerment measures
      in the following four domains: access to justice and the rule of law, property,
      labor, and business rights. Despite being overrepresented among the poor, CLEP
      has not explicitly considered the situation of people with disabilities.
      OBJECTIVES: To examine the empirical evidence for the relevance of the CLEP legal
      empowerment measures to people with disabilities in low- and lower middle-income
      countries, and to evaluate the extent to which the Convention on the Rights of
      Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) addresses those measures. METHODS: Critical
      literature review of empirical studies and a checklist assessment of the CRPD.
      RESULTS: Fourteen included articles confirm that people with disabilities
      experience problems in the domains of access to justice and the rule of law,
      labor rights, and business rights. No texts on property rights were found.
      Evidence for the effectiveness of the proposed measures is insufficient. Overall,
      the CRPD fully or partially supports two-thirds of the proposed measures (seven
      out of nine measures for access to justice and the rule of law, none of the five
      measures for property rights, all seven measures for labor rights, and six out of
      nine measures for business rights). CONCLUSIONS: Although most of the domains of
      the CLEP legal empowerment measures are relevant to people with disabilities from
      both empirical and normative perspectives, it is uncertain whether the devised
      measures are of immediate relevance to them. Further research is warranted in
      this regard.

PMID- 24241722
TI  - Photosafety screening of phenothiazine derivatives with combined use of
      photochemical and cassette-dosing pharmacokinetic data.
AB  - This study aimed to establish an efficient photosafety screening system,
      employing in vitro photochemical and cassette-dosing pharmacokinetic (PK)
      studies. Eight phenothiazine (PTZ) derivatives were selected as model chemicals,
      and photochemical characterization and cassette-dosing PK study were carried out.
      In vivo photosafety testing on oral PTZs (100 mg/kg) was also assessed in rats.
      All the tested PTZs exhibited potent UVA/B absorption with molar extinction
      coefficients of ca. 3400-4400 M(-1)cm(-1). Under exposure to simulated sunlight
      (2.0 mW/cm(2)), all PTZs, especially fluphenazine 2HCl (FP) and trifluoperazine
      2HCl (TF), tended to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Casset-dosing PK
      studies demonstrated high dermal deposition of FP and TF in rats, and from these
      findings, taken together with the potent photochemical reactivity, both FP and TF
      were deduced to be highly phototoxic. In contrast, the phototoxic potential of
      chlorpromazine HCl (CP) seemed to be low because of moderate ROS generation and
      limited dermal distribution. Predicted phototoxic risk for PTZs from
      photochemical and PK data appeared basically to agree with the observed
      phototoxicity in rats; however, oral CP (100 mg/kg) caused severe phototoxic
      responses in rats. Metabolites of CP have been recognized to be phototoxic, which
      might explain in part this false prediction. These findings might also suggest
      the necessity of complementary testing on drug metabolites for more reliable
      photosafety evaluation. The combined use of photochemical and PK data might be
      efficacious for simple and fast prediction of the phototoxic potential of new
      drug candidates.

PMID- 24241723
TI  - Characterization of calcium responses and electrical activity in differentiating
      mouse neural progenitor cells in vitro.
AB  - In vitro methods for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing have the potential
      to reduce animal use and increase insight into cellular and molecular mechanisms
      underlying chemical-induced alterations in the development of functional neuronal
      networks. Mouse neural progenitor cells (mNPCs) differentiate into nervous system
      specific cell types and have proven valuable to detect DNT using biochemical and
      morphological techniques. We therefore investigated a number of functional
      neuronal parameters in primary mNPCs to explore their applicability for
      neurophysiological in vitro DNT testing. Immunocytochemistry confirmed that mNPCs
      express neuronal, glial, and progenitor markers at various differentiation
      durations (1, 7, 14, and 21 days). Because intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i)
      plays an essential role in neuronal development and function, we measured
      stimulus-evoked changes in [Ca(2+)]i at these differentiation durations using the
      Ca(2+)-responsive dye Fura-2. Increases in [Ca(2+)]i (averages ranging from 65 to
      226 nM) were evoked by depolarization, ATP, l-glutamic acid, acetylcholine, and
      dopamine (up to 87%, 57%, 93%, 28%, and 37% responding cells, respectively) and
      to a lesser extent by serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (both up to 10%
      responding cells). Notably, the changes in percentage of responsive cells and
      their response amplitudes over time indicate changes in the expression and
      functionality of the respective neurotransmitter receptors and related calcium
      signaling pathways during in vitro differentiation. The development of functional
      intercellular signaling pathways was confirmed using multielectrode arrays,
      demonstrating that mNPCs develop electrical activity within 1-2 weeks of
      differentiation (55% active wells at 14 days of differentiation; mean spike rate
      of 1.16 spikes/s/electrode). The combined data demonstrate that mNPCs develop
      functional neuronal characteristics in vitro, making it a promising model to
      study chemical-induced effects on the development of neuronal function.

PMID- 24241724
TI  - Introduction of a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium into tobacco shoot regenerates.
AB  - Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) shoots associated with the nitrogen-fixing
      cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis Kutz. (ATCC 29413) were regenerated in mixed
      cultures of tobacco callus and the cyanobacterium. The cyanobacteria were
      localized inside the tissues as well as on the surface of regenerated shoots,
      formed heterocysts, and were capable of acetylene reduction. 

PMID- 24241725
TI  - The partial purification and characterisation of gibberellin 2beta-hydroxylases
      from seeds of Pisum sativum.
AB  - The gibberellin (GA) 2beta-hydroxylases in mature and immature seeds of Pisum
      sativum have been partially purified and characterised. The enzymes are unstable
      when stored below pH 7.0 or in the absence of a thiol reagent. The optimum assay
      pH is between 7.4 and 7.8 and activity is dependent upon the presence of alpha
      ketoglutarate, Fe(2+) and ascorbate. The 2beta-hydroxylase activities for GA1,
      GA4, GA9 and GA20 are chromatographically inseparable and correspond to a protein
      of Mr 44000. The rate of GA 2beta-hydroxylation varies according to substrate and
      some evidence indicates that the 2beta-hydroxylase activities for GA1 and GA4 and
      for GA9 and GA20 may reside in different proteins. During pea seed maturation,
      the specific activity of the enzyme(s) increases dramatically and reaches a
      maximum at a time when endogenous GA9, GA20, GA29 and GA51 are also at their
      greatest concentration. This correlation is not the result of substrate induction
      of enzyme activity. Since the GA 2beta-hydroxylases operate at maximal rate at
      low substrate concentrations they are incapable of rapidly 2beta-hydroxylating
      excessive quantities of (exogenously applied) GA1 or GA20. On the basis of the
      kinetic parameters of the GA 2beta-hydroxylase activities, a generalised model is
      discussed for the control of the steady-state levels of bioactive hormone under
      normal physiological conditions. 

PMID- 24241726
TI  - Studies on the growth and development in Spirogyra : VI. Phototropic response of
      Spirogyra filaments.
AB  - The phototropic response of Spirogyra sp. filaments and its relation with the
      different phases of their diurnal movements were studied. The filaments rapidly
      responded to unilateral irradiation; curvature towards the light source began in
      their tip region but shifted down to more basal regions. However, this typical
      and steady phototropic curvature could be observed only in the GnSt phase of the
      diurnal movement. In the other phases competitive states between the phototropic
      movement and other kinds of movement were evident. Thus, from the results of our
      previous and present studies it is proposed that the diurnal movement of
      Spirogyra filaments is composed of various individual movements, including a
      phototropic one; among these movements there exists a certain balance determined
      by the culture conditions and the time of day, and the phototropic movement is
      relatively inferior to the other movements. 

PMID- 24241727
TI  - Distribution of growth and proton efflux in gravireactive roots of maize (Zea
      mays L.).
AB  - Roots of Zea mays were maintained in a vertical orhorizontal position and the
      local elongation rate and H(+) fluxes were measured using Sephadex beads
      containing a pH indicator. When the roots were kept horizontally, the growth of
      the lower side was strongly inhibited and that of the upper side slightly
      stimulated as compared with vertical roots. The H(+) extrusion, which was
      greatest in the elongation zone, was strongly inhibited on the lower side and
      slightly stimulated on the upper side as compared with vertical roots. 

PMID- 24241728
TI  - Copper tolerance in Silene cucubalus : Subcellular distribution of copper and its
      effects on chloroplasts and plastocyanin synthesis.
AB  - The uptake, translocation and subcellular distribution of copper as well as its
      effect on chloroplasts and plastocyanin synthesis were studied in a copper
      sensitive and a copper-tolerant population of Silene cucubalus (L.) Wib. As a
      function of time, the copper concentration in roots of tolerant plants increased
      more slowly than that in roots of sensitive ones. Translocation to the shoot
      occurred more rapidly in tolerant plants than in sensitive ones. Although it was
      accumulated in leaf cells, copper was not accumulated in the chloroplasts of
      either sensitive or tolerant plants. Chlorophyll content was not affected by
      copper in tolerant plants, whereas sensitive plants became chlorotic.
      Plastocyanin synthesis was not enhanced as a result of high copper concentrations
      and no difference in plastocyanin content between tolerant and sensitive plants
      was detected. Measurements of copper in purified cell walls revealed that storage
      of the metal in cell-wall material does not play an important role in tolerance
      mechanism. Uptake characteristics, distribution and cytoplasmic detoxification of
      copper are discussed. 

PMID- 24241729
TI  - Wall yield threshold and effective turgor in growing bean leaves.
AB  - The rate of cell enlargement depends on cell-wall extensibility (m) and on the
      amount of turgor pressure (P) which exceeds the wall yield threshold (Y). The
      difference (P-Y) is the growth-effective turgor (P e). Values of P, Y and P ehave
      been measured in growing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaves with an isopiestic
      psychrometer, using the stress-relaxation method to derive Y. When rapid leaf
      growth is initiated by light, P, Y and P eall decrease. Thereafter, while the
      growth rate declines in maturing leaves, Y continues to decrease and P eactually
      increases. These data confirm earlier results indicating that the changes in
      light-stimulated leaf growth rate are primarily controlled by changes in m, and
      not by changes in P e. Seedlings incubated at 100% relative humidity have
      increased P, but this treatment does not increase growth rate. In some cases Y
      changes in parallel with P, so that P eremains unchanged. These data point out
      the importance of determining P e, rather than just P, when relating cell turgor
      to the growth rate. 

PMID- 24241730
TI  - Accumulation of alkaloids in plant vacuoles does not involve an ion-trap
      mechanism.
AB  - Alkaloid uptake into vacuoles isolated from a Fumaria capreolata L. cell
      suspension culture was investigated. The uptake is carrier-mediated as shown by
      its substrate saturation, its sensitivity to metabolic inhibitors and especially
      by its exclusive preference for the (S)-forms of reticuline and scoulerine while
      the (R)-enantiomers which do not occur in this plant species were strictly
      discriminated. The carrier has a high affinity for (S)-reticuline with a K m=0.3
      MUM. The rate of alkaloid uptake was 6 pmol.h(-1).MUl(-1) vacuole, and 0.03 mg
      alkaloid.mg(-1) vacuolar protein were taken up. Transport was stimulated five-to
      seven-fold by ATP and was inhibited by the ATPase inhibitors N,N'
      dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 4-4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2' disulfonic acid,
      as well as by the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone. A number
      of alkaloids did not compete with labelled (S)-reticuline for uptake into
      vacuoles. The uptake system is absolutely specific for alkaloids indigenous to
      the plant from which the vacuoles were isolated. Slight modifications of the
      topography of an alkaloid molecule even with full retention of its electrical
      charge results in its exclusion. Alkaloid efflux was also shown to be mediated by
      a highly specific energy-dependent carrier. These results contradict the
      previously proposed ion-trap mechanism for alkaloid accumulation in vacuoles. A
      highly specific carrier-mediated and energy-dependent proton antiport system for
      alkaloid uptake and release is postulated. 

PMID- 24241731
TI  - The dual location of beta-oxidation enzymes in germinating pea cotyledons.
AB  - beta-Oxidation enzymes were detected both in the mitochondria and microbodies of
      pea cotyledons. Intact mitochondria did not show beta-oxidation enzyme activity
      but in ruptured mitochondria this activity was high. It is apparent that the
      mitochondrial membrane barrier prevents rapid access of acyl-CoA substrates to
      matrix beta-oxidation sites. Removal of the membrane barrier permits rapid access
      of acyl-CoAs and these enzyme activities may then be measured. 

PMID- 24241732
TI  - Carnitine acetyltransferase in pea cotyledon mitochondria.
AB  - Purified pea cotyledon mitochondria did not oxidise acetyl-CoA in the presence of
      carnitine. However, acetylcarnitine was oxidised. It was concluded that
      acetylcarnitine passed through the mitochondrial membrane barrier but acetyl-CoA
      did not. Only a sensitive radioactive assay detected carnitine acetyltransferase
      in intact mitochondrion or intact mitoplast preparations. When the mitochondria
      or mitoplasts were burst, acetyl-CoA substrate was available to the matrix
      carnitine acetyltransferase and a high activity of the enzyme was measured. The
      inner mitochondrial membrane is there-fore the membrane barrier to acetyl-CoA but
      acetylcarnitine is suggested to be transported through this membrane via an
      integral carnitine: acylcarnitine translocator. Evidence is presented to indicate
      that when the cotyledons from 48-h-grown peas are oxidising pyruvate,
      acetylcarnitine formed in the mitochondrial matrix by the action of matrix
      carnitine acetyltransferase may be transported to extra-mitochondrial sites via
      the membrane translocator. 

PMID- 24241733
TI  - Potassium channels in Eremosphaera viridis : II. Current- and voltage-clamp
      experiments.
AB  - To characterize the assumed potassium channels in the plasma membrane of the
      green alga Eremosphaera viridis (Kohler et al. 1985), current-voltage (I/V)
      curves under resting conditions and during an action-potential-like response
      (CAP) were constructed using voltage- and current-clamp techniques. Under resting
      conditions the I/V-curves of Eremosphaera showed a distinct upward bending when
      approaching zero mV, a nearly straight line in the medium part and a downward
      bending during strong hyperpolarization. Measurements in light and darkness
      frequently displayed a parallel shift of the I/V-curve in the middle part,
      indicating a current source which is slowed down by light-off. Using the voltage
      clamp technique, N-shaped I/V-curves were sometimes observed. The potassium
      concentration outside influenced the downward-bending part of the I/V-curve
      whereas the tetraethylammonium cation, known to block potassium channels, reduced
      the upward-bending part in particular. A change in external pH, either to pH 7 or
      pH 3.1 from a standard pH 5.5, caused an increase in conductivity. Chemically
      induced action potentials were released in Eremosphaera under voltage-clamp
      conditions by light-off and there was both a current flow and an increase in
      conductivity during the CAP. Clamping the membrane potential at a value more
      negative than Nernst potential of potassium revealed an inward current, whereas
      clamping at a more-positive value revealed an outward current. The experiments
      demonstrate that there is no threshold potential in releasing a CAP. The I/V
      curves performed under current clamp at the peak of CAP verify a previously found
      increased conductivity with hyper- or depolarization depending on the external
      potassium concentration. These experiments provide further evidence that in
      Eremosphaera potassium channels are involved in the CAP caused by a light-off
      signal. Additional experiments indicate that after light-off a transient
      acidification of the cytoplasm takes place in correlation with the CAP and the
      opening of potassium channels. A preliminary "battery model" is discussed to
      understand the role of potassium channels during a CAP in pH-regulation of the
      cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24241734
TI  - Auxin carriers in membranes of lupin hypocotyls.
AB  - The pH-driven accumulation of [(3)H]indolyl-3-acetic acid (IAA) has been found to
      occur in membrane vesicles of lupin (Lupinus albus L.) hypocotyls. Most of this
      association of auxin with membranes is very sensitive to osmotic shock, high
      concentrations of permeable weak acids, incubation at 20 degrees  C for 20 min
      and to some ionophores. Long incubation times also depress the ability to
      accumulate radioactive IAA but this ability can be partially restored by a
      treatment that presumably reconstitutes the pH gradient across the membranes. Two
      specific inhibitors of auxin transport, N-1-naphtylphthalamic acid and 2,3,5
      triiodobenzoic acid, stimulate net IAA uptake with an optimum at about 10(-6) M
      (pH 5.0). At least two auxin carriers appear to be present in the lupin membrane
      vesicles. An uptake carrier seems to be saturated at 10(-7) M IAA in the presence
      of N-1-naphtylphthalamic acid, but higher IAA concentrations are needed to
      saturate an efflux carrier. The uptake carrier also shows a high affinity for IAA
      and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and a low affinity for 1-naphthylacetic acid. 

PMID- 24241735
TI  - Compartmentation of glycolysis and of the oxidative pentose-phosphate pathway in
      Chlamydomonas reinhardii.
AB  - Glycolytic enzyme activities and enzyme activities of the oxidative pentose
      phosphate pathway were measured in intact chloroplasts from Chlamydomonas
      reinhardii. By comparison with the total enzyme activities of intact protoplasts
      of the alga the data were used to locate these enzymes quantitatively in the
      algal chloroplast. It was found that the glycolytic chain in C. reinhardii is
      roughly split into a plastidic and an extraplastidic part. More than 90% of the
      first part of glycolysis (from fructose-6-phosphate to triose-phosphate is
      located in the plastid while more than 95% of the second part (from glycerate-3
      phosphate to pyruvate) is outside. Around 70% of glucose-6-phosphate
      dehydrogenase and gluconate-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, two key enzymes of the
      oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, are located in the plastid. It is concluded
      that in C. reinhardii the major part of hexose breakdown to triose-phosphate
      occurs in the chloroplast and that a tight cooperation between the plastid and
      the cytoplasm is required for appreciable sugar breakdown to occur in the algal
      cell. 

PMID- 24241736
TI  - Import of glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase precursor into glyoxysomes: A
      heterologous in-vitro system.
AB  - A heterologous in-vitro system is described for the import of the precursor to
      glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase from watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad., cv.
      Kleckey's Sweet No. 6) cotyledons into glyoxysomes from castor-bean (Ricinus
      communis L.) endosperm. The 41-kDa precursor is posttranslationally sequestered
      and correctly processed to the mature 33-kDa subunit by a crude glyoxysomal
      fraction or by glyoxysomes purified on a sucrose gradient. The import and the
      cleavage of the extrasequence is not inhibited by metal chelators such as 1,10
      phenanthroline and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Uncouplers (carbonylcyanide m
      chlorophenylhydrazone), ionophores (valinomycin), or inhibitors of oxidative
      phosphorylation (oligomycin) and ATP-ADP translocation (carboxyatractyloside) do
      not interfere, thus indicating the independence of the process of import by the
      organelle from the energization of the glyoxysomal membrane. 

PMID- 24241737
TI  - The induction of contractile roots in Gladiolus grandiflorus.
AB  - The number of contractile roots formed in gladioli was inversely related to the
      depth of the planted corm. Below a certain depth, no contractile roots were
      produced. Large corms did not produce contractile roots at any planting depth but
      produced two or more small corms. Depth perception is a function of two
      independent mechanisms, namely, temperature fluctuations in the root-initiation
      zone and the amount of light perceived mainly by the upper sheath leaf, the
      length of which varies with planting depth. Various growth substances applied to
      the leaves or corms did not induce contractile roots in dark-grown plants but
      roots were induced by indole-3-butyric acid in both small and large corms grown
      at constant temperatures and light. Abscisic acid retarded the formation of
      contractile roots under inductive conditions. 

PMID- 24241738
TI  - Plant tyrosine decarboxylase can be strongly inhibited by L-alpha-aminooxy-beta
      phenylpropionate.
AB  - Tyrosine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.25) from Syringa vulgaris L. cell cultures and
      from Hordeum vulgare L. seedlings is strongly inhibited by the phenylalanine
      analogue, L-alpha-aminooxy-beta-phenylpropionate. L-alpha-Aminooxy-beta
      phenylpropionate is therefore not specific in its inhibitory action against
      phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5). Hordeum tyrosine decarboxylase is also
      very sensitive to alpha-fluoromethyl(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine, but
      preparations from Nicotiana tabacum L. and Sanguinaria canadensis L. are largely
      unaffected by either type of inhibitor. 

PMID- 24241739
TI  - Photooxidative destruction of chloroplasts and its consequences for expression of
      nuclear genes.
AB  - Expression of nuclear genes involved in plastidogenesis is known to be controlled
      by light via phytochrome. Examples are the small subunit (SSU) of ribulose-1,5
      bisphosphate carboxylase and the light harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein
      of photosystem II (LHCP). In the present study we show that, beside phytochrome,
      the integrity of the plastid is essential for the expression of the pertinent
      nuclear genes as measured at the level of translatable mRNA. When the plastids
      are severely damaged by photooxidation in virtually carotenoid-free mustard
      (Sinapis alba L.) seedling cotyledons (made carotenoid-free by the application of
      Norflurazon, NF), almost no SSU, no SSU precursor, LHCP and LHCP precursor can be
      detected by immunological assays, and almost no translatable mRNA of SSU and LHCP
      can be found, although the levels and rates of phytochrome-mediated syntheses of
      representative cytoplasmic, mitochondrial and glyoxisomal enzymes are not
      adversely affected and morphogenesis of the mustard seedling proceeds normally
      (Reibeta et al. 1983; Planta 159, 518-528). Norflurazon per se has no effect on
      the amount of translatable mRNA of SSU and LHCP as shown by irradiation of NF
      treated seedlings with far-red light (FR) which strongly activates phytochrome
      but does not cause photooxidation in the plastids. It is concluded that a signal
      from the plastid is required to allow the phytochrome-mediated appearance of
      translatable mRNA for SSU and LHCP. Seedlings not treated with NF show a higher
      level of translatable mRNALHCP in red light (RL) compared to FR, whereas the
      mRNASSU levels are the same in RL and FR. These facts indicate that the level of
      translatable mRNALHCP is adversely affected if the apoprotein is not incorporated
      into the thylakoid membrane. 

PMID- 24241740
TI  - Properties of alpha-galactosidase II(2) from Vicia faba seeds.
AB  - alpha-Galactosidase II(2) (MW ~ 43 390) from resting Vicia faba L. seeds had been
      shown to possess D-glucose/D-mannose-specific lectin activity. Inhibition studies
      with monosaccharides and an examination of the effects of heat and pH on the
      catalytic and lectin activities of the enzyme indicate that the enzyme substrate
      and the lectin haptens bind at different sites on the protein. D-Mannosebinding
      has been investigated by equilibrium dialysis and spectrophotometrically. Both
      methods yield Ka values of approx. 3.10(3) M(-1) for the interaction and there
      would appear to be two mannosebinding sites per molecule of enzyme protein. The
      lectin properties of V. faba alpha-galactosidase II(2) have been discussed in
      relation to both V. faba lectin (favin) and other legume alpha-galactosidases. 

PMID- 24241741
TI  - Enzymes of serine and glycine metabolism in leaves and non-photosynthetic tissues
      of Pisum sativum L.
AB  - A comparative study is presented of the activities of enzymes of glycine and
      serine metabolism in leaves, germinated cotyledons and root apices of pea (Pisum
      sativum L.). Data are given for aminotransferase activities with glyoxylate,
      hydroxypyruvate and pyruvate, for enzymes associated with serine synthesis from 3
      phosphoglycerate and for glycine decarboxylase and serine
      hydroxymethyltransferase. Aminotransferase activities differ between the tissues
      in that, firstly, appreciable transamination of serine, hydroxypyruvate and
      asparagine occurs only in leaf extracts and, secondly, glyoxylate is
      transaminated more actively than pyruvate in leaf extracts, whereas the converse
      is true of extracts of cotyledons and root apices. Alanine is the most active
      amino-group donor to both glyoxylate and hydroxypyruvate. 3-Phosphoglycerate
      dehydrogenase and glutamate: O-phosphohydroxypyruvate aminotransferase have
      comparable activities in all three tissues, except germinated cotyledons, in
      which the aminotransferase appears to be undetectable. Glycollate oxidase is
      virtually undetectable in the non-photosynthetic tissues and in these tissues the
      activity of glycerate dehydrogenase is much lower than that of 3-phosphoglycerate
      dehydrogenase. Glycine decarboxylase activity in leaves, measured in the presence
      of oxaloacetate, is equal to about 30-40% of the measured rate of CO2 fixation
      and is therefore adequate to account for the expected rate of photorespiration.
      The activity of glycine decarboxylase in the non-photosynthetic tissues is
      calculated to be about 2-5% of the activity in leaves and has the characteristics
      of a pyridoxal-and tetrahydrofolate-dependent mitochondrial reaction; it is
      stimulated by oxaloacetate, although not by ADP. In leaves, the measured activity
      of serine hydroxymethyltransferase is somewhat lower than that of glycine
      decarboxylase, whereas in root apices it is substantially higher. Differential
      centrifugation of extracts of root apices suggests that an appreciable proportion
      of serine hydroxymethyltransferase activity is associated with the plastids. 

PMID- 24241742
TI  - Incubation of corn coleoptiles with auxin enhances in-vitro fusicoccin binding.
AB  - Binding of fusicoccin (FC) to microsomal preparations of corn (Zea mays L.)
      coleoptiles is enhanced after incubation of the tissue with indole-3-acetic acid
      (IAA). Treatment of the kinetic data according to Scatchard shows that the
      enhancement is a consequence of an increase in the number of high-affinity FC
      binding sites without changes of their KD. The minimal effective concentration of
      IAA is 10(-7) M; above 10(-5) M the effect declines. The stimulation is
      insensitive to protein-synthesis inhibitors (cycloheximide and puromycin). The
      same effect is observed with the synthetic auxins 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
      and naphtalene-1-acetic acid while it is abolished by the auxin antagonists
      naphtalene-2-acetic acid and p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid. Since the above
      effect is only observed with intact tissue and not after incubation of IAA with
      microsomal preparations, a direct interaction of IAA with the FC-binding sites is
      ruled out and an alternative mechanism must be sought. 

PMID- 24241743
TI  - The origin of photosystem-I-mediated electron transport stimulation in heat
      stressed chloroplasts.
AB  - Exposure of isolated chloroplasts of pea (Pisum sativum L.) to temperatures above
      35 degrees  C leads to a stimulation of photosystem-I-mediated electron transport
      from dichlorophenolindophenol to methyl viologen. The threshold temperature for
      this stimulation coincides closely with that for heat-induced inhibition of
      photosystem-II activity in such chloroplasts. This coincidence is explained in
      terms of a rearrangement of the thylakoid membrane resulting in the exposure of a
      new set of donor sites for dichlorophenolindophenol within the cytochrome f/b 6
      complex of the electron-transport chain linking the two photosystems. 

PMID- 24241744
TI  - Alkaline inorganic pyrophosphatase and starch synthesis in amyloplasts.
AB  - The aim of this work was to see if amyloplasts contained inorganic
      pyrophosphatase. Alkaline pyrophosphatase activity, largely dependant upon MgCl2
      but not affected by 100 MUM ammonium molybdate or 60-100 mM KCl, was demonstrated
      in exracts of developing and mature clubs of the spadix of Arum maculatum L. and
      of suspension cultures of Glycine max L., but not in extracts of the developing
      bulb of Allium cepa L. The maximum catalytic activity of alkaline pyrophosphatase
      in the above tissues showed a positive correlation with starch synthesis, and in
      the first two tissues was shown to exceed the activity of ADPglucose
      pyrophosphorylase. Of the alkaline pyrophosphatase activity in lysates of
      protoplasts of suspension cultures of Glycine max, 57% was latent. Density
      gradient centrifugation of these lysates showed a close correlation between the
      distribution of alkaline pyrophosphatase and the plastid marker, nitrite
      reductase. It is suggested that much, if not all, of the alkaline pyrophosphatase
      in suspension cultures of Glycine max is located in the plastids. 

PMID- 24241746
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24241745
TI  - Leaf senescence in a non-yellowing mutant of Festuca pratensis: Photosynthesis
      and photosynthetic electron transport.
AB  - The photosynthetic capacity of detached leaves of a non-yellowing mutant of
      Festuca pratensis Huds. declined during senescence at a similar rate to that in a
      normal cultivar. Respiratory oxygen uptake in the dark continued at similar rates
      in both genotypes during several days of senescence. In chloroplasts isolated
      from leaves at intervals after excision, the rate of photosystem I (PS I)
      mediated methyl viologen reduction using reduced N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p
      phenylene diamine as electron donor also declined in both genotypes, possibly due
      to loss of integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus in the cytochrome f
      plastocyanin region. There was a similar fall in PS II electron transport using
      water as electron donor and measured at the rate of reduction of 2,6
      dichlorophenolindophenol. Partial restoration of this activity by the addition of
      diphenyl carbazide was evidence for lability of the oxygen-evolving complex
      during senescence. An accentuated difference between mutant and normal material
      in this case indicated that the mutant retains a greater number of functional PS
      II centres. Changes in the light-saturation characteristics of the two
      photosystems have been discussed in relation to the organization of the
      photosynthetic membranes during senescence. 

PMID- 24241748
TI  - Inactivation of medial prefrontal cortex or acute stress impairs odor span in
      rats.
AB  - The capacity of working memory is limited and is altered in brain disorders
      including schizophrenia. In rodent working memory tasks, capacity is typically
      not measured (at least not explicitly). One task that does measure working memory
      capacity is the odor span task (OST) developed by Dudchenko and colleagues. In
      separate experiments, the effects of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) inactivation
      or acute stress on the OST were assessed in rats. Inactivation of the mPFC
      profoundly impaired odor span without affecting olfactory sensitivity. Acute
      stress also significantly reduced odor span. These findings support a potential
      role of the OST in developing novel therapeutics for disorders characterized by
      impaired working memory capacity. 

PMID- 24241749
TI  - Deletion of PTEN produces deficits in conditioned fear and increases fragile X
      mental retardation protein.
AB  - The phosphatase and tensin homolog detected on chromosome 10 (PTEN) gene product
      modulates activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway. The
      PI3K pathway has been found to be involved in the regulation of the fragile X
      mental retardation protein, which is important for long-term depression and in
      the formation of new memories. We used delayed fear conditioning and trace fear
      conditioning to determine learning and memory deficits in neuron subset-specific
      Pten (NS-Pten) conditional knockout (KO) mice. We found that NS-Pten KO mice had
      deficits in contextual learning and trace conditioning, but did not have deficits
      in the ability to learn a conditioned stimulus. Furthermore, we found increased
      levels in the total and phosphorylated forms of the fragile X mental retardation
      protein (FMRP) in the hippocampus of NS-Pten KO mice. 

PMID- 24241751
TI  - Fracture surfaces of granular pastes.
AB  - Granular pastes are dense dispersions of non-colloidal grains in a simple or a
      complex fluid. Typical examples are the coating, gluing or sealing mortars used
      in building applications. We study the cohesive rupture of thick mortar layers in
      a simple pulling test where the paste is initially confined between two flat
      surfaces. After hardening, the morphology of the fracture surfaces was
      investigated, using either the box counting method to analyze fracture profiles
      perpendicular to the mean fracture plane, or the slit-island method to analyze
      the islands obtained by cutting the fracture surfaces at different heights,
      parallel to the mean fracture plane. The fracture surfaces were shown to exhibit
      scaling properties over several decades. However, contrary to what has been
      observed in the brittle or ductile fracture of solid materials, the islands were
      shown to be mass fractals. This was related to the extensive plastic flow
      involved in the fracture process. 

PMID- 24241750
TI  - Learned together, extinguished apart: reducing fear to complex stimuli.
AB  - Pairing a previously neutral conditioned stimulus (CS; e.g., a tone) to an
      aversive unconditioned stimulus (US; e.g., a footshock) leads to associative
      learning such that the tone alone comes to elicit a conditioned response (e.g.,
      freezing). We have previously shown that an extinction session that occurs within
      the reconsolidation window attenuates fear responding and prevents the return of
      fear in pure tone Pavlovian fear conditioning. Here we sought to examine whether
      this effect also applies to a more complex fear memory. First, we show that after
      fear conditioning to the simultaneous presentation of a tone and a light (T+L)
      coterminating with a shock, the compound memory that ensues is more resistant to
      fear extinction than simple tone-shock pairings. Next, we demonstrate that the
      compound memory can be disrupted by interrupting the reconsolidation of the two
      individual components using a sequential retrieval+extinction paradigm, provided
      the stronger compound component is retrieved first. These findings provide
      insight into how compound memories are encoded, and could have important
      implications for PTSD treatment. 

PMID- 24241752
TI  - Transient gene expression in tobacco protoplasts: I. Time course of CAT
      appearance.
AB  - The early events of transient gene expression have been investigated monitoring
      CAT activity in tobacco protoplasts encoded by the recombinant plasmid pRT101cat.
      The first appearance of CAT activity was observed within 30 minutes after the
      outset of cultivation, and maximal values were obtained between four and 24
      hours. CAT expression, at the level of RNA synthesis, could not be inhibited by
      cordycepin (3'deoxyadenine) added one hour after protoplast plating, whereas
      cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, showed an influence during the
      first four hours. This indicates a rapid decay of biologically active forms of
      both the DNA transferred and the CAT-mRNA synthesized within the first hours.
      These results suggest that in the tobacco protoplast system CAT protein stability
      lasts up to two weeks rather than a continuous synthesis of new enzyme. 

PMID- 24241753
TI  - Transient gene expression in tobacco protoplasts: II. Comparison of the reporter
      gene systems for CAT, NPT II, and GUS.
AB  - The reporter genes for Chloramphenicolacetyltransferase (CAT),
      Neomycinphosphotransferase-(NPT)-II and beta-Glucuronidase (GUS) were compared in
      transient gene expression experiments in tobacco mesophyll protoplasts. For this
      purpose, nearly identical chimeric genes controlled by the CaMV 35 S promoter
      were constructed. The detection level of each system was determined yielding the
      following order of relative sensitivity: CAT<NPT II<GUS. 

PMID- 24241754
TI  - Genetic transformation of 9 in vitro clones of Alnus and Betula by Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens.
AB  - Crown gall tumorigenesis, integration and expression of T-DNA encoded genes from
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens were investigated in 9 clones of Alnus glutinosa, A.
      incana and Betula papyrifera. Tumor formation on in vitro shoots was frequent in
      all clones with strain Ach5 and present in 8 clones with strain C58. Tumors
      excised from shoots were selected for autotrophic growth in vitro and axenic
      cultures were established. Octopine or nopaline, respective of the strain type
      used for inoculation, was detected in tumorous cultures. Southern blot analyses
      demonstrated T-DNA integration by hybridization of DNA from tumors with tmr and
      nos gene probes. One clone of B. papyrifera produced tumors with a morphogenic
      character, unusual in calli of this species, generating viable shoots which did
      not synthesize opine. 

PMID- 24241755
TI  - High-frequency plant regeneration from cultured cotyledons of Arabidopsis
      thaliana.
AB  - Wild-type plants of Arabidopsis thaliana strain "Columbia" regenerated at a high
      frequency from immature cotyledons cultured on a shoot-inducing medium containing
      1.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.1 mg/l 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. Cotyledon
      segments expanded rapidly and produced numerous shoots after 2-3 weeks in
      culture. Regeneration occurred in the absence of the original shoot apex.
      Hypocotyl segments from immature embryos produced root hairs and callus in
      culture but only rarely developed shoots. Hygromycin, kanamycin and G-418
      inhibited cotyledon expansion and shoot formation in culture. Vancomycin was much
      less toxic to cotyledon segments than either carbenicillin or cefotaxime.
      Immature cotyledons therefore yield numerous regenerated plants that may be
      useful in future transformation studies. 

PMID- 24241756
TI  - Apical proliferation of embryogenic tissue of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill].
AB  - Somatic embryos and embryogenic tissues were initiated from immature zygotic
      embryos of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv. 'Fayette']. Zygotic embryos were
      placed on a medium containing 40 mg/l of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6%
      sucrose. Somatic embryos were first seen 4 weeks after cultures were initiated.
      Following transfer, secondary somatic embryos proliferated directly from the
      apical or terminal portions of the older primary somatic embryos. Single somatic
      embryos or clusters of embryos were seen growing directly from the top of older
      somatic embryos. Light microscopy revealed that these embryos were of surface or
      subsurface origin. The apical soybean somatic embryo tissue may represent
      cotyledonary tissue (which has been shown to be most responsive) at a very young
      and manipulatable state. 

PMID- 24241757
TI  - Improved protoplast culture and regeneration of shoots in pea (Pisum sativum L.).
AB  - An improved system involving a modification of the bead culture system was
      developed for culturing pea protoplasts. Using this method, sustained divisions
      and callus growth could be obtained in all 10 cultivars tested. In the best
      responding cultivar division frequency could be raised from 17% in liquid culture
      to 80% in the bead system. Shoot regeneration with a reproducible frequency of
      about 1% could be obtained from protoplast-derived calli in two of the tested
      cultivars. 

PMID- 24241758
TI  - Plant regeneration in zigzag clover (Trifolium medium L.).
AB  - A study was conducted to regenerate plants from explant tissue and from callus
      culture of zigzag clover (Trifolium medium). Petiole segments from two strains of
      zigzag clover were cultured on L2 or in SL2 media. Shoots were regenerated via
      organogenesis from petiole segments of both strains of zigzag clover. Direct
      shoot regeneration was noticed as early as eight days after the initiation of
      cultures. Shoots were also regenerated via somatic embryogenesis from petiole
      derived calli of the two strains on L2 and SL2 media. Regenerated plants have
      normal morphological characteristics. 

PMID- 24241759
TI  - Berberine production by batch and semi-continuous cultures of immobilized
      Thalictrum cells in an improved bioreactor.
AB  - A new bioreactor (liquid-gas two-phase system) was devised for berberine
      secreting Thalictrum minus cells immobilized in calcium alginate beads, which
      were alternately soaked in medium, and exposed to air. The highest yield of
      berberine (875 mg/l) was obtained by setting the cycle of medium supply and air
      supply for 30 seconds and 2 minutes, respectively, during a culture period of 30
      days. Under such conditions of batch culture, the berberine productivity of
      immobilized cells was as high as that of freely suspended cells. Furthermore, the
      rate of berberine production by immobilized cells remained constant at a high
      value (50 mg/l/day) for a period of 60 days of semi-continuous culture achieved
      by renewal of medium at intervals of 10 days. 

PMID- 24241760
TI  - Organogenesis in cell cultures of leafy spurge (Euphorbiaceae) accessions from
      Europe and North America.
AB  - Plants were regenerated from leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) cell suspensions
      obtained from stem callus. A North Dakota accession was highly regenerable, but
      two accessions from Oregon and Austria formed only a few plantlets. Organogenesis
      occurred in media without growth regulators, under fluorescent lights (30 to 90
      MUE m(-2) s(-1), 14 h photoperiod). Organogenesis was greatest in larger size
      clumps subcultured during maximum cell growth into media containing a
      reduced:oxidized nitrogen ratio of 33:67. Roots formed first and some clumps
      produced shoots. Organogenic suspension cultures also were initiated from
      hypocotyl and root segments of germinated seedlings, directly in liquid medium.
      Plantlets of the North Dakota accession formed in vitro adapted to greenhouse
      conditions. They were phenotypically similar to the parent plants. 

PMID- 24241761
TI  - Exogenous hormone applications at pollination for in vitro and in vivo production
      of cotton interspecific hybrids.
AB  - Interspecific hybridization of cotton (Gossypium) has been assisted by ovule and
      embryo culture. These culture methods were compared to exogenous hormone
      applications for efficient plant production from crosses between Upland cotton,
      G. hirsutum L., as the maternal parent, and various diploid and tetraploid wild
      species as the pollen donor. The best exogenous hormone treatment resulted in an
      average production of five seeds per boll and 4% boll abscission. Generally,
      exogenous hormones used with standard hybridization techniques were superior to
      in vitro methods, but for some crosses, embryo culture following hormone
      applications was warranted. 

PMID- 24241762
TI  - Effect of l-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid, silver nitrate, and
      norbornadiene on plant regeneration from maize callus cultures.
AB  - The effect of the ethylene antagonists norbornadiene and silver nitrate and the
      ethylene precursor l-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) on Zea mays plant
      regeneration was studied. A 12-fold increase in plant regeneration, as measured
      by number of plants obtained per gram fresh weight from callus cultures of maize
      inbreds Pa91 and H99, was obtained by 250 MUM norbornadiene and 100 MUM silver
      nitrate treatments. An increase in amout of nonregenerable tissue and a 68%
      decrease in plant regeneration were associated with callus treated with 1 mM ACC.
      Ethylene emanation from 1 mM ACC treated callus reached a maximum of 170 nl g(-1)
      h(-1) after 3 days compared to 7 nl g(-1) h(-1) for the control. The free proline
      content was up to 80% lower in 1 mM ACC treated callus grown for 30 days on
      medium with or without 12 mM proline, respectively, as compared to each control.
      These studies indicate that ethylene action inhibitors such as norbornadiene and
      silver nitrate can be used to increase plant regeneration efficiency from maize
      callus cultures. 

PMID- 24241763
TI  - Initiation and characterization of a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
      photoautotrophic cell suspension culture.
AB  - A heterotrophic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Stoneville 825) cell suspension
      culture was adapted to grow photoautotrophically. After two years in continuous
      photoautotrophic culture at 5% CO2 (balance air), the maximum growth rate of the
      photoautotrophic cell line was a 400% fresh weight increase in eight days. The
      Chl concentration was approximately 500 MUg per g fresh weight.Elevated CO2 (1%
      5%) was required for culture growth, while the ambient air of the culture room
      (600 to 700 ul CO2 1(-1)) or darkness were lethal. The cell line had no net
      photosynthesis at 350 ul 1(-1) CO2, 2% O2, and dark respiration ranged from 29 to
      44 MUmol CO2 mg(-1) Chl h(-1). Photosynthesis was inhibited by O2. The
      approximate 1:1 ratio of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPcase) to
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPcase) (normally about 6:1 in mature leaves of
      C3 plants) was due to low RuBPcase activity relative to that of C3 leaves, not to
      high PEPcase activity. The PEPcase activity per unit Chl in the cell line was
      identical to that of spinach leaves, while the RuBPcase activity was only 15% of
      the spinach leaf RuBPcase activity. RuBPcase activity in the photoautotrophic
      cells was not limited by a lack of activation in vivo, since the enzyme in a
      rapidly prepared cell extract was 73% activated. No evidence of enzyme
      inactivation by secondary compounds in the cells was found as can be found with
      cotton leaves. Low RuBPcase activity and high respiration rates are most likely
      important factors in the low photosynthetic efficiency of the cells at ambient
      CO2. 

PMID- 24241764
TI  - Improved diosgenin production in Dioscorea deltoidea cell cultures by
      immobilization in polyurethane foam.
AB  - Dioscorea deltoidea Wall (Dioscoreaceae) cell cultures were entrapped by passive
      invasion into reticulate polyurethane foam cubes. Immobilization of cells grown
      in medium containing 3% sucrose reduced the lag phase in growth and thereby
      reduced the time required to reach maximum diosgenin concentration by 36%
      compared to cells in suspension culture. Immobilization also increased the total
      diosgenin produced by 40%. Increased efficiency in diosgenin production was
      greatest in 3% sucrose; higher concentrations inhibited diosgenin production. 

PMID- 24241765
TI  - Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cell suspension cultures of
      Cucumis sativus L.
AB  - A procedure for the regeneration of whole cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L. cv.
      Poinsett 76) by embryogenesis from cell suspension cultures is described.
      Embryogenic callus was initiated from the primary leaves of 14-17 day old plants.
      Suspension cultures of embryogenic cells were grown in liquid Murashige and Skoog
      basal medium containing 5 uM 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 4 uM 6
      benzylaminopurine. Suspension cultures were composed of a population of cells
      that were densely cytoplasmic and potentially embryogenic. Differentiation of
      embryos was enhanced by washing the suspension culture cells with MS basal medium
      containing 0.5% activated charcoal and twice with MS basal medium followed by
      liquid shake cultures in MS basal medium. Sixty to 70 percent of the embryos
      prewashed with activated charcoal germinated into plantlets with normal
      morphology. Embryos obtained from suspension cultured cells without prewashing
      with activated charcoal organized into plantlets with abnormal primary leaves.
      Morphologically normal plantlets were obtained by excising the shoot tips and
      transferring them to fresh medium. 

PMID- 24241766
TI  - Production of emetic alkaloid by in vitro culture of cephaelis ipecacuanha A.
      Richard.
AB  - Callus and adventitious roots were induced on leaf segments from shoot culture of
      Cephaelis ipecacuanha A. Richard on Murashige-Skoog medium containing 2,4
      dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid and
      kinetin. The contents of emetic alkaloids in calli, roots and root suspension
      cultures were quantified by HPLC. Roots cultured in solid and liquid Murashige
      Skoog media yielded emetine and cephaeline. The amount of the two alkaloids in
      the root suspension culture was very similar to that of roots from ipecac mother
      plant grown in a greenhouse. In contrast, calli subcultured on Murashige-Skoog
      media containing combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and kinetin
      produced only trace amounts of emetic alkaloids. 

PMID- 24241767
TI  - Glyphosate tolerant flax plants from Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer.
AB  - Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying a disarmed Ti-plasmid vector containing a
      chimeric NPT-II gene and a glyphosate resistance plant-derived 5
      enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase gene was used to transform flax
      hypocotyl tissues. Transformed shoots could be regenerated from the inoculated
      tissue and were proven to be transgenic by the combination of leaf callus assays,
      nopaline assays and progeny tests. Co-segregation was observed in the progeny for
      kanamycin and glyphosate resistance. 

PMID- 24241768
TI  - Transformed callus does not necessarily regenerate transformed shoots.
AB  - Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying a disarmed Ti plasmid vector was used for the
      transformation of flax tissue. Transformed callus was obtained from inoculated
      hypocotyl segments and healthy green shoots were regenerated from this callus.
      Nopaline assays on shoot tissue were positive for nopaline content if carried out
      soon after removal of the shoot from the callus but negative if carried out 2-3
      weeks after removal. All of these shoots gave rise to kanaymcin sensitive progeny
      and were most likely escapes arising from non-transformed cells protected from
      the selective agent by transformed cells in the callus. Careful analysis of
      regenerated shoots from transformed callus is necessary in order to distinguish
      escapes from true transgenics. 

PMID- 24241769
TI  - Clonal propagation of Cephaelis ipecacuanha.
AB  - Shoot cultures of Cephaelis ipecacuanha A. Richard were established by using
      shoot tips as initial explants. Multiple shoots were obtained from node segments
      upon culture on B5 medium supplemented with NAA-BA (0.01-3, 5 mg/l). These shoots
      were rooted on B5 and 1/2 MS media containing IAA or NAA, and the regenerated
      plants were transferred to soil and grown in a greenhouse. The emetic alkaloids
      of the regenerated plants, mother plants and leaves of shoot cultures were
      analyzed by TLC and HPLC. Seven months of growth under greenhouse condition, the
      contents of the emetic alkaloids in the regenerated plants were comparable to
      those of the mother plants. 

PMID- 24241770
TI  - The St George's Respiratory Questionnaire revisited: a psychometric evaluation.
AB  - PURPOSE: The St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) has clearly acquired
      the status of legacy questionnaire for measuring health-related quality of life
      in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The main aim of
      this study was to assess the underlying dimensionality of the SGRQ and to
      investigate the added value of the empirical weights used to calculate total
      scores. METHODS: The official Dutch translation of the SGRQ was completed by 444
      COPD patients participating in two clinical studies. These data were used for
      secondary data analysis in this study. Three complementary statistical methods
      were used to assess dimensionality: Mokken scale analysis (MSA), parametric
      multidimensional item response theory (IRT) and bifactor analysis. Additionally,
      the original SGRQ weighting procedure was compared to IRT-based weighting.
      RESULTS: The results of the MSA and multidimensional item response theory (MIRT)
      pointed toward a unidimensional structure. The bifactor analyses indicated that
      there was a strong general factor, but the group factors did have additional
      value. Nineteen items performed poorly in the MSA, MIRT analysis or both.
      Shortening the scale from 50 to 31 items did not negatively impact measurement
      precision. SGRQ total score and IRT-derived scores correlated strongly, 0.90 for
      the one-parameter model and 0.99 for the two-parameter model. CONCLUSION: The
      SGRQ contains some multidimensionality, but an abbreviated version can be used as
      a unidimensional tool in patients with COPD. Subscale scores should be used with
      care. SGRQ total scores correlated highly with IRT-based scores, and thus, the
      weighting methods may be used interchangeably to calculate total scores.

PMID- 24241771
TI  - Effect of pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders on quality of life: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pharmacotherapy is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, but its
      effects on quality of life (QOL) have not been examined systematically. Our
      objective was to conduct an effect size analysis of pharmacological interventions
      on QOL outcomes in patients with DSM-IV anxiety disorders. METHODS: Manual and
      electronic searches using PubMed, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were
      conducted for records from the first available date through May 1, 2013 for
      trials of pharmacological interventions in patients with anxiety disorders, which
      had measures of QOL before and after treatment. Of 1,865 entries, 93 studies were
      identified as potentially relevant and 32 met inclusion criteria, of which
      results were examined from 22 studies reporting 27 distinct pharmacological
      trials, representing data from 4,344 anxiety disorder patients. Data were
      extracted independently by multiple observers to estimate within-group and
      placebo-controlled random effects of the treatment changes on QOL. We
      hypothesized that pharmacotherapy improves QOL, which is associated with
      improvement in anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: Pharmacological interventions
      effectively improved QOL from before to after treatment (Hedges' g = 0.59),
      although the controlled effect size is smaller among those trials with placebo
      interventions (Hedges' g = 0.32). These effect sizes were robust, increased with
      publication year, and increased with reductions in anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pharmacological therapy is effective for improving QOL in anxiety disorders, and
      larger symptom reductions are associated with greater improvement in QOL.

PMID- 24241773
TI  - Spatial analysis and mapping the annual mean concentrations of acidity and major
      ions in precipitation over the United Kingdom in 1986.
AB  - The composition of precipitation is being monitored in collectors sited
      throughout the United Kingdom. In the first year, 1986, hydrogen ion, nitrate,
      ammonium and non-marine sulphate were measured in samples from 47 sites and
      annual mean concentrations determined. Spatial analysis based on Regionalized
      Variable Theory revealed autocorrelation in all four ions and reasonable bounded
      models were fitted to the sample variogram of all four. These were then used to
      estimate values of a fine mesh grid by simple kriging, and the estimates were
      then contoured. The estimation errors were similarly mapped, and both sets of
      maps are presented. The maps show that concentrations of these ions are greatest
      in eastern parts of the country, as expected from consideration of European
      emissions and weather patterns. For the first time estimation errors were also
      mapped and show how the network could be improved. 

PMID- 24241772
TI  - Masticatory factors as predictors of oral health-related quality of life among
      elderly people in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate which masticatory factor is the best
      predictor of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in elderly Taiwanese
      individuals aged 65 years and older. METHODS: Subjects were 332 community
      dwelling, independently living elderly adults (mean age, 76.0 +/- 0.4 years) in
      Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Information concerning age, gender, and socioeconomic
      status was collected via face-to-face interview questionnaires; the number of
      food groups rated 'easy to chew' was determined by using food intake
      questionnaires; and OHRQoL data were obtained by using the Taiwanese version of
      the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI-T). The number of natural
      teeth, functional tooth units, and posterior occlusal contacts according to
      Eichner Index was assessed by dental examination. Multiple regression analysis
      was conducted to determine the best masticatory factor that could serve as a
      predictor of GOHAI scores. RESULTS: The number of food groups rated 'easy to
      chew' was found to be the only masticatory factor affecting GOHAI-T scores, after
      adjustment for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and other masticatory
      variables. As compared to subjects who listed less food groups as 'easy to chew,'
      subjects who rated more food groups as 'easy to chew' were less likely to have
      low GOHAI-T scores. CONCLUSIONS: Of the masticatory predictors analyzed in this
      study, perceived masticatory ability, as measured using a food intake
      questionnaire, could be the best masticatory predictor of OHRQoL in the elderly.

PMID- 24241774
TI  - RCRA ground-water monitoring decision procedures viewed as quality control
      schemes.
AB  - The problems of developing and comparing statistical procedures appropriate to
      the monitoring of ground water at hazardous waste sites are discussed. It is
      suggested that these decision procedures should be viewed as quality control
      schemes and compared in the same way that industrial quality control schemes are
      compared. The results of a Monte Carlo simulation study of run-length
      distribution of a combined Shewhart-CUSUM quality control scheme are reported. 

PMID- 24241775
TI  - Young northern pike, yellow perch and crayfish as bioindicators in a mercury
      contaminated watercourse.
AB  - Young-of-the-year and yearling northern pike (Esox lucius), yearling yellow perch
      (Perca flavescens) and adult crayfish (Orconectes virilis) were collected in the
      mercury-contaminated Wabigoon/English/Winnipeg River System, Ontario, and
      analyzed for total mercury. Analysis of mercury concentrations in these organisms
      produced consistent geographical trends; i.e. mercury concentrations in biota
      downstream of Dryden > English River system > Winnipeg River system > control
      sites. In the Wabigoon River system the bioavailability of mercury increases with
      distance downstream of the historical point source. Mercury concentrations in the
      biota studied were highly correlated with mercury concentrations in fish species
      which are of sport and commercial interest. The locations where young fish obtain
      their bodyburdens are known typically within 100 m. The biota studied compare
      favourably with the criteria proposed by Phillips (1980) as prerequisites for
      biological indicators. The wide distribution of young pike, perch and crayfish in
      North America, Europe and Asia may enhance their appeal as biomonitors. 

PMID- 24241776
TI  - Environmental impact of seawater desalination plants.
AB  - Enormous amounts of seawater are desalted everyday worldwide. The total world
      production of fresh water from the sea is about 2621 mgd (9.92 million m(3) day(
      1) 1985 figures). Desalting processes are normally associated with the rejection
      of high concentration waste brine from the plant itself or from the pretreatment
      units as well as during the cleaning period. In thermal processes, mainly
      multistage flash (MSF) thermal pollution occurs. These pollutants increase the
      seawater temperature, salinity, water current and turbidity. They also harm the
      marine environment, causing fish to migrate while enhancing the presence of
      algae, nematods and tiny molluscus. Sometimes micro-elements and toxic materials
      appear in the discharged brine.This paper will discuss the impact of the
      effluents from the desalination plants on the seawater environment with
      particular reference to the Saudi desalination plants, since they account for
      about 50% of the world desalination capacity. 

PMID- 24241777
TI  - Turbidity and seawater intrusion in Laguna de Bay.
AB  - The ecological role of seawater intrusion in Laguna de Bay is assessed due to the
      operation of the Napindan Hydraulic Control Structure (NHCS). Turbidity is
      recognized as one limiting factor in the lake's biological productivity. Hence,
      to stop the natural backflow of seawater to Laguna de Bay removes one important
      contributory factor in facilitating an early water clearing of Laguna de Bay for
      a higher annual biological productivity. 

PMID- 24241778
TI  - The treatment model of the guidance center for gamblers and their relatives in
      Vienna/Austria.
AB  - Within 8 years, "Gamblers Anonymous" in Vienna evolved into a guidance center for
      gamblers and their relatives, with professional aid. It is a non-profit
      institution and the therapeutic team consists of one psychologist, one social
      worker and one psychiatrist. The clients can remain anonymous, but about 90% of
      them reveal their identity. The treatment model integrating professional therapy
      and self-help is presented. The reasons we decided to base our work on an
      "addiction model" of pathological gambling are explained. All the clients
      consulting our center in 1990 (N=237) are described according to age, sex, types
      of gambling, duration of problem gambling, family status, profession, income,
      debts, and income/debt relationship. Finally, the treatment program of our center
      is presented. 

PMID- 24241779
TI  - Therapy with male pathological gamblers: Between self help group and group
      therapy-Report of a developmental process.
AB  - A therapy project was developed for pathological gambling patients and, within a
      three year period, more than 60 gamblers were studied and treated. Diagnostic
      evaluation was made according to DSM-III. In addition to individual and family
      therapy, we designed a voluntary group setting. In this report, we concentrate
      first on the development of group work, then on some psychodynamic hypotheses
      about the personality of the gambler. We also try to show the correspondence
      between these hypotheses and the group process. Pathological gambling is seen as
      an attempt at self-healing and a strategy of conflict-solving; the slot machine,
      as an inanimate object, offers a temporary symbiosis with clear limitations; the
      gambling will come to a guaranteed end, either when all of the money is lost, or
      when gaming ends at night. Finally, we list some recommendations for the
      treatment of gamblers in group therapy. 

PMID- 24241780
TI  - Diagnosis and therapy of male gamblers in a university psychiatric hospital.
AB  - From 1980 to mid-1990 fifty-one gamblers were evaluated and treated at the
      psychiatric university hospital of Homburg/Saar in Germany. All were men with a
      mean age of 33.7 years. Gambling had lasted 5.2 years on average. Most patients
      were motivated to undergo therapy by members of their family. The majority of
      them had been in psychotherapeutic treatment before. Thirty-six of the 51
      patients had committed punishable acts including fraud and embezzlement and, in 7
      cases, robbery. The sample could be divided into three clinical subgroups. The
      first group consisted of patients with severe psychiatric diseases such as
      schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness or organic brain disorder. Patients of
      the second group suffered from serious personality disorders. Those of the third
      group showed deep-rooted problems in their current relationships. 

PMID- 24241781
TI  - Gambling in revolutionary Paris - The Palais Royal: 1789-1838.
AB  - By the revolution of 1789, the four-story, quadrangular Palais Royal in Paris had
      become the most glittering tourist center of Europe, with 180 shops and cafes in
      its ground floor arcades. By 1791, its basement and secondary story contained
      over 100 separate, illicit gambling operations featuring the most popular dice
      and card games. The mania for gambling had been transferred from defunct,
      monarchical Versailles to the thriving, bourgeois Palais Royal, where the five
      main gaming clubs throbbed from noon till midnight. During the Revolution, Prince
      Talleyrand won 30,000 francs at one club, and after Waterloo in 1815, Marshal
      Blucher lost 1,500,000 francs in one night at another. To bring the situation
      under control and raise taxes for the state, in 1806 Napoleon legalized the main
      clubs, which from 1819 to 1837 grossed an enormous 137 million francs. When the
      anti-gambling forces triumphed in 1837 and the clubs were closed down, the
      National Guard had to be called out to evict the mobs of gamblers who refused to
      leave the tables. Dramatic reports from Revolutionary police raids, and
      quotations from the memoirs of humorous French gamblers and shocked foreign
      visitors, provide anecdotal illustrations of the 49 years during which the Palais
      Royal was the most intriguing and picturesque gambling mecca of Europe-and
      probably of the world. 

PMID- 24241782
TI  - A survey of fruit machine gambling in adolescents.
AB  - Fruit machine gambling among children and young people in the United Kingdom has
      attracted increasing interest. Since 1985 a number of questionnaire surveys have
      been conducted attempting to assess the incidence of adolescent fruit machine use
      and to explore its relationship with delinquency. Data yielded by these surveys
      have been somewhat inconsistent. Estimates of the prevalence of fruit machine
      gambling have varied considerably and there is disagreement over its association
      with deviant behaviour. Researchers have drawn divergent conclusions with
      different implications for legislation. In the present study, questionnaires were
      administered to 1,395 11-12 year old and 14-15 year old school children in the
      Birmingham area. Although for the majority, fruit machine gambling was found to
      be an infrequent activity involving fairly small amounts of money, a small but
      significant proportion were found to be gambling often and spending in excess of
      their income. There was also evidence to suggest that arcades may serve as venues
      for undesirable activities. 

PMID- 24241783
TI  - Perceptions by treatment staff of critical tasks in the treatment of the
      compulsive gambler.
AB  - Seventy-five clinicians who treat compulsive gamblers were surveyed. Each rated
      89 clinical tasks and responsibilities for importance in the treatment of this
      population. Analysis of those items for which a plurality of clinicians rated the
      item as critical was chosen as the criteria of importance. A principal components
      analysis was conducted to determine the underlying structure of clinical
      perceptions of importance. An eight-dimensional model was found to describe
      perceptions in the most satisfactory way. The analysis revealed five major and
      three minor clusters of tasks and responsibilities. The major dimensions were
      labeled as (1) self-help/social support, (2) crisis interventions, (3) behavioral
      resources for change, (4) psychodynamics of treatment, and (5) crisis severity.
      The minor dimensions were (6) knowledge and training, (7) ethics and sensitivity
      to needs, and (8) confidentiality and regulations. A brief discussion of the
      implications are presented. 

PMID- 24241784
TI  - Predicting outcomes: Sports and stocks.
AB  - Many gamblers and most fans, players, and coaches offer causal explanations for
      long runs of good or bad performance in sports and financial analysts are quick
      to offer explanations for the daily performance of the stock market. The records
      of professional basketball and baseball teams and the Dow Jones daily closing
      average for a ten year period were evaluated for trends (streaks). The records of
      teams were also evaluated to assess whether the record against opponents, the
      home court or home field advantage, and-for baseball teams-the record of the
      winning and losing pitcher (excluding the current game) predicted the outcome of
      individual games. Recent performance is, at best, a very weak predictor of
      current performance and the three best predictors for baseball (pitching, home
      field, and record against opponent) together accounted for only 1.7% of the
      variance in the outcomes of individual games. We overestimate our ability to
      predict. This overconfidence is likely to play a role in maintaining gambling
      behaviors. 

PMID- 24241785
TI  - Community-level adult daily smoking prevalence moderates the association between
      adolescents' cigarette smoking and perceived smoking by friends.
AB  - Few studies have investigated the complex interactions among the individual- and
      community-level social risk factors that underlie adolescents' smoking behaviors.
      This study investigated whether community-level adult daily smoking prevalence is
      associated with adolescents' smoking and whether it moderates the associations
      between perceived friends' smoking approval and smoking behavior and adolescents'
      own smoking. Self-reported data from 1,190 youths (50.3% female; 13-18 years old)
      in 50 midsized Californian cities were obtained through telephone interviews.
      Community characteristics were obtained from 2010 GeoLytics data. Community adult
      daily smoking prevalence was ascertained from telephone interviews with 8,918
      adults conducted in the same 50 cities. Multilevel analyses, controlling for
      individual and city characteristics, were used to predict adolescents' past 12
      month smoking from perceived friends' smoking approval and smoking behavior and
      from community adult daily smoking prevalence. Results showed that perceived
      friends' smoking approval and behavior were associated positively with
      adolescents' smoking, as was the community-level prevalence of adult daily
      smoking. Furthermore, the association between perceived friends' smoking behavior
      and adolescents' own smoking was moderated by the prevalence of adult daily
      smokers in the community. Specifically, the association was stronger in cities
      with higher prevalence of adult smokers. These results suggest that adult
      community norms that are more supportive of smoking may enhance the influence of
      friends' smoking behavior. Therefore, interventions designed to prevent or reduce
      youths' smoking should also focus on reducing smoking by adults.

PMID- 24241786
TI  - The stressful (and not so stressful) nature of language brokering: identifying
      when brokering functions as a cultural stressor for Latino immigrant children in
      early adolescence.
AB  - Language brokering remains prevalent among immigrant families, but it is widely
      assumed that brokering functions as a cultural stressor, resulting in adverse
      health outcomes for immigrant youth. Few studies, however, have tested this
      assumption, particularly while using longitudinal data and capturing multiple
      dimensions of brokering. Thus, this study examined how depressive symptoms and
      family-based acculturation stress mediated the relationships between various
      aspects of brokering (i.e., frequency of brokering, positive and negative
      feelings about brokering, brokering norms, and brokering efficacy) and alcohol,
      cigarette, and marijuana use and other risky behaviors. Using longitudinal survey
      data from 234 Latino early adolescents in 6th-8th grades (M age  = 12.4 years;
      Females = 46.2 %), brokering for parents indirectly affected alcohol and
      marijuana use through family-based acculturation stress; however, these
      significant indirect effects became non-significant when taking into account
      negative brokering feelings and brokering as a burden on one's time. Feeling
      positively or efficacious about brokering or having pro-brokering norms did not
      directly predict any adverse mental and behavioral health outcomes. Moderation
      analyses, however, revealed that brokering for parents did not seem to function
      as a stressor when Latino early adolescents were high in brokering efficacy
      (e.g., feeling confident in one's ability to broker) or descriptive brokering
      norms (e.g., perceiving one's peers as brokering often). By contrast, when Latino
      early adolescents perceived brokering as a burden, brokering for parents
      functioned as a stressor, placing Latino early adolescents at risk for family
      based acculturation stress, and in turn, alcohol and marijuana use. Such findings
      point to the complexity of brokering. 

PMID- 24241787
TI  - Circulating hormones and breast cancer risk in premenopausal women: a randomized
      trial of low-dose tamoxifen and fenretinide.
AB  - Tamoxifen and fenretinide have been extensively studied and exhibit breast cancer
      preventing activity. We aimed to assess their effect on sex hormones, sex hormone
      binding globulin (SHBG) and retinol, and their association with mammographic
      density (MD) and breast cancer events. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled
      trial, premenopausal women at risk for breast cancer were randomized to tamoxifen
      5 mg/day, fenretinide, both agents, or placebo for 2 years. We measured MD and
      circulating concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone
      (LH), estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydro
      epiandrosteronesulfate, prolactin, SHBG, and retinol at baseline and on yearly
      intervals. The associations with breast cancer events were evaluated through
      competing risk and Cox regression survival models. Low-dose tamoxifen markedly
      and enduringly increased SHBG, whereas the increases in testosterone, estradiol,
      and prolactin and reduction in LH weakened after 1 year. Fenretinide increased
      testosterone and androstenedione and decreased retinol. MD correlated directly
      with SHBG and inversely with retinol. After a median follow-up of 12 years, the
      10-year cumulative incidence of breast cancer events was 37 % in women with SHBG
      <= 59.3 nmol/L, 22 % in women with SHBG between 59.3 and 101 nmol/L, and 19 % in
      women with SHBG > 101 nmol/L (P = 0.018). The difference among SHBG tertiles
      remained statistically significant at multivariable analysis: HR = 2.26 (95 % CI
      1.04, 4.89) for the lowest versus the highest tertile. We conclude that low-dose
      tamoxifen or fenretinide exhibits favorable hormonal profiles as single agents,
      further supporting their administration for prevention of breast cancer in
      premenopause. Notably, SHBG levels were inversely associated with breast
      neoplastic events.

PMID- 24241788
TI  - Impact of age at first childbirth on glucose tolerance status in postmenopausal
      women: the 2008-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was to determine whether there was
      an association between age at first childbirth and glucose tolerance status in
      postmenopausal women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was based on the
      data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted
      by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare from 2008-2011. Of 37,753
      participants, data for 4,965 postmenopausal women were included in the analysis.
      Subjects were subdivided according to the age at first childbirth as follows:
      <=19, 20-24, 25-29, and >=30 years. Multivariate logistic regression analyses
      were used to identify whether there was an independent association between age at
      first childbirth and glucose tolerance status by adjusting for potential
      confounding factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
      and diabetes was 21.8% (1.066 of 4.965) and 15.3% (774 of 4,965), respectively.
      Diabetes prevalence differed significantly between the subgroups and was higher
      with earlier age at first childbirth: it was 10.9% in subjects aged >=30 years
      and 23.8% in subjects aged <=19 years at first childbirth. After fully adjusting
      for potential confounding factors, including lifestyle, sociodemographic factors,
      known diabetes risk factors, and reproductive factors, age at first childbirth
      <=19 years was significantly associated with diabetes (odds ratio 1.492 [95% CI
      1.005-2.215]). No significant associations were found between age at first
      childbirth and IFG. CONCLUSIONS: Age at first childbirth influenced diabetes risk
      in postmenopausal women, and adolescent pregnancy was independently associated
      with a higher risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women.

PMID- 24241790
TI  - Glucagon response to oral glucose challenge in type 1 diabetes: lack of impact of
      euglycemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated aberrant glucagon physiology in the
      setting of type 1 diabetes (T1D) but have not addressed the potential impact of
      ambient glycemia on this glucagon response. Thus, our objective was to evaluate
      the impact of euglycemia versus hyperglycemia on the glucagon response to an oral
      glucose challenge in T1D. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Ten adults with T1D (mean
      age 56.6 +/- 9.0 years, duration of diabetes 26.4 +/- 7.5 years, HbA1c 7.5% +/-
      0.77, and BMI 24.1 kg/m(2) [22.6-25.4]) underwent 3-h 50-g oral glucose tolerance
      tests (OGTTs) on two separate days at least 24 h apart in random order under
      conditions of pretest euglycemia (plasma glucose [PG] between 4 and 6 mmol/L) and
      hyperglycemia (PG between 9 and 11 mmol/L), respectively. RESULTS Glycemic
      excursion on the OGTT was similar between the euglycemic and hyperglycemic tests
      (P = 0.72 for interaction between time postchallenge and glycemic setting).
      Interestingly, glucagon levels increased in response to the OGTT under both
      glycemic conditions (P < 0.001) and there were no differences in glucagon
      response between the euglycemic and hyperglycemic days (P = 0.40 for interaction
      between time postchallenge and glycemic setting). In addition, the incretin
      responses to the OGTT (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon
      like peptide-1, glucagon-like peptide-2) were also not different between the
      euglycemic and hyperglycemic settings. CONCLUSIONS In patients with T1D, there is
      a paradoxical increase in glucagon in response to oral glucose that is not
      reversed when euglycemia is achieved prior to the test. This abnormal glucagon
      response likely contributes to the postprandial hyperglycemia in T1D irrespective
      of ambient glycemia. 

PMID- 24241789
TI  - Hyperglycemia has a greater impact on left ventricle function in South Asians
      than in Europeans.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Diabetes is associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic and
      systolic dysfunction. South Asians may be at particular risk of developing LV
      dysfunction owing to a high prevalence of diabetes. We investigated the role of
      diabetes and hyperglycemia in LV dysfunction in a community-based cohort of older
      South Asians and white Europeans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Conventional and
      Doppler echocardiography was performed in 999 participants (542 Europeans and 457
      South Asians aged 58-86 years) in a population-based study. Anthropometry,
      fasting bloods, coronary artery calcification scoring, blood pressure, and renal
      function were measured. RESULTS Diabetes and hyperglycemia across the spectrum of
      HbA1c had a greater adverse effect on LV function in South Asians than Europeans
      (N-terminal-probrain natriuretic peptide beta +/- SE 0.09 +/- 0.04, P = 0.01, vs.
      -0.04 +/- 0.05, P = 0.4, P for HbA1c/ethnicity interaction 0.02), diastolic
      function (E/e' 0.69 +/- 0.12, P < 0.0001, vs. 0.09 +/- 0.2, P = 0.6, P for
      interaction 0.005), and systolic function (s' -0.11 +/- 0.06, P = 0.04, vs. 0.14
      +/- 0.09, P = 0.1, P for interaction 0.2). Multivariable adjustment for
      hypertension, microvascular disease, LV mass, coronary disease, and dyslipidemia
      only partially accounted for the ethnic differences. Adverse LV function in
      diabetic South Asians could not be accounted for by poorer glycemic control or
      longer diabetes duration. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes and hyperglycemia have a greater
      adverse effect on LV function in South Asians than Europeans, incompletely
      explained by adverse risk factors. South Asians may require earlier and more
      aggressive treatment of their cardiometabolic risk factors to reduce risks of LV
      dysfunction. 

PMID- 24241791
TI  - Alcohol withdrawal is associated with a downregulation of large-conductance Ca2+
      activated K+ channels in rat inferior colliculus neurons.
AB  - RATIONALE: Large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK(Ca) or K(Ca)1.1)
      channels are well-known molecular targets for the action of alcohol and therefore
      may play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
      OBJECTIVES: We evaluate the modifications of total outward K+ currents and
      protein expression of BK(Ca) channels alpha-subunit in inferior colliculus (IC)
      neurons obtained from controls and rats subjected to alcohol withdrawal
      associated with enhanced susceptibility to seizures. METHODS: Outward K+ currents
      and BK(Ca) channel proteins were measured using the whole cell configuration of
      patch clamp techniques and Western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Total
      outward K+ current density was significantly reduced in IC neurons at 24 and 48 h
      during the alcohol withdrawal period when the susceptibility to seizures was
      maximal and absent, respectively. The iberiotoxin-sensitive (BK(Ca)) current
      density and conductance also were significantly reduced at 24 h following alcohol
      withdrawal. Consistent with functional data, the levels of protein expression of
      alpha-subunit associated with BK(Ca) channels also was significantly reduced in
      IC neurons at 24 and 48 h following alcohol withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: The
      downregulation of BK(Ca) channels outlasts the finite period of elevated
      susceptibility to alcohol withdrawal seizures. These findings indicate that
      BK(Ca) channels, per se, may not be fundamentally important for the generation of
      alcohol withdrawal seizures.

PMID- 24241793
TI  - A transient duplication of the acetolactate synthase gene in a cell culture of
      Datura innoxia.
AB  - A 2.0 kb fragment of the yeast ILV2 gene, which codes for the target enzyme
      acetolactate synthase (ALS) of the herbicide chlorsulfuron, was shown to
      hybridize to the nuclear DNA of a haploid cell culture of Datura innoxia P. Mill.
      Nuclear DNA of a chlorsulfuron resistant line of D. innoxia, CSR6, gave a
      prominent 2.65 kb band when cleaved by either EcoRI or HindIII. The 2.65 kb band
      has been shown to hybridize with the yeast ILV2 probe. A herbicide resistant line
      descended from CSR6 by continuous culture resulted in the loss of the 2.65 kb
      restriction fragment. These observations suggest that CSR6 resulted from a large
      tandem duplication of the ALS gene and that a point mutation for herbicide
      resistance in an ALS gene repeat unit of the duplication was selected during
      subsequent growth of the resistant line. 

PMID- 24241794
TI  - Transfer of the 1BL/1RS wheat-rye-translocation from hexaploid bread wheat to
      tetraploid durum wheat.
AB  - The present study describes a cytological stable alien chromosome translocation
      in tetraploid durum wheat. By crossing the hexaploid 1BL/1RS wheat-rye
      translocation line "Veery" to the tetraploid durum wheat cultivar "Cando" it was
      possible to select a 28 chromosomic strain homozygous for the 1BL/1RS
      translocation. The disease resistance potential of the short arm of rye
      chromosome 1R, which has been widely introduced in many hexaploid bread wheat
      cultivars could be now also used for the improvement of durum wheat. 

PMID- 24241795
TI  - Screening salt-tolerant barley genotypes via F1 anther culture in salt stress
      media.
AB  - Anthers of two six-row barley cultivars Diamond (a germination salt sensitive
      cultivar) and Men Yuan Liang Lan (a germination salt tolerant cultivar), and
      their F1 reciprocal crosses were cultured in liquid media containing 0, 0.4, 0.6,
      and 0.8% Na2SO4. A total of 138 green pollen plants were obtained: 7 from Na2SO4
      media, 128 from Na2SO4 free medium. Seeds of two successive generations of 61
      pollen plants were germinated in a series of Na2SO4 solution (0 to 5.5%). It was
      found that among 37 progenies from F1 pollen in Na2SO4 free medium, 11 were as
      sensitive as "Diamond", 12 were intermediate to the two parents, 7 were equal to
      the salt tolerant parent and 7 were more tolerant to Na2SO4 than 'Men Yuan Liang
      Lan'. Whereas, no progeny from F1 pollen in high salt media was as susceptible as
      the susceptible parent; 2 were intermediate, 2 were equal to the salt tolerant
      parent and 2 were more tolerant than the salt tolerant parent. The results
      indicate that culturing anthers in Na2SO4 media effectively eliminated salt
      susceptible progenies. All 16 microspore-derived lines of Diamond were as
      susceptible as 'Diamond' to Na2SO4. The 5 lines from 'Men Yuan Liang Lan'
      microspores were as resistant to Na2SO4 as 'Men Yuan Liang Lan'. All of the lines
      breed-true. The results indicate that the lines exhibiting elevated levels of
      tolerance to salt probably resulted from recombination of genes rather than from
      spontaneous mutation. 

PMID- 24241792
TI  - Protein-protein interaction network analysis in chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression profile
      of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and non-COPD patients.
      METHODS: Microarray raw data (GSE29133) was downloaded from Gene Expression
      Omnibus, including three COPD samples and three normal controls. Gene expression
      profiling was performed using Affymetrix human genome u133 plus 2.0 GeneChip.
      Differentially expressed genes were identified by Student's t test and genes with
      p < 0.05 were considered significantly changed. Up- and downregulated genes were
      submitted to the molecular signatures database (MSigDB) to search for a possible
      association with other previously published gene expression signatures.
      Furthermore, we constructed a COPD protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and
      used the connectivity map (cMap) to query for potential drugs for COPD. RESULTS:
      A total of 680 upregulated genes and 530 downregulated genes in COPD were
      identified. The MSigDB investigation found that upregulated genes were highly
      similar to gene signatures that respond to interferon and downregulated genes
      were similar to erythroid progenitor cells from fetal livers of E13.5 embryos
      with KLF1 knocked out. A PPI network consisting of 814 gene/proteins and 2,613
      interactions was identified by Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting
      Genes. The cMap predicted helveticoside, disulfiram, and lanatoside C as the top
      three possible drugs that could perhaps treat COPD. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive
      analysis of the gene expression profile for COPD versus control reveals
      helveticoside, disulfiram, and lanatoside C as potential molecular targets in
      COPD. This evidence provides a new breakthrough in the medical treatment of
      patients with COPD.

PMID- 24241796
TI  - The effect of Ph gene alleles on synaptonemal complex formation in Triticum
      aestivum * T. kotschyi hybrids.
AB  - Chromosome pairing at zygotene-pachytene was studied in Triticum aestivum * T.
      kotschyi hybrids (2n=5x=35, genomic constitution ABDC(U)S(v)) by electron
      microscopy of synaptonemal complexes in spread microsporocyte nuclei. Hybrids
      carrying either the Ph allele or the ph allele, which differ markedly in
      metaphase I pairing, are both capable of greater than 90% pachytene pairing,
      although pairing in the Ph hybrids appeared slower or less synchronised. In both
      genotypes branched synaptonemal complexes were formed by intra-and
      interchromosomal pairing. The Ph gene control on homoeologous pairing does not
      act on the ability to pair into synaptonemal complexes. It may act on the rate of
      pairing or the time of crossing over. 

PMID- 24241797
TI  - The effect of the 4B chromosomes of hexaploid wheat on the growth and
      regeneration of callus cultures.
AB  - Calli were initiated from immature embryos of nine lines of hexaploid wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell). These were the euploid lines Chinese Spring and
      Cappelle-Desprez, a line of Chinese Spring ditelocentric for the long arm of 4B,
      four substitution lines of Chinese Spring in which chromosome 4B has been
      replaced by its homologues from different wheat varieties and substituted into
      Chinese Spring and a substitution line of Besostaya I 4B into Cappelle-Desprez.
      The calli from these lines were found to differ in their growth rates and
      morphogenic and regenerative activities. The substitution of different 4B
      chromosomes into Chinese Spring significantly increased morphogenesis and shoot
      regeneration from callus. The potential for developing wheat lines with improved
      culture characteristics is discussed. 

PMID- 24241798
TI  - X-ray irradiation promoted asymmetric somatic hybridisation and molecular
      analysis of the products.
AB  - Complementation of two metabolic deficiences - nitrate reductase and tryptophan
      synthase - was used to select for somatic fusion hybrids between tobacco
      (Nicotiana tabacum) and henbane (Hyoscyamus muticus) with prior X-irradiation of
      one partner. Using species specific, radioactively labelled DNA probes it could
      be shown that a) irradiation significantly reduced the amount of chromosomal DNA
      of the irradiated fusion partner in the somatic hybrid, b) irradiation with doses
      which completely inhibit protoplast division did not pevent transfer of
      substantial amounts of chromosomal DNA into the fusion hybrids (so called
      'cybrids') and c) this method transfers functional nuclear genes together with
      the partial genome from the irradiated partner. 

PMID- 24241799
TI  - Relative performance of monohaploid potato clones and their diploid parents at
      plant level and after protoplast isolation and subsequent fusion.
AB  - Plant growth performance was studied in 118 potato monohaploids and in their
      diploid parents. Of these monohaploids 76 were also investigated at the
      protoplast level and eight of these were used in protoplast fusion experiments as
      well. No correlation was found between relative performance of greenhouse grown
      and in vitro grown plants. No or only weak correlations were found between
      different in vitro characteristics such as plant growth, protoplast yield per
      gram plant material, plating efficiency and callus growth. This indicates the
      unpredictability of these characters.The protoplast fusion experiments indicated
      that only in some genotype combinations increased callus growth rates may be
      found. However, it is not clear whether such calli were hybrids or not. In
      protoplast monocultures only diploid and tetraploid regenerants were obtained.
      After fusion, tetraploids but also some triploids could be regenerated. The
      finding of triploids indicates that monoploid protoplasts were involved in
      fusion. Isozyme analysis and morphological assessment of the plants pointed out
      that the majority of the fusion regenerants were hybrids. The implications of
      these results are discussed. 

PMID- 24241800
TI  - Interaction between genes controlling a new group of glutenin subunits in bread
      wheat.
AB  - One-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS
      PAGE) of reduced total protein extracts from the endosperm of hexaploid wheat
      revealed a new set of faintly-stained bands, having slower electrophoretic
      mobility than the high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits. These new bands
      have been termed the E group of glutenin subunits. Analysis of aneuploid stocks
      of Chinese Spring wheat has shown that three of the E bands, in order of
      increasing electrophoretic mobility, are controlled by genes on the short arms of
      chromosomes 1B, 1A and 1D, respectively. The E bands are expressed only in the
      presence of the long arm of chromosome 1B indicating an interaction between two
      or more genes involved in their production in wheat endosperm. The gene on the
      short arm of chromosome 1D controlling an E subunit recombined freely with Tri-D1
      and the centromere but not at all with Gli-D1, indicating additional complexity
      at the Gli-DI locus in wheat. 

PMID- 24241801
TI  - Enhanced cross pollination to widen the scope of breeding in groundnut (Arachis
      hypogaea L.).
AB  - Six groundnut genotypes belonging to the Virginia and Valencia sub-groups were
      irradiated with gamma rays at doses of 5, 10, 15 and 20 kR, much below LD50, and
      grown surrounded by a pollen parent in a split-plot design. The succeeding two
      generations were checked for the occurrence of hybrids by examining the
      segregation for pod and seed characteristics and the two quantitative characters,
      pod and seed yield. Cross-pollination up to 20.8% was observed in 'M13', a
      Virginia cultivar. There was a genotype-dose interaction for the extent of cross
      pollination. Cross-pollination was higher in Virginia than Valencia genotypes and
      more frequent under 15 and 20 kR than under other doses, in general. The observed
      substantial enhancement of cross-pollination encourages the use of seed
      irradiation at proper doses as a method for increasing recombination in plant
      breeding programmes. 

PMID- 24241802
TI  - Stability of deletion, insertion and point mutations at the bronze locus in
      maize.
AB  - Phenotypic revertants from several kinds of mutations, including deletions, have
      been detected by pollen analysis at the wx and Adh loci in maize. Mutations in
      these genes give phenotypic revertants with median frequencies of 0.7 and 0.5*10(
      5), respectively. However, the nature of such revertants can only be analyzed
      following their recovery from conventional matings. In the current study large
      seed populations derived from crosses involving several bz (bronze) locus
      mutations in maize were examined for reversion to a Bz (purple) expression.
      Deletion, insertion and point mutations were included in the study. Principally,
      over 2 million gametes of the bz-R mutation, which is shown here to be associated
      with a 340 base pair deletion within the transcribed region of the gene, have
      been screened for reversion. No revertants from it or any of the other bz
      mutations have been recovered, even though a total of almost 5 million gametes
      from homoallelic crosses have been examined to date. Results from seed analysis
      are discussed in reference to those from pollen analysis in maize. 

PMID- 24241803
TI  - Genetic structure of the R-Navajo allele in maize, Zea mays L.
AB  - Mutational and recombinational analyses carried out with the R-nj allele in maize
      to elucidate the genetic mechanism involved in unique pattern formation and
      origin of occasional self-coloured kernels in this stock revealed that R-nj
      represents a complex with two closely linked discrete components. The self-colour
      (Sc) component is responsible for anthocyanin production and the navajo (Nj)
      component regulates the time of onset and termination of pigment synthesis
      restricting the pigmentation to the crown region of the kernel. The probable gene
      order in the R region of the R-nj:Illinois isolate is: G-Sc-Nj-K. 

PMID- 24241804
TI  - Herbicide tolerant regenerates of potato.
AB  - Culture-derived plants and cell cultures of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) respond
      to the application of the herbicides SYS 67 ME (MCPA) and OMNIDEL (Na-2,2
      dichloropropionate) in a comparable fashion. By gradually increasing the
      herbicide concentration, cell lines were developed which tolerated 50 mg/l of ME
      or 300 mg/l of OMNIDEL. Any further increase in concentration resulted in the
      death of all cell cultures. From cell cultures that had been able to grow on
      media supplemented with 30 mg/l of ME, regenerate plants were obtained that were
      also tolerant to this concentration. This new trait was retained even after
      repeated vegetative propagation of the plants. 

PMID- 24241805
TI  - Wide hybridization in okra.
AB  - Crosses were made between members of the two West African okra types 'Soudanien'
      and 'Guineen'. All crosses succeeded in both directions and the F1 plants which
      showed hybrid vigour for plant stature were partially sterile. Cytological
      observations of the F1 plants revealed abnormal meiosis which resulted in the
      production of microspores of variable sizes. The frequency of viable pollen (as
      indicated by acetocarmine staining) was low in the hybrids: 35.80% (U.I.92*
      U.I.313) and 39.41% (1bk-1*U.I.215). The number of seeds produced per fruit was
      low in the hybrids and only a few of these seeds are viable. The possibility of
      gene transfer between the two okra types was discussed. 

PMID- 24241806
TI  - Monosomic analysis of heading date and spikelet number in the common wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.) multispikelet line 'Noa'.
AB  - Genetic analysis of heading date and spikelet number was carried out in the
      common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) multispikelet line 'Noa', by using the
      monosomic series of the regular line 'Mara'. 'Noa's' high number of spikelets was
      found to be controlled by a recessive major gene on chromosome 2D; a slight
      reduction in spikelet number was induced by another recessive gene on 'Noa's' 7A
      chromosome. 'Noa's' late heading date was found to be controlled by two recessive
      genes, located on chromosome 2D (a major effect) and 6B (a minor effect). The
      nature of the genes located on 'Noa's' 2D chromosome and the relationship between
      spikelet number and heading date are discussed. 

PMID- 24241807
TI  - Group selection in plant populations.
AB  - Several mechanisms have been proposed for group selection, to account for the
      evolution of altruistic traits. One type, Neighbourhood models, suggests that
      individuals react with those immediately around them, but with no recognition
      mechanism. The organization of plant populations seems especially favorable for
      this type of selection. The possibility of Neighbourhood selection was
      investigated by simulating a plant population. It was possible for an altruistic
      trait to evolve, though only under restricted conditions. The main requirement
      was gene flow only by very restricted pollen dispersal, and a high benefit : cost
      ratio in the altruistic relationship. Under conditions favourable for such
      evolution, the starting frequency of the allele, the initial pattern, and the
      population size, had little effect. Inbreeding tended to prevent the increase of
      the altruism allele, though this depended on the mechanism of selfing. Known
      ecological features of plants are discussed that could be considered altruistic
      and hence require some form of group selection for their evolution, and whether
      the benefit : cost requirements are likely to be met. Neighbourhood models of
      group selection are a possibility in plant populations, and we therefore cannot
      exclude the possibility of altruism in plants. However, Neighbourhood selection
      is weak force, unlikely to be effective in the face of opposing individual
      selection. It may be more important as reinforcement of individual selection. 

PMID- 24241808
TI  - Hybrid seed development and viability in crosses of T. aestivum (cv. Chinese
      Spring) monosomic lines with S. cereale.
AB  - The diploid and tetraploid wheats have a crossing barrier that inhibits
      development and viability of the F1 hybrid seeds which result from their
      pollination with rye. This barrier is ineffective in synthetic or natural
      hexaploid wheat * rye crosses. From the results obtained by crossing the Chinese
      Spring monosomic series to a diploid rye composite, it was concluded that the
      breakdown of this barrier in hexaploid wheats is determined by polygenes, but may
      also involve genedosage effects. While more than half of the hexaploidwheat
      chromosomes may contribute to the breakdown of the barrier, chromosome 1D had the
      strongest effect. Its absence resulted in shrivelled and inviable hybrid kernels
      similar to those obtained when the T. durum cultivar Langdon was crossed with
      rye. 

PMID- 24241809
TI  - Endosperm responses to irradiated pollen in apples.
AB  - The cytological effects of pollen gamma-irradiation at 50 and 100 krad on both
      embryo and endosperm development were studied in Malus * domestica. Fruit and
      seed set were reduced by increasing doses of pollen irradiation, while embryo
      sacs resulting from the treatments differed in number and morphology of endosperm
      nuclei and in the presence or absence of an embryo. Nuclear abnormalities,
      distinguished from normal nuclear behaviour in embryo sacs derived from
      unirradiated pollen, included enhanced numbers of polyploid restitution nuclei,
      bridges between nuclei, excluded metaphase chromosome fragments and disrupted
      mitotic synchrony. Generally, a high dose of pollen irradiation (100 krad)
      generated an all-or-nothing response in the embryo sac, either creating highly
      abnormal embryos and/or endosperms which aborted, or showing relatively normal
      development. Callus produced from excised cellular endosperm differed in average
      genome size, that derived from 100 krad pollen being smaller than that from
      unirradiated pollen. 

PMID- 24241810
TI  - Yield stability of determinate and indeterminate dry bean cultivars.
AB  - Yield stability of determinate and indeterminate dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
      cultivars was compared using regression of genotypic performance on environmental
      means. Yields of 28 dry bean cultivars differing in plant growth habit and
      commercial class designation were obtained from 42 Michigan performance nurseries
      over the 6 year period 1980 to 1985. The determinate type I large-seeded kidney
      and cranberry bean cultivars had below-average seed yield and large mean square
      deviations from regression. Lower yielding determinate small-seeded navy
      cultivars had low deviation mean square values, while higher yielding determinate
      navy cultivars had correspondingly higher mean square deviations from regression.
      Although seed yield of cultivars with an indeterminate growth habit was greater
      than determinate cultivars, prostrate type III indeterminate cultivars had
      deviation mean square values equivalent to those of large-seeded determinate
      cultivars. The erect, short vine type II indeterminate cultivars (architypes) had
      greater than average seed yields and minimum deviations from regression. Compared
      with other plant types, the architype group showed a greater yield response to
      more productive environments, with regression coefficient values significantly
      greater than unity. These results indicate that the type II growth habit offers
      the breeder the best opportunity of obtaining greater seed yield without
      incurring loss of yield stability as occurs with the type I and type III growth
      habits. Since the dry bean cultivars utilized in this study represent two
      distinct centers of domestication, the regression analysis suggests that
      cultivars from the predominant genetic center demonstrate more yield stability. A
      non-significant rank correlation coefficient between the combined and separate
      analyses for deviation mean square values of large-seeded cultivars implies that
      commercial dry bean classes should be compared separately based on center of
      domestication. 

PMID- 24241811
TI  - Inheritance of seed weight in Cucumis sativus (L.) var. sativus and var.
      hardwickii (Royle) Kitamura.
AB  - A series of experiments was conducted to determine the inheritance of seed weight
      in cucumber. Matings between a Cucumis sativus var. sativus (Cs) L. inbred line
      (USDA WI 1606; P1) and a C. sativus var. hardwickii (Royle) Kitamura (Ch)
      collection (PI 215589; P2) were made to produce seed of reciprocal F1, F2, and
      BC1 families. Families were grown under field and greenhouse conditions, and
      seeds were extracted from fruit 55 to 60 days post-pollination. Seed of F1 and F2
      families was obtained using the Cs inbred WI2808 (P12) and the Ch collection LJ
      90430 (P10), and seed of F1 families were produced using a North Carolina Design
      II mating scheme in which three Cs (P3= GY-14; P4=WI 1379; P5=WI 1909) inbreds
      were used as maternal parents and seven Ch collections (P2; P6= PI462369;
      P7=486336; P8=LJ91176; P9=273469; P10= 2590430; P11=PI187367) were used as
      paternal parents. Mean seed weights of F1 progeny reflected the dominance of
      genes of the C. sativus var. sativus parent. Transformation to number of seeds
      per unit weight resulted in increased variance homogeneity within generations and
      a broad-sense heritability ranging between 26% to 56%. Additive and dominance
      effects were important in the expression of seed weight in P1*P2 progeny produced
      in the greenhouse and additive effects were important in field grown progeny
      resulting from P1*P2 and P10*P12 matings. The estimated number of factors or loci
      involved ranged between 10 to 13, depending on the method of calculation. 

PMID- 24241812
TI  - Effects of constitutive heterochromatin and genotype on frequency and
      distribution of chiasmata in the seven individual rye bivalents.
AB  - Number and distribution of chiasmata were studied in the single pair of
      homologous rye chromosomes in 29 chromosomal F1 hybrids between the seven disomic
      wheat rye addition lines of 'Chinese Spring'/ 'Imperial' and five selected inbred
      genotypes of cultivated rye by using the differential Giemsa staining technique.
      The results indicate that the number and position of chiasmata is independent
      from the amount and position of C-heterochromatin. Genotype had an effect on
      chiasma number, whereas chiasma distribution within bivalents appeared to be
      determined by morphological features of chromosomes. Late replicating DNA in
      constitutive heterochromatin may delay the separation of half bivalents if
      chiasmata are formed between them and the centromere. 

PMID- 24241813
TI  - Northern hybridization analysis of mitochondria gene expression in maize
      cytoplasm with varied nuclear backgrounds.
AB  - Type T cytoplasmic male sterility in Zea mays is associated with mitochondrial
      RNA (mtRNA) coding sequences found on a 1.5 kb AvaI mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
      fragment not found in other cytoplasms (N, C, or S) (Abbott and Fauron 1986).
      Three probes (pH3.2N, pH2.7N, and ORF 13) specific to different parts of the 1.5
      AvaI T region were used in a Northern blot analysis of N mtDNAs from lines with
      diverse nuclear backgrounds (Rf1, Rf2 included). The N mtDNA clone pH 3.2N shows
      homology with the right-hand boundary of the 1.5 AvaI T region and includes a
      portion of an open reading frame (ORF 25). Southern blots of AvaI and BamH1
      digestions of N, T, S, and C mtDNA, probed with pH3.2N demonstrate that sequences
      in or adjacent to this region are highly active in recombination. The clone pH
      2.7N is homologous to an untranscribed region of ATPase 6 and the structural
      gene; and ORF 13 is a portion of the 1.5 AvaI region derived predominantly from
      26S 3' flanking sequences. pH3.2N and 1.5 AvaI sequences showed identical
      hybridization patterns on Northern blots of N, T, Trev and Tres mtRNAs.
      Transcript sizes of mtRNAs homologous to the pH 3.2N probe in all of these lines
      were different, however, there was no variation in transcript sizes when pH 2.7N
      was used as a probe. Northern blots of mtRNA from N cytoplasms with various
      nuclear restored backgrounds showed no difference in expression when probed with
      pH 3.2N or pH 2.7N; however, transcripts homologous to an ORF 13 specific probe
      can be detected in N cytoplasm with a particular nuclear background. This may
      suggest activity of nuclear restorer alleles in N cytoplasm. 

PMID- 24241814
TI  - Computational procedure for a weighted diallel analysis.
AB  - A diallel analysis is described for the case in which the values of the
      characteristic used in an inheritance study have unequal variances. Such a
      characteristic can be a mean, a slope of a regression line, or the estimates of
      some parameter of a linear or nonlinear model. Computational formulae are
      presented which incorporate the necessary weighting along with the statistics of
      the Hayman-Jinks method for diallel analysis. The method described can also be
      used to perform a weighted diallel analysis based on means when there are unequal
      numbers of replications per cross. A simple example demonstrates the computations
      necessary to complete a weighted diallel analysis. 

PMID- 24241815
TI  - Immediate and medium-term effects of custom-moulded insoles on pain, physical
      function, physical activity, and balance control in patients with knee
      osteoarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate and medium-term effects of custom-moulded
      insoles on patients with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: Before-after trial,
      followed up for 6 months. SUBJECTS: Forty participants, mean age 61 years, who
      fulfilled the combined radiographic and clinical criteria for knee
      osteoarthritis, as defined by the American College of Rheumatology. METHODS:
      Custom-moulded insoles with a 5o lateral wedge and arch support were prescribed.
      Immediate assessment was performed with and without the custom-moulded insoles,
      and follow-up assessments on pain, balance control, physical function, and
      physical activity were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Significant
      medium-term effects were represented by reductions in pain (p = 0.003), improved
      physical functioning (p = 0.006), and decreased chair-rising time (p = 0.016)
      over the duration of the 6-month follow-up period. Significant immediate
      increases in physical activity scores for the 10-m normal-speed walking test (p =
      0.007), stair-climbing test (p = 0.040), and chair-rising test (p = 0.030) were
      also observed in patients wearing the custom-moulded insoles, compared with tests
      performed without the insoles. CONCLUSION: Using custom-moulded insoles provides
      medium-term pain reduction and improved physical functioning and physical
      activity, as well as immediate beneficial effects regarding physical activity.

PMID- 24241816
TI  - Applying discrete choice modelling in a priority setting: an investigation of
      public preferences for primary care models.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The shift toward more innovative and sustainable primary care models
      in Italy leads policy makers and clinicians to face difficult decisions between
      options that are all regarded as potentially beneficial. In this study, patient
      preferences for different primary care models in the Tuscany region of Italy were
      elicited. The relative importance of different attributes to the surveyed
      respondents was then examined, as well as the rate at which individuals trade
      between attributes and the relative value of different service configurations.
      METHODS: A discrete choice experiment survey explored the following attributes in
      a stratified random sample of 6,970 adults: primary care provider, diagnostic
      facilities and waiting time for the visit. RESULTS: Respondents (3,263) were
      likely to prefer a consultation by their own general practitioner (GP) and a
      practice with many diagnostic facilities. The predicted utilities of different
      service configurations have shown that a "primary care centre" with many
      diagnostic facilities was preferable to a "solo GP" model or a "group general
      practice". CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated how a patient choice model could
      be used by decision makers for developing successful policies that takes into
      account different healthcare needs, balancing responsiveness with care
      continuity, equity and appropriateness. Considering that a primary care centre
      would perform better than a "solo GP", especially for younger respondents and for
      those with minor healthcare needs, for a more rapid diffusion of this model
      policymakers and managers could direct the care of primary care centres towards
      these targeted subgroups, at least in the first phase.

PMID- 24241817
TI  - Development and evaluation of the PI-G: a three-scale measure based on the German
      translation of the PROMIS (r) pain interference item bank.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Study aim was to translate the PROMIS((r)) pain interference (PI) item
      bank (41 items) into German, test its psychometric properties in patients with
      chronic low back pain and develop static subforms. METHODS: We surveyed N = 262
      patients undergoing rehabilitation who were asked to fill out questionnaires at
      the beginning and 2 weeks after the end of rehabilitation, applying the Oswestry
      Disability Index (ODI) and Pain Disability Index (PDI) in addition to the
      PROMIS((r)) PI items. For psychometric testing, a 1-parameter item response
      theory (IRT) model was used. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses as well
      as reliability and construct validity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The
      assumptions regarding IRT scaling of the translated PROMIS((r)) PI item bank as a
      whole were not confirmed. However, we succeeded in devising three static subforms
      (PI-G scales: PI mental 13 items, PI functional 11 items, PI physical 4 items),
      revealing good psychometric properties. CONCLUSION: The PI-G scales in their
      static form can be recommended for use in German-speaking countries. Their
      strengths versus the ODI and PDI are that pain interference is assessed in a
      differentiated manner and that several psychometric values are somewhat better
      than those associated with the ODI and PDI (distribution properties, IRT model
      fit, reliability). To develop an IRT-scaled item bank of the German translations
      of the PROMIS((r)) PI items, it would be useful to have additional studies (e.g.,
      with larger sample sizes and using a 2-parameter IRT model).

PMID- 24241818
TI  - Domains of quality of life: results of a three-stage Delphi consensus procedure
      among patients, family of patients, clinicians, scientists and the general
      public.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our key objective is to identify the core domains of health-related
      quality of life (QoL). Health-related QoL utility scales are commonly used in
      economic evaluations to assess the effectiveness of health-care interventions.
      However, health-care interventions are likely to affect QoL in a broader sense
      than is quantifiable with traditional scales. Therefore, measures need to go
      beyond these scales. Unfortunately, there is no consensus in the scientific
      literature on the essential domains of QoL. METHODS: We conducted a three-stage
      online Delphi consensus procedure to identify the key domains of health-related
      QoL. Five stakeholder groups (i.e., patients, family of patients, clinicians,
      scientists and general public) were asked, on three consecutive occasions, what
      they perceive as the most important domains of health-related QoL. An analysis of
      existing (health-related) QoL and well-being measurements formed the basis of the
      Delphi-procedure. RESULTS: In total, 42 domains of QoL were judged, covering
      physical, mental and social aspects. All participants rated 'self-acceptance',
      'self-esteem' and 'good social contacts' as essential. Strikingly, mental and
      social domains are perceived as more essential than physical domains across
      stakeholders groups. CONCLUSIONS: In traditionally used health-related QoL
      utility measures, physical domains like 'mobility' are prominently present. The
      Delphi-procedure shows that health-related QoL (utility) scales need to put
      sufficient emphasis on mental and social domains to capture aspects of QoL that
      are essential to people.

PMID- 24241819
TI  - Measurement properties of the Adolescent Quality of Life Mental Health Scale
      (AQOL-MHS).
AB  - BACKGROUND: This article presents data on the psychometric properties of a new
      measure, the Adolescent Quality of Life Mental Health Scale (AQOL-MHS), designed
      to measure quality of life in clinical samples of Latino adolescents aged 12-18
      years. Participants were recruited in Puerto Rico to have one of five prevalent
      mental health disorders. The initial instrument development was achieved through
      a grounded theory approach with the use of focus groups and in-depth interviews.
      METHODS: We conducted two stages of exploratory factor analyses (EFA) on 60
      candidate items. The first stage was to establish the number of factors to
      extract, and the second was to improve the model by selecting the best items. A
      final EFA model retained 31 items and 3 factors labeled Emotional Regulation (11
      items), Self-Concept (10 items) and Social Context (10 items). RESULTS: The
      instrument showed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and
      construct validity. The hypotheses-driven validity tests were all supportive of
      the AQOL-MHS. There was evidence for convergent validity and discriminant
      validity, and results for known-groups' validity were overwhelmingly supportive
      of the ability of the instrument to identify differences between groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings support our conceptual model and the use
      of the AQOL-MHS domain and overall scores. We believe that this instrument will
      provide clinicians additional insight into the different aspects of quality of
      life that are important to adolescents with mental health problems. Therefore, we
      consider the AQOL-MHS a vital patient-centered outcome measure for assessment
      strategies in the prevention and treatment of this population.

PMID- 24241820
TI  - Assessing conduct disorder: a new measurement approach.
AB  - The Delinquent Activities Scale (DAS) was used to develop indicators of conduct
      disorder (CD) in terms of symptom severity and age of onset. Incarcerated
      adolescents (N = 190) aged 14 to 19 were asked about their delinquent behaviors,
      including age the behavior was first performed, as well as substance use and
      parental and peer influences. Assessments were performed for the 12 months prior
      to incarceration and at 3-month postrelease follow-up. Evidence supports the
      utility of the DAS as a measure of CD diagnosis, including concurrent incremental
      validity. Furthermore, CD severity (symptom count) was significantly associated
      with two peer factors: friend substance use and friend prior arrests, with medium
      to large effect sizes (ESs). Earlier age of CD onset was associated with earlier
      marijuana use. This study finds that the DAS is a useful instrument in that it is
      easy to apply and has adequate psychometrics. 

PMID- 24241821
TI  - Subserosal leiomyoma of uterus mimicking an ovarian tumor in adolescent patient.
AB  - Uterine leiomyomas are the most common gynecological tumors in adult women. These
      benign tumors are rarely seen in the adolescent population: there are only a few
      cases that have been reported so far in this age group. In this case report, we
      present a giant uterine leiomyoma that mimicked an ovarian tumor in a 15-year-old
      girl. 

PMID- 24241822
TI  - Does ceruloplasmin differential express in the brain of Ts65Dn: a mouse mode of
      Down syndrome?
AB  - To investigate the expression of CP in Down syndrome (DS) mouse model, we
      especially observed the changes in neuronal CP. We systematically analyzed the
      level of CP in Ts65Dn mouse, including serum CP concentration and enzymatic
      activity, CP mRNA in brain, the expression of CP protein in brain. The applied
      technologies were ELISA, chemical colorimetry, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry.
      Compared with the control group, there were no differences of significance in the
      concentration, enzymatic activity and unit activity of serum ceruloplasmin. By RT
      PCR, we also found there were no significant differences in the level of CP mRNA.
      The expression of CP was positive in the endochylema of neuronal cells of both
      the groups, and there were no significant difference between the two groups.
      Meanwhile, there were no differences in four regions of the brain (cerebral
      cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebella). Although the neurotoxic effects of
      CP related to some neurodegenerative diseases, but whether it does so in DS
      remains to be determined. 

PMID- 24241824
TI  - Effect of coumarin and xanthotoxin on mitochondrial structure, oxygen uptake, and
      succinate dehydrogenase activity in onion root cells.
AB  - At concentrations in which they occur on the plant surface and retard mitosis,
      coumarin and xanthotoxin lowered uptake of oxygen (by 60 and 30%, respectively)
      by meristematic cells ofAllium cepa root tips. They caused changes in the
      structure of the mitochondrial matrix to become dense, and protrusions of
      mitochondrial membranes were visible parallelling their hypertrophy, indicating
      alteration in the structure and physiology of these organelles. Coumarin and, to
      a lesser extent, xanthotoxin increased succinate dehydrogenase production in
      mitochondria and also in the cytoplasm, indicating changes in membrane
      permeability. Changes in oxygen uptake and mitochondrial structure, in addition
      to the retardation of mitosis, may be the reason these compounds act as
      allelochemicals after they have been removed from the plant surface and reach the
      root meristem. 

PMID- 24241823
TI  - The crystal structure of sterol carrier protein 2 from Yarrowia lipolytica and
      the evolutionary conservation of a large, non-specific lipid-binding cavity.
AB  - Sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP2), a small intracellular domain present in all
      forms of life, binds with high affinity a broad spectrum of lipids. Due to its
      involvement in the metabolism of long-chain fatty acids and cholesterol uptake,
      it has been the focus of intense research in mammals and insects; much less
      characterized are SCP2 from other eukaryotic cells and microorganisms. We report
      here the X-ray structure of Yarrowia lipolytica SCP2 (YLSCP2) at 2.2 A resolution
      in complex with palmitic acid. This is the first fungal SCP2 structure solved,
      and it consists of the canonical five-stranded beta-sheet covered on the internal
      face by a layer of five alpha-helices. The overall fold is conserved among the
      SCP2 family, however, YLSCP2 is most similar to the SCP2 domain of human MFE-2, a
      bifunctional enzyme acting on peroxisomal beta-oxidation. We have identified the
      common structural elements defining the shape and volume of the large binding
      cavity in all species characterized. Moreover, we found that the cavity of the
      SCP2 domains is distinctly formed by carbon atoms, containing neither organized
      water nor rigid polar interactions with the ligand. These features are in
      contrast with those of fatty acid binding proteins, whose internal cavities are
      more polar and contain bound water. The results will help to design experiments
      to unveil the SCP2 function in very different cellular contexts and metabolic
      conditions.

PMID- 24241825
TI  - 2-(E)-nonen-1-ol: Male attractant for chafersAnomala vitis Fabr. andA. dubia
      Scop. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).
AB  - Traps baited with 2-(E)-nonen-1-ol alone or in combination with other compounds
      caught large numbers of males of both the vine chafer,Anomala vitis Fabr. and the
      margined vine chafer,A. dubia Scop. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), vineyard and
      orchard pests. In a dosage test, the largest numbers were caught by traps baited
      with 10 mg of 2-(E)-nonen-1-ol, which was the highest dosage tested. This is the
      first report on male attractants for chafer species occurring in Europe. 

PMID- 24241826
TI  - Chemical characterization of urinary volatile compounds ofPeromyscus
      californicus, a monogamous biparental rodent.
AB  - The urinary profiles of adult female and male California mice were examined to
      determine the volatile compounds that may affect reproduction. The urinary
      volatiles identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) include
      ketones, pyrazines, alkanes, nitrile, and aldehyde. None of volatile compounds
      was specific to males or females. The concentration of urinary volatiles in
      pregnant and lactating females was significantly higher than in virgin females.
      Male urinary volatile concentrations were similar to those of pregnant and
      lactating females. The GC profiles of both sexes were distinguished by a high
      percentage (36%) of pyrazine derivatives that were also in unusually high
      concentrations. These compounds may play a wide-ranging role in the control of
      reproduction in the California mouse. 

PMID- 24241828
TI  - Release of ethylene from pruned olive logs: Influence on attack by bark beetles
      (Coleoptera, Scolytidae).
AB  - In recently pruned olive logs, an increase in ethylene release has been observed
      between 48 and 72 hr after pruning. The values reached, as well as the duration
      of ethylene release, varied greatly from one log to another. PioneerPhloeotribus
      scarabaeoides females have shown a preference for logs in which ethylene emission
      was higher. In logs treated with ethrel, a significant increase in ethylene
      emission was observed, together with a greater period of release. Therefore, the
      use of logs treated with ethrel could be of great importance in the control of
      this pest of olive trees. 

PMID- 24241827
TI  - Sex pheromone components of the spring hemlock looper,Lambdina athasaria (Walker)
      (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).
AB  - Two methylated hydrocarbons, 7-methylheptadecane (7) and 7,11-dimethylheptadecane
      (7,11), are female sex pheromone components of the spring hemlock looper
      (SHL),Lambdina athasaria (Walker). Compounds extracted from female pheromone
      glands were identified by coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic
      detection (GC-EAD) and coupled GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion
      monitoring mode. In field trapping experiments, (7) and (7,11) by themselves were
      behaviorally inactive, but in combination attracted numerous male moths. (5,11)
      Dimethylheptadecane (5,11) was detected in female SHL pheromone gland extracts,
      but did not enhance attraction to the binary blend of (7) and (7,11). The sex
      pheromone of SHL is related to that of congeneric eastern hemlock looper
      (EHL),Lambdina fiscellaria fiscellaria (Guen.) [(5,11) and 2,5
      dimethylheptadecane (2,5)] and western hemlock looper (WHL),L.f. lugubrosa
      (Hulst) [(5,11), (2,5) and (7)]. Specificity of the pheromonal blend, spatial
      separation of coseasonal EHL and WHL, and temporal separation of sympatric EHL
      and SHL contribute to reproductive isolation. 

PMID- 24241829
TI  - Sequestration of host-plant-derived flavonoids by lycaenid butterflyPolyommatus
      icarus.
AB  - Larvae of the lycaenid butterflyPolyommatus icarus were reared on inflorescences
      ofCoronilla varia andMedicago sativa, which are rich in flavonoids. Twelve
      different flavonoids (five compounds from the former and nine from the latter),
      including aglycones andO-glycosides of kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin were
      isolated and identified by spectroscopic means. NMR and MS data for the new
      acylated glycoside kaempferol 3-O-6"-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaroyl)-beta-D
      glucopyranoside are reported. Comparative HPLC analysis of the respective host
      plants and of larvae, pupae, and imagines ofP. icarus indicated selective uptake
      and accumulation of kaempferol vs. quercetin and myricetin derivatives. The
      latter were excreted largely unchanged through the feces. Irrespective of the
      larval host plant kaempferol 3-O-glucoside was found as the major flavonoid in
      larvae, pupae, and imagines ofP. icarus, accounting for approximately 83-92% of
      all soluble flavonoids in adult butterflies. Within the imagines, approximately
      80% of all flavonoids are stored in the wings (especially in the orange
      submarginal lunules), whereas the remaining 20% reside in the bodies. Feeding
      experiments with artificial diet demonstrated that the insects are able to form
      kaempferol 3-O-glucoside by glucosylation of dietary kaempferol. Possible
      functions of the sequestered flavonoids, especially for mate recognition ofP.
      icarus, are discussed. 

PMID- 24241830
TI  - Homarine as a feeding deterrent in common shallow-water antarctic lamellarian
      gastropodMarseniopsis mollis: A rare example of chemical defense in a marine
      prosobranch.
AB  - The common bright yellow antarctic lamellarian gastropodMarseniopsis mollis was
      examined for the presence of defensive chemistry. Proton nuclear magnetic
      resonance (NMR) spectroscopy indicated that a major component of ethanolic
      extracts purified by reversed-phase column chromatography was homarine. Further
      high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the mantle, foot, and
      viscera verified the presence of homarine in all body tissues at concentrations
      ranging from 6 to 24 mg/g dry tissue. A conspicuous macroinvertebrate predator of
      the shallow antarctic benthos, the sea starOdontaster validus, always rejected
      live individuals ofM. mollis, while readily feeding on pieces of fish tail
      muscle. Filter paper disks treated with shrimp elicited a broad range of feeding
      behaviors in the sea starO. validus (movement of disc to mouth, extrusion of
      cardiac stomach, humped feeding posture). Shrimp disks treated with homarine (0.4
      and 4 mg/disk) were rejected byO. validus significantly more frequently than
      control disks treated with solvent carrier and shrimp or shrimp alone. The
      highest concentration of homarine tested not only caused feeding deterrence, but
      in several sea stars a flight response was noted. Homarine was not detected in
      the tunic of the antarctic ascidianCnemidocarpa verrucosa, a presumed primary
      prey ofM. mollis. Nonetheless, crude extracts of the epizooites that foul the
      tunic (primarily the bryozoans and hydroids) contain homarine, suggestingM.
      mollis may ingest and derive its chemistry from these organisms. This appears to
      be only the third example of chemical defense in a member of the Order
      Mesogastropoda. As the vestigial internalized shell ofM. mollis is considered a
      primitive condition, the findings of this study lend support to the hypothesis
      that chemical defense evolved prior to shell loss in shell-less gastropods. 

PMID- 24241831
TI  - Influence of oleoresin constituents fromPinus ponderosa andPinus jeffreyi on
      growth of mycangial fungi fromDendroctonus ponderosae andDendroctonus jeffreyi.
AB  - Dendroctonus jeffreyi andD. ponderosae are morphologically similar sympatric
      species of pine bark beetles over portions of their geographic ranges; however,D.
      jeffreyi is monophagous onP. jeffreyi whileD. ponderosae is highly polyphagous.
      Both species carry a species of mycangial fungi that are also very similar in
      appearance. Growth of the two mycangial fungi and of the fungusLeptographium
      terebrantis (associated with the polyphagous and non-tree-killingDendroctonus
      valens) in the presence of oleoresin constituents of host and nonhost conifers
      was tested by placing individual chemicals on agar growth medium and by growing
      the cultures in saturated atmospheres of the chemicals. The fungus associated
      withD. jeffreyi showed greater tolerance for chemical constituents placed on the
      growth medium than the other two fungi, and growth after three days was enhanced
      by heptane, the dominant constituent ofP. jeffreyi oleoresin. Growth of all three
      species of fungi was reduced by the resin constituents when the chemicals were
      presented as saturated atmospheres. The results suggest that the influence of the
      tree on growth of the symbiotic fungi of the bark beetles during the initial
      attack process may be different than after colonization by the beetles is
      complete. The difference in the responses of the apparently related species of
      mycangial fungi may provide some new insight into the evolutionary history of
      these beetle/mycangial fungus/host tree systems. 

PMID- 24241832
TI  - Winter host component reduces colonization by bird-cherry-oat aphid,Rhopalosiphum
      padi (L.) (homoptera, aphididae), and other aphids in cereal fields.
AB  - Methyl salicylate, a volatile component ofPrunus padus, the winter host
      ofRhopalosiphum padi, was found to reduce colonization of the summer host by this
      aphid. The compound was identified by gas chromatographic analysis coupled with
      recordings from cells in the primary rhinarium on the sixth antennal segment of
      the aphid. Methyl salicylate eliminated the attractancy of oat leaves to spring
      migrants in olfactometer tests. In Sweden, this compound significantly decreased
      colonization of field grown cereals byR. padi and in the U.K., populations
      ofSitobion avenae andMetopolophium dirhodum were significantly lower on treated
      plots. 

PMID- 24241833
TI  - Differential induction of tomato foliar proteins by arthropod herbivores.
AB  - The effects of mechanical and chemical damage and three types of biotic damage on
      the activities of four foliar proteins of the tomato plant (Lycopersicon
      esculentum Mill var. Castlemart) were assayed. Proteinase inhibitor, polyphenol
      oxidase, peroxidase, and lipoxygenase activities were assayed in damaged leaflets
      and compared with activities in undamaged leaflets. These proteins are putative
      plant defenses in tomato. Differential induction of these proteins by the various
      damage-treatments was demonstrated, such that different subsets of the four
      proteins were induced by different types of damage. This study clearly
      demonstrates the ability of plants to respond differentially to different types
      of damage. Possible mechanisms for this differential induction and the
      implications of differential induction for plant defense are discussed. 

PMID- 24241834
TI  - Male lures for mediterranean fruitfly (Ceratitis capitata wied.): Structural
      analogs of alpha-copaene.
AB  - Nine sesquiterpenes structurally related to the potent male Mediterranean fruit
      fly lure (+)-alpha-copaene were tested in a series of field bioassays to
      determine their male medfly attractiveness relative to one another and to (+)
      alpha-copaene itself. This study was carried out to determine the relative
      importance of the various substructure components of the (+)-alpha-copaene
      molecule in eliciting an attractive response in the male fly. Tests indicated
      that any deviation from the three-dimensional structure of (+)-alpha-copaene
      leads to major losses in male fly attractancy. The tested analogs fell into two
      groups, based on their levels of attraction: (+)-alpha-ylangene, (+)-beta
      copaene, (+)-beta-ylangene, and (-)-alpha-copaene were found to be somewhat
      attractive, although much less so than (+)-alpha-copaene, while (+)
      cyclosativene, (+)-cyclocopacamphene, (+)-longicyclene, (+)-longipinene, and (-)
      trans-alpha-bergamotene were not attractive. 

PMID- 24241835
TI  - Repeatability of female response to ipsdienol enantiomeric mixtures by pine
      engraver,Ips pini (Coleoptera: Scolytidae).
AB  - Repeatability, a measure of the proportion of variance in a character that occurs
      among rather than within individuals, is assessed for the phenotypic trait of
      female response preference for enantiomeric blends of ipsdienol inIps pini at two
      pheromone concentrations-1 ug and 5 MUg of ipsdienol. Average female response
      shows greater repeatability at the higher pheromone dosage when females are
      tested in two successive sets of five assays than when assayed in three
      successive sets or at the lower dosage. Repeatability within each set of five
      assays is highest for the first set and decreases thereafter. Thus the response
      phenotype of females for enantiomeric blends of ipsdienol in this experiment is
      context dependent; female choice of an enantiomeric blend differed between
      dosages and among sets of assays. 

PMID- 24241836
TI  - Crayfish feeding responses to zebra mussels depend on microorganisms and
      learning.
AB  - Three species of crayfish (Orconectes virilis, O. rusticus, andCambarus robustus)
      were tested for feeding responses to potential food odors from mollusks (either
      zebra mussels,Dreissena polymorpha, or native gastropods). In all three crayfish
      species, feeding responses to odor cues were shown only by individuals
      experienced with feeding on a prey type. Individuals exposed to just the smell of
      prey organisms did not show feeding responses, indicating the role of associative
      learning in diet breadth. Establishment of a learned association took more than
      one feeding experience but once established lasted more than three weeks. When
      microbial enzymatic degradation of food protein was eliminated, either by UV
      radiation or microfiltration, feeding responses were eliminated even for crayfish
      experienced with a prey type. 

PMID- 24241837
TI  - Synthesis and antifungal activity of analogues of naturally occurring botrydial
      precursors.
AB  - Analog compounds of the proposed intermediates of the biogenetic pathway to
      botrydial have been synthesized. These compounds were tested for their potential
      antifungal activity against the phytopathogenBotrytis cinerea. Our results showed
      a fungistatic effect of some compounds on mycelium growth. The most significant
      effect was exerted by 2-alpha-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1-epiprobotrydial, which
      inhibited growth ofB. cinerea. Some aspects of structure-activity relationships
      are discussed. 

PMID- 24241838
TI  - Intraspecific and interspecific chemoattraction inBiomphalaria glabrata
      andHelisoma trivolvis (Gastropoda: Planorbidae).
AB  - A Petri dish bioassay previously used to examine food preferences in planorbid
      snails was used to study intraspecific and interspecific chemoattraction
      inBiomphalaria glabrata (albino strain, M-line) andHelisoma trivolvis (Colorado
      strain) snails.B. glabrata snails showed significant intraspecific
      chemoattraction in the absence of visual cues and snail thigmotaxis.H. trivolvis
      snails also showed significant intraspecific chemoattraction. Interspecific
      chemoattraction between these species occurred in the bioassay, suggesting that
      the chemoattractants were not species specific. Artificial spring water
      conditioned by aqueous excretory-secretory products (snail-conditioned water)
      ofB. glabrata elicited significant intraspecific chemoattraction. However,
      lipophilic excretory-secretory products ofB. glabrata elicited significant
      chemorepulsion. Repellant factors in the lipophilic fraction were not
      characterized. 

PMID- 24241839
TI  - Pheromone chirality of african palm weevil,Rhynchophorus phoenicis (F.) and
      palmetto weevil,Rhynchophorus cruentatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
AB  - There are four stereoisomers of both 3-methyl-octan-4-ol, the aggregation
      pheromone of the African palm weevil,Rhynchophorus phoenicis (F.) and 5-methyl
      octan-4-ol, the aggregation pheromone of the palmetto weevil,Rhynchophorus
      cruentatus (F.). Synthetic stereoisomers of 3-methyl-octan-4-ol and 5-methyl
      octan-4-ol were baseline-separated on a Cyclodex-B fused silica column. Use of
      this column in gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and
      GC-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analyses revealed that only one stereoisomer,
      (3S,4S)-3-methyl-octan-4-ol and (4S,5S)-5-methyl-octan-4-ol, is produced by
      maleR. phoenicis and maleR. cruentatus, respectively, and elicits good antennal
      responses by conspecific male and female weevils. In field trapping experiments,
      withR. phoenicis in Cote d'Ivoire andR. cruentatus in Florida, (3S,4S)-3-methyl
      octan-4-ol and (4S,5S)-5-methyl-octan-4-ol strongly enhanced attraction of fresh
      palm tissue, whereas other stereoisomers were behaviorally benign. Stereoisomeric
      3-methyl-octan-4-ol and 5-methyl-octan-4-ol may be utilized to monitor and/or
      manage populations of these two palm weevils. 

PMID- 24241840
TI  - Evidence for volatile chemical attractants in the beetleMaladera matrida argaman
      (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).
AB  - TheMaladera matrida beetle (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae), a
      relatively new species to science, was first identified in Israel in 1983. In the
      course of field observations it was found that adultM. matrida beetles emerged
      from the soil at sunset to feed and mate. During the first 20 min of flight, most
      of the beetles were males. The females emerged shortly afterwards, and
      aggregations numbering 20-30 individuals with equal proportions of males and
      females were eventually formed on peanut plants. Laboratory olfactometer
      bioassays showed that peanut leaves (food) attracted both males and females.
      Field-trapping experiments and olfactometer studies showed thatM. matrida beetles
      were highly attracted by live virgin females in the presence of food (cut-up
      peanut leaves). Another set of field trapping experiments indicated that airborne
      volatiles produced by live virgin females plus food had the same attracting
      ability as live virgin females plus food. The attraction exerted by the
      combination of live virgin females and peanut leave volatiles suggests a
      synergism effect. Accordingly, we propose a two-stage mechanism of chemical
      communication in theM. matrida beetles: first, the males cause mechanical damage
      to the host plant to attract both sexes; later, the females emit attractants (sex
      pheromone) while eating or shortly thereafter. 

PMID- 24241841
TI  - Comparative analysis of steam distilled floral oils of cacao cultivars (Theobroma
      cacao L., Sterculiaceae) and attraction of flying insects: Implications for
      aTheobroma pollination syndrome.
AB  - Steam-distilled floral fragrance oils from nine distinctive cultivars ofTheobroma
      cacao L. (Sterculiaceae) in Costa Rica were examined with GC-MS to determine
      whether or not major differences existed among these cultivars for volatile
      constituents comprising 50% or more of the samples. The cultivars selected for
      floral oil analyses were chosen to represent diverse cultivars having supposedly
      different genetic backgrounds and histories of artificial selection for agronomic
      purposes. Cluster analysis revealed two major groupings of cultivars: those with
      higher molecular weight dominant compounds, and those having lower molecular
      weight compounds. Additionally, one cultivar, Rim-100, selected from criollo or
      ancestral-type cacao in Mexico and resembling criollo in the appearance of
      flowers and fruits, formed an extreme group having the highest molecular weight
      profile for major volatile compounds. Based upon these analyses, bioassays using
      McPhail traps were performed in an abandoned cacao plantation in northeastern
      Costa Rica during rainy and dry seasons to determine the relative attraction of
      these oils to flying insects. Bioassays revealed that the Rim-100 cultivar
      attracted by far the greatest numbers of cacao-associated midges (Diptera:
      Ceratopogonidae and Cecidomyiidae), as well as stingless bees (Hymenoptera:
      Apidae: Meliponinae), suggesting that a floral fragrance having high-molecular
      weight volatiles is more potent as an attractant to flying insects than floral
      oils having lower-molecular-weight compounds. It is suggested that Rim-100 more
      closely resembles an ancestral or wild-type cacao than the other cultivars
      examined, and therefore it is more effective in attracting opportunistic dipteran
      floral visitors and pollinators than other cultivars in plantation settings.
      Several of the major volatile compounds found in the floral oils ofT. cacao and
      other species ofTheobroma occur in mandibular and other exocrine glands in
      various bees, including stingless bees and halictids, known visitors ofTheobroma
      flowers. These compounds are particularly present in noncultivated species
      ofTheobroma and have much more noticeable fragrances than the seemingly scentless
      flowers of cultivatedT. cacao selected for agriculture. It is hypothesized that
      the floral attraction system of ancestral or wild (noncultivated)T. cacao and
      other species ofTheobroma may have evolved to attract certain bees as their
      principal pollinators in natural habitats in the Neotropics, with a floral reward
      hypothesized as being sociochemicals needed by bees for mating, foraging,
      territorial defense, etc. Because of the many generations of extensive selection
      by cloning for desired cultivars,T. cacao might have lost much of its original
      floral attraction system for bees, instead being pollinated opportunistically by
      dipterans in plantation habitats. This may help to explain why natural
      pollination in cultivatedT. cacao is generally very poor relative to observed
      levels of fruit-set in wild or noncultivated species ofTheobroma. 

PMID- 24241842
TI  - Moth responses to selectively fluorinated sex pheromone analogs.
AB  - Partially fluorinated analogs of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)
      female sex pheromone, 11-tetradecenyl acetate (97:3Z:E), having mono- and
      trifluorsubstitutions at the terminal carbon of the pheromone chain, mimicked the
      biological activity of the pheromone, while analogs with fluorine at either side
      of the double bond and a pentafluoro analog were essentially inactive. Comparison
      of the pheromonal activity of these analogs with the previously reported activity
      of similarly fluorinated pheromones in five other species of moths revealed an
      unpredictable relationship between fluorine substitution pattern and pheromone
      mimicking activity. Fluorine substitution patterns that rendered pheromonal
      analogs biologically inactive in the European corn borer had no detrimental
      influence upon pheromonal activity in other species and the converse was also
      true. This is evidence that the relative importance of electronic qualities of
      sites within a pheromone molecule differ from species to species. Furthermore, it
      indicates that the biochemical components (pheromone receptor proteins, binding
      proteins, and enzymes) that make up moth olfactory chemosensory systems must also
      vary structurally from species to species, despite the fact that they are
      involved in olfactory sensing of compounds having very similar chemical
      structure. 

PMID- 24241843
TI  - Major component in male sex pheromone of cereal pestEurygaster integriceps puton
      (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae) identified as a homosesquiterpenoid.
AB  - A homosesquiterpenoid, (4Z,4'E)-4-(1',5'-dimethyl-4'-heptenylidene)-1
      methylcyclohexene, has been identified as a major component of the scent emitted
      by calling males ofEurygaster integriceps. Minor components of the scent included
      vanillin. TheE. integriceps male homosesquiterpenoid is an addition to the list
      of sesquiterpenoids identified as components of male attractant sex pheromones in
      pentatomoid Heteroptera. 

PMID- 24241844
TI  - Effect of temperature on biosynthesis of sex pheromone components in potato
      tuberworm moth,Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).
AB  - Rearing temperature modified the sex pheromone component ratio in the potato
      tuberworm moth,Phthorimaea operculella. This phenomenon seemed to be induced with
      ambient temperature by differences in timing and speed of biosynthesis between
      two pheromone components. (E,Z,Z)-4,7,10-Tridecatrienyl acetate (triene) was
      mainly synthesized during the pupal period, while most of (E,Z)-4,7-tridecadienyl
      acetate (diene) was synthesized during a short period just after emergence.
      Therefore, the ratio of triene in a newly emerging adult was relatively high at
      all temperatures although the amount of triene was relatively low at 35 degrees
      C. On the other hand, the synthetic rate of accumulation of diene was clearly
      modified by ambient temperature. Biosynthesis of diene at 15 degrees C was very
      low in the first two days and high in the third day. Consequently, a titer of the
      diene component at 15 degrees C became approximately equivalent to that at 25
      degrees C one day later. 

PMID- 24241845
TI  - Integumental slime and wax secretion: Defensive adaptations of sawfly larvae.
AB  - Evidence is presented from predation tests with ants (Formica exsectoides) that
      the slimy coating ofCaliroa cerasi and the waxy investiture ofEriocampa ovata
      serve in defense. 

PMID- 24241846
TI  - Ethylene biosynthesis in isolated vacuoles of Vicia faba L. - requirement for
      membrane integrity.
AB  - The ability of vacuoles prepared from V. faba leaves to convert 1
      aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid to C2H4 was destroyed when vacuoles were
      lysed by passage through a hypodermic needle, freezing and thawing, osmotic
      shock, treatment with ethanol or with a detergent. Ethylene synthesis in the
      vacuolar fraction was also inhibited by the uncouplers carbonyl cyanide m
      chlorophenyl hydrazone and dinitrophenol and by the ionophores valinomycin,
      nigericin, and A23187. Ethylene formation increased with increasing pH of the
      incubation medium over the pH range of 5.0-7.5. These observations support the
      hypothesis that C2H4 biosynthesis in vacuolar preparations is dependent on
      membrane integrity, possibly because of the requirement for a transmembrane ion
      gradient. 

PMID- 24241847
TI  - Partial purification and characterization of mRNAs encoding glycollate oxidase
      and catalase.
AB  - Polyadenylated mRNA was prepared from etiolated and greening leaves of Lens
      culinaris and cotyledons of Cucumis sativus during the transition from etiolated
      to photoautotrophic stage. These mRNA preparations were used to identify, by
      translation in vitro, the precursor forms of glycollate oxidase and catalase,
      both enzymes being markers of microbodies. The level (per fresh weight) of
      translatable RNA coding for glycollate oxidase was found to increase ten fold
      during the first 3 d of illumination of etiolated leaves. For catalase mRNA
      activity, this increase was less pronounced. Characterizing the products of in
      vitro translation directed by the mRNA prepared, we observed a 43-kDa species of
      glycollate oxidase and a 56-kDa species of apo-catalase. Limited proteolysis of
      the in-vitro-formed proteins and comparison with the respective mature enzymes
      present in vivo revealed differences between the cucumber and the lens protein
      but not between the monomeric precursor and the subunit of mature glycollate
      oxidase from Lens culinaris. Messenger RNA coding for glycollate oxidase was
      highly purified by electrophoresis on low-melting-point agarose in the presence
      of methylmercuric hydroxide. The size of the mRNA was determined to be 1.47 kb.
      By this procedure, the mRNA for glycollate oxidase in the subfraction could be
      enriched in such a way that the activity, assayed by translation in a
      reticulocyte lysate, amounted to 30% of the total translation activity. 

PMID- 24241848
TI  - Cell-fractionation analysis of glucan synthase I and II distribution and
      polysaccharide secretion in soybean protoplasts : Evidence for the involvement of
      coated vesicles in wall biogenesis.
AB  - The organelles of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) protoplasts were separated
      using a recently developed procedure which allows rapid (3-h) recovery of a
      fraction enriched for coated vesicles (CVs). As determined by marker-enzyme
      enrichment and ultrastructural analysis of isolated membrane fractions,
      endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi membranes, glucan-synthase-II (EC 2.4.1.34)
      containing membranes (putative plasma membrane), mitochondria, and CVs were
      enriched in separate fractions in a sucrose density gradient. Glucan synthase I
      (EC 2.4.1.12) had the highest specific activity in the Golgi-enriched and CV
      enriched fractions and was found to comigrate with CVs upon rate-zonal
      centrifugation of a CV-enriched fraction. For further elucidation of the role of
      these latter organelles in cell-wall regeneration, freshly isolated protoplasts
      were pulsed with [(3)H]glucose for 20 min, and the disappearance of label from
      the organelles was followed for the ensuing 1 h. Although a CV-enriched fraction
      contained glucan synthase I, it contained very small amounts of labelled
      polysaccharide during the period of study. Pulse-chase experiments with
      [(3)H]glucose helped to confirm the role of the Golgi apparatus in secretion of
      matrix polysaccharides by protoplasts. 

PMID- 24241849
TI  - Efficient uptake of flavonoids into parsley (Petroselinum hortense) vacuoles
      requires acylated glycosides.
AB  - Vacuoles were prepared from cultured parsley cells by polyamine-induced rupture
      of protoplasts. Acid-phosphatase activity, associated exclusively with the
      vacuoles, served for determination of vacuole yield in subsequent transport
      studies. Isolated vacuoles rapidly accumulated [2'''-(14)C]apigenin 7-O-(6-O
      malonylglucoside) or 2"-(14)C]beta-methyl D-6-O-malonylglucoside added at
      approximately 20 nM and 1.5 MUM concentration, respectively, to the incubation
      mixture. The accumulation was linear with time and strongly dependent on alkaline
      buffer conditions as well as on the age of the vacuole preparation. Subsequent
      addition of a malonic hemiester esterase did not relase the label from the
      vacuoles. Moreover, neither [2-(14)C]apigenin 7-O-glucoside or [2-(14)C]malonic
      acid accumulated in the vacuoles under any assay conditions, nor did such
      compounds or beta-methyl D-glucopyranoside, a malonic diester, and a succinic
      monoester inhibit transport of the acylated flavonoid. Transport was, however,
      inhibited by beta-methyl D-6-O-malonylglucopyranoside. Vacuoles which had been
      incubated for more than 40 min at pH 8.0 did not stain any more with neutral-red
      dye and concomitantly lost the previously accumulated acylated glucoside. Our
      data confirm that malonylglucoside uptake by parsley vacuoles involves selective
      transport sites. It is suggested that changes in the molecular symmetry of the
      malonylglucosides are responsible for vacuolar trapping of flavonoids in parsley.

PMID- 24241850
TI  - Immunochemical studies on xanthine dehydrogenase of soybean root nodules :
      Ontogenic changes in the level of enzyme and immunocytochemical localization.
AB  - Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH, EC 1.2.1.37) was purified from root nodules of
      soybean (Glycine max) and used to prepare a polyclonal rabbit antiserum.
      Monospecificity of this antiserum was ascertained by sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the immunoprecipate. During root nodule
      development of soybean, only one form of XDH was detected on an immunological
      basis. Titration of XDH by immunoelectrophoresis showed that a remarkable
      increase in the amount of XDH occurred between two and four weeks after
      inoculation, in parallel with the increase in enzyme activity. Localization of
      XDH by immunofluorescence indicated that the enzyme was present exclusively in
      uninfected cells where it appeared to be associated with discrete organellels. 

PMID- 24241851
TI  - Tissue-distribution of secondary phenolic biosynthesis in developing primary
      leaves of Avena sativa L.
AB  - Primary leaves of oats (Avena sativa L.) have been used to study the integration
      of secondary phenolic metabolism into organ differentiation and development. In
      particular, the tissue-specific distribution of products and enzymes involved in
      their biosynthesis has been investigated. C-Glucosylflavones along with minor
      amounts of hydroxycinnamic-acid esters constitute the soluble phenolic compounds
      in these leaves. In addition, considerable amounts of insoluble products such as
      lignin and wall-bound ferulic-acid esters are formed. The tissue-specific
      activities of seven enzymes were determined in different stages of leaf growth.
      The rate-limiting enzyme of flavonoid biosynthesis in this system, chalcone
      synthase, together with chalcone isomerase (EC 5.5.1.6) and the terminal enzymes
      of the vitexin and isovitexin branches of the pathway (a flavonoid O
      methyltransferase and an isovitexin arabinosyltransferase) are located in the
      leaf mesophyll. Since the flavonoids accumulate predominantly (up to 70%) in both
      epidermal layers, an intercellular transport of products is postulated. In
      contrast to the flavonoid enzymes, L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5), 4
      coumarate: CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.12), and S-adenosyl-L-methionine: caffeate 3-O
      methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.-), all involved in general phenylpropanoid
      metabolism, showed highest activities in the basal leaf region as well as in the
      epidermis and the vascular bundles. We suggest that these latter enzymes
      participate mainly in the biosynthesis of non-flavonoid phenolic products, such
      as lignin in the xylem tissue and wall-bound hydroxycinnamic acid-esters in
      epidermal, phloem, and sclerenchyma tissues. 

PMID- 24241852
TI  - Developmental and hormonal regulation of beta-1,3-glucanase in tobacco.
AB  - A highly sensitive and specific "rocket" immunoassay was used to measure the
      content of an endo-type beta-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39) in tissues of Nicotiana
      tabacum L. cv. Havana 425. We show that the accumulation of beta-1,3-glucanase in
      cultured pith-parenchyma tissue is blocked by combinations of the auxin, alpha
      naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and the cytokinin, kinetin. When tissues pre
      incubated for 7 d on complete medium containing 2.0 mg.l(-1) NAA and 0.3 mg.l(-1)
      kinetin are transferred onto medium without hormones or with either hormone added
      separately, the beta-1,3-glucanase content expressed per mg soluble protein
      increases approx. ten fold over a 7-d period. Under these inductive conditions,
      up to approx. 5% of the soluble protein is beta-1,3-glucanase. The induction is
      inhibited by >90% when tissues are cultured over the same period on medium
      containing both hormones. This beta-1,3-glucanase is developmentally regulated in
      the intact plant. It is a major component of the soluble protien in the lower
      leaves and roots but is not detectable in leaves near the top of the plant. 

PMID- 24241853
TI  - Evidence for a relationship between malate metabolism and activity of 1
      sinapoylglucose: L-malate sinapoyltransferase in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)
      cotyledons.
AB  - The control of malate metabolism and stimulation of 1-sinapolyglucose: L-malate
      sinapoyltransferase (SMT) activity in radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. sativus)
      cotyledons has been studied. The light-induced and nitrate-dependent activity of
      SMT catalyzes the formation of O-sinapoly-L-malate via 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-D
      glucose. When dark-grown radish seedlings, cultivated in quartz sand with
      nutrient solution containing NO 3 (-) as the sole N source, were treated with
      light, SMT activity increased concomitantly with free malate in the cotyledons.
      This light effect was suppressed in seedlings grown in a culture medium which
      contained in addition to NO 3 (-) also NH 4 (+) . However, treatment with
      methionine sulfoximine neutralized this ammonium effect, resulting again in both
      rapid accumulation of malate and rapid increase in SMT activity. When seedlings
      grown on NO 3 (-) nitrogen were subsequently supplied with NH 4 (+) nitrogen, the
      accumulated level of L-malate rapidly dropped and the SMT increase ceased. The
      enzyme activity decreased later on, reaching the low activity level of plants
      which were grown permanently on NO 3 (-) /NH 4 (+) -nitrogen. An external supply
      (vacuum infiltration) of malate to excised cotyledons and intact seedings, grown
      on NO 3 (-) /NH 4 (+) -nitrogen medium, specifically promoted a dose-dependent
      increase in the activity of SMT. In summary these results provide evidence
      indicating that the SMT activity in cotyledons of Raphanus sativus might be
      related to the metabolism of malic acid. 

PMID- 24241854
TI  - Molecular properties of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from C3, C 3-C 4
      intermediate, and C 4 Flaveria species.
AB  - Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase; EC 4.1.1.31) from Flaveria trinervia
      Mohr (C4), F. floridana Johnston (C3-C4), and F. cronquistii Powell (C3) leaves
      were compared by electrotransfer blotting/enzyme-linked immunoassay (Western-blot
      analysis), mobility of the native enzyme in polyacrylamide gels and in
      isoelectric focusing (IEF) gels, peptide mapping, and in-vitro translation of RNA
      isolated from each plant. The PEPCases from the C3 and C3-C4 plants were very
      similar to each other in terms of electrophoretic mobilities on gels and
      isoenzyme patterns on IEF gels, and identical in peptide mapping. Quantitative
      differences were noted, however, in that the C3-C4 intermediate plant contained
      more PEPCase overall and that the relative activity of individual isoenzymes
      shifted between the C3 and C3-C4 intermediate PEPCases. The PEPCase from the C4
      plant had a different isoenzyme pattern, a different peptide map, and was far
      more abundant than the other two enzymes. Western blot analysis demonstrated the
      cross-reactivity of PEPCases from all three Flaveria species with antibody raised
      against maize PEPCase. The results provide evidence, at the molecular level, that
      supports the view of C3-C4 intermediate species as C3-like plants with some C4
      like photosynthetic characteristics, but there are differences from the C3 plant
      in the quantity and properties of the PEPCase from the C3-C4 intermediate plant. 

PMID- 24241855
TI  - The pyridine-nucleotide cycle in tobacco : Enzyme activities for the recycling of
      NAD.
AB  - In order to elucidate the NAD-recycling pathway the following enzyme activities
      have been characterized in different tobacco tissues and in tomato root: NAD
      pyrophosphatase, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)/nicotinic acid mononucleotide
      (NaMN) glycohydrolases, nicotinamidase and nicotinic acid
      phosphoribosyltransferase. The investigations were performed with protein
      extracts purified by gel filtration and enzymatic activities were determined by
      high-performance liquid chromatography methods. The kinetic parameters of the
      different enzymes from tobacco root and their specificity are reported. The data
      are in favor of the so-called pyridine-nucleotide cycle VI (NAD->NMN
      >nicotinamide->nicotinic acid->NaMN->nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide->NAD).
      In the nicotine-producing tobacco root a further direct route leading from NaMN
      to nicotinic acid is proposed. These data are reconciled with the assumption that
      it is nicotinic acid which is provided by the pyridine-nucleotide cycle for the
      synthesis of nicotine. 

PMID- 24241856
TI  - Thylakoid-protein phosphorylation during the life cycle of Scenedesmus obliquus
      in synchronous culture.
AB  - The phosphorylation of thylakoid proteins, which comprise apoproteins of the
      light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex (LHCP), was investigated in vivo
      and in vitro during the development of Scenedesmus obliquus in synchronous
      cultures. The in-vitro and in-vivo protein phosphorylation exhibited a maximum
      activity in cells with maximum photosynthetic capacity (8th hour) and miximum
      activity in cells with minimum photosynthetic capacity (16th hour). The major
      phosphorylated polypeptides in vivo were the 24/25-kDa and 28-30-kDa apoprotein
      of the LHCP, a protein of about 32 kDa, and some smaller polypeptides within the
      range 10 to 20 kDa. In vitro, the main phosphoproteins were the 28-30-kDa
      apoprotein and the protein characterized by an apparent molecular weight of 32
      kDa. Pulse-chase experiments in vivo established that the latter had the fastest
      radioactivity turnover of the thylakoidal phosphoproteins. 

PMID- 24241857
TI  - The subcellular location and characteristics of pyrophosphate-fructose-6
      phosphate 1-phosphotransferase from suspension-cultured cells of soybean.
AB  - The cytoplasm was identified as the probable location of pyrophosphate-fructose-6
      phosphate 1-phosphotransferase (EC 2.7.1.90) in suspension-cultured cells of
      soybean (Glycine max L.). The characteristics of the partially purified enzyme
      were investigated. The activity was strongly dependent on the presence of
      fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and this activator exerted its effects through a
      dramatic increase in the affinity of the enzyme for its substrates, fructose 6
      phosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate. Saturation curves for all substrates were
      hyperbolic. The apparent molecular weight of the partially purified enzyme was
      183000 by gel filtration chromatography and 128000 by sucrose-density-gradient
      centrifugation. The activation by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate was not accompanied
      by any measurable change in molecular weight. The possible role of this enzyme in
      the metabolism of non-photosynthetic sink tissues is discussed. 

PMID- 24241858
TI  - Hydrogen-peroxide-scavenging systems within pea chloroplasts : A quantitative
      study.
AB  - The subcellular distribution of ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase
      (EC 1.6.4.2) in pea leaves was compared with that of organelle markers. Enzyme
      distribution was found to be similar to that of the chloroplast enzyme NADPH
      glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.13). Isolated chloroplasts
      showed a close correlation between intactness and the percentage of enzyme
      activity recovered. Chloroplasts of 85% intactness were found to contain a high
      proportion of leaf dehydroascorbate reductase activity (EC 1.8.5.1), 10% of leaf
      glutathione and 30% of leaf ascorbate. These results are discussed in relation to
      the potential role of chloroplast antioxidant systems in plant resistance to
      environmental and other stress conditions. 

PMID- 24241859
TI  - The effect of monensin on intracellular transport and secretion of alpha-amylase
      isoenzymes in barley aleurone.
AB  - The effect of monensin on the secretion of alpha-amylase and other enzymes from
      the aleurone layer of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya) was studied by
      electrophoresis followed by fluorography and by pulse-chase and organelle
      isolation experiments. Monensin markedly inhibits the secretion, but not the
      synthesis, of alpha-amylase, acid phosphatase, and at least four other proteins
      from the aleurone layer. Monensin treatment causes alpha-amylase to accumulate
      within the protoplast, but its effect on the different alpha-amylase isoenzymes
      is not equal. The accumulation of isoenzyme 2 is not influenced by monensin while
      isoenzymes 1, 3 and 4 are not secreted but rather accumulate in the cell when
      monensin is included in the incubation medium. The alpha-amylase and acid
      phosphatase activities which accumulate within the aleurone cells following
      treatment with monensin are localized in an organelle having a buoyant density
      greater than that of endoplasmic reticulum and less than that of mitochondria. In
      pulse-chase experiments with [(35)S]methionine, labelled proteins accumulate in
      this organelle in the presence of monensin and do not appear in the incubation
      medium. We conclude that monensin inhibits the secretion of proteins from the
      barley aleurone layer by influencing their intracellular transport. 

PMID- 24241860
TI  - An evaluation of light and CO2 limitation of leaf photosynthesis by CO2 gas
      exchange analysis.
AB  - Numerical values which define the relative limitation of photosynthesis by light
      and CO2 were computed from the slopes of light-and CO2-response curves of
      photosynthesis. This method offers an easy approach for the characterization of
      photosynthesis of leaves. 

PMID- 24241862
TI  - Sambucus nigra agglutinin is located in protein bodies in the phloem parenchyma
      of the bark.
AB  - The bark of some young woody stems contains storage proteins which are subject to
      an annual rhythm: they accumulate in the autumn and are mobilized in the spring.
      We show here that the bark phoem-parenchyma cells of Sambucus nigra L. contain
      numerous protein bodies, and that the bark lectin (S. nigra agglutinin) which
      undergoes an annual rhythm is localized in these protein bodies. The protein
      bodies in the cotyledons of legume seeds also contain lectin, indicating that
      lectins may be storage compounds themselves or may have a function in storage and
      or mobilization processes. 

PMID- 24241861
TI  - Copy numbers of chloroplast and nuclear genomes are proportional in mature
      mesophyll cells of Triticum and Aegilops species.
AB  - The possibility of estimating the proportion of chloroplast DNA (ctDNA) and
      nuclear DNA (nDNA) in nucleic-acid extracts by selective digestion with the
      methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme PstI, was tested using leaf extracts
      from Spinacia oleracea and Triticum aestivum. Values of ctDNA as percentage nDNA
      were estimated to be 14.58%+/-0.56 (SE) in S. oleracea leaves and 4.97%+/-0.36
      (SE) in T. aestivum leaves. These estimates agree well with those already
      reported for the same type of leaf material. Selective digestion and quantitative
      dot-blot hybridisation were used to determine ctDNA as percentage nDNA in
      expanded leaf tissue from species of Triticum and Aegilops representing three
      levels of nuclear ploidy and six types of cytoplasm. No significant differences
      in leaf ctDNA content were detected: in the diploids the leaf ctDNA percentage
      ranged between 3.8% and 5.1%, and in the polyploids between 3.5% and 4.9%.
      Consequently, nuclear ploidy and nDNA amount were proportional to ctDNA amount
      (r(19)=0.935, P>0.01) and hence to ctDNA copy number in the mature mesophyll
      cells of these species. There was a slight increase in ctDNA copy numbers per
      chloroplast at higher ploidy levels. The balance between numbers of nuclear and
      chloroplast genomes is discussed in relation to polyploidisation and to the
      nuclear control of ctDNA replication. 

PMID- 24241863
TI  - Glycerolipid synthesis by homogenate and oil bodies from developing mustard
      (Sinapis alba L.) seed.
AB  - [1-(14)C]Oleic acid and [14-(14)C]erucic acid were converted to their acyl-CoA
      derivatives and incorporated into acyl lipids by a homogenate from developing
      mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seed and oil bodies, as well as supernatant isolated by
      centrifugation at 20000 g. In both homogenate and oil bodies, the oleoyl moieties
      from exogenous [1-(14)C]oleoyl-CoA were most extensively incorporated into
      phosphatidic acids, but very little into phosphatidylcholines. The pattern of
      labelling of acyl lipids by oleoyl versus erucoyl moieties from either of the
      corresponding fatty acids, added individually or as a mixed substrate, indicates
      that oleoyl-CoA directly acylates sn-glycerol-3-phosphate to yield
      lysophosphatidic acids and phosphatidic acids that are subsequently converted to
      mono- and diacylglycerols. In contrast, erucoyl-CoA predominantly acylates
      preformed mono-and diacylglycerols containing oleoyl moieties to yield
      triacylglycerols containing erucoyl moieties. 

PMID- 24241864
TI  - Mass-spectrometric evidence for the double-carboxylation pathway of malate
      synthesis by Crassulacean acid metabolism plants in light.
AB  - Phyllodia of the Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant Kalanchoe tubiflora
      were allowed to fix (13)CO2 in light and darkness during phase IV of the diurnal
      CAM cycle, and during prolongation of the regular light period. After (13)CO2
      fixation in darkness, only singly labelled [(13)C]malate molecules were found.
      Fixation of (13)CO2 under illumination, however, produced singly labelled malate
      as well as malate molecules which carried label in two, three or four carbon
      atoms. When the irradiance during (13)CO2 fixation was increased, the proportion
      of singly labelled malate decreased in favour of plurally labelled malate. The
      irradiance, however, did not change either the ratio of labelled to unlabelled
      malate molecules found in the tissue after the (13)CO2 application, or the
      magnitude of malate accumulation during the treatment with label. The ability of
      the tissue to store malate and the labelling pattern changed throughout the
      duration of the prolonged light period. The results indicate that malate
      synthesis by CAM plants in light can proceed via a pathway containing two
      carboxylation steps, namely ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate-carboxylase/oxygenase (EC
      4.1.1.39) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) which operate in
      series and share common intermediates. It can be concluded that, in light,
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase can also synthesize malate independently of the
      proceeding carboxylation step by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.

PMID- 24241865
TI  - Enzyme activities in an artificial stroma medium : An experimental model for
      studying effects of dehydration on photosynthesis.
AB  - When spinach leaf tissue was subjected to evaporative dehydration, photosynthetic
      capacity at very high (5%) CO2 concentration and saturating irradiance (300 W.m(
      2)), decreased in parallel to the relative water content (RWC). A 50% inhibition
      was observed at 60-40% RWC. In order to examine whether the inhibition was caused
      by increased solute concentrations in chloroplasts or cytoplasm, an artificial
      stroma medium (ASM) was set up containing all major osmotically relevant solutes
      measured in isolated intact spinach chloroplasts. Subsequently, the response of
      enzyme activities to normal and to increased concentrations of ASM was examined.
      Inhibition of enzymes by a concerted increase of all solutes was well correlated
      to the in-vivo response of photosynthesis to dehydration (60% inhibition at
      double-strength ASM). Inhibitory solutes were mainly divalent inorganic anions,
      such as sulfate and phosphate. Inhibition of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase by these ions as studied in more detail. Inhibition of the enzyme by
      sulfate and phosphate was competitive with respect to ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate,
      but not with respect to CO2. The KI for sulfate was 2.1 mmol.l(-1) and for
      phosphate 0.57 mmol.l(-1). Sugars and amino acids at the concentrations found in
      spinach chloroplasts did not prevent inhibition of enzymes by anions. The results
      indicate that increased anion concentrations in cells and organelles are
      responsible for primary, quickly reversible effects of moderate dehydration on
      plant tissues. 

PMID- 24241866
TI  - Occurrence of diamine oxidase in the apoplast of pea epicotyls.
AB  - Most of the diamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) present in pea (Pisum sativum L. cv.
      Rondo) epicotyls is found in the fluid obtained by centrifuging pea epicotyl
      sections previously infiltrated under vacuum with a buffer solution. No
      detectable amount of the cytoplasmic enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is
      present in this fluid, showing that there is very little contamination by cell
      contents. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and specific-activity data indicate
      that diamine oxidase is the most plentiful protein in the extracellular solution
      obtained from pea epicotyl sections and that an active process is involved in the
      selective transfer of the enzyme outside the cell. The possible involvement of
      diamine oxidase in the supply of H2O2 to peroxidase-catalyzed reactions occurring
      inside the cell wall is discussed. 

PMID- 24241867
TI  - Intranuclear microinjection for transformation of tomato callus cells.
AB  - An efficient method, called the culture plate method, was devised for
      microinjection of foreign materials into nuclei of tomato callus cells. The
      culture plate method, used in this study, is advantageous because cells suitable
      for microinjection can be selected microscopically and the injected cells
      subsequently cultured in the same plate. With this microinjection system, some
      foreign materials were injected into nuclei of callus cells without causing
      detrimental effects. Kanamycin-resistant callus clones were obtained 1 month
      after injection from single cells whose nuclei were microinjected with a NPT II
      DNA fragment of the pE2KX plasmid. 

PMID- 24241868
TI  - Regeneration of amphidiploid plants from tissue cultures of Allium wakegi.
AB  - Callus was induced from the bulb of Allium wakegi Araki on MS semisolid medium
      supplemented with several growth regulating substances. The calli were
      subcultured every 40 days. At the time of every subculture the callus was
      subdivided to be used for chromosome studies, plant regeneration, or continuous
      callus multiplication. The chromosome constitution of cells in callus and
      regenerated plants varied over the culture period, and at the 3rd subculture
      amphidiploid plants were obtained. They appeared even more frequently than
      amphihaploid plants in the 4th subculture. Hypoamphihaploid regenerants appeared
      as stumpy shoots but none of these shoots proceeded further to form a normal
      plant. By Giemsa C-banded karyotype, the chromosome constitution of amphidiploid
      plants was found to result from exact doubling of the chromosome sets of
      amphihaploid common species. Amphidiploid plants show better viability and growth
      than common plants. The possibility and the expectation of new crop plants to be
      developed from amphidiploid plants will be discussed. 

PMID- 24241869
TI  - Regeneration by somatic embryogenesis of triploid plants from endosperm of
      walnut, Juglans regia L. cv Manregian.
AB  - Plants were regenerated by somatic embryogenesis from endosperm tissue of open
      pollinated seeds of Juglans regia L. cv Manregian. These plants were obtained by
      growing endosperm tissue on media similar to those used for plant regeneration
      from walnut cotyledons (Tulecke and McGranahan 1985). The plants appear
      morphologically uniform and have a triploid chromosome number of 3n=48. Nine
      plants have been grown to a young sapling stage in soil. This embryogenic line
      from endosperm has been maintained in culture for two years by the process of
      repetitive somatic embryogenesis. 

PMID- 24241870
TI  - Growth inhibition by exogenous proline and its metabolism in saltgrass
      (Distichlis spicata) suspension cultures.
AB  - The growth of Distichlis spicata suspension cultures in LS medium without NaCl
      was inhibited 54% by 2 mM proline. In medium containing 260 mM NaCl, 10 mM
      proline inhibited growth by only 22%. The uptake and metabolism of 10 mM L-[1
      (13)C] proline was followed by (13)C NMR and ninhydrin analyses of suspensions
      cultured in the presence of 0 or 260 mM NaCl. Uptake of 85 to 92% of the
      exogenous proline occurred within 72 h in all media. In 10 mM proline and no
      NaCl, cellular proline reached a maximm of 51.5 MUmoles/g FW compared to 1.9
      MUmoles/g FW in suspensions not grown on proline. In medium containing 260 mM
      NaCl and proline, cellular proline reached 59-65 MUmoles/g FW compared to 30-40
      MUmoles/g FW in controls grown without proline. The (13)C-label in the proline-C1
      was either retained in proline or disappeared, presumably released as carbon
      dioxide, by catabolism through the TCA cycle. Since no metabolite of (13)C
      proline was detected by NMR, proline was considered to be the molecule which
      inhibited the suspension culture growth. 

PMID- 24241871
TI  - Alkaloid production by transformed root cultures of Catharanthus roseus.
AB  - Transformed roots of Catharanthus roseus were obtained following infection of
      detached leaves with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Roots would not grow in full
      strength Gamborg's B5 medium but would grow satisfactorily if the medium was
      diluted to one half strength. Little alkaloid appeared in the growth medium but
      root tissue contained a high level and wide variety of alkaloids. Ajmalicine,
      serpentine, vindolinine and catharanthine were prominent components. Vinblastine
      could also be detected by a combination of HPLC and radioimmunoassay, though at a
      level of only 0.05MUg/g dry weight. 

PMID- 24241872
TI  - Anther culture of some perennial triticeae.
AB  - Three field grown Agropyron spp. (crested wheatgrasses) and two Thinopyrum spp.
      (intermediate and tall wheatgrasses) were evaluated for anther culture response.
      Hormonally modified potato extract and 85D12 media induced pollen embryogenesis.
      Modified Murashige and Skoog media were tested for their effects on callus
      proliferation and plantlet regeneration. Callus induction frequency and plantlet
      production were highest (25.0% and 45.8%, respectively) for Thinopyrum ponticum
      (2N=70) (tall wheatgrass). One-hundred and nine albino plantlets were produced
      from T. ponticum 'Jose' both by direct regeneration on 85D12 medium and through a
      callus phase from potato extract media. This is the first report of plantlet
      production from anther culture of a Triticeae perennial forage grass. Further
      experimentation with environmental and cultural conditions may result in the
      production of green plantlets. 

PMID- 24241873
TI  - Regeneration of plantlets from in vitro cultured cotyledons of white spruce
      (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss).
AB  - Adventitious shoot production from seedling cotyledons was investigated for white
      spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss]. The age of the seedling was found to be
      important for shoot induction response, the optimum seedling age being 7 to 8
      days old. Prior to that age, although response was seen, the multiplication rate
      was lower. After 7 to 8 days, the capacity to produce shoots declined
      considerably. The optimum cytokinin (BA) concentration for bud induction was 2
      MUM BA. The response to specific BA concentrations was independent of seedling
      age. The shoot regeneration presented here was highly reproducible and provided
      primary multiplication rates of approximately 100 to 150 shoots per seedling
      which had an average of 6 cotyledons. Approximately 30% of 40 regenerated shoots
      were induced to differentiate roots and all the rooted plantlets were
      successfully transplanted to soil. 

PMID- 24241874
TI  - Regeneration from long-term cell suspension cultures of tepary bean (Phaseolus
      acutifolius).
AB  - Plant regeneration has been achieved from long-term cell suspension cultures
      established from leaf derived callus of tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius). The
      proportion of densely cytoplasmic cells in suspension culture increased when
      cultured in the L-6 medium with 54 MUM NAA and 2 MUM KN. Filtration of the cells
      at each of five consecutive subcultures resulted in the isolation of a plant
      regenerating cell line (TB 686), which is being maintained in L-6 medium with 4.5
      MUM 2,4-D and 2.3 MUM zeatin. Differentiated green cell aggregates were obtained
      when cells from maintenance medium were transferred to the same medium with 10
      MUM BA. Embryo-like structures developed from these aggregates on L-6 medium with
      2.3 MUM zeatin, 0.69 MUM GA3 and 1.5 MUM NAA. Plantlets regenerated from these
      structures when they were cultured on L-6 medium with 7.0 MUM NAA and 1.0 MUM KN.
      Plant regeneration from the cell line remained relatively constant for 270 days.
      Regenerated plants were grown to maturity in the greenhouse. 

PMID- 24241875
TI  - The effect of dipicolinic acid on maize tissue culture growth is not solely due
      to inhibition of lysine biosynthesis.
AB  - Dipicolinic acid, a known inhibitor of an enzyme (dihydrodipicolinic acid
      reductase) in the maize (Zea mays L.) lysine biosynthetic pathway, inhibits the
      growth of maize suspension and callus cultures. Inhibited cultures contain
      somewhat lower free lysine levels, but the inhibition of suspension culture
      growth was not reversible with simultaneous addition of L-lysine to the culture
      medium. It is concluded that dipicolinic acid does not act solely as an analog
      blocking lysine production. Dipicolinic acid thus appears to be unsuitable as a
      selection for maize tissue culture mutants with lysine overproduction. 

PMID- 24241876
TI  - The influence of increasing chlorine content on the accumulation and metabolism
      of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by Paul's Scarlet Rose cells.
AB  - Four radiolabled congeners of biphenyls with increasing chlorine content
      (biphenyl; 1-monochlorobiphenyl; 2,2',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl; and
      2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl) were provided to suspension cultures of rose
      (Rosa sp. cv. Paul's Scarlet) for 4 days. Both the kinetics of (14)C exchange
      between the cells and medium, and the metabolism of the parent compounds depended
      on the chlorine content of the congeners. Analysis of both the cells and their
      medium showed that of the recovered radioactivity 88%, 86%, and 3% of the
      biphenyl, 1-PCB, and 2,2',4,4'-PCB were metabolized respectively to polar and
      insoluble residue products. The 2,2',4,4',5,5'-PCB did not appear to be
      metabolized. 

PMID- 24241877
TI  - Co-electroporation of rice protoplasts with RNAs of cucumber mosaic and tobacco
      mosaic viruses.
AB  - Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) RNA was used to study electroporation conditions
      suitable for protoplasts from rice suspension cultures. Rice protoplasts required
      a stronger and shorter electric pulse than tobacco protoplasts for introduction
      of viral RNA. Under optimized conditions, CMV infection was established in 65 %
      of electroporated protoplasts. In contrast, electroporation with tobacco mosaic
      virus (TMV) RNA did not result in infection of rice protoplasts. However, when
      TMV RNA was electroporated into rice protoplasts together with CMV RNA, TMV
      production was demonstrated in 15 % of protoplasts. Differential staining with
      fluorescent antibodies against the two viruses showed that the protoplasts
      producing TMV were without exception also infected by CMV. The results show that
      CMV replicates in rice protoplasts by itself, whereas TMV does so only with the
      aid of CMV. 

PMID- 24241878
TI  - Callus formation and plantlet regeneration from protoplasts derived from
      suspension cultures of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from anther-derived suspension cultures of commercial
      wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chris). The protoplasts were released
      enzymatically and isolated by centrifugation on a sucrose cushion. The isolated
      protoplasts were initially cultured in a liquid medium in the dark. Numerous
      microcalli were produced under these conditions, some of which differentiated
      into globular embryos. Upon transfer to a solid medium and exposure to 16h/8h
      light/dark cycle, the protocalli proliferated and many of the somatic embryos
      matured. Complete plantlets were obtained and maintained in sterile culture. 

PMID- 24241879
TI  - Changes in the integrity of large unilamellar vesicles due to their interaction
      with tobacco cell suspensions.
AB  - Negatively charged large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) were incubated with tobacco
      (Nicotiana tabacum var. xanthi) cell suspensions and with the cell-free medium of
      the cell suspensions. The extent of cell-LUV interaction was determined by the
      leakage of the LUV contents. Cells enhanced the leakage of LUV contents and this
      effect increased with cell age. Addition of polylysine to the reaction mixture
      increased even further the leakage of the LUV contents. The cell-free medium of
      the cell suspension also affected the integrity of the LUV. Cell-free medium, by
      itself, promoted leakage of LUV contents and caused a reduction in the leakage
      exerted by polylysine. Centrifugation (8000g) of the cell-free medium decreased
      its effect, heat treatment (122 degrees C) did not alter its effect and
      sonication enhanced it. The effects of the cell-free medium are attributed to the
      presence of cell wall debris of disintegrated cells. 

PMID- 24241880
TI  - Sugarcane protoplasts: factors affecting division and plant regeneration.
AB  - Sugarcane cell suspensions were initiated from leaf callus and sub-cultured every
      7 to 10 days by alternate transfer to MS based medium with 3.0 and 1.0 mg 1(
      1)2,4-D. Suspensions older than 3 months gave the most reproducible yields of
      protoplasts. Isolated protoplasts required 50 mM Ca(2+) in the washing solution
      and 100 mM Ca(2+) in the culture medium to prevent lysis. At plating densities of
      2.0-3.0*10(5) ml(-1), 18% or more of the isolated protoplasts produced cell
      colonies when cultured in droplets or sectors of Kao and Michayluk (1975) based
      medium with 1.2% w/v Sea Plaque agarose. Cell colonies were of two morphological
      types. Those consisting of small, tightly packed cells developed into morphogenic
      callus. The latter produced an abundance of green meristems from which shoots and
      whole plants were regenerated. 

PMID- 24241881
TI  - Plant regeneration from protoplasts of soybean (Glycine max L.).
AB  - Protoplasts were isolated from immature cotyledons of six cultivars of Glycine
      max L. and cultured in the KP8 liquid medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/L 2,4-D, 1
      mg/L NAA and 0.5 mg/L ZT. The protoplasts started to divide after 3-5 days of
      culture. Sustained divisions resulted in mass production of cell colonies and
      small calli in 6 weeks. The calli further grew to 2-3 mm on the gelritesolidified
      K8 medium and were transferred onto the MSB medium with 1 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.25
      mg/L BA, to obtain compact and nodular calli. Shoot formation was initiated on
      MSB medium with 0.15 mg/L NAA, and BA, KT and ZT, 0.5 mg/L of each, with or
      without 500 mg/L CH. It was followed by plant regeneration. So far, 87 plants
      have been regenerated from 4 cultivars, and normal seeds were obtained from them
      after transplanting into pots. 

PMID- 24241882
TI  - Measurement of endogenous ABA levels in chilled somatic embryos of carrot by
      immunoassay.
AB  - Somatic embryos of carrot, Daucus carota L. 'Royal Chantenay', were chilled at 4
      degrees C for the last 3 days of development in order to harden torpedo stage
      embryos to increase embryo survival during desiccation. ABA levels in chilled and
      non-chilled embryos were measured using a polyclonal radioimmunoassay and a
      monoclonal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The monoclonal ELISA is the
      preferred technique due to superior sensitivity and specificity. ABA levels,
      measured by either technique, were similar in chilled and non-chilled embryos.
      The relative water content was lower in chilled embryos than in non-chilled
      embryos and chilling altered protein secretion of one cell line. 

PMID- 24241883
TI  - A new protocol for isolation of mitochondrial DNA from cotton seedlings.
AB  - A procedure to isolate mtDNA from cotton seedlings G. hirsutum and G. barbadense
      has been developed. The new protocol allows for the isolation of cotton mtDNA of
      high purity, yield and digestibility by restriction endonucleases. The success of
      the protocol is based on critical adjustments in the ionic strength of the
      homogenizing medium and washing buffer, the speed of grinding during
      homogenization, and the methods used for lysis of the mitochondria. 

PMID- 24241884
TI  - The relationship of nitrogen source and in vivo nitrate reductase actiity to root
      formation in Euphorbia esula cell suspension cultures.
AB  - Root formation and in vivo nitrate reductase (NR) activity were determined in
      leafy spurge cell suspensions. Cells grown in B5 media with 1 mg L(-1) 2,4-D were
      transferred to B5 media without 2,4-D, but containing either high (92:8) or low
      (15:85) ratios of nitrogen as NO 3 (-) -N:NH 4 (+) -N. In older cell lines root
      formation occurred only in the low NO 3 (-) medium with =<30 roots per flask. In
      younger cell lines root numbers were greatest in the high NO 3 (-) medium (1000
      to 3000 per flask). Cells grown in low NO 3 (-) medium were about one-third the
      final dry weight as those in high NO 3 (-) medium. Root length was consistently
      greater for cell lines of all ages in the low NO 3 (-) medium. Developmental
      profiles of NR activity were similar in cell lines of all ages, whether or not
      roots were formed. NR activity was lower, however, in cultures grown in low NO 3
      (-) medium compared to high NO 3 (-) medium. There was no consistent relationship
      between NR activity and root initiation. Therefore, nitrate reductase does not
      appear to be a primary target for regulation of leafy spurge growth by chemical
      application. 

PMID- 24241885
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24241886
TI  - Passive vapor monitoring of underground storage tanks for leak detection.
AB  - Passive vapor monitoring of underground storage tanks (USTs) containing volatile
      hydrocarbons at locations external to the tank (an external system) is touted as
      a fast and effective method of leak detection. However, major gaps remain in our
      knowledge of the physical processes that relate a measured vapor concentration to
      the leak rate, thus making network design according to a quantitative design
      criterion nearly impossible, and differentiation between surface spills and a
      leaking UST requires certain levels of sophistication in the leak detection
      system and in the analysis that are not usually available. Heavier-than-air
      vapors from the constituents of stored hydrocarbons could result in a density
      driven convective propagation component that complicates the design of leak
      detection systems, and finally, detection times are highly sensitive to
      concentration detection threshold levels set by the system. The use of inadequate
      systems and analyses can lead to either wasted efforts or excessive subsurface
      contamination. This paper discusses the physical processes involved, explores the
      above aspects of external passive vapor leak detection design, and suggests some
      alternatives as they pertain to gasoline service stations. 

PMID- 24241887
TI  - Fractionation of butyltin species during sample extraction and preparation for
      analysis.
AB  - Solvent extraction and evaporative concentration steps are often used in
      procedures for the measurement of butyltins in environmental samples. As part of
      a larger study utilizing radiolabeled butyltins, the loss and fractionation of
      butyltins during sample preparation was investigated. TBT, DBT, and MBT were
      extracted from acidified seawater by hexane with efficiencies of about 95-99, 50
      60 and 11% respectively. In addition, losses of about 70% of DBT were found
      during evaporative concentration of hexane. A variety of sediment extraction
      procedures were tested and none were found to be highly efficient for total
      butyltin extraction. 

PMID- 24241888
TI  - Assessment of airborne fungal spores in different industrial working environments
      and their importance as health hazards to workers.
AB  - A survey to assess the occurrence of airborne fungal spores in three different
      industries, dairies, carpentries and greenhouses, was carried out. The results
      revealed considerable fungal pollution in the environments of the industries
      sampled. Noteworthy was the occurrence of fungal genera frequently implicated in
      allergic and non-allergic diseases, or well known for the production of
      mycotoxins in foods or characterized by a marked degradative activity on
      different substrata. Penicillium, Candida, Mucor and Geotrichum were the most
      common genera identified in the dairies; Penicillium, Cladosporium, yeasts,
      Trichoderma and Rhizopus occurred more frequently in the carpentries;
      Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium and Stemphilium were prevailing in the
      greenhouse.The results of our survey support the idea that, due to their high
      incidence and variety, fungal spores may represent a potential health hazard in
      working environments, where their concentration can be affected by many
      operations and handling. 

PMID- 24241889
TI  - Monitoring air, soil, stream and fish for aerial drift of permethrin.
AB  - Permethrin drift from two aerial applications at each of two sites in a potato
      growing area in Ontario were measured to a maximum distance of 61 m outside the
      treatment area. Droplet drift did not enter the adjacent surface water streams at
      either study site, since there was little or no wind on the four occasions. The
      concentration of the insecticide in soil as a result of drifting off site was
      significantly lower than the amount deposited on the treatment area. The spray
      drifting off-target was generally made up of droplets <100 MUm. Permethrin
      residues were detected in the water and sediment samples collected after
      treatment along the Bailey Creek and Beeton Creek; however, these levels did not
      cause lethal or sublethal effects to aquatic invertebrates and fish species.
      Based on the conditions and results of this study, it is concluded that a buffer
      zone of 65 m around sensitive and productive bodies of water would be effective
      and practical. 

PMID- 24241890
TI  - Method for evaluating non-economic effects of air pollution.
AB  - The basic premise underlying the approach presented in the paper is the
      assumption that humans are unique beings that can evaluate. The environment is
      described as a system of resources satisfying human needs. The assessment of the
      effects of environmental pollution derives from the fact that there is, or will
      be, non-satisfaction of needs resulting from a reduction in environmental
      resources. 

PMID- 24241891
TI  - A survey of benthic invertebrates in the Suwannee River, Florida.
AB  - Benthic invertebrate communities were surveyed in a 233 km reach of the middle
      and lower Suwannee River in Northwestern Florida in the winter 1987 and early
      summer 1988 to determine their abundance and distribution as potential foods of
      the Gulf sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi, and to determine the effects of
      possible natural and human-induced disturbances to the communities. In substrates
      of the tidal oligohaline to mesohaline lower reach of the East Pass site I (km 2)
      and site II West Pass (km 5) near the Gulf of Mexico, densities of tube dwelling
      and free swimming amphipods, polychaetes, oligochaetes, and dipterans in the
      PONAR grabs were moderate (100-999 {iex} individuals/m(2)) to abundant (1000-9999
      {iex} individuals m(-2)). Also, at sites I and II, low (10-99 {iex} individuals
      m(-2)) to moderate densities of dipteran Chironomidae and olive nerite snail were
      collected in hardboard multiplate artificial substrate samplers. Diversities of
      benthic invertebrates in both grabs and hardboard multiplates were relatively
      low. Baetid mayflies were moderately abundant in the dip net samples. Upriver
      from sites I and II, the transition of an oligohaline tolerant benthic community
      to a freshwater one was abrupt due to strong freshwater flow. At sites III (km
      48) and IV (km 89), benthic invertebrate populations were low to moderate in
      hardboard multiplate and dip net samples. In the middle reach (km 101 to km 233),
      aquatic insects were predominant and included; chironomids, mayflies, and
      beetles, and also, freshwater gammarid amphipods, gastropods, and the Asian clam.
      In winter, the bottom substrates at sites VII (km 153) and VIII (km 205)
      contained diverse and dense populations of Chironomidae (5932 m(-2)), the
      greatest density for a major taxonomic group recorded in this survey. Crayfish
      were collected in low densities only in artificial substrate samplers from sites
      IV to IX. Leeches were widespread in the study area. Empirical Biotic Index
      values that reflect impacts of organic wastes on benthic invertebrate communities
      were within a narrow range, 3.16 to 6.38, and indicated 'slightly enriched' to
      'enriched' water. Of the total 186 benthic invertebrate taxa, 82% had quality
      values 0 to 5 that indicate overall 'clean water' conditions. The predominant
      benthic invertebrates in the Suwannee River were detritivorous and the
      communities reflected oligotrophic to mesotrophic waters. 

PMID- 24241892
TI  - Contaminant exposure of willets feeding in agricultural drainages of the Lower
      Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.
AB  - Willets (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) were collected in June and August 1986 at
      the outlets of two agricultural drainages into the Lower Laguna Madre of South
      Texas and at two other Texas coastal sites. Mean liver concentration of arsenic
      was higher in August than June. Over 20% of the livers had arsenic concentrations
      elevated above a suggested background level of 5.0 ppm dry weight (DW), but
      concentrations (maximum 15 ppm) were below those associated with acute toxicity.
      Selenium concentration in livers varied from 2.3 to 8.3 ppm DW for all locations
      and represented background levels. Mercury concentrations in livers for all
      locations (means = 2.0 to 3.4, maximum 17 ppm DW) were below those associated
      with avian mortality and similar to levels found in other estuarine/marine birds.
      DDE in carcasses was higher in adults (mean = 1.0 ppm wet weight) than juveniles
      (0.2 ppm), and higher in August (1.0 ppm) than June (0.5 ppm); however, DDE
      concentrations were generally at background levels. Based on brain cholinesterase
      activity, willets were not recently exposed to organophosphate pesticides. 

PMID- 24241893
TI  - Fluorescence-based Broad Dynamic Range Viscosity Probes.
AB  - We introduce two new fluorescent viscosity probes, SYBR Green (SG) and PicoGreen
      (PG), that we have studied over a broad range of viscosity and in collagen
      solutions. In water, both dyes have low quantum yields and excited state
      lifetimes, while in viscous solvents or in complex with DNA both parameters
      dramatically (300-1000-fold) increase. We show that in log-log scale the
      dependence of the dyes' quantum yield vs. viscosity is linear, the slope of which
      is sensitive to temperature. Application of SG and PG, as a fluorescence-based
      broad dynamic range viscosity probes, to the life sciences is discussed. 

PMID- 24241894
TI  - Upper extremity transplantation: current concepts and challenges in an emerging
      field.
AB  - Loss of an isolated upper limb is an emotionally and physically devastating event
      that results in significant impairment. Patients who lose both upper extremities
      experience profound disability that affects nearly every aspect of their lives.
      While prosthetics and surgery can eventually provide the single limb amputee with
      a suitable assisting hand, limited utility, minimal haptic feedback, weight, and
      discomfort are persistent problems with these techniques that contribute to high
      rates of prosthetic rejection. Moreover, despite ongoing advances in prosthetic
      technology, bilateral amputees continue to experience high levels of dependency,
      disability, and distress. Hand and upper extremity transplantation holds several
      advantages over prosthetic rehabilitation. The missing limb is replaced with one
      of similar skin color and size. Sensibility, voluntary motor control, and
      proprioception are restored to a greater degree, and afford better dexterity and
      function than prosthetics. The main shortcomings of transplantation include the
      hazards of immunosuppression, the complications of rejection and its treatment,
      and high cost. Hand and upper limb transplantation represents the most commonly
      performed surgery in the growing field of Vascularized Composite
      Allotransplantation (VCA). As upper limb transplantation and VCA have become more
      widespread, several important challenges and controversies have emerged. These
      include: refining indications for transplantation, optimizing immunosuppression,
      establishing reliable criteria for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating
      rejection, and standardizing outcome measures. This article will summarize the
      historical background of hand transplantation and review the current literature
      and concepts surrounding it. 

PMID- 24241895
TI  - Blood pressure-lowering effect of carotid artery stenting in patients with
      symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, long-term
      effects of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on blood pressure (BP) changes have not
      been documented well. We evaluated the effects of CAS on BP and found out its
      predisposing factors in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.
      METHODS: Between January 2003 and June 2012, a total of 107 patients were
      recruited, and all subjects met the following inclusion criteria: (1) patients
      underwent CAS with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis > 50%; (2) patients had
      clinical and radiographic data for at least 1 year of follow-up after CAS; and
      (3) patients had BP measurements at four different time points: pretreatment,
      post-treatment, 1-month follow-up, and 1-year follow-up. We evaluated the
      significance of the BP changes between the pretreatment BP and follow-up BPs, and
      determined its predisposing factors. RESULTS: Compared to the mean
      systolic/diastolic BP value (141.0/87.4 mmHg) at the pretreatment BP, the follow
      up BPs were significantly decreased after CAS (120.5/74.5, 126.2/76.9, and
      129.2/79.0 mmHg at the post-treatment, the 1-month follow-up, and the 1-year
      follow-up, respectively [p < 0.01]). The location of the stenosis (odds ratio =
      1.856, 95% confidence interval, 1.388 to 5.589; p = 0.003) and hypertension (odds
      ratio = 1.627, 95% confidence interval, 1.101 to 3.757; p = 0.014) were
      independent predisposing factors for BP-lowering effects of CAS on multivariate
      analysis. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, CAS
      might have a BP-lowering effect at the 1-year follow-up, especially in patients
      with hypertension or the stenosis at body lesions.

PMID- 24241896
TI  - Preparation and diagnostic use of a novel recombinant single-chain antibody
      against rabies virus glycoprotein.
AB  - Rabies virus (RABV) causes a fatal infectious disease, but effective protection
      may be achieved with the use of rabies immunoglobulin and a rabies vaccine. Virus
      neutralizing antibodies (VNA), which play an important role in the prevention of
      rabies, are commonly evaluated by the RABV neutralizing test. For determining
      serum VNA levels or virus titers during the RABV vaccine manufacturing process,
      reliability of the assay method is highly important and mainly dependent on the
      diagnostic antibody. Most diagnostic antibodies are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)
      made from hybridoma cell lines and are costly and time consuming to prepare.
      Thus, production of a cost-effective mAb for determining rabies VNA levels or
      RABV titers is needed. In this report, we describe the prokaryotic production of
      a RABV-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) protein with a His-tag
      (scFv98H) from a previously constructed plasmid in a bioreactor, including the
      purification and refolding process as well as the functional testing of the
      protein. The antigen-specific binding characteristics, affinity, and relative
      affinity of the purified protein were tested. The scFv98H antibody was compared
      with a commercial RABV nucleoprotein mAb for assaying the VNA level of anti
      rabies serum samples from different sources or testing the growth kinetics of
      RABV strains for vaccine manufactured in China. The results indicated that
      scFv98H may be used as a novel diagnostic tool to assay VNA levels or virus
      titers and may be used as an alternative for the diagnostic antibody presently
      employed for these purposes. 

PMID- 24241897
TI  - Genetic engineering of the complete carotenoid pathway towards enhanced
      astaxanthin formation in Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous starting from a high-yield
      mutant.
AB  - The yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous is one of the rare organisms which can
      synthesize the commercially interesting carotenoid astaxanthin. However,
      astaxanthin yield in wild-type and also in classical mutants is still too low for
      an attractive bioprocess. Therefore, we combined classical mutagenesis with
      genetic engineering of the complete pathway covering improved precursor supply
      for carotenogenesis, enhanced metabolite flow into the pathway, and efficient
      conversion of intermediates into the desired end product astaxanthin. We also
      constructed new transformation plasmids for the stepwise expression of the genes
      of 3-hydroxymethyl-3-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate
      synthase, phytoene synthase/lycopene cyclase, and astaxanthin synthase. Starting
      from two mutants with a 15-fold higher astaxanthin, we obtained transformants
      with an additional 6-fold increase in the final step of pathway engineering.
      Thus, a maximum astaxanthin content of almost 9 mg per g dry weight was reached
      in shaking cultures. Under optimized fermenter conditions, astaxanthin production
      with these engineered transformants should be comparable to Haematococcus
      pluvialis, the leading commercial producer of natural astaxanthin.

PMID- 24241898
TI  - Part I-mechanism of adaptation: high nitric oxide adapted A549 cells show
      enhanced DNA damage response and activation of antiapoptotic pathways.
AB  - Our previous studies demonstrate that A549, a human lung adenocarcinoma line,
      could be adapted to the free radical nitric oxide (NO([Symbol: see text])).
      NO([Symbol: see text]) has been shown to be overexpressed in human tumors. The
      original cell line, A549 (parent), and the newly adapted A549-HNO (which has a
      more aggressive phenotype) serves as a useful model system to study the role of
      NO([Symbol: see text]) in tumor biology. It is well known that DNA damage
      response (DDR) is altered in cancer cells and NO([Symbol: see text]) is known to
      cause DNA damage. Modulations in molecular mechanisms involved in DNA damage
      response in A549-HNO cells can provide better insights into the enhanced growth
      behavior of these cells. Thus, here, we carried out a series of time course
      experiments by treating A549 and A549-HNO cells with NO([Symbol: see text]) donor
      and examining levels of proteins involved in the DDR pathway. We observed induced
      expression of key components of DDR pathway in A549-HNO cells. The HNO cells
      showed sustained expression of key proteins involved in both nonhomologous end
      joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination pathways, whereas parent cells only
      expressed low levels of NHEJ pathway proteins. Further with prolonged NO([Symbol:
      see text]) exposure, ATR, Chk1, and p53 were activated and upregulated in HNO
      cells. Activation of p53 results in inhibition of apoptosis through induced Mcl1
      expression. It also leads to cell cycle modulation. Interestingly, several
      reports show that cancer stem cells have enhanced expression of proteins involved
      in DNA damage response and also activated an antiapoptotic response. Our results
      here suggest that our HNO adapted A549 cells have increased activation of DNA
      damage response pathway proteins which can lead to better DNA repair function.
      Enhanced DDR leads to activation of antiapoptosis response and modulation in the
      cell cycle which may lead to better survival of these cells under harsh
      conditions. Thus, our present investigation further supports the hypothesis that
      HNO exposure leads to survival of these cells. 

PMID- 24241899
TI  - High expressions of galectin-1 and VEGF are associated with poor prognosis in
      gastric cancer patients.
AB  - High expressions of galectin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are
      correlated with biological behavior in some cancers. The aim of this study is to
      evaluate the expressions of galectin-1 and VEGF in gastric cancer and investigate
      their relationships with clinicopathological factors and prognostic significance.
      Immunohistochemical analyses for galectin-1 and VEGF expression were performed on
      108 cases of gastric cancer. The relationship between the expression and staining
      intensity of galectin-1 and VEGF, clinicopathological variables, and survival
      rates was analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that 68 of 108
      gastric cancer samples (63.0%) were positive for galectin-1 and 62 out of 108
      gastric cancer samples (57.4%) were positive for VEGF. Galectin-1 expression was
      associated with tumor size, differentiation grade, TNM stage, lymph node
      metastases, and VEGF expression. VEGF expression was related to tumor size, TNM
      stage, and lymph node metastases. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high
      galectin-1 and VEGF expressions exhibited significant correlations with poor
      prognosis for gastric cancer patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that
      galectin-1 and VEGF expressions were independent prognostic parameters for the
      overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients. The results of the present
      study suggest that galectin-1 expression is positively associated with VEGF
      expression. Both galectin-1 and VEGF can serve as independent prognostic
      indicators of poor survival for gastric cancer.

PMID- 24241901
TI  - Erroneous perceptions and arousal among regular and occasional video poker
      players.
AB  - This study investigated the relationship between the level of arousal (Heart
      Rate) and the number of erroneous perceptions among video poker players. Twelve
      regular and twelve occasional gamblers participated in a gambling session
      conducted in a natural environment. It was hypothesised that 1) a significant
      positive correlation would be observed between arousal and the number of
      erroneous verbalizations, 2) regular players would show a higher level of arousal
      than occasional players, and 3) they would emit more erroneous verbalizations.
      Results showed that hypotheses one and three were confirmed. Theoretical and
      practical implications of these results for the psychology of gambling are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24241900
TI  - An antiproliferative gene FLNA regulates migration and invasion of gastric
      carcinoma cell in vitro and its clinical significance.
AB  - This study aimed to analyze the expression and clinical significance of filamin A
      (FLNA) in gastric carcinoma and the biological effect in its cell line by FLNA
      overexpression. Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to analyze FLNA
      protein expression in 47 cases of gastric cancer and 47 cases of normal tissues
      to study the relationship between FLNA expression and clinical factors. FLNA
      lentiviral vector and empty vector were respectively transfected into gastric
      cancer SGC-7901 cell line. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT
      PCR) and western blot were used to detect the mRNA level and protein of FLNA. 3
      [4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and
      migration and invasion assays were also conducted to determine the influence of
      the upregulated expression of FLNA that might be found on SGC-7901 cell
      biological effect. Immunohistochemistry: The level of FLNA protein expression was
      found to be significantly lower in gastric cancer tissue than normal tissues (P <
      0.05). Western blot: The relative amount of FLNA protein in gastric cancer tissue
      was found to be significantly lower than in normal tissues (P < 0.05). The level
      of FLNA protein expression was not correlated with gender, age, and tumor
      invasion (P > 0.05), but it was correlated with lymph node metastasis, clinic
      stage, and histological grade (P < 0.05). Loss of FLNA expression correlated
      significantly with poor overall survival time by Kaplan-Meier analysis (P <
      0.05). The result of biological function showed that SGC-7901 cell transfected
      FLNA had a lower survival fraction, significant decrease in migration and
      invasion, and lower matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) protein expression compared
      with SGC-7901 cell untransfected FLNA (P < 0.05). FLNA expression decreased in
      gastric cancer and correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, clinic
      stage, histological grade, and poor overall survival, suggesting that FLNA may
      play important roles as a negative regulator to gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell by
      promoting degradation of MMP-9. 

PMID- 24241902
TI  - Irrational thinking among slot machine players.
AB  - According to the cognitive perspective on gambling, regular gamblers persist in
      trying to win money at gambling because they hold a set of false beliefs about
      the nature of gambling, the likelihood of winning, and their own expertise. In
      order to investigate this claim, twenty seven university students were recruited
      who played one of three types of games at least twice a week: slot machines,
      video draw poker, and video amusement games. Subjects played their preferred
      machines on site (clubs, hotels and amusement arcades) first for at least thirty
      minutes and then the other two games for a minimum of twenty minutes each. During
      play, each subject spoke aloud into a microphone describing what he or she was
      doing or thinking about in the game. It was hypothesised that slot machine
      players would verbalise more irrational thinking than video poker or video
      amusement players and that slot machines would elicit more irrational thinking
      than video poker or video amusement machines. Most importantly, it was
      hypothesised that slot machine players would exhibit relatively greater amounts
      of irrational thinking when playing their preferred game. The data supported all
      three hypotheses. Out of all of the statements made by slot machine players when
      playing slot machines, 38% were categorised irrational. Furthermore, 80% of the
      strategic statements made by slot machine players while playing slot machines
      were categorised as irrational. These results are consistent with earlier work
      which showed high levels of irrational thinking in artificial gambling games.
      Together, the results provide support for a cognitive view of the origins of
      gambling problems. 

PMID- 24241903
TI  - Measuring pathological gambling in children: The case of fruit machines in the
      U.K.
AB  - The alleged incidence of addiction to fruit machine gambling among children in
      the U.K. has highlighted the need for a measure to define and count pathological
      gambling in children. The DSM-IV criteria, which are being refined to diagnose
      pathological gambling in adults, was adapted for use with pre-adult gamblers. The
      resulting DSM-IV-J criteria were tested using a questionnaire survey on a sample
      of 467 schoolchildren aged between 11 and 16 years. Those children who were
      defined as "probable pathological" gamblers by the DSM-IV-J index were
      significantly more likely to be involved in behaviours hitherto associated with
      dependency, than were the control group. DSM-IV-J appears to be a major advance
      in the discrimination of pathological gambling in children. 

PMID- 24241904
TI  - Risk-taking/gambling-like behavior in preschool children.
AB  - The types and characteristics of risk-taking or gambling-like behaviors in
      children are not well understood. Social learning, as one potential etiological
      factor of risktaking behavior in preschool children, was empirically examined.
      Prior to playing a risk-taking game, children in the experimental group were
      exposed to a peer model who had ostensibly won a large prize, whereas control
      children were exposed to a peer model who had won nothing. Children in the
      experimental group initiated more risks to win the large prize in the high-risk
      situation than children in the control group. The results indicated that modeling
      can enhance risk-taking/gambling-like behavior in young children. Parallels to
      compulsive gambling in adults, and recommendations for future research were also
      discussed. 

PMID- 24241905
TI  - Clinical and behavioral evaluation of pathological gambling in Barcelona, Spain.
AB  - This paper assesses both the clinical characteristics and gambling behavior of 45
      pathological gamblers (40 male, 5 female, average age 41) in a psychiatric
      hospital in Barcelona, Spain. These pathological gamblers tend to have other
      addictions and psychiatric disorders in addition to their pathological gambling.
      Suicidal ideation and attempts were one of the most frequent complications with
      these patients. Slot and fruit machines were found to be the most preferred form
      of gambling. Loans and crime were frequently used by the gambler to finance his
      or her gambling. Nevertheless, the gambler is rarely aggessive, and legal
      problems resulting from serious crimes are the exception. The profile presentes
      is similar to that found among pathological gamblers in other countries. 

PMID- 24241906
TI  - Comments on "the epistemology of 'addictive disease'".

PMID- 24241907
TI  - Occupational extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure and selected cancer
      outcomes in a prospective Dutch cohort.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the association between exposure to occupational
      extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and the risk of a priori
      selected cancer outcomes within the prospective Netherlands Cohort Study.
      METHODS: 120,852 men and women aged 55-69 years at time of enrollment in 1986
      were followed up (17.3 years) for incident lung, breast and brain cancer, and
      hemato-lymphoproliferative malignancies. Information on occupational history and
      potential confounders such as sex, age, smoking, alcohol use, and attained
      educational level were collected at baseline through a self-administered
      questionnaire. Occupational ELF-MF exposure was assigned with a job-exposure
      matrix. Using a case-cohort approach, associations with cancer incidence were
      analyzed with Cox regression stratified by sex, using three exposure metrics: (1)
      ever had a job with low or high exposure to ELF-MF versus background, (2)
      duration of exposure, and (3) cumulative exposure. RESULTS: None of the exposure
      metrics showed an effect on incidence for lung, breast, and brain cancer, nor any
      of the assessed subtypes in men and women. Of the hemato-lymphoproliferative
      malignancies in men, ever high exposed to ELF-MF showed a significant association
      with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) [hazard ratio (HR) 2.15; 95 % confidence
      interval (CI) 1.06-4.35] and follicular lymphoma (FL) (HR 2.78; 95 % CI 1.00
      5.77). Cumulative exposure to ELF-MF showed a significant, positive association
      with FL but not AML among men. CONCLUSIONS: In this large prospective cohort
      study, we found some indications of an increased risk of AML and FL among men
      with occupational ELF-MF exposure. These findings warrant further investigation.

PMID- 24241908
TI  - A flexible semiparametric transformation model for recurrent event data.
AB  - In this article, we propose a class of semiparametric transformation models for
      recurrent event data, in which the baseline mean function is allowed to depend on
      covariates through an additive model, and some covariate effects are allowed to
      be time-varying. For inference on the model parameters, estimating equation
      approaches are developed, and the asymptotic properties of the resulting
      estimators are established. In addition, a lack-of-fit test is presented to
      assess the adequacy of the model. The finite sample behavior of the proposed
      estimators is evaluated through simulation studies, and an application to a
      bladder cancer study is illustrated. 

PMID- 24241910
TI  - Synthesis of Au-Fe3O4 heterostructured nanoparticles for in vivo computed
      tomography and magnetic resonance dual model imaging.
AB  - Water-soluble Au-Fe3O4 heterostructured nanoparticles with high biocompatibility
      were synthesized and applied as a dual modality contrast agent. These
      nanoparticles present strong CT/MRI contrast enhancement in a rabbit model. Low
      concentrations of Au-Fe3O4 were found to obtain a similar effect to high
      concentrations of a commercial iodine agent in the CT image. 

PMID- 24241911
TI  - A comparison of participation outcome measures and the International
      Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for traumatic
      brain injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the contents of participation outcome measures in traumatic
      brain injury with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
      Health (ICF) Core Sets for traumatic brain injury. METHOD: A systematic search
      with an independent review process selected relevant articles to identify outcome
      measures in participation in traumatic brain injury. Instruments used in two or
      more studies were linked to the ICF categories, which identified categories in
      participation for comparison with the ICF Core Sets for traumatic brain injury.
      RESULTS: Selected articles (n = 101) identified participation instruments used in
      two or more studies (n = 9): Community Integration Questionnaire, Craig Handicap
      Assessment and Reporting Technique, Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4
      Participation Index, Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale Version-2,
      Participation Assessment with Recombined Tool-Objective, Community Integration
      Measure, Participation Objective Participation Subjective, Community Integration
      Questionnaire-2, and Quality of Community Integration Questionnaire. Each
      instrument was linked to 4-35 unique second-level ICF categories, of which 39
      100% related to participation. Instruments addressed 86-100% and 50-100% of the
      participation categories in the Comprehensive and Brief ICF Core Sets for
      traumatic brain injury, respectively. CONCLUSION: Participation measures in
      traumatic brain injury were compared with the ICF Core Sets for traumatic brain
      injury. The ICF Core Sets for traumatic brain injury could contribute to the
      development and selection of participation measures.

PMID- 24241909
TI  - Urine biomarkers for monitoring juvenile lupus nephritis: a prospective
      longitudinal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE), renal
      involvement (lupus nephritis) is frequently seen and can result in long-term
      morbidity. This prospective longitudinal study aimed to identify the utility of
      standard and/or novel biomarkers for monitoring and predicting lupus nephritis in
      a real world setting. METHODS: Using an unselected JSLE cohort, urine samples
      were collected during routine clinical review. Protein concentrations of urinary
      monocyte chemo-attractant protein 1 (uMCP1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated
      lipocalin (uNGAL) were analysed along with standard disease activity markers, and
      were compared with current and subsequent disease activity. RESULTS: JSLE
      patients (n = 64; median age 14.1 years) were seen at 3 (interquartile range: 2
      5) clinical reviews over 364 (182-532) days. Multivariate analysis demonstrated
      uMCP1 and serum C3 as independent variables (p < 0.001) for active renal disease
      at the time of the current review. uMCP1 was an excellent predictor of improved
      renal disease over time (AUC: 0.81; p = 0.013). uNGAL was a good predictor of
      worsened renal disease activity (AUC 0.76; p = 0.04) over time. CONCLUSION:
      Biomarkers (uMCP1, serum C3) can indicate current renal involvement in JSLE,
      whilst uMCP1 and uNGAL are able to predict subsequent renal disease activity
      changes. Moving towards biomarker-led monitoring may improve the renal outcome
      for our patients.

PMID- 24241913
TI  - Alarm response by a plethodontid salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus):
      Conspecific and heterospecific "Schreckstoff".
AB  - The detection of chemical alarm cues plays an important role for predator
      avoidance in many taxonomic groups, but little is known about the presence of
      such chemical cues in adult or caudate amphibians. We investigated the response
      (i.e., aversion or nonaversion) to chemical cues from damaged salamander skin and
      mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) in the plethodontid salamander,Desmognathus
      ochrophaeus. Avoidance responses were demonstrated to skin extracts of both
      conspecific and heterospecific salamanders. However, salamanders (D. ochrophaeus)
      did not avoid heated conspecific skin, fresh conspecific viscera, fresh mealworm,
      or freshPlethodon richmondi skin extracts. These results indicate that chemical
      alarm cues are: (1) present in the skin ofDesmognathus salamanders, (2) not
      present in mealworm or the viscera ofDesmognathus salamanders, and (3) denatured
      or deactivated by heating. These results also suggest that an avoidance response
      to chemical cues from damaged conspecifics has adaptive value in predator
      avoidance in terrestrial as well as aquatic vertebrates. 

PMID- 24241912
TI  - Thrombin generation and atherosclerosis.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is a major cause of mortality worldwide. The important role
      inflammation plays in atherosclerosis is evident through the participation of
      inflammatory cells in the development and progression of the disease. Thrombin is
      the central protease of the coagulation cascade, involved in the formation of a
      hemostatic plug to avoid severe bleeding. In addition, thrombin is a key factor
      in regulating inflammatory processes, signaling through protease activated
      receptors. We propose that thrombin may be a relevant factor in the
      atherosclerosis coagulation-inflammation axis. Human histological data show
      abundant coagulation activity within atherosclerotic lesions with thrombin
      activity being related to atherosclerotic plaque development and (in)stability.
      Animal studies establish that the generated thrombin level relates to progression
      of atherosclerosis, with hypercoagulability producing advanced atherosclerosis in
      mice with an Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) background. Several studies
      show that administration of direct oral anticoagulants, like dabigatran and
      rivaroxaban, attenuate atherosclerosis development in ApoE(-/-) mice. In this
      review we explore several mechanisms by which thrombin may operate in modifying
      the chronic process of atherosclerosis. One of the key elements may be the
      conversion of thrombin, from a physiological regulator of hemostasis towards an
      inflammation-mediator under pathophysiological conditions, contributing to a
      switch in the thrombin-activated protein C (APC) regulation. The ongoing
      inflammatory activity, indicated by the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines,
      neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps, drive thrombin generation, while
      diminishing APC formation. The net result is accelerated pro-inflammatory and pro
      thrombotic changes in blood and in the vessel wall. We conclude that these
      atherogenic influences of thrombin may be clinically relevant in the long-term.
      Further the treatment with long-term anticoagulant therapy deserves further
      attention as to its potential, vascular side effects.

PMID- 24241914
TI  - Potential allelochemicals fromRuta graveolens L. and their action on radish
      seeds.
AB  - An aqueous extract ofRuta graveolens L. (250 g/liter) was tested for its
      allelopathic activity in vitro on radish germination and radicle growth in light
      and darkness. It caused a delay in the onset and a decrease in the rate of
      germination (40%) in the light. The photoinhibition of germination was
      accompanied by an inhibition of water uptake into the seed. Furthermore, the
      inhibition of radicle growth was slightly higher in the light than in darkness.
      Three potential allelochemicals, biologically active in the light, were isolated
      from the extract: 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), and 4
      hydroxy-coumarin at concentrations of 10(-4) M, 2*10(-4) M, and 0.4 *10(-5) M
      respectively. At a concentration of 2*10(-4) M, 5-MOP was the most potent
      inhibitor, decreasing radish germination to 32% and radicle growth to 17% with
      respect to control. Microscopic observations of radish seeds treated with 5-MOP
      suggest that this substance changes the swelling of the seed coat and aleurone
      layer, which precedes radicle protrusion. 

PMID- 24241915
TI  - Enhanced maize (Zea mays L.) pericarp browning: Associations with insect
      resistance and involvement of oxidizing enzymes.
AB  - The kernel pericarp of a maize (Zea mays L.) inbred, Mp313E, that browns rapidly
      at milk stage when damaged and that is resistant toAspergillus flavus Link and
      the dusky sap beetleCarpophilus lugubris Murray compared to a susceptible inbred,
      SC212M, was examined for differing oxidizing enzymes (peroxidases) and their
      substrate specificity. Additional pericarp enzymes were constitutively produced
      by the Mp313E inbred compared to the SC212M inbred, as indicated by gel
      electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. These enzymes oxidized relevent
      pericarp substrates such as ferulic acid. Similar results were seen with two
      varieties of maize containing theCh mutant gene, which brown upon senescence in
      that enhanced oxidation of ferulic acid was seen in homogenates of browned
      pericarp compared to that which was cold-shocked and did not brown. Corn powder
      that was browned by mixing oxidizing enzymes with corn pericarp components
      ferulic acid and coumaric acid were typically less preferred/more toxic to
      caterpillars such asHelicoverpa zea (Boddie) and sap beetles such asC. lugubris.
      Thus, enhanced browning of maize pericarp can promote resistance to insects and
      is at least partly influenced by the presence of oxidizing enzymes. This
      mechanism may also promote resistance to maize pathogens, including those that
      produce mycotoxins. 

PMID- 24241916
TI  - Attraction ofCarpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) to synthetic aggregation
      pheromones and host-related coattractants in Australian stone fruit orchards:
      Beetle phenology and pheromone dose studies.
AB  - Synthetic aggregation pheromones ofCarpophilus hemipterus (L.) andCarpophilus
      mutilatus Erichson were field tested during a 10-month period in southern New
      South Wales stone fruit orchards to determineCarpophilus spp. phenology and the
      effect of two pheromone doses on attraction. Aggregation pheromones synergize the
      attraction of host volatiles toCarpophilus spp. Four major species,C. hemipterus,
      C. mutilatus, C. davidsoni Dobson andC. (Urophorus) humeralis (F.), were trapped,
      with greater numbers of each species inC. hemipterus pheromone/fermenting whole
      wheat breaddough-baited traps, than in dough-only-traps. InC. mutilatus
      pheromone/ fermenting-dough-baited traps, onlyC. mutilatus andC. davidsoni
      responded in greater numbers than to dough-only traps. Beetles first appeared in
      traps in late September (early spring) when daily maximum temperatures averaged
      17.5?C. Trappings reached a peak during October and declined to very low levels
      in November-December (late spring-early summer). Numbers trapped of all species
      increased during February-March (late summer-early autumn), presumably due to the
      presence of abundant host resources (ripening and fallen fruit), and continued at
      high levels until May (late autumn). An 18-week study demonstrated significantly
      greater responses byCarpophilus spp. to 5000-MUg than to 500-MUg doses of
      C.hemipterus andC. mutilatus pheromones. Greatest responses to 5000MUg were
      recorded forC. hemipterus andC. mutilatus responding to their own pheromones
      (increased attraction over dough alone of 259x and 21.2x respectively).
      Implications of the study and the potential for using synthetic aggregation
      pheromones for managingCarpophilus spp. populations in Australian stone fruit are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24241917
TI  - Effects of benzoic and cinnamic acids on growth, mineral composition, and
      chlorophyll content of soybean.
AB  - Organic acids are major water-soluble allelochemicals found in soil infested with
      quackgrass and are involved in several processes that are important in plant
      growth and development. This study was carried out to gain more information on
      the effects of benzoic acid (BEN) andtrans-cinnamic acid (CIN) on growth, mineral
      composition, and chlorophyll content of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Maple
      Bell] grown in nutrient solution. The two allelochemicals reduced root and shoot
      dry biomass of soybean. Treated plants had fewer lateral roots and tended to grow
      more horizontally compared to the untreated plants. Lateral roots were stunted
      and less flexible. The amounts of P, K, Mg, Mn, Cl(-), and SO 4 (2-) were lower,
      and Zn and Fe contents were higher in roots of plants grown with BEN or CIN as
      compared to untreated plants. Shoots of plants grown with the allelochemical
      showed greater accumulation of Ca, Mg, and Zn, whereas P and Fe contents were
      reduced. The BEN and CIN also caused reductions in leaf chlorophyll content. The
      BEN and CIN may be responsible for negative allelopathic effects of quackgrass on
      soybean by inhibiting root growth, by altering ion uptake and transport, and by
      reducing chlorophyll content. 

PMID- 24241918
TI  - Influence of antifungal compounds from a soil-borne actinomycete onFusarium spp.
      in asparagus.
AB  - Asparagus decline syndrome is caused by fungal infection of asparagus roots and
      crowns byFusarium oxysporum f.sp.asparagi (FOA) andF. moniliforme (FM). Several
      soil-borne microorganisms have been found inhibitory toFusarium pathogens in
      other crops. A novelStreptomyces spp. (ME2-27-19A) was isolated from asparagus
      field soil and found to be inhibitory to FOA and FM in vitro. Solvent extraction
      of ME2-27-19A and Chromatographic purification of the extract yielded compound(s)
      that were inhibitory to FOA and FM at 40MUg/ml. ME2-27-19A extract produced
      variable control of FOA and FM in vitro, and was phytotoxic at 1000 (MUg/ml. In
      soil, ME2-27-19A extract reduced theFusarium population at 100MUg/ml, but also
      reduced the asparagus shoot length. 

PMID- 24241919
TI  - Methyl salicylate and (-)-(1R,5S)-myrtenal are plant-derived repellents for black
      bean aphid,Aphis fabae Scop. (Homoptera: Aphididae).
AB  - Methyl salicylate and (-)-(1R,5S)-myrtenal stimulate specific olfactory cells in
      the primary rhinaria on the sixth and fifth antennal segments, respectively, of
      the black bean aphid.Aphis fabae. In behavioral studies employing a linear track
      olfactometer, both compounds were repellent toA. fabae and also inhibited
      attraction to volatiles from its host, broad bean (Vicia faba). Methyl salicylate
      is associated with secondary metabolite-based defense in plants, and the
      monoterpenoid (-)-(1R,5S)-myrtenal is metabolically related to (-)-(1S,5S)-alpha
      pinene, an abundant component of defensive resins produced by gymnosperms. It is
      argued that these two compounds are employed byA. fabae as indicators of
      nutritionally unsuitable or nonhost plants. 

PMID- 24241920
TI  - Chemosensory responses of female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to
      cyclohexanone.
AB  - Cyclohexanone, a naturally occurring component of male Asian elephant temporal
      gland secretion, was tested as a candidate elicitor of bioresponses from female
      Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Four female Asian elephants were presented
      with synthetic cyclohexanone samples during a standardized bioassay. Four types
      of bioresponses, some or all of which may be important in intersexual
      communication, were monitored: flehmen, palatal pit area contact, scrub, and
      check responses. Cyclohexanone evoked persistent responses of all bioresponse
      types by two females, moderate response by a third female, and very few responses
      by a relatively unresponsive female. The results suggest that cyclohexanone may
      provide chemical information about to females male elephants, particularly
      regarding their state of musth. 

PMID- 24241921
TI  - Prolonged poststrike elevation in tongue-flicking rate with rapid onset in gila
      monster,Heloderma suspectum: Relation to diet and foraging and implications for
      evolution of chemosensory searching.
AB  - Experimental tests showed that poststrike elevation in tongue-flicking rate
      (PETF) and strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS) in the gila monster last
      longer than reported for any other lizard. Based on analysis of numbers of tongue
      flicks emitted in 5-min intervals, significant PETF was detected in all intervals
      up to and including minutes 41-45. Using 10-min intervals, PETF lasted though
      minutes 46-55. Two of eight individuals continued tongue-flicking throughout the
      60 min after biting prey, whereas all individuals ceased tongue-flicking in a
      control condition after minute 35. The apparent presence of PETF lasting at least
      an hour in some individuals suggests that there may be important individual
      differences in duration of PETF. PETF and/or SICS are present in all families of
      autarchoglossan lizards studied except Cordylidae, the only family lacking
      linguallly mediated prey chemical discrimination. However, its duration is known
      to be greater than 2-min only in Helodermatidae and Varanidae, the living
      representatives of Varanoidea. That prolonged PETF and SICS are typical of snakes
      provides another character supporting a possible a varanoid ancestry for
      Serpentes. Analysis of 1-min intervals showed that PETF occurred in the first
      minute. A review of the literature suggests that a pause in tongue-flicking and
      delay of searching movements are absent in lizards and the few nonvenomous
      colubrid snakes tested. The delayed onset of SICS may be a specific adaptation of
      some viperid snakes to allow potentially dangerous prey to be rendered harmless
      by venom following voluntary release after envenomation and preceding further
      physical contact with the prey. 

PMID- 24241922
TI  - Stereochemical inversion of pyrrolizidine alkaloids byMechanitis polymnia
      (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Ithomiinae): Specificity and evolutionary
      significance.
AB  - Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), acquired by adults or larvae of Danainae and
      Ithomiinae butterflies and Arctiidae moths from plants, protect these
      lepidopterans against predators and are biosynthetic precursors of male sex
      pheromones. The investigation of PAs in many species of wild-caught adults of
      Ithomiinae showed lycopsamine (1) [(7R)-OH, (2'S)-OH, (3'S)-OH] as the main
      alkaloid. In incorporation experiments, PA-free (freshly emerged) adults of the
      ithomiineMechanitis polymnia were fed seven PAs: lycopsamine and four of its
      known natural stereoisomers-indicine (2) [(7R)-OH, (2'R)-OH, (3'S)-OH],
      intermedine (3) [(7R)-OH, (2'S)-OH, (3'R)-OH], rinderine (4) [(7S)-OH, (2'S)-OH,
      (3'R)-OH], and echinatine (5) [(7S)-OH, (2'S)-OH, (3'S)-OH], and two PAs without
      the 7-OH: supinine (6) [(2'S)-OH, (3'R)-OH] and amabiline (7) [(2'S)-OH, (3'S)
      OH]. Males epimerized PAs 3, 4, and 5 mainly to lycopsamine (1). Females fed
      these same three PAs changed a smaller proportion to lycopsamine; their lesser
      capacity to modify PAs corresponds to their normal acquisition of already
      transformed PAs from males during mating rather than through visits of adults to
      plant sources of PAs. The alkaloids1 and2, both 7R and 3'S, were incorporated
      without or with minimum change by males and females. Feeding experiments with6
      and7 (males only) showed an inversion at the 3' center of6 and no change in7. The
      inversion from 7S to 7R (probably via oxyreduction) may be closely related to the
      evolution of acquisition of PAs by butterflies and moths. Two hypotheses are
      discussed: (1) The ancestral butterflies are probably adapted to tolerate,
      assimilate, and use (7R)-PAs (most common in plants; all widespread 1,2
      unsaturated macrocyclic PA diesters show this configuration). The development of
      (7R)-PA receptors in the butterflies could lead to a specialization on this
      configuration in two ways: to help find PA plants and to utilize these components
      in sexual chemical communication. A later appearance of (7S)-PAs in plants could
      have selected an enzymatic system for the inversion of this chiral center in
      order to continue producing (7R)-PA-derived pheromones. (2) The inversion would
      be due to the evolution of a enzyme system specialized in the transport of (7R)
      PAs to the integument; the failure of this system to carry (7S)-PAs led to an
      enzymatic system to invert them to transportable (7R)-PAs. In this case, the 7R
      configuration is an effect and not a cause of (7R)-PA-derived pheromones. In both
      hypotheses, the partial inversion of the 3'-asymmetric center, when the butterfly
      was fed intermedine (3), rinderine (4), and supinine (6), could be fortuitous due
      to the conformation of the molecule and/or the enzymatic system. 

PMID- 24241923
TI  - Interactions betweenAlloxysta brevis (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Alloxystidae) and
      honeydew-collecting ants: How an aphid hyperparasitoid overcomes ant aggression
      by chemical defense.
AB  - Foraging females of the aphid hyperparasitoidAlloxysta brevis were attacked by
      honeydew-collecting workers of the antLasius niger at the first encounter.
      However, ants abandoned their attacks quickly, and foragingA. brevis remained
      unmolested for a subsequent time interval of approximately 5 min, which is long
      enough for the hyperparasitoid to oviposit successfully. Furthermore, freshly
      killed intactA. brevis were disregarded by ants, while decapitated specimens were
      readily removed. We present evidence thatA. brevis females release a mandibular
      gland secretion, which contains 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, actinidin, and
      unidentified iridoids, in response to an ant attack. This secretion functions
      both as a measure of self-defense if the female is seized by an ant worker and as
      a repellent, which prevents ant attacks during subsequent encounters. This is the
      first evidence for chemical defense in a hymenopterous parasitoid. It enablesA.
      brevis females to hyperparasitize ant-attended aphids that constitute a major
      proportion of their hosts and significantly reduces mortality by
      ectohyperparasitoids. 

PMID- 24241924
TI  - Comparison of walking locomotory reactions of two forms ofCallosobruchus
      maculatus males subjected to female sex pheromone stimulation (Coleoptera:
      Bruchidae).
AB  - A comparison of the walking locomotory reactions of flightless and flight
      formCallosobruchus maculatus males when subjected to an air current scented with
      female sex pheromone was undertaken in a tubular olfactometer. The pheromone was
      delivered to the males either as short pulses or as a continuous flow. To analyze
      the males' reactions, three behavioral sequences were defined (sequence 1: male
      sensitivity/arousal; sequence 2: male reactivity; sequence 3; male progression
      and source location). Although flightless and flight form males were sensitive
      and reactive in all experiments, their locomotory displacement differed depending
      on the stimulus conditions. The flightless form males' response remained roughly
      the same whatever the stimulus conditions (i.e., they always reached the
      pheromone source). In contrast, the flight form males displayed a markedly
      reduced response when subjected to a continuous stimulation, indicating that
      intermittent on-off pheromone stimulation is required in order to sustain their
      upwind walking progress. This effect could be the result of sensory adaptation
      and/or habituation in the central nervous system of the flight form, requiring a
      flickering signal that is unnecessary for the flightless one. 

PMID- 24241925
TI  - Response ofDendroctonus brevicomis Le Conte (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to different
      release rates and ratios of aggregation semiochemicals and the inhibitors
      verbenone and ipsdienol.
AB  - The response of western pine beetle,Dendroctonus brevicomis Le Conte, to
      different release rates of the aggregation semiochemicals (attractants)exo
      brevicomin, frontalin, and myrcene and the inhibitors verbenone and ipsdienol was
      investigated. Release rates of verbenone ranging from 0.18 mg/ 24 hr to 1.2 mg/24
      hr did not result in significant reductions in mean trap catch ofD. brevicomis.
      In contrast, very low release rates of ipsdienol (0.02-0.4 mg/24 hr)
      significantly reduced trap catch compared to controls. The combination of
      verbenone and ipsdienol, released at rates above 0.09 and 0.02 mg/24 hr,
      respectively, resulted in significantly lower trap catches ofD. brevicomis in
      attractant-baited traps. Results of an experiment testing a factorial combination
      of different release rates of verbenone and attractants suggest that response is
      not ratio-specific. The response curve ofD. brevicomis to the levels of verbenone
      was similar across all levels of attractants, while the response to equivalent
      ratios of attractants to verbenone was not similar, suggesting that the behavior
      of the beetles is primarily influenced by the absolute release rate of verbenone.

PMID- 24241926
TI  - Glycine max signaling of environmental stress: Dynamics of inducible aromatic
      allelochemistry.
AB  - Treatment of Davis soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) with a proven stress
      elicitor, iodoacetic acid, which binds specifically with sulfhydryl groups,
      induced a defensive phytochemistry, which included increased concentrations of
      aromatic compounds. High-performance liquid chromatography resolved groups of
      peaks, including one that contains the major allelochemical daidzein and several
      that contained relatively nonpolar compounds. Some peak groups were increased
      quantitatively, while others were decreased by iodoacetic acid elicitation. The
      more significant differences in methanol-extractable HPLC-resolved aromatic
      metabolites between elicited and nonelicitedG. max apical leaves occurred at 24,
      48, and 72 hr after elicitation. 

PMID- 24241927
TI  - Toluene and weasel (2-propylthietane) odors suppress feeding in the rat.
AB  - The odors of toluene and 2-propylthietane have been shown to elicit fast wave
      bursts of 15-30 Hz in the olfactory bulb and dentate gyrus of rats. The odors of
      cadaverine, butyric acid, and caproic acid were found to be ineffective by
      comparison. The present study investigated feeding in rats offered a choice
      between food pellets treated with one of the above mentioned odors or untreated
      pellets. Unscented pellets were also presented in a control condition. The
      results indicate that 2-propylthietane or toluene scented food is avoided;
      cadaverine scented food is preferred; but caproic acid and butyric acid scents
      have no effect. Toluene and 2-propylthietane may activate central pathways
      involved in predator detection/avoidance, while cadaverine may activate pathways
      involved in approach and feeding behavior. 

PMID- 24241928
TI  - Effects of host plant,Gossypium hirsutum L., on sexual attraction of cabbage
      looper moths,Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
AB  - Unmated female or male cabbage looper moths,Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), were
      attracted more often in a flight tunnel to a cage with moths of the opposite sex
      and a bouquet of cotton foliage. Increased sexual attractiveness of females with
      plants may be a result of stimulation of pheromone release in response to plant
      odor, since more males were attracted when odor of cotton foliage was passed over
      females than when odor of females was passed over cotton foliage before venting
      into the flight tunnel. Increased sexual attractiveness of males with plants is
      due in part to host odor enhancement of female attraction to male pheromone,
      since more females were attracted to synthetic male pheromone (a blend of
      enantiomers of linalool and isomers of cresol) and a cotton leaf extract than
      were attracted to male pheromone alone. A short synthesis procedure was developed
      for (S)-(+)-linalool, the major component of the male sex pheromone, isolated
      from hair pencils, used in these tests. 

PMID- 24241929
TI  - Risk-sensitive habitat use by brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) in areas
      associated with minnow alarm pheromone.
AB  - Brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) share habitat and predators with cyprinid
      species, and they exploit the alarm pheromone of fathead minnows (Pimephales
      promelas) to avoid areas of high predation risk. In this field experiment, we
      measured the retention and duration of area avoidance by brook stickleback from
      areas marked with alarm pheromone of fathead minnows. Area avoidance was greatest
      during the first 2 hr after the source of the alarm pheromone was removed
      (P<0.05), but after 4 hr, area use was not significantly different from
      premarking levels. This study shows that brook stickleback: (1) use the alarm
      pheromone of fathead minnows to avoid high risk areas, (2) continue to avoid
      locations associated with predation risk after the source of the pheromone has
      gone, and (3) avoid risky areas temporarily, and resume use of risky areas after
      2-4 hr. This behavioral response by stickleback to minnow alarm pheromone could
      serve to minimize risk of predation. 

PMID- 24241930
TI  - Cuticular hydrocarbons wherebyMessor barbarus ant workers putatively discriminate
      between monogynous and polygynous colonies. Are workers labeled by queens?
AB  - The results of laboratory experiments carried out with both monogynous and
      artificially polygynousMessor barbarus ant colonies (which under natural
      conditions are always monogynous) have shown that the workers belonging to
      monogynous colonies were able to discriminate between intruders from other
      monogynous colonies and those from polygynous (di- and trigynous) ones. What
      mechanisms are involved in this discriminatory ability? Since differences in the
      relative proportions of the hydrocarbons they carry are known to convey complex
      messages that are used for recognition purposes, it was proposed here to
      investigate whether there existed any differences in the proportions of the
      various hydrocarbons carried by the diverse categories of intruders tested in our
      experiments. It emerged that one set of hydrocarbons, which were usually present
      in rather small proportions and included all the families that constitute this
      species' chemical signature (n-alkanes, mono-, di-, and trimethylalkanes), was
      characteristically associated with workers from monogynous colonies. Another set
      of hydrocarbons, which included some of the above components, mostly in larger
      relative proportions, can be said to have characterized the digynous and
      trigynous colonies. 

PMID- 24241931
TI  - Comparative analysis of allelopathic effects produced by four forestry species
      during decomposition process in their soils in Galicia (NW Spain).
AB  - The development of toxicity produced by vegetable litter of four forest species
      (Quercus robur L.,Pinus radiata D.Don.,Eucalyptus globulus Labill, andAcacia
      melanoxylon R.Br.) was studied during the decomposition process in each of the
      soils where the species were found. The toxicity of the extracts was measured by
      the effects produced on germination and growth ofLactuca saliva L. var. Great
      Lakes seeds. The phenolic composition of the leaves of the four species was also
      studied using high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis (HPLC). It was
      verified that toxicity was clearly reflected in the first stages of leaf
      decomposition inE. globulus andA. melanoxylon, due to phytotoxic compounds
      liberated by their litter. At the end of half a year of decomposition, inhibition
      due to the vegetable material was not observed, but the soils associated with
      these two species appeared to be responsible for the toxic effects. On the other
      hand, the phenolic profiles are quite different among the four species, and
      greater complexity in the two toxic species (E. globulus andA. melanoxylon) was
      observed. 

PMID- 24241932
TI  - Inadvertent introduction of squalene, cholesterol, and other skin products into a
      sample.
AB  - Recent developments in analytical techniques permit the chemical ecologist to
      achieve identification of naturally occurring compounds with relatively small
      amounts of the products of interest. However, the microanalytical techniques
      employed frequently require the handling of sample vials and other transferral
      instruments such as syringes and micropipets, where the analyst's hands come into
      close contact with the sample. Here we show how inadvertent contamination of a
      sample with skin lipids can occur simply by catching a 1-ml sample vial by the
      neck rather than the base or by activating a syringe by holding the plunger
      extension between the fingers rather than taking it by the head. Squalene,
      cholesterol, and, to a lesser extent, hydrocarbons and fatty acids from fingers
      are easily introduced into the sample in this manner. These findings are
      particularly relevant for a parasitology laboratory such as ours, investigating
      the function of vertebrate-derived products in hematophagous arthropods. 

PMID- 24241933
TI  - Habitat-specific type I polyketide synthases in soils and street sediments.
AB  - Actinomycetes produce many pharmaceutically useful compounds through type I
      polyketide biosynthetic pathways. Soil has traditionally been an important source
      for these actinomycete-derived pharmaceuticals. As the rate of antibiotic
      discovery has decreased and the incidence of antibiotic resistance has increased,
      researchers have looked for alternatives to soil for bioprospecting. Street
      sediment, where actinomycetes make up a larger fraction of the bacterial
      population than in soil, is one such alternative environment. To determine if
      these differences in actinomycetal community structure are reflected in type I
      polyketide synthases (PKSI) distribution, environmental DNA from soils and street
      sediments was characterized by sequencing amplicons of PKSI-specific PCR primers.
      Amplicons covered two domains: the last 80 amino acids of the ketosynthase (KS)
      domain and the first 240 amino acids of the acyltransferase (AT) domain. One
      hundred and ninety clones from ten contrasting soils from six regions and nine
      street sediments from six cities were sequenced. Twenty-five clones from two
      earthworm-affected samples were also sequenced. UniFrac lineage-specific analysis
      identified two clades that clustered with actinomycetal GenBank matches that were
      street sediment-specific, one similar to the PKSI segment of the mycobactin
      siderophore involved in mycobacterial virulence. A clade of soil-specific
      sequences clustered with GenBank matches from the ambruticin and jerangolid
      pathways of Sorangium cellulosum. All three of these clades were found in sites
      >700 km apart. Street sediments are enriched in actinomycetal PKSIs. Non
      actinomycetal PKSI pathways may be more chemically diverse than actinomycetal
      PKSIs. Common soil and street sediment PKIs are globally distributed. 

PMID- 24241934
TI  - Purification and characterization of a prolyl endopeptidase isolated from
      Aspergillus oryzae.
AB  - A new fungal strain that was isolated from our library was identified as an
      Aspergillus oryzae and noted to produce a novel proly endopeptidase. The enzyme
      was isolated, purified, and characterized. The molecular mass of the prolyl
      endopeptidase was estimated to be 60 kDa by using SDS-PAGE. Further biochemical
      characterization assays revealed that the enzyme attained optimal activity at pH
      4.0 with acid pH stability from 3.0 to 5.0. Its optimum temperature was 30 
      degrees C and residual activity after 30 min incubation at 55  degrees C was
      higher than 80 %. The enzyme was activated and stabilized by Ca(2+) but inhibited
      by EDTA (10 mM) and Cu(2+). The K m and k cat values of the purified enzyme for
      different length substrates were also evaluated, and the results imply that the
      enzyme from A. oryzae possesses higher affinity for the larger substrates.
      Furthermore, this paper demonstrates for the first time that a prolyl
      endopeptidase purified from A. oryzae is able to hydrolyze intact casein. 

PMID- 24241936
TI  - A statistical model of background air pollution frequency distributions.
AB  - This paper describes an approach for identifying statistically stable central
      tendencies in the frequency distributions of time series of observations of
      background atmospheric pollutants. The data were collected as daily mean values
      of concentrations of sulfur dioxide and suspended particulate matter at five
      monitoring stations-three in the USSR, one in Norway, and one in Sweden.The
      approach uses statistical techniques and methods for constructing multimodal
      distributions. The problem is subdivided into two parts: first, a decomposition
      of the observations in order to obtain a description of each season separately
      and second, an investigation of this description in order to derive statistically
      stable characteristics of the entire data set. The main hypothesis of the
      investigation is that dispersion processes interact in such a way that in the
      zone of influence of one process (near its mode) the 'tails' of the other process
      are not observed. This permits illumination of interrelations between the physics
      and the chemistry of the atmosphere. 

PMID- 24241935
TI  - Paliperidone extended-release: safety and tolerability from a metabolic profile
      perspective.
AB  - Pharmacologic management strategies for schizophrenia, a relatively common
      psychotic disorder, include the use of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs.
      In general, typical (or conventional) antipsychotics have a proven track record
      in effectively managing the positive symptoms of schizophrenia but sometimes lack
      efficacy in treating negative symptoms. The conventional agents are also
      associated with adverse neurologic effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS).
      The development of atypical antipsychotics has partly ameliorated the issue of
      EPS induced by typical antipsychotics. However, several of these atypical
      antipsychotic agents have been associated with adverse metabolic effects,
      including weight gain, dyslipidemia, and increased serum glucose levels.
      Paliperidone (9-hydroxy-riperidone) extended-release (ER) is an atypical
      antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia which utilizes a
      patented oral osmotic system technology that provides constant drug delivery over
      the course of the day. The efficacy and safety of paliperidone ER in patients
      with schizophrenia have been established. This review focuses on the metabolic
      safety of paliperidone ER in patients with schizophrenia. Clinical trials have
      demonstrated a lack of significant change in lipid profiles with paliperidone ER;
      furthermore, reported incidences of glucose-related adverse events in clinical
      trials were very low and similar to those seen with placebo. While dose-related
      increases in bodyweight of 1-2 kg have been observed with paliperidone ER, there
      are few reports of clinically relevant increases in bodyweight during treatment.
      Placebo-controlled trials indicate that the risk of developing metabolic
      disorders with paliperidone ER is low and similar to that seen with placebo.
      Furthermore, the ER formulation of paliperidone may offer potential advantages
      over atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone, particularly with regard to
      side effects and compliance, but comparative studies are needed.

PMID- 24241937
TI  - Cadmium and lead in common terns (Aves: Sterna hirundo): Relationship between
      levels in parents and eggs.
AB  - We analyzed cadmium and lead levels in feathers of mated pairs of common terns
      (Sterna hirundo) and in their eggs to determine if metal levels in eggs
      correlated with female levels, and whether there were intrapair and intermetal
      correlations. Eggs had significantly lower lead levels (89 ng g(-1)) and cadmium
      levels (4.0 ng g(-1)) than adult feathers (500 and 50 ng g(-1) respectively).
      Adult females had higher metal levels than males. Cadmium and lead levels were
      correlated across families for females, males and eggs. Lead, but not cadmium,
      levels were correlated in females and their eggs. 

PMID- 24241938
TI  - Trace metals in the bottom sediments of the harbour of Lagos, Nigeria.
AB  - A study has been made of the heavy metal contents of sediments in the harbour of
      Lagos which receives a variety of human and industrial wastes. The results
      indicate three areas with low, medium and high pollution by heavy metals. The
      harbour in which most shipping activities are concentrated has a low level of
      pollution. Both other areas with medium and high pollution by heavy metals are
      located at the entrance and in northwest sections of the harbour respectively,
      which receive effluents from industries and communities. 

PMID- 24241939
TI  - Lichen biomonitoring of mercury emission and deposition in mining, geothermal and
      volcanic areas of Italy.
AB  - Natural emissions of Hg are attracting increased interest both for their
      environmental implications and for possible applications in the exploration of
      mineral, petroleum and geothermal fields. However, daily and seasonal
      fluctuations in concentrations of Hg in the atmosphere, caused by meteorological
      and environmental variables, has made it very difficult to assess Hg anomalies by
      conventional analytical procedures. Some species of widespread foliose lichens
      from an abandoned cinnabar mining and smelting area (Mt. Amiata), geothermal
      fields (Larderello, Bagnore and Piancastagnaio, Central Italy), and active
      volcanic areas (Mt. Etna and Vulcano, Southern Italy) seem to be very suitable
      biomonitors of gaseous Hg; especially as lichen thalli have an Hg content which
      reflects average values measured in air samples. We discuss the advantages of
      quantitative biological monitoring by lichens with respect to conventional air
      sampling in large-scale monitoring. 

PMID- 24241940
TI  - Contaminants in American alligator eggs from Lake Apopka, Lake Griffin, and Lake
      Okeechobee, Florida.
AB  - Residues of organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 16
      elements were measured in American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) eggs
      collected in 1984 from Lakes Apopka, Griffin, and Okeechobee in central and south
      Florida. Organochlorine pesticides were highest in eggs from Lake Apopka. None of
      the elements appeared to be present at harmful concentrations in eggs from any of
      the lakes. A larger sample of eggs was collected in 1985, but only from Lakes
      Griffin, a lake where eggs were relatively clean, and Apopka, where eggs were
      most contaminated. In 1985, hatching success of artificially incubated eggs was
      lower for Lake Apopka, and several organochlorine pesticides were higher than in
      eggs from Lake Griffin. However, within Lake Apopka, higher levels of pesticides
      in chemically analyzed eggs were not associated with reduced hatching success of
      the remaining eggs in the clutch. Therefore, it did not appear that any of the
      pesticides we measured were responsible for the reduced hatching success of Lake
      Apopka eggs. 

PMID- 24241941
TI  - River evaluation using ecotoxicological and microbiological procedures.
AB  - One of the many problems researchers and managers face is to try and interpret
      data collected from various river studies. There is an underlying awareness of
      the incompleteness of most data bases due to a variety of problems outside of
      those concerning sample processing.In this study we have attempted, by using the
      battery of tests approach (12 tests) and the examination of different types of
      samples such as water, Milli-Q water extracted sediments, and organic solvent
      extracted sediments, to explore the implication of spacial and temporal sampling
      programmes.The results obtained were not unexpected: there were spatial and
      temporal influences, sometimes so great that it would appear that you were
      examining samples from different parts of the country. However, data arising from
      solvent extracted sediments were found to be much less influenced by temporal
      sampling than by spatial variation. Another interesting and important observation
      was that sediment composition appeared to have no relationship to toxicant
      content.In this study, the first field application of the Mutatox test
      (genotoxicity) was carried out and it was found to be a very responsive test in
      all three types of samples. This test shows great promise as laboratory studies
      indicate it is sensitive to many of the chemicals which trigger the Ames test. 

PMID- 24241942
TI  - Introductory comments.

PMID- 24241943
TI  - Seeing the baby: The impact of ultrasound technology.
AB  - This paper reports results of a study of prenatal diagnosis patients who
      underwent ultrasound examinations and lost their pregnancies through miscarriage
      or elective terminations. The majority of the women felt that viewing the
      ultrasound image influenced their relationship to the fetus and their coping with
      the pregnancy loss. The women commented on the power of ultrasound to make their
      pregnancies more real as well as the painful yet sometimes beneficial
      consequences of seeing the fetus. Clinical implications are considered for health
      professionals who provide prenatal diagnostic services or counseling after
      pregnancy loss. 

PMID- 24241944
TI  - Letter to a genetic counselor.
AB  - The author describes her personal experience terminating a pregnancy after
      receiving an abnormal amniocentesis result: While still waiting for the results,
      she and her husband attempted to deny the importance of the pregnancy, an
      approach which they subsequently regretted. When they received the abnormal
      result, they found themselves able to make necessary decisions quickly, despite
      being in shock. It then took some time before they realized what a major loss
      they had actually suffered. The painful aftermath included accepting emotional
      responsibility for their decision to abort, as well as explaining that difficult
      decision to their older children. Thoughts of a possible subsequent pregnancy
      could not be faced at once. Over time, the author found the support of friends
      and colleagues, and even of a support group, to be invaluable. All in all, the
      entire experience was more painful than she would have predicted, and she hopes
      that this account will prove helpful both to genetic counselors and to other
      patients who receive abnormal results from prenatal diagnosis. A list of
      suggested readings is appended. 

PMID- 24241946
TI  - Abstracts of papers presented at the Tenth Annual NSGC Educational Conference:
      The interface between public health and clinical genetics.

PMID- 24241945
TI  - The future of genetics in public health.
AB  - During the 1980s, we have witnessed an erosion in federal and state funding for
      the coordination of genetic services in state health departments. As this decade
      begins, the federal budget for the support of the national genetics program is
      less than half of the total available in 1980. In addition, priorities in state
      maternal and child health programs have changed, and genetic services have often
      received lower rankings aside of programs to improve prenatal care and to address
      problems such as teenage pregnancy. Clearly we are at a critical point for the
      future of genetics programs in the public health arena. Fortunately, despite the
      problems with funding and priority setting, important coalitions have been built
      during the past decade and continued advances in medical genetics have made it
      difficult for public health officials to ignore the potential impact of genetic
      services. Council of Regional Networks for Genetic Services (CORN) and the
      regional genetic services networks have provided opportunities for interaction
      and coordination between genetic services providers and public health officials
      that had not been available to any significant extent. The full potential of
      these coalitions has yet to be realized, but efforts in data collection,
      development of national guidelines and standards, and information sharing and
      networking have already had an influence on state genetic services programs.
      Continuing research on the genetics of chronic diseases and the influence of
      discoveries in molecular genetics will undoubtedly broaden the current scope of
      state public health programs in genetics, which all too often have been limited
      to newborn screening and administration of grants for genetic services. The
      regional and national genetic services programs should be strengthened and
      appropriate training programs should be developed in Schools of Public Health to
      provide the expertise and leadership that will be needed to guide the future of
      genetics in public health. 

PMID- 24241947
TI  - Duration of viraemia in Chinese acute sporadic hepatitis E.
AB  - Acute sporadic hepatitis E (ASHE) cases induced by hepatitis E virus genotype 4
      (HEV-4) are increasing in China. Our study aimed to estimate the duration of HEV
      4 viraemia in Chinese ASHE. A total of 619 serum specimens from 499 ASHE patients
      were examined for the presence of HEV RNA. The association between viraemia
      detection and serum sampling time was compared between subtypes. The cumulative
      probability of HEV viraemia detection was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival
      analysis, and the viraemia duration was estimated. A total of 42.7 % of serum
      specimens were positive for HEV RNA and all the isolated strains were identified
      as genotype 4 and subsequently assigned to five subtypes. Among the patients
      infected with subtypes 4d and 4i, the time interval from the initiation of
      clinical symptoms to serum specimen sampling was shorter than that among the
      patients with subtypes 4a, 4b and 4h. Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted with
      101 sequential specimens as well as with both 101 sequential specimens and 236
      single negative specimens. The cumulative probability of HEV-4 viraemia detection
      was estimated to decline quickly to approximately 10 % within 32 days after the
      initiation of clinical symptoms and then to decline very slowly to 5 % by the
      41st day and to zero by the 131st day. The majority of ASHE cases maintain
      detectable HEV-4 viraemia within one month after onset, whereas a small portion
      of cases maintain long-term viraemia and may act as a reservoir for further
      transmission.

PMID- 24241948
TI  - When psychiatric diagnosis becomes an overworked tool.
AB  - A psychiatric diagnosis today is asked to serve many functions-clinical,
      research, medicolegal, delimiting insurance coverage, service planning, defining
      eligibility for state benefits (eg, for unemployment or disability), as well as
      providing rallying points for pressure groups and charities. These contexts
      require different notions of diagnosis to tackle the particular problem such a
      designation is meant to solve. In a number of instances, a 'status' definition
      (ie, a diagnostic label or category) is employed to tackle what is more
      appropriately seen as requiring a 'functional' approach (ie, how well the person
      is able to meet the demands of a test of performance requiring certain
      capabilities, aptitudes or skills). In these instances, a diagnosis may play only
      a subsidiary role. Some examples are discussed: the criteria for involuntary
      treatment; the determination of criminal responsibility; and, assessing
      entitlements to state benefits. I suggest that the distinction between 'status'
      versus 'function' has not been given sufficient weight in discussions of
      diagnosis. It is in the functional domain that some of the problematic
      relationships between clinical psychiatry and the social institutions with which
      it rubs shoulders are played out. A status, signified by a diagnosis, has often
      been encumbered with demands for which it is poorly equipped. It is a reductive
      way of solving problems of management, allocation or disposal for which a
      functional approach should be given greater weight. 

PMID- 24241949
TI  - [Minimal-invasive microwave coagulation therapy for liver tumours: laparoscopic
      and percutaneous access].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Local ablative treatments play an important role in current
      surgical treatment strategies. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as one of the most
      popular examples suffers from partly inacceptable local tumour control. Microwave
      coagulation therapy (MCT) is a comparatively new type of ablation promising
      several improvements. This series is to the best of our knowledge the first
      within the central European area, which reports on the successful clinical
      implementation of MCT in a surgical department. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: A novel
      915 MHz system (MedWavesTM, AveCure Inc., SanDiego, CA/U. S. A.) was used to
      treat 47 patients with 80 tumour nodules in 51 treatment sessions. Average tumour
      size was 2.6 +/- 0.9 cm. Indications were hepatocellular carcinoma in 29 patients
      and metastases in 14 as well as 4 cholangiocellular carcinomas. The approach was
      laparoscopic (20) or percutaneous (31). High-risk conditions defined by
      unfavourable tumour localisation like invisibility in native transabdominal
      ultrasound, superficial tumour site or risk of heat sink phenomena were found in
      28 cases (53 %). RESULTS: Local recurrence rate was 17 % on a per-patient and 12
      % on a per-tumour basis (n = 9). One patient died because of incurable upper
      gastrointestinal bleeding during the postoperative hospital stay. No MCT
      associated complication occurred. Median follow-up period was 20 months. Local
      tumour recurrence was significantly different on comparing laparoscopic to
      percutaneous MCT (p = 0.032, chi2 test), as was global recurrence (p = 0.011,
      chi2 test). In a univariate logistic Cox regression, tumour size, access and high
      risk localisation were significant prognostic factors for local tumour
      recurrence, however, in a multivariate reiteration, only the chosen access to MCT
      (p = 0.012) and tumour size (p = 0.044) remain significant. CONCLUSION: MCT seems
      to be a useful tool, easy to implement in a surgical environment and may
      eventually prove to be superior to other local ablative treatment modalities.
      Even unfavourable tumour localisations could be treated safely and efficiently
      using MCT without increased risk of local tumour recurrence.

PMID- 24241950
TI  - [Incidence of Candidaemia Following Abdominal Surgery in German Hospitals].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Invasive Candida infections following abdominal surgery represent a
      significant medical problem. This study initiates a benchmarking project to
      pinpoint the current role and epidemiology of candidemia in this patient group in
      German hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the year 2010 data derived from 47
      704 abdominal surgery cases in hospitals from Germany were analysed in order to
      determine benchmarking incidences for candidemia. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In 20.3
      % of all recognised bloodstream infections Candida spp. were identified as the
      responsible organisms. If related to all abdominal surgery cases analysed in this
      study, a candidemia-benchmarking incidence of 0.15 % (95 % CI: 0.10-0.21 %) was
      determined. In patients who required intensive care after surgery the incidence
      of candidemia was found to be 0.89 % (95 % CI: 0.57-1.38 %). The incidence
      increased to 3.13 % (95 % CI: 2.09-4.66 %) in patients who received blood culture
      diagnosis. The German National Reference Centre of Systemic Mycosis provides
      hospital specific data for participants of this study to enable benchmarking and
      infection control (www.nrz-mykosen.de/gastrointestinalchirurgie).

PMID- 24241951
TI  - [Prof. H. J. Meyer - new General Secretary of the German Society of Surgery].

PMID- 24241952
TI  - [Liver Transplantation as Treatment for Rare Diseases in Adults].
AB  - In addition to the main indications pertaining to 95 % of all patients receiving
      liver transplantation in Germany, there are numerous other diseases that may
      become clinically evident in the adult age and may lead to the decision for liver
      transplantation. These may be metabolic diseases with their main defect located
      in the liver, malformations of liver cells, hepatic vascular diseases and rare
      tumours of the liver. Standard exceptions for the listing are in place only for a
      limited number of diseases. Exact diagnostics and the point in time for
      transplantation are crucial for the prognosis.

PMID- 24241953
TI  - [Surgical Management of Peritoneal Surface Malignancy with Respect to Tumour
      Type, Tumour Stage and Individual Tumour Biology].
AB  - Peritoneal tumour dissemination is still considered as a terminal disease. For
      the last two decades, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with intraoperative
      hyperthermic chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been popularised by Paul Sugarbaker almost
      doubling survival in selected patients compared with systemic chemotherapy alone.
      Nowadays, this particular treatment protocol is available in comprehensive cancer
      centres with reasonable mortality and morbidity. However, patient selection is
      still challenging. In general, CRS and HIPEC is indicated in primary peritoneal
      tumours such as mesothelioma and pseudomyxoma peritonei as well as in peritoneal
      metastases derived from gastrointestinal malignancies and ovarian cancers. Since
      systemic tumour spread is uncommon in patients with peritoneal metastases,
      peritoneal tumour dissemination was defined as localised disease within the
      "compartment abdomen". However, CRS and HIPEC are only beneficial as long as
      complete cytoreduction is achieved (CC-0 or CC-1). Histopathological parameters,
      the Sugarbaker peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) and general condition of the
      patient have been established as patient selection criteria. In primary
      peritoneal cancers, individual tumour biology is the predominant criterium for
      patient selection as opposed to intraabdominal tumour load in peritoneal
      metastases derived from gastrointestinal cancers. In gastric cancer, CRS and
      HIPEC should be restricted to synchronous limited disease because of its
      biological aggressiveness. In patients with free floating cancer cells without
      macroscopic signs of peritoneal spread, however, CRS and HIPEC following
      preoperative "neoadjuvant" chemotherapy preserves chances for cure. So far, there
      is no general recommendation for CRS and HIPEC by clinical practice guidelines.
      In the recent S3 guideline for treatment of colorectal cancer, however, CRS and
      HIPEC have been included as possible treatment options. 

PMID- 24241954
TI  - [Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN)--standards and
      new aspects].
AB  - Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) of the pancreas belong to the
      heterogeneous group of cystic pancreatic lesions and have been diagnosed more
      frequently in recent years. Diagnosis and differentiation from other cystic
      lesions (pseudocysts, serous-cystic neoplasias [SCN], mucinous-cystic neoplasias
      [MCN], intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasias [IPMN] and solid pseudopapillary
      neoplasias [SPN]) is often challenging. IPMN of the pancreas are considered as
      precursor lesions for the development of invasive pancreatic cancer. However,
      depending on the morphological (MD-IPMN, BD-IPMN) and histological subtype
      (intestinal, pancreatobiliary, oncocytic or gastric) the malignant potential of
      IPMNs varies significantly. Hence, early diagnosis and selection of the
      appropriate therapeutic strategy is necessary for optimal outcome and cure. There
      is a strong consensus for the resection of all MD-IPMN. Small BD-IPMN without
      signs of malignancy can be followed by observation. The increasing understanding
      of the histopathology and tumour biology of IPMN has led to an amendment of the
      2006 International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) guidelines for the
      treatment of cystic pancreatic tumours. In consideration of recent data,
      recommendations for observation and/or follow-up of IPMN cannot be given
      definitely. 

PMID- 24241955
TI  - [Alterations of vertebrocerebral arterial branches in children and adolescents -
      current aspects of epidemiology, diagnostics, treatment, outcome and follow-up
      including a representative case report].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vascular alterations such as arterial lesions themselves or caused
      by injuries (external site) occur only rarely in children and adolescents. By
      means of a narrative review including our own clinical experience and a
      representative case report, vascular alterations in children and adolescents are
      discussed. Complex Patient- & clinical Finding-associated Aspects: - Dissections
      of vertebrocerebral arterial branches: usually, the aetiopathogenesis reveals
      external factors or primary alterations of the vascular wall. The therapeutic
      approach comprises anticoagulation or surgical, sometimes endovascular
      intervention in cases of recurrent ischaemic symptoms. - Aneurysm of the carotid
      artery: the therapeutic approach is characterised by surgical and interventional
      treatment according to the individual case-specific finding, alternatives in
      vascular reconstruction can be derived from the classification by de Jong et al.
      Representative Case Report: An 11 year old boy was diagnosed with intracranial
      dissection of the left vertebral artery initially treated with anticoagulation (6
      months) and a consecutive neurosurgical approach (trepanation and coverage of the
      dissecting aneurysm) and, subsequently (within the 16th year of age), he
      underwent interventional treatment (coil embolisation) because of an expansion of
      the aneurysm. In addition, an aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery was
      found, which was approached surgically with interposition of a vena-saphena-magna
      segment. CONCLUSION: Vascular alterations such as dissections and aneurysms of
      vertebrocerebral arterial branches in children and adolescents are challenging.
      Dissections should be treated with anticoagulation. In the case of recurrent
      ischaemic symptoms or in cases of pressure phenomenon including neurological
      alterations, interventional or surgical treatment is indicated. In the case of an
      aneurysm of the carotid artery, there is an indication for surgical treatment: In
      children and teenagers, venous segments for interposition and single-stitch
      sutures are usually used. Competent decision-making for treatment and
      periinterventional management require appropriate interdisciplinary expertise.

PMID- 24241956
TI  - Basal cardiac autonomic tone is normal in patients with periodic leg movements
      during sleep.
AB  - The relationship between the autonomic nervous system and periodic leg movements
      during sleep (PLMS) is not completely understood. We aimed to determine whether
      patients with PLMS exhibit any changes in their basal heart rate variability
      (HRV), excluding episodes of leg movements and arousals. To investigate this, we
      conducted a cross-sectional study including 13 patients with PLMS (PLMS >= 20)
      and 13 matched controls, free of cardiovascular diseases and medications. Time
      and frequency-domain HRV measures [mean R-R interval, low frequency (LF), high
      frequency (HF), LF/HF] were calculated across all sleep stages as well during
      wakefulness just before and after sleep during one-night polysomnography. We only
      took ECG segments of sleep without arousals and excluded periods of 30 s before
      and after the leg movements. No statistical differences between PLMS and control
      subjects were found in any of the time- or frequency-domain HRV measures across
      sleep stages. Basal cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with PLMS is similar
      to that of control subjects. Our results argue against a role for a basal
      disturbance of the cardiac autonomic nervous system in the pathogenesis of PLMS. 

PMID- 24241957
TI  - Quality of home-based rapid HIV testing by community lay counsellors in a rural
      district of South Africa.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lack of universal, annual testing for human immunodeficiency virus
      (HIV) in health facilities suggests that expansion of HIV testing and counselling
      (HTC) to non-clinical settings is critical to the achievement of national goals
      for prevention, care and treatment. Consideration should be given to the ability
      of lay counsellors to perform home-based HTC in community settings. METHODS: We
      implemented a community cluster randomized controlled trial of home-based HTC in
      Sisonke District, South Africa. Trained lay counsellors conducted door-to-door
      HIV testing using the same rapid tests used by the local health department at the
      time of the study (SD Bioline and Sensa). To monitor testing quality and
      counsellor skill, additional dry blood spots were taken and sent for laboratory
      based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. Sensitivity and
      specificity were calculated using the laboratory result as the gold standard.
      RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: From 3986 samples, the counsellor and laboratory results
      matched in all but 23 cases. In 18 cases, the counsellor judged the result as
      indeterminate, whereas the laboratory judged 10 positive, eight negative and
      three indeterminate, indicating that the counsellor may have erred on the side of
      caution. Sensitivity was 98.0% (95% CI: 96.3-98.9%), and specificity 99.6% (95%
      CI: 99.4-99.7%), for the lay counsellor field-based rapid tests. Both measures
      are high, and the lower confidence bound for specificity meets the international
      standard for assessing HIV rapid tests. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that
      adequately trained lay counsellors are capable of safely conducting high-quality
      rapid HIV tests and interpreting the results as per the kit guidelines. These
      findings are important given the likely expansion of community and home-based
      testing models and the shortage of clinically trained professional staff.

PMID- 24241958
TI  - The role of CRE1 in nucleosome positioning within the cbh1 promoter and coding
      regions of Trichoderma reesei.
AB  - Nucleosome positioning within the promoter and coding regions of the
      cellobiohydrolase-encoding cbh1 gene of Trichoderma reesei was investigated. T.
      reesei is a filamentous fungus that is able to degrade dead plant biomass by
      secreting enzymes such as cellulases, a feature which is exploited in industrial
      applications. In the presence of different carbon sources, regulation of one of
      these cellulase-encoding genes, cbh1, is mediated by various transcription
      factors including CRE1. Deletion or mutation of cre1 caused an increase in cbh1
      transcript levels under repressing conditions. CRE1 was shown to bind to several
      consensus recognition sequences in the cbh1 promoter region in vitro. Under
      repressing conditions (glucose), the cbh1 promoter and coding regions are
      occupied by several positioned nucleosomes. Transcription of cbh1 in the presence
      of the inducer sophorose resulted in a loss of nucleosomes from the coding region
      and in the re-positioning of the promoter nucleosomes which prevents CRE1 from
      binding to its recognition sites within the promoter region. Strains expressing a
      non-functional CRE1 (in strains with mutated CRE1 or cre1-deletion) exhibited a
      loss of positioned nucleosomes within the cbh1 coding region under repressing
      conditions only. This indicates that CRE1 is important for correct nucleosome
      positioning within the cbh1 coding region under repressing conditions. 

PMID- 24241959
TI  - Part II-mechanism of adaptation: A549 cells adapt to high concentration of nitric
      oxide through bypass of cell cycle checkpoints.
AB  - Previous work has shown enhanced survival capacity in high nitric oxide (HNO)
      adapted tumor cells. In Part I of this series of manuscripts, we have shown that
      A549-HNO cells demonstrate an improved growth profile under UV and X-ray
      radiation treatment. These cells exhibit increased expression of proteins
      involved in DNA damage recognition and repair pathway, both the non-homologous
      end joining pathway and homologous recombination. These include Ku80, DNA-PK, XLF
      ligase and MRN complex proteins. Further, the A549-HNO cells show high levels of
      ATM, ATR, Chk1 and Chk2, and phospho-p53. Activation of these molecules may lead
      to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis due to DNA damage. This is observed in parent
      A549 cells in response to NO donor treatment; however, the A549-HNO cells
      proliferate and inhibit apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis showed slowed progression
      through S phase which will allow time for DNA repair. Thus, to better understand
      the increased growth rate in A549-HNO when compared to the parent cell line A549,
      we studied molecular mechanisms involved in cell cycle regulation in A549-HNO
      cells. During the initial time period of NO donor treatment, we observe high
      levels of cyclin/Cdk complexes involved in regulating various stages of the cell
      cycle. This would lead to bypass of G1-S and G2-M checkpoints. The HNO cells also
      show much higher expression of Cdc25A. Cdc25A activates Cdk molecules involved in
      different phases of the cell cycle. In addition, there is enhanced
      phosphorylation of the Rb protein in HNO cells. This leads to inactivation of
      Rb/E2F checkpoint regulating G1-S transition. This may lead to faster progression
      in S phase. Thus, all of these perturbations in HNO cells lead to accelerated
      cell cycle progression and a higher growth rate. We also assessed expression of
      cell cycle inhibitors in HNO cells. Interestingly, the HNO cells show a
      significant decline in p21CIP1 at initial time points, but with prolonged
      exposure, the levels were much higher than those of the parent cells. This
      suggests an initial bypass of cell cycle checkpoints as p21CIP1 can inhibit the
      activity of all cyclin/Cdk complexes. p21CIP1 is also known to inhibit p53
      induced apoptosis. This could be important during later phases of the cell cycle
      to allow time for repair of damaged DNA and thus better survival of HNO cells. 

PMID- 24241960
TI  - Ki67 and TP53 expressions predict recurrence of non-muscle-invasive bladder
      cancer.
AB  - Tumor markers Ki67, TP53, and TP63 are common labels in the diagnosis of bladder
      cancer (BCa) around the world. The combination of those biomarkers may have
      advantages in predicting BCa prognosis and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
      (NMIBC) postoperative recurrence. We investigated the immunohistochemical
      profiles of 313 bladder cancer samples classified under the WHO/ISUP (2004)
      grading scale and the UICC-TNM (2002) classification. Then we investigated their
      predictive value in the tumor recurrence of 270 NMIBC patients after TURBT.
      Expression of Ki67 correlates with grade, stage, tumor size, and tumor numbers.
      Semiquantitative evaluation of TP53 correlates with grade and invasive
      conditions. The positive expression rate of TP63 correlated with tumor grade and
      stage. The combined effect of TP53 and Ki67 revealed a predictive value in NMIBC
      recurrence. However, the positive TP63 expression did not show any protective
      effect in NMIBC recurrence. The expression of TP53 and Ki67 could be used to
      predict the risk of NMIBC recurrence postoperatively. 

PMID- 24241961
TI  - Comment on: Functional MUC4 suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung
      adenocarcinoma metastasis. Gao L, Liu J, Zhang B, Zhang H, Wang D, Zhang T, Liu
      Y, Wang C. Tumour Biol. 2013, in press.
AB  - Gao and collaborators (Tumour Biol, 2013) have investigated the role of mucin 4
      (MUC4) in lung cancer and have concluded that a loss of MUC4 results in
      epithelial mesenchymal transition via beta-catenin nuclear translocation and that
      MUC4 expression is correlated with a risk of lymph node metastasis in a cohort of
      20 lung adenocarcinoma patients. This surprising analysis is contradictory to
      most of the scientific knowledge and literature regarding MUC4 contribution in
      epithelial cancers that is very hardly discussed in their manuscript. 

PMID- 24241963
TI  - Of Gdansk and glass houses.

PMID- 24241962
TI  - Influence of pre-hydration and pharmacogenetics on plasma methotrexate
      concentration and renal dysfunction following high-dose methotrexate therapy.
AB  - High-dose methotrexate therapy (HD-MTX) has been well established for the
      treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The aims of this study
      were to investigate whether clinical and pharmacogenetic factors influence plasma
      MTX concentration and renal dysfunction in patients treated with HD-MTX. In a
      total of 127 courses of HD-MTX in 51 patients with childhood ALL, influence of
      clinical and pharmacogenetic factors on plasma MTX concentration and HD-MTX
      related renal dysfunction was evaluated. Clinical factors included age, gender,
      duration of HD-MTX continuous-infusion and duration of pre-hydration before HD
      MTX. Pharmacogenetic factors included 5 gene polymorphisms within the MTX pathway
      genes, namely, SLC19A1, MTHFR, ABCC2 and ABCG2. Short duration of pre-hydration
      before HD-MTX is the most important risk factor for prolonged high MTX
      concentration (p < 0.001, OR 6.40, 95 % CI 2.39-17.16) and renal dysfunction (p =
      0.013, OR 3.15, 95 % CI 1.27-7.80). The T allele at MTHFR C677T was the risk
      factor for prolonged high MTX concentration (p = 0.009, OR 5.54, 95 % CI 1.54
      19.85), but not for renal dysfunction. We found the influence of MTHFR C677T
      polymorphism on prolonged high MTX concentration. We reconfirmed the importance
      of adequate pre-hydration before HD-MTX to prevent prolonged high MTX
      concentration and MTX-related renal dysfunction. 

PMID- 24241964
TI  - Does chronic kidney disease affect outcomes after major abdominal surgery?
      Results from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal
      disease on outcomes following major abdominal surgery is not well defined.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 2008 NSQIP database was queried to identify adult
      patients undergoing complex abdominal surgery (major colorectal, hepatobiliary,
      pancreatic, gastric, and esophageal operations). Thirty-day morbidity and
      mortality in patients on hemodialysis (HD) versus patients not on HD were
      compared. The impact of preoperative renal insufficiency, measured by glomerular
      filtration rate (GFR), on morbidity and mortality was then assessed in non
      dialysis patients. RESULTS: Of 24,572 patients who underwent major abdominal
      operations, excluding emergency cases, only 149 (0.6%) were on HD preoperatively.
      Thirty-day mortality in the HD group was 12.8% compared to 1.8% for those not on
      HD (p < 0.0001). Overall complication rate was 23.5 versus 12.3% (p < 0.0001). In
      particular, rates of pneumonia (6.7 vs 3.0%, p < 0.05) and sepsis (12.8 vs 5.3%,
      p < 0.001) were higher in patients on HD. In patients not on HD, GFR was
      significantly predictive of postoperative mortality after controlling for age,
      gender, race, emergency status, and comorbidities. Compared to patients with
      normal preoperative kidney function (GFR, 75-90 ml/min/1.73 m(2)), even modest
      CKD (GFR, 45-60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) was associated with increased postoperative
      mortality (odds ratio (OR), 1.62). With greater impairment in kidney function,
      postoperative mortality was even more marked (GFR, 30-45 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and OR,
      2.84; GFR, 15-30 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and OR, 5.56). In addition, CKD was
      independently associated with increased postoperative complications. CONCLUSION:
      Any degree of preoperative kidney impairment, even mild asymptomatic disease, is
      associated with clinically significant increases in 30-day postoperative
      morbidity and mortality following major abdominal surgery.

PMID- 24241965
TI  - Factors predicting long-term survival following pancreatic resection for ductal
      adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: 40 years of experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long-term survival after resection for pancreas carcinoma has rarely
      been reported. Factors influencing long-term survival are still under debate. The
      aim of this study was to define predictors for long-term survival. METHODS:
      Between 1972 and 2004, a total of 415 patients underwent resection. Data were
      collected in a prospective data base. Data of 360 patients were available for
      further analysis in 2011. All specimens of long-term survivors were
      histologically reviewed. RESULTS: Long-term survivors (n = 69) had a median
      survival of 91 months. Pathological re-evaluation of all specimens re-confirmed
      the diagnosis. Predictive factors for long-term survival in univariate analysis
      were no preoperative biliary stent, low CA 19-9 level, lack of blood transfusion,
      R0 resection, tumour diameter, and -grading, absence of lymph node or distant
      metastases, lymphangiosis, and perineural infiltration. Adjuvant chemotherapy
      showed a significant influence on overall survival but not on long-term survival.
      In multivariate analysis, lymph node ratio and volume of blood transfusion were
      predictors of long-term survival. CONCLUSION: Nearly 20% of patients with
      pancreas carcinoma who undergo surgical resection have a chance of long-term
      survival. Survival beyond 5 years is predicted by clinical and tumour-specific
      factors. Adjuvant chemotherapy might prolong overall survival but is, according
      to these results, unable to contribute to long-term survival. There is still a
      risk of recurrence after a 5- or even a 12-year mark. Survival beyond 5 or even
      12 years, therefore, does not assure cure.

PMID- 24241966
TI  - Impact of thoracic recurrent laryngeal node dissection: 508 patients with tri
      incisional esophagectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of recurrent laryngeal nerve
      (RLN) lymph node (LN) dissection, this study compared the postoperative
      complications and survival between modern two-field lymphadenectomy (MTL) and
      modified standard two-field lymphadenectomy (MSTL) by using the propensity score
      matching method. METHODS: After generating propensity scores given the covariates
      of age, sex, tumor length, tumor location, tumor grade, and clinical stage, 254
      patients with MTL were matched to 254 MSTL patients using the nearest available
      score matching. The LNs resected during MSTL were paraesophageal and
      preparatracheal LNs in the upper mediastinum, in addition to those resected
      during standard two-field lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: RLN LNs were those most
      commonly affected by nodal metastasis in our series (26 %). Metastasis in RLN LNs
      was found in around 35, 25, and 20 % of patients with cancer in the upper,
      middle, and lower thoracic esophagus, respectively. LN metastasis was confined to
      the RLN region in 49 patients. Even 35 % of patients with pT1 tumors had positive
      RLN LNs. MTL increased the mean number of resected LNs when compared to MSTL (29
      vs.15; p < 0.001). Recurrence was more frequent in those assigned MSTL than those
      assigned MTL (p < 0.001). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free
      survival (DFS) rate for MTL were 50.7 and 42 % compared to 35.3 and 28.2 % for
      MSTL (both p < 0.001), respectively. Postoperative complications were more
      frequent following MTL when compared to the MSTL. However, no statistically
      significant difference in postoperative complications was observed between the
      two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adding the removal of RLN LNs might improve OS and DFS
      with acceptable morbidity for patients with ESCC.

PMID- 24241967
TI  - Treatment sequencing for resectable pancreatic cancer: influence of early
      metastases and surgical complications on multimodality therapy completion and
      survival.
AB  - Barriers to multimodality therapy (MMT) completion among patients with resectable
      pancreatic adenocarcinoma include early cancer progression and postoperative
      major complications (PMC). We sought to evaluate the influence of these factors
      on MMT completion rates of patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NT) and
      surgery-first (SF) approaches. We evaluated all operable patients treated for
      clinically resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma at our institution from 2002
      to 2007. Rates of MMT completion, 90-day PMC, and overall survival (OS) were
      evaluated. Ninety-five of 115 (83 %) NT and 29/50 (58 %) SF patients completed
      MMT. Patients who completed MMT lived longer than those who did not (36 vs. 11
      months, p < 0.001). The most common reason that NT (11 %) and SF (26 %) patients
      failed to complete MMT was early disease progression. The rates of PMC among NT
      and SF patients were similar. Among SF patients, 69 % with no PMC completed MMT
      versus 29 % after PMC (p = 0.040). PMC were associated with decreased OS in SF
      patients but not in NT patients. The impact of early cancer progression and PMC
      upon completion of MMT is reduced by delivery of nonoperative therapies prior to
      pancreaticoduodenectomy. NT sequencing is a practical treatment strategy,
      particularly for patients at high biological or perioperative risk.

PMID- 24241969
TI  - Existence of the sugar-bisulfite adducts and its inhibiting effect on degradation
      of monosaccharide in acid system.
AB  - Degradation of fermentable monosaccharides is one of the primary concerns for
      acid prehydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Recently, in our research on
      degradation of pure monosaccharides in aqueous SO2 solution by gas chromatography
      (GC) analysis, we found that detected yield was not actual yield of each
      monosaccharide due to the existence of sugar-bisulfite adducts, and a new method
      was developed by ourselves which led to accurate detection of recovery yield of
      each monosaccharide in aqueous SO2 solution by GC analysis. By the use of this
      method, degradation of each monosaccharide in aqueous SO2 was investigated and
      results showed that sugar-bisulfite adducts have different inhibiting effect on
      degradation of each monosaccharide in aqueous SO2 because of their different
      stability. In addition, NMR testing also demonstrated possible existence of
      reaction between conjugated based HSO3(-) and aldehyde group of sugars in acid
      system.

PMID- 24241970
TI  - Investigations on hydrolytic activities from Stachybotrys microspora and their
      use as an alternative in yeast DNA extraction.
AB  - Stachybotrys microspora is a filamentous fungus characterized by the secretion of
      multiple hydrolytic activities (cellulolytic and non-cellulolytic enzymes). The
      production of these biocatalysts was studied under submerged culture using
      glucose, cellulose, and wheat bran as carbon sources. Endoglucanases, pectinases,
      xylanases, beta-glucanases, chitinases, and proteases were induced on cellulose
      based medium and repressed on glucose in both strains with higher amounts
      produced by the mutant. beta-glucosidases were roughly equally produced by both
      strains under glucose and cellulose conditions. The yield of chitinases, beta
      glucanases, and proteases produced by Stachybotrys strains was as much higher
      than the commercialized lysing enzyme called "zymolyase," currently used in yeast
      DNA extraction. In this context, we showed that S. microspora hydrolases can be
      successfully applied in the extraction of yeast DNA. 

PMID- 24241968
TI  - Birth weight and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in
      US children and adolescents: 10 year results from NHANES.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that birth weight and other birth characteristics may
      be associated with risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD)
      later in life; however, results using large US national survey data are limited.
      Our goal was to determine the aforementioned associations using nationally
      representative data. We studied children and adolescents 6-15 years using data
      from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2001-2010.
      Survey and examination data included demographic and early childhood
      characteristics, current health status, physical activity information,
      anthropometric measurements, dietary data (total energy, saturated fat, sodium,
      and sugar intakes), biomarkers related to selected risk factors of CVD [systolic
      blood pressure (SBP), plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipid profiles], and
      type 2 diabetes [fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment
      (HOMA)]. Birth weight (proxy-reported) was inversely associated with SBP among
      girls; SBP levels increased 1.4 mmHg for each 1,000 g decrease in birth weight (p
      = 0.003) after controlling for potential confounders. Birth weight was not
      associated with levels of CRP or lipid profiles across the three racial groups.
      In addition, birth weight was inversely related to levels of fasting insulin and
      HOMA among non-Hispanic Whites; for each 1,000 g decrease in birth weight,
      fasting insulin levels increased 9.1% (p = 0.007) and HOMA scores increased 9.8%
      (p = 0.007). Birth weight was inversely associated with the levels of SBP,
      fasting insulin, and HOMA. These results support a role for birth weight,
      independent of the strong effects of current body weight status, in increasing
      risk for CVD and type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 24241971
TI  - Alcoholic fermentation with flocculant Saccharomyces cerevisiae in fed-batch
      process.
AB  - Studies have been conducted on selecting yeast strains for use in fermentation
      for ethanol production to improve the performance of industrial plants and
      decrease production costs. In this paper, we study alcoholic fermentation in a
      fed-batch process using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain with flocculant
      characteristics. Central composite design (CCD) was used to determine the optimal
      combination of the variables involved, with the sucrose concentration of 170 g/L,
      a cellular concentration in the inoculum of 40% (v/v), and a filling time of 6 h,
      which resulted in a 92.20% yield relative to the theoretical maximum yield, a
      productivity of 6.01 g/L h and a residual sucrose concentration of 44.33 g/L.
      With some changes in the process such as recirculation of medium during the
      fermentation process and increase in cellular concentration in the inoculum after
      use of the CCD was possible to reduce the residual sucrose concentration to 2.8
      g/L in 9 h of fermentation and increase yield and productivity for 92.75% and
      9.26 g/L h, respectively. A model was developed to describe the inhibition of
      alcoholic fermentation kinetics by the substrate and the product. The maximum
      specific growth rate was 0.103 h(-1), with K(I) and K(s) values of 109.86 and
      30.24 g/L, respectively. The experimental results from the fed-batch reactor show
      a good fit with the proposed model, resulting in a maximum growth rate of 0.080
      h(-1).

PMID- 24241972
TI  - Gingival tissue healing following Er:YAG laser ablation compared to
      electrosurgery in rats.
AB  - The erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser is currently used for
      periodontal soft tissue management with favorable outcomes. However, the process
      of wound healing after Er:YAG laser (ErL) treatment has not been fully elucidated
      yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the gingival tissue healing after
      ErL ablation in comparison with that after electrosurgery (ElS). Gingival defects
      were created in 28 rats by ablation with ErL irradiation or ElS. The
      chronological changes in wound healing were evaluated using histological,
      histometrical, and immunohistochemical analyses. The ErL-ablated gingival tissue
      revealed much less thermal damage, compared to the ElS. In the ElS sites, the
      postoperative tissue destruction continued due to thermal damage, while in the
      ErL sites, tissue degradation was limited and the defects were re-epithelialized
      early. Heat shock protein (Hsp) 72/73 expression was detected abundantly remote
      from the wound in the ElS, whereas it was slightly observed in close proximity to
      the wound in the ErL sites. Hsp47 expression was observed in the entire
      connective tissue early in the wound healing and was found limited in the wound
      area later. This phenomenon proceeded faster in the ErL sites than in the ElS
      sites. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) persisted in the
      epithelial tissue for a longer period in the ElS than that in the ErL. The ErL
      results in faster and more favorable gingival wound healing compared to the ElS,
      suggesting that the ErL is a safe and suitable tool for periodontal soft tissue
      management. 

PMID- 24241974
TI  - (Z,Z)-5,27-Tritriacontadiene: Major sex pheromone ofDrosophila pallidosa
      (Diptera; Drosophilidae).
AB  - A crude cuticular extract from both sexes of 3660 fruit flies (Drosophila
      pallidosa) was subjected to SiO2 and AgNO3/SiO2 column chromatography,
      accompanied by bioassay for the sex pheromone activity. After three
      chromatographic steps, the active fraction was obtained. The main component of
      the active fraction was determined to be (Z,Z)-5,27-tritriacontadiene [(Z,Z)-5,27
      C33:2, on the basis of gas-liquid chromatographic analysis, chemical
      derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Synthetic (Z,Z)-5,27
      C33:2 at 5 female equivalents (FE) elicited a clear courtship response with a
      high courtship index amongD. pallidosa males. Therefore it was concluded that
      (Z,Z)-5,27-C33:2 was a major sex pheromone component in this species. 

PMID- 24241973
TI  - The dawn of computer-assisted robotic osteotomy with ytterbium-doped fiber laser.
AB  - Currently, laser radiation is used routinely in medical applications. For
      infrared lasers, bone ablation and the healing process have been reported, but no
      laser systems are established and applied in clinical bone surgery. Furthermore,
      industrial laser applications utilize computer and robot assistance; medical
      laser radiations are still mostly conducted manually nowadays. The purpose of
      this study was to compare the histological appearance of bone ablation and
      healing response in rabbit radial bone osteotomy created by surgical saw and
      ytterbium-doped fiber laser controlled by a computer with use of nitrogen surface
      cooling spray. An Ytterbium (Yb)-doped fiber laser at a wavelength of 1,070 nm
      was guided by a computer-aided robotic system, with a spot size of 100 MUm at a
      distance of approximately 80 mm from the surface. The output power of the laser
      was 60 W at the scanning speed of 20 mm/s scan using continuous wave system with
      nitrogen spray level 0.5 MPa (energy density, 3.8 * 10(4) W/cm(2)). Rabbits
      radial bone osteotomy was performed by an Yb-doped fiber laser and a surgical
      saw. Additionally, histological analyses of the osteotomy site were performed on
      day 0 and day 21. Yb-doped fiber laser osteotomy revealed a remarkable cutting
      efficiency. There were little signs of tissue damage to the muscle. Lased
      specimens have shown no delayed healing compared with the saw osteotomies.
      Computer-assisted robotic osteotomy with Yb-doped fiber laser was able to
      perform. In rabbit model, laser-induced osteotomy defects, compared to those by
      surgical saw, exhibited no delayed healing response.

PMID- 24241975
TI  - Herbivore-induced volatile emissions from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
      seedlings.
AB  - The effect of herbivory on the composition of the volatile blends released by
      cotton seedlings was investigated by collecting volatiles from undamaged, freshly
      damaged (0-2 hr after initiation of feeding), and old damaged (16-19 hr after
      initiation of feeding) plants on which corn earworm caterpillars (Helicoverpa zea
      Boddie) were actively feeding. A blend of 22 compounds was consistently observed
      to be emitted by the old damaged plants with nine occurring either only in, or in
      significantly greater amounts in old damaged, as compared with freshly damaged
      plants. These were (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, hexyl acetate, (E)-beta-ocimene, (3E)
      4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, (Z)-3-hexenyl butyrate, (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate,
      (Z)-3-hexenyl 2-methylbutyrate, (E)-2-hexenyl 2-methylbutyrate, and indole. The
      nature of this response is compared with other studies where herbivore-induced
      volatile responses are also known. The presence of large amounts of terpenes and
      aldehydes seen at the onset of feeding and the appearance of other compounds
      hours later suggest that cotton defense mechanisms may consist of a constitutive
      repertoire that is augmented by an induced mechanism mobilized in response to
      attack. A number of the induced compounds are common to many plants where, in
      addition to an immediate defensive function, they are known to be involved in the
      attraction of natural enemies. 

PMID- 24241976
TI  - Fathead minnows use chemical cues to discriminate natural shoalmates from
      unfamiliar conspecifics.
AB  - Naturally occurring shoals of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were captured
      and individuals given the choice between shoalmates and unfamiliar conspecifics
      in a two-choice discrimination test. When presented with chemosensory cues alone
      or with both chemosensory and visual cues, minnows exhibited a significant
      preference for shoalmates versus unfamiliar conspecifics. With visual cues alone,
      there was no significant discrimination of shoalmates. A second set of trials was
      conducted to ensure that minnows were choosing natural shoalmates and not just
      individuals with which they were held in the laboratory. When given the choice
      between unfamiliar conspecifics and shoalmates from which they were separated for
      a minimum of two months, minnows exhibited a significant preference for
      shoalmates. Taken together, these data suggest that fathead minnows are able to
      discriminate among conspecifics on the basis of familiarity using chemosensory
      cues, even after a relatively long separation. The ability to discriminate among
      conspecifics may facilitate: (1) the maintenance of kin groups or groups that
      share similar foraging or predator avoidance patterns or (2) the recognition of
      former shoalmates after some period of separation. 

PMID- 24241977
TI  - Beaver (Castor canadensis) responses to major phenolic and neutral compounds in
      castoreum.
AB  - North American beaver (Castor canadensis) mark their territories with castoreum,
      a chemically complex secretion from their castor sacs. The phenolic and neutral
      fractions of castoreum have been shown to elicit specific behavioral responses
      from beavers in a field setting. Our objective was to identify compounds/mixtures
      that evoked responses similar to those stimulated by castoreum. We assayed
      recently identified phenolic compounds, some phenolics that had been determined
      to be biologically active in previous studies, the neutral compound borneol, and
      combinations of phenolic compounds, neutral compounds, and the two combined.
      Biological activity was measured by the elicitation and extent of specific
      responses and their strength (duration, frequency, and proportion of beavers
      responding). Generally, single compounds stimulated fewer responses than
      mixtures. A 26-compound mixture of phenolic and neutral compounds elicited
      responses in a similar proportion of trials as castoreum. However, responses to
      castoreum were stronger than to any synthetic sample. Further investigation of
      different measures of response, namely, elicitation, completeness, and strength,
      are deemed necessary to fully decipher the design of social odors. 

PMID- 24241978
TI  - Chiral esters: Sex pheromone of the bagworm,Oiketicus kirbyi (Lepidoptera:
      Psychidae).
AB  - Gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analyses of
      pheromone extract of female bagworms,Oiketicus kirbyi (Guilding), revealed five
      EAD-active compounds. Retention index calculations, GC-mass spectrometry in both
      full-scan and selected-ion monitoring modes and GC-EAD analyses of authentic
      standards identified the compounds as 1-methylbutyl octanoate (MBO), 1
      methylbutyl nonanoate (MBN), 1-methylbutyl decanoate (MBD), 1-methylpentyl
      decanoate (MPD), and 1-methylbutyl dodecanoate (MBDD). Of these five chiral
      esters, MBD was most abundant in extracts and elicited the strongest antennal
      response. In field experiments in Costa Rica, (R)-MBD attractedO. kirbyi males,
      whereas (S)-MBD in combination with (R)-MBD inhibited response.R but notS
      enantiomers of MBO, MBN, and MBDD strongly synergized attraction to (R)-MBD. (S)
      MBO and (S)-MBDD were inactive, whereas (S)-MBN was inhibitory. (R)-, (S)- and
      racemic MPD were inactive. Blends of (R)-MBD in ternary combination with either
      (R)-MBO and (R)-MBN or (R)-MBN and (R)-MBDD were as attractive as the five-ester
      blend. Five- and four-ester blends were equally attractive, suggesting redundancy
      of pheromone components for attraction of males. The multiple sex pheromone
      component blend of chiral esters inO. kirbyi may have evolved to maintain species
      specific communication in bagworm communities of tropical Americas. 

PMID- 24241979
TI  - Feeding behavior of graminivorous grasshoppers in response to host-plant
      extracts, alkaloids, and tannins.
AB  - Secondary metabolites exhibit the potential to direct food selection by grass
      feeding (graminivorous) grasshoppers. We examined the effects of plant extracts
      and representative secondary metabolites on the feeding behavior of two such
      grasshoppers,Ageneotettix deorum (Scudder) andPhoetaliotes nebrascensis
      (Scudder). Three alkaloids and two tannins were bioassayed for their activity as
      feeding deterrent allelochemicals, as were extracts from the foliage of the
      graminoids commonly eaten by these grasshoppers:Agropyron smithii
      Rydb.,Andropogon hallii Hack.,Andropogon scoparius Michx.,Bouteloua gracilis (H.
      B. K) Lag. ex Griffiths,Carex heliophila Mack. andStipa comata Trin. & Rupr.
      Alkaloids strongly deterred feeding but tannins only exhibited a weak effect,
      even when present at four times the concentration of total phenolics typical for
      these graminoids. Host-plant extracts also exhibited weak effects, such that we
      found no evidence for either strong deterrence or phagostimulation. Our results
      for alkaloids and host-plant extracts are consistent with the view that grass
      feeding grasshoppers may be restricted to graminoids because of: (1) the presence
      of deterrents in nonhosts and (2) the absence of deterrents in hosts. However,
      our data for tannins show that these are unlikely to be effective barriers to
      herbivory by these grasshoppers. 

PMID- 24241980
TI  - Inhibition of salvinia (Salvinia molesta Mitchell) by parthenium (Parthenium
      hysterophorus L.). I. Effect of leaf residue and allelochemicals.
AB  - Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) leaf residue (LP, leaf powder) inhibited
      salvinia (Salvinia molesta Mitchell) biomass and the number of healthy fronds at
      0.25% (w/v) and killed the treated plants at and above 0.75% (w/v) in about 5-15
      days, depending on the quantity of the residue. At the lethal dose, the LP caused
      an abrupt desiccation of above-water plant parts, probably due mainly to root
      dysfunction. This was concurrent with the loss of dehydrogenase activity in, and
      an increase in solute leakage from, the roots and loss of chlorophylla, b, and
      total chlorophyll contents in the fronds, resulting in death of the treated
      plants. The LP appears inhibitory to salvinia through affecting macromolecules
      proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The inhibitory activity of LP at the lethal
      dose suspended in water was completely lost when allowed to stand for 30 days
      under outdoor conditions and promoted growth of the salvinia plants placed in it.
      The standard allelochemicals, including those present in parthenium LP, except
      parthenin andp-hydroxybenzoic acid, did not inhibit growth up to 100 ppm.
      However, parthenin andp-hydroxybenzoic acid killed salvinia plants at 100 and 50
      ppm, respectively. Sincep-hydroxybenzoic acid is unlikely to be present at such a
      high concentration, parthenin appears to be one of the main allelochemicals
      responsible for the inhibitory effect of parthenium leaf residue on salvinia. 

PMID- 24241981
TI  - Inhibition of salvinia (Salvinia molesta Mitchell) by parthenium (Parthenium
      hysterophorus L.). II. Relative effect of flower, leaf, stem, and Root residue on
      Salvinia and Paddy.
AB  - The relative effect of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) plant residue on
      growth of salvinia and paddy seedlings was studied. The inhibitory activity of
      the residue as shown by its effect on the number of healthy fronds (HFN) and
      biomass was in the order: flower and leaf > stem and root. The flower (FP) and
      leaf (LP) residue was lethal at and above 0.75% (w/v, the convention used
      throughout), and inhibitory at lower doses. The stem (SP) and root (RP) residue
      supported growth of salvinia at lower doses and were slightly inhibitory at
      higher (1.25%) dose. All the above residue types supported the growth of paddy
      seedlings except at 1.25%, the highest concentration tested, which was slightly
      inhibitory. The amounts of chlorophylla, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid
      pigments in the leaves of the paddy seedlings grown in the medium were comparable
      to the amounts in the leaves of seedlings grown in distilled water. This
      demonstrates beneficial effects of the treatments. The study shows that salvinia
      is more sensitive to allelochemicals released by FP and LP into the aqueous
      medium. Both salvinia and paddy responded similarly to SP and RP by supporting
      growth at lower doses, probably due to lower levels of inhibitors. The results
      are discussed with reference to the possible role of allelopathy by parthenium on
      the population dynamics of aquatic weeds in natural ecosystems. 

PMID- 24241982
TI  - Bisabolene epoxides in sex pheromone innezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera:
      Pentatomidae): Role ofcis isomer and relation to specificity of pheromone.
AB  - Thetrans- andcis-(Z)-alpha-bisabolene epoxides (trans- andcis-(Z)-alphaBE) are
      the main components of the male sex pheromone inNezara viridula. The role of
      thecis isomer and the importance of thecis/trans proportion for the activity and
      the specificity of the pheromone are not clearly elucidated and were studied
      here. Interindividual variation of thecis/trans proportion produced by males was
      studied by individual hexanic extracts in two strains originating from the south
      of France (SF) and French West Indies (FWI). Thetrans isomer composed 42-82% of
      bisabolene epoxides in SF males and 74-94% of bisabolene epoxides in FWI males.
      Means (+/- SD) significantly differ between SF (62.8%+/-8.4) and FWI (82.4%+/
      5.9) males in spite of this interindividual variation. Different isomers of
      bisabolene epoxide were synthesized and their EAG activity on female antennae was
      compared. Racemictrans- andcis-(Z)-alphaBE elicited low EAGs, not different from
      the nonnaturaltrans andcis (E)-alphaBE that were inactive on behavior. Behavioral
      tests revealed that racemictrans- andcis-(Z)-alphaBE attracted 45% (P<0.05) and
      25% (P<0.05) of females, respectively. The same levels of attraction were
      obtained with (-) enantiomers oftrans- andcis-(Z)-alphaBE, which attracted 40%
      (P<0.05) and 20% (P>0.05) of the females, respectively. Binary blends containing
      75/25, 50/50, and 25/75 proportions ofcis/trans isomers were more attractive
      thantrans-(Z)-alphaBE alone and response of females to the 25%cis/75%trans blend
      was significantly more important than the response totrans-isomer alone (P<0.05).
      The importance of thecis/trans proportion in relation with the specificity of the
      male pheromone is discussed. 

PMID- 24241983
TI  - Interspecies differences and variability with time of protein precipitation
      activity of extractable tannins, crude protein, ash, and dry matter content of
      leaves from 13 species of Nepalese fodder trees.
AB  - Dry matter, ash, crude protein, and protein precipitation activity (PPA) of 13
      Nepalese tree fodder species were monitored in dried samples prepared monthly
      between November 1990 and May 1991, and additionally in November 1991, covering
      the season when they are particularly important as fodder. Monthly levels of dry
      matter, ash, and crude protein were fairly stable except when there was new leaf
      growth, although year to year differences in dry matter were found inBrassaiopsis
      hainla (Bh),Dendrocalamus strictus (Ds),Ficus roxburghii (Fr), andQuercus
      semecarpifolia (Qs). Tannin PPA fluctuated considerably inArtocarpus lakoocha
      (Al),Ficus glaberrima (Fg),F. nerrifolia (Fn), Fr,F. semicordata (Fs),Litsea
      polyantha (Lp), andPrunus cerasoides (Pc), and to a lesser extent in
      Bh,Castanopsis indica (Ci),C. tribuloides (Ct),Quercus lamellosa (Ql), and Qs.
      Similar fluctuations in PPA were observed in fresh leaf samples taken weekly. Ds
      did not have any detectable PPA. Trends in PPA fluctuation were generally similar
      for trees located at similar altitudes. Fr, Pc, Al, Fn, Ql, and Ci had falling
      PPAs before shedding leaves. Some of the fluctuations in Fr, Fs, Fg, Pc, and Lp
      were apparently due to changes in the extractability and quantity of condensed
      tannins. These fluctuations in PPA may affect the nutritive value of the fodders.

PMID- 24241984
TI  - Seasonal variation in phytotoxicity of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum L. Kuhn).
AB  - Laboratory bioassays were used to test for the phytotoxicity of volatile
      compounds, fresh plant material as a seed bed, and water extracts from bracken
      [Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn] pinnules to germination and seedling growth of
      aspen (Populus tremula L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Fronds were
      sampled from two bracken populations, one in the south and one in the north of
      Sweden. All three bioassays showed inhibitory effects, and these varied
      seasonally with the most inhibitory effects occurring in May, June, and
      September. The peak of inhibition in May and June coincides with the start of the
      growing season when bracken still is immature and vulnerable to interference from
      other species. The increase in inhibitory effects in September appears to be due
      to transformation of natural products or an accumulation of inhibitory compounds
      that are released during decomposition following frond death. Addition of
      activated carbon did not remove the inhibitory effects. 

PMID- 24241985
TI  - Phloem sap collection from lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.): Methodology and yield.
AB  - Three methods to collect phloem sap on different lettuce lines were optimized and
      are described in detail. The success ratio for stylectomy of aphids was over 80%
      through the combination of a specially designed setup and electrical penetration
      graphs to monitor phloem sap ingestion. For unknown reasons on some lettuce lines
      stylets never showed sustained exudation. There were clear differences in stylet
      exudation between two aphid species on the same lettuce line. Honeydew collection
      in hexadecane made accurate quantitative analysis possible; samples were large
      and clean, but biotransformed. The EDTA chelation method produced large samples,
      but dilution, oxidation, and impurities from the wound surface reduced the
      reliability. 

PMID- 24241986
TI  - Phloem sap collection from lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.): Chemical comparison among
      collection methods.
AB  - The chemical composition of phloem sap from lettuce, collected by three different
      methods, was compared. Phloem sap from stylectomy samples contained sucrose and
      14 amino acids. Honeydew and EDTA chelation samples showed considerable breakdown
      of sucrose into fructose and glucose, several additional amino acids, and large
      differences in relative concentrations of amino acids, when compared to
      stylectomy samples. Honeydew contained considerable amounts of other
      oligosaccharides, and few proteins in low amounts, while EDTA showed many
      proteins. HPLC chromatograms showed numerous unidentified secondary plant
      compounds in honeydew and EDTA samples. Comparison of phloem sap samples from
      near-isogenic susceptible and resistant lines showed no relation of phloem sap
      composition with monogenic resistance to the aphidNasonovia ribisnigri. 

PMID- 24241987
TI  - Aggregation pheromone of Australian SAP beetle,Carpophilus davidsoni (Coleoptera:
      Nitidulidae).
AB  - A male-produced aggregation pheromone was identified for the Australian sap
      beetle,Carpophilus davidsoni Dobson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), by bioassay-guided
      fractionation of volatiles collected from feeding beetles. The most abundant
      components were: (2E,4E,6E)-5-ethyl-3-methyl-2,4,6-nonatriene, (3E,5E,7E)-6-ethyl
      4-methyl-3,5,7-decatriene, (2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,5,7-trimethyl-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene,
      and (2E,4E,6E,8E)-7-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene. The relative
      abundance of these components in collections from individual males feeding on
      artificial diet was 100:7:9:31, respectively. Pheromone production began within
      several days after males were placed onto diet medium and continued for at least
      20 weeks. Peak production was >3 ug total pheromone per male per day. Males in
      groups of 50-60 emitted less pheromone (the peak level was 0.09 ug per beetle per
      day), and the emissions from groups contained relatively little tetraene
      (proportions of the components listed above were 100:7:2:7, respectively). Three
      additional trienes and one additional tetraene were identified in minor amounts;
      the entire eight-component male-specific blend is qualitatively identical and
      quantitatively similar to that of the North American sibling species,C. freemani
      Dobson. A synthetic blend of the four major components on rubber septa, prepared
      to emit in the same proportions as from individual males, was highly attractive
      in the field when synergized with fermenting whole-wheat bread dough. Cross
      attraction was observed in the field involving the pheromones ofC. davidsoni, C.
      hemipterus (L.), andC. mutilatus Erichson. Potential uses of the pheromones in
      pest management are discussed. 

PMID- 24241988
TI  - Discrimination of oilseed rape volatiles by honey bee: Novel combined gas
      chromatographic-electrophysiological behavioral assay.
AB  - A novel technique for the simultaneous monitoring of electroan-tennogram (EAG)
      and conditioned proboscis extension (CPE) responses of honey bees to the effluent
      from a gas chromatograph (GC) was developed to locate biologically active
      components in blends of plant volatiles and to investigate odor recognition at
      the peripheral and behavioral levels. A six-component mixture, comprising
      compounds previously identified as oilseed rape floral volatiles, was used as the
      stimulus. Standard CPE and EAG recordings were done as a reference. EAG responses
      were elicited from unconditioned bees by all the components presented either in
      the coupled or the standard mode. Conditioned bees gave larger EAG responses than
      unconditioned bees, suggesting that antennal sensitivity is enhanced by
      conditioning. At the behavioral level, in both the standard and the coupled
      modes, only conditioned bees showed the proboscis extension response, with the
      majority of individuals responding to linalool, 2-phenylethanol, and benzyl
      alcohol. 

PMID- 24241989
TI  - Sequestration ofVeratrum alkaloids by specialistRhadinoceraea nodicornis konow
      (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae) and its ecoethological implications.
AB  - The larvae of the specialist sawflyRhadinoceraea nodicornis Konow (Hymenoptera,
      Tenthredinidae) store in their hemolymph ceveratrum alkaloids originating from
      the host plantVeratrum album L. (Liliales, Melanthiaceae). The major alkaloid
      found in the hemolymph is 3-acetyl-zygadenine. Qualitative and quantitative data
      showed that the plant alkaloid 3-angeloylzygadenine is most probably metabolized
      in the larval gut to zygadenine and then acetylated. A still unidentified
      alkaloid with a molecular weight of 591 Da was detected in plant leaves as well
      as in the gut, hemolymph, and excrement of larvae. Protoveratrine A and B, on the
      other hand, seem to be degraded by the larvae. These findings indicate that the
      pathway of ceveratrum alkaloids inR. nodicornis larvae is fourfold: direct
      sequestration, metabolism followed by sequestration, excretion of intact
      alkaloids, and degradation. In contrast, no ceveratrum alkaloids were detected in
      the hemolymph and excrement of larvae of the generalist sawflyAglaostigma sp. fed
      withV. album leaves. Bioassays with the antMyrmica rubra L. proved that the
      hemolymph ofR. nodicornis larvae is highly deterrent and toxic. In bioassays
      evaluating defensive efficiency against predators (ants, spiders, and
      bushcrickets), no larvae were eaten. Ceveratrum alkaloids were also detected in
      the hibernating prepupae ofR. nodicornis. In feeding bioassays, the
      shrewCrocidura russula Hermann rarely fed upon prepupae, suggesting that this
      stage is also protected from predation to some degree. In field surveys, the only
      parasitoids recorded were two ichneumonid species that are believed to be
      specialized onR. nodicornis. Bioassays and field observations enable us to
      suppose thatR. nodicornis and its enemies produce a food web of ion connectance. 

PMID- 24241990
TI  - Olfactory reception of potential pheromones and plant odors by tarnished plant
      bug,Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae).
AB  - Olfactory reception of potential pheromones and host-plant odors by male and
      female tarnished plant bugs (TPBs),Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae), was
      investigated by utilizing electroantennogram (EAG) techniques. In general, EAGs
      were similar between the sexes. Among 31 compounds of seven chemical groups
      tested, insect-produced butyrates and host-plant-containing green leaf volatiles
      (GLVs) were the most active. Hexyl butyrate and (E)-2-hexenyl butyrate elicited
      greater EAGs in males than in females. Females responded with significantly
      greater EAGs to alcohol and aldehyde GLVs than to their acetate derivatives.
      Among GLVs, sexual dimorphism was also observed in response to (E)-2-hexenol and
      (E)-2-hexenal. Females were more sensitive to the monoterpene geraniol than were
      males. While nonanal was the most stimulatory compound tested, no sexual
      differences in EAGs to this compound were observed. These studies reveal
      olfactory receptors on TPB antennae responsive to insect and host-plant volatiles
      that are likely to play a role in host finding and sexual attraction. 

PMID- 24241991
TI  - Sex pheromone of cranberry fruitworm,Acrobasis vaccinii riley (Lepidoptera:
      Pyralidae).
AB  - The following compounds and (approximate ratios) were identified in sex pheromone
      gland extracts of femaleAcrobasis vaccinii Riley by comparison of gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometric traces with those of synthetic standards: (E,Z)
      , (Z,E)-, (Z,Z), and (E,E)-8, 10-pentadecadien-l-ol acetates (100:1:2:12), a
      dodecen-l-ol acetate (8), (Z)-8-, (Z)-9-, and (E)-9-pentadecen-l-ol acetates
      (3:23:4), two heptadecen-l-ol acetates (4:4), tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl,
      and heptadecyl acetates (3:15:10:8), dodecan-l-ol (6), tetradecan-l-ol (5), and
      hexadecan-l-ol (23). The amount of (E,Z)-8, 10-pentadecadien-l-ol acetate (E8,Z10
      15:Ac) in the extract was about 0.5 ng/female. Electroantennographic analysis of
      gas chromatographic fractions of female sex pheromone gland extract showed that
      the fraction containingE8,Z10-15:Ac elicited the greatest response. Alone,E8,Z10
      15:Ac failed to elicit upwind flight of males in flight-tunnel tests, and traps
      baited with it did not catch males in field experiments. WhenE8,Z10-15:Ac was
      combined with (E)-9-pentadecen-l-ol acetate (100:4), male upwind flight response
      in flight-tunnel tests was equivalent to those obtained with extract of female
      sex pheromone glands (synthetic, 62%; natural, 51%), but the percent of males
      flying upwind that contacted the source was lower (synthetic, 47%; natural, 88%).
      The lower percent of source contact elicited by the synthetic pheromone could be
      a result of the difference in isomer ratios of 8,10-15:Ac in the natural and
      synthetic pheromone or could indicate that the synthetic pheromone is incomplete.
      Traps baited with the 100:4 combination caught large numbers of males in field
      experiments. 

PMID- 24241992
TI  - Identification, synthesis, and bioactivity of a male-produced aggregation
      pheromone in assassin bug,Pristhesancus Plagipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).
AB  - Pristhesancus plagipennis, a large Australian assassin bug, possesses three pairs
      of dorsal abdominal glands (DAGs). In the male, the anterior and posterior glands
      are hypertrophied and secrete an attractant pheromone. Gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of male DAG extracts and airborne volatiles emitted
      from calling males showed the pheromone signature to be dominated by a novel
      component. Subsequent chemical manipulations, GC-MS, and chiral-column analyses
      established its identity as (Z)-3-hexenyl (R)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate. Minor
      components included 3-methylbutanol, 2-phenylethanol, (Z)-3-hexenol, decanal, (E)
      2-hexenoic acid, and three minor hexenyl esters. Bioactivity studies using
      laboratory olfactometers and outdoor flight cages demonstrated attraction by
      femaleP. plagipennis to calling males, heptane extracts of male posterior DAGs
      and a synthetic formulation of the (Z)R enantiomer of the major ester, alone or
      in combination with other components of male anterior and posterior DAGs. Males
      were also attracted to the major ester. The racemate andS enantiomer of the ester
      were not attractive. Contamination of the (Z)R enantiomer with 30-60% of theE
      isomer also made the compound nonattractive. This is the first report of an
      aggregation pheromone in the Reduviidae. The prospects for pheromonal
      manipulation ofP. plagipennis populations to enhance the value of this predator
      in horticultural ecosystems, are discussed. 

PMID- 24241993
TI  - Volatile secretions of old world army antAenictus rotundatus and chemotaxonomic
      implications of army ant dufour gland chemistry.
AB  - The Dufour glands ofAenictus rotundatus contain a complex mixture of terpenoids
      with geranylgeraniol comprising over 50% of the secretion. Some novel compounds
      have been tentatively identified as higher homologs of 1,3,3-trimethyl-2,7
      dioxabicyclo[2,2,1]heptane based on GC-MS data. The Dufour gland secretion ofA.
      rotundatus is more similar in composition to the secretions of members of the
      subfamily Ecitoninae than to its closer relatives from the tribe Dorylini, a
      result that further complicates studies on the phylogeny of army ants. The
      mandibular glands ofA. rotundatus contain a mixture of 4-methyl-3-heptanone and
      limonene in trace amounts, and the well-developed postpygidial glands contain
      methyl anthranilate only. 

PMID- 24241994
TI  - Ethanol and ambrosia beetles in Douglas fir logs with and without branches.
AB  - November-felled Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) logs with and
      without branches were left lying on the forest floor through August. In May, as
      the logs were being colonized by ambrosia beetles,Trypodendron lineatum (Oliv.)
      andGnathotrichus retusus (LeConte), the ethanol, acetaldehyde, and water
      concentrations in the delimbed logs were significantly higher than in the
      branched logs. Since both log types received the same rainfall, lower water
      contents in branched logs was probably the result of absorbed water being
      transported through the branches via capillary movement and evaporation. Lower
      tissue water levels could have prevented the establishment and maintenance of
      anaerobic conditions, thus limiting the synthesis of acetaldehyde and ethanol in
      the branched logs. By late August, the beetle densities in delimbed logs were 9
      16 times greater than in the branched logs. Log ethanol concentrations could be a
      key chemical factor affecting the ambrosia beetle attack densities. Acetaldehyde
      concentrations in the logs also may have affected the attack densities. 

PMID- 24241995
TI  - Behavioral responses ofLittoraria irrorata (SAY) to water-borne odors.
AB  - Behavioral responses of the gastropod molluscLittoraria (=Littorina)irrorata
      indicate that it can discriminate among environmental odors. Snails were assayed
      for responses to 11 odors from plants and animals potentially representing food,
      shelter, location in the environment, and predators. Crushed conspecifics were
      included as an alarm odor. Except for odor of crushed conspecifics, all odor
      sources were water-borne from living intact organisms. Behavioral responses were
      categorized as no response, positive response, or negative response. For some
      analyses, negative responses were subdivided into withdrawing and turning
      responses. Snails responded positively to several plant odors. They did not
      respond to odors of intact conspecifics, fiddler crabs, or grass shrimp. They
      responded negatively to odors of a plant found at the upper limit of their
      minimal habitat, predatory blue crabs, crushed conspecifics, predatory
      gastropods, and ribbed mussels. Odors of blue crabs on different diets affect the
      type of negative response the snails display. 

PMID- 24241996
TI  - Long-chain free fatty acids: Semiochemicals for host location by western corn
      rootworm larvae.
AB  - A bioassay-driven sequential fractionation scheme was used to isolate fractions
      of a crude dichloromethane maize seedling extract behaviorally active to larvae
      of the western corn rootworm,Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. (Z,Z)-9,12
      Octadecadienoic (linoleic) acid, (Z)-9-octadecenoic (oleic) acid, and
      octadecanoic (stearic) acid were identified from a purified fraction of maize
      extract that was attractive to western corn rootworm larvae in choice tests with
      equal levels of carbon dioxide on both sides of the choice. When synthetic
      linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids were tested together in the amounts and
      proportions found in the attractive fraction (1000, 800, and 300 ng of linoleic,
      oleic, and stearic acids, respectively), significantly more western corn rootworm
      larvae were found on the side with synthetic free fatty acids plus carbon dioxide
      than on the side with carbon dioxide alone. Results of the choice-test bioassays
      were not significantly different when the synthetic blend of free fatty acids was
      substituted for the purified maize fraction. Neither the purified extract nor the
      synthetic blend was behaviorally active in preliminary single-choice experiments
      without carbon dioxide. Linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids were also tested
      individually in the choice test bioassay with carbon dioxide on both sides of the
      choice to determine a dose-response curve. Linoleic and oleic acid each had one
      dose that was significantly attractive in conjunction with carbon dioxide on both
      sides of the choice, but stearic acid was not active in the doses tested. 

PMID- 24241997
TI  - Allelopathic potential of menthofuran monoterpenes fromCalamintha ashei.
AB  - A reversed-phase HPLC analysis was used to separate and quantify five menthofuran
      monoterpenes inCalamintha ashei leaf soaks and washes. (+)-Evodone and
      desacetylcalaminthone were the major constituents of both soaks and washes.
      Concentrations of (+)-evodone and desacetylcalaminthone were as high as 0.66 and
      0.74 mM, respectively, in leaf soaks. The highest concentration of monoterpenes
      in leaf washes obtained by misting was 0.021 mM. Aqueous solubilities of the
      menthofurans were determined to exceed concentrations required for growth
      inhibition. Bioassays of individualCalamintha monoterpenes demonstrated effects
      on germination as low as 0.05 mM for (+)-evodone. An equimolar mixture of
      desacetylcalaminthone and (+)-evodone reducedRudbeckia hirta germination by 17%
      at a combined concentration of 0.025 mM forLeptochloa dubia. Confirmation of
      allelopathic effects byCalamintha ashei will require long-term bioassays
      ofCalamintha menthofurans on the growth of native sandhill species under
      conditions comparable to the harsh environment of the Florida scrub. 

PMID- 24241998
TI  - Chemical defense of common antarctic shallow-water nudibranchTritoniella belli
      eliot (Mollusca: Tritonidae) and its prey,Clavularia frankliniana rouel
      (Cnidaria: Octocorallia).
AB  - Extracts of the dorid nudibranchTritoniella belli and stoloniferan
      coralClavularia frankliniana were chromatographed and analyzed by(1)H NMR and
      thin-layer chromatography. Three glycerol ethers were detected inT. belli,
      primarily 1-O-hexadecyl glycerol (chimyl alcohol). Chimyl alcohol was also
      detected after gradient flash chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC purification
      in the tissues ofC. frankliniana. The common omnivorous predatory Antarctic sea
      starOdontaster validus, a likely predator of benthic invertebrates, showed
      feeding deterrence to small cubes ofT. belli mantle tissue placed on the tube
      feet along the ambulacral feeding groove, while always extruding the cardiac
      stomach when presented with cubes of shrimp tissue of similar size. Filter-paper
      disks soaked in an aqueous shrimp solution and then dried were found to elicit a
      broad range of feeding behaviors inO. validus, including movement of the shrimp
      disk to the mouth, extrusion of the cardiac stomach, and the assumption of a
      humped feeding posture. Chimyl alcohol-treated shrimp disks caused significant
      feeding deterrence in sea stars when compared with control disks (solvent plus
      shrimp treated disks alone).T. belli andC. frankliniana appear to employ a
      defensive compound that has been found in a variety of temperate and tropical
      mollusks, where it has been demonstrated to deter fish predators. We provide
      evidence for further deterrent capabilities of chimyl alcohol and of its trophic
      relationship in the polar ecosystem of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. 

PMID- 24241999
TI  - Biological activity of (3R,5S,6R)- and (3S,5R,6S)-3,5-dimethyl-6-(methylethyl)
      3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyran-2-one, a pheromone ofMacrocentrus grandii (Goidanich)
      (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).
AB  - In a previous study we reported identification of (3R*,5S*,6R*)-3,5-dimethyl-6
      (methylethyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyran-2-one as a component of the pheromone
      ofMacrocentrus grandii Goidanich. The lactone was present in male and female
      wasps, and laboratory and field bioassays demonstrated that both sources of the
      lactone elicit flight initiation, upwind anemotaxis, and casting in male wasps.
      In the present study, the synthetic (3R,5S,6R)- and (3S,5R,6S)-lactone
      enantiomers (RSR andSRS, respectively) were bioassayed for biological activity.
      In wind tunnel studies theSRS enantiomer elicited flight initiation, upwind
      anemotaxis, and casting by male wasps comparable to lactone derived from male and
      female wasps. Flight response to theRSR enantiomer averaged 14 percent of theSRS
      enantiomer. No specific ratio of the stereoisomers was found more attractive than
      theSRS enantiomer alone. Field studies demonstrated theSRS enantiomer was active
      alone in attracting male wasps. When paired with (Z)-4-tridecenal (a previously
      identified female-derived sex pheromone), theSRS enantiomer yielded a synergistic
      response comparable to (Z)-4-tridecenal plus female-derived lactone. 

PMID- 24242000
TI  - Strain-specific proteogenomics accelerates the discovery of natural products via
      their biosynthetic pathways.
AB  - The use of proteomics for direct detection of expressed pathways producing
      natural products has yielded many new compounds, even when used in a screening
      mode without a bacterial genome sequence available. Here we quantify the
      advantages of having draft DNA-sequence available for strain-specific proteomics
      using the latest in ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry for both proteins and
      the small molecules they generate. Using the draft sequence of Streptomyces
      lilacinus NRRL B-1968, we show a >tenfold increase in the number of peptide
      identifications vs. using publicly available databases. Detected in this strain
      were six expressed gene clusters with varying homology to those known. To date,
      we have identified three of these clusters as encoding for the production of
      griseobactin (known), rakicidin D (an orphan NRPS/PKS hybrid cluster), and a
      putative thr and DHB-containing siderophore produced by a new non-ribosomal
      peptide sythetase gene cluster. The remaining three clusters show lower homology
      to those known, and likely encode enzymes for production of novel compounds.
      Using an interpreted strain-specific DNA sequence enables deep proteomics for the
      detection of multiple pathways and their encoded natural products in a single
      cultured bacterium. 

PMID- 24242001
TI  - Size-dependent propagation of Au nanoclusters through few-layer graphene.
AB  - We report the size-dependent propagation of gold nanoclusters through few-layer
      graphene (FLG). We employ aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron
      microscopy (STEM) to track the fate of Au55 and Au923 clusters that have been
      deposited, independently and isoenergetically, onto suspended FLG films using
      cluster beam deposition. We demonstrate that Au55 clusters penetrate through the
      FLG, whereas the monodisperse Au923 clusters reside at the surface. Our approach
      offers a route to the controlled incorporation of dopant nanoparticles and the
      generation of nanoscale defects in graphene. 

PMID- 24242002
TI  - Carcinogenic HPV prevalence and age-specific type distribution in 40,382 women
      with normal cervical cytology, ASCUS/LSIL, HSIL, or cervical cancer: what is the
      potential for prevention?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessment of the prevaccination type-specific prevalence of human
      papillomavirus (HPV) in the general population is important for the prediction of
      the impact of HPV vaccination. METHODS: We collected consecutively residual
      specimens from liquid-based cytology samples from 40,382 women from the general
      population in Copenhagen, Denmark, during 2002-2005. All samples were tested for
      high-risk HPV using the Hybrid Capture 2 technique, and genotyping was done using
      LiPa (Innogenetics). Through linkage with the Pathology Data Bank, we obtained
      information on the cytology result, and histology if any, on all women. RESULTS:
      The participants were 14-95 years of age (median age 37 years) at enrollment. The
      overall prevalence of HR HPV was 20.6 % ranging from 46.0 % in 20-23-year-old
      women to 5.7 % in women 65 years or older. Independently of cytology/histology,
      HPV16 was the most prevalent type. For virtually all HPV types, the occurrence of
      CIN3+ was higher when the specific HPV type was present together with HPV16 than
      it was together with other high-risk HPV types than HPV16 or if the HPV type
      occurred as a single infection. The prevalence of HPV16 and/or HPV18 was 74 % in
      cervical cancer and the corresponding prevalence of HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58 was
      89 %. CONCLUSION: This study forms a valuable starting point for monitoring the
      effect of HPV vaccination in Denmark. In addition, the particular carcinogenic
      role of HPV16 and 18 is confirmed and may support a role of genotyping for HPV16
      and 18 in cervical cancer screening.

PMID- 24242004
TI  - The challenge of "Healthy People 2000".
AB  - The federal Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U.S. Public Health
      Service) has again prepared a compilation of goals and objectives for the health
      of the Nation's people, applicable to anticipated achievements within the decade
      ending in the year 2000. This effort involved work groups from numerous federal
      agencies, testimony in regional hearings from 800 citizens, and enrollment of a
      consortium of 300 national organizations. The final product, "Healthy People
      2000," was released in September 1990, and contains 298 measurable objectives.
      Content regarding children, genetic disorders, developmental disabilities, and
      disabilities in general is less featured and less specific than was hoped for.
      Ten objectives of relatively direct concern to geneticists are discussed, plus 23
      others of interest in the maternal and child health field. On balance, it is
      suggested that the Healthy People 2000 objectives can be useful and stimulating
      for workers in genetics, child health care, and disabilities' services.
      Regrettably, there was no simultaneous proposal of legislation that would provide
      new federal programs, funding, or assistance to states. 

PMID- 24242003
TI  - Maspin influences response to doxorubicin by changing the tumor microenvironment
      organization.
AB  - Altered degradation and deposition of extracellular matrix are hallmarks of tumor
      progression and response to therapy. From a microarray supervised analysis on a
      dataset of chemotherapy-treated breast carcinoma patients, maspin, a member of
      the serpin protease inhibitor family, has been the foremost variable identified
      in non-responsive versus responsive tumors. Accordingly, in a series of 52 human
      breast carcinomas, we detected high maspin expression in tumors that progressed
      under doxorubicin (DXR)-based chemotherapy. Our analysis of the role of maspin in
      response to chemotherapy in human MCF7 and MDAMB231 breast and SKOV3 ovarian
      carcinoma cells transfected to overexpress maspin and injected into mice showed
      that maspin overexpression led to DXR resistance through the maspin-induced
      collagen-enriched microenvironment and that an anti-maspin neutralizing
      monoclonal antibody reversed the collagen-dependent DXR resistance. Impaired
      diffusion and decreased DXR activity were also found in tumors derived from
      Matrigel-embedded cells, where abundant collagen fibers characterize the tumor
      matrix. Conversely, liposome-based DXR reached maspin-overexpressing tumor cells
      despite the abundant extracellular matrix and was more efficient in reducing
      tumor growth. Our results identify maspin-induced accumulation of collagen fibers
      as a cause of disease progression under DXR chemotherapy for breast cancer. Use
      of a more hydrophilic DXR formulation or of a maspin inhibitor in combination
      with chemotherapy holds the promise of more consistent responses to maspin
      overexpressing tumors and dense-matrix tumors in general. 

PMID- 24242005
TI  - Genetic counseling for deaf adults: Communication/language and cultural
      considerations.
AB  - It has been estimated that at least 50% of congenital or early onset deafness
      loss has a genetic etiology. Genetic services have traditionally been utilized by
      hearing parents of deaf children. Deaf adults could also greatly benefit from
      genetic counseling services. However, many deaf adults do not seek genetic
      services due in part to the communication/language and cultural differences of
      this group. Deaf people communicate in various ways including the use of sign
      language, oral communication, writing, or a combination of these modes. Also,
      while some deaf individuals are part of the hearing culture, others are part of
      the Deaf culture which has its own language, values, and traditions. Culturally
      Deaf individuals do not see themselves as handicapped or disabled. The genetic
      professional's awareness of the communication/language and cultural needs of this
      group, as well as their agency's responsibilities under section 504 of the
      Rehabilitation Act of 1973, may increase the accessibility of genetic services
      and contribute to the provision of successful genetic counseling for deaf adults.

PMID- 24242006
TI  - Breast cancer risk analysis: A genetic epidemiology service for families.
AB  - Breast Cancer Risk Analysis, a service for women with breast cancer and their
      families, makes use of information drawn from fields such as genetics,
      epidemiology, and counseling. Its aim is to provide individuals with background
      information and information regarding the etiology and risks of breast cancer.
      Based on this information, individuals are helped to make appropriate decisions
      pertaining to treatment and follow-up. While making use of some of the
      information and processes used in genetic counseling, Breast Cancer Risk Analysis
      differs from most types of genetic counseling for reproductive decisions. Some of
      these differences are discussed here. 

PMID- 24242007
TI  - A project to strengthen linkages between genetic centers and child welfare
      services.
AB  - Genetic centers are reaching out to underserved populations. One of the most
      vulnerable underserved populations is children receiving child welfare services.
      Delivering genetic services to this group is particularly problematic because of
      multiple barriers. The first step in overcoming barriers is developing linkages
      between the genetic and adoption service systems with the goal of increasing
      referrals of child welfare clients to genetic services. This paper presents a
      model of fostering linkages that was developed under the auspices of the Mid
      Atlantic Regional Human Genetics Network with support from the Maternal and Child
      Health Bureau, Genetic Services Branch. Although the project was regional and
      funded, the model can be applied at the local level. 

PMID- 24242008
TI  - Continuing education in genetics for Adoption workers in Wisconsin.
AB  - In response to 1982 legislation and 1984 changes in the Wisconsin Adoption
      Records Laws requiring the collection of a medical-genetic history at the time of
      termination of parental rights, a continuing education program in genetics was
      conducted for adoption workers in 1984 and 1985. The education program provided
      14 workshops in five locations throughout the state and consisted of a variety of
      formats and levels of training. In all, 164 participants were trained at least at
      the introductory level with approximately 40 of these individuals taking part in
      the advanced levels of training. Evaluations of the training by participants and
      by a sample of the agency supervisors of trainees ranked the program very highly.
      A review of genetic history forms completed in post-training sessions verified
      the expectation that training was beneficial. Trained workers completing the
      medical-genetic history forms scored somewhat higher than untrained workers and
      much higher than parents who completed the forms without professional guidance.
      Medical-genetic history forms completed by birth fathers as part of step-parent
      adoptions contained little to no useful information about the birth father's
      genetic background. 

PMID- 24242009
TI  - Genetics and adoption: Forming a partnership.
AB  - Genetic issues are demanding more attention in the area of public health.
      Adoption agencies and policymakers are beginning to address these issues where
      they relate to the adoption process and to the many families involved in adoption
      in this country. Genetic counselors need to play an active role as both educators
      of and consultants for adoption professionals and the families with whom they
      work. To facilitate a partnership between genetics and adoption we have developed
      a workshop intended to educate adoption professionals about the lifelong
      implications of genetic conditions on the adoption triad. 

PMID- 24242010
TI  - Autophagy mediates avian influenza H5N1 pseudotyped particle-induced lung
      inflammation through NF-kappaB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.
AB  - Since avian influenza virus H5N1-induced hypercytokemia plays a key role in acute
      lung injury, understanding its molecular mechanism is highly desirable for
      discovering therapeutic targets against H5N1 infection. In the present study, we
      investigated the role of autophagy in H5N1-induced lung inflammation by using
      H5N1 pseudotyped viral particles (H5N1pps). The results showed that H5N1pps
      significantly induced autophagy both in A549 human lung epithelial cells and in
      mouse lung tissues, which was primarily due to hemagglutinin (HA) of H5N1 virus.
      Blocking autophagy with 3-methyladenine (an autophagy inhibitor) or siRNA
      knockdown of autophagy-related genes (beclin1 and atg5) dramatically attenuated
      H5N1pp-induced proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-1beta, TNF
      alpha, IL-6, CCL2, and CCL5, both in vitro and in vivo. Autophagy-mediated
      inflammatory responses involved the activation of NF-kappaB and p38 MAPK
      signaling pathways, which required the presence of clathrin but did not rely on
      p62 or autophagosome-lysosome fusion. On the other hand, the activation of NF
      kappaB also promoted H5N1pp-induced autophagosome formation. These data indicated
      a positive feedback loop between autophagy and NF-kappaB signaling cascade, which
      could exacerbate H5N1pp-induced lung inflammation. Our data demonstrated an
      essential role of autophagy in H5N1pp-triggered inflammatory responses, and
      targeting the autophagic pathway could be a promising strategy to treat H5N1
      virus-caused lung inflammation. 

PMID- 24242011
TI  - Newborn rat response to single vs. combined cGMP-dependent pulmonary
      vasodilators.
AB  - Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) and other cGMP- or cAMP-dependent pulmonary
      vasodilators are often used in combination for the treatment of the persistent
      pulmonary hypertension of the newborn syndrome. There is in vitro evidence to
      indicate that NO downregulate the pulmonary vascular response to cGMP-dependent
      agonists raising concern as to whether a synergistic effect is observed when
      employing a combined strategy in newborns. Hypothesizing that a synergistic
      effect is absent, we evaluated newborn and juvenile rat pulmonary arteries to
      determine the individual and combined vasodilatory effect of cGMP- and cAMP
      dependent agonists. In precontracted near-resistance pulmonary arteries, the
      addition of sildenafil reduced vasorelaxation response to NO donor S-nitroso-N
      acetyl penicillamine (SNAP). A similar decrease in SNAP-induced vasodilation was
      observed in arteries pretreated with BAY 41-2272 (10(-9) M), a soluble guanylate
      cyclase stimulator cGMP, and its downstream protein kinase activator. cGMP also
      reduced the vasorelaxant response to the cAMP-dependent forskolin. Inhibition of
      endogenous vascular NO generation enhanced SNAP-induced relaxation. The present
      data suggest that the mechanism involved in the cGMP desensitization to other
      relaxant agonists involves downregulation of the small heat shock protein HSP20
      and is evident in rat pulmonary and systemic vascular smooth muscle cells. In
      newborn rats with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, the combination
      of sildenafil and inhaled NO resulted in a lesser reduction in pulmonary vascular
      resistance compared with their individual effect. These data suggest that
      clinical exposure to one cGMP-dependent pulmonary vasodilator may affect the
      response to other cGMP- or cAMP-mediated agonists. 

PMID- 24242013
TI  - Confusion secondary to herpes simplex infection.

PMID- 24242014
TI  - A better way to know what patients believe and value about health.

PMID- 24242012
TI  - Phase-directed therapy: TSG-6 targeted to early inflammation improves bleomycin
      injured lungs.
AB  - Previous reports demonstrated that bleomycin-induced injury of lungs in mice can
      be improved by the administration of murine multipotent adult stem/progenitor
      cells (MSCs) from the bone marrow. Recently some of the beneficial effects of
      MSCs have been explained by the cells being activated by signals from injured
      tissues to express the inflammation modulating protein TNF-alpha-stimulated
      gene/protein 6 (TSG-6). In this study, we elected to test the hypothesis that
      targeting the early phase of bleomycin-induced lung injury with systemic TSG-6
      administration may produce therapeutic effects such as preventing the
      deterioration of lung function and increasing survival by modulation of the
      inflammatory cascade. Lung injury in C57Bl/6J mice was induced by intratracheal
      administration of bleomycin. Mice then received intravenous injections of TSG-6
      or sham controls. Pulse oximetry was used to monitor changes in lung function.
      Cell infiltration was evaluated by flow cytometry, cytokine expression was
      measured by ELISA assays, and lungs were assessed for histological attributes.
      The results demonstrated that intravenous infusion of TSG-6 during the early
      inflammatory phase decreased cellular infiltration into alveolar spaces. Most
      importantly, it improved both the subsequent decrease in arterial oxygen
      saturation levels and the survival of the mice. These findings demonstrated that
      the beneficial effects of TSG-6 in a model of bleomycin-induced lung injury are
      largely explained by the protein modulating the early inflammatory phase. Similar
      phase-directed strategy with TSG-6 or other therapeutic factors that MSCs produce
      may be useful for other lung diseases and diseases of other organs. 

PMID- 24242016
TI  - Overview of public policy and commercial gambling.

PMID- 24242015
TI  - T11TS inhibits glioma angiogenesis by modulation of MMPs, TIMPs, with related
      integrin alphav and TGF-beta1 expressions.
AB  - During glioma development, angiogenesis plays a crucial role in growth and
      vascularization of primary brain tumors. T11 target structure (T11TS), a
      bioactive molecule, has been documented as an anti-neoplastic agent in glioma
      induced rats and also in human glioma in vitro. This novel molecule induces
      apoptosis of tumor cells by way of immune potentiation and impairs the glioma
      cell cycle, but its role in glioma angiogenesis has not been worked out in
      detail. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes promoting tumor angiogenesis
      by enzymatically remodeling the extracellular matrix and altering surface protein
      expression such as integrin alphav and the matrix-bound proteins like TGF-beta1.
      The present study was formulated to assess the efficacy of T11TS in the
      modulations of MMP-2 and -9 and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2)
      as well as modulations of integrin alphav and TGF-beta1 in glioma-induced rats
      and also on the phenotypic markers of endothelial cells (CD31 and CD34). The
      parameters used were zymography, western blot, and flow cytometric analyses. It
      was observed that T11TS administration significantly downregulates the expression
      of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 along with its ligand integrin alphav and
      upregulates TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. In situ immunofluorescence and FACS results
      revealed that T11TS administration decreased the expression of the phenotypic
      markers (CD31/PECAM1, CD34), inhibiting the cell grip and also downregulating TGF
      beta1 expression (ELISA) from microglia cells in the glioma microenvironment.
      These results suggest that T11TS suppresses the expression of positive angiogenic
      growth factors and potentiates the expression of negative regulators in glioma
      associated endothelial cells (ECs), resulting in an anti-angiogenic effect on
      glioma-induced angiogenesis. 

PMID- 24242017
TI  - Sucker bet or sure thing: A critical analysis of sports lotteries.
AB  - A paradox currently exists regarding legal sports gambling in North America:
      various forms are flourishing in Nevada, Oregon, and several Canadian provinces,
      while at the same time the United States Congress is conducting hearings on two
      bills that would prohibit any new state-sponsored sports gambling initiatives.
      This study examines the issue of why some jurisdictions are enthusiastic about
      legal sports gambling while others strongly resist the concept. In reviewing
      these divergent viewpoints, a case study of the newfledged Canadian "Sport
      Select" gambling format is presented. This example is used to highly the perils
      and payoffs of a typical state-sponsored sports gambling scheme, with a view
      toward broadening our understanding of how they work and how they might be fairer
      to the public. 

PMID- 24242018
TI  - Gambling on sport: Policy issues.
AB  - The most significant public policy issue associated with sports betting is
      legalization. Supporters of legalization rest the bulk of their case on the
      economic benefits the state can experience. They also assert that legalization
      will have a major negative impact on the extent of illegal gambling. Those who
      are against further legalization, particularly amateur and professional sports
      leagues, the horse race industry, and legal bookmakers, point out that sports
      wagering is not very profitable and is very risky for the operator. Furthermore,
      legal wagering will be unable to compete effectively with the price of illegal
      operations. It is highly likely that the recently introduced federal legislation,
      S.474, Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, prohibiting further
      legalization of sports betting will be enacted. 

PMID- 24242019
TI  - A little bit more evidence of lottery regressivity: The Kansas State Lottery.
AB  - This paper examines the existence of regressivity at the Kansas State Lottery
      using county level data. The classic "t-test" is used to test if the mean per
      capita bet in classes, defined as being below or above the median state income,
      are the same. The results show that the means of the per capita bets are not
      statistically different. Another test directly tests regressivity using the mean
      of bets expressed as a percentage of income. The results show that lower income
      counties bet more as a percentage of income. The second test also defines classes
      as being below or above the median educational level, labor force participation
      rate, employment rate, unemployment rate, population density, percentage white
      and the population size. The results show that Kansas runs a regressive lottery. 

PMID- 24242020
TI  - The ethics of parimutuel systems.
AB  - One strand of the moral case for the superiority of parimutuel systems of betting
      over bookmaking emphasises that, as the name implies, the bettors are betting
      amongst themselves and that there is no discrimination against any individual
      bettor or groups of bettors. This claim is undermined by three deviations from
      the pure parimutuel principle found in many systems. Given that there is a close
      inverse relationship between the income/wealth of bettors and the average odds of
      the bets they place, the three deviations-higher deductions from long odds
      ("exotic") pools, higher deductions from pools when longer odds horses win and
      the paying of minimum dividends-each move a parimutuel system in the unethical
      direction ofregressive taxation. 

PMID- 24242021
TI  - The future of Indian gaming.
AB  - The legal right for Native Americans to administer gambling on their land
      provides them with probably the most profitable opportunity currently available
      to generate tribal income. The federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act which
      guarantees this right is frequently invoked in instances where Indian gaming is
      competitive with state or private commercial gambling interests. This article
      examines multiple aspects of the competitive conflicts which arise and provides
      some speculation about the future of Indian gaming. 

PMID- 24242022
TI  - Accurately depicting pathological gamblers: Policy and treatment implications.
AB  - This paper describes results from a 3-year study of pathological gambling in the
      general population. Two distinct groups of pathological gamblers, based on
      income, were distinguished in the general population. These two groups varied
      considerably on several dimensions, including their demographic characteristics,
      gambling involvement and problematic gambling-related behaviors. These results
      contradict widely-accepted beliefs about the characteristics and behaviors of
      pathological gamblers and suggest that efforts in outreach, education and program
      development must be expanded to include types of pathological gamblers beyond
      those currently in treatment. 

PMID- 24242023
TI  - Commercial gambling and values in American society: The social construction of
      risk.
AB  - Human existence is rooted in the individual's confrontation with risk from birth
      through death. Factors beyond individual control constantly produce random
      threats to the individual's welfare. The anxieties created by these events often
      cannot be resolved by the individual, but require the explanatory support of
      cultural values and belief systems. These values and belief systems allow a sense
      that socially managed activities can reduce adverse consequences to the
      individual in the face of random circumstances. This paper discusses the
      relationships among public policy, American values, and gambling as a cultural
      buffer to existential anxieties caused by chance events. 

PMID- 24242024
TI  - Substitution of cyclophosphamide in the modified BuCy regimen with fludarabine is
      associated with increased incidence of severe pneumonia: a prospective,
      randomized study.
AB  - The modified busulfan-cyclophosphamide (mBuCy) regimen, combined with
      hydroxyurea, cytarabine and semustine, is the most frequently used myeloablative
      conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in
      our unit. It is unknown, however, whether fludarabine can be substituted for
      cyclophosphamide in the mBuCy regimen. We carried out a prospective study to
      compare modified busulfan-fludarabine (mBuF) with mBuCy, aiming to reduce the
      treatment-related mortality, with non-inferiority of other outcomes. The mBuCy
      regimen consisted of hydroxyurea 80 mg/kg on day -10; cytarabine 2 g/m(2) on day 
      9; busulfan 9.6 mg/kg, intravenously on day -8 through -6; and cyclophosphamide
      3.6 g/m(2) on day -5 and -4 and semustine 250 mg/m(2) on day -3. In the mBuF
      regimen, cyclophosphamide was substituted with fludarabine 30 mg/m(2) through day
      -5 to -1. Mobilized blood and marrow stem cells were collected from HLA-matched
      siblings. The trial was suspended due to a tendency of higher incidence of severe
      pneumonia in the mBuF arm, in which 105 patients were enrolled. After follow-up
      for another 22 months, a significantly increased incidence of severe pneumonia
      (31.1 %) was observed in the mBuF arm (11.6 % in mBuCy). This finding suggests
      that it is uncertain whether it is appropriate to substitute fludarabine for
      cyclophosphamide under any drug combination. This study was registered at
      www.chictr.org/cn under identifier ChiCTR-TRC-09000470. 

PMID- 24242027
TI  - [New approaches for the treatment of neurological diseases].

PMID- 24242026
TI  - Association between local interleukin-6 levels and slow flow/microvascular
      dysfunction.
AB  - We aimed to investigate the association between local interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels
      at the infarct-related artery and the risk of slow flow/microvascular dysfunction
      after PCI in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients treated by
      successful primary PCI. 56 eligible ST-elevation AMI patients (34 male/22 female,
      mean age: 63.5 +/- 10.3 years), undergoing successful primary PCI, were included
      in the current study. Blood samples were obtained from the extraction catheter
      placed distal to the lesion before PCI. Plasma IL-6 levels were determined by
      immunoassay method. Slow flow/microvascular dysfunction was observed in 21
      patients (37.5%). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, local IL-6 levels
      (OR 1.592, CI 1.135-2.268; P = 0.007) were found to be a significant risk factor
      of slow flow/microvascular dysfunction together with diabetes mellitus (OR =
      8.065, CI 1.244-52.632; P = 0.029) and thrombus score (OR = 12.500, CI 1.100
      142.857; P = 0.042). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis
      revealed that local IL-6 (ROC area 0.824, OR 1.704, CI 1.274-2.281, P < 0.001;
      optimal threshold >=11.3 pg/ml) had a predictive value of slow flow/microvascular
      dysfunction with sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 71%. Our study indicated
      that inflammatory response as presented by local IL-6 levels was associated with
      slow flow/microvascular dysfunction in patients with ST-elevation AMI after
      successful primary PCI.

PMID- 24242025
TI  - Bleeding complications related to warfarin treatment: a descriptive register
      study from the anticoagulation clinic at Helsingborg Hospital.
AB  - The most common indication for treatment with warfarin is the prevention of
      ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Time in therapeutic range
      (TTR) is an important tool to evaluate the quality of anticoagulation treatment.
      The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of treatment and the
      incidence of bleeding complications in patients on warfarin treatment treated by
      the anticoagulation clinic in Helsingborg. This is the first study that has
      specifically focused on the spontaneous reporting of bleeding complications in a
      real-world population. A total of 4,400 patients with a total of 8,394 patient
      years were registered, in the database Journalia AVK, during the time period
      November 1, 2007 to November 1, 2010. The mean age was 72 years. TTR was 73.3 %
      for the whole population. 421 patients suffered from haemorrhagic events. The
      frequency of major and fatal bleedings and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) were
      1.6, 0.2 and 0.5% per patient-year, respectively. A correlation between age and
      severe bleeding (major, fatal and ICH) (p = 0.003) was seen, but no correlation
      between gender and severe bleeding (p = 0.27). In 60 out of 455 bleeding events
      the complication had been reported to the anticoagulation clinic. At the
      anticoagulation clinic in Helsingborg the quality of warfarin treatment is good
      compared to previous results described in the literature, with regards to
      bleeding complications and efficacy. However, in our study, we confirm that the
      spontaneous reporting of bleeding complications related to warfarin is
      inadequate, and that review of patient records is needed to assure proper follow
      up.

PMID- 24242028
TI  - [Monoclonal antibodies and their targets in the treatment of multiple sclerosis].

PMID- 24242029
TI  - [Neuroprotective approaches in neurology - dashed hopes?].

PMID- 24242030
TI  - [Prevention of stroke].

PMID- 24242031
TI  - [Progress in treatment of epilepsy].

PMID- 24242032
TI  - Cellular mechanisms of ALS mutations - a loss or a gain of function?

PMID- 24242033
TI  - [Towards a vaccine against Alzheimer's?].

PMID- 24242034
TI  - [Therapeutic concepts in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)].

PMID- 24242035
TI  - [New developments in the neuro-oncology].

PMID- 24242036
TI  - [New prospects for therapy in Parkinson's disease].

PMID- 24242037
TI  - [Neuroinflammatory diseases with a focus on multiple sclerosis - an overview].

PMID- 24242038
TI  - The brain barriers as therapeutic targets in neuroinflammation.

PMID- 24242039
TI  - [ How do we release T cells from an autoimmune disease of the central nervous
      system?].

PMID- 24242040
TI  - Neuroprotective approaches in the animal model.

PMID- 24242041
TI  - The role of GM-CSF in multiple sclerosis.

PMID- 24242042
TI  - [Immunomodulation with oral dosage forms and their mechanisms of action].

PMID- 24242043
TI  - Upregulated Parkin expression protects mitochondrial homeostasis in DJ-1
      konckdown cells and cells overexpressing the DJ-1 L166P mutation.
AB  - Rare genetic mutations in the DJ-1 and Parkin genes cause recessive Parkinsonism,
      however, the relationship between these two genes is not fully elucidated.
      Current emerging evidence suggests that these genes are involved in mitochondrial
      homeostasis, and that a deficiency in either of these two genes is associated
      with damages in mitochondrial function and morphology. In this study, we
      demonstrated that knockdown of DJ-1 expression or the overexpression of the DJ-1
      L166P mutation results in a damaged phenotype in mitochondria and a
      hypersensitivity to H2O2-induced cell apoptosis. These phenotypes result from
      increased levels of endogenous oxidative stress. However, overexpression of wild
      type Parkin rescued the phenotypes observed in the mitochondria of DJ-1 knockdown
      and DJ-1 L166P mutant cells. We also determined that there were differences
      between the two cell models. Furthermore, both H2O2 treatment and the DJ-1 L166P
      mutation weakened the interaction between DJ-1 and Parkin. Taken together, these
      findings suggested that DJ-1 and Parkin were linked through oxidative stress, and
      that overexpression of Parkin protects DJ-1 protein-deficient and DJ-1 L166P
      mutant-expressing cells via inhibition of oxidative stress.

PMID- 24242044
TI  - miR-154 suppresses colorectal cancer cell growth and motility by targeting TLR2.
AB  - MicroRNAs play critical roles in the development and progression of colorectal
      cancer (CRC). miR-154 acts as a tumor suppressor in several tumors; however, its
      role in CRC is poorly understood. Herein, we found that miR-154 was decreased in
      CRC tissues and cell lines. Ectopic expression of miR-154 remarkably suppressed
      cell proliferation and colony formation, migration and invasion in CRC cells. The
      toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was found to be a direct target of miR-154 in CRC
      cells. Inhibition of TLR2 performed similar effects with miR-154 overexpression
      on CRC cells, and overexpression of TLR2 could significantly reverse the tumor
      suppressive effects of miR-154 on CRC cells. This study suggests an essential
      role for miR-154 in CRC. 

PMID- 24242045
TI  - Participation of miR-200a in TGF-beta1-mediated hepatic stellate cell activation.
AB  - Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a pivotal event in the initiation and
      progression of hepatic fibrosis since it mediates transforming growth factor beta
      1 (TGF-beta1)-driven extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. MicroRNAs (miRNAs),
      small non-coding RNAs modulating messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression,
      have emerged as key factors to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and
      apoptosis. Although the function of miR-200a has been discussed in many cancers
      and fibrotic diseases, its role in hepatic fibrosis is still poorly understood.
      The aim of this study is to investigate whether miR-200a could attenuate hepatic
      fibrosis partly through Wnt/beta-catenin and TGF-beta-dependant mechanisms. Our
      study found that the expression of endogenous miR-200a was decreased in vitro in
      TGF-beta1-induced HSC activation as well as in vivo in CCl4-induced rat liver
      fibrosis. Overexpression of miR-200a significantly inhibited alpha-SMA activity
      and further affected the proliferation of TGF-beta1-dependent activation of HSC.
      In addition, we identified beta-catenin and TGF-beta2 as two functional
      downstream targets for miR-200a. Interestingly, miR-200a specifically suppressed
      beta-catenin in the protein level, whereas miR-200a-mediated suppression of TGF
      beta2 was shown on both mRNA and protein levels. Our results revealed the
      critical regulatory role of miR-200a in HSC activation and implied miR-200a as a
      potential candidate for therapy by deregulation of Wnt/beta-catenin and TGFbeta
      signaling pathways, at least in part, via decreasing the expression of beta
      catenin and TGF-beta2. 

PMID- 24242047
TI  - Fibroblast growth factor acts upon the transcription of phospholipase C genes in
      human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
AB  - Besides the control of calcium levels, the phosphoinositide-specific
      phospholipases C (PI-PLCs), the main players in the phosphoinositide signalling
      pathway, contribute to a number of cell activities. The expression of PI-PLCs is
      strictly tissue specific and evidence suggests that it varies under different
      conditions, such as tumour progression or cell activation. In previous studies,
      we obtained a complete panel of expression of PI-PLC isoforms in human umbilical
      vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), a widely used experimental model for endothelial
      cells (EC), and demonstrated that the expression of the PLC genes varies under
      inflammatory stimulation. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) activates the PI-PLC
      gamma1 isoform. In the present study, PI-PLC expression in FGF-treated HUVEC was
      performed using RT-PCR, observed 24 h after stimulation. The expression of
      selected genes after stimulation was perturbed, suggesting that FGF affects gene
      transcription in PI signalling as a possible mechanism of regulation of its
      activity upon the AkT-PLC pathway. The most efficient effects of FGF were
      recorded in the 3-6-h interval. To understand the complex events progressing in
      EC might provide useful insights for potential therapeutic strategies. The
      opportunity to manipulate the EC might offer a powerful tool of considerable
      practical and clinical importance. 

PMID- 24242049
TI  - Volatile organic chemicals of a shore-dwelling cyanobacterial mat community.
AB  - The main components of a cyanobacterial mat community of a hypersaline lake shore
      consist of edaphic, mat-forming strains (ecophenes), and littoral strains
      ofOscillatoria animalis Agardh andO. subbrevis Schmidle, other microorganisms
      associated with these cyanobacteria, several species ofBembidion (Carabidae:
      Coleoptera), and two halophytic flowering plants:Puccinellia nuttalliana (salt
      meadow grass) andSalicornia europaea rubra (samphire). The volatile organic
      compounds of this community are a blend of those emitted by each of these
      components such as the C17 alka(e)nes, geosmin, 2-methylisoborneol,beta
      cyclocitral,beta-ionone, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide of
      cyanobacteria and associated microorganisms; alcohols, esters, and aldehydes
      usually associated with flowering plants; and possibly some insect-derived
      esters, particularly isopropyl tetradecanoate. The dominant compounds were: C11,
      C13, C15, and C17 alka(e)nes, methyl esters of C16 and C18:2 acids, isopropyl
      tetradecanoate, heptanal, 3-octanone and 2-nonanone, the acyclic terpene
      linalool, and the alcohols 1-heptanol, 1-hexanol, 1-octanol, 3-hexen-1-ol, and 2
      octen-1-ol. It is concluded that this community may be distinguished from related
      communities by its repertoire of volatile organic compounds. 

PMID- 24242048
TI  - Lack of adenovirus DNA in mediastinal adipose tissue of obese/overweight adults
      with cardiovascular disorders?
AB  - Mediastinal adipose tissue can be found on the anterior surface of pericardial
      sac below the remnants of the thymus. On the basis of previous studies describing
      adenoviruses (AdVs) as a causative factor of obesity, the causative relation
      between the presence of AdVs and an increased accumulation of mediastinal adipose
      tissue was studied. The study included 25 obese/overweight subjects with cardiac
      disorders. Specimens from fat deposits from the anterior mediastinum were
      collected during cardiac surgery procedures. Afterwards, PCR was used to detect
      AdV-DNA. No AdV-DNA could be detected in adipose tissue. An association between
      an excessive accumulation of mediastinal adipose tissue and an AdV-infection in
      the development of accompanying cardiac disorders was excluded.

PMID- 24242046
TI  - Interleukin-6 inhibition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha
      expression is mediated by JAK2- and PI3K-induced STAT1/3 in HepG2 hepatocyte
      cells.
AB  - Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is the major activator of the acute phase response (APR).
      One important regulator of IL-6-activated APR is peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha). Currently, there is a growing interest in
      determining the role of PPARalpha in regulating APR; however, studies on the
      molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways implicated in mediating the effects
      of IL-6 on the expression of PPARalpha are limited. We previously revealed that
      IL-6 inhibits PPARalpha gene expression through CAAT/enhancer-binding protein
      transcription factors in hepatocytes. In this study, we determined that STAT1/3
      was the direct downstream molecules that mediated the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and
      phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)
      signaling pathways in IL-6-induced repression of PPARalpha. Treatment of cells
      with pharmacological inhibitors of JAK2, PI3K, AKT, and mTOR attenuated the
      inhibitory effect of IL-6 on PPARalpha protein in a dose-dependent manner. These
      inhibitors also decreased the IL-6-induced repression of PPARalpha mRNA
      expression and promoter activity. Overexpression of STAT1 and STAT3 in HepG2
      cells cotransfected with a reporter vector containing this PPARalpha promoter
      region revealed that both the expression plasmids inhibited the IL-6-induced
      repression of PPARalpha promoter activity. In the presence of inhibitors of JAK2
      and mTOR (AG490 and rapamycin, respectively), IL-6-regulated protein expression
      and DNA binding of STAT1 and STAT3 were either completely or partially inhibited
      simultaneously, and the IL-6-induced repression of PPARalpha protein and mRNA was
      also inhibited. This study has unraveled novel pathways by which IL-6 inhibits
      PPARalpha gene transcription, involving the modulation of JAK2/STAT1-3 and
      PI3K/AKT/mTOR by inducing the binding of STAT1 and STAT3 to STAT-binding sites on
      the PPARalpha promoter. Together, these findings represent a new model of IL-6
      induced suppression of PPARalpha expression by inducing STAT1 and STAT3
      phosphorylation and subsequent down-regulation of PPARalpha mRNA expression. 

PMID- 24242050
TI  - Evolution of behavioral responses to sex pheromone in mutant laboratory colonies
      ofTrichoplusia ni.
AB  - Male cabbage looper moths,Trichoplusia ni, from two colonies in which all females
      express an abnormal sex pheromone production phenotype were evaluated in a
      laboratory wind tunnel for upwind flight responses to the normal and abnormal sex
      pheromones. The abnormal sex pheromone blend consisted of 20 times as much (Z)-9
      tetradecenyl acetate and 30-fold less (Z)-5-dodecenyl acetate compared to the
      normal pheromone blend. Initially, these males exhibited poor behavioral
      responses to the abnormal sex pheromone and maximum responses to the normal
      pheromone blend, indicating that there was no linkage between signal production
      and response. After 49 generations of laboratory rearing, males from the mutant
      colonies maintained good responses to the normal pheromone and increased their
      behavioral response to the abnormal sex pheromone to the same levels as for the
      normal pheromone. Over the same period, normal males maintained their preference
      for the normal pheromone. These results indicated that evolution had occurred in
      mutant colonies in favor of greater male responsiveness to the abnormal sex
      pheromone, resulting in the broadening of the response spectrum to pheromone
      blend ratios. This evolution presumably resulted from a mating advantage to those
      males that did not discriminate against mutant-type females in the mutant
      colonies. 

PMID- 24242051
TI  - Analysis of secretions from scent-producing glands of brushtail possum
      (Trichosorus vulpecula Kerr).
AB  - A characterization at a molecular level of the chemical composition of the
      secretions of the two pairs of paracloacal glands and of the sternal sebum of the
      brushtail possum (Trichosorus vulpecula Kerr) has been undertaken with a view to
      evaluating the potential of volatile "pheromone" components as species-specific
      attractants for use in novel baiting systems. Particular attention has been given
      to the respective fatty acid fractions produced by chemical hydrolysis, since
      these are believed to be the products of postemission microbial degradation
      (fermentation) of the secretions. In all instances, the highly complex
      distribution of the constituents present in these organic components of the
      secretions were shown to be virtually identical in adult males and females. A
      unique suite of low-molecular-weight branched-chain carboxylic acids has been
      shown to be produced by chemical degradation of the holocrine (oil-secreting)
      gland secretion. This odor signature is suggested to function as a unique
      "scenting-the-habitat" pheromone that might act as an attractant to all members
      of the species. 

PMID- 24242052
TI  - Spatial distribution of odors in simulated benthic boundary layer flows.
AB  - Many animals orient to odor sources in aquatic habitats where different flows and
      substrates affect the hydrodynamics of benthic boundary layers. Since the
      dispersal of chemicals is due to the fluid mechanics of a particular environment,
      we quantified the changes in the fine structure of an odor plume under different
      hydrodynamic conditions in the benthic boundary layer of a laboratory flume. We
      sampled turbulent odor plumes at 10 Hz using a microchemical sensor (150 um
      diameter) under two flow speeds: 3.8 and 14.4 cm/sec, and at 1, 8, 50 mm above
      the substrate. These distances above the substrate occur within different flow
      regions of the boundary layer and correlate with the location of crustacean
      chemosensory appendages within boundary layer flows. The high flow velocity
      exhibited a greater level of turbulence and had more discrete odor pulses than
      the low flow velocity. In general, odor signals showed a high level of temporal
      variation in fast flow at heights 1 and 8 mm above the substrate. In slow flow,
      temporal variation was maximal at 50 mm above the substrate, exhibiting more
      variance than the same height at the fast flow. These patterns of odor signals
      resulted in part from differences in the height above the substrate of the main
      axis of the odor plume at the two flow speeds. Our results imply that animals
      chemically orienting to an odor source will need to compensate for varying
      hydrodynamic properties of odor transport and dispersal. The method by which
      animals extract spatial information from odor plumes will need to account for
      changing flow conditions, or else it will not be equally efficient in extracting
      information about chemical spatial distributions. 

PMID- 24242053
TI  - Field evaluation of synthetic compounds mediating oviposition inCulex mosquitoes
      (Diptera: Culicidae).
AB  - 3-Methylindole (skatole), a compound shown to be an oviposition
      attractant/stimulant forCulex quinquefasciatus in laboratory tests, was evaluated
      against natural populations of mosquitoes in the field. In experiments using
      paired black plastic tubs that contained water treated with an attractant
      solution containing a mixture of 3-methylindole, 4-methylphenol, 4-ethylphenol,
      phenol, and indole or that contained only tap water, the attractantbaited traps
      received significantly moreCx. quinquefasciatus egg rafts than did the untreated
      tap water. Gravid female traps that were baited with attractant solution
      collected significantly moreCx. quinquefasciatus females than did traps
      containing only tap water. There was no significant difference in number ofCx.
      quinquefasciatus collected in the traps baited with the attractant solution
      compared to the traps that contained water with 3-methylindole alone, indicating
      that 3-methylindole was solely responsible for the attraction. In replicated
      experiments conducted in experimental ponds, ponds that were treated with 3
      methylindole received significantly moreCx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. tarsalis,
      andCx. stigmatosoma egg rafts than did untreated ponds. Experimental ponds
      treated with 3-methylindole at two levels (0.12 and 0.6 mg/liter) were equally
      attractive to ovipositingCx. quinquefasciatus. This is the first record of 3
      methylindole showing attractancy/stimulation to ovipositingCx. stigmatosoma
      andCx. tarsalis under field or laboratory conditions. 

PMID- 24242054
TI  - Identification of the antibiotic phomalactone from the entomopathogenic
      fungusHirsutella thompsonii var.synnematosa.
AB  - Dichloromethane extracts of culture broth from three strains of the
      entomopathogenic fungusHirsutella thompsonii var.synnematosa were toxic to two
      species of tephritid fruit fly and inhibited conidial germination in vitro in
      several other entomopathogenic fungi includingBeauveria bassiana, Tolypocladium
      spp., andMetarhizium anisopliae. A major metabolite, toxic to apple
      maggot,Rhagoletis pomonella, and inhibitory to conidial germination inB.
      bassiana, was isolated and identified as the antibiotic (+)-phomalactone, 6-(1
      propenyl)-5,-6-dihydro-5-hydroxypyran-2-one. This is the first biologically
      active compound of low molecular weight isolated from the genusHirsutella. 

PMID- 24242055
TI  - Tolerance of bitter compounds by an herbivore,Cavia porcellus.
AB  - Many plant defensive chemicals are bitter to humans. Because of this taste
      characteristic, and because bitter compounds are often toxic, such substances,
      and the plants that contain them, are regarded as generally unpalatable to
      wildlife. These assumptions may be unwarranted. To test the hypothesis that
      herbivores are indifferent to 'bitter' tastants, we investigated the
      responsiveness of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) to denatonium benzoate,
      denatonium saccharide, limonene,L-phenylalanine, naringin, quebracho, quinine, Ro
      Pel (a commercial animal repellent containing denatonium saccharide) and sucrose
      octaacetate. Only quinine and sucrose octaacetate slightly but significantly
      reduced feeding (P<0.05). Our findings are inconsistent with the notion that
      herbivores generally avoid what humans describe as bitter tastes. 

PMID- 24242056
TI  - Allelopathy of oats. I. Assessment of allelopathic potential of extract of oat
      shoots and identification of an allelochemical.
AB  - The allelopathic potential of oat (Avena sativa L.) extracts was investigated
      under laboratory conditions. The ethyl ether-, acetone-, and water-soluble
      fractions obtained from the extract of oat shoots inhibited the germination and
      growth of roots and hypocotyls of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The inhibitory
      activity of the water-soluble fraction was maximum, followed by that of ethyl
      ether-soluble and acetone-soluble fraction. An active principle of the water
      soluble fraction was isolated and its structure was determined by spectral data
      asL-tryptophan.L-Tryptophan inhibited the growth of hypocotyls and roots of
      lettuce seedlings at concentrations greater than 0.03 and 0.1 mM, respectively.
      These results suggested thatL-tryptophan may be an allelochemical which affects
      the growth or germination of different plant species. 

PMID- 24242057
TI  - Allelopathy of oats. II. Allelochemical effect ofL-Tryptophan and its
      concentration in oat root exudates.
AB  - L-Tryptophan caused growth inhibition of roots and hypocotyls (or coleoptiles) of
      cockscomb (Amaranthus caudatus L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), cress (Lepidium
      sativum L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.), and oat (Avena sativa L.), increasing the dose ofL
      tryptophan increased the inhibition. The concentrations for 50% inhibition of the
      root growth were 0.14, 0.15, 0.21, 0.79, 0.95, 1.7, and 2.4 mM for cockscomb,
      cress, lettuce, timothy, rice, wheat, and oat, respectively; the concentrations
      for 40% inhibition of the hypocotyl (or coleoptile) growth were 0.28, 0.33, 0.43,
      2.7, 4.5, 7.2, and 15 mM for cockscomb, cress, lettuce, timothy, rice, wheat and
      oat, respectively. The levels ofL-tryptophan in oat seedlings and in its root
      exudates were 29.3 mg/kg fresh wt and 0.25 mM under light conditions, and 21.1
      mg/kg fresh wt and 0.18 mM under dark conditions, respectively. The presence ofL
      tryptophan in the root exudates coupled with its effect on growth suggested thatL
      tryptophan may play an important role in the growth inhibition of other plants in
      nature. 

PMID- 24242058
TI  - Tests and refinements of a general structure-activity model for avian repellents.
AB  - We tested the robustness of a structure-activity model for avian trigeminal
      chemoirritants. Fourteen benzoates and acetophenones were tested using European
      starlingsSturnus vulgaris as a bioassay. In general, the previously proposed
      model was a reasonable predictor of repellency (i.e., irritant potency). We found
      that the presence of a phenyl ring was critical to repellency. Basicity of the
      molecule is the next most critical feature influencing repellency. The presence
      of an acidic function within the electron-withdrawing functionality seriously
      detracts from repellency. The presence or absence of an electron-withdrawing or 
      donating group may potentiate repellent effects, but its presence is not
      critical, so long as the phenyl ring is electron rich. Our data suggest that
      there is ano-aminoacetophenone/methyl anthranilate trigeminal chemoreceptor in
      birds analogous to the mammalian capsaicin receptor. Both receptors contain a
      benzene site. However, birds seem to lack the associated thiol/hydrogen-bonding
      site present in mammals which is needed to activate the benzene site. Rather,
      birds may possess an associated exposed charged site that in turn may interact
      with the stimulus to activate the benzene site. These differences may explain the
      differential sensitivity of birds and mammals to aromatic irritants. 

PMID- 24242059
TI  - Use of water and EDTA extractions to estimate available (free and reversibly
      bound) phenolic acids in Cecil soils.
AB  - Sterile and microbe reinfested Cecil Ap and Bt soil materials amended with 0 to 5
      umol/g of ferulic acid,p-coumaric acid,p-hydroxybenzoic acid, or vanillic acid
      were extracted after varying time intervals with water, EDTA, or NaOH to
      characterize sorption of cinnamic and benzoic acid derivatives and to determine
      the effectiveness of water and EDTA extractions in estimating concentrations of
      free and reversibly bound phenolic acids in soils. Basic EDTA (0.5 M, pH 8)
      extractions and water extractions provided good estimates of both free and
      reversibly bound cinnamic acid derivatives, but not of benzoic acid derivatives.
      Neutral EDTA (0.25 M, pH 7) and water extractions, however, were effective for
      both cinnamic and benzoic acid derivatives Rapid initial sorption of both
      cinnamic and benzoic acid derivatives was followed by slow long-term sorption of
      the cinnamic acid derivatives. Slow long-term sorption was not observed for the
      benzoic acid derivatives. The amount of sorption of phenolic acids in soil
      materials was directly related to the concentration of phenolic acids added to
      soil materials. The addition of a second phenolic acid to the soil materials did
      not substantially affect the sorption of each individual phenolic acid. Sodium
      hydroxide extractions, which were made only after phenolic acids in phenolic acid
      amended and non-amended soil material were depleted by microbes, confirmed that
      neutral EDTA and water extractions of soils can be used to make accurate
      estimates of baseline (residual) levels of free and reversibly bound phenolic
      acids available to soil microbes and, thus, potentially to seeds and roots. 

PMID- 24242060
TI  - Mechanism of aggregation behavior inMaladera matrida Argaman (Coleoptera:
      Scarabaeidae).
AB  - AdultMaladera matrida Argaman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) males
      emerge from soil for an active period at dusk, a few minutes before the females.
      Adults are found during most of the active hours on the foliage in aggregations
      composed of an equal sex ratio. The mechanism of aggregation behavior ofM.
      matrida beetles was studied in a Y-shaped olfactometer. No evidence was found for
      the existence of an aggregation pheromone released either by males or by females,
      but behavior tests indicate that adultM. matrida beetles, males as well as
      females, are attracted to volatiles of an injured host plant. The following
      scenario is suggested: Males emerge daily from soil at dusk, a few minutes before
      the females, and immediately start feeding. Additional males are attracted to the
      injured host's volatiles and form aggregations. When females emerge from soil,
      the attractant volatiles are concentrated in spots, and the females join the
      aggregations, forming an equal sex ratio. 

PMID- 24242061
TI  - Leaf age affects composition of herbivore-induced synomones and attraction of
      predatory mites.
AB  - We investigated the olfactory response of the predatory mitePhytoseiulus
      persimilis to cucumber leaves infested with prey, the herbivorous spider
      miteTetranychus urticae. The predators responded to volatiles from young rather
      than old infested cucumber leaves. GC-MS analysis of the head-space of spider
      mite-infested, artificially damaged and undamaged cucumber plants showed that
      herbivore-induced plant volatiles were present among the volatiles of both old
      and young infested cucumber leaves. The major components of the herbivore-induced
      plant volatiles were (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene and (E)-beta-ocimene:
      these compounds are known to attract the predatory mites. In addition, we found
      three oximes (2-methylbutanalO-methyloxime, 3-methylbutanalO-methyloxime, and an
      unknown oxime) in the headspace of both old and young infested cucumber leaves. 3
      MethylbutanalO-methyloxime and the unknown oxime were much more abundant in the
      headspace of infested old cucumber leaves. The potential adaptive value of
      differential attractiveness of cucumber plant leaves of different age is
      discussed. 

PMID- 24242062
TI  - Detoxification of cereal plant allelochemicals by aphids: Activity and molecular
      weights of glutathioneS-transferase in three species of cereal aphids.
AB  - The activity and molecular weights of glutathioneS-transferase were studied in
      three species of cereal aphid:Metopolophium dirhodum, Sitobion avenae,
      andRhopalosiphum padi. The highest level of glutathioneS-transferase activity was
      recorded in extracts fromM. dirhodum and the lowest fromS. avenae, and extracts
      of larvae were more active than those from adults. The activity of this enzyme
      was higher in extracts ofS. avenae andR. padi previously fed on a moderately
      resistant wheat variety than on a susceptible variety. Gel filtration followed by
      SDS-PAGE revealed three protein bands in the active fractions. The first had a
      molecular weight of 28,500 and the second of 27,500 and were present in all three
      species of aphid. The third protein differed in the three species, having a
      molecular weight of 26,000 inS. avenae, 25,500 inM. dirhodum, and 24,000 inR.
      padi. 

PMID- 24242063
TI  - Role of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) carbohydrates in resistance to
      budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis).
AB  - The current year's growth of Douglas fir contains galactose, unusual in that this
      carbohydrate makes up 78.7% of the total carbohydrate fraction. An agar diet
      study was undertaken to determine the effects of galactose, other carbohydrates,
      and terpenes on western spruce budworm larval mortality, growth rate, and adult
      biomas production. All concentrations of the carbohydrates and terpenes tested,
      as well as other mineral elements not tested, were typical of the current year's
      foliage of Douglas fir. In experiment I, the diet containing 5.61% total
      carbohydrate did not significantly affect larval mortality when compared to the
      control diet. However, diets containing 9.45% and 15% total carbohydrate
      concentrations significantly increased larval mortality 64% and 96.1%,
      respectively, when compared to the control. Also in experiment I, terpenes alone
      (78.9% morality) and terpenes in combination with 9.45% and 15% total
      carbohydrates significantly increased larval mortality (97.2% and 100%,
      respectively) when compared to mortality on the control diet (44%). To determine
      which carbohydrate was causing the adverse effect, 6% glucose, 6% fructose, and
      6% galactose were placed individually and in combination with terpenes in diets
      in experiment II. The 6% galactose diet significantly increased larval mortality
      and reduced growth rate when compared to the control, glucose, and fructose
      diets. Glucose resulted in 16% less larval mortality, significantly enhanced
      female larval growth rate and pupal weight, but did not affect male larval growth
      rate and pupal weight, when compared to the control. Fructose resulted in a
      significant decrease in larval mortality and a general trend of enhanced female
      and male larval growth rate and pupal weight. Larval mortality on terpenes alone
      was not significantly different from the control, but terpenes with 6% galactose
      increased larval mortality and decreased female and male growth rate and pupal
      weight significantly when compared to glucose-terpene and fructose-terpene diets.
      No significant interactions were found between carbohydrates and terpenes in
      either experiment. 

PMID- 24242064
TI  - Interactions betweenKalmia and black spruce: Isolation and identification of
      allelopathic compounds.
AB  - Aqueous extracts of fresh leaves and organic soil of northern sheep laurel
      (Kalmia angustifolia var.angustifolia) were found to be inhibitory to the growth
      of black spruce (Picea mariana) germinants. Primary root growth of black spruce
      was more affected by the extracts than was shoot growth. The growth inhibition
      caused by the leaf extract was most pronounced under acidic conditions (pH 3-4).
      The aqueous extract ofKalmia leaves contained ferulic, vanillic, syringic,
      gentisic,m-coumaric,p-coumaric,o-hydroxyphenylacetic, andp-hydroxybenzoic acids
      as well as some other unknown compounds. These compounds were isolated from the
      aqueous extract ofKalmia leaves by ethyl acetate extraction and identified using
      thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography
      (HPLC). Bioassay indicated that the overall toxicity of the phenolic compounds to
      black spruce appeared to increase in the order ofo-hydroxyphenylacetic,p
      hydroxybenzoic, vanillic,p-coumaric, gentisic, syringic, ferulic, andm-coumaric
      acids. 

PMID- 24242065
TI  - Oviposition stimulants inBarbarea vulgaris forPieris rapae andP. napi oleracea:
      isolation, identification and differential activity.
AB  - The closely related butterflies,Pieris rapae andP. napi oleracea, readily laid
      eggs onBarbarea vulgaris in greenhouse cages. When offered a choice between
      cabbage andB. vulgaris, P. rapae showed no preference, butP. napi oleracea
      preferredB. vulgaris. Bioassays of extracts ofB. vulgaris foliage revealed the
      presence of oviposition deterrent(s) in l-butanol extracts as well as stimulants
      in the postbutanol water extracts. However, the deterrent effect was apparently
      outweighed by the strong stimulatory effect in the whole plants. The postbutanol
      water extract was preferred over an equivalent cabbage extract by both species,
      but more significantly in the case ofP. napi oleracea. The stimulants were
      isolated by open column chromatography and HPLC, and the activity was associated
      with three glucosinolates.P. napi oleracea was more sensitive thanP. rapae to the
      natural concentration of compounds1 and3, whereas both species were strongly
      stimulated to oviposit by natural concentrations of compound2. Compounds1 and2
      were identified as (2R)-glucobarbarin and (2S)-glucobarbarin, respectively, and3
      was identified as glucobrassicin, on the basis of their UV, mass, and NMR
      spectra. When the pure compounds were tested at the same concentrations applied
      to bean plants, the (2R)-glucobarbarin at 0.2 mg/plant was preferred over a
      standard cabbage extract by both butterfly species. However, at a dose of 0.02
      mg/plant,P. rapae preferred the cabbage extract whereasP. napi oleracea still
      preferred the (2R)-glucobarbarin. No such difference in response of the two
      species to the same two concentrations of (2S)-glucobarbarin was obtained. The
      results indicate a distinct difference in sensitivity of these butterflies to the
      epimers of glucobarbarin, and the differences in behavioral responses of the two
      butterfly species depend to a large extent on the concentration of stimulant
      present. 

PMID- 24242066
TI  - Chemical discrimination by tongue-flicking in lizards: A review with hypotheses
      on its origin and its ecological and phylogenetic relationships.
AB  - Tongue-flicking is a synapomorphy of squamate reptiles functioning to sample
      chemicals for vomerolfactory analysis, which became possible in primitive
      squamates when ducts opened from the vomeronasal organs to the roof of the mouth.
      Extant iguanian lizards in families that do not use the tongue to sample chemical
      prey cues prior to attack partially protrude it in two feeding contexts: during
      capture by lingual prehension and after oral contact with prey. These lizards do
      not exhibit strike-induced chemosensory searching. Lingual prey prehension is
      present in iguanian lizards and inSphenodon, the sister taxon of Squamata. During
      attempts to capture prey, the tongues of primitive squamates inevitably made
      incidental contact with environmental substrates bearing chemicals deposited by
      prey, conspecifics, and predators. Such contact presumably induced selection for
      tongue-flicking and ability to identify biologically important chemicals. Most
      iguanian lizards are ambush foragers that use immobility as a major antipredatory
      defense. Because tongue-flicking at an ambush post would not allow chemical
      search beyond the vicinity of the head and would render them easier for predators
      and prey to detect, typical iguanians tongue-flick neither while foraging nor to
      identify predators. They do detect pheromones by tongue-flicking. Scleroglossan
      lizards are typically active foragers that rely on speed to escape. Being freer
      to move the tongue, they have evolved lingual sampling allowing detection of
      chemical cues of conspecifics, predators, and prey, as well as strike-induced
      chemosensory searching, some can follow pheromone trails by tongue-flicking. Some
      families have lingual morphology and behavior specialized for chemosensory
      sampling. In varanids and snakes, the taxa showing the greatest lingual
      specialization, additional prey-related chemosensory behaviors have evolved. In
      iguanian and scleroglossan families that have secondarily adopted the foraging
      mode typical of the other taxon, prey chemical discrimination involving tongue
      flicking and strike-induced chemosensory searching are typical for the foraging
      mode rather than the taxon. Because foraging mode and state of prey chemical
      discrimination are stable within squamate families and to a large extent in
      higher taxa, both features have been retained from the ancestral condition in
      most families. However, in three cases in which foraging mode has changed from
      its ancestral state, the state of prey chemical discrimination has also changed,
      indicating that prey chemical discrimination is adaptively adjusted to foraging
      mode. Indeed, acquisition of lingually mediated prey chemical discrimination may
      have made feasible the evolution of active foraging, which in turn appears to
      have profoundly influenced the further evolution of squamate chemosensory
      structures and behavior, placing a selective premium on features enhancing the
      tongue's efficiency as a chemical sampling device. The advent of tongue-flicking
      to sample prey chemicals and thus detect hidden prey may have allowed generalist
      (cruise) or ambush foragers, if early squamates were such, to become specialists
      in active foraging. Alternatively, if the common ancestors of squamates were
      active foragers, the adoption of ambush foraging would have selected against
      participation of the tongue in locating prey. Acting jointly, tongue-flicking and
      active foraging have had momentous consequences for squamate diversification.
      Specialization for active foraging would appear to have had ramifying effects on
      antipredatory defenses, body form, territoriality, mating systems, and
      reproductive physiology. 

PMID- 24242068
TI  - Hallmarks of aromatase inhibitor drug resistance revealed by epigenetic profiling
      in breast cancer.
AB  - Aromatase inhibitors are the major first-line treatment of estrogen receptor
      positive breast cancer, but resistance to treatment is common. To date, no
      biomarkers have been validated clinically to guide subsequent therapy in these
      patients. In this study, we mapped the genome-wide chromatin-binding profiles of
      estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha), along with the epigenetic modifications
      H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, that are responsible for determining gene transcription (n
      = 12). Differential binding patterns of ERalpha, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3 were
      enriched between patients with good or poor outcomes after aromatase inhibition.
      ERalpha and H3K27me3 patterns were validated in an additional independent set of
      breast cancer cases (n = 10). We coupled these patterns to array-based proximal
      gene expression and progression-free survival data derived from a further
      independent cohort of 72 aromatase inhibitor-treated patients. Through this
      approach, we determined that the ERalpha and H3K27me3 profiles predicted the
      treatment outcomes for first-line aromatase inhibitors. In contrast, the H3K4me3
      pattern identified was not similarly informative. The classification potential of
      these genes was only partially preserved in a cohort of 101 patients who received
      first-line tamoxifen treatment, suggesting some treatment selectivity in patient
      classification.

PMID- 24242069
TI  - The transcription factor IRF8 counteracts BCR-ABL to rescue dendritic cell
      development in chronic myelogenous leukemia.
AB  - BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have dramatically improved therapy for
      chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, several problems leading to TKI
      resistance still impede a complete cure of this disease. IFN regulatory factor-8
      (IRF8) is a transcription factor essential for the development and functions of
      immune cells, including dendritic cells. Irf8(-/-) mice develop a CML-like
      disease and IRF8 expression is downregulated in patients with CML, suggesting
      that IRF8 is involved in the pathogenesis of CML. In this study, by using a
      murine CML model, we show that BCR-ABL strongly inhibits a generation of
      dendritic cells from an early stage of their differentiation in vivo, concomitant
      with suppression of Irf8 expression. Forced expression of IRF8 overrode BCR-ABL
      (both wild-type and T315I-mutated) to rescue dendritic cell development in vitro,
      indicating that the suppression of Irf8 causes dendritic cell deficiency. Gene
      expression profiling revealed that IRF8 restored the expression of a significant
      portion of BCR-ABL-dysregulated genes and predicted that BCR-ABL has immune
      stimulatory potential. Indeed, IRF8-rescued BCR-ABL-expressing dendritic cells
      were capable of inducing CTLs more efficiently than control dendritic cells.
      Altogether, our findings suggest that IRF8 is an attractive target in next
      generation therapies for CML.

PMID- 24242070
TI  - Small-molecule intramimics of formin autoinhibition: a new strategy to target the
      cytoskeletal remodeling machinery in cancer cells.
AB  - Although the cancer cell cytoskeleton is a clinically validated target, few new
      strategies have emerged for selectively targeting cell division by modulating the
      cytoskeletal structure, particularly ways that could avoid the cardiotoxic and
      neurotoxic effects of current agents such as taxanes. We address this gap by
      describing a novel class of small-molecule agonists of the mammalian Diaphanous
      (mDia)-related formins, which act downstream of Rho GTPases to assemble actin
      filaments, and their organization with microfilaments to establish and maintain
      cell polarity during migration and asymmetric division. GTP-bound Rho activates
      mDia family members by disrupting the interaction between the DID and DAD
      autoregulatory domains, which releases the FH2 domain to modulate actin and
      microtubule dynamics. In screening for DID-DAD disruptors that activate mDia, we
      identified two molecules called intramimics (IMM-01 and -02) that were sufficient
      to trigger actin assembly and microtubule stabilization, serum response factor
      mediated gene expression, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. In vivo analysis of
      IMM-01 and -02 established their ability to slow tumor growth in a mouse
      xenograft model of colon cancer. Taken together, our work establishes the use of
      intramimics and mDia-related formins as a new general strategy for therapeutic
      targeting of the cytoskeletal remodeling machinery of cancer cells.

PMID- 24242071
TI  - Requirements for Aurora-A in tissue regeneration and tumor development in adult
      mammals.
AB  - Aurora-A is a kinase involved in the formation and maturation of the mitotic
      spindle and chromosome segregation. This kinase is frequently overexpressed in
      human cancer, and its activity may confer resistance to antitumoral drugs such as
      Taxol. Inhibition of Aurora-A results in mitotic defects, and this kinase is
      considered as an attractive therapeutic target for cancer. Nevertheless, the
      specific requirements for this kinase in adult mammalian tissues remain unclear.
      Conditional genetic ablation of Aurora-A in adult tissues results in polyploid
      cells that display a DNA-damage-like response characterized by the upregulation
      of p53 and the cell-cycle inhibitor p21(Cip1). This is accompanied by apoptotic,
      differentiation, or senescence markers in a tissue-specific manner. Therapeutic
      elimination of Aurora-A prevents the progression of skin and mammary gland
      tumors. However, this is not due to significant levels of apoptosis or
      senescence, but because Aurora-A-deficient tumors accumulate polyploid cells with
      limited proliferative potential. Thus, Aurora-A is required for tumor formation
      in vivo, and the differential response observed in various tissues might have
      relevant implications in current therapeutic strategies aimed at inhibiting this
      kinase in the treatment of human cancer.

PMID- 24242072
TI  - Putative role of a Streptomyces coelicolor-derived alpha-mannosidase in
      deglycosylation and antibiotic production.
AB  - SCO0948 was found to be the single open reading frame annotated to encode an
      alpha-mannosidase (AM1) in Streptomyces coelicolor M145. To characterize the
      protein, we overexpressed SCO0948 in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Recombinant AM1,
      with a molecular weight of 110 kDa, exhibited alpha-mannosidase activity toward 4
      nitrophenyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside with a K m of 4.61 mM, a V(max) of 101.6
      mM/min, and a specific activity of 47.96 U/mg. Treatment of ovalbumin, a
      glycoprotein, with AM1 resulted in partial deglycosylation, as assessed by
      glycostaining and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry. The S. coelicolor deletion mutant for SCO0948 failed to produce
      alpha-mannosidase activity, confirming AM1 as the only alpha-mannosidase in S.
      coelicolor M145. Interestingly, the deletion mutant and a complementation strain
      produced lower levels of the antibiotics actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin in
      glucose minimal media. The results indicate that AM1 as an alpha-mannosidase
      influences deglycosylation and antibiotic production in S. coelicolor M145.

PMID- 24242073
TI  - Antimicrobial properties of zeolite-X and zeolite-A ion-exchanged with silver,
      copper, and zinc against a broad range of microorganisms.
AB  - Zeolites are nanoporous alumina silicates composed of silicon, aluminum, and
      oxygen in a framework with cations, water within pores. Their cation contents can
      be exchanged with monovalent or divalent ions. In the present study, the
      antimicrobial (antibacterial, anticandidal, and antifungal) properties of zeolite
      type X and A, with different Al/Si ratio, ion exchanged with Ag(+), Zn(2+), and
      Cu(2+) ions were investigated individually. The study presents the synthesis and
      manufacture of four different zeolite types characterized by scanning electron
      microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The ion loading capacity of the zeolites was
      examined and compared with the antimicrobial characteristics against a broad
      range of microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, and mold. It was observed that
      Ag(+) ion-loaded zeolites exhibited more antibacterial activity with respect to
      other metal ion-embedded zeolite samples. The results clearly support that
      various synthetic zeolites can be ion exchanged with Ag(+), Zn(2+), and Cu(2+)
      ions to acquire antimicrobial properties or ion-releasing characteristics to
      provide prolonged or stronger activity. The current study suggested that zeolite
      formulations could be combined with various materials used in manufacturing
      medical devices, surfaces, textiles, or household items where antimicrobial
      properties are required. 

PMID- 24242075
TI  - Reproductive issues in adults with cystic fibrosis: Implications for genetic
      counseling.
AB  - This article reviews reproductive issues faced by the growing number of
      individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) who reach adulthood. Approximately 97-98%
      of males with CF are infertile and they may have an increased risk for
      genitourinary anomalies. Females with CF may experience delayed puberty,
      irregular menstrual cycles, and decreased fertility. Women with CF who have good
      clinical scores, good nutritional status, and normal lung volumes with mild to
      moderate airway obstruction, have a better chance for successful pregnancies. The
      role of the genetic counselor in counseling adults with CF is discussed and
      resources for CF adults are provided. 

PMID- 24242074
TI  - Mitochondrial enhancement for neurodegenerative movement disorders: a systematic
      review of trials involving creatine, coenzyme Q10, idebenone and mitoquinone.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative movement disorders mainly include Parkinson's
      disease (PD), atypical parkinsonisms, Huntington's disease (HD), and Friedreich's
      ataxia (FA). With mitochondrial dysfunction observed in these diseases,
      mitochondrial enhancement such as creatine, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and its
      analogues (idebenone and mitoquinone) has been regarded as a potential treatment.
      AIM: In this paper, we systematically analysed and summarized the efficacy of
      mitochondrial enhancement in improving motor and other symptoms in
      neurodegenerative movement disorders. METHODS: We searched the electronic
      databases PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge
      Infrastructure until September 2013 for eligible randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs), as well as unpublished and ongoing trials. We calculated the mean
      differences for continuous data with 95% confidence intervals and pooled the
      results using a fixed-effect model, if no significant statistical heterogeneity
      was found (I(2) < 50%). RESULTS: We included 16 studies with 1,557 randomized
      patients, which compared creatine, CoQ10 or its analogues with placebo in motor
      and other symptoms. No significant improvements were found in the motor symptoms
      of PD, atypical parkinsonisms or HD patients, while only the high dose of
      idebenone seems to be promising for motor improvement in FA. Certain benefits are
      found in other symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to support
      the use of mitochondrial enhancement in patients with neurodegenerative movement
      disorders. More well-designed RCTs with large samples are required for further
      confirmation.

PMID- 24242076
TI  - Genetic counselor as a member of an outreach education team.
AB  - As part of a program to improve maternal and infant health in New Jersey, the
      Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has funded seven regional consortia throughout the
      State. One of the goals of the Northern New Jersey Regional Consortium is to
      provide a comprehensive educational program for ambulatory care staff. An
      outreach education team was established that includes a perinatal nurse educator,
      a neonatal nurse educator, a nutritional counselor and a genetic counselor. Many
      issues in genetics can be initially addressed by the ambulatory care provider. A
      good understanding and awareness of the impact of genetic issues in patient care
      is needed to enhance the ability to recognize patients needing special services.
      Early assessment of possible risk for developmental disabilities can lead to
      appropriate comprehensive care and improved pregnancy outcome. Regular in-service
      programs, addressing the way heredity contributes to developmental disorders, the
      latest techniques used in genetics and the available management programs, can be
      provided. The present study is an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.

PMID- 24242077
TI  - Preconceptional family health evaluation: A regional education program for family
      planning clients and health professionals.
AB  - The Preconceptional Family Health Evaluation Program was a regional project
      developed and funded for 2 years by the New England Regional Genetics Group
      (NERGG) to educate family planning health professionals about genetics, and to
      offer family planning clients preconceptional identification of genetic and
      environmental exposure risks. To meet these goals, genetic education was provided
      on a regional basis to 45 family planning professionals. A self-administered
      family health risk questionnaire adaptable to individual family planning settings
      was developed. Five hundred and twenty-nine family planning clients voluntarily
      completed the questionnaire. Cigarette smoking (35%) and alcohol use (57%) were
      two major categories of risks identified. The Preconceptional Family Health
      Evaluation Program was well received by all participants and provided an
      effective means for regional education of family planning health professionals.
      As a result of the program, state program planners, clinical genetics services,
      and family planning health professionals developed a strong relationship that
      will serve future educational and genetic risk screening efforts. 

PMID- 24242078
TI  - The utilization of genetic counselors within a newborn screening program.
AB  - Genetic counselors have participated in the Michigan Newborn Screening Program on
      a contractual basis since 1988. Their role includes newborn screening education
      and training, newborn nursery site visits, and monitoring newborn screening in
      hospitals. Their impact has been to improve the quality of newborn screening
      services by reducing errors and increasing completion of data fields on newborn
      screening cards, improving hospital nursery cooperation and problem solving, and
      enhancing health department response to specific problems. 

PMID- 24242079
TI  - An educational program to overcome language and cultural barriers to genetic
      services.
AB  - Providing genetic services to families who do not speak English and whose
      cultures are quite diverse presents a unique challenge to genetic specialists.
      One approach that is being employed successfully is the use of specially trained
      genetic assistants to provide outreach, case finding, referral, support,
      interpretation, advocacy, and follow-up counseling. A basic genetic assistant
      training program for five bicultural/bilingual Southeast Asian case managers is
      described. The course syllabus can be used to train health workers who represent
      a variety of cultures and languages. 

PMID- 24242080
TI  - Use of fuzzy logic models for prediction of taste and odor compounds in algal
      bloom-affected inland water bodies.
AB  - Mechanistic modeling of how algal species produce metabolites (e.g., taste and
      odor compounds geosmin and 2-methyl isoborneol (2-MIB)) as a biological response
      is currently not well understood. However, water managers and water utilities
      using these reservoirs often need methods for predicting metabolite production,
      so that appropriate water treatment procedures can be implemented. In this
      research, a heuristic approach using Adaptive Network-based Fuzzy Inference
      System (ANFIS) was developed to determine the underlying nonlinear and uncertain
      quantitative relationship between observed cyanobacterial metabolites (2-MIB and
      geosmin), various algal species, and physical and chemical variables. The model
      is proposed to be used in conjunction with numerical water quality models that
      can predict spatial-temporal distribution of flows, velocities, water quality
      parameters, and algal functional groups. The coupling of the proposed metabolite
      model with the numerical water quality models would assist various utilities
      which use mechanistic water quality models to also be able to predict
      distribution of taste and odor metabolites, especially when monitoring of
      metabolites is limited. The proposed metabolite model was developed and tested
      for the Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indiana (USA) using observations over a 3-year
      period (2008-2010). Results show that the developed models performed well for
      geosmin (R (2) = 0.83 for all training data and R (2) = 0.78 for validation of
      all 10 data points in the validation dataset) and reasonably well for the 2-MIB
      (R (2) = 0.82 for all training data and R (2) = 0.70 for 7 out of 10 data points
      in the validation dataset). 

PMID- 24242081
TI  - Spatial pattern assessment of river water quality: implications of reducing the
      number of monitoring stations and chemical parameters.
AB  - The Tamsui River basin is located in Northern Taiwan and encompasses the most
      metropolitan city in Taiwan, Taipei City. The Taiwan Environmental Protection
      Administration (EPA) has established 38 water quality monitoring stations in the
      Tamsui River basin and performed regular river water quality monitoring for the
      past two decades. Because of the limited budget of the Taiwan EPA, adjusting the
      monitoring program while maintaining water quality data is critical. Multivariate
      analysis methods, such as cluster analysis (CA), factor analysis (FA), and
      discriminate analysis (DA), are useful tools for the statistically spatial
      assessment of surface water quality. This study integrated CA, FA, and DA to
      evaluate the spatial variance of water quality in the metropolitan city of
      Taipei. Performing CA involved categorizing monitoring stations into three
      groups: high-, moderate-, and low-pollution areas. In addition, this
      categorization of monitoring stations was in agreement with that of the
      assessment that involved using the simple river pollution index. Four latent
      factors that predominantly influence the river water quality of the Tamsui River
      basin are assessed using FA: anthropogenic pollution, the nitrification process,
      seawater intrusion, and geological and weathering processes. We plotted a spatial
      pattern using the four latent factor scores and identified ten redundant
      monitoring stations near each upstream station with the same score pattern. We
      extracted five significant parameters by using DA: total organic carbon, total
      phosphorus, As, Cu, and nitrate, with spatial variance to differentiate them from
      the polluted condition of the group obtained by using CA. Finally, this study
      suggests that the Taiwan EPA can adjust the surface water-monitoring program of
      the Tamsui River by reducing the monitoring stations to 28 and the measured
      chemical parameters to five to lower monitoring costs. 

PMID- 24242082
TI  - Long-term results of probing guided with soft cannula in children with congenital
      nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the results of soft probing in children with congenital
      nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, non
      randomised interventional study included 158 eyes of 122 children aged 2 months-5
      years, with CNLDO. A plastic intravenous catheter sheath supported intraluminally
      with a guiding metal probe was introduced through the superior canaliculus.
      During intubation, the plastic cannula was gently introduced through the
      nasolacrimal system, while the metal probe inside was withdrawn concurrently.
      After the complete withdrawal of the metal probe, the duct was irrigated with a
      high pressure saline solution through the plastic cannula. Once the obstruction
      was totally dissolved and a patent passage was observed, the plastic cannula was
      withdrawn and the procedure was completed with a nasolacrimal lavage with a
      gentamycin and dexamethasone combination. RESULTS: Clinically successful results
      were achieved in 142 eyes (89.8 %). No significant complications occured
      intraoperatively or postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In children under age 5, our
      technique has a high success rate with no significant complications. This method
      allows probing in a more controlled way. This method may be particularly suitable
      for surgeons during training, when the most false lumen formation is observed.

PMID- 24242083
TI  - Space-charge-dominated mass spectrometry ion sources: Modeling and sensitivity.
AB  - The factors determining the sensitivity of space-charge-dominated (SCD) unipolar
      ion sources, such as electrospray (ESP) and corona atmospheric pressure
      ionization (API) have been studied theoretically. The most important parameters
      are the ion density and ion drift time in the vicinity of the sampling orifice.
      These are obtained by solving a system of differential equations, "the space
      charge problem." For some simple geometries, analytical solutions are known. For
      a more realistic "needle-in-can" geometry, a solution to the space-charge problem
      was obtained using a finite-element method. The results illustrate some general
      characteristics of SCD ion sources. It is shown that for typical operating
      conditions the minimum voltage required to overcome the space-charge effect in
      corona API or ESP ion sources constitutes a dominant or significant fraction of
      total applied voltage. Further, the electric field and the ion density in the
      region of the ion-sampling orifice as well as the ion residence time in the
      source are determined mainly by the space charge. Finally, absolute sensitivities
      of corona API ion sources were calculated by using a geometry-independent
      treatment of space charge. 

PMID- 24242084
TI  - Selective ion isolation/rejection over a broad mass range in the quadrupole ion
      trap.
AB  - Techniques are presented for mass-selective ion manipulation over a wide mass
      range in a three-dimensional quadrupole. The methods use an auxiliary, low
      amplitude radio-frequency signal applied to the endcap electrodes. This signal is
      either held at a single frequency as the fundamental radio-frequency trapping
      amplitude is ramped or swept over a frequency range while the fundamental radio
      frequency trapping amplitude is held at a fixed level. Ion isolation and ejection
      are demonstrated for ions formed within the ion trap using electron ionization
      and for ions injected into the ion trap formed either by an air-sustained glow
      discharge or by electrospray. Mass-selective ion ejection is used to reduce
      matrix-ion-induced space charge during ion injection, thereby producing signal
      enhancement for the detection of 2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene in air. Mass-selective
      isolation of ions with mass-to-charge ratios above the normal operating range (m
      / z 650) for the ion trap is also demonstrated after injection of myoglobin ions
      formed via electrospray. 

PMID- 24242085
TI  - Investigation of UV matrix-assisted laser desorption fourier transform mass
      spectrometry for peptides.
AB  - Analytical Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge,
      Tennessee, USA Ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption can be used to
      enhance formation of [M + H](+), [M + Na](+), and [M + K)(+) ions from small
      peptides for Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS). In accord with laser
      desorption (LD) time-of-flight experiments, matrices such as nicotinic acid and 2
      pyrazinecarboxylic acid exhibit strong enhancement effects (i.e., formation of
      abundant protonated and cationized molecules for the analyte with virtually no
      fragment ions) for 266 nm LD/FTMS, whereas pyrazinedicarboxylic acid provides no
      matrix enhancement at this wavelength. Both sinapinic acid and coumarin-120
      provide strong matrix enhancement effects for the 355-nm LD of peptides. For the
      small peptides examined in this study, no significant differences in the
      abundance of fragment ions were observed between the 266- and 355-nm wavelengths.
      Matrix-assisted LD/FTMS is useful for the generation and characterization of ions
      corresponding to protonated and cationized molecules from virtually all
      biological compounds with molecular weights up to 2000. The lack of observation
      of biological ions with m/ z > 2500 may be related to inefficient trapping of
      these laser-desorbed ions or instrumental detection limitations of FTMS and is
      under further investigation. 

PMID- 24242086
TI  - Small molecules as substrates for adsorption/desorption in (252)CF plasma
      desorption mass spectrometry.
AB  - Department of Chemistry, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, USA We
      present a new approach to substrate selection for californium-252 plasma
      desorption mass spectrometry ((252)Cf_PDMS) in which small volatile molecules
      that are water insoluble are used as matrices in place of the polymeric
      substrates used in previous studies. The desirable features of analyte adsorption
      are combined with the concept of using a volatile matrix to reduce the level of
      internal excitation of a desorbed analyte and to assist in ionization during the
      desorption process. Derivatives of anthracene were found to meet these
      requirements and to perform satisfactorily as substrates in (252)Cf-PDMS. Spectra
      were obtained for bovine insulin (m I z 5734) adsorbed onto 9-anthroic acid and 2
      aminoanthracene and compared with spectra using a nitrocellulose substrate.
      Sharper peaks and lower backgrounds are observed when the 9-anthroic acid matrix
      is used, indicating reduced levels of internal excitation and initial kinetic
      energy for the desorbed molecular ion of insulin. A comparison of the performance
      of 9-anthroic acid and 2-aminoanthracene shows the influence of substrate
      functional groups on desorbed protein yields. Finally, the versatility of the
      small-molecule matrix concept is discussed with respect to selection of a range
      of functionality, solubility, and hydrophilicity. 

PMID- 24242087
TI  - Solution chemistry and secondary ion emission from amine-glycerol solutions.
AB  - Analytical Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge,
      Tennessee, USA Secondary ion mass spectra were obtained from a series of C4-C10 n
      alkylamines introduced via the gas phase onto glycerol. It was found that the
      amine-characteristic secondary ion intensity varied linearly with amine partial
      pressure. Henry's law constants and surface activity constants for each of the
      amines in glycerol solution were measured. A linear correlation was found between
      amine-characteristic secondary ion intensity and Henry's law concentrations. The
      concentrations calculated from Henry's law were too low to yield the intensities
      observed, indicating that secondary ion precursors were not free-base amine
      molecules but ions in solution. Explicit kinetic equations describing glycerol
      and amine protonation and deprotonation as a result of primary ion damage to the
      solutions are derived to rationalize the observed spectra. 

PMID- 24242088
TI  - Molecular species analysis of arachidonate containing glycerophosphocholines by
      tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Carboxylate anions arising from collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the [M -
      15](-) ion produced by fast atom bombardment (FAB) of glycerophosphocholine
      (GPCho) were previously shown to be produced in an abundance ratio of 1:3 for the
      carboxylic acids esterified at sn - 1 and sn - 2, respectively. This observation
      has been confirmed in a series of 13 synthetic GPCho molecular species. A good
      correlation was found between the isomeric purity of GPCho molecular species as
      determined by negative-ion FAB/CID analysis and the isomeric purity of the sn - 2
      fatty acid using a phospholipase A2 assay. Negative-ion FAB mass spectra of
      several 1-0-alkyl-2-acyl-GPCho molecular species were found to be similar to
      those of diacyl GPCho. However, the cm spectra from the major high-mass ions are
      different from those of the diacyl species in that the [M - 15](-) ion yields
      only one carboxylate anion and the [M - 86](-) undergoes a neutral loss of the sn
      - 2 carboxylic acid as a major decomposition product. These results suggest
      several rules useful for structural characterization of GPCho molecular species
      by negative-ion tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS): (1) For diacyl species, the
      mass of the two carboxyl anions plus the mass of the GPeho backbone (minus a
      methyl group) must correspond to the mass of the [M - 15] anion; (2) for diacyl
      species there is a carboxylate anion ratio approximately 1:3 for the substituents
      at sn - 1 and sn - 2; and (3) for alkylether species, only one fatty acyl group
      is present, and the difference between the [M - 15] ion and the GPCho backbone
      (minus methyl) plus the fatty acyl group at sn - 2 corresponds to an alkylether
      substituent. (4) Assignment of ether-linked molecular species can be made from
      the [M - 86](-) ion, which has a strong neutral loss of the sn - 2 fatty
      acid.Analysis of GPCho isolated from human neutrophils by total lipid extraction
      and normal-phase HPLC was carried out by negative-ion FABand MS/MS. The major
      arachidonate-eontaining molecular species, which comprise only 5% of total GPCho,
      were identified by using precursor ion scans for the arachidonate anion, m/ z
      303. Decomposition of identified. precursor ions permitted the assignment of
      those molecular species of GPCho that contain arachidonate at sn - 2 and
      identification of the substituent at the sn - 1 position. These results were
      compared to previously identified molecular species from human neutrophils.
      Several minor arachidonate-containing molecular species were tentatively
      identified. 

PMID- 24242089
TI  - Multiple scan modes in the hybrid tandem mass spectrometric screening and
      characterization of the glutathione conjugate of 2-furamide.
AB  - The glutathione conjugate of 2-furamide has been screened for and structurally
      characterized by tandem mass spectrometry (MS(MS) by using a hybrid instrument of
      BEqQ design. Mass spectrometry experiments employed fast atom bombardment (FAB)
      ionization of a crude bile extract from a rat dosed with a 1:1 mixture of
      unlabeled and [ (13)C12-furamide. Initial screening for glutathione conjugates
      employed constant neutral loss scanning to detect the loss of 129 u,
      corresponding to the loss of the gamma-glutamyl moiety of the conjugates. By
      direct comparison with control bile, [M + H] (+) ions of m/z 417 and 418 were
      readily identified as candidate ions corresponding to the glutathione conjugates
      of unlabeled and (13)C-labeled 2-furamide. Complementary screening information
      was generated by using a methylated bile extract, with constant neutral loss
      scanning to detect the loss of the methylated gamma-glutamyl moiety (143 u). An
      alternative screening procedure employing parent ion scanning to detect the
      sodium adducts of methylated glutathione conjugates was also developed.
      Structural information was generated by frrst-generation product ion scanning of
      the protonated and sodium cationized forms of the candidate species, both native
      and derivatized. This provided a body of internally consistent evidence that the
      conjugate retains the pseudoaromatic furan ring system without ring
      hydroxylation. The utility of sequential mass spectrometry (MS(MS(MS) capability
      of the hybrid instrument in the analysis of complex biological mixtures was also
      demonstrated. Using the bile extract, first-generation product ions that formed
      in either the first or second field-free region of the double-focusing portion of
      the instrument were subsequently collisionally activated in the rf-only
      quadrupole followed by mass analysis of the second-generation product ions.
      Structural information so provided for the glutathione conjugate of 2-furamide
      further substantiated its retention of the pseudoaromatic furan ring system and
      facilitated plausible assignment of structures to ionic species generated through
      multiple decomposition events. 

PMID- 24242090
TI  - Sequential ortho effects: characterization of novel [M - 35](+) fragment ions in
      the mass spectra of 2-alkyl-4, 6-dinitrophenols.
AB  - High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), hybrid tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)
      (EBqQ), and photoelectron-photoion coincidence (PEPICO) experiments were
      conducted to examine a possible ortho-ortho effect resulting in a novel [M -
      35](+) fragment ion in 2-alkyl-4, 6-dinitrophenols. For compounds having ethyl or
      larger alkyl substituents, [M35](+) was observed only when [M - 18](+) ions were
      present, with the ortho nitro group being involved in the reaction to [M- 35](+).
      For [M - 18](+) and [M - 35](+), HRMS results were consistent with losses of H2O
      and H2O + OH, respectively, whereas MS/MS results indicated a sequential reaction
      due to metastable dissociations. The appearance energy determined by PEPICO for
      [M - 35](+) was found to be greater than the appearance energy for [M - 18](+),
      thus supporting a sequential reaction. 69-75). 

PMID- 24242091
TI  - Cluster ions ejected from an Li-Mg alloy liquid metal ion source: Observation of
      MG 2 (2+) and MG 3 (2+).
AB  - Ions ejected from a liquid metal ion source of an Li-Mg (10 atom %) alloy have
      been investigated by using a magnetic mass analyzer. In addition to singly
      charged homonuclear Li n (+) (n <= 9) and Mg n (+) (n <= 4) and heteronuclear
      MgmLi n (+) (m, n <= 2) clusters, doubly charged diatomic and triatomic Mg
      clusters are observed. Discussion is focused on the observability and the
      formation mechanism of the doubly charged small Mg clusters. A postionization
      process is suggested for the formation of the doubly charged clusters. 

PMID- 24242092
TI  - A particulate isotopic standard of plutonium in an aluminosilicate matrix.
AB  - Plutonium isotopic microstandard particles have been produced for mass
      spectrometer calibration. The particles may also be useful as an elemental
      standard for calibration of electron and ion microprobe instruments. The standard
      consists of spherical, micrometer-size aluminosilicate particles loaded with
      plutonium of known isotopic distribution. The morphology, elemental composition,
      and plutonium isotopic composition of the particles have been characterized. 

PMID- 24242093
TI  - Isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for platinum determination
      in urine.
AB  - The therapeutic importance of platinum (Pt) compounds, the growing accessibility
      of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) systems in clinical laboratories,
      and the lack of a mass spectrometric method for the determination of Pt in
      biological samples motivated us to develop an isotope dilution GC/MS assay for
      Pt. The method is based on the use of lithium bis(trifluoroethyl)
      dithiocarbamate, Li(FDEDTC), as a chelating agent and enriched (192)Pt for
      isotope dilution. Conditions were optimized for the precise and accurate
      determination of isotope ratios of Pt by using a 10-m DB-l fused silica capillary
      column and a reverse-geometry double-focusing mass spectrometer with selected ion
      monitoring. An overall precision of 1% was obtained by combining within-run
      precision and between-run precision at the 10-ng level. No appreciable memory
      effect was observed when samples with different isotope ratios were analyzed
      sequentially. The method was validated by the quantitation of Pt in National
      Institute of Standards and Technology freeze-dried urine sample SRM 2670. A
      concentration value of 125 +/- 6 /Lg/L (n = 6) was obtained by using four
      different sets of isotope ratios in the molecular ion and supports the National
      Institute of Standards and Technology recommended value of 120 +/- ? MUg/L.
      Limits-of-quantitation, estimated at 3 MUg/L, are made possible by the high
      sensitivity of the method and the low blank value for Pt. 

PMID- 24242094
TI  - Detection of femtomole and sub-femtomole levels of peptides by tandem magnetic
      sector/reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser
      desorption ionization.
AB  - This article describes results of low-level (sub-femtomole) detection of peptides
      by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization. The matrix-assisted laser
      desorption ionization method can be used for low-level detection of the parent
      ion, either [M + H](+) or [M + Na](+), and collision-induced dissociation of the
      parent ion can be performed at the picomole level. The instrument used for these
      studies is a novel high-performance magnetic sector (electric(E)/magnetic(B)
      sector)/reflectron time-of-flight (TOP) tandem mass spectrometer (EB/TOF). 

PMID- 24242096
TI  - A twist in the FOXO tale: edging closer to revealing the secrets of unlimited
      tissue renewal.

PMID- 24242098
TI  - Connecting the dots between G proteins, G protein coupled receptors, and neuronal
      nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (Comment on DOI 10.1002/bies.201300082).

PMID- 24242099
TI  - Rearranging senescence: transposable elements become active in aging cells
      (Comment on DOI 10.1002/bies.201300097).

PMID- 24242100
TI  - Ceci n'est pas une DNMT: recently discovered functions of DNMT2 and their
      relation to methyltransferase activity (Comment on DOI 10.1002/bies.201300088).

PMID- 24242105
TI  - Neurogenesis: a new journal feature.

PMID- 24242106
TI  - Electrophysiological and field activity of halogenated analogs of (E,E)-8,10
      dodecadien-1-ol, the main pheromone component, in codling moth (Cydia pomonella
      L.).
AB  - Pest monitoring and control of the codling moth,Cydia pomonella L., have been
      developed using the main pheromone component of this species, (E,E)-8,10
      dodecadienol (codlemone). However, the activity of codlemone is not satisfactory
      for pest control by mating disruption. Thus, we have synthesized halogenated
      analogs of codlemone to see if they could be used as new agents for pest control
      of the codling moth. Their biological activity was measured by
      electrophysiological techniques. In EAG screening, codlemone was the most active
      compound. F(10,11)-codlemone [(E,E)-10,11-difluoro-8,10-dodecadienol] and Cl
      codlemone [(E,E)-11-chloro-8,10-undecadienol] elicited significant EAG responses,
      F(10,11)-codlemone triggering responses not significantly different from
      responses to codlemone. EAG cross-adaptation experiments and single sensillum
      recordings revealed that these compounds were detected by the same receptor
      neuron type as codlemone. No competitive inhibition with codlemone was observed
      from nonactive compounds. In field trapping, F(10,11)-codlemone and Cl-codlemone
      were more attractive to male codling moths than codlemone itself. Possible
      explanations of this activity are discussed. 

PMID- 24242107
TI  - Aggregation pheromone of palmetto weevil,Rhynchophorus cruentatus (F.)
      (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
AB  - 5-Methyl-4-octanol is the major aggregation pheromone of the palmetto
      weevil,Rhynchophorus cruentatus (F.). The pheromone (cruentol) was identified by
      coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic (GC-EAD) analysis of male
      produced volatiles, coupled GC-mass spectrometry (MS) in electron impact and
      chemical ionization mode, and coupled GC-high resolution MS. In laboratory and
      field assays, a diastereomeric mixture of synthetic cruentol greatly enhanced
      attraction of weevils to cabbage palmetto,Sabal palmetto (Walter), stem tissue,
      indicating that cruentol and host volatiles are synergistically attractive. An
      attractive lure in combination with efficient traps should facilitate development
      of semiochemical-based management forR. cruentatus. 

PMID- 24242108
TI  - Inhibition of potato cyst nematode hatch by lignans fromBupleurum salicifolium
      (Unbelliferae).
AB  - A series of lignans fromBupleurum salicifolium Soland (Umbelliferae) were tested
      for nematostatic activity on the cysts and freed secondstage juveniles of the
      potato cyst nematodesGlobodera rostochiensis andG. pallida. None of the six
      lignans tested-bursehernin, matairesinol, syringaresinol, the novel product
      buplerol, guayarol, and a derivative, nortrachelogenin triacetate-showed
      nematicidal activity in an in vitro analysis with second-stage juveniles, but
      significant differences were noted when the lignans were assayed for nematostatic
      activity as cyst hatching inhibitors. Bursehernin and matairesinol showed the
      greatest activity, at concentrations of 50 ppm. This is the first known instance
      of a natural product inhibiting the hatch of the nematodeG. pallida. The HID
      (hatching inhibiting dose) of bursehernin was estimated, and some conclusions
      were drawn about the structure-activity relationships of the lignans under study.

PMID- 24242109
TI  - Stratospheric ozone depletion and plantinsect interactions: Effects of UVB
      radiation on foliage quality ofCitrus jambhiri forTrichoplusia ni.
AB  - Projected decreases in stratospheric ozone may result in increases in shortwave
      ultraviolet (UVB) irradiation at the earth's surface. Furanocoumarins, phototoxic
      compounds found inCitrus jambhiri foliage, increase in concentration when these
      plants are grown under enhanced UVB. Survivorship schedules ofTrichoplusia ni
      (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) caterpillars reared on plants in the presence and
      absence of enhanced UVB regimes differ significantly; larvae develop more slowly
      in early life when reared on plants exposed to increased UVB. This same
      developmental pattern is observed whenT. ni larvae are reared on artificial diets
      amended with ecologically appropriate amounts of furanocoumarins. Thus,
      anthropogenically derived changes in stratospheric ozone and concomitant changes
      in UV light quality at the earth's surface may influence ecological interactions
      between insects and their host plants by altering secondary metabolism and hence
      foliage quality for herbivores. 

PMID- 24242110
TI  - Toward the chemical ecology of medicinal plant use in chimpanzees: The case
      ofVernonia amygdalina, a plant used by wild chimpanzees possibly for parasite
      related diseases.
AB  - The bitter and related constituents have been isolated fromVernonia amygdalina
      (Compositae), a plant ingested by wild chimpanzees possibly suffering from
      parasite-related diseases in the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania.
      Isolated from the plant were four known sesquiterpene lactones, seven new steroid
      glucosides, and two aglycones of the glucosides. The sesquiterpene lactones
      showed significant in vitro antischistosomal, plasmodicidal, and leishmanicidal
      activities. Antischistosomal activity was also found for the major steroid
      glucoside, vernonioside B1. A trend in the glucosides to show significant
      antischistosomal, plasmodicidal, and amebicidal activities when the sugar moiety
      was removed, was observed. Vernodalin, judged as the most significant constituent
      for antiparasitic activities in vitro, was tested for in vivo antischistosomal
      effect. It was, however, highly toxic to the cercaria-infected mouse. Chimpanzees
      have been only rarely observed to ingest anything but the pith of the young stem.
      The occurrence of vernonioside B1 and its aglycone vernoniol B1, the major
      constituents among the steroid-related constituents, were detected at significant
      levels in the pith. However, vernodalin was abundant only in the leaves and bark.
      Thus, chimpanzees at Mahale were hypothesized to control parasite-related
      diseases by ingesting the young pith of this tree containing steroid-related
      constituents. 

PMID- 24242111
TI  - Production of cardenolides versus sequestration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in
      larvae ofOreina species (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae).
AB  - Adult leaf beetles of the genusOreina are known to be defended either by
      autogenously produced cardenolides or by pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)
      sequestered from the food plant, or both. In this paper we analyze larvae of
      differentOreina species and show that the larvae contain the same defensive
      toxins as the adults in quantities similar to those released in the adults'
      secretion. Both classes of toxins are found in the body and hemolymph of the
      larvae, despite their different origins and later distribution in the adults.
      Larvae of sequestering species differed in their PA patterns, even though they
      fed on the same food plants. The concentration in first-instar larvae of a PA
      sequestering species was similar to that in fourth-instar larvae. In all stages
      examined, the amount of PAs per larva did not greatly exceed the estimated uptake
      of one day. Eggs of two oviparous species contained large concentrations of the
      adult's toxins, while neonates of a sequestering larviparous species had no PAs. 

PMID- 24242112
TI  - Trans-ceralure isomers: Differences in attraction for mediterranean fruit
      fly,Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) (diptera: Tephritidae).
AB  - Differences in attractiveness of four individualtrans isomers of ceralure (CRL)
      [ethyl 4- (and 5-) iodo-trans-2-methylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate] for male
      Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), were investigated. One of
      the isomers, CRL-B1 (ethylcis-5-iodo-trans-2-methylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate) was
      significantly superior to the three othertrans-CRL isomers, CRL, trimedlure (TML)
      [1,1-dimethylethyl 4- (and 5-) chloro-trans-2-methylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate],
      and TML-C (1,1-dimethylethyl-cis-4-chloro-trans-2-methylcyclohexane-1
      carboxylate) on an equal weight basis. 

PMID- 24242113
TI  - Field tests of syntheticManduca sexta sex pheromone.
AB  - In field experiments traps were baited with live females or with a two-, four-,
      or eight-component blend of the 16-carbon aldehydes previously identified as
      components of the sex pheromone emitted by femaleManduca sexta moths. The blends
      were formulated on rubber septa. Traps baited with a blend of all eight aldehydes
      captured moreM. sexta males than any other treatment. Septa loaded with 600 MUg
      of the eight-component blend were attractive to males for about seven days in the
      field. Septa loaded with the eight-component blend and stored in a refrigerator
      at 4 degrees C for a year released the conjugated diene and triene aldehydes at
      the same rate as freshly prepared septa and were equally attractive in the field.

PMID- 24242114
TI  - An automated system for use in collecting volatile chemicals released from
      plants.
AB  - A system is described for the collection of volatiles produced by plants that
      minimizes stress on the plant in an environment that is free from chemical
      impurities. Air entering a volatile collection chamber containing a plant is
      purified using a nonwoven fabric media infused with charcoal. A multitasking,
      computer-automated system is described that can simultaneously collect
      volatilized chemicals from plants as well as monitor and record environmental
      conditions associated with those collections. Collection of up to 16 samples can
      be made in varying sampling order, flow rates, and user-specified time periods,
      without disturbing the sampling environment. During the same time period, this
      system is capable of simultaneously monitoring up to eight environmental
      parameters using any type of sensor with electrical signal outputs. A multiport
      base assembly was designed to fit around the base of the plant permitting air
      samples to be collected at the bottom of the chamber. The chamber can pass
      ambient light so the plant may follow its natural photocycles. The entire system
      can be configured for continuous laboratory duty or portable field use by
      utilizing components that run on DC voltages. For the purpose of testing the
      system's performance, we determined the periodicity of the release of volatiles
      from red and yellow flowering four o'clock plants,Mirabilis jalaba
      (Nyctaginaceae). The major chemical released from four o'clocks was identified as
      ocimene. The onset of release occurred between 1400 and 1600 hr and increased
      with time with maximum amount of ocimene released during 1800-2000 hr, followed
      by a decrease in emission. No ocimene was detected after 2400 hr. Determination
      of the amount of ocimene released per flower was calculated for the 1800- to 2000
      hr time period. Based on the number of open flowers during the 1800- to 2000-hr
      period, yellow four o'clock's released 80.9 (+/-7.3 SD) ng/hr/flower, while the
      red flowers released 51.9 (+/-7.0 SD) ng/hr/flower. 

PMID- 24242115
TI  - How goats learn to distinguish between novel foods that differ in postingestive
      consequences.
AB  - To better understand some of the mechanisms that control selection of novel foods
      differing in postingestive consequences, we offered goats current season's (CSG)
      and older (OG) growth twigs from the shrub blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima).
      CSG is higher than OG in nitrogen (1.04% v. 0.74%) and it is more digestible in
      vitro in goat rumen fluid (48% v. 38%). Nevertheless, goats acquire a preference
      for OG because CSG contains much higher levels of a condensed tannin that causes
      a learned food aversion. When CSG and OG were offered to goat naive to
      blackbrush, the goats did not choose either OG or CSG exclusively, but when they
      finally (1) ate more CSG than OG within a meal (averages of 44 g and 16 g,
      respectively) and (2) ate enough CSG within the meal to acquire an aversion
      (average of 44 g), they ingested less CSG than OG from then onward. Accordingly,
      the change in food selection resulting from postingestive feedback was influenced
      by the amount of each food ingested within a meal. This was further shown when we
      varied the amounts of CSG and OG that goats ingested within a meal, and then gave
      them by gavage the toxin lithium chloride (LiCl). They subsequently ate less of
      the food eaten in the greatest amount, regardless of whether it was CSG or OG.
      The salience of the flavor (i.e., taste and odor) of CSG and OG also played a
      role in the acquired aversion to CSG. Salience evidently was due to a flavor
      common to both OG and CSG that was more concentrated in CSG. We conclude that the
      relative amounts of different foods ingested within a meal, and the salience of
      the flavors of those foods, are both important variables that cause goats to
      distinguish between novel foods that differ in postingestive consequences. 

PMID- 24242116
TI  - Response of male eye-spotted bud moth,Spilonota ocellana (Lepidoptera:
      Tortricidae), to different pheromone blends in north America and The Netherlands.
AB  - Response of male eye-spotted bud moth,Spilonota ocellana (Denis and
      Schiffermuller), to different ratios of synthetic sex pheromone components, (Z)-8
      tetradecenyl acetate (Z8-14:OAc) and (Z)-8-tetradecenyl alcohol (Z8-14:OH), were
      compared in four North American locations and in one location in The Netherlands.
      In British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Michigan, and The Netherlands, a 99:1 blend
      ofZ8-14:OAc andZ8-14:OH captured significantly more maleS. ocellana thanZ8-14:OAc
      alone or binary blends containing 10-50%Z8-14:OH. In Ontario, where population
      sizes were low compared to the other four locations, trends in trap catches were
      similar, and there was no indication that maleS. ocellana responded differently
      to the tested pheromone blends. A 99:1 blend ofZ8-14:OAc andZ8-14:OH should be
      most effective in pheromone-based control programs ofS. ocellana in North America
      and in The Netherlands. Our results confirm earlier studies that a 99:1 blend
      ofZ8-14:OAc andZ8-14:OH captures significantly more maleS. ocellana thanZ8-14:OAc
      alone. However, our finding that a 99:1 blend ofZ8-14:OAc andZ8-14:OH is
      significantly more attractive than binary blends containing 10-50%Z8-14:OH
      differs from previous findings in Germany and Switzerland. 

PMID- 24242117
TI  - Effect of odor derived from lion faeces on behavior of wild rabbits.
AB  - A synthetic repellent derived from lion feces was tested in both pen and field
      bioassay trials. The chemical suppressed the feeding of rabbits on carrots for
      approximately one month. The application of the chemical to rabbit burrows under
      field conditions showed that it decreased rabbit numbers in the treated warrens
      and that this effect could still be detected after five months. It is suggested
      that this chemical could be a timely environmentally acceptable addition to the
      armamentarium of control measures required to reduce the recent increase in
      rabbit numbers occurring in Britain. 

PMID- 24242118
TI  - Oxidative responses in soybean foliage to herbivory by bean leaf beetle and three
      cornered alfalfa hopper.
AB  - Variation in induced responses in soybean is shown to be dependent, in part, upon
      herbivore species. Herbivory by the phloem-feeding three-cornered alfalfa hopper
      caused increases in the activities of several oxidative enzymes including
      lipoxygenases, peroxidases, ascorbate oxidase, and polyphenol oxidase. Bean leaf
      beetle defoliation caused increased lipoxygenase activity, but had little effect
      upon peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, ascorbate oxidase, or trypsin inhibitor
      levels in either field or greenhouse studies. In one field experiment, prior
      herbivory by the bean leaf beetle subsequently reduced the suitability of foliage
      to the corn earwormHelicoverpa zea. The contribution of these findings to
      emerging theories of insect-plant interactions is discussed. 

PMID- 24242119
TI  - Potential role of lipoxygenases in defense against insect herbivory.
AB  - The potential role of the plant enzyme lipoxygenase in host resistance against
      the corn earwormHelicoverpa zea was examined. Lipoxygenase is present in most of
      the common host plants ofH. zea, with highest activity in the leguminous hosts
      such as soybean and redbean. Treatment of dietary proteins with linoleic acid and
      lipoxygenase significantly reduced the nutritive quality of soybean protein and
      soy foliar protein. Larval growth was reduced from 24 to 63% depending upon
      treatment. Feeding byH. zea on soybean plants caused damage-induced increases in
      foliar lipoxygenase and lipid peroxidation products. Larvae feeding on previously
      wounded plant tissue demonstrated decreased growth rates compared to larvae
      feeding on unwounded tissue. Midgut epithelium from larvae feeding on wounded
      tissues showed evidence of oxidative damage as indicated by significant increases
      in lipid peroxidation products and losses in free primary amines. The potential
      role of oxidative and nutritional stress as a plant defensive response to
      herbivory is discussed. 

PMID- 24242120
TI  - Influence of mustelid semiochemicals on population dynamics of the deer mouse
      (Peromyscus maniculatus).
AB  - The influence of mustelid anal-gland compounds on population dynamics of the deer
      mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) was investigated. Densities of deer mice were not
      found to be significantly different between treated and control areas. However,
      on average, numbers of deer mice were lower on treated areas following the July
      treatments of 1991 and 1992. Survival rates appeared to be lower and more erratic
      on treated than control areas in 1991; however, there were no statistically
      significant differences. Reproduction appeared to be unaffected by the odors. We
      concluded that deer mice did not display a behavioral response to weasel odors.
      We speculated that decreases in densities were owing to predation by weasels,
      which were attracted to the odors on treated sites. We also concluded that the
      use of weasel odors as a biological control method for voles (Microtus spp.)
      would likely have little impact on deer mice (a nontarget species). 

PMID- 24242121
TI  - Plant virus-induced changes in aphid population development and temporal
      fluctuations in plant nutrients.
AB  - Cucurbita pepo plants were infected with zucchini yellow mosaic virus or
      maintained noninfected.Aphis gossypii, which transmits the virus, lived longer
      and produced more offspring on infected than on noninfected plants. On infected
      plants, the intrinsic rate of natural increase forA. gossypii increased with time
      after inoculation. In a similar experiment, concentrations of phloem sap
      nutrients, including free amino acids, total protein, and sugars from infected
      and noninfected plants were compared for 37 days after inoculation. Significant
      differences in levels of individual amino acids from phloem exudate between
      infected and noninfected plants were found, yet the concentration of total amino
      acids was not substantially different between infected and noninfected plants.
      Beginning four days after inoculation, the total protein content of phloem
      exudate generally was lower in infected plants than noninfected plants. Likewise,
      the total sugar content of phloem exudate from infected plants was lower than
      that of noninfected plants beginning nine days after inoculation. In contrast
      with the results from analyses of phloem exudate, foliage from infected plants
      had higher levels of almost all amino acids than noninfected foliage beginning
      nine days after inoculation. Concentrations of individual and total amino acids
      in infected foliage increased throughout the experimental period. Although no
      temporal effects were observed in the foliage sugar content for either individual
      or total sugars, starch content decreased with time in infected plants, while in
      noninfected plants, starch content remained level. 

PMID- 24242122
TI  - Phthalide-based host-plant resistance toSpodoptera exigua andTrichoplusia ni
      inApium graveolens.
AB  - A chemical basis for the difference in suitability between two celeriac (Apium
      graveolens var.rapaceum) cultivars for the survival and growth ofSpodoptera
      exigua (Hubner) andTrichoplusia ni (Hubner) was identified as sedanenolide (3-n
      butyl-4,5-dihydro-isobenzofuranone). Sedanenolide was isolated using a bioassay
      driven extraction and purification procedure and was identified using several
      spectrometric methods. Foliar concentrations of sedanenolide were negatively
      correlated with larval performance and were significantly higher in the cultivar
      less suitable for larval survival and growth. Sedanenolide andBacillus
      thuringiensis Berliner acted additively in reducing larval growth when combined
      in artificial diets, a result that is consistent with previous studies in which
      the combined effect of host plant cultivar andB. thuringiensis on larval survival
      and growth were additive. 

PMID- 24242124
TI  - Female sex pheromone components of jasmine mothPalpita unionalis (Lepidoptera:
      Pyralidae).
AB  - (E)-11-Hexadecenal and (E)-11-hexadecen-1-yl acetate were found in abdomen tip
      extracts from females of the jasmine mothPalpita unionalis (Hubn). The
      identification was based on capillary GC analyses, mass spectrometry, and
      laboratory and field tests. In laboratory bioassays, both components elicited a
      low level of upwind flight by males. The two components when tested separately in
      the field were inactive, but the blend of the two components at a ratio of (3:7)
      was highly attractive to males. Traps baited with 1 mg of the two-component blend
      were competitive to traps baited with five virgin females. The addition of Z
      isomers components reduced male capture. 

PMID- 24242123
TI  - Caribbean fruit fly,Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), attraction to host fruit and host
      kairomones.
AB  - Extracts of 22 fruits were tested for their attractancy toAnastrepha suspensa
      (Loew), the Caribbean fruit fly. Box-orange, calamondin, carambola, cattley
      guava, loquat, and Surinam-cherry were about equal in attractiveness to males and
      females. Nine synthetic chemicals, including four found in box-orange ripe seed,
      were attractive to females. Five synthetic chemicals, including two in box-orange
      ripe seed, were attractive to males. Farnesol,alpha-phellandrene, and 3-carene
      were highest in attractiveness to both males and females. Females were more
      attracted than males to 12 synthetic chemicals. These data suggest that host
      chemicals serve as attractants and that female and male specific attractants and
      traps could be developed from host kairomone data. These data also suggest that
      the volatilization of chemicals from water may play an important role in
      kairomone biology. 

PMID- 24242125
TI  - Tasting green leaf volatiles by larvae and adults of Colorado potato
      beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata.
AB  - Larvae and adults of the Colorado potato beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say),
      are shown to have galeal gustatory cells that are highly sensitive to distillate
      of potato leaf extracts, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-hexenal, and other saturated and
      unsaturated six-carbon alcohols. In larvae and adults, the sensory response
      patterns elicited by leaf homogenate, leaf distillate and a mixture of these two
      extracts differ in subtle ways. Beetle larvae feed most readily on Millipore
      disks treated with leaf homogenate and the mixture, but they did not feed on
      disks treated with leaf distillate. The differences in behavioral response and
      sensory input are used to derive a potential gustatory code that may stimulate
      different levels of feeding. This code may be disrupted by compounds present in
      nonhost leaves, thus leading to reduced feeding. Possible interactions of sapid
      leaf volatiles, amino acids, sugars, and potentially deterrent plant compounds
      are discussed. 

PMID- 24242126
TI  - Use of conifer volatiles to reduce injury caused by carrot psyllid,Trioza
      apicalis, Forster (Homoptera, Psylloidea).
AB  - The feeding and oviposition of the carrot psyllid,Trioza apicalis, were reduced
      by the application of fresh spruce and pine sawdust along the seedling rows in
      carrot fields. Turpentine and separate monoterpene hydrocarbons, mixed into old
      sawdust and/or placed in polyethylene tubes, were also effective. At a dose of
      0.5 liter/m, fresh sawdust reduced the damage to 18% of the plants, compared to
      100% damage in untreated plants. The sawdust materials were spread on the soil
      surface at four- or seven-day intervals during the oviposition period. The tubes
      were placed along the carrot rows before the oviposition started. Turpentine and
      separate monoterpene hydrocarbons afforded a protective effect of the same order
      of magnitude as that obtained from fresh sawdust. The volatile profiles of the
      spruce and pine sawdust as well as of the turpentine used were determined. 

PMID- 24242127
TI  - Responses of fig wasps to host plant volatile cues.
AB  - Fig wasps (Chalcidoidea; Agaonidae) are intimately associated with the 750 or so
      species of fig trees (Ficus, Moraceae). Each tree species is usually pollinated
      by a single species of wasp belonging to the subfamily Agaoninae, while other
      wasps of the family are parasitoids or seed predators. Previous experiments have
      shown that the wasps are attracted to the trees by volatiles emanating from the
      figs. Using fig-bearing trees and arrays of sticky traps baited with figs, we
      investigated the specificity of wasp attraction and its timing. The pollinators
      of two closely relatedFicus species were specifically attracted to figs of their
      host species and only at the time when figs were ready to be pollinated. Some
      nonpollinating fig wasps appear to respond to the same volatile cues. 

PMID- 24242128
TI  - Chemical signals involved in spacing behavior of breeding female bank voles
      (Clethrionomys glareolus Schreber 1780, Microtidae, Rodentia).
AB  - In order to study the mechanism involved in the seasonal territoriality of
      breeding bank voles, the social behavior and scent marking of paired females were
      observed throughout a reproductive cycle. Initially unfamiliar females were kept
      in large laboratory pens provided with individual burrows. After a brief period
      of hostility, females behaved in a friendly manner towards each other, sharing
      the same nest even in the presence of a male and until the middle of pregnancy.
      They scarcely marked with urine. Continuous olfactory assessment appeared to play
      an important role in maintaining the friendly interactions. In late pregnant and
      lactating females, on the contrary, the odor of a familiar female triggered
      aggressiveness and scent marking with urine and probably with flank glands. These
      reactions may be interpreted as spacing behavior. Moreover, the interaction
      between females may inhibit reproduction in one of them. These results are
      discussed in relation with the available ecological data. 

PMID- 24242129
TI  - Evidence for sex pheromones produced by males and females inBlatta Orientalis
      (Dictyoptera, Blattidae).

PMID- 24242130
TI  - Nonfloral sources of chemicals that attract male euglossine bees (Apidae:
      Euglossini).

PMID- 24242131
TI  - Effects of Wenxiao Decoction on the expression of interleukin-6, intercellular
      adhesion molecular-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in experimental
      atherosclerotic rabbits.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different doses of Wenxiao Decoction on the
      expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1),
      and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in experimental atherosclerotic
      rabbits and to explore the mechanism by which it alleviates atherosclerosis.
      METHODS: Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into six groups: a blank
      group, a model group, a Simvastatin group, and high-, medium-, and low-dosage
      Wenxiao Decoction groups. Except for those in the blank group, all rabbits were
      fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Carotid atherosclerosis was established by
      balloon-induced carotid artery endothelium injury in conjunction with the high
      cholesterol diet. After 8 weeks, all animals were euthanized to evaluate levels
      of IL-6 and ICAM-1 expressions (by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and of MCP
      1 (by immunohistochemistry staining). RESULTS: The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1,
      and MCP-1 were significantly increased in all groups except the blank group
      (P<0.05). However, the rabbits in the Wenxiao Decoction groups and the
      Simvastatin group showed significantly lower levels of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1
      expression than those in the model group (P<0.05). The expressions of IL-6, ICAM
      1, and MCP-1 in the highdosage Wenxiao Decoction group and the Simvastatin group
      were lower than those in the low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group (P<0.05). The
      expression of MCP-1 in medium-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group was lower than that
      in the low-dosage group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High, medium, and low doses of
      Wenxiao Decoction can inhibit the expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1, which
      may prevent and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. There may be a direct
      relationship between dosage and therapeutic efficacy of Wenxiao Decoction.

PMID- 24242132
TI  - Rubus parvifolius L. inhibited the growth of leukemia K562 cells in vitro and in
      vivo.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the antiproliferative activity of Rubus parvifolius L.
      (RP) extract, its medicinal serum and RP total saponins (RPTS) against K562 cells
      in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Nude mice models bearing leukemia tumors were
      treated with different concentrations of RP extract. The size, weight and
      histopathological change of leukemic tumors were determined. Semi-solid agar
      culture and methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay were used to determine in
      vitro the inhibition of colony formation and proliferation of K562 cells
      respectively by different concentrations of RP medicinal serum and RPTS. RESULTS:
      RP extract had a tumor inhibition rate of 84.8% when administered to mice at a
      dose of 1.0 g/day of crude RP root equivalent. Semi-solid agar culture of K562
      cells in the presence of 20% (v/v) of RP medicinal serum and 150 mg/L RPTS
      demonstrated a 50.8% and 100% inhibition of the colony forming unit (CFU)-K562,
      respectively. The same doses of RP medicinal serum and RPTS showed a
      proliferation inhibition of 31.4% and 86.3%, respectively against K562 cells in
      MTT assay. CONCLUSION: RP extract and RPTS show effective antiproliferative
      activity against myeloid leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 24242133
TI  - Application of serum pharmacology in evaluating the antitumor effect of Fuzheng
      Yiliu Decoction from Chinese medicine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of serum pharmacology in evaluating the
      antitumor effect of Chinese medicine (CM) of Fuzheng Guben (supporting the
      healthy energy and strengthening the body's resistance to pathogens), the effects
      of Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction (FYD), a typical prescription of Fuzheng Guben, on
      proliferation and apoptosis of hepatoma cells in vitro were observed by two
      methods with serum pharmacology and traditional pharmacology, respectively.
      METHODS: HepG2 cells were treated with FYD-containing serum or crude FYD extract
      in vitro. The proliferation rate was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium
      (MTT) assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis rate was performed by flow cytometry. And
      the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in
      FYD-containing serum were detected by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: FYD-containing
      serum remarkably inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of hepatoma cells
      at least by promoting the production of IL-2 and TNF-alpha in vivo. On the
      contrary, crude FYD extract promoted the proliferation and did not induce cell
      apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The results by serum pharmacology were accordant with
      those of our previous animal and clinical trials which indicates that serum
      pharmacology is a reasonable and feasible method for the evaluation of the
      antitumor effect of herbs of Fuzheng Guben.

PMID- 24242134
TI  - The effects of new herbal formula (KBMSI-2) on penile erection and expression of
      nitric oxide synthase isoforms in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of new herbal formula (KBMSI-2) on erectile
      dysfunction in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. METHODS: Twenty
      four Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups; control
      (n=8), diabetes model (n=8), diabetes + KBMSI-2 200 mg/kg treatment (n=8) groups.
      The diabetes induced groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ.
      Distilled water was administered in the control and model groups. To investigate
      the penile erection, intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and intracavernosal
      pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) were recorded in all groups. Serial
      sections of the penis were used to perform Masson's trichrome stain. The
      expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and
      cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentration in the isolated corpus
      cavernosum were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Peak ICP/MAP ratio was
      increased in the KBMSI-2 treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.05).
      Masson's trichrome staining confirmed that the smooth muscle component was
      increased in the KBMSI-2 treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.05).
      The nNOS, eNOS and cGMP expression of KBMSI-2 200 mg/kg treatment group was
      increased compared with the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed
      that herbal formula of KBMSI-2 improved the erectile function by preserving the
      smooth muscle content and inhibiting the fibrosis of the corpus cavernosum in STZ
      induced diabetic rat model.

PMID- 24242135
TI  - Hexane extract of the seeds of Byrsonima crassifolia accelerates wound healing in
      streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - OBJETIVE: To study the effect of seeds of Byrsonima crassifolia in diabetic wound
      healing. METHODS: Wound healing potential of hexane extract in the form of simple
      ointment for the treatment of dermal wounds was studied in streptozotocin-induced
      diabetic rats on excision wound, incision wound and dead space wound. Various
      parameters such as epithelization period, scar area, tensile strength,
      hydroxyproline, total protein, DNA, hexosamine, uronic acid, antioxidant enzymes
      including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity (CAT) were used to
      evaluate the effect of B. crassifolia on wound healing. RESULTS: Hexane extract
      in form topical accelerates the wound healing process by decreasing the surface
      area of the wound with a significant increase in the rate of wound contraction
      and tensile strength; increase granulation tissue dry weight, hydroxyproline,
      total protein, DNA and SOD and CAT when compared with diabetic control.
      CONCLUSION: B. crassifolia was effective in promoting diabetic wound healing in
      rats through the processes of tissue regeneration.

PMID- 24242136
TI  - Effects of Fengbaisan on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue
      inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in lung tissue of rats with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of Fengbaisan (, FBS) on the expression of matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1)
      in lung tissue of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to
      investigate the preventive and therapeutic mechanisms of FBS. METHODS: The COPD
      rat model was established by cigarette smoke exposure and lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS) intra-tracheal dripping. The histopathological changes of lung tissue was
      observed via hematoxylin/eosin staining. The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in
      lung tissue was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT
      PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The typical histopathological changes of
      COPD were displayed in the model group, Ambroxol Hydrochloride group and FBS
      group, and the pathological lesions in the FBS group were less than those in the
      model group. The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the model group increased
      significantly compared with those in the normal group (P<0.05). After treatment
      for successive 28 days, the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the FBS group
      decreased remarkably as compared with the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FBS
      can regulate MMP-9/TIMP-1 imbalance to prevent airway and lung parenchyma
      remodeling process via reducing the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung
      tissue of COPD rats, and this may be a possible therapeutic mechanism of FBS on
      COPD.

PMID- 24242137
TI  - Effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum (L.) on retinal oxidative stress, and
      proinflammatory and angiogenic molecular biomarkers in streptozotocin-induced
      diabetic rats.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of
      Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. (fenugreek) in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic
      rat retina. Fenugreek (100 and 200 mg/kg body weights) treatment was carried out
      for 24 weeks and evaluated for inflammatory [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha
      and interleukin (IL)-1beta] and angiogenic [vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) and protein kinase C (PKC)-beta] molecular biomarkers. Retinal oxidative
      stress was evaluated by estimating antioxidant (Glutathione, Superoxide
      dismutase, and Catalase) parameters. Fluorescein angiography was performed to
      detect retinal vascular leakage. Electron microscopy was performed to determine
      basement membrane thickness. In the present study, significant rises in the
      expressions of retinal inflammatory (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) and angiogenic (VEGF
      and PKC-beta) molecular biomarkers were observed in diabetic retinae compared
      with normal retinae. However, fenugreek-treated retinae showed marked inhibition
      in the expression of inflammatory and angiogenic molecular biomarkers. Moreover,
      results from the present study showed positive modulatory effects of fenugreek on
      retinal oxidative stress. Fluorescein angiograms and fundus photographs obtained
      from diabetic retinae showed retinal vascular leakage. On the other hand,
      fenugreek-treated retinae did not show vascular leakage. Further, thickened BM
      was recorded in diabetic retina compared with normal retinae. However, fenugreek
      treated retinae showed relatively lesser thickening of capillary BM. In
      conclusion, it may be postulated that fenugreek has great potential in preventing
      diabetes-induced retinal degeneration in humans after regular consumption in the
      specified dosage. 

PMID- 24242139
TI  - [Addiction research in the Low Countries: alive and kicking!].

PMID- 24242138
TI  - Prognostic significance of microRNA-141 expression and its tumor suppressor
      function in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Increasing evidence shows that dysregulation of microRNAs is correlated with
      tumor development. This study was performed to determine the expression of miR
      141 and investigate its clinical significance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
      (PDAC). Taqman quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect miR-141 expressions in 94
      PDAC tissues and 16 nontumorous pancreatic tissues. Correlations between miR-141
      expression and clinicopathologic features and prognosis of patients were
      statistically analyzed. The effects of miR-141 expression on growth and apoptosis
      of PDAC cell line (PANC-1) were determined by MTT, colony formation, and flow
      cytometry assays. Potential target genes were identified by luciferase reporter
      and Western blot assays. The expression level of miR-141 in PDAC tissues was
      significantly lower than that in corresponding nontumorous tissues.
      Downregulation of miR-141 correlated with poorer pT and pN status, advanced
      clinical stage, and lymphatic invasion. Also, low miR-141 expression in PDAC
      tissues was significantly correlated with shorter overall survival, and
      multivariate analysis showed that miR-141 was an independent prognostic factor
      for PDAC patients. Further, functional researches suggested that miR-141 inhibits
      growth and colony formation, and enhances caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in PANC-1
      cells by targeting Yes-associated protein-1 (YAP1). Therefore, miR-141 is an
      independent prognostic factor for PDAC patients, and functions as a tumor
      suppressor gene by targeting YAP1. 

PMID- 24242140
TI  - The impact of Dutch and Flemish scientists on the progress of addiction medicine.

PMID- 24242141
TI  - [Impulse control in addiction: a translational perspective].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Impulsivity is a hallmark of addiction and predicts treatment
      response and relapse. Impulsivity is, however, a complex construct. Translational
      cross-species research is needed to give us greater insight into the neurobiology
      and the role of impulsivity in addiction and to help with the development of new
      treatment strategies for improving patients' impulse control. AIM: To review
      recent evidence concerning the concept of impulsivity and the role of impulsivity
      in addiction. METHOD: The concept and neurobiology of impulsivity are reviewed
      from a translational perspective. The role of impulsivity in addiction and
      implications for treatment are discussed. RESULTS: Our recent translational cross
      species study indicates that impulsivity is made up of several, separate
      independent features with partly distinct underlying neurobiological substrates.
      There are also indications that these features make a unique and independent
      contribution to separate stages of the addiction cycle. CONCLUSION: In addition,
      the improvement of impulse control is a promising new target area for treatments
      that could lead to better results. However, those involved in developing new
      treatment strategies will have to take into account the complexity and
      multidimensional character of impulsivity.

PMID- 24242142
TI  - [Motivational processes in addiction: the role of craving, salience and
      attention].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Motivational processes play an important role in addictive
      behaviours. Craving is mainly an explicit or conscious process that can motivate
      individuals to continue alcohol, take drugs or smoke cigarettes. Craving also
      plays a role in relapse; self-reported craving has often been associated with
      relapse. However, craving cannot explain all addictive behaviours. In addition to
      craving, implicit cognitive processes play an important part in motivating
      individuals to become involved in substance use. AIM: To describe some of these
      implicit cognitive processes, namely the role of salience, attention bias,
      automatic memory associations and action tendencies. METHOD: A description is
      given of recent research results and the implications of these implicit processes
      for clinical practice. RESULTS: Oversensitive/hypersensitive motivational
      processes and a lack of control over these processes both play an important role
      in addiction. This can be expressed by an uncontrollable urge to inject the drug
      or substance again, in spite of the fact that it is unwise for the person in
      question to do so. Recent research has shown that there are various very
      promising methods for dealing with these two problems
      (oversensitive/hypersensitive motivational processes and a lack of control over
      these processes), either separately or together. The methods involve behavioural
      training programmes, medication and neural stimulation. CONCLUSION: The research
      results are very promising, but more research is needed.

PMID- 24242143
TI  - [Neuromodulation as an intervention for addiction: overview and future
      prospects].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years several neuromodulation techniques have been
      introduced as interventions for addiction. AIM: To review and discuss studies
      that have investigated the effects of treating addiction by means of
      electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback, real-time functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback, transcranial magnetic
      stimulation/transcranial direct current stimulation (TMS/tDCS) and deep brain
      stimulation (DBS). METHOD: We reviewed the literature, focusing on Dutch studies
      in particular. RESULTS: Studies using EEG neurofeedback were shown to have
      positive effects on drug use, treatment compliance, and cue reactivity in
      patients with cocaine and alcohol dependence. A pilot study investigating the
      effects of rt-fMRI neurofeedback on nicotine dependent patients showed that
      modulation of the anterior cingulate cortex can decrease smokers' craving for
      nicotine. In several studies decreased craving was found in alcohol dependent
      patients after TMS or tDCS stimulation of the anterior cingulate cortex or the
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The first DBS pilot studies suggest that the
      nucleus accumbens is a promising target region for the treatment of alcohol and
      heroin dependence. CONCLUSION: Neuromodulation provides us with a unique
      opportunity to directly apply neuroscientific knowledge to the treatment of
      addiction. However, more research is needed to ensure the efficacy, safety and
      feasibility of the various neuromodulation techniques that are now available.

PMID- 24242144
TI  - [Dopamine and excessive alcohol consumption: how genes interact with their
      environment].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hereditary factors account for approximately 50% of the risk of
      developing alcohol dependence. Genes that affect the dopamine function in the
      brain have been extensively studied as candidate genes. AIM: To present the
      results of recent Dutch studies on the interaction between genes and their
      environment in relation to dopamine function and excessive alcohol use. METHOD:
      Two large scale research projects were recently carried out in order to study the
      relation between dopamine genes and excessive alcohol use in the Netherlands. The
      first study investigated excessive alcohol use among adolescents. The second
      studied alcohol dependence among adult males. RESULTS: Genes that affect the
      dopamine function in the brain were not directly linked to excessive alcohol use
      or dependence. Dopamine genes, however, do influence sensitivity to environmental
      risk factors for excessive alcohol use. CONCLUSION: These studies show that
      genetically determined dopamine function increases the risk of excessive alcohol
      use in the context of an adverse environment. Traumatic experiences and parenting
      style were both shown to be important environmental factors.

PMID- 24242145
TI  - [Substance use disorders and ADHD: an overview of recent Dutch research].
AB  - BACKGROUND: ADHD is an important risk factor for the development of substance use
      disorders (SUD). AIM: To provide an overview of recent Dutch research into the
      prevalence of ADHD in SUD populations and the neurobiological substrate of the
      reduced effect of pharmacological treatment of this patient group. METHOD: We
      describe three studies: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of the
      prevalence of ADHD in 6689 SUD patients; a cross-sectional study of the
      prevalence of ADHD and several other psychiatric disorders in 193 methadon
      maintenance patients, and finally a study in which the availability and
      occupation of dopamine transporters before and after methylphenidate treatment
      were measured using SPECT scans in 24 ADHD patients with and without cocaine
      addiction. RESULTS: The prevalence of ADHD in SUD patients is estimated to be
      23.1% (95% confidence interval 19.4-27.2). This prevalence is influenced by the
      diagnostic instrument for ADHD and by the substance of abuse: cocaine is
      associated with a lower ADHD prevalence than other substances. The prevalence
      found among methadone maintenance patients was similar, namely 24.9%; additional
      comorbid psychiatric disorders were also frequently present. In the imaging
      study, lower availability of dopamine transporters and lower occupation by
      methylphenidate were found in cocaine-dependent ADHD patients than in ADHD
      patients without SUD. CONCLUSION: These studies confirm the high prevalence of
      ADHD in SUD patients, and provide a possible explanation for the reduced efficacy
      of methylphenidate in this patient population.

PMID- 24242146
TI  - [Cannabis use and the risk of psychotic disorders. An update].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of cannabis has been linked to an increased risk for
      psychosis, irrespective of confounding factors such as age, gender, use of other
      drugs and reverse causality. Over the last few years a great deal of research has
      been done to broaden our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this link.
      AIM: To update studies that have examined the link between cannabis use and
      psychosis and that have investigated the possible mechanisms underlying this
      link. METHOD: This article discusses recent epidemiological and experimental
      research that sheds light on the nature of the link and the influence of
      interactions between genes and environment. RESULTS: The long-term effects of
      cannabis on the risk factors for psychosis and psychotic disorders are influenced
      to a large extent by genetic and environmental factors. Furthermore, patients
      with a psychotic disorder seem to be extremely vulnerable to the acute effects of
      cannabis. CONCLUSION: Studies show that cannabis use is an important risk factor
      for psychosis and psychotic disorders. So far, however, less research has been
      done into the effects of cannabis use on patients already suffering from a
      psychotic disorder.

PMID- 24242149
TI  - [Detoxification of patients with GHB dependence].
AB  - BACKGROUND: A new detoxification method for GHB dependence was developed recently
      in the Netherlands. The method involves the use of pharmaceutical GHB. AIM: To
      describe the characteristics of GHB dependent inpatients, the course of the
      detoxification process and patients' progress in the three months following
      inpatient detoxification. METHOD: 229 GHB dependent patients were monitored
      during and after inpatient detoxification. Records were kept of the psychiatric
      symptoms, withdrawal symptoms and relapses. RESULTS: The average age of the
      patients was 29 years; 69% of the patients were male. They reported severe
      symptoms of co-occurring depression and anxiety. Detoxification was successful in
      86% of the patients and, on a whole, the procedure ran smoothly, without
      complications. However, within three months following detoxification two-thirds
      of the patients had relapsed and were again taking GHB. CONCLUSION:
      Pharmaceutical GHB can be used as an alternative to the benzodiazepine method for
      detoxifying patients with GHB dependence. However, the high relapse rates
      following detoxification are of great concern.

PMID- 24242150
TI  - [Pharmacogenetics in the treatment of tobacco addiction].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smokers vary in their genetic susceptibility to become addicted to
      smoking and probably also in their reaction to smoking cessation
      pharmacotherapies. AIM: To provide an overview of the developments on the
      pharmacogenetics of the treatment of tobacco addiction. METHOD: Review article
      describing the biological processes associated with tobacco addiction, and the
      influence of genetic variants on smoking behavior and the efficacy of smoking
      cessation therapies. RESULTS: Several (combinations of) genetic variants in
      smoking-related genes influence nicotine dependence. Moreover, several genetic
      variants in smoking- and treatment-related genes seem to influence the efficacy
      of smoking cessation therapies which are distinctive for the different forms of
      pharmacotherapy, especially when they have a different mechanism-of-action.
      CONCLUSION: Much progress has been made in unraveling the (pharmaco)genetics of
      tobacco addiction, but much still remains to be done before genetically tailored
      smoking cessation therapy can be implemented in clinical practice.

PMID- 24242151
TI  - [Developments in pharmacotherapy: personalised pharmacotherapy?].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Effect-sizes of pharmacological treatments for addictive disorders
      are limited and a substantial number of patients do not derive any benefit from
      these treatments. AIM: To develop strategies that will enhance the effectivity of
      pharmacotherapy in the future. METHOD: We reviewed the literature using a model
      of staging and profiling which matches pharmacological interventions to specific
      stages of addiction. RESULTS: Pharmacological interventions can be tailored to
      the specific stage of the disease. In the early stages of a disease,
      pharmacotherapy can be directed towards reducing impulsivity, craving and
      compulsive behaviour and controlling substance abuse. In later stages the aim is
      to reduce negative effects, craving and compulsive behaviour and bring the
      patient to the stage of total abstinence. Furthermore, if therapists opt for
      pharmacotherapy they must take specific characteristics of the patient into
      consideration. Currently, phenotypical (clinical) characteristics do not provide
      a firm enough basis for pharmacological interventions. Endophenotypical or
      genetic characteristics seem to be very promising. However, most findings still
      need to be replicated and validated. CONCLUSION: The era of truly personalised
      medication for addiction has not yet arrived, but there are some very promising
      developments. In the short term, the prospects for pharmacogenetics seem to be
      the most favourable. A model of staging and profiling can provide a valuable
      framework for new developments in pharmacotherapy.

PMID- 24242152
TI  - [Psychological treatment in substance use disorders: focus for the future].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing are
      evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders (SUDs). However, treatment
      for SUDs is still at an early stage and patients are being deprived of many new
      forms of treatment from which they could benefit. Low treatment compliance and
      limited treatment success are also problems that need attention. AIM: To find out
      from the literature how these problems can be or are being tackled and to
      formulate suggestions for improvements. METHOD: We reviewed the literature,
      collecting and formulating suggestions about possible improvements in the
      treatment of SUD patients. We mention strategies to reduce the treatment gap, to
      improve treatment compliance and treatment results. RESULTS: According to the
      literature, clinics and hospital wards can introduce more structured screening
      for substance use disorders. Internet treatment has proven to lower the threshold
      for treatment. Patients reluctant to begin treatment can be motivated by their
      loved ones (via CRAFT) to join treatment programmes. E-health is a promising
      technique for enhancing patients' compliance with tasks that can be performed at
      home. The addition of contingency management can increase treatment compliance
      and encourage abstinence. Furthermore, the treatment of comorbid psychiatric
      disorders and the provision of continuing-care are strategies that are likely to
      optimise treatment results. CONCLUSION: A number of viable strategies are
      available or are being developed for improving the treatment of SUD patients.
      Dutch research has made an important contribution in this area.

PMID- 24242153
TI  - Perceived discrimination and religiosity as potential mediating factors between
      migration and depressive symptoms: a transnational study of an indigenous Mayan
      population.
AB  - Evidence suggests that in the US perceived discrimination among migrants of
      Mexican origin is associated with depressive symptoms. Factors that confer
      resilience, such as religiosity, could serve as a mediating factor in the context
      of migration stressors. We hypothesized that migration is associated with higher
      depressive symptoms and that discrimination and religiosity would mediate this
      relationship in a binational (US and Mexican) sample of indigenous Mexican
      migrants. We applied path analysis modeling to test our hypotheses with a sample
      of 650 individuals (n = 583 in Mexico; n = 67 in US). Results indicated that
      migration experience and current US residence were associated with perceived
      discrimination, which in turn were associated with a higher risk for depressive
      symptoms. Among women not living in the US, religiosity was associated with lower
      perceived discrimination. Discrimination is pervasive among male and female
      transnational and domestic migrants and religiosity may serve as a protective
      factor against discrimination for some women. 

PMID- 24242154
TI  - A muslim family with several members with celiac disease and other autoimmune
      disorders.
AB  - The Bedouin community of Israel is a traditional Muslim society. It is
      characterized by one of the highest rates of population growth in the world. The
      custom of intermarriage, especially among cousins or within the extended family,
      is very common because of the community's tribal structure. The rate of genetic
      disease in this population is high. We present a Bedouin family in which the
      father suffers from celiac disease and Hashimoto's disease, his daughter has
      celiac and Crohn's disease, three other children have IgA deficiency, and a half
      uncle has Crohn's disease. In describing this family we present the familial
      nature of these diseases, the age at diagnosis, the marital relationships of the
      family members and co-morbid diseases and medical conditions. Family doctors can
      develop and use genograms that can facilitate their understanding of the
      situation and enable them to develop plans for health promotion and disease
      prevention counseling in the community. 

PMID- 24242156
TI  - Presymptomatic testing for huntington diseases: Recommendations for counseling.
AB  - The discovery of a genetic marker linked to the Huntington disease (HD) gene made
      it possible to perform presymptomatic genetic testing for this late onset
      disorder. The first two pilot research programs in the United States, at
      Massachusetts General Hospital and Johns Hopkins Hospital, began offering testing
      in the Fall of 1986. Twenty-three centers are now offering this testing as part
      of their clinical service. As testing for this and other late onset diseases
      becomes more widespread, it is important to assess what we have learned about
      offering this test to those at risk. This article presents recommendations based
      on the author's 5 years of experience offering presymptomatic testing for HD in
      order to alert counselors to the complexities of offering this type of service. 

PMID- 24242155
TI  - Meeting physical activity guidelines is associated with lower allostatic load and
      inflammation in Mexican Americans.
AB  - Examine the relationship between physical activity (PA) and allostatic load in
      Mexican-Americans as well as variations by gender. Self-reported PA as well as
      cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory markers were assessed in 330 Mexican
      American adults in the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (Brownsville, TX, USA).
      Dependent variables included total allostatic load, blood pressure, metabolic,
      and inflammatory scores. PA participation was categorized as sedentary, low,
      moderate, high, and by whether activity was sufficient to meet public health
      guidelines. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using cross-sectional
      data, and tested interaction effects of gender and PA. High active participants
      had lower allostatic load and inflammatory risk than sedentary participants.
      These relationships held for meeting versus not meeting guidelines. Males meeting
      guidelines were less likely to have high inflammation than other groups. The data
      did not suggest a dose-response association. These findings indicate that PA may
      reduce accumulation of allostatic load, highlighting the importance of a
      physically active lifestyle across the life span. 

PMID- 24242157
TI  - Psychological aspects of genetic counseling. VIII. Suffering and
      countertransference.
AB  - Two common forms of countertransferential problems seen in genetic counseling,
      associative and projective, are described and illustrated. Both forms have the
      potential of reducing the quality of empathy counselors provide counselees. When
      counselors experience the same problems as the counselees they counsel it is
      virtually impossible to avoid facing countertransferential reactions which may
      not always promote the counselees' interests and/or redound to their benefit.
      Genetic counselors, like other personal counselors and psychotherapists, have a
      professional responsibility to be aware of, monitor, contain, and learn from
      their countertransferential experiences. 

PMID- 24242158
TI  - Abstracts of papers presented at the eleventh annual education conference.

PMID- 24242159
TI  - The impact of ultrasound.

PMID- 24242160
TI  - Silencing of an aphid carboxylesterase gene by use of plant-mediated RNAi impairs
      Sitobion avenae tolerance of Phoxim insecticides.
AB  - RNA interference (RNAi) describes the ability of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to
      inhibit homologous gene expression at the RNA level. Its specificity is sequence
      based and depends on the sequence of one strand of the dsRNA corresponding to
      part or all of a specific gene transcript. In this study we adopted plant
      mediated RNAi technology that targets Sitobion avenae (S. avenae) to enable gene
      silencing in the aphid and to minimize handling of the insects during
      experiments. S. avenae was selected for this study because it causes serious
      economic losses to wheat throughout the world. The carboxylesterase (CbE E4) gene
      in S. avenae was homologously cloned, which increased synthesis of a protein
      known to be critical to the resistance (tolerance) this species has developed to
      a wide range of pesticides. A plant RNAi vector was constructed, and transgenic
      Triticum aestivum (dsCbE1-5 and dsCbE2-2 lines) expressing CbE E4 dsRNA were
      developed. S. avenae were fed on dsCbE1-5 and dsCbE2-2 lines stably producing the
      CbE E4 dsRNA. CbE E4 gene expression in S. avenae was reduced by up to 30-60%.
      The number of aphids raised on dsCbE1-5 and dsCbE2-2 was lower than the number
      raised on non-transgenic plants. A solution of CbE E4 enzyme from S. avenae fed
      on dsCbE1-5 and dsCbE2-2 plants hydrolyzed only up to 20-30% Phoxim solution
      within 40 min whereas a solution of the enzyme from CbE E4 fed on control plants
      hydrolyzed 60% of Phoxim solution within 40 min. CbE E4 gene silencing was
      achieved by our wheat-mediated RNAi approach. This plant-mediated RNAi approach
      for addressing degradation-based pesticide resistance mechanisms in aphids and
      may prove useful in pest management for diverse agro-ecosystems.

PMID- 24242161
TI  - Enhanced enteric virus detection in sporadic gastroenteritis using a multi-target
      real-time PCR panel: a one-year study.
AB  - Viral gastroenteritis causes significant mortality and morbidity worldwide.
      Identifying the etiology of viral gastroenteritis is a challenge as most enteric
      viruses (EVs) are non-culturable. This study is to develop an EV testing panel
      using real-time PCR (EVPrtPCR) to simultaneously detect rotavirus, norovirus,
      sapovirus, astrovirus, and enteric adenovirus in stool samples. EVPrtPCR using
      universal amplification conditions was run in a single instrument run. EVPrtPCR
      was used to test 2,486 sporadic gastroenteritis samples submitted for EV testing
      using electron microscopy (EM) between July 2008 and July 2009. Retesting spiked
      negative stool samples and Salmon DNA as internal control were used to evaluate
      inhibition. EVPrtPCR detected viruses in significantly more samples: 748 (34%) as
      compared to 94 (3.8%) by EM. EM did not detect any norovirus, sapovirus, and
      mixed infection, and detected only 39% of rotavirus and 38.2% of enteric
      adenovirus positive samples. Four samples that tested positive for rotavirus and
      two for adenovirus and for small-round-structured viruses by EM were negative by
      EVPrtPCR. Norovirus was the most common virus detected (17.6%) with 92.4% as
      genogroup II, followed by rotavirus (6.8%), sapovirus (4.2%), astrovirus (2.0%),
      and enteric adenovirus (1.4%) with 9% samples positive for mixed infection.
      Overall, EV identification followed a U-shaped age distribution; positive samples
      were more common in children <=5 years old and adults >60 years old. Norovirus,
      sapovirus and astrovirus showed winter predominance and rotavirus peaked in the
      spring. No inhibition was observed. Molecular technology significantly enhanced
      the identification of EV causing sporadic gastroenteritis in Alberta.

PMID- 24242162
TI  - High solids enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic materials with a
      powerful stirrer concept.
AB  - In this study, we present a powerful stirred tank reactor system that can
      efficiently hydrolyse lignocellulosic material at high solid content to produce
      hydrolysates with glucose concentration > 100 g/kg. As lignocellulosic substrates
      alkaline-pretreated wheat straw and organosolv-pretreated beech wood were used.
      The developed vertical reactor was equipped with a segmented helical stirrer,
      which was specially designed for high biomass hydrolysis. The stirrer was
      characterised according to mixing behaviour and power input. To minimise the
      cellulase dosage, a response surface plan was used. With the empirical
      relationship between glucose yield, cellulase loading and solid content, the
      minimal cellulase dosage was calculated to reach at least 70% yield at high
      glucose and high substrate concentrations within 48 h. The optimisation resulted
      in a minimal enzyme dosage of 30 FPU/g dry matter (DM) for the hydrolysis of
      wheat straw and 20 FPU/g DM for the hydrolysis of beech wood. By transferring the
      hydrolysis reaction from shaking flasks to the stirred tank reactor, the glucose
      yields could be increased. Using the developed stirred tank reactor system,
      alkaline-pretreated wheat straw could be converted to 110 g/kg glucose (76%) at a
      solid content of 20% (w/w) after 48 h. Organosolv-pretreated beech wood could be
      efficiently hydrolysed even at 30% (w/w) DM, giving 150 g/kg glucose (72%).

PMID- 24242163
TI  - Atmospheric pressure plasma pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse: the influence of
      biomass particle size in the ozonation process.
AB  - Atmospheric pressure O2 plasma was used to produce ozone in order to treat
      sugarcane bagasse as a function of particle sizes. The fixed bagasse moisture
      content was 50%. The delignification efficiency had small improvement due to
      ozonation process as a function of particle size, varying from 75 up to 80%. Few
      amounts of hemicellulose were removed, but the ozonation has not been affected
      significantly with particle size variance as well (from 30 up to 35%). The
      cellulose presented some losses below 1.0 mm size (8-15%) which was an unexpected
      result. The conversion of cellulose content into free sugar has shown a
      significant increase as the particle size has diminished as well. The best
      condition of the bagasse particle size was for 0.08 mm. For this case, a great
      quantity of cellulose (78.8%) was converted into glucose. Optical absorption
      spectroscopy was applied to determine ozone concentrations in real time where the
      samples with typical bagasse particle sizes equal or below to 0.5 mm had shown a
      better absorption of ozone in comparison with greater particle size samples.

PMID- 24242164
TI  - 1,2-diazole and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol and their regulatory effects on ethanol
      and lactic acid formation in the living culture of Rhizopus oryzae.
AB  - In heterofermentation of Rhizopus oryzae, ethanol is the major byproduct which
      reduces the production of a desired product, an optically pure L-lactic acid. To
      improve lactic acid production, regulating the alcohol fermentative pathway to
      limit ethanol production has been done by various techniques. In vitro study on
      alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) inhibition in several organisms showed that 1,2
      diazole and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol were competitively bound at the active sites
      that eventually limited ethanol production. In this study, 1,2-diazole and 2,2,2
      trifluoroethanol were present during fermentation of R. oryzae. It was found that
      both 1,2-diazole and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol not only strongly affected ethanol
      formation but they also indirectly regulated lactate production as observed by
      the decreasing affinity for glucose flux toward lactate and ethanol production.
      The increase in both ethanol and lactate formation rates revealed 1,2-diazole and
      2,2,2-trifluoroethanol not only regulated the reversible redox reaction by ADH,
      but they also caused the dynamic change in the conversion of all metabolites in
      the living R. oryzae in order to maintain the balanced flux for cellular growth
      and maintenance. 

PMID- 24242165
TI  - alpha-Glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant properties of Streptomyces sp.: in
      vitro.
AB  - Streptomyces strain isolated from the soil sediment was studied for its in vitro
      alpha-glucosidase and antioxidant properties. Morphological characterization and
      16S rRNA partial gene sequencing were carried out to confirm that the strain
      Loyola AR1 belongs to genus Streptomyces sp. Modified nutrient glucose broth was
      used as the basal medium for growth and metabolites production. Ethyl acetate
      extract of Loyola AR1 (EA-Loyola AR1) showed 50% alpha-glucosidase inhibition at
      the concentration of 860.50 +/- 2.68 MUg/ml. Antioxidant properties such as total
      phenolic content of EA-Loyola AR1 was 176.83 +/- 1.17 mg of catechol
      equivalents/g extracts. EA-Loyola AR1 showed significant scavenging activity on
      2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (50% inhibition (IC50), 750.50 +/- 1.61 MUg/ml),
      hydroxyl (IC50, 690.20 +/- 2.38 MUg/ml), nitric oxide (IC50, 850.50 +/- 1.77
      MUg/ml), and superoxide (IC50, 880.08 +/- 1.80 MUg/ml) radicals, as well as
      reducing power. EA-Loyola AR1 showed strong suppressive effect on lipid
      peroxidation (IC50, 670.50 +/- 2.52 MUg/ml). Antioxidants of beta-carotene
      linoleate model system reveals significantly lower than butylated hydroxyanisole.

PMID- 24242166
TI  - Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of two protein tyrosine phosphatase
      receptors, R and Z1, in colorectal carcinoma, colon adenoma and normal colon
      tissues.
AB  - Two classes of proteins, namely tyrosine kinases (PTK) and phosphatases (PTP),
      play an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation, thus leading to
      an acceleration or inhibition of tumour growth. The role of the above proteins in
      colorectal carcinoma (CRC) growth is a well-known event. In this study we carried
      out immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of colorectal carcinoma,
      adenoma and normal colon tissue in relation to two protein tyrosine phosphatase
      receptors, R and Z1. Twenty-five cases of CRC were analyzed and the results were
      compared with similar data obtained in non-malignant tissues. High expression of
      both PTP receptors was observed in all examined cases of CRC, adenoma and normal
      colon tissue in this study. These results are not in line with recently published
      data, showing that genetic coding for PTPRR and PTPRZ1 were hypermethylated in
      CRC's. We presume that the protein tyrosine phosphatase overexpression in
      colorectal carcinoma is not enough to protect from the progression of disease.

PMID- 24242167
TI  - Photodissociation spectroscopy of gas-phase ferrocene cation.
AB  - The optical absorption spectrum of gas-phase ferrocene cation was measured by
      photodissociation (PO) spectroscopy between 570 nm and 643 nm. The PO process was
      loss of a cyclopentadienyl ring from the parent cation. Some structure was
      observed in the PO spectrum, with the highest PO being at 603 nm. The peak
      spacing did not correspond to a vibrational progression in the expected totally
      symmetric vibrational mode, and a possible assignment of the three apparent
      maxima involving electronic transitions from low-lying electronic states is
      proposed. Information on the dissociation threshold was sought by light intensity
      dependence measurements at 308 nm, 266 nm, and time-resolved PD measurements at
      308 nrn, 266 nrn, and 240 nm. The PD at all of these wavelengths showed two
      photon characteristics, indicating that the threshold for observable one-photon
      PO lies higher than about 5.4 eV. 

PMID- 24242168
TI  - Ion decomposition versus molecular size probed by vacuum ultraviolet
      photoionization.
AB  - The molecular size dependence of primary fragmentation is studied for a series of
      beta -naphthyl esters having alkyl chain lengths from C2 to C18. The esters are
      vaporized at a known ftemperature and ionized by coherent vacuum ultraviolet
      radiation at 10.5 eV. The photoionization wavelength is energetic enough to cause
      both metastable and nonmetastable primary fragmentation to m / z 144, but not
      energetic enough to cause secondary fragmentation to m / z 115 or 116. Under
      these conditions, the ratio of the nonmetastable-to-metastable daughter ion
      current, D/m D (') is expected to give a rough indication of the average parent
      ion dissociation rate. The D / m D ratio decreases with increasing molecular
      size, but not as quickly as expected by simple RRK theory. This behavior along
      with temperature dependence studies suggests that the internal energy required
      for dissociation is provided in substantial part by both the initial thermal
      internal energy and the energy imparted by the photoionization step. The role of
      thermal energy in the dissociation of large ions is discussed. 

PMID- 24242169
TI  - Double-ionization energies to ground and excited states of the tungsten
      hexacarbonyl dication.
AB  - Tungsten hexacarbonyl was investigated by double-charge-transfer (DCT)
      spectroscoPy, and the double-ionization energies to ground and electronically
      excited states of W(CO) 6 (2+) determined. The double-ionization energies
      corresponding to the first two distinct peaks in the spectra are 22.8 +/- 0.3 eV
      and 28.5 +/- 0.3 eV, but numerous overlapping peaks at higher energies are
      evident. It is shown that the DeI spectra can explain the main features of a
      previously determined (J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 1990, 1, 16-27) internal energy
      distribution curve for W(CO) 6 (2+) ions formed by 70-eV electron ionization of
      W(CO)6 molecules. 

PMID- 24242170
TI  - Tandem mass spectrometry studies of acetone and acetone/water cluster ions.
AB  - Ion clusters were formed in a temperature-variable high-pressure ion source from
      neat acetone and acetone/water mixtures and subjected to tandem mass spectrometry
      studies-unimolecular and collisionally activated mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy
      spectroscopy. The predominance of water loss from H(+)(H20)(A) l=3, where A =
      acetone, suggests that the solvation sphere around H3O(+) does not close at l =
      3, contrary to the case of acetonitrile or dimethyl ether. The results may be
      interpreted in terms of suggested ion structures which involve isomerization
      enroute to dissociation. The virtual absence of H/D scrambling in the
      collisionally activated dissociation of H3O(+)(DA)3, DA =acetone-d 6, and of
      D3O(+)(A)3 means that if enolization takes place, it is a rate-determining step
      in an irreversible isomerization. The stability of H(+)(H2O)(A)3 is a dominant
      factor in the observation of acetone loss from H(+)(H20)(A)4. 

PMID- 24242171
TI  - Ion-molecule reaction of alkanenitriles and transition-metal ions in the gas
      phase: A study on fragmentation mechanism of the adducts.
AB  - Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions between transition-metal ions (Mn +, Fe+, Co+,
      Ni +) and propionitri1e and acetonitrile were investigated. Ion-molecule adducts
      were prepared in a modified fast atom bombardment source and their metastable and
      collision-induced fragmentations, occurring in the frrst held-free region of an
      E/B configuration instrument, were studied by means of B/E linked scans. The
      experimental data suggest a coexistence of both "end-on" and "side-on"
      coordination modes; the former undergoes ligand detachment alone, whereas the
      latter loses methyl and ethyl radicals by insertion of M+ into organic substrates
      and further produces ethylene via a l3-hydrogen transfer. An order for the
      bonding energy of RCN-M+ is also suggested: RCN-Ni+> RCN-Co+> RCN-Fe+> RCNMn+. 

PMID- 24242172
TI  - Effects of N-substitution on the fragmentations of some cyclohexene-fused 2-N
      phenyliminoperhydro-3,1-oxazines and related thiazines.
AB  - Six cyclohexene-fused 2-N-phenyliminoperhydro-3,1-oxazines and four related
      thiazines were prepared and their mass spectrometric behavior was studied by
      means of metastable ion analysis and exact mass measurement. In most of the
      fragmentations, extensive rearrangements took place. The decompositions through
      the retro-Diels-Alder reaction initiated by the double bond dominated in the case
      of the unsubstituted compounds. The effect of the double bond, however, was
      greatly outweighed by the effect of the substituent on the ring nitrogen atom. In
      comparison with the unsubstituted compounds, both electron-releasing (methyl) and
      electron-withdrawing (benzyl) substituents increased the contribution of the ring
      cleavage reactions in the heterocyclic part of the molecule; in the case of the
      benzyl group the loss of the substituent also became important. For isomeric
      compounds, the relative peak intensities were so different that such compounds
      were easy to differentiate. 

PMID- 24242173
TI  - Structural studies on alkylisocyanate polymers by thermal degradation tandem mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Homopolymers and copolymers of alkylisocyanates having n-hexyl, 2,6
      dimethylheptyl, 3,7-dimethyloctyl, and (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl
      substituents underwent thermal degradation in the course of desorption electron
      ionization to yield trimers and monomers that were characterized in situ by
      tandem mass spectrometry. The trimers were trisubstituted cyanuric acids, the
      protonated molecules displaying a characteristic series of alkene eliminations on
      collision-induced dissociation to yield protonated cyanuric acid, m/ z 130.
      Confirmation of the identity of the pyrolysates was obtained by using two types
      of MS3 experiments: the reaction intermediate scan and the two-dimensional
      familial scan. The ion chemistry of the trimers and of the protonated monomer,
      the alkylisocyanate, was elucidated. Among the many interesting fragmentation
      processes undergone by the ionized trimers were a and 3 C-C bond cleavages and
      charge-remote fragmentations, which provided information on branching in the
      alkyl substituent. The dioxolane-containing substituent showed unique ion
      chemistry. The monomer distribution in the copolymers was deduced from the
      abundances of the various protonated trimers. The distribution was found to be
      random in all copolymers except that containing the dioxolane substituent. 

PMID- 24242174
TI  - Electrospray mass spectrometry for the analysis of opioid peptides and for the
      quantification of endogenous methionine enkephalin and beta-endorphin.
AB  - Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used to characterize several
      different neuropeptides, whose molecular weights ranged from 555 to 3463 Da, and
      to quantify endogenous methionine enkephalin (ME) and beta -endorphin (beta E)
      extracted from a human pituitary gland. Methionine enkephalin and leucine
      enkephalin both yield only an [M + H] + ion with electrospray mass spectrometry;
      the other peptides produce a series of multiply charged even-electron molecular
      ions of the general nature [M + nH](n)+ in proportion to the number of basic
      amino acid units present, with no evidence of fragmentation. The electrospray
      mass spectra are characterized by low background noise. The quantiftcation of ME
      is based on a comliarison of the ion current due to the [M + H] + ion of native
      and of a deuterated ME ([(2)H5 s-(4)Phe]-ME) internal standard. The calibration
      curve is linear in the range of ca. 1-35 pmol synthetic ME. The amounts of ME
      determined in three separate human pituitary extracts were 9.1, 8.2, and 4.7
      pmol/mg protein. The corresponding amount of ME in a canine pituitary was 39.8
      pmol/mg protein. To quantify beta E, the ion current due to the [M + 5H](5) + ion
      was monitored and compared to an external calibration curve obtained by analyzing
      solutions of synthetic beta E in the range 5 MUmol-50 pmol. The analysis of a
      human pituitary yielded 660 fmol beta E/mg protein. 

PMID- 24242175
TI  - Continuous-flow fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of oligonucleotides.
AB  - Although frit-fast atom bombardment (frit-FAB) and continuous-flow FAB mass
      spectrometry have become standard methods for the analysis of peptides and
      peptide mixtures, these techniques have not been applied previously to the
      analysis of oligonucleotides. Mobilephase composition, flow rate, and sample size
      were optimized for the analysis of oligonucleotides by negative ion frit-FAB mass
      spectrometry (a type of continuous-flow FAB mass spectrometry). With a mobile
      phase consisting of methanol/water/triethanolamine (80:20:0.5, v/v/w), flow
      injection frit-FAB analysis of oligonucleotides showed lower limits of detection
      compared to standard probe FAB mass spectrometry. For example, in order to obtain
      a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1, 38 prnol of d(GTIAAC) were required for frit-FAB
      mass spectrometry and 62 pmol were required for standard probe FAB mass
      spectrometry. The largest difference between frit-FAB and standard probe FAB was
      observed for d(pC)5, for which the limit of detection by frit-FAB was
      approximately 11-fold lower than by standard FAB mass spectrometry. Adjustment of
      the mobile phase to pH 7 with trifluoroacetic acid increased the limit of
      detection (reduced sensitivity) a minimum of sixfold. Equimolar mixtures of two
      or three oligonucleotides produced deprotonated molecules in identical relative
      abundances whether analyzed by frit-FAB or standard probe FAB mass spectrometry.
      Finally, frit-FAB liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was demonstrated by
      separating mixtures of oligonucleotides on a beta -cyclodextrin high-performance
      liquid chromatography column with a mobile phase containing methanol, water, and
      triethanolamine. 

PMID- 24242176
TI  - Quantitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography atmospheric
      pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry: The determination of the renin
      inhibitor CP-80,794 in human serum.
AB  - A specific method was developed for the quantitative determination of the renin
      inhibitor CP-BO,794. Serum extracts containing the drug and an internal standard
      were injected into a standard reverse-phase high-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) column. The mobile phase, methanol/water (8/2), flowed at 1
      ml/min through the column and then via a heated nebulizer interface into a corona
      discharge atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source. The assay minimum
      limit of quantification was 50 pg/mL. It exhibits satisfactory accuracy and
      precision over the range 50 pg/ml, to 10 ng/mL. A minor modification of the HPLC
      mobile phase was necessary to attain extremely low detection limits. The addition
      of a structural analogue contributed to enhancing the precision of the assay. 

PMID- 24242177
TI  - An automatic reaction control chemical ionization technique in ion trap detector
      for quantitative plasma profding of arecoline in treated alzheimer patients.
AB  - An automatic reaction control chemical ionization technique in an ion trap
      detector (lTD) was used to quantitate the levels of the cholinergic drug,
      arecoline, in plasma of treated patients with Alzheimer's disease. The chemical
      ionization reaction was carried out with acetonitrile. The protonated molecules
      of arecoline (m I z 156) and the internal standard, homoarecoline (m / z 170),
      were monitored. Human plasma samples were extracted with a readily evaporable
      solvent mixture, the residues reconstituted and injected along with a tertiary
      amine-carrier into a capillary gas chromatograph interfaced with the ITD.
      Standard curves for plasma-extracted arecoline between 20-ng/mL and 156-pg/mL
      levels were linear (r> 0.9980). Satisfactory precision (relative standard
      deviation < 20%) and accuracy (relative error < 15%) at the limit of
      quantitation, 156 pg/mL arecoline, were achieved. Optimal conditions for handling
      of blood samples obtained by venipuncture were determined. The assay was
      successfully applied for the therapeutic monitoring of Alzheimer patients treated
      intravenously with arecoline. 

PMID- 24242178
TI  - A computer program (COMPOST) for predicting mass spectrometric information from
      known amino acid sequences.
AB  - A computer program (COMPOST) is described that carries out predictive
      computations on known amino acid sequences. The program is designed to be of use
      to mass spectrometrists with an interest in protein and peptide sequencing. Mass
      values (monoisotopic and average) for protonated peptide and protein molecules
      and elemental compositions are calculated. COMPOST also calculates mass to charge
      ratio values for protonated peptides expected from specified digests, locates
      specified amino acid subsequences or peptides of a specifIed molecular weight
      within a longer sequence, and predicts mass to charge ratio values for fragment
      ions from high-energy collision-induced dissociation of protonated peptides. 

PMID- 24242179
TI  - Ion-neutral complexes in gas-phase dissociations of protonated nitriles: n-C3H
      7CNH (+) and i-C 3H 7CNH (+).

PMID- 24242180
TI  - A charge-remote allylic cleavage reaction: Mechanistic possibilities.
AB  - The collision-induced allylic cleavage reactions of deuterium-labeled [M - H +
      2Li)(+) and [M - H](-) ions of monounsaturated fatty acids were investigated.
      Three concerted mechanistic possibilities were considered for this process: a l,4
      elimination of a vinylic H, a retro-ene reaction, and a l,4-conjugate
      elimination. A fourth mechanistic possibility, a two-step radical version of the
      retro-ene and l,4-conjugate elimination reactions, was also considered. The
      radical reactions are in accord with the isotopic labeling results and offer
      certain mechanistic consistencies for cleavage of both C-C allyl bonds; they are
      expected, however, to have large activation energies. The lower-energy concerted
      alternatives, the retro-ene reaction for cleavage of the proximal and the l,4
      conjugate elimination for cleavage of the distal C-C allyl bond, are also
      consistent with experimental results. The alternative of two different concerted
      mechanisms for cleavage of the two allyl bonds, however, is at odds with the
      charge-remote concept. 

PMID- 24242182
TI  - Passages 2014.

PMID- 24242183
TI  - Sex- and age-interacting eQTLs in human complex diseases.
AB  - Many complex human diseases exhibit sex or age differences in gene expression.
      However, the presence and the extent of genotype-specific variations in gene
      regulation are largely unknown. Here, we report results of a comprehensive
      analysis of expression regulation of genetic variation related to 11,672 complex
      disease-associated SNPs as a function of sex and age in whole-blood-derived RNA
      from 5254 individuals. At false discovery rate <0.05, we identified 14 sex- and
      10 age-interacting expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). We show that these
      eQTLs are also associated with many sex- or age-associated traits. These findings
      provide important context regarding the regulation of phenotypes by genotype
      environment interaction.

PMID- 24242185
TI  - Influence of axial length on ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness and on GCC
      thickness to retinal thickness ratios in young adults.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study was designed to investigate the influence of axial
      length on macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness and two ratio parameters
      the GCC thickness to macular total retinal thickness (G/T) ratio and the GCC
      thickness to macular outer retinal thickness (G/O) ratio-using spectral-domain
      optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: In this prospective case series, 74
      eyes of 74 healthy Japanese study participants with varying degrees of myopia
      were recruited. GCC, outer retinal, and total retinal thicknesses were measured
      with the RTVue-100 system. The G/T and G/O ratios were also calculated. The axial
      length was determined using the IOLMaster. The correlation between the OCT
      measurements and axial length was evaluated. RESULTS: The average axial length
      was 25.05 +/- 1.38 mm. The GCC thickness was significantly correlated with axial
      length (r = -0.384, P = 0.001). The outer retinal thickness and the total retinal
      thickness were significantly correlated with axial length (r = -0.444, P < 0.001
      and r = -0.493, P < 0.001, respectively), but the G/T and G/O ratios were not (r
      = -0.093, P = 0.428 and r = -0.091, P = 0.440, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: GCC
      thickness is affected by axial length. Because the prevalence of myopia is high
      in Japan, when determining the GCC thickness of Japanese individuals, it seems
      necessary to consider the axial length as well. To take account of individual
      variation in axial length, we propose the ratio parameters as a suitable
      parameter.

PMID- 24242186
TI  - Letter to Dr. Khuri.

PMID- 24242187
TI  - Prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors protect from the bone loss in ovariectomy rats by
      increasing bone vascularity.
AB  - The hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha)/vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF) pathway is involved in skeletal development, bone repair, and
      postmenopausal osteoporosis. Inhibitors of prolyl hydroxylases (PHD) enhance
      vascularity, increase callus formation in a stabilized fracture model, and
      activate the HIF-1alpha/VEGF pathway. This study examined the effects of estrogen
      on the HIF-1alpha/VEGF pathway in osteoblasts and whether PHD inhibitors can
      protect from bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoblasts were treated
      with estrogen, and expressions of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were measured at mRNA
      (qPCR) and protein (Western blot) levels. Further, osteoblasts were treated with
      inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)
      pathway, and levels of VEGF mRNA and protein expression were detected. In
      addition, ovariectomized rats were treated with PHD inhibitors, and bone
      microarchitecture and bone mechanical strength were assessed using micro-CT and
      biomechanical analyses (lower ultimate stress, modulus, and stiffness). Blood
      vessel formation was measured with India Ink Perfusion and immunohistochemistry.
      Estrogen, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, induced VEGF expression at both
      mRNA and protein levels and enhanced HIF-1alpha protein stability. Further, the
      estrogen-induced VEGF expression in osteoblasts involved the PI3K/Akt pathway.
      PHD inhibitors increased bone mineral density, bone microarchitecture and bone
      mechanical strength, and promoted blood vessel formation in ovariectomized rats.
      In conclusion, estrogen and PHD inhibitors activate the HIF-1alpha/VEGF pathway
      in osteoblasts. PHD inhibitors can be utilized to protect bone loss in
      postmenopausal osteoporosis by improving bone vascularity and angiogenesis in
      bone marrow. 

PMID- 24242188
TI  - Continuous renal replacement therapy as a supportive treatment for acute
      pediatric necrotizing fasciitis.
AB  - Acute necrotizing fasciitis (NF) in children is a dangerous illness characterized
      by progressive necrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The present study
      summarizes our recent experience with the treatment of pediatric patients with
      severe NF. Between 2000 and 2009, eight children suffering from NF were admitted
      to our department. Four of the children received an active treatment strategy
      including continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), radical debridement, and
      broad-spectrum antibiotics. Another four children presented at a late stage of
      illness, and did not complete treatment. Clinical data for these two patient
      groups were retrospectively analyzed. The four patients that completed CRRT,
      radical debridement, and a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics were cured
      without any significant residual morbidity. The other four infants died shortly
      after admission. Early diagnosis, timely debridement, and aggressive use of broad
      spectrum antibiotics are key factors for achieving a satisfactory outcome for
      cases of acute NF. Early intervention with CRRT to prevent septic shock may also
      improve patient outcome. 

PMID- 24242189
TI  - Ventricular pacing on the prognosis of patients with pacemaker implantation.
AB  - Excessive right ventricular apex pacing has significant adverse effects on the
      cardiac function and hence, it is necessary to clinically optimize pacing
      parameters and advocate suitable physiological pacing to safeguard the cardiac
      function after pacemaker implant. Minimizing ventricular pacing is an
      atrioventricular node priority function, to encourage ventricular self conduction
      and to reduce unnecessary right ventricular pacing. Minimized ventricular pacing
      reduces ventricular pacing by encouraging self atrioventricular conduction
      function and extending the AV interval. This study is a prospective cohort study
      to evaluate the changes of cardiac function in patients and serum amino-terminal
      natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) before and after pacing, and the risk of atrial
      fibrillation with different CUM% VP. The study has shown that the cardiac
      function will deteriorate with an increase in pacing rate. 

PMID- 24242190
TI  - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hypertension.
AB  - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used to alleviate
      pain of the patients who suffer from inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid
      arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other painful conditions like gout. This class of
      drugs works by blocking cyclooxgenases which in turn block the prostaglandin
      production in the body. Most often, NSAIDs and antihypertensive drugs are used at
      the same time, and their use increases with increasing age. Moreover,
      hypertension and arthritis are common in the elderly patients requiring
      pharmacological managements. An ample amount of studies put forth evidence that
      NSAIDs reduce the efficiency of antihypertensive drugs plus aggravate pre
      existing hypertension or make the individuals prone to develop high blood
      pressure through renal dysfunction. This review will help doctors to consider the
      effects and risk factors of concomitant prescription of NSAIDs and hypertensive
      drugs. 

PMID- 24242184
TI  - A large-scale assessment of two-way SNP interactions in breast cancer
      susceptibility using 46,450 cases and 42,461 controls from the breast cancer
      association consortium.
AB  - Part of the substantial unexplained familial aggregation of breast cancer may be
      due to interactions between common variants, but few studies have had adequate
      statistical power to detect interactions of realistic magnitude. We aimed to
      assess all two-way interactions in breast cancer susceptibility between 70,917
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected primarily based on prior evidence
      of a marginal effect. Thirty-eight international studies contributed data for
      46,450 breast cancer cases and 42,461 controls of European origin as part of a
      multi-consortium project (COGS). First, SNPs were preselected based on evidence
      (P < 0.01) of a per-allele main effect, and all two-way combinations of those
      were evaluated by a per-allele (1 d.f.) test for interaction using logistic
      regression. Second, all 2.5 billion possible two-SNP combinations were evaluated
      using Boolean operation-based screening and testing, and SNP pairs with the
      strongest evidence of interaction (P < 10(-4)) were selected for more careful
      assessment by logistic regression. Under the first approach, 3277 SNPs were
      preselected, but an evaluation of all possible two-SNP combinations (1 d.f.)
      identified no interactions at P < 10(-8). Results from the second analytic
      approach were consistent with those from the first (P > 10(-10)). In summary, we
      observed little evidence of two-way SNP interactions in breast cancer
      susceptibility, despite the large number of SNPs with potential marginal effects
      considered and the very large sample size. This finding may have important
      implications for risk prediction, simplifying the modelling required. Further
      comprehensive, large-scale genome-wide interaction studies may identify novel
      interacting loci if the inherent logistic and computational challenges can be
      overcome.

PMID- 24242191
TI  - The clinical study of stereotactic microsurgery.
AB  - The objective of this study is to investigate the operative methods and
      therapeutic effects of stereotactic-guided microsurgical resection of
      hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage lesions in functional region. 18 cases of
      intracranial lesions (diameter 1.5-3 cm) were studied using a Leksell-G
      stereotactic system. Guided by the CT or MR, a small incision was made and the
      skull was opened with an annular drill. Electrophysiological stimulation was
      applied along the non-functional areas. 100 patients with cerebral hemorrhage
      were randomized into two groups of 50 cases each. One of the groups was treated
      using microsurgery, while the other group was treated using stereotactic
      technique. A comparative study was carried out between the two treatment methods
      for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage using the recent (1 month) and long
      term (6 months) treatment. Using a Leksell-G system for precise positioning of
      microsurgery, 100 % of the lesion was fully removed. Neurological function was
      well protected without mortality or neurological deficiency. The use of
      stereotactic microsurgery for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is successful
      compared with traditional methods. There is a significant clinical effect on the
      recovery of neurological function in patients. Stereotactic microsurgical
      resection of the lesion along with Ribbon treatment of hypertensive cerebral
      hemorrhage is an accurate, minimally invasive, safe, and effective surgical
      method.

PMID- 24242192
TI  - A model for small heat shock protein inhibition of polyglutamine aggregation.
AB  - Polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat expansions that lead to the formation of amyloid
      aggregates are linked to several devastating neurodegenerative disorders. While
      molecular chaperones, including the small heat shock proteins (sHsp), play an
      important role in protection against protein misfolding, the aberrant protein
      folding that accompanies these polyQ diseases overwhelms the chaperone network.
      By generating a model structure to explain the observed suppression of
      spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3) by the sHsp alphaB-crystallin, we have identified
      key vulnerabilities that provide a possible mechanism to explain this heat shock
      response. A docking study involving a small bioactive peptide should also aid in
      the development of new drug targets for the prevention of polyQ-based
      aggregation. 

PMID- 24242194
TI  - The Cochrane Collaboration twenty years on.

PMID- 24242195
TI  - Bridging the transition from hospital to home: effects of the VITAL telehealth
      program on recovery for CABG surgery patients and their caregivers.
AB  - The purpose of this randomized trial was to determine whether coronary artery
      bypass graft surgery patients and their caregivers who received telehealth follow
      up had greater improvements in anxiety levels from pre-surgery to 3 weeks after
      discharge than did those who received standard care. Secondary outcomes included
      changes in depressive symptoms and patients' contacts with physicians. No group
      differences were noted in changes in patients' anxiety and depressive symptoms,
      but patients in the telehealth group had fewer physician contacts (p = .04).
      Female caregivers in the telehealth group had greater decreases in anxiety than
      those in standard care (p < .001), and caregivers of both genders in the
      telehealth group had greater decreases in depressive symptoms (p = .03).

PMID- 24242193
TI  - Not all GMOs are crop plants: non-plant GMO applications in agriculture.
AB  - Since tools of modern biotechnology have become available, the most commonly
      applied and often discussed genetically modified organisms are genetically
      modified crop plants, although genetic engineering is also being used
      successfully in organisms other than plants, including bacteria, fungi, insects,
      and viruses. Many of these organisms, as with crop plants, are being engineered
      for applications in agriculture, to control plant insect pests or diseases. This
      paper reviews the genetically modified non-plant organisms that have been the
      subject of permit approvals for environmental release by the United States
      Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service since the US
      began regulating genetically modified organisms. This is an indication of the
      breadth and progress of research in the area of non-plant genetically modified
      organisms. This review includes three examples of promising research on non-plant
      genetically modified organisms for application in agriculture: (1) insects for
      insect pest control using improved vector systems; (2) fungal pathogens of
      insects to control insect pests; and (3) virus for use as transient-expression
      vectors for disease control in plants. 

PMID- 24242196
TI  - Turning over patient turnover: an ethnographic study of admissions, discharges,
      and transfers.
AB  - The impact on nursing work of patient turnover (admissions, discharges, and
      transfers) became evident in an ethnographic study of turbulence. The patient
      turnover data were generated from extensive observations, 21 formal interviews,
      and a year of admission and discharge records on one medical and one surgical
      unit. Timing of turnover events on the two units differed, but on both units
      admissions typically interrupted workflow more than did discharges, clustered
      admissions were more disruptive than staggered admissions, and patient turnover
      during change of shift was more disruptive than during medication administration.
      Understanding the complexity of patient turnover will elucidate the work involved
      and improve the evidence base for nurse staffing, a key determinant of quality
      and safety of care.

PMID- 24242197
TI  - A structural model of the influence of immigrant mothers' depressive symptoms and
      home environment on their children's early developmental outcomes in Taiwan.
AB  - In this cross-sectional study of 61 immigrant mothers and their 6- to 24-month
      old children in Taiwan, we examined the structure of relationships among maternal
      depressive symptoms, quality of the child-rearing home environment, and child
      development using a partial least squares approach. Maternal depressive symptoms
      as measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale had a direct and negative
      effect on the quality of the home environment as measured by the IT-HOME, which
      in turn had a direct and positive effect on child development as measured by the
      Comprehensive Developmental Inventory for Infants and Toddlers. Maternal
      depressive symptoms did not directly affect child development, suggesting that
      the quality of the home environment mediated the relationship between maternal
      depressive symptoms and child development.

PMID- 24242198
TI  - New sesquiterpenes fromMaytenus species (Celastraceae). Taxonomic and
      chemotaxonomic considerations concerning chileanMaytenus.
AB  - Three new dihydro-beta-agarofuran sesquiterpenes from two species ofMaytenus were
      isolated and their structures were elucidated by means of(1)H and(13)C NMR
      studies. The differences and similarities noted in the chemical content of the
      dihydro-beta-agarofuran sesquiterpenes from the fourMaytenus species from Chile
      are in line with the taxonomic characterization of these species; their
      geographical distribution is also given. 

PMID- 24242199
TI  - Influence of white pine watering regimes on feeding preferences of spring and
      fall adults of the white pine weevilPissodes strobi (Peck).
AB  - Spring and fall adults of the white pine weevil,Pissodes strobi (Peck), were
      exposed in no-choice and two-choice tests to bark from water-stressed and non
      water-stressed white pine (Pinus strobus L.), which had also been exposed or not
      exposed to weevil attack. This experiment demonstrated that the weevils could
      discriminate between bark from water-stressed white pine and preferred bark from
      the nonstressed plants. The weevils also preferred bark from nonstressed plants
      that were previously exposed to weevil damage. Spring and fall adults displayed
      the same feeding preferences. No sex differences were found in feeding
      preferences. Less nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were found in bark from the
      nonstressed plants, and the potassium level was higher in damaged plants. We
      expect that the biological performance of the weevil should be favored by
      vigorously growing plants rather than by stressed plants. 

PMID- 24242200
TI  - Elevational variation of quinolizidine alkaloid contents in a lupine (Lupinus
      argenteus) of the Rocky Mountains.
AB  - Quinolizidine alkaloid contents of leaves and seeds ofLupinus argenteus
      (Fabaceae) collected from seven different localities near Gothic, Colorado were
      determined by capillary GLC. Differences in alkaloid levels between sites are
      substantial and alkaloid quantity decreases as elevation increases. Leaves at the
      lowest elevation, for example, contain six times the alkaloid levels of leaves at
      the highest elevation. Seeds from plants of low-and high-elevation sites were
      grown under identical conditions in the green-house. Alkaloid levels of leaves of
      seedlings were significantly higher in those seedlings derived from populations
      of low elevations than those of high elevations, indicating that the observed
      differences in the field are at least partly genetic and not environmental. To
      determine whether predation rates were responsible for these genetic differences,
      data on seed predation rates and observations on herbivory were collected. 

PMID- 24242201
TI  - Chemotactic tube-foot responses of a spongivorous sea starPerknaster fuscus to
      organic extracts from antarctic sponges.
AB  - Hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts of 18 species of antarctic sponges were
      tested for their ability to induce sustained tube-foot retraction in the
      antarctic spongivorous sea starPerknaster fuscus. Extracts were imbedded in
      silicone and used to coat the tip of a glass rod, which was allowed to contact an
      extended tube-foot. Retraction times were measured and compared with three
      controls: contact with a glass rod coated with a hexane extract of fish (feeding
      stimulant), contact with the glass rod alone (mechanical control), and contact
      with the glass rod coated with silicone alone (silicone control). Only extracts
      of the spongeMycale acerata did not elicit significantly longer tube-foot
      retraction times than controls for at least one of the three organic extracts.
      Hexane sponge extracts elicited the lowest levels of significant tube-foot
      responses, with only 39% of the sponge species tested showing activity in this
      fraction. In contrast, chloroform and methanol extracts elicited a significant
      tube-foot retraction response in 73% and 78% of the species tested, respectively.
      This indicates that in this assay repellent metabolites are generally more polar
      substances. It remains to be determined that secondary metabolites are
      responsible for all of the tube-foot retraction responses detected in sea stars
      exposed to sponge extracts; bioactive secondary metabolites have been isolated
      from a number of these antarctic sponges. It may be of ecological significance
      that the two rapidly growing sponges,Homaxinella balfourensis andMycale acerata,
      were either not repellent or had low repellency, and thatM. acerata is the
      primary dietary item ofPerknaster fuscus. 

PMID- 24242202
TI  - Mating disruption of pea mothCydia nigricana F. (lepidoptera: Tortricidae) by a
      repellent blend of sex pheromone and attraction inhibitors.
AB  - Synthetic sex pheromone of the pea mothCydia nigricana, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1
      yl acetate (E8,E10-12: Ac), was applied in polyethylene dispensers at a rate of
      30 g/ha and 600 dispensers/ha in a 0.6-ha pea field. The release rate ofE8,E10
      12: Ac was 140 mg/ha/day after six days, and 82 mg/ha/day after 20 days. Aerial
      concentrations ofE8,E10-12: Ac, as measured by a portable EAG apparatus, ranged
      from 2 +/- 2 to 7 +/- 3 ng/m(3). The antennal signal was high and rather constant
      within pea canopy, but was lower and fluctuated strongly above canopy. Initially,
      >99% isomerically pureE8,E10-12: Ac was released, and male moths were attracted
      to dispensers. After nine days, isomeric blend composition had equilibrated to
      approx. 92%E8,E10-12: Ac and 8% of the inhibitory isomersE,Z-,Z,E-, andZ8,Z10-12:
      Ac. Males were then repelled from the pheromone-permeated field. Traps baited
      with 100 ugE8,E10-12: Ac caught 258 +/- 133C. nigricana males/trap in the
      control, but no males at all in the disruption field. 

PMID- 24242203
TI  - Ethyl propionate: Synergistic kairomone for african palm weevil,Rhynchophorus
      phoenicis L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
AB  - Small trunk pieces of a freshly felled 10-year-old oil palm,Elaeis quineensis
      (Jacq.), were placed in a modified Nalgene desiccator, and volatiles captured for
      six days on Porapak Q. Gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of Porapak-Q-trapped
      volatiles with both flame ionization (FID) and electroantennographic detection
      (EAD) using male or femaleR. phoenicis antennae revealed several EAD-active
      compounds. They were identified as: ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate, isobutyl
      propionate, ethyl butyrate, and ethyl isobutyrate. In field experiments in the La
      Me Research Station, Cote d'Ivoire, ethyl propionate (50 mg/24 hr) but not all
      esters combined (50 mg/24 hr each) significantly increased capture ofR. phoenicis
      in pheromone-baited (3 mg/24 hr) traps. One kilogram of 1- to 3-day-old palm
      tissue was significantly more effective than ethyl propionate in enhancing
      pheromone attraction. Superior attraction of palm tissue may be attributed to
      additional as yet unknown semiochemicals. Alternatively, release rates and/or
      ratios of synthetic volatiles differed from those of palm tissue at peak
      attraction. 

PMID- 24242204
TI  - Repellent, toxic, and food protectant effects of pithraj,Aphanamixis polystachya
      extracts against pulse beetle,Callosobruchus chinensis in storage.
AB  - Ground leaves, bark, seeds, and four seed extracts of pithraj,Aphanamixis
      polystachya (family Meliaceae), a locally grown plant in Bangladesh, were
      evaluated for their repellency, contact toxicity, and food protectant efficacy
      against adult pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.). The seed extracts
      showed poor repellent effects, but high contact toxicity to adults at 72 hr after
      application. The ground leaves, bark, and seeds provided good protection for mung
      beans against pulse beetles, and the seed powder greatly reduced the F1 progeny
      and seed damage rates. 

PMID- 24242205
TI  - Quantification of electroantennogram responses of the primary rhinaria
      ofAcyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) to C4-C 8 primary alcohols and aldehydes.
AB  - Electroantennograms (EAGs) of the distal and proximal primary rhinaria (DPR and
      PPR, respectively) were recorded from excised antennae of alate virginoparous pea
      aphids,Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae). Primary unsaturated
      alcohols and aldehydes with varying carbon length (C4-C8) were used as volatile
      stimuli. EAGs were recorded for a series of source concentrations from the DPR
      and PPR separately through the use of sectional electroantennography. A logistic
      equation was fitted to the source concentration-response data. Differences in
      relative EAG response of the DPR and PPR to the alcohols and aldehydes were
      analyzed by deriving five parameters from this logistic equation. These
      parameters relate to particular characteristics of sigmoid curves: the saturation
      (maximum) EAG response (R s ), the concentration for which the relative EAG
      response is 1/2R s (CR50), the stimulus response range (SR 0.9), the threshold
      concentration (CR1), and the EAG response area (A R ). Of these parameters, the
      EAG response area showed the largest separation between EAG responses of the DPR
      and PPR to the two homologous groups and between compounds with varying carbon
      chain lengths. The DPR was significantly more responsive to alcohols than to
      aldehydes, while the reverse was true for the PPR, indicating a basic difference
      between the two primary rhinaria. The highest overall responses were elicited by
      1-hexanol, hexanal, and heptanal. 

PMID- 24242206
TI  - Influence of cnicin, a sesquiterpene lactone ofCentaurea maculosa (Asteraceae),
      on specialist and generalist insect herbivores.
AB  - The sesquiterpene lactone cnicin was extracted fromCentaurea maculosa
      andCentaurea vallesiaca. We examined its effects on the ovipositional response
      and larval development of generalist and specialist insect herbivores associated
      withC. maculosa. For the oviposition trials, three plant species (C. maculosa,
      Achillea millefolium, andCichorium intybus), half of which were sprayed with 3%
      of cnicin, were exposed to the specialist mothsStenodes straminea, Agapeta
      zoegana, andPterolonche inspersa in field cages. All three species significantly
      preferredC. maculosa to other plants andP. inspersa significantly preferred
      cnicin-sprayed plants to untreated plants for oviposition. Tested over all
      species, cnicin significantly increased the number of eggs laid on a given plant.
      A larval diet test examined the toxicity of cnicin for larvae of the generalist
      noctuid mothSpodoptera littoralis. Cnicin concentrations of 3% and 6% were lethal
      and 1% and 0.5% seriously inhibited growth and development. The larvae of theC.
      maculosa specialistStenodes straminea survived at 6% cnicin, but none of the
      pupae hatched.Agapeta zoegana was able to survive at 1% and 3% cnicin. Both
      specialists had difficulties with the artificial diet, but weight increase and
      survival was not further reduced when cnicin was present compared with on the
      control diet. In conclusion, cnicin influenced host recognition by the specialist
      species, and larvae of the generalist did not survive on natural levels of
      cnicin. Growth and survival of the specialist were not influenced by cnicin but
      were considerably hampered on artificial diet. 

PMID- 24242207
TI  - Dietary source for skin alkaloids of poison frogs (Dendrobatidae)?
AB  - A wide range of alkaloids, many of which are unknown elsewhere in nature, occur
      in skin of frogs. Major classes of such alkaloids in dendrobatid frogs are the
      batrachotoxins, pumiliotoxins, histrionicotoxins, gephyrotoxins, and
      decahydroquinolines. Such alkaloids are absent in skin of frogs (Dendrobates
      auratus) raised in Panama on wingless fruit flies in indoor terraria. Raised on
      leaf-litter arthropods that were collected in a mainland site, such terraria
      raised frogs contain tricyclic alkaloids including the beetle alkaloid
      precoccinelline, 1,4-disubstituted quinolizidines, pyrrolizidine oximes, the
      millipede alkaloid nitropolyzonamine, a decahydroquinoline, a gephyrotoxin, and
      histrionicotoxins. The profiles of these alkaloids in the captive-raised frogs
      are closer to the mainland population ofDendrobates auratus at the leaf-litter
      site than to the parent population ofDendrobates auratus from a nearby island
      site. Extracts of a seven-month sampling of leaf-litter insects contained
      precoccinelline, pyrrolizidine oxime236 (major), and nitropolyzonamine (238). The
      results indicate a dietary origin for at least some "dendrobatid alkaloids," in
      particular the pyrrolizidine oximes, the tricyclic coccinellines, and perhaps the
      histrionicotoxins and gephyrotoxins. 

PMID- 24242208
TI  - A growth inhibitory factor from lambsquarters (Chenopodium album).
AB  - Aqueous extract of air-dried lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) at 25 mg/ml
      significantly inhibited germination and growth of radish and wheat seeds. Soybean
      seed germination was not inhibited; however, hypocotyl growth was significantly
      reduced. Germination of radish seeds in sand amended with pulverized
      lambsquarters shoots at 2 and 4 mg/g was reduced 40 and 95%, respectively. Shoot
      dry weight and plant height were also reduced 30 and 9%, respectively, at 4 mg/g,
      but not at 2 mg/g concentration. Residues after extraction with water
      incorporated in sand were not inhibitory, indicating water solubility of the
      inhibitor(s). Aqueous extract of shoots decomposed for five days lost nearly 40%
      of its inhibitory effect; 20% of it still persisted in the extract of shoots
      decomposed for 30 days. The filtrate from ultrafiltration of aqueous extract
      through a pad of molecular-weight cutoff 1000 inhibited radish seeds germination
      and growth, indicating that the molecular weight of the inhibitor(s) was less
      than 1000. Partitioning of the aqueous extract by a series of solvents resulted
      in isolation of an inhibitor(s) in the butanol fraction. Seven phenolics were
      identified in this fraction using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
      Paper chromatographic analysis of the butanol fraction revealed six bands, of
      which one band withR f =0.83 inhibited germination and growth of radish seeds.
      Chlorogenic acid identified by HPLC appeared to be the principal component of the
      phytotoxin. 

PMID- 24242209
TI  - Effects of two sesquiterpene lactones isolated fromArtemisia annua on physiology
      ofLemna minor.
AB  - The effects of artemisinin and arteannuic acid extracted fromArtemisia annua on
      the physiology ofLemna minor were evaluated. Changes in frond production, growth,
      dry weight, and chlorophyll content ofL. minor were determined. Photosynthesis
      and respiration were evaluated with a differential respirometer. Artemisinin (5
      uM) inhibitedL. minor frond production and dry weight 82 and 83%, relative to
      methanol controls. Chlorophyll content was reduced 44% by artemisinin (2.5 uM).
      Arteannuic acid (10 uM) was less active, inhibiting frond production 61% and
      reducing chlorophyll content 66% at 5 uM. Artemisinin (1 uM) reducedL. minor
      photosynthesis 30% and 2.5 uM reduced respiration 39%. Arteannuic acid had no
      significant effect on photosynthesis or respiration at the levels tested. 

PMID- 24242210
TI  - Pulsed radiofrequency reduced complete Freund's adjuvant-induced mechanical
      hyperalgesia via the spinal c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway.
AB  - Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment involves the pulsed application of a
      radiofrequency electric field to a nerve. The technology offers pain relief for
      patients suffering from chronic pain who do not respond well to conventional
      treatments. We tested whether PRF treatment attenuated complete Freund's adjuvant
      (CFA) induced inflammatory pain. The profile of spinal c-Jun N-terminal kinases
      (JNKs) phosphorylation was evaluated to elucidate the potential mechanism.
      Injection of CFA into the unilateral hind paw of rats induced mechanical
      hyperalgesia in both the ipsilateral and contralateral hind paws. We administered
      500-kHz PRF treatment in 20-ms pulses, at a rate of 2 Hz (2 pulses per second)
      either to the sciatic nerve in the mid-thigh, or to the L4 anterior primary ramus
      just distal to the intervertebral foramen in both the CFA group and no-PRF group
      rats. Tissue samples were examined at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days following PRF
      treatments. Behavioral studies showed that PRF applied close to the dorsal root
      ganglion (DRG) significantly attenuated CFA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia
      compared to no-PRF group (P < .05). And western blotting revealed significant
      attenuation of the activation of JNK in the spinal dorsal horn compared to no-PRF
      group animals (P < .05). Application of PRF close to DRG provides an effective
      treatment for CFA-induced persistent mechanical hyperalgesia by attenuating JNK
      activation in the spinal dorsal horn. 

PMID- 24242212
TI  - The bispecific immunoligand ULBP2-aCEA redirects natural killer cells to tumor
      cells and reveals potent anti-tumor activity against colon carcinoma.
AB  - NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed on NK cells and T cells, is critically
      involved in tumor immunosurveillance. In this study, we explored the potential
      therapeutic utility of the NKG2D ligand ULBP2 for the treatment of colon
      carcinoma. To this end we designed a fusion protein consisting of human ULBP2 and
      an antibody-derived single chain targeting the tumor carcinoembryonic antigen
      (CEA). The bispecific recombinant fusion protein re-directed NK cells towards
      malignant cells by binding to both, tumor cells and NK cells, and triggered NK
      cell-mediated target cell killing in vitro. Moreover, tumor growth was
      significantly delayed in a syngeneic colon carcinoma mouse model in response to
      immunoligand treatment. The anti-tumor activity could be attributed to the
      stimulation of immune cells with an elevated expression of the activation marker
      CD69 on NK, T and NKT cells and the infiltration of CD45+ immune cells into the
      solid tumor. In summary, it was demonstrated that immunoligands provide specific
      tumor targeting by NK cells and exert anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo.
      This technology represents a novel immunotherapeutic strategy for solid tumors
      with the potential to be further developed for clinical applications. 

PMID- 24242211
TI  - Integrating DNA methylation dynamics into a framework for understanding
      epigenetic codes.
AB  - Genomic function is dictated by a combination of DNA sequence and the molecular
      mechanisms controlling access to genetic information. Access to DNA can be
      determined by the interpretation of covalent modifications that influence the
      packaging of DNA into chromatin, including DNA methylation and histone
      modifications. These modifications are believed to be forms of "epigenetic codes"
      that exist in discernable combinations that reflect cellular phenotype. Although
      DNA methylation is known to play important roles in gene regulation and genomic
      function, its contribution to the encoding of epigenetic information is just
      beginning to emerge. Here we discuss paradigms associated with the various
      components of DNA methylation/demethylation and recent advances in the
      understanding of its dynamic regulation in the genome, integrating these
      mechanisms into a framework to explain how DNA methylation could contribute to
      epigenetic codes. 

PMID- 24242213
TI  - Comparing time to adverse drug reaction signals in a spontaneous reporting
      database and a claims database: a case study of rofecoxib-induced myocardial
      infarction and rosiglitazone-induced heart failure signals in Australia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The objective of post-marketing surveillance of medicines is to
      rapidly detect adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Early ADR detection will enable
      policy makers and health professionals to recognise adverse events that may not
      have been identified in pre-marketing clinical trials. Multiple methods exist for
      ADR signal detection. Traditional quantitative methods employed in spontaneous
      reports data have include reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting
      ratio (PRR) and Bayesian techniques. With the development of administrative
      health claims databases, additional methods such as sequence symmetry analysis
      (SSA) may be able to be employed routinely to confirm ADR signals. OBJECTIVE AND
      METHOD: We tested the time to signal detection of quantitative ADR signalling
      methods in a health claims database (SSA) and in a spontaneous reporting database
      (ROR, PRR, Bayesian confidence propagation neural network) for rofecoxib-induced
      myocardial infarction and rosiglitazone-induced heart failure. RESULTS: This
      study demonstrated that all four signalling methods detected safety signals
      within 1-3 years of market entry or subsidisation of the medicines, and for both
      cases the signals were detected before post-marketing clinical trial results. By
      contrast, the trial results and subsequent warning or withdrawal were published 5
      7 years after first marketing of these medicines. CONCLUSION: This case study
      highlights that a post-marketing quantitative method utilising administrative
      claims data can be a complementary tool to traditional quantitative methods
      employed in spontaneous reports that may help to verify safety signals detected
      in spontaneous reporting data.

PMID- 24242214
TI  - NMDA-R inhibition affects cellular process formation in Tilapia melanocytes; a
      model for pigmented adrenergic neurons in process formation and retraction.
AB  - Parkinson's disease has long been described to be a product of dopamine and (or)
      melanin loss in the substanstia nigra (SN). Although most studies have focused on
      dopaminergic neurons, it is important to consider the role of pigment cells in
      the etiology of the disease and to create an in vitro live cell model for studies
      involving pigmented adrenergic cells of the SN in Parkinsonism. The Melanocytes
      share specific features with the pigmented adrenergic neurons as both cells are
      pigmented, contain adrenergic receptors and have cellular processes. Although the
      melanocyte cellular processes are relatively short and observable only when
      stimulated appropriately by epinephrine and other factors or molecules. This
      study employs the manipulation of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDA-R), a major
      receptor in neuronal development, in the process formation pattern of the
      melanocyte in order to create a suitable model to depict cellular process
      elongation and shortening in pigmented adrenergic cells. NMDA-R is an important
      glutamate receptor implicated in neurogenesis, neuronal migration, maturation and
      cell death, thus we investigated the role of NMDA-R potentiation by glutamate/KCN
      and its inhibition by ketamine in the behavior of fish scale melanocytes in
      vitro. This is aimed at establishing the regulatory role of NMDA-R in this cell
      type (melanocytes isolated form Tilapia) in a similar manner to what is
      observable in the mammalian neurons. In vitro live cell culture was prepared in
      modified Ringer's solution following which the cells were treated as follows;
      Control, Glutamate, Ketamine, Glutamate + Ketamine, KCN + Ketamine and KCN. The
      culture was maintained for 10 min and the changes were captured in 3D-Time frame
      at 0, 5 and 10 min for the control and 5, 7 and 10 min for each of the treatment
      category. Glutamate treatment caused formation of short cellular processes
      localized directly on the cell body while ketamine treatment (inhibition of NMDA
      R) facilitated elongation of secondary cellular processes (highly branched) from
      primary major processes (Less branched); co-incubation of glutamate and ketamine
      induced short and highly branched process formation. Cyanide toxicity induced
      degeneration and reduction of cell size while co-treatment of cyanide and
      ketamine gave changes similar to that observed in glutamate-ketamine co
      incubation. NMDA-R is present in the melanocytes. Activation of the receptor
      reduced elongation process, while inhibition of the receptor facilitated cell
      process elongation and branching. This confirms that like pigmented adrenergic
      cells of the nervous system, this cell contains NMDA-R and this receptor also
      regulates cell process elongation. The study also showed that inhibition of NMDA
      R in melanocytes gave opposite outcomes to the role of the receptor in developing
      neurons; a function that is protective in adult neurons. 

PMID- 24242215
TI  - Multiple myeloma recurrence with optic nerve infiltration diagnosed by
      vitrectomy, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization.
AB  - PURPOSE: We present a case of multiple myeloma recurrence diagnosed by optic
      nerve infiltration. METHODS: Interventional case report with clinical, surgical,
      immunohistochemical, and fluorescence in situ hybridization correlation. RESULTS:
      A 51-year-old woman with a history of bilateral invasive ductal breast carcinoma
      and multiple myeloma, both in remission on maintenance bortezomib, was referred
      for sudden, painless loss of vision OS. Examination demonstrated anterior
      vitritis with severe optic disc elevation, with yellow-white thickening,
      peripapillary hemorrhages, and a retinal detachment inferiorly. Diagnostic
      vitrectomy showed CD138-positive and BRST2-negative cells. Fluorescence in situ
      hybridization was positive for del(13q) and p53 deletion and negative for
      CCND1/IGH. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of optic nerve infiltration of
      multiple myeloma as evidence of recurrence while on maintenance chemotherapy. We
      demonstrate that diagnostic vitrectomy and immunohistochemistry of vitreous fluid
      is feasible for the diagnosis of recurrent multiple myeloma.

PMID- 24242216
TI  - Clinical features of patients with episcleritis and scleritis in an Italian
      tertiary care referral center.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate demographic characteristics, clinical features, systemic
      disease associations, visual outcomes, and treatment modalities of patients with
      episcleritis and scleritis in an Italian tertiary care referral center. METHODS:
      Data from 25 patients with episcleritis and from 85 patients with scleritis
      followed from 2003 to 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. The main outcome
      measures were demographics, ocular disease characteristics, presence of systemic
      associated disease, treatment regimen, and follow-up period. RESULTS:
      Episcleritis and scleritis were found bilaterally in 24% and 31% of patients,
      respectively (p<0.521). The episcleritis was diffuse in 15 and focal in 10
      patients, while the scleritis was diffuse in 49, nodular in 28, necrotizing in 6,
      and posterior in 2 patients. Anterior uveitis (4% vs 31%; p<0.006), peripheral
      ulcerative keratitis (0% vs 14%; p<0.167), ocular hypertension (0% vs 7%;
      p<0.333), and a decrease in visual acuity (4% vs 19%; p<0.112) were encountered
      as ocular complications in patients with episcleritis and patients with
      scleritis, respectively. An associated systemic disease was found in 20% and 52%
      of patients with episcleritis and patients with scleritis (p<0.004). Among
      patients with episcleritis, 76% required topical corticosteroid treatment to
      achieve disease resolution, 16% oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
      (NSAIDs), and 8% antivirals; 39% of patients with scleritis required systemic
      NSAIDs, 12% oral corticosteroids, 34% immunosuppressive drugs, and 15%
      antibiotics or antivirals. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of differentiating
      scleritis from episcleritis is remarkable given the significant difference in the
      degree of ocular complications and associated systemic diseases between these
      ocular conditions. Prompt diagnosis, systemic assessment, and treatment are
      fundamental in all patients with scleral inflammation.

PMID- 24242217
TI  - Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for vascularized pigment epithelium detachment in
      age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF) treatment of vascularized pigment epithelial detachment (PED) due
      to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A total of 26 patients with
      vascularized PED secondary to AMD were retrospectively analyzed and treated with
      anti-VEGF intravitreal injections according to a PRN regimen after 3 initial
      injections. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography,
      and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline and quarterly. RESULTS:
      Mean follow-up ranged from 9 to 26 months (mean 13.5). There was a deterioration
      in mean BCVA from 0.46 at baseline to 0.79 logMAR at 12 months (p<0.001). The
      mean PED greatest linear diameter (GLD) increased from 4499 at baseline to 5206
      MUm at 1-year follow-up (p<0.001). The mean PED maximum height decreased from 669
      MUm at baseline to 305 MUm at 1-year follow-up (p = 0.001). The mean central
      retinal thickness (CRT) was unchanged (from 277 to 209 MUm at 1 year follow-up)
      (p = 0.099). No effect was seen on the change of VA according to groups of
      baseline predictors as defined by the medial value: baseline VA, PED height, and
      CRT (p>0.10).There was a borderline trend (p = 0.064) that GLD affected response
      to treatment. The mean number of injections was 5.5 (3 to 9). Seven out of 26
      (27%) patients developed a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear. CONCLUSIONS:
      Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy, with a PRN regimen, did not prevent visual acuity
      loss or RPE tear.

PMID- 24242218
TI  - Visian toric ICL implantation after intracorneal ring segments implantation and
      corneal collagen crosslinking in keratoconus.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and clinical outcome of Visian toric implantable
      collamer lens (TICL) implantation for the treatment of residual refractive errors
      6 months after sequential intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) and corneal collagen
      UVA crosslinking (CXL) in stable keratoconus. METHODS: This retrospective study
      examined the results of a 3-step ICRS-CXL-TICL in 11 eyes of 7 patients with
      moderate to severe keratoconus. The 2 procedures (ICRS-CXL) were performed
      sequentially at an interval of 4 weeks and TICL implantation was performed at
      least 6 months after CXL. Data were collected preoperatively, at the 6-month
      follow-up visit after sequential ICRS-CXL, and at the 6-month follow-up visit
      after TICL implantation. RESULTS: The ICRS-CXL induced a significant decrease in
      keratometry, increase in visual acuity, and decrease in refraction. At 6-month
      follow-up after ICRS-CXL, mean Kflat was 45.19 +/- 3.98 D vs 48.51 +/- 4.26 D
      preoperatively (p = 0.022) and mean Ksteep was 50.41 +/- 4.32 D vs 54.24 +/- 4.96
      D preoperatively (p = 0.032). Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA)
      significantly improved from 1.47 +/- 0.38 logMAR before ICRS-CXL to 0.27 +/- 0.20
      logMAR 6 months after (p = 0.002). Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA)
      significantly improved from 0.50 +/- 0.22 logMAR to 0.29 +/- 0.23 logMAR (p =
      0.001). At 6 months post TICL implantation, UCVA improved significantly to 0.27
      +/- 0.20 logMAR and the CDVA was 0.19 +/- 0.11 logMAR. No intraoperative or
      postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Toric ICL implantation after
      sequential ICRS implantation and CXL is an effective and safe option for
      correcting high residual refractive error and improving visual acuity in patients
      with moderate to severe keratoconus.

PMID- 24242219
TI  - The effect of subconjunctival ranibizumab on corneal and anterior segment
      neovascularization: study on an animal model.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of subconjunctival anti-vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF) ranibizumab on corneal and anterior segment
      neovascularization. METHODS: In this experimental study and laboratory
      investigation, chemical cauterization was utilized to induce corneal
      neovascularization in 16 rabbits randomly divided in 2 equal groups. Cauterized
      eyes were either treated with 0.1 mL (1 mg) of subconjunctival ranibizumab or
      administered a sham injection. A third group of 4 rabbits served as control for
      side effects after ranibizumab administration. All animals were monitored daily
      for 14 days and the extent of corneal scarring and neovascularization was
      measured on days 1, 7, and 14. After enucleation, ocular tissues were separated
      under a surgical microscope and VEGF levels were measured with ELISA. Statistical
      analysis was performed to compare the extent of corneal neovascularization and
      VEGF levels between treated and untreated eyes. RESULTS: Subconjunctival
      ranibizumab inhibited corneal neovascularization significantly both in the first
      and the second week compared to untreated controls (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001,
      respectively). The VEGF levels were significantly lower in all anterior segment
      tissues like the cornea, iris, aqueous humor, and conjunctiva of the treated eyes
      (p<0.01). The reduction of VEGF levels ranged from 19% to 73% in different ocular
      tissues. Corneal scarring was not significantly affected by anti-VEGF treatment
      (p = 0.7). No side effects were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: Early subconjunctival
      administration of ranibizumab may successfully inhibit alkali-induced corneal
      neovascularization in an animal model. Subconjunctival ranibizumab reduces VEGF
      levels significantly not only in the cornea and the bulbar conjunctiva but also
      in the aqueous humor and the iris.

PMID- 24242220
TI  - Cataract formation: a possible complication of intra-arterial chemotherapy for
      retinoblastoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To delineate and discuss a not yet described possible ocular
      complication of selective intra-arterial chemotherapy (SIAC) for treatment of
      retinoblastoma. METHODS: A 23-month-old girl with a large unilateral
      retinoblastoma was treated with repeated SIAC using 5 mg melphalan between July
      2010 and January 2012. Clinical course of tumor and further ocular changes after
      therapy and histopathologic findings are described. RESULTS: In total, 5 SIAC
      were performed over a time period of 18 months. After the last SIAC, diffuse
      dense cataract prevented further funduscopy. In addition, anterior chamber
      seeding was obvious, leading to the decision to enucleate the eye.
      Histopathologically, nearly complete regression of the main tumor mass with
      prominent calcifications, but vital tumor seeding in the vitreous, on the lens
      surface, on the ciliary body, and in the anterior chamber, was observed. Peculiar
      vacuolation of the lens epithelial cells, liquefaction of the subepithelial lens
      fibers, and diffuse small vacuoles within the lens were striking. CONCLUSIONS:
      Repeated SIAC with melphalan may induce cataract formation, possibly as a toxic
      effect of the chemotherapeutic to the lens, maybe combined with radiation
      exposure during fluoroscopy. This ocular complication should be taken into
      consideration as a limitation of the number of feasible repeated treatments.

PMID- 24242221
TI  - Efficacy of transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation in patients with good
      visual acuity.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the effect on central vision of transscleral diode laser
      cyclophotocoagulation (TSDLC) for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in
      patients with visual acuity (VA) better than 6/18. METHODS: Retrospective chart
      review was conducted of patients undergoing cyclophotocoagulation between 2000
      and 2008. Patients who underwent TSDLC with VA of 6/18 or better and at least 24
      months follow-up were included. Primary outcome was decrease of 2 or more lines
      at 24 months. Secondary outcome was IOP control with or without treatment.
      RESULTS: A total of 46 eyes of 44 patients were included with VA ranging from
      6/18 to 6/5 (median VA 6/12). Mean IOP was 24 mm Hg (range 12-35). A mean of 1.3
      treatments were given per eye, with 12 eyes (26%) requiring retreatment. At 24
      months, the median VA was 6/18 (range light perception-6/5). Eighteen eyes
      (39.1%) retained the same VA, 35 eyes (76.1%) retained VA of 6/18 or better, in 7
      eyes (19.4%) VA was <6/60. Loss of >=2 lines was recorded in 11 eyes (23.9%), and
      loss of 1 line in 13 eyes (28.3%). Mean IOP at 24 months was 17.2 mm Hg (range 12
      28). Thirty-nine (84.8%) patients had IOP <=21 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      suggests a role of TSDLC as an effective, safe, and rapid method of treatment in
      patients with good vision over a 24-month period. The loss of VA in some patients
      is similar to previously reported studies in patients having cyclodiode,
      trabeculectomy, or tube surgery.

PMID- 24242222
TI  - One-year outcome of ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration:
      a thorough analysis in a real-world clinical setting.
AB  - PURPOSE: To verify the safety and efficacy of ranibizumab in neovascular age
      related macular degeneration (nAMD) and factors influencing the outcome in a real
      world setting. METHODS: Retrospective 12-month follow-up analysis of 100 naive
      nAMD eyes treated with as-needed ranibizumab. Changes in best-corrected visual
      acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), lesion, and leakage size were
      recorded. Type and characteristics of lesions and indicators of protocol
      adherence were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean BCVA at baseline was 61.6 +/- 14.8 Early
      Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters and 59.6 +/- 16 at 12 months. Sixty
      three eyes maintained or improved BCVA; the number of injections and follow-up
      visits were 4.8 and 5.1, respectively. First injection and pro re nata
      retreatments were administered 22.7 and 20.5 days after prescription,
      respectively. Seventy-two eyes received 3 initial monthly injections. Patients
      were not reinjected despite BCVA loss >5 letters one or more times in 37% of
      cases. No adverse events were reported. The CRT diminished by 26 +/- 101 MUm;
      choroidal neovascularization size and leakage area increased by 0.53 +/- 1.31 mm2
      and 0.34 +/- 1.33 mm2, respectively. The BCVA gain was correlated with CRT
      reduction (r = 0.24, p = 0.016), mean baseline BCVA (r = -0.25, p = 0.01), age (r
      = -0.25, p = 0.01), and decrease in CNV size and leakage area (r = 0.56 and r =
      0.59, respectively, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results compare unfavorably with
      those of controlled trials. Treatment and follow-up regimens in real-world
      settings seem to have a major role in determining outcome. Lower age and BCVA at
      baseline were associated with better response to treatment.

PMID- 24242223
TI  - Increased central corneal thickness in patients with Turner syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate central corneal thickness (CCT) values in patients with
      Turner syndrome (TS) and compare these values with healthy subjects. METHODS: A
      total of 31 subjects with TS and 67 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects made up
      the study and control group, respectively. The CCT values were measured by an
      ultrasound pachymeter in this cross-sectional prospective study. The ocular
      findings were recorded. We also evaluated to effect of karyotype analysis,
      recombinant growth hormone therapy (GHT), and mean duration of treatment on the
      CCT parameter in patients with TS. RESULTS: The mean CCT values were 582.0 +/-
      40.8 um (490-648) in the TS and 549.1 +/- 34.6 um (494-601) in the healthy group.
      The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) by Goldmann applanation tonometry was 16.3 +/
      3.1 mm Hg (9-22) in the TS and 15.2 +/- 2.5 mm Hg (10-21) in the healthy group.
      The mean CCT value was significantly higher in the TS group (p<0.05) but there
      was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups for IOP
      (p>0.05). There was also no significant difference for CCT regarding the
      karyotype, GHT use, and mean duration of treatment in patients with TS (p>0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Central corneal thickness values should be considered during
      measurement of IOP in individuals with TS as these values may be higher than in
      healthy subjects.

PMID- 24242224
TI  - Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography features in fellow eyes of patients
      with idiopathic macular hole.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the vitreomacular interface and foveal structural changes in
      fellow eyes of patients with idiopathic macular holes using spectral-domain
      optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of
      consecutive medical records and SD-OCT images of the fellow eyes of patients with
      macular hole was done. Changes of the vitreoretinal interface and foveal
      structures on SD-OCT scan of the 101 fellow eyes of 101 subjects with full
      thickness macular hole were studied and compared with 101 eyes of 101 age-matched
      healthy subjects. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients (57.65%) were female. Mean age at
      presentation was 60.44 +/- 12.17 years. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)
      in eyes with macular hole was 0.86 logMAR units and in fellow eyes was 0.41
      logMAR units. Seven eyes had macular hole in the fellow eye at the time of
      presentation. The majority of the fellow eyes (87/101, 78.37%) were phakic. The
      average base diameter of macular hole was 1105 +/- 451.63 um. Incidence of
      vitreomacular traction, epiretinal membrane, lamellar hole, and inner foveal
      split was more common (<0.05) in fellow eyes in comparison to healthy eyes. In
      contrast, posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and perifoveal PVD was more common
      in age-matched control eyes. There was no statistically significant correlation
      between foveal abnormalities of fellow eyes with base diameter of eyes with
      macular hole, BCVA, and duration of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Fellow eyes of
      patients with idiopathic macular hole have a high frequency of abnormal
      vitreoretinal interface and foveal abnormalities, which predisposes to formation
      of macular hole.

PMID- 24242225
TI  - Occupational mobility and depression among the foreign-born in the United States.
AB  - This paper used the 2003 New Immigrant Survey (n = 2,305) to examine the
      relationship between occupational mobility before and after migration and
      depression among immigrants. There were two measures of occupational mobility,
      change in occupational prestige and educational match. For both measures, upward
      and downward mobility were associated with higher depression. This association
      was only present among women; for men, there were no significant relationships
      between the occupational mobility measures and depression. The findings suggest
      that immigrant occupational mobility may not solely represent the acquisition or
      reduction of material resources. Instead, occupational mobility may encompass
      immigrants' unique stressors and post-migration working environments that produce
      a range of psychosocial influences on mental health. Gender differences also
      suggest immigrant women face unique stressors that arise from adjusting to both
      the working and domestic spheres. 

PMID- 24242226
TI  - Impact of economic labour migration: a qualitative exploration of left-behind
      family member perspectives in Sri Lanka.
AB  - Sri Lanka is a major labour sending country in Asia, with a high proportion of
      female labour migrants employed as domestic housemaids in the Middle East with
      increasing remittances. Despite such financial gains for families and national
      economy, health and social effects on the left-behind families have had limited
      exploration. This qualitative study was carried out across five districts with
      high labour migration rates in Sri Lanka. Twenty in-depth interviews were
      conducted with participants recruited through purposive sampling. Data was
      analysed using content and thematic analysis and emerging themes were mapped. Pre
      migration socio-economic situation, economic difficulties and higher earning
      possibilities abroad were considered to be the major push and pull factors for
      labour migration. Post-migration periods were shown to be of mixed benefit to
      left-behind families and children suffer the negative effects of parental
      absence. The absence of support mechanisms for dealing with adverse events such
      as serious injury, death, abuse or imprisonment were cited as major concerns.
      Post-migration periods affect the health, well-being and family structures of
      left-behind families. Promoting economic prosperity while ensuring health and
      social protection is a formidable policy challenge for 'labour sending' countries
      such as Sri Lanka. 

PMID- 24242227
TI  - Editorial introduction.

PMID- 24242228
TI  - Harlequin Ichthyosis among the Navajo: Counseling issues.
AB  - Harlequin Ichthyosis is a rare, fatal congenital disorder of keratinization
      characterized by thickened, scale-like plaques of skin with a diamond
      configuration. Autosomal recessive inheritance has been established, and prenatal
      diagnosis for this disorder remains controversial. Five infants with this
      disorder were born among approximately 25,000 Navajo women who delivered in
      Gallup, New Mexico from 1970 to 1989. The incidence of 1 in 5000 among the Navajo
      in Gallup is high compared to previous reports in other populations. Two families
      with affected infants were seen in a genetics outreach clinic. Two important
      counseling issues were raised: (1) reluctance to discuss the possibility of
      recurrence for fear of affecting the outcome, and (2) feelings of guilt caused by
      cultural beliefs which attributed the birth defect to paternal behavior during
      pregnancy. Such issues are encountered in many traditional cultures, and they can
      be addressed by tailoring the timing and content of counseling. 

PMID- 24242230
TI  - Abstracts of papers and posters presented at the third european meeting on
      psychosocial aspects of genetics.

PMID- 24242229
TI  - Medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency: Its relationship to SIDS and the
      impact on genetic counseling.
AB  - Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden and unexpected death
      of an apparently healthy infant under 1 year of age. Routine autopsies often
      provide few clues as to the cause of death and rarely include a biochemical
      evaluation. Genetic counseling for SIDS can be difficult as recurrence risks vary
      depending on the age at death and the number of deaths which have occurred in the
      family. Biochemical disorders may account for up to 5% of SIDS. Of the metabolic
      disorders known to be involved in SIDS, the most commonly found is medium-chain
      acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCAD). MCAD is an autosomal recessive disorder
      of fatty acid oxidation which accounts for up to 1% of SIDS. For some families,
      the addition of a postmortem biochemical investigation can identify an
      unsuspected metabolic disorder as the cause of death. Once the diagnosis is
      established, accurate genetic counseling can then be provided. Metabolic testing
      of the surviving siblings of victims of sudden death, and the subsequent
      identification of those due to MCAD can prevent the tragedy of recurrent SIDS in
      some families. In addition, screening the survivors of an acute life threatening
      event (ALTE) may also prevent a recurrence. 

PMID- 24242231
TI  - Genetic library.

PMID- 24242232
TI  - Seasonal evaluation of bioaerosols from indoor air of residential apartments
      within the metropolitan area in South Korea.
AB  - The aims of the present study were to determine the levels of bioaerosols
      including airborne culturable bacteria (total suspended bacteria, Gram-positive
      bacteria, Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus
      (MRSA), and Gram-negative bacteria), fungi, endotoxin, and viruses (influenza A,
      influenza B, respiratory syncytial virus types A/B, parainfluenza virus types
      1/2/3, metapnemovirus, and adenovirus) and their seasonal variations in indoor
      air of residential apartments. Of the total suspended bacteria cultured in an
      indoor environment, Staphylococcus was dominant and occupied 49.0 to 61.3% of
      indoor air. Among Staphylococcus, S. aureus were detected in 100% of households'
      indoor air ranging from 4 to 140 CFU/m(3), and 66% of households were positive
      for MRSA ranging from 2 to 80 CFU/m(3). Staphylococcus and S. aureus
      concentrations correlated with indoor temperature (adjusted beta: 0.4440 and
      0.403, p < 0.0001). Among respiratory viruses, adenovirus was detected in 14
      (14%) samples and influenza A virus was detected in 3 (3%) samples regarding the
      indoor air of apartments. Adenovirus concentrations were generally higher in
      winter (mean concentration was 2,106 copies/m(3)) than in spring (mean
      concentration was 173 copies/m(3)), with concentrations ranging between 12 and
      560 copies/m(3). Also, a strong negative correlation between adenovirus
      concentrations and relative humidity in indoor air was observed (r = -0.808, p <
      0.01). Furthermore, temperature also negatively correlated with adenovirus
      concentrations (r = -0.559, p < 0.05).

PMID- 24242233
TI  - Heavy metal (As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, Se) concentrations in muscle and bone of
      four commercial fish caught in the central Adriatic Sea, Italy.
AB  - Heavy metal (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg and Se) concentrations in the muscle and bone
      of four fish species (Mullus barbatus, Merluccius merluccius, Micromesistius
      poutassou, and Scomber scombrus) from the central Adriatic Sea were measured and
      the relationships between fish size (length and weight) and metal concentrations
      in the tissues were investigated. Samples were analyzed by inductively coupled
      plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometry with automatic dual viewing. In the
      muscle, results of linear regression analysis showed that, except for mercury,
      significant relationships between metal concentrations and fish size were
      negative. Only mercury levels were positively correlated with Atlantic mackerel
      size (p < 0.05). No significant variations of heavy metal concentrations were
      observed in muscles of the examined species, but a significant difference (p <
      0.01) was found for As, Cd, Pb, and Se concentrations in bone. All the
      investigated metals showed higher values in the muscle than in bone, except for
      lead and zinc. Regarding cadmium, lead, and mercury maximum levels, set for the
      edible portion by European legislation, several samples exceeded these values,
      confirming the heavy metal presence in species caught near the Jabuka Pit. 

PMID- 24242234
TI  - Prevalence and fimbrial genotype distribution of poultry Salmonella isolates in
      China (2006 to 2012).
AB  - In this study, a total of 323 Salmonella enterica strains were isolated from
      3,566 rectal swab samples of 51 poultry farms in seven regions of 12 provinces of
      China between 2006 and 2012. The prevalences of Salmonella sp. carriage were
      12.4% in geese (66 positive/533 samples), 10.4% in turkeys (32/309), 9.8% in
      chickens (167/1,706), 6.8% in ducks (41/601), and 4.1% in pigeons (17/417),
      respectively. These isolates belonged to 20 serovars, in which the most frequent
      serovars were S. enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar Pullorum (herein, S.
      Pullorum) (55 isolates, 17.0%), S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (50 isolates,
      15.5%), and S. enterica serovar Enteritidis (39 isolates, 12.1%). Overall, S.
      Typhimurium was the most commonly detected serovar; among the individual species,
      S. Pullorum was most commonly isolated from chickens, S. Enteritidis was most
      common in ducks, S. Typhimurium was most common in geese and pigeons, and S.
      enterica serovar Saintpaul was most common in turkeys. PCR determination of 20
      fimbrial genes demonstrated the presence of bcfD, csgA, fimA, stdB, and sthE
      genes and the absence of staA and stgA genes in these isolates, and other loci
      were variably distributed, with frequency values ranging from 11.8 to 99.1%.
      These 323 Salmonella isolates were subdivided into 41 different fimbrial
      genotypes, and of these isolate, 285 strains (88.2%) had 12 to 14 fimbrial genes.
      Our findings indicated that the Salmonella isolates from different poultry
      species were phenotypically and genetically diverse and that some fimbrial genes
      are more frequently associated with serovars or serogroups. 

PMID- 24242235
TI  - pH-dependent activation of Streptomyces hygroscopicus transglutaminase mediated
      by intein.
AB  - Microbial transglutaminase (MTG) from Streptomyces is naturally secreted as a
      zymogen (pro-MTG), which is then activated by the removal of its N-terminal
      proregion by additional proteases. Inteins are protein-intervening sequences that
      catalyze protein splicing without cofactors. In this study, a pH-dependent
      Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 DnaB mini-intein (SDB) was introduced into pro
      MTG to simplify its activation process by controlling pH. The recombinant protein
      (pro-SDB-MTG) was obtained, and the activation process was determined to take 24
      h at pH 7 in vitro. To investigate the effect of the first residue in MTG on the
      activity and the cleavage time, two variants, pro-SDB-MTG(D1S) and pro-SDB
      MTG(DeltaD1), were expressed, and the activation time was found to be 6 h and 30
      h, respectively. The enzymatic property and secondary structure of the
      recombinant MTG and two variants were similar to those of the wild type,
      indicating that the insertion of mini-intein did not affect the function of MTG.
      This insignificant effect was further illustrated by molecular dynamics
      simulations. This study revealed a controllable and effective strategy to
      regulate the activation process of pro-MTG mediated by a mini-intein, and it may
      have great potential for industrial MTG production. 

PMID- 24242236
TI  - GouR, a TetR family transcriptional regulator, coordinates the biosynthesis and
      export of gougerotin in Streptomyces graminearus.
AB  - Gougerotin is a peptidyl nucleoside antibiotic. It functions as a specific
      inhibitor of protein synthesis by binding ribosomal peptidyl transferase and
      exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities. gouR, situated in the
      gougerotin biosynthetic gene cluster, encodes a TetR family transcriptional
      regulatory protein. Gene disruption and genetic complementation revealed that
      gouR plays an important role in the biosynthesis of gougerotin. Transcriptional
      analysis suggested that GouR represses the transcription of the gouL-to-gouB
      operon consisting of 11 structural genes and activates the transcription of the
      major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter gene (gouM). Electrophoresis
      mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and DNase I footprinting experiments showed that
      GouR has specific DNA-binding activity for the promoter regions of gouL, gouM,
      and gouR. Our data suggested that GouR modulates gougerotin production by
      coordinating its biosynthesis and export in Streptomyces graminearus. 

PMID- 24242237
TI  - Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010 modulates the host innate immune response.
AB  - Here, we describe data obtained from transcriptome profiling of human cell lines
      and intestinal cells of a murine model upon exposure and colonization,
      respectively, with Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010. Significant changes were
      detected in the transcription of genes that are known to be involved in innate
      immunity. Furthermore, results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs)
      showed that exposure to B. bifidum PRL2010 causes enhanced production of
      interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 cytokines, presumably through NF-kappaB activation.
      The obtained global transcription profiles strongly suggest that Bifidobacterium
      bifidum PRL2010 modulates the innate immune response of the host. 

PMID- 24242239
TI  - The fitness advantage of commercial wine yeasts in relation to the nitrogen
      concentration, temperature, and ethanol content under microvinification
      conditions.
AB  - The effect of the main environmental factors governing wine fermentation on the
      fitness of industrial yeast strains has barely received attention. In this study,
      we used the concept of fitness advantage to measure how increasing nitrogen
      concentrations (0 to 200 mg N/liter), ethanol (0 to 20%), and temperature (4 to
      45 degrees C) affects competition among four commercial wine yeast strains (PDM,
      ARM, RVA, and TTA). We used a mathematical approach to model the hypothetical
      time needed for the control strain (PDM) to out-compete the other three strains
      in a theoretical mixed population. The theoretical values obtained were
      subsequently verified by competitive mixed fermentations in both synthetic and
      natural musts, which showed a good fit between the theoretical and experimental
      data. Specifically, the data show that the increase in nitrogen concentration and
      temperature values improved the fitness advantage of the PDM strain, whereas the
      presence of ethanol significantly reduced its competitiveness. However, the RVA
      strain proved to be the most competitive yeast for the three enological
      parameters assayed. The study of the fitness of these industrial strains is of
      paramount interest for the wine industry, which uses them as starters of their
      fermentations. Here, we propose a very simple method to model the fitness
      advantage, which allows the prediction of the competitiveness of one strain with
      respect to different abiotic factors.

PMID- 24242238
TI  - Competition for ammonia influences the structure of chemotrophic communities in
      geothermal springs.
AB  - Source waters sampled from Perpetual Spouter hot spring (pH 7.03, 86.4 degrees
      C), Yellowstone National Park, WY, have low concentrations of total ammonia,
      nitrite, and nitrate, suggesting nitrogen (N) limitation and/or tight coupling of
      N cycling processes. Dominant small-subunit rRNA sequences in Perpetual Spouter
      source sediments are closely affiliated with the ammonia-oxidizing archaeon
      "Candidatus Nitrosocaldus yellowstonii" and the putatively nitrogen-fixing
      (diazotrophic) bacterium Thermocrinis albus, respectively, suggesting that these
      populations may interact at the level of the bioavailable N pool, specifically,
      ammonia. This hypothesis was evaluated by using a combination of geochemical,
      physiological, and transcriptomic analyses of sediment microcosms. Amendment of
      microcosms with allylthiourea, an inhibitor of ammonia oxidation, decreased rates
      of acetylene reduction (a proxy for N2 fixation) and nitrite production (a proxy
      for ammonia oxidation) and decreased transcript levels of structural genes
      involved in both nitrogen fixation (nifH) and ammonia oxidation (amoA). In
      contrast, amendment of microcosms with ammonia stimulated nitrite production and
      increased amoA transcript levels while it suppressed rates of acetylene reduction
      and decreased nifH transcript levels. Sequencing of amplified nifH and amoA
      transcripts from native sediments, as well as microcosms, at 2 and 4 h
      postamendment, indicates that the dominant and responsive populations involved in
      ammonia oxidation and N2 fixation are closely affiliated with Ca. Nitrosocaldus
      yellowstonii and T. albus, respectively. Collectively, these results suggest that
      ammonia-oxidizing archaea, such as Ca. Nitrosocaldus yellowstonii, have an
      apparent affinity for ammonia that is higher than that of the diazotrophs present
      in this ecosystem. Depletion of the bioavailable N pool through the activity of
      ammonia-oxidizing archaea likely represents a strong selective pressure for the
      inclusion of organisms capable of nitrogen fixation in geothermal communities.
      These observations help to explain the strong pattern in the codistribution of
      ammonia-oxidizing archaea and diazotrophs in circumneutral-to-alkaline geothermal
      springs. 

PMID- 24242240
TI  - Interaction of Aeromonas strains with lactic acid bacteria via Caco-2 cells.
AB  - The genus Aeromonas includes some species that have now been identified as human
      pathogens of significant medical importance. We investigated the ability of 13
      selected Aeromonas strains belonging to nine species isolated from clinical cases
      (n = 5), environmental waters (n = 5), and fish (n = 3) to adhere to and
      translocate Caco-2 cells in the absence and presence of two lactic acid bacteria
      (LAB), i.e., Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium breve. Aeromonas
      isolates were also assessed for their cytotoxicity, the presence of virulence
      genes, and hemolysin production. Among the clinical isolates, one strain of
      Aeromonas veronii biovar veronii and two strains of Aeromonas hydrophila carried
      cytotoxin (act), heat-labile toxin (alt), hemolysin (hlyA), and aerolysin (aerA)
      genes, were cytotoxic to Vero cells, produced hemolysin, and showed higher
      adherence to Caco-2 cells. In contrast, this was seen in only one environmental
      strain, a strain of A. veronii biovar sobria. When Aeromonas strains were
      coinoculated with LAB onto Caco-2 cells, their level of adhesion was reduced.
      However, their rate of translocation in the presence of LAB increased and was
      significantly (P < 0.05) higher among fish strains. We suggest that either the
      interaction between Aeromonas and LAB strains could have a detrimental effect on
      the Caco-2 cells, allowing the Aeromonas to translocate more readily, or the
      presence of the LAB stimulated the Aeromonas strains to produce more toxins
      and/or increase their translocation rate.

PMID- 24242241
TI  - Oral bacterial communities in individuals with type 2 diabetes who live in
      southern Thailand.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasingly common in Thailand and elsewhere. In the
      present investigation, the bacteriological composition of saliva and
      supragingival plaque in Thai diabetics with and without active dental caries and
      in nondiabetics was determined by differential culture and eubacterial DNA
      profiling. Potential associations between fasting blood sugar and glycosylated
      hemoglobin (biomarkers of current and historical glucose control, respectively)
      with decayed, missing, and filled teeth and with salivary Streptococcus and
      Lactobacillus counts were also investigated. The incidence of active dental
      caries was greater in the Thai diabetics than in nondiabetics, and the numbers of
      total streptococci and lactobacilli were significantly higher in supragingival
      plaque from diabetics than in nondiabetics. Lactobacillus counts in the saliva
      and supragingival plaque of diabetics with active caries were significantly
      higher than those in diabetics without active caries. Oral eubacterial DNA
      profiles of diabetic versus nondiabetic individuals and of diabetics with active
      caries versus those without active caries could not be readily differentiated
      through cluster analysis or multidimensional scaling. The elevated caries
      incidence in the Thai diabetics was positively associated with numbers of
      bacteria of the acidogenic/acid-tolerant genera Streptococcus and Lactobacillus.
      Lactobacillus bacterial numbers were further elevated in diabetics with active
      caries, although salivary eubacterial DNA profiles were not significantly
      altered. 

PMID- 24242242
TI  - Lactobacillus helveticus MIMLh5-specific antibodies for detection of S-layer
      protein in Grana Padano protected-designation-of-origin cheese.
AB  - Single-chain variable-fragment antibodies (scFvs) have considerable potential in
      immunological detection and localization of bacterial surface structures. In this
      study, synthetic phage-displayed antibody libraries were used to select scFvs
      against immunologically active S-layer protein of Lactobacillus helveticus
      MIMLh5. After three rounds of panning, five relevant phage clones were obtained,
      of which four were specific for the S-layer protein of L. helveticus MIMLh5 and
      one was also capable of binding to the S-layer protein of L. helveticus ATCC
      15009. All five anti-S-layer scFvs were expressed in Escherichia coli XL1-Blue,
      and their specificity profiles were characterized by Western blotting. The anti-S
      layer scFv PolyH4, with the highest specificity for the S-layer protein of L.
      helveticus MIMLh5, was used to detect the S-layer protein in Grana Padano
      protected-designation-of-origin (PDO) cheese extracts by Western blotting. These
      results showed promising applications of this monoclonal antibody for the
      detection of immunomodulatory S-layer protein in dairy (and dairy-based) foods. 

PMID- 24242243
TI  - Uncovering a microbial enigma: isolation and characterization of the streamer
      generating, iron-oxidizing, acidophilic bacterium "Ferrovum myxofaciens".
AB  - A betaproteobacterium, shown by molecular techniques to have widespread global
      distribution in extremely acidic (pH 2 to 4) ferruginous mine waters and also to
      be a major component of "acid streamer" growths in mine-impacted water bodies,
      has proven to be recalcitrant to enrichment and isolation. A modified "overlay"
      solid medium was devised and used to isolate this bacterium from a number of mine
      water samples. The physiological and phylogenetic characteristics of a pure
      culture of an isolate from an abandoned copper mine ("Ferrovum myxofaciens"
      strain P3G) have been elucidated. "F. myxofaciens" is an extremely acidophilic,
      psychrotolerant obligate autotroph that appears to use only ferrous iron as an
      electron donor and oxygen as an electron acceptor. It appears to use the Calvin
      Benson-Bassham pathway to fix CO2 and is diazotrophic. It also produces copious
      amounts of extracellular polymeric materials that cause cells to attach to each
      other (and to form small streamer-like growth in vitro) and to different solid
      surfaces. "F. myxofaciens" can catalyze the oxidative dissolution of pyrite and,
      like many other acidophiles, is tolerant of many (cationic) transition metals.
      "F. myxofaciens" and related clone sequences form a monophyletic group within the
      Betaproteobacteria distantly related to classified orders, with genera of the
      family Nitrosomonadaceae (lithoautotrophic, ammonium-oxidizing neutrophiles) as
      the closest relatives. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic
      differences of "F. myxofaciens" and other Betaproteobacteria, a new family,
      "Ferrovaceae," and order, "Ferrovales," within the class Betaproteobacteria are
      proposed. "F. myxofaciens" is the first extreme acidophile to be described in the
      class Betaproteobacteria. 

PMID- 24242245
TI  - Genetically engineered immunomodulatory Streptococcus thermophilus strains
      producing antioxidant enzymes exhibit enhanced anti-inflammatory activities.
AB  - The aims of this study were to develop strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB)
      having both immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties and to evaluate their
      anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro, in different cellular models, and in
      vivo, in a mouse model of colitis. Different Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.
      bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus strains were cocultured with primary
      cultures of mononuclear cells. Analysis of the pro- and anti-inflammatory
      cytokines secreted by these cells after coincubation with candidate bacteria
      revealed that L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CRL 864 and S. thermophilus CRL
      807 display the highest anti-inflammatory profiles in vitro. Moreover, these
      results were confirmed in vivo by the determination of the cytokine profiles in
      large intestine samples of mice fed with these strains. S. thermophilus CRL 807
      was then transformed with two different plasmids harboring the genes encoding
      catalase (CAT) or superoxide dismutase (SOD) antioxidant enzymes, and the anti
      inflammatory effects of recombinant streptococci were evaluated in a mouse model
      of colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). Our results showed a
      decrease in weight loss, lower liver microbial translocation, lower macroscopic
      and microscopic damage scores, and modulation of the cytokine production in the
      large intestines of mice treated with either CAT- or SOD-producing streptococci
      compared to those in mice treated with the wild-type strain or control mice
      without any treatment. Furthermore, the greatest anti-inflammatory activity was
      observed in mice receiving a mixture of both CAT- and SOD-producing streptococci.
      The addition of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CRL 864 to this mixture did not
      improve their beneficial effects. These findings show that genetically
      engineering a candidate bacterium (e.g., S. thermophilus CRL 807) with intrinsic
      immunomodulatory properties by introducing a gene expressing an antioxidant
      enzyme enhances its anti-inflammatory activities. 

PMID- 24242244
TI  - Analysis of the gull fecal microbial community reveals the dominance of
      Catellicoccus marimammalium in relation to culturable Enterococci.
AB  - Gulls are prevalent in beach environments and can be a major source of fecal
      contamination. Gulls have been shown to harbor a high abundance of fecal
      indicator bacteria (FIB), such as Escherichia coli and enterococci, which can be
      readily detected as part of routine beach monitoring. Despite the ubiquitous
      presence of gull fecal material in beach environments, the associated microbial
      community is relatively poorly characterized. We generated comprehensive
      microbial community profiles of gull fecal samples using Roche 454 and Illumina
      MiSeq platforms to investigate the composition and variability of the gull fecal
      microbial community and to measure the proportion of FIB. Enterococcaceae and
      Enterobacteriaceae were the two most abundant families in our gull samples.
      Sequence comparisons between short-read data and nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene
      clones generated from the same samples revealed Catellicoccus marimammalium as
      the most numerous taxon among all samples. The identification of bacteria from
      gull fecal pellets cultured on membrane-Enterococcus indoxyl-beta-D-glucoside
      (mEI) plates showed that the dominant sequences recovered in our sequence
      libraries did not represent organisms culturable on mEI. Based on 16S rRNA gene
      sequencing of gull fecal isolates cultured on mEI plates, 98.8% were identified
      as Enterococcus spp., 1.2% were identified as Streptococcus spp., and none were
      identified as C. marimammalium. Illumina deep sequencing indicated that gull
      fecal samples harbor significantly higher proportions of C. marimammalium 16S
      rRNA gene sequences (>50-fold) relative to typical mEI culturable Enterococcus
      spp. C. marimammalium therefore can be confidently utilized as a genetic marker
      to identify gull fecal pollution in the beach environment.

PMID- 24242247
TI  - Expression and characterization of CYP52 genes involved in the biosynthesis of
      sophorolipid and alkane metabolism from Starmerella bombicola.
AB  - Three cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP52 gene family members were isolated from
      the sophorolipid-producing yeast Starmerella bombicola (former Candida
      bombicola), namely, CYP52E3, CYP52M1, and CYP52N1, and their open reading frames
      were cloned into the pYES2 vector for expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The
      functions of the recombinant proteins were analyzed with a variety of alkane and
      fatty acid substrates using microsome proteins or a whole-cell system. CYP52M1
      was found to oxidize C16 to C20 fatty acids preferentially. It converted oleic
      acid (C18:1) more efficiently than stearic acid (C18:0) and linoleic acid (C18:2)
      and much more effectively than alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3). No products were
      detected when C10 to C12 fatty acids were used as the substrates. Moreover,
      CYP52M1 hydroxylated fatty acids at their omega- and omega-1 positions. CYP52N1
      oxidized C14 to C20 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and preferentially
      oxidized palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. It only catalyzed omega
      hydroxylation of fatty acids. Minor omega-hydroxylation activity against myristic
      acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, and oleic acid was shown for CYP52E3.
      Furthermore, the three P450s were coassayed with glucosyltransferase UGTA1. UGTA1
      glycosylated all hydroxyl fatty acids generated by CYP52E3, CYP52M1, and CYP52N1.
      The transformation efficiency of fatty acids into glucolipids by CYP52M1/UGTA1
      was much higher than those by CYP52N1/UGTA1 and CYP52E3/UGTA1. Taken together,
      CYP52M1 is demonstrated to be involved in the biosynthesis of sophorolipid,
      whereas CYP52E3 and CYP52N1 might be involved in alkane metabolism in S.
      bombicola but downstream of the initial oxidation steps.

PMID- 24242246
TI  - Quorum-sensing regulation of constitutive plantaricin by Lactobacillus plantarum
      strains under a model system for vegetables and fruits.
AB  - This study aimed at investigating the regulatory system of bacteriocin synthesis
      by Lactobacillus plantarum strains in vegetables and fruits in a model system.
      Sterile and neutralized cell-free supernatant (CFS) from L. plantarum strains
      grown in MRS broth showed in vitro antimicrobial activities toward various
      indicator strains. The highest activity was that of L. plantarum C2. The
      antimicrobial activity was further assayed on vegetable and fruit agar plates
      (solid conditions) and in juices (liquid conditions). A regulatory mechanism of
      bacteriocin synthesis via quorum sensing was hypothesized. The synthesis of
      antimicrobial compounds seemed to be constitutive under solid conditions of
      growth on vegetable and fruit agar plates. In contrast, it depended on the size
      of the inoculum when L. plantarum C2 was grown in carrot juice. Only the inoculum
      of ca. 9.0 log CFU ml(-1) produced detectable activity. The genes plnA, plnEF,
      plnG, and plnH were found in all L. plantarum strains. The genes plnJK and plnN
      were detected in only three or four strains. Reverse-phase high-performance
      liquid chromatography purification and mass spectrometry analysis revealed the
      presence of a mixture of eight peptides in the most active fraction of the CFS
      from L. plantarum C2. Active peptides were encrypted into bacteriocin precursors,
      such as plantaricins PlnJ/K and PlnH and PlnG, which are involved in the ABC
      transport system. A real-time PCR assay showed an increase in the expression of
      plnJK and plnG during growth of L. plantarum C2 in carrot juice. 

PMID- 24242249
TI  - Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas veronii predominate among potentially
      pathogenic ciprofloxacin- and tetracycline-resistant aeromonas isolates from Lake
      Erie.
AB  - Members of the genus Aeromonas are ubiquitous in nature and have increasingly
      been implicated in numerous diseases of humans and other animal taxa. Although
      some species of aeromonads are human pathogens, their presence, density, and
      relative abundance are rarely considered in assessing water quality. The
      objectives of this study were to identify Aeromonas species within Lake Erie,
      determine their antibiotic resistance patterns, and assess their potential
      pathogenicity. Aeromonas strains were isolated from Lake Erie water by use of
      Aeromonas selective agar with and without tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. All
      isolates were analyzed for hemolytic ability and cytotoxicity against human
      epithelial cells and were identified to the species level by using 16S rRNA gene
      restriction fragment length polymorphisms and phylogenetic analysis based on gyrB
      gene sequences. A molecular virulence profile was identified for each isolate,
      using multiplex PCR analysis of six virulence genes. We demonstrated that
      Aeromonas comprised 16% of all culturable bacteria from Lake Erie. Among 119
      Aeromonas isolates, six species were identified, though only two species
      (Aeromonas hydrophila and A. veronii) predominated among tetracycline- and
      ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates. Additionally, both of these species
      demonstrated pathogenic phenotypes in vitro. Virulence gene profiles demonstrated
      a high prevalence of aerolysin and serine protease genes among A. hydrophila and
      A. veronii isolates, a genetic profile which corresponded with pathogenic
      phenotypes. Together, our findings demonstrate increased antibiotic resistance
      among potentially pathogenic strains of aeromonads, illustrating an emerging
      potential health concern. 

PMID- 24242250
TI  - The secreted esterase of Propionibacterium freudenreichii has a major role in
      cheese lipolysis.
AB  - Free fatty acids are important flavor compounds in cheese. Propionibacterium
      freudenreichii is the main agent of their release through lipolysis in Swiss
      cheese. Our aim was to identify the esterase(s) involved in lipolysis by P.
      freudenreichii. We targeted two previously identified esterases: one secreted
      esterase, PF#279, and one putative cell wall-anchored esterase, PF#774. To
      evaluate their role in lipolysis, we constructed overexpression and knockout
      mutants of P. freudenreichii CIRM-BIA1(T) for each corresponding gene. The
      sequences of both genes were also compared in 21 wild-type strains. All strains
      were assessed for their lipolytic activity on milk fat. The lipolytic activity
      observed matched data previously reported in cheese, thus validating the
      relevance of the method used. The mutants overexpressing PF#279 or PF#774
      released four times more fatty acids than the wild-type strain, demonstrating
      that both enzymes are lipolytic esterases. However, inactivation of the pf279
      gene induced a 75% reduction in the lipolytic activity compared to that of the
      wild-type strain, whereas inactivation of the pf774 gene did not modify the
      phenotype. Two of the 21 wild-type strains tested did not display any detectable
      lipolytic activity. Interestingly, these two strains exhibited the same single
      nucleotide deletion at the beginning of the pf279 gene sequence, leading to a
      premature stop codon, whereas they harbored a pf774 gene highly similar to that
      of the other strains. Taken together, these results clearly demonstrate that
      PF#279 is the main lipolytic esterase in P. freudenreichii and a key agent of
      Swiss cheese lipolysis.

PMID- 24242248
TI  - Identification and environmental distribution of dcpA, which encodes the
      reductive dehalogenase catalyzing the dichloroelimination of 1,2-dichloropropane
      to propene in organohalide-respiring chloroflexi.
AB  - Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains KS and RC grow with 1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-D)
      as an electron acceptor in enrichment cultures derived from hydrocarbon
      contaminated and pristine river sediments, respectively. Transcription,
      expression, enzymatic, and PCR analyses implicated the reductive dehalogenase
      gene dcpA in 1,2-D dichloroelimination to propene and inorganic chloride.
      Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analyses demonstrated a D. mccartyi cell
      increase during growth with 1,2-D and suggested that both D. mccartyi strains
      carried a single dcpA gene copy per genome. D. mccartyi strain RC and strain KS
      produced 1.8 * 10(7) +/- 0.1 * 10(7) and 1.4 * 10(7) +/- 0.5 * 10(7) cells per
      MUmol of propene formed, respectively. The dcpA gene was identified in 1,2-D-to
      propene-dechlorinating microcosms established with sediment samples collected
      from different geographical locations in Europe and North and South America.
      Clone library analysis revealed two distinct dcpA phylogenetic clusters, both of
      which were captured by the dcpA gene-targeted qPCR assay, suggesting that the
      qPCR assay is useful for site assessment and bioremediation monitoring at 1,2-D
      contaminated sites. 

PMID- 24242251
TI  - Interspecies interactions determine the impact of the gut microbiota on nutrient
      allocation in Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - The animal gut is perpetually exposed to microorganisms, and this microbiota
      affects development, nutrient allocation, and immune homeostasis. A major
      challenge is to understand the contribution of individual microbial species and
      interactions among species in shaping these microbe-dependent traits. Using the
      Drosophila melanogaster gut microbiota, we tested whether microbe-dependent
      performance and nutritional traits of Drosophila are functionally modular, i.e.,
      whether the impact of each microbial taxon on host traits is independent of the
      presence of other microbial taxa. Gnotobiotic flies were constructed with one or
      a set of five of the Acetobacter and Lactobacillus species which dominate the gut
      microbiota of conventional flies (Drosophila with untreated microbiota). Axenic
      (microbiota-free) flies exhibited prolonged development time and elevated glucose
      and triglyceride contents. The low glucose content of conventional flies was
      recapitulated in gnotobiotic Drosophila flies colonized with any of the 5
      bacterial taxa tested. In contrast, the development rates and triglyceride levels
      in monocolonized flies varied depending on the taxon present: Acetobacter species
      supported the largest reductions, while most Lactobacillus species had no effect.
      Only flies with both Acetobacter and Lactobacillus had triglyceride contents
      restored to the level in conventional flies. This could be attributed to two
      processes: Lactobacillus-mediated promotion of Acetobacter abundance in the fly
      and a significant negative correlation between fly triglyceride content and
      Acetobacter abundance. We conclude that the microbial basis of host traits varies
      in both specificity and modularity; microbe-mediated reduction in glucose is
      relatively nonspecific and modular, while triglyceride content is influenced by
      interactions among microbes. 

PMID- 24242252
TI  - A moderately thermophilic mixed microbial culture for bioleaching of chalcopyrite
      concentrate at high pulp density.
AB  - Three kinds of samples (acid mine drainage, coal mine wastewater, and thermal
      spring) derived from different sites were collected in China. Thereafter, these
      samples were combined and then inoculated into a basal salts solution in which
      different substrates (ferrous sulfate, elemental sulfur, and chalcopyrite) served
      as energy sources. After that, the mixed cultures growing on different substrates
      were pooled equally, resulting in a final mixed culture. After being adapted to
      gradually increasing pulp densities of chalcopyrite concentrate by serial
      subculturing for more than 2 years, the final culture was able to efficiently
      leach the chalcopyrite at a pulp density of 20% (wt/vol). At that pulp density,
      the culture extracted 60.4% of copper from the chalcopyrite in 25 days. The
      bacterial and archaeal diversities during adaptation were analyzed by denaturing
      gradient gel electrophoresis and constructing clone libraries of the 16S rRNA
      gene. The results show that the culture consisted mainly of four species,
      including Leptospirillum ferriphilum, Acidithiobacillus caldus, Sulfobacillus
      acidophilus, and Ferroplasma thermophilum, before adapting to a pulp density of
      4%. However, L. ferriphilum could not be detected when the pulp density was
      greater than 4%. Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to monitor the microbial
      dynamics during bioleaching at a pulp density of 20%. The results show that A.
      caldus was the predominant species in the initial stage, while S. acidophilus
      rather than A. caldus became the predominant species in the middle stage. F.
      thermophilum accounted for the greatest proportion in the final stage. 

PMID- 24242253
TI  - UV light inactivation of human and plant pathogens in unfiltered surface
      irrigation water.
AB  - Fruit and vegetable growers continually battle plant diseases and food safety
      concerns. Surface water is commonly used in the production of fruits and
      vegetables and can harbor both human- and plant-pathogenic microorganisms that
      can contaminate crops when used for irrigation or other agricultural purposes.
      Treatment methods for surface water are currently limited, and there is a need
      for suitable treatment options. A liquid-processing unit that uses UV light for
      the decontamination of turbid juices was analyzed for its efficacy in the
      treatment of surface waters contaminated with bacterial or oomycete pathogens,
      i.e., Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, Clavibacter
      michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, and
      Phytophthora capsici. Five-strain cocktails of each pathogen, containing
      approximately 10(8) or 10(9) CFU/liter for bacteria or 10(4) or 10(5)
      zoospores/liter for Ph. capsici, were inoculated into aliquots of two turbid
      surface water irrigation sources and processed with the UV unit. Pathogens were
      enumerated before and after treatment. In general, as the turbidity of the water
      source increased, the effectiveness of the UV treatment decreased, but in all
      cases, 99.9% or higher inactivation was achieved. Log reductions ranged from 10.0
      to 6.1 and from 5.0 to 4.2 for bacterial pathogens and Ph. capsici, respectively.

PMID- 24242254
TI  - New model for electron flow for sulfate reduction in Desulfovibrio alaskensis
      G20.
AB  - To understand the energy conversion activities of the anaerobic sulfate-reducing
      bacteria, it is necessary to identify the components involved in electron flow.
      The importance of the abundant type I tetraheme cytochrome c3 (TpIc3) as an
      electron carrier during sulfate respiration was questioned by the previous
      isolation of a null mutation in the gene encoding TpIc3, cycA, in Desulfovibrio
      alaskensis G20. Whereas respiratory growth of the CycA mutant with lactate and
      sulfate was little affected, growth with pyruvate and sulfate was significantly
      impaired. We have explored the phenotype of the CycA mutant through physiological
      tests and transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Data reported here show that
      electrons from pyruvate oxidation do not reach adenylyl sulfate reductase, the
      enzyme catalyzing the first redox reaction during sulfate reduction, in the
      absence of either CycA or the type I cytochrome c3:menaquinone oxidoreductase
      transmembrane complex, QrcABCD. In contrast to the wild type, the CycA and QrcA
      mutants did not grow with H2 or formate and sulfate as the electron acceptor.
      Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of the CycA mutant showed that transcripts
      and enzymes for the pathway from pyruvate to succinate were strongly decreased in
      the CycA mutant regardless of the growth mode. Neither the CycA nor the QrcA
      mutant grew on fumarate alone, consistent with the omics results and a redox
      regulation of gene expression. We conclude that TpIc3 and the Qrc complex are D.
      alaskensis components essential for the transfer of electrons released in the
      periplasm to reach the cytoplasmic adenylyl sulfate reductase and present a model
      that may explain the CycA phenotype through confurcation of electrons. 

PMID- 24242255
TI  - From genus to phylum: large-subunit and internal transcribed spacer rRNA operon
      regions show similar classification accuracies influenced by database
      composition.
AB  - We compared the classification accuracy of two sections of the fungal internal
      transcribed spacer (ITS) region, individually and combined, and the 5' section
      (about 600 bp) of the large-subunit rRNA (LSU), using a naive Bayesian classifier
      and BLASTN. A hand-curated ITS-LSU training set of 1,091 sequences and a larger
      training set of 8,967 ITS region sequences were used. Of the factors evaluated,
      database composition and quality had the largest effect on classification
      accuracy, followed by fragment size and use of a bootstrap cutoff to improve
      classification confidence. The naive Bayesian classifier and BLASTN gave similar
      results at higher taxonomic levels, but the classifier was faster and more
      accurate at the genus level when a bootstrap cutoff was used. All of the ITS and
      LSU sections performed well (>97.7% accuracy) at higher taxonomic ranks from
      kingdom to family, and differences between them were small at the genus level
      (within 0.66 to 1.23%). When full-length sequence sections were used, the LSU
      outperformed the ITS1 and ITS2 fragments at the genus level, but the ITS1 and
      ITS2 showed higher accuracy when smaller fragment sizes of the same length and a
      50% bootstrap cutoff were used. In a comparison using the larger ITS training
      set, ITS1 and ITS2 had very similar accuracy classification for fragments between
      100 and 200 bp. Collectively, the results show that any of the ITS or LSU
      sections we tested provided comparable classification accuracy to the genus level
      and underscore the need for larger and more diverse classification training sets.

PMID- 24242256
TI  - Resisting and challenging stigma in Uganda: the role of support groups of people
      living with HIV.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Global scale up of antiretroviral therapy is changing the context
      of HIV-related stigma. However, stigma remains an ongoing concern in many
      countries. Groups of people living with HIV can contribute to the reduction of
      stigma. However, the pathways through which they do so are not well understood.
      METHODS: This paper utilizes data from a qualitative study exploring the impact
      of networked groups of people living with HIV in Jinja and Mbale districts of
      Uganda. Participants were people living with HIV (n=40), members of their
      households (n=10) and their health service providers (n=15). Data were collected
      via interviews and focus group discussions in 2010, and analyzed inductively to
      extract key themes related to the approaches and outcomes of the groups' anti
      stigma activities. RESULTS: Study participants reported that HIV stigma in their
      communities had declined as a result of the collective activities of groups of
      people living with HIV. However, they believed that stigma remained an ongoing
      challenge. Gender, family relationships, social and economic factors emerged as
      important drivers of stigma. Challenging stigma collectively transcended
      individual experiences and united people living with HIV in a process of social
      renegotiation to achieve change. Groups of people living with HIV provided peer
      support and improved the confidence of their members, which ultimately reduced
      self-stigma and improved their ability to deal with external stigma when it was
      encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Antiretroviral therapy and group-based approaches in
      the delivery of HIV services are opening up new avenues for the collective
      participation of people living with HIV to challenge HIV stigma and act as agents
      of social change. Interventions for reducing HIV stigma should be expanded beyond
      those that aim to increase the resilience and coping mechanisms of individuals,
      to those that build the capacity of groups to collectively cope with and
      challenge HIV stigma. Such interventions should be gender sensitive and should
      respond to contextual social, economic and structural factors that drive stigma.

PMID- 24242257
TI  - Individual-level socioeconomic status and community-level inequality as
      determinants of stigma towards persons living with HIV who inject drugs in Thai
      Nguyen, Vietnam.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: HIV infection may be affected by multiple complex socioeconomic
      status (SES) factors, especially individual socioeconomic disadvantage and
      community-level inequality. At the same time, stigma towards HIV and marginalized
      groups has exacerbated persistent concentrated epidemics among key populations,
      such as persons who inject drugs (PWID) in Vietnam. Stigma researchers argue that
      stigma fundamentally depends on the existence of economic power differences in a
      community. In rapidly growing economies like Vietnam, the increasing gap in
      income and education levels, as well as an individual's absolute income and
      education, may create social conditions that facilitate stigma related to
      injecting drug use and HIV. METHODS: A cross-sectional baseline survey assessing
      different types of stigma and key socioeconomic characteristics was administered
      to 1674 PWID and 1349 community members living in physical proximity throughout
      the 32 communes in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam. We created four stigma scales,
      including HIV-related and drug-related stigma reported by both PWID and community
      members. We then used ecologic Spearman's correlation, ordinary least-squares
      regression and multi-level generalized estimating equations to examine community
      level inequality associations, individual-level SES associations and multi-level
      SES associations with different types of stigma, respectively. RESULTS: There was
      little urban-rural difference in stigma among communes. Higher income inequality
      was marginally associated with drug-related stigma reported by community members
      (p=0.087), and higher education inequality was significantly associated with
      higher HIV-related stigma reported by both PWID and community members (p<0.05).
      For individuals, higher education was significantly associated with lower stigma
      (HIV and drug related) reported by both PWID and community members. Part-time
      employed PWID reported more experiences and perceptions of drug-related stigma,
      while conversely unemployed community members reported enacting lower drug
      related stigma. Multi-level analysis revealed that the relationship between
      education inequality and HIV-related stigma is superseded by the effect of
      individual-level education. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study confirm that
      socioeconomic factors at both the individual level and community level affect
      different types of stigma in different ways. Attention should be paid to these
      differences when planning structural or educational interventions to reduce
      stigma, and additional research should investigate the mechanisms with which SES
      and inequality affect social relationships and, in turn, stigma.

PMID- 24242260
TI  - Testing the efficacy of an HIV stigma reduction intervention with medical
      students in Puerto Rico: the SPACES project.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Stigma associated with HIV has been documented as a barrier for
      accessing quality health-related services. When the stigma manifests in the
      health care setting, people living with HIV receive substandard services or even
      be denied care altogether. Although the consequences of HIV stigma have been
      documented extensively, efforts to reduce these negative attitudes have been
      scarce. Interventions to reduce HIV stigma should be implemented as part of the
      formal training of future health care professionals. The interventions that have
      been tested with health care professionals and published have several limitations
      that must be surpassed (i.e. lack of comparison groups in research designs and
      longitudinal follow-up data). Furthermore, Latino health care professionals have
      been absent from these intervention efforts even though the epidemic has affected
      this population disproportionately. METHODS: In this article, we describe an
      intervention developed to reduce HIV stigma among medical students in Puerto
      Rico. A total of 507 medical students were randomly introduced into our
      intervention and control conditions. RESULTS: The results show statistically
      significant differences between the intervention and control groups; intervention
      group participants had lower HIV stigma levels than control participants after
      the intervention. In addition, differences in HIV stigma levels between the
      groups were sustained for a 12-month period. CONCLUSION: The results of our study
      demonstrate the efficacy of the modes of intervention developed by us and serve
      as a new training tool for future health care professionals with regard to stigma
      reduction.

PMID- 24242258
TI  - Impact of HIV-related stigma on treatment adherence: systematic review and meta
      synthesis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a critical
      determinant of HIV-1 RNA viral suppression and health outcomes. It is generally
      accepted that HIV-related stigma is correlated with factors that may undermine
      ART adherence, but its relationship with ART adherence itself is not well
      established. We therefore undertook this review to systematically assess the
      relationship between HIV-related stigma and ART adherence. METHODS: We searched
      nine electronic databases for published and unpublished literature, with no
      language restrictions. First we screened the titles and abstracts for studies
      that potentially contained data on ART adherence. Then we reviewed the full text
      of these studies to identify articles that reported data on the relationship
      between ART adherence and either HIV-related stigma or serostatus disclosure. We
      used the method of meta-synthesis to summarize the findings from the qualitative
      studies. RESULTS: Our search protocol yielded 14,854 initial records. After
      eliminating duplicates and screening the titles and abstracts, we retrieved the
      full text of 960 journal articles, dissertations and unpublished conference
      abstracts for review. We included 75 studies conducted among 26,715 HIV-positive
      persons living in 32 countries worldwide, with less representation of work from
      Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Among the 34 qualitative studies, our meta
      synthesis identified five distinct third-order labels through an inductive
      process that we categorized as themes and organized in a conceptual model
      spanning intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural levels. HIV-related stigma
      undermined ART adherence by compromising general psychological processes, such as
      adaptive coping and social support. We also identified psychological processes
      specific to HIV-positive persons driven by predominant stigmatizing attitudes and
      which undermined adherence, such as internalized stigma and concealment. Adaptive
      coping and social support were critical determinants of participants' ability to
      overcome the structural and economic barriers associated with poverty in order to
      successfully adhere to ART. Among the 41 quantitative studies, 24 of 33 cross
      sectional studies (71%) reported a positive finding between HIV stigma and ART
      non-adherence, while 6 of 7 longitudinal studies (86%) reported a null finding
      (Pearson's chi (2)=7.7; p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We found that HIV-related stigma
      compromised participants' abilities to successfully adhere to ART. Interventions
      to reduce stigma should target multiple levels of influence (intrapersonal,
      interpersonal and structural) in order to have maximum effectiveness on improving
      ART adherence.

PMID- 24242259
TI  - Assessment of HIV-related stigma in a US faith-based HIV education and testing
      intervention.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The African American church is a highly influential institution
      with the potential to greatly increase the reach of HIV prevention interventions
      and address HIV-related stigma in US African American communities. However, there
      are few studies on HIV-related stigma and African American church populations.
      This study explored HIV-related stigma among church and community members
      participating in an HIV education and testing intervention pilot study in African
      American churches, named Taking It to the Pews. METHODS: Four African American
      churches located in Kansas City, MO and KS, were randomized to either
      intervention or comparison groups. Churches assigned to the intervention group
      received religiously tailored HIV education, testing and compassion
      messages/activities (e.g. sermons, brochures/church bulletins, testimonials) via
      the Taking It to the Pews HIV Tool Kit. Comparison churches received non
      religiously tailored HIV information. HIV-related stigma was assessed with 543
      church members and with community members served through church outreach services
      (e.g. food/clothing pantries, social services) in the four churches. Participants
      completed surveys at baseline, 6 months and 12 months to assess their HIV-related
      stigma beliefs, exposure to intervention components and satisfaction with the
      study. RESULTS: At baseline, HIV-related stigma beliefs were similar across
      experimental groups and were quite low. Mean HIV-related stigma scores were not
      significantly different between experimental groups at 6 months (p=0.92) or at 12
      months (p=0.70). However, mean HIV-related stigma scores within both groups
      showed decreasing trends at six months, which approached significance. Analysis
      of previously studied HIV-related stigma factors (e.g. age, gender, income, HIV
      knowledge, religiosity) did not yield changes in the null findings. Intervention
      group participants were highly exposed to several intervention components
      (sermons, HIV resource tables, posters, brochures/church bulletins). Overall,
      participants were highly satisfied with the intervention pilot study.
      CONCLUSIONS: African American churches may be well positioned to increase the
      reach of HIV prevention interventions to church and community members and could
      serve an important role in addressing HIV-related stigma in their church
      communities. Future research is needed on measuring HIV-related stigma beliefs
      and on testing intensive, scalable, religiously tailored HIV interventions to
      impact HIV-related stigma in African American churches.

PMID- 24242261
TI  - Implementing a stigma reduction intervention in healthcare settings.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Globally, HIV-related stigma is prevalent in healthcare settings
      and is a major barrier to HIV prevention and treatment adherence. Some
      intervention studies have showed encouraging outcomes, but a gap continues to
      exist between what is known and what is actually delivered in medical settings to
      reduce HIV-related stigma. METHODS: This article describes the process of
      implementing a stigma reduction intervention trial that involved 1760 service
      providers in 40 hospitals in China. Guided by Diffusion of Innovation theory, the
      intervention identified and trained about 15-20% providers as popular opinion
      leaders (POLs) to disseminate stigma reduction messages in each intervention
      hospital. The intervention also engaged governmental support in the provision of
      universal precaution supplies to all participating hospitals in the trial. The
      frequency of message diffusion and reception, perceived improvement in universal
      precaution practices and reduction in the level of stigma in hospitals were
      measured at 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments. RESULTS: Within the
      intervention hospitals, POL providers reported more frequent discussions with
      their co-workers regarding universal precaution principles, equal treatment of
      patients, provider-patient relationships and reducing HIV-related stigma. Service
      providers in the intervention hospitals reported more desirable intervention
      outcomes than providers in the control hospitals. Our evaluation revealed that
      the POL model is compatible with the target population, and that the unique
      intervention entry point of enhancing universal precaution and occupational
      safety was the key to improved acceptance by service providers. The involvement
      of health authorities in supporting occupational safety was an important element
      for sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: This report focuses on explaining the elements
      of our intervention rather than its outcomes. Lessons learned from the
      intervention implementation will enrich the development of future programs that
      integrate this or other intervention models into routine medical practice, with
      the aim of reducing HIV-related stigma and improving HIV testing, treatment and
      care in medical settings.

PMID- 24242262
TI  - Community-based interventions that work to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination:
      results of an evaluation study in Thailand.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: HIV stigma and discrimination are major issues affecting people
      living with HIV in their everyday lives. In Thailand, a project was implemented
      to address HIV stigma and discrimination within communities with four activities:
      (1) monthly banking days; (2) HIV campaigns; (3) information, education and
      communication (IEC) materials and (4) "Funfairs." This study evaluates the effect
      of project interventions on reducing community-level HIV stigma. METHODS: A
      repeated cross-sectional design was developed to measure changes in HIV knowledge
      and HIV-related stigma domains among community members exposed to the project.
      Two cross-sectional surveys were implemented at baseline (respondent n=560) and
      endline (respondent n=560). T-tests were employed to assess changes on three
      stigma domains: fear of HIV infection through daily activity, shame associated
      with having HIV and blame towards people with HIV. Baseline scales were confirmed
      at endline, and each scale was regressed on demographic characteristics, HIV
      knowledge and exposure to intervention activities. RESULTS: No differences were
      observed in respondent characteristics at baseline and endline. Significant
      changes were observed in HIV transmission knowledge, fear of HIV infection and
      shame associated with having HIV from baseline to endline. Respondents exposed to
      three specific activities (monthly campaign, Funfair and IEC materials) were less
      likely to exhibit stigma along the dimensions of fear (3.8 points lower on
      average compared to respondents exposed to none or only one intervention; 95% CI:
      -7.3 to -0.3) and shame (4.1 points lower; 95% CI: -7.7 to -0.6), net of
      demographic controls and baseline levels of stigma. Personally knowing someone
      with HIV was associated with low fear and shame, and females were less likely to
      possess attitudes of shame compared to males. CONCLUSIONS: The multivariate
      linear models suggest that a combination of three interventions was critical in
      shifting community-level stigma--monthly campaign, Funfair and IEC materials.
      This is especially important given Thailand's new national AIDS strategy to
      reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination by half by 2016. Knowing which
      interventions to invest in for HIV stigma reduction is crucial for country-wide
      expansion and scale-up of intervention activities.

PMID- 24242263
TI  - Sexual stigma and discrimination as barriers to seeking appropriate healthcare
      among men who have sex with men in Swaziland.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Same-sex practices and orientation are both stigmatized and
      criminalized in many countries across sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to
      assess the relationship of fear of seeking healthcare and disclosure of same-sex
      practices among a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Swaziland with
      demographic, socio-economic and behavioural determinants. METHODS: Three hundred
      and twenty-three men who reported having had anal sex with a man in the past year
      were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and administered a structured
      survey instrument. Asymptotically unbiased estimates of prevalence of stigma and
      human rights abuses generated using the RDSII estimator are reported with
      bootstrapped confidence intervals (CIs). Weighted simple and multiple logistic
      regressions of fear of seeking healthcare and disclosure of same-sex practices to
      a healthcare provider with demographic, social and behavioural variables are
      reported. RESULTS: Stigma was common, including 61.7% (95% CI=54.0-69.0%)
      reporting fear of seeking healthcare, 44.1% (95% CI=36.2-51.3%) any enacted
      stigma and 73.9% (95% CI=67.7-80.1%) any perceived social stigma (family,
      friends). Ever disclosing sexual practices with other men to healthcare providers
      was low (25.6%, 95% CI=19.2-32.1%). In multiple logistic regression, fear of
      seeking healthcare was significantly associated with: having experienced legal
      discrimination as a result of sexual orientation or practice (aOR=1.9, 95% CI=1.1
      3.4), having felt like you wanted to end your life (aOR=2.0, 95% CI=1.2-3.4),
      having been raped (aOR=11.0, 95% CI=1.4-84.4), finding it very difficult to
      insist on condom use when a male partner does not want to use a condom (aOR=2.1,
      95% CI=1.0-4.1) and having a non-Swazi nationality at birth (aOR=0.18, 95%
      CI=0.05-0.68). In multiple logistic regression, disclosure of same-sex practices
      to a healthcare provider was significantly associated with: having completed
      secondary education or more (aOR=5.1, 95% CI=2.5-10.3), having used a condom with
      last casual male sexual partner (aOR=2.4, 95% CI=1.0-5.7) and having felt like
      you wanted to end your life (aOR=2.1, 95% CI=1.2-3.8). CONCLUSIONS: MSM in
      Swaziland report high levels of stigma and discrimination. The observed
      associations can inform structural interventions to increase healthcare seeking
      and disclosure of sexual practices to healthcare workers, facilitating enhanced
      behavioural and biomedical HIV-prevention approaches among MSM in Swaziland.

PMID- 24242264
TI  - Reducing shame in a game that predicts HIV risk reduction for young adult MSM: a
      randomized trial delivered nationally over the Web.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Men who have sex with men (MSM) often face socially sanctioned
      disapproval of sexual deviance from the heterosexual "normal." Such sexual stigma
      can be internalized producing a painful affective state (i.e., shame). Although
      shame (e.g., addiction) can predict risk-taking (e.g., alcohol abuse), sexual
      shame's link to sexual risk-taking is unclear. Socially Optimized Learning in
      Virtual Environments (SOLVE) was designed to reduce MSM's sexual shame, but
      whether it does so, and if that reduction predicts HIV risk reduction, is
      unclear. To test if at baseline, MSM's reported past unprotected anal intercourse
      (UAI) is related to shame; MSM's exposure to SOLVE compared to a wait-list
      control (WLC) condition reduces MSM's shame; and shame-reduction mediates the
      link between WLC condition and UAI risk reduction. METHODS: HIV-negative, self
      identified African American, Latino or White MSM, aged 18-24 years, who had had
      UAI with a non-primary/casual partner in the past three months were recruited for
      a national online study. Eligible MSM were computer randomized to either WLC or a
      web-delivered SOLVE. Retained MSM completed baseline measures (e.g., UAI in the
      past three months; current level of shame) and, in the SOLVE group, viewed at
      least one level of the game. At the end of the first session, shame was measured
      again. MSM completed follow-up UAI measures three months later. All data from 921
      retained MSM (WLC condition, 484; SOLVE condition, 437) were analyzed, with
      missing data multiply imputed. RESULTS: At baseline, MSM reporting more risky
      sexual behaviour reported more shame (r s=0.21; p<0.001). MSM in the SOLVE
      intervention reported more shame reduction (M=-0.08) than MSM in the control
      condition (M=0.07; t(919)=4.24; p<0.001). As predicted, the indirect effect was
      significant (point estimate -0.10, 95% bias-corrected CI [-0.01 to -0.23] such
      that participants in the SOLVE treatment condition reported greater reductions in
      shame, which in turn predicted reductions in risky sexual behaviour at follow-up.
      The direct effect, however, was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: SOLVE is the first
      intervention to: (1) significantly reduce shame for MSM; and (2) demonstrate that
      shame-reduction, due to an intervention, is predictive of risk (UAI) reduction
      over time.

PMID- 24242265
TI  - Prevalence and drivers of HIV stigma among health providers in urban India:
      implications for interventions.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: HIV stigma inflicts hardship and suffering on people living with
      HIV (PLHIV) and interferes with both prevention and treatment efforts. Health
      professionals are often named by PLHIV as an important source of stigma. This
      study was designed to examine rates and drivers of stigma and discrimination
      among doctors, nurses and ward staff in different urban healthcare settings in
      high HIV prevalence states in India. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled
      305 doctors, 369 nurses and 346 ward staff in both governmental and non
      governmental healthcare settings in Mumbai and Bengaluru, India. The
      approximately one-hour long interviews focused on knowledge related to HIV
      transmission, personal and professional experiences with PLHIV, instrumental and
      symbolic stigma, endorsement of coercive policies, and intent to discriminate in
      professional and personal situations that involve high and low risk of fluid
      exposure. RESULTS: High levels of stigma were reported by all groups. This
      included a willingness to prohibit female PLHIV from having children (55 to 80%),
      endorsement of mandatory testing for female sex workers (94 to 97%) and surgery
      patients (90 to 99%), and stating that people who acquired HIV through sex or
      drugs "got what they deserved" (50 to 83%). In addition, 89% of doctors, 88% of
      nurses and 73% of ward staff stated that they would discriminate against PLHIV in
      professional situations that involved high likelihood of fluid exposure, and 57%
      doctors, 40% nurses and 71% ward staff stated that they would do so in low-risk
      situations as well. Significant and modifiable drivers of stigma and
      discrimination included having less frequent contact with PLHIV, and a greater
      number of transmission misconceptions, blame, instrumental and symbolic stigma.
      Participants in all three groups reported high rates of endorsement of coercive
      measures and intent to discriminate against PLHIV. Stigma and discrimination were
      associated with multiple modifiable drivers, which are consistent with previous
      research, and which need to be targeted in future interventions. CONCLUSIONS:
      Stigma reduction intervention programmes targeting healthcare providers in urban
      India need to address fear of transmission, improve universal precaution skills,
      and involve PLHIV at all stages of the intervention to reduce symbolic stigma and
      ensure that relevant patient interaction skills are taught.

PMID- 24242266
TI  - A brief, standardized tool for measuring HIV-related stigma among health facility
      staff: results of field testing in China, Dominica, Egypt, Kenya, Puerto Rico and
      St. Christopher & Nevis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Within healthcare settings, HIV-related stigma is a recognized
      barrier to access of HIV prevention and treatment services and yet, few efforts
      have been made to scale-up stigma reduction programs in service delivery. This is
      in part due to the lack of a brief, simple, standardized tool for measuring
      stigma among all levels of health facility staff that works across diverse HIV
      prevalence, language and healthcare settings. In response, an international
      consortium led by the Health Policy Project, has developed and field tested a
      stigma measurement tool for use with health facility staff. METHODS: Experts
      participated in a content-development workshop to review an item pool of existing
      measures, identify gaps and prioritize questions. The resulting questionnaire was
      field tested in six diverse sites (China, Dominica, Egypt, Kenya, Puerto Rico and
      St. Christopher & Nevis). Respondents included clinical and non-clinical staff.
      Questionnaires were self- or interviewer-administered. Analysis of item
      performance across sites examined both psychometric properties and contextual
      issues. RESULTS: The key outcome of the process was a substantially reduced
      questionnaire. Eighteen core questions measure three programmatically actionable
      drivers of stigma within health facilities (worry about HIV transmission,
      attitudes towards people living with HIV (PLHIV), and health facility
      environment, including policies), and enacted stigma. The questionnaire also
      includes one short scale for attitudes towards PLHIV (5-item scale, alpha=0.78).
      CONCLUSIONS: Stigma-reduction programmes in healthcare facilities are urgently
      needed to improve the quality of care provided, uphold the human right to
      healthcare, increase access to health services, and maximize investments in HIV
      prevention and treatment. This brief, standardized tool will facilitate inclusion
      of stigma measurement in research studies and in routine facility data
      collection, allowing for the monitoring of stigma within healthcare facilities
      and evaluation of stigma-reduction programmes. There is potential for wide use of
      the tool either as a stand-alone survey or integrated within other studies of
      health facility staff.

PMID- 24242267
TI  - Access to justice: evaluating law, health and human rights programmes in Kenya.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In Kenya, human rights violations have a marked impact on the
      health of people living with HIV. Integrating legal literacy and legal services
      into healthcare appears to be an effective strategy to empower vulnerable groups
      and address underlying determinants of health. METHODS: We carried out an
      evaluation to collect evidence about the impact of legal empowerment programmes
      on health and human rights. The evaluation focused on Open Society Foundation
      supported legal integration activities at four sites: the Academic Model of
      Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) facility, where the Legal Aid Centre of
      Eldoret (LACE) operates, in Eldoret; Kenyatta National Hospital's Gender-based
      Violence Recovery Centre, which hosts the COVAW legal integration program; and
      Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) facilities in Mombasa and Naivasha.
      In consultation with the organizations implementing the programs, we designed a
      conceptual logic model grounded in human rights principles, identified relevant
      indicators and then coded structure, process and outcome indicators for the
      rights-related principles they reflect. The evaluation included a resource
      assessment questionnaire, a review of program records and routine data, and semi
      structured interviews and focus group discussions with clients and service
      providers. Data were collected in May-August 2010 and April-June 2011. RESULTS:
      Clients showed a notable increase in practical knowledge and awareness about how
      to access legal aid and claim their rights, as well as an enhanced ability to
      communicate with healthcare providers and to improve their access to healthcare
      and justice. In turn, providers became more adept at identifying human rights
      violations and other legal difficulties, which enabled them to give clients basic
      information about their rights, refer them to legal aid and assist them in
      accessing needed support. Methodological challenges in evaluating such activities
      point to the need to strengthen rights-oriented evaluation methods. CONCLUSIONS:
      Legal empowerment programmes have the potential to promote accountability, reduce
      stigma and discrimination and contribute to altering unjust structures and
      systems. Given their apparent value as a health and human rights intervention,
      particularly for marginalized populations, further rigorous evaluations are
      called for to support the scale-up of such programmes.

PMID- 24242270
TI  - Foreword: Global action to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination.

PMID- 24242269
TI  - Editorial: Global action to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination.
AB  - There is no question that the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and
      AIDS can be reduced through intervention. The inclusion of stigma and
      discrimination reduction as a critical component of achieving an AIDS-free
      generation in recent UNAIDS, UN and PEPFAR political initiatives is promising.
      Yet national governments need evidence on effective interventions at the
      individual, community and societal levels in order to strategically incorporate
      stigma and discrimination reduction into national AIDS plans. Currently, the
      heterogeneity of stigma and discrimination reduction approaches and measurement
      makes it challenging to compare and contrast evaluated interventions. Moving
      forward, it is critical for the research community to: (1) clearly link
      intervention activities to the domains of stigma to be shifted; (2) assess the
      stigma domains in a consistent manner; and (3) link stigma and discrimination
      reduction with HIV prevention, care and treatment outcomes (e.g., uptake,
      adherence and retention of ART). These steps would further advance the scientific
      evidence base of stigma and discrimination reduction and allow for the
      identification of effective interventions that could be scaled up by national
      governments. 

PMID- 24242268
TI  - A systematic review of interventions to reduce HIV-related stigma and
      discrimination from 2002 to 2013: how far have we come?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: HIV-related stigma and discrimination continue to hamper efforts to
      prevent new infections and engage people in HIV treatment, care and support
      programmes. The identification of effective interventions to reduce stigma and
      discrimination that can be integrated into national responses is crucial to the
      success of the global AIDS response. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of
      studies and reports that assessed the effectiveness of interventions to reduce
      HIV stigma and discrimination between 1 January 2002 and 1 March 2013. Databases
      searched for peer-reviewed articles included PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO Host -CINAHL
      Plus, Psycinfo, Ovid, Sociofile and Popline. Reports were obtained from the
      www.HIVAIDSClearinghouse.eu, USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse, UNESCO
      HIV and AIDS Education Clearinghouse, Google, WHO and UNAIDS. Ancestry searches
      for articles included in the systematic review were also conducted. Studies of
      any design that sought to reduce stigma as a primary or secondary objective and
      included pre- and post-intervention measures of stigma were included. RESULTS: Of
      2368 peer-reviewed articles and reports identified, 48 were included in our
      review representing 14 different target populations in 28 countries. The majority
      of interventions utilized two or more strategies to reduce stigma and
      discrimination, and ten included structural or biomedical components. However,
      most interventions targeted a single socio-ecological level and a single domain
      of stigma. Outcome measures lacked uniformity and validity, making both
      interpretation and comparison of study results difficult. While the majority of
      studies were effective at reducing the aspects of stigma they measured, none
      assessed the influence of stigma or discrimination reduction on HIV-related
      health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our review revealed considerable progress in the
      stigma-reduction field. However, critical challenges and gaps remain which are
      impeding the identification of effective stigma-reduction strategies that can be
      implemented by national governments on a larger scale. The development,
      validation, and consistent use of globally relevant scales of stigma and
      discrimination are a critical next step for advancing the field of research in
      this area. Studies comparing the effectiveness of different stigma-reduction
      strategies and studies assessing the influence of stigma reduction on key
      behavioural and biomedical outcomes are also needed to maximize biomedical
      prevention efforts.

PMID- 24242272
TI  - Endothermic ion molecule reactions.
AB  - Endothermic ion-molecule reactions in a tandem mass spectrometer have been used
      for a number of years for determining thermodynamic quantities, such as heats of
      formation and proton affinities, for gaseous ions. Recently, the reactive,
      endothermic collision has been exploited as an analytical technique for the
      structural analysis of peptides and other biomolecules. The technique is based
      upon the endothermic transfer of protons associated with amide bonds to ammonia.
      This reaction proceeds via a long-lived collision complex. When additional beam
      energy is supplied, other dissociation channels are opened up, leading to the
      production of sequence ions for the mass-selected, protonated analyte that are
      normally observed in high energy collision-induced dissociation spectra. The
      advantage, however, is that such spectra can be produced at very low beam
      energies. In this article, the rationale for developing this scheme, and its
      roots in previous ion-molecule studies, are explored. 

PMID- 24242271
TI  - Multiple time scale complexity analysis of resting state FMRI.
AB  - The present study explored multi-scale entropy (MSE) analysis to investigate the
      entropy of resting state fMRI signals across multiple time scales. MSE analysis
      was developed to distinguish random noise from complex signals since the entropy
      of the former decreases with longer time scales while the latter signal maintains
      its entropy due to a "self-resemblance" across time scales. A long resting state
      BOLD fMRI (rs-fMRI) scan with 1000 data points was performed on five healthy
      young volunteers to investigate the spatial and temporal characteristics of
      entropy across multiple time scales. A shorter rs-fMRI scan with 240 data points
      was performed on a cohort of subjects consisting of healthy young (age 23 +/- 2
      years, n = 8) and aged volunteers (age 66 +/- 3 years, n = 8) to investigate the
      effect of healthy aging on the entropy of rs-fMRI. The results showed that MSE of
      gray matter, rather than white matter, resembles closely that of f (-1) noise
      over multiple time scales. By filtering out high frequency random fluctuations,
      MSE analysis is able to reveal enhanced contrast in entropy between gray and
      white matter, as well as between age groups at longer time scales. Our data
      support the use of MSE analysis as a validation metric for quantifying the
      complexity of rs-fMRI signals. 

PMID- 24242273
TI  - High resolution on a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer.
AB  - By using a modified ion trap mass spectrometer, resolution in excess of 30,000
      (FWHM) at m I z 502 is demonstrated. The method of increasing resolution in the
      ion trap mass spectrometer operated in the mass-selective instability mode
      depends on decreasing the rate of scanning the primary radio frequency amplitude
      as well as using resonance ejection at the appropriate frequency and amplitude. A
      theoretical basis for the method is introduced. 

PMID- 24242274
TI  - An electrospray ion source for magnetic sector mass spectrometers.
AB  - Electro spray mass spectra of carbonic anhydrase (MW ~ 29000) and ovalbumin (MW ~
      45000) were obtained on a double focusing magnetic secter mass spectrometer by
      using a single stage of mechanical pumping in the interface between atmospheric
      pressure and high vacuum. Full scan spectra of lysozyme were recorded on 15
      fmoles consumed. In addition, accurate mass measurement was demonstrated for
      peptides and proteins, and resolution in excess of 10,000 (m /?m, 10% valley) was
      observed. These results clearly show that high performance magnetic sector mass
      spectrometers can be advantageously interfaced to an atmospheric pressure
      electrospray ion source. 

PMID- 24242275
TI  - Characterization of the reactive and dissociative behavior of transition metal
      oxide cluster ions in the gas phase.
AB  - The reactive and dissociative behavior of molybdenum and tungsten oxide cluster
      ions has been studied in the gas phase using a triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometer. Cluster ions (MO3) n (-) were formed via a simple thermal
      desorption/electron capture negative ionization method, and their structures were
      characterized by collision-activated dissociation (CAD). Typically, the clusters
      fragment by losses of neutral (MO3) units. Reactions of the oxide cluster ions
      with ethylene oxide, cyclohexene oxide, ethylene sulfide cyclohexene sulfide, 2,3
      butanedione, and 2,4-pentanedione were examined, and product ions were
      characterized by CAD. The clusters react with ethylene oxide by addition of
      ethylene oxide or net addition of oxygen, whereas the clusters react with
      ethylene sulfide via net addition of one or two sulfur atoms. Reactions of the
      clusters with the diones result in addition of one or two dione units, in some
      cases with dehydration. 

PMID- 24242276
TI  - Ion-Molecule reactions in methylamine and dimethylamine and trimethylamine
      systems.
AB  - Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry has been used to
      measure the reaction rates for ions derived from methylamine with dimethylamine
      or trimethylamine. The use of the selective ion ejection technique greatly
      simplifies the elucidation of the ion-molecule reaction channels. The rate
      constants for proton transfer from protonated metwlamine, CH3NH 3 (+) (m/z 32),
      to dimethylamine and trimethylamine are 16.1 +/- 1.6 * 10(-10) and 9.3 +/- 0.9 *
      10(-10) cm(3) molec(-1)s(-1), respectively. The rate constants for charge
      transfer from methylamine molecular ion, CH3NH 2 (+) (m/z 31), to dimethylamine
      and trimethylamine are 9.3 +/- 1.8 x 10(-10) and 15.0 +/- 5 * 10(-10) cm(3)molec(
      1)s(-1), respectively. 

PMID- 24242277
TI  - Monitor for displaying real-time images of low energy ion beams.
AB  - Analytical Chemistry Division. Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Oak Ridge,
      Tennessee, USA A monitor that provides real-time images of low energy (< 50 eV)
      ion beams has been designed, constructed, and tested. The cross-sectional image
      of the beam at the entrance aperture of the monitor is magnified by a factor of
      6.5 and displayed on a CRT, following current amplification by using a dual
      microchannel plate assembly. The monitor provides unambiguous information
      regarding the cross section of any low energy ion beam. Anplication in the design
      and testing of quadrupole-based mass spectrometers is emphasized. 

PMID- 24242278
TI  - Detection mass bias in atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - A previously uncharacterized source of detection mass bias is shown to be
      associated with atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (APIMS), and is
      attributed to a mass dependence in the sampling of ions from the supersonic free
      jet expansion of gas emerging from the ion source. The halide ions Cl (-), Br(-),
      and I(-) are shown to be transported from the ion source aperture to a quadrupole
      mass filter with efficiencies that increase linearly with increasing mass of the
      ion. While the polyatomic anions SF 6 (-) and C7F 14 (-) are detected with even
      greater efficiencies than would be expected for monatomic anions of the same
      mass, this additional sensitivity to the polyatomic anions is thought to be
      related to ion loss processes occurring within the ion source. The experimental
      conditions under which these mass bias effects can be minimized or enhanced in
      APIMS are described. 

PMID- 24242279
TI  - Determination of plutonium 240/239 ratios in Lake Ontario sediments.
AB  - A thermal ionization mass spectrometric procedure was developed for determination
      of 240/239 ratios in subpicogram quantities of plutonium (Pu), and was applied to
      Pu extracted from Lake Ontario sediment. The detection limit was ~ 4 fg of Pu and
      the precision of 240/239 ratio measurement was ~ 7% in the 0.07-0.42 pg range.
      Results of sediment analyses at various depths showed in all cases 240/239 ratios
      near the mean global fallout value of 0.176 +/- 0.014. The lack of variability of
      the ratios with depth negated the use of Pu, present in excess in the near
      surface samples due to leakage from a nearby reprocessing plant, as a
      geochronological meter. The 240/239 ratio of the leakage Pu appeared to be very
      similar to that of fallout Pu. 

PMID- 24242280
TI  - Pyridine-Containing schiff base derivatives for the struxtural determination of
      long-chain aldehydes by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry.
AB  - Long-chain aldehydes, encountered as insect pheromones, were converted into
      Schiff bases with 3-aminopyridine, 3-(aminomethyl)pyridine, or 2-aminopyrimidine
      to provide derivatives suitable for revealing the alkyl chain structure by mass
      spectrometry. The two pyridine-containing derivatives were satisfactory in
      initiating a radical-induced cleavage. of the chain to give a series of fragment
      ions, the masses and relative abundance of which revealed the chain structure.
      The derivatives were applied to aldehydes having straight, branched (iso and
      anteiso), and unsaturated (delta-7, delta-9, delta-ll, and delta-13) structures;
      these all gave the fragmentation patterns that have been seen earlier for similar
      pyridine-containing derivatives of fatty acids (picolinyl esters) and alcohols
      (nicotinates).Of the two derivatives, those from 3-aminopyridine gave slightly
      simpler spectra. Derivatives formed from 2-aminopyrimidine were less satisfactory
      in revealing chain structure. 

PMID- 24242281
TI  - Selective detection of sulfur-containing compounds by gas chromatography/chemical
      reaction interface mass spectrometry.
AB  - Addition of a reactant gas to a low pressure microwave-induced plasma creates a
      reaction interface in which complex molecules are converted into small polyatomic
      neutral species. For a given reactant gas the array of these small molecules
      reflect s the elemental composition of the original analyte. In this study HCI
      has been found highly effective as a reactant gas for selective detection of
      sulfur-eontaining compounds using capillary gas chromatography/ chernical
      reaction interface mass spectrometry. Detection limits as low as 30 pg of a
      sulfur-containing compound and a dynamic range of two orders of magnitude were
      achieved. 

PMID- 24242282
TI  - Isomer differentiation in 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-pyridine adducts by
      fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Three isomeric 7,12-dL-nethylbenz[alpha]anthracene-pyridine adduct salts,
      namely.. the 5-N-pyridinium-7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene perchlorate, the 7
      N-pyridiniummethylene-12methylbenz[ alpha]anthracene picrate, and the 7-methyl-12
      N-pyridiniummethylenebenz[ alpha]anthracene picrate, were studied by fast atom
      bombardment tandem mass spectrometry using high energy collisional-activated
      dissociation (CAD). The CAD mass spectra of the molecular cations and the (M -
      pyridine)(+) ions allow one to distinguish positional isomers on the basis of
      daughter ion peak height ratios. The differences in the CAD mass spectra of the
      (M - pyridine)(+) ions are probably due in part to formation of isomer-specific
      fused-ring tropyliumions. 

PMID- 24242283
TI  - Erratum to: A study of the gas-phase reaction between protonated acetaldehyde and
      reaction between protonated acetaldehyde and methanol.

PMID- 24242284
TI  - Ontogeny of consummatory successive negative contrast in rats.
AB  - Consummatory successive negative contrast (cSNC) occurs when organisms repeatedly
      exposed to a high-magnitude reward are suddenly given a low-magnitude reward.
      This results in a significant reduction in the consumption of the devalued
      reinforcer, at a level even below that of a group which had been always exposed
      to the low-magnitude reinforcer. A scarcity of animal studies assessed the
      expression of this phenomenon during early development. Three experiments
      assessed age of cSNC onset in preweanling rats. Percent body weight gained (%BWG)
      and taste reactions associated with reinforcement devaluation were measured. A
      reduction in %BWG and a significant increase in emission of aversive hedonic
      behaviors, indicative of cSNC, occurred on postnatal day 18 (PD 18; Experiments 1
      and 2), but not on PD 14 or PD 17 (Experiments 3a and 3b). The neurobiological
      mechanisms underlying these effects and theoretical implications are discussed.

PMID- 24242285
TI  - Cosolvents induced unfolding and aggregation of keyhole limpet hemocyanin.
AB  - The objective of this study was to examine the effects of 2,2,2 trifluoroethanol
      (TFE) and acetonitrile (ACN) on the stability, behavior, and structural
      characteristics of giant multimeric protein Keyhole Limpet hemocyanin (KLH) by
      combining the circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence measurements of KLH
      solution. In concentration range 20-50% (v/v) TFE, protein at pH 7.4 shows
      visible aggregation while no aggregation was observed in the entire concentration
      range of TFE at molten globule (MG) state (pH 2.8) and resulted in stable alpha
      helix. Our result shows that in the presence of 80% (v/v) and 40% (v/v) TFE, at
      native (pH 7.4) and MG state (pH 2.8) occurred in a highly helical state referred
      to as TFE denatured state I and II, respectively. However, in case of ACN,
      aggregation starts above 40% (v/v) for pH 7.4 and at 80% (v/v) for acid-induced
      MG (pH 2.8) state, which was dominated by beta-sheet structure and referred to as
      ACN denatured state III and IV. An important object of our investigation is to
      get more detail study of efficiency of cosolvents in inducing structural changes
      in KLH. The dependence of scattering intensity and the R h on alcohol
      concentrations was investigated at 25  degrees C.

PMID- 24242286
TI  - Association of genetic variants of MTHFR, ENPP1, and ADIPOQ with myocardial
      infarction in Egyptian patients.
AB  - The study aimed to investigate the association between MTHFR C677T, ENPP1 K121Q,
      and ADIPOQ 45 T/G gene polymorphisms and incidence of myocardial infarction (MI)
      in Egyptian patients. The study included 60 unrelated patients suffering from
      their first MI and 60 unrelated controls. Patients were recruited from Kasr-El
      Eini hospital, Cairo University. The previously mentioned polymorphisms were
      determined in all participants by PCR-RFLP. There was no significant difference
      in the distribution of genotypes and alleles of MTHFR C677T between groups. In
      contrast, significant difference was found in the distributions of genotypes and
      alleles of ENPP1 K121Q and ADIPOQ 45 T/G between MI patients and controls (P =
      0.01, P = 0.004, P = 0.009, P = 0.001, respectively). Univariate analysis
      revealed that 121Q ENPP1 and 45 G ADIPOQ alleles were associated with the
      increased risk of MI (OR = 3; 95 % CI = 1.45-6.2; P = 0.004 and OR = 5.8; 95 % CI
      = 1.92-17.54; P = 0.001, respectively). The mutant homozygous genotypes of MTHFR,
      ENPP1, and ADIPOQ were more prevalent in diabetic hypertensive MI patients than
      it was among non-diabetic normotensive MI patients. Regarding the coagulation
      profile, INR (P = 0.009) and PC % (P = 0.022) were significantly different among
      the three genotypes of MTHFR C677T. The 677 T, 121 Q, and 45G variants were
      associated with MI in Egyptian patients; however, more studies are needed to
      determine the possible protective effect for these polymorphisms in our
      population.

PMID- 24242287
TI  - Novel hypoglycemic injury mechanism: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated white
      matter damage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hypoglycemia is a common adverse event and can injure central nervous
      system (CNS) white matter (WM). We determined whether glutamate receptors were
      involved in hypoglycemic WM injury. METHODS: Mouse optic nerves (MON), CNS WM
      tracts, were maintained at 37 degrees C with oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal
      fluid (ACSF) containing 10mM glucose. Aglycemia was produced by switching to 0
      glucose ACSF. Supramaximal compound action potentials (CAPs) were elicited using
      suction electrodes, and axon function was quantified as the area under the CAP.
      Amino acid release was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.
      Extracellular lactate concentration ([lactate(-)]o) was measured using an enzyme
      electrode. RESULTS: About 50% of MON axons were injured after 60 minutes of
      aglycemia (90% after 90 minutes); injury extent was not affected by animal age.
      Blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors improved
      recovery after 90 minutes of aglycemia by 250%. Aglycemic injury was increased by
      reducing [Mg(2+)]o or increasing [glycine]o , and decreased by lowering pHo ,
      expected results for NMDA receptor-mediated injury. pHo increased during
      aglycemia due to a drop in [lactate(-)]o. Aglycemic injury was dramatically
      reduced in the absence of [Ca(2+)]o. Extracellular aspartate, a selective NMDA
      receptor agonist, increased during aglycemia ([glutamate]o fell). INTERPRETATION:
      Aglycemia injured WM by a unique excitotoxic mechanism involving NMDA receptors
      (located primarily on oligodendrocytes). During WM aglycemia, the selective NMDA
      agonist aspartate is released, probably from astrocytes. Injury is mediated by
      Ca(2+) influx through aspartate-activated NMDA receptors made permeable by an
      accompanying alkaline shift in pHo caused by a fall in [lactate(-)]o. These
      insights have important clinical implications.

PMID- 24242289
TI  - Surgical innovation as sui generis surgical research.
AB  - Successful innovative 'leaps' in surgical technique have the potential to
      contribute exponentially to surgical advancement, and thereby to improved health
      outcomes for patients. Such innovative leaps often occur relatively
      spontaneously, without substantial forethought, planning, or preparation. This
      feature of surgical innovation raises special challenges for ensuring sufficient
      evaluation and regulatory oversight of new interventions that have not been the
      subject of controlled investigatory exploration and review. It is this feature in
      particular that makes early-stage surgical innovation especially resistant to
      classification as 'research', with all of the attendant methodological and
      ethical obligations--of planning, regulation, monitoring, reporting, and
      publication--associated with such a classification. This paper proposes
      conceptual and ethical grounds for a restricted definition according to which
      innovation in surgical technique is classified as a form of sui generis surgical
      'research', where the explicit goal of adopting such a definition is to bring
      about needed improvements in knowledge transfer and thereby benefit current and
      future patients.

PMID- 24242288
TI  - Ecological correlates of depression and self-esteem in rural youth.
AB  - The current study examines individual-, social-, and school-level characteristics
      influencing symptoms of depression and self-esteem among a large sample (N =
      4,321) of U.S. youth living in two rural counties in the South. Survey data for
      this sample of middle-school students (Grade 6 to Grade 8) were part of the Rural
      Adaptation Project. Data were analyzed using ordered logistic regression. Results
      show that being female, having a low income, and having negative relationships
      with parents and peers are risk factors that increase the probability of
      reporting high levels of depressive symptoms and low levels of self-esteem. In
      contrast, supportive relationships with parents and peers, high religious
      orientation, ethnic identity, and school satisfaction increased the probability
      of reporting low levels of depressive symptoms and high levels of self-esteem.
      There were few school-level characteristics associated with levels of depressive
      symptoms and self-esteem. Implications are discussed. 

PMID- 24242290
TI  - DNA aggregation and cleavage in CGE induced by high electric field in aqueous
      solution accompanying electrokinetic sample injection.
AB  - The phenomenon of peak area decrease due to high injection voltage (Vinj , e.g.
      10-30 kV, 200-600 V/cm in the 50 cm capillary) was found in the analysis of very
      dilute DNA fragments (<0.2 mg/L) by using high-sensitive electrokinetic
      supercharging-CGE. The possibility of DNA cleavage in aqueous solution was
      suggested, in addition to the aggregation phenomenon that is already known. The
      analysis of intentionally voltage-affected fragments (at 200 V/cm) also showed
      decreased peak areas depending on the time of the voltage being applied. Computer
      simulation suggested that a high electric field (a few kV/cm or more) could be
      generated partly between the electrode and the capillary end during
      electrokinetic injection (EKI) process. After thorough experimental verification,
      it was found that the factors affecting the damage during EKI were the magnitude
      of electric field, the distance between tips of electrode and capillary (De/c ),
      sample concentration and traveling time during EKI in sample vials. Furthermore,
      these factors are correlating with each other. A low conductivity of diluted
      sample would cause a high electric field (over a few hundred volts per
      centimeter), while the longer De/c results in a longer traveling time during EKI,
      which may cause a larger degree of damage (aggregation and cleavage) on the DNA
      fragments. As an important practical implication of this study, when the dilute
      DNA fragments (sub mg/L) are to be analyzed by CGE using EKI, injection voltage
      should be kept as low as possible. 

PMID- 24242291
TI  - Apoptotic cell death and altered calcium homeostasis caused by frataxin depletion
      in dorsal root ganglia neurons can be prevented by BH4 domain of Bcl-xL protein.
AB  - Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a
      decreased expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. Major neurological
      symptoms of the disease are due to degeneration of dorsal root ganglion (DRG)
      sensory neurons. In this study we have explored the neurodegenerative events
      occurring by frataxin depletion on primary cultures of neurons obtained from rat
      DRGs. Reduction of 80% of frataxin levels in these cells was achieved by
      transduction with lentivirus containing shRNA silencing sequences. Frataxin
      depletion caused mitochondrial membrane potential decrease, neurite degeneration
      and apoptotic cell death. A marked increase of free intracellular Ca(2+) levels
      and alteration in Ca(2+)-mediated signaling pathways was also observed, thus
      suggesting that altered calcium homeostasis can play a pivotal role in
      neurodegeneration caused by frataxin deficiency. These deleterious effects were
      reverted by the addition of a cell-penetrant TAT peptide coupled to the BH4, the
      anti-apoptotic domain of Bcl-x(L). Treatment of cultured frataxin-depleted
      neurons with TAT-BH4 was able to restore the free intracellular Ca(2+) levels and
      protect the neurons from degeneration. These observations open the possibility of
      new therapies of FRDA based on modulating the Ca(2+) signaling and prevent
      apoptotic process to protect DRG neurons from neurodegeneration.

PMID- 24242292
TI  - Clinicopathological and prognostic value of S100A4 expression in gastric cancer:
      a meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSES: For several years S100A4 has been implicated in tumor progression and
      prognosis. However, the prognostic value of S100A4 overexpression in patients
      with gastric cancer remains unknown. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to
      assess the relationship between S100A4 overexpression and clinical outcome of
      gastric cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Candidate studies were searched from PubMed,
      Embase, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science. We included studies that
      evaluated the prognostic value of S100A4 expression in gastric cancer patients
      with regard to survival and a series of clinicopathological parameters. The
      pooled hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)
      were used to estimate the effects. Ten studies, all from Asia, were included in
      the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that S100A4 overexpression was
      significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.45
      2.38, p<0.00001) without heterogeneity in the data (I2=43.6%, p=0.131).
      Furthermore, our results showed that S100A4 overexpression was significantly
      correlated with some clinicopathological parameters such as tumor grade, stage,
      metastasis, invasion, and relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our meta-analysis
      indicate that S100A4 overexpression correlates with more adverse clinical
      features and a poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients in Asia, thus suggesting
      that S100A4 could be a useful marker to evaluate progression and prognosis of
      Asian gastric cancer patients. More studies from Western countries with a larger
      number of tumors and standardized methods are required before significant
      conclusions can be drawn.

PMID- 24242293
TI  - A standardized staining protocol for L1CAM on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded
      tissues using automated platforms.
AB  - The L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is overexpressed in many human cancers and
      can serve as a biomarker for prognosis in most of these cancers (including type I
      endometrial carcinomas). Here we provide an optimized immunohistochemical
      staining procedure for a widely used automated platform (VENTANATM), which has
      recourse to commercially available primary antibody and detection reagents. In
      parallel, we optimized the staining on a semi-automated BioGenix (i6000)
      ?immunostainer. These protocols yield good stainings and should represent the
      basis for a reliable and standardized immunohistochemical detection of L1CAM in a
      variety of malignancies in different laboratories. 

PMID- 24242294
TI  - A PNA-mediated clamping PCR for routine detection of KRAS mutations in colorectal
      carcinoma.
AB  - The detection of somatic mutations in a tumor represents a valuable tool for
      tumor characterization and provides the clinicians with information for setting
      up the most appropriate therapy. KRAS mutations in codons 12 and 13 are important
      biomarkers routinely analyzed in the clinic for the management of anti-EGFR
      treatment in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Here we report a sensitive and
      inexpensive assay for KRAS mutations based on a PNA-mediated PCR clamping. The
      assay displays very high sensitivity (0.7%) and specificity (96.7%) when compared
      to traditional sequencing (SS) and pyrosequencing (PS), two of the most commonly
      and routinely used methods employed today by diagnostic laboratories.
      Furthermore, the PNA assay requires only basic and low-cost laboratory equipment,
      in contrast with all the most recent PCR-based technologies, which are highly
      sensitive but also much more expensive. Finally, despite the PNA assay does not
      allow for the definition of specific mutations, it is the cheapest and easiest
      screening method to firstly stratify wild-type and mutated patients, information
      that is strictly necessary to clinicians for the management of CRC and anti-EGFR
      treatment. 

PMID- 24242295
TI  - Annexin A1 in malignant tumors: current opinions and controversies.
AB  - Annexin A1 is a 37 kDa calcium and phospholipid-binding protein that participates
      in several biological processes, such as inflammatory reactions, modulation of
      cell proliferation, regulation of cell death signaling, apoptosis, and, most
      importantly, tumor formation and development. Although annexin A1 has been
      implicated in the biology of various tumors, the findings are highly
      controversial and information regarding the underlying mechanism remains limited.
      Moreover, the mechanism by which annexin A1 participates in carcinogenesis and
      tumor progression is rather unclear. In the current study, we review the
      important biological functions of annexin A1 in different tumors. This work
      indicates that annexin A1 is a possible target for novel therapeutic intervention
      and that it is a potential biomarker for tumor diagnosis and screening. 

PMID- 24242296
TI  - Large molecule specific assay operation: recommendation for best practices and
      harmonization from the global bioanalysis consortium harmonization team.
AB  - The L2 Global Harmonization Team on large molecule specific assay operation for
      protein bioanalysis in support of pharmacokinetics focused on the following
      topics: setting up a balanced validation design, specificity testing, selectivity
      testing, dilutional linearity, hook effect, parallelism, and testing of
      robustness and ruggedness. The team additionally considered the impact of
      lipemia, hemolysis, and the presence of endogenous analyte on selectivity
      assessments as well as the occurrence of hook effect in study samples when no
      hook effect had been observed during pre-study validation. 

PMID- 24242297
TI  - Behavioral and electrophysiological response of cabbage seed weevils
      (Ceutorhynchus assimilis) to conspecific odor.
AB  - The responses ofCeutorhynchus assimilis Payk. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) to the
      odor of overwintered and new generation weevils were studied using an
      olfactometer, choice tests in a laboratory cage, field tests using sticky traps
      baited with live weevils, and by electroantennograms (EAG's). Unmated male
      weevils and, to a lesser extent, female weevils of the overwintered generation
      were attracted to the odor of live unmated over-wintered female weevils. New
      generation weevils exhibited no behavioral response to conspecific odor. Male and
      female weevils of the overwintered generation exhibited positive EAGs to hexane
      extracts of overwintered female weevils, whereas EAGs of new-generation weevils
      of either sex were unresponsive to these extracts. This suggests that the unmated
      female weevils from the overwintered generation produce a volatile chemical or
      chemicals that attracts unmated male and female weevils. The new generation of
      female weevils does not produce this attractive chemical before overwintering,
      and male and female weevils of this generation can not detect the chemical(s) via
      their antennal chemoreceptors until they have undergone their overwintering
      period. 

PMID- 24242298
TI  - Leaf surface extracts ofSolanum berthaultii hawkes deter colorado potato beetle
      feeding.
AB  - Leaf rinses ofS. berthaultii PI 473334 with methylene chloride were deterrent to
      feeding by the Colorado potato beetle when applied toS. tuberosum tuber and leaf
      disks. When the leaf rinse was separated into its nonvolatile and volatile
      fractions and applied to tuber disks, the nonvolatile fraction was highly
      deterrent, while the volatile fraction reduced consumption, but not significantly
      compared to the controls. A hexane leaf rinse was not deterrent to feeding, while
      an acetone rinse was approximately twofold more deterrent than the methylene
      chloride rinse when applied to leaf disks. Three cycles of bioassay-guided,
      reversed-phase open-column fractionation of an acetone leaf rinse yielded a
      relatively polar fraction with low deterrent activity, and two nonpolar fractions
      exhibiting higher specific activity. Reversed-phase preparative HPLC of these
      fractions yielded seven active fractions among the 10 assayed. Subsequent
      analytical HPLC indicated that two fractions each contained a single UV-absorbing
      compound, while another represented a mixture of at least four compounds. The
      remaining fractions were composed of complex mixtures of possibly ionic or
      polymeric compounds that were poorly resolved by HPLC. 

PMID- 24242299
TI  - Allelopathic potential in bilberry-spruce forests: Influence of phenolic
      compounds on spruce seedlings.
AB  - Regeneration failure ofPicea abies in a subalpine bilberry-spruce forest was
      studied in relation to phenolic compounds, their occurrence and toxicity.
      Germination bioassays with natural leachates of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
      and spruce showed negative effects on root elongation of spruce seedlings. Growth
      bioassays on litter and humus demonstrated inhibitory effects of these organic
      layers.p-Hydroxyacetophenone, a spruce-specific metabolite, was isolated in
      spruce throughfall (10(-6) M), in water extracts of litter (between 1 and 8 ug/g
      dry wt) and organic layer (less than 1 ug/g dry wt) in addition to tannins and
      several common phenolic acids. Potential relationships between vegetation cover
      and phenolic pattern of the soil are discussed, since organic layers under
      bilberry heath exhibited higher amounts of phenolic acids and tannins than those
      under spruce.p-Hydroxyacetophenone and caffeic acid reduced, even at 5 * 10(-5)
      M, spruce seedling growth, especially root development, with additive effects for
      these two monomers. Autotoxicity involving spruce trees and allelopathy of
      understory species, mediated byp-hydroxy-acetophenone and other phenolic
      compounds, including tannins, deserves further attention in regeneration studies.

PMID- 24242300
TI  - Relative activities of glucosinolates as oviposition stimulants forPieris rapae
      andP. napi oleracea.
AB  - The relative activities of 10 glucosinolates in stimulating oviposition byP.
      rapae andP. napi oleracea were compared under the same conditions. When tested at
      the same concentration, the structurally different glucosinolates stimulated both
      butterfly species to widely varying degrees. In most cases,P. rapae was more
      sensitive to aromatic and indole glucosinolates than to aliphatic
      representatives. This species responded even less to alkyl thio and sulfinyl
      glucosinolates. However,P. napi oleracea responded strongly to these aliphatic
      and sulfur-containing members of the group, and the relative activities of
      aromatic and aliphatic glucosinolates did not show a clear pattern for this
      species.P. napi oleracea was much more sensitive to low concentrations of
      sinigrin than wasP. rapae. The threshold concentration for response ofP. napi
      oleracea to sinigrin was 10(-8) M, which was 100 times lower than forP. rapae,
      butP. rapae was more sensitive thanP. napi oleracea to changes in glucosinolate
      concentrations. For bothPieris species, an optimal concentration was reached,
      above which the response remained constant or tended to decrease. 

PMID- 24242301
TI  - Cardenolides as oviposition deterrents to twoPieris species: Structure-activity
      relationships.
AB  - Oviposition responses ofPieris rapae andP. napi oleracea to 18 cardenolides were
      compared under the same conditions. Effects of different concentrations of
      selected cardenolides were also tested. Most of the compounds were deterrent to
      oviposition by both insects, but to significantly different degrees.P. rapae were
      strongly deterred by K-strophanthoside, K-strophanthin-beta, cymarin,
      convallatoxin, oleandrin, erysimoside, erychroside, and gitoxigenin. The most
      deterrent compounds forP. napi oleracea were erychroside, cymarin, erysimoside,
      convallatoxin, and K-strophanthoside. Strophanthidin-based glycosides were more
      deterrent than digitoxigenin-based ones, and the number and type of sugar
      substitutions can have profound effects on activity. Both similarities and
      contrasts were found in responses ofP. rapae andP. napi oleracea to these
      cardenolides. Cymarin was equally deterrent to bothPieris species at all
      concentrations tested. However, when compared withP. rapae, P. napi oleracea was
      less sensitive to most of the cardenolides.P. napi oleracea was insensitive to K
      strophanthin-beta and oleandrin at 0.5 * 10(-4) M, which were highly deterrent
      toP. rapae. 

PMID- 24242302
TI  - Attraction of reproductive honey bee swarms to artificial nests by Nasonov
      pheromone.
AB  - A crossover experimental design was established to test the attractancy of
      Nasonov pheromone to reproductive swarms of honey bees. Nineteen swarms were
      attracted to artificial nest cavities containing a slow-release blend of the
      Nasonov components citral, geraniol, and nerolic + geranic acids, and only four
      swarms were attracted to pheromone-free artificial nests. The results indicate
      that Nasonov pheromone plays a key role in the attraction of honey bee swarms to
      nest cavities. 

PMID- 24242303
TI  - Biocatalytic synthesis of (S)-2-tridecanyl acetate and (S)-2-pentadecanyl
      acetate, aggregation pheromone components ofDrosophila mulleri andD. busckii, by
      enantioselective hydrolysis with lipase.
AB  - The two chiral pheromone acetates, (S)-2-tridecanyl acetate and (S)-2
      pentadecanyl acetate, were synthesized with an enantiomeric excess (e.e.) of
      almost 100% byPseudomonas cepacia lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of their
      corresponding racemic acetates in an acetone-water solvent system. 

PMID- 24242304
TI  - Oxime ether analogs of sex pheromone components of turnip moth (Agrotis segetum
      Schiffermuller).
AB  - Oxime ether analogs of sex pheromone components of the turnip moth (Agrotis
      segetum Schiff.) were synthesized by the acidolytic opening of cyclic enol ethers
      withO-alkyl hydroxylamine hydrochlorides. The compounds varying in chain lengths
      and in the position of the C=N double bond were studied by electrophysiological
      single sensillum recordings (electrosen-sillography: ESG). The ESG data indicate
      in general reduced receptor interaction of all analogs investigated in comparison
      with natural pheromone components of the turnip moth. The data also show that the
      grade of decrease of receptor interaction depends on specific structural changes
      within the molecule. The results demonstrate high complementary pheromone
      receptor relationships, predominantly depending on the position of the
      unsaturated group in the chain, whereas analogs with other structural changes are
      still recognized as a pheromone-like compound by the receptor. 

PMID- 24242305
TI  - Composition of larval secretion ofChrysomela lapponica (Coleoptera,
      Chrysomelidae) and its dependence on host plant.
AB  - The defensive secretion ofChrysomela lapponica larvae, which is produced by nine
      pairs of exocrine dorsal glands, has been chemically analyzed. TheC. lapponica
      larvae were kept in the laboratory on leaves of either birch (Betula pendula),
      alder (Alnus glutinosa), or willow (Salix fragilis). Larvae developed normally on
      birch and willow, whereas those on alder died within a few days. GC-MS analyses
      of the secretion of larvae on birch and willow revealed that the composition of
      this secretion differs distinctly from the known ones of several otherChrysomela
      species feeding exclusively on Salicaceae. In the exocrine secretion of larvae on
      birch, 69 compounds were identified, which included the main components
      isobutyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and esters of the two. Several of the
      esters have not been reported previously from nature. The alcoholic components of
      the esters may be hydrolysis products ofBetula glycosides. Most components of the
      secretion of larvae feeding on birch were also found in the secretion of larvae
      feeding on willow. In addition, major amounts of benzoic acid and salicylalcohol
      were present in the secretion of the larvae feeding on willow.C. lapponica
      obviously acquires salicylalcohol by hydrolysis of salicin from willow leaves.
      However, in contrast to otherChrysomela species,C. lapponica larvae oxidize only
      traces of salicylalcohol to salicylaldehyde. The repellent activity of single
      authentic compounds of the secretion of larvae feeding on birch and willow,
      respectively, was tested in laboratory bioassays with ants (Myrmica sabuleti).
      Biosynthetic pathways to some identified compounds are suggested and discussed
      under evolutionary and functional aspects. 

PMID- 24242306
TI  - Attractant pheromone for nearctic stink bug,Euschistus obscurus (Heteroptera:
      Pentatomidae): Insight into a neotropical relative.
AB  - Volatiles fromEuschistus obscurus males were found to be attractive to
      conspecific females in bioassays. A new type of olfactometer assembled from
      commercially available glassware was used to bioassay aeration extracts of the
      Nearctic stink bug,E. obscurus. Fractionated extracts suggest that pheromonal
      activity is associated with late-eluting, male-specific compounds. Research onE.
      obscurus offered a means to indirectly study the pheromone of the Neotropical
      pest species,E. heros, without importing this soybean pest into the United
      States. 

PMID- 24242307
TI  - Identification of male-specific volatiles from nearctic and neotropical stink
      bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).
AB  - Males of the Central American stink bug species,Euschistus obscurus, produce an
      attractant pheromone composed of a blend of compounds characteristic of North
      AmericanEuschistus spp. and the South American soybean pest,E. heros. The range
      ofE. obscurus extends into the southern United States, the species is easy to
      rear, and males produce an exceptionally large quantity of pheromone
      (>0.5ug/day/male). These factors madeE. obscurus useful for characterizing the
      novel pheromone components ofE. heros without importing this pest species into
      the United States.Euschistus obscurus males produce methyl (2E,4Z)-decadienoate
      (61 %) in abundance, which is characteristic of North American species, and
      methyl 2,6,10-trimethyltridecanoate (27%), the main male-specific ester ofE.
      heros. The chirality ofEuschistus spp. methyl-branched esters, and field activity
      of synthetic formulations, remain to be determined. 

PMID- 24242308
TI  - Responses by amphisbaenianBlanus cinereus to chemicals from prey or potentially
      harmful ant species.
AB  - We tested the ability of amphisbaenians (Blanus cinereus) to discriminate between
      odors of ant species selected as prey (Pheidole pallidula) and odors of
      potentially harmful ant species (Messor barbarus) that are avoided. Tongue-flick
      rate to swabs impregnated with ant odors, cologne, or deionized water differed
      among treatments, showing that amphisbaenians were able to discriminate ant
      species odors. Amphisbaenians showed an aggressive response and bit applicators
      bearing the odor of harmful ants, while the odor of prey ants did not elicit
      bites to swabs. The possible evolutionary advantage of identifying and avoiding
      harmful ants is discussed in relation to the fossoriality of amphisbaenians. 

PMID- 24242309
TI  - Cuticular hydrocarbons ofAedes hendersoni cockerell andA. triseriatus (SAY).
AB  - Field-caught adult male and femaleAedes hendersoni are difficult to distinguish
      from the sibling speciesA. triseriatus. We found that mosquitoes from the same
      sex of the sibling species can not be readily separated either by unique
      cuticular hydrocarbon components or by differences in percent composition of
      those components. Multivariate analysis of the cuticular hydrocarbon data does
      not provide good separation. Cuticular hydrocarbons were identified using gas
      chromatography electron-impact mass spectrometry and gas chromatography chemical
      ionization mass spectrometry. Flame-ionization capillary gas chromatography was
      used for quantitative analysis of individual mosquitoes. Sixty-four hydrocarbons
      with chain lengths from C16 to greater than C46 were common to both species.
      Identified hydrocarbon components weren-alkanes, monomethylalkanes,
      dimethylalkanes, trimethylalkanes, and alkenes. 

PMID- 24242310
TI  - Effects of organic solvents on use of tarbush by sheep.
AB  - Tarbush (Flourensia cernua DC) is a native perennial shrub prevalent in many
      parts of the Chihuahuan Desert. Ruminants have exhibited limited use of tarbush
      leaves and new leaders as a forage during the summer growing season. Efforts to
      increase use of tarbush by lambs through spraying with various organic solvents
      were unsuccessful, probably because of the highly variable response. However,
      complete immersion of tarbush in organic solvents (acetone and ethanol) increased
      (P<0.01) tarbush use by ram lambs when compared to unaltered tarbush. Data
      suggest that removal of secondary compounds from the leaf surface of tarbush
      using organic solvents enhanced acceptability of tarbush to sheep. 

PMID- 24242311
TI  - Purification and preliminary characterization of a frog-derived proteinaceous
      chemoattractant eliciting prey attack by checkered garter snakes (Thamnophis
      marcianus).
AB  - A potent proteinaceous chemoattractant, eliciting prey attack by checkered garter
      snakes (Thamnophis marcianus) was isolated from aqueous washes of the common
      frogRana temporaria and purified by preparative continuous-elution
      electrophoresis. The biological activity of the frog crude extract or of the
      purified chemoattractive protein, measured by a snake bioassay, was unaffected by
      freezing, lyophilization, or dialysis but was lost after proteolytic digestion.
      The purified chemoattractant is glycosylated, has an apparent molecular mass of
      24 kDa, estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium
      dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE), and a pI of 4.8. It gave one spot in two-dimensional
      electrophoresis. The bioassay showed that this protein is highly attractive to
      snakes. The lowest concentration yielding positive responses in the snake
      bioassay was approximately 25 ug/ml. These results suggest that a water-soluble
      Mr 24 kDa glycoprotein molecule produced by the common frog may be a vomeronasal
      stimulus used by checkered garter snakes for prey recognition. 

PMID- 24242312
TI  - A new bioassay for testing plant extracts and pure compounds using red flour
      beetleTribolium castaneum Herbst.
AB  - We designed a new bioassay to test plant extract activity against stored product
      pests. Plant compounds were added to feed disks composed of wheat flour and yeast
      and fed to the red flour bettle (Tribolium castaneum). By measuring insect mass,
      disk mass, and insect mortality over time it was possible to calculate a
      phagodepression index, an antifeedant index, the amount of treatment chemical
      ingested by the beetles, the mortality rate, and the efficiency of conversion of
      ingested food. The assay was performed for 60 hr to allow for possible
      habituation effects and to discriminate between phagodeterrency and physiological
      stress caused by treatments. alpha- and beta-Pinene, eugenol, kaurenic acid,
      sparteine, essential oils ofMinthostachis mollis andMelaleuca quinquenervia, and
      extracts ofSapindus saponaria were tested. Using this assay we detected the
      presence of both phagodepressant and phagostimulant compounds inS. saponaria
      extracts, and we quantified the pronounced effects of sparteine onT. castaneum. 

PMID- 24242313
TI  - Effect of cultivation on allelopathic interference success of the weed,Pluchea
      lanceolata.
AB  - Pluchea lanceolata, a perennial noxious weed, is rapidly spreading into
      cultivated fields in semiarid regions of India. The objective of the present
      study was to evaluate the effect of cultivation on the interference success
      ofPluchea lanceolata by comparing chemical characteristics of the weed and its
      associated topsoil and subsoil in cultivated and uncultivated habitats. Weed
      plants from both cultivated and uncultivated habitats were analyzed for four
      biotic characteristics. Leaves were analyzed for nine chemical characteristics.
      Soils (topsoil and subsoil) were analyzed for 13 chemical characteristics.
      Nutrient concentrations of the weed and its associated soils, both in cultivated
      and uncultivated habitats, showed that plant response with reference to nutrient
      uptake was inversely related to that of soils. Thus, the weed does not create
      nutrient stress. With cultivation, leaf area and Cu and Na contents increased,
      while leaf ash, leaf weight, and Mg and Ca decreased. In the topsoil and subsoil,
      however, concentrations of total carbonates, total phenolics, and Ca increased
      with cultivation, while organic carbon, phosphate, and K decreased. High phenolic
      content of the cultivated fields could be explained due to leaching of water
      soluble compounds from the plant parts either through natural leaching or through
      various agricultural practices such as ploughing and irrigation. We concluded
      that water-soluble phenolics, leached from the weed into the soil, increased with
      cultivation. 

PMID- 24242314
TI  - Direct and mediated effects onBactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera; Tephritidae) of
      natural polyphenols and some of related synthetic compounds: Structure-activity
      relationships.
AB  - Among the main polyphenols occurring in olive oil vegetation waters (VW),
      catechol showed the most deterrent action on the oviposition ofBactrocera oleae
      (Gmelin); 4-methylcatechol was less active, whereas hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol
      were inactive. In contrast, synthetico-quinone was found to be stimulant at 7.5 *
      10(-2) M. Two other synthetic derivatives of catechol, diacetylcatechol and
      guaiacol, were also deterrent, suggesting these compounds undergo a biochemical
      transformation into catechol by means of the bacterial symbionts ofB. oleae. VW
      and their phenolic extracts showed deterrence only when highly concentrated,
      while natural olive juice was strongly deterrent. Experiments carried out to
      evaluate the effect of olive juice and catechol on the fecundity ofB. oleae
      showed that they strongly reduce this function. Moreover, the possible
      utilization of VW and their bioactive polyphenols in protection of olives
      againstBatrocera oleae is discussed. 

PMID- 24242315
TI  - Detection of hypogeous fungi by Tasmanian bettong (Bettongia gaimardi:
      Marsupialia; Macropodoidea).
AB  - The ability of Tasmanian bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) to locate hypogeous fungi
      (their main diet) was tested in a controlled laboratory situation. Bettongs dug
      directly over buried fungi significantly more often than they did over buried
      glass marbles or over disturbed soil. This ability was not enhanced as they
      gained experience. Bettongs dug more often over buried filter paper onto which
      fungus extract was absorbed than over control papers, and showed no
      discrimination between the outer and inner layers of the fungi. They preferred
      the odor of whole fungi to individual volatile compounds. They showed no reaction
      to the odor of the steroid ergosterol. 

PMID- 24242316
TI  - Alarm pheromone system of leaf-footed bugLeptoglossus zonatus (Heteroptera:
      Coreidae).
AB  - The alarm pheromone system ofLeptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) adults was shown to be
      composed of hexyl acetate, hexanol, hexanal, and hexanoic acid. Single components
      tested in the field elicited dispersive behavior of over 70% of adults. 2-(E)
      Hexenal, found in the secretion of nymphs, but not in the exudates of adults, was
      also active against adults. In addition, first-instar nymphs responded to the
      four components of the alarm pheromone of adults as well as to 2-(E)-hexenal, a
      component of their own alarm pheromone system. Adults and nymphs possess
      different alarm pheromone systems, which are not specific to their own life
      stage. That hemipteran alarm pheromone systems are not species-specific was
      supported by the fact that both adult and nymphL. zonatus responded to butanoic
      acid, an alarm pheromone of Alydidae, which was not found in this Coreidae
      species. 

PMID- 24242319
TI  - Genetic library.

PMID- 24242318
TI  - A survey of reimbursement for cystic fibrosis carrier testing.
AB  - To assess the current status of reimbursement for cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier
      testing, we surveyed individuals tested in the Mid-Atlantic region. Results show
      that CF testing was covered by insurance in part or in full for greater than 50%
      of respondents. The test was nearly always covered when performed during
      pregnancy because of a positive family history, but it was also covered for more
      than 50% of pregnant respondents with a negative family history. There were no
      significant differences in coverage by type of insurance. Many respondents needed
      to supply additional information about the testing to their insurance company
      before a coverage decision could be made. Before population-based CF screening
      programs are initiated, more data are needed on insurance reimbursement for
      testing, especially when performed pre-conceptually. 

PMID- 24242317
TI  - Promoting remyelination in multiple sclerosis-recent advances.
AB  - We review the current state of knowledge of remyelination in multiple sclerosis
      (MS), concentrating on advances in the understanding of the pathology and the
      regenerative response, and we summarise progress on the development of new
      therapies to enhance remyelination aimed at reducing progressive accumulation of
      disability in MS. We discuss key target pathways identified in experimental
      models, as although most identified targets have not yet progressed to the stage
      of being tested in human clinical trials, they may provide treatment strategies
      for demyelinating diseases in the future. Finally, we discuss some of the
      problems associated with testing this class of drugs, where they might fit into
      the therapeutic arsenal and the gaps in our knowledge. 

PMID- 24242320
TI  - Another perspective on genetic risk assessment for cancer.

PMID- 24242321
TI  - Introductory statement.

PMID- 24242322
TI  - A multidisciplinary approach to the prevention, evaluation, and management of
      work disability.
AB  - Occupational musculoskeletal disorders represent a major challenge to the injured
      worker, his or her family, the various health care, health and safety, and human
      resource professionals that work in this area as well as employers and the
      workers' compensation system. The epidemiology of the occupational
      musculoskeletal disorders and work disability indicate the problem is growing.
      Given the multiple factors that contribute to work disability and the complexity
      in the return to work process, the need to address the varied factors that
      contribute to work disability has become increasingly clear. Following a review
      of the magnitude of the problem, a conceptual framework that considers the
      multivariate nature of work disability is proposed as a heuristic for research
      and practice. Such an integrated approach argues for a broader consideration of
      work disability from a biomedical, biomechanical, and psychosocial framework.
      Last, this paper summarizes efforts to date in the areas of prevention,
      evaluation, and rehabilitation. The paper suggests that a number of factors have
      converged over the past 5-10 years that point to the need for a new approach to
      the problem of work disability, one that truly attempts to integrate the diverse
      groups and approaches of the past and seeks to develop new knowledge and
      strategies. It is expected that the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation will
      facilitate such an integration. 

PMID- 24242323
TI  - The reliability and validity of two new tests of maximum lifting capacity.
AB  - This study investigated the test-retest reliability and validity of the
      isokinetic and gravity/inertia modes of the Lido Lift (TM) and the Progressive
      Lifting Capacity II test (PLC II). Maximum lifting capacity tests were performed
      in the isokinetic and gravity/inertia modes on the Lido Lift and with the PLC II
      with 29 healthy male subjects. Pearson product-moment correlations were
      calculated to determine the test-retest reliabilities and to compare PLC II test
      values with isokinetic and gravity/inertia test values. The correlations for the
      isokinetic, gravity inertia, and the PLC II werer=.90, .82, and .91,
      respectively. The correlations between the isokinetic and gravity/inertia tests
      and the PLC II werer=.64 and .74 during the test andr=.72 and .81 during the
      retest. The results of this study support the reliability of both Lido Lift (TM)
      tests and of the PLC II, and the validity of the isokinetic and gravity/inertia
      tests when compared to the PLC II. 

PMID- 24242324
TI  - Occupational health consultation as a systematic approach to managing work
      related musculoskeletal injuries.
AB  - An intricate balance of health care and administrative decision-making is
      necessary to ensure the accurate confirmation of an employee's disability and
      appropriate accommodation of his/her work limitations. In this article, an
      occupational health consult process is presented describing the interplay between
      the health care team, the disabled employee's supervisor, and human resource
      specialists-each having a categorical interest in the status of the employee. The
      occupational health nurse plays a central role in the administrative coordination
      of this interaction which requires effective yet careful communication between
      members of the health care team and the employee's supervisor. He/she should work
      closely with the disability specialist to reach common objectives. When conducted
      properly, occupational health consultation facilitates early and successful
      return to work for many employees who have incurred physical disabilities while
      employed. The significance of occupational health consultation is evident in
      light of current legislation that places greater expectations on employers to
      make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. 

PMID- 24242325
TI  - Symptom Magnification Syndrome Structured Interview: Rationale and procedure.
AB  - The identification of Symptom Magnification Syndrome is based in part on data
      collected during a clinical interview. The Symptom Magnification Syndrome
      Structured Interview (SMSSI) has been developed to provide structure to this data
      collection procedure. The SMSSI provides a standardized platform on which
      quantification of subjective reports can be based. The SMSSI addresses 14 issues
      that have previously been identified as related to the presence of symptom
      magnification syndrome. 

PMID- 24242327
TI  - Physical therapy and occupational rehabilitation.
AB  - Occupational rehabilitation, while acknowledged as a multidisciplinary field, is
      only as effective as contributions of its individual disciplines. Physical
      therapy has been and is continuing to be an integral part of both the clinical
      and scientific portions of the team. Inherent in the physical therapy profession
      are three educational components which makes it a particularly suitable addition:
      movement science, pathology, and functional analysis. Physical therapists are
      active in each of the primary areas of occupational rehabilitation:
      musculoskeletal treatment, injury prevention education, functional capacity
      evaluation, restorative exercise, work hardening, ergonomics, and pre-work
      screening. Future challenges encompass increased skill in ergonomics,
      effectiveness in the return-to-work process, and in the scientific study of
      physical therapy techniques and their effectiveness. 

PMID- 24242326
TI  - Posttraumatic reflex sympathetic dystrophy: Mechanisms and medical management.
AB  - Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) refers to a symptom complex of posttraumatic
      pain associated with a wide and varying spectrum of vasomotor and neurologic
      changes. The diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy is made almost entirely on
      clinical grounds, and is often confirmed by observation of the results of
      diagnostic local anesthetic nerve blocks. Laboratory and radiographic
      investigations are useful adjuncts to diagnosis. The key to successful management
      is early recognition, as delays in treatment are associated with worse outcome. A
      multimodal approach to treatment is recommended that may include nerve blocks,
      rehabilitation, and pharmacologic and behavioral pain management. The role of
      other modalities including surgery and electrical stimulation remains
      controversial. 

PMID- 24242328
TI  - Isokinetic strength testing in monitoring progress in a multidisciplinary work
      reentry program: A case study.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a patient with a history
      of low back pain and the use of isokinetic testing in tracking that patient
      through a work-reentry program. A 44-year-old male with a diagnosis of low back
      pain underwent a functional capacity evaluation and began a work-reentry program.
      Initial isokinetic testing revealed low torque outputs in both the trunk and knee
      flexion and extension tests as well as limited active range of motion.
      Coefficient of variation appeared to be relatively high and the patient seemed
      guarded in his movements during the testing. Psychological testing revealed a
      high fear of reinjury which may have influenced the initial test. Subsequent
      isokinetic testing performed on the tenth and twenty-fourth days of program and
      at 1 month post-program exhibited greater than expected increases in torque
      output. This could be due in part to a reduction in the fear of reinjury, a
      learning effect with repeated exposure to testing, and the patient's increased
      confidence in the use of unguarded movements. His trunk range of motion remained
      essentially the same throughout the serial testing. Pain in the back and left leg
      was slightly diminished despite an increase in strength and function. 

PMID- 24242329
TI  - Evaluation after five years of the cancer genetic counselling programme of
      Valencian Community (Eastern Spain).
AB  - To evaluate the cancer genetic counselling programme in Valencian Community using
      intermediate indicators. Descriptive analysis of organisational and effectiveness
      indicators from the start in 2005 until December 2010: correct referral of
      patients according to the area from where they were referred (primary or hospital
      based care) and syndrome; families identified as having each syndrome;
      suitability of the genetic testing for individuals with a cancer diagnosis (index
      cases, IC) and relatives of ICs with mutations; family size; and results of
      genetic testing on genes, ICs and relatives. 9,942 individuals attended, 87.7 %
      were referred by hospital-based care and 8.4 % by primary care. 7,516 patients
      (79 %) fulfilled cancer genetic counselling criteria (82 % from hospital-based
      care and 46 % from primary care). Amongst those who fulfilled the criteria, 59 %
      of referrals were related to hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome and 32 %
      to hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. ICs were found in 3,082 families
      (78.7 %) and genetic testing was carried out on 91.3 % of them. Pathogenic
      mutations were detected in 21.8 % of the ICs and the testing was then offered to
      their relatives (an average of 3 per IC). Pathogenic mutations were found in 54 %
      of the assessed relatives. Results in 5 years confirm the appropriateness of
      these facilities, as part of an integrated health service, to identify families
      and individuals with genetic risk to offer them personalized counselling.
      Improvements have to be made with regard to the information given to both health
      professionals and patients about the risk criteria for various syndromes.

PMID- 24242330
TI  - Repression of cathepsin E expression increases the risk of mammary carcinogenesis
      and links to poor prognosis in breast cancer.
AB  - Despite advances in detection and treatment for breast cancer (BC), recurrence
      and death rates remain unacceptably high. Therefore, more convenient diagnostic
      and prognostic methods still required to optimize treatments among the patients.
      Here, we report the clinical significance of the serum cathepsin E (CatE)
      activity as a novel prognostic marker for BC. Correlation analysis between the
      serum levels of CatE expression and clinicopathological parameters revealed that
      the activity levels, but not the protein levels, were negatively associated with
      the stages and progression of BC. Univariate and multivariate analyses
      demonstrated that the serum CatE activity was significantly correlated with
      favorable prognostic outcomes of the patients. The functional link of CatE
      expression to BC progression was further corroborated by in vivo and in vitro
      studies with mice exhibiting different levels of CatE expression. Multiparous
      CatE (-) (/) (-) mice spontaneously developed mammary tumors concomitant with
      morphological transformation and altered growth characteristics of the mammary
      glands. These alterations were associated in part with the induction of
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the activation of beta-catenin-dependent
      pathway in mammary cells. Loss of CatE strongly induced the translocation and
      accumulation of Wnt5a in the nuclei, thereby leading to the aberrant trafficking,
      maturation and secretion of Wnt5a and the impaired signaling. The interaction of
      CatE and Wnt5a was verified by proximity ligation assay and by knockdown or
      restoration of CatE expression in the mammary cells. Consequently, our data
      demonstrate that CatE contributes to normal growth and development of mammary
      glands through proper trafficking and secretion of Wnt5a.

PMID- 24242331
TI  - Association of microRNA-31 with BRAF mutation, colorectal cancer survival and
      serrated pathway.
AB  - BRAF is an important gene in colorectal cancers (CRCs) that is associated with
      molecular characterization and resistance to targeted therapy. Although microRNAs
      (miRNAs) are useful biomarkers of various cancers, the association between miRNA
      and BRAF in CRCs is undefined. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify a
      relationship between specific miRNA molecules and BRAF mutation in CRCs and
      serrated lesions. miRNA array was used for the measurement of 760 miRNAs in 29
      CRCs. To assess the identified miRNAs, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR was
      performed on 721 CRCs, 381 serrated lesions and 251 non-serrated adenomas.
      Moreover, proliferation and invasion assays were conducted using cell lines.
      miRNA array analysis revealed that microRNA-31 (miR-31)-5p was the most up
      regulated miRNA in CRCs with mutated BRAF (V600E) compared with CRCs possessing
      wild-type BRAF (including cases with KRAS mutation). High miR-31 expression was
      associated with BRAF and KRAS mutations and proximal location (P < 0.0001). High
      miR-31 expression was related to cancer-specific mortality [multivariate hazard
      ratio = 2.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.36-3.09, P = 0.0008]. Functional
      analysis demonstrated that miR-31 inhibitor decreased cell invasion and
      proliferation. With regard to serrated lesions, high miR-31 expression was less
      frequently detected in hyperplastic polyps compared with other serrated lesions.
      In conclusion, associations were identified between miR-31, BRAF and prognosis in
      CRC. Transfection of miR-31 inhibitor had an antitumour effect. Thus, miR-31 may
      be a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in colon cancers.
      Moreover, high miR-31 expression in serrated lesions suggested that miR-31 may be
      a key molecule in serrated pathway. 

PMID- 24242332
TI  - Dominance and interloci interactions in transcriptional activation cascades:
      models explaining compensatory mutations and inheritance patterns.
AB  - Mutations in human genes encoding transcription factors are often dominant
      because one active allele cannot ensure a normal phenotype (haploinsufficiency).
      In other instances, heterozygous mutations of two genes are required for a
      phenotype to appear (combined haploinsufficiency). Here, we explore with models
      (i) the basis of haploinsufficiency and combined haploinsufficiency owing to
      mutations in transcription activators, and (ii) how the effects of such mutations
      can be amplified or buffered by subsequent steps in a transcription cascade. We
      propose that the non-linear (sigmoidal) response of transcription to the
      concentration of activators can explain haploinsufficiency. We further show that
      the sigmoidal character of the output of a cascade increases with the number of
      steps involved, the settings of which will determine the buffering or enhancement
      of the effects of a decreased concentration of an upstream activator. This
      exploration provides insights into the bases of compensatory mutations and on
      interloci interactions underlying oligogenic inheritance patterns. 

PMID- 24242333
TI  - Serological characteristics of affected cattle during an outbreak of bovine
      enzootic encephalomyelitis caused by Akabane virus.
AB  - During an outbreak of bovine enzootic encephalomyelitis caused by the Akabane
      virus (AKAV) in 2010, 210 serum samples were collected from the affected cattle,
      and serological investigations for the AKAV were performed using a serum
      neutralization test (SNT) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The
      seropositive rates for SNT and ELISA were 90.0 and 85.2 %, respectively. The
      titers of SNT (log2) against the AKAV were higher than 4.0 in the highly affected
      cattle (80.0 %). This finding indicates that most affected cattle were infected
      with the AKAV and that strong immune responses against this virus were elicited
      in affected cattle. The strong immune response to the AKAV in cattle may provide
      insight into the occurrence of bovine encephalomyelitis caused by the AKAV. 

PMID- 24242334
TI  - The effects of progesterone treatment following artificial insemination on the
      reproductive performance of dairy cows.
AB  - The objective of this study was to examine the effects of increasing circulating
      progesterone in multiparous Holstein cows, using an intravaginal progesterone
      implant between days 3 and 7 following fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI).
      The animals were randomly assigned into two groups: (1) treatment group and (2)
      control (no treatment). The experiment took place during periods of high and mild
      temperatures. Pregnancy rates were evaluated by ultrasound at 30 and 60 days
      after FTAI; embryonic and fetal mortality rates were also evaluated on these
      dates. The temperature and humidity index on the day of FTAI were different (P <
      0.05) during the times of interest, but it did not affect conception rates.
      Neither the conception rates at days 30 and 60 nor the embryonic and fetal
      mortality rates differed between the groups during either the high- or mild
      temperature periods (P > 0.05). Throughout the experimental period, the serum
      progesterone concentration was higher in the treatment group than in the control
      (P < 0.05). We conclude that the intravaginal progesterone implant inserted from
      days 3 to 7 following FTAI had no effect on conception rates at days 30 and 60 or
      on embryonic or fetal mortality rates but enhances the serum progesterone
      concentrations following treatment in multiparous Holstein cows during high- and
      mild-temperature periods.

PMID- 24242336
TI  - Propranolol for infantile haemangiomas: review of report of a consensus
      conference.

PMID- 24242335
TI  - Genetic and epigenetic changes in fibrosis-associated hepatocarcinogenesis in
      mice.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers and is rising
      in incidence worldwide. The molecular mechanisms leading to the development of
      HCC are complex and include both genetic and epigenetic events. To determine the
      relative contribution of these alterations in liver tumorigenesis, we evaluated
      epigenetic modifications at both global and gene specific levels, as well as the
      mutational profile of genes commonly altered in liver tumors. A mouse model of
      fibrosis-associated liver cancer that was designed to emulate cirrhotic liver, a
      prevailing disease state observed in most humans with HCC, was used. Tumor and
      nontumor liver samples from B6C3F1 mice treated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN;
      a single ip injection of 1 mg/kg at 14 days of age) and carbon tetrachloride
      (CCl4; 0.2 ml/kg, 2 times/week ip starting at 8 weeks of age for 14 weeks), as
      well as corresponding vehicle control animals, were analyzed for genetic and
      epigenetic alterations. H-ras, Ctnnb1 and Hnf1alpha genes were not mutated in
      tumors in mice treated with DEN+CCl4 . In contrast, the increased tumor incidence
      in mice treated with DEN+CCl4 was associated with marked epigenetic changes in
      liver tumors and nontumor liver tissue, including demethylation of genomic DNA
      and repetitive elements, a decrease in histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation
      (H3K9me3) and promoter hypermethylation and functional downregulation of Riz1, a
      histone lysine methyltransferase tumor suppressor gene. Additionally, the
      reduction in H3K9me3 was accompanied by increased expression of long interspersed
      nucleotide elements 1 and short interspersed nucleotide elements B2, which is an
      indication of genomic instability. In summary, our results suggest that
      epigenetic events, rather than mutations in known cancer-related genes, play a
      prominent role in increased incidence of liver tumors in this mouse model of
      fibrosis-associated liver cancer.

PMID- 24242339
TI  - Editor's note.

PMID- 24242338
TI  - Computational prediction of actin-actin interaction.
AB  - Actin is one of the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells, where it plays
      key roles in cell shape, motility, and regulation. Actin is found in globular (G)
      and filamentous (F) structure in the cell. The helix of actin occurs as a result
      of polymerization of monomeric G-actin molecules through sequential rowing, is
      called F-actin. Recently, the crystal structure of an actin dimer has been
      reported, which details molecular interface in F-actin. In this study, the
      computational prediction model of actin and actin complex has been constructed
      base on the atomic model structure of G-actin. To this end, a docking simulation
      was carried out using predictive docking tools to obtain modeled structures of
      the actin-actin complex. Following molecular dynamics refinement, hot spots
      interactions at the protein interface were identified, that were predicted to
      contribute substantially to the free energy of binding. These provided a detailed
      prediction of key amino acid interactions at the protein-protein interface. The
      obtained model can be used for future experimental and computational studies to
      draw biological and functional conclusions. Also, the identified interactions
      will be used for designing next studies to understand the occurrence of F-actin
      structure.

PMID- 24242340
TI  - Higher plant terpenoids: A phytocentric overview of their ecological roles.
AB  - Characteristics of higher plant terpenoids that result in mediation of numerous
      kinds of ecological interactions are discussed as a framework for this Symposium
      on Chemical Ecology of Terpenoids. However, the role of terpenoid mixtures,
      either constitutive or induced, their intraspecific qualitative and quantitative
      compositional variation, and their dosage-dependent effects are emphasized in
      subsequent discussions. It is suggested that little previous attention to these
      characteristics may have contributed to terpenoids having been misrepresented in
      some chemical defense theories. Selected phytocentric examples of terpenoid
      interactions are presented: (1) defense against generalist and specialist insect
      and mammalian herbivores, (2) defense against insect-vectored fungi and
      potentially pathogenic endophytic fungi, (3) attraction of entomophages and
      pollinators, (4) allelopathic effects that inhibit seed germination and soil
      bacteria, and (5) interaction with reactive troposphere gases. The results are
      integrated by discussing how these terpenoids may be contributing factors in
      determining some properties of terrestrial plant communities and ecosystems. A
      terrestrial phytocentric approach is necessitated due to the magnitude and scope
      of terpenoid interactions. This presentation has a more broadly based ecological
      perspective than the several excellent recent reviews of the ecological chemistry
      of terpenoids. 

PMID- 24242341
TI  - Metabolic costs of terpenoid accumulation in higher plants.
AB  - The net value of any plant trait can be assessed by measuring the costs and
      benefits associated with that trait. While the other contributors to this issue
      examine the possible benefits of terpenoids to plants, this article explores the
      metabolic costs of terpenoid accumulation in plants in the light of recent
      advances in terpenoid biochemistry. Terpenoids are more expensive to manufacture
      per gram than most other primary and secondary metabolites due to their extensive
      chemical reduction. The enzyme costs of making terpenoids are also high since
      terpenoid biosynthetic enzymes are apparently not shared with other metabolic
      pathways. In fact, plant cells may even possess more than one set of enzymes for
      catalyzing the basic steps of terpenoid formation. Terpenoids are usually
      sequestered in complex, multicellular secretory structures, and so storage costs
      for these substances are also likely to be substantial. However, not all of the
      processes involved in terpenoid accumulation require large investments of
      resources. For instance, the maintenance of terpenoid pools is probably
      inexpensive because there is no evidence that substantial quantities of terpenes
      are lost as a result of metabolic turnover, volatilization, or leaching.
      Moreover, plants may reduce their net terpenoid costs by employing individual
      compounds in more than one role or by catabolizing substances that are no longer
      needed, although it is still unclear if such practices are widespread. These
      findings (and other facets of terpenoid biochemistry and physiology) are
      discussed in relation to the assumptions and predictions of several current
      theories of plant defense, including the carbonnutrient balance hypothesis, the
      growth-differentiation balance hypothesis, and the resource availability
      hypothesis. 

PMID- 24242342
TI  - Volatile herbivore-induced terpenoids in plant-mite interactions: Variation
      caused by biotic and abiotic factors.
AB  - Plants may defend themselves against herbivores by enhancing the effectiveness of
      natural enemies of herbivores. This is termed "indirect defense," which may be
      induced by herbivore damage. An important aspect of induced indirect defense is
      the attraction of the herbivore's natural enemies to infested plants by the plant
      emitting so-called "herbivore-induced synomone" (HIS) in response to herbivore
      damage. In this paper, we review the role of terpenoids in the induced indirect
      defense of plants against herbivorous mites. HIS are emitted from both damaged
      and undamaged areas of infested plants, and the composition of HIS varies among
      different plant species. The emission of HIS may also vary within a plant
      species, depending upon: (1) plant cultivar, (2) leaf growth stage, (3) the
      herbivore species that is attacking, and (4) abiotic conditions (light intensity,
      time of year, and water stress). Predatory mites cope with this variation of HIS
      by innate recognition as well as temporary specialization to a certain HIS via
      learning. 

PMID- 24242343
TI  - In search of allelopathy in the Florida scrub: The role of terpenoids.
AB  - The hypothesis was tested that allelopathic agents released from fire-sensitive
      plants of the Florida scrub community deter the invasion of fireprone sandhill
      grasses. The structures of the constituents of four endemic scrub
      species,Conradina canescens, Calamintha ashei, Chrysoma pauciflosculosa,
      andCeratiola ericiodes, were established and their phytotoxic activity against
      two grasses of the sandhill was examined. Effects of the secondary metabolites
      from the above scrub species and their degradation products upon the germination
      and radicle growth of little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and green
      sprangletop (Leptochloa dubia), two native grasses of the Florida sandhill
      community, were determined. The studies included determination of the water
      solubility and release mechanism of terpenes and other allelopathic agents from
      the source plants and their aqueous transport to the target species. Some of the
      natural products were nontoxic until activated by light and/or oxidation after
      release from the source plant into the environment. 

PMID- 24242344
TI  - Monoterpenes: Their effects on ecosystem nutrient cycling.
AB  - This article explores the evidence for monoterpenes to alter rates of nutrient
      cycling, with particular emphasis on the nitrogen (N) cycle, from an ecosystem
      perspective. The general N cycle is reviewed and particular processes are noted
      where monoterpenes could exert control. The theoretical and conceptual basis for
      a proposed mode of action by which monoterpenes effect the processes of N
      mineralization and nitrification is presented, along with recent developments. It
      is hypothesized that monoterpenes retained in litter enhance the frequency of
      fire, which in turn changes many N-cycling processes. Experimental support for
      these roles is presented that includes effects at the cellular level and
      progresses through populations and communities (microbial and invertebrate)
      involved in N mineralization and immobilization processes. Since many inhibitors
      of ammonium oxidation also inhibit methane oxidation, monoterpenes also may alter
      processes within the carbon cycle. Finally, areas for future research that appear
      most promising are suggested. 

PMID- 24242345
TI  - Size effects in ion-neutral complex-mediated alkane eliminations from ionized
      aliphatic ethers.
AB  - The effects of the size of the ionic and neutral partners on ion-neutral complex
      mediated alkane eliminations from ionized aliphatic ethers were determined by
      obtaining metastable decomposition spectra and photoionization ionization
      efficiency curves. Increasing the size of the ionic partner decreases the
      competitiveness of alkane elimination with alkyl loss. This is attributed to
      decreasing attraction between the partners with increasing distance between the
      neutral partner and the center of charge in the associated ion. Increasing the
      size of the neutral partner lowers the threshold for alkane elimination relative
      to that for simple dissociation when the first threshold is above
      DeltaHf(products). This is attributed to increasing attraction between the
      partners with increasing polarizability of the radical in the complex. Adding a
      CH2 to the radical in a complex seems to increase the attraction between the
      partners by about 24 kJ mol(-1). 

PMID- 24242346
TI  - Selective detection of the tolyl cation among other [C7H 7] (+) isomers by
      ion/molecule reaction with dimethyl ether.
AB  - The ion/molecule reaction of the tolyl cation with dimethyl ether has been
      investigated using triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Three isomers with
      [C7H7](+) composition, the 3-tolyl, benzyl, and tropylium cations, were
      individually selected and reacted with dimethyl ether at a pressure of 1 mtorr in
      the second quadrupole (Q2) collision cell. Only the tolyl ion reacted to yield a
      methoxylated product ion peak at m/z 122. This reaction product having m/z 122 is
      postulated to be identical in structure with the molecular ion of 3-methyl
      anisole, as supported by thermochemical data and the similarity of the collision
      induced dissociation (CID) daughter ion mass spectra of the product ion and the
      molecular ion of authentic 3-methyl anisole. The daughter ion mass spectra of the
      three [C7H7](+) isomers during CID, by using a triple quadrupole mass
      spectrometer, are nearly identical; on the other hand, the analytical approach
      based on the ion/molecule reaction with dimethyl ether clearly exhibits distinct
      gas-phase chemistry reflecting structural differences among the isomers. Sot. 

PMID- 24242347
TI  - Elucidating the structures of isomeric silylenium ions (SiC3H 9 (+) , SiC 4H 11
      (+) , SiC 5H 13 (+) ) by using specific ion/molecule reactions.
AB  - Specific ion/molecule reactions are demonstrated that distinguish the structures
      of the following isomeric organosilylenium ions: Si(CH3) 3 (+) and
      SiH(CH3)(C2H5)(+); Si(CH3)2(C2H5)(+) and SiH(C2H5) 2 (+) ; and Si(CH3)2(i
      C3H7)(+), Si(CH3)2(n-C3H7)(+), Si(CH3)(C2H5) 2 (+) , and Si(CH3)3(pi-C2H4)(+).
      Both methanol and isotopically labeled ethene yield structure-specific reactions
      with these ions. Methanol reacts with alkylsilylenium ions by competitive
      elimination of a corresponding alkane or dehydrogenation and yields a
      methoxysilylenium ion. Isotopically labeled ethene reacts specifically with
      alkylsilylenium ions containing a two-carbon or larger alkyl substituent by
      displacement of the corresponding olefin and yields an ethylsilylenium ion.
      Methanol reactions were found to be efficient for all systems, whereas
      isotopically labeled ethene reaction efficiencies were quite variable, with
      dialkylsilylenium ions reacting rapidly and trialkylsilylenium ions reacting much
      more slowly. Mechanisms for these reactions and differences in the kinetics are
      discussed. 

PMID- 24242348
TI  - O(-*) chemical ionization of carbonyl compounds.
AB  - The negative ion chemical ionization mass spectra of twentyeight C4 to C7
      carbonyl compounds were recorded using the oxide radical anion O(-*) as reagent
      ion. As noted earlier, the reactions occurring include H(+) abstraction, H 2 (+*)
      abstraction, H- atom displacement, and alkyl radical displacement. In addition,
      the [M-2H](-) ions fragment further by alkyl radical elimination. The relative
      importance of these reactions depends strongly on molecular structure, with the
      result that isomer distinction frequently is possible. Where this is not
      possible, as for isomeric aldehydes, the collisional charge inversion mass
      spectra of common product ions provides isomer distinction. The H 2 (+*)
      abstraction reaction is shown to involve abstraction not only of two hydrogens
      from the same alpha-carbon but also, in part, abstraction of one hydrogen from
      each alpha-carbon. 

PMID- 24242349
TI  - Ammonia laser desorption/chemical ionization with ammonium bromide: Fourier
      transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry of aromatic hydrocarbons.
AB  - Laser desorption/ionization combined with Fourier transform ion cylcotron
      resonance mass spectrometry (LD/FT/ICR/MS) is a proven technique for the analysis
      of nonvolatile materials. Unfortunately, LD tends to produce a large excess of
      neutral species compared to ions. Laser desorption followed by chemical
      ionization (LD/CI) by use of a reagent gas is a seIective and sensitive means of
      control in the analysis of nonvolatile compounds. In this article we demonstrate
      the technique of ammonia LD/CI by addition of a small amount of ammonium bromide
      (NH4Br) to an involatile sample, i.e., the ammonium salt is used in place of
      ammonia reagent gas. For various aromatic hydrocarbons, abundant (M + H)(+) ions
      are produced as a result of CI A primary advantage of this method in FT/ICR/MS is
      that selective LD/CI experiments may be conducted at low pressure as in pulsed
      valve CI (but without the need for pulsed valve operation), thereby providing the
      potential for obtaining high-resolution FT/ICR mass spectra. 

PMID- 24242350
TI  - Information on the location of carbon-carbon double bonds in C6-C 23 linear
      alkenes from carbon addition reactions in a quadrupole ion trap equipped with a
      pulsed sample-inlet system.
AB  - Ion-molecule reactions of a number of alkene molecular ions with different
      neutral alkenes were studied in a quadrupole ion trap equipped with a pulsed
      sample-inlet system. The molecules studied include several isomeric unbranched
      hexenes, heptenes, octenes, and nonenes, as well as representative alkenes with
      ten, twelve, fourteen, and twenty-three carbon atoms. Transfer of structurally
      characteristic number of methylene units between the ionic and neutral reactants
      dominates the product distributions for all the alkenes studied, with the
      exception of 1-alkenes. Isomeric alkenes can be readily distinguished on the
      basis of their products from reactions with neutral alkenes. It is suggested that
      distonic intermediates are generated in these reactions, and that they fragment
      by alkene elimination after 1,2- and 1,5-hydride shifts. The ability to vary the
      reaction time, pressure of the neutral reagents, and the type of ions and neutral
      molecules present in the reaction chamber during each stage of the experiment
      sequence makes it possible to maximize the amount of structural information
      obtained for alkenes in these experiments. Use of CS 2 (+*) to generate the
      alkene molecular ion by charge exchange yields the same information without the
      need to carry out a mass-selection step for the ionized alkene. 

PMID- 24242351
TI  - Negative ion tandem mass spectrometry of leukotriene E4, and LTE 4, metabolites:
      Identification of LTE 4, in human urine.
AB  - The sulfidopeptide leukotrienes, leukotriene E4, (LTE4,) and its N-acetyl
      derivative and several omega- and beta-oxidized metabolites of LTE4, have been
      analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. [M-H](-) ions were produced by continuous
      flow fast atom bombardment, and collision-induced dissociation of these ions was
      studied by using a triple quadrupole instrument. The product ion spectra obtained
      were characteristic of the structure of LTE4, and mechanisms of ion formation
      were investigated by using deuterated compounds. beta-Elimination of the peptide
      portion of LTE4, by loss of CO2, and ethylene amine leaves the C-l carboxyl group
      ionized in the most abundant fragment ion for LTE4, and all metabolites. Tandem
      mass spectrometry of fast atom bombardment-generated anions from omega- and beta
      oxidized metabolites of LTE4, produced similar ions with only a minor influence
      of the third carboxyl group at the omega terminus evident. Tandem mass
      spectrometry was used to identify unequivocally the presence of unmodified LTE4,
      in a high performance liquid chromatography-purified fraction of urine from a
      normal healthy volunteer after infusion with LTE4. 

PMID- 24242352
TI  - Understanding ion deceleration lenses: What are the simplicity/performance trade
      offs?
AB  - The traditional approach for obtaining highly collimated low energy (<200 eV)
      beams from high-energy (1-10 keV) sector mass spectrometers involves the use of a
      complex exponential deceleration lens assembly. Through ion optical modeling of
      the exponential lens and other less-complex lens designs, the fundamental
      features that contribute to deceleration lens performance are investigated. From
      this evaluation, a simple high-performance lens was designed, constructed, and
      characterized. The novel lens described here decelerates a 3-keV ion beam down to
      the 3-200-eV range while providing low angular divergence, excellent focusing,
      and good transmission. 

PMID- 24242353
TI  - Standard definitions of terms relating to mass spectrometry : A report from the
      committee on measurements and standards of the American society for mass
      spectrometry.

PMID- 24242354
TI  - To the editor : J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 1991, 2, 349.

PMID- 24242356
TI  - A cross-sectional survey of repetitive behaviors and restricted interests in a
      typically developing Turkish child population.
AB  - This study examined compulsive-like behaviors (CLBs) which are higher-order types
      of Repetitive Behaviors And Restricted Interests (RBRIs) in typically developing
      children in Turkey. Caregivers of 1,204 children between 8 and 72 months were
      interviewed with Childhood Routines Inventory (CRI) by trained interviewers in a
      cross-sectional survey. Factor analysis of the CRI revealed two factor structures
      comprising "just right behaviors" and "repetitive/sensory sensitivity behaviors".
      CLB frequency peaked at 2-4 years with declines after age four. In contrast to
      the previous CRI studies reporting no gender difference, CLBs were more common in
      males in 12-23 and 48-59 month age groups on both total CLB frequency and
      repetitive/sensory sensitivity behaviors. Also ages of onsets for CRI items were
      somewhat later than reported in other samples. Our findings supported the
      findings of the previous CRI studies while also revealing new perspectives in
      need of further investigation.

PMID- 24242357
TI  - Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after natalizumab discontinuation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify cases of laboratory- or biopsy-confirmed progressive
      multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who
      previously discontinued natalizumab (NTZ) for reasons unrelated to suspected or
      proven PML and assess PML risk factors in these cases. METHODS: We searched the
      US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and MEDLINE for
      reports submitted from 2006 to 2012 of laboratory-confirmed PML with symptom
      onset >=30 days following NTZ withdrawal. We only analyzed cases where NTZ
      discontinuation was unrelated to suspected PML. RESULTS: Seventeen patients
      discontinued NTZ for reasons unrelated to PML but were subsequently diagnosed
      with the disease. The median NTZ duration was 47 monthly doses (range = 9-59
      doses). All patients presented with compatible clinical symptoms within 6 months
      following withdrawal, and PML was confirmed by brain biopsy or by identifying JC
      virus in the cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction. Immune
      reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) was reported in 11 patients. Eleven
      patients (65%) received new MS treatments between NTZ discontinuation and PML
      confirmation. No deaths were reported. At NTZ withdrawal, 16 patients (94%) had
      >=1 PML risk factor, including NTZ duration >=2 years (n = 13), prior
      immunosuppressive agents (n = 8), and reported anti-JC virus seropositivity (n =
      13). INTERPRETATION: NTZ-treated patients presenting clinically with PML within 6
      months after NTZ withdrawal frequently have pre-existing PML risk factors.
      Clinicians need heightened awareness for new onset PML, IRIS, and MS relapse in
      evaluating neurological decline following NTZ discontinuation. Ann Neurol
      2014;75:108-115.

PMID- 24242358
TI  - Hemodynamic and affective correlates assessed during performance on the Columbia
      card task (CCT).
AB  - The study aimed to test the potential of functional near-infrared spectroscopy
      (fNIRS) in combination with electrodermal activity (EDA) in a decision paradigm
      by means of the Columbia card task (CCT). The CCT is a dynamic decision task
      characterized by assessing subjects' risk-taking via eliciting voluntary stopping
      points in a series of incrementally increasingly risky choices. Using the
      combined fNIRS-EDA approach, we aim to examine the hemodynamic and affective
      correlates of both decision and outcome responses during performance on the CCT.
      Twenty healthy subjects completed the Cold and Hot CCT version while fNIRS over
      prefrontal cortex and EDA were recorded. Results showed that (1) in the decision
      phase fNIRS revealed larger total hemoglobin concentration changes [tHb] in the
      Cold as compared to the Hot CCT, whereas EDA revealed an opposite pattern with
      larger skin conductance responses (SCRs) to the Hot as compared to the Cold CCT.
      (2) No significant [tHb] signals or SCRs were found in the outcome phase. (3)
      Coherence calculations between fNIRS and EDA in the heart rate frequency showed a
      significant increase during the Hot as compared to the Cold CCT. Our findings
      designate fNIRS as suitable tool for monitoring decision-making processes. The
      combination of fNIRS and EDA demonstrates the potential of simultaneously
      assessing the interaction between hemodynamic and affective responses which can
      provide additional information concerning the relationship between these two
      physiological systems for various research areas.

PMID- 24242360
TI  - Haloperidol versus placebo for schizophrenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Haloperidol was developed in the late 1950s for use in the field of
      anaesthesia. Research subsequently demonstrated effects on hallucinations,
      delusions, aggressiveness, impulsiveness and states of excitement and led to the
      introduction of haloperidol as an antipsychotic. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the
      clinical effects of haloperidol for the management of schizophrenia and other
      similar serious mental illnesses compared with placebo. SEARCH METHODS:
      Initially, we electronically searched the databases of Biological Abstracts (1985
      1998), CINAHL (1982-1998), The Cochrane Library (1998, Issue 4), The Cochrane
      Schizophrenia Group's Register (December 1998), EMBASE (1980-1998), MEDLINE (1966
      1998), PsycLIT (1974-1998), and SCISEARCH. We also checked references of all
      identified studies for further trial citations and contacted the authors of
      trials and pharmaceutical companies for further information and archive
      material.For the 2012 update, on 15 May 2012, we searched the Cochrane
      Schizophrenia Group's Trials Register. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all
      relevant randomised controlled trials comparing the use of haloperidol (any oral
      dose) with placebo for those with schizophrenia or other similar serious, non
      affective psychotic illnesses (however diagnosed). Our main outcomes of interest
      were death, loss to follow-up, clinical and social response, relapse and severity
      of adverse effects. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We evaluated data independently
      and extracted, re-inspected and quality assessed the data. We analysed
      dichotomous data using risk ratio (RR) and calculated their 95% confidence
      intervals (CI). For continuous data, we calculated mean differences (MD). We
      excluded continuous data if loss to follow-up was greater than 50% and inspected
      data for heterogeneity. We used a fixed-effect model for all analyses. For the
      2012 update, we assessed risk of bias of included studies and used the GRADE
      approach to create a 'Summary of findings' table. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-five
      trials randomising 4651 people are now included in this review. We chose seven
      main outcomes of interest for the 'Summary of findings' table. More people
      allocated haloperidol improved in the first six weeks of treatment than those
      given placebo (4 RCTs n = 472, RR 0.67 CI 0.56 to 0.80, moderate quality
      evidence). A further eight trials also found a difference favouring haloperidol
      across the six weeks to six months period (8 RCTs n = 307 RR 0.67 CI 0.58 to
      0.78, moderate quality evidence). Relapse data from two trials favoured
      haloperidol at < 52 weeks but the evidence was very low quality (2 RCTs n = 70,
      RR 0.69 CI 0.55 to 0.86). Moderate quality evidence showed about half of those
      entering studies failed to complete the short trials (six weeks to six months),
      although, at up to six weeks, 16 studies found a difference that marginally
      favoured haloperidol (n = 1812, RR 0.87 CI 0.80 to 0.95). Adverse effect data
      does, nevertheless, support clinical impression that haloperidol is a potent
      cause of movement disorders, at least in the short term. Moderate quality
      evidence indicates that haloperidol caused parkinsonism (5 RCTs n = 485, RR 5.48
      CI 2.68 to 11.22), akathisia (6 RCTs n = 695, RR 3.66 CI 2.24 to 5.97, and acute
      dystonia (5 RCTs n = 471, RR 11.49 CI 3.23 to 10.85). Discharge from hospital was
      equivocal between groups (1 RCT n = 33, RR 0.85 CI 0.47 to 1.52, very low quality
      evidence). Data were not reported for death and patient satisfaction. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: Haloperidol is a potent antipsychotic drug but has a high propensity
      to cause adverse effects. Where there is no treatment option, use of haloperidol
      to counter the damaging and potentially dangerous consequences of untreated
      schizophrenia is justified. However, where a choice of drug is available, people
      with schizophrenia and clinicians may wish to prescribe an alternative
      antipsychotic with less likelihood of adverse effects such as parkinsonism,
      akathisia and acute dystonias. Haloperidol should be less favoured as a control
      drug for randomised trials of new antipsychotics.

PMID- 24242361
TI  - Scientific inquiry into rhinosinusitis: who is receiving funding from the
      National Institutes of Health?
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate National Institutes of Health (NIH) support
      for rhinosinusitis research and characterize the proportion of funding awarded to
      otolaryngologists. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of the NIH RePORTER database. METHODS:
      Specialty and terminal-degree of primary investigators (PIs) for 131 projects
      spanning 364 fiscal years (1989 to present) were determined. Awards for projects
      examining rhinosinusitis were organized by size, academic department, and PI
      scholarly impact (using h-indices). Analysis of geographic and temporal funding
      trends was performed and organized by PI specialty. RESULTS: A total of 62.6% of
      projects were awarded to physicians, one-third of whom were otolaryngologists.
      Allergists/immunologists had greater median awards than otolaryngologist PIs (P =
      .02), and pediatric-trained PIs had a greater h-index than otolaryngologist PIs
      (P = .04). Although year-to-year fluctuation was noted, otolaryngologists have
      received approximately a quarter of total rhinosinusitis funding since 2000. PIs
      practicing in the south-Atlantic, east-north-central, and west-north-central
      states had the greatest funding totals, whereas otolaryngologists had a greater
      proportion of regional funding in the Pacific and east-south-central states than
      other regions. CONCLUSIONS: Inquiry into the mechanisms underlying rhinosinusitis
      and optimal therapeutic strategies represents an interdisciplinary venture. PIs
      in medicine and pediatric departments had greater funding for rhinosinusitis
      projects than individuals in otolaryngology departments, partly because of
      greater utilization of PhD faculty. Otolaryngology departments may consider
      increased recruitment of basic scientists interested in rhinosinusitis as a means
      to facilitate increased scholarship in this area. Encouraging pursuit of funding
      opportunities is critical for otolaryngologists, as well-funded practitioners may
      have greater opportunities to shape advances and serve as an advocate for their
      approaches. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

PMID- 24242359
TI  - Epigenetics in immune-mediated pulmonary diseases.
AB  - Immune-mediated pulmonary diseases are a group of diseases that resulted from
      immune imbalance initiated by allergens or of unknown causes. Inflammatory
      responses without restrictions cause tissue damage and remodeling, which leads to
      airway hyperactivity, destruction of alveolar architecture, and a resultant loss
      of lung function. Epigenetic mechanisms have been demonstrated to be involved in
      inflammation, autoimmunity, and cancer. Recent studies have identified that
      epigenetic changes also regulate molecular pathways in immune-mediated lung
      diseases. Aberrant DNA methylation status, dysregulation of histone
      modifications, as well as altered microRNAs expression could change transcription
      activity of genes involved in the development of immune-mediated pulmonary
      diseases, which contributes to skewed differentiation of T cells and
      proliferation and activation of myofibroblasts, leading to overproduction of
      inflammatory cytokines and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix,
      respectively. Aside from this, epigenetics also explains how environmental
      exposure influence on gene transcription without genetic changes. It acts as a
      mediator of the interaction between environmental factors and genetic factors.
      Identification of the abnormal epigenetic marks in diseases provides novel
      biomarkers for prediction and diagnosis and affords novel therapeutic targets for
      those difficult clinical problems, such as steroid-resistance and rapidly
      progressing fibrosis. In this review, we summarized the latest experimental and
      translational epigenetic studies in immune-mediated pulmonary diseases, including
      asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and silicosis. 

PMID- 24242362
TI  - Molecular properties of the Epstein-Barr virus BFRF3 gene.

PMID- 24242364
TI  - Molecular docking of heparin oligosaccharides with Hep-II heparin-binding domain
      of fibronectin reveals an interplay between the different positions of sulfate
      groups.
AB  - Fibronectin is a major component of the extracellular matrix and serves as
      support for cell adhesion and migration. Heparin and heparan sulfates (HS) have
      been reported to be high-affinity ligands for fibronectin. The strongest
      heparin/HS-binding site, named Hep-II, is located in the C-terminal repeat units
      FN12-14 of fibronectin. Mutational studies of recombinant fibronectin fragments
      and elucidation of the X-ray crystallographic structure of Hep-II in complex with
      heparin allowed localizing the main heparin/HS-binding site in FN13 to two
      parallel amino acid clusters: R1697, R1698, R1700 and R1714, R1716, R1745.
      Heparin, which is more sulfated than HS, is a better ligand for fibronectin,
      indicating that the sulfate density is important for the interactions. However,
      other studies demonstrated that the position of sulfate groups is also critical
      for high-affinity binding of the polysaccharides to fibronectin. In the current
      work, we used molecular docking of Hep-II domain of fibronectin with a series of
      differently sulfated dodecasaccharides of heparin to determine the implication of
      each sulfate position in the interaction. By using this approach, we confirmed
      the implication of R1697, R1698, R1700 and R1714 and we identified other amino
      acids possibly involved in the interaction. We also confirmed a hierarchic
      involvement of sulfate position as follows: 2S >> 6S > NS. Interestingly, the
      formation of stable complexes required a mutual adaptation between Hep-II domain
      and oligosaccharides, which was different according to the pattern of sulfation.
      Finally, we demonstrated that 3-O-sulfation of heparin stabilized even more the
      complex with Hep-II by creating new molecular interactions. Collectively, our
      models point out the complexity of the molecular interactions between heparin/HS
      and fibronectin. 

PMID- 24242363
TI  - The flavivirus protease as a target for drug discovery.
AB  - Many flaviviruses are significant human pathogens causing considerable disease
      burdens, including encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever, in the regions in which
      they are endemic. A paucity of treatments for flaviviral infections has driven
      interest in drug development targeting proteins essential to flavivirus
      replication, such as the viral protease. During viral replication, the flavivirus
      genome is translated as a single polyprotein precursor, which must be cleaved
      into individual proteins by a complex of the viral protease, NS3, and its
      cofactor, NS2B. Because this cleavage is an obligate step of the viral life
      cycle, the flavivirus protease is an attractive target for antiviral drug
      development. In this review, we will survey recent drug development studies
      targeting the NS3 active site, as well as studies targeting an NS2B/NS3
      interaction site determined from flavivirus protease crystal structures. 

PMID- 24242365
TI  - Supplementation of suckling beef calves with different levels of crude protein on
      tropical pasture.
AB  - The effects of supplementation with different levels of crude protein on
      performance, intake and nutrient digestibility and efficiency of microbial
      protein synthesis in suckling beef calves on pasture were assessed. Fifty-five
      calves, with an average age of 100 days and an initial average body weight of 110
      +/- 7.5 kg and their respective dams, were used. The experimental design was
      completely randomised with five treatments and 11 replications. The experimental
      treatments for calves were as follows: control = calves received only mineral
      mixture; supplementation levels = calves received supplement containing 8, 19, 30
      or 41% of crude protein (CP, at a rate of 0.5% of body weight (BW)). The cows
      received only mineral mixture ad libitum. Supplemented calves had higher (P <
      0.1) average daily gain (ADG). Protein levels showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.1)
      on average daily gain (ADG) of calves. There was no difference in total dry
      matter (DM) intake (P > 0.1). However, intake of dry matter forage (DMF)
      presented cubic profiles (P < 0.1), with CP levels in the supplements.
      Supplementation increased (P < 0.1) the digestibility of nutrients, except for
      the digestibility of neutral detergent fibre. Supplementation increased (P < 0.1)
      the production of microbial nitrogen and N losses in urine. It can be concluded
      that multiple supplementations optimise the performance of beef calves on creep
      feeding. The intake of supplements with CP levels between 8 and 30% partially
      replaces of the pasture ingested by calves and increases the digestibility of the
      diet.

PMID- 24242367
TI  - Editorial comments.

PMID- 24242366
TI  - Cancer risk among patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis in Taiwan: a
      nationwide population-based study.
AB  - This study is aimed to evaluate the cancer risk among patients with coal workers'
      pneumoconiosis (CWP) using a nationwide population-based dataset. Patients
      without previous cancer who had been diagnosed with CWP and followed-up for more
      than 1 year between 1997 and 2006 were recruited from the Taiwan National Health
      Insurance database. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of cancers in CWP
      patients were calculated and compared to the cancer incidence in the general
      population. Risk factors for cancer development were also analyzed. After a
      median follow-up of 9.68 years, 954 cancers developed among 8,051 recruited CWP
      patients, with a follow-up of 69,398 person-years. The SIR for all cancers was
      1.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.18]. Males older than 80 years had a
      SIR of 1.27 (95% CI: 1.06-1.51). The SIRs of esophageal (1.76, 95% CI: 1.24
      2.44), gastric (1.42, 95% CI: 1.13-1.76), liver and biliary tract (1.18, 95% CI:
      1.01-1.37) and lung and mediastinal (1.45, 95% CI: 1.26-1.66) cancers were
      significantly higher in the CWP group than in the general population.
      Multivariate analysis showed that age >= 60 years [hazard ratio (HR) 1.70, 95%
      CI: 1.41-2.05), male gender (HR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.44-2.23) and liver cirrhosis
      (HR = 3.99, 95% CI: 2.89-5.51) were significant predictors of cancer development
      in patients with CWP. We concluded that patients with CWP, especially elderly
      males, were at increased risk of cancer. Age, male gender and liver cirrhosis
      were independent risk factors for cancer development. 

PMID- 24242368
TI  - Psychological factors affecting isokinetic trunk strength testing in patients
      with work-related chronic low back pain.
AB  - Psychological factors are assumed to play a major role in pain-related work
      disability. Assessment of pain-related disability using a functional capacity
      evaluation, usually includes assessment of trunk strength and range of motion.
      Isokinetic strength testing is a method used to measure strength and function of
      isolated muscles and has been reported to be an objective, quantifiable
      assessment of trunk function. Given that psychological factors are purported to
      play a role in pain-related disability, it would be important to assess their
      influence on measurement of physical function. The present study was conducted to
      assess the influence of psychological variables on isokinetic trunk strength
      performance. One hundred and eighty-six consecutive male outpatients referred to
      a work-rehabilitation center were given a functional capacity evaluation. All
      patients had been out of work for at least 3 months with the chief complaint of
      low back pain. The evaluation included isokinetic trunk strength testing and
      measurement of psychological variables (pain levels, distress, pain coping, pain
      behavior, somatization, expectation to return to work) that have been known to
      contribute to pain-related disability. Data analyses revealed significant
      correlations among psychological variables and measures of trunk strength and
      function. The findings provide support for a relationship between psychological
      variables and isokinetic strength testing performance. 

PMID- 24242369
TI  - Reliability of a digital electroneurometer for the determination of motor latency
      of the median nerve.
AB  - Measurement of distal motor latencies of the median nerve are often part of
      electrodiagnostic studies used to verify a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy.
      Since electrodiagnostic studies are time consuming, expensive, and impractical
      for large-scale screening of at-risk individuals, a portable digital
      electroneurometer was developed for measuring motor latencies as a screening tool
      for early detection of nerve compression syndromes, including carpal tunnel
      syndrome. The purpose of this study was to determine the intertester and
      intratester reliability of a digital electroneurometer in subjects with (n=12)
      and without (n=20) clinical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. This study addressed
      only the reliability and not the validity of this device. Using a repeated
      measures design, three evaluators performed two distal motor latency tests on the
      median nerve of each of the subjects. Pearson product-moment correlations for
      intratester reliability ranged from 0.94 to 0.99, and the intraclass correlation
      coefficient for intertester reliability was 0.96. Two examiners obtained
      statistically larger latency values on the second test, although these
      differences are judged to be clinically insignificant. Use of an
      electroneurometer may expand motor latency testing to a wider variety of
      settings. 

PMID- 24242371
TI  - New possibilities in safety performance and the control of workers' compensation
      costs.
AB  - This article describes successful behavioral interventions that improved safety
      performance and reduced workers' compensation costs in two corporations. The
      development of a four part program that: (1) shifted the paradigm for positive
      performance by workers and managers, (2) strengthened the community of work, (3)
      managed the crises of accidents, and (4) accelerated the return of injured
      employees to meaningful work is presented. In the two companies, lost time
      accidents were reduced by 95% and 87%, and accident costs were reduced by 90% and
      70%, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of the critical roles
      played and choices made by managers in establishing a meaningful work culture,
      and the ethics which guide workers' and managers' behavior in decisions related
      to the use and abuse of the workers' compensation system. 

PMID- 24242372
TI  - Clinical determination of work-relatedness in carpal tunnel syndrome.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnosis and work-relatedness of
      carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using standardized criteria in a series of cases
      that were referred for an independent medical examination with a prior diagnosis
      of work-related CTS. using a liberal case definition, only 65% of cases had CTS.
      Using Wisconsin's worker's compensation criteria for work-relatedness, only 55%
      of the cases had any work-related disorder, while only 37% of the cases had work
      related CTS. Duration of exposure was not significantly associated with work
      related vs. non-work-related CTS. It was noted that the development of non-work
      related CTS cases occurred uniformly across the various durations of exposure, as
      if unrelated to exposure. The symmetry of the disorder was unrelated to work
      relatedness, provided that the symmetry of the disease matched the symmetry of
      the exposure. Personal characteristics, such as obesity and diabetes, revealed no
      statistically significant associations with work-relatedness or CTS. The present
      findings illustrate application of a standard procedure for determining the work
      relatedness of CTS in a series of cases referred for independent medical
      examination. The results indicate that CTS is often, overdiagnosed and
      inaccurately linked to work. While the results may be limited by the method of
      determining work-relatedness, the findings indicate the importance of careful
      consideration of criteria for CTS and work-relatedness. When such an approach is
      taken, more targeted clinical management of the patient and appropriate
      intervention in the workplace should result. 

PMID- 24242370
TI  - Predictive model to determine cost/benefit of early detection and intervention in
      occupational low back pain.
AB  - Low back pain related to work injury has major socioeconomic implications.
      Theoretically, the early detection of patients at risk for continued work
      disability after 6 months of work absence, and of those with a recurrence of pain
      (RP) and leave work once again, should be cost-effective if combined with
      effective intervention. The objective of this prospective research was to analyze
      the cost-effectiveness of a detection-intervention system (DIS) developed from a
      logistic predictive model of work status. A sample of newly injured workers
      (N=135 males) were assessed following a first episode of compensated low back
      pain. A predictive biopsychosocial profile was obtained from a series of
      univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Structural diagnosis, pain
      rating, length of inactivity before treatment, negative life changes, and self
      efficacy expectancies were found to be best predictors. With a correct
      classification rate of 72% the predictive model parameters (sensitivity and
      specificity) were chosen in order to reduce the number of false negatives
      (recurrence of pain or chronic patients not detected). The calculation of the
      cost/benefit proportions reveals that the detection-intervention system generates
      savings of up to $39,595 Can./100 patients a year. By combining low treatment
      expenses ($250 Can to $1,000 Can.) and increasing the success rates (40-75%
      return to work), the detection-intervention system is potentially more cost
      effective than the current approach without detection-intervention. 

PMID- 24242373
TI  - Persistent pain and the injured worker: Integrating biomedical, psychosocial, and
      behavioral factors in assessment.
AB  - Health care providers are often asked to determine the level of impairment,
      degree of disability, and rehabilitation potential for injured workers.
      Compalints of persistent pain and especially compalaints that are: (1) not
      substantiated or that are disproportionate to physical pathology identified by
      physical examination and laboratory diagnostic procedures, or (2) that prove to
      be differentially responsive to identical treatments that are technically
      appropriate cause a great deal of frustration for health care providers and third
      party payers. Much of the confusion in this area relates to the minimal
      association between (1) the extent of impairment and degree of disability, and
      (2) between the magnitude of physical pathology and severity of the pain report.
      In this paper, we discuss factors that contribute tothe frustration and confusion
      and propose a comprehensive biobehavioral model that integrates biomedical,
      psychosocial, and behavioral variables. We also present an assessment model, the
      Multiaxial Assessment of Pain (MAP) patients, and describe operationalizations of
      the primary components of this model. 

PMID- 24242374
TI  - Overexpression of Bcl-3 inhibits the development of marginal zone B cells.
AB  - The transcription factor Bcl-3 functions as a proto-oncogene via regulation of
      cell proliferation and apoptosis. Bcl-3 is an atypical member of the IkappaB
      family and plays a central role in the immune response through interactions with
      the NF-kappaB subunits p50 and p52. To investigate the impact of Bcl-3 on B-cell
      maturation and regulation, we generated mice that overexpress Bcl-3 specifically
      in B cells. Interestingly, these mice lack marginal zone B cells and exhibit a
      significant reduction in the number of B-1 B cells. Further, B cells from these
      mice are impaired in their proliferative capacity. Our data demonstrate that the
      overexpression of the transcription factor Bcl-3 inhibits germinal center
      formation, marginal zone B-cell development, and affects the B-1 B-cell
      compartment. 

PMID- 24242631
TI  - Phenylalanine functionalized zwitterionic monolith for hydrophobic interaction
      electrochromatography.
AB  - A novel phenylalanine (Phe) functionalized zwitterionic monolith for hydrophobic
      electrochromatography was prepared by a two-step procedure involving the
      synthesis of glycidyl methacrylate based polymer monolith and subsequent on
      column chemical modification with Phe via ring-opening reaction of epoxides.
      Benefitting from the hydrophobicity of both methacrylate-based matrix and
      aromatic group of Phe, this monolith could exhibit good hydrophobic interaction
      for the separation. Typical RP chromatographic behavior was observed toward
      various solutes. The well-controlled cathodic or anodic EOF of the prepared
      column could be facilely switched by altering the pH values of running buffers.
      The separation mechanism of this Phe functionalized zwitterionic monolith is
      discussed in detail. Two mixed-mode mechanisms of RP/cation exchange and RP/anion
      exchange could be further realized on the same monolith in different pH condition
      of the mobile phase. Versatile separation capabilities of neutral, basic, and
      acidic analytes have been successfully achieved in this zwitterionic monolith by
      CEC method. 

PMID- 24242632
TI  - Comparison of two models predicting IVF success; the effect of time trends on
      model performance.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: How well does the recently developed UK model predicting the
      success rate of IVF treatment (the 2011 Nelson model) perform in comparison with
      a UK model developed in the early 1990s (the Templeton model)? SUMMARY ANSWER:
      Both models showed similar performance, after correction for the increasing
      success rate over time of IVF. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: For counselling couples
      undergoing IVF treatment it is of paramount importance to be able to predict
      success. Several prediction models for the chance of success after IVF treatment
      have been developed. So far, the Templeton model has been recommended as the best
      approach after having been validated in several independent patient data sets.
      The Nelson model, developed in 2011 and characterized by the largest development
      sample containing the most recently treated couples, may well perform better.
      STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We tested both models in couples that were included
      in a national cohort study carried out in the Netherlands between the beginning
      of January 2002 and the end of December 2004. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING,
      METHODS: We analysed the IVF cycles of Dutch couples with primary infertility (n
      = 5176). The chance of success was calculated using the two UK models that had
      been developed using the information collected in the Human Fertilisation and
      Embryology Authority database. Women were treated in 1991-1994 (Templeton) or
      2003-2007 (Nelson). The outcome of success for both UK models is the occurrence
      of a live birth after IVF but the outcome in the Dutch data is an ongoing
      pregnancy. In order to make the outcomes compatible, we used a factor to convert
      the chance of live birth to ongoing pregnancy and use the overall terms 'success
      or no success after IVF'. The discriminative ability and the calibration of both
      models were assessed, the latter before and after adjustment for time trends in
      IVF success rates. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The two models showed a
      similarly limited degree of discriminative ability on the tested data (area under
      the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.597 for the Templeton model and
      0.590 for the Nelson model). The Templeton model underestimated the success rate
      (observed 21% versus predicted 14%); the Nelson model overestimated the success
      rate (observed 21% versus predicted 29%). When the models were adjusted for the
      changing success rates over time, the calibration of both models considerably
      improved (Templeton observed 21% versus predicted 20%; Nelson observed 21% versus
      predicted 24%). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: We could only test the models
      in couples with primary infertility because detailed information on secondary
      infertile couples was lacking in the Dutch data. This shortcoming may have
      negatively influenced the performance of the Nelson model. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF
      THE FINDINGS: The changes in success rates over time should be taken into account
      when assessing prediction models for estimating the success rate of IVF
      treatment. In patients with primary infertility, the choice to use the Templeton
      or Nelson model is arbitrary.

PMID- 24242633
TI  - Offering predictive testing for Huntington disease in a medical genetics clinic:
      Practical applications.
AB  - Predictive testing for Huntington disease is presently offered in a select few
      medical genetics centers in the United States. This is in part due to the labor
      intensive counseling and psychological testing suggested by the research
      protocols. We discuss some specific suggestions for establishing programs for
      Huntington disease predictive testing within pre-existing medical genetics
      clinics to encourage more centers to offer presymptomatic testing. This will
      allow more at risk individuals the opportunity to consider predictive testing and
      cut down the expenses of traveling to the few predictive testing centers that
      currently exist. The counseling principals will remain similar to those discussed
      here, even following the identification of the Huntington disease mutation. 

PMID- 24242634
TI  - Follow-up survey of pregnancies with diagnoses of chromosomal abnormality.
AB  - A small clinical survey was undertaken at East Carolina University School of
      Medicine to examine the factors which influenced the decisions of five families
      to continue pregnancies after a chromosomal abnormality was detected. Little has
      been published concerning the psychosocial effects after continuing pregnancies
      in which the fetus was diagnosed with a chromosome abnormality by amniocentesis.
      In order to identify the factors that influenced their decisions, an interview
      with each couple was undertaken using a 25-part questionnaire. This paper
      addresses the method of interviewing, case material, and background concerning
      each couple and the summary of the results. 

PMID- 24242635
TI  - Introduction to 1992 Asilomar Conference papers.

PMID- 24242636
TI  - Ethnocultural diversity and genetic counseling training: The challenge for a
      twenty-first century.

PMID- 24242637
TI  - A teaching framework for cross-cultural genetic counseling.
AB  - The increasing diversity of American society has brought growing recognition of
      the need to bridge cultures in the delivery of genetic counseling services. New
      immigrants and members of diverse ethnic groups face multiple barriers to genetic
      counseling services. The need to train genetic counselors to deal with cultural
      diversity is especially crucial in the new genetic era, given the rapid expansion
      of available technology, with the resulting social and ethical ramifications. A
      framework for teaching cross-cultural issues in genetic counseling training
      programs is presented that can be implemented in step-wise fashion, consistent
      with available resources. Cross-cultural issues can be incorporated into existing
      teaching and training modalities by expanding the orientation from monocultural
      to multicultural. Relevant clinical experience, exploration of students'
      preconceptions and biases, reading materials, and lectures by invited speakers
      can all enhance students' knowledge and sensitivity. It is critically important
      that training programs furnish students with the basic tools necessary for the
      ongoing process of learning about cultural diversity. 

PMID- 24242638
TI  - Minority recruitment into the genetic counseling profession.
AB  - In the past, genetic counseling training programs have had an abundance of
      applicants for the number of slots available. They have, however, had a very
      limited pool of minority applicants. At the June 1992 meeting of the genetic
      counseling training programs directors the topic of minority recruitment was
      explored. The resources and recommendations that resulted from this discussion
      can be used by other medical training programs. 

PMID- 24242640
TI  - Genetic library.

PMID- 24242639
TI  - Update on master's genetic counseling training programs: Survey of curriculum
      content and graduate analysis summary.
AB  - The field of genetic counseling is a recognized specialty in medical genetics
      with the primary practitioners being masters degree prepared individuals. Since
      the inception of the first master's degree genetic counseling (MGC) training
      program in 1969, more than 1000 genetic counselors have graduated from
      established training programs in United States and Canada. The MGC programs
      involve a 2-year academic curriculum of both didactic course work and supervised
      clinical field work (clinical praticums). A recent survey of 17 existing MGC
      training programs (16 U.S. and 1 Canadian) reveals that MGC graduates average a
      total of 1349 actual contact hours (range 854-1952 hours) during their 2-year
      degree program course of study. Clinical experience gained through clinical
      practica accounts for 58% of required coursework, followed by didactic coursework
      in basic science (21%) and counseling (16%), respectively. A few programs also
      have requisite laboratory practica, which accounts for 5% of overall content
      hours. The 17 existing MGC programs produce approximately 100 graduates annually.
      Although the number of programs has grown since inception of the first MGC
      program in 1969, the mean number of graduates per program remains fairly
      constant. By year 2002, the estimated total number of master's degree trained
      genetic counselors will approach 2200. 

PMID- 24242641
TI  - Identification of olfactory cues used in host-plant finding by diamondback
      moth,Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).
AB  - Olfactory attraction of female diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella) to odors
      of intact and homogenized host plants, as well as individual compounds
      characteristic of host plants, were investigated by behavioral and
      electrophysiological methods. Moths were attracted to odors ofBrassica juncea
      andB. napus seedlings in a Y-tube bioassay. Solvent fractions of homogenizedB.
      juncea leaves were attractive to moths whether or not isothiocyanates (IC) were
      present. Moths were attracted in Y-tube bioassays and to field traps baited with
      individual ICs. Volatiles fromB. juncea andB. napus elicited an
      electroantennogram (EAG) response and were attractive in the Y-tube bioassay.
      Allyl IC was shown to be the attractive component in homogenized plant volatiles
      but was found to be virtually absent from intact plant volatiles. Gas
      chromatographic fractionation of intact plant volatiles revealed a terpene
      containing fraction to be most attractive to the moths. We were unable to isolate
      individual attractive compounds from this fraction. Our results suggest that
      certain elements of this fraction, possibly in combination, are important
      olfactory cues for host-plant finding by the diamondback moth with mustard oils
      playing an important and possibly synergistic role, particularly when plants are
      damaged. 

PMID- 24242642
TI  - Reduced offspring production in bark beetleTomicus piniperda in pine bolts baited
      with ethanol and alpha-pinene, which attract antagonistic insects.
AB  - Bolts of Scots pine,Pinus sylvestris L., attacked by the bark beetleTomicus
      piniperda (L.) were baited with ethanol and alpha-pinene to attract antagonistic
      insects and thereby enhance their detrimental effects on the production of bark
      beetle progeny. Unbaited and caged bolts were included in the experiments as
      controls. Attraction of beetles to the bolts and subsequent emergence were
      estimated using traps. Six phloem-feeding species (potential competitors ofT.
      piniperda) and four predatory species were caught in significantly higher numbers
      at the baited bolts than at the unbaited ones. The number of offspring and the
      productivity ofT. piniperda were four to seven times higher in unbaited bolts
      than in baited bolts. Exclusion of other insects, by using cages, resulted in a
      nine-fold increase in the number ofT. piniperda offspring per square meter and
      productivity (offspring per egg gallery) compared with unbaited, exposed
      bolts.Hylurgops palliatus (Gyll.) (Scolytidae) andRhagium inquisitor (L.)
      (Cerambycidae) attacked both the baited and unbaited bolts, whereasAcanthocinus
      aedilis (L.) (Cerambycidae) andPytho depressus (L.) (Pythidae) reproduced almost
      exclusively in the baited ones. Large numbers of larvae ofThanasimus (Cleridae)
      andRhizophagus (Rhizophagidae) emerged from both the baited and unbaited bolts.
      Adults ofPlegaderus vulneratus (Panzer) andCylister linearis (Er.) (Histeridae)
      emerged almost exclusively from the baited bolts. The low progeny production ofT.
      piniperda in the baited bolts was attributed largely to the influence of adults
      ofRhizophagus andEpuraea (Nitidulidae), and larvae ofThanasimus andA. aedilis. 

PMID- 24242643
TI  - Ecdysteroids fromPycnogonum litorale (Arthropoda, Pantopoda) act as chemical
      defense againstCarcinus maenas (Crustacea, Decapoda).
AB  - Pycnogonum litorale (Strom) is unpalatable to the common shore crabCarcinus
      maenas, a generalist predator in the pycnogonid's habitat. A feeding bioassay
      reveals that the crabs are deterred by ecdysteroids that occur in high levels in
      all developmental stages ofP. litorale. The total ecdysteroids in the pycnogonids
      reach 5.9*10(-4) M. The 20-hydroxyecdysone 22-acetate (20E22A), which is the
      predominant ecdysteroid in the pycnogonids, and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), the
      arthropod molting hormone, were tested for their antifeedant effect onC. maenas.
      When contained in food pellets in homogeneous concentrations, 20E and 20E22A
      significantly reduced food consumption at 1.25*10(-4) and 5.0*10(-4) molar
      levels, respectively. The present results demonstrate for the first time chemical
      defense in arthropods in a marine predator-prey relationship. Furthermore, they
      provide evidence that ES contained in one animal can act as feeding deterrents on
      another animal. 

PMID- 24242644
TI  - Volatile shell-investigation cues of land hermit crabs: Effect of shell fit,
      detection of cues from other hermit crab species, and cue isolation.
AB  - Land hermit crab responses to volatile shell-investigation cues from land hermit
      crabs and from marine hermit crabs are analogous to the responses of marine
      hermit crabs to shell-investigation cues from marine crabs and from snails. Land
      hermit crabs attracted to shell cues are in worse-fitting shells and are more
      likely to investigate conspecifics' shells than are crabs attracted to feeding
      cues. Moving land hermit crabs from worse shells to better shells decreases the
      number of crabs investigating shells, while moving crabs from better shells to
      worse shells increases the number of crabs investigating shells. Gravid females
      have better-fitting shells than nongravid females or males. Crabs from two
      different populations in Panama have different shell fits and show different
      levels of responses to shell-investigation cues. Land hermit crabs respond to
      volatile shell-investigation cues from both land and marine hermit crabs, but
      marine hermit crabs do not respond to cues from land hermit crabs. A cue
      detection system for volatile cues most likely evolved in land hermit crabs
      during their transition from a marine to a terrestrial existence. Thus, the cues
      found in land hermit crabs and marine hermit crabs may be chemically similar.
      Volatile compounds collected from hermit crabs onto Tenax columns can be eluted
      with ethanol and act as shell-investigation cues in field assays. 

PMID- 24242645
TI  - Male-produced aggregation pheromone ofCarpophilus obsoletus (Coleoptera:
      Nitidulidae).
AB  - Males ofCarpophilus obsoletus Erichson produce an aggregation pheromone to which
      both sexes respond. The pheromone was identified by GC-MS as (2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,5,7
      trimethyl-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene (1), which is also a minor constituent of the
      pheromone blends ofC. hemipterus (L.),C. freemani Dobson, andC. lugubris Murray.
      The pheromone was synergized in wind-tunnel bioassays by propyl acetate, a "host
      type" coattractant. In a dose-response study, 50 pg of1, plus propyl acetate, was
      significantly more attractive than just propyl acetate. Pheromone emission from
      groups of 65 males, feeding on artificial diet, averaged 2.2 ng/male/day.
      Emissions from individual males were larger, averaging 72 ng/day and ranging as
      high as 388 ng/day. Synthetic1 was tested in a date garden in southern California
      (500 ug/rubber septum), using fermenting whole-wheat bread dough as the
      coattractant. The pheromone plus dough attracted significantly more beetles than
      dough alone (means were 4.2 and 0.0 beetles per week per trap). Captured beetles
      were 54% females. Field trap catches were highest during the months of July and
      August. 

PMID- 24242646
TI  - Dermal gland secretions of tropical bont tick,Amblyomma variegatum (Acarina:
      Ixodidae): Biological activity on predators and pathogens.
AB  - When they are mechanically disturbed, all instars of the tropical bont
      tickAmblyomma variegatum exude droplets of a liquid on the dorsal, lateral, and
      ventral cuticle. These spread out and quickly evaporate. In this study, the
      possible role of these secretions was investigated in relation to predators and
      pathogens. In laboratory bioassays, it was demonstrated that the secretions from
      engorged larvae, nymphs, and females have an antibiotic activity against the
      bacteria speciesBacillus thuringiensis andSerratia marcescens, combined with a
      repellent effect on a potential predator, the fire-antSolenopsis geminata. 

PMID- 24242647
TI  - Why are predator urines aversive to prey?
AB  - Predator odors often repel prey species. In the present experiments, we
      investigated whether changes in the diet of a predator, the coyote (Canis
      latrans) would affect the repellency of its urine. Furthermore, because predator
      odors have a high sulfur content, reflecting large amounts of meat in the diet,
      we investigated the contribution of sulfurous odors to repellency. Our results
      were consistent with the hypothesis that diet composition and sulfurous
      metabolites of meat digestion are important for the repellency of predator odors
      to potential prey. 

PMID- 24242648
TI  - Intra- and interspecific avoidance of areas marked with skin extract from brook
      sticklebacks (Culaea inconstans) in a natural habitat.
AB  - The detection of a chemical alarm pheromone may allow receivers to avoid areas
      where a predator has captured the prey's conspecifics. We marked minnow traps
      with either brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) skin extract or a control of
      distilled water and tested whether sticklebacks avoided the skin extract marked
      traps in a natural habitat. Significantly more sticklebacks were captured in
      traps marked with control water, thereby demonstrating avoidance of conspecific
      skin extract. The stickleback captured in traps marked with conspecific extract
      were significantly smaller than those captured in traps marked with control
      water, implicating ontogenetic factors (i.e., experience or physiological
      development) in the development of the response. We also captured significantly
      fewer finescale dace (Chrosomus neogaeus) and fathead minnows (Pimephales
      promelas) in traps marked with skin extract. These data suggest that dace and
      minnows may benefit by avoiding areas where predators have recently captured
      sticklebacks. 

PMID- 24242649
TI  - Alarm responses in the crayfishOrconectes virilis andOrconectes propinquus.
AB  - Individuals of two species of crayfish (Orconectes virilis andO. propinquus) were
      tested in the laboratory for responses to chemicals released from physically
      damaged conspecifics. Individuals ofO. propinquus did not show an alarm response
      to crushed conspecifics. Individuals ofO. virilis responded to a water-borne
      substance released from crushed conspecifics by assuming an intermediate posture
      and ceasing movement. Similar alarm responses were shown by individuals ofO.
      virilis to crushed congeneric individuals (O. propinquus), and these responses
      were not eliminated by either freeze-thawing the crayfish used to prepare the
      signal or by treating freshly crushed crayfish with the enzyme trypsin.
      Individuals ofO. virilis showed strong feeding responses to solutions prepared
      from frozen fish flesh but showed a mixture of alarm and feeding responses to
      freshly killed fish. These results indicate that the alarm substance used byO.
      virilis is widespread. 

PMID- 24242650
TI  - Aggregation pheromone for the pepper weevil,Anthonomus eugenii cano (Coleoptera:
      Curculionidae): Identification and field activity.
AB  - This study describes the identification of an aggregation pheromone for the
      pepper weevil,Anthonomus eugenii and field trials of a synthetic pheromone blend.
      Volatile collections and gas chromatography revealed the presence of six male
      specific compounds. These compounds were identified using chromatographic and
      spectral techniques as: (Z)-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)ethanol, (E)-2-(3,3
      dimethylcyclohexylidene)ethanol, (Z)-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)acetaldehyde,
      (E)-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)acetaldehyde, (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienoic
      acid (geranic acid), and (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol (geraniol). The
      emission rates of these compounds from feeding males were determined to be about:
      7.2, 4.8, 0.45, 0.30, 2.0, and 0.30ug/male/day, respectively. Sticky traps baited
      with a synthetic blend of these compounds captured more pepper weevils (both
      sexes) than did unbaited control traps or pheromone-baited boll weevil traps.
      Commercial and laboratory formulations of the synthetic pheromone were both
      attractive. However, the commercial formulation did not release geranic acid
      properly, and geranic acid is necessary for full activity. The pheromones of the
      pepper weevil and the boll weevil are compared. Improvements for increasing trap
      efficiency and possible uses for the pepper weevil pheromone are discussed. A
      convenient method for purifying geranic acid is also described. 

PMID- 24242651
TI  - Role of phenolic compounds in the antialgal activity of barley straw.
AB  - Barley straw decomposing in well-aerated water releases a substance(s) that
      inhibits algal growth. Phenolic compounds are toxic to algae but are unlikely to
      be present in sufficient quantities to account for the extended antialgal action
      of straw. However, straw is antialgal under conditions that may promote oxidation
      of phenolic hydroxyl groups to quinones; tannins are antialgal under similar
      conditions. The toxicity of authentic quinones towardsMicrocystis is confirmed;
      the quinones are some 10(3) times more antialgal than phenolic acids. The
      possibility that oxidized lignin derivatives may be involved in straw toxicity
      towards algae is discussed. 

PMID- 24242652
TI  - Nature and role of sexual pheromones emitted by males ofAcrolepiopsis assectella
      (LEP.).
AB  - Seven compounds that do not exist in the extracts from legs of males have been
      isolated in the hair-pencil extracts of maleAcrolepiopsis assectella. By
      combining techniques of GC-MS and GC-FT-IR, six of these compounds have been
      identified. They are sixn-alkanes: hexadecane (C16), heptadecane (C17),
      octadecane (C18), nonadecane (C19), eicosane (C20), and heneicosane (C21).
      Twelven-alkanes of the homologous series, from the C14-C25 compounds were
      presented to virgin females, mated females, and males. At the end of the
      scotophase, four of then-alkanes (C16, C17, C19, C21) present in the hair-pencil
      extract induced the virgin females to adopt the acceptance posture after having
      induced the virgin females to remain stationary. The two othern-alkanes (C18 and
      C20) present in the extract have less effect on the females similar to then
      alkanes not present in the males. The blends tested do not seem to indicate any
      synergy between the most active compounds. The threen-alkanes with an odd number
      of carbons and the C16 compound would thus be the principle components of the
      male pheromone ofA. assectella. As well as their role of female aphrodisiac, they
      tend to make males and fertilized females flee. 

PMID- 24242653
TI  - Natural and synthetic oviposition stimulants forCatolaccus grandis (Burks)
      females.
AB  - Oviposition behavior was elicited fromCatolaccus grandis (Burks) (Hymenoptera:
      Pteromalidae) females, an ectoparasitoid of the boll weevil,Anthonomus grandis
      Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), by smears of freshly cut cotton bolls or
      smears of extracts prepared with boll weevil damaged or undamaged cotton boll
      tissues. Oviposition behavior was also elicited fromC. grandis females by smears
      made withn-pentane,n-hexane,n-heptane, and isooctane. This is the first report of
      oviposition behavior elicited for any parasitoid by these short-chain saturated
      hydrocarbons (alkanes), introducing a new concept on the chemical mediation of
      parasitoid behavior during host selection. Oviposition behavior was also elicited
      fromC. grandis females by volatiles emanating from an artificial diet devoid of
      insect components that was specifically developed for the in vitro rearing of
      ectoparasitoids. The possible use of a synergistic combination ofn-hexane and
      diet to optimize the mechanized production of noncontaminated eggs is also
      discussed. 

PMID- 24242654
TI  - Repellent properties of the host compound 4-allylanisole to the southern pine
      beetle.
AB  - The phenylpropanoid 4-allylanisole is a compound produced by loblolly pines
      (Pinus taeda L.), an abundant species in southern pine forests and a preferred
      host of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann). Repellency of
      individual beetles was demonstrated in laboratory behavioral assays ofD.
      frontalis and other scolytids. Inhibition was demonstrated in natural populations
      ofD. frontalis using baited traps. In both tests, response to the inhibitory
      pheromone verbenone was used for comparison. In the laboratory, a higher
      proportion of newly emerged and reemergedD. frontalis responded negatively to 4
      allylanisole than to verbenone. However, fewer reemergent than newly emerged
      individuals responded to either compound. In all field trials, the response ofD.
      frontalis to its attractant pheromone in funnel traps was significantly reduced
      by simultaneous release of 4-allylanisole. In most trials total reduction did not
      differ from verbenone; however, unlike verbenone, 4-allylanisole reduced male and
      female catches proportionally. Both compounds together did not significantly
      further reduce trap catch. The response of a major predator,Thanasimus dubius
      (F.), to the attractant pheromone ofD. frontalis, did not differ with the
      simultaneous release of either verbenone or 4-allylanisole. The results of
      preliminary field applications are presented and discussed. 

PMID- 24242655
TI  - Influence of aggregation inhibitors (verbenone and ipsidenol) on landing and
      attack behavior ofDendroctonus brevicomis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae).
AB  - The influence of the aggregation inhibitors verbenone and ipsdienol on the
      response of western pine beetle,Dendroctonus brevicomis, to attractive host trees
      was investigated. Paired ponderosa pine trees (Pinus ponderosa) were baited with
      aggregation semiochemicals to stimulate mass attack. One tree in each pair
      received an inhibitor treatment consisting of five sets of two verbenone and two
      ipsdienol dispensers spaced 1 m apart vertically along the tree bole. Beetle
      landing was monitored with sticky traps on the tree bole, and attack density was
      assessed from bark samples removed four or seven days after baiting. The
      inhibitor treatment resulted in a significant reduction of both the numbers of
      beetles landing on trees and the density of attacking beetles compared to control
      trees (without inhibitors). The ratios of beetle landing density to attacking
      density were not different between inhibitor-treated and control trees, nor were
      the vertical distributions of beetles landing or attacking, suggesting that
      beetle behavior was primarily influenced at a longer range, prior to landing on
      the tree. Although the application of verbenone and ipsdienol did not preventD.
      brevicomis from attacking baited trees, our results suggest that when applied to
      unattacked (and unbaited) trees, their effectiveness at reducing the attack
      pressure might allow trees having a certain amount of resistance to survive
      attack by pioneer beetles. 

PMID- 24242656
TI  - Differential toxicity of juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) and related
      naphthoquinones to saturniid moths.
AB  - The preferred hosts of the saturniid mothActias luna include members of the
      Juglandaceae, whose foliage contain the toxin juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4
      naphthoquinone). The performance ofActias luna andCallosamia promethea was
      compared when fourth-instar larvae of each were fed birch foliage, a mutually
      acceptable food plant, or birth supplemented with 0.05% (w/w) juglone.A. luna fed
      juglone exhibited no changes in developmental time or mortality compared to a
      diet without juglone. In contrast, juglone-supplemented diets, when fed toC.
      promethea, caused negative growth rate, and a 3.6-fold decrease in consumption
      rate. The performance ofA. luna also was compared on birch and walnut; larvae
      developed and grew more rapidly on an all-walnut vs. an all-birch diet. To
      examine the effect of 1,4-naphthoquinone structure onA. luna survival, first
      instars were fed on birch supplemented with varying concentrations of juglone
      (J), menadione (M), plumbagin (P), or lawsone (L). In diets supplemented at 0.05%
      (w/w), none of the compounds produced effects significantly different from
      controls. In diets supplemented at 0.5% (w/w), the treatments produced
      significant toxic effects in the order P>M=L>J for mortality, and P>L>M=J for
      increased developmental time. Late-instarA. luna are clearly resistant to juglone
      compared toC. promethea, and early-instarA. luna are resistant to several related
      1,4-naphthoquinones. These results suggest a chemical basis for host choice among
      saturniids. In addition, the luna-walnut system may be a valuable model for
      studying quinone detoxication. 

PMID- 24242657
TI  - Identification and field evaluation ofAnomala octiescostata (Coleoptera:
      Scarabaeidae) sex pheromone.
AB  - Using GC-EAD, the sex pheromone of the scarab beetleAnomala octiescostata was
      identified to be a 8:2 binary mixture of (R,Z)-5-(-)-(oct-1-enyl)oxacyclopentan-2
      one and (R,Z)-5-(-)-(dec-1-enyl)oxacyclopentan-2-one. These semiochemicals have
      been also reported as sex pheromone constituents of otherAnomala species, either
      geographically or seasonally isolated fromA. octiescostata. Synthetic sex
      pheromone was highly attractive in the field; 0.1 mg captured significantly more
      males than two virgin females. Buried traps were significantly more attractive
      than those positioned at 30, 90, and 150 cm above the ground. In a dose-response
      test (0.1-100 mg), no saturation due to overdose of pheromone was observed, but
      in most cases, two dosages differing by 10-fold were not significantly different.
      Response of males to traps baited with different ratios of the two components was
      tested in two experiments with randomized blocks and Latin-square designs.
      Deviation from the natural ratio (8:2) of sex pheromone did not significantly
      diminish the response of males. Peak flight activity of beetle was recorded at
      9:00-10:00 AM JST on sunny days in the end of April 1993. 

PMID- 24242658
TI  - Plant response to eggs vs. Host marking pheromone as factors inhibiting
      oviposition byPieris brassicae.
AB  - Pieris brassicae L. butterflies secrete miriamides onto their eggs. These
      avenanthramide alkaloids are strong oviposition deterrents when sprayed onto a
      cabbage leaf. However, these compounds could not be detected in cabbage leaves
      from which egg batches had been removed two days after deposition and that still
      showed oviposition deterrency. It was concluded that the miriamides were not
      directly responsible for the avoidance by females of occupied leaves while
      searching for an oviposition site. Evidence was obtained that cabbage leaves
      themselves produce oviposition deterrents in response to egg batches. Fractions
      containing potent oviposition deterrents could be isolated from surface extracts
      of leaves from which previously laid egg batches had been removed. The term host
      marking pheromone that was used previously is not applicable in this case. 

PMID- 24242659
TI  - The scarab beetleAnomala albopilosa sakishimana utilizes the same sex pheromone
      blend as a closely related and geographically isolated species,Anomala cuprea.
AB  - Two components were identified in the sex pheromone system of the green
      chafter,Anomala albopilosa sakishimana Nomura: (R,Z)-5-(-)-(oct-1
      enyl)oxacyclopentan-2-one (buibuilactone) and (R,Z)-5-(-)-(dec-1
      enyl)oxyacyclopentan-2-one (japonilure), which have been previously identified as
      sex pheromone constituents ofA. cuprea andA. octiescostata. A female-specific
      minor component, (R,E)-5-(-)-(oct-1-enyl)oxacyclopentan-2-one, did not seem to be
      involved in pheromonal communication because it was not EAD active, but its role
      remained unclear. A synthetic blend of the two components captured significantly
      more beetles than any other treatments. Nevertheless, the fact that both the
      synthetic sex pheromone and field-captured female beetles were weak lures
      convinced us that the sex pheromone system may be only part of a complex
      communication system, probably involving plant volatiles. Although the sex
      pheromone was released during both the scotophase and photophase, there was an
      increase of 60% in the photophase. 

PMID- 24242661
TI  - Mimosine-inhibited seed germination, seedling growth, and enzymes ofOryza sativa
      L.
AB  - The effect of mimosine (50 ppm and 100 ppm concentrations) onOryza sativa (rice)
      seed germination; root and shoot growth, i.e., length and fresh weight of
      seedlings; activities of nitrate reductase, peroxidase, catalase, and IAA oxidase
      were investigated. Significant inhibition in seed germination and shoot length
      was noted. Root length was inhibited by 100 ppm mimosine; however, the 50 ppm was
      not significant. Root and shoot fresh weight was not significantly inhibited by
      the tested concentrations of mimosine. Significant inhibition in activities of
      nitrate reductase, peroxidase and its isoenzymes, catalase, and IAA oxidase was
      observed. Ecophysiological implications of mimosine phytotoxicity are discussed. 

PMID- 24242660
TI  - Cuticular hydrocarbons of the paper wasp,Polistes fuscatus: A search for
      recognition pheromones.
AB  - The cuticular chemicals of 124 individual wasps (foundresses and workers) from 23
      colonies ofPolistes fuscatus were analyzed. The compounds identified, all of
      which were hydrocarbons, were similar to those of other vespid wasps in that the
      bulk of the hydrocarbons were 23-33 carbons in chain length. However, the
      hydrocarbon profile ofP. fuscatus differed from those of its congeners in its
      proportions of straight-chain alkanes, methylalkanes, and alkenes. Three of the
      20 identified hydrocarbons, 13- and 15-MeC31, 11,15- and 13,17-diMeC31, and 13-,
      15-, and 17-MeC33, had properties postulated for recognition pheromones: colony
      specificity, efficacy in assigning wasps to the appropriate colony, heritability,
      lack of differences between foundresses and workers, and distinctive
      stereochemistry. 

PMID- 24242662
TI  - Kairomone from dandelion,Taraxacum officinale, attractant for scarab
      beetleAnomala octiescostata.
AB  - The attraction of the scarab beetleAnomala octiescostata to dandelion,Taraxacum
      officinale, was demonstrated to be chemically mediated by a mixture ofcis-3
      hexenyl acetate, benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, phenethyl
      alcohol, phenylacetonitrile, and benzyl benzoate, in the ratio 4:8:14:3:5:19:11.
      Combination of the synthetic kairomone and sex pheromone (buibuilactone +
      japonilure, 8:2), significantly increased the total catches ofA. octiescostata.
      Catches of male (but not female) beetles were significantly higher with the
      kairomone-pheromone blend than with kairomone alone. The synergistic effect of
      the kairomone from dandelion on the attractiveness did not significantly differ
      from that of a food-type lure, anethol, geraniol, and phenethyl propionate
      (9:0.5:0.5). The latter combined with the synthetic sex pheromone resulted in
      better attraction of female (but not male)A. octiescostata than the sex pheromone
      alone. 

PMID- 24242663
TI  - Sex pheromone of oriental beetle,Exomala orientalis: Identification and field
      evaluation.
AB  - A gas chromatograph coupled with a behavioral bioassay was used to identify two
      sex pheromone components, 7-(Z)- and 7-(E)-tetradecen-2-one of the Oriental
      beetle (OB),Exomala orientalis. Field experiments showed that the blend of the
      two isomers (Z:E, 7:1) was not significantly more attractive than theZ component
      alone. The best performance of traps baited with the synthetic sex pheromone was
      achieved when they were set with the pheromone device at 30 cm above the ground.
      Catches in traps baited with 1 and 10 mg were not significantly different, but
      they were higher (2.9-fold) than captures in traps loaded with 0.1 mg of the
      pheromone. Further investigations by GC-EAD revealed the presence of a possible
      minor component, but the small amount of material prevented its identification. 2
      (E)-Nonenol, with the same retention time as the natural product, did not affect
      the attractancy of the synthetic sex pheromone. GC-EAD screening of previously
      identified sex pheromones of scarab beetles showed that male antennae of the
      Oriental beetle responded to japonilure, but it showed neither synergism nor
      inhibition to the OB sex pheromone. 

PMID- 24242664
TI  - Trail pheromone of leaf-cutting antAcromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus (Forel).
AB  - The trail pheromone ofAcromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus consists simply of the
      heterocyclic ester methyl 4-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate in the venom reservoir of
      workers at about 1.2 ng/ant. No pyrazines were detected, and no enhancement of
      trail-following was observed when pyrazines were added to the pyrrole compound. 

PMID- 24242665
TI  - Plant-natural enemy association in the tritrophic system,Cotesia rubecula-Pieris
      rapae-brassiceae (cruciferae): I. Sources of infochemicals.
AB  - The role of airborne infochemicals in host selection by the parasitoidCotesia
      rubecula (Marshal) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was examined in a wind tunnel. To
      elucidate the role of volatile chemicals in attractingC. rubecula to cabbage
      infested by the host [Pieris rapae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)], the potential
      sources of volatiles related toP. rapae infestation on cabbage were tested
      individually. The responses of females to nonhost plant species, bean and
      geranium, as well as to frass of a nonhost lepidopteran were also examined.C.
      rubecula was attracted to cabbage previously infested byP. rapae and to frass and
      regurgitate ofP. rapae. No attraction was observed to larvae ofP. rapae alone.
      Females were also attracted to mechanically damaged cabbage, cabbage previously
      infested byPlutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) (a nonhost
      lepidopteran herbivore), and cabbage previously infested by snails (a nonhost,
      noninsect herbivore). Intact cabbage, bean, and geranium plants elicited no
      attraction. A low frequency of attraction was observed to mechanically damaged
      bean and geranium. Attraction was also observed to frass ofP. xylostella.
      Volatiles from cabbage related to damage, and volatiles from frass and
      regurgitate of the host seem to play an important role in guidingC. rubecula to
      plants infested by its host. 

PMID- 24242666
TI  - Plant-natural enemy association in the tritrophic systemCotesia rubecula-Pieris
      rapae-brassicaceae (cruciferae): II. Preference ofC. rubecula for landing and
      searching.
AB  - The responses of the parasitoidCotesia rubecula to differently damaged cabbages
      were recorded during a series of choice tests. To determine if flyingC. rubecula
      can discriminate differences in the blend of volatiles emitted by cabbages
      damaged by different causes and how plant volatiles released from a distant
      source affect the searching behavior ofC. rubecula once searching on a plant,
      wasps were presented with a choice of plants located one behind the other and
      separated by a distance of 15 cm. The sources of damage were: cabbage damaged by
      the host (Pieris rapae), by a nonhost lepidopteran herbivore (Plutella
      xylostella), by a nonhost, noninsect herbivore (snail), and by mechanical means.
      The results showed that the site of first landing and the time spent searching on
      the leaves was influenced by the type of damage inflicted on plants. Wasps
      preferred to land on cabbages damaged by host and nonhost species of Lepidoptera
      over those damaged by snails and mechanical means. No preference was observed for
      first landing between cabbages damaged by the two species of Lepidoptera or
      between cabbages damaged by snails and mechanical means. Cabbage damaged byP.
      rapae was searched most intensively, followed by cabbage damaged byP. xylostella,
      cabbage damaged by snails, and cabbage damaged by mechanical means.C. rubecula
      differentiates between the volatile blends emitted by differently damaged
      cabbages, and it is attracted to volatiles related to recent lepidopteran damage.
      Wasps searched longer on freshly damaged than on leaves with older damage. 

PMID- 24242667
TI  - Aggregation pheromone system of adult gregarious desert locust schistocerca
      gregaria (forskal).
AB  - Six electrophysiologically active aromatic compounds, viz., anisole,
      benzaldehyde, veratrole, guaiacol, phenylacetonitrile, and phenol, were
      identified in the volatiles of older-adult male desert locust. Young adults and
      females of all age groups produced none or only trace quantities of these
      compounds. Comparison of the aggregation responses of young and older adults to
      the crude, older-adult, volatile extract and different synthetic blends of the
      six compounds showed that the aggregation pheromone system of the adult
      gregarious locust consists of phenylacetonitrile, guaiacol, phenol, and
      benzaldehyde. Like the crude volatile extract of older males, neither the
      synthetic blend of the six compounds nor the adult pheromone blend evoked any
      significant aggregation responses from nymphs. These results confirm our previous
      report of sexual differentiation in the production of adult aggregation pheromone
      in the desert locust and of the evidence of two distinct aggregation pheromone
      systems in the two stages of the insect. 

PMID- 24242668
TI  - Chemical suppression of feeding in larval weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) by
      trochophores of the serpulid polychaeteHydroides dianthus.
AB  - We studied the effect of exudates from trochophore larvae of the
      polychaeteHydroides dianthus on feeding in larval weakfish (Cynoscion regalis).
      Laboratory prey consisted ofH. dianthus trochophores and/or comparably sized
      rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis). When experiments were conducted in filtered
      seawater, ingestion of rotifers was always greater than ingestion of
      trochophores. However, consumption of rotifers was depressed when water fromH.
      dianthus cultures (=trochophore water) was the experimental medium. The same
      effect was noted whether we added trochophore water from polychaete cultures that
      were two or five days postfertilization. However, no effect was noted when we
      used water from rotifer cultures. We concluded thatH. dianthus trochophores
      release a water-soluble compound that inhibits feeding in weakfish larvae. 

PMID- 24242669
TI  - Simultaneous effects of ferulic andp-coumaric acids on cucumber leaf expansion in
      split-root experiments.
AB  - Experiments were conducted to determine how plant responses to mixtures of
      allelochemicals may change as the proportion of roots in contact with
      allelochemicals is modified. Thirteen-day-old cucumber seedlings were treated
      with ferulic and/orp-coumaric acid in a split-root nutrient culture system. Leaf
      areas were determined just prior to treatment and at harvest, 24 hr after
      treatment. Ferulic acid was more inhibitory to cucumber leaf expansion thanp
      coumaric acid. The effects of ferulic andp-coumaric acids on leaf expansion were
      additive. For individual acids, mixtures of ferulic andp-coumaric acids in the
      same container and combinations of ferulic andp-coumaric acids in separate
      containers, the inhibition of leaf expansion was directly related to the product
      of the concentration of the acid(s) and the proportion of roots treated with the
      acid(s). Pretreatment with 0.2 or 0.4 mM ferulic acid and subsequent treatment
      with 0.5 mM ferulic acid failed to show evidence of acclimation by cucumber
      seedlings. 

PMID- 24242670
TI  - Chemical composition of North American bee propolis and biological activity
      towards larvae of greater wax moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
AB  - Bee propolis is a sticky amalgamation of plant resins collected by honeybees
      (Apis mellifera L.) and used in the hive for filling cracks and repairing combs.
      Propolis contains a diversity of compounds of plant origin, and is reported to
      have medicinal, antimicrobial, insecticidal, and phytotoxic properties. We
      examined the physical and chemical composition of North American samples of bee
      propolis from several sites in North America and tested for bioactivity against
      larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L.), a common apiary pest.
      The amount of methanol-extractable resin in samples from Ohio and Georgia ranged
      from 24% to 79% by weight. Propolis collected from hives in Ohio was more
      chemically diverse (over 30 compounds detected by paper chromatography) than
      material from south Georgia (fewer than 10 major compounds) and contained a lower
      proportion of methanol-insoluble beeswax. The paper chromatographic surveys
      revealed little variation in the chemical profile of specific hives over a six
      month period and no differences between propolis from adjacent hives. Four
      flavonoids were identified from propolis collected in Ohio: kaempferol, galangin,
      3,3'-dimethoxyquercetin and 3-methoxykaempferol. When mixed into artificial diet,
      fractionated propolis reduced larval growth of the greater wax moth, but not
      dramatically. An array of phenolics reported from propolis (caffeic acid,
      chrysin, ferulic acid, galangin, kaempferol, and quercetin) were bioassayed
      individually for effects on larvae, but none reduced larval growth at the
      concentrations tested, suggesting that wax moths are tolerant of some phenolics
      in their diet. 

PMID- 24242672
TI  - Integrated self-organization of transitional ER and early Golgi compartments.
AB  - COPII coated vesicles bud from an ER domain termed the transitional ER (tER), but
      the mechanism that clusters COPII vesicles at tER sites is unknown. tER sites are
      closely associated with early Golgi or pre-Golgi structures, suggesting that the
      clustering of nascent COPII vesicles could be achieved by tethering to adjacent
      membranes. This model challenges the prevailing view that COPII vesicles are
      clustered by a scaffolding protein at the ER surface. Although Sec16 was proposed
      to serve as such a scaffolding protein, recent data suggest that rather than
      organizing COPII into higher-order structures, Sec16 acts at the level of
      individual COPII vesicles to regulate COPII turnover. A plausible synthesis is
      that tER sites are created by tethering to Golgi membranes and are regulated by
      Sec16. Meanwhile, the COPII vesicles that bud from tER sites are thought to
      nucleate new Golgi cisternae. Thus, an integrated self-organization process may
      generate tER-Golgi units. 

PMID- 24242674
TI  - Phylogeny of ten species of the genus Hordeum L. as revealed by AFLP markers and
      seed storage protein electrophoresis.
AB  - The phylogenetic relationships of 60 accessions representing ten species of the
      genus Hordeum were investigated based on AFLP markers and seed storage protein
      SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. A total of 339 AFLP polymorphic markers were scored as
      a result of fingerprinting the studied taxa using seven AFLP primer combinations,
      whereas 46 polymorphic protein bands resulted from the water soluble and water
      non-soluble seed storage protein electrophoresis. The phylogenetic tree deduced
      from AFLP analysis is concordant in a large extent with that deduced from seed
      storage protein electrophoresis. The studied taxa were clustered according to
      their genome type into two main groups representing the Old and New World's
      species. Inside each group the species were clustered according to their genome
      type. Highly significant cophenetic correlation coefficient was obtained between
      both AFLP (0.96) and seed storage protein (0.89) indicating the reliability of
      the results.

PMID- 24242673
TI  - Association study of promoter polymorphisms in the CETP gene with longevity in
      the Han Chinese population.
AB  - The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), which is involved in the
      regulation of reverse cholesterol transport and metabolism of high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol, has been proposed as a candidate gene for human
      longevity. SNPs in the promoter region of the CETP gene is likely important in
      regulation of the expression of the CETP gene. To explore the potential effects
      of the promoter polymorphisms in the CETP gene on longevity, we investigated the
      promoter polymorphisms in a sample of long-lived (>= 90 years old) Han Chinese
      collected from Southwestern China (N = 380). By resequencing 934 bp of the
      promoter region, genotypes of four SNPs (-573A/G, -629A/C, -971A/G, -1046T/C)
      were examined in this sample. However, no association could be confirmed between
      longevity and these SNPs or haplotypes inferred from them. A novel rare variant 
      573A/G was found and was found in heterozygote state only in five persons in the
      Longevity group. But it was not statistically significant (p = 0.075). We also
      examined this novel polymorphism -573A/G in another Han Chinese sample from
      Yunnan province, and it was not associated with longevity. The results from both
      samples suggest that there is likely no association of the CETP gene promoter
      polymorphisms with longevity, at least among Han Chinese.

PMID- 24242675
TI  - Treatment of extensive metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver with systemic
      and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and two-stage hepatic resection: the
      role of salvage therapy for recurrent disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) has been adopted as a treatment modality
      for resection of advanced colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). This study analyzed
      the recurrence pattern, salvage rate, and survival after TSH combined with
      systemic and regional chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective review of a
      prospective database identified patients who underwent a TSH for CRLM was
      performed and outcome data analyzed. RESULTS: From September 2000 to May 2009, a
      total of 40 patients were eligible for TSH, and 88 % completed both resections.
      Of the 35 resected patients, the median number of tumors was 8, with 38 % having
      a tumor >5 cm and 35 % having a carcinoembryonic antigen value >200 ng/ml. All
      patients received systemic chemotherapy, and 86 % received regional therapy with
      hepatic artery infusion. Median follow-up for survivors was 40 months; median
      disease-specific survival was 52 months, and 5-year disease-specific survival was
      49 %. The combined rate of major complication for all procedures was 45 % with no
      operative deaths. Median recurrence-free survival was 11 months with a 3-year
      probability of recurrence of 81 %. Disease recurrence occurred in 27 patients (77
      %), with the liver (42 %) and lung (37 %) being the most common sites. Sixteen of
      these patients (60 %) underwent salvage therapy via either surgery and/or
      ablation, 7 (44 %) of whom were free of disease at a median follow-up of 54
      months. CONCLUSIONS: TSH combined with systemic and hepatic artery infusion
      chemotherapy is an effective treatment strategy for selected patients with
      advanced CRLM. These patients are at considerable risk of local and distant
      recurrence; however, the majority can be salvaged, and long-term survival can be
      achieved.

PMID- 24242676
TI  - Salvage surgery for residual primary and locally recurrent anal squamous cell
      carcinoma after chemoradiotherapy in HIV-positive individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of anal cancer in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      patients-as in the general population-is primarily with chemoradiotherapy (CRT),
      and abdominoperineal resection of residual or recurrent primary disease. The aim
      of this study was to evaluate the extent of residual primary disease and local
      recurrence as well as the outcome of salvage surgery after CRT for anal carcinoma
      in HIV-positive individuals. METHODS: We retrospectively studied HIV-positive
      anal carcinoma patients treated between February 1989 and November 2012 in a
      specialist London unit. Extent of residual primary disease, local recurrence
      after CRT, postoperative complications, and survival after salvage surgery were
      evaluated. RESULTS: Complete response was experienced in 44 of 53 (83%) of HIV
      patients treated with CRT for anal carcinoma. One patient (2.3%) developed local
      recurrence. Nine patients (eight residual primary disease after CRT and one local
      recurrence) underwent salvage surgery after CRT. There were no perioperative
      deaths, and perioperative CD4 counts were sustained. Complications occurred in
      five patients (55%). Median interval to complete perineal healing was 4 months
      (range 2-11 months), and median hospital stay was 29 days. Survival (median 16
      months) was 25% at 2 years from salvage surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Results in HIV
      positive patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) suggest
      that loss of HIV sensitivity to HAART can be avoided, but that there is increased
      postoperative morbidity that may be related to HIV disease. Survival was
      comparable to that for salvage therapy after optimal CRT in non-HIV anal
      carcinoma patients.

PMID- 24242677
TI  - A comparison of five competing lymph node staging schemes in a cohort of
      resectable gastric cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: New classifications for lymph node (LN) staging have recently been
      proposed to improve upon the UICC/AJCC N category staging convention. Ratio-based
      systems and logarithmic odds (LODDS) scores are two families of novel competing
      staging systems. We compared UICC/AJCC staging with 5 ratio and LODDS systems in
      predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with resected gastric cancer.
      METHODS: Using a large population-based dataset, we identified 12,184
      nonmetastatic resectable gastric cancer patients between 1988 and 2004. We
      compared each subject's UICC/AJCC N stage with five novel staging schemes. We
      analyzed the OS for each method. Our comparison metric was the log-rank Chi
      squared statistic; larger Chi squared statistics indicate improvements in N stage
      discrimination. RESULTS: Median OS was 2.1 years (95 % CI 2.0-2.2 years), while
      median patient follow-up for surviving patients was 8.3 years (range, 1 month-22
      years). Although all 5 staging systems were either comparable or superior to the
      UICC/AJCC convention, a LN ratio method outperformed others in N stage
      discrimination based on log-rank tests for OS. This trend was independent of the
      number of LNs examined. CONCLUSIONS: Novel LN staging methods have a higher
      degree of discrimination utility than the UICC/AJCC N convention. These methods
      may have a role in reducing the prognostic impact of LN count variability. Of the
      systems assessed, the LN ratio system that assigns greater risk attribution to
      cases with <16 LNs was the best classification method to predict OS in patients
      with resectable gastric cancer.

PMID- 24242678
TI  - MicroRNAs with prognostic potential for metastasis in clear cell renal cell
      carcinoma: a comparison of primary tumors and distant metastases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of gene expression in tumor
      development and progression. However, their influence on metastasis of clear cell
      renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is less understood. To determine the role of miRNAs
      in metastatic progression, miRNA expression in primary ccRCC was compared to
      distant metastases. METHODS: Total RNA of 53 primary ccRCCs, 35 distant
      metastases from lung, bone, brain, and abdomen, as well as 17 normal kidney
      tissues was isolated from fresh frozen tissue and formalin-fixed paraffin
      embedded (FFPE) samples. The miRNA microarrays were performed based on fresh
      frozen tissue. Results were validated by quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on fresh frozen tissue and FFPE samples. Real
      time cell analyses and transwell invasion assays were carried out after transient
      transfection of microRNA-30c (miR-30c) in cell line 786-O. RESULTS: There were 14
      miRNAs differently expressed in metastatic primary ccRCC and distant metastases
      compared to non-metastatic primary tumors. A strong correlation of miRNAs to
      progression-free- and cancer-specific 5-year-survival was determined. Specific
      miRNAs were differently expressed in distant metastases compared to primary
      ccRCC. A miRNA signature distinguished lung metastases from other metastatic
      sites. Overexpression of miR-30c increased adherence and decreased migration and
      invasion in the ccRCC cell line. CONCLUSIONS: MiRNAs are deregulated in
      metastatic primary ccRCC and could be promising prognostic markers for an early
      prediction of metastasis. Alterations in miRNA expression characterize distant
      metastases of different metastatic sites. Furthermore, our study suggests a
      functional role of miR-30c in metastasis. The miRNAs could be a helpful tool for
      individual follow-up prediction and personalized therapy selection.

PMID- 24242679
TI  - Association of a genetic variant of CYP19A1 with multicentric development of lung
      adenocarcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The detection rate of multiple lung adenocarcinomas, which display
      multiple ground glass opacity nodules in the peripheral lung, is increasing
      because of advances in high resolution computed tomography. The genetic
      backgrounds of multiple nodules and the mechanisms that underlie their
      multicentric development are unknown. In this study, we examined single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the cytochrome P450 19A1 gene to determine if
      they are associated with multiple adenocarcinomas risk. METHODS: Fifty-one cases
      of multiple adenocarcinomas with lepidic growth, 62 cases of a single
      adenocarcinoma with lepidic growth, and 126 control cases were analyzed. Three
      SNPs were analyzed by using a 5' nuclease assay with TaqMan minor-groove-binder
      probe. The expression level of CYP19A1 in the noncancerous lung was quantified by
      real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: A
      minor allele of SNP rs3764221, which is located in the CYP19A1 gene, was
      significantly associated with multiple adenocarcinomas risk (adjusted odds ratio
      = 3.06; P = 0.006). Other polymorphisms of CYP19A1 were not significantly
      associated with the risk of multiple adenocarcinomas. A minor allele of SNP
      rs3764221 was also associated with a higher level of CYP19A1 messenger RNA
      expression (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: SNP rs3764221 contributes to the development
      of multicentric adenocarcinomas in the peripheral lung by causing higher levels
      of CYP19A1 expression.

PMID- 24242680
TI  - Morbidity associated with colostomy reversal after cytoreductive surgery and
      HIPEC.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal
      chemotherapy (HIPEC) has improved the survival in selected colorectal cancer
      patients with peritoneal metastases. In these patients, the risk of a low
      anastomosis is sometimes diminished through the creation of a colostomy.
      Currently, the morbidity and mortality associated with the reversal of the
      colostomy in this population is unknown. METHODS: Our study involved two
      prospectively collected databases including all patients who underwent CRS-HIPEC.
      We identified all consecutive patients who had a colostomy and requested a
      reversal. The associations between four clinical and ten treatment-related
      factors with the outcome of the reversal procedure were determined by univariate
      analysis. RESULTS: 21 of 336 patients (6.3 %) with a stoma with a mean age of
      50.8 (standard deviation 10.2) years underwent a reversal procedure. One patient
      was classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade III, 6 as ASA
      grade II, and the remaining as ASA grade I. Median time elapsed between HIPEC and
      reversal was 394 days (range 133-1194 days). No life-threatening complications or
      mortality were observed after reversal. The reversal-related morbidity was 67 %.
      Infectious complications were observed in 7 patients (33 %). Infectious
      complications after HIPEC were negatively correlated with the ultimate
      restoration of bowel continuity (P = 0.05). Bowel continuity was successfully
      restored in 71 % of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although the restoration of bowel
      continuity after CRS-HIPEC was successful in most patients, a relatively high
      complication rate was observed. Patients with infectious complications after
      HIPEC have a diminished chance of successful restoration of bowel continuity.

PMID- 24242681
TI  - High expression of glucose transporter 1 on primary lesions of esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma is associated with hematogenous recurrence.
AB  - PURPOSE: Glucose transporter type 1 (Glut1) plays a crucial role in cancer
      specific metabolism to adapt to the rapid growth and tumor microenvironment in
      diverse malignant tumors. This study examined the clinical, pathological, and
      prognostic features of Glut1 expression on primary lesions of esophageal squamous
      cell carcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of Glut1 and CD34 was
      performed using paraffin-embedded sections of tissues obtained from 145
      resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients without preoperative
      treatment. Microvessel density was calculated from CD34 staining. RESULTS: Glut1
      positivity was observed in 41 patients (28.2 %) and associated with depth of
      invasion [odds ratio (OR) 2.984; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.208-7.371; P =
      0.018] and vascular invasion (OR 2.771; 95 % CI 1.118-6.871; P = 0.028) in
      multivariate analysis. Glut1 positivity was a significant disadvantage to both
      relapse-free survival [hazard ratio (HR) 2.021; 95 % CI 1.100-3.712; P = 0.023]
      and esophageal cancer-specific survival (HR 2.223; 95 % CI 1.121-4.411; P =
      0.022) in univariate Cox hazard analysis, but was not independently associated
      with relapse-free survival or cancer-specific survival in multivariate analysis.
      The relationship between Glut1 expression and first relapse site was
      investigated. Glut1 positivity was not associated with lymph node recurrence (HR
      1.009; 95 % CI 0.402-2.530; P = 0.985) but was significantly associated with
      hematogenous recurrence (HR 3.701; 95 % CI 1.655-8.273; P = 0.001) in univariate
      Cox hazard analysis. Microvessel density was calculated to evaluate angiogenesis,
      and it was observed that Glut1 positivity was significantly associated with high
      microvessel density (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Glut1 expression was associated
      with hematogenous recurrence. The findings provide evidence of the significance
      of Glut1 expression as a biomarker.

PMID- 24242683
TI  - Atherosclerotic biomarkers and aortic atherosclerosis by cardiovascular magnetic
      resonance imaging in the Framingham Heart Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relations between subclinical atherosclerosis and inflammatory
      biomarkers have generated intense interest but their significance remains
      unclear. We sought to determine the association between a panel of biomarkers and
      subclinical aortic atherosclerosis in a community-based cohort. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: We evaluated 1547 participants of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring
      cohort who attended the 7th examination cycle and underwent both cardiovascular
      magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and assays for 10 biomarkers associated with
      atherosclerosis: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, intercellular
      adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-18, lipoprotein-associated
      phospholipase-A2 activity and mass, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, P
      selectin, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-2. In logistic regression analysis,
      we found no significant association between the biomarker panel and the presence
      of aortic plaque (global P=0.53). Using Tobit regression with aortic plaque as a
      continuous variable, we noted a modest association between biomarker panel and
      aortic plaque volume in age- and sex-adjusted analyses (P=0.003). However, this
      association was attenuated after further adjustment for clinical covariates
      (P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: In our community-based cohort, we found no significant
      association between our multibiomarker panel and aortic plaque. Our results
      underscore the strengths and limitations of the use of biomarkers for the
      identification of subclinical atherosclerosis and the importance of traditional
      risk factors.

PMID- 24242685
TI  - White matter abnormalities in adolescents with major depressive disorder.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to identify areas of abnormal white matter
      microstructure in adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) using
      diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Fractional anisotropy (FA) values representing
      preferential diffusivity along major tracts were examined using tract-based
      spatial statistics across the whole brain in adolescents ages 13-19 with MDD (n =
      31) compared with demographically-matched healthy controls (n = 31). We not only
      examined frontal lobe tracts that have been most frequently identified as
      abnormal in previous DTI studies of older depressed patients, but also tested for
      FA group differences across the whole brain to determine if adolescent depression
      was related to any other regional white matter abnormality. MDD-diagnosed
      adolescents had significantly lower FA in many regions concentrated predominantly
      in the frontal lobe. There also was strong evidence for lower FA in bilateral
      anterior/posterior limbs of the internal capsules, as well as tracts through the
      midbrain, left external capsule, right thalamic radiation and left inferior
      longitudinal fasciculus. Consistent with previous findings in depressed young and
      elderly adults, the current study found evidence for abnormal microstructure in
      white matter connections of the frontal lobe in MDD adolescents. There also was
      strong evidence for FA abnormalities in corpus callosum genu, internal and
      external capsule tracts, thalamus and midbrain, notable for both the relative
      magnitude of these effects and absence from most previous white matter studies of
      depression. These abnormalities might represent important markers of early life
      onset depression. 

PMID- 24242682
TI  - Testosterone and the cardiovascular system: a comprehensive review of the
      clinical literature.

PMID- 24242684
TI  - Factor II activity is similarly increased in patients with elevated
      apolipoprotein CIII and in carriers of the factor II 20210A allele.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have so far investigated the relationship between
      apolipoprotein CIII (Apo CIII) and coagulation pathway in subjects with or
      without coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum Apo CIII
      concentrations and plasma coagulant activities of factor II (FII:c), factor V
      (FV:c), and factor VIII (FVIII:c), and activated factor VII (FVIIa) were analyzed
      in a total of 933 subjects, with (n=687) or without (n=246) angiographically
      demonstrated CAD and not taking anticoagulant drugs. Activated factor X (FXa)
      generation assay was performed on plasma from subgroups of subjects with low and
      high levels of Apo CIII. A statistical incremental concentration of FII:c, FV:c,
      and FVIIa levels was observed through the quartiles of Apo CIII distribution in
      the population considered as a whole. Significant results were confirmed for
      FII:c in CAD and CAD-free subgroup when separately considered. Subjects within
      the highest Apo CIII quartile (>12.6 mg/dL) had high FII:c levels not
      statistically different from those of carriers of 20210A allele (n=40; 4.28%). In
      a multiple linear model, Apo CIII was the best predictor of FII:c variability,
      after adjustment for age, gender, plasma lipids, CRP, creatinine, diagnosis, and
      carriership of 20210A allele. FXa generation was increased and its lag time
      shortened in plasmas with high Apo CIII levels. However, after thrombin
      inhibition by hirudin, differences between low and high Apo C-III samples
      disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated concentrations of Apo CIII are associated with
      an increase of thrombin activity to an extent comparable with the carriership of
      G20210A gene variant and mainly modulating the thrombin generation.

PMID- 24242686
TI  - Investigation of matrix-induced interferences in mixed-gas helium-argon
      inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
AB  - The effects of various matrix constituents, Cd, Co, Pb, and synthetic ocean
      water, on analyte ion signal were investigated in He-Ar plasma source mass
      spectrometry. Analyte ion signal suppressions and enhancements were observed in
      the presence of varying concomitants. The method used for optimizing analyte ion
      lens signal determined whether suppression or enhancement was encountered. Tuning
      on a nitric acid standard solution results in a suppressed signal, whereas tuning
      on the analyte in the presence of the matrix results in signal enhancement,
      relative to that obtained with no concomitant present. The heavier mass lead
      concomitant had the greatest effect on the ion signal. Additionally, lighter
      analyte elements were affected to a greater extent than heavier analytes in the
      presence of high concomitant concentrations. 

PMID- 24242687
TI  - A wide-angle secondary ion probe for organic ion imaging.
AB  - A secondary ion source has been developed for an organic ion microprobe capable
      of imaging samples up to 2 em in diameter. The source uses a focused 5 keY Cs(+)
      ion beam which is rastered across the sample surface, and secondary ions from
      each point on the sample are collected and formed into a low energy beam to be
      analyzed by a quadrupole mass filter. Dynamic emittance matching is employed to
      deflect ions from off-axis points on the sample back onto the mass analyzer axis.
      Rastering and dynamic emittance matching are rapidly controlled by assembly
      language programs using an IBM/AT (80286) type computer. A low energy ion monitor
      was used to tune and evaluate the secondary ion source by providing a magnified
      cross-sectional image of the ion beam at the source exit aperture. A well-focused
      and centered secondary ion beam was obtained from each point on the sample,
      indicating that large-scale dynamic emittance matching with high collection
      efficiency is possible. Mass resolved images of grids and glycerol samples are
      shown to demonstrate the performance of the integrated secondary ion source mass
      analyzer and control system. 

PMID- 24242688
TI  - Kinetic and spectroscopic characterization of the isomers of the allyl bromide
      molecular ion.
AB  - The kinetics of the ion/molecule reactions of the molecular ion of allyl bromide
      (3-bromopropene), C3H5Br(+)., with its neutral show that only (82 +/- 2)% of
      these ions are reactive. This percentage is mildly sensitive to ionization energy
      below 13 eV, but is pressure insensitive. The collisionless infrared multiphoton
      induced photofragmentation of these ions at 10.25 MUm and at variable power
      densities is consistent with the presence of two ionic species in the ratio
      obtained from the kinetic experiments. The most abundant species undergoes much
      faster photofragmentation at this wavelength, but at 10.59 MUm the
      photofragmentation rates become comparable. Experiments performed by isolating
      the remaining molecular ions after completion of the ion/molecule reaction
      confirm that the unreactive species corresponds to the slow photodissociating ion
      at 10.25 MUm. A combination of kinetic experiments and photodissociation is used
      to establish that the less abundant species behaves unlike the molecular ion
      obtained from 1-bromopropene, 2-bromopropene, or bromocyclopropane. The two
      structures for the molecular ion are shown to originate from ionization and not
      by isomerization through collisions. 

PMID- 24242689
TI  - Fragmentation analysis of bradykinin by (252)cf-plasma desorption mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - The (252)Cf-plasma desorption (PO) mass spectrum of the nonapeptide bradykinin
      was studied in detail with particular emphasis on the fragmentation pattern
      resulting from fast metastable decay of the molecular ion. N-acetyl and O-methyl
      derivatives of bradykinin were used as mass shift species for assignment of N
      terminal and C-terminal fragment ions. Thirty-seven sequence-specific fragment
      ions were identified, including those that are due to cleavage of peptide
      backbone as well as side chain bonds (i.e., dn, vn, wn fragment ions). The degree
      of fragmentation correlates with what has been observed by fast atom bombardment
      tandem mass spectrometry using hi~h energy collisional activation. The high
      degree of excitation of bradykinin molecules in (252)Cf-POMS is undoubtedly due
      to the special nature of excitation intrinsic to the (252)Cf_PD process where
      electronic excitation occurs with a very high probability due to the high
      electron and photon flux surrounding the nuclear fission fragment track.These
      results offer further evidence that (252)Cf_PDMS, in addition to providing
      molecular weight information, can be used to sequence peptides without the need
      for a second stage of molecular excitation. 

PMID- 24242690
TI  - High Accuracy Molecular Weight Determination and Variation Characterization of
      Proteins Up To 80 ku by Ionspray Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - A quadrupole mass spectrometer with an ionspray interface was used to measure the
      molecular weight (MW) of proteins up to 80,000 u . With the improvements in
      instrument cahbration by a statistical averaging method and in data analysis by a
      gaussian curve-fitting method, precision of MW determination as high as 12 ppm
      was achieved with equine myoglobin (MW 16,950.4 +/- 0.2 u). Exact MW
      determination of three components in cerato-ulmin revealed that the two minor
      ones had lost amino acid residues Ser and Ser-Asp, respectively, from the major
      component (MW 7618.4 +/- 0.2 u). MW classifIcation of eight components in the Fab
      fragment of a monoclonal antibody revealed that one set of four had MW - 47,540 u
      and the other - 47,640 u. The MW difference of 100.2 +/- 0.6 u between fragment 1
      and 2, attributed to inhomogeneous cleavage at the Fab C-terminus, was probably
      due to one additional Thr in 1. The MW of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was found to
      be 66,431.5 +/- 1.3 u, - 164 u higher than the calculated sequence MW, most
      probably because of the incorrectness in the previously reported BSA amino acid
      sequence. The MW of human serum transferrin (79,556.8 +/- 1.7 u) was shown to be
      4414 u higher than the sequence MW, pointing to a glycosylation of 22.7 sugar
      units in this protein. The greater complexity in bovine serum transferrin (MW
      78,030.5 +/- 1.8 and 78,326 +/- 3.3 u for the two major components) was
      correlated with the heterogeneity in the glycosylation. 

PMID- 24242691
TI  - Structural Characterization of Normal and Modified Oligonucleotides by Matrix
      assisted Laser Desorption Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Matrix-assisted UV laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectrometry (266 nm,
      nicotinic acid matrix) can be used for the detailed structural characterization
      of normal and modified oligonucleotides. The negative ion spectra for these
      compounds revealed abundant (M - H) (-) ions as well as fragment ions that
      provided the information necessary to determine oligomer sequence and to
      differentiate isomers. The nicotinic acid matrix was required for the production
      of (M - H) (-) ions for the oligonucleotide dimers, trimers, tetramers, and
      hexamers examined in this study. Elimination of the nicotinic acid matrix
      resulted in complete loss of the (M -H) (-) ions as well as most of the larger
      fragment ions for the oligomers. The primary fragmentation pathway was observed
      to be phosphate ester bond cleavage with the resulting charge retained on the 3'
      end of the oligomer and enabled isomeric differentiation of compounds such as
      d(S'-CGCG-3') and d(S'-CCGG-3'). Collisioninduced dissociation experiments of the
      (M - H) (-) ions for these compounds confirmed the preferential loss of
      nucleotides from the 5' end of the oligomers. The presence and location of
      modifications such as methyl and ethyl alkyl groups to the oligonucleotides could
      also be identified. 

PMID- 24242692
TI  - Spin-trapped Radicals: Determination by LC-TSP-MS and LC-ESI-MS.
AB  - The 4-POBN[alpha-(4-pyridyl-l-oxide)-N-tert-butyl-nitrone] radical adducts of
      ethyl and pentyl radicals were determined by a combination of high performance
      liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)
      with HPLC-electrospray (ESI)-mass spectrometry and HPLC-thermospray (TSP)-MS. The
      identifIcation of the peak corresponding to the spin-trapped radical was done by
      performing HPLC-EPR under the same chromatographic conditions as the HPLC-MS. The
      radical adducts could be determined by both techniques, even though for ESI only
      12 MUL/min of the total 1 mL/min HPLC flow rate could be directed into the ion
      source. 

PMID- 24242693
TI  - Multispectral identiftcation of alkyl and chloroalkyl phosphates from an
      industrial effluent.
AB  - Multispectral techniques (gas chromatography combined with low and high
      resolution electron-impact mass spectrometry, low and high resolution chemical
      ionization mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) were
      used to identify 13 alkyl and chloroalkyl phosphates in a water sample taken from
      the effluent of a plant that manufactures fire-retardant chemicals. Of the 13
      phosphates identified, only 4 were located in hbrary mass spectral data bases;
      thus, techniques other than conventional low resolution electron-impact mass
      spectrometry with data base matching were required. Several of the Identified
      phosphates are commonly used ftre retardants; however, three exhibited chemical
      structures different from those of the commercially manufactured fire retardants
      and the reactants used in their synthesis. 

PMID- 24242694
TI  - Internal standard correction of results obtained by atmospheric pressure chemical
      ionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - An internal standard system has been developed for a mass spectrometer equipped
      with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source. The system has been used
      to overcome sensitivity drift problems that are commonly encountered when the
      spectrometer is used for long-term environmental monitoring. Additionally, the
      internal standard has been used to correct sensitivity changes induced by the
      matrix being analyzed. Principal components of the system are a low concentration
      internal standard source and a flow-delivery system for introducing the standard
      to the reagent gas delivery stream of the spectrometer. Following an experiment,
      real-time data are downloaded to a personal computer where internal standard
      correction and data analysis are performed. Application of the internal standard
      to the measurement of nicotine and pyridine is demonstrated. 

PMID- 24242695
TI  - An enlarged data base of electron-ionization mass spectra.
AB  - The computer-searchable data base of reference mass spectra described earlier has
      been increased in size by 76%, so that it now contains 139,859 different spectra
      of 118,144 different compounds. The average number of peaks per spectrum is 53.
      All spectra were examined for errors by the Probability Based Matching (PBM) and
      the Quality Index (QI) algorithms and by human inspection. An improvement to the
      QI algorithm is based on the Terwilliger suggestion concerning saturated spectra.
      The number of different elemental compositions of compounds has increased by 64%.
      By using unknowns from the original data base with PBM, the probability that
      these incorrectly match a new spectrum is only 33% of that of incorrectly
      matching a spectrum in the original data base, further demonstrating that the
      variety of data in the library has been substantially expanded. Including
      additional reference spectra (measured under different conditions) of the same
      compound in the data base reduced the proportion of incorrect best-matching
      spectra by 42%. 

PMID- 24242696
TI  - Comparative evaluations of mass spectral data bases.
AB  - Recent reports from the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) state
      that its large (53,994) collection of mass spectra is unique in "consisting
      almost entirely of complete spectra." Our study of the 1989 Registry of Mass
      Spectral Data of 139,859 different spectra shows that its 53,994 spectra
      containing the most peaks average 108 peaks per spectrum, 48% larger than the
      NIST data base. Further, in matching unknown spectra of compounds present in both
      files, by using criteria yielding 68% reliability, 14% of the possible correct
      answers were recalled with the NIST data base versus 36% with the Registry. 

PMID- 24242697
TI  - Comparative evaluations of mass spectral databases.
AB  - This Communication presents a statistical analysis of the distributions of the
      National Institute of Standards and Technology/Environmental Protection Agencyj
      Mass Spectrometry Data Center Mass Spectral Database and the Wiley Registry of
      Mass Spectra according to sizes (peaks per spectrum) of spectra. The differences
      in the distributions are explained in terms of the different philosophies under
      which the two databases were built. The Wiley Registry is a collection that
      attempts to include all available spectra, including spectra of unique compounds
      derived from the literature. The NIST collection selects primarily spectra of
      interest for chemical analysis. 

PMID- 24242699
TI  - TTF-1 expressing sellar neoplasm with ependymal rosettes and oncocytic change:
      mixed ependymal and oncocytic variant pituicytoma.

PMID- 24242700
TI  - Metallothionein-3 (MT-3) in the human adrenal cortex and its disorders.
AB  - Metallothionein-3 (MT-3) is an intracellular, low molecular weight protein mainly
      distributed in the central nervous system but also in various peripheral organs
      and several types of human neoplasms. However, details of MT-3 expression have
      not been examined in human adrenal cortex and its disorders. The mRNA levels of
      MT-3 were first evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) in adrenocortical
      aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA: 11) and cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA: 14).
      In addition, MT-3 immunohistochemistry was performed in non-pathological adrenal
      glands (NA: 19), idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA: 10), APA (20), CPA (24),
      adjacent non-neoplastic adrenal glands of adenoma (AAG: 20), and adrenocortical
      carcinoma (ACC: 8). H295R cells were also treated with angiotensin-II or
      forskolin in a time-dependent manner, and the changes of MT-3 mRNA levels were
      evaluated by qPCR. Results of qPCR analysis demonstrated that MT-3 mRNA levels
      were significantly higher in APA than CPA (P = 0.0004). MT-3 immunoreactivity was
      detected in the zona glomerulosa of NA, IHA, and AAG, as well as in APA, CPA, and
      ACC. When treated with angiotensin-II and forskolin, MT-3 mRNA levels reached a
      peak by 12 h in H295R cells, with significantly higher levels compared to control
      non-treated cells (P < 0.01). The presence of MT-3 in the ZG of NA, IHA, and AAG,
      as well as APA may imply a role in the pathophysiology of aldosterone-producing
      tissues.

PMID- 24242701
TI  - Competing risks analysis in mortality estimation for breast cancer patients from
      independent risk groups.
AB  - This study quantifies breast cancer mortality in the presence of competing risks
      for complex patients. Breast cancer behaves differently in different patient
      populations, which can have significant implications for patient survival; hence
      these differences must be considered when making screening and treatment
      decisions. Mortality estimation for breast cancer patients has been a significant
      research question. Accurate estimation is critical for clinical decision making,
      including recommendations. In this study, a competing risks framework is built to
      analyze the effect of patient risk factors and cancer characteristics on breast
      cancer and other cause mortality. To estimate mortality probabilities from breast
      cancer and other causes as a function of not only the patient's age or race but
      also biomarkers for estrogen and progesterone receptor status, a nonparametric
      cumulative incidence function is formulated using data from the community-based
      Carolina Mammography Registry. Based on the log(-log) transformation, confidence
      intervals are constructed for mortality estimates over time. To compare mortality
      probabilities in two independent risk groups at a given time, a method with
      improved power is formulated using the log(-log) transformation. 

PMID- 24242702
TI  - Snoring and carotid artery intima-media thickness.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: A growing body of evidence indicates that primary snoring
      (PS) may be the initial presentation of sleep-disordered breathing and can
      adversely affect an individual's health. Individuals with the sole diagnosis of
      PS were evaluated to determine if a relationship exists between snoring and
      thickening of the intima media of the carotid arteries. STUDY DESIGN: Cross
      sectional study. METHODS: Our institution's sleep center database identified
      patients aged 18 to 50 years who had a diagnostic sleep study with apnea-hypopnea
      index <5 between December 2006 and January 2012. Subjects underwent a diagnostic
      carotid artery duplex ultrasound measuring the intima-media thickness (IMT) of
      the bilateral carotid arteries at four separate points. A validated Snoring
      Outcomes Survey (SOS) was completed and used to categorize snorers and
      nonsnorers. Groups were compared using a Student t test. RESULTS: Of 913 patients
      who met inclusion criteria, 54 patients completed both the carotid duplex
      ultrasound and SOS. There were no statistically significant differences in IMT
      for the groups defined by smoking or diabetes. Compared to nonsnorers, snorers
      were found to have a significantly greater IMT at two points along the left
      internal carotid artery and one point on the right side. When considering all
      eight points, IMT was significantly greater in snorers. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      shows a relationship between PS and IMT of the carotid arteries. Given the well
      described relationship between increased carotid IMT and serious health
      conditions, nonapneic snoring may be a precursor to changes of the carotid artery
      intima and should be further investigated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b.

PMID- 24242703
TI  - B7-H6 protein expression has no prognostic significance in human gastric
      carcinoma.
AB  - B7-H6, a novel member of the B7 family which binds to NKp30 to trigger antitumor
      NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. Recently, B7-H family has been
      reported to be a negative regulator of the immune response in patients with
      gastric carcinoma. However, no reports have investigated the clinical
      significance of B7-H6 expression in human gastric cancer. We present the first
      study to the clinicopathological and prognostic value of B7-H6 in primary gastric
      tumors and adjacent non-tumor tissues at the protein level. Here we show that B7
      H6 immunoreactivity was expressed in 6/60 (10%) gastric tumors and 8/43 (18.60%)
      adjacent non-tumor tissues. No statistical difference was found between B7-H6
      expression and various prognostic factors; however, B7-H6-positive carcinomas
      were significantly associated with a higher differentiation (p = 0.047). The
      survival analysis did not confirm the prognostic significance of B7-H6 expression
      in gastric cancer patients. Our data suggest that B7-H6, as detected by
      immunohistochemistry, is of limited value as a prognostic marker for gastric
      cancer.

PMID- 24242704
TI  - Antibiotic therapy for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus (MRSA) in non surgical wounds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non surgical wounds include chronic ulcers (pressure or decubitus
      ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, ischaemic ulcers), burns and traumatic
      wounds. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
      colonisation (i.e. presence of MRSA in the absence of clinical features of
      infection such as redness or pus discharge) or infection in chronic ulcers varies
      between 7% and 30%. MRSA colonisation or infection of non surgical wounds can
      result in MRSA bacteraemia (infection of the blood) which is associated with a 30
      day mortality of about 28% to 38% and a one-year mortality of about 55%. People
      with non surgical wounds colonised or infected with MRSA may be reservoirs of
      MRSA, so it is important to treat them, however, we do not know the optimal
      antibiotic regimen to use in these cases. OBJECTIVES: To compare the benefits
      (such as decreased mortality and improved quality of life) and harms (such as
      adverse events related to antibiotic use) of all antibiotic treatments in people
      with non surgical wounds with established colonisation or infection caused by
      MRSA. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the following databases: The Cochrane Wounds
      Group Specialised Register (searched 13 March 2013); The Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Issue 2); Database of Abstracts of
      Reviews of Effects (2013, Issue 2); NHS Economic Evaluation Database (2013, Issue
      2); Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to February Week 4 2013); Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other
      Non-Indexed Citations, March 12, 2013); Ovid EMBASE (1974 to 2013 Week 10); EBSCO
      CINAHL (1982 to 8 March 2013). SELECTION CRITERIA: We included only randomised
      controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antibiotic treatment with no antibiotic
      treatment or with another antibiotic regimen for the treatment of MRSA-infected
      non surgical wounds. We included all relevant RCTs in the analysis, irrespective
      of language, publication status, publication year, or sample size. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently identified the trials,
      and extracted data from the trial reports. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) with
      95% confidence intervals (CI) for comparing the binary outcomes between the
      groups and planned to calculate the mean difference (MD) with 95% CI for
      comparing the continuous outcomes. We planned to perform the meta-analysis using
      both fixed-effect and random-effects models. We performed intention-to-treat
      analysis whenever possible. MAIN RESULTS: We identified three trials that met the
      inclusion criteria for this review. In these, a total of 47 people with MRSA
      positive diabetic foot infections were randomised to six different antibiotic
      regimens. While these trials included 925 people with multiple pathogens, they
      reported the information on outcomes for people with MRSA infections separately
      (MRSA prevalence: 5.1%). The only outcome reported for people with MRSA infection
      in these trials was the eradication of MRSA. The three trials did not report the
      review's primary outcomes (death and quality of life) and secondary outcomes
      (length of hospital stay, use of healthcare resources and time to complete wound
      healing). Two trials reported serious adverse events in people with infection due
      to any type of bacteria (i.e. not just MRSA infections), so the proportion of
      patients with serious adverse events was not available for MRSA-infected wounds.
      Overall, MRSA was eradicated in 31/47 (66%) of the people included in the three
      trials, but there were no significant differences in the proportion of people in
      whom MRSA was eradicated in any of the comparisons, as shown below.1. Daptomycin
      compared with vancomycin or semisynthetic penicillin: RR of MRSA eradication
      1.13; 95% CI 0.56 to 2.25 (14 people).2. Ertapenem compared with
      piperacillin/tazobactam: RR of MRSA eradication 0.71; 95% CI 0.06 to 9.10 (10
      people).3. Moxifloxacin compared with piperacillin/tazobactam followed by
      amoxycillin/clavulanate: RR of MRSA eradication 0.87; 95% CI 0.56 to 1.36 (23
      people). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found no trials comparing the use of
      antibiotics with no antibiotic for treating MRSA-colonised non-surgical wounds
      and therefore can draw no conclusions for this population. In the trials that
      compared different antibiotics for treating MRSA-infected non surgical wounds,
      there was no evidence that any one antibiotic was better than the others. Further
      well-designed RCTs are necessary.

PMID- 24242706
TI  - Caval valve implantation for treatment of tricuspid regurgitation: post-mortem
      evaluation after mid-term follow-up.

PMID- 24242705
TI  - Prostate cancer derived prostatic acid phosphatase promotes an osteoblastic
      response in the bone microenvironment.
AB  - Approximately 90 % of patients who die of prostate cancer (PCa) have bone
      metastases, often promoting osteoblastic lesions. We observed that 88 % of
      castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) bone metastases express prostatic acid
      phosphatase (PAP), a soluble secreted protein expressed by prostate epithelial
      cells in predominately osteoblastic (n = 18) or osteolytic (n = 15) lesions.
      Additionally, conditioned media (CM) of an osteoblastic PCa xenograft LuCaP 23.1
      contained significant levels of PAP and promoted mineralization in mouse and
      human calvaria-derived cells (MC3T3-E1 and HCO). To demonstrate that PAP promotes
      mineralization, we stimulated MC3T3-E1 cells with PAP and observed increased
      mineralization, which could be blocked with the specific PAP inhibitor,
      phosphonic acid. Furthermore, the mineralization promoted by LuCaP 23.1 CM was
      also blocked by phosphonic acid, suggesting PAP is responsible for the
      mineralization promoting activity of LuCaP 23.1. In addition, gene expression
      arrays comparing osteoblastic to osteolytic CRPC (n = 14) identified betacellulin
      (BTC) as a gene upregulated during the osteoblastic response in osteoblasts
      during new bone formation. Moreover, BTC levels were increased in bone marrow
      stromal cells in response to LuCaP 23.1 CM in vitro. Because new bone formation
      does occur in osteoblastic and can occur in osteolytic CRPC bone metastases, we
      confirmed by immunohistochemistry (n = 36) that BTC was highly expressed in
      osteoblasts involved in new bone formation occurring in both osteoblastic and
      osteolytic sites. These studies suggest a role for PAP in promoting the
      osteoblastic reaction in CRPC bone metastases and identify BTC as a novel
      downstream protein expressed in osteoblasts during new bone formation.

PMID- 24242707
TI  - Vanishing pulmonary oedema, a visual delight!

PMID- 24242709
TI  - Quantification of cantharidin in canthariphilous ceratopogonidae (Diptera),
      anthomyiidae (Diptera) and cantharidin-producing oedemeridae (Coleoptera).
AB  - Cantharidin contents were determined in several canthariphilous insects by means
      of quantitative gas chromatography. Usually the ceratopogonidsAtrichopogon
      oedemerarum andA. trifasciatus caught in the field contained low concentrations
      of cantharidin, with concentrations in males, in most cases, being lower than in
      females. When fed in the laboratory with synthetic cantharidin, these species
      concentrated cantharidin by as much as 100-fold (males) and 40-fold (females).
      Accumulation in the different body tagmata (head, thorax, abdomen) of these
      species is similar. Maximal concentrations of cantharidin in tissues
      ofAtrichopogon are comparable to those known from oedemerid and meloid beetles.
      InA. trifasciatus about 90% of total cantharidin content is bound in tissues.
      Investigations using the canthariphilous anthomyiid flyAnthomyia pluvialis and
      three cantharidin-producing oedemerid species revealed the same pattern of
      distribution in different body tagmata as inAtrichopogon. 

PMID- 24242708
TI  - Vitamin D receptor agonist EB1089 is a potent regulator of prostatic "intracrine"
      metabolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A contributing factor to the emergence of castrate resistant prostate
      cancer (CRPC) is the ability of the tumor to circumvent low circulating levels of
      testosterone during androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), through the production of
      "intracrine" tumoral androgens from precursors including cholesterol and
      dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). As these processes promote AR signaling and
      prostate cancer progression their modulation is required for disease prevention
      and treatment. METHODS: We evaluated the involvement of the vitamin D receptor
      ligand EB1089 in the regulation of genes with a role in androgen metabolism using
      the androgen dependent cell lines LNCaP and LAPC-4. EB1089 regulation of androgen
      metabolism was assessed using QRT-PCR, luciferase promoter assays, western
      blotting, enzyme activity assays, and LC-MS analyses. RESULTS: EB1089 induced
      significant expression of genes involved in androgen metabolism in prostate
      cancer cells. Real-Time PCR analysis revealed that VDR mediated significant
      regulation of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP3A43, AKR1C1-3, UGT2B15/17, and HSD17B2. Data
      revealed potent regulation of CYP3A4 at the level of mRNA, protein expression and
      enzymatic activity, with VDR identified as the predominant regulator. Inhibition
      of CYP3A activity using the specific inhibitor ritonavir resulted in alleviation
      of the anti-proliferative response of VDR ligands in prostate cancer cells. Mass
      spectrometry revealed that overexpression of CYP3A protein in prostate cancer
      cells resulted in a significant increase in the oxidative inactivation of
      testosterone and DHEA to their 6-beta-hydroxy-testosterone and 16-alpha-hydroxy
      DHEA metabolites, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight a potential
      application of VDR-based therapies for the reduction of growth-promoting
      androgens within the tumor micro-environment.

PMID- 24242710
TI  - Olea europaea chemicals repellent toDacus oleae females.
AB  - The egg dispersion strategy of the olive fruit flyDacus oleae, which is dependent
      on chemicals from the fruit, was investigated. In particular, the exact role ofo
      diphenolic compounds, such as the typical olive glucosides, oleuropein and
      demethyloleuropein, and their derivatives was clarified. It appears that the
      strong chemotactile repulsive effect exerted by the water fraction of crushed
      olives is due mainly to (E)-2-hexenal. Several compounds, such asbeta-3,4
      dihydroxyphenylethanol and other oleuropein derivatives, which exert a strong
      chemotactile repulsion, were newly identified or confirmed either in fresh olive
      juice or in olive mill waste water. This result confirms that the small droplets
      of olive juice, regurgitated just after egg laying by theD. oleae female all
      around the oviposition hole, actually prevent other females from ovipositing on
      the same fruit. 

PMID- 24242711
TI  - Absorption and release of pheromone ofEpiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera:
      Tortricidae) by apple leaves.
AB  - The absorption and release of the pheromone ofEpiphyas postvititana (Lepidoptera:
      Tortricidae),E 11-14: OAc andE,E 9, 11-14: OAc (95:5) by apple leaves was studied
      using electroantennograms (EAG) and sticky traps baited with pheromone-treated
      leaves. Leaves exposed to an airstream containing pheromone reached a constant
      level of pheromone release within 3 min. Release occurred over a period greater
      than 24 hr, following removal of leaves from the pheromone-saturated environment.
      Pheromone-treated leaves were effective as lures in sticky traps for at least
      three nights, although the average catch per night decrease logarithmically with
      time. In the field, pheromone was detected by EAG on leaves harvested from up to
      25 cm away from a central point source of pheromone. The shape of a surface
      representing equal pheromone re-release from leaves around a central point source
      was defined by interpolation from a three-dimensional transect. Leaves harvested
      from 5 cm under the dispensers showed the highest pheromone release rate. Leaves
      downwind of the dispensers also had higher release of pheromone. In a treated
      orchard, significantly higher EAG measurements were recorded in the rows of trees
      that contained dispensers, compared to grass interrows or untreated trees. The
      implications of foliar pheromone adsorption and release on atmospheric
      concentrations and insect behavior require further investigation. 

PMID- 24242712
TI  - Scent, sex, and the self-calibrating rat.
AB  - We propose that one mechanism whereby male rats,Rattus norvegicus, might gauge
      the reproductive condition of a female is by calibrating a stable odor with an
      odor that fluctuates through her reproductive cycle. We provide behavioral and
      histological evidence in support of such a self-calibration model. Male rats
      sniffed frequently at various body zones of females, and the proportion of sniffs
      deployed to each zone varied with the females' reproductive condition and
      relatedness. The females' haunches received more sniffs than any other part of
      their bodies, irrespective of their relatedness or reproductive condition.
      Furthermore, males tended to sniff the haunch after sniffing the forequarters, as
      part of a sequence of sniffing along a female from forequarters to hindquarters.
      Histology of the skin sebaceous glands indicated that the secretory activity of
      glands in the haunch, but not those in the forequarters, changed during estrus.
      Therefore, male rats had the opportunity to judge a female's reproductive status
      by calibrating the odor of her haunch against that of her forequarters. Self
      calibration could represent a means of accommodating differences in odor within
      individuals. 

PMID- 24242713
TI  - Analysis of rat haunch odor using dynamic solvent effect and principal component
      analysis.
AB  - We used the dynamic solvent effect to sample rat haunch odor, which we then
      analyzed using principal component analysis. PCA, based on 22 volatile
      components, indicated that one axis clearly separated rat haunch odor samples
      according to sex and female reproductive condition (estrus and diestrus),
      explaining 79.5% of the variation in proportional peak area. We have therefore
      been able to separate odors along biologically meaningful lines. 

PMID- 24242714
TI  - To penetrate or not to penetrate? A behavioral choice by bean beetle first-instar
      larvae in response toPhaseolus vulgaris seed surface quality.
AB  - Survival ofAcanthoscelides obtectus larvae depends on the ability of the first
      instar to pierce the seed coat ofPhaseolus vulgaris, which represents a critical
      sequence because of physical characteristics and toxicity. We have investigated
      the influence of seed surface quality on larval boring behavior by the usual
      method of surface washing with different solvents, or by removing the testa, or
      by coating the testa with a polymer spray. Observations were made on isolated
      larvae in no-choice and dual-choice bioassays. In the no-choice situation, larval
      penetration was reduced after seed coats were soaked with chloroform, whereas
      water, diethyl ether, or methanol had no significant effect. The ratio of boring
      attempts to successful penetrations was increased on seeds washed with
      chloroform. In the dual-choice situation, larvae avoided artificially coated
      seeds and preferred untreated seeds over those washed with chloroform or
      methanol. These results indicate that boring stimulants exist on the seed coat
      and that they are removed by chloroform and methanol or made inaccessible by
      artificial coating. The high mortality of first instars on seeds washed with
      these two solvents is attributed to a lack of chemicals necessary to initiate and
      sustain boring behavior, causing larval stress, possibly due to prolonged
      locomotory activity and starvation. Thus, seed coat quality may influence the
      population dynamics ofA. obtectus. 

PMID- 24242715
TI  - Prior anesthesia impairs a chemically mediated fright response in a gobiid fish.
AB  - Quinaldine and phenoxyethanol, two commonly used fish anesthetics, reduced the
      intensity of a chemically induced fright response in a marine goby. MS-222, an
      anesthetic that has been indicated as harmful to fish olfaction, had no
      significant effect. Understanding these effects must await further study, but it
      is clear that caution should be exercised. One should definitely not use
      quinaldine or phenoxyethanol instead of MS-222 in an effort to avoid harmful
      effects. 

PMID- 24242716
TI  - Seed germination and growth inhibitory cadinenes fromEupatorium adenophorum
      spreng.
AB  - Chloroform extract of the aerial parts ofEupatorium adenophorum Spreng was
      fractionated and examined for growth inhibition. Bioassay-directed fractions of
      the plant materials afforded three known cadinenes and beta-sitosterol. The
      effects of different fractions as well as isolated cadinenes were determined
      usingAllium cepa, Raphanus sativus, andCucumis sativus seeds. Three-day exposure
      to these cadinenes significantly inhibited germination and seedling growth of all
      three assay seeds. The degree of inhibition was dependent upon seed species and
      the concentrations of the compounds tested. Cadinene(1) was found to be more
      inhibitory to the seeds tested and the activity of the cadinene(3) was less than
      that of(1) and(4). 

PMID- 24242717
TI  - Comparison of larval and adult P-450 activity levels for alkaloid metabolism in
      desertDrosophila.
AB  - The cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system has been implicated in plant
      utilization by at least three species ofDrosophila (D. nigrospiracula, D.
      mettleri, andD. mojavensis) that are endemic to the Sonoran Desert of the
      southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Basal and induced levels of
      total cytochrome P-450 were determined for third-instar and decapitated 2- to 5
      day post eclosion adults of the three desert species. Total P-450 levels, both
      basal and induced for all species assayed, were significantly higher for adults
      than for larvae by up to 20-fold. On a per organism basis, the levels of in vitro
      metabolism of the cactus alkaloid, carnegine, and patterns of response to
      induction by cactus tissue for adult desertDrosophila approximated those of
      larvae. Induction by phenobarbital, however, resulted in levels of in vitro
      carnegine metabolism that were up to 5.6-fold higher in adults than in larvae. 

PMID- 24242718
TI  - Surface disposition and stability of pest-interactive, trichome-exuded diterpenes
      and sucrose esters of tobacco.
AB  - The precise physical location of trichome-exudate biochemicals on the plant
      surface is undoubtedly important in plant-pest interactions, perhaps particularly
      those involving fungal and bacterial pathogens that invade the plant through the
      epidermal layer. The chemical stability of exuded compounds is also important in
      this regard. Here we have studied these two aspects of trichome biology using the
      highly exuded tobacco line,Nicotiana tabacum, T.I. 1068. Particularly under high
      relative humidity growth conditions, sucrose esters (SE) were found to migrate
      from the exudate droplet around the gland down the trichome stalk to the
      epidermal cells below. Six days after labeling leaf midveins on plants grown in a
      high humidity environment, 29 and 71% of label found in SE were recovered with
      trichome glands and below gland regions, respectively. Corresponding disposition
      in the moderate humidity environment was 40 and 60%, respectively. Migration of
      less polar duvatrienediols (DVT) was less marked. Staining of SE with rhodamine B
      showed the occurrence of more extensive and physically different migration in the
      high humidity versus moderate humidity case. Both SE and DVT were stable between
      six and 18 days postlabeling, the period encompassing the time of maximum exudate
      formation through the beginning of tissue senescence. Our results suggest that
      even under conditions that avoid mechanical disturbance of tissue, SE and DVT are
      chemically stable, at least until senescence, and appear to migrate from the
      gland region to the epidermal surface, apparently according to their relative
      polarity. 

PMID- 24242719
TI  - Presence of a hydroxamic acid glucoside in wheat phloem sap, and its consequences
      for performance ofRhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae).
AB  - Phloem sap of wheat seedlings differing in whole leaf hydroxamic acid (Hx)
      concentrations was collected by cutting stylets of feeding aphids. DIMBOA
      glucoside was the only Hx-related product found. Concentration of DIMBOA
      glucoside in phloem sap showed a tendency to be negatively correlated with aphid
      performance. 

PMID- 24242720
TI  - Molecular basis ofMorinda citrifolia (L.): Toxicity on drosophila.
AB  - The ripe fruit ofMorinda citrifolia, host plant forDrosophila sechellia is highly
      toxic for three closely related species (D. melanogaster, D. simulans, andD.
      mauritiana). Green and rotten fruits are not toxic for all species tested. Short
      fatty acids were found to be present in large quantities in the extract of the
      ripe fruit. The most abundant (octanoic acid) was tested pure for its toxicity in
      a dose-dependent manner;D. sechellia is five to six times more resistant thanD.
      melanogaster to octanoic acid. Octanoic acid alone seems to be sufficient to
      explain the toxic effect of the pulp. It is less abundant in the rotten fruit and
      absent in the green fruit. 

PMID- 24242721
TI  - Biologically active secondary metabolites of barley. IV. Hordenine production by
      different barley lines.
AB  - Forty-three lines of barley, including ancestral (wild), landraces, Middle
      Eastern lines, and modern cultivars, were grown under two different sets of
      environmental conditions. Hordenine production in barley roots was determined at
      the one-leaf stage by HPLC analysis and, in two lines only, over a period of 35
      days. Forty-two of the 43 lines produced significant amounts of hordenine,
      although there was no variation among groups. Middle Eastern lines had the
      highest production with 327 ug/g on a dry weight basis. Production was, however,
      determined more by environmental conditions during growth than by genetic
      factors. Hordenine production was up to seven times higher in plants grown under
      lower light intensities. 

PMID- 24242722
TI  - Plant-natural enemy association in tritrophic system,Cotesia rubecula-Pieris
      rapae-brassicaceae (Cruciferae). III: Collection and identification of plant and
      frass volatiles.
AB  - To elucidate the identity of the volatile compounds that could be involved in the
      searching behavior of the parasitoidCotesia rubecula Marshall (Hymenoptera:
      Braconidae), the volatiles released by cabbage and frass of Lepidoptera feeding
      on cabbage were collected and analyzed using a gas chromatograph-mass
      spectrometer. The volatiles emitted by intact cabbage were alpha-pinene, beta
      pinene, myrcene, 1,8-cineole,n-hexyl acetate,cis-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, and
      dimethyl trisulfide. Mechanical damage on an intact plant induced the release of
      two more compounds,trans-2-hexenal and 1-methoxy-3-methylene-2-pentanone. Current
      feeding by larvae ofPieris rapae L. (Pieridae) induced the plant to release all
      the compounds released after mechanical damage and additionally 4-methyl-3
      pentenal and allyl isothiocyanate. Current feeding by larvae ofPlutella
      xylostella L. (Plutellidae) induced the plant to release all the compounds
      present after mechanical damage and additionally allyl isothiocyanate. The
      volatiles emitted after feeding by the lepidopterans had ceased were the same as
      those emitted by cabbage damaged by mechanical means. The blend of volatiles
      emitted by frass was comprised of plant chemicals, mainly sulfur compounds. Frass
      ofP. rapae emitted allyl isothiocyanate, methyl isothiocyanate, methyl propyl
      sulfide, dimethyl trisulfide,S-methyl methane thiosulfinate, 4-methyl-3
      pentenal,trans-2-hexenal, and 2,3-dihydro-4-methyl furan. Frass ofP. xylostella
      emitted only dimethyl trisulfide andS-methyl methane thiosulfinate. The blend of
      volatiles emitted by frass is herbivore-species specific. 

PMID- 24242723
TI  - Additional male mediterranean fruitfly (Ceratitis capitata wied.) Attractants
      from Angelica seed oil (Angelica archangelica L.).
AB  - Two sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, beta-copaene and beta-ylangene, were isolated
      from bioactive fractions of angelica seed oil and were shown by field bioassays
      to be attractive to the male Mediterranean fruit fly. Their relative
      attractiveness, compared with the(+)-and (-)-alpha-copaene enantiomers, are: (+)
      alpha-copaene>angelica beta-copaene>angelica beta-ylangene>(-)-alpha-copaene. The
      enantiomer ratios for the two compounds are: beta-copaene, 61.4% (+), 38.6% (-);
      beta-ylangene, 91.9% (+), 8.1% (-).trans-alpha-Bergamotene was also isolated from
      the same fractions, but in sufficient quantity for bioassay [enantiomer ratio:
      95.7% (+), 4.3% (-)]. 

PMID- 24242724
TI  - Tannin sensitivity in larvae ofMalacosoma disstria (Lepidoptera): Roles of the
      peritrophic envelope and midgut oxidation.
AB  - Final-instarMalacosoma disstria fed artificial diets containing tannic acid
      develop lethal pupal deformities. We examined some of the factors potentially
      underlying tannin sensitivity in this species, including the permeability of the
      peritrophic envelope to tannic acid and the chemical fate of tannic acid in the
      gut. Tannic acid does not penetrate the peritrophic envelope ofM. disstria,
      demonstrating that the containment of tannic acid within the endoperitrophic
      space is not sufficient to protect an insect herbivore from the adverse effects
      of ingested tannins. Ingested tannic acid undergoes extensive chemical
      modification in the midgut. Only 19-21 % of the high molecular weight components
      of the tannic acid ingested was recovered in the frass. Of two possible chemical
      fates of ingested tannic acid, oxidation is the predominant chemical
      transformation, whereas little hydrolysis occurs. Measurements of gut redox
      parameters showed that conditions in the midgut favor the oxidation of phenols.
      However, similar conditions occur in the midguts ofOrgyia leucostigma, in which
      no oxidation occurs. Therefore, oxidizing gut redox conditions do not necessarily
      lead to polyphenol oxidation in lepidopteran larvae. We conclude that the
      sensitivity ofM. disstria to ingested tannins is a consequence of their oxidation
      in the midgut. 

PMID- 24242725
TI  - Cellulose digestion in primitive hexapods: Effect of ingested antibiotics on gut
      microbial populations and gut cellulase levels in the firebrat,Thermobia
      domestica (Zygentoma, Lepismatidae).
AB  - Antibiotic feeding studies were conducted on the firebrat,Thermobia domestica
      (Zygentoma, Lepismatidae) to determine if the insect's gut cellulases were of
      insect or microbial origin. Firebrats were fed diets containing either nystatin,
      metronidazole, streptomycin, tetracycline, or an antibiotic cocktail consisting
      of all four antibiotics, and then their gut microbial populations and gut
      cellulase levels were monitored and compared with the gut microbial populations
      and gut cellulase levels in firebrats feeding on antibiotic-free diets. Each
      antibiotic significantly reduced the firebrat's gut micro-flora. Nystatin reduced
      the firebrat's viable gut fungi by 89%. Tetracycline and the antibiotic cocktail
      reduced the firebrat's viable gut bacteria by 81% and 67%, respectively, and
      metronidazole, streptomycin, tetracycline, and the antibiotic cocktail reduced
      the firebrat's total gut flora by 35%, 32%, 55%, and 64%, respectively. Although
      antibiotics significantly reduced the firebrat's viable and total gut flora, gut
      cellulase levels in firebrats fed antibiotics were not significantly different
      from those in firebrats on an antibiotic-free diet. Furthermore, microbial
      populations in the firebrat's gut decreased significantly over time, even in
      firebrats feeding on the antibiotic-free diet, without corresponding decreases in
      gut cellulase levels. Based on this evidence, we conclude that the gut cellulases
      of firebrats are of insect origin. This conclusion implies that symbiont
      independent cellulose digestion is a primitive trait in insects and that symbiont
      mediated cellulose digestion is a derived condition. 

PMID- 24242726
TI  - Red maple (Acer rubrum) inhibits feeding by beaver (Castor canadensis).
AB  - At many beaver (Castor canadensis) sites at Allegany State Park in New York
      State, red maple (Acer rubrum) is the only or one of the few tree species left
      standing at the ponds' edges. The relative palatability of red maple (RM) was
      studied in three ways. (1) At seven beaver sites, the available and utilized
      trees were recorded and an electivity index (E) computed. Of 15 tree species, RM
      ranked second or fourth lowest. (2) In experiment I, RM, sugar maple (A.
      saccharum, SM), and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) logs were presented
      cafeteria style at 10 colonies. RM was the least preferred. (3) Bark of RM was
      extracted with solvents. Aspen logs were painted (experiment II) or soaked
      (experiment III) with this RM extract and presented to beaver cafeteria-style,
      along with aspen and RM controls. This treatment rendered aspen logs less
      palatable, indicating that a chemical factor had been transferred. 

PMID- 24242727
TI  - Analysis, isolation and insecticidal activity of linear furanocoumarins and other
      coumarin derivatives fromPeucedanum (Apiaceae: Apioideae).
AB  - Peucedanum arenarium Waldst. & Kit.,P. austriacum (Jacq.) Koch,P. coriaceum
      Reichenb.,P. longifolium Waldst. & Kit,P. officinale L.,P. oreoselinum (L.)
      Moench,P. ostruthium L., andP. palustre (L.) Moench accumulate different
      structural types of coumarins including simple coumarins, linear furanocoumarins,
      linear dihydropyranocoumarins, angular dihydrofuranocoumarins and angular
      dihydropyranocoumarins. Linear furanocoumarins, known for various biological
      activities, include some well-known antifeedants, such as bergapten,
      isopimpinellin, and xanthotoxin. The aim of this investigation was to screen the
      diverse coumarins fromPeucedanum for insecticidal activity. LC was used to
      analyze and isolate coumarins for the bioassays. A growth inhibition bioassay
      with 17 derivatives, comprising all structural types fromPeucedanum, carried out
      withSpodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as test organism,
      indicated the majority of the linear furanocoumarins and the angular
      dihydrofuranocoumarin athamantin as active compounds. Oxygenation of the prenyl
      residue of linear furanocoumarins decreased activity. Further formation of an
      ester with angelic acid even resulted in complete inactivity. Five active linear
      furanocoumarins, bergapten, isopimpinellin, xanthotoxin, isoimperatorin, and
      imperatorin, and two linear furanocoumarins with a substituted furan ring,
      peucedanin and 8-methoxypeucedanin, were compared in a dietary utilization
      bioassay. Relative growth rate (RGR) and relative consumption rate (RCR) divided
      the tested coumarins in three groups of similar activity. Isopimpinellin and
      peucedanin slightly decreased RGR and RCR of the treated larvae, and xanthotoxin,
      isoimperatorin, and 8-methoxypeucedanin heavily decreased RGR and RCR. Bergapten
      and imperatorin differed by the lowest RGR values and rather high RCR values. The
      effects caused by these two coumarins indicate specific postingestive toxicity.
      The results obtained in this study add to the reputation of coumarins to be an
      effective chemical defense, postulating that chemical diversity is a necessary
      trait for well-defended plants. 

PMID- 24242728
TI  - Seasonal variation in volatile secondary compounds ofChrysothamnus nauseosus
      (Pallas) britt.; asteraceae ssp.hololeucus (Gray) hall. & clem. Influences
      herbivory.
AB  - Chrysothamnus nauseosus (rubber rabbitbrush) is used by browsing animals,
      especially mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), as a forage in the winter months. It
      is used only slightly, if at all in the summer. This dietary difference may
      result from changes in the secondary chemical composition of the leaves. Solvent
      extracts from summer and winter rabbitbrush leaves were analyzed by gas
      chromatography and mass spectrometry, and the volatile compounds were quantified
      and identified. Hexane and chloroform extracts from winter leaves exhibit a
      marked concentration decrease in most chemicals when compared to summer extracts.
      The methanol extracts revealed the presence of several chemicals in the summer
      leaves that were absent in winter leaves. Rubber rabbitbrush has fewer secondary
      volatile chemicals in the winter than in the summer. These chemical differences
      may influence the seasonal dietary difference observed in mule deer and other
      browsing animals. 

PMID- 24242729
TI  - Proximity of release points of pheromone components as a factor confusing males
      of the spotted stem borer,Chilo partellus, approaching the trap.
AB  - The effect of proximity of the release points of the two pheromone components (Z)
      11-hexadecenal and (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol of the spotted stem borer,Chilo
      partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on behavior of the males and on trapping
      efficiency was investigated. Separating the dispensers of the two components in
      the trap by a mere 3 cm resulted in a threefold decrease in trap performance,
      compared to very close release of the components. The result is attributed to
      possible distortion of the pheromone signal, resulting in confused behavior ofC.
      partellus males in the vicinity of the trap. The ethological and practical
      implications of the phenomenon are discussed. 

PMID- 24242730
TI  - Fecal volatiles as part of the aggregation pheromone complex of the desert
      locust,Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae).
AB  - Olfactometric bioassays showed that nymphs of crowded desert locusts,Schistocerca
      gregaria, aggregated in response to volatiles derived from their feces and to
      volatiles emitted from the feces of young adults, but were indifferent to
      volatiles emitted by older adult feces. On the other hand, young and older adults
      were not only responsive to their own fecal volatiles but also cross-responsive
      to each other's and that of the nymphs. Charcoal-trapped volatiles from the feces
      and synthetic blends of the fecal volatiles also elicited similar responses.
      Young adults responded moderately to a blend of nymphal volatiles and those
      derived from nymphal feces. GC-EAD and GC-MS analysis of the trapped volatiles
      revealed the presence of guaiacol and phenol as predominant
      electrophysiologically active components of nymphal and young adult feces. Fecal
      volatiles of older adult contained phenylacetonitrile in addition to guaiacol and
      phenol, which were present in relatively lower proportion. These results suggest
      that fecal volatiles are part of the aggregation pheromone complex of the desert
      locust, which includes the pheromone blends produced by nymphs and older adults,
      respectively. 

PMID- 24242731
TI  - Isolation of 8-hydroxygeraniol-8-O-beta-D-glucoside, a probable intermediate in
      biosynthesis of iridoid monoterpenes, from defensive secretions ofPlagiodera
      versicolora andGastrophysa viridula (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).
AB  - 8-Hydroxygeraniol and its 8-O-beta-D-glucoside have been found as trace
      components in the defensive secretions ofPlagiodera versicolora andGastrophysa
      viridula larvae. This discovery supports the hypothesis that the evolution of the
      utilization of plant precursors by some chrysomelid species was favored by the
      plesiomorphic occurrence of abeta-glucosidase and an oxidase in the defensive
      secretion of iridoid-producing species. 

PMID- 24242732
TI  - Squash leaf glandular trichome volatiles: Identification and influence on
      behavior of female pickleworm moth [Diaphania nitidalis (Stoll.)] (Lepidoptera:
      Pyralidae).
AB  - Fourteen volatile compounds occurring in leaf trichomes of yellow squash
      (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Early Prolific Straightneck) were identified. These
      compounds accounted for 83.5% of the volatile matrix. Ubiquitous constituents of
      the epidermis (myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids,n-tricosane, andn
      pentacosane) accounted for 73.7%; these compounds were not bioassayed. The
      volatileso-,m-, andp-xylene, toluene, 2-heptanone, (R)-(+)- and (S)-(-)-limonene,
      and germacrene D were tested for their influence on attraction and oviposition by
      the pickleworm moth (Diaphania nitidalis Stoll.). No single compound, except
      germacrene D, was attractive. (R)-(+)-Limonene and 2-heptanone were weakly
      repellent. Mixtures of the highly volatile fractions were as attractive as
      volatiles emanating from whole, intact leaves. Oviposition levels on treated
      artificial sites corresponded with levels of visitation. Oviposition was
      significantly stimulated by "whole-leaf" volatiles, and (S)-(-)-limonene caused a
      slight but significant reduction. 

PMID- 24242733
TI  - Population and sex differences in antipredator responses of breeding fathead
      minnows (Pimephales promelas) to chemical stimuli from garter snakes (Thamnophis
      radix andT. sirtalis).
AB  - We conducted a predator bite survey on a population of fathead minnows
      (Pimephales promelas) considered to be under substantial predation pressure by
      western plains garter snakes (Thamnophis radix). Scarring, due to failed
      predation attempts by garter snakes and crayfish (Orconectes virilis), was
      observed significantly more often in breeding males than in breeding females and
      nonbreeding minnows. Likely, territorial nest defense under the edges of rocks
      along the water's edge, a habitat occupied by crayfish and frequented by snakes,
      caused the breeding males to be differentially vulnerable to predation. Under
      controlled laboratory conditions, breeding males from this population exhibited
      an antipredator response to chemical stimuli from live snakes (T. sirtalis andT.
      radix) significantly more often than breeding female minnows from the same
      population and breeding minnows of both sexes from a population that was presumed
      to be under lower predation pressure from snakes. 

PMID- 24242734
TI  - Isolation of apigeninidin from leaf sheaths ofSorghum caudatum.
AB  - A stable 3-deoxyanthocyanidin, apigeninidin chloride, a potential fungal growth
      inhibitor and a useful dye, has been isolated with a high yield (10% in dried
      material) as the major pigment in the sheaths ofSorghum caudatum. 

PMID- 24242735
TI  - Attacus atlas caterpillars (Lep., Saturniidae) spray an irritant secretion from
      defensive glands.
AB  - The ability ofAttacus atlas caterpillars to spray a defensive secretion seems to
      be due to the fine structure of the integumental glands that produce it. The
      giant gland cells are fixed to stable cuticular rings surrounding the gland
      openings and tightly closed by cuticular lids. Probably by increasing hemolymph
      pressure, the lids are blasted off and the secretion spouts out. The fluid
      contains several aromatics, biogenic amines (e.g., acetylcholine, histamine),
      glycerol, and trehalose and exhibits tyrosinase activity. Deterrent effects of
      caterpillar secretion and hemolymph on predatory ants could be shown. Presumably
      the spraying process serves to apply the secretion to sensitive sites of
      vertebrate target organisms. 

PMID- 24242736
TI  - Wound-induced changes in root and shoot jasmonic acid pools correlate with
      induced nicotine synthesis inNicotiana sylvestris spegazzini and comes.
AB  - Leaf damage by herbivores inNicotiana sylvestris Spegazzini and Comes
      (Solanaceae) produces a damage signal that dramatically increasesde novo nicotine
      synthesis in the roots. The increased synthesis leads to increases in whole-plant
      nicotine pools, which in turn make plants more resistant to further herbivore
      attack. Because signal production and the response to the signal occur in widely
      separated tissues, the speed with which different damage signals exit a damaged
      leaf can be studied. We propose that electrical damage signals should exit a leaf
      faster (less than 60 min) than chemical damage signals. Excision of a leaf
      induces a smaller increase in nicotine production than does puncture damage, so
      we examined our proposition by excising previously punctured leaves at 1, 60, and
      960 min after leaf puncture and quantifying the induced whole-plant nicotine
      pools six days later when the induced nicotine production had reached a maximum.
      Significant induced nicotine production occurred only if punctured leaves were
      excised more than 1 hr after puncture, which is consistent with the
      characteristics of a slow-moving chemical signal rather than a fast-moving
      electrical signal. We explore the nature of the chemical signal and demonstrate
      that additions of 90ug or more of methyl jasmonate (MJ) in an aqueous solution to
      the roots of hydroponically grown plants inducede novo nicotine synthesis
      from(15)NO3 in a manner similar to that induced by leaf damage. We examine the
      hypothesis that jasmonic acid (JA) functions in the transfer of the damage signal
      from shoot to root. Using GC-MS techniques to quantify whole-plant JA pools, we
      demonstrate that leaf damage rapidly (<0.5 hr) increases shoot JA pools and, more
      slowly (<2 hr), root JA pools. JA levels subsequently decay to levels found in
      undamaged plants within 24 hr and 10 hr for shoots and roots, respectively. The
      addition of sufficient quantities (186ug) of MJ in a lanolin paste to leaves from
      hydroponically grown plants significantly increased endogenous root JA pools and
      increasedde novo nicotine synthesis in these plants. However, the addition of
      93ug or less of MJ did not significantly increase endogenous root JA pools and
      did not significantly affectde novo nicotine synthesis. We propose that wounding
      increases shoot JA pools, which either directly through transport or indirectly
      through a systemin-like signal increase root JA pools, which, in turn, stimulate
      root nicotine synthesis and increase whole-plant nicotine pools. 

PMID- 24242737
TI  - Advanced glycation end products, aortic stiffness, and wave reflection in
      peritoneal dialysis as compared to hemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modification of vascular extracellular matrix by advanced glycation
      end products (AGEs) may result in vascular stiffness. Because of higher exposure
      to glucose, we hypothesized that patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) may have
      higher tissue levels of AGEs, increased vascular stiffness, and enhanced central
      augmentation pressure as compared to hemodialysis patients (HD). METHODS: In a
      cross-sectional study, 43 PD were matched to 43 HD based on age, gender,
      diabetes, and dialysis vintage. Tissue levels of AGEs were assessed by skin
      autofluorescence (skin AF). Aortic stiffness was measured by carotid-femoral
      pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), and heart rate-adjusted augmentation pressure
      (AP@75) was performed by arterial tonometry. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics
      were similar in both groups except for lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease
      (CVD) and higher exposure to smoking in PD. Skin AF and cf-PWV were not
      statistically different, but PD patients had a lower AP@75 (P = 0.023). However,
      after adjustments for prevalence of CVD and smoking status, skin AF was higher in
      PD by 0.587 AU (95 % CI 0.091-1.215, P = 0.020), and cf-PWV was higher in PD by
      2.20 m/s (95 % CI 0.56-3.84, P = 0.009), while AP@75 was not different. Overall,
      there was a significant association between skin AF and cf-PWV and AP@75.
      CONCLUSION: Skin AF and aortic stiffness were higher in PD after adjustments for
      imbalances in baseline characteristics. Independent of dialysis modality, there
      was a positive association between skin AF, aortic stiffness, and enhanced wave
      reflection.

PMID- 24242738
TI  - Clinical efficacy of rituximab for acute rejection in kidney transplantation: a
      meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety
      of pretransplant treatment with rituximab in sensitized patients receiving kidney
      transplantation. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched to
      identify studies that used pretransplantation rituximab in eligible patients. The
      major outcomes included antibody-mediated rejections (AMR) after kidney
      transplantation and one-year graft survival rate. The meta-analysis was performed
      using fixed-effects model. RESULTS: Seven studies were identified including a
      total of 589 patients, of whom 312 were treated without rituximab, while 277 were
      treated with rituximab. In our meta-analysis, patients treated with rituximab had
      significantly fewer AMR after kidney transplantation [odds ratio (OR) 0.52, 95 %
      CI 0.28, 0.98, P = 0.04] and higher rate of one-year graft survival rates (OR
      3.02, 95 % CI 1.14, 8.02, P = 0.03), indicating that rituximab is effective
      against acute rejection and enhances graft survival in kidney transplantation. No
      differences were noted in other efficacy and safety parameters in these two
      patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that preinduction with rituximab
      could significantly improve AMR and graft survival rates in sensitized patients
      undergoing kidney transplantation. Future prospective controlled studies are
      warranted to further understand rituximab's role in kidney transplantation.

PMID- 24242740
TI  - Perceptions of disability and occupational stress as discriminators of work
      disability in patients with chronic pain.
AB  - Pain-related work disability can be influenced by a number of medical, physical,
      and psychosocial factors. The present study investigated the role of perceived
      disability, occupational stress, pain, and distress in patients with chronic pain
      disorders who work despite pain and patients who are work disabled. A total of
      165 patients referred to a multidisciplinary pain treatment center for chronic
      pain (> 6 months) were studied. The two groups were compared on age, gender,
      education, marital status, duration of pain problem, pain severity, psychological
      distress, perceived disability, and perception of the work environment. A
      discriminant function analysis was computed entering pain severity, distress,
      perceived disability (physical and psychosocial) and work environment variables.
      The two groups were equivalent on age, gender, education, marital status, and
      duration of pain problem. The groups differed on diagnosis and insurance coverage
      with the work-disabled group diagnosed with low back pain and receiving Workers
      Compensation coverage more frequently than working controls. Univariate analyses
      indicated that the work-disabled group reported higher pain severity, perceived
      physical and psychosocial disability, and job stress than their working cohorts.
      The discriminant function analysis indicated that the perception of physical
      disability, supervisor support, distress, and work pressure were capable of
      correctly classifying patients with chronic pain who continued to work from those
      who were work disabled. These findings indicate the importance of evaluating
      perceived disability and job stress, and if present, directing intervention
      effort at these factors in order to facilitate work re-entry. 

PMID- 24242739
TI  - The prognostic value of cyclin D1 in renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a family of distinct tumors, and a
      variety of molecules have been evaluated as prognostic markers for RCC. Cyclin
      D1, a cell cycle regulator, is overexpressed in several primary tumors.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cyclin D1 expression as a prognostic marker in RCC.
      METHOD: In total, 109 tumor specimens from patients with RCC were obtained from
      2005 to 2010 at Hospital das Clinicas--Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine--USP,
      Brazil, and submitted to immunohistochemical analysis along with seven normal
      kidney tissue samples. RESULTS: All of the normal kidney samples lacked cyclin D1
      immunohistochemical staining. In addition, there was lower protein expression in
      the papillary and chromophobe RCC samples. Patients with cyclin D1(low) tumors
      (<= 30 % positive cells) showed worse clinical outcome (p = 0.03), lower survival
      without metastasis and/or death by RCC (p = 0.03), high nuclear grade (p =
      0.001), larger tumor size (p = 0.01), presence of symptoms at diagnosis (p =
      0.04), necrosis (p = 0.004) and sarcomatoid morphology (p = 0.04). After
      multivariate analysis, cyclin D1 was not an independent significant factor for
      worse outcome; however, it improved the accuracy of the adopted prognostic
      system. The analysis performed for clear cell RCC alone showed similar
      statistical significance to that of the total cases. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclin D1
      protein was overexpressed in RCC. The types of RCC appear to exhibit different
      immunohistochemical staining patterns for cyclin D1; high protein expression was
      related to good clinical outcome and to most known favorable prognostic factors.
      Further investigations are necessary to reveal which mechanisms lead to cyclin D1
      accumulation in neoplastic cells.

PMID- 24242741
TI  - A comparison of isometric strength and dynamic lifting capacity in men with work
      related low back injuries.
AB  - Job classification, return to work status, and job placement are determined by
      the results of lifting capacity tests. Lifting capacity is often assessed by
      maximum static or dynamic physical exertions. The purpose of this study was to
      compare maximum isometric lifting strength with maximum dynamic lifting capacity
      in subjects with work-related low back injury. Twenty-seven men performed five
      dynamic lifting tasks and two isometric strength tests. The mean Pearson product
      moment correlation between maximum isometric lifting strength measurements and
      maximum dynamic lifting capacity measurements was .51 with a range of .30-.73.
      The results indicate low to moderate associations between isometric strength
      measurements and lifting capacity suggesting that estimates of functional lifting
      capacity should not be based on static measurements alone. Dynamic lift tests are
      often a better simulation of the task being assessed and may be more appropriate
      for a back-injured population. 

PMID- 24242742
TI  - Functional restoration for chronic low back pain: Changes in depression,
      cognitive distortion, and disability.
AB  - In the present study, 107 patients (72 males and 35 females) completed self
      report measures of depression, distortion, disability, and pain intensity at
      three points during their rehabilitation: (1) admission to a 3-week comprehensive
      functional restoration program, (2) discharge from the comprehensive phase, and
      (3) 4-6 weeks later at their first post-program evaluation. Various range-of
      motion measures were also collected at these same times using inclinometry.
      Results demonstrated significant improvements on all measures which were
      maintained into follow-up. Patients were also subsequently grouped into depressed
      and non-depressed at admission, and both groups demonstrated significant
      improvement across time. Additionally, patients were divided into high and low
      distortion groups. High general cognitive distortion patients did not show
      improvement on 3 of the 5 range of motion, or pain intensity scores, although
      they did improve on their depression, distortion, and disability scores. Findings
      also suggested thatlow back pain-related cognitive distortion may be considered a
      state or situational factor, whereasgeneral cognitive distortion appears to be
      more of a trait characteristic. 

PMID- 24242743
TI  - Biomechanical analysis of upper extremity risk in Sign Langauge Interpreting.
AB  - Upper extremity cumulative trauma distorders (UECTD) have been identified as an
      occupational health problem in professional Sign Language Interpreters (SLI). A
      previous study of UECTD in SLI has indicated significant differences between
      interpreters working with pain and those working without pain. This earlier
      research focused on gross measures of hand/wrist movement, work/rest cycles, and
      deviations from an optimal work envelope. The present paper describes a detailed
      biomechanical analysis of wrist and forearm activity associated with SLI. This
      assessment included forearm (flexion and extension) and wrist (flexion/extension
      and radial/ulnar deviation) measures of movement frequency, counts of individual
      motion, joint movement velocities and accelerations as well as range of motion.
      The analyses revealed that the postures required for interpreting result in the
      signing hand frequently held in a fully pronated position, with the palm facing
      out. The wrist was most frequently in an ulnar deviation and/or extension while
      the elbow was flexed more than 90 degrees  and held in close to the body with the
      fingers pointing up. The frequency of motions for the forearm and wrist were
      observed to be 270 per minute (4.5 Hz), which is equivalent to 13,600 per 50
      minute lecture hour. The mean absolute joint movement velocity and acceleration
      values were relatively high in contrast to industrial jobs with wrist and forearm
      accelerations between 34,754 degreees/sec(2) and 36,046 degrees/sec(2),
      respectively. The findings from this biomechanical analysis indicates that SLI
      can involve highly repetitive, awkward movements with significant accelerations
      of the hand and wrist. Such job characteristics may predispose interpreters to
      upper extremity CTD-related disorders. 

PMID- 24242744
TI  - Prior psychiatric problems in rehabilitation clients with work-related injuries.
AB  - Psychiatric histories were obtained in 56 patients beginning rehabilitation
      following a work-related injury in order to establish the temporal relationship
      between the onset of psychiatric problems and the date of the work injury. The
      presence of major depression and alcohol abuse was determined using structured,
      directed interviews and the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical
      Manual of Mental Disorders. A history of either alcohol abuse or depression was
      found in 36 (64.3%) of the 56 subjects. Of these 36 subjects, 32 (88.9%) reported
      a history of psychiatric problems that antedated the work injury. These data
      suggest that, in injured workers, the conceptualization of psychiatric problems
      solely as reactive illnesses in otherwise psychiatrically healthy persons is
      often inaccurate. Furthermore, these data suggest the hypothesis that the
      presence of clinical depression or alcohol abuse may increase the risks of a work
      related injury. 

PMID- 24242745
TI  - The functional restoration approach for chronic spinal disability.
AB  - The functional restoration approach to treating chronic spinal disability
      consists of a medically directed, interdisciplinary team approach to physical
      reconditioning and a cognitive-behavioral "crisis intervention" procedure for
      dealing with related psychosocial problems. One- and two-year follow-up studies
      have demonstrated the clinical efficacy of this approach. The present article
      describes this approach and summarizes the research documenting its success in
      treating patients with chronic spinal disability. This article also highlights
      the pitfalls in misunderstanding and misrepresenting the components of the
      functional restoration approach when evaluating treatment efficacy. 

PMID- 24242747
TI  - The crane's foot: The rise of the pedigree in human genetics.
AB  - The standard pedigree used by geneticists is intimately connected to the history
      of genetics. Pedigrees drawn today are based on standards established in the
      early decades of the twentieth century. Those standards were established by
      geneticists who pursued an active interest in eugenics. The slightly different
      standards followed in America vs. England to some extent followed the stronger
      support of Mendelism by the Americans, as well as the individual preferences of
      the leading human geneticists in those countries. 

PMID- 24242746
TI  - Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament concentration reflects disease severity in
      frontotemporal degeneration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light chain (NfL)
      concentration is elevated in neurological disorders, including frontotemporal
      degeneration (FTD). We investigated the clinical correlates of elevated CSF NfL
      levels in FTD. METHODS: CSF NfL, amyloid-beta1-42 (Abeta42), tau, and
      phosphorylated tau concentrations were compared in 47 normal controls (NC), 8
      asymptomatic gene carriers (NC2) of FTD-causing mutations, and 79 FTD (45
      behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia [bvFTD], 18 progressive nonfluent
      aphasia [PNFA], 16 semantic dementia [SD]), 22 progressive supranuclear palsy, 50
      Alzheimer disease, 6 Parkinson disease, and 17 corticobasal syndrome patients.
      Correlations between CSF analyte levels were performed with neuropsychological
      measures and the Clinical Dementia Rating scale sum of boxes (CDRsb). Voxel-based
      morphometry of structural magnetic resonance images determined the relationship
      between brain volume and CSF NfL. RESULTS: Mean CSF NfL concentrations were
      higher in bvFTD, SD, and PNFA than other groups. NfL in NC2 was similar to NC.
      CSF NfL, but not other CSF measures, correlated with CDRsb and neuropsychological
      measures in FTD, but not in other diagnostic groups. Analyses in 2 independent
      FTD cohorts and a group of autopsy-verified or biomarker-enriched cases confirmed
      the larger group analysis. In FTD, gray and white matter volume negatively
      correlated with CSF NfL concentration, such that individuals with the highest NfL
      levels exhibited the most atrophy. INTERPRETATION: CSF NfL is elevated in
      symptomatic FTD and correlates with disease severity. This measurement may be a
      useful surrogate endpoint of disease severity in FTD clinical trials.
      Longitudinal studies of CSF NfL in FTD are warranted.

PMID- 24242748
TI  - The need for developing standardized family pedigree nomenclature.
AB  - To assess the variation in usage of symbols used in recording a genetic family
      history, full members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors were surveyed
      by questionnaire. The questionnaire return rate was 55.3% and genetic counselors
      from a broad range of clinical experience, genetic counseling training programs
      and geographic regions responded. There was striking variation in symbols used
      for recording routine medical information in a genetic family history (i.e.,
      pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, termination of pregnancy). There was even less
      consensus in recording situations representing new reproductive technologies
      (i.e., artificial insemination by donor semen, donor ovum, surrogate motherhood).
      The results of this survey document the need for developing standardized
      nomenclature in recording genetic family histories as a quality assurance measure
      in the delivery of genetic services. Such standardization will reduce the chance
      of incorrect interpretation of patient and family medical and genetic
      information. 

PMID- 24242749
TI  - Toward a new conceptualization and operationalization of risk perception within
      the genetic counseling domain.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it provides an historical overview
      of studies of risk, risk perception, and decision making under risk within the
      genetic counseling domain. Second, it proposes an alternative conceptualization
      and operationalization for the study of risk perception. The conceptualization
      involves probability, adversity, incompleteness, and ambiguity. Prior studies of
      risk perception focus on the recurrence risk and operationalize risk perception
      by asking for interpretations of the magnitude of the probability of the outcome.
      Their focus is on the probability of a particular outcome. We formulate the
      problem in terms of a gamble and suggest that risk perception be operationalized
      in terms of the riskiness of the gamble. Our focus is on the riskiness of a
      decision option which entails two or more outcomes. 

PMID- 24242750
TI  - Genetic library.

PMID- 24242751
TI  - Abstracts of papers at the twelfth annual education conference.

PMID- 24242752
TI  - Editor's note.

PMID- 24242753
TI  - CF Reinbursement questioned.

PMID- 24242754
TI  - Prevalence of HIV infection and risk behaviors among younger and older injecting
      drug users in the United States, 2009.
AB  - This study compared HIV sero-prevalence and risk behaviors between younger and
      older injecting drug users (IDUs). IDUs aged >=18 years were interviewed for the
      2009 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System. Using GEE regression, we
      assessed characteristics of younger (18-29 years) and older (>=30 years) IDUs,
      and factors associated with past 12-month receptive syringe sharing and
      unprotected sex (vaginal/anal). Of 10,090 participants, 10 % were younger. HIV
      sero-prevalence was lower among younger than older IDUs (4 vs. 10 %, p = 0.001).
      Younger IDUs were more likely (p <= 0.002) to be non-black race/ethnicity, report
      higher household income, homelessness, being arrested and to engage in receptive
      syringe sharing and unprotected sex. In multivariable models, age remained
      associated (p < 0.001) with receptive syringe sharing (aPR = 1.14, 95 % CI1.07
      1.22) and unprotected sex (aPR = 1.10, 95 % CI1.06-1.14). Although younger IDUs
      had lower HIV prevalence, their behaviors place them at increased risk of HIV
      infection and could lead to a rapid spread in this susceptible population. 

PMID- 24242755
TI  - Dietary nitrate and nitrite intake and risk of colorectal cancer in the Shanghai
      Women's Health Study.
AB  - Nitrate and nitrite are precursors of endogenously formed N-nitroso compounds
      (NOC), known animal carcinogens. Nitrosation reactions forming NOCs can be
      inhibited by vitamin C and other antioxidants. We prospectively investigated the
      association between dietary nitrate and nitrite intake and risk of colorectal
      cancer in the Shanghai Women's Health Study, a cohort of 73,118 women ages 40-70
      residing in Shanghai. We evaluated effect modification by factors that affect
      endogenous formation of NOCs: vitamin C (at or above/below median) and red meat
      intake (at or above/below median). Nitrate, nitrite and other dietary intakes
      were estimated from a 77-item food frequency questionnaire administered at
      baseline. Over a mean of 11 years of follow-up, we identified 619 colorectal
      cancer cases (n = 383, colon; n = 236, rectum). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95%
      confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard
      regression. Overall, nitrate intake was not associated with colorectal cancer
      risk (HR = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.73-1.59). However, among women with vitamin C intake
      below the median (83.9 mg day(-1) ) and hence higher potential exposure to NOCs,
      risk of colorectal cancer increased with increasing quintiles of nitrate intake
      (highest vs. lowest quintile HR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.15-5.18; p trend = 0.02). There
      was no association among women with higher vitamin C intake. We found no
      association between nitrite intake and risk of colorectal cancer overall or by
      intake level of vitamin C. Our findings suggest that high dietary nitrate intake
      among subgroups expected to have higher exposure to endogenously formed NOCs
      increases risk of colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 24242756
TI  - Glioblastoma treatment using perphenazine to block the subventricular zone's
      tumor trophic functions.
AB  - We present here a potential new treatment adjunct for glioblastoma. Building on
      murine studies, a series of papers appeared recently showing that therapeutic
      irradiation of the ipsilateral subventricular zone (SVZ) retards growth of more
      peripherally growing cortical glioblastomas in humans, suggesting a tumor trophic
      function for the SVZ. Further studies showed that SVZ cells migrate out towards a
      peripheral glioblastoma. Dopamine signaling through D3 subtype receptor
      indirectly drives this centrifugal migration in humans. Since psychiatry has
      several drugs with good D3 blocking attributes, such as fluphenazine, or
      perphenazine, we suggest that adding one of these D3 blocking drugs to current
      standard treatment of resection followed by temozolomide and irradiation might
      prolong survival by depriving glioblastoma of the trophic functions previously
      subserved by dopaminergic signaling on SVZ cells. 

PMID- 24242757
TI  - Molecular analysis of diffuse intrinsic brainstem gliomas in adults.
AB  - Diffuse intrinsic brainstem gliomas (DIBG) account for 1-2 % of adult gliomas.
      Their biological characteristics are scarcely understood and whether DIBG are
      biologically different from supratentorial gliomas remains to be established. We
      analyzed 17 DIBG samples for IDH1 R132H, alpha internexin, p53, and Ki67
      expression, and, in a subset with sufficient DNA amount, for IDH1 and histone H3
      mutational status, genomic profiling and MGMT promoter methylation status. A
      series of 738 adult supratentorial gliomas was used for comparison. Median age at
      diagnosis was 41 years (range 18.9-65.3 years). Median overall survival was 48.7
      months (57 months for low-grade vs. 16 months for high-grade gliomas, p < 0.01).
      IDH1 sequencing revealed two mutations (IDH1 (R132G) , IDH1 (R132C) ) out of 7
      DIBG whereas the R132H IDH1 enzyme was detected in 1/17 DIBG, suggesting that
      IDH1 mutations are mostly non R132H in DIBG (2/2), in contrast to supratentorial
      gliomas (31/313; p = 0.01). Mutations in histone genes H3F3A (encoding H3.3) and
      HIST1H3B (encoding H3.1) were found in 3/8 (37.5 %) of the DIBG (two H3F3A (K27M)
      and one HIST1H3B (K27M) ) versus 6/205 (2.9 %) of the supratentorial high-grade
      gliomas (four H3F3A (G34R) and two H3F3A (K27M) ) (p = 0.002). The CGH array
      showed a higher frequency of chromosome arm 1q gain, 9q gain and 11q loss in DIBG
      compared to the supratentorial high-grade gliomas, which had a less frequent
      chromosome 7 gain, and a less frequent chromosome 10 loss. No EGFR amplification
      was found. These data suggest that adult DIBG differ from adult supratentorial
      gliomas. In particular, histone genes (H3F3A (K27M) , HIST1H3B (K27M) ) mutations
      are frequent in adult DIBG whereas IDH1 (R132H) mutations are rare.

PMID- 24242758
TI  - STAT4 is critical for immunity but not for antileishmanial activity of
      antimonials in experimental visceral leishmaniasis.
AB  - We and others have previously shown that IL-12 is indispensable for immunity and
      is required for the optimal antiparasitic activity of antimonials in experimental
      visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani. Here we investigated the
      role of STAT4 in immunity against L. donovani using STAT4 knockout mice and also
      determined the effect of STAT4 deficiency in response to antimonial therapy. Upon
      infection with L. donovani, stat4-/- BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice showed enhanced
      susceptibility to Leishmania during late time points of infection which was
      associated with a marked reduction in Th1 responses and hepatic immunopathology.
      Interestingly, these defects in Th1 responses in stat4-/- did not impair the
      antimonial chemotherapy as both stat4-/- and WT mice showed comparable levels of
      parasite clearance from the liver and spleen. These findings highlight the role
      of STAT4 in immunity to L. donovani infection and also provide evidence that
      STAT4 is dispensable for antimonial-based chemotherapy.

PMID- 24242759
TI  - MicroRNAs in islet immunobiology and transplantation.
AB  - The ultimate goal of diabetes therapy is the restoration of physiologic metabolic
      control. For type 1 diabetes, research efforts are focused on the prevention or
      early intervention to halt the autoimmune process and preserve beta cell
      function. Replacement of pancreatic beta cells via islet transplantation
      reestablishes physiologic beta cell function in patients with diabetes. Emerging
      research shows that microRNAs (miRNAs), noncoding small RNA molecules produced by
      a newly discovered class of genes, negatively regulate gene expression. MiRNAs
      recognize and bind to partially complementary sequences of target messenger RNA
      (mRNA), regulating mRNA translation and affecting gene expression. Correlation
      between miRNA signatures and genome-wide RNA expression allows identification of
      multiple miRNA-mRNA pairs in biological processes. Because miRNAs target
      functionally related genes, they represent an exciting and indispensable approach
      for biomarkers and drug discovery. We are studying the role of miRNA in the
      context of islet immunobiology. Our research aims at understanding the mechanisms
      underlying pancreatic beta cell loss and developing clinically relevant
      approaches for preservation and restoration of beta cell function to treat
      insulin-dependent diabetes. Herein, we discuss some of our recent efforts related
      to the study of miRNA in islet inflammation and islet engraftment. Our working
      hypothesis is that modulation of the expression of specific microRNAs in the
      transplant microenvironment will be of assistance in enhancing islet engraftment
      and promoting long-term function.

PMID- 24242762
TI  - Immunology and microbiology in Miami.

PMID- 24242761
TI  - A20-mediated negative regulation of canonical NF-kappaB signaling pathway.
AB  - The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) plays vital role in the immune system by
      regulating innate and adaptive immunity, development and survival of lymphocytes,
      and lymphoid organogenesis. All known NF-kappaB activators converge on the
      IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex to activate the canonical and non-canonical NF
      kappaB pathways. The IKK complex contains two catalytic subunits (IKKalpha and
      IKKbeta) and a regulatory subunit NEMO/IKKgamma that regulates the canonical NF
      kappaB pathway, whereas IKKalpha regulates the non-canonical pathway. The process
      of IKKalpha activation and its role in the regulation of canonical NF-kappaB
      activation remain elusive. The canonical pathway is rapidly activated and
      produces a potent inflammatory response to bacterial and viral infections as well
      as different types of stress; however, uncontrolled NF-kappaB activation can lead
      to autoimmune diseases and cancers. Therefore, to keep the inflammatory response
      in check, elaborate negative regulatory mechanisms operate to terminate NF-kappaB
      activation at multiple levels by de novo synthesis of NF-kappaB inhibitory
      proteins, and orchestration of protein ubiquitination and deubiquitination. The
      NF-kappaB target genes, IkappaBalpha and A20, play critical roles in termination
      of the active canonical NF-kappaB pathway. In this review, we discuss our recent
      findings describing a novel function for IKKalpha in nucleating the ubiquitin
      editing enzyme A20 complex, a major negative regulator of canonical NF-kappaB
      signaling. Consistently with an inhibitory function of IKKalpha, it is targeted
      by the human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1) oncoprotein, Tax, to prevent
      assembly of the A20 complex to maintain persistent NF-kappaB activation that
      promotes transformation and survival of virus-transformed cells.

PMID- 24242763
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate cerebellar pathology in a mouse model of
      spinocerebellar ataxia type 1.
AB  - Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder
      caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine tract in the ataxin-1 protein. To
      date, no fundamental treatments for SCA1 have been elucidated. However, some
      studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are partially effective in
      other genetic mouse models of cerebellar ataxia. In this study, we tested the
      efficacy of the intrathecal injection of MSCs in the treatment of SCA1 in
      transgenic (SCA1-Tg) mice. We found that intrathecal injection of only 3 * 10(3)
      MSCs greatly mitigated the cerebellar neuronal disorganization observed in SCA1
      transgenic mice (SCA1-Tg mice). Although the Purkinje cells (PCs) of 24-week-old
      nontreated SCA1-Tg mice displayed a multilayer arrangement, SCA1-Tg mice at a
      similar age injected with MSCs displayed monolayer PCs. Furthermore, intrathecal
      injection of MSCs suppressed the atrophy of PC dendrites in SCA1-Tg mice.
      Finally, behavioral tests demonstrated that MSCs normalized deficits in motor
      coordination in SCA1-Tg mice. Future studies should be performed to develop
      optimal protocols for intrathecal transplantation of MSCs in SCA1 model primates
      with the aim of developing applications for SCA1 patients. 

PMID- 24242764
TI  - The development of a high resolution mass spectrometer: A reminiscence.
AB  - This article is a review of the events leading to the development of the double
      focusing tandem mass spectrometer system, which is sometimes called the Johnson
      Nier geometry. An essential feature of the geometry is that it eliminates second
      order angular aberration, enhancing the sensitivity, without a loss in
      resolution. Flexibility in the choice of ion source and collector designs is
      assured because both are outside of regions of electric and magnetic fields. The
      vacuum housing permits high-temperature baking, ensuring ultrahigh vacuum
      conditions. Although introduced initially for the purpose of determining precise
      atomic masses, the design has found its greatest application in studies of
      structure of heavy molecules, making use of the high resolution to identify
      fragments. In many cases the composition of a molecule, or fragment, can be
      deduced from its exact mass by utilizing the known atomic masses of likely
      constituent atoms. 

PMID- 24242760
TI  - Interleukin-21 and T follicular helper cells in HIV infection: research focus and
      future perspectives.
AB  - Interleukin (IL)-21 is a member of the gamma chain-receptor cytokine family along
      with IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15. The effects of IL-21 are pleiotropic,
      owing to the broad cellular distribution of the IL-21 receptor. IL-21 is secreted
      by activated CD4 T cells and natural killer T cells. Within CD4 T cells, its
      secretion is restricted mainly to T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and Th17 cells
      to a lesser extent. Our research focus has been on the role of IL-21 and more
      recently of Tfh in immunopathogenesis of HIV infection. This review focuses on
      first the influence of IL-21 in regulation of T cell, B cell, and NK cell
      responses and its immunotherapeutic potential in viral infections and as a
      vaccine adjuvant. Second, we discuss the pivotal role of Tfh in generation of
      antibody responses in HIV-infected persons in studies using influenza vaccines as
      a probe. Lastly, we review data supporting ability of HIV to infect Tfh and the
      role of these cells as reservoirs for HIV and their contribution to viral
      persistence. 

PMID- 24242765
TI  - On the structure of protonated methane.
AB  - Results of a Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance study are reported
      concerning the reactivity of protonated perdeuteromethane and deuteronated
      methane, generated under varying pressure conditions in an external chemical
      ionization ion source, toward ammonia. The competition between proton and
      deuteron transfer from both protonated perdeuteromethane and deuteronated methane
      to ammonia exhibits chemically distinguishable hydrogens. The chemical behavior
      of protonated methane appears to be compatible with the theoretically predicted
      stable structure with Cs symmetry, involving a three-center two-electron bond
      associating two hydrogens and the carbon atom. Interconversion of this structure
      due to exchange between one of these hydrogens and one of the three remaining
      hydrogens appears to be a fast process that is induced by interactions with the
      chemical ionization gas. 

PMID- 24242766
TI  - Protonated ethanol and its neutral counterparts.
AB  - Collisionally activated dissociation and neutralization-reionization experiments
      reveal that protonation of ethanol leads to two distinct isomers, the classical
      ion CH3CH2OH+2 and the proton-bound complex C2H4... H+... OH2. The neutral
      counterpart of the latter is unstable, whereas that of the former can be produced
      in a bound state if the CH3CH2OH+2 precursor ion is formed under low ion source
      pressure conditions and, thus, with higher internal energies. This suggests that
      there are substantial differences in the geometries of CH3CH2OH(+) 2 and the
      hypervalent CH3CH2OH2.. This provides only a partial explanation for unusual
      isotope effects; C2H5OD2., CH3CD2OD2., and CD3CH2OD2. are substantially more
      stable than C2D5OD2 . and C2H5OH2.. 

PMID- 24242767
TI  - Dissociation dynamics of phenetole cations by photoelectron photoion coincidence.
AB  - The dissociation rates of phenetole ions have been measured as a function of the
      ion internal energy by the method of photoelectron photoion coincidence
      spectrometry. The loss of ethylene to produce the phenol ion is the only
      dissociation pathway from its onset at 9.17 eV up to at least 12 eV. An
      activation energy of 1.64 +/- 0.06 eV with an assumed activation entropy of + 18
      +/- 4 cal/mol-K is derived from fitting the statistical theory decay rates to the
      measured rates. The transition state energy lies ~ 1 eV below the thermochemical
      dissociation limit to the C2H 5 (+) + C6H5O . products. It is thus unlikely that
      an ion-radical complex is involved in the production of the phenol ion. 

PMID- 24242768
TI  - Fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry employing ion-molecule reactions
      for the differentiation of phospholipid classes.
AB  - Fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry, employing ion-molecule reactions
      with ethyl vinyl ether in a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer, is used to
      differentiate classes of phospholipids. The phospholipids are desorbed and
      ionized by fast atom bombardment, mass-selected by the first quadrupole, and
      reacted with ethyl vinyl ether in the second quadrupole; the resulting product
      ions are analyzed by the third quadrupole. The protonated molecules and reaction
      product ions observed permit the differentiation of various phospholipid classes.
      The pattern of addition reaction products formed is shown to depend solely on the
      functionality of the lipid polar head group and not on the fatty acyl
      constituents. Neutral gain scans that are specific for each phospholipid class
      are performed. Ion dissociation products are observed in the same scan as the ion
      reaction products to provide data on the fatty acyl composition and position on
      the glycerophosphate COre along with the phospholipid class. Although this method
      is less sensitive than neutral loss scanning for most phospholipid classes, it
      can (1) identify phospholipids that do not readily lose their head group as a
      neutral fragment and (2) detect phospholipids in mixtures containing species that
      give interfering neutral losses. 

PMID- 24242769
TI  - Novel mass spectral fragmentation of heptafluorobutyryl derivatives of acyl
      analogues of platelet-activating factor.
AB  - Direct derivatization of the acyl analogue of platelet-activating factor
      (acyl.PAF) with heptafluorobutyric anhydride results in replacement of the
      phosphocholine moiety with a heptafluorobutyryl (HFB) group. Electron capture
      (EC) mass spectrometric analysis of this compound that makes use of negative ion
      detection along with subsequent accurate mass measurement and tandem mass
      spectrometry studies revealed that in addition to expected fragmentation due to
      losses of elements of HF, ketene, and/or acetic acid, there is a rearrangement
      reaction between the HFB group and the subsequent on carbon-2 of the glycerol
      backbone. For 2-acetyl isomers, this fragmentation yields a characteristic ion at
      m/z 237; for 1-acetyl isomers, the analogous ion is observed at [M-135](-), along
      with a corresponding carboxylate anion. The use of the HFB derivative is
      invaluable for analysis of PAF homologues and analogues because it provides
      detailed structural information in combination with the high sensitivity of a gas
      chromatography combined with EC-mass spectrometry assay. 

PMID- 24242770
TI  - Linear response theory of ion excitation for Fourier transform mass spectrometry.
AB  - A linear relation between the voltage density or magnitude spectrum of an
      excitation waveform and the corresponding ion orbital radius is derived for
      Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS). This provides a theoretical
      foundation for the stored waveform inverse Fourier transform excitation method.
      The result is also useful for the design of optimal excitation signals as well as
      for the estimation of the kinetic energy of ions after an excitation event in
      collision-induced dissociation experiments. When the linear relation is applied
      to two-dimensional FTMS excitation, an analytical expression for ion speed
      modulation is obtained. 

PMID- 24242771
TI  - Surface-induced dissociation of molecular ions in a quadrupole ion trap mass
      spectrometer.
AB  - A method is reported by which surface-induced dissociation is used to activate
      ions stored in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The method employs a
      short (< 5 /-Is), fast-rising (< 20-ns rise time), high voltage direct current
      (dc) pulse, which is applied to the endcaps of a standard Paul-type quadrupole
      ion trap. This is in contrast to the application of an alternating current (ac)
      signal normally used to resonantly excite and dissociate ions in the trap. The
      effect of the de pulse is to cause the ions rapidly to become unstable in the
      radial direction and subsequently to collide with the ring electrode. Sufficient
      internal energy is acquired in this collision to cause high energy fragmentations
      of relatively intractable molecular ions such as pyrene and benzene. The
      dissociations of limonene are used to demonstrate that high energy demand
      processes increase in relative importance in the dc pulse experiment compared
      with the usual resonance excitation method used to cause activation. The
      fragments are scanned out of the ion trap using the conventional mass-selective
      instability scan mode. Simulations of ion motion in the trap provide evidence
      that surface collisions occur at kinetic energies in the range of tens to several
      hundred electronvolts. The experiments also demonstrate that production of
      fragment ions is sensitive to the phase of the main radiofrequency drive voltage
      at the point when the dc is initiated. 

PMID- 24242772
TI  - Angle-resolved neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - Neutralization -reionization mass spectra of 2-propenal, isomeric butenes, and
      isomeric n-hexenes have been found to depend significantly on the z-axis
      scattering angle of the neutralization event. As shown by Cooks for ion
      dissociations, increasing scattering angles generally favor products of higher
      activation-energy reactions. For isomeric butenes and n-hexenes, these reactions
      provide more definitive information for isomeric characterization. 

PMID- 24242773
TI  - Electrospray mass spectrometry of methanol and water solutions suppression of
      electric discharge with SF6 gas.
AB  - An equation by D. P. H. Smith predicts the capillary voltage required for the
      onset of electrospray (ES). For different solvents the voltage increases with the
      square root of the surface tension. Water requires a potential that is 1.8 times
      higher than that for methanol. This is verified experimentally. The higher
      potential required for water leads to ES in the presence of corona electric
      discharge. For low total ES plus corona currents, the electrosprayed analyte ion
      intensity is not adversely affected by the presence of discharge. At high total
      currents, there is a large decrease of analyte sensitivity. The sensitivity
      decrease is probably due to adverse space charge effect at high currents. The
      discharge can be suppressed by adding sulfur hexafluoride to the ambient gas.
      Both sensitivity and signal stability are improved. However, the sensitivity
      still remains lower by a factor of - 4 relative to that observed with methanol.
      This is attributed to lower efficiency of gas-phase ion formation from charged
      water, relative to methanol, droplets. 

PMID- 24242774
TI  - A high transmission hemispherical energy analyzer for ion spectrometry.
AB  - A hemispherical energy analyzer was constructed by using a novel approach to
      control the fringing electrostatic field. It provides several properties useful
      in ion spectrometers: namely, rather simple fabrication and compact size, high
      transmission efficiency at moderate resolution, and the capability to adjust
      resolution by changing the intersphere potentials. A computer program was
      developed to evaluate ion trajectories through the hemispherical analyzer. Data
      obtained from the trajectories were used to predict the characteristics of the
      analyzer. Experiments performed to determine the kinetic energy dependence of the
      absolute transmission and the resolution functions are in accord with theoretical
      calculations. 

PMID- 24242777
TI  - A step forward in laparoscopic hepatectomy: comments on "Expert consensus on
      laparoscopic hepatectomy (2013 version) by National Hepatic Surgery Group,
      Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association".

PMID- 24242776
TI  - The role of prophylactic transpapillary pancreatic stenting in distal
      pancreatectomy: a meta-analysis.
AB  - Pancreatic fistula (PF) is the most frequent complication after distal
      pancreatectomy (DP). Prophylactic transpapillary pancreatic stenting (PTPS) has
      been proposed recently for the prevention of PF after DP. In this meta-analysis,
      a comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library
      databases. Studies analyzing the results of PTPS in DP were considered eligible
      for this meta-analysis. The analyzed outcome variables included PF rate,
      postoperative morbidity, non-PF-related complications, mortality, operation
      duration, and hospital stay. Four studies with 200 patients were included in this
      review. Only one was a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The results showed that
      PTPS was associated with less PF formation (odds ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.22-0.94; P = 0.03) and shorter hospital stay (mean difference, -
      6.31; 95% CI, - 6.99 to - 5.62; P < 0.00001). There was no significant difference
      in terms of the other variables. In conclusion, current evidence indicates that
      PTPS could reduce PF incidence and hospital stay after DP, without increasing
      other complications or operative time. However, the evidence is not solid,
      because the single RCT conflicted with the other three retrospective reports.
      Thus, considering the limitation, more well-designed RCTs on this topic are
      needed in the future. 

PMID- 24242778
TI  - Subocclusal dental morphology of sahelanthropus tchadensis and the evolution of
      teeth in hominins.
AB  - The evolution of the teeth in hominins is characterized by, among other
      characters, major changes in root morphology. However, little is known of the
      evolution from a plesiomorphic, ape-like root morphology to the crown hominin
      morphology. Here we present a study of the root morphology of the Miocene Chadian
      hominin Sahelanthropus tchadensis and its comparison to other hominins. The
      morphology of the whole lower dentition (I1 -M3 ) was investigated and described.
      The comparison with the species Ardipithecus kaddaba and Ardipithecus ramidus
      indicates a global homogeneity of root morphology in early hominins. This
      morphology, characterized notably by a reduction of the size and number of the
      roots of premolars, is a composite between an ape-like morphology and the later
      hominin morphology. Trends for root evolution in hominins are proposed, including
      the transition from a basal hominoid to extant Homo sapiens. This study also
      illustrates the low association between the evolution of tooth root morphology
      and the evolution of crowns in hominins.

PMID- 24242780
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24242779
TI  - GRP78 expression and regulation in the mouse uterus during embryo implantation.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the spatiotemporal expression and
      regulation of GRP78 in the mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period. The
      GRP78 protein was mainly detected in the luminal and glandular epithelia on days
      1-4 of pregnancy. On day 5 of pregnancy, the GRP78 protein was more highly
      observed around the implanted embryo at the implantation site. There was no
      detectable GRP78 protein signal on day 5 of pseudopregnancy. GRP78 mRNA and
      protein levels gradually increased on days 6-8 of pregnancy, and the expression
      pattern was also expanded, coinciding with the development of decidua. Similarly,
      GRP78 expression was also strongly expressed in decidualised cells following
      artificial decidualisation. Compared with the results obtained with the delayed
      uterus, a high level of GRP78 expression was detected in the implantation
      activated uterus. In the uteri of ovariectomised mice, GRP78 expression increased
      and reached its highest level after injection of oestrogen, and progesterone
      seemed to have an antagonistic effect on oestrogen up-regulation of GRP78
      expression. Our data indicate that GRP78 might play an important role during the
      process of mouse embryo implantation, and GRP78 expression was mainly regulated
      by active blastocysts and maternal oestrogen. 

PMID- 24242781
TI  - Social labeling, stereotyping, and observer bias in workers' compensation: The
      impact of provider-patient interaction on outcome.
AB  - When injured workers with chronic musculoskeletal disorders are viewed through
      the narrow lens of the biomedical model, the role of situational factors is not
      acknowledged, and their illness behaviors and delayed recovery are often
      attributed to personal weakness or a desire for secondary gain. This leads to a
      tendency toward blame and the application of stigmatizing social labels. An overt
      or implied social label that carries a stigma can set into motion therapeutically
      counterproductive biases in social perception within the provider-patient
      relationship. One of most powerful of these has been called the self-fulfilling
      prophecy, in which expectancy-driven behaviors of the clinician, case manager, or
      insurance representative can subtly direct the patient to behave in a manner
      consistent with expectations. Justification for an attitudinal shift among
      providers of workers' compensation services is proposed, along with application
      of the biopsychosocial framework of health psychology to the problem of delayed
      recovery in injured workers. 

PMID- 24242782
TI  - Prediction of return to work by rehabilitation professionals.
AB  - Rehabilitation therapists made predictions of return to work for 57 patients
      evaluated prior to beginning a work-hardening program. These predictions, along
      with 14 specific demographic, injury, and physical function measures were entered
      into a stepwise discriminant analysis to develop a predictive model for return to
      work. Therapists correctly predicted the eventual return to work for 47 (73.7%)
      of the 57 subjects. Therapist prediction was the most powerful variable in the
      model, explaining 29% of the variance (p<=.0001). Only two other variables, self
      report of pain severity and injury type, contributed significantly to the
      prediction model, accounting respectively for 12% and 9% of the variance
      (p's<.05). These data highlight the predictive acuity of rehabilitation
      therapists and suggest that the process involved in formulating clinical
      predictions merits further study. The findings also suggest that weighing
      information such as self-report of pain severity and injury type might further
      enhance the practitioner's ability to predict return to work. 

PMID- 24242783
TI  - Comprehensive treatment approach for lower back workers' compensation injuries.
AB  - A clinical outcome follow-up comparison of treatment and non-treatment groups was
      conducted to investigate the clinical effectiveness of a hospital-based
      occupational rehabilitation program. Twelve-month follow-up data were collected
      on 44 patients participating in a comprehensive treatment program and 20 patients
      referred for treatment but denied participation by their workers' compensation
      insurance company. Outcome data indicate that the population of workers'
      compensation low back injured patients who participated in occupational
      rehabilitation treatment subsequently were more likely to return to employment,
      consumed fewer analgesics, required fewer hospitalizations for additional
      diagnostics and/or treatment, and required fewer additional surgeries than a
      comparison group of patients denied comparable treatment. 

PMID- 24242784
TI  - A critical review of questionnaires for assessing pain-related disability.
AB  - Standardized questionnaires offer a practical and cost-effective means for
      measuring moderate disability. Fourteen questionnaires that can be used for
      assessing pain-related disability are reviewed in this article. Their comparative
      attributes are summarized. Most of the questionnaires obtain information about
      specific activities of daily living. They vary in terms of structure, content,
      and intended applications. Psychometric theory provides the optimal method for
      evaluating these questionnaires, highlighting the importance of reliability and
      validity. Being mindful of psychometric qualities will help the evaluator to
      select an appropriate questionnaire. The present array of existing instruments
      points toward a need for comparison studies that may eventually result in more
      uniform methods for evaluating pain-related disability. 

PMID- 24242785
TI  - Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of low back pain: Long-term effects.
AB  - Low back pain and subsequent disability remain a concern in terms of both cost
      and impact upon industry let alone the adverse effects on the patients involved.
      The causes of low back pain remain elusive. There has been extensive focus on the
      intervertebral disc with treatment ranging from passive modalities to multiple
      surgery. Current experience suggests that misinformation, inadequate patient
      examination, medication abuse, over use of passive modalities, focus on pain
      rather than function and excessive reliance on radiological imaging and
      specialist referrals are contributing factors. Indeed, one is drawn to the
      conclusion that low back disability may well be an iatrogenic disorder in many
      cases. 

PMID- 24242788
TI  - Frank Ruddle (1929-2013).

PMID- 24242791
TI  - Casino policies: Have Australians had a fair deal?
AB  - The introduction of commercial casinos to Australia in 1973 was arguably the most
      radical shift of gambling policy in Australia's history. At one level, the risk
      seems to have been justified, with very little organised public opposition to the
      promotion of casinos as a catalyst for tourism growth and regional economic
      development. However, recent events suggest that Australian casino policies have
      moved to a more politicised stage, a period in which governments could be forced
      to contend with new conflicts, tensions and contradictions. Now that some of the
      benefits and costs of casinos have become apparent, it is appropriate to evaluate
      existing casino policies and trends, and to reconsider other alternatives which
      might be available. This paper examines the broad social implications of the
      Australian casino "boom," the economic changes which have occurred, and the
      social and political costs which have begun to surface. 

PMID- 24242792
TI  - The cognitive psychology of gambling.
AB  - A number of recent studies have shown there may be a strong cognitive bias in
      explaining persistent gambling. Theories that have been put forward include the
      illusion of control, "cognitive regret," biased evaluations and the "psychology
      of the near miss." Two exploratory studies examining the acquisition, development
      and maintenance of gambling behaviour involving adolescent fruit machine gamblers
      were carried out. Those factors which directly relate to the cognitive biases
      (notably erroneous beliefs about skill) during gambling activity are discussed
      with reference to the above cognitive influences. 

PMID- 24242793
TI  - Neutralizing marginally deviant behavior: Bingo players and superstition.
AB  - Bingo is one of the most popular and most accepted forms of gambling in the
      United States today. Yet, despite its popularity, many bingo players are not
      completely comfortable with the moral "rightness" of their actions. This
      participant observation and interview study spanning a 5 year period shows how
      bingo players use superstitious strategies, such as feelings, hunches and psi,
      attitudes, and luck to neutralize their marginally deviant behaviors. 

PMID- 24242794
TI  - Federal control of Indian Lands v. State control of Gaming - Cabazon Bingo and
      the Indian Gaming regulatory act.
AB  - In September, 1988, the 100th Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act,
      concluding five years of debate over the Indian Gaming issue - brought to a head
      by a Supreme Court decision in February, 1987, that barred states from regulating
      Indian Gaming. That case (State of California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians)
      forced the legislature to take a serious look at issues of gaming on Indian
      lands. The result was the creation of a three-tiered system whereby tribes will
      control ceremonial games, the federal government will control bingo, and the
      states and tribes will negotiate agreements to cover casino games, parimutuel
      racing, and jai alai, if such games are legal in that particular state. In light
      of the case of the Cabazon Indians and the passage of the Indian Gaming
      Regulatory Act, this paper will address the following competing issues: tribal
      sovereignty, state interests, federal interests, and states like Nevada, which
      have a regulated gaming industry. 

PMID- 24242795
TI  - Market niche analysis in the casino gaming industry.
AB  - This article discusses the nature of market niche analysis in the casino gaming
      industry. It presents four approaches for conducting market niche analysis. An an
      example of one approach, the Las Vegas Visitor Profile Study is used to identify
      a premium niche in the Las Vegas Slot Target Market. A detailed examination of
      the premium niche profile provides a description of the typical premium slot
      player. The description of the typical premium player leads to hypotheses
      regarding needs (the unique preference set) of the premium player. An analysis of
      the unique preference set suggests an appropriate enhanced marketing program. 

PMID- 24242797
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 24242796
TI  - Minimal treatments and problem gamblers: A preliminary investigation.
AB  - In view of the increasing popularity of minimal intervention treatments for
      problem drinking, a self-help manual for people who wish to reduce or stop
      gambling was prepared. Twenty-nine (ACT residents) who responded to
      advertisements for help with problem gambling were allocated to either of two
      minimal treatments, "Manual (only)" and "Manual & Interview". On average, clients
      from both groups reduced the frequency of their gambling sessions, frequency of
      overspending, and amount spent per week in the first three months and next three
      months after first contact, but expenditure per session increased from three to
      six months, after an initial improvement. There was no evidence that a single in
      depth interview added to the effectiveness of the manual. 

PMID- 24242798
TI  - Field response of maritime pine scale,Matsucoccus feytaudi duc. (Homoptera:
      Margarodidae), to synthetic sex pheromone stereoisomers.
AB  - The absolute configuration of the primary component of the maritime pine scale
      (Matsucoccus feytaudi) pheromone (i.e., (8E, 10E)-3,7,9-trimethyl-8,10-dodecadien
      6-one) was determined as 3S,7R by field-trapping experiments using synthetic
      stereoisomers and according to previous NMR considerations. The 3R,7R isomer
      showed similar activity to 3S,7R, whereasM. feytaudi males responded very weakly
      to the two other candidates (3R,7S and 3S,7S). Further studies were conducted to
      optimize scale trapping for monitoring scale populations. Results of these
      studies showed that the trapping efficiency was related to pheromone dose, trap
      area, and wind speed but not to trap height. 

PMID- 24242799
TI  - Ergovaline and peramine production in endophyte-infected tall fescue: Independent
      regulation and effects of plant and endophyte genotype.
AB  - Peramine and ergovaline have ecological and economical significance because they
      possess insect and/or mammalian toxicity properties. The relationship between
      these endophytically derived alkaloids in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea
      Schreb.) is unknown. Seasonal and plant tissue effects on the concentration of
      peramine and ergovaline was investigated in field and greenhouse experiments. The
      relationship between the alkaloids and the regulatory effects of endophyte and
      plant on their content were investigated among progeny of reciprocal crosses
      between high- and low-ergovaline and peramine plant-endophyte combinations.
      Variation in peramine concentration ranged from 750 to 1742 ug/kg in greenhouse
      grown plants, and there was no seasonal trend in peramine content. There was a
      correlation (r=0.69) between peramine and ergovaline content among leaf tissues
      of field-grown plants, but there was no correlation between the alkaloids in the
      culm (r=0.20) or panicle (r=0.17) tissues. Mean leaf ergovaline concentration of
      progeny derived from the low-ergovaline parent (163 ug/kg) was less than the
      midparent value (228 ug/kg), but mean of progeny from the high-ergovaline parent
      was not different from the mid-parent value. Ranges within each progeny set were
      approximately double their mean. Mean leaf peramine concentrations of the progeny
      sets were similar to the mid-parent value (3354 ug/kg) but ranges were from 1716
      to 8753 ug/kg. There was no correlation between leaf peramine and ergovaline
      (r=0.01). These data suggest that endophytically produced alkaloids are
      independently regulated and are controlled by both plant and endophyte genotype. 

PMID- 24242800
TI  - Response ofMatsucoccus thunbergianae males to synthetic sex pheromone and its
      utilization for monitoring the spread of infestation.
AB  - Attraction of (2E,4E,6R,10R)-4,6,10,12-tetramethyl-2,4-tridecadien-7-one [1;
      (6R,10R)-matsuone] and its antipode [2; (6S,10S)-matsuone] toMatsucoccus
      thunbergianae males was studied in the laboratory and in the field. They showed
      stronger response to1. In laboratory bioassays, the threshold concentrations for
      male attraction with1 and2 were 16 fg and 150 pg, respectively. In the field,
      during the first two days after traps were set, traps baited with 50 ug of1 on
      rubber septa or filter paper rolls caught more males than control traps. Between
      the sixth day and the tenth day after traps were set, in a daily trap catch
      experiment, the traps with 50 ug of1 on filter paper rolls caught more males than
      control traps on one day only, whereas those on rubber septa were always
      effective. The shape of the traps did not affect male catches. Males were caught
      on pheromone traps in locations where no scales were found by the customary
      detecting procedures. 

PMID- 24242801
TI  - Identification of branched alkanes in lipids ofLeptinotarsa decemlineata say
      andTribolium destructor by GC-MS: A comparison of main-beam and link-scanned
      spectra.
AB  - Branched hydrocarbons were identified in the lipids ofLeptinotarsa decemlineata
      Say andTribolium destructor by gas chromatography, ordinary electron impact mass
      spectrometry, and linked, scanned, daughterion monitoring. This methodology
      allowed us to revise our earlier results based only on GC-MS data confirming the
      existence of only monomethyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethylalkanes in the
      hydrocarbons ofL. decemlineata Say. The hydrocarbons fromTribolium destructor
      consist ofn-alkanes, 3-methylalkanes, internally branched monomethylalkanes and
      dimethylalkanes. Daughter-ion monitoring can be particularly important for
      distinguishing between incidentally overlapped GC peaks of hydrocarbons from
      different series. A trace, for example, of dimethylalkane coeluating withn-alkane
      was easily identified in GC peak of hydrocarbon mixture ofT. destructor. Link
      scans confirmed also molecular weights for the compounds without molecular ions
      in the mass spectra. Structural assignment of the compounds were verified by
      comparison of the experimental and calculated values of the GC retention Kovats
      indexes (KI). 

PMID- 24242802
TI  - Dorsal abdominal glands in nymphs of southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula
      (L.) (heteroptera: Pentatomidae): Chemistry of secretions of five instars and
      role of (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal, compound specific to first instars.
AB  - We investigated the exocrine secretions from the five nymphal instars in the
      southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula, by analyzing separately the contents of
      the three dorsal abdominal reservoirs. All DAGs 1 produced a mixture of five
      alkanes with 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 carbons. No differences were found between
      DAGs 2 and DAGs 3, for the five instars: the glands of first instars produce the
      same alkanes as DAGs 1,n-tridecane, traces of (E)-2-decenal, and a specific
      compound: (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal. In the other instars (second to fifth), (E)-4-oxo
      2-decenal is absent from the secretion but another compound is present: (E)-4-oxo
      2-hexenal. The kinetics of production of the different compounds were studied,
      the maximum amounts produced occurring 36 hr after hatching. The biological
      function of (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal was investigated. Using olfactometry, we showed
      that this compound acts as an attractant and an arrestant on second instars, at
      physiological doses. Moreover, this semiochemical was shown to be repellent to
      the fire-antSolenopsis geminata, a potential predator ofN. viridula and we
      established the dose-response curve for the repellent activity. 

PMID- 24242803
TI  - Induction of parasitoid attracting synomone in brussels sprouts plants by feeding
      ofPieris brassicae larvae: Role of mechanical damage and herbivore elicitor.
AB  - Induction of plant defense in response to herbivory includes the emission of
      synomones that attract the natural enemies of herbivores. We investigated whether
      mechanical damage to Brussels sprouts leaves (Brassica oleracea var.gemmifera) is
      sufficient to obtain attraction of the parasitoidCotesia glomerata or whether
      feeding byPieris brassicae caterpillars elicits the release of synomones not
      produced by mechanically damaged leaves. The response of the parasitoidCotesia
      glomerata to different types of simulated herbivory was observed. Flight-chamber
      dual-choice tests showed that mechanically damaged cabbage leaves were less
      attractive than herbivore-damaged leaves and mechanically damaged leaves treated
      with larval regurgitant. Chemical analysis of the headspace of undamaged,
      artificially damaged, caterpillar-infested, and caterpillar regurgitant-treated
      leaves showed that the plant responds to damage with an increased release of
      volatiles. Greenleaf volatiles and several terpenoids are the major components of
      cabbage leaf headspace. Terpenoids are emitted in analogous amounts in all
      treatments, including undamaged leaves. On the other hand, if the plant is
      infested by caterpillars or if caterpillar regurgitant is applied to damaged
      leaves, the emission of green-leaf volatiles is highly enhanced. Our data are in
      contrast with the induction of more specific synomones in other plant species,
      such as Lima bean and corn. 

PMID- 24242804
TI  - Olfactory basis of cannibalism in grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acididae): I.
      laboratory assessment of attractants.
AB  - Two laboratory-reared and five field-collected species of grass-hoppers were
      assayed for behavioral responses to volatile chemicals emitted from grasshopper
      cadavers using a two-choice olfactometer with no stimulus as a control.
      Necrophilic and necrophobic responses to the stimuli were dependent upon species,
      sex, development, starvation, crowding, and attractant. Laboratory
      rearedMelanoplus differentialis (Thomas) and field-collectedHadrotettix
      trifasciatus (Say) andAulocara elliotti Thomas exhibited significant responses to
      the cadavers. Females of these three species showed significant movement towards
      the cadavers, but males were not significantly necrophilic. All tested
      developmental stages ofH. trifasciatus (fourth-instar nymphs through adults)
      showed significant attraction to cadavers. FedM. differentialis adults andH.
      trifasciatus adults and nymphs were significantly attracted to cadavers, but
      starved individuals were either repelled or exhibited no significant response.
      Although femaleA. elliotti from an uncrowded population were significantly
      attracted to cadavers, females from a crowded population were significantly
      repelled from cadavers. Contraspecific cadavers more frequently elicited a
      measurable response in adultM. sanguinipes andH. trifasciatus than did
      conspecific cadavers, and only contraspecific cadavers yielded a significant
      (necrophilic) response. AlthoughM. differentialis was necrophilic, neither males
      nor females were significantly attracted to water. 

PMID- 24242805
TI  - Olfactory basis of cannibalism in grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae): II. field
      assessment of attractants.
AB  - The responses of rangeland grasshoppers to biologically and historically derived
      attractants were studied in a shortgrass prairie in southeastern Wyoming in July
      1990. Seven long-chain fatty acids (C14-C20: singly and in combination),
      grasshopper cadavers, molasses, fruit extracts, and chloroform (solvent control)
      were tested. Each attractant was applied to filter paper and placed in an arena
      delimited by a 0.10-m(2) aluminum ring. Grasshoppers were most attracted to
      linoleic and linolenic acids, with significantly more grasshoppers found in these
      arenas than in those of the controls or other attractants. These two fatty acids
      alone and in combination were more attractive at 1 grasshopper equivalent (GE)
      than at 5 GE. The seed bug,Lygaeus kalmii Stal, and five species of ants were
      also attracted to these two fatty acids. Molasses had significantly more
      grasshoppers on the filter paper than did the other attractants, but molasses had
      significantly fewer grasshoppers in the arena than the fatty acids. Fruit
      extracts were not effective at attracting grasshoppers. Water extracts of
      cadavers attracted significantly more grasshoppers to the bait than did
      chloroform extracts. Because the assayed grasshopper community was dominated by
      the Gomphocerinae (a subfamily that includes many pest species that do not
      readily consume wheat bran bait), it may be possible to use fatty acids in
      conjunction with insecticidal bran baits for increased control of rangeland
      grasshoppers. 

PMID- 24242806
TI  - Olfactory basis of cannibalism in grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae): III. Use
      of attractants on carbaryl wheat bran bait.
AB  - Two known necrogenic attractants, linoleic acid (18:2) and linolenic acid (18:3),
      were added to carbaryl bran bait to enhance control of rangeland grasshoppers in
      southeastern Wyoming. The primary goal was to increase control of species of
      Gomphocerinae, which normally do not consume bran bait. Each attractant was
      applied at 1, 5, and 10 grasshopper equivalents (GE) (e.g., a 1-GE treatment had
      the amount of fatty acid per unit weight of wheat bran that would be found in one
      grasshopper). Controls included carbaryl bran with no attractant and no
      treatment. Bran was applied at a rate of 1 kg/ha to 1-ha blocks on June 6, 1992,
      with four replicates per treatment and control. Plots were sampled for
      grasshoppers and nontarget organisms one day prior to and one, two, and three
      days after treatment. The addition of linoleic acid (10 GE) resulted in
      significantly lower total grasshopper densities than carbaryl bran alone. None of
      the attractants significantly improved control of all Gomphocerinae due to
      inconsistent effects among species. Relative to carbaryl bait alone, all doses of
      both fatty acids significantly improved control ofAmphitornus coloradus (Thomas).
      However, the attractants did not change the level of control ofCordillacris
      occipitalis orAulocara elliotti, and linolenic acid (5 GE) and linoleic acid (1
      GE) resulted in significantly poorer control ofAgeneotettix deorum (Scudder) than
      carbaryl bait alone. Nontarget arthropods were largely unaffected by the
      attractants, except for the spiders, which were significantly reduced in all
      linolenic acid treatments. 

PMID- 24242807
TI  - Allelopathic effects of phenolic mixtures on respiration of two spruce
      mycorrhizal fungi.
AB  - Investigations were conducted to determine whether the allelopathic effect
      (inhibition of oxygen consumption) of mull- and mor-type humic solutions on
      ectomycorrhizal fungi was due to the solutions' phenolic contents. In the first
      experiment, two concentrations (10(-3) M and 10(-7) M) of binary equimolar
      phenolic mixtures were tested on the oxygen consumption ofLaccaria laccata
      andCenococcum graniforme. The high concentrations of most of the mixtures induced
      an increase of fungal respiration, whereas the 10(-7) M treatments all reduced
      the rate of respiration. In the second experiment, the effects on respiration of
      the phenolic mixture reproducing mull- and mortype humic solutions were compared
      with the effects of natural humic solutions. The resulting data suggest that
      allelopathic effect of humic solutions can at least in part be attributed to
      their phenolic contents. 

PMID- 24242808
TI  - Male sex pheromone of cockroachEurycotis floridana (walker) (Blattidae,
      Polyzosteriinae): Role and composition of tergites 2 and 8 secretions.
AB  - InEurycotis floridana, the male calling behavior is associated with the
      exposition of epidermal glands located under tergites 2, 7, and 8. 4-Hydroxy-5
      methyl-3(2H)-furanone and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone were recently
      identified as the specific components of tergite 7 secretion. Methylene chloride
      extracts of tergite 7 and its major compound 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone
      attract the conspecific females at a distance. Methylene chloride extracts of
      tergite 8 are also attractive at a distance to the females, whereas extracts of
      tergite 2 had no effect on males and females. Our GC investigations showed the
      absence of specific compounds in tergite 2 secretions. The GC-MS analyses
      revealed that the male secretion of the gland under tergite 8 is mainly a mixture
      of (2R*, 3R*)-butanediol, 1-dodecanol and benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate. These
      compounds were tested at different concentrations on their own, or as a mixture.
      Only (2R*, 3R*)-butanediol and 1-dodecanol were attractive for the females. Their
      functions, as components of the male sex pheromone, in addition with the two
      derivatives of the furanone are discussed. 

PMID- 24242809
TI  - Cuticular lipid profiles of queens, workers, and males of social waspPolistes
      metricus say are colony-specific.
AB  - The cuticular lipids ofPolistes metricus queens, workers and males from seven
      laboratory-maintained colonies were extracted and analyzed by combined gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. Males had higher proportions of alkenes (20.5%)
      in their cuticular lipids than did queens (2.3%) or workers (7.7%). Discriminant
      analyses of the cuticular lipid profiles of the adult wasps showed that males
      group separately from females. Additional analyses showed that queens group with
      their respective workers by colony and that queens group even more closely with
      males by colony. The most distinct groupings occurred with workers only by colony
      and with males only by colony. Stepwise discriminant analyses showed that each
      type of grouping was dependent upon a different combination of cuticular lipids. 

PMID- 24242810
TI  - Sex pheromone-mediated flight and landing behaviors of the European corn
      borer,Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner).
AB  - The pheromone-mediated flight and landing behaviors of maleOstrinia nubilalis
      were studied in a wind tunnel. The pheromone source was placed in the middle of
      an 18 * 18-cm horizontal surface, and a smaller surface placed 4, 18, or 36 cm
      downwind. The smaller surface did not appear to affect significantly the flight
      tracks or position of landing of males on the upwind surface, and it allowed the
      positions and altitudes of males as they passed over the downwind surface to be
      estimated. The flight altitude and position of males as they passed over the
      downwind surface related to where males landed on the upwind surface. Regardless
      of the downwind position of the downwind surface, most males flew over its center
      (i.e., in line with the source) and landed in line with the source on the upwind
      surface. When a small 2.5 * 10-cm vertical object was placed on the upwind
      surface, just upwind and to one side of the source, males flew over the downwind
      surface in positions skewed toward the vertical object and in broader
      distributions than for the comparable situation without an object: males landed
      on the upwind surface on positions skewed toward, or on, the object and with a
      broader distribution (laterally). Flight altitude also corresponded with landing
      position. Thus, when there was no vertical object, most males flew just above the
      downwind surface and landed on the downwind edge of the upwind surface. In
      contrast, with the vertical object, males flew significantly higher and tended to
      land past the downwind edge of the upwind surface. With a taller object (20 cm),
      males flew even higher, past the downwind edge and most landed on the vertical
      object. These data show the close relationship between flight and landing
      behaviors of maleO. nubilalis and suggest that flight maneuvers that determine
      track and altitude largely govern where a male lands. 

PMID- 24242811
TI  - Up in smoke: I. Smoke-derived germination cues for postfire annual,Nicotiana
      attenuata torr. Ex. Watson.
AB  - Some postfire annuals with dormant seeds use heat or chemical cues from charred
      wood to synchronize their germination with the postfire environment. We report
      that wood smoke and polar extracts of wood smoke, but not the ash of burned wood,
      contain potent cue(s) that stimulate germination in the postfire annual
      plant,Nicotiana attenuata. We examined the responses of seeds from six
      populations of plants from southwest Utah to extracts of smoke and found the
      proportion of viable seeds that germinated in the presence of smoke cues to vary
      between populations but to be consistent between generations. With the most
      dormant genotypes, we examine three mechanisms by which smoke-derived chemical
      cues may stimulate germination (chemical scarification of the seed coat and
      nutritive- and signal-mediated stimulation of germination) and report that the
      response is consistent with the signal-mediated mechanism. The germination cue(s)
      found in smoke are produced by the burning of hay, hardwood branches, leaves,
      and, to a lesser degree, cellulose. Moreover, the cues are found in the common
      food condiment, "liquid smoke," and we find no significant differences between
      brands. With a bioassay-driven fractionation of liquid smoke, we identified 71
      compounds in active fractions by GC-MS and AA spectrometry. However, when these
      compounds were tested in pure form or in combinations that mimicked the
      composition of active fractions over a range of concentrations, they failed to
      stimulate germination to the same degree that smoke fractions did. Moreover,
      enzymatic oxidation of some of these compounds also failed to stimulate
      germination. In addition, we tested 43 additional compounds also reported from
      smoke, 85 compounds that were structurally similar to those reported from smoke
      and 34 compounds reported to influence germination in other species. Of the 233
      compounds tested, 16 proved to inhibit germination at the concentrations tested,
      and none reproduced the activity of wood smoke. By thermally desorbing smoke
      produced by cellulose combustions that was trapped on Chromosorb 101, we
      demonstrate that the cue is desorbed between 125 and 150 degrees C. We estimate
      that the germination cues are active at concentrations of less than 1 pg/seed
      and, due to their chromatographic behavior, infer that a number of different
      chemical structures are active. In separate experiments, we demonstrate that cues
      remain active for at least 53 days in soil under greenhouse conditions and that
      the application of aqucous extracts of smoke to soil containing seeds results in
      dramatic increases in germination of artificial seed banks. Hence, although the
      chemical nature of the germination cue remains elusive, the stability of the
      germination cues, their water-solubility, and their activity in low
      concentrations suggest that these cues could serve as powerful tools for the
      examination of dormant seed banks and the selective factors thought to be
      important in the evolution of postfire plant communities. 

PMID- 24242812
TI  - Up in smoke: II. Germination ofNicotiana attenuata in response to smoke-derived
      cues and nutrients in burned and unburned soils.
AB  - Nicotiana attenuata is a native tobacco that is commonly found usually one
      growing season after fires in the blackbrush, sagebrush and pinyon-juniper
      forests of the Great Basin desert of North America. This plant also occurs in
      isolated dry washes and roadsides for many consecutive seasons. Postfire annuals
      are thought to synchronize their germination from the seed bank with the postfire
      environment in response to increases in (1) fire-related cues or (2) nutrient
      supply rates resulting from the mineralization of nutrients by fire, or (3) the
      removal of allelochemicals produced by the dominant vegetation occupying the
      sites before the burn or the microbial community associated with the dominant
      vegetation. We examine the effect of these three changes on the germination ofN.
      attenuata seed from artificial seed banks made with burned and unburned soil
      taken in 1993 from under four dominant shrub species (Coleogyne ramosissima,
      Yucca baccata, Lycium andersonnii, Purshia tridentata) of an area that burned in
      1992 and from two dry washes in whichN. attenuata populations have persisted
      since at least 1988. We utilize our recent discovery that aqueous extracts of
      wood smoke contain potent germination cue(s) for this species and the established
      observation that nitrate stimulates germination in manyNicotiana species. In two
      experiments, we added smoke-derived germination cues and nutrients separately and
      in combinations to the artificial seed banks, measured germination rates, and
      inferred the effect of burning by the response of the seed banks to these
      additions. Germination rates of seed in burned soil were consistently higher than
      those in unburned soil collected from under all species tested; concentrations of
      nitrate, P, Mn, and Ca were also higher in burned than unburned soils. Because
      the addition of more cue and nitrate to burned soil increased germination rates,
      these soil components may not be at concentrations sufficient to saturate the
      germination response one year after a fire. The germination of seeds in soil
      collected from beneath unburnedYucca bacatta plants increased to the same level
      as that found under burned plants of the same species with the addition of cue
      and nitrate. Similarly, unburned bitterbrush soil attained the same germination
      potential with the addition of cue and a complete nutrient solution as burned
      bitterbrush soil. We conclude that the effect of fire on the germination
      potential of bitterbrush and yucca soil is due to increases in germination cue
      and nutrients. However, since the addition of cue and nutrients to the unburned
      soils under blackbrush and wolfberry shrubs did not elevate the germination
      potential of these soils to that found in burned soils, we conclude that these
      species alter the soil so as to inhibit germination and burning reverses this
      alteration. The presence of persistentN. attenuata populations in washes could
      not be attributed to particular chemical characteristics of these soils.
      Additions of cue dramatically increased germination potential of these soils,
      whereas the addition of nitrate did not. The concentrations of most mineral
      nutrients resembled those found in the unburned sites with the exception of Mn,
      Cu, and Zn, which were higher. However, these cations do not influence
      germination rates. Treatment of soil taken from these washes with cue resulted in
      significant increases in germination ofN. attenuata seeds in the natural seed
      bank compared to water-treated controls, demonstrating that the plants growing in
      washes also produce dormant seeds that require the smoke cue for germination. 

PMID- 24242813
TI  - Distance of response to host tree models by female apple maggot flies,Rhagoletis
      pomonella (Walsh) (Diptera: Tephritidae): Interaction of visual and olfactory
      stimuli.
AB  - Mature female apple maggot flies,Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), were released
      individually onto a single potted, fruitless hawthorne tree in the center of an
      open field. The tree was surrounded by four 1-m(2) plywood host tree models
      painted green or white, with or without synthetic host fruit odor (butyl
      hexanoate), and placed at one of several distances from the release tree. Each
      fly was permitted to forage freely on the release tree for up to 1 hr, or until
      it left the tree. Flies left the tree significantly sooner when green models with
      host fruit were present at 0.5, 1.5, or 2.5 m distance from the release tree than
      when these models were placed at a greater distance (4.5 m) from the release tree
      or when no models were present. Flies responded detectably to 1-m(2) models
      without odor up to a maximum distance of 1.5 m. These results suggest that female
      apple maggot flies did not detect green 1-m(2) models with odor 4.5 m away or
      models without odor 2.5 m or more away. Flies responded to white models with and
      without odor to a much lesser extent, both in terms of response distance and
      flight to and alightment upon models. Increasing model size to 2 m(2) increased
      the distance to 2.5 m at which flies responded to green models without odor.
      Decreasing model size to 0.5 m(2) reduced fly responsiveness to green or white
      models. The presence of host fruit odor alone, without the visual stimulus of a
      green model, did not influence residence time on the release tree. 

PMID- 24242814
TI  - Identification and synthesis of female sex pheromone of Oriental beetle,Anomala
      orientalis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).
AB  - Females of the Oriental beetle,Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse), release a sex
      pheromone composed of a 9:1 blend of (Z)- and (E)-7-tetradecen-2-one. The double
      bond position of the pheromone was determined by DMDS derivatization and
      interpretation of the fragmentation patterns produced by monounsaturated ketones.
      In a sustained-flight tunnel, males responded by flying toward female beetles and
      attempting to copulate with them. Both effluvium and whole-body extracts of OB
      females were analyzed, and the activity was found only in the airborne extracts.
      Flight-tunnel bioassays also showed that a synthetic 90:10Z/E blend on a rubber
      septum was attractive and that the responses of males to this blend were
      equivalent toZ isomer alone, but much better than to the singleE isomer. 

PMID- 24242815
TI  - Lipids of cyanobacteriumAphanizomenon flos-aquae and inhibition ofChlorella
      growth.
AB  - The inhibition of the growth of the green algaChlorella pyrenoidosa by the lipids
      of the cyanobacteriumAphanizomenon flos-aquae is associated with the fractions
      containing long-chain unsaturated fatty acids. A sterol present inAphanizomenon
      has been identified as poriferasterol. 

PMID- 24242816
TI  - Cuticle alkanes of honeybee larvae mediate arrestment of bee parasiteVarroa
      jacobsoni.
AB  - The ectoparasitic miteVarroa jacobsoni invades worker brood cells of the
      honeybeeApis mellifera during the last 20 hr before the cells are sealed with a
      wax cap. Cuticle extracts of 8-day-old worker honeybee larvae occupying such
      brood cells have an arrestment effect on the mite. The mites run for prolonged
      periods on the extract, systematically returning onto the stimulus after touching
      the borders of the treated area. Mites increase walking speed and path
      straightness in response to increasing doses of a nonpolar fraction of the
      cuticle extract. Saturated straight-chain odd-numbered C19-C29 hydrocarbons were
      identified by thin-layer argentation chromatography and gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry as the most active constituents, with branched alkanes also
      contributing to the arrestment effect of this active fraction. Analysis of the
      behavior responses to syntheticn-alkanes indicate that the response is probably
      based on a synergism between the different alkane components of the fraction
      rather than to an individual compound. 

PMID- 24242817
TI  - Importance of phenolic glucosides in host selection of shoot galling sawfly,Euura
      amerinae, onSalix pentandra.
AB  - The effects of phenolic glucosides on the oviposition behavior ofEuura amerinae
      L. (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) were tested in multiple oviposition experiments
      using different shoot length categories ofSalix pentandra L. (with different
      amounts of phenolic glucosides) and in experiments with pure phenolic glucosides
      (salidroside, arbutin, salicin, 90% salicortin, 90% 2'-O-acetylsalicortin) or
      composite total fractions of phenolic glucosides from three willow species (S.
      pentandra, S. myrsinifolia Salisb.,S. triandra L.). This was the first time that
      the effects of pure phenolic glucosides on the oviposition behavior of sawfly
      species were tested. Total fraction of phenolic glucosides fromS. pentandra and
      its main individual glucoside, 2'-O-acetyl-salicortin, stimulated the strongest
      ovipositional behavior inE. amerinae. The results show clearly that females ofE.
      amerinae can recognize and choose their host willow,S. pentandra, on the basis of
      phenolic glucosides. Moreover, they are probably able to use phenolic glucosides
      as a cue in shoot selection within host-plant individuals. 

PMID- 24242819
TI  - Immunobiology of TNFSF15 and TNFRSF25.
AB  - TNFRSF25 is an understudied broad-acting T cell costimulator with high homology
      to TNFR1, however, the overall role of this receptor in T cell immunobiology is
      unclear. Ligation of TNFRSF25 by its monogamous ligand, TNFSF15 (TL1A), leads to
      recruitment of TNFR-associated factor 2 and TNFR-associated death domain in
      primary T cells with downstream activation of both NFkappaB as well as the
      PI3K/Akt axis. These signaling pathways are dependent upon coordinated engagement
      of the T cell receptor and interleukin-2 receptor and leads to the constitutive
      proliferation of CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) as a result of tonic
      exposure to self-antigen. Concurrent activation of CD4+ or CD8+ conventional T
      cell clones is dependent upon the availability of cognate foreign antigen. Here,
      we provide a review of both the literature and our work on this receptor and
      propose that the overall function of TL1A signaling to TNFRSF25 in T cells is to
      provide simultaneous costimulation of foreign-antigen-specific effector T cells
      and pre-existing Treg in order to focus the clonality of effector immunity to
      pathogen-derived antigens and reduce the risk of bystander inflammation toward
      self- or endogenous microbial antigens. 

PMID- 24242820
TI  - American Indian perspectives on evidence-based practice implementation: results
      from a statewide Tribal Mental Health Gathering.
AB  - Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) within American Indian and
      Alaskan Natives communities is currently an area of debate and contention. There
      is considerable concern about expanding EBP policy mandates to AI/AN communities
      as these mandates, either through funding restrictions or other de facto
      policies, recall past histories of clinical colonization and exploitation by the
      state and federal government. As a response, work is being done to evaluate
      indigenous programs and examine strategies for culturally-sensitive
      implementation. While the literature reflects the perspectives of AI/AN
      populations on EBP generally, no one has yet reported the perspectives of AI/AN
      communities on how to feasibly achieve widespread EBP implementation. We report
      the findings of a statewide Tribal Gathering focused on behavioral health
      interventions for youth. The Gathering participants included AI/AN individuals as
      well as staff working with AI/AN populations in tribal communities. Participants
      identified strengths and weaknesses of the five legislatively fundable programs
      for youth delinquency in Washington State and discussed strategies likely to be
      effective in promoting increased uptake within tribes. Analysis of these
      discussions resulted in many useful insights in program-specific and community
      driven strategies for implementation. In addition, two major themes emerged
      regarding widespread uptake: the importance of a multi-phase engagement strategy
      and adopting a consortium/learning community model for implementation. The
      findings from this Gathering offer important lessons that can inform current work
      regarding strategies to achieve a balance of program fidelity and cultural
      alignment. Attending to engagement practices at the governance, community and
      individual level are likely to be key components of tribal-focused
      implementation. Further, efforts to embed implementation within a consortium or
      learning community hold considerable promise as a strategy for sustainability. 

PMID- 24242818
TI  - The evolving art of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: translational
      research in post-transplant immune reconstitution and immunosuppression.
AB  - Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) offers the best chance
      for cure and/or long-term survival for a broad range of diseases, including many
      high-risk hematologic malignancies, bone marrow failure states and subsets of
      inherited metabolic diseases and hemoglobinopathies. Clinical advances in
      allogeneic SCT have resulted in dramatically improved clinical outcomes over the
      past two decades, resulting in a significant expansion of transplant utilization
      to many recipients who would previously have been excluded from consideration,
      including elderly recipients and individuals lacking matched sibling or unrelated
      donors. Despite these advances, significant clinical challenges remain, including
      delayed immune reconstitution and the frequent occurrence of acute and chronic
      graft-versus-host disease, especially in the unrelated donor transplant setting.
      Translational laboratory efforts, facilitated by technical advances in our
      ability to measure thymopoiesis and functional T cell subsets in humans, have
      resulted in an improved understanding of immune recovery and have provided novel
      insights that may lead to more rational and selective immunosuppression. 

PMID- 24242821
TI  - Metallothioneins as dynamic markers for brain disease in lysosomal disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To facilitate development of novel disease-modifying therapies for
      lysosomal storage disorder (LSDs) characterized by nervous system involvement
      such as metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), molecular markers for monitoring
      disease progression and therapeutic response are needed. To this end, we sought
      to identify blood transcripts associated with the progression of MLD. METHODS:
      Genome-wide expression analysis was performed in primary T lymphocytes of 24
      patients with MLD compared to 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Genes
      associated with MLD were identified, confirmed on a quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction platform, and replicated in an independent patient cohort. mRNA and
      protein expression of the prioritized gene family of metallothioneins was
      evaluated in postmortem patient brains and in mouse models representing 6 other
      LSDs. Metallothionein expression during disease progression and in response to
      specific treatment was evaluated in 1 of the tested LSD mouse models. Finally, a
      set of in vitro studies was planned to dissect the biological functions exerted
      by this class of molecules. RESULTS: Metallothionein genes were significantly
      overexpressed in T lymphocytes and brain of patients with MLD and generally
      marked nervous tissue damage in the LSDs here evaluated. Overexpression of
      metallothioneins correlated with measures of disease progression in mice and
      patients, whereas their levels decreased in mice upon therapeutic treatment. In
      vitro studies indicated that metallothionein expression is regulated in response
      to oxidative stress and inflammation, which are biochemical hallmarks of
      lysosomal storage diseases. INTERPRETATION: Metallothioneins are potential
      markers of neurologic disease processes and treatment response in LSDs.

PMID- 24242822
TI  - Negative affectivity, emotion regulation, and coping in migraine and probable
      migraine: a New Zealand case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Migraine is a prevalent and disabling health condition. While there
      have been some suggestions that personality may be linked to migraine incidence,
      dose-response links to disability or impact are yet to be conducted and
      multivariate analyses are uncommon. PURPOSE: The purposes of this study are to
      evaluate the personality characteristics differentiating migraine and probable
      migraine sufferers from matched controls in multivariate models and assess the
      possibility of a dose-response relationship. METHODS: Fifty migraine sufferers
      and 50 age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched controls in New Zealand completed
      personality measures including negative affectivity, coping, and monitoring
      blunting. RESULTS: Logistic regressions indicated that migraine status was
      concurrently predicted by Type D negative affectivity, more frequent venting and
      planning coping, and lower monitoring. There was little evidence to suggest a
      consistent dose-response type effect of personality on migraine; lower impact and
      disability were associated with greater openness to experiences, acceptance, and
      behavioural disengagement. CONCLUSIONS: A personality profile characterised by
      moderate levels of negative emotion and irritability together with failures in
      inhibitory self-regulation may be associated with an increased risk of strict and
      probable migraine.

PMID- 24242824
TI  - Left ventricular hypertrophy: a major factor of risk in Black hypertensive
      patients.

PMID- 24242823
TI  - Hemodynamic and echocardiographic profiles in African American compared with
      White offspring of hypertensive parents: the HyperGEN study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alterations in cardiovascular structure and function have been shown
      to precede the finding of elevated blood pressure. METHODS: This study is part of
      the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiologic Network (HyperGEN) in which genetic and
      environmental determinants of hypertension were investigated in 5 geographical
      field centers. All nonhypertensive offspring (n = 1,035) were included from the
      entire HyperGEN study population that consists of 2,225 hypertensive patients and
      1,380 nonhypertensive patients who had adequate echocardiographic left
      ventricular (LV) mass measurements. Participants were compared by self-declared
      race (African American and white). RESULTS: Nonhypertensive African American
      offspring were younger (aged 31 years vs. 38 years), more likely to be female,
      and had a higher body mass index (BMI) and higher systolic blood pressure (SBP)
      than their white counterparts. After adjusting for age, sex, SBP, pulse pressure
      (PP), BMI, diabetes status, and family effects, we observed statistically
      significant and potentially pathophysiological differences (all with P <= 0.001)
      with greater LV mass/height, relative wall thickness, and posterior wall
      thickness and with lesser midwall shortening, PP/stroke volume, and (PP/stroke
      volume)/fat-free body mass. CONCLUSION: This study shows that ethnic differences
      in hemodynamic and echocardiographic profiles exist in a large, population-based
      cohort of nonhypertensive offspring of hypertensive parents.

PMID- 24242826
TI  - Isolation and passage of muscle-derived stem cells from the rat penile corpora
      cavernosa and induction of differentiation into smooth muscle cells.
AB  - This study treated the isolation and passage of muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs)
      from rat penile corpora cavernosa, detection of stem cell marker expression,
      observation of their self-renewal and continuous proliferation, and demonstration
      of their potential to differentiate into smooth muscle cells in co-culture.
      Muscle-derived stem cells from the rat penile corpora cavernosa were isolated and
      purified. The expression of stem cell markers Sca-1 and desmin was detected in
      PP6 cells, thus confirming that the main components of PP6 cells are MDSCs. The
      expression of Sca-1 and desmin occurred both in PP6 cells and cells at passages
      3, 6, and 8, and there was no significant decrease in the expression level with
      increasing passage number. The growth curves indicated that the cell doubling
      time was approximately 48 h. The cells entered the stationary phase after
      approximately 7 days of culture. The proliferative activity of the cells at
      passage 8 remained unchanged. After 2 days of co-culture with smooth muscle
      cells, the DAPI-labeled MDSCs tended to exhibit smooth muscle cell morphology and
      expression of alpha-SMA was detected. MDSCs exist in the rat penile corpora
      cavernosa and possess the potential to differentiate into smooth muscle cells.
      This discovery serves as the basis in view of the potential use of endogenous
      stem cells for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). 

PMID- 24242827
TI  - Toxic effects of resazurin on cell cultures.
AB  - Resazurin, introduced as a cell viability indicator under the trade name
      alamarBlue((r)), is generally regarded as nontoxic when used according to
      manufacturer's suggested shorter-term incubation time specifications. However,
      problems arise when exposure times are extended to longer-term cultures on the
      order of days. To assess the effect of resazurin over longer incubation times,
      MCF7 (HTB-22), MCF10A (CRL-10317), 3T3-L1 (CL-173), and D1 (CRL-12424) cultures
      were tested with varying amounts of resazurin over 4- and 8-day periods. MCF7,
      3T3-L1, and D1 cells cultured for 8 days with 20 % alamarBlue((r)) had
      significantly less cell survivability. Specifically, levels of metabolic
      activity, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentration, and glucose consumption of
      the cell lines cultured for 8 days in medium with 20 % alamarBlue((r)) were
      significantly lower (p < 0.05) than metabolic activity, DNA concentration, and
      glucose consumption of MCF7 cells cultured for 8 days in medium with no
      alamarBlue((r)). MCF7, 3T3-L1, and D1 cells used less glucose at concentrations
      as low as 5 %. Data also suggests the toxic effects are more pronounced in the
      cancerous cell line as compared to the noncancerous cells. 

PMID- 24242825
TI  - Acute effects of a mixed meal on arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics in
      healthy adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated central pressures and arterial stiffness are associated with
      increased peripheral resistance and higher sympathetic nervous system activity.
      Additionally, consumption of a meal is known to be sympathoexcitatory. However,
      the acute effects of a meal on aortic wave reflection and stiffness are unknown.
      Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that aortic wave reflection and stiffness
      would increase after a meal. METHODS: We examined these effects using high
      fidelity radial arterial pressure waveforms and carotid-femoral pulse wave
      velocity measured noninvasively by applanation tonometry before and 60 and 180
      minutes after ingestion of a liquid mixed meal (Ensure; 40% of daily energy
      expenditure) in 17 healthy adults (9 men/8 women; aged 29 +/- 2 years).
      Additionally, we measured sympathetic activity by microneurography at baseline
      and up to 60 minutes after the meal. RESULTS: Although sympathetic activity
      increased after the meal, both peripheral and central pressures were reduced at
      180 minutes from baseline (all P < 0.05). Contrary to our hypothesis,
      augmentation index (14% +/- 3% vs. 2% +/- 3% vs. 8% +/- 3%), augmentation index
      normalized for heart rate (8% +/- 3% vs. -3% +/- 3% vs. 3% +/- 3%), augmented
      pressure (5 +/- 1 mm Hg vs. 1 +/- 1 mm Hg vs. 3 +/- 1 mm Hg), and pulse wave
      velocity (7.1 +/- 0.2 m/s vs. 6.7 +/- 0.2 m/s vs. 6.7 +/- 0.1 m/s) were
      substantially reduced at 60 and 180 minutes after the meal (all P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results suggest that a liquid mixed meal acutely
      decreases central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in healthy adults, which
      may be a result of meal-related increases in insulin and/or visceral
      vasodilation.

PMID- 24242831
TI  - Ion-molecule equilibria, how and why.

PMID- 24242829
TI  - Protumorigenic effects of Snail-expression fibroblasts on colon cancer cells.
AB  - Snail1 is a transcriptional factor that plays an important role in epithelial
      mesenchymal transition and in the acquisition of invasive properties by
      epithelial cells. In colon tumors, Snail1 expression in the stroma correlates
      with lower specific survival of cancer patients. However, the role(s) of Snail1
      expression in stroma and its association with patients' survival have not been
      determined. We used human primary carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) or
      normal fibroblasts (NFs) and fibroblast cell lines to analyze the effects of
      Snail1 expression on the protumorigenic capabilities in colon cancer cells.
      Snail1 expression was higher in CAFs than in NFs and, as well as alpha-SMA, a
      classic marker of activated CAFs. Moreover, in tumor samples from 50 colon cancer
      patients, SNAI1 expression was associated with expression of other CAF markers,
      such as alpha-SMA and fibroblast activation protein. Interestingly, coculture of
      CAFs with colon cells induced a significant increase in epithelial cell migration
      and proliferation, which was associated with endogenous SNAI1 expression levels.
      Ectopic manipulation of Snail1 in fibroblasts demonstrated that Snail1 expression
      controlled migration as well as proliferation of cocultured colon cancer cells in
      a paracrine manner. Furthermore, expression of Snail1 in fibroblasts was required
      for the coadjuvant effect of these cells on colon cancer cell growth and invasion
      when coxenografted in nude mice. Finally, cytokine profile changes, particularly
      MCP-3 expression, in fibroblasts are put forward as mediators of Snail1-derived
      effects on colon tumor cell migration. In summary, these studies demonstrate that
      Snail1 is necessary for the protumorigenic effects of fibroblasts on colon cancer
      cells. 

PMID- 24242830
TI  - Technical Note: Guidelines for the digital computation of 2D and 3D enamel
      thickness in hominoid teeth.
AB  - The study of enamel thickness has received considerable attention in regard to
      the taxonomic, phylogenetic and dietary assessment of human and non-human
      primates. Recent developments based on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional
      (3D) digital techniques have facilitated accurate analyses, preserving the
      original object from invasive procedures. Various digital protocols have been
      proposed. These include several procedures based on manual handling of the
      virtual models and technical shortcomings, which prevent other scholars from
      confidently reproducing the entire digital protocol. There is a compelling need
      for standard, reproducible, and well-tailored protocols for the digital analysis
      of 2D and 3D dental enamel thickness. In this contribution we provide essential
      guidelines for the digital computation of 2D and 3D enamel thickness in hominoid
      molars, premolars, canines and incisors. We modify previous techniques suggested
      for 2D analysis and we develop a new approach for 3D analysis that can also be
      applied to premolars and anterior teeth. For each tooth class, the cervical line
      should be considered as the fundamental morphological feature both to isolate the
      crown from the root (for 3D analysis) and to define the direction of the cross
      sections (for 2D analysis).

PMID- 24242832
TI  - High accuracy measurement of isotope ratios of molybdenum in some terrestrial
      molybdenites.
AB  - The isotope ratios of molybdenum in molybdenites were studied. A special triple
      filament technique was used to obtain stable and lasting signals for MO(+) .
      There are no differences bigger than +/-0.4 parts per IO4 among four samples and
      the standard. 

PMID- 24242833
TI  - Design and performance of a novel electrospray interface.
AB  - In this work a new electrospray system has been developed which employs heat as a
      means of desolvation and requires no counterflow of heated gas. This article
      describes the operation and performance of this device, with particular emphasis
      on the differences between it and those described earlier. Results are presented
      that illustrate the dependence of signal intensity on ion source and spray
      chamber temperatures and on the composition and flow rate of mobile phase into
      the electrospray. Results on proteins electrosprayed from aqueous solutions are
      presented including a bacterial protease which has a tight tertiary structure.
      The ability to obtain fragmentation data by collisionally induced dissociation in
      the interface is also discussed. 

PMID- 24242834
TI  - Surface-induced dissociation in tandem quadrupole mass spectrometers: A
      comparison of three designs.
AB  - Three different devices that-can be used for surface-induced dissociation (SID) m
      tandem quadrupole instruments are compared here. The designs were compared by
      examining the fragmentation of several compounds including benzene, W(CO)6, and
      (CH3)4N(+). These studies show that SID can be readily implemented on a variety
      of tandem quadrupoIe instruments and that the spectra obtained with the in-line
      and 90 degrees  instruments are similar. Evidence is presented that confirms that
      high average internal energies and narrow distributions of internal energy are
      available by this technique. Efficiencies for fragmentation of odd-electron ions
      are on the order of those previously reported by others. The overall SID
      efficiency for even-electron ions is higher than that for odd-electron ions of
      similar structure. 

PMID- 24242835
TI  - a compact high pressure ion source for high and low energy collision-induced
      dissociation studies of cluster ions on a VG analytical ZAB-2FQ.
AB  - A compact, field-free high pressure ion source designed to replace, with minimum
      disruption, the electron impact/chemical ionization ion source of a VG Analytical
      ZAB-2FQ hybrid BEqQ mass spectrometer is described. This ion source may be
      operated at temperatures from ~40 to 250  degrees C and at pressures up to 4-5
      torr and, thus, is capable of producing proton-bound cluster ions up to hexamers
      in good yields. Examples of high energy collision-induced dissociation, low
      energy collision-induced dissociation, and neutralization-reionization studies of
      proton-bound cluster ions produced in this source are presented. 

PMID- 24242836
TI  - Methylene substitution reactions in a quadrupole ion trap selectivity of
      ethylene, ethylene oxide, and dimethyl ether reactive ions.
AB  - To elucidate the selectivity of methylene substitution reactions of
      monosubstituted and disubstituted oxyaromatic compounds in a low pressure
      quadrupole ion trap environment, the relative abundances of covalently bound and
      loosely bound adducts formed by ion/molecule reactions with ethylene (ET),
      ethylene oxide (ETOX), and dimethyl ether (DME) were compared. Adduct ions of all
      three reagent gases were formed in both a conventional ion source and a
      quadrupole ion trap and characterized by collisionally activated dissociation.
      For DME and ET, the covalently bound adducts formed at (M + 45)(+) and (M +
      41)(+), respectively, are direct precursors to the methylene substitution product
      ions at (M + 13)(+). ETOX and ET do not demonstrate the same functional group
      selectivity for methylene substitution as previously observed for DME. This is
      attributed to differences in reaction exothermicities and competing reactions. 

PMID- 24242837
TI  - Characterization of the dissociation behavior of gas-phase protonated and
      methylated lactones.
AB  - The dissociation behavior of gas-phase protonated and methylated four-, five-,
      six-, and seven-membered ring lactones, some with methyl substituents in various
      positions, has been characterized by using a quadrupole ion trap mass
      spectrometer and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The energy dependence of
      collisionally activated dissociation pathways was determined by energy-resolved
      mass spectrometry, and the dissociation behavior of the various protonated
      lactones was compared to that observed for protonated cyclic ketones and ethers
      of analogous ring size. The protonated cyclic ethers and ketones predominantly
      dissociated via dehydration, whereas the protonated lactones dissociated via
      losses of an alkene, ketene, and water. The dissociation behavior of the gas
      phase methylated lactones formed from ion/molecule reactions with dimethyl ether
      ions was compared to the collisionally activated dissociation behavior of
      isomeric protonated methyl-substituted lactones. The methylation experiments
      indicated that the gas-phase addition of a methyl group may dramatically alter
      the favored dissociation pathways when compared to the simple protonated ions. 

PMID- 24242838
TI  - Tandem mass spectrometry of small, multiply charged oligonucleotides.
AB  - Multiply charged anions derived from electrospray ionization of the sodium salts
      of various small oligonucleotides (n = 4-8) have been subjected to tandem mass
      spectrometry (MS/MS) in a quadrupole ion trap. All ions were observed to
      dissociate with high efficiencies even under conditions not ordinarily conducive
      for the observance of high MS/MS efficiency. Large fractions of the total product
      ion signal could be attributed to single-cleavage reactions with the parent ion
      charge shared among the two product ions in various combinations. In every case,
      the most facile reaction was observed to be the loss of the adenine anion. This
      reaction was then observed to be followed by cleavage of the 3' C-O bond of
      phosphodiester linkage of the sugar from which the adenine had been lost. 

PMID- 24242839
TI  - Characterization of Diacylglycerylphosphocholine Molecular Species by FAB-CAD
      MS/MS: A General Method Not Sensitive to the Nature of the Fatty Acyl Groups.
AB  - The use of negative ion mode fast-atom bombardment-collision-activated
      dissociation-tandem mass spectrometry (FAB-CAD-MS/MS) for
      diacylglycerylphosphocholine molecular species determinations was investigated
      for 24 naturally occurring and synthetic compounds. The previously proposed
      method of selecting [M-15](-) as the parent ion and using the relative abundance
      of the carboxylate daughter ions to distinguish the positions of esterification
      was found to be unreliable in cases where the fatty acyl group at sn1 was much
      larger than that at sn2. The predicted greater abundance of the sn2 carboxylate
      daughter, relative to the sn1 carboxylate daughter, was also violated when
      polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups were esterifred at sn2. In addition, several
      marginal cases were found where the ratio of intensities of the sn2/sn1
      carboxylate daughters followed the expected pattern (sn2 > sn1) initially, but
      reversed over extended scanning time. The use of an alternative FAB-CAD-MS/MS
      method is proposed where the [M-B6](-) ion is selected as the precursor and the
      relative intensities of the daughters resulting from loss of the free fatty acids
      at snl and sn2 are determined. In every case examined to date, the ion formed by
      loss of the free acid from the sn2 position was always more abundant. Because the
      parent ion is equivalent to the phosphatidic acid ion, this technique should be
      equally applicable to all other phospholipid classes where this fragment ion is
      present in the spectrum. 

PMID- 24242840
TI  - Theoretical calculations of relative ion yields for glow discharge mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Quantitative determination of the elemental composition of metals and other
      solids by glow discharge mass spectrometry requires a calibration factor for each
      element. In past work, these factors, called relative ion yields (RIYs), have
      been determined experimentally from the mass spectra of standards of certified
      composition. The RlYs of some elements were found to be over 10 times larger than
      the RIYs of other elements. In this study a simple calculation of the RIYs of the
      elements within the same sample is derived from a theoretical framework which
      takes into account the combined effects of sputtering and ionization. The
      ionization function involves the electron affinity and the first ionization
      potential of each element, plus two unknown parameters. By favorable selection of
      a temperature parameter and a chemical-potential parameter, the RIYs calculated
      by this method were found to agree satisfactorily with the experimental RlYs of
      former work. The temperature of 16,000 K (used in this work) corresponds to an
      average electron energy of ~ 2 eV. 

PMID- 24242841
TI  - Alternating RF/DC Isolations for Quantitation with Coeluting Internal Standards
      in Gas Chromatography/Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - A new ion trap scan function for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
      quantitation is described that employs alternating mass-selective storage (rf/dc
      isolation) of ions from an analyte and its coeluting isotopically labeled
      internal standard. This scan includes two separate ionization/isolation/mass
      analysis sequences within the same scan function, each optimized for either the
      analyte or the internal standard. This results in alternating between analyzing
      the analyte and the internal standard during their coelution. The method is
      conceptually similar to using two different scan functions to analyze either the
      analyte or the internal standard in alternating scans; however, it is much faster
      because it eliminates the slow procedure of continuously downloading alternating
      scan functions from disk. This allows more data points to be obtained over a GC
      peak, resulting in more reproducible GC peak profiles as well as better
      sensitivity and precision. Results of calibration curves spanning four orders of
      magnitude (0.5 pg to 5 pg injected on column) obtained by using this method give
      excellent linear correlations (r (2) > 0.9990) and precision (relative standard
      deviations of triplicate injections < 10%). 

PMID- 24242843
TI  - Efficacy of metabolic surgery on HbA1c decrease in type 2 diabetes mellitus
      patients with BMI <35 kg/m2--a review.
AB  - High glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is strongly correlated with developing type
      2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complications; this study reviews the efficacy of
      various types of metabolic surgeries in reducing HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetics
      with BMI <35 kg/m(2). An electronic search of MEDLINE databases using terms
      'metabolic surgery', type 2 diabetes mellitus, BMI <35 kg/m(2), and related
      keywords for studies published between 1987 and 2013. Data from 53 articles with
      2,258 patients were selected for this review. The weighted mean change in HbA1c
      was -2.8 % (95 % CI -2.8 to -2.7, p < 0.01) and weighted mean BMI change was -5.5
      kg/m(2) (95 % CI -5.6 to -5.4, p < 0.01). There was a strong correlation between
      weighted percentage mean change in HbA1c and BMI. Adjustable gastric banding and
      duodenal jejunal bypass were inferior to other surgeries in reducing BMI and
      HbA1c in BMI <35 kg/m(2). Metabolic surgery significantly decreases HbA1c in T2DM
      patients with BMI <35 kg/m(2) and that the magnitude of HbA1c change may be a
      useful surrogate of DM control.

PMID- 24242845
TI  - Letter to the editor.

PMID- 24242844
TI  - Predictors of weight loss are different in men and women after sleeve
      gastrectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Weight loss following bariatric surgery varies according to patient
      factors before the intervention. However, whether predictors of weight loss
      differ between men and women is, to our knowledge, unknown. We therefore aimed to
      investigate baseline predictors for overall weight loss and identify potential
      sex-specific baseline predictors in bariatric surgery patients. METHODS: In this
      prospective cohort study, 160 patients (117 women and 43 men) who underwent
      sleeve gastrectomy were followed up for 2 years. Weight loss was defined as
      percent excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL). To investigate whether %EBMIL
      differed between men and women, we included all two-way interactions with sex by
      incorporating the product term sex and predictors using multiple linear
      regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall mean +/- standard deviation of %EBMIL
      after 2 years was 78.3 +/- 23.5. Predictors for lower %EBMIL in a regression
      model with no interactions were female sex (P = 0.003), higher body mass index
      before surgery (P = 0.001), and nonsmoking (P = 0.029). When examining sex
      specific predictors for %EBMIL, higher age (P = 0.027) and not having diabetes (P
      = 0.007) predicted lower %EBMIL in men. In women, unemployment (P = 0.006) and
      anxiety and/or depression (P = 0.009) predicted lower %EBMIL. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study suggests that weight loss and predictors for weight loss 2 years after
      sleeve gastrectomy are sex-specific. These findings may be useful for the
      surgical strategy used to treat these patients.

PMID- 24242847
TI  - Alpha and lineage C betaCoV infections in Italian bats.
AB  - AlphaCoV and lineage C betaCoV, genetically similar to those identified in
      Spanish related bat species, have been detected in Italian Myotis blithii and
      Eptesicus serotinus, respectively, out of 75 anal swabs collected from
      Vespertilionidae between 2009 and 2012. Sequence analysis of the 816-bp obtained
      RdRp sequence fragment indicates a 96.9 % amino acid identity of the Italian
      lineage C betaCoV with the recent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
      (MERS-CoV, Genbank accession number KF192507). This is the first documented
      occurrence of a lineage C betaCoV in the Italian bat population, notably in E.
      serotinus.

PMID- 24242846
TI  - Genomic characterisation of Felis catus papillomavirus 4, a novel papillomavirus
      detected in the oral cavity of a domestic cat.
AB  - Three papillomaviruses (PVs) from the domestic cat have been fully sequenced so
      far including Felis domesticus PV-1 (FdPV-1), FdPV-2, and a recently described
      Felis catus PV-3 (FcaPV-4). In the current article, we describe the full genomic
      sequence of a fourth PV from the domestic cat. This PV was amplified from the
      oral cavity of a cat with severe gingivitis. However, the aetiological
      involvement of FcaPV-4 in development of lesions observed in this cat remains
      uncertain. The complete genome of the novel virus comprised 7,616 bp and was
      predicted to encode five early (E1, E2, E4, E6 and E7) and two late (L1 and L2)
      genes, with the organisation typical for PVs. The L1 showed 65.1 % nucleotide
      sequence identity to L1 of FcaPV-3 and approximately 60 % identity to L1 of
      canine tau-papillomaviruses CPV-2 and CPV-7. The novel virus clustered with FcaPV
      3, CPV-2 and CPV-7 on a phylogenetic tree constructed from a concatenated
      alignment of 3,013 bp from E1, E2, L1 and L2. Based on the genomic and
      phylogenetic data, we propose that the novel virus is classified as a distinct
      species within the same genus as FcaPV-3. We also propose that both viruses are
      classified within the genus Taupapillomavirus, although this classification may
      need to be re-visited after more tau-PV genomes become available.

PMID- 24242848
TI  - The outcome of pulmonary resection for invasive fungal infection complicating
      haematological malignancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify clinical outcomes of pulmonary
      resection of invasive fungal infection (IFI) complicating haematological
      malignancy. METHODS: Between 1985 and 2010, 28 patients underwent 31 pulmonary
      procedures for IFI complicating haematological malignancy. Retrospective chart
      review was performed. Seventeen patients underwent therapeutic resection and 11
      patients underwent diagnostic biopsy. Survival and progression of fungal
      infection were analysed with the Kaplan-Meier method and prognostic factors were
      analysed with the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The median follow-up
      was 9.5 months (range 0-139 months). The rate of operative complications is
      significantly higher in the therapeutic resection group (P=0.036) in multivariate
      analysis. Median survival was 12 and 5 months in the diagnostic and therapeutic
      group, respectively. In the diagnostic group, 10 patients (91%) survived surgery
      and were cured of fungal infection; the management was changed based on biopsy in
      3 patients (27.3%), and preoperative anaemia (P=0.044) adversely affected
      survival in multivariate analysis. In the therapeutic group, anaemia (P=0.018)
      and perioperative transfusion (P=0.038) adversely affected survival following
      therapeutic resection in univariate analysis. The rate of fungal progression in
      the therapeutic group was 29.4%. In multivariate analysis, only presence of
      bilateral lesions (P=0.0005) was a significant factor of fungal progression after
      therapeutic resection. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic biopsy contributes to good
      diagnostic yield with long-term cure from fungal infection. The long-term outcome
      (overall survival) of diagnostic and therapeutic patients relied on the severity
      of anaemia, which appears related to underlying haematological diseases. Presence
      of bilateral lesions was a significant factor of fungal progression after
      therapeutic resection.

PMID- 24242849
TI  - The risk of bilobectomy compared with lobectomy: a retrospective analysis of a
      series of matched cases and controls.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Bilobectomy is considered to be a risky procedure due to space
      mismatch between the pleural space and the remnant lung. The objective of this
      study was to evaluate if postoperative complications related or not to size
      mismatch are more frequent after bilobectomy compared with right lobectomy cases.
      METHODS: Retrospective case-control study on a series of matched non-small-cell
      lung cancer patients. Cases were patients who underwent right bilobectomy (upper
      and middle or lower and middle) and controls, patients who underwent right upper
      or lower lobectomy. Cases and controls were matched by propensity scoring
      according to site, age, ppoFEV1, type of postoperative management (intensive
      physiotherapy or not), cardiac comorbidity and pT status. We selected two primary
      outcomes for comparison: occurrence of any cardiorespiratory complication and
      occurrence of any complication related to space discrepancies. For the latter,
      all complicated case records were reviewed and two blinded observers agreed on
      the probability of each complication to be related to space discrepancies.
      Agreement was measured by the kappa statistic. The overall odds ratio (OR) and
      95% confidence interval (CI) for each outcome were calculated on 2 * 2 tables for
      the whole population and for cases with upper or lower resections. RESULTS: The
      study included 689 patients: 572 right lobectomy (419 upper and 153 lower) and
      117 bilobectomy cases (30 upper and middle and 87 lower and middle). The overall
      mortality rate of the series was 2.03% (14/689), and cardiorespiratory
      complications were recorded in 14.4% (99/689) and space-related complications in
      19.59% (135/689) cases. Both observers agreed on space-related complications in
      86% of the 135 cases (kappa: 0.72). After matching, 234 cases entered the study
      (117 with right lobectomy, including 83 lower and 34 upper, and 117 with
      bilobectomy, including 87 lower and 30 upper). The prevalence of
      cardiorespiratory complications was higher after lower and middle lobectomy
      compared with lower lobectomy (P = 0.0002; OR: 7.96, 95% CI: 2.19-43.16). No
      differences were found in death rates or in space-related complications between
      groups of lobectomy and bilobectomy cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to
      demonstrate a higher space-related complication rate in bilobectomy cases but
      cardiorespiratory complications were statistically higher after lower and middle
      lobectomy compared with lower lobectomy in matched cases.

PMID- 24242850
TI  - The role of repairing lung lacerations during video-assisted thoracoscopic
      surgery evacuations for retained haemothorax caused by blunt chest trauma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Retained haemothorax and pneumothorax are the most common
      complications after blunt chest traumas. Lung lacerations derived from fractures
      of the ribs are usually found in these patients. Video-assisted thoracoscopic
      surgery (VATS) is usually used as a routine procedure in the treatment of
      retained pleural collections. The objective of this study was to find out if
      there is any advantage in adding the procedure for repairing lacerated lungs
      during VATS. METHODS: Patients who were brought to our hospital with blunt chest
      trauma were enrolled into this prospective cohort study from January 2004 to
      December 2011. All enrolled patients had rib fractures with type III lung
      lacerations diagnosed by CT scans. They sustained retained pleural collections
      and surgical drainage was indicated. On one group, only evacuation procedure by
      VATS was performed. On the other group, not only evacuations but also repair of
      lung injuries were performed. Patients with penetrating injury or blunt injury
      with massive bleeding, that required emergency thoracotomy, were excluded from
      the study, in addition to those with cardiovascular or oesophageal injuries.
      RESULTS: During the study period, 88 patients who underwent thoracoscopy were
      enrolled. Among them, 43 patients undergoing the simple thoracoscopic evacuation
      method were stratified into Group 1. The remaining 45 patients who underwent
      thoracoscopic evacuation combined with resection of lung lacerations were
      stratified into Group 2. The rates of post-traumatic infection were higher in
      Group 1. The durations of chest-tube drainage and ventilator usage were shorter
      in Group 2, as were the lengths of patient intensive care unit stay and hospital
      stay. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with simple thoracoscopic evacuation methods,
      repair and resection of the injured lungs combined may result in better clinical
      outcomes in patients who sustained blunt chest injuries.

PMID- 24242852
TI  - Editorial: A new title and co-sponsor for the journal.

PMID- 24242851
TI  - Seven nonsynonymous SNPs in the gene encoding human deoxyribonuclease II may
      serve as a functional SNP potentially implicated in autoimmune dysfunction.
AB  - Many nonsynonymous SNPs in the human DNase II gene (DNASE2), potentially relevant
      to autoimmunity in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, have been identified,
      but only limited population data are available and no studies have evaluated
      whether such SNPs are functional. Genotyping of all the 15 nonsynonymous human
      DNase II SNPs was performed in three ethnic groups including 16 different
      populations using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. A
      series of constructs corresponding to each SNP was examined. Fifteen
      nonsynonymous SNPs in the gene, except for p.Val206Ile in a Korean population,
      exhibited a mono-allelic distribution in all of the populations. On the basis of
      alterations in the activity levels resulting from the corresponding amino acid
      substitutions, four activity-abolishing and five activity-reducing SNPs were
      confirmed to be functional. The amino acid residues in activity-abolishing SNPs
      were conserved in animal DNase II. All the nonsynonymous SNPs that affected the
      catalytic activity of human DNase II showed extremely low genetic heterogeneity.
      However, a minor allele of seven SNPs producing a loss-of-function or extremely
      low activity-harboring variant could serve as a genetic risk factor for
      autoimmune dysfunction. These functional SNPs in DNASE2 may have clinical
      implications in relation to the prevalence of autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 24242853
TI  - Addiction to fruit machines: A preliminary study among young males.
AB  - Although most sources treat gambling as an adult phenomenon, adolescent gambling
      is more widespread than is generally recognized, and in some cases may even be
      pathological. This paper outlines a preliminary study of eight adolescents
      addicted to playing and gambling on coin-in-the-slot machines (more commonly
      known as 'fruit machines'). Factors involved in the onset of fruit machine
      playing are examined along with their alternative gambling activities and
      associated problems. The role of 'skill' and 'excitement' components in
      persistent playing are also discussed. 

PMID- 24242854
TI  - Street crime, tourism and casinos: An empirical comparison.
AB  - Only recently have researchers begun to study the "causes" of crime in tourist
      destinations, particularly in those areas which offer casino gaming. Critics, who
      cite the high crime rates of Atlantic City, New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada,
      fail to understand the relationship between tourism and crime. Casino gaming is a
      catalyst for tourism and one of the social consequences of tourism is increased
      crime.The mean crime rates of three tourist areas (including Atlantic City) and
      two urban centers in New Jersey were examined to determine if the rates were
      significantly different. Additionally, the study examined and identified which
      types of crime have changed since the advent of tourism in Atlantic City.Policy
      makers who reject gaming in favor of other mechanisms for urban revitalization
      need to take note. Tourist destinations have mean crime rates significantly
      different (higher) from urban areas, at least in New Jersey. Gaming-free tourism
      initiatives will have similar consequences for a community, as gaming has been
      identified to have had on Atlantic City. 

PMID- 24242855
TI  - Is excessive gambling seen as a form of dependence? Evidence from the community
      and the clinic.
AB  - Data from two studies are used to examine the proposition that excessive
      gambling, unlike excessive substance use, is not generally viewed as a form of
      dependence. In the first study, the attitudes of 100 members of the general
      population towards the causes of excess and towards appropriate treatments,
      indicated that excessive gambling was seen in more moral terms than were other
      addictive behaviours. In the second study, of 54 people receiving treatment for
      one of four forms of excessive behaviour, gamblers were just as likely to use
      terms such as 'addiction' or 'compulsion' to describe their behaviour but were
      also more likely than others to describe it in terms of moral weakness or vice.
      Concern is expressed at the way in which gambling may be marginalized as a form
      of dependence. 

PMID- 24242856
TI  - A review of two measures of pathological gambling in the United States.
AB  - This paper addresses a debate that has emerged in the field of pathological
      gambling research. This debate concerns measurement of the prevalence of
      pathological gambling in the general population. Two instruments have been used
      to measure prevalence in the United States, the South Oaks Gambling Screen and
      the Cumulative Clinical Signs Method. These instruments are described and several
      problems with the statistical properties of the Cumulative Clinical Signs Method
      are discussed. The authors conclude with a call for continued research in the
      area of prevalence studies of pathological gambling. 

PMID- 24242857
TI  - Demographic, personality, cognitive and behavioral correlates of off-course
      betting involvement.
AB  - A large (n=381) exploratory survey of off-course bettors was conducted as a step
      towards rectifying deficits in current gambling literature. Information collected
      by interviews and questionnaires from off-course betting agency customers showed
      the level of betting involvement to be largely unrelated to demographic and
      cognitive variables and sensation seeking, but related to a variety of betting
      behaviors. A factor analysis produced three independent factors accounting for
      30% of the variance. Loadings on these suggested an independence of items
      involved in the process of betting and those related to the control of betting
      behaviors, implying that non-pathological gambling involvement may be a
      reasonable goal for treatment programs. 

PMID- 24242859
TI  - Hereditary pancreatitis: dilemmas in differential diagnosis and therapeutic
      approach.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is a rare, heterogeneous familial
      disease and should be suspected in any patient who has suffered at least two
      attacks of acute pancreatitis for which there is no underlying cause and
      unexplained chronic pancreatitis with a family history in a first- or second
      degree relative. Genetic factors have been implied in cases of familial chronic
      pancreatitis. The most common PRSS1 mutations worldwide are the R122H and N29I
      variants. CLINICAL FEATURES: HP usually appears with an acute, a recurrent acute,
      and a chronic phase, referring to the inflammation of the pancreas and the
      symptoms' onset and duration. The clinical features of acute pancreatitis begin
      in childhood and last less than 6 months. HP carries a 50-70-fold increased risk
      of pancreatic cancer within 7-30 years of disease onset. HP diagnosis is defined
      by the presence of a detected cationic trypsinogen gene mutation (with or without
      clinical or radiological manifestations of chronic pancreatitis) or when the
      patient's family satisfies the requirements of the EUROPAC. TREATMENT: With
      regard to the therapeutic approach, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy and
      analgesics are offered to control pain. In addition, endoscopic and surgical
      intersections are reserved for all relevant complications. Unfortunately,
      surgical removal of affected pancreatic tissue does not necessarily guarantee the
      patient's long-term survival. Furthermore, the prognostic factors and the
      efficacy of extended resection remain controversial.

PMID- 24242858
TI  - Definition and usage of the term "overuse injury" in the US high school and
      collegiate sport epidemiology literature: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of epidemiologic and surveillance-based studies of sports
      injury provide statistics on, and sometimes discussion of, overuse injuries.
      However, there is no consensus on the definition of "overuse." Some studies
      consider "overuse" as a mechanism of injury while others use a diagnosis-based
      definition. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe variation
      between studies in the definition and use of the term "overuse." METHODS: PubMed
      and SPORTDiscus databases were searched between May and November 2012 to find
      articles published or online ahead of printing pertaining to US high school or
      collegiate athletics, which were epidemiologic in nature. Inclusion criteria
      required that the article present data collected on athlete exposure and provided
      statistics pertaining to overuse injuries. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to, to
      the best ability of the authors. RESULTS: The initial search resulted in 5,182
      articles with potential for inclusion. After review of titles or abstracts where
      appropriate, 232 studies were read in entirety to determine if they were
      appropriate for inclusion. Of the 35 articles included, 13 used data from the
      National Collegiate Athletics Association's Injury Surveillance System, 12 used
      data from the High School Reporting Information Online (RIO) injury surveillance
      system, and one used data from both of these systems. The remaining nine articles
      used data from distinct surveillance systems or prospectively collected data. All
      of these articles included data on overuse injuries, although not all provided
      definitions for overuse. A major finding from the literature is that the term
      "overuse" has been used both as a mechanism of injury and as an injury diagnosis
      (or a category of diagnoses). Specifically, of 35 articles, 14 used "overuse" as
      a mechanism of injury, seven used it as a category of injury diagnoses, eight
      used it as both a category of injury diagnoses and a mechanism of injury, and it
      was unclear in one how the term is used. Only one of the 35 articles provided a
      biomechanical definition for overuse injuries. Twelve of 35 articles combined
      "overuse" with other terms such as "chronic," "gradual onset," and "repetitive
      stress." Use of the term "no contact" was investigated in relation to "overuse."
      Four of 35 articles define overuse in the context of no contact injuries. Only
      one of 35 articles define "no contact" as a specific acute mechanism of injury,
      while all other mentions of "no contact" do not specifically distinguish whether
      "no contact" was limited to acute injuries only, or has potential to include
      "overuse" injuries. CONCLUSION: There is a great deal of inconsistency in the use
      of the term "overuse" both within and between data sources. This is further
      complicated by the multiple uses of the term "no contact." We recommend that the
      term "overuse" only be used in regard to the mechanism of injury in order to
      enhance interpretation and understanding of the literature regarding overuse
      injuries and enhance the ability to compare results between studies. We also
      recommend the adoption of a common working definition of overuse injuries within
      injury surveillance. This definition should emphasize that overuse injuries are
      characterized by (1) a mechanism of gradual onset, and (2) an underlying
      pathogenesis of repetitive microtrauma.

PMID- 24242860
TI  - An interesting clinical entity of squamous cell cancer of the pancreas with liver
      and bone metastases: a case report and review of the literature.

PMID- 24242863
TI  - Editorial comment.

PMID- 24242864
TI  - Demonstration of an actuarial method for estimating preinjury hand strength.
AB  - Assessments of the magnitude of performance loss caused by injury or disease
      necessarily involve a comparison of a person's performance before and after the
      onset of impairment. Well-established procedures are available for measuring
      current performance on a variety of evaluation instruments. However, few
      actuarial methods have been developed for estimating the person's performance
      prior to injury. This study demonstrated how regression equations can be used to
      estimate preinjury hand strength. Although the equations generated in this
      investigation are specific to hand strength, the methodology can be extended to
      estimate the preinjury performances of persons with a variety of physical and
      intellectual impairments. 

PMID- 24242862
TI  - Weekly EZN-2208 (PEGylated SN-38) in combination with bevacizumab in patients
      with refractory solid tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-angiogenic therapies such as bevacizumab upregulate hypoxia
      inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), a possible mechanism of drug resistance.
      Camptothecin analogues, including SN-38, have been shown to reduce the expression
      and transcriptional activity of HIF-1alpha in preclinical models. We hypothesized
      that co-administration of pegylated SN-38 (EZN-2208) may offset the induction of
      HIF-1alpha following bevacizumab treatment, resulting in synergistic antitumor
      effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with refractory solid tumors were
      enrolled. Objectives were to evaluate the modulation of HIF-1alpha protein and
      target genes in tumor biopsies following administration of the combination of EZN
      2208 administered weekly * 3 (days 1, 8, 15) and bevacizumab administered every 2
      weeks, in 28-day cycles, and to establish the safety and tolerability of the
      combination. Tumor biopsies and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) were
      obtained following bevacizumab alone (before EZN-2208) and after administration
      of both study drugs. RESULTS: Twelve patients were enrolled; ten were evaluable
      for response. Prolonged stable disease was observed in 2 patients, one with HCC
      (16 cycles) and another with desmoplastic round cell tumor (7 cycles). Reduction
      in HIF-1alpha protein levels in tumor biopsies compared to baseline was observed
      in 5 of 7 patients. Quantitative analysis of DCE-MRI from 2 patients revealed
      changes in K(trans) and k(ep). The study closed prematurely as further clinical
      development of EZN-2208 was suspended by the pharmaceutical sponsor. CONCLUSION:
      Preliminary proof-of-concept for modulation of HIF-1alpha protein in tumor
      biopsies following administration of EZN-2208 was observed. Two of 10 patients
      had prolonged disease stabilization following treatment with the EZN-2208 and
      bevacizumab combination.

PMID- 24242861
TI  - A phase II trial of AS1411 (a novel nucleolin-targeted DNA aptamer) in metastatic
      renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: DNA aptamers represent a novel strategy in anti-cancer medicine.
      AS1411, a DNA aptamer targeting nucleolin (a protein which is overexpressed in
      many tumor types), was evaluated in patients with metastatic, clear-cell, renal
      cell carcinoma (RCC) who had failed treatment with >=1 prior tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor. METHODS: In this phase II, single-arm study, AS1411 was administered
      at 40 mg/kg/day by continuous intravenous infusion on days 1-4 of a 28-day cycle,
      for two cycles. Primary endpoint was overall response rate; progression-free
      survival (PFS) and safety were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: 35 patients were
      enrolled and treated. One patient (2.9 %) had a response to treatment. The
      response was dramatic (84 % reduction in tumor burden by RECIST 1.0 criteria) and
      durable (patient remains free of progression 2 years after completing therapy).
      Whole exome sequencing of this patient's tumor revealed missense mutations in the
      mTOR and FGFR2 genes which is of interest because nucleolin is known to
      upregulate mTOR pathway activity by enhancing AKT1 mRNA translation. No other
      responses were seen. Thirty-four percent of patients had an AS1411-related
      adverse event, all of which were mild or moderate. CONCLUSIONS: AS1411 appears to
      have minimal activity in unselected patients with metastatic RCC. However, rare,
      dramatic and durable responses can be observed and toxicity is low. One patient
      in this study had an excellent response and was found to have FGFR2 and mTOR
      mutations which will be of interest in future efforts to discover and validate
      predictive biomarkers of response to nucleolin targeted compounds. DNA aptamers
      represent a novel way to target cancer cells at a molecular level and continue to
      be developed with a view to improving treatment and imaging in cancer medicine.

PMID- 24242865
TI  - Physical and psychosocial correlates of test-retest isometric torque variability
      in patients with chronic low back pain.
AB  - Variability in trunk torque production has been suggested as a means of detecting
      submaximal effort in the assessment of chronic low back pain. Several
      investigations question the validity of using torque variability to detect
      submaximal efforts in patients with back injuries. However, few investigations
      have studied the correlates of text-retest torque variability in clinical
      populations. The present study investigated psychological distress,
      disability/flexibility/pain, and symptom magnification correlates of test-retest
      torque variability in chronic low back pain patients. Contrary to previous
      studies, psychological distress, tendency to report symptoms, and pain were
      negatively correlated with measures of torque variability. The findings indicate
      the potential for psychological variables to influence torque production, but on
      the whole provide little strong support for the use of test-retest torque
      variability as a means of detecting submaximal performance. 

PMID- 24242866
TI  - An identification of low back pain groups using biobehavioral variables.
AB  - A multivariate predictive model of low back pain (LBP) was developed. Following a
      semi-structured interview, 73 participants were assigned to dysfunctional chronic
      low back pain (DCLBP), functional chronic low back pain (FCLBP), acute low back
      pain (ALBP), and healthy control (HC) groups. All participants underwent a
      comprehensive physical, psychophysiological, and psychological evaluation.
      Multivariate analyses indicated no psychophysiological, few physical, and many
      psychological differences among the groups. The DCLBP group was found to be most
      impaired in flexion (p<.001), and the HC group performed the most total work (ft
      lb) in extension (p<.001). Psychologically, the DCLBP group displayed greater
      levels of emotional distress and characterological disturbances and were more
      functionally impaired (p<.001). Few differences between FCLBP and HC were found.
      A classification analysis using physical and psychological variables correctly
      classified 83.3% of DCLBP patients, and it was found that the ALBP group was
      heterogeneous with some patients having a dysfunctional profile and other
      patients having a functional profile. The psychological variables were more
      potent predictors of group membership than were the physical variables. These
      findings indicate that potential DCLBP and FCLBP patients can be identified
      shortly following an injury, suggesting important implications for assessment and
      treatment of low back pain in general, and more specifically, for reducing health
      care costs and human suffering. 

PMID- 24242867
TI  - A strategy for evaluating occupational risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders.
AB  - There is a large and increasing incidence of work-related muscoloskeletal
      disorders, both upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders and low back pain.
      Several occupational risk factors have been linked with the development of
      musculoskeletal disorders. In order to identify the known occupational risk
      factors associated with a specific job, an analysis procedure is described to
      help identify ergonomic risk factors in the workplace. Job analysis should be one
      part of an overall ergonomics control program. Once the ergonomic risk factors
      have been documented, the ergonomics committee can use that information to begin
      developing solutions that will decrease or eliminate the identified risk factors.
      When placing a worker who is returning to the workforce after recovering from an
      injury, health care professionals can also use the information from the job
      analysis to assist in matching up task demands with worker capabilities and
      limitations. 

PMID- 24242868
TI  - The role of onion-associated fungi in bulb mite infestation and damage to onion
      seedlings.
AB  - In Israel Rhizoglyphus robini is considered to be a pest in its own right, even
      though the mite is usually found in association with fungal pathogens. Plant
      protection recommendations are therefore to treat germinating onions seedlings,
      clearly a crucial phase in crop production, when mites are discovered. The aim of
      this study was to determine the role of fungi in bulb mite infestation and damage
      to germinating onion seedlings. Accordingly we (1) evaluated the effect of the
      mite on onion seedling germination and survival without fungi, (2) compared the
      attraction of the mite to species and isolates of various fungi, (3) assessed the
      effect of a relatively non-pathogenic isolate of Fusarium oxysporum on mite
      fecundity, and (4) determined the effects of the mite and of F. oxysporum
      separately and together, on onion seedling germination and sprout development. A
      significant reduction of seedling survival was recorded only in the 1,000
      mites/pot treatment, after 4 weeks. Mites were attracted to 6 out of 7 collected
      fungi isolates. Mite fecundity on onion sprouts infested with F. oxysporum was
      higher than on non-infested sprouts. Survival of seedlings was affected by mites,
      fungi, and their combination. Sprouts on Petri dishes after 5 days were
      significantly longer in the control and mite treatments than both fungi
      treatments. During the 5-day experiment more mites were always found on the fungi
      infected sprouts than on the non-infected sprouts. Future research using
      suppressive soils to suppress soil pathogens and subsequent mite damage is
      proposed. 

PMID- 24242869
TI  - Stable isotope analyses reveal dense trophic species packing and clear niche
      differentiation in a Malagasy primate community.
AB  - Understanding the mechanisms maintaining local species richness is a major topic
      in tropical ecology. In ecological communities of Madagascar, primates represent
      a major part of mammalian diversity and, thus, are a suitable taxon to study
      these mechanisms. Previous research suggested that ecological niche
      differentiation facilitates the coexistence of lemurs. However, detailed data on
      all species making up diverse local primate assemblages is rarely available,
      hampering community-wide tests of niche differentiation among Malagasy mammals.
      Here, we took an indirect approach and used stable isotopes as long-term
      indicators of individuals' diets to answer the question of whether trophic
      patterns and food-related mechanisms stabilize coexistence in a species-rich
      lemur community. We analyzed stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in hair
      collected from eight syntopic lemurs in Kirindy Forest. We found that lemur
      species were well separated into trophic niches and ranged over two trophic
      levels. Furthermore, species were densely packed in isotopic space suggesting
      that past competitive interactions between species are a major structuring force
      of this dry forest lemur community. Results of other comparative studies on
      primates and our findings underline that-in contrast to communities worldwide-the
      structure and composition of lemur communities follow predictions of ecological
      niche theory. Patterns of competitive interactions might be more clearly revealed
      in Malagasy primate communities than elsewhere because lemurs represent a large
      fraction of ecologically interacting species in these communities. The pronounced
      trophic niche differentiation among lemurs is most likely due to intense
      competition in the past as is characteristic for adaptive radiations.

PMID- 24242870
TI  - Physiological functions of endoplasmic reticulum stress transducer OASIS in
      central nervous system.
AB  - Eukaryotic cells can adapt to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction by producing
      diverse signals from the ER to the cytosol or nucleus. These signaling pathways
      are collectively known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). The canonical
      branches of the UPR are mediated by three ER membrane-bound proteins: double
      stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase
      (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1) and activating transcription factor 6
      (ATF6). These ER stress transducers basically play important roles in cell
      survival after ER stress. Recently, novel types of ER stress transducers that
      share a region of high sequence similarity with ATF6 have been identified. They
      have a transmembrane domain, which allows them to associate with the ER, and
      possess a transcription-activation domain and a basic leucine zipper (bZIP)
      domain. These membrane-bound bZIP transcription factors include OASIS, BBF2H7
      CREBH, CREB4 and Luman, and are collectively referred to as OASIS family members.
      Despite their structural similarities with ATF6, differences in activating
      stimuli and tissue distribution indicate specialized functions of each member on
      regulating UPR signaling in specific organs and tissues. One of them, OASIS, is
      expressed preferentially in astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). OASIS
      temporally regulates the differentiation from neural precursor cells into
      astrocytes to promote the expression of Glial Cell Missing 1 through dynamic
      interactions among OASIS family members followed by accelerating demethylation of
      the Gfap promoter. This review is a summary of our current understanding of the
      physiological functions of OASIS in the CNS. 

PMID- 24242871
TI  - Morphological variations of the vallate papillae in some mammalian species.
AB  - The morpho-structural characteristics of the vallate papillae of the tongue of
      rat, dog, donkey and buffalo were investigated by macroscopy and their
      microstructure by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The numbers of
      vallate papillae varied among the different species. In rat, a single vallate
      papilla surrounded by incomplete groove and an annular fold was observed. Taste
      buds were detected along the entire length of the medial and lateral groove
      epithelium, but not in the papillary dome. In dog, some papillae lacking the
      annular pad had irregular ridges and grooves toward the center of the papillary
      surface, while other papillae had small secondary papillary grooves arising from
      the center of the papilla. Taste buds were located in the medial and lateral
      epithelium of both primary and secondary grooves as well as in the dome
      epithelium. In donkey, two papillae were frequently observed around the midline
      of the tongue root, and an additional papilla was found occasionally in the
      middle and associated with secondary papilla. In buffalo, several papillae were
      relatively small and variable in shape. With SEM, small ridges and grooves were
      found in the papillae of donkey and buffalo. In both species, taste buds were
      constantly observed along the medial wall epithelium, but no taste buds were
      found in the lateral wall. We conclude that the vallate papillae exhibited
      peculiar characteristics, which are species specific and might have a correlation
      with the variable feeding habits among these animals. 

PMID- 24242873
TI  - Post-mortem changes in chemical profile and their influence on corpse removal in
      ants.
AB  - In order to decrease the risk of pathogen transmission, ants remove corpses from
      the vicinity of nests, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. In
      particular, it is unclear how the odor profile of corpses changes with time since
      death and how any changes might relate to behavior. We have addressed these
      questions in the red ant Myrmica rubra, where we asked how the time since death
      determines the ability of workers to discriminate a dead individual from a live
      one, and whether dead workers are removed in a similar way when they originate
      from the same or an alien colony. We found that ants could discriminate alien
      from nestmate corpses up to 2 days after death, since the former continued to
      elicit aggressive behavior over that period. For dead nestmates, only 15 % of
      corpses were removed when freshly killed but this rises to 80 % for corpses
      between 1 to 6 days post mortem. Using gas chromatography, we found that oleic
      and linoleic acids, which are absent on freshly killed corpses, appeared post
      mortem and were in higher quantities on those corpses that were ejected from the
      nest vicinity. When added to fresh corpses, linoleic and oleic acids, alone or
      blended, enhanced removal to levels observed for corpses of 2-6 days post-mortem.
      Thus, oleic and linoleic acids appear to be important cues involved in corpse
      recognition and necrophoresis over a long timeframe, and we advance the
      hypothesis that these fatty acids in combination with other cues may also trigger
      other behaviors such as prey retrieval.

PMID- 24242876
TI  - Reactions of strong bases with vinyl fluoride formation and characterization of 1
      fluorovinyl anion and the fluoride-acetylene hydrogen-bonded complex.
AB  - Vinyl fluoride reacts with strong bases to afford I-fluorovinyl anion (1a) and a
      fluoride-acetylene cluster (1b). The former ion can be prepared independently,
      and cleanly, by the fluorodesilylation of 1-(trimethylsilyl) fluoroethylene.
      Reactions of 1a are reported, and its proton affinity is assigned (387 +/- 3 kcal
      mol(-1)). Vinyl fluoride is 22 kcal mol(-1) more acidic than ethylene. This
      unusually large substituent effect is reproduced by ab initio calculations, and
      can be accounted for by geometric changes which minimize the electron-electron
      repulsion in 1a. Computations on 2-fluorovinyl anions (1c and 1d) have also been
      carried out, and both ions are only slightly less stable than 1a. The cis isomer
      (1c) has a larger barrier for fluoride elimination and is a reasonable target for
      preparation. 

PMID- 24242874
TI  - Differential effects of sorafenib on liver versus tumor fibrosis mediated by
      stromal-derived factor 1 alpha/C-X-C receptor type 4 axis and myeloid
      differentiation antigen-positive myeloid cell infiltration in mice.
AB  - Sorafenib--a broad kinase inhibitor--is a standard therapy for advanced
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been shown to exert antifibrotic effects
      in liver cirrhosis, a precursor of HCC. However, the effects of sorafenib on
      tumor desmoplasia--and its consequences on treatment resistance--remain unknown.
      We demonstrate that sorafenib has differential effects on tumor fibrosis versus
      liver fibrosis in orthotopic models of HCC in mice. Sorafenib intensifies tumor
      hypoxia, which increases stromal-derived factor 1 alpha (SDF-1alpha) expression
      in cancer and stromal cells and, subsequently, myeloid differentiation antigen
      positive (Gr-1(+)) myeloid cell infiltration. The SDF-1alpha/C-X-C receptor type
      4 (CXCR4) pathway directly promotes hepatic stellate cell (HSC) differentiation
      and activation through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. This is
      consistent with the association between SDF-1alpha expression with fibrotic septa
      in cirrhotic liver tissues as well as with desmoplastic regions of human HCC
      samples. We demonstrate that after treatment with sorafenib, SDF-1alpha increased
      the survival of HSCs and their alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen I
      expression, thus increasing tumor fibrosis. Finally, we show that Gr-1(+) myeloid
      cells mediate HSC differentiation and activation in a paracrine manner. CXCR4
      inhibition, using AMD3100 in combination with sorafenib treatment, prevents the
      increase in tumor fibrosis--despite persistently elevated hypoxia--in part by
      reducing Gr-1(+) myeloid cell infiltration and inhibits HCC growth. Similarly,
      antibody blockade of Gr-1 reduces tumor fibrosis and inhibits HCC growth when
      combined with sorafenib treatment. CONCLUSION: Blocking SDF-1alpha/CXCR4 or Gr
      1(+) myeloid cell infiltration may reduce hypoxia-mediated HCC desmoplasia and
      increase the efficacy of sorafenib treatment.

PMID- 24242875
TI  - Interleukin-7 receptor single nucleotide polymorphism rs6897932 (C/T) and the
      susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Emerging evidences were accumulated to support the view that aberrant interleukin
      7 (IL-7) signaling might be associated with autoimmunity. Former studies
      demonstrated the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6897932 C/T in the IL-7
      receptor (IL-7R) gene was associated with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases,
      including multiple sclerosis and type I diabetes. Given these, this study was
      conducted to investigate whether an association existed between SNP rs6897932 and
      the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a severe systemic
      autoimmune disease. In this context, 816 SLE patients and 816 controls from a
      Chinese population were recruited for this study, and the results showed that the
      major allele C of rs6897932 showed a higher frequency in SLE patients compared
      with controls (P = 0.039, C versus T); significant difference was also detected
      under a recessive model with regard to the distribution of genotype frequencies
      between SLE patients and controls (P = 0.041, CC versus CT + TT), which was not
      consistent with the results under a dominant model (P = 0.349, CC + CT versus
      TT). Moreover, association studies were also performed contraposing the
      relationship between the SNP rs6897932 C/T and lupus nephritis as well as 10
      clinical features of SLE; however, no significant association signal was found
      regarding the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies between SLE
      patients positive and negative for the presence of 11 sub-phenotypes. In
      conclusion, the major allele C of SNP rs6897932 may be associated with increased
      SLE risk in Chinese populations, and further studies are still encouraged to shed
      light on the true associations between SLE and its susceptibility genes with
      respect to IL-7R gene. 

PMID- 24242877
TI  - Fragmentation of 1- and 3-methoxypropene ions another part of the C4H 8O (+*)
      potential energy surface.
AB  - The fragmentation mechanisms of metastable ionized 1- and 3-methoxypropene have
      been examined in detail by using ionization and appearance energy measurements,
      metastable ion and collisional activation mass spectra, and a variety of
      isotopically labeled molecules. These metastable C4H8O(+*) ions fragment by loss
      of H; CH3, and H2CO, and the experimental observations allowed the construction
      of the potential energy diagram which describes their interconversion and the
      participation of four other distonic and carbene C4H8O(+*) ions. It was found
      that these two methyl alkenyl ether ions had no common reaction channel with
      either the 2-methoxy isomer or with any of the alcohol, keto, or enol C4H8O(n+*)
      isomers which previously have been extensively studied. 

PMID- 24242872
TI  - The dynamic architectural and epigenetic nuclear landscape: developing the
      genomic almanac of biology and disease.
AB  - Compaction of the eukaryotic genome into the confined space of the cell nucleus
      must occur faithfully throughout each cell cycle to retain gene expression
      fidelity. For decades, experimental limitations to study the structural
      organization of the interphase nucleus restricted our understanding of its
      contributions towards gene regulation and disease. However, within the past few
      years, our capability to visualize chromosomes in vivo with sophisticated
      fluorescence microscopy, and to characterize chromosomal regulatory environments
      via massively parallel sequencing methodologies have drastically changed how we
      currently understand epigenetic gene control within the context of three
      dimensional nuclear structure. The rapid rate at which information on nuclear
      structure is unfolding brings challenges to compare and contrast recent
      observations with historic findings. In this review, we discuss experimental
      breakthroughs that have influenced how we understand and explore the dynamic
      structure and function of the nucleus, and how we can incorporate historical
      perspectives with insights acquired from the ever-evolving advances in molecular
      biology and pathology.

PMID- 24242878
TI  - Organic neutralization agents for neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry.
AB  - Porter has shown that excited neutrals of specified internal energies can be
      prepared by neutralization of an ion beam with metal vapors of low ionization
      potential (IP). For specific problems in neutralization-reionization mass
      spectrometry, a metal with the desired IP value may not be available, or it may
      present experimental problems such as a high vaporization temperature, instrument
      contamination, or detector instability. The use of organic neutralization agents
      such as tetra-p-anisylethylene (IP = 6.0 eV) can minimize these problems
      (although cross sections for neutralization with these are a factor of 5 lower
      than those with metals), and can provide a much wider range of IP values. Their
      utility is demonstrated in the neutralization of C4H4 (+*) and CH8 (+*) ions to
      produce C4H4 and C4H8 of selected internal energies. However, for CH4 (+*)
      neutralization, the CH4 neutrals formed have a much lower internal energy than
      predicted, indicating that electron transfer from the neutralization agent
      predominantly produces its ions in excited states. 

PMID- 24242879
TI  - m-nitrobenzyl alcohol electrochemistry in fast atom bombardment mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - The efficacy of m-nitrobenzyl alcohol (NBA) as a solvent (matrix) for fast atom
      bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry of a group of pyrazolate-bridged dirhodium A
      frame complexes has been assessed. Although NBA is frequently used to mitigate
      the formation of artifacts in FAB/MS of organometallics and other materials
      susceptible to bombardment-induced reactions, substantial evidence indicates that
      such reactions cause the formation of artifacts in the spectra obtained here.
      Parallel absorption spectroscopic studies have established that NBA is capable of
      inducing both oxidation and reduction reactions independent of ion bombardment,
      depending on analyte reduction half-wave potential (E1/2). From the known
      electrochemistry of the complexes studied, it can be estimated that 1020 mV >
      E1/2 > 500 mV for the reaction of NBA serving as a reducing agent, while 500 mV >
      E1/2 > 424 mV for the reduction potential of NBA. However, in the presence of
      bombardment the former E1/2 must be at least as low as 356 mY, and the latter
      E1/2 must be at least as high as 1188 mY. The kinetics of redox reactions
      involving NBA, and therefore their influence on the appearance of FAB mass
      spectra, will be highly sample-dependent. However, this study illustrates an
      important potential role for redox reactions when NBA is used as a solvent,
      especially in the presence of bombardment in FAB/MS. Although analyte reaction
      products could be identified, substantial efforts aimed at identifying NBA
      oxidation and reduction products did not yield any definitive results due to the
      complexity of product mixtures. 

PMID- 24242880
TI  - A glow discharge ion source with fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass
      spectrometric detection.
AB  - A glow discharge (CD) ion source has been coupled to a Fourier transform ion
      cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer using a four-element electrostatic
      lens to accelerate and focus ions generated external to the instrument's high
      magnetic field into its analyzer cell. Like other CD mass spectrometers, GD-FT
      ICR can provide a quantitative measure of bulk analyte concentration with good
      precision and accuracy. Although detection limits currently attainable are
      several orders of magnitude higher than the commercially available magnetic
      sector-based instrument, CD-FT-ICR holds promise for ultrahigh resolving power
      elemental mass analysis. Several schemes are proposed to lower the detection
      limits of the technique while still providing high enough resolution to resolve
      isobaric interferences. 

PMID- 24242881
TI  - Selection of solvent load and first-stage pressure to reduce interference effects
      in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
AB  - In inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry the first-stage pressure and
      solvent characteristics can strongly influence spectral and nonspectroscopic
      interference effects. By manipulating the pressure and solvent load, one can
      regulate the degree of analyte signal suppression observed in the presence of
      high concentrations (> 10 mM) of concomitants. Importantly, the same operating
      conditions that eliminate the matrix effects maintain the analytical utility of
      the system. However, for some interferent-analyte combinations, the identity of
      the concomitant anion and subsequent pH of the solution determine whether the
      interference effects can be eliminated entirely. The first-stage pressure does
      not appear to significantly affect the oxide-ion and doubly charged ion ratios;
      the solvent characteristics are the dominant factors that dictate these ratios. 

PMID- 24242882
TI  - Nanoscale separations combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry:
      Sulfonamide determination.
AB  - Nanoscale capillary liquid chromatography (nCLC) and capillary zone
      electrophoresis (CZE) have been combined with quadrupole mass spectrometry via an
      electrospray ionization (ESI) interface. These methodologies have been applied to
      the separation and determination of a variety of sulfonamides. CZE/ESI/MS is the
      more rapid and sensitive technique, but nCLC/ESI/MS shows promise for the
      analysis of dilute samples. Ultimately, the two techniques provide complementary
      methods of analysis. The detection limits of these techniques in the full-scan
      mode are in the low picomole range. Dissociation of the sulfonamides can be
      induced by increasing the skimmer voltage. This provides a limited means of
      discriminating between compounds of identical molecular weight but, more
      important, provides fragments that could be used to confirm the presence of
      analyte within a sample. 

PMID- 24242883
TI  - Collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry of nonionic surfactants
      following direct supercritical fluid injection.
AB  - Direct injection from a capillary supercritical fluid chromatography system was
      used as an inlet technique for chemical ionization (CI) and low energy collision
      induced dissociation (CID) mass spectrometry of a series of low volatility
      nonionic surfactant mixtures. Characteristic fragment ions produced by CID for
      various classes of nonionic surfactant molecules were found to depend greatly on
      the structure of the surfactant hydrophobe. This was the case even when the
      charge on the molecule appeared localized away from the hydrophobe. Numerous
      decomposition pathways are suggested by the fragment ions produced. The use of
      direct supercritical fluid injection as an inlet technique does not appear to
      influence adversely the ability to produce cm mass spectra. Direct supercritical
      fluid introduction allows CI to be compared with other ionization mechanisms more
      commonly used for multifunctional, low volatility samples. 

PMID- 24242884
TI  - Generation of substructure identification rules using feature-combinations from
      tandem mass spectra.
AB  - Software to interpret tandem mass spectra, entitled Method for Analyzing Patterns
      in Spectra (MAPS), has been developed to provide substructure information for an
      automated compound identification system, This software consists of several
      program modules which manipulate databases of tandem mass spectra and
      substructure information, generate substructure identification rules, and apply
      these rules to the tandem mass spectra of unknown compounds to identify
      components of their structure. The MAPS rule generation program has been modified
      to generate rules based on specific combinations of spectral features that occur
      concertedly. False positives are drastically reduced by searching for "feature
      combinations" that have 100% uniqueness with respect to a reference database of
      compounds. Recall is increased by the determination of multiple feature
      combinations indicative of the presence of a given substructure. Strategies were
      developed in the algorithm for the discovery of feature-combinations that avoid
      the computation "explosion" that occurs when working with a large number of
      spectral features. The rules developed have the form: "IF feature-eombination a
      (FC a) or FC b,..., or FC x, THEN substructure SSn is present." 

PMID- 24242885
TI  - Evaluation of automatically generated substructure identification rules from
      tandem mass spectra.
AB  - Substructure identification rules for phenothiazine and barbiturate substructures
      were generated by using a new version of the Method for Analyzing Patterns in
      Spectra (MAPS) software. This software uses tandem mass spectra and known
      substructure content of reference compounds to provide "feature-combination"
      rules. A feature-combination is a series of tandem mass spectral features which
      are completely unique to compounds containing a specified substructure. The
      current reference databases contain over 11,000 daughter spectra of 100 compounds
      acquired at two different collision gas pressures (i.e., single- and multiple
      collision conditions). The results of rule evaluation procedures are presented
      and include a comparison of the spectral features developed in rule generation to
      those identified in documented fragmentation pathways of the indicated
      substructure. Two potential sources of error due to spectral feature and
      substructure "cross-correlation" were identified. If errors occur, they can be
      detected by calculating cross-correlation coefficients and edited from the rules.
      A beneficial cross-correlation involving feature-combinations was also
      discovered. The rules obtained by using single- and multiple-collision data were
      further evaluated by applying them to tandem mass spectra of 20 test compounds
      (compounds not in the reference database). The results of these evaluations give
      a good indication of the utility of the rules for use in an automated structure
      elucidation system for tandem mass spectrometry data. 

PMID- 24242887
TI  - NF-kappaB2/p100 deficiency impairs immune responses to T-cell-independent type 2
      antigens.
AB  - Formation of the splenic marginal zone (MZ) depends on the alternative NF-kappaB
      signaling pathway. Recently, we reported that unrestricted activation of this
      pathway in NF-kappaB2/p100-deficient (p100(-/-) ) knock-in mice alters the
      phenotype of MZ stroma and B cells. Here, we show that lack of the p100 inhibitor
      resulted in an expansion of both MZ B and peritoneal B-1 cells. However, these
      cells failed to generate proliferating blasts in response to T-cell-independent
      type 2 (TI-2) Ags, correlating with dampened IgM and absent IgG3 responses. This
      phenotype was in part due to increased activity of the NF-kappaB subunit RelB.
      Moreover, p100(-/-) ->B6 BM chimeras were more susceptible to infection by
      encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, pathogens that induce TI-2
      responses. In contrast to the TI-2 defect, p100 deficiency did not impair immune
      responses to the TI-1 Ag LPS and p100(-/-) MZ B cells showed normal Ag
      transportation into B-cell follicles. Furthermore, p100(-/-) MZ B and B-1 cells
      failed to respond to TI-2 Ags in the presence of WT accessory cells. Thus, NF
      kappaB2/p100 deficiency caused a predominant B-cell-intrinsic TI-2 defect that
      could largely be attributed to impaired proliferation of plasmablasts.
      Importantly, p100 was also necessary for efficient defense against clinically
      relevant TI-2 pathogens. 

PMID- 24242888
TI  - Are divided attention tasks useful in the assessment and management of sport
      related concussion?
AB  - This article is a systematic review of the literature on divided attention
      assessment inclusive of a cognitive and motor task (balance or gait) for use in
      concussion management. The systematic review drew from published papers listed in
      PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases. The search identified 19 empirical
      research papers meeting the inclusion criteria. Study results were considered for
      the psychometric properties of the paradigms, the influence of divided attention
      on measures of cognition and postural control and the comparison of divided
      attention task outcomes between individuals with concussion and healthy controls
      (all samples were age 17 years or older). The review highlights that the
      reliability of the tasks under a divided attention paradigm presented ranges from
      low to high (ICC: 0.1-0.9); however, only 3/19 articles included psychometric
      information. Response times are greater, gait strategies are less efficient, and
      postural control deficits are greater in concussed participants compared with
      healthy controls both immediately and for some period following concussive
      injury, specifically under divided attention conditions. Dual task assessments in
      some cases were more reliable than single task assessments and may be better able
      to detect lingering effects following concussion. Few of the studies have been
      replicated and applied across various age groups. A key limitation of these
      studies is that many include laboratory and time-intensive measures. Future
      research is needed to refine a time and cost efficient divided attention
      assessment paradigm, and more work is needed in younger (pre-teens) populations
      where the application may be of greatest utility.

PMID- 24242889
TI  - Sport-related concussions: a review of epidemiology, challenges in diagnosis, and
      potential risk factors.
AB  - Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a common mild traumatic brain injury among
      young, active individuals, affecting approximately 300,000 young American adults
      annually. In this review of the epidemiology of SRC, we describe the challenges
      in identifying concussion occurrence and review the studies describing concussion
      incidence in various sports. In high risk contact sports, American football,
      soccer (European football), hockey, lacrosse, and basketball athletes experience
      concussion unintentionally during the course of play. Among these, football
      concussion incidence is reviewed in greatest detail because it has the highest
      incidence among the contact sports, and some studies have shown long-term
      neurophysiologic and neurodegenerative outcomes. Mechanisms of injury differ
      significantly by sport and can be potential targets for concussion risk
      mitigation. Despite the apparent high incidence of SRC, risk factors determining
      initial concussion, recovery periods, recurrence, and long-term outcomes remain
      poorly understood and warrant further study exploring the influence of age, sex,
      genetics, and athletic factors.

PMID- 24242891
TI  - 180 W vs 120 W lithium triborate photoselective vaporization of the prostate for
      benign prostatic hyperplasia: a global, multicenter comparative analysis of
      perioperative treatment parameters.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical performance of the new Greenlight XPS-180 W
      laser system (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MI) and the effect of
      prostate volume (PV), in comparison with the former HPS-120 W system, for the
      treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia by photo-selective vaporization of the
      prostate. METHODS: Between July 2007 and March 2012, 1809 patients underwent
      laser photo-selective vaporization of the prostate (1187 patients with the use of
      HPS-120 W and 622 patients with the use of XPS-180 W) at 7 international centers.
      All data were collected prospectively. Comparative analysis was performed between
      XPS and HPS according to PV measured by transrectal ultrasound. RESULTS: The XPS
      compared with HPS, allowed significantly reduced laser and operative time (29.6
      minutes vs 65.8 minutes and 53 minutes vs 80 minutes, respectively; P <.01 for
      both). The number of fiber used during the procedures was significantly reduced
      with the XPS system (1.11 vs 2.28; P <.01), whereas total energy delivered was
      lower (250.2 kJ vs 267.7 kJ; P = .043). Overall, the mean operative time, mean
      laser time, and mean energy were all significantly increased according to PV >80
      mL vs <80 mL. However, when stratified according to PV, XPS demonstrates
      significant advantages compared with HPS, regardless of prostate size in all
      operative parameters (P <.01). CONCLUSION: The new XPS-180 W system exhibits
      significant advantages in all surgical parameters compared with the HPS-120 W
      system. Overall, with XPS-180 W and HPS-120 W, mean operative time, laser time,
      and energy usage increased according to PV. This suggests that preoperative
      evaluation of PV by transrectal ultrasound should be mandatory.

PMID- 24242892
TI  - Prostatic elasticity: a new non-invasive parameter to assess bladder outlet
      obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (a canine experiment).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the change of prostatic elasticity during the development
      of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its correlation with the degree of
      bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in the canine model of BOO caused by BPH.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten male beagle dogs were selected in this study. To
      establish canine model of BOO caused by BPH, each beagle underwent castration
      surgery followed by encapsulating the prostate with a double layer of nylon mesh
      and then treating the beagles with a combination of steroids for 12 weeks.
      Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) examination and urodynamic evaluation were
      performed before and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of hormone administration. Prostatic
      volume, Young modulus of prostatic tissue, and urodynamic parameters were
      compared at each time instance, and the correlation between the Young modulus of
      the prostatic tissue and urodynamic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: All
      beagles developed BOO caused by BPH over the time period of the study. Prostatic
      volume, Young modulus of prostatic tissue, and urodynamic parameters had
      statistically significant differences before and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of
      hormone administration (P <.05). Young modulus of prostatic tissue showed a very
      significant correlation with urodynamic parameters, including maximum urine flow
      (Qmax) (r = -0.802, P <.01), Qave (r = -0.711, P <.01), Pves@open (r = 0.638, P
      <.01), Pves@Qmax (r = 0.699, P <.01), Pdet@Qmax (r = 0.757, P <.01), and Pdetmax
      (r = 0.739, P <.01). CONCLUSION: Young modulus of prostatic tissue increased
      during the development of the BPH. There was a significant correlation between
      Young modulus of prostatic tissue and the degree of BOO.

PMID- 24242890
TI  - Vertical distribution of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) in the hyporheic zone of
      a eutrophic river in North China.
AB  - Nitrification plays a significant role in the global nitrogen cycle, and this
      concept has been challenged with the discovery of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA)
      in the environment. In this paper, the vertical variations of the diversity and
      abundance of AOA in the hyporheic zone of the Fuyang River in North China were
      investigated by molecular techniques, including clone libraries, phylogenetic
      analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The archaeal amoA gene was
      detected in all sediments along the profile, and all AOA fell within marine group
      1.1a and soil group1.1b of the Thaumarchaeota phylum, with the latter being the
      dominant type. The diversity of AOA decreased with the sediment depth, and there
      was a shift in AOA community between top-sediments (0-5 cm) and sub-sediments (5
      70 cm). The abundance of the archaeal amoA gene (1.48 * 107 to 5.50 * 107 copies
      g-1 dry sediment) was higher than that of the bacterial amoA gene (4.01 * 104 to
      1.75 * 105 copies g-1 dry sediment) in sub-sediments, resulting in a log10 ratio
      of AOA to ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) from 2.27 to 2.69, whereas AOB
      outnumbered AOA in top-sediments with a low log10 ratio of (-0.24). The
      variations in the AOA community were primarily attributed to the combined effect
      of the nutrients (ammonium-N, nitrate-N and total organic carbon) and oxygen in
      sediments. Ammonium-N was the major factor influencing the relative abundance of
      AOA and AOB, although other factors, such as total organic carbon, were involved.
      This study helps elucidate the roles of AOA and AOB in the nitrogen cycling of
      hyporheic zone.

PMID- 24242894
TI  - The acquisition, development, and maintenance of fruit machine gambling in
      adolescents.
AB  - In the U.K., the major commercial gambling activity in adolescents is the playing
      of slot machines (commonly known as "fruit machines"). Over the past few years,
      the negative effects of "fruit machine addiction" have been reported by various
      helping organizations (e.g. Gamblers Anonymous) and the national press, including
      allegations of attempted murder, suicide and prostitution as well as a wider
      incidence of petty crime.Fifty adolescent fruit machine players from a 'user
      population' participated in a face-to-face interview and questionnaire study
      examining factors in the acquisition, development and maintenance of gambling
      behaviour. Nine adolescent males were deemed to be pathological gamblers as
      measured by the American Psychiatric Association DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria,
      and a number of serious consequences were reported including gambling debts,
      truancy and stealing. 

PMID- 24242893
TI  - Chronic escitalopram treatment induces erectile dysfunction by decreasing nitric
      oxide bioavailability mediated by increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
      phosphate oxidase activity and reactive oxygen species production.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of escitalopram, a selective serotonin
      reuptake inhibitor, on erectile and penile vascular function in the rat. METHODS:
      The effect of chronic treatment with escitalopram (0.286 mg/kg/day) on change in
      intracavernosal pressure, maximum intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial
      pressure, and area under the intracavernosal pressure curve in response to
      cavernosal nerve stimulation was measured. The effect of chronic escitalopram
      treatment on endothelial-dependent relaxant responses was investigated in
      isolated mesenteric and internal pudendal resistance arteries. Nicotinamide
      adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity and nitric oxide synthase
      levels were determined with enzymatic assay and Western blot, respectively.
      RESULTS: Chronic treatment with escitalopram resulted in a significant reduction
      in the erectile response to cavernosal nerve stimulation without an effect on the
      response to intracavernosal injection of the nitric oxide donor sodium
      nitroprusside. The decrease in erectile function was associated with marked
      increases in NADPH oxidase activity in the corpora cavernosa. Treatment with
      escitalopram also caused a significant reduction in the relaxant response to
      acetylcholine in isolated internal pudendal and mesenteric resistance arteries
      without altering the response to sodium nitroprusside. The decreased response to
      acetylcholine in the isolated vascular segments was associated with a marked
      increase in NADPH oxidase activity that was corrected by treatment with the NAPDH
      oxidase inhibitor apocynin. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effects of escitalopram on
      erectile and vascular function were not accompanied by a change in endothelial
      nitric oxide synthase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, inducible nitric oxide
      synthase expression, or endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity, suggesting
      that the inhibitory effect is caused by a decrease in nitric oxide
      bioavailability mediated by increased NADPH oxidase and reactive oxygen species
      production.

PMID- 24242896
TI  - Gambling in the Netherlands: Developments, participation, and compulsive
      gambling.
AB  - An inventory was made of the developments in what the gambling market had to
      offer and the extent of public participation in games of chance in The
      Netherlands for the period 1945-1988. Both these aspects show a sharp rise in the
      post-war years, but the more negative effects of gambling are also becoming
      clearer. Since the beginning of the 1980's, assistance organizations have
      received increasing requests for help and advice on gambling problems. Roughly
      half of those seeking help are younger than 25 years, presenting the compulsive
      use of slot-machines as their main problem. 

PMID- 24242895
TI  - The emergence of Dutch casinos: A case study of mismarketing?
AB  - Ostensibly, the approval of legalized casino type gambling in the Netherlands was
      intended to combat illegal and uncontrolled gambling. Very early on, however, the
      plan conceived and implemented by the Netherlands Parliament demonstrated serious
      mismarketing strategies and tactics. The new legal casinos were appealing to
      people other than those engaged in illegal gambling, in particular foreign
      tourists and local "high rollers." This paper attempts to analyze the ultimate
      process of goal displacement, as the state casino industry allowed economic
      objectives to supplant desires to utilize legal casinos primarily as controls
      over illegal gambling. 

PMID- 24242897
TI  - "The words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart": The mindset of gamblers
      revealed in their language.
AB  - The colorful language of gambling and gaming is essential to creating the
      players' world; in analyzing it we understand that world. This fringe vocabulary
      or slanguage is examined in connection with standard language, and is analyzed
      for its origins, its humor, and for the attitudes it expresses and transmits.
      This language is seen as a neglected indicator ofl'histoire de mentalite, the
      mindset of gamblers. It is also suggested that other factors-body language,
      paralanguage, stock expressions composed of standard words (jokes, catch phrases,
      etc.)-hold clues to the outlook, superstitions, behavior, the rational and
      irrational beliefs of gamblers. 

PMID- 24242898
TI  - The impact of the daily lottery on the numbers game: Does legalization make a
      difference?
AB  - There has been a profusion of state run legal lotteries over the last two
      decades. One justification for them has been their supposed diversion of funds
      from illegal games known as numbers, policy and bolita. Records obtained in a
      police raid in south Florida provided an opportunity to analyze the impact of
      Florida' legal lottery on its illegal counterpart. The records ranged over a 13
      week period encompassing five weeks prior to the inception of Florida's legal
      daily numbers and lotto games and seven weeks afterward. While there was a 17
      percent decline in monies wagered on the illegal games during the first week of
      the legal games, illegal wagers quickly rebounded to prelegalization levels. 

PMID- 24242899
TI  - Tissue hypoxia in autoimmune brain disease: a Columbian discovery?

PMID- 24242900
TI  - Clinical outcomes of stenting for colorectal obstruction at a tertiary centre.
AB  - PURPOSE: Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) have been used to manage large bowel
      obstruction as a palliative treatment or to initially decompress the colon as a
      bridge to definitive surgery. Our goal was to review clinical outcomes in
      patients undergoing placement of a SEMS for colorectal obstruction at a tertiary
      care hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review was done of patients undergoing
      placement of a colorectal SEMS at a single centre between August 2005 and March
      2011 for obstructing lesions. Outcomes identified included clinical relief of
      obstruction, successful bridging to surgery or palliation, and stent-related
      complications. RESULTS: SEMS were placed in a total of 58 patients. The intent of
      stenting was to bridge to definitive surgery in 11 patients and palliation in 47
      patients. Stent placement was clinically successful in relieving obstruction
      without early complication in 45 (78%) patients. Of the patients intended to
      bridge to surgery, 7/11 (64%) were successfully bridged to surgery. One patient
      suffered a perforation, two failed to relieve obstruction, and one re-obstructed.
      Of the patients stented for palliation, 32/47 (68%) were successfully palliated
      at a mean follow-up of 7.5 months. Five patients had perforations, six re
      obstructed, two had stent migration, and two failed to relieve obstruction. The
      overall rates for perforation, re-obstruction, and stent migration were 10, 12,
      and 7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery and for
      palliation of colorectal obstruction is associated with moderate rates of
      clinical success but a high rate of perforation.

PMID- 24242901
TI  - Induced neural lineage cells as repair kits: so close, yet so far away.
AB  - Transdifferentiation or direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neural lineage
      cells has provided an invaluable new tool to advance the regenerative neural
      medicine. Here, we provide an overview of the various strategies currently
      available for producing of induced neural lineage cells in vitro as well as the
      direct reprogramming of neural cells in vivo. We also discussing some of the
      challenges faced in harnessing the potential of induced neural lineage cells for
      biomedical applications.

PMID- 24242902
TI  - Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the novel alphav-integrin antibody
      EMD 525797 (DI17E6) in healthy subjects after ascending single intravenous doses.
AB  - PURPOSE: We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of EMD
      525797 (DI17E6), a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting alphav-integrins, in
      healthy subjects. METHODS: In this first-in-human, double-blind, placebo
      controlled, randomized Phase 1 study, healthy male volunteers were consecutively
      assigned to 6 ascending single-dose cohorts of 35, 100, 250, 500, 1000, or 1500
      mg. Per dose cohort, EMD 525797 or placebo was administered over 1 h as an
      intravenous 250-mL infusion to 6 and 3 volunteers, respectively. Escalation to
      the next dose level was based on evaluation of safety, tolerability, and PK data.
      RESULTS: Fifty-five subjects (aged 18-45 years) were randomized. Twenty-seven of
      37 (73 %) subjects receiving EMD 525797 reported a total of 61 adverse events
      (AEs), including 38 events (in 17 subjects) considered by the investigator to be
      treatment related. A total of 35 AEs were reported by 14 of 18 (78 %) placebo
      treated subjects. The most commonly occurring AEs were gastrointestinal
      disorders, abnormal laboratory values, and increased or decreased biochemistry
      and/or hematology values, as well as headaches, which occurred at a slightly
      higher frequency in the EMD 525797 group compared with placebo. There were no
      serious AEs or deaths. EMD 525797 PK appeared to be dose dependent, especially at
      lower doses. CONCLUSION: Ascending single doses of EMD 525797 were shown to be
      safe and well tolerated. No safety concerns were identified. This study supports
      the ongoing investigation of EMD 525797.

PMID- 24242904
TI  - Introductory statement.

PMID- 24242903
TI  - Effects of Subcutaneous Pasireotide on Cardiac  Repolarization in Healthy
      Volunteers: a  Single-Center, Phase I, Randomized,  Four-Way Crossover Study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of subcutaneous pasireotide on
      cardiac repolarization in healthy volunteers. Healthy volunteers were randomized
      to one of four treatment sequences (n = 112) involving four successive treatments
      in different order: pasireotide 600 ug (therapeutic dose) or 1,950 ug (maximum
      tolerated dose) bid by subcutaneous injection (sc), placebo injection and oral
      moxifloxacin. Maximum DeltaDeltaQTcI occurred 2 hours post-dose for both doses of
      pasireotide. Mean DeltaDeltaQTcI was 13.2 milliseconds (90% CI: 11.4, 15.0) and
      16.1 milliseconds (90% CI: 14.3, 17.9) for the 600 and 1,950 ug bid doses,
      respectively. Maximal placebo-subtracted change in QTcI from baseline for
      moxifloxacin was 11.1 (90% CI: 9.3, 12.9) milliseconds. Both pasireotide doses
      caused a reduction in heart rate: maximal heart rate change compared with placebo
      occurred at 1 hour for pasireotide 600 ug bid and at 0.5 hours for pasireotide
      1,950 ug bid, with heart rate reductions of 10.4 and 14.9 bpm, respectively. At
      the therapeutic dose of 600 ug, pasireotide has a modest QT-prolonging effect.
      The relatively small increase of ~3 milliseconds in DeltaDeltaQTcI in the
      presence of a 3.25-fold increase in dose suggests a relatively flat dose-effect
      relationship of pasireotide on DeltaDeltaQTcI in healthy volunteers. No safety
      concerns for pasireotide were identified during the study.

PMID- 24242905
TI  - Rotamer-specific fluorescence quenching in tyrosinamide: Dynamic and static
      interactions.
AB  - We have examined the environments of the three phenol rotamers about the C(alpha)
      C(beta) bond in tyrosinamide by fluorescence quenching. Steady-state acrylamide
      quenching yields a nonlinear stern-Volmer plot. With three distinct emitting
      species and no other information about the system, it is impossible to analyze
      the data due to the number of variables which have to be determined. We therefore
      reduced the number of variables by independently determining the fractional
      intensity and dynamic quenching constant for each rotamer through time-resolved
      fluorescence quenching studies. These parameters were then used to analyze the
      steady-state data for any contribution of static quenching. We conclude that the
      nonlinear Stern-Volmer plot for the quenching of tyrosinamide by acrylamide is a
      consequence of each rotamer having a distinct dynamic quenching constant and the
      presence of static quenching. The static quenching can be represented by either
      the sphere-of-action model involving two of the three rotamers or the ground
      state complex model involving all three rotamers. 

PMID- 24242906
TI  - Distribution of separations between groups in an engineered calmodulin.
AB  - An engineered calmodulin (VU-9-CaM) has been prepared in which a tryptophan group
      is present at position 99 and a tyrosine at position 138. The tyrosine was
      converted to nitrotyrosine. Timedomain dynamic fluorescence measurements were
      made of energy transfer from the tryptophan donor to the nitrotyrosine acceptor.
      These were analyzed to yield the parameters characterizing the distribution of
      separations between the two groups, which are located on Ca(2+)-binding domains
      III and IV. Their mean separation is in reasonable agreement with the
      crystallographic value. 

PMID- 24242907
TI  - Fluorescence anisotropy decay study of self-association of bacterial luciferase
      intermediates.
AB  - The fluorescence dynamics parameters of the fluorescent transient flavin
      luciferase species from the typesVibrio fischeri andPhotobacterium leiognathi are
      presented. The fluorescence anisotropy decay is a single exponential function for
      both types. The correlation time is 70 ns for theP. leiognathi fluorescent
      transient intermediate (2 degrees C, aqueous buffer, pH 7.0), consistent with the
      rotational correlation time of the luciferase macromolecule (77 kD) to which the
      flavin fluorophore is rigidly attached. In contrast, for theV. fischeri species
      the observed correlation time for the anisotropy decay function is 133 ns. This
      suggests that protein self-association occurs in theV. fischeri case and this is
      confirmed by filtration, where the fluorescent transient fromV. fischeri does not
      pass through a 100,000 molecular weight cutoff membrane, whereas theP. leiognathi
      species does. The filtration method also demonstrates self-association in the
      luciferase peroxyflavin and photoflavin fromV. fischeri. A monomer-dimer
      equilibrium also explains the previously reported high correlation times for
      theV. harveyi luciferase-flavin species. It is proposed that the self-association
      competes with the lumazine protein interaction in the bioluminescence reaction. 

PMID- 24242908
TI  - Continuous lifetime distributions of beta-cyclodextrin-anilinonaphthalene
      sulfonic acid inclusion complexes.
AB  - Fluorescence lifetimes are reported for a series of anilinonaphthalene sulfonate
      (ANS) probe molecules complexed with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). The
      fluorescence decay kinetics are recovered by multifrequency phase and modulation
      measurements in concert with a global analysis scheme. In all cases studied, a
      continuous Lorentzian distribution of lifetimes is observed, resulting from the
      dynamical nature of the ANS-beta-CD complex and free ANS. Trends are discussed
      and comparisons made between bound and free fluorophore and between different
      isomeric ANS structures. 

PMID- 24242909
TI  - Solvent complexes of jet-cooled beta-phenylethylamine.
AB  - Laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy was used to investigate beta
      phenylethylamine molecules that were cooled via supersonic gas expansions. The
      bare molecule spectra reveal 0-0 transitions that can be attributed to four
      separate conformers. Upon the addition of water or alcohol solvents, a series of
      new peaks is induced that appear to be built off separate bare molecule
      transitions. This is a pattern that is markedly different from the one seen for
      solvent addition to tyramine, which includes an-OH in the para position. As a
      result, definite hypotheses can be made to explain the influence of the para-OH
      in affecting solvent induced conformations. 

PMID- 24242910
TI  - Adsorption of firefly luciferase at interfaces studied by total internal
      reflection fluorescence spectroscopy.
AB  - The adsorption of luciferase onto silica surfaces was studied by total internal
      reflection fluorescence (TIRF) spectroscopy. Two model surfaces were used:
      hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica. Luciferase adsorbed differently on these two
      surfaces. Initial kinetics of luciferase adsorption onto the hydrophilic surface
      showed that luciferase adsorbs over an adsorption energy barrier of ~3 kT The
      quantum yield of luciferase fluorescence decreased at the hydrophilic silica
      surface, which indicated that the protein conformation was altered during
      adsorption. Luciferase adsorption onto the hydrophobic silica surface proceeded
      with a small adsorption energy barrier and the fluorescence efficiency of
      adsorbed protein remained unchanged after adsorption. The affinity of luciferase
      for luciferin was measured using quenching of luciferase fluorescence with
      luciferin. The binding constant of the adsorbed luciferase-luciferin complex at
      the hydrophilic silica surface was two orders of magnitude smaller than the
      respective binding constant in the solution. Adsorbed luciferase showed an
      absence of ATP-dependent visible luminescence, indicating that the adsorbed
      enzyme was not active at either of the two silica surfaces. 

PMID- 24242912
TI  - Fluorescence study of a field-induced director reorientation in a liquid
      crystalline polyacrylate.
AB  - The electric field-induced director reorientation is investigated by fluorescence
      spectroscopy and turbidimetry. The dynamics of this reorientation are studied as
      a function of temperature, applied voltage, and frequency. 

PMID- 24242911
TI  - Absorption and luminescence spectroscopic analysis of tautomeric forms of
      protonatedN,N-dimethyl-N'-(1-nitro-9-acridinyl)-1,3-propanediamine (nitracrine)
      and its nitro isomers in poly(vinyl alcohol) films.
AB  - The electronic absorption, fluorescence, and phosphorescence excitation spectra,
      as well as the fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra, at either room or liquid
      nitrogen temperatures, were measured forN,N-dimethyl-N'-(1-nitro-9-acridinyl)-1,3
      propanediamine and its three nitro isomers in acidified poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)
      film. The spectral characteristics obtained reveal the existence of the compounds
      studied in at least two structural forms. The results are interpreted in terms of
      the tautomeric phenomena which originate due to the migration of the hydrogen
      atom, which is bound to the nitrogen atom attached to the carbon atom (9), to the
      acridine ring nitrogen. 

PMID- 24242913
TI  - Functional implications of squamosal suture size in paranthropus boisei.
AB  - It has been hypothesized that the extensively overlapping temporal and parietal
      bones of the squamosal sutures in Paranthropus boisei are adaptations for
      withstanding loads associated with feeding. Finite element analysis (FEA) was
      used to investigate the biomechanical effects of suture size (i.e., the area of
      overlap between the temporal and parietal bones) on stress, strain energy, and
      strain ratio in the squamosal sutures of Pan troglodytes and P. boisei (specimen
      OH 5) during biting. Finite element models (FEMs) of OH 5 and a P. troglodytes
      cranium were constructed from CT scans. These models contain sutures that
      approximate the actual suture sizes preserved in both crania. The FEM of Pan was
      then modified to create two additional FEMs with squamosal sutures that are 50%
      smaller and 25% larger than those in the original model. Comparisons among the
      models test the effect of suture size on the structural integrity of the
      squamosal suture as the temporal squama and parietal bone move relative to each
      other during simulated premolar biting. Results indicate that with increasing
      suture size there is a decreased risk of suture failure, and that maximum stress
      values in the OH 5 suture were favorable compared to values in the Pan model with
      the normal suture size. Strain ratios suggest that shear is an important strain
      regime in the squamosal suture. This study is consistent with the hypothesis that
      larger sutures help reduce the likelihood of suture failure under high biting
      loads.

PMID- 24242915
TI  - Claudin-7 suppresses the cytotoxicity of TRAIL-expressing mesenchymal stem cells
      in H460 human non-small cell lung cancer cells.
AB  - Evidence suggests that the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis
      inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising candidate for cancer therapeutics. Studies
      have also shown that claudin-7 (CLDN7) expression is variably dysregulated in
      various malignant neoplasms, with a role in lung cancer that has not been
      definitively decided. This work investigated the differential sensitivity of
      CLDN7-overexpressing human NSCLC H460 cells to TRAIL in vitro and in mouse
      xenografts, and explored the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects.
      NCI-H460 cells were transfected or not with green fluorescent protein-tagged
      CLDN7. Each group was then exposed to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or red
      fluorescent protein-tagged MSCs transduced with lentivirus expressing membrane
      bound TRAIL. The effects and related mechanisms of these treatments were
      evaluated in vitro, and in vivo in murine xenografts. Our results indicate that
      TRAIL induced apoptosis in H460 cells in vitro, and in established xenograft
      tumors TRAIL was associated with a decrease in tumor size, tumor weight, and
      circulating tumor cells. CLDN7 was found to inhibit the MEK/ERK signaling
      pathway, leading to inhibition of death receptor 5 (TNFRSF10B). The cytotoxicity
      of TRAIL was confirmed in H460 cells and in vivo, and CLDN7 suppressed the
      cytotoxicity of TRAIL in H460 cells. Our results indicate that TRAIL may be a
      useful therapy to enhance apoptosis in CLDN7-negative lung cancer cells. 

PMID- 24242914
TI  - Analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of the ethyl acetate fraction of Bidens
      pilosa (Asteraceae).
AB  - Bidens pilosa is an Asteraceae widely used in traditional medicine for the
      treatment of various ailments including pain and inflammation. The present work
      was undertaken to assess the analgesic and antiinflammatory properties of the
      ethyl acetate fraction of methylene chloride/methanol (1:1) extract of leaves of
      Bidens pilosa at the gradual doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg in mice and rats,
      respectively. The analgesic properties of Bidens pilosa were investigated using
      the acetic acid writhing, hot plate, capsaicin and formalin-induced pain models.
      This was followed by a study of the antiinflammatory properties using
      carrageenan, dextran, histamine and serotonin to induce acute inflammation in rat
      hind paw. The extract provided a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in pain induced
      by all four models of nociception. It also presented significant (p < 0.05)
      antiinflammatory activity in all four models of acute inflammation. These results
      show that the ethyl acetate fraction of methylene chloride/methanol (1:1) of
      Bidens pilosa has both analgesic and antiinflammatory properties. The qualitative
      analysis of the fraction by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
      fingerprint revealed the presence of two flavonoids, namely quercetin and iso
      okanin, known to have antiinflammatory and antinociceptive properties, which
      could be responsible for the analgesic and antiinflammatory effects observed.

PMID- 24242916
TI  - Tumor suppressor Ing1b facilitates DNA repair and prevents oxidative stress
      induced cell death.
AB  - Inhibitor of growth (ING) family of proteins are known to coordinate with histone
      acetyltransferases and regulate the key events of cell cycle and DNA repair.
      Previous work from our lab showed that Ing1b regulated the nucleotide excision
      repair by facilitating histone acetylation and subsequent chromatin relaxation.
      Further, it was also shown that Ing1b protected the cells from genomic
      instability induced cell death by promoting ubiquitination of proliferating cell
      nuclear antigen (PCNA). In the present study we explored the role of Ing1b in the
      repair of oxidized DNA and prevention of oxidative stress induced genotoxic cell
      death. Using HCT116 cells we show that Ing1b protein expression is induced by
      treatment with H2O2. Ing1b lacking cells showed decreased ability to repair the
      oxidized DNA. PCNA monoubiquitination, a critical event of DNA repair was blunted
      in Ing1b knock down cells and augmented in Ing1b over expressing cells. Moreover,
      oxidative stress induced cell death was higher in cells lacking Ing1b whereas it
      was lower in Ing1b over expressing cells. Finally we show that inhibition of
      histone deacetylases, rescued the Ing1b knock down cells from cytotoxic effects
      of H2O2 treatment.